Free events explore the clinical trials process

LOWELL, Mass. - Biotech and medical-device entrepreneurs preparing to test their innovations in clinical trials will gain insights into that process during free programs presented by the Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center (M2D2).

The Clinical Trial Program Series, which begins next month via Zoom, will unite entrepreneurs with industry and government leaders to share best practices, challenges, funding issues and a road map for successful clinical trials. M2D2 is a joint venture of UMass Lowell and UMass Medical School in Worcester. The center assists entrepreneurs with all aspects of moving new products and technologies from the drawing board to the marketplace.

Each program in the three-part series will focus on a different topic and feature a variety of leaders in this sector.

"This series is a great opportunity for people to learn about clinical trials from true experts; even those with strong experience in the field will find insights from our speakers. I look forward to leading the session on June 9 about investors and financial strategy, which are two of our most popular educational topics," said M2D2 Co-Director Dr. Nathaniel Hafer, director of the UMass Center for Translational Science and assistant professor of molecular medicine at UMass Medical School.

M2D2 operates lab-based business incubators in Lowell and Worcester and provides networking opportunities, pitch competitions and other programs for startups. The clinical trials series is the latest contribution to these efforts.

"We look forward to introducing series participants not only to the clinical trials process but to all M2D2 has to offer them," said Brennan Fournier, the center's program manager.

Participants may attend any or all of the programs. More about each event's speakers and registration information is available via the links below. The events include:

Medical Product Development 101, Wednesday, June 2, noon - This session will help entrepreneurs understand the best market for their product, along with how to plan for and design their clinical trials. The program will be moderated by Eric Claude, vice president of product development, MPR Associates Inc. For more, visit http://www. eventbrite. com/ e/ medical-product-development-101-tickets-146652815519

Investor and Financial Strategy, Wednesday, June 9, noon - Budgeting, risk mitigation, company partnerships and how to raise capital will be among the topics addressed in this session, which will be led by Hafer. For more, visit http://www. eventbrite. com/ e/ investor-and-financial-strategy-tickets-146655391223

Key Considerations and Best Practices, Tuesday, June 15, noon - This session will explore the most effective ways to conduct clinical trials and how to engage with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, among other issues. The program's moderator will be Rachel Rath, Johnson & Johnson Innovation's director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Biomedical Advance Research and Development Authority alliance. For more, visit http://www. eventbrite. com/ e/ key-considerations-best-practices-tickets-146657557703

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M2D2 has vetted more than 250 medical-device and biotech ventures for inclusion in its programs and provided support to more than 100 startups since the center was founded in 2007. In total, M2D2 resident companies have secured more than $150 million in external funding for their innovations.

About M2D2

M2D2, the Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center, is a joint initiative of the Lowell and Worcester campuses of the UMass system. Its aim is to help new biotech and medical device entrepreneurs develop products every step of the way, from proof-of-concept to commercialization. Affiliated faculty and staff have assisted more than 100 start-up companies and entrepreneurs since the program kicked off in the spring of 2007. http://www. uml. edu/ m2d2 .

This story has been published on: 2021-05-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Technology to monitor mental wellbeing might be right at your fingertips

To help patients manage their mental wellness between appointments, researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a smart device-based electronic platform that can continuously monitor the state of hyperarousal, one of the signs of psychiatric distress. They said this advanced technology could read facial cues, analyze voice patterns and integrate readings from built-in vital signs sensors on smartwatches to determine if a patient is under stress.

Furthermore, the researchers noted that the technology could provide feedback and alert care teams if there is an abrupt deterioration in the patient's mental health.

"Mental health can change very rapidly, and a lot of these changes remain hidden from providers or counselors," said Dr. Farzan Sasangohar, assistant professor in the Wm Michael Barnes '64 Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. "Our technology will give providers and counselors continuous access to patient variables and patient status, and I think it's going to have a lifesaving implication because they can reach out to patients when they need it. Plus, it will empower patients to manage their mental health better."

The researchers' integrated electronic monitoring and feedback platform is described in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice.

Unlike some physical illnesses that can usually be treated with a few doctor visits, people with mental health needs can require an extended period of care. Between visits to a health care provider, information on a patient's mental health status has been lacking. Hence, unforeseen deterioration in mental health has a limited chance of being addressed. For example, a patient with anxiety disorder may experience a stressful life event, triggering extreme irritability and restlessness, which may need immediate medical attention. But this patient may be between appointments. On the other hand, health care professionals have no way to know about their patients' ongoing struggle with mental health, which can prevent them from providing the appropriate care.

Hence, patient-reported outcomes between visits are critical for designing effective health care interventions for mental health so that there is continued improvement in the patient's wellbeing. To fill in this gap, Sasangohar and his team worked with clinicians and researchers in the Department of Psychiatry at Houston Methodist Hospital to develop a smart electronic platform to help assess a patient's mental wellbeing.

"The hospital has the largest inpatient psychiatry clinic in the Houston area," said Sasangohar. "With this collaboration, we could include thousands of patients that had given consent for psychiatric monitoring."

Sasangohar's collaborators at Houston Methodist Hospital were already using an off-the-shelf patient navigation tool called CareSense. This software can be used to send reminders and monitoring questions to patients to better assess their wellbeing. For instance, individuals at risk for self-harm can be prompted to take questionnaires for major depressive disorder periodically.

Rather than solely relying on the patients' subjective assessment of their mental health, Sasangohar and his team also developed a whole suite of software for automatized hyperarousal analysis that can be easily installed on smartphones and smartwatches. These programs gather input from face and voice recognition applications and sensors already built in smartwatches, such as heart rate sensors and pedometers. The data from all of these sources then train machine-learning algorithms to recognize patterns that are aligned with the normal state of arousal. Once trained, the algorithms can continuously look at readings coming from the sensors and recognition applications to determine if the individual is in an elevated arousal state.

"The key here is triangulation," said Sasangohar. "Each of these methods on their own, say facial sentiment analysis, show promise to detect the mental state, albeit with limitations. But when you combine that information with the voice sentiment analysis, as well as physiological indicators of distress, the diagnosis and inference become much more powerful and clearer."

Sasangohar noted that both the subjective evaluation of mental state and the objective evaluation from the machine-learning algorithms are integrated to make a final assessment of the state of arousal for a given individual.

While their technology's prototype is ready, the researchers said they still need to improve the battery life of smartphones carrying their software since the algorithms guzzle a lot of power. Further, they noted that they have to address usability issues, that is, any issues that prohibit patients from using their technology, such as difficulty in navigating their application.

"Because of the stigmatization that surrounds mental illness, we wanted to build a mental health monitoring device that was very discreet," said Sasangohar. "So, we chose off-the-shelf products, like smartphones, and then build sophisticated applications that operate within these devices to make monitoring mental health discreet."

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Other contributors to the study include Dr. Christopher Fowler and Dr. Alok Madan from The University of Texas McGovern School of Medicine and Baylor College of Medicine; Courtenay Bruce and Dr. Stephen Jones from the Houston Methodist Institute for Academic Medicine; Dr. Christopher Frueh from The University of Texas McGovern School of Medicine and the University of Hawaii; and Dr. Bita Kash from the Methodist Institute for Academic Medicine and Texas A&M.

This story has been published on: 2021-05-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Press Release

May 26, 2021 SENATOR RONALD "BATO" DELA ROSA SPONSORSHIP SPEECH

Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (SBN 2215) Today I sponsor Senate Bill No. 2215 under Committee Report No. 259, An Act Institutionalizing Anti-Drug Abuse Councils in Every Local Government Unit, And for Other Purposes. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, we are experiencing a global drug problem with at least 35 million people around the world who suffer from drug addiction.1 In the Philippines, with the proactive campaign of the Duterte administration against illegal drugs, the country's drug problem has significantly improved.2 According to the data of the Dangerous Drugs Board, as of September 2020, only 40% of the 42,045 barangays nationwide are yet to be cleared by the PDEA and PNP,3 while over 1.4 million drug personalities have voluntarily surrendered to the proper authorities.4 These are the Filipinos who share our vision for them - a vision of a better and more productive life. As the number of surrenderers continues to grow, this may also mean that we are on the right track in terms of handling our country's drug problem. But what exactly does it mean to be on the right track? In 2018, Assistant Secretary Walter Besas of the Dangerous Drugs Board said: "the most effective interventions are the ones that emanate from the community, carried out by the community - for the community."5 Mr. President, the drug situation is not only a problem of the National Government but likewise requires the collective effort of every territorial and political subdivision of the Republic. The recognition of this important role of our LGUs essentially gave rise to the creation of the Anti-Drug Abuse Council back in 1998, when the DILG mandated all levels of the local government to create their respective Anti-Drug Abuse Councils.6 This, aside from the fact that our very own hardworking Senate President Vicente Sotto III likewise founded the Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse Advisory Council back when he was still the Vice-Mayor of Quezon City in his pursuit of a drug-free country. Through the efforts of the existing ADACs, our LGUs, working hand-in-hand with the National Government, became more capable of properly crafting and implementing effective and efficient drug-related programs and activities, suited to the specific drug situation in every barangay, municipality, city and province, and, most importantly, contributed significantly in the implementation of the Community Based Drug Rehabilitation Programs. Ika nga, ang bawat Pilipinong nalululong sa pinagbabawal na gamot ay Pilipino pa rin - nararapat na kalingain at pagalingin, sa pangangalaga ng ating gobyerno partikular na ang lokal na pamahalaan. By adequately capacitating our LGUs in terms of rehabilitation, treatment then becomes more accessible for Persons Who Use Drugs or PWUDs. In fact, on December 28, 2018, the DILG conducted the first-ever National Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Awards7 to 241 Outstanding Local Government Units, 21 of which were able to garner a perfect score of 100 based on the DILG's functionality indicators, namely: the Province of Davao Oriental; Quezon City; City of San Juan; City of Valenzuela; City of Alaminos, Pangasinan; City of Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat; Balaoan, Agoo, and San Gabriel (all in La Union); Bayambang, Pampanga, Orani, Bagac and Pilar (all in Bataan); Carmona, Cavite; Torrijos, Marinduque, Nunuangan, Lanao del Norte; Pantukan, Compostela Valley; Surallah, South Cotabato; Columbio and Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat. Further, in 2020, according to the DILG, with their respective functional Anti-Drug Abuse Councils, 273 cities and municipalities were able to sustain the drug-cleared status of their affected barangays, while 234 cities and municipalities sustained the drug-free status of their unaffected barangays.8 Nevertheless, despite these commendable efforts on the part of our LGUs, we know for a fact that whatever progress we may be enjoying today will only be as good as the next directive, or the next order. That which we call progress, attained through these created Councils, will survive only when there are people who believe in its cause, unless, of course, it becomes a law. Samakatuwid, sa pagsasabatas ng panukalang ito, ating binibigyang-diin ang napakahalagang papel na ginagampanan ng bawat komunidad, katuwang ang kani-kanilang barangay, munisipalidad, lungsod, at probinsya, sa ika-nga'y giyera laban sa droga. Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to former US President Barack Obama, stated, and I quote: "When you are in local government, you are on the ground, and you are looking into the eyes and hearts of the people you are there to serve. It teaches you to listen...to be expansive in the people with whom you talk to...That engagement gives you political judgment."9 Political judgment. Judgment that does not come from ideas floating in space. Judgment that springs, instead, from experience straight from the ground, from looking right into the eyes and hearts of our fellow Filipinos. To address the country's problem on drugs entails tapping into the wisdom and experience of those on the ground, those who can competently provide political judgment: our Local Government Units. At the same time, it demands a systematic and institutional response. The long and short of it, Mr. President, is that solving our drug problem requires political judgment. And it is political judgment that directs us to the swift passage of this bill, institutionalizing our Anti-Drug Abuse Councils. Thank you, Mr. President. ____________________________ 1 COVID-19's far reaching impact on global drug abuse | | UN News, June 25, 2020. Retrieved from: https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/06/1066992, retrieved on March 3, 2021. 2 Gita-Carlos Ruth Abbey, "Duterte's relentless war on drugs, corruption, crime," December 26, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089333, retrieved on March 9, 2021. 3 As stated by Hon. Benjamin P. Reyes in the February 16, 2021 hearing of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs. Taken from the TSN of the hearing, p.68. 4 As cited by the Dangerous Drugs Board Annual Report 2019, p.37. 5 "DDB and DILG partner to strengthen anti-drug abuse councils," July 3, 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.ddb.gov.ph/newsroom/362-ddb-and-dilg-partner-to-strengthen-anti-drug-abuse-councils, retrieved on March 7, 2021. 6 2018 ADAC-PMO Major Accomplishments, as prepared and submitted by the Department of Interior and Local Government, p.1. 7 2018 ADAC-PMO Major Accomplishments, as prepared and submitted by the Department of Interior and Local Government, p.16. 8 DILG-Philippine Anti-illegal Drugs Strategy 2020 Report, pp.18-19. 9 Valerie Jarrett - When you are in local government, you... (brainyquote.com), retrieved from: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/valerie_jarrett_876324, retrieved on: March 9, 2021.
WASHINGTON  The Sikh Coalition and the San Carlos Apache would not appear to have much in common at first glance, but they have found a shared interest in the fight over a patch of land in southeastern Arizona.

Thats where the federal government is considering whether to turn sacred Apache land over to a mining company, whose plans for the site would obliterate the ability of tribal members to worship there, in the words of one federal judge.

The prospect has turned an environmental fight over the mine into one over religious rights, and drawn a diverse cast of supporters to the Apache cause. In addition to the Sikh Coalition, court briefs supporting the tribe have been filed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Jewish Coalition for Religious Liberty and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, among others.

It seemed that our interests were really closely aligned here, as a civil rights organization that seeks to protect a religious community, said Cindy Nesbit, senior staff attorney for the Sikh Coalition. We were definitely concerned by the courts interpretation.
The plan comes on the heels of a 2020 wildfire season that saw 2,520 wildfires burn nearly 980,000 acres of state, federal and tribal lands across the state, according to the forestry department. That was the most since 2011, when more than 1 million acres in the state burned.

Only a fraction of the funding will go to inmates, who can be paid no more than $3 an hour. But participating inmates get experience that can help them find jobs when they get out, officials said.

Weve had a longstanding relationship with the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry. This is going to further that partnership, and we know the benefits of rehabilitation, said Tiffany Davila, public affairs officer for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Management.

Davila said some post-release inmates have walked right out of prison and into a full-time job with the state of Arizona.

She said the forestry department already has a dozen 20-member inmate hand crews in place that work in forest thinning and one initial attack crew in Phoenix, consisting of mostly post-release inmates, which may be called in to do firefighting as well as fire prevention work.

The expanded program begins July 1, with the start of the 2022 fiscal year.
Birthday wishes

Call 281-422-8302 or email david.bloom@baytownsun.com to wish someone a happy birthday. We will print your birthday wish on Page 2 of The Sun.

Happy Birthday Wishes
There was an old Japanese gentleman on the street I had lived. He was short and a little stooped, wandered around always with a pair of slippers and a brown velvet bag hanging on one of his shoulders. Inside the bag was a wooden chess set with a folding board, everyone in our neighborhood was aware of that. He accosted whoever looked unoccupied to play chess with him. His Chinese was broken, just enough to communicate the basic ideas. But he was polite, probably too polite to be taken seriously.

I grew up in Changchun, the city had once been the capital of Manchukuo, a Japan-controlled puppet state in China before and during WW2. There were remains and traces of the Japanese occupation everywhere around us, the imperial palace built for the last Qing emperor at the northeast part of the town where I had never visited, the buildings with mixed Chinese and European style along the Freedom Boulevard and the New People Boulevard that had been mapped out for the Eight Major Bureaus of Manchukuo, the paved streets with shady elms across the city, the tramcars running on rail tracks. The Japanese made the go-around intersections up with small cobblestones of square shapes, just like the ancient streets in Prague or Paris. At the end of the New People Boulevard, it was the new palace that just had the massive foundation laid before the surrender of Japan. The rest of the building was finished in 1950s and became a landmark on a university campus. When I visited my friends' homes, very likely I might walk into a Japanese style apartment with tatami floor and shoji sliding doors.

Growing up in such an environment, it was strange that I had never had another thought on why we had Japanese people wandering in our neighborhood. Such questions had never entered my mind when I lived in Changchun. I was too young to know much about the brutal war and the infamous invasion. But we did learn history in school. The Sino-Japanese wars were the highlights in our curriculum. But for some reasons our teachers didn't make any connection between the history they taught and the real life we lived. They never pointed out that Changchun was once a pivotal site during the Japanese occupation, and never even bothered to bring us to the puppet palace for a field trip.

The chess guy to me was just a chess guy who could not speak Chinese well, who giggled like a child whenever somebody agreed to play with him. Actually, he was not the only Japanese there. Across the road from the apartment my family lived, there was a family that had a Japanese wife and a Chinese husband. Unlike the chess guy, you could hardly tell that the wife was a foreigner because she dressed like most Chinese women and spoke fluent Chinese. The couple had a daughter who loved to sing and dance. She became a kindergarten teacher after graduating from high school and moved to Japan with her mother in 1970s when the diplomatic relations were established between China and Japan. The two of them visited back three or four years later with a toddler boy whose remote control toy car attracted the children in our neighborhood. The husband stayed alone in Changchun for quite while and eventually moved to Beijing to join his son from his previous marriage.

I didn't notice when the chess guy disappeared from the street and had never gotten to know what happened to him. I only heard that he lived with his younger brother who taught Japanese in the university my father worked. The brother seemed having a family, a wife and children, and very busy. We rarely spotted him on the street other than his chess-loving older brother.

Why did we have Japanese men and women lingered in our city? I figured the whole ordeal out only years later. But the individual experiences of war and the vicissitudes of personal emotion became lost stories never told.

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Everyone needs to understand that we hear you, but we are proceeding very, very cautiously," Commissioner Ron Williams said.

Arizona has also inspired calls by pro-Trump groups to push for their own pick to take over a post-election audit of a statehouse race in Windham, New Hampshire  home of former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.

But the biggest new entry into the audit field is in Georgia's Fulton County, where a judge on Friday ruled that plaintiffs could inspect 147,000 mail ballots as part of their lawsuit alleging fraud in the most populous county in the state.

The lawsuit was spearheaded by Garland Favorito, a longtime skeptic of Georgia's voting systems who has embraced conspiracy theories about 9/11, Clinton-era scandals and Supreme Court justices. Favorito says he voted for Don Blankenship, the U.S. Constitution Party candidate for president, last year.

Our ultimate objective is the truth. What is the truth of this election? Favorito said in an interview. Dont tell us what the results are and then hide it from us and pretend we have to accept whatever you tell us.
On May 10, 44 U.S. attorneys general sent a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg asking him to abandon plans for the new app. All they can do is urge Facebook to reconsider, because no laws prevent it. (The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act is quite limited in scope.) Laws to prevent harm often are passed only after harm has been demonstrated. When new technologies come along, we often dont know what dangers they present until it is too late.

For example, today there are plenty of laws aimed at protecting children from lead exposure. But those laws came about only after millions of people had the quality of their lives severely and irreversibly diminished.

Our situation regarding social media today is comparable to that with lead poisoning 50 years ago. We know it is probably bad for kids in all kinds of ways, but we dont have absolute proof, and there are so many desirable uses for it, and so much money to be made from it, we seem content to just wait and see.

Thats morally unacceptable.

We actually know quite a bit about the dangers posed by social media; we are just focusing on the wrong ones.
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
Commissioner Pat Byorth, a former fisheries biologist for FWP, challenged her new interpretation of the statute saying the wording seemed to leave the decision up to the commission rather than requiring the groups approval.

He also questioned the timing of the review, since most fish removal projects are set to begin in the summer. He called the new review requirements politically motivated, a claim Worsech strongly denied.

FWP Fish Management supervisor Eric Roberts stressed during the work session that the agency isn't anti-brook trout, even if they are often the target of fish removals. With native fish projects the intent is to provide a better fishery than the one already there since natives are often better suited to those environments, he added.

Postponed

As it now stands, the commission wont consider the 22 proposed fish removal projects until its June 24 meeting. Because there are three agencies involved in the intricate Buffalo Creek project, the partners decided this week to put off the work for year, said Todd Koel, fisheries biologist for the park.
Cheney said that the Democrats have to play their part in condemning antisemitism in their own party, but added, I dont think we should pivot away from Marjorie Taylor Greene."

"Shes a Republican. What she has said is disgusting, and I think she has got to be held accountable," Cheney said.

Because Cheney's favorability is down in Wyoming following her vote to impeach then-President Donald Trump, most of Cheney's competitors are making pointed moves to differentiate themselves from her on hot-button issues. Greene is the latest example.

The most obvious instance of this trend is the candidates' support of the lie that there was widespread election fraud in the 2020 presidential election. All of Cheneys competitors in the race have said they believe either that the election was stolen or that it is a possibility.

There is zero evidence of voting irregularities, widespread voter fraud or anything that would have swung the election unfairly in President Joe Bidens direction. Trumps false claims have been contradicted by multiple recounts, audits and the outcomes of dozens of court cases.

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Press Release

May 26, 2021 De Lima urges colleagues to support bill protecting rights of abandoned child Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has urged her colleagues to help push for the passage of the bill promoting the rights of and providing greater protections to deserted or abandoned children with unknown parents also called as "foundlings" to help them grow and be productive citizens of the country. In her sponsorship speech of the Foundling Recognition and Protection Act, authored by Sen. Risa Hontiveros and co-authored by De Lima herself and Sen. Lito Lapid, De Lima said she and her fellow senators should fulfill their mandate in enacting legislation to address the needs of the foundlings in the country. De Lima's speech entitled "Justice for Those Who Were Found" was adopted into Senate records last May 25. "For too long, we have ignored fulfilling our mandate in enacting legislation to address the needs of the foundlings in our country. Today, we submit this piece of legislation that would establish under our laws, the status of these foundlings, and recognize their rights as natural-born citizens of this country," she said. "I respectfully urge my colleagues in this august chamber to do another act of justice and kindness by enacting this piece of legislation," she added. Senate Bill (SB) No. 2233, filed under Committee Report No. 263 last May 25, seeks to recognize the rights of foundlings as natural-born citizens of the Philippines and provides penalties against acts inimical to their welfare, thereby amending Articles 276 and 277 of the Revised Penal Code and Special Laws. The proposed measure defines foundling as a deserted or abandoned child or infant with unknown facts of birth and parentage. This includes those who have been duly registered as a foundling during her or his infant childhood, but have reached the age of majority without benefitting from adoption procedures upon the passage of the law. De Lima, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, said it is a recognized principle in international law that each State has the right to determine who its citizens are, and, by its laws, establish standards that would confer nationality to its people. "Through this bill, we address, once and for all, the dilemma of these children who suffered the misfortune for which they are not responsible," she said. Citing the Hague Convention, De Lima stressed that "a child whose parents are both unknown shall have the nationality of the country of birth. If the child's parentage is established, its nationality shall be determined by the rules applicable in cases where the parentage is known. A foundling is, until the contrary is proved, presumed to have been born on the territory of the State in which it was found." De Lima likewise highlighted the rights of foundlings as provided under the 1961 United Nations Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness: "[a] foundling found in the territory of a Contracting State shall, in the absence of proof to the contrary, be considered to have been born within the territory of parents possessing the nationality of that State." The lady Senator from Bicol said the Supreme Court already affirmed that adopting such legal principles from the 1930 Hague Convention and the 1961 Convention on Statelessness "is rational and reasonable and consistent with the jus sanguinis regime in our Constitution." "It is, therefore, not only equitable, but also constitutional that we provide a legal regime, through legislation, on the status of the foundlings in our country and recognize their full rights as natural-born Filipinos," said De Lima. Under SB No. 2233, a foundling shall be recognized as the legitimate child of the finder from the time of her/his birth, provided that the founder has met all requirements proving that he can provide the needs of the foundling. Likewise, as provided in the measure, appropriate agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine Statistics Agency, and the Local Government Units, are mandated to extend all forms of assistance necessary to identify, register, nurture and protect the foundlings to enable them to fully realize themselves as a productive part of our country. Access full copy of Sen. Leila M. de Lima's sponsorship speech entitled "Justice for Those Who Were Found", here: https://leiladelima.ph/justice-for-those-who-were-found/
In the coming days, lawmakers will be polled on whether to override eight vetoes issued by Gov. Greg Gianforte after they adjourned the legislative session last month, including a bill that sought to add more landowners involved in agriculture to the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission.

The Secretary of State is required to poll legislators on whether to override post-session vetoes of bills that received a combined 100 votes from the 150 lawmakers in the House and Senate. As is the case when the Legislature is in session, a veto override requires a two-thirds vote from both the House and Senate to succeed.

Lawmakers have 30 days from when the Secretary of State sends out the ballots to mail or fax them back.

Among those bills is Senate Bill 306 from Sen. Mike Lang, R-Malta, which would expand the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission from five to seven members and require that three commissioners be agricultural landowners.

The concept of expanding the commission drew support during the Legislature, but SB 306 drew some concerns due to the landowner component.
Imagine being in Kuwait City, Kuwait, in 1991. With 600 oil well fires burning, your plane lands on the runway, and you taxi in the middle of the afternoon. It's pitch black, you think it's midnight. Now, while you're loading and unloading your plane and doing your work, you're inhaling all these toxic fumes from the oil well fires, Peters said.

I'm one of those veterans. I was in my 20s and very healthy. As soon as the war was over, we all got back home. Shortly after that, I started discovering ailments. And it continues, and continues to worsen, even today," Peters added.

"So, we had no idea what we were doing was going to be exposing us to toxins. But we did what we were supposed to do, we did our job. And we were proud to do it. So, what we need to do now is take care of our service members, and our veterans from World War One, World War Two through the future veterans that are going to be coming through."

The bill sets up a procedure for Veterans Affairs to process claims of toxic exposure. The VA has never had a process for addressing toxic exposure, Tester said. Often veterans struggle to prove exposure because the Department of Defense makes no record of the occurrence. Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense dont communicate well about toxic exposure.
A West Yellowstone smokejumper was critically injured on Tuesday following a hard landing while responding to the Eicks fire in New Mexicos Hidalgo County.

Tim Hart, of Cody, Wyoming, was flown via air ambulance to a hospital in El Paso after parachuting into rocky terrain, according to the Custer Gallatin National Forest. He is a three-year veteran of the Montana-based crew.

The Forest Services first priority is to provide for him and his family right now, said Marna Daley, forest spokeswoman. We are working with the smokejumper and firefighter community to make sure those needs are being met.

The fire is burning on private land in the Animas Mountains of southeastern New Mexico, just north of the Mexico border. The fire was reported to be burning in grass and brush on Monday and has grown to 720 acres in rugged terrain along the Continental Divide. No structures are currently threatened. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The West Yellowstone crew is a national resource, meaning it responds to fires burning across the nation. Other personnel responding to the fire include New Mexico Forest Division and Bureau of Land Management ground crews aided by aircraft.
AAA forecasts that 37 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day holiday weekend, and North Dakota's Health Department is urging state residents to educate themselves on what's required for travel amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The agency on Wednesday recommended people not travel until fully vaccinated for COVID-19, and that those not fully vaccinated follow federal recommendations including getting tested before and after a trip, wearing a mask, staying socially distanced and washing hands frequently.

All travelers regardless of vaccination status will be required to wear a mask while using public transportation such as planes or trains, and while in hubs such as airports or stations, according to the department. Travelers who develop COVID-19 symptoms after a trip are asked to self-isolate and get tested.

Travelers should research what testing and result documentation is required by their destination, the department said. That can be done through means such as contacting an airline or a travel agent. People getting tested for travel purposes should inform testing staff and tell them what type of test is required.
The contact tracers also have been trained on HIPAA, which is a federal law that prevents health care providers from sharing certain information without a patient's consent, he said.

People can opt out of reminders on the department's website, but they also will opt out of all immunization reminders by doing so.

Wehbi also said he would like to meet with the lawmakers and discuss any concerns they might have.

As of Monday, 1,654 North Dakotans were contacted with a COVID-19 vaccine reminder, Wehbi said. Of those people, he said, 8.3% said they were already vaccinated, 15% said they "were not interested at all" and 8% said they were either planning to be vaccinated or planning to talk to their doctor. He did not state how the other 68.7% of those contacted responded.

Wehbi's letter also states that "The calls were completed today."
He said the information used by the Health Department for outreach comes from the state immunization registry, and that information comes from health care providers. Every state in the country has a registry, he said.

Teeple also clarified some statistics Wehbi cited in his response about the calls. Wehbi said that of 1,654 people called, 8.3% said they were already vaccinated, 15% said they "were not interested at all" and 8% said they were either planning to be vaccinated or planning to talk to their doctor. Five people contacted asked for help to set up a vaccine appointment. Teeple said the remaining 68.7% were calls that were not "answered, completed or returned."

Poolman said, "When you make 1,600 calls and schedule five vaccinations, you wonder how efficient that is."

The legislators also said that this is an opportunity for the Health Department and state government overall to rebuild trust with North Dakotans as the coronavirus pandemic winds down, referencing the many changes in daily life caused by the COVID-19 response. Poolman said that personal calls to residents erode trust.

Bell said that the way the pandemic has been handled "has not been by the book" because of its unique nature.
The United States will also keep working with like-minded partners around the world to press China to participate in a full, transparent, evidence-based international investigation and to provide access to all relevant data and evidence," said Biden.

His statement came after weeks of the administration endeavoring to avoid public discussion of the lab leak theory and privately suggesting it was farfetched.

In another sign of shifting attitudes, the Senate approved two Wuhan lab-related amendments without opposition, attaching them to a largely unrelated bill to increase U.S. investments in innovation.

One of the amendments, from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., would block U.S. funding of Chinese gain of function research on enhancing the severity or transmissibility of a virus. Paul has been critical of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious-disease expert, and aggressively questioned him at a recent Senate hearing over the work in China. The other amendment was from GOP Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa and it would prevent any funding to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Both were approved without roll call votes as part of the broader bill that is still under debate in the Senate.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  Fifteen years after 3-year-old Reachelle Smith disappeared, Minots police chief announced Tuesday that the case on the girl known as Peanut is closed and that police believe the only suspect in her disappearance killed her.

Chief John Klug said police think without a doubt that the girl was slain by Leigh Cowen, who killed himself about a week after Reachelle was last seen. Her body was never recovered.

At a news conference Tuesday, Klug and Capt. Jason Sundbakken revealed previously undisclosed evidence, including that a substantial amount of Reachelle's blood was found in a cooler at Cowen's home and that neighbors and family reported he had been acting strangely after the girls disappearance.

Police said they still dont know a motive. Klug said police had been hoping her remains would be found.

We held on to some hope this would end differently, Klug said.

Our hope is to offer hope and closure for the families ... so they can continue to restore their lives in the wake of tragedy, he said.

The child was last seen May 16, 2006, when she went to bed in her Minot home. She was reported missing six days later by her aunt, Stephanie Smith, the childs legal guardian.
The doctrine of nullification, a pernicious pillar of southern resistance to the federal government in the 19th and 20th centuries, promotes a constitutional theory that was emphatically rejected by the framers of the Constitution when they cast the Articles of Confederation into the ash can of history.

Legislators across the country have resurrected this discredited doctrine and have introduced legislation that, in one way or another, would assert state authority to declare null and void federal laws and executive orders with which they disagree. In essence, these measures would create, variously, state legislative committees, tribunals and councils on federalism that would possess sweeping authority to convene a meeting and thereby halt efforts by states to comply with, or enforce federal acts, which they believe to have exceeded the power of the federal government.

The power of a few legislators who serve on these tribunals could be exercised to prevent compliance with laws that govern any part of our lives. In substance, a handful of men and women would be substitutes for the historic method of challenging federal laws and acts in courts of law.
Press Release

May 26, 2021 Justice for Those Who Were Found

Sponsorship Speech of Sen. Leila M. De Lima

for The Foundling Recognition and Protection Act

25 May 2021 Good afternoon, dear colleagues. I speak to you today, as I always have in this chamber, in behalf of those who can't speak for themselves. When one of our colleagues, Sen. Grace Poe, ran for President on 2016, she shined a light on a class of citizens which would otherwise be invisible in the eyes of the law: the foundlings. This bill defines a foundling as "a deserted or abandoned child or infant with unknown facts of birth and parentage." For too long, we have ignored fulfilling our mandate in enacting legislation to address the needs of the foundlings in our country. As early as the 1934 Constitutional Convention, a discussion on the status of foundlings were made by the delegates. Delegate and Constitution Law author Jose Aruego said that "the Convention believed that the cases, being too few to warrant the inclusion of a provision in the Constitution to apply to them, should be governed by statutory legislation." Eighty-seven years have passed since. Today, we submit this piece of legislation that would establish under our laws, the status of these foundlings, and recognize their rights as natural-born citizens of this country. In the landmark case of Poe-Llamanzares v. COMELEC (G.R. No. 221697, 8 March 2016), the Supreme Court declared that "[f]oundlings are likewise citizens under international law. Under the 1987 Constitution, an international law can become part of the sphere of domestic law either by transformation or incorporation. The transformation method requires that an international law be transformed into a domestic law through a constitutional mechanism such as local legislation." The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in Art. 15 provides that 1) everyone has a right to a nationality; and 2) no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality. The same principles were echoed in the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration on 2012. Aside from the UDHR, the Supreme Court also cited the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Both instruments require State-Parties to register every child immediately after birth and recognizes the right of children to a name and to acquire nationality. According to the Supreme Court, "[t]he common thread of the UDHR, UNCRC and ICCPR is to obligate the Philippines to grant nationality from birth and ensure that no child is stateless. This grant of nationality must be at the time of birth, and it cannot be accomplished by the application of our present naturalization laws, Commonwealth Act No. 473, as amended, and R.A. No. 9139, both of which require the applicant to be at least eighteen (18) years old." The Supreme Court likewise adopted, for our guidance, as generally accepted principles of international law, Article 14 of the 1930 Hague Convention on Certain Questions Relating to the Conflict of Nationality Laws and Article 2 of the 1961 United Nations Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. While the Philippines is not a State Party to the said conventions, the Supreme Court ruled current legislation reveals our adherence to these principles. Under the Hague Convention, "[a] child whose parents are both unknown shall have the nationality of the country of birth. If the child's parentage is established, its nationality shall be determined by the rules applicable in cases where the parentage is known. A foundling is, until the contrary is proved, presumed to have been born on the territory of the State in which it was found." The 1961 United Nations Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, on the other hand provides, that "[a] foundling found in the territory of a Contracting State shall, in the absence of proof to the contrary, be considered to have been born within the territory of parents possessing the nationality of that State." According to the Supreme Court, "[a]dopting these legal principles from the 1930 Hague Convention and the 1961 Convention on Statelessness is rational and reasonable and consistent with the jus sanguinis regime in our Constitution. The presumption of natural-born citizenship of foundlings stems from the presumption that their parents are nationals of the Philippines. As the empirical data provided by the PSA show, that presumption is at more than 99% and is a virtual certainty." It is, therefore, not only equitable, but also constitutional that we provide a legal regime, through legislation, on the status of the foundlings in our country and recognize their full rights as natural-born Filipinos. It is a recognized principle in international law that each State has the right to determine who its citizens are, and, by its laws, establish standards that would confer nationality to its people. Through this bill, we address, once and for all, the dilemma of these children who suffered the misfortune for which they are not responsible. In this bill, we likewise mandate the appropriate agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine Statistics Agency, and the Local Government Units, to extend all forms of assistance necessary to identify, register, nurture and protect the foundlings to enable them to fully realize themselves as a productive part of our country. I respectfully urge my colleagues in this august chamber to do another act of justice and kindness by enacting this piece of legislation. Thank you very much.
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Demolition of an old industrial building in the city's Riverside neighborhood is expected to get underway by July, as city officials seek to clear the way for redevelopment of the site once state historic preservation officials sign off.

The Buffalo Urban Development Corp., which owns the former sewing machine and television manufacturing plant at 308 Crowley Ave., wants to demolish most of the 300,000-square-foot brick structure on the six-acre site, except for a historic clock tower with the name King on it.

The rest of the complex is deteriorating, and agency officials had said it can't be reused. The agency purchased the property  which also includes vacant land  in June 2018 for $50,000.

But the effort ran into a snag last May when the State Historic Preservation Office disagreed with the plans for the century-old building, and felt most of the complex should remain intact.

After a year of negotiations, the city and SHPO reached an agreement to allow the demolition, which will be funded by $565,000 in community development block grant funds from the city. About two-thirds of the work will be done now.
Cazenovia Park is getting a bit of a facelift.

The city's Department of Public Works is planning to rebuild and realign some of the asphalt paths at the South Buffalo park, while also removing concrete steps in two places and replacing that with lawn.

The paths are buckled and uneven in places, so the $200,000 improvement project will fix those problems.

The plan will be reviewed Thursday by the Buffalo Preservation Board, along with several unrelated demolition requests.

Hispanics United wants to tear down a wood-framed house at 50 West St., dating from 1902, and a mixed-use commercial and residential building at 272 Virginia St., dating from 1890. Both demolitions are part of the nonprofit's La Plaza de Virginia affordable housing development.

That $17.1 million project, with construction began in February, will feature 46 one-bedroom apartments for seniors age 55 and older, with incomes at or below 60% of the area median income.

Located at 254 Virginia St., the 60,000-square-foot project will consist of a three-story building on just over a half-acre of land.
The nonprofit coalition wants to make repairs and modifications to the church attic, roof, masonry wall and stone foundation. In its filing with the Preservation Board, Siener warned that the "existing structure of the building is in risk" of collapse, citing the "undersized" original roof trusses that "cannot be replaced in kind as they will fail again."

The group proposes "structural repairs and modifications" in the attic space, requiring "selective penetrations into the attic through the roof," but would also replace the roof afterwards with new asphalt shingles that will match what remains, Siener said.

Additionally, she wrote, the building has "significant structural wall damage on the south side," mostly "in the narrow space between the existing church and the existing building to the south." Plans call for repairing the brick and "any damaged stone foundation," in keeping with National Park Service preservation standards.

A misshapen window in the south wall will be also be removed, rebuilt and reinstalled, along with new Dutch gutters on the roof.

Meanwhile, the nonprofit will use a grant from Empire State Development Corp. to fund the addition. Siener said officials had explored other options, including accessible bathrooms in the basement and a rear addition for an elevator.
The 55 one- and 12 two-bedroom apartments will range in size from 666 to 793 square feet, according to diagrams, and will rent for $596-$730 per month. All units are affordable for those earning less than 60% of the area median income, and seven units will be fully accessible for handicapped residents, with three accessible for those with hearing or vision impairments.

Individual units will feature grab bars, low-reach shelving and cabinets, lever-style door handles, lighting under cabinets and "zero-transition" showers, and each of the top five floors will include a laundry room.

The project includes 21 units of supportive housing for homeless seniors, funded by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, which will subsidize a full-time social worker and other on-site staffing. Catholic Charities will also provide referrals to those residents for services such as physical and behavioral health, money management education, independent living skills training and transportation.

The 80,000-square-foot project  which was designed by Trautman Associates, with work overseen by RP Oak Hill Building Co.  is expected to be completed by June 2022. Delta will manage the property.
Emerson also dug up the story of Leyden's exploits during the Battle of Meuse-Argonne. It's regarded as the largest battle in the history of the U.S. Army, with 1.2 million troops engaged. More than 26,000 were killed.

Meuse-Argonne was part of the general Allied drive in late 1918 that forced Germany to seek an armistice. Both Leyden and Dolan fought in the battle, in which Dolan was killed. The Lockport men sailed to France aboard the same ship, and both were members of the 307th Infantry Regiment, 78th Division.

Leyden was a messenger for Company D of the 307th.

"He was injured doing that," Miller said. "He also was very instrumental in helping protect some of those troops with those messages he was carrying."

According to a citation published in the Buffalo Evening News, "On the morning of November 4, 1918, between St. Pierremont and Oches, Leyden carried several very important messages from company headquarters to the platoons. During this time he was under an intense machine gun barrage but showed utter disregard for personal safety and was of very valuable assistance to his company commander."

Barbara Fatta Mason, another of Leyden's granddaughters, said family lore had it that Leyden inhaled poison gas during the battle.
"I'm fully aware of that. I've been aware of that for the last six months. I know what I'm up against," Sanchez said.

"I am not going to play this game," Vitello said, threatening to postpone the case for two weeks.

"You might as well do the plea now. You're wasting my time," Sanchez said. "We want to take a plea. What part of that do you not understand? What am I, speaking Spanish?"

Sanchez threatened to refuse to appear at the next court session, set for June 8, when two 17-year-olds also charged in the case are to appear in Youth Court.

Vitello, who had issued a "drag order" compelling Sanchez to appear Tuesday after she skipped her last scheduled court date, issued another such order for June 8.

"Oh, wow," Sanchez said.

According to a redacted copy of the indictment, Sanchez conspired with the teenagers, one male and one female, to lure Walaszek to her apartment.

The indictment says the two adolescents were involved in a car accident with Walaszek, left the scene, contacted Sanchez, and then called Walaszek to Sanchez's apartment.

Sanchez stabbed Walaszek and the male adolescent punched him several times, the indictment says. Sanchez and the adolescents then agreed to tell police that Walaszek had broken into the apartment and Sanchez had killed him in self-defense, according to the indictment.

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Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said this week there's no reason why schools should not fully open this fall, given the trajectory of the Covid-19 pandemic in New York.

Local superintendents are planning on it, but they want to know by the end of next week what regulations, requirements and guidelines the state Health and Education departments will have.

Last year, state guidance for reopening schools shuttered by the pandemic in the spring came out in August, and educators scrambled to come up with plans that incorporated all the health and safety recommendations.

"It was hard," said Hamburg Central School District Superintendent Michael Cornell. "When you're planning with tight timelines and doing so in a crucible of difficult circumstances, it doesn't always lead to the best decision making."

Cornell, who also is president of the Erie-Niagara School Superintendents Association, and two other leaders of the organization sent a letter to the governor Monday. It asks for the state to issue guidance for the new school year by June 4.

"Planning for the school year that begins in September happens in March, April and May," Cornell said. "By the time we get to June we're putting the finishing touches on it because the vast majority of employees leave for the summer."
 Greenfield Health and Rehab was fined $4,000 for failing in January to notify relatives of residents within 24 hours after a resident tested positive for Covid-19 or died from the virus in the Lancaster facility.

 Harris Hill Nursing Center was fined $4,000 for violations cited in January and March. Records detailing the violations at the nursing home in Amherst were not available on the Health Department website.

 Ellicott Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation was fined $2,000 for allowing a nurse to work on multiple dates in January and February at the Buffalo nursing home without ensuring the nurse had been tested for Covid-19.

Fox Run

CEO Bill Wlodarczyk said the nursing home in Orchard Park underwent two infection control surveys from the state in 2020 without any violations. But he said that when the nursing home shifted employees' work schedules on Nov. 1 from five days a week to three 12-hour shifts per week it unexpectedly ran into trouble. Because the workers took lunch breaks, their workday was longer than 12 hours, and the nursing home was required to take their temperatures twice, at the start of their shift and again right shortly before they left work.
Press Release

May 26, 2021 Senate record bares hospital expansion bills pending in Go's panel for 15 months

Drilon proposes solutions to hospital expansion funding woes as they are not addressed in Go's bills Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon bared and questioned why several bills seeking the expansion of 13 hospitals languished in the Committee on Health chaired by Sen. Bong Go for a year to 15 months, all of which remain unfunded and inoperative due to the failure of the committee to report out the measure when Congress crafted the 2021 national budget. "I examined the records and to my surprise, I found out that these measures we have been debating on have been pending in the Senate for 15 months dahil hindi ginagalaw ng komite. Bakit po inabot ng 15 buwan bago dalhin sa plenaryo," Drilon pointed out. "Unfortunately, the committee 'sat' on these bills," he added during Tuesday's session. "Bakit po inabot ng 15 buwan bago ito dalhin sa plenaryo?" he asked. For instance, House Bill No. 2582 or the bill increasing the bed capacity of the lying-in clinic in Rizal, Palawan was read on 1st Reading and referred to the Committee on Health on January 20, 2020, heard by the Committee on October 19, 2020, reported out on February 15, 2021 and sponsored last May 17. "Kawawa naman po ang mga nakatira sa Rizal, Palawan. Naghintay po sila ng labinlimang buwan. Hindi po dahilan sa ating pagtatanong kung hindi dahilan sa hindi ito inaksyunan ng komite," Drilon lamented. He also cited House Bill No. 5870 or the bill establishing the Neptali Gonzales General Hospital which was referred to the Committee on January 29, 2020, heard on February 12, 2020, reported out by the Committee on February 15, 2021 and sponsored on last May 17. The Senate record would show that all the 13 hospital bills being sponsored on the floor by the neophyte senator languished in Go's committee for a year to 15 months. "Labinlimang buwan po itong naka-tengga sa senado dahilan sa hindi ginagalaw ng komite, Kung tayo po ay concerned sa buhay ng ating mga kababayan, dapat noong isang taong nakalipas ay nagawa na natin ito," he said. Drilon noted that the Committee on Health conducted a hearing on the hospital bills while budget hearings for the 2021 GAA were ongoing wherein an official of the Department of Health admitted that there is no allocation in the budget for the hospital bills and the funding for these measures are to be included in the 2021 budget. The DOH official bared that the bills must be passed to provide the mandate for inclusion in the proposed budget of the DOH for 2021. The minority leader said that these hospitals could augment the country's healthcare system to address the COVID-19 pandemic if the bills were given priority by the committee. "It was not included in the 2021 budget dahilan sa hindi inaksyunan ng komite. Ang may pagkukulang po ay hindi ang senado kung hindi ang komite," Drilon said. "Walang pondo dahil hinihintay na maipasa ang mga batas at pagkatapos ay isasama sana sa 2021 Budget. Ngunit dahil hindi po inaksyunan ng komite, hindi naisama sa 2021 budget," he pointed out. The Senate chief fiscalizer proposed to tap underutilized funding sources such as the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefit Fund (MPBF) and the Pension and Gratuity Fund (PGF). MPBF has P29.3 billion while PGF has P152.9 billion under this year's budget. Drilon said that in 2020 alone there are about P18 billion in savings from MPBF and another P17.45 billion from PGF. Data from the past five years would show that these funding allocations are largely underutilized. In 2017, the Pension and Gratuity Fund was used to augment intelligence funds and to purchase helicopters for the PNP. Failure to identify the sources of funds runs the risk of these hospitals remaining unfunded and inoperative, Drilon warned. "Our amendments, which were borne out of our questions during the interpellation, will specify the funding sources for the budgets of these hospitals. That is the reason why we asked questions," he said. "This has to be done. Otherwise, these will become unfunded mandates. May batas, pero wala pong tiyak na pondo na pagkukuhanan. Ayaw ko pong paasahin ang mga kababayan natin, na may batas para sa ospital pero wala naman palang pondo," Drilon stressed. The veteran senator also took exception to Go's insinuations last week that he was derailing the passage of the various hospital expansion bills. "All my colleagues here know that I interpellate on different measures, whether big or small, especially when there are relevant legal or policy issues that must be resolved. Kahit po conversion ng isang maliit na paaralan, nagtatanong po ako dahilan ito ay pera ng taumbayan. This is the job of a minority leader. I will be remiss in my duties as minority leader if we do not ask questions," Drilon said.
Colorado is giving away $1 million in five weekly drawings made up of people who get the vaccine.

Not to be outdone with cash prizes, Cuomo last week unveiled "Vax & Scratch," giving scratch-off lottery tickets to patients vaccinated at a state-run clinic, with 13 winners of up to $5 million.

What's with the lotteries and raffles?

States are following the recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency suggests several incentives for vaccinations, such as free lunches, raffles, lottery tickets, cash prizes and money. as "Examples of Evidence-Based Solutions to Increase Vaccine Confidence and Uptake."

Cuomo said the age group with the lowest vaccination rate is 12- to 17-year-olds, which he acknowledged isn't surprising.

They were the last to be made eligible, because doctors concluded Covid-19 posed the least risk to young people, and because they have been approved for only one of the three brands of vaccine available to everyone else.

The slogan for the New York raffle, open only to 12- to 17-year-olds who obtain their first dose of Pfizer vaccine by July 7, is "Get a Shot, Make Your Future."
The chief executives of JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs appeared via video for the hearing by the Senate panel, which will be followed by a House committee session on Thursday.

The CEOs appeared as the U.S. economy is recovering from the recession. Big banks profits surged in the first three months of the year as the recovery took hold. They were able to release billions of dollars from their loan-loss reserves originally set aside in the early days of the pandemic last year.

The industry, which was blamed for the Great Recession more than a decade ago, has spent most of 2020 and this year trying to appear helpful and willing to work with borrowers and businesses. Banks across the country waived fees and put millions of mortgages into forbearance to shore up Americans distressed finances in the pandemic.

Citi quickly took action through a comprehensive approach to provide immediate, on-the-ground relief, Jane Fraser, the new Citigroup CEO, testified.
LANSING, Mich. (AP)  Michigan Republicans on Tuesday advanced a bill that would prohibit state and local health officials from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for children under age 18.

The concept is not under consideration in the state. But GOP senators said they want to be proactive.

While they might not be mandating something, they're certainly creating a scenario where mandates are being pushed. I just wanted to ensure that that wasn't going to happen in this space. Parents should be allowed to make the decision on this, Sen. Lana Theis, of Brighton, said of her legislation that would prevent the use of a state or local emergency order to require coronavirus vaccines for minors. It won Senate approval on a 20-16 party-line vote and was sent to the Republican-controlled House.

Democrats called the bill needless and noted that if the COVID-19 vaccine were added to the list of immunizations children need to attend school, the state allows for exemptions.
Police vehicles and orange crime-scene tape blocked off the area where the shooting happened, and reporters were kept at a distance The rail yard is in the city's administrative neighborhood, near the sheriff's office and city and county offices.

Bomb squads were searching the rail complex after receiving information about possible explosive devices inside the building, Davis said.

VTA trains were already out on morning runs when the shooting occurred. Light rail service was to be suspended at noon and replaced with bus bridges, agency Chairman Glenn Hendricks told a news conference.

"It's just very difficult for everyone to be able try to wrap their heads around and understand what has happened," Hendricks said.

Two patients were transported to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, according to spokesperson Joy Alexiou. One person was pronounced dead upon arrival, and the other was in critical condition.

Outside the scene, Michael Hawkins told The Mercury News that he was waiting for his mother, Rochelle Hawkins, who had called him from a co-worker's phone to assure him that she was safe.
India's vaccination campaign began in January with a goal of inoculating 300 million of its nearly 1.4 billion people by August. So far, however, it has fully vaccinated a little over 42 million people, or barely 3% of its population.

The government didn't reserve enough shots for the campaign and it was slow to scale up vaccine production. Then, with the country recording hundreds of thousands of new infections daily, the government on May 1 opened up vaccination to all adults.

That made an already bad shortage even worse.

Amid those challenges, the federal government also changed its policy on who can get vaccines and who must pay for them. It allotted itself half of the shots in the country and said it would give free shots to front-line workers and those 45 and older.

Individual states and private hospitals could then negotiate deals with the country's vaccine-makers for the other half of the shots, the government said. That effectively put the burden for inoculating everyone under 45 on states and the private sector, who often ask members of the public to pay as much as $20 for a shot.

The disparities already are showing in rich states where private hospitals tend to be concentrated.
Expanded immunity to Covid-19 is the key to broadly restarting travel between the countries, after all. Its an essential component to returning to normal, both here and in Southern Ontario.

The proposal is certainly doable. All 30 state-run vaccination sites have appointments available. Pharmacies also have doses to inject  49 pharmacies within 50 miles of the Peace Bridge, as of last week.

Canada has been doing a very good job recently in getting its citizens their first dose, especially given the countrys slow start. But there are too many reports of people having to wait months to schedule the second jab. That delays full immunity and a full reopening of the border. Both the Pfizer and Modern vaccines require two shots, spaced three to four weeks apart. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only one shot.

r have been vocal about the need to reopen the border with Canada. Both have called on Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to hasten that work.

Reopening the border remains at the top of the agenda for anyone who has a stake in returning to normal. Elected officials in both the United States and Canada need to be planning for that day and taking steps to hasten its arrival. Offering our northern neighbors an easy way to get vaccinated counts as a smart move in the right direction.
Reading all the negative press in the news since Lorrie Clemo took over as president is disappointing as a DYouville College alumnus. Whistleblower lawsuits, elimination of academic programs, no-confidence votes from faculty, massive staff turnover and loss of identity are what define DYouville today.

Time and time again, the Board of Trustees continues to have their head in the sand, blindly supporting a reckless vision of spending and overt change in the name of maintaining a competitive edge in higher education. I fear that this may destroy DYouville.

DYouville was known as a school that taught its graduates to always serve those around them in their community. Under Clemos leadership, it appears there is more serving ones self rather than others. Leadership under the Grey Nuns was no longer possible, requiring a layperson to lead the college. However, in my opinion, Clemo has done irreparable harm to the colleges reputation. I worry about the institutions financial health, decreasing enrollment numbers and widespread budget cuts and layoffs.

The Board of Trustees must act to save DYouville and maintain its status as an exceptional private school on the West Side of Buffalo. Without a change in leadership, I fear we will lose DYouville as we once knew.

Kyle Trimble, PT, DPT
I follow the media, including some submissions here, with dismay at the inaccurate portrayal of elements of the most recent Israeli/Hamas conflict.

I want to say that I am Jewish. I support Israels right to securely exist, but I also support the same rights of the Palestinian people to have a homeland and live with dignity. My issue is misinformation. Not every Palestinian person wants to kill Jewish citizens. I believe most just want to live in peace in an independent state. Not all Israeli citizens want to keep the Palestinians in camps, and not give them the option of self-government.

As a Jew, I am disturbed by the actions of the Israeli government that hinders the cause for peace. I am equally disturbed when I read gross inaccuracies of the history of this conflict where all blame is laid at the feet of the Jewish people. There have been governmental abuses from Arab countries and Israel and making sweeping judgments of the people in the region does not help bring peace. Especially when what is being portrayed is often inaccurate and more prejudicial than truth.

The conflict has a complicated history, and long-standing prejudices on both sides does not help. We need to learn how to live together, and rather than rhetoric on both sides, it is past time to work together to forge a different path in the region, and in the world.
I named my right knee Grazie, which is Italian for thank you.

Elaine Kessel (copy) Elaine Garson Kessel was the creator of the cartoon Color Me Happy (1979-2004).

Trust me, its not a fitting name for a knee that has caused me nothing but pain and disability.

I fractured my patella last fall, one block from my house. Walking home, I tripped on cement and landed on both knees. I went to an orthopedic urgent care, got X-rays, and was fitted for an immobilizer  a knee brace that doesnt move. Two weeks later I saw an orthopedic surgeon. Pretty standard care, or so I thought.

When I went to meet the surgeon, more X-rays were taken. No surgery was needed, clean break. He said it should heal as long as I was careful and kept my immobilizer on. Another appointment was scheduled.

Well, due to Covid-19 there was no place to go anyway, and I could stay home and catch up on all my Netflix shows. Id be back on my feet in no time.

Little did I know ...

And so started a routine of my husband driving me all winter to physical therapy. While he waited in the car for me to return from my session, he would hear me say I dont think Im making much progress.
FILE PHOTO: SAS Airbus A320 planes are parked at Copenhagen airport in Kastrup

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden and Denmark said on Wednesday they had agreed to offer ailing airline SAS, in which both countries own stakes, a 3 billion Swedish crown ($361 million) loan guarantee.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen air travel collapse, plunging the industry into crisis and leaving carriers scrambling to secure funds to weather the slump.

SAS said the credit line should be seen as a complement to other ongoing activities to cut costs and strengthen liquidity.

"Market conditions also make it difficult to predict how demand will develop ahead of the important summer season given that customers are increasingly choosing to book their trips on short notice," SAS said in a statement.

Sweden and Denmark will guarantee 1.5 billion crowns each, the two Nordic governments said in separate statements.

"It is still the Government's position that SAS is important for Denmark's accessibility, Danish jobs, companies and the Danish economy in general," the Danish government said, adding that SAS had been hard-hit by the pandemic.

The Swedish state owns 14.8% and the Danish state owns 14.2% of SAS. The guarantee is pending European Union approval.

SAS, which is due to report second-quarter earnings on Thursday, completed a capital raising in late 2020 after a year of deep losses.

($1 = 8.3100 Swedish crowns)

(Reporting by Helena Soderpalm and Johan Ahlander; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle and Alexander Smith)
Press Release

May 26, 2021 Villanueva: Proposed department for migrant workers, overseas Filipinos seeks to cure 6Rs hounding OFWs The proposed department for migrant workers and overseas Filipinos must be given enough manpower and resources so it could address the "six Rs" Filipinos who have left their homeland to work have to grapple with. He identified these as "red tape, recruitment, regulation, response to emergencies, repatriation, and reintegration" in his speech sponsoring Senate Bill No. 2234 which establishes the Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos (DMWOF) on Tuesday afternoon. "These are the usual problem areas that the new department must focus on. If you categorize the sad stories of OFWs into chapters, most will fall in one of the six Rs, but some in all of the six," Villanueva said. He said even "members of the Filipino Diaspora whose tales have happy endings" have had to contend with one of the six Rs. The "6 Rs" is the price overseas Filipinos have to pay so their families and the nation can benefit from "the seventh R, which is remittances." Overcoming the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic, OFWs still managed to send home $33.2 billion last year, equivalent to one-third of the present P4.506 trillion national budget. Villanueva said while remittances can be dutifully counted, "there are no metrics for the economic returns of migration, none for its social costs." The senator is banking on the DMWOF to address the "6 Rs" because relief from these problem areas "is what we owe Filipinos who have no choice but to work abroad for lack of opportunities at home." The creation of the DMWOF, he stressed, "is not meant to institutionalize a labor export policy, because no country should be dispatching its best and brightest to serve in alien lands." "It is not our intention to push for Filipinos leaving their country, home and family just to work abroad. It is our goal to provide our fellow Filipinos with the necessary and adequate support they need in overcoming the difficult predicaments they encounter overseas; not of their own choice, but as brought about by what has become unavoidable desperate necessity," Villanueva said. With these challenges at hand, the senator said, the state through the DMWOF has no choice but "serve and protect" those who have chosen this path of earning a living so their family can survive. Top of the to-do-list is purging recruitment with anomalies, he said. "Marami po sa ating mga kababayan ang patuloy na nabibiktima ng illegal recruitment at human trafficking na isang uri ng modern-day slavery." Red tape, Villanueva said, is another unique OFW experience. "Hanggang ngayon, reklamo pa rin po ng ating mga balikbayan ang mahabang proseso na ipinatutupad ng mga ahensyang naglalabas ng mga dokumento. Ang nalalabing oras sa bakasyon, nauubos po sa pagpila sa iba't ibang mga opisina," he continued. He tagged "regulation as red tape's twin, with turfing and politics, transforming otherwise good OFW policies, into an incoherent set of rules that penalizes the OFW." The next two Rs, Villanueva cited, deal with government response to Filipinos in distress abroad and those who require repatriation mostly due to sickness, abuse, calamities or death. "As of July 2019, there are at least 14,532 Filipinos reportedly languishing in jails abroad. 68 of them are serving life sentences. Add to them the countless OFWs facing legal, health, psychosocial, and financial quandaries," Villanueva said. According to him one of the biggest unmet needs of OFWs is "reintegration, the important post-work assistance they deserve." "They are not machinery to be mothballed but unselfish people who have done so much for us and can still do so much for society with the wealth of knowledge they are bringing home. Sa skills training, job referral, financial advice, mapapakinabangan po ang experience at expertise na baon nilang pauwi," he said.
BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya (Photo/ANI)

Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], May 26 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya on Wednesday said China had interfered in the United States presidential elections as Donald Trump had discord with the communist country.

According to Vijayvargiya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also had a similar impact on China after the border clashes at eastern Ladakh. He believes that because of this reason, China might interfere with 2024 elections in India.

The BJP general secretary told ANI that he read a newspaper report of the United States which stated that China played a major role in defeating Donald Trump in the presidential elections. In the same way China harmed Trump with whom it had differences, the country might try to do so with Modi following the border clashes, said Vijayvargiya.

He said it is suspected China can mess with India's 2024 elections.

"I am not saying all this. These discussions are happening around the world," he added.

He said it is possible that China is using the "man-made" virus as a weapon against India.

"It is very much possible. The way Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushed the Chinese Army back into its territory during the border clash a few months ago, it is possible that Modiji's presence is felt by China," he said.

Regarding the the second wave of Covid-19, Vijayvargiya told ANI that there was no prediction about it.

"The second wave is not prevalent in any other country across Asia. Not even in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, nor Bhutan. All over social media, it is being said that Covid-19 is a man-made virus. It is being suspected that China has deliberately played a virus war," said Vijayvargiya.

According to him, even the American scientists in a news channel on Tuesday said that Covid-19 is a man-made virus.

Regarding the role of the Opposition during the second wave of Covid-19, Vijayvargiya said that our Opposition party must learn from Israel's Opposition that supported the government when clashes broke out between Israel and Palestine.

Story continues

"The Indian Opposition party is participating in farmers' protest, but when Modi Ji is holding a conference, only then they see that the virus is spreading and not when the farmers are protesting. These are the double standards of the Opposition," said the BJP general secretary.

On Tuesday, the farmers observed Black Day as a mark of opposition to government as they completed six months of the protest at Delhi borders.

Talking about the issue, he said, "I have seen how many farmers are associated with the movement. I do not think that these protests have any emotional impact on farmers. I have realised that foreign forces are engaged in the farmers' movement. This is not really a farmers' protest." (ANI)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday said he decided to waive sanctions against the company behind the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline because the project was nearly complete, and doing so could have harmed ties with Europe.

Biden, who is preparing for his first visit to Europe and his first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin next month, told reporters he had opposed the new pipeline since its inception, but held off on sanctions because it was "almost completely finished" by the time he took office in January.

Asked why he was letting Germany and Russia complete the project, Biden said, "Because its almost completely finished, number one  and its not like I can allow Germany to do something or not ... To go ahead and impose sanctions now would, I think, be counter-productive in terms of our European relations."

Biden, keen to build a united front against both Russia and China, has moved quickly to repair ties with Germany and other key European allies that were badly frayed during the administration of former President Donald Trump.

The State Department last week said Nord Stream 2 AG - the German company behind the Russian gas pipeline to Germany - and its CEO, Matthias Warnig, an ally of Putin, engaged in sanctionable activity, but waived those sanctions for what it called national security reasons.

Biden said the Germans were aware of his concerns.

"They know how strongly I feel and I hope we can work on how they handle it from this point on," he said as he left Washington for a quick trip to Delaware.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday said she expects further discussions with the United States on the Nord Stream 2 project after the sanctions waiver.

Gazprom and its Western partners are racing to finish the pipeline to send natural gas under the Baltic Sea. The project, now about 95% complete, would bypass Ukraine, depriving it of lucrative transit fees and potentially undermining its struggle against Russian aggression.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason and Andrea Shalal; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall)
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Getty

The Daily Beast, in collaboration with the Dossier Center, has exclusively obtained the original bomb threat email Alexander Lukashenko now claims was sent by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, allegedly prompting his order to land a Ryanair jet carrying a dissident journalist in Minsk.

But timestamps show that the email was sent 24 minutes after Belarusian authorities told the pilot and crew that they were transporting an explosive device as well as passengers.

Allahu Akbar runs the subject line of the email, the sender of which was ahmed_yurlanov1988@protonmail.com. We, Hamas soldiers, the email continues, demand that Israel cease fire in the Gaza Strip. We demand that the European Union abandon its support for Israel in this war. We know that the participants of [sic] Delphi Economic Forum are returning home on May 23 via flight FR4978. A bomb has been planted onto this aircraft. If you dont meet our demands the bomb will explode on May 23 over Vilnius.

Journalist Snatched from Flight Faces Belarus Death Penalty

Adding to the fact that the message was sent after the mid-air bomb theatrics unfolded, the sought-for cease fire referenced in the email had already taken effect on Friday, two days before this communique was sent out.

The bomb threat, Lukashenko insists, forced the Ryanair plane carrying one of Belarus most prominent opposition journalists to divert to Minsk Sunday at the added insistence of a MiG-29 fighter jet, which escorted the aircraft to an impromptu landing. Conveniently, it also gave Belarusian authorities a chance to snatch a reporter accused of galvanizing anti-government protests last year.

Roman Protasevich, the former editor-in-chief of the Telegram channel Nexta, is now in the custody of the KGB, as Belarus post-Soviet security service is still called, as is his Russian girlfriend Sofia Sepega. Both have confessed on camera to a slate of anti-government offenses in what were obviously coerced performances redolent of Stalinist show trials.

Story continues

No one seriously buys the bomb threat claim, much less its attribution to Hamas, whose spokesman Fawzi Barhoum categorically rejected the groups involvement in a 21st-century plane hijackingone that was more likely orchestrated by a government intent on quashing opposition from its own civilian citizens.

Having initially downplayed the episode on social media, both the European Union and Ryanair have now taken to calling this brazen intelligence operation a hijacking and state-sponsored piracy. President Joe Biden called the incident an outrageous and shameful assault on the free press. All EU-based air carriers have since halted flying through Belarusian airspace and banned Belarus state-owned Belavia air fleet from traveling to EU countries.

Putin Invites Belarus Plane Hijacker for Tea

On Monday, the bloc agreed to impose sanctions on Lukashenkos regime, as reports continue to come in about arrests and suspect disappearances of other independent Belarusian journalists, particularly those who, like Protasevich, covered last Augusts stolen presidential election and resulting protest movement. Lukashenko has spent close to a year consolidating his 27-year reign, while casting his opponents as terrorists themselves and forcing them into exile or prison.

Protasevich, who has been detained on terrorism and espionage charges, could face the death penalty in Belarus.

The original email Lukashenko is hanging his nutty conspiracy theory on is riddled with other inconsistencies that clash with the established timeline of events that led to the planes forced landing.

The email was sent to Minsks National Airports general information account at 12:57 p.m. on May 23, 27 minutes after the plane first entered Belarusian airspace and 24 minutes after air traffic control in Minsk first informed the Ryanair pilot that an emailed bomb threat was shared with several airports.

Dossier Center

But the Greek Civil Aviation Authority, which is responsible for the plane that took off from Athens, has publicly stated that it received no such warning at any point during FR4978s journey. Lithuania did receive the email, but not Vilnius Airport, the intended destination; rather, the recipient was State Enterprise Lithuanian Airports, the state-run company that handles three different Lithuanian airports (Vilnius, Kaunas, and Palanga).

So while Lukashenkos KGB pulled off an impressive coup in snaring a political prisoner via air piracy, its excuse leaves much to be desired. Leaving aside the fact that Hamas isnt for blowing up commercial airliners, the identity it chose for a Hamas representative was bizarre. Ahmed Yurlanov?

The genesis of the name Yurlanov, as it happens, is Russian, Bulgarian, Azeri, andJewish.

This investigation was done in collaboration with Dossier Center and Newslines.

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Mr Zuma blames "enemies" in the the African National Congress for his legal troubles

Jacob Zuma, the former South African president, has pleaded not guilty in a corruption trial involving a $5bn (3bn) arms deal from the 1990s.

He is facing 16 counts of racketeering, corruption, fraud, tax evasion and money laundering.

Mr Zuma blames political enemies in the governing African National Congress (ANC) party for his legal troubles.

The arms deal involved buying new fighter jets, helicopters, submarines and warships.

But questions emerged about the deal months after it was signed, with some critics saying the government should have spent the money on fighting poverty.

Mr Zuma was South Africa's president from 2009 until 2018 when he was forced to resign after a vote of no confidence.

On Wednesday crowds gathered outside the courthouse in Pietermaritzburg city in KwaZulu-Natal province to cheer on Mr Zuma, who still enjoys some popular support.

The former president's defence team called for the removal of state prosecutor Billy Downer, on the grounds that he had "no title to prosecute".

But the presiding judge ruled that the matter would be dealt with on 19 July.

A defining moment for South Africa

Analysis box by Andrew Harding, Africa correspondent

Jacob Zuma looked frail and spoke quietly as he stood in the dock to enter a plea of "not guilty".

This was a moment he had been seeking to avoid for decades, but South Africa's former president is a politically weakened force these days and his legal options have now run out.

It's not clear how long this trial will last, or what the outcome might be. But regardless, this is a deeply symbolic and defining moment for South Africa.

Mr Zuma is now on trial - and is likely to face many other legal challenges in the coming months.

Many of his most powerful allies in the ANC are also facing similar legal problems.

This tips the balance of power in the governing party firmly towards President Cyril Ramaphosa and his campaign to clean up the party and fight corruption.

Story continues

Powerful ANC critics of Mr Zuma openly refer to him as a "gangster-like figure" who nearly broke this country's young democracy and they warn of a long struggle ahead to undo that damage.

Why was there an arms deal?

Newly democratic South Africa decided its military needed to be overhauled - and five years after coming into power following the end of white minority rule, the ANC government signed contracts totalling 30bn rand ($5bn; 3bn in 1999).

The deal involved companies from Germany, Italy, Sweden, Britain, France and South Africa.

Why was it controversial?

Even before the allegations of corruption, the spending of billions of dollars on new fighter jets, helicopters, submarines and warships was contentious in a country where millions lived in poverty.

Others also pointed out that there was no credible threat to South Africa's sovereignty to justify the spending.

Questions emerged within months, leading to official investigations into allegations of conflict of interest, bribery and process violations in the purchasing of equipment.

What was the outcome?

Schabir Shaik (l) spent four years in jail and Tony Yengeni (r) served five months

There have only been two convictions:

The ANC's chief parliamentary whip at the time, Tony Yengeni, was found guilty of fraud after it emerged he had received a large discount on the purchase of a luxury car from one of the firms bidding for a contract. He also lied to parliament about the benefit. After various appeals he was jailed in 2006, although he only served five months of his four-year sentence.

Financial adviser and businessman Schabir Shaik was jailed for 15 years in 2005 for soliciting a bribe on behalf of Mr Zuma from Thint, the local subsidiary of French arms company Thales. He was released on medical parole in 2009.

The allegations also formed part of US and British inquiries into BAE Systems. In 2010 the UK military contractor pleaded guilty to charges of false accounting and making misleading statements and paid more than $400m in penalties to end the investigations into questionable payments made to win contracts.

The following year Swedish firm Saab admitted that 24m rand was paid to secure a contract for fighter jets, but said the payments had been made through BAE Systems.

A new South African commission of inquiry into the deal, formed in 2011, concluded in 2016 that no new charges should be brought.

But a week later the High Court ruled, in a case brought by the opposition, that Mr Zuma should face charges over the deal. They had been dropped weeks before he became president in 2009.

What is Mr Zuma's alleged involvement?

The arms deal, among other scandals, dogged Jacob Zuma's presidency

He is alleged to have received bribes from a French arms firm via his financial adviser in order to protect Thales from scrutiny.

He was first charged in 2005, but a trial has never come to fruition - thanks to many challenges, other technicalities and backing from a strong faction within the ANC.

But the arms deal, among other scandals, dogged his presidency.

In 2018, the Supreme Court backed the decision that charges be reinstated and he now faces 16 counts of corruption, racketeering, fraud and money laundering. In total, he is accused of accepting 783 illegal payments.

Why did the courts order the charges be reinstated?

Jacob Zuma still has many supporters despite his legal problems

A High Court judge said the decision by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to drop the charges in 2009 was "irrational".

The NPA had done so after receiving phone-tap evidence from Mr Zuma's lawyers, which suggested there had been political interference in the investigation.

But the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) pursued the case after Mr Zuma became president, winning a court battle to make the sealed recordings public and then arguing there was no evidence to warrant the charges being dropped.

Zuma arms deal timeline
lens

Achieving Together

The first CWRU students in a renowned college-access program became family and came into their own

Phuong Nguyen prepared to graduate in May knowing this bedrock truth:

"I definitely wouldnt have gone to Case [Western Reserve University] if not for the Posse Foundation," she said. "But I definitely wouldnt have stayed if it wasnt for my Posse."

The Posse Foundation launched in 1989 after founder and president Deborah Bial, EdD, heard a student say, "I never wouldve dropped out of college if Id had my posse with me." That became her inspiration for a program to send groups of students from the same urban area to college together to be there for each other. Since then, more than 10,000 scholars have been selected to attend 63 partner colleges and universities with full-tuition scholarships.



And thats precisely the point of the foundations work with colleges and universities.

Nguyen and nine other undergraduates from New Orleans arrived in 2017 as the universitys first Posse scholarsa diverse group selected by the nationally acclaimed foundation and the university for their talent and academic and leadership potential.

Since then, CWRU has welcomed new Posse scholars each fall. Before arriving, students spend months in bonding and preparatory sessions, and then meet regularly with their on-campus faculty mentor, who for Nguyens cohort is Barbara Kuemerle, PhD, a senior instructor in biology. Edwin Mayes, director of first-year experience and family programs at the university, plays a key role working with students and planning Posse events.

And an entire network of faculty, staff and administrators is at the readya welcome experience, especially for students from under-resourced backgrounds who may have previously lacked such support.

While the students benefit, so does the university, as Posse scholars become organization leaders or make their mark in many other ways.

"Theyre a highly visible group of students," said Rick Bischoff, vice president for enrollment management, who works with Mayes and others to select the universitys Posse scholars.

And as commencement neared for members of the inaugural group, Bischoff anticipated the future.

41 students have come to the university through the Posse program since 2017.

"Its what theyre going to do out there in the world thats going to be powerful," he said.

Think spoke with seven of the universitys first Posse scholars. Their stories follow.

Photographs by Roger Mastroianni

Phuong Nguyen, is graduating with a bachelors degree in nursing and hopes to provide in-patient care for adults. She works in a hospital as a nursing assistant and mentors others, including younger Posse students in nursing. Nguyen came into her own during her four years at the universitybut remembers well the early challenges of being in an environment so different from what she knew. Her Posse was a constant.

"They keep me accountable for my actions. They also inspire me to do better. I know someone has my back and is there to support me and love me in a way that just helps me thrive throughout my years, and definitely that first semester. It is a huge difference to have people who share your similar background so you dont feel like youre against the world by yourself. Were Posse. We have each other for life. I will still connect with them and check in on them for sure."

Fernando Rivera, is graduating with a bachelors degree and majors in theater and communication sciences. Hes played various roles in the student-run Players Theater Group productions, has been involved with the Sigma Nu fraternity and worked at the student call center to help raise funds for the university. He aims to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree and become a professional actor.

"Being at the university has opened up a lot of doors I wouldnt have had otherwise. Just being in that environment kind of elevates your goals and ambitions. I think Case [Western Reserve] has been the best path for me because I did not just learn about theater things. Communication sciences has been in a lot of ways [unexpected]. I liked taking those classes and enjoyed the professors. And I felt the other students were really good people. Being open to all kinds of learning has been huge."

Hailey Marshall expects to earn her bachelors degree after the fall 2021 semester, with majors in sociology and economics. She hopes to become a community organizer and attend either medical or law school.

"Posse and CWRU presented this opportunity to us, and I realized I had to not only be a leader but take nothing for granted and go for every opportunity thats presented. Being here taught me that new settings could be new opportunities to grow and to learn. It had always been a mission of mine to study abroad. I finally got the chance. I went to Botswana, Africa. That was in the spring of 2020and then COVID hit. I had taken the opportunityand it had a ripple effect. Classes stopped and werent resuming until months later. I chose to go home to New Orleans because that was the most feasible option. The experience also taught me you can never control a situation; you can only control what you do."





Isabella Beninate is graduating with a bachelors in communication sciences and psychology, and a minor in public health. Shes earned campus honors for her auditory and linguistics research and was a leader in CWRUs chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association. She plans to earn a masters degree and become a speech-language pathologist.

"I definitely would not have gone for these leadership positions or as much involvement as I have if not for the training that Ive gotten with Posse. I would not be as immersed in the campus experience if not for the organization and my Posse helping me feel comfortable doing that. Were bringing our best Posse selves to our different campus organizations. Were able to maybe diversify what leadership on this campus looks like a bit, bring in some of our new ideas."

Olivia Hughes expects to earn her bachelors degree in psychology after the summer 2021 semester. She said that even though attending the university is the hardest thing shes ever done, its also the most rewarding. Hughes wants to eventually earn a graduate degree and pursue a career in marriage and family counseling.

"If [I hadnt been selected for Posse], I would be on a completely different path. Not to say that it would be the worst thing, but it would be a lot harder to reach the same level of success, to reach that same degree of growth and comfort. Im still struggling [as a university student], but I know I would be so much worse off without Posse. It will be really awesome to be able to say 'I have a bachelors degree.' I made it through this. I know that I can keep going and doing more."

Fatima Rahman is graduating with a bachelors degree in international studies and a masters degree in nonprofit management. She was a lead creator of First CWRU, a student group supporting first-generation students, and a university lending library to provide laptops and other technology to students who cant afford them.

"I didnt want people coming after me facing the same struggles I did. I wanted to make this place betterthats something Posse also inspires. Ive become more of a change agent when it comes to socialjustice issues. I definitely had those sentiments and desires prior to Posse and prior to coming to Case [Western Reserve]. But theyve become so much of a callingand almost like a responsibilityto fight for these issues and use the platforms Ive gained through Posse and being on campus. This is my path; its what I want to do in life and where I want to take my career."

Anthony Nunnery is graduating with a bachelors degree in psychology and sociology. He led The International and Multicultural Exchange, a student group hosting cultural events, has been a resident assistant and served as an undergraduate researcher with the Center on Trauma and Adversity at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences. He wants to be a clinical psychologist helping marginalized communities.

"If I wasnt part of Posse, I would have likely dropped out or transferred. My Posse-mates were my first meaningful connections on campus and have a place in my heart that cant be replaced by anyone else. I definitely feel I can count on my Posse in times of need and that they can count on me to do the same. CWRU was definitely an adjustment from prior learning environments and was, at a point, debilitating. I stuck with it, though, because I didnt want to fail the team. We made a promise to start and finish together."
lens

Age-Old Traditions Made Modern

Bringing joyful stories of rituals and refugees to a new generation of readers

Distinguished University Professor and novelist Thrity Umrigar recently wrote two childrens books that celebrate Indias culture through the eyes of young immigrants in the United States.

Umrigar, PhD, a professor in the Department of English at Case Western Reserve, grew up in India and came to the United States in her early 20s. The new books offer a joyful counterweight for children during what Umrigar calls an "age of dehumanizing immigrants."

Binnys Diwali (Scholastic Press) highlights Diwali, "one of the biggest festivals on earth," said Umrigar, as Binny describes to classmates the fireworks, sweets and revels of the festival of lights, celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs. The illustrations are by Nidhi Chanani.

Sugar in Milk (Hachette Book Group) retells the story of Umrigars Persian ancestorspolitical refugees who migrated to India sometime between the eighth and 10th centuries.

In her versionwith illustrations by Khoa Lea young Indian girl goes to live with relatives in America. Homesick and unsure, she listens to her aunt tell of courageous Persian refugees who sail to India, only to be met by a king intent on turning them away. Because the refugees and the ruler lack a common language, he fills a glass to the brim with milk to show that his country is full. But a clever Persian takes the glass and carefully stirs in a teaspoon of sugar to show they will live in peace and bring sweetness to India.

Sugar in Milk was named to several lists, including Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Books of 2020, School Library Journals Best Picture Books of 2020 and Notable Childrens Books for 2021 selected by a division of the American Library Association.

"It really is up to each and every one of us to spread sweetness in the lives of the people around us," Umrigar said, "Kindness is a choice, and its payoff is to both the giver and receiver."

Estonia, Upside Down (Editions Croulebarbe) by William Marling, PhD, professor of English. As a frequent visitor turned part-time resident of Estonia since 1994, Marling has created a photographic journey from the northern capital of Tallinn to the university town of Tartu (where Marling spends part of each year) to the southeastern region of Voru. The images, filled with vivid colors and details, capture the surprises of everyday Baltic life, from a buildings reflection in a 17th-century pharmacy urn to an impromptu promenade of Hare Krishna devotees. The books title pays homage to the famous Estonian "upside-down house" art project.

Involving Anthroponomy in the Anthropocene: On Decoloniality (Routledge) by Jeremy Bendik-Keymer, PhD, the Elmer G. Beamer-Hubert H. Schneider Professor in Ethics. Because of the human impact on climate and the environment more broadly, some scientists want our geologic age to be called "the Anthropocene," the age of the human. But Bendik-Keymer argues that the drivers of global, environmental change are not human nature, but imperialism, capitalism and industrialism. He believes that the only way for the "Anthropocene" to be truly the age of humankind is for it to involve "anthroponomy," that is, respect for everyones autonomy in sustaining a just world.

Introduction to Child Welfare: Building a Culturally Responsive, Multisystemic, Evidence-Based Approach (Cognella) co-edited by Nancy Rolock, PhD, the Henry L. Zucker Associate Professor in Social Work Practice and an associate dean at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences. Rolock and colleagues from other academic institutions produced a textbook for child-welfare professionals. It details culturally responsive social work practices, public policies and the impact of trauma on children, youth and families, with attention to victims of human trafficking, sexual and gender minority youth, and others involved in child-welfare systems throughout the United States.

Olive the Lionheart: Lost Love, Imperial Spies, and One Womans Journey into the Heart of Africa (St. Martins Press) by Brad Ricca, PhD (GRS 03, English), a part-time lecturer in English. In 1910, Olive MacLeod embarked on a quest to find her lost fiance, traveling 3,700 miles through Africa with two others. Ricca mined MacLeods letters and secret diaries to tell the story of the nine-month journey, as the group encountered hostile terrain, murderous animals and shadowy colonial powers in their search for renowned naturalist Boyd Alexander. The book is a love story and a biography of an extraordinary woman.

 Jo Steigerwald
lens

Outer Reaches

Extending human touch beyond the fingertips

Illustration  2021 Cynthia Turner

Imagine if our sense of touch was no longer limited by physical location. An engineer on Earth could have the sensation of holding and manipulating a tool in space; a medical student could experience the pressure of a surgeons grip on a scalpel cutting through skin; or a physician could remotely control a robotic arm and actually feel for swollen glands in a patients neck. These are some of the uses of the NeuroReality avatar system that the Human Fusions Institute team has contemplated.

One day last August, Case Western Reserve graduate student Luis Mesias put on a virtual reality (VR) headset and a glove equipped with electrodesand reached into the future.

From his Cleveland apartment, Mesias used his gloved hand to successfully control a robotic arm 2,300 miles away in Los Angeles, manipulating a toothpaste tube, a Pringles can and a banana. Even more striking: He experienced a sense of touch.



Dustin Tyler

"He could actually feel the amount of pressure on the object in Los Angeles in his fingertips in Cleveland," said Dustin Tyler, PhD (GRS 99, biomedical engineering), the Kent H. Smith II Professor of Biomedical Engineering and the founding director for an institute based at CWRU to extend the tactile reach of humans beyond their physical location.

Launched four years ago, the Human Fusions Institute includes neuroscientists, engineers, sociologists, clinicians, ethicists, roboticists and phenomenologists.

They come from six colleges and universities including University of California, Los Angeles, home to the robotic arm Mesias controlled in an unprecedented test of what Tyler calls the NeuroReality platform. The institute is supported in part by grants and a portion of a $20 million strategic initiative fund for biomedical engineering that the late Robert Aiken (CIT 52) and his wife, Brenda, committed to in 2017.

The Cleveland-Los Angeles NeuroReality test was one more milestone in Tylers work. His team previously gave individuals who had lost a hand to amputation a sense of touch with a specialized prosthetic linked to their brains and nervous systems. It was an emotional experience for the recipients, and revelatory for Tyler. "Their language changes entirely," he said. "They start to describe 'their hand' doing tasks."







Standing in Cleveland, Case Western Reserve graduate student Luis Mesias (pictured above) used a virtual reality headset and a specialized glove to control this robotic arm in Los Angeles  and both feel and move the banana in the gripper.

The August trial was an extension of this effort, using the same principles of neural interfacing to extend the range of an individuals sense of touch. "That prosthetic is a robot, and I can place it anywhere in the world and still connect to it," Tyler said. "And it will still be 'their hand.'"

Tyler has focused particularly on the health care application, which took on added significance during the pandemic amid concerns about frequent staff visits to hospital rooms of patients with COVID-19 or the need for better telemedicine options.

"If you talk to any clinician, they'll say a big part of the work is the laying of handsthe feeling, the touch," Tyler said.

Remote care also could help democratize medicine, he said, allowing doctors and nurses anywhere in the world to serve patients in hard-to-reach, underserved locations.

Possible military applications also show promise, notably the potential to use remote sensory systems to help defuse explosives without loss of life. "With this technology, [soldiers] could actually feel like theyre there," Tyler said. The team also is exploring ideas for people performing work on the International Space Station without leaving Earth, he said.

And beyond replicating human abilities, he noted, the platform could eventually extend them. Imagine, for example, using a remote system like this to control a massive construction crane with just a hand and glove. "I could pick up a block and move it. It could be a 10-ton block, but Id feel like Im just picking up Legos and putting them somewhere on the building," Tyler said.

As Tyler works to blend human interaction and robotic systems, the research leads to deep questions about what it means to be human and how far we should stretch our natural limits.

XPRIZE announced in April that Human Fusions is a semifinalist in its $10 million global competition focused on the development of an avatar system that transports human presence to a remote location in real time. The grand prize will be awarded next year.



"Where are the boundaries if I can expand my presence to anywhere?" he asked. "Philosophically, there's a lot of interesting questions that happen there."

And thats why hes brought in an interdisciplinary group of experts to help researchers consider these issues from the get-go and not after the technology is in use.

Tyler believes the institute will be a pioneer and leader in laying the foundation for the future of the human-technology relationship, but he also knows the race is on.

Human Fusions was recently named one of 38 semifinalist teams in a $10 million global avatar competition hosted by XPRIZE, a nonprofit that designs and operates competitions to catalyze innovations to benefit humanity. The ANA Avatar XPRIZE grand prize will be awarded in 2022 to the team whose system enables an operator to "see, hear, and interact within a remote environment in a manner that feels as if they are truly there."

"Most of the other competitors have really cool robotics that look very humanoid," Tyler said. His team focused on showing how humans could engage with remote environs.

"I think we probably have the most advanced neural interface [technology]," he said. Their entry includes work from recent trials in which his team controlled a remote robotic hand to complete a series of tasks alone or in tandem with humans, including such actions as clinking plastic champagne flutes.

"The ANA Avatar XPRIZE competition isnt the end point for us, but it is the embodiment of what were trying to do. That is, to think about and develop the symbiotic relationship between the machine and the human." Dustin Tyler

A Team of Collaborators

CWRU community members working on the Human Fusions technology include Michael Fu, PhD, the Timothy E. and Allison L. Schroeder Assistant Professor of Computer and Data Sciences; Emily Graczyk, PhD, who in July is slated to become an assistant professor in biomedical engineering; and Pan Li, PhD, an associate professor in electrical, computer, and systems engineering. Partner institutions are: University of California, Los Angeles; Cleveland State University; Carnegie Mellon University, University of Wyoming and Tuskegee University.

For more information, visit humanfusions.org.



 Dan Morrell
Engines roared to life as the event that kicks off the summer in Wisconsin Dells got underway for its first day Saturday.

By noon, around 1,000 classic cars were parked in the parking lot of Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park. A line had started since 6 a.m. for car enthusiasts to register their classic car to display at the event, said Jenifer Dobbs, festival and events manager for the Wisconsin Dells Visitor and Convention Bureau.

The parking lot was also full of spectators, a vast majority of them not wearing masks, walking around to see the line of hot rides on display. It was a much different scene than six months ago when Automotion was moved to September due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The weather was sunny with temperatures in the 70s rather than the rainy weather seen in the fall. Nicer weather usually attracts more people to the event.

We didnt have the turnout we were hoping for (last year), and prior to that we had three good years of rain so we are so lucky and so happy today to bring everybody to the show, Dobbs said.
Marsys Law gives us some direction in a very complicated justice system to hopefully protect victims a little better, Schauf said.

What has changed for prosecutors is the amount of work and short deadlines they have to manage information and ensure the victims are notified. Albrecht said victim witness coordinators now only have hours to identify and contact the alleged victim in a case to ensure they are notified of the bail hearing scheduled the same day the DAs office receives a police report. And in a department already straining under caseload looking to the state budget to ensure it can maintain its staffing levels in the face of losing funding, Albrecht said there are now added redactions to case files that need to be done.

Its not an exaggeration to say that processing our discovery has gone from a quick trip to the photocopier to a full-time job, Albrecht said. Sadly no budgetary support accompanied this change in the law, so our support staff have been asked to shoulder a pretty significant additional responsibility.

The amendment had been criticized before its passage by defense attorneys and law officials because of the potential to infringe upon the rights of the accused and could allow for businesses to take on the title of victim, which would allow it to refuse requests for information and interviews.
Turkish Intelligence has arrested a senior official of the Islamic state group (ISIS) who is allegedly a bomb expert of the global terror group, Middle East Monitor (MEMO) reports.

Egyptian-born Mustafa Abdulwahab Mahmud, believed close to the former leader of the group Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, was caught detained on the outskirts of Istanbul along with three other terror suspects on Monday.

US intelligence helped locate Mahmud who recently fled Syria. The ISIS fighter was plotting attacks in Turkey.

Turkey, longtime used as transit by foreign fighters join ISIS in Syria, has been waging war on terror.

Early this month, Turkish security forces detained an Afghan national who goes by the name Basim, and who was also described as the right-hand man of Al-Baghdadi.
"You know, we can look back in a time and history where people were told to wear a gold star. And they were definitely treated like second-class citizens, so much so that they were put in trains and taken to gas chambers in Nazi Germany," Greene said on the podcast. "This is exactly the type of abuse that Nancy Pelosi is talking about."

After her remarks sparked a firestorm of online criticism, Greene leaned in to the comparison further.

On Tuesday, she tweeted out a news story about a grocery store chain that plans to allow vaccinated employees to go maskless. Those who do would have a logo on their nametags indicating they had been vaccinated.

"Vaccinated employees get a vaccination logo just like the Nazi's forced Jewish people to wear a gold star," Greene tweeted.

Pelosi, who previously suggested that Greene could face an ethics inquiry, called her comments "so beyond reprehensible" that they should have "no place in our country." Democratic Illinois Rep. Brad Schneider proposed censuring Greene.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called Greene's comments one of her "frequent outbursts that are absolutely outrageous and reprehensible." Still, he said any disciplinary action against her would have to come from the House.
Kapenga gave little indication which of Evers economic development programs, if any, hed like to see funded through the state budget, but said that Republicans do support expanding broadband.

He said unemployment bonuses and federal stimulus checks are preventing many people from coming back to work, a notion Democrats deny.

Theyre throwing 90,000 Wisconsinites under the bus who need access to health care, and they are thumbing their nose to $1 billion that rightfully belongs here in Wisconsin, said Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-West Point.

Kapenga said Republicans continue to oppose Medicaid expansion because Wisconsinites under the poverty level are already covered, and they fear the federal government will reduce the amount of Medicaid reimbursement funds over time.

Theres going to be a reckoning with all this spending, Kapenga said. It has to be paid back. Its really a ploy to try to get states to get to pull into the system, they want to suck them into the system, and then over time, its a win for the federal government because they reduce their reimbursement rates and they start saving money.
My story

When I moved from Jamaica to Japan five years ago, I felt broken and lost having left on the first anniversary of the death of my first husband. Strengthening my relationship with Jesus Christ was one of the furthest things from my mind. I didnt think about finding a church family or connecting with other Christians when I got here. I just knew I needed a physical change.

My brother-in-law, residing in Canada,, asked for my location and used it to search for churches in my area. He found one and thats where I have been since. Many times, I have considered what the outcome wouldve been if he hadnt done that. At that point in my life, I was still grieving, being alone with my thoughts was dangerous.

I was constantly wrestling with trusting God while grieving. I couldnt understand why God would put me through that kind of suffering. Being far from home and everything familiar made it easy for me to slip into constant depression.

Our adversary continuously feeds our thoughts, it occurs, especially, when we are going through our struggles. He plants seeds of doubts, fear, and hopelessness within our minds.

Its not always easy

My favorite Bible verse has always been Count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations knowing that the testing of your faith worketh patience (James chapter 1 verse 2). However, when faced with the most challenging situation, I had forgotten to hold on to this verse and instead I focused entirely on how things had been unfair for me.

Ive realized that our circumstances tend to dictate our feelings. As humans, we are programmed to react according to how pleasing the situation is for us.

When things are unfavorable, we easily get distracted. We focus on how we can deal with these struggles mostly by ourselves. I am not saying we shouldnt give ourselves time to grief when distressed but it is important that we not allow it to steal our joy and control us.

It is also important for us to know in whom our trust lies. Trials and temptations are designed to either pull us closer to God or away from him. How we deal with them will determine the outcome.

Protect our minds

Our trials and temptations can be both physical and mental. Hence, it is important to protect our minds. If your mind is anything like mine, then its a constant battlefield. I tend to overthink and over analyze things which sometimes results in me drawing the wrong conclusion.

Our mind is one of the tools the enemy uses to get to us. If he can control our thoughts, he can control us. Hence the importance of rebuking negative thoughts before they take root was brought to my attention. I recognize that not all our thoughts originate within us, it becomes a part of us when we entertain them.

Our thought process

It is also important to identify the things that consume our minds the most. The first thing we think about when we wake up or the last thing on our minds before we go to bed.

Our thoughts are manifested in our actions and behavior. Anything that consumes our minds control us. If it has nothing to do with God then its a distraction and is something we need to ask God to help us to overcome.

Trust Gods plan

Moving to Japan, my goal was to escape, I was tired of being in the same place, hearing and seeing the same things. Little did I know that God had a greater plan. While residing here, I got involved in church and during the times spent away from my family and friends I started writing poetry. I later realized that these poems are able to help others who are facing difficulties.

Your challenges are not to destroy you but they are to build you and enable you to become a wholesome believer.. Everything is for a greater purpose. We may not understand but we can trust that God knows exactly what he is doing.

As the verses state, We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed (2 Corinthians chapter 4 verses 8-10).

Dont allow negative thinking to distract you from your purpose or to pull you from God. I challenge you to be open to God and ask him to search your heart and mind and to remove the thoughts that serve as distractions within your lives.
As the United States continues to invest in the overall improvement of the countrys physical and digital infrastructure, two leading tech companies have announced a multi-year joint initiative to bring advanced IT and cybersecurity solutions to historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) as a gift outright.

As part of the project coordinated by the Student Freedom Initiative (SFI), a nonprofit dedicated to enabling the social and economic mobility of students at HBCUs, AVCtechnologies will implement multiple Cisco (News - Alert) security products, and provide consulting, logistics, engineering implementations, and long-term management services initially to nine educational institutions, with a mission to implement at all 107 HBCUs across the US.

The cybersecurity considerations and requirements facing educational institutions are great and have a significant impact on Title IV funding, said Xavier Williams, CEO, AVCtechnologies. We understand the digital divide these institutions need to overcome. And as technology providers, we have seen firsthand how it has been exacerbated by COVID-19 and the abrupt displacement of unplanned, unsecure remote environments. This initiative provides companies such as AVCtechnologies the ability to address these challenges head on.

AVCtechnologies will leverage technological expertise, solutions, and financial resources to contribute toward adherence to cybersecurity standards and put controls in place through NIST 800-171 r2 assessments at the participating institutions, including the Xavier University of Louisiana and Prairie View A&M University.

We have supported the technology initiatives of schools, colleges, and universities for decades, said Worth Davis, president of solution technology, AVCtechnologies. Adapting and transforming legacy infrastructures, systems, and processes to meet the growing and changing education landscape requires trust and expertise; our team offers both. We are a Cisco Gold Partner with three master certifications and recognized as Ciscos breakout partner of the year and AT&Ts (News - Alert) Cybersecurity Growth Partner of the Year.

Title IV funding is awarded to institutions of higher education that meet certain criteria, including the ability to provide students with access to degree programs that prepare them for employment. To do so, schools need to ensure their own infrastructure is capable of supporting the needs of their students.

This initiative is an imperative for HBCUs who receive significant need-based funding, said Keith B. Shoates, Chief Operating Officer, SFI. SFI is playing a key role as the facilitator to protect Personally Identifiable Information in accordance with recent Department of Education, Federal Student Aid (FSA) requirements and modernize the IT infrastructure for HBCUs. Equally important, this partnership will provide increased operational resiliency, efficiency, and reduced operating costs, which is foundational to improving the institutions and student outcomes. We are pleased to have a technology leader like AVCtechnologies partnering with us in this initiative.

Edited by Luke Bellos
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26)  The Department of Agriculture, along with the Development Bank of the Philippines, has partnered with a Thailand-based agricultural company to further boost the governments efforts to revive the hog industry.

In a news release on Wednesday, the agency confirmed that Charoen Pokphand Foods Philippines Corp. (CPFPC), a Thai agro-industrial and food conglomerate, has forged ties with it and the DBP.

The CPFPC and the state-run lender strengthened their partnership through a memorandum of agreement on May 20, according to the DA, for the execution of the Swine Rehabilitation, Repopulation and Recovery Credit (Swine R3) program as the local hog industry continues to grapple with the impact of the African Swine Fever outbreak.

With CPFPCs technological expertise in modern bio-secured farms and DBPs support in providing credit assistance to eligible public and private institutions, we will be able to level up our efforts in reviving the industry, said Agriculture Secretary William Dar.

Loans availed through the Swine R3 credit facility can be used to fund the construction of bio-secured swine farms and purchase of farm machineries and equipment. Eligible projects include swine breeder farms, swine wean-to-finish farms and consolidated swine facility projects, noted the DBP.

The DA earlier announced that DBP has allotted 12 billion in loans for commercial hog raising in line with the states hog repopulation efforts.

RELATED: DA targets paying ASF-affected farmers for culled hogs but raisers lament slow payouts

I am glad that we have partnered with a well-known company such as the CPFPC, showing the way to help government revive our swine industry," Dar said. "They have the technologies and the modern systems in managing ASF, especially when it comes to biosecurity measures."

CPFPC vice chairman Sakol Cheewakoset likewise expressed gratitude to the Philippine governments trust in the Thai conglomerate, saying they hope to impart their knowledge on ensuring a sustainable business climate with Filipino farmer-partners.

Our state-of-the-art bio-secured farms enable us to be resilient from ASF, thus making our business a success," said Cheewakoset, who also assured continuous support in investing in the country.

"Moving forward, this will also open export opportunities for the Philippines, he added.

Apart from local repopulation and mobilization of hog supply from surplus provinces, the government has also increased the minimum access volume for pork imports to address problems in the countrys swine stock which have also led to higher prices.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier declared a year-long nationwide state of calamity due to ASFs impact on the countrys hog industry.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 25) - A medical group in Negros Oriental is appealing to authorities to place the province under the strictest form of lockdown, saying the healthcare system is buckling due to a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases.

The Negros Oriental Medical Society said in a statement that a shift to an enhanced community quarantine can help bring reprieve to hospitals on the brink of collapse.

"Give us time to reset," it said in a social media post last weekend. "Please do something before healthcare collapses."

Dr. Joven Occena, the group's president, told CNN Philippines on Tuesday they are recommending at least two to three weeks of hard lockdown. He said virtually all of the major medical facilities in the province have declared full capacity.

Based on data from the regional office of the Department of Health, Negros Oriental has the highest number of active cases in Central Visayas at 1,085 as of May 24. On May 21 alone, infections in the province rose by 204.

Meanwhile, echoing the call for a time-out is the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) Negros Oriental Chapter.

"Our average daily attack rate is currently at 8.12 (critical level is more than 7), and hospital bed capacity occupancy is near 100%, all of which are qualifiers for the call of a higher form of quarantine," it said in a statement.

"Our healthcare system is screaming, and we hope you heed the call," it added.

Both Occena and the PCP-Negros Oriental acknowledged the economic impact of ECQ, however, and listed other ways that could possibly help address the surge.

"We have to follow the protocols," Occena said in an interview on News Night, addressing Negrenses. "If we do that, I do believe we don't need to somehow have very strict quarantine protocols. If you will just stay at home and go (out) only when necessary, then we have a chance of surviving this."

Besides stricter adherence to COVID-19 rules, the PCP-Negros Oriental said a faster vaccine rollout and better implementation of existing guidelines can also help improve the situation.

COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force-Visayas chief implementer Mel Feliciano told CNN Philippines they are studying the recommendation to shift to ECQ, but added health authorities have already implemented appropriate measures to prevent a further spike in cases in the province.

CNN Philippines Digital Producer Kristel Limpot and Dumaguete-based Correspondent Roy Bustillo contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26)  The Philippines has to use up 497,000 AstraZeneca vaccines as first dose before they expire on June 30, a health official said on Wednesday.

Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said over 1 million out of the 1.5 million AstraZeneca doses that will expire next month have been administered as first dose.

"Almost 497,000 na lang ang kailangan natin maturok as first dose. We are confident by end of June nai-jab na itong remaining as first doses," she said in a media briefing.

[Translation: We only need to administer almost 497,000 first doses. We are confident that we can use these by end of June.]

Meanwhile, the 500,000 doses expiring in July are currently being used as the second dose of those who received their first AstraZeneca shot back in March. The interval between inoculations is 12 weeks.

The 2,030,400 doses nearing expiration came from the donation of global initiative COVAX, which the country received this month. The World Health Organization said two million more AstraZeneca shots will arrive in June.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26) - The city council of Caloocan has recommended a 60-day preventive suspension against a barangay official for his supposed failure to impose health protocols in a resort, which led to at least 20 COVID-19 cases.

Barangay 171 chairman Romeo Rivera is currently facing administrative charges for the illegal operation of the Gubat sa Ciudad resort, which accommodated over 500 guests, amid the modified enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila.

"The complainants further alleged that incumbent Punong Barangay Romeo I. Rivera failed to fully and faithfully discharge his functions as Punong Barangay in the face of the open, flagrant, and continuous violation of the IATF Omnibus Guidelines which lead and/or contributed to the May 9, 2021 spreader event," the resolution read.

"Now therefore, be it resolved as it is hereby resolved, by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, in its regular session duly assembled, to recommend the imposition of preventive suspension for sixty days on Punong Barangay Romeo I. Rivera of Barangay 171," it added.

Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan has since ordered the closure of the resort. The local government has so far traced 217 guests, authorities said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26)  While COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers may seek regulatory approval for their products use on minors, a health official stressed doses are still limited in the country and the older, more vulnerable groups remain the primary concern.

Health Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire on Wednesday explained firms can apply for an amended emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration to cover children and teenagers.

Even so, the older population, which she noted has a heavier burden of disease, would still have to be immunized first before moving on to young children.

With our current supplies of vaccines, we would like to focus more on the older age groups, like the elderlies, those with comorbidities, those essential sectors...because [children] have the least risk for contracting the disease and the least risk for dying based on the statistics we have, she told CNN Philippines' News Night.

All vaccines globally are for people aged 18 and above, save for the Pfizer brand which is allowed for 16 years old and up. Pfizer was also recently approved in the United States and Canada to be administered to 12 to 15 years old.

Some 3.46 million people nationwide have so far been vaccinated against COVID-19, including nearly 1.03 million who have received their second dose.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. earlier assured the government will eventually broaden its inoculation program to include those aged 1 to 17, which he said make up 29 million of the population.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26)  It seems the local hospital bills debated by Senators Franklin Drilon and Christopher "Bong" Go cannot be funded this year after all.

Drilon - the Senate Minority Leader, and Go - the chairman of the Committee on Health, reached a consensus on Wednesday to source the funding for additional hospitals and hospital beds from the Department of Health's Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) budget for next year.

The Senate approved on second reading nine of the local health bills sponsored by Go.

Drilon initially identified this year's 7.5-billion HFEP budget as a funding source, and "if insufficient," the miscellaneous personnel benefit fund (MPBF) and the pension and gratuity fund (PGF) for 2021 and 2022.

"I beg the good sponsor to accept this proposal because this will make the health facility improvement more credible dahil po may kasamang appropriation. Kung wala ito, e pwedeng sabihin ng taong bayan e niloloko niyo lang kami (because it has appropriation. Without it, the people can say we're just deceiving them)," Drilon said.

Go said the MPBF and PGF funds are meant for health care workers, and retired military and uniformed personnel, respectively. Citing a request from the Department of Budget and Management, he asked if the bills can be funded under the 2022 General Appropriations Act instead.

Drilon protested at first. Since the bills are being prioritized and may be signed into law this year, funds should be made available, he said.

"I hope that Mr. DBM whoever you are there should stop foisting on the Senate these proposals which are clearly improper because it is so obvious that you are trying to avoid funding these hospitals," the veteran lawmaker said.

The session was suspended for a few minutes so the senators can settle the issue. When it resumed, Drilon proposed amendments appropriating up to 4.8 billion under the 2022 GAA to increase the bed capacity of four health facilities, and establish five general hospitals in different parts of the country.

Drilon and Go had a heated argument last week when Go accused Drilon of delaying deliberations on the hospital bills. Drilon grilled Go about renationalizing two hospitals when they should be under the control of local government units under the law.

Citing Senate records on Tuesday, Drilon said it was Go who sat on the local health bills, which had been pending in his committee for more than a year. Go admitted his committee failed to submit the measures to the plenary earlier due to restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Georgian parliament suspends voting on the amnesty bill

By Veronika Malinboym

After the meeting with the speaker of the parliament, leaders of the parties that have already entered the Georgian Parliament have announced that the voting on the amnesty bill will be suspended. MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party Anri Okhanashvili stated that no agreement on the issue has been reached and the discussion will continue later this week:We will meet on Thursday to discuss it again. We have strong arguments. The opposition believes that they have opinions and they want us to think about them again. Of course, when we signed this document [ the EU-brokered agreement of April 19], we have all realized that we have a responsibility to cooperate politically, no matter how much we disagree witheach other, MP Okhanashvili said.In turn, one of the co-founders of the opposition Lelo for Georgia party said that it is difficult to say how the parliament will pass this bill:It's a very difficult question. We have to try to and agree on something. Otherwise we will have to agree to disagree.The amnesty bill in question is a part of the agreement signed by the ruling party and the opposition bloc which followed a series of EU-mediated negotiations. There are currently two versions of the bill considered in the parliament  one proposed by the ruling party and one drafted by the opposition. Earlier this month, the victims of the June 2019 protests, which the amnesty bill aims to address, sent a joint letter to the ambassador of the EU and the US to Georgia, stating that they are strongly opposed to the provision of amnesty to all those charged with violations which occurred during the protests, including the violations conducted by law enforcement officers. In response, the Ambassador of the US Kelly Degnan and the Ambassador of the EU Carl Hartzell have sent a joint letter to the activist stating that although June 2019 protests will remain as a dark episode in the history of Georgia, but , it is now vital that all stakeholders ensure its successful implementation in the interest of ending Georgias paralyzing political crisis.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26)  A lawmaker is calling for the construction of naval "forward operating bases" (FOB) to strengthen the country's military presence in the West Philippine Sea amid China's incursions.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, chairman of the House Committee on Strategic Intelligence, told CNN Philippines' The Source on Wednesday that he has filed House Bill 9420 urging the government to establish "small scale naval military bases" to establish national security and protect Filipino fishermen within the 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

"The plan is to put up forward operating bases, our main naval bases," Pimentel said.

"We can put a floating platform, flexible land on aquatic territory," he said. "We can put up as big as an airport and this can serve as military bases, the warships can dock there. Pwede rin tumira dun ang military natin (our military can live there), naval or Coast Guard, and we can put this up within the perimeters of our exclusive economic zone."

The lawmaker also said the FOBs can be established in the municipalities of Balabac and Busuanga in Palawan, in line with the Philippine Navy's strategic basing plan. Another base could be established in Subic Bay, which is only 123 nautical miles west of Scarborough Shoal, he added.

The proposed project will need funding of around 5 billion, which would just be a "drop in the bucket" from the current national budget worth 4.5 trillion, according to Pimentel.

He said this would help avoid a repeat of the 2012 incident where the Philippines lost Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc) when its ships facing Chinese vessels pulled out from the area as part of a deal brokered by the United States government.

China, however, reneged and continued to occupy the shoal which lies 124 nautical miles west of Zambales province and within the Philippines exclusive economic zone of up to 200 nautical miles, which is part of the West Philippine Sea.

The arbitral tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea previously maintained that Filipino fishermen had traditional fishing rights in the area, and China should not interfere with those rights.

READ: West Philippine Sea 101: Scarborough Shoal

In 2016, the arbitral tribunal largely ruled in favor of the Philippines in its case against China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea. It invalidated Beijing's "historic rights" claim to nearly the entire waterway and recognized Philippine sovereign rights in areas within its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf that China contests. Beijing refuses to recognize this ruling to date.

Pimentel's bill has a pending counterpart measure in the Senate committee filed by Sen. Francis Tolentino in 2019.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines is also planning to turn Pag-asa Island in the Kalayaan Island Group into a logistics hub and install a high-resolution monitoring system in its nine occupied features to improve the military's situational awareness while monitoring the West Philippine Sea.

RELATED: AFP: Logistics hub, high-res CCTVs eyed to improve WPS patrols

The Philippines' law enforcement patrols and maritime exercises in its territorial waters are ongoing despite challenges from Chinese forces.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26)  The Philippine Navy supports the planned upgrade of Sangley Airport to an international gateway as long as its naval base is retained in the strategic spot, a ranking official said Wednesday.

We support the move for the establishment of a Sangley Point International Airport. But we also want ownership and [to] be part of the development, Brig. Gen. Noel Beleran, commander of the Naval Installation Command in Sangley Point said at his confirmation hearing at the Commission on Appointments.

He was responding to Senator Risa Hontiveros, who asked about the possibility of the Navy being booted out of Sangley Point in Cavite because of the airport project. Beleran said the Navy is not backing down.

It is the stand of the Navy as mentioned by our flag officer-in-command that we want to stay in Sangley Point for the reason that this is a strategic location guarding the entrance to Manila Bay and this shall be considered as a main hub for the issue response time of our ships in responding to any exigency outside of Metro Manila, Beleran said.

Sangley is a 15-minute ferry ride from the CCP Bay Terminal in Manila.

Early this year, the provincial government of Cavite canceled its deal with the consortium of Lucio Tans MacroAsia Corporation and state-owned China Communications Construction Company Ltd. or CCCC for the multibillion-peso public-private partnership project. CCCC's involvement raised concerns as its subsidiaries are blacklisted by the US for playing a role in Beijing's construction and alleged militarization of artificial islands in the South China Sea.

The local government has since invited interested firms to another bidding process. Beleran cited one of the proposals but did not go into details.

There are areas that they want to reclaim, offering us a deeper depth for our big ships so that we can sustain our naval presence and maritime operations in the area, Beleran said.

The powerful CA approved Belerans promotion to Brigadier General, along with the ad interim appointments and nominations of 49 other officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during its plenary session on Wednesday. The highest ranking among the officers present was AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Education, Training, and Doctrines Antonio Palces, whose nomination to the rank of rear admiral was confirmed by the CA.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26)  A lawmaker has filed a resolution calling for an investigation on the labor conditions of workers in the gig economy, which include delivery riders and freelancers.

In a statement on Wednesday, Senator Risa Hontiveros said she filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 732 which aims to look into employment benefits and other forms of social protection for these laborers. The official likewise hopes to address reports of unfair working conditions among them.

RELATED: Labor chief to sit down with Food Panda riders over unfair labor practices

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The resolution defines the gig economy as new technology-enabled forms of work  often temporary and flexible  utilized by companies that rely primarily on independent contractors and freelancers.

Without laws that regulate and define the rights of our gig economy workers, they will certainly be exposed to abuse and exploitation, said the senator. Huwag nating hayaan na walang mananagot sakaling may mangyari sa ating mga delivery riders, motorcycle taxi riders, GrabCar drivers, o freelancers.

[Translation: Lets not allow that no one is to be held accountable in case something happens to our delivery riders, motorcycle taxi riders, GrabCar drivers or freelancers.]

Given the practice of classifying gig workers as independent contractors, Hontiveros said they are presently not entitled to healthcare benefits, 13th month pay, retirement pay, leave credits, days off, and other basic labor rights stated in the Labor Code.

[T]his crisis can also be seen as an opportunity for policymakers to break out of the contractor-employee binary by creating a permanent social safety net that would cover all types of workers, read the resolution.

The senator likewise urged Congress to plan and think more broadly about delinking vital benefits from specific employment forms.

No one should be left out, dapat all kasama sa new normal na may sapat na proteksiyon at dignidad sa hanapbuhay, ano man ang kanyang employment status, said Hontiveros.

[Translation: Everyone should be part of the new normal with sufficient protection and dignity in their livelihood, regardless of their employment status.]

SIM registration key to ending fake food delivery bookings?

Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Win Gatchalian said the registration of SIM cards would finally put an end to scams and online deception, which include fake bookings of food deliveries.

Recent news reports revealed incidents of food delivery riders having to pay for fake placement orders, often amounting to thousands of pesos, made by unscrupulous callers.

RELATED: Instead of the riders, Grab will shoulder advanced payment for food orders by August

Gatchalian hopes the Philippines will join countries that have already required proof of identity when purchasing SIM cards. Citing United Kingdom-based firm Privacy International, he said some 155 nations have already been practicing SIM card registration as of March last year.

Kung may tamang pagkakakilanlan ang taong nagpa-deliver gamit ang delivery app, hindi magiging madali ang makapangloko sa mga food riders at maiiwasan ang mga ganitong klase ng insidente, said Gatchalian.

[Translation: If the person ordering deliveries using the delivery app has the right identification, it wouldnt be this easy deceiving food riders and this kind of incidents could be avoided.]

The solon also mentioned Senate Bill No. 176, which he filed in July 2019, requiring prepaid SIM card users to present a valid ID and photo and sign a control-numbered registration form issued by the SIM cards service provider. Copies of the filled-up forms shall then be furnished to the service provider and the National Telecommunications Commission.

At the time of the bills filing, Gatchalian hoped to address text scams, ransom demands through untraceable mobile numbers, and bombing incidents, which often saw the use of mobile phones containing prepaid SIM cards as triggering devices.

Hanggat walang batas na magpaparusa sa mga kawatan, hindi matatapos ang pambibiktima sa mga gumagawa ng trabaho nila nang marangal at umaasang may maiuwi sa kanilang pamilya, he said.

[Translation: As long as theres no law punishing these wrongdoers, people just doing their jobs honorably and in the hopes of taking something home to their families will continue to be victimized.]

RELATED: House bill wants six years of jail time for canceling food delivery orders

The senator also lamented how some can still stomach deceiving these essential workers in the midst of a pandemic.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26)  A suspect in the alleged illegal sale of COVID-19 vaccines in Mandaluyong City has voluntarily surrendered after authorities launched a probe, but he denies benefitting from the supposed scheme.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos and wife Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos presented the suspect Kyle Bonifacio during a press conference on Wednesday.

Bonifacio, who is the son of a barangay councilor, said he is "confident" of his innocence, adding that he only showed himself to the public to "put an end to the issue."

First and foremost po, wala po akong koneksyon sa LGU dahil isa lang po akong batang estudyante [I have no connection to the LGU, because Im only a young student], he said.

Before the surrender, Mandaluyong Police Chief Gauvin Mel Unos said they had already been tracking Bonifacio after his name surfaced in relation to a viral social media post, which claimed that vaccine access was being offered for a price through the city governments immunization program.

Gusto ko lang po sabihin na hindi po talaga ako nagbenta, at yung resibo po na yun ay kusang bigay po sa akin nung taong yun [I just want to say I wasnt the seller, and the receipt was given to me voluntarily by that person], Bonifacio added.

However, he refused to provide more details when asked to clarify about the individual or receipt he was referring to.

Still, while keeping mum for the most part, Bonifacio said his father has nothing to do with the scheme.

Ako lamang po ang involved dito at wala ng ibang tao [Im the only one involved here and no one else], he said.

Mayor Abalos also said the suspects father had no idea about his sons alleged involvement until police approached him regarding the matter. She also revealed it was the father who personally called her and initiated the surrender.

What are the next steps?

Unos said they are now also closing in on other individuals suspected to be involved in the scheme.

Of course, with the exploitation of the social media, kasi titignan po natin din kung ano yung naging conversation nila doon to identify also the other personalities kung sakali mang hindi mabanggit ng ating primary suspect, he said.

[Translation: Of course with the exploitation of social media, because were going to look at their conversation to identify other personalities in case the primary suspect doesnt mention their names.]

According to MMDA chief Abalos, Bonifacio will be turned over to police for further questioning. An investigation report would probably be released by tomorrow, he added.

If Bonifacio is found to have violated laws, appropriate charges will be filed against the suspect, Abalos assured. He said this could be estafa, bribery, or violation of the Bayanihan to Act as One Law.

Officials have repeatedly warned against those who will sell or purchase vaccines or vaccination slots, reiterating that inoculation against COVID-19 in the Philippines should be free for everyone.

RELATED: Palace urges LGUs to pass ordinance vs. illegal sale of vaccine slots
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26) - There is still no alarming side effects directly related to the use of COVID-19 vaccines monitored in the Philippines, the head of the group reviewing post-immunization events reported on Wednesday.

Most of the reports point to the usual side effects after vaccination, such as pain in the injection site, blood pressure increase, headache and dizziness, according to Dr. Lulu Bravo, head of the National Adverse Events Following Immunization Committee (NAEFIC) .

The latest Food and Drug Administration report on May 16 showed that out of 2,282,273 vaccinees, 32,754 reported adverse reactions after receiving a shot.

Of this, 32,299 or 1.4% of all vaccinees had non-serious reactions to the doses, while there were a total of 455 serious events reported. This includes 226 adverse reactions to Sinovac vaccine, 228 to Astrazeneca and one to Spunik V.

Majority or 80.62% of these adverse effects have been resolved, according to FDA.

A side effect is considered serious when it resulted in hospitalization, significant disability, caused birth defect or death, or is life threatening.

Hanggang sa ngayon po, wala pa kami nakikitang masamang epekto ng bakuna, Bravo said.

[Translation: Until now, we have not found any adverse effects of vaccines.]

No deaths due to vaccine

As of May 9, the FDA said 91 individuals who got vaccinated died.

However, based on the FDA and NAEFICs investigation, the vaccine had nothing to do with their deaths.

The FDA report said: An independent committee assessed 37 of these events as coincidental events or not related to the vaccine, three (3) cases were indeterminate, and two (2) were unclassifiable. Other cases are still under investigation and are continuously being reviewed."

"To date, there were no reports of fatal events directly associated with the use of the vaccines currently in use, it said.

Bravo is among those who investigated the reported deaths. She said the FDA and NAEFIC thoroughly examined each case, and even had to perform autopsies in some of the cases. So far, none of the deaths can be attributed to their use of vaccines.

She explained that most of those who died had existing illnesses or conditions such as cardiovascular diseases or other respiratory illnesses.

Wala pa kaming nakikitang malinaw na ebidensya na yan ay maire-relate natin sa bakuna, said Bravo.

[Translation: We have not yet found a clear evidence that it can be linked to the vaccine.]

Marami namatay dahil may COVID," she continued. "Pangalawa, marami namatay na may heart attack, dalawa  sudden, na-autopsy, nakita ang ebidensya na may heart attack, at meron pa po na tinatawag na stroke, may asthma na severe napabayaan po. Hindi nadala sa ospital. Hindi naman po yun dahil sa COVID vaccine.

[Translation: Many have died because of COVID. Second, many have died of a heart attack. There were two instances, one, sudden attack, and after autopsy there was an evidence of heart attack. There were also some who had stroke, severe asthma. Some were not rushed to the hospital. Its not because of the COVID vaccine.]

Sixteen vaccinees also succumbed to severe COVID-19 infection. In total, the FDA said 292 vaccinees had COVID-19 after getting at least one dose. But most of them are asymptomatic.

Experts maintain that a person may still contract infection after getting vaccinated, especially when they have not yet completed the required doses. The vaccines need time to build up a persons immune system against the virus, they said.
(CNN)  When Uddhab Gautam got his first vaccine dose back in February, Covid-19 cases in Nepal were low.

Now, three months later, coronavirus infections in the Himalayan nation have spiraled out of control, leading to a shortage of hospital beds and oxygen, and sending most of the country into lockdown.

But despite needing it more than ever, the 67-year-old retired banker has no idea when he'll get his second dose of Covishield, the AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII).

"As an older person, I'm afraid of contracting the virus," he said from his home in Nepal's capital Kathmandu. "I have chosen to stay indoors."

Gautam's predicament is similar to one shared by millions worldwide: as India's own coronavirus crisis has spiraled, SII  world's largest vaccine maker  can no longer export its goods.

Last week, the SII said it wouldn't restart deliveries to COVAX, a worldwide initiative aimed at distributing vaccines to countries regardless of wealth, until the end of this year.

While SII's decision will be a lifeline for India, which is still reporting about 200,000 new cases a day, the delay poses a huge problem for developing countries that depend on COVAX to control large outbreaks of their own.

The world is already 140 million doses short  and by the end of June, that gap will have reached 190 million shots, the United Nations children's agency, one of the partners in COVAX, said last week. There is currently no timeframe for resolving the shortage, UNICEF said.

That creates a very real problem, not just for countries with limited access to vaccines where cases are exploding, but also for the whole world.

"We are concerned that the deadly spike in India is a precursor to what will happen if those warnings remain unheeded," UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore said in a news release last week. "The cost for children and families will be incalculable."

Why there are COVAX shortfalls

Last year, the SII  which manufactures Covishield, the name given to the AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured in India  promised to deliver 200 million vaccines to COVAX.

More than 111 million of those doses were set to be delivered between February and May this year, mainly to countries in Africa and Asia-Pacific, according to data from Gavi, a public-private global health partnership that is co-leading COVAX.

But as of Tuesday, only about 30 million SII doses had been distributed via COVAX, according to Gavi.

According to UNICEF, SII's delivery delays are a major reason why the COVAX rollout is so behind schedule, along with vaccine nationalism, limited production capacity and a lack of funding. COVAX should have already delivered 170 million total doses, UNICEF said. Instead, as of Tuesday, it has delivered 71 million shots to 125 countries and territories, with about 42% coming from SII, and 56% from AstraZeneca, according to Gavi data.

SII began distributing vaccines overseas at the start of the year when India's cases had fallen, and other countries were in "desperate need of help," the company's CEO Adar Poonawalla explained in a statement last week.

But as India's cases rose, SII kept supplies at home where there was a growing need. The government denied media reports it had banned vaccine exports.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned in March that SII doses would be delayed. By that point it had delivered just 28 million shots.

As India's caseload started spiking, demand for vaccination grew, and a number of states reported a shortage of shots. That prompted questions about why India  the world leader in vaccine manufacturing  was running out of doses. As of Tuesday, just 3% of India's population had been fully vaccinated. SII said last week it had delivered more than 200 million doses in total.

"We continue to scale up manufacturing and prioritize India. We also hope to start delivering to COVAX and other countries by end of this year," Poonwalla said.

Poonwalla said SII had never exported vaccines "at the cost of the people in India" and would "remain committed to do everything we can in support of the vaccination drive in the country." "We have been working with the government tirelessly to do our best for humanity and will continue in the same spirit," he said.

A Gavi spokesperson said in a statement that it was in close contact with both SII and the Indian government, and hoped deliveries could resume in a reduced capacity in the third quarter of this year.

What this means for developing countries

Across the border in Nepal, where coronavirus cases and deaths are soaring, SII's announcement has left authorities scrambling.

Nepal has only fully vaccinated 1.9% of its population and has almost run out of vaccines.

The country has reported more than 500,000 Covid-19 cases and 6,700 deaths. But Nepal has the third highest test positivity rate in the world  about 40% of tests come back positive  suggesting it is not catching all cases.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr. Jageshwor Gautam, said last week the country only has about 50,000 to 60,000 doses of SII's Covishield in storage for "emergency purposes." Nepal's Health Minister Hridayesh Tripathi said last week that authorities planned to use them in a few days to give elderly people their second dose.

The country was hoping to receive 1 million more vaccines by the end of April, but they never arrived. In total, Nepal only received 348,000 doses of its allocated 1.9 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine through COVAX. According to Tripathi, COVAX initially promised 14.8 million doses  enough for about a quarter of the country's population.

Millions of Nepalis have received no dose at all, and 1.5 million people  most of them 65 or older  have received one dose of the vaccine, but haven't yet received their second, prompting concerns about how long their immunity will last.

"I haven't heard anything since the first dose," said Durga Kaumari Paudel, 66, a housewife who lives with her husband and son in Kathmandu. One of her neighbors died this month from Covid-19, which only adds to her concern -- she has been so afraid she hasn't stepped outside her house in a month.

It's unclear whether delaying the timing of second dose will decrease efficacy, but trials show two doses of a vaccine is likely to be better than one, according to Gavi.

Health Minister Tripathi said Nepal is in talks with a number of countries in a bid to get the vaccines it needs. He said he's talked to officials from the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries about the AstraZeneca vaccine, and sent letters to the health ministers of the US, UK, China and Russia Wednesday updating them about Nepal's needs.

"We'll get the vaccines we need soon. We are quite confident," he said.

Nepal isn't alone. Bangladesh was set to receive more than 10 million Covishield doses by the end of May, according to Gavi's allocations. But it's unclear if those ever arrived  and Bangladesh has now run out of vaccines, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The country has fully vaccinated just 2.4% of its 164 million population, and cases appear to be rising again. After a request from Bangladesh, China gifted another 600,000 vaccine doses, the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka said in a statement Friday.

Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka and Cambodia were also expecting Covishield deliveries, and are all now experiencing spikes in cases. According to IFRC, a "majority" of countries in Asia were struggling with vaccine shortages.

"Asia is now the epicenter of this global pandemic," said Alexander Matheou, IRFC's Asia-Pacific director. "Tens of thousands of lives are being lost each week and vaccines must be available so that we can prevent further terrible tolls in the weeks and months ahead."

What this means for the world

A hamstrung COVAX isn't just a problem for countries in Asia  it has potentially worldwide ramifications.

"We have issued repeated warnings of the risks of letting down our guard and leaving low- and middle-income countries without equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics," UNICEF's Fore said in a statement. "The longer the virus continues to spread unchecked, the higher the risk of more deadly or contagious variants emerging."

This month, COVAX-co leader Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) set up a COVAX manufacturing task force to tackle vaccine supply challenges, such as a shortage of raw materials.

The Gavi spokesperson said one of its top priorities currently was to work with governments with the largest supplies to deliver vaccines through Covax to countries where they could have "an immediate impact in addressing this short-term supply disruption." They did not specify which countries this included.

But, as Fore points out, SII isn't the only group that can help solve the vaccine shortage.

Only WHO-approved vaccines can be rolled out via COVAX. Earlier this month, WHO listed China's Sinopharm for emergency use, making it the sixth vaccine to be given the green light to be used as part of COVAX.

Gavi said earlier this month it was in talks with manufacturers, including Sinopharm, to get more COVAX doses, Reuters reported.

While some countries are desperate for vaccines, others are inoculating the less vulnerable, such as young people, a situation that Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, described last week as "vaccine apartheid." In his opening remarks at the World Health Assembly Monday, he noted that more than 75% of all vaccines have been administered in just 10 countries.

"The ongoing vaccine crisis is a scandalous inequity that is perpetuating the pandemic," he said. "The number of doses administered globally so far would have been enough to cover all health workers and older people, if they had been distributed equitably. We could have been in a much better situation."

UNICEF said in an email that it was urging countries with excess doses to share them as an immediate stop-gap measure. IFRC is also calling for states and pharmaceutical companies to move faster in distributing vaccines.

"We cannot afford to become bogged down in negotiations over the next six months," IFRC president Francesco Rocca said, adding that government needed to share stocks, particularly with countries experiencing Covid-19 surges.

Tedros called on manufacturers to give COVAX the first right of refusal on new vaccines, or commit 50% of vaccines to COVAX this year.

"There is no diplomatic way to say it," he added. "A small group of countries that make and buy the majority of the world's vaccines control the fate of the rest of the world."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "The world's biggest vaccine maker is stalling on exports. That's a problem for the planet's most vulnerable."
(CNN)  "We have arrived in the US not for the American dream, we are here for the vaccine dream," 49-year-old Elver Estela told CNN. The businessman had travelled from Peru looking for the Covid-19 vaccine and got his first dose of Pfizer at a vaccination center in Seattle.

Earlier this year, Estela had decided to travel to the US -- where vaccines were relatively abundant -- after seeing many people close to him become sick with the coronavirus, an experience he likened to Russian roulette. With over 68,000 deaths attributable to Covid-19 in a population of 32 million, Peru is one of the worst hit countries in Latin America.

By the time Estela finally arrived in the US during the first week of May, he learned one of his closest co-workers had tested positive for the virus back home in Lima.

"I felt so relieved and liberated, I won't be playing the Russian roulette anymore," he said of the moment a nurse in Seattle finally injected him with the vaccine.

Estela is not alone. Travel demand from Latin American countries to the US has increased in 2021, fueled by growing interest in "vaccine tourism" according to some travel and health experts.

Peru's Vice Minister of Public Health, Gustavo Rosell told local media on May 18 that an estimated 70,000 Peruvians had already traveled abroad to get vaccinated.

Jose Ricardo Botelho, CEO of Latin American & Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) tells CNN that a recent spike in trips originating in Latin America and the Caribbean and destined for the US is likely linked to vaccine tourism.

"As a reference, in 2019, trips to North America concentrated 77% of trips outside the region. In March 2021 these trips reached 87%, an increase closely related to the significant number of 'vaccine' tourists who are going to the USA to get their injection," Botelho said in a statement to CNN.

As a region, Latin America is desperately short of Covid-19 vaccines. Although over 400 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered across the Americas, most of them have been in the US, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Carissa Etienne told reporters on May 19.

"Indeed just 3% of Latin Americans have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and we still have a long way to go to ensure that everyone is protected," she said.

For Etienne, vaccine tourism is not a solution but "a symptom of how unequally vaccines are being distributed in the Americas."

Latin America and the Caribbean countries have received more than 12 million doses through the WHO-backed Covax facility as of May 21, but the program is experiencing shipment delays with what already is a limited number of vaccines, according to PAHO officials.

Going to where the vaccine is

Travelers interviewed by CNN said they were not asked for proof of residency in the US at vaccination centers and some of them showed their national identity cards or passports. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says "jurisdictions cannot add United States citizenship requirements or require United States citizenship verification as a condition for vaccination."

Going a step further, New York City has opened mobile vaccination sites close to the city's attractions. "We're setting up mobile vaccination opportunities for tourists in some of the best trafficked parts of New York City, the places that tourists love to go and look I think this is part of the welcome back to New York City, we want everyone to be safe," Mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters on May 11.

"If the vaccine does not come to you, it is time to go the vaccine," another Peruvian, Flavio San Martin, tells CNN. Flavio, a business consultant, travelled to Durham, North Carolina with his family on April 13 and received two doses of the Moderna vaccine.

"I'm 46-years old and I didn't think I could be vaccinated in my country before December. I have seen people dying getting closer and closer to home," San Martin said.

Pamela Card, a 37-year-old from Mexico, says she doesn't want to wait any longer to be eligible for a vaccine in her home country. "Our family's safety is more important. With the vaccine we can feel safe and less in panic," she adds.

Card says she was vaccinated during a long weekend in Miami, along with nine other friends. Each was able to obtain online appointments to receive the J&J vaccine at a pharmacy.

"You have to fill in a simple form, they asked for an ID to confirm your name, I showed my Mexican national ID and that was all," Card says.

Both Mexico and Peru have been hard hit by the pandemic. Mexico has passed 2,399,790 Covid-19 cases followed by Peru with more than 1,932,255 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

And while Mexico has fully vaccinated just over 9% of its population, Peru is far behind -- with just over 3% of its population fully vaccinated according CNN's vaccine tracker.

"We did the numbers with my family and realized that we would have to wait for a long time for my mother's turn and my turn," says 28-year old Adriana Diaz. She and her 49-year old mother traveled from Mexico to Atlanta, where they are waiting for their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

"I'm incredibly grateful with the US government because they are allowing people to get vaccinated here," Diaz says.

What it costs

For those who can afford it, the cost of an international flight and accommodation is all it takes to get vaccinated.

Flights from the Peruvian capital Lima to the US are completely booked until June, according to Ricardo Acosta, President of Peru's Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies. Demand is only expected to increase due to vaccine tourism, he adds.

The number of people traveling from Peru to the US has quadrupled since February, Acosta said -- from 10,000 in February to 40,780 in April.

Flight costs have also increased. The average price for an economy ticket from Lima to Miami at this time of year was between $500 and $700, according to Acosta. These days, prices start from $1,200 and can even reach $4,500, he says. In normal years, the high season for trips between Peru and US is usually July.

Card's flight from Mexico City to Miami cost around 10,000 Mexican pesos ($500) for four days, including accommodation. She says the trip wasn't as expensive as she expected, but still out of reach for many Mexicans. "Not everyone can do it...with the 10,000 Mexican pesos I paid, a family in Mexico can buy food for a month," she adds.

"We are seeing that vaccine tourism is a real thing and very prevalent. And as long as the inequality on vaccine distribution worldwide continues, vaccine tourism will continue to increase," says Ernesto Ortiz, senior manager at Duke University's Global Health Institute, which monitors vaccine distribution across the world.

Vaccine inequality

At the vaccination center in Seattle, Estela said he felt warmly welcomed. The fact he was not a US citizen didn't seem to matter, he said.

"Everyone was so nice and friendly there and when one of them realized I was Latin American, she told me: 'You and your family are welcome to come and get vaccinated, we have vaccines here.' Those words meant everything to me," he said.

While Estela waits for his second dose later in May, his wife Ursula and 18-year old daughter Ariana have joined him in Seattle. They opted for a Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

"I felt protected, knowing that I can go back to my country and feel safe, still taking all precautions but safe" says Ursula, describing the moment when she got her shot.

Like many of those interviewed by CNN, she said that her own vaccine tourism would help slow the spread of the coronavirus and allow someone else back home to take her place in line.

"We are helping to stop the virus spreading in our country; more people vaccinated will help bringing transmission levels down," she said.

"The vaccine dream also means an extra vaccine for someone who needs it in my country...if I can save another life doing this trip, it is worth more than the economic cost," added her husband.

In time, other destinations may also become an option for Latin American travelers looking to accelerate their vaccine treatments.

In Russia, the makers of Sputnik V proposed a vaccination program for foreigners on Twitter: "Sputnik V vaccination in Russia! Who's on board?" "Just to be clear, this was not an April Fools' Day joke. We are working to start this program in July", the Sputnik V Twitter account also said.

Closer to home is Cuba, which is currently developing its own Covid-19 vaccine with two candidates in their final phase three of clinical trials. If all goes well, Cuban health officials expect to vaccinate the majority of the population by the end of the summer, and have floated the idea of bolstering the local tourism industry by offering "vaccination vacations" to visitors.

In the meantime, a trip to the US for a vaccine is an option for citizens of countries where the coronavirus is still uncontrolled.

"If you have the opportunity to do it, it is crazy not to do it ...The virus is surrounding us," says San Martin.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Vaccine tourists are coming to America."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26)  The National Task Force Against COVID-19 said it is set to release guidelines for vaccinating economic frontliners as the country gears up to vaccinate more Filipinos to achieve herd immunity by year-end.

NTF Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon also said during a briefing that once this is issued, immunization of essential workers, specifically those in the NCR and 8 other areas as approved by President Rodrigo Duterte, can start by June.

Earlier, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said they target to start inoculating members of the A4 and A5 (indigent sector) groups "after May," the time when vaccine supply is expected to stabilize. However, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said the simultaneous vaccination of said clusters will initially focus on areas with number of COVID-19 cases, namely Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Pampanga, Batangas, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao, or the NCR+8.

As for the indigent group, Dizon said this will start with Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries, but local governments may be given flexibility in determining vaccinees under this category to include those who are not part of the program.

Meanwhile, two senators are urging the government to fast track its immunization program and ensure that it will hit its target to vaccinate up to 70 million Filipinos by year-end to achieve herd immunity.

Mangangalahati na ang taon. Saan na pupulutin ang ipinagsisigawan nilang better Christmas kung ganyan kakonti pa lang ang nababakunahan sa buong bansa?... In this current scenario, 2023 pa natin maaabot ang herd immunity, Senator Risa Hontiveros Hontiveros said.

[Translation: It is almost the middle of the year. How will we see their declaration of a 'better Christmas' if only a few have been vaccinated in the country? In this current scenario, we will only achieve herd immunity by 2023.]

This is following a report by the national pandemic task force that said 4,097,425 Filipinos have been vaccinated against COVID-19, of which only 0.86% has received two shots. Average number of COVID-19 shots administered is 162,513 per day.

Hontiveros urged Health authorities to ensure adequate vaccine supply to attain daily targets and to hasten the process of granting emergency use authorization. The role of local government should also be strengthened to enhance their local inoculation programs, she added.

As for Senator Grace Poe, the urgent need to vaccinate more Filipinos will allow them to return to work.

We must take the fast action that will allow us to not just get through COVID-19, but more crucially, gain ground that will pave the way for our sustainable growth in the coming years,

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, unemployment rate in March was at 7.1%, translating to 3.44 million Filipinos out of work. This is lower than the 4.19 million jobless in February, equivalent to an 8.8% unemployment rate.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26)  Actress Angelica Panganiban is in the hot seat after ranting on Twitter about her experience at a swab testing facility of the Red Cross in Subic.

"Hello redcross subic!! Isang oras na kami sa dito sa parking area niyo. Nakaalis na din mga nakasabay namin. At inuna niyo pa yung ibang bagong dating. Okay lang naman kung palakasan (smiley) tweet ko na lang," she said on Tuesday.

[Translation: Hello redcross subic!! We have been at your parking lot for an hour. Others who arrived at the same time as us have already left. And you attended to those who just arrived. It's fine if you want to favor those with connections (smiley) I'll just tweet about it.]

Netizens took exception to Panganiban's tweet, saying she should have made an appointment if she wanted to be attended to immediately.

"Is this a true account? Well if it is, I suggest you go inside & inquire why hindi pa kayo natatawag. Red Cross Subic is really one of the reliable molecular labs there in Zambales. A lot of us depend on them to give us timely results for our patients. Wag kasi sa socmed dinadaan," a netizen tweeted. [Translation: Don't bring this up on socmed.]

Another said the celebrity's allegation of "palakasan" was ironic.

One netizen pointed out that artists were not in the priority list, and senior citizens are made to go first.

Another tweet criticized Panganiban for feeling entitled.

One netizen recounted her experience of booking a schedule but also lining up.

Panganiban has yet to acknowledge the situation or comments made on her post.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26)  A health advocacy group has raised concern on the "weaker" provisions of the newly approved House bill regulating the use and sale of e-cigarettes and vape products in the country.

In an interview with CNN Philippines' New Day on Wednesday, Health Justice Philippines legal consultant Atty. Ben Nespiros slammed the provision in House Bill 9007 or the Non-Combustible Nicotine Delivery Systems Regulation Act, which would lower the minimum age of access from 21 to 18 years old.

"Why would you lower that? It would be less protective to our children and to the youth," Nespiros said, noting that he was not surprised about the passage of an industry-backed bill.

"We are very much disappointed because we consider this as a retrogression of our strict policies related to tobacco products," he said. "We consider this as a betrayal of public health because the provisions of the new bill are less strict and weaker than our present regulation."

CNN Philippines is requesting comment from lawmakers who backed the bill.

RELATED: House OKs bill regulating e-cigarettes, vaping products on 3rd reading

Under Executive Order 106, the sale and use of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and novel tobacco products are prohibited to those below the age of 21. Registered products must follow the rules and also meet the standards set by the Food and Drug Administration.

HB 9007, which the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading on Tuesday, will now allow online selling of e-cigarettes and vape products, but access will be restricted to those below 18.

The measure also now authorizes the Department of Trade and Industry, in consultation with the Food and Drug Administration, to set rules, regulations and standards on packaging, ingredients and graphic health warnings on the products.

Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and sellers of the products who will not comply with the measure could be penalized with 500,000 up to 1 million fine or five years of imprisonment.

Its counterpart bill in the Senate is still pending at the committee level.
Radio personality and comedian Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalango has bagged a new lucrative gig with the government.

The popular radio presenter has been confirmed as the official host of the forthcoming Madaraka Day celebrations in the lakeside city of Kisumu County.

An elated Jalango announced the emceeing gig on his socials Tuesday, writing: Sealed and confirmed! Madaraka day official Host! Is HEAVY J BABA! see you in Kisumu! Thanks to a father and a mentor in protocols and High End events! Bw. Peter Wanjohi.

Jalango will be part of history as this will be the first time the Madaraka holiday celebrations will be hosted in Kisumu county.

The Permanent Presidential Music Commission (PPMC) has also announced a star-studded lineup for the event that includes celebrated artistes like Suzanne Owiyo, Dr Osito Kale, Dola Kabarry, Apesi Mnyama Mkali, Musa Jakadala, Freddy Jakodongo, Koffi Mac Adory and Aluoch Pamba.

The artistes will entertain the 3,000 people who will be allowed to attend the event at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo

Madaraka day will be a platform for the artists to display their talents which plays a role in embracing our rich, vibrant culture and ensures we safeguard our national identity, Kisumu County Executive Committee (CEC) for Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture Archie Alai said.

The Kisumu County Government has set two other alternative grounds at the Raila Kirembe grounds and Owuor grounds in Kibos which will host 12,000 people each.

They will be fitted with big screens to enable them to follow the event live as it happens as the rest of Kenyans follow the events virtually.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26) The House of Representatives approved on second reading Wednesday a resolution seeking to amend "restrictive" economic provisions of the Constitution.

Resolution of Both Houses No. 2  filed by House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco  was approved through viva voce or voice voting.

The measure seeks to include the line "unless otherwise provided by law" to constitutional provisions restricting foreign ownership of public utilities, educational institutions, media, and advertising companies.

House Committee on Constitutional Amendments chairman Alfredo Garbin earlier said they will leave it up to the Senate whether or not to tackle the measure after its expected passage in the lower chamber.

Senate President Tito Sotto, in a previous interview with CNN Philippines, said he was "not convinced" the government needs charter change at this time. He said it may be easier to discuss the inclusion of the phrase through a regular legislation in Congress.

CNN Philippines Correspondent Xianne Arcangel contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26)  Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has issued a show-cause order to a city councilor to explain the reported violation of basic health protocols during an event he sponsored on Tuesday, the local government said on Wednesday.

Belmonte wants Majority Leader Franz Pumaren of the city's 3rd District to explain the alleged breach of safety protocols which occurred in his food distribution activity in Barangay Old Balara, the Quezon City LGU said in a statement.

The show-cause order had been received by Councilor Pumaren today, it added. Pumaren has been given 72 hours from receipt of the order to explain why he should not be charged for the event.

The move is consistent with the city governments policy of going after violators of established health and safety protocols as well as to hold them accountable for their actions, regardless of status or position, the LGU statement read.

It added that the city's legal department is already performing the needed investigation over reports and will file appropriate cases as warranted. The Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) has also been directed to provide COVID-19 testing for the event's participants.

Belmonte reiterated her warning to all citizens  including officials  they will be prosecuted "without fear or favor" if they violate health regulations and endanger residents' safety.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government also expressed disappointment over the incident.

"Of course we can't prevent people from giving help at this time dahil ang ating mga kababayan ay nangangailangan ng tulong ngunit gawin natin sa sistematikong paraan [because our fellow citizens need help. But we should do it in a systematic manner]," DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya told reporters.

"We'll ask the mayor and the DILG field office na pagsabihan and to take a look pano matutulungan sila na mas maging maayos yung pamimigay ng ayuda," Malaya added.

[Translation: We'll ask the (concerned) mayor and the DILG field office to reprimand (him) and to take a look at how they can help organize a more orderly distribution of aid.]

CNN Philippines correspondents Gerg Cahiles and Melissa Lopez contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26) A student pilot died after his plane crashed in waters off La Union Wednesday morning, authorities confirmed.

The crash happened in the vicinity of the coastal town of Caba. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the body of the 25-year-old student pilot  reported to be a native of Pampanga  has already been recovered.

"He was immediately brought to the Caba Municipal Health Office where he was declared dead by the attending physician," the PCG added.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) confirmed the incident in a separate statement. CAAP said the student pilot of the Tecnam P-2010 plane "was conducting a solo cross-country flight."

"According to the flight plan filed by the school, the flight originated from Iba Airport in the province of Zambales, en route to La Union Airport and Lingayen Airport, then back to Iba Airport," CAAP said.

Investigations, retrieval operations ongoing

Investigations are still ongoing. While there is no official report yet, PCG La Union Station Commander Alois Morales said witnesses recounted how the plane slowly crashed into the sea.

"Ang nakita lang natin na kwento sa atin noong nakakita na nandoon sa area, mga fisherman, nandoon sila nangingisda, biglang pabagsak daw 'yung eroplano and then sumabog," Morales told CNN Philippines. "And then 'yun, tuloy tuloy na 'yung pagbagsak niya sa dagat."

[Translation: What we only know are stories from witnesses in the area, the fishermen, who said the plane suddenly went down and exploded. Then it continued to sink.]

Morales said the retrieval of aircraft debris will continue, adding they hope to finish the operations by Thursday.
(CNN)  The United States is closer than ever to beating COVID-19, with half the country vaccinated and more restrictions lifting.

But we're as far as ever from knowing how this virus, which shut down the world, came to be  which is as frightening as anything, since there's growing suggestions that it didn't just occur naturally, as many experts have long argued.

The US, with increasing urgency, is calling for more study, warning about the stakes for future pandemics, and more openly considering the idea that mistakes or an accident in a Chinese lab caused the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Chinese government says case closed.

What's new?

A US intelligence report found that several researchers at China's Wuhan Institute of Virology fell ill in November 2019 and had to be hospitalized, a new detail about the severity of their symptoms. It's not clear the researchers contracted Covid-19 and the lab strongly denied the report, calling it a lie to push the so-called lab-leak theory for the disease origin.

Scientists affiliated with the institute have previously said the institute did not come into contact with Covid-19 until December 30.

The US had actually provided some funding for the study of coronaviruses and their transmission through bats, which had made it to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

On Capitol Hill Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said it would have been a "dereliction of duty" not to fund earlier coronavirus research in bats in China.

"You don't want to study bats in Fairfax County, Virginia, to find out what the animal-human interface is that might lead to a jumping of species," Fauci said, adding the US had to go "where the action is."

Separately, at the White House, Fauci said many scientists still believe the disease occurred naturally, but it's also imperative to get to the bottom of it with more investigation.

An adviser for the World Health Organization, Jamie Metzl, said the lab-leak theory is possible while scientists were "poking and prodding and studying" viruses with the good intention of developing vaccines.

"Then I believe what possibly happened was there was an accidental leak followed by a criminal cover-up," said Metzl, who served in the Clinton administration in the US Department of State and is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

Fauci, the top infectious disease expert in the US, also said this week he is not convinced the disease occurred naturally and pushed for more investigation.

That is the takeaway here: There needs to be more investigation.

The official word on the origin of COVID-19 is not good enough

An in-depth study conducted by the WHO with the Chinese government, published in March, explored different possible origins of the disease and concluded that while it was not yet provable how the disease evolved, it was likely it was transferred to humans either directly from bats, or more likely from an intermediate species that got it from bats and then passed it along to humans.

The WHO report argued the lab-leak theory was "extremely unlikely," although it cited the lack of infected lab workers before December as an argument against the theory. The US intelligence report now suggests lab workers were sick earlier than December.

Further, even when it was published, WHO officials called for additional investigation and openness from the Chinese.

Coverups early on

Early in the outbreak, which China did not appropriately warn the world about, Chinese officials blamed transmission on an early hotspot, a seafood market in Wuhan, although that seems now to be essentially a lie, according to Metzl.

In fact, there's ample evidence the Chinese government tried to cover the existence of the virus up. In February, CNN published a look at whistleblowers and truthtellers who warned of the virus as it was taking hold, and who paid the price. Some have gone missing, others have been detained by Chinese authorities, while others contracted and died from Covid.

That report includes a timeline of warnings from doctors in China compared to inaction by the government.

"Whatever the origin of the pandemic, that first month when China was spending all of its energy trying to cover things up rather than fix the problem, that was what allowed the stove fire to become a kitchen fire to become a house fire to become a world fire," Metzl said.

China has been unwilling to submit to an open investigation; it insisted on strict parameters for the earlier WHO study. The US government and others have criticized that lack of transparency and the WHO has also called for further study. The Biden administration has re-joined the WHO after the Trump administration pulled the US from the global health organization.

Need for more study

A group of prominent scientists with relevant experience criticized the WHO report for not taking the lab-leak theory seriously enough  it was dismissed in a few pages of a several hundred page report.

"We must take hypotheses about both natural and laboratory spillovers seriously until we have sufficient data," the scientists wrote in Science Magazine.

Closed doors have also helped conspiracy theories grow. The more evidence there is for the lab leak theory, the more it validates people like Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton, who has pushed the idea that the virus was created intentionally as a bioweapon. There's no evidence specifically supporting that claim and experts still say it is unlikely. The Washington Post published a look at how questions -- raised by Republicans like Cotton as well as members of the Trump administration, and now of the Biden administration -- have led to a reassessment of the origins of the disease, which have not definitively been traced.

Dr. Paul Offit, an infectious disease expert at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine told CNN's Wolf Blitzer it was unlikely the Wuhan lab had manipulated the virus to make it more contagious using controversial gain of function research, but we've got to find out.

This will happen again

While Chinese authorities have stayed unwilling to allow such an open investigation, Offit said the world needs it in order to guard against another pandemic.

"What I do know is they have to allow this," Offit said. "This is now the third pandemic strain that has raised its head in the last 20 years. The first was SARS 1, the second was MERS. I think that we can assume that we're not done with this."

And, he went on: "I think that we need to be able to know this the minute it happens. I mean it is unfair that we had to rely on a whistleblower in China to tell us that there was a virus that was circulating in Wuhan that was killing people. That delayed things. It didn't give us the chance to act as quickly as we needed to act and I think they are culpable on that one."

This story was first posted on CNN.com, "Why scientists are suddenly more interested in the lab-leak theory of COVID's origin"
Dave Oppliger said whenever he learns about veterans passing away within the last year, it hits a little close to home.

The 72-year-old man, who is the second vice commander of American Legion Hartman Post 84, said many of them have been around his age. On top of that, several more veterans have died since last years Memorial Day.

Its been a tough year, said Oppliger, adding as a member of the honor guard he went to two veterans funerals on Tuesday.  Unfortunately, as you get older it kind of wears more on you because when I first started, it was veterans older than me  my dads age. Now, its people my age or younger. So its a little more emotional.

They may have fallen, but they are not forgotten.

The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and other community members and entities are planning to honor veterans who passed away this Memorial Day once again. The ceremony will start at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 31, at Frankfort Square in downtown Columbus. In case of rain, the event will be at the American Legion building, 2263 3rd Ave.

The hope is this years service will be the first outdoor ceremony in two years. The 2019 event was rained out and then last years was canceled due to COVID-19.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Ukraine has reached 2,189,858.

Ukraine health authorities said 3,395 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of May 26, 2021.

The new cases included 73 healthcare workers and 154 children, according to the Ukrainian Health Ministry's Telegram channel.

Meanwhile, 14,987 coronavirus patients recovered in the past day.

Read alsoUkraine seeing positive COVID-19 dynamics for ninth weekIn the past 24 hours as of May 26, the highest number of cases was recorded in the city of Kyiv (385), Kharkiv region (328), Dnipropetrovsk region (277), Zaporizhia region (219), and Kyiv region (208).

Daily coronavirus statistics in Ukraine for May 25

Hospitalizations: 1,778;

Deaths: 208;

Recoveries: 14,987;

Tests per day: 30,724 PCR tests, 13,108 ELISA tests, and 28,156 antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests).

Coronavirus statistics in Ukraine since the onset of the epidemic

Confirmed cases: 2,189,858;

Deaths: 49,893;

Recoveries: 1,990,051;

PCR tests: 10,076,621.

Data from Russia-occupied areas  the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions  is not available.

Vaccination in Ukraine

Some 16,387 people were vaccinated against COVID-19 in Ukraine in the past day, on May 25, 2021.

In total, 987,193 people have received their first shot of the vaccine since the launch of a nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Ukraine, while 97,391 persons have been fully vaccinated against the disease.

The shots were administered by 282 mobile vaccination teams and at 373 vaccination centers.

At the same time, 590,133 Ukrainians have signed up for the COVID-19 vaccination waiting list, the report said.

Translation: Kanaryan Lyudmila
Madison County WIC is temporarily increasing the Cash Value Benefit for Fruit and Vegetable Purchases (CVB).

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) gave USDA authority to temporarily increase the CVB to $35 per month for eligible women and children during the federally declared COVID-19 public health emergency.

Missouri WIC has elected to use this authority from June through September 2021, to provide additional healthy fruits and vegetables for up to 60,000 women and children per month. Standard CVB values range from $9 - $11.

WIC families have the opportunity to shop for nutritious foods at over 600 authorized WIC retailers throughout Missouri and can receive services at any of the 118 local agencies.

WIC serves financially eligible women, infants, and children under the age of five. Fathers, stepparents, foster parents, grandparents, and guardians are also encouraged to apply for WIC benefits for any children in the household under the age of five.

Missouri WIC provides quality nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, nutritious foods, and referrals to health services. It is also one of the most successful, cost-effective, and important nutrition intervention programs in the country.

Individuals interested in learning about the benefits of WIC may contact the Madison County WIC at 573-783-2747 option 4.

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Every day, a group of commuters booze at the bar on a Thames ferry as they shuttle back and forth to their jobs in London. This little group is connected by [their] childlessness and their freedom to put [themselves] before everyone else. Theyre self-indulgent and narcissistic. Theyre Chandler, Monica, Phoebe, Ross and Rachel if Gillian Flynn or Patricia Highsmith had scripted them. In a terrifically fiendish way, Candlish gives voice to Jamie, who narrates the story before and after the day one of the friends goes missing. On the surface, all appears calm. Jamie and Clare have it all: a comfortable marriage, a big house in a gated suburb. Kit and Melia are an attractive couple. They are hip, witty, exceptionally attractive and aspirational. Beneath the surface, though, things are murky. Jamies broke and has no desire to move beyond his job as a barista. Clare controls their marriage, their finances, their future and Jamie with a calculating bourgeois grip. Kit and Melia have crippling student debt and theyre living far beyond their means. By the time Kits been missing for six days, the stress has become corrosive and Jamie is surrounded with suspicion and suspicions. With Jamie, Candlish has created a self-deprecating and insistent narrator. His growing apprehension at what may have happened to Kit keeps the suspense taut. As everyones motives get murkier, the tide takes a shockingly believable turn (two or three, in fact). Candlishs story is a stiletto take on desire and ambition and the power of possession, and one of the most entertaining and seductive thrillers coming this summer. (Atria, $17, July 20.)
That case and Percy St. George were among my first five homicide cases. So what's a normal person to think? They're going out of their way to convict on the highest charge no matter what. When did I realize how much corruption went into these cases? Early, really early.

Q: How did you select the cases in the book?

A: First, it's important to say: These cases seem absolutely absurd  but people should not come away thinking these are 12 outrageous, crazy, beyond-the-pale cases. What's important about these is they are typical of capital cases.

I would take a topic: There are sleeping lawyers, racist lawyers, drug-addicted lawyers. There are lawyers that are about to be disbarred. I just looked for an example. Every one of these stories, when I get into it, is a better story than I realized, and every one is just the tip of the iceberg. Often, you're talking about a level of advocacy that is so low it's remarkable  and lives are at stake.
This year was also unique in that fewer runners participated, so they went a shorter-than-usual distance. Usually, Bullock said, about 50 or so runners participate and they start at the Madison County line. With less than a third signed up and not sure how many might be interested in running that far, Bullock planned on giving them a break.

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Starting at Doubet probably knocked about 10 miles off or so, he said.

+11 PHOTOS: Running to county line for Special Olympics Under overcast skies, about a dozen correctional center and law enforcement officers sporting shorts and T-shirts assembled at the St. Francoi

Bullock said he started St. Francois Countys involvement in the international law enforcement run in the early 1990s because he believes its important to give back to the community  its why he got into law enforcement in the first place about 40 years ago, he said. After a few years, he said, he didnt want to do anything but be in law enforcement, he couldnt see himself in any other job.

And I still love it, its the public service. Its important to give back to the community, I try to get that through to my officers, you might take a paycheck here, and it might not be what it should be, but we all still have to support our communities in other ways, he said.
Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua has challenged President Uhuru Kenyatta to settle his differences with Deputy President William Ruto.

Karua, while appearing on Citizen TVs Day Break Show on Tuesday, May 25, said Uhuru should be focusing on uniting the country in his final term.

He should be bringing the nation together, leading by example by having good relations with his deputy even when they do not agree, she said.

Having the handshake with the former prime minister Raila Odinga does not mean that he cannot continue having good relations with his deputy.

According to the former Justice Minister, Uhuru has set a bad example as Head of State by ignoring the Constitution and locking out his deputy from his mandate.

One wonders, then, who would want to be a DP in those circumstances? she posed.

Karua proposed that if the president feels he can no longer work with his deputy, then they should both resign since Kenyans elected them as a unit.

It is a bad example. They should be able to agree to disagreeto differ with respect on some aspects but to continue to operate as the presidency.

They can both resign and pave way for the elections. They were elected as a unit and should operate as a unit.
See, the data's in: The vaccines work.

So far, more than a million fraidy-cats affirm that they plan to go masked indefinitely: MAGA hats for Democrats. Ever in search of ratings-building controversy, CNN news personalities have taken to pretending that the CDC guidelines are deeply confusing and potentially dangerous.

No, they're not. And yes, even the most dedicated worrywarts will gradually shed their masks in coming weeks, as wearing one makes you look like a hopeless dork and CNN moves on to the next damned thing.

Even my wife -- a worrywart if ever one was -- will eventually lose every mask she owns and neglect to replace them. We'll be finding them in couch cushions and under ottomans for months. She forgot her mask at our favorite (outdoor) pizza place the other night, and I said nothing. See, I'd accidentally left mine in the car.

Everybody at our table was long-vaccinated, so what was the point?

But I'll keep going masked into the Kroger store for as long as they ask. So will everybody else. It's no big deal. That's why all this TV chatter about a one-size-fits-all national policy is beside the point. We live in a strong blue enclave in the deep-red state of Arkansas. Locally, compliance with commonsense mask mandates has been strong.
Vanuatu turns the Corner LETS USE THIS AS A SPRINGBOARD FOR THE FUTURE
As an example, Young points to an early photograph of Harriet Tubman that is jointly owned by the museum and the Library of Congress. The power he sees in Tubmans look is reflected in another new acquisition, Amy Sheralds portrait of Breonna Taylor.

Thats a really tremendous piece, he said of the portrait, jointly acquired in March with the Speed Art Museum in Louisville. The museum plans to display it later this year. It was the cover of Vanity Fair. It depicts her in a powerful way, and it sort of brings her to life and shows her, as Amy Sherald says, it gives her a voice in a really powerful way. I think that for me, that kind of connection across time and the ways that the portrait of Harriet Tubman is looking at you in the way that the Breonna Taylor portrait is, I think is something we want to really highlight for people.

Young also brings a sense of urgency to the Smithsonian museums mission to connect history to the present.

Were in history now, and that history is a living thing, and understanding living history is, I think, really a big part of it, he said about his vision. Think about the art people are making, the conversations people are having. Thats where we can collect and connect and help people see the bigger picture.
The topic has international importance because people around the world are buying and selling gold for which poor people risk their lives and from which organized crime benefits, she said. But its a deeply complicated story.

After 9/11, the price of gold shot up, and people started coming into the Amazon to look for gold, duPont said. Once residents of economically disadvantaged areas realized that they could make twice as much money mining for gold as theyd earned from their previous livelihoods, unregulated small mining operations began appearing.

The earliest impact was on the rainforest itself. They cut down the trees to get to the gold underneath, she said.

While animals and migratory species began departing for dwindling safe spaces, the new mining operations began handling large amounts of mercury to extract the gold from the soil. Miners were receiving unhealthy levels of mercury, as was the water used to rinse the soil to reveal the gold.
Engel said either of these options might require an amendment to the agreement with the county. The parking lot option would not provide the 100 spaces required for county use in the agreement, so additional options would have to be explored to procure the total number of spaces required.

As Ive said before, I think spending $10 [million] to $15 million on structured parking is just not the most efficient and wise use of our money when were looking at all our competing needs, said Councilor Michael Payne.

I havent seen a lot of data to back up that there is a severe parking shortage. Even before COVID, there were always spaces available in the Water Street garage when the Market Street garage was full, Payne said. It only reaches peak capacity occasionally during midday during weekdays, so were spending $15 million to address a problem that exists for a couple hours which could always be resolved by someone going to the Water Street garage, and thats in addition to all these other private spaces that exist which are always available, as well as paid parking that is always available.

Payne said he was particularly concerned about the potential demolition of the Lucky 7 and Guadalajara. Other councilors agreed that they should look into potential alternatives before doing this.
Clary has not faced discipline in the case. The trooper seen on video dragging Greene by his ankle shackles, Kory York, was suspended without pay for 50 hours. Another trooper who jolted Greene with a stun gun, Dakota DeMoss, faces termination after his arrest in a separate police pursuit last year in which he and two other troopers allegedly used excessive force.

Chris Hollingsworth, a trooper seen striking and repeatedly stunning Greene in the footage, was recorded after Greenes arrest saying that he beat the ever-living f--- out of the man. Hollingsworth died in a single-vehicle highway crash last year just hours after he learned he would be fired for his role in the Greene case.

Clary's video shows troopers ordering the heavyset, 49-year-old Greene to remain facedown on the ground with his hands and feet restrained for more than nine minutes  a tactic use-of-force experts criticized as dangerous and likely to have restricted his breathing.
HPV is spread through skin-to-skin contact, including any form of sex with someone who has the virus. Infections are so common that nearly everyone will get a HPV infection at some point in their lives, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Although it doesnt prevent all forms of HPV, the vaccine can thwart those that cause the most serious cancers, according to the CDC.

Thats good because nearly 80 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. Each year, another 14 million contract it. Most infections go away within a year or two, but others linger and create long-term trouble, including cancer.

It is ubiquitous. We are probably all walking around with some genotype of HPV, but we know which ones are likely to cause cancer and were fortunate to have access to a vaccine that gives us protection against nine of those genotypes, Mitchell said.

I think the vaccine probably got a bad rap when it was introduced because of the association of it being a sexually transmitted infection, she said. But it causes everything from warts and plantar warts to genital warts and cancers. It just depends on the genotypes.
A man was on Tuesday arraigned before a Milimani law court and charged with stealing innerwear from a mall in Nairobi.

Caleb Onyango Otieno allegedly stole 36 pieces of innerwear and other assorted items worth Sh200,000 at Sasa mall along Moi Avenue.

According to court papers, the items include 48 pieces of lingerie, 36 pajamas, 22 pieces of cotton robes, and six pieces of silk robes belonging to Lilian Mwangi.

Onyango allegedly committed the offence at around 3 pm on March 26, 2021.

He pleaded not guilty before senior principal magistrate Martha Nanzushi.

The accused pleaded for lenient bond terms saying he is from a humble background.

The magistrate released him on a cash bail of Sh50, 000 or a bond of Sh100, 000.

The case will be mentioned on June 4.
Israel should never have withdrawn from Gaza. It did not take a prophet to know what would follow its unilateral decision. At the time, I wrote that Gaza would become one more base for terrorists to launch attacks against the Jewish state. Under pressure from the U.S. and Europe to withdraw from Gaza, Israel gained nothing, but instead lost another level of security.

President Biden has withheld direct criticism of Israel, possibly because of his longtime friendship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but others in his administration, who are veterans of the Obama years, have a track record of favoring Israels enemies.

Still, Biden has said a two-state solution is the best approach to resolving the conflict that existed even before Israels re-establishment in its ancient homeland in 1948. The problem is and always has been that radicals desire a one-state solution that doesnt include Israel or the Jewish people. Since these radicals believe their motivation is rooted in their religion, it is impossible for them to make peace with a nation and a people they believe their god wants destroyed.

The Economist magazine gets it. In its May 20 edition it said, Even with a cease-fire, Israel and Hamas will not stop fighting each other. The agreement to restore calm is welcome. Pity it wont last.
For U.S. security, we can work with Putin

During World War II, America allied with Stalins Soviet Union for the purpose of defeating Hitlers Third Reich. In 1972, President Nixon opened up diplomatic and economic relations with Mao Zedongs China, one purpose of which was to partner (unofficially) with China to guard against the prodigious military power of the Soviet Union during the Cold War period.

America entered these formal and informal alliances knowing full well that both Stalin and Mao murdered millions of their fellow citizens in order to remain in power. Why would America have partnered with these truly barbarous leaders? They were true evil, looking right back in our face. The answer is simple: for national survival.

Avoiding a nuclear conflict is clearly Americas primary national interest in todays world.

Columnist David Ignatius presents a very dangerous picture of the future due to the rapid modernizing of the strategic nuclear forces of both Russia and China (The nuclear wizards of Armageddon, The Daily Progress, May 13). Ignatius is correct in his assessment that these new weapons will destabilize the balance of terror among the leading nuclear powers.
Bangladesh: Govt mulls higher tax to curb fake fish farming claims

by Sohel Parvez

May 26,2021 | Source: The Daily Star

High earners from fish and poultry hatchery as well as fish farming are likely to lose the privilege of income tax reductions from fiscal 2021-22 as the government plans to introduce a new slab to collect more taxes from fish and poultry farming entrepreneurs. Taxpayers earning over Tk 30 lakh yearly may require to pay 15 per cent tax from the present 10 per cent, said finance ministry officials. The hike in the top income bracket comes as the National Board of Revenue (NBR) looks to increase tax collection for the next fiscal year and curb scopes of evasion. There is an allegation that a section of people show higher incomes from aquaculture to enjoy reduced tax benefits on fish farming which the government offers to encourage employment and increase availability of fish protein. In a letter to the NBR in January this year, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) asked to verify income sources shown by many taxpayers in their returns, including fish and poultry farming. Up until now, incomes of up to Tk 10 lakh from fishery, shrimp and poultry hatchery and fish farming had been tax-free. Only 5 per cent tax is payable on the next Tk 10 lakh in income. On annual incomes of over Tk 20 lakh, only 10 per cent is payable as tax, whereas the highest rate of tax for an individual is 25 per cent.



The tax authority introduced the concessional tax rate first in July 2013 for two years to encourage diversification and increase production of fish to address nutrition deficiency in the country. The original concession was 3 per cent tax on any amount of income from fish farming. But some businesspeople, politicians and even government officials abused the privilege, said taxmen earlier. The abuse was tricky to catch as it is difficult to assess fish stocks in ponds, which made it easy for corrupt people to claim any amount of income from fish farming. And the abuse went as far as people who did not even own fish farms were claiming income from the business to evade taxes, said taxmen. To curb the malpractice, the NBR scrapped the reduced tax rate for the sectors by the end of 2014 but it had to reinstate the privilege from July 1, 2015 in the face of pressure from various interest groups. Now, the finance ministry officials said they want to collect tax from high income earners of these sectors. "We are not planning to impose any new tax burden on small and medium fish farmers," he said. However, Md Tariqul Islam Zaheer, managing director of Shundarban Shrimps, a semi-intensive shrimp farm at Dakop, Khulna, said fish farmers suffer from losses for factors, including natural calamities.



"However we cannot realise our investment as we do not get any insurance coverage," he said. "It will be frustrating for genuine fisheries entrepreneurs like us. Many of us are highly indebted for losses for natural calamities and low revenue. At this moment, a hike in the tax rate will affect us." He suggested the tax authority increase supervision to curb fraudulence attempts at evading tax. Over the past two decades, Bangladesh saw a massive expansion of aquaculture to meet increasing demand for fish for population growth and rising incomes. Aquaculture area doubled to 8.21 lakh hectares in fiscal 2018-19 from 4.12 lakh hectares in fiscal 2001-02. Production grew threefold to 24.88 lakh tonnes the fiscal 2018-19 from 7.86 lakh tonnes in fiscal 2001-02, showed data from the Department of Fisheries. Cultured fish accounted for 57 per cent of the 43.88 lakh tonnes of fish produced in fiscal 2018-19. The ratio was 42 per cent in fiscal 2001-02.

 2021 / thedailystar.net
Bangladesh: Over 200 villages under water as levees break

May 26,2021 | Source: The Daily Star

Houses, crop fields, and structures in over 200 villages in Barguna, Patuakhali, Khulna, Satkhira and Noakhali have been inundated as embankments breached due to storm surges caused by cyclone Yaas. Thousands of people have been affected. Low-lying areas in the coastal zone were inundated as the full-moon tide was above three to six feet higher than normal yesterday, said the Met office. Cyclone Yaas, which was around 345km south-southwest of Payra port at 12:30am today, has already turned into a very severe cyclone with wind speeds between 120 kmph and 140 kmph and is likely to hit Odisha and West Bengal coast this noon, said the Met office in a special bulletin. "The cyclone is moving towards the Indian coast at a speed of eight to 10km per hour ... ," Abdul Mannan, of the Met office's storm warning centre, told The Daily Star yesterday. Low-lying areas of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Bhola, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur and Chattogram will be inundated, the Met office said. People from these districts will also experience storm winds along with rainfall, the Met office added.



The Met office advised the maritime ports of Bangladesh to hoist cautionary signal number three, which means there will be 40-50kmph wind and anchored boats could get damaged. The authorities concerned have cancelled operation of water vessels as river remains very rough. At least 70 villages in Patuakhali and Barguna were inundated yesterday, affecting over 40,000 people. Local administrations were working to evacuate people. Till filing of this report yesterday evening, many were taken to cyclone centres and some were on the way to safe shelters. But many others were still in their homes. In Barguna, over 50 villages were flooded as water of different rivers were flowing above the danger level. Several thousand have been marooned. "Flood protection dam of our area collapsed, resulting in inundation of many houses in our village. My house has also been damaged," said Shamsul Haque, of East Rupdhon village in Patharghata upazila. In Patuakhali, at least 21 villages were flooded. Around 6km embankment of Lalua union in Kalapara upazila and about 10km embankment in Charanda, South Charmontaj and Chalitabunia unions of Rangabali upazila were washed away yesterday morning. Water level of the Andharmanik river was flowing 23cm above the danger level, said officials concerned. Rangabali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mashfaqur Rahman said water was entering localities due to tidal surges. Many people have already been marooned. The local administration is working to evacuate people, he said. About 40 shops on Kuakata beach have been damaged by strong winds and tidal surges.



In Noakhali, around 5,000 people have been marooned as about 50 villages were flooded in coastal upazila Hatiya. People of the island upazila were in panic as five to six feet high tidal surges was noticed yesterday. Many fish enclosures were washed away, said locals. "Even cattle were washed away due to tidal surges," said Kamal Uddin, chairman of Sukhchar union of the upazila. The local administration is ready to provide all sorts of support to the affected people, said Hatiya UNO Imran Hossain. Over 50 staffers of forest department's patrolling outposts in eastern Sundarbans, Bawalis (woodcutters) and Mouyals (honey collectors) have been asked to stay in safe places. Water levels of Bhairab, Pashur, Panguchi, Baleshwar rivers and their adjoining canals was over one and a half feet higher than normal yesterday afternoon, said officials of Bagerhat Water Development Board. Around 344 cyclone shelters have been set up and 85 medical teams have been formed. In Chattogram, the district administration has prepared 100 cyclone centres to evacuate people in case of emergency. Several villages were inundated in Satkhira's Shyamnagar upazila and Khulna's Koyra upazila. In another development, Local Government and Rural Development Minister Md Tajul Islam yesterday urged the public representatives of local government to be prepared to face Yaas. He came up with the directive at an emergency virtual meeting on the cyclone storm preparedness.

 2021 / thedailystar.net
Odisha: Cyclone Yaas crosses coast, likely to weaken into Severe Cyclonic Storm in next 3 hours

May 26,2021 | Source: The Indian Express

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Yaas, which made landfall in Odisha on Wednesday morning, crossed north Odisha coast about 20 km south of Balasore during 10:30 am to 11:30 am with an estimated wind speed of 130-140 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph. It then moved northwards and lay centred over north coastal Odisha, about 15 km south-southwest of Balasore at 11:30 am. The weather agency said it is likely to move north-northwestwards and weaken gradually into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 3 hours and into a cyclonic storm during the subsequent 6 hours. Odishas Special Relief Commissioner PK Jena said, The sea will remain rough till Thursday and the accompanying rain will continue. The wind will slow down by the evening and the cyclone is likely to leave Odisha for Jharkhand by midnight. The Met department has predicted very heavy rain (more than 200 mm) over Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Keojhargharh and heavy showers over Puri, Khurda, Angul, Deogarh, Sundergarh districts of Odisha on Wednesday. The IMD has predicted light to moderate rainfall at isolated places in West Bengal today while Jharkhand is likely to receive heavy to very heavy rain today and tomorrow. In West Bengal, the coastal districts of Purba Medinipur and South 24 Parganas were inundated as a result of rising waters due to the landfall of cyclone Yaas. Water levels of several rivers including Bidyadhari, Hooghly and Rupnarayan have risen owing to the cyclone and the accompanying storm surge. An official said over 3 lakh people have been evacuated from low-lying areas in Odisha. Cyclone Yaas has already caused two deaths and damage to homes as severe weather and rains affect Odisha and West Bengal.



10 moved to safety by rescue team after boat capsizes in river



The NDRF, along with the district administration of Jagatsinghpur in Odisha, has rescued 10 people from a river after their boat capsized, amid rough weather conditions under the influence of cyclone Yaas, news agency PTI reported. In a video tweeted by the Jagatsinghpur district collector, rescue personnel on Tuesday night can be seen holding on to an inflatable boat as people disembarked. Jagatsinghpur district collector Sangram K Mohapatra said in a tweet on Wednesday, "Fantastic work by NDRF and BDO, Erasama during #CycloneYaas rescuing 10 people in the late night from a river after their boat capsized." He further said that the arduous operation was carried out in the midst of light drizzle and 45-kmph wind speed. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has also lauded the rescue effort. "Appreciate the quick response from the team of @NDRFHQ and Erasama BDO to rescue 10 people from a capsized boat in the river, during a courageous night time rescue operation," he said in a tweet.



ODRAF carries out road clearing operations after cyclone Yaas landfall



Odisha Police Wednesday said Jagatsinghpur ODRAF (Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force) team cleared roads in Paradeep Municipal area, after cyclone Yaas made landfall in the state. Below are some visuals of the road-clearing operation (ANI)



High alert in Jharkhand, evacuation on amid cyclone Yaas threat



Jharkhand, which was put on high alert, continued evacuating low-lying areas on Wednesday amid the forecast that cyclone Yaas would be hitting the state by midnight after pounding neighbouring Odisha and West Bengal, officials said. Disaster Management Secretary Amitabh Kaushal told news agency PTI, "Operations are being executed on war-footing in the vulnerable areas in East and West Singhbhum, besides some other districts, in view of the very severe cyclonic storm Yaas." "We are witnessing high-speed wind and have evacuated about 6,000 persons from thatched houses and danger zones to shelter homes in safer locations," East Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Suraj Kumar said. People are being shifted from low-lying areas near the two rivers in the district that are below the danger mark at present, he added.



Large parts of of Bengal's coastal districts inundated



Rising river water levels due to the landfall of cyclone 'Yaas' have inundated large parts of West Bengal's coastal districts of Purba Medinipur and South 24 Parganas on Wednesday, as sea waves were seen touching coconut tree-tops and cars floating in floodwaters. The seaside towns of Digha and Mandarmoni in Purba Medinipur and Fraserganj and Gosaba in South 24 Parganas were among the areas affected by a storm surge of more than 2 metres above the astronomical tide level, news agency PTI reported. Officials said the surging waters have breached embankments at several places in the two coastal districts, inundating many villages and small towns. Water levels of several rivers including Bidyadhari, Hooghly and Rupnarayan have risen owing to Yaas and accompanying storm surge.



Jharkhand to receive heavy rain today and tomorrow



Ranchi experienced a change in weather in wake of Cyclone Yass, which made landfall in Odisha on Wednesday morning. The IMD said Jharkhand will receive heavy to very heavy rainfall today and tomorrow with extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places.



Heavy rain likely in Odisha, West Bengal



IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra Wednesday said Cyclone Yaas is crossing Odisha border, south of Balasore. "It'll reach Jharkhand tomorrow morning. It caused heavy to extremely heavy rain in Odisha in past 24 hrs. North Odisha & coastal Odisha expected to receive heavy to extremely heavy rain today," he said. The IMD DG said West Bengal is expected to receive isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall today. Jharkhand will receive heavy to very heavy rainfall today and tomorrow with extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places. "Bihar, sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim are expected to receive isolated heavy rainfall to very heavy rainfall today and tomorrow. Assam and Meghalaya expected to receive isolated heavy rainfall today," Mohapatra said.



Six flights from Mumbai to Bhubaneswar cancelled



At least six flights between Mumbai to Bhubaneshwar have been cancelled in view of Cyclone Yaas, Mumbai Airport PRO said on Wednesday. "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has witnessed the cancellation of flights between Mumbai to Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. Approx 6 flights have been cancelled so far. Flights to other regions continue to operate on schedule," he said.



Landfall to continue over next 2 hours



The process of the landfall of 'Very Severe Cyclonic Storm' Yaas began south of Odisha's Balasore town around 9 am on Wednesday. It is expected to be completed before 1 pm. The current intensity of the wind is 130-140 kmph, gusting to 155 kmph. "The landfall is taking place in Bahanga and Remuna block, south of Balasore town. Maximum impact will be in Balasore and Bhadrak districts. The wind speed will be in the range of 130-140 kmph. Wind speed will be about 100 kmph even in Mayurbhanj district," Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Jena said. Since Tuesday night, coastal districts of Odisha and northern parts of the state received heavy to very heavy rain. "Highest rainfall of 304 mm was recorded at Kusumi in Mayurbhanj district followed by 288 mm in Chandbali and 275 mm in Rajnagar. At 36 locations, the rainfall was measured between 110 mm and 304 mm," Jena said. "Several low-lying areas close to the coast in Balasore and Bhadrak districts were inundated due to heavy rain and tidal surge," he added. As per the latest update by the IMD, tidal waves of height 2-3 metres above astronomical tide will continue to inundate low-lying areas of Balasore and Bhadrak and about 2 meters above astronomical tide are likely to inundate low-lying areas of Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur district. According to officials, the cyclone would cross Mayurbhanj and enter Jharkhand around midnight. Over 5 lakh people have been evacuated and shifted to cyclone shelters. Nine districts of the state were placed under high alert ahead of the landfall. Residents have been advised to not venture out until 4 pm in the evening. We will carry out restoration work in Balasore and Bhadrak district only after the full completion of the landfall process. We have asked the district administrations of Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts to make an assessment of the situation, he said.



Army launches rescue operation in East Midnapore



The Indian Army Wednesday launched a rescue column to rescue 32 civilians stuck due to a surge in water levels in East Midnapore. "To provide immediate support to people in emerging situation due to #CycloneYaas, briefing, joint recce, liaison & coordination with WB govt has been completed. Rescue and Relief columns are pre-positioned across areas expected to be affected for immediate response," an official from the Army told news agency ANI.



Coastal areas of West Bengal flooded



Cyclonic storm Yaas made landfall at 9.15 am on Wednesday near Balasore in Odisha and it will continue up to three hours. According to the state administration, massive damage occurred due to high tides. The Meteorological department said the tide height touched more than 5.5 meter in many places in East Midnapore and South 24 Parganas. Many places were flooded as a result of sea water entering the coastal villages in these two districts. 17 Army personnel have been deployed in East Midnapore to evacuate people and to carry out the rescue operations. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "In Midnapore 70 km embankment flooded and in South 24 Parganas at least 15 areas, sea water entered into the villages. The people of Nandigram also called me some time ago. They said, in Sonachura and kendamari area already flooded." She further said, "Because of high tide with cyclonic storm, it became havoc in the coastal districts. Already we evacuated 11.5 lakh people and requesting them not to return to their house. because the situation will be worsen. we are saying that, please return house only when we will confirm that, no further devastation will happen." According to the administration, the water level of Ganga is increasing in Kolkata also. All lock gates have already been closed to stop the river water from entering into the city area. All flyovers have also been closed due to possibility of high winds accompanied by heavy rainfall.



Water from the sea floods residential areas in Bhadrak district



Water from the sea flooded the residential areas in Dhamra of Bhadrak district on Wednesday. The IMD said that the landfall process of Cyclone Yaas will take around 3 hours to complete.



Rain lashes West Bengal, Odisha



Heavy rain lashed Odisha and West Bengal under the influence of cyclone Yaas, which made landfall in Odisha on Wednesday morning. Here is a video of the rainfall that took place this morning.



Landfall to continue for 3-4 hours



Odisha Special Relief Commissioner PK Jena said the landfall process for cyclone Yaas began around 9 am Wednesday and is expected to continue for 3-4 hours. "It's expected that by around 1 pm, tail end of cyclone will also be completely moving to landmass. It's making landfall between Dhamra & Balasore," he told news agency ANI. Jena said it will continue to move in Balasore district till afternoon, after which it will enter Mayurbhanj district. Wind speed is estimated to be around 120-140 kmph. It is expected that this wind speed will continue in Balasore district around 120-140 kmph, he added. "In Mayurbhanj district, the wind speed is expected to be around 100-110 km per hour. After that, it will gradually slow down," the Special Relief Commissioner said.



Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms predicted in Assam, Meghalaya



The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Guwahati has predicted heavy rainfall in Assam and Meghalaya under the impact of cyclone Yaas, which has made landfall in Orissa on Wednesday morning. The two northeastern states have been given an orange warning which means there will be heavy to very heavy rainfall as well as thunder and lightning at isolated places on May 26. A release from the RMC said that the storm could lead to localised flooding of roads, waterlogging in low-lying areas, localised landlines and minor damage to kutcha roads. It advised the public to avoid going to areas that face waterlogging and staying in structures that were vulnerable. The RMC also said that Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram Tripura may see light to moderate rainfall. There could also be thunderstorms. It said that strong surface winds may cause minor damage to plantation, horticulture and standing crops and there were possibilities of damage to vulnerable structures due to temporary gusty winds. On Monday, Assam Chief Minister said that Union Minister Amit Shah had enquired about the cyclone preparedness of the northeastern states, which would affect the region on May 26 and 27. 'Informed that emergency services have been pressed into action' he tweeted.



Water from the sea enters residential areas in East Midnapiore



Water from the sea enters residential areas along New Digha Sea Beach in East Midnapore, West Bengal. 'Very Severe Cyclonic Storm' Yaas lay centred about 50 km South-Southeast of Balasore (Odisha), said IMD. Landfall began at 9 am on Wednesday.



Cyclone Yaas makes landfall in Odisha



The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said 'Very Severe Cyclonic Storm' Yaas centred about 50 km South-Southeast of Balasore (Odisha) has made landfall around 9 am Wednesay.



Odisha has placed nine districts on high alert with the meteorological department warning that Cyclone Yaas will make landfall near the Dhamra coast in Bhadrak Wednesday morning  all of these districts are in the Covid red zone with more than 1,000 active cases each. On Tuesday, the state government added Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar and Bhadrak to the list of districts under cyclone threat, apart from Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Cuttack where heavy rainfall is expected. Of these, Cuttack tops the Covid chart with 57,061 cases and 154 deaths in all, with an active caseload of 9,721. The Health Department has asked these districts to keep kits ready for immediate screening and testing after the cyclone. The state has also decided to suspend all work related to Covid, including testing, vaccination and door surveys, from May 25-27.

 2021 The Indian Express [P] Ltd.
Madhya Pradesh: Bhopal fishermen say facing losses due to Covid-19 lockdown

May 26,2021 | Source: ANI News

Fishermen in Bhopal say they are facing losses due to the closure of markets during the lockdown put in place to curb the surge in Covid-19 cases in the state."We want the markets to reopen so that we can earn a living again. This lockdown has severely affected us. I urge the government to ease restrictions now," a local fisherman told ANI.Another fisherman, Gopal Raikwar said that he was earning meagerly as low as Rs 100 to 150 per day, with which he is barely managing to meet the expenses of his family."There are seven members in my family and I am earning only 100 to 150 daily. All our work has stopped. If we will not work, then what we will eat? The government has to do something for us so that we can run our family," said Gopal.



He further urged the government to ease the ongoing lockdown so that poor people can earn their livelihood."Government should at least allow poor people to work. Everyday when we come from home they do our Covid-19 test and then only they let us go for work. Police officers also unnecessarily bother us throughout the day," added Gopal.Mahesh, a fisherman said that due to the rise in water level they were unable to find enough fish these days. Sometimes we don't get any fish for seven to eight days."I have a big family of 7 members and somehow I am managing to run the household. As soon as our life and business returned to track after last year's lockdown, another lockdown hit our livelihood. Last year, at least we could find fish but this time due to the increase in water levels we are unable to fish," said Mahesh.He further said that with roads closed due to lockdown, they did not have enough customers to buy their fish."Previously, the fish market was open but now that is also shut, so we cannot even go to the market to sell fish. We used to get about Rs 1000-1200 per day but now we can not even manage to get Rs 200 for the fish. There are a lot of problems, never thought the situation will come to this," he added.Mahesh further said that if lockdown is eased and the market is opened fishermen will be able to sell fishes in the market at a good price.
Pakistan: Fishing community has been expressing concerns about being displaced from their traditional fishing grounds due to the construction of CPEC projects

May 26,2021 | Source: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Since being officially launched in April 2015, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been one of the most watched set of projects under the aegis of Chinese President Xi Jinpings signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Having already injected around $25 billion into Pakistan, the CPEC not only has been dubbed the flagship project of the BRI, but it also holds a central role in Beijings global ambitions. While much has been said about the geopolitical implications of the CPEC, including for both India and the United States, less attention has been devoted to providing in-depth insights into the mechanics of how the BRI is unfolding on the ground in Pakistan. How do China and Pakistan negotiate the terms of CPEC deals? To what extent has Islamabad managed to exert agency in its dealings with Beijing? How does China adapt to the contexts it operates in? By now, the CPEC has been subject to much media, academic, and policy scrutiny, but these questions have not been answered. The power asymmetry between the two partnerscoupled with the impression that the BRI represents a unidirectional Chinese endeavor, not just in Pakistan but also globallyhas contributed to the erroneous representation that Beijing is merely imposing the CPEC on its all-weather partners in Islamabad. On the contrary, this study highlights Chinas adaptive strategies in dealing with a host of Pakistani actors (including political parties, local communities, and the military) against the backdrop of Pakistans evolving political landscape and change in leadership following the countrys 2018 elections.



In filling this gap, this paper foregrounds the importance of adopting a relational approach to studying how the BRI unfolds on the ground. This entails looking at how Pakistan and China have negotiated the CPECs energy, infrastructure, and industrial cooperation projects. The analysis is based on semi-structured elite interviews conducted by the two authors during three rounds of fieldwork in 2015, 2018, and 20202021 triangulated with a host of official reports, statements, and newspaper articles. Examining the domestic contours of the CPEC shows that Pakistani actors have wielded agency in important ways throughout the process, while Chinese actors at times have accommodated key Pakistani demands. The CPECs chosen route was affected by partisan Pakistani politics. The decisionmaking behind the corridors geographic route was an early indication that Pakistans preferences have been key in shaping how the CPEC has unfolded on the ground. In particular, the choice to prioritize projects in Sindh and Punjab stemmed from then prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his partys desire to obtain medium-term electoral gains, alongside Chinas interests in developing projects in Pakistans more economically developed provinces.



Despite its initial suspicions of the CPEC, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been as partisan in its use of the CPEC as its predecessor was. Since taking office in 2018, the PTIs focus on socioeconomic projects has not deviated markedly from the Pakistani governments previously formulated plans for the CPEC. But its choice of the Rashakai special economic zone (SEZ) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, over others rated more favorably in feasibility studies (and despite a strong Chinese preference for an alternative location), undermines the narrative that China is always the one distorting market forces with ill-suited BRI projects. The development of Gwadar was as much of a priority for Pakistan as it was for China. Although Chinas strategic calculations are often emphasized, the port of Gwadar was a Pakistani-initiated proposal in the early 2000s that was only later rebranded as a BRI project after 2013. All Pakistani governments over the past twenty years, both military- and civilian-led, have encouraged Chinas involvement in Gwadar, while Beijing in turn sees the port as a strategic access point to the Indian Ocean.



Energy projects were initially prioritized by Pakistans choice. The majority of first-phase CPEC investments went to energy projects, most notably coal power plants. This preference for coal was part of Pakistans desire to diversify the composition of its energy markets. This goal was also in line with Sharifs and his partys preference for energy projects to end the countrys electricity shortages in order to secure a 2018 reelection bid. The challenges facing SEZs. Despite Chinas and Islamabads agreement to focus on and prioritize a few SEZs and Chinas desire to relocate some industries to lower-cost production areas, the development of SEZs has been slow. This has been the result of a cumbersome bureaucratic structure and the politicization of these projects. Rhetoric on the CPEC has often failed to match reality. The lofty language on the CPEC has generally failed to measure up to the realities on the ground when it comes to delivering for the people of Pakistan. Many projects aimed at winning Pakistani hearts and minds have been included in the CPEC, but these have often not materialized or have been delayed.
Cyber

DHS to issue new pipeline security regulations after Colonial attack

The Department of Homeland Security is preparing to issue new regulations for pipeline security following the ransomware attack that disrupted Colonial Pipeline's operations for more than a week earlier this month.

"The Biden Administration is taking further action to better secure our nation's critical infrastructure. TSA, in close collaboration with CISA, is coordinating with companies in the pipeline sector to ensure they are taking all necessary steps to increase their resilience to cyber threats and secure their systems. We will release additional details in the days ahead," a DHS spokesperson told FCW on Tuesday.

The Washington Post first reported the agency would issue security directives as early as this week which would require pipeline companies report cyber incidents to federal authorities. Although Colonial Pipeline worked with the FBI following Darkside's ransomware attack, lawmakers have taken issue with the company's level of engagement with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

CISA's acting chief Brandon Wales testified at a recent hearing he does not believe the company would have contacted his agency at all if the FBI had not acted an intermediary.

The ransomware attack has also triggered a flurry of legislation about the Transportation Security Administration's authority to set rules around pipeline security as well as re-igniting debates on whether companies should be allowed to pay ransoms. The latter question is certain to come up when Colonial Pipeline CEO Joseph Blount testifies to lawmakers in June. Blount confirmed in a recent interview his company paid a $4.4 million ransom after Darkside compromised its business systems.

Shortly after the Washington Post published its story, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said in a statement the new directive is a step in "the right direction." He also hinted that his committee will not allow TSA to yield jurisdiction over pipeline security to other government agencies.

"While Congress will continue its oversight of TSA's pipeline security efforts, TSA -- with its 20 years of experience -- will remain the federal entity responsible for pipeline security with the authorities to mandate security requirements," Thompson said.

The notion that other government entities, such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, should take responsibility for pipeline security has been advocated both by lawmakers and other officials outside of DHS. Any legislative moves to make changes is certain to find resistance with Thompson and other members of his committee keen to maintain their own jurisdiction.

This article first appeared on FCW, a Defense Systems partner site.
This lack of clear understanding often manifests in roadside contacts between officers and members of the public, according to the study. Officers said it can be difficult determining the authenticity of documentation showing a person is in lawful possession of large amounts of marijuana. They also reported a near-impossibility in determining if a driver in Oregon with large amounts of marijuana is heading out of state.

Offenders often claim the product is hemp rather than marijuana which also makes it difficult to determine what the product is, one officer wrote.

Many officers also reported declining to make marijuana arrests because they feel district attorneys will not prosecute the cases.

It seems pointless to care about it when, in (redacted) county, even if someone has several hundred pounds, there will be no prosecution, wrote a respondent. I would just prefer that it is legalized and then it is not an issue.

Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel said he prosecutes all valid arrests that reach his office. He noted some of the survey respondents work outside Deschutes County.
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Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On May 23, VOYAH, a high-end EV brand of Dongfeng Motor, penned an agreement with China Unicom Smart Connection (CUSC), a fully-owned subsidiary of China Unicom, to jointly build a lab dedicated to automotive big data.



VOYAH, CUSC signing agreement; photo credit: Dongfeng Motor



Meanwhile, both parties also announced an all-around strategic cooperation on big data. Leveraging China Unicom's plentiful big data resources and VOYAH's industrial experience and innovative scenarios for user experience, they will co-work on digital marketing and smart car-sharing business to offer users customized services.

Dongfeng Motor announced on July 17, 2020 the launch of the premium EV brand VOYAH (in Chinese, "Lantu") with the first concept iLand unveiled in the meantime. VOYAH, the homophone of blueprint in Chinese, is positioned as a premium smart EV brand that aims to completely eliminate range and charge anxiety for drivers.

The iFree, the concept of VOYAH's first production model, made its world's debut in last September. After that, Dongfeng Motor announced the formal name FREE for VOYAH's first mass-produced model, whose world's premiere was made in the same month.

Presale of the Free kicked off in March this year and the market launch will start in the third quarter of 2021.

According to Dongfeng Motor, VOYAH will roll out at least one new model per year from 2021 onwards.

As China Unicoms IoV (Internet of Vehicles)-focused subsidiary, CUSC has been providing intelligence & connectivity services for many brands of Dongfeng, including Dongfeng Citroen, Dongfeng Peugeot, Dongfeng Fengshen, Dongfeng Nissan, Venucia, and Dongfeng Sokon.
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta on Tuesday visited patients who benefitted from free fistula surgeries at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi as part of activities to commemorate the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula.

This morning, I was deeply touched by the opportunity to meet women who have recently undergone surgical repairs. I met women who have come all the way from Kitui, Baringo, Laikipia, Nakuru, Marsabit, Homa Bay and Nairobi, the First Lady said.

Margaret Kenyatta called for sustained efforts to end fistula, saying any woman suffering from the condition should be treated promptly and reintegrated into society.

Pledging her continued support to the global campaign to end fistula, the First Lady emphasized the need to step up measures aimed at ensuring new cases of fistula are prevented.

On my part, I remain committed to supporting the aspirations of the global campaign to end Fistula. I will continue to lend my voice and support for increased investment to restore the dignity of women and girls, the First Lady said.

She added: Collectively, we can create awareness, lobby for and put in place supportive measures to strengthen the capacity of our health systems to offer more treatment and surgical repairs as well as training of more doctors.

The free surgeries were performed during the ongoing fistula camp organized by KNH that started on 17 May running up to May 28.

The First Lady said the theme of this years International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, which is Womens rights are human rights! End Fistula now, is a reminder that many injustices still face women and girls today.

She said the theme compels governments and people everywhere to listen and reflect on the injustices that women around the world have continued to face.

We are reminded that women are prime targets of forms of stigma and abuse and that we will never fully gain our dignity until our collective rights are respected and protected, the First Lady said.

At the same time, the First Lady decried rising cases of teenage pregnancies and gender violence, saying the two vices are eroding gains made towards ending obstetric fistula

While applauding the National Hospital Insurance Fund for including obstetric fistula in its health packages, the First Lady noted that there is still a backlog of nearly 1000 cases of women living with fistula awaiting surgery every year.

This situation has been made worse by the current COVID-19 pandemic which has not only strained our health systems but has also affected access to and utilization of health services including maternity care, the First Lady said.

She commended UNFPA, AMREF, Fistula Foundation and the Flying Doctors among other organizations for partnering with her Beyond Zero initiative towards ending obstetric fistula.

You have supported capacity building of health workers, community mobilization, provision of hospital equipment, funding fistula repair and rehabilitation of fistula survivors, the First Lady noted.

The First Lady also acknowledged brave women like fistula ambassador Jane Muthoni who spoke against the burden she experienced suffering from fistula for 13 years before she was treated.

Other speakers included Health Principal Secretary Susan Mochache, KNH Chairman George Ooko and UNFPA Country Representative Dr Ademola Olajide among others who commended First Lady Margaret Kenyatta for her leading role in the promotion of maternal and child health through the Beyond Zero initiative.
Never too old to rock n roll, or get your adult vaccines
DIANNE EDMONDSON, Precinct 4 county commissioner, can be contacted at 972-434-3960. Her office is located in the Southwest Courthouse, 6200 Canyon Falls Drive, Suite 900, in Flower Mound.
Three high schools from around Colorado earned the Secretary of States 2021 Eliza Pickrell Routt Award this year for registering students to vote.

The Secretary of States Office announced this years winners Wednesday as Cloud City High School in Leadville, Crowley County High School in Ordway and Peak to Peak Charter School in Lafayette.

As the nations youngest Secretary of State, Im continually impressed by the dedication our states young people have for our electoral process, Jena Griswold said in a news release. "Congratulations to the students and teachers for earning the Eliza Pickrell Routt Award and for making sure their voices will be heard in our elections."

To receive the annual award, a school must register over 85% of its eligible students to vote. This year, Crowley County High School had the highest registration amount with 100% of eligible students registered.

This is Crowley County High Schools second time winning the award, Cloud City High Schools first time and Peak to Peak Charter Schools fifth time.

The Eliza Pickrell Routt Award was created in 2016 to honor the legacy of Colorados original First Lady and the first woman in the state to register to vote after the passage of womens suffrage in 1893.

Routt was a pioneer in womens suffrage and, as first lady, she helped Colorado become the second state in the U.S. to recognize womens suffrage and the first to give women suffrage by popular referendum, according to the release.

Since the awards inception, it has been awarded 39 times to 26 different schools.

Information on how to get a school involved in the Eliza Pickrell Routt Award is available at sos.state.co.us.
The general shareholders of the Colombian operator WOM Colombia have agreed to proceed with a merger by absorption of mobile operator Avantel within 3 to 4 months, said a special merger notification from the Chilean telecommunication group.

According to local press reports, WOM will absorb all of Avantel's responsibilities, brings security to the 300 employees who currently work for Avantel" and that all Avantel stores will rebrand to WOM in the coming months.

Avantel said it sees the merger with great optimism, considering this decision as the ideal way to strengthen connectivity in Colombia through a robust operation, with an ambitious investment plan in infrastructure, a differential customer service, and constant and long-term business development.

The new operator aims to reach 196 own-brand stores and 105 kiosks all over Colombia by the end of the year.

Partners Telecom Colombia (WOM) was founded by Icelandic-owned, UK-based private equity firm Novator Partners in 2019 to bid in the countrys multi-band spectrum auction. WOM has landed in Colombia with the trademark marketing that helped it succeed in the Chilean market.
The world's largest mobile operator by subscribers, China Mobile has approved plans for a potential $6.06 billion listing in Shanghai Stock Exchange. As part of that plan, the Chinese state-owned company will issue up to 964.8 million shares or 4.5% of its total issued shares.

According to a report in the Global Times, the funds raised from its listing in the A-share market will be used in a series of projects including 5G boutique network rollout, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and next-generation mobile communication technologies such as 6G, involving a total of 56 billion yuan ($8.71 billion).

The company said that if the actual funds raised fall short of the amount needed, the company will supply the rest from internal resources or money raised from other sources.

The planned share sale in Shanghai may make the nations largest wireless telecom operator the first red-chip company to trade A-shares on the Chinese stock markets mainboard.

China Mobiles plan to enter the mainland A-share market follows a similar move by Hong Kong-traded rival China Telecom Corp. Ltd., which said in March that it plans a Shanghai main board offering that could raise $4 billion.

Both companies are being kicked off the New York Stock Exchange after former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a November executive order barring American funds and investors from owning stock in companies believed by the government to have ties to the Chinese military.

However, China Mobile didnt say the Shanghai offering was linked to the U.S. delisting. China Mobile will hold a meeting for shareholders in Hong Kong on June 9 to seek approval for the proposal.
In case you were wondering how the consortium that on 22 May won a licence to enter the Ethiopian market actually works, Kenyan operator Safaricom has disclosed the ownership structure behind the bid.

A special purpose vehicle (SPV) called Vodafamily Ethiopia Holding Company has been set up. It is incorporated in the UK but is expected to move to Kenya at some stage, possibly, Telecompaper reports, under the name Safaricomfamily Ethiopia Holding Company.

Safaricom owns a 90 percent stake and Vodacom International has 10 percent of the SPV. A single share is held by Vodafone International Operations.

The SPV will hold a 61.9 percent stake in the Global Partnership for Ethiopia (GPE), an entity that calls the Netherlands home. The other shareholders in GPE include Japans Sumitomo Corporation and the UKs CDC Group. Both shareholders were also involved in the licence-winning bid.

GPE will in turn own a new operating company in Ethiopia  whose name is unknown at the moment  whose licence will run for 15 years. It will have the right to apply for an additional 15 years. Safaricom is expected to hold 55.7 percent in the operating company. Other shareholders in the Ethiopian operating unit will be Sumitomo with 27.2 percent, CDC with 10.9 percent and Vodacom with 6.2 percent.

The East African online news service suggests that the use of multiple investment vehicles will give the venture flexibility in terms of more favourable taxation and debt financing.

The licence to enter the new market cost $850 million. Commercial operations are expected to begin in 2022.

Safaricom has added, according to other news reports, that it is no longer interested in a stake in Ethiopia's state-owned Ethio Telecom, which is currently in the final stages of partial privatisation.
Raxio has officially launched what it calls Ugandas first state-of-the-art Tier III carrier-neutral data centre at its site in the Kampala Industrial and Business Park (KIBP).

Raxio says it will work towards supporting industries that are facing increasingly complex and unique IT and regulatory challenges by providing secure colocation space of up to 400 racks ready to house mission-critical IT infrastructure in a 24/7 redundant environment.

The data centre brings the so-called metro edge data centre model to Africa, allowing for the exchange of data traffic in facilities located close to urban centres in state-of-the-art, hyperscale-ready environments.

As a carrier-neutral data centre, Raxio Uganda offers a wide variety of seamless data connectivity options thanks to the variety of local and international fibre carriers currently connected at the data centre.

The multiple points of connectivity increase redundancy, resilience in service, optimal uptime, and diversity in business operations, while driving down the overall cost of connectivity for customers, says the company. It adds that Raxio hosts an instance of the Uganda Internet eXchange Point, which allows networks to directly interconnect and freely exchange data traffic at a common point in-country, making the internet cheaper, faster, and more reliable.

As with most modern data centre developments, this facility aims to minimise its impact on the environment. Equipment choices at Raxio Uganda were made and adapted to the local environmental and climatic conditions with a view to continuously reduce energy consumption.

Raxio Data Centre in Uganda is a part of the wider Raxio Group that is focused on investing in, building and operating Tier III data centres across Africa. As reported on these pages in the past year, this includes planned developments in Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A police officer is counting losses after he was robbed of Sh1.15 million in cash moments after he had withdrawn the money from a bank in Gilgil, Nakuru County on Monday, May 24.

The Chief Inspector of Police (CI) at Astu Headquarters in Gilgil told police he was having lunch at around 1:53 pm when he lost the money.

According to a police report, the officer said he saw a man break into his double cabin which he had parked outside the hotel while enjoying his lunch.

The Chief Inspector said he looked outside the window when he heard his car alarm sounding and saw a man opening the drivers door using a duplicate key.

I saw him take the bag containing Cash Sh1.15 million, the officer reported.

The policeman also lost his registered Ceska Pistol loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition.

Detectives probing the heist said the suspect drove away in a white Mazda. DCI Gilgil visited the scene, processed it, and also recorded eyewitnesses statements.

The case was forwarded to police headquarters at Vigilance, Nairobi for further assessment.
Telefonica Movistar and DIRECTV reached an agreement through which Movistar acquires and assumes the operation of DIRECTV's Internet services in Colombia.

The operation includes the transfer of network infrastructure and radio frequency concessions, specifically, spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band and about 200,000 Internet clients, 60% of them with satellite television subscriptions.

The acquisition, the amount of which was not disclosed by the parties, is still subject to the authorization of the Colombian regulatory authorities.

"This operation, which strengthens Telefonica Movistar's network infrastructure, will not only benefit the clients of the two companies involved in the business, but also the users of the four Mobile Virtual Operators (MVNOs) that Telefonica Movistar hosts on its network. as well as to the clients of competitors who make use of it through National Automatic Roaming," said a joint press release.

Fabian Hernandez, CEO of Telefonica Movistar Colombia, said that this agreement ratifies the company's commitment to the country and will allow us, on the one hand, to continue consolidating our presence in the national market with the acquisition of DIRECTV's Internet infrastructure. and, on the other hand, to strengthen our operation by having additional spectrum to support the growth of mobile data traffic that we have been observing in recent months, especially after the start of the pandemic."

Movistar estimates that during 2020 the use of its fixed network increased by 98% and the consumption of mobile data by its customers grew by 87%.

Telefonica, with coverage in 266 Colombian municipalities through the fixed broadband service and in 965 mayors with the 4G-LTE mobile network, generated revenues of 5.36 billion Colombian pesos in 2020, about 1,437 million dollars.
Idahos governor was on hand Wednesday to help break ground for Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories 140,000-square-foot printed circuit board factory in Moscow, welcoming one of the few new plants of its kind to be built in the United States in the last decade.
The trustees of the Baptist College of Florida (BCF) met on the campus in Graceville for their annual meeting on May 18.

The board received reports on rebuilding efforts since Hurricane Michael and changes in the schools curriculum. The items receiving the most attention in the meeting dealt with a plan for presidential succession and the approval of the 2021-2022 operating budget.

Recognizing the impact of COVID 19 during the last year and the growing competition in ministry preparation brought on by new and expanding programs, BCF President Thomas A. Kinchen recommended an operating budget of $5,913,000 for the 2021-2022 session, a press release from the school stated. This total represents a decrease of $87,000 from the schools 2020-2021 budget. Most of the cuts came as the result of recent faculty retirements, school officials said.

Kinchen also introduced the plan for presidential succession for discussion. I want you to know several things about this plan, stated Kinchen. First, I asked for it. No one asked, suggested, or pressured me to ask for it. Last week I finished 31 years as president of BCF. This year, I will be 75 years old. I dont think that I will have another 31 years to serve here. Therefore, it is a good business decision to have an orderly succession plan in place.
Kessler went to police last week after finding a GPS tracking device attached to the bottom of her car. Stacey had indicated in his texts that he knew her whereabouts, including a trip to the courthouse. The officer she spoke with recommended she seek a restraining order.

After Kessler's discovery, Stacey stopped communicating with her, and her lawyer went to court seeking the emergency pick up order and a restraining order on the stalking.

She also contacted Stacey's landlord on Friday; He called police, who found the bodies.

Twelve hours later, a judge, not knowing the outcome, issued an order supporting the restraining order, but denying her request for an emergency pick up.

"Greyson's mother, Alison Kessler, did everything she could to keep her child safe from harm," a statement from her family said. "We feel that the system failed us at every level, from her attorney to the police department, to the court system. There were many red flags exhibited by John Stacey that were never acted upon, even though Alison reported his bizarre and threatening behavior and went through all the proper channels. This tragedy could have been prevented if proper action had been taken to help Alison and Greyson."
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)  For the second time in recent weeks, a Florida prosecutor is granting DNA testing for a death row inmate who has maintained his innocence for more than four decades.

State Attorney Monique Worrell in Orlando has agreed to grant a request from 72-year-old Henry Sireci to test a denim jacket, a hair and half a dozen other pieces of evidence, including bloody towels.

The Tampa Bay Times reports that the evidence will be sent to the Forensic Analytical Crime Laboratory in Hayward, California.

Sireci was convicted of stabbing to death Howard Poteet, an Orlando used car lot owner, on Dec. 3, 1975, and 7-Eleven clerk John Leonard Short three days before. The case against him was based on testimony from seven people who indicated he admitted to killing Poteet.

Worrell also recently agreed to allow DNA testing on evidence that helped convict Tommy Zeigler, who was convicted and sent to death row for the 1975 murders of his wife, in-laws and an acquaintance at the familys furniture store.
Editor's note: Xu Xiuli, dean of College of International Development and Global Agriculture (CIDGA), is a professor of the College of Humanities and Development, China Agricultural University. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Yuan Longping, known as "Father of Hybrid Rice," passed away on May 22 at the age of 91, which hailed the whole nation with grief. Yet what needs to be highlighted is that Yuan not only has contributed to food security in China but also won a high reputation at the global level in this area.

Just as commented by multilateral institutions such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Prize Foundation, Yuan made outstanding contributions to end global hunger and poverty reduction, which covers the first and the second goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Yuan improved the livelihood of ordinary people across the world with his dedication to agricultural science and technology. He is not only a grand "green revolution" (GR) hero with numerous honors received at home and abroad for boosting rice productivity with new varieties but also one of the iconic figures at this age, memorized by people across nations, ages, class and gender.

The whole world, against adverse competition and conflicting narratives, is bonded together at the moment for this shared grief and respect. This connection built up through Yuan is significant for a community with a shared future for humanity.

Recently, I have worked together with researchers focusing on cases from India and Brazil to explore and re-narrate the GR heroes and histories to inquire the roles of scientists from the southern countries, particularly their perspectives and contributions to African food security through new South-South and Trilateral cooperation.

The popular GR narrative is often seen as key solutions for hunger, poverty and modernization in developing countries, which are still relevant today, particularly in times of pandemic with increasing hunger risks worldwide. Therefore understanding the GR history and epic narrative is very significant for us to keep moving forward.

Yuan Longping is the worldwide known GR hero who started hybrid rice researches in 1964 and succeeded in cultivating the world's first high-yield hybrid rice strain in 1973. His persistent efforts on developing hybrid rice benefit the people globally.

Since the 1980s, Yuan's high-yield hybrid rice had attracted global attention and started to "going abroad" when China was still a food recipient country. Agricultural centers in the Philippines and Vietnam started collaborating with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to develop hybrid rice varieties and introduce the technologies to other developing countries.
At the beginning of her teaching career at Chipola, Dr. Cruz-White was named as a project NExT Fellow by the Mathematical Association of America. During her two-year fellowship she participated in seminars throughout the United States. She was selected for Reconnect Program from the Center for Dynamic Data Analysis (DyDAn) at Rutgers University and the Legacy of R. L. Moore Conference  An Inquiry Based Learning Conference. She presented her research in Biomedical Mathematics at several conferences and numerous articles reference this research. She was co-author of a paper on Applications of Computational Homology to Prediction of Treatment Response in Breast Cancer Patients (DeWoskin, D., Climent, J., Cruz-White, I., Vazquez, M., Park, C., and Arsuaga, J), and this year she is co-author for the paper Zero Helicity of Seifert Framed Defects by Sumners, De; Cruz-White, Irma; Ricca, Renzo for publication in the Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical.
The state of Ohio and the U.S. Census Bureau asked a judge on Tuesday to place on hold their court fight over when data used for redrawing congressional and legislative districts will be released.

As part of a settlement agreement, the Census Bureau promised to release the redistricting data no later than Aug. 16  a date it had previously picked for releasing the numbers in an older format. The bureau also agreed to provide Ohio with twice-monthly updates on its progress toward meeting that deadline.

Ohio will drop its lawsuit against the statistical agency once the redistricting data is released on that date, according to the agreement.

Ohio sued the Commerce Secretary earlier this year after the Census Bureau said it would be unable to meet a legal deadline to release the redistricting data to the states by March 31 because of delays caused by the pandemic. The bureau said in February that the data would be available in an older format in mid-August and in a more user-friendly format by the end of September. A federal judge dismissed Ohios case and the state appealed, saying the delay threatened its ability to meet redistricting deadlines approved by voters and set in its state constitution.
This is the second year that the fruit has been exported to far east economic giant from Bac Giang, the premier lychee growing province in the country.

The lychees were grown in the provinces Tan Yen District and shipped by the Global Export and Import Foodstuff JSC and Chanh Thu Export and Import Fruit Company.

The two companies said that they would export more Bac Giang lychees to Japan by air and sea this year.

Tan Yen District cultivates lychees on 1,300 hectares and expects to harvest 14,000 tons of the fruit this year. Its early harvest season will last until mid-June.

Nguyen Viet Toan, chairman of the district Peoples Committee, said they have quarantined everyone whove come into contact with Covid-19 patients, set up checkpoints on roads leading to lychee cultivation areas, and are checking the health of every visitor to ensure the orchards are unaffected by the pandemic.

Under regulations set by Japans Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japanese experts have to directly supervise phytosanitary certification of exported produce in Vietnam. However, during the pandemic, Japan has authorized Vietnams Plant Protection Department to do it because Japanese experts cannot come to the country now.

Bac Giang has so far harvested 2,000 tons of lychees in the early harvest season, half of which has been exported. China is the largest buyer of lychees from Vietnam.

Vietnam aims to export 20,000 tons of lychees this year to China, Japan, Australia, the E.U., and the U.S.
Huynh, a street barber in Dong Da District, said: "Within 2.5 hours, I had finished about 7-8 haircuts. Everyone wants one before the barbershops are closed. On normal days, there are no customers at this time. It is only in the evening when everyone returns home from work that I usually get customers.
A batch of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines arrived at HCMC's Tan Son Nhat Airport Tuesday night.

Nitin Kapoor, chairman and general director of AstraZeneca Vietnam, said the 288,000 doses are the second batch under a contract for 30 million the Ministry of Health and the Vietnam Vaccine JSC (VNVC) have struck with his company, he said.

With two other batches through global vaccine access mechanism Covax, Vietnam has so far received around 2.9 million doses of the British-Swedish vaccine.

It began a public vaccination program in March, prioritizing frontline workers against Covid like doctors, nurses, soldiers, and police officers to begin with.

Over a million shots have been given, including two to over 28,800 people.

The ministry is looking for ways to secure more vaccines, including those made by Pfizer-BioNTech.

Indigenous vaccines are also being developed, with human trials under way for Nanocovax by Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC and Covivac by the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals.

Nanocovax is expected to begin the third phase of trials next week on 13,000 volunteers, and, if everything goes well, could enter production as early as September.

The country is looking to secure 150 million doses in all this year to immunize 70 percent of its population.
Workers wait to have their samples taken for coronavirus tests at Quang Chau Industrial Park in Bac Giang Province, May 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Phong.

Workers employed in industrial parks have been added to the priority list for Covid-19 vaccination.

The Government Office announced Tuesday the focus is now on large production facilities with a large number of workers.

The list earlier comprised frontline medical workers, other medical staff, soldiers, police officers, teachers, diplomatic personnel, customs and immigration officers, those working in essential services like transport, people aged 65 and above, poor people, those with chronic diseases, people seeking to study or work abroad, and those living in pandemic-hit areas.

Earlier the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association and the Vietnam Association for Supporting Industries (VASI) had written to the government asking for industrial workers to be vaccinated quickly since they are vulnerable but crucial to supply chains.

Supporting industry companies are willing to pay for this, it said.

A month into the fourth wave, Vietnam has logged 2,873 domestic cases in 30 cities and provinces, with neighboring Bac Giang and Bac Ninh provinces in the north reporting the highest rates.

Factory workers in the two provinces in fact account for almost 70 percent of all cases nationwide.

The government aims to secure 150 million doses of vaccines to immunize 75 percent of the population this year, and the Ministry of Health estimates the program will cost around VND25.2 trillion ($1 billion), VND21 trillion for the vaccines and the rest for their transportation, storage and distribution and organizing vaccination.

Vietnam, which is currently using the vaccine produced by British-Swedish firm AstraZeneca for its immunization program, has received nearly 2.9 million doses, 464,000 through commercial contracts and the rest through Covax, and vaccinated over a million people so far.

The ministry has deals to buy 30 million doses and obtain 38.9 million doses through Covax. It has also registered to buy 10 million additional doses through Covax under a cost-sharing scheme to benefit from lower prices.

Besides, it has inked a deal for 31 million doses of Pfizers vaccine this year.

Domestically, four vaccines are under development by Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC), Vaccine and Biological Production Company No. 1 (Vabiotech), and Polyvac.
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The United States announced visa restrictions against Yu Hui, an official of the Peoples Republic of China, for gross violations of the human rights of Falun Gong practitioners.
On May 11, the U.S. Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, designated seven individuals in connection with Hezbollah and a related financial entity, Al-Qard al-Hassan, or AQAH.

From the highest levels of Hezbollahs financial apparatus to working level individuals, Hezbollah continues to abuse the Lebanese financial sector and drain Lebanons financial resources at an already dire time, said Director of OFAC Andrea Gacki. Such actions demonstrate Hezbollahs disregard for financial stability, transparency, or accountability in Lebanon.

While AQAH purports to serve the Lebanese people, in practice it illicitly moves funds through shell accounts and facilitators, exposing Lebanese financial institutions to sanctions risk. AQAH masquerades as a non-governmental organization, while it provides services characteristic of a bank in support of Hezbollah .

By hoarding hard currency that is desperately needed by the Lebanese economy, AQAH helps Hezbollah build its own support base and compromise the stability of the Lebanese state. Six of the individuals OFAC designated used the cover of personal accounts at certain Lebanese banks, including U.S.-designated Jammal Trust Bank, to evade sanctions targeting AQAH and transfer approximately 500 million U.S. dollars on behalf of AQAH.

OFAC also designated Ibrahim Ali Daher who serves as the Chief of Hezbollahs Central Finance Unit. This unit oversees and manages Hezbollahs budget and spending, including the groups funding of units and operations that terrorize, intimidate, and kill the groups opponents.

These designations reinforce previous U.S. actions against Hezbollah financiers who have provided support to Hezbollah. The United States will continue to take action to disrupt Hezbollahs operations.
ELKO  Coronavirus cases continued to rise Tuesday in Elko County, and the latest state lab tests found a high percentage of the South African variant.

The county reported 19 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday and five recoveries, for a total of 122 active cases. Hospitalizations decreased to six.

The Nevada State Public Health Laboratory sequenced 12 samples from Elko County during the month of April, and half were identified as variant B.1.351. The variant was initially detected in South Africa in December 2020 and arrived in the United States in January, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

A Johns Hopkins Medicine article states this variant may have the ability to re-infect people who have recovered from earlier versions of the coronavirus. It might also be somewhat resistant to some of the coronavirus vaccines in development.

According to a study in Nature, The percentage of positive antibodies that neutralized the South African variant was 12.4 fold lower for the Moderna vaccine than against the original coronavirus and 10.3 fold lower for the Pfizer vaccine.
President Joe Biden on Wednesday ordered U.S. intelligence officials to redouble their efforts to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, including any possibility the trail might lead to a Chinese laboratory.

After months of minimizing that possibility as a fringe theory, the Biden administration is joining worldwide pressure for China to be more open about the outbreak, aiming to head off GOP complaints the president has not been tough enough as well as to use the opportunity to press China on alleged obstruction.

Biden asked U.S. intelligence agencies to report back within 90 days. He directed U.S. national laboratories to assist with the investigation and the intelligence community to prepare a list of specific queries for the Chinese government. He called on China to cooperate with international probes into the origins of the pandemic.

Biden in a statement said the majority of the intelligence community had coalesced around those two scenarios but do not believe there is sufficient information to assess one to be more likely than the other. He revealed that two agencies lean toward the animal link and one leans more toward the lab theory, "each with low or moderate confidence."
Research Roundup is a monthly feature that offers a sample of recent grants and publications for Emory faculty and staff. To suggest items for the next column, please email your submission to researchroundup@emory.edu.

As an academic research institution, Emorys faculty and staff conduct studies across every discipline, from the sciences to the humanities. Heres a sample of recent grant awards and the work they will support, plus highlights from some published research findings.

Grants highlighted:

Publications highlighted:

Grants

Emory studying mind-body interventions for trauma-related dissociation

Emory University is part of a $3.8 million grant from the NIHs National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health awarded to both Emory and University of Pittsburgh. The funding will support a clinical trial to test the mechanisms of new mind-body interventions for trauma-related dissociation. Dissociation is a disconnection between a persons thoughts, memories, feelings, actions or sense of who he or she is.

Emory will serve as the trials primary site led by clinical neuropsychologist Negar Fani, assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Researchers will recruit 200 people across the two sites seeking participants who have endured trauma and may be experiencing dissociation.

The project, which will span five years, will examine how new mind-body interventions, including breath-focused mindfulness with sensory feedback, affect attentional control and body awareness brain networks. The researchers goal is to determine if practices like breath-focused mindfulness can be made easier by using external sensory feedback and directly target attentional control and body awareness brain networks.

Emory will primarily be recruiting through the Grady Trauma Project in partnership with Grady Memorial Hospital. For more information on the study, please email gtpaffectneurolab@emory.edu or call 404-778-5767.



Emory eye researchers probing gene involved in retinal ganglion cell injury

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in Americans over the age of 60, and a thinner cornea  the outermost lens of the eye  means there is a greater risk of developing glaucoma.

Eldon E. Geisert, principal investigator and researcher at the Emory Eye Center, and colleagues were recently awarded a grant by the National Eye Institute to study a regulatory factor called POU6F2, which modulates central corneal thickness in mice and is a risk factor for glaucoma in humans. The five-year grant is funded at $494,769 in the first year.

Researchers will focus on the role of POU6F2 in the response of retinal ganglion cells in mouse models of experimentally induced and naturally occurring glaucoma. They will compare their findings in mice to humans, in collaboration with ophthalmologist Janey Wiggs at Harvard Medical School and the NEIGHBORHOOD consortium. Through this collaboration, researchers will determine if POU6F2s downstream targets and associated pathways represent factors for glaucoma risk. A basic understanding of the molecular interactions of POU6F2 could inform the rational design of strategies to improve the detection of and therapy for glaucoma.



Trailblazer award for monitoring brain temperature via magnetic resonance

In the emergency department, the temperature of the brain is critical information after someone has a stroke or cardiac arrest, and even more important during treatment. Yet it is difficult for doctors to accurately or directly measure brain temperature.

Magnetic resonance imaging technology being developed at Emory University School of Medicine could provide more accurate measurements. A team of researchers has received a three-year, $400,000 grant from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) to monitor brain temperature while patients are undergoing therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest. Therapeutic hypothermia, or controlled cooling, is a treatment used to protect the brain after loss of blood flow. While cooling is used in many hospitals, it is not widely implemented nor has it been optimized in terms of dosage or timing.

The project is led by Candace Fleischer, an assistant professor of radiology and imaging sciences at Emory. The grant is part of NIBIBs Trailblazer program, which is designed for early-stage investigators to pursue research in new directions. Fleischer also recently published a paper in Communications Physics on a biophysical model of brain temperature, developed with Georgia Tech engineer Andrei Fedorov.

NSF funds climate change research into glacial-ocean interface

The National Science Foundation awarded Justin Burton, Emory associate professor of physics, $270,000 to further his labs investigations into the complex interactions between glaciers, sea ice and the ocean to help predict the effects of climate change on sea level rise. The award is part of a larger, $1 million collaborative grant that also includes Rutgers University, Georgia Tech and the University of Alaska, Southeast.

Dense packs of icebergs and sea ice, known as ice melange, occur in many Greenland fjords, and may occur near many Antarctic glaciers in the future. Observations and preliminary data suggest that ice melange may directly affect iceberg calving and glacier melting, although the interactions between ice melange, ocean circulation and iceberg calving have not been systematically investigated.

The Burton Lab will use detailed process models and laboratory experiments to provide the first comprehensive model of the co-evolution of these systems. The fully coupled glacier-ocean-melange model (GLACIOME), will be used to test the impact of ice melange on glacier stability over timescales of decades. In addition to scientific advances, the three-year GLACIOME project will provide students and other members of the Burton Lab interdisciplinary training that is essential for addressing climate change and sea-level rise, and in communicating the results to the public.

Publications

How beneficial microbial partnerships arise

Microbes have greatly influenced the evolution of life on Earth by providing animals and plants that associate with them benefits such as nutrients or protection from enemies or harsh environments. Emory biologists took a novel approach to questions about the evolutionary origins of these partnerships by evolving a host-microbe interaction in the lab.

Evolution Letters published the results, which give direct empirical evidence of factors that can drive these associations. First author is Kim Hoang, who did the work as an Emory PhD student under the mentorship of co-authors Nicole Gerardo, professor of biology, and Levi Morran, assistant professor of biology. Hoang is now a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Oxford.

The researchers evolved Caenorhabditis elegans, a microscopic worm, in the presence of the protective bacterium Bacillus subtilis under the environmental stressor of heat for 20 generations. They found that the worms produced the most offspring when evolving with the bacterium under heat stress compared to evolving in the absence of the bacterium and/or stress. And the worms evolved to harbor more B. subtilis as they adapted to heat stress.

The findings show that a bacterium with little, if any, evolutionary history with the host facilitated the hosts adaptation to a harsh environment. And they show that such host adaptation can also benefit the microbe, setting the stage to favor long-term association across generations.

Hotel marketing study finds sunny side of encroachment

Hotel franchisees tend to resist encroachment, the nearby addition of locations within the same brand, because they want to avoid dilution of revenue. While encroachment hurts franchisees on average, it can modestly benefit same brand franchisees in low brand density markets, a pair of marketing experts write.

Sandy Jap, professor of marketing at Goizueta Business School, and co-author Tongil TI Kim, previously at Goizueta and now at University of Texas in Dallas, reported these counter-intuitive findings in the Journal of Marketing.

The effect may be due to a range of mechanisms such as quality signaling, learning or brand awareness. The authors drew upon detailed proprietary and publicly available datasets from the hotel industry over a five-year period to demonstrate context-dependent relationships.

Toxicology response to pufferfish poisoning

A cluster of pufferfish poisonings was recently reported in Oman, where several individuals developed symptoms after consuming fried internal organs of locally caught pufferfish.

Emory toxicologist Ziad Kazzi, associate professor of emergency medicine, was part of an international investigation of the phenomenon, which included the Oman Ministry of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center for Environmental Health. The findings were published in Clinical Toxicology.

Pufferfish organs contain tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin that blocks sodium channels and disrupts nervous system and muscle function. By weight, tetrodotoxin is more toxic than cyanide. It is produced by bacteria that live in the fish. Symptoms of poisoning can include a burning or prickly sensation on the skin, gastrointestinal upset and muscle weakness, extending to difficulty breathing, paralysis, low blood pressure and coma. Patients with severe illness should potentially receive the drug neostigmine and intermittent dialysis, the authors recommend.

COVID-19 risk perception drives patient hesitation in ophthalmic care

A team of Emory researchers led by medical student Aaron Lindeke-Myers and Emory Eye Center vitreoretinal surgeon Nieraj Jain, in partnership with a team at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, evaluated patient perceptions regarding the health risks of continuing time-sensitive ophthalmic care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among patients that are at a high risk for irreversible vision loss as a result of delayed care, many expressed concerns related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their ability to receive timely care. However, a subset of patients felt they were likely or extremely likely to be exposed to the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) during routine clinic visits, and this fear was strongly associated with a loss to follow-up care. The paper and an accompanying editorial were published in JAMA Ophthalmology.

Population immunity and vaccine protection against infection

The Lancet published commentary by infectious disease epidemiologist Ben Lopman on how to achieve population immunity to COVID-19 through widespread vaccination. Lopmans commentary was motivated by the SIREN study, a cohort of health care workers in England, that found the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to be highly effective against symptomatic or asymptomatic infection with the virus that causes COVID-19.

Lopman and co-author Eval Leshem from Sheba Medical Center in Israel, also noted that vaccinated individuals were less likely to report symptoms if they did get infected with the virus, and participants who had previously contracted COVID-19 had 90% protection against subsequent infection, regardless of vaccination status. They estimated that about 80% of the population would need to be vaccinated with two COVID-19 doses to achieve population immunity from vaccination exclusively.

Spouses diabetes status and incidence of depression and anxiety

Researchers from Emorys Rollins School of Public Health published an 18-year prospective study in Diabetes Care, which found that a spouse who cares for their partner with diabetes is at a 24% higher risk of depression and/or anxiety. And, if the spouses diabetes limits daily activities, the risk is 89% higher, while those whose spouse has diabetes in combination with other chronic conditions has a 134% higher risk for depression and/or anxiety.

First author Jannie Nielsen, assistant professor at Emorys Global Diabetes Research Center, says that support for someone with diabetes is associated with better care and delayed increase in other illnesses, but supporting a family member with diabetes may also come with a cost for the supporters own wellbeing.

The authors say that attention is needed to address the mental health of others in the home when treating a person with diabetes, and diabetes associations and guideline committees need to recognize caregiver stress in their guidelines and policies. Rollins School of Public Health co-authors included Solveig Cunningham, Mohammed Ali, and Shivani Patel.

Heteroresistance may undermine new antibiotic

A stealthy form of antibiotic resistance called heteroresistance may be limiting the effectiveness of cefiderocol, a new weapon against bacterial infections, research from Emorys Antibiotic Resistance Center suggests.

The antibiotic cefiderocol (Fetroja) was FDA-approved for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections in 2019 and for hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia in 2020. In a recent international clinical trial testing cefiderocol in patients with serious infections resistant to carbapenems (CREDIBLE-CR), outcomes werent significantly better for cefiderocol, compared to patients who received the best available therapy otherwise. In addition, mortality was actually higher for patients treated with cefiderocol.

David Weiss, director of Emorys Antibiotic Resistance Center, and colleagues surveyed bacterial samples from the Georgia Emerging Infections program, finding that heteroresistance to cefiderocol was widespread in samples from Georgia  which may explain the underwhelming results of CREDIBLE-CR. Postdoc Jacob Choby and senior research specialist Tugba Ozturk performed the research, which was reported in Lancet Infectious Diseases.

How our minds store memory and build new knowledge

What are the boundaries that limit the expansion of our store of knowledge about the world across development? Emory psychologists showed that the conditions under which human memory integration occurs is important to the process of building semantic knowledge, regardless of age.

The journal Memory & Cognition published the research, led by Julia Wilson, an Emory doctoral candidate in psychology. Senior author of the paper is Patricia Bauer, Emory Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Psychology.

The researchers investigated prompted versus unprompted memory integration and subsequent self-derivation of new knowledge in 7-to-9-year-old children and 18-to-22-year-old adults. The participants were exposed to sets of novel, true facts that could be integrated to self-derive new knowledge. In some trials they were prompted to integrate and self-derive and in others they were not. Both the children and young adults capitalized more effectively on prompted opportunities to self-derive compared with unprompted ones.

The work holds implications for educators by highlighting the necessity of appropriate scaffolding to foster successful learning and to understand the conditions under which semantic knowledge is accumulated.

Nerve stimulation brings back arm function after stroke

A recent study in The Lancet reports that a combination of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and intensive physical therapy can lead to a significant improvement in arm function, months or even years after a stroke.

Emory principal investigator Steven L. Wolf says the findings could lead to improvements in the lives of stroke survivors, allowing them to reclaim arm function years after having a stroke. The research could also open the door for additional studies in which VNS can be paired with other therapeutics, using procedures developed in the study.

Emory University was part of the multi-center, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial that enrolled 108 subjects from nine months up to 10 years post-stroke with moderate to severe arm weakness. Patients receiving paired VNS therapy showed two to three times the improvement in upper extremity motor impairment and function compared to controls that received intense rehabilitation alone.

The vagus nerve is a cranial nerve that runs from the brain through the face and thorax to the abdomen. In VNS, a pacemaker-like electrical pulse generator with a wire connected to the left vagus nerve is implanted in the chest. The generator stimulates the nerve with pulses of electric current, pausing intermittently to let the nerve rest.

Brain organoid model shows molecular signs of Alzheimers before birth

In a model of human fetal brain development, Emory researchers can see perturbations of epigenetic markers in cells derived from people with familial early-onset Alzheimers disease, which takes decades to appear. This suggests that in people who inherit mutations linked to early-onset Alzheimers, it would be possible to detect molecular changes in their brains before birth. The results were published in the journal Cell Reports.

Organoid models allow scientists to trace back what could be happening at the molecular level during the brains early developmental stages  in contrast to postmortem studies on Alzheimers, says lead author Bing Yao, assistant professor of human genetics at Emory University School of Medicine.

Brain organoids have also been used to study schizophrenia, fragile X syndrome and susceptibility to Zika virus. Emory neuroscientist Zhexing Wen helped develop the model, in which human pluripotent stem cells recapitulate early stages of brain development, corresponding to 17-20 weeks after conception.

The stem cell lines were obtained from both healthy donors and from people with mutations in PSEN1 or APP genes, which lead to early-onset Alzheimers. In samples from familial AD organoids, researchers were able to see alterations in the marker 5-hydroxymethylcytosine or 5-hmc, which is an epigenetic marker on DNA. More information here.

Link between Alzheimers risk factor and early degeneration site

Emory researchers recently published a paper on ApoE, the most common genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimers. The findings, published in Acta Neuropathologica, suggest how the risk-conferring form of ApoE (ApoE4) may exacerbate pathology in the locus coeruleus. The LC, part of the brainstem, is thought to be the first region of the brain where pathological signs predicting future cellular degeneration show up.

ApoE, which packages and transports cholesterol, was known to modulate the buildup of the toxic protein fragment beta-amyloid, but this proposed mechanism goes through Tau. Tau is the other pesky protein in Alzheimers, forming neurofibrillary tangles that are the earliest signs of degeneration in the brain.

The new paper shows that ApoE4 inhibits the enzyme VMAT2, which packages the neurotransmitter norepinephrine into vesicles. As a result, unpackaged norepinephrine lingers in the cytoplasm, and forms a harmful oxidative byproduct called DOPEGAL that triggers enzymatic degradation of Tau. This points to possible therapeutic value for inhibitors of enzymes, asparagine endopeptidase/AEP and monoamine oxidase, which accelerate this process.

The paper comes from a collaboration between the laboratories of Keqiang Ye, in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and David Weinshenker, in the Department of Human Genetics. The first author was instructor Seong Su Kang. More information here.
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At the time, Chad Daybell was married to Tammy Daybell, a fit 49-year-old school librarian who helped him run the publishing company. She died in October of 2019. Her obituary said she died in her sleep of natural causes.

Authorities grew suspicious when Chad Daybell remarried just two weeks later, and they had Tammy Daybells body exhumed in Utah in December. The results of that autopsy have not been released.

Police began searching for Tylee and JJ in November after relatives raised concerns. Police say the Daybells lied to investigators about their whereabouts before quietly leaving Idaho. They were found in Hawaii months later, without the children.

The indictment details several new charges filed against Lori and Chad Daybell. The grand jury alleged that the Daybells and Cox conspired with other unnamed people to kill the children, and that they planned to steal the Social Security survivor benefits that the children were entitled to because of the deaths of their fathers. (Tylee Ryans father died in 2018 of a reported heart attack.)

The indictment also alleges the Daybells and Cox conspired to kill Tammy Daybell, and that Cox even practiced shooting, going to a gun range and searching the internet for information about bullet velocity and shooting through vehicles.
The membership meeting had been scheduled Tuesday, but it was called off Monday by party leaders citing concerns that members of the Proud Boys planned to disrupt it and harass party members.

The Proud Boys are a male-only group with a history of violent clashes with left-wing protesters. Then-President Donald Trump cited the group during an October campaign debate with Democrat Joe Biden, with a comment that members should stand back and stand by.

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Several Proud Boys have been charged with conspiracy and other crimes relating to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Clark County Republican Party Chairman David Sajdak and Stephen Silberkraus, vice chairman, said the county party barred anyone involved in the group from membership, along with those who Silberkraus said traffic in intolerance or hateful, anti-Semitic and racist ideology.

No specific allegations about anti-Semitism, right-wing extremism or the roots of the GOP party dispute were voiced during the hearing.

The party rift became public following the censure by state party members in April of Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske, a Republican, for failing to investigate allegations of election fraud following the November presidential election.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  A pilot has died after an aircraft operated by a military contractor out of Nellis Air Force Base crashed in a nearby residential area, authorities in Las Vegas said Monday.

A statement attributed to base spokesman Lt. Col. Bryon McGarry confirmed the crash occurred about 2:30 p.m. Florida-based company Draken US owned the aircraft, and said in a statement that the pilot, whose name has not been released, had died and no one else was on board.

It's unclear whether there were injuries to people on the ground.

The plane crashed in a yard where a neighbor, Alex Reyes, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal he heard a loud thump and then saw black smoke billowing from the home.

Neighbor Eugenia Brackeen told the newspaper she heard a boom so loud that she couldn't hear her television. She said her power went out for a short time.
Florida announced Monday that the state will join 22 other states ceasing participation in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program (FPUC), the $300 weekly extra payment to those receiving unemployment benefits. Unlike the majority of those states, it will keep other federal unemployment benefits.

Three weeks ago, Montana began a trend among Republican-led states of announcing that they would no longer participate in some or all of the federal unemployment programs set up under the CARES Act last year to help the millions of Americans thrown out of work due to the covid-19 pandemic. Those programs have been twice extended, most recently under the American Rescue Plan which finances that economic assistance to the jobless until 6 September.

Why is Florida stopping the unemployment benefits?

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) justified the move due to the strong economic indicators and the nearly half a million job vacancies that need to be filled.

Thanks to Governor DeSantis leadership, Floridas economy has bounced back tremendously with over 460,000 jobs available throughout our state and the strongest economic conditions in the nation, Dane Eagle, Secretary of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity said. Floridas employers are also seeing employment growth, as more Floridians, including some who completely left the workforce, are now eagerly reentering the workforce. Transitioning away from this benefit will help meet the demands of small and large businesses who are ready to hire and expand their workforce.

The DEO cited that Florida has gained nearly 800,000 private-sector jobs since the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic. The decision came after Aprils jobs report showed total private-sector employment increased by 18,800 jobs, while more than 460,000 online posting for positions in Florida were available to job seekers.

When will the FPUC benefits end in Florida?

Effective 26 June 2021, those eligible for Reemployment Assistance will no longer receive the supplemental $300 weekly FPUC payment as part of DEOs Return to Work initiative.

Florida will join four other states in keeping additional federal pandemic unemployment assistance programs through to the 6 September end date for the time being. However, DEO in the announcement said that it "continues to carefully monitor job posting and industry hiring trends."

These include:

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which provides unemployment benefits to those who normally dont qualify like the self-employed and gig workers, or those who couldnt work due to the pandemic.

which provides unemployment benefits to those who normally dont qualify like the self-employed and gig workers, or those who couldnt work due to the pandemic. Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program, which provides those that have exhausted their state benefits with additional weeks.

which provides those that have exhausted their state benefits with additional weeks. Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) program, which provides an additional $100 to those that are both wage earners and self-employed.

New report goes against GOP argument that $300 weekly extra dissuades job seeking

A preliminary study out of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco undercuts GOP arguments that the topped-up benefits are responsible for slowing the labor market recovery and contribute significantly to a labor shortage. According to the study by Nicolas Petrosky-Nadeau and Robert G. Valletta, few out-of-work Americans would turn down a job offer just to continue receiving an extra $300 a week in supplemental federal jobless aid except in the case of the lowest-paid positions.

Furthermore, when the researchers extrapolated their results from an earlier study on the effects of the extra $600 per week in unemployment benefits from last year, the $300 weekly UI supplement currently in place has been making a small but likely noticeable contribution to job-finding rates and employers' perceptions of worker availability."
Colorado is the latest state to establish a lottery in which only vaccinated people, and those who are unable to get vaccinated due to personal reasons can win. Colorado follows Ohio, New York, Maryland, and Kentucky in using funds passed through the American Rescue Fund to establish a lottery system.

On 25 May, Governor Jared Polis office announced the Colorado Comeback Cash Vaccine Drawing which will take place over the next five weeks. Each week one winner will be selected to win one million dollars. The winners will be announced each Friday starting 4 June through 7 July. The press release describing the initiative says that it made possible through a collaboration between the Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR), the Colorado Lottery, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

Gov. Polis expressed his excitement for the program saying, I hope this exciting public health initiative encourages even more Coloradans to get vaccinated now, and for those who have already taken this important step, youre already eligible to win the big prize. The Colorado leader also made sure to express that the program is not about the money, especially when considering that only five will win. For the governor this program is "about getting more Coloradans the protection they need from this deadly virus so we can put this pandemic behind us and power the Colorado comeback.

Who is eligible?

Those eligible to win one must live in the State of Colorado, be at least eighteen years old, have received at least one dose of any vaccine available. Those who administered either the medical information platform used to pick a winner or the competition more generally, will not be able to participate.

People cannot win multiple times and there is no need to apply. The state will be adding all people whose vaccinations have been recorded in the Colorado Immunization Information System.

For those under eighteen, the state has announced that they are looking to create a scholarship program for younger residents.

What are other states doing?

Ohio

Ohio was the first state to announce a vaccine lottery program. Since the event was made public on 13 May, the state has seen an increase of twenty-eight percent in vaccinations.

The Ohio lottery works the same way as Colorado and will pick five winners each taking home one million dollars. Although, in Ohio, there is also a youth competition where five students will be selected to win a full scholarship to any Ohio college or university.

Unlike Colorado, registration is not automatic and Ohioans will be asked to fill out a registration form.

The first winners will be announced on 26 May.

Kentucky

From 11 to 21 May, those eighteen and older in Kentucky who got vaccinated received a free Cash Ball 225 ticket. The tickets which are sold for $1 have a cash prize of $225,000. This program was put in place after the demand for vaccines started plummeting in the state. In the ten days before the program was announced that state-administered 199,811 vaccines. In the ten days following the announcement, that number grew by over 35,000 doses to 235,684.

Additionally, the Kentucky Lottery announced that sales of scratch tickets, in particular, were up $226.4 million (or 40.2%), from $563.7 million for the year-to-date period in 2020 to $790.1 million for the same period in 2021.

Maryland

The $2 Million VaxCash Promotion has more prize winners than Ohio and Colorado, but the amount able to win is lower. In Maryland, forty-one winners will two million dollars worth of prizes. From 25 May until 3 July, one winner will be selected to win $40,000 and on the Fourth of July, one person will win $400,000.

New York

On 20 May Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a program wherein some vaccination sites will begin to provide scratch lottery tickets to those who get a shot. The grand prize will be worth five million dollars. The program will initially include 10 vaccination sites in the New York City, Long Island, Mid-Hudson, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley and Western New York regions. Those vaccinated will receive the 1 free $20 NYS Lottery Scratch-Off Ticket, which can also be bought throughout the state.

Additionally, the Governor announced on 24 May, that all New Yorkers who come to a state park on Memorial Day weekend and get a shot, [...] You get a two-day free pass to come into any state park. The pass works at all sixteen parks across the state. Last year broke the states records for most visitors with more than seventy-eight million people venturing out into the wilderness.

Will these programs work?

For states like Kentucky and Ohio the data shows that over a ten-day period, before and after the announcement of the lottery was made, vaccine dosages did increase. Maryland was able to vaccinate nearly 100,000 more people after the lottery was announced. For other states, it is a bit early to see what the true impact of the program will be.
Press-Secretary asked about the disproportionate number of positive cases in the Black community in Washington DC

Question: Can I ask you one about COVID and equity? I know there are, of course, COVID briefings, but the share of Black people who are making up the new coronavirus cases in cities like D.C. has risen sharply, and this is after the vaccine  the vaccines were widely available.



In D.C. now, 80 percent of the new COVID cases are Black people. How concerned is the President about that? And does he see that as a failure in his responsibility, specifically when it comes to the number of Black people that were seeing now get COVID?

Response: MS. PSAKI: So, its a great question, Yamiche. You know, earlier this week, Jen talked about the wartime kind of response that weve had to COVID-19 and the successes. Weve actually seen some great successes on getting people vaccinated, but we still have a lot of work to do, right?



We have  the President made a pledge to have 70 percent of [adult] Americans, by July 4th, have at least one dose in arms; 160 million Americans fully vaccinated. And so that means that we have to bring everyone along.



And as you just iterated, you know, the President puts equity in everything that we do. Equity  we have a Equity Task Force. Theres a reason why we have it, because we want to make sure we dont leave communities behind.



And so one of the things that were doing and were continuing to do is we got to meet people where they are. Thats why now, in many pharmacies, you can walk in and get your  get that vaccine; it is free. It is something that, clearly, were working really closely with states and local governments with on. We have mobile units in communities [that] do not have access to  close access to CVS or, you know, maybe dont even have a  you know, a doctor to go to. So we have made it so that we are meeting people where we are.



And one thing that we have learned: The more people who get vaccinated, the more that the confidence of the vaccine  you see that number going up.



So, we do have a lot of work to do, but we also have some successes that we can point to that we can continue to replicate and continue to get out there and make sure we bring all communities along.

Read full transcript from today's press conference here.
Immunization plan that prioritizes large cities, port areas reasonable, expert says

Health experts have expressed confidence in narrowing the regional disparity in China's mass vaccination campaign.

However, they also warned that a lack of awareness in some areas about the severity of the virus could hinder progress toward herd immunity, which is expected to be achieved by the end of this year.

The regional gap in the country's mass vaccination campaign is a natural outcome of its staggered immunization approach, deepened by temporary constraints on production capacity and varying enthusiasm for getting vaccinated, they said.

"Our immunization plan that prioritizes distribution to large cities and port areas, as well as speeding up inoculating workers in the healthcare and public service sectors is reasonable and feasible," said Zeng Guang, chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some areas are likely to fall behind at the moment due to limited supplies, but China's step-by-step approach is well planned and will be bolstered by expanding production later this year, he added.

Feng Duojia, chairman of the China Association for Vaccines, said sufficient supplies are the prerequisite for speeding up immunization. He added that China has consistently ramped up production capacity. The recent scaling up of production has been spurred by an acceleration in the pace of vaccinations, fresh local outbreaks and growing global demand for domestically made products.

"The total output is expected to exceed 3 to 4 billion by the end of this year, and is likely to approach 10 billion by the end of 2022," he said, adding that the staggered rollout of vaccines in different regions is a stopgap measure.

Duan Yufei, head of the Guangdong Health Commission, said the province had classified areas under a three-tier system based on whether they are port cities, their inoculation capacity, and the level of population mobility and frequency of foreign exchanges. The province's five largest cities are designated as first-tier areas for vaccination.

"When supplies are not very large, we focus on guaranteeing vaccines in the first-tier areas. And when supplies grow, we deliver more vaccines to areas in lower tiers," he said. "Key areas and high-risk groups should receive vaccines first."

As of Monday, 527.25 million vaccines had been administered nationwide, according to official data.

In Beijing, over 16.3 million people, or 84 percent of its population had received at least one shot as of Tuesday afternoon. More than 13.6 million people, or 70 percent of the population, in the capital have been fully vaccinated.

In Shanghai, 51.4 percent of local residents had received at least one dose as of May 17.

Dalian, a port city in the northeastern province of Liaoning, said nearly 70 percent of its permanent residents, or about 5 million people, had been given at least one dose as of Monday. Twenty-five counties and cities in Yunnan province, which borders Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar, had also vaccinated 97 percent of their 4 million target group, according to official data.

Experts said there is also now a heightened sense of urgency to get vaccinated due to the realities of recent local and overseas COVID-19 outbreaks.

"From the raging outbreak in India to sporadic local infection clusters, their impact on lifting the willingness of Chinese people to get vaccinated is huge, especially in areas recently affected by the virus," said Liang Xiaofeng, vice-president of the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association.

Dalian and Ruili have each experienced at least two local outbreaks in the past year. Anhui province in East China has been battling a small-scale outbreak since May 13.

Local officials said daily inoculations broke records on May 16, with 1.18 million doses given, up 40 percent from the daily average recorded for the previous week.

The rise in enthusiasm for inoculations has spread nationwide. "The number of days that it took for China to administer 10 million doses has greatly shortened," Shao Yiming, a researcher at the China CDC, said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency.

It took just seven days to achieve the 500 million threshold from 400 million doses, data from the National Health Commission shows.

But experts said challenges to build herd immunitywith an estimated 80 to 85 percent of the total population fully inoculatedare still strong, especially in inland regions.

In Gansu province in the northwest, only about 5 percent of the population had received a first dose as of the middle of this month. The rates in North China's Shanxi province and Ningxia Hui autonomous region in the northwest were also lower than 25 percent as of mid-May, official data shows.

"Of course, we do not hope to see sluggish paces in some regions compared with the national average," Shao said. "We should be tense, but there is no need to panic as vaccine supplies are sufficient and production capacity will speed up gradually."

Zeng Guang, from the CDC, said more efforts should be made to create a sense of urgency among the public to get vaccinated.

"If a proper understanding of vaccines regarding their safety, efficacy and urgency can be built up in wider regions, I do not think we will even need tactics such as giving free gifts or bonuses to lure people," he said.

Jiang Qingwu, a professor of epidemic disease research at Fudan University's School of Public Health, said local governments can beef up mobilization and promotion efforts.

"In the meantime, health departments should plan and coordinate vaccination work meticulously," he said in a recent interview.
Photo taken on May 17, 2020 shows a kestrel at Hulun Lake in Hulun Buir, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Hulun Buir Daily/Handout via Xinhua)

HOHHOT, May 25 (Xinhua) -- With a decade long ecological treatment, birds chirping, grass growing, water splashing, the wetlands around Hulun Lake in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region saw improved biodiversity.

Human activities and soil erosion had been blamed to cause a drastic fall on the water table of the lake since 2000. The lake's water storage decreased to about 4.5 billion cubic meters in 2010 from its previous average of 12 billion cubic meters, with a shrinkage rate of 60 percent.

Hou Yuguang, in his 50s, recalled that all the grass was gone and birds were gone around his house on the lakeshore at that time.

Dubbed as the "kidney of the grassland," the body of water -- the fourth largest freshwater lake in the country -- on Hulun Buir Grassland, was included on the list of internationally important wetlands in 2002.

Hulun Lake is a big part of Hou's life. As a child, he and his father would ride horses and play around the lake.

In 2014, the municipal government of Hulun Buir initiated a fishing moratorium in the core lake area, which has been prolonged through this year.

In 2016, the local government started to implement a number of ecological protection and treatment projects including treating the desertified land around the lake and shutting down the catering and tourism enterprises in the reserve. By 2020, a total of 46,900 hectares of desertified land have been treated.

Hou's family was among 460 households relocated from the lake reserve in 2018. Grazing was banned on 845,000 hectares of grassland near the lake.

Hou now gets 20,000 yuan (3,116 U.S. dollars) of government subsidy a year from the grazing ban on his 100 hectares of pasture.

Hou's new house in Jibholengt Township, New Barag Left Banner, is equipped with a flushing toilet, running tap water and heating. Hou has rented a couple of pastures near his house to raise cattle and sheep.

"It took me some time to adjust to the new environment and facilities. This place is warm in the winter, unlike my previous home. And it is more convenient for me to buy forage as the road is next to my house," he said.

He often drives his mother to see the lake. Wetland vegetation such as reeds and willow shrubs have been restored, providing a good habitat and breeding ground for birds. The once dwindling lake has regained its vitality.

"My mother is so happy, and I feel 20 years younger when seeing the lake ecology is restored. There is no sand, and the birds and fish have returned to the lake," he said.

"The primary target of the lake's ecological protection is to reduce human interference and allow it to recover by itself," said Dou Huashan, deputy director of Hulun Lake National Nature Reserve Administration.

Since 2013, the number of bird species has increased to 345 from 333. That of fish species in the lake has risen to 47 from 32, and the number of mammals species increased to 38 from 35, according to the reserve administration.

Liu Cunwang and his three colleagues are now responsible for patrolling wetlands in the core area of the lake reserve where herders like Hou used to live. Their work is to protect birds and fish from poaching.

Liu said in the first year, they trekked the whole area and set up camps in key places, but with the help of a digital monitoring system set up in 2018, the patrol has become more efficient.

Using video monitoring, whenever Liu finds someone getting near the river, the team immediately drives there to check it out. "To be honest, the work is still hard. We are on call 24 hours a day, and we quite often operate at night," said Liu.

Liu has developed a hobby of monitoring the birds' activities.

In November last year, he watched from the monitors that five hungry mute swans were trapped on the ice.

Liu and his colleagues drove to their rescue. The birds were taken back to the protection station and fed till this spring, when Liu released them back to nature. Liu and his colleagues rescued about 40 migratory birds last year.

"When we surveyed swan geese in the reserve in 2013, there were fewer than 500, but now there are nearly 5,000, and the total amount of fishery resources has increased by more than 30,000 tonnes during the period," said Dou.

"The cameras also caught eight wolves this spring, which was unusual in the past decade," he said, adding wolves, a main predator on grassland, reflect the positive development of the ecological environment of the reserve and the effective control of human disturbance.

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[ Editor: WXY ]
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses a virtual global roundtable on transforming extractive industries for sustainable development at the UN headquarters in New York, on May 25, 2021. Guterres on Tuesday called for a transformation of extractive industries to support sustainable development and a transition to a green economy. (Mark Garten/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, May 25 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for a transformation of extractive industries to support sustainable development and a transition to a green economy.

"We have all heard talk of the resource curse. Our shared responsibility is to ensure that the benefits of mineral resources reach all people in society, not just elites, while safeguarding the natural environment today and for future generations," Guterres told a virtual global roundtable on transforming extractive industries for sustainable development.

"Mineral resources are one of Earth's great endowments. Their extraction plays a dominant role in the economies of 81 countries," which account for a quarter of global Gross Domestic Product, half the world's population and nearly 70 percent of people living in extreme poverty," Guterres noted.

Guterres noted the growing dependence less developed countries have on extractive industries.

"Of the world's 72 low- or middle-income countries, 63 have increased their dependence on extractive industries over the past two decades. These industries generate large amounts of foreign exchange earnings, foreign direct investment and government revenues. They have the potential to drive economic growth and poverty reduction," he added.

"Yet, extractive industries are also potentially associated with a litany of ills -- corruption, exploitation, colonialism and racism; environmental degradation, worsening climate change and biodiversity loss; armed conflict, gender-based violence, population displacement, cultural harm and human rights violations," he said.

Guterres stressed the "need to improve extractive resource governance through more effective rules and enforcement related to environmental sustainability, transparency, inclusive decision-making, accountability, access to information and respecting and protecting human rights."

He asked countries to reduce dependence on revenues from extractive industries and invest in a low-carbon future. In this context, there is a "need for greater regional and global coordination to manage shocks and ensure a smooth, just and sustainable transition process."

Guterres said a COVID-19 recovery provides a chance to bolster support for environmental protection and sustainable development.

"We need all hands on deck to address the triple threat of climate disruption, biodiversity loss and pollution and to promote equitable, inclusive development where no one is left behind," Guterres said.

"The extractives sector, which operates at the crucial juncture of resources, ecosystems and people, has an essential role to play in advancing sustainability and equitability," he added.
A local renovation project has transformed the once impoverished Fangjiazhuang Village in Urumqi County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region into a hub of agritainment resorts and restaurants.

Machao Agritainment Resort and Samuersen Resort are two places in close proximity at Fangjiazhuang. While the former has been open for years, the latter just began operation about a month ago. Two female employees working at these two places respectively, Yang Hui and Wang Jingjing, shared their personal stories of how their lives have improved with the village's transformation.

Machao Agritainment Resort at Fangjiazhuang Village (Junye Zhang/Guangming Picture)

Samuersen Resort at Fangjiazhuang Village (Photo provided by A Date with China)

Yang and Wang are both local residents of Urumqi County. Coming from rural backgrounds and without receiving much education, they both cherish the opportunity to work at their respective resorts.

Yang Hui (Junye Zhang/Guangming Picture)

Wang Jingjing (Junye Zhang/Guangming Picture)

Wang, 36, had been a housewife for the past five years. She doesnt regret her decision of becoming a mother, but reminiscences about working life as she had to give it up for maternal responsibilities. As the job at Sameursen Resort matches her specialty of housekeeping, she is finally able to return to the workforce. Since I came back to work, I never want to quit again, said Wang. The environment is nice, and I want to stay here for a long time.

Wang was a high school drop-out and has regretted her decision ever since. Because of her personal experience, she wants her son to remain in school for as long as possible, at least to receive high-school education. After leaving school, she opened a store selling cellphones in Urumqi City, and returned to Urumqi County a few years later after she got married and had her son. Back at her hometown, Wang worked in housekeeping for four years, and then became a housewife for five years. She had finally gotten back to work three months ago after being hired by Samuersen. Currently, she helps out in the lobby, making drinks and taking orders, as guest rooms at Samuersen are still being prepared.

Photo of Wang Jingjing working at Samuersen Resort (Junye Zhang/Guangming Picture)

In Wangs eyes, the transformation at Urumqi County took place gradually, from renovating the infrastructures to establishing the resorts. I worked in Yili City for one year and when I came back, I was stunned to see the changes in my hometown. There are many more buildings being built and roads being constructed. The changes took place very fast, said Wang.

For Wang, the job opportunity at Samuersen came at a perfect timing, as her son, who is now 10-years-old, is able to take care of himself, and she has been eager to get back to work. Wang is not the only woman benefiting from the opportunities at Fangjiazhuang. This place helped many local women like me, who came from rural backgrounds and have stayed at home to get employed, said Wang. During the years when she stayed at home, she felt pressures as her husband was the familys sole breadwinner. Now, Wang makes enough to take care of her sons expenses, and holds up almost half of the sky of the total family income.

Unlike Wang, who was only recently employed at Samuersen, Yang has been working at Machao Agritainment Resort since it opened. While Samuersen is decorated in Western-style and offers coffee, tea, and wine on its menu, Machao treats its guests with authentic local food. Homemade fried dough twist (mahua), crisp noodle (sanzi), and other local food are made by Yang and her colleagues.

Local food at Machao Agritainment Resort (Junye Zhang/Guangming Picture)

Before working at Machao, Yang did farm work like most local women, mainly planting potatoes, wheat, and beans. Due to lack of water in the region, there is insufficient harvest and hence not a lot of income, Yangs average annual income was above 10,000 yuan. Now, Yang earns 5,000 yuan per month. When work at the resort is not too busy, she can still do farm work on the side for some extra income.

Like Wang, Yang is also a mother. She has two children who go to school in Urumqi city. When her children come back from school, they can stay in the restaurant and do homework while waiting for Yang to finish work. In a sense, Machao has become a place that helps Yang balance between family and work.

With the opportunities at Fangjiazhuang, Wang and Yang are able to earn more and enjoy better lives. Speaking about the future, they dont have concrete plans for their children, but only hope for the best. Whatever he wants to learn or do, I will be supportive, said Wang about her son. I cant think that far ahead into the future, said Yang. But I do hope that my childrens lives will be better than ours in every possible way.

[ Editor: JYZ ]
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Uttarakhand has sent a Rs 1,000-crore defamation notice to Patanjali founder Baba Ramdev over remarks made by him concerning allopathic doctors.

In the notice, the IMA stated that an amount of Rs 1,000 crore will be demanded from Ramdev if he does not post a video countering the statements against allopathic doctors and sends a written apology within the next 15 days.

IMA Uttarakhand President Dr Ajay Khanna said a letter has been sent to the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary on Monday evening regarding this defamation notice. "In the letter, it is written that there is a lot of resentment among the IMA doctors against the statement of Baba Ramdev. The Union Health Minister has also sent a notice to Ramdev on the same stating that the statement is considered incorrect," Khanna told news agency ANI. Khanna added that strict action should be taken against Ramdev immediately.

Earlier, Ramdev had withdrawn the statements on allopathy medicine after receiving a letter from Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, who called the remarks by Patanjali founder "inappropriate".

"We do not oppose modern medical science and allopathy. We believe that allopathy has shown immense progress in surgery and the lifesaving system and served humanity. My statement has been quoted as part of a WhatsApp message that I was reading during a meeting of volunteers. I am sorry if it has hurt anyone's sentiment," Ramdev wrote in his letter to Harsh Vardhan.

On May 22, IMA had sent a legal notice to Ramdev over the alleged remarks made against allopathy and for "defaming" scientific medicine. Patanjali has so far denied the allegations by IMA that Ramdev misled people by making "unlearned" statements about allopathy and defamed scientific medicine.

"IMA brings to the notice of our Health Minister, a video circulating in social media portraying, the celebrated Yoga Guruji saying that 'modern allopathy ek aisi stupid aur diwaliya science hai' (modern allopathy is a stupid and failed science)," the IMA had said in a statement.

Also read: Ramdev's statement taken out of context, he believes allopathy is progressive science: Patanjali

Also read: Baba Ramdev puts 25 questions before IMA after allopathy foot-in-mouth episode
The National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission of Ukraine (NEURC) at a meeting on Wednesday limited the available capacity for importing electricity to Ukraine from states that are not parties to the Energy Community (Russia, Belarus) to 0 MW until October 1, 2021.

"We take this decision on the initiative of Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko, who made such a request to us. At the same time, we remember our experience and this winter, and remember the balance of interests, because we also think about consumers and about that, theoretically, the termination of imports as a market mechanism can lead to abuses and manipulations in the market," Chairman of NEURC Valeriy Tarasiuk said.

He did not rule out that NEURC will most likely continue limiting the throughput of power lines between Ukraine and Russia and Belarus after October 1.

The regulator decided to cancel the results of annual auctions at which the capacity for 2021 was allocated in terms of interstate relations between Ukraine and states that are not parties to the Energy Community (Russia and Belarus). The regulator also instructed the transmission system operator to reimburse the auction winners for the funds paid for the capacities allocated at the annual auctions.
The net supply of foreign currency from the Ukrainian population has exceeded $1.1 billion since the beginning of the year, Head of the Council of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Bohdan Danylyshyn has said.

"The net sale of foreign currency by the population since the beginning of May amounted to $150 million, non-cash - $61 million. Since the beginning of the year, the net sale of foreign currency by the population has exceeded $1.1 billion," he wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.

Danylyshyn said that the demand of banks' clients for foreign currency continues to dominate on the interbank FX market (net sales of foreign currency by banks to clients amounted to $11 million on average per day), which was formed in the forward segment of the market.

According to him, banks at the same time compensated for the net sale of foreign currency from the position by purchasing cash and non-cash foreign currency from individuals.

According to him, the FX reserves of the NBU as of May 26 reached $27.9 billion, which is 4%, or $1.2 billion less than at the beginning of the year, and 0.4%, or $100 million, less than at the beginning of the month.

The head of the NBU Council added that the volume of transactions of banks' clients with non-cash foreign currency, taking into account swap transactions, in April decreased 12.1% for transactions for the sale of foreign currency and by 8.5% for the purchase of foreign currency.

As reported, the net supply of foreign currency by the population of Ukraine in March amounted to $182 million, and in April it was $422 million.
The ex-director general of the Ukrainian branch of the international agency in the field of strategic communications, PBN Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Myron Wasylyk, as an advisor to the head of NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy, will deal with the issues of expanding cooperation with international organizations.

According to a press release, he also has experience with the U.S. Republican National Committee, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency.

In addition, Roman Suprun, who has experience in leading consulting companies and projects specializing in GR and lobbying, became the head of the direction of interaction with public authorities (GR communications). In particular, he accompanied the process of unbundling Naftogaz in the Verkhovna Rada.

"Naftogaz is strengthening its management team to achieve qualitative changes in interaction with stakeholders, carry out real and complex reforms, as well as search for new tools to counter the Nord Stream 2 project. These are the tasks that Myron Wasylyk and Roman Suprun will be working on at Naftogaz. In the near future, the team will only expand with professionals," the report says.

Naftogaz also confirmed the completion of work in the company of Olena Osmolovska (GR director), as well as advisers to the chairperson of the board Olena Zerkal (relations with stakeholders) and Vadym Hlamazdin (representing interests in the United States).
Ukraine stops air traffic with Belarus from May 26, the corresponding decision was made at a government meeting on Tuesday.

"From 24:00 on May 26, Ukraine stops air communication with Belarus," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal wrote on the Telegram channel.

The prime minister noted that the government instructed the Ministry of Infrastructure, the State Aviation Service and the State Air Traffic Services Enterprise (UkSATSE) to take the necessary measures for this.

In addition, Ukrainian airlines and aircraft will be prohibited from flying in the airspace of the Republic of Belarus.

The State Border Guard Service also received an order to stop the registration of passengers traveling from Belarus or to Belarus at the customs points of airports.

"The situation with the forced landing of Ryanair's aircraft in Minsk is a violation of the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The decision of our government is aimed at ensuring the safety of flights and passengers," Shmyhal stressed.

Earlier on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky instructed the Ukrainian government to prepare a decision on the termination of flights between Ukraine and Belarus in connection with the events that took place at the Minsk airport on May 23.

On May 23, the plane of the Irish airline Ryanair, en route from Athens to Vilnius through the airspace of Belarus, landed at the Minsk airport. The plane was landed under the pretext of a received bomb threat, which was later not confirmed. To accompany the passenger plane, a MiG-29 fighter was raised into the sky.

Editor of the telegram channel entitled "Belarus of the Brain," included in the list of extremist channels, former editor of the telegram channel NEXTA recognized as extremist in Belarus, Raman Pratasevich, and his friend, citizen of the Russian Federation, student of the Vilnius European Humanities University Sofia Sapega were onboard the plane. They both were detained by the Belarusian authorities.

According to ex-presidential candidate of Belarus Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, Russian citizen Sofia Sapega is in the Minsk isolation ward in Okrestina detention facility.

The EU and the U.S. condemned the forced landing of the Ryanair liner in Minsk, demanding the release of Pratasevich.

They said in Minsk that the message about the mining of the plane of the Irish airline Raynair, which was flying from Athens to Vilnius, was signed by "Hamas soldiers."
Israel's leading medical center Hadassah (Jerusalem) is ready to start cooperation with Ukraine in training Ukrainian doctors. This was stated during a meeting between the Ambassador of Ukraine to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk and the Director General of the medical institution Zeev Rothstein, the Embassy reported at Facebook.

There was an acquaintance with the history of the center, the priority areas of its activities at the present stage, research and training of medical personnel, including foreign ones. An agreement was reached on the formation of a needs map by the Ukrainian side to develop a plan for possible cooperation with the Hadassah Medical Center, primarily to organize the training of Ukrainian specialists and scientific cooperation, - the statement said.

E.Korniychuk also visited the department where children from Ukraine are treated, talked to their parents.
Ukrzaliznytsia to help with transportation of Ukrainians evacuated from Gaza Strip home

Ukrzaliznytsia will help deliver the citizens of Ukraine evacuated from the Gaza Strip home free of charge and place them at the central station in Kyiv for rest and waiting for further flights to their destination, the company's website said.

"Ukrzaliznytsia is joining the evacuation of more than 100 Ukrainians and their family members from the Gaza Strip, who will arrive today on a special flight from Cairo to Boryspil International Airport. Passengers of this flight will be delivered by two Kyiv Boryspil Express trains to the Central Railway Station, where comfortable conditions for rest and waiting will be created for them," the message says.

In the future, the evacuated Ukrainians will be transported by rail to their destination throughout Ukraine.

To reimburse the cost of travel documents for evacuees, Ukrzaliznytsia will receive compensation from the state budget reserve fund.

More than 100 people will be evacuated from the Gaza Strip to Ukraine via Egypt, most of them are women and children.
Maximum number of employees of govt office to be reduced by nearly 10%

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the change in the organizational and staff structure of the government, which will lead to a decrease in the maximum number of employees by approximately 10%.

The corresponding decision was made at a government meeting on Wednesday.

"Today, at a regular government meeting, a resolution Some Issues of the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine was adopted. This act begins the optimization procedure in the offices of central executive bodies, in particular, directly in the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the structure of directorates that are responsible for policy formation are concretized, and duplication of functions in the subdivisions of policy implementation is eliminated," the Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers Oleh Nemchinov wrote in the Telegram channel.

Also, according to him, in accordance with current needs, new divisions are being created in the secretariat on sanctions policy, mobilization work, and internal audit.

"After the completion of organizational and staffing measures in the secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the maximum number of employees will be reduced by approximately 10%," the minister said.
Olena Prytula, the founder-editor of the Ukrayinska Pravda online publication, and Tomas Fiala, the CEO of the Dragon Capital group of companies, have signed an agreement under which 100% of the corporate rights to the publication and all of its assets are transferred to Dragon Capital.

As stated in a joint press release, the parties agreed that the editorial policy of the publication and approaches to work will remain unchanged. The team of Ukrayinska Pravda, headed by editor-in-chief Sevgil Musayeva, will continue to work in the same format as before, in close cooperation with Prytula, who will continue to act as the founder-editor.

"Dragon Capital views this investment as another step towards supporting free media and freedom of speech in Ukraine. The investment company is convinced of the great prospects of digital media as a successful business, the popularity of which will grow over the next years," the report says.

According to the report, it is assumed that Dragon Capital's experience gained in the process of investing in digital media and other related industries, as well as additional investments in the product and infrastructure of Ukrayinska Pravda, will help the project become even more interesting for the reader and strengthen its leadership position in the market.

The press release notes that the editorial board of Novoye Vremya (NV), another media project of the Dragon Capital group of companies, will continue its work completely independently of the UP editorial board.

Fiala, a citizen of the Czech Republic, is also the owner of the NV media holding, which includes the eponymous magazine, portal and radio.

In addition, in 2021, Dragon Capital completed a purchase through the Dragon Capital New Ukraine Fund L.P. private equity fund (Jersey, the United States) of a controlling stake in Treeum Holdings Limited, the owner of the specialized Internet editions Finance.ua and Minfin.com.ua, as well as Finline, Bank Online and Multi.Ua, positioned as a financial supermarket.

Dragon Capital is one of the largest and oldest investment companies in Ukraine. It works in the field of direct investment and financial services, provides a full range of investment banking and brokerage services for corporate and private clients.
The issues of counteracting anti-Semitism and honoring the memory of the Holocaust victims were discussed during the visit of the Ambassador of Ukraine to the State of Israel Yevhen Korniychuk to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Complex. As The Embassy reported at Facebook, during the visit the Ambassador met with Yossi Gevir, Director of the Department of External Relations, and Arkady Zeltser, Director of the Holocaust Research Center. M. Mirilashvili.

"Possible areas of deepening cooperation and issues of mutual interest for Ukraine and Israel, in particular in the field of combating anti-Semitism, were discussed. The Ambassador of Ukraine spoke about the measures taken by the Ukrainian authorities in the field of combating this phenomenon, including at the legislative level, "the statement reads.

In addition, it was stressed the need to maintain direct contacts at the level of historians and scholars from Ukraine and Israel to hold joint events dedicated to the historical memory of the two peoples.

"Special attention was paid to the issues of proper commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust, in particular in honor of the 80th anniversary of the tragedy in Babyn Yar, and the need to preserve the memory of the Righteous Among the Nations," the Embassy noted.

Ambassador of Ukraine E.Koniychuk also met with the Director of the Archives Department Alexander Abraham and got acquainted with the activities of the archival service of the Memorial Complex.
On Tuesday, June 1, at 11.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a press conference entitled "Responsible parenting - importance of being screened for latent carriage of genetic diseases, in particular, spinal muscular atrophy and cystic fibrosis." Participants include mother of 8-year-old Anastasia with spinal muscular atrophy, representative of the Children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation in Kyiv Olena Tsan; geneticist, PhD in medicine, vice-president of the Ukrainian Association of Reproductive Medicine Valeriy Zukin; children's neurologist, PhD in medicine, associate professor, honored doctor of Ukraine Volodymyr Martyniuk; neonatologist, PhD in medicine, professor, honored worker of science and technology of Ukraine Yelyzaveta Shunko (8/5a Reitarska Street). The press conference will be available on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine. Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot. By phone: (067) 404 4114, or at: u.gudyma@ivf.com.ua (press secretary Uliana Hudyma).
Fugitive Indian diamantaire Mehul Choksi, who went missing from residence in Antigua and Barbuda, has been taken into custody by Dominica Police. Dominica is a small island nation located in the Carribean sea.

Meanwhile, the Antiguan PMO has asked Dominican government to treat Choksi has persona non grata and deport him directly to India for entering the country illegaly, ANI reported. Persona non grata in diplomatic terms refers to situation where diplomatic immunity of an individual from arrest and persecution is revoked.

After someone from his household revealed that Choksi has been missing, the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda had started looking into the matter. The businessman, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is one of the prime accussed in the Rs 14,700 crore PNB scam which came to light in February 2018.

Choksi took the citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in 2017 via the citizenship by investment route. He and Modi fled India in January 2018 before the scam could be brought into public light. While Modi has been hiding, and is now in custody, in London, Choksi was hiding in Antigua and Barbuda. He has two cases against him in the Carribean nation - one is related to his extradition to India and the second one is revocation of his Antiguan citizenship. Modi, on the other hand, is fighting his extradition case in UK courts.

Local media reports said Choksi was last seen driving in the southern area of the island on Sunday. He was reportedly going for dinner at a well-known restaurant. Police have recovered his vehicle but were unable to trace him, reports suggested.

Police had reportedly launched a manhunt to trace the fugitive businessman on Sunday last week. A statement regarding his disappearance was issued and later shared with Interpol.

ALSO READ: Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi goes missing in Antigua and Barbuda

ALSO READ: PNB scam: Special court sends show cause notice to Nirav Modi
On Friday, May 28, at 12.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a press conference entitled "Ukrainian politics - escalation of multilevel confrontation before summer." Participants include Director of the Institute of Global Strategies Vadym Karasiov; Director of the Ukrainian Barometer sociological service Viktor Nebozhenko; expert of Hardarika Strategic Consulting Corporation Kostiantyn Matviyenko; political expert, co-founder of the National Platform "Dialogue on Peace and Safe Reintegration" Oleh Sahakyan (8/5a Reitarska Street). The press conference will be available on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine. Due to quarantine restrictions, the number of seats in the press center is limited. Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot.
KYIV. May 26 (Interfax-Ukraine)  The attorneys-at-law of fifth President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko appealed to the editorial board of the Nashi Groshi (Our Money) television program with a request to clarify whether the statements of the journalists that were made on the air of the last two broadcasts of the program refer to Petro Poroshenko, statements or they should be regarded as value judgments.

The attorneys made the relevant statement during a briefing at Interfax-Ukraine.

"We cannot perceive these newscasts as fully independent journalistic investigations, they look much more like part of the information campaign of the President's Office against the opposition, aimed at discrediting Petro Poroshenko personally," attorney Illia Novikov said.

He said the journalists were given documents, "which, in particular, cover the story of Sevastopol plant in a completely different way, which, according to Bihus [Denys Bihus is the host of the Nashi Groshi program] was the subject of the transaction and was somehow exchanged to the oil pipeline."

Novikov also said that a number of documents related to the so-called "nationalization" of Sevastopol Marine Plant, which was carried out by the occupation administration of Crimea, temporarily not controlled by Ukraine.

"I would like to add just in case. We noticed all those 'straws' that the authors of the stories were trying to enclose, all their warnings. What is there somewhere 'evil tongues speak' or is it some kind of 'reasonable assumptions.' But we hope that these journalists will have the courage to make it clear, they assert something or voice their or someone else's fantasies. We ask them very much to do it," attorney Ihor Holovan said.
KYIV. May 26 (Interfax-Ukraine)  Attorneys-at-law of fifth President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko say the information about the delay in familiarization with the materials of the so-called "Semochko case" by the defense, the investigation of which has been completed, is unreliable.

"The only proceedings that more or less somewhere came [...] this is the proceedings on the appointment of [Serhiy] Semochko. But his movement led to a natural result, to a complete collapse of proceeding. The prosecutor general said this proceeding has been completed, and only Poroshenko's attorneys are delaying familiarization with the case materials. It was an outright lie, because on April 16 [...] the prosecutor general personally by her decision [...] resumed the pretrial investigation of this criminal proceeding," Poroshenko's attorney Ihor Holovan said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on Wednesday.

According to Holovan, before the prosecutor general announced the attorneys were delaying familiarization with the case materials, she signed a resolution to resume the investigation.

"The investigation has been resumed because [...] the court canceled as an illegal suspicion to Mr. Bozhko, this very head of the Foreign Intelligence Service [...] whom Poroshenko allegedly incited," the attorney said.

Holovan said the renewed investigation was completed on April 28.

"Now familiarization with the materials of the pretrial investigation, according to the SBI [State Bureau of Investigations] and the PGO [Prosecutor General's Office], should start from scratch. Therefore, when they again say that Poroshenko's attorneys are again dragging out something, you should just remind the PGO and the SBI that they have been illegally investigating fake criminal proceedings, it is they who illegally resume the pretrial investigation on them and continue to illegally accuse them of actions that were not committed," Holovan said.

In turn, attorney Illia Novikov said: "This case is officially dead after the court recognized that the suspicion of Bozhko is illegal."

"If we hear from the Prosecutor General's Office that they believe that we are artificially delaying something, our answer will be the only possible one, go to court," Novikov said.
Minister Nguyen Hong Dien said Vietnam would continue to closely cooperate with Japan in the implementation of the CPTPP.

The Vietnamese minister highly lauded Japan's efforts and thoughtful preparation, and said that Vietnam will continue to actively coordinate with Japan and CPTPP members to successfully organise the CPTPP Commission meeting.

He also suggested Minister Nishimura encourage and create favourable conditions for Japanese investors who wish to invest in Vietnam.

He said the move will help Vietnam become an important link in the supply chain of Japanese enterprises, particularly in the fields of automobile manufacturing, electronics, medical equipment, garment and textiles, and other sectors that bring benefits to bilateral economic-trade ties.

In addition, the two ministers also spent time discussing the implementation of the CPTPP. Accordingly, Minister Nishimura proposed that Vietnam support Japans initiatives, and continue to work with Japan to implement the trade pact. At the same time, he expressed his wish that the two sides continue to cooperate closely to effectively implement the CPTPP.

As several countries, including the UK, have expressed an interest in joining the agreement, the Japanese minister hoped Vietnam would endorse the organisation of the fourth CPTPP Commission meeting in early June, which will consider negotiating with the UK after its formal request to join on February 1, 2021.
The event, held at the Quan Su Temple in Hanoi, was scaled down as Vietnam is struggling with a new, more contagious coronavirus outbreak and as such, restrictions have been put in place to prevent the spread of the virus.

At the ceremony, a message from the VBS Supreme Patriarch Thich Pho Tue was read, in which he reiterates that humans need to work together to address current crises, notably the Covid-19 pandemic, which is still a serious affliction upon the world.

In his speech for the Buddhas birth anniversary, also known as Vesak, the Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang called for all Buddhists to follow the Buddhas teachings so that humans can live peacefully with each other, as well as with other species and nature.

As part of the ceremony, there was a reading of a message from the President of Vietnamese Fatherland Front Do Van Chien, in which he called on Buddhist monks, nuns and laypeople to join hands with the nation to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic.

In Ho Chi Minh City, a slimmed-down ceremony took place at the Viet Nam Quoc Tu Temple to celebrate the birth of the Buddha. The event was restricted to a small number of people to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang read the message of the Supreme Patriarch Thich Pho Tue while the Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon delivered a speech calling on Buddhists to live with mindfulness, praying for the pandemic to come to an end soon.

In the former imperial city of Hue, a ceremony to celebrate the Buddhas birth at the Tu Dam Temple was also restricted to fewer than 20 people and was livestreamed so that local Buddhists could attend from their homes.

Due to the impact of Covid-19, activities such as flower floats, processions, arts performances, exhibitions and the practice of life release were cancelled to prevent mass gatherings.
Q: Can you provide information on the results of the elections?

A: It can be affirmed that, the election of deputies to the 15th NA and Peoples Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 term has been a success. As of 10 pm on May 23, 2021, the turnout rate was very high, affirming the patriotism, political consciousness and confidence of the people in the Party and State.

The country's turnout rate reached over 90%. Some provinces recorded high turnout rates such as Hau Giang (99.99%), Tra Vinh (99.98%), Lao Cai (99.98%), Vinh Long (99.97%), Ben Tre (99.97%), Ha Giang (99.96%), Gia Lai (99.95%), Quang Ninh (99.95%), and others.

Most election teams announced the end of the elections as the scheduled time while several places concluded the elections at 9 pm on May 23. Currently, Election Committees at localities are urgently finalising the reports on the election results to send to the National Election Council.

The high turnout rate once again affirms the political sense, high responsibility, and pride of citizens in considering and selecting worthy candidates to represent their will and aspirations in the NA and People's Councils at all levels.

In particular, amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, pandemic preventive measures were strictly and fully implemented in a bid to prevent the spread of the disease during voting.

The results of the election also demonstrated the sound leadership and direction of the Politburo, the Secretariat, the National Assembly, the Government, the President, the National Election Council, provincial Election Committees, and Party Committees and governments at all levels.

Q: Could you tell me about any major new points in the preparation for the election this year compared to previous terms?

A: This election has its largest scale ever, taking place in the context of our country having achieved great things in all areas after 35 years of renewal but also facing the heavy impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, something unprecedented in the country's election history. Therefore, preparations for the election this time had many differences compared to the previous ones.

Firstly, the organisation of the election ensured all works related to the election aligned with COVID-19 prevention and socio-economic development tasks. Therefore, the election preparation work received great attention from the Party and State leaders as well as direct, close and timely instructions.

Secondly, the National Election Council, in coordination with relevant agencies, promptly issued many guiding documents, especially guidance on dealing with situations arising during the election amid the raging pandemic, which facilitated the relevant agencies in implementing the election safely and effectively.

Thirdly, many localities had initiatives in information and propaganda work such as publicising the list of voters on the Zalo social networking platform, sending SMS to voters phones about the election, and others. In addition, the authorities detected and promptly handled any false information regarding the election in cyberspace.

Fourthly, personnel work was conducted carefully, objectively and democratically in accordance with the law. Any complaints about personnel work were also handled in a timely and lawful manner.

Fifthly, for the first time, the National Election Council held two national online conferences on election work while some localities also organised online meetings and campaigns with voters. This initiative could be applied in both pandemic and normal conditions.

Q: Before May 23, 16 provinces and cities nationwide with 500,000 voters conducted early voting, with a 99.96% turnout rate, with 14 out of 16 provinces and cities posting 100% turnout rates. In particular, in areas where the pandemic is happening like Bac Ninh, the turnout rate was still high. Can you tell us more about this?

A: As we all know the election took place smoothly on May 23. Previously, with the consent of the National Election Council, 16 provinces and cities completed early voting in a number of their localities. The total number of voters in early voting places was 510,174, of which 509,979 voters went to the polls, reaching an average rate of 99.96%. 14 out of 16 provinces and cities reported a 100% turnout rate.

This can be attributed to many reasons including the comprehensive leadership and direction of the Politburo and Party committees at all levels and the close coordination between the National Election Council, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, authorities at all levels, and the agencies in charge of election at localities.

Another important factor was that the Fatherland Front Committees at all levels and their member organisations promoted their role in mobilising and encouraging people to go voting well, while raising the political awareness and responsibility of citizens in building the State apparatus and administration at all levels.

A decisive factor was the active, enthusiastic and responsible participation of voters in the election, demonstrating the confidence of voters in the leadership of the Party and in the success of the election.

In particular, information and propaganda work had been carried out early, widely, and methodically with diverse and lively forms, suitable to each subject and each locality.

Other favourable conditions were traffic, communication, weather, and others, all contributing to the high turnout rate.

Thank you very much!
Speaking at a reception for the new Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam in Hanoi on May 26, Deputy PM Minh rejoiced at the positive developments of bilateral relations across various fields regardless of the difficulties caused by the disease, stating that the two sides have continued to effectively maintain exchanges at all levels, notably including the phone talks between PM Pham Minh Chinh and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong in April to discuss and promote cooperation priorities for the coming time.

Concerning economic ties, Singapore remained the largest foreign investor in Vietnam in the first four months of 2021 with total registered capital of more than US$4.8 billion, accounting for nearly 39.6% of the total in Vietnam, he said.

In particular, the 10 Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) in Vietnamese localities, nine of which have been put into operation with an occupancy rate of about 76.5%, have become a symbol of bilateral economic collaboration and should be further accelerated, the Deputy PM emphasised.

He expressed his belief that Ambassador Jaya Ratnam will make active contributions to the maintenance of the strong development momentum of the Vietnam-Singapore strategic partnership, while working to effectively promote bilateral cooperation mechanisms and preparing for the prompt organisation of the 15th Vietnam-Singapore Connectivity Ministerial Meeting and the 14th political consultation at the deputy foreign ministerial level in 2021.

Deputy PM Minh suggested the two sides coordinate in reviewing and facilitating the implementation of cooperation under the Singapore-Vietnam Connectivity Framework Agreement, as well as expanding cooperation to areas including the digital economy, smart cities, infrastructure development, and information technology.

He asked the ambassador to boost bilateral ties in the fields of culture, tourism and people-to-people exchange, and to prepare for the organisation of activities celebrating 50 years of Vietnam-Singapore diplomatic relations and 10 years of their strategic partnership in 2023.

The Deputy PM took the occasion to thank Singapore for supporting Vietnams ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020 and its non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for 2020-2021, hoping the two sides would continue their close coordination at multilateral forums, especially at ASEAN and the United Nations.

For his part, Ambassador Jaya Ratnam pledged to make his utmost efforts to further bolster the Vietnam-Singapore strategic partnership in a stronger and more substantive manner.
David Chipman, retired ATF Special Agent, testifies during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on "Protecting America from Assault Weapons" at the Capitol in Washington, U.S. (Photo : REUTERS/Leah Millis)

Gun control advocate and federal law enforcement veteran David Chipman is no stranger on Capitol Hill, where he has previously urged the U.S. Congress to ban assault rifles and fought against efforts to deregulate firearm silencers.



On Wednesday, he will seek its support for his nomination by President Joe Biden to serve as director of the Justice Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a job that is so politically fraught that the Senate has confirmed just one nominee in the last 15 years.



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Chipman has served in a variety of roles at the ATF he has now been nominated to lead, but currently works as a policy advisor for Giffords, a gun control advocacy group founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Senator Mark Kelly after a gunman shot her in 2011.



That role in particular has inflamed objections to Chipman by Republicans, whose party staunchly defends gun rights.



"David Chipman has made it no secret that he is an enemy of the 2nd Amendment," a group of House of Representatives Republicans wrote in a May 3 letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.



"We respectfully ask you to oppose any and all action that would advance his confirmation in the Senate."



From 1988 through 2012, Chipman served in various roles at the ATF, including as an investigator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.



He also played a key role during former President Bill Clinton's administration in rolling out an initiative that aimed to improve the tracing of firearms recovered from crime scenes.



"David Chipman will be one of the most active and capable and savvy and strategic directors that the agency will have ever had if he is named to that job," said David Kennedy, the Director of the National Network for Safe Communities at John Jay College.



RISING GUN VIOLENCE



If confirmed, Chipman would be leading the agency at a crucial time. As of May 25, the United States has already seen at least 230 mass shootings this year, according to a tally by the Gun Violence Archive, an online archive of gun violence incidents.



Earlier this month, the Justice Department proposed cracking down on self-assembled "ghost guns," which have largely gone unregulated because they are often sold without background checks and lack a serial number that can be used to trace them if they are used to commit violent crimes.



Biden has also pledged to support legislation that would ban assault rifles and high capacity magazines.



With the Senate split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans, Chipman will need support from all Senate Democrats if no Republicans will approve his nomination.



Pro-gun groups such as the NRA and the Gun Owners of America have also been staunchly pushing back against his nomination, with the NRA on Twitter calling on Kelly to recuse himself from voting on Chipman's nomination and launching a $2 million attack ad campaign.



A photo of Chipman purportedly standing in the rubble of Waco, Texas after the 1993 standoff with authorities that killed 76 members of the Branch Davidian cult has surfaced on social media but a source close to Chipman said he took no part in the incident.



Chuck Wexler, the executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum research and policy organization, said the ATF has been treated differently by Congress than other law enforcement counterparts like the FBI or the DEA, and that it needs permanent leadership.



In recent years, the agency has largely been led by acting directors, which can make it more challenging to change policy.



"It's a testament to how we see guns in America that this position has become so politicized," Wexler said. "If he is not qualified, who is?"


Amal Clooney is pictured at the United Nations Security Council during a meeting about sexual violence in conflict in New York, (Photo : REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney on Tuesday argued that prosecutors should consider additional charges of sexual violence for a man accused of atrocities including rape, torture and murder during the 2003-2004 conflict in Darfur.



The International Criminal Court (ICC) is holding hearings on whether to confirm 31 charges against Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, who prosecutors say was responsible for atrocities as senior leader of thousands of pro-government "Janjaweed" fighters in Sudan.



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On Monday, Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said evidence showed Abd-Al-Rahman was a commander known as Ali Kushayb who led attacks on villages and was implicated in more than 300 murders and raids that forced 40,000 civilians from their homes.



Defence lawyers argue Abd-Al-Rahman, who surrendered in June 2020, is not Ali Kushayb.



"I hope that this hearing will mark a turning point in the history of Darfur, and that a trial in this case is only the beginning of a reckoning that the victims deserve," said Clooney, appearing as a representative for victims, speaking by video link.



Abd-Al-Rahman, the first suspect to appear at the court in a case linked to Darfur, has not yet entered a plea. Defence lawyer Cyril Laucci said he intends to contest the ICC's jurisdiction, which was granted by a United Nations referral.



Clooney said the charges against Abd-Al-Rahman should be confirmed, and questioned whether they should not also have included additional charges for violence against women, and for genocide.



ICC confirmation of charges hearings are held to consider whether there is enough evidence against a suspect to proceed to trial. Judges have not set a date for that decision.



Darfur's conflict began in 2003 when mostly non-Arab groups rebelled against the government in Khartoum, which mobilised mostly Arab militias to crush the revolt.



Sudan's former president Omar Hassan al-Bashir was deposed in 2019 and is in prison in Khartoum.


Sensex and Nifty were likely to open lower today as Nifty futures on the Singapore Exchange declined 46 points to 15,268. On Tuesday, benchmark indices took a breather from a two-session rally despite firm global cues and declining COVID-19 cases. Sensex settled 14 points lower at 50,637 and Nifty inched up 10.75 points to 15,208. HDFC Bank was the top Sensex loser, dropping 2.02 per cent, followed by Axis Bank, Reliance Industries, IndusInd Bank, HDFC and ITC.

Here's a look at stocks which are likely to remain in news today.

Sun Pharma Advanced Research: The pharma firm said Dilip Shanghvi has resigned as managing director. Shanghvi expressed his desire to step down and tendered his resignation as the MD with immediate effect, which was accepted by the board.

Computer Age Management Services: CAMS reported a 39.6 per cent rise in profit after tax to Rs 60.13 crore in Q4 against profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 43.07 crore in the same quarter preceding fiscal.

HDFC: The lender said it would raise up to Rs 7,000 crore by issuing bonds on a private placement basis. The base issue size for the secured redeemable non-convertible debentures (NCDs) is Rs 5,000 crore with an option to retain oversubscription of up to Rs 2,000 crore.

Bajaj Electricals: The electronic appliance manufacturer logged a consolidated net profit of Rs 54.26 crore in Q4 against net loss of Rs 81 lakh in the January-March period of the previous financial year.

Emami: The FMCG firm reported a three-fold rise in its consolidated net profit to Rs 87.73 crore in Q4 against a net profit of Rs 22.75 crore during the March quarter of the previous financial year.

Newgen Software Technologies: The IT consulting firm clocked a 27.2 per cent rise in consolidated net profit at Rs 52.7 crore in last quarter against net profit of Rs 41.5 crore in the year-ago period.

BPCL: BPCL share will be in focus as the firm is set to announce its earnings for Q4 and fiscal 2020 today.

Berger Paints India: The firm is set to announce its earnings for Q4 and fiscal 2020 today.

Burger King India: The fast food chain will announce its earnings for Q4 and fiscal 2020 today.

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts: Its board approved the appointment of Sujit Vaidya as the chief financial officer (CFO) and a key managerial personnel of the company with effect from June 1, 2021.

Godawari Power: The company board recommended a final dividend of Rs 13.50 per equity share.

Hercules Hoists: The firm approved the proposal received from Hindustan Unilever, Nashik regarding purchase of three windmills 1.25 MW capacity each situated at Khori, Dhule, Maharashtra.

Maheshwari Logistics: The company has informed the bourses regarding 'Setting up Plastic Boiler at manufacturing unit.

Kirloskar Brothers Limited: The firm has informed the bourses that board of directors at its meeting held on May 25, 2021, recommended final dividend of Rs 3 per equity share.
By the end of last month the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had started logistical flights to support the France-led international alliance efforts in combating terrorism along the African Sahel region, according to an announcement by the Emirates Ministry of Defence.

The UAE has always been at the forefront of regional or international efforts to combat terrorism. In 2014, it played a significant role in the coalition of 40 countries drawn up to combat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Along with Saudi Arabia, it also supported previous efforts to combat the rise of terrorism in Libya.

When the Sahel and Desert Operation - comprising around five thousand troops helping five countries fight terrorist groups-needed help in 2017, both the UAE and Saudi Arabia came forward. At the time, Saudi Arabia contributed $100 million and UAE contributed $30 million.

Rising terrorism in Africa in recent years, from the Sahel on the west to the Horn of Africa down to Mozambique in the east, and in central Africa, is becoming a concern for Gulf countries. Since the war in Yemen started six years ago, coalition countries especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE have worked on securing the other side of Yemens western waters. They invested heavily in choking terrorism in Somalia, Djibouti and Eritrea.

Recent support for Sudans ousting of the Muslim Brotherhood regime of Omar Al- Bashir was part of that Gulf interest in Africa, mainly squaring in on any rise in terrorism in the continent.

More than a decade ago, when Western media launched a campaign against Chinese influence in Africa, the Gulf too was mentioned as a land-grabbing entrant. To guarantee its food security, many Gulf countries invested in agriculture in fertile land in Africa. But that type of activity was not exclusive to Africa. Gulf countries invest in agriculture in Asia and elsewhere as well as trying to develop ways to produce food domestically in their own mostly desert land.

Gulf interest in fighting terrorism in Africa surpasses all other issues, however. The pledge by Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman in a Paris conference last week to invest $1 billion in Africa came as no surprise. Though the prince was speaking of helping African countries recover from the coronavirus pandemic, he reiterated his countrys commitment to helping African nations. Part of that support is also an endeavour against the rising power and influence of militant groups in the region.

This week the UAE renewed its commitment to working with partners to maintain peace and security in Africa, including when elected to the UN Security Council for the 2022-2023 term according to a written statement submitted to the UN Security Councils ministerial open debate on addressing root causes of conflict while promoting post-pandemic recovery in Africa. The statement highlighted how the Covid-19 pandemic is threatening jobs in both the formal and informal sectors in Africa, noting that youth are disproportionately affected. It noted the UAEs one half billion dollar investment in African economies, with a focus on youth and digitisation through the UAE Consortium for Africa which was announced in February 2020.

Noting that terrorism and violence continue to be a destabilising factor in the continent, including the Sahel, the UAE affirmed its commitment to strengthening collective efforts to boost security and stability there. The UAE also expressed support for the G5 Sahel Joint Force, including its work through the College of Defence in Mauritania.

A campaign by Muslim Brotherhood accounts on social media and media outlets affiliated with Islamist groups targeted the Emirati and Saudi efforts to combat terrorism in Africa. As a Gulf analyst puts it, such campaigns against the UAE and Saudi Arabia actually prove that both countries are doing the right thing.

When the second Gulf war led to the invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003, some commentators warned that the chaos in the north threatens the stability of the Arabian Peninsula. But the region survived that. The only byproduct was the greater influence of Iran which was a threat to the Gulf before and after the Iraq war. As the war erupted in Syria in the course of the Arab Spring eight years later, Gulf countries supported Syrian opposition groups. It turned out that most of these groups were affiliates of Al-Qaeda and ultimately offshoots of Muslim Brotherhood.

That led to a change of position, led by the UAE, which spearheaded the regional fight to prevent militants from controlling the countries that witnessed protests. Saudi Arabia followed suit, especially after the young crown prince consolidated his power. He is fiercely against the Muslim Brotherhood and recognises that fundamentalists and militants are the main obstacle to his reform plans in Saudi Arabia.

A Dubai-based academic told Al-Ahram Weekly that Gulf countries are now keen to stop any threat before it reaches them. It is what some call pre-emptive deterrence of militants and nipping potential terrorism in the bud. That is why they support efforts to combat terrorism in Africa.

Some of the terrorists transferred from Syria and Iraq to Africa through Libya are either people from the Arabian Peninsula who went to the Levant through Libya and Turkey or from North African countries. Now theyre closer to the Gulf probably via Yemen, the academic said.

Regarding the difference between the situation now and a decade ago, he added: A decade ago, terrorists in Iraq then Syria were thought not to pose a direct threat to the Arab Gulf countries. But as the so-called Arab Spring showed, political Islamists had their eye on the Gulf. It was a real threat to the security and stability of Gulf countries that cannot be tolerated.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday that the latest developments in the Palestinian territories confirm the importance of working immediately to revive direct Palestinian-Israeli talks under an active role by the US to bring both sides back to the negotiating table.

Blinken's visit to Egypt comes as part of his first Middle East tour  which included Israel and the Palestinian Authority before Jordan  as the US top diplomat to consolidate calm in the region in the aftermath of the recent Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.

Last week, Egypt-brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and other Palestinian factions in Gaza that ended 11 days of relentless Israeli bombardment and air strikes against the strip.

Direct peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel collapsed in 2014.

According to a statement by Egyptian presidency spokesman Bassam Rady, President El-Sisi affirmed to Blinken the importance of the strategic partnership between Egypt and the US and Washington's role in supporting security and stability in the Middle East.

Blinken was keen during his meeting with El-Sisi to convey US President Joe Bidens greetings to his Egyptian counterpart.

Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, chief of the intelligence service Abbas Kamel, and US officials attended the meeting.

Last week, Egypt brokered a ceasefire between Israelis and Palestinians that ended 11 days of Israeli airstrikes against the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli offensive killed more than 250 Palestinians, including 66 children, injured hundreds, and desttoyed hundreds of commercial and residential buildings.

The president stressed to the US Secretary of State Egypts keenness to cooperate closely with the United States to resume the peace talks.

El-Sisi also affirmed to Blinken Egypts unwavering stance in calling for reaching a fair and comprehensive solution that ensures the Palestinian peoples rights in accordance with international references.

El-Sisi and Blinken agreed on enhancing bilateral coordination and consultations to consolidate the ceasefire and launch the reconstruction process of the Gaza Strip based on the Egyptian initiative in this regard.

They also discussed the means of reviving the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, the presidency said.

Blinken hailed the Egyptian efforts that led the two sides to implement the ceasefire and also praised the efforts Egypt is exerting to consolidate this agreement.

El-Sisi also lauded the full support the US has provided to these Egyptian efforts.

GERD dispute

The Egyptian President and Blinken discussed a number of issues of mutual concern, including Egypt and Sudans dispute with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

El-Sisi highlighted the importance of the US role in particular to effectively help resolve the crisis.

Blinken reiterated the US commitment to exerting efforts to reach an agreement that preserves the water and development rights of all parties.

On Tuesday, the Ethiopian foreign ministry said that Addis Ababa is committed to implementing the second phase of the filling of the dams reservoir as planned during the rainy season, which starts in July, Al-Arabiya reported.

This comes despite continued objections from Egypt and Sudan, the two downstream countries, to unilateral decisions by Addis Ababa on the filling and operation of the GERD in the absence of a legally binding agreement between the three countries.

Egypt and Sudan have repeatedly warned that Ethiopia's decision to proceed with the second filling of the dam seriously threatens the water interests of the two downstream countries.

During his meeting with Blinken, El-Sisi reiterated Egypts adherence to its rights through reaching a binding, fair agreement that ensures Egypts water security through stating clear rules for the filling and operation of the dam.

El-Sisi affirmed that this agreement should achieve the mutual interests of all parties.

Regional issues

Blinken affirmed the US keenness to intensify coordination with Egypt on all Middle Eastern issues, in light of Egypts political significance in the region, the presidency said.

The top diplomat also hailed Egypts contribution to achieving the stability desired by the people of the regions countries.

El-Sisi and Blinken discussed the situation in Libya, which is currently undergoing a transitional period and is set to hold elections in December.

They agreed on the need to support Libya during the current political stage, and affirmed the need to ensure the exit of mercenaries and armed foreign militias from the country.

These steps will contribute to achieving the aspiration of the Libyan people and preserving the unity and integrity of the Libyan territories and the states national institutions, they concurred.

These steps will also avert the spread of chaos and the conversion of the Libyan territories to areas of influence of foreign powers, they agreed.

El-Sisi highlighted the Egyptian-American strategic partnership, hailing the US pivotal role in backing security and stability in the Middle East.

The president also stressed Egypts aspiration to enhance coordination and consultation with the US on various political and security issues as well as the regional issues.

Counter-terrorism

El-Sisi underscored the Egyptian government and peoples unwavering will to continue the relentless efforts counter the scourge of terrorism and undermine its dangers on the security and intellectual levels, the presidency said.

The president said the state is also keen to boost the principles of citizenship, including freedom of belief and co-existence.

El-Sisi also affirmed the need to continue coordination and cooperation with the US to support Egyptian counter-terrorism efforts.

Blinken hailed Egypts decisive efforts in the counter-terrorism field during the past period and underscored the burdens Egypt shoulders to fight terrorism.

The top diplomat affirmed the US administrations support for the Egyptian efforts in this regard.

Blinken added that the US considers Egypt a central partner in confronting the challenge of cross-border terrorism.

El-Sisi and Blinken also discussed the Egypt-US bilateral relations, according to the presidency.

Blinken praised the huge developmental efforts Egypt currently exerts.

El-Sisi explained to Blinken the Egyptian states efforts to implement these development projects with the aim of achieving comprehensive development in all fields and improving the lives of citizens and the services provided by the state.

US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, US Ambassador to Cairo Jonathan Cohen and Barbara Leaf of the National Security Council also attended the meeting.

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Among the fallen peacekeepers to be honoured Thursday during the United Nations ceremony on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, are five Egyptians.

The five Egyptians are: Sgt Ahmed Mohsen, Cpl Islam Mahmoud Ismail, Pvt Mohammed Elamir, Sgt Ahmed Mahmoud Rizk who served with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and Police WO Abdelwanis Rahoma who was with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

Egypt, which is 7th largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping, currently deploys nearly 3,100 military and police personnel to the UN peace operations in Abyei, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Sudan, South Sudan and the Western Sahara.

The International Day of UN Peacekeepers  29 May  was established by the General Assembly in 2002. Its purpose is to pay tribute to all men and women serving in peacekeeping, and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace, according to a statement put out by the intergovernmental organisation on Tuesday.

The date was initially chosen to commemorate the day in 1948 when the UNs first peacekeeping mission, the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), began operations in Palestine.

The statement also said that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will lay a wreath to honour the more than 4,000 UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948. He will also preside over a ceremony at which the Dag Hammarskjold Medal will be awarded posthumously to 129 military, police and civilian peacekeepers who lost their life serving under the UN flag last year and in the first month of this year.

In commemoration of the event, Guterres said of the fallen peacekeepers: Their service and sacrifices will never be forgotten. I express my deep gratitude to the 85,000 civilian, police and military personnel currently deployed in some of the worlds most challenging hotspots to protect the vulnerable and help to build peace.

In spite of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, as well as the risk of infection, the Secretary-General said that those men and women had pursued their mission while also supporting local authorities in the fight against COVID-19, offering sincere condolences to the families of peacekeepers who had fallen victim to the terrible disease.

We salute the dedication and bravery of our peacekeepers, who serve and perform admirably in challenging environments only compounded by the ongoing pandemic, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, said.

Referring to the theme for the 2021s observance  The road to a lasting peace: Leveraging the power of youth for peace and security  Lacroix also honoured young peacekeepers for bringing energy and innovation, and serving as role models to youth populations working tirelessly to ensure meaningful representation and participation in political processes.

UN Peacekeeping, which has deployed more than 1 million peacekeepers since 1984, currently has around 89,000 military, police and civilian personnel serving in 12 operations.

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Egypt has started providing coronavirus vaccinations at home for people with diseases that impede their movement, Health Minister Hala Zayed said on Wednesday.

Requests for the service can be submitted through a hotline (15335) only after patients register online for the vaccine and receive a text message with the inoculation date, health ministry spokesperson Khaled Megahed said.

Egypt started its vaccination campaign in January by inoculating medical staff at isolation hospitals as well as senior citizens with chronic diseases, before making the vaccination available to the general public in March.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as of 23 May a total of 1,962,216 vaccine doses had been administered in Egypt in a campaign that uses the Chinese Sinopharm and British-Indian AstraZeneca vaccines.

Those who do not suffer from diseases that impede their movement but are still unable to move as a result of old age or other reasons will be provided with ambulances to take them to the nearest vaccination centres. This service is available through a hotline (123) where an ambulance can be requested after the completion of online registration.

The health ministry has recently turned Cairos International Exhibition Centre in Nasr City into a mega vaccination centre that can accommodate 10,000 people daily. The centre is currently operational along with 399 other vaccination units nationwide.

Egypt  which has received more than 4 million vaccine doses  aims to become a hub for manufacturing vaccines for other countries in Africa after it meets its local needs. Earlier this week, Egyptian vaccine maker VACSERA started working on producing the first batch of the Chinese-made Sinovac vaccine.

On Friday, the country received the first shipment of the raw material used to manufacture the Sinovac vaccine, which is enough to manufacture 2 million doses by the end of June as part of the planned production of 40 million doses in 2021.

Egypt, which is currently witnessing its third wave of pandemic, has extended its anti-coronavirus measures until the end of May. The measures include the closure at 9pm of shops, malls, coffee shops, restaurants, and movie theatres.

So far, Egypt has recorded 256,124 coronavirus cases, including 14,807 fatalities and 187,691 recoveries.

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Egypt was a real and effective partner in dealing with the latest violence between Israel and the Palestinians, Reuters quoted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as saying during an event at the American embassy in Cairo on Wednesday.

Egypt and the US are working together to let Israelis and Palestinians live in safety and security, Blinken said according to Reuters.

During his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Tuesday, Blinken pledged an additional $75 million in development and economic aid to the Palestinians in 2021, $5.5 million in immediate disaster relief for Gaza and $32 million to the UN Palestinian aid agency.

This brings overall US assistance to Palestinians under the Biden administration to over $360 million after the previous administration led by Trump cut off assistance to Palestine.

Blinken stressed, however, that the US intends to ensure that Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, does not benefit from the humanitarian aid provided.

Moreover, Blinken warned against actions by Israel or the Palestinians that risk inciting tensions or ultimately undermining the two-state solution, to which he said Washington is still committed.

Such actions, he said, include Israeli settlement activity in occupied territory Palestinians seek for a state, possible Israeli evictions of Palestinians from East Jerusalem, and incitement to militant violence on the Palestinian side.

Blinken arrived in Cairo earlier on Wednesday as part of a Middle East tour aimed at bolstering a Cairo-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and other Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip last week.

The Egyptian-sponsored ceasefire deal, which was praised by regional and international countries, has been reached between Israel and the Palestinian factions to end the recent military assault on the Gaza Strip. It came into effect as of 21 May at 2am (23:00 GMT) Palestinian time.

The 11-day fighting has been deemed the most serious since 2014 as Israel upped aggression on Gaza with artillery and air strikes in response to rocket attacks on Israeli towns from the strip.

At least 254 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, including 66 children, with over 1,900 wounded, according to Palestinian health authorities, while the death toll in Israel stood at 13.

Blinkens tour has included Jerusalem and Ramallah and he is still due to visit Jordan.

Egypt peace efforts continue

Meanwhile, sources told Al-Arabiya that Egypt is seeking to hold a peace summit between the Palestinians and Israelis.

Egypt is also working on a proposal for a long-term ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip.

Blinken affirmed during his visit to Cairo Washingtons insistence on not sending any funds to Hamas, according to the sources who spoke to Al-Arabiya.

Egypt has also asked the United States to intervene to pressure Israel to freeze its expansion in building settlements in occupied Palestinian lands.

Egypt has also called on the US to intervene to resolve Egypt and Sudans conflict with Ethiopia in the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the sources told Al-Arabiya.

Egypt affirmed to Blinken that it would not give up on its water rights, the sources added.

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The Cabinet has approved a presidential decree on a deal signed by Egypt and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) to upgrade the Egyptian railway.

The 362.9-million-euro agreement aims at improving the level of safety and security on the Alexandria/Cairo/Nagaa Hammadi railway lines.

The deal was inked on 28 April, 2021.

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Egyptian authorities continued to open Rafah crossing for the 12th consecutive day Wednesday to allow stranded Palestinians and humanitarian cases on both sides to cross the border terminal.

Medical and administrative teams are stationed for facilitating the passage of the injured and their escorts to hospitals for treatment, according to official sources at the crossing.

Egypt had exceptionally opened the crossing to enable people stranded on the two sides to cross and to deliver aid to Gazans.

Egypt has also sent tons of medical and humanitarian aid to Gaza to help Palestinians deal with the aftermath of Israel's recent deadly offensive on the strip.

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Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has approved the signing of a partnership deal between the higher education and scientific research ministry, the agriculture ministry, and Eva Pharma, Egypts second oldest pharmaceutical company, to manufacture a coronavirus vaccine.

The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Egyptian cabinet, without providing further details on the type of the anticipated vaccine.

The cabinet statement also said that the step is part of the country's endeavours to protect citizens against the pandemic, expand national scientific capabilities, and upgrade the pharmaceutical industry.

The Egyptian Drug Authority has approved the emergency use of five vaccines: Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Sinovac, CoronaVac and Covishield-AstraZeneca.

Egypt seeks to turn into a hub for manufacturing coronavirus vaccines for Africa as it has already started the first stages of manufacturing the Chinese-made Sinovac vaccine through the oldest Egyptian vaccine maker VACSERA.

VACSERA is planning to manufacture over 40 million doses by the end of 2021 under a deal inked in April with the Sinovac biopharmaceutical company.

The country aims to cover its own vaccination needs and export extra doses to Africa, Health Minister Hala Zayed said after signing the deal.

Egypt is also in talks to locally manufacture the AstraZeneca vaccine at VACSERAs factories in 6 October City, according to Zayed.

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HDFC Bank has deployed Mobile Automated Teller Machine (ATM) to assist customers during the COVID-19 related restrictions in the city. At restricted or sealed areas, the Mobile ATMs will eliminate the need for the public to move out of their locality to withdraw cash, the bank noted in a statement.

Bengaluru is the 25th city where the bank has deployed Mobile ATMs this year.

The locations for Mobile ATM deployment are being identified in consultation with local authorities in the city.

All necessary precautions in terms of maintaining social distancing while queuing for the ATM and sanitisation are being taken to ensure safety of staff and customers, it said.

Customers can conduct over 15 types of transactions using the Mobile ATM, whichwill be operational at each location for a specific period.

The Mobile ATM will cover 3 to 4 stops in a day.

Branch Banking Head, HDFC Bank, Madhusudhan Hegde, said: "Our Mobile ATM facility will help customers and the general public get access to cash and other banking services to meet their exigencies at their doorstep."

Also Read: HDFC Bank's NBFC arm holds IPO plans; to raise over Rs 8,600 crore via debt
Two Egyptian military aircraft carrying large quantities of medical supplies and foodstuff have taken off from Cairo East Air Base for Djibouti, the Egyptian military spokesman announced on Wednesday.

The Djiboutian side expressed appreciation for the Egyptian efforts in helping their country in confronting the current challenges, the military spokesman added.

The step comes as per directives by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to sustain the country's "leading" role at the Arab, African and international levels.





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Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stressed to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday the need to immediately work on resuming the direct negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis.

In a video call with the German chancellor, El-Sisi stressed Egypts efforts to consolidate the Egypt-brokered ceasefire reached last week between the Israeli and Palestinian sides, a statement by the Egyptian presidency read.

The ceasefire, agreed upon by Israel and the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip, halted an 11-day Israeli offensive on the strip.

The offensive killed over 250 Palestinians, including 66 children, destroyed hundreds of homes and displaced tens of thousands.

During the video call, El-Sisi affirmed coordination with the international community to launch the reconstruction process of the Gaza Strip based on the Egyptian initiative in this regard.

Earlier this month, El-Sisi ordered an initiative to collect $500 million for the reconstruction of Gaza.

Presidential donation-based Tahya Misr Fund also announced receiving contributions for the reconstruction of Gaza through the bank account (037037  Reconstruction of Gaza).

Merkel hailed the successful Egyptian efforts that led to the implementation of the Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire and the de-escalation in Gaza, the presidency said.

She also praised the effective Egyptian contacts with the concerned parties, which she said contributed to ending tensions and curbing human and material losses.

The chancellor affirmed her countrys willingness to enhance coordination and exchange visions with the Egyptian president in this regard.

Merkel voiced Germanys appreciation for its friendship with Egypt, which, according to Merkel, represents an important pillar for protecting security and stability in the Middle East.

The German chancellor also voiced keenness to continue coordination and consultation with El-Sisi on the developments of regional and international issues of mutual concern.

She hailed El-Sisis efforts to preserve security and stability and achieve development in the region.

Merkel affirmed her countrys commitment to support the bilateral relations with Egypt in various fields as well as to back Egyptian development efforts through increasing investments and benefiting from the expertise of German companies.

El-Sisi affirmed to Merkel Egypts keenness to enhance the ongoing partnership with Germany and the aspiration to maximise bilateral coordination and consultation on the political, security and economic levels.

The president also voiced aspiration to maximise German investments in Egypt, especially in the energy and transportation fields, given that Germany is one of the most important partners for Egypt in Europe.

El-Sisi praised Merkels contribution to enhancing the bilateral relations between Egypt and Germany during her tenure as chancellor.

El-Sisi and Merkel also discussed developments in Libya. El-Sisi reviewed Egypts efforts to support the transitional phase underway in Libya until elections are held in December as scheduled.

Merkel praised the Egyptian role in the Libyan issue, saying it enhanced the path of political process in Libya.

El-Sisi and Merkel also agreed on the need to ensure the exit of mercenaries and foreign militias from Libyan territories, as this would enhance the success of the transitional period, the presidency said.

Such a step would also help meet the aspiration of the Libyan people, the two leaders affirmed, agreeing to continue bilateral coordination in this regard.

Also on Wednesday, El-Sisi received US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. During their talks, they addressed the Palestinian issue, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) dispute and the situation in Libya.

El-Sisi affirmed to Blinken the urgent need to revive the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks and urged a US role in ending Egypt and Sudans dispute with Ethiopia over its massive dam built on the Blue Nile.

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Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan hailed on Wednesday the recent Egyptian efforts in de-escalating the situation in Gaza after mediating a ceasefire deal between the Palestinian factions and Israel to end the 11-day bombing of the besieged enclave.

In a phone call, Khan told President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi that reaching such a deal reflects the significance of Egypt at the Arab and Islamic levels, according to a statement by Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Rady.

"The stability of Egypt is a pillar for the stability of the Middle East and the Islamic world as a whole," Khan was quoted as saying, according to Rady.

Khan also condemned "the Israeli aggression against the Palestinians, especially women and children, and the sacrilege against Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan," his office said in a statement.

The Pakistani premier stressed the importance of settling the Palestine issue in a just manner, saying Palestinians in Gaza are living in an "open prison," according to his office's statement.

The premier called for the total withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem. He also called for the establishment of an independent, viable, and contiguous Palestinian State, as part of a two-state solution, with the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

El-Sisi reiterated to Khan the importance of resuming the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations to settle the Palestinian cause and end what he called the "vicious circle of violence," Rady said.

The 11-day fighting has been deemed the most vicious since Israeli's 51-day assault on Gaza in 2014, as Israel upped aggression on the strip with artillery and airstrikes.

The Israeli offensive on Gaza killed 253 Palestinians, including 66 children and 39 women, and destroyed hundreds of homes.

The death toll in Israel from rockets fired by Palestinian factions in the strip stood at 13.

The call between the Pakistani PM and El-Sisi also touched upon issues of cooperation as the Egyptian president praised the level of "positive" relations between Egypt and Pakistan, and the convergence between the policies and objectives of the two countries as to international and regional issues.

El-Sisi stressed to Khan the importance of promoting bilateral cooperation with Pakistan in various fields, especially in combating terrorism, according to the statement.

El-Sisi and Khan concurred on the importance of strengthening cooperation in this field, including combating extremist ideologies amid the "pioneering" role of Al-Azhar, the Sunni Muslim worlds top religious institution, in this regard.

The Egptian President also called for exchanging expertise, especially concerning Egypt's economic program.

Both sides agreed on the necessity of activating existing dialogue mechanisms between the two countries, especially at the political level, the statement pointed out.

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Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said on Wednesday that he and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the extended Egyptian-US strategic partnerships role in supporting security and stability in the Middle East.

Blinken visited Egypt as part of his first Middle East tour  which included Israel and the Palestinian Authority before Jordan  as the US top diplomat to consolidate calm in the region in the aftermath of an 11-day Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.

Last week, Egypt-brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and other Palestinian factions, ending Israeli airstrikes that killed over 250 people and displaced thousands of Palestinians.

I was honoured today to receive Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State. Together, we consulted about the various political, security and regional issues, El-Sisi said on his Twitter account after a meeting with Blinken earlier today.

We also emphasised the extended strategic partnership relations between Egypt and the United States and their pivotal role in backing security and stability in the Middle East region, El-Sisi added.

According to an Egyptian presidential statement after their meeting, El-Sisi and Blinken agreed on enhancing bilateral coordination and consultations to consolidate the ceasefire and launch the reconstruction process of the Gaza Strip based on the Egyptian initiative in this regard.

El-Sisi affirmed to Blinken the urgent need to revive the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks and urged a US role in ending Egypt and Sudans dispute with Ethiopia over the latters massive dam built on the Blue Nile.

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South Africa's former leader Jacob Zuma pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering charges relating to a $2 billion arms deal when he was deputy president.

Zuma, who was president between 2009-2018, faces 18 charges relating to the 1999 deal. He has rejected the charges and says he is the victim of a politically motivated witch hunt by a rival faction of the ruling African National Congress.

Zuma, who also faces a separate inquiry into corruption during his time as president, is accused of accepting 500,000 rand ($34,000) annually from French arms company Thales, in exchange for protecting the company from an investigation into the deal.

"I plead not guilty," he said, staring into space, after the prosecutor read out all the charges.

Zuma's defence team is calling for the recusal of state prosecutor Billy Downer, on the grounds that he has "no title to prosecute". The prosecution requested more time to make a response to that call, so it will not be dealt with on Wednesday but rather on July 19, said the presiding judge.

Thales was known as Thomson-CSF at the time of the deal. It has said it had no knowledge of any transgressions by any of its employees in relation to the award of the contracts. Its representative in court also pleaded not guilty to the racketeering, corruption and money laundering charges the company faced.

The National Prosecuting Authority filed the charges against Zuma more than a decade ago, set them aside just before he successfully ran for president in 2009, then reinstated them a month after he resigned in early 2018.

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At least two people have been killed and several injured in a series of near-simultaneous attacks in Burundi that targeted popular venues in the economic capital, government sources said Wednesday.

The Ministry of Interior described the attacks in Bujumbura at around 7:00 pm (1700 GMT) Tuesday as "terrorism by throwing grenades" and said an investigation had been launched.

It confirmed on Twitter that two people had died, adding that one of the attackers was also injured in the blast and has been detained.

"The wounded were taken to health care facilities," the ministry said.

But security sources and witnesses at the scene pointed to the possibility of a higher death toll.

The attacks took place at bus stops downtown, security officials told AFP.

A witness near one of the attacks told AFP that two grenades exploded there.

"It was terrifying. Bloody bodies were lying all around, people were screaming and running in all directions. Others were dazed," the witness said.

The army and police deployed hundreds of heavily armed troops in the streets of Bujumbura and arrested dozens of people, witnesses said.

A senior security official told AFP the attacks were linked to the 51st meeting of the UN standing advisory committee on security issues in Central Africa, which opened Tuesday in Bujumbura and is due to end Friday.

"It is clearly an operation by armed groups who wanted to show that peace and security do not prevail on the day the meeting opens," the official said on condition of anonymity.

These unclaimed attacks come after several ambushes attributed to "armed bandits" in Burundi.

At least 12 people, including a senior army officer, were killed in early May in an ambush by an unidentified armed group in Muramvya, in central Burundi.

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Gunmen killed four police in southeast Nigeria, an official said on Wednesday, the latest attack in the restive region where dozens of officers have died this year.

In the dawn attack on Tuesday, gunmen stormed into a police station in Enugu state and opened fire, police spokesman Daniel Ndukwe said.

Parts of the building were set on fire, he added.

"Four of the operatives, who sustained severe gunshot injuries, were later confirmed dead in the hospital," he said.

A number of the attackers were shot and injured but managed to escape, Ndukwe said, appealing to residents for information that would lead to the arrest of the armed men.

In neighbouring Ebonyi state, a police officer also died after a hand grenade strapped on his belt accidentally detonated on Tuesday.

"The command is mourning the inspector who died in this unfortunate incident," police spokeswoman Loveth Odah told AFP.

Also on Tuesday, police repelled an attack on a station in Owerri, the Imo state capital.

Last month, gunmen raided the Imo state police headquarters and a prison and freed over 1,800 inmates.

No group has said it was behind the attacks but the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed separatist group demanding an independent state, is active in the region.

IPOB has several times denied responsibility for recent attacks.

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Ethiopia said Wednesday that 22 officials from the interim administration in the country's Tigray region had been killed by forces loyal to its former ruling party during the six-month conflict there.

A government statement said 20 others had been "kidnapped" and four more "wounded and hospitalised."

It was the first time the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had disclosed the toll of attacks by Tigrayan forces, who federal officials have long claimed would be unable to mount an effective insurgency.

Abiy, winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, sent troops into Tigray in early November to detain and disarm leaders of the regional 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 swift, more than six months later fighting continues, reports of atrocities are proliferating and world leaders are warning of a potential humanitarian catastrophe.

The attacks on interim administration officials were perpetrated "by TPLF fighters that claim to be fighting for the people of Tigray but have rather been actively engaged in the destruction of property, killing and kidnapping" of those "tasked with bringing stability to the region," Wednesday's statement said.

It did not provide details on the attacks or specify whether those "kidnapped" had since been released, but it did make clear that such violence was unfolding throughout Tigray.

Nine officials have been killed in the region's Northeast Zone and six in the Central Zone, where heavy fighting has been reported in recent months, the statement said.

"In addition, TPLF have continued to burn down houses and fire ammunitions into households," it said.

Abiy is under mounting international pressure to bring the conflict to an end but has made clear he has no intention of negotiating with TPLF leaders.

On Sunday US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced visa restrictions targeting Ethiopian and Eritrean officials accused of fuelling the conflict, saying those involved had "taken no meaningful steps to end hostilities."

The restrictions will also apply to TPLF members and forces from the Amhara region, which borders Tigray to the south.

Ethiopia denounced the move Monday and said it could prompt Abiy to reassess the bilateral relationship.

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Ethiopia said Wednesday that 22 officials from the interim administration in the country's Tigray region had been killed by forces loyal to its former ruling party during the six-month conflict there.

A government statement said 20 others had been "kidnapped" and four more "wounded and hospitalised."

It was the first time the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had disclosed the toll of attacks by Tigrayan forces, who federal officials have long claimed would be unable to mount an effective insurgency.

Abiy sent troops into Tigray in early November to detain and disarm leaders of the regional 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 swift, more than six months later fighting continues, reports of atrocities are proliferating and world leaders are warning of a potential humanitarian catastrophe.

The attacks on interim administration officials were perpetrated "by TPLF fighters that claim to be fighting for the people of Tigray but have rather been actively engaged in the destruction of property, killing and kidnapping" of those "tasked with bringing stability to the region," Wednesday's statement said.

It did not provide details on the attacks or specify whether those "kidnapped" had since been released, but it did make clear that such violence was unfolding throughout Tigray.

Nine officials have been killed in the region's Northeast Zone and six in the Central Zone, where heavy fighting has been reported in recent months, the statement said.

"In addition, TPLF have continued to burn down houses and fire ammunitions into households," it said.

Abiy is under mounting international pressure to bring the conflict to an end but has made clear he has no intention of negotiating with TPLF leaders.

On Sunday US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced visa restrictions targeting Ethiopian and Eritrean officials accused of fuelling the conflict, saying those involved had "taken no meaningful steps to end hostilities."

The restrictions will also apply to TPLF members and forces from the Amhara region, which borders Tigray to the south.

Ethiopia denounced the move Monday and said it could prompt Abiy to reassess the bilateral relationship.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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Dozens of people were missing in northwest Nigeria on Wednesday after an overloaded boat ferrying around 160 passengers sank in the Niger River, a local official said.

The boat left central Niger state and was heading to northwest Kebbi state when it split and sank, Abdullahi Buhari Wara, administrative head of Ngaski district said.

"A rescue operation is underway but only 22 survivors and one dead body have been recovered," Wara said. "We are talking of around 140 passengers still missing."

Boat capsizals are common on Nigerian waterways mostly due to overcrowding and lack of maintenance, particularly in the annual rainy season.

Wara blamed the Kebbi accident on overloading as the boat was meant to ferry not more than 80 passengers.

The vessel was also loaded with bags of sand from a gold mine, the official said.

Early this month 30 people drowned when an overloaded boat capsized in central Niger state.

The boat ferrying 100 local traders split into two after hitting a stump during a storm as they were returning from a local market, according to emergency officials.

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Amid a major controversy over intermediary guidelines enforced by the Centre on tech giants like Facebook, Google, WhatsApp and Twitter, Facebook-led messaging giant, WhatsApp has opened another frontier by suing the Indian government over free speech and privacy protection issues.

The lawsuit, described to Reuters by people familiar with it, requests the Delhi High Court that one of the rules under the new social media guidelines is in violation of the right to privacy in India. This rule requires social media companies to reveal the identity of "first originator of information" when government authorities ask for it.

WhatsApp believes this rule is against its end-to-end encryption model, which assures the right to privacy of every message, photo, screenshot, etc, for both sender and receiver. "We have consistently joined civil society and experts around the world in opposing requirements that would violate the privacy of our users. In the meantime, we will also continue to engage with the Government of India on practical solutions aimed at keeping people safe, including responding to valid legal requests for the information available to us," a WhatsApp spokesperson said in a statement.

Also read: Why Facebook, Twitter, Instagram could be banned in India from tomorrow?

As per a WhatsApp blog, WhatsApp is committed to doing all it "can to protect the privacy of people's personal messages", and has joined others in opposing "traceability", a method in which companies have to trace who sent a particular message on their private messaging services.

Let's understand why WhatsApp thinks traceability violates human rights.

As per WhatsApp, traceability forces private companies to turn over the names of people who shared something even if they did not create it, but shared it out of concern, or sent it to check its accuracy.

"Through such an approach, innocent people could get caught up in investigations, or even go to jail, for sharing content that later becomes problematic in the eyes of a government, even if they did not mean any harm by sharing it in the first place," the company said in a blogpost.

It adds the threat that anything someone writes can be traced back to them takes away "people's privacy and would have a chilling effect" on what people say even in private settings, violating universally recognised principles of free expression and human rights.

Would traceability work?

As per WhatsApp, "traceability" won't work. "Tracing messages would be ineffective and highly susceptible to abuse. If you simply downloaded an image and shared it, took a screenshot and resent it, or sent an article on WhatsApp that someone emailed you, you would be determined to be the originator of that content," it said.

Even if someone copies or pastes the same piece of content and sends it along to others in an entirely different circumstance, the person could be held liable. "Think of this like a tree with many branches -- looking at just one branch doesn't tell you how many other branches there," the blogpost added.

Also read: Facebook aims to comply with India's IT rules

Also read: Govt announces new guidelines for social media, aims to track down first originator of mischievous content

Also read: Remove questionable content within 36 hrs; assist in probe by 72 hrs: Govt's new social media norms

Also read: Twitter gives in, blocks 97% accounts flagged by Centre

Also read: Do business in India but follow laws too, Ravi Shankar Prasad to Twitter
Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged on a Middle East mission on Tuesday that Washington would provide new aid to help rebuild Gaza as part of efforts to bolster a ceasefire between its Islamist Hamas rulers and Israel.

Hoping to reverse a move taken by former President Donald Trump that angered Palestinians, Blinken said the United States would advance the process of reopening its Jerusalem consulate that had served as its diplomatic channel to the Palestinians.

Speaking alongside Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Blinken said the United States would provide an additional $75 million in development and economic aid to the Palestinians in 2021, $5.5 million in immediate disaster relief for Gaza and $32 million to the UN Palestinian aid agency based there.

"We know that to prevent a return to violence we have to use the space created to address a larger set of underlying issues and challenges," he said. "And that begins with tackling the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza and starting to rebuild."

Blinken reiterated that Washington intended to ensure that Hamas, which it regards as a terrorist organisation, did not benefit from the humanitarian aid - a potentially difficult task in an enclave over which it has a strong grip.

He said if aid were distributed correctly it could actually undermine Hamas as the group "thrives on despair, on misery, on desperation, on a lack of opportunity".

At a press conference later in the day, Blinken also warned against actions by Israel or the Palestinians that risk inciting tensions or ultimately undermine the two-state solution to which he said Washington was still committed.

Such actions, he said, included Israeli settlement activity in occupied territory Palestinians seek for a state, possible Israeli evictions of Palestinians from East Jerusalem, and incitement to militant violence on the Palestinian side.

The ceasefire, brokered by Egypt and coordinated with the United States, began on Friday after 11 days of the worst fighting between Palestinian militants and Israel in years.

Hundreds of Israeli air strikes killed at least 254 people in Gaza and injured over 1,900, Palestinian medics said, and destroyed or damaged commercial buildings, residential towers and private houses across the tiny coastal enclave.

The Israeli military put Israel's death toll at 13, with hundreds injured as rocket salvoes by Hamas and other Palestinian militants in Gaza caused panic and sent people as far away as Tel Aviv rushing into shelters.

BLINKEN MEETS ISRAELI, PALESTINIAN LEADERS

Blinken began his regional visit in Jerusalem, where he held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli leader, speaking to reporters with the top US diplomat at his side, threatened a "very powerful response" if Hamas renewed cross-border rocket strikes.

Blinken will be in the region through Thursday, and will also travel to Egypt and Jordan.

In tandem with his visit, Israel allowed fuel, medicine and food earmarked for Gaza's private sector to enter the territory for the first time since the hostilities erupted on May 10.

Blinken said reopening the US Consulate General in Jerusalem would be "an important way for our country to engage with and provide support to the Palestinian people". He declined to provide a timeline for the reopening.

The Trump administration merged the consulate with the US Embassy in Israel in 2019, two years after recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moving the embassy there from Tel Aviv.

Those moves broke with long-standing US policy and infuriated Palestinians, who seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.

Israel deems all of Jerusalem, including the eastern sector it captured in the 1967 Middle East War and annexed in a move not recognised internationally, as its undivided capital.

Biden has no plans to reverse the embassy relocation but has acted in the early months of his presidency to repair relations with Palestinians. In April, Biden restored hundreds of millions of dollars in Palestinian aid cut by Trump.

ABBAS LAUDS BIDEN ADMINISTRATION STANCE

Speaking alongside Blinken, Abbas thanked the Biden administration "for its commitment to the two-state solution (and maintaining) the status quo on the Haram al-Sharif" (Noble Sanctuary), a Jerusalem compound holy to Muslims and Jews that contains the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third holiest site.

Abbas also voiced gratitude for what he called American support "for the preservation of (Palestinian) residents of ... Sheikh Jarrah," an East Jerusalem neighbourhood where potential evictions of Palestinian families helped spark the Israel-Gaza fighting.

Negotiations between Israel and Abbas's Palestinian Authority, which has limited self-rule in the West Bank, collapsed in 2014. While Biden has said a two-state solution is the only solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, US officials have suggested it was too early for wider peace talks.

Israel is in political flux after four inconclusive elections in two years, and the Palestinians are divided by enmity between Hamas and Abbas.

"Leaders on both sides will need to chart a better course," Blinken said, "starting by making real improvements in the lives of people in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank."

In Gaza, Palestinian officials estimated reconstruction costs at tens of millions of dollars. Israel has blockaded the territory since 2007, in what Palestinians condemn as collective punishment. Egypt also maintains restrictions on its border with Gaza. Both countries cite security concerns for the measures.

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An Israeli court Wednesday postponed a hearing in a case that could see two Palestinian families expelled from their homes in occupied east Jerusalem's Silwan district so Israeli settlers can move in, their lawyer said.

The delayed hearing on the dispute comes less than three weeks after a similar case in the city's Sheikh Jarrah district sparked Israel's crackdown on Palestinian protesters and civilians. The crackdown was followed by Israel's 11-day aerial and artillery campaign on Gaza Strip.

Wednesday's court session was delayed after the Palestinian families petitioned the attorney general to weigh in on the matter, their lawyer Yazeed Qawaar said.

"Such a public case must include the opinion of the attorney general," he said. "It's obvious that the government was supporting the settler project and therefore it's up to the attorney general to take the responsibility."

He said the families were now waiting for a decision -- possibly within the next week -- on whether or not the Jerusalem district court would refer the file to the top prosecutor.

An AFP correspondent saw dozens of protesters, including Palestinians from concerned families and Israeli peace activists, demonstrate outside the court.

"What do you think, occupier?," one placard read. "My nation is steadfast and will not be humiliated."

Around 700 Palestinians in the Batn al-Hawa area of Silwan on a hill south of Jerusalem's Old City risk displacement under such forced eviction cases, Israeli anti-occupation group Peace Now says.

Zuheir Rajabi, head of the Batn al-Hawa neighbourhood committee, said Wednesday's cases concerned dozens of his relatives.

"The families were told for the first time about the expulsions in November 2020, and the decision was confirmed in March 2021," he said.

There are now several hundred settlers in Silwan, living among some 50,000 Palestinians.

Palestinian families say Israeli courts do not recognise their ownership documents from the Jordanian authorities who controlled east Jerusalem until 1967, when Israel occupied that part of the city.

In 1970, Israel passed a law allowing Jews to reclaim property they had lost in or before 1948, the year of Israel's creation.

Activists say that law is discriminatory and does not offer any recourse to Palestinians who may have lost land during the same period, including for example homes in now Israeli west Jerusalem.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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Palestinian Islamist group Hamas vowed Wednesday not to touch "a single cent" of international aid to rebuild Gaza following Israel's military campaign that ravaged the enclave it rules.

The head of the group's political wing, Yahya Sinwar, promised "transparent and impartial" distribution of aid in the aftermath of Israel's 11-day offensive.

Diplomatic efforts are underway to solidify an Egypt-brokered truce that halted the fighting, with plans to rebuild the Gaza Strip where Israeli air strikes damaged infrastructure and levelled buildings.

"We welcome any international or Arab effort to rebuild the Gaza Strip," Sinwar told a news conference in Gaza City.

"I affirm our commitment not to take a single cent intended for reconstruction and humanitarian efforts," he said. "We have never taken a cent in the past."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that all aid would be "administered in a way that benefits the Palestinian people -- not Hamas", which Washington considers a terrorist group.

Israel -- which has enforced a land and maritime blockade on the Palestinian enclave since 2007 -- accuses the group of diverting international aid to military ends.

An Israeli defence ministry official said all funds to Gaza would have to flow through an international "mechanism" to reach people directly.

The latest Israeli offensive erupted on May 10 when Hamas sent volleys of rocket fire towards Israel in solidarity with hundreds of Palestinians injured in Israel's crackdown on them inside Al-Aqsa mosque compound.

The protests in Jerusalem and the West Bank came in response to the potential expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in favour of Israeli settlers.

Between May 10 and May 21, Israeli air strikes and artillery fire killed 254 Palestinians, including 66 children and some fighters, authorities in Gaza say.

Rocket and other fire from Gaza claimed 12 lives in Israel, according to police.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Jordan Wednesday on the last leg of a Mideast tour that aims to shore up an Egypt-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza.

Blinken will meet King Abdullah II, following two-days of regional talks -- including with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders -- to throw Washington's support behind the truce that ended 11 days of heavy Israeli bombing of Gaza.

Following talks with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas at his headquarters in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Blinken vowed to rebuild US relations with the Palestinians by reopening a consulate in Jerusalem, as well as give millions in aid for the war-battered Gaza Strip.

The announcements signalled a break with US policy under former president Donald Trump, who had shuttered the diplomatic mission for Palestinians in 2019 and slashed aid to the Palestinian Authority.

In the long term, Blinken evoked the "possibility of resuming the effort to achieve a two-state solution, which we continue to believe is the only way to truly assure Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state, and of course to give the Palestinians the state they're entitled to".

After meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he reiterated support for Israel's right to defend itself against rocket attacks by Gaza's Hamas rulers, adding that they must not benefit from the reconstruction aid.

Hamas political chief Yahya Sinwar vowed Wednesday not to take "a single cent" of the aid, insisting that "we have never taken a cent in the past".

Blinken said Wednesday the US was in the process of providing more than $360 million in assistance to Palestinians, including $250 million announced in March and April.

On top of that, the administration intended to provide $75 million in aid to the Palestinians, as well as $5.5 million in immediate disaster assistance for Gaza, and nearly $33 million for an emergency humanitarian appeal by the UN.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab met with both Netanyahu and Abbas Wednesday, calling on "all sides to respect the ceasefire" and urging an end to the "cycle of violence" through a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The latest military escalation started after Israel's crackdown on Palestinian protesters and civilians in Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound, Islam's third holiest site.

Israeli security forces had moved in on Palestinian worshippers there towards the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

They had also sought to quell protests against the threatened eviction of Palestinian families from homes in the east Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah to make way for Israeli settlers.

Israeli air strikes and artillery fire on Gaza killed 254 Palestinians, including 66 children, and wounded more than 1,900 people in 11 days starting May 10, the health ministry in Gaza says.

Rocket and other fire from Gaza claimed 12 lives in Israel, medics say. Some 357 people in Israel were wounded.

The UN Human Rights Council will hold a special session focused on Israel Thursday, to consider launching a broad, international investigation into abuses during the violence.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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Iraqi police arrested a senior official in an Iran-backed armed group Wednesday on suspicion of orchestrating the murder of a prominent pro-democracy activist, a security source told AFP.

Qasem Muslah, a commander in the state-sponsored Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary coalition, is the first high-ranking official in the powerful group to have been arrested in relation to a wave of murders of pro-democracy activists and journalists that started in 2019.

"At dawn in Baghdad, police intelligence arrested Qasem Muslah, Popular Mobilisation Forces (Hashed) operations chief for Anbar province, who gave the order to kill Ihab al-Wazni on May 9 and another activist Fahim al-Taie in December 2019," the security source said.

"We initially had clues about the perpetrators of the murders and verification allowed us to identify with certainty the person who was behind these criminal operations," the source added.

Anti-government campaigner Wazni was shot dead outside his home by men on motorbikes using a gun equipped with a silencer early on May 9 in the holy shrine city of Karbala, sending protest movement supporters onto the streets to demand an end to such bloodshed and official impunity.

Wazni had for many years criticised Iraqi armed groups and Iran's influence in the country, leading protests in Karbala, where pro-Tehran armed groups hold major sway.

Killings, attempted murder and abductions have targeted more than 70 activists since a protest movement erupted against government corruption and incompetence in 2019.

Authorities have consistently failed to publicly identify or charge the perpetrators of the killings, which have not been claimed.

Activists have repeatedly blamed Iran-linked armed groups and are convinced the perpetrators are known by security forces but have not been arrested out of fear of Iran, despite government pledges to act.

Directly after Muslah's arrest security forces barred entry to the high-security Green Zone in the heart of the capital over concerns of reprisals.

The Hashed had quickly issued a statement vowing Muslah "would be released in the coming hours".

Several thousand people protested in Baghdad on Tuesday to demand justice over the deadly attacks on activists and journalists.

Two protesters were shot dead and 150 people were injured -- the majority security forces -- during the rallies, tweeted Ali al-Bayati, a member of the Iraqi government's human rights commission.

After the protests, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi vowed to open an investigation "to establish the truth of what happened" at the demonstration.

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Britain's top diplomat met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders in Jerusalem and Ramallah on Wednesday, calling for truce in Gaza Strip to be respected.

Dominic Raab's whirlwind one-day trip followed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit, who was also in the region to shore up the Egypt-brokered ceasefire that on Friday ended 11 days of Israel's military campaign Gaza.

At a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Raab stressed "the importance of a durable ceasefire in Gaza & the need to fight anti-Semitism," he said on Twitter.

"The UK is committed to working with regional leaders to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict & forge lasting peace," the foreign secretary wrote.

Netanyahu thanked Raab for Britain's "staunch, unwavering support of our right to self-defence during the recent operation," in remarks relayed by the Israeli leader's office.

In Ramallah, seat of the Palestinian Authority's government in the occupied West Bank, Raab met with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and his counterpart Riad al-Malki, discussing "the need for all sides to respect the ceasefire".

Israeli air strikes and artillery fire on Gaza killed 253 Palestinians, including 66 children, and wounded more than 1,900 people from May 10, the health ministry in Gaza says.

Rocket and other fire from Gaza claimed 12 lives in Israel, medics say. Some 357 people in Israel were wounded.

Raab also "reaffirmed UK support for a two-state solution as the only way to bring sustainable peace," he tweeted.

In Jerusalem on Tuesday, Blinken -- currently in Jordan on the last leg of his Mideast visit -- said Israeli and Palestinian states living side by side was "the only way" forward.

However, peace talks have stalled since 2014, including over the status of east Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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The Qatari government has pledged $500 million to support reconstruction in the Gaza Strip after an 11-day Israeli assault on the strip.

Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, foreign minister of the energy-rich Gulf country, made the announcement on Twitter on Wednesday.

`We will continue to support our brothers in Palestine in order to reach a just and lasting solution by establishing their independent state,' he wrote.

Qatar has contributed hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian and development aid to Gaza in attempts to support past cease-fires with Israel.

Last week, Egypt brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and other Palestinian factions in Gaza.

The Israeli bombardment and airstrikes killed more than 250 Palestinians, injured hundreds and destroyed hundreds of residential and commercial buildings.

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A leading member of the Fatah movements central committee welcomed on Wednesday the decision by the United States to reopen its consulate in East Jerusalem.

Hussein Al-Sheikh said that the decision taken by the Biden administration is deemed the most important decision taken by the new US administration and sends a clear message that East Jerusalem is part of the territories that Israel has been occupying since 1967.

The announcement on the reopening of the US consulate in East Jerusalem implies the collapse of the so-called Deal of the Century, touted by the former US administration, and serves as a ground for the restoration of normal relations with the US, so that it would function as an effective and influential actor to resume negotiations based on United Nations resolutions, the Fatah official was quoted as saying to the Voice of Palestine radio.

Al-Sheikh  commenting on President Mahmoud Abbas recent phone conversation with US President Joe Biden and meeting with Washingtons top diplomat Antony Blinken on Tuesday  believed they are part of the Palestinian diplomatic endeavours against Israels expulsions of Palestinians from their homes, assaults against holy sites and colonization of the occupied territories.

Speaking next to Abbas in Ramallah on Tuesday, Blinken announced that the United States will restore the US consulate that serves the Palestinians in East Jerusalem as an important way for our country to engage with and provide support to the Palestinian people.

However, Blinken did not mention when this will officially happen.

Abbas thanked the Biden administration for its commitment to the two-state solution [and maintaining] the status quo on the Haram al-Sharif, as well as for the preservation of [Palestinian] residents of Sheikh Jarrah.

Biden has reversed many aspects of the Palestine policy adopted by Donald Trump, his predecessor. Trump closed the US Consulate in Jerusalem  which has been serving the Palestinians as a diplomatic mission since 1844  stopped US funding for the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), recognised Jerusalem as Israels undivided capital and shut down the Washington office of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).

Biden, on the other hand, in addition to re-emphasising US support for the two-state solution, has restored $235 million out of more than $300 million that the United States used to pay for UNRWA and vowed to reopen the PLOs Washington office.

As I announced yesterday, the United States is in the process of providing more than $360 million in assistance to the Palestinian people. This includes $38 million in new assistance to support humanitarian efforts in the West Bank and Gaza. This new assistance includes nearly $33 million for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in support of its West Bank and Gaza operations, and an additional $5.5 million to humanitarian partners, Blinken said on Wednesday.

Additionally, working with Congress, the State Department and USAID intend to provide $75 million in additional development and economic assistance over the next year that will support relief and recovery in the West Bank and Gaza. This funding will advance private sector growth and access to basic needs and services, such as providing health care and addressing food insecurity. Pending completion of congressional notification, another $10 million will support programs that support reconciliation work to reduce tension and violence over the long term, he added.

Blinkens meeting with Abbas was part of his regional tour in which he visited Israel, the occupied Palestinian territories, Egypt and Jordan.

The tour follows a recent Egyptian-brokered ceasefire that ended an 11-day Israeli military campaign on Gaza that  according to the Gazan health ministry  led to the death of more than 250 people and the injury of almost 2,000 others.

The campaign followed Israels crackdown  which Israeli settlers participated in  on Palestinian protesters and civilians in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, hindering their entrance to Al-Aqsa mosque compound during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan amid plans to evict them from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighbourhoods.

Both neighbourhoods are located in East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians want to have as the capital of their future state.
Related Syrians go to the polls in election that Assad is set to win

Thousands of Syrians lined up outside polling stations in parts of their war-torn country to cast votes on Wednesday, in elections dismissed as a sham and guaranteed to give longtime President Bashar Assad a fourth seven-year term.

The vote's legitimacy was challenged by throngs of Syrians living outside of government-controlled areas, who rallied to denounce what they called a `farcical play' that ignores the country's reality.

Torn by a decade-old conflict, Syria is divided into areas controlled by the government, rebel fighters and foreign troops, all competing for influence and resources.

Half of Syria's pre-war population of 23 million has been displaced mostly living outside of government-controlled areas where they won't vote. Over 5 million were driven out and live in neighboring countries where the vote is not held. The fighting has left nearly half a million dead and hundreds of thousands detained or missing.

Western countries also dismissed the election as illegitimate, saying it violates UN resolutions adopted to resolve the crisis through negotiations between the government and opposition groups, and the drafting of a new charter.

`The Assad regime's so-called presidential election is neither free nor fair,' US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a Twitter post Wednesday. `The US joins France, Germany, Italy, and the UK in calling for the rejection of the regime's attempts to regain legitimacy without respecting the Syrian people's human rights and freedoms.'

Assad blasted the criticism saying those who dismiss the vote as illegitimate have `colonial history.'

`We as a state are not concerned about such statements,' Assad said after casting his ballot in the Damascus suburb of Douma where he arrived with his wife Asma, driving his own car.

The area was one of the main rebel strongholds until it was retaken by government forces in 2018. It was the scene of an alleged poison gas attack in April 2018 that triggered strikes by the US, Britain and France.

The vote is the second presidential election since the country's conflict began 10 years ago.

This time, it comes after the 55-year-old Assad weathered what at one point appeared to be an imminent threat from western and regional-backed armed rebels within miles of the capital.

Since the 2014 vote, Russia and Iran have thrown their military and financial capabilities behind Assad's government and troops pushing back military threats and propping up his cash-strapped government facing western sanctions.

Assad took over in 2000 from his father Hafez, who ruled before that for 30 years. The civil war broke out in 2011 when Arab Spring-inspired protests against Assad family rule turned into an armed insurgency in response to a brutal military crackdown.

Wednesday's vote is held under Syria's current constitution, disregarding UN Security Council Resolution 2254 from 2015, which unanimously endorsed a political process and road map to peace that begins with drafting a new constitution and ends with UN-supervised elections.

Two other little-known figures, Abdullah Salloum Abdullah and Mahmoud Marie, are also running for the country's top post. But competition with Assad is largely seen as symbolic.

Starting at 7 a.m., thousands began arriving at polling stations in Damascus, thronging streets festooned with giant posters of Assad and banners praising his rule. Most were not wearing masks, despite a coronavirus outbreak.

`We choose the future. We choose Bashar Assad,' read one of thousands of banners raised in the capital Damascus.

`I am here to vote because it is a national duty to choose a president who will lead us in the coming period,' said civil servant Muhannad Helou, 38, who said he voted for Assad.

Voting was extended until midnight in 12,102 polling stations.

No vote will be held in northeast Syria, controlled by US-backed Kurdish-led fighters, or in the northwestern province of Idlib the last major rebel stronghold.

In rebel-held Idlib city, thousands took to the streets in a boisterous rally, chanting against Assad and reviving slogans used in the early days of the uprising against him.

`I woke up this morning to find Bashar Assad electing himself. What a farce!' said Salwa Abdel-Rahman, who wore a revolution flag around her neck and a headband that read: `No to racism and tyranny.' She was displaced from Aleppo in 2012.

Challenges facing Assad remain tremendous.

The vote this year comes as Syria's economy is in free fall as a result of a decade of war, Western sanctions, government corruption and the financial crisis in Lebanon, Syria's main link with the outside world.

Edward Denhert, Middle Eastern research analyst at The Economist Intelligence Unit, said in a note that the election will deepen the rift between Syria and the West and that consequently, Assad will pivot further toward its Russian and Iranian backers as well as China.

The Biden administration has said it will not recognize the result of the election unless the voting is free, fair, supervised by the United Nations, and representative of Syrian society.

`The UN is not involved in this election and has no mandate to be,' UN special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen told the UN Security Council in a briefing Wednesday. `It is a source of regret that, despite our best efforts, there has been little progress this month, and indeed at all, in advancing the different dimensions of resolution 2254,' he added.

Pedersen had previously singled out the Syrian government for blocking progress in the constitutional committee established to draft a new constitution.

Even in government-held areas, there was opposition to the vote. Many residents of the restive southern province of Daraa and nearby Sweida called the vote illegitimate.

Activists and opposition media platforms reported a general strike for the second day Wednesday in villages and towns in Daraa province to protest the elections and the ballot boxes in their area.

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Hamas' leader in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday said 80 militants were killed during Israel's 11-day miltiary campaign on the coastal enclave, providing the group's first official tally for losses sustained in the fighting.

Gaza's Hamas-run Health Ministry has put the number of Palestinians killed in the Israeli offensive this month at 254, including 66 children, 39 women, and 17 people above the age of 60.

Speaking to The Associated Press, Hamas leader Yehiyeh Sinwar said those killed last week included 57 members of his group's armed wing, 22 members of the smaller Islamic Jihad group and one member of a small group called the Popular Resistance Committees.

Hamas presented a list from the Health Ministry identifying women and children who died. The oldest was a 90-year-old man, while there were eight children aged 2 or under. The list has not been independently verified, but many of the names were already well known.

Twelve people were killed in Israel, mostly from rocket fire.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that some 200 militants were killed but has not provided any evidence backing up the figures.

The International Criminal Court has launched an investigation into possible war crimes by both Hamas and Israel - including the possibility of disproportionate force by Israel and indiscriminate rocket fire by Hamas.

During the latest round of fighting, Israel said it targeted only Hamas' military infrastructure and accused the group of taking shelter in residential areas and digging tunnels beneath houses.

Some 1,000 buildings, including four high-rise towers, were destroyed, according to U.N. estimates. Israel says the buildings were either used as militant command centers or used to hide tunnels.

Sinwar denied the Israeli claims. ``It is lying when it says there are military targets in these areas or under the ground,'' he said.

One of the high-rise buildings hit by Israel housed The Associated Press' offices in Gaza. Israel has said Hamas military intelligence used the building, though it has not publicly presented any evidence backing up the claim.

AP's president and chief executive, Gary Pruitt, has said the agency had no indication of a Hamas presence in the building and was never warned of any possible presence. He has urged Israel to present its evidence and called for an independent investigation into the destruction of the building.

Sinwar, meanwhile, also denied Israeli claims that it had killed scores of militants in a late-night maneuver during the fighting.

On May 13, Israel scrambled forces along the Gaza border and told some media that it had launched a ground campaign in what reportedly was a ruse meant to send militants into hiding in the tunnels. Israel then heavily bombed the tunnel area, claiming to have inflicted heavy casualties.

Sinwar said Hamas recognized the ``trick'' and ordered militants to evacuate the tunnels. He said none of his fighters were killed. ``This is a lie for which you should bring the occupation accountable,'' he told foreign reporters.

He said, however, that 18 Hamas militants were killed in a tunnel several days earlier in a different part of Gaza. Their bodies were recovered after the cease-fire took effect, he said.

Israel launched four offensives on Gaza Strip since Hamas seized control of the coastal encave from the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority in 2007.

The latest round of Israeli offensive was triggered by weeks of an Israeli crackdown on Palestinians in Jerusalem in and around the Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam's holiest sites. The protests were directed at Israel's policing of the area during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the Arab neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah.

Despite the heavy damage to Gaza, Sinwar said his group would never recognize Israel and was ready to fight again over Jerusalem.

``If the whole world doesn't move to stop and put a limit to the actions of the occupation in Al-Aqsa mosque, Sheikh Jarrah and the holy city in general, it will be a reason to ignite a big religious war in the region,'' he said.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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Highlights Realme is launching the X7 Max 5G smartphone in India on May 31.

The Realme X7 Max 5G may start at Rs 27,999 in India, according to a report.

Realme X7 Max 5G is rumoured to be a rebrand of the GT Neo.

Realme X7 Max 5G smartphone is set for launch in India on May 31. The upcoming 5G phone from Realme will be the first one to pack the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 processor inside. As such, there are rumours that the X7 Max 5G may be a rebranded GT Neo for India. Now, if we go by the prices of GT Neo in China, the X7 Max 5G will arrive as a mid-range phone in India. Ahead of the launch, a new report has leaked the prices of the Realme X7 Max 5G and they are in line with the speculation.

According to a report by MySmartPrice, the Realme X7 Max 5G prices in India will start at Rs 27,999. This price tag is for the base variant of the phone, which, according to the report, will have 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. Another variant will reportedly have 12GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard memory, and the report said this will cost Rs 30,999 in India. If these price points turn out to be true for the X7 Max 5G, we are looking at higher Indian prices.

Furthermore, the report mentioned the Realme X7 Max 5G will come in Mercury Silver, Asteroid Black and Milky Way colours. As opposed to these variants, the GT Neo has Black, Silver, and Aurora colourways. By the looks of it, the X7 Max 5G is not very different from the GT Neo, so, I guess, Realme has just changed the name of these colour variants for the Indian market.

Since there is no official word yet, it is advisable you take this information with a grain of salt. Realme will make an announcement at the launch event on May 31 about the price of the X7 Max 5G among other things. There is also the new 43-inch and 50-inch smart TVs debuting the same day.

Realme X7 Max 5G specifications

If X7 Max 5G is the Indian version of GT Neo, then we are looking at similar specifications:

Display: The Realme X7 Max may come with a 6.43-inch Full-HD+ Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Processor: Inside the X7 Max will be an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 1200 processor.

RAM: There may be 8GB and 12GB RAM options on the Realme X7 Max.

Storage: Realme X7 Max may come with 128GB and 256GB storage configurations.

Rear Cameras: The Realme X7 Max is likely to come with a 64-megapixel Sony IMX682 sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor and a 2-megapixel macro sensor on the back.

Front Camera: For selfies, the Realme X7 Max may have a 16-megapixel in-display fingerprint sensor.

Battery: For power, the X7 Max may feature a 4500mAh battery with 50W fast charging.

Operating System: You should get Android 11-based Realme UI 2.0 out of the box on the X7 Max.
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The Palestinians are sending ambassadors back to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain after recalling them in protest at the Gulf countries' U.S.-brokered deals establishing ties with Israel, a Palestinian official said on Wednesday.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Wednesday wrapped up a Mideast tour to bolster an Egypt-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza, calling for regional cooperation to avoid more "harrowing violence".

Blinken met with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders during the two days of talks, throwing Washington's support behind the truce that ended 11 days of heavy Israeli bombing of Gaza.

"Securing the ceasefire was important, particularly because of the devastating toll violence took on families on both sides," Blinken told reporters after meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II in Amman, his final stop.

"We see the ceasefire not as an end, but as a beginning of something to build on."

The announcements signalled a break with US policy under former president Donald Trump, who had shuttered the diplomatic mission for Palestinians in 2019 and slashed aid to the Palestinian Authority.

After meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Blinken reiterated support for Israel's right to defend itself against rocket attacks by Gaza's Hamas rulers, adding that they must not benefit from reconstruction aid.

The "most urgent thing is humanitarian assistance for the people in Gaza", Blinken said Wednesday, listing water, sanitation and electricity as immediate needs, ahead of support for longer-term reconstruction.

Hamas political chief Yahya Sinwar vowed Wednesday not to take "a single cent" of the aid, insisting that "we have never taken a cent in the past".

"Our meetings today in Cairo and Amman -- indeed, this whole trip -- reflect a fundamental reality," Blinken said. "If we want to avoid a return to the harrowing violence of recent weeks, the countries of this region are going to have to help and support one another."

On top of that, he said the administration intended to provide $75 million in aid to the Palestinians, as well as $5.5 million in immediate disaster assistance for Gaza, and nearly $33 million for an emergency humanitarian appeal by the UN.

Israeli security forces had moved in on Palestinian worshippers there towards the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Israeli air strikes and artillery fire on Gaza killed 254 Palestinians, including 66 children, and wounded more than 1,900 people in 11 days of conflict from May 10, the health ministry in Gaza says.

The UN Human Rights Council will hold a special session focused on Israel Thursday to consider launching a broad, international investigation into abuses during the violence.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny appeared in court via video link on Wednesday for the start of hearings into complaints against conditions at his penal colony.

Navalny, 44, was jailed in February and is serving two-and-a-half years at a facility outside Moscow on old fraud charges he says are politically motivated.

His detention, which came months after he survived a near-fatal poisoning attack, was met with sharp condemnation from Western countries which slapped fresh sanctions on the Kremlin in response.

The complaints heard Wednesday centre around Navalny's claims that prison authorities are refusing to provide him with books sent to him by relatives, including the Koran, and that they are censoring newspapers he receives.

"It's a bizarre situation", Navalny said according to an AFP journalist in the court in Petushki, 125 kilometres (77 miles) east of Moscow.

"I would like to be given the books that were sent to me".

Navalny was shown in the Petushki courtroom wearing dark prison attire, with hunched shoulders and was less combative Wednesday than in previous hearing in the lead up to his jailing in February.

Last month he ended a 24-day hunger strike initiated to protest a lack of medical attention at what is considered to be one of Russia's most harsh prison facilities.

Navalny said he had only been able to obtain a copy of the Koran after he was transferred in April to a prison hospital, where he received medical attention after announcing the hunger strike.

'Absurd' flight risk label

He also complained in court Wednesday that newspapers he had received in prison appeared to have had articles removed from them with scissors.

"I am not against Penal Colony No. 2 reading my letters. But why cut out newspaper articles?" he said, referring to the facility he was ordered to service his sentence.

The Kremlin's most outspoken critic in Russia also appealed his designation as a flight risk.

In April, he said he was "tortured through sleep deprivation" with guards waking him several times during the night to check he is still in the cell.

"There is not a shred of objective evidence to suggest I am preparing an escape," he told the court, describing the designation as "absurd."

Since Navalny's arrest in February, authorities have moved to dismantle his nationwide political offices and anti-corruption organisation by branding them extremist or terror groups.

Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, on Wednesday approved legislation in its third reading that would ban members of "extremist" organisations from becoming lawmakers.

Members of Navalny's groups and other people involved in their work -- including those who financed them --- could be banned from running in parliamentary elections for several years.

The bill will be considered by the upper house Federation Council next Wednesday and if approved will only require a signature from the president to become law.

The move has been seen as part of efforts to shield the increasingly unpopular ruling United Russia party from real competition ahead of parliamentary elections in September.

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France's government offered strong praise Wednesday to YouTubers and other social media influencers who resisted a mysterious effort to recruit them for a smear campaign to spread disinformation to their millions of young followers about the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

Multiple France-based influencers with sizable audiences on Twitter, Instagram and other platforms said they were contacted with offers of hush-hush payments to make bogus claims about supposed deadly Pfizer vaccine risks.

YouTuber Leo Grasset, among those contacted, said the shady advertising agency that sought to recruit him ``wanted me to talk about the Pfizer vaccine in a way that would be detrimental to the Pfizer vaccine reputation.''

He and others said they refused. They got a thumbs up Wednesday from French government spokesman Gabriel Attal.

``I want to salute the great responsibility of these young YouTubers or influencers who not only didn't fall for this and didn't, through cupidity, allow themselves to be manipulated but also denounced it publicly,`` Attal said. ``I really want to salute that.''

Grasset, who has 1.1 million subscribers on YouTube, said he and other social media and internet content-creators are ``at the center of something going on like an information war.''

The person who contacted Grasset identified himself as Anton and said his ad agency has a ``quite considerable'' budget for what he described as an ``information campaign'' about ``COVID-19 and the vaccines offered to the European population, notably AstraZeneca and Pfizer.''

Specifically, ``Anton'' asked for a 45- to 60-second video on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube to say that ``the mortality rate of the Pfizer vaccine is 3 times greater than the AstraZeneca'' and querying why the European Union is buying it.

He refused in a follow-up email to divulge who is financing the campaign, saying: ``The client prefers to remain incognito.''

Instructions he sent also said that if influencers agreed to take part then they shouldn't say that they were being sponsored and should ``present the material as your own independent view.''

Grasset shared the email exchanges with The Associated Press. He said that given his large YouTube following, he might have earned tens of thousands of euros (dollars) had he agreed to take part.

Instead, he wrote back that ``I can't work for a client that won't give its name and who asks me to hide the partnership.''

The AP sent emails requesting comment to a contact address listed on ad agency's website and to the email address used by ``Anton.'' Neither elicited a response.

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Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Egypts non-petroleum exports increased by 11 percent during the first 4 months of 2021, Egypts Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea said in a statement on Wednesday.

During the first quarter of 2021, non-petroleum exports reached $9.9 billion, compared to $8.8 billion during the same period in 2020.

This increase has been achieved despite the current Coronavirus-related conditions afflicting the whole world, thanks to the efforts made by the government to support the productive and export sectors during the crisis, Gamea said, adding that such support has helped prevent halts in production and preserved export markets.

Egypts exports fell slightly by 1 percent in 2020 to reach $25.2 billion, down from $25.6 billion in 2019, according to the ministrys previous statements.

The medical, handicraft, ready-made garment, leather, and engineering goods industries are the major sectors that witnessed an increase in export value during that period, the statement said, quoting the Head of Egypt's General Organization for Export & Import Control Ismail Gaber,.

Gaber noted that the US, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Italy and Malta are the major markets for Egyptian exports.

These 5 countries accounted for around 30 percent of total Egyptian exports, with exports to the US valued at $676 million, Turkey at $651 million, Saudi Arabia at $633 million, Italy at $586 million, and Malta at $406 million, Gaber explained.

The trade minister also highlighted that Egyptian imports had also witnessed a slight increase of 5 percent during 2021s first quarter, reaching $23 billion, compared to $21.9 billion in 2020.

Egypts imports dropped in 2020 by 12 percent to $63.5 billion, down from $71.8 billion in 2019. Gamea has previously attributed this drop to increased reliance on domestically manufactured inputs used by local industries.

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The European Union (EU) delegation in Egypt organised a webinar on Wednesday to discuss the outcomes of the EU-funded Inclusive Economic Growth Program (IEGP) implemented in Egypt.

The programme has contributed to promoting Egypts economic recovery by leveraging micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) development and cultural heritage over the past four years.

The total value of the IEGP is valued at 50 million ($61 million) over 14 projects, and was implemented in line with Egypts strategy for sustainable development, the Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in Egypt Tobias Krause noted during the event.

He said that MSMEs are the backbone of the Egyptian economy, adding that eight of the IEGP's projects have an economic dimension and focus on building the capacity of MSME stakeholders in the country. This capacity-building includes fostering entrepreneurship and facilitating MSME access to business development services in sectors with strong potential for growth.

Krause also noted that the other six projects, which have a social and cultural dimension, are directed towards capacity-building linked to tourism and cultural heritage. This includes the preservation of monuments and archaeological sites, which are a driver for the socio-economic development of the communities living in the vicinity of these sites.

Meanwhile, the Head of the EU Delegation in Egypt Christian Berger visited Qena and Luxor governorates in Upper Egypt on Wednesday to witness the sustained impact of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) project Enhancing Access to Education and Fighting Child Labour.

The 60 million ($73 million) project, implemented from 2014-2019 by WFP in partnership with the Egyptian government and funded by the EU, supported rural communities in 16 of the most vulnerable governorates in Egypt.

The project has enhanced access to and use of educational platforms, empowered teachers through continued trainings, improved child nutrition through school feeding, supported womens economic empowerment and improved communal awareness on key areas such as nutrition, agriculture, child labour and risks of irregular migration, the EU said.

The WFP, in partnership with Egypts Ministry of Education and Technical Education, worked with one-classroom schools, equipping them with technological tools and internet connectivity that allows them to serve as community hubs and service delivery platforms for students, teachers, parents and the community at large.

It is great to see the impressive outcome of our joint cooperation with WFP in this project that has positively impacted the lives of thousands of children and women across Egypt. The EU supports 16 governorates including Luxor and Qena ... to help children, especially girls, to go to community schools instead of going to work, said Berger.

Berger also met with women who have started their own income-generating projects allowing them to increase their households incomes, build their self-confidence and support their childrens education and nutrition. More than 50,000 women received entrepreneurial and vocational trainings under the EU-WFP joint project, of which 10,000 have launched and are currently sustaining their own income-generating projects through an ongoing revolving loan mechanism managed by partner non-governmental organisations.

Currently, the government of Egypt and WFP are scaling up their joint support to vulnerable communities to reach a total of 500 villages by 2023, aligning with the Presidential Decent Life Initiative, which aims to support a total of 1,500 villages in Egypt.

I am very proud of the strong partnership we have built over the years with the EU, the results of which we have continued to foster and are still able to witness to this day. Together we have worked on changing the lives of many vulnerable families in Egypt through two key elements: empowerment and sustainability, said WFP Representative and Country Director in Egypt Menghestab Haile.

Today more than ever, as the entire world struggles to deal with the negative impact of the pandemic, I believe that we must all join hands to [alleviate] some of the burdens that COVID-19 has had on millions of people by implementing a household-centered rural development approach, she added.

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The Egyptian Financial Supervisory Authority (EFSA) has warned citizens against trading in bitcoins or taking part in any bitcoin subscription operations aiming at collecting money from citizens.

In a statement Wednesday, EFSA warned that trading in bitcoin constitutes trickery to the official monetary system and its regulations.

It added that it did not give permissions to any quarter to legalize the use of such coins, pointing out that a call by some investors to deal with such coins to make profits is part of deception which is punishable by law.

It added that the Egyptian stock exchange and the bourse of small and medium enterprises known as Nile bourse are the only legal markets for securities transaction.

It appealed to investors not to trade in illegal coins in order to protect their investments and not to fall prey to hackers

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Egypt is known for its enriched and large civilization that evolved more than 5000 years ago. It is one of the oldest and exceptional civilizations. Following the ancient civilizational roots, Egypt has emerged as an important state in todays changing dynamics of international affairs. For over more than a decade, Egypt's internal policies have been strengthened due to its structural reforms and gradual transformation. From domestic policies to international economic market-orientated policies, the country has been encouraged by many initiatives. The state is a hub of intensive tourist activities. The Egyptian pyramids, one of the wonders of the world, attract many foreigners. The state has immense potential and is known for its thriving economy and wonderful civilization.

Egypt is leaving no stone unturned to promote women rights. Therefore, the prudent and triumphant strategies of the Government provide a glaring manifestation of the growing prominence of Egyptian women as a substantial player in the nation-building process. The women empowerment initiatives and achievements are the outcomes of far-sighted policies of the Egyptian Government. The country views womens participation as an integral part of the national development process. In this aspect, the transformative measures have been taken by the administration for gender equality that is credible to highlight. In the following lines, a comprehensive prelude of Egypts exultant measures and startling policies is given depicting a clear understanding of their promotion of womens rights. The article highlights the process of women empowerment that has evolved in the last two generations. The study further analyzes the constructive policies taken by the Government to bring women participation in the streamline and in the private-public sector.

Women Status in Egypt vis-a-vis Women Empowerment Strategies

Women have always been the backbone of the family and the main pillar of the sustainable social structure. Women have continued to remain an integral part of maintaining the nations heritage and cultural identity. Women empowerment is a primary focus of the global community in the developmental efforts and multiple other dimensions related to gender equality. It can be defined as promoting womens sense of self-worth, their ability to determine their own choices, and their right to influence social change for themselves and others. Egypt held women in high position and provided them balanced status with men. Ancient Egyptian women possessed equal legal and political rights, reflected by Egyptian art and manuscripts. Historically, a lot of Egyptian women ruled the country as queens and pharaohs.

In present times, Egypt is ensuring gender equality and the provision of women rights. Egyptian women play a pivotal part in the countrys policy orientation process, economic development in each sector. Therefore, Egyptian society has evolved outrightly in a positive way that has created a vibrant and inclusive society with more participation of women in every walk of life.Women participation paved the way for the countrys structural reforms and established progressive ways for broader inclusion in political matters.

The Governments vision is to provide necessary tools and learnings, which enable women to achieve professional excellence. In the Egyptian 2014 constitution, the legal framework for women was extended for the first time. In this aspect, Chapter 3, Article 51 dedicated to ensuring public rights, freedom and human dignity. Therefore, ensuring equal status for women is highly significant for the Egyptian Government. The administrations strategies emphasis on addressing women's issues regarding multiple aspects, i.e., equal opportunities or allocatinga quarter of the seats of local councils for women in a number of areas. For example, social-political rights, social security services, prevent discrimination, protection against all forms of violence, and women's empowerment.

Significant Role of National Council for Women (NCW) in Egypt:

The role of NCW is vital to examine for the betterment and encouragement of Egyptian women. The organization has played a pivotal role in policy orientation and ensuring a quality life for women in every segment. It aims to bring all women of the state under the ambit of NCW to promote gender equality and ensure womens rights. In 2021, the organization has introduced Womens Empowerment and Financial and Economic Inclusion in Rural Egypt: Covid-19 Response program. The recently launched program enables women to counter the financial obstacles because of the Covid-19 pandemic. In this aspect, the inclusion of Egyptian women vis-a-vis economic and financial empowerment would massively benefit them.

Egypt was the worlds first country to issue a policy paper on Egypts Rapid Response to Womens Situation during the COVID-19 Outbreak, which explained the condition of women and helped shape the national response to the pandemic. Moreover, the program provides them multiple opportunities to integrate for the socio-economic benefits in different sectors including, digitalization and Information & Communication Technology (ICT). Therefore, the program would be highly significant regarding mastery of new skills and techniques. Moreover, promoting women in various fields including, health, education, business, medical, Information Technology (IT), political system, decision-making process, is the main focus of the National Council for Women (NCW).

Each Governmental policy is based on supporting women and finding the best possible way to tackle their issues. Women's economic empowerment is one of Egypt's top national priorities, in line with the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women 2030. It is backed by a genuine political will of the Government which sincerely believes that empowering women means empowering the whole community. In this aspect, the main features are as follows:

Introducing productive opportunities or national programs to build womens capacity and raise competitiveness in the workforce.

Providing opportunities for women to integrate them into the business sector and entrepreneurship.

Launching media campaigns for public awareness and eradicate gender inequality.

Conducting surveys and public opinion polls that provide gender-disaggregated data serves as an updated input to the policymaking process and the evaluation of interventions.

Egypts Vision 2030: A Brief Prelude of Sustainable Policy Objectives

The Egyptian vision 2030 is a national agenda launched in 2016. The robust agenda reflects the states long-term plan to achieve strategic and sustainable development, adhering to the core objectives in all sectors. The integrated vision has been adopted by many developmental institutions paving the way for socio-economic and sustainable development. The grand agenda also encapsulatesthe national Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women 2030. The broader pillars of the vision 2030 are as follows:

Improving living standards of the Egyptian citizens Ensuring the competitive and robust economic structure Justice, social inclusion and broader engagements Knowledge, innovation, technological advancement, research & development Sustainable Eco-system Governance of state and strong institutional mechanism Ensuring peace and security Strengthening Egyptian leadership

Egypts Successful Policy Measures

Egypt has settled an excellent precedent in promoting womens rights and making them vital pillar to contribute to the nations building. Under current dynamic leadership, Egypt is fully committed to ensuring gender equality and considers it a prerequisite for developing a modern and progressive society. Therefore, the leadership believes that there are no roadblocks in the way of womens ambitious socio-economic goals, for which the sky is the limit. The visionary leadership is fully aware that the positive progress of their women and active participation in the very field would pave the way for their inclusive socio-economic and political development.

*The writer is the Executive Director of the Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad.

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Soficopharm, an Egyptian pharmaceutical company, announced it has obtained exclusive partnership for the distribution of the American brand Now Foods in Egypt.

Now Foods was founded in 1968 in the US with several factories and facilities in Canada and the US.

Now Foods products are renowned for their exceptional product quality, achieved through vast industry knowledge, innovative production techniques, and diligent quality control.

The company conducts over 16,000 tests a month to ensure the high quality of its products.

According to the contract, Now Foods' products will be available in Egypt at affordable prices. Immunity products will be the first to market, with more products to follow.

This is the latest of many agency contracts obtained by Soficopharm for the import and distribution of pharmaceutical products and medical devices in Egypt.

Over the last half century, Soficopharm has used its expertise in the medical field to continuously secure new deals for the provision of high quality pharmaceutical products and medical devices. Its success over the past half century has been secured through a relentless dedication to introduce innovative products, to improve and support the health of the Egyptian population.

The agency of the Now Foods represents a huge achievement not only for Soficopharm, but for the Egyptian population as a whole. While historically, Now Foods could have been unofficially available on the Egyptian market, this unofficial provision of the products bore several risks to the end consumers, including harmful product storage, diminished-quality, questionable-authenticity, and inflated prices. The new deal with Soficopharm ensures that the product quality is maintained and bears no risk to the Egyptian consumer.

The official deal with Soficopharm ensures that all imported products will be diligently supervised under government agencies, comply with National Foods Safety Authority standards, and that products are competitively priced.

The launch event was held at a Cairo hotel, headed by the COO and team of Soficopharm, in the attendance of officials from the National Food Safety Authority and public figures.

This event marks the beginning of the launch of many vitamins, nutritional supplements, personal care, and other Now Foods products, which will serve, support, and improve the health of Egyptians with the highest quality products.

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Making the Covid-19 vaccine at home to cover the needs of Egypts population and export it to African nations is part of Egypts strategy to contain the pandemic.

On 21 May, Egypt received 1,400 litres of raw material required for manufacturing the Chinese Sinovac vaccine. The batch, the first to arrive in Cairo, would be sufficient to produce two million doses within two months. A further amount will soon be shipped to produce more than 40 million doses by the end of this year.

According to Khaled Megahed, the spokesman of the Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt intends to produce annually 40 to 60 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine. Megahed noted that last month the Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA) signed two agreements with the Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac to manufacture the vaccine. Both agreements stipulate that the Chinese company would transfer the technology required to manufacture the vaccine and would secure for Egypt all technical information related to the companys vaccine and provide technical assistance. Technical assistance will include examining VACSERAs factories and testing the final product and means of manufacturing, Megahed said.

Megahed said the vaccines production process includes several stages: testing the raw materials by the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA); packaging the vaccine; issuing an approval and carrying out stability studies; and conducting efficiency tests by the EDA. After meeting Egypts own needs, vaccines produced in Egypt will be exported to other countries in the Middle East and Africa to help fight the pandemic, Megahed said.

Heba Wali, head of VACSERA, said a team of Chinese scientists had arrived in Egypt prior to the vaccines shipment to work on the production process as well as transfer their technology to Egyptian experts. The Chinese, who will stay in Egypt for three weeks, will supervise the production of the first two million doses. The government is totally supporting us as it has provided VACSERA with LE750 million for manufacturing the vaccine, Wali said.

Megahed also said Egypts leading pharmaceutical company Minapharm reached an agreement late last month with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to produce 40 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine. The agreement to produce the vaccine includes Minapharms Berlin-based subsidiary ProBioGen AG which will undertake efforts for process optimisation to increase the production scale, taking advantage of its expertise in viral vector technology and manufacturing process development for vaccines and gene therapy.

According to a press release issued by Minapharm, the production of the 40 million annual doses which will start soon will take place in its Cairo biotech facility for global distribution.

Egypt has already received 1.7 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine and 600,000 doses of the Chinese Sinopharm. These were provided as part of the global Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) initiative which aims at equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines directed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and the World Health Organisation.

Egypt also received a gift shipment from the UAE of 50,000 Sinopharm doses, thus bringing the countrys supply of Covid-19s various vaccines to five million doses.

Around 1.8 million people have been vaccinated against the deadly virus in Egypt out of a total of 3.5 million who have registered to receive the inoculation via a website set up by the Ministry of Health and Population for Egyptians 18 years and older (https://egcovac.mohp.gov.eg/#/home)

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Update: 26-05-2021 | 12:18:20

On May 24, Binh Duong province held a ceremony to receive the support from P&G Vietnam Company for the COVID-19 prevention control work. Attending the ceremony were Nguyen Hoang Thao, Deputy Secretary of Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of Provincial People's Committee; Nguyen Loc Ha, Member of Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of Provincial People's Committee.

Nguyen Hoang Thao (right) hands over the board of golden heart of humanity to P&G Vietnam Company.

At the ceremony, Sai Ramana Ponugoti, General Director of P&G Vietnam Company, presented more than VND 3.5 billion (including VND 3 billion in cash and more than VND 500 million in goods) to Provincial Red Cross Association to support the prevention and control of COVID-19 in the province.

Before that, in March 2021, P&G Vietnam Company had joined hands for the anti-COVID work, namely doanted goods worth over 800 million VND to provincial Red Cross.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Nguyen appreciated and acknowledged the companionship and support of P&G Vietnam Company to Binh Duong during the past time. He also added that over the first 5 months of 2021, foreign investment in Binh Duong increased by $1.252 billion compared to the same period 2020. This is a proud record, because amidst the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, Binh Duong still retained its growth rate.

In particular, this year, Binh Duong was ranked 4th by the international community in terms of Economic Development Edge Index. Binh Duong province no longer has poor households, the average income per capita is the highest in the country (over 7 million VND/person/month). These figures show that the province's economic development has accompanied social security guarantee.

On behalf of leadership and people of Binh Duong province, he respectfully acknowledged the golden heart of P&G Vietnam Company, and affirmed that Binh Duong province is always ready to meet, solve difficulties of businesses, assist businesses on their path of development.

Reported by Kim Ha - Translated by Ngoc Huynh
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Ahmed Al-Mandhari, World Health Organisation (WHO) regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, was appointed in June 2018. Prior to taking the post Al-Mandhari, an Omani national, was director-general of the Quality Assurance Centre at the Omani Ministry of Health.

His public health priorities include health emergencies including disease outbreaks, communicable and non-communicable diseases, health system strengthening and maternal, and child health.

In this interview with Al-Ahram Weekly, Al-Mandhari warns of the dangers of coronavirus mutations, and the importance of a coordinated global framework to adapt vaccines, diagnostic tests, treatments, and prevention measures.

How do you evaluate health policy measures in Egypt to combat the pandemic?

Egypt, like many other countries in the region, has made great efforts since the beginning of the pandemic. There are many challenges which health systems are working to overcome, not least societal laxity in dealing with the pandemic, a result of boredom and exhaustion engendered by the longevity of the pandemic, compounded by a false sense of security after the emergence of vaccines. The emergence of new strains of the virus has led to faster transmission. Some people are reluctant to take the vaccine, and rumour and misinformation has had a negative impact.

We recommend that countries continue applying public health and preventive measures with the same degree of seriousness and commitment they did at the beginning of the pandemic. One very positive step Egypt has taken is to start manufacturing Covid-19 vaccines to cover the countrys urgent needs.

How will you be able to vaccinate 20 per cent of the population of the Eastern Mediterranean region by the end of the year?

COVAX is an initiative led by the WHO, together with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and UNICEF.

The COVAX Facility coordinates the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, and their equitable distribution in all countries and regions regardless of the economic situation of individual states. To date, more than 190 countries have joined the COVAX Facility. All countries in the region are members, either as self-financing states or within the framework of the pre-purchase commitment initiative launched by GAVI which provides financial support to eligible countries so that they can purchase the vaccine.

The facility has so far provided 65 million doses to 124 countries. Most countries in the region have received vaccine shares, and the aim is to provide enough vaccines to meet 20 per cent of eligible states needs.

The region has so far received 50 million doses, with huge variations between countries. At least 300 million doses are needed to vaccinate the most vulnerable and at-risk groups, which represent 20 per cent of the population. Vaccine availability depends on countries and manufacturers fulfilling their obligations, and steadily increasing the speed and volume of deliveries.

We also need to partner with high-income countries to make available any surplus vaccine supplies. We call on manufacturers to publicly commit to assisting any country that wants to share its vaccines with COVAX to lift contractual barriers within days, not months. The organisation welcomes recent news that several countries will donate vaccines to the COVAX Facility. We want to see speedy delivery of additional doses across the region.

In absence of a more equitable distribution of vaccines, what does the WHO recommend for less fortunate countries?

Disparity in the distribution of vaccines is not specific to the region but a global problem. There are grave concerns over the consequence of depriving high-priority groups of vaccines while provision to lower priority groups is expanded. Disparities have reached unacceptable levels. Vaccination rates have reached 80 per cent of the population in some countries and less than one per cent of the population in others.

One reason for this is the low level of vaccine supply to the COVAX Facility. The increase in case numbers has fed demand and there will be a shortfall of 190 million doses by the end of June. While we appreciate the work of some manufacturers to increase the speed and volume of deliveries we need other manufacturers to follow suit and make deliveries as soon as possible.

What are WHOs recommendations regarding Covid-19 mutations in India?

Some of these mutations limit the ability to deactivate the virus, which may affect control measures, including vaccines. Virus mutations require a rapid and coordinated global response. The WHO is leading discussions to form a global decision network to adapt vaccines, diagnostic tests, treatments, prevention measures and other tools if needed. It is imperative to improve the ability of all countries to perform genome sequencing. What distinguishes Egypt and the 13 countries in the region is their ability to monitor genome sequences and detect pathogenic mutations.

What is your take on the varying efficacy of approved vaccines?

All vaccines that have been authorised for use in emergencies by the Strategic Group on Vaccines at the WHO have proven safe and effective after careful and comprehensive evaluation and study. Comparisons between the vaccines in terms of efficacy do not indicate any large difference in the degree of effectiveness.

What is your take on re-vaccinating people periodically?

Extensive studies are needed on the timeline of immunity that current vaccines give. There is, too, the possibility Covid-19 could turn into a seasonal virus the characteristics of which change from one season to another, in which case re-vaccination will be needed.

When will there be more effective treatments for the coronavirus?

Some countries have announced promising new treatments but we do not have sufficient evidence/information. Until we do we will continue to develop palliative treatment protocols that deal with the symptoms of the disease, reduce its complications, improve the general condition of patients and thus aid recovery.

What is your assessment of the precautionary measures taken across the region in recent months?

We still have a long way to go. Many countries have yet to receive sufficient doses to vaccinate most at-risk groups. As of 23 May, the region had reported more than 9.8 million cases and 198,000 deaths. While some countries are reporting a decrease in cases and deaths, the virus continues to infect and kill people every day across the region and there are worrisome new mutations in many countries.

Given the political instability in some countries in the region, what actions can be taken to limit the spread of viral infections and increase vaccine provision?

In our fight against this pandemic, we either win together, or we all lose. And there have been positive aspects in terms of strengthening health systems, supplementing capabilities that were lacking, and activating preparedness plans. We believe that health systems now have a better chance to respond to the pandemic than they did, and they must take advantage of the global momentum and the spirit of solidarity. There is a growing conviction that success in ending the pandemic rests on providing low-income countries, countries in conflict and vulnerable groups with the required healthcare.

After more than a year of intense focus on the pandemic, have other health programmes suffered from a diversion of funds?

Among the major repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic is its negative impact on health programmes and efforts to provide basic health services, especially in countries where the health sector was already weak. The economic fallout from the pandemic affected many countries ability to meet their health financing needs. In an early stage of the pandemic WHO stressed the importance of balancing efforts between responding to the pandemic and continuing basic health programmes. Among the programmes that have been neglected are vital vaccination campaigns against other diseases, including polio, and this is something that must be remedied as soon as possible.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Qatari Foreign Minister Mohamed bin Abdel-Rahman Al-Thani arrived in Cairo on Tuesday on his first exclusively bilateral visit following a four-year diplomatic standoff.

Al-Thani visited Cairo for the first time in March this year to participate in an Arab foreign ministers meeting at the headquarters of the Arab League, and during his trip he met with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri for talks which Egyptian diplomats described at the time as thorough and candid.

In June 2017, Egypt joined the Emiratis, Saudis, and Bahrainis in imposing a boycott on Qatar to retaliate what the four aligned capitals characterised as Dohas destructive regional policies, its intervention in their internal affairs, and support of terrorist groups.

In January this year, during a summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the Saudi city of Al-Ula, which Shoukri attended, a process of reconciliation was launched. The consensus among Arab and Western diplomats said that the GCC reconciliation had become inevitable following the November 2020 election of Joe Biden as US president.

A few days after the GCC summit, Qatari Minister of Finance Ali bin Sherif Al-Amadi arrived in Cairo for a brief visit. He took part in the inauguration of a hotel owned by a Qatari company alongside his Egyptian counterpart Mohamed Maait and the then US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin.

In the months that followed Shoukri made a few cautiously positive statements on Egyptian-Qatari relations. Egypt, he said, is willing to pursue closer relations with Qatar on the basis of mutual respect of national sovereignty and national interests.

Ending tit-for-tat media attacks was bilaterally agreed during the Shoukri-Thani talks in March and according to concerned Egyptian officials both Cairo and Doha have honoured the deal.

In a significant shift in the Egyptian position towards Qatari-owned and operated Al-Jazeera satellite channel, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez briefed the broadcaster on Egypts diplomatic and security mediation to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.

According to Egyptian government sources, Cairo and Doha coordinated with both Hamas and Israel to help secure the ceasefire. The same officials said last weeks cooperation was not the first time that the two countries had cooperated over Gaza. Even during the years of boycott Cairo worked with Doha to improve the humanitarian situation in the Strip.

Egypt is working with regional and international partners to consolidate the ceasefire and launch a reconstruction plan for the devastated Strip which has sustained enormous damage to its infrastructure during the Israeli aggressions of 2008, 2012, 2014, and this year. Qatar is a key donor to the Hamas government which has been running Gaza since 2016.

Egypts change in posture towards Qatar has been mirrored by Cairos changing attitude towards Dohas strongest regional ally, Ankara.

Earlier this month a Turkish delegation arrived in Egypt for talks, the first significant sign of a thaw since relations soured in the summer of 2013.

Any rapprochement, however, remains cautious and conditional. As with Qatar, Egypt and Turkey agreed to end reciprocal media attacks. Egypt also demanded the suspension of attacks on its regime by Egyptian fugitives who fled to Turkey in 2013. The demands, Egyptian officials say, were promptly accommodated, leading to this months meeting between the deputy foreign ministers of the two countries. A ministerial meeting is being considered for the summer.

Despite the thaw in relations with both Ankara and Doha, an upgrade of diplomatic representation  downgraded, respectively, in 2013 and 2017  is unlikely to be immediate.

In the summer Cairo will be announcing new ambassadorial postings and according to an informed Foreign Ministry source neither Qatar nor Turkey are on the list. I am not saying it will not happen. I am saying that so far it might not happen. It all depends on political developments before the nominations are announced, he said.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Due to the latest developments in the Gaza Strip Egypt will allocate $500 million for the reconstruction of the Palestinian coastal enclave. Egyptian specialised companies will participate in the reconstruction work, the Egyptian presidency announced on its Facebook page on 18 May.

President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisis initiative was warmly welcomed in Egyptian political and business circles. The House of Representatives issued a statement saying it fully supported the move and that Egyptian companies should begin preparing themselves now in order to make use of the $500 million initiative and start reconstruction in Gaza.

On 20 May the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI) said private sector companies were mobilising to take advantage of the $500 million initiative while the FEI was coordinating with the relevant government departments over how best to implement the initiative and help the people in Gaza.

Tarek Shoukri, deputy chairman of parliaments Housing Committee, said Arab Gulf countries were expected to be the first to extend financial help to the Palestinians in Gaza following its bloody 11-day war with Israel, adding that Egypts contribution had both strategic and humanitarian aspects.

War in Gaza means extremism and terrorist threats for Egypt, while peace means security and prosperity for both Egypt and the Palestinians, said Shoukri.

Shoukri, who is also head of the Chamber of Real Estate Development at the FEI, said the $500 million is most likely to be spent on reconstruction work implemented by Egyptian companies.

Omar Sabbour, a member of the Association of Egyptian Businessmen, said the stipulation that Egyptian companies implement reconstruction projects in Gaza reflects the president and the governments keenness to allow national companies to play a leading role in development projects not just in Gaza but across the Arab world, the Middle East, and Africa.

He added that a business and government delegation should visit Gaza soon to estimate the damage caused by the Israeli aggression on housing and public utilities and underlined the extensive experience of local companies in implementing reconstruction work in Arab countries  Libya, Iraq and Syria  devastated by conflict.

United Nations officials say intense Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip damaged housing, health, education and energy facilities, killed more than 230 Palestinians, including 65 children, damaged 17 hospitals, and water pipes, and wrecked water and sewage systems. The UN estimates more than 100,000 people lost their homes, and 800,000 now live without piped water. The UN childrens agency UNICEF has calculated that at least $2 billion will be needed to repair the damage.

Ahmed Hossam Awad, a member of the Reconstruction and Building Committee at the Egyptian Businessmen Association, argues that Gazas proximity means Egyptian companies enjoy a competitive advantage when it comes to undertaking construction projects in the Strip and local real estate developers, house builders, contractors, and building material suppliers are all poised to help out. He pointed out that the private sector is already heavily involved in carrying out giant projects like the building of the New Administrative Capital and would make use of its accumulated expertise in Gaza.

Reconstruction work in Gaza must initially focus on rehabilitating basic infrastructure, particularly water and sewage stations, says Awad, while other major work remains contingent on a political solution to the conflict.

Ibrahim Al-Arabi, head of the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, believes the initiative will give a much needed to boost to local cement, iron and steel producers by Israel must first lift its blockade in order to facilitate the entry of these materials.

The $500 million initiative also includes training programmes for Palestinians in implementing development programmes, to be provided by the National Training Academy (NTA), in partnership with major international institutions.

Meanwhile, four political parties  Mostaqbal Watan (Future of the Homeland), the Guardians of the Nation, the Peoples Republican Party, and the Political Parties Youth Coordination Committee teamed up this week to send humanitarian aid convoys to Gaza.

Ashraf Rashad, Mostaqbal Watan deputy chairman, said the convoys will complement the $500 million presidential initiative and 210 trucks loaded with food and medical supplies had already been dispatched.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Egypt, this week, continued with its intensive shuttle diplomacy to secure the ceasefire between the Palestinian factions and Israel that came into effect on Friday. As two Egyptian intelligence delegations continued talks in Gaza, Ramallah and Tel Aviv, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri flew to Amman to meet with King Abdulluh II, and then to Ramallah for a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

According to informed sources, Egypt is trying to promote a comprehensive roadmap that looks beyond safeguards against renewed hostilities to a revival of the long-stalled peace process, a major reconstruction drive in Gaza, and Palestinian-Palestinian reconciliation. These efforts have proceeded in tandem with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to the region which took in Cairo, Tel Aviv, Ramallah and Amman.

Cairo has been encouraged in its efforts by close contacts with Washington in recent days, including two phone calls between US President Joe Biden and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi. In addition to the Palestinian question, the two heads-of-state discussed the crisis surrounding the Grand Ethiopian renaissance Dam (GERD), progress in the interim phase in Libya and human rights, according to the statement released by the Egyptian Presidency.

On peace-making efforts, presidential Spokesman Bassam Radi said Al-Sisi and Biden discussed the latest developments concerning the Palestinian question, ways to revive the peace process following recent events, how to bolster the ceasefire the Palestinian and Israeli sides reached thanks to Egyptian mediation and total American support, and international efforts to set in motion the reconstruction of Gaza and supply urgent humanitarian relief to the people there.

Radi added that the US president expressed his determination to help restore calm in the Palestinian territories and work closely with international partners to support the Palestinian government and the reconstruction process.

Biden also reaffirmed his governments appreciation for the efforts of President Al-Sisi and Egypts intelligence agencies in brokering the recent ceasefire, adding that he looked forward to continued consultations and coordination on these matters. President Al-Sisi, for his part, reaffirmed the strong and strategic nature of the Egyptian-US bilateral relationship and stressed that Egypt would continue to strive to strengthen it in the spirit of shared interests and mutual respect.

In addition to securing the ceasefire, the mediating efforts of Egypts intelligence agencies focused on the reconstruction of Gaza. Israel opposes the transfer of Qatari funds to Gaza at this stage and is insisting reconstruction funding be channelled through the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Ramallah in coordination with Israel. Israeli Chief-of-Staff Aviv Kochavi has stressed the need for a special mechanism to ensure that any funding channelled through the PA goes directly to its intended recipients in Gaza.

Palestinian reports suggest Hamas agrees in principle to the PA role in Gaza, though sources in Cairo say the matter is still under study.

The Egyptian delegation is now back in Tel Aviv after a second meeting in Ramallah. The result of the talks in Israel were expected to be high on the agenda of Egyptian-Qatari discussions. The Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed Bin Abdel- Rahman Al Thani, arrived in Cairo on Tuesday to meet with his Egyptian counterpart. Doha has pledged $30 million per month to pay the salaries of public sector employees in Gaza.

Israel claims that it has to monitor reconstruction assistance into Gaza not just to ensure that the money does not end up in Hamas's hands, but also to prevent an influx of dual-purpose materials that could be used for military ends. Shortly before the recent war Israeli media reported that Israeli authorities had thwarted an attempt to smuggle gold ingots, painted to look like wood and concealed in vegetable crates, between Gaza and the West Bank. Such reports have been cited as justification for tightening the blockade of Gaza and restrictions on Hamas and the other Palestinian resistance factions.

Hamas has presented a proposal calling for the creation of a National Reconstruction Commission. It believes the process should not be controlled by the PA alone, pointing out that some aid will be directed to Gaza in Hamas's name by sympathetic and supportive Islamic organisations and governments. Khaled Mashaal, the former head of Hamas's politburo abroad, adamantly opposes the transfer of reconstruction funding to Gaza via the PA and insists it should be channelled directly through Hamas.

Washington has said that it will work with the UN to help coordinate funding through the PA and that there are no grounds for the international community to accept Hamass demand. The UN is expected to sponsor an international conference on Gaza reconstruction soon.

Another crucial topic in the talks is the situation in Sheikh Jarrah, the East Jerusalem neighbourhood where the eviction of several Palestinian families from their homes sparked wider protests and unrest that spread throughout the occupied territories, including to Al-Aqsa Mosque. Hamas Spokesman Abdel-Latif Al-Qanou said that Hamas and other Palestinian factions discussed the situation with the Egyptian delegation on Sunday. All means of confrontation will remain open in the event that the Israeli occupation and its settlers invade the Al-Aqsa sanctuary, he said, before cautioning against the folly of returning to the causes that ignited the situation in Jerusalem.

During his visit to Jordan, Foreign Minister Shoukri referred to the Jordanian custodianship of Islamic and Christian Holy sites in Jerusalem, a Hashemite legacy inherited by the Jordanian Royal Family. Cairo has made it clear that Israel must not repeat its acts of aggression and violations of the rights of Arab residents in Jerusalem, which were one of the fuses of the recent war. Cairo, in coordination with Amman, will most likely prevail on international powers, the US above all, to pressure Israel into halting such violations. The blockade that Israel has imposed on the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood could reignite the situation, Shoukri warned.

So far, it appears that the main thrust of mediating efforts has worked. The ceasefire is holding, in large measure thanks to Egyptian guarantees and international and regional support. If other subjects are still under discussion, all signs point to the desire of stakeholders to move to a more durable situation.

Inter-Palestinian rifts, however, and the standstill in the Palestinian reconciliation drive and strains within the PA itself after the cancellation of scheduled elections, are inevitably casting a shadow over the already complicated talks. As it patiently works to overcome the difficulties, Cairo is grateful to the support it has received from many parties, especially Washington which, under Biden, has shifted away from Trumps counterproductive Deal of the Century project towards a drive to revive a genuine peace process.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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This week US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was scheduled to make his first visit to Cairo as part of a 48-hour tour of the region. Blinken began his visit in Israel before going to Ramallah. Following Cairo he was scheduled to travel to Amman, the last stop of his four-leg tour.The visit of the US secretary of state, the first to the Middle East since the inauguration of the Biden administration in January, comes less than a week after Egypt managed, with the help of the US and other international players, to bring an end to Israels assault on Gaza which over 11 days had devastated the Strips already weakened infrastructure, left hundreds dead and thousands homeless.According to a US State Department briefing on the eve of the tour, Blinkens tour aimed to rebuild and address the underlying causes that led to this crisis by advancing equal measures of freedom, security, and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians alike in tangible ways.In press statements earlier in the week Blinken said the Biden administration is under no illusion that long-stalled peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis can be jumpstarted. Hours before the US secretary of state arrived in the region, however, an informed Egyptian official said that while Cairo is aware that it will not be easy to kick-start talks between Palestinians and Israel, the issue should be high on the agenda of concerned capitals.Without a political process, and as long as the underlying issues remain unresolved, we will remain stuck with the possibility of violence erupting. This is the key message we want to convey to Blinken, he said.On Monday, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri visited Amman and Ramallah where he held talks with both King Abdullah and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The talks, informed sources say, aimed to coordinate an Arab stance on ideas to be put to Blinken. Shoukri was also set to have talks on the same issue in Cairo with his Qatari counterpart Mohamed bin Abdel-Rahman Al-Thani ahead of the Blinken visit.The US secretary of state is basically on a reconnaissance tour, say Egyptian officials, and will listen to ideas from all concerned parties on what can be done to achieve a two-step process facilitating stability on the Palestinian-Israeli front. The first step, they add, involves consolidating the fragile ceasefire concluded late last week, while the second includes a slow and controlled reconstruction process in Gaza, as part of the ceasefire consolidation mechanism, leading to a relaunch of peace talks that were suspended over a decade ago.Both the reconstruction of Gaza and the relaunch of possible peace talks face obstacles. Israel and the US are both demanding guarantees that Hamas does not benefit in any way from the reconstruction. Before the EU commits to a thorough reconstruction, Brussels wants to see a political process in the works so that whatever is rebuilt is not destroyed in yet another round of conflict. Compounding the situation is the ongoing rift between Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2006, and the Palestinian Authority (PA).The relaunch of a political process is not something Israel is willing to entertain now. There is a lack of political will to re-engage as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads towards a new round of legislative elections this autumn, the fifth in less than two years. Nor is PA leader Abbas in a position to engage in any political process with an Israeli government that has just inflicted a massive humanitarian crisis on Gaza and is allowing hostilities against Palestinians in Jerusalem to continue.Egypt, according to one informed official, has some ideas on how to navigate through the coming weeks in a way that could allow the start of a reconstruction process that accommodates the political and security priorities of all concerned parties and maybe paves the way forward to the relaunch of a political process even if, at the onset, it is not at the highest level.He said Cairo hopes to secure US support for ideas that have already been discussed with other regional and international players.We worked with the Biden administration to secure the ceasefire and we are going to work together to consolidate this ceasefire and launch the reconstruction plan and political process, he said. We knew the Middle East was not a priority for this administration but the developments of the past few weeks have shown everyone that the situation requires prompt attention.The pursuit of a peaceful settlement to the Arab-Israeli struggle has long been central to Egyptian-American relations. During his first phone call with President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi late last week Biden praised the role Egypt played in securing a ceasefire, while Al-Sisi commended the intervention of Washington and pledged to work closely with the US to promote peace on the basis of a two-state solution.This week, in a US State Department briefing, officials said Washington will be working with Egypt and other Middle East partners to open a new chapter in US engagement with the Middle East.In addition to the highly volatile situation in Gaza, Egypt and the US have been discussing other issues of bilateral interest: the security and political situation in Libya, developments in the Horn of Africa, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam dispute, and bilateral economic and military cooperation.Egyptian officials say that despite the apprehension that prevailed in Cairo following the defeat of Donald Trump by Biden, Egypt has been getting along pretty well with the new US administration. Military cooperation is going to plan, an arms deal has been approved, and political consultations on regional economic and political issues are being conducted, even if not at the highest level. Nor has the Biden administration been abrasive or confrontational in discussing differences.Egyptian officials do not even anticipate friction with Washington over the state of human rights in Egypt. We know that this administration is a lot more committed than the previous administration to the issue of human rights as part of its overall foreign policy parameters, but we are about to launch our new Human Rights Strategy, possibly before the end of next month, and we are already making progress on socio-economic rights, said a concerned official.What Cairo expects, say officials, is a solid, businesslike relationship with Washington in which both parties focus on mutual interests and try to mitigate differences: tellingly, perhaps, following two phone calls with the US president, Al-Sisi posted a statement on his Facebook account praising Bidens pragmatic and down-to-earth take on regional and bilateral issues.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Egypts foreign and irrigation ministers say that although a negotiated agreement over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) remains their goal Cairo is ready for all scenarios. While their statements had a reassuring effect on public opinion, anxiety still prevails over Ethiopias continued intransigence.

Ethiopias Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen said on 20 May that a second filling of the GERD reservoir, planned in July and August, will be conducted as scheduled with or without an agreement. Mekonnen accused Egypt and Sudan of attempting to exert unnecessary pressure on Ethiopia, not least through the internationalisation and politicisation of technical issues concerning the dam.

In response, Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri on Saturday said the Ethiopian statement indicates intransigence, is an attempt to impose a fait accompli, and is not even accurate.

If there is internationalisation, then it has happened with the consent of Ethiopia and the involvement of the African Union [AU]... Moreover, Ethiopia agreed and participated willingly in the [GERD] negotiations last year in Washington, Shoukri said in a telephone interview with MBC Masr.

While Addis Ababa argues the GERD issue is a matter of Ethiopian national sovereignty, Shoukri made it clear that there is no sovereignty when it comes to an international river. The foreign minister also stressed that Egypt would not accept harm caused by irresponsible behaviour, and would steadfastly defend its water rights.

Egypts Irrigation Minister Mohamed Abdel-Ati reaffirmed on Sunday in an interview with ON E channel that we still have hopes of reaching an agreement because other solutions will be difficult, and we do not want difficult solutions.

While Abdel-Ati reiterated that Egypt has been pursuing a policy of cooperation in the Nile Basin for more than 10 years, Ethiopia has consistently been an obstacle in this regard, Hani Raslan, an expert at Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, told Al-Ahram Weekly. The minister stressed that Egypt is not a hostile country and does not seek war, but if it happens it will be the result of Ethiopian intransigence, added Raslan.

Ethiopias insistence on pushing things to the brink risks causing instability in the region.

Ethiopia is trying to secure the maximum concessions from Egypt and Sudan, says African affairs expert Attia Essawi. It is also buying time ahead of elections scheduled for 21 June.

Throughout the decade-long negotiations, Abdel-Ati said Egypt had proposed 15 scenarios, each one of which guaranteed that GERD would continue to generate at least 80 per cent of its electricity output even during the worst droughts, and Ethiopia rejected them all.

Ethiopia does not want an agreement. If it did, Addis Ababa would have signed the Washington agreement last year, the irrigation minister said.

The US and the World Bank had stepped in to sponsor GERD talks from November 2019 till February 2020 which resulted in a draft agreement. Ethiopia then skipped the signing meeting in February, citing domestic reasons.

In April, Irrigation Ministry Spokesman Mohamed Ghanem said Egypt was not against the filling of GERDs 74 bcm reservoir but wanted the process to be flexible while Addis Ababa continued to insist on a fixed timetable, regardless of whether there was plenty of water or drought.

Does Ethiopia intend to complete GERDs second filling with 13.5 bcm in July and August by halting the flow of the Blue Nile for two months, causing the river to dry up, wreaking havoc on water and electricity supplies in Sudan and also harming Egypt, asks Nader Noureddin, professor of agriculture and water resources at Cairo University.

Or will it exploit the five-long flood months that last till November and divide the amount so harm on the two downstream countries is minimised?

Shoukri says Cairo is still trying to reactivate AU-sponsored negotiations by pushing an earlier Egyptian-Sudanese proposal to upgrade the role of the AU, US and EU observers to mediators who can actively participate in the talks, facilitate negotiations, and bridge gaps.

IS AN AGREEMENT ON THE HORIZON?

Experts are divided. Some believe an agreement is still within reach, while others think Ethiopias stubbornness over a decade has derailed the possibility of a negotiated settlement.

In his recent tour of the region, says Essawi, US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman made proposals that aimed at a partial agreement covering only the second-year filling of GERD, in the hope that a comprehensive and binding agreement would follow.

Meanwhile, on 14 May, the US State Department issued a statement urging the resumption of AU-mediated negotiations in line with the 2015 Declaration of Principles and the outcomes of the July 2020 AU summit on GERD, saying that the US is committed to providing political and technical support to facilitate a successful outcome.

By including references to the 2015 Declaration of Principles and the 2020 summit, Washington was backing a comprehensive and legally binding deal before the filling, says Raslan.

With all these factors in play a shift in the Ethiopian stance is still possible, former minister of water resources and irrigation Mohamed Nasr Allam told the Weekly.

Raslan, however, believes any hope has faded. Given that the flood season begins at the end of June, and there are indications it could begin even earlier this year, and the failure to fix a date for any new negotiations, there is no time left for reaching an agreement or political manoeuvring.

Adding to the confusion is the sudden souring of Ethiopian-American relations. On Sunday, the US imposed wide-ranging restrictions on economic and security assistance to Ethiopia and Visa restrictions on Ethiopian and Eritrean officials accused of fuelling the six-month-old conflict in Tigray. A day later, Ethiopia denounced the US actions, saying they could prompt Prime Minister Abiy Ahmeds government to reassess the bilateral relationship.

EGYPTIAN MILITARY PRESENCE IN SUDAN

Egypts Armed Forces spokesperson announced that ground, air, and naval forces had arrived in Sudan on 22 May to participate in the Guardians of the Nile joint military drill, a continuation of the Nile Eagles 1 and Nile Eagles 2 exercise which took place in November 2020 and March and April 2021.

Essawi believes the timing of the exercise is intended to send a clear message to Ethiopia: that when President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi said any threat to Egypts water share is a red line and there would be severe regional consequences if Egypts water supply was affected by GERD, he was not speaking idly.

I say once again no one can take a drop of Egypts water and if it happens there will be inconceivable instability in the region, the president had said.

Egypts current military presence on the ground in Sudan indicates clearly, says Essawi, that in the event of negotiations failing and the efforts of the international community floundering, then the military option remains as a last resort.

The joint exercises also underline Egypts support for Sudan in its territorial disputes with Ethiopia, and Cairos determination to halt Ethiopian infringement on Sudans Al-Fashqa region.

We are entering a critical time when it will become clear whether Ethiopia will fill the dam unilaterally, causing turmoil in the region, or not, Allam told the Weekly.

We have reached a stage when everything is assessed and we monitor on a daily basis, if not every hour, the development of the construction of the dam, says Shoukri.

Egypts 100 million-plus population relies on the world-longest River Nile for more than 95 per cent of its renewable water resources. It fears the massive $4.8 billion hydropower project will significantly diminish its water supply, which at 560 m3 per person annually is already well below the international threshold for water scarcity.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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The Ministry of Agriculture recently issued an infograph to inform farmers about the benefits of implementing modern methods of irrigation, as opposed to the flood irrigation methods traditionally used on Egypts cultivated land.



The benefits include the more efficient and more equitable distribution of water, the decreased use of fertilisers and pesticides, and hence fewer costs, and the increased productivity and competitiveness of Egyptian agricultural products.



The chart, to be disseminated to farmers by the Agricultural Societies affiliated to the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, comes on the back of national plans announced by the government in 2019 to use Egypts limited water resources more efficiently.



Over 90 per cent of Egypts water comes from the Nile, according to a recent statement by Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli.



An important objective of the new water conservation policy is to incrementally apply modern irrigation techniques including drip irrigation and sprinklers to Egypts agricultural sector as opposed to using centuries-old flood irrigation. The policy is slated to be completed by 2030.



According to the ministry, the implementation of drip irrigation will help to conserve up to at least 30 per cent of a feddan of lands water requirements every time it is irrigated. This is much lower than the potential range assessed by the World Bank, however, which says that drip irrigation can reduce water usage by 30 to 70 per cent and raise crop yields by 20 to 90 per cent.



The question of water conservation has become all the more pressing as the challenge of scarcity looms larger within the context of the ongoing dispute over the building of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).



Egypt has been suffering from an annual water deficit of 30 billion cubic metres since 2012, and the completion of the GERD is predicted to see Egypts water supply reduced by 60 billion cubic metres over a 10-year period. This could result in economic losses of over $2 billion annually, according to the Egyptian Water Partnership, an NGO.



The targeting of Egypts agricultural sector for the implementation of water conservation policies comes within this context, given its sizeable impact on the economy. Egypts agricultural sector accounts for over 11 per cent of the countrys economic activity, in addition to providing 14 per cent of its GDP and 29 per cent of its employment.



The agricultural sector is also one of the prime consumers of the countrys increasingly limited water resources.



The first phase of the modernisation and rehabilitation of the irrigation system is slated to be implemented over an area of one million feddans out of a total of 9.4 million feddans of agricultural land.



Out of Egypts 27 governorates, six have been designated for the implementation of the first phase of the project, namely Minya, Beni Sweif, Giza, Qena, Ismailia, Suez, and Sharqiya.



The total amount of land to have started implementing modern irrigation methods such as drip and sprinkler irrigation is 264,000 feddans, according to the Ministry of Irrigation. This is in addition to requests for conversion submitted by farmers cultivating some 71,000 feddans of land, according to a statement by head of the Irrigation Authority Shehta Ibrahim on 4 May.



The Irrigation Authority has announced that facilities are being provided to farmers to encourage them to turn to new methods of irrigation. These include soft loans from the national banks as part of an initiative by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) in concert with the Ministry of Finance.



The loan repayment period is 60 months, with a six-month grace period. A LE15,000 loan is offered per feddan to be converted to drip irrigation, and a LE20,000 loan to one converted to sprinklers. Technical assistance is provided by the Ministry of Irrigation. Plans are also underway to extend loans to farmers in additional governorates.



Over the past three months, awareness campaigns have been coordinated with the Agricultural Societies, Ministry of Agriculture local bodies located in all the governorates in charge of land deeds, fertilisers, and monitoring crop-rotation systems.



In the governorate of Daqahliya, which has not yet been officially slated to receive these loans, some 7,000 feddans of land have already been turned to drip irrigation methods, Fawzi Al-Hadari, undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture in Daqahliya, told Al-Ahram Weekly.



While this is not a large number, it is a positive sign, and it is hoped that it will spread further.



The loans-to-farmers initiative is part of broader water conservation plans known as the New Delta Project that will oversee the treatment and redirection for agriculture of agricultural drainage water in the regions of west Nobariya, Al-Khairi, and Edku in the Nile Delta.



The governorate of Alexandrias sewage water is also part of this project, and these water resources will be used to irrigate an area of 500,000 feddans located south of Dabaa on the North Coast.



As part of new water conservation policy restrictions, rice cultivation has been implemented since 2018 since rice, grown using traditional flood irrigation, continues to consume a sizeable portion of Egypts water quota.



In 2018, parliament voted to reduce the amount of land allocated for rice cultivation by more than half. This has been accompanied by a policy targeting increases in Egypts rice imports.



The question of rice cultivation and its restriction underscores the problems facing both farmers and the government within the context of the states water conservation objectives.



Rice has been a mainstay for some farmers for more than two decades, but with the gradual demise of Egypts crop-rotation system starting in the mid-1970s, the challenge has been to find alternatives that will be as lucrative as water-intensive crops while not exhausting both water and soil.



Most farmers in our region are not used to these techniques, and there is a belief that they are not suited to our traditional crops, such as rice, or even clover and wheat, said Metwalli Ezz, head of the Ministry of Agricultures Balamon Agricultural Society in Daqahliya.



Those who have already implemented these techniques on their own initiative have mainly been vegetable growers as opposed to those cultivating traditional crops.



It is not so much the question of water security that will concern farmers the most as the costs and benefits of turning to the new irrigation techniques.



Farmers in our area have shown interest and have asked questions at the Agricultural Society on how to implement the new irrigation techniques. One concern is how they can be used for the crops traditionally grown here and what a viable alternative for them could be, said Christine Wasfi, a landowner in Daqahliya.



What will encourage farmers to turn to these new irrigation methods is not only their low cost, but also how they will be able to market their crops. This is the bottom line, she added.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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It is the David and Goliath scenario again, only there has been a role-change from the Biblical text where Saul and the Israelites are facing the Philistines in the Valley of Elah. The underdog, or the smaller and weaker opponent, in the contest this time round is the Palestinians, who are facing a much bigger and stronger adversary-Israel.

In the fighting that erupted with the Palestinian Hamas movement in May, Israel has displayed military superiority on the tactical level, but on the strategic one the conflict has been nothing short of a humiliating political setback, including through a dramatic loss of public support worldwide.

Israel said it was triumphant after its airstrikes killed more than 230 Palestinians, including 65 children, and brought widespread devastation or damage to the already impoverished Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, including to its sewage systems, water pipes and hospitals.

The Israel army said it had destroyed hundreds of rocket launchers, a network of underground tunnels, weapons stores and the homes of several Hamas leaders in its bombing blitz on Gaza. Israel also claimed that it had killed a number of the groups leaders.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu boasted of the success of the entire operation, including the thwarting of Hamas drones and most rocket attacks, which meant the group was completely contained and its ability to launch rockets into Israel curtailed.

But Hamas also claimed victory after an Egypt-brokered and US-backed ceasefire took hold early on 21 May. The group declared it had succeeded in taking on one of the worlds best-equipped armies by firing some 4,000 rockets into Israel.

Hamas and Israel engaged in the latest round of fighting that began when the Palestinian group fired a barrage of rockets at Israel in response to Israeli abuses against the Palestinians in Jerusalem. Israel responded with a sustained and lethal aerial campaign.

Hamas rocket attacks throughout the confrontation played havoc with Israeli cities and military sites, with multiple impacts on infrastructure and civilians. Twelve people in Israel, including two children, were killed as a result of Hamas missile attacks.

There has been a flurry of reactions, reviews and analysis of the war with various stakeholders, and supporters and observers alike are divided over the outcome of the confrontation.

Like in all wars, when the guns fall silent, there is usually a winner and a loser, and in this war there is no shortage of metrics to show Israels utter failure, considered according to the traditional definition of war, in defeating its enemy and forcing it to surrender.

Even before the truce began, scepticism abounded that Israel could meet its military objectives. As soon as the dust of the war had settled, it became clear that Israel had endured a remarkable disaster.

Here is why Israel is the biggest loser from the war, no matter what its leaders may claim about a triumph.

In the context of the Israeli military strategy against Hamas and threat perceptions, deterrence has focused on preventive airstrikes and intensive and indiscriminate bombing directed against the groups infrastructure targets.

Eleven days after the beginning of the bloody campaign, Israels bombing of Gaza had proved ineffective and Israels forceful deterrence had been turned into a shambles, however.

Hamas still have thousands of rockets and hundreds of rocket launchers and more interestingly the know-how and ability to build an arsenal of home-made rockets largely with civilian materials for future wars.

In the words of Aluf Benn, the editor of the Israeli daily Haaretz and a prominent columnist, the Gaza war was the most failing and pointless border war in Israels history and has exposed serious military and diplomatic failures.

Israels bid to weaken Hamas politically has also been slammed.

Israel had hoped that Hamas would be isolated through its punitive military campaign, forcing the movement into submission and consequently diminishing its political power.

Yet, the Islamist militant group, the de facto ruler of Gaza since 2007, has succeeded in keeping power despite Israeli, US and international pressure, as well as repeated Israeli military incursions.

By linking its missile response to Israeli transgression on the Al-Aqsa Compound in Jerusalem and Israeli plans to grab predominantly Palestinian neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem, Hamas also emerged as the leading Palestinian resistance group to Israel.

By trying to substantiate its claim as the true defender of the Palestinian cause, the group succeeded in increasing its popularity among Palestinians while weakening the Palestinian Authority and its leader Mahmoud Abbas, whose legitimacy has been shaken by a failure to stand up to Israel, governance failure and corruption.

In addition, many foreign governments that had previously labelled Hamas as a terrorist organisation have now started talking about the need to engage the group in the peace effort with Israel.

A statement by German Chancellor Angela Merkel that indirect talks with Hamas were essential to advancing the ceasefire was seen as a sign that the European Union, which has long shunned Hamas, may be looking for new avenues for political engagement with the group and its transformation into a mainstream Palestinian political force.

On the regional level, Israels failings have extended to its new stature following last years normalisations of relations with four Arab countries. The process, sponsored by the former US administration, was trumpeted as being a means towards regional peace.

But thanks to the Israeli brutality, which has been capturing Arab public attention, the so-called Abraham Alliance concluded with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan has been rendered virtually irrelevant.

Significantly, Israel, which has long capitalised on government and public support in the US and the Western world, has sustained a dramatic blow in terms of empathy and solidarity in the recent escalation.

While governments have implicitly blamed Israel for its disproportionate attacks on Gaza, politicians, activists and writers in the West have unreservedly held Israel accountable for the excessive use of force and the collective punishment of the Palestinians.

Protests took place in London, Paris, Dublin and in numerous cities around the world this weekend for Palestine solidarity. The protest in London was one of the largest pro-Palestine demonstrations in British history.

Online solidarity with the Palestinians has been remarkable and has included some international celebrities whose words of support have gone global and helped to drive a groundswell of condemnation of Israel.

Employees at Amazon, Google and Apple have voiced their support for the Palestinians in public posts and letters and have been asking their employers not to be complicit in state killings and human rights abuses.

Diminishing public support for Israel could shift the dynamics of global public opinion, particularly in the US and Europe, against Israel and could irreversibly change the narrative to the benefit of the Palestinians.

There is a major failing in Israels efforts to bury the Palestinian story about grievances in living either in the open-air prison of Gaza, under the apartheid regime of the West Bank, or as second-class citizens in the self-declared Jewish state of Israel.

Since it came into being in 1948, Israel has tried to keep the existential nature of the problem out of the international headlines by denying such realities with rhetoric about Israeli democracy and trying to frame the conflict as part of the war against terrorism.

Israel has tried to sideline and diminish Palestinian grievances in the international debate, but the war on Gaza has now reignited the Palestinian question, and it is expected to create a new dynamism to put the issue back on the international agenda.

To assume that nothing has changed after the missiles have fallen silent in this war would therefore be wrong both tactically and strategically. The debate is no longer about Hamass attacks or Israels ability to deter the group by inflicting collective punishment and coercive measures on the Palestinians.

It is rather about taking the submission of the Palestinians as a forgone conclusion. If David and Goliath can serve any lesson of how the underdog can overcome the odds and be triumphant, then Israel should no longer be blind to the fact that it cannot stop the Palestinian resistance by relying upon its military superiority.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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In the early hours of 25 May, an undercover Israeli force from the Mistaarvim unit posing as Arabs raided the town of Um Al-Sharayet in the West Bank city of Ramallah and assassinated a 23-year-old Palestinian man identified as Ahmad Jamil Al-Fahd.

The circumstances of the assassination were not immediately clear, but photographs of a single bullet hole in the backseat window of a blue MG hatchback circulating on social media were self-explanatory. Next to the car was Al-Fahds lifeless body lying on the ground in a pool of blood.

Local media said he had been left to bleed to death.

His friends had just dropped him off, according to Nour Odeh, a Palestinian analyst in Ramallah, who said that after the 11-day Israeli bombardment of the blockaded Gaza Strip ended on Friday, Palestinians now have to reckon with Israels penalisation of the dissent movement of recent weeks.

Relative quiet does not apply to Palestinians under Israeli occupation, she commented of Al-Fahds assassination.

It was by many accounts the most chilling escalation by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) against the Palestinian movement of recent weeks protesting against the occupation, settler colonialism in East Jerusalem, and in solidarity with Gaza.

Since the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza went into effect on Friday, the IOF has unleashed a campaign of mass arrests targeting Palestinian activists who were active in the movement both inside Israel and in the Occupied Territories, such as Ramallah, which is under Palestinian Authority (PA) administration.

Lawyers in Jerusalem cant keep up with the arrests, said Amani Khalifa, a Palestinian activist in Jerusalem who posted a plea for emergency legal help on Twitter. If you know any lawyers willing to volunteer for help, please send me their names, she wrote.

According to the Israeli police, more than 1,550 people, mainly minors, have been arrested since 9 May in connection with mob violence between Palestinians and Israelis. A spokesman said that 70 per cent of those arrested were Palestinians with Israeli identity and 30 per cent were Jewish.

Israeli forces launched a concerted campaign called Operation Law and Order on 23 May to arrest over 500 Palestinian citizens of Israel. A statement by the Israeli police said that thousands of police and border police officers had been deployed nationwide to bring the rioters, criminals and all those involved in the disturbances to justice.

The police contend that deterrence has been severely compromised over the past two weeks, the statement said, planning to even the score with criminal forces in the Arab sector... a criminal bank of targets.

Clashes between the Israeli police and Palestinian worshippers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem began when the former raided the mosque and cut off loudspeaker cables during the Holy month of Ramadan, interrupting the Muslim evening prayers.

The police then attempted to evacuate the vicinity to make way for a scheduled Israeli settler parade. Because it was during Ramadan, the Al-Haram Al-Sharif religious complex had naturally attracted tens of thousands of Palestinian worshippers. The police were outnumbered in the clashes, and the parade was cancelled.

These developments coincided with Israeli efforts to expel eight Palestinian families from their homes in the East Jerusalem area of Sheikh Jarrah, so that Zionist settlers can claim them.

The forced evictions were met with resistance from the families, attracting daily protests by Palestinians in the area. Met with brute force by the IOF, the violence spilled over to the rest of Occupied East Jerusalem, where Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque, prompting further Palestinian clashes.

In response, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement in Gaza, Hamas, fired rockets into Israel on 9 May in support of the ongoing Palestinian protests. Israel then responded with a series of heavy airstrikes on the densely populated and besieged Gaza Strip.

The conflict, which continued for 11 days, triggered Palestinian protests and rioting inside Israels 1948 borders and in the Occupied Territories of 1967. Two developments particularly alarmed Israel: the upheaval among 1948 Palestinians who are Israeli citizens and Hamass new missiles that have longer ranges and some of which escaped its advanced Iron Dome defence system.

As residential towers, homes, medical labs and schools in Gaza were bombarded by Israel, killing 253 Palestinians, the rockets did not stop. On the Israeli side, 12 people were killed. However, neither the Al-Qassam Brigades nor Hamas were rooted out, and after twice rejecting ceasefire proposals, Israel finally agreed to an Egyptian-mediated ceasefire on Friday.

The Palestinians considered this to be a victory, and Gazas streets exploded in celebration.

The rockets disrupted life in much of Israel, and in the words of an opinion piece in Haaretz, the Israeli daily newspaper, they undermined the publics sense of security.

In the 11 days of the conflict, every town inside Israel with a sizeable number of Palestinian citizens engaged in protests, riots and clashes with Israeli police in solidarity with Gaza and in response to settler violence. More importantly, the mobilisation of Palestinians everywhere established a connection that physically transcended the demarcation lines separating Palestinians in Israel from those in the West Bank and even in the enclave of the Gaza Strip.

This connection was echoed and culminated in the general strike observed on 14 May from the river to the sea, a reference to Palestinians living in the West Bank, Israel and the Mediterranean city of Gaza. Many analysts observing the global solidarity with the Palestinian question, expressed in massive demonstrations worldwide, said there had been a new readiness abroad to criticise Israel in terms of settler colonialism and apartheid.

The Palestinians say the mass arrests that have taken place within the 1948 borders are aimed to appease Zionist settlers and to silence doubts about Israels capabilities to retaliate or respond brutally after accusations of lethargy.

Hassan Jabareen, director of Adalah, the Legal Centre for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, described the mass arrests as a militarised war against the Palestinian citizens of Israel.

This is a war against Palestinian demonstrators, political activists and minors, and one that employs massive Israeli police forces to raid the homes of Palestinian citizens. The raids are intended to intimidate and to exact revenge on the Palestinian citizens of Israel  to settle the score with the Palestinians, in the Israeli polices words  for their political positions and activities.

Yara Hawari, a Palestinian academic and policy analyst with the Al-Shabaka Palestinian Network, said the campaign was not just an attempt to intimidate those who had participated in the protests and strike.

This is a declaration of war, she declared. It is the settler colonial projects way of attempting to crush our peoples spirit, resistance and resilience.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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One of the most vicious rounds of Israeli aggression against Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip ended in a Cairo-brokered ceasefire that came into effect early last Friday.

But this was not before 11 days of conflict between armed Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip and the Israelis had seen scores of Palestinians killed or injured. Many of Gazas buildings were reduced to rubble by Israeli bombing raids, and its infrastructure suffered heavy losses.

The conflict resulted in the deaths of 248 Palestinians, including 66 children, 39 women and 17 elderly people, and the injury of a further 1,948 people, reported the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Searches are ongoing for missing persons in the Gaza Strip, with most of them believed to be dead.

According to statistics published by the Palestinian media, Israeli shelling during the 11 days of the conflict destroyed 1,447 residential units in Gaza and resulted in the partial damage to a further 13,000 units.

Some 205 houses were brought to the ground, along with the headquarters of 33 media institutions, the majority of which had offices in high-rise buildings demolished by Israeli bombing.

The Palestinian government-affiliated media office reported that Israel destroyed 75 government buildings, most of them security offices and the offices of the Ministry of the Interior run by the ruling Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The media office said that 68 schools and healthcare facilities had been damaged, including the only laboratory dedicated to coronavirus tests in Gaza. As a result, PCR tests in Gaza were brought to a halt for a few days before the laboratory resumed work at less than 50 per cent of capacity.

In scenes reminiscent of the Palestinian Nakba, the catastrophe of 15 May 1948 when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were expelled from Palestine with the declaration of the state of Israel, more than 120,000 people were displaced due to the shelling. Half of these went to UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) offices in Palestinian schools after they had lost their homes.

This year is the 73rd anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, and it has been marked by the latest Israeli aggression against Gaza.

As the military clashes were brought to a halt in the Gaza Strip, another no-less-cruel war ensued because of the medical, economic and social repercussions of the Israeli assault. Many international organisations, including the UN, have sounded the alarm, and the UN has revealed catastrophic statistics about the humanitarian and health conditions in the Strip, which has been suffering under an Israeli blockade for 14 years.

The UN said that some 800,000 Gazans do not have access to clean drinking water and that 50 per cent of the water network in Gaza was damaged during the assault.

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said during a visit to Gaza that the failure to solve the Strips problems was a volcano that erupts every few years, destroys everything around it, then quietens down.

Some 1.4 million refugees view UNRWA as a source of stability, he added. He urged the international community to help those most afflicted by the violence, adding that I will remind the international community that the root causes of the conflict remain.

The latest round of aggression put more pressure on the fragile healthcare system in the Strip. Ashraf Al-Qodra, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Ministry of Health, said that the ministry has issued an urgent appeal to all countries and humanitarian and relief institutions to meet the needs of the emergency health sector in order to provide medicines, medical consumables, operating and intensive care equipment, diagnostic radiology material, surgical and laboratory equipment and other emergency needs for hospitals whose limited resources have been depleted due to the Israeli blockade and aggression.

Al-Qodra said there was an acute shortage of 45 per cent of medicines, 33 per cent of medical consumables and 56 per cent of laboratory supplies and blood for transfusions, in addition to the deterioration of ambulance vehicles and the emergency healthcare system.

He warned against the repercussions of halting the work of the PCR testing laboratory on efforts to curb the Covid-19 pandemic in Gaza, saying that there are fears of a third wave of the virus, especially as thousands of Palestinians are now crammed into refugee camps.

Gazas infrastructure is faring no better than its healthcare system. Mayor of Gaza City Yehia Al-Sarrag said that tens of thousands of metres of infrastructure had been damaged, 67 streets spread over 120,000 square metres destroyed due to Israeli shelling and 6,620 metres of water pipes and 10,500 metres of sewage pipes broken.

The municipality was reconnecting the pipelines in a temporary manner to prevent a health and environmental catastrophe in the Strip, he said. It was also seeking the help of volunteers to remove debris from the streets after it launched a campaign in which more than 1,000 people participated.

With the aim of destroying Gazas industrial capabilities, the Israeli bombardment focused on the industrial zone in the northeastern region of the Strip. The largest plastics factories in Gaza were destroyed, along with 23 others, incurring tens of millions of dollars in losses. The stoppage in production has led to the skyrocketing of unemployment in the Strip, which had already been suffering from high unemployment.

Several countries have responded to the deteriorating economic and humanitarian conditions in Gaza, Egypt being the most prominent. However, grave challenges remain, such as the terms Israel dictates for reconstructing the Strip.

The Israeli government insists that the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip can only take place if Hamas, which has controlled the Strip since 2007, abandons its weapons or stops their development, which the movement categorically rejects.

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz said economic or humanitarian work in the Gaza Strip would be allowed in exchange for the return of Israeli soldiers captured by Hamas.

Hamas has admitted it has captured four Israelis, including two soldiers who were taken hostage during the war on Gaza in 2014. Israel considers them to be dead, while Hamas has refused to disclose information about them without obtaining something in return.

The UN believes that the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip should be part of a comprehensive political process and a long-term ceasefire between Gaza and Israel.

However, it has not given details of the form this political process might take, especially in the light of the Palestinian Authoritys reservations about any political moves related to the Gaza Strip without including the rest of the Palestinian Territories in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Many observers believe that the different visions for the reconstruction of Gaza may prolong the humanitarian suffering, especially because of the collapse of many organisations that used to offer services in Gaza, already ailing as a result of the consecutive Israeli wars of 2008, 2012 and 2014.

Palestinian observers are waiting to see the results of international pressure, and Egypts in particular, to help to solve the Strips problems. The most dangerous development would be the eruption of a new round of confrontation, especially as the reasons for the latest aggression remain present.

Israel is continuing its violations in Occupied Jerusalem, particularly in the Sheikh Jarrah district, which it has been tightly blockading, as it repeatedly storms into the area of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Gaza residents fear of another wave of aggression by Israel has been heightened by the pressure the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing due to Israeli doubts about the escalation against the armed Palestinian factions in Gaza and the absence of any clear signs of victory for Israel.

This pressure has led Netanyahu and Gantz to release further threatening statements about the Strip.

Palestinian observers believe these pressures could ignite further rounds of Israeli aggression, while they depend on Egypt to diffuse confrontations following the talks conducted by the Egyptian security delegation that has visited Gaza, Ramallah and Israel several times.

They are also counting on Arab moves to draw world attention to the Palestinian cause and to create a political way forward after US President Joe Biden announced his support for a two-state solution and his adoption of more supportive options for the Palestinians than those entertained by his predecessor, former US president Donald Trump.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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There is a growing recognition that the ceasefire brokered by Egypt between Hamas and Tel Aviv  and backed by the United States, Europe and the international community  should be the trigger to resume the long stalled peace talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel.

If no serious effort is exerted to restart peace talks, the latest truce will be just one more pause in the Palestinians seven-decade struggle to affirm their legitimate right to self determination and have their own independent state free of Israeli occupation.

Israels continuing occupation of Palestinian territories captured in 1967, and the racist nature of such occupation, is the mother of all Palestinian pain. Many had hoped that the signing of the 1993 Oslo peace accords between the two sides would end a long chapter of occupation, wars, blood and hate. However, such hopes quickly evaporated.

What actually started in 1993 was a new round of endless negotiations that only gave Israel the chance to tighten its control over occupied Palestinian territories and systematically build more illegal settlements, making the target of a Palestinian state impossible to achieve.

The political turmoil that rocked the region in 2011 following popular revolts in several Arab countries was not good news for Palestinians. Israel saw a golden opportunity in the civil wars that broke out in Syria, Libya, Yemen and Iraq, as well as the instability in Egypt, to argue that the Palestinian cause was not the central cause of conflict in the Middle East, as Arab countries have argued for years. The Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories was ignored, as well as Palestinian suffering, confiscation of land and daily humiliation passing through heavily fortified Israeli checkpoints.

At the same time, Israel, while physically absent from the Gaza Strip, continued to suffocate the overpopulated region where over two million Palestinians live in an open jail. Indeed, the world intervened in the last two wars Israel launched against Gaza in 2008 and 2014, but reaching a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians was not even an item on the international agenda.

Former US president Donald Trumps extreme bias for Israel, and his total disregard of international law and Security Council resolutions affirming that all Palestinian territories captured by Israel in 1967, including East Jerusalem, were occupied territories, further dimmed any hope that Palestinians were close to restoring any of their legitimate rights.

With a new administration in the White House, staffed by senior officials who have a long experience in the Middle East, perhaps there is some hope that the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks could be back on track. The widespread protests in many Arab and world countries, including the United States and Europe, calling for an end to Israels latest aggression on Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank confirmed that international public opinion was more aware that Palestinians have legitimate rights that must be met.

Hardly hours after the ceasefire took effect early on Friday, clashes broke out again at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem between Palestinian worshippers and Israeli occupation troops. Palestinian residents of Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem, whom Israel attempted to forcibly evict from their homes, sparking the latest round of confrontation between Israel and Palestine, remain steadfast as ever in their refusal to leave. Palestinians in the occupied West Bank also clashed with the Israeli army stationed at the checkpoints and close to illegal settlements.

Meanwhile, Gaza not only needs a complete overhaul to restore the massive damage caused by the latest round of indiscriminate shelling of buildings, power and water stations and even hospitals, its people also need jobs and free movement, which they didnt enjoy for many years.

All such Palestinian suffering is the key reason behind the repeated outbreak of wars between the two sides. After successfully reaching the ceasefire late last week, President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi was quick to point out that what is needed now is even more difficult effort to restore peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

The two phone conversations that took place between Al-Sisi and US President Joe Biden shortly after the announcement of the end of hostilities concentrated not just on the much needed rebuilding effort in Gaza, but also on the means to restart diplomatic efforts to reach the ultimate goal of a two-state solution: Palestine and Israel. During their second phone call on Monday, both Al-Sisi and Biden affirmed the strategic ties between the two countries, and agreed to work together on restoring stability, not just in Palestine, but also in Libya, Syria and Iraq. Biden also expressed understanding for Egypts concerns over the building of the Resurrection Dam in Ethiopia, and expressed willingness to mediate between the two sides.

Egypt did lead the Arab and international effort in starting the process of rebuilding Gaza by announcing that it would donate $500 million for this purpose. Yet it stressed that pouring money into Gaza and occupied Palestinian territories was not in itself enough, and that diplomatic and political efforts must start at the same moment to avoid a renewed cycle of the endless war caused mainly by Israels illegal occupation of Palestine.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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There are three crucial stages Egypt and Sudan need to go through at this precarious time in the stalled negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi has been clear on the red lines Cairo has set with regard to Egypts water rights and the fact that the Ethiopian Dam on the Blue Nile poses an existential threat to Egypt. The US State Department has also warned of the looming dangers in a recent statement calling on Cairo, Khartoum and Addis Ababa to return to the negotiating table.

How could the present situation not be dangerous, given its location in the Horn of Africa and near the Gulf and the international maritime routes through which pass so much of the worlds trade and petroleum supplies? This is not to mention the ways in which the GERD jeopardises the livelihoods of millions of people in Egypt and Sudan.

In the first and current stage, Egypt and Sudan have been closely monitoring communications from Democratic of Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi on the various proposals presented since the last round of talks on the GERD in Kinshasa, outputs from US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltmans visit to the region, and the effects of the UAEs mediating efforts, particularly after the recent visit to Cairo by Crown-Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohamed Bin Zayed.

Cairo and Khartoum have made it clear that they reject any attempt to endorse a partial solution that would let Ethiopia proceed with the second filling of the GERD reservoir. This would create a fait accompli that would be next to impossible to reverse and that would put Egypt and Sudan at Ethiopias mercy.

At no point over the past ten years of negotiations has Addis Ababa given the downstream nations any reason to trust that it will abide by its pledges and commitments. This is why Cairo and Khartoum remain adamant about the need for a just, comprehensive and binding agreement on the GERD that will ensure the implementation of agreed-upon rules and schedules for filling and operating it and that will provide for a mechanism to manage any disputes that may arise.

It would be worthwhile to submit a formal proposal to Washington asking it to extend an invitation, in coordination with the DRC, to the three parties to meet with US President Joe Biden in Washington and then to resume the intensive talks on the draft agreement that had neared the signing stage in February 2020.

The talks should preferably follow the Camp David model and not end until an agreement is reached. Invitations to attend should probably also be extended to the EU, the African Union and the UN. These, together with the US, are the members of the quartet mediating mechanism that Khartoum proposed in a recent initiative, one which Egypt fully supports.

The second stage would kick in if all the current efforts fail to produce results. Egypt and Sudan have already laid the groundwork for this stage through their recent letters to the UN Security Council (UNSC), alerting it to the looming dangers resulting from the breakdown in the last negotiating round. It was the UNSC that endorsed the African Union-sponsored negotiating track.

We should note that in appealing to the UNSC Cairo and Khartoum invoked Chapter VI of the UN Charter, which addresses the pacific settlement of disputes. As we know, the parties have already pursued the alternatives mentioned in Article 33 of this chapter, which says that the parties to any dispute, the continuance of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security, shall, first of all, seek a solution by negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice.

This led the parties to pursue the other provisions of this chapter, notably Articles 34 and 35. Under Article 34, the UNSC may investigate any dispute, or any situation which might lead to international friction or give rise to a dispute, in order to determine whether the continuance of the dispute or situation is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security. Article 35.1 states that any member of the United Nations may bring any dispute, or any situation of the nature referred to in Article 34, to the attention of the Security Council or of the General Assembly.

Article 37 adds that in the event that the parties to a dispute of the nature referred to in Article 33 fail to settle it by the means indicated in that article, they shall refer it to the Security Council. It also states that if the Security Council deems that the continuance of the dispute is in fact likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security, it shall decide whether to take action under Article 36 or to recommend such terms of settlement as it may consider appropriate.

Article 36 states that the Security Council may, at any stage of a dispute of the nature referred to in Article 33 or of a situation of like nature, recommend appropriate procedures or methods of adjustment. The Security Council should take into consideration any procedures for the settlement of the dispute which have already been adopted by the parties.

In the present case, this means that the UNSC should take into consideration the failure of two African Union attempts to broker an agreement between the disputants (the first was hosted by South Africa). In the light of this, Egypt and Sudan can ask the UNSC to insist that the second filling of the GERD be postponed for a year to give the disputants time to resume negotiations in the framework of an international mediating mechanism stipulated by the UNSC.

It is noteworthy that under Article 36 the UNSC should take into consideration, when making recommendations under this article, that legal disputes should as a general rule be referred by the parties to the International Court of Justice in accordance with the provisions of the Statute of the Court. This means that the UNSC could also ask the parties to refer their dispute to the ICJ and order the postponement of the second filling until the court issues its ruling.

The UNSC could also invoke Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which concerns Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression. If Ethiopia follows through on its threat to proceed with the second filling of the GERD in the absence of an agreement with the downstream nations, this would constitute an act of aggression, and Egypt and Sudan would have the right to take actions they deem necessary to defend their national security and well-being.

Article 51 says that nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security. Measures taken by members in the exercise of this right of self-defence shall be immediately reported to the Security Council and shall not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security.

As suggested above, one of Egypts and Sudans most immediate aims, if all efforts fail to secure a binding agreement before the Nile flooding season, is to appeal to the UNSC to urge the parties to resume negotiations under UN sponsorship and to compel Ethiopia to delay the second filling of the dam until the negotiations yield results. Whether or not the UNSC issues a resolution referring the parties to the ICJ is not the central issue. What matters is that this is an available option that would permit more time to negotiate in the framework of an international mechanism that takes into account the results of previous negotiations, including the rounds in Washington that culminated in the draft agreement.

It is crucial that we pursue the course of the UNSC to preserve international peace and security to the fullest. Egypt and Sudan will have proceeded in full accordance with international law and placed the international community face-to-face with its responsibilities in accordance with the above-mentioned provisions of the UN Charter. They will also have established the necessary legitimacy for their subsequent actions should the UNSC fail to meet its responsibilities.

But before proceeding to that third stage, Cairo should send a high-ranking envoy to Addis Ababa and perhaps to other capitals to convey a message clarifying the potential consequences of Ethiopias dangerous behaviour. As President Al-Sisi has said, all options are open. However, he also stressed that the negotiating table is Egypts real arena and that the process is a long and difficult one.

*The writer is former assistant foreign minister.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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After 11 days of the unrelenting bombardment of buildings, schools, hospitals and roads, the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip came to an end on 21 May. Egypt succeeded in pushing the Israelis and Hamas to accept a ceasefire agreement in coordination with the United Nations, the United States, Qatar and other regional powers.

In his first telephone conversation with President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi since he was sworn in on 20 January this year, US President Joe Biden congratulated him on the efforts made to reach the ceasefire agreement, and the two leaders committed themselves to working together in the near future to secure peace between the Palestinians and Israelis. On 20 May, Biden expressed his sincere gratitude to President Al-Sisi and to the senior Egyptian officials who had played a critical role in bringing about the ceasefire through diplomacy in a statement to the press corps at the White House.

At the time of writing, two Egyptian delegations have been separately negotiating with the Israelis and the Palestinians the necessary measures to consolidate the ceasefire and to begin reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip, which has seen widespread devastation. It has been reported that 160 Israeli fighter bombers took part in the wanton destruction in Gaza.

Once the two sides honour their respective commitments to respect the ceasefire, the major and most challenging question is where do we go from here. Undoubtedly, no one wants to see a military confrontation, fiercer and more destructive than the one we witnessed this month, to flare up again, although the two protagonists have vowed to fight each other once again should the other party break the ceasefire.

The first priority is the introduction of much-needed humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Next comes the rebuilding of hospitals, schools and houses. Biden said that the US is committed to working with the United Nations and other international stakeholders to provide rapid humanitarian assistance and to marshal international support for the people of Gaza and the reconstruction efforts. He said that the US would do this with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and not through Hamas, however, and in a manner that does not permit Hamas to simply restock its military arsenal.

Egypt for its part is looking beyond the rebuilding and reconstruction phase after the ceasefire. How, when, and under what conditions will the international community help in launching peace negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis?

The world has come to realise that there is no way forward except by striving for a negotiated solution to the Palestinian question. To think that it is possible to ignore the plight of the Palestinians and to put their deprivation of their national right to a state of their own on the back burner for a long period of time is no longer a viable option. This explains the Egyptian approach to the latest ceasefire agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Egypt is looking beyond the present moment and is working with other allies and partners to relaunch the Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations.

The members of the International Quartet, namely the US, Russia, the European Union and the UN, have all expressed a commitment to helping to encourage both the Palestinians and the Israelis to sit down again around the negotiating table. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected next week in the Middle East to discuss peace prospects and reconstruction efforts in Gaza with regional leaders.

Last Thursday, Biden stressed that the Palestinians and Israelis deserve to live safely and securely and that both peoples are entitled to freedom, prosperity and democracy. He added that the US government would pursue quiet and relentless diplomacy to achieve these goals. Previously he had committed the US to working towards the two-state solution.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on 21 May that the US administration would move on three fronts in the coming months regarding the security of Israel, playing a constructive role in the rebuilding of Gaza and continuing to engage in diplomacy with regional leaders about how to move forward.

The road ahead will not be easy. Israel has no government, and the prospect of holding a fifth set of elections in the country is not to be discarded. The Palestinians are still incapable of forming a unity government that will speak for all Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as well as on the West Bank.

Extremists on both sides will not hesitate to sabotage any serious international effort to relaunch the peace negotiations, particularly the settlers and the political parties of the far-right in Israel. It also remains to be seen how strongly committed the Biden administration is to the two-state solution. Is it ready to expend political capital in the search for peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis? And if yes, when?

The consensus is that the US administration would prefer, at least for the time being, to work with leaders in the region to help restart the peace negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis. It would favour a strategy of leading from behind, especially if Benjamin Netanyahu remains in office as prime minister of Israel.

In the meantime, a more active US role within the International Quartet is needed to prepare the ground for a possible resumption of peace talks, since these will hardly take off or succeed without serious US involvement.

*The writer is former assistant foreign minister.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Despite intense climate worries, electorates have been unwilling to spend the trillions needed to cut emissions dramatically. That is why climate campaigners have increasingly pursued a new strategy: forcing climate policy through courts. Across the world, the UN now counts at least 1,550 such climate cases in 38 countries, often filed by young people invoking a fear for their future. Unfortunately, such cases undermine democracy, harm the poor and sidetrack us from smarter ways to fix the climate.

Since the beginning of climate negotiations, it has been hard to compel governments to make large promises and deliver on them. The UN estimated just before Covid that despite immense climate focus, the worlds actual emissions were indistinguishable from a world without climate policy.

This is because strong climate policy is enormously expensive and delivers minuscule climate benefits. US President Biden has promised to spend $500 billion annually on climate policy. Yet, his much-lauded pledge to double Obamas promised reductions, even if fully delivered and maintained throughout this century, will provide little climate benefit. Run on the standard UN climate model, Bidens new promise will at best reduce global warming by 0.04C by the end of the century.

Moreover, it is difficult to keep consistent majorities voting for expensive climate policies. Bidens promises cost every American $1,500 per year, whereas surveys show that most are unwilling to pay more than $24 per year. This is unsustainable, just as a French eco-tax in 2018 led to years of yellow-vest protests and an eventual scrapping of the tax. Victorious court cases, however, as in the Netherlands in 2019 or Germany last month, can circumvent the political process and force stronger climate policy than governments have chosen.

Many cases rely on a story of climate change robbing young people of their future. This is the standard alarmist media account, reinforced by politicians claiming climate to be an existential threat.

But the UN Climate Panel does not support such alarmism. It confirms that climate is a problem, but impacts are far from cataclysmic. In its latest report, it finds that the damage from unmitigated climate change will cost the world 2.6 percent of GDP by 2100. By then, the UN expects the average person to be 450 percent as rich as today. Negative climate impacts mean we will only be 438 percent as rich.

Despite climate change, young peoples lives worldwide will be vastly better in 2100. In the UNs scenarios for the 21st century, people will live longer, be better educated and have more resources available to enjoy life while tackling unforeseeable and foreseeable challenges, including climate change.

In this light, climate court cases are not last-ditch efforts to compel democracies to ensure a livable planet. Instead, they simply shortcut the pesky democratic process to ensure the spending preferences for a subgroup that couldnt get a majority to vote for their proposals.

This undermines democracy. Society is about navigating collective wants much larger than the available resources, and voting is how we square that difficult circle. Well-meaning activists shortcutting those trade-offs is essentially a way to force climate action at the

expense of all other worthy goals. And for well-meaning judges across the rich world to play along is opening a Pandoras box for all sorts of litigation. Why shouldnt thousands of other special interests bypass democracy and appeal directly to the courts to deliver their preferred outcome, from pot-hole-free roads to abundant teachers for children and access to even the most expensive cancer drugs?

Moreover, this approach fails the poor in both wealthy and developing countries. For many, energy is already becoming unaffordable. In rich countries like Germany, power prices have doubled over the past two decades, leaving upwards of 30 percent of households in energy poverty. In developing countries, billions of poor are unable to pay for reliable energy access. Studies show that implementing the Paris agreement will keep more people in poverty in 2030. Ramping up climate policies in court will mean even more people left in poverty because of slower economic growth.

The vast majority of climate cases are based in the rich world, where cutting emissions will have little impact. Even if the entire rich world ended all CO emissions tomorrow, with immense misery and poverty to follow as everything grinds to a halt, it would reduce warming by just 0.4C in 2100. This is because three-quarters of the rest of this centurys emissions come from developing countries, which have much more critical demands for development out of abject poverty.

Only the rich and well-meaning are willing to pay significantly more to cut their emissions a bit, and court cases simply reinforce that.

If we want to reduce emissions dramatically, we must switch our spending toward investing more in green innovation. If we could innovate future green energy to become cheaper than fossil fuels, everyone would switch. Investing in green R&D will be much more palatable for electorates, as it is cheaper and doesnt harm the poor. And it could actually help us fix climate change.

Dr. Bjorn Lomborg is President of the Copenhagen Consensus and Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. His latest book is "False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet."

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KYODO NEWS - May 26, 2021 - 09:15 | All, World

U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday called for the need to pass a police reform bill to bring "real change" in the country in the wake of the killing of George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer a year ago.

The death of the 46-year-old black man triggered massive protests against racism and police brutality across the United States and around the world, with many people horrified by video footage of Floyd gasping for air on the street under the knee of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin while he was being arrested.

Recalling the words of a daughter of Floyd who said "Daddy changed the world," Biden said in a statement to mark the one-year anniversary of the incident, "He has."

While Chauvin was convicted on murder charges last month, Biden said "real change" will require holding law-enforcement officers accountable for egregious misconduct and building "lasting trust" between police officers and the communities they should serve and protect.

The bill, named the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, has already passed the House of Representatives. It seeks to increase accountability for law enforcement misconduct, limit the unnecessary use of force and restrict the use of chokeholds.

"I appreciate the good-faith efforts from Democrats and Republicans to pass a meaningful bill out of the Senate. It's my hope they will get a bill to my desk quickly," Biden said as he called for action as the country faces "an inflection point."

Earlier in the day, Biden, along with Kamala Harris, the first black female vice president in the United States, met privately with members of Floyd's family at the White House.

Biden took office in January with a pledge to advance racial equity among other issues, after his predecessor Donald Trump deepened division in U.S. society with his controversial tweets and remarks on racism and protests.

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KYODO NEWS - May 27, 2021 - 03:49 | All, World, Coronavirus

U.S. President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he has asked the intelligence community to "redouble" its efforts to investigate the origins of the novel coronavirus and report back to him in 90 days.

The move came amid renewed attention to a theory that the virus, first detected in Wuhan, China, in late 2019 before spreading throughout the world, may have accidentally leaked from a laboratory in the central Chinese city.

Biden said he tasked the intelligence community in March with preparing a report on its most up-to-date analysis of the origins of the COVID-19 disease, including whether it emerged from human contact with an infected animal or from a laboratory accident.

As of Wednesday, the intelligence community has "coalesced around two likely scenarios" but has not reached a definitive conclusion, the president said in a statement.

"I have now asked the intelligence community to redouble their efforts to collect and analyze information that could bring us closer to a definitive conclusion, and to report back to me in 90 days," he said, adding that there are also "specific questions for China."

The United States will also keep working with like-minded partners around the world to "press China to participate in a full, transparent, evidence-based international investigation and to provide access to all relevant data and evidence," Biden said.

The previous administration under Donald Trump had pushed a theory that the Wuhan Institute of Virology might have been the birthplace of the virus, claiming some researchers there developed symptoms consistent with COVID-19 in the fall of 2019.

The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that three researchers from the institute became sick enough in November 2019 that they sought hospital care, citing an undisclosed U.S. intelligence report.

The newspaper said the findings could add weight to growing calls for a more thorough probe as to whether the virus may have escaped from the laboratory.

China has denied the report, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian telling a press conference Monday that the institute had not been exposed to COVID-19 before December 30, 2019.

"A 'zero-infection' record is kept among its staff and graduate students so far," he said.
KYODO NEWS - May 26, 2021 - 14:32 | Japan, All

A 23-year-old man was found guilty Wednesday of killing a protected deer in a popular park in the western Japan prefecture of Nara earlier this year.

The Nara District Court sentenced Hayato Yoshii to 10 months in prison, suspended for three years with probation, for attacking the deer with an ax around 2 a.m. on Feb. 7 in Nara Park.

About 1,300 deer in the park, a major tourist attraction, are protected under Japan's cultural properties protection law.

"The defendant did not value the animal's life. His act was brutal and malicious," Judge Risa Ishikawa said in handing down the ruling to Yoshii, noting his motive for the attack was that he became furious after one of the deer suddenly rammed his car but that cannot justify his action.

He was accused of violating the law that protects cultural properties after killing the female deer, estimated to be 11 years old. Police were notified by a passerby about the attack and identified the suspect using surveillance camera footage of the area.

In the ruling, the court also found Yoshii guilty of drunken driving in Matsusaka, Mie Prefecture, around 11:50 p.m. on Feb. 10, and possessing a Japanese sword without authorization, in violation of the country's weapons law.

The sword was found when his home in the city was searched by investigators on March 2, according to the court.

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KYODO NEWS - May 26, 2021 - 14:35 | Coronavirus, Japan, All

The number of pregnancies reported in 2020 reached a new low amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, government data showed Wednesday.

Municipalities across Japan recorded 872,227 pregnancies last year, down 4.8 percent from a year before, suggesting that the number of babies born in 2021 is likely to fall below the 800,000 line for the first time.

The data from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare puts even more pressure on the government, which in addition to tackling a persistently low birth rate is also dealing with a rapidly aging population.

Soaring social security spending to cover pensions and medical care for the elderly weighs heavily on the world's third-largest economy's budget.

The annual number of newborns sank below 900,000 for the first time in 2019. The number is likely to further decline to below 850,000 in 2020, according to government sources.

The projected fall in births in 2021 is likely the result of the tough employment situation amid the novel coronavirus pandemic and a reluctance for women to travel to their parents' home to give birth, as is tradition in Japan.

The ministry on Wednesday released the number of pregnancies reported in November and December and added it to the total already compiled for January to October.

There were 69,804 record pregnancies in November, down 4.8 percent from the year before and 75,755 in December, down 1.8 percent.

Every month except for March posted a year-on-year decline in the number of pregnancies in 2020, with the largest fall of 17.6 percent registered in May, two months after public concern over the spread of the pandemic heightened and organizers decided to postpone the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics by one year to the summer of 2021.

The ministry said the number of pregnancies has continued to decline into 2021, with the number dropping 7.1 percent in January from the year before to 76,985.
KYODO NEWS - May 27, 2021 - 00:25 | All, Japan

Japan's national cybersecurity center and two ministries said Wednesday that unauthorized access to an information-sharing tool developed by Fujitsu Ltd., which is contracted to oversee its computer systems, has led to a data breach.

The leaked information includes at least 76,000 email addresses of government officials and external parties, such as members of expert panels, as well as study materials on creating a digital government, according to the affected foreign and transport ministries.

The government's National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity, or NISC, said that the product names and maintenance schedules of computers that make up its system had been leaked to external parties.

All three government agencies have said that their internal systems are operating normally, and no unauthorized access has been detected.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, at a press conference the same day, expressed his intention to take all possible measures against cyberattacks, saying, "Various attacks on infrastructure are expected during the Tokyo Olympics."

Fujitsu said Tuesday that the data of several of its corporate clients had been compromised due to unauthorized access of the tool, which is used to share information between internal and external parties of a company.

Narita International Airport Corp., which also uses the tool, has said that it is highly likely that data related to the airport's flight information management system has been leaked.

NISC on Tuesday warned government agencies and infrastructure providers using the tool to enforce measures against potential data leaks.
KYODO NEWS - May 26, 2021 - 23:40 | All, Japan

A Japanese fishing boat collided with a 662-ton Russian ship and capsized off Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido on Wednesday, leaving three crew members dead, local authorities said.

The five-crew-member Hokko Maru No. 8 belonging to a fishery cooperative based in Hokkaido's Mombetsu was catching hairy crabs when the collision occurred at around 6 a.m., according to the Japan Coast Guard. One of the two crew members rescued alive was slightly injured.

The three dead were Masayoshi Numahata, a 64-year-old chief engineer, Shunsuke Konno, 39, and Masatoshi Inoue, 37, who were both deckhands, according to the coast guard and local rescue workers.

The Russian vessel Amur with 23 crew members was transporting seafood to Mombetsu from Sakhalin in Russia's Far East, it said.

Russian officials said in a statement the Japanese vessel did not send a signal amid low visibility due to fog, and that they will investigate the actions of the Russian vessel's crew members.

Meanwhile, a crew member of the Hokko Maru No. 8, who did not want to be identified, told the coast guard "it was the Russian vessel that collided into" their boat.

The five men, three of them showing no vital signs, were taken from the sea by the Amur and then brought back by the coast guard to their home port, roughly 23 kilometers away from the accident site, at around 10 a.m. The deaths of the three men were then confirmed.

A dense fog advisory had been issued in the sea off Mombetsu port at the time, according to a local meteorological observatory.

The coast guard quoted the Hokko Maru crew as saying they were unable to move the boat before the collision with the Russian vessel as they were catching crabs with ropes.
KYODO NEWS - May 26, 2021 - 21:45 | All, Japan

A UNESCO advisory panel recommended Wednesday that the Jomon Era archeological sites in northern Japan be added to the World Cultural Heritage list, the Cultural Affairs Agency said.

The area comprises 17 ancient sites across the northern main island of Hokkaido and northeastern prefectures of Aomori, Iwate and Akita that reflect a hunter-gatherer society that prevailed in Japan for more than 10,000 years.

If registered during an online World Heritage Committee session between July 16 and 31, the locations will be Japan's 20th World Cultural Heritage listing and its first prehistoric site to get the recognition.

Among the ruins, the Sannai Maruyama village in Aomori, which dates back around 5,900 years, features a large settlement with the remains of large buildings and roads arranged systematically. The Oyu Kanjo Resseki site in Akita, meanwhile, consists of a pair of large stone circles.

The Japanese government recommended the archeological sites to the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 2020, saying they represent an era that is believed to have begun 16,000 years ago with settlements based on hunting, fishing and plant gathering on the back of abundant food resources.

Local groups that had worked to raise awareness and preserve these Jomon Era sites were thrilled by the news, calling it their regions' pride.

"As I think that the sites will be finally listed, I find it extremely impressive. Being listed is not our end goal. It's only the start. We want to cooperate with the other regions with these ancient remains, to share the Jomon Era's appeal," said Fumitaka Sato, 48, who is the head of the secretariat of an NGO raising public interest in the Sannai Maruyama village. Sato has been working on getting UNESCO recognition for around 25 years.

"It's a result that we had been waiting for a long time," said Masahiko Hananoki, 53, the director of a museum on the Oyu Kanjo Resseki site.

"I believe that if (the site) is registered, there will be more visitors. I would like that to help revitalize our region," he added.

"We have finally arrived at this point after working for a long time. I want to share my happiness with our supporters once the recommendation becomes finalized," said Kazunori Takada, 71, who is the director of a museum of the Goshono ruins in Iwate.

Earlier this month, the UNESCO advisory panel recommended a chain of islands in southwestern Japan with dense subtropical forests to be added to the list of natural World Heritage sites.
Washington:

A senior FBI agent removed from special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe this year referred to Donald Trump before his election as an "idiot," in emails turned over to the Senate, US media reported.

Peter Strzok, a senior counterintelligence investigator, also suggested that the Republican Party "needs to pull their head out of their ass," USA Today reported.

Strzok was removed from Mueller's staff earlier this year after Justice Department investigators began reviewing whether investigators had shown bias against Trump.

Strzok's reference to Trump as an "idiot" came in an email exchange with another agent, Lisa Page, in August, 2015.

"I just saw my first Bernie Sanders bumper sticker. Made me want to key the car," Page wrote. "He's an idiot like Trump. Figure they cancel each other out," Strzok replied.

In a March 2016 message, Page exclaimed: "God trump is a loathsome human....omg he's an idiot." "He's awful," Strzok replied.

Special counsel Robert Mueller removed Strzok from his Russia election meddling probe this summer after becoming aware of the emails.

Page by that time had already ended her assignment in Mueller's office, according to Politico, one of several US news organizations that obtained copies of the email.

The messages turned up as part of a Justice Department inspector general investigation into potential political influence on investigative decisions during the campaign.

Some Republicans have urged that a second special counsel be named to investigate Mueller's operation. At least 375 texts were turned over by the Justice Department.

Mueller is looking into whether Trump campaign aides or associates colluded with Russian efforts to sway the 2016 election in the Republican real estate mogul's favor.

Former Trump national security advisor Michael Flynn and George Papadopoulos, a campaign foreign policy advisor who maintained Russian contacts, have pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.

Former Trump campaign Paul Manafort and his partner Rick Gates have pleaded not guilty to money-laundering charges related to their previous political work in Ukraine.

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Srinagar:

Hopes of finding alive the five soldiers, who went missing following heavy snowfall along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, are fast receding as blizzard-like conditions are hampering search and rescue operations.

Two soldiers slipped down a mountain slope in Naugam sector of Kupwara district while three others went missing from a forward post in Kanzalwan sub-sector of Gurez in Bandipora district during heavy snowfall on Tuesday.

An Army porter is missing since Monday after he came under an avalanche at Tulail in Gurez sector.

Read more: Flight operations remain suspended at Srinagar Airport

"The search and rescue operations have been going on intermittently since yesterday both in Naugam and Gurez are as but so far we have not been able to locate the missing soldiers", an Army officials said on Wednesday.

He said blizzard-like weather conditions caused by heavy snowfall were hampering rescue operations.

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Chennai:

A city police inspector was killed in a shoot-out in Rajasthan's Pali district in the early hours of Wednesday where a special team went to nab suspects wanted in connection with a gold heist.

A senior police official identified the deceased as S Periyapandiyan, an inspector attached to the Maduravoyal police station in Chennai.

"The shoot-out took place when a police team went to nab the suspects at a village in Pali district. Periyapandiyan was killed in the firing while others suffered injuries", he said.

The incident occurred around 2:30 am, the official said.

Read more: Govt extends December 31 deadline for linking Aadhaar to bank accounts

A police team led by Joint Commissioner (West) Santosh Kumar is likely to visit Rajasthan in connection with the incident.

Last month, robbers had decamped with about 3 kg of gold from a jewellery shop at Kolathur, after entering it by making a hole in the ceiling.

Special teams were formed to nab the robbers, who were suspected to be from Rajasthan.

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New Delhi:

When we talk about the great Indian civilization, the first thing that comes to our mind is the cultural diversity that exists in our beloved motherland. Be it race, religion, creed, community or caste we are a heterogeneous lot as a nation in many respects.



One of the salient features of our constitution that binds the secular fabric of our country is the Right to Freedom of Religion. Our country grants the freedom to its citizens to choose and practice their own religious beliefs and faiths. Hence the concept of secularism stands tall in the preamble of our constitution.

The Constitution ensures that no citizen is deprived of this right to profess the religion of his choice peacefully within the Indian territory.



The Constitution of India has certain provisions relating to Right of Freedom of Religion. Articles 25 & 28 of the constitution make India a secular state. The 42nd amendment of the constitution inserts the term secular in the preamble of the constitution.



Hence the Indian law has clearly stated out a secular stance on its position on Religion:

1. India has no state religion

2. State does not discriminate between religions

3. State cannot impose any tax to promote a religion or to maintain religious institution

4. Religious instructions cannot be imparted in educational institution run by state funds

5. In educational institutions recognized by the state and receiving aid from the government, religious instructions cannot be compulsorily given to an unwilling students.

6. In educational institutions run by religious establishments, religious instructions can be given only to students willing to receive it. Religious instructions can be given to the minors only with the express consent of their guardians.

Article 25 of Indian Constitution grants freedom to every citizen of India to profess, practice and propagate his own religion. The constitution, in the preamble professes to secure to all its citizens liberty of belief, faith and worship.

Article 25 (1) allows every citizen to freely follow his own religion, subject to public order, morality and health. Thus in the name of religion, committing sati or infanticide cannot be permitted.

The Hindu religious institutions of a public character must be thrown open to every Hindu. Caste system or untouchability cannot be practised in the case of entry into public Hindu temples.

Besides these rights to the individuals to profess, practice and propagate religious of their choice, religious groups or denominations are given four rights. These are right to:

- Establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes

- To manage its own affairs in matters of religion

- To own and acquire movable and immovable property

- To administer such property in accordance with law. (Article 26 of Constitution of India).

So in a nutshell, every individual citizen in India has full freedom of religion. No citizen in our country can be subjected to any social, economic or political discrimination on grounds of religion.
New Delhi:

Studies suggest that depressive disorders or depression in humans occur because of the modifications in the activities and connectivity of brain systems on primary rewards and memories.

The findings, which were published in the journal Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, provided answers as to which parts of the brain could be at the verge of symptoms of reduced happiness and pleasure, or negative memories in the case of depression.

To reach this study, the researchers applied a new approach on which it measured one region of the brain with another, most commonly known as effective connectivity, in depression.

The approach goes beyond the limitations of previous brain imaging studies which show the activity of different brain regions is more or less related.

Edmund Rolls, Professor at University of Warwick in England, one of the professor in the research, said, The new method allows the effect of one brain region on another to be measured in depression, in order to discover more about which brain systems, make causal contributions to depression.

The research compared 336 people with major depressive disorder to 350 people who were controllably healthy.

The study showed that brain regions involved in reward and subjective pleasure received less or reduced effective connectivity in patients with depressive disorders which contribute to decreased feeling of happiness.

Increased brain activity was studied in those brain regions where punishment and responses to a reward were not received.

Memory-related areas of the brain in depressed people had an increased activity, which, according to the researchers, might be related to heights of memory processing or possibility of unpleasant memories.

Also Read: Five different types of anxiety, depression identified

Rolls said, These findings are part of a concerted approach to better understand the brain mechanisms related to depression, and thereby to lead to new ways of understanding and treating depression.
New Delhi:

The government has withdrawn the December 31 deadline for mandatory quoting of national biometric identifier Aadhaar and PAN for certain financial transactions like the opening of a bank account.

While the deadline has been withdrawn through a Gazette notification issued yesterday, new timelines will be intimated later.

The new rule notified in the Gazette modifies the Prevention of Money Laundering Act of 2002 to replace the requirement of submitting "the Aadhaar number and Permanent Account Number by December 31, 2017" with a provision saying "submit the Aadhaar number, and Permanent Account Number or Form No. 60, by such date as may be notified by the Central Government".

While the 12-digit Aadhaar is issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), PAN is allotted by the Income Tax Department. Form 60 is a declaration filed by an individual or a person (not being a company or firm) who does not have a PAN and who enters into any specified transaction.

Yesterday's notification by the Department of Revenue in the finance ministry effectively paves the way for extending the deadline for mandatory quoting of Aadhaar for activities like the opening of a bank account.

This is in line with the Centre last week informing the Supreme Court that it is willing to extend till March 31 the deadline fixed for mandatory linking of Aadhaar to avail various services and welfare schemes.

On December 7, the deadline for linking PAN with Aadhaar was extended by three months to March 31, 2018.

Under the PMLA, Aadhaar, PAN and other official documents are required to be obtained by banks and financial institutions from anyone opening a bank account as well as for any financial transaction of Rs 50,000 and above.

The notification issued yesterday stated that accounts where Aadhaar and PAN are not furnished by the date notified by the government will cease to be operational.

If the account holder "fails to submit the Aadhaar number and PAN by such date as may be notified by the central government, the said account shall cease to be operational till the time the Aadhaar number and Permanent Account Number are submitted by the client", it said.

The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) forms the core of the legal framework put in place by India to combat money laundering and generation of black money.

The PMLA and its rules impose an obligation on reporting entities like banks, financial institutions and intermediaries to verify the identity of clients, maintain records and furnish information to the Financial Intelligence Unit of India (FIU-IND).

As per Rule 9, every reporting entity shall at the time of commencement of an account-based relationship identify its clients, verify their identity and obtain information on the purpose and intended nature of the business relationship.

Intermediaries like stockbroker, chit fund company, cooperative bank, housing finance institution and non-banking finance companies are also classified as reporting entities.

The broad rule also applies to all cash dealing of more than Rs 10 lakh or its equivalent in foreign currency, cash transactions where forged or counterfeit currency notes have been used and all suspicious dealings.

All cross-border wire transfers of more than Rs 5 lakh in foreign currency and purchase and sale of immovable property valued at Rs 50 lakh or more also fall under this category, according to the reporting rules.

The notification issued yesterday said amendments are being made in Rule 9 of the Prevention of Money-laundering (Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005.

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Islamabad:

China has halted the release of funds for three key projects under the USD 50 billion China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) till Beijing revised its financial mechanism, a media report on Tuesday quoted Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal as saying.

The minister informed a parliamentary committee meeting on the CPEC that the Chinese side was reviewing the financial mechanism of these projects and work on them would restart after receiving approval from Beijing, Dawn newspaper quoted a press release by the National Assembly Secretariat as saying.

The CPEC is a planned network of roads, railways and energy projects linking China's resource-rich Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with Pakistan's strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea.

The CPEC was launched in 2015 when President Xi Jinping visited Pakistan and it now envisages investment of over USD 50 billion in different projects of development in Pakistan.

Iqbal could not convince the committee members as to why the Chinese government had opted for a new financial mechanism and scrapped the previous one which was agreed upon by both countries, the report said.

It was reported that China had temporarily stopped funding some projects, particularly those related to the road network under CPEC, till a further decision on new guidelines by Beijing.

The decision by the Chinese government is likely to hit over 1 trillion Pakistani rupees worth of road projects of the Pakistan's National Highway Authority (NHA), the Dawn had reported last week.

The report had said that China decided to temporarily stop funding at least three major road projects in Pakistan under the CPEC following reports of alleged corruption.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Asad Umar, who is also a member of the parliamentary committee, said the meeting was informed that China was revising the infrastructure projects under its "financial review".

Another member of the committee, Al-Haj Gul Khan Afridi, said they were told that China had not stopped financing the CPEC projects but raised some "technical objections" to three NHA road projects.

A team of Chinese experts would arrive in Pakistan soon to inspect the three projects by the National Highway Authority (NHA), he added.

The road projects that are likely to be affected include 210 km Dera Ismail Khan-Zhob Road, the 110 km Khuzdar-Basima Road and the 136 km Karakarom Highway from Raikot to Thakot.

Also read: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor stares into uncertainty as China stops funding over corruption reports



However, a senior NHA official rejected the government claim that work on the three road projects of the authority had been halted on technical grounds.

"It is not true that China raised objections to the projects because these had already been approved at the 6th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting held last year," he said.

Also read: China evades comment on Chabahar port launch



Iqbal informed the committee that the Karachi Circular Railway project had been approved for the CPEC, while similar projects for Quetta and Peshawar would be reviewed in accordance with the technical feasibility reports.

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Thiruvananthapuram:

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said the Centre has agreed to continue search operations for the missing fishermen in Cyclone Ockhi that hit the state's coast on November 29 and 30.

The death toll in the disaster has, meanwhile, climbed to 58 with more bodies recovered from high seas.

State control room officials said three bodies were found off the coast of Kozhikode and three from Kochi.

Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has agreed to continue the search operations in the high seas as requested by the state, Vijayan told reporters after a Cabinet meeting.

However, the chief minister said complete information was still not available on the fishermen who went out to sea during the cyclone days.

"Several fishermen had ventured into sea in boats and some in small crafts. The anxiety is about people who had gone in crafts", Vijayan said.

When pointed out that the Latin Catholic Church, to which most of the affected fishermen belonged, had disputed the official figure on missing fishermen, Vijayan said, "there is no need for dispute on that."

The government has a figure of missing persons and if there were any more persons other than in the list, that also would be confirmed, he added.

The official missing toll is 94.

Read more: Ram Setu is man-made claims American science channel, BJP says stance vindicated

In a bid to set up a mechanism to ensure safety of fishermen, Vijayan said a system was being planned in association with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The chief minister said the government would speed up relief and rehabilitation work.

The financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh for families of fishermen killed in the cyclone would be given in one go, he said adding "it will be given shortly without any hassle."

An amount of Rs five lakh would be given to those who were seriously injured and not able to go for work in future as an "alternative livelihood" initiative, he said.

Efforts were on to identify the bodies through DNA test, he said.

Observing that the Centre seems to have understood the gravity of the damage caused by the cyclone in the state, Vijayan said Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured him that a Central team would visit the affected areas very soon.

Seeking support of all sections of society for relief and rehabilitation of cyclone victims, Vijayan said all cabinet members have donated their one month's salary to Ockhi cyclone relief fund.

He appealed to government employees to donate three days salary and workers in other sectors one day's salary to the fund.

Giving details of the measures planned for the victims, he said houses would be built for those who had lost it under the government's Livelihood Inclusion and Financial Empowerment (LIFE) programme.

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New Delhi:

Telecom regulator Trai will come out with its recommendations on allowing in-flight connectivity by December-end, a top official said on Wednesday.

Also, the regulator will "soon" provide its inputs to the telecom department on the proposed New Telecom Policy (NTP), which is currently in the works.Trai has formed four working groups to discuss various aspects of the NTP, including licensing, infrastructure, and broadband, among others.

Referring to recommendations on in-flight connectivity, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) chairman R S Sharma said: "We are working on this and certainly in the current calender year, it will come out... which means in next 15 days or so."

Sharma declined to divulge more, but said "the broad point is that in-flight connectivity shall be allowed".

"Basically the recommendations will set broad parameters of that," he said.Sharma was speaking to reporters on sidelines of a conference on Accelerating Satellite Broadband for Inclusive Growth.

On the NTP, Sharma said Trai has already held various rounds of discussions -- both internally and with the telecom department, which is working on the new policy.

"We will soon be giving them our inputs," he said.

On the open sky policy, Sharma said that while the policy mandated that the service provider or anyone that wants to provide broadband will be able to contract satellite operators, there were still some "deficiencies" in the system.

"That, we will need to work out," he said, but ruled out a separate consultation paper on the same. The new telecom policy will exemplify all those issues, Sharma noted.

Trai had begun the consultation process for framing guidelines for full-fledged in-flight mobile services in late September.

In its consultation paper on In-Flight Connectivity (IFC), the regulator had then said, "Given the rapidly expanding demand for In-Flight Communication, there is a proposal to introduce In-Flight Connectivity for voice, data and video services over Indian airspace for domestic, international and over-flying flight in Indian airspace."

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Bengaluru:

Conceding a BJP demand, the Karnataka government on Wednesday decided to hand over to CBI the case relating to the mysterious death of a youth, which has sparked violence in coastal Uttara Kannada district.

The state government has decided to hand over Paresh Kamalakar Mesta's mysterious death case to Central Bureau of Investigation," state Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy told PTI here, as the BJP upped the ante on the issue.

Maintaining that Mesta was a Hindu activist and had been 'killed' by "Jihadi elements", the BJP has demanded an investigation by the CBI or the National Investigation Agency.

Hitting out at BJP, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had accused it of using the incident for "political gains."

Mesta (19), hailing from the fisherman community, was reported missing on December 6 before his body was found near a lake in Honnavar in Uttara Kannada district two days later.

Sirsi and Kumata towns in the district have been hit by violence since then.

Mesta's family and local residents alleged he was abducted and killed amid reports that the body bore marks of attack by sharp objects.

Police, however, have rejected the claims, citing a report by doctors, pending a postmortem examination.

Earlier today, senior BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje claimed the involvement of Muslim outfit Popular Front of India Mesta's death as she pressed for CBI or NIA probe.

"Investigations have shown the involvement of PFI behind the murder of RSS worker Rudresh (early this year) and other leaders in Karnataka and Kerala. Why is the government soft On PFI and not banning it" she asked.

PFI had earlier rejected the BJP charge pinning the blame on it for the killings of Hindu activists.

Karandlaje dismissed Reddy's charges that she and other firebrand BJP leaders were responsible for the riotous situation in the coastal belt.

To a query, Reddy said, "We do not want to indulge in political mud-slinging, and the government is not shielding anyone in this case, and hence we thought it fit to hand over the case to CBI."

Also read: Bengaluru: New twist in Paresh Mesta death case as forensic report belies BJPs allegations



Charging the BJP with playing politics over Mesta's death in poll-bound Karnataka, where assembly elections are due early next year, he said the victim did not belong to any political party.

"Mesta's father, in a TV interview yesterday, had denied that his son belonged to any political party. This is just in contrast to BJP allegations that Mesta belonged to a Hindu outfit," he said.

Also read: Paresh Mestas father says son not associated with any group while Karnataka BJP maintains he was their karyakarta



The death of Mesta had given a fresh ammunition to the BJP which has been targeting the Siddaramaiah government in recent months, saying that nearly 15 activists of the Sangh Parivar and pro-Hindu outfits have been killed in coastal Karnataka and elsewhere.

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New Delhi:

India is looking to set up few more land ports after the success of such integrated check posts at Agartala and other places, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said on Wednesday.

"We are thinking of identifying few more (land ports). Beyond that we have border huts, custom stations and there are many things," Rijiju said addressing a function here today to celebrate 50 years of ASEAN and 25 years of India-ASEAN Partnership.

He talked about the success and brisk business being done at land ports at Agartala and other places in the country saying that it is not easy to set up a land port because you have to have an outlet.

Elaborating further, he said, "These borders along the Eastern coast and Northeast must be hugely explored ... otherwise people think they are far away from Delhi."

"The heart of the country may be Delhi. But shape and size of country is defined by its border. The country does not begin with the capital but it begins from the border. So borders are important."

He also said that the obsession with the western education and issues with Pakistan must be done away with.

The minister said that Home Ministry has started opening various channels on the borders to foster relations with neighbours, particularly in Eastern and North-Eastern Region (NER).

The Land Ports Authority of India has taken up expansion of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Moreh in Manipur for expansion of trade with Myanmar, India's gateway to the ASEAN, and it will be inaugurated soon.

He said the ICP in Agartala on Bangladesh border has started and few more ICPs besides Land Customs Stations and Border Haats will be set up.

Echoing the views, Telecom and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that under the Northeast BPO (business processing outsourcing) scheme, the BPOs have already started working in Guwahati, Jorhat, Kohima and Imphal.

Elaborating further, he said that in the latest bid the BPOs are going to come in Dipu, Kokrajhar and Silchar in Assam; Dimpapur in Nagaland and Agratala in Tripura.

He also told that Bhubaneswar, Cuttak and Baleshwar in Odisha have become the new centres of BPOs.

"The most moving moment for me was... Kashmir... today BPOs are working in Bhadarwah, Budgam, Jammu, Sopore and Srinagar."

He said, "The latest BPOs have come out in Chittor, Mathura, Deoria, Farukabad, Jahanabad, Gaya, Pathankot, Gwalior and Amritsar. It is new India emerging."

Rijiju also said East India and the NER (northeast region) are rich in mineral and natural resources.

He said many of us will be surprised to learn that Dibrugarh contributed more to government's revenues than India's commercial capital, Mumbai.

Myanmar has the third highest Indian diaspora, next only to Nepal and the US, he added.

Rijiju said East Asia and South East Asia stretching from Japan and China and upto India is emerging as the world?s next economic powerhouse.

India cannot be delineated from South East Asia and East Asia, he added.

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Mumbai:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dedicated India's first new conventional submarine INS Kalvari to the nation in Mumbai on Thursday.

The prime minister landed at Mumbai at around 11 pm on Wednesday and proceeded directly to the Raj Bhavan.

He was received at the airport by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao.

Kalvari, the first of the six Scorpene-class submarine handed over by ship builder Mazagon Dock Limited, got commissioned into the Navy by Modi on Thursday.

The submarines, designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai as part of Project-75 of the Indian Navy.

Also Read: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman commissions INS Kiltan

Here are the live updates:

# INSKalvari, first made-in-India Scorpene class submarine commissioned into the Navy

# 'One Rank One Pension' was our commitment: PM Modi

# More than 200 terrorists have been killed in J&K this year,there has also been a steep decline in stone pelting incidents: PM Narendra Modi

# Eco-system connected to safety and security has begun to be changed in last three years: PM Narendra Modi

# Be it terrorism via sea, piracy, drug smuggling or illegal fishing, India is playing an important role in combating them: PM Narendra Modi

# I call it by a special name -S. A. G. A. R...means 'security and growth for all in the region': PM Modi #INSKalvari

# This is a fine example of the fast growing strategic partnership between India and France: PM Modi #INSKalvari

# Mumbai: #INSKalvari, first made-in-India Scorpene class submarine commissioned into the Navy

# PM Narendra Modi dedicates #INSKalvari to the nation in Mumbai

# Mumbai: PM Narendra Modi to dedicate #INSKalvari to the nation shortly



#WATCH: PM Modi dedicates INS Kalvari to the nation in Mumbai https://t.co/UV51XxM275  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Mumbai: #INSKalvari, first made-in-India Scorpene class submarine commissioned into the Navy pic.twitter.com/3LtRYHrH9W  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

This is a fine example of the fast growing strategic partnership between India and France: PM Modi #INSKalvari pic.twitter.com/jRVnuIkoni  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

#INSKalvari, first made-in-India Scorpene class submarine commissioned into the Navy pic.twitter.com/ODggsc31wh  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

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Traveling can be a life-changing experience and travelers when getting a list of places to be viewed is like a precious gift. Trying to make this informative, These are inspirations from various platforms and most of which are World Tourism Ranking while others for their scenic beauty that has been captured so well.

Traveling is like a therapy and for those who havent experienced the charm, this list would be very useful. A gradual beginning would lead you to ticking the last place on the list and you will be stimulated to look for another destination. That is the impact traveling has on the mind and the heart. Before we stream into the advantages of traveling, look at the list below and find out yourself:

1. Bora Bora Island, French Polynesia

The epitome of romance, Bora Bora is one of the best travel destinations in the World. This place is known for its luxurious stays and adventurous activities. The hotels in Bora Bora offer full privacy and their floating villas have direct entrance to the sea while their terrace is blessed with romantic sunrise & sunset.

Amazing wildlife, oceanic adventure, and wining & dining at these places often come together. With all these places close to each other, you can visit them together. When in Australia, New Zealand and Bora Bora island can be planned with the help of a tour planner.

2. Machu Picchu, Peru  The Sun Gate

Huayna Picchu is a mountain in Peru, rising over Machu Picchu, the so-called Lost City of Incas. This place is popular among tourists as the sunrise from the Sun Gate is simply spectacular. The hills here proffer one of the most marvelous views of the main square of Machu Picchu, with the sun in the backdrop.

The setting sun each day is something to look forward to with the hues it spreads. This place is widely rated as one of the worlds greatest ancient archaeological sites.

3. Great Barrier Reef, Australia  Great Natural Wonder

One of the most remarkable Australian natural gifts is the Great Barrier Reef. The hallmark of this place is lavish and beauty. So if you want to see this grandeur of nature in Australia, you need to spend money and come & stay at the most luxurious places the Reef has to offer. This place is blessed with the breathtaking beauty of the worlds largest coral reef.

The reef contains an abundance of marine life and comprises over 3000 individual reef systems and coral cays and hundreds of picturesque tropical islands.

Holiday destinations that could soon be added to travel green list

Portugal travel guide

The wild has taught me importance of resilience :Bear Grylls
After failing to get reappointed as the prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, on the early hours of May 22, repeated his five-month-old move as he dissolved the House of Representatives yet again, taking the country towards elections amid the raging Covid-19 pandemic.

Oli said that this was the way to move forward as the House had become irrelevant and that conducting the elections was the only way the country could move forward. The president, then, even came up with dates. If the Supreme Court does not reject this decision, the elections are due to take place on November 12 and 19.

While Oli is busy with internal and national politics, cases are still on the rise in Nepal. Since the decision to hold the elections, there have been over 30,000 cases and nearly 600 deaths in the country. This has caused a lot of tension amongst health workers who feel that even thinking about conducting the elections during the pandemic is not only irresponsible but stupid.

The reason doctors and medical workers are raising alarm is the number of deaths in the country has doubled since April. Until April 14, 3,061 people had died of Covid-19. The number as of Tuesday (May 25) was 6,700.

Experts, pointing towards Nepals southern neighbours, say that the number will definitely rise if the elections happens thanks to the grand campaignings that take place before voting.

Call for crowding

People waiting to get inside Alka Hospital to get vaccinated.

Dr Achyut Karki, Bir Hospitals Covid-19 in-charge, says he is concerned about how the government plans to control the crowd for elections when it has not been able to do so during testing and vaccination.

Its stupid to even think about it, says Dr Karki.

He says that the reason for the rise in the number of cases currently is the government and people being careless by hosting political rallies and meeting, weddings and various other events.

Cases were finally going down and things were getting back to normal. Even though the virus was around, people and the government acted like it no longer existed. Were bearing the brunt for that, says Dr Karki. We need to learn from this and act responsibly even when cases do go down. If we do hold the elections, who knows how worse the situation can get?

Almost all Covid-19 hospitals in the country are full of patients.

Cases in India rose as it held the Vidhan Sabha elections in various states. The virus, according to experts, spread exponentially through political gatherings and rallies as they practise little to no social distancing. In Nepal, similar things happened. Oli held a programme attended by a few thousand people. His opposition, Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal, held a demonstration programme that had over 10,000 people. These political incidents and various religious festivals and marriage parties held in the country, according to experts, led to a spike in Covid-19 cases.

Alarm bells

File: KP Sharma Oli casts his vote in the parliamentary elections in Bhaktapur, in 2017.

Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, a virologist at the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, says that the government should look at doing the elections virtually as conducting them physically could be detrimental to Nepals already exhausted health system.

Even if there is one person with Covid-19 at a political rally, the entire crowd can be infected. Our politicians need to think about the people, says Dr Pun.

He says that even though the virus is dangerous, the country can control it if it stops people from crowding places and maintaining proper hand hygiene. He adds that even if the number of cases drops down, people shall refrain from going to crowded places until the virus is completely eradicated because it can come back and cause havoc in the manner it currently has.

Health workers are raising alarm because down south, in India, a lot of frontline workers lost their lives to Covid-19. Over 1,600 election officials also died in India as it held the elections. Relatives of the deceased have called the Narendra Modi government a murderer for doing so. Frontline workers fear that the same case can repeat in Nepal.

Dr Niraj Bam, a senior pulmonologist at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, says Olis decision to hold the elections at such a time is irresponsible. Dr Bam adds that political rallies, gatherings and meetings should instead be discouraged for a year.

The elections might be beneficial for politicians. But, the public will suffer a lot if they happen. The country will take us a few years to recover from it, he says.

While Oli has been saying that cases by November should come down, doctors and public health experts say that there is no way that one could predict that. They say that the leaders should take India as an example before taking any rash decisions.

The elections in India escalated the infection. If we dont want that to happen to Nepalis, we should not conduct an election, says Dr Bam.

A health worker prepares a dose of the COVISHIELD vaccine against Covid-19 in Kathmandu, January 2021.

The Oli-led government had said that the entire population would be vaccinated within three months. But, that has turned out to be a lie. Not learning from his mistake, Oli, on Sunday at a press conference, said that he would make sure that all Nepalis would be vaccinated before the elections.

But, public health experts say that the chances of that happening are rare as Nepal does not even have vaccines at the moment. If the government plans to vaccinate the entire population, it has to make sure that the vaccines arrive in Nepal within the next 45 days. As of now, there have been limited efforts to get some vaccines, but that will not be enough to vaccinate the entire population.

Dr Anup Bastola of Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku, says Nepal will be hit by the third wave of Covid-19 if the government conducts the elections in November.

Why cant they understand that the virus spreads faster in crowded space? The government is being irresponsible here, he says.

Dr Bimal Pandey seconds Dr Bastola and adds that there is no chance that the virus will disappear from the country by November. We will have to announce a health emergency if that happens because our weak health system will break down due to it.

Even the opposition parties are mum about it. Instead of asking Oli to retract this, they are all busy with their own politics.

Its sad that their focus is not on controlling the pandemic and rather on politics and elections, says Dr Dinesh Kumar Lamsal from Civil Service Hospital.

His concerns are valid too as people are dying in Nepal due to the shortage of oxygen, ICU beds and ventilators. The number of critical Covid-19 patients is not coming down even when almost the entire country is on lockdown.
Researchers from the Danish psychiatry research-project iPSYCH have contributed to identify 33 new genetic variants which, as it turns out, play a role in bipolar disorder. To achieve this, they have examined DNA profiles from 413,000 people

Researchers from the Danish psychiatry research-project iPSYCH have contributed to identify 33 new genetic variants which, as it turns out, play a role in bipolar disorder. To achieve this, they have examined DNA profiles from 413,000 people.

A number of scientific working groups are currently attempting to identify the genetic architecture underlying heritable and severe psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder.

One of these working groups is iPSYCH, Denmark's largest research project focusing on psychiatric disorders. Together with international colleagues, they have recently examined the genetic risk factors behind bipolar disorder. The research groups have examined DNA profiles from a total of 413,000 people of European descent.

These comprise 42,000 patients with bipolar disorder together with 371,000 individuals without the disorder. By comparing the results from these two groups, the researchers have succeeded in identifying 33 genetic variants which, as it turns out, play a role in the risk of developing bipolar disorder.

More knowledge about the disorder

This means that the number of mapped genetic variants - genetic risk factors - behind bipolar disorder has more than doubled, explains one of the Danish participants in the project, Associate Professor Thomas Damm Als from the Department of Biomedicine at Aarhus University:

"In the international collaboration that we're part of and which is focused on mapping genetic risk factors behind bipolar disorder, we've carried out three studies. Before we began the third study, we had knowledge of 31 risk variants - so this is a really significant increase in our knowledge of the genetic architecture of the disease."

The results have been published in the scientific journal Nature Genetics.

The 413,000 DNA profiles that the research group has examined stem from a total of 57 European health databases - with around 7,000 profiles from iPSYCH, the Lundbeck Foundation's Initiative for Integrated Psychiatric Research.

But what exactly are the researchers examining when they map out genetic variants in connection with a psychiatric disorder?

"On a general level we're looking for certain patterns in the prevalence of large pieces of DNA with several variants. Over time a whole 'library' of these genetic variants, which can appear in different places in the genome - our DNA that is - has been built up," says Thomas Damm Als.

Ideas for new treatment

By examining DNA from people who have a particular disease - and then comparing the results with DNA from people who are not affected by it - it is therefore possible to utilise the 'library' to see whether certain genetic variants are especially present in connection with the disease.

"This was how we found the 33 variants," says Thomas Damm Als: "But before we got to this point, we had to take all 413,000 DNA samples and look for variants at eight million places in the genome. It was a huge analysis, and it was only possible because more than two hundred researchers participated in the work."

However, the genetic variants do not provide the complete explanation of how a person develops bipolar disorder.

"They are various contributory factors, environmental factors, however, also play a role - and a similar 'cocktail' of hereditary and environmental factors are also underlying other psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and depression," explains the researcher.

In a broad sense, the identified genetic variants can be related to brain functions. Some of the variants are thus involved in genes expressed in the brain, while others influence the signalling between nerve cells in the brain.

This knowledge broadens our understanding of bipolar disorder and may also generate ideas for the development of new medical treatments. But as the researcher emphasizes, this is in no way a more detailed explanation of bipolar disorder,

"Today, we know that bipolar disorder appear to be more heritable than e.g. depression - but how these genetic factors and environmental factors interact is something we still need to understand. And we haven't yet identified all of the relevant genetic variants."

The road to a better understanding of the disorder involves even more DNA studies, as a similar mapping of depression which is also presently being carried out by a large team of international researchers has demonstrated. In this study it took a long time to find genetic variants specific to depression. Only when the research group had analysed approximately 500,000 DNA profiles did they really begin to see a clearer picture.

"It's true for all psychiatric disorders, that you need to have a certain study size to have any hope of finding genetic variants that can be considered risk factors," says Thomas Damm Als.

###

Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic depression) is a psychiatric disorder that typically occurs in adolescence. It leads to periods of mania or slight mania. These periods, which are characterised by unnatural exhilaration with increased energy, activity and self-esteem, are replaced by depressive periods. Manic and depressive symptoms may also occur simultaneously or with rapid shifts.1.3 per cent of men and 1.8 per cent of women are either hospitalised or receive ambulatory treatment for bipolar disorder during their life.

Source: iPSYCH.dk

Background for the results

Type of study: Case control and case cohort studies.

External funding: The Lundbeck Foundation and several international foundations including the Stanley Foundation and NIH/NIMH. Partners: The result is a collaboration between 230 researchers, primarily from Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA and Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; The Broad Institute at Harvard and MIT together with Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, but also including a number of other international researchers and institutions who are organised in The Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. The scientific artcle can be read in Nature Genetics.

Contact

Associate Professor Thomas Damm Als

Aarhus University, Department of Biomedicine

tda@biomed.au.dk

61716655
IT Modernization

VA lowballed health record modernization costs, watchdog says

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In a newly released report, the inspector general at the Department of Veterans Affairs indicates that the $16 billion cost estimate for the switch to the Cerner electronic health record system doesn't incorporate billions of dollars in needed physical infrastructure costs.

The public release of the report, the first of two to focus on hidden costs in the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program, comes in week 10 of a 12-week strategic review of the program -- a review that was announced on March 19 by agency chief Denis McDonough.

According to the report, VA may have underestimated physical infrastructure upgrade costs by as much as $2.6 billion. The second report will cover cost estimates related to IT infrastructure upgrades. Physical infrastructure covers climate control, ventilation, cabling and electrical work; IT infrastructure includes computer hardware and networking gear.

Currently, the costs of the overall project are split cross different budget lines. The EHRM effort has its own line in the VA appropriation, to cover the costs of the $10 billion software contract with Cerner over the course of the 10-year period of performance, as well as $4.3 billion for IT infrastructure and $1.7 billion for program management, totaling just over $16 billion.

Additional infrastructure costs are being borne by the Office of Information and Technology and by the Veterans Health Administration. The IG report's key finding is that it is not really clear how much over the initial $16 billion the additional infrastructure needs will cost. It could be an additional $3 billion, but it could be more.

The Office of Electronic Health Record Modernization didn't include physical infrastructure costs in its estimates, according to the report, "because VHA was responsible for upgrades to medical facilities," and it had been told by VHA's chief financial officer that the responsibility of reporting physical infrastructure costs fell to VHA.

VHA's cost estimates are characterized in the IG report as not well-documented, not reliable and not credible. VHA's infrastructure upgrades are not supported by any special appropriation -- they come from the medical facilities budget. This creates the potential problem of VHA having to pay for the difference between estimated cost and actual cost out of other funds "or risk jeopardizing the system's deployment schedule."

"This was already going to be the most expensive electronic health record overhaul in America," Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), the ranking member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said in an emailed statement. "Now we know VA has been underestimating it by at least $3 billion. VA must be upfront with Congress about the true costs of this effort. That is why I have been calling for the ongoing strategic review to include a complete, updated cost estimate."

The Cerner system is under review because of productivity issues at Mann-Granstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane, Wash., the initial go-live site. Some of the problems -- prescription mixups, issues with the patient portal and staff training issues -- were reported in a March 17 letter to McDonough from Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.).

One big question the review will have to answer is should the Cerner program go forward or be scrapped.

"The problem they're running into right now is that as a result of implementing the new system in Spokane, productivity is down," Roger Baker, former VA CIO, told FCW in an email. "It's hard to justify spending to Congress that's going to drive down productivity. They've got to figure out if there is a better than break-even point, and should they proceed ahead."

Baker, who has estimated the true 10-year cost of the electronic health record replacement program at about $30 billion, said that the key advertised benefit of the news system -- full interoperability with the Defense Department's own Cerner system -- have been oversold.

"VA and DOD were never going to use the exact same system. The business processes are different. As those two systems started to vary, there was going to be drift," he said. Additionally, the Cerner approach doesn't solve the issue of community care interoperability -- a key element of VA care under recent legislation that expands veteran access to private sector providers.

"Local providers are going to be much more important in veteran care than DOD facilities," Baker said.
(Bloomberg) -- Bitcoin fluctuated around the $40,000 level as chartists refocus on key technical factors that may provide clues on where it can go next.

The digital asset on Wednesday bounced off its 200-day moving average -- around $40,600 -- highlighting how difficult it may be for it to regain its upward momentum. The coin gave up some of its earlier gains after failing to breach that key level -- it was up 3.8% to trade at $38,612 as of 11:28 a.m. in New York, down from earlier highs of $40,866.

The Bloomberg Galaxy Crypto Index advanced 6.2% -- also down from highs of as much as 11% reached earlier in the session. The gauge had one of its worst stretches ever last week.

Virtual currencies have swung wildly in recent weeks after billionaire Elon Musk sparked a selloff by criticizing Bitcoins energy consumption and said Tesla Inc. was suspending payments using the token. Tough regulatory rhetoric on cryptocurrencies from China exacerbated the moves, which saw leveraged investors unwind positions.

Were going to see this volatility story play out in decreasing manner as the maturity of the sector evolves, Caroline Bowler, chief executive officer of BTC Markets, said on Bloomberg TV. But its certainly a feature thats going to be sticking around for the shorter term.

As digital coins claw back losses, some cryptocurrency adherents are taking the latest swings in stride.

Bitcoin is infamously volatile, people are aware of that. I wouldnt be dissuaded by it -- its kind of a know feature of the system, Nic Carter, founding partner at Castle Island Ventures, said on Bloomberg TV. For something that is absolutely scarce, where theres no possible supply response to changes in demand, its going to be very difficult to accommodate new inflows without that being expressed in volatility.

Home to a large concentration of the worlds crypto miners, China has long expressed displeasure with the anonymity provided by Bitcoin and other crypto tokens. The latest blow came last week when the country reiterated a warning that it intends to crack down on cryptocurrency mining as part of an effort to control financial risks.

Story continues

Read more: Chinas Crypto Mining Crackdown Followed Deadly Coal Accidents

Other commentators are more circumspect about the recent swings.

The end of Bitcoins streak above the 200-day average, and the gigantic spike in volatility, are not good signs if history is any kind of a guide at all here, Sundial Capital Research Inc. founder Jason Goepfert wrote in a note.

Musk in February plowed $1.5 billion of Teslas corporate cash into the token and said the electric-vehicle maker would accept it as payment, before rescinding the latter decision this month.

Roiled by Musk

While Musk has since said he strongly believes in cryptocurrencies as long as they dont drive a massive increase in fossil fuel use, digital tokens are still nursing losses from his spate of recent actions and comments.

The volatility, regulatory scrutiny and worries about Bitcoins environmental profile have dented the argument that the largest token will inevitably draw more mainstream investment.

Bitcoin is about $25,000 shy of its mid-April record of almost $65,000. The value of more than 7,000 tokens tracked by CoinGecko has dropped over $700 billion to about $1.8 trillion from a May peak.

Over longer time periods, virtual currencies are still sitting on big gains. Bitcoin is up 358% in the past year, Ether more than 1,300% and meme-investment Dogecoin some 14,000%.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

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NASDAQ Copenhagen

Executive Board

Lers Parkalle 100

DK-2100 Kbenhavn 

www.rd.dk







Telephone +45 7012 5300

Telefax +45 4514 9622











26 May 2021

Company Announcement No 47/2020

Breakdown of debtors, Realkredit Danmark A/S

Pursuant to 24 of the Capital Markets Act, Realkredit Danmark A/S hereby publishes breakdown of debtors as at Friday 21 May 2021. Please find the data in the attached file.

The information will also be available on www.rd.dk .

Yours sincerely

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Any additional questions should be addressed to Hella Gebhardt Rnnebk, Chief Analyst, phone +45 4513 2068.

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OTTAWA, May 26, 2021 /CNW/ - Canada Post has informed 44 of its large business customers of a data breach caused by a malware attack on one of our suppliers, Commport Communications. The supplier notified Canada Post late last week (on May 19) that manifest data held in their systems, which was associated with some Canada Post customers, had been compromised.

Commport Communications is an electronic data interchange (EDI) solution supplier used by Canada Post to manage the shipping manifest data of large parcel business customers. Shipping manifests are used to fulfill customer orders. They typically include sender and receiver contact information that you would find on shipping labels, such as the names and addresses of the business sending the item and the customer receiving it.

After a detailed forensic investigation, there is no evidence that any financial information was breached. In all, the impacted shipping manifests for the 44 commercial customers contained information relating to just over 950 thousand receiving customers. After a thorough review of the shipping manifest files, we've determined the following:

The information is from July 2016 to March 2019

The vast majority (97%) contained the name and address of the receiving customer

The remainder (3%) contained an email address and/or phone number

While the breach occurred via a supplier, Canada Post respects customer privacy and takes matters of cyber security very seriously. We also sincerely regret the inconvenience this will cause our valued customers. In November 2020, Commport Communications notified Innovapost, Canada Post's IT subsidiary, of a potential ransomware issue, which was investigated with Commport Communications advising there was no evidence to suggest any customer data had been compromised at that time.

We are now working closely with Commport Communications and have engaged external cyber security experts to fully investigate and take action. We are proactively informing the impacted business customers and providing the information and support necessary to help them determine their next steps. As well, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner has been notified.

Story continues

Canada Post will continue to engage external cyber security experts to conduct additional forensic work and assist in the ongoing investigation with Commport Communications. We have already implemented proactive measures and will continue to take all necessary steps to mitigate the impacts. Canada Post will also incorporate any learnings into our efforts, including the involvement of suppliers, to enhance our cyber security approach which is becoming an increasingly sophisticated issue.

SOURCE Canada Post

Cision

View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2021/26/c4333.html
The European Union plans to beef up its response to online disinformation, with the Commission saying today it will step up efforts to combat harmful but not illegal content -- including by pushing for smaller digital services and adtech companies to sign up to voluntary rules aimed at tackling the spread of this type of manipulative and often malicious content.

EU lawmakers pointed to risks such as the threat to public health posed by the spread of harmful disinformation about COVID-19 vaccines as driving the need for tougher action.

Concerns about the impacts of online disinformation on democratic processes are another driver, they said.

Commenting in a statement, Thierry Breton, commissioner for Internal Market, said: We need to rein in the infodemic and the diffusion of false information putting people's life in danger. Disinformation cannot remain a source of revenue. We need to see stronger commitments by online platforms, the entire advertising ecosystem and networks of fact-checkers. The Digital Services Act will provide us with additional, powerful tools to tackle disinformation.

A new more expansive code of practice on disinformation is being prepared -- and will, the Commission hopes, be finalized in September, to be ready for application at the start of next year.

Its gear change is a fairly public acceptance that the EU's voluntary code of practice -- an approach Brussels has taken since 2018 -- has not worked out as hoped. And, well, we did warn them.

A push to get the adtech industry on board with demonetizing viral disinformation is certainly overdue.

It's clear the online disinformation problem hasn't gone away. Some reports have suggested problematic activity -- like social media voter manipulation and computational propaganda -- have been getting worse in recent years, rather than better.

However, getting visibility into the true scale of the disinformation problem remains a huge challenge given that those best placed to know (ad platforms) don't freely open their systems to external researchers. But that's something else the Commission would like to change.

Story continues

Signatories to the EU's current code of practice on disinformation are:

Google, Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, TikTok, Mozilla, DOT Europe (Former EDiMA), the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) and its Belgian counterpart, the Union of Belgian Advertisers (UBA); the European Association of Communications Agencies (EACA), and its national members from France, Poland and the Czech Republic -- respectively, Association des Agences Conseils en Communication (AACC), Stowarzyszenie Komunikacji Marketingowej/Ad Artis Art Foundation (SAR), and Asociace Komunikacnich Agentur (AKA); the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB Europe), Kreativitet & Kommunikation, and Goldbach Audience (Switzerland) AG.

EU lawmakers said they want to broaden participation by getting smaller platforms to join, as well as recruiting all the various players in the adtech space whose tools provide the means for monetizing online disinformation.

Commissioners said today that they want to see the code covering a "whole range" of actors in the online advertising industry (i.e. rather than the current handful).

In its press release the Commission also said it wants platforms and adtech players to exchange information on disinformation ads that have been refused by one of them -- so there's a more coordinated response to shut out bad actors.

As for those who are signed up already, the Commission's report card on their performance was bleak.

Speaking during a press conference, Breton said that only one of the five platform signatories to the code has "really" lived up to its commitments -- which was presumably a reference to the first five tech giants in the above list (aka: Google, Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft and TikTok).

Breton demurred on doing an explicit name-and-shame of the four others -- who he said have not "at all" done what was expected of them -- saying it's not the Commission's place to do that.

Rather, he said people should decide among themselves which of the platform giants that signed up to the code have failed to live up to their commitments. (Signatories since 2018 have pledged to take action to disrupt ad revenues of accounts and websites that spread disinformation; to enhance transparency around political and issue-based ads; tackle fake accounts and online bots; to empower consumers to report disinformation and access different news sources while improving the visibility and discoverability of authoritative content; and to empower the research community so outside experts can help monitor online disinformation through privacy-compliant access to platform data.)

Frankly it's hard to imagine which of the five tech giants from the above list might actually be meeting the Commission's bar. (Microsoft perhaps, on account of its relatively modest social activity versus the rest.)

Safe to say, there's been a lot of more hot air (in the form of selective PR) on the charged topic of disinformation versus hard accountability from the major social platforms over the past three years.

So it's perhaps no accident that Facebook chose today to puff up its historical efforts to combat what it refers to as "influence operations" -- aka "coordinated efforts to manipulate or corrupt public debate for a strategic goal -- by publishing what it couches as a "threat report" detailing what it's done in this area between 2017 and 2000.

Influence ops refer to online activity that may be being conducted by hostile foreign governments or by malicious agents seeking, in this case, to use Facebook's ad tools as a mass manipulation tool -- perhaps to try to skew an election result or influence the shape of looming regulations. And Facebook's "threat report" states that the tech giant took down and publicly reported only 150 such operations over the report period.

Yet as we know from Facebook whistleblower Sophie Zhang, the scale of the problem of mass malicious manipulation activity on Facebook's platform is vast and its response to it is both under-resourced and PR-led. (A memo written by the former Facebook data scientist, covered by BuzzFeed last year, detailed a lack of institutional support for her work and how takedowns of influence operations could almost immediately respawn -- without Facebook doing anything.)

(NB: If it's Facebook's "broader enforcement against deceptive tactics that do not rise to the level of [Coordinate Inauthentic Behavior]" that you're looking for, rather than efforts against "influence operations", it has a whole other report for that -- the Inauthentic Behavior Report! -- because of course Facebook gets to mark its own homework when it comes to tackling fake activity, and shapes its own level of transparency exactly because there are no legally binding reporting rules on disinformation.)

Legally binding rules on handling online disinformation aren't in the EU's pipeline either -- but commissioners said today that they wanted a beefed-up and "more binding" code.

They do have some levers to pull here via a wider package of digital reforms that's working its way through the EU's co-legislative process right now (aka the Digital Services Act).

The DSA will bring in legally binding rules for how platforms handle illegal content. And the Commission intends its tougher disinformation code to plug into that (in the form of what they call a "co-regulatory backstop").

It still won't be legally binding but it may earn willing platforms extra DSA compliance "cred". So it looks like disinformation-muck-spreaders' arms are set to be twisted in a pincer regulatory move by the EU making sure this stuff is looped, as an adjunct, to the legally binding regulation.

At the same time, Brussels maintains that it does not want to legislate around disinformation. The risks of taking a centralized approach might smell like censorship -- and it sounds keen to avoid that charge at all costs.

The digital regulation packages that the EU has put forward since the 2019 collage took up its mandate are generally aimed at increasing transparency, safety and accountability online, its values and transparency commissioner, Vera Jourova, said today.

Breton also said that now is the "right time" to deepen obligations under the disinformation code -- with the DSA incoming -- and also to give the platforms time to adapt (and involve themselves in discussions on shaping additional obligations).

In another interesting remark Breton also talked about regulators needing to "be able to audit platforms" -- in order to be able to "check what is happening with the algorithms that push these practices".

Though quite how audit powers can be made to fit with a voluntary, non-legally binding code remains to be seen.

Discussing areas where the current code has fallen short, Jourova pointed to inconsistencies of application across different EU Member States and languages.

She also said the Commission is keen for the beefed-up code to do more to empower users to act when they see something dodgy online -- such as by providing users with tools to flag problem content. Platforms should also provide users with the ability to appeal disinformation content takedowns (to avoid the risk of opinions being incorrectly removed), she said.

The focus for the code would be on tackling false "facts not opinions", she emphasized, saying the Commission wants platforms to "embed fact-checking into their systems" -- and for the code to work toward a "decentralized care of facts".

She went on to say that the current signatories to the code haven't provided external researchers with the kind of data access the Commission would like to see -- to support greater transparency into (and accountability around) the disinformation problem.

The code does require either monthly (for COVID-19 disinformation), six-monthly or yearly reports from signatories (depending on the size of the entity). But what's been provided so far doesn't add up to a comprehensive picture of disinformation activity and platform reaction, she said.

She also warned that online manipulation tactics are fast evolving and highly innovative -- while also saying the Commission would like to see signatories agree on a set of identifiable "problematic techniques" to help speed up responses.

In a separate but linked move, EU lawmakers will be coming with a specific plan for tackling political ads transparency in November, she noted.

They are also, in parallel, working on how to respond to the threat posed to European democracies by foreign interference CyberOps -- such as the aforementioned influence operations which are often found thriving on Facebook's platform.

The commissioners did not give many details on those plans today but Jourova said it's "high time to impose costs on perpetrators" -- suggesting that some interesting possibilities may be being considered, such as trade sanctions for state-backed DisOps (although attribution would be one challenge).

Breton said countering foreign influence over the "informational space", as he referred to it, is important work to defend the values of European democracy.

He also said the Commission's anti-disinformation efforts will focus on support for education to help equip EU citizens with the necessary critical thinking capabilities to navigate the huge quantities (of variable quality) information that now surrounds them.

This report was updated with a correction as we originally misstated that the IAB is not a signatory of the code; in fact it joined in May 2018.
PARIS, May 26 (Reuters) - Europe's aviation regulator on Wednesday urged airlines to avoid Belarus airspace for safety reasons, saying the forced diversion of a Ryanair flight had put into question the country's ability to provide safe air navigation.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said it was advising EU airlines, as well as non-EU carriers flying to or from the bloc, to avoid the airspace except in emergencies.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher; editing by Jason Neely)
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian authorities on Friday summoned state insurer BPJS Kesehatan, which provides universal health coverage, as part of an investigation into an alleged breach of personal data involving millions of people, the communications ministry said.

News this week that a trove of social security data was posted on a hacking forum has caused unease in the country of 270 million people, with some experts saying the breach points to Indonesia's weak cyber security infrastructure.

The ministry said the data were being sold and that the data sample involved 100,002 people, despite the seller claiming to have access to the data of about a million people.

It included information on families and payment status "identical to BPJS Kesehatan's data", spokesman Dedy Permadi said in a statement.

"The communications ministry has summoned the directors of BPJS Kesehatan as the manager of the personal data allegedly leaked," he added.

Dedy said some host sites had removed download links to the data.

A spokesman for BPJS Kesehatan said its technicians were working to uncover the cause of the breach.

Satriyo Wibowo, a cyber security expert and secretary of Indonesia Cyber Security Forum, said the leaks could cause a lot of public worry.

"It's personal data that could have implications sensitive to the owner's security and comfort," he said, adding that the data could be used for fake online loan applications.

"With this breach that largely went undetected, the seriousness of data protection is now questioned."

(Reporting by Stanley Widianto; Editing by Martin Petty)
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MESI, a medical device development and production company, with headquarters in Slovenia, announced the opening of new offices in Germany, France and the United Kingdom to accommodate these markets' growing demand. The expansion through local offices is one of the strategic moves to bring the MESI mTABLET predictive assessment portfolio closer to healthcare professionals.

Plans to develop MESI's own local offices were initiated by the increased demand of healthcare professionals for innovative and easy-to-use diagnostic medical devices, especially due to the rapid growth of digitalization of healthcare brought on by COVID-19. The new offices will enable the company to address the needs of healthcare professionals in each market more efficiently.

"We want to help clinicians provide better medical assessment in less time by bringing the benefits of digital and connected diagnostic devices to every single practice around the world," said Jakob Susteric, co-founder and CEO of the company. "The new offices will support our customers to utilize the advantages of the unique concept of medical diagnostics provided by MESI mTABLET. Clinicians will receive first-class training, support and service."

The German office is lead by Dr Sebastian Winkler, who has, before joining MESI, founded and lead the German marketplace Medizintechnikmarkt.de. Sandrine Millasseau, managing director of MESI France, has been working with MESI for the last five years and will continue delivering digital innovation to French healthcare. The newest team member leading MESI UK is Martin Marsh. With his extensive experience in the medical device industry, he will be further expanding MESI presence in one of the company's most important markets.

The medical industry has recently undergone a major shift towards digitalization. MESI has been at the forefront of medical device innovation since its establishment in 2010 by launching the 1-minute Ankle-Brachial Index measuring device used for early detection of Peripheral Arterial Disease. In 2017, MESI expanded the portfolio with the MESI mTABLET, a comprehensive system of diagnostic modules, patient records and medical apps.

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About the company:

MESI, Ltd. is an innovation-driven company focused on simplifying diagnostics, providing clinicians with predictive medical assessment, helping them discover diseases in the early stages and ensure all patients receive successful treatment. Our solutions fit into all medical environments, from individual practices to hospitals and home care. With strong in-house research & development and a certified production facility, we are a trustworthy provider of digital and connected diagnostic devices.

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Contact:

Manca Ursic Rosas

+386-51-656-292

manca@mesimedical.com
The following is a statement issued by Jamie Irving, Vice-President of Brunswick News Inc. and Chair of News Media Canada:

News Media Canada members are calling on the federal government to introduce the long-awaited policy to allow publishers to negotiate fairly with Facebook and Google.

Yesterday's announcement by Facebook regarding short-term commercial arrangements it has undertaken with a few Canadian media outlets underlines the need for the government to follow through urgently on the commitment it has made to curtail the predatory monopoly practices of both Facebook and Google and level the playing field for Canadian news media.

Both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Canadian Heritage have committed to legislation to rein in the web giants, who abuse their monopoly power by diverting 80% of online advertising revenues in Canada and distributing content generated by Canadian journalists without compensation. Since October of last year, News Media Canada has called for Canada to adopt the approach enacted by the Australian Parliament, which requires the web giants to negotiate collectively with that country's news media to provide fair compensation for content.

Until news media in this country can negotiate collectively with Google and Facebook, the two multinationals will continue to divide and conquer, using their power and market dominance to drive terms that are in their favour against smaller, more financially vulnerable news media outlets. Far from contributing to the resolution of the problem, this approach only solidifies their stranglehold.

As the response of the opposition parties this week has shown, there is a broad, bipartisan consensus for action now. We call on the government to keep its commitment to Canadians who rely on local news and to introduce legislation before Parliament rises for the summer.

About News Media Canada

News Media Canada is the voice of the print and digital news media industry in Canada and represents hundreds of trusted titles in every province and territory. News Media Canada is an advocate in public policy for daily and community media outlets and contributes to the ongoing evolution of the news media industry by raising awareness and promoting the benefits of news media across all platforms. For more information, visit our website at www.newsmediacanada.ca or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526006145/en/

Contacts

Jamie Irving, Chair, News Media Canada

jci@brunswicknews.com
Sets vision in motion through Environmental, Social and Governance Platform

- Strengthens ESG commitments in Health & Safety, Environment & Impact, People & Communities and Governance & Accountability. Targets align with major U.N. Sustainable Development Goals

- Builds on previous 2030 commitments to achieving gender parity at executive level and reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 50%

- Otis is a signatory of the U.N. Global Compact and first in its industry to join Paradigm for Parity coalition

FARMINGTON, Conn., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Otis Worldwide Corp. (NYSE: OTIS), the world's leading company for elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service, today unveiled additional global Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals. Building on previous ESG commitments announced in the company's 2020 Annual Report, the comprehensive set of 13 targets aligns with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals and across all four of the company's ESG commitments: Health & Safety, Environment & Impact, People & Communities, and Governance & Accountability.

Building on previous ESG commitments announced in the companys 2020 Annual Report, the comprehensive set of 13 targets aligns with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals and across all four of the companys ESG commitments: Health & Safety, Environment & Impact, People & Communities, and Governance & Accountability.

"Our ESG programs are integral to bringing our vision to life. They are embedded in our strategy, culture, and through our Otis Absolutes sit at the heart of what we do  giving people freedom to connect & thrive in a more sustainable and hopeful world that we build together," said Otis President & CEO Judy Marks. "We're committed to not only being the industry leader of today, but to pushing the industry forward. Our ESG goals mirror this ambition."

Otis' cross-functional ESG Council consists of members of the company's senior leadership team, along with a working group of disciplinary experts. The company conducted a robust materiality assessment in line with best practices  engaging multiple internal and external stakeholders in the process  to identify and validate its most critical ESG topics. The result is the following set of goals:

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Health & Safety

Commit to achieve a zero-harm workplace

Expand availability of well-being and resilience services to all colleagues worldwide through an Employee Assistance Program by 2023

Educate all field professionals and subcontractors annually on life-saving Cardinal Rules

People & Communities

Achieve gender parity in our executive ranks by 2030

Increase colleague favorability for the inclusive culture category in the company's engagement survey by 4 percentage points by 2025

Direct 50% of total global giving to STEM programs by 2025

Impact 15,000 students globally through STEM-focused programming across the learning and vocational training continuum to improve livelihoods and help build the workforce of tomorrow by 2030

Dedicate 500,000 colleague volunteer hours in support of vibrant communities, STEM education and social equity efforts globally by 2030

Environment & Impact

Achieve a 50% reduction of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030

Reach carbon neutrality for factory electricity by 2030

Achieve 100% factory eligibility for zero-waste-to-landfill certification by 2025

Complete ISO 14001 certification for all factories by 2025

Governance & Accountability

Award at least 20% of U.S. supplier spend annually to diverse suppliers

Otis returned to its roots as an independent, publicly traded company in April 2020. ESG highlights and accomplishments in the company's first year as a standalone company include:

Becoming the first company in its industry to sign the Paradigm for Parity gender parity commitment

Launching Our Commitment to Change social justice initiative

Completing the inaugural Made to Move Communities global student challenge, enhancing school-based STEM curriculum

Signing the U.N. Global Compact

Establishing a diverse and deeply experienced Board of Directors. 56% of the Board are women, ethnically/racially diverse or both

Introducing new health products amid the COVID-19 pandemic to help customers around the world prepare for the safe reopening and continued maintenance of their buildings. Examples include cab air purifiers, escalator handrail sanitizers, and touchless elevator technologies such as the Otis eCall mobile app and pilots involving voice and gesturing

Commissioning an elevator airflow study, led by an indoor air quality expert from Purdue University, to investigate how airflow affects the risk of exposure to COVID-19 among passengers and how to mitigate risks

More information on Otis' ESG programs and progress  including GRI and SASB reporting tables  can be found by visiting https://www.otisinvestors.com/environmental-social-governance.

About Otis

Otis is the world's leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company. We move 2 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.1 million customer units worldwide, the industry's largest Service portfolio. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 69,000 people strong, including 40,000 field professionals, all committed to meeting the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. For more information, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @OtisElevatorCo.

Cautionary Statement:

This press release contains forward-looking statements (including statements that constitute forward-looking statements under the securities laws), including but not limited to, statements that relate to our intent to achieve certain environmental, social and governance targets or goals. These forward-looking statements are intended to provide management's current expectations or plans for our future operating and financial performance, based on assumptions currently believed to be valid. All such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and our future results of operations could differ materially from our historical results or current expectations reflected by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are subject to future events, risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical results or current expectations, including, but not limited to, changes in regulations and laws in the U.S. and globally, development, production, performance and realization of the anticipated benefits of advanced technologies, including our products and those of our suppliers or other third parties; severe weather events or the effects of climate change, as well as other economic and global market conditions and other risks and uncertainties described in detail in the Company's most recent Form 10-K, most recent Form 10-Q, and in similar sections of other filings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. The forward-looking statements speak only as of this date. We undertake no 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 law.

Media Contact: Ray Hernandez

+1-860-674-3029

Ray.Hernandez@otis.com

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SOURCE Otis Worldwide Corporation
TipRanks

Sometimes, finding the right stock can be a chore, and sometimes, a pleasure. But whether its a breeze or a slog, some things remain constant. The right stock will always bring a benefit to your portfolio  and high-yield dividend stocks, when carefully chosen, will do just that. Wall Street analysts have been doing the research for you, picking out stocks that are meeting those requirements. And the results are interesting  the analysts have tagged two stocks under $10 with strong dividends,
AUSTIN, Texas, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SpyCloud, the leader in account takeover (ATO) prevention, today announced it has strengthened its leadership team with the addition of Cassio Mello as Senior Vice President of Business Development.

SpyCloud Logo (PRNewsfoto/SpyCloud)

Mello plans to leverage his diverse security and business experience to accelerate further growth and strengthen strategic partnerships, while continuing to build the company's internal capabilities.

"Fraud attempts and data breaches are only increasing as people spend more time online," Mello said. "The pandemic accelerated this trend, and I don't believe it's going away. People will continue communicating, working, learning, and shopping predominantly online, which gives cybercriminals more opportunities to attack. SpyCloud is uniquely positioned with the world's largest database of breach assets along with superior analytics and an incredible team of employees, leaders and partners. There truly is no limit to the company's potential."

Mello has more than 25 years of experience in security, fraud and identity, technology, financial services, and management consulting. Prior to joining SpyCloud he served as Chief Strategy Officer at Emailage, which was acquired by LexisNexis Security Solutions in 2020. His career also includes time at LifeLock, Citigroup Global Corporate & Investment Bank, JPMorgan Chase, and Booz Allen Hamilton. He joins a growing team at SpyCloud, which added Len Crosson as its Chief Revenue Officer in December.

"Cybersecurity continues to evolve and our team is constantly working to identify new threats and stay one step ahead of cybercriminals," said Crosson. "We're preparing to further accelerate during the rest of 2021 and beyond, and Cassio is the perfect person to execute our long-term vision and lead our growth initiatives."

Currently more than 2 billion accounts are secured by SpyCloud. Learn more about how the company accesses newly breached data through human intelligence at https://spycloud.com/ .

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About SpyCloud

SpyCloud is the leader in account takeover (ATO) prevention, protecting billions of consumer and employee accounts either directly or through product integrations. Our award-winning solutions  backed by the world's most comprehensive and actionable repository of recaptured breach assets  proactively defeat fraud attempts and disrupt the criminals' ability to profit from stolen information. Learn more and check your exposure at spycloud.com.

Media Contact:

Brad Hem

brad@thedialoglab.com

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SOURCE SpyCloud
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create stress and anxiety for many Canadians, particularly those who do not have ready access to their regular support networks. Through the Wellness Together Canada online portal, people of all ages across the country can access immediate, free and confidential mental health and substance use supports, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

OTTAWA, ON, May 26, 2021 /CNW/ - The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create stress and anxiety for many Canadians, particularly those who do not have ready access to their regular support networks. Through the Wellness Together Canada online portal, people of all ages across the country can access immediate, free and confidential mental health and substance use supports, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

EnCORE, an ongoing study in Montreal, supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada through the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force, has provided some new evidence about the extent of SARS-CoV-2 spread among children and adolescents. Looking at 2- to 17- year-olds attending school and daycare in four neighbourhoods, researchers found that the proportion of children with antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in their blood increased from 3.3% of those tested in October-November 2020 to 8.9% of those tested in February-April 2021, during the third wave.

As we have seen, some communities have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The EnCORE study showed higher seroprevalence (presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2) among children living in Montreal neighbourhoods with lower household incomes and a larger proportion of racialized residents. Encouragingly, most of the parents surveyed in this study, about 86%, said that they were likely to have their child vaccinated against COVID-19 once it became available to them.

Vaccines are critical in Canada's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensuring a high level of vaccination coverage will allow us to return to the activities and social interactions we miss so much. Everyone who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine is encouraged to do so, as soon as this becomes possible. Although many of our usual routines and schedules  from school to sports and holiday plans  have been disrupted by the pandemic, ensuring children are up to date on all recommended childhood vaccinations is crucial for preventing serious and potentially life-threatening infectious diseases into the future.

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As COVID-19 activity continues in Canada, we are tracking a range of epidemiological indicators to monitor where the disease is most active, where it is spreading and how it is impacting the health of Canadians and public health, laboratory and healthcare capacity. At the same time, the Public Health Agency of Canada is providing Canadians with regular updates on COVID-19 vaccines administered, vaccination coverage and ongoing monitoring of vaccine safety across the country. The following is the latest summary on national numbers and trends, and the actions we all need to be taking to reduce infection rates, while vaccination programs expand for the protection of all Canadians.

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 1,365,516 cases of COVID-19 and 25,324 deaths reported in Canada; these cumulative numbers tell us about the overall burden of COVID-19 illness to date. They also tell us, together with results of serological studies, that a large majority of Canadians remain susceptible to COVID-19. Multiple safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, with unique advantages, are authorised for use in Canada. As vaccine delivery continues to ramp up at an accelerated pace, there is increasing optimism that widespread and lasting immunity can be achieved through COVID-19 vaccination. Benefits are being seen among groups targeted for priority vaccination and as vaccine coverage increases across Canada, we can expect further benefits to protect more Canadians over the coming weeks and months.

We are making steady progress, with 47,866 active cases, 47% fewer compared to the peak of the third wave in mid-April. However, as COVID-19 activity remains elevated in many jurisdictions, strong public health measures must be sustained where COVID-19 is circulating and individual precautions are important everywhere to drive infection rates down to low and manageable levels, while getting our vaccination rates as high as possible.

While the latest national-level data show continued declines in disease activity with an average of 3,911 cases reported daily during the latest 7 day period (May 19-25), a decrease of 29% compared to the week prior, infection rates remain high in many areas of the country. Until vaccine coverage is sufficiently high to impact disease transmission more broadly in the community, we must maintain a high degree of caution with public health and individual measures and not ease restrictions too soon or too quickly where infection rates are high.

Elevated infection rates continue to impact lagging COVID-19 severity indicators, particularly in areas with sustained high levels of disease activity. Although we are seeing some decline in these trends, persistently high numbers of severe and critical illnesses are placing a prolonged and heavy strain on the health system and healthcare workforce. Provincial and territorial data indicate that an average of 3,016 people with COVID-19 were being treated in Canadian hospitals each day during the most recent 7-day period (May 19-25), which is 16% fewer than last week. This includes, on average 1,195 people who were being treated in intensive care units (ICU), 10% fewer than last week. Although the mortality trend has leveled off, with a 7-day average of 44 deaths reported daily (May 19-25), continued high rates of infection and high numbers of hospitalisations and critical care admissions could continue to impact this trend.

We are continuing to monitor and assess genetic variants of the virus and their impacts in the Canadian context. Overall, variants of concern (VOCs) represent the majority of recently reported COVID-19 cases across the country. While all four VOCs (B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1 and B.1.617) have been detected in most provinces and territories, the B.1.1.7 variant continues to account for the majority of genetically sequenced VOCs in Canada. The most recently designated VOC, B.1.617, has been identified across all provinces and one territory, as of May 25, 2021. There are three sub-lineages that are being studied, which may have different properties. Early data from the United Kingdom indicate that the protection offered by two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech or AstraZeneca vaccines were generally similar for the B.1.617.2 sub-lineage and for the B.1.1.7 variant. In addition, data from the United Kingdom suggests that the B.1.617.2 variant may be more transmissible than the B.1.1.7 variant. B.1.617.1 and B.1.617.3 sub-lineages are less well understood but carry mutations that are similar to mutations observed on P.1 and B.1.351. These mutations occur in an area that may have an impact on vaccine effectiveness but there is limited data available to the extent of the impact, if any. While all VOCs continue to be assessed to characterize their impact in the Canadian context, we know that vaccination, in combination with public health and individual measures, are working to reduce spread of SARS-CoV-2.

As vaccine eligibility expands, Canadians are urged to get vaccinated and support others to get vaccinated as vaccines become available to them. However, regardless of our vaccination status, Canadians are urged to remain vigilant, continue following local public health advice, and consistently maintain individual practices that keep us and our families safer, even as we're beginning to see the positive impacts of COVID-19 vaccines: stay home/self-isolate if you have any symptoms, think about the risks and reduce non-essential activities and outings to a minimum, avoid all non-essential travel, and maintain individual protective practices of physical distancing, hand, cough and surface hygiene and wearing a well-fitted and properly worn face mask as appropriate (including in shared spaces, indoors or outdoors, with people from outside of your immediate household).

For more information regarding the risks and benefits of vaccination, I encourage Canadians to reach out to your local public health authorities, healthcare provider, or other trusted and credible sources, such as Canada.ca and Immunize.ca. Working together, Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, Canada's Chief Medical Officers of Health and other health professionals across the country are closely monitoring vaccine safety, effectiveness and optimal use to adapt approaches. As the science and situation evolves, we are committed to providing clear and evidence-informed guidance in order to keep everyone in Canada safe and healthy.

Canadians can also go the extra mile by sharing credible information on COVID-19 risks and prevention practices and measures to reduce COVID-19 in communities and by downloading the COVID Alert app to break the cycle of infection and help limit the spread of COVID-19. Read my backgrounder to access more COVID-19 Information and Resources on ways to reduce the risks and protect yourself and others, including information on COVID-19 vaccination.

SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada

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LONDON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nord Anglia Education, the world's largest premium international schools group, today released figures showing how its digital strategy has galvanized students' community volunteering efforts during the pandemic.

Nord Anglia Education Logo

From September 2020 to March 2021, Nord Anglia's students successfully pivoted online to continue engaging in community-driven action focused on tackling the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Using Share A Dream, Nord Anglia's online social engagement platform, thousands of students volunteered nearly 56,000 hours for community outreach programmes, raised US$433,000 dollars for local charities, and collected 50,000 goods for donating to community projects.

Nord Anglia's Share A Dream platform has grown in popularity and this year has seen a 68% increase in student users, compared to September 2019  March 2020. The online platform facilitates community engagement, by enabling students around the world to plan, run, and crucially, track all outreach activities and evaluate the impact of their work in local communities. Designed with a social network look and feel, students use the platform to collaborate with each other to share and refine ideas, and recruit each other for causes they are passionate about.

Despite the many challenges posed by various lockdown restrictions, highlights included:

Students in Europe fundraising US$165,000 for 52 local charities

Students in India volunteering 2,000 hours, including collecting food packages to provide support to families in rural Hyderabad

Students in China volunteering 3,688 hours and raising money to fund life-saving heart surgery for a 17-month-old child

Students in Vietnam raising US$68,000 for 27 local charities

Students in North America and Latin America raising US$107,000 for charities, including students in Ecuador who donated computers so local school children could continue to learn virtually.

Dr Elise Ecoff, Group Director of Education, for Nord Anglia Education, said: "Given all the tremendous challenges created by the pandemic, it makes our students' efforts to help their communities even more impressive. We're incredibly proud of their resilience and teamwork to make a difference, no matter what. With our Share A Dream platform, we've created a way for our students to connect, share ideas, and deliver volunteering activities to tackle the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. It's another great example of how our digital strategy helps our students to learn and develop inside and outside of the classroom."

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About Nord Anglia Education

Nord Anglia Education (NAE) is the world's leading premium schools organisation, with 73 schools across 30 countries. Our schools go beyond traditional learning to deliver a high quality, transformational education to 67,000 students from kindergarten through to the end of secondary school. We offer multiple internationally recognised curriculums, including the English Curriculum, the International Baccalaureate, the Swiss Maturite and the US Curriculum, amongst others.

Our global scale enables us to recruit and retain world-leading teachers and to offer our students unforgettable experiences through our partnerships with world-renowned institutions The Juilliard School, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and UNICEF. As part of the NAE family, every student can connect and collaborate on our bespoke Global Campus platform to bring their learning to life beyond the classroom.

Founded in 1972 in the United Kingdom, initially offering learning services such as English-as-a-foreign-language classes, NAE opened its first international school in 1992: the British School Warsaw. In the 2000s, NAE began a strategic focus on premium international schools, with rapid growth in Asia, the Americas, China and across Europe and the Middle East. In July 2019, the company relocated its headquarters from Hong Kong to London.

For more information, please visit www.nordangliaeducation.com.

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Taiwan's COVID response had been exemplar. For almost all 18 months of the pandemic, the island remained relatively free of COVID-19, thanks to intensive contact tracing, near universal mask wearing, and a centralized epidemic command center. But now cracks in that responseloose quarantine rules for airline personnel are partly to blamehave set off the island's first real COVID wave and revealed another shortcoming: Taiwan's slow administration of COVID-19 vaccines.

On Monday, Taiwan reported a record 590 local COVID-19 infections, its tenth consecutive day of reporting at least 100 cases. Previously, its one-day record for infections was 24.

As of Tuesday, Taiwan has administered 302,698 COVID vaccines at a rate of 15,000 shots per day for its 24 million people, which translates to enough jabs for just 0.6% of its population.

Taiwan has received an offer of assistancebut not one it's likely to accept.

On Monday evening, Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office, an arm of the mainland Chinese government, said that it is willing to provide Taiwan with vaccines as a means to help solve its current COVID-19 crisis.

Most Taiwanese compatriots are eagerly anticipating the use of mainland vaccines, Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office, told reporters on Monday. Our attitude is very clear, we are willing to make arrangements quickly so that the majority of Taiwan compatriots will have mainland vaccines available as soon as possible.

Taiwan is likely to reject the offer since its government has reaffirmed in recent months its decades-long ban on importing pharmaceutical products made in mainland China. Taiwan's health minister Chen Shih-Chung told reporters earlier this year that Chinese vaccines are "not an option" for Taiwan due to the ban and the fact that the vaccines did not appear to be effective.

In fact, rather than seeing Beijing as a helpful hand in its growing COVID crisis, Taipei claims Beijing has hampered its ability to procure and distribute jabs, making COVID vaccines the latest political flashpoint between the two sides that both claim the self-governing island as its own.

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Taiwan's vaccine shortage

On paper, Taiwan has procured enough vaccine doses to inoculate a majority of its residents, but in practice only fraction of those doses are available to Taiwanese residents.

Taiwan says it has secured 10 million vaccine doses from British vaccine maker [hotlink]AstraZeneca[/hotlink], 5 million from U.S. firm Moderna, and another 5 million unspecified doses through the global COVAX initiative.

But Taiwanese authorities claim that the country's current stocks are low due to a global COVID-19 vaccine shortage. After beginning its COVID-19 vaccine campaign in March, Taiwan reports that it has received shipments of a combined 700,000 vaccine doses from COVAX and AstraZeneca, with 400,000 of those doses arriving only last Wednesday.

Taiwans health commission, meanwhile, said on Tuesday that it expects to receive 2 million vaccine doses by June with an additional 8 million doses arriving by August. Chen did not specify which vaccine would be in those shipments but said the August supply will likely include a yet-to-be-approved domestically-produced jab.

Amid the current shortage, Taiwanese Health Minister Chen said Friday that he had appealed to his U.S. counterpart, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, for access to the U.S.'s excess vaccine supplies. We have an urgent need for vaccines, and hope [Becerra] can support Taiwan when it comes to the vaccines the United States [is] going to release, Chen told reporters.

Meanwhile, some in Taiwan have called for Taiwan secure more doses through negotiations with Beijing.

"At this moment, lives are at stake, and we respectfully tell the Tsai government: the real enemy is the virus, not the mainland," Hung Hsiu-chu, former head of Taiwans Kuomintang political party, said recently.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen is a member of Taiwans Democratic Progressive Party, which has a more openly antagonistic relationship with Beijing, while the Kuomintang opposition party advocates for closer ties with the mainland.

Tsai has not responded to her critics directly, but has promoted the potential use of two domestically-produced vaccines starting in July and says her government is engaged in efforts to procure more vaccines from other countries.

"We are working to acquire vaccine doses from abroad, and our government is doing all we can to ensure their timely delivery," she said on [hotlink]Twitter[/hotlink] on May 18.

Steve Tsang, the director of the SOAS China Institute at the University of London, says that Tsai will almost certainly reject Beijing's offer given the potential political ramifications.

"If Tsai accepts the vaccine, it shows the superiority of the [Chinese Communist Party] system and makes it easier to persuade the Taiwanese that accepting unification is good for all," he says.

Fosun Pharma

In mainland China, Beijing's outstanding offer to provide Taiwan with vaccines was the No. 1 trending topic on top search engine Baidu on Tuesday, and many Chinese social media users questioned why Taiwan would reject Chinas generosity.

But Taiwans government is insisting that Beijing has thwarted Taiwans efforts to procure vaccines rather than helped.

Taiwan access to vaccines continues to be slowed down by Chinese interference, while they insist we buy Chinese made ones," Kolas Yotaka, a spokesperson for Taiwans Presidential Office, said on Twitter on May 19. "If you really want to help please dont stand in the doorway, dont block up the hall.

Yotaka did not explain how China has interfered with Taiwans access to vaccine supplies, but in February health minister Chen suggested that authorities in Beijing had blocked a proposed deal for 5 million vaccine doses between Taiwan and German COVID-19 vaccine maker BioNTech.

Chinas Fosun Pharma, a mainland pharmaceutical company, controls distribution rights to the BioNTech-Pfizer mRNA vaccine in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. But Chen claimed that Taiwan negotiated directly with BioNTech for the doses and suggested that either Fosun or authorities in Beijing scuttled the agreement for political purposes. Certain people dont want Taiwan to be too happy, he said at the time. Beijing denied that it interfered with Taiwan's access vaccine doses.

On Saturday, Fosun Pharma chairman Wu Yifang told Chinese media outlet Xinhua that Fosun is willing to provide Taiwan with doses from BioNTech. Wu explained that Fosun has been promoting the BioNTech doses in Taiwan since last year.

Taiwan bans the import of Chinese-made pharmaceutical products, but it is unclear if Fosun could circumvent the ban through shipping German-made vaccine doses to Taiwan.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to Fortune's request for comment on if it would accept German-made doses distributed by China's Fosun Pharma.

At the very least, Taiwan's new outbreak has kickstarted Taiwan's fledgling vaccine campaign. Before the outbreak, Taiwanese authorities had struggled to stimulate demand for even Taiwan's limited vaccine supplies, and was on the brink of having to throw out wasted AstraZeneca doses that are set to expire on May 31.

The new outbreak appears to have convinced the public that vaccines are an urgent need. The government reports that there has been an unprecedented run on vaccine appointment sign ups since the beginning of the wave.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Just last month Elon Musk said Tesla would start to remove radar sensors from its production cars, and now Electrek points out a post revealing that the process has begun. New Model 3 and Model Y vehicles built for North America no longer have radar onboard to enable driver assist features like Autopilot and its "Full Self Driving" system.

As recently as 2016, Tesla was still focused on improving radar technology for Autopilot, but that was before reworking the team to focus on computer vision and deep learning.

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

However, the change is happening so suddenly that buyers may receive vehicles with restrictions on the use of Autosteer, Smart Summon and Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance. Software updates "in the weeks ahead" will re-enable those features.

As The Verge mentions, in materials released along with its Q1 earnings results, Tesla said "We believe that a vision-only system is ultimately all that is needed for full autonomy. Our AI-based software architecture has been increasingly reliant on cameras, to the point where radar is becoming unnecessary earlier than expected. As a result, our FSD team is fully focused on evolving to a vision-based autonomous system and we are nearly ready to switch the US market to Tesla Vision."

If you're awaiting delivery of a Tesla, then the company says you will be notified of any change in your Tesla account before it arrives. Meanwhile, the Model S and Model X will continue to ship with radar onboard, at least for now.
UCSF Parnassus Heights campus

May 26, 2021

Collaboration takes a Silicon Valley approach to the Quadruple Aim, setting new standard for modern healthcare with end-to-end cloud-based interoperability and innovative AI

Amsterdam, the Netherlands and San Francisco, CA  Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), a world-class biomedical research hub and health system, today announced a partnership to develop technology that will enable a modern, more streamlined experience for patients and set a new standard for healthcare delivery.

UCSF will use Philips HealthSuite to oversee the development of technologies that leverage Artificial Intelligence to enable personalization and make it easier for patients to select providers, access their health information and receive virtual care at home, while also easing the burden on care providers with intuitive workflows and real-time decision support. Philips open API-based ecosystem will foster the level of third-party innovation that, combined with UCSFs clinical expertise, can achieve these goals. With end-to-end interoperability and orchestration, the cloud-based system enables Philips products, systems, devices and services to work seamlessly with those developed by partners and third parties, reflecting the diversity of delivery systems and technology partners held by both Philips and UCSF.

Address lack of interoperability

The work will address the significant challenge of integrating data from the multitude of often incompatible software systems that generate and track patient information, a problem that is intensifying as health systems expand their networks and extend care beyond hospitals and clinics into the community. The lack of interoperability often requires manual re-entry or hunting down of data among the different systems. Integrating these different data streams will ease the burden on clinical staff, provide richer analytics and enable more coordinated orchestration of care across diverse settings.

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Our goal in partnering with Philips is to serve our patients better, said Aaron Neinstein, MD, associate professor of medicine and director of clinical informatics at UCSFs Center for Digital Health Innovation. The services we enable on this platform will help people more easily find the right provider for the care they need, eliminating the worries and delays people often experience. We know that people need convenient access to care, whether for their acute symptoms or chronic conditions, and we can provide a more comprehensive, continuous feeling of support from their care team enabled by virtual and in-person experiences across their care journey.

The co-developed solutions will power coordination and the frictionless flow of care across traditional boundaries of geography, hospital or site of care. Over the past few years, UCSF Health has developed a network of high-quality providers across the Bay Area who share our vision to make healthcare more accessible, affordable and personalized, said Shelby Decosta, President of UCSF Health Affiliates Network and Chief Strategy Officer for UCSF Health. Our partnership with Philips will empower UCSF Health with navigation tools to bring this vision to life across our network of world-class hospitals, community clinics and outpatient centers, as well as through virtual care.

The agreement includes a combination of applied research and digital solution implementation, ranging from developing advanced artificial intelligence algorithms and virtual care delivery solutions to enable a more continuous, connected care experience, to connecting multiple hospitals to better coordinate a patients care journey. The partners will create and share best practices with the healthcare industry, focused on advancing the Quadruple Aim: better healthcare, at lower cost, with improved outcomes, while enhancing the experience for both patients and staff.

We need to work together if we are going to move healthcare forward, and we are inspired by UCSFs willingness to push the boundaries of technology innovation and transform care for their patients, said Vitor Rocha, Chief Market Leader for Philips North America and member of the Executive Committee. As consumers, we have come to rely on technology to make our lives easier, such as trusting the cloud to manage our financial data, our commerce and our education. With this partnership, we are looking to simplify healthcare in the same way and make technology solutions pay dividends when it comes to the patients time and health.

For further information, please contact:

Silvie Casanova

Philips North America

Tel.: +1 781 879 0692

E-mail: silvie.casanova@philips.com

Mark Groves

Philips Global Press Office

Tel.: +31 631 639 916

E-mail: mark.groves@philips.com

Laura Kurtzman

University of California, San Francisco

Tel.: +1 415 317 3760

E-mail: laura.kurtzman@ucsf.edu

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being, and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum  from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2020 sales of EUR 17.3 billion and employs approximately 77,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter .

About UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is exclusively focused on the health sciences and is dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It includes UCSF Health, which comprises three top-ranked hospitals, as well as affiliations throughout the Bay Area. Learn more at https://www.ucsf.edu , or see our Fact Sheet .

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COLUMBUS, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WOR) announced today that Joe Hayek, Vice President and CFO, will present at KeyBancs Industrials & Basic Materials Conference on June 1 at 9:20 a.m. ET. He will provide investors with an update on the Companys operations, financial performance and growth strategy.



A live webcast of the event can be accessed at https://wsw.com/webcast/key16/wor/1565568 or on the Worthington Industries website at ir.worthingtonindustries.com and will be available for replay for one year.

About Worthington Industries

Worthington Industries (NYSE:WOR) is a leading industrial manufacturing company delivering innovative solutions to customers that span many industries including transportation, construction, industrial, agriculture, retail and energy. Worthington is North Americas premier value-added steel processor and producer of laser welded products; and a leading global supplier of pressure cylinders and accessories for applications such as fuel storage, water systems, outdoor living, tools and celebrations. The Companys brands, primarily sold in retail stores, include Coleman, Bernzomatic, Balloon Time, Mag Torch, Well-X-Trol, General, Garden-Weasel, Pactool International and Hawkeye. Worthingtons WAVE joint venture with Armstrong is the North American leader in innovative ceiling solutions.

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Worthington operates 50 facilities in 15 states and seven countries, sells into over 90 countries and employs approximately 8,000 people. Founded in 1955, the Company follows a people-first philosophy with earning money for its shareholders as its first corporate goal. Relentlessly finding new ways to drive progress and practicing a shared commitment to transformation, Worthington makes better solutions possible for customers, employees, shareholders and communities.

Safe Harbor Statement

The Company wishes to take advantage of the Safe Harbor provisions included in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the Act"). Statements by the Company relating to its ability to increase market participation, expand and integrate capacity, increase efficiencies and reduce lead time, achieve growth in general and in specific markets, and other statements which are not historical information constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Act. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those projected. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include risks described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those related to COVID-19 and the various actions taken in connection therewith, which could also heighten other risks.

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Contacts:

SONYA L. HIGGINBOTHAM

VP, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS AND BRAND MANAGEMENT

614.438.7391 | sonya.higginbotham@worthingtonindustries.com

MARCUS A. ROGIER

TREASURER AND INVESTOR RELATIONS OFFICER

614.840.4663 | marcus.rogier@worthingtonindustries.com

200 Old Wilson Bridge Rd. | Columbus, Ohio 43085

WorthingtonIndustries.com




(update 26-Aug-2020: the MSVC team has recently added C11 language support to their roadmap, hooray!)

(update 28-Sep-2019: some fixes and error corrections)

When discussing C with C++ programmers I often notice a somewhat outdated view of C, usually a familiarity with a C dialect that lies somewhere between C89 and C99, because thats essentially the subset of C thats supported by C++.

I cant blame them though because when I started writing C code again I had a similar outdated view of the language.

Also to be clear, the Modern C Im talking about here is not modern at all, but already two decades old. Ill focus on the subset of C99 which is supported by clang, gcc and MSVC (clang and gcc both fully support the latest C standards of course, while (AFAIK) Microsofts stance unfortunately hasnt changed much since this post from 2012.

Its not all bad in Visual Studio land though, the Microsoft C compiler actually supports a pretty solid subset of C99 since around VS2015. I guess there are some guerilla warriors at Microsoft who secretly sneak updates into the C compiler when the C++ people are out in the field on one of their C++ Committee trips.

But lets get started:

Modern C is not a subset of C++

C++ programmers sometimes recommend to compile C code in C++ mode to take advantage of the slightly stricter type checking in C++ (more on type safety below), and thats even recommended in that Microsoft blog post I linked to above:

We recommend that C developers use the C++ compiler to compile C code

Im sorry to be a bit blunt, but thats a load of rubbish because C++ still only supports a terribly old-fashioned version of C. The new stuff in C99 which makes C a much friendlier language isnt supported in C++, at least not in standard C++.

GCC and especially Clang both have compiler-specific extensions which allow to use more of C99 in C++ mode, but unfortunately the only compiler where such non-standard C++ extensions would be really useful (MSVC) doesnt have any.

To iterate on that point, because its really important:

C is not a subset of C++

Apart from the fact that C99 code simply doesnt compile in C++ (and probably never will even in future versions of C++), programming in C requires a different approach of how to work with data, and sometimes how to structure a project (for instance: dont think in classes, but in modules and systems). Trying to emulate missing features from C++ in C usually isnt such a great idea.

C++ is also not a replacement or a successor to C, its a fork which slowly devolved its C subset into a slightly different dialect of C without much hope that the two languages can ever be united again (which IMHO is a damn shame, because being able to mix C with a sane subset of C++ would be really useful for writing libraries).

But aaaaanyway its moot to complain about this from the side lines.

The simple stuff

In the unlikely case that you last had a look at C around 1990, lets get the simple things out of the way first:

winged comments ( // ) are allowed

) are allowed variables can be declared anywhere, not just at the beginning of a scope block

the loop variable in a for loop can be declared inside the for() so that the variable doesnt leak into the outer scope: for (int i = ...)

so that the variable doesnt leak into the outer scope: integer types have much clearer names now: uint8_t, uint16_t, int32_t etc (these are not built-in but defined in the stdint.h header)

etc (these are not built-in but defined in the stdint.h header) theres now a standardized bool with true/false (also not built-in but defined in stdbool.h) (update: I made a small error here, the bool type is indeed a (private) builtin type, usually named something like _Bool, the stdbool.h header just redefines this to the common bool name)

By the way, a subtle yet important difference between C and C++ is a function declaration with an empty argument list:

void my_func () { ... }

In C++ this function takes no arguments, but in C this function takes any number of arguments (I cant think of a situation where that would actually be useful, since theres no way to access this variable argument list inside the function, I guess its a leftover syntax pollution from old K&R style function declaration syntax).

Instead in C, declare the parameter list explicitely as void so that you actually get compiler errors when accidently passing arguments to my_func():

void my_func ( void ) { ... }

Enable all warnings!

Cs type system is in some details a bit more relaxed than C++ which can at times be annoying. This is also the reason why C++ people sometimes recommend to compile C code as C++. The more realistic alternative is to enable the highest warning levels a compiler allows. This generates warnings for all type system related problems (I know of) which C allows but C++ catches as errors.

These are the relevant flags:

-Wall and -Wextra on GCC

on GCC -Weverything on Clang

on Clang /W4 or /Wall on MSVC

Especially /W4 on MSVC will generate a lot of fairly pointless spam though, so some additional warning hygiene may be required by carefully disabling warnings in selected places. I would advice to not do this globally though (ok, maybe with a few exceptions), but instead only suppress specific warnings in specific places after making sure the warnings are indeed uncritical spam.

Proper warning hygiene is a topic worth of its own blog post though.

Wrap your structs in a typedef

One of the first annoyances a C++ programmer will notice in C is that one needs to write struct all over the place.

In C++ you can simply do:

struct bla_t { int a , b , c ; }; bla_t bla = ...;

while in C you must explicitly write:

struct bla_t bla = ...;

Wrapping a struct in a typedef fixes that, and thats why youll see this a lot in C code:

typedef struct { int a , b , c ; } bla_t ; bla_t bla = ...;

This way of typedefing from an adhoc anonymous struct has a problem though, you cant forward-declare the struct:

// forward-declaring bla_t and a function using bla_t: struct bla_t ; void func ( struct bla_t bla ); // actual struct and function, using the typedef: typedef struct { int a , b , c ; } bla_t ; void func ( bla_t bla ) { // <= warning 'parameter different from declaration' ... }

The workaround is to rewrite the typedef like this:

typedef struct bla_t { int a , b , c ; } bla_t ;

Now you have a named struct bla_t which is typedefed to a type alias bla_t , and the named struct can be properly forward-declared.

So if you see a strange redundant typedef like this in C code the reason is that it enables forward declaration.

updates: (1) apparently the Linux coding guidelines discourage typedefing a struct, and (2) the POSIX standard reserves the _t postfix for its own typenames to prevent collisions with user types  make of that what you will ;)

Use struct wrappers for strong typing

Typedefs weakness is another annoyance, both in C and C++:

typedef - creates an alias that can be used anywhere in place of a (possibly complex) type name.

Typedef only creates a weak type alias not a proper new type (its really not much better than a preprocessor define), meaning theres no warning when assigning to a different type from the same base type:

typedef int meters_t ; typedef int hours_t ; meters_t m = 1 ; hours_t h = m ; // this isn't an error, but it really should be

Wrapping the types into a struct makes this code properly typesafe:

typedef struct { int val ; } meters_t ; typedef struct { int val ; } hours_t ; meters_t m = { 1 }; hours_t h = m ; // compile error!

Depending on how much of a fan of strong typing you are, this approach makes sense both in C and C++.

Initialization in C99

C99s new initialization features are by far the biggest usability improvement over C89 to a point where it almost feels like a new language, (and to be honest, it makes the many different ways C++ offers for initialization look a bit silly).

The two relevant features are compound literals and designated initialization .

Both together let you do things like this:

typedef struct { float x , y ; } vec2 ; vec2 v0 = { 1 . 0 f , 2 . 0 f }; vec2 v1 = { . x = 1 . 0 f , . y = 2 . 0 f }; vec2 v2 = { . y = 2 . 0 f }; // missing struct members are set to zero

For globals, only compile-time constants are allowed for initialization (which is a good thing because it completely avoids C++s undefined initialization order problem for globals).

Inside functions, runtime-variable values can be used for initialization:

float get_x ( void ) { return 1 . 0 f ; } void bla ( void ) { vec2 v0 = { . x = get_x (), . y = 2 . 0 f }; }

Unfortunately the C compiler cant always infer the type from the left-hand side of an assignment:

vec2 v0 ; // this doesn't work v0 = { 1 . 0 f , 2 . 0 f }; // instead a type hint is needed: v0 = ( vec2 ) { 1 . 0 f , 2 . 0 f };

Heres a more interesting real-world example from the sokol_gfx.h example code. This initializes a nested option bag structure which contains dozens of members, where only a few of the members get non-default values:

sg_pipeline_desc pip_desc = { . layout = { . buffers [ 0 ]. stride = 28 , . attrs = { [ ATTR_vs_position ]. format = SG_VERTEXFORMAT_FLOAT3 , [ ATTR_vs_color0 ]. format = SG_VERTEXFORMAT_FLOAT4 } }, . shader = shd , . index_type = SG_INDEXTYPE_UINT16 , . depth_stencil = { . depth_compare_func = SG_COMPAREFUNC_LESS_EQUAL , . depth_write_enabled = true , }, . rasterizer . cull_mode = SG_CULLMODE_BACK , . rasterizer . sample_count = SAMPLE_COUNT , . label = "cube-pipeline" };

The good news is that C++20 is getting basic designated initialization too, the bad news is that it will only be a very limited subset of the C99 feature. For instance this wont work in C++20:

... . buffers [ 0 ]. stride = 28 , ...

You cant use an array index in C++20, and you cant chain designators like that.

(worth mentioning that at least Clang has a C++ extension which allows much more powerful C99-style designated-initialization already now than what C++20 will offer, such code is not portable to other compilers though)

Dont be afraid to pass and return structs by value

Theres still a lot of outdated optimization advice about passing and returning structs by value in C and C++ around. In C++ this advice is sometimes even justified because copying a non-trivial C++ object may be much more expensive than it looks on the surface because complex custom copying code might be invoked under the hood (passing std::string objects by value is the best/worst example).

The situation in C is a whole lot simpler, copying a struct is always a straight data copy without involving custom code.

Furthermore, the new 64-bit calling conventions pack small structs into registers (at least on Intel, dont know whats the situation on ARM). So theres a good chance that passing small-ish structs by value doesnt ever hit memory.

And on top of that, with optimization enabled, and the compiler being able to inline a function call, even bigger structs are most likely optimized away completely. But dont take my word for granted! When in doubt, always check godbolt.org and/or the code generated by your compiler.

Heres an example how old-fashioned C code might look like to add two 2D vectors:

struct float2 { float x , y ; }; void addf2 ( const struct float2 * v0 , const struct float2 * v1 , struct float2 * out ) { out -> x = v0 -> x + v1 -> x ; out -> y = v0 -> y + v1 -> y ; } ... struct float2 v0 , v1 , v2 ; v0 . x = 1 . 0 f ; v0 . y = 2 . 0 f ; v1 . x = 3 . 0 f ; v1 . y = 4 . 0 f ; addf2 ( & v0 , & v1 , & v2 ); ...

Heres the Modern C version:

typedef struct { float x , y ; } float2 ; float2 addf2 ( float2 v0 , float2 v1 ) { return ( float2 ) { v0 . x + v1 . x , v0 . y + v1 . y }; } ... float2 v0 = { 1 . 0 f , 2 . 0 f }; float2 v1 = { 3 . 0 f , 4 . 0 f }; float2 v3 = addf2 ( v0 , v1 ); ...

You can also move the initialization of the two inputs right into the function call:

float2 v3 = addf2 (( float2 ){ 1 . 0 f , 2 . 0 f }, ( float2 ){ 3 . 0 f , 4 . 0 f });

Named optional arguments

C99s designated initialization enables an interesting Easter Egg feature: lets say you have a C function which requires many input parameters, most of them optional (in which case default values should be used). In C++ you can have optional args with default values, but they must appear in order and at the end of the argument list.

C99s designated initialization to the rescue. Put the argument list into a parameter struct, like in this function from sokol_gfx.h:

sg_image sg_make_image ( const sg_image_desc * desc );

This takes a pointer to a big option bag struct with creation parameters for an image object, where the parameters have useful defaults. In C99 you can call the function while setting up the option-bag struct right in the function call:

sg_image img = sg_make_image ( & ( sg_image_desc ){ . width = 256 , . height = 256 });

(note how its possible in C99 to take the address of a temporary inside a function call, this is an example of code thats completely valid in C, but not in C++)

This function call creates an image of size 256x256 with all other parameters using their default values.

In case I also need to use a non-default pixel format I simply add that to the option-bag parameter list, the parameter order doesnt matter:

sg_image img = sg_make_image ( & ( sg_image_desc ){ . width = 256 , . height = 256 , . pixel_format = SG_PIXELFORMAT_R8 });

Etc etc Of course its possible to do something similar in C++ with an sg::image_desc class and the builder pattern, but this requires to write a lot of rather boring boilerplate code to implement the builder pattern on the class authors side.

Be (somewhat) afraid of pointers

IMHO, pointers in C should be treated like the unsafe keyword in Rust. The presence of pointers in C code and in structs always requires special attention and mental effort to read and understand all the code tainted by those pointers.

To be a bit more specific owning pointers are the main problem, meaning pointers which own the thing they point to, and where the pointer might outlive the pointee, or the pointee might move to a different memory location (familiar to C++ programmers as everybodys favourite memory corruption feature AKA iterator invalidation).

Pointers which are immutable borrow references are usually ok as function arguments though, the important point is that the pointed to object is only borrowed for the duration of the function call, and no ownership transfer takes place.

But as you can see, C pointers always come with their own set of caveats and a lot of explanation overhead for each use of a pointer. Thus its best to avoid them alltogether (or at least as much as possible).

Now I can literally hear the audience burst into laughter crying C without pointers? Hows that gonna work, smart-ass?!?.

Ill get straight to that in the next section:

What to do about missing RAII

Im using the term RAII (which IMHO is one of the worst names in computing) for C++s ability to automatically call user-defined destruction code at the end of a scope block, and when copying or moving objects (these are the actually important parts of RAII, not the fused allocation and initialization of an object).

My opinion (and of course you dont have to agree with it) on RAII is that it is mostly useful in the same situations where garbage collection is useful: automatic memory management - more specifically keeping track of myriads of tiny memory allocations and deciding when its safe to free them.

Yeah I know I knooow theoretically RAII is about general resource management, not just about memory. But at least in my experience, its always about memory management.

Garbage collection or RAII are certainly great features to have - assuming having tons of small memory allocations to keep track of is nothing to worry about.

And thats the core of the problem right there. If you dont want to worry about memory management it will ineviatably come back to haunt you when its too late to do anything about it. It doesnt matter whether many small allocations are managed through a GC or through RAII. The problem is the many small allocations.

If you dont have such small (and often hidden) memory allocations happening decentralized all over the code in the first place, both GC and RAII lose most of their appeal. Controversial claim, I know, and I realize that its very easy to make such a claim without having a million-line C code base maintained by a huge team under the belt to back it up (but at least I have the counter-experience of a million-line C++ OOP code base which does its memory management through smart pointers - which admittedly is very robust, but also slow and impossible to meaningfully profile and optimize).

aaanyhoo back to what to do about the missing RAII:

The smart-ass advice is of course dont do many small memory allocations.

A more reasonable advice is to work with what C offers, instead of trying to work around it.

The C way is to have dumb data instead of smart objects. A struct is just some plain data blob without a behaviour of its own. When the data is copied, its always a simple copy. When the data is destroyed, its always a no-op.

Dont build data structures with stuff dangling off which needs to be tracked (for instance pointers to a unique memory allocation).

Dont build data structures which require special deep copy operations.

Dont waste a unique allocation for a single data item and dont allocate in random places in your code, instead keep many data items of the same type stored in few arrays managed by central systems and reference them through tagged index handles.

Consider keeping small transient data structures on the stack and pass them around by value instead of wasting a heap allocation on them.

Embrace DOD (Data Oriented Design), this is built around the basic idea that data items never come alone and should be stored and processed in simple linear arrays to improve CPU cache hit rate. The same core idea is also useful for drastically reducing the number and frequency of memory allocations, and getting rid of owning pointers.

And you dont need a fancy high-level language for all of that.

So should I switch to C now or what?

Erm no, thats not the intention behind this blog post, at most doing my tiny part to update the somewhat prevalent view (in some circles at least) of C as an outdated language which must be replaced at all cost (usually with languages that dont quite understand the essence of why people actually choose C).

I dont want to fuel the language wars, and higher level general languages like Rust, C# or C++ of course have their place in the world, but so have small languages like C.

Because sometimes it simply doesnt make sense to bring an aircraft carrier to a knife fight ;)
The case against a man who was arrested after he smashed his scooter through a car window on the Falmouth Bridge during one of the early protests last year was finally resolved Tuesday with a suspended sentence.

Victor L. Miles II, 33, of Spotsylvania pleaded guilty in Stafford General District Court to assault and battery and destruction of property. He received a suspended 90-day jail sentence on the destruction charge; the assault conviction will be removed from Miles record if he stays out of trouble for the next year.

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According to the evidence, Miles was part of a large crowd that was blocking one of the bridges that connects Stafford and Fredericksburg on June 1. The crowd was protesting police brutality and the slaying of George Floyd in Minneapolis and was confronted by members of the Stafford Sheriffs Office for blocking the roadway. Tear gas was shot into the crowd in an effort to get people to retreat.

At one point, a car carrying two adults and a one-year-old child tried to maneuver through the crowd. Miles responded by smashing out a window, causing glass to shatter and land on the vehicle occupants. One adult suffered cuts to the arm, police said.
A North Carolina man suspected of killing a fellow motorcycle club member who was described as being like a brother to him was denied bond Tuesday in Stafford County General District Court.

George R. Batts, 39, of Richlands, N.C., is accused of killing 47-year-old Ely Grimes of Fredericksburg on Jan. 17 outside 1130 International Parkway off U.S. 17 in southern Stafford. Both men were members of the Tuckahoe Motorcycle Club and were in Stafford that weekend attending an event for the club.

Grimes was shot three times in the chest for reasons that have not come out in court hearings or records. He died a few days later in a local hospital.

Batts was shot multiple times by deputies who responded to the incident. Police said Batts pointed his gun at deputies prior to being shot He has had several surgeries and is still suffering from his injuries and using a walker.

According to evidence presented, Batts and Grimes were close friends and seemed to have been getting along during the event. It is not clear what led to Grimes being shot that morning in the parking lot.

A club member who testified Tuesday said he wasnt aware that anything had happened until Batts woke him and told him hed killed Grimes.
The Spotsylvania man who was shot multiple times by a county deputy last month has been discharged from the hospital, his lawyer announced Wednesday.

Attorney David E. Haynes said 32-year-old Isiah Brown was released Tuesday and will continue his rehabilitation at home. Haynes said doctors told the family eight bullets were found in Browns body, along with two exit wounds.

Brown was shot early April 21 during an incident in the 12200 block of Catharpin Road. The same deputy whod given Brown a ride home earlier that night after his car broke down returned to Catharpin Road after Brown made a 911 call.

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The portion of the 911 call released shortly after the shooting indicates the deputy thought that Brown had a gun, when he was actually on a portable phone talking to a dispatcher.

After Brown made a complaint that the dispatcher said did not merit a call to 911, Brown made a comment about killing his brother and initially told the dispatcher he had a gun. But he later said at least twice that he didnt have a gun. State police said no gun was found on Brown.

The deputy arrived and made excited comments such as drop the gun and stop coming toward me before firing a series of shots. Brown was critically injured and has undergone several surgeries since.
The internal FPD review undertaken before was laughable, that person wrote. The PERF report was even-handed and did a good job reporting opinions on all sides of the issue.

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The same respondent that said Layton and Baroody need to be held accountable also questioned why the name of the police officer who asked permission to deploy tear gas and the name of his supervisor that approved it havent been released. The commenter added that the overwhelming majority of our police officers are decent and caring people.

But it is incredibly important to ensure that they are all100 percent of themheld accountable to the highest standards of decency, compassion and professionalism, the respondent added. That goal is attainable.

The PERF report listed 66 recommendations for the police department to implement in its policies. Chief Layton has assigned committees to review the recommendations.

When Layton and his staff updated City Council on progress last month, 12 recommendations had been sent to the police chief for final approval. A review of seven recommendations had been completed and a committee led by Capt. Patrick Reed had rejected three of PERFs suggestions. The remaining 43 were still under review.
Terrorist recruiter gets 13 years in Russian penal colony

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

13:23 26/05/2021

MOSCOW, May 26 (RAPSI)  A court in Irkutsk has sentenced a national of Tajikistan guilty of recruiting new members to the Islamic State terrorist organization banned in Russia to 13 years in high-security penal colony, the Investigative Committees press service reports.

According to the court and investigators, the defendant being an active adherent of the international terrorist organization held parleys with his acquaintances in Irkutsk with an aim to involve them in the activities of terrorists in Syria.

It was also found that he personally produced firearms and sold them. During searches at his premises law enforcement officers found lots of religious literature, weapons and ammunition, the statement reads.

The convict was also a member of an Irkutsk gang engaged in kidnapping, robbery and sale of fire pieces. Five persons suffered from his actions, according to investigators.




She has served for the past five years as the president of the nonprofit Lawyers' Committee, which focuses on social justice.

After her nomination, Republicans resurfaced controversial moments going back as far as her undergraduate years at Harvard, where she co-authored an article that compared the genetics of Blacks and whites and as the leader of Harvard's Black Students' Association where she invited an anti-Semitic author for a speaking engagement.

Clarke confronted both situations over 25 years ago, apologizing for giving the author a platform and explaining after the article published that she did not share those views. But after right-wing news outlets resurfaced the article to denounce her nomination, she has met with several Jewish organizations and reiterated to the Union of Reform Judaism that "she erred" in her decisions.
ON APRIL 29, the New York City Police Department returned its leased robo-K-9, nicknamed Spot, to vendor Boston Dynamics not because it bit anyone (Spot has no teeth) or knocked a child down by too-vigorous tail-wagging (Spot has no tail either), but basically because it just creeped New Yorkers out.

But the Big Apples decision should not deter other law enforcement agencies from considering leasing and using robo-K-9s of their own.

Spot was a casualty of politics, bad information, and cheap sound bites, John Miller, NYPDs deputy commissioner for intelligence and counterterrorism, told the New York Times in announcing the termination of the dog robots $94,000 lease.

In fact, in February Spot was sent inside a building in the Bronx to investigate a suspected hostage situation. Although it was a false alarm, that was exactly the kind of situation with multiple unknowns that sets even experienced law enforcement officers on edge.

Spot was also reportedly sent to respond to a home invasion/barricade call in the city. And in a real hostage situation in Queens, where two armed men were holding five people captive, NYPDs Technical Assistance Response Unit sent Spot in with food that the suspects had requested during negotiations.
Pakistan and Uzbekistan have exchanged goods through war-torn Afghanistan for the first time, in a move hailed as a milestone for regional economic integration.

A Pakistani cargo truck transported medicine from the port city of Karachi on April 9 to the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, via Kabul. It arrived on May 4. An Uzbek cargo truck then took a shipment of leather products from Tashkent on May 9 and arrived at the Afghan-Pakistani border (Torkham crossing) on May 11. It then was trucked to Faisalabad on May 13.

The shipments are part of five planned trial runs aimed at testing the viability of various routes in the region, where trade has been hampered by the decades-old conflict in Afghanistan and longstanding diplomatic tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.

The project has received technical and financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The agency said the initiative is intended to boost regional trade integration and connectivity.

The shipments were made under the Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) Convention, a customs agreement that facilitates the international transport of goods. The multilateral treaty eliminates the need to pay customs duties and taxes. Afghanistan rejoined the TIR after a 30-year suspension in 2013, while Pakistan joined in 2017.

William Byrd, a development economist at the United States Institute of Peace, a Washington-based think tank, says the pilot project is an encouraging development but more a proof of concept than a milestone.

If this gets taken forward by expanding to other Central Asian countries and is scaled up over time in terms of the volume of transit trade, there will be important benefits for both Pakistan and Central Asia, says Byrd. If this transit trade develops on a larger scale, it will also increase the economic stakes of neighboring countries in Afghanistans peace and stability.

Afghanistans neighbors have a long history of funding proxy groups in the decades-long conflict. Pakistan is the Talibans main foreign backer, while Iran and Russia have expanded ties with the militant group in recent years.

New Trade Era

Abdul Razak Dawood, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khans adviser on commerce and investment, says the pilot project has been very successful.

Our objective is to have greater connectivity with our western and northern neighbors, Dawood told RFE/RLs Radio Mashaal. So, we are very encouraged. We want to do more [trade].

Dawood said Islamabad expects to sign preferential trade arrangements (PTAs) -- which could include lower or even no tariffs -- with Uzbekistan and Afghanistan in the coming months.

Pakistan has been dealing with a struggling economy and energy crisis for years and has long sought access to markets in resource-rich Central Asia.

Pakistani media reports said Islamabad wants to import more Uzbek goods, including coal, fertilizers, and textiles.

The Pakistani transport company Best Trans Pvt and Uzbek freight-forwarding company Asad Trans -- the two firms involved in the project -- plan to boost the number of trucks carrying cargo to Pakistan and Uzbekistan to 50 by the end of the year.

Insecurity A Severe Hurdle

Observers say the biggest hurdle for regional economic connectivity is the war in Afghanistan, where violence has intensified since the announcement last month that U.S. and other Western forces would be withdrawing.

There are widespread fears of an intensified civil war if the Taliban attempts a forcible takeover of the country following the foreign troops' complete withdrawal, which is due by September 11.

It is unclear if the Taliban gave its backing to the Pakistan and Uzbekistan cargo route, which passes through territory controlled by the militant group. The Taliban commands or contests around half of Afghanistan.

If insecurity worsens and violence further escalates in the wake of the U.S. troop withdrawal, that could become the most severe hurdle both for economic activity in Afghanistan more generally and for regional connectivity, says Byrd.

Byrd says other hindrances to greater regional trade include widespread corruption at border crossings in the region as well as numerous checkpoints on Afghan highways where various powerholders extort fees from transporters.

Foad Ahmadi, the spokesman for the Industry and Commerce Ministry, told RFE/RLs Radio Free Afghanistan that the cargo route between Pakistan and Uzbekistan will allow Afghanistan to become a roundabout for regional trade.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has repeatedly talked up his country's potential as a hub of regional connectivity.

But experts say the pilot project offers fewer tangible benefits to landlocked Afghanistan.

For Afghanistan it is crucial to develop its own economy, including in particular agro-processing, construction, and, over a longer period, mineral extraction and exports that are currently subject to widespread informal mining and smuggling out to Pakistan and Iran, says Byrd. On the export side, Afghan products need to be permitted to transit more seamlessly through neighboring countries, notably Pakistan.

Pakistan has banned Afghanistan from transporting goods through its territory to India, Islamabads archrival.

In response, New Delhi and Kabul launched an air freight corridor in 2016 to provide greater access for Afghan goods to the Indian market.

New Delhi, Kabul, and Tehran have also established a trade route through Iran's strategic Chabahar Port.

The trade route has lessened Afghanistans reliance on Pakistan and has allowed India to open a sea route to Afghanistan. New Delhi also gained access to natural resources in the Central Asian republics.

As a result, Afghanistans trade with Pakistan has plummeted in recent years as Iran has become Afghanistans biggest trading partner.

Political Points

Landlocked Uzbekistan would one of the biggest beneficiaries of greater regional trade.

Uzbekistan's access to marine shipping is very limited, and Tashkent has sought to secure a direct link to seaports in Pakistan and Iran.

In February, Afghan, Pakistani, and Uzbek officials signed a road map on the construction of a railroad from Afghanistans northern city of Mazar-e Sharif, near the Uzbek border, to Kabul and the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar.

Tashkent has signed a flurry of agreements with its southern neighbors to enhance regional trade. But Uzbek companies says many hurdles remain.

The head of an Uzbek transport and logistics company, speaking on condition of anonymity, told RFE/RLs Uzbek Service that the Pakistan-Uzbekistan route was an opportunity for Tashkent and Islamabad to score political points.

In fact, Uzbekistan does not have any intergovernmental agreements on the acceptance, registration, and dispatch of goods with either Pakistan or Afghanistan, he said. When we address the Transport Ministry about these issues, officials always tell us the same thing: We are working on it.
The Afghan Taliban has warned neighboring countries against allowing the United States to operate military bases on their soil, following media reports alleging that Pakistan had struck a deal with Washington.

The militant group issued the warning in a statement on May 26 amid speculation that the Pentagon is eying new bases in the region to use against the insurgents after the planned pullout of all U.S. forces from Afghanistan by September 11.

Sonny Leggett, the U.S. military spokesman in Afghanistan, said that speculations the United States is seeking to set up military bases in Pakistan are false.

Addressing the Pakistani Senate on May 25, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan will never allow any American base on its soil."

In its statement, the Taliban urged neighboring countries not to allow anyone to do so."

It did not name any country.

"If such a step is taken again, it will be a great and historic mistake and disgrace," the insurgents said, adding that they would "not remain silent in the face of such heinous and provocative acts.

The planned withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan after two decades has raised concerns over the fate of the government in Kabul in the face of continued violence by Taliban militants that control large swaths of the country.

On May 26, Afghanistan's Defense Ministry said the army's commando forces had released 62 people from a Taliban prison in the northern province of Baghlan.

The captives, who included 26 civilians and 36 members of Afghan security forces, were released in an overnight operation in the Baghlan-e Markazi district, the ministry said, adding that four Taliban guards were killed during the operation.

The statement comes a day after officials said 41 people were released from a Taliban prison in the country's western province of Herat.

The Taliban has not commented on the operations in Baghlan and Herat.
U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn has introduced legislation to pull the plug on federal subsidies for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and National Public Radio, he said Monday, claiming the public TV and radio outlets have increasingly turned into a mouthpiece for the left.

The Colorado Springs Republican has been trying to eliminate the organizations federal funding for at least a dozen years, arguing that taxpayers shouldnt be subsidizing media conglomerates that receive the bulk of their funding from private sources, including membership dues and corporate underwriters.

Previous versions of his message suggested that it was time for Big Bird, the iconic Sesame Street character, to earn his wings and learn to fly on his own, but in this years announcement, Lamborn also cited NPRs election year coverage of alleged scandals involving President Joe Bidens son Hunter as a reason to cut its funding.

Last year, National Public Radio further discredited their institution and journalistic standards by refusing to cover a story that was damaging to then-candidate Joe Biden, Lamborn said in a statement.

This is why I am once again introducing legislation that would defund National Public Radio and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Government subsidization of programs that refuse to publish actual news is fiscally irresponsible. With the current out-of-control spending in Washington, we should not provide funds to organizations that already receive sufficient funding from the private sector.

A spokeswoman elaborated in a release that Lamborn was talking about the broadcasters decision not to cover allegations that emerged in October surrounding emails found on a laptop supposedly abandoned by the younger Biden at a computer repair store.

NPR wasnt alone in taking a skeptical approach to the story, which was discounted at the time by veterans of the intelligence community as a possible attempt by Russian interests to influence the election.

We dont want to waste our time on stories that are not really stories, and we dont want to waste the listeners and readers time on stories that are just pure distractions, NPRs managing editor for news Terence Samuels wrote at the time, prompting a rebuke similar to Lamborns perennial refrain from Donald Trump Jr., the former presidents son.

Defund NPR, the younger Trump tweeted. American taxpayer dollars should not be out there being utilized to push false propaganda and cover up for Joe Bidens corruption!

Lamborn hasnt always taken as hostile an approach to defunding PBS and NPR, though he has consistently maintained that the broadcasters snub conservative points of view, including two years ago, when he called the childrens cartoon Arthur, which airs on PBS, a complete affront to religious Americans. An episode featured a same-sex wedding between a rat and an aardvark.

In 2011, Lamborn appeared in a fundraising video with Doug Price, then-CEO of Rocky Mountain PBS, who opened the spot saying, We dont see eye-to-eye on everything about public broadcasting, but I know you and your family have supported Rocky Mountain PBS with an individual gift.

Replied Lamborn: Yes, that may surprise some people because, as you know, I dont support federal funding of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. But I do know that Rocky Mountain PBS has a vital role in the marketplace of Colorado media. He then urged viewers to support the station with membership dollars.

A Lamborn spokeswoman wouldnt say whether Lamborn is currently supporting any PBS or NPR stations with donations.
It's crunch time at the General Assembly, with many bills to go. As usual, Colorado Politics is on top of the need-to-know news in the bustling statehouse. You can read about the first few months of legislature's doings in this link, and below you'll find the latest updates of the final months:
Ex-chief of customs in Leningrad Region challenges seizure of assets in graft case

 Fotolia/ V.P.

13:44 26/05/2021

ST. PETERSBURG, May 26 (RAPSI, Mikhail Telekhov)  A former chief of the Kingisepp customs in Russias Leningrad Region, Sergey Slepukhin, who stands charged with taking bribes, has challenged a court ruling on seizure of assets worth over 30 million rubles (over $400,000), the United press service of Vologda Region courts has told RAPSI.

Slepukhins appeal will be considered by the Vologda Regional Court.

According to case papers, a court in Cherepovets, a town in the Vologda Region, earlier seized assets belonging to Slepukhin, businessmen Vladimir Novgorodtsev and Maxim Tyukin worth 38 million rubles.

Prosecutors claimed that Slepukhin acting as the Kingisepp customs head purchased luxury movable and real property items and registered them in a false name. Allegedly, Novgorodtsev bought for cash an apartment in the town of Pushkin totaling to 9.8 million rubles, while Tyukin titled a recreation camp in Cherepovets, including immovable and movable property worth 28.4 million rubles in his name.

The court found no evidence that the said assets were bought legally and granted a prosecutors bid to attach them. The defendants appealed the ruling.

Moreover, Slepukhin is charged with receiving a bribe in the amount of $27,000. Investigators believe he repeatedly took money for common assistance in the customs service.




The Colorado Supreme Court on Monday agreed to review whether a lower court correctly decided the El Paso County sheriff was immune from lawsuit for his prolonged detention of a man at the request of immigration authorities, as well as a decision involving the number of times someone may be convicted for a single act of arson.

Last year, the Court of Appeals threw out a lawsuit against Sheriff Bill Elder that alleged wrongful imprisonment, stemming from Elder's detention of Saul Cisneros for four months after Cisneros posted bond. The continued jailing occurred at the request of federal immigration authorities, despite the fact that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers only last for 48 hours.

By a 2-1 decision, a panel of judges for the appellate court determined the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act shielded Elder for his actions. Although there is an exception within the governmental immunity law for operators of jails and correctional facilities, immunity is waived only if a detained person can demonstrate "injury due to negligence."

RELATED:

Record outbreak at El Paso County jail spawns legal settlement

"'[N]egligence means negligence; it does not mean intentional conduct," concluded Judge Diana Terry for the appellate panel's majority, noting Elder purposefully detained Cisneros pursuant to the sheriff's own policy.

Judge David J. Richman dissented, finding it illogical that the legislature would allow for lawsuits due to negligent actions resulting in injury, but not for intentional actions.

The Supreme Court will consider whether the Court of Appeals' majority correctly decided the issue of immunity.

The case is Cisneros v. Elder.

The justices will also hear an appeal out of Jefferson County about whether Colorado's arson statute allows juries to convict a person separately for each building or occupied structure damaged, each piece of personal property damaged, and each person endangered  even if the person only instigates one fire.

Christopher Magana set fire to his ex-girlfriend's car outside her Lakewood home, and the fire spread to a second car and the building. A jury convicted him on 18 counts for the vehicles, homes and people endangered by the fire.

A Court of Appeals panel upheld an interpretation of the law that allowed Magana to be charged separately for buildings, cars and people affected by the single fire. The panel also declared part of Magana's sentence illegal, after the trial court judge declined to give a more severe sentence for Magana's use of a deadly weapon  in this case, fire.

The appellate judges instead determined the General Assembly intended for fire to be a deadly weapon for the purpose of enhancing a criminal sentence. The Supreme Court will decide whether to affirm that reading of the law, as well as the appellate court's endorsement of multiple convictions.

The case is Magana v. People.
City Editor

Tom Roeder is the Gazette's City Editor. In Colorado Springs since 2003, Tom has covered the military at home and overseas and has cover statehouses in Denver and Olympia, Wash. His main job, though, is being dad to two great kids.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A family-friendly street festival, musical performances and moments of silence were held Tuesday to honor George Floyd and 
How to win

If you've been vaccinated, you don't need to do anything else; the state will pull winners from its internal immunization system. The contest is only open to those 18 and older, and you need to be vaccinated by June 30 at the latest to be eligible for the final drawing on July 7.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

A mainly sunny sky. High 86F. Winds SE at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low 57F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph, becoming NNE and decreasing to 5 to 10 mph.
Procedure of sale of assets of ex-oil company manager extended for three months

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

17:51 26/05/2021

MOSCOW, May 26 (RAPSI)  The Tyumen Regional Commercial Court has extended a procedure of disposition of assets belonging to Fyodor Khoroshilov, former manager of the Tyumen branch of the Siberian Oil Company (Sibneft), until August 27, according to court records.

The court initiated the procedure in late February 2020. Earlier, in October 2019, the procedure of debt restructurization was set up.

A bankruptcy claim has been filed against Khoroshilov by VTB Pension Administrator company.

Criminal history of Khoroshilov

In July 2016, the Tagansky District Court of Moscow sentenced Khoroshilov to 7 years in prison for embezzling about 12 billion rubles ($187.5 million at then exchange rate) from VTB bank. His partner Gendrik Mundut received a 5-year suspended sentence. In December 2016, the Moscow City Court upheld the sentence.

Companies owned by Khoroshilov have reportedly obtained credits from VTB bank and its Cypriot subsidiary for field development since 2005.

In 1998-2002, Khoroshilov was manager of the Tyumen branch of the Siberian Oil Company (Sibneft) and had an oilfield development license for three fields in West Siberia where he planned to start drilling. In 2008, Khoroshilov stopped servicing the loan. In June 2009, VTB began filing claims against Khoroshilov with the High Court of London the total value of which eventually reached $800 million.

According to investigation, in 2006, Khoroshilov and Mundut, by acting together, used their authority to steal about 12 billion rubles belonging to the VTB bank by providing misleading information.




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What the data says about phone use while driving

Even though drivers know they shouldnt look at their phones while driving, plenty do -- especially when theyre on a road that has a shoulder, a median, a higher speed limit and additional lanes.



Researchers at Texas A&M University found that not only does the frequency of phone use correlate to distracted crashes on urban and rural roads, but that theres a direct link between road geometrics -- the presence or absence of a shoulder or extra lanes -- and more phone use while driving.

The research is important because it opens up a new way to study drivers phone behavior and gives transportation agencies a way to identify physical countermeasures to reduce distracted-related crashes.



While I am driving, I always notice many drivers who are on their phones talking, texting or scrolling. There are many times the cars in front of my car didnt move after traffic lights turn green, Xiaoqiang Jack Kong, a doctoral student at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute told A&M Engineering News. This study finds patterns for where the locations are where phone use while driving behavior most occurs. These findings are unique and informative and have not been documented elsewhere yet.



Researching phone use while driving involved collecting data and analyzing the drivers personality, environmental factors and roadway operational factors.

The study found that the existence of a shoulder and median or merge lanes could encourage phone use behavior since these geometric features provide a safety buffer for drivers, which gives them a sense of security, A&M officials said.



Because individuals involved in distraction-enabled crashes are reluctant to admit using a phone while driving, Kong used a pseudonymized dataset from a private provider that pulled data from a smartphone application that tracks driving behavior.



The researchers integrated the phone-use-while-driving events from the private data provider with the roadway features of Texas roads and the distracted crash count on each road segment from the crash database of Texas to arrive at their conclusions.



The study does have caveats. The driving data may not represent older adults or others who do not use an app to track their driving. The researchers also would have liked to access data on the timing of intersection traffic signals.

With more data, researchers may associate this phone use behavior with drivers social demographics. In this way, we may understand this behavior more at individual levels, Kong said.



Roadways that already experience higher numbers of distracted driving crashes should have more visible signs as well as more attention from law enforcement and transportation agencies, he suggested.

The findings of this study were published in Accident Analysis & Prevention.
How hot is it? Communities collect heat data

Community-led campaigns in about 25 cities this summer will work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to collect data to identify neighborhoods with extreme heat.

NOAAs National Integrated Heatx Health Information System (NIHHIS) has partnered with cities including Albuquerque, New York and San Francisco to gather data that will be used to create interactive online maps that identify problem areas. This is the fourth year that NIHHIS and CAPA Strategies, a climate adaptation planning and analytics firm, have conducted Urban Heat Island mapping campaigns.

CAPA provides sensors it developed to volunteers called community scientists, who will walk, bike or drive specific areas of a city at a designated hour in the morning, afternoon and evening on a specific day. The National Weather Service helps determine the best time frame for collecting data through historical weather conditions about an areas hottest and driest times, and then NOAAs Climate Prediction Center and Weather Prediction Center provide threshold conditions for low cloud cover and winds.

The sensors record temperature and humidity measurements every second in addition to GPS locations and vehicle speed. The data is saved onto a local SD card that the community sends to CAPA on the campaigns completion.

CAPA downloads the data in CSV format, cleans it and brings in imagery from the European Space Agencys Sentinel II satellite.

That provides several different bands at 10- or 20-meter resolution raster cell of land cover imagery, said Joey Williams, manager at CAPA. That is used to inform the variables for the model. In each cell, where we will be predicting temperature and heat index, we have 150 variables from the Sentinel satellite to use. And then in those where we have a temperature or humidity reading, that is the 151st variable that is used to train the model to then create a surface map of the full study area.

CAPA then applies machine learning algorithms to the satellite imagery and temperature and humidity readings to produce interactive maps.

Data collection and analysis are two parts of the effort. The third is applying the results. CAPA and NOAA provide a summary report describing the campaigns results, including maps, key observations and recommended next steps. CAPA also puts the data on the Open Science Framework and posts interactive maps online through Esris ArcGIS so that anyone can open a map and zoom in on the data, which is available for two years.

By two years we expect that theyre bringing [maps] into their own systems and being able to present them in their own way, Williams said.

Communities can use the information to make changes. For instance, when findings showed that areas of Richmond, Va., were hotter than others, city planners and officials wanted proof that the heat difference was problematic, said Vivek Shandas, a CAPA adviser and Portland State University climate adaptation professor.

We ended up getting ambulance data on a hot set of days -- where were the largest number of ambulances responding -- and it almost one-to-one correspondent with the hottest parts of the city, Shandas said.

CAPA built a fluid dynamics model that looks at the heat distribution for a city block and then studied how changes to the landscape would affect temperatures.

We model those outputs through this simulation process where we can say, Temperatures would go up X plus 10 degrees or X plus 2 degrees or they would drop by X minus 5 degrees with these different interventions that you can apply on these very localized site, Shandas said.

Richmond used the data to put several heat mitigation planning processes in place, he said. For instance, it turned city-owned land into new community green spaces.

In August 2020, Houston conducted one of the largest campaigns to date. Most studies involve about eight to 10 sensors and cover 80 to 100 square miles, but Houston used 32 sensors and covered more than 330 square miles, Williams said. The effort was initiated by the Houston Advanced Research Center -- which had partnerships with the city resilience office, Harris County, local nonprofits and the Nature Conservancy -- to study day and nighttime temperature variations, energy use and affordability in the hottest areas.

CAPA lent participants Flir thermal imagery cameras that plugged into iOS and Android smartphones. That allowed people to go out on the campaign and take thermal imagery photos with their iPhones and Androids of places along the campaign routes and look at Why does this parking lot feel so much warmer? Its reading 120 degrees Fahrenheit on my camera vs. the park I go to, Williams said.

Houston incorporated the heat mapping results into its Climate Action Plan, released April 2020. It includes a goal of planting 4.6 million new native shade trees by 2030.

Campaigns kick off in one of two ways: through a NOAA grant or as an independent effort. In 2019, NOAA started issuing requests for proposals for communities to apply to participate in the campaigns and get agency support, such as use of the sensors, construction of the maps and support from the CAPA team. NOAA cant fund every city, however, so some work with CAPA directly, Shandas said, adding that about 60 cities have participated so far.

Typically, the studies end in one of three ways, he said. One is a massive collaborative effort with environmental groups in the communities. Another is interventions such as Houston and Richmond implemented. Then theres the community aspect of this, where there is a broader understanding of the concept of heat and its distribution in the area, he said.

Its important to know because extreme heat kills more Americans than any other weather event, according to NOAA. Within the same city, some neighborhoods can be up to 20 degrees warmer than others -- areas that tend to be home to poorer communities of color, NOAA states.
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Cerro Gordo County amends its mask policy for COVID-19

At the start of July 2020, both the City of Mason City and Cerro Gordo County instituted mandatory face mask policies for anyone entering, with no exceptions, as a response to the then-worsening COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 11 months later, the county has now followed the city in significantly amending its masking policy.

On Tuesday morning, the Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved (3-0) changes that would permit fully vaccinated employees and visitors to enter county buildings such as the courthouse without having to wear a mask. Those who haven't been vaccinated or are not 14 days removed from their second shot would still need to mask when entering county facilities.

Jared McNett / Jared McNett, Globe Gazette The Cerro Gordo County Courthouse displays new signage on masking policy. Changes the Board of Supervisors approved permit fully vaccinated employees and visitors to enter county buildings, such as the courthouse, without having to wear a mask.

In explaining the changes to the supervisors, Director of Administrative Services Tom Meyer said that while county officials won't be checking for proof of vaccination from those who are entering without a mask, it does reserve the right to do so if any issues emerge.

Public health departments around North Iowa react to mask mandate ban "I would say that the timing of this I dont think makes any sense."

While the masking policies were amended, the packet for the latest meeting spells out that plexiglass partitions will stay in place as will available hand sanitizers and face masks.

According to Meyer, the decision is in line with recent guideline adjustments by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from earlier this month that said: "fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance."

Meyer also said that before the policy change was approved and went into effect on Tuesday it was reviewed across the county's various departments. In fact, the update was partly born out of a May 17 meeting with Cerro Gordo's management team.

According to statistics from the Iowa Department of Public Health's "COVID-19 in Iowa" webpage, Cerro Gordo County has had 15,228 completions of the two-dose vaccine series and 1,043 more of the one-dose series as of May 23.

Cerro Gordo County opens new multi-million dollar facilities After more than a year of construction work, the multi-million facilities for the engineering and secondary roads department is now open just off of Lark Avenue to the west of the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Department.

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Bill loved life and lived it zealously for over 91 years. A farmer for over 80 years in North Iowa, and 40 years in southern Florida, he pursued many other interests including: sailing, flying, music, traveling, and reading. In his spare time he started a bank in Clear Lake and was a founding board member of Guardsman Life Insurance Company in Des Moines. By far the most important thing to Bill was his family starting with his wife, Mary Lou. They recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in Florida. He was instrumental in helping his three boys and five grandchildren get established, not only in life, but in their chosen professions. Their love for him was evidenced by the fact that they all remained in Iowa. All three boys and four of his five grandchildren live within two miles of Bill and Mary Lou's home on north shore in Clear Lake.
Vileta said he and an FBI agent tried to manage the 11-hour interview by taking frequent breaks so they could be briefed on Bahena Riveras statements, but that it was difficult.

On cross-examination, Vileta recounted looking into Mollie Tibbetts boyfriend and other men who came under scrutiny for various reasons before Bahena Rivera came on their radar. That included a reserve deputy who lived on the property adjacent to where Tibbetts body was found, Vileta said.

Tipsters told police that the man had a torture room in his basement and had previously harmed women and children, Vileta acknowledged. Investigators went to the mans house, did not find such a room and never formally interviewed him, he said.

Seeking to rebut suggestions that someone else could have been responsible for Tibbetts' death, prosecutor Scott Brown raised his voice to a shout as he asked Vileta whether anyone else had confessed or been linked to the death of Tibbetts by blood evidence. Vileta said only Rivera.

That person is the man seated here to my right, would you agree? Brown said, pointing at Bahena Rivera.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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A: I concluded that the root cause analysis of the condition that Black people are in today is the intentional impoverishment of Black people. Everything that we see today are just symptoms of that problem. Until we solve that problem, its sort of like having cancer and saying Im going to put a Band-Aid on cancer. Weve got to rid ourselves of that cancer by being honest and being frank that those who benefited from things that were done in the past. They need to first all agree that it happened, and secondly, be a part of the solution to the problem. The reality is no matter how hard we work, no matter how much education we get, were not going to have equal financial footing with whites until something intentionally is done to bring us to that point  just like it was done to give us this deficit. How long were we enslaved? Almost 12 generations. We cannot ignore the importance of that relative to where we are now financially, and the only way for us to catch up is it has to be something done by the government; and that has to be a check for the difference between the wealth of whites and the wealth of Blacks. Reparations is not unprecedented. America gave $20,000 to 80,000 Japanese Americans who were interned for three years. And when slavery ended, America actually gave almost over 800 former slave owners reparations to the tune of $300 per slave.
Still, people persisted. They secretly listened to Voice of America broadcasts on shortwave radio. They quietly passed around handwritten copies of banned novels. The Count of Monte Cristo was Wongs favorite.

Finally, in 1968, Mao announced it was now time for re-education. Students were ordered to leave school and go work on farms. After two years of hard labor  driving water buffalo and harvesting sugar cane  Wong knew he had to flee.

You must go! his mother urged. We cant all drown in a bitter sea. Some of us must break the curse.

There was an escape route, although it was treacherous. First, you had to forge travel documents. And, you needed supplies: a map, a compass, and a raft or at least an inflatable pillow. Then you had to cross the mountains, getting as close to Hong Kong as possible.

Finally, the plan involved swimming six miles to freedom.

Wongs first attempt ended just before he reached the sea, as armed soldiers stepped out of the darkness to arrest him, his sister and a friend.

Like three helium balloons ascending to greet the arriving sun, we had been punctured and deflated, dropping to the earth, again, into the endless darkness, he writes.
"This type of crime is horrific. It's not something we see here in Rockingham County. In fact, in my more than 30-year career in law enforcement in this county, I don't think I've seen anything like it,'' Page said in a Tuesday email.

"Our team at the Sheriff's Office is working hard to identify the shooter(s) and bring them to justice. At this point in the investigation, we do not believe this was a random act. My top priority is and always will be protecting our citizens and keeping them safe.''

Motorists alerted authorities that two victims were lying along the road, RCSO Public Information Officer Lt. Kevin Suthard said in the release Monday night.

"We will not be releasing the names or identifying information about the victims at this time out of concern for the surviving victim's safety as well as any family members of any of the victims involved,'' Page said Tuesday, explaining his decision was based on a recommendation by Rockingham County District Attorney Jason Ramey.

Deputies and other first responders found a third victim shortly after arriving on the scene, according to the release.

A caller to 911 can be heard describing a woman who told him she'd been shot. He said he'd found the woman near Exit 153 on U.S. 29.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  State Sen. Chris Larson, of Milwaukee, joined an already crowded field of Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, launching his candidacy Wednesday with a promise to fight the bullies in Washington and Wall Street.

Larson, in a video announcing his candidacy, voiced his support for liberal Democratic policy proposals including Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and increasing taxes on the wealthy and large corporations.

As your neighbor, Im asking you to join me in standing up to the bullies in Washington and Wall Street, so we can write the next chapter of our American history together, Larson said.

Johnson has not said yet whether he will seek a third term in 2022. His spokeswoman did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Larson's candidacy.

Wisconsin Republican Party spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Larson had accomplished next to nothing as a state senator.
Russian government backs bill on punishment for underpayment of alimony

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

12:10 26/05/2021

MOSCOW, May 26 (RAPSI)  The Government Law-Making Commission has approved a legislative initiative aimed at improving the system of prosecution for willful neglect to pay alimony, the press service of the Association of Lawyers of Russia informs RAPSI.

Every year, officers of the Federal Bailiff Service make several thousand decisions declining initiation of criminal cases over willful neglect to pay alimony, frequently on the grounds that defaulters made certain payments, even if irregular and insignificant ones. Thus, in 2019, 8,000 such decisions were made, for eight months of 2020, the respective number made 4,400, the press service quotes Chairman of the Board of the Association of Lawyers of Russia Vladimir Gruzdev as saying.

Moreover, according to Gruzdev, already initiated cases are often closed at the requests of prosecutors.

There have been developed amendments to the Criminal Code, as well as the Code of Administrative Offenses, to the effect that citizens would not be able to avoid responsibility for non-payment of alimony on formal grounds, like transfers of some meager amounts. It is worth reminding that currently a two-stage system of bringing to responsibility for non-payment of alimony is in place in Russia. First time offenders are brought to administrative responsibility. Repeated violations are punishable under criminal law the Chairman of the Association observed.

Earlier, a plenum of the Supreme Court of Russia explained that those underpaying alimony-related debts could be brought to responsibility.

The statistics of the Supreme Court of Russia demonstrate that in 2020, 95,100 people were administratively punished for failures to pay alimony without legitimate reason; 37,900 people were brought to criminal responsibility; 19 people were brought to justice for non-payment of alimony to their parents, Gruzdev summed up. He believes that the said legislative initiative will close the loophole for unscrupulous alimony debtors.
Krumholz said social welfare is often far from these groups' main mission.

These are not your average Girls and Boys Clubs, she said.

She said if the scheme fails to produce convictions, Ohioans will be worse off  but they will have learned something about politics as usual.

The bottom line is this leaves Ohioans in the dark about how money is used to influence the laws that their representatives pass and that will govern their lives, she said. And thats why its called dark money. It leaves us in the dark.

Vandewalker said, Of course, the people who are receiving the money know exactly where it's coming from and what those people want.

Generation Now, the dark money group also indicted in July alongside Householder and the others, pleaded guilty in February.



Gillispie reported from Cleveland. AP reporter Andrew Welsh-Huggins contributed to this report.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
In hindsight, it should be clear that Warner was always a serious man even before he was legally one: He volunteered for the U.S. Navy during World War II before he even turned 18. He came back from war, went to Washington and Lee University and the University of Law School  then went to war again, as a Marine in Korea. And yet somehow Warner was considered a dilettante. He married into money, gave a lot of it to Richard Nixons presidential campaign and was named Under Secretary, and eventually Secretary of the Navy. That was seen as a political payoff. Later, Gerald Ford named him head of the Bicentennial Commission, which further shaped Warners public persona as a little more than a wealthy glad-hander. Oh how wrong we all were.

In 1978, Virginia had an open U.S. Senate seat. Republicans, a party on the rise, gathered in a legendary convention that filled the Richmond Coliseum  and drew four candidates seeking the prize. One of those was John Warner. He was rich, he was glamorous (married at the time to the actress Elizabeth Taylor). He was also considered a little too moderate and a little too unpredictable for the conservatives who had gained control of the party. It took six ballots, but Richard Obenshain prevailed; Warner finished second. Less than two months later, Obenshain was dead  in a plane crash that forever scrambled Virginia politics.

Frank Atkinson, author of The Dynamic Dominion, the definitive history of the rise of the Virginia Republican Party, tells what happens next. Obenshain was buried in Botetourt County  his familys ancestral home. That afternoon, party leaders gathered in Roanoke at the home of lawyer (and future state party chairman) Donald Huffman. They had little interest in Warner; they wanted a real conservative as a substitute candidate. Their first choice was former Gov. Mills Godwin, their second was Rep. J. Kenneth Robinson. Some felt their third choice was state party chairman George McMath, others didnt. In the end, all those potential candidates passed on a race, and Gov. John Dalton  who stressed the need for an immediate infusion of campaign cash because of the imminence of the election  began pushing Warner. Atkinson says some 40 top Obenshain supporters gathered at a Richmond hotel to interview Warner. What followed was a grilling that can only be described as brutal, Atkinson writes. Would Warner adhere to conservative principles in the Senate? Would he work hard, rather than spend his time on the Washington social circuit? . . . What assurance was there that his controversial wife would not embarrass the state? Warner answered calmly and impressively  and also assured the party leaders he would not try to run the party, which mollified some. In the end, conservatives reluctantly got on board with Warner but werent enthused about it. He barely won that year  over former Democratic Attorney General Andrew Miller  but soon became more popular than either party imagined. By the time Warner was up for re-election in 1984, he polled 70.1% of the vote. Come 1990, he polled 80.4%  and Democrats didnt even bother to field an opponent.
Again, I ask, at what point do we say Islam is a terrorist group if not now? Is this really something that we want coming to or staying in America? Remember, this question is not racist. Islam is an ideology, not a race/ethnicity.

Can I say this as I close? I am a Christian, but I am NOT writing this because I believe that the world has a God-given mandate to protect the land-plot that is Israel. Israel is no more holy land than any other patch of Gods creation. America isnt any more holy either for that matter/

Much of Jimmy Carters, Ronald Reagans and the Bushes foreign policies came from the fact that they subscribed to a view called premillennialism, which is the idea that Jesus will literally/physically return to Israel to establish his kingdom for 1,000 years.

I believe that the Lords Kingdom is a spiritual kingdom, rather than physical, as per John 18:36. Jesus said, My kingdom is not of this world. I am not looking for his kingdom in the future, as Jesus said the kingdom would come in the lives of the first century believers: That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power (Mark 9:1). I believe His Kingdom is here now in his church, the church of Christ: for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:10).

I may not believe in premillennialism, and I believe that modern-Judaism neglects Jesus, the Christ, as much as Islam does, but I believe that the people of Israel should be able to live in peace. I believe that peace can only be achieved at the defeat of Hamas, which is Islam.

The writer lives in Martinsville.
High Point University started its physician assistant studies program in 2015 with 20 students and now can admit up to 45* students each summer. This doctoral program, which High Point said it "expects to launch" in fall 2022, is the logical extension of its current master's degree offering.

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant lists 275 accredited PA programs, including 12 in North Carolina. I couldn't easily find a count of doctoral programs for PAs, but it appears that the DMSc degree is relatively new and not nearly as common as PA master's degree programs.

* Update, 9:45 a.m. Wednesday: The third line of High Point's accreditation history shows that each incoming class of physician assistant studies students is capped at 35 students. My mistake was not reading further, because the document shows that in 2020 ARC-PA let High Point admit more students. Incoming cohorts are now up to 45 students, and the cap will rise to 65 within a couple of years. I've corrected the next-to-last paragraph in this blog post.

High Point's PA class of 2020, by the way, did really well on the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination, or PANCE. All 35 new grads passed the exam on their first try.

Staff writer John Newsom covers higher education for the News & Record of Greensboro and the Winston-Salem Journal. Have something to say about this blog post? Email him at john.newsom@greensboro.com. You can also follow him on Twitter at @JohnNewsomNR. Support his coverage of higher education. Click here and here to learn about digital subscriptions the News & Record and the Journal.

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WENTWORTH  Rockingham Countys infection rate dropped for the second week in a row to 4.2% on Tuesday, county health statistics showed.

The rate is well below 5%, the target rate the Centers for Disease Control calls relatively safe and a sign that a community is successfully controlling the spread of COVID-19.

While North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has recently relaxed mask restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals, Rockingham Countys Public Health Director Trey Wright said hes hopeful the unvaccinated will continue to cover their faces to protect themselves and others.

I am optimistic that people will be responsible with the new rules, Wright said. I have taken notice that many still wear their masks in the large retailers. Even at the gym, Ive noticed (that people) when indoors and around (people they dont know), many are staying masked.

Wright said he and his wife, who is expecting the couples son in July, will continue to wear masks in public.

Hopefully, every person and family will arrive at a protocol that suits their needs while respecting the safety of others, health officials said. But Wright said being in a family way means taking extra precautions.
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"This type of crime is horrific. It's not something we see here in Rockingham County. In fact, in my more than 30-year career in law enforcement in this county, I don't think I've seen anything like it,'' Page said in a Tuesday email.

"Our team at the Sheriff's Office is working hard to identify the shooter(s) and bring them to justice. At this point in the investigation, we do not believe this was a random act. My top priority is and always will be protecting our citizens and keeping them safe.''

Motorists alerted authorities that two victims were lying along the road, RCSO Public Information Officer Lt. Kevin Suthard said in the release Monday night.

"We will not be releasing the names or identifying information about the victims at this time out of concern for the surviving victim's safety as well as any family members of any of the victims involved,'' Page said Tuesday, explaining his decision was based on a recommendation by Rockingham County District Attorney Jason Ramey.

Deputies and other first responders found a third victim shortly after arriving on the scene, according to the release.

A caller to 911 can be heard describing a woman who told him she'd been shot. He said he'd found the woman near Exit 153 on U.S. 29.
Over the years, though, a park committee added an amphitheater and permanent seating, and cemented most of the area around the stage.

We look after the entire park area but several years, we cemented the walking trails throughout the park, Pierce said. The park also features a handicapped access parking and seating area.

Monuments containing the names of Rockingham County veterans in each of the wars since WWI have been installed, including those who fought in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm. People wanting to add names for the Memorial may obtain information by contacting Pierce at 336-623-9481.

We invite all veterans and the public to come out and enjoy the program, Pierce said.

SIDE BAR:

Memorial Day is a federal holiday honoring and mourning military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May. The holiday was formerly observed on May 30 from 1868 to 1970.
Thompson also is a mandolin player, and it was a chat at the Floyd Country Store with banjo player Andy Buckman of Rocky Mount that set Thompson on the path that would lead to the documentary.

Buckman told him that his father-in-law, Matt Hubbard of Horsepasture, had lived in Rock Castle as a boy. In 2017, Thompson, Buckman and Hubbard and a friend hiked to the area.

Hubbard told them about Rock Castle. It was a remarkable experience. Hes so great on camera. Its such a remark community, Thompson said.

Ive got one specific thing that I want to see one more time, and that is an old chestnut log that was laying on the ground when I was about 5 or 6 years old, Hubbard says on the film, shown also on the trailer.

The camera follows him across a creek, up a mountain and, finally, at the log, almost as big around as he is tall.

According to the Blue Ridge Park Foundations website, the families of Rock Castle lived along a 6-mile stretch of Rock Castle Creek. The community had two stores, three mills, a school house, a former distillery and nearby churches. Several families owned battery-powered radios, and one person put in a waterwheel-powered Delco-Light generating plant to provide light and a way to recharge radio batteries.
Others agree with each perspective, but some say flat-out they wont wear masks.

I only wear one [a mask] when Im forced to, and I see them as muzzles, a way for our so-called government to restrict us and have power [and] control over us, Barbara Stultz Bearden of Henry County said. I will not take the vaccine unless there are a dozen people holding me down and I have no choice. People need to wake up.

Bill Wyatt is a reporter for the Martinsville Bulletin. He can be reached at bill.wyatt@martinsvillebulletin.com or at 276-638-8801.

Steven Doyle is editor of the Martinsville Bulletin and the Danville Register & Bee. He can be reached at steven.doyle@martinsvillebulletin.com or 276-638-8801, ext. 245.
According to CBS News online, an officer in the fledging U.S. Space Force lost his command after spouting nonsense on a podcast, which is the second most popular way to ruin a career after tweeting something stupid.

Space Force, formed in 2019, has just over 4,800 personnel, 77 spacecraft and one giant death ray. The death ray is speculation on my part, but the other numbers are accurate.

Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Lohmeier, who was on a podcast plugging his new book no one wants to read, said he didnt care for the militarys diversity and inclusion initiatives. He blamed Marxism, and not the Groucho kind.

Our diversity, inclusion and equity industry and the trainings were receiving in the military via that industry are rooted in critical race theory which is rooted in Marxism, Lohmeier said.

He had no comment on what he thought of Mr. Spocks pointy ears.

Military higher-ups, figuring this guy was not who we wanted to beam down to other planets to negotiate intergalactic peace treaties, gave him the heave-ho.
Update: 26-05-2021 | 21:38:42

Vietnams capacity to build long-term strategies is key for the countrys economic growth despite unprecedented difficulties brought by COVID-19 pandemic, according to Acting Director of the Far East Institute at the Russian Academy of Sciences Prof. Dr. Aleksey Maslov.

Vietnamese army's chemical division disinfects the Hanoi-based National Hospital for Tropical Diseases - one of the COVID-19 hot spot

Commenting on the economic situation of Vietnam, Maslov noted Vietnam's impressive success in 2020 with growth of 2.91 percent. Particularly, Vietnam is a model of effective response to COVID-19, he added.

He underlined that despite the countrys not very large economic scale, Vietnam has posted consecutive high growth in recent years (6.81 percent in 2017, 7.08 percent in 2018, and 7.02 percent in 2019). Even in 2020 amid great challenges, growth was seen in the production of major export products as well as major sectors.

Maslov noted that the most important development was seen in external trade with a record trade surplus of 19.1 billion USD, continuing the trend of trade surplus for five years in a row.

The Russian expert held that the signing of free trade agreements (FTA), including the EU-Vietnam FTA (EVFTA) has brought about positive outcomes, citing that last year, Vietnams exports to the EU hit 43.8 billion USD.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Ruslan Kotiuk from Russias Saint Petersburg State University has affirmed that Doi Moi (Renewal) is the foundation for Vietnams success in his recent article.

He held that the success lesson of Vietnam is rooted in its Doi Moi policy that was launched in the 1980s, which has resulted in a sharp fall in the ratio of poverty and a considerable rise in peoples life expectancy to 75.5.

The Vietnamese economy is opening broader to the world through years, he noted, adding that with dynamic external trade, effective monetary policies and active fiscal policies in combination with expanding domestic consumption, the Vietnamese Government has succeeded in macro-economic management.

He lauded the Vietnamese Governments serious attention to social projects, including a scheme to reduce unemployment as well as programmes benefiting people in border, remote and ethnic-minority-inhabited areas.

He asserted that the COVID-19 prevention and control campaign of Vietnam was effective in 2020 and has been promoted this year. Besides dealing with new waves of outbreaks, the Vietnamese Government has actively sped up vaccine research and sought outside vaccine sources, including Sputnik-V from Russia.

The expert said though the new wave of COVID-19 outbreaks will put negative impacts on society, he believes that Vietnam will show flexible response, and maintain the growth trend in 2021./.

VNA
Dalondo Moultrie is the assistant managing editor of the Seguin Gazette. You can e-mail him at dalondo.moultrie@seguingazette.com .

Texans could carry handguns without a permit under bill headed to Gov. Greg Abbotts desk was written by Sami Sparber, The Texas Tribune. This story has been edited for length.

The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
Unemployment benefits have provided a critical lifeline for many North Carolinians living on the edge due to the pandemic, Cooper said Friday. As our state emerges from the pandemic, we want to help people safely return to work as soon as possible.

Reinstating the work search guidelines will help connect claimants with employers, resources and tools to help them return to the workforce.

Coopers executive order apparently didnt go far enough for Burr and Tillis.

The senators, like Republican colleagues in the state legislatures, shared anecdotal stories of countless small-, mid-, and large-sized business owners across North Carolina struggling to hire enough workers to reopen this summer.

Employers, particularly in hard-hit industries like tourism, service and hospitality, are finding they cant compete with excessive federal benefits. Time is running out for industries that rely on the summer season for a large portion of their business, their statement said.

'Ignorance of the math'
Maui police say 36-year-old Kelsey Newcomer didnt have a negative COVID-19 test from an approved facility when she arrived on a flight from Seattle. Police say she also didnt have approved lodging where she could complete at 10-day mandatory quarantine.

She was taken to a police station and later agreed to leave the island of Maui and return to Oregon. Travelers to Hawaii must comply with the states pre-travel testing program, even those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

She couldnt immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.



HARTFORD, Conn.  A judge has upheld Connecticuts requirement that children wear masks in schools, rejecting a challenge by some parents who say mask wearing can be harmful and education officials exceeded their authority.

A Superior Court judge in Hartford released his ruling Monday in response to a lawsuit filed by the CT Freedom Alliance and several parents and their children. The decision affirms the legitimacy of mask requirements in schools this academic year but does not give guidance for the next school year.
Bob Allen is the executive director of the Selma District Chamber of Commerce.
As COVID-19 case numbers continue to drop across California, the Kings County Department of Public Health has confirmed that the county along with the state, will conclude its COVID-imposed restrictions that have been in place over the past year.

On Friday, Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of California Health and Human Services, confirmed California would roll away the tier system, ending restrictions on the number of people allowed indoors at any given time, which has been especially difficult for businesses like event venues and restaurants.

Kings County is now in the orange tier, the second-least restricted on the list. Under current guidelines, many businesses are allowed to have indoor operations, though at only a 50% capacity. Other businesses like gyms, meanwhile, are at 25%.

On Tuesday, County Administrative Officer Rebecca Campbell addressed the Kings County Board of Supervisors during their weekly virtual meeting to elaborate.

The state will align mask and travel with recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance that fully vaccinated people can go without masks in most situations, Campbell said. So well be keeping attuned to those guidelines coming.

Ed Hill, Kings County Director of Public Health, said hospitalizations have been going down, while case counts keep the county in the orange tier territory.

We continue to watch hospital data closely, Hill said. We continue seeing a decline in  both in med surge and general admissions and in the ICU both locally and regionally, which is always a welcome sign.
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.
This is also a Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemorative Event sponsored by the Montana Governors Office, the Montana Department of Military Affairs, The Montana Military Museum, American Legion Post #2, the Oro Fino Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution and the Veterans Administration.

John Quintrell, a Vietnam combat veteran who served with the 25th Infantry Division Wolfhounds in 1968-1969, will be the keynote speaker. He has put his experiences in a book, My 365 Days.

In case of inclement weather the ceremony will be moved into the America Legion Post #2. Remember the current rules of social distancing.

A Memorial Quilt package and two heritage prints of the Memorial Park will be awarded by drawing at the end of the event.

Tickets are available by calling 458-9847, or call 406-235-0290.

The observance is sponsored by the Lewis & Clark County Memorial Foundation in partnership with area veterans.

East Helena

Monday, May 31

There is a Memorial Day Parade 11 a.m. Monday that begins at the East Helena VFW Post 10010 at 117 W. Main St. The parade goes to Main Street Park.
Montana's U.S. District Court Chief Judge Brian Morris on Tuesday rescinded the mask mandate for the state's federal courts, considering in his order the months-long decline in COVID-19 cases and steady rise in vaccinations.

Morris' order comes a week after Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath signaled to state courts to relax their own restrictions put in place since the start of the pandemic. Both federal and state courts have continued along through the last year primarily through remote hearings, although trials were largely backed up out of concern for gathering juries.

In his order on Tuesday, Morris weighed contradicting directions from both the CDC, which recently stated fully vaccinated people can go without masks, although unvaccinated people should continue wearing masks, and the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, which urges courts not to inquire into a person's vaccination status.

Morris also noted the 25-week decline in COVID-19 cases, now tallied at less than 1,000 active cases across the state, and the 40% of the state population who have been fully vaccinated.
During my campaign for the Legislature in 2020, I worked hard for four more years of a Democratic governor in Montana. And yet, when Gov. Gianforte was elected, I was cautiously hopeful about his drive towards economic recovery across the state. Gianfortes plan to get Montana back to business guided Republicans efforts during the session, who passed sweeping regressive legislation cutting taxes for large corporations and the wealthy.

Though I disagree on the governors approach  prioritizing the wealthiest Montanans and out-of-state corporations to lift up our communities  I was committed to spending the session thinking policy solutions for economic development. I focused on the child care crisis across Montana and the impact a lack of affordable, accessible child care has on our economy and workforce.

Access to child care is a critical piece of emerging from the pandemic and getting Montanans back to work. When 53% of kiddos who need care do not have access to a day care spot, child care is just as vital for working class parents reentering the workforce as it is for businesses recruiting and retaining workers. Montanas long-term economic success depends on early childhood development opportunities, and the safety, stability, health and education they bring. By not addressing the lack of child care, we are ignoring a key structural component of our economy.
Seguin, Texas (78155)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. Hot and humid. High near 95F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low 71F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
For Davis Gulch in Helena, we propose In-qu-qu-leet  a rough phonetic rendering of the Salish word that means Place of Lodgepole Pine. This choice recognizes how important this tree is in the lives of the Salish and other Indigenous nations, who use them as tipi poles and for other purposes and gathered them near the place in question.

Renaming these features with Salish terms celebrates the importance of the people who first cared for this land. It sends the message that Montanans understand our history and want to continue moving towards justice and inclusion for all people.

Weve already heard opposition from a few folks that removing Davis name would somehow erase or hide history, as though General Sherman marched across Beaverhead County or that the Indigenous peoples of this state havent themselves experienced centuries of cultural erasure.
The idea that we dont know who we are or where we are going unless we know where we have been is a central tenant of both history and education. Our understanding of history is continually changing, which is a good thing, especially in a democracy, where more and more voices are encouraged to add their stories and perspectives. With that in mind, I feel demoralized by the recent op-ed by Superintendent of Schools Elsie Arntzen in which she seeks to ban diverse perspectives from Montana classrooms.
DECATUR  Decaturs St John's Episcopal Church, on the corner of Church and Eldorado streets, can draw attention with its elaborate stained glass windows and looming bell tower.

A book, The Definitive History of St. Johns Episcopal Church, was recently published providing history and meaning to the details surrounding the religious building.

Although the 850-page book is a culmination of the churchs past, it is also a historical book filled with many Decatur stories. It has about 800 people listed in the index, co-author Jan Akins said. Anything you would ever want to know about this church is in this book.

The book is filled with stories, factual information and history that tells of Decaturs past as well as the churchs accounts, including biographies for the 58 rectors that have tended to St. Johns.

Theres no stone left unturned, said Aaron Akins, Jan Akins son and co-author of the book.

Research included studying blueprints, photos, and other Decatur historical references. The location of the church was near the center of the city at the time, a prime spot for social activities. Members of the church included well known members of Decaturs history such as banker L.L. Burrows.

The churches used to anchor the communities downtown, Aaron Akins said.

References to other buildings, including the Decatur Library, schools, and other business, are associated with the church. They all blend in with the community, Jan Akins said.

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Funerals were also important occasions. With prominent members of the community attending the church, many processions traveled down Church Street to the members final resting place in Greenwood Cemetery.

Along with pictures, graphics and historical references, full copies of newsletters and cookbooks are printed in the book. 3-D computer renderings of the churchs progress in the 1890s and beyond fill several pages.

Every picture in there has a purpose, Jan Akins said. We asked where has St. Johns been? What have they done? 

Talents from around the globe contributed to the making of the book, including printers and artists from Armenia, Bangladesh, Canada, and India.

The church was renovated in the 1990s with a few additions before and since. During the process, the mother and son created a 155-page historical reference book. After a recent health scare, the two wanted to tackle an update.

The book is large with glossy color photos, making it expensive to publish and ship. The authors said they are willing to meet with people to discuss the details of the book and the church as well as gather more information. There are still some roots out there, Jan Akins said. Its not just St. Johns. Virtually every church in Decatur probably has the same kind of stories.

The last reference in the book is dated in 2021. What will the authors do about future publications? Were not sure yet, Aaron Akins said.

FROM THE ARCHIVES: 25 photos of Decatur churches through the years

Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR

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Todays Highlight in History:

On May 26, 1940, Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of some 338,000 Allied troops from Dunkirk, France, began during World War II.

On May 26:

In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a measure creating the Montana Territory.

In 1938, the House Un-American Activities Committee was established by Congress.

In 1954, explosions rocked the aircraft carrier USS Bennington off Rhode Island, killing 103 sailors. (The initial blast was blamed on leaking catapult fluid ignited by the flames of a jet.)

In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in Moscow. (The U.S. withdrew from the treaty in 2002.)

In 1977, George Willig scaled the outside of the South Tower of New Yorks World Trade Center; he was arrested at the top of the 110-story building.

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In 1981, 14 people were killed when a Marine jet crashed onto the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz off Florida.

In 1994, Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley were married in the Dominican Republic. (The marriage ended in 1996.)

In 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court made it far more difficult for police to be sued by people hurt during high-speed chases. The Supreme Court also ruled that Ellis Island, historic gateway for millions of immigrants, was mainly in New Jersey, not New York.

In 2004, nearly a decade after the Oklahoma City bombing, Terry Nichols was found guilty of 161 state murder charges for helping carry out the attack. (Nichols later received 161 consecutive life sentences.)

In 2005, President George W. Bush received Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas at the White House; Bush called Abbas a courageous democratic reformer and bolstered his standing at home with $50 million in assistance.

In 2009, President Barack Obama nominated federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. Californias Supreme Court upheld the Proposition 8 gay marriage ban but said the 18,000 same-sex weddings that had taken place before the prohibition passed were still valid.

In 2015, challenging Hillary Rodham Clinton from the left, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders formally kicked off his Democratic presidential bid in Burlington, Vermont, with a pitch to liberals to join him in a political revolution to transform the nations economy and politics.

In 2011, Congress passed a four-year extension of post-Sept. 11 powers contained in the Patriot Act to search records and conduct roving wiretaps in pursuit of terrorists; President Barack Obama, in France, signed the measure using an autopen machine minutes before the provisions were set to expire at midnight. Ratko Mladic (RAHT-koh MLAH-dich), the brutal Bosnian Serb general suspected of leading the massacre of 8,000 Muslim men and boys, was arrested after a 16-year manhunt. (Mladic was extradited to face trial in The Hague, Netherlands.)

In 2016,President Barack Obama, visiting Japan, said foreign leaders were rattled by Donald Trump and had good reason to feel that way, as he accused the presumptive Republican presidential nominee of ignorance about world affairs. First lady Michelle Obama told graduates at a Native American high school in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to take pride in their history and cultures at a time when she said the loudest voices in the national conversation suggested turning away from the tribal values that were part of their education.

In 2020, Minneapolis police issued a statement saying George Floyd had died after a medical incident, and that he physically resisted officers and appeared to be in medical distress; minutes after the statement was released, bystander video was posted online. Protests over Floyds death began, with tense skirmishes developing between protesters and Minneapolis police. Four police officers who were involved in Floyds arrest were fired.

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DECATUR  The Decatur school board voted Tuesday to rescind the letter sent to Macon-Piatt Special Education District resigning as their fiscal agent.

The Decatur district first sent a letter on June 24, 2020, notifying Macon-Piatt of its intent to no longer be the administrative agent, effective July 1, 2021. On Nov. 18, the district sent a second letter rescinding the first, stating the intent to stop acting as administrative agent effective July 1, 2022.

Macon-Piatt Executive Director Kathy Horath requested that the board take formal action rather than just sending a letter, which is what they did. With the change in board leadership and the seating of four new members this month, the board has decided to continue serving as administrative agent for Macon-Piatt.

Watch now: Decatur school board vows more transparency After two years of "adversarial" relations between the Decatur school board and the media, new board President Dan Oakes promises transparency and cooperation in the future.

The board also voted to change a board policy requiring district employees at the level of assistant principal and above to live within district boundaries. The policy now applies only to the superintendent, assistant superintendent and chief operational officer. The new policy only requires that employees live in Macon County.

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The only objection to that provision came from board member Al Scheider, who said he was concerned about district employees whose spouse worked in another community such as Champaign or Bloomington, and who needed to live halfway between Decatur and that other community, possibly in a surrounding county. If they were to seek a promotion, he said, he didn't want them to be forced to move.

I would still encourage us to always hire people who live in Decatur, but when it comes down to someone who could be promoted, I would hate to tell them they have to uproot, maybe in their 40s or 50s, when they have established a nice home for themselves and their spouse, said board member Al Scheider. I move that we amend to take out that sentence.

That wouldn't be necessary, said Human Resources Director Jason Hood, because the new provision would only apply to new hires. If an employee's contract still contains the former language requiring residency in the district, he said, he would contact them to tell them that will not be enforced under the new policy.

In other business, the board approved a new contract with Cole Counseling, which provided mental health services for Stephen Decatur Middle School and Hope Academy staff under a pilot program during the 2020-21 school year. The new contract extends those services to Montessori Academy for Peace, Parsons School and Franklin Grove. The schools added are those most affected by consolidations under the BOLD Facilities Plan.

The board also approved a one-year extension to the contract with Robertson Charter School, which was due to expire and require renewal at the end of June 2021. The extension will allow further time for negotiation of a new multi-year contract. Robertson's first contract went into effect March 23, 2001 and has been renewed every five years since then.

Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter

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DECATUR  Members of the Decatur school board and administration for the Decatur Public Schools invited members of the media to a meet and greet on Tuesday to announce a new policy of transparency and cooperation.

Over the last two years, said board President Dan Oakes, the relationship between the school district and the media has been tense and difficult, and he wanted to make it clear that those days are in the past.

We want to have a nice, non-adversarial relationship, Oakes said. I think that's good for everybody.

Unless topics the media asks about are confidential, such as specific students, or details about the upcoming superintendent search after Superintendent Paul Fregeau leaves in June, Oakes said, the board and district administration are prepared to answer any questions and provide information to make coverage of the district less difficult.

Four new board members were elected in April: Alana Banks, Kevin Collins-Brown, Jason Dion and Al Scheider. The four outgoing board members all declined to run for re-election after serving one four-year term.

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The last year, with then-President Beth Nolan at the helm, have been marked by controversy over decisions and closed session discussions that violated the Open Meetings Act. Among those were a discussion of a proposed $30,000 bonus for Assistant Superintendent Jeff Dase, which was not in itself a violation, as discussions of compensation of district employees is an allowable exception to the Act. But the discussion included board members' talk of the political ramifications for their re-election connected to awarding the bonus. Other meetings also included topics that were not allowed under the Open Meetings Act.

The board released the closed session tapes after declining Freedom of Information Act requests to do so by both the Herald & Review and WAND, but did release them after the Illinois Attorney General found violations in three closed meetings: Sept. 8 and 22 and Oct. 27, 2020. WAND challenged the district's refusal to release the recordings, prompting the review by the Illinois Attorney General.

Other violations in those meetings included making changes in the district's organizational chart to create a new position; attributes the board sought in potential candidates for open positions; whether to proceed with an agenda item and what course of action to take on that matter; and how to prevent a document from being disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act. None of those discussions meet the exceptions.

The board's attorney, Brian Braun, did warn the board during those sessions that some of their discussion was inappropriate for a closed session. Discussion of specific employees' performance, compensation and discipline is allowed.

Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter

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DECATUR  Rows of police officers stood at parade rest waiting for the casket containing the earthly remains of Officer Chris Oberheim on Wednesday, patient and so silent that you could hear birds chirping in the trees surrounding Maranatha Assembly of God.

But when the shouted order came from the doors of the church, every spine snapped straight and every officer came to attention. A second shouted order, and every one of them saluted, while the pipe and drum corps played and the flag-draped casket was carried to the waiting hearse.

Parked in front of the church was a Champaign police car, draped in black ribbon. Members of the Patriot Guard stood ready with flags and a motorcycle escort for the hearse, waiting in the still, muggy air.

As the police vehicles lined up for the procession to the cemetery in Monticello, seemingly every agency in Illinois was represented: Orland Park; Streamwood; Deerfield; East Peoria; O'Fallon, Ogle County, Libertyville, Kendall County; and many more. The Decatur and Champaign police departments were represented by several vehicles each. Officers from other states, including Indiana and Texas, also joined the procession.

Oberheim was killed early May 19 during a shootout at an apartment complex. Officers had gone there in response to a report about a domestic disturbance and encountered the armed suspect. A second officer was wounded. The suspect, 24-year-old Darion Marquise Lafayette of Champaign, was killed in the shootout.

Champaign County court records show Lafayette had previous arrests for domestic violence and drug possession.

A 1994 graduate of Stephen Decatur High School, Oberheim began his law enforcement career as a Decatur police officer. He served the department for seven years before he joined the Champaign Police Department in 2008. His younger brother, Joe, still is with the Decatur department.

A procession carrying Oberheim's body left the church before 1:30 p.m., traveling along the west side of Decatur to Interstate 72 en route to Monticello for burial in Monticello Township Cemetery.

The crowds lining the procession route became silent, many with their hands over their hearts, as the hearse and a line of police vehicles passed by.

Liz Bartimus taught Oberheim and his siblings at Mound School in Decatur and attended his funeral. Oberheims brother, Greg, is married to her adopted niece, Michelle.

Teachers never know how students will make their mark on the world but I always knew Chris and his siblings would do well wherever they landed because they were raised with lots of love and a strong work ethic, she said Listening to Chris' service, his commitment to his family, community and job left a large impact on many people. The ripple effect of his death will be felt for a long time. I never really understood the support and family created when becoming a first responder until today. It was palpable and visibly evident all around me...many glistening eyes among the men and women in blue.

Oberheim lived in Monticello with his wife and four daughters and was very active in the community.

Although many were unable to attend the funeral services, the Monticello community wanted to show their appreciation, support and love for the Oberheim family. Hours before the procession was scheduled to arrive, the route to the Monticello cemetery was lined with flags, blue bows, lawn chairs and people ready to honor the fallen officer.

Ashlee Burton, owner of an apartment building on State Street, was tying blue bows around pillars in front of the building. They are for the officers that go out and fight for our community, she said. We just want them to know that we support them.

The blue bows, purchased as a fundraiser from the Monticello Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, were displayed on various buildings, vehicles and signs since the announcement of the funeral procession route. I have four here and more that Im putting up at home, Burton said.

Burton said she is close with extended Oberheim family members. But Im trying to give them space, she said.

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Further down State Street were retired couple Ted and Kathy Bachman, who also spent Wednesday morning attaching blue bows to the columns of their home. They just came in last night, Ted Bachman said.

The funds are going to go to a charity of Ambers choice, Kathy Bachman said, referring to Oberheims wife.

The couple recently returned to Monticello after living and working in Chicago, but did not know the Oberheim family. However, they still wanted to honor the fallen officer.

Especially during this time where police are disparagingly having funding taken away, Ted Bachman said. And here this guy gives his life.

The towns reaction to Oberheims death and his family made an impression on the Bachmans.

Something like this affects everybody, Ted Bachman said.

Cari Loudenburg brought two of her children, Asher, 11, and Ellasyn, 14, to a spot along Market Street in Monticello. They stood waiting for the funeral procession holding a blue and black striped Thin Blue Line flag. My husband is a police officer in Bloomington, Cari Loudenburg said as she fought back tears. This is a good experience to see.

The family understands the worries of sending their father and husband to work as a patrol officer. We felt heartbreak for the family, Loudenburg said. This is a really bad time for officers in general.

The funeral procession was the first for the Loudenburg children. However, they have attended police rallies with the Thin Blue Line Flag in the past. To show our support for the police, Asher said.

As the time grew closer for the police officers arrival, the bystanders discussed the impact on Monticello, schools and families.

Louanna Miller and her husband David Miller waited with neighbors and community members along State Street. Its been very somber this week, Louanna Miller said about the atmosphere. The last few days when they started putting up flags to line the procession route, that made it even more somber.

The couple have witnessed the community come together for the Oberheim family as well as for one another. In a small town like this, thats what people do, David Miller said.

The couple placed a wreath, decorated with red, white and blue flowers and draped with blue and black ribbon, near the edge of the road. The plan was to use the patriotic door decoration for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. But Im going to leave it that way, Louanna Miller said. Its a difficult time for family, friends, for our community, for the country.

As the Piatt County School Mental Health Clinician, Louanna Miller spent much of the past week in the schools providing support and counselling for students and teachers. The conversations revolved around tragic loss and unexpected death, according to Louanna Miller. I talked to a lot of staff and teachers too, she said.

Along with classmates and teachers, the therapist spoke with children of other police officers. Just because of the suddenness and the reality of this, she said. And now its been brought home to our small town of Monticello with an officer that lives here.

With the Oberheim death so recent, advice is not needed, according to Louanna Miller. At this point, its really listening, she said. Everybody is in a state of shock at that time.

Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR

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Donnette Beckett "Together Decatur" Columnist and Food/Drink Reporter Together Decatur columnist and food and drink reporter for Lee Enterprises Central Illinois. Follow Donnette Beckett 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
MIAMI (AP)  Attorney and Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz is suing Netflix for $80 million over his portrayal in the streaming service's Filthy Rich series about sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Miami federal court, contends that Netflix intentionally misled Dershowitz, one of the lawyers once representing Epstein, regarding his appearance in the series. The suit also claims Netflix defamed him by falsely asserting that he had sex with one of Epstein's many victims.

Dershowitz, now mainly retired in Miami Beach, says in the lawsuit that accusations by Virginia Giuffre that they had sex are false and that Netflix knew it. Giuffre has been one of Epstein's most vocal victims.

Dershowitz was one of the lawyers who negotiated a deal allowing the wealthy financier to escape a federal indictment in return for a guilty plea to state prostitution charges in Florida in connection to the dozens of teenage girls authorities say he molested over the years.

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But Dershowitz has always denied Giuffre's claims they had sex.

Giuffres accusations that she had sex with Professor Dershowitz are categorically false, and Professor Dershowitz has denied and disproved the accusations  including under oath subject to the penalties of perjury, the lawsuit says.

In an emailed response, a Netflix spokesperson said Dershowitz's lawsuit "is without merit, and we will vigorously defend our partners and the series.

Filthy Rich first became available on the streaming service in May 2020.

Epstein served a relatively short jail sentence on the Florida conviction, which required him to register as a sex offender and settle any lawsuits from his victims.

Years later, Epstein was charged by New York federal prosecutors with sex trafficking and related charges involving his alleged abuse of dozens of teenage girls. He died in August 2019 at a New York jail. His death was ruled a suicide.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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Seguin, Texas (78155)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. Hot and humid. High around 95F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low 72F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Illinois Democrats, already drawing legislative and congressional maps to solidify their majorities in those bodies, on Tuesday offered a new map of state Supreme Court districts in an effort to ensure the party maintains control of the states highest court.

Illinois Supreme Court districts havent been redrawn since 1963. But changing demographics and shifting regional politics, as well as the ouster of a Democratic justice by voters last year, has Democrats fearing that their advantage on the court could evaporate in next years election.

Democrats tried to make the point that they were merely updating the boundary lines to reflect a half century of change in the state.

The boundaries for Illinois Supreme Court districts have not been updated for several decades, its time we make changes in recognition of the population changes and demographic shifts that have taken place since the 1960s, said state Sen. Omar Aquino, the Chicago Democrat who chairs the state Senate Redistricting Committee.

Illinois is a very different state than it was 60 years ago, and the voters of Illinois deserve to elect members to our states highest court that reflect their values, he said.

Republicans accused Democrats of a lack of transparency in producing the new judicial map as well as the legislative map. They noted no public hearings were held on the new Supreme Court districts and that the proposed boundaries, like the proposed new legislative boundaries, are based on population estimates and not on actual census results which have been delayed, in part, by the pandemic.

This is a total sham process, anti-democratic, done at the expense of Illinoisans, said state Sen. Jason Barickman of Bloomington, a member of the Republican leadership.

Though the judicial branch of government is supposed to be independent of party politics, thats far from the case in Illinois. Justices initially run under a party label, and party interests and allies work to influence the outcome both in those initial elections and when voters are asked to retain a Supreme Court justice after 10 years on the bench.

Last fall, in the states sprawling 3rd Supreme Court district, which goes from Will County westward to the Mississippi River in north central Illinois, Justice Thomas Kilbride became the first Supreme Court justice to lose retention. The Rock Island Democrat received 56.5% of the vote, failing to meet a 60% threshold to remain in office.

Kilbrides defeat came as Republican allies attacked his ties to embattled former House Speaker Michael Madigan, which included taking money from Madigans Democratic Party operations. It also came amid widespread voter opposition to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzkers ballot proposal for a graduated-rate income tax which was defeated largely because of GOP-fueled voter distrust of a Democratic-led Springfield.

Democrat Robert Carter, an appellate court justice, was appointed by the Supreme Court as an interim justice to serve until next years election. Carter has said he will not seek the post and the GOP expects to pick up the seat as the district has become increasingly Republican.

Illinois House Republican leader Jim Durkin on Monday told reporters he expected an effort by Democrats to redraw the courts boundaries given Kilbrides defeat.

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Quite frankly, if they dont change that district, Republicans win and the balance of power would go to Republicans, Durkin said, adding that Kilbrides rejection sent a shock wave through Democratic aligned interests in Springfield knowing their days are numbered if that district was going to stay the same.

Given the scope of cases that come before the court, its partisan makeup is of major importance. The Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and organized labor are significant allies of Democrats and business interests are major allies of Republicans. They have served as major funders in Supreme Court campaigns as their agendas play out in the courts and in the legislature.

One major function of the court is to act as a check and balance in determining the constitutionality of legislation approved by lawmakers and signed into law. With Democrats holding control of the legislature and, through Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the governors office, the partisan influence can often play into the courts decisions.

One example was the high courts 4-3 rejection in 2016 of citizen-driven efforts to amend the state Constitution to ask voters if the state should create an independent mapmaking commission to take the power of redrawing legislative boundaries out of the hands of state lawmakers.

The state Constitution allows Supreme Court districts to be redrawn at any time, but lawmakers have traditionally used boundaries for the circuit, appellate and Supreme Court laid out in a 1963 overhaul of the states court system.

The 1970 Constitution requires the state to be divided into five Supreme Court districts. Cook County forms a single district and is allocated three seats, while the rest of the state is divided into four districts, each with its own seat. It is the Cook County allocation that has helped keep the Democratic majority on the high court.

The four districts outside of Cook County are supposed to be compact, keep counties whole and be of substantially equal population. The population requirement has not been met for several decades with the Chicago suburban 2nd District holding a population of more than 3.1 million people compared to two Downstate districts with populations of less than 1.3 million.

The map proposed by Democrats on Tuesday would split up the Chicago suburbs into two court districts.

The 2nd District, which currently contains the counties of DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, DeKalb and counties northwest would consist only of Kane, Kendall, DeKalb, McHenry and Lake counties.

The 3rd District where Kilbride lost retention, would become more compact with DuPage joining with Will on a district that roughly follows Interstate 80 past Ottawa and south along the Indiana border.

The 4th District, now comprised of central Illinois, would take in west central Illinois and go north to take in the Quad Cities and Rockford. And the 5th District, currently compromised of southern Illinois, would take in east central Illinois and travel down to Metro-East and take in deep southern Illinois.

A new court district map, as in the case of new legislative and congressional boundaries, move through the legislative process like any other bill. It would require House and Senate approval as well as the governors signature. Pritzker has not yet commented on a new Supreme Court map.

But as the first public hearings on new boundaries for the 118 Illinois House and 59 state Senate seats began later Tuesday, Republicans were once again calling on Pritzker to veto the General Assembly map to fulfill a campaign pledge that he would strike down a partisan-drawn redistricting plan.

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CROWN POINT, Indiana  A Lake Criminal Court jury found an Illinois man guilty Monday of murdering a Hammond woman in 2018 by intentionally setting a fire at her home while she, her son and the defendant's estranged wife were sleeping.

Ronald A. Gee, 45, of Berwyn, was found guilty of felony murder and three counts of arson, according to the Lake County prosecutor's office. He was acquitted of two counts of attempted murder and one count of murder.

Gee could face 45 to 65 years in prison for murder and 10 to 30 years in prison on the highest arson count, which was a level 2 felony.

Before going to trial last week, Gee rejected the state's plea offer, which would have called for a 45-year sentence.

Jurors who heard testimony and evidence during the six-day trial before Judge Natalie Bokota ultimately rejected Gee's alibi that he was at home with a friend at the time of the arson at 19 Doty St. in Hammond.

Gee's estranged wife, Robin Gee, testified it was Ronald Gee who was seen in surveillance images driving their silver Ford Explorer early April 14, 2018, before the fire that killed 62-year-old Brenda Young Poole and injured Robin Gee and her boyfriend, Michael Young.

Early on, Lake County Deputy Prosecutors Jacob Brandewie and Tara Villarreal played a video of flames engulfing the entrance to Poole's home. One of Poole's family members became so emotional, she had to leave the courtroom for short time.

The state played more videos of Gee and the SUV. A Hammond police officer with the FBI's Gang Response Investigative Task Force testified about Ronald Gee's cellphone location data.

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Robin Gee testified Ronald Gee was upset with her the day before the fire, because it was his weekend to watch their children and she decided not to return to the home they shared in Chicago the night of April 13, 2018.

She had filed for divorce from Ronald Gee and was dating Poole's son Michael Young, she said.

Robin Gee said Ronald Gee threatened to take her children away from her and she said, "Over my dead body." Ronald Gee replied, "That can be arranged," she said.

In response to questions from defense attorney Kerry Connor, Ronald Gee testified he and his estranged wife had no agreements about who would watch the children, other than to "work around each other as much as possible" because "money was always a problem."

He admitted he had filed reports with Chicago police alleging Michael Young and Robin Gee had threatened him. He also said he called the Illinois Department of Family and Child Services to report himself because he discovered  in Robin Gee's absence  his kitchen was full of rat and mouse droppings.

When the jury asked why he didn't clean the kitchen himself, Ronald Gee claimed Robin Gee would not allow it.

Ronald Gee claimed a friend spent the night with him and he dropped the friend off just before 10 a.m. April 14, 2018.

Bradewie questioned why phone records showed Ronald Gee's first call April 14, 2018  which was placed about 10 a.m. and lasted a minute  was to the same friend Gee claimed he had just dropped off.

Ronald Gee said, "It could have been a butt dial for all I know."

The judge scheduled Gee's sentencing for July 6.

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Court Ruling Will Concentrate Market Power in Pork Sector

The past few years have been incredibly difficult for hog farmers like me. After more than two years of trade retaliation that limited our ability to compete effectively around the globe, the COVID pandemic unleashed unprecedented challenges for the entire food supply chain.

Now, just as we are returning to normalcy, another looming disaster threatens my livelihood and the prosperity of many hog farmers like me if not quickly addressed. It will also erode industry competition by placing more market power in the hands of pork packing plant operators.

Recently, a federal court decision struck down a provision of the U.S. Department of Agricultures New Swine Inspection System (NSIS), which allows for pork processing facilities to operate at a faster rate. NSIS, initiated during the Clinton administration and evaluated at five pilot plants over 20 years, was approved for industry-wide adoption in 2019. Unless reversed by June 29, the federal court ruling will result in a 2.5% loss in pork packing plant capacity nationwide, and $82.3 million in reduced income for hog farmers, according to Dr. Dermot Hayes, an economist with Iowa State University.

Although the court claimed USDA failed to consider worker safety concerns, there is no evidence that eliminating line speed limits poses a risk to worker safety. In fact, the evidence shows the opposite; during the 20-year NSIS pilot program, the elimination of line speed limits did not lead to injuries. According to FSIS, a comparison of worker safety data from 2002 to 2010 shows that the five plants in the NSIS pilot program had lower mean injury rates compared to 24 traditionally inspected, high-volume plants for which the agency had data.

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While the court decision will affect all U.S. hog farmers, smaller producers will disproportionately bear the brunt, especially those located near affected processing facilities. I am a third-generation hog farmer from Raymond, Illinois. If the line speed is reduced at a near-by packing plant, where we ship most of our hogs, we will need to find a new home for 1,000 pigs a week and will lose $10 per head just on transportation costs alone.

Even before the pandemic, we went 18 months without getting all our pigs in our agreements with the processing plant. Once the pandemic came, that only got worse. Consumers and farmers alike cannot afford to have less animals being processed and ultimately, less protein on the shelves.

Ironically, many lawmakers on Capitol Hill have called for an increase in federally inspected meatpacking capacity. Some have suggested bringing smaller, state packing plants up to federal inspection standards as a solution. Unfortunately, these state packing plants represent less than one percent of overall pork harvest facility capacity.

The court ruling will affect Illinois 2,153 pork producers and trickle down throughout the entire economy. The states hog production generates more than 57,000 jobs, contributing more than $13.8 billion to the states economy per year. All of this could be in jeopardy if this damaging court ruling stands.

If small hog farmers are forced out of business, we will see a more consolidated pork industry. This could reduce competition, drive industry consolidation, and concentrate more power in the hands of pork processorsall with the stroke of a judges pen. Reduced competition will have a dramatic impact on our income and our way of life.

We can avoid these damaging outcomes. We need USDA to stand up for Illinois hog farmers and producers across the country by both appealing the federal court decision and seeking a stay, halting the ruling from being enacted at the end of next month. This will help preserve our states highly competitive pork production system, and the significant economic benefits it provides to our communities around the country.

Phil Borgic, a hog farmer from Nokomis, serves on the National Pork Producers Council's Board of Directors.

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Some of the citys primary tax revenue streams  restaurant meals and hotel lodging  took a nosedive during the current fiscal year due to the pandemic and restrictions on travel and business operations.

Just as last year, well have to continue to look at it, to monitor and see where our revenues are. Hopefully, theyre holding and will exceed what weve budgeted, but things could take a turn very quickly, Hartley said. We need to keep looking at revenues and expenses.

Meals taxes are forecast to rebound by about $1 million over the upcoming year and approach prepandemic levels of 2019-20. Meals taxes are forecast to generate $5.2 million  up from $4.2 million in the present fiscal year  but short of the $5.3 million realized in fiscal 2019-20.

Lodging taxes are also expected to improve to $1.2 million after plummeting over the past year after generating $1.34 million in fiscal 2019-20.

Local sales and use taxes were relatively steady through the pandemic and forecast to grow to $3.85 million in the upcoming year, compared to $3.33 million this year and $3.75 million in fiscal 2019-20.
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The motion passed unanimously.

Several people spoke for and against the rodeo on Tuesday, including a contestant who said she planned to compete this weekend at the rodeo.

At Tuesdays public hearing, one resident, Rex Carter, said, This is a classic case of lets ask forgiveness [rather] than ask for permission.

Other residents, largely from Musick Drive, expressed concerns over traffic and noise from the rodeo site.

At the Washington County Planning Commission on Monday, Nelms presented a petition with 545 signatures of rodeo supporters. The petition, he said, had been collected at the Country Corner Market at the Burson Place crossroads near the planned rodeo site.

That same petition was also presented to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

Saul Hernandez, the representative for the rodeo sites district, was absent on an out-of-country trip on Tuesday.

Besides rodeos, Nelms also wants to hold other agricultural events at Andersons site, he said.

At the meeting, the supervisors and Phillips expressed concerns over the deeds of the property, which restrict commercial businesses from operating on the tracts.
SunCoke has been operating the Jewell Coke plant for more than 60 years, and we are happy to continue the good relationship we have had with state and local officials, said Mike Rippey, president and CEO of SunCoke Energy. We are thankful to the Commonwealth of Virginia for providing the VIP grant. As SunCoke works through its customer contracts and prepares to enter into the foundry coke market, Jewell Coke was the ideal facility for the deployment of capital for refurbishment and upgrade of ovens over the next three years.

The announcement provides some stability for the region, according to state Del. Will Morefield, R-N. Tazewell.

This investment could not have come at a better time for Buchanan County and the coalfields, Morefield said. The Jewell Coke plant is a significant economic driver for the coalfields of Virginia and southern West Virginia with nearly one million tons of coal coming from mining operations in those areas each year. We are delighted that SunCoke is committed to our region and the investment to diversify in the foundry coke market will help ensure the plant will be in operation for many years to come.
I was just 19 years old the first time I treated a trauma patient. That experience defined me and how I performed patient care for the rest of my career. As a kid, I looked up to veterans as heroes and always knew Id follow in my familys footsteps and join the military in some capacity. In basic training, my drill sergeant raved about being a medic, so I made the choice to become one too. There is an immense amount of pressure placed on those of us who choose this path. By the time I was 23, I was a Light Infantry Company Senior Medic responsible for training my three junior medics and ensuring the health of over 200 people. My job was hard but simple: Make sure everyone returned home.

To prepare to be a medic we train, we train  and then we train some more! It is fast and furious and way more extensive than what is required for most health care roles outside the military. It is ingrained in us to overprepare for the worst-case scenario. The goal is to be ready for any real-life trauma situations so that all that training will just naturally kick in. Medic school involves much more than being trained to be an EMT, we have to be trained to be military medics as well. This involves repetitive tourniquet drills, remembering the tenets of Tactical Combat Casualty Care, remembering a variety of acronyms to help you remember not to miss steps, and so on. In our career, many of us will obtain additional certifications such as Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic, Tactical Paramedic, Advanced Cardiac Life Support or Pediatric Advanced Life Support, to name a few. In fact, the price tag that our country invests in us for all that preparation is well over $100,000 per medic and hospital corpsman.
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New York [US], May 26 (ANI): The Taliban must immediately stop its undeclared offensive against civilians and civilian structures in Afghanistan, a top US diplomat said during a UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday on the issue of the impact of armed conflict on civilian populations.

"The Taliban, which is largely responsible for the continued violence in Afghanistan, must immediately stop its undeclared spring offensive, refrain from attacks against civilians, and cease its attacks in the vicinity of hospitals, schools, universities, mosques and other civilian areas," US Acting Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs to the UN, Jeffrey DeLaurentis said.

The diplomat said out that explicit targeting of civilians and attacks on journalists, human rights defenders, health workers, and children undermine progress toward sustainable peace in the country.

"All parties - not just those in formal positions of power - must respect their obligations under international law, including those related to the protection of civilians," DeLaurentis said.

Afghanistan has seen a spike in the incidents of violence in recent weeks, since the start of the US drawdown from Afghanistan. US President Joe Biden last month had announced to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by September 11 this year.

The Afghan security forces are currently fighting the Taliban in 104 provinces, TOLO news reported. Ahmad Zia Saraj, the head of the Afghan intelligence agency--the National Directorate of Security (NDS) said that the Taliban has launched 3,500 attacks since the start of the year. (ANI)
DANVERS  Despite gradually applying less fertilizer across his farm over the past five to 10 years, Jason Lay has yielded larger returns on his corn and soybeans.

Farming for about 17 years in the Danvers, Carlock and Yuton area, Lay, 47, now works in about 0.8 of a pound of nitrogen per bushel of corn. That compares with the past common rule to apply about 1.2 pounds of nitrogen per bushel of corn.

We continue to evolve and get a lot smarter about various methods of application," Lay said.

The reason for Lay's conscientiousness circles around a statewide push, called the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, to reduce the amount of fertilizer  especially nitrogen and phosphorus  that infiltrate regional watersheds, touch local drinking water sources and eventually settle in larger bodies of water, such as the Gulf of Mexico.

The voluntary NLRS aims to decrease the state's nitrate-nitrogen load by 15% and its phosphorus load by 25% by 2025, with a final goal of lowering both nutrients in Illinois waterways by 45%.

But a 2019 report on the strategy largely found that it isn't working, with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency estimating that between 2015 and 2019, nitrogen and phosphorus loads swelled respectively by 13% and 37% over baseline figures.

Another report, detailing figures from 2019 and 2020, is due to be released later this year.

Until then, Lee Enterprises reporters from across Central Illinois have been in corn and soybean fields, at municipal water plants and in government offices discussing with farmers, experts and policymakers the state's progress in meeting the goals of the NLRS.

The results of those conversations, contextualized by what's at stake, will be featured in a three-part series published over the following days. Part one spotlights Central Illinois farmers, part two focuses on local municipalities and part three addresses policy that would dovetail the strategy, evolving in Springfield.

The findings highlight the ongoing push and pull of one the state's most substantial economic drivers  and is the subject of continuing conversations from farm fields to the Statehouse in Springfield.

Old fertilizing strategies

The cycle of fertilizer application has long been influenced by soil conditions, climate patterns and crop science. It's also gotten more efficient.

Todd Easton, president of Terrydale Farms in Charleston, said farmers have been getting out of the habit of applying dry phosphorus and other fertilizer right after the fall harvest. Instead, they are applying in the spring just before planting so there's less time for the fertilizer to potentially wash away with storm water.

Lake Land College Agronomy Instructor and Farm Manager Mark Niemerg said farmers also closely watch their timetables, meaning they're "putting nitrogen on more in the spring and less in the fall."

More accurate nitrogen rates, said Dan Schaefer, the director of nutrient stewardship at the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association, have also evolved over time.

Schaefer and teams of scientists conduct on-farm research trials to maintain an online nitrogen rate calculator that farmers can use to determine the best economic return to nitrogen application ratio.

"In Illinois, we probably have the most accurate nitrogen rate year to year," Schaefer said. "But it wasn't that way 10, 15 years ago  it was quite a bit of guessing."

That guessing largely led to farmers over-applying fertilizer, meaning the excess wasn't utilized by their crops and was washed away with storm events. It also meant farmers were losing money.

"By using a correct rate, you don't leave a lot of nitrogen in the soil to leach away," Schaefer said, adding that fertilizing is a constant battle to supply plants and soil with enough nutrients so that they grow faster, but don't have a surplus.

New fertilizing technology

Maintaining that balance has gotten easier with evolving technology and implements, like variable rate application equipment, that allows farmers to place fertilizer exactly where its needed rather than spread it more broadly.

Lay said that with newer methods, each plant is now essentially given a prescription for fertilizer rather than receiving a flat rate across the field.

A pretty crude example, in years past we wouldve just had a piece of machinery that you plug in a rate and you get pretty close (to how much it needs), Lay said. Thats not the case anymore. Today, it is precision ag technology, so you literally are putting on exactly what you want, where you want it and how you want it.

Most farmers use a program called Climate Fieldview, which uses GPS to pinpoint each plant. It can show exactly how much fertilizer every plant received, effectively building their prescription. On the flip side, Lay said, it can then take the prescription and facilitate how to apply what he tells it to apply.

Now, we can use what is already out there and not put too much more on there, Easton said.

An even newer concept developed in about the past three years, called green secret technology, Lay said, can sense the nitrogen levels plant-by-plant as the machine moves throughout the field, and it makes decisions on-the-go to determine how much fertilizer to drop on each plant. If it reads that a plants nitrogen level is full, then it wont apply any.

Lay said probably the next big explosion in agriculture advancement is in biotechnology.

He started working with one company last year which offers a product that is placed in the ground with the fertile seed and it ends up in the plant with the ability to fixate its own nitrogen.

Another advance is coated nitrogen pellets that slow release in farm fields, said Niemerg, the Lake Land College instructor.

"It releases more nitrogen as we go through the year, which prevents loss," Niemerg said.

Schaefer, with the IFCA, said some seed companies have even developed certain crop varieties with "more healthy root systems" that "today are much better at taking up nutrients than the hybrids of 15, 20 years ago."

Taking up more nutrients after they're laid down, Schaefer explained, means there's less left in the soil.

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"Nitrogen is a nutrient that just doesn't store in the soil very well," Schaefer said. "It's gonna leach. But if you can use a lot of it up in the first place, or if you can use what's leftover in the soil, then you're in good shape."

Planting to reduce runoff

To use up those left-over nitrates so that they don't move out of the soil toward water sources, Lay and Easton plant cover crops like cereal rye after the fall harvest. Other common cover crops include oats, radishes and wheat.

Planting cover crops after the corn harvest and ahead of soybean planting allows them to "scavenge" for any nitrates left in the field, Schaefer said.

Farmers also employ strip-till, a method of creating rows of tilled and non-tilled soil in fields to reduce erosion.

In addition, Easton, who is a board member with the Coles County Soil & Water Conservation District, said farmers also have been using grassy filter strips along storm water drainage routes to pull nutrients into the ground.

He said his farmland now is buffered by approximately 200 acres of filter strips, including bromegrass and switchgrass, that provide wildlife habitat, too.

All of those methods, many of which the state has advocated for through the NLRS, are aimed at reducing the runoff of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers into local water systems.

Easton during a recent interview of his farm northwest of Charleston said that farmers for years have been proactive about trying to keep fertilizer on their land, and out of creeks and rivers.

"We are trying to get ahead of the curve," Easton said.

Shifting attitudes

Awareness of downstream effects has gained traction in recent years, and so too has familiarity with the NLRS.

In a 2017 survey of 30 McLean County corn and soybean farmers, conducted by Illinois State University assistant professor of agribusiness Maria Boerngen, only 14 farmers said they were familiar with the NLRS.

Twenty-five farmers in the study said "they were concerned about the economic and environmental impacts of nutrient loss," but only "19 farmers reported making changes in their production practices due to nutrient loss concerns."

Boerngen in a recent interview said she has since conducted a larger survey of 762 corn growers across the state. The full results of the 2018 survey are set to be published soon.

Of the responses, Boerngen said, almost 80% of farmers were concerned about nutrient loss, two thirds were familiar with the nutrient loss reduction strategy and almost 80% reported they "had already made changes to their farming operation, in response to concerns about nutrient loss."

There was largely no variation between farmers who rent their land and farmers who own their land, Boerngen said, which "really indicates again, that these issues are really taking hold in the farming community, and can help them meet those goals of the strategy."

Boerngen's survey did reveal a minor split between older and younger farmers. The latter group, she said, were more likely to be concerned about regulation and to have made changes in their farming operations.

"When we're talking about nitrogen runoff, this group (corn growers) seems to be very plugged into these issues, and seems to be you know, of their own volition doing something about it," Boerngen said.

Regulation vs. voluntary

Farmers acting on their own is especially important to the success of the NLRS because the strategy is voluntary, Boerngen said. Were it to become a mandate, she expects farmers would comply.

"Farmers know, of course, the health of their soil is everything, right? If their soil health fails, then it's going to be awfully hard to continue farming for a living and leaving a legacy to their families," Boerngen said.

"And so I think that what we're finding is that importance of voluntarily complying, making these changes is certainly something that is understood and appreciated and acknowledged and accepted."

Schaefer said he thinks a mandatory NLRS would likely result in negative consequences, whereby some farmers might attempt to skirt regulations or at least be less motivated to think about conservation.

"It's always better to educate and work with people on a change in practice than to shove it down their throat," Schaefer said.

Niemerg said costly "regulations are a big fear" for farmers. He said while looking out for new regulations, they take their own steps to ensure their farm operations can make a profit or at least break even while protecting the environment.

"I don't think people realize the extent that farmers try to protect the environment. Most of them are very conscientious about what is going on downstream and they are trying to protect that," said Niemerg said.

Mark Hines, who farms about 1,600 acres southeast of Bloomington, agrees with Lay and Easton about farmers becoming more aware and proactive at preventing runoff.

At the end of the day its all about your return on your investment, Hines said. Were all trying to make the most money per acre that we can and putting an excess of anything on there that you dont need is generally not wise.

Hines, however, said the goals will be very difficult to attain without mandatory controls.

Weve definitely seen improvements, Hines said. But whether theyre going to get to the goals is maybe a little bit in doubt.

Boerngen said she's optimistic about the strategy, and the farming community is "taking the right steps to try to get closer to what those goals look like."

Schaefer agreed, adding that food producers have a "civic and social obligation" to "future generations" to improve water quality and reduce nutrient loss in the soil.

"We're doing that, we're moving closer. Probably not as fast as people think we should, but we're moving toward the goals," Schaefer said. "We have to keep talking about it, and keep it front of people. When you're talking about water quality and social conservation, it's not a fool's errand."

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DECATUR  Rows of police officers stood at parade rest waiting for the casket containing the earthly remains of Officer Chris Oberheim on Wednesday, patient and so silent that you could hear birds chirping in the trees surrounding Maranatha Assembly of God.

But when the shouted order came from the doors of the church, every spine snapped straight and every officer came to attention. A second shouted order, and every one of them saluted, while the pipe and drum corps played and the flag-draped casket was carried to the waiting hearse.

Parked in front of the church was a Champaign police car, draped in black ribbon. Members of the Patriot Guard stood ready with flags and a motorcycle escort for the hearse, waiting in the still, muggy air.

As the police vehicles lined up for the procession to the cemetery in Monticello, seemingly every agency in Illinois was represented: Orland Park; Streamwood; Deerfield; East Peoria; O'Fallon, Ogle County, Libertyville, Kendall County; and many more. The Decatur and Champaign police departments were represented by several vehicles each. Officers from other states, including Indiana and Texas, also joined the procession.

Oberheim was killed early May 19 during a shootout at an apartment complex. Officers had gone there in response to a report about a domestic disturbance and encountered the armed suspect. A second officer was wounded. The suspect, 24-year-old Darion Marquise Lafayette of Champaign, was killed in the shootout.

Champaign County court records show Lafayette had previous arrests for domestic violence and drug possession.

A 1994 graduate of Stephen Decatur High School, Oberheim began his law enforcement career as a Decatur police officer. He served the department for seven years before he joined the Champaign Police Department in 2008. His younger brother, Joe, still is with the Decatur department.

A procession carrying Oberheim's body left the church before 1:30 p.m., traveling along the west side of Decatur to Interstate 72 en route to Monticello for burial in Monticello Township Cemetery.

The crowds lining the procession route became silent, many with their hands over their hearts, as the hearse and a line of police vehicles passed by.

Liz Bartimus taught Oberheim and his siblings at Mound School in Decatur and attended his funeral. Oberheims brother, Greg, is married to her adopted niece, Michelle.

Teachers never know how students will make their mark on the world but I always knew Chris and his siblings would do well wherever they landed because they were raised with lots of love and a strong work ethic, she said Listening to Chris' service, his commitment to his family, community and job left a large impact on many people. The ripple effect of his death will be felt for a long time. I never really understood the support and family created when becoming a first responder until today. It was palpable and visibly evident all around me...many glistening eyes among the men and women in blue.

Oberheim lived in Monticello with his wife and four daughters and was very active in the community.

Although many were unable to attend the funeral services, the Monticello community wanted to show their appreciation, support and love for the Oberheim family. Hours before the procession was scheduled to arrive, the route to the Monticello cemetery was lined with flags, blue bows, lawn chairs and people ready to honor the fallen officer.

Ashlee Burton, owner of an apartment building on State Street, was tying blue bows around pillars in front of the building. They are for the officers that go out and fight for our community, she said. We just want them to know that we support them.

The blue bows, purchased as a fundraiser from the Monticello Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, were displayed on various buildings, vehicles and signs since the announcement of the funeral procession route. I have four here and more that Im putting up at home, Burton said.

Burton said she is close with extended Oberheim family members. But Im trying to give them space, she said.

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Further down State Street were retired couple Ted and Kathy Bachman, who also spent Wednesday morning attaching blue bows to the columns of their home. They just came in last night, Ted Bachman said.

The funds are going to go to a charity of Ambers choice, Kathy Bachman said, referring to Oberheims wife.

The couple recently returned to Monticello after living and working in Chicago, but did not know the Oberheim family. However, they still wanted to honor the fallen officer.

Especially during this time where police are disparagingly having funding taken away, Ted Bachman said. And here this guy gives his life.

The towns reaction to Oberheims death and his family made an impression on the Bachmans.

Something like this affects everybody, Ted Bachman said.

Cari Loudenburg brought two of her children, Asher, 11, and Ellasyn, 14, to a spot along Market Street in Monticello. They stood waiting for the funeral procession holding a blue and black striped Thin Blue Line flag. My husband is a police officer in Bloomington, Cari Loudenburg said as she fought back tears. This is a good experience to see.

The family understands the worries of sending their father and husband to work as a patrol officer. We felt heartbreak for the family, Loudenburg said. This is a really bad time for officers in general.

The funeral procession was the first for the Loudenburg children. However, they have attended police rallies with the Thin Blue Line Flag in the past. To show our support for the police, Asher said.

As the time grew closer for the police officers arrival, the bystanders discussed the impact on Monticello, schools and families.

Louanna Miller and her husband David Miller waited with neighbors and community members along State Street. Its been very somber this week, Louanna Miller said about the atmosphere. The last few days when they started putting up flags to line the procession route, that made it even more somber.

The couple have witnessed the community come together for the Oberheim family as well as for one another. In a small town like this, thats what people do, David Miller said.

The couple placed a wreath, decorated with red, white and blue flowers and draped with blue and black ribbon, near the edge of the road. The plan was to use the patriotic door decoration for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. But Im going to leave it that way, Louanna Miller said. Its a difficult time for family, friends, for our community, for the country.

As the Piatt County School Mental Health Clinician, Louanna Miller spent much of the past week in the schools providing support and counselling for students and teachers. The conversations revolved around tragic loss and unexpected death, according to Louanna Miller. I talked to a lot of staff and teachers too, she said.

Along with classmates and teachers, the therapist spoke with children of other police officers. Just because of the suddenness and the reality of this, she said. And now its been brought home to our small town of Monticello with an officer that lives here.

With the Oberheim death so recent, advice is not needed, according to Louanna Miller. At this point, its really listening, she said. Everybody is in a state of shock at that time.

Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR

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WASHINGTON (AP)  Republican leaders forcefully condemned GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on Tuesday, calling her comments comparing COVID-19 safety measures like mask-wearing to the treatment of Jews in Nazi Germany appalling.

Marjorie is wrong, and her intentional decision to compare the horrors of the Holocaust with wearing masks is appalling," House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said in a statement, which stopped short of calling for Greene to face disciplinary measures. The fact that this needs to be stated today is deeply troubling."

Greene, a conservative firebrand from Georgia and ally of former President Donald Trump, has thrived on stirring controversy, pushing conspiracy theories and forcefully confronting her colleagues since taking her seat in the House in January. But, until now, Republican leaders have proven hesitant to criticize her and refused to join with Democrats earlier this year when they voted to strip her of committee assignments.

Their rebuke Tuesday came after Greene made an appearance on a conservative podcast, The Water Cooler with David Brody, released last Thursday. In her interview, Greene excoriated safety protocols adopted by House Democrats, including a requirement that masks be worn on the House floor. She also called House Speaker Nancy Pelosi mentally ill and suggested that the rules were comparable to the treatment of Jews during the Holocaust.

You know, we can look back in a time and history where people were told to wear a gold star. And they were definitely treated like second-class citizens, so much so that they were put in trains and taken to gas chambers in Nazi Germany, Greene said on the podcast. This is exactly the type of abuse that Nancy Pelosi is talking about.

After her remarks sparked a firestorm of online criticism, Greene leaned in to the comparison further.

On Tuesday, she tweeted out a news story about a grocery store chain that plans to allow vaccinated employees to go maskless. Those who do would have a logo on their name tags indicating they had been vaccinated.

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Vaccinated employees get a vaccination logo just like the Nazis forced Jewish people to wear a gold star, Greene tweeted.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called Greene's comments one of her "frequent outbursts that are absolutely outrageous and reprehensible. Still, he said any disciplinary action against her would have to come from the House.

Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the No. 3 House GOP leader, said equating mask wearing and vaccines to the Holocaust minimized "the most significant human atrocities ever committed.

Democrats said Greene should face more than just a public rebuke.

Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., proposed censuring Greene. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., called on her to change her rhetoric and behavior if she intends to remain a Member of the House. Pelosi, who previously suggested that Greene could face an ethics inquiry, called her comments so beyond reprehensible that they should have no place in our country.

The furor is just the latest provocative chapter in the activist-turned-lawmaker's brief tenure in the House.

Earlier this month, Greene followed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., off the House floor, shouting that the Democrat supported terrorists and doesnt care about the American people. She also appeared in Facebook Live video filmed outside Ocasio-Cortezs office, taunting the congresswoman through the mail slot of a locked door to get rid of your diaper and come out and be able to talk to the American citizens.

Before her election, Greene supported Facebook posts that advocated violence against Democrats and the FBI. In one 2018 post, she speculated that lasers or blue beams of light controlled by a left-wing cabal tied to a powerful Jewish family could have been responsible for sparking California wildfires.

And in February 2019, Greene appeared in an online video filmed at the U.S. Capitol, arguing that two Muslim lawmakers werent really official members of Congress because they didnt take the oath of office on the Bible.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
CHICAGO  When Melissa Fisher learned shed have to get vaccinated to keep her job, she tried to fight it.

Fisher, who works in an assisted living and memory care facility run by Chicago-based Enlivant, gave the company a letter from her pastor explaining her religious objection. Fisher also volunteered to get tested for COVID-19 each week, rather than be vaccinated.

But Enlivant stood firm, telling her in an email Friday that her request to forgo vaccination was denied because of the nature of her job and the threat to yourself and others from remaining unvaccinated.

Fisher expects her last day will be Monday.

I just thought they would honor my freedom of religion, my rights, but apparently we dont have that right anymore, said Fisher, who is an apostolic holiness Christian. Enlivant has more than 200 facilities across the country, including in Rockford and Joliet. Fisher, who works at an Enlivant facility in Tennessee, helps residents with daily tasks, such as dressing and going to the bathroom.

Workplace vaccination requirements are expected to become increasingly contentious as more offices reopen, and the issue could be especially pressing in the health care industry, where employees often work closely with elderly or vulnerable patients.

I think if any type of employer will be mandating the vaccine, it will be in the health care space, said Margo Wolf ODonnell, a partner and co-chair of the labor and employment group at law firm Benesch in Chicago.

According to guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, employees of any industry can ask to be exempted from vaccination requirements because of sincerely held religious beliefs or because of disabilities. But legal experts say employers can still require the shots if an unvaccinated person would pose a direct threat to others in the workplace, or if accommodating him or her would be an undue burden.

Enlivant is requiring its workers to get at least their first vaccine shots by June 1, spokesman Jeremy Ross said in a statement. The company evaluates requests for religious or medical exceptions on a case-by-case basis and accommodates those employees if it can do so safely, he said.

We provide direct care to vulnerable senior residents, who trust us to provide a safe and healthy living environment, Ross said in the statement. We are equally dedicated to providing a safe and healthy work environment for our valued employees. These are our first priorities and the COVID vaccine is key to ensuring success toward these priorities.

So far, few Illinois health care companies are requiring employee vaccinations. Many have stayed away from mandating vaccines for workers because the shots have received emergency use authorization, but not full approval, from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Pfizer said recently it hoped to secure full approval in the coming months.

Many agencies that provide home health care may revisit the issue of COVID-19 vaccine requirements once the shots gain full approval, said Sara Ratcliffe, executive director of the Illinois HomeCare and Hospice Council.

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In the hospital community, theres a lot of discussion about it, said Danny Chun, a spokesman for the Illinois Health and Hospital Association.

The short supply of health care workers has made some health care companies, such as long-term care facilities, hesitant to require the vaccine.

Because of staffing pressures the sector faces, its hard to say, Im going to mandate it, and then lose another four CNAs (certified nursing assistants) you desperately need who are caring for residents, said Matt Hartman, executive director of the Illinois Health Care Association.

At least a couple of lawsuits challenging workplace vaccine mandates by employers outside of the health care industry have been filed in federal court in other states, but no decisions have been reached in those cases, said Gregory Abrams, a partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath in Chicago.

Abrams expects to see more such lawsuits.

I think as employees return to work and vaccines become more common and more expected, I would expect more employees potentially to push the envelope, he said.

Fisher, the Tennessee woman, said she is one of about a half dozen workers at her facility who dont want to get vaccinated and are losing their jobs. Enlivant spokesman Ross declined to say how many of the companys workers across the country are refusing shots or if any were in Illinois.

Fishers objection to the vaccination is twofold. Shes worried about the long-term effects of the vaccine. Fisher said she also believes requirements to get vaccines could be a first step toward the mark of the beast, an apocalyptic reference from the book of Revelation.

She said she would never endanger the people for whom she cares, and she wears masks and gloves. She doesnt think it makes sense for Enlivant to require her to get vaccinated when outside health care workers and visitors are allowed in the facility without proof of vaccination.

I understand that Im dealing with the elderly, and I dont take that lightly, Fisher said. Theyre my family, and Im not going to do anything to jeopardize them.

Fisher said she plans to start a new job June 8.
Vaccines were given to 110,294 people for the week that began May 17, marking the sixth consecutive week in which vaccinations have declined.

It also is the lowest weekly count since 50,776 for the week that began Dec. 28.

The number of second doses given per week has exceeded first doses since March 29.

DHHS said that, as of noon Wednesday, 42.6% of all North Carolinians had received at least one dose and 38.3% were fully vaccinated. About 76.6% of individuals ages 65 and older are fully vaccinated.

For those ages 18 and older, 52.9% of North Carolinians have had at least one dose and 48.4% are considered as fully vaccinated.

In Forsyth, DHHS reported that 133,853 county residents have been partially vaccinated, or 35%, while 122,992 have been fully vaccinated, or 32.2%.

When including just those residents ages 18 and older, which is just more than 300,000, about 44.6% have been partially vaccinated and 41% are considered fully vaccinated.

The Forsyth health department offers walk-up vaccination slots for ages 12 and up at its 799 N. Highland Ave. facility. The one-dose Johnson & Johnson and two-dose Pfizer vaccines are available.
The Government urges the Court to find that Mr. Donohoes Telegram messages and actions on January 6 cancel 33 years of good behavior, she writes, pointing to his military record of serving in the U.S. Marines.

As before, she has rebuffed any argument that Donohoe actively participated in the attack, saying he never entered the U.S. Capitol and theres no evidence that he pushed the crowd toward the Capitol doors so that another Proud Boys member could break a window with a riot shield he was seen carrying an hour before.

She also said that comments he made after the attack were braggadocio in which he exaggerated his actions.

The Telegram messages before the attack and during the attack dont prove, Costner said, that Donohoe either knew that an attack was planned or that he was participating in the attack.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly will consider Donohoes appeal. It is not clear when that appeal will be heard. Donohoe and two of his co-defendants have a status hearing on June 3.

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Delicate balance

One of the more delicate reopening challenges facing Cooper has been finding a balance between encouraging unemployed North Carolinians back to work while securing a financial lifeline until it happens.

Adding to the complexity in recent months have been calls for assistance from employers struggling to find workers  particularly for minimum- to low-wage jobs  as consumer demand for products and services resurfaces.

Unemployment benefits have provided a critical lifeline for many North Carolinians living on the edge due to the pandemic, Cooper said Friday. As our state emerges from the pandemic, we want to help people safely return to work as soon as possible.

Reinstating the work search guidelines will help connect claimants with employers, resources and tools to help them return to the workforce.

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Coopers executive order apparently didnt go far enough for Burr and Tillis.

The senators, like Republican colleagues in the state legislatures, shared anecdotal stories of countless small-, mid-, and large-sized business owners across North Carolina struggling to hire enough workers to reopen this summer.
Thats where were going to get more people vaccinated rather than relying on those who are actively seeking it out, he said.

Swift said the health department is now in the marketing phase of community vaccination efforts. For example, someone could get 10 free ax throws with a first vaccination dose at last weeks clinic. Six took the deal offered through the Backyard Axe Throwing League.

Both Priest and Williams said the unusually low number of influenza cases during the 2020-21 season may be a signal that masking should become a seasonal pattern.

We had a historically low influenza season because of social distancing and masking, and thats the cause for many viral respiratory illnesses, Priest said.

What I hope will happen is that it will spark a movement in society to say, Hey, if Im not feeling well, Im going to mask no matter when it is in the respiratory season. That masking will be a little more socially acceptable ... because we recognized how well masking worked.

Priest said that while people who are fully vaccinated should be able to participate in most Memorial Day weekend activities, those who are not vaccinated should be cautious about their surroundings, particularly in large indoor gatherings.
That bill has gone nowhere in the Senate, where the 50 Democrats will need support from at least 10 Republicans to overcome a bill-killing filibuster.

GOP lawmakers have preferred more modest changes.

Floyd family lawyer Ben Crump said Biden told them "he doesnt want to sign a bill that doesnt have substance and meaning.

So he is going to be patient, to make sure its the right bill, not a rushed bill, Crump said.

White House advisers say Biden and his team have been in frequent touch with Capitol Hill negotiators over the legislation, but they believe this is an issue in which a high-profile public campaign by the president may do more harm than good.

But some activists say theyd like to see the president be more outspoken in advocating for the bill.

President Biden has left it to members of Congress, and its in their hands right now. But the president will need to step up to make sure we get it across the finish line, said Judith Browne Dianis, executive director of the Advancement Project, a racial justice organization.
The museum, however, contends that authorities conflated the two lintels with a third  which Brundage actually returned to Thailand in 1970 when he found out it may have been illegally removed from the country, according to Robert Mintz, deputy director of the Asian Art Museum.

The third lintel was never part of the San Francisco art collection, Mintz said, and museum officials say there's no evidence Brundage knew the other two lintels may have been stolen.

The Thai government had been trying to get the museum to return the other artifacts since 2016. The Los Angeles Times reported the mystery surrounding the lintels, and various attempts to return them to Thailand, in March.

Mintz said the curators are entrusted with artifacts held for the public and it was their responsibility to determine if any challenges to provenance are valid.

Mintz said the museum followed its bylaws  which stipulate certain steps must be taken  and did not seek to delay the return of the lintels.

We're very happy that the Thai lintels have officially returned, he said. The two lintels really are going to where they belong."
In outlining the goal for winning the Persian Gulf War against Saddam Hussein for invading and occupying Kuwait in 1991, Gen. Colin Powell, then the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, Our strategy to go after this army is very, very simple. First, were going to cut it off, and then were going to kill it.

The ceasefire announced last week between the terrorist organization Hamas and the state of Israel is the opposite of that strategy and solves nothing. As with previous ceasefires it simply gives Hamas an opportunity to regroup and reload in time for the next assault, perhaps with even more sophisticated and deadly weapons supplied by Iran.

Some critics of Israel said that it did not respond proportionately to the Hamas attacks. Was proportionality a consideration after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor? President Truman ordered nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki because Japan refused to surrender at the end of World War II. Did we respond proportionately to the threat from Nazi Germany when we carpet bombed German cities, especially Dresden?

Winston Churchill put it best when he stated the goal of Allied forces: What is our aim?  Victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror; victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.
When we first became aware of the dangers of COVID-19 in March 2020, our state was able to act nimbly and effectively, thanks to the emergency powers granted to the governors office. Gov. Roy Cooper was able to assess the situation and, relying on advice from state Health Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen, take quick action without having to clear his decisions through legislation, through a committee  or through the 10-member Council of State.

Some of his decisions, such as closing schools and imposing curfews on businesses, were unpopular. But they doubtlessly saved lives.

Residents of the state were happy enough with Coopers response that they elected him to a second term last year.

In the face of this success, Republicans in the state legislature have been trying to pass bills that would hinder such effective responses in the future, requiring the governor to gain the approval of the Council of State (six of whom are Republicans) to either implement or extend emergency executive orders, the Winston-Salem Journals Richard Craver reported earlier this week.

Dont mess with success doesnt seem to be among the inspirational quotes hanging on their walls.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on May 26, 2021

2021/05/26

The Paper: Recently, several US officials claimed that China's investigation on virus origin-tracing lacked transparency, and called for a comprehensive and experts-led investigation on the origin of the coronavirus. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: Origin-tracing of the virus is a scientific issue. The purpose is to improve human's understanding of the virus and better guard against infectious diseases in the future.

After the outbreak of the pandemic, China took the lead to support the WHO in conducting researches on origin-tracing on a global scale. From January 14 to February 10 this year, the WHO international expert team carried out an in-depth study in Wuhan together with the Chinese experts for one month or so. Experts on both sides jointly made field trips, analyzed a large number of statistics, issued an authoritative study report, and reached many significant conclusions. This joint study actively promoted the origin-tracing globally.

Some people in the US talk about "facts", when what is really on their mind is political manipulation. Every time when the issue of pandemic is brought up, they smear and attack China, while totally ignoring the doubts over the origin-tracing work and failure of pandemic response in the US. They are obsessed with spreading "lab leak theory" and other conspiracy theories and disinformation. What they did is total disrespectful of the spirit of science and research results of the WHO expert team, and undermines global anti-epidemic efforts and solidarity.

I want to stress again that, according to the clues, reports and researches, the COVID-19 pandemic was spotted in various places around the world early in the second half of 2019. China takes the origin-tracing work seriously with a responsible attitude, and has made positive contributions that are widely recognized. If the US side truly demands a completely transparent investigation, it should follow China's lead to invite the WHO experts to the US, open Fort Detrick and bio-labs overseas to the rest of the world, and disclose the detailed data and information on the unexplained outbreaks of respiratory disease in northern Virginia in July, 2019 and the EVALI outbreak in Wisconsin. We urge the US and other relevant countries to cooperate with the WHO in a scientific, open and transparent manner.

Shenzhen TV: We noticed that the Japanese side has been stressing lately that the Fukushima nuclear contaminated water is treated water that has been filtered and diluted and met the criterion for discharge. Some say this is an attempt to justify the decision of discharging the water into the sea. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: No matter how the Japanese side tries to justify or whitewash itself, there is no way it can cover up its wrong and selfish decision in disregard of the common interests of all humanity.

The nuclear contaminated water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant contains complicated components including many radionuclides as it came into contact with nuclear fuel of the molten reactor core. TEPCO once claimed that after purification, most radionuclides can be removed except for tritium, an attempt to draw public attention to tritium to hide other serious problems. But in 2018, it reluctantly admitted that there were cases where non-tritium radionuclides in treated water exceeded acceptable levels. In February 2020, a report by the Japanese side showed that 73 percent of the nuclear contaminated water exceeded Japan's discharge standards after treatment. Besides, diluting tritium-containing water cannot change the total amount of tritium. The nuclear contaminated water will remain unchanged no matter how it is packaged. Once discharged into the ocean, it will produce inestimable damage to the global marine environment.

We've also noticed that the Atomic Power Citizens Council recently exposed that Japanese testing personnel rigged the equipment in an attempt to fool the public and sell the narrative that the contaminated water is safe after treatment. Head of the Council agrees with this. If indeed the treated nuclear contaminated water conforms with Japan's so-called safety standards, then why not release it into Japan's water pipes for household use? By opting for ocean discharge, the Japanese government and TECPO will cut costs but the global ecology and all people on earth including in Japan will pay too dearly.

Japan's short-sighted economic calculation is a crime against the Earth and humanity. It should correctly assess the situation, return to reason and science, act in a responsible manner to international public interests, and handle the issue prudently with openness and transparency. It mustn't start the discharge before reaching consensus with all stakeholders and the IAEA through full consultation.

AFP: The idea that COVID emerged from a lab leak in Wuhan has been gaining increasing momentum in the US. The demand for more investigation is also getting traction in Western countries. Will China agree to or consider a probe specifically in the lab of Wuhan?

Zhao Lijian: I already stated China's position on origin-tracing just now.

CCTV: Yesterday State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended and addressed the reception celebrating the 58th Africa Day, elaborating China-Africa friendship and cooperation from various aspects. What is the special context and significance of China-Africa co-hosting this Africa Day celebration event?

Zhao Lijian: Africa Day is an important day for the African people in striving for independence and strengthening unity. The Chinese side has actively participated in celebratory activities of the Africa Day organized by African diplomatic missions over the years. Strengthening unity and cooperation with African countries is the constant priority of China's diplomacy, so the Africa Day also marks a common holiday for China and Africa.

This year, China and Africa have overcome the impact of COVID-19 to jointly host the Africa Day reception. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended and addressed the meeting. He put forward four proposals on developing China-Africa relations, namely, to keep pace with the times and ensure the success of the next FOCAC meeting, to work together to quickly defeat the COVID-19 epidemic with mutual assistance, to pursue common development and advance practical cooperation in a steady and sustained manner, and to uphold fairness and justice and strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs. African envoys and ambassadors to China warmly congratulated the CPC on the upcoming centenary of its founding, spoke highly of the achievements of China-Africa cooperation and expressed high expectations for a better future of China-Africa relations. It is fair to say that this reception is another important manifestation of the traditional friendship between China and Africa and demonstrates the true solidarity and cooperation between the two sides in the face of the epidemic.

China attaches great importance to Africa and China-Africa relations. In today's world, the international community will be morally untenable if it does not pay attention to or assist Africa in its development. Likewise, without the support and participation of African countries, global affairs cannot be handled well. China and Africa have jointly launched the Initiative on Partnership for Africa's Development. We welcome the participation of more countries and international organizations in this initiative to jointly support Africa's post-epidemic recovery, development and revitalization, and promote greater progress in Africa's seeking strength through unity and integration process. China will continue to deepen practical cooperation with Africa through platforms including the BRI and FOCAC, make greater contributions to Africa's development, jointly uphold international fairness and justice, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

Xinhua News Agency: At the request of Pakistan, as coordinator of the OIC, and the state of Palestine, the UN Human Rights Council will hold a special session on the Palestine-Israel conflict on May 27. Relevant Muslim countries submitted a draft resolution, calling for establishment of an independent international commission of inquiry to investigate all human rights violations in the conflict. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: China supports the UN Human Rights Council in holding this special session. We express grave concern over the large number of casualties, including women and children, caused by the recent Israel-Palestine conflict. We condemn all acts of violence against civilians and attacks on civilian facilities, especially hospitals and schools. We are also concerned about the continuously worsening human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory in recent years. China welcomes the ceasefire between parties of Israel-Palestine conflict, and hopes that the parties concerned can effectively cease fire and stop violence. China firmly supports Palestine's just appeal and all efforts conducive to the implementation of the two-state solution.

Associated Press of Pakistan: During his meeting with the Chinese Ambassador in Islamabad, Prime Minister Imran Khan highly appreciated President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang for their able leadership. He also reaffirmed top priority accorded by his government to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and its speedy completion of projects. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: We note this and appreciate Prime Minister Imran Khan's positive remarks.

As an important pilot project of the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has made significant progress in transportation infrastructure, energy, ports and industrial parks since its launch. This has not only vigorously boosted Pakistan's faster economic and social development, but also played a positive role in promoting regional connectivity. Statistics show that since the launch of CPEC, 75,000 jobs have been created in total in Pakistan. China is ready to work with Pakistan to promote the high-quality construction of CPEC and play a bigger role in improving people's living standards and promoting regional connectivity and economic integration.

Global Times: People took to the street across the US to protest against racial discrimination on May 25, one year since the killing of George Floyd, an African America who died after a police officer pressed the knee onto his neck. However, the issue of anti-Asian and -African hate is still there and the situation hasn't been changed since the death of Floyd. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: As you said, many netizens have raised these questions to the US side: Has anything changed since one year ago? Can people like Floyd breathe freely now?

Floyd's family said brokenheartedly that "It's been a long year. It's been a painful year". One year on, the desperate cry of "I can't breathe" still echoes, and gun violence and other violence targeting ethnic minorities keeps hitting the headlines. At least 64 people, more than half of which are people of color, have died at the hands of police in 21 days since the start of the trial of the Floyd case according to reports. An Axios-Ipsos poll indicates that the relationship between Black Americans and the police, instead of improving, is becoming a profound and escalating crisis over the past year. Likewise, 72% of Black Americans said police shootings of Black or brown youths have gotten worse in the last year.

What's inside the Floyd case is just a tip of the iceberg on the issue of racism in the US. A poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about 6 in 10 Americans say racism in the United States is a "very or extremely serious" problem. More than 6,600 hate incidents against Asians have been reported in the year after the pandemic began in the United States, announced Stop AAPI Hate, a non-profit organization. Everyone knows that the US has a poor record of racial discrimination and hate crime. The US leader also admitted this year that hate crime and racial discrimination is a "ugly poison" that plagued the American society.

We hope the US will get its house in order, solve its own problems and ensure safety for its people and enable them to enjoy freedom from discrimination and terror and to breathe freely. It should forsake its obsession with spreading lies and disinformation against other countries, stirring up trouble and interfering in others' internal affairs.

Phoenix TV: In a recent interview with Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Taiwan's "foreign minister" Joseph Wu talked about the mainland's military activities in the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea and its attempt to expand its influence. He hopes fellow "states" could pay attention to and support Taiwan. He also said that Hong Kong no longer enjoys the same economic and political freedom as it did before and that he would not let Taiwan become "the second Hong Kong". What is the foreign ministry's response?

Zhao Lijian: First of all, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory and there is no so-called "foreign minister" of Taiwan. Under the guise of so-called democracy and freedom, the Taiwan authorities have repeatedly taken advantage of Hong Kong affairs to maliciously slander and denigrate the mainland. It's real purpose is to disrupt Hong Kong and seek "Taiwan independence". Its clumsy political manipulation for grandstanding will not succeed, and will only invite humiliation on itself.

China News Service: This year is designated as the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour by the United Nations General Assembly. Over the years, the International Labor Organization (ILO) has repeatedly expressed concern about the child labor problem in the US and the severe work injuries arising therefrom. There are also a plethora of media coverage about child labor in the US tobacco industry. I wonder if China has any comment on this?

Zhao Lijian: Children are the future of the world. To protect and promote children's rights is an important part of the human rights cause that countries in the world commit themselves to. As a self-proclaimed "beacon of human rights" and the most developed country in the world, the US is the only country in the world that has not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and has been keeping itself from the scrutinizing light of this "beacon of human rights" when it comes to its severe child labor problem.

According to US official statistics, in 2019, US law enforcement officers found 858 cases of child labor in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act, with a total of 544 minors employed in violation of Hazardous Occupation Orders (HOs). The statistics of some US industry associations are far more alarming than the official figure. According to reports of relevant organizations, there are approximately 500,000 child farmworkers in the US. Many of these children start working as young as age 8, and 72-hour work weeks (more than 10 hours per day) are not uncommon. Children are three times more susceptible to the pesticides' carcinogenic effects than are adults. Agriculture was responsible for more than half of child occupational deaths. Between 2003 and 2016, 237 children died in farm-related work accidents, representing four times the number of deaths of any other sector.

The prevalence of child labor in the US tobacco industry is particularly worrying. According to some human rights organizations, tobacco farms in many US states employ a large number of children to harvest and dry tobacco leaves, and even operate heavy machinery. Working on tobacco farms can do great harm to children's physical and mental health, as many have reportedly experienced symptoms of nicotine poisoning including nausea and headache, and some have even suffered lung infection.

For years, the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) has been speaking out on the issue of child labor in the US. It has repeatedly expressed concern about the excessive fatal injuries to children working on farms in the US, and urged the US government to step up supervision of the use of child labor in agriculture, and provide relevant statistics in details, In particular, the number of work-related injury cases and the investigation and handling of illegal use of child labor cases.

However, the US government has turned a deaf ear to the concerns and suggestions of ILO, and has done precious little to solve the problem of child labor. On the occasion of the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour, we hope that the international community will pay more attention to the child labor issue in the US, urge the US government to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), take effective measures to eliminate the serious problem of child labor in the country, and earnestly implement the ILO Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labor.

Bloomberg: Recently, the actor John Cena apologized for referring to Taiwan as a country. And then his apology was criticized by some in the US including Republicans and conservative media. They sort of slammed him for bowing to China. Tom Cotton, a Republican Senator, described Cena's as apology as pathetic. Does the foreign ministry have a response to Cotton's remarks?

Zhao Lijian: The criticism of the people you mentioned is groundless. Everyone knows what kind of person Cotton is. His words are nothing but like what's written on a piece of waste paper.

Beijing Daily: The US Department of State released the 2020 Report on International Religious Freedom and announced sanctions on a Chinese official. Do you have any response?

Zhao Lijian: This so-called report from the US side, in disregard of facts and fraught with ideological bias, has unscrupulously denigrated China's religious policy and severely interfered in China's internal affairs. China firmly rejects this.

In response to the US blatant move to endorse cults and impose unilateral sanctions on Chinese personnel based on lies and disinformation, China decides to sanction Johnnie Moore, Commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). The individual concerned and his family members are prohibited from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao of China.

China urges the US side to rectify its mistake, rescind the so-called sanctions and stop interfering China's internal affairs in the name of religious issues.

People's Daily: In an interview with Singapore-based Lianhe Zaobao recently, Kishore Mahbubani, a Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore, said that one of the big misunderstandings the US has about China is that the Chinese people are oppressed by the Communist Party of China. A credible academic study by the Harvard Kennedy School has shown that the approval rate of the CPC is surprisingly high. What is China's comment on this?

Zhao Lijian: Indeed. As State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointed out in his speech at the China Edition of the 57th Munich Security Conference last night, to understand China's development, it is essential to have a good understanding of China's history and the CPC. As an ancient nation with a 5,000-year civilization, China has had its glory days and been through trials and tribulations. In modern times, to save the nation, the Chinese people explored and exhausted almost all political models available at the time, and yet all ended up in failure. Finally, it was the CPC that adapted Marxism to the Chinese context and rallied and led the Chinese people to achieve national independence and liberation. A right path was found to prosperity and strength, a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In recent years in particular, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has scored a succession of historic achievements in its development, and socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era.

The Communist Party of China has been putting into practice its original aspiration and mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation with concrete actions. It always represents the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people, serves the people wholeheartedly, and takes the interests of the people as the fundamental purpose and ultimate goal of all work. It is for this reason that the Communist Party of China is deeply revered and supported by the people. According to polls conducted by authoritative international polling agencies, the Chinese public satisfaction with the Chinese government has exceeded 90% year after year. We believe that as time goes on, more and more people will have an objective and correct understanding of the Communist Party of China.

Reuters: Taiwan's "president" Tsai Ing-wen said today that the government has not been able to sign a deal with Germany's BioNTech for vaccines because of China's intervention. Do you have any comment on this?

Zhao Lijian: First of all, I must correct you on one point. We don't recognize this so-called "president". She is only the leader of a region of China. I'm not aware of what you mentioned, but I can tell you that Taiwan's access to vaccines from the mainland is open. Taiwan's attempt to seek independence under the pretext of COVID-19 will only lead to a dead end.

Beijing Youth Daily: The so-called "Uyghur Tribunal" set up by anti-China forces in collusion with East Turkestan organizations like the "World Uyghur Congress" will hold a public hearing soon on genocide allegations in Xinjiang. Does China have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: The government of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region responded in detail to the so-called "Uyghur Tribunal" you mentioned at the ninth press conference on Xinjiang-related issues held in Beijing on May 25. I would like to stress that the so-called "Uyghur Tribunal" can by no means represent the vast Uyghur community. It is not even a real tribunal or special court, but only a special machine producing lies. It was patched together by the notorious anti-China separatist "World Uyghur Congress" in collusion with anti-China forces. Its speciality is producing and promoting lies to attack and smear Xinjiang and meddle in China's internal affairs with the end goal of using Xinjiang to contain China.

This so-called "tribunal" is not a judicial organ or procedure as we understand the terms to mean. It was founded by people with ulterior motives and carries no weight or authority. It is just a clumsy public opinion show under the guise of law. Using the word "tribunal" as a cover, it resorts to grandstanding to attack and smear Xinjiang and meddle in China's internal affairs, which is both illegal and preposterous.

Its establishment is completely void of any legal basis. According to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, "Persons charged with genocide ... shall be tried by a competent tribunal of the State in the territory of which the act was committed, or by such international penal tribunal as may have jurisdiction with respect to those Contracting Parties which shall have accepted its jurisdiction". Genocide cases have been tried in courts of a few countries where the acts were committed. Other than that, no country, organization or individual has the authority or power to wantonly designate that a certain country is guilty of genocide. This so-called "tribunal" is an illegal organization set up by the "World Uyghur Congress" in collusion with Western anti-China forces. It is in no position to file charges or pass verdicts on such a grave international crime. It is not just smearing and provoking China but also trampling upon international law and insulting the memory of all victims of genocide throughout history.

Based on presumption of guilt, this so-called "tribunal" falsifies evidence and recruits actors. The few so-called "witnesses" who keep up the show are just lying anti-China elements. We've laid bare their true faces repeatedly. Perhaps to cover the cost of recruiting the actors, this special machine of lies launched a public fundraising campaign for 50,000 pounds, but only received about 7,000 pounds in three months, which serves to show how little support it has.

This special machine of lies thinks it can do whatever it wants under the guise of law. Those behind it openly claim that they want to draw attention and "impose pressure". Any so-called "verdict" by this mechanism would only add to existing evidence of how they spread rumors. A lie can never become truth, even if repeated a thousand times. No matter how hard they try to sell the show, they won't be able to change the fact that Xinjiang is flourishing in security and stability and residents of various ethnic groups there are leading happy and fulfilling lives.

Reuters: The President and Prime Minister of Mali has been detained by the military since Monday evening. The United States, and the European Union and others have condemned their detention. Does China have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: China follows the developments in Mali and noted relevant reports. China supports Mali in pursuing peace and development, and calls on relevant parties in Mali to proceed from the fundamental interests of the country and people, and resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, so as to safeguard national stability and solidarity. China is willing to work with the international community and play a constructive role in this regard.

Reuters: The Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement Act was introduced to the United States House of Representatives on Tuesday. This bill is calling for the US to coordinate with allies to compete with China. Do you have any comment on that?

Zhao Lijian: The relevant bill of the US Congress defames China's development path and domestic and foreign policies in disregard of facts. It interferes in China's internal affairs and undermines China's interests on issues concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. China is firmly opposed to this and will firmly defend its own interests.

The Taiwan question is the political foundation of China-US relations. It is a red line that cannot be crossed and allows no interference by any outside forces. Hong Kong is part of China's territory. Only after Hong Kong's return did Hong Kong compatriots truly begin to exercise their democratic rights as masters of the city. The so-called "genocide" of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang is a blatant lie conspired by a few Western anti-China forces, which has been proved false by numerous facts. The US has abused the concept of national security to suppress Chinese companies and curb China's development. Such actions harm others and do no good to the US itself. China pursues an independent foreign policy of peace and a win-win strategy of opening-up, and promotes the building of a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind. The US has been ganging up around the world, forcing other countries to take sides and forming a "clique" against China, which is unpopular. We also noted that the relevant bill includes the content of supporting closer cooperation between China and the US in addressing climate change and other global challenges. At the same time, it must be pointed out that cooperation must and can only be carried out on the basis of mutual respect.

China urges relevant members of US Congress to abandon the Cold War mentality and ideological bias, stop making use of false information to engage in political manipulation on China-related issues, stop saying or doing anything to undermine China's interests under the guise of so-called "democracy and human rights", stop deliberating and pushing forward the relevant negative China-related bill, and remove the China-related negative content. The US side should do more to promote China-US relations, mutual trust and cooperation and create favorable conditions for our cooperation in climate change and other fields.

China Daily: After Yuan Keqin, former professor of Hokkaido University of Education, was detained by the Chinese Government for suspected espionage, his eldest son Yuan Chengji and his supporters held a press conference. They said, it is hoped that Yuan Keqin will be proven innocent and released at an early date, and that people-to-people exchanges can take place between China and Japan in a secure and reassuring way as usual. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: The Chinese citizen, Yuan Keqin, has long been engaged in espionage and intelligence activities at the request of spies of Japanese intelligence agencies. Yuan, suspected of espionage, was investigated by the national security department in accordance with law, and he made a full confession to his crimes. Based on clear facts and conclusive evidence, Yuan's case has been examined and prosecuted by the procuratorial organ and handed over to the court.

Hereby I'd like to ask those who voiced grievances for Yuan Keqin. Are you not aware of the facts? Or do you just play dumb? China is a country under the rule of law. Those who endanger national security should undoubtedly be punished by law. Any attempt to smear China and interfere in China's judicial system would be proven unavailing.

It reminds me of many cases in recent years where Japanese citizens are suspected of espionage and violating Chinese laws. It is not hard to see who exactly cast a shadow over the normal personnel exchanges between China and Japan. I want to stress that the Chinese side supports normal bilateral people-to-people exchanges with the Japanese side, and this position remains unchanged. Meanwhile, China will resolutely crack down on illegal and criminal activities that endanger China's national security in accordance with the law.

AFP: According to media report, US defense secretary has tried to connect with the Chinese military counterpart but failed to do so. It seems that his calls were rejected. Do you have any comment on this or more information?

Zhao Lijian: I'm not aware of the situation and you may refer to the Ministry of National Defense.
We thought, What could we do that would mix the serious and the fun?'" Bill Williams said.

Cue the live bands, balloons and floats; bring on the vibe of a street festival.

The big draw is the Clydesdales, he said. I think its going to draw a lot of families downtown.

Pre-parade activities, including live music, will begin at 4 p.m. at 12th and Jackson streets, where the parade is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. It will follow a short route: two blocks east to 10th Street, then 2 blocks south to the Durham Museum.

Greenwood will perform in the museums parking lot after the parade. Hy-Vee will give away free hot dogs and apple pie.

The Memorial Day parade is a mulligan. Williams said a similar event had been planned for the same weekend last year, but it had to be called off because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Weve had everybody on hold for a year, Williams said. People are ready to be outside, and do something to celebrate the country.
We have a hill to climb, she said, but we can climb it if we have a good focus.

Part of that climb may include countering some of the myths and misconceptions that have circulated about the vaccines. Here are some of the concerns experts have heard and what theyre telling patients:

The vaccines were rushed through an expedited process that skipped some safety steps.

Any shortcuts in the development of the vaccines came not because steps were skipped but because vaccine makers took many of the steps that are normally taken one after the other at the same time, said Dr. James Lawler, an executive director at the University of Nebraska Medical Centers Global Center for Health Security.

Normally, he said, a vaccine developer wouldnt start building a manufacturing facility until a vaccine candidate had gone through the entire testing process and received federal approval.

With COVID-19 vaccine candidates, the federal government and others funded the development of manufacturing capacity so production plants would be ready to go by the time the vaccines were ready.
Lincoln police are asking for help finding a 23-year-old woman who has been missing for over a week under suspicious circumstances.

Officer Erin Spilker said Carly Schaaf's mother reported her missing May 19, saying she hadn't been heard from since the morning of May 17.

Her family says she was last seen in the 2000 block of Worthington Avenue, about five blocks north of the home where Schaaf lives with her parents on Worthington, near Bryan West Campus.

Investigators have been conducting interviews, examining digital evidence and attempting to determine where she may be, Spilker said.

"At this point in the investigation, investigators have determined that Carly has gone missing under suspicious circumstances," she said. "We need your help to find Carly."

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Police have set up a tip line, 402-441-9903, for anyone with information about her whereabouts or sightings.

Spilker said she is 5-foot-2, 130 pounds with hazel eyes and brown hair that was last dyed black and has a lotus flower tattoo on her forearm.

In a Facebook post, her aunt, Amee Tontegode, said: "We just want Carly back home safe. We are beyond worried!!!!!"

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Lori Pilger Public safety reporter Lori Pilger is a Norfolk native and University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate who has been a public safety reporter for the Journal Star since 2005. Follow Lori Pilger 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
The drumbeats filled the Lincoln Board of Education meeting room, Steve Laravie Jr.'s voice a counterpoint to their rhythm.

This was the song of Laravie's ancestor. The song of the Ponca Tribe. The song of Chief Standing Bear.

Laravie, a great-great-great-great-grandson, presented a traditional Native performance at the board's Tuesday meeting at which Standing Bear High, the name recommended for the new high school in southeast Lincoln, received first-round consideration.

"It's a great, great honor for the family, the Ponca Tribe, but not only just the Ponca people, but all indigenous people," Laravie said. "My grandfather, he was a man who stood for the goodness of our people. Not only the goodness of our people, but the goodness of all people."

Larry Wright Jr., the leader of the Ponca Tribe in Nebraska, also praised the recommendation of Standing Bear, whose monumental case in an Omaha courthouse paved the way for greater Native civil rights. He told the school board the name was an opportunity to honor Natives in a proper way, especially as the use of Native stereotypes and mascots has become increasingly problematic.
In the first Lincoln Board of Education meeting since LPS' coronavirus guidelines were loosened, speakers packed the meeting room Tuesday to oppose masks for students, as well as proposed health standards under consideration at the state level.

Dozens of speakers used their allotted 5 minutes to blast the mask requirements in the recently completed school year, while also calling out the district's decision to require masks for elementary and middle school students for summer school, which is being offered to all students this year. The requirement will be reevaluated before school begins in the fall.

Gone Tuesday were the socially distanced seating arrangements typical of board meetings during the pandemic, and board members were seated on the dais in much the same way they were before the pandemic.

In a letter to families last week, LPS said masks were no longer required for high schoolers and teachers who are fully vaccinated. The move came after the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department's dashboard was moving into the green category and the city's mask mandate expired.

Many of the speakers were parents concerned about their children, others were just citizens who questioned the efficacy of masks and whether students were susceptible to serious illness from COVID-19.
The master plan offers solutions, which will cost about $1.5 million, Johnson said. The city has budgeted $75,000 and will begin a fundraising campaign through the parks and recreation foundation to raise at least that much.

This is one of the mayors priority projects, Johnson said, so hes eager to move ahead. The biggest priorities in the plan are:

* Improvements to eight trailheads, including graveling parking lots, new kiosks and signage.

* Adding or replacing about 100 signs in the park. The new ones will be color-coded and cross-referenced to maps to help people orient themselves and navigate through the park.

* Increasing trail access to everyone by making a majority of the trails multi-use, instead of separating their uses for hiking, biking and horseback riding. About two-thirds of the trails will now be multi-use; about a third will be reserved just for hiking and biking.

* Replacement of four or five bridges, most importantly, a bridge known as Hinterland Bridge, which had to be removed for safety reasons. Located in the middle of the park west of Densmore Park, it was the major connector between the north and south half of the park, Johnson said.

The flu season that wasn't
The primary threat will be high winds of up to 75 mph.

Models indicate that the line of storms could move at 40-50 mph, possibly reaching the Lincoln area after midnight.

Forecasters said residents should monitor forecasts and consider securing anything that could be damaged by high winds before going to bed.

Ahead of the line of storms, isolated thunderstorms are expected to become more widespread Wednesday afternoon and evening.

At 2:30 p.m., a severe thunderstorm possibly packing 60 mph winds and quarter-size hail was moving through Frontier County in southwest Nebraska.

Forecasters said large hail will be possible within storms that develop ahead of the line, with a tornado or two possible primarily across southwest Nebraska. That part of the state is included in an enhanced risk of severe weather by the National Weather Service.

A storm in northwest Kansas on Wednesday morning produced tennis ball-sized hail that reportedly busted the windshield of a storm chaser's vehicle not far from Goodland.

Storms on Wednesday could also produce heavy rain, with up to 3 inches possible in some areas. The long-range forecast includes the possibility of more heavy rain over the Memorial Day weekend.
"He neither wavered in his convictions nor was concerned with the consequences, Biden said, noting Warner wasn't afraid to buck his party on issues of rational gun policy, womens rights, and judicial nominees and even crossed party lines to support Biden's presidential candidacy in 2020.

Warner served five Senate terms before retiring from the chamber 30 years later. He was succeeded in 2008 by Democrat Mark Warner  no relation  who had challenged him for the Senate in 1996. After years of rivalry, the two became good friends.

In Virginia, we expect a lot of our elected officials," Mark Warner said Wednesday. "We expect them to lead, yet remain humble. We expect them to serve, but with dignity. We expect them to fight for what they believe in, but without making it personal. John Warner was the embodiment of all that and more. I firmly believe that we could use more role models like him today."

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia said, Once I came to the Senate, I understood even more deeply the influence of John Warner. I came to know John McCain, Carl Levin, and so many others who served with him and attested to his integrity and outsized influence in a body he loved so dearly.
On March 12th, 2021, students at Ugandas Mbarara University of Science andTechnology (MUST) organised a strike. The strike, the students argued, was both a protest against online lectures and a demand for physical lectures. Notably, science and technology students protested a learning technology that was meant to ameliorate the coronavirus health crisis. One could easily interpret the strike as the result of uncaring students exacerbating the COVID-19 health threat. But how should we interpret the students strike at MUST? The strike reveals how state institutions condition(ed) public indifference with regard to COVID-19 response. The students strike at MUST was, in fact, a contestation against an exploitative socio-economic and political establishment. While the students strike at MUST is only a fraction of the many contestations against state institutional attempts at circumnavigating the threat of COVID-19, it illustrates how seeming denialism is a form of resistance against state power.

The students strike occurred within the context of a larger, countrywide sit-down strike by academic staff at public universities, which was organised by the Forum for Academic Staff in Public Universities of Uganda (FASPU). Academic staffs were striking over delayed salary increases promised in a presidential directive six years prior. Despite appeals from the Vice Chancellors of the universities, the Ugandan state, through the Ministry of Education and Sports, argued that the timing of the strike was in ill spirit given the socio-economic challenges related to COVID-19. If students were painted as uncaring for demanding in-person classes, their teachers were characterized as unsympathetic to the Ugandan governments financial constraints and unconcerned about the effects of the strike on their students education and training.

What do these characterizations of students and academic staff as uncaring reveal about the COVID-19 fight in Uganda? And how should we understand the publics apparent indifference toward the states efforts to manage the coronavirus? Is the indifference a form of blatant denialism as some media claimed? I suggest that the contestations against the truth claims on COVID-19 are primarily contestations against state power. I argue that the production of truth claims about COVID-19 by state institutions simultaneously conditions public indifference with regard to the pandemics effects. The state however framed the indifference as recklessness.

Ssi ka Corona: Affirming a Crisis, Contesting the Approach

In September 2020, as the Ugandan state responded to the coronavirus crisis, Eric Opoka (alias Eezy) released a somewhat controversial song: Tumbiza Sound. What did the song say? In the song, Eezy encourages a DJ to increase the volume of his music, especially because the police are not around. Although the song is laced with some careless lyrics, such as encouraging people to go drink at the bar during the pandemic, we should not ignore the songs socio-political context. Through the song, Eezy contends that he was only revealing how the governments guidelines are not feasible, since they do not take into consideration the way people have to actually live. With the lines, Ssi ka Corona/Tetujja kwetta twetuge mbu ki/ Mbu olwo Corona [It cant be for Corona/We wont commit suicide/Just because of Corona!] Eezy attempts to channel the thoughts of many Ugandans, further critiquing the mishandling of the situation and the exaggerated state force used in managing the pandemic. The song insists that people are not ready to commit suicide because of Corona. Interestingly, the people are ready to take all possible risks for the sake of giving their life a meaning. Eezy proceeds thus: Mitima gyakaluba/Tetulina bitengo/Twali twapipira/Naye kati twabivaako [The hearts got hardened/ We no longer tremble/ We were first scared/ But now we gave up]. Eezys lyrics represent the attitudes of many Ugandans  from the commoners to the elites.

In response to the song, the state accused Eezy of misinforming the public and fomenting recklessness with regard to COVID-19. The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) subsequently banned the song. In the days that followed, the Law Development Centre (LDC) summoned eight of its bar course students to a disciplinary committee for dancing to Tumbiza Soundon the LDC premises. Public appeals saved the students from a suspension. Yet, would Eezys song, for example, also be reason behind the MUST and FASPU strikes? Why did the Ugandan government blame Eezy for the public indifference?

In what follows, I argue two central points: first, I suggest that the state and state institutions were themselves responsible for conditioning public indifference to COVID-19; and second, I propose that this indifference in fact functions as a form of public resistance to these very state institutions. Indeed, I argue that the indifference expressed by the Ugandans can be viewed as active inaction  a form of survival protest that exposes institutional weaknesses. Specifically, I theorize Ugandans active inaction with regard to COVID-19 as an expression of a sustained critique of the neocolonial and neoliberal state.

Uganda is widely considered to have had one of the most successful COVID-19 interventions. But what exactly was the state doing? Although COVID-19 presented a threat to both the state and society, the state imagined itself as the sole saviour of society, deploying what Micol Seigel (2018) has recently theorised as violence work. In assuming a paternalistic role vis-a-vis the public, the state deployed its colonial and modernist regalia: violence. Beginning in March 2020 the state imposed nationwide curfews, enforcing them with torture and the threat of death. Further, under the guise of protection, the lockdown became a tool for the ruling government to suppress dissent from Ugandas political opposition. As COVID-19 cases rose, the state called for a general election, despite demands from public health officials and citizens alike to postpone the election until the virus could be contained. The states response was to introduce what it dubbed a scientific election, which put in place strict health guidelines for voting.

Despite the states commitment to protecting voters, government officials, including the Minister of Health, unashamedly flouted their own health guidelines, while others from the Prime Ministers office squandered the funds raised for dealing with the health crisis, which compromised their moral position and further undermined public trust. Jimmy Spire Ssentongo, who chronicles peoples experiences of state-mandated quarantine, notes the arbitrary and ineffective implementation of quarantine. In Escaping from Quarantine (this series), Spire writes: while I would ordinarily condemn the escapes from quarantine, I did not really blame those who sneaked out (Ssentongo, 2021: 48). The states public health response became a theatre of crisis management, performed through the enforcement of quarantine rules and austerity measures, rather than driven by public health priorities. It is in such a context that Eezys song was produced.

Given how Ugandans interpreted and perceived the states approach to the crisis, we can begin to understand why several sectors of society would protest against public health measures. Such an understanding is crucial to thinking through vaccination hesitancy or the refusal to wear a mask, issues which have been given little attention in African contexts. For example, in Uganda, people who oppose public health measures do so also from a place of negotiating survival. In this context, where daily survival comes before safety, people express a general indifference with regard to COVID-19. In The Wretched of the Earth (1963), Frantz Fanon describes how survival within an impoverishing system is sought by any means necessary. In some circumstances however, when individuals conceive the tide of state power insurmountable, desperation often sets in. At the extreme end of this desperation, Hussein Walugembe, a boda-boda rider set himself ablaze and died at Masaka Central Police station when police officers pressed him for a bribe. How should we think of Walugembes act? When survival is thought impossible, even suicide becomes probable.

Nonetheless, we can understand Ugandans refusal to adhere to public health measures, in part, as a mode of survival. To return to the case of MUST students, the shift to online learning as a purported strategy to contain the virus quickly became a tool of extortion, due to the tuition fees that students still had to pay, despite not benefitting from any in-person instruction. Students also incurred additional personal costs, such as Internet fees, in order to access class material. The strike was therefore a protest not only against the university but also against their material conditions and the economic and political systems in which they are entrenched. Indeed, as Mahmood Mamdani observes in Scholars in the Marketplace (2007), commercialization  the subversion of a public institution for private purposes  remains the bane of higher education in Africa (viii). Mamdani emphasises that commercialization, stimulated by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), [erodes] the institutional integrity of the university from within (x).

The MUST and FASPU strikes are therefore not only rooted in but also representative of the larger crisis in higher education, while at the same time protesting the economic and political systems perpetuating it. In fact, Mamdani has observed that, the African university, in other words, began as part of the European colonial mission, a precursor of the one-size-fits-all initiatives of the World Bank and the IMF. And so it continue[s], until decolonization (LRB, 19th July, 2018). Neoliberal policies flourish within particular political contexts. Formerly colonised states have been the most assaulted, and postcolonial thinkers like Kwame Nkrumah foresaw the challenge. Thus, in a context where telecommunication companies overcharge for Internet usage, where universities mine students for money, and where the state emboldens extortionist operations, the students voices were a localized protest against an exploitative system from which they benefited little.

How to Not Convince Citizens

The Ugandan case in the fight against COVID-19 further illustrates how both state solutions that suspend the participation of society and state mishandling and punitive methods of enforcing solutions only invite contestations. When Ugandas president, Yoweri Museveni, publicly took the AstraZeneca Vaccine as part of a campaign to promote vaccinations, many Ugandans doubted that the jab was real and saw the whole event as a political stunt. The mistrust was not uninformed, but rooted in the fact that the president had previously cast doubts on the vaccine. At the heart of Ugandans doubts thus lay the question: When did the president change his mind, and why didnt he officially inform the public? The society is always learning its mischief from the state.

That states have to convince citizens to secure their lives should tell us more about how the citizens have come to mistrust their states during the COVID-19 crisis. Nonetheless, the Ugandan societys indifference to COVID-19 remains a response to immediate and inherited socio-economic and political circumstances. COVID-19 did not suspend the crisis of neoliberalism but steamed it up. COVID-19 did not impend repressive neocolonial political establishments but rather it enhanced them. For Uganda, the ruling governments mismanagement of the health crisis, and the continued operationalization of neoliberal and neocolonial policies inspired forms of indifference within the masses. The Ugandan case has not been exceptional in comparison with other postcolonial African states. For many African governments, there has been a contestation of the states strategies in alleviating the threat of COVID-19. Understanding the history within which the contestations unfold is central to navigating the crisis faced by states grappling with COVID-19.

Jacob Katumusiime Mwine-Kyarimpa is a PhD Fellow at the Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR), Makerere University. He majors in Cultural Studies and minors in Political Studies. His research interests are in religion and politics, social movements, political violence, decolonization and postcolonial studies. He is presently researching the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God (MRTCG) and the 2000 Kanungu Inferno. Email: jkatumusiime256@gmail.com Twitter: @Mwine_Kyarimpa

Works Cited

Africanews, Redaction. 2021. Scepticism as COVID-19 Vaccination Campaigns Begin Across Africa. Available at: https://www.africanews.com/2021/02/04/scepticism-as-covid-vaccination-campaigns-set-to-begin-across-africa/

Baragona, Steve. 2021. As Vaccine Confidence Grows, So Do Concerns About Doubters. VOA. 18th February.

Mamdani, Mahmood. 2007. Scholars in the Marketplace: The Dilemmas of Neo-Liberal Reform at Makerere University, 1989  2005. Senegal. CODESRIA

Samarasekera, Udani. 2021. Feelings Towards COVID-19 in Africa. The Lancet; News Desk, Vol. 21(3)

Ssentongo, J. S. Quarantined: My Ordeal in Ugandas Covid-19 Isolation Centres. Kampala. Ubuntu Reading Group

Mamdani, Mahmood. 2018. The African University. London Review of Books, Vol. 40(14)  19th July 2018. Available at: https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v40/n14/mahmood-mamdani/the-african-university

Human Rights Watch. 2020. Uganda: Authorities Weaponize Covid-19 for Repression. News Release, 20th Nov. Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/11/20/uganda-authorities-weaponize-covid-19-repression

Seigel, Micol. 2018. Violence Work: State Power and the Limits of Police. USA. Duke University Press

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Two black pickups speed down an empty city street in Myanmar before coming to a sudden stop. Security forces standing in the back of the trucks begin firing at an oncoming motorbike carrying three young men.

The bike swerves, crashing into a gate. More shots are fired as two of the passengers run away, while the third, Kyaw Min Latt, remains on the ground. Moans are heard as officers grab the wounded 17-year-old from the pavement, throwing his limp body into a truck bed before driving off.

The incident lasted just over a minute and was captured on a CCTV camera. It is part of a growing trove of photos and videos shared on social media thats helping expose a brutal crackdown carried out by the junta since the militarys Feb. 1 takeover of the Southeast Asian nation.

An analysis by The Associated Press and the Human Rights Center Investigations Lab at the University of California, Berkeley, looked at cases where bodies of those targeted indiscriminately by police and the military are being used as tools of terror. The findings are based on more than 2,000 tweets and online images, in addition to interviews with family members, witness accounts, and local media reports.
OMAHA  A Douglas County man was killed Monday when the car he was driving went off the road and hit a tree.

Douglas County sheriffs deputies were dispatched to a one-vehicle crash just after 5 p.m. Monday near 264th Street and West Center Road, which is east of Venice. Deputies said a northbound 1998 Toyota Camry crossed the center line on 264th and hit a tree on the west side of the road, said Sheriffs Sgt. Chris Ivener.

The Camry driver, Daniel P. Baber Sr., 61, of Venice, was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy was conducted Tuesday and the cause of the crash was under investigation.

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Local

REMOVING BARRIERS TO EDUCATION

Summer school options to be expanded in Racine

Diana Panuncial / DIANA PANUNCIAL, diana.panuncial@journaltimes.com Devin Anderson, a graduate of Park High School, speaks at the NAACP press conference on May 12. Anderson called on Racine Unified School District to expand summer school offerings, a call the district responded to Tuesday.

RACINE  The effort of community advocates for the underserved has been effective in bringing about change.

After advocacy from the Racine Branch of the NAACP, the Racine Unified School District is expanding summer school options thanks to support from the United Way of Racine County.

Watch now: RUSD only summer school at three locations; NAACP says inner-city kids will miss out The Racine Branch of the NAACP demanded Racine Unified School District open Julian Thomas and Knapp Elementary Schools to provide summer school programs to inner city communities.

There will still only be three RUSD schools open for traditional, morning summer school four days a week: Gifford School, 8332 Northwestern Ave., Caledonia, Jerstad-Agerholm School, 3601 LaSalle St.; and Mitchell School, 2701 Drexel Ave.

But under a plan announced Tuesday, the districts two community schools  Julian Thomas Elementary, 930 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive; and Knapp Elementary, 2701 17th St.  will be open for no-cost Extended Learning programs after summer school concludes each day. There will also be pickup and dropoff points at Janes Elementary, 1425 N. Wisconsin St., and West Ridge Elementary, 1347 S. Emmertsen Road, Mount Pleasant.

As RUSD put it in a news release: Students will be able to attend summer school in the morning and then Extended Learning programs in the afternoon.

There are also expanded free transportation options to get students from their home neighborhoods to summer school, to their Extended Learning site and then back home.

In another move to remove barriers, enrollment for all students in Extended Learning programs will be free this summer. There previously was a fee, but that is being waived for all new signups. For families that had already signed up for Extended Learning and paid the fee, the money is to be returned by June 30.

Summer school will remain offered only four days a week, from 7:40 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, as previously planned.

How to enroll Families who want to enroll their child in summer school can do so at rusd.org or by calling their childs school. Any families who have already registered and want their child to take a shuttle bus should contact summer.school@rusd.org or 262-619-4640 to select which school their child will take the shuttle from.

CLICK HERE to find out how to sign up your child for RUSD summer school or extended learning programs, and to find out how to get your child to and from those programs

Volunteer or support If youd like to discuss ways you or your company can support the work of United Way of Racine County, its community schools partnership with Racine schools and/or to volunteer at extended learning programs this summer, contact Maham Ali at mali@unitedwayracine.org or 262-456-6467.

Plan still coming together

Extended Learning sessions, held every day after traditional summer school classes end, will likely include things such as dance lessons, art classes, tutored reading time and exercise.

Haigh

But those offerings are not set in stone. This has been a quick turnaround, said Alexa Haigh, United Way of Racine County president and CEO.

These expanded options, made possible thanks to volunteers and financial support from the United Way, provide an all-day option for more families throughout the summer.

Tapp

Having summer school only in the morning can be a barrier for families, Stacy Tapp, RUSD spokeswoman, said of the decision to expand the afternoon sessions.

Demand for summer programs and learning has spiked following a pandemic-affected school year where learning loss was expected to be high, particularly in communities of color and low-income communities.

Enrollment in summer school was already high this year and is expected to grow even though a waitlist has already formed, especially following Tuesdays announcement.

Shuttles

Under the plan announced Tuesday, free shuttle buses for K-8 students will be offered to get students to Jerstad-Agerholm or Mitchell, depending on which summer school program they are enrolled in.

For students enrolled in summer school at Jerstad-Agerhom, there will be two shuttle options for dropoff and pickup:

7:15 a.m., pickup by a shuttle bus at Julian Thomas, go to Jerstad-Agerholm until 12:10 p.m., then return to Julian Thomas for Extended Learning until 4:45 p.m.

7:25 a.m., pickup at Janes Elementary, 1425 N Wisconsin St., go to Jerstad-Agerholm until 12:10 p.m., remain at Jerstad for Extended Learning until 4:45 p.m., then take a shuttle to Janes Elementary for pick-up at 5 p.m.

For students enrolled in summer school at Mitchell, there will be two shuttle options for dropoff and pickup:

7:15 a.m., pickup by a shuttle bus at West Ridge Elementary, go to Mitchell until 12:10 p.m., remain at Mitchell for Extended Learning until 4:45 p.m., then take a shuttle to West Ridge for pick-up at 5 p.m.

7:30 a.m., pickup by a shuttle bus at Knapp Elementary, 2701 17th St., go to Mitchell until 12:10 p.m., then return to Knapp for Extended Learning until 4:45 p.m.

Responding to concerns

On May 12, leaders of the Racine NAACP Branch held a news conference criticizing RUSDs plan to only have three schools open for summer school and that none of the schools were the districts designated community schools.

Mosby

Dwight Mosby, president of the Racine Branch of the NAACP, said during that press conference that providing expanded summer schooling to children near Julian Thomas and Knapp would directly serve that population of students.

Most of those children are already considered poor performance, Mosby said, adding that summer school options would help them improve.

The NAACP demanded that Julian Thomas and Knapp Elementary. They also demanded more transportation options for those who didnt live within walking distance of the schools. Although the advocates didnt get everything they wanted, summer offerings from the school district are being expanded.

Daca

The community brought up some concerns. We heard those concerns, Rosalie Daca, RUSD chief academic officer, said in an interview Tuesday.

RUSD leaders said that, following the calls for change from the NAACP and others, they began looking for options to increase access to summer learning. But it wasnt until the United Way came forward with its offer for support that this plan came together.

Our staff are stepping up to take on additional work  its really a joint effort, said Haigh, who added that the funding for the programming is coming from a grant.

Were just so very thankful to the United Way for stepping forward, Tapp said. Thats what makes this community so strong  The community is wrapping their arms around our students.

The school district previously said that the reason more schools wouldnt be open during the summer was that many parents asked for the number of sites to be limited.

Our data indicates that enrollment in summer in summer school increased when we condensed our summer school sites, the district said in meeting notes provided by the NAACP during the May 12 press conference. Families gave us feedback that they liked having one building to drop their multiaged children off instead of having to drop off at multiple sites.
RACINE  A trial date has been set in the case of the man accused of the February 2019 death of his infant son, who was 3 months old.

Jeremy Marquez, 27, is charged with first-degree reckless homicide.

Marquez was in Racine County Circuit Court on Tuesday for a status hearing. After a conference with defense and prosecution counsel, a six-day jury trial was scheduled to begin on Nov. 1.

Judge Robert Repischak is presiding over the case.

The Racine Police Department and paramedics were dispatched on February 22, 2019, to the 2000 block of Summit Avenue on the report of an infant who was not breathing.

The infant, who was 3 months old, was transported to Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa. Life-saving measures were not successful and the infant was pronounced dead.

A subsequent investigation determined the infant had injuries that resulted in death and its death was ruled a homicide.

After an investigation by the RPD, the primary suspect was identified as the infants father, Marquez, who was arrested and charged with first-degree reckless homicide.
Arenz is the sixth teacher to fly in the Embedded Teacher Program, an aerospace outreach program designed in which K-12 teachers develop microgravity experiments for their classrooms while participating in spaceflight research. The NASA Solar System ambassador and science teacher stepped aboard the Zero-G aircraft for 30 parabolas and 10 minutes of weightlessness to inspire elementary, middle and high school students and test their hypotheses about science in space.

Taking flight out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on May 7, Arenz joined engineers and researchers as she conducted demonstrations posed by K-12 students throughout the Mukwonago School District. Her goal was to involve as many students as possible. Elementary students requested the districts teacher demonstrate yo-yoing in space. Middle school students created an experiment for their teacher to conduct while in weightlessness, mixing Alka-Seltzer and water to see how gas bubbles form in space. Private school students suggested Arenz monitor pressure changes to a helium-filled balloon during flight. High school students will evaluate physiological changes to humans during zero-gravity after analyzing data collected from Arenz wearing a heart-rate monitor throughout the full 10-minutes of parabolic flight.
Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants, Louis Brandeis, a future U.S. Supreme Court justice, wrote in 1913.

Its the principle behind Wisconsins Open Meetings Law, which states that All meetings of all state and local governmental bodies shall be publicly held in places reasonably accessible to members of the public and shall be open to all citizens at all times unless otherwise expressly provided by law.

If more than half of the members of a government body are meeting, that constitutes a quorum, and that meeting must be public.

The Burlington Area School District Board fell short of that standard recently.

On April 12, the president of the BASD board delivered a statement from the board in response to an explosive new report regarding racism in the schools. The report from the state Department of Public Instruction had been released just three days earlier. The school board had not met in the interim to discuss the matter.

Records obtained by The Journal Times show that board members and School Superintendent Stephen Plank engaged in private emails and conversations  a practice that puts public officials at risk of violating the Open Meetings Law.
The lead article in The Journal Times for May 23 concerned how partisan politics may derail the attempt to bring a federally qualified health center (FQHC) to Racine.

Nationally, Racine has consecutively (2018-2019) ranked as the second- or third-worst city in the US for African Americans to live. The study uses race-based gaps  including unemployment, income and health to rank US cities.

Racine has long sought to have a FQHC. It remains the largest city in the Midwest without a FQHC.

Both Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and State Senator Van Wanggaard are quoted in the article as being against this latest effort. Senator Wanggaard says using federal dollars to build the health center would make us servants of the federal government. I'm sure  when eligible  Mr. Wanggaard will accept both his social security and Medicare.

Mr. Vos was quoted as saying that some poor people may be eligible for another exchange  so he's against it. Many inner-city folks have no car and can't afford to ride the bus. They could walk to a clinic based in their own neighborhood. Increased access to local quality healthcare could be life changing for many people.
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
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Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

A few clouds early, otherwise mostly sunny. Hot and humid. High around 95F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A mostly clear sky. Low 72F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
KEARNEY  To highlight the importance of renewable fuels, Cooperative Producers Inc. Premier Stop in Kearney hit the gas on ethanol-blended fuels by offering customers discounts recently on E10, E15 and E85.

For the event, Kearney Premier Stop partnered with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, the Nebraska Corn Board, the Nebraska Ethanol Board and Renewable Fuels Nebraska. More than 300 drivers participated.

We are really drawing attention to the renewable fuels industry that we have here in Nebraska, whether thats ethanol or biodiesel, said Kurtis Harms, the Nebraska Corn Board director of Communications. As part of Renewable Fuels Month, we all travel to different gas stations throughout the state. Well partner with those stations that are offering higher blends of ethanol because ethanol is very important to our corn farmers.

Since 2006, one month has been dedicated to recognizing the benefits of renewable biofuels by the Nebraska governor. Throughout May, promotional events are held at stations like Kearney Premier Stop, during which customers could save 30 cents off of E15, 30 cents off of E30 and 85 cents off of E85.

Drivers were greeted at each pump and shown the ethanol blends that were compatible with their vehicles model year.
With an April visit to Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, Fort McCoy garrison leaders recently fulfilled a promise made back at the beginning of the Navys Recruit Restriction of Movement mission at Fort McCoy in April 2020, to come visit the Navys boot camp.

Garrison Commander Col. Michael Poss and Deputy Garrison Commander Lt. Col. Alex Carter traveled to Great Lakes on April 29-30 to tour Naval Station Great Lakes and the U.S. Navys only boot camp at Recruit Training Command.

In early 2020, the Navy had reached out to Army leadership and Fort McCoy to negotiate an agreement to allow Navy recruits to conduct their 14-day COVID-19 waiting period on the installation. During that timeframe, Navy staff cycled 37,800 recruits through Fort McCoy.

Poss was welcomed by Rear Adm. Jamie Sands, commander of Naval Service Training Command and senior commander of RTC, in his office in Great Lakes historic Building 1. The admiral thanked Poss again for Fort McCoys outstanding support of the Navys recruits and ROM mission and complimented installation staff for their superb customer service to his Sailors.
There will be no parade this year, however, there will be a program at the Coon Creek Area Veterans Memorial at 11 a.m. Please bring lawn chairs. In case of inclement weather, the program will be held in the Legion Hall.

Frank Mathison, a 55-year continuous member of the American Legion and the post historian of Coon Valley American Legion Post 116, will be the main speaker at the 2021 Memorial Day. Post 116 reached its 100th birthday on March 1, and Mathison recently published a history book commemorating the 100- year history of the post.

Mathison earned the privilege to belong to The American Legion by his active duty in the United States Army.

Mathison is currently serving as the 7th District American Legion Historian and the Coon Valley Post 116 Historian. He has held both positions in excess of 20 years. He served four terms as State Historian of the Wisconsin American Legion and is a Past Commander of the Elmer Peterson Post 333 of Sun Prairie, the Harry D. Jerred Post 215 of Pardeeville, and the Coon Valley Post 116. He is also a Past Vernon County Commander. He is also a 52-year member of the Veterans group known as the 40 & 8, and he is a member of the La Crosse County Voiture 830 Locomotive Crew.
We appreciate everyone who contributed to our chimney swift project, the museums main chimney (now unused) has just been repaired and will continue to host chimney swifts for many years to come. Chimney swifts are a declining bird species, but they are frequently seen and heard in Viroqua partly because of the museums chimney, which they use for roosting. The repairs are a joint project with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Soon we will be installing explanatory signs about the swifts outside around the museum.

The historic Sherry-Butt House at 795 N. Main St. in Viroqua opens for the summer season this weekend. The house will be open for self-guided tours on Saturday, Sunday and Memorial Day Monday, from 1 to 5 p.m. This historic home was built by Civil War veteran Col. Cyrus Butt and wife Margaret in 1870, and then sold to Brown Swiss cow breeders Orbec and Hilda Sherry in 1948. Regular hours are Saturdays and Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m., throughout June, July and August, or by appointment.

May is a month for honoring Asian-American heritage, and that heritage includes the Chinese-American men who ran laundries in downtown Viroqua in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Ethnic Chinese were prevented from entering many professions in the U.S. at that time, and running a laundry was one of the few options.
I would love to see this be bipartisan at the end of the day, Kind said during his remarks, adding that he was also focused on how to pay for it, which the administration says could fully come from the Made in America Tax plan, which largely raises corporate tax rates.

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Kind said that the timing of the bill couldnt be better, noting that during his more than two decades in Congress, passing an infrastructure bill has become a sort-of running joke.

Im hearing from folks right now that are tired of that. They want to see progress, they know weve got infrastructure to repair, they know that its good paying jobs that will come from it. I think the moment is on us right now coming out of the coronavirus, the pandemic, to do something big for the American people, he said.

Kind also mentioned the impact the bill would have on Americas place on the global market.
The greatest joys of the Driftless area revolve around time spent outdoors. Bird watching, hiking, fishing and hunting are cherished by local Wisconsinites and bring billions of dollars into our area.

Unfortunately, one of Wisconsins most popular rivers, the Kickapoo, is in danger of having hog manure seep into its waters. Atop the steep slopes above this winding river, is the proposed site for Roth Feeder Pigs expansion to become Wisconsins largest hog factory. If permitted, it will be a place where the putrid smell of over 11,000 sows will linger in the valleys. In fall, well be viewing the vivid maple leaf colors with a finger pinched at the nose. Every hunter, fisherman, canoe-lover, and hiker should be concerned about the 12 million gallons of manure that will be produced and spread every year.

Why would the Wisconsin DNR, whose duty it is to protect ecosystems, endanger this livelihood? They are moving through the permitting process on this concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) without acknowledging the amount of water these sows will use, nor have they mandated groundwater be monitored.
And yes, even larger. And this is no fish tale.

It is the typical time of year where you catch just about everything. I love this month as its a great time to take kids out fishing. You are bound to catch something  sucker, sheepshead, shovelnose sturgeon, lake sturgeon, Clements said.

We had had some huge lake sturgeon coming in, some 60 inches. They are exciting to try to fight and stuff. Most of them break the line, but people still have a lot of fun with it. They bend the hook, so its pretty tough to get them in. We see lake sturgeon that are 48 to 60 inches.

In case youre curious (I always am, when I hear the length of a fish I immediately want to know how much it weighs), a 60-inch lake sturgeon can weigh from 40 to 60 pounds. And get this: a 60-inch lake sturgeon is likely around 34 years old, according to the Minnesota DNR web site. That, in the big picture, isnt old for a lake sturgeon as they can live as long as 100 years or more.

And yes, lake sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon are protected species, meaning you must immediately return them to the water.
Some prayed while on their knees.

Others wiped away tears.

And still others made phone calls to senators imploring them to support the U.S. House-passed George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

All did so in Lancaster County to remember George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man murdered by a white police officer.

Tuesday marked one-year since former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyds neck, setting off a summer of international outrage and protests.

George Floyd is not a martyr, Dr. Sharee Livingston, chair of the OB-GYN department at UPMC Lititz, told the dozen or so doctors who gathered on the hospitals front lawn Tuesday afternoon. He wanted to go home to his family that day.

The group kneeled in silence for 569 seconds, the length of time Chauvin kneeled on Floyd.

Floyds murder  Livingston and others said  signifies the importance of collectively dismantling racism.

Livingston added, Racism is a health care emergency.

Recognizing existing health inequities, more than 200 cities and counties  including Pittsburgh and Allegheny County  have declared racism a public health emergency, according to Salud America!

A project of UT Health San Antonio, Salud America! supports policy and systemic changes for Latino children and families.

We all feel very strongly about it, said Dr. Sameera Syed, an obstetrician-gynecologist at UPMC Lititz. Theres just no room for any racism whatsoever.

UPMC Lititz was one of 11 hospitals across the system to participate in White Coats Against Racism Kneel and recognize the anniversary of Floyds death, Livingston said.

Tuesday was also the self-imposed deadline President Joe Biden had set for Congress to pass meaningful police reform.

The fate of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act remains uncertain as a number of Republican senators have signaled that they would not support dismantling qualified immunity, which shields officials  including police officers  from being personally liable for damages in civil lawsuits.

Without qualified immunity  local Black leaders said Tuesday  police reform would be symbolic.

African American and Latino bills without any bite in it at all has created the mess that were dealing with now, said the Rev. Roland Forbes, pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Lancaster and president of the IntraCity Progressive Pastor Association.

Forbes added, I am prayerful that compromise will not be an in effective compromise, but one that speaks to the nation that something finally has been done.

Volunteers with Lancaster NAACP were among those phoning lawmakers Tuesday.

Blanding Watson, Lancaster NAACP president, agreed saying his message to Republican lawmakers is: work with the other side.

Its just that simple, Watson said.
An 18-year-old man from East Lampeter Township who was wanted for hitting a state trooper with his vehicle earlier this month was arrested, according to media reports.

David Pratt, who was considered armed and dangerous, was arrested by U.S. Marshals around 12:20 a.m. on Wednesday in the 900 block of Chestnut Street in Lebanon without incident, ABC27 reports.

There was a $5,000 reward offered by Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers.

Pratt had been wanted since May 11, after police said he hit a Pennsylvania State Police trooper with his vehicle on Lincoln Highway East. The trooper then shot at him, police said.

That incident happened after a traffic stop around 2:20 a.m. after a cigarette was discarded onto the roadway by one of the vehicle's occupants, according to an affidavit. Pratt was the passenger.

Police said that Pratt gave a fake name and then got into the driver's seat. When the trooper got in front of the vehicle, Pratt accelerated.

The trooper went over the hood, according to police. As Pratt was driving away, the trooper shot toward him.

Pratt was initially charged with two counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, depositing waste on a highway, false identification to law enforcement and driving without a license, according to court documents.

A criminal docket indicates Pratt was arraigned on his charges Wednesday afternoon and is in Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $250,000 bail. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Denise Commins at 1:30 p.m. on June 1.
The father of two Mount Joy siblings who were killed in a fiery crash in East Petersburg on Saturday night said he believes his childrens deaths could have been avoided if the traffic light at the intersection where they were struck by a tractor-trailer had a longer delay before changing colors.

A three second delay would have saved my children, said Len Kasper, 43.

Kasper noted that the traffic light at Graystone Road and Main Street (Route 72), where his daughter Brandie, 21, and son Lenny, 18, were struck by a car-hauling tractor-trailer, is an instant light, without a delay before the signal for north and southbound traffic switches on for east and westbound traffic.

It absolutely is mind-blowing that with the amount of large vehicle traffic through there that you wouldnt have a three second delay on that light, he said. I dont get it.

Trucks headed south along Route 72 through the intersection repeatedly blow through the light, unable to lower their speed in time from the 45 mph zone they come from to the 25 mph zone at the bend just before where the traffic light is located, Kasper said. Drivers headed east or west along Graystone Road getting an instant green light may start driving without seeing oncoming vehicles.

Kasper also cited social media comments on news articles about the crash that described frequently blown red lights and close calls at the same intersection.

Those trucks dont stop on a dime. They just dont, Leonard said. If they get a yellow and it goes really quick to red, and theyre still coming at the light, they cant just lock up their brakes coming around that corner.

Kasper and his wife Kathy, 43, returned to the intersection on Monday, just to try to make sense of the scene, he said.

While we were sitting there, right where my daughter and son would have been coming from, one of those car haulers came flying through there, he said. It had to have been going 50 mph in a 25 mph zone. Its just senseless, and people see them blowing through there all the time.

That light has got to get changed, he added.

Kasper and his family plan on pressuring local leaders to make changes to the traffic light to make sure no one has to deal with the grief theyre going through now  or the fate that his children experienced.

Theres people that have been in the fire department for years that have said (the crash) was the most gruesome thing theyve ever seen, Kasper said. Its awful. Weve got to get that light fixed.

The Kasper family was on their way home from work at around 9 p.m. when Brandie, who preferred to take backroads, told Kasper that she and Lenny would be taking a slower route back home.

Kasper and Kathy arrived home expecting the children to arrive just a few minutes later, but began worrying after nearly half an hour passed without a sign of the two.

My kids were amazing kids, Kasper said. They would never deviate from the plan without calling us or letting us know.

Texts to Brandie and Lenny went unanswered, and calls to their phones went straight to voicemail.

Kasper and Kathy called Brandies phone 17 times, with each call going unanswered.

Finally I had a horrible, sinking feeling, Kasper said. I looked on the Lancaster incident network, just praying that there was nothing out there, and I saw that there was a lot of calls out for an accident in East Petersburg.

The two drove out to the crash, hoping their children werent involved. When they arrived, they were met by a police officer who was able to help them identify Lennys white Ford Ranger, which had been t-boned in the intersection by a car transporter, causing the vehicle to burst into flames.

First responders found Brandie and Lenny dead at the scene.

Kasper said some facts about the crash remain to be uncovered by investigators, though he added that we think we have an idea of what happened.

Kasper said he could not comment further on the incident, citing the ongoing police investigation.

An autopsy on Monday showed that the siblings died from thermal burns and smoke inhalation, according to Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni, who ruled their deaths accidental.

Kasper said his children were caring and charitable individuals who loved animals.

These are two of the most amazing children youd ever meet, he said. Theyd never been in trouble once in their lives. They were straight-A students and hard workers. They were wonderful, wonderful children, and I just cant even imagine why they would be taken away from us like this in such an awful, awful manner.

The tight-knit family has been devastated by Brandie and Lennys deaths.

I dont even know how to move on from here, Kasper said. I dont know how to live my own life anymore without these two.

I just cant make sense out of it all, he added.

Brandie was described as having a magnetic personality and a genuine joy for being around others.

When she walks in the room, everybody knows shes there, her father said.

Kasper said hes received an outpouring of support from people who knew Brandie, including people who only met her briefly when she worked at Wegmans for three months several years ago.

Everybody says the same thing: she had an absolutely amazing personality, he said.

She was also a massive animal lover who worked as a vet tech at Pine Creek Animal Hospital in Sadsbury Township and also had a dog, a yorkie-dachshund mix named Schatzi  German for sweetheart.

Brandie began her veterinary career in high school, taking a position as an intern at Harrisburg Pike Animal Hospital in East Hempfield Township. The full-time student at YTI Career Institute was on pace to graduate in July with her vet tech certifications to continue expanding her career.

Shed have an hour and 45 minute round trip for work, come home and do three hours of school work at night and still make straight As and taking care of everybody, Kasper said. She was amazing.

Lenny was described as a fun-loving person who enjoyed fishing and a straight-A student with a charitable personality who loved others.

Hes never been in a fight with anybody once in his life, Kasper said. I never, ever had to punish him. Eighteen years with this boy and I never had to get after him or speak up to him.

He was also a loving and dutiful son, often helping out with chores around the house or the familys business without being asked.

I havent mowed my lawn in almost two years because every time I would come home from work the lawn was mowed, the garbage was taken out and he did the dishes for his mother, Kasper said. He took care of things around here and wed never have to ask him to.

Lenny loved cars and hotrods, and enjoyed attending car shows and races with others, especially dirt races at Grandview Speedway.

He couldnt even walk when he started collecting matchbox cars, Kasper said.

When he was 14, Lenny saved up enough money to purchase a 1984 Monte Carlo SS, which he and Kasper had been working on restoring for the past three and a half years. They had just a few more repairs to complete before the car would be ready this summer.

He was so excited to have that car done before this summer,

The Hempfield High School senior worked for the family business, Kaspers Buy, Sell & Consign, in Strasburg Township.

Lenny would have graduated from high school on Tuesday. The school will still provide Kaspers family with his diploma, with his older sister Morgan, 23, walking in his place.

He planned on attending welding school after he graduated with a goal of eventually owning his own welding business while also still working at the family store on the side.

The Kasper family is planning a private funeral service for the siblings on next week, though plans are in the works to honor the two later in June with a public event Kasper said they both would have loved: a car rally.

Coping with Brandie and Lennys loss has been a minute-by-minute process for everyone, Kasper said.

Its been awful for all of us, he said. I cant even explain to you what its like when two out of your three kids are taken away in a split second.

Its something nobody should have to feel.

Kasper said he strived to make his children better than he is, and they exceeded everything that I ever dreamed for them.

I just want the world to know that these are two of the most amazing children that have ever walked this earth, he added. They were going to do some very big things. Everyone was going to know who these kids were.
When: East Cocalico Township supervisors meeting, May 19.

What happened: East Cocalico Township is just one meeting away from a joint agreement with Denver Borough to share managerial duties. Officials in both municipalities have discussed and decided to move forward on a plan to share the services of Denvers borough manager, Mike Hession. The township has been without a manager since the sudden release of Penny Pollick on March 18.

Quotable: We already have an ordinance sharing police coverage, so sharing a municipal manager could be neatly put inside that, Vice Chairman Craig Ebersole said. I fully expect this to be front and center at our next meeting.

Cost-sharing: Ebersole said all costs, as well as salary and benefits involving Hession, would be shared 50-50 with Denver.

Whats next: East Cocalico supervisors will make the pact official when they pass a resolution at their June 3 meeting. Supervisor Jeffrey Mitchell said Hession might be in the township office the week of June 7 so he can begin familiarizing himself with East Cocalicos business.

Other business: The board also approved the preliminary/final subdivision plan for Red Run Exhaust of Reamstown. The company is looking to construct a new 11,250-square-foot auto repair building on 4 acres along North Reamstown Road.

Also: The board hired former supervisor Alan Fry as a temporary seasonal worker to serve as chemical technician for the Reamstown Pool. Fry has been doing this for years while a supervisor. He will be paid $20 per hour for his services.
From the perspective of a city planner, locating the Lancaster County Prison at the Kreider Farm site gives me tremendous pause and brings images of opportunities lost.

The 78-acre site is located next to Greenwood Cemetery just south of Lancaster city on a peninsula surrounded by the Conestoga River on three sides.

The Conestoga River is perhaps the greatest environmental and economic asset of the Lancaster metropolitan region, envisioned the right way. Not recognizing this value comes at our peril. The long-term success of the region depends upon using our land resources in ways that are both strategic and inspirational, in ways that incentivize people to both stay here over time and come here anew, by choice.

In recent years, cities around the country have invested in their riverfronts, with an emphasis on a mix of vibrant uses: homes, shops, restaurants, concert venues, parks, trails and more. In fact, many cities have spent tens of millions of dollars removing undesirable land uses from their riverfronts  uses that have harmed water quality, compromised the beauty and experience of the natural landscape, and cut off direct access to the river.

The magic that these cities have tapped into comes from the realization that people love to interact with rivers, and that enjoyment leads to financial gain for a variety of businesses, as well as to a higher quality of life for residents and visitors to these special places. In Washington, D.C., for example, it is estimated that every dollar of public investment in the Capitol Riverfront on the Anacostia River will yield more than $8 in private investment by 2035. This economic growth  by a factor of 8  means that tax revenues are already outpacing the upfront costs.

Do we wish to buck a positive trend of returning to our national rivers? Is it wise to undercut one of Lancasters unique competitive advantages in the form of the Conestoga?

As the director of community planning and economic development for the City of Lancaster, I am excited about the potential that will come with the needed relocation of the prison; the wonderful opportunities to work with the community to reimagine the current East King Street site of the prison; and the ability to restitch the neighborhood fabric in and around nearby Reservoir Park.

But, at the same time, I must also ask: Is one of the largest single pieces of contiguous land atop a picturesque river hillside the best location for a prison? A site that could ultimately draw outdoor enthusiasts and business interests, generating more vitality  and tax revenue? Do the other sites that were studied and considered carry the same steep economic and environmental opportunity costs?

I acknowledge that the siting of a prison is a dicey proposition at best. There are always many factors at play. If county officials ultimately decide to proceed with the Kreider Farm location, then I believe the following components should be essential to any site plan and design: At 78 acres, the site is huge. The prison building and supporting facilities should be compact, not sprawling. Design the site, as a whole, with special attention to its edges and transitions. Incorporate other uses that could benefit the surrounding communities.

Ecological restoration and recreational trails and facilities should be integral to the scope of the work and project budget from the beginning. This level of spending and scale of construction, without question, should improve water quality of the Conestoga and enhance the recreational experience of people on the river and along its banks. Maintain and establish a broad vegetated buffer and healthy tree canopy all along the water.

Any development, whether mixed use or institutional, should be paired with the twin goals of saving operational costs over time and proactively cleaning the water in pursuit of a (safely) fishable and swimmable river. This can be done by adopting top green building and infrastructure standards for the prison and surrounding site, such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system.

If the metro region is losing the potential of one riverfront site, then we should gain another. Co-locate the existing Youth Intervention Center at the Kreider Farm site, so sensitive development and improved environmental quality can advance on the Sunnyside peninsula just upriver to the northeast.

Contemporary prison design does not have to be foreboding and depressing. Seek out architectural best practices and apply these with intention, for the benefit of persons residing and working in the prison, visitors to the prison, and the many tourists  from near and far  who hopefully will flock to the river in the future and be within the prisons view.

Finally, lets use this moment as motivation to work together, to create a stirring comprehensive vision for the Conestoga River, a natural gem that connects so many people in our metro region. With a riverfront vision, we would have a North Star to guide our development. And we would be clearer about the appropriate criteria to apply during big decisions like this one  criteria such as economic potential, social justice and ecological and public health.

Decisions like siting and designing a prison are not easy. Lets make these difficult choices with confidence that we are thinking at least a few generations ahead.

Christopher Delfs has served as Lancaster citys director of community planning and economic development since 2019. In that role, he oversees land development, building codes, public art and other functions for the City of Lancaster. He previously was the deputy director and chief of staff for the District of Columbia Office of Planning, where he led community planning and design.
THE ISSUE

The May 23 Sunday LNP | LancasterOnline Perspective section focused on immunization. Dr. Michael Ripchinski, chief clinical officer at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, addressed common misconceptions about COVID-19 vaccination. And Dr. Patrick Gavigan, a pediatric infectious diseases physician at Penn State Health Childrens Hospital, made the case for vaccinating kids against COVID-19. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine now is available to children ages 12-15.

Throughout this pandemic weve urged readers to rely on scientists and medical experts for information about COVID-19 rather than on social media, which can be a whirlpool  and often a cesspool  of misinformation and disinformation.

Straightforward, science-based information from medical professionals is essential in a pandemic. So were grateful to Drs. Ripchinski and Gavigan for contributing their expertise to the Sunday Perspective section. And wed like to amplify here some of the points they made.

Dr. Ripchinski addressed some of the common misconceptions that he and others in the medical community hear from patients about COVID-19 vaccination.

One of those misconceptions is about, well, conception and pregnancy.

According to the Boston Globe Media news site Stat, the likely origin of this myth is a letter sent to the European Medicines Agency (the equivalent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) by two European anti-vaccination propagandists.

Be warned: Those folks are out there, working against the cause of public and individual health. Were not going to repeat their nonsense.

Instead, well share what Dr. Ripchinski wrote: There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines negatively impact fertility or pregnancy.

In fact, he noted, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no link between infertility and any vaccine.

He continued: If youre pregnant or trying to conceive, the benefits of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 far outweigh the risks. Pregnant women are at greater risk for developing severe COVID-19 illness, which could endanger the lives of both the mother and the baby. We have seen miscarriages at Women & Babies Hospital that we believe were a result of the mothers infection with COVID-19. The CDC is continuing to collect data on this.

Dr. Ripchinski also countered the misconception that the vaccines development was rushed, pointing out that the science behind the messenger RNA  or mRNA  vaccines began at the University of Pennsylvania in the mid-2000s.

Its important to dispel the myths about the messenger RNA, or mRNA, vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, Dr. Gavigan wrote. They do not impact our DNA  rather, theyre a set of instructions for the cells to make a viral protein, and this mRNA is quickly broken down after the protein is made.

Dr. Ripchinski emphasized that the COVID-19 vaccines were well-tested in research studies with many tens of thousands of people. These studies have shown that the vaccines are safe and effective.

And their emergency use authorization was a normal first step for a new vaccine, he wrote. We are on track for the COVID-19 vaccines to ultimately receive full approval. Its only a matter of time and paperwork completion with the FDA.

Dr. Gavigan pointed out that the fact that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was paused because of a problem in less than one in a million cases shows that safety is a top priority of regulators.

Dr. Ripchinski squarely addressed questions about the vaccines side effects, pointing out that they are similar to common side effects from other vaccines, including a slight fever, chills, fatigue, headache and soreness where you got the shot. These side effects are usually mild and last only a day or two. They are a sign that your body is doing what it should to protect you from COVID-19.

As weve noted before, the members of the LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board all have been vaccinated, and the side effects we experienced ranged from minimal arm soreness to a 12-hour low-grade fever and headache. These effects were much easier to handle than being hospitalized with COVID-19, or dealing with any lingering issues caused by the infection.

As Dr. Ripchinski wrote, While some people may experience more serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, from the vaccine, this is very rare. The risk of developing serious long-term problems from a COVID-19 infection is much higher. Even if youre young and otherwise healthy, COVID-19 could make you very sick. This is the No. 1 reason you should get the vaccine.

He wrote that data from large-scale clinical trials and subsequent published studies indicate that the COVID-19 vaccines are very effective.

Vaccination prevents most people from getting sick with COVID-19, Dr. Ripchinski noted. And if you do become infected, being vaccinated will help to keep you from becoming seriously ill.

Vaccinating kids

Even though adolescents generally dont get as severely ill from the novel coronavirus as adults do, even healthy kids can get very sick with acute COVID-19, and we dont know what long-term effects there could be, wrote Dr. Gavigan, who sees patients at the Penn State Health Lime Spring Outpatient Center in East Hempfield Township as well as at the Childrens Hospital in Hershey.

He continued: Weve seen kids develop a post-COVID-19 complication called multisystem inflammatory syndrome, usually characterized by fever, elevated inflammatory markers and heart dysfunction that requires hospitalization. ... Were also seeing long haulers  children with symptoms that develop during or after COVID-19 and last 12 or more weeks. In children, the most common symptoms are ongoing fatigue and difficulty concentrating.

Because COVID-19 is still relatively new, the implications of long COVID and other post-infection conditions arent fully known. Scientists do know, however, that vaccination is a safe, effective, lifesaving weapon in the battle against infectious disease.

As the CDC notes, The best way to prevent these long-term complications is to prevent COVID-19. And thats best achieved through immunization.

Dr. Gavigan wrote that the longer we wait to vaccinate, the more infections will accrue. Vaccination is key to reducing future variants of the virus.

He noted: Some parents worry that their children are being exposed to too many vaccines, but the amount of viral protein in a vaccine is much less than their child would get with an actual COVID-19 infection.

Well leave the last word to Dr. Gavigan, whose career is dedicated to the health of children: Getting your child vaccinated  and getting vaccinated yourself  protects your child and the rest of society. If were going to achieve herd immunity  which is at least 70% of the population vaccinated and probably higher  were going to have to vaccinate this age group.

VaccinateLancaster.org
WHO Director Tedros Denounces Scandalous COVID Vaccine Inequity, Warns the Pandemic Is Not Over

May 25, 2021 (EIRNS)Addressing the 74th annual meeting of the World Health Assembly of World Health Organization member nations, yesterday, WHO Director Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus delivered a stark message: Make no mistake: this will not be the last time the world faces the threat of a pandemic. It is an evolutionary certainty that there will be another virus with the potential to be more transmissible and more deadly than this one. Even though global COVID-19 cases have been decreasing for three consecutive weeks, he warned, globally, we remain in a fragile situation.... No country should assume it is out of the woods, no matter its vaccination rate. ... We must be very clear: the pandemic is not over, and it will not be over until and unless transmission is controlled in every last country.

In this context, Dr. Tedros denounced the scandalous inequity in vaccine distribution, which, he charged, is perpetuating the pandemic. He pointed out that 75% of all the vaccines have been administered in only 10 wealthy countries. There is no diplomatic way to say it: a small group of countries that make and buy the majority of the worlds vaccines control the fate of the rest of the world. Now, he admonished, it is incumbent on wealthier countries to share their vaccines with the WHOs COVAX mechanism, with the aim to provides vaccines to for the immediate most at-risk populations in poorer nations. He also announced a Drive to December campaign, in which countries should aim to vaccinate at least 10% of their populations by September, and at least 30% by the end of this year. But, in order to reach the September goal, he said, 250 million more people in low- and middle-income countries have to get vaccinated,

including all health workers and the most at-risk groups as the first priority. Vaccine manufacturing must be scaled up, he argued, and he questioned why some companies wont share their licenses and technologies with those manufacturers who want to help produce vaccines. This is crucial to stop severe disease and death, keep our health workers safe, and reopen our economies,

Dr. Tedros elaborated. He warned that those countries that vaccinate children and other low-risk groups now, do so at the expense of health workers and high-risk groups in other countries. Thats the reality. He declared that while current virus variants dont seem to have undermined existing vaccines, variants are changing constantly, and that any future ones could render our tools ineffective and drag us back to square one.
Left Out of MeToo: New Initiative Focuses on Black Survivors

Its been more than three years since the #MeToo movement launched a culture-shifting conversation about sexual violence. But Tarana Burke, the activist who gave the movement its name, says concrete change has been incremental at best _ and especially for Black survivors.

Now, Burke is part of a new initiative _ called We, As Ourselves _ in which three prominent groups are focusing on those survivors, who she says often feel that (hash)MeToo has passed them by.

In an interview, Burke said that when (hash)MeToo exploded into view in 2017, a result of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, Black women just kept saying, `Where are WE? Where ARE we? Where do we show up?

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The world was changing but we werent being swept up in those changes, she said. Its almost like trickle-down theory: `Lets just hope some of this goodness will trickle down to Black folks and they will benefit from it. Well, thats not going to happen unless we are intentional about addressing the issue.

The initiative, announced Wednesday, is a collaboration between `me too. International, the group founded by Burke; the National Womens Law Center; and the TIMES UP Foundation.

In a statement, the groups said they were working together to create safe spaces for Black survivors; to confront narratives that harm and silence Black survivors; and lastly to come up with new practices that will help get Black survivors believed, heard, and supported.

Burke said the most important immediate impact will simply be that a national conversation is being had.

The biggest part is there IS an initiative, Burke said. Theres been work done on local levels, by grass-roots community organizations. But weve never had a national campaign specific to Black survivors of sexual violence.

She added that few people realize just how little the issue is spoken about in the Black community. So raising the flag and having decided to talk about it alone is a big deal.

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Among the initiatives concrete plans: narrative research; conversation guides; a five-part event series; and rapid-response tools to support Black survivors who come forward. A week of action is planned for Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. The coalition also released a Love Letter to Survivors, a video tribute from activists and celebrities like Gabrielle Union-Wade, Jurnee Smollett, Tamron Hall and Valerie Jarrett, the former adviser to President Barack Obama.

The labor of Black women lies at the core of our culture, our economy, and our democracy, yet our voices and our needs are continually sidelined and ignored both by the media and our institutions writ large, said Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Womens Law Center, in a statement. Safety begins by listening to Black survivors and trusting them to know the conditions that will allow them to rise to the fullest of their potential, above the harm and trauma that continually tries to silence them.

Added Monifa Bandele, chief operating officer for TIMES UP Foundation: For generations, Black women have been excluded from the conversation and, when they are included, the narratives created around Black survivors, women, and girls are dangerous, destructive, and undermine their credibility and experiences at every turn  We will no longer allow this to happen under our watch.

Burke noted that one of the main obstacles for Black survivors of sexual violence is the fact that conversation is dominated in the media by accusations against powerful and famous men _ and little else.

We had the R. Kelly documentary, the Russell Simmons documentary, she said, and we were, like, `OK thats not really our stories. Thats A story, but its not representative of most peoples lives and experiences.

She also said that during the conversations about racial equality that dominated the national stage in recent months, there had been little mention of sexual violence, and that when she tried to raise it she was told by some: This is not the time.

We tend to segment things, she said, but these things are inextricably linked to me.
Pacific Symphony to Stream Concert to Mark Anniversary of George Floyds Death

The Pacific Symphony will stream a free concert today in tribute to George Floyd, marking the one-year anniversary of his death at the hands of Minneapolis police.

The Pacific Symphony, in partnership with the Fresno Philharmonic, Monterey Symphony and the San Jose Chamber Orchestra, commissioned Emmy Award- winning composer John Christopher Wineglass to write Alone Together, a piece that addresses social issues and systemic racial disparities.

Music Director Carl St.Clair will conduct the Pacific Symphony in the world premiere online at 7 p.m. The program will be available for free streaming on the orchestras YouTube and Facebook channels through June 23.

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Audiences will have another opportunity to hear the work next Thursday, paired with Coplands Fanfare for the Common Man, as part of Pacific Symphonys Thursdays @ 7 online series.

Alone Together runs about nine minutes and features strings and percussion. In the composers note on the musical score, Wineglass relays a recent incident in which two laughing youths drove by and used a bullhorn to yell the N-word at him while he was walking beachside in central California.

A longing for common ground but finding no footing  no continuity. Abrupt silences  alone  many intubated. No foundation  lost in a midst of unbelief of what I was witnessing with my very own eyes in this land of `equality, he wrote, The universe repeatedly brings this up  again  and again before our very own eyes  until we learn. But  I still believe in and have hope  A Ray of Hope  a hope deferred at the moment but a hope nonetheless. A hope that in this struggle together  we will come out TOGETHER somehow and in some way  stronger, more wise and vigilant.

For more information on the concert, visit the Pacific Symphonys website at https://bit.ly/341L6kj. The Pacific Symphonys home stage is the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, part of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa.
Sephora to Fight Against Racial bias with an Action Plan

Beauty products retailer Sephora said Wednesday that it will bolster the number of Black-owned brands, scale back on third-party security guards and offer more inclusive marketing as part of a plan to combat racial bias at its stores.

The company revealed its plan as it released findings of a study it commissioned that took an in-depth look at racial bias in the U.S. retail shopping experience.

The study, based on a combination of employee and shopper surveys and academic research, began in the fall of 2019 and ended in late 2020. It found that two in five U.S. retail shoppers have personally experienced unfair treatment on the basis of their race or skin tone. It also found that Black shoppers are more likely than white shoppers to receive unfair treatment based on their skin color.

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The issue of racial bias has taken on more importance for companies in the wake of nationwide protests over police brutality last summer after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

As part of the plan, Sephora, a division of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, plans to double the assortment of Black-owned brands to 16 by the end of the year. It will also prominently feature and advertise Black-owned brands through a dedicated tab on the Sephora website. It also plans to roll out a new greeting system for shoppers across all stores to ensure a more consistent experience.

Among other changes: Sephora will also reduce the presence of third-party security officers at its 500 U.S. stores and use more in-house specialists as a way to minimize shoppers concerns about policing.

We know we are in a strong position to influence positive changes in the retail industry and society at large and its our responsibility to step up, said Jean-Andre Rougeot, president and CEO of Sephora Americas, in a statement.
An Arab woman has received a kidney from a Jewish man killed in clashes between Arabs and Jews in the Israeli city of Lod.

The man, 56-year-old Yigal Yehoshua, died May 17 after being hit by rocks during riots in Lod, a mixed city of Israels Jews and Arabs.

The violence followed protests and clashes in Jerusalem that also led to an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas.

In the violence in Lod and other mixed cities inside Israel, groups of Arabs and Jews fought each other in the streets. Rioters also burned cars and businesses.

But after a series of violent days, there was a rare moment of hope. Randa Aweis, a 58-year-old mother of six, got one of Yehoshuas kidneys after a 10-year wait. Yehoshua was registered as an organ donor and his kidney was identified as a medical fit for Aweis.

I could not believe it, Aweis told The Associated Press from the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem. Im telling you, I couldnt believe it.

She added: People say he was a good man, that he didnt do any harm, so why was he murdered? ... Thats forbidden. There must be peace between Jews and Arabs, real peace.

Israelis have come to expect periodic unrest in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. But the latest violence shocked many Israelis by spilling over into other areas. The clashes hit closer to home for Israelis than at any point since the 2000 Palestinian intifada, or uprising, which lasted more than five years.

Israels Arab citizens, who make up 20 percent of the population, said the violence was rooted in longstanding tensions. Israeli Arabs have citizenship, including the right to vote, but they face widespread discrimination. They also have close familial ties to the Palestinians and largely identify with their movement. This leads many Jewish Israelis to treat them with suspicion.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke about the Jewish mans death when it was announced last week. I share in the sorrow of the family of the late Yigal Yehoshua who was murdered in a lynch carried out by Arab rioters in Lod, he said.

We will settle accounts with whoever participated in this murder; nobody will escape punishment, he added.

Police have arrested several suspects in connection with the violence.

Aweis never met Yehoshua, but she did speak to his wife on a tearful video call. She said she hopes to visit his family in person once she has recovered from the kidney transplant.

Yigal saved me, Aweis said. And as much as I say thank you to the family, to everyone, its not enough.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

___________________________________________

Words in This Story

forbid  v. to order someone not to do something

lynch  v. to kill someone who has not been found guilty of a crime at a legal trial

participate  v. to take part in or become involved in an activity

transplant  n. a medical operation in which an unhealthy organ is replaced with a healthy one
In many parts of the world, attending school can be a daily struggle for children, especially girls.

A long list of barriers prevents their attendance. Parents may not be able to pay school fees or buy books or other supplies. Ideas about gender can also play a part in the problem. Some families that need help at home expect girls to perform such work. And, with schools far way in many communities, there is also a safety issue for girls.

Before the COVID-19 health crisis, it is estimated that around 132 million girls were out of school worldwide. That number comes from the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. After the coronavirus spread, with schools in many nations closed, millions more girls were missing their studies at home. They are taking on additional household duties and caring for young and sick family members. In addition, research suggests an increase in unwanted marriages and violence against girls, especially at home, during the pandemic.



Christina Kwauk is a girls education expert with the Brookings Institution, a research organization in Washington, D.C. She told VOA that the worldwide economic crisis caused by COVID-19 has led to a girls education crisis, or what she called a gender inequality crisis. For example, stay-at-home orders have reduced girls ability to leave their homes. But Kwauk said being at home has not made girls safer. There is a huge increase in gender-based violence, often sexual violence, she said:

COVID, on its own, while it disrupted the lives of everyone around the world, it created so many more vulnerabilities for girls especially  girls and women especially.

A report by the educational organization Room to Read talks about a 15-year-old girl named Varuni in Sri Lanka. She takes part in the Girls Education Program there. With schools closed, she was at home more and faced violence from her alcoholic father. Varuni told Room to Read that her father also does not respect her right to an education. The organization then asked local leaders to persuade the father to let Varuni live with another family member while schools were closed. Now she is now learning again, the group wrote.

The same report by Room to Read explained that 42 percent of the 24,000 girls they spoke to said their household had lost wages during the pandemic. And the financial effects of COVID-19 are a huge risk to a girls education.

While schools have remained closed, many adolescent girls are not learning at home because of pressure from their parents to take on more home duties. That means far less or no time to study at home. The Overseas Development Institute reports that, especially in rural areas, most girls are not able to learn over the radio, television or internet. Families lack devices and electricity and have no money to pay phone or internet costs. But even in places where access is a little better, often boys are given access before girls due to gender norms.

A report from Plan International says the COVID-19 pandemic has also sharply increased acts of gender-based violence in the home. Around the world, 243 million women and girls between the ages of 15-49 have experienced sexual or physical violence from a romantic partner over the last 12 months. Many experts are calling the increase in such violence during the COVID-19 pandemic a shadow pandemic.

Historically, economic crises lead to more child marriage as well as early and forced marriages, and the coronavirus crisis is no exception. In Indonesia, for example, the group Plan International found that 24,000 applications for child marriage were submitted between January and June 2020. That is a more than 250 percent increase in applications since 2012. In 2020, girls in southern Asia were affected most by the risk of increased child marriage, followed by West and Central Africa, then Latin America and the Caribbean.

During times of economic or environmental shock, families may choose harmful gender customs for survival, Kwauk says. That can include giving a girl child away for marriage to receive a dowry, or payment.

[It] is the hard decision that a family has to make, but if that means potentially more economic security for a daughter, thats one way to decrease some of that pressure and then also provide a little bit more resources for the household that's already suffering from a loss of livelihood or loss of income.

For girls, early marriage can lead to pregnancy or joining the workforce. That means they are even less likely to return to school.

World Bank numbers show that several countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East saw major increases in girls enrollment in school in recent years. But these gains are now threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic suffering from poverty combined with harmful gender practices may lead to some girls never being able to return to school.



Some studies predict that 11 million to 20 million girls will not return to schools when they reopen as they have been forced to become adults too soon.

Even for girls who do return, Kwauk says, learning loss during the pandemic may discourage the girls from staying in school. And that is something not discussed enough, she notes.

Im Alice Bryant. And I'm Bryan Lynn.

Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor.

Quiz - Millions More Girls Miss School During the Pandemic Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

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Words in This Story

fee  n. an amount of money that must be paid

gender  n. the state of being male or female

disrupt  v. to cause something to be unable to continue in the normal way

vulnerability  n. easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally

adolescent  adj. a word describing a young person who is developing into an adult

shadow  n. a dark shape that appears on a surface when someone or something moves between the surface and a source of light

application  n. a formal and usually written or typed request for something

potentially  adv. in a way that makes it possible for something to happen or exist in the future

enrollment  n. the process of arranging to attend a school and specific classes

discourage  v. to make someone less determined, hopeful or confident


One year ago, the arrest of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota led to Floyds death and brought new attention to police methods in America.

One of the officers involved in the arrest, Derek Chauvin, was found guilty of murder after a trial in April. A 17-year-old girl was among those who recorded video of Chauvin pressing his knee on Floyds neck for over nine minutes.

The images angered people around the country. Many of them took to the streets of cities during the summer to protest the way police in America treat Black people. Some of the protests turned violent.

A series of protests took place about one week after the incident in a park across the street from the White House in Washington, D.C.

The treatment of Black people by police became an important part of the U.S. presidential campaign. Joe Biden won the election against former president Donald Trump.

Later, Biden called Chauvins treatment of Floyd murder in the full light of day, and a stain on our nations soul. Biden has been speaking with Floyds family regularly over the last year. He invited Floyds family to the White House for a meeting on Tuesday.

Earlier this year, Biden said he wanted to be able to announce a new law on May 25. The law, called the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, is supposed to permit police to be charged with crimes if they do something bad while doing their work.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the law in March. It has not been approved by the U.S. Senate.

Legal experts say the girls video was the reason the jury found Chauvin guilty of murder. While it was important evidence in the trial, the video continues to make Black people upset.

Sheila Holden is an African-American mother of two who lives in Maryland. She said she feels pain every time she sees the video of Chauvin holding Floyd on the ground with his knee.

Seeing one person take the life of another is something I had never seen, Holden said.

Bruce Brandon used to work as a bus driver in Washington, D.C. He called the video heartbreaking.

He and his family joined the protests last year.

Taking part in the racial justice demonstrations gave us an outlet to express our outrage over the amount of police brutality against African-Americans, he said.



Allissa Findley is the sister of Botham Jean, a black man who was killed by a white police officer in Dallas, Texas in 2018. The officer, who was not working at the time, went into Jeans apartment by mistake and shot him, thinking he was trying to steal from her. She was sent to prison for 10 years.

Findley told the Reuters news agency seeing the video of Floyd is traumatizing all over again.

One expert said seeing the images of Black people being hurt by police can increase the pain.

Mary Frances Winters runs a business that works with companies in an effort to create better work environments for people of different backgrounds. She wrote a book called Black Fatigue, about the health problems that come from racism.

She said all of the problems in society create psychological and physiological ailments.

Researchers from the U.S. National Academy of Sciences agree. In a study, they found that the mental health of Black Americans is worse in the days following highly-publicized violent acts against Black people.

The leader of a Black religious center in Atlanta told CNN television news that he thought all of Black America is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

A mental health expert called it toxic stress and said the constant worry Black people feel can affect future generations.

Winters said the U.S should start to place more attention on the mental health of African-Americans. She said it is not easy to bounce back from years of racism.

We have to challenge that idea, she said.

Im Dan Friedell.

VOAs Chris Simkins wrote this story. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor.

What do you think the U.S. should do to help Black people who are dealing with constant stress coming from racial injustice? Tell us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

stain n. a mark that is hard to remove

outrage n. extreme anger : a strong feeling of unhappiness because of something bad, hurtful, or morally wrong

brutality n. cruel, harsh, and usually violent treatment of another person

trauma n. a very difficult or unpleasant experience that causes someone to have mental or emotional problems usually for a long time

ailment n. a sickness or illness

stress n. a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life, work, etc.

toxic adj. containing poisonous substances; poisonous

bounce back v. to return quickly to a normal condition after a difficult situation or event

challenge v. to dispute something; to question something
Latin America is to receive millions of U.S.-made COVID-19 vaccine injections in the coming weeks.

The news comes as the United States is becoming the top exporter of vaccines against the new coronavirus.

Reuters news agency spoke with two people who know about the issue. However, Reuters did not identify the individuals.

The U.S. is planning give 80 million vaccines to other countries. One of the Reuters sources said the United States is considering giving high importance to providing vaccines to North and South America.

The second source said the drug company Pfizer has begun exporting millions of its U.S.-made shots largely to countries in Central and South America.

Many Latin American countries need COVID-19 vaccines as they fight rising infections. Brazil has been one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic. Brazilian officials have reported more than 16 million cases and 449,000 deaths.

The second source said Pfizer is producing 10 million shots in the U.S. each week for export. The U.S. is now making more vaccines than are needed for use in the country.

The source said Pfizer is making shipments from its Kalamazoo, Michigan factory to Canada, Mexico and nearly 10 other Latin American countries.

Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru and Uruguay are other countries that have recently received Pfizers U.S.-made vaccines.

The administration of President Joe Biden is still considering how to direct the vaccines it promised to other countries. Biden has not yet decided on a plan.

The first source said the administration is considering giving vaccines to people in North and South America first because it is in Americas interest. Another source said the vaccine would be shared considering geography so changes can made to the vaccines if needed.

Vaccine diplomacy

The United States is competing with China and Russia. Those countries have been carrying out so-called vaccine diplomacy. That means they are trying to gain influence by providing other countries with vaccines.

Mitt Romney is a Republican Party Senator. Last week, he said the U.S. needs to speed up vaccine sharing to better compete with world rivals.

Gayle Smith leads COVID-19 efforts at the U.S. State Department. She said last week that the U.S. will donate a large number of vaccines through the COVAX program. This program is supported by the World Health Organization and gives vaccines mainly to poorer countries.

The second source said Pfizer is sending its U.S.-made vaccines to Latin America for two reasons. It is close to their manufacturing centers and it meets their goal of getting shots to poorer countries.

Reuters reported earlier that a deal with the U.S. government barred Pfizer from exporting vaccines until after March 31. Pfizer is continuing to hold talks with India where its shots are not yet approved. The second person said the timeline for a possible agreement is not clear.

The U.S. is becoming a top supplier of COVID-19 shots to the world as the vaccination effort in the United States nears its goal.

U.S. government information shows that more than 60 percent of U.S. adults received at least one COVID-19 vaccine injection. At the same time, countries like India and Brazil are struggling to get the vaccines they need to control their severe outbreaks.

Reuters information shows that Brazil has vaccinated about 13 percent of its population. It is currently recording an average of about 65,000 new cases each day.

Last week, Biden said the U.S. will give out 20 million shots that had been meant for U.S. persons by the end of June. The medicines will include vaccines made by Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

The Biden administration is also planning to give other countries around 60 million U.S.-made injections of AstraZenecas vaccine. It is not yet approved for use in the U.S.

Im Jill Robbins.

Carl ODonnell and Jeff Mason reported this story for Reuters. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor.

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Words in This Story

source n. a person, book or other thing, that gives information

geography  n. an area of study that deals with the Earth, its countries, cities, rivers, mountains, lakes and other features

rival  n. a person or thing that tries to defeat or be more successful than another
Former NASA Astronaut Danny Olivas describes what it's like to perform a spacewalk and explains why astronauts do them.

When astronauts venture outside of the International Space Station to go on spacewalks, the most important thing they have to do is focus.

This may sound simple, but imagine trying to focus on a memorized set of tasks while stepping out of an airlock and wearing a 300-pound spacesuit -- with the glow of planet Earth and the sun and the dark void of the universe all around you. A tether connects you to the space station, and the absence of gravity keeps you from falling.

"There's a lot of things that you really need to do, one of which is just keep your focus, even though it's amazing out there," said NASA astronaut Mike Fincke. "It's really truly breathtaking. The only thing between you and the rest of the universe, seeing the whole cosmos of creation, is the glass faceplate of your visor on your helmet, and it's just awe-inspiring."

Depending on the orientation of the space station, which completes 16 orbits of the Earth each day while moving at 17,500 miles per hour, our planet can appear above or below the astronauts.


remaining of

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The Fourth of July festivities in Solvang which typically include a widely watched fireworks show at Old Mission Santa Ines, has been sponsored by the Santa Ynez Valley Rotary Club for 24 years.
Amendments to bring Santa Barbara County ordinances in line with new state laws on accessory dwelling units were unanimously adopted May 18 by the Board of Supervisors with a few questions but virtually no opposition.

Its not that we have a huge amount of discretion on this anyway, commented 1st District Supervisor Das Williams.

New state laws that went into effect in January 2020 made the countys regulations on accessory dwelling units, commonly referred to as ADUs, useless.

So the Planning and Development Departments Long Range Planning Division had to come up with amendments to the Land Use Development Code and Coastal Zoning Ordinance that would conform to state laws.

Some changes to the proposed amendments were requested by the County Planning Commission and Montecito Planning Commission, which both recommended adoption of the amendments with those modifications.

The California Coastal Commission staff also weighed in with changes to the Coastal Zoning Ordinance amendments.

Planner Jessi Steele told supervisors the new state laws increased the number and type of ADUs allowed per lot, eliminated the need to replace parking spaces lost by creating ADUs, reduced floor area restrictions and fees, required the allowance of smaller junior accessory dwelling units and reduced the required application processing time from 120 to 60 days.

The Montecito Planning Commission asked to have replacement parking required when a junior ADU was developed in an attached garage and to clarify that duplexes are considered multifamily dwellings.

The County Planning Commission requested clarification that farmstays are not allowed in ADUs and junior ADUs and that a standard be added for where ADUs could be located on a lot.

Coastal Commission staff said the definition of junior ADUs should be revised to include garages, the amendments should clarify that ADU conversions must be located within existing structures and that junior ADUs should be removed from the Gaviota Overlay clustering requirement.

Williams asked if there were any restrictions on ADUs and junior ADUs in high-fire-risk areas, and Steele said no such restrictions were included.

But she noted applications had to go through the fire departments with jurisdiction over high-risk fire areas, and the departments could add conditions to keep the units from increasing the risk from wildfires.

County Counsel Michael Ghizzoni said the proposed amendments would make it easier for residents to determine whats allowed and what is not.

What youre doing today is providing provisions consistent with state law that will be clearer and more easy to directly implement than state law, and really puts residents able to look at the Land Use Code and see everything in one spot rather than looking at the Land Use Code and determining whats been pre-empted and then trying to directly implement state law, Ghizzoni said.
Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Update: 26-05-2021 | 12:18:20

Vietnamese products, including various farm produce, were on display at the 7th African Investment and Trade Forum (AFIC7) held in the Algerian capital city of Algiers on May 24  25.

Vietnamese Trade Counsellor Hoang Duc Nhuan delivers a remark at the 7th African Investment and Trade Forum (AFIC7) in Algeria

The event, via both video teleconference (VTC) and in-person form, was organized under the patronage of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. The Vietnamese delegation to the forum was led by Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Vinh.

The forum featured an exhibition, seminars and business-to-business meetings in the fields of food industry, agriculture, technology, tourism, services, renewable energy, and others.

The Embassy and Trade Office of Vietnam in Algeria set up a booth, among a total of 70, at the event which showcased a number of Vietnamese flagship agricultural products, such as coffee, tea, rice, pepper, milk, banh trang (rice paper wrappers) and cassava powder, and materials promoting Vietnams culture and tourism.

Around 20 domestic enterprises also joined the event virtually from Vietnam.

Speaking at the forum, Vietnamese Trade Counsellor Hoang Duc Nhuan briefed audience on Vietnams economic development; the relations in trade, investment and agriculture between Vietnam and African countries; and the two sides potential cooperation in the coming time.

He also announced Vietnam plans to host an international conference on Vietnam-Africa partnership in agriculture at the end of this year via VTC and in-person meetings.

AFIC 7 was attended by numerous international and global organisations, embassies, trade offices, and more than 600 enterprises from 35 countries worldwide who are seeking export and investment opportunities in Africa.

Trade between Vietnam and Africa totalled 7.4 billion USD in 2019, with Vietnams shipments worth 3.4 billion USD, an increase of 17 percent from the previous year.

Vietnams main export items to Africa include mobile phones and parts, computers and parts, textile and garment, footwear, rice, coffee, pepper, cashew nut and fisheries products. Imports, meanwhile, comprise raw cashew nut, cotton, wood, copper, cattle feed and liquefied natural gas.

Some 20 African countries and territories have poured a total 2.35 billion USD worth of investment into Vietnam, mostly in processing, retailing and wholesaling, lodging services and consultation. Vietnam has invested close to 3 billion USD in 12 African countries in the areas of oil and gas exploration and production, telecommunications, hydropower, and manufacturing of cement and wood, among others./.

VNA
Catholic Multimedia Giant Ascension Captures Another 8 Telly Awards for Video Excellence





NEWS PROVIDED BY

Ascension

May 26, 2021



EXTON, Penn., May 26, 2021 /Standard Newswire/ -- Undaunted by the challenges of the 2020 production season, Ascension brought home 8 Telly Awards this year: 3 Silver and 5 Bronze. The new statuettes will join 13 Telly Awards from previous years already held by the Pennsylvania-based company.



The 2021 season featured the company's highest number of Silver winners to date.



This year Ascension's "Rejoice! Advent Meditations with the Holy Family" won 2 Silver Telly Awards, a particularly impressive feat given that pandemic travel restrictions forced Ascension's video team to develop alternative filming solutions for many of their productions. Titles such as "Rejoice!," "The Ascension Lenten Companion," and "Hebrews: The New and Eternal Covenant" were each made possible by creative responses to significant production obstacles.



"The work that our team completed in such challenging circumstances last year was truly extraordinary," comments Ascension President and CEO, Jonathan Strate. "We have a world-class team, and we're proud to see their accomplishments recognized in this way by the Telly Awards program."



The company's Ascension Presents YouTube platform also earned high praise, with videos from popular figures Fr. Mike Schmitz and Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, winning Silver and Bronze awards, respectively.



Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards receive over 12,000 entries annually from all around the world. This is the third consecutive year that Ascension has been named a winner in the competition.



See the full list of Award winning videos here:



https://newsroom.ascensionpress.com/press-release/3-silver-and-5-bronze-telly-awards-for-ascension-the-leader-in-faith-formation/



About Ascension

Ascension is the leader in Catholic faith formation and digital content. Over the past 20 years, Ascension has helped to nurture the faith of more than 10 million people in 8,000 parishes through their books, Bibles, faith formation programs, chart-topping podcasts, social media, and the Ascension Presents YouTube channel. The company has 60 employees and is based in Exton, Pennsylvania.



Media Contact



For interviews with Owner, President, and CEO Jonathan Strate, or for other media inquiries, please contact Lauren Joyce at (484) 876-1400 or newsroom@ascensionpress.com.



SOURCE Ascension



CONTACT: Lauren Joyce, 484-876-1400, newsroom@ascensionpress.com


When photographer Kenechi Unachukwu began documenting the George Floyd protests in Madison last summer, he didnt have a plan. But at each event, his empathy grew.

As you become more ingrained in a movement or a culture, you start to develop connections, said Unachukwu, who was working for Epic Systems at the time. Im not press  Im just a guy. I not only show up to these events to take pictures, I go to support and have conversations with people.

Unachukwus black and white images have been displayed as a collage on the front doors of Overture Center. Group shows around the country have featured his work, including a show at Marzen Gallery in Madison (From Here On Out) and Urban Triage. In October 2020, he had a solo show (We Still Here) in Gallery 1308 in Union South.

As we recognize the one-year anniversary of Floyds death and the events that followed, the Cap Times invited Unachukwu to share his documentary photography.

 Lindsay Christians

FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHER

"We are one year since the killing, but what has changed since then? We received accountability for one killing, but what about the rest? Is the knee of the system yet off our necks? Can we finally breathe? Are we finally free? We were promised a new beginning, but instead received a return to the same. So much has happened, yet so little has changed. We still die unjust deaths when all we ask for is to live. Until we receive the respect we deserve, the fight continues for however long is necessary."

 Kenechi Unachukwu

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Kenechi Unachukwu is a pharmacist and freelance photographer currently based out of central New Jersey. Unachukwu was first drawn to photography by images documenting the underground B-Boy (breakdance) battle scene. He has since branched out to street and documentary-style photography in his local communities. As he develops his style, Unachukwu aims to tell untold stories, as well as ask hard questions that sometimes have no answer. Unachukwu lived in Madison from 2016-2020, where he first began taking photos.

To see more of his work, visit kenechiuna.com and follow @kenechi.una on Instagram.
This is a really simple way for you to be able to show that you stand behind the students in your district, or even if you arent in the district, just to show your support for a group of people who need that, Melanie said. Itll show the district that they need to be more involved and also that this is something thats important to community members.

For Hohs, who works on these issues at a district level, seeing students organize this sort of event is the dream.

We have so many brilliant, empowered young people who are ready and willing to take on the world, Hohs said. Im thrilled that we have these activists that are so dedicated.

At some point, however, she said its not students' job to keep advocating for themselves.

I value youth voice more than anything, but its the adults job, its our job to do this work in our school district, she said. On Thursday we need to make sure that we hear them and that then we act.

Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less.
Since 2008, the UW School of Medicine and Public Health has entered into agreements with Planned Parenthood, under which Planned Parenthood purchases the physicians' time through a memorandum of understanding that also allows ob-gyn residents to participate in a family planning rotation.

"While we appreciate the idea that funds are separated, they still are working for Planned Parenthood and are still official members of the faculty at the UW," Wisconsin Right to Life executive director Heather Weininger told lawmakers. "And we believe that relationship needs to end."

But UW officials, including UW School of Medicine and Public Health Dean Robert Golden said the arrangement came about as officials worked to follow state and federal law. In addition to risking the program's accreditation, Golden said the effect of the legislation would be to worsen an existing shortage of ob-gyn physicians because of an anticipated drop in residents trained in the specialty.

"The passage of this bill will dramatically damage, perhaps eliminate, the applicant pool for our residency program since applicants and their advisors will be aware of the likelihood of a citation as the initial step toward loss of accreditation," he said.
Day after day, hospital staff showed up to care for us, keep our communities safe, and go above and beyond the call of duty. They wrestled with the gut-wrenching anxiety of infecting their own family members, and often went months without seeing loved ones. After this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, the least they deserve is having a seat at the table to negotiate for better working conditions. It is now time for all of us  elected officials, community members, faith leaders and the labor movement  to stand arm in arm with nurses and frontline workers at UW Hospital and healthcare institutions throughout our state to make sure they have a union voice so they can advocate for themselves and their families.
Businesses with Streatery permits

West Side: Bartaco, Brasserie V, Cafe Hollander, Dumpling Haus, Everly, Fairchild Restaurant, Five Nightclub, Forage Kitchen (Hilldale), Garth's Brew Bar, The Great Dane (Hilldale), Jordan's Big 10 Pub, Lombardino's Restaurant, Madison Chocolate Company, The Mason Lounge, Muramoto, North and South Seafood & Smokehouse, Oakcrest Tavern, The Original Pancake House, Rocky Rococo (Regent Street), Sconnie Bar, Shake Shack

Downtown: 107 State, Ancora (King Street), Argus, Barriques (West Washington Avenue), BelAir Cantina, Blue Moon Bar and Grill, Buck & Badger, Buckingham's Bar & Grill, Canteen, Cask & Ale, Cento, Cheba Hut, Chocolate Shoppe (State Street), City Bar, Colectivo (Capitol Square and State Street), Conrad's Grill, The Coopers Tavern, DLUX, Dotty Dumpling's Dowry, Double Tree, Dubai Restaurant, D'Vino, Fair Trade Coffee, Five Guys (State Street), Forage Kitchen (State Street), FreshFin Poke, Fromagination, Genna's Lounge, The Globe, Grace Coffee (both State Street and East Washington Avenue locations), Harvest, Hawk's Bar & Grill, Heritage Tavern, High Noon Saloon, Hillel Foundation (Adamah Neighborhood Table), Himal Chuli, Ian's Pizza, The Irish Pub, Ivory Room, Johnny Delmonico's, Kilwins, Lakeview Deli, Le C's, Library Cafe, Los Gemelos, Luchador Tequila & Taco Bar, Lucille, Madison's, Maduro, Main Depot, Marigold Kitchen, Merchant, Michelangelo's, Monday's, Mooyah (State Street), Morris Ramen, Nattspil, Nick's, Nitty Gritty (Frances Street), Old Fashioned, Osteria Papavero, Palatte Bar and Grill, The Paradise, Parthenon Gyros, Paul's Club, Paul's Pel'meni, Poke Bowl Plus, Qdoba, Rare Steakhouse, The Rigby, Ruyi Hand Pulled Noodle, Samba Grill, Sardine, Senor Machetes, Settle Down Tavern, The Shamrock, Short Stack, Taiwan Little Eats, Taste of Sichuan, Tavernakaya, Tempest Oyster Bar, The Tipsy Cow, Tornado Steakhouse, Tutto Pasta, Wando's, Whiskey Jack's, Wonderstate Cafe, Woofs, Young Blood Brewing Co.

East and North Sides: Alchemy Cafe, Avenue Club & the Bubble Up Bar, BarleyPop Tap and Shop, Bierock, Bos Meadery, Brothers Three Bar and Grill, Cafe CODA, Chief's Tavern, Crucible, Cuco's Mexican Restaurant (Buckeye Road), Dexter's Pub, Fair Oaks Diner, Gib's, The Green Owl, Hone, Ideal Bar, Lazy Jane's Cafe, Mickey's, Mint Mark, Muskellounge and Sporting Club, Off Broadway Drafthouse, Ogden's North Street Diner, Ohio Tavern, One Barrel Brewing Co., Parched Eagle, Roman Candle, Salvatore's (East Johnson), Stalzy's Deli, State Line Distillery, Sundown Saloon, Tex Tubb's Taco Palace, Twisted Grounds, The Villa Tap, Wilson's Bar and Grill
MILWAUKEE  A former financial adviser has been sentenced in Milwaukee to more than five years in federal prison for scamming $2.6 million from 27 victims, including his own parents.

According to court records, Edward Matthes, 51, persuaded family, friends and community members in Oconomowoc to invest in fictitious Mutual of Omaha accounts. Matthes put the funds into his own bank account from 2013 to 2019 and used the money for home improvements, vacations, child support and other things, prosecutors said.

Matthes pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud in November 2020, the Journal Sentinel reported. The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced that Matthes was sentenced to 63 months in prison.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Hughes said Matthes took advantage of vulnerable people.

Most of his victims were elderly, and he spent years gaining their trust, only to wipe out a lifetime of their savings, Hughes said. I commend the tireless efforts of our special agents and law enforcement partners who worked jointly to bring this case to justice.
With its former chairman refusing to give up his seat, Wisconsins natural resources policy board approved the first steps Wednesday toward establishing limits on more harmful chemicals in water.

The Natural Resources Board voted 6-1 to approve preliminary hearings required to begin setting ground and drinking water standards for PFAS compounds and other substances that state health officials have said are hazardous to human health.

The hearings, set for June 4, will cover parameters for the new standards and kick off a 30-month rulemaking process within the state Department of Natural Resources.

One proposed rule relates to groundwater, the other to public drinking water systems. Both would set numeric enforcement standards for 16 fluorinated compounds known as forever chemicals that have been linked to cancer and other illnesses. The groundwater standards would also include six new pesticides.

Drinking water standards would apply to municipal water systems as well as apartment buildings, mobile home parks and businesses with at least 25 employees and would require annual testing as well as steps to remove the contaminants.

The DNR estimates the biannual cost of compliance will be more than $10 million.
The administration also wants to lessen Madisons central role in state government. By 2030, the administration wants to increase the number of state employees living outside of the city of Madison by at least 5%, a goal DOA thinks is attainable by offering permanent work-from-home options when conditions allow.

When it comes down to it, we really have a generational opportunity, DOA Secretary Joel Brennan said in an interview. It really is based on lessons learned over the last year, but informed by whats gone on over the last decade in state government so we can really look at how do we shape the next couple of decades in a way that provides more efficient service delivery, shrinks the states real estate footprint, provides opportunity for additional economic development in places around the state, and also enables the state workforce to look and feel more like the state.

DOA says the strategic framework is meant to address four key challenges that have accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic: aging infrastructure, aging state workers, limitations on talent attraction and a need to adapt to the digital age.

Redeveloping and consolidating state office space, DOA says, will address the hundreds of millions of dollars in deferred maintenance on state-owned buildings, especially in downtown Madison.
Retirement Reformation Founder Urges Christian Seniors to 'Get off the Couch, Engage in Lifelong Ministry'

Bruinsma Calls 85% of Seniors Lacking Any Detailed Plans for Later Years 'Concerning'





ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO SIGN THE 'RETIREMENT MANIFESTO'

Bruce Bruinsma, whose book, Retirement Reformation, has sparked a movement using the same name, urges Christians to support the Retirement Manifesto, which is available on the group's website. Hundreds of people have already signed the 10-point document, which affirms biblical beliefs in lifelong ministry and choosing to enter each season of life with a God-directed vision.



NEWS PROVIDED BY

Retirement Reformation

May 26, 2021



COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., May 26, 2021 /Standard Newswire/ -- If the results of a recent survey are any indication, it's time for Christians to counteract the view of retirement as a season only for relaxation and leisure, says the author of the book that launched a movement.



Bruce Bruinsma, 79, the founder of Retirement Reformation (https://retirementreformation.org/), says the popular outlook toward retirement can be seen through the Retirement Attitudes Survey of older Americans:

Although nearly 39% expect retirement to last at least 20 years and about 62% think it will span at least 15 years, most had no set goals when it came to their "next steps."



Only 27% think of their 60s as a decade of purpose and meaning; just half that percentage see their 70s that way.



By contrast, more than 86% think of their 30s, 40s and 50s as seasons of purpose and meaning.



Not surprisingly, many seniors prioritize the benefits of leisure over discovering purpose and new contributions God has in store for them.

In response, Bruinsma urges Christians to sign the Retirement Manifesto, a biblically-based, 10-point plan advocating serving God throughout life. Signers will be entitled to a free newsletter, participation in the organization's ongoing roundtable discussions, and access to both free and paid materials and small groups.



"It concerns me that 85% of people have no sound plans for their senior years, even though many have taken great care to set aside funds for future use," says Bruinsma, whose Retirement Reformation book launched the movement. "We want retirees to engage in a retirement lifestyle that many never dreamed possible. That's why we are urging people to sign the manifesto. It will inspire them to draft a personal plan - - God's plan - - for the future."



The push for additional signers comes during Older Americans Month, sponsored by the Administration for Community Living. Many of those seniors aim to take it easy, says Bruinsma, pointing to more than two-thirds of respondents to the Retirement Attitudes Survey who indicated they plan to retire for rest, travel, and pursuit of leisure activities. He questions if this is what God wants, pointing out the Bible says we are to keep living, ministering and sharing His Word at every stage of life.



The manifesto is only the first step toward building a more goal-oriented, purposeful life, Bruinsma says of signers' commitment to follow God's call as long as they are alive. The longtime business leader says a sound journey into retirement involves leading, teaching, mentoring, and serving God in an active, joyful manner.



There is far more to God's plan for our lives and retirement than money, he says.



"People also need to think about their spiritual, emotional, relational and physical health," Bruinsma says. "Retirement is the time of life when dreams can be bigger than ever. As Christians, our goal is to live a full life in Christ."



Since its recent launch, hundreds have signed the Retirement Manifesto, which is available (https://retirementreformation.org/manifesto) on the group's website.



About Retirement Reformation

Retirement Reformation (www.retirementreformation.org) was founded to help Christians approach retirement as an opportunity to worship and serve God in new ways, sharing their wisdom, experience and resources. It also assists churches and organizations in maximizing the gifts of a largely untapped constituency by equipping older members and supporters for active involvement in ministry.



SOURCE Retirement Reformation



CONTACT: Matti Stevenson, 719-360-0586, mstevenson@inchristcommunications.com


All of this has had an effect. Some 55% of Republicans recently told Ipsos/Reuters that they strongly or somewhat agree that the riot at the Capitol was led by violent left-wing protesters trying to make Trump look bad. Nearly the same number believe the protesters were mostly peaceful. And 53% of Republicans think Trump is the actual president while 60% strongly or somewhat believe that the election was stolen from Trump.

Those last two findings are crucial because the violence was motivated by these false beliefs. Its amazing how easily Republicans can see how the rhetoric of BLM activists can create a permission structure for violence, but they become utterly blind to the same point when it comes to violence at the seat of our government.

Many legitimate arguments can be made against a special commission to study Jan. 6. Congress already has the power to investigate and is doing so. Many Democrats surely want to use the commission to score partisan points. Hundreds of criminal cases are underway, and Congress should be reluctant to muck with them.
Larsen said Thompson was a teenager when the murder occurred, did not have good experiences with law enforcement, and was intimidated and frightened of Rodriguez.

The weight of the case is borne on Thompsons shoulders, he said.

Larsen said the jurors just need to use their common sense and their judgment to figure out who is telling the truth.

The state, he reminded them, did not have to prove everything brought up during the trial, only the elements in the jury instructions that include finding beyond a reasonable doubt that Rodriguez committed the murder.

The jury could have found Rodriguez guilty of the lesser charge of second-degree murder.

Roark also highlighted the mistakes made by police over the years and that DNA evidence collected from Kriegers body, which was tested and compared to Rodriguezs just a few years ago, did not match.

The only real physical evidence they have doesnt incriminate this man, it exonerates him, Roark said.
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Archie and his baby sis are perfect for a double stroller. Bugaboo has a convertible model that expands sideways with a bassinet option. It's the Bugaboo Donkey 3 Duo, and its price tag is not for the faint of heart: $1,759 to start. The frame simply pushes back in sideways for a solo ride. It's 29 inches wide and weighs 33 pounds. It includes two seats, one bassinet, two sun canopies and a side luggage basket that can't be used in duo mode. Would be a nice group gift.

Made in France, the Charlie Crane Levo Baby Rocker in beechwood with an organic, off-white padded seat is luxury fit for modern royalty. The wood is produced in sustainably managed forests in Europe. Good for newborns to about 7 months. The rocker adapts to the childs own rhythms. $249, with an activity bar add-on sold separately. Widely available. Start at Charliecraneparis.com.

For the deliberately minimal mom and dad, there's a deliberately minimal diaper bag. It's actually more like a belly bag with a magical nylon changing pad that folds into a back compartment and attaches with Velcro. The Kibou is made of a vegan leather exterior and a stain-resistant nylon lining with a waterproof pocket that can hold wet wipes easily at reach. The bag, with a key hook, is big enough for the basics needed on a trip to the playground: sunscreen, cards and cash, a snack or two and, of course, a diaper. In six colors. $89 at Kiboubag.com and Maisonette.com.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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BOISE  Chad Daybell made his first appearance in Idaho court Wednesday on three murder charges in connection with the deaths of his late wife and his new wifes two children.

Meanwhile, the mother of the two slain children, Lori Vallow Daybell, had her first appearance on murder charges postponed because of unnamed exigent circumstances.

The Daybells are at the center of a tangled case that involve several suspicious deaths as well as a bizarre apocalyptic religious belief that prosecutors claim the couple designed to justify the murders of 7-year-old Joshua JJ Vallow, 17-year-old Tylee Ryan and 49-year-old Tammy Daybell.

During Wednesdays court appearance in Fremont County, 7th District Judge Faren Eddins explained to Chad Daybell the penalties he could face if convicted of any of the eight charges he is facing under a new indictment released earlier this week. Both Lori and Chad Daybell could face the death penalty or life in prison if they are convicted of murder or conspiring to murder the victims in the case.

Chad Daybell is charged with three counts each of first-degree murder and conspiring to commit murder and grand theft by deception, as well as two additional counts of insurance fraud in connection with the life insurance policies on his late wife.
TWIN FALLS  Electric scooters are not coming to the city anytime soon.

City Council declined to move forward with any discussions with possible e-scooter vendors during Mondays meeting. Most Council members agreed this is not the right time to introduce e-scooters in the city.

I think, right now, this is a perfect thing to worry about a later time, Councilmember Christopher Reid said.

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Mayor Suzanne Hawkins said city staff effort would be better used dealing with other more pressing issues, such as a property tax bill that Gov. Brad Little recently signed into law that could affect city revenue, rather than handling the process of bringing an e-scooter vendor into town.

Councilmembers also raised questions over where residents would ride the e-scooters. Downtown, only Main Street has wider sidewalks, and city code does not allow motorized vehicles on the canyon rim trail.

If we add a bunch of scooters, Im not sure that walking on the trail at Shoshone Falls would be as much fun as it is right now, Councilmember Greg Lanting said.
Singh had worked as a light rail train driver for eight or nine years and had a wife, two small children and many family members, said his cousin, Bagga Singh.

We heard that he chose the people to shoot, but I dont know why they choose him because he has nothing to do with him," he said. He said he was told that the gunman targeted certain people and let others go.

San Jose City Councilman Raul Peralez said Rudometkin was a close friend. There are no words to describe the heartache we are feeling right now, especially for his family, he wrote on Facebook. Eight families are feeling this same sense of loss tonight and our entire community is mourning as well.

The attacker was identified as 57-year-old Sam Cassidy, according to two law enforcement officials. Investigators offered no immediate word on a possible motive.

His ex-wife, Cecilia Nelms, told The Associated Press that Cassidy had a bad temper and would tell her that he wanted to kill people at work, but I never believed him, and it never happened. Until now.

Nelms, teary-eyed and shaken by the news, said her ex-husband would come home wound up and angry about things that happened at work. As he talked about it, he would get more mad, she said. He could dwell on things.
MADRID (AP)  The leader of the Western Sahara independence movement at the heart of a diplomatic spat between Spain and Morocco will appear before an investigating judge in Spain on June 1, representatives of the Polisario Front in the country said Wednesday.

Brahim Ghali heads the Polisario Front and the self-declared Sahrawi Democratic Arab Republic based in refugee camps in western Algeria. He has been recovering from COVID-19 in a Spanish hospital, where he checked in under a false identity after arriving in the country with an Algerian diplomatic passport.

His presence has irked Rabat, which annexed the Western Sahara in the 1970s, and has been tied to the sudden arrival of more than 8,000 migrants  many of them unaccompanied children  to a Spanish enclave in northern Africa that shares a border with Morocco.

The Moroccan government has said that it won't reinstate its ambassador to Madrid if Ghali leaves Spain with the same secrecy used for his arrival in mid-April and without answering for genocide allegations and other possible crimes that anti-Polisario groups accuse him of.
We want Switzerland to be treated on an equal footing compared to other third-party states (outside the EU), whether it's a question of cooperation or the recognition of equal standards," Cassis told reporters in Bern, the capital.

The EU's executive Commission expressed regret at what it called a unilateral Swiss decision, and said the negotiations were aimed to ensure that anyone with access to the bloc's single market faces the same conditions. It said decades-old EU-Swiss agreements were not up to speed for current bilateral ties.

"We will now analyze carefully the impact of this announcement," it said.

But the bloc has been unflinching in its previous warnings about what a failure to strike the institutional framework agreement would mean. The EU has circulated a fact sheet suggesting that a lack of common rules could cause Switzerland to lose its privileged connection with the blocs electricity system and that the lack of a framework accord was hampering access of Swiss air carriers to the EUs internal market.

The EU also suggested that cooperation in the health sector or labor market would suffer. It has warned that failure to reach an agreement could harm numerous existing agreements, including cooperation in the areas of trade, education and research.
With development in full-swing now involving multiple projects at Commonwealth Crossing, Heath said the future is bright.

Commonwealth Crossing started in 2007, said Heath. We need to know where were going 10, 15, even 20 years from now.

Broadband study

Christian Youngblood, director of Information Services, said the county had received a grant for $50,000 and a $10,000 match from the Harvest Foundation to prepare a broadband study and ECC Technologies in Raleigh had been hired to do the work.

They are literally driving 500 miles through the city and the county to find out where the existing fiber is, Youngblood said. You may want to form an authority at some point to make it incumbent that providers extend their cable into other neighborhoods.

Youngblood said a study would be going out soon to determine the broadband needs of residents and businesses.

There will literally be billions of dollars coming in the next two to three years that are being earmarked for broadband and without this process we would not be eligible [for the money], said Youngblood. Its extremely important that we have this.

In other matters the board

Approved a request from General Registrar Dawn Stultz-Vaughn to request the continuance of split voting precincts until redistricting was complete. The Virginia General Assembly is requiring all voting precincts to be in only one district and Henry County has three that are split. Redistricting could solve the problem, or create more, so the request is to adjust the precincts after redistricting is completed.

Bill Wyatt is a reporter for the Martinsville Bulletin. He can be reached at 276-638-8801, Ext. 236. Follow him @billdwyatt.

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By 2025, 100% of enterprises around the globe will be utilizing cloud technology. Cloud is the future of the ICT industry and the foundation for enterprises digital transformation. Developers are the soul of the industry  Richard Yu, Executive Director of Huawei, and CEO of Huaweis Cloud BU and Consumer Business Group

As the ICT industry steadily grows to become the new global economic growth engine, it is demonstrating unprecedented socioeconomic value. It continues to revolutionize all parts of the human experience, by drastically changing how people work, communicate, learn and live. Adoption of key ICT technologies, such as cloud, computing, and AI is further accelerating the digital transformation of enterprises and industries, alike. These technologies, are not only helping industries go digital but are also helping to reimagine experiences, optimize processes, enable innovations and building core competitiveness for the future.

However, the true catalysts of these technological advancements are the developers who drive scientific research, enterprise innovation, and the industry as a whole forward. They not only empower the ecosystem but contribute significantly to this all-scenario, intelligent era. Huawei firmly believes that developers are the soul of the industry and is committed to working with them to accelerate the cloud and intelligent transformation of businesses.

Huawei has created immense value by persistently pursuing innovation. Last year, at Huawei Developer Conference 2020, Huawei shared the achievements it made in computer vision and showcased significant applications for Huaweis Atlas AI computing platform, on the cloud, edge, and devices. Continuing its commitment to pushing the boundaries of pervasive intelligence, this year at Huawei Developer Conference (HDC.Cloud) 2021, Huawei launched six innovative products and services that help deliver new levels of efficiency and quality to help developers push new frontiers.

6 Revolutionary Products for Cloud Native and AI

With the development and application of cloud native and AI technologies, industries are accelerating their upgrade to all-scenario intelligence. This gives rise to three opportunities: application modernization, data assetization, and AI industrialized development. Huaweis six new products help developers get better positioned for the opportunities in this process:

1. HUAWEI CLOUD CCE Turbo: accelerating enterprise application innovation

Containerization is critical for application modernization. As containers are widely used in enterprise core systems and innovative services, enterprises expectations of container performance, elasticity, and scheduling capabilities are getting higher. HUAWEI CLOUD CCE Turbo accelerates computing, networks, and scheduling.

For computing acceleration, CCE Turbo is the only container cluster in the industry that supports full container component offload with zero loss of server resources or performance. This feature helps VIPKid, a leading education company, improve audio and video service performance by up to 40%. It smooths user experience with zero frame freezing in online classes.

For network acceleration, CCE Turbos innovative container pass-through network transforms a two-layer network into a single layer network. The end-to-end connection time is halved  meaning that capacity expansion of thousands of containers can be performed in seconds  and latency is reduced by 40%.

For scheduling acceleration, CCE Turbo senses different application models and network topologies, automatically optimizes task scheduling policies, and implements large-scale hybrid deployment and intelligent scheduling of offline and online services.

2. HUAWEI CLOUD CloudIDE: an intelligent programming assistant for developers

CloudIDE provides developers with a lightweight and fast programming experience, enabling them to perform intelligent online programming anytime, anywhere, and on any terminal. It supports the following features:

Thanks to the intelligent code completion technology of SmartAssist, CloudIDE can find all completion results, and determine and sort possible results, improving the accuracy of multi-symbol and long results.

It supports completion for complex contexts, and even obscure third-party APIs.

By automatically avoiding recommending outdated, obsolete, and dangerous APIs, it makes your code more robust and secure.

3. HUAWEI CLOUD GaussDB (for openGauss) database: a trusted choice for migrating enterprise core data to the cloud

For an enterprise to truly go to the cloud and become data-driven, a key step is migrating its database to the cloud. Unlike traditional databases, HUAWEI CLOUD GaussDB(for openGauss) has the following three characteristics:

High performance: Its transaction processing capability is 54% higher than that of similar products in the industry, and its complex query latency is 82% lower than that of similar products.

High elasticity: In the face of traffic peaks, computing nodes can be expanded in just minutes and storage capacity can be expanded in seconds. The expansion process does not disrupt services.

High availability: When a single point of failure occurs, the unique Switch Turbo technology ensures switchover within 10 seconds (less than one third of the time required by its counterparts) and provides the geo-redundant DR capability.

4. Trusted Intelligent Computing Service (TICS): unlocking data value while ensuring security

As a key factor of production, data needs to able to flow flexibly to maximize value. However, it can still be difficult to realize openness, sharing, and circulation. HUAWEI CLOUD TICS provides security for innovative and converged applications of data elements, enabling secure data flow and maximizing data value.

5. HUAWEI CLOUD Pangu Model: including the worlds largest Chinese NLP model and vision pre-trained model

AI has become a new driver of productivity, but AI development is still at a rudimentary stage, severely curbing the full potential of AI productivity. Based on the industrial AI development model of pre-training + downstream fine-tuning, the Pangu Model is accelerating the introduction of AI into a wide range of industries and is making inclusive AI a reality. The freshly released Pangu NLP model is the industrys first Chinese NLP model with hundred billions of parameters, and the Pangu CV model is the industrys largest CV model. In the Chinese Language Understanding Evaluation (CLUE) Benchmark, the Pangu NLP model ranked No. 1 in the total CLUE ranking, CLUE classification ranking, and CLUE machine reading ranking.

6. Infrastructure software: enabling diversified computing

Cloud innovation depends on the support of infrastructure software root technologies such as operating systems, databases, and middleware. Huawei has built a complete set of basic computing software stacks, including the operating system, enterprise-grade database, and all-scenario AI computing framework, to enable diversified computing power and support HUAWEI CLOUD innovation.

During the event, Huawei also announced a US$220 million investment into its Huawei Developer Program 2.0 this year. The Huawei Developer Program 2.0 will include the newly announced HUAWEI CLOUD Partner Innovation Program, Kunpeng OpenMind Project, and Ascend OpenMind Project. This rich package of support will help to continuously foster a robust ecosystem around HUAWEI CLOUD, Kunpeng, and Ascend.

Since the release of the Huawei Developer Program in 2015, Huawei has been committed to a philosophy of open hardware, open source software, partner enablement, and talent development, as it works to build a constantly prosperous industry ecosystem. Up to now, HUAWEI CLOUD, Kunpeng, and Ascend have attracted 2.4 million developers. HUAWEI CLOUD IaaS ranks No. 2 in China and No. 5 in the world, making it the fastest-growing mainstream cloud vendor. Partner-shipped products based on the Kunpeng motherboard accounted for 52% of the total Kunpengbased product shipment in 2020. Three open source communities, openEuler, openGauss, and MindSpore, have been built around operating systems, databases, and AI frameworks. These communities are now taking shape and thriving. Huawei will continue to open its technological innovation capabilities and work with developers and partners to accelerate the cloud and intelligent transformation of businesses.

Authored by:- Mr. Steve Kim, President, Cloud & AI Business Group, Huawei India

(The views expressed in this article are by  Mr. Steve Kim, President, Cloud & AI Business Group, Huawei India. Technuter.com doesnt own any responsibility for it.)
This type of crime is horrific. Its not something we see here in Rockingham County. In fact, in my more than 30-year career in law enforcement in this county, I dont think Ive seen anything like it, Page said in a Tuesday email.

Our team at the Sheriffs Office is working hard to identify the shooter(s) and bring them to justice. At this point in the investigation, we do not believe this was a random act. My top priority is and always will be protecting our citizens and keeping them safe.

Motorists alerted authorities that two victims were lying along the road, RCSO Public Information Officer Lt. Kevin Suthard said in the release Monday night.

We will not be releasing the names or identifying information about the victims at this time out of concern for the surviving victims safety as well as any family members of any of the victims involved, Page said Tuesday, explaining his decision was based on a recommendation by Rockingham County District Attorney Jason Ramey.

Deputies and other first responders found a third victim shortly after arriving on the scene, according to the release.

A caller to 911 can be heard describing a woman who told him shed been shot. He said hed found the woman near Exit 153 on U.S. 29.
Prescribed burning is essential to the perpetuation, restoration and management of many plant and animal communities. Prescribed fire mimics the benefits of naturally occurring fires by opening the forest canopy, allowing diverse plants to grow; improving habitat for many wildlife species; controlling competition from undesirable vegetation; recycling nutrients back into the soil; and, reducing leaf litter and woody debris that fuel hard-to-control wildfires.

Prescribed fire is a delicate balance between weather, fuel and smoke management conditions. All these variables are considered and incorporated into a prescribed burn plan before a prescribed burn is carried out. Prescribed burns are conducted on days when these predetermined thresholds are met. While spring is a time of the year when our state can experience higher wildfire activity, there are windows of time to conduct prescribed burning in a safe and effective manner. Due to the constraints of weather, fuel and smoke management, suitable burning windows can be short. As a result, prescribed fire practitioners must maximize use of those windows, implementing fire on the ground when parameters are conducive, according to the news release.
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Our goal is to improve college access and reduce barriers to student success. This is an equity-focused initiative that will allow all the opportunity to improve their lives by gaining knowledge and skills for todays economy. Merritt said. We have a unique mixture of federal, state and local grants, scholarships, endowments and private dollars we will leverage to initiate the new program for the 2021-22 academic year.

Students who complete Admissions Steps 1-4 described in the New Students section of the McDowell Tech homepage by July 15 will receive priority consideration to be awarded aid by the first day of class in Fall 2021. Applications will be accepted beyond this date as well. College staff will be available throughout the summer to answer questions on both the Learn and Grow Scholarship Program, as well as the admissions process.

Selected continuing education classes also start this summer. Contact Tabitha Buff at 828-659-0465 or tmbuff54@go.mcdowelltech.edu to learn more.
At the time, Chad Daybell was married to Tammy Daybell, a fit 49-year-old school librarian who helped him run the publishing company. She died in October of 2019. Her obituary said she died in her sleep of natural causes.

Authorities grew suspicious when Chad Daybell remarried just two weeks later, and they had Tammy Daybells body exhumed in Utah in December. The results of that autopsy have not been released.

Police began searching for Tylee and JJ in November after relatives raised concerns. Police say the Daybells lied to investigators about their whereabouts before quietly leaving Idaho. They were found in Hawaii months later, without the children.

The indictment details several new charges filed against Lori and Chad Daybell. The grand jury alleged that the Daybells and Cox conspired with other unnamed people to kill the children, and that they planned to steal the Social Security survivor benefits that the children were entitled to because of the deaths of their fathers. (Tylee Ryans father died in 2018 of a reported heart attack.)

The indictment also alleges the Daybells and Cox conspired to kill Tammy Daybell, and that Cox even practiced shooting, going to a gun range and searching the internet for information about bullet velocity and shooting through vehicles.
Born to German immigrant parents in Syracuse, New York, Carle and his family returned to Germany  Nazi Germany, at the time - when he was 6. Under the Nazis, modern, expressionistic and abstract art was banned and only realistic and naturalistic art was permitted.

When Carle was 12 or 13, a high school art teacher would change his life by inviting him to his home, where he secretly showed his expressionist art, including Franz Marcs Blue Horse.

I was used to pretty paintings with a mountain in the background. Although I was shocked, I always carried that day in my heart, Carle told NPR in 2011. As an illustrator, he said he chose to portray animals in unconventional colors to show his young readers that in art, there is no wrong color. He thanked Marc in the pages of The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse.

His signature illustration technique was done by piecing pictures together chiefly from tissue paper that he had painted with various colors and textures. It sounds corny, but I think I connect with the child in me, and I think others do, too, he told The Associated Press in 2003.
Kajsa Brolin, doctoral student in Translational Neurogenetics at Lund University, is using the biobank in her doctoral thesis. Credit: Kennet Ruona

Around 20,000 Swedes are currently suffering from Parkinson's disease, yet there are still only treatments to alleviate symptoms. Through a new biobank, researchers gain access to the genetic profiles of 1000 Parkinson's patients together with comprehensive information about their lifestyles and medical histories.

"I am convinced that many researchers will use the biobank over the next few years, which could lead to the development of new treatments," says Andreas Puschmann, associate professor of neurology at Lund University Hospital.

An estimated 20,000 Swedes suffer from Parkinson's disease and 2,000 new cases are added every year. In the early stages of the disease, the patient's mobility is most affected. In later stages, patients can have problems such as sleep disorders, worry, low mood, depression and dementia. The treatments currently available only address symptom alleviation, mainly by providing the brain with new dopamine. There is a great need to find new drugs that could combat this serious disease.

In the Multipark strategic research area at Lund University, a large research team is working on mapping the development of Parkinson's disease to find new treatments. Over four years, the researchers have built up a biobank of blood samples. Half of all Parkinson's patients in Skane, 1,000 people, and an equally large control group matched in terms of gender, age and location, have submitted blood samples and answered questions in a broad questionnaire which captures everything from lifestyle factors, symptoms, course of the disease and use of medication.

Many types of analysis

The new biobank contains various kinds of samples from the patientsserum, plasma, DNA and RNAwhich are preserved deep-frozen underground in Lund's Biobank Syd.

"We chose to take blood samples that enable many types of analysis depending on whether researchers in the future will want to look at biomarkers or genetic variations. The patient surveys we conducted enable the study of biomarkers and genetics in the blood and their connection with environmental factors. Access to the Swedish Parkinson's register also enables patients to be monitored over time, and the study of their medical history and use of medication," explains Maria Swanberg, associate professor of translational neurogenetics at the Department of Experimental Medical Sciences. She is the biobank coordinator and the person to contact if you want to use it in your research and have questions and applications for access to samples.

Maria Swanberg herself has studied the lifestyle factors that can have a direct or indirect impact on whether or not a person will suffer from Parkinson's disease. These factors include coffee and tobacco consumption as well as exposure to herbicides.

"One strength of the case control study is that we see how it reproduces the known research results about Parkinson's disease. As in several previous studies, we can observe that smokers and coffee-drinkers are affected to a lesser extent whereas exposure to pesticides increases the risk of the disease."

Most common genetic mutations

Andreas Puschmann, associate professor of neurology at Lund University Hospital, together with researchers at the Karolinska Institute and the Universities of Gothenburg and Umea, has used the biobank in a research project. 658 of a total of 2206 DNA samples were retrieved from the biobank in Lund. The aim of the study was to find out how often the most commonly identified genetic mutations behind the disease are found in Sweden compared with other population groups in the world. It emerged that only 13 patients, or 0.6 % of the Swedish patients, had any of the mutations that have aroused a lot of attention and for which treatments are currently under development.

"We also discovered another aspect. It turned out that 21 percent of all patients had a relative with Parkinson's, despite there being so few mutation carriers. We suspect that there is a significant genetic link to the disease, but that there may also be other underlying genetic factors and mechanisms. Instead of a single gene, there may be an interaction between two or three genes," says Andreas Puschmann.

The researchers are now rapidly finding new methods to understand how genetics affects which diseases we get. Biobanks, such as the one built up by Multipark, with blood samples and patient information, are a prerequisite for making progress with regard to Parkinson's disease. Besides DNA samples, the researchers can also study RNAas an intermediary step between our DNA and the proteins that are to be encoded. If the DNA is the plan itself, the RNA is the transcriptionand the protein is the final product.

"The RNA samples in the biobank enable researchers to observe the effect of the mutations on the genetic expression, for example. We will be able to do a lot in the next few years. Progress is being made step by step, which could lead to the development of new treatments," says Andreas Puschmann.

Combining enormous amounts of data

Kajsa Brolin, doctoral student in Translational Neurogenetics at Lund University, is using the biobank in her doctoral thesis.

"It is fantastic that so many people have volunteered, half of all Parkinson's patients in Skane. This is unique and makes it one of the largest case control studies in Sweden. For me, it feels important to give something back."

In an attempt to answer the question of why people get Parkinson's disease, Kajsa Brolin has combined information about patients' lifestyles with analysis of the genetic material. Why do smokers not get the disease as often as non-smokers? Can the explanation be found in the smallest components of DNA?

The basic building block in DNA is a large molecule called a nucleotide, which in turn is made up of nitrogenous basesadenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine. Each individual has millions of variations of these nitrogen bases.

By compiling enormous amounts of data, combining them and conducting statistical analyses, Kajsa Brolin is trying to determine the significance of the genetic material at this microlevel for whether or not an individual will be affected by Parkinson's disease.

"I combine data to see whether there is any connection between the nitrogenous bases, lifestyle habits and whether or not a person gets the disease. I conduct specific analyses on a group level but one can also use the biobank to examine the cell or protein level."

What do you believe the biobank will contribute in future?

"The major goal is to understand the disease. The main focus is on the genetic causes of the disease and on understanding the underlying biological processes. The big objective is to find new drugs; I hope that the biobank can be one piece of that particular puzzle," says Kajsa Brolin.

Biobank facts

Multipark's biobank is a unique case control study in Sweden which includes half of all Parkinson's disease patients in Skane. Finding new treatments for Parkinson's disease requires international collaborations. Multipark is now working to get the cohort included in a larger context and in studies initiated by the International Parkinson's Disease Genomics Consortium (IPDGC) and the Global Parkinson's Genetic Programme (GP2), among others.

Explore further Improving prediction of Parkinson's disease
Biochip technology developed at TU Wien. Credit: Vienna University of Technology

In pharmaceutical research, small tissue spheres are used as mini-organ models for reproducible tests. TU Wien has found a way to develop a reliable standard for these tissue samples.

Before drugs are tested in clinical trials, they must be tested either by animal experiments or, more recently, artificially produced tissue samples. For this purpose, cells are cultivated, and tiny spheres with a diameter of less than one millimeter are made. However, the problem is that there have been no uniform standards for these tissue samples and no reliable method for producing them with uniform size and shape. Therefore, results from different laboratories are hardly comparable with each other, as the tissue size directly influences the behavior of cells and drugs.

An invention by TU Wien can now solve this problem: A biochip has been developed that can be used to produce tissue beads in precisely the desired sizes and supply them with nutrients or even drugs through a thin channel. A patent application has already been filed for the new biochip technology.

Better preclinical studies

"In preclinical studies, drugs are tested on small tissue samples to understand them as well as possible before they can be administered to test subjects," says Christoph Eilenberger, a doctoral student in Prof. Peter Ertl's biochip research group at the Institute for Applied Synthesis Chemistry at TU Wien. Carrying out these studies with higher precision means taking the next step faster and more reliably.

Maximum scientific accuracy in these studies can save not only a lot of money but also a lot of time on the long road to producing a marketable drug. Well-defined tissue samples are also indispensable in other research areasfor example, when studying the development of tumor cells or when ensuring the safety of food or cosmetic products.

Standardizing size and shape

"The size of the samples is a crucial factor in all these studies," says Mario Rothbauer, a postdoc at the Institute of Applied Synthesis Chemistry. "If the tissue consists of only a few cells, the environmental conditions are practically the same for all cells. For tissue spheres with a slightly larger diameter, differences begin to play a greater role, for example, when the concentration of certain chemicals is not the same everywhere." Therefore, experiments are only comparable if you precisely standardize the size and shape of the tissue samples.

The biochip team at TU Wien investigated in numerous experiments how this can best be done: "We created cavities in our biochips with very different sizes and geometric shapescylinders, ellipses, spherical segments. They influence tissue growth in very different ways." As it turned out, the radius of curvature is crucial; sharp edges are a disadvantage.

Success was finally achieved with hemispherical cell containers, with diameters between 0.1 mm and 1 mm. "Producing such shapes is not easy. We used microlenses, which are usually used for optical experiments," says group leader Prof. Peter Ertl.

A whole series of these hemispheres is applied to the biochip and populated with cells. With a sophisticated system of fine tubes, it is possible, for example, to ensure that different cavities are supplied with varying concentrations of drug. This creates a precisely defined, standardized experimental environment on an area of just a few square centimeters.

Suitable for industry

The new system was tested with different types of cells: "In one experiment we created an artificial blood-brain barrier. In another, we tested the effectiveness of a cancer drug," says Christoph Eilenberger. "This allowed us to show that our chip performs well in typical preclinical tests." The biochip is currently being used at the renowned Harvard Medical School, where Eilenberger is spending time abroad to research developed resistance of tumor cells to breast cancer drugs. The chip helps to standardize and replicate the patient's specific tumor milieu with greater efficiency to make targeted therapy responses and predictions about the risk of relapse.

The design of the new method was designed from the outset for industrial suitability: Experiments can be automated, chips can be combined and stacked to produce and test large numbers of spherical cell samples in a short time. "The system is ideally suited for use in pharmaceutical research," Mario Rothbauer is convinced, "which is why we have already applied for a patent for our idea, and we are already in talks with various companies from the pharmaceutical industry who are very interested in our new technology."

Explore further A chip with blood vessels

More information: Christoph Eilenberger et al, A Microfluidic Multisize Spheroid Array for Multiparametric Screening of Anticancer Drugs and BloodBrain Barrier Transport Properties, Advanced Science (2021). Journal information: Advanced Science Christoph Eilenberger et al, A Microfluidic Multisize Spheroid Array for Multiparametric Screening of Anticancer Drugs and BloodBrain Barrier Transport Properties,(2021). DOI: 10.1002/advs.202004856
AstraZeneca's failure to deliver the promised doses sparked a bitter war of words between the drug company and the EU earlier this year.

The European Union on Wednesday asked a Belgian court to impose penalties running to millions of euros per day on AstraZeneca for Covid-19 vaccine doses it has failed to deliver to the bloc.

The request came as EU countries and their executive, the European Commission, began legal action against the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical company for "flagrant violation" of its contract with Brussels.

AstraZeneca's lawyer Hakim Boularbah rejected the EU claim, declaring: "There was no manifest breach of contract. It is very shocking to be accused of fraud."

The EU is suing AstraZeneca to force it to deliver 90 million more doses of its coronavirus vaccine before July, arguing that the company failed in its contractual duty by handing over only a fraction of promised shots.

The deadline for the contract is set for mid-June, according to the Commission, and the EU says the company should face financial penalties if it does not meet this deadline.

The EU's legal team demanded an upfront fine of 10 million euros ($12 million) plus "10 euros per dose and per day of delay" in that event.

AstraZeneca delivered only 30 million doses in the first quarter out of the 120 million it was contracted to supply. For the current quarter, which runs until June 30, it plans to deliver only 70 million of the 180 million doses initially promised.

A Commission official close to the case told AFP this month AstraZeneca was currently delivering doses at a rate of only 10 million per month, well below the planned pace.

But Bourlarbah told the court the firm would eventually supply 300 million doses and that "everything is being done to resolve the problems".

The company's defence relies on a part of the contract that speaks of "best reasonable efforts" by AstraZeneca and declarations that production was hit by unavoidable delays.

AstraZeneca's French-Australian boss Pascal Soriot laid out the argument ahead of the court case in a series of interviews with the press.

But the lawyer for the EU, Rafael Jeffareli, argued in court that the firm had prioritised supplies to Britain and beyond, while failing to make the best effort to step up production at its EU site in the Netherlands, operated by sub-contractor Halix.

Jeffareli alleged that for several weeks after the EU signed its contract with the firm in September last year, the Dutch plant had continued to supply markets other than the EU.

AstraZenca boss Pascal Soriot has denied that the company has failed in its obligations.

"Best effort means flexibility. Why did the switchover of the Halix site (to EU supply) only start on October 13?" he demanded.

The Halix plant in Leiden, the Netherlands, had sent supplies to Japan at the end of last year, he said. In total, "50 million doses were diverted to third countries in flagrant violation of the contract".

The drugs giant's team told the court that AstraZeneca was one of the major suppliers of vaccines to poorer countries facing an ongoing Coronavirus crisis, whereas Europe is already better supplied.

"The urgency today is not so much vaccination in Europe, it's that of the world population," Boularbah said.

'Unprecedented speed'

AstraZeneca, which worked with Britain's Oxford University in the development of its vaccine, denies having failed in its obligations. It rejects the lawsuit as "unfounded".

The company's team said the EU had been warned in February of the delays, which came after the vaccine was developed and put into production at "unprecedented speed". They argued the contract did not oblige them to meet particular deadlines.

The judge in the case set June 4 as the next court date in order to possibly question both parties. A final ruling is not expected before the end of June.

The commission, which has procured vaccines on behalf of the whole of the EU, initially intended the AstraZeneca jab as the main workhorse in the bloc's inoculation drive.

It has now switched to the more expensive Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine as its mainstay.

The row has eroded public confidence in the AstraZeneca jab, which is also suffering negative perceptions in some countries because of worries over links to very rare fatal blood clots that can prove fatal.

Denmark stopped using AstraZeneca in its vaccination campaign as early as April, followed later by Norway and Austria.

Most other countries have restricted its use to older adults, including in France where it is reserved for those aged 55 and over.

Explore further EU-AstraZeneca vaccine court hearing set for May 26

 2021 AFP
An illustration of an aortic aneurysm and a demonstration of the thumb-palm test. Credit: Yale University

A Yale study has found that a self-conducted test involving the thumb and palm of one hand could help alert thousands of people each year to their risk of having a hidden aortic aneurysm.

Aortic aneurysms are the 13th most common cause of death among Americans, killing about 10,000 people each year. They affect adults of all ages.

If an aneurysm is detected early enough, a patient can be kept safe via restricting exercise, radiographic monitoring, or surgery.

But aortic aneurysms are hard to detect in advance, physicians say.

"The biggest problem in aneurysm disease is recognizing affected individuals within the general population before the aneurysm ruptures," said Dr. John A. Elefteriades, the William W.L. Glenn Professor of Surgery at Yale and emeritus director of the Aortic Institute at Yale New Haven Hospital. He is senior author of the new study, published in the American Journal of Cardiology.

For at least the past two decades, Elefteriades said, he and his colleagues have included the thumb-palm test in lectures to medical students and used the test for patients who might be at risk of carrying an aneurysm.

Yet despite its frequent usage, the test's accuracy had not been evaluated in a clinical setting, the researchers said.

The test is simple: Holding up one hand and keeping the palm flat, the patient flexes their thumb as far as possible across the palm. If the thumb crosses beyond the far edge of the flat palm, the patient may be harboring a hidden aneurysm.

Being able to move the thumb in that way is an indication that a patient's long bones are excessive and their joints are laxpossible signs of connective tissue disease throughout the body, including the aorta.

The researchers said it is important to emphasize that not everyone who tests positive is an aneurysm carrier. Also, they noted, aneurysms often take decades to progress to the point of rupture and a positive test is not cause for panic.

For the study, the researchers gave the test to 305 patients undergoing cardiac surgery for a variety of disorders, including aortic aneurysms. "Our study showed that the majority of aneurysm patients do not manifest a positive thumb-palm sign, but patients who do have a positive test have a high likelihood of harboring an aneurysm," Elefteriades said.

Based on their findings, Elefteriades and his colleagues said the thumb-palm test should be included in standard physical examinations of patientsparticularly those who have a family history of aortic aneurysm.

"Spreading knowledge of this test may well identify silent aneurysm carriers and save lives," Elefteriades said.

More information: Rachel Blumel et al, Accuracy of the "Thumb-Palm Test" for Detection of Ascending Aortic Aneurysm, The American Journal of Cardiology (2021). Journal information: American Journal of Cardiology Rachel Blumel et al, Accuracy of the "Thumb-Palm Test" for Detection of Ascending Aortic Aneurysm,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2021.03.041
Mastercard has announced that the Bahrain-based NEC Payments is now a global partner of Mastercard Fintech Express, which connects tech-savvy startups with traditional players such as banks.

The programme supports digital payment innovators by making it simple to collaborate with the tech company and its partners to launch new products, add payment solutions and innovate through collaboration.

The partnership will enable other fintech players to start their Mastercard issuing business at speed, unlocking more opportunities for the entire ecosystem. NEC Payments is the first Fintech Express partner globally, bringing new scale to the possibilities and potential for start-ups.

In a constantly changing market environment, Mastercard is continuously adapting by creating new programs and partnerships to enable diversification, drive digital transformation and accelerate new players. We are delighted to welcome NEC Payments as our global partner as we together support fintech innovation, and creation of more connections, better user experiences, wider inclusion, increased competitiveness and exciting new possibilities, said J K Khalil, Country Manager, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain & Levant, Mastercard.

Mastercard Fintech Express was launched last year and is split into three core modules. Access enables regulated entities to obtain a Mastercard licence and access its network through a streamlined onboarding process. Build helps fintechs as processors to become an Express Partner by building unique tech alliances and benefiting from advantages that Mastercard provides. Connect makes it easy for startups who want to add payment solutions to their suite of products, to connect with qualified Express Partners available on the Mastercard Engage web portal, and go live with Mastercard in a matter of days.

NEC Payments is a digital banking technology and payment services provider licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain. Formed in 2014 with the objective of supporting the growth of the financial services industry in GCC; the fast-growing company now provides its innovative technical and digital financial services solutions to banks and non-financial institutions across the GCC and broader EMEA region and recently broke ground in North America.

Andrew Sims, CEO, NEC Payments said: We continue to develop our extensive business capabilities in partnership with Mastercard and look forward to meeting the needs of upcoming startups as they scale and expand, adding value as an enabler to the fintech ecosystem and as the first vertically-integrated true Banking-as-a-Service provider in the Mena region.

In addition to Mastercards growth-focused digital expertise, the technology company has the global reach, network of partners and local knowledge to support fintechs at every stage of growth  from market entry to global expansion. Through programmes such as Start Path and Fintech Express in the Mastercard Accelerate portfolio, the technology company partners with emerging innovators to help connect 1 billion people to the digital economy by 2025.-- TradeArabia News Service
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Experts who sit on national vaccine advisory panels are asked to disclose any industry ties and other conflicts of interest. But an investigation published by The BMJ today finds that disclosure standards differ widely, often leaving the public in the dark.

Investigative journalist Paul D Thacker looked at experts sitting on the covid-19 authorisation committees at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as those on the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises the government on vaccines.

Both the FDA and the UK government require panellists to disclose conflicts only from the previous 12 months, "which can miss significant financial payments that occurred in recent years," he notes.

He found that most experts on the FDA and JCVI committees registered no conflicts of interest. For example, from the JCVI's December meeting on 22 December 2020, the minutes report that 18 of 19 members had "no registered conflicts of interest," a pattern repeated in its eight other minuted meetings.

And among FDA experts who were not industry or consumer representatives, the agency reported that 20 of 21 voting members had no conflicts at the 10 December advisory committee, as well as the same or a similar proportion at other covid vaccine meetings.

Thacker also finds that in some cases an expert has made a disclosurefor example, receiving a study grant or honorarium from a vaccine manufacturerbut the committee has not deemed it a conflict.

A spokesperson for Public Health England told The BMJ that for a single issue meeting of the JCVI such as for covid-19, conflicts of interest must be reported "only if they relate directly to that matter, rather than more widely."

Transparency problems increase with the UK's MHRA, which authorises vaccines after seeking advice from the Commission on Human Medicines, an independent expert scientific advisory body to government ministers, adds Thacker, saying: "The commission does not make its advice public, publishes a scant record of meeting minutes, and has not disclosed its members' declarations of financial interest since 2018."

In the US, outside experts advise the FDA on whether to approve or authorise products. Thacker notes that only two members were reported to have conflicts of interest among several covid authorisation panels that met in late 2020. But The BMJ found panellists who had significant financial matters by looking at the Open Payments disclosure website and examining panellists' published papers.

For example, Open Payments reported that Arnold Monto, professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and acting chair for the FDA's covid vaccine authorisation meetings, had received over $24,000 in payments from drug companies in 2019.

Adriane Fugh-Berman, professor of pharmacology and physiology at Georgetown University in Washington, DC says that these results reveal how confusing disclosure is and that common rules are needed.

Few people realise that there's no common standard for what must be disclosed and how far back, she explains, nor that disclosure is a two step process. Experts disclose interests to an entitysuch as a journal, university, or government agencywhich then decides what to disclose to the public. "There needs to be standardisation of what should be disclosed and how it should be disclosed," she says.

Joel Lexchin of York University in Toronto, who publishes research on conflicts of interest, suggests that government agencies should publish everything that experts disclose to them, instead of picking and choosing what to make public.

He agrees that a standardised, universal disclosure form would make compliance easier for people and help avoid confusion about which financial matters should be disclosed and what the institutions should make public. "People can legitimately follow whatever rules they encounter, but important things may still get left out," he explains.

The BMJ's investigation also uncovered close ties between a leading medical journal and the FDA's authorisation process.

The editor in chief of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), Eric Rubin, sat on the authorisation panels for and voted to recommend authorising the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson covid-19 vaccines.

Pfizer and Moderna subsequently published their clinical trials in NEJM. Yet Rubin declared no conflicts of interest to all three vaccine panels.

Asked by The BMJ whether he recused himself from the decisions on the NEJM submissions, he said: "Overall, we consider the deep involvement of editors in the medical and research communities to be a strength, not a problem."

More information: Feature: Covid-19: How independent were the US and British vaccine advisory committees? The BMJ DOI: 10.1136/bmj.n1283 , www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1283 Feature: Covid-19: How independent were the US and British vaccine advisory committees?
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

New research indicates that patients with kidney failure who receive care at for-profit dialysis facilities are less likely to be referred for kidney transplants that those receiving care at non-profit facilities. The findings will appear in an upcoming issue of CJASN.

Kidney transplantation is the optimal therapy for most patients with kidney failure. Many patients first initiate dialysis and are referred for a transplant by kidney specialists through dialysis facilities. Previous studies have reported that patients treated at for-profit dialysis facilities are less likely than those treated at non-profit facilities to be placed on a transplant waitlist and to receive a transplant. Little information is available concerning earlier steps in the process, howevernamely, referrals and medical evaluations for transplantation.

To investigate, a team led by Rachel E. Patzer, Ph.D. and Laura J. McPherson, MPH (Emory University) examined referral and evaluation data from all 9 transplant centers in the Southeastern United States (Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina), as well as information from the United States Renal Data System.

The analysis included 33,651 patients with kidney failure who initiated dialysis in the Southeast from 2012 to 2016. Eighty-five percent of patients received dialysis treatments at for-profit facilities, and 15% were treated at non-profit facilities. A total of 44% of patients were referred for transplant during the 4-year study period. After adjustments, patients at for-profit facilities were 16% less likely to receive a referral than patients at non-profit facilities. Rates of starting medical evaluations within 6 months of referral and placing patients on a waitlist within 6 months of evaluations did not meaningfully differ between the groups.

"Our study offers insight into the practice patterns related to referral for transplantation, start of the transplant evaluation at the transplant center, and placement on the national deceased donor waiting list, but our study does not have detailed information about the mechanisms and reasons for these differences in referral between for profit and non-profit facilities," said Dr. Patzer. "The reasons for these differences in referral could be due to differences in patients' health status that are not measured in our dataset, or they could be due to other unmeasured factors such as limited time to educate or refer patients for transplant, or unconscious bias. Future research is still needed to better understand these mechanisms, such as through focus groups and interviews with patients and care provider team members."

An accompanying editorial notes that "the early steps in transplant access remain frustratingly opaque, indicating the ongoing need to address long-standing disparities and ensure equity in treatment options for patients with kidney failure."

Explore further Likelihood of transplant lower at profit-driven dialysis facilities

More information: "Dialysis Facility Profit Status and Early Steps in Kidney Transplantation in the Southeastern United States," CJASN, DOI: 10.2215/CJN.17691120 "Dialysis Facility Profit Status and Early Steps in Kidney Transplantation in the Southeastern United States,"
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

There is growing evidence that house design can decrease the force of malaria infection.

The world's most deadly assassin is Africa's malaria mosquito: Anopheles gambiae. In 2019, the World Health Organisation estimated that malaria killed 386,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly children.

Whilst we think of the home as a sanctuary, in Africa, around 80% of the malaria bites occur indoors at night. Preventing mosquitoes from getting indoors is a simple way of protecting people from this often lethal disease.

As most mosquitoes fly low to the ground, a team of researchers led by Durham University wondered whether if, by raising a house, malaria mosquitoes would struggle to find the occupants.

The findings are published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface.

Using four experimental houses, the researchers found that the number of female An. gambiae mosquitoes collected in the huts declined with increasing height, decreasing progressively as the hut's floor moved further from the ground.

Huts with floors 3 meters above the ground had 84% fewer mosquitoes than those on the ground. Interestingly, if this reduction correlates to a similar reduction in malaria transmission, it would be comparable to that of an insecticide-treated net that can reduce malaria transmission by 40-90%.

Research lead author Professor Steve Lindsay, from the Durham University Department of Biosciences, said: "Working with a team of architects and builders from the Royal Danish AcademyArchitecture, Design and Conservation, we constructed four experimental houses in The Gambia, each of which could be raised or lowered. Each week, one hut was on the ground, whilst the bottoms of the other huts were at 1m, 2m and 3m.

"Each night two men slept under separate mosquito nets in each hut and mosquitoes were collected indoors using a light trap. We changed the height of each house weekly so that, at the end of the 40 night experiment, each hut had been at each of the four heights for 10 nights.

"After analyzing the results, we found that increasing the height of a hut progressively reduced the number of mosquitoes entering the hut and we think there are two reasons for this.

"First, malaria mosquitoes have evolved to find humans on the ground. Second, at higher heights, the carbon dioxide odor plumes coming out of the huts are rapidly dispersed by the wind, so mosquitoes find it more difficult to find a person to bite.

Study lead, Durham University Ph.D. Student Ms Majo Carrasco-Tenezaca said: "These findings have real-world implications for the growing population of sub-Saharan Africa where An. gambiae s.l. is the major vector of malaria and places where high temperatures reduce the use of bed nets.

"Raising houses off the ground, like any intervention, is not evolutionary proof, and over time, mosquitoes may adapt and feed higher off the ground than before.

"Nonetheless, we recommend elevating houses off the ground since they are likely to reduce mosquito biting and keep the occupants cooler at night, and therefore more likely to sleep under an insecticide-treated net at night."

The United Nations has projected that the population of sub-Saharan Africa will more than double between 2019 and 2050, and the region will become the world's most populated by 2062.

Coincident with the increasing growth rate, there has been an unprecedented improvement in the housing stock in sub-Saharan Africa. With an additional 1.05 billion people by 2050, there has never been a better time to make houses healthier for people.

Explore further Pyrethroid plus bed nets reduce malaria infection in areas of high resistance

More information: Majo Carrasco-Tenezaca et al, The relationship between house height and mosquito house entry: an experimental study in rural Gambia, Journal of The Royal Society Interface (2021). Journal information: Journal of the Royal Society Interface Majo Carrasco-Tenezaca et al, The relationship between house height and mosquito house entry: an experimental study in rural Gambia,(2021). DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0256
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

COVID-19 is opening the door for researchers to address a problem that has vexed the medical community for decades: The overtreatment and unnecessary treatment of patients.

On one hand, the pandemic caused major health setbacks for non-COVID-19 patients who were forced to or chose to avoid tests and treatments for various illnesses. On the other hand, in cases in which no harm was done by delays or cancelations, medical experts can now reevaluate whether those procedures are truly necessary.

Numerous studies have shown that overtreatment causes unnecessary suffering and billions of dollars in unnecessary health care costs.

But never before, said researcher Allison Oakes, has there been such a large database to compare patients who received a particular test or treatment with those who did not.

Oakes was a principal author of an October paper in Health Affairs by the Research Consortium for Health Care Value Assessment. The paper noted that COVID provided an important new measurementexamining outcomes for patients who received treatment before hospitals canceled care because of COVID and those who had their care canceled.

Areas ripe for study, said Oakes: Colonoscopies done on patients older than age 85; hemoglobin blood work for Type 2 diabetes patients; semi-elective surgeries, such as knee arthroscopy for articular cartilage surgery; and yearly dental X-rays. All were done less often because of COVID, she said.

"There are two sides of the pie: Low-value care and care that people get in trouble if they don't get," said Oakes, who expects researchers to take advantage of all the data provided from COVID-19 on "both types of care."

One recent study looked at Veterans Affairs patients who had elective surgeries canceled because of COVID. The study found they were no more likely to visit hospital emergency departments than patients who had undergone those surgeries in 2018.

Dr. Heather Lyu of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School said much testing and care was cut back by patients' fears of contracting COVID in a medical setting and because medical facilities and staffers were fighting just to keep up with COVID cases.

"There are some procedures, tests, and exams that cannot be delayed in any situation," Lyu said in an email. For example, she pointed to the screening, surveillance and treatment of cancer patients.

However, she said other tests and treatments can be delayed or canceled without negative effects. Lyu oversaw a 2017 survey of 2,000 physicians, with half the doctors saying the percentage of unnecessary medical care was higher than 20.6% and half saying it was lower.

Unnecessary treatment or overtreatment can result from several factors, the doctors in Lyu's survey said. Concerns about malpractice lead doctors to test even for unlikely problems to avoid missing something, they said. Sometimes health providers have difficulty assessing patients' prior medical records. Then there is the incentive for the health industry to boost revenue, sometimes to help pay for expensive testing equipment, the doctors said.

Leaps in technology are a major factor.

Dr. Jill Wruble, a radiologist at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, said a CT scan that provided 30 or 40 images when she began practicing in the 1990s now provides thousands of high-resolution images.

"We now see things that we would have never seen before, like a lesion that may never become a problem," Wruble said.

Wruble said some patients still opt for aggressive medical treatment for things like that questionable lesion.

"Patients  often resist advice to 'watch and wait' and will demand surgery even when the operation itself comes with potentially dire consequences," Wruble said. The consequences are not only higher costs but potentially years of physical discomfort and pain, along with diminished physical abilities, she said.

Susan Gennaro, dean and professor at the William F. Connell School of Nursing at Boston College, said COVID provides not only opportunities to study unnecessary medical care, but also opportunities to examine areas of insufficient care. She cites a lack of mental health resources for COVID-19 patients suffering through difficult treatment and even facing death without friends or family.

"When we are thinking of new ways to treat, we all need to think about our fascination with surgery and invasive procedures and start thinking more holistically about health," Gennaro said.

COVID-19's upending of scheduled non-COVID-19 care hit hard in March and April last year, when the pandemic first began to overwhelm hospitals. Cancer surgery scheduled in April for Krista Petruzziello, for example, was postponed due to the focus on COVID-19 care.

Instead of surgery, the 49-year-old real estate agent from Lowell, Massachusetts, received hormonal treatment usually reserved for breast cancer patients with larger tumors.

"It was concerning for sure," said Petruzziello. "Who knew a year ago how long it would be until surgery would be available for patients like me?"

It was only about six or seven weeks later when she had successful surgery to remove a tumor shrunken by the hormonal treatment. A recent follow-up scan found her clear of cancer, she said.

"Maybe there will be cases where the tumor disappears altogether [from hormonal treatment], allowing the surgery to be canceled," Petruzziello said. "Wouldn't that be a good thing?"

Dr. Harold Burstein, an oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston who treated Petruzziello, said breast cancer surgery will remain a key component of treatment for the foreseeable future. But he said hormone treatment "before surgery" can shrink the tumor and "hopefully make for less extensive surgery."

COVID-19, he said, forced health care providers to "think outside the box."

Explore further UK cancer patients more likely to die following COVID-19 than European cancer patients

2021 Kaiser Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Ever since the appearance of SARS-CoV-2 variants, a crucial question has been on everybody's minds: will vaccines developed to protect against the "original" strain also work against new variants?

It's a legitimate concern. In late March, South Africa announced that it had sold off all its doses of the AstraZeneva vaccine after studies revealed that it was less effective against the variant dominant in that part of the world (20H/501Y.V2, from the B.1.351 lineage).

What about the groundbreaking RNA vaccines, then? Researchers have been trying to find out. An article published in the journal Cell suggests that some of the variants could be able to escape neutralization by an immune response, whether acquired from a previous infection with the "original" SARS-CoV-2 strain, or from vaccination.

While such studies demonstrate the importance of sustained vigilance, it is far too early to draw conclusions as to potential clinical implications. But let's take a closer look.

When a virus "escapes" from a vaccine response

When environmental conditions are optimal (suitable temperature, abundant food, etc.), microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses can multiply exponentially, producing dizzying numbers of copies of themselves. In the process, mistakesalso known as mutationsoccur. Some are neutral, neither helping nor hurting the microorganism. Others are harmful, which can cause the microorganism to die out. Others still are favorable, giving the microbes a certain advantage over those without the mutation.

Different kinds of advantages existability to feed off a new resource, a new defense mechanism, resistance to new environmental conditions, etc. Antibiotic resistance developed by certain bacteria comes from these kinds of "beneficial" mutations. Another example is escape from vaccine response, which allows infectious microorganisms to remain impervious to the immune response intended to eliminate them.

In order to study the infectiousness of viruses without having to handle these dangerous micro-organisms, virologists have developed pseudotyped retroviral particles. These tools act as "pseudoviruses"particles containing only the genes involved in making the viral envelope of the virus in question. This is where we can find the "keys" that allow the virus to enter the cells it infects (the spike or S protein in the case of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus).

To these genes, researchers add another that produces a fluorescent protein. This means that if the pseudovirus succeeds in entering the target cells, they will glow fluorescent, making them easier to observe.

This tool has already allowed us to study, for example, some entry mechanisms of the Hepatitis C virus in liver cells. It is also often used to demonstrate how patient antibodies block viruses from entering. If they are "neutralizing," it means that the antibodies successfully prevent interactions between proteins used by the virus to penetrate cells and the corresponding receptors, otherwise known as "locks," which are located on the cell surface. In these cases, the virus is stuck at the door, so to speak.

American, German and South African researchers have used this approach to study the ability of serums from vaccinated individuals to neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Here's what their research showed.

Mutations allowing for the escape from immune response

The authors focused on the two messenger RNA vaccines available, i.e. the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (brand name Cominarty, the main vaccine used in France, representing 65.4% of first doses administered) and the Moderna vaccine (in the minority, with 7.7% of first doses). They collected serum samples from 99 vaccinated patients after their first and second injections, and then tested the ability of these samples to neutralize the original S protein, the protein with the D614G mutation, and the S proteins of the so-called "British" variant (B.1.1.7 lineage), "South African" variant (B1.1.351 lineage) and "Brazilian" variant (P1 lineage).

Their results show that the two mRNA vaccines provide effective protection against the original virus, the D614G variant and the British variant, especially after two doses. On the other hand, patient antibodies showed limited neutralization of the S protein from the South African and Brazilian variants, suggesting that these vaccines may be less effective against these variants. This seems to indicate that a small number of mutations could be enough to allow SARS-CoV-2 to escape an immune response induced by these vaccines.

However, the consequences of these results for the population remain to be seen, as highlighted by the authors themselves.

Stay vigilant

Though conducted with a high level of rigor, this is nevertheless an in vitro study, meaning that conclusions cannot be drawn as to the clinical repercussions of these results, which were obtained from cultured cells. We are still lacking information on vaccinated individuals' cell immunity, which could protect them despite the lack of humoral immune protection, i.e. protection from antibodies.

It could also be interesting to study the neutralizing capabilities of serums from people who received the AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a single-dose vaccine that has been available in French pharmacies since April 24. It could also help us understand the abilities of pseudotyped retroviral particles based on the so-called "Indian" variant (20A/484Q, B.1.617 lineage) to escape the effects of vaccines. That would provide indications as to their potential role (still up for debate) in the pandemic currently raging in India.

Finally, these results will have to be corroborated through observations in the general population, in order to answer two questions: can vaccinated people be infected by these variants? If so, do they develop severe forms of the infection, and in what proportions compared to non-vaccinated people?

Still, these new developments are reassuring, particularly for the situation in Franceit would appear that the mRNA vaccines currently available provide effective protection against the British variant that is currently circulating in large numbers.

However, the study emphasizes the importance of taking all necessary precautions to monitor and, if possible, limit the spread of the South African and Brazilian variants, should mRNA vaccines prove to be less effective against these variants in vivo as well. Restrictions for people arriving from regions where these variants are circulating are unfortunately justified, in order to avoid yet another wave in the pandemic.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Teams from the University of Cambridge and the Netherlands-based Hubrecht Institute last year reported they had developed a human embryo "blueprint" using human stem cells.

Scientists called Wednesday for a key 14-day time limit for growing human embryos in the lab to be relaxed as they outlined new ethical guidelines for the fast-changing world of stem cell research.

In its first update since 2016, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) said the decades-old rule had little scientific merit, although they stopped short of giving the green light for researchers to breach the time constraint, which is baked into law in some countries.

For years scientists have had to infer the exact changes that human embryos go through in early development.

But new methods of culturing them in a dishand of creating embryo-like models using stem cellshave enabled scientists to track this process right up to the edge of the two week limit, when the embryos must be destroyed.

It is soon after 14 days that the first signs of the central nervous system appear and the beginnings of tissues are formed.

And scientists think it is during this time that problems occur that cause recurring miscarriages and congenital abnormalities, like those of the heart and spine.

There is increasing recognition of "scientific need and justification for taking it beyond 14 days into this so-called 'black box' period of the next two weeks, where we know very little of what's going on in human embryos," said stem cell and developmental biologist Robin Lovell-Badge, who led the ISSCR update.

"You can also make the ethical argument that given the importance of this period to human development, we have to understand it," said Lovell-Badge, of the Francis Crick Institute in London.

The 14-day rule dates back to the 1980s in Britain, when it was proposed as a way of gaining political approval for research on human embryos by ensuring that there were guardrails.

It is enshrined in law in Britain and certain other countries and has been in ISSCR guidelines for years, meaning that scientists globally abide by the rule.

Lovell-Badge said while the ISSCR was not recommending a new time limit, it has called for public consultation and an ethical framework that could allow longer research on robust scientific grounds.

New 'blastoids'

The ISSCR update covers a wide spectrum of stem cell research, including studies into the implantation of human cells in animal hosts, gene editing and "organoids"tissue cultures derived from stem cells to replicate organs.

One major development in stem cell science is the production of early-stage human embryo modelsmade using stem cells derived from tissue, like skin cells.

Two groups of scientists published research in the journal Nature in March that found different ways to produce models of a human blastocystthe pre-embryonic mass of cells at the stage of development around five days after a sperm fertilises an egg.

These "blastoids" and other simpler embryo-like structures "are not designed in any way to think about reproductive purposes," said Janet Rossant, a professor of Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto, who was part of the ISSCR guidelines group.

But while these blastoids are not subject to the 14-day rule, the limit means scientists would not be able to verify that what they see in the models after two weeks is what really happens in human development.

"If you can validate them, then you don't need to use the human embryos anymore for that type of experiment," said Lovell-Badge, in a press conference by the Science Media Centre.

He said the last 40 years has seen "very few improvements" in success rates for IVF, while incidence of congenital abnormalities have not substantially improved.

"We've been basing things on animal models and we now knowit's been so obvious over the last five yearsthat animals and humans are different" in the various molecular pathways mechanisms they use to make particular critical decisions in the early embryo," he said.

"And so we feel that it is necessary to study human cells in the right context."

Explore further Change may allow scientists to grow human embryos longer

 2021 AFP
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Continuous skin-to-skin contact starting immediately after delivery, even before the baby has been stabilized, can reduce mortality by 25 percent in infants with a very low birth weight. This according to a study in low- and middle-income countries coordinated by the WHO on the initiative of researchers at Karolinska Institutet published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Continuous skin-to-skin contact between infant and mother, or "kangaroo mother care" (KMC), is one of the most effective ways to prevent infant mortality globally. The current recommendation from the World Health Organization (WHO) is that skin-to-skin contact should commence as soon as a low weight baby is sufficiently stable, which for those weighing under 2 kg at birth normally takes several days.

"The idea of giving skin-to-skin contact immediately after delivery to very small, unstable babies has encountered quite strong resistance, but about 75 percent of deaths occur before the infant has been judged sufficiently stable," says Nils Bergman, doctor and researcher at the Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, and one of the initiators of the study.

The new study, financed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and led by WHO, has examined whether immediate Kangaroo Mother Care, iKMC, after delivery leads to even better survival rates for infants with a birth weight of 1 to 1.8 kg in low- and middle-income countries. The study was conducted at five university hospitals in Ghana, India, Malawi, Nigeria and Tanzania, where mortality for these babies, prior to the study, varied between 20 and 30 percent.

To improve and align the care to the greatest possible extent between study hospitals before the start of the study, training was provided in basic neonatal care and basic equipment was procured for measuring the babies' oxygen levels and to provide assisted ventilation. The participating hospitals were also trained in safe skin-to-skin contact for unstable infants. The KI researchers, supported by a colleague from the University of Stavanger, Norway, were responsible for the training and, by frequent visits to the study sites, the assurance of quality of the basic care in both groups and iKMC technique in the intervention group.

In the study, 3,211 infants were randomly assigned to two groups, one that received iKMC and continued skin-to-skin contact at the neonatal unit, where the mothers also received their medical care, and a control group that received standard care, whereby mothers and babies are cared for in separate units and are only reunited during infant feeding. As soon as the babies had stabilized sufficiently, mothers and babies from both groups were transferred to the regular KMC unit. During the first 72 hours, the infants in the iKMC group received approximately 17 hours of skin-to-skin contact per day, compared with 1.5 hours in the control group.

Mortality during the first 28 days was 12 percent in the iKMC group compared to 15.7 percent in the control group, which corresponds to a reduction of 25 percent. There were also significantly fewer babies in the iKMC group with a low body temperature or bacterial blood poisoning.

"The main message is that low weight newborns should receive skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth and subsequently at a mother-infant couplet care unit, where mothers and babies are looked after together without having to be separated," says Bjorn Westrup, consultant and researcher at the Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and co-initiator of the study with Nils Bergman. "Our results suggest that this care model, which in itself isn't resource-demanding, could have significant health effects."

The researchers estimate that iKMC has the potential to save the lives of an additional 150,000 small newborns each year.

"Keeping the mother and baby together right from birth, with zero separation, will revolutionize the way neonatal intensive care is practiced for babies born early or small," says Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Head of Maternal and Newborn Health Research and Development at WHO and the coordinator of the study. "This study illustrates that kangaroo mother care has the potential to save many more lives if it is started immediately after birth, a finding with relevance for countries of all income levels."

WHO is in the process of reviewing its current recommendations on kangaroo mother care, published in 2015, in light of new evidence. WHO recommends KMC for all babies, but the new study gives important evidence on the lifesaving role of immediate KMC for unstable small babies.

Explore further Skin-to-skin contact does not improve interaction between mother and preterm infant

More information: Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care and Survival of Low Birth Weight Infants, New England Journal of Medicine (2021). Journal information: New England Journal of Medicine Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care and Survival of Low Birth Weight Infants,(2021). DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2026486
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To help patients manage their mental wellness between appointments, researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a smart device-based electronic platform that can continuously monitor the state of hyperarousal, one of the signs of psychiatric distress. They said this advanced technology could read facial cues, analyze voice patterns and integrate readings from built-in vital signs sensors on smartwatches to determine if a patient is under stress.

Furthermore, the researchers noted that the technology could provide feedback and alert care teams if there is an abrupt deterioration in the patient's mental health.

"Mental health can change very rapidly, and a lot of these changes remain hidden from providers or counselors," said Dr. Farzan Sasangohar, assistant professor in the Wm Michael Barnes '64 Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. "Our technology will give providers and counselors continuous access to patient variables and patient status, and I think it's going to have a lifesaving implication because they can reach out to patients when they need it. Plus, it will empower patients to manage their mental health better."

The researchers' integrated electronic monitoring and feedback platform is described in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice.

Unlike some physical illnesses that can usually be treated with a few doctor visits, people with mental health needs can require an extended period of care. Between visits to a health care provider, information on a patient's mental health status has been lacking. Hence, unforeseen deterioration in mental health has a limited chance of being addressed. For example, a patient with anxiety disorder may experience a stressful life event, triggering extreme irritability and restlessness, which may need immediate medical attention. But this patient may be between appointments. On the other hand, health care professionals have no way to know about their patients' ongoing struggle with mental health, which can prevent them from providing the appropriate care.

Hence, patient-reported outcomes between visits are critical for designing effective health care interventions for mental health so that there is continued improvement in the patient's wellbeing. To fill in this gap, Sasangohar and his team worked with clinicians and researchers in the Department of Psychiatry at Houston Methodist Hospital to develop a smart electronic platform to help assess a patient's mental wellbeing.

"The hospital has the largest inpatient psychiatry clinic in the Houston area," said Sasangohar. "With this collaboration, we could include thousands of patients that had given consent for psychiatric monitoring."

Sasangohar's collaborators at Houston Methodist Hospital were already using an off-the-shelf patient navigation tool called CareSense. This software can be used to send reminders and monitoring questions to patients to better assess their wellbeing. For instance, individuals at risk for self-harm can be prompted to take questionnaires for major depressive disorder periodically.

Rather than solely relying on the patients' subjective assessment of their mental health, Sasangohar and his team also developed a whole suite of software for automatized hyperarousal analysis that can be easily installed on smartphones and smartwatches. These programs gather input from face and voice recognition applications and sensors already built in smartwatches, such as heart rate sensors and pedometers. The data from all of these sources then train machine-learning algorithms to recognize patterns that are aligned with the normal state of arousal. Once trained, the algorithms can continuously look at readings coming from the sensors and recognition applications to determine if the individual is in an elevated arousal state.

"The key here is triangulation," said Sasangohar. "Each of these methods on their own, say facial sentiment analysis, show promise to detect the mental state, albeit with limitations. But when you combine that information with the voice sentiment analysis, as well as physiological indicators of distress, the diagnosis and inference become much more powerful and clearer."

Sasangohar noted that both the subjective evaluation of mental state and the objective evaluation from the machine-learning algorithms are integrated to make a final assessment of the state of arousal for a given individual.

While their technology's prototype is ready, the researchers said they still need to improve the battery life of smartphones carrying their software since the algorithms guzzle a lot of power. Further, they noted that they have to address usability issues, that is, any issues that prohibit patients from using their technology, such as difficulty in navigating their application.

"Because of the stigmatization that surrounds mental illness, we wanted to build a mental health monitoring device that was very discreet," said Sasangohar. "So, we chose off-the-shelf products, like smartphones, and then build sophisticated applications that operate within these devices to make monitoring mental health discreet."

Explore further Mental health specialists boost vets' access to outpatient services

More information: J. Christopher Fowler et al, Improving Psychiatric Care Through Integrated Digital Technologies, Journal of Psychiatric Practice (2021). J. Christopher Fowler et al, Improving Psychiatric Care Through Integrated Digital Technologies,(2021). DOI: 10.1097/PRA.0000000000000535
(HealthDay)Individuals with schizophrenia are undervaccinated against COVID-19 compared with age- and gender-matched controls in Israel, according to a research letter published online May 18 in World Psychiatry.

Dana Tzur Bitan, Ph.D., from Ariel University in Israel, examined COVID-19 vaccination among a total of 50,240 cases: 25,120 patients with schizophrenia and 25,120 age- and gender-matched controls. Data were obtained from the databases of the Clalit Health Service in Israel.

Bitan found that compared with the control group, the odds of receiving vaccination were significantly lower in the schizophrenia group (odds ratio, 0.80). In the subsample aged 16 to 21 years, there were no significant differences observed. As age increased, the differences between the two groups were more profound: odds ratios, 0.90, 0.83, and 0.61 for the subsamples aged 21 to 40, 40 to 60, and 60 years and older, respectively. For both men and women, the odds of being vaccinated were lower in the schizophrenia group, with a slightly greater gap in vaccination rates seen for men versus women (odds ratios, 0.79 versus 0.82, respectively).

"The lower rates of vaccination among patients with schizophrenia reported in this study should alert public health policy entities to provide better care in the form of easier access to COVID-19 mitigation/prevention efforts for individuals with schizophrenia," Bitan writes.

Explore further Vaccination linked to drop in COVID-19 hospitalization in those 65 and over

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In this April 26, 2021, file photo, people queue up for coronavirus vaccine in Mumbai, India. The disparities of the coronavirus pandemic were already stark in India, where access to health care is as stratified and unequal as other parts of its society. Now, the divide along the lines of wealth and technology are further widening that chasm, and many people are falling through the gaps as vaccines remain inaccessible to millions. Credit: AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool, File

As the coronavirus tears through India, night watchman Sagar Kumar thinks constantly about getting vaccines for himself and his family of five amid critical shortages of shots in the country. But even if he knew how to get one, it wouldn't be easy.

The main way is to register through a government website. But it is in Englisha language the 25-year-old Kumar and nearly 90% of Indians can't speak, read or writeand his family has a single smartphone, with spotty internet service.

And even though his state of Uttar Pradesh gives free shots to those under 45, there is no vaccination site in his village, with the nearest hospital an hour away.

"All I can do now is hope for the best," Kumar said.

The pandemic's disparities already were stark in India, where access to health care is as stratified and unequal as many other parts of society. Now wealth and technology is further widening those chasms, and millions are falling through the gaps.

That worries health experts, who say vaccine inequality could hamper India's already difficult fight against a virus that has been killing more than 4,000 people a day in recent weeks.

"Inequitable vaccination risks prolonging the pandemic in India," said Krishna Udayakumar, founding director of the Duke Global Health Innovation Center at Duke University in North Carolina. "Reducing barriers for the most vulnerable populations should be a priority."

In this May 17, 2021, file photo, a health worker prepares to administer the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine to a man next to India's state emblem during a soft launch of the Russian vaccine by inoculating employees and families of Dr Reddy's Laboratories in Hyderabad, India. The disparities of the coronavirus pandemic were already stark in India, where access to health care is as stratified and unequal as other parts of its society. Now, the divide along the lines of wealth and technology are further widening that chasm, and many people are falling through the gaps as vaccines remain inaccessible to millions. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A, File

India's vaccination campaign began in January with a goal of inoculating 300 million of its nearly 1.4 billion people by August. So far, however, it has fully vaccinated a little over 42 million people, or barely 3% of its population.

The government didn't reserve enough shots for the campaign and it was slow to scale up vaccine production. Then, with the country recording hundreds of thousands of new infections daily, the government on May 1 opened up vaccination to all adults.

That made an already bad shortage even worse.

Amid those challenges, the federal government also changed its policy on who can get vaccines and who must pay for them. It allotted itself half of the shots in the country and said it would give free shots to front-line workers and those 45 and older.

Individual states and private hospitals could then negotiate deals with the country's vaccine-makers for the other half of the shots, the government said. That effectively put the burden for inoculating everyone under 45 on states and the private sector, who often ask members of the public to pay as much as $20 for a shot.

In this May 10, 2021, file photo, people waiting to get vaccinated against the coronavirus stand outside the closed gates of a hospital in Ghaziabad, outskirts of New Delhi, India. The disparities of the coronavirus pandemic were already stark in India, where access to health care is as stratified and unequal as other parts of its society. Now, the divide along the lines of wealth and technology are further widening that chasm, and many people are falling through the gaps as vaccines remain inaccessible to millions. Credit: AP Photo/Amit Sharma, File

The disparities already are showing in rich states where private hospitals tend to be concentrated.

The capital of New Delhi has given first shots to 20% of its residents, while Bihar state, one of the poorest, has only given shots to about 7.6% of its population. And even states that are providing free shots often can't keep them in stockboth because of the shortage and competition with the private sector.

Many experts say the federal policy is a mistake, and it will hit the poorest the hardest.

"Vaccinating people is the national duty of the government and they need to vaccinate everyone for free," said K Srinath Reddy, president of the Public Health Foundation of India. "Nobody should be denied a vaccine because they are unable to afford it or register for it."

Vaccine disparity is "not just a question of inequality but also inefficiency," said developmental economist Jean Dreze.

In this May 8, 2021, file photo, a health worker displays empty vials of COVID-19 vaccines in Gauhati, India. The disparities of the coronavirus pandemic were already stark in India, where access to health care is as stratified and unequal as other parts of its society. Now, the divide along the lines of wealth and technology are further widening that chasm, and many people are falling through the gaps as vaccines remain inaccessible to millions. Credit: AP Photo/Anupam Nath, File

If people get sick, Dreze said, they will not be able to work. That in turn could push many more into poverty.

Already, the poor have to miss work, forgo the day's wages and travel long distances to get vaccinated.

"We should not just make vaccines free but also give people incentives to get vaccinated," Dreze said.

The national government is seeking to address some of the concerns. It has said the website to register for shots will soon be available in Hindi and other regional languages. Still, experts point out half the population lacks internet access, so the better solution would be easier, walk-in registrations for all.

The government also has said it will alleviate the vaccine shortages, insisting there will be about 2 billion doses available between June and December. Experts, however, say the government will likely miss that goal.

In this May 17, 2021, file photo, a woman takes selfie as she receives a vaccine for COVID-19 in Gauhati, Assam, India. The disparities of the coronavirus pandemic were already stark in India, where access to health care is as stratified and unequal as other parts of its society. Now, the divide along the lines of wealth and technology are further widening that chasm, and many people are falling through the gaps as vaccines remain inaccessible to millions. Credit: AP Photo/Anupam Nath, File

In this May 5, 2021, file photo, journalists sit after they got vaccinated against coronavirus at the press club in Gauhati, India. The disparities of the coronavirus pandemic were already stark in India, where access to health care is as stratified and unequal as other parts of its society. Now, the divide along the lines of wealth and technology are further widening that chasm, and many people are falling through the gaps as vaccines remain inaccessible to millions. Credit: AP Photo/Anupam Nath, File

In this May 19, 2021, file photo, a physically disabled man seeks alms as people walk past during the relaxation hours of lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Bengaluru, India. The disparities of the coronavirus pandemic were already stark in India, where access to health care is as stratified and unequal as other parts of its society. Now, the divide along the lines of wealth and technology are further widening that chasm, and many people are falling through the gaps as vaccines remain inaccessible to millions. Credit: AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi, File

India's health ministry did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

Kavita Singh, 29, was making the equivalent of $250 a month working as a domestic helper in a wealthy part of the capital. But as cases began to surge in April, she lost her job.

"They were scared I would spread the virus and told me to come back only after I am vaccinated," Singh said.

She could not afford paying for a shot, so Singh and her three daughters returned to her village in Bihar state. There's no vaccination center nearby, and Singh said she doesn't know if she'll ever be able to return to New Delhi.

"We barely manage to earn enough for our daily means," Singh said. "If we use that money for vaccines, then what will we eat?"

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.
The National Central Cooling Company PJSC (Tabreed), the leading international district cooling developer headquartered in the UAE, has announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Khalid Al Marzouqi as the companys new Chief Executive Officer.

Khaled Al Qubaisi, Chairman of Tabreed, said of the appointment: Khalid Al Marzouqi joins Tabreed at the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the company and brings with him a wealth of experience in the energy sector, where he has worked at the most senior levels. With the recent launch of Tabreeds all-new corporate identity still fresh in our minds, the scene is set for this remarkable and progressive business to deliver on its ambitious plans, and I know Khalids considerable expertise will help drive us towards achieving ever more impressive results.

Al Marzouqi joins Tabreed from Dolphin Energy Limited, where he was Chief Operating Officer  Downstream, responsible for overseeing the entire Operations Downstream Division in the UAE. Prior to this he was Senior Vice President of Dolphins Technical Services Division and Al Marzouqi has occupied senior roles at the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport, Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (Adwea) and Adco. He has more than 25 years of experience in the energy industry and holds two majors in Chemical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering.

Al Qubaisi commented: The Board sincerely thanks Bader Al Lamki for his steadfast belief in this company and his unwavering commitment meant that his time here was impactful for all the right reasons. Tabreed is bigger and more profitable than ever delivering a 24% increase in consolidated connected capacity, ensuring a 20% increase in revenues and playing a pivotal role in the acquisition of the Downtown District Cooling concession from Emaar; it being the largest DC M&A transaction in history. He also launched initiatives under his direction to overturn the status quo with regards to workplace diversity and corporate social responsibility. We are now a more modern, more dynamic and more inclusive organisation and, on behalf of the Board and personally, I thank him for his innumerable contributions and wish him well for the future. -- TradeArabia News Service
Jeff Gicklhorn, a conservation lands program manager for Missoula, said that a week following the Johnson Street closure, around 29 tents were on the island. The number is normally around 8 to 10 per night, according to Missoula Parks and Recreation officials.

"We do understand that some people have difficulty indoors and so we need to find spaces for everybody," Gaukler said. "That's going to be both the short- and long-term fix that we'll know more about in the next few weeks.

"As far as keeping this space open to the public, it's really about the principles of crime prevention through environmental design."

CDC guidelines for congregate settings and homeless shelters such as the Poverello Center are also leading to more people living unsheltered. Normally the facility could shelter up to 175 people, but that number is now 88, Thompson said.

The Pov had to turn away around 50 people on May 21 because it was at capacity, Thompson said.

West Broadway Island is within a block of the Poverello Center.
When Harrington was told by the investigator that some of the images transmitted were of underage girls, Harrington stated that the person he was corresponding with was "sexually free" and that the two regularly looked at "a lot of porn together," the complaint states.

Harrington spent about 12 years with the East Helena Police Department and was promoted to chief in April 2019. City leaders said they placed Harrington on paid administrative leave Feb. 3, after learning about an allegation of sexual assault against him. Harrington resigned from the department March 5 in a one-sentence email to East Helena Mayor James Schell.

"I hereby resign from my position as an employee of the City of East Helena effective immediately," his letter reads.

In a press release sent Tuesday evening, Schell stated that the child pornography allegations are a separate matter from the sexual assault allegations for which Harrington was placed on administrative leave in March.

"The City of East Helena was not informed prior of the disturbing allegations that came to light today against the former chief of police," Schell said in the statement. "The prior employment investigation conducted by the City of the sexual assault allegation was, to the City's knowledge, a completely separate matter and not associated with these new allegations."
Today, Donald Trump was quoted: "Republicans are very focused on the 2020 results."

Meanwhile, Montana state Republicans have passed bills allowing student guns in college classrooms, and narrowed the opportunity to register to vote, as well as requiring more documentation and protocol to do so. What's next? Allowing students with guns in high school classes/activities, then making it harder for them to vote when they become 18?

Finally, Montana Republicans have denied workers the ability to collect $300 extra unemployment until September, as authorized by the federal bailout bill. This is the first federal aid package I can recall which state authorities have refused. I remember all of the federal farm/ranch bailouts of the past, as well as the recent big tax bailout.

Will we next hire some fly-by-night Florida consultant to check for voter fraud, rendering our voter machines unusable for 2022, so we have to spend millions on new voting machines, as is being done in Arizona?

Maybe it is time for Montana legislative Republicans to focus less on 2020 and more on serving current Montana citizens.

Michael O'Lear,

Missoula

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May 26, 2021 by Steve Gross

Category: Operating Policies , COVID-19



Editors notes:

This blog post discusses COVID-19 facial covering requirements for local government employers and employees. For information related to public meetings, see our blog post Face Masks and In-Person Public Meetings.

Updated June 4, 2021 to provide additional clarification following the release of further updates to various state guidance documents on June 2. In particular, note that the requirements for verifying vaccination status are stricter for public meetings (under the Miscellaneous Venues guidance, which requires the use of verified medical records) than they are for customer service counter visitors (under the Professional Services guidance, which allows agencies to use the honor system or have visitors self-attest if desired). The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries provides separate processes for verifying employees vaccination status.

As the science of how COVID-19 spreads is better understood, and Washingtonians continue to get vaccinated, the state has updated several documents containing requirements and guidance on wearing facial coverings in the workplace.

The Takeaway

Federal and state agencies have published several documents related to wearing facial coverings. Some are guidance and may not be mandatory. Other are orders and are mandatory. You should review each one carefully with your attorney and risk carrier to determine your agencys specific policies. Well discuss some of them in detail, but when you put them all together, the bottom line is:

All persons in healthcare settings, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, schools, and public transportation must wear masks, regardless of their vaccination status.

For all other local government employees, the face mask guidance for unvaccinated employees and visitors has not changed. However, fully vaccinated people (those who are two weeks past the date of their final vaccination) are no longer required to wear a mask if they provide proof of vaccination as discussed later in this blog.

If your county public health officer or other local health authority has imposed a stricter mask requirement than the state, you should adhere to the local requirements.

Any employer may impose its own stricter mask requirements, regardless of the state or local mandates, and no local authority may prevent an employer from doing so or checking vaccination status.

Local agencies can enforce masking requirements for visitors, and public transportation passengers are still required to wear masks. Local agencies must continue to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide reasonable accommodations to employees or visitors who say they are unable to wear a facial covering, and the individual is not required to explain their condition. If the visitor declines to provide information or says that they refuse to wear a face covering (not exempt under the face covering order and proclamation but unwilling to wear a face covering), the agency must deny the customer entry/service (unless there are worker safety concerns)

Finally, local agencies can verify vaccination status. For employees, agencies can ask to see a copy of a vaccination record, have a person sign a form saying they are vaccinated, or record their employees vaccination status in a logbook (including employee name and method of confirming their vaccination status). Employers are not required to maintain records demonstrating the underlying proof of the employees vaccination status but must must provide the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) access to the logbook if requested during an investigation.' For employees, make sure your process complies with the requirements on pages 13-14 of DOSH Directive 1.70.

For visitors to your customer service areas, agencies should follow the guidance for Professional Services. That guidance allows agencies to:

Implement an honor system; Engage with visitors to ask about vaccination status; Require proof of vaccination status; or Continue mandating the use of face coverings.

This verification process only applies to your customer service areas. For public meetings, agencies are required to comply with the guidance for Miscellaneous Venues, which requires vaccination record verified by a medical professional. See our blog post Face Masks and In-Person Meetings for more details.

If the customer says they are fully vaccinated and therefore exempt under the proclamation, the agency may allow the customer to enter without further inquiry. If the customer states they are not fully vaccinated but are otherwise exempt under the proclamation, the agency may offer a reasonable accommodation (an alternative way to receive service, if feasible). If the customer refuses the reasonable accommodation, the agency must deny the person entry. If the customer declines to provide information or says that they refuse to wear a face covering (not exempt under the face covering order and proclamation but unwilling to wear a face covering), the agency must deny the customer entry/service (unless there are worker safety concerns).

However, be aware of medical privacy laws; only ask for the minimum information you need (vaccinated or not  or have an exemption) to decide whether to provide services in person or by some other method. Dont keep a copy of a medical record if you dont have a good business reason to do so  just have staff ask to see the document and document that youve seen it.

Also, note that there is new state legislation (SSB 5254, which took effect on April 26) which says that during a declared public health emergency, employers must allow employees to wear a mask or other protective equipment if the employee chooses to (with limited exceptions related to workplace safety and operations). In other words, if a fully vaccinated employee wants to continue voluntarily wearing a face mask for the duration of the declared emergency, even if it is no longer required by the state or the employer, the employer generally must let them.

Current guidance and requirements

The following is a collection of current federal and state-based guidance:

Remember that your local health department or board still has the authority to issue requirements that are more restrictive than those of the state unless state guidance specifically prohibits supplemental regulation. (For example, King County and Jefferson County still require or strongly recommend that fully vaccinated people continue to wear masks indoors).

The Details

Many of the guidance and regulatory documents provide the same basic direction, and many of them cross-reference other documents. Well hit some of the high points here, but if you need specific detail you will have to read each document carefully.

CDC guidance

If you are fully vaccinated (it has been at least two weeks since you received your final vaccine shot), the CDC says that you do not need to wear a facial covering, but it also has several exceptions. The CDC still recommends that people wear a facial covering if:

required by local law or a local business;

traveling on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations; and/or

required to do so, such as in a healthcare setting.

Proclamation 20-25.13

Fully vaccinated workers do not have to wear face masks on the jobsite (except for "CDC exempted locations") if the employee provides proof of vaccination or a signed attestation form to their employer. However, the proclamation allows businesses or local authorities to impose their own stricter face mask requirements, and local authorities may not prohibit businesses or other local authorities from imposing their own face mask requirements or requiring proof of vaccination.

We have started getting requests for sample employee vaccination attestation forms. If your agency has created such a form and you are willing to share it, please send a copy to our librarian Gabrielle Nicas at gnicas@mrsc.org.

Order No. 20-03.2

The order still requires people to wear a face covering when they are in a place where people from outside their household are present or in a place that is generally accessible to people from outside their household. However, the exceptions have been updated so that people are not required to wear a face covering:

Outdoors, if they can maintain six-foot separation from people outside their household.

At small, private gatherings where anyone attending is either fully vaccinated or is unvaccinated but living in a single household (where no one is at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19).

While eating or drinking, subject to specific limits in the Healthy Washington  Roadmap to Recovery plan. (The COVID-19 Reopening Guidance for Businesses and Workers webpage is a great resource for venues but should be checked frequently, as individual event and venue requirements may have been updated).

The order also provides for blanket exemptions from wearing a face covering for:

People fully vaccinated, except when they are in health care settings, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, or schools.

Children younger than five years old.

People with a medical condition or other condition that prevents wearing a face covering.

L&I guidance

L&I added a Key COVID-19 Updates for Fully Vaccinated Workers fact sheet to its website.

This updates the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Common Questions Regarding Worker Face Covering and Mask Requirements page (January 26, 2021). It provides general information as well as links to the DOLs more detailed guidance pages: Which Mask for Which Task? (F414-168-000) and Washington Coronavirus Hazard Considerations for Employers (except COVID-19 care in hospitals & clinics).

Before ending masking and social distancing requirements, employers must confirm whether workers are fully vaccinated by having the worker sign a document attesting to their status or provide proof of vaccination. L&I provides several options for employers to verify vaccination status, including (but not necessarily limited to):

Creating a log of workers who have verified theyve been vaccinated and the date of the verification (not the date of vaccination),

Checking vaccination status each day as workers enter the jobsite, or

Marking a workers badge or credential to show that they are vaccinated.

DOSH Directive 1.70 provides more details on acceptable verification of vaccination status (see the highlighted section).

Updating Your Agencys Reopening Plan

As agencies continue to update their return to work policies, the Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery provides some helpful guidance on when employees should wear masks and other personal protective equipment. However, this document is typically updated only once per month (latest update was May 17, and it has not yet been updated to address the new requirements for vaccinated versus unvaccinated people). So, check back frequently for the most current guidance, but be aware that the next update might not be until June 15.

Compliance and Enforcement

MRSC believes that local agencies may require employees to comply with directives to wear facial coverings just as the agency can require employees to wear other protective gear.

As for customers and other public visitors to your agencys facilities, we believe that you have the statutory authority to require them to wear a face covering if they want to conduct business in person. The governor's office issued an Overview of COVID-19 Statewide Face Covering Requirements, including best practices for business owners to enforce the rules in the event a customer does not wear a mask. As of May 24, 2021, this document has not been updated to address vaccinated versus unvaccinated people, so, check back frequently for the most current guidance.

Local agencies must continue to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act when considering restrictions or conditions of access to public buildings and transit facilities. Agencies should think about how they can provide reasonable accommodations if necessary. If someone is unable to wear a face covering, they do not need a vaccination card nor do they have to explain their condition to anyone. Agencies should provide reasonable alternatives to in-person contact if a visitor chooses not to wear a facial covering.

State guidance can be found on the Washington State Coronavirus Response webpage. MRSC will continue to update our COVID-19 Resources for Local Governments webpage as we get additional direction from the state.

MRSC is a private nonprofit organization serving local governments in Washington State. Eligible government agencies in Washington State may use our free, one-on-one Ask MRSC service to get answers to legal, policy, or financial questions.
The big, black Newfoundland belonged to volunteer firefighter William Copeland, who died in the explosion. He accompanied his master to the morgue, followed the coffin through the funeral procession, and died frozen and waiting at Copelands grave.

This dog represents a faithful friend for a fireman, McCarthy said.

The name of this dog, if it ever had one, has been lost to time, so Butte Historical Memorials turned to the very best source of dog names around children. With the cooperation of Butte schools curriculum director Jim ONeill, BHM held a Name the Dog contest, where every fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade class and teacher in the district submitted a name, and the BHM committee chose the winning one.

Thanks to Maria Robinsons fifth-grade class, the loyal Newfoundland shall henceforth be known as Dilis.

Loyalty means being there for someone when the world is crumbling on top of them, Robinson said. She described Diliss devotion as a lesson in compassion.
The following American Legion Auxiliary wreath bearers will place wreathes near the names on markers: American Legion Post 21  Dane Villa; American Legion Auxiliary  Mazee Mitchell; DAV  Taylor McNeil; AOH and LAOH  Hendrix Fehrer and Natalie Lorello. The VFW and Marine Corps League will also be represented.

Anaconda-Deerlodge County veterans who have died in the past year will be honored.

The public is invited to the ceremony and to a luncheon at the American Legion Hall afterward.

For more details, contact Philip Watt at 406-563-2031.

Moe among fallen soldiers honored

ANACONDA  Anaconda Lt. Ronald Moe, who was lost in Ninh Thuan Province, South Vietnam on Nov. 26, 1968, at the age of 24, will be honored at noon, Monday, May 31, at Sunset Memorial Gardens near Anaconda, with Larry Bowler of Sandy, Utah, officiating.

On Memorial Day weekend, in small cemeteries across the nation, surviving members of the 589th Engineer Battalion Association-Vietnam will conduct flower placing ceremonies to honor each of the 26 individuals, including Moe, who died while serving with the unit in Vietnam.
A 4-year-old boy was attacked and killed by two dogs believed to be Rottweilers at a house near Whitehall on May 9, Jefferson County Sheriff Craig Doolittle said Wednesday.

Doolittle said the case was still under investigation and autopsy results werent finalized, so there were things he could not comment on until they were complete.

But he told The Montana Standard the attack occurred inside the boys grandparents' house on Cedar Hill Road, off of Highway 2 west of Whitehall, shortly before 6 p.m. on May 9. He identified the boy as Elliott Sherwin.

There was an ambulance called there from Jefferson Valley EMS, Life Flight was called and the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene, Doolittle said.

We were not the first ones on the scene, he said. The ambulance showed up and they did work on him for a while but he was deceased.

The two dogs were believed to be Rottweilers and both have been euthanized, he said.

Doolittle said specifics of what happened and whether the dogs had ever been aggressive were still under investigation, and all findings would be turned over to the Jefferson County Attorneys Office for review and consideration of any charges.
MIAMI (AP)  Bolivia's former interior minister has been arrested in the U.S. for allegedly taking part of $602,000 in kickbacks from Florida-based businessmen accused of selling tear gas at inflated prices to the conservative government of former interim President Jeanine Anez.

Arturo Murillo was charged with a single count of conspiring to commit money laundering, according to a Department of Justice statement on Wednesday.

The Associated Press previously reported that Murillo's former chief of staff had been arrested as part of the investigation along with the owner of a Florida-based supplier of police and military equipment and his father, who press accounts indicate was charged two decades ago in Bolivia with weapons smuggling.

Murillo, 57, was one of the most outspoken voices in the Anez government that took power in November 2019 after President Evo Morales stepped down amid violent protests disputing his reelection to a fourth straight term.

He has a long history of far-right provocation. As a congressman, he supported a ban on abortion by once telling women that they should commit suicide by jumping from a five-story building if they wanted to terminate a pregnancy.
In Gaza, Hamas leader Yehiyeh Sinwar told journalists Wednesday that the group welcomed reconstruction aid, as long as it did not come from Israel, and had no objections to international oversight.

"I emphasize our commitment in Hamas that we will not take a single penny earmarked for rebuilding or humanitarian issues, he said.

Sinwar, who has close ties with the group's armed wing, said Hamas receives ample military assistance from outside sources  led by Israel's archenemy, Iran. When I said we do not take money destined for aid, this is because we have comfortable sources of funds covering our activities, he said.

He also lashed out at Blinken for trying to strengthen the Palestinian Authority at Hamas' expense. They are trying to add more fuel to the fire of Palestinian division, Sinwar said.

Blinken said Tuesday the U.S. is trying to bolster the rival government of President Mahmoud Abbas, whose forces were ousted from Gaza by Hamas in 2007.

Abbas Palestinian Authority now administers autonomous areas in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Abbas has been largely sidelined by recent events, is deeply unpopular at home and has little influence in Gaza.
Alpha Dhabi Holding, one of the fastest-growing construction companies in the region and a subsidiary of IHC, said it has acquired Murban, a privately-owned company.

Founded in 2006, Murban is a leading investment company based in Abu Dhabi with AED 1.7 billion ($500 million) in equity.

Murban is primarily involved in the hospitality industry, with current assets including St Regis at Saadiyat, Al Wathba Luxury Collection Desert Resorts and the Le Noir Cafe brand. Earlier in March, Murban signed an agreement with the Aceh Governor to build a luxury resort in Aceh province, Indonesia.

Alpha Dhabi has a strong hospitality development division, having previously built hotels in the UAE, Morocco, Russia, and the UK.

The acquisition will help accelerate Alpha Dhabis diversification strategy as it looks to expand its portfolio.

Chairman Mohamed Thani Murshed Al Rumaithi said: "We are excited by the opportunity to accelerate our global exposure with our investment in Murban, which has a highly complementary business and asset portfolio."

"Murban is a dynamic platform on which to build our private and public equity exposure on the international markets. In addition, Murban has an excellent portfolio of hospitality developments and we are thrilled to be working together to gain access to new markets," he stated.

Hamad Al Ameri, Managing Director, of Alpha Dhabi Holding, said: "This transaction places us in a unique position to cease new opportunities across different markets through Murbans rich asset portfolio, as we pursue further growth."

"We are working closely with IHC and are actively building a diversified portfolio in line with our strategic ambitions and future goals. We look forward to capitalizing on our shared aspirations and synergies with Murban," he added.

In addition to gaining a prominent portfolio of hospitality assets, Murban also owns a 33% equity interest in Canal Sugar S.A.E, the largest beet sugar development project in the world; and a minority stake in Klarna, one of Europes leading fintech buy now pay later firms as well as other financial products.

CEO and Managing Director Syed Basar Shueb said: "IHC is pleased to have helped identified the synergies that Murban share with Alpha Dhabi and to bring the two companies together. As a key shareholder in the business, we look forward to supporting the management team to continue their success and build long-term shareholder value for IHC."

"The move comes in line with our vision to develop our hospitality business and other sectors, deepening our ties locally and regionally. Furthermore, gaining a foothold in Canal Sugar, the worlds largest development of sustainable beet sugar, is a real plus point as we add to Abu Dhabis long-term food security program UAE National Food Security Strategy 2051," noted Shueb.

Through the growth of its subsidiaries like Alpha Dhabi, IHC is aiming to expand its portfolio and strengthen its market position as a major contributor to Abu Dhabis business landscape and UAE economy, he added.

Alpha Dhabi, which employs over 40,000 people, is involved in the development of a large range of projects, including mixed-use and high-rise property, mass housing and infrastructure.-TradeArabia News Service
Theres simply no reasonable argument one can make for keeping Davis on our maps. That argument would have to be in defense of a man who so firmly believed in slavery that he started a war that took the lives of approximately 750,000 Americans and, a few decades later, wrote this: It has been said that I should apply to the United States for a pardon. But repentance must precede the right of pardon, and I have not repented. If it were all to do over again, I would again do just as I did in 1861.

The places were asking to be renamed are mostly on public lands. These lands belong to all Americans, and all Americans have the right to feel welcome to enjoy them. But that cant happen if those lands are named in celebration of the likes of Jefferson Davis.

Montana has an incredibly colorful and diverse history, and Davis is thankfully not part of it. Lets use names for our geography that reflect our states true history and make Montanans feel proud and all Americans feel welcome here.

Judith Heilman is executive director of The Montana Racial Equity Project. Amara Reese-Hansell is the program director at Forward Montana Foundation. Travis McAdam is the program director at Montana Human Rights Network. John Todd is deputy director of Montana Wilderness Association. Paul Spitler is director of wilderness policy at The Wilderness Society.

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Trumpism rising again

Things are unsettled worldwide  a Ryanair plane forced down by Belarus to arrest a dissident; a coup in Samoa.

We the people must keep vigilant or we could be pulled into autocracy. Could Samoa be a preview?

In order for an autocracy to be established, they must seize the media - - newspapers, radio, TV, social media, etc.

Shep Smith left FOX because of their being an eager accomplice in spreading misinformation, disinformation, and falsehoods. If falsehoods are repeated long enough and often enough, people begin to question reality, and eventually they believe the falsehood.

There is no such thing as fake news. You either tell the truth or you lie. The object of honest media is to tell the story of who, what, where, why, and how something happened. Not to invent a story. An invented story was that the 2020 election was stolen. No election was stolen. That is the truth. Believe.

They destroy our institutions like the CIA, State Department, and FBI, etc. Trump fired FBI Director Comey and in Helsinki Trump sided with Putin instead of our CIA.
FWP has worked with communities to put carcass removal programs in place nearby in the Blackfoot-Clearwater, Ruby and Big Hole valleys.

Trimbos been hard at work trying to get a carcass pickup program off the ground in Deer Lodge, which would likely cater to the Avon area, he said. Theyve acquired grant funding and talks are underway with the landfill.

Instead of putting it in a bone pile, we'll come pick it up and bring it to these composting sites, and get that attractant off of their land, Trimbo said.

Carcass pick-up takes some encouragement, Jonkel said, but folks are starting to catch on.

It's a process. It's slow. You know how it is. I hate change, too. But seeing a bear dig it all up Im sure helped, Jonkel said.

Since the incidents, adjacent landowners have been calling the bear specialists, trying to see what they can do to prepare, Jonkel said.

I'm just tickled that these guys are calling me and we're starting a carcass pickup program, because it really makes a difference, he said.
I love that name  Return to Better. I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard someone complain about the way things were over the years. Well, now we have had a shutdown and are in the process of restarting. What better time to improve on things we dont like?

For those who dont know, the Return to Better Muscatine initiative is a program the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GMACCI) has entered into. Currently the program is doing a survey to determine what is needed in Muscatine in the world of entrepreneurship. Eventually assistance in the form of educational materials is going to be offered to budding entrepreneurs in the area. The Journal will be doing stories on the program as it progresses. People wanting more information should contact the Chamber.

I thought this was a wonderful idea when I first learned about it. Do a Google search sometime of the birthplace of such things as Microsoft, Apple, Google, Facebook, etc. You will see pictures of garages or college dorm rooms. Someone had an idea and used the 10% inspiration, 90% perspiration formula to make it happen. These businesses are now among the richest in the world.
U.S. regulators have downgraded Mexico's aviation safety rating, a move that prevents Mexican airlines from expanding flights to the United States just as travel is recovering from the pandemic.

The Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday it downgraded Mexico after finding that the country does not meet standards set by a United Nations aviation group.

The downgrade means that U.S. airlines won't be able to sell tickets on flights operated by Mexican airlines, a setback that will mainly hit Delta Air Lines, which has a partnership with Aeromexico.

Delta said its own service to Mexico is not affected by the downgrade, and it will continue to operate all its flights there normally. Delta might have to issue new tickets, however, to customers who used Delta to book a flight operated by Aeromexico.

Aeromexico said its flights wont be affected, and it will work with Mexican regulators to reverse the downgrade.

At Aeromexico, safety is our top priority and because of that we will continue to operate under the highest international standards, the airline tweeted.

Volaris tweeted that the downgrade was related to factors "outside the control of Mexican airlines.
For them to move forward and complete themselves, make themselves whole, they had to tell their stories, he said.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services completed its own review in February, concluding there was no credible evidence of child abuse or neglect by Pfleger. A spokesman said the agency cannot investigate allegations of abuse by an adult victim but focuses on whether children are currently at risk.

Attorneys for the accusers and Pfleger have previously acknowledged a police investigation of the abuse allegations. Illinois has no statute of limitations for filing charges in major sex crimes.

A spokesman for the Chicago Police Department said its investigation is still open. A representative for Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx said police have not presented any information for the office to review or determine if criminal charges are appropriate.

Pfleger was ordained in 1975 and assigned to St. Sabina Church, then became pastor six years later. He has been credited with reviving the parish. Dubbed Father Mike by parishioners, he is known nationally for his dramatic approach to activism aimed at chronic problems in the city, including defacement of alcohol and cigarette billboards and paying prostitutes to accept counseling.
A customer waits outside to be screened while other customers wait to be seen by customer service representatives at the Guam Power Authority and Guam Waterworks Authority satellite office at the Julale Shopping Center in Hagatna on April 23, 2021.

Photo by Dontana Keraskes/The Guam Daily Post
The technology group Wartsila will supply a biogas liquefaction plant to Norway-based Biokraft, a subsidiary of the Scandinavian Biogas Group and a major player in the global biogas market.

The 25 tonnes per day capacity plant will extend an existing bioLNG production plant at Skogn in Norway, also supplied by Wartsila, to a combined total of 50 tonnes per day making it by far the largest facility of its kind in the world. This latest order was placed with Wartsila in April 2021.

The market for liquefied biogas continues to expand along with the increase in global efforts to restrict the use of fossil fuels. BioLNG is an abundant renewable energy source that is used as green fuel in transportation, industrial, and marine applications.

Wartsilas latest mixed refrigerant  MR  technology used in our liquefaction plants is extremely reliable, and offer the lowest operating costs for liquefying biogas. We are proud to have once again been selected by Biokraft since it represents a clear endorsement of customer satisfaction, said Maria Ortiz, Sales Manager, Biogas Solutions in Wartsila Gas Solutions.

The Wartsila equipment is scheduled for delivery in May 2022.

Wartsila Gas Solutions is a market leader with innovative systems and lifecycle solutions for the gas value chain. Our main focus areas are handling of gas in seaborne transport (storage, fuel, transfer and BOG management), gas to power, liquefaction and biogas solutions. We help our customers on the journey towards a sustainable future through focus on lifecycle, innovation and digitalisation.

-- TradeArabia News Service
IronTree in conjunction with PrivIQ will launch a first-of-its-kind data compliance product on 1 June this year  POPIA Micro.

Our market leading SAAS product will cater for SMEs in South Africa, all of which need to embark on their compliance journey.

The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) came into being on 1 July 2020. All companies however have one year to be fully compliant i.e. by 1 July 2021.

The regulation sets out to protect all South African citizens from the unlawful collection, retention, dissemination and use of their personal information.

Compliance is an ongoing process to ensure companies collect, store, share and process personal data in a lawful way.

The product launch will begin with a comprehensive overview in the form of a webinar on the 27th of May 2021.

Some of the aspects that will be covered include:

Why is data privacy important?

What will you need to think about as a business?

What must you do to be compliant?

What tools are available to manage this process?

Tai Chesselet, CEO of PrivIQ will serve as host of this webinar along with IronTree CEO, David Lees.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says the company will very soon share more details about one of its biggest Windows updates of the past decade.

Speaking at Microsofts annual Build conference, Nadella stated the changes to the operating system will unlock greater economic opportunity for developers and creators.

We will create more opportunity for every Windows developer today and welcome every creator who is looking for the most innovative, new, open platform to build and distribute and monetise applications, Nadella said.

Ive been self-hosting it over the past several months, and Im incredibly excited about the next generation of Windows.

Based on his comments, Nadella appeared to be referencing changes to the Windows Store, with recent reports claiming that Microsoft is developing a revamped version of the app to be released later this year.

Sources familiar with the matter told Windows Centrals Zac Bowden the new store will sport a modern and fluid interface, in addition to policy changes for what apps developers will be able to submit for hosting on the store.

The current version of the Store has been criticised for featuring few apps, being slow and unintuitive, and causing installations and updates to get stuck.

Bowden said the changes could address these issues, by allowing developers to:

Submit unpackaged Win32 apps to the store;

Host apps and updates on their own content delivery network (CDN); and

Use third-party commerce platforms in apps.

Whereas developers previously had to repackage their apps as an MSIX, they will now be able to submit raw .EXE or .MSI files.

This will enable a far wider range of apps and games to be loaded onto the store, and allow developers to use their own updating methods to deliver patches.

Sun Valley

The next generation of Windows on which the new store will feature is likely Microsofts Sun Valley update  a major UI overhaul for Windows 10 which is expected to ship in October 2021.

The upgrade will include new system icons and changes to legacy interfaces to better align them with the modern elements of Windows 10.

This includes the rounding off of corners on buttons, windows, the Start Menu, and Action Centre to make File Explorer and File Properties more consistent with more recent Windows elements.

Microsoft also plans to include some of the changes it originally planned to deliver with its Windows 10X update, which has been delayed.

Among these, the Taskbar will be simplified with most of the system tray being moved into a new Action Centre, while the Start Menu will feature a centred design.

Satya Nadellas full Build 2021 keynote  with more news on changes to Microsoft products  is embedded below.

Now read: Google takes aim at Microsoft with new software
Little Omar (Omi) is only 4 months old, was born with Down syndrome, and has struggled with medical conditions.

On the morning of Tuesday, May 5, his mother, Judy Gonzalez Hernandez, drove him to the hospital in fear of dehydration after he had a bout of vomiting and not wanting to feed. Once they reached the hospital, Little Omi then went into cardiac arrest and ended up in critical condition fighting for his life.

He was then transported by helicopter to the Oakland Children's Hospital, and after many restless nights, doctors were able to save his life. Little Omi suffered a tremendous amount of brain damage that has also affected his vision and mobility and will remain in the hospital for many weeks to come.

Many in Calistoga know Gonzalez Hernandez. She was raised in Calistoga and has worked for the Calistoga Unified School District for the past 18 years in Special Education. She has played a big role in her students' lives, helping close to a hundred students graduate from high school despite their struggles. Many have graduated college, have successful careers, and keep in touch with Judy to seek advice or have a good laugh.
Local

state government

Three things to know about Gavin Newsoms spending spree

Marcio Jose Sanchez In this Tuesday, May 11, 2021, file photo, California Gov. Gavin Newsom reacts as he finds a pair of old high heel shoes as he joins a cleanup effort in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

Facing a trifecta of extraordinary circumstances  the waning COVID-19 pandemic, a looming recall election and an insanely flush state budget  Gov. Gavin Newsom barnstormed the state, dropping good news by the billions.

He wants to spend $12 billion to house the homeless, the governor announced in the lobby of a San Diego motel converted into a shelter; $3.4 billion to expand preschool to all 4-year-olds, he said on the playground of an elementary school in Monterey County; $1.5 billion cleaning up blight, he said as TV news crews filmed him hoisting an old mattress off the side of a Los Angeles freeway.

The announcements  capitalizing on a $76 billion surplus in the state budget plus $27 billion in federal aid  amounted to a very convenient marriage of governing and campaigning for the first-term Democrat, who almost certainly faces a Republican-led recall election this fall.

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It would be odd if he wasnt doing this, said Rob Stutzman, a GOP consultant who managed communications for former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Hes got more money than he can stuff in the mattress. You get to hand it out, you get to tailor it to multiple constituencies and pretty much make everybody happy.

Its a strategy other governors have deployed to sell their spending priorities to voters, Stutzman said. But the specter of the looming recall  combined with the unusual hardships of the last year and the enormous windfall of money  have added some drama to whats normally a routine step in the annual budget-making process at the Capitol.

Newsom rolled out the rest of his $267.8 billion budget proposal today, with a presentation that allowed him to flex his wonk muscles before heading into the final month of negotiations with lawmakers. Here are some key things to know.

Newsom is reaching out to voters who have been hit hard by the pandemic  and could be key for him to survive the recall

Trumpeting an additional $1.5 billion in grants for small businesses and $20 billion to expand preschool, summer school, and afterschool programs, Newsoms proposals seem designed to appeal to business owners and parents, groups that struggled during more than a year of on-again-off-again shut-downs intended to stem the spread of the virus.

This pandemic has not impacted all of you equally, Newsom said in a speech to the California Chamber of Commerce. Im very mindful that its impacted, disproportionately, women.

Newsoms school funding proposal includes $4 billion to address behavioral health  an acknowledgment of the depression and anxiety that many children have experienced during the isolation and stress of the pandemic.

But the gusher of money may not be enough to mollify parents who are frustrated that so many California schools still have not fully reopened. Only 13% of kids are in the classroom five days a week, even though the state has among the nations lowest infection rates.

There are still a lot of us who are still in a place where we are not ready to forget about what happened this year because our kids have really suffered, said Megan Bacigalupi, an advocate with Open Schools California, whose children attend public schools in Oakland, where they go to class just five hours per week.

Until school is back for all kids five days a week, all of this investment doesnt really resonate.

A recent poll shows that 83% of California public school parents think kids have fallen behind in the last year. Still, a strong majority said they approve of Newsoms management of the schools during the pandemic.

Another constituency that can help Newsom is the powerful public employee unions, who could spend big to fight the recall. Most state worker unions agreed to a 9% pay cut last year when state officials feared a more broad-based recession at the start of the pandemic. Newsoms plan ends the pay cut for some unions, but others are currently negotiating over it.

In his presentation, Newsom thanked state employees for taking the pay cut last year so the state didnt have to slash services for needy Californians, and said: You were there for us last year, were going to be there for you.

But hes also going back to early campaign promises and pre-pandemic priorities

California Republican Party chairperson Jessica Millan Patterson dubbed the governors events this week his Recall Response Tour, and said, protecting his position drives all of Gavin Newsoms decisions.

Its true that hes highlighted some issues that those who want to throw him out of office have hammered on, such as blight, homelessness, and business closures.

But a closer analysis reveals that many of Newsoms latest proposals are lifted from his pre-pandemic budgets and campaign ads. In other words, hes trying to do what hes long said he wanted to  now that he has the money to do it.

His proposal to give children from low-income families $500 in a college savings account builds on a smaller program he launched in 2019, which itself builds on a program he championed as San Francisco mayor. His plan to make preschool available to all 4-year-olds echoes a promise from his 2018 campaign, when he ran an ad showing a cherubic child building a tower with blocks and said he wanted to make California a place where every toddler can attend preschool.

Newsoms desire to earmark an ongoing $1 billion to expand Medi-Cal health coverage to undocumented seniors ages 60 and up is similar to an idea he suggested in January 2020, but put off when the pandemic hit. The state already allows undocumented children and young adults up to age 26 to sign up for Medi-Cal, the states health insurance program for low-income residents. Allowing seniors to sign up would get the state closer to Newsoms campaign promise for universal health coverage.

Newsoms $12 billion plan to alleviate homelessness hearkens back to February 2020, when he made the issue the focus of his State-of-the-State speech and never mentioned the emerging coronavirus that would wind up derailing his plans for the year.

When Newsom campaigned for office, he pledged to build 3.5 million units of new housing by 2025. But so far the state hasnt even come close  a point Patterson highlighted in a statement this week: Housing costs are through the roof despite Newsoms 2018 campaign pledge to build more housing.

Newsoms updated budget includes a notable boost in housing construction  but not nearly enough to reach his lofty initial goals. The biggest investment includes $1.75 billion for shovel-ready projects that would add 6,300 units of affordable housing. He also calls for $1 billion for affordable housing, the same as he proposed in January.

Newsom may not get everything he wants

Crafting a state budget is a three-way dance between the governor and the two houses of the Legislature, who will spend the next month negotiating until lawmakers pass the final spending plan in mid-June. The process always involves some give and take, even when  as has been the case for several years  all the players involved are Democrats.

The devil is in the details, said Democratic Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez of San Diego. We will end up in a similar place on expenditures, and the difference will be in the implementation and how we achieve the goal.

Assembly and Senate leaders have their own priorities.

Senate leader Toni Atkins, for example, proposed a new program to help first-time homebuyers. Newsom didnt include that idea in his plan, but proposed expanding an existing homeownership assistance program. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said hell try to increase spending on childcare and college financial aid, as well as health and social services. Key lawmakers have been pushing to overhaul of the states financial aid system  something Newsom didnt include. While Newsom included $7 billion to close the digital divide, lawmakers have their own ideas about how to expand broadband service.

Various interest groups will lobby lawmakers over the next month for their share of the bounty. Some public health officials were dismayed that they didnt get more money to make sure theyre ready for the next emergency.

The biggest lesson of COVID-19 is that waiting until a crisis to invest in public health costs lives, said Michelle Gibbons, executive director of the County Health Executives Association of California.

Even though Newsom proposed expanding health care and cash aid for low-income undocumented Californians, some advocates said his plan doesnt go far enough because non-citizens have been excluded from federal stimulus checks and unemployment benefits.

Excluded workers in California are simply asking for the same as what everyone else in California has received. We want solidarity, not charity, said Sasha Feldstein, economic justice policy manager for California Immigrant Policy Center.

From the other end of the political spectrum, business interests will pressure Newsom and lawmakers to spend more paying down debt in the unemployment insurance fund, which is the biggest threat to all businesses in California and their ability to bring back workers to their jobs, according to Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable.

Some lawmakers will undoubtedly probe Newsoms plans to spend money over several years when the deluge of cash probably wont last that long. The state could face a lawsuit over Newsoms proposal to send $600 checks to Californians who make less than $75,000, with taxpayer advocates saying it may not meet the state constitutions requirements to refund taxpayers when state revenue hits a certain threshold.

The plan essentially redistributes wealth, taking the glut of tax dollars that are largely paid by the highest earners and sending rebates to those at the middle and lower end of the income scale. Newsom said his plan was in line with Californians values, noting that in recent years voters have twice approved tax increases on the wealthy to fund public services. He even referenced his own status as a million-dollar-earner: Im proud of the fact that some of the dollars that Im putting back into the California coffers as a taxpayer are going to help single moms out there. Im really proud of that, and I hope others are as well.

With the recall election still months away, another gubernatorial roadshow seems inevitable once the budget is passed and the money starts flowing.

CalMatters reporters Jackie Botts, Ana B. Ibarra, Barbara Feder Ostrov, Manuela Tobias, and Mikhail Zinshteyn contributed to this story.
I wont say too much about this sequel, so I dont ruin the first book for readers whod like to start there (its now available in paperback!), just that it also features Lakshmi, now working in a clinic in Shimla, and young Malik, who seems to be veering down a dangerous path.

This budding series is wonderful for armchair travelers and those looking to get lost in a world very different from their own. Joshi is also scheduled for a virtual event with Napa Bookmine on July 27, so you have time to read both books!

Readers looking for a literary novel to really sink their teeth into will want to pick up Lisa Taddeos "Animal" (June 8). Taddeo is the bestselling author of 2019s "Three Women," an astounding and deeply researched look at the romantic and sexual lives of the modern woman.

This book is her fiction debut, a powerful look at female rage and survival. Joan witnessed a horrific event as a child and it has colored everything shes done since. After years of casual cruelty at the hands of men, a shocking act of violence sends her back to her past as she tries to make sense of the world shes inhabited for so long. "Animal" is raw, visceral, and ferocious.
Napa County reported a milestone Tuesday in its fight to contain COVID-19: No new cases.

This was the first time in nearly a year that Napa went a day without at least one positive test result, Janet Upton, the county's public information officer, said.

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Over the past year, there have been double-digit COVID most days, with a peak on Jan. 5 of 350 cases.

This is a testament to the efficacy of the vaccines and to our communitys commitment to our collective health," Dr. Karen Relucio, the county's public health officer said. "Im incredibly proud of our public health staff, healthcare partners, volunteers, and our community for their hard work and sacrifice that got us to this point.

During the surge earlier this year, as many as 10% of COVID tests were coming back positive, indicating major community spread, Upton said.

More recently, the number of people being tested has declined, but the positivity rate has plunged to 1%, suggesting a much lower level of transmission, she said.

Cases have been dropping in recent weeks. There were 35 Napa County cases last week, the lowest total since June.

Because the virus is still with us, the county and local organizations are continuing to mount vaccination drives. As of last week, only 51% of eligible county residents were fully vaccinated.

State and county public health officials have delayed implementing new guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that say it's safe for fully vaccinated people to skip face coverings and social distancing in virtually all situations.

Napa County is waiting for California to issue rules so that the state can more fully open up on June 15.

California was the first state to issue a statewide shutdown order in March 2020 and was the nation's epicenter for the disease at the start of 2021. Nearly 63,000 people have died from the virus in California, including 81 in Napa County.

To learn about local vaccine clinics, visit https://www.countyofnapa.org/3096/COVID-19-Vaccines or call the County of Napas Public Information & Support line at (707) 253-4540 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Residents who want to be tested for COVID without charge should go to countyofnapa.org/test for more information.

For more information on COVID-19 and actions, you can take to #stopthesurge, visit countyofnapa.org/coronavirus.

Editors note: Because of the health implications of the COVID-19 virus, this article is being made available free to subscribers and non-subscribers alike. If youd like to join us in supporting the mission of local journalism, please visit napavalleyregister.com/members/join.

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Children, teens and adults are invited to join Napa County Librarys Summer Library Adventure, with the theme, Reading Colors Your World.

Participants may sign up in-person at Napa, American Canyon, Calistoga or Yountville libraries, or online at www.napalibrary.org/sla. There is no cost to participate in Napa County Library programs.

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The Summer Library Adventure, for ages 3 to 12 years old, is designed to cultivate childrens enjoyment of books, reading, and using the library through exciting free activities, programs and rewards. Additionally, the Napa County Library also offers a free early-literacy based Wee Summer Program for infants and toddlers zero to 3 years of age.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate in simple, fun activities designed to introduce the youngest children to language and prepare them for reading. The Library staff has planned storytimes in the park, craft workshops as well as virtual performances and activities that will help to keep children engaged in reading and learning all summer long.

Studies have shown that children who read and keep their brains active during the summer enter school in the fall ready to learn and succeed.
You can pretend to change diapers or how to peek into the crib or bassinet quietly to see if the baby is sleeping, or how to be gentle with the baby, Egger said. When you play, also let your little one take the lead. You will learn things about their feelings.

Because of COVID, hospitals and doctor's offices often don't allow children at mommy's check-ups or visits after birth.

So the first thing to think about is to prepare your child for mom being at the hospital. Just as you pack a mom's birth bag, you might consider packing one for your toddler at home with some special toys and a special card from mom that says, I love you," Egger said.

Caitrin O'Sullivan in Red Bank, New Jersey, has been through it a time or three. She recently gave birth to her fourth child. Her oldest is 5. This time, there were fewer opportunities to bring her older kids into the process due to pandemic restrictions.

But one of the pros is we've been home with the kids, and there's been a lot more time to talk to them about mommy's belly and this and that, she said.

She used a phone app that includes videos of fetal growth, and she bought a handheld device for the kids to listen to the baby's heartbeat at home.
The survey also found that Latinos are also more worried about contracting the disease than Black and white people.

About 41% of Latinos surveyed said they were very worried that they or someone in their family would contract the virus, compared to 30% of Black adults 10% of white adults.

Furthermore, 57% of permanent residents and 69% of "potentially" undocumented immigrants told researchers that they were even more likely to say they were very worried about them or someone in their family getting COVID-19.

The new survey gives a deeper look at the roadblocks preventing Latino communities from getting their shots at the same rate as other groups.

Among Latinos who remain unvaccinated, about 78% cited the possibility of experiencing serious side effects, 52% cited out-of-pocket costs and 49% cited missing work due to side effects as their main concerns, according to the survey.

The survey found that Latinos were more likely to get vaccinated at a community health clinic  when compared to whites and Blacks  and the least likely to get vaccines at a doctor's office. Overall, of the Latinos who have been vaccinated, 35% were vaccinated at a large vaccination site, 22% at a community health clinic, 17% at a pharmacy, 14% at a hospital and 4% at a doctor's office.
Beacon Red, a solutions-provider that focuses on tackling complex national security threats and a subsidiary of EDGE Group, and Quali, the Texas-based Infrastructure Automation at Scale company, have entered a strategic partnership. They will provide cybersecurity and related services for governments, military and critical infrastructure projects across the six-member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Under the terms of the agreement, Beacon Red and Quali will deliver a joint solution that enables customers to establish complex cyber range and interoperability testing scenarios for their clients in the GCC region.

In doing so, the agreement seeks to strengthen cybersecurity support for critical deployments and enhance the management of secured environments.

Through leveraging Qualis CloudShell infrastructure automation platform as part of the solution, Beacon Red can offer customers an enhanced level of security to:

Rapidly create and replicate complex environments that include a mix of virtual and physical infrastructure, built to client specifications, compliance and governance standards;

Design and deploy robust cyber range scenarios, delivered and consumed on demand; and

Create secure and compliant environments to test and validate new solutions.

Mauricio De Almeida, CEO, Beacon Red, said: Beacon Red and Quali are committed to helping GCC customers achieve both flexibility and scale in their cybersecurity posture. As an expert in cybersecurity and intelligence, Beacon Red understands that asymmetric threats, especially to the mission-critical physical and IT infrastructure of nations, require unconventional solutions.

He added: Through integrating integrating Quali CloudShell into our offering, what would have taken days or weeks to configure, can now be achieved with a touch of a button. Together, we will further strengthen our mission to protect our clients from increasingly complex and destructive cyberattacks. Our focus will be to prevent, disrupt, and withstand cyberattacks, increasing our clients' ability to maintain operational resiliency."

John Klemm, Executive Vice President, Global Sales, Quali, said: Both Quali and Beacon Red believe in IT choice and service flexibility, allowing the customer to choose the environment that best suits their individual needs. Our technologies are well aligned to our shared cybersecurity mission of enabling safe choices for our customers. Qualis built-in IT infrastructure governance capabilities ensure customers can manage risks across environments. We are confident that this agreement will help us continue our extraordinary growth together.

Beacon Reds customers in the Middle East can now access Quali products through Beacon Reds implementation team. Guaranteeing safe and supported infrastructure deployments to address current threats like cyberattacks, the products also work well to eliminate threats in remote working scenarios that are vulnerable to attacks.

Furthermore, Beacon Red employs one of the regions most distinguished cybersecurity subject matter experts  capable of deploying Quali software for cyber range and interoperability use cases.-- TradeArabia News Service
The Department of Defense has also pushed back on expanding offshore wind into California, warning that developments could interfere with the military's exercises and operations. But the department's top policy officials appear to have changed their position under Biden. On Tuesday, the U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, Colin Kahl, said the military had worked with the White House and California officials to find locations suitable for offshore wind development that wouldn't impede military activity.

4:40 Take a tour of a Landscape Greywater System Carrie Strohl offers a tour of a Laundry to Landscape Greywater System in Napa. Courtesy of Napa County Resource Conservation District

"The Defense Department applauds this step and looks forward to continued coordination to address the climate crisis," Kahl said in a statement.

The administration's plans for the California coast are part of a broader effort to fight climate change by shifting the country's energy sources away from oil, gas and coal and toward cleaner technology like solar and wind energy.

The White House has set a goal of deploying 30,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2030. Officials estimate that hitting this target could spur $12 billion in capital investments in projects on both coasts and employ more than 77,000 people in the offshore wind industry itself and in jobs that spring up around it. They envision bringing much of the industry's supply chain to the U.S. so that wind turbine components and the steel they're forged from are manufactured domestically.
Spivak said moving the election up could also pose problems for Newsom around turnout and fundraising.

"The pro-recall crowd likely does not need to be pushed to vote. They are already angry and ready to cast their ballot," Spivak said. "Newsom's voters are the ones who need to be 'brought' to the 'polls so to speak. More time makes a turnout effort more likely to bear fruit."

A vote in August may be ill-timed, as many voters may be away on vacation. Additionally, any issues around school reopening are likely to crop up at that time, which could anger voters. By the fall, reopening kinks could have been worked out.

Most importantly, Spivak said, an early recall election could mean a premature stop to a big fundraising run.

"At the moment, it appears that the money is flowing to Newsom and not to the recall proponents," Spivak said. "There is a great likelihood that this trend will accelerate. The more time he has to work with, the more Newsom can leverage this monetary advantage to his benefit. A short campaign limits the advantage."

Still, others say moving the recall election to August or September is the right move. Dragging out the recall process allows more time for mistakes, Acosta said.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  The new president-elect of Californias largest state employee union said Tuesday that the influential organization wont back Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsoms effort to fend off a likely recall election this fall.

Richard Louis Brown said anger over union contract concessions last year during what proved to be an illusionary $54 billion state budget deficit helped fuel his victory over longtime Service Employees International Union Local 1000 President Yvonne Walker.

Brown said that anger extends to Newsom.

He is going to need support from public sector unions to help him fight his recall, Brown said in an interview with The Associated Press. "When I become president of Local 1000, he can look for somebody else to support him. He will not get any help from us. Hes on his own.

Brown's proposals will still have to win support from the union's board of directors, given the turnabout from its reliably Democratic stances. He will take the post June 30.

While Newsom has said he expects to restore last year's pay cuts topping 9% with the new fiscal year starting July 1, he would never have agreed to that if he wasnt under the threat of recall, Brown said.
There are many challenges.

Depending on the state and even county, minors may be required to have a parent present to get the shot. Some parents may not be able to get away from work to do that. Others are unsure about allowing their kids to get a vaccine that only was approved for emergency use.

Protests have popped up outside schools offering the vaccine, discouraging kids who may already be nervous.

Mission Bay High School in San Diego provides an example of the mixed reaction among students.

I'm not getting it," said Tatum Merrill, 14, standing with friends outside a mobile vaccine clinic at the school. It was developed too fast and is kind of sketchy. And I feel like the number of COVID cases is dying down so if everybody else has it, there may not be a need for me to have it."

Her friend Brandon Cheeks, 15, said he wants the vaccine, but his mother is unsure. In the meantime, another 15-year-old, Laura Pilger, said she feels safer being back in school knowing that she and everyone she knows is vaccinated.
None of that sounds like a plus for the Republican cause.

But don't take that from me; one of McConnell's lieutenants, Sen. John Thune, explained candidly last week that an inquest would get in the way of the GOP's campaign message for 2022.

"A lot of our members  want to be moving forward and not looking backward," he said. "Anything that gets us rehashing the 2020 elections, I think, is a day lost on being able to draw a contrast between us and the Democrats' very radical left-wing agenda."

In other words: Move along, folks, nothing to see here. The invasion of the Capitol is ancient history; let's talk about how President Joe Biden is (to quote Kevin McCarthy) "governing as a socialist."

Last week, the Democratic-led House voted to authorize an independent commission, with 35 Republicans breaking ranks  and defying McCarthy  to vote yes. But the bill still needs 60 votes in the evenly divided Senate, and McConnell has planted himself firmly in the way.

There will still be several investigations of what happened on Jan. 6, even if McConnell succeeds in blocking a commission. House and Senate committees are already examining the episode, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has the power to launch a special committee with a Democratic chair.
YEREVAN.  We have presented a demand that the Azerbaijanis leave the sovereign territory of Armenia; but they continue to stay and carry out provocations. Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, Armen Grigoryan, on Tuesday said this on Public Television, and referring to the border situation.

"The process is going so that we pass all this information to the CSTO, start discussions, figure out what solution we will give to the situation. The tension has decreased compared to noon, but that does not mean that there is calm; there is tension. Today there is already a casualty at the border, and this completely changes the situation. The CSTO must speed up starting a process, as well as sending a mission. The CSTO also has an obligation to send a mission to the conflict zone, or, in the current situation, to the territory of the given state, for the mission to give an assessment. We [Armenia] hope that the CSTO will send a mission; we have launched mechanisms with Russia, too," he said.

According to Grigoryan, as a result of the contacts between acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of Russia Vladimir Putin, there is also an agreement that the Azerbaijani troops must leave the territory of Armenia. "This is the position, and everyone can be said to share that position," he added.

The head of Armenias Security Council added: "If we fail to reach a speedy settlement through peaceful diplomacy, the situation will approach the situation described in Article 4 [of the CSTO]; and in that case, Armenia, also together with its CSTO partners, will have to resolve the issue in a different way. We continue to hope that the issue can be resolved through political diplomacy."

Grigoryan noted that the Armenian public's expectations did not become a reality very quickly, but he is convinced that the problem will be solved. "Since there are processes within the CSTO, the position of our allies is that the issue can be resolved peacefully, through diplomacy. This incident shows that the opportunities for a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the problem are running out, and moreover, they create a situation to apply to the CSTO under Article 4 of the CSTO, and the CSTO must take this fact into account. We continue to hope that the problem will be solved through political-diplomatic means. If suddenly it will not be possible through political-diplomatic means, we will have to use other tools," he said.

And asked whether the Armenian government's view is that the aforesaid should be paralleled with the demarcation work with discussing the status of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Armen Grigoryan said: "We said that after the withdrawal of the [Azerbaijani] troops, it is possible to create an environment for us to start discussing these issues. We find that these issues are interconnected, our problems with Azerbaijan cannot be discussed separately; they are all interconnected."
Newspaper: Real "war" behind scenes of Armenia authorities after every provincial visit of acting PM

Armenia acting PM Pashinyan tells details from his talk with army General Staff former chief Gasparyan

Man found dead in Armenia canal

NATO Secretary-General affirms willingness for cooperation with Russia

Armenia Special Investigation Service charges political party member for giving electoral bribe

Armenia Central Electoral Commission grants motion to launch criminal prosecution against MP candidate

"I Have the Honor" bloc member: Coronavirus and 'nikolavirus' (Nikol Pashinyan) are both lethal

Greek PM: Greece willing to back positive EU agenda for Turkey

Russia Deputy FM, France Ambassador discuss settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

CoE: We are engaged in a dialogue to develop a set of confidence-building measures between Armenia, Azerbaijan

Armenia 3rd President states when country's security system began to collapse

Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff ex-deputy chief on acting PM's statement on his "National Hero" title

Armenia Arevik National Park director dismissed for being a friend of Meghri mayor

Reuters: Erdogan's summit with Biden clouded by bitter disputes

Armenia acting MOD receives Head of ICRC Delegation

Gagik Tsarukyan: Armenia needs to develop the economy by using resources of country and people

Gagik Tsarukyan: Russia is Armenia's main ally, and this can't be altered

Armenia MOD: Azerbaijanis try to carry out engineering works in Kut border section, Armenian side counters

Armenia 1st President's nephew and his son involved in brawl in Yerevan

Snap elections online voting starts, Azerbaijan continues 'trial' of Armenian POWs, Jun 11 digest

Armenian former high-tech industry minister, member of ruling party on June 9 brawl in Yerevan

Robert Kocharyan: If Armenia wants a peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict, it needs to give Azerbaijan hope

Armenia acting PM: During campaign meetings hundreds of mothers thanked me for signing Nov. 9 document

Citizens are demanded to applaud Armenia acting PM

Armenia ruling party lawmaker, MP candidate: Civil Contracts election promises are continuation of 2018 promises

Armenia villager to Nikol Pashinyan: Yard of Turk's house is in front of our military post

Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party assures that it's not expecting ministerial positions

Robert Kocharyan: "Armenia" bloc will restore and deepen country's ties with allies

Czech Rep. parliament committee calls on Azerbaijan to release all Armenian captives immediately

"Armenia" bloc member Armen Gevorgyan holds meetings with diplomatic corps and international organizations

Dollar still dropping in Armenia

Azerbaijan announces names of 26 Armenian servicemen it intends to "put on trial"

Armenian publishing house to print 66,925,000 ballots for upcoming snap parliamentary elections

"Armenia" bloc member: There are reports that over 10 police buses escorted acting PM yesterday

Gallup: "Armenia" bloc records slightly higher indicator than ruling party

Armenia acting PM has been obligated to publicly apologize to Khachatryan family

"Armenia" bloc: Robert Kocharyan and ARF-D resolved crisis that Levon Ter-Petrosyan created in 1998

Intellectual Armenia Party to support "Armenia" bloc in snap parliamentary elections

Armenia ruling party MP's powers terminated

Brawl takes place during Armenia ruling Civil Contract Party's campaign meeting, case launched

Armenia acting premier: We also have enclave under Azerbaijan rule

Holy Etchmiadzin: We express regret for unwise, inappropriate statements of acting PM

"I have the honor" bloc member: Armenia acting PM has instructed his voters to go to polls by afternoon

Prosperous Armenia Party MP: Enemy does not divide Armenians into "blacks" and "whites"

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 10 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
It is necessary to constantly invest money in the image of the country, not after certain blows on it. Second President Robert Kocharyan, who heads the Armenia bloc ahead of the snap parliamentary elections on June 20, said this during a meeting Tuesday with representatives of business and construction.

"It hurts me that I turn on CNN, there is an advertisement of Azerbaijan day and night, and it is quite high quality, well-prepared. It hurts me, but I do not see anything about Armenia anywhere. There were a few small things, then I found out that something was made with [Argentine Armenian businessman Eduardo] Eurnekian's mediation, and the [Armenian] state had nothing to do with all of it; this is the sacred duty of the state. From the point of view of image, our diplomatic services must also do their job. We can put the potential of the [Armenian] diaspora to a more active message. Today, the gap that was formed between the diaspora and Armenia must be overcome," he said.

Kocharyan recalled that they had 37-38 thousand tourists in the first year of his premiership in 1997. "At that time, they were saying, 'We need a road, we need an airport, [airline] companies need to fly, which leave no doubt in terms of security. Enormous work had to be done for tourism; there was not a single hotel. In 1998/99, we were doing 'welcome here' for someone to come, build a hotel; the movement started in connection with the 1700th anniversary [in 2001, in terms of Armenias adoption of Christianity as state religion], at that time," Kocharyan added.
President of Emirates, Sir Tim Clark, believes demand for air travel could come back at a staggering rate by Q4 2021, if the vaccine programme beats the virus.

During a conversation at this year's ATM Virtual (May 2427) with top aviation consultant, John Strickland, who conducted the interview from London, Sir Tim initially gave his opinion on the recovery timescale of the aviation sector.

The ideal situation is that the vaccine programme beats the virus by Autumn of this year and we get some relief then demand will come back at a staggering rate. Low cost (airlines) will benefit from intra-European travel, the US domestic market, Chinas domestic market and international travel will (also) return in large numbers, said Sir Tim.

But the problem (with this scenario) will be twofold. The ability of airlines to meet the demand when it comes and two, the conditionality of country access requirements, he added.

On the latter point, Sir Tim explained that even though there is massive pent-up demand, there may well be inhibitors too. Some passengers might be nervous and worried about variant strains of the Coronavirus, the situation in India he said is creating a ripple effect across the global economy.

Although airlines and airports had really worked hard to sanitise how they managed passenger welfare, mitigating risk through their protocols, that alone would not be enough.

Its a question of how we navigate the next six months and if we do it right with equitable vaccine distribution, testing regimes simplified and made cheaper, all of this lends to the theory that by the end of the year, well be back in business in some scale, he said.

Sir Tim then moved on to talk about business travel and said: Business travel will return in absolute terms, but segments will change. Airlines will have to adapt to the changing nature of demand. An a la carte menu for business class which allows you to pick and choose products at various price points that go with it, is a smart idea.

When Strickland asked about the longer outlook for aviation, Sir Tim ended on a defiant and positive note. In the fullness of time it will all (Coronavirus) go away it will be history.

Elsewhere on the programme, IATAs Director General Willie Walsh gave a keynote interview, once again with John Strickland and explored the priority issues on Willie Walshs agenda and talked about how IATA needed to drive the engagement and consistency of approach to permit airlines to begin the process of recovery.

The Saudi Arabia Tourism Summit also returned virtually on May 24 to take an exclusive look at the future of Saudis hotel landscape. With the long-term tourism outlook more bullish than ever, hotel industry heavyweights including Accors TIMEA CEO Mark Willis; Hassan Ahdab, President of Hotels Operations for Dur Hospitality, and Christopher Lund, Director, Head of Hotels, MENA Region, Colliers International, discussed the vast potential for new and innovative hospitality concepts that could keep pace with demand from fast-changing guest demographics.

Later in the week at ATM Virtual 2021, the ATM Hotel Industry Summit will examine hospitality trends such as wellness and sustainability.

The third day of ATM Virtual on May 26, will include highlights such as Cultural Tourism for Growth and Responsible Technology for Travel & Tourism sessions, as well as the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Conference taking place at 2 pm to 5:45 pm GST, with the theme, Ready.Safe.Travel.

The Middle East Tourism Investment Summit organised by ITIC in partnership with Arabian Travel Market 2021 will also take place virtually on May 27. - TradeArabia News Service
Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha, the first Hyatt Regency brand in Qatar, has announced the appointment of Mert Duran as Executive Chef and Alena Dmitrienko as Front Office Manager.

Duran, a Turkish national, carries more than two decades of culinary experience at Hyatt Hotels in Middle & Central Asia, Europe and the UAE. He also has extensive knowledge of banquet and outside catering.

His recent position was Executive Chef at Hyatt Regency Bishkek.

Duran will be responsible for all culinary operations and concepts, overseeing five dining venues, the hotel In-Room Dining as well as banquets and outside catering. He will be focusing on creating and implementation of different menus in all the outlet venues as well as different banquet offerings making sure to provide guests with memorable food experiences.

A Russian national, Alena Dmitrienko is a long-serving Hyatt hotelier with 10 years of experience in luxury hotel operations. Her last post was Front Office Manager at the Luxury Five Star Hotel- Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow.

Carrying a vast experience on luxury hotel operations, Dmitrienko will be responsible for driving Hyatt Regency Oryx Dohas seamless and intuitive guests experience making sure a stress free travel to all the hotel guests.

On the recent appointments, General Manager of Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha, Julien Gonzalvez, said: We are very thrilled to welcome two of the key personnel to our Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha family. I am confident that Mert and Alena would help us in taking Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha to greater heights. - TradeArabia News Service
Human Rights Organization to Lead Demonstration in Support of Uighur Women and Call for the Biden Administration to Boycott the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Stanton Public Policy Center

May 26, 2021

WASHINGTON, May 26, 2021 /Christian Newswire/ -- Stanton Public Policy Center and Purple Sash Revolution will be holding a demonstration on Thursday, May 27, at 10:00 AM in Lafayette Park, across from the White House, in support of Uighur women and to call for the Biden Administration to boycott the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing.



Stanton Public Policy Center is a women's advocacy and educational group that works on issues of human rights and justice which empower and inspire women. It is affiliated with Stanton Healthcare which has life-affirming women's health clinics in America and internationally.

The Chinese Communist Party has been systematically targeting Uighur Muslim women through forced pregnancy checks, medication that stops menstruation, forced abortions, surgical sterilizations, rape and genocide.

As part of their global campaign to raise awareness of the oppression and persecution of Uighur women, Stanton Public Policy center is calling for President Biden to boycott the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing as a way to stand in solidarity with the Uighurs.

Brandi Swindell is the Founder and CEO of Stanton Public Policy Center. Ms. Swindell has a long history of speaking out for human rights and justice in China; she led a boycott of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games and organized peaceful protests in Tiananmen Square during the Olympics.

For this courageous stand, Chinese government officials arrested Ms. Swindell, threatened her with a 6-month prison sentence, deported her to the United States and later banned her from China.

Regarding the global campaign in support of Uighur women and call for an Olympic boycott, Ms. Swindell comments:

"The world is seeing unprecedented actions by the Chinese government against Uighur women. They are facing forced pregnancy checks, medication that stops their menstruation, forced abortions, surgical sterilizations, rape and genocide. It is imperative America and the free nations of the world publicly confront these attacks on Uighur women. "In response to these horrific atrocities, Stanton Public Policy Center is launching a worldwide campaign to stand in solidarity with Uighur women and draw international attention to their plight. A first step in our efforts is asking President Biden to call for a boycott of the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games. It is especially important for women in America to realize the struggle for equality and justice for women is a global one."

Danielle Versluys, Chief Operations Officer for Stanton Public Policy Center, first visited China as a teen and worked with humanitarian aid workers in Hong Kong and mainland China. Mrs. Versluys states:

"It is imperative that the United States government takes a principled stand against China's reign of terror over the Uighur people. President Biden, we call upon your administration to denounce the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing as a farce. There should be no cooperation or amicable games with a nation which provably targets innocent Uighur women for forced abortion, forced sterilization, and other horrific human rights abuses."

Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Chief Strategy Officer for Stanton Public Policy Center, has a 40-year history of fighting for human rights and freedom in China. He was also arrested during the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games and is banned from China for his outspoken stand for human rights. He recently was embedded with Hong Kong University students in their heroic struggle for democracy during the "Siege of PolyU."

Rev. Mahoney adds:

"The world can no longer be silent or indifferent to the oppression, violence and persecution of Uighur women. Their struggle and pain must become ours. In a very real sense, 'We are all Uighurs.' As Stanton Public Policy Center launches this global campaign in support of Uighur women, we recognize America must take a leading role. "A powerful first step would be President Biden refusing to send our nation's Olympic athletes to the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games. How could we possibly participate in a cherished international event where the host country is supporting genocide against Uighur women? America's involvement would only embolden the Chinese Communist Party in these destructive and violent attacks against women."

SOURCE Stanton Public Policy Center

CONTACT: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741


Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General, UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said signs are pointing to a significant air travel demand in the second half of 2021 and sustainable recovery in air operations, said a report.

In his welcome address at the Air Traffic Control (ATC) Forum and Global Airport Leaders Forum (GALF) co-located with the three-day Airport Show 2021 in Dubai, news agency WAM reported Suwaidi as saying: "I am confident that together we will continue our efforts to make 2021 to be a year of transition for sustainable recovery and growth."

Today, despite the catastrophe and the vaccination rollout and increase in supply of vaccines globally more passengers are expected to return to travel and the UAE expects even more. Al Suwaidi said the UAE was able to retain the supply chain of essential and non-essential goods to other nations. By June 2021, we expect passenger numbers to recover globally and to 49 per cent recovery of their 2019 level."

"We foresee only a 49 per cent recovery -- 26 per cent international and 66 per cent for domestic. As against 4.5 billion travellers in 2019, only 1.8 billion passengers took to the skies last year. The coronavirus pandemic led to a 50 per cent drop in domestic passenger traffic globally and 74 per cent in international traffic in 2020."

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the UAE has immediately communicated with airports and airlines and formed several internal and national bodies to adjust and adopt safety certification to maintain an acceptable safety and security standards and support our industry, its personnel and passengers from the Covid-19 spread, the report said.

"On the aviation safety and security front we have adapted publishing and adopting an unprecedented facilities and provisions and techniques to ensure continuity of services to maintain safe operation of our aircraft, airports and air navigation infrastructure.

From the time the total suspension of the non-essential operations was started in March 2020, we have started working and planning for the recovery during the peak of the pandemic, he added.

Ismaeil Al Balooshi, Assistant Director General Aviation Safety Affairs, UAE GCAA, said the UAE community is back to normalcy thanks to an effective vaccination strategy.

"We are up for good news. We have reached its pre-pandemic level. Community is open but there is no complacency," he said at the session titled Air Traffic Management in the post-Covid era. Retail and recreation is an indicator for community normalisation. Our recovery will be surging when other states will open up with the UAE, and we are all eyeing at normalcy for 2021. Countries have opened their borders, but with more entry conditions. It is a hopeful situation towards recovery."

The civil aviation sector is deeply impacted. However, we dont have control over the public health measures and border control. We need to collaborate and exchange more at national, regional and international levels, with states and NGOs.

On the effect of vaccine, he said the UAE is at 80 per cent vaccination rate. The vaccine is working and it has encouraging effect on lower death rate and infections rate, while the UAE has still maintained a high level of testing rates.

In 2019, the UAE contributed to around 2.2 percent (in top 30 countries) in terms of worldwide international flights while the UAE population was 0.1 percent of worldwide population in 2020, around 2.5 percent.

The Dubai International Airport (DXB) retained its position as the No 1 for international passengers in for the sixth year, with annual traffic for 2019 reaching 86.4 million, 6 million more than airport ranking No.2.
Newly appointed Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Armenia Khaled Shawabka (seat in Moscow) today presented his Letters of Credence to President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian.

As reported the Staff of the President of Armenia, Sarkissian congratulated the Ambassador, wished him success and said he anticipates joint and active work to expand and deepen the relations between the fraternal countries, and the newly appointed Ambassador transmitted the best wishes of King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein Al-Hashimi to the President of Armenia and the Armenian people.

Ambassador Shawabka assured that he will make all efforts for further strengthening and deepening of the relations between the friendly countries and mentioned that the wonderful relations between the President of Armenia and the King of Jordan serve as a good basis for advancement of the cooperation.

During the meeting, the parties talked about the promotion of partnership in various sectors. The Armenian president touched upon the challenges facing the country after the war, as well as Azerbaijans ongoing encroachments against the borders and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia, noting that they are overt violations of the norms of international law and need to be countered by the international community in the strictest way.
The Taliban oppose the establishment of bases in the region after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. Pakistan has promised that American bases will not be deployed on its territory.

The statements were made amid speculation that the United States, which is withdrawing its military from Afghanistan, would want an area nearby to attack militant targets, AP reported.

The warning also came as efforts were stepped up to expedite the stalled peace talks between the government and the Taliban. Both Pakistan and Qatar pressured the Taliban to take part in the talks in Turkey. The UN-sponsored talks were due to take place in Turkey last month, but the Taliban refused to take part.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Foreign Minister told the Pakistani Senate that the country will not allow the deployment of American bases on its territory.

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Pakistan has deployed four air bases for the US-led coalition.

The United States and about 7,000 NATO troops will leave Afghanistan by September 11 at the latest. In a statement earlier this week, US Central Command said it had completed about 25% of the withdrawal.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with senior Egyptian officials in Cairo as part of a Middle East tour aimed at strengthening the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Reuters reported.

Egypt maintains a long-standing relationship with both parties to the conflict and has played a key role in securing the ceasefire in Gaza in coordination with the United States.

During a short visit, Blinken met with President and FM as well as the intelligence chief.

The United States and Egypt are working together to enable Israelis and Palestinians to live in safety, he said.

And weve had in Egypt a real and effective partner in dealing with the violence, bringing it to a close, relatively quickly. And now, working closely together build something positive, he said.

Blinken has arrived in Egypt after stops in Jerusalem and Ramallah and is due to visit Jordan. On Tuesday, he pledged that the United States will provide assistance to rebuild the Gaza Strip, including $ 5.5 million in disaster relief and nearly $ 33 million for the UN Palestinian Relief Agency.

Egypt, which borders Gaza and maintains security contacts with Hamas, is likely to play a role in the direction of aid, a senior US State Department official said earlier.

During the fighting, Egypt opened the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula to provide medical assistance and evacuate the wounded.
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and Bellwether won six awards, including four gold, a silver and a bronze, at the Transform MENA Awards 2021.

The ceremony, which was held in Dubai on May 25, celebrates innovative and strategic ideas when developing regional corporate identities as well as celebrates those who establish and re-launch them.

The awards received by Dubai Culture and Bellwether include three gold awards in the Best Implementation of a Brand Development Project, Best Use of a Visual Property, and Best Visual Identity from the Public Sector categories. The Authority also won the silver award for the Best Creative Strategy category and the bronze award for the Best Brand Development Project to Reflect a Change of Mission, Values or Positioning category as well as the grand gold award for the Best Overall Visual Identity.

Hala Badri, Director-General of Dubai Culture, said: We are proud to have received this important recognition from the foremost experts in the field of corporate identity. We have been keen to build a vibrant and innovative corporate identity that expresses our mission and supports our strategic agenda aimed at launching a comprehensive movement to enhance the emirate's cultural and creative scene and consolidate its position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent. Our efforts over the past period have resulted in important achievements in this field, and winning these prestigious awards has strengthened our pride in these accomplishments. I would like to congratulate all members of the Dubai Culture team and thank everyone who contributed to the development of our corporate identity for their efforts in transforming our ambitious vision into a visual identity that reflects it excellence. I would also like to also extend my sincere gratitude to the jury of the Transform MENA Awards for this honour.

Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, Director of the Marketing & Corporate Communication Department, and Acting Chief Executive Officer of Arts & Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, said: We are extremely happy to have won these awards that reflect the teams great efforts over several months to develop our corporate identity and utilise it in a way that embodies the essence of our vision, values, mission and services. This will strengthen its connection with residents and members of the creative and cultural community, granting them a platform to express their passion and aspirations. We are proud of these successes, and we will continue on the path of excellence at all levels." - TradeArabia News Service
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken that Israel is opposed to reopening the US consulate for Palestinians in sovereign Israel, hours before the US announced its plan to do so in Jerusalem, Jpost reported.

Netanyahu said that Israel would prefer that the consulate of another entity - the Palestinian authority - was not located in the sovereign territory of Israel.

Blinken did not specify exactly where the new consulate will be located in Jerusalem. Many other countries have consulates or embassies for Palestinians in East Jerusalem, which is part of Israel under Israeli law but is not recognized by most countries.

The Trump administration merged the US Consulate for Palestinians with the US Embassy in Israel in March 2019 after moving the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The move was largely symbolic, as most of the consular staff continued to do the work they had done before, but under the name of the Palestine Affairs Unit.

Blinken said the day before that he could not name the date for the opening of the consulate.
Yerevan doesnt rule out the fact that it will address the UN Security Council with regard to the incursion of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan in the sovereign territory of Armenia, if it suddenly becomes clear that the toolkit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization or the agreement on the joint Armenian-Russian group arent enough to solve the situation and the problems that have emerged. This is what acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said during todays question-and-answer session with government officials in parliament.

Once again, Pashinyan emphasized that the aim of the actions taken by Azerbaijan in the territory of Sev Lake was to incite a military conflict and, as President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev had announced earlier, to create a corridor through the use of force.

This is exactly why Armenia addressed the CSTO. Currently, were not satisfied with the speed of actions of the CSTO, but we will continue to work with our partners to clarify the situation, Pashinyan said. He also paid attention to the fact that the member states of the CSTO still havent clearly expressed their position on the pullout of Azerbaijani troops from Armenias territory.

As for the issue of addressing the UN Security Council, the acting premier stated that the issue has been considered since the very first days of the incursion and is still a matter of discussion.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the newest national airline of the UAE, will fly two times per week from the UAE capital to one of Greeces most stunning travel destinations: the island of Santorini.

With Greece and the UAE having opened a travel corridor earlier in May, vaccinated travellers can visit the alluring Aegean archipelago without needing to quarantine.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will fly to Santorini from July 2 twice per week, every Monday and Friday. Fares start as low as AED 179 ($48.7), with tickets on sale on wizzair.com (which also has an Arabic booking website) and the airlines mobile app.

UAE passengers can fly into Greece without needing to quarantine on arrival in the country. They must provide a negative PCR test taken by swab up to 72 hours before the arrival, or hold a certificate of vaccination in English issued by a public authority, children 5 years of age and younger are exempted. The vaccination needs to have been completed at least 14 days before arrival to Greece. The certificate should include the full name of the passenger, the type of vaccine, the number of doses taken and the dates.

When returning to Abu Dhabi, UAE residents and citizens who have been vaccinated for at least 28 days, and have received a vaccine report on the Alhosn app, will be able to fly into the UAE from Greece without having to follow quarantine restrictions. Passengers will have to take a PCR test 72 hours before departure, alongside taking another PCR test on arrival into the UAE, and another on the sixth day after arriving. Children 12 years of age and younger are exempted.

Kees Van Schaick, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, said: With its iconic whitewashed villages and charming blue domed roofs, its no surprise that Santorini is an ever-popular destination for travellers the world over. And now, with the UAE and Greece having agreed a travel corridor, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is delivering safe, efficient, hassle-free, and ultra-low fare travel options for UAE residents looking for a Hellenistic holiday.

Passengers are requested to follow social distancing measures introduced by the local health authorities and are encouraged to make all purchases prior to the flight online (e.g. checked in luggage, Wizz Priority, fast security track), to minimise any possible physical contact at the airport.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi operate two other regular flights a week from Abu Dhabi to the Greek cities of Athens and Thessaloniki. - TradeArabia News Service
YEREVAN.  Zhoghovurd newspaper of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: According to Zhoghovurd dailys information, RA Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan and RA Government Chief of Staff Arsen Torosyan are currently meeting with Armenias [university] rectors.

We learned from well-informed sources that Avinyan and Torosyan meet separately with the rectors and ask [them] to be with them during the NA [National Assembly] snap elections to be held on June 20, to work to bring them votes, or at least to show neutrality and not support any political forces.

According to our information, there were rectors who even turned down the invitation of Avinyan and Torosyan to meet, and stated that they had no desire to talk to them. And some of the rectors ruled out that they will work, make some compromises with them.

The rectors noted that they have spoken many times about the [need for the] resignation of the [incumbent] authorities and they are of that opinion now, too; that is, it turns out that two prominent figures in the government are busy persuading various officials, putting pressure on them so that they secure votes for their [ruling] party [in the forthcoming election].
Pentagon says Beijing not answering its calls

The Pentagon has confirmed communication problems with key military officials in China. Image: Shutterstock

A US defence spokesman said on Tuesday that the Pentagon was still trying to connect with Chinese military chiefs amid reports that Beijing was rejecting calls on protocol issues.



US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been rebuffed three times in attempted calls to Chinese counterparts, according to a Financial Times report that has not been denied.



China's government-allied Global Times newspaper reported that while China is open to bilateral military discussions, Austin had tried to connect with Xu Qiliang, the powerful vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, the Chinese Communist Party organ which oversees the military, rather than just with the country's Minister of Defense, Wei Fenghe.



Austin's approach of trying to see Xu, who is close to President Xi Jinping, was "an unprofessional and unfriendly act of disregarding diplomatic protocol and international common practice," wrote the Global Times, which often echos official views.



Pentagon spokesman John Kirby confirmed that Austin has not connected with China's top military officials.



"We certainly desire to have a dialogue with our counterparts in Beijing, and we're still working our way through exactly what that's going to look like and how that's going to transpire," he said Tuesday.



The Pentagon has been open about the desire to have top-level bilateral discussions with China amid a rise in tensions between the two sides.



Washington has kept up a strong military presence in the region, especially with naval deployments, to make clear its rejection of Beijing's claim on disputed territories in the South China Sea, its threat to retake US ally Taiwan by force, and its expanded military presence beyond East Asia.



China meanwhile sees the regular passage of US ships through the South China Sea and the Taiwan Straits as threats to its sovereignty, and its dealings with Taiwan as a strictly domestic issue.



China's frequent air force patrols into Taiwan's regional airspace, and the United States' continuing supplies of advanced defence equipment to Taiwan, has raised worries that the island could become a flashpoint between the two superpowers.



Relations between the two sides' militaries have ebbed sharply since former US Defense Secretary James Mattis visited Beijing for talks on opening better channels of communication in June 2018.



Those discussions did not bear fruit, and Mattis' successor Mark Esper was unable to set up a meeting with his counterpart last year.



Austin and Wei were expected to have an opportunity for informal talks in early June at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue Asian security summit, but the event was cancelled last week due to ongoing Covid-19 concerns. (AFP)
Taiwan says Beijing blocked deal for BioNTech jabs

Tsai Ing-wen says Beijing's intervention has stopped Taiwan getting BioNTech jabs. Photo: AFP

Taipei directly accused Beijing for the first time on Wednesday of blocking a deal with Germany's BioNTech for Covid-19 vaccines.



Taiwan has millions of vaccine doses on order, from AstraZeneca and Moderna, but has received only slightly more than 700,000 to date, and has only been able to vaccinate about 1% of its population as cases surge.



While Taiwan has previously said it had been unable to sign a final contract with BioNTech, it had only implied that pressure from Beijing was to blame.



In comments at a meeting of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, President Tsai Ing-wen said they had "smoothly" booked orders for the AstraZeneca and Moderna shots.



"As for Germany's BioNTech, we were close to completing the contract with the original German plant, but because of China's intervention, up to now there's been no way to complete it," she said.



BioNTech said earlier that it could not comment on potential or ongoing discussions on providing vaccines.



"It goes without saying that it is BioNTech's goal to provide access to our vaccine to as many people worldwide as possible," the company said.



Beijing has repeatedly denied trying to block vaccines for Taiwan and has offered to provide them itself as a gesture of goodwill.



China's Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group said on Saturday that it was willing to provide Taiwan with BioNTech vaccines.



Fosun signed a deal with BioNTech to exclusively develop and commercialise Covid-19 vaccine products developed using BioNTech's mRNA technology in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.



Beijing has accused Taipei of putting up political obstacles over the vaccine offer. (Reuters)
Next Digital seeks to resume share trading

Next Digital's headquarters in Tseung Kwan O. The company plans to resume trading in its shares on Thursday. File image: Shutterstock

Media firm Next Digital says it's asked to resume trading in shares on Thursday after the company established that it had the resources to fund its operations despite the freezing of majority shareholder Jimmy Lai's assets.



The shares were suspended earlier this month when the Security Bureau moved to freeze Lai's majority shareholding in the publisher of Apple Daily, as well as other assets which it says are linked to national security offences.



In a filing to Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing on Wednesay, the company said the directors had assessed the current and potential long-term implications of the freezing order, and did not expect any "immediate negative effect on the financial situation or operations of the group".



It said the company had unaudited bank and cash balances of more than $500 million, enough to keep its operations running for at least 18 months.



It said it also expected to save money by ending the print publication of Apple Daily's Taiwan edition.



It said shareholders and potential investors should exercise caution in dealing with the company's securities.



The polices national security department charged Lai with collusion with a foreign country to endanger national security on December 11. It brought two further charges of conspiracy on April 16 this year.



The Security Bureau made the freezing order on May 14 under article 43 of the national security law.



It said the notice directed that relevant persons and organisations must not, directly or indirectly, deal with certain property which is reasonably suspected to be related to offences endangering national security.



Separately, Lai is serving a 14-month sentence after being convicted of taking part in unauthorised assemblies in August 2019.
May 26A person was taken to Miami Valley Hospital Tuesday night after a 911 caller reported a man was shot in the arm in Dayton.

Police and medics were called around 8:15 p.m. to the 3700 block of West Third Street in Dayton on a report of a shooting.

A woman told police dispatchers that a man was shot in the arm, but that she didn't see the shooting take place, according to dispatch records.

The man was breathing and moving, she said.

The woman said that she heard four shots.

It's not clear whether anyone has been arrested.

We will continue to update this report as we learn new details in the case.
An 11-year-old girl in Charlotte is being honored for her heroic actions that firefighters say saved her 6-year-old brothers life.

Tyshala Wilson says she has a lot of fears.

I have to say, I used to be scared of a lot of things. Im scared of spiders, snakes, and a lot more. Its kind of hard to say I havent been scared before, Tyshala said.

The house is on fire, help 11-year-old calls for help as she and brother trapped inside burning Charlotte apartment

But when her mothers apartment caught fire in March, she knew she couldnt let fear stand in the way of saving her brothers life.

It was the fact that I saw my brother cry and scream. That moment kind of made me feel like he was in danger more than I was. So it kind of kicked in at that moment, like I had to do something for him, Tyshala said.

Tyshala says when she walked into the kitchen and saw the flames, she was scared but knew she just had to get to her brother.

I got scared and I run back in my room and I protected my brother as far and as fast as I could, Tyshala said.

Firefighters say Tyshala took her brother to a room away from the fire, closed the door to protect them from flames, and called 911.

She knew to call 911. She knew to get her brother to safety, firefighter Amy Rea said.

Firefighters Amy Rea and Christie Russell taught fire safety to Tyshalas third grade class in 2019. Tyshala was able to use what she learned during that training to save her and her brothers life.

It turned out pretty fine. My brother is running around in school right now, happy with his friends and all, Tyshala said.

Their home was left with significant damage but whats important, is thanks to Tyshalas bravery, Firefighters were able to save her and her brother from the burning apartment.

I just have to say if I wasnt here right now, my mom would be in tears. My grandma would be crying and it would be an endless nightmare, Tyshala said.

But Wednesday, instead of tears, Tyshalas mother was all smiles as her brave daughter was presented with the Heroism Award by the North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal and North Carolinas Insurance Commissioner.

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Our communication received the call via a child inside the apartment, Charlotte Fire Captain Dennis Gist said. There were two children inside the apartment. The child stayed on the phone with our dispatchers, gave instructions to where they were on the second floor.

Upon our arrival, the older child allowed for her brother to come down the ladder first and she also shut the doors to keep the smoke and any harmful substance from getting to where they were, Gist said.

Thats something, as the captain said, a hero would do.

The child is a hero, Gist said. This child did a very good job and helped save lives today.

Officials said most of the damage was isolated to one apartment. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but no injuries were reported.
Andy Jassy, left, will take over as Amazon CEO from Jeff Bezos in Q3 of this year. Mike Blake/Reuters; Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images

More than 500 Amazon workers are asking CEO Jeff Bezos and Andy Jassy to support Palestinians.

The workers specifically asked that Amazon sever contracts with the Israel Defense Forces.

Amazon signed a cloud-computing deal with Israel this week worth more than $1 billion.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

A group of more than 500 Amazon workers signed an internal letter asking its top executives Jeff Bezos and Andy Jassy to support Palestinians, The Verge reports.

Andy Jassy is set to take over from Jeff Bezos as Amazon CEO later this year.

"As Amazonians, we believe it is our moral responsibility to stand in solidarity with and speak out on behalf of the millions of Palestinians who, for decades, have not only been dispossessed of their voices and victimhood, but, in essence, their humanity," the letter says.

"Amazon employs Palestinians in Tel Aviv and Haifa offices and around the world. Ignoring the suffering faced by Palestinians and their families at home erases our Palestinian coworkers," it adds.

The letter makes four specific demands of Amazon's senior leadership, including severing contracts with government and corporate entities associated with human-rights violations. The letter names the Israel Defense Forces as an example.

Amazon Web Services, the company's cloud division, signed a deal Monday with the Israeli government to provide cloud services to the country's military and public sector. Google also signed a similar deal.

Israel and the militant group Hamas agreed to a cease-fire Thursday after 10 days of the bloodiest fighting the region had seen in years. The Israeli bombardment of Gaza killed at least 232 Palestinians, including 65 children and 39 women, according to Reuters, citing health authorities. Nearly 2,000 people in Gaza, the Hamas-controlled territory that is under an Israeli blockade, were injured, and the UN said about 58,000 were displaced.

Militants in Gaza fired more than 4,300 rockets that killed at least 12 people in Israel, including two children and a soldier.

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The letter also asks Amazon to start a relief fund for Palestinians affected by military violence, to publicly acknowledge "the continued assault upon Palestinians' basic human rights under an illegal occupation," and to reject publicly and internally any definition of antisemitism that says criticism of Israel is inherently antisemitic.

"It is important to clarify that our stance against the Israeli military occupation of the Palestinian people is not a stance against the Jewish people. Antisemitism has no place in our cause. Our narrative is a stance against a state continuing to perpetuate settle colonial violence against an indigenous people: the Palestinians," the workers wrote in the letter.

Amazon isn't the only tech company where employees have asked leadership to support Palestinians. More than 250 Google employees signed a petition asking the Google to end certain contracts with Israel.

Read the original article on Business Insider
American actor and wrestling star John Cena has apologized on Chinese social media after getting tangled up in a geopolitics scandal by calling Taiwan a country.

In an interview to Taiwanese broadcaster TVBS earlier this month, Cena sparked controversy while promoting the ninth installment of the Fast & Furious franchise when he said, Taiwan is the first country to watch Fast and Furious 9.

Beijing claims the self-governing island as part of its territory and has threatened to annex it  by force, if necessary. Even though Taiwan has its own government, democratic elections and army, most governments around the world dont recognize it as a country.

On Tuesday, Cena, 44, posted a video message that he recorded in Mandarin on Chinese social network Weibo, in which he said that he had done many interviews for Fast & Furious 9 and during one interview, he made a mistake.

I must say right now, its very, very, very, very, very, very important, Cena said. I love and respect China and Chinese people. Im very, very sorry for my mistake.

He did not elaborate on what exactly he was apologizing for and did not directly mention Taiwan.

Cena has a considerable presence on Weibo, with more than 600,000 followers. He has been learning Mandarin for several years, according to media reports.

Some Weibo users were critical of Cena's apology and called it insincere or lacking conviction. One wrote: "It's the western political correctness. he wants Chinese people to forgive him but he also doesn't want to offend idiot Taiwan and the West."

However, some were more forgiving. "Some of the comments here are really too aggressive," one said. "I think we should sit down and chat about it in a less intense way. Foreigners don't necessarily know China's politics, just like we don't necessarily know their politics."

China is the worlds second-largest film market.

The latest installment in Universal's franchise kicked off with a massive $162 million in eight markets, including China, Korea and Hong Kong. The ticket sales easily mark the best start for a Hollywood blockbuster since Covid-19 hit.

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Universal is owned by NBCUniversal, the parent company of NBC News.

China views Taiwan as an illegitimate breakaway province. When the civil war in China between the Communists and the Nationalists ended in 1949, with the former triumphant, the latter set up a rival government in Taipei.

The U.S. has no official relations with Taiwan, but extensive informal ties. Former President Donald Trump angered Beijing by sending Cabinet officials to visit Taiwan in a show of support.

Earlier this year, China increased its military activity near the island in response to what it calls "secessionist forces" and "collusion" between Taipei and Washington.

The Chinese Communist Party has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under Beijing's control.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Under the theme of A new dawn for travel & tourism, the Arabian Travel Market Virtual event continued on day two (May 25) and after the morning hotel and aviation sessions, the focus turned towards sustainability.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, remarked: "Sustainability in travel and tourism is vitally important for the future of our industry, with growing concerns about the industrys impact on the environment. This is the issue of the hour. Hotels and destinations will have to balance short term financial recovery coming out of the pandemic, with a mid to longer term eco-friendly business strategy.

During a virtual conversation with top industry sustainability professionals, moderator Harold Goodwin, who is Responsible Tourism Advisor to the World Travel Market, presented a session entitled Responsible Hospitality in a Perfect Storm.

During his opening comments, Goodwin sought opinion from the panel about the environmental challenges facing hotels over the next decade, especially when the pandemic, has hit hotels hard financially, with many still focused on survival.

In response, Eric Ricaurte, Founder and Chief Executive of hospitality consultancy Greenview, said: By 2030 at the latest, hotels will be expected by their stakeholders to be net zero (emissions), 100 per cent renewable energy. So, the problem at the moment is really coping with the pace of change to get there.

According to Singapore-based Ricaurte, the key to keeping pace with say retrofits or renovations, will, in part be dictated not only by consumer demand but by potential new green regulations, Hotels will need to plan ahead for new regulations, allocating enough reserves through their CAPEX budgets.

On the issue of measuring their sustainability performance and being transparent about the results, Inge Huijbrechts, Global Senior Vice President Sustainability, Security and Corporate Communications at Radisson Hotel Group commented: All major hospitality companies have been tracking their (sustainable) performance and weve all been setting reduction targets."

But you need to recognise each hotel is different, theres such a wide scope  you have resorts, boutique, upscale service, limited service, that an absolute number doesnt really mean anything necessarily."

I do believe that we need to build a framework, with agreed set sustainability criteria and that we should share that information transparently. Also, if travellers are interested, there is a very good framework created in collaboration with Cornell, where all relevant information is put into a database per destination.

Moving away from traditional hospitality and bricks and mortar resorts, the ecotourism industry, which is expected to achieve growth of CAGR 8 per cent in the medium to long term, has been evolving, with some aspects such as glamping even accelerating during the pandemic.

A special on demand session moderated by James Wrenn, Associate Director, Colliers Hotels MENA, looked at alternative lodging, under the heading of, From luxury cabins to eco tents  one of the fastest growing touristic offerings.

According to Colliers, the evolution of the Eco, Wellness, Agri, and Adventure (EWAA) tourism industry can be attributed to the increased demand for sustainable lodging options, the change in peoples lifestyle, and the increased awareness of the impact of tourism on the environment.

Simultaneously, the MENA region is in the process of establishing itself as a key destination for EWAA tourists with numerous developments underway. While initial EWAA projects were centered around individual luxury desert resorts particularly in the UAE, we now see the UAE, KSA, and Oman leading the development in this market with several projects and government masterplans.

Talking about financial performance, panelist Chris Nader, Advisor, Experiential Consulting, commented: Ras Al Khaimahs Jebel Jais camping resort had exceeded its budget (last year) which had actually been set before the pandemic. Local families in particular enjoyed the high-end, larger tents with space for distancing and privacy.

Elsewhere on the agenda at ATM Virtual 2021 and rather appropriately wrapping-up the three-day online event, was the GBTA Conference @ ATM 2021 Ready! Safe! Travel!

This big picture segment examined just how ready the region is for its return to international travel, looking at GBTAs BTI Business Travel Outlook for the Middle East; industry forecasts and looked at how governments had responded to the pandemic and their own readiness, in terms of border controls; travel restrictions and the roadmap out of the pandemic.

Featured speakers included Iyad Rasbey, Executive Director, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority; Catherine Logan, Regional Vice President - EMEA, GBTA and Derek Sadubin, Managing Director, CAPA - Centre for Aviation

The Middle East Tourism Investment Summit organised by ITIC in partnership with Arabian Travel Market 2021 will also take place virtually on May 27. - TradeArabia News Service
On today's 5 Things podcast: Adam Toledo's family creates sanctuary for at-risk youth in honor of 14th birthday as Congress continues to work on a policing bill. Plus, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken heads to Egypt and Jordan as the U.S. considers how to move forward with Israel and Palestine, global coronavirus cases in 2021 are already higher than 2020, record temperatures are possible in the South and a super blood moon and total lunar eclipse can be seen in western skies.

Hit play on the podcast player above as you read along with the transcript below.

Taylor Wilson:

Good morning, I'm Taylor Wilson, and this is Five Things you need to know Wednesday, the 26th of May, 2021. Today, Adam Toledo, the teenager killed by a Chicago police officer, would have turned 14. Plus, the Secretary of State is in Egypt as cease-fire efforts continue following violence in Gaza and more.

Taylor Wilson:

Here are some of the top headlines:

The prosecutor overseeing a criminal probe into former President Donald Trump and his business has convened a grand jury. Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance's move indicates that he believes he has a case against Trump or someone else in Trump's orbit. An investigation has been looking into potential tax and bank-related fraud. A Southwest Airlines passenger who allegedly struck a flight attended has been charged with felony battery. The flight attendant lost two teeth in the incident and the Flight Attendants Union wrote a letter to Southwest CEO pushing for more protections. The union said there were nearly 500 passenger misconduct incidents on Southwest between April 8th and May 15th. And John Cena issued a video apology after referring to Taiwan as a country while promoting the latest Fast and the Furious film. Taiwan has been self-ruled since 1949, but has never declared full independence.

Taylor Wilson:

Wednesday would have been Adam Toledo's 14th birthday. Toledo, a Black 13-year-old at the time was shot and killed by a white Chicago police officer in late March. Video of his death showed Officer Eric Stillman respond to reports of shots fired. He then found and chased Adam down an alley. According to videos, Adam then tossed a gun behind a fence before turning to face Stillman with his hands up. The officer then fired in less than a second. Stillman has not returned to regular field duties. In mid-April, a group of Latino lawyers called for the Department of Justice to investigate the circumstances that led to and resulted in Toledo's death. The killing also sparked protests in Chicago and around the country. And Mayor Lori Lightfoot called for changes to the city's foot pursuit policy.

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Taylor Wilson:

To mark his birthday, Adam's family has announced the creation of Adam's Place, a rural sanctuary for at-risk youth. It'll be for kids aged 10 to 14 from Chicago and other Midwestern cities. Toledo's family lawyers said it will help youths, "develop skills, values, and self-worth by learning to care for the natural world, others and themselves away from the dangers of urban streets." Adam Toledo's birthday comes a day after the one-year mark since George Floyd was killed by police in Minneapolis. His family met with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and congressional leaders on Tuesday. Lawmakers continue to push for new policing legislation in Floyd's honor. The Floyd family's attorney Ben Crump said after Tuesday's meeting that legislators are close on police reform, but that pressure needs to continue.

Ben Crump:

We are optimistic both Senator Scott and Senator Graham talked to the family for over an hour, talking about how they're making progress, how both sides of the aisle are at the table and they're trying to define specific terms because they feel that they are close, the closest they've ever been. And so we want to encourage them in the spirit of this day, and that's why the family wanted to come and say let's have a legacy that respects not only their brother's blood on that legislation, but Breonna Taylor and all of the others who have been taken away unjustifiably. We have to make sure we don't squander this opportunity.

Taylor Wilson:

President Joe Biden said after the meeting, that he's optimistic on a new policing act.

President Joe Biden:

I've spoken with the negotiators. I'm hopeful that sometime after Memorial Day we'll have an agreement on the George Floyd legislation.

Taylor Wilson:

The act would ban certain police tactics and also make it easier to prosecute law enforcement officers.

Taylor Wilson:

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will head to Egypt and Jordan on Wednesday. The countries have acted as mediators in fighting between Israel and Hamas militants. And Egypt particularly helped broker last week's cease-fire. Israel killed at least 230 Palestinians in the conflict and Hamas killed at least a dozen people in Israel. The 11 days of violence also demolished huge parts of the Gaza Strip, including damage to 18 hospitals and several schools. The Biden Administration largely stayed in the shadows during the first week of violence. But President Joe Biden later pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step down. All eyes are on how the Biden administration will next handle relations with Israel, a long time US ally. While there on Tuesday, Blinken said the US would reopen its consulate in Jerusalem. It had served as a de facto embassy for Palestine until former President Donald Trump closed it in 2019.

Taylor Wilson:

But during talks with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders, Blinken also made clear that the US has no immediate plans to pursue peace talks between the sides. During recent violence, the Biden administration approved $735 million in weapons to Israel, despite opposition from some progressive Democrats. The US says it plans to help Gaza rebuild, but the Biden office is making it clear that any assistance should be kept out of the hands of Hamas. The group opposes Israel existing at all, and both Israel and the US consider them to be terrorists. Instead, the US is backing the rival government of President Mahmoud Abbas. His Palestinian Authority administers areas in the West Bank, but he has little influence in Gaza, which Hamas ousted him from in 2007. Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke Tuesday of building economic growth in the occupied West Bank. But he said there will be no peace until Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

Taylor Wilson:

1.7 billion coronavirus vaccine doses have now been administered around the world. But the early months of 2021 were brutal for the pandemic, and parts of Latin America and Asia are still seeing new surges in countries with low vaccination rates. All of that contributes to more COVID-19 cases in 2021 already than in all of 2020. Through Sunday, the world reported 83.62 million cases so far in 2021. That's compared to 83.56 million cases last year. Stateside, cases are dropping dramatically as vaccinations rise. There were 22,000 new cases on Tuesday in the US, that's compared to a high of 300,000 on January 2nd. And even last month, there were days with more than 80,000 cases. State and local leaders continue to offer up incentives to get more people vaccinated. Ohio is rolling out weekly $1 million and scholarship prizes for those vaccinated, and Colorado announced a similar plan on Tuesday. 49.5% of Americans have now received at least one vaccine dose and 39.5% are fully vaccinated. If you still need your shots, you can head to vaccines.gov to find where vaccines are in stock near you and to schedule an appointment.

Taylor Wilson:

Record temperatures are possible in parts of the South Tuesday. A heat wave is scorching the region this week, and more than 70 daily heat records may be broken as a high pressure system dominates the Eastern part of the country. Cities including Atlanta, Charlotte, and Raleigh could all break records, and hot temperatures are expected to hang around the Southeast through the end of the week. Stay with the weather section on usatoday.com for more on what's happening your area.

Taylor Wilson:

If you're listening right now from the Western US, you may still have a chance to catch a total lunar eclipse early Wednesday morning. It happens when the earth is between the full moon and the sun. Unlike a solar eclipse, you don't need special glasses or gadgets to see it. But binoculars or a telescope obviously help enhance your view. This eclipse also comes with a special treat, a super moon. The second and last one of 2021. That's when the moon looks bigger than usual, since it's a bit closer to Earth.

Taylor Wilson:

Thanks for listening to 5 Things. As always, you can find us wherever you get your audio. And on Apple Podcasts, please drop us five stars if you have a second. Thanks as always to Shannon Green and Claire Thornton for their work on the show. 5 Things is part of the USA TODAY Network.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 5 Things podcast: supermoon lunar eclipse, coronavirus surges globally
NICOSIA (Reuters) - Cyprus recommended on Wednesday that those under 50 should receive so-called messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccines, joining other countries like France who have set age restrictions for the AstraZeneca shot.

The island state had previously no age restrictions for the AstraZeneca vaccine, which it has been using since January. The change follows reports of the death of a British woman administered the shot earlier this month in Cyprius.

The health ministry said it had referred the case to the European Medicines Agency (EMA). European drug regulators said last month there was a possible link between the vaccine and a very small number of cases of rare blood clots.

Individuals who have already taken a single-dose of the Vaxzeveria jab should receive their second dose, provided there were no serious side effects like thrombosis or thrombocytopenia, the ministry said in a statement, citing the "unanimous view" of scientific advisors.

A majority of those, it said, suggested that mRNA vaccines, technology used in the Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna vaccines, be recommended for the under 50s.

AstraZeneca's shot uses a harmless, weakened version of a chimpanzee common-cold virus to deliver instructions to generate an immune response and prevent infection.

Authorities had previously defended their decision not to impose age restrictions on the vaccine by saying people were offered a selection of shots and that they were following EMA guidelines.

But Cyprus had ordered considerably more AstraZeneca vaccines. With other options quickly running out, Vaxzevria was the only one available to thousands of people scrambling to book an appointment on a state-administered vaccine portal.

It had also made the AstraZeneca vaccine the only option available at private practitioners.

About 40% of Cyprus's population has taken the first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and 17% has had both doses.

(Reporting By Michele Kambas; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
ALBANY  Criminal justice advocates want lawmakers to know theyre serious about revamping New Yorks parole system  and theyre spending big money to do so.

New Yorkers United for Justice is unveiling a six-figure ad push this week in a bid to convince the Democratic-led Legislature that major parole overhauls are necessary and popular as a recent poll shows broad support for changes.

New Yorks parole system is broken, biased, and expensive, and from Brooklyn to Buffalo, New Yorkers agree that it is past time we enact commonsense reforms, said NYUJ executive director Alexander Horwitz. With this new poll, we have the wind at our backs  now were capitalizing on that momentum and bringing the message of commonsense parole reform directly to New Yorkers.

The poll NYUJ commissioned from The Parkside Group found that roughly half of voters believe the parole system needs to change, compared to 9% who dont.

By a three-to-one margin, New Yorkers dont think parolees should be jailed for technical violations such as failing a drug test or missing a meeting with a parole officer.

The 30-second ads will air around the state and in Albany as the Legislative session comes to a close on June 10. Supporters are hoping lawmakers get the message.

Several bills that advocates say would revamp the parole process, reduce incarceration and recidivism and save the state money are currently being considered by the Democratic-led Legislature.

One measure, Elder Parole, would give incarcerated individuals over 55 who have already served 15 years in prison a chance to go before a parole board.

Another, Fair and Timely Parole, would change the standards of parole, centering release on a persons rehabilitation while incarcerated, not on the original crime.

The third piece of legislation, known as the Less Is More Act, would stop the state from locking up people for minor technical parole violations, such as breaking a curfew or travel restrictions or failing a drug testing,

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The measure would incentivize good behavior through earned time credits, reduce the types of rules violations that would send people back to prison, end automatic reincarceration and reduce parole officer caseloads.

Last week, an analysis from A More Just NYC detailed how at least a dozen deep red states have outpaced New York and implemented successful parole reforms, such as incentivizing time off and limiting jail time, that have saved money and reduced incarceration.

The New York City Bar Association also recently issued its own report recommending sweeping legislative changes to policing and the prison system, including parole.

Lawmakers should transform parole into a system that provides re-entry services rather than a punitive program that unnecessarily and unjustly increases incarceration, the report concluded.
Chinese-backed and Africa-focused fintech platform OPay is in talks to raise up to $400 million, The Information reported today. The fundraising is coming two years after OPay announced two funding rounds in 2019 -- $50 million in June and a $120 million Series B in November.

The $170 million raised so far came from mainly Chinese investors who have collectively begun to bet big on African startups over the past few years. Some of them include SoftBank, Sequoia Capital China, IDG Capital, SoftBank Ventures Asia, GSR Ventures and Source Code Capital.

In 2018, Opera, popularly known for its internet search engine and browser, launched the OPay mobile money platform in Lagos. It didn't take long for the company to expand aggressively within the city using ORide, a now-defunct ride-hailing service, as an entry point to the array of services it wanted to offer. Since then, the company has tested several verticals -- OBus, a bus-booking platform (also defunct); OExpress, a logistics delivery service; OTrade, a B2B e-commerce platform; OFood, a food delivery service, among others.

While none of these services has significantly scaled, OPay's fintech and mobile money arm (which is its main play) is thriving. This year, its parent company Opera reported that OPay's monthly transactions grew 4.5x last year to over $2 billion in December. OPay also claims to process about 80% of bank transfers among mobile money operators in Nigeria and 20% of the country's non-merchant point of sales transactions. Last year, the company also said it acquired an international money transfer license with a WorldRemit partnership also in the works.

OPay plays in an extremely competitive fintech market. Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation, and with a large share of its people underbanked and unbanked, fintech is arguably the most promising digital sector in the country. The same can be said for the continent as a whole. Mobile money services have long catered to the needs of the underbanked, and per GSMA, Africa had more than 160 million active mobile money users generating over $495 billion in transaction value last year.

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While fintech upstarts like OPay and Paga are trying to capture as much market share as possible, telcos like MTN and Airtel, with operations in multiple African countries, are spinning off mobile money service arms as billion-dollar businesses to compete as well.

With the money OPay has raised so far, it's quite surprising that the country until last year December was only present in Nigeria. None of its plans to expand to South Africa and Kenya (countries it expressed interest in during its Series B) has come to fruition yet. Although the company blamed the pandemic for these shortcomings, it has set up shop in North Africa by expanding to Egypt this year. This next raise, likely a Series C, will be instrumental in the company's plans for geographical and product offerings expansion. According to The Information, OPay's valuation will increase to about $1.5 billion, three times what it was worth back in 2019.

We reached out to OPay for confirmation but they declined to comment at this time.
South Africa's former president, Jacob Zuma, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday in a much-postponed corruption case dating back more than two decades.

The 79-year-old faces 16 charges of fraud, graft and racketeering relating to a 1999 purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and military gear from five European arms firms for 30 billion rand, then the equivalent of nearly $5 billion.

Zuma -- who at the time was president Thabo Mbeki's deputy -- is accused of accepting bribes totalling four million rand from one of the firms, French defence giant Thales.

Zuma was impassive as he faced the court in the eastern city of Pietermaritzburg, where numerous supporters and relatives were gathered.

Impeccably dressed in a dark blue suit and a red tie, wearing an anti-coronavirus mask, he was repeatedly asked by the judge, Piet Koen, to confirm in person the response of his attorney, given "the magnitude of what we're dealing with."

"I plead not guilty," Zuma said without hesitating.

Thales also entered a not-guilty plea to charges of corruption and money laundering.

The company's lawyers told the court that Thales had never paid any bribes to Zuma to allegedly prevent investigation into the arms sale.

For many South Africans, the long-awaited case will deliver the verdict of history on Zuma's turbulent presidency.

Under his nine-year tenure, say critics, corruption and cronyism flourished, and billions of dollars in state assets and business were siphoned off.

The ex-leader's lawyers asked to have prosecution attorney Billy Downer recused, accusing him of bias.

"His right to a fair trial is what is at stake," Zuma's defence advocate, Dali Mpofu, argued.

- 'Not delaying' -

Outside the courthouse, hundreds of Zuma backers gathered, some dressed in camouflage, singing and dancing in a show of support for their embattled leader.

"I trust by the end of this trial there will be justice and it will be shown that I did not steal anything," Zuma told the jubilant crowd, speaking in his native language, Zulu.

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But "this case can't continue with this man as the prosecutor, we want him removed," Zuma said, echoing his defence team's argument, before quickly adding that the recusal request was not another delay tactic.

"We are not delaying, we want this matter aired out and heard in court," Zuma said.

A veteran showman, Zuma burst into a gospel anthem and then followed with his trademark anti-apartheid song "Awuleth' Umshini Wami" ("Bring Me My Machine Gun"), causing his gleeful followers to join in unison.

The next hearing has been set for July 19.

Prosecutors are expected to call around 200 witnesses during the course of the trial.

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) forced Zuma to resign in 2018 after a mounting series of scandals.

His successor, Cyril Ramaphosa, has vowed to stamp out graft, but is meeting resistance from pro-Zuma figures who command grassroots support in the party.

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A gate of what is officially known as a "vocational skills education centre" in Xinjiang

A camera system that uses AI and facial recognition intended to reveal states of emotion has been tested on Uyghurs in Xinjiang, the BBC has been told.

A software engineer claimed to have installed such systems in police stations in the province.

A human rights advocate who was shown the evidence described it as shocking.

The Chinese embassy in London has not responded directly to the claims but says political and social rights in all ethnic groups are guaranteed.

Xinjiang is home to 12 million ethnic minority Uyghurs, most of whom are Muslim.

Citizens in the province are under daily surveillance. The area is also home to highly controversial "re-education centres", called high security detention camps by human rights groups, where it is estimated that more than a million people have been held.

Beijing has always argued that surveillance is necessary in the region because it says separatists who want to set up their own state have killed hundreds of people in terror attacks.

Xinjiang is believed to be one of the most surveilled areas in the world

The software engineer agreed to talk to the BBC's Panorama programme under condition of anonymity, because he fears for his safety. The company he worked for is also not being revealed.

But he showed Panorama five photographs of Uyghur detainees who he claimed had had the emotion recognition system tested on them.

Data from the system purports to indicate a person's state of mind, with red suggesting a negative or anxious state of mind

"The Chinese government use Uyghurs as test subjects for various experiments just like rats are used in laboratories," he said.

And he outlined his role in installing the cameras in police stations in the province: "We placed the emotion detection camera 3m from the subject. It is similar to a lie detector but far more advanced technology."

He said officers used "restraint chairs" which are widely installed in police stations across China.

"Your wrists are locked in place by metal restraints, and [the] same applies to your ankles."

He provided evidence of how the AI system is trained to detect and analyse even minute changes in facial expressions and skin pores.

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According to his claims, the software creates a pie chart, with the red segment representing a negative or anxious state of mind.

He claimed the software was intended for "pre-judgement without any credible evidence".

The Chinese embassy in London did not respond to questions about the use of emotional recognition software in the province but said: "The political, economic, and social rights and freedom of religious belief in all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are fully guaranteed.

"People live in harmony regardless of their ethnic backgrounds and enjoy a stable and peaceful life with no restriction to personal freedom."

The evidence was shown to Sophie Richardson, China director of Human Rights Watch.

"It is shocking material. It's not just that people are being reduced to a pie chart, it's people who are in highly coercive circumstances, under enormous pressure, being understandably nervous and that's taken as an indication of guilt, and I think, that's deeply problematic."

Suspicious behaviour

According to Darren Byler, from the University of Colorado, Uyghurs routinely have to provide DNA samples to local officials, undergo digital scans and most have to download a government phone app, which gathers data including contact lists and text messages.

"Uyghur life is now about generating data," he said.

"Everyone knows that the smartphone is something you have to carry with you, and if you don't carry it you can be detained, they know that you're being tracked by it. And they feel like there's no escape," he said.

Most of the data is fed into a computer system called the Integrated Joint Operations Platform, which Human Rights Watch claims flags up supposedly suspicious behaviour.

"The system is gathering information about dozens of different kinds of perfectly legal behaviours including things like whether people were going out the back door instead of the front door, whether they were putting gas in a car that didn't belong to them," said Ms Richardson.

"Authorities now place QR codes outside the doors of people's homes so that they can easily know who's supposed to be there and who's not."

Orwellian?

There has long been debate about how closely tied Chinese technology firms are to the state. US-based research group IPVM claims to have uncovered evidence in patents filed by such companies that suggest facial recognition products were specifically designed to identify Uyghur people.

A patent filed in July 2018 by Huawei and the China Academy of Sciences describes a face recognition product that is capable of identifying people on the basis of their ethnicity.

Huawei said in response that it did "not condone the use of technology to discriminate or oppress members of any community" and that it was "independent of government" wherever it operated.

The group has also found a document which appears to suggest the firm was developing technology for a so-called One Person, One File system.

"For each person the government would store their personal information, their political activities, relationships... anything that might give you insight into how that person would behave and what kind of a threat they might pose," said IPVM's Conor Healy.

"It makes any kind of dissidence potentially impossible and creates true predictability for the government in the behaviour of their citizens. I don't think that [George] Orwell would ever have imagined that a government could be capable of this kind of analysis."

Huawei did not specifically address questions about its involvement in developing technology for the One Person, One File system but said: "Huawei opposes discrimination of all types, including the use of technology to carry out ethnic discrimination.

"As a privately-held company, Huawei is independent of government wherever we operate. We do not condone the use of technology to discriminate against or oppress members of any community."

The Chinese embassy in London said it had "no knowledge" of these programmes.

IPVM also claimed to have found marketing material from Chinese firm Hikvision advertising a Uyghur-detecting AI camera, and a patent for software developed by Dahua, another tech giant, which could also identify Uyghurs.

Dahua said its patent referred to all 56 recognised ethnicities in China and did not deliberately target any one of them.

It added that it provided "products and services that aim to help keep people safe" and complied "with the laws and regulations of every market" in which it operates, including the UK.

Hikvision said the details on its website were incorrect and "uploaded online without appropriate review", adding that it did not sell or have in its product range "a minority recognition function or analytics technology".

Dr Lan Xue, chairman of China's National committee on AI governance, said he was not aware of the patents.

"Outside China there are a lot of those sorts of charges. Many are not accurate and not true," he told the BBC.

"I think that the Xinjiang local government had the responsibility to really protect the Xinjiang people... if technology is used in those contexts, that's quite understandable," he said.

The UK's Chinese embassy had a more robust defence, telling the BBC: "There is no so-called facial recognition technology featuring Uyghur analytics whatsoever."

Daily surveillance

Hu Liu feels his life is under constant surveillance

China is estimated to be home to half of the world's almost 800 million surveillance cameras.

It also has a large number of smart cities, such as Chongqing, where AI is built into the foundations of the urban environment.

Chongqing-based investigative journalist Hu Liu told Panorama of his own experience: "Once you leave home and step into the lift, you are captured by a camera. There are cameras everywhere."

"When I leave home to go somewhere, I call a taxi, the taxi company uploads the data to the government. I may then go to a cafe to meet a few friends and the authorities know my location through the camera in the cafe.

"There have been occasions when I have met some friends and soon after someone from the government contacts me. They warned me, 'Don't see that person, don't do this and that.'

"With artificial intelligence we have nowhere to hide," he said.

Find out more about this on Panorama's Are you Scared Yet, Human? - available on iPlayer from 26 May
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden and Denmark said on Wednesday they had agreed to offer ailing airline SAS, in which both countries own stakes, a 3 billion Swedish crown ($361 million) loan guarantee.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen air travel collapse, plunging the industry into crisis and leaving carriers scrambling to secure funds to weather the slump.

SAS said the credit line should be seen as a complement to other ongoing activities to cut costs and strengthen liquidity.

"Market conditions also make it difficult to predict how demand will develop ahead of the important summer season given that customers are increasingly choosing to book their trips on short notice," SAS said in a statement.

Sweden and Denmark will guarantee 1.5 billion crowns each, the two Nordic governments said in separate statements.

"It is still the Government's position that SAS is important for Denmark's accessibility, Danish jobs, companies and the Danish economy in general," the Danish government said, adding that SAS had been hard-hit by the pandemic.

The Swedish state owns 14.8% and the Danish state owns 14.2% of SAS. The guarantee is pending European Union approval.

SAS, which is due to report second-quarter earnings on Thursday, completed a capital raising in late 2020 after a year of deep losses.

($1 = 8.3100 Swedish crowns)

(Reporting by Helena Soderpalm and Johan Ahlander; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle and Alexander Smith)
Reproduced from Guvenen, et al., 2021; "Lifetime Earnings in the United States Over Six Decades"; Chart: Axios Visuals

President Bidens focus on creating more manufacturing and union jobs is propelled by the steady and persistent decline in lifetime earnings for American men since he graduated from law school in the late 1960s.

The big picture: The lifetime earnings of the median male worker declined by at least 10% for those who entered the workforce at age 25 in 1967, compared to those who entered the workforce at the same age in 1983.

Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free

That decline comes to roughly $136,000 (in 2013 dollars) in lost earnings during the lifetime of those workers, according to new research from the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics at the University of Chicago.

The middle class built the country. And unions built the middle class," Biden said in his joint address to Congress in April. "Its time to grow the economy from the bottom-up and the middle-out.

Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free.
Trevor Reed inside a defendants' cage at Moscow's Golovinsky district court in July 2020. DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images

Trevor Reed, a former US Marine, has been detained in Russia since 2019.

His family said Russian officials refused to vaccinate him, and now he has COVID-19.

The family said Trevor's illness was "a result of a toxic mix of incompetence, recklessness and spitefulness."

See more stories on Insider's business page.

The family of an American man detained in Russia said he got sick with COVID-19 after officials refused to let him be vaccinated.

Trevor Reed, a former US Marine, was detained in August 2019 after being accused of assaulting police officers.

His family said in a Tuesday statement that Reed had complained of COVID-19 symptoms, including losing his sense of smell, and tested positive, but a judge refused extra medical tests or a postponement of a court hearing.

"It is completely unacceptable that Trevor contracted COVID in the first place. Some time ago, [US] Embassy officials requested permission to vaccinate Trevor and Russian officials refused," the family said.

"Trevor now has COVID as a result of a toxic mix of incompetence, recklessness and spitefulness on the part of Russian authorities."

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

The hearing, which was meant to be for Wednesday, has since been postponed, said Jonathan Franks, a spokesman for the Reed family.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Miss Universe Andrea Meza got her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine this week. Miss Universe

Andrea Meza got the first dose of her COVID-19 vaccine as her first official act as Miss Universe.

The pageant queen received her shot at a CVS in Manhattan on Wednesday.

Meza told Insider she hopes to inspire others to get the shot, especially in her native Mexico.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

For her very first act as the new Miss Universe, Andrea Meza got the COVID-19 vaccine.

Meza received her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at a CVS in Manhattan on Wednesday morning, wearing a mask and her official Miss Universe sash.

The 26-year-old software engineer - who represented Mexico during the pageant - was crowned on May 16.

"I wanted to get a vaccine publicly because I want to motivate others to get the vaccine as soon as possible in order to keep our communities safe and healthy," Meza told Insider. "I hope that others will look at my voice to get the vaccine and decide to get the vaccine as well."

Andrea Meza receives her COVID-19 vaccine as her first official act as Miss Universe at CVS on May 26, 2021 in New York City. Jim Spellman/Getty Images

Meza said her shot was "super quick, easy, and painless." She hopes that by getting the vaccine publicly, she will also inspire people in Mexico to get their shots as well.

"I was very upset to hear stories of whole towns in Mexico turning down the vaccine, as well as learning that the vaccination rate for Hispanic Americans was among the lowest in the country," she added. "I hope people from my country see my decision to get the vaccine when it was my turn and it inspires them too."

Paula Shugart, the president of the Miss Universe Organization, told Insider that she was "so proud" that Meza chose to get vaccinated as her first act as Miss Universe.

Meza got the Pfizer vaccine on Wednesday. Jim Spellman/Getty Images

"To use her platform to help encourage others to follow public health guidance and get the vaccine when it is their turn sends a powerful message about the safety and efficacy of the science behind the shot," Shugart said.

Meza has already had a busy first week as Miss Universe after rumors swirled over an old Instagram photo.

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Pageant fans dug up a picture of Meza and a man on top of a cliff. He sported a tux, while she wore a gorgeous wedding gown with a flowing veil. The caption read, "3-09-19," followed by a wedding ring emoji.

Some fans thought they had unearthed a scandal, since it's against the rules for Miss Universe contestants to be married. But Meza told Insider that the rumors couldn't be further from the truth.

Meza took the picture as part of a shoot with the official tourism office of her hometown Chihuahua, where she had worked as a brand ambassador.

Andrea Meza is crowned Miss Universe 2021 onstage at the Miss Universe 2021 Pageant at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on May 16, 2021 in Hollywood, Florida. Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images

"It's funny because the guy that is with me, he's the youngest brother of one of my best friends," Meza said. "He's 21. He's just a kid. Back then, I was not in any pageant. I just posted the picture making fun of the situation. We thought it was funny to prank our friends by only writing the date on the caption."

Meza has remained unfazed by the gossip, telling Insider she hopes to use her platform to prove to young girls that anyone can be a pageant queen.

"I think our duty as beauty queens is, yeah, of course you can look pretty and wonderful, but our duty is to let the other girls watching us know that we are not perfect," she said. "That we are just like them, and they could perfectly be in the spot we are right now. But you have to believe in yourself. You're not going to make a change in your life if you don't truly believe in yourself."

Miss Mexico Andrea Meza is crowned Miss Universe 2021. Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images

Meza said she has "felt liberated" by the world of beauty pageants. Now, as Miss Universe, she hopes to be a role model.

"For me, it's a realization of my dreams," she added. "I have admired women in this position for a long time, and being here and having this opportunity means a lot to me because now I have the platform to inspire girls just like me 10 years ago."

Read the original article on Insider
Help India!



The pandemic has laid bare Indias poor health care system and its governance, where young citizens have become foot soldiers in assisting the needs of Covid patients and their families. Desperate to save their family members in times like this, many have fallen prey to scammers and profiteers who indulge in fraudulent acts by providing false information or charge a hefty amount for 1 gas cylinder. India is not only facing a medical crisis but a moral crisis too. However, it is groups like Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) in Telangana and others profiled by TwoCircles.net here, that have emerged as relief providers to the struggling masses.

Shalini S | TwoCircles.net

Support TwoCircles



Amid surging cases of Covid-19 in India, patients and family members are seen desperately searching for oxygen cylinders, beds, plasma donors, and medicines like Remdesivir which is difficult to procure. In such a dire health crisis all across the country, the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) in Telangana, a Southern Indian state, has established an SOS helpline that runs 24/7 for assisting and providing leads to people who are in immediate need of medical facilities.

The helpline has been running since April 30.

SIO Telangana has set up a control room in SIOs headquarters in Chatta Bazar, Hyderabad, to coordinate the Covid Relief Task Force effectively.

In the very first week of establishing a Covid Relief Task Force, SIO received over 5000 requests. We were able to provide verified information about the availability of resources to 3000 patients, says Faraz, a member of SIO Telangana.

Faraz explains that SIO had put out a pamphlet calling for volunteers across the state to engage in their Covid Relief Task Force, and as per him an overwhelming number of 1000 volunteers have registered to extend help.

Out of the registered numbers, 154 volunteers are practicing doctors or final year MD (Doctor of Medicine) students, he said.

The doctors and final year students provide medical advice to the patients in the time slots allotted to them.

We connect asymptomatic or patients with mild symptoms to the doctors we have onboard for instant medical advice and care, Faraz said.

As a medical student, I aim to serve people who are in need, particularly during an unprecedented crisis like this. It is important to support and take care of each other. I registered to volunteer by seeing a friends WhatsApp status, said Lakshmi Durga, a junior doctor from Hyderabad.

Lakshman, a middle-aged man from Hyderabad, who took medical advice from one of the doctors on board in SIO Telangana told TwoCircles.net, I had visible symptoms and was scared. The consultation was very good. The doctor asked me how the symptoms started and all. I took Fabiflu for 9 days but the cough remained bad so the doctor advised me to take an injection to gain immunity. I called again to check if I can go for a retest, hopefully, it turns out negative.

The Covid Relief Task Force has field volunteers and desk volunteers from all districts of Telangana. The field volunteers work on the ground and gather verified information about the medical resources available pertinent to Covid patients in their districts and update it on a Google sheet. The Google sheet is accessible to all SIO volunteers and is updated every 6 hours. With the verified information available on the Google sheets, desk volunteers provide leads to the patients who call the helpline. The volunteers registered are from diverse religious groups. They work around the clock by taking shifts. SIO in the respective districts of Telangana is well connected for the smooth transition of work.

Over 40% of the requests we receive are for oxygen cylinders, 30% requests for hospital beds and over 20% seek for plasma donors, and other requests we receive are for medicines like Remdesivir and Tocilizumab, said Faraz.

The pandemic has laid bare Indias poor health care system and its governance, where young citizens have become foot soldiers in assisting the needs of Covid patients and their families. Desperate to save their family members in times like this, many have fallen prey to scammers and profiteers who indulge in fraudulent acts by providing false information or charge a hefty amount for 1 gas cylinder. India is not only facing a medical crisis but a moral crisis too.

The work done by SIO Telangana in assisting Covid patients and their family members is commended by the beneficiaries.

The daughter of a 48-year-old Covid patient from a rural area who was in desperate need of an oxygen bed for her mother said, We got a bed in Government General Hospital in Mahbubnagar (a city in Mahbubnagar district of Telangana) with the help of SIO. My mother got discharged a few days ago. She is in good health now. All praise to the people who have helped us in difficult times.

Dr. Talha Faiyazuddin, SIO Telangana State President, said, These are the times in which any help will be of great benefit to people. It will give people hope. Coming forward by realizing their responsibility and honoring the dignity of mankind with empathy is the true reflection of humanity. I am proud that the young cadres of Telangana are at the forefront in this holy task.

Faraz said that the field and desk volunteers are now working remotely to gather resource information after the lockdown was imposed in the state, We will keep doing the work until this all ends. Allah has given us this opportunity to help his creation he adds.

Post Script:

SIO Telanganas helpline is at 7303373374.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP)  Nowhere is Malaysia's worsening coronavirus surge more apparent than in the cemeteries around the capital.

The rising infections and deaths have alarmed health officials. They spiked again Wednesday with a record 7,478 new cases reported, pushing the countrys tally to 533,367  a five-fold increase since the start of the year. Deaths have surpassed 2,300.

The toll is visible at cemeteries such as Nirvana Memorial Park, a Buddhist, Taoist and Christian cemetery in Semenyih on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.

Health director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah warned that the country has to prepare for the worst.

The government has resisted calls for a full lockdown  fearing economic catastrophe  but has shut all schools, prohibited dining in restaurants and banned social activities and inter-state travel.

Business and shopping restrictions were increased Tuesday and public transport has been halved.

Malaysia has given nearly 2.5 million of its 33 million people at least one dose of vaccine. But the virus is still spreading rapidly, with clusters growing from variants originating in South Africa and India.

That has sparked alarm in neighboring Thailand, which says it detected the South African variant from someone who crossed the border from Malaysia.
Wednesday, May 26, 2021

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It's true an open App Store is more dangerous, and that helps Apple

In his first-ever court appearance, Apple (AAPL) CEO Tim Cook on Friday laid out his case for why Apple should be the only company to sell apps on the iPhone, saying that allowing third-party app stores would expose consumers to malware and hackers.

Testifying in game developer Epics antitrust suit against Apple, Cook called the notion of putting third-party app stores on the iPhone an experiment I wouldnt want to run. Hes not alone, either. According to New York University Tandon School of Engineering professor Justin Cappos, opening up the iPhone would imperil every iPhone owner.

I think there's a very clear line to draw to say that if you let basically people go and run their own effective app stores, Cappos told Yahoo Finance, even if they're installing things like kind of within an app, the potential for malicious code and malicious behavior on the iPhone increases dramatically.

Of course, theres more to Apples objection to having third-party app stores on the iPhone than simply protecting consumers. Theres also the 30% fee Apple collects on the sale of many apps and in-app purchases made through the App Store.

In other words, while Apple is right that its protecting consumers, its App Store dominance is not purely altruistic. And Apples argument that its safeguarding consumer data might not be enough to shield it from antitrust enforcement over an App Store store that House Democrats found enabled the tech giant to generate supra-normal profits.

Cook is right about Apples exceptional malware prevention

In the closely watched suit, Epic claims that Apple abuses its monopoly power over the App Store by forcing developers to use its proprietary payment system and paying Apple a 30% fee on sales of apps and in-app purchases. (Apple charges a 15% commission for developers that make less than $1 million a year.)

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In a coordinated campaign that kicked off last summer, Epic deployed an update for its game Fortnite that included the option to pay for in-game currency through Apples App Store or Epics own payment option, which was, naturally, less expensive.

Apple responded by taking down Fortnite and cutting off Epic from Apples developer program. To remedy the situation, Epic filed its antitrust suit against Apple seeking to cut out the 30% fee or allow third-party app stores on the iPhone. Closing arguments in the bench trial were Monday, and Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers is expected to make her decision in the coming weeks.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney arrives at the United States District Court on May 20, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Philip Pacheco/Getty Images)

Epic argues that if third-party app stores existed on the iPhone, developers would be able to lower the prices of their apps since they wouldnt have to account for the 30% Apple charges.

But in his testimony, Cook suggested opening up the iPhone would come with grave risks.

He provided a stark contrast between the amount of malware on Apples iOS versus Googles (GOOG, GOOGL) Android and Microsofts (MSFT) Windows, which do allow third-party app stores.

Cook told the judge that while iOS devices account for 1% to 2% of all malware infections, Android and Windows devices account for 30% to 40%. If you look at malware on iOS versus Android and Windows, its literally an off-the-chart level, he said.

Uneven update usage and third-party app stores put users in danger

Cooks argument is backed up by Nokias 2020 Threat Intelligence Report, which states that 26.64% of all malware infections come from Android devices. Thats down from 47.15% in 2019, which Nokia attributes to better security on Android as well as a new focus by malware creators on Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Windows PCs, meanwhile, are responsible for 38.92% of all malware infections. Apples iPhone was responsible for just 1.72% of all malware infections  though thats up from 0.85% in 2019. The remainder of attacks have impacted IoT devices.

Why the differences between the three operating systems? Cappos says it has to do with a number of factors including the rate at which iOS devices are updated to the latest version of the operating system compared to Android and Windows devices, which are typically behind the curve in using the latest software.

The iPhone is safer than other devices, because, among other things, it isn't open to third-party app stores. (Photo by Zhang Peng/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Operating system updates can patch errors that hackers can exploit with malware, making devices harder to crack. It also doesnt hurt that Android and Windows are two of the most used operating systems in the world, which makes them especially appealing targets for cybercriminals.

Both Apple and Google have automated processes that detect malicious software in their stores, but Google has run into trouble by allowing consumers to access third-party app stores. Most security experts will tell you to avoid downloading apps from third-party stores due to the increased risk of malware.

Windows, meanwhile, allows users to download apps through its own Windows Store, or anywhere on the web, which is especially dangerous for consumers who arent savvy enough to know if theyre downloading from a legitimate source, or a front for malware.

Security might not be enough to protect Apple

Apple doesnt break out revenue for its App Store sales, instead lumping it together with its Services segment. Still, that business, which includes Apple TV+, Apple Music+, and iCloud subscriptions, pulled in $53.7 billion in 2020, or roughly 20% of Apples $274 billion in total revenue for the year. All of that is to say, Apples App Store makes a boatload of money for the company.

And that, combined with the companys App Store controls, may mean that even its safety argument will come up empty in court. Syracuse University College of Law professor Shubha Ghosh told Yahoo Finance that for Apples gambit to pay off, it would have needed to show that its business practices justified its security concerns. And a 30% fee and security might not go hand in hand in Judge Gonzalez Rogers eyes.

But security might not even be a big concern for the judge, explained Cardozo School of Law professor Sam Weinstein. Antitrust courts don't care so much about safety  they care about competition. So I'm wondering if that's ever been a persuasive argument, he said.

Its now up to Judge Gonzalez Rogers to determine if Apple should be forced to open up iOS to third-party stores. If not, the company could also be required to cut its store fees, or allow app developers to offer their own payment systems, cutting into Apples profits.

If Apple comes out on top, though, the company still has to contend with regulators in both the U.S. and the European Union, which have been looking into the companys App Store practices, as well. And then theres the potential for new antitrust legislation here at home. In other words, Apple shouldn't count on holding onto its App Store revenue forever.

By Daniel Howley, tech editor. Follow him at @DanielHowley

More from Dan:

The chip shortage has finally come for Apple

How to make your Facebook News Feed a less divisive place

Should Facebook let Trump back on? New poll shows a slim majority want to lift the ban

Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, SmartNews, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit.

Find live stock market quotes and the latest business and finance news

For tutorials and information on investing and trading stocks, check out Cashay.
Defying election results and court rulings, Samoa's veteran leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi is determined to cling to power, convinced only divine intervention can end his 22-year rule of the Pacific island nation.

Malielegaoi is not accustomed to losing -- until recently the 76-year-old's authority was virtually absolute in a devoutly Christian nation of 220,000 where respect for one's elders is deeply ingrained.

A trained economist, Malielegaoi has cast a long shadow over public life since he was elected to Samoa's parliament in 1980.

As well as being prime minister, he appointed himself foreign minister and chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union -- a high profile role in the rugby-mad nation.

But his grip on power is now being challenged by former ally Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, who won a shock majority in a general election on April 9, opening the door to her becoming Samoa's first woman prime minister.

Far from conceding and stepping down, Malielegaoi precipitated a constitutional crisis that has international observers warning Samoa's young democracy could falter.

He first tried to tilt parliamentary numbers in his favour, saying the election did not return enough women to parliament and had violated gender quota rules.

He then tried to force through an election rerun.

When the courts rejected both moves, Malielegaoi then accused them of bias towards his rival.

His allies on Monday physically locked the prime minister-elect out of parliament to stop her from being sworn in. An impromptu ceremony took place anyway, in a tent on the lawn outside.

- Higher power -

Talking to reporters earlier this month, Malielegaoi made it clear he believes he answers to no mere mortal.

"I am appointed by God," he said after protests against his rule.

"If they want me to stand down, they should go to a church and pray instead of protesting in front of the courthouse.

"The judiciary has no authority over my appointment as prime minister."

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Internationally, Malielegaoi is probably best known for two measures designed to align Samoa's economy more closely with regional powers Australia and New Zealand.

He enacted a law in 2009 that meant cars switched to driving on the left-hand side of the road, rather than the right.

Then at the end of 2011, he moved Samoa's timezone, bringing it across the international dateline so days were the same as its Australasian neighbours, instead of the Americas.

He has led the country through difficult times, including cyclones and a devastating tsunami in 2009 that killed 143 people.

There was also a measles epidemic in 2019 that killed 83 people, mostly babies and toddlers.

Throughout, he has remained outspoken, sharing his views in rambling Samoan-language interviews posted on the government's Facebook page that often last for hours.

Facing criticism over his government's handling of the measles epidemic, he blamed parents for listening to traditional healers and failing to vaccinate their children.

When players from Samoa's national rugby team complained of unprofessional conduct by management, he dismissed their concerns as the "opinions of little kids".

Mata'afa served as Malielegaoi's deputy until last year, when she quit after he introduced a suite of laws that would effectively give the government control of the judiciary.

"He thought he was omnipotent and could now do whatever he likes," she told Radio New Zealand this week.

"He's gone from being chosen by God to setting himself up as very god-like."

Malielegaoi has vowed to tough out the political crisis, calling for Mata'afa to be charged with treason after she was sworn in at the makeshift ceremony.

Asked this week if he should accept his opponents had won the election and step aside, Malielegaoi replied in typically pugnacious fashion: "If they come and kneel down before me, maybe I'll consider, but for now, no."

str-ns/arb/jah
May 26The North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission has awarded grants to five projects totaling about $195,000, according to Doug Goehring, agriculture commissioner for North Dakota.

APUC meets quarterly and makes grants for research and development of new and expanded uses of North Dakota's agricultural products.

Receiving grants are:

* Butchers Edge of Edgeley, which received $61,500 to start a meat processing facility in Edgeley.

* Dyna-Flo Pump Co. was awarded $46,375 to establish a dealer network for the Dyna-Flo pump line.

* North Dakota Rural Electric Cooperative Foundation was awarded $30,000 to study the feasibility of a multi-species processing facility in southeast North Dakota.

* NHS Investments LLC was awarded $42,000 for marketing and promotion.

* InvisionIT LLC was awarded $15,000 to cover legal fees, patenting and licensing of a camera system for automatic tarp systems on semi-trailers.

For more information, visit https://www.nd.gov/ndda/apuc.
Reuters

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow said on Friday it had not been granted consular access to jailed former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed for 16 days, including receiving no updates on his health after he was diagnosed last month with COVID-19. Reed, an American national sentenced to nine years after being convicted of endangering the lives of two Russian police officers while drunk in Moscow, a charge he denies, was diagnosed with COVID-19 on May 25, the embassy said in a statement. "We are gravely concerned about his health," the U.S. Embassy in Moscow's Charge d'affaires Bartle Gorman was cited in the statement as saying.
(Refiles to add dropped word 'forces' in paragraph 3, no other changes to text)

BAKU (Reuters) - Azerbaijan on Wednesday accused Armenian forces of firing at its troops across the two countries' international border on May 24-26.

It said its own forces had not returned fire and that there had been no casualties.

Ties between the two countries remain strained after Azeri troops last year drove ethnic Armenian forces out of territory they had controlled since the 1990s in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

A recent border dispute has added to those tensions.

(This story refiles to add dropped word 'forces' in paragraph 3, no other changes to text)

(Reporting by Nailia Bagirova; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
By Marcelo Rochabrun

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilian airline Azul SA has approached Chile's bankrupt LATAM Airlines Group with the aim of buying its Brazilian operation, a source familiar with the situation told Reuters.

Azul's shares rose more than 9% in Sao Paulo on the news, while LATAM's shares in Santiago, where the airline is listed, were down 20%.

LATAM filed for bankruptcy protection a year ago and, while it has secured new liquidity in that process, it has yet to present a formal restructuring plan.

Azul, controlled by JetBlue Airways Corp founder David Neeleman, said in a securities filing on Monday that it was ready to lead a wave of consolidation in the Brazilian airline industry, which has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Wednesday, the newspaper Valor Economico also said Azul was trying to lure LATAM and talking to its aircraft lessors.

A LATAM spokeswoman said the airline had not received any offer from Azul, that talks were not in progress and that LATAM had no intention of selling any of its parts.

In addition to extensive international routes, LATAM has domestic operations, not just in Brazil but also in Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia.

During the pandemic, Azul and LATAM developed a codeshare program to avoid competing in Brazil as the market shrank, which was blessed by regulators. That program suddenly ended this week, which Azul said was a reaction to its consolidation plans.

Industry analysts had said throughout 2020 that Azul might try to buy LATAM in Brazil. The two airlines divide Brazil's market with a third carrier, Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes.

Gol's shares were up 7% on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Marcelo Rochabrun; Editing by Kevin Liffey, Will Dunham and Edmund Blair)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden is expected to nominate Thomas Nides, an experienced diplomat and Wall Street executive, to serve as U.S. ambassador to Israel, a person familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

Nides appointment would follow a ceasefire reached last week after 11 days of fighting between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, the worst clashes in years.

The Biden administration had faced criticism for lacking high-level diplomatic representation in Israel during the latest conflict, and the White House then made completing the selection process a higher priority.

It was not immediately known when Biden planned to announce Nides nomination but a person familiar with the matter said it would happen soon.

The White House declined comment.

Nides, currently working as a senior executive at Morgan Stanley, served as deputy secretary of state for management and resources in the Obama administration.

His top competition for the job was Robert Wexler, a former Florida congressman with extensive Middle East experience.

(Reporting By Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Alistair Bell)
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The search for a missing Midlands man ended late Tuesday night when his body was found, the Kershaw County Sheriffs Office said.

At about 9:30 p.m., Marion Lavon Watts was found dead at a pond on Watts Hill Road, the sheriffs office said in a news release. Thats in Elgin, near the junction with U.S. 1.

Deputies said they believe the 75-year-old had gone fishing at the pond and at some point fell and hit his head.

No foul play is suspected in Watts death, according to the release.

Information on how the body was discovered was not available.

Both the sheriffs office and Kershaw County Coroners Office are continuing to investigate the death.

Watts was last seen around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, according to the release. The sheriffs office publicly reported him missing on Tuesday.

There was great urgency to find Watts, because he had a medical condition that required medication that he did not have with him, according to the release.

Please keep his family in your prayers, the sheriffs office said.

The State, This Week

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Visitors to France from the UK are set to need to present negative Covid tests in a move to stop any spread of the Indian variant - Ian Langsdon/Shutterstock

Britons travelling to France face having to quarantine for at least seven days and present negative Covid tests under restrictions to combat the spread of the Indian variant.

On Wednesday, French ministers were preparing to place Britain on the country's equivalent of the amber list, with self-isolation supervised by police with powers to levy fines of between 1,000 and 1,500.

It means Britons would have to self-isolate for seven days with a PCR test required at least 48 hours before arrival. The new regime has yet to be formally announced, but is expected to be introduced within days.

The French policy conflicts with the European Commission's proposal to allow entry to the bloc to all fully vaccinated people.

However, the move echoes the decisions this week by Germany and Austria to enforce a ban on non-essential travel from the UK amid concerns about the Indian variant.

It creates a north-south divide in Europe after Portugal, Spain, Greece and Italy opened their borders to prospective British holidaymakers this month.

Only Portugal and Gibraltar are, however, on the UK's quarantine-free green list, with travellers returning from other amber list European destinations required to self-isolate for 10 days in the UK.

Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, has again indicated that mainland Europe is still lagging two months behind the UK in bringing down infection rates and vaccinating citizens.

This means that most of the major European destinations are unlikely to join the green list when it is updated next week after a review of the scientific evidence from amber list countries.

However, Mr Shapps held out the hope that a bigger review on June 28 will consider easing the testing and quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated people returning to the UK. At present, those coming back from green list countries have to take a PCR test on or before day two.

"June 28 will be a chance to ask: should there be different rules in place for someone who has been vaccinated?," he told MPs. "If you have been vaccinated, there has to be a dividend for that.

Story continues

"But the scientists would say that if you send a vaccinated population to a place that doesn't have it under control, you will bring back problems. I do think we have to have respect for the science."

He said even those fully vaccinated were not 100 per cent protected from catching or transmitting the disease once they returned from a European country that might have infection and death rates 10 or 20 times those in the UK, adding: "That is all of our risk, so we do have to move with the science."

Earlier, however, he confirmed that islands with direct flights such as the Canaries, Balearics and Mykonos will be considered for inclusion on the green list, even if mainland Spain and Greece have higher infection rates.

Mr Shapps said the decision depended on data from the Joint Biosecurity Centre, including destinations' capacity for genome analysis  which could be problematic on small islands.

Meanwhile, aviation chief executives have condemned "the continuing demonisation of overseas travel" by the Government.

Speaking at online news conference organised by Airlines UK, Steve Heapy, the chief executive of Jet2, said: "It's been very frustrating to hear the government say that travel is dangerous. The list of green destinations could be expanded significantly with very little increase in risk."
May 26CHEYENNE  Wade Pollock reset Burns' shot put record multiple times this spring.

He only got better despite suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, and expects to continue that ascent at the next level.

That next step will be the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Pollock signed with the NCAA Division II school Monday afternoon.

"It's got a pretty good engineering program and some really good shot put throwers for a DII school," said Pollock, who will study civil engineering. "I think I can learn a lot and get better there both as a thrower and for my future career."

Proximity to family also factored into Pollock's choice. His parents also are moving to Nebraska in the near future. Even though they won't be that close to Kearney, they will be closer to him than if they had remained in Burns.

Pollock placed second at the Class 3A state meet Saturday with a lifetime-best heave of 54 feet, 2 inches. He also was fourth in discus with a toss of 142-4.

Pollock completely tore the ACL in his left knee during his sophomore year, and suffered an 80% tear of the ACL in his right knee during the 2019 football season. His right ACL progressed to a complete tear during a student council-sponsored basketball game, and Pollock wore a brace on that leg the rest of the season.

"I knew I was going to be able to finish the season no matter what," he said. "I already had a knee brace I could wear so I didn't hurt that knee any worse if I kept throwing.

"I was a little scared because I thought it might diminish how proactive I was able to be during my throws, but it didn't really impact me. I set a lot of personal-bests after I tore my ACL, so that was a silver-lining."

He has surgery scheduled this summer.

Pollock competed for Cheyenne East during the 2020 indoor season, placing second in shot put with a mark of 50-11 1/2 . Burns had its own indoor team this winter, and Pollock took fifth at the state meet.

Story continues

His strength has helped him stand out, but so has his understanding of his events, Burns throws coach Brad Morrison said.

"His knowledge of the sport is just as good as any of the coaches," Morrison said April 23. "He studies it and loves it. He is almost like having another coach on staff."

Jeremiah Johnke is the WyoSports editor. He can be reached at jjohnke@wyosports.net or 307-633-3137. Follow him on Twitter at @jjohnke.
Tactical law enforcement officers move through the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light-rail yard where a mass shooting occurred on May 26, 2021 in San Jose, California (Getty Images)

Eight people were killed in a mass shooting during a union meeting at a train yard in San Jose, California, on Wednesday, according to police and multiple reports.

Santa Clara County sheriff Laurie Smith said officers ran into the building as shots were being fired in heroics that resulted in a diminished loss of life.

Heres everything we know about this tragic shooting.

What happened?

Police were called at 6:34am about shots breaking out at a county railway maintenance year, located near the Santa Clara County sheriffs department headquarters.

Nine people died - including the suspect, who was an employee of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) - while more than 40 survivors were evacuated. At least one survivor is injured and in critical condition at a nearby hospital, according to police.

Santa Clara County Sheriffs deputy Russell Davis said the numbers can change, this is still a fluid and active situation.

A fellow VTA employee reportedly called his mother and said the shooting occurred during a union meeting at the rail yard.

Raj Singh, the recording and financial secretary for Amalgamated Transit Union local 265, which represents VTA operators, told The Mercury News that the shooting occurred at the busiest time of day during a shift change when operators and maintenance workers were getting ready for the start of the days service.

The shooting at 100 W Younger Ave is the location of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authoritys maintenance yard, which services rail, bus and shuttle services to the Bay Area.

Who is the suspect?

The primary suspect was identified as railway technician Samuel James Cassidy, 57, with multiple local media outlets, including KTVU, the San Jose Mercury News, and a local NBC affiliate, citing law enforcement sources. Sheriffs deputy Cian Jackson told The Independent they would not be releasing the name of the suspect until the coroners office had informed the next of kin.

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The 57-year-old male gunman reportedly died by suicide, sources told The Los Angeles Times, with multiple weapons and ammunition said to have been found inside his home. Authorities said they believe the shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and that officers did not exchange fire with him.

Santa Clara County sheriffs deputy Cian Jackson told The Independent they would not be officially releasing a name until the coroners office had informed the next of kin.

Cassidys ex-girlfriend told NBC Bay Area on Wednesday that the man was not mentally stable during their relationship, which occurred 12 years ago.

The woman, who kept her name anonymous, said she hasnt spoken with Cassidy in years, but described how he got angry and aggressive after she turned down a marriage proposal two months into their relationship, which began after meeting on dating site Match.com.

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I was scared, she said. He made a lot of trouble for me. Ive moved forward.

Hes a murderer, she added. He killed innocent people. Thats terrible. I feel sad.

Cassidy didnt have a major criminal background, KTVU reports, though he did have a few traffic violations on file. One coworker reportedly said the man was strange, while others in the neighbourhood called him a loner.

Is there any evidence about a motive?

At a press conference on Wednesday, sheriffs department officials said there was no official information yet about a potential motive.

Law enforcement sources told the LA Times that the shooting was related to a workplace issue and that it did not involve riders of Santa Clara Countys light rail system.

How is the investigation proceeding?

The Santa Clara County sheriffs department, San Jose police department, as well as federal agencies like Homeland Security, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms are assisting with the investigation into the shooting, which took place across at least two different buildings at the railway facility.

We received information there are explosive devices inside the building, Mr Davis, the sheriffs deputy, said, adding that the bomb squad and Federal Bureau of Investigation had been activated to investigate. A bomb dog detected a device but no further information was revealed.

Authorities must clear the building before a deeper crime scene investigation can occur.

A fire was reported around the time of the shooting at the alleged gunmans San Jose house, about nine miles from the main railway crime scene, according to a firefighter quoted by KTVU. The FBI and bomb squad also investigated the home.

Authorities reportedly found gasoline and hundreds of rounds of ammunition inside the home, where Mr Cassidys ex-wife confirmed to KTVU the couple had lived together before divorcing in 2009.

What have elected leaders said in response?

Joe Biden was briefed on the mass shooting by his Homeland Security Advisor, Liz Sherwood-Randall, according to a statement given to press pool reporters.

The president said in a statement while theyre still learning details, there are at least eight families who will never be whole again.

There are children, parents, and spouses who are waiting to hear whether someone they love is ever going to come home. There are union brothers and sisters  good, honest, hardworking people  who are mourning their own, Mr Biden said.

The president urged Congress to do more and take immediate action to help end this epidemic of gun violence in America, saying every life taken by a bullet pierces the soul of our nation.

I have the solemn duty of yet again of ordering the flag to be lowered at half-staff, just weeks after doing so following the mass shootings at spas in and around Atlanta; in a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado; at a home in Rock Hill, South Carolina; and at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. Enough.

Vice President Kamala Harris, who has family in the city of San Jose, told reporters the facts are still revealing themselves but it is absolutely tragic, its absolutely tragic.

California leaders also condemned the violence and called for reform.

Governor Gavin Newsom asked when the country would end the politics, stale rhetoric and finger-pointing, which he argues produces nothing except more fury and frustration at mass shootings repeated over and over again.

Were experiencing something that is not experienced anywhere else in the world, there is a sameness to this and that numbness I think were all feeling, he said.

It begs the damn question, what the hells going on in the United States of America? What the hells wrong with us, and when are we going to come to grips with this? When are we going to put down our arms literally and figuratively?

San Joses mayor also expressed his anguish about the shooting, which occurred less than two years after another major spree in the area in 2019, at a garlic festival in Gilroy, California, where three people were killed and 12 were injured.

This is a horrific day for our city, and its a tragic day for the VTA family, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said on Wednesday. Our heart pains for the family and coworkers because we know so many are feeling deeply this loss of their loved ones and their friends. Now is the moment for us to collect ourselves and understand what happened, to mourn and help those who have suffered to heal.

He also called for reforms, saying he is working to ensure we never see a horrific tragedy like this again in San Jose.

What is being done for the families of the victims?

Family members looking for survivors evacuated from the facility were directed to a nearby County building at 70 W Hedding Street. The VTA said that grief counsellors would be onsite for employees and family.

Those looking for loved ones were also directed to call 408-299-2311 for more information.

A fund for families impacted by the violence can be found at Working Partnerships USA, a labour advocacy group.

Flags were ordered at half mast in Washington DC and San Jose, and a community vigil will be held tomorrow at 6pm PST at San Joses city hall.

How many mass shootings have occurred this year?

According to the Gun Violence Archive, at least 232 mass shootings have occurred so far in 2021, putting America on pace to have the highest number of mass shootings since 2014.

Read More

Enough: Biden urges Congress to act on gun control in wake of San Jose mass shooting

Samuel Cassidy: Suspect identified in San Jose mass shooting that left 9 dead including gunman

Gilroy shooting: FBI opens domestic terrorism investigation into garlic festival attack
Families, community organizers and elected officials gathered Wednesday outside the Chicago Board of Educations Loop headquarters to press their plea for a fully elected school board, but in Springfield it still wasnt clear if lawmakers will take action on the long-debated issue before the end of their spring session.

Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park indicated Wednesday that an elected school board proposal previously approved in the House would not be called for a final vote in the Senate unless a compromise is reached with Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

The Chicago Teachers Union and other advocates have been pushing the House plan, which would create a 20 member-board elected from geographic districts and a board president elected citywide. The same day that proposal was approved, Lightfoot introduced a plan that would create a hybrid board, with the mayor retaining the power to appoint the majority of members.

Harmon has called for a compromise where a partially elected, partially appointed board would eventually transition to a fully elected one.

During a committee hearing in Springfield, Harmon said he was confident we will pass a compromise elected school board bill this General Assembly. The Senate president said he was equally confident that the House bill in its current form would not be called for a vote in the Senate.

State Sen. Robert Martwick, a Chicago Democrat whos pushed for an elected school board for several years and is sponsoring the latest effort in the Senate, said he is willing to continue negotiating, but Im not going to give up if we cant reach a comprise; Im not going to say we shouldnt do anything if people cant agree.

Recent negotiations in the Senate have centered around a board with 10 elected members, 10 appointed members and an appointed president beginning in 2023, with the transition to a fully elected board taking place in 2027. But discussions are ongoing and no compromise proposal has been introduced in the legislature.

Story continues

Asked whether shed support for a hybrid board that would eventually shift to fully elected members, Lightfoot said, The devils in the details. Lightfoot said shed need to know more about the structure and other components of the plan before taking a position.

State Rep. Delia Ramirez of Chicago, who sponsored the House bill now in the Senate, said she remains hopeful that lawmakers will pass a bill in the next few days that sets a firm date for Chicago to have a fully elected school board.

The alternative could be very detrimental, said Ramirez, who has not been involved in the Senate negotiations.

Unlike every other school district in Illinois, Chicago has never had an elected school board. A Republican-controlled legislature gave full control of the board to then-Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1995.

Lightfoot said during her mayoral campaign that she supported a fully elected board but now says the mayors office should maintain control. She and her allies have argued that a fully elected board could cause further harm to CPSs already troubled finances and reverse academic gains that have been made over the past two decades.

Theyve also argued that electing board members would silence the voices of noncitizens, who now can vote for in elections for Local School Councils but couldnt vote in a school board election. Opponents also have raised concerns about the money involved in school board races and the potential for further empowering the CTU, one of Lightfoots chief political adversaries.

At the rally ahead of Wednesdays school board meeting organized by Raise Your Hand for Illinois Public Education, speakers said a fully elected board would bring democracy to CPS families in their school board representation and demanded action from Harmon and the legislature.

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, said that if Lightfoot cares about immigrants in the city, she would support a fully elected board.

I dont think in the last two years I have seen one action from Mayor Lightfoot that suggests shes a champion of immigrant communities or a champion of education, Sigcho-Lopez said. We need today more than ever an elected representative school board.

He added that the mayor needs to stop throwing wrenches through this process.

Carla Langston told the crowd the citys Black communities have suffered through a host of bad decisions since the district came under mayoral control in 1995, from mass school closures to the introduction of student based budgeting. White students have left the school system in droves, and policies have failed the majority Latino and Black student body, she said.

Langston recalled that Lightfoot previously expressed support for an elected school board.

We wont believe your lies anymore, Lori Lightfoot, Langston said. We dont believe in your partially appointed, partially elected school board.

Chicago Tribunes Gregory Pratt contributed. Petrella reported from Springfield.

hleone@chicagotribune.com

dpetrella@chicagotribune.com
Boats moored along the waters of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, April 13, 2021. (Dennis M. Rivera Pichardo/The New York Times)

On the glassy blue waters surrounding the U.S. Virgin Islands, catamarans and pleasure yachts have packed the shoreline for the past year  a scene so busy and crowded, it is unimaginable, even before the pandemic.

Indeed, the business of charter yachts is booming, and expected to pump at least $88 million into the local economy this season, almost double the roughly $45 million that came in 2019, according to Marketplace Excellence, which represents the U.S. territorys department of tourism.

But less than 12 miles away, the quiet waterways of the British Virgin Islands present a different story. Relatively few boats have harbored there since last spring, when Britain mostly shuttered the territory to international tourists. Strict COVID safety protocols have kept many away.

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Before the pandemic, the Caribbean was the worlds most tourism-reliant region, according to recent calculations by the World Travel Tourism Council. Made up of dozens of sovereign nations, territories and dependencies that often reacted disparately to the virus, the region was struck unequally by the coronavirus. Some islands were walloped by staggering caseloads, while infections on others sometimes dwindled to single digits. With 48% of its population fully vaccinated, and 62% at least partially vaccinated, Turks and Caicos is one of the most inoculated places in the world. Haiti has not received a single dose. And like the British Virgin Islands, the fates of many Caribbean islands are tied to their colonial history. With limited sovereignty, truncated voting rights and an economy largely serving international visitors, they are often subject to the decisions of nations far away.

Health care infrastructures across the region are limited, and many islands have endured flip-flopping border closures and stringent curfews. The result: Tourism has drastically declined, sinking the regions gross domestic product 58% last year.

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According to a recent survey by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, a quarter of the more than 250 Caribbean tourism companies surveyed said they do not expect a full recovery until at least mid-2023. More than half of those businesses surveyed said they were unsure they could stay afloat.

In a handful of islands with fewer travel restrictions and more successful vaccine campaigns, tourism is already thriving. For the U.S. Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos, for example, catering to a wealthier market and specializing in luxurious longer stays, strong numbers are only expected to rise, as islands market a Caribbean summer to an increasing number of vaccinated Americans.

But much of the region lags perilously behind. Unable to secure vaccines and with no end to the economic turmoil in sight, the economies and the people of these islands are endangered  along with the myth of paradise found on their sugar-sand shores. Here is a look at the strategies that various islands have adopted to survive, from work visas to testing availability.

Technology

Arubas Passport to COVID Safety

Proactively responding to travel trends has helped position some islands ahead of others. In February, occupancy rates on the Dutch island of Aruba fell more than 66% compared to the same month a year before, according to a recent destination report by STR, a global hospitality data and analytics company.

Then, in March, Aruba teamed up with JetBlue, which offers about 40 weekly flights from the United States to the island, to debut CommonPass, the worlds first digital vaccine passport. Those with the digital pass may take a virtually supervised at-home PCR test within three days of departure, upload results and cut through immigration lines. Uniteds Aruba flights from Newark, New Jersey, and Houston also use the pass, with plans for additional routes in the near future.

We wanted to create a way to make it easier on travelers and more efficient for our air travel partners, said Shensly Tromp, director of development and technology at Aruba Airport Authority N.V., without compromising the safeguards we have in place around health and safety.

Vaccination information will be added to CommonPass as early as June.

Before the pandemic, almost three-quarters of the islands gross domestic product and nearly 85% of jobs had been rooted in tourism, according to the World Travel Tourism Council. Now, with tourism up 53% from February to March, Dangui Oduber, the minister of tourism, public health and sport, noted a continual uptick since Arubas dual CommonPass and vaccine rollouts.

Aruba is also a world leader in vaccinations. As of mid-May, almost 57,500 Arubans were at least partially inoculated, with the island optimistically reaching herd immunity this summer, Oduber said.

Vaccines

Reaching the End Zone in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Even when Americans were shut out of most of the world, the borders to the U.S. Virgin Islands never closed. Lured there with slogans like Reconnect with Paradise and the chance for anyone to get vaccinated, even before many could get a shot back home, visitors have recently crowded the American territorys beaches and restaurants.

Hotel occupancy rates in the U.S. Virgin Islands are almost triple that of the region and seven times that of the Bahamas, according to recent analysis by STR.

Visitors are required to get tested but not to quarantine. With tourists swarming, the U.S. Virgin Islands prioritized hospitality workers early in its vaccine rollout. So, in February, Sandy Colasacco, a nurse practitioner who runs the Island Health and Wellness Center, a nonprofit clinic serving many of St. Johns uninsured population, reached out to most restaurants and hotels there to schedule appointments.

The fact that everyone can get vaccinated and feel safe when they work, even though theyve been exposed to hundreds of tourists every day, is a relief, Colasacco said.

Bryan Mitchell, a software engineer from Los Angeles, discovered that on St. Croix, getting vaccinated was easier than finding a rental car. Extending their stay for the second round, he and his girlfriend were among the tourists who received some 4,150 shots.

Getting the vaccine and stepping out of the pandemic, felt like reaching the end zone, Mitchell said.

Among the first American communities to vaccinate everyone 16 and older, the U.S. Virgin Islands had fully vaccinated 31,645 residents and tourists as of mid-May and is on track to administer 50,000 first shots by July 1, said Tai Hunte-Ceasar, medical director with the territorys Health Department.

The Health Department declined to provide an official target date for reaching herd immunity. But Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has equated reaching that goal with greenlighting the Crucian Christmas Carnival, a monthlong festival on St. Croix in December, which traditionally brings together many islanders and tourists.

But while top Caribbean destinations a year into the pandemic experienced a 34% dip in flights, according to global business aviation data by WingX, Americans are already coming to the U.S. Virgin Islands in droves.

Commercial summer air travel is expected to rival the territorys pre-pandemic winter high season, according to Marketplace Excellence. New flights are being introduced: In February, Frontier Airlines added flights from Orlando, and American Airlines will have daily flights from Charlotte, North Carolina, and Dallas in June. JetBlue offers four new weekly flights from Newark, New Jersey, in July.

Testing

A Joint Partnership to Expand Testing in Turks and Caicos

Despite low infection rates and a massive vaccine rollout, by late January, Turks and Caicos was just days from effectively re-closing its borders  because the U.S. government had suddenly required inbound international travelers to show proof of a negative antigen test, and Turks and Caicos lacked such a testing infrastructure. Several thousand Americans already vacationing there would be stranded and the travel dollars just returning to the semi-independent British territory would again disappear.

Turks and Caicos, which officially reopened in July 2020, expected some 30,000 visitors  many of them Americans  to its 40 islands and cays in February. A closure would be a devastating blow.

It was a do-or-die moment for Turks and Caicos, said Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, then the premier.

With just seven days to plan, Ken Patterson, chief executive officer of the five-star Seven Stars Resort & Spa, offered to front $600,000 for the archipelagos needs.

It really was not that hard a decision, Patterson said, noting the catastrophic effects of a potential second closure. More like swerving to avoid a car wreck: It was just instinctive.

And so the territorial government and private sector imported 60,000 test kits, immediately certified 18 new testing sites (most at resorts), trained hotel staff to conduct tests and passed a series of laws to ensure health standards.

It was very, very important for the Turks and Caicos to get it right, Cartwright-Robinson said. Having a tourist come back and say they werent stuck, that personal story was the best marketing we could get.

Deborah Aharon, chief executive officer of the Provo Air Center, a private airport serving the archipelago, said traffic is busier than ever.

Since January, the number of private jet flights in and out of Provo Air Center has soared more than 50% above rates seen before the pandemic, she said. Mid-May traffic rocketed 73% from 2019.

Overall, tourism to the archipelago hovers around 70% capacity, but Seven Stars, which now offers a drink voucher along with complimentary COVID-19 tests, is sold out for May and almost sold out for June, with little availability until September.

It was literally like a tap being turned on, said Patterson, noting he had never seen such high demand. In recent weeks weve taken more bookings than we have in the last year.

Overseas Oversight

St. Barths and the British Virgin Islands: Few Tourists to be Seen

On the other end of the spectrum, some islands are still undergoing extreme economic stress.

In February, with variants sprouting across the globe, France again locked its territories down, including the 11-mile-long St. Barths. The island is largely autonomous, but not independent.

When St. Barths had its first reopening, last June, tourists quickly returned to the sparkling watercolor island  rusty red roofs and pink bougainvillea set against blue-green sea.

We never experienced such a busy operation, recalled Fabrice Moizan, managing director of the Eden Rock-St. Barths hotel. By January, he said, bookings were full through June  long after the typical high season.

We were ready for the best year ever, said Nils Dufau, president of the tourism committee on St. Barths, who noted that COVID-19 cases eventually plateaued as they ramped up testing.

Then, Moizan said, out of the blue we received this decree from the French government.

In mid-February, the islands territorial council asked the French government to reopen its borders. The economic consequences of this decision are expected to be dire, especially as no horizon has been drawn, the council members stated in a policy memo.

They got our message loud and clear, Dufau said. Unfortunately, we didnt get a positive response.

In April, the island received Pfizer vaccines from France and pushed a massive rollout. More than two-thirds of the islands adult residents are now at least partially vaccinated, and the hospital has no COVID-19 patients. St. Barths reopened to the European Union, Britain and some other countries last week, Dufau said, and expects to reopen to Americans in a matter of days.

Meanwhile, the British Virgin Islands, which had fully vaccinated 4,201 people  or just shy of 14% of the population  by mid-May has endured the almost-complete closure of its waterways to international inbound travelers for over a year. Ferries reopened April 15, and those going between the British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands will increase passenger capacity and add a second daily ferry starting Thursday. Otherwise, international vessels are still barred, and there is no timeline for reopening, said Keith Dawson, the tourist boards public relations manager.

Testing and quarantine requirements remain disparate across the region, and testing in the British Virgin Islands is laborious for those who still want to visit. Travelers must get tested three times  before travel, upon arrival and after a four-day quarantine. (Most travelers with proof of completed vaccination can exit quarantine after a negative test taken upon arrival.) Anyone accused of breaking social distancing rules can be fined up to $10,000. (The territory, which in March had no cases, recently ticked up to 33.)

Visitors compare no restrictions in the U.S.V.I. to some restrictions in the B.V.I., so the choice is easy for many, said Clive McCoy, the B.V.I.s director of tourism, alluding to the shift in tourism to its American counterpart.

Before the pandemic, the B.V.I.s gross domestic product ranked third in the world for its dependency on tourism, which provided almost two in three jobs, according to a recent analysis by the World Travel Tourism Council. The territory has turned to its strong financial services sector to help alleviate the economic strain, McCoy said.

Other islands have no such safety net. While the U.S. Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos enjoyed prompt and massive vaccine rollouts, much of the region is dependent on vaccines from other nations or via a discounted global program known as Covax. Largely headed by India, which is plagued by its own desperate outbreaks, the initiative promises to eventually provide poorer countries with enough vaccine doses to cover just incremental portions of their populations. But it faces a $23 billion funding gap and delayed shipments.

Stalling public health and their economic recoveries, countries reliant on Covax are not expected to be widely vaccinated before 2023, if it happens at all, according to an analysis by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

So far, the Bahamas and Barbados have only received enough vaccines from COVAX and India to fully inoculate fewer than 11% and around 20% of their populations, respectively. By February, the Dominican Republic had ordered 20 million doses across international suppliers, but has only received a few million so far, according to government news releases and news articles.

Remote-Work Visas

Looking Beyond Tourism in Barbados

A few weeks after the world shuttered, Peter Lawrence Thompson, an entrepreneur from Barbados, pitched the idea of one-year remote work visas to the islands Cabinet. Our tourism industry must adapt or risk death, he wrote, outlining a plan to take Barbados beyond tourism.

Weve been talking forever about diversifying the economy, but its hard, Thompson said of the independent British Commonwealth nation. This is a new type of tourism, its just very long-term. Its not vacation, its workation.

More than 2,500 people  mostly from the United States, Britain, Canada and Nigeria  have applied since the Barbados Welcome Stamp Visa began in July, according to recent data from Barbados Tourism Marketing.

And Terra Caribbean, a real estate group with properties across the region, recently found that about three-quarters of almost 100 visa holders they surveyed had never even visited Barbados before they applied for the program; by November, more than 40% of the newcomers Terra Caribbean tracked were budgeting $2,500 to $5,000 monthly for housing.

From a Barbados brand perspective, this initiative will pay dividends for many years to come, the group concluded in an analysis this fall.

The remote-work concept has been adopted by other nations across the Caribbean, including Anguilla, Aruba, Antigua & Barbuda, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica and Montserrat.

Danita Becker, a senior product owner for a startup in Dallas, moved to Barbados with the visa in September.

Coming to the island accelerated a lot of growth for me, putting into perspective some of my career goals, she said, adding that it provided a break from the mental stress of social isolation and racial tensions in the United States.

Now, most mornings, Becker, 40, who had never spent more than a few weeks in Barbados visiting her Bajan family, swims in the sea before returning home or to an open-air restaurant to work. Weekends include snorkeling and swimming with turtles, and she has also joined local Christian fellowship groups.

Welcome Stamp may extend visas another year, but Becker is considering citizenship.

I have aspirations to make a mark on the island, she said. And through technology and volunteering, do my part to improve things here.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

 2021 The New York Times Company
Kefir is a drink made from fermented milk which comes from the Caucasus and has been drunk for over 2,000 years.

Natasha Bowes drank it as a child growing up in Russia and, after a sixteen-year career in financial services, she decided to try selling the drink in the UK and Western Europe.

Natasha started Biotiful in 2012, and her business now sells 300,000 bottles of kefir a week. It has proved a hit amongst customers from Eastern Europe and the Middle East and amongst health food enthusiasts because of the strains of bacteria it contains.

However, says Natasha, her firm might have grown even faster had she not spent the first two and a half years trying to run Biotiful on her own.

"If I had taken on staff earlier," she says, "I could have got to the 1 million sales mark in half the time."

Kefir has a consistency halfway between milk and yoghurt. But whereas yoghurt might contain one or two strains of bacteria, kefir contains more than 40.

Natasha had to import all the milk germ cultures from Russia, and it took her nine months to learn how to make it. She then spent another four months trialling production and developing different variations.

"Cherry was the first flavour we created," she says, "and it remains the most popular."

The first shops to sell Biotiful's kefir were organic food shops and high-end stores such as Fortnum and Masons, Harrods and Selfridges.

"I felt if I positioned the product as a premium product from the outset, and targeted the most discerning consumers, then I would have the best possible start and get the best possible feedback," she says.

Natasha spent hours doing sampling sessions at stores and getting customers' views. But she was also overseeing all other aspects of the business. She did not want to take on staff until she was sure the firm was making a healthy profit.

"I was doing everything myself: management of production, sales, marketing, operations, finance - the whole lot."

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Cherry was the first flavour Biotiful created - and is still the most popular

The problem with this, says Natasha, is that she had too little time to concentrate on her main task as company boss - getting her product onto the shelves.

"The first team members I brought in were [in] marketing and operations. That freed me up to focus on what really mattered. That was, in the early days in particular, all about distribution and sales."

After this, Natasha started selling her kefir through supermarkets and started exporting it to France and the Middle East. She now employs just under 30 staff.

"My biggest regret is hesitating to hire people. I felt I could only justify taking on staff when I sure the business was profitable," says Natasha. "But then again, not taking people on sooner definitely holds up growth of our business."

So at exactly what stage should entrepreneurs recruit their first employees?

"I believe one should seriously consider starting to take on staff into the business when you know, as an entrepreneur, that you have a viable proposition and when you have stablished your early sales," she says.

"The business doesn't have to be making a profit yet. You just have to be sure that it is on course to. Because you cannot really deliver on the big mission, the ambition of building the brand of the business, without support."
Michael Strahan and "Good Morning America" helped a Chicago-area couple celebrate their dream wedding Wednesday at Navy Pier.

Video Transcript

JESSE KIRSCH: Well, Tanja, I can only share so much right now, because we have some surprises coming our way. There's a Chicago-area couple that is going to have a dream wedding. And if these flowers behind me are any indication, it is going to be beautiful.

They have loved ones here, waiting for this couple to arrive, including a man who has served 30 years in the US Army. He is a major. He and his wife had to cancel their wedding twice because of the pandemic. But this morning, they are getting a dream wedding.

And you just mentioned it. Michael Strahan is in Chicago to help them celebrate.

MICHAEL STRAHAN: (SINGING) I'm in Chicago. I'm in Chicago.

And I'm excited about it. I tell you what. What brought me to town is I wanted to come to Chicago to show people the great state of Illinois, to show them the sights and sounds of the city, take a little tour, eat some great food, do all those things, and also to give a military couple the wedding that they will never forget, with the help of the USO.

They know they're getting married. They just don't know a lot of the surprises we have. And I love that the weather is gonna get better. I've been watching Tracy, so 7 o'clock, it's gonna clear up.

JESSE KIRSCH: So we're certainly hoping for that good weather to be coming our way. The skies have already started to clear here, out on Navy Pier. Michael apparently had Italian beef and deep dish while he was in town, so I'll be asking him about that, Tanja, [INAUDIBLE].

And of course, we've got that big wedding reveal coming in just a little bit. And I have to tell you, just looking at this room, it is beautiful. We're only showing you a little bit right now because we don't want to blow the surprise, but you can watch it coming up on GMA. Back to you.

- Just stunning. I love the setup there, behind him. Can't wait to see more.

- Yeah. I'm like, what's going down? I want to know more. We'll have to wait and see.

Jesse, appreciate it. Thanks.
This year's Chicago Auto Show will feature a debut outdoor experience.

Video Transcript

JOHN GARCIA: Yeah, it's going to be a very different Auto Show, to be sure. Rather than the middle of winter, it's going to be in the middle of summer in July. That, however, will allow them to move a big part of it outside here onto the street. Most importantly, however, as the officials said in their news conference earlier, this is the first big show here at McCormick Place in more than a year.

It's a February tradition for many Chicagoans, a trip to the Auto Show to see the latest and greatest vehicles. The pandemic put a crimp in those plans this year. But organizers say they're thrilled the Auto Show will be the first big event at McCormick Place since the start of the pandemic.

GLENN EDEN: The return of the Auto Show represents Christmas in July for us.

JOHN GARCIA: Organizers say the July dates for the show will now allow them to bring part of the show outdoors, a safer environment during the pandemic.

DAVE SLOAN: It's allowed us to do things a little bit differently, think about the show a little bit differently. And the automakers have really embraced it.

JOHN GARCIA: The show is moving from McCormick Place East to the West building, on the other side of Lakeshore Drive. It will allow automakers to use the street outside for interactive exhibits and test drives. It will be a smaller show, with attendance limited to 10,000 people at a time, and shorter, just 4 days instead of 11.

But the show is on, nevertheless. And that's big news for many workers like Kevin Mclaughlin, whose livelihood depends on conventions and trade shows.

KEVIN MCLAUGHLIN: For anyone that works in this industry, it's just a great feeling for them to know that there is something in sight for them to be able to go back to work.

DON VILLAR: The workers are-- they're ready to go.

JOHN GARCIA: A year ago, McCormick Place was filled with hospital beds, prepared for COVID-19 patients. Officials say the return of the Auto Show, even on a smaller scale, is a hopeful sign for the future.

JB PRITZKER: Setting the stage for the safe return of big events in the months to come.

JOHN GARCIA: Well, they plan to limit capacity here to about 10,000 people at a time. They figure they can probably get a total of about 30,000 people a day here. The show will run 5 days, rather than the usual 11. Tickets already on sale. In fact, they've already sold quite a few.
Although Aura Mutruc was promised toys that other children in her village in Moldova could not have, what she longed for most was her mother.

"Mum told me that I had fits every time she left. She told me that she was going to bring me dolls but I didn't care, I just wanted her to stay with me," said Mutruc, now 23, adding that growing up without her parents had left a "huge hole".

She is among many children left behind in Moldova, one of the poorest countries in Europe, as it struggles to stop an exodus of parents leaving to find work abroad.

Since gaining independence from the Soviet Union 30 years ago, about one million Moldovans -- roughly a third of the population -- have left, many due to a lack of economic opportunity exacerbated by corruption.

Faced with such mass emigration over decades as well as a falling birth rate, the United Nations says that Moldova has one of the world's largest population declines.

An estimated 100,000 young Moldovans are currently growing up in the country without their parents, the government office in charge of the diaspora says.

They are among the millions of children "left behind" globally by one or both parents because of migration, according to UNICEF.

"Limited job opportunities in communities of origin and the promise of remittances encourage parents to move for work," the UN's children's agency said in a working paper last year.

- 'Feeling of abandonment' -

Mutruc's mother Lilia said that leaving her daughter in the care of her own parents from the age of two and a half was "the only solution to make ends meet".

"I knew how much she was in pain. For many years, her crying echoed in my head," the 49-year-old told AFP by phone.

She still sells clothes and household items at an open-air market stall in neighbouring Romania, the destination of many Moldovans.

Mutruc was looked after by her grandparents until she was four and then by her father. But he, too, left when she was 12 to work in Moscow.

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Moldova's economy relies in large part on remittances sent by people working abroad -- emigrants last year sent back $1.4 billion (1.15 billion euros), or about 12 percent of gross domestic product.

However, the psychological toll that the exodus has taken on an entire generation is slowly becoming apparent, warns Tatiana Turchina, a professor of psychology at the Moldova State University in the capital, Chisinau.

"Insecurity, feeling of abandonment and lack of affection" are common, she said, adding that many of those affected were traumatised.

Some, she said, have had it worse than others, with cases of emotional or sexual abuse as well as girls trafficked or pushed into sex work after their parents left.

Once her father left, Mutruc stayed alone and had to fend for herself -- cooking, doing laundry and taking care of the family's poultry and vegetable garden.

"I had many questions (for my parents), and no one to discuss them with," she said, adding two elder brothers also went abroad after finishing high school.

"I was angry with my parents for leaving me alone," she added, saying though that she later understood "no one leaves with a light heart".

- Incentives to return -

In a bid to fight depopulation, Moldova's government offers incentives to entice emigrants back, including financial support for those who return to set up their own business.

Since the programme started in 2010, however, just 640 Moldovans have signed up, according to the Office for the Development of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses.

Many are put off by poor living conditions, as well as corruption -- Moldova ranks 115th out of 180, according to Transparency International's latest corruption perceptions index.

While Mutruc is currently pursuing a psychology degree and plans to stay in Moldova, a second-generation exodus is now also under way as many young people leave right out of school.

"The rate of migration for studies exceeds that linked to the search for a job," said Olga Gagauz, director of the Centre for Demographic Research in Chisinau.

- Fears for future -

Moldova's birth rate is plummeting, with only 30,700 babies born in 2020, down from about 77,000 in 1990 -- a "disaster," Gagauz says.

If the population continues to decline, small villages like Bujor, nestled in the rural, western part of the country, may already offer a glimpse of the future.

Here, a concrete building intended as a middle school now lies abandoned, with the overall number of school children having dropped by a third since 2010.

"In a few years, there will be no more young people here," local school head teacher Vera Mosneagu says.

"Nobody wants to stay."

mr/anb/deh/jza/kjm
By Gopal Sharma

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - China will provide 1 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to Nepal, its ambassador said on Wednesday, as authorities in the Himalayan country scramble to secure shots amid a surge in infections that has overwhelmed its rickety health system.

The announcement was made during a telephone conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Nepali counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari on Wednesday, China's ambassador Hou Yanqi said in a Twitter post.

In March, China provided 800,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine to Nepal, which also received a million shots of the AstraZeneca vaccine as gift from India.

Nepal began its vaccination drive in January but the campaign has been suspended because of the lack of vaccines after New Delhi said it was unable to provide additional shots due to its domestic needs.

China and India jostle for influence in Nepal, a natural buffer between the Asian giants, and both have been giving away COVID-19 vaccines as part of a diplomatic push to strengthen ties with neighbours and countries further afield.

Neither Chinese ambassador Hou nor Nepal's foreign minister, Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, gave a timeframe for delivery of the latest give donation of vaccines.

Nepal has been hit by a sharp surge in COVID-19 cases since early April. The average daily rise in infections is now about 8,000, compared with fewer than 200 a day two months ago, leaving hospital beds, oxygen and medicines in short supply.

In all, the country has reported 535,525 cases and 6,845 deaths from COVID-19, according to government data.

Nepal has also procured 1 million shots of vaccine in a commercial deal with the Serum Institute of India, in addition to 348,000 jabs it received under the COVAX initiative.

The country has administered at least 2,706,835 doses, enough to have vaccinated about 4.7% of the population.

(Reporting by Gopal Sharma; Editing by Devjyot Ghoshal and Alex Richardson)
HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's Xiaomi Corp said on Wednesday a U.S. court has removed the company's designation as a Communist Chinese Military Company (CCMC) and lifted all restrictions on U.S. persons buying or holding its stock.

"The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a final order vacating the U.S. Department of Defense's designation of the company as a CCMC," the smartphone maker said in a filing to the Hong Kong bourse. It said the order was made on Tuesday.

"The company reiterates that it is an open, transparent, publicly traded, independently operated and managed corporation," Xiaomi chairman Lei Jun said in the statement.

A court filing showed earlier in May that the U.S Defense Department would remove Xiaomi from a government blacklist, marking a reversal by the Biden administration of one of Donald Trump's last jabs at Beijing before exiting office.

(Reporting by Donny Kwok; Editing by Sam Holmes)
Susan Collins is making a last-ditch attempt to broker a bipartisan compromise on the independent Jan. 6 commission, even as Republican leaders rush to quash the panel.

The moderate Mainer finished her revisions to the House-passed commission bill Wednesday afternoon, hoping to avoid a Republican filibuster that could occur as soon as Thursday. Collins made two key tweaks that shes hoping can win some more Republican votes, although she faces a potential uphill battle with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

I want to have a commission. The House bill needs to be improved. And one of the flaws of the House bill is that it has the chairman essentially appointing all of the staff, Collins said. For the commission to be successful it has to be nonpartisan and we know that if its stacked with partisan staff that it will get off to a bad start.

She declined to say whether or not she can get nine more Republicans to go along with her  a necessity to pass the bill. But she did say she will vote this week to break a filibuster and that most people that I talk to believe that this would improve the bill regardless of whether theyre for the commission or not.

If Republicans filibustered the bill it would not only sink the chances of a bipartisan commission but also ramp up calls by progressive Democrats who want to ax the filibuster entirely.

Under Collinss new language, the chair and vice chair of the committee would jointly appoint staff  a modification made due to GOP fears that the Democratic majorities in Congress could tip the scales of the panels staff. If the chair and vice chair happen to deadlock for 10 days after the panel is formed, Collinss text would allow the two sides to appoint their own staff.

Collins would also wind down the panel 30 days after the commission submits its final report at the end of the year, rather than 60.

Its unclear whether Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer would support her changes; he warned this week of the possibility of warring staffs if the commission leaders deadlocked. He also gave a speech on Wednesday urging Republicans to advance the bill.

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Collins said at a bill signing last week that Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer both said her approach is reasonable. The bigger question is among Republicans, who heard a presentation from Collins on Tuesday.

She acknowledged that there are a variety of views in the caucus.

Republican Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska are supportive of Collinss changes. And Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) also showed interest in supporting them at a Tuesday party lunch, according to attendees. However, several other senators spoke out against the commission, including McConnell.

Several Republicans have voiced concerns that regardless of how the commission bill is written, it will bleed into the midterms. Romney acknowledged that argument but said that whether or not this commission exists, the House and the Senate will be having those kinds of investigations anyway. And those would be led by Democratic chairs.

In part, Collins and Romney are responding to a plea from Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona to work with them on a solution. Those two Democrats oppose changing the Senates filibuster rules but put out a joint statement on Tuesday imploring our Senate Republican colleagues to work with us to find a path forward.

Even as those members seek a middle ground, most Republicans have hardened their opposition against the commission concept itself. McConnell and his leadership team are surveying members about their position, with McConnell making forceful public and private arguments against it.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who is close to McConnell, said he was confident that congressional committees can complete a probe more quickly and with less drama than a commission.

They want the 2022 elections to be a referendum on President Trump. And we think we can do our due diligence without giving them a political platform, Cornyn said. So its pretty much about that simple for me.
Not a single phone was in sight and not a single conversation filled the air for nine minutes and 29 seconds at East Hartfords Town Green Park Tuesday evening as community members bowed their heads and honored the anniversary of George Floyds death.

Im tired. Im still tired. We thought it was eight [minutes and] 45 [seconds], eight [minutes and] 46 [seconds]. It turned out to be nine [minutes and] 29 [seconds], said Vanessa Jenkins, one of the founders of the East Hartford Black Caucus, referring to the amount of time officer Derek Chauvin had his knee on the neck of Floyd. What I hope everyone does is realize that its in our hands and it starts here locally. I want everyone today to ask yourself What am I going to do about it when I leave here? What am I going to do to hold up Mr. Floyds legacy? 

The event, hosted by the East Hartford Black Caucus (EHBC), consisted of an opening prayer, a nine-minute moment of silence, two poems and an open forum for community members to speak.

We figured that its been a year and we just wanted to give a chance and have people who were involved [in protesting last year] and wanted to say something, or just gather, EHBC Vice President Harry Amadasun Jr. said. When youre dealing with kind of a group traumatic event like this, you want to react. You have your voice and you need to feel like youre not alone. We realized that coming together, were a lot more powerful.

The event finished with a speech from East Hartford Board of Education member and former Hartford police officer Bryan Hall Sr.

Hall recalled growing up as a child nearby and his parents transferring him to a school in Farmington in 1972. When the bus, filled with a group of Black students, pulled up to the campus, he saw police officers and parents protesting saying Send them back where they came from, we dont want them here.

When I was escorted to my room, it was almost like it was pre-staged, all the other kids were sitting at their desks, and when I sat at my seat, all the kids picked up their desks and chairs and moved away from me as they laughed, Hall said. [When I went home] I asked my parents Why do you hate me? 

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Hall continued his story by explaining that his parents emphasized he had the right to prove he was entitled to an education just like the other students, and that his father wanted him to go out there and make a difference.

Hall ended up joining the Hartford Police Department. He stayed for over 20 years, he said, but the situation with Floyd wasnt just tailored to Minneapolis, but exists in our communities as well.

I turned in a white police officer because I saw him brutally beat a young kid and when I was asked what happened, [the officer] said You better tell them that I had to hit the break because a dog ran in front of us on the road and thats how his face got busted open, it hit the cage, Hall said. My loyalty to the police department wasnt that strong where I wasnt going to tell the truth. ... Young Black boys need to see people that look like me. They need to see someone who grew up in the same community that Im policing and I need to let them see me in this uniform which represents the fact that we as Black men can still rise up.

The event highlighted that similar to the discrimination in schools in 1972 to the murder of Floyd nearly a half century later, racism, inequality and the fight to dismantle both still hasnt stopped.

I have been stopped by police who tried to brutalize me until I say Im on the job,  Hall said. I say this to say a year later, it didnt stop. A day later, it didnt stop. A month later it didnt stop. Eight weeks later, it didnt stop. When Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder, it still did not stop.

Hall went on to say that unless that you are being a part of solving the problem, unless youre being a part of educating children, unless youre being part of not falling into the divided states but the United States ... its not going to stop.

The event in East Hartford was just one of many gatherings around the country and state. In Manchester, community members gathered to honor Floyd at 8:48 p.m., in honor of one of the reported times of how long Chauvin had his knee on Floyds neck. In Minneapolis, where the incident occurred, communities gathered near George Floyd Square for a street-festival and vigil.

Floyds family gathered at the White House Tuesday to meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Jessika Harkay can be reached at jharkay@courant.com.
Policymakers talk about comprehensive health care reform. They see a broken system and want to fix everything at once. Emergency room workers can relate, but they take a more strategic approach when patients arrive with multiple injuries.

Through triage, they prioritize problems and apply isolated but related interventions to save lives. Fixing the health care system can work the same way. COVID-19 has exposed a range of regulatory weaknesses, and lawmakers can do three things to provide immediate relief.

The first step is full repeal of certificate of need (CON) laws and similar measures that persist in 38 states and Washington, D.C. Unlike other types of oversight, these laws do not purport to protect public health and safety.

Instead, states set up CON boards to protect industry insiders from competition. Doctors and other providers cannot open facilities, expand services or purchase major medical equipment without first obtaining a CON, which works like a government permission slip.

How CON laws are not helpful

Many jurisdictions let established providers, who already have a CON, contest new applications. When a rival business tries to enter their turf, they can file a complaint based on potential loss of revenue. The result is something close to veto power to stop outside threats.

The protectionism has continued during the pandemic. Alabama blocked an addiction recovery clinic from offering residential services in November. Rhode Island voted in June to stop new hospice care services.

Pharmacist on April 22, 2021, in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Other examples abound, although a nationwide survey from the Institute for Justice shows that 25 jurisdictions issued emergency orders to pause CON enforcement when COVID-19 cases spiked. Lawmakers in South Carolina, Alaska, and Maine and are now considering permanent repeal.

If they follow through, they would join California, Texas and 10 other states that ended their CON schemes years ago. Hospital lobbyists predicted chaos without the oversight, but 40 years of data show that CON laws have not achieved a single one of the original objectives. Research shows that access, choice, quality, cost and charity care are all worse in CON regulated states.

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The second fix is to end non-compete clauses as a condition of employment for health care providers.

Technically, medical professionals could refuse to sign these agreements, which prevent them from striking out on their own or switching to other employers in the same region. But the industry has made non-compete clauses nearly unavoidable and difficult to contest. Coupled with CON laws, which restrict independent practices and facilities, employed doctors are hamstrung.

Attorneys have it easy in this regard. The American Bar Association deems non-compete clauses unethical and bans them as a condition for employment. Health care systems embrace them instead.

The ultimate losers are patients, who cannot follow their chosen doctors when physicians move to practice medicine beyond the geographic reach of the non-compete clause. The system reshuffles the patients left behind, assigning them to other providers based on corporate convenience rather than consumer choice.

COVID: Bribing Americans to get the COVID vaccine doesnt solve our real problem

Indigent and rural patients suffer the most, creating a third opportunity for reform.

Hospital systems receive compensation for total charity medical care, a mixed bag of pure charity, bad debt, indigent care and undercompensated care. The grants, tax benefits and subsidies for these service are based on obfuscated prices detached from real costs. Ironically, the doctors who actually provide the care do not receive special consideration.

Tax reform could be the cure

The cure would be tax reform, allowing individual physiciansnot just their employersto receive deductions for true charitable care. Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, introduced the Charity Care Expansion Act of 2015 to do this, but the bill stalled.

Charitable care has plunged since then. Part of the reason is that physicians increasingly lack access to independent facilities where they can do the work.

An American Medical Association survey showed that hospital system employees outnumbered independent physicians for the first time ever in 2018. Many of these employees lack authority to provide pro bono care, even when they want to donate their time, because they are reined in by restrictive covenants.

CEO: Why I'm requiring that my employees and customers be vaccinated against COVID-19

Policymakers can help by ending CON laws, blocking non-compete clauses and reforming the tax code. Patients would see an immediate increase in affordable options. Entrepreneurial doctors would be able to use their skills in practices of their design. And families in need would gain increased access to traditional charitable care.

Triage requires choices, and these three steps would go a long way to stabilize a broken system.

Marcelo Hochman is a facial plastic surgeon and president of the Charleston County Medical Society in South Carolina. Daryl James is a writer at the Institute for Justice in Arlington, Va.

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: 3 ways for states to fix health care
President Biden asked intelligence agencies to report back to him within 90 days on the virus's origin

US President Joe Biden has ordered intelligence officials to "redouble" efforts to investigate the origins of Covid-19, including the theory that it came from a laboratory in China.

He said the US intelligence community was split on whether it came from a lab accident or emerged from human contact with an infected animal.

Mr Biden asked the groups to report back to him within 90 days.

China has rejected the laboratory theory.

"Smear campaigns and blame shifting are making a comeback, and the conspiracy theory of 'lab leak' is resurfacing," its embassy in the US said in a statement on Thursday.

Since it was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019, more than 168 million cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed worldwide and at least 3.5 million deaths reported.

Authorities linked early Covid cases to a seafood market in Wuhan, leading scientists to theorise the virus first passed to humans from animals.

But recent US media reports have suggested growing evidence the virus could instead have emerged from a laboratory in China, perhaps through an accidental leak.

Lab leak theory goes mainstream

Analysis box by Anthony Zurcher, North America reporter

In what passes for relative transparency in the US government, the Biden administration has conceded the American intelligence community is split on Covid-19's origins - it could be the lab or animal-to-human contact - and no-one is near certain about it.

That marks a big shift from the derision heaped on the lab theory by many in the media and politics last year, when Donald Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Senator Tom Cotton and others floated the idea.

Mr Trump and Mr Pompeo didn't help the situation, however, as they were coy about the grounds for their suspicion. And their theories floating alongside more far-fetched ones, such as that the disease was manufactured as a bioweapon in a Chinese lab. That possibility still seems highly unlikely.

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The public may never know the full truth about the virus' origins, particularly if China continues to be uncooperative. Mr Biden is pledging a full investigation, however, and if the US finds conclusive evidence of a lab leak, it will mean more than just a few prominent figures having to eat crow and re-evaluate their trust in authoritative "conclusions". It could place very real strain on US-China relations for years to come.

Why is President Biden doing this now?

In a statement on Wednesday, President Biden said he had asked for a report on the origins of Covid-19 after taking office, "including whether it emerged from human contact with an infected animal or from a laboratory accident".

On receiving it this month, he asked for "additional follow-up".

Mr Biden said the majority of the intelligence community had "coalesced" around those two scenarios, but "do not believe there is sufficient information to assess one to be more likely than the other".

The president has now asked agencies to "redouble their efforts to collect and analyse information that could bring us closer to a definitive conclusion".

He concluded by saying the US would "keep working with like-minded partners around the world to press China to participate in a full, transparent, evidence-based international investigation".

Beijing has previously suggested Covid-19 could have come from a US laboratory instead.

In its statement, the Chinese embassy said it supported a full investigation into "some secretive bases and biological laboratories all over the world".

A spokesman for China's foreign ministry on Thursday hit out at the "dark history" of the US intelligence community, and said the Biden administration's "motive and purposes" were clear.

Mr Biden's statement came as CNN reported that the president's administration this spring shut down a state department investigation into whether the virus could have leaked from a Wuhan lab, deeming the probe an ineffective use of resources.

What do we know about the lab theory?

Speculation about the Wuhan Institute of Virology - one of China's top virus research labs - began last year and was propagated by former US President Donald Trump.

In April 2020, US State Department cables came to light that showed embassy officials were worried about biosecurity at the lab.

The leak allegations were widely dismissed as a fringe conspiracy theory.

Earlier this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a report written jointly with Chinese scientists on the origins of Covid-19 which said the chances of it having started in a lab were "extremely unlikely".

It said the virus had probably jumped from bats to humans via another intermediary animal, but more research was needed.

However, questions have persisted and recent reports attributed to US intelligence sources say three members of the Wuhan Institute of Virology were admitted to hospital in November 2019, several weeks before China acknowledged the first case of the new disease in the community.

Anthony Fauci, President Biden's chief medical adviser, has maintained he believes the virus was passed from animals to humans, though he conceded this month he was no longer confident Covid-19 had developed naturally.

Mr Biden's statement came the day after Xavier Becerra, US secretary for health and human services, urged the WHO to ensure a "transparent" investigation into the virus's origins.

"Phase 2 of the Covid origins study must be launched with terms of reference that are transparent, science-based and give international experts the independence to fully assess the source of the virus and the early days of the outbreak," he said.

On Tuesday, Mr Trump sought to take credit in a statement to the New York Post. "To me it was obvious from the beginning but I was badly criticised, as usual," he said. "Now they are all saying: 'He was right.'"
Multiple people were killed in a shooting at a rail yard. President Joe Biden wants a report on COVID-19's origins on his desk in 90 days. And if you didn't catch the supermoon eclipse situation, we've got pictures.

 Hiya! It's Laura. Happy Wednesday! I've got super(moon) news for you.

But first, it's a baby boom! Did you know Tasmanian devils are marsupials? They have a pouch! And did you know not a single one had been born in Australia's mainland for more than 3,000 years  until now? Check this out: Seven newborn Taz puppies.

The Short List is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe to the newsletter here or text messages here.

At least 8 dead in San Jose shooting

A light rail yard in San Jose, California, was the scene of a deadly shooting Wednesday morning, when a gunman opened fire, killing at least eight people in the latest shooting rampage to rock the nation in recent weeks. Police spokesman Russell Davis said the gunman, an employee at the sprawling Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light rail hub, was also dead, and that other employees were among the victims, adding that, "there are multiple injuries and multiple fatalities." Mayor Sam Liccardo said the city was facing a "dark moment." Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said bomb dogs alerted officers to the presence of explosives on the scene. A bomb squad had cordoned off the area, she said. Nationwide, there have been at least 230 mass shootings in 2021. A mass shooting is defined as four or more shot or killed, not including the shooter, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

Photo gallery: A look at the scene of the shooting at a San Jose rail yard.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) workers gather near a railyard following a shooting on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. Santa Clara County sheriff's spokesman said the railyard shooting left multiple people, including the shooter, dead.

Where did COVID-19 come from?

President Joe Biden wants to know, and he's pressing the intelligence community for better answers. As questions grow about whether the virus was the result of an accident in a Chinese laboratory or spread through other means, Biden said Wednesday that he wants the community, which has been divided over the issue, to "redouble" their investigative efforts, and report within 90 days on the likely origins of COVID-19. As of today, the U.S. Intelligence Community has coalesced around two likely scenarios, according to Biden's statement. While two elements of the community lean toward the likelihood that the virus emerged from human contact with an infected animal, one leans toward the possibility of a laboratory accident.

Story continues

What we know: U.S. intelligence found Wuhan lab researchers fell sick in fall 2019.

Scientists want answers: Did the coronavirus come directly from animals or was it released from a lab?

In this Feb. 9, 2021, file photo, Peter Ben Embarek of the World Health Organization team holds up a chart showing pathways of transmission of the virus during a joint news conference at the end of the WHO mission in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province. A joint WHO-China study on the origins of COVID-19 says that transmission of the virus from bats to humans through another animal is the most likely scenario and that a lab leak is "extremely unlikely," according to a draft copy obtained by The Associated Press.

What everyone's talking about

 Super-duper moon

Did you catch the moon show? One of the greatest sky spectacles of the year happened Wednesday morning as a full moon, supermoon and lunar eclipse happened at the same time, creating the super flower blood moon. While the biggest, brightest supermoon of the year will illuminate the sky Wednesday, the total eclipse was visible for only about 15 minutes, and only in some western parts of the U.S., where watchers were able to see the full moon turn to a rusty red as it dipped into Earth's shadow. If you missed this one, don't worry: The country and Canada will get to witness a 99% lunar eclipse high on the horizon with little obstruction on Nov. 19, according to experts.

Amazing photos: Super blood moon projects cosmic delight around the world.

Video: Catch a glimpse of the super flower blood moon in the sky above Sydney.

Murder charges filed in deaths of Vallow children

In a bizarre case involving "doomsday" religious beliefs, the mother of two missing children in Idaho, who were found dead last year, and her husband appeared briefly in court Wednesday via Zoom after they were charged with murder in the children's deaths. New charges were filed against Lori Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell, her husband, who is also facing murder charges in connection with the children's death and his former wife's death, marking the most serious ramping up of the criminal case against the couple. Joshua "JJ" Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 17, vanished in late 2019 in a case that drew national attention as details emerged of multiple suspicious deaths, "doomsday" religious beliefs and the Daybells fleeing to Hawaii. New court documents lay out the sequence of events that led to the children's deaths and, for the first time, adds charges in connection with the death of Tammy Daybell, Chad's former wife. The couple could face life in prison or the death penalty if convicted, prosecutors said.

Police reviewing death of Lori Vallow's ex-husband after 'murder' comment in 2018 audio.

A 'precious' boy and 'feisty' sister: Missing Idaho children found dead, police say.

These undated photos released by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children show missing person, Joshua Vallow, 7, left, and Tylee Ryan, 17. They were last seen on Sept. 23, 2019 in Rexburg, Idaho.

Real quick

Montana woman who killed ex-husband after she said he attempted rape sees charges cleared.

Making history: Karine Jean-Pierre becomes first Black woman to lead White House press briefing in decades.

'The Voice' finale: Cam Anthony wins Season 20, handing Blake Shelton 8th win in 10 years.

'What did you expect?' Joe West booed as he sets record with his 5,376th game as an umpire.

Ship fire rages for 6th day off Sri Lanka; India sends ships, aircraft to help battle blaze.

A blockbuster deal for Amazon

How's this for a movie blockbuster: Amazon has confirmed it will acquire movie studio MGM in a deal worth $8.45 billion. In a statement Wednesday, Amazon said it would help preserve MGM's heritage of films, which includes 4,000 titles, including the James Bond franchise, "The Magnificent Seven," "Raging Bull" and "Rocky." MGM also owns several popular TV series, including "The Handmaid's Tale," which is in the midst of its fourth season on Hulu. "The real financial value behind this deal is the treasure trove of IP (intellectual property) in the deep catalog that we plan to reimagine and develop together with MGMs talented team," said Mike Hopkins, senior vice president of Prime Video and Amazon Studios, in a statement. Amazon's acquisition of MGM highlights a shift to consolidation in a competitive market for streaming services.

Amazon transition: Jeff Bezos to become company's executive chair, Andy Jassy the new CEO July 5.

Amazon logo is displayed in Douai, northern France.

A break from the news

 Are you ready to go back to the movies? These people are! And there are a lot of them.

 Yes, airports will be mobbed. No, masks aren't optional. Here's everything you need to know about summer flights.

 This unconventional tummy-thrusting workout is viral on TikTok, but fitness experts warn people to 'be careful.' Here's why.

 Listen up!

Join us at 4:30 p.m. ET Thursday, May 27, on Twitter Spaces! We'll be talking race, history and the story of Jimmie Lee Jackson, whose death changed America, with USA TODAY reporter Javonte Anderson.

Join us on Twitter Spaces!

This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Sign up for The Short List newsletter here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: COVID-19 origins, San Jose shooting, supermoon and Amazon: It's Wednesday's news.
By Tom Balmforth and Maria Kiselyova

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Wednesday a journalist pulled off a plane that was forced to land in Minsk had been plotting a rebellion, and he accused the West of waging a hybrid war against him.

In his first public remarks since a Belarusian warplane intercepted a Ryanair flight on Sunday between European Union members Greece and Lithuania, he showed no hint of backing down from confrontation with countries that accuse him of air piracy.

"As we predicted, our ill-wishers from outside the country and from inside the country changed their methods of attack on the state," Lukashenko told parliament.

"They have crossed many red lines and have abandoned common sense and human morals," he said, referring to a "hybrid war" without giving any details.

Belarus has been subject to EU and U.S. sanctions since Lukashenko cracked down on pro-democracy protests after a disputed election last year. But his decision to intercept an international airliner in Belarusian airspace and arrest a 26-year-old dissident journalist has brought vows of much more serious action.

In his speech to parliament, Lukashenko gave no details of the "bloody rebellion" he accused journalist Roman Protasevich of planning.

Protasevich, whose social media feed from exile had been one of the last remaining independent sources of news about Belarus, was shown on state TV on Monday confessing to organising demonstrations.

But Belarus opposition figures dismissed the confession, seeing the video as evidence Protasevich had been tortured, an allegation repeated by his mother, Natalia.

"I simply plead with all the international community... please, world, stand up and help, I beg you so much because they will kill him," she told Polish broadcaster TVN.

Late on Tuesday, state TV broadcast a similar confession video of Sophia Sapega, a 23-year-old student arrested with Protasevich.

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Germany led condemnation of Belarus over the videotapes, which Lukashenko's opponents said were recorded under coercion.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms the Belarusian rulers' practice of parading their prisoners in public with so-called 'confessions," German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said.

Belarus denies it mistreats detainees. Rights groups have documented what they say are hundreds of cases of abuse and forced confessions since last year.

FLIGHTS RE-ROUTED

Europe's aviation regulator issued a bulletin on Wednesday urging all airlines to avoid Belarus airspace for safety reasons, saying the forced diversion of the Ryanair flight had put in question its ability to provide safe skies.

Western governments have told their airlines to re-route flights to avoid Belarus's airspace and have announced plans to ban Belarusian planes. The European Union says other unspecified sanctions are also in the works.

Credit rating agency S&P Global signalled it could downgrade Belarus' credit rating if Western governments impose stronger economic sanctions.

Lukashenko said he would respond harshly to any sanctions. His prime minister said the country could ban some imports and restrict transit in response, without giving details.

Landlocked Belarus is located between its ally Russia and the EU, and some Russian oil and gas flows through it. Last year, it retaliated for sanctions by limiting some oil export traffic through a port in Lithuania.

In his remarks to parliament, Lukashenko, 66, said street protests were no longer possible in Belarus. Most known opposition figures are now in jail or exile.

In power since 1994, Lukashenko faced weeks of mass protests after he was declared the winner of a presidential election that his opponents said was rigged. The protests lost momentum after thousands of arrests in a police crackdown.

Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said the opposition was now preparing a new phase of active protests.

"There's nothing more to wait for - we have to stop the terror once and for all," she said.

ATTEMPTS TO ISOLATE BELARUS

Western powers are seeking ways to increase the isolation of Lukashenko, who has previously shrugged off Western sanctions, which mostly consisted of placing officials on black lists. The West is wary of upsetting Moscow, which regards Belarus as a strategically important buffer.

U.S. President Joe Biden will discuss the incident with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit next month but the White House said it does not believe Moscow played any role in the incident.

Belarusian authorities on Tuesday released a transcript of a conversation between the Ryanair plane and an air traffic controller. In it, the controller tells the pilot of a bomb threat and advises him to land in Minsk. The pilot repeatedly questions the source of the information before agreeing to divert the plane.

The transcript, which Reuters could not independently verify, differed from excerpts released by Belarus state TV, which reported that the pilot had asked to land in Minsk, rather than that the controller advised him to do so.

The Ryanair plane remains in the Lithuanian capital's airport, where it flew after Minsk, while data is collected form it, the Lithuanian prosecutor's office said.

(Reporting by Reuters bureaus; Writing by Timothy Heritage; Editing by Peter Graff and Angus MacSwan)
By Francesco Guarascio

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -A lawyer for the European Union accused AstraZeneca on Wednesday of failing to respect its contract with the 27-nation bloc for the supply of COVID-19 vaccines and asked a Belgian court to impose a large fine on the company.

The EU took the Anglo-Swedish firm to court in April after the drugmaker said it would aim to deliver only 100 million doses of its vaccine by the end of June, instead of the 300 million foreseen in the supply contract. Brussels wants the company to deliver at least 120 millionvaccines by the end of June. AstraZeneca had delivered 50 million doses by the beginning of May, just a quarter of the 200 million vaccines foreseen in the contract by then. "AstraZeneca did not even try to respect the contract," the EU's lawyer, Rafael Jafferali, told a Brussels court in the first hearing on the substance of the legal case.

He said the EU was seeking 10 euros ($12.2) for each day of delay for each dose as compensation for AstraZeneca's non-compliance with the contract.

This could be as high as 200 million euros ($244 million) per day from July 1, AstraZeneca's lawyer Hakim Boularbah told the court, asking the judge to revise it down in case of a negative verdict.

Jafferali said the EU was seeking an additional penalty of at least 10 million euros for each breach of the contract that the judge may decide.

The next hearing is on June 4 followed by a verdict which is expected sometime later that month.

NOT A CONTRACT FOR SHOES

"This is not a contract for the delivery of shoes or T-shirts," Boularbah said, stressing the complexity of manufacturing a new vaccine.

The EU accusations were "shocking", Boularbah said, noting the company had formulated its delivery targets based on early estimates of production capacity. He added that the vaccine was sold at cost.

AstraZeneca has repeatedly said the contract was notbinding as it only committed to make "best reasonable efforts" in delivering doses. Jafferali said that principle had not been respected because the drugmaker had not delivered to the bloc 50 million doses produced in factories that are listed in the contract as suppliers to the EU, including 39 million doses manufactured in Britain, 10 million produced in the United States and 1 million in the Netherlands.

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The lawyer said these doses were "diverted" to other clients. The company has said that doses produced in Britain were reserved under a contract the British government signed with the University of Oxford, which developed the vaccine.

AstraZeneca's lawyer said the British factories were mentioned in the EU contract for information, but there was no commitment to use them. They were expected to produce vaccines solely for Britain until February 2021, when the company expected to deliver 100 million doses to London. It has not yet completed its deliveries to Britain. Jafferali said AstraZeneca had pledged in the EU contract not to have other engagements that would prevent it from abiding by the terms of the deal. The lawyer also said AstraZeneca had failed to communicate to the EU in a timely manner the magnitude of its supply problems because it repeatedly sent messages, including publicly, that it was able to meet its targets, before finally admitting there were large shortfalls in March. The company had warned the EU in December of productionproblems, but communicated only at the end of January, just before the start of deliveries, a much larger cut than initially expected for the first-quarter.

Boularbah said AstraZeneca had continuously kept the EU informed about its production plans and problems.

He said the company had informed the EU last summer that the UK-based factories making the vaccine were to be used exclusively to supply Britain as part of its contract with the government there.

($1 = 0.8173 euros)

(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio; Editing by Kirsten Donovan, Josephine Mason and Elaine Hardcastle)
Bags of food were given to 500 households at Lincoln Center. Musicians from the Juilliard School also performed.

Video Transcript

- Well, a special giveaway today for people still needing help with food. The food bank for New York City held its third pop up food distribution today. Bags of food were given to 500 households at Lincoln Center. Musicians from the Juilliard School performed, and employees from Disney helped give out the food. The food bank says an estimated 1.6 million New York City residents are experiencing food insecurity. Disney is the parent company of WABC.
When Disneyland and Disney California Adventure reopened April 30, the Anaheim theme parks allowed only California residents to visit. They will begin admitting travelers from outside the state on June 15. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure have begun selling tickets to travelers from out of state for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic shut their doors more than a year ago, the Anaheim theme parks announced Wednesday.

The two parks plan to start admitting out-of-state visitors June 15, the day California is scheduled to loosen its pandemic restrictions on most businesses. Ticket sales and reservations for those dates are available now.

The Disney parks will continue to require visitors to wear masks. They won't require proof of vaccinations or of negative COVID-19 test results.

The parks reopened April 30 to Californians only. The move to welcome out-of-state visitors is significant because long-haul travelers tend to spend more  by booking hotel rooms, renting cars and staying several days  than local parkgoers, who typically use their own vehicles and return home the same day, according to travel experts.

The state pandemic guidelines for theme parks have changed over the last few months. The rules that allowed theme parks to reopen in April initially let them admit only California residents. After a few weeks, the state quietly updated its rules to allow the parks to accept out-of-state visitors who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

State guidelines that take effect June 15 recommend, but don't require, that theme parks ask visitors to be fully vaccinated or show proof that they recently tested negative for the coronavirus.

The California Attractions and Parks Assn., a lobbying group for the state's theme parks, recently issued a statement saying each park will "determine their own responsible reopening plans in accordance with state and local public health regulations.

Some parks already admit out-of-state visitors. SeaWorld in San Diego was the first, followed by Universal Studios Hollywood. Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia and Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park still admit only California residents.

Story continues

The federal government has suspended or limited travel to the U.S. from several countries as part of an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Before the pandemic, travel and spending by Chinese tourists had reached record levels in the U.S., with Chinese visitors spending heavily at Disneyland and other theme parks.

Under California's current reopening guidelines, the theme parks must limit capacity based on a four-tier, color-coded blueprint. Los Angeles and Orange counties entered the least restrictive tier in May, allowing the Disney parks, Universal Studios Hollywood, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm to cap attendance at 35% of normal capacity.

The tier framework is scheduled to become moot next month. California will scrap it June 15 as long as the vaccine supply is stable and hospitalization numbers stay low, according to state health officials.

Under the guidelines slated to take effect June 15, the state will lift its attendance limits at theme parks, along with the restrictions that require theme park guests to stand six feet apart in queues. The state's requirement that indoor rides be no longer than 15 minutes will also be lifted.

Theme parks are classified under the new guidelines as an "outdoor mega event" that accommodates more than 10,000 people. State health officials still consider such events a "higher risk for COVID transmission" and recommend that masks be worn by all attendees. The guidelines also recommend that operators of such events verify that all attendees are fully vaccinated or show they tested negative for the coronavirus no more than 72 hours before attending.

To verify a negative test result, attendees can provide a printed card, or show an email or text message from the test provider or laboratory, according to the state guidelines. The venue operator or business can also require "self-attestation" when making reservations or buying a ticket.

For proof of vaccination, the state guidelines allow event organizers to accept a printed vaccination card, a photo of the card or self-attestation. To be fully vaccinated, people must wait two weeks after their final shot  their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine or their one and only Johnson & Johnson dose.

The Disney parks' acceptance of out-of-state visitors is part of a phased relaunch of the resort. Disney California Adventure's new Marvel superhero-themed Avengers Campus opens June 4. The resort's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is already operating; it plans to reopen its Paradise Pier Hotel on June 15 and Disneyland Hotel on July 2.

The parks are also expanding their hours of operation. Starting July 1, Disneyland will be open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Disney California Adventure will be open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Both parks currently operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
True love, such a naive thing.

A romantic happily ever after has been depicted in overly idealized ways for generations in animated fairy tales but is no longer the rage among modern Disney heroines.

At the end of "Frozen 2" Elsa is just getting to know herself while her sister, Anna, had to let go of her preconceived notions of love before she could find it. Raya in "Raya and the Last Dragon" is an action hero balancing her if-you-want-something-done-right mantra with her inability to trust. And the star of "Moana" sets off on her own adventure to save her people and discover a love of the world around her.

So when Disney embarked on a quest to give its "Snow White"-inspired ride a makeover at its first and most treasured park, we wondered whether this old-fashioned princess, drawn for cinemas in the mid-1930s, would get a 2021 gloss.

After all, Disney theme parks have been undergoing a host of cultural updates in recent years  from changing the bride auction scene in Pirates of the Caribbean to an upcoming remake of the Jungle Cruise and re-theming Splash Mountain to "Princess and the Frog" instead of "Song of the South." In addition, Walt Disney World's version of Snow White in Florida had already been re-imagined as a child-friendly roller coaster that serves as a prologue to the film rather than a reflection of its themes.

Who needs love and princes when there's a mine that can host mild thrills?

And yet the re-imagined Disneyland attraction  now known as Snow White's Enchanted Wish instead of Snow White's Scary Adventures  opts to wrap its arms around feelings of adoration, endearment, friendship and the hope that, via love, we don't become rescued so much as better versions of ourselves. It also puts more effort into using technology to freshen up 1950s-era craftsmanship rather than going full modern.

A scene inside the dwarf's cottage in Disneyland's Snow White's Enchanted Wish ride, featuring dwarfs playing instruments and dancing with Snow White. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

In the film, Snow White remarks that the home of the seven dwarfs looks "just like a dollhouse," and here the refreshed figures maintain a toy-like quality, with humans and animals  as they are in the original animated work  treated with equal reverence and with the same stylistic motifs.

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Charming? Yes. A throwback? Not quite.

In fact, in 2021 amid our cultural rethink of what it means to be a princess, what it means to court an object of affection and who gets to tell what narratives, the changes implemented by Walt Disney Imagineering, the company's arm dedicated to theme park experiences, even feel somewhat radical. Snow White's Enchanted Wish isn't even a full five minutes, and yet it conveys the film's often-overlooked messaging that there are differences between autonomy and being alone, between hopeless romanticism and wanting a savior.

Snow White's Enchanted Wish shows how the Walt Disney Studios' most important work  the very film that proved animation wasn't for children but for imaginations of all ages  is timeless in both how it portrays love as well as its star, a young woman who expresses her desires, doesn't wallow in them, and continues to embrace life with a sense of discovery and control.

Snow White still makes a wish and bites a poisoned apple, but love isn't something that happens to these characters; it is something that must be acted upon and the result of Snow White managing to live a relatively full life despite the oppression she faces. There are similarities to 1959's "Sleeping Beauty," a film that two decades on was more exquisitely drawn but ultimately viewed its heroine as someone who must be protected from beginning to end, lending the film a less flattering modern reading.

Nods to "Snow White's" obsession with 1931's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" remain, but scenes in the Evil Queen's castle are now brighter, lit in mystical blues and purples to replace a foreboding tone with one of mystery. Instead of wanting to run, we want to linger, and Disney slowed the attraction by 21 seconds, now making it closer to a full 2  minutes.

True love's kiss

"True Love's Kiss": The magical forest scene in Snow White's Enchanted Wish ride at the Disneyland shows Prince Florian awakening Snow White from the Evil Queen's spell with a kiss. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The ending of the film hasn't been changed, but at Disneyland it has been reframed. No longer is the prince leading Snow White out of the forest to a mystical castle in the sky. Snow White is instead back in the forest, hanging with her animal friends, while her suitor patiently waits in the distance.

"The story is the story," says Kim Irvine, who has long led the art direction of Disneyland and worked with Dave Caranci, who oversaw the revamp.

Yet over the years many have criticized the Snow White story. And when the ride reopened with Disneyland on April 30, an article went viral for pointing out that the prince awakens the poisoned princess with a kiss  without her consent.

At that moment in the story, however, Snow White is believed to be dead. She isn't kissed out of lust but out of grief. And it's not just any kiss that breaks the spell but "true love's kiss."

Even so, Imagineering was long aware that introducing a new version of the ride could bring backlash. Which is why the ride makes an effort to show that "true love" didn't rescue her so much as awaken her to the world she had built, changing the film's send-off to one of community rather than partnership.

When asked about the final scene and the kiss, Irvine and Caranci noted that while altering the film that built the company was out of the question, there were subtle ways they tried to change the tone.

Longtime Imagineer Kim Irvine is a creative executive at Disneyland, where maintaining the park's history is one of her passions. Irvine worked closely on the makeover of the "Snow White"-inspired ride at the park, a project managed by Dave Caranci. Irvine, in her role overseeing the art direction of Disneyland, wanted the ride to feel more enchanted than modernized. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

"We didn't want to change the story," Irvine says. "The old photograph at the end was her sitting sidesaddle on the horse with the prince leading her to the castle. That's too much of a 'he saved her story. She has such a charm about her when she sings and talks to the animals. Her animals are her pals. That's why we moved her with the animals, and she's looking at you like, 'It's all good now.' He's over in the distance, waiting on a woman."

Adds Caranci: "Are there other ways we can empower her? So it doesn't look like, 'Oh gosh, now that the prince is here everything is going to be good because it was terrible before he showed up.'"

In fact, for much of the picture  and the attraction  Snow's life hanging with the seven dwarfs was quite ... nice. She longs for romance, but unlike Disney's takes on Princess Aurora or Cinderella, there's never a sense that she needs marriage; the original film is steadfastly focused on Walt Disney's belief in the power of animation and thus wanting to tell a complex story aimed perhaps even more at adults than children.

Masked guests exit Snow White's Enchanted Wish ride at Disneyland Resort on May 3. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Yet every generation gets its own spin on "Snow White," and previous versions of the Disneyland attraction focused on its horrors. At Walt Disney World, the company in 2014 opted to avoid the film's complicated balance of terrors and yearning for happiness to go with a more lighthearted, action-focused spin on the fairy tale that focuses on toiling away in a mine.

Walt Disney World's Seven Dwarfs Mine Train only hints in its final moments that life can be a joy but also a bit sinister. Films, music, games and even theme park rides aren't created in a vacuum, so consider it reflective of a generation that sees life's reward or challenges  marriage, a home, a night dancing with seven dwarfs  often deferred until years later, if ever. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a ride about working, unintentionally mirroring a generation that's been forced to wonder if retirement is a possibility.

At Disneyland, the 1983 makeover arguably made the attraction more frightening in an effort to maintain and expand on what was originally built in 1955, an enhancement of effects and skeletons, and a love letter to the more impressionistic, medieval moments of the film that felt somewhat secretly nestled in Fantasyland. Changes to the ride also reflect our evolving understanding of the theme park medium as a work of narrative art; when the ride first opened it famously lacked Snow White. The idea: Audiences would imagine themselves as Snow. But a relatively passive ride doesn't invite that kind of role-play.

The Evil Queen transforms into an old lady who will give Snow White a poisoned apple on Snow White's Enchanted Wish ride at Disneyland. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

"One thing we intended was that everybody on the ride would understand that they were Snow White," said Ken Anderson, an animator-turned-Imagineer who worked on the film and the ride. Speaking to defunct Disney fan magazine the E-Ticket, Anderson said, "As you rode the attraction, you were taking Snow White's place. ... You were the girl who was being threatened."

Re-centering Snow White

Disney's decision makers throughout its formative decades were, of course, men, and in an effort to instill a bit of fear into guests the original attraction in turn viewed Snow White as helpless  a character who, like us on a ride vehicle, was being whisked through life and not in control of her fate. It's a shift from the film, which coming near the end of the Great Depression was created when more women entered the workforce, and Snow White effortlessly brings a sense of order to the lives of the dwarfs. The postwar America of 1955 took a different view, when women's empowerment was encouraged as long as men were at war.

Thus, Disneyland's 2021 summary of Snow White's Enchanted Wish becomes one of the more honest readings of just who this princess is  a character who turns to optimism to survive trauma and embraces what life throws at her.

"It's a legacy attraction and it's been around a long time," says Caranci, adding that for much of its life it didn't "tell the story of Snow White." For as important as the Disney princesses are to the company, there are relatively few theme park rides celebrating them; beyond Snow White's Enchanted Wish, the original Disneyland has a walk-through installation celebrating "Sleeping Beauty."

"One of the things that I'd like to say is that Snow White is the only princess attraction that we have at Disneyland Park. Now, we've got the princess meet and greets, but this is the only attraction, and yet she [was] only featured in it once. And it's really scary, and about the Queen and the Witch. So this is an opportunity to take that attraction and really plus it up and make it about Snow White."

Snow White is seen with her forest animal friends, following Prince Florian's kiss on Snow White's Enchanted Wish ride at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

In addition to the shift in color hues there are various spell-like projections added, and when Snow bites the poison apple in a scene of animation it reflects her persevering belief in magic. Despite the wishes of the Evil Queen, the apple becomes the very item that reunites her with the prince, itself a statement of good triumphing over evil, albeit acknowledging that sometimes it takes a lifetime of patience.

A passion of Irvine's is telling physical stories through color. The ride isn't free of fear  the Evil Queen can still be seen in the window surveying Fantasyland, although the carved skulls of the facade are now covered  but the shifts should now extend a hand to the guest. While Irvine cringes when she says the word "bedazzled," the tempo tweaks allow us to see the world the way Snow White does.

"The colors added a lot of black to really gray them down," says Irvine of the pre-refurbished ride. "They were a mauve blue and a blue-gray, and kind of a salmon color. It felt, compared to Pinocchio next door, it was cooler colors and a bit ominous.

"So rethinking that for a happier show, I took the same colors  it's still mauve blue and rosy  but I just took the black out."

The facade of Snow White's Enchanted Wish ride at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Thus, Enchanted Wish becomes a welcome addition to the theme park for its steadfast belief in love and is able to present such emotions without the dainty pinks and pastels that once marked Disney's successful but cheesy princess collection line (today the products focus more on themes such as courage and adventure).

Instead, this ride doesn't shy from all the horrors that often come before the exhale.

Enchanted Wish explores mystery, a bit of mysticism and in just a couple of minutes continues to argue that the "Snow White" of 1937 was ahead of its time beyond its groundbreaking view of animation.

A scene from the newly renovated Snow White's Enchanted Wish ride. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Rachel Bellesen was a victim of domestic abuse for years by the man she shot dead during his attempt to rape her. (iStock)

Anti-domestic violence campaigners have welcomed a Montana judge dropping charges against a woman who shot her abusive ex-husband dead.

Judge Amy Eddys ruling follows a motion to dismiss the charges, which were filed on 9 April by lawyer Lance Jasper, who represented the plaintiff Rachel Bellesen, 38, a coordinator at the Abbie Shelter, a shelter for abused women.

Prosecutors wanted them to be removed temporarily but activists, such as those at her workplace, felt they should be removed without the prospect of being reinstated.

Before the charges were dismissed, Karla Fisher, a lawyer and consultant specialising in domestic cases, said to the Daily Beast that dismissing charges like this were rare, but said people were right to push for this to be truly over for this woman.

Hilary Shaw, director of the Abbie Shelter, also said to the same outlet before the charges were dropped, An injustice has been done. And the right thing to do is to fully vindicate Rachel.

According to CNN, due to social distancing measures like lockdown, rates of domestic violence reported have increased by 8.1 per cent. However, the report also acknowledged that domestic violence is hard to quantify due to the amount of cases that are not reported.

Upon the courts decision, Ms Bellesen released a statement about her experience, facing legal action for shooting dead her ex-husband who tried to rape her twice.

Much like Jake tried so hard to do over the course of more than 20 years, the State of Montana again attempted to silence my voice. At the very start, they declared me a murderer, claimed I executed an innocent man in cold blood. They took my life, the lives of my loved ones, ripped it all apart with their horrible claims, and then tried to just walk away when they realised that they had no case, she said.

She highlighted the similarities between being on trial to being abused.

It was eerily similar to when an abuser attacks you  and then tries to serve a sad excuse of apology with a bouquet of flowers the next morning, expecting you to just take them in gratitude, say nothing, and go on about your day like nothing happened.

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No. Ms Bellesen said and also made a point to highlight the need for legal reform.

The women of Montana deserve better. Our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, and daughters deserve better. ALL of our children deserve better. Our country deserves better. And Im not going away in silence. she said

Mr Jasper told The Daily Beast, I never thought Id go in and have to say a dismissal isnt good enough. But gosh it was great.

He also managed to get Ms Bellesens bail amount reduced in October from $200,000 to $20,000.

At the time, he told the AP, Shes been so worried about her children. Theyve lost their dad and not being able to be there to help through this difficult time, it was killing her.

Ms Bellesen was charged in October 2020 for the murder of her ex-husband Jacob Glace. This was after she informed authorities that she had shot him in self-defence, as he had attempted to rape her.

Glace had previously pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms Bellesen, according to court records from 2004 where he stood charged with fourth-degree assault. According to the AP, he had faced assault charges last year for actions committed against another partner.

Ms Bellesen said that Glace continued to harass her following their divorce, as he was doing on 8 October, the night she shot him. She spoke of going to see him due to him making threats regarding their son. Following the shooting, she and her husband alerted law enforcement to what had happened and had her injuries inspected by them at the local hospital. On 9 October, charges were filed.

A representative from the Montana Department of Justice told the Daily Beast they were reviewing the decision.

The Independent reached out to the Abbie Shelter for comment.

Anyone who requires help or support can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline on 1 800 799 SAFE (7233) or via their website www.thehotline.org, while those in the UK can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which is open 24/7 365 days per year, on 0808 2000 247 or via their website nationaldahelpline.org.uk
A driver plowed his car into a police station  and tried to attack officers outside the building, Maryland officials said.

Timothy Joel Jackson Kahl, 24, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder after police said he threatened to kill a officer and tried to run over several of them. The incident reportedly left major damage to the lobby of the Havre de Grace Police Department, roughly 35 miles northeast of Baltimore.

A Facebook user believed to be Kahl didnt immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment on Wednesday. No attorney information was listed for him.

On Sunday, Havre de Grace police said Kahl called their department and told them he was going to come there and kill a police officer. When officers drove out to his home, they reportedly found him driving erratically.

He struck several parked vehicles and tried to run over the officers before fleeing the area, officials said in a Facebook post. Kahl then drove to the Havre de Grace Police Department where he struck another parked car.

Thats when Kahl is accused of purposefully driving into the police station. Video captured the moments his car crashed through the front doors and slammed into a wall.

We are grateful that no one was injured in this incident, the police department wrote on Facebook.

Police said Kahl then got out of his car and attempted to attack cops. Officers used a stun gun on him before he was arrested and transported to Harford Memorial Hospital, the Facebook post said.

As of Monday, Kahl was also charged with first-degree assault, reckless endangerment and malicious destruction of property.

Car ignites when driver uses hand sanitizer while smoking cigarette, Maryland video shows

Dad and 7-year-old drown after he jumps in pool to rescue her, Maryland police say
Philadelphia, PA --News Direct-- Elsevier

In response to the increased need for skilled healthcare workers during the pandemic, many hospitals in California are calling upon adjunct nursing staff that dont typically work in the ICU to offer additional support in the care of critically ill patients

Elsevier, a global leader in research publishing and information analytics, announced today that it is working with the State of California Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Authority and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) to expand its COVID-19 online training for adjunct nursing staff who can provide additional support in the intensive care units (ICU) during the pandemic.

The week-long online curriculum, created by the AACN, is designed to help adjunct nursing staff who dont typically work in the ICU to enhance their clinical skills and knowledge on caring for patients with the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. Registered nurses in California can learn more about this continuing education training option and how to register by visiting the EMS Authoritys website.

John Danaher, MD, President, Clinical Solutions, Elsevier, said: We are continuing to work with the State of California to support frontline workers who are playing such an important role in our local communities. Hundreds of newly trained nurses in California have completed the initial training program and are providing additional support in ICUs across the state. We look forward to our continued collaboration and doing everything we can to support patient care.

Some of the learning modules included in the expanded program include Critical Care Patient Management, Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), Assessing and Managing Respiratory Failure, and Managing Oxygenation and Ventilation.

Elsevier is committed to supporting clinicians and students and helping them improve outcomes. In April 2020, Elsevier launched its COVID-19 Healthcare Hub, which provides free access to toolkits, expert insights, research resources and COVID-19 guidelines. The Hubs resources include evidence-based clinical overviews, drug monographs, care plans, order sets, and procedure videos for clinicians delivering care and information to patients. Clinicians will also find the latest information and guidelines from government health agencies, medical societies and public health organizations for diagnosis, testing and treatment of COVID-19 patients.

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To help address the wave of misinformation about the virus and support clinicians in India, Elsevier recently launched the India Covid-19 Healthcare Hub. The website includes short synoptic clinical overviews, medication information, and easy-to-understand videos and instructions for patients.

Additionally, AACN hosts a COVID-19 Resources page on its association site that provides free access to clinical and supportive resources ensuring nurses have the information and support to best care for their patients and themselves throughout the pandemic.

About the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

For more than 50 years, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has been dedicated to acute and critical care nursing excellence. The organizations vision is to create a healthcare system driven by the needs of patients and their families in which acute and critical care nurses make their optimal contribution. AACN is the worlds largest specialty nursing organization, with more than 130,000 members and over 200 chapters in the United States.

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, 27071 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656; 949-362-2000; www.aacn.org; facebook.com/aacnface; twitter.com/aacnme

About Elsevier

As a global leader in information and analytics, Elsevier helps researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. We do this by facilitating insights and critical decision-making for customers across the global research and health ecosystems.

In everything we publish, we uphold the highest standards of quality and integrity. We bring that same rigor to our information analytics solutions for researchers, health professionals, institutions and funders.

Elsevier employs 8,100 people worldwide. We have supported the work of our research and health partners for more than 140 years. Growing from our roots in publishing, we offer knowledge and valuable analytics that help our users make breakthroughs and drive societal progress. Digital solutions such as ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciVal, ClinicalKey and Sherpath support strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support, and health education. Researchers and healthcare professionals rely on our 2,500+ digitized journals, including The Lancet and Cell; our 40,000 eBook titles; and our iconic reference works, such as Gray's Anatomy. With the Elsevier Foundation and our external Inclusion & Diversity Advisory Board, we work in partnership with diverse stakeholders to advance inclusion and diversity in science, research and healthcare in developing countries and around the world.

Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. www.elsevier.com

Contact Details

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses  Communications

Kristie Aylett

kristie.aylett@aacn.org

Elsevier Communications  Vice President, Global Health Markets

Teresa Mueller

+31620987384

t.mueller@elsevier.com

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/elsevier-supports-the-state-of-california-in-expanding-covid-19-online-learning-program-for-registered-nurses-694202249
The European Union on Wednesday asked a Belgian court to impose penalties running to millions of euros per day on AstraZeneca for Covid-19 vaccine doses it has failed to deliver to the bloc.

The request came as EU countries and their executive, the European Commission, began legal action against the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical company for "flagrant violation" of its contract with Brussels.

AstraZeneca's lawyer Hakim Boularbah rejected the EU claim, declaring: "There was no manifest breach of contract. It is very shocking to be accused of fraud."

The EU is suing AstraZeneca to force it to deliver 90 million more doses of its coronavirus vaccine before July, arguing that the company failed in its contractual duty by handing over only a fraction of promised shots.

The deadline for the contract is set for mid-June, according to the Commission, and the EU says the company should face financial penalties if it does not meet this deadline.

The EU's legal team demanded an upfront fine of 10 million euros ($12 million) plus "10 euros per dose and per day of delay" in that event.

AstraZeneca delivered only 30 million doses in the first quarter out of the 120 million it was contracted to supply. For the current quarter, which runs until June 30, it plans to deliver only 70 million of the 180 million doses initially promised.

A Commission official close to the case told AFP this month AstraZeneca was currently delivering doses at a rate of only 10 million per month, well below the planned pace.

But Bourlarbah told the court the firm would eventually supply 300 million doses and that "everything is being done to resolve the problems".

The company's defence relies on a part of the contract that speaks of "best reasonable efforts" by AstraZeneca and declarations that production was hit by unavoidable delays.

AstraZeneca's French-Australian boss Pascal Soriot laid out the argument ahead of the court case in a series of interviews with the press.

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But the lawyer for the EU, Rafael Jeffareli, argued in court that the firm had prioritised supplies to Britain and beyond, while failing to make the best effort to step up production at its EU site in the Netherlands, operated by sub-contractor Halix.

Jeffareli alleged that for several weeks after the EU signed its contract with the firm in September last year, the Dutch plant had continued to supply markets other than the EU.

"Best effort means flexibility. Why did the switchover of the Halix site (to EU supply) only start on October 13?" he demanded.

The Halix plant in Leiden, the Netherlands, had sent supplies to Japan at the end of last year, he said. In total, "50 million doses were diverted to third countries in flagrant violation of the contract".

The drugs giant's team told the court that AstraZeneca was one of the major suppliers of vaccines to poorer countries facing an ongoing Coronavirus crisis, whereas Europe is already better supplied.

"The urgency today is not so much vaccination in Europe, it's that of the world population," Boularbah said.

- 'Unprecedented speed' -

AstraZeneca, which worked with Britain's Oxford University in the development of its vaccine, denies having failed in its obligations. It rejects the lawsuit as "unfounded".

The company's team said the EU had been warned in February of the delays, which came after the vaccine was developed and put into production at "unprecedented speed". They argued the contract did not oblige them to meet particular deadlines.

The judge in the case set June 4 as the next court date in order to possibly question both parties. A final ruling is not expected before the end of June.

The commission, which has procured vaccines on behalf of the whole of the EU, initially intended the AstraZeneca jab as the main workhorse in the bloc's inoculation drive.

It has now switched to the more expensive Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine as its mainstay.

The row has eroded public confidence in the AstraZeneca jab, which is also suffering negative perceptions in some countries because of worries over links to very rare fatal blood clots that can prove fatal.

Denmark stopped using AstraZeneca in its vaccination campaign as early as April, followed later by Norway and Austria.

Most other countries have restricted its use to older adults, including in France where it is reserved for those aged 55 and over.

mad-dc/rmb/jv/jz
PARIS (Reuters) - Europe's aviation regulator on Wednesday urged all airlines to avoid Belarus airspace for safety reasons, saying the forced diversion of a Ryanair flight had put in question the country's ability to provide safe skies.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said it was advising EU airlines, as well as non-EU carriers flying to or from the bloc, to avoid the airways except in emergencies.

"The circumstances surrounding this action cast serious doubts on the respect shown by Belarus for international civil aviation rules," EASA said in a safety bulletin.

"The actions undertaken by Belarus amounted to an increased safety risk for the (Ryanair) flight and put into question the ability of Belarus to provide safe air navigation services."

European airlines began re-routing flights on Tuesday as international outrage mounted over Minsk forcing down the jet and arresting a dissident journalist on Sunday.

European Union ministers on Monday called on EU carriers to avoid flying over Belarus and said they would ban its airlines from flying to the EU, though no formal measures have yet been adopted ahead of a June 3 transport meeting.

EASA's intervention on safety grounds is separate from the ministerial threat of political sanctions and includes non-EU airlines that continue in some cases to fly over Belarus - part of the main corridor between Asia and Europe.

The EASA guidelines are not mandatory, however.

Officials in Belarus were not immediately available for comment on EASA's warning. President Alexander Lukashenko earlier on Wednesday accused his country's "ill-wishers" of trying to strangle Belarus.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher; editing by Jason Neely and Giles Elgood)
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's banking regulator has asked lenders to stop selling investment products linked to commodities futures to mom-and-pop buyers, three people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, to curb investment losses amid volatile commodity prices.

It has also asked lenders to completely unwind their existing books for these products, which they manufacture and sell to individual investors, said the sources, who are involved in and have been briefed on the decision.

The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission's (CBIRC's) order to exit these products has not been reported before. It issued the order this year, two of the sources said.

"The risk contained in banks' commodity-linked investments cannot be easily spotted by ordinary investors, neither can they bear it," one of the sources said. "Banks also don't have enough expertise to run such products properly."

The sources spoke on condition of anonymity as the directive is not yet public. The CBIRC, China's top banking watchdog, did not immediately reply to a Reuters email seeking comments.

The move comes as runaway commodity prices in both onshore and offshore markets have raised regulatory concerns about the risks of speculative bets, prompting China's state planner and exchanges in recent weeks to take price-control measures https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-commodities-idUSKCN2D60A2.

The CBIRC wants to prevent losses like that incurred a year ago by Bank of China (BoC) on crude-oil linked investment products, the people added.

It has asked lenders, including Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), to report "clean-up progress" on commodities-linked investment products on a monthly basis to regulators, two of the sources said.

The CBIRC has, however, not given a specific deadline to the banks for completely exiting their positions, they added.

The ICBC did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

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While the total size of such products in the Chinese banking system is unknown, BoC's $1.8 billion losses tied to just U.S. crude futures highlights the attractiveness of similar products for retail investors looking for higher returns.

FULL SECTOR CLEAN UP

Regulators are worried mom-and-pop investors may get burnt again by the recent big swings in commodity prices, driven by post-pandemic demand recovery, liquidity easing and speculative trading. Government watchdogs have urged Chinese industrial metal firms to maintain market order.

BoC's losses last year had wiped out several thousands of such small accounts held by retail investors, ranging from college students to retired workers, prompting the CBIRC at the time to ask commercial banks to halt new sales of a wide range of investment products linked to commodity futures.

Given the recent price volatility, the ban on new sales has been widened to a full sector clean-up, covering products linked to commodities not specifically targeted before, such as gold, silver, platinum, palladium, natural gas and soy beans, the three sources said.

Prices of most of these commodities have spiked in recent months, while futures prices for iron ore and corn on the Dalian Commodity Exchange as well as steel and copper on the Shanghai Futures Exchange have all hit record highs this year.

Some banks are considering ways to shift part of their existing commodity-linked investments and clients to affiliated brokerages, but that will need a nod from the securities regulator, one of the sources said.

While banks' derivative-like products have flaws in design and risk control, analysts say a harsh sector-wide clean-up means a major setback in China's plans to open up the market.

Despite repeated vows to ramp up financial derivatives, Shanghai Futures Exchange has already halted collaboration with banks on the launch of new derivative products in the wake of BoC's losses, two separate sources told Reuters.

($1 = 6.3921 Chinese yuan)

(Reporting by Cheng Leng, Ryan Woo, and Shanghai Newsroom; Editing by Sumeet Chatterjee and Himani Sarkar)
Shareholders of ExxonMobil will determine Wednesday whether to replace up to four board members in a move that could mark a turning point for the oil giant on climate change.

The petroleum company, which has faced myriad shareholder votes on its climate stance over the decades, has battled the efforts of activist group Engine No. 1 to challenge ExxonMobil's petroleum-centered strategy in favor of one that embraces renewable energy investments as Royal Dutch, Total and other rivals have done.

The closely-watched contest will culminate at the board meeting, scheduled to begin at 1430 GMT.

The vote is expected to be close, with US business media pointing to BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street as potenially decisive in the outcome.

The three firms, which together manage about 20 percent of ExxonMobil's shares, have not publicly taken a position.

Once the biggest company in the Fortune 500, ExxonMobil was kicked out of the prestigious Dow index in 2020 amid a series of losses during the Covid-19 downturn.

"The energy industry and the world are changing," Engine No. 1 says in campaign materials that depict ExxonMobil as a dinosaur. "To protect and enhance value for shareholders, we believe ExxonMobil must change as well."

ExxonMobil has also been campaigning hard, establishing in January a new "low carbon solutions" business to commercialize carbon capture technology and announcing two new board members in March.

Activists have criticized these steps as insufficient and little more than public relations. The company's carbon capture policy, for example, rests of significant public policy changes.

On Monday, ExxonMobil sent a letter to shareholders pledging to appoint two more board members in the next 12 months, one with energy industry experience and one with climate experience.

"While there is still more to do, we are proud of the significant progress we have made to date," the company said.

"With our flexible plans, reduced costs, balanced capital allocation priorities and a strategy that delivers advantaged projects, including in our new Low Carbon Solutions business, we are positioned for success."

jmb/bgs
What does the Republican party stand for?

This is the question I would have asked Sen. Rand Paul if Id had the chance. But I did not get the chance.

Sen. Paul came to Lawrenceburg a few weeks ago to meet with local leaders, and let me tell you it is a great big giant deal for a U.S. Senator to stop by a little town like mine. Unfortunately, I discovered this would be a closed, invitation-only meeting. A Republican friend told me they were holding the meeting off Hwy. 127 and the Bluegrass Parkway (to keep away protestors) and on private property (to keep away the general public, aka constituents), and then sent me the seemingly top secret link to apply for entry.

I wanted to ask my one questionWhat does the Republican party stand for?so I filled out my name, address, phone and email. I was honest about being a writer and a columnist. And I never heard back.

We hear a constant drumbeat of the what the Republican party is against. They are against cancel culture. They are against the elites. They are against increasing the minimum wage. After more than a decade, they still have not shown us their mysterious, better-than-Obamacare healthcare plan. They are against immigration. They are against people kneeling and marching in peaceful protest. They are against common sense gun laws, even as we continue to have mass shooting after mass shooting and men with long guns march in and around our state capitols screaming about freedom.

They are against admitting how long and often they told the Big Lie, choosing instead to poison the minds of their voters and, in turn, democracy itself.

They recoil from stating emphatically that the election was free and fair and was not stolen from Donald Trump, even as Trump continues lying, telling Newmax as recently as May 26, The election was a fraud. It was a rigged election.

What does the Republican party stand for if not the investigation of thousands who stormed the U.S. Capitol at the behest of President Trump to stop the certification of an American election?

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What does the Republican party stand for if not to acknowledge their own supporters (based on their clothing and their flags) violently beat police officers with sticks and batons and flag poles, sprayed them with noxious chemicals, and built a gallows on the Capitol grounds while chanting Hang Mike Pence!

And theres the rub. The Republican party is terrified of both the former president and the voters who elected them.

The Republican party stands for fear.

After all their leader, the former president, refused to call off the insurrectionists who hunted them for more than two hours on January 6, and then released a video telling the rioters to go home, that he loved them, they were special.

As my once-Trump-voting relative said the next day, If theyd hung Mike Pence on live TV, Trump would have fundraised off it.

On May 23, conservative columnist George Will said the quiet part out loud. The singular reason the GOP, including our own Sen. Mitch McConnell and Sen. Paul, will not support a bipartisan commission to investigate the insurrection on Jan. 6 is because we have a political party defined by the terror it feels for its own voters. Thats the Republican Party right now, and elected Republicans are afraid that a vote for this would be seen as an insult to the 45th president.

In one of many horrifying assaults of Jan. 6, body camera video shows Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone being beaten and tased repeatedly by Trump insurrectionists. He feared they would shoot him with his own gun. They eventually knocked him unconscious.

Is this what Republicans stand for, not investigating the brutal beating of law enforcement officersofficers who desperately fought to protect them and their colleagues from potentially the same beatings, or worseby their own violent supporters, supporters who were chanting they wanted to hang the Vice President?

I would have liked to ask Sen. Paul that question.

Teri Carter is a writer in Lawrenceburg.
A female passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight that took off from Sacramento allegedly attacked a flight attendant, and a union leader said the attendant lost two teeth in the assault.

The incident happened Sunday on Flight 700 from Sacramento International Airport to San Diego, Southwest spokesman Chris Mainz confirmed to The Sacramento Bee in an emailed response.

The passenger repeatedly ignored standard in-flight instructions ... and became verbally and physically abusive upon landing, Mainz wrote.

Law enforcement took the woman  later identified as Vyvianna Quinonez, 28, of Antelope  into custody upon arrival at Lindbergh Field, Mainz said.

TWU Local 556, the union of Southwest flight attendants, said the attendant lost teeth.

This past weekend, one of our flight attendants was seriously assaulted, resulting in injuries to the face and a loss of two teeth, union president Lyn Montgomery wrote in an open letter Monday to Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly.

Harbor Police officers met the aircraft at the gate and began an investigation, Port of San Diego Harbor Police said in a Tuesday afternoon release. According to witnesses, an altercation between a passenger and a flight attendant had taken place during the flight. During the altercation, the passenger struck the flight attendant, causing serious injuries.

Police said the attendant, who was not identified, was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Montgomerys letter aired broader concerns, saying Sundays incident was just one dramatic example from a wave of passenger misconduct incidents. Montgomery wrote there were nearly 500 misconduct incidents on Southwest flights. between April 8 and May 15.

Montgomery also referenced reports over the past year of passengers on multiple different airlines becoming combative with flight crews over enforcement of COVID-19 protocols, particularly the federal mask mandate on airplanes. Mainz said in response to a follow-up question from The Bee that this was not the case for Sundays incident.

Story continues

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Reports indicate it was over instructions for putting the tray table up, fastening seat belt, etc. Not mask-related, he wrote.

A passenger who witnessed the altercation posted video of the aftermath in a public Facebook post.

As we are pulling up to the gate, a woman in the back row took off her seat belt and stood up, Facebook user Susan Marie Stidham wrote. The flight attendant told her to keep her seat belt fastened while we were still moving. What I saw was the flight attendant in the front suddenly start screaming  No, No, No! Stop! and running toward the back.

Stidhams brief video shows a woman in leopard-print pants and a surgical mask being quietly led off the plane by an officer.

The video doesnt show the assault or the victim, but Stidham wrote that the flight attendant, whom she wrote in another post was also a woman, was staggering back with a bloody face.

Montgomery, the union leader, called the misconduct issue intolerable and urged that Kelly demand the U.S. government provide a higher number of federal air marshals on flights, asking him to please think of your front-line workers.

The last year has brought many unknowns, and much has been out of our control, Montgomery wrote. Please keep your crews in mind and understand the impact of todays environment on our crews working conditions.

Quinonez was charged with felony battery causing serious bodily injury and was booked and released from Las Colinas Detention Facility. Its unclear if she will face federal charges including interfering with a flight attendant, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
F/A-18E Super Hornets in formation over California. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon Renfroe

Over the years, there have been a number of incidents in which US pilots reported seeing UFOs.

A former Navy pilot talked to Insider about her experience with an "unidentified aerial phenomenon."

She was one of two F/A-18 pilots who observed the mystery object, nicknamed the "Tic Tac," in 2004.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

A former US Navy fighter pilot recently shared details and some of her thoughts on an unusual experience almost two decades ago, an encounter with an unidentified flying object nicknamed the "Tic Tac."

In mid-November 2004, as the Navy's Nimitz Carrier Strike Group trained off the West Coast in preparation for an upcoming deployment, the destroyer USS Princeton detected several UFOs, also called anomalous aerial vehicles or unidentified aerial phenomena, moving in inexplicable ways around the carrier group.

On Nov. 14, 2004, after again detecting one of the anomalies, the destroyer tasked two F/A-18 Super Hornets to take a look around the area where it had been detected. The fighters were flown by Dave Fravor, then a squadron commander, and Alex Dietrich, then a lieutenant junior grade.

Once they arrived in the area, the pilots got a visual on a mysterious object, which was reported to be "an elongated egg or a 'Tic Tac' shape" that was "solid white, smooth, with no edges," and "uniformly colored with no nacelles, pylons, or wings," according to a military report on the event obtained a few years ago by a CBS News affiliate.

During a recent "60 Minutes" interview, Fravor recalled seeing "this little white Tic Tac-looking object" moving above the water with, as Dietrich noted, "no predictable movement" and "no predictable trajectory."

Not 'part of our plan'

Alex Dietrich. Courtesy photo

"This didn't fit our script," Dietrich, who retired as a lieutenant commander, told Insider, explaining that the carrier group and the accompanying air wing were training for a deployment to the Middle East, where they might be called upon to provide precision strikes, convoy oversight, and air support, among various other missions and tasks.

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"A flying Tic Tac wasn't part of our plan," she said, recalling their encounter with the object.

In the recent "60 Minutes" interview, Dietrich described the experience as "unsettling." Neither aircraft was armed at the time, and she said she "felt the vulnerability of not having anything to defend ourselves."

Talking with Insider, the former naval aviator said that it was not entirely clear how she or her commander were expected to react and respond to the mystery object, which they were not expecting to encounter.

"We do air-to-air scenarios where we expect to encounter adversary aircraft, and we have set plans for how we approach them," Dietrich explained. "But these assume that it is a generation of fighter we would be at least familiar enough with."

She said that at that time, she "had not been briefed on any protocol for intercepting or merging with a UAP."

During the encounter, Dietrich remained overhead as Fravor moved in to investigate. As the commander got closer to the unidentified object, which Fravor said was about the size of his plane, it suddenly accelerated and disappeared. A different Navy flight later caught the object on infrared video.

The US military officially declassified that video last year, along with a couple of others from different incidents, and noted in a statement that the phenomena seen in these videos are still "unidentified." The following video is from the 2004 "Tic Tac" incident.

'We don't know what it was'

Dietrich recalled that she experienced a "roller coaster of emotions" during the 2004 incident, with feelings running from excited to nervous. She said that her primary concern was figuring out whether it was an adversary, some sort of threat, or a even just a flight safety issue. They didn't figure that out, and it is still not clear what it was.

Over the years, there has been a lot of speculation about this incident and others, but Dietrich told Insider that she did not let her mind "run away with wild conclusions or fantasies about what it might be."

"I gave my report, and I went on with my life and my career," she said, acknowledging that she has not followed this matter closely in the years since.

Dietrich revealed that at the time of the incident she was a little "disappointed" by the lack of response.

"If I had been in charge of the carrier strike group and had heard this report, I probably would have redirected assets. We had all of these aircraft and sensors and radar to collect information in that moment," she said, adding that she is not sure "why the decision was made not to pivot in that moment and redirect focus."

Fravor and Dietrich told "60 Minutes" that while they were debriefed, they were not aware of any further investigation into what happened that day in 2004.

"We don't know what it was, but it was there. We saw it, and it is worth investigating further," Dietrich told Insider.

Dietrich's personal interest in this issue has faded over time.

"It mattered to me on November 14, 2004," she said. "It mattered very much because I was there face-to-face with it, and it could have been a threat ... In the years and now decades since, it doesn't matter as much to me."

'Not jumping to conclusions'

Left to right, still images from FLIR, GIMBAL, and GOFAST videos of unidentified aerial phenomena released by the Pentagon. US Department of Defense

Dietrich told Insider that by answering questions about her experiences, she hopes that if and when these incidents occur, and there have been a few, the military will "take a training time out" and "spend some resources investigating" to determine whether or not what is being observed is a danger. She also said she hopes to reduce the stigma around reporting these incidents.

This is potentially more likely given the military's newfound interest in these incidents.

The Pentagon created the Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program in 2007, but the program ended in 2012 as the military directed its attention to "higher priority issues," a Pentagon spokesperson told CNN in 2017 after The New York Times dragged the program out of the shadows.

But last year, just a few months after the Pentagon declassified several videos of unexplained incidents, the Department of Defense publicly established the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force "to detect, analyze and catalog UAPs that could potentially pose a threat to US national security."

Dietrich's story is unusual but not necessarily unique. There have been a number of unexplained UFO sightings by US service members. One former naval aviator, retired Lt. Ryan Graves, told "60 Minutes" recently that there was a time when they saw them "every day for at least a couple of years."

The US Navy, explaining new policies for reporting encounters with unidentified aircraft, told Politico in 2019 that "there have been a number of reports of unauthorized and/or unidentified aircraft entering various military-controlled ranges and designated air space in recent years."

These sightings have raised a lot of questions and provided few real answers, but next month, the US intelligence community is expected to present an unclassified report on these "unidentified aerial phenomena." It is not clear whether this report will shed light on what pilots and others have been seeing.

As for what the unexplained incidents involving the military might mean, Dietrich, a veteran pilot who flew over 200 combat missions during her career in the Navy, did not speculate. She said she would "urge patience and not jumping to conclusions."

Read the original article on Business Insider

Watch: Most scientists don't care about UFO videos because they don't indicate extraterrestrial life
Former Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler, accused of taking a bribe in exchange for a public contract, has struck a plea deal with federal prosecutors.

Video Transcript

- The previous mayor of Muncie is taking a plea deal with federal prosecutors. Dennis Tyler is pleading guilty to one felony count of theft, and admits to receiving more than $5,000 from an unnamed company. He was indicted in late 2019, accused of taking bribes in exchange for a public works contract in Muncie. The contracts included one involving a housing development for veterans with disabilities. We've been covering this story for years now, including the recent developments with Tracy Barton, the former Sanitary District superintendent, who also took a plea deal earlier this month. You can find our previous reports on Fox 59.
KIGALI, Rwanda (AP)  France and Rwanda are hoping to reset ties scarred by a quarter-century of recriminations over the 1994 genocide when French President Emmanuel Macron visits the central African country on Thursday.

Macron's trip builds on a series of French efforts since his election in 2017 to mend ties between the two countries.

He will start by visiting a memorial to the frenzied 1994 slaughter that left an estimated 800,000 people dead, mainly ethnic Tutsis and the moderate Hutus who tried to protect them. Groups of extremist Hutus carried out the killings.

Two reports completed in March and in April that examined France's role in the genocide helped clear a path for Macron's visit, the first by a French president in 11 years.

The previous visit, by Nicolas Sarkozy in 2010, was the first by a French leader after the 1994 massacre sent relations into a tailspin.

Rwanda's government and genocide survivor organizations often accused France of training and arming militias and former government troops who led the genocide.

The new inquiries  one French, the other Rwandan  that wrapped up this year both pointed fingers of blame at France, but diverged on its degree of culpability.

The March report, commissioned by Macron in 2019, cleared France of complicity in the slaughter but said France bears heavy and overwhelming responsibilities in the drift that led to the killings.

The April report, commissioned by the Rwandan government, said France did nothing to stop the horror and bore significant responsibility for enabling a foreseeable genocide."

A speech that Macron will deliver Thursday at the genocide memorial will be particularly closely scrutinized. He will also hold talks with Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

On a visit this month to Paris, Kagame signaled a desire for reset relations. He said in an interview with newspaper Le Monde that I hope we reach a sort of epilogue and that a new situation emerges."

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Memory of the massacres remains strong among many in this country of about 13 million people. Once each year the nation comes together to reflect on the killings that shocked the world.

Kagame asserted during a commemoration event in April that Rwandans were just pawns in geopolitical games" as the genocide unfolded.

Some ordinary Rwandans who spoke to The Associated Press on the eve of Macron's visit said France's alleged role in the genocide remains a painful affair. But others said his visit is a sign of the country's good intentions now.

I even doubt that French military has sincere regrets about what happened here," said Beatrice Mukeshimana, a genocide survivor who at the time lived in Karongi, a district in the western province where French troops deployed under Operation Turquoise were based.

The sentiment was echoed by Paul Nshogoza, a genocide survivor in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, who said there was no excitement about these developments and the visit of Macron, referring to efforts by France and Rwanda to improve ties.

I havent heard them (French officials) talking about apology or something like reparations," he said. "The remains of our loved ones have not even permanent graves.

But some insisted the sense of detente between France and Rwanda that led to Macron's scheduled visit is a milestone in efforts to move on for both countries.

At least, there is recognition and then justice will come later," said Yolande Mukagasana, a genocide survivor and writer. We cannot blame all French citizens and I think President Macron means good for Rwandans.

Moves in Paris and Kigali toward rapprochement are driven by political considerations more than a sense of justice, according to Rwandan academic Christopher Kayumba.

Accepting that France had a big role in financing, training and giving diplomatic cover and an escape route to genocidaires but that it wasnt complicit in the genocide is problematic and not based on interpreting the truth, Kayumba said. Its not based on consensus in France and Rwanda. So, it is based on political will and cooperation between President Paul Kagame and Macron.

Kagame, who has been Rwandas de facto leader since 1994 and its president since 2000, has won praise abroad for restoring order and making advances in economic development and health care. But rights watchdogs, dissidents, and others accuse Kagame of harsh rule.

___ Leicester reported from Le Pecq, France. AP journalist Rodney Muhumuza contributed from Kampala, Uganda.
By Anthony Boadle

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Wildcat gold miners illegally prospecting on protected indigenous lands in the Amazon fired on a Munduruku village and burned down the house of one of its leaders on Wednesday, Brazil's main indigenous organization said.

Federal Police said the gold miners then tried to invade the local police post and wreck vehicles and helicopters that are being used in an ongoing operation against the miners, police said in a statement.

Plumes of black smoke could be seen across the Tapajos river rising from the house of Munduruku women's leader Maria Leusa that was set on fire with gasoline and burned to the ground, the indigenous umbrella organization APIB said.

APIB said it suspected the attack on the village was a reprisal for the police operation to protect indigenous lands.

The miners fired shots at the village in the latest of a mounting wave of attacks on indigenous communities in gold prospecting areas in the Amazon. The wildcat miners have been emboldened by Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and his support for legalizing wild mining and commercial activities on indigenous lands.

There were no reports on anyone injured in the incident.

"Once again, indigenous lives are threatened by the illegal miners in the Amazon," APIB said in a statement.

"This routine of terror is happening also in the Yanomami reservation that has been under intense attack since the beginning of the month in Roraima state," APIB said, referring to Brazil's largest indigenous reservation.

The Yanomami reservation on the border with Venezuela has been invaded by more than 20,000 wildcat miners in a gold rush that has accelerated since Bolsonaro became president in 2019.

Federal police said it deployed 130 officers, environmental and indigenous affairs inspectors on Wednesday following orders from Brazil's Supreme Court to protect indigenous communities and stop the illegal mining.

The police said they were forced to disperse the miners when they protested in the town of Jacareacanga, deep in the Amazon jungle in Para state, and tried to occupy the police base.

(Reporting by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
(Bloomberg) -- Goldman Sachs Group Inc. received approval from Chinese regulators to set up a wealth management joint venture in the worlds second-largest economy to go after an asset pool it estimated will surpass $70 trillion by the end of this decade.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management will hold 51% in the venture, while the wealth arm of Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., the worlds largest bank by assets, will own the remainder, the firms said on Tuesday.

Financial groups are rushing to capitalize on the opening of Chinas $54 trillion financial industry. Goldman, JPMorgan Chase & Co and UBS Group AG are adding staff and expanding their footprint in everything from investment banking to asset management. Most foreign financial institutions have identified wealth management as a prime focus with investable assets estimated to double over the next few years.

This joint venture with Chinas pre-eminent financial institution will accelerate our objective of establishing a leadership position in one of the worlds largest, fastest-growing wealth management opportunities, Tuan Lam, head of the client business for Asia Pacific, ex-Japan, at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, said in a statement.

Investable assets in China are set to surpass $70 trillion by 2030, with about 60% to be allocated to non-deposit products such as securities, mutual funds and wealth management products, according to Goldman Sachs research.

The firm is investing heavily and has plans to double its workforce in the country. It has been on an unprecedented hiring spree in mainland China and Hong Kong in the first four months of the year, adding 320 people, including about 70 dealmakers.

A new partnership with ICBC, which has more than 16,600 outlets, will boost Goldmans distribution network and access to wealthy customers.

Beijing-based ICBC had 680 million personal banking clients by the end of last year, with the balance of personal financial assets under management reaching 16 trillion yuan. ICBCs wealth management unit alone had more than 25 million customers, 89,000 private banking clients and 722,000 corporate customers.

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Under new regulations introduced last year, foreign firms can take full control of their mutual fund joint ventures with the approval from the securities regulator, or seek partnerships with a local banks. More than 40 overseas companies have set up joint-ventures and some have applied for greater control.

Amundi SA in December 2019 became the first foreign firm to be allowed to take control of a wealth management venture, owning 55% of a Shanghai-based company with Bank of China holding the rest.

BlackRock Inc. and Temasek Holdings Pte have won approval start an asset-management business in China along with China Construction Bank. Schroders was approved to set up a joint venture with Bank of Communications earlier this year.

JPMorgan said in March it is investing 2.67 billion yuan ($417 million) in China Merchants Bank Co.s wealth management unit.

Still, not everyone is going all in. Fund giant Vanguard Group Inc. earlier this year ditched plans for a wholly-owned mutual fund license and is instead teaming up with Ant Group Co. on a joint robo advisory.

(Updates with details on Vanguard in last paragraph.)

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.
Former President Donald Trump leaves Trump Tower in Manhattan - James Devaney

A grand jury has been secretly convened in New York to decide whether to indict former president Donald Trump if criminal charges are brought against him or his businesses, according to reports.

The move, reported on Tuesday by the Washington Post, indicates that Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance may have found evidence of a crime  either by Mr Trump, the Trump Organization or its executives  in an investigation that has been going for more than two years.

The panel was convened recently and will sit three days a week for six months, according to the Post. It is not yet clear when, or even if, the grand jury will be asked to consider returning any indictments.

The decision is a huge development - no former US president has ever been charged with a crime.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. departs New York Criminal Court - Reuters

Mr Vance has been looking into Mr Trumps business practices before he was president, including examining whether he or his companies manipulated the value of assets to gain favourable loan terms and tax benefits.

A spokesman for Mr Trump and an attorney for the Trump Organization did not respond to requests for comment. The former president has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

The New York attorney generals office earlier on Tuesday confirmed that it is conducting a criminal investigation into Mr Trumps business empire, expanding what had previously been a civil probe.

We have informed the Trump Organization that our investigation into the company is no longer purely civil in nature, Fabien Levy, a spokesperson for Attorney General Letitia James, said in a statement.

We are now actively investigating the Trump Organization in a criminal capacity, along with the Manhattan DA, Mr Levy said.

Michael Cohen, former lawyer to former President Donald Trump, walks out of his apartment in the Manhattan borough of New York City - Reuters

Mr Vances criminal investigation began in 2018, after Mr Trumps lawyer, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to charges stemming from hush-money payoffs made during the 2016 campaign to women who said they had affairs with Mr Trump years earlier.

The 74-year-old has repeatedly denied the allegations.

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The inquiry had fought to get hold of Mr Trumps tax records and more recently has appeared to focus on the Trump Organizations long-time finance chief, Allen Weisselberg.

His former daughter-in-law, Jen Weisselberg, has given investigators reams of documents as they look into how some Trump employees were compensated with apartments or school tuition.

The Post has previously reported that Mr Vances office has been trying to pressure Mr Weisselberg into cooperating against his boss.
The Oregon counties that have expressed support for joining Idaho. USDA/Jon G. Fuller/VW PICS/Universal Images Group/Francis Dean/Corbis via Getty Images/Insider

Rural organizers in Oregon are pushing to have more than 18 counties join Idaho.

The Greater Idaho movement seeks to transfer more than 70% of Oregon's land to Idaho.

Leaders of the movement say Oregon's Legislature does not represent rural residents.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

Seven rural Oregon counties have voted in favor of an effort to become part of Idaho, and organizers of the Greater Idaho movement say more counties could soon have the option on the ballot.

"We want out from underneath Oregon's governance and go underneath Idaho's governance, which we tend to match up better with, as far as our values go," the group's president, Mike McCarter, told Insider. "Now for 20 years-plus we've been trying to change the makeup and improve the makeup of the Oregon Legislature, but when you haven't got the vote, there's not much you can do about it."

The ballot measures in the counties called on county officials to consider the move. Last week, five counties voted in favor of the effort, bringing the total to seven.

Leaders of the movement told Insider that it started at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic after Oregon's GOP attempted to recall Gov. Kate Brown.

"We've had two legislative sessions in our state Capitol where Republicans walked out and denied votes because for these rural communities that was their last-ditch effort to make sure their livelihoods were protected. So this was the natural solution to all those and learning from all those other experiences," Keaton Ems, a spokesman for the group, told Insider.

Ems said that he was hoping the group's goals could be met in the next four to six years but that they were taking small steps alongside the legislative sessions to push the effort along.

McCarter told Insider the proposed new border would encompass 18 full and three partial Oregon counties and account for about 860,000 people in Oregon.

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While that would be only about 21% of the state's population, it would represent 70% of its land - McCarter said that figure highlighted how centralized the state's government is.

"You add those rural counties and that area to Idaho's current area, it would make Idaho the third-largest state in the union after Alaska and Texas," McCarter said.

Changing the border would require the approval of Oregon's and Idaho's legislatures and the US Congress, but McCarter said he saw no reason why it wouldn't go through.

McCarter said that in the seven counties that had voted in favor of the effort, support ranged from 54% to 74%, but two counties have so far voted against it.

Rural Oregonians say they have no voice in the state Legislature

Ems and McCarter said the push to join Idaho centered on Oregonians living in rural areas who don't feel represented by the Legislature.

Most of the population lives in urban centers and skews Democratic, while people living in rural areas tend to skew Republican.

"Seventy-eight percent of the people are in the urban area, more or less in the Willamette Valley in Portland. They control the Legislature completely. They have a supermajority. That's why they don't care to listen to those representatives from central or eastern Oregon. They're dealing with issues around urban folks, and their social agenda is to be a sanctuary state to allow the homeless people to come in, to reduce the laws on drugs, to remove or lessen than the budget for police officers," McCarter said.

The Oregon counties that have expressed support for joining Idaho. USDA/Jon G. Fuller/VW PICS/Universal Images Group/Francis Dean/Corbis via Getty Images/Insider

"We're not saying that that is wrong. We don't agree with it, but they're dealing with those issues, and those aren't the issues that we have. Rural Oregon is traditional, has traditional values. We're more into our communities, more into our schools, more into supporting law enforcement. Right is right, and wrong is wrong," he added.

Ems said that the majority had "no incentive" to include people in the rural parts in their decision-making and that people living in "concrete jungles" were telling those "who live and steward the land how to run their own land."

McCarter said that for people in the rural parts of the state, it was as if they were being "taxed without representation."

The group says its Facebook page was labeled as insurrectionist

The Greater Idaho movement is working to get information to families in rural counties through the mail and events and to get the idea on the ballot in more counties.

McCarter said the group's Facebook page was shut down on January 6, after the Capitol riot, when the social-media company objected to six posts and labeled the group's page as insurrectionist.

"When Facebook removed a lot of people from Facebook" after the riot, "we were one of them who lost our page, and we were not talking insurrection or anything," McCarter said. "We're strictly by the book."

Ems said he wanted to be clear that this isn't a secession effort but a move to align the rural parts of Oregon with a government that best speaks for them.

He said that the group had spoken to Idaho legislators in favor of the effort but that there hadn't been a lot of conversation with Oregon's Legislature, which is in session. Ems said he was working on speaking with legislators in Oregon after the session to get the ball rolling.

McCarter said Oregon's Legislature could start paying attention to their cause now that seven counties have voted in favor of it.

"It does send a voice up the line, and so our goal there is to get more counties to speak on how they feel about it," he said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Hail hit a flight, cracking the pilot's windshield  somehow, no one was harmed

Listen to The Weather Network's This Day in Weather History podcast on this topic, here.

This Day In Weather History is a daily podcast by The Weather Network that features stories about people, communities, and events and how weather impacted them.

--

On Monday, May 26, 2003, a British Midland Airways (BMI) Airbus 312 was hit by an aggressive hailstorm on its way from Cyprus to Britain.

There were 213 passengers and eight crew aboard the flight.

The BMI aircraft was approaching Manchester, England when it was hit with violent weather, including hail and large chunks of ice.

Many passengers who weren't buckled in were thrown from their seats. One passenger was Bruce Johnstone, a New Zealand photojournalist.

"It was like a hail of bullets and then a huge thump. Everyone was screaming and we are lucky to be alive," said Johnstone.

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Another passenger, Pat Mallon, a medical secretary from England, said, "The plane just dropped and started vibrating. Everybody was stuck on the ceiling. We were out of our seats for a few seconds and that happened two or three times.

The flight landed at Manchester Airport around 30 minutes late. The passengers clapped and cheered as the plane safety touched the ground.

Upon landing, the plane was inspected. The hail significantly damaged the plane's nose and the windshield, but all internal systems were still completely functional.

"The pilot said that in his 20 years of flying experience he had never encountered anything quite like it and, to reassure the passengers, he said it would be very unlikely if we ever encountered anything like it again," said Mallon.

All 221 people on board the flight walked away without significant injuries.

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May 26CONCORD  U.S Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., has proposed bipartisan legislation to modernize the teaching of mathematics in public schools.

The Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act would direct the National Science Foundation to provide competitive grants focused on modernizing mathematics in STEM education through mathematical and statistical modeling, including data-driven and computational thinking.

"The United States must lead the world in STEM education so that we can continue to innovate and develop technologies that will help strengthen our national security and outcompete China," Hassan said.

"Our bipartisan legislation would help schools adopt a math curriculum that teaches students how to apply mathematics to real-world scenarios and gain the skills that our innovative businesses need."

The legislation would direct the national academies of math and sciences to conduct a study on the topic.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., is the bill's co-sponsor.

"American mathematicians are innovators; they put the first man on the moon and developed the theory of relativity," Blackburn said.

"Our students deserve access to math education that is relevant in the workplace and prepares them with the necessary tools to apply their passion and innovative spirit to American research, defense, and technology."

Leaders of the New Hampshire Learning Initiative have endorsed the measure.

"We have heard from teachers that project-based and performance assessment in mathematics help students develop independence and a deeper understanding in their learning and reduced learning disruptions during COVID," said Ellen Hume-Howard, the initiative's executive director.

"We are excited that this bill will help teachers engage students in all the ways mathematics and data play a critical role in our lives and jobs."

Other groups in support of the measure are the American Statistical Association (ASA), The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS), The Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications (COMAP), the American Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges (AMATYC), the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), and Center for Innovation in Education (C!E),

This is the latest legislation Hassan has been working on with Republican senators to help make the nation's work force more competitive in the global economy.

klandrigan@unionleader.com
Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley is partnering with New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on legislation aimed reforming how the military deals with sexual assault.

The pair introduced legislation Tuesday that instructs the Department of Defense to study and make recommendations on the required rank, training and experience for sexual assault response coordinators, which varies between branches of the military, in an effort to professionalize the position.

Americas service members make untold sacrifices on our nations behalf, and it is our responsibility to ensure those who need support can get it, Hawley said in a statement.

This legislation would aid the Department of Defense in identifying next steps to professionalize the role of Sexual Assault Response Coordinator throughout all branches of the military  a role that requires adequate training, resources, and support to provide service members with the best care possible.

Hawleys partnership with Gillibrand is notable because other Democrats, including those who have previously partnered with Hawley on tech policy or economic issues, have largely distanced themselves since he led an unsuccessful effort to overturn the Electoral College results in January.

Both senators are members of the Armed Services Committee.

Gillibrand said in a statement she was proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation as we work to eradicate the scourge of sexual assault in our military.

Lory Manning, a retired navy captain and director of government operations and for Service Womens Action Network, said the legislation is a good starting point, but a report by itself isnt going to solve much.

Manning said the various branches of military handle the position differently. In some cases, the role is filled by civilians, while in others its filled by officers. She said it would help for the coordinators to have access to military commanders, a recommendation hopes would result from the proposed study.

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The bills introduction comes a little more than a week after Hawley signed on as a co-sponsor of Gillibrands sweeping bill to overhaul how the military handles sexual assault cases by moving prosecutorial decisions out of the chain of command to independent military prosecutors.

Hawleys decision to sign onto the bill, which is also backed by the Kansas City regions three other senators, helped it reach 61 sponsors, which will put it above the Senates 60-vote threshold. Gillibrand has been trying to pass the legislation for eight years.

Hawleys predecessor, former Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill, had opposed Gillibrands push to take prosecutorial decisions out of the chain of command and helped block it from moving forward in 2014 in favor of an alternative bill, which preserved commanders court-martial authority.
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra assured reporters this week that the Biden administration is doing everything it can to provide quality care to the more than 18,000 unaccompanied migrant children currently in its custody  despite recent reports to the contrary.

We are caring for children responsibly, Becerra said during a Monday press call. We do everything we can to make sure these children are provided with the kind of care that is required not just by law but by our moral obligation to do this the right way.

Becerras comments come amid reports of concerning conditions at some of the large-scale facilities that the Biden administration converted into emergency shelters earlier this spring, in response to the influx of unaccompanied migrant children arriving at the southern border.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra at his Senate Finance Committee nomination hearing in February. (Greg Nash/Pool via Reuters)

So far, journalists have not been given access to these sites. But a small number of attorneys have been able to visit and interview children at the facilities, and they told Yahoo News and other media outlets that they are especially concerned about the conditions at Fort Bliss, a U.S. Army base in El Paso, Texas, where, as of last week, more than 4,500 children ages 12 and up were being housed in massive, soft-sided tents.

Unlike at permanent licensed shelters, and some emergency facilities, children housed at Fort Bliss do not receive educational services. And though they do have access to outdoor recreation, attorneys whove visited the makeshift shelter say the children there spend a majority of their time sleeping on, or hanging around, the flimsy bunk cots that fill the enormous tents, each of which houses about 900 to 1,000 children. Lawyers described a foul smell inside the tents and noted that a number of children reported not receiving clean clothes for several days.

Above all, attorneys said they were most concerned about the psychological and emotional toll that such conditions appeared to be having on children whod been at Fort Bliss for prolonged periods of time.

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An entrance to Fort Bliss in Texas. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Becerra, whod recently returned from a visit to the El Paso facility, was quick to dismiss these concerns during Mondays press call. He said he saw no sign that children were being deprived of fresh clothing, and suggested that any mental health issues displayed by children at Fort Bliss were the result of trauma experienced prior to being in HHS care.

I doubt that any of the children in these facilities would tell any one of us that what theyre experiencing now is anywhere near as traumatic as what they experienced trying to get here, Becerra said. While he acknowledged that it is likely very stressful for a child to be alone in a foreign country where they dont speak the language and dont know what will happen to them, Becerra insisted that HHS is doing everything we can while theyre temporarily in our care to make sure we help address that as best we can.

Having walked through these facilities  Id love to see the kids that folks are saying are having traumatic experiences at any of these sites, he added.

Melissa Adamson is an attorney at the National Center for Youth Law, which monitors the conditions in which migrant children are detained in the U.S. as part of a landmark settlement in an ongoing federal court case. As legal counsel for migrant children in that case, Adamson and her colleagues are among the few people whove been able to interview minors at the emergency facilities HHS has opened in recent months.

In response to Becerras comments, Adamson told Yahoo News in an email that decades of child welfare research have established that large-scale congregate facilities are harmful to childrens health and welfare.

The fact that unaccompanied children likely experienced trauma before arriving in the United States does not excuse the additional harm that is being inflicted on them by prolonged stays in massive emergency intake sites, she said.

Minors in March inside the Department of Homeland Security holding facility in Donna, Texas, the main detention center for unaccompanied children in the Rio Grande Valley. (Dario Lopez-Mills/AFP via Getty Images)

HHS did not respond to a request for the average time that children are spending at Fort Bliss before being released to a parent or sponsor, but those familiar with the situation said the facilitys lack of adequate case management staff has contributed to prolonged stays for many children housed there. One attorney who visited Fort Bliss earlier this month told Yahoo News that theyd met with multiple children whod been there for close to 30 days and had yet to meet with a case manager.

Following Becerras call with reporters on Monday, Reason magazine reported that it had obtained secret recordings in which officials and federal staff at the Fort Bliss shelter acknowledged unsanitary conditions, cases of inappropriate contact between shelter staff and minors, and legitimate complaints made by children that their requests for medical care had been ignored.

The Biden administration began opening up emergency intake sites like the one at Fort Bliss in late March, as the numbers of migrant children arriving at the border reached record highs. Described by one HHS official as short-term stopgaps, the facilities were meant to reduce the amount of time children were spending in overcrowded Border Patrol stations, while officials worked to increase bed capacity within the federal refugee offices network of permanent, state-licensed childcare facilities.

Oscar, 12, who crossed the Rio Grande in March unaccompanied, is seen after disembarking from a boat near Roma, Texas. (Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images)

The consensus among advocates and officials was that even the most bare-bones facility run by HHS would be a better environment for vulnerable migrant children than the jail-like settings at Customs and Border Protection holding centers, or even worse, dangerous Mexican border towns. Still, some advocates expressed concerns about the kinds of reduced hiring standards HHS seemed to be using in order to get these new facilities up and running so quickly, and what kind of services the sites would provide.

Among those who raised concerns early on about the reduced standards of care at these new emergency sites was Mark Greenberg, a senior fellow at the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute and a former Obama administration official who served in HHSs Administration for Children and Families division. Greenberg said that while the emergency facilities have succeeded in getting children out of CBP holding facilities, the Biden administration must now address the urgent concerns about the health and safety of children at these sites.

But even if thats done, the longer children stay there, the greater the risks of depression and other serious mental health concerns, he said. The administration needs to rapidly develop better alternatives, especially for children who cant be quickly and safely released.

Unaccompanied minors are grouped apart from families waiting to be processed by Border Patrol agents in La Joya, Texas, in April. (John Moore/Getty Images)

Nearly two months after the administration started sending kids from the border to these new emergency facilities, the number of unaccompanied minors in Customs and Border Protection custody has dropped from more than 5,000 to 452, according to the most recent government data, released Wednesday.

Today, I think the average amount of time a child is spending in CBP custody is less than one day, Becerra said, noting that the Fort Bliss site, the largest of these temporary shelters, has played a key role in achieving this goal. Weve made tremendous progress in being able to care for all the kids that are coming into our custody from Customs and Border Patrol ... and were getting the job done.

But recent reports of the conditions at Fort Bliss, as well as a number of other emergency intake facilities, seem to validate advocates biggest fears about the dangers of warehousing children by the hundreds, or thousands, without educational programs or other substantial services for anything more than a few days. Earlier this month, children waiting to reunite with relatives or sponsors were reportedly forced to spend days inside a parked bus outside a Dallas convention center that has been serving as a temporary shelter for roughly 2,000 migrant teenage boys. Advocates and former employees at the Dallas site have also expressed concerns about depression and fights among the boys in custody there, who they said were deprived of sunlight and fresh air, rarely allowed to call their families and provided with chaotic and confusing case management.

The Dallas shelter is set to close when its lease expires at the end of this month, as is another emergency site in San Antonio. Two of the other intake sites that opened this spring, including one in Houston that housed over 100 teen girls, were quickly shuttered for failing to provide adequate living conditions.

Becerra indicated that HHS is not planning to shut down the rest of the emergency intake sites anytime soon. Fort Bliss is even reportedly expanding its potential capacity from 5,000 to 10,000.

To the degree we no longer find licensed facilities available, we will have emergency intake facilities available, he said.

____

Read more from Yahoo News:
Despite the institutional status bestowed by her double Michelin star, Vicky Lau says the battle to improve gender parity in the male-dominated world of professional kitchens is a long way from won -- but small victories bring her hope.

In the fiendishly competitive arena of Hong Kong's fine-dining scene, few have had as remarkable an ascent as Lau.

In little more than a decade she has gone from opening a small cafe to running one of the finance hub's most lauded restaurants.

Earlier this year Tate Dining Room was awarded two Michelins, a belated breakthrough first for Asia's all-too-overlooked female chefs.

Many chefs love to insist in interviews that awards don't mean much. Lau, 40, is refreshingly upfront.

"I didn't get in the industry because I want to have all these accolades. But over time, it did become a goal," she told AFP.

Asked whether the gender watershed moment of the double Michelin mattered, she replied: "I think it does make a statement, because it encourages a lot of people in our industry to power on."

A former graphic designer who switched mid-career to retrain, Lau said she "really didn't think twice about being a female and a chef" when she entered the trade.

"It's kind of ignorance was bliss at that time," she smiled, recalling how many at her Cordon Bleu training in Bangkok were women.

Once in the business, she saw how men dominated, especially when it came to ascending ranks or owning top establishments.

As she won attention for her dishes, she initially found it exhausting to continually be asked about her gender, the example she was setting, the role model she had become.

But over time she said she came to embrace the reality that her success could encourage others.

"It actually became one of my motivations to go to work," she said.

- Different personalities -

Alongside contemporaries such as Peggy Chan and May Chow, Lau is part of a new generation of female Hong Kong chefs who have become examples of successful and vocal entrepreneurs.

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Global culinary award programmes have long been overly fixated on both Western cuisine and male chefs.

It's a charge brands are now alive to. Slowly, winners' lists are starting to look a little more representative of the world itself.

The "Me Too" movement also brought some limited reckoning over the type of alpha-male behaviour once lauded by food critics and television shows.

But improvement can feel frustratingly gradual.

"The culinary industry is a male-dominated industry, as everybody knows, but it also expects women to behave like men," said Chan, who carved out a space as one of Hong Kong's first fine-dining vegetarian chefs.

"You either fit in or you get out."

The slow growth of women both in professional kitchens and in owning restaurants, she said, is starting to make an impact.

"There's a lot more room for different types of personalities," Chan said.

Lau says her kitchen is now more than 50 percent female. Chefs with children are an asset, not a headache. Those with egos can leave them at the kitchen door.

"We don't just celebrate Gordon Ramsay-style screaming in your face," she said.

- Chinese techniques -

Lau's dishes combine French and Chinese cuisine and are achingly beautiful -- each presentation painstakingly plated in a vivid display of her design background.

And she's determined to get wider recognition for often under-appreciated Chinese cooking techniques.

One example she cites is "double steamed" or "superior" broths -- the time-consuming stocks of Chinese cooking that could give any consomme a run for its money.

Her business has stayed afloat during the coronavirus pandemic with catering, a take-away service and a patisserie shop.

It also opened for lunch for the first time, offering a less pricey tasting menu set around one single ingredient.

"We've done rice, tofu, tea, soy sauce," Lau explained.

Each course of her latest menu is built from different parts of a plant -- seeds, leaves, bulbs, stems, fruit, roots and flowers.

Lau says the pandemic forced her into a more creative and self-reflective space.

"I think Covid will put globalisation on a bit of a pause," she predicts, saying fine-dining restaurants are being forced to source more locally, something consumers were already pushing for.

Why fly in French turbot, she posits, when there are perfectly good alternatives on the local wet markets?

She describes fine dining as "ego cooking" -- "because you are kind of expressing yourself on a plate".

"And a lot of times you can be lost a little bit," she added.

"That's why it's time to make more humble ingredients like soy sauce or rice the star of a dish."

jta/leg/gle
Millions of school-age children spent the past academic year trying to learn at home as the COVID-19 pandemic raged around them. For many, it wasn't easy, and when they return to buildings in the fall, they are going to need extra support, experts say.

If you look broadly at the mental health of students, we know that it's overall worse, and it was pretty bad going into COVID, said Andy Keller, the CEO and president of the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute.

That's why an alliance of 11 nonprofits have banded together, calling for schools to be ready.

The Hopeful Futures Campaign, which launched Wednesday, aims to ensure every school in the nation has a comprehensive mental health plan in place for students when they return.

"You can't just do one thing for student mental health, you have to do a whole host of things for a school to be addressing mental health correctly, said Bill Smith, the founder of Inseparable, a nonprofit focused on increasing access to mental health care that spearheaded the campaign.

"We have a tremendous opportunity to get to students early, because we know that mental health issues often start early in life and investing in prevention and early intervention is really important."

In 2020, emergency department visits related to mental health increased in children ages 5-11, up approximately 24% from 2019. For children aged 12-17, visits were up 31%, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In polling data released by the American Psychiatric Association earlier this month, 48% of adults with children under 18 at home reported the pandemic had caused mental health issues in one or more of their children. Data also showed 26% of parents reported sought professional mental health treatment for their children because of the pandemic.

The Hopeful Futures Campaign includes well-known organizations such as Active Minds, Bring Change to Mind, Healthy Schools Campaign, the Jed Foundation, the Kennedy Forum, Mindful Philanthropy, the National Center for School Mental Health, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Trevor Project and Well Being Trust.

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Smith hopes the coalition will grow.

"We know there are a lot of other groups that care about adolescent mental health as well. So we'll be reaching out to them and working to build and expand the coalition," he said.

The strength of the effort stems from the organizations' already well-established networks, said Alison Malmon, founder of Active Minds, which hopes to bring in student voices.

A really critical part of this type of advocacy is going to be hearing from the youth themselves who are impacted and allow them to use their voices to help make change within their schools and their communities and their school districts, Malmon said.

Coalition members first plan to establish a baseline of what mental health services and support should be available in every school. Then, Smith says, they will reach out to state policymakers and legislators, work to secure funding and provide school districts with technical assistance to implement the system.

Sharon Hoover, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and co-director of the National Center for School Mental Health, says the center has been working over the last few years to develop national standards for comprehensive school mental health systems.

Smith is hopeful the initiative will be an opportunity to put best practices into place for the benefit of all children.

"We call it the Hopeful Futures Campaign on purpose because this is to give every child in America the chance to have a hopeful healthy and productive future, by investing in their mental health starting at a really early age," he said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hopeful Futures Campaign: Schools need student mental health plans
Doomsday couple Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow are entangled in a complex web of mysterious deaths and missing children. Courtesy of Rexburg Police Department

Authorities charged Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell with first-degree murder in their kids' deaths Tuesday.

The 'doomsday' couple sparked outrage last year when they were found in Hawaii while Vallow's kids were missing.

The indictment says the two "endorsed" and "espoused" religious beliefs in justifying three homicides.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell, the mother and stepfather of two kids, whose 2019 disappearances sparked national attention into the couple's "doomsday" religious beliefs, were indicted on first-degree murder charges on Tuesday in connection to their deaths.

Tylee Ryan, 17, and Joshua "JJ" Vallow, 7, were last seen in September 2019.

The Rexburg Police Department in Idaho searched for Vallow and Daybell for months in order to question them about the missing children, before finding the couple vacationing at a resort in Hawaii in January 2020. Vallow never reported the children missing and was unable to "physically produce" her kids one month after authorities found her. She was charged with two counts of desertion and nonsupport of dependent children in February.

Police arrested Daybell in June 2020, after finding the children's remains on his Idaho property.

Daybell on Tuesday was also charged with first degree murder in the death of his then-wife Tammy Daybell, who was found dead in her home in October, 2019. Both Daybell and Vallow also face additional fraud and theft charges related to Social Security benefits and life insurance policies connected to the three deceased.

At a Tuesday press conference, Madison County Prosecutor Rob Wood and Fremont County Prosecutor Lindsey Blake said local, state, and federal law enforcement authorities have worked "tirelessly" for almost a year in order to gather evidence on behalf of Tylee, JJ, and Tammy.

Due to pandemic restrictions, Blake said prosecutors only recently obtained permission to present the case to a grand jury, which "deliberated and determined" that there was probable cause to believe the couple "willfully and knowingly conspired to commit several crimes that led to the death of three innocent people."

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Tylee was last seen on September 8, 2019, in a photo police found that showed her on a trip to Yellowstone National Park with JJ, Vallow, and Vallow's brother, Alex Cox.

JJ, who had special needs, was seen for the last time at school in Rexburg, Idaho on September 23, 2019. His grandmother reportedly prompted police to conduct a welfare check on the boy in November, and JJ could not be found.

Vallow and Daybell married in October, only weeks after Daybell's then-wife, Tammy, was found dead at the age of 49. Authorities initially ruled her death as natural, but later changed it to suspicious. Her remains were exhumed in order to conduct an autopsy, which has not yet been released, due to the ongoing investigation, according to NBC News.

Daybell, a self-published author who has written more than two dozen books about near-death and doomsday events, reportedly told a friend he had prophesied Tammy would die before her death.

According to the indictment, Vallow and Daybell "did endorse and espouse religious beliefs for the purpose of encouraging and/or justifying" the homicides of Tylee, JJ, and Tammy.

Relatives had previously raised concerns about the couple's ties to a doomsday group called Preparing the People, which they believed to be a religious cult.

After the children's bodies were found in June 2020, Melani Gibb, one of Lori Vallow's friends, told authorities that Vallow believed her children had become zombies, according to AZ Central. Vallow reportedly thought her children were stuck in a "limbo" that can only be undone if the person's "physical body" is killed.

Tuesday's indictment also names Vallow's brother, Alex Cox, as a fellow defendant in the conspiracy to commit first degree murder and grand theft by deception against JJ and the conspiracy to commit first degree murder of Tammy. According to the indictment, Cox attempted to shoot Tammy 10 days before her death, after she and her husband had signed an application to increase her life insurance to the maximum amount.

In 2019, Cox fatally shot Vallow's fourth husband, Charles Vallow, during a confrontation in Arizona in which he claimed self-defense. The brother and sister were both questioned by police but never charged.

Cox died in December from unknown causes, according to The Associated Press.

Before Charles Vallow died in 2019, he filed for divorce, claiming his wife believed she was a reincarnated god sent to lead people during the second coming of Christ, NBC reported. She also reportedly told her estranged husband that she would kill him if he got in her way.

Penalties for the charges announced Tuesday range from life in prison to the death penalty, though prosecutors did not say which penalties they will seek. They have 60 days to inform the defendants of their decision after the defendants first enter a plea.

Defense attorneys for Vallow and Daybell did not immediately return Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
Timothy Abero / EyeEm / Getty Images

An Indiana man was arrested on Saturday in connection to a string of Philadelphia stalkings and rapes earlier this month.

Kevin Bennett, also faces charges stemming from an April assault in Marion County, Indiana.

An affidavit shows Indianapolis Police and the FBI tied Bennett to the April rape weeks before the attacks in Philadelphia.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

An Indiana man, who is accused of stalking several women and raping three of them during a four-day period in Philadelphia earlier this month, may be wanted in connection to similar crimes in as many as eight other states, authorities said Monday.

Kevin Bennett, 28, was arrested in his hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana, on Saturday after Philadelphia police recognized a pattern of a man who stalked, robbed, and in certain instances, sexually assaulted women who were almost all employed at gentleman's clubs throughout the city, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

"I hope that Philadelphia residents join us in expressing our gratitude to the survivors who decided to speak out in order to prevent further trauma to others and help bring Mr. Bennett to justice," District Attorney Larry Krasner said in a Monday statement.

Bennett 'terrorized and assaulted' Philadelphia women during a four-day spree, authorities said.

In six incidents over four days, Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Branwen McNabb said Bennett followed women home from their nightclub jobs and "terrorized and assaulted" them while taking precautions to avoid detection by covering his license plate and posing as a utility worker to enter an apartment building at least once.

Investigators were able to identify Bennett, in part, because of his continued use of a gray Dodge Charger, which authorities said he drove to follow multiple women around Philadelphia earlier this month.

On May 16, authorities said Bennett approached a woman sitting in her car, held her at gunpoint, and sexually assaulted her in an alley. The following evening, Bennett reportedly followed a woman home from her job at a nightclub into her apartment building's parking garage. Police said she was able to call 911 and drive away when she noticed Bennett approaching her.

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On May 18, Bennett followed one of three women home from their jobs at a different gentleman's club to an apartment building in North Philadelphia, according to McNabb. The woman was also able to evade him by screaming and running into a neighbor's apartment when she noticed him. According to the Inquirer, police obtained footage that showed the gray Dodge at that location.

Ten hours later, authorities allege Bennett returned to the same apartment dressed as an electrical worker and robbed and sexually assaulted the two other women who live there. Both women told authorities they saw Bennett at work the night before, according to the Inquirer.

Later that same day, authorities say a man they believe was Bennett pulled a gun on a woman inside a fitness center at a hotel and demanded that she leave with him. When she refused, police say he hit her on the head with his gun and fled.

Bennett faces multiple charges in Philadelphia and Indianapolis as well as federal charges

Krasner said his office will charge Bennett with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, stalking, burglary, robbery, and weapons charges.

A spokesperson for the Marion County Prosecutor's Office told Insider that additional charges against Bennett were filed Monday evening in connection with a sexual assault incident that occurred in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the beginning of April.

A probable cause affidavit for Kevin Bennett reviewed by Insider shows six counts against Bennett, including rape, kidnapping, and criminal confinement.

On Tuesday, federal prosecutors also charged him with illegal gun possession and intention to distribute methamphetamine, according to The Inquirer.

A spokesperson for the Marion County Prosecutor's Office, where Indianapolis is located, told Insider that Bennett was being held in federal custody until the federal case against him is resolved.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation also assisted in Bennett's Saturday arrest.

Chris Bavender, a spokesperson for the FBI's Indianapolis field office told The Inquirer that agents surveilled "multiple locations" for 36 hours in order to locate Bennett. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department SWAT team then arrested him around 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The Philadelphia Police Department's Special Victims Unit is working with the FBI to identify other possible victims, the outlet reported, and authorities are still investigating whether Bennett has ties to Philadelphia.

An affidavit shows authorities in Indianapolis knew Kevin Bennett's name weeks before the Philadelphia attacks

Nearly one month before Bennett's four-day crime spree in Philadelphia, authorities in Indiana had already discovered Bennett was tied to a similar sexual assault that occurred in Indianapolis in early April.

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According to the affidavit, a female show club employee was raped at gunpoint in the basement of her apartment building on April 2. The woman told police the suspect was a short Black male wearing a blue mask and black hoodie and was armed with a small silver revolver.

An officer on the scene located a male who matched the physical description inside the building immediately following the attack, though he was wearing a different hoodie and did not have a silver revolver on him, the affidavit said. The victim identified the man as her attacker and he was arrested that night and charged later that week.

But on April 12, surveillance footage from the apartment complex revealed "there was no way" the man in question could be the attacker, the affidavit said, and the case against him was dropped.

On April 19, fingerprint results from a condom wrapper left at the scene of the assault came back to Kevin Bennett, who already had a record in Indiana. Three days later, an FBI employee from the Nashville office contacted Indianapolis police regarding a similar rape in Tennessee on April 6. According to the affidavit, the FBI staffer said she was working with multiple law enforcement agencies in the South on a string of similar rapes targeting female "exotic dancers."

The lead Indianapolis Metro Police Department Sex Crimes detective told the FBI staffer about Kevin Bennett's fingerprints found on the condom wrapper and on April 22, the two were able to tie the car seen at the scene of the Tennessee crime back to Bennett.

More than three weeks later, authorities say they believe Bennett targeted at least six women in Philadelphia.

The affidavit makes no mention of any attempts by authorities to locate Bennett after the Indianapolis Police Department and the FBI discovered his identity on April 22 - exactly one month before he was eventually arrested.

Michael Leffler, a spokesperson for Marion County prosecutors, told The Inquirer that Bennett wasn't charged after during the gap because "the investigation was ongoing."

The Indianapolis Police Department did not immediately return Insider's request for comment and the national FBI press office declined to comment.

Read the original article on Insider
TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  Irans President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday he wrote the countrys supreme leader to protest a decision by an election watchdog to reject high-profile nominees for the June 18 presidential election.

Rouhani in a weekly Cabinet meeting said he wished Iran's Guardian Council would give more would-be candidates the opportunity to run. The council on Tuesday barred former parliament speaker Ali Larijani, a conservative who allied with Rouhani in recent years, from running. It also nixed the candidacies of current senior vice-president Eshaq Jahangiri and former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Yesterday, I had no choice but to send a letter to supreme leader to see if he can help, he said.

There is precedent for reinstatement. In 2005, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, ordered the Guardian Council to reinstate two candidates.

The nature of the election is competition, if you take this from the election, it becomes a body without life, Rouhani said.

Irans theocracy partially bases its legitimacy on voter turnout numbers. Officials likely will try to pique the interest of a public worn down by the raging pandemic and an ailing economy ground down by American sanctions.

Irans 2020 parliamentary vote saw only a 42.5% turnout, the lowest since 1979. By comparison, Irans 2017 presidential election saw a 73% turnout. Government statistics suggest 59.3 million people will be eligible to vote in the June 18 election.

The state-owned polling center ISPA has warned of the possibility of a turnout as low as 39% this year  the lowest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The Guardian Council approved only seven of some 590 people who registered with the panel of clerics and jurists overseen by Khamenei.

The candidates include judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi. The rest are Saeed Jalili, a former nuclear negotiator; Mohsen Rezaei, a former Revolutionary Guard commander; Ali Reza Zakani, a former lawmaker; Amir Hossein Ghazizadeh, a current lawmaker; Mohsen Mehralizadeh, a former provincial governor; and Abdolnasser Hemmati, the current head of Irans Central Bank.
HONOLULU (AP)  A judge ordered Honolulu officials to turn over unedited police body camera footage to attorneys representing the family of a South African citizen who was shot and killed by police after he entered a home that wasnt his.

Judge Dean E. Ochiai during Tuesday's hearing also ordered the city to turn over all incoming 911 calls in the area between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on April 14, the night Honolulu police shot Lindani Myeni.

Myeni, 29, had entered a home, sat down and took off his shoes, prompting an occupant to call 911, police said. Myeni later physically assaulted a responding officer who ended up in the hospital, police said.

About two days after the shooting, police released two brief clips of body camera footage. In the footage, three gunshots rang out before an officer said police.

The department later released a recording of the 911 call made by a frightened occupant. I dont know him, she told the dispatcher, who asked her several times about the mans ethnicity.

Is he white? Is he Black? Is he local? the dispatcher asked. The woman, who sounded like she was crying through much of the call, eventually answered, Black.

A lawsuit by his widow filed on April 29 alleged that police were motivated by racial discrimination against an unarmed Black man.

It also sounded like Myeni was having a calmer conversation with someone else in the home. Lawyers representing his wife, Lindsay Myeni, have said they will retain forensic experts to enhance the background conversation.

The calls and full footage must be turned over by June 10, the judge ruled.

The court granted some of the citys attempt to delay discovery in the wrongful death lawsuit until after the Honolulu Police Departments and the Prosecuting Attorneys separate investigations conclude, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.

Police reports, investigations, personnel files and anything related to the actions of the officers under investigation for possible criminal liability by the prosecutor will not be disclosed in the civil case prior to July 16, in accordance with a timeline issued by Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm, Ochiai ruled.

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If Alm finds no evidence to support criminal charges against the officers, the protective order will be dissolved. If charges are brought, the order will remain in effect.

A police spokeswoman declined to comment on the ruling. Attorneys for Myeni's widow didn't immediately comment on the ruling Wednesday.

We appreciate Judge Ochiais consideration of our motion and the issuance of a protective order, Krishna F. Jayaram, first deputy corporation counsel for the city, said in a statement to the newspaper. As to the remainder of his ruling, we are in the process of parsing through it.
Vice President Kamala Harris should consult members of Congress as she continues discussions with Mexican and Central American officials on the "root causes" of migration, a Republican lawmaker urged this week.

U.S. Rep. Yvette Herrell of New Mexico made the request in a letter to Harris dated Monday, according to Border Report.

In her letter, Herrell also invited Harris to join her in visiting border communities in the U.S.  something the vice president has not done during the 63 days that she has been the manager of President Bidens response to the migrant crisis. Harris reluctance to visit the border region has drawn criticism from both Republicans and Democrats.

BIDEN WAS TORN ABOIT PICKING VP HARRIS AFTER PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE BULL----: BOOK

"I invite you to join me at the southern border of New Mexico to see the crisis firsthand and how it is affecting Americans in my district who fear violence and property damage along the border," Herrell wrote.

"Further, I believe it is imperative that your discussions with the Governments of Mexico and Central American countries include members of Congress, especially those members from border communities and those on both sides of the aisle."

On Tuesday, Herrell introduced a proposal called the Protecting Americans from Foreign Criminals Act. It calls for comprehensive background checks of new arrivals to the U.S., mandatory detention for those entering illegally and access to global background check information.

REP. CARTER INTRODUCES BILL TO BAR FEDERAL FUNDS TO STATES THAT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

"The Biden admin is welcoming 1000s of people into our country with little, if any, time for in-depth criminal & national security background checks," Herrell wrote on Twitter. "This poses a clear and present danger to our communities."

Earlier this month, Harris discussed border issues with members of the House Hispanic Caucus  but only one lawmaker invited to the meeting, U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, represented a border district, according to Border Report.

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Herrell also requested that Harris invite her along when Harris travels to Mexico and Guatemala on June 7 and 8. The lawmaker warned that any economic aid that the Biden-Harris administration provides to the region will likely have little effect on improving the conditions that the administration has claimed lead to migration.

The lawmaker suggested instead that Biden and Harris reinstate former President Trumps Migrant Protection Protocols and keep in place the Title 42 public health order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which helps Border Patrol agents remove illegal immigrants from the U.S. soon after they arrive, according to Border Report.
Update: A group of civil rights organizations in Kansas City gathered at City Hall Tuesday to support the city effort to gain control of part of the police budget. Read that story here.

The Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners on Monday voted 3-1 to initiate litigation, bringing them a step closer to filing a lawsuit after the Kansas City Council passed a measure giving the city some control over a portion of the departments budget.

The boards action was detailed in meetings minutes from a closed session held over the objection of Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who is a member of the police board but also led the effort to pass the budget measure in City Council.

The commissioners also voted to form a subcommittee consisting of board members Nathan Garrett and Cathy Dean, two attorneys, who would work with outside legal counsel to determine what legal options the board could pursue.

In its decision, the subcommittee would review what legal action may be necessary and appropriate to enforce the Boards rights, responsibilities, and authorities under Missouri law, the minutes say.

Missouri law specifies how the police department is managed by the state-appointed board of commissioners.

Lucas voted against both measures. Bishop Mark Tolbert, who serves as the board president did not attend the meeting.

Lucas was the only one of the five-member board to attend the meeting in person. Other board members participated in the closed session via telephone.

The police board did not properly notice the closed session Monday in its public agenda as required by Missouri open meetings law. The Star objected, and was joined by the KMBC, KCTV and KSHB television stations.

The police boards action came after the City Council on Thursday voted 9-4 to cut this years police budget back to 20% of the general fund, the minimum required by Missouri law. The savings, which come to $42.3 million, would be reallocated to a newly devised Community Services and Prevention Fund.

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Under the measure, Kansas City Manager Brian Platt and the police commissioners would negotiate on how to spend that money.

Garrett said he and the other board members were taken by surprise by the City Councils actions.

We are still evaluating the matter, but would have much preferred to have had notice and the opportunity for direct communication with the City before the defunding ordinances were introduced and passed, Garrett told The Star.

Not sure all who voted understood the practical effect (or timing), but the fuse was lit once passed and we have to evaluate and implement whatever action we deem most appropriate in very short order lest we cannot fund our most crime critical divisions, he said.

Lucas has said previously that he welcomes litigation over police funding.

He said Kansas City may have a legal argument under the Equal Protection Clause under the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution, which says people have to be treated the same under the law.

What the state cannot do is discriminate against Kansas Citians because they live in Kansas City, or because somebody was corrupt 90 years ago, he said. It just doesnt work that way.

A group of civil rights organizations scheduled a press conference for 2 p.m. Tuesday on the steps of City Hall, in support of Lucas and those council members who voted to reallocate the police funding.

Clearly, we are not getting a return on the millions of dollars we invest in KCPD each year. The outcomes do not measure up, Gwen Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, said in a written statement.

Violent crime is high. Solve rates are low. The Mayor and Council have the right and the responsibility to exercise better stewardship over city resources.

Among the groups scheduled to take part in the news conference were the Kansas City branch of the NAACP, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City, National Black United Front-KC, Urban Summit, the Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity - MORE2, Presbyterian Urban and Immigrant Ministry Network.

Some of the groups have called for the removal of Police Chief Rick Smith.

Diminishing voices of people of Kansas City, diminishing the ability for the people of Kansas City to actually have some role in how budgetary decisions are made...is fundamentally unfair, Lucas said. I think its fundamentally unconstitutional and I am perfectly willing to argue that in a state or federal court. I think Kansas Citians have grown frustrated enough to argue that.

Despite the police boards objections, Lucas has pointed out that there is a provision under Missouri law that does allow for contract agreements with government entities.

Lucas has previously said the city and police department have been part of contractual agreements in the past, including one in which both agreed to step up enforcement of parking violations in downtown Kansas City.

The Council also increased the police budget by $3 million, which would pay for a new police academy class. The measures are viewed as giving City Hall more say in how the police department spends money.

Lucas said the reduction in KCPD appropriations should have little to no impact on their ability to make payments and meet payroll.

A five-member board appointed by the Missouri governor oversees the police department. The mayor always has a seat on the board.

The Kansas City Council approves the police departments budget each year but has little say over its operations.
The reality star reveals her setback on an upcoming episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians

It seems Kim Kardashian may have hit a speed bump on her road to becoming a lawyer. According to a preview from the latest episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Kim failed the baby bar exam, which she described as harder than the official bar.

Read More: Van Jones gushes about Kim Kardashian: Going to be an unbelievable attorney

Keeping Up with the Kardashians is in the midst of its farewell episodes after 20 seasons. From family trips, fights, babies, divorces, tabloid reports and more, fans have been let into just about everything in the familys lives, and it doesnt seem like the final season is leaving anything out.

In a preview for the latest episode, Kim tells her sisters that after studying for months, she failed the exam, an important part of her ultimate goal to become a lawyer.

Kim Kardashian West of The Justice Project speaks the 2020 Winter TCA Tour Day 12 on Jan. 18, 2020 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)

In an interview with Vogue in 2019, Kim announced shed be following in her fathers, Robert Kardashian Sr.s, footsteps by studying to become a lawyer.

Robert, who died in 2003, was part of the successful O.J. Simpson defense team in his 1995 trial.

Explaining her journey, Kim breaks down where she is in the process and why the exam was so hard to pass in a confessional during the preview clip.

She tells the audience, If you do law school the way that Im doing it, it is a four-year program instead of your typical three-year programafter year one, you have to take the baby bar. She explains, This one actually is harder, I hear, than the official bar.

Kim then tells Kourtney and Khloe, that she failed it.

I am a failureto not pass gets your spirits down, she says in the confessional. It makes you want to give up.

Kourtney tells her, I feel like dad would be really proud of you regardlessjust the fact that youre pursuing this.

Khloe agrees, telling Kim, I think its highly respectable what youre doing. I think the time that was taken away from your family, your kids

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Kim says that all of the effort she put into studying is why shes so disappointed in herself.

She explains, Thats what pisses me off! The fact that I spent all that time away from my kids

Read More: Jay-Zs Made in America festival to return to Philadelphia

With a myriad of conflicts on the horizon, she then ponders if its even worth taking the test again, explaining, Im filming the ending of our show, which will be so emotional. I have every birthday under the sun  its my 40th. I planned this whole trip and its too late to canceland if I fail again, its like, whats the point?

To watch the full episode and learn what Kim decides, watch Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Thursdays at 8 p.m. on E!

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The post Kim Kardashian fails baby bar exam: Harder than official bar appeared first on TheGrio.
The Senate confirmed Kristen Clarke to lead the Civil Rights division of the Justice Department  making her the first woman and the first Black woman to helm the powerful post.

In a vote of 51-48, the Senate confirmed Clarke as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine was the only Republican to vote in favor of Clarke's nomination, which was notably held on the one-year anniversary of George Floyds death.

Clarke previously led the Civil Rights Bureau at the New York attorney generals office. In 2015, she was also named head of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, during which time the organization said it filed more than 250 lawsuits on voting rights, education, hate crimes and housing, among other areas.

Clarke was sworn in Tuesday evening by Vice President Kamala Harris, whose office called Clarke "a tireless champion of equal justice" in a statement before the ceremony.

Her nomination was met with opposition from Republicans, who accused Clarke of antisemitism. The accusation stemmed from an incident in 1994 in which the Harvard Black Students Association, a group Clarke led at age 19, invited a professor accused of promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories to speak. Clarke defended the decision at the time in the Harvard Crimson, the school's student newspaper.

She acknowledged this past January that giving the professor a platform was a mistake, and touted her record on antisemitism in her civil rights work. Republicans also took issue with the sharp attacks on opponents on Twitter, including lawmakers such as Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W. Va., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.

Before voting on her nomination, Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton called Clarke "highly partisan" and suggested that because of her past comments calling former President Donald Trump's judicial nominees "white male extremists." Cotton also raised the issue of her statements on police, including a June 2020 Newsweek op-ed headlined: "I Prosecuted Police Killings. Defund the PoliceBut Be Strategic."

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"Ms. Clarke has consistently demonstrated that she's more interested in attacking police and calling everybody a racist than finding the facts or reviewing the evidence," Cotton said.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., also criticized the nomination on the Senate floor, noting 2020 crime statistics.

"Early data from this year suggests that 2021 may even be worse, but apparently the president's response to this violent crime is to have a proponent of defunding the police help run the Department of Justice," he said.

However, Clarke's nomination was praised by Democrats and civil rights groups.

"At this moment in history, filling this division, the civil rights division, on the anniversary of George Floyd's murder on the streets of Minnesota, we are choosing the first woman of color in the history of the United States to head this division," Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said on the Senate floor. "It is a historic choice. It shouldn't be trivialized by those who want to paint a caricature of a woman not even close to the truth."
The Santa Clara County coroner's office late Wednesday identified a ninth victim from the shooting at a transit station in San Jose, California, AP reports.

The latest: The coroner's officer confirmed the death of Alex Ward Fritch, 49, who was in critical condition but died after being hospitalized. The other victims were identified earlier: Paul Delacruz Megia, 42; Adrian Balleza, 29; Jose Dejesus Hernandez, 35; Timothy Romo, 49; Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, 63; Lars Lane, 63; Taptejdeep Singh, 36; and Michael Joseph Rudometkin, 40.

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Authorities have identified the suspect as 57-year-old Sam Cassidy. They have yet to determine a motive.

His wife, Cecilia Nelms, told AP that Cassidy talked about killing people at his work over a decade ago.

A former girlfriend described Cassidy in court documents filed in 2009 as "volatile and violent, with major mood swings because of bipolar disorder that became worse when he drank heavily," AP writes.

Cassidy and many of the victims worked at the light rail facility for the Valley Transportation Authority, which provides bus, light rail and other transit services throughout Santa Clara, the biggest county in the Bay Area, per AP.

Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith told NBC's "Today" show that the gunman had two semiautomatic handguns and 11 loaded magazines, AP notes. A locker suspected to have belonged to him contained "materials for bombs, detonator cords, the precursors to an explosive."

Smith added that officials are investigating a fire that started before the shooting in a house that records say belonged to Cassidy, and suggested that he probably "set some kind of a device to go off at a certain time probably to coincide with the shooting."

What we know: The shooting took place about 6:30am local time in two buildings at the VTA, a "transit control center that stores trains and has a maintenance yard," AP reports.

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Smith told reporters Wednesday afternoon, "When our deputies went through the door, initially he was still firing rounds. When our deputy saw him, he took his life."

Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office Deputy Russell Davis said at a Wednesday afternoon briefing that "deputies did not exchange gunfire" with the shooter, and officials believe the shooter's death was "self-inflicted."

Davis said explosives were found on the scene after the shooting and a bomb squad was investigating. Smith added the area had been "cordoned off," so it didn't pose a threat to the public.

Of note: President Biden ordered White House flags, and those of public buildings and grounds "throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions," to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the victims through sunset this Sunday.

What they're saying: Biden said in a statement, "Every life that is taken by a bullet pierces the soul of our nation. We can, and we must, do more."

Vice President Kamala Harris told reporters the shooting was "absolutely tragic" and said she has family in San Jose. "I've worked for many many years with the mayor of San Jose and the police department and my prayers and my thoughts for all those families," she added.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said during a briefing, "It begs the question, what the hell is going on in the United States of America?" He added it's time for the country to "deal with endemic of gun violence.

The big picture via AP: "The bloodshed comes in a year that has seen a sharp increase in mass killings as the nation emerges from pandemic restrictions that closed many public places and kept people confined to their homes."

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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LAPD Sgt. Kenneth Price, right, talks with members of the Jewish community on La Brea Boulevard on May 22 after a spate of antisemitic attacks. (Los Angeles Times)

To the editor: The violent assault on diners outside a sushi restaurant by people reportedly shouting "death to Jews" and "free Palestine" is a reminder that, in practice, there is no distinction between anti-Zionism and antisemitism.

One can certainly question or criticize Israel's government or policies, as one might question or criticize those of any other country  there is always a time and place for respectful, civil debate. But those who cross the line into hatred for Israel almost invariably do so because they hate Jews, and when they vent their anger at Israel, it is almost invariably targeted at Jews.

At a time when antisemitism is surging, we must make clear that there is no tolerance for antisemitic or anti-Israel hate, and no place in any such debate for violence.

Stephen A. Silver, San Francisco

..

To the editor: The violence against Jewish citizens is reprehensible and must be punished to the full extent of the law.

At the same time, our condemnation of that criminal conduct should not perpetuate the practice of treating hatred of Jews and opposition to the policies and practices of the current government of Israel as one and the same.

The blending of the two  the argument that anyone who opposes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's actions is an antisemite  was the cynical cudgel that former President Trump used in putting on the defensive those who condemned the Israeli leader's arrogant overreach in dealing with the Palestinians.

While many, including this writer, believe that there must always be an Israel, we must also keep in mind that there is no conflict in embracing that belief and simultaneously believing that the conduct of the incumbent Israeli government is inimical to that goal.

To assert otherwise plays into the hands of those, both here and abroad, who would cynically mute legitimate debate.

Mark Steinberg, Los Angeles

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A Midlands woman is behind bars after hitting her boyfriend with his minivan and killing him, the Sumter Police Department said Wednesday.

On May 13, 69-year-old John Elva Tisdale tried to stop his girlfriend, 54-year-old Janie Delores Jones, from driving impaired and leaving a School Street home, police said in a news release.

Rather than stop, Jones hit Tisdale with his own vehicle, police spokeswoman Tonyia McGirt said.

After the crash, Jones was stopped at the scene by a passerby who also helped Tisdale until officers and other first responders arrived, according to the release.

Tisdale was taken to Prisma Health Tuomey, before being transferred to a Richland County hospital where he died on May 18, McGirt said.

Jones was initially charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. But after an autopsy showed the injuries Tisdale suffered after getting run over contributed to his death, Jones charge was upgraded to reckless vehicular homicide, police said.

After she was arrested, Jones was taken to the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center, where she remains behind bars after her bond was set at $20,000, jail records show.

In spite of the charge, police continue to investigate the incident.

Jones was not charged with any DUI-related crimes, in part because the collision happened on private property, McGirt said. She added that reckless homicide charge can cover a number of offenses.

The State, This Week

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Joaquin Consuelos is going to prom!

On Tuesday, Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa shared photos of their youngest son getting ready for prom night with his date. In the photos, the 18-year-old sported a sleek black tuxedo, which Ripa revealed belonged to his father.

"It's Prom night. Quino and his lovely date Melissa," Consuelos, 50, captioned his Instagram post, on which Ripa, 50, commented: "In your tux and shoes no less! "

"Prom Night 2021. Joaquin and Melissa. " the Live with Kelly and Ryan host captioned her own post.

Ripa also posted several photos of the teenager getting ready for the big night on her Story, including a few sweet snaps of his dad helping him adjust his tux.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free weekly newsletter to get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.

She also included a photo of the proud parents posing with their son, as well as some shots of Joaquin receiving his boutonniere made up of beautiful white flowers.

"Scenes from pre-prom," Ripa wrote on the first slide.

kelly ripa/instagram

kelly ripa/instagram

The youngest Consuelos sibling is getting ready to head off to college. In March, Joaquin decided he'll be attending the University of Michigan, where he will be part of the wrestling team.

"SIGNED: Welcome to the family, @joaquinconsuelos! #NewBlue #GoBlue," the university wrote in their announcement, alongside a photo of Joaquin wearing their blue and maize colors.

In response, proud dad Mark Consuelos commented on the post with a wrestling-inspired emoji, while both parents shared the exciting news on their Instagram Stories.

RELATED: Kelly Ripa Reveals Son Joaquin Broke His Nose Wrestling  But Still Won the Match

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"Super excited to step into this next chapter with @umichwrestling! Honored to be part of this great program," Joaquin wrote on his Instagram account at the time.

Ripa and Consuelos are also parents to Michael, 23, who graduated virtually from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts last spring, as well as Lola, 19, who is a sophomore at NYU.

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Earlier this year, Ripa opened up about her college-bound son, detailing what he had to overcome to get there.

Speaking on Live with Kelly and Ryan, Ripa explained that Joaquin has dyslexia and dysgraphia, the latter of which affects a person's writing abilities.

RELATED VIDEO: Kelly Ripa Unveils the Consuelos Family's Holiday Card Featuring Her 3 Children: 'See Ya 2020'

"Mark and I were FaceTiming the other night ... Mark got very emotional, and very choked up, because he said, 'You know, I never thought he would be able to go to college.' Because he was profoundly dyslexic and dysgraphic," Ripa said.

RELATED: Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa's Son Joaquin Going to the University of Michigan for Wrestling

The mother of three added that "through hard work, determination, [and] remediation," Joaquin was able to overcome the "misunderstood learning difference," and said that for their family, dyslexia and dysgraphia have been a "blessing."

"Kids with dyslexia learn how to read the room, they pick up on social cues ... their other skills become [stronger]," she said.
Martin Compston (Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

Martin Compston had a hilarious response to seeing his face on a billboard in Times Square.

The Line of Duty star responded to a tweet that showed him as DI Steve Arnott in the BBC drama on a giant advertising hoarding in the iconic New York tourist attraction.

Watch: 'Line of Duty' sneak peek: 'My patience is all used up'

Read: Brit Awards 2021: Jackie Weaver and Line Of Duty steal spotlight

One Scottish fan tweeted Compston a picture of the billboard in the iconic capital city location with the caption:

Didnt expect to see @martin_compstons puss in Times Square. Big time.

To which Greenock-born Compston replied:

Probably less chance of a c**k and b***s drawn on me like my first ever billboard at Barrs cottage Greenock, but equally a proud moment.

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Barrs Cottage is a small area in the Scottish county of Inverclyde.

Fans are often left gobsmacked by Compstons real-life Scottish accent after disguising to play the English-accented Arnott.

Martin Compston performs a very different accent when he portrays DI Steve Arnott on Line of Duty. (BBC)

The billboard comes as the newest series of the BBC drama became available for US fans to watch on streaming platform Britbox.

The tweet was met with equally humorous responses with one tweeting:

Possibly the first time in history that Barrs Cottage has been mentioned in the same context as Times Square. Lets hope it isnt the last.

Compston as Steve Arnott (BBC)

With another seeing Compstons response as a challenge, tweeting: *books flight to New York with abseiling kit and spray paint*

Read more: Jed Mercurio defends Line Of Duty finale as 'not as divisive' as online snark suggests

With UK viewers still reeling from the supposed finale episode aired on 2 May, which finally revealed Ian Buckells (Nigel Boyle) as the illusive fourth man, H, it begs the question whether U.S. viewers will have the same reaction to the finale episode?

Watch: Line of Duty stars make tattoo pledge
Maureen Lipman is resigning from the actors union over its stance on Palestine. (Getty Images)

Dame Maureen Lipman has declared she is quitting Equity over the actors' union's stance on Palestine.

Equity recently put out a call to its members, encouraging them to join pro-Palestinian marches which have been blighted by anti-Semitism.

Lipman told The Daily Telegraph she believed Israel had become an "obsession" for Equity, condemning the union's president, Maureen Beattie, for sharing an online petition calling for sanctions against the country and urged other Jewish actors to "get the hell out!"

Watch: What to watch on Amazon Prime Video in March 2021

Read more: Maureen Lipman says her 'heart is cracking' over partner Guido Castro's death

The 75-year-old Coronation Street star said: "I'm going to resign and I'm also going to ask for my 1,000 a year membership fees to be given back to me, and I'm going to send it a charity for the victims on both sides.

Maureen Lipman currently stars as Tyrone's grandmother Evelyn Plummer in Coronation Street. (ITV)

"I didn't join a political union. I joined a union to protect its members. You don't dictate to artists what they believe in, and don't incite them to join a mob.

"How dare they demand sanctions? Where is Maureen Beattie on the Uyghurs, Rohingyas, the Sudanese, the Yemenites?"

Tracy-Ann Oberman said Equity's stance has been deeply upsetting for Jewish performers. (Getty Images)

Former EastEnders actor Tracy-Ann Oberman and comedian Dom Joly have also criticised Equity for taking a political stance on the conflict in Gaza.

It's A Sin star Oberman told BBC's Newsnight: "It's been a deeply upsetting couple of days, particularly as the union haven't come back with any sort of apology...

"The problem that Jewish actors are having is that by dint of Equity's leadership statement it's sort of turning into a political loyalty test for Jews in our industry."

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Equity President Maureen Beattie said in a statement: "Equity has a long, and proud history of standing up for peace and justice around the world  including in Palestine. Violence directed against ordinary working people in both Israel and Palestine is appalling, and it is to be condemned by our movement.

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"The disproportionate actions of the current Israeli government over the past few weeks, both in the policing of Jerusalem and toward Gaza, are particularly horrifying. We stand in solidarity with Palestinians taking industrial action, and workers around the world taking action in support of them.

Read more: Maureen Lipman found it 'impossible to grieve' husband's death

"As part of the global trade union movement, and the art and entertainment our members create, Equity will do all we can to support the voices of working people in Palestine and Israel who want a just and lasting peace."

Watch: Tracy-Ann Oberman discusses anti-Semitism on social media
Surrounded by stars, the eclipsed moon turns red over Mount Baker in 2019. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)

The only total lunar eclipse of 2021 will also be one of the shortest total lunar eclipses in recent years, lasting just less than 15 minutes. And its not exactly the easiest one to see in the Seattle area, due to its timing as well as the weather.

Earths shadow will start creeping across the full moons disk at 1:47 a.m. PT on Wednesday, and the eclipse will reach totality at 4:11 a.m. Because this particular eclipse has the moon passing so close to the edge of Earths umbra  that is, the shadows darkest part  the moon starts brightening up again at 4:25 a.m. in the dawns early light.

The forecast for Western Washington poses even more of a challenge for skywatchers. Conditions not looking favorable at this time, the National Weather Services Seattle bureau told me in a tweet. Even if its not actually raining, overcast skies could well spoil the view.

Best advice at this time is to a) get some elevation above low clouds or b) go east of the Cascade crest, forecasters said.

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The eclipse isnt the only thing thats notable about Wednesdays full moon: Thanks to variations in the moons orbit around our planet, its also the biggest full moon of the year. That qualifies it as a Supermoon under virtually any definition of the word. (I personally prefer declaring just one Supermoon in the course of a year, but some definitions allow for three in 2021, including last months full moon and the one coming up next month.)

If the stars align, eclipse watchers should be able to see the darkened moon turn a dusky red or brown, due to the sunlight refracted by Earths atmosphere. Thats why a total lunar eclipse is often called a blood moon. Whats more, the full moon of May is traditionally called the Flower Moon. Put them all together, and you get Super Flower Blood Moon as a headline-grabbing title for this weeks event.

There are alternatives for those who arent able to see the Super Flower Blood Moon in the flesh: Space.com has rounded up several webcasts that will offer streaming video from locales more likely to have clear skies, ranging from California and Arizona to Hawaii and Australia.

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And theres always next year: Two total lunar eclipses will take place in 2022, on May 15-16 and Nov. 8. The November event is better-suited for Northwest skywatchers.

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Mayor Lori Lightfoot introduced a package of measures on Wednesday aimed at helping Chicago businesses, including extending a cap on third-party delivery fees and $10 million in grants for those hurt by the coronavirus pandemic.

Lightfoots proposals, which will need to be approved by City Council in the coming weeks, include extending a 15% cap on third-party delivery companies until after the city recovers from the pandemic. The mayor also is pushing a discounted payment plan for businesses with city debt to make it easier for them to renew licenses and continue operating.

Lightfoots package also would permanently ban alcohol sales at liquor stores after 10 p.m. She implemented the measure during the pandemic but its received criticism from some business interests who are likely to oppose the move.

Prior to the pandemic, liquor stores in Chicago were allowed to sell most types of alcohol until 2 a.m. or later. There have been efforts in recent years by some aldermen concerned about violence and loitering near liquor stores to set earlier hours, but those proposals have not gained much traction.

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The city also would expedite restaurant licensing for those setting up in closed restaurant spaces, allow A-frame sidewalk signs and make it easier for businesses to get permits for other sidewalk advertisements, Lightfoots office said.

She also will push a wage theft protection ordinance, among other plans.

Also on Lightfoots agenda: A proposal allowing cocktails to go, which was a popular change for bars and restaurants in 2020.

In order to recover from this pandemic quickly and holistically, we must take bold action and reimagine how we do business here in Chicago, Lightfoot said in a statement.

gpratt@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @royalpratt
The McKnight Foundation is giving $1 million in surprise grants to 10 organizations in honor of George Floyd one year after his murder.

The Minneapolis foundation, which announced the unsolicited grants Tuesday, will give $100,000 each to the Minnesota groups working to make the state more inclusive and address systemic justice.

Each organization "connects to our vision of a more equitable Minnesota, the type of place that would have sparked and enabled the life of George Floyd, not extinguished it," McKnight President Tonya Allen said in a statement.

The first recipient is the Cultural Wellness Center, a Minneapolis nonprofit that addresses the health and well-being of African Americans. The other recipients were not publicly announced.

"As challenging as this past year has been since Brother Floyd's murder, the support shown by leading institutions like McKnight gives me hope," Atum Azzahir, the center's director, said in a statement.

Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police sparked unprecedented philanthropy, especially toward groups serving communities of color or working on racial justice. It also prompted many foundations and nonprofits to make internal changes, such as increasing the diversity of staff and board members.

"Those of us who work in institutions with wealth and privilege must use that power to rewrite the rules  to transform the systems that have historically blocked people, particularly people of color, from opportunities to thrive," Allen said.

McKnight recently announced it was partnering with the Ford Foundation to provide $7 million in grants to Black, Indigenous, Latin and Asian American-led organizations in theater and visual arts, music and spoken word. The foundation also has earmarked $5.4 million for a new grant program focused on economic mobility for Native Americans and immigrants.

The Bush Foundation is spending $100 million to address wealth gaps among Native Americans and African Americans, and Black leaders formed the Alliance of Alliances to raise $4 million and advance racial equity.

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At the University of Minnesota Law School, more than $270,000 has been raised for a scholarship in Floyd's name. The first scholarship will go to a student of color this fall.

Catlan McCurdy and Sanjiv Laud of Minneapolis, who met at the school, started the fund and hope to diversify a largely white profession. McCurdy said the number of donors has been inspiring. "It's grown so much," she said. "It will really go far in providing funds for minority students."

Kelly Smith  612-673-4141
Marjorie Taylor Greene has been widely condemned for her words (Getty Images)

More than 100,000 people are demanding Marjorie Taylor Greenes removal from Congress after she compared the Covid mask mandate to the Holocaust.

The elected official from Georgias 14th congressional district has defended her controversial comments, despite widespread criticism from both Republicans and Democrats.

The Auschwitz Memorial was the latest organisation to urge the congresswoman to tone down the dangerous rhetoric.

The comments Greene is being criticised for were made on a podcast with the Christian Broadcasting Network on 20 May.

You know, we can look back at a time in history where people were told to wear a gold star, and they were definitely treated like second class citizens, so much so that they were put in trains and taken to gas chambers in Nazi Germany. And this is exactly the type of abuse that Nancy Pelosi is talking about, Ms Greene said.

Ms Pelosis doctor-backed plans rule that representatives must keep wearing masks on the floor of the House. The maintenance of the mask rule comes from the unknown vaccination levels of Republican lawmakers, like Rep. Greene, who refuses to disclose if she has been jabbed.

The petition titled Kevin McCarthy must expel Marjorie Taylor Greene currently has more than 112,000 signatures. It was set up by David Weiss, who previously was a supporter of President Donald Trump, but has now become a Democrat voter.

The Auschwitz Memorial tweeted in response to Ms Greenes outlandish comments, saying that public health measures, such as wearing face coverings, were nothing like systemic oppression and cruelty faced by Jewish people under Hitler.

The instrumentalisation of the tragedy of Jews who suffered, were humiliated, marked with a yellow star, isolated in ghettos & murdered during the Holocaust, in a debate on different systems that aim at protecting public health is a sad symptom of moral and intellectual decline, they wrote on the microblogging site.

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Senior Republicans such as Elise Stefanik, the new chair of the partys conference who replaced Rep. Liz Cheney, also spoke out and condemned Ms Taylor Greenes comments on Twitter.

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Equating mask wearing and vaccines to the Holocaust belittles the most significant human atrocities ever committed. We must all work together to educate our fellow Americans on the unthinkable horrors of the Holocaust, Rep. Stefanik wrote.

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And Rep. Kevin McCarthy himself vocalised outrage at the comments but has made no move to formally discipline her. He tweeted Anti-Semitism has no place in America. He also mentioned legislation he proposed to bring to the House and called for all of Congress to speak with 1 voice against anti-Semitism.

Ms Greene has defended her comments, The Hill reported, stating: I never compared it to the Holocaust, only the discrimination against Jews in early Nazi years. Stop feeding into the left wing media attacks on me. Everyone should be concerned about the squads support for terrorists and discrimination against unvaxxed people.

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The petition comes as the House Democratic leadership considers the possibility of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez filing a restraining order against Ms Taylor Greene.

This discussion came after several heated incidents between the lawmakers where the Georgia Republican appeared to verbally accost her colleague from across the aisle.

One incident that took place earlier this month, and was first reported in The Washington Post, involved Ms Greene running towards Ms Ocasio Cortez, who was apparently walking away from her, and repeatedly screaming Hey Alexandria!

Read More

CNN anchor sickened by Marjorie Taylor Greene's Holocaust comment

Top Democrats consider AOC filing a restraining order against Marjorie Taylor Greene

Video resurfaces of Marjorie Taylor Greene saying she wouldnt take down a statue of Hitler
(Reuters) - Myanmars Roman Catholic leader has called for attacks on places of worship to end after he said four people had died and more than eight were wounded when a group of mainly women and children sought refuge in a church during fighting this week.

The conflict between the army and forces opposed to military rule has escalated in recent days in eastern Myanmar near the border of Shan and Kayah states, with dozens of security forces and local fighters killed, according to residents and media reports.

Thousands of civilians have also fled their homes due to the fighting and have also suffered casualties.

"It is with immense sorrow and pain, we record our anguish at the attack on innocent civilians, who sought refuge in Sacred Heart Church, Kayanthayar," Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, who is the Archbishop of Yangon, said in a letter posted on Twitter.

The church in the district of Loikaw, the capital of Kayah State bordering Thailand, suffered extensive damage during the Sunday night attack, Bo said.

Myanmar is predominantly Buddhist but some areas including Kayah have large Christian communities.

"The violent acts, including continuous shelling, using heavy weaponary on a frightened group of largely women and children" had resulted in the casualties, he said.

"This needs to stop. We plead with you all...kindly do not escalate the war," he said.

Bo said that churches, hospitals and schools were protected during conflict by international conventions.

He said the attack had prompted people to flee into the jungle with more than 20,000 now displaced and in urgent need of food, medicine and hygiene.

Another resident in the area trying to help displaced people estimated on Wednesday the number who had fled their homes had now risen to between 30,000 and 50,000 and were still using churches to shelter in.

"The elderly and children are in the churches. All the churches have put up white flags in order to stop the shelling," said the 20-year-old, who asked not to be identified.

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She said the situation remained tense in the area and accused the military of continuing to use heavy weapons against lightly armed local militia.

A junta spokesman did not answer phone calls seeking comment.

Myanmar has been in chaos since the army took power on Feb 1 and ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, with daily protests, marches and strikes nationwide against the junta, which has struggled to impose order as opposition against it grows.

It has responded with lethal force, killing more than 800 people, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group. The military disputes this figure and coup leader Min Aung Hlaing recently said about 300 people had been killed in the unrest, including 47 police.

The military is also fighting on a growing number of fronts, against established ethnic minority armies, and rag-tag local militias formed in the past few weeks, many armed with rudimentary rifles and home-made weapons.

Min Aung Hlaing has played down the risk of violence spiralling into a bigger conflict.

"I don't think there will be a civil war," he told Hong Kong-based Chinese language broadcaster Phoenix Television Phoenix in a May 20 interview.

(Reporting by Reuters Staff; Writing by Ed Davies; Editing by Michael Perry)
The man shot and killed during an exchange of gunfire with police at a Lenexa hotel has been identified as a 34-year-old man from the Nashville metropolitan area, a police spokesman said Wednesday.

Darren Dejuan Chandler was killed in the police shooting shortly after 5 a.m. Tuesday at the Extended Stay America hotel at 8015 Lenexa Drive, said Master Police Officer Danny Chavez, a spokesman for Lenexa police.

The shooting remains under investigation by the Johnson County Officer Involved Shooting Investigation Team.

Officers had responded to the hotel after receiving multiple 911 calls, including some from hotel guests, about a disturbance involving a man and woman inside a hotel room, police said.

RP (reporting party) is the front desk clerk. Can hear male screaming at a female, the dispatcher told responding officers, according to the audio from Broadcastify.com. A female can be heard screaming in pain. The RP believes she heard him smack her at least once.

Officers were attempting to contact the people involved when they encountered Chandler, who was allegedly armed with a gun, police said.

An officer can be heard saying, Shots Fired, followed by the sound of several gunshots on the audio from Broadcastify.

Shots were exchanged by bothChandler and two Lenexa police officers, Chavez said. Chandler was shot and pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured.

The two officers are on leave pending the outcome of the investigation into the shooting, police said.
Scotland Covid - Andrew Milligan /PA

Nicola Sturgeon was urged on Tuesday to call in the British Army to help get Glasgow out of lockdown amid warnings the city is "at breaking point" over the "unfair" restrictions.

SNP ministers have been accused of "inconsistency in messaging and decision-making" over the move to keep Scotlands largest city under Level 3 restrictions, making it the only place in Great Britain where residents cant visit each other inside their homes and hospitality businesses cant serve alcohol indoors.

However, Ms Sturgeon signalled on Tuesday that there is reason for "cautious optimism" about the citys outbreak amid signs that cases are now stabilising.

Speaking at a coronavirus press briefing, Ms Sturgeon said that while case numbers are rising, they are still "quite low relative to the situation we experienced in the early part of this year", adding that this also applied to hospital and intensive admissions.

She confirmed that 97 people are in hospital across Scotland with recently confirmed Covid-19, a rise of three compared to Monday. This is still a sharp fall from the more than 2,000 patients in hospital in January. Just six are in intensive care.

Warning that "we cant afford to have perpetual lockdown in Glasgow", Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said ministers "should not be afraid" to call in the Armed Forces to help tackle the outbreak seen mostly in the citys Southside.

"In other parts of the UK we have not been afraid to call in the British Armed Forces if necessary to get more capacity on the ground," he said, adding that the SNPs efforts to get Glasgow out of lockdown so far have been "timid".

He also demanded that mass testing be carried out in the worst-affected areas on a door-to-door basis if necessary, with pop-up vaccination clinics also being suggested so that those living or working in hotspots could get jabs without having to book an appointment.

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Anas Sarwar - Russell Cheyne /PA

"I understand the First Minister is saying theyre now looking at setting up these pop-up vaccination centres - what are they waiting for? We knew this was a hotspot over a week ago," he said.

It comes after SNP ministers faced demands on Monday to urgently fix Scotlands vaccine booking system after it emerged around half of people at a major hub in Glasgow failed to turn up for jabs at the weekend.

While Mr Sarwar stressed he had been "supportive of the Government's cautious approach since the outset of this pandemic", he also made clear that "there comes a point where timidity has to be called out" and warned that "ongoing lockdown is in itself a mental health and well-being crisis".

Mr Sarwar also questioned the rationale of SNP ministers keeping the entire city under tighter restrictions in light of positive vaccine data.

"One of the concerns being raised was we need to carry on these restrictions because we dont yet know whether the vaccinations are as effective on the new variants as they are with previous," he said. "We now know they are, we have research that shows the vaccination is effective on the new variants."

He added: "Its not fair if youve got two postcodes with hotspot areas and the entire city is shut down."

Meeting with business leaders in the city's George Square, Mr Sarwar also demanded "more significant" financial support be made available to firms who have been affected.

Hospitality venues have been hit particularly hard by the restrictions, with the SNP only offering 750 per week to affected businesses despite estimations that Level 3 measures cost pubs and restaurants at least 7,000 per week.

When asked about Mr Sarwars comments, Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government would call in the Army "when and if we think that is required".

"As I am sure the Scottish Labour leader knows, health teams have been going door-to-door in parts of Glasgow's southside, delivering tests, encouraging testing," she added.
Graphics card maker Nvidia (NVDA) reported its fiscal Q1 2022 earnings after the closing bell on Wednesday, beating analysts' expectations for the quarter.

Heres how the company performed versus what Wall Street was expecting based on Bloomberg' consensus data.

Revenue : $5.66 billion versus $5.41 billion expected

Earnings per share: $3.66 versus $3.31 expected

Gaming: $2.76 billion versus $2.69 billion expected

Data center: $2.05 billion versus $2.0 billion expected

Nvidia's stock price was flat following the announcement.

Overall revenue was up 84% for the quarter, with Nvidia's gaming segment up 106% and its data center business up an equally impressive 79%.

We had a fantastic quarter, with strong demand for our products driving record revenue, said Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

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Nvidias earnings release follows news that the company is expected to vote on a four-for-one stock split during its June 3 shareholders meeting. The split would ensure anyone holding Nvidia stock as of June 21 would receive the newly created shares on July 19. Those shares would begin trading July 20.

Nvidia has been one of the major beneficiaries of the increased interest in gaming throughout the pandemic, with gamers snatching up the companys graphics cards to play the latest and greatest PC titles. But cryptocurrency miners have also been grabbing Nvidias cards as fast as possible to use them in their mining rigs.

Thats put Nvidia in a tough spot. The last time the company saw a big run on its cards due to crypto miners, it ended up with a huge inventory overhang when the crypto boom went bust in 2018. Nvidia shares fell from a high of $281.02 in September 2018 to $129.57 in December 2018.

To keep crypto miners from snagging all of the latest cards out there, Nvidia has moved to reduce the rate at which they mine for certain currencies, making them less appealing to miners. The idea is to show that Nvidia is set on ensuring gamers can access the cards they want.

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Of course, Nvidia is also facing supply constraints due to the ongoing global chip shortage, which could cause inventory problems through the end of 2021.

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(Bloomberg) -- The prediction was vintage Jack Ma, as provocative as it was prescient.This is the era of the internet, the Chinese billionaire proclaimed in October 2013, just weeks after his plan to take Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. public in Hong Kong had been scuttled by regulators. It no longer belongs to Li Ka-shing.Mas dig at the famed Hong Kong tycoon raised plenty of eyebrows at the time, but few would disagree with him now. The past few years have seen a remarkable shift in fortunes between Chinas tech-savvy moguls and their old-school Hong Kong counterparts -- a trend that shows few signs of fading any time soon.

Even as Xi Jinpings government moves to curb the clout of Ma and some of his peers, the combined wealth of Chinas 10 richest people has surged threefold since 2016 to $425 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. For Hong Kong, it doubled to $218 billion during the same period. Li, once Asias richest person, is now ranked No. 13, several spots below Ma, who eventually listed Alibaba in New York in 2014.

The changes underscore the fading relevance of Hong Kong businessmen who built their empires on real estate, ports, infrastructure, telecommunications, aviation and retail.At their peak, when the former British colony was the indispensable gateway to a rapidly developing mainland China, Li and his peers were courted by Beijing for their business acumen and access to overseas capital. These days their political clout is waning and their businesses are increasingly viewed by investors as stale.

Whats more, Hong Kongs future as a financial hub is facing an existential threat as Chinas Communist Party chips away at the one country, two systems framework that has underpinned the citys success for decades.

One consequence has been a dramatic slide in the stock-market valuations for Hong Kongs biggest conglomerates. Over the past five years, five of the citys top groups -- CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd., New World Development Co., Henderson Land Development Co., Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. and Wharf Holdings Ltd. -- have consistently traded at deep discounts to their net assets.

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Their shares now fetch just 0.5 times book value on average, versus 10 for the five companies controlled by some of Chinas richest tycoons, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

The main businesses of the large Hong Kong companies dont have much growth, said Andy Wong, founding partner at LW Asset Management in the city. Investors prefer to focus on growth more than on a companys value, he said, adding technology-driven sectors are attractive, especially after the pandemic.

While private family offices of some of the citys tycoons have pivoted to high-growth investments, their listed businesses have been slow to catch up. On the other hand, their counterparts across the border have leveraged technology to provide a range of consumer services and create wealth. Chinese tycoons have also benefited from the $14.3 trillion economys quick recovery from Covid. China was the only major economy to expand last year, while Hong Kong saw back-to-back contractions in 2019 and 2020.

Most of Chinas richest billionaires come from the tech industry, including Tencent Holdings Ltd.s Pony Ma, Bytedance Ltd. founder Zhang Yiming and NetEase Inc.s William Ding. The wealth of Zhong Shanshan, Chinas current richest person and founder of bottled water giant Nongfu Spring Co. is almost $69 billion, more than double that of Lis.

Many of Hong Kongs business empires owe their success to government policies that encouraged only a small group of deep-pocketed developers to bid at auctions of land parcels, a system that turned Hong Kong into the worlds most expensive property market. The windfall from rising prices allowed the tycoons to diversify into utilities, retail, ports and infrastructure.But that formula has been difficult to replicate in larger markets like mainland China due to high capital requirements, local competition and regulatory barriers, said Richard Harris, founder of Hong Kong-based Port Shelter Investment Management.

For instance, Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. land bank in mainland China is just about 2.3% of that held by Country Garden Holdings Co. owns, a Guangdong-based developer controlled by billionaire Yang Huiyan.

The result is that many of the citys tycoons have focused on defending their current turf rather than expanding into new businesses, Harris said. Many of them are quite happy making sure they dont lose what they have, he said.Yet even that has proven difficult in recent years as Hong Kongs economy was battered by anti-government protests and the pandemic.

Sun Hung Kai Properties, the developer led by billionaire brothers Raymond and Thomas Kwok, reported the biggest decline in underlying profit since 2013 for the year ended June. Swire Pacific Ltd., one of citys two centuries-old British trading firms, recorded an underlying loss last year, the first since listing in 1959. Its flagship Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. is struggling despite a government-led rescue.

CK Hutchison, the flagship of the diversified empire Li built after his family fled to Hong Kong from the mainland as refugees in 1940, saw its first profit drop since a revamp of the conglomerate in 2015. As tensions rise between China and the West, the CK group is facing headwinds overseas. Australia blocked it from acquiring a local gas pipeline operator over national security concerns in 2018.

Some of Hong Kongs conglomerates have started looking further afield for growth opportunities. New World Development Co., which is into infrastructure building, hotels and shopping malls, is accelerating its expansion into insurance, health care and education in mainland China. Chief Executive Officer Adrian Cheng has said he wants to grow the non-property service businesses. Much of the effort revolves around non-traditional businesses, a spokeswoman said.

Swire Pacific is investing in health-care groups in mainland China. Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd., the owner of luxury hotel group Mandarin Oriental International Ltd., is partnering with private equity firm Hillhouse Capital Management Ltd. to look for investment opportunities in Greater China and Southeast Asia.

Representatives for Sun Hung Kai declined to comment, while CK group and Wharf didnt respond to requests for comment. Swire said the groups financial strength and ability to invest remain strong, and is looking at new sectors. Henderson Land said its been diversifying from property, with a strong presence in Hong Kong and China, and has been incorporating sustainable technologies.

Lis personal investment vehicle, Horizons Ventures, has been investing in plant-based food, renewable energy and digital services. The firms early bet in Zoom Video Communications Inc. surged to $11 billion last year during the pandemic, or one-third of Lis wealth. He was also an early backer of Facebook Inc., Spotify Technology SA and Siri.

The post-pandemic recovery will be crucial for Hong Kongs tycoons to consider similar bets on emerging industries, according to Falcon Chan, a partner at Deloitte China.

Its critical to think about whats the next big bet, Chan said. What some of these big guys do in the next one or two years will have a tremendous impact if they want to pivot.

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The Vessel at Hudson Yards, a popular tourist attraction in New York City, will reopen this Friday, but no solo visitors will be allowed. Instead, admission will be restricted to groups of two or more.

In January, the attraction closed indefinitely after a man jumped to his death, marking the third death by suicide at the location in less than a year.

Tourists come to the Vessel at the Hudson Yards to climb the spiral staircase that promises different angles, heights and views of the city, according to the Hudson Yards website. The staircase has about 2,500 individual steps in 154 flights of stairs.

"The Vessel was envisioned as a shared, immersive design experience. Requiring visitors to attend in groups of two or more significantly enhances the safety of the experience," Hudson Yards owner, Related Companies, told The New York Post.

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Each individual who died by suicide reportedly came alone. In addition to the ban, security will be tripled at the structure and "screening procedures" have been put in place "to detect high-risk behaviors."

At the entrance and on the Vessel tickets, there will be a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline message developed in partnership with the Born This Way Foundation, Lady Gagas nonprofit mental-wellness organization.

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.

Follow Gabriela Miranda on Twitter: @itsgabbymiranda

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New York City tourist site Vessel at Hudson Yards bans solo visitors
They gathered Tuesday night in a small field at Bishop Square Park, about 100 people remembering George Floyd as cars drove past and the sun slowly set. The group marked the year since Floyd died at the hands of a former Minneapolis police officer, and there was consensus among those attending that it was important to put action behind their words.

They talked during the interfaith vigil about why commemorating Floyds life matters.

Megan Powell-Rivers of the Episcopal Service Corps in Baltimore has attended other events calling attention to Floyds killing and denouncing police brutality, including one in New York weeks after he was killed.

She looked at Tuesday nights vigil as a reminder of why she chose to make her voice heard then.

It was obvious that a lot of people care about this issue. I think it was really great to see that people are still mourning and that this is an issue that still needs awareness, Powell-Rivers, 24, said. I think we all share that common need for equality and to hold police officers accountable.

Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison and Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh also attended.

Harrison walked to the front of the steps where a Confederate statue once stood, not the first time he has attended a gathering to support equality, sometimes in front of those protesting police.

A year ago during a Black Lives Matters protest, the commissioner and other Baltimore officers took a knee with demonstrators, an action that has been cited across the nation as an example of how police forces and officers should respond to people peacefully marching against police brutality and calling for equity.

You have the right to have an expectation of a department that serves you with dignity and respect. With humility, with professionalism, with courage and honor, Harrison told the crowd. Tough on crime, not tough on people. Tough on behavior. Not tough on people.

When former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted last month on murder and manslaughter charges, many officials in Maryland applauded the jurys verdict.

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Among those was Frosh, who within days called for a review of all police in-custody deaths handled by former State Chief Medical Examiner David Fowler, who testified on in behalf of Chauvins defense team.

The Floyd verdict provided hope to many in Baltimore that justice can be achieved.

Adam Jackson, the CEO of Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, talked about that hope, and emphasized the work done by many after protests end. He called on demonstrators to imagine what justice would look like for their own city, and their own daily lives.

Its always convenient to say, Hey lets go to a protest, lets tweet, lets talk about it. But power requires commitment. You have to actually commit to giving Black people power, Jackson said.

If we want to change the trajectory of Baltimore as it relates to crime and criminal justice, then we have to give resources so Black people are able to do so.
The cable-car wreckage covered with a tarp on May 26 on the slopes of the Mottarone peak above Stresa, Piedmont, in Italy. Miguel Medina/Getty Images

The brakes on the cable car that crashed Sunday in Italy were "tampered with," prosecutors said.

The cable car plunged about 65 feet, or 20 meters, to the ground and left 14 people dead.

Three people were detained on Wednesday, authorities said, according to The Guardian.

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The brakes on the northern Italy cable car that crashed Sunday were "tampered with" and three people have been detained, prosecutors said.

According to a report from The Guardian, authorities said the cable car's emergency braking system had been intentionally tampered with to "avoid disruptions" to the service.

The news was first reported by Ansa, the Italian news outlet.

The three people detained are the owner of the company that manages the tramway, the director of the tramway's management company, and its operational chief, according to the report.

Read the original article on Insider
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The average American shopper goes to the grocery store about 1.6 times per week, according to Statista. But, how many of those shoppers ever thought of their grocery stores as a possible investment opportunity? The truth is that many of the most popular grocery chains in America trade on the public stock exchanges, available for any investor to buy. Grocery sales are also becoming an ever-growing component of sales for multi-line retailers, from Walmart to Target to Costco. If youre looking to diversify your portfolio with some grocery-oriented stocks, talk to your financial advisor to see if any of the names on this list are a match for your investment objectives and risk tolerance.

Support Small: Dont Miss Out on Nominating Your Favorite Small Business To Be Featured on GOBankingRates  Ends May 31

Last updated: May 25, 2021

sprouts

Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM)

Stock price as of May 21, 2021: $25.80

Sprouts Farmers Market is focused on providing natural, organic food to consumers at reasonable prices. One of the many ways that Sprouts differs from other major grocers in that it doesnt sell name-brand sodas, candy and snacks. After opening its first store in Chandler, Arizona, in 2002, the company has grown to 360 locations. Sprouts had a rough 2019, dropping over 20%, but its been clawing back ever since, jumping 8.68% in 2020 and 28.76% thus far in 2021.

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The Kroger Co

The Kroger Co. (KR)

Stock price as of May 21, 2021: $36.62

Kroger is one of the most established grocery companies, with nearly 2,800 stores generating sales of more than $121 billion across two dozen brand names. Familiar grocery chains ranging from Food 4 Less and Fred Meyer to Foods Co. and Ralphs all fall under the Kroger banner. In addition to paying a solid 1.98% dividend, Kroger stock has posted a gain of 15.30% year-to-date, on the back of a 10.66% return in 2020. Those gains have pushed Kroger into the fairly valued category for now; analysts have a consensus hold rating on the stock, with an average price target just below current levels.

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Read: 22 Side Gigs That Can Make You Richer Than a Full-Time Job

Target store shopping cart

Target Corporation (TGT)

Stock price as of May 21, 2021: $225.35

If you live anywhere in America, you're likely near a Target store. In fact, 75% of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a Target store. The general merchandiser, with a large grocery section, generated $93.6 billion in total sales in 2020. Target management expects sales to rise even faster in 2021 than they did in 2020, helping boost the stock to a 27.51% gain year-to-date as of May 21, 2021. The company's shift towards e-commerce has helped boost sales over the past few years, propelling the stock to a three-year gain of over 216%. If you're looking for some exposure to the grocery industry without putting all your eggs in one basket, Target might be an attractive option for you.

Discover: 19 Money-Saving Secrets Target Doesnt Want You To Know

Citrus Heights, California, USA - May 20, 2011: View at a California Walmart storefront from its parking lot.

Walmart (WMT)

Stock price as of May 21, 2021: $141.84

Although Amazon garners a lot of the headlines, Walmart still remains the largest retailer in the United States, and stands to remain so for at least the next few years. Perhaps surprisingly, grocery sales accounted for a whopping 56.3% of Walmart's net U.S. sales in 2021. Walmart is working hard to boost its e-sales to compete with Amazon, and in its last quarter e-commerce sales rose by 37%. In addition to growing e-sales, rising grocery sales compelled Walmart management to raise its earnings expectation for the coming fiscal year. Add in a 1.54% dividend and you can see why analysts have a consensus strong buy rating on the stock, with a one-year price target of $167.24.

Your Complete Price-Matching Guide: Target, Walmart, Best Buy and More

couple walking into Costco

Costco (COST)

Stock price as of May 21, 2021: $380.72

Costco is one of the most beloved retailers in America, and its rapidly becoming a one-stop-shop for its loyal customers. Grocery products are a huge part of Costcos business, with fresh food sales alone generating $23.2 billion in revenue in 2020. In addition to being a favorite with customers, Costco is also a Wall Street darling, with a 5-year return of 185.42% and a gain of 33.92% in 2020 alone. The stock is a bit richly valued after all of these gains, but analysts still see Costco eking out gains of about 4.4% over the next 12 months. However, the long-term trend of the stock is clearly upwards.

Find Out: 20 Ways to Pay Less at Costco

Woman pushing supermarket cart during COVID-19.

Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. (GO)

Stock price as of May 21, 2021: $33.79

Grocery Outlet is a discount grocer that was founded in 1946 and now has more than 375 stores across California, Nevada, Washington, Idaho, Pennsylvania and Oregon. Unlike major chain grocers, Grocery Outlet relies on surplus inventory, packaging changes and product overruns to deliver low prices on name-brand products to its customers. Investors with a long-term horizon just got a good price break on the stock, which tumbled 18.5% on May 12, 2021, after it disappointed investors with a lackluster forward outlook. Analysts still have a consensus strong buy on the stock, with a 12-month price target about 18% above current levels at $40.13.

See: 10 Best Cryptocurrencies To Invest in for 2021

hand of food delivery service man wearing protection face mask holding fresh food set paper bag to customer at door home, express delivery, new normal, virus outbreak, takeaway food delivery concept

iFresh Inc. (IFMK)

Stock price as of May 21, 2021: $1.29

If you're looking for a bit of a flyer when it comes to your grocery-related investments, iFresh might appear on your radar. iFresh was the first Chinese supermarket chain to be listed on a major U.S. exchange when it went public in 2017. The company now bills itself as the #1 Asian/Chinese supermarket chain across the East Coast.

Bear in mind that as a penny stock, purchases of iFresh Inc. stock should be considered highly speculative. The stock's trading history exemplifies this. While the company's shares are up a whopping 66% in 2021 alone, over the last five years the stock has lost 93.68% of its value, even after the 2021 pop. Be sure to talk to your financial advisor before wading into these waters.

Read: 4 Investing Lessons the Pandemic Has Taught Us

HelloFresh meal kit and ingredients

HelloFresh SE (HLFFF)

Stock price as of May 21, 2021: $91.95

HelloFresh isnt a grocer but rather a popular meal delivery service. HelloFresh customers pick meals online and have them delivered as often as weekly, complete with all necessary ingredients and recipe cards. After a rough 2018, in which the stock lost 57.85%, HelloFresh has been on an absolute tear, outpacing many of the big-name tech stocks that garner all the headlines on the financial news networks. In 2019, the stock bounced back a whopping 196.50%, but even that was dwarfed by the companys 289.12% gain in 2020. That momentum has continued, with the stock up 12.96% thus far in 2021. If youre a believer in the long-term viability of packaged meal delivery services, HelloFresh should continue to benefit.

Investing for Beginners: What First-Time Investors Need To Know

HDR image, Dollar General discount retailer store entrance - Revere, Massachusetts USA - November 23, 2017.

Dollar General Corp. (DG)

Stock price as of May 21, 2021: $205.17

Dollar General bills itself "America's neighborhood general store," and it's an apt moniker, with more than 17,000 stores in 46 states. In addition to more general items, such as cleaning supplies, housewares, seasonal items and paper products, Dollar General also sells food and snacks. While not a grocery store per se, food items make up an important part of Dollar General's product line. Yet, an investment in Dollar General offers access to general retail trends in addition to grocery sales. The company pays a modest dividend of 0.82% and analysts see the stock rising about 12% over the next year.

Discover: Ways Investing Will Change in the Next 25 Years

Dollar Tree store

Dollar Tree, Inc. (DLTR)

Stock price as of May 21, 2021: $108.58

Dollar Tree and Dollar General have some similarities and are major competitors in the "dollar store" industry. One of the main differences between the two companies is that Dollar Tree is a true "dollar store," with almost all merchandise for one dollar or less, whereas Dollar General is more of a general store offering discounted prices. Analysts see similar gains for the two companies over the next 12 months -- 12% for Dollar General vs. about 10% for Dollar Tree -- but which one you choose might depend on the type of investor you are. Dollar General has greatly outperformed Dollar Tree over the past five years, at 151.32% vs. 41.23%. Whether you think Dollar General has simply gotten ahead of itself or that Dollar General is simply the better-run company will determine which stock is the better option for you.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Put These 10 Companies in Your Investment Shopping Cart
The ongoing debate over police reform in Kansas City is Wednesdays topic for 4Star Politics, a joint digital production of The Kansas City Star and WDAF/Fox 4 Kansas City.

Mayor Quinton Lucas, who proposed reallocation of tax money within the police department budget, is a guest. So is City Councilwoman Teresa Loar, who opposed the Lucas proposals, along with her Northland colleagues.

Hosts Dave Helling and John Holt discuss the proposals, and the next steps for both sides. This week the state-appointed Board of Police Commissioners began taking steps that could lead to lawsuits involving the change.

Lucas and eight colleagues voted to redirect more than $42 million from the police budget into other programs, which would be run by the police department under contract. Critics claim Lucas wants to defund the police.

From The Kansas City Star and FOX4
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., on Tuesday called for social media companies to stop censoring Palestinian political speech on their platforms.

The congresswoman cited a report released last week by 7amleh, a nonprofit that focuses on Palestinians digital rights, highlighting more than 500 reports of censorship of Palestinian political speech during this months conflict between Israel and Hamas.

This included the deletion of posts and accounts, restriction of distribution of content and the hiding of hashtags on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. She added that her inbox was filled with reports of similar takedowns of accounts highlighting violence against Palestinian people.

I write with urgent concern regarding reports of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok censoring content and disabling user accounts on your respective platforms that are raising awareness about recent Israeli state-backed violence on the Palestinian people, Tlaib wrote in a letter addressed to the parent companies of the social media platforms and published on her website and Twitter feed.

It is not enough to continue to blame technical errors and automated systems and algorithms, she added.

Tlaib also pointed to a New York Times report describing extremist Israeli groups using Facebook-owned WhatsApp to coordinate violent mob attacks on Palestinians as an illustration of a disturbing double-standard.

I cannot understand how Facebook can justify censoring peaceful Palestinian voices while providing an organizing platform for extremist hate, she said.

Tech companies have been closely watched for how they have moderated their platforms during the conflict, much of which has spilled over into social media and messaging apps. That has made the companies targets of growing political pressure, a dynamic that has also played out in other conflicts including unrest in India.

The situation in Israel has been particularly sensitive. In early 2020, delegates from the Israeli government traveled to Facebooks California headquarters to discuss the adoption of a definition of antisemitism that treats criticism of Israel and Zionism, a political ideology, the same as racism toward Jewish people.

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According to documents outlining Facebooks content policies leaked to The Intercept earlier this month, the company appears to equate the word Zionist with Jew in some contexts  a policy Tlaib described as false and dangerous.

Facebook spokesperson Claire Lerner told The Intercept that critical discussion of Zionists was permitted but not when the word was being used as a proxy for Jews or Israelis.

Tlaibs letter includes questions seeking clarification from the companies about the role of human moderators versus automated systems and the level of subject-matter expertise included in content moderation teams.

The social media companies have also faced criticism from disinformation experts for allowing misinformation about violence between Israelis and Palestinians to flourish and inflame an already tense situation.

Defending and respecting the voices of the people who use Twitter is one of our core values, Twitter spokesperson Elizabeth Busby said in a statement. We take the concerns raised seriously and work to be transparent in how we enforce our rules. If we take enforcement action in error, we work expeditiously to reverse and/or restore access to affected accounts.

Busby added that Twitter intended to respond to the Tlaib.

Facebook spokesperson Andy Stone acknowledged that there had been several issues affecting peoples ability to share on its apps, including an error that temporarily blocked content from being viewed on the Al Aqsa mosque hashtag page and a glitch that affected Stories.

While these have been fixed, they should never have happened in the first place, he said. Were so sorry to everyone who felt they couldnt bring attention to important events, or who felt this was a deliberate suppression of their voice. This was never our intention - nor do we ever want to silence a particular community or point of view.

He added that Facebook has a dedicated team including Arabic and Hebrew speakers closely monitoring the situation on the ground and making sure were removing harmful content while addressing any enforcement errors as quickly as possible.

TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
New York prosecutors have convened a grand jury to consider whether to indict former President Trump and Trump Organization executives as part of a criminal investigation into the company, the Washington Post first reported Tuesday.

Why it matters: The reported development signals an escalation in the two-year investigations into the Trump Organization's finances by the Manhattan district attorney's office and the New York attorney general's office, which last week announced a joint criminal probe into the former president and his company.

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Driving the news: The investigations are looking into potential bank, tax and insurance fraud. Trump denies any wrongdoing.

They include "scrutiny of Trumps relationship with his lenders; a land donation he made to qualify for an income tax deduction; and tax write-offs his company claimed on millions of dollars in consulting fees it paid," AP reports.

The recently convened jury will gather three days a week for six months, according to WashPost.

The group is expected to hear several other matters during this time, according to the Post and AP.

What they're saying: Trump said in an emailed statement that the joint New York investigations were "purely political."

"This is a continuation of the greatest Witch Hunt in American history," he added.

"New York City and State are suffering the highest crime rates in their history, and instead of going after murderers, drug dealers, human traffickers, and others, they come after Donald Trump."

Representatives for New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance declined to comment on the matter.

Go deeper: Donald Trump's legal troubles become criminal

Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Trump.

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A rideshare driver and one of his passengers were injured Tuesday afternoon when someone opened fire on his green Honda Pilot in west Miami-Dade, police said.

One of the passengers returned fire before the shooter or shooters took off in a light colored sedan.

The shooting happened at about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday in the 800 block of Northwest 104th Street.

According to police, the driver, whom police did not identify, was transporting passengers when the sedan approached. A passenger, who also was not identified, pulled a gun out and returned fire.

The passenger and driver were injured in the exchange of gunfire, police said.

After being shot, the driver got out of the car. Another passenger then got in the drivers seat and took the injured passenger to Jackson Memorial Hospitals Ryder Trauma Center. The passenger was in stable condition.

The driver was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospitals Emergency Room by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. He was also listed in stable condition.

Police say the driver of the sedan took off before officers arrived.

Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).
A massive whale washed up on a Southern California beach and was hauled off Saturday  but not before beachgoers got a whiff of the rotting carcass..

The adult female fin whale was found dead Wednesday evening, washed up on Bolsa Chica State Beach in Orange County and was taken to a landfill Saturday, California State Parks representative Kevin Pearsall told McClatchy News.

It took four hours for workers to cut apart and remove the whale from the beach and the entire process was finished by noon, according to Pearsall. It was a gruesome and not a pleasant sight, he said.

The whale measured around 68 feet, public affairs officer Michael Milstein for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told McClatchy News.

The whale had been dead for around 10 days and sitting on the beach for three days, according to Pearsall.

It was a very strong odor the entire visit to the beach, he said.

The Associated Press reported that the Orange County Health Care Agency said the whale posed a health hazard and the beach was shut down Friday  but Pearsall said that never happened.

We never closed the beach, he said. There was no reason to. We deal with dolphins and whales on a regular basis and we did restrict people immediately around the whale and had a barrier set up around it the three days it was on the beach.

The fin whale is the second-largest whale after the blue whale species and can grow up to 75 to 85 feet long, according to the NOAA.

The fin whale is endangered and vessel strikes are one of the biggest threats to the mammals, according to the NOAA. There are around 3,200 fin whales off the coast of California, Oregon and Washington.

Krysta Higuchi, public relations manager of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, said the whale is believed to be an adult female whale that was killed along with her calf by an Australian Royal Navy vessel off the San Diego coast and spotted earlier in May, the Los Angeles Times reported.

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Experts also expressed concern that the dead whale could attract sharks on the beach.

Theres always a concern when you have a dead marine mammal, said Cal State Long Beach Shark Lab director Chris Lowe, The Orange County Register reported. That, for a white shark, is a good meal.

But because the whale had already been decomposing for a while, Pearsall said there was no need to be worried about sharks.

When theyre more freshly dead, their oils are released from their bodies and that will attract sharks and other predators, he said. We had no concern on additional activity because the carcass had already been there such a large amount of time.
County sheriffs spokesman said there are multiple fatalities and injuries in a shooting at a rail yard and that the suspect is dead. (KGO-TV/ABC7 via AP)

Eight people were killed when a gunman opened fire at a light rail facility on Wednesday in San Jose, California, according to police. The suspected gunman, an employee at the facility, is also dead, according to officials.

The shooting occurred during a union meeting at a California light rail yard around 6.30am local time. Santa Clara Sheriffs deputy Russell Davis was initially short on details about the shooting, telling reporters that there were multiple fatalities and multiple injuries.

Mr Davis confirmed the shooter was no longer a threat but did not specify a cause of death for the suspect, though reports are that he took his own life. He has since been named by local media, but officials are declining to officially identify him.

A nearby house fire that occurred at approximately the same time is being investigated, the FBI is on-site, and the bomb squad has been activated at both locations.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is in charge of the maintenance facility, which services rail, bus, and shuttle transportation. Rail service was suspended at noon local time.
A screenshot of Google's doodle honoring the Savoy Ballroom and swing dance.

Google wants you to break out your dancing shoes  or in this case. fingers.

The tech giant's latest doodle available through its main search page celebrates the Savoy Ballroom and swing dancing with a rhythm game where players tap keys to the beat of popular songs from the swing era.

The game shows two characters dancing, along with letters representing keys on the keyboard. In its first level, a musical note bounces around to the tune of "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off" by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

As the note nears each letter, it pulses to signal users to tap the right key to the beat.

According to a biography posted by Google, the Savoy Ballroom was open in New York City's Harlem neighborhood between the 1920s and 1950s. When it opened in 1926, it became one of the first racially integrated public spaces in the United States.

The ballroom hosted iconic jazz musicians including Fitzgerald and Count Basie. It also was the birthplace of the Lindy Hop.

iOS 15: What we know about next software update for iPhones

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Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Savoy Ballroom: Google Doodle game pays tribute to swing dancing
Schools across Florida are winding up their semesters, some as early as this week. Hillsborough County held its first high school graduations on Tuesday, while today marks the final day of classes for students in Pasco County. The arrival of summer break means changes in those controversial mask rules for many, while a larger than usual number of students have been encouraged to stick around for some catch-up work. Read on for the latest on these stories and other Florida education news.

Masks are becoming optional after a year of required use. The Hernando County school district is the latest to sunset its mask requirement for summer.  The Duval County school district wont mandate masks for the fall semester, when it also will end live-remote instruction, the Florida Times-Union reports.  Some Orange County residents want their district to end mask requirements immediately, WESH reports.  The Manatee County School Board plans to hold a final vote on its mask policy one day after classes end, the Bradenton Herald reports.  Indian River Countys mask-optional policy takes effect June 1, TC Palm reports.

Many students struggled with remote learning this past year. The Broward County school district has made its summer school program ten times larger to reach the children who received at least one F during the most recent grading period, the Miami Herald reports. Students of color, and those still learning English, appear to have fallen behind the most.  Districts across northwest Florida also are boosting their summer programs, WEAR reports.

Hot topics

Race and diversity: Gov. Ron DeSantis has railed against the use of critical race theory in Florida schools, the Orlando Sentinel reports.  Santa Rosa Countys superintendent said its not being offered in her district schools, regardless of the rhetoric, WEAR reports.  The debate over race relations is headed to the Palm Beach County School Board, which has faced criticism over its new equity statement, WPTV reports.

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Dress code: St. Johns County parents and students have been demanding dress code reforms, contending the current version is sexist. The School Board is considering amendments to make the rules more equitable for girls and boys, WJXT reports. More from the St. Augustine Record.  The Bay County school district also is considering dress code revisions, WMBB reports.

Renaming schools: Duval County superintendent Diana Greene recommended renaming six schools that currently recognize Confederate soldiers. Her proposals align with community sentiment, the Florida Times-Union reports.

Gender policies: Lee County school district officials have recommended getting rid of controversial posters detailing LGBTQ student rights, WINK reports.

Stimulus funds: Florida colleges are receiving millions of dollars from the federal assistance plan. At Palm Beach State College, half the money will go directly to students, the Palm Beach Post reports.

Other school news

The IDEA charter school organization has plans to expand into Florida. Its facing some big problems in Texas, where it ousted two top leaders amid financial scandal, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Floridians are preparing referendums for the 2022 ballot. One would move the state back to an elected education commissioner, the News Service of Florida reports.

Who doesnt love a good senior prank? At one Volusia County high school, the effort involved glitter, red Solo cups, plastic wrap and a goat, WKMG reports.

Change starts at the top. Alachua Countys new superintendent is preparing an overhaul of the district leadership team, the Gainesville Sun reports.  Indian River Countys new superintendent won approval for his proposed administrative reorganization, TC Palm reports.

Manatee County needs a new school board member. Scott Hopes will resign after being named permanent county administrator, Florida Politics reports.

Survey says ... The Sarasota County school district is asking for input on how its doing, the Herald-Tribune reports.

Dont miss a story. Heres the link to yesterdays roundup.

Before you go ... Nothing says teamwork like two bees.
Alex Wroblewski / Stringer/getty images

The four major Wall Street banks collected a combined $4 billion in overdraft fees during the pandemic.

Sen. Warren said Chase was "the star of the overdraft show," charging customers nearly $1.5 billion.

Warren asked the four banks' CEOs if they would refund the fees. All said no.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

Senator Elizabeth Warren singled out JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon during a banking committee hearing, grilling him over Chase's decision to continue collecting nearly $1.5 billion in overdraft charges from customers during the pandemic.

Joining Dimon were the CEOs of Citibank, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, which took in a combined $4 billion in fees from checking customers who had no money in their accounts during the pandemic, against the recommendations of bank regulators.

At the start of the pandemic, Warren explained, the bank regulators told financial institutions that they would not be charged a fee if their accounts at the Federal Reserve were overdrawn. The regulators also recommended the banks extend the same automatic protection to their customers.

Senator Elizabeth Warren asked the CEOs to raise their hands if they had followed that guidance.

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"I'm not seeing anyone raise a hand, and that's because none of you gave the same help to your customers that the bank regulators extended to you - help that the regulators recommended that you give," Warren said.

Instead, the four leading Wall Street banks, which handle tens of millions of retail checking accounts, charged customers a combined $4 billion in fees during the pandemic when their balances hit zero.

According to the Pew Charitable Trusts, those customers were more likely to be African American or Hispanic, or be earning less than $50,000 per year. Figures from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau show that just 8% of account holders are responsible for three-quarters of overdraft fees.

Singling out Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan, whom she called "the star of the overdraft show," Warren asked if waiving the nearly $1.5 billion it collected in overdraft fees would have put the bank into financial trouble.

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"We waived the fees every time a customer asked because of Covid," Dimon replied.

"Your profits would have been $27.6 billion," Warren said. "I did the math for you."

"Mr. Dimon, will you commit right now to refund the $1.5 billion you took from consumers during the pandemic?" she continued.

"No," he said.

The other three executives also declined Warren's request.

"Last year, when customers said they were struggling, we waived fees on over 1 million deposit accounts, including overdraft fees - no questions asked," Chase spokesperson Amy Bonitatibus said in a statement to Insider.

A previous study found Chase charges more than average for overdraft fees, generating more than $35 per account, compared with Citi, which charges less than $5 per account, according to Aaron Klein, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

"Overdraft is an expensive fee they charge only on those people who run out of money that goes straight to short-term profits," Klein told the New York Times in April.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Jennifer Hiller and Svea Herbst-Bayliss

(Reuters) - A tiny hedge fund dealt a major blow to Exxon Mobil Corp on Wednesday, unseating at least two board members in a bid to force the company's leadership to reckon with the risk of failing to adjust its business strategy to match global efforts to combat climate change.

The success by hedge fund Engine No. 1 in its showdown with Exxon shocked an energy industry struggling to address growing investor concerns about global warming. It happened on the same day activists scored a big win against another oil major, Royal Dutch Shell - a Dutch court ordered the company to drastically deepen pledged cuts to greenhouse gas emissions.

Eight of Exxon's nominees including CEO Darren Woods were re-elected to its 12-member board of directors, along with two of Engine No. 1's nominees, the company said. The counting is not finished, so Engine No. 1 could potentially see three of its four nominees join the Exxon board.

The result will add to pressure on Woods, who campaigned to convince shareholders to shoot down the board challenge and argued the company was already advancing low carbon projects and improving profits.

"Today, we heard shareholders communicate a desire for ExxonMobil to further these efforts," Woods said in a statement. "We're well positioned to do that."

Under Woods, Exxon incurred a $22 billion loss last year as COVID-19 pandemic destroyed fuel demand worldwide. Exxon has lagged other oil majors in its response to climate change concerns, forecasting many more years of oil and gas demand growth and doubling down on spending to boost its output - in contrast to global rivals that have scaled back fossil fuel investments.

"It's a huge deal. It shows not just that there is more seriousness apparent in the thinking among investors about climate change, it's a rebuff of the whole attitude of the Exxon board," said Ric Marshall, executive director of ESG Research at MSCI.

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The dissident shareholder group led by Engine No. 1 put up a slate of four nominees in the first big boardroom contest at an oil major that makes climate change the central issue. The fund's stake in Exxon - an energy behemoth with a market value of close to $250 billion - is worth just $50 million.

NEW DIRECTION

The two Engine No. 1 nominees elected were Gregory Goff, a 64-year-old former top executive at Marathon Petroleum and Andeavor, and former Neste Oyj executive Kaisa Hietala.

"We welcome the new directors, Gregory Goff and Kaisa Hietala, to the board and look forward to working with them constructively and collectively on behalf of all shareholders," CEO Woods said at the end of Exxon's shareholder meeting.

Vote counting to determine the final two seats was continuing. That left the re-election of directors Steven Kandarian, Douglas Oberhelman, Samuel Palmisano and Wan Zulkiflee up in the air. Alexander Karsner, one of Engine No. 1's nominees, was still in the running, Exxon said.

Governments and companies have moved to reduce emissions from fossil fuels that are warming the planet by investing in wind and solar energy. Investors led by Engine No. 1 have said Woods needed to make big changes to ensure Exxon's future value to investors.

The fund successfully rallied support from institutional investors and shareholder advisory firms upset with Irving, Texas-based Exxon for its weak financial performance in recent years. Among those were BlackRock Inc, Exxon's second-largest shareholder, who agreed to vote for three members of Engine No. 1's slate.

BlackRock said the three bring "fresh perspectives and relevant transformative energy experience" that would help Exxon evaluate "the risks and opportunities presented by the energy transition," according to a note posted on its website.

Exxon shares rose 1.2% to $58.94 on the day. The stock has lagged its peers over the last five years.

Woods had argued that Exxon's board understood the company's complexity and that Exxon supports a path toward carbon reductions in the Paris accord, the international agreement aimed at combating climate change.

However, in another signal of investor dissatisfaction with the company's approach to climate change, shareholders also approved measures calling on Exxon to provide more information on its climate and grassroots lobbying efforts.

"Exxon Mobil shareholders chose real action to address the climate crisis over business as usual in the fossil fuel industry," said New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who in April said the state's pension fund backed Engine No. 1.

DiNapoli said that for years, investors have "received platitudes and gaslighting in response" from Exxon in response to concerns about the climate crisis.

Exxon had fought to keep climate activists at bay, spending tens of millions of dollars on a high-profile PR campaign, agreeing to publish more details of its emissions and coming out in support of carbon reduction. Activists said it was too little, too late, and that Exxon needs a less reactive strategy.

"We are sending new board members, seasoned in managing change in the fossil fuel industry, to help put the company back on track," DiNapoli said.

(Graphic: Exxon returns lag global peers: https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/ce/xegpbddwxpq/Pasted%20image%201621953583853.png)

(Reporting by Jennifer Hiller in Houston and Svea Herbst-Bayliss in Boston; additional reporting by Gary McWilliams and Ross Kerber; writing by David Gaffen; editing by Will Dunham and Grant McCool)
State regulators working behind closed doors with three prominent Kansas agriculture organizations drafted new rules allowing confined animal operators to boost their concentration of hogs without triggering laws mandating greater distances from surface water or nearby homes, churches and schools.

The recommended policy stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the Sierra Club and a subsequent 2019 court decision that went against the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and prominent hog farmer Terry Nelson. The Sierra Club successfully challenged KDHEs decision to help Nelson evade environmental setback provisions in Phillips and Norton counties in northwest Kansas.

Nelsons strategy, embraced by the Kansas Livestock Association, was to maneuver around barriers established in Kansas to preserve quality of life in rural communities amid concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs. The idea was to divide an industrial-sized Nelson hog facility into limited-liability companies, secure separate operating permits from the state and raise more hogs on that site without having to move further away from protected surface water.

That attempt to exploit a potential loophole was rejected by the district court. But new regulations proposed by KDHE appear designed to appease a livestock industry intent working around restraints on CAFOs.

A Kansas Open Records Act request revealed KDHE privately negotiated from March to May 2020 with representatives of the Kansas Livestock Association, Kansas Pork Association and Kansas Farm Bureau to reach agreement on rule-and-regulation adjustments useful to the livestock industry but of questionable benefit to anyone else.

At no time during that period, according to KDHE emails and statements by agency officials, did KDHE seek broad public input or specific comment from the Sierra Club. Emails show KDHE officials relied on Aaron Popelka, an attorney with KLA; Tim Stroda, president of the pork association; and John Donley, an attorney representing Farm Bureau, to massage the CAFO regulations.

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After KLAs review and discussing the draft with KPA and KFB, Popelka said early in that process in an email to KDHE administrators, we are collectively disappointed with the draft and would like to set up a joint meeting this week to discuss.

Craig Volland, who works with the state chapter of the Sierra Club on confined-animal policy, said proposed CAFO regulatory changes would be inconsistent with state law conceived to protect public health and the water supply.

Instead of accommodating the interests of the livestock industry, KDHE should be doing its job, which is to protect the health and water resources of rural Kansas, Volland said.

He said the economic impact statement filed by KDHE touched on benefits to the livestock industry of the CAFO adjustments. Not addressed in that document, he said, were potential adverse impacts, including lower property values suffered by neighbors of expanded animal feeding operations.

It challenges logic for KDHE to interpret two adjacent hog buildings as something other than one concentration of animals that ought to be subject to the larger setbacks, Volland said.

KDHEs reform proposals stray from CAFO regulations in Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma and Colorado, Volland said. Regulation of CAFOs produced recent controversy in Missouri, where regulators eased water quality restrictions.

The proposed rules could lower the quality of life in rural Kansas. The governor should halt these proceedings and order an independent review of the possible impacts, Volland said.

KDHE scheduled a telephone conference call at 10 a.m. Wednesday to gather public testimony on amending CAFO regulations in Kansas. A notice of the hearing was posted to the Kansas Register two months ago. Its not clear why KDHE waited until the final day of the 2021 legislative session to put it before the public.

KDHE definitions

Matthew Steele, chief of the livestock waste management section of KDHE, offered a 20,000-foot summary of the CAFO recommendations May 5 during a brief meeting of a joint committee of the state House and Senate. Only one member of that panel, Sen. Ethan Corson, D-Prairie Village, bothered to ask questions of Steele regarding the legal and regulatory controversy about CAFOs.

Steele confirmed for legislators KDHE didnt reach beyond livestock industry organizations when developing the new regulations. He said the goal was to redefine separate and single in relation to permits for animal feeding operations.

The clarification in this definition does not impact the permitting requirements, Steele said.

Volland said the proposed change to regulations wouldnt alter separation distances, but he considered Steeles comment disingenuous. Volland said what KDHE did propose would change how animals were accounted for under each permit and could result in application of less-stringent separation distances despite presence of more animals.

Kansas law mandates a facility with a capacity up to 3,724 animal units to be 4,000 feet from a home, school, church, medical facility or other places where people congregate. Likewise, a confined hog facility with up to 3,724 animal units must be at least 250 feet from surface water. Larger animal headcounts would raise separation distances by 1,000 feet for habitable structures and by 250 feet for water surfaces. Regulations are based on animal units, which takes into account the size of animals and volume of manure produced.

The pending KDHE regulation could open a door to farmers who wanted to subdivide CAFO operations to qualify for permits tied to smaller animal capacities. If these smaller entities had separate waste management systems, under the proposed rules, the overall result could be a higher number of animals confined on that same acreage.

During the brief legislative hearing on administrative policy issues at the Capitol, a KDHE attorney affirmed the proposed CAFO regulations were an outgrowth of the Sierra Club lawsuit.

Kristi Zears, spokeswoman for KDHE, said the recommendation to amend CAFO regulations wasnt in conflict with the Legislatures belief large numbers of animals clustered together, including thousands of hogs confined in side-by-side barns, required setbacks to water and neighbors.

The Legislature did not limit the number of farmers in a given area, Zears said. The intent of the Legislature was that larger facilities have larger setback distances and that smaller facilities have smaller setback distances. These clarifying regulations fit well within that intent. The upcoming regulations do not represent a shift in policy or priorities.

Nelsons powerplay

CAFO issues percolated to the surface in Kansas after a 2017 fire destroyed several of Nelsons hog barns and killed 9,000 pigs. Nelson sought to rebuild a Husky Hogs breeding facility near Prairie Dog Creek, but sought to add capacity.

Nelson worked with KLA to devise a plan to divide the property so more hogs could potentially be raised there. Nelson moved to keep half the Husky Hogs property and hand the other half of the complex renamed Prairie Dog Pork to his daughter-in-law, Julia Nelson. KDHE agreed, but required the two entities to have separate waste management systems. The total number of hogs allowed at the side-by-side operation was set at 6,154 animal units, the Sierra Club said.

The process was relied upon at a separate Nelson farm site to dodge a 5,000-foot setback due to presence of a neighbors habitable structure. Terry Nelson built adjacent operations called Stillwater Swine, owned by Terry Nelson, and Rolling Hills Pork, owned by his son, Clarke, and Julia Nelson. Both sides of the facility had a capacity of 3,724 animal units each, which qualified the location for a 4,000-foot setback that avoided the structure.

The Sierra Club filed a lawsuit in 2018 that argued KDHE was complicit with Terry Nelson in a legal fiction designed to thwart protection of water and rural communities from large hog confinement operations. In 2019, a Shawnee County District Court judge reversed KDHEs issuance of permits for these Nelson properties. The judge decided there couldnt be a contiguous ownership boundary between the CAFO facilities to be declared separate and he also noted a key consideration was the concentration of animals in a single location.

The judge called KDHEs actions unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious and ordered the issue returned to KDHE for further review. Terry Nelson filed an appeal with the Kansas Court of Appeals.

In March, KDHE posted a notice of proposed modification to the four challenged permits. The agency is seeking, according to the Sierra Club, to work around the contiguous ownership boundary problem at the Nelson properties by inserting a five- or 10-foot sliver of land between the halves that would be owned by a third party, Nelson Farms Inc.

KDHE should either deny these new applications or place these proceedings on hold pending a decision by the Court of Appeals, Volland said.

In 2018, KDHE fined Terry Nelsons hog business about $150,000 for ignoring cease-and-desist orders to halt construction of hog facilities in Phillips and Norton counties because he lacked necessary state permits. Consent agreements later signed by representatives of the Nelson familys hog operations, based in Long Island, Kansas, reduced the penalty to $34,000.

This story was produced by the Kansas Reflector, a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization covering state government, politics and policy.
The 12-member Cleveland jury somehow reviewed copies of legal briefs from Tevin Biles-Thomas lawyers and prosecutors.

The judge in the case against Tevin Biles-Thomas, the brother of gymnastics superstar Simone Biles, declared a mistrial Monday after jurors read legal paperwork included in evidence they were asked to review.

The 12-member jury received copies of legal briefs from Biles-Thomas lawyers and Cleveland, Ohio prosecutors in which they argued over whether or not the U.S. Army soldier may have acted in self-defense on New Years Eve in 2018, the night that he allegedly shot three men.

The Cleveland judge trying the case of Tevin Biles-Thomas (left), the brother of gymnastics superstar Simone Biles (right), declared a mistrial Monday after jurors read legal paperwork included in evidence they were asked to review. (Twitter)

It has not been disclosed how the paperwork ended up in the evidence.

Biles-Thomas was arrested in Georgia at Fort Stewart eight months after a Dec. 31, 2018 shooting during a party at an Airbnb in Cleveland where Delvante Johnson, 19, Toshaun Banks, 21, and Devaughn Gibson, 23, were all fatally injured.

Read More: Grand jury convened to consider possible charges in Trump criminal probe

Biles-Thomas was charged with six counts of murder, three counts of voluntary manslaughter, five counts of felonious assault and one count of perjury, according to prosecutors. The jurors, on Monday, the day of their admission, were on their third day of deliberations.

In a previous report from theGrio, it is noted that Biles-Thomas, his famous sister and their two other siblings spent their early childhood between foster homes and the home of their mother, who struggled with drug addiction. When she was six, Simone Biles and her younger sister were adopted by their maternal grandfather, Ron, and his wife, Nellie. Biles-Thomas and their other sibling were adopted by Rons sister, according to a Texas Monthly profile on Biles.

Read More: Color of Change, Innocence Project call for Texas to posthumously pardon George Floyd

Biles released a statement in 2019 about the shooting, in which she wrote: My heart aches for everyone involved, especially for the victims and their families. There is nothing that I can say that will heal anyones pain, but I do want to express my sincere condolences to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy. I ask everyone to please respect my familys privacy as we deal with our pain.

Story continues

Biles-Thomas will face a new jury in a new trial, the date of which has not yet been set.

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The post Simone Biles brother to receive new trial after mistrial declared in murder case appeared first on TheGrio.
People seen along Orchard Road shopping belt on 25 May 2021, amid Singapore's Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) period. (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore)

SINGAPORE  The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Wednesday (26 May) confirmed 26 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore, taking the country's total case count to 61,916.

Of them, 24 are local cases: 23 are in the community and one resides in a migrant worker dormitory. Twenty-one of them are linked to past cases, of whom 14 have already been quarantined.

Two remaining cases are imported: a foreign domestic worker who arrived from Indonesia and a short-term visit pass holder who arrived from the United Arab Emirates to visit his Singaporean family member.

Wednesday marks the 31st consecutive day with local cases reported. "Amongst the new cases today, six are asymptomatic, and were detected from our proactive screening and surveillance, while 20 were symptomatic," said the MOH.

The ministry also identified two new COVID-19 clusters, bringing the total number of active clusters in Singapore to 34.

The sole dorm case is the fifth infection linked to the Harvest @ Woodlands dorm cluster and was placed on quarantine on 22 May. He is a 22-year-old male India national who works as a general worker at H&W Communications and the roommate of the first case linked to the cluster.

The three unlinked cases in the community are:

a 58-year-old Singaporean woman who works at Chevys Bar and Bistro (received first dose of vaccine)

a 38-year-old Malaysian man who works at Rong Chang F&B Services

a 24-year-old Malaysia man who works at McDonalds (The Woodgrove)

Separately, there are four cases linked to other infections but are not part of any active clusters yet, including a 52-year-old Singaporean woman who also works at Chevys Bar and Bistro as a server.

The three remaining linked contacts are family members and household or workplace contacts of previously reported cases:

a 64-year-old Singaporean woman who is a homemaker (already quarantined)

a 20-year-old Singaporean woman who is a National University of Singapore student, and works part-time at Poke Theory

a 38-year-old Singaporean permanent resident who works at Tektronix Southeast Asia

The MOH noted that the number of new cases in the community has decreased from 187 in the week before to 165 in the past week. The number of unlinked cases in the community has also decreased from 40 in the week before to 30 in the past week.

Story continues

Several new places have also been added to the list of public venues visited by infectious community cases, including Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium Complex, a FairPrice Finest outlet at Le Quest Mall, Eccellente by HAO Mart at KINEX and a McDonalds outlet at Woodgrove.

In a separate press release, the ministry announced that from 11.59pm on 29 May, the pre-departure testing requirement will be extended to all Singapore residents. This means Singaporeans and PRs entering or transiting through Singapore, except for those who have stayed in lower-risk countries or regions throughout the last 21 days before departure for Singapore, will need to present a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure for Singapore.

Two new clusters, 34 in total

Hong Ye Group cleaners cluster, 3 in total: The first case linked to the cluster is a 31-year-old Singaporean man who is employed by the company as a cleaner at Changi Business Park and was confirmed to have COVID-19 on 19 May. His colleague, a 25-year-old Singaporean woman, is the third and latest case to be added to the cluster. She had been placed on quarantine on 22 May.

"Case 63708" cluster, 3 in total: The cluster is named after a 15-year-old Singaporean boy who is a Westwood Secondary School student and was confirmed to have COVID-19 on 24 May. The third and latest case to be added to the cluster is a 74-year-old Malaysian man who is a retiree. The family member and household contact of a case in the cluster was placed on quarantine on 25 May. He had received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on 19 March.

Jem/Westgate cluster: 7 new cases, 60 in total

At 60 cases, it is the second-largest out of 34 active clusters, after Changi Airport's 108-case cluster.

On Monday, three clusters were subsumed into the Jem/Westgate cluster. Authorities have also identified a potential source of transmission for the JEM/Westgate cluster: a 53-year-old Singaporean woman who works as a cleaner at Park Avenue Rochester, a stay-home-notice dedicated facility.

Four of the seven new cases added on Wednesday had been quarantined earlier and are family members or household contacts, or both, of previous cases in the cluster:

a 6-year-old Singaporean girl who is a Concord Primary School student

an 11-year-old Singaporean boy who is a Concord Primary School student

a 29-year-old Singaporean man who works as a technician at Singapore Refining Company

an 18-year-old Singaporean boy who is an ITE College West student

The remaining three either travel frequently to Jem for work or had visited the shopping mall:

a 67-year-old Singaporean man who works as a delivery driver for DCH Auriga (Singapore) (tested preliminarily positive for the India variant, or B1617; fully vaccinated)

a 28-year-old Singaporean woman who works as a hairdresser at Kimage Hair Salon (Lot 1) (visited Jem on 9 May)

a 30-year-old female PR who works as a pastor at Grace Assembly Church. (visited Jem on 11 May)

Learning Point cluster: 1 new case, 32 in total

The cluster was first linked to a 50-year-old Singaporean woman who works as a tutor at Learning Point at Parkway Centre and was confirmed to have COVID-19 on 12 May.

The new addition, who had been quarantined on 23 May, is a 35-year-old Thai woman who works as a staff at Santai Cafe at United World College. She is a family member and household contact of a case in the cluster.

McDonalds delivery riders cluster: 2 new cases, 15 in total

The cluster was first linked to a 27-year-old Malaysian man who works as a delivery rider for IVIC Logistic and McDonalds (Bedok Reservoir). He was confirmed to have COVID-19 on 20 May. Four cases in the cluster work at a Pizza Hut outlet at Punggol Plaza.

The two new cases are:

a 41-year-old female PR who works as a receptionist at Wanderloft Hostel, and a part-time waitress at Collins (Nex) (quarantined earlier)

a 58-year-old Singaporean woman who works as a kitchen staff and service crew at McDonalds (Pasir Ris Elias Community Club) (received first dose of vaccine)

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Changi Prison Complex cluster: 1 new case, 12 in total

The cluster at the prison was first linked to a 39-year-old male China national who is a chef at its complex. The fully-vaccinated man was confirmed to have COVID-19 on 13 May.

The latest addition, a 49-year-old Singaporean man who is a prison inmate there, brings the total number of inmates in the cluster to nine. The man had tested negative for COVID-19 in five prior tests.

'Case 63236' cluster: 1 new case, 8 in total

The cluster is named after the case number of a 53-year-old Singaporean man who works as a personal chauffeur and confirmed to have COVID-19 on 14 May. The man also tested preliminarily positive for the India variant, or B.1.617.

The latest addition to the cluster is a family member and household contact of two cases: a 31-year-old man from Hong Kong who works as a senior executive at Endowus and was placed on quarantine on 14 May.

MBS casino dealers cluster: 1 new case, 7 in total

The cluster at the casino was first linked to a 36-year-old Malaysian man who works as a dealer there and was confirmed to have COVID-19 on 16 May. One of the cases in the cluster, one of two infections who are not working at the casino, had tested preliminarily positive for the India variant, or B.1.617.

The latest case to be added to the cluster is the fifth employee at the casino: a 36-year-old Malaysian man who works as a dealer there and had been quarantined earlier.

'Case 63515' cluster: 1 new case, 4 in total

The cluster was named after the case number of a 34-year-old Singaporean man who works as a technician at Singapore Refining Company. The latest case linked to the cluster is a two-year-old Singaporean girl who is a student at My First Skool at 331 Sembawang Close. She is a family member and household contact of the man, and was placed on quarantine on 20 May.

99% of total cases have recovered, 2 in ICU

With 31 more patients discharged from hospitals or community isolation facilities on Wednesday, 61,360 cases  or 99.1 per cent of the total  have fully recovered from the infection.

Most of the 242 hospitalised cases are stable or improving, while two of them are in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

A total of 282 patients  with mild symptoms or are clinically well but still test positive  are isolated and cared for at community facilities.

Apart from the 32 patients who have died from COVID-19 complications, 15 others who tested positive for the virus were determined to have died from unrelated causes, including three whose deaths were attributed to a heart attack and another four, whose deaths were attributed to coronary heart disease.

Among the 227 confirmed cases reported from 20 to 26 May, 54 cases have tested positive for their serology tests, 138 have tested negative, and 35 serology test results are pending.

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More Singapore stories:

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COVID: Changi Airport terminals segregated in bid to curb spread of India variant

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PRAGUE (Reuters) - Slovakia gave a limited go-ahead for Russia's Sputnik V vaccine on Wednesday after a months-long debate that led to the resignation of the prime minister.

The decision puts Slovakia on course to become only the second EU member after Hungary to use the Russian vaccine, which has so far not been approved by the European Medicines Agency.

But, reflecting unease in the four-party government, Slovakia will for now only use the batch of 200,000 doses it has already imported.

"The 200,000 vaccines will be used, and more only when approved by the EMA," Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky told a news conference shown online.

Slovakia had a deal to import 2 million doses, but only a first batch has arrived.

The health ministry was instructed to make the vaccine available by June 7, Wednesday's government resolution said.

"There are still a non-negligible number of citizens who declare that they would only be vaccinated by the Sputnik V vaccine," a report accompanying the resolution said.

Slovaks were allowed to choose between Sputnik V and other vaccines, Lengvarsky said. Asked by a reporter if he would take it himself or recommended it to his acquaintances, he said: "No."

Prime Minister Igor Matovic was forced to resign after securing the initial vaccine shipment behind the backs of his coalition partners, leading to a government reshuffle.

The country's drug regulator, SUKL, declined in April to make a recommendation on using the vaccine, saying it did not have sufficient data. Slovakia then asked Hungary to provide additional testing of Slovakia's stockpile. Lengvarsky said earlier this month that the doses held in Slovakia had passed those tests.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), responsible for marketing the vaccine abroad, welcomed the decision.

"We are glad that Slovakia joins many other nations in vaccinating with Sputnik V, having verified the highest quality of the vaccine in a certified EU laboratory," Chief Executive Kirill Dmitriev said on Sputnik V's Twitter account.

So far, Slovakia has been using EU-approved vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna , AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. It has given first doses to 1.6 million people, government data showed.

(Reporting by Jan Lopatka; Editing by Catherine Evans, Peter Graff and Nick Macfie)
MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's Supreme Court opposes potential government pardons for the 12 Catalan separatist leaders convicted for their role in the region's failed independence bid in 2017, it said in a non-binding report on Tuesday.

The government had to hear the opinion of Spain's top court before taking its own final decision, which it is expected to announce over the summer.

The report comes at a time when Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has hinted he is considering to issue a pardon just as he is expected to resume talks with Catalonia's new pro-independence government on the region's political conflict.

"There is time for punishment and time for concord," Sanchez told parliament on Wednesday when asked about the potential pardons.

He declined to elaborate further as the opposition attacked his stance, saying it undermined Spain's unity.

He told reporters on Tuesday that his eventual decision would "take into account constitutional values such as harmony, dialogue and understanding".

In October 2019, the court sentenced nine Catalan separatist politicians and activists to between nine and 13 years in jail on sedition charges for organising an unauthorised referendum on independence and issuing a short-lived unilateral declaration of independence.

The three other defendants were found guilty of disobedience and not sentenced to prison.

In its report, the court considered the sentences issued were appropriate for the crimes and said that "there is not the slightest evidence or faintest hint of contrition" on behalf of the sentenced leaders for their actions.

Regret is one of the requirements for granting a pardon, which is a political decision reserved for the government.

(Reporting by Belen Carreno and Joan Faus, editing by Andrei Khalip and Angus MacSwan)
Spain's prime minister on Wednesday appeared to be gearing up to grant a pardon to Catalan separatists convicted over a failed 2017 independence bid, a risky move for his minority leftist government which is facing a resurgent right.

"There is a time for punishment and a time for harmony," Socialist Prime Minister Sanchez said during a debate in parliament where the possibility of a pardon angered right-wing lawmakers.

"This government will make its decision according to what promotes coexistence between Spaniards."

Spain's Supreme Court also weighed in, saying it was "against the granting of any form of pardon, total or partial" to 12 Catalan separatists found guilty for their role in an illegal secession referendum and a short-lived declaration of independence.

In October 2019, the Supreme Court sentenced nine of them -- seven senior politicians and two civil society leaders -- to jail terms of between nine and 13 years, while the other three were fined.

The court argued Wednesday that it had respected "the principle of proportionality" in its sentencing and saw "no evidence or indication of remorse" from the prisoners to justify any such pardon.

Among the jailed leaders is Oriol Junqueras, the president of leftist Catalan separatist party ERC.

Sanchez's minority government partially relies on the support of the ERC in the national parliament to pass legislation.

"The move is very, very risky and it could go wrong," Oriol Bartomeus, politics professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, told AFP when asked about a possible pardon.

- 'Revenge and vengeance' -

Pardoning the separatists is essential "to resolve the issue of Catalonia" and will favour "the stability of the government in parliament," he said.

But it "generates a lot of noise" and will be used by the right to "mobilise" its voters against the government, he added.

Story continues

A pardon has been discussed by the government for months but it returned to the front burner on Tuesday after Pere Aragones of the ERC was sworn in as the new head of the government of Catalonia.

Asked that day if his government would issue a pardon, Sanchez said it would take into account values like "dialogue" and "understanding" instead of "revenge and vengeance".

The leader of the main opposition conservative Popular Party (PP), Pablo Casado, retorted on Wednesday that "defending national unity is not vengeance".

He has vowed to challenge any pardon in the courts while far-right party Vox has said it will stage street protests against the move.

The debate comes as the support for the PP has surged ahead of the Socialists in opinion polls since the party scored a big win in a regional election in Madrid earlier this month.

The PP and Vox together would win an absolute majority in parliament if a general election were held now, according to a poll published Sunday in conservative daily newspaper ABC.

- Catalans want amnesty -

The possibility of a pardon was met without enthusiasm by Catalan separatists.

"Our proposal is an amnesty but... we will not oppose any measure which alleviates the pain of the prisoners," Aragones said during his first news conference as head of the Catalan government.

"We expect a fair solution and as soon as possible," added Aragones whose ERC governs in coalition with the more hardline Together for Catalonia (JxC) party which headed the previous Catalan government.

Unlike a pardon, an amnesty would also affect Catalan leaders who fled Spain after the failed 2017 independence bid such as Carles Puigdemont, the former head of the Catalan government of the JxC.

The ERC has called for a more moderate approach than JxC to advance the cause of Catalan independence.

It backs dialogue with Spain's central government and wants Madrid's backing for an independence referendum.

Sanchez's government has rejected both the amnesty and the referendum but it agrees on the need to restart dialogue with the Catalan government.

dbh/ds/har
As repairs continue on the I-40 Hernando Desoto Bridge, two Memphis state representatives called on state and federal leaders to set a goal of building a new one in Shelby County.

Video Transcript

ALEX COLEMAN: After several days of working 24-hour shifts on the cracked section of the Interstate 40 Hernando DeSoto bridge, Tennessee Department of Transportation crews are now finished with phase one of repairing the damage.

NICHOLE LAWRENCE: We were very excited to get phase one completed when we did. Now we just continue the preparations for that phase two work.

ALEX COLEMAN: Nichole Lawrence, the community relations officer for TDOT in west Tennessee, tells WREG their engineers are still in the planning stages of designing phase two of the bridge repairs.

NICHOLE LAWRENCE: We've got to extend the platform, so those crews are working on that platform right now. And just cleaning up that area. And our engineers are just in the process of finalizing that design for that phase two aspect.

ALEX COLEMAN: Both phases will need to be completed before traffic can reopen again. But as work continues on the bridge, two state lawmakers from Memphis say the bridge problems point to the need for better inspection.

JOE TOWNS: There were some missed opportunities, possibly six years ago, that this thing should have been discovered. OK, that gives me great cause for pause.

ALEX COLEMAN: Memphis State Representatives Joe Towns and Dwayne Thompson both serve on the House Transportation Committee. They say now is the time for Tennessee to start planning for a third bridge in Shelby County.

DWAYNE THOMPSON: Maybe have a resolution committing the state of Tennessee towards a third bridge across the Mississippi in Shelby County.

JOE TOWNS: We do know we need that bridge, and we do know, obviously, we want it in our backyard if we can help it. Because we think that also helps commerce, brings people in and out and get them in and out.

ALEX COLEMAN: For now they're calling on a comprehensive report on the I-40 damage and inspections. They also hope to have serious conversations with elected leaders from across the river in Arkansas and across the aisle in Tennessee to build a third bridge.

JOE TOWNS: This is not partisan. This is just good sense, good business sense and good safety sense for all of us. And the people, I think, all of us need to be singing off the same sheet music.

ALEX COLEMAN: Alex Coleman WREG TV News Channel Three.
More than a dozen Republican state treasurers are threatening to pull assets from large financial institutions if they agree to decarbonize their lending and investment portfolios, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The Biden administration  led by special presidential climate envoy John Kerry  has leaned on the banks to help reduce U.S. carbon emissions. That's prompted GOP lawmakers to criticize efforts to "de-bank" fossil fuel firms. The treasurers collectively control hundreds of billions worth of assets.

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Fifteen of them, led by coal-heavy West Virginia, say they're prepared to use this financial muscle to push back.

The effort includes treasurers from other states with large energy industry presences such as North Dakota, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma.

What's happening: The state officials sent a letter on Tuesday to Kerry, who's leading the administration's efforts to enlist banks in its climate policy fight.

"We intend to put banks and financial institutions on notice of our position, as we urge them not to give in to pressure from the Biden administration to refuse to lend to or invest in coal, oil and natural gas companies," the officials wrote.

In an interview with Axios, West Virginia state Treasurer Riley Moore said he was prepared to terminate contracts with banks that pull back their fossil fuel industry lending in response to administration pressure.

"Frankly, it is not fair for the people of West Virginia to allow a bank to handle our money when they're diametrically opposed to our way of life," Moore said.

What they're saying: Moore called the issue "a matter of life and death for my people."

He said coal and gas operators in his state have reported difficulties obtaining financing from banks blaming pressure from the Biden administration to try to "green" their portfolios.

"If you just cut these guys off at the knees  gas and coal in a state like West Virginia  and they can no longer conduct their business ... it is going to destroy us," Moore said. He cited the industries' heavy jobs footprint and contributions to the state's tax base.

A State Department spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Between the lines: The state officials signing the letter collectively manage more than $600 billion in assets in state treasuries, pension funds and other government accounts, according to publicly available financials and information provided by the state treasurer offices.

Those states work with large financial institutions to invest and grow those funds, to support state spending and retirement payments to former workers.

Even for sizable investment banks, such funds can be some of their largest accounts.

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LONDON (Reuters) - The work of the late British scientist Stephen Hawking - from seminal papers on theoretical physics to scripts for "The Simpsons" - and objects such as his personalised wheelchairs are to be preserved, the British government said.

Hawking, who gained international acclaim for his work on black holes, died in March 2018 aged 76 after spending a lifetime probing the origins of the universe.

He had suffered from a wasting motor neurone disease from the age of 21 which meant he was confined to a wheelchair for most of his life and forced to use an electronic voice synthesiser.

Under an "Acceptance in Lieu" agreement announced on Wednesday, his vast archive of scientific and personal papers will go to the University Library in Cambridge, where he lived, while the entire contents of his office will be passed to the Science Museum Group.

"It was really, really important to him during his lifetime that science be opened up to the widest possible number of people, and sort of be democratised and not be the preserve of the elite few," Hawking's son Tim said.

"So I think this body of work will help - hopefully inspire - the next generation to come."

Hawking shot to international fame after the 1988 publication of "A Brief History of Time", one of the most complex books ever to achieve mass appeal.

But he also gained popular recognition, appearing as himself on the television show "Star Trek: Next Generation" while his cartoon caricature appeared on "The Simpsons".

His 10,000-page archive features photos, papers and correspondence, including letters from former U.S. President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary.

"At the time, I'd known that my father had cultivated a warm relationship with the Clintons, and because of his political orientation he was always... I suppose he was much more sort of in harmony with Democrat presidents than Republicans," Tim Hawking said.

Story continues

Hawking's archive joins those of Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin at the library, just as his ashes were interred at London's Westminster Abbey between those two other giants of British science.

The contents of his office, including innovative wheelchairs, medals and memorabilia, will be preserved in the Science Museum Group Collection, with some elements going on display at the Science Museum in London in early 2022.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Janet Lawrence)
Over the past year, SpaceX founder Elon Musk has made it known that he dreams of incorporating a new city near the companys Boca Chica, Texas, launch site into a city called Starbase. While the idea of creating a space-age haven just miles from where the Rio Grande meets the Gulf of Mexico is an as-of-yet unrealized vision, a similar spaceport halfway around the worldand in the polar opposite climatemight just serve as some inspiration as the commercial space race heats up.

Near Kiruna, Sweden, north of the Arctic Circle, Esrange Space Center is taking shape thanks to revitalization efforts overseen by the publicly owned Swedish Space Corporation. With companies in the U.S. and Europe hoping to significantly increase the number of commercial satellites launched into space this decade, the Arctic space research center first handed over to Sweden by the European Space Agency in 1972 has taken on a renewed sense of purpose.

All images are courtesy of SCC

Although Americans likely picture Florida or Texas as the place to launch rockets, taking off from above the Arctic Circle has its advantages. Launching into polar orbit over the North and South poles gives satellites a more comprehensive view of Earth, while requiring less energy for a satellite to actually get into space. Thats not to mention the 2,000-square-mile landing zone a relatively remote location like Esrange has to offerespecially critical given the facilitys plans to test Europes first reusable rocket by the end of 2022.

Beyond its natural attributes, the area around Kiruna already has an infrastructural head start when it comes to space travel. The Swedes have used the site for a variety of space research projects over the years, and the countrys top scientific minds are already familiar with the area thanks to the Swedish Institute of Space Physics. The space engineering Ph.D. program at Lulea University of Technology and a specialized Space High School program in Kirun also attract the next generation of (literal) rocket scientists to the area. Thats on top of the hotel, church, and visitors center, all of which can expect to see more activity in the near future.

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There should be no shortage of interested parties on hand as Esrange ramps up its efforts to become Europes preeminent launching pad for orbital rockets. As The New York Times reports, German rocketry startups (one of which, ISAR Aerospace Technologies, secured $100 million in funding from an ex-SpaceX VP) are already on site testing out engines, and more are sure to follow once the launchpads that will carry orbital rockets beyond Earths atmosphere are completed.

Though the effort is certainly ambitious (and has elicited occasional concerns from locals who appreciate the areas vast wilderness), the Swedish Space Corporation believes Esrange is vital not just for the Scandinavian countrys ambitions but for the continent as a whole.

Europe really needs to build infrastructure to get to space, Swedish Space Corporation senior VP Stefan Gustafsson told the Times. We can provide a proper space base. Whether or not that ends up being the case should be clearer by the end of 2022. But if Swedens plan to launch commercial satellites into orbit ends up paying dividends, dont be surprised if spaceports are the next major infrastructural frontier.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
A Taiwanese court on Wednesday sentenced a man to death for killing a scooter driver in a random knife attack that has reignited debate about capital punishment.

Taiwan is one of Asia's most progressive democracies and markets itself as a regional bastion of human rights.

But it has drawn criticism from the international community and local rights groups for continuing to enforce the death penalty.

Wang Ping-hua, 24, was convicted of murdering a man riding a scooter after quarrelling with his wife over where they should eat as the couple sat in a parked car.

"Wang stabbed and killed the victim, who was a stranger, by ambushing him from behind to vent his anger," Taipei district court said in a statement.

"His motive is vicious... and his action is cold-blooded and inhuman," it added.

The court rejected Wang's argument that he was suffering from multiple personality disorders at the time of the crime and was in a "state of unconsciousness" and therefore "had no control" over himself.

Its decision will be automatically appealed to a higher court.

Polling shows the majority of Taiwanese tend to support the death penalty.

Taiwan resumed executions in 2010 after a five-year hiatus and there are currently 39 prisoners on death row.

The current administration of President Tsai Ing-wen has pledged to phase out executions but two have taken place since she was elected in 2016.

The last execution took place in April 2020. Weng Jen-hsien was shot by firing squad after being convicted of starting a fire that killed his parents and four relatives.

aw/jta/axn
While we dont often cover modern military aviation, we thought that the 60th anniversary of the Italian Air Forces famed aerobatics team, the Frecce Tricolori (Tricolor Arrows), was worthy of mention. Officially known as 313 Gruppo Addestramento Acrobatico or Pattuglia Acrobatica Nazionale (National Aerobatic Patrol), the team is marking this milestone with five unique tail marking designs, which the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force) unveiled in a video they posted on their social media channels.

Interestingly, the Frecce Tricolori were not the Aeronautica Militares first aerobatics team, as the first stirrings of such ideas began during the late 1920s at Campoformido (home of the 1st Wing) under the supervision of Col. Rino Corso Fougier, a pioneer in military formation aerobatics. In subsequent years, except during the Second World War period, many fighter wings had their own demonstration teams such as the Cavallino Rampante (Prancing Horses), Getti Tonanti (Thundering Jets), Diavoli Rossi (Red Devils), Tigri Bianche (White Tigers) and Lanceri Neri (Black Lancers). These display teams represented the Aeronautica Militare, on a rotational basis, at air shows or flyovers in Italy and overseas. However, in 1961, the Air Force General Staff decided to form a single aerobatics team, the Pattuglia Acrobatica Nazionale.

To honor these five earlier teams, the tails of five Frecce Tricolori Aermacchi MB-339PANs each received a unique livery, with crests and markings representing the Cavallino Rampante, Getti Tonanti, Tigri Bianche, Diavoli Rossi and Lancieri Neri. Mirco Pecorari from AircraftStudioDesign was responsible for creating the artwork involved.

Mirco is well know in the aircraft design industry, and in particular within the aerobatics community, having designed some of the most stunning liveries on the circuit. This project started several years ago, when I proposed to the Frecce Tricolori the idea of painting, in occasion of the 60th anniversary, each jet in the color of the five jet teams of the past, Mirco told Warbird Digest. While the idea didnt [immediately] materialize for several logistical and operational issues, the concept was well received. The outcome of that initial idea are the special tails design we see today.

The goal is to mark 11 aircraft, with 5 markings applied to 5 pairs of MB-339PANs while the eleventh aircraft will sport a special design specifically representing the Frecce Tricolori with a 60th anniversary badge. Interestingly, the Frecce Tricolori is the only team in the world flying their regular aerobatics routine with ten jets.

To achieve this beautiful new look, the artist employed special stencils and adhesive paper. Mircos team, in cooperation with the Frecce Tricolori, made several in-flight tests before they determined the most effective materials they could use to apply the markings on the aircraft, covering the existing paint, without the risk of them peeling off during high-speed flying.

On December 22, 2020, Italian aerospace giant Leonardo delivered the first two M-345 jet trainer aircraft to the Italian Air Force, a new type which the service refers to as the T-345A. As deliveries increase, these aircraft will gradually replace the present 137 Italian Air Force MB-339s, the first of which joined the service in 1982. As a result of this new fleet modernization, the T-345 will eventually become the new mount for the Frecce Tricolori. Here is hoping that this remarkable aerobatics team has at least another sixty years thrilling crowds with their magical displays.
KABUL/PESHAWAR (Reuters) - The Afghan Taliban on Wednesday warned nearby nations against allowing the United States to use their territory for operations in the country after they withdraw from Afghanistan.

As foreign forces withdraw troops by President Joe Biden's announced deadline of Sept. 11, experts and diplomats have speculated that Washington's future role in the region could include bases in nearby countries, especially Pakistan.

"If such a step is taken, then the responsibility for all the misfortunes and difficulties lies upon those who commit such mistakes," the insurgent group said in a statement, without specifying a country.

U.S. officials have privately said that they are exploring potential basing options in countries near Afghanistan, like Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, but have so far not come to an agreement with any of them.

In recent days, there has been a spate of talks between senior Pakistani and U.S. officials, including a meeting between Biden's National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and his Pakistani counterpart.

Pakistan shares a border with Afghanistan that runs along heavily contested areas of south and eastern Afghanistan where the Taliban have a large presence.

A spokesman for Pakistan's foreign office said on Monday that any speculation over U.S. use of bases in Pakistan "was baseless and irresponsible".

The U.S. embassy in Islamabad did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Fighting between the Taliban and Afghan forces has escalated sharply in Afghanistan since Washington announced its decision, a slower timeframe than envisaged in a deal former U.S. President Donald Trump's administration signed with the insurgents that said troops would withdraw by May subject to security guarantees.

Many analysts have warned that the country could descend into civil war as efforts to secure a peace deal through talks in Doha have largely stalled.

Two Taliban sources said several members of the group's political office are currently in Pakistan's capital Islamabad for talks over the ongoing negotiations, including whether to take part in a conference due to take place in Turkey that they had previously boycotted.

Pakistan has been criticised in the past for ties to the Taliban, but in recent years has been praised by Washington for helping to bring the group to the negotiating table.

(Reporting by Afghanistan and Pakistan bureaux; Editing by Giles Elgood)
Locals took to the streets to protest police efforts at the market, with authorities using tear gas to disperse an angry crowd.

Market vendors argue the informal market is there only means to make ends meet, as the local economy struggles and the pandemic continues to hit livelihoods.
Reuters/Hannah McKay

It normally takes decades for the full behind-the-scenes story of how a government messed up its response to a once-in-a-generation crisis to be shared with the public. This time, thanks to Boris Johnsons former top adviser, all it took was a few short but devastating hours.

Dominic Cummings was forced out of his job as the U.K. prime ministers chief adviser late last year after a bitter factional dispute. On Wednesday morning, when he was invited to give evidence in Parliament about the governments response to the coronavirus pandemic, he took full advantage of the opportunity to torch his incredibly long list of enemies.

The picture painted by Cummings was one of terrifying complacency at the heart of government as the coronavirus started to sweep Britain. According to the adviser, Johnson was so relaxed about the pandemic that he offered to be injected with the coronavirus on live television to show the public that it was nothing to be scared of. Weeks later, after being talked down from that absurd idea, Johnson was almost killed by the virus.

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The truth is that senior ministers, officials, advisers like me, fell disastrously short of the standards the public has a right to expect of its government in a crisis like this, Cummings said to open his evidence session. When the public needed us most, we failed. And Id like to say to all the families of those who have died unnecessarily, how sorry I am for the mistakes that were made, and my own mistakes.

Cummings, who was perhaps anticipating being dismissed as a bitter ex-employee, brought along receipts. He showed lawmakers his text messages to the prime minister from last March which showed him describing the plan to fight the imminent pandemic as terrifyingly shit. The message read: No plans, totally behind pace... We must announce today that if you feel ill stay home. Were looking at 100,000 to 500,000 deaths.

Cummings also shared a photograph of a whiteboard covered in scrawls which he claims set out the governments plan from last March. At the bottom, it features the chilling question: Who do we not save?

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The ex-adviser recalled one top government figure, who he named as deputy cabinet secretary Helen McNamara, bursting into the prime ministers office in mid-March last year to say: Ive come through here to tell you all, I think we are absolutely fucked. I think this country is heading for disaster. I think were going to kill thousands of people.

Based on Cummings account, that fear was justified. He said the governmenthim includedhad failed to absorb the warnings from China in January that the virus could easily spiral out of control. He described the situation in Downing Street as like a kind of out-of-control movie, where he even witnessed top members of government advocating chickenpox parties, where people would purposefully catch the virus.

When telling his tales, the ex-adviser compared the governments response to the meme where two Spidermen are pointing at each other, saying everyone was blaming everyone else for government inaction. He also said the situation was like a scene from Independence Day, with Jeff Goldblum saying the aliens are here and your whole plan is broken.

Cummings was repeatedly brutal when giving evidence about Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who he accused of lying to the public and committing fireable offenses over a dozen times during the course of the pandemic. Tens of thousands of people died, who didnt need to die, said Cummings.

He claimed that Johnson was purposefully kept away from some crisis meetings about the pandemic in February and March because people were concerned he would trivialize the imminent disaster.

Boris Johnson Makes Up With His Dog, Dilyn, After Threatening to Have Him Shot

When it reached March 12 last year, Cummings claims he was begging the prime minister to announce strict pandemic measures. However, according to Cummings, Johnson was too distracted by meetings that day about whether to join Donald Trumps airstrikes in the Middle East, and his partner, Carrie Symonds, was going completely crackers about what she felt was an unfair newspaper story about their dog, Dilyn.

Ultimately, Johnson told the public to avoid all non-essential contact and travel four days later, and then imposed a full national lockdown on March 2311 days after Cummings says he raised his concerns.

Later in the evidence session, Cummings corroborated reports from last month that claimed, as Johnson imposed a second national lockdown on England in the fall, he said that he would rather see bodies pile high than take the country into a future third lockdown. I heard that in the prime ministers study, said Cummings, making him the first on-the-record source to confirm the reports. Last month, Johnson said claims about his alleged outburst were total rubbish.

Cummings went on to say his relationship with Johnson suffered as the pandemic went on and he saw more mistakes being made, which he said contributed to his decision to leave his job in November. Fundamentally I regarded him as unfit for the job, said Johnsons former aide.

However, the former aide said he ultimately decided to leave after seeing Symonds, Johnsons partner, attempt to land her friends prestigious jobs in Downing Streetan act which he alleged was both unethical and clearly illegal.

The prime minister defended his handling of the pandemic on Wednesday, saying that the governments response has been one of the most difficult things this country has had to do for a very long time. Johnson added, I dont think anybody could credibly accuse this government of being complacent about the threat that this virus posed at any point.

However, he dodged the opportunity to deny Cummings claim that he had dismissed the coronavirus as another scare story in 2020, and delayed a second lockdown because the virus was only killing 80-year-olds.

As of Wednesday, Britain has recorded 128,001 deaths from the virusthe fifth-worst death toll suffered by any country in the world.

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The Texas Legislature is moving on bills that would make it harder for cities and counties to cut police budgets, but reforms proposed after last summers protests against police brutality have seen less success.

Lawmakers have just days to pass final pieces of legislation before adjourning on Monday.

On Tuesday, members of the House of Representatives approved a bill that would require Texas counties with populations over 1 million to seek voter approval if they want to reduce their law enforcement budget compared to the previous year. Six counties would be affected: Harris, Dallas, Bexar, Tarrant, Travis and Collin.

Senate Bill 23 comes after calls to defund the police in the wake of George Floyds death while in Minneapolis police custody. The movement generally refers to the reallocation of law enforcement funding for other community services.

The 86-59 House vote on the proposal fell on the one year anniversary of Floyds death. It is now headed to the Senate for consideration of House changes.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Dallas Democrat and civil rights attorney, said the conversation around the bill has centered on a back the blue versus defund fight.

When in fact, we all want the same thing: We all want to be safe in our homes and communities, she said. Yet we dont all feel safe.

Tom Oliverson, a Cypress Republican who sponsored the bill, said he cares deeply about the safety of Texas communities.

I believe that having law enforcement officers in our communities enforcing our laws makes us safer, and I want them to be properly trained, properly equipped and properly staffed and that takes money, he said.

Democrats offered amendments that included expanding the number of counties subject to the rule. Most of the proposals failed.

That could only lead me to one conclusion, said state Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston. And that conclusion is, this is not about public safety. This is not about protecting our citizens. This is not about protecting our law enforcement. This is a political ploy.

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Bill would penalize cities that defund police

A separate bill, House Bill 1900, would penalize cities with populations over 250,000 that cut police budgets by prohibiting them from annexing for 10 years. The bill, authored by Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth, would also limit tax increases and bar fee increases on city utilities by those cities. The legislation is back in the House for consideration of Senate amendments.

Gov. Greg Abbott proposed removing annexation powers and freezing property tax revenue in cities that cut police funding after the Austin City Council unanimously voted in August to redirect about $150 million from its police departments budget, with about $20 million cut immediately.

A vote for this bill is a vote for public safety. A vote for this bill is to back our police. A vote for this bill is to back the blue, Goldman said.

Houston Republican Sen. Joan Huffman, the bills Senate sponsor, said the 250,000 threshold picked because we are trying to get into the higher populated urban cities where we tend to see higher crime rates, and we tend to see more of the movement or talk about perhaps defunding the police.

Police funding was put to a vote in July in Fort Worth, when voters opted to preserve a more than $80 million Fort Worth Police fund when given a choice between reducing police spending or locking in the departments enhanced patrols and special programs. Opponents had pushed for the funds to be used for community-based nonprofits or improving transportation.

Huffmans hope is the legislation never has to be used, she said.

That perhaps our law enforcement community will have the funds necessary to perform the critical functions that we need of them so desperately, she said.

Whats the status of the George Floyd Act?

Some Democrats on Tuesday lamented that more hadnt been done to address policing reforms.

On the year anniversary of George Floyds death, the death of a Texan, instead of passing police reforms, reforms that the governor himself assured his family hed sign into law, were attempting to tie the hands of elected officials who understand their communities of color, Crockett said.

The wide ranging George Floyd Act includes a number of reforms that have been pending in committee since late March. Parts of the bill have been passed as standalone bills, including a ban on choke holds.

Other measures that have passed include Senate Bill 2212, which requires officers request and provide aid for someone who is injured. The bill is now back in the Senate.

Lawmakers also approved House Bill 929, which requires body cameras stay on for the length of an investigation. That bill stems from the killing of Botham Jean, who was fatally shot by a police officer in his Dallas apartment.

We deem this a tremendous step in seeking to correct some of the systemic issues that plague our society and cause corrupt police officers to walk away scotch-free after committing heinous acts on innocent people, Jeans mother Allison Jean said in a statement. My family will continue to fight for justice for Botham and for all innocent men and women, boys and girls who have been killed at the hands of police officers in the United States and around the world.

The House on Tuesday also gave initial approval to a bill requiring officers intervene and make a report when another officer uses excessive force. Rep. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth, successfully added an amendment offering protections to people recording a police officer as they perform their official duties.

Some policing reform measures stall

Measures that havent gained traction include ending arrests for fine-only offenses and the removal of qualified immunity for law enforcement, a legal principal that protects government officials from being held personally liable for constitutional violations.

This is only for the bad actors, said Rep. Jarvis Johnson, D-Houston. This is not for the good cops.  Why are you worried about qualified immunity? Why? As long as you do what youre supposed to do, it shouldnt be a problem.

Johnson said he supports the George Floyd Act and similar legislation 100%.

But lets be real about something, he said. Itll never change. Itll never change until we start to hold accountable police officers for their actions. That means if an officer shoots an unarmed citizen, that officer must stand trial before a body of his peers.

The Legislature has a way of grinding things down, Rice University Political Science Professor Mark Jones said Wednesday on Texas Standard.

What we ran into this session was that because of police opposition to the qualified immunity, the George Floyd Act as a general piece of legislation was scuttled, and therefore we were left with individual legislators scrambling to get small components of it passed, and thats just always chaotic.

Fort Worth activist Patrice Trice Jones, who participated in last summers protests following the death of Floyd, recalls testifying in support of the George Floyd Act when it was in committee. Jones, the outreach director for Deborah Peoples mayoral campaign, said she wanted to let legislators know there are George Floyds all over America.

I want to know why Black people keep getting just a piece of the pie, she said. Why are we not able to have the whole pie ... and get something in place to ensure that those paid to serve and protect us are required to do their job.
Two key Democratic lawmakers overseeing health policy on Wednesday announced they will look to craft legislation to create a government-run public option for health coverage, pushing ahead on one of President Joe Bidens campaign promises even as the president has focused on other parts of his agenda.

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Sen Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, put out a call for ideas on how to design the legislation.

We believe bold steps are necessary in order to achieve universal coverage and lower health care costs, the lawmakers wrote in a letter addressed to all interested parties. As we work to craft legislation, our priority is to establish a federally administered public option that provides quality, affordable health coverage throughout the United States.

Their request asks for answers to eight broad questions, such as who should be eligible to enroll in a government-run plan, how benefits and payments should be structured and what kind of premium assistance should be offered.

Biden campaigned on creating a Medicare-like public option, pitching the idea as part of a plan to build on Obamacare  an alternative to calls from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and others to eliminate private coverage entirely and transition to a single-payer Medicare for All system. But, despite some pressure from fellow Democrats, Biden has left a public option out of his major policy proposals thus far and reportedly will not include it in his forthcoming budget request even as he reiterates his support for the idea. The president has instead pushed plans to make Obamacare plans more affordable and accessible.

Insurers and hospitals oppose a public option and critics have argued that it would ultimately lead to a one-size-fits-all government health insurance system. The American Hospital Association said in a statement Wednesday that it opposes a public option because inadequate reimbursement rates would raise the risk of hospital closures.

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Why it matters: The letter from Pallone and Murray is the first indication that Democrats are still serious about the idea of a public option, says Voxs Dylan Scott. And Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation calls it a serious effort by Senator Murray and Representative Pallone to take the public option from bumper sticker to workable legislation.

A public option enjoys broad support in polls, with more than two-thirds of adults in an October 2020 Kaiser Family Foundation tracking poll  including 40% of Republicans  saying they strongly favor or somewhat favor the idea. But, as the questions in the Pallone-Murray letter suggest, a host of issues still need to be addressed, with reimbursement rates for doctors, hospitals, and drug companies atop that list. A public option has the potential to reduce prices and make health care more affordable, but the further it goes in that direction, the bigger the blowback will be from the health care industry, Levitt told the Associated Press. And while the industry pushes back, Republicans may also be likely to renew their attacks labeling the Democratic proposals as socialist.

The bottom line: While its notable that two leading Democrats are working on a public option, theres no sign any legislation has a chance of passing in the near term.

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MONTREAL (AP)  Alex Galchenyuk had plenty of memorable nights inside the Bell Centre. His latest standout performance pushed his former team to the brink of playoff elimination.

Galchenyuk set up two goals and scored into the empty net against his former team, Jack Campbell made 32 saves in his first playoff shutout, and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 on Tuesday night for a 3-1 lead in their first-round series.

Its the playoffs, man, Galchenyuk said when asked if he still speaks with anyone on the other team. You know what time it is right now.

Theres no friends.

Galchenyuk was a healthy scratch in Game 1 before coming into the lineup when captain John Tavares was injured in a scary collision.

Whatever role our team asks him to play, he comes in and does it tremendously, said Campbell. Its not easy to come in and out of the lineup, but whenever hes in, hes given us a spark.

Jason Spezza had a goal and an assist and William Nylander and Joe Thornton also scored for Toronto, which can wrap up the best-of-seven series at home Thursday in Game 5. Alexander Kerfoot had three assists.

Scoring, defending, checking, all the way through the lineup, the guys dug down, said Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe. A lot of great efforts all the way.

Carey Price stopped 24 shots for Montreal. The Canadiens have scored just four times in 12 periods against Campbell in the first playoff series between the teams since 1979.

Were playing against another team, Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme said. If we were going 5-on-0, wed go up and down the ice the way we want.

The Leafs, who won consecutive post-season games in Montreal for the first time since the 1967 Stanley Cup final on the heels of Mondays 2-1 victory, havent advanced to the second round since 2004.

Toronto is 11-1 all-time when leading a series 3-1  a situation the Maple Leafs havent found themselves in since 1987.

If the Canadiens can force a Game 6 in Montreal on Saturday, the Quebec government will allow 2,500 fans into the Bell Centre, which would be the first NHL crowd in Canada since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

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We should be hungry next game to come back for our fans, Montreal center Phillip Danault said.

Toronto opened the scoring 1:27 into the second period when Nylander scored his fourth goal in as many games in the series after taking a slick behind-the-back feed in tight from Galchenyuk on an odd-man rush.

Campbell stopped Eric Staal at the other end on the next shift before Joel Armia fanned on a great chance later in the period. The Maple Leafs broke the other way with Galchenyuk sending a pass to Spezza, who scored his second of the series on a 2-on-1 at 12:28.

The North Divisions No. 1 seed, Toronto kept the pressure on, and Thornton made it 3-0 just 2:28 later on a power play when he redirected a feed from Spezza at the side of Prices net. At 41 years and 327 days, the veteran forward became the oldest Toronto player to record a playoff point, passing both Ron Francis and the late Allan Stanley (both 41 years, 62 days).

Thornton also became the oldest Maple Leafs player to score in the postseason, passing Patrick Marleau (38 years, 222 days).

The goal was Torontos third with the man advantage in the series after finishing the regular season a dismal 5 for 73 on the power play.

Montreals power play  0 for 13 in the series  got another opportunity late in the period, but Brendan Gallaghers shot that beat Campbell clanked off the post.

Galchenyuk scored into an empty net for the first three-point playoff game of his career.

Hes handled himself extremely well, Keefe said of Galchenyuk. He just has a great passion for the game. Hes fit in very well, and hes earned the respect of his teammates through the attitude that hes brought and through the work ethic and how hes played on the ice.

Hes an important part of our team. A night like tonight is a good example.

NOTES: The Leafs were minus captain John Tavares (concussion, knee) and forward Nick Foligno (lower-body injury), while defenceman Travis Dermott got the nod ahead of Rasmus Sandin, and center Adam Brooks took Riley Nashs spot. ... Staal returned to the Canadiens lineup after missing Game 3, but Artturi Lehknonen, who left Mondays contest in the first period, and Jake Evans, out for a third straight game, were scratched.

___

More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Tear gas is fired at supporters of President Trump who stormed the United States Capitol building. (Photo: The Washington Post via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The 147 congressional Republicans who tried to throw out Democrat Joe Bidens presidential election victory to keep Donald Trump in power will have to live with that choice forever, if a new super PAC does what its founders hope.

Were going to try and make sure that these members of Congress own this for their careers, said David Bowes, one of the two Democratic campaign veterans behind the Never Again PAC and its associated super PAC.

Bowes, a former aide to Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, and Ian Moskowitz, most recently with the Biden campaign, hope to raise and spend $4 million by the time of the 2022 midterm elections. The money would help defeat 10 to 15 of the most vulnerable Republican members of Congress who voted on Jan. 6 to overturn results from states won by Biden  even after a violent mob incited by Trump swarmed the Capitol building and forced them to hide for their lives.

The pair has made a 45-second ad that splices footage of pro-Trump rioters attacking police officers at the Capitol with title frames that label the 147 Republicans the treason caucus.

Of the eight Republican senators who voted to reject the election results, only one is up for reelection next year: John Kennedy, in the relatively safe GOP state of Louisiana. Of the 139 House Republicans, Bowes and Moskowitz said that they plan to analyze which ones seem most vulnerable. Some possibilities include Mike Garcia, in a Southern California district Biden won by 10 points, and Beth Van Duyne, in a Texas district Biden carried by 5 points.

Were going to see where things shake out, Moskowitz said. We know what they did, and were going to make sure their constituents know what they did.

They may have their work cut out for them, as the vast majority of the Republican Party and much of the countrys political press corps appear to have shrugged off what Trump did and now treat him as a legitimate candidate for the 2024 presidential nomination.

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When Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney continued to speak out against Trumps post-election conduct, she was ousted from her No. 3 spot in House GOP leadership and replaced with someone willing to spread Trumps continued lies about the election. Press coverage, meanwhile, routinely elides Trumps attempt to overturn the election he had lost to remain in power as it features quotes from his advisers about his strategy for 2024.

Its extremely concerning that the Republican Party is trying to move on. Its why this organization exists, Bowes said. Republicans want to pretend Jan. 6 didnt happen, but were here to say, Never again. Were going to make sure voters never forget exactly who put our democracy at risk.

And Moskowitz pointed to recent polling showing that Americans, by nearly a two-to-one margin, continue to blame Trump for the Jan. 6 attack. The general public is angry about it, Moskowitz said. We know that this message resonates. We think that it has staying power.

Trump spent weeks attacking the legitimacy of the Nov. 3 election, starting with his lies in the pre-dawn hours of Nov. 4 with claims that he had really won in a landslide and that it was being stolen from him. Those falsehoods continued through a long string of failed lawsuits challenging the results in a handful of states.

After the Electoral College finally voted on Dec. 14, making Bidens win official, Trump began urging his followers to come to Washington on Jan. 6 to intimidate his own vice president and members of Congress into overturning the election results and installing Trump as president for another term anyway. The mob he incited attempted to do just that as it stormed the Capitol. His supporters even chanted Hang Mike Pence after Pence refused to comply with Trumps demands.

A police officer died after being assaulted during the insurrection, and two others took their own lives soon afterward.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.
For more than two years, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., has been digging deep into the operations of former President Donald Trump's family business for possible fraud involving banks, insurance companies and taxing entities.

The New York prosecutor won a major, public victory in February when Trump's accounting firm was forced to turn over eight years of tax records as part of a protracted legal battle that ended at the Supreme Court.

This week, Vance's investigation appears to have entered a new and potentially ominous phase for the former president with the disclosure that a special grand jury has been convened to consider possible evidence of criminality by the president, his business associates or the company itself.

Former President Donald Trump remains banned from Facebook.

More: Donald Trump's tax records obtained by New York prosecutors, boosting investigation

More: New York attorney general 'actively investigating' Trump Organization in a 'criminal capacity'

The move, first reported by The Washington Post, does not mean that criminal charges are assured or even imminent, but it marks a shift in the inquiry from a largely information-gathering stage to the presentment of possible evidence of criminal conduct. USA TODAY has not independently confirmed the The Post report.

What is Cy Vance investigating?

The Manhattan district attorney has been examining the far-flung Trump Organization's banking, tax and insurance transactions with a focus on whether the company manipulated property values to obtain favorable loans and reduced tax rates.

Prosecutors also have been weighing hush-money payments made to women on Trump's behalf and how that money was documented.

Hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels are central to two of the lawsuits seeking tax and financial documents from President Trump's accounting firm.

The original investigation began after Trump's former personal fixer Michael Cohen, who arranged the hush money payments, alleged in 2019 testimony to Congress that he and Trump repeatedly misled potential lenders and clients about the value of their properties and businesses in official documents.

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Last week, New York Attorney General Letitia James, who had been conducting a civil investigation, announced that her office was joining forces with Vance, a move that not only will provide additional firepower, but also could broaden the existing investigation.

More: If Donald Trump faces criminal charges, analysts doubt it will hurt him with his base in 2024

More: What we know about investigations looming over Donald Trump and Trump Organization

"We have informed the Trump Organization that our investigation into the organization is no longer purely civil in nature," a spokesman for James said last week. "We are now actively investigating the Trump Organization in a criminal capacity, along with the Manhattan (district attorney)."

Vance's office has declined to comment.

These are all signs of an active criminal investigation where prosecutors believe they definitely got a basis to move forward. Theyre taking the kind of steps to move forward to finish that investigation, finish gathering evidence, bring people in, put them under oath, said Randall Eliason, a George Washington University professor and former federal prosecutor in Washington.

Hes got (Trumps) tax returns, he said of Vance. Trumps not president anymore, and things are moving forward.

The significance of a special grand jury

Convening a special grand jury suggests that Vance believes hes seen enough evidence of a possible crime or crimes that he can present to the grand jury for further review.

He wouldnt take this step otherwise," Eliason said. "It certainly doesnt indicate that charges are necessarily forthcoming, but he believes hes got enough evidence to move forward to use a grand jury. The result of that process is whether to bring charges or not."

Prosecutors also use grand juries to gather additional evidence by subpoenaing additional documents and compelling witnesses to testify under oath.

A special grand jury provides continuity for prosecutors and a venue to present complex information over a longer period of time rather than presenting pieces of a case to different panels for consideration.

Adam S. Miller, a former deputy chief in the district attorney's Major Economic Crimes Bureau, said that while regular grand juries can consider up to eight to 10 cases a day, a special panel is traditionally limited in the number of investigations it considers.

"It's used mostly for larger white collar investigations," said Miller, who noted that he had no knowledge of district attorney's actions in the Trump case. "When you go to a grand jury with so much information, it's often necessary to silo their thoughts to one or two cases. It certainly isn't uncommon for a special grand jury to be seated, but it is not tantamount that an indictment will be sought."

Who could be called as witnesses?

Cohen, Trump's longtime personal attorney, already has acknowledged meeting with New York prosecutors multiple times in cooperation with their investigation.

FILE - In this March 6, 2019 file photo, Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former lawyer, returns to testify on Capitol Hill in Washington. Michael Cohen's tell-all memoir makes the case that President Donald Trump is guilty of the same crimes that landed his former fixer in federal prison, offering a blow-by-blow account of Trump's alleged role in a hush money scandal that once overshadowed his presidency. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) ORG XMIT: NYMV101

More: Donald Trump faces legal challenges well beyond the Capitol riots: Here's what to watch

Cohen told USA TODAY that he could not comment on any aspect of the case, citing the ongoing investigation and his potential role in it as a key witness for the prosecution. But he commented extensively on Twitter on how grand jury proceedings would amp up the investigation significantly.

I am not surprised by this at all and have been steadfast in saying the wheels of justice turn slowly but they nevertheless turn, Cohen said in one tweet shortly after The Post published its story. No one is above the law!!!

In another, Cohen said, Each time #Trump makes the claim of a #PoliticalWitchHunt, I want to remind you of my testimony before the House Oversight Committee two years ago! In that testimony Cohen called Trump a "racist," a "con man" and a "cheat."

Cohen, who pleaded guilty in 2018 to federal charges that included campaign-finance violations for paying hush money to women who claimed to have had sex with Trump and for lying to Congress, has repeatedly pointed to Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organization's longtime chief financial officer, as most knowledgeable of the former president's business operations.

Trump Tower in New York on March 7, 2021.

Prosecutors already have sought Weisselberg's bank records, according to the New York Times, in what appears to be a bid to gain his cooperation.

Weisselberg's former daughter-in-law, Jennifer Weisselberg, also has confirmed that she turned over at least several boxes of financial documents obtained through her divorce from Weisselberg's son, and that she is a cooperating witness.

One of the biggest wild cards is what evidence Vance has, based on a review of millions of pages of Trump's tax documents, and what more he may be seeking, now along with the state attorney general.

Are Eric, Don Jr. or Ivanka Trump targets?

Grand jury proceedings are always shrouded in secrecy, and the district attorney's office has not commented. But legal analysts, including former top Justice Department lawyers, say Vance already has a significant amount of evidence to make a case against someone  whether thats Trump, his chief financial officer or some other targets, including, potentially, Trumps sons and daughter.

Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump arrive before President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden participate in the first presidential debate Sept. 29, 2020, at Case Western University and Cleveland Clinic, in Cleveland.

Prosecutors dont convene such grand juries without serious evidence already, said Neal Katyal, the former acting U.S. Solicitor General and senior Justice Department official, who has been following the case closely.

But, Katyal added, We dont really know what evidence he has yet, and what he is still seeking. Katyal noted that New York grand juries are limited in terms of hearsay evidence, which requires prosecutors to bring in witnesses to testify in person to make their case.

We certainly know that the DAs office has talked to Michael Cohen a number of times as well as Jennifer Weisselberg, Katyal said.

Katyal and others said its too soon though to conclude that the district attorney's office is ready to seek indictments.

That's putting the cart before the horse," he said. "First, they're going to get the information, and then they'll possibly act on it. I think it's important, before everyone says, Oh, this means Trump is going to be indicted, that there are a bunch of different possible targets here, starting with Allen Weisselberg, the Trump children, and then perhaps Donald Trump himself.

I think everyone should take a deep breath and time will tell, Katyal said. Let the prosecutors do their job, let the grand jury do its job and lets not hyperventilate about what the result might be.

Trump responds with familiar refrain: 'Witch hunt'

"This is a continuation of the greatest Witch Hunt in American history," Trump said late Tuesday.

"This is purely political, and an affront to the almost 75 million voters who supported me in the Presidential Election, and its being driven by highly partisan Democrat prosecutors. New York City and State are suffering the highest crime rates in their history, and instead of going after murderers, drug dealers, human traffickers, and others, they come after Donald Trump."

The New York attorney generals office is conducting a criminal investigation into former President Donald Trumps business empire, expanding what had been a civil probe.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump grand jury signals potentially ominous phase in fraud probe
With its economy hit hard by the pandemic, Tunisia is counting on Russians and eastern Europeans to salvage its tourist sector whose employees fear hunger more than Covid-19.

"The need to work is stronger than the fear of being contaminated," said lifeguard Aymen Abdallah, glancing at a half-empty beach in the Mediterranean resort of Sousse where Russians are making a comeback.

"If we don't work, we'll starve to death," added Abdallah, donning sunglasses and a mask.

The lifeguard is relieved to be back at work after an idle eight months. But "normally, the beach would have been full at this time", he sighed.

The North African country reopened its borders to tour operators in late April but then ordered a new week-long partial lockdown at the start of May because of a spike in coronavirus cases.

Up to 10 flights a week, mostly from Russia and eastern Europe, have in the past month been touching down at Enfidha, an airport serving Tunisia's tourism towns.

But revenues are down more than 60 percent on 2019, before the pandemic hit.

Hotels are authorised to operate at 50 percent of capacity but are struggling to reach that level.

"There's not much profit with just 30 percent hotel occupancy," lamented Adel Mlayah, deputy director of the high-end Mouradi Palace in Sousse.

The hotel normally employs at least 260 staff, but this year no more than 120 are working.

- 'Not scared' -

Eastern Europe also came to the rescue after the 2015 jihadist attacks on the capital's Bardo Museum and in Sousse that killed 60 people, all but one of them tourists, bringing the crucial sector of Tunisia's economy to its knees.

While visitors from most West countries are deterred from travel by their governments, those from Russia, the Czech Republic and Poland appeared to have few such qualms.

"There are not that many countries where we can go," said Andrej Radiokove, newly arrived from Moscow.

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"Turkey closed its borders -- that's why we chose Tunisia."

Like most of the others in his tour group, he has not been vaccinated.

"We had Covid two months ago, so we're not scared," he said.

Only around two percent of Tunisia's population has so far been vaccinated.

The pandemic has claimed more than 12,000 lives in the country of 12 million people. But the high local toll does not appear to have deterred the sun-seekers.

Around the pool of the Mouradi Palace, a clutch of them swayed to the rhythm of Russian electronic music.

"Customers from eastern Europe are less than reticent, less concerned about the pandemic," said Zied Maghrebi, marketing director of the nearby Movenpick hotel.

"We have fallen back on these customers because they're not afraid to travel."

- Battered economy -

Serafim Stoynovski, a 22-year-old Bulgarian law student, explained that he chose Tunisia because "restrictions here are not as strict" as in other countries.

"We can go out for a walk, go to a restaurant or have a coffee if we want," he said.

Unlike other tourists who have to self-isolate for five to seven days in government-assigned hotels at their own expense, those in tour groups only need a negative PCR test.

Excursions, however, are restricted to tours organised by travel agents who adhere to health protocols, said Sousse tourism commissioner Taoufik Gaied.

He is holding out hope for one million tourists in 2021, still just a fraction of the nine million who came two years ago.

A decade since its 2011 revolution, Tunisia's economic woes have been compounded by the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown measures.

The International Monetary Fund expects the country's economy will grow 3.8 percent this year, making up little of the ground lost by an unprecedented 8.9 percent contraction in 2020.

str-cnp/hc/dwo/fz
By Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ece Toksabay

ANKARA (Reuters) -Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan defended his embattled interior minister on Wednesday against accusations of corruption from a mob boss, saying the allegations were an attack against Turkey.

A series of videos by convicted gang leader Sedat Peker has amassed tens of millions of views on YouTube. In them, he makes uncorroborated allegations regarding suspicious deaths, rape and drug dealing, and alleges links to officials close to Erdogan.

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu has denied Peker's accusations directed at him. But the videos have prompted harsh criticism from opposition parties, threatening Erdogan's government and playing a role in pushing the lira currency to near a record low.

In his first public address of the issue, Erdogan said the allegations - some over events from decades ago - were part of a chain of attacks against the country.

"We stand with our interior minister in his battle with criminal gangs, as well as terrorist organisations," Erdogan told lawmakers from his AK Party (AKP) in parliament.

Turkey would bring criminals to justice, wherever they were, he added.

Erdogan's comments come after the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and its ally, the Iyi Party, redoubled calls for an early election and for Soylu's resignation over the videos.

Erdogan said a general election would be held as scheduled in 2023.

ELECTION JITTERS HIT CURRENCY

Soylu has filed a criminal complaint against Peker and called for him to be charged with slander.

He also asked for his claims to be investigated and denied the accusations against himself in a three-hour televised interview on Monday. Critics say he has not properly addressed the allegations.

The lira slid 1% against the dollar on Tuesday to near an all-time low, as bankers said worries about an early election grew. Against the euro, it logged a new low on Tuesday, before stabilising on Wednesday.

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Peker, 49, has served several jail sentences in Turkey and said he was now in Dubai. He has referred to Soylu as his "return ticket" to Turkey and called on him to resign "if you have a drop of dignity".

On Wednesday, Erdogan said the judiciary would investigate all allegations.

"No claim ... from the past will be left in the open, everything will be investigated by the judiciary, all the lies and accusations will be cleared," he said. "Nobody should doubt that Turkey is a democratic state of law."

(Editing by Jonathan Spicer and Alex Richardson)
Our good friend John Parker from WarbirdsOnline in Australia recently paid a visit to the restoration workshops at the Aviation Heritage Centre within RAAF Base Amberley near Brisbane in Queensland, Australia. One of the projects underway there is a decade-long effort to restore Avro Anson Mk.I W2472. As Parker relates

RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre acquired this aircraft as a donation in 2010. When she joined the queue of projects undergoing rebuild, the aircraft was a complete wreck as almost all of the wooden wing and fuselage formers had rotted away from many decades of exposure to the elements. Since that time, however, great progress has been made on this great old lady of the skies and she is well on the way to a magnificent rebuild to static display condition. While most will be aware of the Ansons physical dimensions, at least in theory, it is only when actually confronted with the aircraft in situ that the sheer size of the airframe sinks in  this is a sizable aircraft!

At the time of our recent visit, we were surprised by the fantastic progress made on this complex rebuild. As we reported previously, the Ansons woodwork structure has long since disappeared, however nearly all of the metal components were in great, restorable condition including the two 335 hp 7-cylinder Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah Mk.IX radial engines, each of which has now been refurbished. All of the structural metal components and the undercarriage have also undergone restoration and reassembly; the airframe is now sitting on its wheels with a lot of the woodwork having also been remade and fitted, including the empennage.

The engine nacelles have had their internals rebuilt and various cockpit systems are undergoing restoration, with the control column and centre console already having been completed and reinstalled. The replica .303 Browning machine gun is now fitted to the forward fuselage. The Avro Anson will also receive a .303 Vickers K machine gun in its dorsal turret when that is mounted to the rear fuselage. Over the next few months, work will focus on finishing the airframe internal fit out and installing the wooden stringers etc. which will then permit bagging the fuselage in its fabric covering.

Work will also proceed on finishing the wing center section and the other external panels. The restoration team hopes to complete the above-listed endeavors this year, the RAAFs Centenary year. The nearly-completed aircraft will then go on display in the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centres Transport Hangar. Work will then commence of the construction and fitting of the aircrafts wooden outer wing panels, which will then complete this magnificent restoration. Mk.I Ansons are quite rare now and this will be a significant addition to the RAAF Historical Collection.

Warbirds Online will continue to monitor progress on this Anson as it moves towards completion. We would like to thank AIR CDRE John Meier and SQNLDR Paul Ashby of RAAF History and Heritage Branch for facilitating this article.

Many thanks indeed to our friend John Parker at WarbirdsOnline for this article.
May 25Two people were arrested Monday in connection with a road rage incident earlier this month on northbound Interstate 205 that ended with gunshots in central Vancouver.

Tejay Nunya Castle, 31, and Montgomery A. Hedges, 36, both of Vancouver, were arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault and drive-by shooting. Court records show that Castle also faces an allegation of harassment (previous conviction or threat to kill), and Hedges is also accused of unlawful possession of a firearm. Both were booked into the Clark County Jail, according to a news release from the Vancouver Police Department.

Safe Streets Task Force detectives, the U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force and Vancouver police patrol, with assistance from the Lower Columbia SWAT Team, located the suspects. The news release did not say where.

Castle and Hedges were scheduled to appear Tuesday in Clark County Superior Court on the allegations, but Castle's hearing was set over a day; a judge set their bail at $100,000 and $200,000, respectively.

The road rage incident occurred around 7 p.m. May 12 and involved a light blue, two-door Honda Civic. It ended near the 7500 block of Northeast 41st Street when the Civic's driver fired multiple rounds at the victim's vehicle. At least one round hit the victim's vehicle, but he was uninjured, police said.

Prior to the shooting, the victim and suspects, later identified by police as Hedges and Castle, had met in a parking lot in the 8400 block of Northeast Vancouver Mall Drive, and an argument ensued. The victim said Hedges was holding his waistband and appeared to be concealing a gun, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Shortly after the argument, shots were fired. Investigators recovered a shell casing in the area, as well as five more casings between the 4600 and 4700 blocks of Northeast 77th Avenue. They determined the casings came from two different firearms, the affidavit says.

The next day, a blue, two-door Honda Civic was involved in a rollover crash near Northeast 59th Street and Northeast 147th Avenue. The driver ran from the scene, court records state.

Investigators searched the car and recovered a firearm. They also used store receipts and other items found inside to identify Hedges and Castle as the suspects in the shooting, according to the affidavit.

Hedges allegedly admitted to firing one round at the victim and said the firearm recovered from the wrecked Honda was the same. Investigators said he also admitted to wrecking the car and fleeing, court records say.
Associated Press

The question of allowing any fans into Tokyo Olympic venues is still being debated with a decision unlikely to be announced before the end of the month. This would be just a few weeks before the Olympics are to open on July 23. Fans from abroad have already been banned in what is shaping up as a largely made-for-television Olympics.
(Bloomberg) --

Abu Dhabis state oil firm raised $1.64 billion by selling bonds and shares in its fuel arm, which slumped the most in more than a year.

The capital of the United Arab Emirates contains almost all the OPEC members hydrocarbon reserves. The government, along with others in the region such as Saudi Arabia and Oman, is seeking to use money from energy assets to build new industries and diversify the economy.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. sold 375 million shares in Adnoc Distribution PJSC at 4.36 dirhams ($1.19) each on Wednesday, a discount of roughly 10% to that days close. The stock fell 8.3% on Thursday to 4.45 dirhams, with trading volumes about 23 times higher than the average over the past month.

The shares are still up 19% so far this year and will be included in MSCI Inc.s index of major emerging-market equities on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Adnoc also issued $1.195 billion of senior bonds that mature in 2024 and are exchangeable into the distributors stock.

The two deals saw significant demand from regional and international investors, Adnoc said. They came a day after Abu Dhabis government raised $2 billion through seven-year bonds, attracting almost $7 billion in demand.

Adnoc sold 10% of the retail subsidiary in 2017 via an initial public offering on the local bourse. It listed another 10% last September. The latest move will increase the free float to 30% if the bonds, which yield 0.7%, are converted into equity.

International Expansion

Adnoc Distribution, valued at $15.1 billion, is expanding internationally, increasing its gasoline stations in Saudi Arabia and looking to other markets such as Egypt and India.

The shares and bonds were placed at a blended stock price of 4.82 dirhams, which compares with Wednesdays close of 4.85 dirhams. The debt will convert at 5.01 dirhams.

Citigroup Inc. and First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC managed the share offering. They and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC led the bond sale.

Story continues

Since 2016, Adnoc has restructured its business by opening up some operating units and infrastructure to investors. In the past year, the likes of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and Apollo Global Management Inc. have invested about $15 billion in the companys gas pipelines and real estate.

Adnoc is also considering IPOs of its drilling business and a fertilizer joint venture called Fertiglobe

(Updates to lead with stock move. A previous version of this story was corrected to show that Adnoc, rather than Adnoc Distribution, will issue bonds.)

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.
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's health minister Matt Hancock should have been fired for lying in government meetings on COVID-19, Prime Minster Boris Johnson's former top adviser Dominic Cummings said on Wednesday.

"I think that the Secretary of State for Health (Hancock), should have been fired for at least 15, 20 things including lying to everybody in multiple occasions in meeting after meeting in the cabinet room and publicly," Cummings told a parliamentary committee.

Asked for an example, Cummings said Hancock had said that all patients got the treatment they needed during the first peak of the virus. Cummings said that was contrary to briefings from the government's health experts, who had said some patients had not received necessary treatment.

He also said Hancock had told ministers that the supply of personal protective equipment was under control in April, but that had later proved not been the case. Cummings also said the country's top civil servant had told him he had lost confidence in Hancock's honesty.

A spokesman for Hancock rejected the extensive criticism from Cummings, saying he will continue to work supporting the National Health Service (NHS).

"We absolutely reject Mr Cummings' claims about the Health Secretary," the spokesman said. "The Health Secretary will continue to work closely with the prime minister to deliver the vaccine rollout, tackle the risks posed by variants and support the NHS."

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge, writing by William James; editing by Michael Holden)
In the latest trading session, United Airlines (UAL) closed at $58.01, marking a +1.81% move from the previous day. The stock outpaced the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.19%.

Coming into today, shares of the airline had gained 6.54% in the past month. In that same time, the Transportation sector gained 3.29%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.37%.

Wall Street will be looking for positivity from UAL as it approaches its next earnings report date. The company is expected to report EPS of -$4.18, up 55.1% from the prior-year quarter. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $5.28 billion, up 257.99% from the year-ago period.

For the full year, our Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of -$12.60 per share and revenue of $23.13 billion, which would represent changes of +54.3% and +50.64%, respectively, from the prior year.

Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for UAL. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the company's business outlook.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.

The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 2.58% lower within the past month. UAL is currently a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

The Transportation - Airline industry is part of the Transportation sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 235, which puts it in the bottom 8% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.



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If you were to ask a thousand Americans to offer several adjectives to describe Washington, D.C., the list would surely be fascinating and perhaps a little bit instructive. Patriotism and pride would likely be on the list. But so, too, might corrupt or disconnected. As the United States capital, Washington has always been a microcosm of the country itself  a symbol of all its glories and contradictions.

But this weeks cover story, written by Michael S. Hopkins and photographed by Melanie Stetson Freeman, evokes an adjective that has always been true, but perhaps never more relevant than now: complex.

Ahead of the summer holidays, Michael and Melanie explore Washington as a microcosm for America as it emerges from the pandemic: Will tourists return to one of the countrys most-visited cities? But they also explore what it means to visit Washington in 2021  after a failed insurrection encased the Capitol and White House in security fences and after a year of racial unrest prodded many Americans to look at their history differently.

The San Francisco school board recently offered one example of how this different view of history could play out. Earlier this year, it voted to change the names of about one-third of its public schools, including those named after Presidents Lincoln, Washington, and Jefferson. These names, among many others, honored people who subjugated women, Black Americans, Native Americans, or other marginalized groups, the school board said. Though the plan has been shelved, it spoke to an issue playing out nationwide: How does America account for past injustices?

Its not too much of an overstatement to say that, historically, many of these aspects of American history have been swept under the rug. Weve celebrated the good these men did and ignored the harm they did to certain communities or accepted it as part of a different era. But increasingly, for many Americans, that no longer seems sufficient.

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So what does that mean for the monuments of Washington?

Interestingly, the change is already being etched into the stones themselves. Most obviously, Martin Luther King Jr. received his own monument in 2011. But even memorials before that  for the Vietnam and Korean wars  bespeak nuance and reflection more than triumphalism. The question Michael asks is whether we can see the whole of the nations history  and Washingtons monuments  with that same complexity.

It is an urgent question for the country. At a time when the U.S. is wrestling with how the ugliness of its past persists today, what is the space between ignorance and rejection? The visitors Michael interviews  of all backgrounds  offer one answer. The monuments remind us of what matters, they told him.

There has been good and there has been bad. Yet amid that complexity something greater endures, be it the hope of freedom or equality or peace. In their highest sense, Washingtons monuments are a testament to those hopes. And the ability to wring them from a complicated past is very much what it means to visit Washington in 2021.

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The White House is calling a second meeting this week between administration officials and Jewish advocacy groups amid pressure to respond more forcefully after a spike in antisemitic attacks in the U.S.

Driving the news: The virtual meeting set for Wednesday follows a session Monday with representatives from within the White House and other parts of the administration after some criticism for a slow initial response.

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Leaders from five Jewish organizations that participated in the first session had also asked to meet with representatives from the Justice Department, including the FBI.

The second meeting comes a day after the confirmation of Kristen Clarke to lead the DOJ's civil rights division. It was not immediately clear whether she will attend.

Details: Advocates are asking for more grant funding to boost security around synagogues and other houses of worship or nonprofit organizations.

They're also pressing the administration to fill two posts to combat antisemitism, after rising attacks and threats following the violence in Israel and Gaza.

That includes reinstating a White House liaison to the Jewish community and nominating a special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism.

The latter is a State Department job that for the first time will require Senate confirmation because it was elevated to the rank of ambassador.

What they're saying: "The administration is taking this very seriously," said Nathan Diament, executive director for public policy for the Orthodox Union, who has been involved in the discussions.

"They're not just leaning on the president and vice president's statements of condemnation. They are discussing with us concrete actions by executive branch agencies to stop and deter these antisemitic attacks."

The White House did not preview the meeting or discuss forthcoming nominations.

One official tells Axios that President Biden has been outspoken against antisemitism for decades and sees it as a persistent evil. The official said the administration is coordinating with the Jewish community groups to respond to rising violence and hate speech and working with nonprofit groups seeking to apply for security grants.

What's next: On Thursday, advocates plan a "day of action" mobilizing faith leaders and asking grassroots activists to engage Congress.

Story continues

The bottom line: Four months into office, Biden has prioritized the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery but been slow to fill many other jobs across his administration.

That includes key diplomatic posts, including ambassador to Israel.

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Uzo Aduba plays therapist Brooke Taylor in HBO's new "In Treatment." (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)

Even with three Emmy Awards on her resume, Uzo Aduba says the prospect of starring in a new incarnation of HBO's serial drama In Treatment made her nervous. Truth be told, she says, it was the first time in a long time that shed felt that opening night of a show fear. Why the case of the nerves? Every half-hour episode finds her psychotherapist Brooke Taylor deep in complex conversations with a patient in serious therapy.

"It was the hardest thing I've ever worked on, the former "Orange Is the New Black" actress says. And I have to shout out the woman I worked with on this show who assisted me, Maydelle Clarice. [She] worked on set with me every single day to learn those lines. We would work [while doing] hair and makeup, we would work between takes, we would work 30 minutes over lunch, we would work the 45 minutes to an hour after we wrapped, we would work Saturdays for four hours and Sundays for four hours because it's just such dense material to learn. I feel like I have to say her name three times because I could not have done that alone.

In a twist of fate, Aduba shot an episode of the anthology series Solos before In Treatment went into production. That stand-alone story saw her portraying Sasha, a woman in the near future who hasnt left her automated Stay Home for 7,324 days over fears of a virus that ravaged the world two decades earlier. And, like In Treatment, it was about 30 minutes in which shes rarely offscreen.

 'Solos' was the perfect preparation for In Treatment in terms of grueling schedule and retention memorization, Aduba says. And that's actually where I met Maydelle, which is why we went on to work together on In Treatment, because we had found such a wonderful energy, learning the language, adopting it to memory, and working through the piece itself.

Spearheaded by showrunners Jennifer Schuur and Joshua Allen, the new season of the HBO legacy title connects to the original series, which ran for three seasons between 2008-2010 and starred Gabriel Byrne, through Taylor's professional relationship with Byrne's Paul Weston.

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In this soft reboot, the viewer follows Taylor, a Baldwin Hills-based therapist, as she treats Eladio (Anthony Ramos), a health aid worker with a sleeping disorder; Colin (John Benjamin Hickey), a former tech king with an anger streak; and Laila (Quintessa Swindell), a high school senior attempting to escape her familys shadow, over multiple half-hour sessions. Aduba appreciated that the series shot sequentially as it partially mimicked how therapy sessions would play out in the real world.

It was nice to have scenes with, say, Anthony for two days, Week 1, and then he's not going to be back for another 10 days. So, we don't revisit what Eladio is going through. And then in the space of those 10 days, we're going to have Colin, Laila, Brooke's scripts, and then the weekend.

Aduba, who won one of her Emmys for playing politician Shirley Chisholm in the FX limited series "Mrs. America," knew a good deal of her own characters backstory after she signed on but was often discovering new insights about her costars story lines just days before filming each sit down. Schuur and Allen didnt keep everything a secret, though.

For example, with [Hickey], I knew we were going to be tackling being recently released from prison, and that he's a pro bono patient and that he was going to serve as a bit of a challenge for her, Aduba says. I knew Quintessa's character would be one who Brooke would see a lot of her younger self in, in terms of where they both are from, some of the things she's dealing with in terms of the family's academic expectations and ideas of perfection.

"I knew that Brooke was going to be feeling the need to satisfy her maternal instincts and really have to deal with having given up her child and that she was going to be playing a lot of that out in her sessions with Anthony and what he was also feeling, which was neglect from his own mother. And that patient doctor relationship, therapist relationship, I knew that was going to be in there. Where they went eventually, I didn't know, that was a surprise for me.

Beyond In Treatments artistic aspirations  and it goes without saying that its an impressive actors showcase for everyone involved  Aduba does see a new relevance in reviving the series.

I think it's fair to say that this thing that we all as a global family have been through together has slowed us all down and has created the space and time for the conversation surrounding mental health to be had, and has hopefully lifted some of the stigma, Aduba says. And hopefully because we're now in that space, something like In Treatment won't feel so threatening or so stigmatizing a resource.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The woman accused of roles in what law enforcement officials describe as crime-spree murders in Chester, S.C., and Missouri is now charged with murder in the city of York, officials said.

York, S.C., police received a signed arrest warrant Wednesday that charges Adrienne Roshea Simpson, 33, of Myrtle Beach, with murder in connection with the May 2 shooting death of Thomas Hardin, said York Police Chief Andy Robinson.

Adrienne Simpson

Simpson had previously been charged with accessory to murder in Hardins death, records show. Her co-defendant, Tyler Donnet Terry, 26, of Chester County, also is charged with murder in Hardins death.

Simpson was charged with murder as part of the ongoing investigation, said York Police Lt. Kevin Hoffman, the lead detective in the Hardin investigation. The murder warrant states Simpson is charged because of evidence collected in the case, plus statements made by Simpson and Terry, Hoffman said.

The accessory to murder charge against Simpson has been dropped.

A murder conviction in South Carolina carries 30 years to life in prison.

Terry and Simpson are charged with murder in Chester County in the shooting death of Eugene Simpson, Adrienne Simpsons husband. Eugene Simpsons body was found in a ditch May 19.

Tyler Donnet Terry

Two suspects, two counties, two murders

It remains unclear whether Simpsons defense lawyer in her pending Chester County cases will be assigned her York case.

Geoff Dunn of Rock Hill, Simpsons lawyer in Chester County where she is charged with murder and other crimes, said he will investigate the new charge against Simpson along with the other pending charges.

I will ensure that my clients Constitutional rights are protected, Dunn said Wednesday.

B.J Barrowclough, 16th Circuit Public Defender, said his office will monitor the case to see if the office is assigned to defend Simpson or Terry. York and Chester counties are in different judicial circuits.

Simpson and Terry remain in the Chester County jail without bond.

Story continues

Simpson was captured May 18 after a police chase in Chester County where Terry allegedly shot at Chester County Sheriffs deputies.

Terry fled on foot after the chase and was caught Monday in Chester County after a six-day manhunt.

Terry was denied bond Tuesday on Chester County charges that include one count of murder, 11 counts of attempted murder, burglary and weapons charges.

Missouri charges

The pair also are charged with two murders and other violations related to three shootings in St. Louis County, Mo., that happened on May 15, police and prosecutors said.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Yemeni officials demanded answers Wednesday after an Associated Press report highlighted a mysterious air base being built on a Yemeni island in one of the world's crucial maritime chokepoints.

A lawmaker asked Yemen's internationally recognized government if the United Arab Emirates built the facility as data in the AP report links the UAE to the construction.

Another official openly criticized the UAE for undermining the government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. A Saudi-led coalition fought on the government's behalf when it entered Yemen's long war in 2015 against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels now holding its capital.

The UAE, home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, has not responded to repeated requests for comment regarding the base and offered no immediate reaction Wednesday to the officials' comments.

The runway on Mayun Island allows whoever controls it to project power into the strait and easily launch airstrikes into mainland Yemen, convulsed by a yearslong bloody war. It also provides a base for any operations into the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and nearby East Africa.

Satellite images from Planet Labs Inc. obtained by the AP showed dump trucks and graders building a 1.85 kilometer (6,070-foot) runway on the island on April 11. By May 18, that work appeared complete, with three hangars constructed on a tarmac just south of the runway. Images from Tuesday showed vehicles parked at the base's newly built hangars.

A runway of that length can accommodate attack, surveillance and transport aircraft. An earlier effort begun toward the end of 2016 and later abandoned had workers try to build an even-larger runway over 3 kilometers (9,800 feet) long, which would allow for the heaviest bombers. That earlier effort also saw ships linked to the UAE take part in the construction.

Military officials with Yemens internationally recognized government, which the Saudi-led coalition has backed since 2015, say the UAE is building the runway. The officials, speaking earlier to the AP on condition of anonymity as they didnt have authorization to brief journalists, say Emirati ships transported military weapons, equipment and troops to Mayun Island in recent weeks.

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The military officials said recent tension between the UAE and Hadi came in part from an Emirati demand for his government to sign a 20-year lease agreement for Mayun Island, also known as Perim Island. Emirati officials have not acknowledged any disagreement and said they were withdrawing from the war in 2019.

Hadi's government has been critical of the UAE, especially for backing southern separatist groups during its military campaign in Yemen. The separatists have gotten into shootouts with forces loyal to the internationally recognized government, forcing the Saudis to intervene several times. An Emirati airstrike on behalf of the separatists also killed at least 30 troops backing Hadi in 2019. The UAE has backed other militias in the war as well.

Yemeni lawmaker Ali al-Mamari wrote a letter to the government demanding more details.

There is information suggesting that the UAE is building a military base in the Mayun island without the knowledge of the member states," al-Mamari wrote. Is the government familiar with what is happening on the island? And what measures has it taken?

Another lawmaker, Ali Ashal, similarly asked for more information after facing what he described as silence after earlier raising concerns about the UAE's presence in Yemen.

Mohammed Qaisan, an undersecretary to Yemen's Information Ministry with the internationally recognized government, tweeted that the UAE had tampered with Mayun Island. He also criticized the Emirates for its continuous support for the illegally armed militias in liberated areas," referring to the southern separatists.

This requires a firm stance from the government as silence on this made it pursue this and gave the Houthi militia an opportunity to undermine the legitimacy of the Yemeni government, Qaisan wrote.

___

Associated Press writers Ahmed al-Haj in Sanaa, Yemen, and Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report.
Soaring home prices in Ontario, which are up between 30-50 per cent from last year depending on the area, are forcing a growing number of residents to give up on their dreams of home ownership.

A new survey by Right at Home Realty found 51 per cent of respondents say they believe they may never be able to afford a home in their current city or town. It gets worse for people looking in the Greater Toronto Area at 55 per cent and 59 per cent in the 416 area code region.

The picture gets even more grim for younger Ontarians aged 18 to 34, of whom 74 per cent say they may never be able to afford a home where they currently live.

The next two cohorts are slightly more optimistic, but still feel largely priced out. Among those aged 35-54, 47 per cent fear they'd never be able to buy where they currently live, compared to 37 per cent for those aged 55 and over.

Who can afford a home

The survey also found about half who are planning to buy in the next two to three years will use equity from their current home to buy their next home. And those buyers aren't worried about rising mortgage rates, with 70 per cent saying a move of 1.5 per cent or less would have no effect on their buying plans.

"Homeowners continue to see the value in home investment. Current low rates are making it easier for many homebuyers to consider getting on the property ladder," said John Lusink, president of Right at Home Realty, in a release.

"Our survey found that for two-thirds of Ontarians, the pandemic period has had no impact on their ability to save for a new home. However, for nearly a quarter of respondents, it has had a negative impact on their ability to save for a downpayment, slowing the prospect of a new home for a large contingent of the population."

Searching for more living space

Of respondents who plan to sell in the next two to three years, 39 per cent say they will be buying a bigger house. The desire for outdoor versus indoor space was about the same.

Story continues

The survey also found other priorities brought on by the pandemic included being closer to nature (38 per cent), more privacy (33 per cent), and being closer to family and friends (30 per cent).

But the so-called urban exodus could be waning as vaccines roll out and plans are being made for a gradual reopening.

Only 18 per cent say they'd be willing to move to a smaller community to get that extra space, in large part because 42 per cent of respondents worry that moving away from a larger centre could hurt their opportunities for career growth.

But 25 per cent of sellers in the next 12 months say they would consider moving to a different neighbourhood in the same city.

Jessy Bains is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow him on Twitter @jessysbains.

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Hackers who targeted hospitals in New Zealand's Waikato district have released what appears to be private patient information to media outlets, as health systems struggled to come back online more than a week after the attack.

A group claiming responsibility for the Waikato District Health Board cyberattack that took place last week released scores of official looking records and documents containing names, phone numbers, and addresses of patients and staff, Radio New Zealand and other local media reported.

The media outlets decided not to report the details and referred the email to the police.

The outage of the health systems in Waikato continues, disrupting the treatment of patients and the payroll process of staff members. The hospitals have now moved to manual processes to support a backlog of patients while the public was asked to look for alternative avenues for treatment for non-critical conditions.

Authorities would not comment on whether the cyber attackers had put forward any demands.

"We are aware that malicious actors can see what is being said in the media, and that this can influence their behaviour. On that basis, we can make no further comment on this," Waikato DHB Chief Executive Kevin Snee said in a statement.

The government has refused to pay any ransom to the hackers.

Waikato DHB cares for a population of more than 425,000 people.

The breach comes after Ireland's health service operator was hit by a ransomware attack that was executed by international cyber criminals.

But it was not clear if the attack in New Zealand was by the same group.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said this week that the cyber criminals who hit the Irish health system used a malicious software dubbed "Conti", had targeted at least 16 U.S. medical and first response networks in the past year.

New Zealand's stock market was hit by a cyber attack last year and the central bank's data systems were also breached in an attack on a file sharing service provided by California-based Accellion.

(Reporting by Praveen Menon; Editing by Sam Holmes)
BOB DEWEY,

Wintergreen

A deep look into the crystal ball Something a little different this time. Let us go out on a limb with some predictions. Here are mine. Let us get an easy one out of the way. Terry McAuliffe will be the next governor of Virginia. Youngkin will be crushed, no matter how much of his own money he spends.

Bob Good will not be reelected in 2022. Whether he is primaried by somebody even more crazy than he is, or a miracle happens, and a Democrat wins the crystal ball does not say. We prefer that the Democrat wins.

The people behind the recount in Arizona are manipulating the ballots to declare Trump won the state. The same people will then try to pressure Georgia into doing the same, but Georgia will not go along with it.

This summer, Trump will have several outdoor rallies. The attendance will be significantly less, but the true believers will become more violent. A congressional inquiry will find that Trump, through Roger Stones contacts with the Proud Boys, directed the attack on the capitol Jan. 6.

The Republicans will lose House seats and Senate seats in the 2022 mid-terms. But it still will not be the end of Trump.
The male chub, for example, build nests out of gravel from April to June. These minnows carry stones in their mouth, one by one, to create a place for the female to lay eggs.

Other minnows, including the rosyside dace and mountain redbelly dace, arrive to take advantage of the chubs work and deposit their own eggs in the mound.

In addition to fish, you might spy tadpoles, salamanders, crayfish, turtles, snakes or even freshwater mussels, one of the most fascinating and endangered groups of animals on Earth.

With a mask and snorkel, all you need is clear water, which can still be found near the Appalachian Mountains. Cabe suggests the Tye River in Nelson County as a great spot.

Near its headwaters off the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Tye offers colorful minnows and native brook trout, while its lowest elevation includes Piedmont species like the longnose gar and sunfish.

Southwest Virginia, where the water drains to the Tennessee River, is another excellent snorkeling area, where the largest salamander in the U.S., the Eastern hellbender, can be found. Hellbenders can reach 29 inches in length, though they average 12 to 15 inches.
Lynchburg police still seek information on a shooting last week in the Diamond Hill neighborhood that sent two people to the hospital.

Officers responded to the 1600 block of Fillmore Street the night of May 20 following a call reporting shots had been fired, according to a news release from the Lynchburg Police Department. There, they found a man with a serious gunshot wound who was taken to Lynchburg General Hospital.

Another man with non-life-threatening injuries from the same shooting was dropped off at the hospital, police said, and officers found a vehicle thatd been shot from the incident. Both men were in stable condition last week.

Since then, police spokesperson Carrie Dungan said one of the yet-unnamed victims has been released from the hospital. She did not respond to a question asking whether the victims were cooperating with investigators.

Police have not announced that anyone has been charged in connection with the shooting.

Police last week asked anyone who may have recorded security footage from the area to share it, either by calling the department at (434) 455-6065, using the online Neighbors portal or contacting Crime Stoppers by calling (888) 798-5900.
So we want to let the community know that, Hey, its just a different type of injury that is unseen and we can work through that. And then the other reason is to let the veterans know, we got to talk about it, you cant be embarrassed about things, youve got a good community here, whether its the community you live in or the veteran community to talk about the problems so it doesnt become a bigger issue, he said.

Gary Herber is a team member of Shepherds Men as well as a combat-wounded veteran who served in 2009 in Afghanistan and a Purple Heart recipient and said the SHARE Military Initiative saved his life.

He gives back by handling most of the logistics for the event and gets runners what they need.

I really lost my sense of purpose for a long time and SHARE has helped breathe new life into, not just me, but over 800 other veterans that were literally at the end of their rope, he said. I was absolutely at my wits end for the last time.

From 2009, when Herber first was injured in combat until the time he got to SHARE in 2016, he attempted suicide multiple times.
In hindsight, it should be clear Warner always was a serious man even before he was legally one: He volunteered for the U.S. Navy during World War II before he even turned 18. He came back from war, went to Washington and Lee University and the University of Law School  then went to war again, as a Marine in Korea. And yet somehow Warner was considered a dilettante. He married into money, gave a lot of it to Richard Nixons presidential campaign, and was named Under Secretary, and eventually Secretary of the Navy. That was seen as a political payoff. Later, Gerald Ford named him head of the Bicentennial Commission, which further shaped Warners public persona as a little more than a wealthy glad-hander. Oh how wrong we all were.

In 1978, Virginia had an open U.S. Senate seat. Republicans, a party on the rise, gathered in a legendary convention that filled the Richmond Coliseum and drew four candidates seeking the prize. One of those was John Warner. He was rich, he was glamorous (married at the time to the actress Elizabeth Taylor). He also was considered a little too moderate and a little too unpredictable for the conservatives who had gained control of the party. It took six ballots but Richard Obenshain prevailed; Warner finished second. Less than two months later, Obenshain was dead  in a plane crash that forever scrambled Virginia politics.
A decayed corpse found inside a suitcase in Hikone City earlier this month is that of the victim of a murder 14 years ago, police have revealed, reports NHK

On May 17, the skeletal remains were found inside the suitcase, which was missing one half of its shell, along the shore of Lake Biwa in the Satsumacho area.

Police said on Tuesday that the results of a DNA analysis revealed that the body is that of Takao Izawa, who was 38 at the time of his death in 2007.

Izawa lived in Osaka Citys Nishi Ward. In November 2007, three men, including a former yakuza, drugged him with an anesthetic and strangled him in Suita City.

At the time, Izawa and three men were in engaged in a dispute over the management of a dental clinic.

In 2008, police in Osaka and Kyoto arrested the three men on suspicion of murder. We dumped the body in Lake Biwa, one of them said. However, police never located the body.

An examination of the body after the discovery revealed traces of the anesthetic ketamine, police said.
Hackers have accessed information-sharing software developed by Japan's Fujitsu, resulting in data leaks from Japanese government offices.

Fujitsu's ProjectWEB software is widely used by public offices and businesses.

The hackers accessed the software at Narita Airport east of Tokyo and stole data on air traffic control, prompting the Cabinet Secretariat's national cybersecurity center to alert establishments that use the software.

On Wednesday, the land, infrastructure and transport ministry reported that at least 76,000 email addresses of its employees and business partners were leaked, along with data on the ministry's internal mail and Internet settings.

The cybersecurity center reported that data on the center's information system were stolen from several of its offices.

Officials at the center say they have taken steps to prevent attacks using leaked data, and that they will continue to step up their alert.

Fujitsu has suspended the software's services to investigate the scope of the attacks.

The company says it is consulting the affected offices and that it will fully support clients who have suffered damage.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu told reporters on Wednesday that no damage to the Cabinet Secretariat's cybersecurity center's system has been confirmed, and that the center's operations have not been compromised.

Kato added that cybersecurity must be tightened, as hackers could target the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
Japan will let Myanmar citizens remain in the country legally even after their visas expire, in response to deteriorating political conditions in the Southeast Asian nation following the February coup.

The exemption applies to students and technical interns who could face trouble returning home. They can choose to study or work in Japan for another six or 12 months, under plans outlined Wednesday by the Immigration Services Agency to lawmakers.

These Myanmar citizens will be able to apply for another extension if the political situation in their country fails to improve.

Japan also will accelerate the screening process for refugees, and allow applicants from Myanmar to stay and work in the country without that status.

The Myanmar junta has fired two diplomats stationed in Tokyo for speaking out against the military's crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. The Japanese government is looking to grant the diplomats visas, such as those designated for highly skilled professionals.

There were 35,049 Myanmar citizens living in Japan as of the end of 2020, according to preliminary data released by the Immigration Services Agency. A total of 2,944 were seeking asylum at the end of March.
Caoxian county, a little-known inland county in East China's Shandong Province has become China's latest internet fad built on making 90 percent of coffins sold in Japan.

According to Liang Huimin, deputy Party chief and head of the local government, the county produces 90 percent of the coffins in Japan, adding that hundreds of thousands of local people are engaged in the wood-crafting industry.

Timber resource has made the county a manufacturing base for coffin production since early 2000, according to local people. Although China's funeral industry reform does not support burial in the ground, leaving weaker market for coffins, Caoxian county has found a way out to export coffins abroad.

The Japanese people prefer paulownia wood for coffins, and Caoxian county happens to be China's largest paulownia processing base as well as the country's largest board processing base, a manager at Heze Dehong Woodwork Co, surnamed Tian told the Global Times on Tuesday, adding that the processing of Japanese coffins in the county has an advantage of natural raw materials.

Caoxian county is home to the important wood panel production industry and the largest paulownia wood trading distribution center in China, with more than 600 enterprises of various types and more than 60,000 employees. Each year, around three million cubic meters of timber are processed, creating an output value of 50 billion yuan ($7.82 billion), according to media reports.

Unlike Chinese people who see coffins as unlucky, Japanese people attach great importance to the afterlife and see the coffin as the last gift given to the dead by the living, according to coffin manufactures.

It usually takes more than 30 processes to complete a coffin, which is mostly done manually. During processing, workers must ensure that their hands are clean, even nails should be cleaned prior to work. - globaltimes.cn
The Council Bluffs Community School District Board of Education has approved a plan and awarded a bid to upgrade security systems at district schools.

The multi-phase, almost $3 million plan is to install systems like those at Kirn Middle School and the Madison Campus in the remaining schools in the district over the next 1  years. Advanced security systems were installed at those buildings during renovation.

The project will focus on access control, video surveillance and intrusion detection, according to a presentation at the Tuesday Board of Education meeting by Shane Hoss, principal engineer at Engineering Technologies Inc.

Visitors would have to enter through the main office at each building and be buzzed into that area, then into the rest of the building, Hoss said. A limited number of other exterior doors could be used by staff with card keys. The system would allow office personnel to monitor all exterior doors.

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Everything would be controlled through the main office, he said. Exterior doors, even those with card readers, would be monitored.

The plan also includes the installation of new analytic cameras throughout the school district. These will have the ability to search for a particular image in security video, Hoss said.
In the wake of the Iowa Legislatures passage and Gov. Reynolds signing of a last-minute law prohibiting schools from requiring students to wear masks in school, a Council Bluffs parent is asking Council Bluffs Community Schools to make arrangements to place masked and unmasked students in separate classrooms this fall.

However, a school official said there are no plans to do that, at this point.

Anna Hunter, who homeschooled her children during the 2020-21 school year, said is not comfortable sending them to school if students who do not wear masks are allowed to mingle with those who do, she said during a public participation period during the Board of Education meeting Tuesday.

We have been taking the necessary baby steps toward normalcy, many times at a glacial rate, and we were skeptical but looking forward to a return to public education in the fall, knowing masks would be required and a vaccine for our children under 12 was on the horizon, she said. Gov. Reynolds killed the only path leading back to our right for a free and safe public education for our children.

Hunter sees segregation of maskers and unmaskers as the only legal way to make sure students in public schools are safe.
McDermott said dive teams with dozens of divers, multiple agencies and hundreds of volunteers aided in the search for Kyrin, including some on horseback and others on ATV. Divers with the FBI were set to dive the river Wednesday, McDermott noted.

After a week of not finding Kyrin, officials weren't going to call off the search, McDermott said.

"We're going to find this young man, alive hopefully. If he got kidnapped, we're going to find who kidnapped him, and if he didn't make it, we're going to find the body, like we're determined," he said. "Chief Short, Chief Long, the sheriff, myself. ... The Lake County sheriff was flying helicopters low. It was like Vietnam. We had helicopters flying right over our heads, going up and down the river."

McDermott said the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission, notably Dan Repay, "was instrumental in helping us find this young man."

"It was an idea that Dan Repay came up with, and I know Hammond engineer Dean Button was also part of the decision-making on this. But they said, 'Hey, we can lower the lake level, or the water level in the river. ... Would that help?' And we're like, 'Yeah, that would help tremendously because this thing is huge and deep and murky, and I didn't even know you could do that," McDermott said.
Investigators say Bahena Rivera told them he blacked out and couldn't remember how he killed Tibbetts.

The first defense witness called Tuesday was forensic consultant Michael Spence, who agreed that Tibbetts DNA was found on blood stains in the trunk, but said there was also unaccounted for DNA in the trunk, including at least one unknown male and female.

Spence conceded that it would not be surprising to find other DNA sources in a trunk of a vehicle that had been used, and that there are many ways they could have ended up there.

Iris Gamboa, the mother of Bahena Rivera's daughter, testified Tuesday that she lived with him for four years before they broke up in 2017. She said he worked 12-hour days and only got two days off every two weeks.

She said he was a good father who paid $500 per month to support their daughter, was not violent toward them and never showed excessive anger. Bahena Rivera was also sending money back to his parents in Mexico and paying to build them a house, she said.

The defense showed jurors a photograph of a smiling Bahena Rivera and Gamboa with their young daughter at a family party in 2017. He was happy that his daughter was happy, Gamboa said. It was a good day.

Bahena Rivera's aunt, Alejandra Cervantes, said he was known as playful around the family and that children love him. She recalled going to the sheriff's office where Bahena Rivera was being interrogated but being unable to see him or get in touch with him by phone.

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has hailed tireless efforts and whole-hearted devotion made by medical workers, the white blouse soldiers on the frontline in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Doctors and medical workers have put aside their personal life to take care of COVID-19 patients with their whole hearts.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has hailed tireless efforts and whole-hearted devotion made by medical workers, the "white blouse soldiers on the frontline in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.





In a letter to the frontline medical workers, the Government leader laid stress on the complicated developments of the especially dangerous disease that has spawned healthcare crisis, and caused critical socio-economic impacts globally.





Although the fourth COVID-19 wave has hit the nation with more infectious variants, Vietnam has so far been able to put the pandemic under control thanks to considerable experiences as well as sound and timely prevention measures carried out by the entire political system, the whole people and military.





Particularly, Vietnam organised the election of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and Peoples Councils at all levels in a successful and safe manner, with a high rate of turnout of 99.57 percent.





The results were attributable to the strong leadership of the Politburo, Secretariat, President, National Election Council, Government, Prime Minister and National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control, coupled with the solidarity of the people, the participation of all sectors and the political system, and the dedication of frontline workers and members of community-based anti-COVID-19 groups.





"We will never forget the images of doctors and medical workers who have put aside their personal life to take care of COVID-19 patients with their whole hearts. There was a time that they felt exhausted; however, they keep on fighting for public health.





On behalf of the Party and State leaders, Chinh acknowledged and praised the devoted health care workers in the past time.





"Every battlefield poses severer hardship, every combat has sacrifices, and you are truly the "white blouse soldiers who have committed to a noble mission, he wrote.





He expressed his hope that doctors and medical workers nationwide will make further efforts and take stronger actions to help the nation stamp out the pandemic.





In the end, he wished the "soldiers good health and success in their missions entrusted by the Party, State and people.




OMAHA, Neb. (AP)  Police say the death of a man who fatally shot himself as he was being chased by officers in north Omaha will be investigated as an in-custody death.
One of World War Is notable symbols is about to mark a notable centennial, though COVID-19 has forced the symbols absence in North Platte for a second spring.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 163 is encouraging residents to remember veterans Friday on National Poppy Day, says Mary E. Agler of North Platte.

Itll be not only the Friday before Memorial Day  a day Legion and Auxiliary members hope Congress will soon recognize  but also exactly 100 years since the groups joined in observing the first National Poppy Day.

Though efforts to cement the observance on that date faltered worldwide, U.S. veterans groups have distributed red paper poppies around Memorial Day weekend during most of the succeeding century.

Unfortunately, Agler said, the lifting of pandemic restrictions came too late for North Plattes Legion Auxiliary to plan a poppy distribution this year. Last years distribution likewise was canceled.

We know things are opening up, (but) were not going to hurry up and change that, said Agler, who serves as Unit 163s poppy chairperson.

She plans to suggest distributing poppies on or around Veterans Day, which originated as Armistice Day on the anniversary of World War Is end on Nov. 11, 1918.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  Republicans on Wednesday pushed a resolution through the Kansas House expressing the state's solidarity with Israel and condemning Hamas militants as terrorists after an 11-day war this month in the Gaza Strip.

The House voted 83-27 in favor of the resolution, which will be sent to Israeli government representatives in the U.S. It inspired a brief but intense debate, with two of the Legislature's most liberal members arguing that the measure ignored abuses by the Israeli government against Palestinians.

The resolution was the Legislature's last order of business before members adjourned for the year. Republicans in both chambers approved another non-binding resolution calling on Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to end extra unemployment benefits in Kansas that were provided under federal coronavirus relief legislation, in the latest attempt by Republicans to ratchet up pressure on her.

The resolution on Israel said Kansas views Israel as a trusted ally" and endeavors to work toward peace" while ensuring "security for Israel's people, neighbors and citizens of the world."
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.
Federal funding for conversion of U.S. 275 into a four-lane expressway between Norfolk and Wisner heads the list of three projects proposed by Rep. Jeff Fortenberry for designated federal community project funding.

Fortenberry has requested $83 million in designated federal funding for the vital link in the Nebraska Department of Transportation's ongoing construction of a long-awaited expressway connecting Norfolk with Fremont.

Congress recently approved the new community project system to replace what used to be described as congressional earmarking.

The earlier system was abused by a few members and abandoned for a decade after it was turned into a political weapon in 2011.

Other projects on Fortenberry's list are $40 million in federal funding for expansion of agricultural research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to include creation of a national center for resilient and regenerative precision agriculture and $750,000 for the Arbor Day Foundation's community forestry program.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)  Low-cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle has been saved, its chief executive said Wednesday, adding it had written history as the ailing airline had struggled with fallout from the coronavirus pandemic and a debt restructuring plan.

CEO Jacob Schram said Norwegian had successfully concluded the plan after it raised 6 billion kroner ($721 million) through the sale of perpetual bonds, new shares and a rights issue.

In January, the Oslo-based airline said it was ending its long-haul operations and was focusing instead on European destinations. The company then presented a plan that cut its fleet from 140 aircraft to about 50.

In a statement, Norwegian said it had reduced its total debt by approximately 63-65 billion kroner ($7.5 billion-$7.8 billion) to around 20 billion kroner ($2.36 billion) under a plan that had to be approved by bankruptcy courts in Ireland, where its planes are registered, and in Norway.

The courts, which had approved the plan, demanded that the airline raise at least 4.5 billion kroner ($541 million) as part of a program to emerge from bankruptcy protection in the two countries which happened Wednesday.
Photo: Peter Boer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

A Dutch court on Wednesday ruled Royal Dutch Shell must dramatically reduce its carbon emissions because of its contributions to climate change, the first time a fossil-fuel company has been held legally liable for its role in heating up the planet. The landmark decision could set a precedent for similar cases against oil, gas, and coal industries.

The Hague District Court ruled that the energy giant has a duty of care to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions and that its current reduction plans are not concrete enough. According to the courts judgment, the company must slash its emissions by 45 percent by 2030, from 2019 levels, to meet global climate goals under the Paris Agreement  a much higher reduction than Shells current aim of lowering its emissions 20 percent in that same amount of time. The Paris Agreement applies to the entire world, so also to Shell, the judge said. Royal Dutch Shell has to implement this decision at once.

The lawsuit was filed in April 2019 by seven groups, including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth Netherlands, on behalf of 17,200 Dutch citizens who say Shell is threatening human rights as it continues to invest billions in the production of fossil fuels. According to the Guardian, the court heard that Shells production and sale of oil are responsible for about 1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions every year.

This is a turning point in history, Roger Cox, lawyer for Friends of the Earth Netherlands, told the Guardian. This case is unique because it is the first time a judge has ordered a large polluting corporation to comply with the Paris climate agreement. This ruling may also have major consequences for other big polluters.

Indeed, while only legally binding in the Netherlands, the ruling may have a ripple effect on other climate litigation seeking action to rein in emissions and hold oil companies financially liable. Most climate-lawsuit cases focus on claiming damages for past harm caused by climate change, such as the Kids Climate Case where plaintiffs argued the U.S. government violated their constitutional right to a stable climate, whereas the Shell case looks into the future. Michael Burger, executive director of Columbia Law Schools Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, told Bloomberg before the verdict that judges around the world are being confronted by climate change cases and are looking to other judges for points of reference.
US President Donald Trump takes questions from reporters at a news conference on the COVID-19 outbreak at the White House on February 26, 2020. Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

When Nicholson Baker wrote a cover story for New York laying out the evidence that COVID-19 may have originated in a lab in Wuhan, China, the hypothesis was still highly controversial. In the months that have followed, and especially over the last week, its gained more and more credibility. A week ago, 18 prominent scientists signed a letter published in Science calling for an open investigation into the viruss origins. This weekend, the Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. intelligence believes three researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology became sick enough in November 2019 to require hospitalization, lending even more credence to the possibility of a lab leak.

The hypothesis is far from proven. But this account of the viruss origins is highly plausible, and at least as well-grounded as the original story of an infection that naturally leapt from a bat to a person.

This development would come as a shock to anybody who had been following this question in the news, especially its more left-leaning precincts. Many mainstream journalists, though not all, dismissed the lab-leak hypothesis out of hand as a conspiracy theory. In part, they were deceived by some especially voluble public-health experts. In part, they simply took Donald Trumps bait, answering the former presidents dissembling with false certainty of their own.

It is not too early to grapple with the failures of the media, which reflect the wider struggles of trying to fairly convey the truth in an atmosphere deformed by misinformation. Rather than meet lies with truth, the media often met it with other lies.

The confusion surrounding this issue was sown in no small measure by Trump, who used China as a transparent gambit to distract from his failure to respond to the pandemic. His messages characteristically contained a mix of unproven, false, and irrelevant statements. Trump said China was withholding information about the pandemics origins, that it might not have started in a market, and that China may have intentionally started the pandemic or allowed it to spread in order to harm him:

Whether they made a mistake or whether it started off as a mistake and then they made another one, or did somebody do something on purpose  Certainly it could have been stopped, Trump said during an event in the East Room on his administrations efforts to aid seniors during the outbreak. They either couldnt do it from a competence standpoint, or they let it spread.

Obviously, the idea China would intentionally start a deadly pandemic inside of China, just so the virus would eventually spread around the globe and kill Americans, is preposterous. In any case, whether it originated in a lab or a wet market is irrelevant to Trumps decisions  either way, his job was to protect Americans from the virus, and he failed.

However, the charge that the virus began in a lab and China was covering it up was never clearly false. Yet many media reports treated this aspect with the same skepticism as Trumps other lies on the subject, often blending different aspects of these claims together.

In January 2020, the Washington Post wrote a story headlined, Experts debunk fringe theory linking Chinas coronavirus to weapons research. This piece correctly refuted the claim that the virus was deliberately manufactured as a biological weapon. It did not distinguish the (highly unlikely) bioweapon theory from the related, more plausible theory that the disease escaped from the Wuhan lab without ever having been intended as a weapon. More damagingly, this story treated the Wuhan labs security as essentially impregnable, asserting that the Wuhan National Biosafety Laboratory is a Cellular Level Biosafety Level 4 facility, which means it has a high level of operational security and is authorized to work on dangerous pathogens, including Ebola.

The security level of a lab in China is not something the Western media was, or is, in a position to assess. But this assumption that the lab almost certainly couldnt suffer a breach became embedded in a lot of the coverage that followed.

In February, Senator Tom Cotton appeared on television to raise questions about what China was hiding. Cotton kept his exact accusation vague, perhaps deliberately. We dont have evidence that this disease originated there, he said of the Wuhan lab, but because of Chinas duplicity and dishonesty from the beginning, we need to at least ask the question to see what the evidence says, and China right now is not giving evidence on that question at all.

Reporters immediately began accusing him of promoting the most extreme version of Trumps charge. The New York Times labeled Cottons remarks a conspiracy theory. The Washington Posts account was headlined, Tom Cotton keeps repeating a coronavirus conspiracy theory that was already debunked. The Post quoted an expert denying the virus was a deliberately released bioweapon, but Cotton hadnt said that.

Not all media handled the controversy this poorly. The New York Times treated the lab-leak hypothesis as an open question. A report that Trump officials were pressuring intelligence staffers to substantiate the lab-leak theory presented evidence for both sides. Another report a few days later noted, Some officials who have examined the intelligence reports, which remain classified, say it is possible an animal that was infected with the coronavirus in the laboratory was destroyed, and a lab worker was accidentally infected in the process. But that is just one of many theories still being examined.

But other reporting spread the same confusion. One April NPR report asserted, Virus researchers say there is virtually no chance that the new coronavirus was released as result of a laboratory accident in China or anywhere else. But if you read the story closely, you can see the gaps between what the experts say, and the conclusions of the authorial voice. For instance, one expert explained:

Lim says she does not believe a lab accident is the cause of the current outbreak: While there is always some risk for lab accidents, risk is not reality, she told NPR in an email. The origin of COVID-19 is consistent with other natural zoonotic crossover events, without invoking lab accidents.

Note that the expert calls contagion a risk, without assessing its likelihood, and calls the evidence consistent with it having emerged naturally. Neither of these statements rule out the possibility of a lab accident. Yet the report went beyond the evidence to support that different, stronger conclusion.

More liberal news sources went even farther. The Guardian covered the issue through the prism of Trumps habit of spreading conspiracy theories, with headlines like Trump fans flames of Chinese lab coronavirus theory during daily briefing and Trump claims to have evidence coronavirus started in Chinese lab but offers no details.

In March, Vox (whose parent company also owns New York) reported, In some right-wing news outlets and on social media, a dangerous conspiracy theory about the origin of the health crisis wont die. It scolded New York Post columnist Steven Mosher for having stoked the leakage rumor, using an array of circumstantial clues that Chinese labs handling of deadly pathogens cant be trusted, to which the story asserted in response, The Wuhan lab has the same safety protocols as top biosafety labs in the US and Europe.

A Slate story, headlined Where the Coronavirus Bioweapon Conspiracy Theories Really Come From, conflated the bioweapon theory with the more modest lab-leak hypothesis:

Responsible outlets have covered the conspiracy theories, attempting to debunk them. But even some experts dont seem immune here. One rejected the idea of the virus being a biological weapon and praised the Wuhan Institute of Virology as a world-class research institution that does world-class research to the Washington Post at the end of January. Less than a month later, he was tweeting sympathetically about a New York Post opinion piece claiming the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19, had escaped from the same lab

The story proceeds to lay the blame for the lab-leak theory on bigotry: The rumors of a lab escape or a bioweapon stem from historical amnesia, a caricatured villain, and good old-fashioned racism. After asserting that Chinas lab security is world class, it explains:

Driving these caricatured views, moreover, is an undercurrent of racism. The history of China includes a series of at times violent occupations by English, American, French, and Japanese forces. From this history arises the trope of China as the sick man of Asia, an unintentional collaboration between English diplomats and Chinese intellectuals, and made popular more than a century later by, of all people, Bruce Lee, as the South China Morning Post describes. This trope describes the government of China as weak and failing, but also the Chinese people themselves as physically frail. Recently revived by a columnist at the Wall Street Journal, to the anger of the Chinese government, the trope feeds an image of the Chinese as cunning but not intelligent. Its an odious hang-up from our colonial past, and one wed be well placed to abandon. Its worth noting that part of that history includes the use of biological weapons against China by the JapaneseChina is the most recent nation to have had bioweapons used against them, en masse, by a foreign power.

Of course, there are sound reasons other than racism to question the security of a lab that has refused to be transparent with international authorities, and whose government is run by an oligarchic one-party state.

The debate over the viruss origins died down after the spring of 2020, but the original impression as a conspiracy theory did not disappear. After a guest on Tucker Carlsons program called the virus man-made and asserted it had originated in a lab  a hypothesis that, to be clear, was hardly proven  Politifact labelled it a debunked conspiracy theory. And yet the same pattern recurred, in which the guts of Politifacts story failed to support such a confident conclusion, and even conceded it was possible:

That doesnt rule out the possibility that Chinese researchers were studying the virus in a lab when it managed to spread outside the lab, which is something that the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency has considered. But the agency has also said there is no credible evidence to indicate SARS-CoV-2 was released intentionally or was created as a biological weapon.

Politifact has since appended an editors note to the top of that piece retracting its original claim.

In October, Business Insider reported with alarm that a quarter of the public believed a conspiracy theory that the virus originated in a lab. But, once again, the story itself merely suggested this was highly unlikely (not impossible), due to the Wuhan labs stringent safety protocols.

An Associated Press fact-check in December, rounding up various myths related to the pandemic, described the lab-leak hypothesis as a falsehood. The story proceeded to assert the virus likely originated in nature. Likely, of course, does not mean absolutely.

It is understandable that authorities, including public health experts and journalists, responded to the crisis with initial confusion. But they erred on the side of certainty when they ought to have erred on the side of uncertainty. And the false certainty they embraced at the outset of 2020 hardened into a dogma that they did not question for far too long.

The lab-leak hypothesis may well turn out to be wrong. But that wont make any of these reports right. The origins of COVID-19 were always hazy, and Chinas lack of transparency created significant doubt. Reporters looked at the uncertainty and fell back on an impulse to straightforwardly call out racist lies, even though the evidence to call it lies was quite threadbare.

It is true that most of these outlets were more faithful to the truth than Trump, whose gusher of lies vastly exceeded whatever false claims trickled out of the liberal media. But Trump is not the right standard for journalists. And those who chose to follow the ethos of moral clarity, at the expense of objectivity, misled their audiences.

Chas Danner helped provide research for this column.

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Photo: New York City Council

Is Zooming behind the wheel a sign that the hectic schedules of pre-pandemic life are returning to a nation reliant on car travel? Or are politicians who support public-safety policies putting personal convenience in the era of remote work above their political stances? Either way, some are beginning to develop a nasty road habit: calling in to Zoom meetings while theyre driving.

On Tuesday, New York City councilmember Helen Rosenthal attended a finance-committee hearing while in the drivers seat of her vehicle, peeling her attention away from the road to look at the camera and discuss classroom size. According to Politico reporter Amanda Eisenberg, Rosenthal drove from her apartment on the Upper West Side to a press conference for mayoral candidate Maya Wiley just a half-mile from her home. I should have walked, she told Eisenberg after being caught, adding that she did not want to be late.

Its an unfortunate image for someone who purportedly supports safe driving initiatives and may have an imperfect driving record: The license plate for the car she was driving had three speeding tickets in school zones last year, according to the New York City parking and camera violations database Hows My Driving NY. However, she is not alone. As a review by the New York Post shows, NYC councilmembers Stephen Levin and Brad Lander have both called in to Zoom hearings from the drivers seat in the past year. Like Rosenthal, they support rules increasing the cost of parking and driving in the city in order to encourage car owners to bike, walk, or take public transportation.

Its unclear whether the trend will continue into the summer months or if Zooming around will become another unforced error that politicians try and fail to avoid. Regardless, its doubtful that any contender will unseat the king of the movement: Ohio state senator Andrew Brenner, who was recorded on a video call earlier this month driving on the same day the legislature was discussing a bill to increase penalties for distracted drivers. The timing is delicious, yes, but even better was the video feed of the Republican, who used a background image of his office to trick viewers into thinking he was at home. It was too bad that his seatbelt gave him away, though at least he looked both ways before executing a turn from his officemobile.

Photo: The Ohio Channel
Opelika council members Erica Baker-Norris of Ward 2 and George Allen of Ward 1 have joined together to come up with ways to better connect the Carver and Jeter neighborhoods in their wards to the city of Opelika as a whole.

The Carver-Jeter Plan, which was introduced by former-Ward 1 Council member Patsy Jones in 1995, seeks to improve the quality of life in the area which Baker-Norris described as having a rich history of African American heritage.

The Carver-Jeter neighborhoods have been historically inhabited by African-Americans, and the rich history of the area includes Dr. J.W. Darden, Opelika regions only African American doctor in the early 1900s, and Dr. W.E. Moton, an integral figure in the education system in the area as well. Also Dr. Ida Jackson, who was a former student and teacher at East Street High School, the first black high school [in Opelika], Baker-Norris said.

While aspects of the plan have been completed, such as the renovation of the Covington Recreation Center, sidewalk improvements, area street art and the implementation of upgrades to Bandy Park, Baker-Norris said theres still work to be done in improving the lives of those in the area.


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Marilyn Manson warrant issued on assault charges https://t.co/iQIoEAyocG  BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) May 26, 2021

 Police in New Hampshire has issued an active arrest warrant for Marilyn Manson, for assaulting a videographer during a concert in 2019.

 It's NOT related to his sexual assault claims.

 He could be arrested for less than a year and pay a fine.

 Earlier this month, a former assistant named Ashley Walters, was suing him for SA.

Source
Russia estimates that the global oil market is currently in a deficit of around 1 million barrels per day (bpd), Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday.

There is a deficit on the market of around 1 million bpd and we need to consider how we can meet the growth in demand, Novak told reporters in Russia, as carried by news agency TASS.

Last week, Novak said that the oil market was fairly balanced, with demand slightly exceeding supply.

There is definitely a deficit on the market, thats why oil stocks from last year are drawing down toward the five-year average, the deputy prime minister told reporters last week.

Russia, as OPECs key partner in the OPEC+ production deal, is ramping up its oil production between May and July, as per the groups agreement to gradually return over 1 million bpd to the market between May and July. Saudi Arabia will also reverse its extra unilateral cut of 1 million bpd in that period.

The monthly meeting of the ministers of the OPEC+ alliance to take stock of the market situation and compliance rates is scheduled to take place next week, on June 1.

OPEC+ bears in mind the possibility of a return of Iranian oil to the market in the short term, Novak said today.

Iran has the potential for recovery, and the alliance will need to calculate the balance of demand and supply considering Iran, when and if sanctions are lifted, Russias top oil policy diplomat said.

Indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran and talks with the countries part of the Iranian nuclear deal resumed in Vienna on Tuesday. Mikhail Ulyanov, who leads the Russian delegation at the talks, said on Tuesday that The Joint Commission opened today the fifth and probably final round of the Vienna talks on restoration of the JCPOA.

The participants expressed readiness to do their best to resolve the remaining outstanding issues and to complete negotiations successfully as soon as possible, Ulyanov added.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Irans Goreh-Jask oil pipeline is due to ship its first crude oil in June, with all construction having finished last week. This pipeline will enable Iran to transport huge quantities of oil from its major oil fields via Goreh in the Shoaybiyeh-ye Gharbi Rural District of Khuzestan Province 1100 kilometres to the port of Jask in Hormozgan province on the Gulf of Oman.

The 42-inch pipeline is absolutely crucial to Irans ability to continue to circumvent U.S.-led sanctions against it and to consolidate its burgeoning customer base in Asia. Although signs have emerged in recent days that a new iteration of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (nuclear deal) might emerge, Iran regards the Goreh-Jask pipeline as the most vital strategic oil export route to avoid it ever being beholden to the U.S.s wishes in the future.

Without the Goreh-Jask pipeline in place, Iran has been forced to side-step U.S. sanctions re-imposed after Washington unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018 through three tried-and-tested methods. These comprise: first, the re-labelling of Iranian oil into Iraqi oil on the border and at the shared oil reservoirs of the two allies whereupon it is sold on as Iraqi oil but the vast bulk of the revenues go to Tehran; second, the use of international brokers to hide Iranian oil movements under the guise of other clients; and third, the disguising of oil shipments and export routes through the use of ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil in the territorial waters of Malaysia, Indonesia, and China, among others. Each of these methods, though, involve considerable manoeuvring and cost on Irans part that the Goreh-Jask pipeline now in place will remove.

The pipeline will also give the option to Iran of blockading the worlds key oil transit route  the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf  for political purposes without the blockade affecting its own oil exports. The reason why is that the Goreh-Jask pipeline does not run through either the Strait of Hormuz or the Persian Gulf. Instead, it allows for the free movement of light, heavy, and ultra-heavy crude oil through a 1,100 km-long, 46 inch diameter pipeline that runs from the Goreh oil terminal in the north-west Bushehr Province to Mobarak Mount in the western Jask region along the Sea of Oman and freely out to anywhere else in the world. The logistical model for exporting oil that Iran has been working with before the Goreh-Jask pipeline was not sustainable, with around 90 per cent of all of it loaded at Kharg Island, which made it an obvious and easy target for the U.S. and its proxies to cripple Irans oil sector and therefore its economy, a senior oil and gas industry source who works closely with Irans Petroleum Ministry exclusively told OilPrice.com last week. Conversely, Iran wants to be able to use the threat  or reality  of closing the Strait of Hormuz for political reasons without also completing destroying its own oil exports revenue stream, he said. Indeed, any such blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran would not only be extremely effective for whatever political Tehran might have in mind but would also financially benefit Iran as oil prices would rise significantly from such an action.

In the initial stages of its operation, the Goreh-Jask pipeline will transport around 350,000 barrels per day of crude oil. This will be increased within a month of satisfactory operation to a daily delivery capacity 460,000 bpd of heavy crude oil and 254,000 bpd of light crude oil to export terminals. After up to three months of satisfactory operation at these levels, transport volumes will be increased again to 1 million bpd. The focus in the first two stages of operation will be moving oil from the huge oil fields cluster in the West Karoun region. These targeted volumes of crude oil to be transported in each phase of the Goreh-Jask pipeline are entirely realistic, as the West Karoun oil fields cluster alone comprises North and South Azadegan, North and South Yaran, and Yadavaran  plus some lesser fields  which together contain at least 67 billion barrels of oil in place.

With an average recovery rate currently of only around 4.5 per cent (compared to over 50 per cent at similar oil fields in Saudi Arabia), the potential to dramatically increase output from these fields is huge, particularly as they are not geologically difficult structures to exploit. Indeed, the West Karoun cluster has an average lifting cost of crude oil (excluding capital expenditure) rating as the lowest in the world, alongside Saudi Arabias optimal barrels, at just US$1-2 per barrel. Raising the output across the West Karoun oil fields cluster by at least 500,000 bpd also remains the key commitment from China in the 25-year deal with Iran revealed by OilPrice.com.

Given this initial close association to the massive West Karoun fields, the starting point in this logistical chain for the Goreh-Jask pipeline will be the West Karoun pumping station, the middle point the Omidieh pumping station, and the end stage the Bahregan and Jask terminals. Once in Jask, the oil will be stored in one of the 20 storage tanks each capable of storing 500,000 barrels of oil, in the first phase (10 million barrels total) for later loading on to very large crude carriers (VLCCs) headed from the Gulf of Oman and into the Arabian Sea and then on to the Indian Ocean.

The second phase will see an expansion to an overall storage capacity of 30 million barrels, according to the Iran source. These VLCCs will be accommodated in shipping facilities costing around US$200 million in the first phase, although the plans are to expand capacity to allow for further regular shipping of various oil-adjunct and petrochemical products in particular demand in Asia.

In addition, three single-point moorings (SPM), and other infrastructure features for the import and export of crude oil and other products will be in place, with more under construction. According to a recent comment from Hossein Azimi, director of the Pars Oil and Gas Company that oversees developments at Irans supergiant non-associated natural gas field, South Pars, an SPM loading system with a capacity of 7,000 square metres per hour of loading capacity is also being installed in Assaluyeh, southern Iran.

This would augment gas condensate loading capacity of the field and will further allow for the handling of liquid cargo, such as petroleum products, for tanker ships. There will be a few more of these installed in the south, in the Gulf of Oman, in the coming months, as they are very useful in areas where a dedicated facility for loading or unloading liquid cargo is not available, the Iran source told OilPrice.com. These SPMs will operate in a similar manner to those of Irans neighbour, Iraq, in that they will be located many kilometres away from the onshore facilities, connected to them by a series of subsea pipelines, and able to handle the biggest of VLCCs.

By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com

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Nigerias National Petroleum Corporation this week signed a deal with Shell, Exxon, Total, and Eni to develop an offshore oil block that includes the deepwater Bonga field, the NNPC said in a series of tweets.

The NNPC noted the deal marks a historic moment as it settles long-running disputes between the Nigerian government and international oil companies.

According to the company, the deal could unlock up to $10 billion in new investments in Nigerias oil industry. It could also add 150,000 bpd to the countrys oil production, bringing the total output from the blockOil Mining Lease 118to 350,000 bpd, Bloomberg reports.

Interestingly, for Shell, the deal comes after earlier this year, chief executive Ben van Beurden said that Shell does not see its upstream oil operations in Nigeria as compatible with its strategy to become a net-zero energy business.

We cannot solve community problems in the Niger Delta, said the top executive at Shell, which has encountered numerous problems in Nigerias onshore in recent years, including oil theft and pipeline sabotage, as well as lawsuits brought up by local communities over oil spills.

This week, after the news of the deal broke, Shell told Bloomberg that Through these agreements, stakeholders will have clear and stable set of terms incentivizing further development of the OML 118 block and opening further opportunities in the prolific Nigerian deep water oil and gas industry.

Despite bearish oil demand forecasts over the long term, Nigeria has serious ambitions in expanding its oil industry. More than 100 oil and gas projects are set to launch over the next five years in Africas biggest oil producer, including 25 upstream oil and gas projects, 28 petrochemical projects, and 24 refinery projects. The Bonga field is among the 25 upstream projects, and is expected to start commercial production in 2025.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Economic recovery and a rebound in liquefied natural gas demand in the worlds largest LNG importing region, Asia, are set to keep spot regional LNG prices around current levels of $10 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) for most of the summer, which could be the highest price for this time of the year in seven years.

Despite concerns about stalled short-term spot demand in India and Japan due to the COVID resurgence, Asias imports are holding up strong in May, according to vessel-tracking and port data from Refinitiv, cited by Reuters columnist Clyde Russell.

LNG imports have been strong since the end of the winter despite the typically weak shoulder season between peak winter and peak summer demand. The harsh winter in the northern hemisphere led to larger-than-usual inventory withdrawals, especially in South Koreathe worlds third-largest LNG importer. Now the region is restocking for summer demand for electricity, with spot cargo demand robust for this time of the year.

As a result, spot LNG prices in Asia are assessed at around $10/MMBtu these daysa fivefold jump from last years summer prices of below $2/MMBtu when the coronavirus wiped out demand and both suppliers and importers faced high uncertainty about short-term market trends.

LNG futures also suggest around $10/MMBtu prices from June to September, suggesting a relatively tight market in Asia this summer and what could be the highest summer performance since 2014, Reuters Russell notes.

LNG imports assessments from Refinitiv show robust imports in May in all four top global importers: Japan, China, South Korea, and India.

Indias LNG demand has weakened in recent weekssigns started to emerge earlier this month, with shippers diverting LNG cargoes away from Indian terminals because of lower demand for gas for commercial activities and transportation, shipping and trade sources told Reuters.

But ship-tracking data from Refinitiv suggests that Indias LNG imports in May could be higher than those in April. The weakness is expected to show up in the June spot demand.

While Indiaand Japan to an extentare expected to see weaker spot LNG demand next month, China is supporting the Asian market with imports expected to rise by nearly 30 percent in May compared to May last year.

Looking forward, strong demand recovery in key Asian markets will be met by equally strong supply recovery in 2021. This should prevent a repeat of summer 2020 supply curtailments and reduce the likelihood of a repeat of last winters prices, Gavin Thompson, Vice Chairman, Energy  Asia Pacific at Wood Mackenzie, wrote in an analysis last month.

Spot prices at around $10/MMBtu in Asia, plus a tighter market in Europe with below-average gas inventory levels, is great news for U.S. LNG exporters. Related: Whats More Probable? $100 Oil Or $500,000 Bitcoin

Europe had already started to restock with natural gas following a harsh winter that drained inventories when a cold snap in April caused unusual additional withdrawals from storage.

A cold snap in April caused a counter-seasonal net withdrawal of inventory, worsening the storage situation which for several months has been running below seasonal averages, WoodMac said in its Q2 LNG short-term trade and price outlook this week.

Higher LNG spot prices both in Asia and in Europe would leave the window for U.S. LNG exports to those two regions open throughout the summer as the cost for shipping American LNG would be lower than the spot prices in Asia and Europe.

Prices at the Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF) hub close to the highest since 2018 and Asian spot price at above $10/MMBtu would continue to incentivize buyers to import record or near-record volumes of American LNG, analysts told Reuters this week.

U.S. LNG exports set an all-time record in March 2021 at 10.5 Bcf/d and averaged 9.2 Bcf/d in Aprilthe most exported LNG for those months since the United States began exporting it in 2016, according to EIA data.

This month, U.S. LNG exports are expected to drop to 8.6 Bcf/d. But exports are set to jump above 9.0 Bcf/d in the summer months to meet summer peak demand in Europe and Asia, the EIA said in its latest Short-Term Outlook (STEO). Annual U.S. LNG exports are forecast to average 9.2 Bcf/d in 2021 and 2022, up from 6.5 Bcf/d in 2020.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Multitudinous protests and years of international condemnations notwithstanding, the regime of Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus might soon see its final days, all brought about by an innocuous Ryanair flight from Athens to Vilnius. Regardless of what one thinks about the persona of Roman Protasevich, the jailed opposition journalist, the fact that the Belorussian President personally ordered the hijacking and military interception of a civilian flight that did not breach any rules whatsoever has brought European political circles almost to the boiling point. All the talk in Brussels is now revolving around the idea of standing up against tyranny (now that the autocrat Europe has to face is substantially more vulnerable than the ones EU leaders have been dealing most of the times) and it seems that flight bans are only the first step in a prolonged saga to come.

The plane incident couldnt have happened at a worse time for Belarus refiners. Next week, starting from June 01, the Mozyr Refinery will shut down for planned maintenance. This means that for 15 days, Belarus will only depend on the Novopolotsk Refinery (also known as Naftan) to supply the domestic market with fuels and products. The problem with Naftan is that it was placed under a new round of US sanctions  on April 19, the US Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) altered the general license of Belorussian state-owned entities from 2G to 2H, meaning that by June 03, 2021 any entity that does not seek to be sanctioned should wind down all transactions with Naftan (as well as Belneftekhim, the countrys petrochemical holding). Novopolotsk has routinely been supplied by Russian companies like Rosneft or Surgutneftegaz  they have stopped providing crude to Naftan in May and it remains an open question if they would start again (and to which extent).

It remains an open question whether Belarus would be able to supply itself in a period of prolonged undercapacity. Even if Minsk survives the double whammy of US sanctions and idled refining capacities, it will most probably see its opportunities for product exports significantly curtailed  just as Belorussian refiners were reorienting their flows to move across Russia and load from its eastern neighbours Baltic ports. It also needs to be noted that exports of oil products provided the Belorussian economy with much-needed foreign currency, a dearth of which might depress the economy further on. Little does signal so far that either US or EU sanctions will be extended to the other refinery - the Mozyr Refinery is less likely to receive the same sanctions treatment, primarily because the downstream asset is co-owned by Slavneft, a Moscow-based joint venture of Rosneft and Gazprom Neft that also operates the Yaroslavl Refinery in Russia.

One hypothetical way of getting around any sanctions for Minsk, even if temporarily, would be to invite Russian companies to export their production on the Belorussian market. One would struggle to find a historical precedent for such a scenario as Belarus has always been long on refining output, its profitability boosted by years of duty-free pipeline crude imports from Russia. Sanctions on Belarus have also had collateral damage across Ukraine which has learned to rely on transportation fuels from Mozyr, its debilitated refining sector counting only 1 operating refinery out of the 7 nominally existing. Ukrainian authorities have flaunted the idea of buying more diesel and gasoline from Poland and Lithuania, however it seems more likely it would import more Russian products, using a buffer company to insulate itself from geopolitical risks. Related: Russia: Current Oil Market Deficit Is 1 Million Bpd

The US sanctions have certainly dented Belarus manoeuvring space; however, it is the European Union that has the power to deal the ultimate blow to Minsk. An intense day of negotiations in Brussels on May 25 seemed to end on a concerted note, indicating that the EU would seek to replicate the American sanctions regime and levy sanctions against Belarus fertilizer, steel, oil and petrochemical sectors. The implementation of this principled agreement might take more than the externalized image of unquestionable concord might suggest, previous attempts to penalize the Lukashenko regime for its repeated abuses of human rights have been held up by countries like Cyprus or Hungary. The European Union is always susceptible of repeating its well-honed skill of bureaucratic loitering, however in this instance it seems that a quick reaction might be at hand.

The rather rare unison in which European leaders react to the Belorussian story developing might cloak the long-term challenges that Brussels can witness vis-a-vis Minsk. Slapping sanctions on Belorussian entities, as much as they inflict damage on the circle of Lukashenko, concurrently bring them closer to Russia, effectively the only economy capable and willing to help out Belarus ill-fated companies. President Lukashenko is very unlikely to cede power in a peaceful manner, a sentiment oft repeated by Europes last dictator. He might not need to, were Belarus leading state-owned companies be sold to Russian peers  i.e. OFAC might feel no qualms about sanctioning the Naftan Refinery yet would it do the same if the refinery were to be owned by Rosneft, one of the worlds largest oil companies? Seems rather unlikely.

By Gerald Jansen for Oilprice.com

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If the ongoing talks about the U.S. and Iran returning to the nuclear deal result in an agreement, it will be in August at the earliest that Iranian barrels will hit the market free of American sanctions, Amrita Sen, head of research at Energy Aspects, told Bloomberg Television in an interview on Wednesday.

Iran, the U.S., and the remaining participants in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) started on Tuesday the fifth, and what Russia hopes will be the last, round of talks.

According to Energy Aspects Sen, both the United States and Iran will aim to reach a deal before the presidential election in Iran on June 18.

Even if a deal is announced as early as next week, it will take at least another two months for Iranian oil to start flowing to the market with the blessing of the United States, she said. This is because the Biden Administration will likely send any deal reached to Congress, which has 60 days to review it. The Administration could, in theory, bypass Congressional review, but Energy Aspects analysts dont think it will do so, Sen added.

Then, the United States will wait for Iran to return to compliance in its nuclear activities, and only then will it issue waivers or lift sanctions, she noted.

So the earliest possible timeline is Irans oil returning in August, but probably later on in the year.

The later Iranian oil returns, the less impact it will have on the oil market because analysts and forecasters expect global oil demand to rebound strongly in the second half of this year.

OPEC+ is well aware of the possibility of Iranian exports adding to global supply and will estimate balances of supply and demand considering Iran, Russias Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday.

Iran will not be put under the OPEC+ quota immediately after its return to the market, according to Energy Aspects.

Meanwhile, Iran may have some 69 million barrels of oil in floating storage waiting on tankers to travel to buyers when U.S. sanctions on its crude oil exports are removed, estimates from E.A. Gibson Shipbrokers cited by Bloomberg showed on Tuesday.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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A Dutch court ordered on Wednesday oil supermajor Shell to slash its carbon emissions by 45 percent by 2030 in a landmark ruling in a climate case brought by environmentalists that could set precedents for other oil companies.

The court in The Hague ordered Shell to slash its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 45 percent within ten years and start complying with the ruling immediately, as the judge held the company liable for the emissions caused by the use of its products and said its climate policy was not specific enough.

Shell, as all other European oil majors, has pledged to reduce emissions and become a net-zero energy business by 2050 or sooner. Earlier this year, Shell reaffirmed said that its oil production peaked in 2019 and is set for a continual decline over the next three decades.

The company has emission-reduction targets, seeking to reduce its net carbon intensity by 6 to 8 percent by 2023 from 2016 levels, by 20 percent by 2030, and by 45 percent from 2016 levels by 2035 before hitting the 100-percent emissions target by 2050. These targets, the company said, include all of the emissions associated with its business operations as well as emissions generated from the use of its products by customers.

But the court ruling orders the firm to reduce its CO2 output compared to 2019 levels.

The court orders Royal Dutch Shell... to reduce its CO2 output and those of its suppliers and buyers by the end of 2030 by a net of 45 percent based on 2019 levels, said the Dutch court today, as carried by AFP.

Friends of the Earth Netherlands, which brought the legal action to the Dutch court in 2019, rejoiced at the news, describing the ruling as a historic victory.

This is a monumental victory for our planet, for our children and is a step towards a liveable future for everyone. The judge has left no room for doubt: Shell is causing dangerous climate change and must stop its destructive behaviour now, said Donald Pols, director of Friends of the Earth Netherlands.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Ford's hopes to follow in Tesla's and GM's footsteps and piggyback on the EV/ESG bandwagon will be tested this morning, with Ford stock spiking then sliding in jittery trade after Ford confirmed yesterday's Reuters rumor that the company would boost spending on electric vehicles by at least 36% to $30 billion and said that 40% of Ford global vehicle volume to be all-electric by 2030;

Ford also said it is creating a commercial vehicles service and distribution business to be known as FordPro to generate a recurring revenue stream. Moving away form a single transaction business model -- where all revenue comes from the sale of a car -- will help the automaker realize an 8% operating margin by 2023, it said in a statement.

The announcement comes ahead of its Capital Markets Day meeting with investors, in which among other things, Ford explains how it will "lead the electrification revolution":

This is our biggest opportunity for growth and value creation since Henry Ford started to scale the Model T, and were grabbing it with both hands, Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley said in the statement.

Ford stock was volatile in response, first rising then dropping to session lows, before the algos realized that all of this had been leaked previously.

By Zerohedge.com

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Iran is banning electricity-sapping cryptocurrency mining until the end of September as it grapples with power blackouts amid electricity scarcity.

Even before the peak summer electricity demand season, Iran has been suffering from power outages as consumption soars, while power generation has declined.

A few weeks ago, Iran banned the use of air conditioning at Tehrans state agencies as the country looks to save electricity consumption and prioritize electricity supply to homes and hospitals. Tehran Power Distribution Company has said that the use of air conditioners at government agencies in the capital is prohibited to ease the pressure on the electricity distribution network during peak hours. The government is looking to prioritize electricity supply to residential areas and hospitals after Irans hydropower generation slumped this year because of a lack of rainfall.

The rush to mining cryptocurrencies has only exacerbated the problem with Irans electricity supply.

A total of 4.5 percent of all Bitcoin mining takes place in Iran, a report by blockchain analytics firm Elliptic showed last week.

Elliptic estimates that 4.5% of all Bitcoin mining takes place in Iran, allowing the country to circumvent trade embargoes and earn hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptoassets that can be used to purchase imports and bypass sanctions, Tom Robinson, Elliptics Co-founder and Chief Scientist, wrote in the companys guide to sanctions compliance in cryptoassets.

At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani thanked the Minister of Energy for apologising to the people for the power outages, the website of the president reported.

To help solve this problem, from today until the end of the summer, any activity to mine cryptocurrencies, even by those who have a license, is illegal so that there is no problem in supplying electricity to the people, Rouhani said, as carried by the presidents website.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Samuel E. Wright, the actor who voiced Sebastian the crab in Disney's "The Little Mermaid" and sang the film's Oscar-winning song "Under the Sea," has died aged 74.

Wright's role as a Jamaican crab and adviser to King Triton in the much-loved 1989 Disney film marked the high point of his lengthy career in cinema, television and theater.

His death was confirmed by the town of Montgomery, New York, where Wright had founded a cultural center with his family. His daughter also confirmed his death to The Hollywood Reporter, describing her father as "the brightest light."

"On top of his passion for the arts and his love for his family, Sam was most known for walking into a room and simply providing PURE JOY to those he interacted with," the town wrote on its Facebook page.

"He loved to entertain, he loved to make people smile and laugh and he loved to love."
Warner was Taylors sixth husband, a marriage that lasted from 1976 to 1982.

We were always friends  to the end, Warner said in a statement following Taylors death in 2011. I shall remember her as a woman whose heart and soul were as beautiful as her classic face and majestic eyes.

A former member of the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps, Warner was one of the last World War II veterans in the Senate. He used his perch on the Armed Services Committee, of which he was chairman when Republicans controlled the Senate, to champion the armed forces and Virginias military installations in particular.

Warner can be grandiloquent and showy, yet he works hard on important issues and has shown steadfastness in his beliefs, according to the Almanac of American Politics.

Republican presidents saw just how independent Warner could be. In 1987, he voted against confirming Robert Bork, Ronald Reagans unsuccessful nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court.
When the famous Budweiser Clydesdales high step through the Old Market during Friday nights Memorial Day Parade, they will be walking in the historic hoofprints of 19th-century Omaha beer horses.

The Anheuser-Busch Beer Depot, 1213 Jones St., was built in 1887 and joined the National Register of Historic Buildings in 1979 as an example of 19th century Romanesque architecture. From its opening until Prohibition became the law in 1919, the building was used to distribute beer in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and Wyoming.

An adjacent stable, long gone, housed six teams of horses that hauled beer locally.

Fridays pre-parade activities including live music will begin at 4 p.m. at 12th and Jackson Streets, where the parade is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. It will follow a short route: two blocks east to 10th Street, then 2 blocks south to the Durham Museum.

The Clydesdales, according to a history prepared by Anheuser-Busch, were first introduced to the public on April 7, 1933, to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition. August A. Busch Jr. and Adolphus Busch III presented a six-horse hitch as a gift to their father, August Anheuser Busch Sr. The Clydesdales then proceeded to pull a red and white wagon carrying the first case of post-Prohibition beer from the St. Louis brewery.
Investigators say Bahena Rivera told them that he blacked out and couldnt remember how he killed Tibbetts.

The first defense witness called Tuesday was forensic consultant Michael Spence, who agreed that Tibbetts DNA was found on blood stains in the trunk, but said there was also unaccounted for DNA in the trunk, including at least one unknown male and female.

Spence conceded that it would not be surprising to find other DNA sources in a trunk of a vehicle that had been used, and that there are many ways they could have ended up there.

Iris Gamboa, the mother of Bahena Riveras daughter, testified Tuesday that she lived with him for four years before they broke up in 2017. She said he worked 12-hour days and got only two days off every two weeks.

She said he was a good father who paid $500 per month to support their daughter, was not violent toward them and never showed excessive anger. Bahena Rivera was also sending money back to his parents in Mexico and paying to build them a house, she said.

The defense showed jurors a photograph of a smiling Bahena Rivera and Gamboa with their young daughter at a family party in 2017. He was happy that his daughter was happy, Gamboa said. It was a good day.
A powerful storm system was expected to sweep across Nebraska overnight, rattling some people in their beds with its strong winds and thunderclaps.

The stormy weather kicked off with late afternoon tornadoes in southwest Nebraska.

A cluster of tornadoes was reported in the Benkelman area near the Kansas border Wednesday evening and an isolated, brief twister was reported in the Nebraska Panhandle near Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, according to the National Weather Service. As of 10 p.m., no significant damage had been reported, except for downed power poles and tree limbs, according to the national Storm Prediction Center.

Storm chasers pursued images in Nebraska that ranged from a fat wedge tornado to a wavy rope one, along with a classic V. Some of the images were elegant, others were ominous. Meteorologists won't know how many distinct tornadoes occurred until they do damage surveys, most likely on Thursday.

As night fell Wednesday, the severe weather threat was evolving away from tornadoes toward a larger thunderstorm complex-type system, according to the weather service.
Just tell people he had a heart attack and died, a man who attended the cleaning of one victims body told AP, recalling what doctors told family members.

Despite the attacks on NLD members, the anti-military demonstrations continued. Ordinary citizens soon found themselves targets of soldiers and police.

This month, relatives of one man in Bago Regions Pyay Township said security forces arrived at their home with guns drawn.

After beating 33-year-old Aung Khaing Myit, his sister told AP they took him away for questioning about his suspected involvement in a bomb blast. She said the officers swore nothing would happen to him, but he was heard screaming in a nearby room before falling silent.

The next day, the family was taken to a military hospital. They were told Aung Khaing Myit died while trying to jump out of a transport vehicle and that he was already placed inside a coffin. His sister said they were allowed to look at his bruised face, but not his entire body, and then authorities took him away for cremation over their objections.

We knew they beat him to death, she said. But they tried to lie to us.

And even if bodies are returned to families, it doesnt mean they will be buried and left to rest in peace.
McCollister said the proposal would give more families a new lease on life, by raising the cutoff to qualify. The law will temporarily allow families to qualify if their gross income is 165% or less of the federal poverty level  $43,725 for a family of four. Under current Nebraska law, the same family could only qualify if they make 130% or less of the federal level, or $34,450.

Please remember that SNAP recipients are our friends, neighbors and fellow church members, said McCollister, of Omaha.

The argument didn't sway some conservative lawmakers, who viewed it as expansion of the welfare state, but lawmakers voted by the narrowest possible margin, 30-19, to override Ricketts.

You want to do your good works with your neighbor's tax dollars, because that's what we're doing here, said Sen. Mike Groene, of North Platte.

Senators voted 32-15 to override the veto of the heating-assistance bill. The sponsor, Sen. Tom Brandt, of Plymouth, said allowing more people to qualify would solve a bureaucratic problem with the program.
It's hard to see how this provides full coverage of the winterization that we need, said Daniel Cohan, a professor environmental engineering at Rice University.

Any changes to Texas' beleaguered power grid must reach Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's desk by Sunday.

Energy experts who have criticized Texas' previous lapses in protecting the grid say that despite shortcomings, there is progress in legislation that is likely to reach Abbott. They point to power plants that would be winterized, new oversight and improved coordination when a crisis hits. But worry remains that it does not go far enough after America's proud energy capital couldn't keep the lights on.

Republicans, who boast about keeping regulation low in Texas, have defended the response.

When we started out we said we were going to fix it. And I think we've come a long way toward doing that, said Republican state Rep. Chris Paddie, who has steered the bills in the Texas House.
In 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court made it far more difficult for police to be sued by people hurt during high-speed chases. The Supreme Court also ruled that Ellis Island, historic gateway for millions of immigrants, was mainly in New Jersey, not New York.

In 2004, nearly a decade after the Oklahoma City bombing, Terry Nichols was found guilty of 161 state murder charges for helping carry out the attack. (Nichols later received 161 consecutive life sentences.)

In 2005, President George W. Bush received Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas at the White House; Bush called Abbas a courageous democratic reformer and bolstered his standing at home with $50 million in assistance.

In 2009, President Barack Obama nominated federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. Californias Supreme Court upheld the Proposition 8 gay marriage ban but said the 18,000 same-sex weddings that had taken place before the prohibition passed were still valid.

In 2015, challenging Hillary Rodham Clinton from the left, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders formally kicked off his Democratic presidential bid in Burlington, Vermont, with a pitch to liberals to join him in a political revolution to transform the nations economy and politics.
Bahena Rivera said that he wasnt truthful when detectives began questioning him about Tibbetts disappearance on Aug. 20, 2018, because he was worried about his daughters safety. He said then that he had approached Tibbetts as she ran, fought with her after she threatened to call police and then blacked out before hiding her body.

He said he agreed to lead investigators to Tibbetts body early on Aug. 21 because he was tired and wanted the interrogation to end. And he said police had urged him to put myself in the familys position and to think of how he would feel if his daughter was missing.

Bahena Rivera recounted growing up in southern Mexico and illegally coming to the U.S. after he turned 17, crossing a river into Texas on an inflatable raft with about 10 other people. He immediately went to live in Iowa, where his fathers brothers had settled, and got a job within days milking cows at a dairy farm, he said.

Bahena Rivera said he worked 12-hour days and was careful to avoid police for fear of deportation. He said he never had contact with law enforcement until investigators looking into Tibbetts disappearance identified his vehicle on a homeowners surveillance video on her running route.
McCollister said the bill could provide food assistance to another 3,476 households in Nebraska. The additional aid would be provided through federal dollars, and the latest pandemic relief measure would cover the costs of administering the aid.

Ricketts had objected to the bill as a dramatic expansion of a program intended only for people truly in need. He said the measure would encourage people to reduce their incomes or increase expenses to qualify for the aid.

We should remove any incentives that would slow reopening, regrowth, re-employment and reconnecting, he said.

But several senators pointed out that people must be working to qualify for SNAP benefits, unless they are disabled, pregnant or elderly.

The third measure, LB 306, was passed over the governors veto on a 32-15 vote. The bill, introduced by Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, will provide federally funded heating and cooling assistance to more Nebraskans.

It raises the income limit from 130% of the federal poverty level to 150% and requires that a larger share of the federal grant be used to help weatherize homes of low-income Nebraskans.
Linehan said the change reflected public testimony at a legislative hearing last week, and would give the committee  comprised of five Republicans and four Democrats  more flexibility in redrawing voting districts due to shifts in the states population from west to east.

But a trio of Democratic state senators objected to the amendment. They said that watering down the well-defined requirement of maintaining the core of a district, and using a less-well-defined standard of preserving communities of interest, made it more likely that political games could be played.

We could say that everyone in Omaha is in the same community of interest, and now we can scramble the districts in this (redistricting) process, said Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop, a Democrat. Under that standard, South Omaha could lose a state senator, he said.
The greatest threat to Americas democratic system today may not be coming from foreign sources wishing to destabilize our democracy. As our country emerges from a global pandemic that tested our collective resolve and a secure election that saw the greatest turnout in over a century, we face a new and ominous threat from within that presented itself on Jan. 6 when our own people attacked and desecrated our U.S. Capitol. So far, well over 400 arrests have been made since the Jan. 6 attack that took the lives of Capitol Hill policemen.

Never in American history have members of Congress been so perilously close to imminent harm at the hands of its own citizenry. The disturbing events that millions watched unfold on live television cannot be dismissed as just another day or glossed over as a few bad apples spoiling what was an otherwise peaceful demonstration.

The facts of that day are indisputable. A dangerous mob of Americans, seething at the results of a legitimate and honest election, recklessly attempted to stop the peaceful transfer of power after months of disinformation peddled by our own former president and his allies.
Both the flyer and the protest were free speech protected under the First Amendment, the former prompting the latter. That doesnt mean that either was the right way for the police union or the protesters to conduct themselves. The pig heads were gross and inappropriate; the unions campaign flyer was inflammatory and false.

We acknowledge each group is disgusted by the others actions.

But these incendiary actions foreclose the kind of conversations that make real progress. They raise the temperature just as our country is marking the one-year anniversary of George Floyds murder by a Minneapolis police officer.

In Omaha, the proper way to respect that sobering anniversary is twofold: Police should show they understand their duty for proper conduct, and the union should not undercut the departments efforts. Protesters should exercise their speech rights in ways that aim to build support and not spark tumult.

Omaha will be taking a major step backward if it throws away the progress its made on this issue through irresponsible actions by either side.

Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Redistricting, even in Nebraskas officially nonpartisan Legislature, has often proven a messy affair. And its not just the party-focused machinations of some lawmakers  its also the difficulty, separate from partisan politics, of redrawing rural districts in the wake of population decline.

Last week the Legislatures redistricting committee sent a positive message in its initial meeting when some of its members showed independence in their voting. Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, a Republican, voted with the Democratic members on one issue. Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, a Democrat, voted with the Republican members on another.

The more the committee demonstrates that its guided by sound redistricting principles and less by narrow partisan scheming, the better the result for Nebraska. The committee will fail that test if its maps consistently favor one political interest over another.

A decade ago, lawmakers bickered furiously along partisan lines over some of the political maps. The Legislature will be making a big mistake if it repeats that pattern this time around. Past disputes sometimes fueled lawsuits  again, not at all what Nebraska needs.
The 1619 Project launched by the New York Times in 2019 is an effort to challenge our traditional understanding of American history. The message of this project is that America is an inherently racist country. I disagree. Yes, America is guilty of the crimes of slavery, Jim Crow and segregation. We should teach these failures to our children so that they will never repeat them. But we should also teach the virtues of America and the progress we have made toward equality of opportunity. Focusing exclusively on our flaws threatens to undermine the very ideals and institutions that have enabled racial progress in the first place.

American history is actually the story of an imperfect nation slowly but steadily living up to its founding ideals. Heroes like Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr. risked and lost their lives in the name of this progress. Teaching that this country is irrevocably racist negates their contributions and strips hope from millions of young people. We should instead invite all Americans to put their shoulders to the wheel of progress and push ever forward.

Dean Olson, Omaha

GOPs decline
" " Dragons dance among firecrackers to end the celebration of Chinese New Year, in Chinatown, Washington, D.C., 2020. Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images

In nearly every major city in the U.S., you can find a Chinatown. These dense urban centers, recognized for their prominently decorated Chinese American businesses, have endured for centuries and across multiple generations.

Chinatowns serve as community hubs for new immigrants and tourist destinations but also as symbols of a longstanding, tumultuous history that ties directly into America's xenophobic treatment of Chinese immigrants.

Chinatowns were borne out of necessity due to "racial exclusion" and "self protection," says Min Zhou, director of UCLA's Asia Pacific Center and professor of sociology and Asian American Studies. Overt racism against Chinese immigrants compelled them to seek refuge in dense ethnic enclaves, which became known as "Chinatowns."

"They have to develop their own Chinatown in their own little enclave in order to survive," Zhou says. Informal housing restrictions and segregation against Asians also led Chinese immigrants to congregate in Chinatowns, since they could not live freely among, or intermarry, white Americans.

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The First Chinatown

Many Chinese immigrants began arriving in the U.S. in the mid-1800s, drawn by the economic prospects of working for the growing Transcontinental Railroad, working in lumber mills in the Pacific Northwest, or seeking fortune in California's Gold Rush, which they called "Gold Mountain." Some 25,000 Chinese immigrants came to the U.S. in the 1850s alone.

The first formally recognized Chinatown in the U.S. took place in San Francisco, where the first Chinese immigrants arrived in 1848. The area was established in the late 1840s, not long after the first American flag was raised in the city.

" " A Chinese butcher and grocery store in San Francisco, circa 1885. Underwood Archives/Getty Images

At first, it was known as "Little Canton" due to the Cantonese-speaking immigrants that came from the province of Canton  known today as Guangzhou  in southeastern China. In 1853, local newspapers named the area "Chinatown," as it grew to become a 12-block district of 22,000 Chinese immigrants by the 1880s. The ratio of men to women was 20:1.

Since the 1875 Page Law prevented Chinese men from bringing their wives or children, most early immigrants to Chinatown were single men, Zhou adds. After World War II, when immigration restrictions against Chinese immigrants were removed and family-based immigration laws were established, Chinese women were able to come in much larger numbers to the U.S, leading to a family-oriented culture in Chinatown.

Many Chinatowns can be distinguished by arched, decorated gateways known as paifang, which have ceremonial uses in Chinese villages. There might also be Buddhist temples and tea houses. However, the core defining feature of any Chinatown is the business district. "Ethnic businesses define the community," Zhou says.

Many of the businesses that immigrants established, such as laundries, cigar production or shoe-making, served both Chinese and white clientele, Zhou says.

Zhou describes three types of organizations that served immigrants in Chinatown: social organizations, district and family organizations (based on the region or village in China where immigrants came from) and tongs  brotherhoods that provided legal services, housing and jobs for newly arrived immigrants.

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Attacks on Chinatown

At first Chinese immigrants were welcomed, or at least tolerated in the U.S. But that changed as their numbers increased and competition for jobs became greater. In 1871, a white mob lynched 17 Chinese men and boys in Los Angeles  a horrific hate crime that has largely been forgotten in the history textbooks. The widespread anti-Asian nativist fears of the time provided fodder for these crimes. Then-California Governor John Bigler openly argued in favor of more restrictions on Chinese immigrants.

"Historically [Chinatown] was perceived as kind of a foreign and exotic place," says Zhou, but was also seen as a center of disease and crime, she notes.

In 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed, which prevented both the immigration of Chinese people to the U.S. as well as Chinese already in America from becoming naturalized citizens. This was the first law restricting immigration to the U.S.

Anti-Chinese sentiment and white supremacist attacks led to a fire in the Chinatown in San Jose, California in the early 20th century. "During [bubonic plague] pandemics in the early 20th century, the Chinatown in Honolulu was destroyed [from an out-of-control fire], and San Francisco Chinatown was cordoned off," says Andrew Leong, associate professor of legal studies and Latinx and Asian American Studies at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, in an email.

However, he notes that the situation was even worse for Chinese immigrants that lived outside the protection of Chinatowns. For example, white men expelled nearly 500 Chinese individuals from the Gold Rush town of Eureka, California in 1885. "Therefore, Chinatowns represented 'sanctuary' for many Chinese," Leong says.

But as anti-Asian hate crimes have surged in the U.S. during the past year, Chinatowns have once again become targets of hate crimes. "Today, there is anti-Asian racism, and Chinatown is a scapegoat" for these xenophobic crimes, says Zhou.

" " San Francisco police officer William Ma walks down the middle of the street while on foot patrol in Chinatown on March 18, 2021. The San Francisco police have stepped up patrols in Asian neighborhoods in the wake of a series of shootings at spas in the Atlanta area that left eight people dead, including six Asian women. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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The Future of Chinatown

Today there are about 50 Chinatowns in the U.S. Some of the best known are located in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Honolulu, Seattle, Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston and Portland, Oregon.

To this day, Chinatowns retain their purpose as a lifeline for Chinese immigrants, Zhou says, helping them get settled in a new country. Many Chinatown residents are lower-income; 24 percent of Manhattan's Chinatown residents live below the poverty line.

But many of the country's oldest Chinatowns are no longer vibrant communities. In more recent decades, Chinese Americans have shifted away from urban Chinatowns toward the suburbs, especially as larger numbers of educated Chinese professionals move to the U.S.

"If you're going to the suburb, it's a different dynamic," Zhou says. Rather than a concentrated area of businesses, she notes, in the suburbs you'll see Chinese businesses, shops and restaurants scattered around.

Monterey Park, California, for instance, has been dubbed "the first suburban Chinatown." "[It] became majority Asian American in the 1990s [and] has long been a first stopping point for newly arrived Chinese seeking bigger houses away from downtown Los Angeles," reported the Seattle Times in 2012. The suburban San Gabriel Valley, where more than 500,000 Asian Americans live, has been a growing hub for Chinese immigrants outside of Los Angeles.

Even within traditionally urban Chinatowns, the population demographics are shifting, says Zhou, as second-generation Chinese Americans move out and leave the city.

And for residents who wish to stay, rising housing costs can be a problem. "While racism created Chinatowns, reverse white flight from the suburb back into the urban areas now threaten the future of Chinatowns through gentrification," Leong says.

Immigrants from other Asian countries are still finding refuge in Chinatowns. Seattle's Chinatown was renamed to the Chinatown-International District in 2005 to reflect the growing Vietnamese and Filipino communities.

" " Tourists visit a shop in the San Francisco Chinatown, March 24, 2021. There is concern that many Chinatowns have become tourist attractions rather than vibrant communities. Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling via Getty Images

Many Chinatowns are hanging on by a thread. Baltimore, Detroit, Los Angeles and Philadelphia are just some of the cities whose Chinatowns have populations of less than 50 percent ethnic Chinese. While the D.C. Chinatown still features some Chinese-owned businesses, there were only 300 Chinese people living there in 2015, down from a high of 3,000 in 1970. And while roughly 14,000 people  about 70 percent Chinese  live in San Francisco's Chinatown, some worry about how the community can retain its culture in the face of gentrification, which threatens to drive out family-run businesses.

However, many second and third-generation Chinese Americans now run projects to preserve them, such as the W.O.W Project in Manhattan's Chinatown. These kinds of nonprofits could help save Chinatown, according to Zhou. "It's important for the second generation to come back to protect the community from gentrification," she says.

Especially as anti-Asian crimes are on the rise, Chinatowns can serve as places of refuge for Chinese Americans. "Due to anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic, the relevance of Chinatowns has become an even more pressing issue in the historic and present need for sanctuary," Leong says.

Now That's Interesting Many major cities in the U.S. have Chinatowns, but New York reportedly has nine Chinatowns, according to Eater. Outside of the U.S., some of the best-known Chinatowns are located in London, Toronto, Melbourne, Australia, and Havana, Cuba. The world's oldest Chinatown is in Manila, the Philippines.
by Nirmala Carvalho

The parents of Saneesh Joseph, who died last week in the sinking of a barge, have donated the compensation money they received to a relief fund and a library in Kerala. For Bishop Vadakumthala of Kannur, they are a great witness of faith.

Mumbai (AsiaNews)  The father of 36-year-old Saneesh Joseph, one of the victims of the sinking of barge P305 a few days ago off the coast of Mumbai during Cyclone Tauktae, has decided to donate to charity the money his family received as compensation for their loss.

About 100,000 rupees (around ,370) will go to the Relief Fund set up by the Kerala government whilst another 100,000 rupees will pay for the upgrade a library in Kannur district, where the family hails.

Saneesh Joseph, unmarried, grew up in a Christian family in the village of Chemperi. He worked for Mathew Associates, and was supposed to come home by the end of the month.

Two days before the tragedy he celebrated his birthday aboard barge P-305; that was the last time his family heard from him.

Saneesh's body was eventually recovered and returned to Kerala. His funeral was held at Lourdes Matha Forane Church in Chemperi.

Even in the midst of suffering and sacrifice, the family of Saneesh Joseph made a very inspirational decision, which sends a great message to society and the community, said Bishop Alex Vadakumthala of Kannur speaking to AsiaNews.

Even in the face of sorrow and loss, this has a witness value. Whilst difficulties, anguish, and sorrow may occur in life, we can go beyond our suffering and be good to society. We can be a witness to society and the community and contribute to the future.

The decision to donate money springs forth from the deep faith of the family, the prelate noted. This shows that faith is witnessed during such a crisis, and it is faith which motivates us to place our trust in the Lord, who sacrificed himself on the Cross, and gives us inspiration in moments of crisis to be courageous witness.
LONDON (Reuters) - From ancient sculptures to contemporary photographs, objects spanning 5,000 years of Iranian art, culture and design go on display at London's Victoria & Albert (V&A) museum this week in the first such major exhibition in Britain in 90 years.

"Epic Iran", which opens to the public on Saturday, features more than 300 items from ancient, Islamic and contemporary Iran, including manuscripts, ceramics, carpets, textiles as well as photos, the museum said.

The exhibition is made up of 10 sections, including "The Persian Empire", spanning the Achaemenid period, "Change of Faith", which focuses on the role of Islam in Iranian culture and "Literary Excellence" looking at Persian poetry.

"It's only quite recently that people are recognising that Iran has got this wonderful, rich artistic tradition, wonderful cultural heritage stretching back many, many, many years," co-curator John Curtis told Reuters.

Artefacts on show, either collected over time by the museum or on loan, include ancient relics such as the Cyrus Cylinder and Lion Rhyton as well as more contemporary items like Shirin Aliabadi's photograph of a woman blowing bubblegum.

"Obviously it's been a very difficult time to put together an exhibition ... it hasn't been possible to bring objects from Iran," Curtis said, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic and sanctions reimposed on Iran after former U.S. President Donald Trump exited a 2015 nuclear deal in 2018.

"We have had to source objects from other places and I think we've been very successful in doing that ... what you see here gives everybody a rounded picture of the great civilisations of Iran."

(Reporting by Hanna Rantala; Writing by Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
Image #1 Army Ants reproduced with permission from "Army Ants: Nature's Ultimate Social Hunters" by Daniel J.C. Kronauer; Image #5 painted clonal raider ants photograph by Daniel Kronauer. Credit: #1: Daniel J.C. Kronauer, #5: Daniel Kronauer

Army ants form some of the largest insect societies on the planet. They are quite famous in popular culture, most notably from a terrifying scene in Indiana Jones. But they are also ecologically important. They live in very large colonies and consume large amounts of arthropods. And because they eat so much of the other animals around them, they are nomadic and must keep moving in order to not run out of food. Due to their nomadic nature and mass consumption of food, they have a huge impact on arthropod populations throughout tropical rainforests floors.

Their mass raids are considered the pinnacle of collective foraging behavior in the animal kingdom. The raids are a coordinated hunting swarm of thousands and, in some species, millions of ants. The ants spontaneously stream out of their nest, moving across the forest floor in columns to hunt for food. The raids are one of the most iconic collective behaviors in the animal kingdom. Scientists have studied their ecology and observed their complex behavior extensively. And while we know how these raids happen, we know nothing of how they evolved.

A new study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences led by Vikram Chandra, postdoctoral researcher, Harvard University, Asaf Gal, postdoctoral fellow, The Rockefeller University, and Daniel J.C. Kronauer, Stanley S. and Sydney R. Shuman Associate Professor, The Rockefeller University, combines phylogenetic reconstructions and computational behavioral analysis to show that army ant mass raiding evolved from a different form of coordinated hunting called group raiding through the scaling effects of increasing colony size.

The researchers discovered that the ancestral state to army ants' mass raids is the rather different-looking group raids that their non-army ant relatives perform. The evolution of mass raids from group raids happened tens of millions of years ago and the transition from group raids to mass raids is perfectly correlated with a massive increase in colony size.

"All of these ants are within the subfamily Dorylinae," said Chandra. "The first doryline ants, which were not army ants, lived in small colonies of a few hundred workers. When army ants evolved their foraging behavior from group to mass raiding, they also massively expanded their colony sizes. Army ant colonies now have tens of thousandsand often millionsof ants."

Kronauer's Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior at The Rockefeller University studies the clonal raider ant Ooceraea biroi, a relative of army ants. Clonal raider ants are almost the only ant species that can be kept in a lab and experimented on indefinitely. They are also genetically tractable in that researchers can make mutants or transgenic lines to compare. But they are also poorly understood, understudied, and hard to find in the field. The mass raiding of army ants is well studied and described; however group raiding is not. And understanding group raiding is key to understanding the evolutionary trajectory to mass raiding.

"My goal has always been to study how social behavior evolves and is controlled, and how army ants have evolved," said Kronauer. "A few years ago we discovered that the way clonal raider ants forage is through raids that are similar to army ant raids."

To understand how the raids are structured and organized, the team collected a large number of video recordings of many colonies raiding under controlled conditions.

"Our goal was to understand what are the underlying behavioral rules the ants follow and how a raid emerges out of the behavior of individual ants," said Gal. "Tracking individuals in a dense colony is a challenge and does not have a generally applicable solution. This is especially true for small ants that like to form dense clusters such as raider ants."

The researchers overcame this challenge by using a custom computer vision software developed in the lab named anTraX that tracked and identified the ants based on small color marks painted on their abdomen and thorax. The method allowed them to collect accurate trajectories for all the ants for several weeks with minimal human effort, and without requiring expensive high-resolution cameras.

In a small nest of 25 ants they used 5 sets of colors and painted each ant with a unique set of colors. The researchers placed a single fire ant pupa (the prey) in the foraging arena outside of the nest. The nest sends out a scout to look for food. Once the scout finds the food, she lays a pheromone trail back to home. Inside the nest she releases, what researchers believe to be, a recruitment pheromone that attracts the ants to her. They spill out of the nest and follow her trail to the food in a group raid.

Here, in a colony of 25 individually-tagged ants, a scout leaves the nest in search of prey [a fire ant pupa, dyed blue]. After she locates it, she lays pheromone trail home and recruits a raiding column of her nestmates for a collective attack. Credit: Chandra, Gal and Kronauer. PNAS

As the researchers increased the colony size, the number of scouts sent to forage also increased and they began to see more coordinated search activities. This same behavior is seen in army ants, but at a scale of tens of thousands or often millions of ants, with a very large increase in the number of scouts.

"Our behavioral analysis shows that group raids have stereotyped structure, and that they are conserved across the Dorylinae. Because the transition from group to mass raids over evolutionary time is perfectly associated with massive increases in colony size, we wondered whether this had something to do with the transition in raiding behavior," said Chandra. "We gradually scaled our colonies up from 10 through to 100 ants and we saw this very nice increase in coordinated search behavior as you increase colony size."

"Our experiments show that in larger colonies, the ants become more synchronized in their leaving of the nest to scout. In other words, when an ant leaves, the chances that more ants will follow her are higher in large colonies. While we cannot directly say much about the actual mechanism underlying this observation, we know from other complex systems that an increase in synchronicity is a result of stronger positive feedbacks between individuals," said Gal. "In the army ant size limit, this will result in what we know as a mass raid."

But the resemblance to army ant behavior seen as colony size increased was not limited to temporal synchronization. The experiments also showed that army ants and their relatives follow the same set of behavioral rules when searching for food. A few army ants leave the nest at first with no pheromone trail outside. They hesitantly step out and then appear to waver, turn around, and run back in. But there are ants inside the nest that want to leave, so they push them back out, or they take their place. Because each ant that leaves and returns is laying a pheromone trail the group is slowly extending the trail from the nest in bursts. This 'pushing party' is how army ants create a column of ants leaving the nest and traveling quite far away. As the researchers expanded the clonal raider ants' colony size, they observed the same behavior.

"It's hard to see in the small colonies because there are so few ants," said Chandra. "But we show statistically that this really is happening and we have instances where it's quite dramatic. So, even in small colonies of clonal raider ants, each ant seems to be following very similar rules for search behavior compared to an army ant, although it might not look like it at first glance. And as you increase colony size, the interactions between these ants lead to greater coordination, you start to see more obvious 'pushing parties' and you start to actually see spontaneous columns of ants leaving the nest."

To doubly test this, the team experimented with two colonies of 5,000 workers each, which is an order of magnitude larger than seen in natural colonies for this species. In these studies the raids displayed all four of the characteristic features of army ants' mass raids: a large number of ants that participate in the raid, a bifurcating trail that enables army ants to raid multiple prey sources, a recruitment that happens outside the nest at the raid front, and a spontaneously initiated raid.

At small colony sizes, these rules manifest as group raids, and as colony size increaseseither experimentally or over evolutionary timethese rules give rise to mass raids. The team concluded that expansions in colony size in the ancestors of army ants are sufficient to have caused the transition from group raiding to mass raiding behavior.

"Probably the most common pattern is that collective behavior evolves via natural selection acting on and tweaking the interaction rules that the individual animals follow," said Kronauer. "But our study is a nice example of a different mechanism: scaling effects associated with group size can give you dramatically different outcomes in terms of collective behavior, even though the individual rules don't change much."

Gal agreed, "Of course, it has been long known that changing group size can have a dramatic effect on emergent collective behavior. This has been shown both theoretically and experimentally. We have now shown that this effect can also be harnessed by evolution, and that collective behavior can be adapted over evolutionary timescales without actually modifying the behavior of individuals."

As far as is known, the coordinated behavior of clonal raider ants is one of the most complex social behaviors that can be induced or studied in the lab. The authors are currently working on a detailed study of how individual ants behave during the course of the raid, and how the structure of the raid responds to variation in environment and colony composition.

"We suspect that the ants specialize to some extent on specific tasks," said Chandra. "There's probably some very interesting division of labor going on, and there's also clearly complex communicationthe ants use several different pheromones to talk to each other and to organize the raid. And there are several decisions the colony must make in the course of the raid. It's an incredibly rich behavior and there are many questions we could ask in the future and we're laying the groundwork for that."

Explore further Tapeworms extend the lifespan of worker ants in western Europe

More information: Vikram Chandra et al, Colony expansions underlie the evolution of army ant mass raiding, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2021). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Vikram Chandra et al, Colony expansions underlie the evolution of army ant mass raiding,(2021). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2026534118
Beal. Credit: Florida International University

Scientists have discovered changes in DNA patterns for juvenile lemon sharks that lived through a dredging event to construct a commercial marina in Bimini, Bahamas.

Dredging the waters off Bimini for a marina undoubtedly affected the environment. It also left an indelible mark at the molecular level on young lemon sharks in a nearby nursery.

Andria Beal, a Ph.D. candidate in Florida International University's Institute of Environment, led the first of its kind study to uncover one of the greatest mysterieshow environmental stressors impact sharks. She found the dredging event led to epigenetic responses in the sharks, specifically on the DNA markers influenced by changes in the environment.

There are two major lemon shark nurseries in Bimini, a small group of islands about 50 miles east of Miami that are part of the Bahamas. The nursery along North Bimini was directly impacted by the dredging to construct the marina for Resorts World Bimini.

During the dredging, scientists noticed fewer of the younger lemon sharks in the north nursery surviving. They presumed harmful metals were introduced into the environment but did not investigate further.

Beal was determined to uncover the truth. She examined an archive of fin tissue samples that had been collected before, during and after the dredging event by The Bimini Sharklab in South Bimini. She wasn't sure what she'd find. After all, she was using a very novel approach. And fin tissue isn't the ideal way to look for trace metals.

That's where epigenetics became key to unraveling the mystery.

Although relatively complex, epigenetics stems from the simple fact that every living thing on earth is a product of where it lives. The basic rulebook for life is DNA. Environmental factors, including trace metals, control what sections of the rulebook will be usedand the bookmarks on those sections are called epigenetic markers. These makrers determine how the rules are read and what changes are activated. Some can stay for a long time and even be passed on to new generations. Over time, the markers can become a record that tells the story of what stressors a living organism experienced.

"Epigenetics gives you an extra layer of understanding. For example, if we find high levels of metals in a tissue epigenetics can show us if it is a stressor for the sharks and what specific body responses are occurring," Beal said. "This helps us better understand just how stressful it could be for sharks to be exposed to specific amounts of metals."

When Beal compared the shark fin samples, there was a clear difference in the DNA methylation patterns of the northern and southern juvenile lemon sharks. The northern nursery had a clear signature of the dredging event.

One of the trace metals correlated to this unique signature was manganese. Large concentrations can cause neurological effects resembling Parkinson's disease in humans. Those same neurological effects have been found in mammals, and even fish.

This increased amount of manganese was correlated to the changes in the DNA methylation pattern of sharks in the northern nursery. Beal says this finding is so important because it may provide a stepping stone to identifying when sharks are stressedor at risk for too much stress. Using this approach would help conservation efforts, especially monitoring and management, because it could help scan for changes in the environment, better pinpointing threats to wild populations. After all, identifying those possible threats is sometimes the hardest part.

"This could apply to other wild populations, to almost any species you can think of. With this approach, you can identify when something is happening and stressing a population," Beal said. "If all of a sudden, the DNA pattern seems unusual or changed, you can identify something is going on, like if there is pollution in the waterand that's a major gamechanger."

The findings were published in Ecological Indicators.

Explore further Researchers use epigenetics to determine the age of dolphins

More information: Andria Paige Beal et al, Epigenetic responses in juvenile Lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) during a coastal dredging episode in Bimini, Bahamas, Ecological Indicators (2021). Andria Paige Beal et al, Epigenetic responses in juvenile Lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) during a coastal dredging episode in Bimini, Bahamas,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.107793
Residents watch the lunar eclipse at Sanur beach in Bali, Indonesia on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. The total lunar eclipse, also known as a super blood moon, is the first in two years with the reddish-orange color the result of all the sunrises and sunsets in Earth's atmosphere projected onto the surface of the eclipsed moon. Credit: AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati

In the end, the buildup seemed to eclipse the finale.

People across New Zealand and around the world stayed up Wednesday to watch a cosmic event called a super blood moon, a combination of a total lunar eclipse and a brighter-than-usual supermoon.

During the buildup, a glittering moon rose above the horizon. As the Earth's shadow began taking bites from the moon, it created a dramatic effect. Half the moon vanished, leaving it looking like a black-and-white cookie.

When the full eclipse took hold, however, the moon darkened, turning a smudgy burnt orange color for many viewers.

In celestial terms, it was a wonder: a projection of the world's sunsets and sunrises onto the black canvas of the eclipsed moon. But for people peering up from their backyards, it wasn't quite the brilliant display they had anticipated. Not quite super or blood-colored.

"It was not that vivid for those on ground," said Ben Noll, a meteorologist with New Zealand scientific research agency NIWA. "Personally, I thought there would be a bit more red in the sky."

Still, Noll thought that overall, the evening was sensational. He heard plenty of people cheering and cars honking in downtown Auckland where he watched it all unfold.

A woman watches as the full-moon sets over Santa Monica Beach in Santa Monica, Calif., Wednesday, May 26, 2021. The first total lunar eclipse in more than two years is coinciding with a supermoon for quite a cosmic show. Credit: AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu

John Rowe, an educator at the Stardome Observatory & Planetarium in Auckland, said it was like the moon turned into a big, spooky smile looking down at him. That's because of a bright rim that remained at the bottom.

Rowe also enjoyed seeing surrounding stars appear to brighten as the light from the moon dimmed.

The full eclipse lasted about 15 minutes, while the whole cosmic show lasted five hours. A partial eclipse began as the moon edged into the Earth's outer shadow, called the penumbra, before moving more fully into the main shadow and then reversing the process.

Rowe likes to imagine it as if he's standing on the moon. The Earth would come across and block out the sun. The reddish light around the edges would be the sunsets and sunrises happening at that time on Earth, projected onto the moon's surface. Pretty cool, he reckons.

The moon is partially covered by buildings in Brasilia, Brazil, at the start of a total lunar eclipse early Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Wednesday's eclipse is the first in more than two years and coincides with a supermoon. Credit: AP Photo/Eraldo Peres

The color of the moon during the total eclipse can appear different depending on where people are in the world, and by factors like the amount of dust in the atmosphere and global weather.

In much of New Zealand, the weather remained calm and clear on Wednesday, providing excellent viewing conditions.

The same was true in Australia, although those in South Korea struck out because rain and cloudy weather across much of the country obscured the eclipse. There also was disappointment in Japan because of cloudy weather, with many posting messages like "I can't see anything" on Twitter.

Some places in the Pacific and East Asia got to see the show before midnight, while night owls in Hawaii and the western part of North America got to watch it in the early morning hours.

Sky gazers along the U.S. East Coast were out of luck because the moon was setting and the sun rising. Europe, Africa and western Asia all missed out as well.

The Earth's shadow falls across the full moon above Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. The total lunar eclipse, also known as a super blood moon is the first in two years with the reddish-orange color the result of all the sunrises and sunsets in Earth's atmosphere projected onto the surface of the eclipsed moon. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Baker

In Anchorage, Alaska, Doug Henie didn't know what to expect from his first lunar eclipse. He and his wife saw just a sliver of the moon as they drove to a prime viewing spot, on a hill off a winding road between Cook Inlet and the Anchorage airport.

Once they arrived, he set up his camera as the eclipse neared totality just after 3 a.m. local time, when it looked more like dusk than night. That's because Anchorage had more than 18 hours of sunlight on Wednesday.

"It's kind of cool," Henie said. "I was kind of hoping to see a little more action, I guess, but now it's lightened up. The light is certainly coming back."

In Hong Kong, Dickson Fu left work early to watch the eclipse from a seaside promenade in the Sai Kung neighborhood.

Fu, who is president of Hong Kong's Sky Observers' Association, picked that particular spot because it would give him an unobstructed view.

A yacht sails past as the moon rises in Sydney Wednesday, May 26, 2021. A total lunar eclipse, also known as a Super Blood Moon will take place later tonight as the moon appears slightly reddish-orange in color. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Baker

The moon rises behind cloud, as seen from Kawasaki near Tokyo, before a total lunar eclipse starts Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama

An airplane flies past as the full-moon sets over Santa Monica Beach in Santa Monica, Calif., Wednesday, May 26, 2021. The first total lunar eclipse in more than two years is coinciding with a supermoon for quite a cosmic show. Credit: AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu

The moon rises over the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. The first total lunar eclipse in more than two years coincides with a supermoon this week for quite a cosmic show. Credit: AP Photo/Kin Cheung

A man takes a photo as the moon rises in Sydney Wednesday, May 26, 2021. A total lunar eclipse, also known as a Super Blood Moon, will take place later tonight as the moon appears slightly reddish-orange in colour. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Baker

A yacht sails past as the moon rises in Sydney Wednesday, May 26, 2021. A total lunar eclipse, also known as a Super Blood Moon will take place later tonight as the moon appears slightly reddish-orange in color. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Baker

The moon rises as surfers wait for waves in Sydney Wednesday, May 26, 2021. A total lunar eclipse, also known as a Super Blood Moon, will take place later tonight as the moon appears slightly reddish-orange in colour. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Baker

A yacht sails past as the moon rises in Sydney Wednesday, May 26, 2021. A total lunar eclipse, also known as a Super Blood Moon, will take place later tonight as the moon appears slightly reddish-orange in colour. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Baker

Surfers wait for waves as the moon rises in Sydney Wednesday, May 26, 2021. A total lunar eclipse, also known as a Super Blood Moon, will take place later tonight as the moon appears slightly reddish-orange in colour. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Baker

A surfer falls off his board as the moon rises in Sydney Wednesday, May 26, 2021. A total lunar eclipse, also known as a Super Blood Moon will take place later tonight as the moon appears slightly reddish-orange in colour. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Baker

The Earth's shadow falls partly across the full moon at the start of a total lunar eclipse above Sydney Wednesday, May 26, 2021. The total lunar eclipse, also known as a super blood moon, is the first in two years with the reddish-orange color the result of all the sunrises and sunsets in Earth's atmosphere projected onto the surface of the eclipsed moon. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Baker

The Earth's shadow falls partly across the full moon at the start of a total lunar eclipse above Sydney Wednesday, May 26, 2021. The total lunar eclipse, also known as a super blood moon, is the first in two years with the reddish-orange color the result of all the sunrises and sunsets in Earth's atmosphere projected onto the surface of the eclipsed moon. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Baker

Surfers wait for waves as the moon rises in Sydney Wednesday, May 26, 2021. A total lunar eclipse, also known as a Super Blood Moon will take place later tonight as the moon appears slightly reddish-orange in colour. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Baker

"In recent years I'm more interested in taking photos, and in the past few days I have already done rehearsals, testing out equipment such as the camera and lenses," said Fu.

For those living in places where the eclipse wasn't visible, there were livestreams available. And everyone around the world got to see the bright moon, weather permitting.

It was the first total lunar eclipse in more than two years.

The moon was more than 220,000 miles (357,460 kilometers) away at its fullest. It was this proximity, combined with a full moon, that qualified it as a supermoon, making it appear slightly bigger and more brilliant in the sky.

Explore further Glittering moon rises ahead of super blood moon

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Chimps are often referred to as being the most 'humanlike' non-human species.

Chimpanzees develop specific handshake-like gestures depending on their social group, according to the results of a 12-year observational study published on Wednesday that sheds light on the animals' complex social structures.

Chimps are often referred to as being the most "humanlike" non-human species, given their propensity to perform complicated tasks, such as tool use, which were long thought to be the sole preserve of mankind.

Edwin van Leeuwen, an expert in animal behaviour at the University of Antwerp and the city's Royal Zoological Society, studied dozens of chimpanzees sheltered at Zambia's Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust over a 12-year span.

Despite a large turnover in the chimp population due to deaths and births, Van Leeuwen was able to observe specific and repeated hand gestures among chimps in two distinct groups.

The gesture, known as the grooming handclasp, involves "each of the participants simultaneously (extending) an arm overhead and the other (clasping) the other's wrist or hand or both clasping each other's hand," according to the results of his study, published in the journal Royal Society Biology Letters.

Through years of observation, Van Leeuwen found that palm-to-palm grasping was "substantially more pronounced" in one group, or society, of chimps than the other.

He also found that female chimps were far more likely than males to grasp palms, while males were more likely to grasp wrists, likely due to males' desires to assert or affirm dominance.

"The fact that they have developed different styles in different groups reflects that they learn the style socially within their groups," Van Leeuwen told AFP.

He said the chimps appeared to have learned to perform the grasps "to some extent" as a ritual, reminiscent of secret handshakes performed by humans.

"The handclasp fits into the whole social interaction that two individuals engage in sometimes, making it a special connection within an already intimate grooming bout."

Graphic on chimpanzee handclasping differences, found to be handed down as different cultural traditions in different tribe groups, according to a new study published on May 26.

'Some serious, some care-free'

Van Leeuwen said his study was evidence of chimps' ability to preserve "the stability of traditions", a behaviour that among humans is thought of as cultural persistence.

He said the behaviour could not be explained by genetic or environmental factors since the composition of the two separate chimp groups was essentially identicalyet they each developed distinct grasping techniques.

He said the specific gestures and their longevity within each group could be a result of "the shared trait of social learning".

With more than a decade spent observing the chimps' behaviour, Van Leeuwen said he got to know the personality traits of each individual animal.

"Like humans, they have their individual ways of doingbe it during play, eating or grooming," he said.

"Some chimpanzees are very serious, always on the look-out for ripples in the social atmosphere," added Van Leeuwen.

"Some are more care-free and interact with even high-ranking individuals in their group with light touches of play."

Explore further Chimps' cultural traditions extend beyond family

More information: Edwin J. C. van Leeuwen, Temporal stability of chimpanzee social culture, Biology Letters (2021). Journal information: Biology Letters Edwin J. C. van Leeuwen, Temporal stability of chimpanzee social culture,(2021). DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2021.0031

 2021 AFP
Heavy winds and sea waves hit the shore at the Digha beach on the Bay of Bengal coast as Cyclone Yaas intensifies in West Bengal state, India, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Heavy rain and a high tide lashed parts of India's eastern coast as the cyclone pushed ashore Wednesday in an area where more than 1.1 million people have evacuated amid a devastating coronavirus surge. Credit: AP Photo/Ashim Paul

Heavy rain and a high tide lashed parts of eastern India and neighboring Bangladesh on Wednesday as a cyclone pushed ashore in an area where more than 1.1 million people were evacuated during a devastating coronavirus outbreak. At least six people were reported dead.

Cyclone Yaas had already caused two deaths and damaged homes as heavy rain pounded Odisha and West Bengal states before it made landfall in the late morning.

Another person died in a house collapse in West Bengal state on Wednesday, said the state's top elected official, Mamata Banerjee. The Press Trust of India news agency said two people were killed when they were hit by uprooted trees and another person died in a house collapse in Odisha state. There was no official confirmation of the report.

The "very severe cyclonic storm" packed sustained winds of 130-140 kilometers (up to 87 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 155 kph (97 mph) when it made landfall, the India Meteorological Department said. With the storm now almost fully on land, winds were expected to weaken.

In Bangladesh, thousands of people in 200 villages were marooned as their homes, shops and farms were flooded by tidal surges.

In southern Patuakhali district, more than 20 villages in Rangabali went underwater after two river embankments were washed away, said Mashfaqur Rahman, the area's top administrator. He said at least 15,000 people had taken refuge in cyclone shelters.

A bird flies past coconut trees under the inclement weather due to Cyclone Yaas in Kolkata, India, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Heavy rain and a high tide lashed parts of India's eastern coast as a cyclone pushed ashore Wednesday in an area where more than 1.1 million people have evacuated amid a devastating coronavirus surge. Credit: AP Photo/Bikas Das

In India, television images showed knee-deep water flooding the beachfront and other areas of Digha, a resort town in West Bengal. Wind gusts whipped palm trees back and forth, and water overflowed several river banks.

West Bengal state's top elected official, Mamata Banerjee, told reporters that 20,000 mud huts and temporary shelters for the poor have been damaged along the coast.

On Tuesday, a tornado snapped electricity lines that electrocuted two people and damaged 40 houses, Banerjee said.

More than 17 centimeters (6.5 inches) of rain have fallen in the Chandabali and Paradip regions of Odisha state since Tuesday, the meteorological department said. Tidal waves of up to 4 meters (13 feet) were forecast.

Kolkata and Bhubaneshwar airports were shut and train services canceled. Fishing trawlers and boats were told to take shelter.

A man pedals through heavy rain under the inclement weather due to Cyclone Yaas in Kolkata, India, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Heavy rain and a high tide lashed parts of India's eastern coast as a cyclone pushed ashore Wednesday in an area where more than 1.1 million people have evacuated amid a devastating coronavirus surge. Credit: AP Photo/Bikas Das

A car rolls over a pool of water during a heavy rain under the inclement weather due to Cyclone Yaas in Kolkata, India, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Heavy rain and a high tide lashed parts of India's eastern coast as a cyclone pushed ashore Wednesday in an area where more than 1.1 million people have evacuated amid a devastating coronavirus surge. Credit: AP Photo/Bikas Das

A milkman pedals through heavy rain under the inclement weather due toCyclone Yaas in Kolkata, India, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Heavy rain and a high tide lashed parts of India's eastern coast as a cyclone pushed ashore Wednesday in an area where more than 1.1 million people have evacuated amid a devastating coronavirus surge. Credit: AP Photo/Bikas Das

This Tuesday, May, 25, 2021, satellite image provided by NASA shows Cyclone Yaas approaching India's eastern coast. Tens of thousands of people are being evacuated from low-lying areas of two Indian states to escape the strong cyclone barreling toward the eastern coast. Yaas is expected to make landfall Wednesday in West Bengal and Odisha states. It comes amid a coronavirus surge, complicating India's efforts to deal with both. (NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) via AP)

Mechanized boats used to ferry passengers are moored together to avoid losses under the inclement weather due to Cyclone Yaas in Kolkata, India, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. City heritage landmark Howrah Bridge is seen behind. Heavy rain and a high tide lashed parts of India's eastern coast as a cyclone pushed ashore Wednesday in an area where more than 1.1 million people have evacuated amid a devastating coronavirus surge. Credit: AP Photo/Bikas Das

The cyclone, coming amid a coronavirus surge, complicates India's efforts to deal with both after another storm, Cyclone Tauktae, hit India's west coast last week and killed more than 140 people.

Odisha's chief minister, Naveen Patnaik, appealed to people in shelters to wear double masks and maintain social distancing. "We have to face both the challenges simultaneously," Patnaik said.

Thousands of emergency personnel have been deployed to help with evacuations and rescue operations, said S.N. Pradhan, director of India's National Disaster Response Force. The air force and navy were also on standby.

A year ago, the most powerful cyclone in more than a decade hit eastern India and killed nearly 100 people.

"We haven't been able to fix the damage to our home from the last cyclone. Now another cyclone is coming, how will we stay here?" said Samitri, who uses only one name.

Some of the deadliest tropical cyclones on record have occurred in the Bay of Bengal. A 1999 super cyclone killed around 10,000 people and devastated large parts of Odisha. Due to improved forecasts and better relief coordination, the death toll from Cyclone Phailin, an equally intense storm in 2013, was less than 50, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

Explore further Thousands evacuated in India as strong cyclone inches closer

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Examples of bee species analyzed include (clockwise from top left) Apis dorsata, a member of the honey bee tribe Apini; Bombus pauloensis, of the bumble bee tribe Bombini, Melipona quadrifasciata, of the stingless bee tribe Meliponini, and Exaerete smaragdina, of the orchid bee tribe Euglossini. Note: Images are not to scale. (Photos by Eduardo Alemeida, Ph.D., University of Sao Paulo). Credit: Eduardo Alemeida, Ph.D., University of Sao Paulo

A new study has mounted perhaps the most intricate, detailed look ever at the diversity in structure and form of bees, offering new insights in a long-standing debate over how complex social behaviors arose in certain branches of bees' evolutionary tree.

Published today in Insect Systematics and Diversity, the report is built on an analysis of nearly 300 morphological traits in bees, how those traits vary across numerous species, and what the variations suggest about the evolutionary relations between bee species. The result offers strong evidence that complex social behavior developed just once in pollen-carrying bees, rather than twice or more, separately, in different evolutionary branchesbut researchers say the case is far from closed.

Diego Sasso Porto, Ph.D., has been studying the structure and form, or morphology, of bees for more than a decade, and his latest effort ventures into a longstanding conundrum about bee evolution. Corbiculate beesthose that possess corbicula, or pollen baskets, on their hind legsencompass honey bees, stingless bees, bumble bees, and orchid bees. Among them, honey bees and stingless bees are the only groups with highly complex social behaviors, such as forming large colonies with queens, workers, and drones. Bumble bees display less complex sociality, and orchid bees are mostly solitary. Traditional morphological analyses have long indicated that honey bees and stingless bees are most closely related and that complex social behavior developed in their common ancestor before the groups diverged. However, in the 1990s, emergent techniques in molecular genetic analysis began to show that stingless bees and bumble bees were the more closely related "sister" groups, which would mean that honey bees and stingless bees each developed their complex social behavior independently, after their ancestral paths diverged.

Ever since, these different lines of evidence have persisted as a notorious case of incongruence between molecular and morphological data sets in animals. Porto, now a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Biological Sciences at Virginia Tech, made his foray into the debate amid his doctoral work at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, under the guidance of Eduardo Almeida, Ph.D., co-author on the new study.

"The main criticism from some molecular researchers against morphology, and even from morphologists themselves, was we don't have enough data," Porto says. "This work was a big effort to try to get the best morphological data set we could ever get for this group of bees, and we tried several analyses to see if the problem is with morphological data itself or the way we interpret morphological data."

Porto evaluated past morphological studies of bees and then conducted new analysis of specimens from 53 species, dissecting each, imaging anatomical structures under optical and scanning electron microscopes, and ultimately scoring all of the specimens across 289 different traits. Often minute or even microscopic in detail, these traits ranged from the number of teeth on a bee's mandibles to the arrangement of barbs on its stinger.

Credit: Diego Sasso Porto, Ph.D., Virginia Tech

With this massive trove of morphological data in hand, Porto applied multiple types of computerized statistical analyses to evaluate the possible phylogenies, or "family trees," that delineate the relationships among bee species. The results strongly support previous morphological findings, that honey bees (tribe Apini) and stingless bees (Meliponini) are most closely related. "The evidence from our dataset, if we just take it at plain sight, is really strong. We have a lot of traits supporting this," says Porto.

But, he sought to further explore the discrepancy between what molecular genetic analysis shows and what his own morphological data supports. To do so, Porto ran his data through a separate analysis that evaluated how well the morphological data could fit with the evolutionary tree supported by molecular analysisthat Meliponini and Bombini (bumble bees) are most closely related. As expected, it was not a great fita bit like putting a square peg in a round holebut they were not completely incompatible, he says.

In their report in Insect Systematics and Diversity, Porto and Almeida offer a few hypotheses for evolutionary processes that could explain the continuing discrepancy in lines of evidence about corbiculate bee evolution.

"Morphological data is telling us one story, and molecular data is telling us another story. We are not going anywhere if we just keep these conflicting discussions," says Porto. "So, our decision was ... let's try to interpret the alternative scenario with our data. If the hypothesis given by molecular data is true, how can we interpret our strong morphological evidence for the other hypothesis?"

One possible explanation, they say, is that, if bumble bees and stingless bees share a common ancestor that first branched away from honey bees, they then rapidly diverged in a short time frame and evolved separately for much longer, gradually obscuring the shared traits bumble bees and stingless bees once had. Moreover, the earliest ancestor of stingless bees is believed to have been relatively small, and "miniaturization" is known to drive structural simplifications in anatomical traits, which would have further contributed to erasing similarities between bumble bees and stingless bees.

However, these possibilities don't explain why stingless bees then evolved to become more morphologically similar to honey bees, but Porto and Almeida posit that similar functional roles or similar social behaviors among stingless bees and honey bees could have driven them to evolve in similar ways.

Testing these hypotheses is what Porto says he would like to explore nextand encourages other researchers to do, as well. "It would be really good to have maybe the same data set, but including more specimens from fossils, and run the analysis again," he says.

Explore further Variety: Spice of life for bumble bees

More information: Diego Sasso Porto, Eduardo A B Almeida. Corbiculate Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae): Exploring the Limits of Morphological Data to Solve a Hard Phylogenetic Problem. Insect Systematics and Diversity. May 2021. Diego Sasso Porto, Eduardo A B Almeida. Corbiculate Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae): Exploring the Limits of Morphological Data to Solve a Hard Phylogenetic Problem.. May 2021. doi.org/10.1093/isd/ixab008
This illustration, updated as of December 2020, depicts NASAs Europa Clipper spacecraft. The mission, targeting a 2024 launch, will investigate whether Jupiters moon Europa and its internal ocean have conditions suitable for life. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Jupiter's moon Europa has an icy crust covering a vast, global ocean. The rocky layer underneath may be hot enough to melt, leading to undersea volcanoes.

New research and computer modeling show that volcanic activity may have occurred on the seafloor of Jupiter's moon Europa in the recent pastand may still be happening. NASA's upcoming Europa Clipper mission, targeting a 2024 launch, will swoop close to the icy moon and collect measurements that may shed light on the recent findings.

Scientists have strong evidence that Europa harbors an enormous ocean between its icy crust and rocky interior. The new work shows how the moon may have enough internal heat to partially melt this rocky layer, a process that could feed volcanoes on the ocean floor. The recent 3D modeling of how this internal heat is produced and transferred is the most detailed and thorough examination yet of the effect this interior heating has on the moon.

The key to Europa's rocky mantle being hot enough to melt lies with the massive gravitational pull Jupiter has on its moons. As Europa revolves around the gas giant, the icy moon's interior flexes. The flexing forces energy into the moon's interior, which then seeps out as heat (think of how repeatedly bending a paperclip generates heat). The more the moon's interior flexes, the more heat is generated.

The research, published recently in Geophysical Research Letters, models in detail how Europa's rocky part may flex and heat under the pull of Jupiter's gravity. It shows where heat dissipates and how it melts that rocky mantle, increasing the likelihood of volcanoes on the seafloor.

Volcanic activity on Europa has been a topic of speculation for decades. By comparison, Jupiter's moon Io is obviously volcanic. Hundreds of volcanoes there erupt lava fountains and eject volcanic gas and dust up to 250 miles (400 kilometers) highactivity that is due to the same kind of internal heating caused by Jupiter's pull. But Europa is farther away than Io is from its host planet, so scientists have wondered whether the effect would be similar under the icy surface.

Led by Marie Behounkova of Charles University in the Czech Republic, the authors further predicted that volcanic activity is most likely to occur near Europa's polesthe latitudes where the most heat is generated. They also looked at how volcanic activity may have evolved over time. Long-lived energy sources give more opportunity for potential life to have developed.

Scientists findings suggest that the interior of Jupiters moon Europa may consist of an iron core, surrounded by a rocky mantle in direct contact with an ocean under the icy crust. New research models how internal heat may fuel volcanoes on the seafloor. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Michael Carroll

Underwater volcanoes, if present, could power hydrothermal systems like those that fuel life at the bottom of Earth's oceans. On Earth, when seawater comes into contact with hot magma, the interaction results in chemical energy. And it is chemical energy from these hydrothermal systems, rather than from sunlight, that helps support life deep in our own oceans. Volcanic activity on Europa's seafloor would be one way to support a potential habitable environment in that moon's ocean.

"Our findings provide additional evidence that Europa's subsurface ocean may be an environment suitable for the emergence of life," Behounkova said. "Europa is one of the rare planetary bodies that might have maintained volcanic activity over billions of years, and possibly the only one beyond Earth that has large water reservoirs and a long-lived source of energy."

Direct Observations

NASA scientists will have the opportunity to put the new predictions to the test when Europa Clipper reaches its target in 2030. The spacecraft will orbit Jupiter and perform dozens of close flybys of Europa to map the moon and investigate its composition. Among the science data it collects, the spacecraft will survey the surface in detail and sample the moon's thin atmosphere.

The surface and atmosphere observations will give scientists a chance to learn more about the moon's interior ocean if the water percolates up through the icy crust. Scientists believe the exchange of material between the ocean and the crust would leave traces of seawater on the surface. They also believe the exchange may emit gas, and possibly even plumes of water vapor, with ejected particles that could contain materials coming from the seafloor.

As Europa Clipper measures the moon's gravity and magnetic field, anomalies in those areas, especially toward the poles, could help confirm the volcanic activity predicted by the new research.

"The prospect for a hot, rocky interior and volcanoes on Europa's seafloor increases the chance that Europa's ocean could be a habitable environment," said Europa Clipper Project Scientist Robert Pappalardo of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. "We may be able to test this with Europa Clipper's planned gravity and compositional measurements, which is an exciting prospect."

More about the mission

Missions such as Europa Clipper help contribute to the field of astrobiology, the interdisciplinary research on the variables and conditions of distant worlds that could harbor life as we know it. While Europa Clipper is not a life-detection mission, it will conduct detailed reconnaissance of Europa and investigate whether the icy moon, with its subsurface ocean, has the capability to support life. Understanding Europa's habitability will help scientists better understand how life developed on Earth and the potential for finding life beyond our planet.

Managed by Caltech in Pasadena, California, JPL leads the development of the Europa Clipper mission in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (APL) in Maryland for the agency's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. The Planetary Missions Program Office at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, executes program management of the Europa Clipper mission.

More information about Europa and Europa Clipper can be found here: europa.nasa.gov" target="_blank">europa.nasa.gov

More information: Marie Behounkova et al, Tidally Induced Magmatic Pulses on the Oceanic Floor of Jupiter's Moon Europa, Geophysical Research Letters (2020). Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters Marie Behounkova et al, Tidally Induced Magmatic Pulses on the Oceanic Floor of Jupiter's Moon Europa,(2020). DOI: 10.1029/2020GL090077
Emu egg purchased at the farmers' market in Mountain View, California. Credit: Wikimedia / CC BY-SA 3.0

A pair of researchers, one with the UK's Natural History Museum, the other a King Island historian, has found an almost complete extinct dwarf emu egg on King Island. In their paper published in the journal Biology Letters, Julian Hume and Christian Robertson describe the egg and compare it to other dwarf emu eggs and also with the eggs from the mainland emu.

The emu is a flightless bird found only in Australia and its nearby islands. It is the second largest bird after the ostrich. Prior research has shown that in addition to the mainland emu, there were several types of dwarf emus living on at least three islands off the southern coast of Australiaall of which went extinct shortly after the arrival of European settlers.

The three islands, Tasmania, Kangaroo and King, all had their own species of dwarf emu, and each was named after the island it inhabited. Prior research has suggested that the reason the emu shrank in size on the islands was because of limited resources. Of the three, the King Island emu was the smallest, standing at just under a meter tall and weighing half that of the mainland emu.

Little is known about the dwarf emu due to their sudden disappearance, but scientists have managed to find and study several Tasmanian emu eggs and one from Kangaroo Island. But until now, no eggs from King island had been found.

The researchers discovered the egg in a sand dune. After retrieval and inspection, the egg was found to be very nearly complete, giving the researchers an excellent specimen for study.

The researchers found that like other dwarf emu eggs, the one on King Island was very nearly the same size as the eggs from the much larger mainland emu. They theorize that, due to the harsher conditions on the islands, the emus living on them had to remain in their shells for longer periods of timea larger shell would allow them to stay in their shells until they could walk and forage for themselves. It would also keep them warm enough to survive the cool island nights.

Explore further Island emus' size related to size of island homes

More information: Julian P. Hume et al, Eggs of extinct dwarf island emus retained large size, Biology Letters (2021). Journal information: Biology Letters Julian P. Hume et al, Eggs of extinct dwarf island emus retained large size,(2021). DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2021.0012

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 2021 Science X Network
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

There has long been controversy about whether the world's highest region, Tibet, has grown taller during the recent geological past. New results from the University of Copenhagen indicate that the 'Roof of the World' appears to have risen by up to 600 meters and the answer was found in underwater lava. The knowledge sheds new light on Earth's evolution.

Tibet is referred to as the Roof of the World for good reason. With an average altitude of 4,500 meters above sea level and the world's two highest peaks, Mount Everest and K2, the vast Himalayan mountain range towers higher than anywhere else on Earth.

But the Tibetan plateau's height has been the subject of academic controversy for many years. Some researchers believe that the area has been as high as it is today for most of its existence, while others believe that the area has increased in height over the past 20-30 million years. It is a riddle that until recently has stood and flickered unanswered in the wind.

With the help of new analyses of the Indian Ocean seabed and calculations of the movement of Earth's tectonic plates, a researcher from the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management at the University of Copenhagen has contributed new answers to the disagreement.

"By looking at older data of Tibet's emergence and combining it with new geological data from the Indian Ocean, we are pretty certain that there was a major geological change in Tibet about 15-18 million years ago, one that caused the wide area to rise between 300 and 600 meters," explains Associate Professor Giampiero Iaffaldano, the study's main author.

A slow, head on collision between the India subcontinent and Eurasia

The change is due to a head on collision between what are today India and China. India was originally located much further south, but the tectonic plate upon which India lies gradually moved northwards over millions of years and closer to China, until they finally collided to form Tibet.

Using plant fossils and geochemical analyses of rocks found in the mountainous region, some scientific researchers have been quite sure that Tibet looked the way it does today as far back as 20-30 million years ago and that its altitude has not changed over time.

Other researchers have believed that the prolonged and decelerating collision between India and China was caused by Tibet shooting upwards as much as two kilometers over a few million years. But according to Associate Professor Giampiero Iaffaldano, the answer is found somewhere in between.

"What the study contributes to, is actually a combination of the two previous hypotheses, different data sets and conclusions. What I've done is take a closer look at the speed of the India-China collision using Indian Ocean geological data that has only recently become available to the public," he says.

Finding an answer at the bottom of the Indian Ocean

Continuously through time, hot stones and other material are spat from Earth's interior onto the ocean floor. They have much to reveal about the movements of Earth's tectonic plates. Encoded within these lavas are records of Earth's magnetic polaritythe direction of Earth's north and south poles.

Polarity has reversed several times in Earth's history, meaning that North has become South and vice-versa. And, scientific researchers know roughly when these flips occurred. As such, they can trace tectonic plates to specific places and times during Earth's history using their magnetization along a so-called geomagnetic timescale.

"A closer look at this type of data held the answer to the question of whether Tibet has gotten higher or not. It has proven tremendously useful to calculate the speed of India's collision with China from geomagnetic data. More and more of such data, often originally collected for purposes other than fundamental scientific research and thereby not publicly available, is now being released and used by scientists," explains Giampiero Iaffaldano and adds:

"This new knowledge about Tibet is important for better understanding of Earth's evolution and the methods used could turn out usefull in future studies."

Explore further Seismic data explains continental collision beneath Tibet

More information: Giampiero Iaffaldano, Has the Tibetan Plateau risen in the Early/Mid-Miocene? Constraints from plate-motion reconstructions and seismicity of the Indian Ocean lithosphere, Geophysical Journal International (2021). Journal information: Geophysical Journal International Giampiero Iaffaldano, Has the Tibetan Plateau risen in the Early/Mid-Miocene? Constraints from plate-motion reconstructions and seismicity of the Indian Ocean lithosphere,(2021). DOI: 10.1093/gji/ggab027
The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue issues a message for Vesakh. May this dramatic situation of the COVID-19 pandemic strengthen our bonds of friendship and further unite us in service to the human family.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue issued a message for Buddhists on the occasion of the feast of Vesakh (light), the most important Buddhist festival, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in the same month.

In it, it notes that tragedy of the pandemic has increased awareness of the interdependence within the human family in which Buddhists and Christians are called to promote a culture of care and solidarity.

In the various Buddhist majority countries, the feast of Vesakh (also known as Buddha Jayanti or Hanamatsuri, among others) is celebrated on different dates of the year, following local traditions. For most of them, this year it falls today, 26 May.

Titled Buddhists and Christians: promoting a Culture of Care and Solidarity, the Councils message is signed by Card Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, MCCJ and Mgr Kodithuwakku K Indunil J, respectively president and secretary of the Pontifical Council. It reads:

The current world situation, tragically marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges the followers of all religions to collaborate in new ways at the service of the human community. In his Encyclical Fratelli tutti, signed in Assisi on 3 October 2020, Pope Francis reiterated the urgency of a universal solidarity that allows humanity to overcome together the difficult crises that threaten it, because no one is saved alone (Pope Francis, Fratelli tutti, 32).

The message points out that Catholics and Buddhists share many values and expresses hope that they can work together, "especially in addressing times as hard as the present one. In fact, The suffering caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has made us aware of our shared vulnerability and interdependence. We are called to discover and practice the solidarity enshrined in our respective religious traditions.

The Buddhist teaching on Brahma Viharas (Four Heavenly Abodes or Virtues) offers us a timeless message of solidarity and active care. In speaking about metta (loving kindness), it exhorts followers to extend boundless love to all. As a mother even with her life protects her only child, so let one cultivate immeasurable loving-kindness towards all living beings (Metta Sutta). As the Buddha taught, practitioners are equally encouraged to make haste in doing good deeds; one should restrain ones mind from evil; for the mind of one who is slow in doing good tends to take delight in doing evil (Dhammapada, 116).

May this dramatic situation of the COVID-19 pandemic strengthen our bonds of friendship and further unite us in service to the human family, adopting a culture of dialogue as the path, mutual cooperation as the code of conduct; reciprocal understanding as the method and standard (Pope Francis, Fratelli tutti, 285).
Golden Hour at Kilauea. Credit: Emily Mason/USGS

A team of volcanologists who observed the colossal 2018 eruption of Kilauea, Hawai'i, have tracked how potentially toxic metals carried in its gas plumes were transported away from the volcano to be deposited on the landscape.

The research, published in two companion papers in Communications Earth and Environment, is the most extensive survey of metal release from any volcano to datehelping scientists understand the spread of metal-rich volcanic fumes and the exposure of communities to volcanic air pollution around Hawai'i.

The 2018 eruption of Kilauea was the largest in centuries, flooding the eastern edge of the island with roughly a cubic kilometers of lava. Over a thousand people lost their homes and many more suffered from noxious volcanic gases.

Understanding how volcanic metals are released to the environment is critical from a public health perspective, "We don't know much about these metal emissions at all, so this work is a key step to understanding the significant, yet underestimated, chemical risks of volcanoes," said Emily Mason, Ph.D. student at Cambridge Earth Sciences and lead author of one of the papers.

When volcanoes erupt they exhale a cocktail of gasesmostly steam, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxidelaced with evaporated heavy metals, including lead and arsenic. To the communities living alongside volcanoes, these gases are often a considerable source of air pollution and the volatile metals they carry may have long-lasting impacts on both health and environment.

Volcanologists have been measuring volatile metal emissions from volcanoes for decades, but how these elements are dispersed in the atmosphere following an eruption, to later rain down on the landscape and be taken up in the environment through soils and water bodies, has remained poorly understood.

The team, including researchers from the University of Cambridge, report higher concentrations of airborne heavy metals within a 40 km radius of Kilauea, meaning that communities living closer to the volcano were disproportionally exposed to metal pollution during the 2018 eruption.

They believe that the strong trade winds at the time of the eruption, combined with the topography of the local area, caused higher rainfall and, therefore metal deposition, closer to the vent. This could mean that an eruption in winter, when wind patterns are reversed, might result in a different distribution of metal deposition.

Their results could help delineate environmental monitoring strategies during and following eruptionsincluding the targeted testing of community water supplies in at-risk areasas well as helping planners decide where to build safely around volcanoes.

Emily Mason was one of an all-female team of scientists from the Universities of Cambridge and Leeds that headed out to take gas measurements when Kilauea erupted. Mason, together with then first-year Ph.D. students Penny Wieser and Rachel Whitty, and early career scientists Evgenia Ilyinskaya and Emma Liu, arrived when the eruption was in full flow and some of their study area was already cut off by lava, "We had to fly in to one location via helicopter. I remember descending through a dense haze of volcanic gasthe acidic air actually stung our skin." said Mason.

"We tend to think of the more immediate volcanic hazards like ash fall, pyroclastic flows, lava," said Dr. Evgenia Ilyinskaya, from the University of Leeds, who led the research on downwind metal dispersal, "But metal emissions, just like air pollution, are an insidious and often underestimated volcanic hazardpotentially impacting health over long periods."

During the first few weeks of the eruption, the main air quality concern was volcanic smog, or 'vog," which contains mostly sulfur dioxide with traces of heavy metals and volcanic ash. But when molten lava reached the ocean and reacted with seawater it triggered new health warnings, as billowing white clouds of lava haze or 'laze' were released; carrying hydrochloric acid and toxic metals.

Working with collaborators from the USGS, the team took measurements of gases inside the laze and dry vog plumes from both the ground and the air, using specially-fitted drones. They even developed a back frame for their air filters, so they could move equipment quickly through areas where the air was thick with sulfur dioxide.

Mason and co-authors discovered that the two types of gas plume had a very different chemistry, "What really surprised us was the large amounts of copper in the laze plumethe impact of lava-seawater interactions on the biosphere may be significantly underestimated. It's interesting to note that this type of plume was probably a common feature of the massive outpourings of lava throughout geological historysome of which have been linked to mass extinctions."

Their long-term goal is to produce pollution hazard maps for volcanoes, showing at-risk areas for metal pollution, a method already used to communicate areas that might be at risk of other volcanic hazards, like lava flows, "Our research is just one part of the puzzlethe idea would be to understand all of these hazards in tandem."

They aim to apply this method worldwide, but Mason cautions that local atmospheric conditions significantly influence metal dispersal and deposition. Now they want to know how the transport of volcanic metals might differ in cooler, drier environments like the Antarcticor even in different areas of Hawai'i where rainfall is lower.

Explore further Lava lake forms as Hawaii volcano erupts after 2-year break

More information: Evgenia Ilyinskaya et al, Rapid metal pollutant deposition from the volcanic plume of Kilauea, Hawai'i, Communications Earth & Environment (2021). Evgenia Ilyinskaya et al, Rapid metal pollutant deposition from the volcanic plume of Kilauea, Hawai'i,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-021-00146-2 Emily Mason et al, Volatile metal emissions from volcanic degassing and lavaseawater interactions at Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i, Communications Earth & Environment (2021). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-021-00145-3 Journal information: Communications Earth & Environment
Figure 1. Top-down approaches for MQD synthesis.

In a new publication from Opto-Electronic Advances, researchers led by Professor Jeongyong Kim at the Department of Energy Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea, review light-emitting MXene quantum dots.

MXenes have found wide-ranging applications in energy storage devices, sensors and catalysis, owing to their high electronic conductivity and wide range of optical absorption. However, the absence of semiconducting MXenes has limited their applications related to light emission.

Extensively reviewing current relevant research, the authors summarize recent advances in MXene quantum dot (MQD) research on the synthesis, optical properties and applications of MQDs as light emitting quantum materials. Research has shown that quantum dots (QDs) derived from MXene (MQDs) not only retain the properties of the parent MXene but also demonstrate significant improvement on light emission and quantum yield.

The authors provide an overview of light emitting MQDs and their synthesis methods, optical properties, and applications in various optical, sensory, and imaging devices. Future prospects for light emitting MQDs are also discussed to provide insight to help further advance research.

Explore further New insight into the surface properties of two-dimensional MXenes materials

More information: Anir S. Sharbirin et al, Light-emitting MXene quantum dots, Opto-Electronic Advances (2021). Anir S. Sharbirin et al, Light-emitting MXene quantum dots,(2021). DOI: 10.29026/oea.2021.200077

Provided by Compuscript Ltd
Regional map showing the location of Anak Krakatau. Credit: National Oceanography Centre and British Geological Survey

For the first time, scientists have been able to study the deposits of a volcanic island landslide-tsunami immediately after the incident with the benefit of modern acoustic equipment. Dr James Hunt from the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), in partnership with Professor Dave Tappin from the British Geological Survey, have produced the first marine survey results of the December 22nd, 2018 landslide at Anak Krakatau, in Indonesia, that created the deadly 'silent' tsunami that affected Sumatra and Java.

In August 2019, an interdisciplinary, multinational team led by Dr Hunt and Professor Tappin, mapped the seafloor in the Krakatau caldera. The survey used sonar to map the seafloor surface, while a seismic reflection method was used to look beneath the seafloor. This research showed the large submarine deposit of the 2018 Anak Krakatau landslide and its internal structure, while also revealing its full size and manner of emplacement on the seafloor. The findings from this are published in the journal Nature Communications paper entitled: "Submarine landslide mega blocks show half of Anak Krakatau island failed on December 22nd, 2018."

The team was also involved in analysing satellite images and photographs to study the landslide event above sea level. By analysing the satellite images (particularly from COSMO-SkyMed) and photographs, the scientists were able to explain the full extent of the subaerial collapse. The team calculate that half the island failed, indicating a much more extensive failure than first thought. The satellite images also showed the loading of the southwest flank of Anak Krakatau with lava and ejecta in the months before the landslide. At the same time deformation, faulting and gas venting were found to have occurred on the island and delineated the location and aerial extent of the failure. These processes may have also ultimately contributed to the later flank collapse

Putting this event into perspective, the landslide was large enough (0.214 km3) to bury the City of London to around the height of St Paul's Cathedral. Blocks from the landslide rose to 90 metres above the seafloor and travelled over one and a half kilometers away from the island. The findings also showed that the large blocks eroded down into the seafloor and produced an additional debris flow that ran out into the basin. However, astonishingly the debris flow and parts of the landslide are now buried beneath up to 18 metres of eruptive materials. The team discovered that while post-event eruptions produced materials to rebuild the island, most of the material produced was actually deposited on the seafloor. This supported the need to survey the landslide as soon as possible before it was buried or modified in such a dynamic environment.

Bathymetry of the Krakatau caldera before (1990) and after (Aug 2019) the December 22nd 2018 landslide, showing the emplacement of the large landslide blocks on the seafloor. Credit: National Oceanography Centre and British Geological Survey

Satellite images from before, immediately after and days after the landslide at Anak Krakatau showing the full extent of the landslide as half the island collapses to generated a tsunami. Includes, the high-resolution image from COSMO-SkyMed. Credit: National Oceanography Centre and British Geological Survey

Bathymetry of the Anak Krakatau landslide on the SW flank of the island showing the trains of large landslide blocks. Credit: National Oceanography Centre and British Geological Survey

Seismic reflection profiles across the landslide showing the landslide mass eroding down into the seafloor, compressing and producing an out-runner debris flow, that is now buried beneath eruptive materials from the eruptions in the days and weeks after the event. Credit: National Oceanography Centre and British Geological Survey

Dr James Hunt, marine sedimentologist and Senior Staff Researcher at NOC, said: "Our research has allowed us to explain the size and failure mechanism of the 2018 landslide at Anak Krakatau. This is the first time that a volcanic island landslide-tsunami has been studied using satellite images and seafloor mapping in such detail. The last similar event was the landslide-tsunami at Ritter Island that took place in 1888.

"By characterising the landslide deposits and mapping the seafloor, we have been able to gain a better understanding of how the southwest flank of Anak Krakatau failed. This knowledge means that we can better model the tsunami that was generated from it, providing a benchmark for such activities. This information may in-turn allow us to better design hazard mitigation strategies."

Explore further Newly published data provides clearer picture of volcano collapse

More information: J. E. Hunt et al, Submarine landslide megablocks show half of Anak Krakatau island failed on December 22nd, 2018, Nature Communications (2021). Journal information: Nature Communications J. E. Hunt et al, Submarine landslide megablocks show half of Anak Krakatau island failed on December 22nd, 2018,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22610-5
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image showing an example of a nanofabricated single-element device used for the gas sensing measurements. The nanostructure was nano-manipulated onto gold electrodes inside a Dual-Beam (Scanning electron microscope/Focused Ion Beam) microscope. Small platinum pads were done via electron beam induced deposition (Pt-EBID), and ensured an electrical contact between the gold electrodes and the nanobelts. Credit: University of Surrey

Researchers from the University of Surrey believe that tin-based gas sensors could help track and control harmful nitrogen (NO 2 ) gases that pollute our planet.

In a paper published by the Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (PCCP) journal, researchers from Surrey, in collaboration with colleagues from Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil, detail how gas sensor devices can play an important role in the fight against climate change by monitoring emission sources such as nitrogenous gasses.

The research team used different combinations of the tin oxide system and constructed two device groups: devices containing a single structure nanofabricated in a Dual Beam Microscope; and a number of them in a "carpet" mode. The two devices configuration allowed the researchers to estimate the materials depletion layer (Debye length), and to propose gas-solid interaction mechanisms between the NO 2 and the reduced/stoichiometric surfaces.

Professor Ravi Silva, Director of the Advanced Technology Institute and Head of the Nano-Electronics Center at the University of Surrey, said: "Our remarkable team of researchers at Surrey and colleagues in Sao Paulo have been assessing and developing gas sensor devices to help tackle the climate crisisthe top priority of our time. We will do all we can to help the world reach net zero by 2050."

Mateus Masteghin, the lead author of the study and Ph.D. student at the University of Surrey, under the supervision of Dr. David Cox (co-author in the publication), said: "The internship that allowed this work to be done was an opportunity of a lifetime and I am very grateful for that. I was an M.Sc. student in Brazil supervised by Professor Marcelo Orlandi (UNESP), and came to spend about three months at the University of Surrey under the supervision of Professor Ravi Silva. I had the chance to work with amazing researchers at two prestigious universities, from whom I learned so much. We hope that this study furthers the understanding of tin oxide-based NO 2 detectors."

Explore further New method for observes graphene growing using standard electron microscope

More information: Mateus G. Masteghin et al, The role of surface stoichiometry in NO2 gas sensing using single and multiple nanobelts of tin oxide, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (2021). Journal information: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics Mateus G. Masteghin et al, The role of surface stoichiometry in NO2 gas sensing using single and multiple nanobelts of tin oxide,(2021). DOI: 10.1039/D1CP00662B
Neotropical river otters (Lontra longicaudis). Credit: Sabrina Bettoni

Solitary river otters in Brazil use a rich repertoire of vocalizations during play and conflict, according to a study publishing May 26 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, by Sabrina Bettoni, Tecumseh Fitch, and colleagues at the University of Vienna.

The otter subfamily includes 13 species of carnivorous, aquatic mammal with social lives ranging from completely solitary to highly gregarious. The most social species of this group, the giant otter, has a complex repertoire of vocalizations that have been extensively studied, but social calls in other otter species are less well understood.

The researchers recorded vocalizations and observed the behavior of six captive neotropical river otters (Lontra longicaudis) at Projeto Lontra, Santa Catarina Island, Brazil. Analyses of nearly 1000 calls revealed six clearly distinguishable call types, at frequencies ranging from 90 to 2500 Hz, which the otters used in different social contexts. For example, harmonic sounds such as high-frequency 'chirps' and low-frequency 'chuckles' were used, mostly by males, to reaffirm social bonds or to beg for food.

Females often produced low-amplitude "squeaks" during social grooming or play, exhaling "hahs" to express alarm at a novel object, and high-frequency screams to complainboth during play and in more aggressive contexts. Both sexes frequently used tonal, low-pitch 'growls' as a warning in disputes over food or individual space.

This is the first time that the vocal repertoire of the neotropical river ottera solitary species found across Central and South Americahas been formally described. With six call types, their vocal complexity is intermediate between the solitary North American river otter (Lontra canadensis: four call types) and the highly social giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis: 22 call types). The authors say a better understanding of the vocalizations of neotropical river otters could enable conservationists to make use of acoustic recordings to monitor this elusive endangered species.

The authors add: "The neotropical river otter has a rich vocal repertoire, with at least six distinct call types, similar in complexity to other solitary otter species but less complex than that of the social giant otter. Despite differences in sociality, phylogeny and ecology, L. longicaudis seems to possess vocalizations homologous to those found in other otters (e.g. hah and chirp), suggesting phylogenetic inertia in the otter communicative repertoire."

Explore further Giant otter's repertoire includes 22 distinct vocalizations

More information: Bettoni S, Stoeger A, Rodriguez C, Fitch WT (2021) Airborne vocal communication in adult neotropical otters (Lontra longicaudis). PLoS ONE 16(5): e0251974. Journal information: PLoS ONE Bettoni S, Stoeger A, Rodriguez C, Fitch WT (2021) Airborne vocal communication in adult neotropical otters (Lontra longicaudis).16(5): e0251974. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251974
Konik wild horses recreate the natural grazing patterns of extinct species at the Cambrian Wildwood in West Wales. Credit: Coetir Anian/Cambrian Wildwood, Author provided

What would rewilding mean for a country like the UK? Bringing back wolves and bears? Returning the land to how it looked in prehistoric times? How will people fit into this wild and unimaginably different place? Questions like these abound whenever rewilding is in the news.

In essence, rewilding involves giving more space and time to nature. Instead of managing ecosystems to preserve particular species, rewilding is intended to reverse environmental decline by letting nature become more self-willed. That means allowing wildlife the freedom to flourish and habitats to regenerate naturally.

But without clear principles to guide these processes, rewilding has become a trendy buzzword that is often used indiscriminately. This has invited wildly different interpretations, sparked debates and caused controversy that has discouraged governments from developing it into policy.

This could be about to change, though.

We've published a set of guiding principles which specify what rewilding should involve and how it should be done. This is the result of one of the most comprehensive international studies on rewilding to date, reviewing best practices and the latest science, instigated by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and involving hundreds of experts. Without further ado, here are the dos and don'ts of rewilding.

Don't (always) start with wolves

The objective of rewilding is boosting the health of an ecosystem by increasing the number of species and how much they can all interact. A fully restored ecosystem would have top predators, but there are a lot of missing partsthe plants, prey animals, fungithat should be put back first to ensure that larger species have an appropriate food source and habitat to support them.

Dormice need a helping hand too. Credit: Back on our Map/University of Cumbria, Author provided

It might not be appropriate for lots of other reasons to reintroduce wolves to a particular place at the moment, but in the meantime, bringing back beavers, lizards and butterflies is brilliant too.

The UK government has the chance to support the reintroduction of species by including funding for it in its new environmental land management schemes. As opposed to the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, which paid farmers a subsidy based on the size of the land they owned, the new schemes would offer payments to farmers and land managers in return for supporting nature recovery across the landscape.

Within these schemes, funding could be allocated for the natural regeneration of habitats, instead of interventions like tree planting. This would mean moving away from setting fixed targets and managing habitats to suit one species, which might feel risky, but it would let scientists see how natural processes operate when they are given room, and what unexpected things arrive. This can change our understanding of how ecosystems work and where species can thrive if landscapes become healthier.

Do reconnect people with nature

Rewilding involves reducing harmful human pressures and promoting natural processes in ecosystems. This shouldn't mean excluding people though. Rewilding should actually help people develop a more positive relationship with the natural world that involves compassion for all species and a spirit of learning from nature rather than seeking to dominate it.

This can be done through school trips, holidays in rewilding sites and voluntary work opportunities like tree planting, wetland restoration and wildlife surveys. A greater emphasis on the natural world in primary and secondary education could also help guarantee the long-term success of rewilding efforts by nurturing enthusiasm from an early age.

Rewilding projects shouldnt impose ideas from above that were devised elsewhere. Credit: Stephen Carver, Author provided

Don't alienate rural communities

The prospect of rewilding has made some people in the countryside anxious. Farmers in particular worry that their livestock, land and way of life are under threat, either from reintroduced predators or new directives to manage the land differently.

Including local people at every stage of a rewilding project is very important. To ensure this, staff working on rewilding projects need to be based locally so they are available for a chat or to discuss concerns. They shouldn't just rely on formal consultationwhere communities fill in surveys or participate in organised meetings.

Ideally, rewilding projects should be driven by local people who could organize and set the agenda for how their land is managed. They should also directly benefit from associated businesses, like wildlife tours.

Do think about the future

Some people worry that rewilding harks back to a time before modern man or even earlierto when woolly mammoths stalked the Earth. Looking back can allow us to see what has been lost and what could be revived, but rewilding isn't about rewinding the clock. It's about looking to the future and the challenges nature will face.

By enabling species to move through reconnected habitats and traverse entire landscapes, wildlife populations can be rebuilt. This would ensure the healthy functioning of an ecosystem isn't dependent on a few isolated creatures, and it's a practical way to help nature adapt to threats like climate change and new diseases, as species will have more freedom to move if pressures in one place escalate.

The UK government has committed to protect 30% of UK land by 2030 by creating new national parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. But landowners need commitments from the government and funders so they know that restoring woodland and wetlands won't cost them money down the line. Conservation covenantsintroduced in the 2020 Environment Billcould provide a mechanism for landowners to stipulate how their estate is managed in perpetuity. So land can become, and remain, wild hundreds of years into the future.

Explore further Mapping the path to rewilding: The importance of landscape

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
An elephant investigating elephant dung with his trunk at the Boteti river. Credit: Connie Allen

Traveling elephants pay close attention to scent trails of dung and urine left by other elephants, new research shows.

Scientists monitored well-used pathways and found that wild African savannah elephantsespecially those traveling alonewere "highly attentive," sniffing and tracking the trail with their trunks.

This suggests these scents act as a "public information resource," according to researchers from the University of Exeter and Elephants for Africa.

More research is now needed to find out whether humans can create artificial elephant trails to divert elephants away from farms and villages, where conflict with humans can cause devastation to communities.

Alternatively, scent trails could be placed to improve the efficiency of routes connecting elephant populations between protected areas.

"Our findings suggest an important role of an elephant's sense of smell in long-distance navigation," said lead author Connie Allen, of Exeter's Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour.

"As elephants follow these trails, they deposit their own urine and dung, which reinforces the pathway's presence for future elephants.

"We see great potential for these findings to be applied to elephant management and conservationprimarily as a method for manipulating elephant movements.

An elephant pathway. Credit: Connie Allen

"We carried out this study in Botswana, where the main threat to elephants is conflict with humans.

"By removing the existing scent paths that lead elephants to close contact with humans in problem areas, and redirecting them, perhaps we could reduce such conflicts happening."

The proposed technique could also aid efforts in Botswana to reconnect elephants with populations across southern Africa.

Male elephants in the Makgadikgadi. Credit: Connie Allen

The study, which examined a predominantly male population, also found that urine deposits from adult elephants were more likely to attract attention than that of younger (subadult) males.

"African elephants may therefore be able to discern the age and maturity of individuals they can expect to encounter from remote urine cues on pathways," Allen explained.

The paper, published in the journal Animal Behaviour, is entitled: "Field evidence supporting monitoring of chemical information on pathways by male African elephants."

More information: Connie R.B. Allen et al, Field evidence supporting monitoring of chemical information on pathways by male African elephants, Animal Behaviour (2021). Journal information: Animal Behaviour Connie R.B. Allen et al, Field evidence supporting monitoring of chemical information on pathways by male African elephants,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.04.004
Unearthed photo of a captive female purple-winged ground dove. Credit: Carlos Keller

The discovery of new information relating to a critically endangered bird species has given scientists new hope for finding the last remaining individuals in the wildand a roadmap to save the species from extinction.

The South American purple-winged ground dove (Paraclaravis geoffroyi) has been critically endangered since 1994, due to loss and fragmentation of its Atlantic Rainforest habitat.

The species has occasionally been reported, even as recently as 2017, but with no published photographs or sound recordings of the birds in the wild, scientists were increasingly pessimistic for the survival of the bird.

However, thanks to a new study, published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution and led by Manchester Metropolitan University, a group of researchers from the UK, Brazil and Argentina have found evidence that the species might still exist and have discovered files which could help them with their search.

After collating historical records relating to the bird and analyzing their distribution in space and in time, the team found the most recent reported sightings came from large remaining rainforest patches in Northern Argentinawhich is where most hope now lies that the species may survive.

They also interviewed amateur bird keepers as records showed the species were once kept in captivityand by doing so unearthed new videos and sound recordings of the birds, along with detailed notes about their biology and habits.

Researchers now plan to use the newly discovered sound recordings to search for existing bird species in the wild.

Dr. Alexander Lees, senior lecturer in conservation biology at Manchester Metropolitan University and lead author, said: "Finding this previously unknown sound recording could prove critical in helping us locate this species in the wild again, as now we know what they sound like, we are far more likely to be successful in our search.

"Our chances of hearing the species are of course low, but by deploying dozens of autonomous sound recorders near seeding bamboo, and automatically searching for the vocalizations along the recordings takes the searching effort to a whole new level.

"It is also promising that our analysis of the sighting records do offer a glimmer of hope that the species may still persistespecially in the rainforests of Northern Argentina."

The team came across the recordings after speaking to aviculturist Carlos Keller, who bred purple-winged ground doves more than 30 years agobefore captive breeding of the species was banned in an attempt to protect the birds from illegal trapping.

Researchers believe the loss of the captive population at this time was a bitter blow for conservation efforts, but hope that in the future, if they can find and capture wild birds, they could establish a successful conservation breeding program using Carlos' specialist knowledge in the area.

Carlos said: "In the 1980s, we knew this was a rare bird, but it still had a very wide distribution, so nobody realized just how close to extinction it was.

"It was a sophisticated bird, moving quietly through the darker, shadier parts of the rainforest. My hope is that although this is a species that is almost impossible to see, it is still out there and hopefully our research and the models we have created can help to guide searches to the most likely places that this species may still be clinging on."

Explore further Birds living in natural habits can help inform captive care

More information: Alexander C. Lees et al, Assessing the Extinction Probability of the Purple-winged Ground Dove, an Enigmatic Bamboo Specialist, Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution (2021). Journal information: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution Alexander C. Lees et al, Assessing the Extinction Probability of the Purple-winged Ground Dove, an Enigmatic Bamboo Specialist,(2021). DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.624959
Credit: National Oceanography Centre

Engineers from the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) are set to trial new, state-of-the-art robot submarines in Loch Ness to pave the way for safer and more cost-efficient offshore operations. The latest phase of Oceanidsa programme with several industry partnerships which aims to put the UK at the forefront of world-class autonomous technology developmentwill see the team pilot the latest version of the NOC's successful Autosub Long Range (ALR) vehicle to ensure its capabilities are ready for scientific deployments anywhere in the ocean. The newly developed ALR, better known as Boaty McBoatface, offers a step change in capability compared to the earlier model.

This major project milestone will see the trials in Loch Ness run from Tuesday 18 to Saturday 29 May and will put the technologies to the test, gearing up for the UK's marine science community to use the robots in unexplored and technologically challenging under-ice and deep-ocean environments.

Capable of being deployed for up to three months and reaching depths of up to 6,000m, the fleet of six ALRs will open new opportunities for lower cost shore-based scientific missions and under-ice exploration. Development of new navigation features will also allow scientists to research areas that could not previously be reached by boat, such as under and up close to melting icecaps. The Loch Ness trial will be proving new technologies that will be used to deliver a ground-breaking science expedition in 2022 to explore the melting Thwaites Glacier.

Dr. Kristian Thaller, Project Management Manger from the National Oceanography Centre, said: "The Oceanids programme has meant we've been able to progress the technology behind our underwater vehicles, pushing the UK's autonomous capability forward. These vehicles are the next generation of pioneering systems that will push the boundaries of how we look to explore the ocean in the future."

Credit: National Oceanography Centre

"The trials in Lock Ness will ensure that UK researchers have access to cutting-edge technologies that enable world-leading science, whilst lowering the cost and reducing the environmental impact of missions by removing the need of a supporting research ship. Our development in autonomous vehicles means that scientific research is one step closer to net-zero emissions, because of the advances in the robots' technology systems."

In addition to the ALR, the NOC will also be conducting the first in-water trials of a newly developed Autosub 2000 Under-Ice vehicle, which is capable of carrying high-powered sensors and has the ability to operate in challenging polar environments.

Explore further Robotic navigation tech will explore the deep ocean
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

One of the most important and widespread reef-building corals, known as cauliflower coral, exhibits strong partnerships with certain species of symbiotic algae, and these relationships have persisted through periods of intense climate fluctuations over the last 1.5 million years, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State. The findings suggest that these corals and their symbiotic algae may have the capacity to adjust to modern-day increases in ocean warming, at least over the coming decades.

Cauliflower coralswhich are in the genus Pocilloporaare branching corals that provide critical habitat for one-quarter of the world's fish and many kinds of invertebrates, such as lobsters, sea urchins and giant clams. They are common throughout the Indo-Pacificthe region extending from eastern Africa north to India and Southeast Asia, across Australia and encompassing Hawaiiand are capable of long-range dispersal and rapid growth, making them among the first species to repopulate reefs damaged by typhoons and events of mass coral bleaching and mortality.

"We found that Pocillopora has maintained a close relationship with certain species of algae in the genus Cladocopium over repeated oscillations in Earth's climate," said Todd LaJeunesse, professor of biology, Penn State. "Our findings reinforce how stable and resilient these relationships are over deep time."

LaJeunesse explained that corals comprise hundreds to hundreds of thousands of individual animals, called polyps. Tiny, single-celled algae, known as dinoflagellates, live inside these polyps' tissues, giving the corals their color and providing the animals with up to 90% of their energy needs through the products of photosynthesis. These dinoflagellates significantly influence the capacity of corals to deal with environmental stressors.

For two decades, LaJeunesse and his colleagues have been collecting coral samples from around the world, using molecular-genetic techniques to identify the coral and algal species, documenting the specificity of the partnerships (some species of algae are highly specific to certain species of coral, whereas others are generalists and can associate with many different types of coral) and determining how these partnerships have changed through evolutionary history.

"Important biological discoveries are more likely when working with accurate species resolutionin this case, for both coral and dinoflagellate," said LaJeunesse. "Research on the biology of photosynthetic corals has been hampered by a lack of good taxonomic resolution. Our work on resolving these species is highly detailed and currently among the most sophisticated."

The team used a combination of genetic, ecological and morphologicalthe outward appearance of an organismtechniques to examine Cladocopium that associate with Pocillopora. Specifically, they relied on a variety of genetic markersor DNA sequences with known locations on chromosomesto determine the genetic identities of the species. They also used a microscope to visualize and image the Cladocopium cells. The findings published on May 20 in the ISME Journal, the official journal of the International Society for Microbial Ecology.

"With this research, we now know that Cladocopium, the most common genus of coral symbionts, comprises hundreds of species," said Kira Turnham, graduate student in biology, Penn State. "We were able to identify and describe two species, which we named Cladocopium latusorum and Cladocopium pacificum, and with this resolution, were able to deduce the age of their partnerships and unique importance to specific host corals."

Next, the team investigated whether Cladocopium from geographically dispersed populations of Pocillopora were reproductively isolated or displayed connectivity. They found that populations of both species, like their Pocillopora hosts, are genetically well-connected across the tropical and sub-tropical Pacific Ocean, indicating a capacity for long-range dispersal.

For instance, Turnham said, "Cladocopium latusorum spans the Indian and Pacific Oceansfrom the eastern shores of Tanzania to the Coral Triangle, Great Barrier Reef in Australia and Panama. This connectivity between populations in different locations may contribute to the resiliency of these species to endangerment or extinction threats."

To determine how old the partnerships are, the researchers used a "molecular clock"an analysis that assesses DNA sequence divergence over timeto estimate when the two Cladocopium species diverged from their common ancestor. They found that the species arose during the late Pliocene to early Pleistocene epochs, at a time when their coral host was also forming new species.

"There has been considerable talk about corals' ability to shuffle their dinoflagellate species to improve their ability to withstand global warming," said LaJeunesse. "While some of this may be true, most corals have a very limited assortment of species with which they are able to associate. We have shown that with this limited number of compatible symbionts, Pocillopora have been able to deal with major changes in climate every 100,000 years for the past 1 to 2 million years."

Turnham noted that despite their persistence through time, the strict nature of the relationship between Pocillopora and Cladocopium may limit their ability to evolve in response to increased warming compared to corals that can associate with more thermally tolerant dinoflagellates.

"Ultimately," she said, "the broad geographic distributions and geological age of these and other coral-algal combinations must be considered in forecasting their response to ocean warming, and guide decisions when planning for their conservation."

More information: Kira E. Turnham et al, Mutualistic microalgae co-diversify with reef corals that acquire symbionts during egg development, The ISME Journal (2021). Journal information: ISME Journal Kira E. Turnham et al, Mutualistic microalgae co-diversify with reef corals that acquire symbionts during egg development,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41396-021-01007-8
Their story only came to light recently after Patriarch Sako found one of the two women still alive. Camilla Haddad and Mary Fathohi Weber were taken in and protected by Elias Abu Ahmed, who gave them a home along with his two wives and 14 children. The 98-year-old says she feels good, even if sometimes her legs hurt.

Mosul (AsiaNews)  Two elderly Christian women were saved by a Muslim family who took them in and hid them during the dark and terrible years of Islamic State rule in Mosul and much of Nineveh Plain in northern Iraq.

The story of Camilla Haddad and Mary Fathohi Weber has only become public recently through the website of the Chaldean Patriarchate and the Patriarch himself, Card Louis Raphael Sako, who exchanged a few jokes with Camilla. Sadly, Mary passed away a few years ago from natural causes.

The two women went missing in the summer of 2014, when the Islamic State (IS) group, led by al-Baghdadi, seized Mosul, the largest city in northern Iraq.

After that, their fate was surrounded by silence and mystery, until an answer was provided by Iraqi Christian leaders who never stopped looking for them.

Ms Haddad is now 98 years old but still in decent health. She lives with Elias Abu Ahmed, a Muslim man who hid her and her friend Mary, claiming that they were his grandmother and aunt when members of the Islamic State inspected his home.

He also took care of their health, as he does with his two wives and 14 children, treating them as family members. I considered them as part of my family, he said. We are all brothers, he repeated.

His action was an expression of charity and support among people of different faiths, feeding their desire to remain united and help each other even amid great difficulties.

One of the two women, Mary Fathohi Weber, died on 1 January 2015, but her friend Camilla Haddad  who has a room all to herself in the house and stays up until late  is still in good health, considering her advanced age.

Recently, she spoke on the phone with Patriarch Sako, who met her and her sisters Najeeba and Eileen many years ago, when he was still a priest in Mosul.

According to sources in the Patriarchate, during the conversation, the prelate introduced himself as Abouna (Father in Arabic) Louis to make it easier for Camilla to remember him since she is still unaware that he is now the patriarch of the Chaldean Church.

Card Sako remembers her and one of her sisters, who faithfully came to church and took part in the work of helping the poor.

When asked about her health, a spirited Camilla said: Good, but my legs hurt. Despite this, she turned down an offer to move to a health facility where she could receive more care, because she says she feels connected to the Muslim family that took her in and protected her. Instead, while grateful for the offer, she wants to stay in Abu Ahmed's house.

Meanwhile, sources in the Chaldean patriarchate told AsiaNews that the Chaldean patriarch will soon meet with Camilla Haddad for a day of celebration.
Graphical abstract. Credit: Science Bulletin (2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2021.05.006

Metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes are promising for energy-efficient chemical separations. However, the microstructural design of these membranes remains challenging.

Recently, a research group led by Prof. Yang Weishen and Dr. Ban Yujie from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences proposed a zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)-L membrane with a membrane-interlocked-support composite architecture for H 2 /CO 2 separation.

The study was published in Science Bulletin.

The researchers completely confined the ZIF-L membrane into the voids of the alumina support through an interfacial assembly process, yielding membrane-interlocked-support (MIS) composite architecture. It presented apparent-zero-thickness, oriented membrane layer and strengthened crystal boundaries, which contributed to high permeance and high selectivity.

The membranes showed average H 2 permeance of above 4000 GPU and H 2 /CO 2 separation factor (SF) of above 200, falling into the industrial target zone.

Furthermore, the ZIF-L membrane showed mechanical stability, scraped repeatedly by a piece of silicon rubber causing no selectivity loss.

Previously, the group collaborated with Prof. LI Weixue from University of Science and Technology of China to identify the anisotropic mass transfer rate through the two kinds of channels of ZIF-L by means of molecular dynamics simulations, providing preliminary guidance for this study.

Explore further Novel targeted modification strategy improves selectivity of polyamide nanofiltration membranes

More information: Kun Yang et al, ZIF-L membrane with a membrane-interlocked-support composite architecture for H2/CO2 separation, Science Bulletin (2021). Kun Yang et al, ZIF-L membrane with a membrane-interlocked-support composite architecture for H2/CO2 separation,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2021.05.006
Youth hunters throughout the region will be allowed to use a firearm to hunt deer for the first time, under a pilot program unveiled earlier this year by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

The program, which was approved as part of the state budget in April, allows 12- and 13-year-olds to hunt using either a rifle or shotgun, so long as they are accompanied by an adult 21 or older with at least three years of hunting experience. The program is set to expire in 2023.

County governments must opt in to the program before Sept. 1 to participate.

Washington County, on Friday, approved legislation to participate in the program, while Warren County scheduled a public hearing to adopt a similar law on June 16. Saratoga County announced plans to participate earlier this month.

Under the program, youth hunters will be required to wear either a blaze orange or pink vest, and are limited to hunting deer only. They are also not permitted to hunt from a tree stand.

New York, for decades, has allowed 14-year-olds to hunt with a firearm with the proper license and supervision, but has restricted youths ages 12 and 13 to hunt big game, including deer and bear, using only a crossbow.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Angelina Jolie criticized a judge who is deciding on child custody in her divorce with Brad Pitt, saying in a court filing that the judge refused to allow their children to testify.

Jolie, who has sought to disqualify Judge John Ouderkirk from the divorce case, said in the filing Monday that he declined to hear evidence she says is relevant to the children's safety and well-being before issuing a tentative ruling. The documents don't elaborate on what that evidence may be.

Judge Ouderkirk denied Ms. Jolie a fair trial, improperly excluding her evidence relevant to the childrens health, safety, and welfare, evidence critical to making her case, according to the filing in Californias Second District Court of Appeal.

The actress also said the judge has failed to adequately consider a section of the California courts code, which says it is detrimental to the best interest of the child if custody is awarded to a person with a history of domestic violence. Her filing did not give details about what it was referring to, but her lawyers submitted a document under seal in March that purportedly offers additional information.
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Brigantine boy surfs 365 days in a row

CJ FAIRFIELD, Staff Writer Carter Doorley surfs Monday near Steel Pier in Atlantic City. CJ Fairfield / Staff Writer Atlantic City firefighters watch Carter cap a year of surfing. Carter Doorley stands on top of a Atlantic City Fire Department fire truck during his visit to Atlantic City. On Monday, to commemorate surfing 365 days in a row, Carter surfed 13 towns from Harvey Cedars to Cape May. Carter Doorley (center) and his friends surf near Steel Pier in Atlantic City CJ Fairfield / Staff Writer Doorley Dawn Doorley, Carter's mom, sits along the Longport Jetty to get videos of her son surfing.

The sound of crashing waves was all you could hear walking up the leafy path to the beach.

It was 6:27 a.m. in Harvey Cedars. Carter Doorley stood at the top of the path and looked out at the waves.

It wasnt any ordinary day for Carter, as Monday marked his 365th straight day of surfing.

The 10-year-old Brigantine boy set a goal last year, in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, to surf every day.

There was nothing to do, he said. I just wanted to surf. Its one of my favorite sports. Its the kind of sport that when you start off its really hard, but once you get better its really fun.

To commemorate surfing a whole year, he surfed 13 towns from Harvey Cedars to Cape May.

Paul Feriozzi, 33, of Northfield, came out to surf with Carter for the first half of the towns he was hitting.

Feriozzi owns Oz Boards, a custom surfboard company in Northfield.

Its unbelievable, he said of Carters success. The commitment he has to do this whole thing and stick with it ... its awesome. Its inspirational.

Every day for the past year, Carter would check the waves on an app after school and head out when the waves were just right. The highest wave he surfed was 5 to 6 feet.

When he surfed at the Brigantine jetty, Carter carried his board the 100 or so feet through the sand to get to the water. At times it got tiring, he said, but he never gave up.

His mom, Dawn, has been with Carter every day trekking down to the beach and recording videos of him in action to post to his social media page. Carters Instagram, Cartercatcheswaves, has more than 1,400 followers.

In the summer, Carters family  parents Dawn and Andrew and brothers Miles, 12, and Owen, 7  spends most days on the beach.

He usually just surfs all day, Dawn said of the family beach days. Hell come in, take a bite of a sandwich and then go back out. Hes probably spent 10 hours on the water. He loves it so much. Once hes out there, I cant make him come in.

At times, the lifeguards have to whistle him in.

Theyre like, Your mom said to come in! Dawn said.

She typically does a swirly sign in the air with her finger to wrap it up. Hell respond from the water with a pointer finger in the air, signifying just one more wave.

Carter has more than 14 surf boards that he switches out every day. He even got to design his own custom board with Oz Boards. On Monday, he packed six boards in the car.

To hit 365 days in a row felt amazing, he said.

It was such a hard goal to reach, he said. Im not going to go for two years, because my mom wont let me. Shell freak out. I am going to try for about 500 (days) because its way easier to do in the summertime and we go to the beach every day.

But he isnt just surfing. Hes helped raise money and collect items for multiple charities. Hes also picked up trash.

I love keeping the beach clean, he said. Without a clean beach, theres really nowhere else to surf except a dirty ocean.

In the past year, hes picked up a Wawa bag, an apple pie box, deflated balloons, an Amazon delivery box, bungee chords, plastic bottles, wrappers and masks.

Hes raised $1,500 for Surf Aid, a nonprofit that helps women and children in remote areas of the world. Hes collected more than 1,500 cans of food for the True Spirit Coalition, an organization through the Community Presbyterian Church in Brigantine. He also surfed 315 waves for every dollar donated to Funny Farm Rescue and Sanctuary in Mays Landing. He also collected Valentines Day cards for troops serving overseas.

We said, If youre going to do this, you have to help people and do good things, Dawn said. We try to tell him to give back to the community because they all really helped him become a better surfer and helped watch him out in the water.

In Holgate, Carters Ocean City friends Michael, Mason, Maddox, Harlow and their mom, Sue McElwee, came to watch him surf. In Atlantic City, Michael and Maddox joined Carter in the waves. Maddox surfed with Carter down to Cape May.

The McElwees have supported Carter in every milestone he hit, such as day 100 and day 150.

We love it, said Sue McElwee. We have to support him. Its such a great thing that hes doing.

Donna Thistlewood, of Mount Laurel, Burlington County, comes down to Atlantic City and Brigantine frequently and has been following Carter on social media. When Carter surfed near Steel Pier in Atlantic City on Monday, Thistlewood was there to cheer him on.

I think hes amazing, she said. Hes got lots of followers, he picks up trash, he donates food, he does a lot. If everybody had just one-tenth of what he had ... hes just an awesome kid.

Brigantine Mayor Vince Sera has also been following Carters journey. He even surfed with Carter on his 100th day.

Its been amazing to watch his evolution from a young man just trying to enjoy the sport he loves to using surfing as a way to promote local charities and keep our beaches clean and beautiful, Sera said. Carter has become an inspiration to so many people in the surfing community, and we are all cheering for his success.

But surfing isnt the only sport he participates in. Carter also plays baseball, where hes a catcher and sometimes a pitcher. He also plays street hockey and football.

Surfing isnt just a sport he loves. His passion has helped him overcome obstacles. Its helped him grow. Hes matured.

I am proud of him, Dawn said. I cant even believe that he did it, that hes doing it, that it will be done. It blows my mind that hes 10 and he set out a goal himself. We never discouraged him and always told him that the world is your oyster. You can do anything you want if you set your mind to it.

Dawns not a surfer herself, but shes learned, over the past year, that the sport is very competitive. Shes also learned to take care of surf boards. She now has a repair kit, and can patch a hole in Carters wetsuit.

And spending so much time with Carter has been good. Theyve had time to bond one on one as they walk down the long path to the jetty every day. They talk about each others day and anything going on. And they talk about the waves, always about the waves.

My favorite part is that he stuck to his goal, she said. Because of his ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), he loses interest and never follows through or stays with something. Its just been awesome that hes kept doing this. It wasnt a chore to get him to go surfing.

And hes happier, she added.

Being in the water really is his calming thing, she said.

Twelve hours after surfing his first wave in Harvey Cedars, Carter surfed his last of the day in Cape May. A light drizzle started to fall. He rode the wave all the way in.

Carter Doorley surfs 13 towns in 12 hours

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A complaint filed by two other people who say they were hit by the beer thrown by Smurro, Carolyn DiPietro and Christopher Benino, was rejected after Municipal Court Judge Howard Freed determined there was not probable cause to sustain the charge.

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This case is about standing up against bigotry, bullying and violence, said attorney David Shanies, who represents the Harrises, DiPietro and Benino. My clients rejected transphobic hate speech, and in response, Michael Smurro doused them in beer, challenged them to a fight and filed false and frivolous criminal charges against them. My clients are not intimidated and they will hold Michael Smurro fully accountable for his actions.

The footage from the outdoor restaurant shows Lisa Smurro complaining at length about a person she said was a transgender woman using the womens bathroom. New Jersey law prohibits discrimination based on gender identify and permits people to use public restrooms that correspond to their gender identity.

The footage shows that when the couple became aware someone was filming, they got up and walked over. Lisa Smurro continued to complain and a woman at the table replied: Please take your hate elsewhere.

Michael Smurro then tossed the contents of a cup of beer at occupants of the table.
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP  Township Council voted Tuesday to have the Planning Board review a proposed redevelopment plan that would bring a mixed commercial and residential project to the former Assumption Church building site at Route 30 and Pomona Road.

The Planning Board has to determine whether the project is consistent with the townships master plan.

The board has 45 days to report its findings to the council.

One of the few details revealed about the project Tuesday is that the commercial development would be in the front along Route 30 and the residential development would be in the back.

More detailed site plans will be unveiled when the project comes before the Planning Board.

Northfield's Dr. Ira Trocki looks to Galloway for commercial and residential development After three years worth of effort, Dr. Ira Trocki, a Northfield plastic surgeon, has moved 

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden owns the land and demolished the church in August 2016. Parishioners vacated the old Assumption Church in 2008. Its members now congregate at a newer, bigger church on Pitney Road.

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The old church was enlarged in 1953, but it still became too small for the congregation. The church site has been on the market for five years.

The site includes a shrine to Our Lady of the Highway. A Virgin Mary statue is within the shrine.
White Christians, particularly Quakers, in South Jersey and elsewhere took great personal risks to defy the law and undermine the slave economy of the South by helping enslaved people escape through the Underground Railroad, Grossman said.

Both said they oppose the state takeover of Atlantic City. Grossman had sued to challenge the constitutionality of the payment-in-lieu of taxes plan to stabilize property tax payments for casinos. He dropped the suit due to the expense of it after Atlantic County dropped out after settling its case to get 13.5% of PILOT payments.

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The state has a lot of challenges itself, Polistina said. I dont know if the takeover role is appropriate. The state should focus on challenges the state has. The state has proven it cant handle what they have on their plate.

Grossman called the takeover unconstitutional and said it only kept the city from facing the poor choices it had made that led it close to financial collapse.

The things that hurt Atlantic City most are destroying the country, Grossman said. (Particularly) The idea that you can spend money ... and make someone else pay for it.

Both said recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic depends on opening up fully and ending mask mandates.
Reynolds attorney, Richard J. Fuschino Jr., said in a phone interview that Reynolds had no role in any murder plot. Without question, she is innocent of the crime of solicitation to commit murder, he said.

As for the death of her son, he said, Reynolds absolutely did not suffocate the child.

Without a question, after her son died, she was absolutely heartbroken, he said.

Authorities have said that on the morning of May 10, 2018, Reynolds ran from her then-home on Marcia Court in Gloucester Township holding her unresponsive child in her arms and screaming for help from her neighbors.

Reynolds was not alone with the child on the day of his death, Fuschino said. Also in the home at the time, he said, was the man she had been dating, the alleged intended target in the murder-for-hire plot. He declined to elaborate.

In court Tuesday during the hearing in the murder-for-hire case, Gallagher, the prosecutor, said Callahan had approached a third party with hopes of being connected to someone who would be able to kill Reynolds ex-boyfriend, offering up to about $25,000.
TRENTON  Fully vaccinated employees can soon begin taking their masks off at work.

Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday announced the signing of an executive order allowing employers to let employees forgo masks and social distancing as long as they can verify theyre vaccinated. The order, which will go into effect June 4, also will rescind the requirement for employers to accommodate remote working arrangements and to reduce on-site staff to the minimal number necessary.

State employees, the governor added, will still be required to wear a mask and maintain social distancing in state offices.

While we are rescinding some requirements, that doesnt mean that we dont expect you to be flexible and to work with employees, Murphy said during the states COVID-19 briefing, particularly those who are juggling family obligations such as child care.

On Friday, New Jersey will lift its indoor mask mandate for people vaccinated against COVID-19. The state also is lifting the requirement for maintaining 6 feet of distance at all indoor and outdoor businesses such as restaurants, retail stores, gyms and casinos.

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In the meantime Bashir was rehired in 2016 as religion correspondent by the BBC after Hall returned to the corporation as director general. We still dont know what prompted this decision. Dysons judicial remit didnt extend to this period.

But the BBC prides itself on its high standards, impartiality and transparency. If you dont like a newspaper, you can always buy another one. If a private television company transgresses, advertisers will boycott it. But the BBC? It has a self-regulating board of worthies but few have worked at the sharp end of journalism. This must change.

As editor of the Sunday Times, I mounted some tough investigations that landed me and the newspaper in court. I worked with versatile, hard-bitten journalists, including the Insight investigations team. But in every instance I sat alongside a media lawyer who insisted on a paper trail. Every step had to be tested to see whether the methods employed were justified in the public interest. Complicated inquiries in which we invested time and effort were sometimes aborted. We made mistakes but we had to perform the checks, had to be thorough and had to know the pitfalls.

The BBC now needs to call on the expertise of outside news and current affairs veterans from broadcasting and print media to help police its internal investigations. It should set up a board thats fit for purpose and not wait for the government to act. It would be better for Davie and the BBC to impose self-regulation with real teeth than have regulation thrust upon it by hostile external forces.

Martin Ivens was editor of Britains Sunday Times from 2013 to 2020 and was formerly its chief political commentator. He is a director of the Times Newspapers board.
The suspicions of previous months have turned into a direct accusation. Taipei had bought five million doses from BioNTech. So far the island has received 720,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Only 1 per cent of the population has been vaccinated. The German pharmaceutical company has not yet spoken in the matter, whilst China denies any involvement.

Taipei (AsiaNews)  Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen today accused China of blocking Taiwans agreement with Pfizer-BioNTech for its COVID-19 vaccine.

Reacting to the news, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said: we were close to completing the contract with the original German plant, but because of China's intervention, up to now there's been no way to complete it.

This is the first time that the island's government has explicitly blamed China for its inability to buy five million doses of the vaccine developed by US-based Pfizer and Germanys BioNTech.

Back in February, Taiwanese Health Minister Chen Shih-chung hinted that China was trying to scuttle the deal.

Taiwan had reached an agreement with Pfizer and BioNTech at the end of December. The negotiations had been led by the German company, which dropped out at the last minute.

BioNTech granted China's Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group the right to develop and distribute the vaccine not only in China, but also in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

The German company received US$ 85 million to grant the licence, whilst Fosun pledged to buy US$ 50 million worth of BioNTech shares.

Struggling with a new COVID-19 surge, the Tsai administration has managed to vaccinate only 1 per cent of the population.

Taiwan has on order 14.7 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine five million of the US-based Moderna but has received only 720,000so far. By the end of July, a locally produced anti-COVID vaccine should also be available.

BioNTech has not yet commented on Taiwans allegations. For its part, China has denied blocking the purchase.

Chinese authorities claim instead that they offered Taiwan the US-German vaccine, but Tsai's government rejected the gesture of goodwill for political reasons.

Mainland China considers Taiwan a rebel province, and has never ruled out the use of force to take it.

The island has been de facto independent since 1949 when Chiang Kai-shek's nationalists (Kuomintang) fled the mainland after losing the civil war with the Communists. Since then, it has claimed to represent the Republic of China founded in 1912.
This is an unsatisfactory solution for several reasons. One is that since the law hasnt been changed, a future governor fond of autocratic rule could simply void the directive. Another is that Grewals order doesnt apply to the nonviolent crimes that arent drug offenses, since those laws werent written the same, so their offenders are stuck with mandatory minimum sentences.

We urged Murphy to sign the legislation, but perhaps it was too much to ask a governor seeking reelection to take a chance on looking soft on the corruption of public officials. But since mandatory sentencing puts the power of judges into the hands of prosecutors, theres good reason to believe that it politicizes justice and avoids charges against politically connected public officials. Its not justice when the powers that be charge a foe regarding a no-show public job, and theyre subject to a mandatory minimum sentence if convicted, not when at the same time many other government no-show jobs are exempt from scrutiny and charges.

The Legislature has reintroduced the same sentencing reform bill and intends to give Murphy another crack at it. Since it hasnt had the votes to override the governors veto, and surely doesnt have the will to do so, whats to be gained by this isnt apparent.
May 26, 2021 in Software (E)

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MacXDVD Software is a division of Digiarty Software Company, owns a professional multimedia software development team, providing a range of products for Macintosh Computer users, including MacX Video Converter, MacX DVD Ripper, DVD Author, DVD backup tools, etc, series of apps for Apple video player, and iPhone, iPad 2D and 3D video games. Copyright (C) 2021 MacXDVD Software. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

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May 26, 2021 in Multimedia (E)

[prMac.com] Naarden (NH) The Netherlands - MeisterApps, a Dutch tech company, today announced the launch of VideoMeister, a new video player that makes it easier for Mac users to play video files on a Smart TV.



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MeisterApps BV was established in 2019 to develop innovative, flexible, and proven solutions for the connected TV device industry. The company sells applications for most major TV brands, including Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic, Philips, and Roku TV. All Material and Software (C) Copyright 2021 MeisterApps BV. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, macOS, iPhone, iPod and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other trademarks and registered trademarks may be the property of their respective owners.

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Partisan contention has surrounded the process for appointing her to the role and has raised questions as to whether Republican supervisors violated Iowa's open meetings law.

The petitioners will need to collect nearly 9,300 valid signatures from eligible Scott County in 14 days because of recent changes made by state lawmakers to Iowa election laws.

Scott County Democratic Party Chairwoman Elesha Gayman said party members and supporters would host signature signing events, with a goal of collecting more than 10,000 signatures by June 8, anticipating that a percentage of signatures collected will not be valid.

"The Scott County Democratic Party stands ready to fight for the rights of Scott County voters who deserve to have their voices heard," Gayman said in a statement. "There is no office more significant in the maintenance of a strong democracy than that of the county auditor, the individual responsible for all elections in Scott County. We invite all Scott County voters, regardless of party, to join us in demanding accountability and having a voice in this vital component of our electoral process.
"Working under the influences of extreme exhaustion can lead to an increase in errors and critical thinking. Employee turnover and retention are a direct result of the staffing crisis and conditions that most employees deem unbearable. Eighteen months appears to be the limit of tolerance.

"Most concerning to us are the long-term effects on both the physical and mental health of the employees of Thomson," Zumkehr wrote. "I would be failing in my representational duties if I did not say candidly that USP Thomson is experiencing a staffing crisis, bar none in the Bureau of Prisons. A review of the overall conditions witnessed at USP Thomson, without immediate intervention, have cultivated an environment with catastrophic potential."

Zumkehr said immediate intervention was necessary to alleviate the staffing crisis and reduce immediate dangers facing the employees.

"It should be the moral obligation of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to send immediate assistance and relief to those that have worked the hardest supporting the mission," Zumkehr wrote.
At 11:15 a.m. Tuesday Lindsey Wilson was one of just three people who waited after getting a dose of the vaccination. She said she sees both sides of the vaccination question.

"I just got my second dose," the 39-year-old said. "It's because of my mom - she has lung issues and is predisposed to all kinds of illness. So for me and my kids the vaccine was necessary."

Wilson said she would have chosen to get vaccinated even if her mother didn't have issues. And she said she knows plenty of people who have decided to either wait or forgo vaccination.

"I know people who are very against it -- and that's their decision," Wilson explained. "I know people who believe everything from the government is using the vaccine to implant microchips to people who want to wait and see if there are any other longer-term side effects."

Wilson said her husband chose to not vaccinate.

"Not yet," she said. "He doesn't believe in the microchips. He's the let's-see-if-you-grow-an-extra-arm guy."

Mason Allred is an 18-year-old senior at Moline High School who sat six feet from Wilson after his shot. He agreed with the idea people are split on COVID-19 vaccinations.
NEW YORK (AP)  If there's one place where people could fear the coronavirus more than a vaccination needle, it's the Far Rockaway section of Queens: Nearly 460 residents of the seaside neighborhood have died of COVID-19.

That's one out of every 146 people who live there, making for one of New York City's highest death rates. And yet, no other place in the city has a lower percentage of vaccinated people.

As of Monday, only 29% of people living in Far Rockaways ZIP code, 11691, had received even one vaccine dose, according to data from the New York City Health Department. That compares to a rate of 49% citywide and nationally.

The situation in the community of around 67,000 people illustrates the challenges facing health officials in many places as they try to overcome hesitancy fueled by mistrust, misinformation and fear.

We have a good amount of people that still dont want to get vaccinated, for whatever reason, said Diana Catalan, a health clinic manager involved in the Far Rockaway inoculation effort whose father, a neighborhood resident, died of the virus in February.
Americans making summer vacation plans are about to find airfare costs are near or even above pre-pandemic levels, according to the nation's major airlines.

Executives from most of the major carriers said the recovery in domestic leisure travel is already here. That means yields, which measure how much passengers pay for every mile traveled, are up more than the airlines had been forecasting.

"Domestic leisure [travel] will be 100% restored by June, with ... bookings ahead of 2019 levels and yields essentially recovered," said Glen Hauenstein, president of Delta Air Lines, speaking at the Wolfe Research conference.

The airlines are being cautious about bringing back too much supply of flights too quickly, especially since the leisure fares booked well in advance of travel are not as lucrative as the business travel booked at the last minute. Business travel and international travel have yet to come back, although airlines said they're seeing signs of a future recovery there as well.
The identities of the individuals were in a submission in Manhattan federal court filed by a lawyer representing Lev Parnas, an associate of Giuliani who was charged in 2019 with scheming to make illegal campaign contributions.

The names were redacted in the document but could be viewed when copied into a separate document. CNN was the first to report the faulty redactions and the details on what the document contained.

The document also said prosecutors had obtained historical and prospective cell site information related to Giuliani and Washington lawyer Victoria Toensing, a former federal prosecutor and close ally of Giuliani and former President Donald Trump. Her law firm has said she was informed that she is not a target of the investigation.

Prosecutors are examining Giulianis ties to Ukraine and whether he violated a federal law that governs lobbying on behalf of foreign countries or entities. No charges have been filed.

Giuliani has insisted that his activities in Ukraine were conducted on behalf of Trump, not any foreign entity or person.
CHICAGO  A man whose DNA linked him to the brutal 1992 slaying of a 6-year-old boy  and exonerated another man who was in prison for the killing  pleaded guilty to attempted murder Tuesday, Cook County court records show.

Osborne Wade, 47, was sentenced to 50 years in prison. With expected credit for good behavior and time already served, he could be released in about two decades. Judge Peggy Chiampas ordered the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide him with medical and mental health treatment behind bars.

Prosecutors framing of the evidence when Wade was charged in 2016 seemed cut-and-dried: They had his DNA on the boys clothes, he confessed to the slaying to police and wrote letters of apology to the boys family.

A spokeswoman for the Cook County states attorneys office did not give details about why the charge was modified to the lesser offense, stating only that they concluded that based on the evidence and the law, it was appropriate to resolve this case with a plea agreement and agreed prison sentence.
China's Xinjiang denounces so-called "Uygur tribunal" as trampling of int'l law

Xinhua) 08:37, May 26, 2021

BEIJING, May 25, 2021 (Xinhua) -- A spokesperson of China's Xinjiang strongly condemned and rejected the so-called "Uygur tribunal" which attempts to hold a "hearing" on claims of "genocide" in the region.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Bianji)
Public health officials recognized early on that minorities are more likely to have front-line jobs and live in congregate settings where they are more easily exposed to the virus. Now doctors say people are socializing more as mask mandates and other restrictions are lifted. And new, more contagious variants are behind more cases and more serious cases.
A Davenport teacher is on unpaid suspension and is facing U.S. Army charges related to child-sexual assault offenses.

Gary L. Goins faces court martial based on four criminal charges stemming from alleged sexual assault of a minor while he was serving in late December 2020, military court records show.

Goins is a Davenport teacher who once ran for the Bettendorf School Board and is a U.S. Army reservist at Fort Bragg, N.C. He previously worked for the Rock Island-Milan School District. He also is active with the Boy Scouts and is a certified wrestling official, according to his election-time biography.

The Army's charging document describes Goins as a Staff Sergeant with the Security Assistance Training Company.

The Davenport School District's human resources office confirmed Goins has been placed on unpaid leave and is not teaching. He was hired by the district Aug. 7, 2013, as a teacher.

Charges against Goins officially were filed March 19. The charging documents do not say where the offenses allegedly took place.
A 14-year-old was caught in the crossfires of a Davenport shooting Saturday.

Shots were being fired between two cars around 5 p.m. Saturday at East Locust and Iowa streets. The teenager, Zach Smith, was in a nearby vehicle that was not involved.

Police said a stray bullet struck Smith, who was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. One other person was injured in the shooting and was also treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Smith is a student at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Bettendorf. Jason Crossen, a pastor at the school, said the school had rallied behind Smith and his family.

"We were shocked and dismayed that such violence could be so close to home, and with one of our own who we know, love and support," Crossen said. "We're thrilled that he's OK."

The school has coordinated families to help bring food and run errands for Smith's family while they are focused on helping him recuperate, Crossen said.
The CDC stressed vaccinated people help prevent the spread of the virus. Earlier this week the CDC's message was partially inspired by the Memorial Day weekend.

"Thanks to vaccines, tens of millions of Americans are able to get back to something closer to normal visiting friends and family," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Tuesday at the White House coronavirus briefing.

"If you are not vaccinated, I want to encourage you to take this holiday weekend to give yourself and your family the gift of protection by getting vaccinated. We are on a good downward path, but we are not quite out of the woods yet."

Walk-in vaccination sites expand

The Rock Island County Health Department will offer walk-in vaccine clinics twice a week at its offices at 2112 25th Ave., Rock Island. Both first and second doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be given, as well as the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The schedule:

 Moderna and Johnson & Johnson: Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., starting June 1

 Pfizer: Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., starting June 4

Upcoming pop-up events include:
Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., proposed censuring Greene. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., called on her to change her rhetoric and behavior if she intends to remain a Member of the House. Pelosi, who previously suggested that Greene could face an ethics inquiry, called her comments so beyond reprehensible that they should have no place in our country.

The furor is just the latest provocative chapter in the activist-turned-lawmaker's brief tenure in the House.

Earlier this month, Greene followed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., off the House floor, shouting that the Democrat supported terrorists and doesnt care about the American people. She also appeared in Facebook Live video filmed outside Ocasio-Cortezs office, taunting the congresswoman through the mail slot of a locked door to get rid of your diaper and come out and be able to talk to the American citizens.

Before her election, Greene supported Facebook posts that advocated violence against Democrats and the FBI. In one 2018 post, she speculated that lasers or blue beams of light controlled by a left-wing cabal tied to a powerful Jewish family could have been responsible for sparking California wildfires.

And in February 2019, Greene appeared in an online video filmed at the U.S. Capitol, arguing that two Muslim lawmakers werent really official members of Congress because they didnt take the oath of office on the Bible.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  Republicans are poised to block legislation that would create a commission on the Jan. 6 insurrection, despite both a bipartisan effort to salvage the bill and a last-minute push by the mother of a Capitol Police officer who collapsed and died after the siege.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has set up a Thursday procedural vote on the bill, challenging Republicans to support it after 35 of their GOP colleagues voted for it in the House. But it was unlikely that Democrats would be able to win the 10 Republican votes necessary to authorize the independent investigation, a remarkable turn of events just months after the worst attack on the Capitol in more than 200 years.

The bill as passed by the House would set up a bipartisan panel to investigate what happened when hundreds of former President Donald Trump's supporters violently broke into the Capitol and interrupted the certification of President Joe Biden's win.

On Wednesday, the mother of Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick said she would meet with lawmakers ahead of the vote to try to convince them to act. Sicknick collapsed immediately after engaging with the rioters and died the next day.
Bahena Rivera said he wasnt truthful when detectives began questioning him about Tibbetts' disappearance on Aug. 20, 2018, because he was worried about his daughter's safety. Back then, he said he had approached Tibbetts as she ran, fought with her after she threatened to call police and then blacked out" before hiding her body.

He said he agreed to lead investigators to Tibbetts' body early the next day because he was tired and wanted the interrogation to end. And he said police had urged him to put myself in the family's position and to think of how he would feel if his daughter was missing.

Bahena Rivera recounted growing up poor in southern Mexico and illegally coming to the U.S. after he turned 17, crossing a river into Texas on an inflatable raft with about 10 other people. He immediately went to live in Iowa, where his fathers brothers had settled, and got a job within days milking cows at a dairy farm, he said.

Bahena Rivera, who has been jailed since his August 2018 arrest, said he worked 12-hour days and was careful to avoid police for fear of deportation. He said never had contact with law enforcement until investigators looking into Tibbetts' disappearance identified his vehicle on a homeowner's surveillance video on her running route.
DETROIT (AP)  A man was exonerated Wednesday after 32 years in prison when authorities agreed that he was wrongly convicted of a fatal stabbing in suburban Detroit based on faulty evidence, including a bite mark on the victim.

For years, Gilbert Poole Jr. had challenged his first-degree murder conviction with expertise from the Innocence Project at WMU-Cooley Law School.

An Oakland County judge dismissed the conviction at the request of the Michigan attorney general's office, clearing the way a few hours later for Poole's release from a prison in Jackson.

I spent decades learning, reading, studying law, but none of that was working for me, Poole, 56, said in court. It wasnt until I surrendered to a higher power and God stepped in and sent me a band of angels to look past the rules and regulations and looked to see who was standing in the furnace. I was standing in the furnace. I didnt belong here."

Poole was convicted in the fatal stabbing of Robert Mejia, whose body was found in a Pontiac field.

Pooles girlfriend told police that he had confessed to her that he met Mejia in a bar and later killed him during a violent robbery attempt. A dentist linked Poole to a bite mark on the victim.
CHICAGO  Tim Mapes, the former chief of staff to Speaker Michael Madigan, was indicted Wednesday on charges of lying to a federal grand jury investigating allegations of bribery by Commonwealth Edison.

Mapes, who was ousted by Madigan three years ago amid a sexual harassment scandal, was charged with one count each of perjury and obstruction of justice. An arraignment date had not yet been set.

The charges allege Mapes repeatedly lied to the grand jury during an appearance on March 31 when asked about Madigans relationship with his longtime confidante Michael McClain, who has been charged with orchestrating the bribery scheme on behalf of ComEd to win Madigans assistance with state legislation.

Mapes lied to the panel even though hed been granted immunity from prosecution by the U.S. Attorneys Office and was told by the Chief U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer that he must testify truthfully or possibly face criminal charges for perjury, according to the indictment.
The Supreme Court shares district lines with the states appellate courts. The proposed map will not impact the tenure of the current appellate and Supreme Court justices, according to the statement, and all justices running for retention can do so in their current districts.

Shortly after the map was released, House and Senate Republicans criticized the map, claiming they had no input and that Democrats should wait for the Census data.

Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, said he became aware of the new map when it was reported in the media on Tuesday afternoon.

There's been no public dialogue on this, or all of the hearings that have existedAnd then we find out through a blog post that Democrats are now introducing Supreme Court maps. Again, it flies in the face of transparency, he said during a news conference.

Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Morrisonville, said shes disappointed that Democrats are using the Nancy Pelosi court packing agenda in Illinois, especially this late in session.

I think that's something that nationwide there's a backlash against but of course that's what the Democrats want to do, she said.
Wednesday, the state reported 36,251 new vaccinations, including 15,701 new first doses of the two-dose regimen required by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Meanwhile, the state doled out 18,944 second doses of those vaccines. Earlier in the vaccination effort, first dose totals eclipsed second dose totals every day. But in May, the opposite has often been true.
The investigation found that Schanely failed to publish an updated sexual assault policy for the 416th for more than two years; didnt convene a sexual assault review board for 15 months even though the Department of Defense requires such meetings be held monthly; left a sexual assault response coordinator position vacant for nine months; and failed to conduct a survey of the units command climate.

Twelve soldiers have been reprimanded or been given counseling statements. The Pentagon also took administrative actions against two senior leaders. Three civilian employees face administrative action as well. Army officials did not identify them or elaborate on their violations, citing privacy concerns, and names were largely redacted from the investigatory findings.

Rachel VanLandingham, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel who teaches national security law at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, said generals could decide to remove a reprimand from a soldiers file if their behavior improves, or use it to justify tougher punishment if problems continue. They also could place the reprimand in the soldiers permanent human resources file, which could hurt an officers chances at promotion, she said.

She described counseling statements as a tiny slap on the wrist and called them practically meaningless.
The record shows that, with other Republicans, Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst voted against establishing a bipartisan independent investigation into the Jan. 6 assault on our national Capitol and democratic process. It seems odd that both senators would lack curiosity about the truth of who, what and why the Jan. 6 attempt at overturning our presidential election outcome occurred.
Pope Francis says he welcomes criticism from America. The newly appointed bishop of President Biden's diocese in Delaware doesn't know if he will allow communion for Joe Biden, who is someone my family voted for. Well, if they are going to talk the talk, they should walk the walk. Pope Benedict XVI said the priest problems were because of the sexual revolution. I agree. The church has been so chummy with the revolutionists, even baptizing their children. The revolutionist perversion has rubbed off onto priests, and they will never get better.
LEESBURG, Fla. (AP)  A firefighting helicopter carrying four people on a training exercise crashed near an airport in central Florida, killing all aboard.

The helicopter crashed into a marsh near Leesburg International Airport around 4 p.m. Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a news release.

One body was recovered Tuesday night, and police officials on Wednesday confirmed that they also had found the bodies of the three others. The bodies were taken to a medical examiner's office where they will be positively identified.

A search and rescue effort began immediately after the crash, but the crash site couldn't be cleared because of hazards in the area, the Leesburg Police Department said in a news release Wednesday.

We are deeply saddened by this tragedy within our wildland firefighting family, said Florida Forest Service director Erin Albury. These firefighters put themselves on the line to serve and protect the lives of others."

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board issued separate news releases saying they will investigate.

The aircraft belonged to Brainerd Helicopters Inc./Firehawk Helicopters, located at Leesburg International Airport, the police department release said.
Noem did not cite specific instances of anything currently being taught that she found objectionable. But she asked the Board of Regents to look into whether state funds were being used for such teachings on race and whether diversity offices had gone beyond the bounds of their original mission.

The Board of Regents did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Conservative lawmakers have worked in recent years to gain more control of the state's public universities and rein in what they see as a stifling of conservative thought on university campuses. The Board of Regents, along with the Legislature, is currently reviewing the administrative structure of the universities. A report on a possible restructuring is due in November.

Burrow said he did not anticipate any immediate changes to how history and race are taught at universities, casting Noem's letter as the latest episode in a long tradition of politicians attacking academia to score points with their base.

She seems to envision a version where the United States is always right," he said. "Thats just not what history demonstrates.

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ROME (AP)  Police arrested three people Wednesday in the cable car disaster that killed 14 people in northern Italy, saying workers placed a clamp on the emergency brake to deactivate it as a patchwork repair - one that prevented the brake from engaging when the lead cable snapped.

The revelations, obtained during an overnight police interrogation of the suspects, turned the horror of Sundays disaster into outrage, given the tragedy appeared to have been entirely preventable.

Prosecutor Olimpia Bossi hypothesized that the operators of the sightseeing funicular, which had reopened after a wintertime COVID-19 closure, used the jerry-rigged clamp to avoid having to shut the attraction down for the more extensive, radical" repairs that were necessary.

We arrested three people who it turns out were directly involved in a concrete fact: The emergency brake mechanism of the cabin that fell onto the Mottarone slope was manipulated," Bossi told reporters in Verbania, adding that the severity of the disaster warranted their detention.

Bossi said it still wasn't clear why the lead cable snapped or whether it was related to the brake problem. But she said that the intentional deactivation of the brake, done several times over recent weeks for a persistent problem, prevented the brake from doing its job.
Sometimes our readers get mad at the wrong people.

We are consistently asked why "we" don't cover the cost of Gov. Kristi Noem's travel to support other candidates and raise funds for herself at out-of-state events. They say the public has a right to know how much is spent to keep the governor safe whether on a trip within the state or when she speaks in Texas or Florida or campaigns in New Hampshire or Georgia.

In 27 years as an opinion writer, I can't recall quoting a line from "The Princess Bride" but I will today. As Inigo Montoya said, "You keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means."

In South Dakota, we have no such rights.

Many other states and the federal government make those records available but in South Dakota, it is argued that saying how much is spent on security would somehow jeopardize the governor's safety. No one wants to put anyone in danger - certainly not our governor.

But those arguments just don't make sense when you consider that other states make the information available and no one has been hurt or threatened due to its release.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Actor and professional wrestler John Cena has apologized to fans in China after he called Taiwan a country in a promotional interview for his upcoming film and became the latest celebrity to face the fury of Chinese nationalists.

In a short video posted Tuesday on Chinese social media site Weibo, Cena did not refer to Taiwan or go into much detail about the incident, which occurred earlier this month when he was doing a promotion for Fast & Furious 9 with Taiwanese media.

In one interview, I made a mistake, he said in heavily accented Mandarin Chinese. I need to say now that this is very, very, very, very, very important. I love and respect China and the Chinese people. Im very, very sorry. As for my mistake, I really apologize for it."

In his interview with TVBS, a Taiwanese cable channel, Cena was also speaking in Mandarin when he said Taiwan would be the first country to be able to see the film. That led to an uproar in China, which considers the self-governing democracy its own territory to be taken back by force if necessary.
A Corvallis woman who told a Montana Highway Patrol trooper she drove to the towns high school at 1 a.m. to pick up kids was charged with what would be her fifth DUI.

Leila Rose Bartell, 64, appeared Monday before Ravalli County Justice Jennifer Ray on the felony DUI charge.

The trooper spotted her vehicle on Corvallis Water Street with a taillight out on May 24, according to the charging affidavit. He followed the vehicle into the Corvallis High School parking lot where it parked.

When the trooper made contact with Bartell, he immediately noticed she was disorientated and incoherent, the affidavit said. She said she was at the school to pick up some kids.

Before being instructed to do so, Bartell exited the vehicle holding her small dog. The trooper noted that she swayed backward and leaned on the vehicle for balance.

Bartells speech was mumbled and slurred and she struggled to pay attention or listen to the troopers instructions, the affidavit said.

Before attempting the field sobriety tests, Bartell lost her balance and fell, the affidavit said. She was confused and asked the trooper why he had pushed her to the ground. The trooper said Bartell then started to stagger and attempt to get back in her vehicle.
It would probably be safe to say that Lone Rock School had never had a dedication ceremony quite like the one that occurred on its playground Monday morning.

Elementary students shuffled between Winnie the Pooh and hugs with old gents to a row of black-leather-clad Harley riding motorcyclists as the school celebrated its two new additions to the playground.

The two new benches came with important messages of kindness, respect and remembrance.

The round Friendship Bench  with its umbrella adorned by characters and passages from Winnie the Pooh  celebrates the life of former Lone Rock teacher Joy Kaler, who passed unexpectedly seven years ago.

This was a community effort to honor a teacher who was taken away from us way too soon, said Lone Rock second grade teacher Julie Bachman. We want her memory to always live on in the children who play on our playground for years to come.

The funding for the bench came through donations from the community. It was designed by Lone Rock School trustee Wayne Stanford, who built and installed the bench with his friend, Jim Stromberg.
During the first incident in June 2019, manager Hamid Mohebbi called the police on Morris, saying she refused to stop selling doughnuts in the restaurant, according to a police report. A few weeks later, the same manager called the police on Morris again after Morris disagreed with him about charging her extra for croutons and tomatoes on a salad and would not leave the restaurant, according to a police report.
Learn how to identify this plant and watch for the growth if it which begins early in the spring because it germinates in the fall. Blue-green lance-shaped leaves appear in a basal rosette very early. The stem leaves are also a blue-green color with the lower leaves on stalks and the upper leaves clasping the stem.

The flowers are white and consist of four petals laid out in a cross. The individual flowers are small but dense clusters of flowers create the white, flat-top appearance. The seed capsules are broad, flat and heart-shaped.

If you have a very small infestation hand pulling can provide control. For the control to be successful all underground parts of the plant must also be removed and it may take 2-4 years for complete eradication.

Mowing the plant to ground level will reduce biomass and seed production but does not provide long-term control.

Whitetop can be controlled using herbicides and requires aggressive repeated applications. Another option is using sheep to graze on this plant. The best method for the control of whitetop is an integrated weed management plan utilizing all of the above options with prolonged effort.
COVID-19 is opening the door for researchers to address a problem that has vexed the medical community for decades: the overtreatment and unnecessary treatment of patients.

On one hand, the pandemic caused major health setbacks for non-COVID patients who were forced to, or chose to, avoid tests and treatments for various illnesses. On the other hand, in cases in which no harm was done by delays or cancellations, medical experts can now reevaluate whether those procedures are truly necessary.

Numerous studies have shown that overtreatment causes unnecessary suffering and billions of dollars in unnecessary health care costs.

But never before, said researcher Allison Oakes, has there been such a large database to compare patients who received a particular test or treatment with those who did not.
" " A bar cart can not only show your design style, but also serve as your cocktail station if it's well stocked. Wayfair

A well-stocked bar cart serves two main purposes. First, it can be a gorgeous decorative element in your home's main entertaining spaces. And second, it can showcase your design preferences  think classic Hollywood glam or sleek mid-century modern.

But perhaps most importantly, a properly appointed cart can also function as your bar. Of course, to craft the perfect cocktails at home, you need to have that bar cart stocked with all the booze, bitters, mixers, tools and other essentials. Otherwise, it's really just a pretty cart.

To find out how to stock a bar cart like a pro, we tapped an industry expert to share her insider knowledge. Sam Montgomery, the national brand ambassador for Kentucky's Bardstown Bourbon Company, is a passionate whiskey enthusiast and has been tending bar for a decade.

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The Booze

Let's start with the most important step for stocking a bar: the alcohol. Montgomery says she likes to keep her bar stocked with at least one of each of the following: bourbon, scotch, rum, brandy, tequila, gin and vodka.

"I use my bar the most when I have guests over and it's hard to disappoint ... with [this] basic selection," she explains. As for what brands, embrace your favorites, though Montgomery says she prefers to stay away from big name brands and instead looks for more craft and local producers.

Choosing local can also be a great conversational piece when hosting friends and family. "A great suggestion, if you are a traveler," she says, "is to go into a local liquor store while vacationing and ask the employees if there are any local producers around the area and see what they suggest." Shopping local also means you're directly supporting distilleries in your area, or your favorite vacation spot, and it makes for a more interesting, less basic bar cart set up.

" " A variety of bitters are a must on any home bar cart. Consider them the "spice rack" of your cocktail station. Scrappy's

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Bitters and Vermouth

Next up, let's tackle another key bar cart ingredient, bitters. Bitters are made from botanicals, like fruit, aromatic herbs and roots. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, they're used as tonics, liqueurs, digestives, flavorings and ingredients to "add tang" or smoothness to alcoholic drinks.

Bitters are usually named according to the ingredient giving the predominant flavor, such as orange bitters and peach bitters. The percentage of alcohol varies but is generally about 40 percent by volume. Bitters are an absolute must on your bar cart, and Montgomery says they're like the "spice rack" of the bar.

"I would start with angostura bitters as they are amongst the oldest, most traditional, and most often called for in classic cocktail recipes, but definitely experiment with others," Montgomery says. "The great thing about bitters is that they are deemed non-potable by the government (kind of like red wine vinegar) and therefore you can buy them online. Scrappy's is a great brand with some more unique flavors."

Beyond the traditional angostura, Montgomery also suggests having at least one "red bitter" liqueur such as Campari or cappelletti. She also says you should have one each of sweet and dry vermouth, which are technically fortified wines flavored with aromatic herbs and spices, not bitters.

"These three bottles will allow you to play around with many classic cocktails," Montgomery says. "It's important to note, however that vermouth should be refrigerated after opening and consumed within two to three weeks to keep it the freshest."

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Specialty Liqueurs, Mixers and Tools

When it comes to specialty liqueurs, Montgomery says there are endless directions you can go, but she loves chartreuse, in particular. It's available in both yellow and green varieties. "[These] are extremely herbaceous and can really elevate a cocktail when used in moderation. The yellow variety is a bit sweeter and easier to start with than the green option," she explains.

And no bar cart would be complete without a wide range of nonalcoholic mixers. Montgomery says she would never be caught without tonic, soda water and ginger beer on hers.

What about bar tools? "Obviously, you'll need some tools for mixing and my advice is to buy something beautiful, even if it means it takes you a little bit longer to acquire the whole collection," Montgomery says. "You'll be more excited to use them and making cocktails is in fact a part of the experience and should be enjoyed." Cocktail Kingdom is her go-to source for bartender tools, but she says she also loves antiques when she can find them.

" " The final touches on any beautiful bar cart could include fresh flowers, metal ice buckets and your favorite bar tools. West Elm/Anthropologie

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Decor and More

The final step, if room on your cart allows, is to add decorative elements to aesthetically elevate your bar cart. Displaying extra pretty tools or a vintage metal ice bucket can add retro glam. Or adding a simple vase with fresh flowers before guests arrive offers a nice pop of nature.

Montgomery also suggests choosing bottles based on looks. "I'm a bit biased here but there is nothing more beautiful on my bar than my Bardstown Bourbon Company collection," she admits. "They have a sleek modern look with a different etched design on each expression and stick out like a sore thumb amongst the sea of typical bourbons."
The sister of Melanie Anne Davis had a message for her youngest sibling, whos been missing for nearly five years: Come on home.

Mel, if you hear me, I love you, Clarice Davis said Wednesday before a group of reporters. I miss her. I want her back. If thats not possible, then we need to have some kind of closure. Because our lives are still up in the air.

Clarice Davis spoke at a news conference called by the Richmond Police Department to bring attention to this case and two others  though unrelated, all three people were reported missing around the Memorial Day weekend over several years.

As part of an initiative to generate new leads in cold cases, the department releases information on the anniversary of the date of disappearance.

Melanie Anne Davis was reported missing May 28, 2016. The longtime registered nurse at VCU Medical Center was 55 when she went missing.

We still dont understand today why she disappeared, her sister said. Its so hard.

William Adkins Jr. was reported missing May 26, 2012. He was 57 years old then.

He was known to travel between Richmond and Petersburg, according to Detective Jose Cartagena.
Courtney White, a cousin to Oakes, said her family was mourning his loss again as if it happened yesterday.

Even though the results are unsurprising, it does not make it any easier to hear, she said in a statement. However, we now have the scientific evidence needed to confirm his death was caused by hazing, specifically the excessive amounts of alcohol the fraternity supplied and pressured him to drink that night at the Delta Chi Big/Little event.

He had a bright future ahead with dreams of his own. Those dreams will never be fulfilled because of one night, one group of boys and one fraternity tradition  but also because of a Greek system that regularly used hazing to control and coerce teenagers, endangering them and in too many cases, ending in their death.

VCU suspended Delta Chi immediately after Oakes death, and the university hired Dyad Strategies to investigate the schools Greek culture. A report is due next month.
On June 3, the new group gathered at the base of the Lee statue in the grass that was informally renamed Marcus-David Peters Circle to a crowd of thousands. Their demands included amnesty for all protesters, the removal of all Confederate statues in Richmond and the adoption of an alert system named for Peters in which the goal is to have behavioral health experts respond to crises instead of police, all in line with demands made by the larger organizing community in Richmond.

Stuckey acknowledges that there have been some fraught times as a new organizer. There was a time when the new organization got pushback from Richmonds larger organizing community over whether it was appropriate to talk to the police.

There were a lot of people out there trying to become famous or not out there for the right reasons, he said. I feel like the biggest mistake we possibly could have made was allow society to get to us. ... In the beginning, we were trying to match everybodys standards. ... It was all these different standards and it made us crash. Then we got back up and said, These are our foundations, these are our set policies, and thats what were setting out to do.
"The only thing I could think to do, with the protesters on the steps of City Hall, was to march with them, if theyd have me. So thats what we did."

In a scene that Stoney depicts vividly in the Times piece, his and Smith's apologies were shouted down by a teeming crowd on the steps of City Hall on June 2, the day after police used tear gas on a peaceful crowd.

Later that day, around 6 p.m., Stoney marched from the Capitol to the Lee statue on Monument Avenue.

Then 45 minutes before the 8 p.m. curfew he'd asked for days earlier, he left - the crowd booing him as he did, The Times-Dispatch reported.

"After all the pain these symbols had inflicted on our people, I did not want to risk a life being lost. They needed to come down."

Stoney wrote that he moved urgently to remove the city's Confederate monuments in July after protesters toppled several weeks earlier, creating a public safety problem. He also cited a severe head injury a man in Portsmouth suffered after protesters there took down a monument.
ROANOKE  Students, faculty and staff at Virginias community colleges will not be required to be vaccinated to be on campus this fall, the state system announced Tuesday.

Glenn DuBois, the chancellor of Virginias Community Colleges, said the decision was made in consultation with the 23 community colleges. People who are fully vaccinated will not have to wear a mask while on campus, which is in accordance with the most recent guidance from the state and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

DuBois said that colleges are encouraging students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated, but the lack of residence halls and public health infrastructure at community colleges factored into the decision to not mandate coronavirus vaccines.

And given our colleges offerings of short-term training and credentialing programs, mandating proof of vaccination may create an impractical and unintended barrier to student enrollment, thus diminishing our ability to deliver our mission at this critical time, DuBois said in a statement.

With the fall semester a few months away, institutions of higher learning are making decisions about whether to require people to be vaccinated to work or to learn at campuses.
For example, it requires the agency to explain the steps it took last December to resolve the cases of almost 42,000 people who should have been paid while their claims were pending, while not identifying some of the plaintiffs and providing them with the same relief.

The settlement does not address any unpaid claims from cases flagged for suspected fraud, which Healy has said totals about $59 million. The settlement also does not address future claims that must be adjudicated, including those arising from a requirement that all applicants search for jobs, beginning June 1, and that those who receive benefits from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program prove by May 30 that they earned wages in 2019.

In addition, it does not address the handling of appeals under a new state law that takes effect July 1 to allow hardship waivers for people who were overpaid by VEC but cant afford to repay the excess amount.

However, advocates say the settlement provides a clear path forward for both the VEC and the people it serves.

The VEC has had a lot of hardships its had to deal with, Levy-Lavelle said in an interview Tuesday. We know there are a lot of dedicated career employees there who have faced challenges during the pandemic.

At the same time, were concerned about people who have fallen through the cracks and have been waiting a long time for answers and benefits, he said. Today is an important step forward, and well be tracking the progress closely.
The culture begins to change because the members of the organization now see the decisions are not made through nepotism, favoritism, cronyism and who you know. But rather, what is the right thing to do and who are the right people, Harrison said. That translates into how we deal with community members. (The public) cant help but see a better police department, because internal changes carry over to the officers public interactions.
Virginia Finance Secretary Aubrey Layne will leave his post in the governors Cabinet for a high-ranking job at the one of the nations largest health care systems, Sentara Healthcare.

Laynes departure, which will be official on July 1, is the first high-profile exit as Gov. Ralph Northams administration winds to a close. Virginia governors are barred from serving consecutive terms; Northam will leave office in January.

Layne will join Sentara Healthcare as a senior vice president and chief of staff. Sentara is one of the states largest employers and operates more than a dozen hospitals and assisted living facilities.

Under state law, Layne will not be allowed to lobby on behalf of Sentara Healthcare, but the health care system said in a statement that Layne would oversee its legislative affairs team.

The Northam administration did not immediately announce Laynes replacement. Administration spokeswoman Alena Yarmosky said that more information on his replacement will be shared in the next few weeks.

Layne joined the Northam administration as finance secretary in 2018. Before that, Layne had served as transportation secretary under Gov. Terry McAuliffe from 2014 to 2018. McAuliffe is running for governor again.
As shrill partisanship began remaking Virginias politics about two decades ago, there was a constant in its congressional delegation: John Warner who, by weight of his energy, experience and 100-watt personality, could get its rivalrous members in the same room, keeping them focused on larger issues important to the entire state  defense, federal contracts, transportation and the environment.

It was a role into which he grew over 30 years in the U.S. Senate.

He arrived in 1979 as a dilettante, the sixth husband of the film star Elizabeth Taylor and the fox-hunting former son-in-law of Paul Mellon, one of the nations wealthiest men. He departed in 2009 as one of the Senates old-lion institutionalists and experts on the military, with which he first was associated as a Navy-enlisted man in the closing months of World War II.

This defined Warner, who died Tuesday at 94 at his home in Alexandria after several months of declining health, as an insider.

He was the Republican to see, with contacts social, bureaucratic, corporate and political forged over more than a half-century. Those Establishment roots, however, could be strained by bursts of independence that put Warner at odds with a GOP whose steady lurch to the right alarmed him.
Being Virginians, we often date our history from 1607, the founding of Jamestown.

There are those, such as The New York Times, who believe it should be dated from 1619, when the first Africans arrived  involuntarily. That has stirred up much controversy but both of those dates overlook another date, one that we werent taught in school.

That date is 1587. In that year, 20 years before Jamestown and the same year that the English were founding their ill-fated Lost Colony on Roanoke Island in present-day North Carolina, the first Filipinos (and one Japanese boy who somehow was part of the crew) landed in what today we call California.

That date marks the first documented Asian contact with the future continental United States. Its natural to look at history through our own lens  we grow up learning lots of American history and not so much Canadian history, for instance.

But the American history weve learned often comes with filters of its own that leave out lots of details  such as the fact that Filipinos were in California long before John Smith was in Virginia.
After AGLIC agreed to extend a deadline to May 24 in order for Carilion to provide more information, the lawsuit was filed March 18, the company says. Carilion counters that while it never received an outright denial of its claim, it was forced to go to court to preserve its legal rights.

Depending on the details, there may not be a dispute at all, AGLIC said. However, that applies only to the provision for communicable disease, which has a policy limit of $1 million.

In its lawsuit, Carilion said the maximum amount under its full policy is $1.3 billion. Hannah Curtis, a spokeswoman for the system, said Tuesday that it was actively reviewing AGLICs response.

Carilion had no further response to other questions, which included whether it has sustained more financial damage than what it says its property insurance carrier is responsible for, and to what degree that figure was offset by state and federal aid, such as the CARES Act.

It was also unclear whether the health care system is still covered by AGLIC; the lawsuit states the disputed coverage expired June 30, 2020.

No date has been set for U.S. District Judge Michael Urbanski to hear the case.

According to AGLIC, more than 275 courts across the country have dismissed lawsuits similar to the one brought by Carilion. It was not clear whether any of those cases involved the company, which could not be reached for comment.

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I was really surprised because the University of Chicago, its a top 10 school with an incredibly low acceptance rate, and I was setting myself up the entire morning ... that I most likely wont get in, and thats okay, Anyanwu said. But then I opened the email, and I see that not only did I get in, but I got a $25,000 merit scholarship. I was just baffled that this opportunity was given to me.

Within the realm of computer science, Anyanwu said she is interested in video game development, as well as developing software using Apples iOS interface.

I hope that the career I choose will naturally let me be able to incorporate both sides of computer science and art into one job for me, Anyanwu said. If I cant, I definitely do want to still pursue art in at least my free time because its such an important part of me, I wouldnt be able to completely set it aside.

Anyanwu said she hopes for knowledge and connections from her college experience. Despite being introverted, it makes her incredibly happy to interact with and help people who love, care for and rely on her perspective.

I just hope that these, my experiences, will allow me to in some way have an enjoyable life, where Ill be able to become a person that I want to be, Anyanwu said. In the very least, so that I can have some type of success  and not necessarily like financial success and fame and fortune  but to be able to just be somebody who I wont regret becoming.

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John Rowe, an educator at the Stardome Observatory & Planetarium in Auckland, said it was like the moon turned into a big, spooky smile looking down at him. That's because of a bright rim that remained at the bottom.

Rowe also enjoyed seeing surrounding stars appear to brighten as the light from the moon dimmed.

The full eclipse lasted about 15 minutes, while the whole cosmic show lasted five hours. A partial eclipse began as the moon edged into the Earth's outer shadow, called the penumbra, before moving more fully into the main shadow and then reversing the process.

Rowe likes to imagine it as if he's standing on the moon. The Earth would come across and block out the sun. The reddish light around the edges would be the sunsets and sunrises happening at that time on Earth, projected onto the moon's surface. Pretty cool, he reckons.

The color of the moon during the total eclipse can appear different depending on where people are in the world, and by factors like the amount of dust in the atmosphere and global weather.

In much of New Zealand, the weather remained calm and clear on Wednesday, providing excellent viewing conditions.
John Tyler Community College could have a new name by July, eight months after a school task force recommended the Chesterfield school change its title.

The college intends to submit a new name for approval by the State Board for Community Colleges, by July, a school spokeswoman said.

The college has not yet submitted a new name, and it is unclear if leaders have settled on one.

Last week, the state board created a policy for how community colleges in the state should choose their names. They should reflect values of inclusive and accessible education, and they should have an emphasis on diversity, equity and opportunity, the board wrote in its policy. They should also be relevant to the students the colleges serve and the geography of their regions.

The board created a guideline so that discussions about college names were rooted in the needs of the college, not just the historical merits of schools eponym, said Jeff Kraus, a spokesman for the Virginia Community College System.

They believed that was important not only for today but for any potential future board consideration, Kraus said.
Itll be a great combination of all the things everyone loved about Hampstead Day of yesterday and all the things everyone loved in recent years, Lewis said. Being able to walk Main Street and interact with your neighbors and local business owners was lost when it went to Arcadia. Were excited to have that back and be able to engage with local, Hampstead businesses on Hampstead Day.
Two years ago, I took part in a powerful event in Leesburg highlighting the continued fight against the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a project that has harmed my community, our regions water, and the livelihoods of many of my constituents. People gathered that day to celebrate Appalachia and to bring our lived experiences and perspectives to the northern part of the state. We joined together in messages of solidarity for environmental and climate justice.

What I shared with the crowd that day in Leesburg still rings true: There is no need for the MVP and it should be cancelled.

Over the past two years, MVPs construction has polluted creeks and streams in Virginia and West Virginia, dried wells and ponds, and ruined farms. The company proved it could not prevent massive amounts of sediment from choking our streams, with state officials eventually ordering a fine of over $2 million for over 300 violations of the project permit. This destructive process  conducted on private land, seized for corporate greed  has resulted in the loss of livelihoods for many in the communities I represent.
Make no mistake: Warner was a committed Republican, one who played a role in building a two-party state. But in his latter days he endorsed Democrats Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020 because he saw Donald Trump perverting the values of his party  and threatening the values of the nation he had served.

In hindsight, it should be clear that Warner was always a serious man even before he was legally one: He volunteered for the U.S. Navy during World War II before he even turned 18. He came back from war, went to Washington and Lee University and the University of Virginia Law School  then went to war again, as a Marine in Korea. And yet somehow Warner was considered a dilettante.

He married into money, gave a lot of it to Richard Nixons presidential campaign, and was named Under Secretary, and eventually Secretary of the Navy. That was seen as a political payoff. Later, Gerald Ford named him head of the Bicentennial Commission, which further shaped Warners public persona as a little more than a wealthy glad-hander. Oh how wrong we all were.
Note: Many people get Veterans Day and Memorial Day confused. Veterans Day is held in November and honors all who served in the military, not just those who died in a war.
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DARLINGTON  Mayo High School for Math, Science and Technology (MHS) is the No. 4 high school in South Carolina, according to the U.S. News and World Reports annual  Best High Schools Rankings report.

MHS frequently finds itself on the U.S. News and World Reports list, but this ranking is especially prestigious.

Tim Newman, the Darlington County School District (DCSD) superintendent, praised the school for its perennial success in educating the youth of Darlington County.

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This is truly an excellent accomplishment by the educators and students of MHS, Newman said. We are proud of Mayos successes and the high-quality student preparation there. Congratulations to you all on behalf of the DCSD.

Arlene Wallace, the principal of MHS, said the recognition is the result of hard work and dedication from all stakeholders including teachers, staff, students, and parents.
NEW DELHI (AP)  Indian farmers demanding the government repeal new agriculture laws they say will devastate their livelihoods marked their protest movement's sixth month Wednesday by flying black banners on the cars and tractors and burning effigies of the prime minister.

Protesters have been blocking three highways connecting New Delhi to northern and western cities since November to press their demand for scrapping of the laws they say will favor large corporate farms. The protest has continued despite a surge in coronavirus cases that has overwhelmed the country.

The black flags were flown Wednesday in several cities, towns and villages around the capital. Some burned effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi your dictatorship will not last, some farmers chanted.

The government says the laws approved by Parliament last year will inject private investment in the agriculture sector and raise the earnings of farmers by setting up warehouses in rural areas where they can store their crops and sell them when prices favor them.

The farmers say the new legislation will devastate their earnings by ending guaranteed pricing and force them to sell their crops to corporations at cheaper prices.
 Latest Federal Sentencing Reporter issue explores data and sentencing from many perspectives | Main | Timely reminder of US Sentencing Commission's decarceral potential ... when it is functional 

May 26, 2021

"Reducing Mass Incarceration Through Cost Salience: Why Juries Should Be Told the Cost of Incarceration"

The title of this post is the title of this new paper authored by Michael Conklin now availabe via SSRN. Here is its abstract:

The practice in Missouri of informing judges of incarceration costs resulted in reductions to both mass incarceration and recidivism. States that allow jury sentencing are ideal for allowing jurors to also consider incarceration costs. The need for such common-sense reform is timely. COVID-19 has drastically reduced state budgets and there is widespread agreement that the criminal justice system over-punishes. This results in rare, bipartisan support for criminal justice reform. Jury incarceration-cost salience is also a more palatable method for reform among politicians who fear being labeled soft on crime. This Article presents the findings of a first-of-its-kind study, the results of which strongly support juror incarceration-cost salience. This Article also includes analysis of the arguments for and against the practice. Such consideration results in a clear preference for juror incarceration-cost salience. It would save valuable state resources that could then be invested into more productive programs, lead to a reduction in crime rates due to the criminogenic effect of incarceration, and would benefit not only incarcerated individuals but also their families and communities. These benefits, combined with the promising results of this study and the near-perfect converging of political interests in favor of prison reform, all point to a climate that is ripe for such social change.

May 26, 2021 at 11:00 AM | Permalink

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 "Reducing Mass Incarceration Through Cost Salience: Why Juries Should Be Told the Cost of Incarceration" | Main | AG Garland announces new(?) federal effort to reduce violent crime 

May 26, 2021

Timely reminder of US Sentencing Commission's decarceral potential ... when it is functional

I flagged in this post last week that the US Sentencing Commission had just released a host of notable new materials with lots of interesting data via the USSC's website. Upon reflection and review, I was especially struck by this new data run detailing retroactive application of "Amendment 782 -- The 2014 Drug Guidelines Amendment, often referred to as 'Drugs Minus Two'." These data reminded me of how impactful a functional and forward-thinking US Sentencing Commission can be on its own ... and why I hope Prez Biden will soon put forward nominations that would lead the USSC to become functional and forward-looking once again.

A bit of background, drawn from this report: "On April 30, 2014, the Commission submitted to Congress an amendment to the federal sentencing guidelines that ... reduced by two levels the offense levels assigned to [drug] quantities.... On July 18, 2014, the Commission voted to give retroactive effect to Amendment 782." In other words, the USSC in 2014 reduced the basic guideline offense level by two for all drug offenses and made this change retroactively applicable to all federal drug defendants still imprisoned for offenses before 2014. Because drug offense are a huge part of the federal criminal docket and an even larger part of the federal prison population, this relatively small guideline change has had a huge prison time impact.

Specifically, as this retroactive new data report details, a total of 31,908 persons in federal prison were granted sentence reductions that averaged 26 months. In other words, the retroactive application of the "drugs -2" guideline amendment resulted in just about 70,000(!) years of retroactive reduced imprisonment. Further, with well over 100,000 federal drug cases sentenced over the last six years, the "prospective" impact of the drugs -2 guideline amendment has surely been at least another 200,000 years of reduced imprisonment for federal drug offenders (and still counting).

Critically, the drugs -2 amendment was not a direct reaction to any congressional legislation, it was a (bipartisan) decision made by a (bipartisan) expert commission shaped by evidence and sound policy analysis in all respects. In other words, this was a consequential (decarceal) reform moved forward in precisely the good-government process that Judge Marvin Frankel envisioned when he astutely suggested the creation of a Commission on Sentencing for the federal criminal justice system.

Sadly, the US Sentencing Commission is now essentially non-functional, at least for guideline amendments and any big initiatives, for going on three years because of the lack of commissioners. As discussed in a number of prior posts linked below, I hope Prez Biden will get the USSC up and running again. In the meantime, I will keep doing posts to note the wisdom and reform potential we risk losing until the USSC is functional and forward-looking once again.

A few prior recent related posts:

May 26, 2021 at 12:06 PM | Permalink

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He served on the Aberdeen city council from 1992 to 1994 and was the citys mayor from 1994 to 1998, before being elected to the Maryland House of Delegates as a Republican. He was a member of the House from 1999 to 2005, representing Cecil and Harford counties in District 34A. Boutin was the chief deputy minority whip and served on House committees such as Health and Government Operations and Environmental Matters, according to the Maryland State Archives website.
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - One person died and several were injured on Tuesday when Iraqi security forces fired live rounds in the air to disperse anti-government protests in central Baghdad, according to security and medical sources.

The sources said 14 protesters and seven members of the security forces were hurt in the clashes.

Hundreds demonstrated in Tahrir Square, shouting slogans against Iran-backed militias and accusing Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's government of failing to answer for the deaths of dozens of activists shot dead in different parts of Iraq in recent months.

One protester, who gave only his first name Yousif, carried a photograph of an activist he said had been killed recently.

He blamed unnamed militias, who are supported by neighbouring Iran, for the death. The militias, who enjoy considerable influence over Iraq's security affairs, have in the past denied any involvement in activists' deaths.

Tuesday's clashes erupted after protesters started throwing bricks towards security forces, a Reuters witness said.

When nationwide protests erupted in 2019, hundreds of mostly unarmed demonstrators were killed and Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi was forced to resign.

He was replaced by Kadhimi, who pledged to investigate activists' deaths but also imprisoned hundreds of demonstrators.

The government has vowed to crack down on what it says are criminal armed groups trying to destabilise the country, and to impose state control over weapons as part of efforts to reduce the influence of militias.

(Reporting by Baghdad newsroom; Editing by Mike Collett-White)
The financial well-being of our customers is important to us and we recognize how these additional costs can impact a family budget, said Kevin Jarosz, vice president of Nebraska operations for Black Hill Energy. Spreading the cost over the course of three years will result in a lessened impact to customers bills.

The winter weather that hit the state in February sent temperatures plunging to all-time record lows across the region and sent natural gas prices soaring from Feb. 13-18.

In Lincoln, overnight temperatures dipped below zero on 11 consecutive days, capped by a minus 31-degree reading Feb. 16 that is the coldest temperature ever recorded in Lincoln in February.

The freezing temperatures extended to the Gulf Coast and demand caused unprecedented disruptions to the power grid, as well as rocking the natural gas market.

Black Hills said it paid spot market prices for natural gas as high as $381 per dekatherm. That compared with prices of about $3 per dekatherm earlier in February.

The nearly $80 million Black Hills spent over less than a week on gas to serve its more than 300,000 Nebraska customers was more than six times the previous highest amount it had spent for the entire month of February.
I remember that as a child, I always felt I would never grow up and be big and articulate and intelligent, Carle told The New York Times in 1994. `Caterpillar is a book of hope: you, too, can grow up and grow wings.

Politicians like George W. Bush and Hillary Clinton were known to read the book to children on the campaign trail. The American Academy of Pediatrics sent more than 17,000 pediatricians special copies of the book, along with growth charts and parent handouts on healthy eating. Fellow writer and illustrator Ted Dewan called the book one of the pillars of childrens culture. Its almost talking about how great the Beatles were. Its beyond reproach, he said.

Carle wrote and-or illustrated more than 75 books, sometimes partnering with Bill Martin Jr. or other authors, but most with Carle working alone. One of his last books was 2015s The Nonsense Show, which centered on a parade of flying fish, cat-taming mice and circus animals.

Born to German immigrant parents in Syracuse, New York, Carle and his family returned to Germany  Nazi Germany, at the time - when he was 6. Under the Nazis, modern, expressionistic and abstract art was banned and only realistic and naturalistic art was permitted.
LYNNWOOD, Wash. (AP)  Bicycle store owners in Washington state have raised concerns over a shortage that is leaving racks empty across the country as more people are buying bikes during the coronavirus pandemic.

Gregg's Cycle General Manager Marty Pluth said most of the racks are empty and the remaining bikes have already been sold and are awaiting pickup, KING-TV reported. He said the wait to buy a bike is now at least four to six weeks.

I joke that weve become the toilet paper of the pandemic, said Pluth, who operates the store in Lynnwood, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) north of Seattle. People have been calling us from as far away as Oregon and California. The supply chain is pretty much broken.

Currently, Greggs Cycle only has about 10% of its normal inventory, with 8,000 bikes on backorder.

Pluth attributes the increase in demand to the coronavirus pandemic. He said more people started buying bikes for transportation and exercise as mass transit and gyms closed to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Steel Panther to perform at Hard Rock

SIOUX CITY  American rock band Steel Panther will perform at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on July 9.

A quartet who first gained popularity during the early 2000s under the name Metal Shop, Steel Panther consists of vocalist Ralph Saenz (Michael Starr), drummer Darren Leader (Stix Zadinia), bassist Travis Haley (Lexxi Foxx), and guitarist Russ Parrish (Satchel).

The band is known for its profane and humorous lyrics and its exaggerated on-stage presence of stereotypical glam metal lifestyle.

Tickets will go on sale Friday and may be purchased at www.hardrockcasinosiouxcity.com or in-person at the hotel Rock Shop. All events in Anthem are for guests 21 and older.

In 2009, Steel Panther released Feel the Steel, catching the attention of the Grammys and making it onto the Best Comedy Album ballot in October 2010.

Their second album, Balls Out, released in 2011 and reached number one on the Billboard Comedy chart with first week sales of 12,000 copies in the U.S. That same year, Steel Panther was also invited by Def Leppard to join them and by Motley Crue as Special Guests on their Mirrorball Tour.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP)  A gunman who killed nine people at a California rail yard where he worked appeared to target some of the victims, a sheriff told The Associated Press on Thursday, while a Biden administration official said the shooter spoke of hating his workplace when customs officers detained him after a 2016 trip to the Philippines.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden on Wednesday ordered U.S. intelligence officials to redouble their efforts to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, including any possibility the trail might lead to a Chinese laboratory.
Investigators say Bahena Rivera told them he blacked out and couldn't remember how he killed Tibbetts.

The first defense witness called Tuesday was forensic consultant Michael Spence, who agreed that Tibbetts DNA was found on blood stains in the trunk, but said there was also unaccounted for DNA in the trunk, including at least one unknown male and female.

Spence conceded that it would not be surprising to find other DNA sources in a trunk of a vehicle that had been used, and that there are many ways they could have ended up there.

Iris Gamboa, the mother of Bahena Rivera's daughter, testified Tuesday that she lived with him for four years before they broke up in 2017. She said he worked 12-hour days and only got two days off every two weeks.

She said he was a good father who paid $500 per month to support their daughter, was not violent toward them and never showed excessive anger. Bahena Rivera was also sending money back to his parents in Mexico and paying to build them a house, she said.

The defense showed jurors a photograph of a smiling Bahena Rivera and Gamboa with their young daughter at a family party in 2017. He was happy that his daughter was happy, Gamboa said. It was a good day.

Bahena Rivera's aunt, Alejandra Cervantes, said he was known as playful around the family and that children love him. She recalled going to the sheriff's office where Bahena Rivera was being interrogated but being unable to see him or get in touch with him by phone.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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The U.S. attorneys office in Baltimore charged 73 gun possession cases in federal court last year, Lenzner said. As of April 30, the office has charged 11 gun cases in federal court this year. The federal grand jury met periodically last year, but did not do so in early 2021 because of the coronavirus.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP)  A former Connecticut nurse who stole fentanyl from patients undergoing surgeries and substituted it with saline has been sentenced to four weekends in prison.

U.S. District Court Judge Janet C. Hall also sentenced Donna Monticone, 49, to three months of home confinement and three years of supervised release on Tuesday. Monticone, of Oxford, pleaded guilty in March to one count of tampering with a consumer product.

Monticone worked as a nurse at the Yale Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility clinic in Orange and knew many of the patients who were receiving fertility treatments there. Prosecutors have said that 75% of the fentanyl given to patients from June to October 2020 was adulterated by saline. Monticone was using the fentanyl she stole herself.
REPUBLICANS on the HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEE: Bidens policies have led to the highest gas prices in six years.  tweet Tuesday.

THE FACTS: Biden's policies aren't behind the price increases. Gas prices are up because of a rapid and unexpected bounce-back in demand, and because of lingering problems from the forced shutdown early this month of the Colonial Pipeline, which provides 45% of the fuel consumed on the East Coast.

McCarthys comparison to a year ago is also misleading. Gasoline prices didnt fall at the time because of the Trump administration, as Trump often claims; they plunged because of the coronavirus forcing people to abandon their offices, schools, business trips and vacations. Underscoring the connection to the pandemic shutdown, U.S. gas prices were at their lowest in April 2020 when people were staying home most but have mostly risen since then, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration, even when Trump was still in office.

In recent weeks, the biggest factor has been the cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline. Even though it has been back in operation for nearly two weeks, many states, mostly in the South, still havent fully recovered.
WASHINGTON (AP)  A majority of Americans across racial and ethnic groups believe discrimination has worsened in the last year against Asian Americans, who became the target of attacks after being unfairly blamed for the coronavirus pandemic.
Democrats say some of the requirements are unworkable. They worry election workers will get bogged down writing ballot receipts, leading to longer lines at polling places.

But critics are especially concerned about the threat of criminal investigation or charges.

The measure, SB1241, would require county election officials to give to state or local prosecutors mail ballots that get rejected because the signature doesnt match the one on file. Democrats say that will have an especially big impact on older voters, those with health conditions or disabilities that limit their motor skills, and younger voters who havent yet solidified their signature.

Voters with rejected signatures have until five days after the election to fix the issue. Ballots left unresolved at the end of that period would have to go to prosecutors.

There is no good reason to be handing over these ballots and materials to the attorney general just because the voter wasnt able to get in contact with the county recorder in time, said Rep. Athena Salman, a Tempe Democrat. Even if they did nothing wrong, facing questioning from prosecutors would be intimidating for voters, she said.
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)  The Montana Department of Corrections has reported about half of the people in custody are choosing not to get vaccinated for COVID-19, despite being held in communal living situations that increase the risk of infection.

Department spokesperson Alexandria Klapmeier said there is a 50% vaccination refusal rate across the state, The Billings Gazette reported Tuesday. So far, 1,405 inmates in state prisons have been fully vaccinated.

The Montana State Prison has vaccinated 51% of its facility population, or 820 of 1,453 people, officials said. The Montana Women's Prison vaccinated 49% of its facility population, or 102 of 206 people. Some locations are doing better than others, with the Great Falls Regional Prison reporting that it vaccinated more inmates than it currently has in custody.

The DOC continues to provide information to inmates about the benefits of vaccination and offer vaccine to inmates who have declined previously, Klapmeier said. She noted that everyone booked into department-run facilities is offered COVID-19 vaccine, but not everyone accepts the offer.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Congressional bargainers should reach a bipartisan deal on revamping policing procedures by early summer or abandon the effort, Republicans said Wednesday, a day after George Floyds family used visits to the White House and the Capitol to prod lawmakers to act.
The largest producers that grow more than 3,500 mature plants at a time will pay a slightly higher annual per-plant fee of $22, versus $18 for lower-level industrial farms.

Production caps under the states medical marijuana program, founded in 2007, have been a constant source of legal challenges and criticism by patients who complain of high prices and limited supplies.

Regulators are seeking authority to intervene in the event of a medical marijuana shortage with a set-aside quota of up to 25% of crops, 10% of retail inventory and reduced licensing fees on medical pot plants. Under the new legalization law, taxes are waived on sales of limited quantities of medical marijuana, bringing the commodity in line with other medication.

Microbusinesses that grow up to 200 plants would fall under a separate fee and oversight arrangement.

The licensing requirements for pot producers represent only the first round of regulations for the industry as the state sets up the permit process for cannabis servers, licenses for cannabis-industry training programs and more by the start of 2022.

The agency talked with established medical marijuana producers to develop the regulatory framework for recreational marijuana producers, Trujillo said.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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Jane Carrington of Petersburg said she took her camper last weekend to her son's home in eastern Illinois and parked it there for the summer for regular visits with her grandsons, ages 6 and 1.

Usually, I bring it back and forth," she said. "Not now with these gas prices!

Ironically, the per-gallon price hovered at $2 statewide in June 2000 when then-Gov. George Ryan called a special session of the Legislature to ease taxpayers pocketbooks by removing the states 5% sales tax on fuel for the second half of that year. Illinois is among only a few states to charge sales tax as well as a motor fuel tax.

While price spikes rarely discourage travel, tourists do scale back, McGee said. They dont go as far, they take in more free activities, they eat out less.

Tricia Sprague and husband Doug of Decatur postponed a planned camping trip to Florida earlier this spring because of the Sunshine State's chilly temperatures. When gas spiked, they considered going west, then east, and encountered the same high prices. Now planned for 15 days in late June and early July, they'll haul the camper at 8 mpg, rely on a camping association membership that allows for parking along the way, and stay in Florida's panhandle just four days.
The proposed guideline provides an invitation to "scramble the districts in Omaha and Lincoln," Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha said.

Morfeld attempted to amend the special committee's proposed guidelines, but his motion failed in a 16-28 vote split along partisan lines. The only other Democratic member of the Legislature, Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, was absent.

Linehan said the proposed redistricting guidelines call for preservation of communities of interest while prohibiting any consideration of political affiliation or any effort to dilute minority representation.

"I don't think we should split towns or a county or school districts," she said.

"My intent is to try to be as fair as possible, keep interests in mind and allow for preservation of cores," Linehan said in answering a question from Morfeld.

While maximum population deviation among the state's three congressional districts was set at 1%, the maximum population among legislative districts was established at 10%.

Morfeld attempted to reduce the latter figure to 8%, but his motion was rejected on a 15-28 vote.

Sen. Tom Briese of Albion had introduced an amendment to allow up to 20% deviation, but withdrew it from consideration.
The allegations against these companies and their owners are serious, resulting in devastating consequences for their clients, Frosh said. Operating a business without the required licenses, taking payments from consumers, failing to perform the consolidation work promised, and using clients fees for personal benefit are all violations of Marylands consumer protection laws.
South Dakota's public universities shouldn't be teaching certain concepts of race and racism, Gov. Kristi Noem said Tuesday, in line with a nationwide GOP movement to keep critical race theory out of classrooms.

In a letter to the Board of Regents that oversees the state's six public universities, the Republican governor targeted critical race theory and the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1619 Project," describing them as misleading students into believing the country is evil or was founded upon evil.

Noem's letter  released on the anniversary of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis  comes amid a national reckoning on the influence of race and racism on policing and other realms of American life.

Conservatives across the country have decried critical race theory as an attempt to pit various racial groups against each other and teach that certain groups are responsible for past injustices. Others say the theory is simply a way to look at how race and racism have undoubtedly shaped the nation. The New York Times' 1619 project focuses on the legacy of slavery throughout the nation's founding and history.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Secretary of State Antony Blinken took off for the Middle East on Monday to press the Israelis, Palestinians and regional players to build on and strengthen last weeks Gaza cease-fire, start an immediate flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and lay the groundwork for an eventual resumption in long-stalled peace talks.
In outlining the goal for winning the Persian Gulf War against Saddam Hussein for invading and occupying Kuwait in 1991, Gen. Colin Powell, then the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, Our strategy to go after this army is very, very simple. First, we're going to cut it off, and then we're going to kill it."

The ceasefire announced last week between the terrorist organization Hamas and the state of Israel is the opposite of that strategy and solves nothing. As with previous ceasefires it simply gives Hamas an opportunity to regroup and reload in time for the next assault, perhaps with even more sophisticated and deadly weapons supplied by Iran.

Some critics of Israel said that it did not respond proportionately to the Hamas attacks. Was proportionality a consideration after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor? President Truman ordered nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki because Japan refused to surrender at the end of World War II. Did we respond proportionately to the threat from Nazi Germany when we carpet bombed German cities, especially Dresden?

Winston Churchill put it best when he stated the goal of Allied forces: What is our aim? Victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror; victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.
This is the party line the establishment wants written into the record as the official version of events that day.

But is that the truth, or is that a painted-up version of the truth?

While the mob that breached the Capitol in the afternoon of Jan. 6 was no "normal tourist visit," as one GOP congressman has suggested, nor was it an attempted coup or an armed insurrection.

No statue in the Capitol was pulled down, as would have been the case had antifa or BLM invaded the building. No painting was desecrated. No act of arson was committed. No gun was drawn, or brandished, or fired by Proud Boys or Oath Keepers or Trumpists within the building.

The lone victim of gunfire in the Capitol that day was an Air Force veteran with a decade of service, Ashli Babbitt, who was shot in the neck by a Capitol cop from the other side of a closed door to the speaker's chamber.

Babbitt was engaged in an unlawful act, but nothing she was trying to do justifies her being shot to death. Four months later, we still do not know the identity of the cop who killed her.
Skeptical Science New Research for Week #21, 2021

Posted on 26 May 2021 by doug_bostrom

Moving targets

In Permafrost carbon feedbacks threaten global climate goals, Susan Natali & crew point out a potential serious omission in Paris Accords climate targets: the changing "nature" of permafrost and the carbon and hence readily available CO2 therein. The abstract:

Rapid Arctic warming has intensified northern wildfires and is thawing carbon-rich permafrost. Carbon emissions from permafrost thaw and Arctic wildfires, which are not fully accounted for in global emissions budgets, will greatly reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that humans can emit to remain below 1.5 C or 2 C. The Paris Agreement provides ongoing opportunities to increase ambition to reduce societys greenhouse gas emissions, which will also reduce emissions from thawing permafrost. In December 2020, more than 70 countries announced more ambitious nationally determined contributions as part of their Paris Agreement commitments; however, the carbon budgets that informed these commitments were incomplete, as they do not fully account for Arctic feedbacks. There is an urgent need to incorporate the latest science on carbon emissions from permafrost thaw and northern wildfires into international consideration of how much more aggressively societal emissions must be reduced to address the global climate crisis.

We've a lot to keep track of, much of it shifting beneath our feet. Natali et al is open access and free to read.

Moving targets #2

What can change the mind of a person stubbornly resistant to facts? Certain kinds of facts, maybe. Grant McDermott sets up an experiment to assess how self-professed climate "skeptics" adjust their beliefs when confronted with evidence of climate change from instrumental records. For McDermott the interest of the experiment lies in unifying seemingly disparate theories of accessibility of "skeptic" cognition but his paper is also suggestive of yet another set of mental buttons to push in the pursuit of progress. The abstract:

How much evidence would it take to convince climate skeptics that they are wrong? I explore this question within an empirical Bayesian framework. I consider a group of stylized skeptics and examine how these individuals rationally update their beliefs in the face of ongoing climate change. I find that available evidence in the form of instrumental climate data tends to overwhelm all but the most extreme priors. Most skeptics form updated beliefs about climate sensitivity that correspond closely to estimates from the scientific literature. However, belief convergence is a nonlinear function of prior strength and it becomes increasingly difficult to convince the remaining pool of dissenters. I discuss the necessary conditions for consensus formation under Bayesian learning and show that apparent deviations from the Bayesian ideal can still be accommodated within the same conceptual framework. I argue that a generalized Bayesian model provides a bridge between competing theories of climate skepticism as a social phenomenon. Skeptic priors and climate consensus is open access and free to read.

95 articles

Observations of climate change, effects

Stratospheric contraction caused by increasing greenhouse gases

Pisoft et al Environmental Research Letters

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abfe2b

Trends and patterns in annually burned forest areas and fire weather across the European boreal zone in the 20th and early 21st centuries

Drobyshev et al Agricultural and Forest Meteorology null

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1016/j.agrformet.2021.108467 10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-8364

The Brazilian Cerrado is becoming hotter and drier

Hofmann et al Global Change Biology

DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15712

Spatiotemporal analysis of air temperature indices, aridity conditions, and precipitation in Iran

Sadeqi & Kahya Kahya Theoretical and Applied Climatology null

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1007/s00704-021-03658-1 10.21203/rs.3.rs-352998/v1

The poleward enhanced Arctic Ocean cooling machine in a warming climate

Shu et al Nature Communications

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23321-7

Environmental drivers of circum-Antarctic glacier and ice shelf front retreat over the last two decades

Baumhoer et al The Cryosphere

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/tc-15-2357-2021

Geographic variation and temporal trends in ice phenology in Norwegian lakes during the period 18902020

L'Abee-Lund et al The Cryosphere

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/tc-15-2333-2021

Extreme precipitation trends in northeast algeria using a high?resolution gridded daily dataset

Bessaklia et al International Journal of Climatology

DOI: 10.1002/joc.7213

A 168-year temperature recording based on tree rings and latitude differences in temperature changes in northeast China

Jiang et al International Journal of Biometeorology

DOI: 10.1007/s00484-021-02142-9

Trend and ENSO-based analysis of last spring frost and chilling in Iran

Helali et al Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics

DOI: 10.1007/s00703-021-00804-2

Instrumentation & observational methods of climate change, effects

Subpolar North Atlantic western boundary density anomalies and the Meridional Overturning Circulation

Li et al Nature Communications

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23350-2

Koppen?Trewartha Climate classification (KTC) as a diagnostic tool to identify pronounced changes in the projected climate by the GCMs over India

Bindhu et al International Journal of Climatology

DOI: 10.1002/joc.7216

Testing for Trends on a Regional Scale: Beyond Local Significance

Huth & Dubrovsky Journal of Climate

DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-19-0960.1

A small climate-amplifying effect of climate-carbon cycle feedback

Zhang et al Nature Communications

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22392-w

Impacts of snow data and processing methods on the interpretation of long-term changes in Baffin Bay sea ice thickness

Glissenaar et al null null

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/tc-2021-135 10.5194/tc-2021-135-supplement

Modeling, simulation & projection of climate change, effects

Near future changes to rain-on-snow events in Norway

Mooney & Li Environmental Research Letters

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abfdeb

Global mortality risk assessment from river flooding under climate change

Zhang et al Environmental Research Letters

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abff87

Transient Response of the Southern Ocean to Idealized Wind and Thermal Forcing across Different Model Resolutions

Li et al Journal of Climate

DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-20-0981.1

AMOC Stability and Diverging Response to Arctic Sea Ice Decline in Two Climate Models

Li et al Journal of Climate

DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-20-0572.1

Evaluation of extreme precipitation over Asia in CMIP6 models

Dong & Dong Hsu Climate Dynamics Weather and Climate Extremes

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1007/s00382-021-05773-1 10.1016/j.wace.2021.100303

Impact of airsea coupling on the climate change signal over the Iberian Peninsula

de la Vara et al Climate Dynamics null

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1007/s00382-021-05812-x 10.21203/rs.3.rs-288907/v1

The effects of historical ozone changes on Southern Ocean heat uptake and storage

Li et al Climate Dynamics

DOI: 10.1007/s00382-021-05803-y

Uncertainty of Central China Summer Precipitation and Related Natural Internal Variability Under Global Warming of 1C to 3C

Li et al International Journal of Climatology

DOI: 10.1002/joc.7217

Persistent Anomaly Changes in High-Resolution Climate Simulations

Lackmann et al Journal of Climate

DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-20-0465.1

A reduction in the sea surface warming rate in the South China Sea during 19992010

Jiang et al Climate Dynamics

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1007/s00382-021-05796-8

Assessment of Decadal Variability in Sea Ice in the Community Earth System Model against a Long-Term Regional Observational Record: Implications for the Predictability of an Ice-Free Arctic

Desmarais & Tremblay Journal of Climate

DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-20-0561.1

Uncertainties in projected surface mass balance over the polar ice sheets from downscaled EC-Earth models

Boberg et al null

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/tc-2021-140

The poleward enhanced Arctic Ocean cooling machine in a warming climate

Shu et al Nature Communications

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23321-7

Forecast and uncertainty analysis of extreme precipitation in China from ensemble of multiple climate models

Deng & Zhu Zhu Theoretical and Applied Climatology null

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1007/s00704-021-03660-7 10.21203/rs.3.rs-209537/v1

Present?day and future climate over Central and South America according to CMIP5/CMIP6 models DOI: 10.1007/s00704-021-03660-7 10.21203/rs.3.rs-209537/v1

Advances in climate & climate effects modeling, simulation & projection

A New Method for Assessing the Performance of General Circulation Models Based on Their Ability to Simulate the Response to Observed Forcing

Altamirano del Carmen et al Journal of Climate

DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-20-0510.1

Cryosphere & climate change

A realistic Greenland ice sheet and surrounding glaciers and ice caps melting in a coupled climate model

Devilliers et al Climate Dynamics null

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1007/s00382-021-05816-7 10.21203/rs.3.rs-401895/v1

Snowfall and snowpack in the Western U.S. as captured by convection permitting climate simulations: current climate and pseudo global warming future climate

Ikeda et al Climate Dynamics

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1007/s00382-021-05805-w

Record summer rains in 2019 led to massive loss of surface and cave ice in SE Europe

Per?oiu et al The Cryosphere

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/tc-15-2383-2021

Assessment of Decadal Variability in Sea Ice in the Community Earth System Model against a Long-Term Regional Observational Record: Implications for the Predictability of an Ice-Free Arctic

Desmarais & Tremblay Journal of Climate

DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-20-0561.1

Uncertainties in projected surface mass balance over the polar ice sheets from downscaled EC-Earth models

Boberg et al null

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/tc-2021-140

Observed interannual changes beneath Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf linked to large-scale atmospheric circulation

Hattermann et al Nature Communications

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23131-x

Environmental drivers of circum-Antarctic glacier and ice shelf front retreat over the last two decades

Baumhoer et al The Cryosphere

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/tc-15-2357-2021

Geographic variation and temporal trends in ice phenology in Norwegian lakes during the period 18902020

L'Abee-Lund et al The Cryosphere

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/tc-15-2333-2021

Impacts of snow data and processing methods on the interpretation of long-term changes in Baffin Bay sea ice thickness

Glissenaar et al null null

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/tc-2021-135 10.5194/tc-2021-135-supplement

Sea level & climate change

Towards reliable global allowances for sea level rise

Woodworth et al Global and Planetary Change

DOI: 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2021.103522

Projected sea level rise on the continental shelves of the China Seas and the dominance of mass contribution

Chen et al Environmental Research Letters

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abfdea

Soil greenhouse gas emissions from a sisal chronosequence in Kenya

Wachiye et al Agricultural and Forest Meteorology

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1016/j.agrformet.2021.108465

Biology & climate change

Projection of vegetation distribution to 1.5?C and 2?C of global warming on the Tibetan Plateau

Zhao et al Global and Planetary Change

DOI: 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2021.103525

Elevated carbon dioxide reduces a common soybean leaf endophyte

Christian et al Global Change Biology

DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15716

A portfolio of climate?tailored approaches to advance the design of marine protected areas in the Red Sea

Gajdzik et al Global Change Biology

DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15719

Carryover effects of long-term high temperatures on fitness-related traits of the offspring of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15719

Reciprocal transplant gardens as gold standard to detect local adaptation in grassland species: New opportunities moving into the 21st century DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15719

Impacts of climate change on aquatic insects in temperate alpine regions: Complementary modeling approaches applied to Swiss rivers

Timoner et al Global Change Biology

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15637

Living on the edge: A continental?scale assessment of forest vulnerability to drought

Peters et al Global Change Biology

DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15641

Climate warming drives divergence of montane butterfly communities in Southern Italy

Santorufo et al Regional Environmental Change

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1007/s10113-021-01782-2

Dont forget subterranean ecosystems in climate change agendas

Sanchez-Fernandez et al Nature Climate Change

DOI: 10.1038/s41558-021-01057-y

The variable climate response of Rocky Mountain bristlecone Pine (Pinus aristata Engelm.) DOI: 10.1038/s41558-021-01057-y

Thermal acclimation increases the stability of a predator?prey interaction in warmer environments

Sohlstrom et al Global Change Biology

DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15715

Decreased soil moisture due to warming drives phylogenetic diversity and community transitions in the tundra

Scharn et al Environmental Research Letters

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abfe8a

GHG sources & sinks, flux

Permafrost carbon feedbacks threaten global climate goals

Natali et al Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2100163118

The impact of shifting Koppen-Geiger climate zones on soil organic carbon concentrations in Australian grasslands

Gibson et al Global and Planetary Change

DOI: 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2021.103523

Measurement report: Regional characteristics of seasonal and long-term variations in greenhouse gases at Nainital, India and Comilla, Bangladesh

Nomura et al null

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/acp-2021-317

Forest floor fluxes drive differences in the carbon balance of contrasting boreal forest stands

Chi et al Agricultural and Forest Meteorology

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1016/j.agrformet.2021.108454

Spatial biases of information influence global estimates of soil respiration: How can we improve global predictions?

Stell et al Global Change Biology

DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15666

Temporal variability of airsea CO2 flux in the western tropical North Atlantic influenced by the Amazon River plume DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15666

Carbon export and fate beneath a dynamic upwelled filament off the California coast

Bourne et al Biogeosciences null

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/bg-18-3053-2021 10.5194/bg-2020-342

Low?intensity frequent fires in coniferous forests transform soil organic matter in ways that may offset ecosystem carbon losses

Pellegrini et al Global Change Biology

DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15648

Temporal evolution of mid-tropospheric CO2 over the Indian Ocean

Peter et al Atmospheric Environment

DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2021.118475

Impact of vegetation greening on carbon and water cycle in the African Sahel-Sudano-Guinean region

Ogutu et al Global and Planetary Change

DOI: 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2021.103524

Greenhouse gas emission scenarios in nine key non-G20 countries: An assessment of progress toward 2030 climate targets

Kuramochi et al Environmental Science & Policy

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2021.04.015

CO2 removal & mitigation science & engineering

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage hub development on the Gulf Coast

Meckel et al Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1002/ghg.2082

Geoengineering climate

Assessing the potential efficacy of marine cloud brightening for cooling Earth using a simple heuristic model

Wood null null

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1002/essoar.10505097.1 10.5194/acp-2021-327

Black carbon

Wintertime direct radiative effects due to black carbon (BC) over the Indo-Gangetic Plain as modelled with new BC emission inventories in CHIMERE

Ghosh et al Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/acp-21-7671-2021

Aerosols

Future evolution of aerosols and implications for climate change in the Euro-Mediterranean region using the CNRM-ALADIN63 regional climate model

Druge et al Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.5194/acp-21-7639-2021

Decarbonization

Quantifying the carbon footprint reduction potential of lifestyle choices in Japan

Shigetomi et al Environmental Research Letters

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abfc07

The role of hydropower reservoirs in deep decarbonization policy

Dimanchev et al Energy Policy

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112369

Climate change communications & cognition

Skeptic priors and climate consensus

McDermott Climatic Change

DOI: 10.1007/s10584-021-03089-x

Is it possible to build adolescents cognitive adaptive capacity through climate change education? Insights into a two-year long educational programme in North Tyrol (Austria) and South Tyrol (Italy)

Gerald Schrot et al Climate Risk Management

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1016/j.crm.2021.100327

Agronomy, animal husbundry, food production & climate change

International politics must be considered together with climate and fisheries regulation as a driver of marine ecosystems

de Carvalho-Souza et al Global Environmental Change

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102288

The effect of conservation tillage in managing climate change in arid and semiarid areasa case study in Northwest China

Dong et al Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change

DOI: 10.1007/s11027-021-09956-3

Combined heat and drought suppress rainfed maize and soybean yields and modify irrigation benefits in the USA

Luan et al Environmental Research Letters

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abfc76

Livelihood vulnerability and climate change: a comparative analysis of smallholders in the Indo-Gangetic plains

Venus et al Environment, Development and Sustainability

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1007/s10668-021-01516-8

Climate change impacts on potential maize yields in Gambella Region, Ethiopia

Degife et al Regional Environmental Change

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1007/s10113-021-01773-3

Hydrology & climate change

Attributable human-induced changes in the magnitude of flooding in the Houston, Texas region during Hurricane Harvey

Wehner & Sampson Climatic Change

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1007/s10584-021-03114-z

Uncertainty in the extreme flood magnitude estimates of large-scale flood hazard models

Devitt et al Environmental Research Letters

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abfac4

Integrated assessment of extreme events and hydrological responses of Indo-Nepal Gandak River Basin

Chaubey et al Environment, Development and Sustainability

DOI: 10.1007/s10668-020-00986-6

Global mortality risk assessment from river flooding under climate change

Zhang et al Environmental Research Letters

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abff87

Climate change enhances deepwater warming of subtropical reservoirs: evidence from hydrodynamic modelling

Soares et al Climatic Change

DOI: 10.1007/s10584-021-03124-x

Economics & finance of climate change & mitigation

Heterogeneous emission trading schemes and green innovation

Yao et al Energy Policy

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112367

Climate change mitigation public policy research

Stabilisation wedges: measuring progress towards transforming the global energy and land use systems

Johnson et al Environmental Research Letters

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abec06

Contraction and convergence of in-use metal stocks to meet climate goals

Watari et al Global Environmental Change

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102284

Context and future directions for integrating forest carbon into sub-national climate mitigation planning in the RGGI region of the U.S.

Lamb et al null Environmental Research Letters

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1002/essoar.10505328.1 10.1088/1748-9326/abe6c2

Climate change impacts on human health

Climate change and water-related diseases in developing countries of Western Asia: a systematic literature review

Teymouri & Dehghanzadeh Climate and Development

DOI: 10.1080/17565529.2021.1911773

Climate change and risk of arboviral diseases in the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

Oscar Junior & de Assis Mendonca Mendonca Theoretical and Applied Climatology null

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1007/s00704-021-03663-4 10.21203/rs.3.rs-203409/v1

Years of life lost and life expectancy attributable to ambient temperature: a time series study in 93 Chinese cities

Ai et al Environmental Research Letters

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abfb2d

Climate change adaptation & adaptation public policy research

Global adaptation governance: how intergovernmental organizations mainstream climate change adaptation

Dellmuth & Gustafsson Climate Policy

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1080/14693062.2021.1927661

A Policy Tool for Monitoring and Evaluation of Participation in Adaptation Projects

Natalia Wojewska et al Climate Risk Management

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1016/j.crm.2021.100326

Identifying and mitigating risks to completion of small grant climate change adaptation projects: evidence from the Pacific DOI: 10.1016/j.crm.2021.100326

It depends: Inuit-led identification and interpretation of land-based observations for climate change adaptation in Nunatsiavut, Labrador

Sawatzky et al Regional Environmental Change

DOI: 10.1007/s10113-021-01772-4

Integrating climate change adaptation in coastal governance of the Barcelona metropolitan area

Sauer et al Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1007/s11027-021-09953-6

Planned relocation in Peru: advancing from well-meant legislation to good practice

Bergmann Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1007/s13412-021-00699-w

Other

Large subglacial source of mercury from the southwestern margin of the Greenland Ice Sheet

Hawkings et al Nature Geoscience

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1038/s41561-021-00753-w

Long-term trends of the F2-region at mid-latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere

Sharan & Kumar Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics

DOI: 10.1016/j.jastp.2021.105683

The role of data variability and uncertainty in the probability of mitigating environmental impacts from cement and concrete

Miller Environmental Research Letters

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abe677

Decreasing trends in consecutive?day tornado events in the United States

Moore International Journal of Climatology

DOI: 10.1002/joc.7210

Informed opinion, nudges & major initiatives

Society needs experts with climate change competencies  what is the role of higher education in atmospheric and Earth system sciences?

Riuttanen et al Tellus B: Chemical and Physical Meteorology

Open Access pdf DOI: 10.1080/16000889.2021.1917862

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How is New Research assembled?

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It was easy to root against Cruella de Vil in the 1961 One Hundred and One Dalmatians: She was mean and vain and, more importantly, totally unrepentant about slaughtering puppies. The new movie Cruella, directed by I, Tonya filmmaker Craig Gillespie and out this Friday in theaters and on Disney+, purports to explain how she became the inhuman beast we know from her theme song, and the results are mixed. On the one hand, its fabulous-looking fun, and thankfully not the Joker-but-a-woman story the trailers seemed to suggest. On the other, the story (written by Dana Fox and Tony McNamara, with Aline Brosh McKenna, Kelly Marcel, and Steve Zissis receiving story credit) is clownishly slipshod, and cant let go of the idea that this dog-murderer must be likable. In other words, despite being a villain origin story, Cruella is afraid of making its central character a villain.

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Emma Stone stars as Estella, whose mother (Emily Beecham) uses the nickname Cruella to chide her whenever shes being particularly naughty. When an incident causes her mothers untimely death, Estella blames herself, and does her best to put her Cruella side away while teaming up with fellow Oliver Twistesque orphans Jasper (Joel Fry) and Horace (Paul Walter Hauser) to make a living pulling various small cons. When she manages to land a job in a fashion house run by the famous Baroness (Emma Thompson), she resolves to stick to the straight and narrow. But as unsavory truths about her past come to light, Estella struggles to keep her more rebellious instincts in check. Thankfully, its London in the 1970s, and rebellion is about to come into vogue. The pump is primed for Cruella (with the help of a Malcolm McLarenesque boutique owner) to become the Dalmatian-verses Vivienne Westwood.

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As is fitting for a story whose ostensible hero and villain are both obsessed with fashion, the film is certainly stylish. The work of Oscar-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan (Mad Max: Fury Road) is to die for, especially when it comes to the outfits Cruella and the Baroness wear, and itd be easy to argue that Gillespies primary concern as a director is the movies look and sound, as the constant needle-drops give Cruella the feel of a feature-length music video. These surface pleasures go a long way toward concealing the films blemishes, including its contortions to make Dalmatians evil (or at least very mean) so that Cruellas later inclination to turn them into coats is somehow understandable.

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The movies biggest issues lie in that Estella-Cruella dichotomy. At least at the beginning of the film, Estella seems to embody the well-behaved women who, as the saying goes, seldom make history. Its only when she acts out, i.e., lets Cruella loose, that she gains the attention of the Baroness and lands her dream job as a designer. The few repercussions this transformation does havealienating her henchmen, who rightly feel like theyre being taken for grantedare brushed off in just a few scenes rather than further interrogating the idea that the kind of girlboss attitude shes taken on might be more than a little toxic.

In its reluctance to embrace the fact that Cruella de Vil is, at the end of the day, a character whose claim to fame is really, really wanting to butcher innocent pets, the film feels like yet another indication of the limits of the contemporary movie industrys habit of trying to milk old, familiar IP for the sake of built-in audience. Cruella doesnt ultimately seem like its benefiting from being tied to the story of the Dalmatians at all, beyond being able to use Cruellas iconic black-and-white hairstyle, and indeed, with its central conflict between a young ingenue and her monstrous fashion-maven boss, the movies story ultimately owes more to The Devil Wears Prada. Instead, the nods the film is forced to cast to its older source materialexplaining why shes named Cruella de Vil (did any of us really wonder?) and, again, why she would grow up to want to skin Dalmatianscome across as forced at best.

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Despite being a villain origin story, Cruella is afraid of making its central character a villain.

Stone does her best to make the most of the material, especially in the frequently awkward voice-over. As the Oscar winner has proved time and time again, shes not afraid of going big, and the part of Cruella practically demands playing to the rafters. But Thompson is the films true MVP, taking the Miranda Priestly role and turning it up to 11, making her cartoonish without ever winking at the audience. Fry and Walter Hauser are slightly more grounded as secondary characters, but are similarly memorable, with Fry making a case for being cast as a rom-com leading man and Gillespies fellow I, Tonya alum Walter Hauser once again proving that he can pickpocket a scene from anyone who crosses his path.

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All in all, Cruella is much better than it needs to be, and is hampered primarily by the fact that its a Disney movie, both in the sense that it has to heel to its animated and live-action predecessors, and in that making its main character a genuine antihero isnt an option. As the main character of a Disney film, Cruella has to remain sympathetic, and as a Disney production, Cruella has to make some ham-handed attempts at moralizing. Those constraints might hold the movie back, but like the punks who inspired its costumes, it at least knows how to make bondage gear look good.

For more on Cruella, listen to Karen Han and Slate movie critic Dana Stevens discuss the movie in spoiler-filled detail.
With 10 seasons worth to choose from, only a few Friends episodes can get the spotlight in HBO Maxs upcoming special Friends: The Reunion. The One Where No Ones Ready, the series first bottle episode from Season 3, is one of them, as the producers explain how using only one location was intended to save the network money and Matt LeBlanc recounts an on-set accident that occurred during filming. David Beckham even names it his favorite episode. Its funnyfor all that the reunion tries to break up its hour and 45 minute runtime with surprise guests and James Corden quizzing the cast, the best parts are easily the scenes where the six lead actors are alone together, reminiscing and goofing around and teasing each otherin short, acting like friends. Thats the fun of The One Where No Ones Ready, too.

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The One Where No Ones Ready is a funny place to start watching Friends from, since its not at all a typical episode of the show. Set almost entirely in real time in a single locationlike a play, as co-creator David Crane says in The Reunionthe episode follows the six leads as they get ready for a fancy event for the museum where Ross works. That means many of the classic Friends elements are missing: They dont go to Central Perk, there are no mega-famous 90s guest stars onscreen, and Joey doesnt ask any pretty ladies how they doin. Ross and Rachel are already an item, so you dont have to wonder if they will or wont get together (only if they will or wont have to go to couples counseling). It isnt even Thanksgiving.

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And yet, in a lot of ways, The One Where No Ones Ready shows how little any of those Friends touchstones even matter. The actors are at the top of their game, as, over the course of 22 minutes, Ross frets about getting everyone dressed and out the door on time, growing more and more flustered while the group gets sidetrackedespecially Rachel, who cant decide what to wear. Chandler and Joey are sucked into an escalating prank war over who gets to sit in a particular chair. Monica hears a message from her ex on her answering machine and cant stop obsessing over whether its from pre- or post-breakup. Even Phoebe, who doesnt get a whole lot to do here, at least gets to be a little Phoebe-ish when the guys accidentally muss her dress. (Lisa Kudrow, meanwhile, shows that she hasnt missed a step during the reunion, with a table read so funny that everyone else breaks.) The magic of Friends is the chemistry of the casteven when theyre bickering.

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Having all of the leads in one place made The One Where No Ones Ready a great choice for Jay-Zs Moonlight music video from 2017, in which Black actors recreate parts of the episode shot for shota commentary on, among other things, the shows all-white cast. (It also critiques Friends success compared to predominantly Black-starring Living Single, which came first and had the same premise but didnt achieve the same tabloid-cover fame.) Plenty has been said already about Friends flaws, but thats another reason why The One Where No Ones Ready is a good warts-and-all starter episode: Everyone is being a little bit annoying! Phoebe can be an oddball, Joey can be an airhead, Rachel can be a brat, Monica can be a control freak, Chandler can get hung up on little things that dont matter, and oof, Ross can be a jerk. Together, though, they make it out the door on timeand thats the staying power of Friends in a nutshell.
Last week, the state of Alabama finally repealed its ban on yoga in schoolsthe only such law in the country. The ban, which was implemented in 1993 after a lobbying campaign by conservative Christian groups, was meant to keep the practices Hindu roots out of public education. There had been repeated attempts to repeal the ban in recent years, but each had failed.

The new law, which allows interested schools to offer yoga as either an elective class or an activity in the next school year, isnt exactly a ringing endorsement of the practice. It stipulates that only the physical elements of yoga are allowed. It explicitly prohibits chanting, mantras, mudras, and mandalas. Parents will also have to sign permission slips that state that they understand that yoga is a part of Hinduism. (Yoga, in reality, is a broad category of practices, schools, and disciplines featured in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, as well as a secular form of exercise in some places.)

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To find out what its been like to watch yoga go from a banned activity to an officially tolerated practice, Slate spoke with Jamie Robertson, an instructor in Orange Beach, Alabama. Robertson, 47, is a speech therapist in the county schools who runs a studio in town in the evenings. Robertson has also taught at youth yoga camps and has advocated for the repeal of the ban. This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Slate: When did you become aware of the ban?

Robertson: When I first got my teacher certification, about seven years ago, I sent a letter to the state: We need to get yoga in schools, theres so many curriculums already out there, lets invest in one. Lets just put it in all the schools in Baldwin County. And I really thought I was such a visionary. Instead of starting with a principal, I started at the top in Montgomery. I thought they were going to say yes, and I was just going to jump in. But I got a letter back, and it was a copy of that bill from the early 90s, saying thatit was strong languageit was absolutely banned in the schools. It put me to a screeching halt. So instead, I had to go do after-school programs and go through private agencies, like Girl Scouts.

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What did you think when you learned about the ban?

I thought it was ridiculous, just because I knew how much yoga helped me with anxiety in my early 20s. And being a Christian myself and raised in the church, it didnt make sense. I just didnt relate it to religion. If we can teach kids self awareness and self regulation, it can help with attention problems and with anxiety. Yoga is the best fun way for kids to learn mindfulness, and body awareness, and then controlling their behavior.

Some of the opponents described yoga as if its almost dangerous. The new law says that school personnel may not use any techniques that involve hypnosis, the induction of the dissociated mental state, guided imagery, meditation or any aspect of Eastern philosophy and religious training. What do you think of that?

I read something about hypnosis, like we were going to teach them to be hypnotized, and thats just comical to me. What children need to know as far as meditation is important, but its just stillness. As long as youre not using guided imageryI guess were going to have to be careful with that. I think wording is going to be important. When I teach mindfulness and stillness to children, which might be viewed as meditation, its working on their focus and attention. And theres nothing wrong with that. I just think that were gonna have to be careful about educating the parents and making sure that they understand that were teaching from a scientific and not from a spiritual basis when were working with children.

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Have you ever had people object to your practice?

Ive taught so much over the years, and I can think of maybe two situations where they didnt come back, because they were uncomfortable with it. And it was because they didnt understand it. Out of the hundreds of people Ive taught, thereve been a couple of people who were offended and thought that it went against their religion. Which, as a Christian myself, its hard for me to understand, because it makes me closer to God.

I think that once I have conversations with people, its rare that someone doesnt understand it. Theres always going to be an extreme opinion, and some people arent going to get it. But I think that once parents understand it, theyre going to be so welcoming of it.

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So you think that its going to be pretty widely adopted in schools?

I do. Principals who Ive talked to who have studied mindfulness and yoga, their only obstacle was that they didnt want to get in trouble with their superiors or in any kind of legal trouble. And honestly, there are some teachers who were not even aware that there was a ban on it. And so there have already been a lot of teachers who were doing videos in classrooms, PE teachers who just were teaching breathing and stillness and stretching, who are probably surprised to learn that there was a ban.

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Did you do anything to celebrate when this bill was passed?

Oh, a cheer and a squeal and some texts to people. I started getting so many texts and emails, because everybody who knows me knows that Ive really been an advocate for this for many, many years. I mean, its been a long road. For many years, I just felt so alone, knowing the benefits that this could have for youth in Alabama, and just not knowing how to make a difference or how to get it through. And then when I got the news, oh, my gosh, I was very excited.
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. has convened a grand jury to hear evidence of potential financial malfeasance by former President Donald Trump and the Trump Organization, according to a report by the Washington Post. The news of the grand jury comes after an announcement by the New York attorney generals office that its civil probe of the Trump Organization has turned into a criminal one.

Given that Trump has already hinted towards a 2024 re-election bid, the possibility of criminal charges opens up the door for Trump to be running a presidential campaign from behind barsand for the slew of complications that can arise from doing that.

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So, how difficult is it for an incarcerated person to run for president? Not very, at least from a legal standpoint.

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When were talking about federal office, the limitations would really be political, not legal, said Kate Shaw, a professor of law at Cardozo Law. The Constitution actually is really clear about what the qualifications to run for president, or a member of Congress or Senate are.

Those qualificationslisted in Article Two of the Constitutioninclude being a natural born citizen, being at least 35 years old, and having lived at least 14 years as a resident of the United States. A potential candidates carceral status, however, is not listed in the Constitution as a requirement, nor is a candidates criminal record. A Trump who has been convicted by the state or federal government of a crime, then, is equally qualified to run as a Trump with no criminal recordat least from a legal standpoint.

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Furthermore, a state that tries to add a requirement to the presidency disqualifying candidates with criminal convictions from running would likely be shut down by the courts. That was the case in 2019, when the California Supreme Court ruled that a California law requiring presidential candidates to disclose their tax returns in order to be eligible to run for presidenta direct challenge to President Trumps refusal to make public his own returnswas unconstitutional.

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Trump could have been barred from running for any federal office, including president, if he had been convicted in one of his two impeachment trials. He was acquitted in both on the basis of his support among Republican Senators. A conviction for a state or federal crime offers no such burden.

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Indeed, at least three incarcerated people have run for U.S. president before with no legal obstacles. In 1920, Socialist Party leader Eugene V. Debs ran while incarcerated for charges related to his protesting against World War I. Another candidate, Lyndon LaRouche, ran in 1992 while incarcerated for tax evasion and mail fraud. And yet another, Keith Judd, managed to be included on the ballotand win 41 percent of the vote against incumbent president Barack Obamain West Virginias Democratic primary while incarcerated as recently as 2012. While all three candidates ran multiple times, none ever won any electoral votes.

The difficulty for a Trump re-election bid, if he were to be convicted of a crime, comes instead from public perception and the politics of running for president with a criminal record, plus the logistical obstacles of campaigning or taking the oath of office from prison. Conviction seems unlikely to cost him support among the GOP primary electorate, with a recent poll showing that 66 percent of Republicans want him to run again in 2024 despite his well-publicized legal woes.

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His supporters will argue that both impeachment and indictment are very politicized actions, said Mildred Elizabeth Sanders, a professor of government at Cornell University.

If anything, Trumps potential incarceration could be used to further ignite his self-proclaimed status as a victim of what he calls the greatest Witch Hunt in American history. If that were the case, he wouldnt be the first presidential candidate to use his incarceration for political gain. Debs did something similar when running from prison in 1920.

When Debs ran as a Socialist Party candidate, he featured his conviction and incarceration as part of his political strategy, said Lisa Marshall Manheim, a professor at the University of Washington School of Law. For example, his campaign handed out buttons referring to Debs as Convict No. 9653.

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Trump has already primed the ground for such a campaign, if it becomes necessary, taking to his personal blog (hes still banned from Twitter and Facebook) to call the grand jury seating both purely political and highly partisan.

If Trump were to somehow win reelection after being convicted of any crime, it would be unrealistic to expect that he can govern from behind bars, according to Shaw. According to the Constitution, a president must be able to perform the executive duties vested on them by the governmentduties which would be extremely difficult to perform under the constraints that come with being incarcerated.

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In that instance, Shaw outlines three options: Trump could be impeached again, the Cabinet could initiate 25th amendment proceedings to remove Trump from office, or Trump could present the case to the courts that his sentence must be suspended until after his term in office.*

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In other words, Shaw said, The powers of the presidency would have to give, or the states criminal authority would have to give.

In the meantime, the decision on whether Trump will pursue re-election from behind bars is up, in part, to the grand jury, which will reportedly be meeting weekly for the next six months to hear evidence from the Trump investigation before deciding on whether or not to indict the former president. If they choose to indict, Trump would become the first U.S. president to be charged with a crime.

Correction, May 27, 2021: This piece originally misstated that Congress initiates 25th amendment proceedings. The Cabinet actually does.
The top New York prosecutors investigation into the financial dealings of Donald Trump and the Trump Organization have progressed to the point where the Washington Post reports the Manhattan district attorney has empaneled a grand jury to hear evidence and return possible charges in the case. The move indicates that the investigation has reached a critical juncture where there is likely sufficient evidence to consider charges in the case. The grand jury will hear other cases during its typical six-month term, where it will meet several times a week to hear testimony and evidence in often complex cases. The evidence is not always presented sequentially and cases can be heard in bits and pieces over the term, including new evidence uncovered using the grand jurys subpoena power, such that there is a chance that Trump-related testimony has already begun.

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The grand jury will ultimately decide whether there is sufficient evidence of criminal wrongdoing to indict the former president and potentially others in the Trump Organization. The fact that District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.s team is bringing the Trump case before the grand jury indicates that after a two-year, wide-ranging investigation into Trumps business dealings, Vance believes there is a criminal case to be made. That case may not implicate Trump himself, but the time period covered by the probe, much of which was well before Trump was president, is one where Trump would have been significantly involved in his companys dealings.

The investigation began following the revelations about hush payments paid to porn star Stormy Daniels by thenTrump attack dog and personal lawyer Michael Cohen. Cohen has since turned on his former bossand gone to jail himselfwhile also spurring concurrent investigations by the Manhattan district attorney and the New York state attorney general. One of the key issues is whether the Trump Organization manipulated the valuation of its real estate assets, devaluing them around tax time to get tax breaks while inflating their value to lenders to get better loan terms, a practice that would amount to fraud. There is also a host of other Trump tax-related issues of questionable legality, including a deduction from a land donation and write-offs for consulting fees, in addition to questions about employee compensation and hush money payments paid to women.

The grand jurys proceedings are kept secret, although there are other signs that the case against the Trump Organization is advanced, including the New York attorney generals offices recent announcement that its investigation had morphed from a civil probe into a criminal one that would be conducted in coordination with the district attorneys investigation. Still suspended from Twitter and Facebook, Trump posted on his personal blog declaring the investigation a witch hunt.
The EPA has its eye on a 60-acre area of the creek, which empties into the Patapsco River, that contains contaminants from arsenic to PCBs, which are insulating oils once used in electrical equipment that are classified as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
In a recent interview at an event hosted by UCLA, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas responded to a series of questions about U.S. immigration policy by citing a graphic example. Outlining his views on immigration detention, Mayorkas described the case of a man who had entered the U.S. unlawfully as an adult and was jailed three times for sex offenses, including the rape of a child, before being detained on civil immigration violations. I will not release that individual pending removal proceedings, Mayorkas explained, describing immigration detention as a tool to protect the public. He returned to the graphic example when asked about Secure Communities, a controversial fingerprint-sharing program that has resulted in the deportation of hundreds of thousands of people of color following local interactions with police. I think the state  should turn that individual [with multiple sex offenses] over to ICE directly, he explained, defending the program.

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The interviewer, UCLA professor Ahilan Arulanantham, pressed Mayorkas on the wisdom of crafting a national immigration policy around this singular example. You take Willie Horton, and you end up with mass incarceration, Arulanantham said, referring to the infamous 1988 presidential political ad campaign featuring a Black man who was convicted of committing a heinous murder while on a weekend furlough from prison.* The Willie Horton ad was the ultimate racist dog whistle: a thinly coded narrative about law-and-order politics that played up racist fears, specifically of Black men, and made meaningful criminal law reform politically unpalatable. The same risk arises when these narratives drive immigration policy.

Under the Trump administration, public awareness and criticism of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement grew, leading to demands to cut the agencys bloated $8.4 billion budget. When the Biden administration attempted to pause deportations, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued, claiming that the policy would endanger Texas residents. ICE quickly issued new interim guidance expanding public safety priorities for immigration enforcement based on past criminal conduct and giving local ICE offices wide authority to decide who should be deemed a threat. Touting ICEs public safety mission and increasing arrests under the interim guidance, federal immigration officials have indicated that the Biden administration intends to keep ICEs budget largely intact.

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Its not the first time that fearmongering about crime has shaped the immigration debate. In my book, No Justice in the Shadows: How America Criminalizes Immigrants, I trace the history of how immigration restrictionists have used narratives of criminality to justify the growth of a vast deportation machinery. In the 1800s, politicians routinely labeled Chinese immigrants as fraudsters, thieves, and prostitutes, seeking to justify the enactment of Chinese exclusion laws. The same animus spurred criminal liability. Local legislators began criminalizing substances like opium during this same period in part due to fears of racial mixing. It became a cycle: Immigration status justifies criminalization, and criminal status justifies deportation.

The cycle continues, with plenty of Willie Horton moments fueling racist and anti-immigrant policies in the last administration. During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump labeled Jose Inez Garcia Zarate an animal for the 2015 shooting of Kathryn Steinle. Even after Garcia Zarate was acquitted of murder, Trump continued to use the example to rail against local sanctuary policies. As president, Trump created an entire office (which Biden is apparently keeping) dedicated to assisting victims of criminal aliens. Trumps senior adviser Stephen Miller mined the news looking for examples of crimes committed by immigrants.

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Trump even ran his own Wille Hortonstyle ad during the 2018 midterm elections, featuring a Mexican man who reentered the U.S. unlawfully and killed two California deputies, stating that Democrats let him in. And during the 2020 presidential election, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement plastered billboards across Pennsylvania, a key swing state, with mugshots of men who were wanted by ICE after being released from criminal custody.

Trump knew that these examples reinforce a powerful message. As journalist Dara Lind described Trumps favorite trope: Immigrants are coming over the border to kill you. It does not matter that study after study has debunked the myth that immigration increases crime. Words matter. Trump called immigrants invaders so many times that language was reportedly used by U.S. citizen Robert Gregory Bowers before he shot and killed 11 people in the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in 2018, and by U.S. citizen Patrick Wood Crusius, the person suspected of killing 23 people in an El Paso, Texas, Walmart in 2019.

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The same words that inspire hate also inspire policy. Racist dog whistles are part of the reason the U.S. has built the worlds largest immigration detention system, which disproportionately locks up Black and Latinx people for civil immigration violations. These racial disparities are due in large part to immigration officials reliance on the criminal legal system to feed people into the deportation machine. Black immigrants, for example, are 7.4 percent of the noncitizen population but 20 percent of those facing deportation on criminal grounds.

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The reality is that Willie Hortonstyle examples dont justify the policies they inspire. To hear sexual abuse cited as a reason to maintain the immigration detention system is particularly painful. Thousands of immigrantsadults and childrenhave reported sexual abuse in immigration detention. Advocates have sounded the alarm on facilitywide abuse and have raised concerns for more than a decade. And its not the only problem with immigration detention: Preventable death, medical abuse, and retaliation are endemic to the system. The situation has only become more dire during the pandemic, as outbreaks have spread rapidly through immigration jails. Advocates have long pointed to alternatives. If the U.S. government is committed to stopping abuse, immigration detention isnt a solution.

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Deportation itself also causes harm, not only to the individual deported but to families and communities left behind. When deportations are based on past criminal conduct, little room is made to consider a persons rehabilitation and ties to their community. Deportation becomes a cruel double punishment that amplifies the disparities of the criminal legal system, targeting those who have already completed their sentences and seek only to rebuild their lives.

Nor is the deportation of someone who is repeatedly engaged in violence a meaningful solution to violence. It does not stop harm, but displaces it, with no accountability for those who may experience harm in the future. The U.S. has already failed to live up to its obligations to protect individuals fleeing from sexual violencea problem that the Biden administration has recognized but not yet fixed. The U.S. is still turning back the majority of asylum-seekers seeking safe haven. If the U.S. government wants to prevent violence, it has to address violence on its own terms and stop treating deportation as a public safety tool.

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The Biden administration can shift gears. Its recent closure of two immigration jails is a start. But if its interim immigration enforcement guidance and budget proposals are any indication of its long-term approach to immigration enforcement, a more fundamental shift is necessary. The interim enforcement guidance allows sweeping labels of criminality to justify detention and deportation. The Biden administration would come much closer to the goal of ending systemic racism in the immigration system by dropping these labels and breaking the arrest-to-deportation pipeline. It must dismantle Secure Communities and similar dragnets that deepen the racial disparities of deportation, and end the agencys archaic reliance on detention. It also must cut ICEs budget and reallocate those resources to supporting communities of color that have been doubly targeted by the immigration and criminal legal systems.

As Mayorkas stated in his interview, federal immigration officials must not perpetuate the injustices  in the criminal justice system. Rather than highlighting graphic stories that play into the hands of immigration restrictionists, the Biden administration should celebrate the humanity and dignity of all immigrants.

Correction, May 26, 2021: This piece originally misspelled Ahilan Arulananthams last name.
Not all Senate Republicans are ready to kill legislation setting up an independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Just most of them.

Maine Sen. Susan Collins, for instance, is trying to see through a couple of changes that might allay supposed Republican concerns about the bill. One would involve tightened language giving Republican commissioners a say in staff hiring, even though the current staffing languageessentially a copy-paste of that from the 9/11 Commissionalready gives them a lever. Another would shorten the commissions work to ensure it doesnt bleed into an election year.

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But most Senate Republicans are past pretending that their opposition to the bipartisan bill that the House passed last weekand which Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said is likely to get a Senate vote this weekis based on an ambiguous interpretation of the word consultation in the legislations staffing clause. The Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, was explicit on Tuesday that the problem with an independent commission isnt the language, and cant be fixed with amendments. Its the politics of keeping Jan. 6 in the news, which is good for Democrats and bad for Republicans.

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At the heart of this recommendation by the Democrats is that they would like to debate things that occurred in the past, theyd like to continue to litigate the former president into the future, McConnell told reporters when asked whether he could support the legislation with any changes. We think the American people going forward, and in the fall of 22, ought to focus on what this administration is doing to the country, and what the clear choice is that we have made to oppose most of these initiatives. So I think this is a purely political exercise that adds nothing to the sum total of information.

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McConnell said this shortly after a closed-door lunch in which, as Politico reported, he warned his fellow Republicans that the report could be released in the middle of the 2022 election cycle, when control of the House and Senate are at stake.

But as one journey through legislative procedure ends, another begins. Killing the bill will require McConnells Republicans to do something they havent done all year: filibuster.

Just because the Senate minority hasnt filibustered something on the floor yet this year doesnt mean the filibuster isnt there, in the background, dictating everything thats happening. The existence of the rule, which requires 60 votes to end debate on a motion or bill, is why Democrats are trying to negotiate with Republicans on other agenda items like gun control, police reform, and immigration, rather than just figuring out what the median policy is between Sens. Joe Manchin and Bernie Sanders.

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But in putting the commission bill on the floor even though it almost certainly wont get 60 votes, Schumer will force the minority to block something for the first timeand to do so based on what they are now expressly describing as political objections, rather than policy disagreements.

This first use of a filibuster for bad-faith political reasons may kill the commission, but it gives some much-needed ammunition to liberals advocating for elimination of the filibuster. Ending the filibuster is something Senate Democrats could do, in theory, with Democratic votes alone, but they dont yet have the votes to do so.

If Republicans block something as benign as an independent, bipartisan investigation into the mob that invaded their workspace, the Democrats upholding the filibuster will be put to the test. For some of my colleagues in the Democratic side who support the filibuster in the extreme, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin told reporters Tuesday, were going to have to have an explanation.

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This is all cumulative, Durbin said. There may reach a point where it does lead to some changes in the rules.

The two most ardent Democratic defenders of the filibuster are West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin and Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. Their steadfast refusal to consider either nixing or weakening the rule has made them folk heroes among Senate Republicans, who have been instructed to keep saying nice things about them.

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Manchin and Sinema on Tuesday released a joint statement advocating for the Jan. 6 commission. We implore our Senate colleagues, they said, to work with us to find a path forward on a commission to examine the events of Jan. 6.

My statement with @SenatorSinema on the need for a bipartisan commission to investigate the events of January 6th: pic.twitter.com/MTJ0gEQjoL  Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) May 25, 2021

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The statement was mostly mocked as Manchin and Sinema, whove put their necks on the line to preserve the minoritys effective veto power, begging Republicans not to make them look like idiots after they vouched for Republicans ability to work in good faith.

But theres a more pointed, and less dopey, way to read it. Republicans know how valuable Manchin and Sinema are to them, and for them to issue a joint statement is a statement in itself. A purely political filibuster will only increase the intraparty pressure on Manchin and Sinema to reverse their positions, as will each subsequent purely political filibuster. McConnell may feel that Manchin and Sinema have reiterated their devotion to the filibuster enough by now that he can take them for granted and just openly state that hes blocking something because it could muddy his midterm messaging. Maybe hes right. Or maybe Manchin and Sinema are warning him not to make a habit of it.
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko defended his decision to intercept an international Ryanair flight over the weekend and force it to land, claiming in a speech to parliament that the country was under hybrid attack from Western governments trying to suffocate it. Western governments have indeed condemned the brazen midair heist of a commercial jetliner, which by every measure appeared to target Roman Protasevich, a 26-year-old dissident journalist and vocal Lukashenko critic. Protasevich and his companion Sofia Sapega were subsequently arrested when the plane touched down in Minsk. The European Union responded, promising punitive measures and began lining up retaliatory sanctions against the regime, as well as revoked permission for Belarusian carriers to enter European airspace. As we predicted, our ill-wishers from outside and inside the country have changed the methods of attacking the state, Lukashenko said of the moves Wednesday. No sooner had the plane landed in Minsk, carbon-copy accusations from the West and flight bans started pouring in.

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Lukashenko, an autocrat who has been propped up by the Kremlin for years, accused Brussels of plotting to target Russia next. The inflammatory and often contradictory statements pull directly from the Kremlin propaganda playbook, hinting at the close interplay of interests between the two regimes and the likely influence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, potentially in the former Soviet republics midair provocation. Using the language of the international community, making hazy justifications based on terrorism and national security, Lukashenko said he had acted in the states interest in commandeering the plane and arresting Protasevich, who has been branded a terrorist and subjected to criminal proceedings for organizing political protests following the disputed 2020 presidential election. The contest was widely considered a sham by outside observers and opposition parties and prompted protests in the country before a crackdown by the Lukashenko regime.

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Lukashenko now says the military aircraft that was scrambled and intercepted the Ryanair flight, which had embarked from Athens and was already approaching its final destination in Vilnius, Lithuania, was to provide communication with the plane, not intimidate it into changing course. The Lukashenko government first said they approached the plane because there was a bomb on it, linking it to the militant Palestinian organization Hamas. On Wednesday, he indicated the bomb threat was relayed from Switzerland. Hamas or no Hamasit doesnt matter today, Lukashenko said. I acted legally, protecting people, in accordance with all international rules.

When the plane landed, shockingly, no bomb was found onboard. When asked about the developments in its neighbor, the Kremlin said it saw no reason to doubt the sincerity of Lukashenkos terrorism claims. We have not seen any denials, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. So far we have not even heard any statements from European countries to somehow work this situation out. They are just shooting from the hip. The U.N. Security Council is expected to meet to discuss the incident Wednesday.
Caves in Slovakia reopen to visitors

People still need to stick to hygienic measures.

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Given the improvement in the pandemic situation, the caves administered by the Slovak Caves Administration (SSJ) reopened their doors to visitors in mid-May.

Still, they need to follow several hygienic restrictions set by the Covid automat alert system. Currently, visitors to the Bystrianska Jaskyna cave in the Brezno district are required to show a negative test result (no older than 24 hours for antigen test and no older than 72 hours for PCR test) or some confirmation about being vaccinated or recovering from Covid.

In other caves, a negative test result is not required.

Visitors are also required to have their mouths and noses covered.

The SSJ needs to keep the telephone or email contact details of visitors for two weeks after the visit, which is why every person willing to visit the cave will be asked to provide these details.

At the same time, the number of visitors is strictly limited, and also depends on the current tier. The current limitations are as followed:

Cave Recommended number of people Belianska 30/40 Brestovska 10 Bystrianska 15 Demanovska slobody 40 Demanovska slobody- large circuit not organised Demanovska ladova 40 Dobsinska 40 Domica  circuit without sailing 30/40 Domica sailing not held Driny 30/40 Gombasecka 30 Harmanecka 30/40 Jasovska 30/40 Ochtinska aragonitova 30/40 Vazecka 30

You can check the limits for visitors on the SSJ website.

Spectacular Slovakia travel guides

Inside the Domica Cave (Source: TASR)

26. May 2021 at 11:37 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Rules clearing deliveries worth less than 150 through customs should be easier

People will be able to use electronic form.

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Imported goods from non-EU countries will be subject to a new duty starting in July. An electronic custom declaration for all goods must be submitted along with a VAT payment for all deliveries up to 22.

At the same time, there will be simpler rules for clearing deliveries worth 150 or less, without any bans and limitations, through customs, according to the Financial Administration.

It will be possible to clear customs for consignments that will be duty-free through the Financial Administration's new website, said its spokesperson Martina Rybanska.

Exemptions

Customs tariffs to be expanded even for low-value goods Read more

Goods subjected to excise tax, such as alcoholic beverages, or goods with certain bans and limitations, like products made of protected animals and weapons, will be exempted from the simpler rules.

As a result, a standard custom clearance declaration will have to be used.

Online information and call centre

People do not have to be afraid of the new duties, Rybanska said. The Financial Administration will publish important information on its website and provide it through its nonstop customs call centre as well.

People will not have to use the services of private haulage companies for clearing customs, Rybanska noted. They will be able to do it on their own, and this saves money.

26. May 2021 at 11:27 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Direct flights will connect Bratislava and the Canary Islands

The flights expected to be launched in late June.

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Bratislava and the Canary Islands can be linked with direct flights.

The new flight connection to the island's capital of Las Palmas will be operated by flytoCanarias in cooperation with the Galistair carrier from June 26, 2021. The connection is expected to be offered until the end of October.

Planes will depart once a week, on Saturdays, said Veronika Sevcikova, spokesperson of the Bratislava Airport.

From the end of June, we are also expanding our flights to Slovakia, Spanish travel agency flytoCanarias said. Flights from the Bratislava airport will be operated every week, using the Airbus A320, with a capacity of 180 travellers.

Ban on holidays abroad has been lifted. Problems may still occur Read more

26. May 2021 at 11:28 | Compiled by Spectator staff
MPs wanted to bring former SIS director from custody to parliament

We can even vote to bring in Putin and Biden, Speaker of Parliament Kollar said.

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MPs voted to bring the former director of the secret service, currently in custody on corruption charges, to attend the ongoing parliamentary session on a controversial meeting of top state and law enforcement officials. The parliament's speaker voted in favour, although later he called it an absurd notion.

The extraordinary session of the parliament, taking place behind closed doors, was interrupted after a few hours following the vote on the procedural proposal of opposition Smer leader Robert Fico. The MPs of opposition Smer and Hlas, and the coalition Sme Rodina and some of the OLaNO caucus, voted for the former SIS director Vladimir Pcolinsky (Sme Rodina nominee), currently in custody on corruption charges, to be present at the closed session.

Pcolinsky has been in custody since March of this year. He stands accused of having accepted a bribe to stop SIS from following lawyer Zoroslav Kollar, who also faces charges.

The prosecutor of the Special Prosecutor's Office did not comply the request of parliament to bring in Pcolinsky to parliament, stated the spokesperson of General Prosecutor's office later on May 26.

Against coalition agreement?

26. May 2021 at 17:11 | Compiled by Spectator staff
The Russian vaccine will be administrated to people between 18 and 60 years of age.

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The government has approved the use of the Sputnik V vaccine. The Health Ministry has until June 7 to allow vaccination with the unregistered Russian vaccine.

Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky was given the task of enabling vaccination with this vaccine, totalling 200,000 doses. At the same time, he should issue binding guidance. This is to ensure that all citizens who have been given Sputnik V are immediately treated by a doctor in accordance with professional advice in the event of potential side effects.

The government-approved material also lists risks surrounding the safety, efficacy, and quality of the vaccine. It contains a table with an evaluation of laboratory results from Slovakia too.

Vaccinate with Sputnik V or not? Slovakia's decision expected on Wedneday Read more

"There are still a significant number of citizens who declare that they will be vaccinated only with the Sputnik V vaccine," said the Health Ministry.

Speaking at the May 26 press conference, Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky said he would not choose to get vaccinated with Sputnik V, nor would he recommend it.

He supports the European solution, meaning that he thinks the vaccine should have been sent to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for approval.

He added that Slovakia does not have to actually buy all the vaccine doses it ordered. For now, the country will purchase 200,000 doses that have already been delivered and are currently stored in Sarisske Michalany. The other doses will be purchased only after it is registered by the EMA.

How will the vaccination work

26. May 2021 at 14:06 (modified at 27. May 2021 at 17:32) | Compiled by Spectator staff
Slovakias airspace will be closed for Belarusian airlines

It is a joint signal of EU member states, said the transport minister.

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Slovakia will close its airspace to Belarusian airlines starting May 27 at midnight until further notice.

It is a response to the enforced landing of a civilian plane in Belarus allegedly due to a bomb threat, and the subsequent detention of journalist Roman Protasevich.

This decision is a sign of solidarity and an expression of our disagreement with an unprecedented act in which civilians were put in direct danger, Transport Minister Andrej Dolezal (Sme Rodina) wrote on Facebook.

He also said it was one of the recommendations of the European Council, as a joint signal sent by the EU member states.

More about the topic:

Slovak journalists: We stand by our Belarusian colleagues Read more

The unacceptable landing of a plane in Belarus requires a strong response Read more

26. May 2021 at 15:16 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Some advocacy organizations had questioned the citys ability to tap into millions of dollars in available federal funding through FEMAs Public Assistance program. While the finance department said in April that the city was expected to request about $35 million in funds for costs related to sheltering and quarantining people experiencing homelessness, other cities like Denver had already been approved for more than $60 million in such funding.
Supervisors had previously delayed consideration of the permit application, filed by Champion Feeders CEO Kevin Buse in late March, until samples from the Mead Cattle lot could be analyzed for pesticide residues and other chemicals.

Those lab results, shared during Tuesdays board meeting, showed little in the way of pesticide contamination at the manure-holding cells and water tanks sampled.

Thiamethoxam, a neonicotinoid used in Syngentas Cruiser product, was detected at just 1 of 5 locations sampled, and at a concentration  less than 5 parts per billion  well below the threshold set by the Minnesota Department of Health, one of the only states to establish guidelines for pesticides.

No other neonicotinoids, which have been found at concentrations of tens to hundreds of thousands of parts per billion in solid waste products and wastewater at neighboring AltEn, were discovered in the samples done at Mead Cattle on April 19, according to the report.

Glyphosate  better known as Roundup  was detected in 3 of the 5 sampling sites, according to the report done by the South Dakota Agricultural Laboratories, but at levels well below the benchmark set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
With the stroke of a pen, the president of the United States of America authorized, among other things, the imprisonment of about 112,000 American citizens and residents of this nation due to racial policies. These individuals were held in horse stables and in prisons behind barbed wire, not because they committed a crime. No, instead they were taken into custody because of their Japanese heritage.

+2 Japanese Americans arrival in the Valley Scottsbluff and the surrounding lands in the county have been home to Japanese American fami

The president was Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The date was Feb. 19, 1942. The country was now an active participant in World War II. Japan had bombed Pearl Harbor and had invaded the Philippines, controlled by the U.S. which possessed military bases there, among other locations throughout East Asia and the Pacific Ocean.

Even prior to the issuance of Executive Order 9066 by President Roosevelt, other Japanese Americans were imprisoned by the United States of America. Within hours of the sinking of the USS Arizona in Hawaii, the federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) arrested more than 1,000 Americans of Japanese heritage.

One of those arrested was an Episcopal priest in North Platte. He was the only American arrested in Nebraska at the time by the FBI, according to The Episcopal Church.
On April 10, 2012, the Nebraska Legislature passed Resolution 620 to Extend gratitude to Father Hiram Hisanori Kano for his work with the Japanese-Americans in the Platte River Valley and commemorate St. Georges Mission in North Platte and St. Marys Mission in Mitchell. This resolution noted that Hiram Kano was a quiet and persevering warrior in the battle against the evil of racism and a champion of his people in the struggle for justice and peace as he fought for the dignity of every human being[and] even as the State of Nebraska and the nation withheld from them the basic rights we now take for granted The resolution included in its conclusion That the Legislature extends its gratitude to Father Hiram Hisanori Kano for his work with the Japanese-Americans in the Platte River valley
He was unable to call in air support because of the close-quarters fighting, or evacuate the wounded. For hours, and under heavy fire, Hagemeister moved among the platoons defensive positions, treating soldiers and rallying the survivors.

At nightfall, a sniper took aim at him and several other members of his unit. Medics typically dont carry rifles, so Hagemeister grabbed one from a fallen soldier and shot the sniper. He also killed three other enemy soldiers who were silhouetted against a burning village as they tried to outflank him  and then took out a machine-gun nest, too.

Still pinned down, Hagemeister again braved heavy fire and ran to get help from another platoon. He led them back, then worked to evacuate the wounded.

Hagemeisters repeated heroic and selfless actions at the risk of his life saved the lives of many of his comrades and inspired their actions in repelling the enemy assault, his Medal of Honor citation said.

Hagemeister traveled to Washington to receive the medal  the nations highest award for military valor  from President Lyndon Johnson on May 14, 1968.
Troopers arrested a 25-year-old Los Angeles woman early Tuesday morning after a high-speed chase on Interstate 80 in central Nebraska.

Ingrid Baires-Duran, driving with three children in the back seat of her Chrysler sedan, reached speeds of 115 mph during the pursuit, according to a Nebraska State Patrol news release.

Troopers arrested Baires-Duran on suspicion of willful reckless driving, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, child abuse/endangerment and traffic violations.

According to the release, the patrol received a report of the vehicle traveling at high speeds westbound on I-80 at about 3:30 a.m.

A trooper attempted to pull the vehicle over, but Baires-Duran accelerated, the patrol said.
The conversation started on a long Uber ride. The driver, originally from Colombia, said he knows a lot of Colombians living in the U.S. without papers. He argued that they are good people paying taxes and should be left alone. I responded that I believe they are good people paying taxes but our immigration laws should be respected.

He then said, to my surprise, I kind of like Donald Trump. Why, I asked. He went on heatedly about the riots that followed the killing of George Floyd. He thought Trump was more serious about restoring order.

The public really dislikes civic chaos. Democrats, you need to address this more forthrightly.

It matters not that only 6% of the racial justice rallies from May through October of last year saw violence. Nor is the intention to downplay troubling cases of police brutality. And lets not forget that the most outrageous incident of savage lawlessness, the Jan. 6 rampage on the Capitol, was staged by the Republican right wing.

Its just that the right talks a big game on maintaining law and order while some on the left leave the impression that Democrats dont care so much. The liberal media tend to give these radical voices outsized attention, which the right-wing media happily scoops up.
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Beijing launches first tourist train to Tibet

People's Daily Online) 14:57, May 25, 2021

(China Railway Beijing Group Co., Ltd./Feng Kai)

The first tourist train running between Beijing and southwest Chinas Tibet Autonomous Region left Beijing West Railway Station for Tibet on May 23. The train is expected to support the development of the tourism industry in the autonomous region and strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and Tibet.

During the 14-day journey, the train will pass through major stops such as cities in northwest Chinas Qinghai province, including Golmud and Xining, as well as cities in Tibet such as Lhasa, Nyingchi, and Shigatse.

Tourists will be able to visit 15 popular scenic spots, including the Qarhan salt lake, which is the countrys largest, Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Basum-tso Lake, the primitive forest in Lulang town, China's largest inland saltwater lake - Qinghai Lake, and the Chaka Salt Lake.

The train is equipped with an air-conditioning system, making the trip more comfortable. To deal with the possibility of high altitude sickness, passengers will have to change to another train that has an oxygen supply system and professional medical staff on board.

During the journey, recreational activities such as chess and card games, health seminars and Karaoke will be available to travelers.

Epidemic prevention and control measures have also been strictly adopted on the train. All passengers had their body temperatures and health QR codes checked before boarding. The train was thoroughly disinfected before departure and will undergo a thorough disinfection upon arrival. Masks, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes are also provided on the train.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
For years, there has been bipartisan agreement that the current parole system is broken, the war on drugs is not working and we are facing a broken immigration system, Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Baltimore Democrat, said in a statement. What is clear is that there are two visions of Maryland, one where we believe in the power of opportunity and one where we create fear and divisiveness with our neighbors.
While Bentley and Pendleton are some of the longest-tenured members, the club also added one of its newest with Shannon Viera joining during the celebration. The club also recognized Robb Collier and President Michelle Hepler as its Distinguished Rotarians for 2020-21.

On hand as well were Mike Walker, the clubs district governor, and Maureen Moore, the assistant governor. Walker said that in celebrating 100 years, the Rotary Club of Statesville showed perseverance both in the last century and in the past year as it still found ways to help despite limitations brought on by COVID-19.

You cant even total all of the good that theyve done, but they do good every year and Statesville is a better community for it, in a lot of ways they would never know, Walker said. Everybody has had to redefine how they do everything. It makes connections tougher, so theyve had to go out the way to stay connected compared to a normal year.

Hepler said the Rotary Club of Statesville has 55 active members and 10 honorary members, which she said makes for roughly 781 years of service in total to the community.
by Austin Bay May 26, 2021

In May 2014, I quit kidding myself and admitted China was at war with the United States. I realized China intended to dominate the world by mandating the terms of international engagement. This meant China was at war with the world -- moderating treaties, legal notions and productive trust be damned.

May 2014's triggering event: 70 or so Chinese vessels escorted an oil-drilling ship into waters claimed by both Vietnam and China --with Vietnam's claim being more credible and diplomatically defensible. Vietnam reported the Chinese flotilla included seven armed coast guard and navy ships -- seven warships. The inclusion of warships makes a case that the incursion was an act of war.

The invading drill ship anchored 120 miles off the Vietnamese coast, inside Vietnam's 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone as defined by the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. China signed that treaty and promised to respect it.

The war-making bottom line: China violated Vietnam's territorial sovereignty and broke an international treaty by encroaching on Vietnam's EEZ. Deploying a state-owned billion-dollar drilling ship is a calculated political action that demonstrated Beijing intended to steal Vietnamese natural resources.

On May 13, 2014, I wrote a column analyzing the clash. The column connected China's aggression to Russia's spring 2014 invasion and annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. Russia's "Crimean Precedent" -- the brazen military invasion and political annexation of sovereign territory -- shredded several post-Cold War diplomatic agreements. But like Vladimir Putin's Kremlin, communist Beijing didn't give a damn about legalities.

Russia's strategically revealing Crimean crime reprised fascist aggression in Europe (Germany and Italy), Africa (Italy) and Asia (Imperial Japan) in the 1930s. And communism is fascism wrapped in faculty club jargon, so include Stalin's Russia in that aggressor list.

Fact: The Boys in Beijing have been waging war on America since the 1990s. I wrote a column in 2010 that asked why China was building a large navy. I suspected the answer was dark but hoped that wealth would create a Chinese middle class that demanded freedom and moderation and peace.

Wrong. Chinese economic prowess merely fed its communist totalitarian war machine.

Connoisseurs of newspaper essays will accuse me of burying the lede (sinking my key point deep in the essay). Guilty -- but with reason. The historical background supports the global significance of this week's sobering news: the likelihood that the COVID-19 virus (the Communist Chinese Party virus is another name) escaped by accident or on purpose from a Chinese laboratory in the city of Wuhan and infected the entire planet.

The Wall Street Journal has published an in-depth analysis of the evidence.

In February 2020, Senator Tom Cotton, R-Ark., suggested the virus may have escaped a research lab in Wuhan. The major mainstream media narrative: Cotton was damned, snarked and ridiculed, from The New York Times to CNN to Xinhua (the Chinese "official" news agency).

Xinhua spews propaganda. You trust The New York Times and CNN? Perhaps it's time you woke. (Does woke satirize antifa and BLM lingo? You decide.)

Even Dr. Tony Fauci says that the possibility that the COVID-19 escaped from a lab in Wuhan "certainly exists" and he's "totally in favor of a full investigation of whether that could have happened."

In spring 2020, Fauci and his bureaucrat cadre (which includes the mainstream media dolts) dissed Cotton.

Fauci et al owe Cotton an apology.

China lied about the origins of the virus, and people died, planet-wide. Bumper sticker: China lied, people died, planet-wide.

In 2020, I wrote a column arguing that China's dictatorship hid critical information about the virus, for fear of being exposed as incompetent. Realizing the pandemic's threat, Beijing's communist thugs in charge apparently decided to export it to the rest of the world so China would not suffer alone.

That's an act of war on the world.

China's communist dictators decided to wage bioeconomic warfare on the world. If Donald Trump were president, that decision would cost Beijing. With Slow Joe in charge? I'm not so sure. But the facts are coming out. And when they do, blowback is inevitable.
Updated at 10:10 a.m.

A 16-year-old Fort Chiswell High School student attempting to swim across Rural Retreat Lake drowned Tuesday evening.

Wythe County Sheriff Chief Deputy Charles Foster said that the young man was swimming with a relative when they decided to cross the lake. The relative made it across, but soon heard the teenager screaming. Several others at the lake also heard the cries for help and some attempted to help, but it was too late, Foster said.

The Rural Retreat Rescue Squad and Fire Department were called to the lake at approximately 7:45 p.m. A search and rescue team was able to make the location where witnesses last saw the young man. About three hours later  around 10:55 p.m., divers from the Wythe County Sheriffs Department located the body.

The body has been sent to the medical examiners office in Roanoke for an autopsy, Foster said. Officers from the state conservation police, Virginia State Police and Rural Retreat Police Chief Derek Breedlove assisted at the scene. The Christian Aid Ministries Search & Rescue of Virginia responded with its boat equipped with sonar and scanned the lake.
Today is Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Let's get caught up.

These headlines are in the news this morning: Family-friendly festival, music, moments of silence mark anniversary of George Floyd's death; a new grand jury has been seated to hear evidence in NYC's investigation of former President Trump; John Cena apologizes to fans in China for Taiwan comment.

Read on for these stories, other top headlines, celebrity birthdays and more.

TOP STORIES

Rallies, moments of silence honor George Floyd a year later

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A family-friendly street festival, musical performances and moments of silence were held Tuesday to honor George Floyd and mark the year since he died at the hands of Minneapolis police, a death captured on wrenching bystander video that galvanized the racial justice movement and continues to bring calls for change.
A Marion man has been indicted in the killing of a woman whose body was found in a home that caught fire in Marion in mid-March.

Jason Emory Whittaker, 38, was named a person of interest in the killing of 54-year-old Teresa Lynn Mathena Greer shortly after police discovered her body on March 18. On Wednesday, Smyth County Commonwealth Attorney Roy Evans reconvened a grand jury which handed down indictments charging Whittaker with murder, abduction, arson and cruelty to animals.

According to a release from the Marion Police Department, the indictments represent the culmination of months of investigative work by the Marion PD, the Smyth County Sheriffs Office and the Virginia State Police. The release noted that Det. Brian Sexton and Det. Sgt. Wes Thomas of the Marion PD devoted countless hours of investigative and forensic effort during the two-month investigation.

The investigation into Greers death began after police found her body inside a burned home on North Chestnut Street in Marion. The medical examiner's office in Roanoke ruled her death a homicide in March, but has not officially released a cause of death.

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A bill passed by the Legislature this month to overhaul the states drug possession laws will mean shifting workloads for local courts, as well as a lot of unknowns.

The changes were sparked by the Supreme Courts State v. Blake decision in February, which found Washingtons law unconstitutional because it made drug possession a felony, even for people who did not know they had drugs on them. As the ruling effectively decriminalized drug possession in Washington, local police largely stopped arresting people for simple possession.

Now, the Legislature has passed a new law that makes simple drug possession a misdemeanor. That means its punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine or both, instead of the felony sentencing of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Shifting work

Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Jurvakainen said the biggest change is that misdemeanors are handled by district and municipal courts, so drug possession charges that used to be felonies and handled in Superior Court will move to the other court.

That has the potential to shift a decent amount of workload, Jurvakainen said.
Walker said her group aims to support our communities who have been oppressed for centuries and help uplift their voices. She plans to organize in support of not only Black Lives Matter, but also in support of the LBGTQI community, the disabled community, for healthcare and a solution to homelessness.

Longview teen CJ Walker said he was at the event so my life will keep going, referring to the statistic that young people of color have a greater risk of being killed by police than white people.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to The Daily News.

CJ Walker said while he had not seen a lot of change in Washington in the last year, other areas of the county were making progress. His top goal would be to see the police demilitarized, he said.

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Rhonda Walker said in the last year, the level of community support and organizing has made her more hopeful now than ever that change will come.

In Cowlitz County, where the population is a majority white, the group aims to educate others about white supremacy and how lifting up the oppressed helps everyone in the community, Walker said.

There are so many people here in the community who want to stand up and make change, not just talk about it, she said.
Shopping



Mexico's 'Hot Sale' Offers Online Deals & Discounts



Through May 31, 2021, some of Mexico's largest online retail companies, e-commerce and travel sites will participate in this year's "Hot Sale" event, the country's extended version of Cyber Monday. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Due in large part to the Covid-19 pandemic, e-commerce is becoming one of the most attractive shopping alternatives for Mexicans, thanks to the benefits of being able to purchase products and services from home at any time of day.



To help more and more people become involved in electronic commerce, the Mexican Association of Online Sales (AMVO) has been organizing the largest online sales campaign in the country since 2014. Called the "Hot Sale," this 9-day Internet shopping event aims to promote the use of electronic commerce in Mexico and highlight the many benefits that this medium offers consumers.



This year's "Hot Sale" began May 23 and continues through May 31, with some of Mexico's largest online retail companies and e-commerce sites, including Home Depot, Walmart, AeroMexico, MercadoLibre, Elektra, Sanborns, Telmex, Telcel, Costco, MacStore, Comex, Office Depot, HP, PayPal, Petco, GNC, Liverpool, Cinepolis, Petco and Booking.com, among others, offers great discounts and exclusive offers to Internet users.



"With the 'Hot Sale' event we are looking to bring in new users and motivate those have already bought online," said AMVO president Eric Perez-Grovas. "We know that people who buy on the Internet for the first time do it again because they experience the great benefits of this industry; according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau, over 50% of internet users have made some sort of online purchase, and 97% intend to do so again," he added.



With a format similar to "Cyber Monday," the "Hot Sale" is the biggest annual online shopping event in Latin America, not just in Mexico, but also in countries like Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia.



For more "Hot Sale Mexico" information (in Spanish) and the full list of participating online retailers, visit - Due in large part to the Covid-19 pandemic, e-commerce is becoming one of the most attractive shopping alternatives for Mexicans, thanks to the benefits of being able to purchase products and services from home at any time of day.To help more and more people become involved in electronic commerce, the Mexican Association of Online Sales (AMVO) has been organizing the largest online sales campaign in the country since 2014. Called the "Hot Sale," this 9-day Internet shopping event aims to promote the use of electronic commerce in Mexico and highlight the many benefits that this medium offers consumers.This year's "Hot Sale" began May 23 and continues through May 31, with some of Mexico's largest online retail companies and e-commerce sites, including Home Depot, Walmart, AeroMexico, MercadoLibre, Elektra, Sanborns, Telmex, Telcel, Costco, MacStore, Comex, Office Depot, HP, PayPal, Petco, GNC, Liverpool, Cinepolis, Petco and Booking.com, among others, offers great discounts and exclusive offers to Internet users."With the 'Hot Sale' event we are looking to bring in new users and motivate those have already bought online," said AMVO president Eric Perez-Grovas. "We know that people who buy on the Internet for the first time do it again because they experience the great benefits of this industry; according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau, over 50% of internet users have made some sort of online purchase, and 97% intend to do so again," he added.With a format similar to "Cyber Monday," the "Hot Sale" is the biggest annual online shopping event in Latin America, not just in Mexico, but also in countries like Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia.For more "Hot Sale Mexico" information (in Spanish) and the full list of participating online retailers, visit hotsale.com.mx.



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Zoom, a video meeting service that exploded in popularity once the pandemic began, announced on Wednesday that it was adding support for Apples new Center Stage feature that it brought to its hardware lineup with the arrival of its new iPad Pro last month.

Read more: Apple faces continued iPad Pro delays due to next-gen displays

When Apple first showed off its new iPad Pros at its Spring Launch event, one of the more interesting software features shown off was called Center Stage, which would make use of the ultrawide camera to track your movement and adjust the framing accordingly. Zoom is now the first third-party app that can plug into the companys new camera function.

Here's what Zoom's new Center Stage feature looks like in action. (Zoom)

Starting with version 5.6.6, Zoom users who are using the app on the latest iPad Pros will be able to move around in front of their screen and the front-facing camera will track their movement and adjust the video framing so theyre visible, without needing to adjust the location of the iPad. When another user comes into the screen the camera will once again adjust itself so that both people are inside the frame.

Also read: New 12.9-inch mini-LED iPad Pros repair fee without AppleCare+ costs the same as a brand new iPhone 12 Mini

Another feature coming to the new iPad Pros with this new version of the app is a new condensed grid for group calls to allow for more people to be displayed. Users can now zoom in and out on the video calling screen (like you can on the Photos app grid view) to increase the number of video tiles up to a maximum of 48 tiles on the screen  this works on both of the new iPad Pro models.

Here's how the new 48-tile grid looks like on the latest iPad Pro. (Zoom)

It must be noted that the Center Stage technology itself isnt absolutely groundbreaking or revolutionary. Google Duo has supported a similar feature called Auto Framing on its Pixel devices, which later came to select Samsung devices earlier this year. However, the arrival of the feature on the iPad Pros is noteworthy because it means that other apps can now plug into the same functionality.
Google has begun rolling out News Showcase to the desktop web. Before this, News Showcase was limited to mobile platforms (Android and iOS).

Users will see News Showcase panels on their Top Stories page, which is also the landing page of Google News. Right below the top stories of the day, the News Showcase carousel featuring the latest News Showcase panels from publishers will appear.

Google has also added the News Showcase catalogue page in the left-side navigation for Explore users. Here, users will get the latest panels from partner publishers in their country. The company has also added a new News Showcase section on the partner publishers landing pages  their homepage within Google News. Here, users can access all the panels, including the latest Rundown panel.

"Google News Showcase is a valuable resource for publishers like La Voz de San Justo. It allows our editors to select relevant content for our audience in an easy, effective and intuitive way. It's a product with multiple benefits, says Constanza Martinez, a content manager from La Voz de San Justo, a local publisher in Argentina, in a blog post.

Google said it had released a new feature within News Showcase for publishers. The feature allows them to add context to their stories through linked bullet points in their panels. This feature will begin to appear on News Showcase on mobile in the coming weeks.

Google had launched the News Showcase platform to support content publishers. Backed by a $1 billion investment, Google News Showcase has rolled out in various markets, including the UK, Australia, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Czechia and India.
Back in January 2021, Samsung announced its new 108MP ISOCELL HM3, which was eventually added to the Galaxy S21 Ultra. But that's clearly not the only flagship that will be using the camera sensor. In fact, other brands may have it soon.

Recently, Samsung posted a new video on YouTube to introduce the ISOCELL HM3 camera sensor. Sources claim that the 108MP camera sensor will be making its way to other flagship smartphones later this year. The Galaxy S21 Ultra managed to score 121 points on DX0Mark, which makes it a pretty good camera sensor. So, it'll be interesting to see how other brands can use it and produce better photos.

Mind you, this is just speculation for now. But more brands are focusing on delivering good mobile photography, so it won't be surprising if we saw more brands using the Samsung ISOCELL HM3 sensor. Having said that, do you consider such high-resolution camera sensors necessary? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A team of Carnegie Mellon University researchers led by Turner Cotterman, an engineering and public policy (EPP) Ph.D. student, has shown that sustainably decarbonizing our energy system by 2050 will require us to change the way we model energy transitions and account for the role of public opinion. Advised by Mitchell Small, professor of engineering and public policy and civil and environmental engineering, Cotterman and co-authors use nuclear energy as a case study of how conventional energy modelswhich minimize system costsfail at accounting for social acceptance, a factor that can inhibit the deployment of certain technologies, like nuclear energy.

They combined an energy system and risk perception model to evaluate cost, electricity demand, environmental performance and perceived versus acceptable risk at nuclear power plants. Their results indicated that the share of total U.S. energy supplied by nuclear sources would fall from a majority of system generation in a least-cost model, to just three percent in a scenario that incorporates deep decarbonization goals, accident risk perception and public acceptance. The changes in our energy system under this no- or low-nuclear scenario are dramatic, with 97% of the United States' total energy generated by renewable sources.

"If risk tolerance concerns constrain nuclear deployment to socially acceptable levels, deep decarbonization scenarios are up to 11% more expensive than the reference scenario and require low-carbon options to be available and replace the reduced nuclear share," the researchers write.

The authors used nuclear power as a case study because there is a large amount of literature on the subject. However, other technologies may also face public opposition in a low-carbon transition, and the method can be extended to consider these, too. Cotterman and Small were joined in this study by former EPP faculty member and alumnus Ahmed Abdulla, now faculty at Canada's Carleton University, former EPP faculty member Gabrielle Wong-Parodi, now faculty at Stanford University, and Stephen Wilson of the University of Queensland, Australia.

The authors note that nuclear energy, despite being believed to be safe by many technical experts, has faced stiff public opposition. This has driven up costs and has led investors to avoid new nuclear plant construction in the U.S. Yet energy system models that employ least-cost optimization keep deploying nuclear energy, assuming that the least-cost pathways would also be the most socially acceptable.

Failure to understand that our energy system is a complex socio-technical system, defined by interactions between humans and technology, is common. The same can be said of our transportation and agricultural systems. To realistically model the role that technologies might play in the energy transition, the team had to look beyond the least-cost approach of conventional energy modeling and integrate the social scienceshuman behavior and perception being key to technology adoption. As Cotterman stated, "Energy system optimization and socio-technical analyses have traditionally been evaluated separately. Our work offers an initial approach to linking these approaches and developing more realistic decarbonization pathways."

The authors modeled several energy transition scenarios. In each case, they compared the share of energy derived from each technology with and without social acceptance as a constraint. In a decarbonization scenario that does not consider public acceptance, nuclear energy would make up 73% of total energy generation, with renewables contributing most of the rest, and costs would increase by 9%. However, factor in social acceptance and nuclear energy's share drops to just 3%, requiring about 97% of our energy to come from renewables in order to reach full decarbonization, and costs increase by 11%.

Policy and energy decision makers need to make greater effort to "integrate public attitudes to energy technologies in large-scale modeling efforts," Abdulla said. "They should also seek to understand the underlying roots of public opposition and resolve them. There is no point modeling an energy transition that is 'least-cost' on paper, but difficult or costlier to implement in practice."

Having shown the crucial role public acceptance plays in actually implementing energy technologies, Cotterman and his co-authors argued that public policy and the energy sector in general must begin to orient toward the public's concerns, rather than omitting them from a situation in which they have a considerable impact.

There are many strategies to address public concerns. One involves confronting misconceptions, especially at their early stages. More important is to build trust by talking to and involving local communities in the planning process. Proper strategizing also means being flexible as analysts understand that some low-carbon technologies simply can't be deployed in certain locations or regions.

Approaches like these constitute a powerful new tool for planning our energy future, though this school of thought still has yet to permeate the industry. Cotterman, Small, Abdulla and colleagues have shown the extent to which social acceptance matters, and that the only way forward is to build energy pathways that are not just techno-economically viable, but also socially acceptable. CMU has long been a leader in the development of theory and applications involving human-technical systems, and this research will likely motivate further advances in this critical topic both here and elsewhere.

More information: Turner Cotterman et al, Applying risk tolerance and socio-technical dynamics for more realistic energy transition pathways, Applied Energy (2021). Turner Cotterman et al, Applying risk tolerance and socio-technical dynamics for more realistic energy transition pathways,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.116751
European Commissioner for Values and Transparency Vera Jourova addresses a media conference on the guidance for strengthening the code of practice on disinformation at EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Credit: Johanna Geron, Pool via AP

European Union officials unveiled plans Wednesday to beef up the bloc's code of practice on online disinformation, with the aim of preventing digital ad companies from profiting off of "fake news."

EU officials said they were strengthening the three-year-old voluntary code to make it more effective at fighting the false information flooding tech platforms.

"We want to cut the systemic producers of disinformation off the money," Vera Jourova, a vice president of the European Commission whose brief includes rule of law issues and disinformation, said in Brussels during a media briefing. "Disinformation still is something that sells well, so we want to also engage the advertising industry not to place ads next to disinformation."

The EU plan includes encouraging digital ad companies to sign up to the code. It calls for digital platforms and ad companies to share information on advertisements that any of them reject for promoting disinformation. It also calls for better ad transparency and banning people or groups systematically spreading debunked content.

Google, Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, TikTok and Mozilla are among the tech and social media platforms that so far have signed on to the code of practice, which the EU's executive commission launched in 2018 to counter the rise of online manipulation and disinformation ahead of European Parliament elections the following year.

European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton addresses a media conference on the guidance for strengthening the code of practice on disinformation at EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Credit: Johanna Geron, Pool via AP

European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton addresses a media conference on the guidance for strengthening the code of practice on disinformation at EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Credit: Johanna Geron, Pool via AP

Explore further EU wants more from Big Tech against disinformation

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
The key to using radar to track objects on the other side of a wall is having a very sensitive antenna that can pick up the greatly diminished reflected radio waves. Credit: Abdel-Kareem Moadi, CC BY-ND

Within seconds after reaching a city, earthquakes can cause immense destruction: Houses crumble, high-rises turn to rubble, people and animals are buried in the debris.

In the immediate aftermath of such carnage, emergency personnel desperately search for any sign of life in what used to be a home or office. Often, however, they find that they were digging in the wrong pile of rubble, and precious time has passed.

Imagine if rescuers could see through the debris to spot survivors under the rubble, measure their vital signs and even generate images of the victims. This is rapidly becoming possible using see-through-wall radar technology. Early versions of the technology that indicate whether a person is present in a room have been in use for several years, and some can measure vital signs albeit under better conditions than through rubble.

I'm an electrical engineer who researches electromagnetic communication and imaging systems. I and others are using fast computers, new algorithms and radar transceivers that collect large amounts of data to enable something much closer to the X-ray vision of science fiction and comic books. This emerging technology will make it possible to determine how many occupants are present behind a wall or barrier, where they are, what items they might be carrying and, in policing or military uses, even what type of body armor they might be wearing.

These see-through-wall radars will also be able to track individuals' movements, and heart and respiration rates. The technology could also be used to determine from a distance the entire layout of a building, down to the location of pipes and wires within the walls, and detect hidden weapons and booby traps.

See-through-wall technology has been under development since the Cold War as a way to replace drilling holes through walls for spying. There are a few commercial products on the market today, like Range-R radar, that are used by law enforcement officers to track motion behind walls.

How radar works

Radar stands for radio detection and ranging. Using radio waves, a radar sends a signal that travels at the speed of light. If the signal hits an object like a plane, for example, it is reflected back toward a receiver and an echo is seen in the radar's screen after a certain time delay. This echo can then be used to estimate the location of the object.

In 1842, Christian Doppler, an Austrian physicist, described a phenomenon now known as the Doppler effect or Doppler shift, where the change in frequency of a signal is related to the speed and direction of the source of the signal. In Doppler's original case, this was the light from a binary star system. This is similar to the changing pitch of a siren as an emergency vehicle speeds toward you, passes you and then moves away. Doppler radar uses this effect to compare the frequencies of the transmitted and reflected signals to determine the direction and speed of moving objects, like thunderstorms and speeding cars.

The Doppler effect can be used to detect tiny motions, including heartbeats and chest movement associated with breathing. In these examples, the Doppler radar sends a signal to a human body, and the reflected signal differs based on whether the person is inhaling or exhaling, or even based on the person's heart rate. This allows the technology to accurately measure these vital signs.

This laboratory wall-penetrating radar provides more detail than todays commercial systems. Credit: Aly Fathy

How radar can go through walls

Like cellphones, radars use electromagnetic waves. When a wave hits solid walls like drywall or wood walls, a fraction of it is reflected off the surface. But the rest travels through the wall, especially at relatively low radio frequencies. The transmitted wave can be totally reflected back if it hits a metal object or even a human, because the human body's high water content makes it highly reflective.

If the radar's receiver is sensitive enougha lot more sensitive than ordinary radar receiversit can pick up the signals that are reflected back through the wall. Using well-established signal processing techniques, the reflections from static objects like walls and furniture can be filtered out, allowing the signal of interestlike a person's locationto be isolated.

Turning data into images

Historically, radar technology has been limited in its ability to aid in disaster management and law enforcement because it hasn't had sufficient computational power or speed to filter out background noise from complicated environments like foliage or rubble and produce live images.

Today, however, radar sensors can often collect and process large amounts of dataeven in harsh environmentsand generate high-resolution images of targets. By using sophisticated algorithms, they can display the data in near real-time. This requires fast computer processors to rapidly handle these large amounts of data, and wideband circuits that can rapidly transmit data to improve the images' resolution.

Recent developments in millimeter wave wireless technology, from 5G to 5G+ and beyond, are likely to help further improve this technology, providing higher-resolution images through order-of-magnitude wider bandwidth. The wireless technology will also speed data processing times because it greatly reduces latency, the time between transmitting and receiving data.

My laboratory is developing fast methods to remotely characterize the electrical characteristics of walls, which help in calibrating the radar waves and optimize the antennas to make the waves more easily pass through the wall and essentially make the wall transparent to the waves. We are also developing the software and hardware system to carry out the radar systems' big data analyses in near real-time.

Better electronics promise portable radars

Radar systems at the low frequencies usually required to see through walls are bulky due to the large size of the antenna. The wavelength of electromagnetic signals corresponds to the size of the antenna. Scientists have been pushing see-through-wall radar technology to higher frequencies in order to build smaller and more portable systems.

In addition to providing a tool for emergency services, law enforcement and the military, the technology could also be used to monitor the elderly and read vital signs of patients with infectious diseases like COVID-19 from outside a hospital room.

One indication of see-through-wall radar's potential is the U.S. Army's interest. They're looking for technology that can create three-dimensional maps of buildings and their occupants in almost real-time. They are even looking for see-through-wall radar that can create images of people's faces that are accurate enough for facial recognition systems to identify the people behind the wall.

Whether or not researchers can develop see-through-wall radar that's sensitive enough to distinguish people by their faces, the technology is likely to move well beyond blobs on a screen to give first responders something like superhuman powers.

Explore further Smarter traffic signs ahead?

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
University of Houston Professor Jakoah Brgoch watches graduate research assistant Shruti Hariyani adjust a phosphor sample for the labs radio frequency furnace. Credit: University of Houston

LED lightbulbs offer considerable advantages over other types of lighting. Being more efficient, they require much less electricity to operate. They do not give off unwanted heat the way old-school incandescent bulbs do, and the best of them long outlast even fluorescent lightbulbs.

But LEDs are not problem-free. Questions linger over suspected links between health concerns such as fatigue, mood disorders, and insomnia from overexposure to the blue-tinted light produced by today's standard LED bulbs. Plus, higher prices can prompt lightbulb shoppers to weigh other options.

A University of Houston research team led by Jakoah Brgoch, associate professor of chemistry in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and principal investigator in the Texas Center for Superconductivity, is developing an LED bulb that emits most of its energy from the safer violet segment of the visible light spectrum. Instead of just masking the blue light, they are developing a unique class of luminescent materials called phosphors that absorb a violet LED's single-color emission and convert the light to cover the majority of the visible spectrum.

"Our group is creating phosphors that operate, not with the conventional blue LED chip that nearly every LED light bulb uses today, but with a violet LED chip. This basically moves away from blue to violet as the base source and then converts the violet LED light into the broad-spectrum white light that we see," Brgoch explained. "Our ultimate goal is for this new violet-based bulb to be as energy efficient as possible and also cheap, eventually making new lighting technology marketable to consumers."

Results of their research were recently published in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces.

At this point, you might be looking at your favorite lamp's standard LED bulb and finding its white light to be just fine. But technically speaking, there actually is no such thing as pure white light.

Hold a prism up to that bulb, and you'll see its light separated into wavelengths that show a beautiful array of color bands ranging from violet to red; this is what scientists call the visible spectrum of light. (If your prism isn't handy, then imagine having your own tiny rainbow. It would look much the same.)

Your lamp light looks white because your eyes and brain work together to blend human perception of those separate bands of color into a white light that may at this moment be illuminating the words you read. Different types of lightbulbs emphasize different parts of the visible spectrum of light.

Engineers at lighting companies manipulate the balance to create a specific ambiance. A little more red yields a warm, mellow white light that is nice in a living room, while cool blue tones give off crisp white light better for office lighting. But outside the laboratory, the LEDs' tendency toward blue has been hard to avoid.

"Sometimes you recognize itthose are the cheapest LED lightbulbs. And then sometimes it looks like a nice warm white light. But even in the most expensive lightbulbs, if it's based on a blue LED, there is still a significant component of blue light sneaking through," the professor explained.

Lately scientists have been focusing on how light frequencies affect health.

"With the advent of LED lighting, companies have started trying to understand how humans interact with light and, more importantly, how light interacts with humans," Brgoch said. "As you sit in your office, the blue hues in your light are a great thing because they help you stay alert. But that same light at night might keep you awake. This is the balance you have to strike. It's about following a natural circadian cycle without disruption."

Sleep studies reveal that nighttime overexposure to blue frequencies can alter hormones like melatonin, sometimes leading to insomnia, disturbed sleep cycles, and other problems. Too much blue-light exposure also is suspected in cataract formation. Interestingly, urban dwellers living amid LED-based street lights, traffic lights, and lighted commercial signs are exposed to more day-and-night LED exposure than suburbanites.

"That's not to say we should just remove all the blue light from your lightbulbs. You need some of the blue spectrum. It's not about eliminating the blue, it's about keeping it to a reasonable level. That's what we're seeking with our work," said graduate research assistant Shruti Hariyani, an author of the paper.

Back in the lab, Brgoch and his team are focused on identifying phosphors and discovering which are most feasible, in energy efficiency and economy, to advance to prototype bulbs. "We look at finding new materials as a way to also help reduce the cost of these lights. Whenever you have more materials available, patent licensing costs go down and that makes the bulbs cheaper. So that's one of our driving forces," Brgoch said.

In the quest for what Hariyani calls a human-friendly light, the research team is busy testing those potential materials.

"Hearing myself say, 'this is different, this is new' when we find the right phosphor that can pair with violetI guess that is my Eureka moment," she said.

For research not directly tied to the LED project, Brgoch and Hariyani recently were honored with the 2021 Chemistry of Materials Lectureship and Best Paper Award. The award, from the American Chemical Society Division of Inorganic Chemistry, recognizes outstanding influence across the field of materials chemistry and recognition of research as a team endeavor.

Explore further Reducing blue light with a new type of LED that won't keep you up all night

More information: Shruti Hariyani et al, Advancing Human-Centric LED Lighting Using Na2MgPO4F:Eu2+, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2021). Journal information: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces Shruti Hariyani et al, Advancing Human-Centric LED Lighting Using Na2MgPO4F:Eu2+,(2021). DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c00909
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

US ride-hailing giant Uber announced Wednesday a "historic" pact with a British trade union to represent its 70,000 drivers in the UK, after a court ruling granted them workers' rights.

The GMB union said the collective bargaining agreement "shows gig economy companies don't have to be a wild west on the untamed frontier of employment rights".

"When tech private hire companies and unions work together like this, everyone benefitsbringing dignified, secure employment back to the world of work," GMB official Mick Rix said in a statement.

"We now call on all other operators to follow suit."

Uber conferred official recognition on the unionwhich counts 620,000 members across various industriesin the wake of a ruling by Britain's Supreme Court in February.

A month later, Uber complied by granting its British drivers worker status with benefits including a minimum wage and paid leave.

It represented a sea change in the business model of a company that had argued before courts in Britain and elsewhere that its drivers are self-employed freelancers, and which has resisted similar reforms in California.

"Whilst Uber and GMB may not seem like obvious allies, we've always agreed that drivers must come first, and today we have struck this important deal to improve workers' protections," Uber Europe executive Jamie Heywood said.

Noting the company's prior commitments on UK benefits, he said "this historic agreement means that Uber will be the first in the industry to ensure that its drivers also have full union representation".

Uber said it would support drivers in Britain if they choose to sign up as GMB members, and union representatives will be given access to company support sites to encourage membership drives.

California 'scare tactics'

The changes in Britain have come as Uber has faced sliding driver bookings owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, despite strong demand for its Uber Eats food delivery service during national lockdowns.

But despite the higher business costs flowing from the court ruling, Uber says it does not expect the changes to affect its net income this year.

"The future of work is too big of an issue for a one-size-fits-all solution, and that's OK," Uber chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi wrote in London's Evening Standard newspaper in March.

Khosrowshahi has previously argued for a "third way" to classify gig workers, rather than as employees or independent contractors.

The British Supreme Court ruling came soon after California's top court upheld a referendum that let "gig workers" like Uber drivers be treated as freelance contractors.

Proposition 22passed in November and heavily backed by Uber, Lyft and other app-based delivery serviceseffectively overturned a state law requiring them to reclassify their drivers and provide employee benefits.

But US labour groups such as the Services Employees International Union have pressed on with their campaigns. The SEIU has said Uber's decision to grant worker status to British drivers debunked the "scare tactics" of rideshare companies in California.

In a first for the European Union, Spain's government in March announced a deal that will recognise riders working for food delivery firms such as Deliveroo and Uber Eats as salaried staff following complaints about their working conditions.

In Italy, prosecutors have told Uber Eats and other food delivery platforms their couriers are employees and not independent workers, fining them 733 million euros for breach of labour safety rules.

Explore further Uber grants UK drivers worker status in world first

 2021 AFP
Facebook subsidiary WhatsApp told AFP it had filed a case in the Delhi High Court.

WhatsApp has launched legal action to stop India enforcing new social media rules effective Wednesday that the tech firm says will break its privacy guarantees.

The regulations come amid growing tensions between the government and social media giants, with police investigating a move by Twitter to brand a tweet by a spokesperson for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party as "manipulative".

The new rules demand that social media companies give details of the "first originator" of posts deemed to undermine India's sovereignty, state security or public order.

They also require platforms to take down posts depicting nudity or manipulated photos within 24 hours of receiving a complaint.

Facebook-owned WhatsApp is alarmed at the bid to trace messages as well a threat of criminal action if it fails to comply.

Its case, filed to the Delhi High Court and obtained by AFP, said the government campaign "infringes upon the fundamental rights to privacy and free speech of the hundreds of millions of citizens using WhatsApp" in India.

"Citizens will not speak freely for fear that their private communications will be traced and used against them," it added.

A first hearing could be held this week. WhatsApp, which claims 500 million users in India, calls upon the court to declare the rules unconstitutional.

The company has said it will still cooperate with "valid legal requests" for information from authorities.

Facebook and Google have said they are working towards complying with the guidelines though they have sought talks with the authorities.

Indian business groups have also called on the government to delay implementation of the rules, which authorities say are necessary to make social media companies more accountable and to stop the spread of "fake news".

Privacy 'restrictions'

The government said in response that privacy is a "fundamental right" but was subject to "reasonable restrictions".

"Any operations being run in India are subject to the law of the land. WhatsApp's refusal to comply with the guidelines is a clear act of defiance of a measure whose intent can certainly not be doubted," the IT ministry said in a statement.

It added that the regulations were meant to prevent, investigate or punish serious offences relating to India's sovereignty and integrity, national security, rape, sexually explicit material or child sexual abuse material.

"It is in the public interest that who started the mischief leading to such crime must be detected and punished," the ministry added.

In a separate letter to social media companies, the ministry also asked for proof that they were observing the new rules, including the contact details of compliance officers.

Authorities have been accused of seeking to crack down on criticism.

Police this week visited Twitter's New Delhi offices as part of an investigation into the company's move to mark a tweet by a spokesman for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party as "manipulated media".

Sambit Patra had shared a document that purported to be a plan from the opposition Congress party to malign the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Congress said the document was a fake.

The government last month ordered Twitter and Facebook to remove dozens of posts critical of Modi's handling of the coronavirus crisis.

Twitter had earlier agreed to a government request to ban some accounts criticising new agricultural laws that have sparked six months of protests by disgruntled farmers.

The platform reversed the ban in February, drawing attacks from government MPs.

Pavan Duggal, an expert on India's cyber laws, said the new rules could be "game changing" for the social media industry.

"If the government wants these rules to be taken seriously, the criminal prosecutions are to come," he told AFP.

Explore further India's top court takes up social media content

 2021 AFP
Credit: University of Michigan

Whether it's trying on lipstick or clothing online, using floor plan software to find out how furniture will fit in a new home or ordering a contactless Coke using a cell phone, businesses are continually finding new ways to promote their products and services using extended reality (XR) technology.

Investment in augmented and virtual realitytogether known as mixed or extended realityis expected to mushroom in the coming years: from $10 billion in 2019 to $62 billion in 2027, and from $8 billion in 2020 to $100 billion in 2024, respectively, according to Grand View Research.

So are the opportunities for those advertisers who would use the technology to manipulate, deceive and even cause harm to consumers, say University of Michigan School of Information researchers.

In a study highlighted at the recent Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, the researchers studied the possible ways advertisers could manipulate the public, using scenario construction to investigate potential future manipulative XR advertisements and their harms. They came up with seven scenarios: military games, ugly furniture, fake relatives, political alternate reality, pervasive t-shirts, deodorant crush and hunger pains.

The team identified five key mechanisms of manipulative XR advertising: misleading experience marketing; inducing artificial emotions; sensing and targeting people when they are vulnerable; emotional manipulation through hyper-personalization (ads made just for the individual); and distortion of reality.

"There are many ways this can manifest," said lead author Abraham Mhaidli, a doctoral student at the U-M School of Information. "One way could be distorting a consumer's sense of reality by overlaying graphics on someone's AR glasses to change what they are seeing. For example, a political ad may try to paint a picture of a booming economy and release ads on AR glasses that subtly overlay graphics which hide or erase evidence of poverty.

"Another possible danger is misleading experience marketing, which occurs when companies present 'previews' of products through XR technologies that are seemingly realistic and with users being unable to tell that the virtual product has been doctored."

XR advertising is not inherently detrimental to people, but there remains a need to be vigilant for bad actors seeking to use XR technologies to harm consumers, the researchers say.

"A key aspect here is that augmented and extended reality technologies are inherently designed to alter reality, and this potential could be exploited to deceive and manipulate consumers," said co-author Florian Schaub, assistant professor of information. "In contrast, advertising in other media might also be tailored to you or masquerade as contentthink infomercials, sponsored articles in news media/magazines, product placement in moviesbut they do not inherently change what you perceive as reality."

The scenario construction was a two-step process with the researchers first becoming well versed in XR devices, XR advertising and manipulative advertising, so that they could create realistic exercises.

From this, they produced a series of prompts to guide creation of the scenarios, asking questions like: Could a certain manipulative advertising technique be replicated in XR? How could an already-existing XR advertising technique be used by bad actors?

They then created scenarios and use-cases that demonstrate how future XR manipulative techniques might manifest.

Mhaidli and Schaub say most of the harms they examined are not yet reality because XR technology is still limited: XR devices aren't sophisticated enough yet to create political ads that give a different photorealistic perspective to individuals based on preconceived beliefs, or that can reliably sense a person's hunger pangs or a young man's physiological response to his crush, in order to target fast food and deodorant their direction.

"When manipulative XR ads do come, I would say that being aware of the risks is a good step towards resisting possible manipulation," Mhaidli said.

They say more research is needed to better understand the impact that immersive XR advertising has on consumers. Time also needs to be taken to develop and evaluate a privacy framework, understand acceptable data practices for XR advertising, and develop interventions to increase XR ad literacy among consumers.

"I think we need a broader public debate and policy discussion about what kinds of manipulation of people's reality are acceptable and whether and how XR experiences should come with disclosures about how they affect reality (similar to food nutrition labels or warnings on cigarette packs)," Schaub said.

Explore further Apple reportedly working on VR headset as part of augmented reality ambitions

More information: Abraham Hani Mhaidli et al, Identifying Manipulative Advertising Techniques in XR Through Scenario Construction, Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (2021). Abraham Hani Mhaidli et al, Identifying Manipulative Advertising Techniques in XR Through Scenario Construction,(2021). DOI: 10.1145/3411764.3445253
Seller's Market: Why You Need a Realtor on Your Side



Many real estate agents will not work with FSBO properties because of too many unknown factors, meaning that even though your house is for sale, buyers working with an agent may likely not ever be shown your home. Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - With real estate markets booming, it is tempting for some sellers to question "do I really need a real estate agent?" and to consider listing a property as "for sale by owner" (FSBO).



In a seller's market, it may seem like there is less reason to have a Realtor, but we have three compelling reasons why you want an experienced, professional real estate agent on your side.



1. Nothing gets your home sold like the marketing exposure that a professional real estate agent brings to your property though the MLS, print media, digital media and other methods. More importantly, many agents will not work with FSBO properties because of too many unknown factors, meaning that even though your house is for sale, buyers working with an agent may likely not ever be shown your home.



2. Being a Realtor is a full-time job and not one that sticks to office hours. A professional agent will spend between 20 and 200 hours selling an average home and studies suggest that a first time FSBO property will take double that amount of time and, according to a 2017 report, sell for significantly less money than comparable properties. Furthermore, you need to be available to answer calls, emails and be available for showings on the timeline that works for potential buyers.



3. An experienced Realtor will protect your best interests throughout the entire sale, ensuring that your sale is correctly contracted, documented and registered to avoid costly legal complications in the future.



While those are key reasons, perhaps the best reason to use a real estate professional is for their objectivity. A home is a very personal item to which homeowners have close emotional ties. A professional agent will help you see your home through the eyes of potential buyers, to be sure it sells quickly, easily and for a price that you're happy with.



Click HERE for more Puerto Vallarta real estate and lifestyle tips from Tropicasa Realty.



Since 1997, Wayne Franklin and his team at Tropicasa Realty have been a trusted name in Puerto Vallarta real estate. Tropicasa Realty is the region's representative for "The Leading Agents of the World" and with over 100 years of combined experience in real estate, all agents of the company are affiliated with AMPI. Wayne Franklin or any member of his knowledgeable team can be contacted in-person at their Romantic Zone Office - Pulpito 145-A at Olas Altas. While in PV they can be reached at (322) 222-6505 or by calling 866-978-5539 (Toll-Free) from the U.S.



- With real estate markets booming, it is tempting for some sellers to question "do I really need a real estate agent?" and to consider listing a property as "for sale by owner" (FSBO).In a seller's market, it may seem like there is less reason to have a Realtor, but we have three compelling reasons why you want an experienced, professional real estate agent on your side.Nothing gets your home sold like the marketing exposure that a professional real estate agent brings to your property though the MLS, print media, digital media and other methods. More importantly, many agents will not work with FSBO properties because of too many unknown factors, meaning that even though your house is for sale, buyers working with an agent may likely not ever be shown your home.Being a Realtor is a full-time job and not one that sticks to office hours. A professional agent will spend between 20 and 200 hours selling an average home and studies suggest that a first time FSBO property will take double that amount of time and, according to a 2017 report, sell for significantly less money than comparable properties. Furthermore, you need to be available to answer calls, emails and be available for showings on the timeline that works for potential buyers.An experienced Realtor will protect your best interests throughout the entire sale, ensuring that your sale is correctly contracted, documented and registered to avoid costly legal complications in the future.While those are key reasons, perhaps the best reason to use a real estate professional is for their objectivity. A home is a very personal item to which homeowners have close emotional ties. A professional agent will help you see your home through the eyes of potential buyers, to be sure it sells quickly, easily and for a price that you're happy with.Since 1997, Wayne Franklin and his team at Tropicasa Realty have been a trusted name in Puerto Vallarta real estate. Tropicasa Realty is the region's representative for "The Leading Agents of the World" and with over 100 years of combined experience in real estate, all agents of the company are affiliated with AMPI. Wayne Franklin or any member of his knowledgeable team can be contacted in-person at their Romantic Zone Office - Pulpito 145-A at Olas Altas. While in PV they can be reached at (322) 222-6505 or by calling 866-978-5539 (Toll-Free) from the U.S. Click HERE to learn more about Tropicasa Realty , or visit tropicasa.com.
South Hills (15301)

Today

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable.
The Local at Lake Walk, 4 to 7 p.m., Lake Walk Town Center. A neighborhood artisan market with regional farmers, vendors, food trucks and music.

EXHIBITS

Live to Build a Better World, through June 30 at the Cushing Memorial Library and Archives on the Texas A&M University campus. The exhibit features items found in the librarys science fiction and fantasy research collection and demonstrates how the theme of dramatic environmental changes shapes narratives in the genre of science fiction. The exhibit is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

Art from the Soul, through July 17 at the Arts Council of Brazos Valley, 4180 Texas 6 in College Station. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Birds: Masters of Adaptation, through Oct. 23 at the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History in Bryan. The exhibit includes specimens, artifacts and photos exploring the diversity of birds. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults.
Jesus never talked down to a woman, said Terry. He entrusted a woman when he had risen from the dead to go and tell his disciples he was risen.

People can pull snippets out of the bible, but they cannot pull one from Jesus that would support the proposition that a woman is second-class.

Terry also said she was concerned about the future of the country.

Were in a tough place, Terry said. I dont know about you, but Im terribly concerned, even frightened, about our holding on to democracy in this country.

Their are two choices: Democracy where everyone is equal or totalitarian.

Terry spoke for almost an hour and when she had finished she said if her words were only found to be interesting, then time had been wasted by both her and the audience.

Im here to encourage you to step-up if theres a seat open on the school board, said Terry. Women do not gravitate toward power ... and will often say I just dont feel qualified.

Women are instinctively insecure, but that does not mean they are unqualified.

Bill Wyatt is a reporter for the Martinsville Bulletin. He can be reached at 276-638-8801, Ext. 236. Follow him @billdwyatt.
On April 29, to a church audience in Chesterfield County, Youngkin attacked Gov. Ralph Northams clumsy, cringeworthy description in a 2019 radio interview in Washington of so-called late-term abortions and legislation allowing them: I am pro-life ... And so together, we will stand up for the unborn, because it we dont, who will?

On May 10, as the newly minted nominee, Youngkin  sticking with a sufficiently vague talking point that might be music to the ears of anti-abortion voters, told a rally in Richmond, We will protect the life of every Virginia child, born and unborn.

On Wednesday, appearing on a Norfolk radio station, Youngkin filled in the blanks  a bit  to calm those suburban voters, many of them women, for whom access to abortion rights is an article of faith. He declared himself open to abortion in the three instances in which Republicans sometimes get a pass.

Im pro-life, and I believe that there should be exceptions for rape, incest and when the life of the mother is at risk, said Youngkin, who went on to criticize Democrats for reversing a policy, put in place by Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell, banning public dollars to pay for abortion.
The Nebraska State Patrol arrested a man near Aurora on Friday afternoon on drug charges and two men near Wood River Saturday on drug and weapons charges.

Robert Jones, 37, of Denver, was arrested Friday when troopers found him allegedly in possession of 181 pounds of marijuana.

Jones was driving east on Interstate 80 in a Ford Expedition. At about 4 p.m. Friday, a driver observed the Expedition following another vehicle too closely at mile marker 329 near Aurora. During the traffic stop, a canine from the Merrick County Sheriffs Department detected the odor of a controlled substance inside the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle revealed 181 pounds of marijuana in large bags in the cargo area of the vehicle, according to the State Patrol. Jones was arrested and lodged at Hamilton County Jail for possession of more than one pound of marijuana and possession with intent to deliver.
Tawana Grover, superintendent of Grand Island Public Schools, is among five finalists in the running to become superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools in Kentucky.

Grover has been with GIPS since 2016. During her tenure, she has had a hand in the establishment of GIPSs learning academies, guided the district through the coronavirus pandemic and helped build the districts strategic plan: On Track to Thrive 2025.

GIPS student body consists of more than 10,000 students at three preschool sites, 14 elementary schools, three middle schools, an alternative middle school, an alternative high school, Grand Island Senior High and the schools career-related academies.

In a statement, Grover said:

At Grand Island Public Schools, we are doing extraordinary work to provide world-class experiences for our students. To be named a finalist in this national search truly is a testament to the remarkable performance of GIPS students, staff, and of course, our phenomenal Board of Education.
The bill introduced by Rep. Chad Ingels in Iowa will establish the Butchery Innovation and Revitalization Fund and Program to provide assistance to new and existing small meat lockers in the form of grants, low-interest loans and forgivable loans to help them grow. Additionally, a task force to explore the feasibility of establishing a community college artisanal butchery program would be established. The bill is designed to complement the Meat Processing Expansion and Development Program that ended in 2020.

Hladik thanked Brandt and Ingels for leading the effort to address backlogs that began in 2020 when outbreaks of COVID-19 impeded work at many regional packing plants.

When those plants paused, large-scale beef and pork producers turned to local processors to fill the void, he said.

Hladik said this created a debilitating bottleneck at local meat lockers.

Lawmakers have cleared the way to bring needed solutions for producers, local small business owners and consumers of quality beef and pork, he said.

Brandts bill allows the acquisition of meat through an animal share  an ownership interest in an animal or herd of animals created by a written contract between a consumer and a farmer or rancher  under certain conditions.
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, for treatment of his schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Officials said they were called to investigate a fight at the center and arrested Sutherland as a result.

Mark Peper, the family's attorney, has previously said that Sutherland's illness was so severe he should never have been held in a nonmedical portion of the jail.

Justice for Jamal will come in many forms, the family said in a statement Wednesday. We are pleased to have negotiated a settlement with the government entities that provides the type of civil justice he deserves, but our work is not yet done.

County councilmembers said Tuesday that they are looking into crafting jail and public safety reforms.

I did promise the family were going to look at new reforms, Pryor said. I think thats all theyre asking for, is to be included and to have some type of reform, because this should never happen to anyone ever again. Ever.
Gov. Pete Ricketts on Tuesday signed a bill to help Gage County pay six people wrongly convicted of a 1985 murder, but said he had concerns over the precedent set by doing so.

The bill (LB103) from Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams would provide $2 million in state funds to Gage County in each of the next two years to pay a $28.1 million federal court judgment awarded to the so-called Beatrice 6.

The six -- Joseph White, Ada JoAnn Taylor, Thomas Winslow, James Dean, Kathleen Gonzalez and Debra Shelden -- spent a combined 75 years in prison for the murder of Helen Wilson, but were later exonerated after DNA evidence showed they were not involved in the crime.

They sued Gage County in 2009 for violating their civil rights, and in 2016, a federal jury awarded the massive judgment totaling more than three times the county's annual budget, forcing county officials to hike property taxes and implement a sales tax.

Dorn brought LB103 this year to expedite payment to the six -- the county has paid roughly half of the judgment so far -- and help reduce the property tax burden on Gage County.

State lawmakers passed the bill on final reading on a 44-3 vote.
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.
Vincent Segretario is an area musician in the Goth-pop duo Wingtips  which has three albums to their credit and a fourth due to be released in September.

"Later on in the 1980s, the Goth style would become more focused as the subculture grew in the underground," Segretario said. "Record labels like 4AD created an outlet for bands like Cocteau Twins, Clan of Xymox and Xmal Deutschland, all of whom harbored the dark and even ethereal tonality of Post-punk continuance."

Being somewhat of an authority on the genre, Segretario spent several years deejaying Goth music in Chicago clubs before returning to Southern Illinois.

"As a musical genre, Goth is an umbrella term that describes a plethora of sub-genres that came out of the Post-punk movement," he said. "The Goth nomenclature serves as an easy grouping for styles like Darkwave, Post-punk and even Industrial at times."

Currently, Segretario hosts Goth Nite, a bimonthly event held at Hangar 9 in Carbondale, where like-minded individuals wearing mostly black clothing can mingle and dance while he spins recorded music from the stage. The next Goth Nite happens to be this evening, Thursday, May 27.
"Make no mistake, George Floyd should be alive today. He deserved a long life. On this difficult day, Im praying for his family and all who loved him. And as I pray, I will also work to bring more justice, equity and opportunity to every community in our state," Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said in an emailed statement Tuesday.

"The injustice of his killing is undeniable. And so is the fact that systemic racism continues to plague Americaincluding in far too many interactions between law enforcement and Black and Brown Americans," Sen. Dick Durbin said in a press statement.

Marcellous Pollards just graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in social work and will return this fall to work on a masters degree in social work. He stood along Illinois 13 with the others. He said he was in the crowd last summer in Carbondale when hundreds filled the streets demanding justice for Floyd and all like him. In fact, he missed a vacation to be there  he said it was more important.

He said the smaller crowd Tuesday wasnt discouraging to him.

Its good regardless, he said of the crowds size.
HAMMOND, Indiana  The discovery late Monday of a body identified as 12-year-old Kyrin Carter brought to a tragic end the more than weeklong search for the boy, who had gone missing from a Hammond hotel.

The boy's body was pulled about 10 p.m. Monday from the Little Calumet River adjacent to a hotel he had been staying at with his family. He was pronounced dead by the Lake County coroner's office around the same time that night.

Hammond police and multiple surrounding agencies, including the Hammond Fire Department, Lake County Sheriff's Department, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police and the Porter County Search and Rescue team, had been searching since the weekend of May 15, when Kyrin was reported missing from the Best Western hotel at 3830 179th St.

Kyrin, who had autism, lived in Missouri and was in Northwest Indiana to visit relatives when he disappeared.

Eric Smith, a Hobart, Indiana, man who police say is the volunteer who first came across Kyrin's body, said he never expected to be the one to make the discovery.

"There were so many people out here  a lot of boots on the ground," Smith said. "They covered this whole area."
SPRINGFIELD  The Illinois Senate on Tuesday passed measures decriminalizing the transmission of HIV and requiring public high schools to teach media literacy.

Both measures have already passed the House and will need only a signature from Gov. JB Pritzker to become law.

House Bill 1063 would eliminate existing criminal statutes that penalize HIV transmission as a Class 2 felony. If Pritzker signs the bill, Illinois would join 11 other states that do not have laws criminalizing the transmission of HIV, including Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

HB 1063 also would repeal existing laws allowing law enforcement or states attorneys to access a persons HIV status. Under current criminal law, a person who transmits HIV to another person can be charged with criminal transmission of HIV.

Current law prohibits the forced disclosure of a persons HIV status but provides exceptions for law enforcement officials or states attorneys to subpoena or petition for the HIV status of criminal defendants.

The Illinois HIV Action Alliance, which lobbied for the bill, praised its passage.
Illinois Democrats, already drawing legislative and congressional maps to solidify their majorities in those bodies, on Tuesday offered a new map of state Supreme Court districts in an effort to ensure the party maintains control of the states highest court.

Illinois Supreme Court districts havent been redrawn since 1963. But changing demographics and shifting regional politics, as well as the ouster of a Democratic justice by voters last year, has Democrats fearing that their advantage on the court could evaporate in next years election.

Democrats tried to make the point that they were merely updating the boundary lines to reflect a half century of change in the state.

The boundaries for Illinois Supreme Court districts have not been updated for several decades, its time we make changes in recognition of the population changes and demographic shifts that have taken place since the 1960s, said state Sen. Omar Aquino, the Chicago Democrat who chairs the state Senate Redistricting Committee.

Illinois is a very different state than it was 60 years ago, and the voters of Illinois deserve to elect members to our states highest court that reflect their values, he said.
SPRINGFIELD  The Illinois Senate passed two bills Tuesday that would advise state universities and colleges, as well as homeless shelters, to provide menstrual hygiene products in their bathrooms at no cost to users.

Both bill sponsors cited period poverty, or the issue of not being able to afford products such as pads, tampons or liners to manage menstrual bleeding, as motivation for their legislation.

Women are reusing old sanitary napkins. Theyre using cardboard, theyre using newspapers, theyre using bundled tissue to satisfy that basic need they have which sets up infection, emotional issues as well, Sen. Christopher Belt, D-Swansea, said during floor debate.

Belt is the Senate sponsor of House Bill 310, which would require all shelters that provide temporary housing assistance to women and youth to make available products such as sanitary napkins, tampons and panty liners.

The bill does not include enforcement or penalties to homeless shelters that do not provide the menstrual hygiene products because the obligation of the requirement is subject to the availability of funds in the shelters general budget.

It boils down to humanity and dignity of people and having access to have their basic hygiene level met, Belt said.
Opponents of the standards pointed to language calling on teachers and school leaders to approach their work affirming the validity of students backgrounds and identities, and that they should assess how their biases and perceptions affect their teaching practice and how they access tools to mitigate their own behavior (racism, sexism, homophobia, unearned privilege, Eurocentrism, etc.).

Schools of education wont begin implementing those new standards until 2025. But the issue came up Tuesday during discussion of a bill dealing with mentoring programs for new teachers and principals.

Senate Bill 814 would make a number of changes and updates to those programs, including a requirement that the content of those programs align with the Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning Standards. If enacted into law, that bill would take effect immediately.

Rivera said he had no problems with the underlying mentoring programs or any other part of the bill. He said his only opposition was to the provisions requiring those programs be aligned with the new teaching and leadership standards.

He also said it wasnt his groups intent to proceed with the lawsuit until those standards go into effect in 2025.
The state played more videos of Gee and the SUV. A Hammond police officer with the FBI's Gang Response Investigative Task Force testified about Ronald Gee's cellphone location data.

Robin Gee testified Ronald Gee was upset with her the day before the fire, because it was his weekend to watch their children and she decided not to return to the home they shared in Chicago the night of April 13, 2018.

She had filed for divorce from Ronald Gee and was dating Poole's son Michael Young, she said.

Robin Gee said Ronald Gee threatened to take her children away from her and she said, "Over my dead body." Ronald Gee replied, "That can be arranged," she said.

In response to questions from defense attorney Kerry Connor, Ronald Gee testified he and his estranged wife had no agreements about who would watch the children, other than to "work around each other as much as possible" because "money was always a problem."

He admitted he had filed reports with Chicago police alleging Michael Young and Robin Gee had threatened him. He also said he called the Illinois Department of Family and Child Services to report himself because he discovered  in Robin Gee's absence  his kitchen was full of rat and mouse droppings.
To the Editor:

I'm writing this letter on behalf of my grandmother, who lives in Anna. The Stinson Memorial Library board will hold a meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, May 24, when they'll decide whether to fully reopen to the public.

I speak for my 87-year-old grandma when I say the library is an essential resource, especially for elderly residents, and I hope the library will reopen. While curbside pickup has been an excellent resource during COVID for those of us with internet access or who know what we want to read, it's not sufficient for elderly customers such as my grandma. She needs to browse. She can't exactly Google "new releases for old grannies." Nor does she want recommendations. She wants to see the books and pick them out on her own. As someone living on a fixed income, she cannot afford to buy new books from the store.

She also cares for my 89-year-old grandfather who has advanced dementia. Going to the library when their in-home caretaker is there is one of the few liberties and pleasures she enjoys. We've all sacrificed during the pandemic, but as far as I know, we haven't stopped paying our taxes. I live in St. Louis, and the libraries have been open with precautions for months. COVID transmission in Union County is the lowest it has been in months.
The only reason Roof shirked his trial team to represent himself, appellate attorney Alexandra Yates argued Tuesday, was because the trial judge gave him a choice: either keep his attorneys and allow in mental health evidence, or get rid of them and keep it out.

"A defendant need not forgo the assistance of experienced attorneys, in order to remain master of his own defense, with the right to choose the objective of that defense," Yates said.

U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel held two competency hearings: one before the start of Roof's trial, and one before sentencing, to determine if Roof could act as his own attorney for that trial portion.

By excluding from that second hearing experts who would have argued against Roof's competency, appellate attorney Sapna Mirchandani said Tuesday, the trial court "blinded itself" from whether or not Roof acted out of prejudice, or as a result of his mental illness.

In the second hearing, Ann O'Connell Adams of the U.S. Department of Justice argued, Gergel noted that he had reviewed prior evaluation of Roof, who she said acknowledged that his white supremacy rescue plan probably wouldn't happen.
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP)  Slovakia on Wednesday became the second European Union country to authorize use of the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine, which has not yet been approved by the bloc's drug regulator.

The Slovak government asked Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky  who has expressed reservations about the Russian COVID-19 vaccine  to make it available by June 7. Slovakia has 200,000 doses of Sputnik V in stock but had not allowed its use until now.

Hungary is the only other EU nation to use Sputnik V, which has not been authorized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

A secret deal for Slovakia to purchase 2 million Sputnik V shots orchestrated by then-Prime Minister Igor Matovic triggered a political crisis in March that resulted in the Slovak governments collapse.

Use of the vaccine still remains controversial.

Lengvarsky had said Tuesday that he would prefer Sputnik V to be first authorized by the EMA before it is administered in his country.

He answered no on Wednesday when asked whether he was ready to get a shot of Sputnik V or would recommend it to his relatives.
And of course there was the fact that Trump had floated the lab theory. Before a liberal will answer any question, he needs to know:

1. Has Trump ever offered an opinion on this?

2. What is the 180-degree opposite position?

Wade claims to have no preference for one theory over another -- he's just laying out the facts! But it's pretty clear that he is coming down on the side of the lab theory.

He doesn't mention that 27 of the original 41 Chinese people who contracted COVID-19 had been to the Wuhan wet market, known the world over for its delectable porcupine anus and snake innards. Several other carriers were family members of those infected there. By contrast, no one from the Wuhan lab appears to have been infected.

No, Wade's argument is a purely scientific one. Not my bailiwick. But I can see when experts disagree, and, oh my gosh, do they disagree!

One of Wade's main points is that COVID-19 is the only coronavirus with a furin cleavage site. (You don't need to know what it is -- substitute the words "chocolate bunny.") "So," Wade concludes, "it's hard to explain how the [COVID] virus picked up its furin cleavage site naturally."
When I was very young, I asked my mom whether Santa Claus was real. She said yes. Later I learned Santa is not real, and I cried my eyes out because my mom had lied to me. That was the beginning of my search for truth. Until that moment, I had pretty much believed everything I heard and saw.

In America, news media are controlled by five multinational corporations. Imagine the power of controlling what people hear and see. Power corrupts. Do these conglomerates have agendas? Sure. And, they spin narratives that support their agendas. Thats the news today.

Have you followed the crisis on our southern border? According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the number of encounters in March swelled to 173,348. ABC, CBS, and NBC evening newscasts devoted 113 minutes to the story. In April the number of encounters rose to 178,622, but the broadcast giants cut coverage by 61% to 44 minutes.

Only a third of the stories mentioned that the surge had anything to do with President Joe Biden. And, the networks toed the rhetorical line that Biden was facing a challenge at the Southern border. When President Biden addressed Congress April 28, he did not include the challenge at the border except to call for comprehensive immigration reform. No news here! Certainly no crisis.
Job Title: Officer Revenue Collection (12 Fresher Job Opportunities)

Organization: Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

Ref. No: DSC 15/70/01 Vol.2

About US:

Kampala Capital City Authority is the legal entity, established by the Ugandan Parliament that is responsible for the operations of the capital city of Kampala in Uganda. It replaced the Kampala City Council.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: The incumbent will be responsible to the Supervisor Revenue Collection for performing the following duties:-

Implementing revenue collection strategies and activities in line with the set targets and Directorate guidelines.

Registering new taxpayers and maintaining an updated integrated taxpayers register in line with the relevant tax laws and Directorate guidelines.

Managing a taxpayer Information Management System in accordance with Directorate Guidelines and Registry Procedures.

Carrying out tax assessments in line with Directorate guidelines.

Distributing demand notes in line with KCCA guidelines.

Managing a tax assessment database in accordance with Directorate Guidelines and Registry Procedures.

Generating performance reports on tax performance of registered taxpayers in line with Directorate guidelines.

Any other duties that may assigned from time to time.









Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

The applicants for the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Officer Revenue Collection jobs should be Ugandans holding Honours Bachelors Degrees in either Economics, or Information Systems, or Information Technology, or Social Sciences, or Business Administration, or Laws, or Arts, or any other related course from a recognized University/Institution. Possession of a Post graduate qualification in the relevant field from a recognized University or Institution will be an added advantage.

Applicants should have a minimum of two (2) years of working experience at Assistant Officer or Officer level in Government or from a reputable organization

Age: 25 years and above

How to Apply:

All candidates who wish to join Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) are encouraged to apply online at the link below.

Click Here

Deadline: 7th June 2021

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline
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Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

A few clouds overnight. Low 68F. Winds light and variable.

Tomorrow

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds light and variable.
Before the vote, she said very few words to her fellow Republicans  a prayer and a couple sentences. She quoted John 8:32, And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free, and added, If youre looking for leaders who will perpetuate the lie, then Im not your person.

As a result of her continued criticisms of Trumps lies about voter fraud in the 2020 election, and her choice to not fight for her leadership position, she was swiftly removed from leadership in a voice vote.

I had to make a decision about whether or not it was more important to be a member of the House leadership or more important to fight for Wyomings values and principles and for the restoration of the party, she said.

Although she and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, are known for their political savvy, the younger Cheney insisted that her decision to put up little fight when her leadership role was threatened for the second time was not politically driven.

Its not a political calculation, she said. There are other political calculations that would have been much easier.
New virus infections have been steadily low for months in Wyoming, but the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 is on the rise.

State health officials arent exactly sure whats behind the increase, but they say its clear that those being hospitalized are unvaccinated.

We dont fully understand why hospitalizations have increased over the past several weeks despite relatively stable transmission, State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist said via email Tuesday.

Fifty-eight people in Wyoming were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Monday, the most since late January. On Tuesday, the state announced that six more people had died from the virus, the most in a day since early March. All six patients were hospitalized, though one was hospitalized in another state.

As virus mitigation rules are loosened for the fully vaccinated, Harrist said people at risk of severe illness may be taking fewer personal precautions, or they may be more easily exposed to the virus by others.

We are clearly hearing from local contacts that the individuals being hospitalized are individuals who are not fully vaccinated, she added.
They argue the states have violated the terms that allowed state management of wolves and want Haaland to act before the looser rules start going into effect in Idaho on July 1.

The (U.S. Fish and Wildlife) Service was very clear that a change in state law that allowed for unregulated, unlimited take of wolves would set off the alarm, said attorney Nicholas Arrivo with the Humane Society of the United States. This is essentially an attempt to push the population down to the very minimum.

Wednesdays petition steps up pressure on the administration over wolf populations that were declared recovered when President Joe Biden was serving as vice president under former President Barack Obama. Biden also inherited a legal fight in the Midwest over the Trump administrations removal of protections for wolves in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

In both regions, hunting groups and livestock producers successfully lobbied for more permissive hunting regulations to counter persistent wolf attacks on livestock and big game animals.

Idaho lawmakers who sponsored a law signed earlier this month by Republican Gov. Brad Little said they wanted to reduce the states 1,500 wolves to the allowed minimum of 150 to protect livestock and boost deer and elk herds.
The more forceful management and threats of ticketing, the agencies argued in a joint statement, are necessary to protect the safety of both humans and bears. Stiles agreed a change was needed.

It has helped, Stiles said. But if someone is not there all the time, then theres generally been people there. There have been days where shes literally been 10 yards off the highway nursing her cubs. You can imagine the kind of attention that would attract. People want to see that.

Some wildlife enthusiasts, however, see a downside to leaving the grizzly bears along the highway attended by legions of fans and photographers. When vehicles are clogging both shoulders and crowds are massed, traffic speeds on the federal highway slow to a relative crawl.

But when the people arent up there, the semis are going by at 70 mph, Jackson Hole wildlife photographer Sue Cedarholm said.

Since 2015 at least three grizzly bears have been struck and killed on the 38-mile stretch of highway from Moran Junction to the Continental Divide, where Togwotee Pass tops out.
During a May 18 Fish and Wildlife Commission work session, Worsech said he requested the review to be more transparent with the public, adding that commission reviews of fish removal projects would give them higher visibility.

After reviewing applicable statutes, FWP legal counsel Becky Dockter said in her opinion that all such fish removal projects must be approved by the commission.

Commissioner Pat Byorth, a former fisheries biologist for FWP, challenged her new interpretation of the statute saying the wording seemed to leave the decision up to the commission rather than requiring the groups approval.

He also questioned the timing of the review, since most fish removal projects are set to begin in the summer. He called the new review requirements politically motivated, a claim Worsech strongly denied.

FWP Fish Management supervisor Eric Roberts stressed during the work session that the agency isnt anti-brook trout, even if they are often the target of fish removals. With native fish projects the intent is to provide a better fishery than the one already there since natives are often better suited to those environments, he added.

Postponed
FINANCE Minister Colm Imbert said yesterday that the proposal to increase the retirement age to 65 from the current age of 60 is under active consideration, but he said the Government has not made a firm decision on the matter as yet.
Moved by the sight of senior citizens waiting in long lines outside vaccination centres across the country, businessman Shane Mahabirsingh yesterday took it upon himself to provide comfort for them.

Mahabirsingh, owner of Bilda Boyz Construction in Gasparillo, visited three health centres in the South-West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) distributing chairs, water and sanitising the elderly men and women standing in line.
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.
Vaccines from multiple sources are coming into Trinidad and Tobago, among them 200,000 doses of Sinopharm arriving very early next week.

And there is an aircraft in the Caricom region collecting an unused supply of Oxford-AstraZeneca, which has been gifted to T&T.

Finally, the Prime Minister is seeking to advance the date of the arrival of 800,000 doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccines purchased through the African Medical Platform.
more room for patients: The Augustus Long Hospital in Pointe-a-Pierre now features an additional 60 patient beds. The refurbished and

upgraded facility was handed over to the Ministry of Health by TPHL on Friday.
COVID-19 Pandemic Update: State Sees Big Drop in New Cases, While 1 out of 2 Has First Shot
Freshman TwaNiyah Adams had plans to return to a job at an amusement park she held during her senior year of high school instead of taking an internship. Although Adams was in her first year of college, she felt like she was already behind.

It made (internships) feel a lot more intimidating and challenging to get to because of the pandemic. Im a freshman, and theres already people who have had internships, and I feel like Im behind because I havent had those opportunities. I couldnt get it before the pandemic and then couldnt get it while Im in the pandemic so Im kind of just here, Adams said.

Although Adams did not have an internship, she cited the PREMIER program for Eller first-year students as the main place where she learned about online tools that could assist her in her search in the first place such as LinkedIn or Handshake, an app to help connect college students with jobs and internships.

The pressure of searching for jobs during the pandemic drove sophomore Hailey Smith to start thinking more about the UA options available to her.

I feel kind of like a pressure to start being more motivated to do those types of things, Smith said. That pressure motivates me to maybe seek out advice from one of the academic or career counselors here at the U of A, or just job searches on Handshake.

Ella McCarville is a journalism student at the University of Arizona.
PHOENIX  Has your signature changed over the years? Is it different when youre not feeling well? Variations to your signature on a ballot could result in a call from investigators and possibly a criminal probe, under proposed legislation.

But while that measure awaits a final roll-call vote, lawmakers on Wednesday defeated a more far-reaching proposal that would have required Arizonans to provide more information to get their early votes counted.

Heres the latest on both:

Signed ballots

The bill on signatures, being pushed by Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, would alter state laws on early ballots.

Those statutes now say that when a ballot comes in by mail, election workers compare the signature on the envelope with what they have on file, whether from prior elections or other records. If they appear to match, thats the end of it and the ballot is tallied.

If they dont match, election workers attempt to contact voters to find out if they actually cast the ballot and any reasons why the signature has changed, with the most common reasons including age or illness. An affirmative response from the voter cures the ballot and ends the process. Otherwise the ballot is not counted.
Officials identified the driver who was shot and killed on Monday after leading law enforcement officers on a pursuit in Nogales.

The driver was Glen Ray Cockrum, 39, said the Arizona Department of Public Safety, which said it is conducting a criminal investigation of actions by Cockrum that led to the chase around 1 p.m. Monday on Interstate 19. DPS officials said they do not know where Cockrum lived.

After the pursuit, Cockrum was shot and killed by officers with the Nogales Police Department and deputies with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, authorities said.

DPS officials said the investigation is still in a preliminary phase. They did not disclose why law enforcement officers started pursuing Cockrum or the rationale for opening fire on Cockrum in a crowded Walmart parking lot and then on a busy street.

A man of Cockrum's name and age, who had a semi-truck and trailer, was arrested in 2018 in Arkansas on charges of threatening his father and stealing his truck, court records show. Arizona authorities were not available late Wednesday to confirm he was the same man.

The Nogales Police Department did not respond to multiple inquiries from the Arizona Daily Star about Monday's incident.
NEW YORK (AP)  Nine current and former New York City Department of Correction workers were arrested Wednesday on charges alleging they took cash bribes to smuggle items including razor blades, drugs and alcohol into city jails in the last two years.

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss in Manhattan said the workers accepted thousands of dollars in bribes.

"This alleged activity violated the defendants duties, and endangered the inmates they were charged to supervise and guard, Strauss said in a release.

Seven individuals, ranging in age from 25 to 60, were arrested in New York, one in Pennsylvania and one in Virginia based on indictments returned against seven men and two women in Manhattan federal court.

Authorities alleged that one defendant pocketed over $40,000 in bribes between June 2019 and September 2020.

Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett said the documents describing how guards and other employees, the majority working at the Rikers Island jail complex, were engaging in contraband smuggling and bribery reflect the pernicious and damaging impact of corruption.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP)  A trafficking network that ferried drugs from the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico through California to multiple drug dealing organizations around the nation's capital has been dismantled, according to local and federal officials.

An investigation that began in 2017 with work from a Loudoun County sheriff's deputy assigned to a federal task force eventually stretched to seven states and resulted in more than 30 arrests, the seizure of more than 100 firearms; $6 million in cash, jewelry and other assets; 473 pounds (215 kilograms) of methamphetamine; 42 kilograms of fentanyl; and 129 kilograms of cocaine.

At a time when drug overdoses have been on the rise during the pandemic, getting those drugs off the streets undeniably spared the lives of countless members of our communities, said Raj Parekh, acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The distributors from California linked to the Sinaloa cartel  once led by Joaquin El Chapo Guzman  were also suppliers to a drug crew in Dayton, Ohio, that was connected to the 2019 slaying of Dayton police Officer Jorge Del Rio, 55, who was shot while executing a search warrant as part of a Drug Enforcement Administration task force, said Jarod Forget, special agent in charge of the DEA's Washington Division.
The two candidates whom Exxon said shareholders elected from the Engine No. 1 slate were Gregory Goff, a former CEO of Andeavor, a petroleum refining and marketing company formerly known as Tesoro; and Kaisa Hietala, a former executive vice president of renewable products at Neste. In that position, Hietala was credited with boosting the companys renewable diesel and jet fuel offerings.

Exxon said it had not yet determined whether a third dissident board candidate put forward by Engine No. 1, Alexander Karsner, had also been elected. Karsner, a senior strategist at X, Alphabet Inc.s innovation lab, has been an investor in energy infrastructure and clean-technology startups.

In addition to choosing the two dissident board members, shareholders elected eight current members of Exxons board. Just who would fill the remaining two seats on the board was too close to call, Exxon said. Vying for those two seats were four people nominated by Exxon and one who was nominated by Engine No. 1.

Exxon did not say when the final results would be released.
The participants expressed readiness to do their best to resolve the remaining outstanding issues and to complete negotiations successfully as soon as possible, he tweeted.

Irans delegate to the talks, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, told Iranian state television as he headed into the session that following good progress in the last four rounds of talks he hoped the fifth would be the last.

There are still important issues that need to be fixed, he said. "We hope that we will be able to reach a final solution during these several days of negotiations.

Malley was more non-committal as he headed back to Vienna, tweeting that the previous round had been constructive and saw meaningful progress.

But much work still needs to be done, the U.S. envoy wrote. On our way to Vienna for a fifth round where we hope we can further advance toward a mutual return to compliance.

In 2018, then-President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the agreement unilaterally, saying it was not broad enough and needed to be renegotiated. As part of a maximum pressure campaign, Trump reimposed sanctions on Iran in an effort to bring Tehran back to the table.
In an 89-page decision outlining the reasons for its fine, regulators blasted PG&E for a overwhelmed website that couldn't handle incoming traffic from customers wondering whether they would have power, as well its failure to give adequate advance warning of the blackouts to about 50,000 customers.

Although PG&E is being fined $106 million, the utility won't be paying that much now. That's because it is being credited for $86 million that it had already been ordered to refund to customers affected during the lengthy 2019 outages.

The decision imposing the fine will become effective in 30 days barring an appeal or a request for review.

In a statement, PG&E acknowledged its handling of the 2019 outages fell short of what our customers expect and deserve" while highlighting improvements it has made since then to reduce the scope and duration of blackouts that are expected to periodically occur for at least for at least several more years while PG&E tries to improve its grid.

We will continue to make additional improvements to support our customers, while working to keep them safe," PG&E said.
Ramsey County Attorney John Choi, who has handled police prosecutions  his office unsuccessfully prosecuted the officer who killed Black motorist Philando Castile in 2016  said sending cases to the attorney general is the best option because it would alleviate possible conflicts of interest and provide accountability.

They would be subject to the will of the voters no matter what, Choi said. Everybody gets a chance to vote for their attorney general.

But resources are a problem. Ellison's office has just three full-time prosecutors in its criminal division, and relied heavily on outside attorneys working free of charge to prosecute Derek Chauvin in Floyd's death. And the office is still gearing up for the joint trial of three other officers in that case next spring.

Current state law doesn't allow attorneys general to take over cases on their own, but they can step in when a county prosecutor seeks help. As a practical matter, the office currently declines most requests due to lack of resources; it's why Ellison resisted taking over the Wright case.


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Hamilton graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2000 and was a fighter pilot for 20 years, including multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, the newspaper said. He retired from the Air Force in March 2020 to fly for Draken International.

His dedication to his family and his country will never be forgotten, said the statement on behalf of his wife, their two young sons and other family members.

Words cannot express our loss," it said. "A nickel on the grass. We need time to mourn this great loss and appreciate the respect given to our privacy in this tragic time.

In Las Vegas, homeowner Jose Villanueva told the Las Vegas Review-Journal he escaped injury when the jet slammed into his yard and his uncles adjacent yard. Attempts by AP to reach Villanueva by telephone were not successful.

It was a really, really, really, really strong noise, he told the newspaper.

The National Transportation Safety Board joined military officials in the investigation. Agency spokesman Eric Weiss said Tuesday it was too early to report on a cause of the crash.
In Idaho, hunting rules already had been incrementally loosened over the past decade without causing a huge spike in the number of wolves killed, said Idaho Fish and Game spokesperson Roger Phillips. Hunters and trappers killed about 500 wolves in the state in 2020.

Idaho officials will be able to closely track how many are killed under the new rules through a mandatory reporting system. However, if problems emerge, any changes would have to be made by lawmakers after they took away wolf management decisions from state wildlife commissioners, Phillips said.

The Fish and Wildlife Service has long contended its not necessary for wolves to be in every place they once inhabited to be considered recovered. Spokesperson Vanessa Kauffman would not say if federal officials were looking at the new laws. The agency has 90 days to decide if protections may be warranted, but has not always met deadlines with previous petitions.

Wolves were wiped out across most of the U.S. by the 1930s under government-sponsored poisoning and trapping campaigns. They were reintroduced from Canada into the Northern Rockies in the 1990s and expanded over the past two decades into parts of Oregon, Washington and California.

The population in the Midwest has grown to some 4,400 wolves. In Colorado, voters last year passed a measure requiring the state to begin reintroducing wolves in coming years.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
LEBANON, Ohio (AP)  A southwest Ohio city became the first in the state Tuesday to enact a measure outlawing abortion and declaring itself a sanctuary city for the unborn, setting itself up for a likely legal challenge by opponents who call the ban unconstitutional.

The vote by Lebanon City Council was unanimous  after one member quit in protest. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that that member, Krista Wyatt, said she could no longer associate her name with the body as a respectable, decent human being.

No abortion clinics are located in Lebanon and none are planned. Mayor Amy Brewer said the ordinance sends a signal that the community would not welcome such a facility. Abortion remains legal in Ohio and the rest of the country following a 1973 Supreme Court decision that women have a constitutional right to seek an abortion.

Council member Doug Shope said he worked with Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn in crafting the Ohio ban. The Texas-based group has helped more than two dozen municipalities in Texas, Nebraska and now Ohio write custom ordinances to ban abortions.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  A Florida-based group of Romanian nationals stole $740,000 from hundreds of churches by taking donation checks from their mailboxes and cashing them, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said Wednesday.

Four people were arrested and two others are wanted in what authorities are calling Operation Thou Shalt Not Steal.

The group was based in Orlando but traveled throughout Florida and other states stealing checks, investigators said. In all, authorities identified 636 churches that were victims, including 355 in Florida.

This low-tech yet well-organized effort to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of mailed-in charitable donations  at a time when donations may have been most needed  has been stopped," FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said in a news release.

The group had numerous bank accounts it used to deposit the checks and then used ATMs to withdraw cash as soon as they cleared.

Arrested Wednesday were Ionut Raducan, 33; Marius Dumitru, 27; Marius Dumitru, 34; and Panait Dumitru, 32. Each was charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering, racketeering, grand theft, unlawful possession of personal identification information and money laundering.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  A Florida sheriff's department has agreed to pay $2.5 million to the mother of a man who was fatally shot by a deputy in 2013 while carrying an air rifle that looked like a more powerful weapon, court records show.

The Broward Sheriff's Office deputy, Peter Peraza, was charged with manslaughter in the killing of 33-year-old Jermaine McBean, who was Black. Peraza is Hispanic.

A Broward judge, however, agreed that even as a law enforcement officer, Peraza could claim he felt threatened under Florida's stand your ground self-defense law, which gives immunity from prosecution to people who use deadly force to protect themselves or others if they feel at risk of great bodily harm or death. That ruling was eventually upheld by the Florida Supreme Court over opposition from the sheriff's office.

Witnesses said McBean drew attention by openly carrying the air rifle he had just purchased at a pawn shop along a busy street. Deputies were called and confronted McBean outside his Oakland Park apartment complex, which included a pool filled with children.

Peraza said that as deputies shouted for McBean to drop the air rifle, McBean whirled around as if preparing to fire at them. Peraza then shot and killed McBean.
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  Chad Daybell made his first appearance in Idaho court Wednesday on three murder charges in connection with the deaths of his late wife and his new wife's two children.

Meanwhile, the mother of the two slain children, Lori Vallow Daybell, had her first appearance on murder charges postponed because of unnamed exigent circumstances.

The Daybells are at the center of a tangled case that involve several suspicious deaths as well as a bizarre apocalyptic religious belief that prosecutors claim the couple designed to justify the murders of 7-year-old Joshua JJ Vallow, 17-year-old Tylee Ryan and 49-year-old Tammy Daybell.

During Wednesday's court appearance in Fremont County, 7th District Judge Faren Eddins explained to Chad Daybell the penalties he could face if convicted of any of the eight charges he is facing under a new indictment released earlier this week. Both Lori and Chad Daybell could face the death penalty or life in prison if they are convicted of murder or conspiring to murder the victims in the case.

Chad Daybell is charged with three counts each of first-degree murder and conspiring to commit murder and grand theft by deception, as well as two additional counts of insurance fraud in connection with the life insurance policies on his late wife.
Hannah-Jones was part of a slate of tenure candidates proposed by Provost Bob Blouin to be considered at the January 2021 board meeting. Duckett contacted Blouin with questions about Hannah-Joness candidacy and asked to postpone the review.

While the offer has been resubmitted, there is no guarantee that there will be a vote, or that the trustees will take up the issue when the board meets on July 14 and 15, after Hannah-Jones is set to start her job as the Knight Chair for Race and Investigative Journalism at UNC-CH.

NC Policy Watch reported Wednesday that three board members said they expect the matter to come to a full vote of the board by the end of June. Duckett had no additional comments for the AP on Wednesday.

After Hannah-Jones tenure application was halted, faculty members of the universitys school of journalism and media said the decision was especially concerning given that she 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.

On Monday, faculty and student leaders at the university demanded that trustees officially reconsider tenure for Hannah-Jones. Susan King, dean of the school of journalism and media, expressed continued support for Hannah-Jones on Twitter.
JERUSALEM (AP)  Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday announced plans to reopen a key diplomatic outreach office to the Palestinians and pledged nearly $40 million in new aid  reversing key policies of the Trump administration as he moved to bolster the embattled Palestinian government in the West Bank.

On his first official visit to the region, Blinken met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders with the immediate aim of shoring up last week's cease-fire that ended 11 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. He vowed to rally international support for the effort while also promising to ensure that none of the aid would reach Hamas.

Blinken repeatedly alluded to the underlying issues of the decades-old conflict and expressed empathy for both sides, but he showed little interest in launching another U.S. push for lasting peace, perhaps because previous efforts by past administrations have all failed. Instead, he expressed hope for creating a better environment that might one day yield peace talks.

Despite these modest aims, Blinken made clear that President Joe Biden will pursue a more even-handed approach to the region than former President Donald Trump, who sided overwhelmingly with Israel in virtually every area of disagreement with the Palestinians.
BEIRUT (AP)  Former auto magnate Carlos Ghosn expects to get hit with at least one preliminary charge after French investigators travel to Beirut next week to question him over suspicions of financial misconduct. But he insists he's done nothing wrong and hopes their investigations are eventually dropped.

Lavish parties in Versailles, questionable payments to an Omani car dealer, suspected tax evasion  these are the subjects of multiple investigations in France involving Ghosn's actions as the head of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi car alliance. They were opened amid new scrutiny of Ghosn after his shocking 2018 arrest in Japan.

In an interview with The Associated Press, he said he's hoping that he has a better chance of defending himself in France than in Japan, which he fled in a brazen getaway in 2019.

I have much more confidence in the French legal system than in the Japanese system, he said Tuesday.

Still, he said he has no illusions that the cases would be immediately dropped.
The International Criminal Court has launched an investigation into possible war crimes by both Hamas and Israel  including the possibility of disproportionate force by Israel and indiscriminate rocket fire by Hamas.

Israeli officials say any civilian casualties are unintended and that the army takes great effort to avoid them. They accuse Hamas of putting civilians in danger by launching rockets from residential areas and inviting Israeli reprisals. They also note that Hamas rockets are fired indiscriminately toward Israeli population centers.

During the latest round of fighting, Israel said it targeted only Hamas military infrastructure and accused the group of taking shelter in residential areas and digging tunnels beneath houses. Some 1,000 buildings, including four high-rise towers, were destroyed, according to U.N. estimates. Israel says the buildings were either used as militant command centers or used to hide tunnels.

Sinwar denied the Israeli claims. It is lying when it says there are military targets in these areas or under the ground, he said.

One of the high-rise buildings hit by Israel housed The Associated Press' offices in Gaza. Israel has said Hamas military intelligence used the building, though it has not publicly presented any evidence backing up the claim.
MOSCOW (AP)  The lower house of Russia's parliament on Wednesday endorsed a bill that prevents people affiliated with groups considered extremist from running for office, part of authorities' efforts to sideline associates of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny ahead of parliamentary elections later this year.

After the State Duma approved the bill in the final third reading, it will now need to be vetted by the upper house and signed by President Vladimir Putin to become law.

Lawmakers have fast-tracked the bill while a Moscow court has considered a request by prosecutors to designate Navalnys Foundation for Fighting Corruption and his regional offices as extremist groups.

Navalny and his allies have denounced the proceedings as part of Kremlin efforts to muzzle dissent ahead of Septembers parliamentary election. Several of Navalny's associates have declared their intention to run in the polls.

Leonid Volkov, Navalnys chief strategist, tweeted that the bill clearly shows that the Kremlin is panicky about the forthcoming election.
OPINION: Letter writers have a lot to say about the GOP supporting the audit to continue stating there should be time limits in contesting an election. What are your thoughts, share them at tucson.com/letters.
Even an average monsoon would look impressive next to 2020's 1.62 inches of rain. There are still many uncertainties surrounding what to expect from Arizona's 2021 monsoon season.
We acted in strict accordance with aviation safety rules, he said, claiming the crew hesitated for about a quarter hour before following the Belarusian flight controllers' directions to land in Minsk. It's the captain who makes a decision according to all instructions and rules, and we offered our help. The captain was thinking for 15 minutes and consulting the bosses and Vilnius airport staff.

He said the crew hesitated for so long that Belarusian authorities no longer expected the crew to turn back to Minsk, since the plane was already near the Lithuanian border, but they did. The Belarusian MiG-29 was sent to help direct the Ryanair plane to land and facilitate communication in case of problems.

They should have been thankful to us! Lukashenko exclaimed. We did everything to save people.

But he also alleged that Pratasevich and his associates were working with foreign spy agencies to organize a massacre and a bloody rebellion in Belarus.

He also warned his other foes abroad that the authorities will go after them.

We know your faces, and it's just a matter of time for you to be brought to account before the Belarusian people, he said.
Wortham said the diversity of the art created, as well as the diversity of artists, was a key consideration for the project.

We have some very notable artists who are part of the project, but that wasnt a criteria for participation, she said. The works that make up the project are specific for the citizens of Tulsa, because we as a community are having to reflect on, and reckon with, our history.

Were all asking the same questions  how do we heal, how do we grow as a community, Wortham said. Thats what these art works represent. Its the voices of members of our community speaking to these concerns directly, in ways that will resonate with everyone who has an intense interest not only in our history, but also in our future.

Among the upcoming events is The American Dream, an installation at the Oxley Nature Center by Sarah Ahmad built around the sort of tents survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre were forced to live in after their homes were destroyed.

Its really a remarkable installation, in the way she has married her own experiences in Pakistan with the events of Greenwood, Wortham said. It shows how these experiences resonate on a global scale.
Available on YouTube, an April 8 episode of SeneGence Internationals Billion Dollar Lips was titled Hometown Makeover Takeover and it features Rogers-Kante talking with Shirey about various projects in Sapulpa, including plans for the drive-in.

I grew up here and I remember many, many weekends spent at the TeePee Drive-In in the car with either my mom or my dad or both, Rogers-Kante said. Those memories are some of my most cherished memories, so we were thrilled to get ahold of the property and know that we can restore it and bring it back to life and do it in a way that can be enjoyed by even more people today.

Rogers-Kante said the drive-in has been neglected for about 40 years, so there is much work ahead, but she wants to reintroduce it to moviegoers in the spring of 2022 and emphasize a 1950s theme. In the episode, she talked about having immobile bodies of 1950s cars on site so people who arent old enough to drive can watch movies from the vehicles. She also mentioned having refurbished 1950s travel trailers (equipped with viewing windows) on site so guests can watch movies or, if they choose, spend the night in them.

Rogers-Kante intends for the drive-in to be a multi-use property with a stage for concert events.
It would be an economic development tool, he deadpanned. They could have an imPEACHment festival.

More seriously, some wonder about the wisdom of giving active politicians the ability to turn bridges and highways into campaign signs by naming them for themselves and constituents ahead of elections.

SB 624 was one of several loose ends the House worked to tie up as the sessions end approaches.

Oklahoma isnt the only state to push for a Trump highway. Lawmakers in Florida, West Virginia, Utah and Arizona have presented bills to name stretches of highways after the former president.

Also taken up was the long-running dispute over whether trailers are vehicles.

By a vote of 77-20, the House decided they are not.

This matters because, as vehicles, trailers generate about $12 million a year in sales tax revenue. As non-vehicles, theyre still subject to an excise tax but at a lower rate.

Truck dealers complain theyre losing sales, especially of the big long-haul units, because of the tax  which legislative leaders say was never supposed to apply to trailers in the first place.
Hong Kong: Govt explains vaccine surplus plan

The Government said it will discuss with the drug manufacturers on how to handle the expected surplus COVID-19 vaccine doses concerning this year's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.

It made the statement in response to a media report which claimed that Hong Kong will throw away millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses due to low vaccination rate.

The Government noted that as at May 24, out of the two million odd doses each of the Sinovac and BioNTech vaccine which have arrived in Hong Kong, there are 1.05 million and 840,000 unused doses.

It pointed out that the BioNTech vaccine needs to be stored in an ultra-low temperature setting and the vaccines have a relatively short expiry date from the date of manufacture which is around three to four months after arrival in Hong Kong. The vaccines now in storage will expire in mid-August.

The Government observed that the public's demand for the BioNTech vaccine has gradually become sluggish recently.

Compared with the daily capacity of over 40,000 doses in community vaccination centres (CVCs), there are only on average around 10,000 people per day making online bookings to receive their first and second doses of the BioNTech vaccine.

To avoid wastage amid tight global supply, the Government explained that it will, based on the vaccination and appointment trends, estimate the quantity of vaccines that may become excessive.

It added that it will discuss with the drug manufacturers on how to handle the expected surplus doses, which will be unused in this years COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, before the expiry date of the vaccines.

Such actions include postponing or cancelling delivery of certain batches or donating them to places which are more in need of the vaccines through channels such as the World Health Organization COVAX Facility.

The Government also pointed out that as it takes time for the production of vaccines, quality control and transport and logistics, etc, even if the publics demand for vaccines suddenly surges later on, it would not be possible for the relevant vaccines to be replenished within this year.

It called on the public not to delay and get vaccinated as soon as possible while the current stock lasts and the service capacity is still sufficient at the CVCs.

This story has been published on: 2021-05-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Chinese premier stresses efforts to strengthen market vitality for development

Xinhua) 08:11, May 26, 2021

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspects the Ningbo-Zhoushan port, a major transit area for bulk commodities in China, in Ningbo City, east China's Zhejiang Province, May 24, 2021. Li made an inspection tour to the city of Ningbo in east China's Zhejiang Province from Monday to Tuesday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

HANGZHOU, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has underlined efforts to further advance reform and opening-up, strengthen market vitality and actively deal with changing domestic and external situations for pushing forward the country's stable and sound economic development.

Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during his inspection tour to the city of Ningbo in east China's Zhejiang Province from Monday to Tuesday.

When inspecting the Ningbo-Zhoushan port, a major transit area for bulk commodities in China, Li called for paying close attention to the cyclical changes in the world economy and commodity price fluctuations in the international market.

China should expand opening-up, further promote the facilitation of customs clearance and conduct free and fair trade, he said, adding that the country should give full play to the advantages of the port and use market-oriented methods to improve the import, storage and trading of bulk commodities.

Li spoke with managers of several manufacturing enterprises to learn about the impact that upstream price changes in raw materials had had on their businesses.

He said that rising commodity prices would not only bring excessive pressure to large and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises but also affect the small, micro and individual businesses, adding that consumption activities downstream would also be affected.

Li called for making good use of policies, such as tax and fee cuts and inclusive financing, to support market entities, and ramping up market regulation to slow down the transmission of rising costs to the downstream sectors.

Enterprises should also pay attention to tapping into their potentials and drawing on innovation to relieve cost pressures and improve competitiveness.

During his visit to a government service center in the city, Li stressed that the country should relieve the pressure on enterprises, continue improving its business environment, and create a fairer market for competition.

He also inspected a talent resource market to learn about the local employment situation. While visiting a local company, he encouraged it to develop more new products enjoyed by consumers.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Du Mingming)
All city pools were scheduled to open on June 5, but due to the lack of qualified lifeguard hires, pools will now open on a staggered schedule, the city said.
A Meet the Artists event was held at Skyline Mansion later Wednesday, and the project documentaries were screened at the Admiral Twin Drive-in.

One hundred years after the worst event in the history of our city, we have artists from all around the world who have pulled together to help represent what was lost, what was rebuilt, the work that needs to be done, through art, Bynum said.

Its important that the history around this event reach as many people as possible, that we help improve understanding with as many people as possible. And thats why this is so important. It utilizes art to help not just our community in improving understanding and feeling, but hopefully, our state and our country.

The Greenwood Art Project was funded in part by a $1 million award from Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge and a $200,000 grant from The George Kaiser Family Foundation.

Local artists commissioned through the project were encouraged to create work celebrating the resilience, healing and recovery of the Greenwood community in the aftermath of the 1921 Race Massacre, and to reflect the continuing challenges of today.

Michael Bloomberg, the philanthropys founder and former New York City mayor, sent a video message for the event.
Every police officer the city employs has a role to play in the events of the next several days, including some who will be among the crowds covertly, he said. The department will also be deploying some new operational techniques, such as cameras to monitor crowd activity, Franklin said, and partnering with a multitude of different agencies.

The department is already receiving daily intelligence briefings from a number of different networks to inform its operations.

Despite the number of officers who will be out in force, Franklin said he hopes none of them have to take action.

They will protect the right of all citizens to peacefully assemble, Franklin said, but they will not allow any groups without a proper permit to impede bridges, overpasses or streets like the city saw last summer in the protests following Minneapolis resident George Floyds death there.

Residents are asked to report suspicious activity or items by calling 911 or the departments nonemergency line, 918-596-9222. Such items could be unattended bags or boxes left near events or any type of large vehicle, like a box truck, in unordinary or highly-trafficked areas.
Stitt said historic education reform had been passed this session.

Some measures passed change funding and make it easier for students to transfer between schools.

Others include increasing the cap to $50 million for the Equal Opportunity Scholarship program, which provides incentives to those who donate to public or private schools. Money can be used on innovative programs or for scholarships to private schools.

The program is designed to give middle- and low-income families more education options, Stitt said.

When the legislative session began, we crafted policies to give you the best chance to get the best education, Stitt said to the students, because we knew that education was not a one-size-fits-all. You and your parents should have the freedom to attend the best school for you, regardless of your ZIP code or where you live.

And whereever you go, the money should follow you, Stitt said. In Oklahoma, we fund students, not systems.

The session also included the passage and signing of a bill that says a school cant teach that one race or sex is superior to another race or sex, Stitt said.
President Joe Biden plans to appear in Tulsa on Tuesday, the 100th anniversary of the destruction of Tulsa's all-Black Greenwood neighborhood during the 1921 Race Massacre.

No details of Biden's visit were available, but the White House confirmed he will be coming to the city. Other sources indicated he's expected to visit Greenwood Rising, an historical center at Greenwood Street and Archer Avenue due to open on Tuesday, and the Greenwood Cultural Center.

He may also meet with massacre survivors and descendants.

Historically, presidential visits have been few and far between for Tulsans, but Tuesday's announcement came less than a year after Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, visited the city as part of his unsuccessful re-election campaign.

Also Tuesday, Oklahoma's congressional delegation announced support for a resolution recognizing the massacre centennial.

First District Congressman Kevin Hern introduced the resolution in the House and Sen. James Lankford introduced it in the Senate.
OKLAHOMA CITY  The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday passed a measure that would prohibit schools from requiring COVID-19 vaccines for attendance.

Senate Bill 658, by Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, heads to the House for consideration.

The measure prohibits schools from requiring a vaccine passport as a condition of admittance or attendance.

It also bars schools, including higher education facilities, from implementing a mask mandate for students who have not received the COVID-19 vaccination.

It makes an exemption for public or private healthcare settings, such as teaching hospitals.

The measure requires a board of education to consult with a health department where the board is located before implementing a mask mandate. It can only be done under a state of emergency by the governor, according to the measure.

The decision shall be reconsidered at each regularly scheduled board meeting, according to the measure.

Sen. J.J. Dossett, D-Owasso, said the legislature doesnt trust the federal government to tell people what to do, but now it is trying to pass a blanket policy for the entire state.

Dossett said it was a local control issue.
At a minimum, the statement implies that Trump personally has not (yet) been made a direct, formal target of the criminal investigation, or at least has not been so informed. Its possible for prosecutors to go after the corporation for criminal liability even without prosecuting all of its principals. So in theory, at least, the Trump organization could be criminally charged with filing false state tax returns even if prosecutors didnt think they could prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump himself knew about the false filings.

Trumps reaction, however, suggests that he is worried about becoming a criminal target in his personal capacity. A conviction of the Trump organization is something he could explain away by describing it as merely a kind of a fine.

Most ordinary people threatened with the possibility of criminal prosecution would be well advised not to attack their potential prosecutors. The offices of the AG and the district attorney possess prosecutorial discretion that is almost absolute. It is extremely difficult  even impossible  to intimidate them out of bringing charges when they think they can prove that crimes occurred. Its a terrible idea to antagonize prosecutors who may believe that it is their public duty to make sure no one can stop them from bringing a prosecution by threats.
Rep. Stephanie Bice defied partisanship and did the right thing last week when she voted for a national commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Whether you think the riot was the result of supporters of President Donald Trump seeking to defy the forces of democracy or subversive and disguised left-wing groups, you should want a national investigation to get to the bottom of things.

The mechanism proposed by a resolution passed last Wednesday was fair. It provided for a 10-person national commission equally divided among appointees of Democratic and Republican leaders. The majority party would pick the chairperson and the minority party would choose the vice chair.

The commission would have subpoena power and the task of exploring all facets of the attack at the Capitol, including the response of law enforcement and the military.

Bice was one of 35 Republicans who broke party ranks and voted for the commission. It was a courageous and right choice on her part. The measure passed 252 to 175 with Oklahomas four other Republican House members voting against it.
Speaking of House 1775 recently, Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum declared, "To me, its remarkable that this is even a subject of controversy."

To paraphrase Pink Floyd, Bynum is "all in all  just another brick in the wall!"

Bynum's pronouncement completely ignores the legislative intent that is driving this and like legislation nationally: anxiety over Black Lives Matter, the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial and, at least in Oklahoma, discomfort at the heightened awareness of the Tulsa Race Massacre in advance of its centennial.

Our mayor's offhanded dismissal of concerns about the bill that limits discussion of race in Oklahoma classrooms is either blithely ignorant, foolishly naive or intentionally cruel.

Bynum is smarter than that; he knows what the Oklahoma Legislature intended when it created the bill and what Gov. Kevin Stitt intended when he signed it.

Our state lawmakers want to squelch free inquiry and serious historical scholarship because the honest truth about our nation's racist history makes them "uncomfortable."

Stitt's denial of the racist intent of the bill is unsurprising; I am disappointed in Bynum's nonchalant dismissiveness.
By definition, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is meant for candidates who apply for higher education or academia. Nevertheless, well-to-do parents in Vietnam are preparing their children for IELTS tests in a bid to secure them spots at top K-12 facilities  all while they have barely graduated elementary school.

In recent years, the IELTS certificate has emerged as a new norm for English proficiency assessment in Vietnam, with top colleges and high schools accepting the test results during their evaluation of candidates.

The test results have even been adopted by a middle school, which just announced that candidates applying for grade six will get 20 bonus points in evaluation if they score in the 3.0 band or above on the IELTS test.

Burning through money

Minh Hieu, 36, a parent in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City, has been scrambling to find an IELTS prep class for her son during his summer break.

As a recent outbreak in Vietnam forced his school to shutter in early May, his summer break started a few weeks earlier than expected, which, as Hieu sees it, is more time for her kid to reach the goal of band 5.0 on the IELTS test before the next school year.

He has just turned eleven, which may sound too early for the English paper.

Nevertheless, Hieu is committed when it comes to her plan, as it would engender 'a great leap' for her child to enter a good middle school.

I have thought it all out," she said.

"With an overall score of 5.0 in IELTS, my son would not have to worry about the English subject at school.

"It only takes three months in the summer, but he gets exemption [from English classes] for the next four years.

After weighing up between three IELTS centers in Thu Duc City and Binh Thanh District, Hieu finally opted for an intensive class' with six hours of lessons per day, five days a week for three months.

More specifically, students would have to sit in front of the computer for three hours in the morning from 8:00 am for grammar, vocabulary, and reading practices, then show up in the actual classroom for another three hours of listening, speaking, and writing lessons in the evening.

For the price of no less than VND50 million (US$2,200), the intensive program promises IELTS test results of 5.0 and above for all students by the end of the course.

In a similar fashion, Ngoc Duyen, 45, parent of a seventh-grader in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, has registered her kid for private tutoring sessions with an American teacher living in Vung Tau City.

Duyens objective is clear: her kid needs to achieve IELTS band 5.0 by the next school year and band 6.5 one year later to qualify for high school programs abroad.

If her child fails to get a scholarship to fly out of Vietnam, the IELTS score would still be of great help for him in domestic K-12 study, Duyen added.

Pre-IELTS

Pre-empting a surge in demand for IELTS training for kids, English centers in major cities have launched pre-IELTS programs, or other prep courses to provide foundational knowledge for students before the main lessons.

The majority of these courses last three to six months, with a focus on grammar and vocabulary.

They may cost each student VND3-8 million ($130-346) depending on the popularity of training centers, teachers, and class intensity.

During a phone call with a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporter, a telemarketer of an English center in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City advertised their pre-IELTS program as one based on the Cambridge curriculum, pivoting toward building foundational knowledge for kids before future IELTS tests.

Students graduating from the course can proceed to an actual IELTS training program that promises band 7.0-7.5 on the IELTS test for learners.

IELTS is getting more advantageous as it is favored by many universities during their admission assessment," the telemarketer claimed.

"An IELTS certificate also exempts students from the English test during the high school entrance exam.

However, the test itself is not recommended for individuals under 16 years old, as stated by the British Council, co-owner and organizer of the IELTS exam in Vietnam.

Echoing the sentiment, Nguyen Duc Thinh, 27, winner of British Councils IELTS Prize in 2019, advised against subjecting students to training for the IELTS test too early.

The test demands not only good speaking and pronunciation skills, but also an understanding of social issues, spanning from law, the environment to public health, among others, during the speaking and writing tests, which may put inexperienced adolescents at a disadvantage.

Phung Quang Huy, 25, an IELTS prep teacher in Hanoi, also cautioned parents on the risk of sending their children to IELTS training without establishing foundational knowledge for them.

Without a solid basis, these students would turn to test-taking tips and tricks, which may stump them in further efforts to learn the language.

Students can already amass a decent understanding of lexicon and grammar with English lessons at their school," Huy said.

They should start thinking about sitting the IELTS exam in late middle school or early high school.

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Located inside a small alley on Pham Nhu Xuong Street in Da Nang is a special communal house that shelters dozens of homeless people for free.

They call it the 'House of Hope' because, besides a place to rest and recharge, the house grants them compassion and reason to live on.

The first sleep

Tran Thi Manh, a poor mother from the central Vietnamese province of Quang Tri, has just been admitted to the House of Hope.

Wearing a knitted hat on a hot summer day, Manh looks around to find belongings in the new room.

After her husbands death in wartime in 1972, she took her two daughters through downpours of bombs to the south, in search of a livelihood.

As her daughters are married and barely able to support their mother, she moved to Da Nang in the central region of Vietnam to live the rest of her life.

Landfills and abandoned houses become Manhs shelters while collecting scrap metal was her only means of earning a living.

Ton That Tuan Anh (left) takes a picture with tenants of the House of Hope in Da Nang, Vietnam. Photo: Thai Ba Dung / Tuoi Tre

One morning last year, Ton That Tuan Anh  the houses co-founder  and his friends first met Manh when they brought Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) gifts to the shabby Phuoc Ly apartment building, where many low-income people live.

At the time, Manh was lying under a plastic sheet hanging beside an abandoned house, crouching as a cold wind blew.

That image haunted the young men, urging them to think of practical solutions for helping the vulnerable instead of just granting gifts.

One of them thought that they could rent a safe, cozy communal house to host homeless people.

At the end of March, they wandered around the city, looking for a place that met all criteria before standing in front of a house in a small alley on Pham Nhu Xuong Street.

After hearing their story and plan, the homeowner decided to lease them his estate to welcome the down-and-out.

On April 18, a large board engraved with 'House of Hope' was hung up.

For the first month, Anh and his friends rushed to collect tenants personal documents to register with local police.

The kind landlord used his own money to renovate the house, buy more fans, and set up a gas stove.

We dont want tenants to feel that they are unwanted," said Anh.

"It is simply a gift from the people of Da Nang City and they are welcomed as a part of the city."

The communal house of six rooms is fully occupied in Da Nang, Vietnam. Photo: Thai Ba Dung / Tuoi Tre

Whole-hearted commitment

Da Nang has long been considered as one of Vietnams most liveable places.

However, according to the houses tenants, there is room for improvement as not every vagrant can access free shelters.

The house has just welcomed its newest members, the family of 40-year-old Nguyen Thi Hanh and 36-year-old Duong Tan Thanh who were found near the local Khanh Son landfill.

Anh and his friends had been stopped by two abnormal-looking children in soiled clothes running from a temple.

They followed the children and found their parents  Hanh and Thanh.

Speaking to the strangers, Thanh struggled to tell his own story. Thanhs older child, aged seven, could not control his behaviors.

The whole family were later offered a stay at the House of Hope.

A homeless woman and her child are offered a stay at the House of Hope in Da Nang, Vietnam. Photo: Thai Ba Dung / Tuoi Tre

Besides Thanh and Hanh, the house, though simply furnished, has brought 'miracles' to some other special couples.

A limbless couple who work as street vendors also call the house their new home.

According to Anh, the communal house has six rooms of 15 square meters each.

The monthly rental price for one room is VND1.5 million (US$65) yet the landlord subsidizes it and receives only VND8 million ($348) for the whole building.

It is fully occupied and the group pre-paid three months of rental. The contract is one year at least.

To sustain the project, And and his friends spend their own pocket money and call for funding from communities.

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A powerful cyclone destroyed tens of thousands of mud houses in eastern India on Wednesday, forcing the closure of the busiest regional airport in Kolkata, as it brought storm surges to coastal areas, the second such event within a week.

Cyclone Yaas was packing gusts of up to 140 kph (87 mph) as it hit land, authorities said, days after Tauktae tore up the western coast, triggering mass evacuations and piling pressure on authorities battling a deadly second wave of the coronavirus.

Authorities said more than a million people had been moved out of the storm's path, while television broadcast images of rough seas, strong winds and rains lashing the state of Odisha, with shops and homes boarded up.

Men remove bamboo rooftop of a stall damaged by heavy winds at a shore ahead of Cyclone Yaas in Bichitrapur in Balasore district in the eastern state of Odisha India, May 26, 2021. Photo: Reuters

By noon, the "very severe cyclone" would cross Odisha and its neighbour, West Bengal, weather officials said.

West Bengal's chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, told reporters that about 20,000 mud houses and temporary shelters had been damaged in the state.

"I have not seen anything like this before," said another state minister, Bankim Hazra, after seawater gushed into the low-lying areas of Sagar island in the Bay of Bengal and the tourist town of Digha, where a police station was flooded.

Members of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) patrol along a shore ahead of Cyclone Yaas in Digha in Purba Medinipur district in the eastern state of West Bengal, India, May 25, 2021. Photo: Reuters

"Successive high tides battered the coastline," he added. "It is inundation all around and villages are cut off."

The state's Kolkata airport was closed to flights until Wednesday evening.

Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal are common at this time of year, and often roar ashore, bringing death and destruction to the coastal areas of both India and neighbouring Bangladesh.

A general view shows flooding as Cyclone Yaas approaches Bhadrak, Odisha, India, May 26, 2021, in this still image taken from video obtained from social media. Mandatory credit AHMER JAWED/via REUTERS

Police said they had rescued 10 people after their boat capsized near shore in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district on Tuesday. Naval base Chilka is monitoring ships in the area and is ready for rescue operations, the Indian Navy said.

The devastating wave of virus infections complicated storm preparations. Odisha officials said they had suspended testing, vaccination and a door-to-door health survey in the three districts in the storms path.

A general view shows flooding as Cyclone Yaas approaches Bhadrak, Odisha, India, May 26, 2021, in this still image taken from video obtained from social media. Mandatory credit AHMER JAWED/via REUTERS

Members of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) use a megaphone to appeal to residents to move to safer place ahead of Cyclone Yaas at Digha in Purba Medinipur district in the eastern state of West Bengal, India, May 25, 2021. Photo: Reuters
Here are todays leading news stories:

COVID-19 Updates

-- The Ministry of Health confirmed 80 domestic COVID-19 cases on Wednesday morning, raising the countrys tally to 5,931, with 2,794 recoveries and 44 deaths.

-- Authorities in northern Bac Giang Province have requested that all residents not leave homes unless under necessary circumstances after the province registered 375 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday.

-- According to the Bac Giang Department of Education and Training, as many as 9,147 12th-grade students have been placed in quarantine following the detection of one confirmed COVID-19 case.

Society

-- Police in Ho Chi Minh City have arrested a man for snatching a phone from a woman and then asking her to give him VND5 million (US$216,81) to take it back.

-- Doctors at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City have successfully reattached a mans penis on Tuesday which was cut off by his wife over a conflict.

-- More than 30 houses were damaged and had their roofs completely blown off by strong gusts accompanying downpours in the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long on Tuesday.

-- About 100 workers at Shyang Hung Cheng Company in An Thanh Ward, Thuan An City, Binh Duong Province were hospitalized due to gas poisoning on Tuesday afternoon, according to the city's confederation of labor.

-- A team of doctors from the Central Dental Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City have assisted Loc Ninh District Medical Center in Binh Phuoc Province in performing an operation on a person with a broken jawbone below the chin area, which took place inside a COVID-19 centralized quarantine facility.

Sports

-- Vietnam were held 1-1 by Lebanon in their second play-off in the UAE on Tuesday night and won a ticket to the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup for the second time due to the away goals rule.

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A Vietnamese woman rushed her husband to the hospital after chopping off his penis while he was sleeping following a marital conflict, medical workers said this week.

A representative from Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City confirmed on Tuesday that doctors had finished a surgery to reattach the penis of a 40-year-old man, who is from southeast Vietnam.

Due to a nuptial conflict, his wife previously cut off his manhood with a pair of scissors while he was sleeping.

She then brought him to a local medical center for emergency treatment.

The patient was later transferred to Cho Ray Hospital.

He lost a lot of blood when he was admitted to the infirmary in late April, Dr. Thai Minh Sam, head of the urology department, said, adding that the severed part of his penis was properly preserved.

The patient arrived at Cho Ray about seven hours after his penis was cut off, while the reattachment surgery should be best performed within the first six hours, according to Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tuan, who led the operation team.

Doctors at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City perform a surgery to reattach a mans penis in this supplied photo.

As the penis was clipped with scissors, doctors had to make sure the part was not infected.

"Technically speaking, it was a difficult surgery which required surgeons to use specialized microsurgery glasses and have experience in microsurgery and vascular surgery," Dr. Tuan elaborated.

Cho Ray doctors finally managed to reconstruct his genitals.

The patient was discharged 10 days after his surgery with promising recovery.

The urology department of Cho Ray Hospital received five to ten similar cases each year, said Dr. Sam.

There are three main causes of penis amputation, he continued, adding that the patients either cut off their penises by themselves due to mental disorders, have their parts lopped off by jealous wives or girlfriends, or have them severed in an accident.

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Many people from the central Vietnamese province of Thua Thien-Hue have been flocking to have a swim at a local river despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

As hot weather has scorched Hue City, capital of Thua Thien - Hue Province, over the past few days, local residents have been heading to the iconic Huong (Perfume) River to cool off.

The most crowded locations are Me Wharf on Le Duan Street and Kim Long Park, according to the observations of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters.

Residents swim in the Huong River in Thua Thien - Hue Province, Vietnam despite COVID-19. Photo: Phuoc Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Local residents, including children and elderly people, arrived at around 5:00 pm.

The water in the Huong River is very clean, Nguyen Thanh Luan, 42, said, adding that he has been swimming here since he was young.

Luan now takes his two children to the river and give them lifebuoys to ensure safety.

The three family members also choose less crowded areas to swim.

Residents swim in the Huong River in Thua Thien - Hue Province, Vietnam despite COVID-19. Photo: Phuoc Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Other residents said that local swimming pools are closed due to COVID-19, so the Huong River is now the best choice during this prolonged heatwave.

Waterway police officers have tried their best to remind people to keep a distance from one another.

Authorities have also advised residents against gathering in large groups at public parks and swimming in the Huong River.

However, their efforts have not been very effective.

A woman sits with her son on the Huong River bank in Thua Thien - Hue Province, Vietnam. Photo: Phuoc Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Thua Thien - Hue has recorded five local COVID-19 infections since the fourth wave of transmissions hit Vietnam on April 27.

Many non-essential businesses and services have been suspended, while gatherings of more than 10 people outside of offices, schools, and hospitals are banned in the locality.

Vietnam has documented 5,931 COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday morning, with 2,794 recoveries and 44 deaths, according to the health ministry.

The country has logged 2,873 domestic infections in 30 provinces and cities since April 27.

Officers patrol on the Huong River bank in Thua Thien - Hue Province, Vietnam. Photo: Phuoc Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Water police officers remind residents to comply with COVID-19 prevention and control regulations in the Huong River in Thua Thien - Hue Province, Vietnam. Photo: Phuoc Tuan / Tuoi Tre

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Police in the southern Vietnamese province of Kien Giang said on Wednesday that they decided to begin legal proceedings against the principal of a local elementary school for property embezzlement of more than VND1.78 billion (US$77,270).

The principal, Tran Thi Lien, 50, who hails from northern Thai Binh Province, had been arrested last week.

According to an initial investigation, since the 2018-19 school year, Nguyen Ba Ngoc Elementary School in Kien Giangs Rach Gia City has organized semi-boarding classes, with over 600 students staying at school from morning to afternoon.

The school management board collected VND250,000 ($11) service fees and VND30,000 ($1.3) per meal for a month from each student.

After collecting money, Lien, as the school principal, directed the school treasurer to give the amounts to her, instead of depositing them in an account opened at the Vietnam state treasury as prescribed.

Only in the 2019-20 school year, Lien misappropriated a total of VND1.35 billion ($58,600) in service fees and student meals.

In the 2020-21 academic year, the principal continued to appropriate VND435 million ($18,880) worth of school uniform fees, instead of paying for the uniform producer.

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Vietnams Ministry of Health logged 235 domestic coronavirus infections on Wednesday, taking the local tally kept since late last month past 3,000 patients.

One hundred and twenty-one of the cases were recorded in Bac Giang Province while 91 were reported in Bac Ninh Province, the health ministry said in a report.

Both northern provinces are home to many industrial parks where workers have tested positive in droves.

Hanoi detected 16 new patients, including one case at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

The health ministry announced 59 recoveries on Wednesday, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 2,853.

It also confirmed a virus-related fatality, a 67-year-old woman with many underlying conditions.

Vietnam has battled the COVID-19 pathogens re-emergence since April 27, with 3,028 community transmissions having been reported in 30 out of 63 provinces and cities.

Bac Giang has recorded 1,520 cases in this fourth wave, followed by Bac Ninh with 624 patients, Hanoi with 344, Da Nang with 154, and Vinh Phuc Province with 89.

Only eight patients have been recorded in Ho Chi Minh City in this bout.

Vietnam has detected 6,086 cumulative COVID-19 cases, including 4,597 local infections, since the virus emerged in the country on January 23, 2020, according to the Ministry of Healths data.

Forty-five patients have died, most having suffered critical pre-existing health problems.

The current round has seen 10 patients pass away, with the remaining 35 deaths reported last year.

The nation confirmed 106 community cases in the first wave from January 23 to April 16, 2020, 554 in the second from July 25 to December 1, 2020, and 910 in the third from January 28 to March 25, 2021.

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Doctors at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City have successfully performed a complicated nine-hour operation to save the life of a 13-year-old child with a rare congenital heart disease that became severe and carried a mortality risk of up to 90 percent.

T.H.P., 13, was born with congenital heart disease and became more and more emaciated, malnourished, increasingly pale, and tired over time.

For many years, the child patient had been treated in many hospitals and cardiovascular centers in Ho Chi Minh City, with a diagnosis of truncus arteriosus -- a birth defect of the heart, in which a single common blood vessel comes out of the heart, instead of the usual two vessels.

According to Dr. Le Thanh Khanh Van, head of the pediatric cardiac surgery and resuscitation department at Cho Ray Hospital, truncus arteriosus is a very rare, complex, and severe form of congenital heart disease.

According to statistics, one out of every 100 babies is born with congenital heart disease and out of 100 babies with congenital heart disease, only one baby suffers common truncus, Dr. Van said.

According to the doctor, children with truncus arteriosus need early treatment and surgical intervention.

Without surgery within the first year after birth, the patients face a mortality rate of up to 90 percent, Van said.

But for various reasons, P. had been treated with medical therapy instead of surgery over the past years before being taken to Cho Ray Hospital.

As an operation, which was expected to be difficult, was the only solution in P.s case, doctors at the hospital made thorough preparations and applied many complex techniques.

They separated the aorta and pulmonary artery before reconstructing the aortic root to ensure that the right aorta would come from the left ventricle and bring blood flow to the body.

Surgeons then completely reconstructed the pulmonary artery with grafts and biological valves, creating a new line connecting the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery.

The operation took nine hours, Dr. Van said, without specifying a date.

After being weaned off extracorporeal life support and a ventilator, ten days postoperatively, the patient has been in stable health and is expected to be discharged in the next few days.

According to Dr. Van, the patient has almost returned to a normal life, with normal cardiovascular physiology like everyone else.

According to Suc Khoe & Doi Song (Health & Life), which is the mouthpiece of the Ministry of Health, the entire cost of P.s surgery was covered by donations mobilized by the treatment team in coordination with the social work department of Cho Ray Hospital.

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The ABC is the latest media organisation to announce a future deal with digital behemoths, Google and Facebook.

Speaking last night at Senate Estimates, managing director David Anderson said, Tonight I am pleased to announce that the ABC has signed letters of intent with both Google and Facebook. When these commercial deals are concluded, they will enable the ABC to make new and significant investments in regional services.

These investments will provide a huge boost to the regions at a time when many areas of regional and rural Australia have experienced a withdrawal of media services.

The ABCs commitment to serving regional Australia and connecting all parts of the nation is unmatched by any other media organisation.

Impact, trust, and value. Wherever you live and whatever matters to you the most, the ABC will be there.

Seven West Media has previously announced deals with Google and Facebook and Nine with Google and a letter of intent with Facebook.

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Nine has commissioned a second season of WTFN-produced lifestyle series Space Invaders.

Nine has just commissioned a second 10 x 60 minute series of de-cluttering, renovation and transformation. It will go into production in the second half of 2021.

Only weeks after its launch during MIPTV, distributor Fred Media has also started on early deals  both for the finished series and the format.

The completed series has been acquired by TVNZ in New Zealand and SBS in Belgium, with a further eight territories currently under negotiation. Meanwhile, leading European production companies have signed early options for the format, alongside a yet-to-be announced European broadcaster. Production companies now working on local versions include Leonine Studios (Small Not Tall, The Ultimate Chart Show) in Germany, WeMake (The Big Crazy Game Night, Split Screen) in France and Aito Media (Four Star Home Makeover, You Are What You Eat) in Finland.

Leading US producer Critical Content (Catfish, Home Free, The Great Food Truck Race) has also struck a deal to rep the format stateside.

Mem Bakar, Fred Medias representative for UK and Western Europe, said: Following a difficult year, which has seen lots of people forced to either work from home or spend more time indoors, so many are reappraising their living spaces  and their lives. Space Invaders not only provides lots of smart tips and advice but the fact that it also taps into how people are feeling and understands the importance of the emotional attachment we have to our homes and belongings, is whats really resonating with broadcasters and producers. When you add in the general popularity of transformation and property shows, the high level of useful viewer takeout and a format that thats packed with heart and easy to localise, we anticipate that these early deals will be the first of many.

Across the globe families are battling a clutter crisis and desperately need an intervention. In the Australian series, enter inspirational declutter guru Peter Walsh. With multiple best-selling books and years organising for TV titan Oprah Winfrey, Peter has transformed thousands of lives. Understanding that peoples belongings are heavily tied to their emotions, in confronting scenes he pushes families to take ownership of their stuff and turn chaos to calm. Joining Peter is renovation queen Cherie Barber and treasure hunter Lucas Callaghan. Cherie has just two days to renovate the homes, with her mantra minimum spend for maximum impact. Meanwhile former Aussie Pickers star Lucas sorts through the trash to find hidden gems he can turn into fast cash. Authentic, emotion-charged and always good humoured, Space Invaders helps those in greatest need, and in the process inspires homeowners to improve their lives.

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Nines Travel Guides reviewers tonight are in Turkey.

Our Travel Guides take on Turkey for a week-long holiday full of exotic culture, history and unexpected surprises. This land at the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East is one of the most popular holiday playgrounds in the world but will it be a Turkish Delight for our Guides?

The ancient city of Istanbul is the jumping off point for our Travel Guides. They base themselves in the authentic old quarter of Sultanahmet and find out what it took to be a Sultan in the Ottoman Empire. The royal treatment continues at the 600-year-old Topkapi Palace, one of the largest and best-preserved palaces on the planet.

The Grand Bazaar is the biggest market in the world, and our Travel Guides are keen to hunt for a Turkish bargain and learn the hard way about bartering. Our Guides take their new purchases for a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait and meet some locals who are almost too friendly.

Our Guides disembark near the Galata Bridge where they try the local specialty  a fresh fish sandwich. For some of our Guides it is culinary heaven, for others, its a disaster. Before they leave Istanbul, our Travel Guides try the most Turkish of experiences, the Turkish Bath.

This all-nude bubble bath combined with a massage and spa treatment sees some of our Guides pushed to the edge.

7:30pm tonight on Nine.

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Education

centerpiece

Tyler Legacy students honor 1996 alumni killed during military service with engraving ceremony

Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph Macy Skinner, member of the Rho Kappa honor society, speaks during a brick unveiling ceremony honoring Chief Warrant Officer 4 and Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1996 alumnus at Tyler Legacy High School on Tuesday. Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph Veterans who attended a brick unveiling ceremony placed pennies on the stone to honor fallen Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jesse Anderson at Tyler Legacy High School on Tuesday. Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph Friends gathered at Tyler Legacy High School for a special brick unveiling ceremony for Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jesse Anderson on Tuesday. Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph Tyler Legacy High School color guard was on hand for a special ceremony honoring fallen Chief Warrant Officer 4 on Tuesday. Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph Rho Kappa honor society members Hayden McCullough (left) and Jonathan Everett unveil a brick in a special ceremony on Tuesday to honor Jesse Anderson. Anderson was a Chief Warrant Officer 4 in the Idaho Army National Guard who passed away during an army training exercise on Feb. 2. Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph A photo of Chief Warrant Officer 4 and Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1996 alumni Jesse Anderson was on display at the special brick unveiling in his honor on Tuesday. Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph Family friend and ceremony organizer Caryl Werntz releases balloons during the special event honoring fallen Officer Jesse Anderson. Anderson was a chief warrant officer no. 4 in the Idaho Army National Guard who died during an army training exercise on Feb. 2.

Jesse Anderson, a 1996 Robert E. Lee High School alumnus, was remembered for his military service and his fun, genuine personality by friends and current students of his alma mater on Tuesday morning.

The Tyler Legacy High Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society students hosted a ceremony to unveil the addition of Andersons name to the Tyler Legacy High School Flag Pole Memorial Area, which includes names of veterans killed who graduated from the high school.

Anderson, who was a chief warrant officer No. 4 in the Idaho Army National Guard, died during an army training exercise on Feb. 2 this year.

Macy Skinner, Rho Kappa member, said the honor society members wanted to honor one of their alumni.

We wanted to do something for his family and so they know that they have supporters at the school, Skinner said.

She said Rho Kappa focuses on projects related to history, and with Anderson serving in the military it felt appropriate for Rho Kappa to lead the ceremony.

Skinner called the ceremony eye-opening and something her and the other students were happy to do for the family.

I learned that he had a family that loved him very much, she said. I learned he loved this country and he had a respect for this country, which is really great to know.

Aaron Werntz, also a 1996 Lee alumni and Andersons best friend in high school, remembered Anderson as a fun-loving prankster and adventurous guy. He said he was appreciative of the service the students put together for his friend.

At that age, your best friend is very special, he said. We were both discovering motorcycles at the time. He was a patriot, and guys like him should be honored and the service was so nice.

Rho Kappa learned about Andersons death and military service thanks to a call from Aaron Werntzs mother Caryl Werntz.

Jesse was at my house a lot. He was my sons best friend and my daughters boyfriend junior and senior year, she said. He just lived at the house.

She made the call to the school to notify staff of Andersons death and the school flag was flown at half-mast at the time. A few months past and she learned about the engraving ceremony the students planned to honor Anderson.

Caryl Werntz recalled her son and Anderson being the only two students who had motorcycles, and he loved going fast.

He was extremely well-liked, Caryl Werntz said. He was extremely lovable and likable  a great friend.

Anderson was in training to be a commercial pilot, and he just had six weeks left to meet the requirements when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the airline industry, she said.

He was always focused on what he wanted to accomplish, and he was always an upbeat and fun person, Caryl Werntz said.

Aaron Werntz said Anderson was smart and also mechanically inclined as he worked on his motorcycle often.

He was a genuine guy and he did not put up fronts. He was just one of those kind of guys that would do anything for you, Aaron Werntz said.

In his officer position, Anderson performed duties as the battalion standardization instructor pilot for the first of the 168th General Support Aviation Battalion.

During his 20-year military career, he gained nearly 6,000 flight hours and more than 1800 combat flight hours in the UH-60L Blackhawk helicopter and the C-12 Huron airplane. He spent over 1,000 days deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He is survived by his wife, Vikki and their four children, Savannah, Marcus, Kyle and Jase.
Vietnam War-era policies underlie much of the militarization of today's society as well as political and social polarization and violence, according to a University of Dayton Human Rights Center report to be released May 27.

"Americas war in Vietnam ended 50 years ago, but the legacies of that conflict remain potent," the report "Coming to Terms with Legacies of the Vietnam War" contends. "The premise underpinning this report is that where war legacies are not adequately addressed by governments, civil society, and other stakeholders, societies are more likely to repeat mistakes and perpetuate injustice and conflict," the authors wrote.

The 60-page report takes stock of U.S. efforts to address the legacies of war in Southeast Asia and advise what remains to be done. It also spotlights advocates embodying the diverse and devastating impacts of the war, and ongoing efforts to mitigate those effects. The report seeks to reach policymakers, humanitarian and advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders with a series of policy recommendations.

Click here for the complete report. Key findings include:

Societal transformation - The Vietnam War accelerated the militarization of U.S. society. Militarized societies are those in which the tactics, organizations, equipment and anxieties characteristic of armed conflict infiltrate everyday life. Specific tactical and organizational changes initiated in the 1960s brought police departments closer to military units. These include transfers of military equipment to domestic law enforcement, the creation of elite SWAT units, and the use of military terms to describe police operations ("war on drugs," for example). Returning African American veterans helped defend Black communities from state violence and white supremacist threats. Militia groups and anti-government extremists have used the symbols of the war in Southeast Asia to recruit members, especially veterans, and build support for "taking back" the U.S. government from perceived domestic enemies, with consequences seen in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Polarization in domestic affairs and failure to manage these at home also distracts the U.S. from dealing effectively with foreign issues, weakening our influence and competitiveness abroad, especially in China and Southeast Asia.

Accountability and reparations - Images of U.S. soldiers committing war crimes and other violations are an iconic legacy of the conflict. The effects of the U.S. use of Agent Orange and unexploded ordnance remain formidable for many Vietnamese, Lao and Cambodians as well as for children of Vietnam vets. Congressional action has brought the U.S. closer to upholding international norms and funding for clean-up and support for impacted veterans and communities. However, the pressures of domestic politics continue to threaten acceptance of and adherence to global norms. Since the Vietnam War ended, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have tested U.S. commitment to accountability for violations of international and domestic laws by U.S. soldiers and contractors. Moreover, more needs to be done to provide redress for those living with long-term debilitating impacts.

Reconciliation and healing - Acknowledging past wrongdoing promotes healing, but politics present a significant barrier. Despite the evidence of wrongdoing in the Vietnam conflict, the United States never has acknowledged its responsibility. In addition to avoiding responsibility for the war itself, apologies from the U.S. to veterans of the war on both sides as well as citizens of Vietnam have been slow. Veterans and advocates have sought to fill the gap by making amends for the war through humanitarian initiatives. While recognition of the trauma and injury of war on individuals is now more widespread, particularly for those who serve, less has been done to encourage healing from the broader effects of war on American society.

Truth-telling and memorialization - Societies cannot move beyond conflict without frankly confronting the past. Exercises in truth-telling advance justice by providing closure to the victims of war, fostering reflection among perpetrators of wrongdoing, and dispelling wartime lies and propaganda. Without structured forums for truth-telling, much of the narrative of the Vietnam conflict has centered on the complex and often tragic experiences of white, male American military veterans, leaving out African American, female and Vietnamese, Lao and Cambodian perspectives. Greater recognition of the gendered dimensions of the conflict, the Vietnamese American refugee experience, the effects of peace activism and the links to the civil rights movement are needed in museum exhibits and historical lessons. Acknowledging such hidden histories in the classroom and broader culture is crucial for establishing a shared and comprehensive understanding of war legacies and promoting peace. Expanding standard narratives to reflect racial, gender and political diversity should continue in education and popular culture, particularly as a means of combating enduring racial and other biases and inequities.

Shelley Inglis, UD Human Rights Center executive director, and Paul Morrow, post-doctoral fellow in the center, wrote the report with financial support from UD alumnus and Vietnam veteran John (Jack) Meagher. The report emerged from a scholar-practitioner symposium and feedback from Vietnamese groups in Dayton and the Stimson Centers War Legacies Working Group; particularly Roots of Peace, Legacies of War, PeaceTrees Vietnam, the War Legacies Project, Project RENEW, the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at James Madison University, and the United States Institute of Peace.

Inglis will present findings as part of a Stimson Center virtual event at 9 a.m. ET May 27, timed to accommodate audiences in Southeast Asia and in advance of Memorial Day in the United States. Inglis joins a panel with George Black, who wrote The New York Times article "The Victims of Agent Orange the U.S. Has Never Acknowledged"; Tammy Baldwin, U.S. senator from Wisconsin; Khamphan Anlavan, ambassador from Lao Peoples Democratic Republic to the U.S.; Susan Hammond, a daughter of a Vietnam veteran who has helped chart the enduring impacts of Agent Orange; and Sera Koulabdara, executive director of Legacies of War. Register here.

For more interviews, contact Shawn Robinson, associate director of news and communications, at srobinson1@udayton.edu or 937-232-2907.
Geopolitics and international relations have undergone several transformations throughout the 20th century. The first two decades of the 21st century marked the resurgence of other powers, with the reappearance of Russia and China: Russia recovering part of its sphere of influence in its surroundings; and China consolidating itself as a global economic power, both of which play an important role on the geopolitical board, Edgar Gandra and Charles Pennaforte, Professors at the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPEL), Brazil, write for Modern Diplomacy. These countries took advantage of the gaps generated by another structural crisis of world capitalism, materialized in the financial crisis of 2008, the consequences of which have influenced the relative decline of the United States ability to impose its majority will on the world system, as it has since the end of the 2nd World War.

Based on the decline of US influence in recent decades, the emergence of important actors at the beginning of the 21st century and the questioning of their unilateral postures, the emergence of the BRICS represented a common multipolar and multilateral world perspective for tackling global problems. Despite the disbelief of the central core of capitalism (EUA  Europe), the BRICS gained geopolitical projection of great importance at the beginning of the 21st century. The countries that participates up this power bloc own 26% of the territory, 42% of the population and 14% of the worlds GDP, as well as contributing more than 50% of the worlds GDP increase between 2005 and 2010.

For many Western analysts, the BRICS had no possibility of organizing a common agenda that would involve a large-scale articulation on the international stage. Such a prediction has not come true. China and Russia, the two currently most powerful BRICS countries, face competition from the United States for areas of influence. The aggressive rhetoric of Washington and the economic measures against Beijing demonstrated the great concern of the Donald Trump administration with the development of the countrys economic and geopolitical in recent years.

Despite the decline in its economic growth, Beijing has been increasing its economic influence in various parts of the world, either through the New Silk Road project or through its operations on the African continent, for example. In addition to its companies competing on an equal footing with Western companies (Huawei, for example), China has been taking advantage of the geopolitical and economic gaps created by the US in recent years to increase its influence.

On the other hand, Moscow has been suffering the impacts of a series of economic measures that seek to weaken its national project carried out by Vladimir Putin. This is with more emphasis since 2014, when Russia returned Crimea to its borders, faced with the possibility of a pro-Western government (NATO) in Ukraine and at the gates of its territory with clear objectives of creating fragile spots along its borders. Washington, for example, sees Moscow in recent years as a growing threat to American strategic interests. Its worth remembering that Russia has never adopted an offensive stance against any country, except when its geopolitical security may be affected as in the case of the totally unnecessary NATO approach.

Russia has showed no expansionists or imperialists perspectives. On the contrary, Russia has defended in international forums the basic principles of diplomacy, against any form of unilateral actions. Western media reports a reversal of intent by placing Russia as a belligerent country with expansionist aspirations. The historical facts show just the opposite. The Obama, Trump and now Joe Biden administrations aimed to prevent in every way the consolidation of Russian role of global protagonists in the construction of an environment without hegemony in the international system (geopolitical primacy).

As China and Russia are the main actors of the BRICS, the weakening of both in the geopolitical and strategic aspect (the actions of Washington and partners go in this direction) would represent the very decline of the bloc and its objectives of building a new global governance in a multipolar and multilateral world.

The New Development Bank

The BRICS consolidation since its foundation has gained shape, its economic initiatives such as the New Development Bank (NBD), which point to a still increasing intra-bloc and extra-bloc concertation. The so-called BRICS Bank can still accelerate the institutionalization of the group, which until then functioned more as a forum for discussions than as a formalized institution.

The creation of the NDB was seen by some analysts as a timely reflection on the changes in world power, while others accentuated the fact that the bank is yet another illustrative element of Chinas global ambitions in terms of power projection. The creation of a possible competitor in offering financial resources on fairer bases than those offered by the IMF and/or World Bank would change the traditional monetary power centre set up since the end of WW II. As a consequence, the geopolitical center of power would be altered, accentuating the decline of the traditional core of capitalism. The consolidation of the NBD as a real alternative would be an important gain for the Sino-Russian geopolitical architecture of creating another geo-economic pole.

In a context in which the worlds economy is suffering immense upheavals because of Covid-19, causing a large number of infections and deaths and forcing the most diverse regions of the world to make drastic isolations of their populations, global international cooperation takes on new importance, as the most affected countries, such as Brazil, need financial assistance to deal with the crisis, the NBD has reappeared with a prominent role in this context of the pandemic, which offered the most advantageous prospects of financial support to face the crisis, among the development banks that Brazil resorted to. In addition to the foreign ministers of the BRICS countries, members of the bank have held virtual meetings to develop financial solutions in the fight against Covid-19.

In the first moment, the NBD provided, in April 2020, a credit line of U$ 1 billion for each country of the block. A further disbursement of US$ 10 billion is planned to be divided between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The BRICS moves between the expectations of reaching half of world GDP in 2030, as assumed by the most optimistic perspectives before the pandemic and the estimated decline of 5% of the GDP of the countries in the bloc in 2020, as pointed out by the Analytical Center of the Government of Russia. Taking into account that the statistics of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund estimate about 5% of the fall of the World GDP for 2020, it can be assumed that the BRICS countries have not suffered great shock as a block, given the global scenario. China and India, in this sense, have good expectations of recovering their economy, compensating for the worse performance of Brazil, Russia and South Africa.

The Covid-19 pandemic is a further component in this geopolitical scenario in which the BRICS will have to demonstrate its ability to propose alternatives to the collapse of the world order, with a review of globalization, multilateralism, and the international trade regime.

Nowadays the BRICS is trying to establish itself as an alternative to the reordering of the world system. In this context of unforeseen circumstances, the BRICS has to deal with the demands for its affirmation as an institution and bloc of international power, as well as being subject to the systemic transformations engendered by the United States, which struggle to remain its hegemony.

In a scenario of uncertainties, the BRICS group, seeks to be an actor capable of proposing alternatives amid an order that collapses, facing the rearrangements of power in global geopolitics. The countries that make up the group, called emerging countries, will need to (re)emerge in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and its correlated crises, another disruptive element in this geopolitical framework. The economic recovery capacity of the BRICS countries in relation to the rest of the world can foreshadow the future of the bloc.
On May 11, Israel launched The Guardian of the Walls operation after Hamas fired rockets at Israeli territory. An agreement on a ceasefire has now been reached, but it is too early to talk about a complete settlement of the conflict. On May 17, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi put forth a four-point proposal for peace in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

According to The Diplomat, Wang called for both parties to the conflict to immediately stop military and hostile actions and said that Israel must exercise restraint in particular. He stressed the need for humanitarian aid, the lifting of the blockade of Gaza, and international support for a two-state solution that included a fully sovereign and independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as the capital, to achieve the harmonious coexistence of the Arab and Jewish nations and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Over the last few days, China has also criticized the U.S. response to the violence as a political farce after Washington blocked a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire and approved a $735 million dollar arms sale to Israel amid Israels ongoing assault on civilian centers in Gaza. Beijing has also offered to host a summit that would bring the two sides into direct negotiations.

How seriously should these pronouncements be taken, and how likely are they to lead to a breakthrough in negotiations?

Wangs comments resurrected the four-point proposal made by Xi Jinping in 2017, which itself was a repackaging of the four-point plan for peace offered by Xi to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in 2013. While the specific language of these three plans has varied, the content has largely remained the same and has been consistent with Chinas stance toward the Israel-Palestine conflict since the early 1990s. Notably, the plans are often vague (although perhaps no more so than the usual U.N. resolutions on the subject) and offer nothing substantially new on the topic. In general, all three versions endorse the international consensus that calls for a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, condemn human rights violations and aggression on both sides, and call for mediated negotiations. Mohammad al-Sudairi has argued that these calls are all within the framework of the global consensus and the principles accepted and voiced by the moderate Arab camp and embody what he calls Chinas essentially conservative disposition toward the conflict.

These earlier attempts all failed to strike a chord with the parties involved. Although Abbas is fond of public trips to China, which he made in 2013 and 2017, Palestinians are unlikely to see the Chinese as a neutral partner due to their close relationship with Israel. According to 2018 data from the World Bank, Israel imported more goods from China than anywhere else, while China is the second-largest importer of Israeli products. Bilateral trade stands at around $15 billion and includes cooperation in infrastructure and high technology. While this is just a drop in the bucket of Chinas total trade value, Israel has historically been an important source of military technology that the United States is unwilling to share. According to a report from the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, as of 2010 Israel rank[ed] second only to Russia as a weapons system provider to China and as a conduit for sophisticated military technology, followed by France and Germany.

This relationship has often drawn the ire of the United States, which occasionally pressures Israel to pull out of various deals with China. Most recently, U.S. pressure prevented Israel from selling advanced Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft to China. However, despite these occasional bumps, the tendency has been to share rather than withhold technology.

Israel has also been seen as the research and development (R&D) lab of China in recent decades in a way that other Middle Eastern countries have not been. China and Israel have hosted many reciprocal business events that facilitate cooperation between Chinese and Israeli firms, usually with Israel providing technology to an established Chinese company. There are also significant R&D ties between businesses in the two nations, which culminated in a general R&D Cooperation Agreement between the two nations in 2010, as well as a separate R&D Cooperation Agreement with the municipal government of Shanghai, which provides funding for research and development for any joint projects of Israeli and Chinese companies.

Starting in 2016, Chinese investors became especially interested in online businesses based in Israels Silicon Wadi, which offers less regulation than its U.S. counterpart. These companies bring advanced technology and experience to these projects, including new R&D to meet needs in China, which local firms then borrow and integrate. While U.S. pressure again sometimes prevents important connections from materializing  most recently by blocking Israels use of Chinese telecommunications company Huaweis 5G technology  the relationship has been steadily trending upwards.

While China has a similar relationship with several Arab states that (at least rhetorically) champion the Palestinian cause, Chinas relations with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and other Palestinian organizations are much weaker. China has also been slow to embrace some of the most important positions held by the Arab states and the PLO. For example, in 2010, at the Fourth Ministerial China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Tianjin, China refused to sign a resolution affirming East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state, likely under pressure from Israeli lobbyists.

At the same time, despite robust ties with Beijing, Israel has no interest in having China act as a mediator, either. When Xi Jinping offered to mediate a meeting between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2013 during an official state visit, Netanyahu unsurprisingly sidestepped the offer in favor of discussing economic issues and Chinas relationship with Iran. With the United States providing diplomatic support and vetoing any attempts at even moderate diplomatic pressure, there is little reason for the Israelis to change their stance now.

In short, Wangs latest four-point plan is simply a rehash of the international consensus, with no real chance of bringing either the Israelis or the Palestinians to the negotiating table. Chinas interests in maintaining positive relations with Israel preclude it from offering anything that will truly threaten the status quo or pressuring Israel to accept mediation. Any progress would be contingent on Israel agreeing to allow China to step into the negotiations, a development that Netanyahu has every incentive to avoid. While Chinas rhetorical support for the Palestinians is an important part of its strategy of engagement with the Arab world, it only needs to embrace the international consensus to win the support of the Arab states, which are themselves content to make only just enough noise about Palestine to satisfy their own populations.

Chinese support for the Palestinians should thus be understood primarily as a tool of foreign policy. For this reason, one should not expect China to be any more dedicated to the Palestinian cause than the rest of the international community and should have no illusions regarding the Chinese stance toward the Palestinians and Israel. Good relations with the Israelis can offer substantial trade markets and access to commercial and military technology, and maintaining a balance between Israel and the Arab states enhances Chinas image as a rising superpower that can be trusted by all sides. The Palestinians can offer none of these things. China pays no real price for offering rhetorical support, so it can effectively have its cake and eat it too.

Like all states, China plays a game without rules and is fundamentally self-interested and pragmatic. Though China is likely to become an increasingly important player in the Middle East over the next few decades, it is not likely that it will take a substantially different approach to the peace process than any established power.
Two major banks in Tajikistan, both once considered too big to fail, have been liquidated at the orders of the authorities. The National Bank of Tajikistan, or NBT, said in a statement last week that Agroinvestbank and Tojiksodirotbank, which have been teetering on the verge of collapse for around half a decade, have been wound down because restructuring and recapitalization efforts did nothing to improve their financial situation.

According to Eurasianet, when the condition of the two lenders became clear in 2016, the government stopped at little to save them. In December that year, parliament approved a decree to issue bonds worth around half a billion dollars with which to recapitalize Agroinvestbank and Tojiksodirotbank, along with two other distressed banks: Fononbank and Tojprombank. This amounted in effect to printing that amount of cash in somoni, the local currency.

The bailout process ended up with the Finance Ministry holding an 85 percent stake in Tojiksodirotbank and an 87 percent stake in Agroinvestbank.

Officials also touted their efforts to drum up interest in a takeover from foreign investors from places like China and Saudi Arabia. In at least one case, desperate attempts to persuade the public that help was on the way ended up with Tojiksodirotbank signing a provisional deal with a would-be Saudi investor posing as a member of that countrys royal family.

Before the bailouts occurred, there had been long-standing speculation that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, or EBRD, might be interested in securing a majority stake in Tojiksodirotbank, but all such plans foundered amid the Tajik lenders reluctance to be transparent about the state of its books.

The NBT says the deposits of fully 23,700 Agroinvestbank accountholders and 3,500 Tojiksodirotbank customers will be paid back out of the states Savings Insurance Fund. Other depositors can expect to received partial compensation. The rest of the money owed will be paid once the banks assets have been sold off, the regulator said. This last point is likely a vain promise, however, since the authorities have with little success been trying to raise money in this way for years.

Tojiksodirotbank does, however, possess some appealing assets. Holdings include a stake in Dushanbe Mall and Hotel Tajikistan, two well-positioned properties in the center of the capital. Dushanbe Mall was built for $14 million  of which $5 million was provided by the EBRD.

The disappearance of these two banks does not mark as calamitous a turn of events as might once have been the case. As the significance of Agroinvestbank and Tojiksodirotbank faded, other industry players have arrived on the scene. Some are startups, while the fortunes of others, like Imon International, a micro-lender based in the north of the country, appear to have been boosted by the recent involvement of foreign investors.

Even as Agroinvestbank and Tojiksodirotbank were experiencing their troubles, which authorities say were brought on as a knock-on effect of the economic crisis in Russia, newer players appeared suddenly on the market. They included Kommertsbank Tajikistan and International Bank of Tajikistan. The background of these players indicated that they enjoyed a considerable advantage in the form of political patronage.

Before rebranding, Kommertsbank Tajikistan used to go under the name Faroz and was a microcredit group. The lender is understood to be controlled by a group owned by President Emomali Rahmons son-in-law, Shamsullo Sohibov.

International Bank of Tajikistan, meanwhile, is connected to another Rahmon relative, Jamshed Gulov, the brother of Ashraf Gulov, who is married to another of the presidents daughters.

Tavhidbonk, meanwhile, has emerged as Tajikistans first Islamic bank. The chief executive is Muhiddin Hasanzoda, the son of Hasan Asadullozoda, the president's brother-in-law.
The White House on Tuesday touted the U.S. reaching a new milestone when it comes to vaccinations, with 50% of adults becoming fully vaccinated, according to White House senior Covid-19 adviser Andy Slavitt.

"This is a major milestone in our country's vaccination efforts," Slavitt said during a White House briefing, noting only 1% of Americans were vaccinated when President Joe Biden entered office in January.

More than 130.6 million Americans are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as of Tuesday morning, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Overall, 49.4% of the U.S. population age 12 and above has received at least one shot and 39.3% of the U.S. population age 12 and above is fully vaccinated, CNN reported.

At least 25 states, plus Washington, DC, have now fully vaccinated at least half of their adult residents, CDC data shows.

U.S. President Joe Biden is aiming to partially vaccinate at least 70% of the countrys adult population by July 4.
Azerbaijan on Wednesday accused Armenian forces of firing at its troops across the two countries international border on May 24-26.

"Starting from 24 to 26 May, the positions of the Azerbaijan Army stationed in Kalbajar and Gadabay districts were periodically subjected to fire from the enemy positions in the Gegharkunik region of the Republic of Armenia by the use of small arms," Azerbaijans Ministry of Defense said.

"At the same time, the Armenian side shot in the air in the direction of our posts located around the city of Shusha," the ministry added.

According to the Azerbaijani Ministry, its own forces had not returned fire and that there had been no casualties.
Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense debunked reports of Azerbaijani troops firing at Armenian forces at the border and stated that the Armenian serviceman died in an accident.

"The Ministry of Defense of Armenia has once again published fake reports about the alleged fire opened by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces near Verin Shorzha settlement of Gekarkunik region hear the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. [] We state unambiguously that there has been no fire towards the other side," the statement reads.

"According to the information we have, the incident regarding the death of the Armenian serviceman happened due to an accident. The Azerbaijani side is in no way involved in it," the statement also underscores.

The Ministry noted that Azerbaijan remains in constant contact with Russia on this issue.
The situation on the border with Armenia has stabilized and is under control, spokesman for Azerbaijans State Border Service Murad Nagiyev said on Tuesday.

"The situation on the state border with Armenia is stable and is under our control. The Azerbaijani side is taking measures to promptly resolve disputes without any tensions," AzerTAc cited the spokesman as saying.

According to the spokesman, Azerbaijanis border guards maintain daily contacts with the Russian side.

"Reports that Azerbaijani border guards opened gunfire towards Armenia are not true. The Russian side got in contact with us today to say that Armenian and Azerbaijani servicemen had allegedly been shooting in the air. As a result, an Armenian soldier was wounded. The Russian side said also that the Armenian side had no claims to Azerbaijan over this incident," Nagiyev said.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for closer cooperation with the European Union as the two sides look to overcome challenges in an increasingly important relationship.

Speaking virtually at the annual Munich Security Conference, Wang was joined by former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Germany's ex-foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel.

"China is ready to maintain and expand all-round cooperation with Europe," Wang said.

"We see Europe as a partner, not a rival," Politico cited the Chinese Foreign Minister as saying.
EU leaders on Tuesday welcomed the introduction of a bloc-wide COVID-19 pass that they hope will unlock a tourist surge this summer.

The 27 member states want the EU Digital Covid Certificate, to be launched July 1, to turn the page on coronavirus restrictions that have crimped Europeans' cherished freedom of movement.

Coupled with a separate plan to let in fully vaccinated travellers from countries outside the EU, to be defined by the middle of June, Europe believes its vital tourist industry could claw back some of the losses racked up since the start of the pandemic.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen told a media conference after the summit that more than 300 million Covid-19 vaccine doses will have been delivered by the end of this week, rising to 400 million next month.

"If we continue like this, we have confidence that we will be able to safely reopen our societies," she said, adding the EU was on track to meet its goal of fully inoculating 70 percent of adults by late July.

"Progressively, we should return to the ability to move freely throughout the European Union," European Council President Charles Michel said.

EU countries and the European Parliament struck agreement last week on the legislation to come into force mid-June for the Covid certificate. Von der Leyen said all the technological infrastructure would be ready by June 1, AFP reported.
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is expected to visit Turkmenistan in 2H2021, according to the Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This was stated during a telephone conversation between Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tleuberdi.

The parties discussed a number of issues of bilateral cooperation, in particular, the interaction between the foreign ministries of the two countries.

The sides also discussed the preparations for the VI Caspian Summit, which will be held in Turkmenistan in the autumn of this year.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a videoconference meeting on the development of the electric power industry, Kazinform reports citing the Akorda press service.

Minister of Energy Nurlan Nogayev, Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development Beibut Atamkulov, Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources Magzum Mirzagaliyev, CEO of National Welfare Fund Samruk-Kazyna JSC Almasadam Satkaliyev, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kazakhstan Solar Energy Association Nurlan Kapenov, General Director of Total Energies Kazakhstan Ahlem Friga-Noy delivered presentations at the meeting.

Opening the meeting, the President highlighted the special importance of the development of electric power industry. Nowadays, the energy industry plays a key role in Kazakhstans economy. Ensuring energy security is one of the main tasks. The rate of energy consumption in Kazakhstan is growing from year to year. However, the new energy sources that are being launched do not match the growth rate. In fact, the countrys development directly depends on the stability of the energy sector, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden will meet in Geneva on June 16, the Kremlin's press service said on Tuesday.

"In accordance with the agreement reached, Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold talks with US President Joe Biden in Geneva on June 16," the news release says.

According to the press service, the Russian and U.S. leaders will raise several issues.

"They mean to discuss the current condition of Russian-U.S. relations and the outlook for their development, strategic stability, and crucial issues on the international agenda, such as interaction in the struggle against the coronavirus pandemic and the settlement of regional conflicts," the Kremlin said.

Geneva will host the first Putin-Biden meeting face to face since the U.S. leader's inauguration. The trip to Geneva will be Putin's first foreign visit since January 2020, when he traveled to Israel and Palestine.
The Kremlin is not anticipating that the first meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Joe Biden of the United States, will sort out all discords and lead to a reset in ties, but suggests that the summits significance should not be diminished, Russian Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.

"It is unlikely that just from the very first meeting, the parties will find common ground on the issues causing deep divisions. At the same time, it would be also wrong to play down the importance of this meeting," Peskov stressed.

Putin will never raise the topic of sanctions during the talks himself, Kremlin spokesman told journalist, answering a question whether this topic will be on agenda of the US-Russian summit.

"President Putin does not raise the issue of sanctions himself, because Russia has never been a proponent of such sanctions exercised," the spokesman said.

Commenting on the remark made by U.S. President Joe Biden that sanctions have proven themselves ineffective against the Nord Stream-2, Peskov underscored that "our point of view is that sanctions ineffective in general".

The particular location of the Geneva summit between Putin Biden, needs to be clarified and it will be picked jointly with Moscows American colleagues, he added.

"No, we will consider [it] and agree on this together with the Americans," TASS cited the spokesman as saying.

On Tuesday, both the Kremlin and the White House said that the Putin-Biden summit would take place in Geneva on June 16. According to the Kremlin press service, the presidents will discuss the current state of and prospects for further development of Russian-US relations, problems of strategic stability, as well as current issues of the international agenda, including cooperation in combating the coronavirus pandemic and settlement of regional conflicts. It will be the first personal meeting between the two leaders since the 46th US president entered the Oval Office. It will also be Putins first foreign visit since January 2020, when he visited Israel and Palestine.
The Justice of the Peace Court of Moscows Tagansky district fined Facebook 26 mln rubles ($353,500) for the refusal to remove prohibited information, the Courts press service told TASS on Tuesday.

"The court recognized Facebook as guilty in respect of eight administrative reports under Part 2, Article 13.41 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses and imposed fines: two fines of 4 mln rubles each and six fines of 3 mln rubles each. The total amount was 26 mln rubles," TASS cited a court spokesperson as saying.

Earlier on Tuesday, the court fined Google 8 mln rubles ($108,700) under the same article of the Code.
The UN Office in Geneva (UNOG) is ready to provide a platform for the Russia-U.S. summit, if such a request is received from the parties, the office's spokeswoman Alessandra Vellucci said.

"UNOG is very satisfied that the presidential summit is taking place in Geneva. This confirms the role of Geneva as a venue of choice for high-level international events. Of course, if requested, we stand ready to do everything to support it," Sputnik cited her as saying.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden, are scheduled to meet in person in Geneva on June 16. The meeting between the two leaders has been discussed by Moscow and Washington for several months.

The two presidents will concentrate on the most critical issues surrounding bilateral ties, according to a White House statement released earlier in the day.
The flow of international capital has helped Vietnamese businesses grow quickly and build multi-sectoral businesses via big mergers and acquisition deals.

Sherpa Co., Ltd., a member of Masan Group (MSN), has announced that it will spend US$15 million to buy 20% of Phuc Long Heritage, the owner of the Phuc Long coffee brand.

Under this deal, the two sides will jointly develop the "Phuc Long Kiosk" model through a network of more than 2,200 VinMart+ stores nationwide. They plan to develop 1,000 Phuc Long Kiosks in 18-24 months. In the next five years, as planned, VinMart will have 10,000 stores. This will be an opportunity for Phuc Long bubble tea.

The decision to buy Phuc Long milk tea is to increase the profit margin of VinMart+ system (estimated by 4%) and develop the Point of Life consumer ecosystem.

Vietnams consumption of tea and coffee is estimated at $2.3 billion and is expected to grow by more than 10% annually. Branded tea and coffee retail chains account for only 25%, including big brands such as Highlands Coffee (over 300 stores), The Coffee House (over 150 stores) and Starbucks (over 70 stores). With a young population who love to experience new products and services, the chain of branded tea and coffee shops is forecasted to explode in the next decade.

Recently, Masa Group of billionaire Nguyen Dang Quang has acquired many leading enterprises in various industries. Its M&A strategy to expand its business lines has been methodically implemented over the years.

Masan has acquired a series of Vietnamese brands over the past year.

Most recently, Masan, in its biggest deal, acquired VinCommerce from Vingroup Group of billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong in a bid to build the No. 1 retail-consumer empire in Southeast Asia.

Earlier, Masan carried out many big deals, including buying a controlling stake in Nui Phao mine; acquiring Vinacafe Bien Hoa; Vinh Hao; buying shares of Cholimex Foods; investing in Proconco and ANCO; and purchasing control shares of NETCO and 3F Viet.

In the market, investors also witnessed many huge M&A deals: Thaco bought HAGL's agricultural segment; Nova Group spent billions of USD to carry out M&A deals in 2020; Vinamilk spent nearly VND1,800 billion acquiring GTNFoods - the parent company of Moc Chau Milk; and Indo Tran spent more than $40 million acquiring Sotrans. Recently, it was reported that Vinh Hoan planned to spend hundreds of billions of VND to acquire Banh Phong Tom (glutinous rice patty mixed with powdered shrimp) Sa Giang.

M&A activities have been active in recent years and the most prominent deals were conducted by Masan Group by taking advantage of international financial resources. For more than a decade, Masan has raised nearly $3 billion from international capital markets.

Most recently, Masan attracted $400 million from Alibaba and Baring Private Asia (BPEA) to buy newly issued shares of The CrownX (a member of Masan). According to Masan, the group is negotiating a strategic investment transaction with other investors worth between $300 and $400 million in The CrownX, expected to be completed this year.

V. Ha

Vietnam stock market among worlds best performers in Jan-May Vietnams stock market remained among the worlds best performers in the first five months as the benchmark Vn-Index rose by 16.31% against early 2021 to 1,283.93 points at the close on May 21, according to StockQ.
Vietnams stock market made a spectacular breakthrough in the first months of the year with the VN Index staying at the 1,200 point threshold and some blue-chip prices strongly increasing.

Just within 1.5 months, THS shares of Thanh Hoa Song Da JSC saw prices hitting the ceiling at 23 trading sessions, increasing from VND6,200 per share on April 12 to VND51,600.

The sharp increase reflected the general uptrend of steel stocks, when the domestic and international steel prices were soaring.

TLH shares of Thep Tien Len have seen prices increasing by three times in the last three months, from VND6,000 to VND20,000 per share, while NKG of Nam Kim Steel by three times in the last six months and HPG of Hoa Phat Group by two times from VND35,000 in late 2020 to VND65,000. The two-fold increase was also reported for HSG of Hoa Sen Group.

The prices of bank, securities and real estate shares are also soaring.

TCB of Techcombank owned by billionaire Ho Hung Anh has seen the price reaching a historic peak of VND50,800 per share, while VPB of VP Bank was traded at VND67,800 per share on May 21, which was 2.5 times higher than six months ago.

The price of VCI of Ban Viet Securities, owned by the well-known businesswoman Nguyen Thanh Phuong, has nearly doubled to VND74,000 per share, while SSI of Nguyen Duy Hungs Saigon Securities Incorporated has reached a new peak of VND39,000 per share.

Analysts note that while a lot of mid- and small-cap stocks have turned down under profit-taking pressure, blue chips continued their upward trend.

Among real estate shares, Novalands shares are now at the unprecedented peak of VND140,000 per share after days of increases.

MSN of billionaire Nguyen Dang Quangs Masan Group made a new record of VND113,000 per share after it announced a series of big deals.

While the VN Index hovers around the 1,280 point threshold, the VN30 Index, which shows performance of the 30 largest stocks, has surpassed the 1,400 point threshold, a 30 percent increase compared with early this year.

Cash flow to bluechips

The short steel supply in the context of high demand thanks to economic stimulus packages all over the world is the reason behind the sharp price rise. Steel demand is extremely high in China in the post-pandemic and economic recovery period.

According to Vietstock, the fact that the VN30 Index is forming the White Marubozu candlestick pattern after a period of going flat shows that buyers are at an advantage.

The trading volume is higher than previous days and higher than the 20-session average level, which shows an abundant cash flow.

Bank, steel, real estate and retail shares have made great contributions to the VN Index.

Steel shares, including HPG, have been hunted by investors thanks to the good business performance of steel manufacturers. Hoa Phat, for example, reported high post-tax profit of VND7 trillion in Q1, a 200 percent growth rate compared with the same period last year.

The major driving force of Hoa Phat is the skyrocketing steel price, including HRC and structural steel. Hoa Phat can be self-reliant on iron ore.

The short steel supply in the context of high demand thanks to economic stimulus packages all over the world is the reason behind the sharp price rise. Steel demand is extremely high in China in the post-pandemic and economic recovery period.

Though share prices are increasing sharply, billionaire Tran Dinh Longs family members keep buying.

Longs son, Tran Vu Minh, registered to buy 5 million HPG shares from May 21 to June 18. If succeeding, Minh would have to spend VND320 billion to increase his amount of shares to 53 million, or 1.6 percent of Hoa Phat shares.

In early 2020, Minh bought 40 million HPG shares, while Long bought 24 million.

Hoa Phat plans to obtain revenue of VND120 trillion in 2021 and post-tax profit of VND18 trillion, up by 33.15 percent and 33.27 percent, respectively, compared with 2020.

Many large corporations have made breakthrough steps in their business, which helped bluechip prices increase sharply.

Masan Group has revealed a plan to bring The CrownX into the bourse after integrating its consumer goods manufacturing and meat processing into the VinCommerce network.

Masan has made huge capital increases, including the sale of 5.5 percent of The CrownX to Alibaba group of investors for $400 million. The group plans to wrap up a strategic investment deal with other investors, worth $300-400million.

Bloomberg reported that Masan is considering raising $1 billion to invest in animal feed manufacturing, a division belonging to Masan MeatLife (MML).

VIC shares of dollar billionaire Pham Nhat Vuongs Vingroup hit a new peak recently, having capitalization value equal to that of many banks combined, following the news about VinFasts IPO plan in the US.

The IPO is expected to bring $2-3 billion and the brand may have the value of $50 billion at minimum after listing.

Vingroup has issued $500 million of international bonds with the option to receive Vinhomes shares (VHM) at VND123,000 per share.

In the real estate sector, Novaland (NVL) has announced its total project development value of $45 billion. With three key projects, NVL plans to make a profit of $2 billion in 2021-2023.

M. Ha

Vietnam stock market among worlds best performers in Jan-May Vietnams stock market remained among the worlds best performers in the first five months as the benchmark Vn-Index rose by 16.31% against early 2021 to 1,283.93 points at the close on May 21, according to StockQ.
The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) wants people to wear a tracking wristband during and after their concentrated quarantine period. The estimated production cost is $35.

Do Cong Anh from the Authority of Information Technology Application (AITA) on May 22 told VietNamnet that MIC proposed the idea to the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control.

The bracelet has been developed by Vietnamese enterprises using GPS (global positioning system) technology to record the locations people have been to. It has a 30-day battery. It can give an alert if people go out of quarantine areas.

MIC suggested that some Vietnamese firms would develop this product with capital from different sources in society.

Hong Kong has decided to attach electronic bracelets to all travelers entering the special administrative region for medical supervision during 2-week quarantine in an effort to stop the spread of Covid-19. The bracelet is connected with a smartphone app used to control quarantine at home.

AITA said the agency has worked with technology transport firms on a mechanism on information sharing. If the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control sends telephone numbers that need to be traced, the firms will send results about the departure and destinations of the owners.

The agency is also working with the firms on a mechanism to help bring people from concentrated quarantine areas to their places of residence.

The apps for medical declarations have been an effective tool to prevent and control Covid-19. However, some people don't have smartphones. Many people are required to make declarations when they check in at new destinations, and some people dont know where to submit them. As a result, many people do not complete their health declarations.

At an online conference of the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control with the Bac Ninh and Bac Giang on May 16, the committee stressed the importance of medical declarations from people who have relations with people living in Covid epicenters, and people going to hospitals and flying on planes.

Medical declarations are being used throughout the country, but are being applied in inconsistent ways.

The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) wants people to wear a tracking wristband during and after their concentrated quarantine period. The estimated production cost is $35.



At the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, Chair of the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevent and Control, asked the Ministry of Health (MOH) to check the regulations on medical declarations to be sure that the declaration requirements are simple enough for all people to fulfil. He also asked to set up a hotline to help people to make declarations.

Anh said that after realizing that many people dont make medical declarations via apps, but instead call agencies to make declarations, the agency has set up a hotline in charge of receiving declarations. VNPT set up the free hotline 18001119 where people can receive guidance to choose appropriate declaration forms.

AITA has added a declaration code that will require people to update their status within 24 hours. If they dont, they will be discovered when going through security check.

How does the bracelet work?

MIC said if using foreign solutions, there would be problems in mastering and customizing the solutions to Vietnamese conditions. Moreover, Vietnam would depend on the production capacity of partners, which would affect Vietnams Covid-19 prevention and control plan.

MIC believes that enterprises can organize production within a short time and data would be stored in Vietnam.

If the bracelet plan is approved, enterprises just need four weeks to research and customize products to fit the requirements, and to organize mass production.

Temperature monitoring and usage status are the two main functions of the bracelet.

It can also discover close contacts based on Bluetooth technology. It has the same operating mechanism as tracing applications. It also examines compliance with regulations by quarantined persons, based on GPS technology.

According to experts, depending on the pandemic control strategy being applied, one of these two technologies, or both of them, are used. Singapore, for example, has been using a device to discover close contacts and a device to support quarantine supervision.

MIC has emphasised the urgent need for quarantine monitoring in the context of the fourth wave of Covid-19.

Thai Khang

Vietnam to double-check all quarantined incoming people Police of provinces and cities will closely coordinate with the People's Committees of districts and related units to review all people who entered Vietnam from April 4 to May 5 and have undergone the mandatory quarantine period.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison expressed his wish to elevate the Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership during an online talk with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh on May 25. 

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (Photo: VNA)

Morrison affirmed that he attaches importance to advancing the bilateral relationship, and lauded achievements Vietnam has recorded in COVID-19 prevention and control, as well as socio-economic development and foreign affairs over the past time.

In reply, Chinh affirmed his willingness to closely coordinate with Morrison in developing the strategic partnership effectively, intensively and pragmatically.

He suggested Australia continue its technical support to Vietnam and further facilitate Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products' access to the Australian market.

The PM called on Australia to encourage its firms to step up investment in Vietnam, and funnel its official development assistance (ODA) into infrastructure projects, agricultural development, poverty reduction, climate change response and high-quality personnel training in the Southeast Asian nation.

Chinh also noted a hope for stronger collaboration in military medicine and peace-keeping operations, and proposed Australia continue to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community and students in the country.

He used the occasion to thank Australia for committing 40 million AUD (31.04 million USD) to support Vietnams COVID-19 vaccine procurement, pledging to closely cooperate with the Australian side to fruitfully implement the aid package.

The PM appealed to Australia to help Vietnam access the AstraZeneca vaccine produced in the country as soon as possible.

The two Government leaders consented to set higher targets in investment and trade links, towards sustainable recovery after the pandemic, soon complete and sign the Vietnam-Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy, forge collaboration in science and technology, and effectively implement the Vietnam-Australia Innovation Partnership for 2022-2025.

The two countries will also strengthen their cooperation at regional and international mechanisms and forums.

Praising Australias active role in ASEAN and Mekong Sub-region mechanisms, Chinh suggested the country implement tripartite cooperation with Laos and Cambodia, focusing on practical sectors that would improve socio-economic situation and personnel training.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two PMs affirmed the significance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation, peacefully settling disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) and effectively and fully realise the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), towards reaching a substantial and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC)./. VNA

Vietnam, Australia cooperate in UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan Australia has supported Vietnams third rotation for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), airlifting Vietnamese defence members and equipment back to the home country, a move to consolidate the two countries bilateral ties.
The fourth batch of AstraZeneca vaccine with 288,000 doses arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on May 25 night.

It is the second batch ordered by the Health Ministry via the Vietnam Vaccine JSC (VNVC) and the fourth delivery to Vietnam.

So far, four batches of AstraZeneca vaccine have been delivered to Vietnam with nearly 2.9 million doses, including 117,600 on February 24; 811,200 on April 1; 1.682 million on May 16, and the latest 288,000.

Vietnam has to date conducted vaccinations in the first and second stages in cities and provinces with over 1,034,072 doses administered to those in the priority list in accordance with Resolution No.21/NQ-CP dated February 26 on the purchase and use of COVID-19 vaccines.

The country has rollled out vaccinations since March 8, targeting frontline medical staff, members of COVID-19 prevention and control teams, members of public security and army forces, with 28,503 being given enough two shots.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said the ministry successfully negotiated with AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech and COVAX Facility  a global vaccine sharing mechanism.

It also registered with COVAX to buy more vaccines under the cost sharing mechanism.

It is estimated that Vietnam will have some 110 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines by late 2021, including 38.9 million from COVAX, 30 million from AstraZeneca via VNVC, and 31 million from Pfizer/BioNTech.

However, the ministry targeted having enough 150 million doses to inoculate 75 percent of the Vietnamese population as directed by the Politburo and the Government.

To such end, it is necessary to have the participation of groups and businesses to donate to the countrys vaccine fund.

Vietnam to receive 110 million COVID-19 vaccine doses later this year

The country is expected to have approximately 110 million doses of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine by the end of the year, according to details given by the Ministry of Health (MoH).



The Ministry of Health receives financial support of VND125 billion and US$1 million from representatives from corporations and businesses for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines.

This information was unveiled by Prof. Dr. and Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long during a ceremony held on May 25 to receive financial support of VND125 billion, US$1 million, and one million vaccine doses from representatives of various corporations and businesses.

Minister Long said the MoH officially called for support on May 24 from corporations, businesses, organisations, and individuals amid complicated developments relating to the COVID-19 pandemic in the latest hotspots of Bac Giang and Bac Ninh.

He went on to underscore the importance of mobilising financial sources from corporations and businesses as a means of contributing to the vaccine fund in order to help citizens gain access to COVID-19 vaccines in the fastest manner possible.

Recent times has seen the MoH spare no effort in seeking vaccine sources for the nation, Minister Long said, with roughly 110 million doses being supplied to the nation this year, of which 38.9 million doses will come from the COVAX Facility, 30 million from AstraZeneca, with a further 31 million doses from Pfizer/BioNTech.

The Ministry hopes to receive around 150 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in order to ensure that 75% of the Vietnamese population are vaccinated this year.

He underlined the need to devise a competent strategy aimed at developing a homegrown COVID-19 vaccine, adding that the MoH has been actively working alongside partners, corporations, and businesses to participate in the production of locally-made COVID-19 vaccines with the goal of having a domestically-produced COVID-19 vaccine by 2022.

Upon addressing the event, representatives of the sponsors expressed their gratitude to frontline workers who have been working tirelessly in the fight against the pandemic, stating their hope that the pandemic will be eradicated soon./.

VNA/VOV
Mobile container labs for COVID-19 testing would be used in the time ahead as Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai has signed an official dispatch regarding the installation of the labs.

Medical workers conduct COVID-19 testing in Vietnam

The document was sent to the Ministries of Health, Finance, National Defence and Public Security after the Ministry of Health had raised a proposal on the use of the labs.

Under the document, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai asked the Ministry of Health to bear responsibility for assessing the quality of the mobile container labs in terms of technical and professional standards, safety and efficiency, as well as reported information and data.

He assigned the Ministry of Finance to coordinate with the Ministries of Health, National Defence and Public Security to assess the estimate and propose the Prime Minister provide funding for the relevant ministries to roll out the project.

Meanwhile, the Government has asked the Ministries of Health, and Information and Communications to step up the deployment of IT applications in COVID-19 prevention and control.

Earlier, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) had proposed utilising several IT applications and the camera systems in the pandemic fight.

Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam urged the ministry to quickly complete software and IT solutions assigned by the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control and transfer them to the Ministry of Health for implementation.

MIC will instruct the building of IT solutions and software on the basis of the Ministry of Healths proposal.

For software and IT solutions initiated by MIC or firms, the two ministries will work together in the application./. VNA
Trib online Monday

The Monday edition of the Tribune-Herald will be online only in observance of Memorial Day. The e-edition will be available to all subscribers at wacotrib.com.

Downtown and distribution center offices will be closed. Offices reopen at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Greater Zion grocery giveaway

Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church, with Shepherd's Heart Food Pantry, will have a grocery giveaway from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at 2625 S. 18th St.

The giveaway will include dry goods, canned goods, produce items and drinks.

For more information, call 254-722-7429.

Vietnam Veterans service

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1012 and Special Forces Association Chapter 93 will hold the annual Sunset Memorial Observation at 6 p.m. Friday at the Waco Vietnam Veterans Memorial, at the intersection of Washington Avenue and University Parks Drive.

It will include military honors for the 83 Waco area residents killed in action during the Vietnam War. Family members and friends may also honor former military members who have recently passed away.

For more information, call Gary Urban at 254-715-6560.

Submit printed or typed items to Briefly, P.O. Box 2588, Waco, 76702-2588; fax 757-0302; or email goingson@wacotrib.com.
No white person has ever been imprisoned for taking part in the massacre, and no Black survivor or descendant has been justly compensated for who and what they lost.

What happened in Tulsa wasnt just unique to Tulsa, said the Rev. Robert Turner, the pastor of Vernon AME Church. This happened all over the country. It was just that Tulsa was the largest. It damaged our community. And we havent rebounded since. I think its past time that justice be done to atone for that.

Some Black-owned businesses operate today at Greenwood and Archer avenues. But its indeed a shadow of what has been described in books and seen in century-old photographs of Greenwood in its heyday.

A $30 million history center and museum, Greenwood Rising, will honor the legacy of Black Wall Street with exhibits depicting the district before and after the massacre, according to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission. But critics have said the museum falls far short of delivering justice or paying reparations to living survivors and their descendants.
The use of the cyanide gas Zyklon B in the industrialized settings of death camps alleviated the process of murder, wrote Laurence Rees in his 2005 history of Auschwitz-Birkenau, which was built to house 130,000 prisoners at a time, and where 1.1 million were killed.

Jews were marshaled from their home towns by train or truck. During the journeys, which could take as long as two weeks, they were given no food or water. There were no lavatories.

At Birkenau, about 15% of each trainload were chosen by SS officers to join work squads. The others  the old, the weak, the infirm, the children and the others ... would be immediately walked to the gas chambers and exterminated. Some 230,000 children died there, typically within an hour of their arrival.

The biographers of SS chief Heinrich Himmler, a principal architect of the Holocaust, tell the story of Oswald Papa Kaduk, an SS functionary at Auschwitz who had a practice of giving Jewish children balloons just before injecting the chemical phenol directly into their hearts. This killed them within seconds, enabling Kaduk to murder 10 children per minute.
AUSTIN, Texas  Texas is poised to remove one of its last major gun restrictions after lawmakers approved allowing people to carry handguns without a license, and the background check and training that go with it.

The Republican-dominated Legislature approved the measure Monday, sending it to Gov. Greg Abbott, who has said he will sign it despite the objections of law enforcement groups who say it would endanger the public and police.

Gun control groups also oppose the measure, noting the state's recent history of mass shootings, including those at an El Paso Walmart, a church in Sutherland Springs and a high school outside Houston.

Texas already has some of the loosest gun laws in the country and has more than 1.6 million handgun license holders.

Supporters of the bill say it would allow Texans to better defend themselves in public while abolishing unnecessary impediments to the constitutional right to bear arms. Once it is signed into law, Texas will join nearly two dozen other states that allow some form of unregulated carry of a handgun, and by far be the most populous.

The National Rifle Association was among those supporting the measure, and a spokesman called it the "most significant" gun rights measure in the state's history.
WATERLOO  Two people were injured and one person is behind bars following a Tuesday night shooting in Waterloo.

Waterloo police arrested Daisean Dupree Battles, 29, of 107 Dearborn Ave., for felon in possession of a firearm and two counts each of willful injury causing serious injury and intimidation with a weapon.

Authorities allege Battles was in a vehicle when he opened fire on another vehicle around 9:20 p.m., injuring 19-year-old Quinton Davis and Alexis Walker, 27, following an argument.

Bond for Battles hasnt been set.

According to court records, the victims were involved in an argument with another person at a home at 1240 Ackermant St. The victims left the house and were driving south on U.S. Highway 63 and crossing the bridge when they were shot, records state.

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Davis and Walker both suffered gunshot wounds to the back and went to UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital by private vehicle. Walker was admitted to intensive care for treatment, and Davis was treated and released, according to police.

Officers later found Battles at 1720 Mt. Village Drive. He was detained, and police found a 9 mm Taurus pistol in the trunk of his Chrysler 200, records state.
Waterloo Schools is one of five districts impacted by the legislation. Others include the Des Moines, Davenport, West Liberty and Postville school districts.

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Waterloos plan balanced the number of students from low-income and higher income families transferring in and out of the district annually. For the current school year, officials said there are 306 students open enrolled out of Waterloo Schools. The deadline to apply for open enrollment is March 1, but that was waived this year for the affected districts since the law was passed well after that date.

Initially for next year, Lindaman said the district had another 69 open enrollment out requests, 35 of which were granted. The other 34 students were put on a waiting list because there wasnt someone of the same socio-economic status coming into the district. Additionally, five from other districts were on the waiting list to get in.

So, those 34 are gone plus others who made up the rest of the 70, Lindaman told the board. Officials didnt answer a question about which districts those students are enrolling in. They did say seven of the students who are leaving have an individual education program, which is developed for those with a disability.
The CDC said May 13 it would no longer recommend masks or social distancing for vaccinated people in most settings. Roise, a family physician and medical director at Northeast Iowa Family Practice Center, said the CDC announcement was initially met with shock. Since then, he said the agency provided scientific evidence and data to support its decision, which he said differs from IDPH.

Roise condemned the fact that children in homes with COVID-19 would be allowed to attend school and expose entire classrooms to the virus. He said it was a slap in the face to public health officials who work hard to prevent the virus from spreading.

I just dont know how to even respond to that, Roise said. It makes me so mad.

The Rev. Mary Robinson, health board chair, said she was confused at IDPH masking measures given previous guidance about reaching herd immunity, which is the threshold that could stop COVID-19 from spreading. Public health experts said around 80% of people need to be vaccinated to reach that status.

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Q: When is the last time police monitored speed on Ansborough?

A: As of 7 a.m. May 24, the day the question was received and answered, The last time traffic on Ansborough Avenue was monitored was May 23. A glance at the police activity log shows Waterloo officers issued two citations or warnings during traffic stops along Ansborough on May 23. On May 22, there were seven traffic stops that resulted in citations or warnings. There were two complaints about traffic on Ansborough Avenue on May 21, and there were three warnings or citations on May 20.

Q: The crossword puzzle is too small to read. Even with my reading glasses on it is hard. Can you make it bigger?

A: Because of the page configuration, with other puzzles and the TV guide on that page, we cannot make the crossword bigger.

Q: Is the new car wash by Menards projected to give a free car wash with every wash?

A: Not that we could determine. But Club Carwash locations in other cities do offer an Unlimited Club that allows you to wash your vehicle as often as you like for one monthly price and no contract.

Q: How can I donate books to the Lion Club?
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Los Angeles police on Tuesday arrested a second suspect in an alleged assault by a pro-Palestinian group on Jewish men outside a restaurant last week.

Samer Jayylusi, 35, of Whittier was arrested in Anaheim and booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, a police statement said.

Jayylusi is considered one of the primary suspects in the assault on May 18 on La Cienega Boulevard, it said.

Police said the case will be presented to prosecutors for consideration of charges including hate crimes. It was not immediately known if Jayylusi has an attorney.

The first suspect arrested was a Banning man taken into custody late Friday and booked for investigation of assault with a deadly weapon.

Police also alleged that the crime was motivated by hatred when that arrest was announced Saturday.

The violence, recorded on video, occurred when a car caravan flying Palestinian flags stopped near a restaurant where diners were eating at outdoor tables.
Alford named dean of UB School of Social Work

The University at Buffalo School of Social Work has an established record of excellence and a value orientation steeped in bettering the human condition. I am excited and energized by this leadership role and look forward to our collective work ahead. 

BUFFALO, N.Y.  Keith A. Alford, PhD, a professor of social work and chief diversity and inclusion officer at Syracuse University, has been named dean of the University at Buffalo School of Social Work.

Alford emerged from a highly competitive pool of candidates following an extensive national search, according to UB Provost A. Scott Weber, who made the announcement today.

We are delighted to have a leader of Dr. Alfords caliber joining our university community, said UB President Satish K. Tripathi. A dedicated and dynamic scholar with an impressive record of service, Dr. Alford is uniquely suited to usher in a new era of excellence for our nationally ranked School of Social Work, thereby enhancing our universitys positive impact on the many communities we serve.

Alfords appointment will be effective Aug. 15. He succeeds Nancy Smyth, PhD, who has served as dean since 2004. Smyth previously announced she would step down at the end of the spring 2021 semester and return to her faculty role as a professor of social work. She will continue serving as dean until Alford arrives later this summer.

I would like to acknowledge and commend Nancy for her visionary leadership, Tripathi said. During her time at the helm of the School of Social Work, the school has risen dramatically in the national ranks and today is recognized as a premier school of graduate and professional social work. Under Smyths leadership, the school achieved a top-25 status in U.S. News and Reports annual ranking of the best graduate schools.

Dr. Alford stood out because of his clear vision for furthering the School of Social Works mission of creating a better society through the generation of and transmission of knowledge, promotion of social justice and service to humanity, as well as his impressive administrative experience, strategic and collaborative approach to leadership, and deep commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and social justice, said Weber, who cited Alfords devotion to serving and researching the needs of children and families.

A former child protective services worker, outpatient family therapist and therapeutic foster care supervisor, Alfords rich service experience complements his research and teaching. He has devoted his career to serving and researching the needs of children and families.

His research specializations include mental health service delivery and culturally specific programming for children and families, contemporary rites of passage programming and loss/grief reactions among African American families.

The University at Buffalo School of Social Work has an established record of excellence and a value orientation steeped in bettering the human condition, Alford said. I am excited and energized by this leadership role and look forward to our collective work ahead.

Alfords work has been supported by numerous grants, and he currently is co-investigator on one of only eight national Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence to enhance diversity in the intelligence field. He is also involved with a National Science Foundation grant supporting the training of diverse undergraduates in conducting trauma research with veterans.

Alford serves on the Editorial Review Board of the Journal of Urban Social Work, Journal of Family Social Work and Journal of Brief Therapy. In 2014, Social Work Degree Guide named him as one of the 30 most influential social workers in the nation.

At Syracuse Universitys School of Social Work at Falk College, Alford served as director and chair, graduate program director and undergraduate program director. He has also served as Syracuses chief diversity and inclusion officer, providing executive leadership, oversight and vision for creating and implementing a range of campus-wide services, programs, policies and procedures supporting the institutions commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion.

Alford holds a masters and PhD in social work from The Ohio State University, and a bachelors degree in history and sociology from Coker University.

Aviva Abramovsky, dean of UBs School of Law, chaired the search committee.
Janey applauded the judge's ruling in an emailed statement, saying she will inform White of "his rescheduled Zoom hearing.

It is time to move our City and the Boston Police Department forward, Janey said.

An investigative report released by the city said witnesses alleged that Whites ex-wife was subjected to physical and mental abuse. Among the allegations included in the report is that White burned her hair, put her face to a stove and threw a television at her.

A judge issued a restraining order against White in 1999, ordering him to stay away from his wife and children and surrender his service weapon, the Globe reported.

The city's report said White was also involved in what he described as a heated fisticuffs with a young woman in 1993. White admitted striking her with a full swing of his arm and open hand, but says he was acting in self-defense, the report said.

White denies abusing his ex-wife or ever threatening to shoot her. In an affidavit filed in court, White alleged that she was looking for a financial advantage in the divorce and she got it.

His lawyer said the report filled with what he described as hearsay" had damaged White's reputation.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  An energy company that gave the money in an alleged $60 million bribery scheme in Ohio and a man accused of spending a large chunk of it are now arguing in separate proceedings that their actions were legal.
Steve Romines, a lawyer for McAtees family, said he wasn't surprised that prosecutors would not be seeking charges for officers or guard members involved in the shooting.

When private citizens are forced to act in self defense, they are charged and have to present that defense to a jury, Romines said in a statement to the AP. Cops are summarily exonerated without any proof ever being presented. Does anyone really doubt why it continues to happen?

Investigators determined last year that a Kentucky National Guard member fired the fatal bullet, based on shell casing analysis. But they were unable to determine which guard member fired the shot. In all, 19 rounds were fired by two guard members and two Louisville officers after McAtee fired the first of two shots, according to Wine.

The Guard was in the city to help enforce a curfew amid protests spurred by the deaths of George Floyd in Minnesota and Taylor, who was fatally shot by police on March 13, 2020.

Wine said McAtee knew about the 9 p.m. curfew. When officers arrived on the scene, one officer, Katie Crews, fired several pepper balls toward YaYa's where McAtee's niece was standing, according to Wine's statement. Officers were seen on surveillance video shooting pepper balls into the area where McAtee was cooking outdoors and inside his kitchen.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Tennessee is the latest state to ban teachers from teaching certain concepts of race and racism in public schools, where teachers risk losing valuable state funding if they violate the new measure.

Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed a measure into law Monday after it attracted some of the most impassioned debates inside the GOP-controlled General Assembly this year. He signaled his support after it cleared the Legislature, arguing that students should learn the exceptionalism of our nation, not things that "inherently divide" people.

We need to make sure that our kids recognize that this country is moving toward a more perfect union, that we should teach the exceptionalism of our nation and how people can live together and work together to make a greater nation, and to not teach things that inherently divide or pit either Americans against Americans or people groups against people groups, Lee told reporters at the time.
CAIRO (AP)  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up a two-day Mideast mission on Wednesday, winning valuable diplomatic support and hundreds of millions of dollars of pledges from Arab allies as he moved to shore up the cease-fire that ended an 11-day war between Israel and the Gaza Strip's militant Hamas rulers.
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Its believed that two turbines were being repaired with at least one having suffered a lighning strike causing the damage. North Hoyle is one of the United Kingdoms oldest windfarms

built in 2003, North Hoyle produces enough clean, green electricity each year to meet the needs of approximately 40,000 homes.

On 1 July, 2014, North Hoyle marked 10 years full and successful operation in the harsh North Wales marine environment, the first large scale offshore wind farm in the UK to do so.

The project is located 4-5 miles off the North Wales coast between Rhyl and Prestatyn and comprises 30 wind turbines, each rated at 2 megawatts. Oringinally installed were the Vestas turbine type V80-2.0 MW

The turbines needing repair were

NH24  053 25.449N 003 25.637W, and NH30  053 25.715N 003 28.649W.

The jackup vessel Wind carried out the lifting work operating 24 hours a day when the weather allowed..

JU Wind is a 55m jack up vessel operated by ZITON AS and has operated on more than 29 wind farms.
A study published by researchers from the University of Washington suggests that between 10 percent and 30 percent of COVID patients are so-called long-haulers, which, given the nearly 33 million cases in the United States, could add up to more than 9 million people.

Swift improvement after second dose reported

Fortunately for Goldsmith, his symptoms seemed to disappear after he received his second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. The improvement was amazingly quick, he says. My appetite, energy, concentration all returned, and I felt almost human again."

Goldsmith says he didn't connect the vaccine to his improved health until he began hearing others describe similar experiences. In a survey conducted by Survivor Corps, an online grassroots group of COVID-19 survivors, roughly 40 percent of participants reported partial to full resolution of their symptoms after they were vaccinated. About 23 percent of long COVID patients in a small U.K. study said they had an increase in symptom resolution after being vaccinated, compared to about 15 percent of people who were not vaccinated.

Yale School of Medicine immunologist Akiko Iwasaki is eager to know if the shot developed to prevent the disease might also be what long-haulers desperately need. Hearing that people with long COVID were having their symptoms reduced or recovering got me excited, because this might be a cure for some people, Iwasaki says.

How the vaccine could be curing symptoms

There are several reasons the vaccine could alleviate or reduce lingering coronavirus symptoms. But without more investigation, researchers say they can only hypothesize about what those might be.

One theory is that people with long COVID have a reservoir of the virus in their bodies that is wiped out, along with the lingering symptoms it's been causing, when the vaccine produces a strong immune response.

Another possibility is that COVID-19 may trigger a hyperactive autoimmune response in which immune cells mistakenly continue to attack the body's own cells. In this case, the vaccine may work by minimizing the immune response and clearing up the symptoms it's been causing.

John M. Baratta, M.D., co-director of the UNC COVID Recovery Clinic in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, believes the post-vaccine response that seems to resolve patients symptoms is more than a placebo effect. However, he says it's unclear whether the improvement is temporary or permanent.
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En espanol | Starbucks might have introduced Americans to chai lattes in the 1990s and Lululemon Athletica might have turned the love of yoga into a multibillion-dollar apparel brand, but the origins of yoga and chai can be credited to a country that lies more than 8,000 miles away.

Many modern U.S. wellness ingredients and practices  including ghee, turmeric and the ancient health science of Ayurveda  can, in fact, be traced to the Indian subcontinent. We tapped the expertise of South Asian American doctors, scientists and nutrition experts to gain a deeper understanding of the health benefits and origins of these trends.

1. Chai



While some Western cafes sometimes refer to chai tea, chai actually means tea in Hindi, so you can just say youre drinking chai.

Boiling milk with tea leaves to make chai  sometimes with ginger, cardamom and other spices for masala chai  has been a significant part of the daily ritual in India for centuries.

It connects people socially in Indian households, says Poornima Sharma, who has a doctorate in food and nutrition and is a faculty member of Art of Living Programs, a holistic wellness retreat in Boone, North Carolina. A visit to someones house is invariably met with an offer of chai. If someone doesnt offer tea, people are insulted, Sharma says.

Tea contains flavonoids, naturally occurring compounds also found in fruits and vegetables that can ward off inflammation, Sharma says. But be careful not to boil the tea too long, as that can cause acidity in the stomach, she says. According to Ayurveda, tea can be used to relieve ailments. For instance, boil half a cup of cold water and half a cup of hot tea to relieve an upset stomach, Sharma says.
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Clear skies. Low around 50F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.

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Social Security and Medicare were particularly important during the coronavirus pandemic, with the former being a stable source of income for more than 34 million older households and the latter providing critical health care coverage to more than 62 million enrollees, according to AARP research.



The AARP survey, which was conducted among 1,016 people age 50 and over from April 22 through April 26, has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percent. The survey was fielded soon after legislation was reintroduced in Congress that would establish small rescue committees whose job would be to propose changes to Social Security and Medicare as well as federal highway programs.

AARP opposes TRUST Act

Under the Time to Rescue United States Trusts Act  or TRUST Act, for short  all it would take for legislation cutting these programs to be fast-tracked in Congress would be for seven members of one of these rescue committees to support a proposed bill. Under the act, lawmakers would be unable to make any changes to a TRUST Act bill once it went to the U.S. House of Representatives or the Senate.

Older Americans overwhelmingly oppose cutting Social Security and Medicare to reduce the deficit. Proposals like the TRUST Act would give a handful of lawmakers the power to propose cuts behind closed doors with fast-track legislative consideration with minimum transparency and oversight from voters, said Nancy LeaMond, AARP executive vice president and chief advocacy and engagement Officer. On behalf of AARPs nearly 38 million members, we call for full and open debate that ensures public input on protecting the future of our earned benefits. All members of Congress should be held accountable for any action on Social Security and Medicare.

The TRUST Act was first introduced in 2019 but has not become law. AARP has strongly opposed this and other such measures, supporting instead broad public debate. The organization has urged Americans to make their voices heard in support of both Medicare and Social Security, and so far nearly 250,000 individuals have sent messages to their federal lawmakers demanding that they oppose the latest TRUST Act.

Dena Bunis covers Medicare, health care, health policy and Congress. She also writes the Medicare Made Easy column for the AARP Bulletin. An award-winning journalist, Bunis spent decades working for metropolitan daily newspapers, including as Washington bureau chief for the Orange County Register and as a health policy and workplace writer for Newsday.
Paul Christian Gordon / Alamy Stock Photo

En espanol | With their enticing combination of wide-open spaces and drivable destinations, U.S. national parks could attract an all-time high number of visitors this summer. Consider the eye-popping park attendance figures for late 2020: Yellowstone, already one of the most-visited national parks, doubled its average number of arrivals last October, while from June to December, Great Smoky Mountains National Park had 2.3 million more tourists than it typically has during that period. Even visits to remote Big Bend National Park in Texas were 49 percent above average between October and December last year.

And travelers enthusiasm for national parks continued this spring. Scott Gediman, Yosemite's public affairs officer, told AARP: We're definitely seeing pent-up demand here. Dana Soehn, public affairs officer for Smoky Mountains National Park, says it received 900,000 visitors in March 2021. That was far more than normal  March usually averages about 680,000 visits  and more characteristic of summer visitation, she adds.

Parks such as Yosemite and Rocky Mountains are requiring reservations just to enter this summer, while Glacier National Park's passes for driving the famed Going to the Sun Road sold out in minutes for the entire month of June.

Despite this surge in demand, travelers can still find ways to enjoy the nature, the beauty and, yes, even the solitude of national parks this summer. Read on for some keys to making your 2021 experience a good one.

Research your destination thoroughly

The first essential for planning a national park visit this summer is to check early and often about park access, regulations and services. Due to COVID-19 health measures and the anticipated surge in visitors, certain park areas and services, like shuttles, may be limited, reservations only, or closed altogether.

"I've been visiting and covering parks for 25 years, and planning for this summer is definitely going to be a challenge, says Candy Harrington, author of National Park Lodges for Wheelers and Slow Walkers. The parks all have their own rules, and it's been a zoo trying to keep track of them all.

Fortunately, the parks update their regulations online frequently, so information is available. But just be sure to check again a few days before arrival to make sure there are no procedural changes, Harrington cautions. The parks-affiliated website Recreation.gov is another good resource to research the latest park requirements and to make reservations.

Using the reservation systems for access, lodging, camping and wilderness permits is a must this summer. Yosemite's Gediman warns that even if you have a senior pass, you'll be denied entry here without a reservation. Parks such as Acadia (Maine), Zion (Utah) and Haleakala (Hawaii) will require advance reservations for certain areas and times, even while general park access is open. The good news is that with the reservations systems, crowding will be reduced.


High Grade Results Continue From Windanya Gold Project

Perth, May 26, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Horizon Minerals Limited ( ASX:HRZ ) is pleased to announce new high-grade drilling results from the 100% owned Windanya and Baden Powell gold project areas located along the Bardoc Tectonic Zone, 45km north of Kalgoorlie - Boulder in the heart of the Western Australian goldfields (Figures 1 and 2*).Commenting on the drilling results, Horizon Managing Director Mr Jon Price said:"These latest drilling results continue to demonstrate the potential of this exciting 3.3km mineralised trend where historic drilling was too shallow in most areas to effectively test the bedrock. With the 3Moz Bardoc project to the north and the large-scale Paddington operation to the south, we look forward to further follow up drilling at both Windanya and Baden Powell in 2021."The drilling forms part of the 50,000m CY21 drill program testing high priority resource definition and new discovery targets across the 890km2 portfolio. The aim of the program is to organically grow the project pipeline within a 75km radius of the proposed Boorara mill adding to the six core development projects under evaluation as part of the consolidated Feasibility Study.Project GeologyThe Windanya group of tenements are located on the western limb of the Mt Pleasant Dome, west of the Bardoc Tectonic Zone (Figure 1*). The stratigraphy comprises a N-NNW striking sequence of ultramafics (Siberia Komatiite), overlain by mafic volcanics and intrusives (the Big Dick Basalt, Mt Pleasant Sill (dolerite) and the Bent Tree basalt). The western part of the project area is dominated by large granite batholiths.The Windanya Project area covers three emerging prospects: Capricorn, Gemini and Scorpio. During 2019, Capricorn was drilled on 40m spacings along its 360m strike length.The mineralisation averages 4m thickness and dips east along a mafic contact. Two step-back RC holes were completed. At Gemini narrow (1-2m) high grade zones of quartz stockwork mineralisation occur within weathered mafics, whilst at Scorpio, a single quartz vein (1-3m thick) dips shallowly east within an ultramafic host rock.The Baden Powell Project, located 13km north of Windanya, was also drilled during 2019, with the work focusing on northern extensions. Recent drilling targeted in-pit southern mineralisation where there was only limited data. The drilling aimed to delineate shallow ore that could be incorporated into a planned initial Mineral Resource estimate.Summary of ResultsThe aircore drilling program was completed in two parts during 2020 and 2021 due to rig availability. Several new targets had been generated and assessed during 2020. The priority target area was 1.5km north of the Capricorn prospect (Figure 2*) where ultrafine (-2um) soil sampling had outlined a particularly high order (626ppb Au) anomaly against a background of <30ppb Au. The anomaly was coincident with a favourable NE fault structure which also appears to influence the soil anomaly.Six aircore holes were drilled to refusal across this anomaly with the best results being found in WAC20019 including:o 2m @ 26.68g/t Au from 35m including 1m @ 39.71g/t Au from 35m and 1m @ 13.66g/t Au from 36mo 1m @ 2.59g/t Au from 40m and 1m @ 4.88g/t Au from 46mo 2m @ 4.99g/t Au from 67mThe gold appears to be hosted by a contact related, 35m wide quartz stockwork, within oxidised basalts and dolerite.Follow up RC drilling (seven holes for 673m) at Gemini also returned encouraging results:o 5m @ 4.37g/t Au from 38m including 1m @ 13.68g/t Au from 38m and 3m @ 4.18g/t Au from 53m (GMRC21001)o 1m @ 1.76g/t Au from 65m and 2m @ 1.63g/t Au from 69m (GMRC21004)The new drilling indicated there was a stronger supergene component and complexity than what was previously known. Follow up AC drilling is planned.Seven AC holes (256m) and nine shallow RC holes (510m) were drilled at the Scorpio prospect (Figure 2*) where historic drilling intersected minor gold (4m @ 0.64g/t Au from 4m). Several high-grade results were intercepted including:o 3m @ 6.44g/t Au from 3m including 1m @ 9.71g/t Au from 3m and 1m @ 8.04g/t Au from 4m (WAC20003)o 5m @ 4.90g/t Au from 26m including 1m @ 10.56g/t Au from 27m (WAC21009)o 2m @ 12.58g/t Au from 20m including 1m @ 23.59g/t Au from 21m (SCRC21005)o 1m @ 17.48g/t Au from 29m (SCRC21011)The Scorpio mineralisation is open in all directions with follow up RC drilling planned. At the Capricorn prospect two depth extension holes for 240m were drilled. Both holes hit low grade style mineralisation with WDRC21004 returning 4m @ 1.24g/t Au from 96m. Follow up drilling will now focus on strike extensions.Other small targets tested south of Capricorn and near Scorpio did not return significant mineralisation.At the Baden Powell prospect, a track mounted drill rig was used to complete a 10m x 10m pattern in the bottom of the small historic open pit. Previous drilling and costeaning had limited data and was not acceptable for resource definition. To help with access, the drill holes were drilled vertically.Better 4m composite results include:o 4m @ 3.72g/t Au from 16m and 12m @ 1.46g/t Au from 32m (BPRC20005)o 12m @ 2.37g/t Au from 8m and 4m @ 1.73g/t Au from 36m (BPRC20008)o 4m @ 4.36g/t Au from 16m including 8m @ 1.39g/t Au from 32m (BPRC20010)The drilling has successfully mapped out the shallow strike continuation of the main Baden Powell mineralisation. The results will also be incorporated into an initial Mineral Resource Estimate planned for the December Quarter 2021.Next StepsFollow up RC drilling is planned at Scorpio, Gemini, Capricorn and Baden Powell with gold resource estimates planned for the latter 2 prospects. Several new targets centred in the widespread Aquarius soil anomaly and Capricorn-Eureka trend have also been identified and will be drill tested in 2021.*To view tables and figures, please visit:About Horizon Minerals Limited

Horizon Minerals Limited (ASX:HRZ) is a gold exploration and mining company focussed on the Kalgoorlie and Menzies areas of Western Australia which are host to some of Australia's richest gold deposits. The Company is developing a mining pipeline of projects to generate cash and self-fund aggressive exploration, mine developments and further acquisitions. The Teal gold mine has been recently completed.

Horizon is aiming to significantly grow its JORC-Compliant Mineral Resources, complete definitive feasibility studies on core high grade open cut and underground projects and build a sustainable development pipeline.

Horizon has a number of joint ventures in place across multiple commodities and regions of Australia providing exposure to Vanadium, Copper, PGE's, Gold and Nickel/Cobalt. Our quality joint venture partners are earning in to our project areas by spending over $20 million over 5 years enabling focus on the gold business while maintaining upside leverage.
Duluth, MN (55816)

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Chinese envoy calls for political decisiveness, package solutions in Iran nuke talks

Xinhua) 08:15, May 26, 2021

Wang Qun (L, front), Chinese envoy to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna, talks with Iranian deputy foreign minister Abbas Araqchi (R, front), at a meeting of the Joint Commission on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in Vienna, Austria, May 7, 2021. (EU Delegation Vienna/Handout via Xinhua)

"We hope that the reasonable demands of the Iranian side will be properly resolved in this negotiation. Of course, China will also continue firmly safeguarding its own legitimate rights and interests," said Wang Qun, Chinese envoy to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna.

VIENNA, May 25 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday urged all parties concerned to show political decisiveness in the ongoing negotiations to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Wang Qun, Chinese envoy to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna, made the remarks after the JCPOA Joint Commission started a new round of talks on Tuesday.

The meeting came just one day after Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi announced that the temporary arrangement reached with Iran in February, which allows the agency to monitor Iran's nuclear activities, will be extended by one month to June 24.

China welcomes the extension as it provides favorable conditions for advancing the talks of the Joint Commission, said Wang.

China hopes that all parties involved will enhance a sense of urgency, show due political decisiveness, seek package solutions and reach an early agreement on resuming compliance with the JCPOA, Wang said.

Wang noted that China has been actively working to advance the talks. Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed on Monday that China supports Iran's reasonable demands concerning the JCPOA on the Iranian nuclear issue in a telephone conversation with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Wang said.

"We hope that the reasonable demands of the Iranian side will be properly resolved in this negotiation. Of course, China will also continue firmly safeguarding its own legitimate rights and interests," Wang said.

China is willing to continue working with all parties concerned to actively promote an early agreement of the negotiations, he added.

The Joint Commission meeting was chaired by Enrique Mora, the deputy secretary-general and political director of the European External Action Service and attended by representatives from China, France, Germany, Russia, Britain and Iran.

Alain Matton, a spokesperson for the Delegation of the European Union to International Organizations in Vienna, told reporters on Tuesday that the Joint Commission welcomed the prolongation of the technical understanding reached between the IAEA and Iran, as it "gives space" for the ongoing diplomatic process in Vienna.

The U.S. administration under former President Donald Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018 and unilaterally reimposed sanctions on Iran. In response to the U.S. moves, Iran gradually stopped implementing parts of its JCPOA commitments from May 2019.

The JCPOA Joint Commission began to meet in offline format on April 6 in Vienna to continue previous discussions in view of a possible return of the United States to the JCPOA and on how to ensure the full and effective implementation of the JCPOA.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Du Mingming)
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.

Comment Policy Calaveras Enterprise does not actively monitor comments. However, staff does read through to assess reader interest. When abusive or foul language is used or directed toward other commenters, those comments will be deleted. If a commenter continues to use such language, that person will be blocked from commenting. We wish to foster a community of communication and a sharing of ideas, and we truly value readers' input.
WENN/Adriana M. Barraza Celebrity

While the 'Eternals' star decries Judge John Ouderkirk's decision not to let her kids testify, her ex-husband's lawyers praise the judge for conducting a proceeding 'in a thorough, fair manner.'

May 26, 2021

AceShowbiz - Angelina Jolie continues to contest a judge's decision in her custody arrangements with Brad Pitt. The actress has filed new court papers, blasting Judge John Ouderkirk for allegedly ignoring her evidence in the custody battle over her six children with her ex-husband.

In the documents submitted on Monday, May 24 in California's Second District Court of Appeal, the 45-year-old claims, "Judge Ouderkirk denied Ms. Jolie a fair trial, improperly excluding her evidence relevant to the children's health, safety, and welfare, evidence critical to making her case."

She also says the judge "has failed to adequately consider" a section of the California courts code, which says it is detrimental to the best interest of the child if custody is awarded to a person with a history of domestic violence.

The new filing does not detail the domestic violence she refers to, but Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt in 2016 after a verbal dispute in a private plane involving their eldest child, then-15-year-old Maddox. Following an investigation, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services ruled that the "Moneyball" star did not physically abuse any of his children.

Jolie also criticizes the judge's decision not to let her children testify. She says the judge has "refused to hear the minor teenagers' input as to their experiences, needs, or wishes as to their custody fate," citing a California code that says a child 14 or over should be allowed to testify if they want to.

Jolie has sought to disqualify Ouderkirk from her custody battle with Pitt, reasoning that the judge has an improper business relationship with one of Pitt's attorneys. She says in the latest filing that if the tentative custody decision is made final by Ouderkirk, she will appeal it.

Pitt's attorneys, however, beg to differ. In response to Jolie's filing, the 57-year-old's legal team says, "Ouderkirk has conducted an extensive proceeding over the past six months in a thorough, fair manner and reached a tentative ruling and order after hearing from experts and percipient witnesses."

They further take issue with Jolie's testimony, which they say "lacked credibility in many important areas, and the existing custody order between the parties must be modified, per Mr. Pitt's request, in the best interests of the children."

It's not clear what the current custody arrangement is, but Pitt's attorneys claim Jolie's objections and further delays in reaching an arrangement would "work grave harm upon the children, who will be further denied permanence and stability."
CHICO, Calif. - Community members weighed in concerns at Tuesdays Butte County Board of Supervisors meeting about the North Chico Village plan.

If the project gets final approval, it will create a lot more affordable housing for people.

The plan would add 2,275 new living units to the area between Highway 99 and the Chico Airport. Developers will offer multi-family and single-family plans.

Action News Now spoke with one neighbor who has lived on Hicks Lane for over 30 years. She has loved living away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and is nervous about what could happen with the expansion.

The peace and quiet, space, the freedom to walk and not have tons of people around you, the North Chico neighbor explained. The country living is what we all want."

That quiet will not be disrupted right away because the plan will not happen overnight. Planners said it could take 15 plus years for the entire project to be complete.

Another major concern people living nearby have is that the area is susceptible to flooding.

Neighbors want to know the plan for this and what impact new homes will have on their deep wells.

Another point of conversation on the plan is how the county and city will manage all the new traffic.

It is going to include lots of strategic connections, like an expansion of Hicks Lane into four lanes. These four lanes would then connect to the citys new roundabout just off of Highway 99 onto Eaton Road.

Community members that spoke in the meeting demanded transparency from both the county and city on these projects.

"I don't know where they are going to get all the footage for that, but it just means a lot of traffic coming this way, said a neighbor who lives off of Hicks Lane.

Some of the other expansions will include connecting the areas through a bridge over Kittyhawk, widening the existing Sycamore Bridge, and creating a bridge on the southwest of Sycamore.

The board emphasized that the infrastructure plan is not locked in, as they are still working on a full circulation plan.

Butte County officials are working to have an environmental analysis of the area through a grant for the CEQUA Review.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  California and the U.S. government have agreed to allow massive wind energy farms off the state's central and northern coasts.

The pact announced Tuesday that would float hundreds of turbines off the coast of Morro Bay and Humboldt Bay has been promoted as a breakthrough to eventually power 1.6 million homes.

The plan would place 380 turbines some 20 miles off the coast of scenic Morro Bay.

Officials plan to finalize the locations next month and could offer leases for sale next year.

The announcement is part of President Joe Biden's plan to create 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030.
COTTONWOOD, Calif. (Update: 9:10 a.m. Friday, May 28, 2021)  The Shasta County Sheriff's Office identified the bicyclist who died after being hit by a vehicle in Cottonwood Tuesday.

Deputies identified 65-year-old Micheal "Mickey" Don Strausbaugh of Anderson.

CHP officers arrested a woman for a hit-and-run crash that left Strausbaugh dead in Cottonwood.

On Wednesday, Redding CHP officers arrested Victoria McDaniel of Cottonwood, she is facing charges of felony hit-and-run and manslaughter, according to the CHP.

Around 11:05 a.m. Tuesday, CHP officers located a bicyclist who had been struck by a car, lying on the north roadway shoulder of Gas Point Road east of Happy Valley Road.

Officers searched the area but did not locate any other vehicles at the scene. Emergency crews arrived at the scene and confirmed the bicyclist was dead.

Redding CHP officers on Tuesday asked residents that live along Gas Point Road between North Cottonwood School, west of Happy Valley with security cameras facing Gas Point Road to contact them. Wednesday morning, officers said thanks to the help of Shasta County citizens who came forward with information, it was made possible for CHP Redding to make the arrest in this crash.

McDaniel was booked into the Shasta County Jail.
CHICO, Calif. - Many students who will walk through the doors at Butte College come fall 2022 could have some changes to their schedules.

This week, the statewide board of governors that oversees 116 community colleges will hold a public hearing that will propose to add the class to students general education requirements.

Alexis Hernandez, a student at Butte College said she thinks this will be a great addition to her education.

I think this will be a really great opportunity for our school, our students, Hernandez explained. I think these classes will allow us to better understand each other as humans. Everywhere you go you are going to meet different people and it is important to be able to understand where they are coming from and to respect them.

If the board approves the new requirement which is expected, it would mean that any student who is pursuing an associates degree will have to take a class in African American studies, Native American studies, or Latino and Latina studies.

Students at community colleges could see this implemented as early as 2022. The board is expected to vote on this change come July.
REDDING, Calif. - Local leaders set new guidelines for behavior during Board of Supervisors meetings. Over the past few months, tension has run high at several Board of Supervisors meetings.

The Rules of Order aim to help supervisors navigate these types of heated situations, so they can continue to conduct business in an orderly fashion. While still ensuring that people can equally

Some of the rules include signs and posters are allowed, but size needs to be limited, people sitting in the chairs provided inside the chambers, unreasonable cheering, yelling, or whistling is prohibited, threatening and profane language is not allowed, and the Board Chair can remove any person they find disruptive.

Some people at the meeting, in favor of the rules but others felt it was stepping on their rights.

And thanks to the board for establishing some protocol that is so badly needed, said one person in favor of the rules established.

Last time I was here, it was a three-ring circus and there's no need for that. Where here have civil discourse.

When we come forward and you give us three minutes to speak, that means you folks don't interrupt, said another public speaker against the rules. 

That's our three minutes and that also means we can come forward and we can criticize the policies, procedures, programs, and services of the agency.

The supervisors passed Rules of Order in a 3-2 vote, Supervisors Rickert, Moty, and Chimenti voted in favor of these rules of order. While supervisors Jones and Baugh voted against it.

Also at Tuesdays meeting, the Shasta Board of Supervisors proclaimed May as Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander month. The board unanimously board approved this proclamation.

The proclamation honors Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders in Shasta County. Either through their businesses or work, they've done through the community.

The proclamation also states that Asian American veterans in Shasta County helped bring a veterans clinic, home, and cemetery to the county.

According to the U.S. Census, about 3% of Shasta County residents are of Asian descent and about 0.2% are of Pacific Islander or Hawaiian Descent.

In 1992, Congress passed a law that designated May as AAPI Heritage Month.
REDDING, Calif. - Redding Police arrested a man who they say burglarized Synergy cannabis dispensary overnight.

Police were sent to the dispensary on the 300 Block of Hemsted Dr. at 9:23 p.m. Monday in response to an alarm. Officers found the front glass door of the business shattered but nobody was found inside.

The manager gave officers video footage and saw, later identified as 39-year-old Ryan Sullivan, breaking into Synergy with a hatchet and stealing cannabis products on display, according to police.

Tuesday morning, Redding Police responded to the 2800 Block of Duane Ave. in response to a male transient sitting in a chair on the front of a porch. This was less than a mile from Synergy. Officers identified the man as Sullivan. They determined his clothing matched the suspect on the surveillance video. Sullivan also had cannabis products on him stolen from Synergy, police said.

Sullivan is a local transient who has had prior contact with law enforcement. He was taken to the Redding Police Detective Division for an interview before being booked at the Shasta County Jail for commercial burglary and possession of stolen property.

Synergy employees were given back the stolen property but they let offices know that wasn't all the missing items.
Gozoop  One of Indias leading digital-first integrated marketing companies has successfully won the digital duties for Villain Lifestyle, a mens fashion brand. Gozoop has taken the reins of social media management for the brand, along with creative communication and influencer outreach. The company will help the brand to craft a social media strategy that strengthens the brand recall and builds a strong social media community.

Villain is a mens fashion and lifestyle brand that aims to celebrate the antagonists story through products that are trend-breaking, masculine and strong. The brand is founded by ex-bad boys of Beardo, Ashutosh Valani & Priyank Shah, in brand partnership with KGF-famed Rocking Star Yash. The trio came together to introduce the brand with a vision of making it a cool brand for the youth, exclusively for men. Villain aims to make style statements more accessible and affordable for the youth with a wide range of products like fragrances, hoodies, t-shirts and so on. This brand is perfect for all men who believe in styling and keeping the vibe of their style alive!

Speaking on the collaboration, Ahmed Aftab Naqvi, CEO & Co-Founder, Gozoop said, "It was a privilege to work alongside Ashutosh and team while helping build and scale Beardo - from its early stages into a category leader. We are honored and humbled to be have been chosen once again as partners, this time for Villain. We look forward to leveraging our experience, expertise and team chemistry to #BreakTheBox for the brand"

Talking about the partnership, Ashutosh Valani, Co-Founder & Director, Villain Lifestyle said, With Gozoop, we are looking forward to creating a legacy for Villain thats bigger than ever. Having worked with them in the past, we know the kind of unique solutions they bring to the table and are sure that this partnership will be mutually exciting. We trust them to do their best work for the brand and are ready to launch some kickass campaigns with them!
The second wave of the pandemic appears to be more scary and deadly. While the nation grapples as the situation is serious, the vaccination drive is in full swing. Amidst all that's happening around, the behaviour of daters is rapidly evolving. Though dating continues uninterrupted, daters' priorities have changed who now have a new set of concerns.

Dating is well and alive! However, there has been much development around how people want to date (real world or virtual), intimacy in the current situation, dating options in the current situation and so on. Indias leading dating platform QuackQuack has shared some key insights into daters' behaviour during uncertain times.

The report reveals users opinion on 2 key parameters  dating a person who is not vaccinated and major concerns while dating during present circumstances. The responses are categorised gender-wise, age-wise as well as location wise. The three age groups are 18-20, 21-30 and 31 & above.

80% of people in the age group 31 and above feel inoculation as a prerequisite in their date. Likewise, majority 70% of people in the age group 18-30 consider meeting their date only after getting the jab and wouldnt risk during the second wave. On the other hand, 30% of people in the age 18-30 wouldnt necessarily consider vaccination and would take other safety precautions while meeting. In fact, majority of people wouldnt continue conversation with the person who is vaccine hesitant and would cut off the conversation smoothly. A very few of them would be ok to have a conversation with anti vaccinators considering it as an individual choice.

When asked about the preferences around first date experience, the majority 57% in the age group 18 and above said they want their first date to be virtual as they wouldnt want to risk it. On the other hand, 43%of people in the age 18 and above being old school, would want to meet in person by following safety precautions. Surprisingly, majority 61% from smaller cities/towns and 54% people from top cities understand the risk of meeting and prefer their first date to be virtual over meeting in person.

Speaking about the survey report, Mr. Ravi Mittal, Founder & CEO of Quack Quack, said, " In addition to several effects of the second wave of COVID-19, it has had a significant impact on daters as well who are now more concerned than ever. Both males and females want their date to be vaccinated and would not risk on their health during the second wave. Likewise, the survey report has many interesting insights, he added.

The survey also fetched opinions of daters regarding physical intimacy during the current second wave of the pandemic. The majority 66% youngsters in the age 18-20 and 58% people in the age 21 and above would prefer emotional attachment for now. On the contrary, the remaining 34% in the age 18-20 and 42% of people in the age 21 and above vote for physical intimacy even today. Stating that pandemic or no pandemic, physical intimacy is a must to decide on a partner.

Surprisingly, the majority 57% of people in the age 18-30 are fine dating people from other locations when compared to 43% in the age 18-30. On the contrary majority 57% people in the age 31 and above wouldnt want to risk travelling as they consider themselves as a weak prey to COVID and choose matches from their location when compared to 43% in the age 31 and above.
Alton, IL (62002)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 93F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low near 70F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
The suicide rate of the general population of the U.S. declined during both 2019 and 2020, according to preliminary analyses by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in an April 13, 2021, article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The decline in suicide occurred during the 2020 COVID epidemic in the U.S., which surprised many experts who follow these matters.

Data about the overall rate of suicide in the U.S. were collected by the National Center for Health Statistics of the CDC. The JAMA article indicates there were 44,834 suicides in the U.S. in 2020, which is 2,677 fewer than in 2019. This follows a smaller decline in deaths by suicide in 2019.

Early evidence from farm crisis hotline administrators and services suggests that suicide also appears to be declining among the agricultural population, which would be welcome news. Heres why.

Farmers have the one of the highest rates of suicide of any group, according to a November 2018 CDC report, which corrected errors from an earlier report in July, 2016 about suicide by farmers. A study by Dr. Wendy Ringgenberg (Journal of Rural Health, May 2018) using U.S. Department of Labor data concluded that suicide occurred more frequently in the agricultural workplace than in any other occupational workplace.

Recent reports from administrators of farm hotlines and support services suggest that suicide by the agricultural population may be declining and that farm people are reaching out for professional advice to improve their farming success.
Cattle finishing returns should strengthen this summer as the industry works through higher feed costs and smaller calf crops.

We are near the peak of numbers that started in 2014, says Derrell Peel, Extension livestock marketing economist with Oklahoma State University. We had our peak calf crop in 2018, so we are looking at a tighter supply of feeder cattle.

He says normally, most of what is occurring in 2021 should have occurred in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench in the historical pattern of the cattle cycle, Peel says.

We carried more cattle into 2021 than we should have, he says. Im looking for feedlot numbers to come down.

The pandemic makes it difficult to compare year-to-year numbers. USDAs most recent Cattle on Feed report showed placements were 28% higher than a year ago, but Peel says its more accurate to compare numbers to 2019.

If we do that, placements were just up 3.4%, he says. Thats a much less scary number.

The cattle inventory report in early February indicated numbers were the largest since February 2006.

We started rebuilding feedlot supplies late last year, and its continuing, Peel says.

There is quite a bit of optimism for fed cattle prices heading into the last half of the year, he says. This comes as feed costs have soared along with the rising prices of corn and ethanol co-products.

That really doesnt impact the fed cattle prices like it does feeder cattle prices, Peel says. Feeders are getting squeezed at the moment.
On April 29, as a part of Montana State Universitys Beef Extension Spring Series, Dr. Casey Solomon, DVM of Milk River Genetics, discussed the importance of reproductive momentum in a cattle herd. During her talk, Solomon looked at some things producers can do to gain and/or maintain reproductive momentum. As both a veterinarian and producer herself, Solomon has a great appreciation for reproductive momentum and how it directly relates to time.

I think I am preaching to the choir here when I say our greatest asset, all of us, is time. And we dont ever have enough of it. I wanted to talk about reproductive momentum because I feel that is one of the biggest drivers to success on an operation and also one of the biggest ways to save time throughout the year, she said to open her presentation.

Maximizing reproductive efficiency on an operation can directly equate to a producer having more time, and nothing eats up a ranchers spring schedule like late-calvers. As the biggest killers to reproductive momentum, Solomon says identifying and managing late-calving cows is crucial to getting a herds reproductive efficiency back on track.

She recommends identifying late-bred cows as early as possible through an ultrasound either later in the summer or early in the fall. If a producer chooses to expel late-bred cows from their herd, Solomon suggests looking for ways to add value to them. She also challenges producers to weigh the timing of pregnancy diagnose with the current value of the market.

If you feel you are going to sell your late cows, you may want to look at doing your pregnancy exams earlier in the fall because those cows will hold a lot more value in the market, she added.
This video on the state Land Department's website shows one view of the parcel that is scheduled to be auctioned today. The drone video was made by Ahwatukee resident Karl Baltutat, owner of Desert Eagle Drone Photography LLC.
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Alexander City, AL (35010)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms in the morning. High 86F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable.
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
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  In the final minutes of their legislative session, Louisiana lawmakers agreed to change the way the state shops for voting systems, to include more public vetting and require an auditable paper trail, after two recent efforts to replace the states voting machines fai
The white Christians are coming! The white Christians are coming!

So wails Washington Post columnist Margaret Sullivan on her post-yoga ride up and down K Street, forewarning Washingtonians of the imposition of a new ethno-theocracy taking root in America. Shes not saddled on Brown Beauty; rather, in D.C. drab couture, shes on a Bird scooter, crunching cicada husks and wheeling over discarded surgical masks.

An established chronicler of media ecology, Sullivan is no view-from-nowhere, hard-nosed guardian of journalistic neutrality. She takes a stance, and on more than one issue: media ethics, the importance of civic education, the need for diversity in the city room, how cancel culture is fake news.

Shes also concerned America is regressing into a John Winthrop sermon. In her column, Sullivan celebrates the naming of the first female editor-in-chief to the imperial city daily: Sally Buzbee. The article is titled, The Washington Post will soon have a woman as its top editor. And yes, that matters -- matters being the lazy catchall verb journalists use to justify whatever bilge theyre batting out. Kamala Harriss Converse matter! Donald Trumps two scoops of vanilla bean matter! Joe Biden picking a dandelion on the South Lawn for his wife matters!

Why does Buzbees promotion matter? Because its 2021, and while sex and gender are fictitious social constructs, we must raise a glass and clap our forelimbs like seals for someone who identifies as an outmoded genitaled classification being appointed the editor of the obsolete Washington Post.

Sullivan notes that while its now routine for women to hold high-ranking posts in journalism, Buzbee taking the wheel is still significant. Oh, and its also a thrill. Like plunging down Splash Mountain. Or saying I do to your spouse.

So Sullivan is thrilled her supervisor shares her chromosomes. More girl power to them. But theres a disturbing passage that stands out in her panegyric to the Swamp Post newsroom becoming an Amazonian outpost. And it reveals the paranoia thats endemic among the upper-middle-class, i.e. loyal Post subscribers.

Sullivan tries to bring in a more critical assessment of her new girl boss:

A longtime Post subscriber in Virginia, one of my regular correspondents, had something to say about [Buzbee] in a recent email about the appointment: Does she understand -- really understand  that the United States is on track to become functionally an authoritarian White Christian nationalist state in the very near future? And if the answer is Yes, what is she prepared to do about it?

Whoever Sullivans (unquestionably Northern) Virginian correspondent is, his ideas simply don't comport with reality. The entire concern reads like Sparknotes for Gilead fanfiction. The idea simply doesnt comport with reality.

After decades of native-born Americans filing out of church pews, the U.S. is not on the brink of becoming a theocracy. The Christian church, no matter the denomination, has a harder time attracting new congregants than a Quaker outreach director at a UFC match. That faith is losing its normative hold on American public life is no cause for celebration, but there are no two opinions about the trendline. Over 15% of Generation Zers identify as one of the letters in the LGBTQ endless-acronym -- up from almost 10% of its ante-generation.

On immigration, theres a lot of brouhaha on the left about the ineluctable majority-minority makeup of America. The lefts thinking goes: the demographic change train cant be stopped; it will run clean over the Grand Old Party of white men. Up will rise a rainbow coalition of minorities-cum-pluralities who cast reliable votes for the party that insists that the b in black must be capitalized when referring to African-Americans.

Theres just one problem with that reading. This destiny isnt all that determinative, especially given the flexibility of assessing whiteness by our Census Bureau. Between Latinos who identify as white and increase in interracial marriages, with more children being born to parents of differing races, the majority-minority narrative has a few explanatory gaps -- Donald Trumps improved performance with minorities in the last election being a big one. But the popular conception of what whiteness means is changing.

Sullivans pen pal gets one presentiment right: the U.S. is slouching towards authoritarianism, and the pace is picking up. But its hardly the authoritarianism of puritan piety. Rather, its a plusher and less outwardly less intimidating, soft authoritarianism. And it takes its enforcement cues from leftist identity ideology.

Just ask: who is more at risk of setting off mob fury and having their livelihood destroyed? The pale-faced Christ-worshipper who believes marriage is between man and woman? Or the transgender BLM activist hooked on antidepressants who thinks capitalism is just patriarchal oppression?

The question answers itself. Theres a growing authoritarianism all right, but its not colored with a white Crayola.

That Sullivan thought to include this left-of-sanity remark is indicative of how out of touch she, and Post readers, really are. It wasnt the kind of thoughtful inquiry that belongs in a professional periodical. It was an unhinged Facebook comment.

And unhinged Facebook comment is about the best descriptor for our media nowadays.

Image: Washington Post

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On May 18, Pennsylvania held its customarily scheduled municipal primary elections. Following the example of previous municipal primary elections, Keystone State voters were faced with several statewide questions and ballot initiatives. This year, these prompts included a new genre of questions: those related to Gov. Tom Wolfs emergency powers.

Two questions specifically targeted Wolfs abuse of his emergency powers during the pandemic. The results show Pennsylvania voters have fatigued from overreaching executive authority and they have chosen to strip Gov. Wolf of his emergency powers.

The first ballot question asked if voters felt that the state constitution should be amended to provide additional checks on the governors emergency powers. More specifically, by allowing the General Assembly the authority to terminate an emergency declaration, effectively removing Gov. Wolf as the sole decision-maker when it comes to emergency declarations. Currently, under the Pennsylvania Constitution, any action by commonwealth agencies to address statewide emergencies requires the governors approval.

The second ballot question asked voters if the Pennsylvania Constitution should also be amended to place time restraints on emergency declarations. After Gov. Wolf extended emergency declarations in Pennsylvania time after time under the guise of the pandemic, voters chose to make emergency declarations automatically terminate after 21 days. Under the provisions of this ballot question, a state of emergency may be extended, however, only with support from the General Assembly.

According to the Morning Call, both questions had margins of approximately 54 percent in favor to 46 percent opposed. Overall, Keystone State voters rejected Wolfs heavy-handed gubernatorial emergency powers, which shows their desire to rightfully inject the people and the legislative branch back into the decision-making process when it comes to prolonged (and unnecessary) emergency declarations.

Yet, this is not happening only in Pennsylvania. The sudden onset of the coronavirus pandemic, coupled with a plethora of governors who abused their pandemic emergency powers, has left several states reevaluating the statutes in their constitutions pertaining to state of emergency provisions and powers granted to the governor during a state of emergency. Moreover, many states have terminated their pandemic emergency protocols entirely as the pandemic has diminished over the past few months.

H owever, some states, and more precisely, some governors, have provided us the worst example of what can happen when one person is given unchecked power, with the ability to singlehandedly continue to extend that power. The dishonorable Gov. Andrew Cuomo is the first to come to mind. Although, unfortunately for the people of Pennsylvania, Gov. Wolf is a serious contender for second place.

Not only has Wolf been slow to ease up on the highly burdensome restrictions for Pennsylvanians, but now he is outright ignoring the wishes of the very people he was elected to represent. The news broke on the aforementioned results of the ballot questions on May 18. Yet, in a stunning display of temerity, on May 20, Gov.Wolf chose once again to renew his COIVD-19 disaster declaration -- defying the basic tenets of the democratic process.

Wolfs initial emergency declaration was enacted on March 6, 2020. His latest version revives his draconian emergency powers through yet another extension, as our Founders roll in their graves at the thought of Wolfs authoritarian governance.

Of course, Wolfs latest emergency declaration came only two days after the people of Pennsylvania gave a clear message to him that they reject his use (or abuse) of ongoing emergency powers.

Popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, and republicanism are bedrock American principles. Unfortunately, these principles have been absent in Pennsylvania since the beginning of the pandemic. Wolfs power-hungry policies, unchecked by the legislature and courts, have led to substantial negative socioeconomic effects for his constituents.

Finally, voters are standing up to Wolf and reasserting their rightful place as a much-needed check against a tyrannical executive. The pandemic is rapidly declining and Americans are looking forward to regaining all of their pre-pandemic liberties. It is time for Wolf to listen to his constituents, restore their personal liberties, remove his crown, and step down from his throne.

The pandemic has shown us the true colors of our elected officials. The sad truth is that in most cases, those elected to represent we the people are singularly concerned with maintaining their own power. Fortunately for Pennsylvanians, Gov. Tom Wolf will not be able to run for reelection. Thank God for term limits. However, even in a future without a Wolf, we the people must remain eternally vigilant against any and all government officials who woefully abuse their power -- pandemic or not.

Samantha Fillmore (sfillmore@heartland.org) is a government relations manager at The Heartland Institute.

Image: T Wolf

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In 1981 Israels Prime Minister Menachem Begin was asked by a group of Americans what he thought were the lessons of the Holocaust. He answered, if an enemy of our people seeks to destroy us, believe him. Dont doubt him for a moment, dont make light of it. Do all in your power to deny him the means of carrying out his satanic intent. This past April in Vienna, on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Biden Administration joined talks to renegotiate the terms of a return to the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal (The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA). If revived, the Iran Nuclear deal would restore billions of dollars in economic sanctions to Iran, the chief financial backer of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

As Michael Doran, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, explains, the appeasement on the nuclear question leads to appeasement across the region. On Monday, senior Hamas official Mahmoud Al-Zahar asserted that "Israel has no right to exist. On a visit to Iran last week Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh publicly thanked Iran for providing Hamas with money, weapons, and technical support during recent clashes between the terrorist organization and Israel. The fragile truce that remains in effect between Hamas and Israel follows eleven days of Israel enduring the worst violence it has witnessed in years, with Iranian proxies in Gaza launching over 4,000 rockets towards Israeli cities and terrorizing its citizens.

The conflict also revealed the fraying support among Democrats in Congress, a growing number of who struck a tone of moral relativism and concentrated their efforts on criticizing Israels defensive actions rather than Hamas terrorist aggressions.

The recent introduction of legislation targeting Israel also underscores the ever-increasing political potency of congresswomen Rashida Tlaib (MI), Ilhan Omar (MN), and other members of the Squad, whose distorted positions against Israel has weakened the resolve of others within the Democratic party to speak out in support of Israel.

Last Thursday, House Democrats unanimously rejected a Republican effort led by Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX) to provide Israel with emergency security funding following the depletion of its Iron Dome system. The 218-209 vote against the Gonzales measure was preceded two days earlier by House Democrats halting consideration of legislation that would apply sanctions to foreign entities known to do business with Hamas. Republican Congressman Brian Mast (FL) reintroduced the Palestinian International Terrorism Support Bill, which passed the House in 2019 and was never taken up by the Senate. The move to consider the Mast bill fell along party lines and was blocked by a vote of 217-209.

Resolutions were also initiated in both the House and the Senate to stop the planned sale of $735 million in weapons to Israel. NY Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont senator Bernie Sanders are leading the effort in their respective chambers. While the House resolution is unlikely to advance, Senate rules permit one member to force a vote. Should Sanders bring the resolution before the Senate floor, its consideration would spur an uncomfortable debate among Democrats on the issue of support for Israel.

In a bow to their progressive base, Israels past democratic defenders did not shy away from rebuking the country during its war with Hamas. Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Menendez (NJ) specifically called out his disapproval of Israel striking the Gaza tower, which housed media outlets such as the AP and Al-Jazeera and whose location was used as a base for Hamas terrorists. Massachusetts senator Ed Markeys backing of Israel has been punctuated by speeches given over the years before thousands of pro-Israel activists at the American Israel Public Affairs Committees (AIPAC) Annual Policy Conferences. Yet, in a push to support the Palestinians, more than 450 Massachusetts voters and organizations signed a petition earlier this month urging Markey to stand with the Palestinian people. Citing Israels disproportionate military power, Markey issued a statement calling on Israel to accept an immediate ceasefire.

And while representatives Ted Deutch (FL) and Elaine Luria (VA) were among the nine Democrats who spoke in support of Israel on the House floor, they were outdone by representatives from their party who criticized the Jewish state in the chamber.

Congressman Jerry Nadler (NY), the most senior Jewish member in the House, detailed the critical friendship with Israel in a May 21st op-ed for the New York Times. Yet the congressman was one of a dozen Jewish Democrats in the House who signed a letter to President Biden on May 14th encouraging a truce in the region. Two days later, 28 Democratic senators -- representing over half of the partys caucus, issued a statement calling for an immediate cease-fire. Both the Nadler letter and Senate statements were released when missile strikes against Israel were at their height.

Despite their continued demonization of Israel, congressional progressives continue to receive praise from Democratic lawmakers. Tlaib alluded to the elimination of Israel in a tweet: "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free." The congresswoman continued her defense of Hamas when she cornered Biden on a Detroit tarmac last week and blamed Israel for the escalating violence in the region. Later that day, Biden praised Tlaib (whom he mistakenly referred to as Rashid) as a "fighter" and expressed admiration for her intellect. Congresswoman Omar, who was promoted to vice-chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, labeled Israeli airstrikes as terrorism and has referred to the Jewish state as the "Israeli apartheid regime.

As members of the Squad spew their apartheid libel and are buffered by other Democrats, the anti-Semitic current running through Congress has gained a foothold in liberal-run cities. Over the last several weeks, pro-Palestinian mobs have attacked American Jews on the streets of Los Angeles and New York, home to the second-largest Jewish population globally. These acts, fomented by the Democrats normalization of last summers violent protests, were met with perfunctory and belated words of outrage. Recent days have witnessed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) tweeting that "We must stand together to stop the recent surge in Anti-semitic attacks. Schumers message was an improvement over Ocasio-Cortez, who sought to link her outrage surrounding anti-Semitism with Israel's human rights abuses.

Democratic pronouncements criticizing Israels response to Hamas coupled with its embrace of anti-Semitic legislators mark a dramatic departure from years past when liberal lawmakers such as the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan issued passionate pleas in support of Israel. While members of the progressive left may not have held leading roles in the Democratic partys past, domestic events surrounding Israels war with Hamas prove that they are the headliners setting the stage for the partys future.

Irit Tratt is a freelance writer and pro-Israel advocate who resides in New York. Her work has appeared in the Jerusalem Post, the Algemeiner, and Israel Hayom.

Image: David Shankbone

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Traditionally, an activity of female bondage and corruption is now being called by some an expression of female liberation. This writer received an advertisement from Oxford University Press offering me a complimentary copy of a book on a supposedly "hot issue" in philosophy entitled Debating Sex Work. The publisher appealed to me to request this book, which outlines two positions held by two different females philosophers regarding the "world's oldest profession." One position supports what is called the "Nordic Model," whereby the female prostitute (euphemistically called "sex worker" rather than "whore") is de-criminalized, but the buyer of her "services" (her body to be used for self-gratification) is criminalized. This has been tried in various parts of Scandinavia. The other point of view is total decriminalization of the entire transaction. At bottom, this criminalization is an infringement on human freedom. Intercourse with whomever, wherever, for free or for money, is apparently the quintessential freedom or cornerstone of human liberty.

There is a third view not presented in this book: that both of the above views are wrong. The woman and the john (her customer) are totally immoral, and their behaviors deserve to be deemed criminal and to be punished.

Prostitution is wrong from every angle. It is using a woman as a toy (same as if one purchased a sex toy at a store). A woman, like a man, is made in the image of God. There is also the Golden Rule: do to others as you would have others do to you. Do you want your wife, sister, or daughter to be making a few extra bucks on the side by selling her body? Further, there is an antiquated custom (sarcasm intended  it's not antiquated) called the sanctity of marriage, where a man and a woman are bound together by love and commitment, and this unity is considered the sine qua non of fulfillment, sexual and otherwise.

So this author rejects the premise of the book that a sophisticated discussion of prostitution is contained within the defined boundaries of these two schools of thought, or even that these two schools of thought deserve our discerning attention. Not only that, but as a teacher of philosophy, this writer has to wonder how the great ideas of philosophy going back thousands of years could have reached such a low point that the subject of prostitution should be debated by two well-positioned persons in the philosophy field. Philosophy traditionally has covered metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, ontology, teleology, axiology, and aesthetics. Am I to believe that there is new ground being broken in a branch of philosophy to be called "vaginology"?

What about those who think prostitution should not only continue to be criminalized  both "sex worker" (if it's work, maybe it should be unionized) and "john"? Perhaps there should be a beginners, intermediate, and advanced certificate for prostitution with wage levels defined and enforced by the government? A young lady at a local community college might be asked, "What are you majoring in?" And she could reply with a clear conscience, "I am majoring in prostitution. Our course work is guided by the Nordic Model, so if the police arrive, only the customer will be arrested for the scum he is. My inherent dignity will be affirmed."

The Nordic Model is wrong because the woman is responsible for her actions before God. To criminalize the John only is a direct repudiation of God and a repudiation of the honor and respect due to women. It is always the stinking man's fault that the woman is selling her body. The male has only to insist, "Open, sesame," and she opens. To be a john or not to be a john, that is the question.

A prostitute is not a sex worker. She is a slave worker. She is morbidly de-emphasizing her soul and over-emphasizing her body. She is putting her private parts before her conscience, or she is being forced into this trade. If she is being forced under threat of torture or death, then that is a mitigating circumstance that should be taken into account if she is arrested and goes to court, but in most cases, she still bears some responsibility. She is not only spreading disease; she is spreading immorality.

The timing of this volume by Oxford Press is especially good for those living in New York. The district attorney of New York recently announced that he will no longer be prosecuting cases of prostitution. Since the laws against prostitution are still on the books, police may of course make arrests, but they will know ahead of time that prosecution will not follow. "While the office had, since 2016, not prosecuted prostitution cases if the defendant went through mandatory counseling, under the new policy all offers of services will be voluntary and all charges dismissed by the office's Human Trafficking Response Unit."

So please, Oxford, keep dignifying this type of behavior by publishing the work of "wise women" (sic) who are feeding off their own perverse imaginations, and perhaps (who knows?) have some other commitments to the sex industry. I will not speculate here what those commitments might be. This philosopher is really chagrined and disappointed to see that a great publishing house like Oxford would succumb to this modern aspect of libertinism and so-called "women's liberation."

Image via Pxhere.

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It's spring graduations these days, and out come the illegals, proudly waving the flags of the nations they don't want to be sent back to.

That was the case again in San Diego, where one illegal immigrant, Javier Diego Jacinto, wildly waved the Mexican flag at his graduation from San Diego State University, touting his status as a DACA recipient, and gave interviews for the television cameras. He's not the first. Remember her?

Here's my camera screen grab from what I saw on television last night on the NBC7 San Diego report:

Here's the NBC7 write-up.

A San Diego County resident and DACA recipient whos worked several jobs to pay his way through college achieved part of his dream Tuesday when he graduated from San Diego State University. Javier Diego Jacinto, 22  proudly flying a Mexican flag  walked across the stage at Petco Park during SDSUs commencement ceremony as his family cheered from the stands.

Which is pretty much the height of ingratitude. Who teaches a kid like that to go wave the Mexican flag instead of the American one after graduating at taxpayer expense from a U.S. university? Who knows of immigrants who came legally who would do that? I don't. Most are thrilled to have changed their nationality and many want nothing to do with the places they left, and embrace their Americanism as a gift from heaven. Not this kid. He'd rather wave the Mexican flag once he's gotten a chance to get on camera as if to wave in Americans' faces that he's gotten away with something.

Nobody's asking him about it, of course, not in the press, despite the obvious messaging. And he's not the first. Years ago, when Indira Esparza waved her Mexican flag of triumph as a DACA recipient at her state-school graduation with a gut major in tow, there was public outrage and even columnist Ruben Navarrette condemned her lack of "manners" and called it a lost opportunity to show good character. He was thinking about illegals' obligation to win Americans over. This kid, though, doesn't seem to think illegals need to win anyone over anymore. He's entitled, see, we owe him.

Yet the truth is, it is the other way around. Facts emerged about Esparza's cushy ride as an undocumented student from La Jolla's prestigious Preuss school, and all the cash and goodies she managed to get for being here illegally, including her placement at UCSD, which took the place of another U.S. student. Instead of thanking California's taxpayers for their largesse, she waved the Mexican flag in their faces, as did this kid, who now does it unremarkably.

And there's a lot being hidden from this kid's story about why he's here and where he comes from. The press would have you think it's all a sob story so we naturally "owe" him, but that's hardly the case.

One: His parents were economic migrants who entered the U.S. illegally, not people escaping political persecution as today's asylum seekers all claim, line cutters ahead of the legal immigrants, going first as the law-abiding awaited, profiting off breaking the law.

They left their life in another place so that I could aspire to do bigger things --- things that they didnt get to do, he explained.

Two: His family was hardly dirt-poor even in the state of Morelos, Mexico, where he says he's from:

Morelos, with its big city of Cuernavaca, is Mexico's third largest in terms of population, with 1.8 million people, an 86% urbanization rate, and $11,613 per capita income. It's the home to car and car-part manufacturing plants according to OECD data, which is a heckuvua lot richer than, say, Honduras, where per capita income runs around $1,000. According to Knoema, a private corporate intelligence firm, only 6,421 Morelos residents out of 1.8 million left the state for another country in 2020, a sharp spike from previous years when far fewer did, according to their chart, and may presumably include the year this kid's parents left with him and his siblings 14 years ago.

Here's the state of Morelos, Mexico, on Wikipedia, where he says he's from:

Due to its location near Mexico City, the state has one of the lower rates of economic marginalization, ranking 20th of 33 units in economic marginalization, based on housing and education. The most urbanized areas of the state are the strongest economically, with the least urbanized being the poorest. Two of the factors in the development of the state's economy since the 1960s are the opening of the Mexico City-Acapulco highway through the state in 1952 and the creation of the Civac (Ciudad Industrial Valle de Cuernavaca) industrial complex in 1965. This concentrated the population growth into the northern part of the state.

...and...

Commerce, transportation, services, and tourism accounts for 59% of the state's GDP and employs just over 50% of the working population.[151] The growth of the commerce sector is due to urbanization and the growth of tourism.[122] The biggest selling point of the state touristically is its location, just south of Mexico City, which has the largest and wealthiest population in the country. Many of these people come to spend the weekend in Cuernavaca's nightclubs and away from Mexico City's traffic and pollution.[69] Many of these visitors have bought second homes here, which has driven property prices up.[24] Those from Mexico City and other cities are also attracted to the states water parks and spas, such as Las Palmas in Tehuixtla, El Rollo and the Parque Acuatico Oaxtepec.[151][162] The state, especially around the capital of Cuernavaca, has experienced a housing boom since the late 1990s. More than 10,000 houses were built from 2000 to 2008 and another 50,000 are planned through 2013. The state's office of urban development states that this is far above what is needed to house the state's population. Instead, it reflects demand from Mexico City for a weekend and getaway homes. The housing boom has put a strain on infrastructure and on property prices.[163]

That doesn't sound like a third-world dump where only the scrappiest who escape make it. It sounds like it's pretty close to first world, actually, and Mexico is one of Latin America's richest countries.

The write-up goes on to say that the Jacinto kid worked several jobs to get through college, many menial, as if that were something unusual for middle-class college students in the U.S.

The press, both on NBC and Telemundo, bills this as some kind of magnificent achievement against all odds, but even that comes off as propaganda. The kid went to a solid but hardly prestigious state school, taking the place of a citizen, and actually, had more resources than citizens. Despite this, he majored in a very gut major -- liberal studies - where they park underachievers. After that, he will enter a bilingual credential program, according to NBC, not being able to get it all done during his undergraduate career despite his native-speaking advantage. Then he's off to a state sinecure as a teachers' union member, planning to teach other non-English-speaking kids expected to arrive from his homeland.

It's not a disastrous record compared to most DACA recipients, who, stuck in failing teachers' union-led schools, and coming from cultures where education is not valued, are some of America's biggest underachievers. But it was hardly a herculean struggle and triumph. Actually, it was mediocre.

Apparently, San Diego State had been working with this kid a lot and made him a poster boy for their vast resource base devoted to benefitting illegals and securing more government funds. He described a reasonably ordinary, not dirt-scrapping, life on the San Diego State University's resource page as one of its featured brand ambassadors. Here's his statement on the San Diego State "undocumented resources" page:

Hi, my name is Javier Diego Jacinto. I am a first generation transfer student majoring in Liberal Studies with an Emphasis in Elementary Education and a Focus on Literacy. I was born In Cuernavaca, Morelos Mexico. I am a DACA/AB 540 student and I am here to share my experiences with you with the mindset of helping you succeed at any goal you set yourself to. In my leisure time, I enjoy waking up at 4 am and going on hikes. I have an awesome Pug that helps brighten my day. I enjoy drinking a nice, warm cup of coffee while watching a couple of episodes of the office for the 100th time. I plan to get my bilingual teachers credential and utilize my passion for producing and creating music and videos to showcase the importance of education. As a result, I am in the process of publishing Aspiring Teachers Club. It will help bridge the gap between undergrads who wish to become teachers and the resources they need to attend a 4-year institution. I am excited to be part of SOAR and transmit my positive and enthusiastic energy into any obstacle that dares to come our way. Together, little by little, we will start by doing what is possible, and sooner than you think, we will be doing what we thought was impossible.

All that, and all he can say for himself now is to wave the Mexican flag.

We all know that something else is going on here, the press incuriously selling illegals as heart-string-tuggers, and the universities selling this kid as a success story against all odds, despite the actual details. The shamelessness is what actually sticks out, the Mexican flag in our faces. He's on a mission to indoctrinate kids now, and already he's showing what he plans to do with them as he waves that flag. That's an establishment out of control and reveals some amazing rot and corruption within our institutions.

Image: Screen shot from a camera aimed at a television set.

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The last time Israel and Hamas were at war, in 2014, I flew from my home in Chicago to Israel (where we have a small apartment) with my family to show support. I remember those three weeks as though it were yesterday. I would have traveled to Israel again during the recent conflict, but COVID restrictions prevented that.

So I do my best to use the platform offered by these pages and other media to set the record straight against the constant stream of lies spouted to defame Israel. This includes "the international community," who largely blamed Israel. The reality is that most of these hypocritical countries would have turned Gaza into a parking lot ten years ago if Hamas, which is supported by Iran, were their neighbor.

The biased media also did their best to slander Israel. They failed to report that a major cause of the violence was the conflict between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, including the P.A.'s postponement of elections, not Israel's planned eviction of a few dozen squatters in Jerusalem who haven't paid rent in 50 years.

Other bad actors include too many "woke" virtue-signaling Democratic politicians and ill-informed celebrities. Very few of those criticizing Israel state publicly what we all know is true: Israel, as any government would, had an obligation to defend its citizens from Hamas's 4,000-plus rocket attacks, which were aimed at killing Israeli civilians and disrupting life. In contrast, Israel targeted only Hamas's terrorist leaders and infrastructure and provided ample warning before it struck buildings.

Sometimes I hate being proven correct, and the aftermath of the war is one of those instances. For years I've argued on these pages, on my social media blog, and on TV and radio shows that anti-Semitism from the left is more dangerous than from the right. The vicious displays of Jew-hatred across the world from the usual suspects  Islamists and the Progressive left  following Israel's justifiable and measured defense of its citizens proves my point. From universities to restaurants to shops to the streets and neighborhoods in cities worldwide, we have seen constant calls to violence against Jews, Jewish institutions, and Israel by the Progressive left and Islamists.

Meanwhile, moderates and conservatives, no matter their ethnicity and religion, are largely defending Israel. Predictably and sadly, my friends on the left, who are so quick to call out more benign anti-Semitism from the fringe right, are silent.

Josh Kantrow is a cyber-security lawyer in Chicago.

Image via Max Pixel.

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The Biden administration wants to force taxpayers to continue to pay for ugly, unpopular federal buildings and is resorting to possibly illegal demands for resignations-or-be-fired from a federal advisory board more than a century old.

In February, Biden scrapped Trump's executive order, "Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture," that

harshly criticized modern architectural styles and instead lauded Roman-Greco-inspired buildings. But while it criticized modern and brutalist buildings, it did not mandate that any future works be Greek or neoclassical in design. "Classical and other traditional architecture, as practiced both historically and by today's architects, have proven their ability to meet these design criteria and to more than satisfy today's functional, technical, and sustainable needs," the order said. "Their use should be encouraged instead of discouraged."

Yesterday, the Biden administration notified four Trump-appointed members of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts that they must resign by the end of the business day or be terminated, despite the fact that there is no provision for firing members who are appointed to four-year terms. Bloomberg reports:

The White House asked for the resignations on Monday of several members of the federal agency that reviews design and aesthetic decisions for buildings in the city of Washington, D.C., including its chairman, according to the now-former chair, Justin Shubow.

Note: Shubow has refused to resign, so calling him "now-former" seems to be premature.

Elizabeth Blair reports for NPR on the replacements:

The four intended appointees are meant to replace four commissioners who had been installed by former President Donald Trump, and who helped shape a controversial executive order intended to promote neoclassical architecture as the official style for federal buildings in Washington and at new federal courthouses elsewhere. A White House official told NPR: "President Biden is proud to nominate this extremely qualified and well-respected group of professionals to the Commission on Fine Arts. They will bring to the commission a diversity of background and experience, as well as a range of aesthetic viewpoints." The four are Peter Cook, a principal at HGA Architects whose past projects include the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture; Hazel Ruth Edwards, a professor and chair of Howard University's Department of Architecture; Justin Garrett Moore, the inaugural program officer of the Humanities in Place program at the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; and Billie Tsien, a partner at Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, whose firm designed the Barack Obama Presidential Center[.]

The termination notices repeated the wording of an earlier demand for the resignation of Michael Savage from the advisory board for the Presidio Trust in San Francisco. The Savage purge may be purely personal, based on his conservative politics and friendship with President Trump, or may, as Savage suspects, be related to his proposal:

[T]o keep a salute to God and the military at the former military post. God & the Soldier at the Presidio was my most recent suggested exhibit and may have triggered the purge[.]

The Commission on Fine Arts purge appears to be motivated purely on policy grounds  namely, the protection of the modernist architecture and the rejection of neoclassical architecture that was for almost two centuries the standard for federal buildings, such as the White House, Capitol, and Supreme Court  the trademark headquarters of all three branches of government.

In place of the symmetry, balance, and pleasuring proportions of



Photo credit: Cezary Piwowarczyk, CC BY-SA 4.0 license.



Photo credit: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 3.0 license.



Photo credit: Joe Ravi, CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Biden is clearing the way for more hideous buildings like the new San Francisco federal office building, one of the examples of ugly federal buildings cited in Trump's executive order:



Photo credit: Eric in SF, CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Driving into San Francisco from the airport, as the U.S. 101 freeway rounds a curve and the city's skyline comes into view, this building leaps out, its ugly color unique and its forbidding asymmetrical facade jarring the visitor. I utterly detest it every time I lay eyes on it.

The Architect's Newspaper reports on the response of the purged chairman.

[Justin] Shubow shared a copy of the letter with AN as well as a statement in reaction to it, pointing out the unprecedented nature of the move: "In the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts' 110-year history, no President has removed a single commissioner  let alone a majority of the commission, and let alone the elected chairman. Were Biden to remove commissioners, it would set a terrible precedent by politicizing an apolitical, non-partisan body. All of the threatened commissioners are proponents of classical and traditional public art and architecture, and the White House's action clearly represents an attack on that sort of design, even though it is preferred by the vast majority of the American people. It is ironic that President Biden is a great admirer of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, yet FDR was a staunch proponent of classical architecture for Washington, D.C., which he called 'the loveliest city in the world.' It is my hope that this administration does not want to bring back the ugliness of Brutalism or any other dismal styles." In his response to Russell, which Shubow also shared with AN, he wrote: "I respectfully decline your request to resign. I request an explanation of the legal basis and grounds of your extraordinary request and accompanying threat of termination." He continued: "Lawfully appointed to a four-year term by the President in October 2018, I have served on the Commission honorably and well, and indeed was elected chairman by my fellow commissioners. I am a well-qualified judge of the fine arts who The New York Times and NPR called 'one of modern architecture's biggest critics.' I have not received a single complaint about my performance."

It also provides some background:

The CFA, which functions as an independent agency of the U.S. Government, was established in 1910 with architect Daniel Burnham serving as its first chair. Formed as an entity to protect the McMillian Plan, the Senate Park Commission-penned 1902 plan that created the National Mall and other D.C. landmarks within the monumental core, the contemporary CFA is tasked with the review of the "design and aesthetics" of all new construction within the capital. In its advisory role, it does not, however, have the authority to outright approve or reject construction projects.

The excuse apparently being used for the urge is race:

The current composition of the CFA is markedly less diverse in terms of non-male and non-white representation than it has been in the recent past (it is the first all-white commission in more than a decade) although Shubow, elected as chair in January, is the first Jewish person to hold that position. A new chair will be elected in the coming weeks.

The purge leaves an important gap in the expertise on the commission:

The removal of Guillot, however, does leave the commission with no landscape architects, a fact pointed out by Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF). "Under the Obama Administration, the Commission of Fine Arts had three landscape architects as commissioners: Elizabeth Meyer, Liza Gilbert, and Mia Lehrer," said TCLF president and CEO Charles A. Birnbaum in a statement provided to AN. "None of the four proposed commissioners is a landscape architect, which is notable considering how much of the capital's unique and significant landscape legacy falls within its purview."

At least one member of the commission has already complied with the demand for his resignation. I do not know if Justin Shubow has the means to contest the actions in court, but if he does, perhaps he can make the argument that firing him for the sake of "diversity" constitutes discrimination against him on the basis of race.

One of the great triumphs of America's ruling elite is the successful imposition of ugly modernist architecture on a public that hates it.

The message from opinion polls, referendums and the housing market across Europe is that 7090 % of the population prefers traditional architecture, if they are given a choice. ... You will find the domination of modernism in sectors where decisions on design are made by bureaucracies, experts and committees[.] ... People in these positions are more likely to abandon their personal aesthetic preferences in favor of what is "accepted," "required" or "normal," and design that will give them praise from the architectural profession and the cultural media. Developers are told that a mixed-use block structure is not "modern" and "of our time," but mono-functional concrete slabs in a "park" setting are.

The roots of modernist architecture are leftist in orientation  a revolt against the values and traditions of the past  and a desire for social engineering. Two good books that cover this history are Tom Wolfe's From Bauhaus to Our House and Living Machines by E. Michael Jones, a book that Amazon refuses to sell.
Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene doesn't like the idea of vaccine passports, and she tweeted about it:

Vaccinated employees get a vaccination logo just like the Nazi's forced Jewish people to wear a gold star. Vaccine passports & mask mandates create discrimination against unvaxxed people who trust their immune systems to a virus that is 99% survivable.

Vaccinated employees get a vaccination logo just like the Nazis forced Jewish people to wear a gold star.



Vaccine passports & mask mandates create discrimination against unvaxxed people who trust their immune systems to a virus that is 99% survivable.https://t.co/6X6VNolcA7  Marjorie Taylor Greene  (@mtgreenee) May 25, 2021

Note that she invoked no more wrongful use of the Holocaust as a metaphor than anyone charging former President Trump with stating a "Big Lie." But there has been a fierce pile-on against her. Consider this report from Business Insider on Taylor Greene's defense of her Covid-19 comments:

Greene subsequently lashed out at critics, saying she was referring not to "the Holocaust" but rather "only the discrimination against Jews in early Nazi years."

Note the shrill hyperbole in the report from Business Insider  "Greene subsequently lashed out at critics[.]" Wouldn't "Greene subsequently explained to critics" have sufficed?

In her remarks, Greene was commenting on discrimination against people who refused to be vaccinated because they were confident their immune systems would withstand the virus. Nothing in her comments could be interpreted as declaring that unvaccinated persons would end up in extermination camps. Rep. Greene's remarks alluded to the Holocaust no more than claims that former President Trump resorts to a "Big Lie," a term going back to Nazi propagandist chief Josef Goebbels.

This is not to say that totalitarian-minded Democrats would make the invidious comparison of Greene's comments to the Nazis. The radical Democrats are quite expert in making invidious comparisons out of comments from Republicans. Indeed, it is not unreasonable to infer that the rush of GOP leaders in the House to pillory Greene's comments was intended to pre-empt denunciation of Greene by the Democrats.

That the three GOP House leaders, Reps. McCarthy, Scalise, and now Stefanik, rushed to denounce Greene suggested more of a stretch than Greene's comments  precisely because they imputed to Greene a Holocaust reference she neither made nor intended to make.

It is surprising that Rep. Elise Stefanik did not persuade GOP House leader Kevin McCarthy or GOP House whip Steve Scalise not to go after Rep. Greene on this one. Who knows better than Rep. Stefanik that the totalitarian-minded Democrats, not Republican members in the House, should be subjected to GOP criticism? She was, after all, elected to replace Rep. Liz Cheney as chair of the House Republican Conference to put House Republicans in a positive light.

On May 25, the same day as the latest GOP-generated controversy on Rep. Greene erupted, there was a report that former president Trump would be working with former speaker Newt Gingrich on a new Contract With America for Republicans to run on in the congressional elections next year. Reps. McCarthy, Scalise, and Stefanik should have issued a press release endorsing a new Contract With America rather than attacking a fellow Republican in the manner of radical left Democrats.

This is to suggest a codicil to the 2022 Contract With America:

Republicans will not isolate and condemn a fellow Republican just because said Republican has been targeted by totalitarian-minded Democrats. Indeed, Republicans shall rally round any one of their colleagues targeted for assault from our country's anti-Democratic party.

(Where Rep. Greene was wrong was in referring to forced wearing of "gold stars." The general term used, hitherto, is "yellow stars." I believe that in the U.S., during World War II, "gold stars" were given to families who lost a loved one in combat.)

Image credit: Public Domain Pictures.

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But the judge also found the state failed to show the companies violated the law by misrepresenting their ability to provide maintenance services. She also said they were not committing some violations during the entire period alleged by the division.
Well, well, well. It seems the media's and assorted government officials' insistence that the COVID virus did not escape from the Wuhan lab was a lie. As Tucker Carlson put it: "Pretty much every sane person acknowledges at this point that the government of China likely caused the single worst man-made disaster in human history."

The evidence is so overwhelming that all the previous authoritative sources are flip-flopping on the issue. One prime example is the Washington Post's head fact-checker, Glenn Kessler. This man ridiculed anyone who said the virus likely came from the Wuhan lab. He especially singled out President Trump and Senator Ted Cruz. Kessler is now backtracking. He's out with a new article on May 25 entitled "How the Wuhan lab-leak theory suddenly became credible." To which Donald Trump, Jr. responded in a tweet: "It didn't suddenly become credible. It always was credible."

Yes, Trump and Cruz are vindicated. The media narrative has been shown to be wrong. And Dr. Anthony Fauci  the highest-paid employee in the U.S. government  has been shown yet again to be a two-faced liar. But what does it matter? The lie and the cover-up on the origin of the Wuhan virus achieved their main objective. They damaged President Trump in the eyes of many voters, which to some degree made it easier to fraudulently install Joe Biden in the Oval Office. And what do the media propagandists care that the truth is now coming out? They got Biden into the presidency. It's the same for the Chinese. Their nemesis Trump is gone. Plus, the Biden family is so dirty and compromised with Chinese money that they have Joe (and by extension the U.S.) by the short hairs.

This is similar to the Russian hoax. That partisan witch hunt lasted two years and did great damage to the country and the Republican cause. It was a factor in the Democrats winning control of the House in 2018. That threw a monkey wrench in the president's MAGA agenda. His time and energy were spent answering asinine charges and allegations. At the end of the day, Trump was vindicated. But still, the hoax played a major role in shifting power to the radical Democrats, and things haven't been the same since.

It is sad to say, but the lies of the radical Democrats are effective. It doesn't much matter that they have a short shelf life. As long as they advance the left's objective, the Democrats don't care. And you'll notice that none of the liars pays a price for his lies.

Misdirection like the origin of the Chinese virus and the Russian hoax are effective not because they are so clever. No, they work only because the entire mainstream media are fully complicit in propagating them. Without that, their exposure would be a snap.

Image via Pixnio.

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The left took George Floyd  a violent ex-con who resisted arrest and who had massive amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamines on board when he died  and turned him into a secular saint. They insisted that he stood for all the Blacks whom American police had murdered. Except that you know by now that the numbers show that it's not the police who are killing Blacks. Tragically, it's Blacks who are doing so  something symbolically illustrated when shots rang out at George Floyd Square, which is Ground Zero for George Floyd worship.

Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of George Floyd's death. An intrepid AP reporter went to George Floyd Square to report on events there on this pivotal day in the leftist calendar. What he ended up reporting on was a volley of 30 gunshots, causing people in the square to scatter:

Heres the moment shots were fired near George Floyd Square earlier this morning. pic.twitter.com/NIWRBr6b9Y  Philip Crowther (@PhilipinDC) May 25, 2021

Fortunately, this time around, no one was killed, but that's a rarity when one contemplates the fallout from the BLM movement's control of the American narrative in 2020 and 2021. Indeed, it makes perfect sense that the death of a violent man would spark a violent year.

The left used Floyd's death as an excuse to defund police and stop prosecuting criminals, and it used COVID as an excuse to empty prisons. The result was predictable to anyone but a leftist: murder skyrocketed in Democrat-run cities across America  and it's likely to get worse:

Police should brace for a potentially more violent summer than last year as crime trends show the bloodshed in some parts of the country, such as New York City, picked up earlier than is typically expected, analysts and experts tell Fox News. "It's not getting any better," Joseph Giacalone, an adjunct professor with the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told Fox News. "Let's put it this way: New York City is already ahead of last year's pace, but last year, the homicides and shootings really started spiking at the end of May and into June. So that will be the real tale of the tape, so to speak, to see what's happening over there." [snip] As of Sunday, the NYPD reported a 350% increase in murders for the week prior compared to the same time year-over-year, statistics show. Shootings were up 166% in April compared to April 2020, police previously said. In Chicago, the most recently available crime statistics show that murder was up 56% from April 26 to May 2 compared to the same time last year, the Chicago Police Department said. The number of shooting incidents was also up 40% during the same time frame year-over-year, police said. And in Los Angeles, murders year-to-date as of May 8 were up 30.9% from the same time last year, while reports of shots fired incidents increased by 58% and the number of shooting victims was up 67.2%, Los Angeles Police Department statistics show.

Given all the violence connected with George Floyd  his life, his death, and the rioting after his death  it seems entirely fitting that the square activists created (much to the distress of Black store owners there) should inadvertently observe the anniversary of Floyd's death with 30 randomly fired gunshots.

Image: Shots fired at George Floyd Square. Twitter screen grab.

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Journalist Michael Kinsley famously defined a gaffe as the moment "when a politician tells the truth  some obvious truth he isn't supposed to say." The same holds true for two important Democrat party media outlets: the New York Times and the Boston Globe. Both displayed their hatred for Jews, a feeling that has nothing to do with disagreeing with Israel's politics and everything to do with a deep loathing for the world's only Jewish state.

Last week, the Boston Globe's opinion section ran a cartoon, which it reproduced in a tweet, that straight-out accused Israel of committing actual and cultural genocide against the Arabs in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel.

In addition to being a vicious lie about the only nation in the world that tries to conduct a moral war that spares civilians, the cartoon is inaccurate. While Jews have continuously occupied the same land  and worshiped the same God  for 4,000 years, the Arabs, having copied much of the Jewish faith, began to build over it more than 2,000 years after the Jews first arrived. Moreover, almost all of the Arabs currently in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank are new arrivals who drifted into an Ottoman-Syrian backwater between 190 and 90 years ago.

Charles Lipson vigorously and accurately attacks the cartoon for being "exactly what modern, intellectual anti-Semitism looks like. The idea is to link the Jewish state to deliberate, willful killing of innocents, to inhumanity and brutal militarism." He has a lot more to say  all of it astute and important  so I recommend reading his entire essay.

Then, on Tuesday, Michelle Goldberg authored a New York Times opinion piece about anti-Semitism in America. In it, she tries desperately to say the Democrat party doesn't really have a problem with anti-Semitism. Instead, her grievance is that, whenever that teeny little handful of mean people say things that can be taken the wrong way, conservatives pounce, pointing out that the Democrat party has an anti-Semitism problem.

Having read Goldberg's essay, one of the editors responsible for putting titles on these pieces came up with a perfect and honest one: "Attacks on Jews over Israel Are a Gift to the Right." In other words, anti-Semitism as a standalone issue isn't a problem; it's a problem only when it makes Democrats look bad.

The pushback was so instantaneous that the paper quickly retitled the piece: "The Crisis of Anti-Semitic Violence."

Heck of a headline update by The New York Times.



Of course there is no explanation. pic.twitter.com/eSF5YP9haL  Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) May 25, 2021

Both the New York Times and the Boston Globe are bastions of leftism. They serve as thought leaders and propaganda outlets for the Democrat party. Much as Michelle Goldberg would like to clean up the Democrat party's growing reputation for anti-Semitism, the reality is that the reputation is deserved.

Leftists despise Israel. They despise it because it is a staunch American ally.

They despise it because, beginning with Marx, leftists associate Jews with capital. So, even though the American left is hugely wealthy because of capitalism and Israel started out as a socialist country, that hatred remains embedded in leftism.

They despise it because, as Matti Friedman wrote, despite Israel having more black citizens than the surrounding Arab communities, and even though Israelis tend to be dark-skinned people who were evicted from those same Arab communities, leftists impose their whole imperialist theory  evil white Israelis against poor brown Arabs  onto the region.

They despise it because, beginning with the 1967 War, there was a switch between Russia, which had once supported Israel because it was socialist, and America, which had been hostile to it because the State Department was notoriously anti-Semitic. Israel became an American ally while worldwide communism supported the Arabs. America's Democrat party, in its hard-left incarnation, follows the communist model.

And, I think, they despise it because Israel is a moral country, one that tries desperately to fight a war without killing innocents. It is an island of tolerance in a vast sea of hatred. Leftists hate this morality because they understand that Israel's principles are rooted in religion. The biblical grounding highlights the immorality that is the nihilistic, materialist leftist worldview.

In some ways, the Times and the Globe deserve our thanks for finally letting the mask drop and showing who they, and the Democrat party, really are.

Image: The New York Times building facade (cropped) by Frieder Blickle. CC BY-SA 4.0.

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Even when immigration isn't in the news at the moment, the Biden administration and its acolytes continue to wage their scorched-earth campaign against our borders and national security. From the porous border to sanctuary laws to foreign worker visas, it is difficult to track all the ways we as a nation are under siege. There is another front in this battle, and if it isn't already in your community, it may be on the way.

The 287(g) program, as it is commonly known, facilitates greater collaboration between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local law enforcement agencies. Participating agencies will deputize some of their officers to perform the duties of immigration agents  such as inquiring about immigration status and checking the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) database. The result is that illegal aliens in local custody who are wanted by ICE are more quickly identified, and the transfer of custody is better streamlined.

Because it has been an effective way to keep criminal aliens out of American communities, the anti-borders left naturally wants to terminate the program. Spurred on by the Biden administration's all-out assault on our immigration laws, Democrats in Congress have been calling for the 287(g) program nationwide to be defunded. In short, they believe that higher crime in American cities is acceptable collateral damage in their quest to import what they hope will be a permanent voting majority in their favor.

The reasons given to end the 287(g) program are a familiar refrain. In a letter from more than two dozen Democrats to House appropriation leaders, they claim the program causes immigrant communities to distrust law enforcement and discourages illegal aliens from calling the police or reporting on crimes.

As is often the case, these claims do not stand up to the light of scrutiny. If immigrant communities distrust law enforcement, it is much more because of anti-borders politicians who blatantly lie to their immigrant communities and stoke fear that cooperation with law enforcement will lead to their deportation. The fear they sow is not based in fact. The federal government specifically protects foreign nationals who report crimes. The U-visa safeguards victims of certain crimes and those who are helpful to law enforcement in the investigation of criminal activity.

These politicians avoid the obvious question about the 287(g) program: does it make communities safer? The evidence there is substantial. My organization, the Immigration Reform Law Institute, recently conducted an investigation into two North Carolina counties whose sheriffs were elected on a platform that included ending 287(g) agreements in late 2018.

We found that one of the counties, Mecklenburg, saw a rise in every violent crime category  including murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault  from 2018 to 2019. The 287(g) program was nixed in December 2018, making 20182019 a good comparison of the program for both counties. While in the other county there was not an increase in every violent crime category, Wake County also saw a rise in overall violent crime between 2018 and 2019.

We also asked the sheriffs' offices in both Mecklenburg County and Wake County to provide the number of aliens transferred into ICE custody during the life of their 287(g) programs and beyond, broken down by year. The findings confirm that the end of 287(g) led to a drop in ICE transfers. The reduction in custody transfers allows these aliens to re-enter the community and the opportunity to commit additional crimes.

It doesn't require a doctorate in criminology to see what is going on here. Removing criminal offenders from a community invariably leads to a safer community. Conversely, the toxic combination of anti-borders policies and a soft-on-crime philosophy leads to communities where narco-gang violence, rape, and assault are commonplace. Which community would you rather live in?

Elections for sheriff rarely get the kind of attention reserved for mayors and county council members, but our investigation shows that it is a critical position. If you are concerned about this problem in your community, research your local sheriff and his position on 287(g) agreements. Hold him to account and demand policies that result in safer communities. Become a citizen activist now, or don't complain later when activists from faraway places are making decisions about the safety of your community.

Dale L. Wilcox is executive director and general counsel at the Immigration Reform Law Institute, a public interest law firm working to defend the rights and interests of the American people from the negative effects of mass migration.

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A few weeks ago, I visited Maryland and reconnected with some old friends. We exchanged email addresses and business cards, shared family photos, and heard the latest news from Baltimore.

The city has 700 police officers but is 500 short.

Over in Minneapolis, Mayor Jacob Frey is asking for help. He needs more law enforcement officers, according to local reports:

Mayor Jacob Frey said the city has asked state and federal agencies for assistance, citing the city's shortage of officers. "Safety in our city has to be a priority," Frey said at a news conference Sunday, calling the reinforcements "really, really critical." The weekend's victims include two men believed to have been struck by gunfire on the North Side and two men killed in a mass downtown shooting: one of the suspected gunmen and the student, whose family said was "an innocent bystander." The increase in violence has tested the commitment of city leaders who unanimously promised to transform policing and public safety in the wake of George Floyd's death -- but are deeply divided about how to proceed. While debates about policing have proved to be divisive within City Hall, some of the victims' relatives said they hope to remove politics from the discussion. They want a solution that will keep other families from feeling pain like theirs.

Who knew? Who knew that Minneapolis would have the same problem as Baltimore or Seattle or Chicago or others?

We are happy that Mayor Frey has figured it out. I guess businesses and citizens leaving can "unwoke" the "wokest" among us.

Mayor Frey and the local government have themselves to blame. They allowed criminals to burn down a police station and minority-owned businesses in the name of social justice. They are left with broken glass, empty buildings, and a shrinking tax base.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).

Image: Pixabay.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Air conditioning is ubiquitous these days, but not too long ago cool air was considered a luxury available only in commercial businesses. This was to change in the 1950s, when the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) together with the University of Texas at Austin came up with a plan to determine whether it was economically feasible to bring central air conditioning to residential homes. Until then, the only air conditioning solution available for residential use were window units.

One of the first air conditioned houses in Allandale, Texas. Photo: Dewey Mears

NAHB got in touch with a variety of builders and and air conditioning manufacturers and asked them to build a village on the outskirts of Allandale, in Austin, Texas, with 22 different single-story homes, each fitted with a AC manufacturers equipment. Each house was approximately 1,400 square feet in size with three bedrooms, one or two bathrooms, and garages. The houses were designed with features that made cooling easier and efficient. For instance, walls and roofs were insulated, the roofs had wide overhangs and extended walls to create more shade, windows were strategically located to avoid strong sun, and kitchens and bathrooms were fitted with ventilation systems.

One of the initial concerns were that the fans would be too noisy. The machines were huge and unsightly, so many builders used low exterior walls to hide them from view. Instead of using metal ducts builders constructed all of the AC ducts using sheetrock hidden into the walls. Indeed, a 1955 article summarizing some of the research results from the Air Conditioned Village project states, Poor ductwork was  the greatest single headache.

Aerial view of the air conditioned village. Photo: Dewey Mears

Despite the many unorthodox construction methods, NAHB found no shortage of buyers. The houses were sold to willing families who agreed that researchers could observe various aspects of their home life for one year. Research addressed issues such as electricity usage, effectiveness of insulation, and various energy efficiency issues relating to the design of the houses. After the one-year-long study was over, the NAHB reported that families spent more time at home, slept longer, took on hobbies, improved their appetites, and were generally happy. The women from the Austin Air-Conditioned Village reported less dirt and dust in the house, which in turn allowed the use of previously considered luxuries such as white rugs, curtains, and upholstery.

Soon after the findings were published, the standard definition of the middle-class family would change to include owning a washing machine, a two-car garage, and central air conditioning. By 1962, almost 6.5 million homes in the US, 60 percent of hotel rooms, and half of all office buildings were air-conditioned.

Some of the original 22 homes are still standing and occupied, although the original air conditioning units have been replaced by modern ones. These houses tell a fascinating story about how this small section of the Allandale played a pivotal role in bringing indoor air conditioning to the middle-class home.

A woman touring a new home inspects the modern kitchen appliances. Photo: Dewey Mears

A man looks at the A/C unit in one of the homes. Photo: Dewey Mears

Photo: Dewey Mears

Photo: Dewey Mears

References:

# Nicole Davis, Living in an Air Conditioned Village, Austin Public Library

# How Allandale Pioneered Central Air Conditioning, Allandale Neighbor

# Srdjan Jovanovic Weiss, Better Than Weather: The Austin Air-conditioned Village, Cabinet
Ravens Ring the second new brewery announced in the middle of COVID-19
(Image source from: economictimes.indiatimes.com)

Bharat Biotech waiting for WHO's approval for Covaxin:- Bharat Biotech produced Covaxin for coronavirus which got approved in India and is under production. Bharat Biotech said that they are expecting an approval from the World Health Organization (WHO) for the emergency use authorization in between July and September. Bharat Biotech said that the regulatory approvals for Covaxin are in process in more than 60 countries of the globe including USA, Hungary and Brazil. "Application for EUL has been submitted to WHO-Geneva, regulatory approvals are expected July-September 2021," told Bharat Biotech in a statement.

Bharat Biotech also said that it got the Emergency Use Authorization in 13 countries of the world. All the travelers in future will have to travel with the vaccination certificates and the negative RT-PCR tests and there would be travel restrictions. The Emergency Use Authorization is quite important from the World Health Organization as the countries are preparing to restart the travel and there would be restrictions coming. Some of the travelers are worried as Covaxin is not listed as an approved vaccine by the WHO and the travelers taking Covaxin are waiting for the vaccine to be listed by the WHO. Pfizer, Moderna and Covishield are in the list of vaccines approved by the WHO.
Huawei is focusing on software, it seems, as its chief says that the company wants to lead the world in this domain. This is something that Ren Zhengfei said to its employees, reports Reuters.

This is Huaweis way to negate US sanctions, in a way. The US ban basically crippled Huaweis hardware business, preventing it to develop its SoC, had a huge effect on its smartphone business, and so on.

Huawei chief says the company is putting great focus on software

Huawei chief said that the company is focusing on software because it is outside of U.S. control, and will provide the company greater independence and autonomy.

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Harmony OS was mentioned by name, as Huawei will present it on June 2. Harmony OS was announced a long time ago, but only in name, and some basic details. The full presentation will take place on June 2.

The Trump administration put Huawei on an export blacklist back in 2019, and things only went downhill from there. Huawei lost a lot of its market share in the smartphone world since then, so the company is looking for ways to progress.

Donald Trump is no longer the president of the US, but the Biden administration did not give any indication that it aims to reverse the aforementioned actions. Huawei is still banned.

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The part of that ban has prevented Google to offer its software to Huawei. Huawei is not allowed to pre-install Google services on its devices, which had a major effect on the companys smartphones.

Huawei is shifting away from handset hardware

The companys chief also hinted at a shift away from handset hardware because of all this. The company will also invest more than $1 billion this year in its intelligent driving business.

Huawei is a huge company, and it knows what its doing. This is a challenging path for anyone, though, and a huge change. It remains to be seen what will happen in the next couple of years. Harmony OS is coming really soon, so well find out more about what the company built.
Victory! 67 dogs saved from dog meat trade in Indonesia 26 May 2021

In a groundbreaking and historic move, police in the city of Salatiga in Central Java, Indonesia, intercepted a truck carrying 78 dogs who were destined for the dog meat trade earlier this month.

This is the first time in Indonesian history that enforcement officials have intercepted the supply chain of this dangerous and cruel industry. It has been widely applauded as an exciting and promising step towards the eradication of the dog meat trade in Indonesia.

An illegal yet active industry

At the 2018 National Coordination of Animal Welfare meeting in Indonesia, the government pledged to end the dog and cat meat trade for good. Mr Syamsul Ma'arif, Director of Veterinary Public Health, described the trade as torture for animals and added that the consumption of dogs or any animal that is not registered as a farm animal is illegal.

And yet, the dog and cat meat trade in Indonesia has continued under the radar. Tens of thousands of dogs and cats are snatched from the streets or peoples homes every day and distributed across the country, in gruelling and often fatal conditions, to be sold for slaughter.

The end of the industry begins

Just days before the raid took place, the mayor of Salatiga had passed a regulation banning the dog meat trade in the city and, most importantly, promised to enforce the ban. The mayor was praised by the public and animal welfare campaigners alike, and the move attracted huge media attention across Indonesia.

Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI), who Animals Asia is a member of, celebrated the news of the ban being enforced. Dave Neale, Animals Asias Captive Animal Welfare Director said, this is a truly momentous move for officials to clamp down on the illegal dog and cat meat trade in Indonesia which has not been prioritised for too long and we hope it encourages other authorities to also take action.

67 dogs now safe and well

When the police intercepted the truck, the dogs had been in transit for ten hours in cramped, squalid conditions. Sadly, 11 dogs had died during the journey - a common occurrence in the illegal transportation of dogs and cats for food. Many of the dogs were wearing collars, suggesting they were stolen companion animals.

DMFI worked with the police to carefully move the dogs from the truck and then took them to a local animal shelter. The dogs will be cared for and receive medical attention until they can be rehomed or where possible, reunited with their human companions.

Cruel to animals, dangerous to humans

Not only is the dog meat trade incredibly cruel, its dangerous to humans. The World Health Organisation highlighted it as a contributing factor in the spread of rabies in Asia. So while only a minority of Indonesians consume dog meat - an estimated 7% of the population - the practice threatens the health and safety of the entire country.

And with the international outbreak of Covid-19, the topic of zoonotic diseases - the transfer of infectious and potentially fatal diseases to humans from animals - has never been more pressing or prevalent.

As Dave Neal concludes, it is more important than ever before that we consider the implications of our mistreatment of animals. Now is the time to end the trade of dogs and cats for consumption to not only improve the lives of animals, but mitigate the risk of spreading further potentially deadly diseases to and between humans.
While it was her first time seeing the Blue Angels, it certainly wont be the last. She already plans to look to see if the Blue Angels will be flying to New York, where she is originally from, this year. If so, she plans to take her children and her mother to see them again.
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Anniston, AL (36206)

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The more languages that are accessible for our community means the more opportunities that we all have access to for our children and frontline workers, Ndebumadu said in a statement. The software is accessible online, and individuals will be able to learn on a schedule that suits them. In a world that has adjusted to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems like no better time to implement such a program.


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The Irish police chief has commended the bravery of two injured detectives.

The two officers are being treated in hospital after being shot during an incident in Dublin on Tuesday evening.

They suffered what have been described by An Garda Siochana as non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

One man is in custody at Blanchardstown Garda station in the capital.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris (Brian Lawless/PA)

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris also commended all the officers involved in the incident.

I want to commend all the gardai involved in securing a successful outcome to this firearms incident, he said.

In particular, the bravery of the two detectives who were first on scene.

This was another in a long line of examples of gardai putting themselves on the line to keep people safe.

I want to wish them a speedy recovery.
Low-cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle has been saved, its chief executive said, adding it had written history after the ailing airline struggled with the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic and a debt restructuring plan.

Jacob Schram said Norwegian had successfully concluded a rescue plan after it raised 6 billion kroner (508 million) through the sale of perpetual bonds, new shares and a rights issue.

In January, the Oslo-based airline said it was ending its long-haul operations and was focusing instead on European destinations. The company then presented a plan that cut its fleet from 140 aircraft to about 50.

In a statement, Norwegian said it had reduced its total debt by approximately 63-65 billion kroner (5.3 billion-5.5 billion) to around 20 billion kroner (1.69 billion) under a plan that had to be approved by bankruptcy courts in Ireland, where its planes are registered, and in Norway.

Jacob Schram (Vidar Ruud/NTB Scanpix/AP)

The courts, which approved the plan, demanded that the airline raise at least 4.5 billion kroner (381 million) as part of a programme to emerge from bankruptcy protection in the two countries, which happened on Wednesday.

The airline, whose fleet was mostly grounded as the pandemic caused a near-total halt to global travel, also terminated aircraft orders with Boeing and Airbus, worth approximately 85 billion kroner (7.2 billion) in aggregated value.

In May 2020, the carrier received 3 billion kroner (254 million) in loan guarantees from the Norwegian government as part of a restructuring plan.

In January, the government in Oslo gave another a 1.5 billion kroner (127 million) in loans as long as the ailing company raised at least 4.5 billion kroner from other investors.

The government set several conditions for participating in the restructuring, including that the company must get new capital from private investors.

Chief financial officer Geir Karlsen told Norwegian news agency NTB that the last year, and especially the past six months, had been intense.

We have negotiated with 30-40 large banks and several thousand creditors, he was quoted as saying.
The shooting of two detectives in Dublin has been condemned by the Irish premier.

The two officers are being treated in hospital after being shot during an incident in the Blanchardstown area of Dublin on Tuesday evening.

They suffered what have been described by An Garda Siochana as non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

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One man is in custody at Blanchardstown Garda station following the events at Whitechapel Grove just after 7.30pm.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he was shocked and deeply concerned to hear of two gardai being injured in the course of their duties.

I wish both gardai a swift and full recovery, and I thank them for their service on behalf of the public, he said.

This incident in Dublin shows yet again the danger An Garda Siochana often face in their efforts to protect and serve the people.

We should always be very grateful for all the work they do on a daily basis on our behalf.

Justice Minister Heather Humphreys said her thoughts are with the injured officers.

I have been in contact with the Garda Commissioner this evening, and I am relieved to hear that the situation was resolved following negotiation.

I want to commend all of the Gardai who were involved in ensuring there were no further injuries, she said.

Shocking incidents such as this remind us of the dangers the men and women of An Garda Siochana face every day.

We can never take for granted their bravery and the dedicated service they provide to our communities.

We must always remember that in wearing the uniform and serving the Irish people, they place our protection and their duty to the State above their own safety.

An investigation into the incident is now under way and I urge any member of the public with any information or footage to contact Blanchardstown Garda Station.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris (Brian Lawless/PA)

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris commended all the officers involved in the incident.

I want to commend all the gardai involved in securing a successful outcome to this firearms incident, he said.

In particular, the bravery of the two detectives who were first on scene.

This was another in a long line of examples of gardai putting themselves on the line to keep people safe.

I want to wish them a speedy recovery.
A groundbreaking union recognition deal has been announced by ride-hailing giant Uber, with predictions that it is the first step to a fairer working life for millions of people.

Under the collective bargaining agreement, the GMB will represent drivers across the UK, saying they will have the right to choose if, when and where they drive.

The agreement follows changes made earlier this year guaranteeing drivers at least the national living wage, holiday pay and a pension plan.

Earlier this year the Supreme Court dismissed Ubers appeal against a landmark employment tribunal ruling that its drivers should be classed as workers with access to the minimum wage and paid holidays.

Under the agreement, the GMB said it will work with Uber on a number of issues, including pay, pensions, discretionary benefits, and safety.

GMB national officer Mick Rix said: This groundbreaking deal between GMB and Uber could be the first step to a fairer working life for millions of people.

History has been made.

This agreement shows gig economy companies dont have to be a wild west on the untamed frontier of employment rights.

When tech private hire companies and unions work together like this, everyone benefits, bringing dignified, secure employment back to the world of work.

We now call on all other operators to follow suit.

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Jamie Heywood, Ubers regional general manager for Northern and Eastern Europe, said: Whilst Uber and GMB may not seem like obvious allies, weve always agreed that drivers must come first, and today we have struck this important deal to improve workers protections.

Uber is the only major player in the industry to provide drivers with a national living wage guarantee, holiday pay and a pension, and this historic agreement means that Uber will be the first in the industry to ensure that its drivers also have full union representation.

Andy McDonald, shadow employment rights and protections secretary, said: This recognition deal is testament to the dedicated work of the GMB union in fighting for better terms and conditions for workers, and Uber has set an example that companies across the gig economy should follow.

This deal is good news for Uber drivers and shows the importance of trade unions in improving living standards, but there are still millions of workers in the gig economy who are without basic rights and protections, with no voice in the workplace who must not be abandoned by the Government.

Following the Supreme Court ruling, the Government must change the law to ensure that all gig economy workers receive full employment rights.

The GMB said it will now be able to represent up to 70,000 Uber drivers across the UK.

TUC general secretary Frances OGrady said: This landmark agreement is a huge breakthrough and will give Uber drivers a real voice at work.

The GMB deserve massive credit for their tireless campaigning, but this deal is just the start.

Unions wont rest until platform companies across the gig economy agree to work with their staff on improving pay and conditions.
With the U.S. student loan payment pause set to end after September, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) continues to push for student loan forgiveness as a remedy to a potentially disastrous scenario.

If the payment pause is lifted without cancellation in October, "we are facing a student loan time bomb that when it explodes could throw millions of families over a financial cliff," Warren said during a town hall hosted by the American Federation of Teachers on Tuesday night.

"The average borrower is going to have to start repaying nearly $400 a month to the government, instead of spending that money in our economy," she added. "Student borrowers are at risk of being thrown into an extraordinary financial hardship. When the pause on student loan payments interest ends on September 30, people arent going to know how much they owe. Theyre going to miss deadlines suddenly. Theyre going to be delinquent. Theyre going to owe penalties on this."

Federally-backed student loan payments have been paused since March 2020, and President Biden extended the pause through to at least September 30 upon taking office.

Screenshot of Warren during the AFT town hall

'The time is now'

Student loan balances increased by $29 billion to $1.58 trillion in the first quarter, according to the New York Fed.

At the same time, only 6.2% of student loans were in serious delinquency or default in the first quarter of 2021 due to the payment pause and debt collection moratorium.

(Source: New York Fed)

That stunning drop could be reversed, Warren argued, if payments were restarted without sufficient borrower education and widespread cancellation.

"So the time is now, lets get this resolved right now," Warren said. "We need to cancel $50,000 of debt today that will wipe out all of the student loan debt for 84% of the people out there, and then we can concentrate on the remaining 16%. We need to do it now before theres a spike in defaults once these loans are turned back. So, thats part of the reason the urgency of this moment."

The Washington Post reported last week that White House officials are not including student debt cancellation in their upcoming budget proposal.

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In March, White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain told Politico that President Biden had asked Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to compile a memo on whether the president has the legal authority to forgive $50,000 in student loan debt through executive order. The Education Department has not responded to requests for comment on the memo.

"Canceling $50,000 in student loan debt would be the single most effective executive action that President Biden could take to provide massive consumer-driven stimulus for our economy and to advance real racial justice throughout our nation," Warren said. "Data from the Department of Education reveals that if we canceled $50,000 of student loan debt, 84% of borrowers  that's 36 million people  would have their student loans completely wiped out."



Aarthi is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @aarthiswami.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  Heading into the Memorial Day travel weekend, House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy and other members of his party are falsely blaming President Joe Biden for higher gasoline and lumber costs.

Gas prices have risen in recent weeks because a key pipeline was forced to close after a cyberattack. And lumber shortages  which existed during former President Donald Trump's administration  were worsened by an unexpected housing boom.

Shortages have bedeviled the economy this spring, but most economists attribute the bulk of them to the difficulties of restarting the U.S. and global economies.

A look at the claims and reality:

MCCARTHY: Despite gas prices being at historic lows this time last year, the average price for a gallon of gas is currently an astounding $3.10. Thats the highest its been since 2014, the last time Joe Biden was in the White House.  blog post on Monday.

REPUBLICANS on the HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEE: Bidens policies have led to the highest gas prices in six years.  tweet Tuesday.

THE FACTS: Biden's policies aren't behind the price increases. Gas prices are up because of a rapid and unexpected bounce-back in demand, and because of lingering problems from the forced shutdown early this month of the Colonial Pipeline, which provides 45% of the fuel consumed on the East Coast.

McCarthys comparison to a year ago is also misleading. Gasoline prices didnt fall at the time because of the Trump administration, as Trump often claims; they plunged because of the coronavirus forcing people to abandon their offices, schools, business trips and vacations. Underscoring the connection to the pandemic shutdown, U.S. gas prices were at their lowest in April 2020 when people were staying home most but have mostly risen since then, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration, even when Trump was still in office.

In recent weeks, the biggest factor has been the cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline. Even though it has been back in operation for nearly two weeks, many states, mostly in the South, still havent fully recovered.

Roughly one-quarter of gas stations in North and South Carolina and Georgia are without gas, according to GasBuddy.com, which tracks gas prices nationwide. In Florida, 9% of stations have run out and in Tennessee, its 14%. Overall, more than 6,000 stations have run out, Gas Buddys Patrick DeHaan says.

Prices have also increased because the economy has reopened much more quickly than most analysts expected. Stimulus payments to American households, including $1,400 checks that were distributed in March, have helped Americans ramp up spending.

Also noteworthy is while gas prices are at their highest level in six years, oil prices are still slightly below where they were in 2018. That suggests oil supplies are adequate and the refining and distribution of gasoline  through such networks as the Colonial Pipeline  are the problem.

___

RONNA MCDANIEL, head of the Republican National Committee: ... Lumber prices have increased 400%. We have real problems ... (House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi will do anything not to talk about the Biden failures.  tweet May 20.

THE FACTS: She's also wrong to link rising lumber prices to Biden failures. This spike as well is related to rising demand and a sharp economic rebound.

At the start of the pandemic in March 2020, sawmills actually cut their output of lumber, anticipating that sales of new homes would slow, according to economists at TD Bank. Instead, Americans  and families in other countries  sought more room during the quarantine and bought new homes or sought to renovate. That pushed up demand for lumber, even as supply was reduced, sending lumber prices higher.

The National Association of Homebuilders has pointed to insufficient domestic production dating back to Trump for the increases.

When prices began their historic rise in August 2020, NAHB reached out extensively to the Trump administration, members of Congress and to lumber mills calling for prompt action to address supply shortages that were harming small businesses, home builders and ultimately, the overall economy" and is continuing to do so under the Biden administration, according to the group's website.

Some of the price gains in lumber and other commodities reflect strong consumer demand for goods like housing and cars, which is actually a good sign for the economy. Most officials at the Federal Reserve, the agency charged with keeping inflation in check, have repeatedly said that inflation will tick up as the country reopens, but the increases will likely be temporary, as supply bottlenecks are worked out.

___

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
The children loved her and she treated them like they were her own, but she was a strict educator and she let them know that they did not cross a certain line, said Carolyn M. Dunn, who taught social studies at Northern High School in the 1990s. She was one of the most wonderful individuals Ive ever met. She was pleasant, and the children always came first.
JOHNS CREEK, Ga.  A few Student Leadership Johns Creek class of 2023 members will become documentary personalities in the coming year thanks to a recently awarded Georgia Humanities Spring 2021 Grant. Student Leadership Johns Creek worked with the Johns Creek Historical Society and Mercer University to apply for this grant. This alliance will be working on four videos that will be shown to residents during a question-and-answer event in Johns Creek and then at a reception at Mercer University.

The videos will be used by educators in the future throughout Georgia. The grant is titled: They Were Here: Preservation and Commemoration of the Macedonia African Methodist Church Cemetery of Johns Creek.

Four groups from the Student Leadership Johns Creek class of 2023 will each be creating one of the videos as their community group assignment. The project will involve student-driven research and production of four documentaries that focus on different aspects of the history of the Cemetery and Johns Creek.

We see this as an incredible opportunity for our student leaders to meld the past with the future; learn and articulate what happened in history as they move into their futures, said Irene Sanders, Student Leadership Johns Creek executive director.

The first documentary will highlight the history of the cemetery and historical context of slavery and racial segregation from Reconstruction through the 20th century. The second documentary will highlight the legacy of the Cherokee and how the lives of local farmers of Cherokee descent were intertwined with Black residents who were buried in the cemetery. The third film will focus on April Waters, a notable resident of Johns Creek who is buried at the cemetery.

For years, scholars and residents assumed Waters was an enslaved woman who was freed upon her masters death. However, genealogical uncovered that April Waters was a man who was not freed as per his masters will. This documentary will highlight the implementation of historical methods that are required when examining documents for accuracy when building a historical narrative.

The fourth film will focus on the living descendants of those buried in the Macedonia Cemetery. Interviews from community members will highlight the cemeterys founding, its neglect, the impact of Jim Crow on the African American community, and the community effort to revitalize this space as a civil rights sanctuary for the multigenerational and diverse Johns Creek residents.
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She was a fully rounded individual who transitioned later in life. Her life was flourishing. She maintained her love of engineering and teaching. Transition just made her better at what she was. Personally, she had struggles at the time of her transition. She got pushed out as an executive at one point. Because of the state of the laws, she had no recourse. She gave of her time freely to help everybody and in spite of the personal loss of her company job because of a loss of legal protections.
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ASHLAND  The agricultural landscape is changing -- both literally and figuratively -- but interseeding cover crops can help farmers make the most of those changes.

Not only do cover crops protect farm fields from physical erosion and gully formation, but they can also provide one more tool in the arsenal when it comes to capturing and sequestering carbon. And that can pay significant dividends for producers are carbon trading markets move into Ohio.

Thats why Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is hosting the third of its new Conservation Chats field day events on Interseeder Intro. The event will take place June 16 at the David Elson farm at the intersection of state routes 89 and 302 outside of Ashland.

We are really excited to be able to add a cover crop interseeder to our equipment rental line up this spring, said Erica White, Ashland SWCD technician and Jerome Fork watershed coordinator. Instead of waiting until after harvest to plant cover crops, interseeders are designed to allow farmers to go in 6 to 8 weeks after their corn in planted and plant the cover crop right into the growing corn.

White said the cash crops canopy provides shade the slows the cover crops growth, keeping is small until harvest.

Once the cash crop is harvested, the canopy opens up, and the cover crops really take off, White said. The big benefits of interseeding are that the soil is never without the protection of a growing crop and farmers are forced to battle limited weather windows to plant their cover crops after harvest. Its a relief to know those crops are already in place, capturing sunlight and nutrients and protecting the soil.

Ashland SWCDs interseeder was purchased through a grant from the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Districts Parters in Watershed Management program. Farmers within MWCDs jurisdictional boundaries can rent the interseeder for just $5/acre, while farmers outside MWCDs boundaries can rent the interseeder for $10/acre.

The field day will not only feature a demonstration of the interseeder in action by Elson and Fennig Equipment, but Ryan Haden from Ohio State University will also share his interseeder research. And, the program will conclude with information on carbon credit trading, a new market that has recently opened up in Ohio.

Land OLakes has initiated a new, farmer-based carbon credit program using their TruTerra Insights Engine to quantify carbon credits and savings on farm operations, and cover crops are just one of the practices that can earn farmers carbon credits. Once quantified, farmers can receive compensation for the carbon credits they generation, and eco-friendly businesses seek out carbon savings in their effort to become carbon neutral.

The Conservation Chat: Interseeder Intro event is free, and includes dinner, but pre-registration is required. Attendees can register by calling the Ashland SWCD office at 419-281-7645 or by visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conservation-chats-interseeder-intro-tickets-144551989893?aff=ebdssbeac.

The event will take place at the David Elson Farm at the intersection of state routes 89 and 302 and will begin promptly at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Ashland SWCD at 419-281-7645 or visit www.ashlandswcd.com.
'The behaviour of the Belarus regime is outrageous, illegal, and completely unacceptable,' Canada PM Justin Trudeau said

Protesters hold banners and flags during a demonstration demanding freedom for Belarus opposition activist Raman Protasevich, in front of the Belarus embassy in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo: AP)

Airlines re-routed flights to avoid Belaruss airspace on Tuesday and Belarusian planes faced a possible ban from Europe, as international outrage mounted over Minsk forcing down a jetliner and arresting a dissident journalist on board. Western nations accused Belarus of hijacking and piracy over the interception of the Ryanair plane as it crossed the country on a flight from Greece to Lithuania, and diplomats said France, Ireland and Estonia would raise the incident at a private meeting of the UNSC on Wednesday.

The behaviour of the Belarus regime is outrageous, illegal, and completely unacceptable..., Canada PM Justin Trudeau told reporters. In response to Minsks actions, the European air traffic control agency, Eurocontrol, recommended that EU and British carriers that fly over Belarus should re-route via the Baltic states. Lufthansa, KLM, SAS, Air France, LOT and Singapore Airlines were among carriers that announced they would stop flying over Belarus.

A video released overnight showed Roman Protasevich, 26,  who was pulled from the passenger plane after Belarus scrambled a warplane to escort it to Minsk on Sunday  confessing to having organised anti-government demonstrations. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the video was concerning and described the forced landing of the jet as an unprecedented and unacceptable act.

Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said the footage showed Protasevich had been tortured. He said that he was treated lawfully, but hes clearly beaten and under pressure. There is no doubt that he was tortured, she said.

In the video released overnight, Protasevich can be seen seated at a desk in a dark hooded sweatshirt. I can state that I dont have any health issues... Police officers are treating me properly and according to the law, he says, adding that he had confessed to organising mass protests in Minsk.

His companion Sofia Sagega, a Russian citizen, may also face criminal charges, Russias foreign ministry said. Belarus did not comment on the torture allegation.
A brief ruckus was also reported from the Ghazipur protest site

BKU leader Rakesh Tikait holds a black flag during a protest against the farm laws marking a Black Day, at Ghazipur border in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Farmers agitating at three Delhi border points raised black flags, shouted anti-government slogans, burnt effigies and took out protest marches as they observed 'black day' on Wednesday to mark the completion of six months of their stir against the three Central agri laws.

A brief ruckus was also reported from the Ghazipur protest site where farmers burnt an effigy of the central government amid heavy police deployment.

As part of their 'black day' protest, the farmers put up black flags and burnt effigies of government leaders at the three border points -- Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri -- to register their protest against the three laws as well as the Centre.

Women protest against farm laws wearing black turban marking a Black Day at Puda Ground in Ludhiana. (Photo: PTI)

The Delhi Police has urged people not to hold gatherings due to the COVID-19 situation and the ongoing lockdown and said it is keeping a tight vigil to deal with any situation at the protest sites.

Senior farmer leader Avtar Singh Mehma said that black flags have been hoisted not only at the protest sites but also in villages in Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, adding that villagers have put up black flags atop their houses as well as on their vehicles.

"Effigies of government leaders were burnt. This day is to reiterate the fact that it has been six months since we have been protesting, but the government, which also completes seven years in office today, is not listening to us," said Mehma.

All those in solidarity of their movement also donned black turbans and dupattas.

At the Singhu border, protestors gathered at the Kajaria Tiles office, held meetings, and took out a march towards the stage.

Farmer leader Kulwant Singh said, "The protesters took out a march carrying black flags. They burnt Prime Minister Narendra Modi's effigy while raising slogans against the three farm laws.

Farmers burn an effigy during protest against the farm laws marking a Black Day at Ghazipur border in New Delhi. (Photo: (PTI)

"We are urging people to support farmers by putting black flag at their residence and other places," he said.

On Tuesday, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had issued notices to Delhi, UP, Haryana on alleged flouting of COVID norms by the protesting farmers.

The Delhi Police too had urged people not to hold gatherings due to the COVID-19 situation and the ongoing lockdown.

However, Mehma said that the government shouldn't have introduced the three laws during the pandemic in the first place.

"If the government wants us to go back then it should listen to us and repeal the laws, because we are not going anywhere unless our demands are met.

"It is not our hobby to sit in the heat and the cold at the borders. We also want to go back home and be safe," the farmer leader told PTI.

Farmers burn an effigy during protest against the farm laws marking a Black Day at Ghazipur border in New Delhi. (Photo: (PTI)

Police force has been in place at all the borders points, including the protest sites of Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur, since Tuesday.

At Ghazipur on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, hundreds of farmers, led by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait, converged into groups as they burnt an effigy of the Centre in protest.

A ruckus briefly ensued between protestors and the local police, donning anti-riot gears, who had tried to stop them from burning the effigy at the UP Gate below the Delhi-Meerut Expressway.

While many BKU supporters held black flags in their hands, several others had placards that condemned the government and demanded withdrawal of the contentious laws, even as COVID-19 protocols on social distancing and face masks were largely amiss at the site.

Tikait, who has been leading the protest at Ghazipur since November 2020 and had become a prominent face of the protest after the January 26 violence in Delhi, was seen sporting a black-colour turban and a black flag.

The influential BKU spokesperson from western Uttar Pradesh was credited with reviving the protest that had lost sheen after the January 26 violence with his emotional pull that overnight drew support for the farmers on Delhi's outskirts.

Thousands of protesting farmers reached Delhi borders on November 26 last year to protest against the Centre's three new farm laws.
The IMD also issued a red-coded warning alert to the Odisha and West Bengal coasts

A priest removes an idol of Lord Jagannath from a seafront temple to a safer place while strong winds batter Balasore district in Odisha as Cyclone Yaas barrels towards India's eastern coast in the Bay of Bengal. (Photo: AFP)

Balasore/Digha/Kolkata: Cyclone Yaas pounded the beach towns in north Odisha and neighbouring West Bengal as it hit the coast around 9 am on Wednesday with a wind speed of 130-140 kmph, inundating the low-lying areas amid a storm surge, officials said.

The location of the landfall was north of Dhamra in Odisha's Bhadrak district and 50 km south of Balasore, close to Bahanaga block, on the coast, they said.

The wind speed during landfall was at 130-140 kmph, gusting to 155 kmph, as per Doppler radar data. "The landfall process is likely to be over by 1 pm. The maximum impact will be in Balasore and Bhadrak districts," Odisha's Special Relief Commissioner PK Jena said. The sea will remain rough till Thursday and the accompanying rain will continue, he added.

The wind will slow down by the evening and the cyclone is likely to leave Odisha for Jharkhand by midnight, Jena said.

Odisha has shifted 5.8 lakh people to safer places, while West Bengal has moved 15 lakh people ahead of the cyclone. There was no report of any major damage in Odisha though some incidents of trees getting uprooted have taken place, Jena said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said most parts of the state were affected by the cyclone and the rain it brought along. She urged the people of the state, particularly those in Purba Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Paschim Medinipur, Howrah, Hooghly, Purulia and Naida, to stay indoors.

High alert in Jharkhand, evacuation on amid cyclone threat

Jharkhand, which was put on high alert, continued evacuating low-lying areas on Wednesday amid the forecast that cyclone Yaas would be hitting the state by midnight after pounding neighbouring Odisha and West Bengal, officials said.

Operations are being executed on war-footing in the vulnerable areas in East and West Singhbhum, besides some other districts, in view of the very severe cyclonic storm Yaas, Disaster Management Secretary Amitabh Kaushal told PTI.

"We are witnessing high-speed wind and have evacuated about 6,000 persons from thatched houses and danger zones to shelter homes in safer locations," East Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Suraj Kumar said.

People are being shifted from low-lying areas near the two rivers in the district that are below the danger mark at present, he said.

Director-General of Police Neeraj Sinha told PTI, "Satellite phones are being provided to interior Naxal- affected police stations for emergent communications, besides batteries in police wireless systems have been readied in case of communication disruptions due to the storm." "We are ready to deal with the situation and have formed rescue teams," he added.

Yaas intensifies into very severe cyclonic storm: IMD

Cyclone Yaas intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday evening, India Meteorological Department Director General M Mohapatra said, even as the states of West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand aggressively evacuated over 12 lakh people to storm shelters by late evening.

The IMD also issued a red-coded warning alert to the Odisha and West Bengal coasts.

"The severe cyclonic storm 'Yaas' (pronounced as 'Yass') over northwest and Bay of Bengal intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm," Mohapatra said.

`Yaas', which was positioned 160 km south-southeast of Paradip in Odisha and 240 km south-southeast of Digha in West Bengal over north-west and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal on Tuesday evening, is likely to gain a maximum speed of 155 kmph to 165 kmph gusting to 185 kmph during landfall, the Met department said.

"It is very likely to cross north Odisha-West Bengal coasts between Paradip and Sagar Islands close to north of Dhamra and south of Balasore, in the morning hours of Wednesday, the 26th May as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm," the Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD added.

Flight operations at the Kolkatas NSCBI airport here will be suspended from 8.30 am to 7.45 pm owing to the weather warning on Wednesday, the Airports Authority of India said. Bhubaneshwars Biju Patnaik International airport too will remain shut from 11 pm Tuesday till 5 am on Thursday. The South Eastern Railways too has cancelled several trains,

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has asked Collectors of the three north coastal districts to be on a high alert as Yaas crosses over into neighbouring Odisha.

Cyclone Yaas likely to make landfall by noon: IMD

Cyclone Yaas is likely to make landfall by noon on Wednesday with wind speed of about 130 to 155 kmph, informed the India Meteorological Department (IMD), adding that it currently lay centred over northwest Bay of Bengal.

"We are expecting 'very severe cyclonic storm' Cyclone Yaas to make landfall by noon today with wind speed of 130-140 kmph gusting 155 kmph," Umashankar Das, senior scientist at the IMD, Bhubaneswar told ANI.

He added, "(As of 6:45 am) The cyclone lay centred over northwest Bay of Bengal near latitude 20.8N and longitude 87.3E, about 40 km east of Dhamra (Odisha), 90 km south-southwest of Digha (West Bengal) and 90 km south-southeast of Balasore (Odisha)."

People in Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand woke up to strong winds and heavy rain on Wednesday morning and braced for the cyclone.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged the people living in the coastal regions of Odisha to cooperate with the local administration and shift to cyclone shelters.

Over 11.5 lakh people were evacuated from vulnerable places in West Bengal ahead of the cyclone, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee informed on Tuesday, adding that she will stay at the state secretariat 'Nabanna' on May 25 and May 26 to monitor the cyclonic situation and relief work.

Indian Navy prepares for relief, rescue operations

The Indian Navy on Wednesday said it has stepped up and made all necessary arrangements for the rescue and relief operations.

"INS Chilka at Khurda has stepped up and made all necessary arrangements, to coordinate the rescue and relief operations in close liaison with State Government agencies with the support of Headquarters Eastern Naval Command Visakhapatnam," informed an official release by Indian Navy

The Indian Navy further said that it has been closely monitoring the very severe Cyclonic Storm Yaas closing in on the Eastern Coast which is likely to cross the between Badrak and Balasore districts on 26 May.

As part of the preparation, a 24*7 cyclone monitoring team has been established and is functional from 24 May, assorted relief material and community kitchen for thousands of people are being made ready for immediate deployment in consultation with state authorities.

The Naval Officer-in-Charge (Odisha) Operations Room has been monitoring ships movement along the coast in coordination with authorities at Gopalpur, Paradip and Damara ports.

"For maintaining constant communication with the Naval and civil authorities, constant liaison is underway from INS Chilka," it added.
Commentary: America's racial reckoning still far away

Xinhua) 08:23, May 26, 2021

Demonstrators take part in a protest sparked by the death of George Floyd across the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, the United States, June 13, 2020. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

The death of Floyd is tragic. Yet perhaps a bigger tragedy for the United States is doing little substantial or turning a blind eye when knowing perfectly where the problems are.

The United States has no time to waste but to summon a real moment of racial reckoning.

BEIJING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- It has been a year since African American George Floyd lost his life to police brutality, whose death sparked what many called a moment of "racial reckoning" inside the United States.

However, after all the tears dropped, blood shed, and protests launched, it is hardly surprising that not many meaningful changes have taken place.

Across the country, more "I-can't-breathe" cases are happening; police reforms are deadlocked in Congress; and politicians of both parties are scrambling to turn Floyd's tragic death into ammunition for partisan attacks.

Why systemic racial discrimination is so hard to tackle in the United States?

A demonstrator is arrested during a protest over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the United States, May 31, 2020. (Photo by Angus Alexander/Xinhua)

For starters, the issue of race is deeply rooted in the DNA of the United States. Racial problem existed long before the United States gained its independence from Britain. In some sense, the history of America is a history of racial oppression.

Even after centuries of struggle, disparities in access to quality education, health care and job opportunities between whites and non-whites in America continue to widen. The fact that the communities of color have been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic offers just a glimpse into the miserable life of ethnic Americans.

The rise of white supremacy in recent years flashes a bigger red alert as it has been encouraging hate, triggering violence, and eroding precious common grounds for necessary race reforms.

People gather near the White House reacting to the trial verdict that former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts in Washington, D.C., the Untied States, April 20, 2021. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

While it might be easy to just blame the racial problem for being too chronical and too complicated to confront, America's politicians should be held most accountable for failing to make much-needed changes possible.

Nowadays, U.S. politicians have been more used to staging political shows than taking truly sensible actions against the root cause of racial discrimination. They invest their time and energy in making hollow promises to their voters. To appeal to their political base, some even tried to manipulate racial divide and pander to extremists.

Apart from politicians' selfishness, America's ever polarizing political climate is chipping away the motivation and courage of those in power to cross partisan divide, and reach any grand bargain on racial problems. The stalled police reform bill is an explicit proof.

A woman raises her arms as riot police fire tear gas during a protest outside the 5th Police Precinct in Minneapolis, the United States, on May 30, 2020. (Photo by Angus Alexander/Xinhua)

The death of Floyd is tragic. Yet perhaps a bigger tragedy for the United States is doing little substantial or turning a blind eye when knowing perfectly where the problems are.

In a nation where census shows non-Hispanic whites are expected to be a minority in about 25 years, its racial challenge could become more acute if left unattended.

The United States has no time to waste but to summon a real moment of racial reckoning.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
In the lawsuit filed in 2019, Gayla Lutyk and her attorney say town workers negligence caused her daughter, 30-year-old Ashley OConnor, to be trapped in the sand in 2017. The lawsuit alleged that workers didnt investigate whether anyone was on the beach before twice driving a tractor over the Plano, Texas, woman as it covered holes. The suit sought $1 million in damages.
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According to the police, when Kahl arrived at the station in his SUV, he hit a parked car, then lined his vehicle up with the front doors, hopped the curb and rammed the vehicle through the building. The doors were not reinforced, Terry said, and nobody was in the lobby at the time of the incident.
Peggy Whitson was a NASA astronaut for 22 years and holds the record for spending the most time in space, 665 days to be more specific. She was also the first female commander on the Space Station and the first ISS Science Officer. Although shes retired now, Whitsons not ready to be grounded just yet so shell return to space as a private citizen and commander of the AX-2 mission. ISSs first female commander is now 61 and retired from NASA in 2018.The mission will also involve race car champion and pilot John Shoffner, along with two other crewmates whose identities are yet to be communicated. Shoffner is 65 and a trained pilot, researcher, and health and science enthusiast. He and his wife started J2-Racing, a GT3 motorsports racing team.The four passengers will spend eight days on the International Space Station conducting scientific research. According to Axiom, Whitson and Shoffner have also been chosen as backups for the AX-1 mission. The AX-1 is the first fully private mission to the ISS on a SpaceX Crew Dragon and its scheduled for the beginning of 2022.The launch date for the AX-2 mission hasnt been confirmed yet, but Axiom stated that it plans to launch private missions every six months. That means the AX-2 mission should launch sometime in the middle of 2022, depending on the "traffic" at the ISS, which has a really busy schedule.Axiom Space offers end-to-end missions to the International Space Station. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas, and plans to build the worlds first commercial space station starting with 2024. Axiom has been involved with every ISS mission since the launch of the program.
What if, instead of a fully electric car , Apple is actually working on a self-driving service?Peter Fintl, the director of technology and innovation for Capgemini Engineering Germany, told the WSJ that Apple has been very active behind the closed doors of the automotive sector, mostly trying to improve its car engineering and manufacturing know-how while also searching for partners.On the other hand, Fintl explains that nobody knows for sure if Apple is indeed planning to launch a full car. He adds that the company could very well come up with a stand-alone tech platform or a mobility service that could land in the form of a self-driving taxi.Needless to say, Apple is doing an excellent job when it comes to keeping all details away from the press, and its FBI-like obsession with secrecy seems to be working like a charm right now, so pretty much everything is pure speculation for the time being.That said, Apple building a tech platform that it could then sell to other carmakers is rather unlikely, especially given the company has previously discussed its automotive expansion with traditional companies like Hyundai and Nissan. Several automakers said they didnt want to become a contract manufacturer for Apple, so the tech giant almost certainly wants to find a partner to build a product for it.In other words, theres a good chance Apple is indeed working on a car, but the taxi service speculation is surprising, nonetheless.Nevertheless, Apple is known as a company thats pushing hard for innovation, and the world of robotaxis is still in its early days, meaning this approach would align with its strategy in the long term.People familiar with the matter said that whatever Apple is working on could be unveiled in 2024 or 2025 at the earliest, so expect more information to surface rather sooner than later.
Next up on the list of hardware to be sent to the Red Planet is the ExoMars rover, a.k.a. Rosalind Franklin . Initially planned for launch in 2020, the mission was pushed to 2022, with a planned arrival on Mars one year later.To be able to meet the new deadline, the European Space Agency is hard at work testing all the pieces of technology that will allow the machine to launch, travel and land safely at its destination. These days, the focus is on the parachutes meant to slow the thing down when it gets there.After a series of failed attempts, the agency is now testing a new design at the NASA ground-based high-speed extraction facility in California. That means the parachute is pulled horizontally along a suspended cable at high speed to test its deployment (check the video below to see how that works).The success of the last few tests makes ESA confident a high-altitude drop should come next. The operation is scheduled to take place in Kiruna, Sweden, at the beginning of next month and will call for the parachute to be released from under a stratospheric balloon from an altitude of 29 km (18 miles).When the ExoMars rover arrives on Mars, it will need two parachutes to land safely. The first stage is a 15-meter (49-ft) wide piece that will open while the lander still travels at supersonic speeds, and the second stage is a much larger, 35-meter (114-ft) contraption, the one that will actually bring the lander down to the surface safely.The Rosalind Franklin will be the first rover to be sent to Mars by the European Space Agency. It will be powered by solar panels and will use an incipient artificial intelligence in the search for signs of ancient life.
The massive drill, which included more than 300 aircraft launches and traps, and more than 830 flight hours, concluded in mid-May, and all the hardware deployed on the mock battlefield had to go back to the home bases. For the F-15EX Eagle II, as its maker Boeing now calls it, that would be the Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.Before heading home, though, as one of the two such aircraft was flying over California, it was tasked with performing an aerial refueling operation. The main image of this piece, a perfect fit for our Photo of the Day section, was captured by USAFs Ethan Wagner as the F-15EX was about to perform its mission (the tanker plane is not shown).The F-15EX is the latest incarnation of one of the American military's oldest and most capable aircraft. The family was introduced in 1976, and the most recent version is capable of flying at speeds of up to Mach 2.5, for a distance of up to 1,221 miles (1,965 km).When it was flown by Air Force pilots not long ago, it became the first new variant of the plane to be flown in the past 15 years.The aircraft comes with fly-by-wire flight controls, a new digital cockpit, modern radar systems, and the ADCP-II mission computer, the world's fastest, according to Boeing . An array of multispectral sensors (Eagle Passive Active Warning and Survivability System/EPAWSS, made by BAE Systems) meant to detect incoming threats and help the pilot deal with them is also installed on the plane.
The wordplay that defines the nameplate of the 7.0-liter monster is a nod to both the 426 HEMI "elephant engine" that made racing history in the 1960s and the Hellcat street engine that's been expanding its reach since the 2015 model year.Introduced in October 2018 as the heart of a 1968 Dodge Charger restomod, the HEMI range-topper is the only such motor that features an aluminum block. It ditches the 2.4-liter blower of the Hellcat engine for a 3.0-liter one delivering 15 psi of boost, which brings the output to 1,000 hp and 950 lb-ft (1,288 Nm) of twist.The tech goodies mentioned above meant that back in April 2019 when the order books for the initial batch of 100 units were open, it only took two days for all of them to find a home. The price sat at $29,995, plus $2,265 for the engine kityou may still be able to grab such V8s from third parties, but expect a non-negligible premium on top of the said price.Now, Hennessey Performance grabbed not one but two Hellephant V8s. And, despite the motor being advertised as a piece of hardware created for pre-1976 vehicles (which don't need to deal with emission standards), the Texan developer is willing to put the engines in a TRX and a Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat.And enthusiasts keeping an eye on the company don't seem concerned with the challenges posed by the said compatibility. In fact, the question that sits on many gearheads' lips revolves around how the removed Hellcat V8s will be used, but we digress.For the time being, one of the Lone Star State specialist's Hellephants had landed under the hood of a T-Rex , and you can hear the HEMI waking up in the clip below (you can enjoy the aural magic at the 4:50 timestamp).Keep in mind that Hennessey has big plans for this Mopar marriage, as it aims to take the engine to 1,200 hp and add a pair of driven wheels to the vehicle, thus creating the Mammoth 6x6 Meanwhile, though, you can expect the company to have a bit of fun with the "standard" engine and truck, which should include quite a bit of racing.
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While Daimlers first hydrogen-based fuel-cell trucks are still undergoing tests before hitting the roads of Europe, Hyundai is unveiling the new XCIENT fuel cell truck, with optimized performance and changed looks. The South-Korean company is promising an improved driving performance and an overall increase in fuel efficiency.The 2021 XCIENT truck will feature a more durable 180hydrogen fuel cell system, with two 90 kW fuel cell stacks, and will be able to store almost 68 lbs. (31 kg) of fuel, thanks to its 7 large hydrogen tanks. Depending on the outside temperature, one tank could be refueled in 8 to 20 minutes.XCIENT Fuel Cell is powered by a 350 kW e-motor with a maximum torque of 2,237 Nm (1,724 lb-ft), and is equipped with three 72high voltage batteries. According to Hyundai, this new model has a maxim range of about 250 miles (400 km). And, to match that performance, the new zero-emissions vehicle also boasts new design features, such as the oversized graphics, which are meant to highlight its innovative technology. Also, the radiator grille has been redesigned and accentuated with chrome details and a mesh pattern.It seems that Switzerland is where Hyundais innovative truck has had the greatest success so far. 46 units have been shipped there, last year, and 140 more will be delivered by the end of this year. According to the brand, those vehicles have accumulated over 465,000 miles (750,000 km) and reduced carbon emissions by more than 580 tons, compared to diesel vehicles. Hyundai is ready to expand and reach even further with the new 2021 XCIENT vehicle. Its currently discussing with potential partners for joint operations that will bring the truck to the U.S. this year.In addition to exploring new markets, such as the U.S. and China, Hyundai wants to roll out 1,600 units in Europe, in the next 4 years.
As always, theyre trying to come up with an experiment that no one has ever thought of or at least dared put into practice. So, a few days ago, they used the interesting Lada assembly for a different attempt. This time around, its not the cars that were abused , which might be a first, as they were stretched and in between appeared a makeshift device holding a poor snow tire.Basically, the idea was to see what happens when the separated Ladas got the solid rear axles bolted together up and running just for fun. Of course, something had to be attached to them to keep things interesting, so a tire was hooked up to see how fast it could spin. As far as we can tell, from the math calculations based on the rpm, it did no less than 620 kph (385 mph).Now theyre back with a second part in what could very well turn out to be a series within the series if were trusting the hint that next time theyll use a more powerful Japanese engine and a sturdier (but still) makeshift assembly. And they set their sights on a huge benchmark: the speed of sound.Thats right; they want to get the tire spinning so fast it will go past the 767 mph (1,235 kph) threshold... Since even they have to think about safety from time to time, the new experiment was performed on an empty field, and one of the humble Ladas got cut down and rewelded to form a three-wheel wreck.The tire is also a smaller one, attached to a 13-inch wheel this time around, in a bid to increase the revs. Without spoiling the fun of seeing everything go as expected (does anyone think the tire isnt going to blow well before reaching the intended speed?), we can tell in advance that explosions and flying parts are included in the footage. We attached below not just the new video but also the initial tire-spinning episode for an additional laugh or two.
According to the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft ( WDMMA ), the country of over 80 million is defended by just a little over 420 aircraft, with the fighter fleet consisting mostly of the Eurofighter Typhoons (128) and significantly fewer (74) Tornados.The latter Luftwaffe airplane is handled by German company Panavia as a twin-engine multirole machine. Three variants of the thing presently exist, the IDS, ECR, and ADV, each with different roles: fighter-bomber, electronic combat, and air defense, respectively.Tornados are also deployed by the Air Forces of Italy, Saudi Arabia, and the UK. They can reach a top speed of Mach 2.2 and have a range of up to 3,890 km (2,420 miles). As far as weapons and other hardware go, it can carry missiles, bombs, and up to four drop tanks of fuel.Like most other planes presently out there, these also come with radar of their own, needed for various tasks. Given how the first flight of the Tornado took place in 1974, some of the hardware it packs, including the radars, require an overhaul.The Luftwaffe plans to upgrade these systems of the Tornado fleet and has selected Swedish company Saab for the taskthe same that has been supplying them since 1999. The new components to be installed will enhance the processing power and extend the lifetime of the Tornados radar warning equipment, Saab said.Work on the aircraft will begin as soon as this year, and it will extend all the way into 2025. Locations in both Germany and Sweden will be used to perform the upgrades.
A prototype of the Golden Bowtie model was recently spotted doing its testing thing. And, judging by the advanced state of development that seems to define the vehicle, we're expecting the newcomer to land as a 2023 model.As you'll be able to notice in the YouTube clip below, which comes courtesy of The Fast Lane Truck, the test vehicle is covered by heavy camo. Still, we can notice hints of a boxier overall look. At the same time, as the said crew aptly points out in the video, the front end might show a more aggressive look, thus being closer to the visual identity of the Silverado full-size truck.In terms of motivation, the generation change might bring the axing of the V6 and the diesel optionsChevrolet is expected to follow the example Ford has set with the outgoing Ranger. This returned to the North American market back in 2019 (after an eight-year hiatus) as a single-engine proposal sporting a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.As such, the new Colorado could use GM's 2.7-liter turbo-four, which, for instance, delivers 310 hp and 348 lb-t (472 Nm) of torque for the current truck application used in the Silverado.Of course, we can expect similar powertrain changes for the GMC Canyon sibling of the Colorado, whose future generation should arrive at the same time as the new Chevy.And since we've mentioned the Ranger, we'll remind you the next iteration of the Blue Oval mid-size truck is expected to be launched within the next 12 months, as a 2022/2023 model.Then again, the best-seller of the segment is the Toyota Tacoma (here are the Q1 2021 numbers ), which is set to receive an update for 2022 and a new generation for 2023.
On the south side of the pond, part of the embankment and pipe will be removed to better protect the environment, and a new pedestrian bridge will be built over the stream where the bank is removed. On the north side, a new pedestrian bridge will replace an existing one over the stream.
EV

The charging station for electric trucks will open in Bakersfield, California, and will be capable of supplying 25 megawatts (MW) of power fed by large solar panels. According to WattEV, initially, the power will be limited to 4 MW, but over time, the stations will be capable of supplying more than 40 charging bays.It will be a pretty big truck stop, measuring 110 acres in size (445,154 square meters). The area was also strategically chosen because of the heavy traffic that runs between the Central Valley and Southern California. It will be positioned near Amazon and Walmart logistics fulfillment sites and will have a solar micro-grid with battery storage, as well as PG&E grid energy.WattEV will open the station to the public, allowing any e-truck in need of recharging to use it. The project also plans to include a Trucks as a Service (TaaS) new business model to speed up the transition to battery-electric trucks.Even if it's in the prototype stage, the startup has already reserved 50 units of Tesla Semis to create its own transport fleet, and aims to increase the order with other manufacturers. Its ambitious goal is to place 12,000 heavy-duty electric trucks on California's roads by the end of 2030, which we'll have yet to see if it's going to be achieved.While this would be the first electric charging station for heavy-duty trucks, it's not the first one for EVs announced along highways in central California. Just four months ago, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) introduced 22 newfast chargers in 9 locations. The plan named The West Coast Electric Highway (WCEH) proposes an extensive network of EV charging stations from British Columbia to the California-Mexico border.
Turkeys Bunker Custom Cycles was co-founded several years ago by two brothers named Mert and Can Uzer. Ever since the companys birth, these fellows delivered an abundance of spectacular undertakings thatll leave you lost for words, and they will gladly tackle the likes of just about any motorcycle manufacturer.To give you a better idea about what this Istanbul-based firm is all about, well dive in for a closer look at a ravishing creature that took part in Yamaha s Yard Built initiative. The project in question revolves around the almighty XSR700, a hot pick for workshops seeking to craft a handsome display of two-wheeled art.The donor bike is set in motion by a liquid-cooled 689cc parallel-twin mill, with dual overhead cams and a compression ratio of 11.5:1. At 9,000 spins, this hungry predator is fully capable of supplying up to 74 wicked horses, along with 50 pound-feet (68 Nm) of twist at around 6,500 rpm. The powerplant is coupled with a six-speed transmission, which enables its oomph to reach the rear wheel through a chain final drive.Bunkers moto artists kicked things off by discarding the factory bodywork to make way for a complete aluminum outfit theyve fabricated in-house. It consists of a snazzy fuel tank, bespoke side panels, and a fresh seat pan, as well as a pair of hand-shaped fenders and unique radiator covers. Furthermore, the stock saddle was replaced with a suede leather alternative that matches the desired aesthetic.At the front, you will find an MT-09 Tracers inverted forks, aftermarket lighting, and a Renthal handlebar wearing billet aluminum levers. The BCC experts also transplanted a Super Teneres laced wheels onto their reworked XSR , achieving additional ground clearance thanks to a diameter of 19 inches up front and 17 inches on the opposite end.Their rims are hugged firmly by Goldentyre GT201 rubber. Finally, the Bunker team installed a handmade two-into-one stainless-steel exhaust system, which comes equipped with premium hardware from Akrapovics catalog.
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George Floyd's murder, one year ago today, and the subsequent surge of support for Black-owned small businesses "had an unprecedented impact," according to Shelly Bell, CEO of Black Girl Ventures.

Axios Re:Cap speaks with Bell in the second of a six-part series, America's Business Comeback, about what 2020 meant for Black-owned small businesses and where things stand now. We also share the first of our conversations with proprietors of some of America's most iconic small businesses.
Belarus strongman Aleksandr Lukashenko, who diverted a passenger airplane carrying a journalist and government dissident on board this week, defended his actions Wednesday as necessary to quell a bomb threat, AP reports.

Why it matters: The incident, which EU leaders have called a "hijacking," has drawn international condemnation and further isolated Lukashenko, who is often referred to as "Europe's last dictator."

Driving the news: EU nations have banned Belarusian airlines, told European airlines not to fly over the country, and promised more economic sanctions. Lukashenko described the retaliation as a hybrid war to strangle Belarus.

Our ill-wishers outside and inside the country have changed their methods of attacking the state, Lukashenko said Wednesday. Thats why they switched from organizing riots to trying to strangle us.

I acted in a lawful way, protecting people in line with international rules, Lukashenko claimed.

Catch up quick: The plane was in Belarusian airspace headed to Lithuania when pilots were told to land in Minsk  and escorted there by a Belarusian fighter jet  because of a potential security threat on board," according a statement from Ryanair.

Journalist Raman Protasevich, a prominent opposition figure living in exile, reportedly told other passengers he was facing the death penalty before he was arrested during the stop. No bomb was found on board.

Lukashenko said it was an absolute lie that the fighter jet forced the Ryanair plane to land.

The CEO of Ryanair described the incident as a "state-sponsored hijacking."

Go deeper: Biden says U.S. to coordinate with EU on Belarus response
The House of Representatives voted 252-175 on Wednesday to pass a bill to set up a bipartisan 9/11-style commission to investigate the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riots.

Why it matters: Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and GOP leadership oppose the commission, but 35 House Republicans voted in support of the bill, underscoring the fault lines within the party in the aftermath of the insurrection.

The amount of Republican support makes it far more difficult for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to try to dismiss the commission outright as a partisan effort.

What's next: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has promised the bill will get a vote, but it's still unclear how many Republicans will get on board.

McConnell told fellow Republicans Tuesday he could not support the agreement in its current form, two sources familiar with his remarks told Axios' Alayna Treene, and formally announced his opposition from the Senate floor on Wednesday.

10 GOP senators are needed for the proposal to pass.

The creation of the commission has been delayed for months because Republicans have insisted its scope should be expanded to include violence by far-left protesters last summer after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

McCarthy (R-Calif.) has argued it would be "duplicative and potentially counterproductive" because Congress and the federal government are carrying out other investigations into the riot.

McCarthy (R-Calif.) has argued it would be "duplicative and potentially counterproductive" because Congress and the federal government are carrying out other investigations into the riot. Many Republicans are concerned the bill will be weaponized to subpoena members and could alienate members of the GOP base, as well as former President Trump  who was impeached by the House for inciting the riot.

Catch up quick: House Homeland Security Committee chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) announced last week that negotiators had reached an agreement with Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.) on the commission.

Katko is one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump in the aftermath of Jan. 6.

It said the 10-person bipartisan commission "will be charged with studying the facts and circumstances of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol as well as the influencing factors that may have provoked the attack on our democracy" and would have the authority to issue subpoenas.

Based on the legislation passed by the House, the commission will be required to issue a final report with findings and recommendations to "prevent future attacks on our democratic institutions" by Dec. 31, 2021.

Former President Trump, who was impeached by the House for inciting the riot, criticized the commission in a statement on Tuesday, and urged House and Senate Republicans to not support what he called a "Democrat trap."

House Whip Steny Hoyer told reporters the House would pursue a a select committee of some kind even if the commission does not pass the Senate.

The 35 Republicans who voted in favor of the commission:
The White House is providing fresh details of a major satellite program that administration officials call poised to reveal vital information about climate change and extreme weather events.

Why it matters: Known as the "Earth System Observatory," the program consists of at least five satellites to be launched through 2029 that will enhance, or in some cases revolutionize, the capabilities of the space agency's existing fleet of Earth-observing satellites.

Details: In an interview with Axios on Monday, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said the upcoming satellite constellation will look at everything from aerosols  tiny particles in the atmosphere that are a major source of uncertainty in climate models  to sea level rise.

He said these missions will observe the changes in the planet's forests and ice sheets, as well as shifts in water resources and geological phenomena.

All of these will create a 3D view of our Earth from the atmosphere to the bedrock," Nelson said.

Yes, but: Some of these satellites, including a radar imaging mission known as NISAR, which can measure shifts in Earths surface down to a resolution of a half-inch, have been in the works for some time.

That joint U.S.-India mission is set to launch next year.

Others, however, are still on the drawing board, and NASA is taking inspiration from a 2017 report from the National Academies of Sciences.

State of play: Nelson said the program's prominent inclusion in a White House's hurricane preparedness fact sheet on Monday, along with added funding for FEMA, indicates the administrations support for it.

"They are the ones that announced the Earth System Observatory," Nelson said when asked about White House buy-in for what would be an expensive, multi-year program.

"Now it didn't start today, because you can't build a sophisticated spacecraft that you're gonna launch in a year and a half... thats already underway and is being funded," he said of the NISAR spacecraft.

The big picture: Nelson comes to the NASA job having served in both houses of Congress and, while a lawmaker, flying aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1986. While orbiting the globe, he said he felt what astronauts call the "overview effect," a newly deepened appreciation for the uniqueness of Earth and its fragility.

"For example, coming across Brazil I could see with the naked eye, the color differential in the upper Amazon region, which is where they were destroying the rainforest  and then I could look in the same window to the east, and see all of the additional silt that was coming out of the Amazon into the Atlantic," Nelson said.

"I became more of an environmentalist when I flew in space."

What to watch: As NASA administrator, Nelson is in a science communication, rather than policy-making role. But he shares President Biden's sense of urgency on climate change.
The new connected technologies center of excellence in Columbia strengthens our significance within U.S. critical infrastructure, bringing many services under one roof while supporting employment and establishing this laboratory as a hub for technology expertise, Jo Wetz, Elements CEO, said in a statement.
If the authorities try to use disproportionate administrative resources and falsify the elections in various ways there will be post-election processes that could have unpredictable consequences. So everyone must be conscious of that in this situation, he told reporters.

Kocharian said his Hayastan (Armenia) bloc would be ready to lead the anti-government protests along with other opposition forces. At the same time he questioned the current governments ability to organize a large-scale vote-rigging operation.

These authorities lack sufficient resources for demonstrating this kind of impudence, he said.

The early elections scheduled for June 20 are meant to end a serious political crisis resulting from Armenias defeat in last years war with Azerbaijan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians administration has pledged to ensure their freedom and fairness.

A senior government official expressed confidence on May 7 that Pashinians Civil Contract party will win more votes than any other political party.

Kocharians bloc is expected to be one of Civil Contracts main election challengers. The ex-president formed it earlier this month together with the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) and another opposition party called Resurgent Armenia.

Kocharian claimed that Pashinians party is supported by up to 30 percent of the countrys population and will fail to win a majority of seats in Armenias next parliament. He said he and his political allies will do everything to cut its approval ratings during the election campaign.

Campaigning for the snap polls is due to officially start on June 7 and last for only 12 days.
The Armenian Defense Ministry said the incident occurred at one of the contested portions of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border where troops from the two countries have been locked in a tense standoff for the last two weeks.

A ministry statement said Azerbaijani troops opened fire on an Armenian army unit deployed in Gegharkunik province, causing the latter to retaliate. It said Armenian Sergeant G. Khurshudian died in the exchange of gunfire.

The situation is under control right now. There are no gunshots, read the statement released late in the afternoon.

A spokesman for Armenias Office of the Prosecutor-General, Gor Abrahamian, said that a group of Azerbaijani soldiers approached Armenian servicemen manning a border post and demanded that they leave it before firing the gunshots that killed Khurshudian.

Azerbaijani authorities denied the shooting, saying that the Armenian soldier died in an accident. The Defense Ministry in Baku claimed that Armenian forces themselves tried to cross the border and were stopped by the Azerbaijani side.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry dismissed the Azerbaijani claims as disinformation and proposed an international investigation into the incident.

The hostilities carried out by Azerbaijan inside Armenian territory give the Republic of Armenia the right to take necessary and adequate steps to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity and to ensure the security of its population, it said in a statement.

Tensions at several border sections in Gegharkunik and another Armenian province, Syunik, have run high since Azerbaijani troops advanced several kilometers on May 12-14.

Yerevan maintains that they are stationed within Armenias internationally recognized borders and must be withdrawn unconditionally. It has warned of unpredictable consequences of the military standoff.

Baku denies sending troops across the border and says that its forces only took up new positions on the Azerbaijani side of the frontier.

Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers deployed in those border areas last week reportedly argued and came to blows but did not shoot at each other. The Armenian Defense Ministry did not report any skirmishes there until Tuesday.
The businessmen, Khachatur Sukiasian and Gurgen Arsenian, have supported Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian ever since he swept to power in the 2018 velvet revolution. They have remained loyal to him even after Armenias defeat in last years war in Nagorno-Karabakh which precipitated the snap elections scheduled for June 20.

Sukiasian used to be a staunch supporter of former President Levon Ter-Petrosian, having made his fortune during the latters 1991-1998 rule. He openly backed Ter-Petrosian in the February 2008 presidential election in which the ex-president was the main opposition candidate.

Sukiasian fled Armenia in March 2008 to escape arrest on charges stemming from post-election violence in Yerevan. He returned to the country in 2009 and rarely criticized then President Serzh Sarkisian in the following years.

Arsenian led a small pro-government party and held a parliament seat in the 2000s when Armenia was ruled by Robert Kocharian, Sarkisians predecessor currently challenging Pashinian. He was among a handful of entrepreneurs who imported fuel to the country at the time.

Shortly after coming to power Pashinian repeatedly pledged to separate business from politics. He declared that wealthy Armenian entrepreneurs no longer need to hold parliament seats in order to protect and expand their assets.

Hrachya Hakobian, a senior Civil Contract member and Pashinians brother-in-law, on Tuesday denied any contradiction between those pledges and Sukiasians and Arsenians inclusion on the ruling partys electoral slate. He said he is not sure that they can now be regarded as businessmen.

Khachatur Sukiasian has engaged in politics for many years, Hakobian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. He was even persecuted for his political views during the 2008 post-election processes. In my view, its now hard to tell whether Khachatur Sukiasian is a politician or businessman.

Edmon Marukian, the leader of the opposition Bright Armenia Party, dismissed this explanation. If businesspeople are again brought to the parliament it will mean that yet another promise given during the revolution has been broken, he said.

As recently as in November 2020, the pro-government leadership of the current Armenian parliament accused Gagik Tsarukian, a tycoon leading the opposition Prosperous Armenia Party, of violating a constitutional provision that bars lawmakers from engaging in entrepreneurial activity. It asked the Constitutional Court to strip Tsarukian of his parliament seat. The court refused to do that.
Zarif arrived in the Armenian capital from Baku where he discussed the border dispute with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday.

We are concerned about the escalations of the last two weeks, he told Armenian Foreign Minister Ara Ayvazian during their talks. We have repeatedly warned that there needs to be restraint and respect for the sovereignty of [regional] countries.

Zarif said the purpose of his regional trip is to help Armenia and Azerbaijan resolve the dispute peacefully.

We have emphasized and continue to emphasize that internationally recognized borders and territorial integrity is our red line, added the chief Iranian diplomat.

The tensions at several contested sections of Armenias border with Azerbaijan rose dramatically after Azerbaijani troops deployed there advanced several kilometers on May 12-14.

Yerevan maintains that they are stationed within Armenias internationally recognized borders and must be withdrawn unconditionally. Baku says that its forces only took up new positions on the Azerbaijani side of the frontier.

Zarif said that he and Aliyev had a very detailed discussion on the issue. I could feel his intention to ease these tensions and engage in a dialogue towards peace, he told reporters after the talks with Ayvazian.

We highly appreciate the fact that the foreign minister of our centuries-old friend and neighbor Iran and my good partner Javad Zarif has arrived in Armenia on a regional visit in these alarming times and circumstances, Ayvazian said during their joint news briefing. This testifies to Irans sincere intention to try to strengthen security and stability in the region.

Zarif met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian later in the day. An Armenian government statement said they discussed steps to resolve the existing situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. It gave no details.

In his opening remarks at the meeting, Pashinian said that relations with Iran are of strategic importance to Armenia and that his administration remains committed to deepening them. He said the Armenian-Iranian border has been vital for his countrys national security.

Mojtaba Zolnour, the chairman of the Iranian parliaments committee on national security and foreign policy, also voiced strong support for Armenias territorial integrity when he commented on the Armenian-Azerbaijan border standoff last week.

The epicenter of the standoff is Armenias southeastern Syunik province bordering Iran and Azerbaijan. Earlier this year, Aliyev threatened to forcibly open a corridor connecting Azerbaijan to its Nakhichevan exclave via Syunik. Yerevan accused him of laying claim to Armenian territory.

Visiting Yerevan earlier this week, Irans Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mohammad Eslami discussed the Armenian governments plans to rebuild or repair Armenian highways leading to the Iranian border via Syunik.

According to Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Suren Papikian, the two sides agreed to set up a joint working group that will look into Iranian companies possible involvement in the planned roadwork.

The Iranian Mehr news agency on Wednesday quoted Eslami as saying that he is satisfied with his good meetings held in Yerevan. Zarif likewise described Eslamis visit as very successful.

I hope that we will manage to establish strong presence in Syunik, the Iranian foreign minister told Pashinian.

Both Zarif and Eslami also said they look forward to the opening of transport links between Armenia and Azerbaijan envisaged by a Russian-brokered agreement that stopped last years war in Nagorno-Karabakh. They said Iran expects to have a rail link with Armenia passing through Nakhichevan.
It emerged last week that Moscow has drafted an agreement on the creation of an Armenian-Azerbaijani intergovernmental commission tasked with delimiting and demarcating the border.

The proposal is aimed at ending a military standoff triggered by Azerbaijani troop movements at several sections of the frontier two weeks ago.

Azerbaijani troops reportedly advanced several kilometers into Armenias Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces. Pashinian said on May 20 that his government will sign the proposed deal if they withdraw from Armenian territory.

Azerbaijani army units must pull back beyond our borders. No other option is discussed and can be discussed, he insisted on Wednesday.

Speaking in the Armenian parliament, Pashinian revealed that Yerevan also wants Baku to release more than 100 Armenian prisoners remaining in Azerbaijani captivity over six months after Moscow helped to stop the war in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Azerbaijani side has not accepted these conditions so far, he said.

Baku says that its troops took up positions on the Azerbaijani side of the border and did not cross into Armenia.

Armenian and Azerbaijani troops continue to face off at the contested border portions. An Armenian soldier was killed on Tuesday in what was the first shooting incident reported during the two-week standoff.

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry claimed on Wednesday that Armenian army units fired at its troops deployed along the border for the past three days. Armenian Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutiunian dismissed the claim as a ploy designed to cover up the killing of the Armenian soldier.

In a statement issued earlier in the day, the Defense Ministry in Yerevan also strongly denied the ceasefire violations alleged by Baku. It again threatened to use force to drive out the Azerbaijani forces remaining within Armenias borders.

Pashinian told lawmakers that Russia and the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) are urging us to resolve this issue by political means. He said Harutiunian will meet with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow later this week for further talks on the continuing border crisis.

Immediately after the Azerbaijani advances Armenia formally asked Russia and the CSTO for military support. So far Moscow has not publicly sided with Yerevan in the dispute, offering instead to act as a mediator in the border demarcation process sought by it.

Pashinian insisted that the Russians are committed to defending Armenia against foreign aggression in line the CSTO statutes and bilateral Russian-Armenian treaties. He said Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly assured him that Armenias borders are a red line for Russia

The unfortunate fact is that Azerbaijan has crossed that red line and I think its impossible that Russia will not fulfill its contractual obligations, added the prime minister.
Armenia appealed to the CSTO after Azerbaijani troops reportedly advanced into some of its border areas two weeks ago. Yerevan asked the military alliance to invoke Article 2 of its founding treaty which requires the CSTO to discuss a collective response to grave security threats facing member states.

The foreign ministers of Armenia, Russia, and four other ex-Soviet republics making up the bloc discussed the border dispute when they met in Tajikistan later in May. They expressed concern over the continuing tensions but did not issue joint statements in support of Armenia.

The speed of CSTO actions does not satisfy us, Pashinian said during his governments question-and-answer session in the Armenian parliament. But we will continue to  work with our partners and present further clarifications of the situation.

Pashinian complained that CSTO member states have not formulated explicit positions on what Yerevan regards as Azerbaijani intrusion into Armenian territory.

Such a position is expressed at the working level but not publicly, and we want clarity on this issue, he said.

A CSTO spokesman, Vladimir Zaynetdinov, told the RIA Novosti news agency later in the day that the blocs Moscow-based secretariat took note of Pashinians remarks.

Zaynetdinov also cited a statement on the border crisis made by the CSTOs deputy secretary general, Valery Semerikov, earlier this week.

Semerikov called for urgent political and diplomatic measures to end the crisis. He also stressed the need for a demarcation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

Pashinian noted that Yerevan could turn to the UN Security Council if it turns out that the instruments of the CSTO or the treaty on the joint Russian-Armenian military contingent are not enough to resolve this problem.
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -- New provisions were added last-minute to the Arizona state budget bill on Monday that could impact the public's access to body-camera footage from the Department of Public Safety.

News stations in the Phoenix market were made aware of the last-minute provisions Monday evening. Part of the new language would leave the decision to release body-cam footage almost entirely up to DPS, with the department being allowed to reject a request if "the best interest of the state outweigh releasing the video." Additional language added would increase the costs associated with releasing footage beyond the state's current public record laws.

"Should the department be the one determining that? Perhaps an independent party?" asked state Rep. Randall Friese, a Democrat from Tucson, in a House Appropriations Committee Tuesday morning.

House Rep. John Kavanagh, a Republican from Fountain Hills, who has supported previous legislation restricting public access to body-cam footage, said media has the ability to challenge a records denial in court. "Then we have the ultimate third party, a judge, who can make a ruling after hearing evidence from both side," Kavanagh responded.

The measure, including the new language on DPS footage, passed the House committee with a similar measure also passing a Senate committee. "This bill really promotes secrecy, not openness," says media law attorney David Bodney, who represents Valley news outlets including Arizona's Family.

The bill would require requests for footage to include specific details. Even then, under the new language, the request could still be denied at the discretion of DPS. "If you can't identify the name or names of the person who are the, quote, known subjects of the recording, this bill requires DPS to deny the request," says Bodney.

Do we really need to see everything? That's a question posed by attorney Steve Serbalik, who represents law enforcement officers across the state. Serbalik says the bill restricts requests for footage made by individuals who are not linked to the incident captured on video, and that could limit misuse. "It can be used for political campaigns. It could be used to smear somebody," says Serbalik. "It could be used to try and cost somebody their job."

Serbalik echoed concerns from some lawmakers that footage of crime victims, children and private property can be made public. Bodney notes there are already rules for editing sensitive imagery before video records are released, but Serbalik says the process takes time. "It makes public records requests take longer, and it can really bog down a system," says Serbalik.

Bodney says it appears the bill is attempting to pass the cost of retrieving records on to the recipient, going against public records law requiring individuals only to pay the cost of the copy.

"To say that we want to be transparent, but only on our terms," says Nate Wade with Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice. "I can't say enough how important it is to be able to see what actually happened and to see it through an unfiltered, uncensored lens."

As the state seeks to expand its body-cam deployment, Wade says, it must not create barriers to getting access to the video. He says he has seen cases where footage contradicted details in a police report. "It's not to say every police department and every officer is dishonest," says Wade. "But it definitely points to the fact that perspective matters."

The Arizona Broadcasters Association released the following statement about the provisions:

The Arizona Broadcasters Association respectfully opposes the provisions contained in Section 17 (pages 18-19) of HB2893 and SB1821 (criminal justice; budget reconciliation; 2021-2022) for the following reasons:

The bill specifically and problematically exempts the Department of Public Safety from the current application of Arizonas Public Records Law (Title 39, Chapter 1) and creates new standards applicable only to DPS relating to the release of body camera footage to the public - to the detriment of transparency and openness with respect to these important public records. The provisions in Section 17 require specificity in requests for these records that requestors may not be able to satisfy. For example, the provisions of Section 17 require denial of such a request if the requestor fails to provide the specific location where the video occurred and the name of one or more persons known to be a subject of the recording  information that a requestor cannot reasonably be expected to know in every case. Contrary to current law applicable to all other agencies in Arizona, the provisions of Section 17 would further allow DPS (and only DPS) to make the cost of inspecting these public records prohibitively costly by allowing DPS to consider the hourly compensation of a public records employee in establishing a fee for these records  something not allowed under Arizonas Public Records Law. Arizona Public Records Law currently applies to the release of all public records of all governmental agencies in Arizona, including police body camera video footage. This bill would change the law applicable only to the DPS body camera footage and would further impose unnecessary and overly burdensome requirements for these requests - thwarting transparency to the public relating to these important public records.

For these reasons, the ABA respectfully opposes the provisions of Section 17 of HB2893 located at pages 18-19 of HB2893 exempting the Department of Public Safety from compliance with the Arizona Public Records Law relating to release of body camera footage

The budget proposal, House Bill 2893, also raised flags from education advocates, who say the proposed tax cut will impact public school funding. According to the AP, Republican leaders in the Legislature and Gov. Doug Ducey struck a deal on the $12.8 billion spending plan to include slashing income taxes by 2.5%, cutting $1.5 billion a year from state revenue, and 25% personal income tax revenue. This would keep higher-earning taxpayers from having to directly pay a new 3.5% surcharge on income-earners above $250,000 to fund schools. Republic Rep. David Cook of Globe said he had concerns on that provision, including the size of the tax cuts. Other Republican leaders raising concerns about the proposal includes Republican Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita of Scottsdale.

"It's almost overwhelming, the amount of spending," Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita. "And it's not sustainable." While she has major concerns, Ugenti-Rita would not say she would oppose the budget if it were up for a vote. The bill is expected to be voted on within days.

The budget will also appoint Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich to make all policy decisions regarding election lawsuits in the state. This specific provision will also block Brnovich from providing any legal advice to Secretary of State Katie Hobbs. Hobbs tweeted out a statement Monday evening.

This isnt just an attack on me, its an attack on Arizona voters. My statement on the legislatures budget proposal: https://t.co/THkPj07VTZ pic.twitter.com/t4SMq3YIHc  Secretary Katie Hobbs (@SecretaryHobbs) May 25, 2021

A spokesperson for the Attorney General's office provided the following statement in response to the budget bill:

The Attorney Generals Office takes its duty to defend Arizonas laws seriously and has intervened numerous times to be the sole defender in election law challenges. This legislation is necessary to ensure the faithful defense of the States election integrity laws and to eliminate confusion created by the Secretary of State about who speaks for Arizona in court. The Secretary of States decision to file politically-motivated bar complaints against AGO lawyers and target their professional standing and reputation has fundamentally altered the historical track record of the offices working together despite differing political affiliations. The assistant attorneys general have steadfastly adhered to their statutory and ethical obligations. Their livelihoods should not be threatened for political purposes. The legislation also provides the Secretary of States Office with its own in-house counsel to represent the Office in the same manner as its current assistant attorneys general, in addition to the attorneys already on the SOSs senior team.

Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel in September 2020 advocated for body-worn cameras on all uniformed officers in a letter to state lawmakers after she declined to pursue criminal charges against the trooper who shot and killed Dion Johnson. Today marks the one-year anniversary of John

"It's part of my commitment to transparency," Adel told Arizona's Family at the time. "When we are able to have more evidence, it may not change the outcome; however, it could give us more information."

Arizona's Family has reached out to Governor Ducey's Office, DPS, and Brnovich for comment on the new language added to the bill. A spokesperson for DPS said the department does not comment on pending legislation.

Stay with Arizona's Family for developments as we track the latest on the state budget bill this week. To read the current full state budget proposal, click here or read below:
Anne Arundel County police responded around 1:10 a.m. to 28 Magothy Beach Road when a CVS employee monitoring the stores cameras called to report three men wearing masks, gloves and sweatshirts with the hoods up were zip tying the hands of the store cashier and a pharmacist. The men then stole around $3,959 from the stores safe using a combination provided by the tied up cashier. Another safe in the CVS pharmacy was on a time delay, causing the men to wait a short period of time before taking 80 bottles of prescription medicine inside the safe.
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During the chase, the driver drove the length of the eastbound span then turned westbound through construction in median and crossed back, then repeated the maneuver multiple times. Officers ahead of him deployed stop sticks, strips of barbed spikes spread across the road in front of a vehicle, that flattened three of his tires, according to charging documents.
Orca Sightings Through the Roof on Oregon Coast

Published 05/24/21 at 6:55 PM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Oregon Coast)  It's a whale of a time out there right now on the Oregon coast, to be sure. (Photo above courtesy Garibaldi Charters: killer whales wandering Tillamook Bay on May 8).

Whale sightings are through the roof along the coastline, with some of the Facebook whale groups lighting up with reports. Interestingly enough, it's the Orca sightings that are really getting the attention, which is partially because there's a new group focused just on that. Numbers of killer whale reports right now far outweigh the gray whales, but that doesn't mean there are more Orcas than grays. There are simply more means of reporting whales these days and lots more eyes out there than there used to be, along with the means to record them.

Thus, plenty of eye-popping video has surfaced in the recent weeks, largely due to the new group Oregon Coast Killer Whale Sightings.

Among the finds:

Just this weekend, those in Gearhart got to watch grays and Orcas. First, a series of spouts from a couple of gray whales, and then there was an Orca surfacing behind them a ways.

Another report from Gearhart had some more details:

They stayed just south of 10th for quite a while. Black backs and fins. More than one, tightly side by side at times.

Also on the killer whale group's page, there's video of a pod of five Orcas in Depoe Bay over the weekend. Another member caught video of a couple of Orcas lingering right up against Pacific City's Cape Kiwanda.

Unfortunately, the group's settings don't allow sharing and keep all the posts private, so Oregon Coast Beach Connection cannot show all of them.

On the group Port Orford and PNW Whale Watchers, one member snapped some intense pics of Orcas in Coos Bay on May 15, showing a massive cargo vessel behind one of the killer whales splashing around.

One of the more spectacular sightings was on May 8 when at least two Orcas made their way into Tillamook Bay on May 8. Garibaldi Charters snagged one of the money shots, while a few videos are circulating showing all the action.

Reports indicate at least one did a little spyhopping, which is always spectacular.

A bit later, the Transient Killer Whale Research Project actually identified the three Orcas in the various footage and photos. According to their lead scientist, Josh McInnes, they were the cataloged whales known as T049A2, T073, and T073D. They are known to be a little more common in coastal inland waters of Washington, British Columbia and southeast Alaska.

On May 18, Orcas were reported at the Cove in Seaside, which is a rare sight.

On May 5, grays were seen feeding just offshore just a tad north of Depoe Bay, which included a bit of playful fin-slapping.

May 8 was a good day for whales all over the shoreline. On the southern Oregon coast, near Port Orford's Battle Rock, there were some reports of whales documented there.

On May 16, the Port Orford and PNW Whale Watchers showed some stunning video of whales near the docks of Port Orford  at least four grays.

May 7 was particularly spectacular for South Coast Tours LLC. They caught video of two whales coming in close to check out a couple of divers that had just dropped into the ocean for some training. The cries of joy in the video are rather infectious and understandable, considering what a dazzling encounter that must've been for the divers.

All this doesn't mean you're guaranteed spotting an Orca or two. Even spotting gray whales - which are still migrating up the coast - is a patience game, so finding an Orca will be similar. It's important to note gray whales have no dorsal fin (top fin), but killer whales do. MORE PHOTOS BELOW

Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours





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Killer whales near Florence, courtesy Seaside Aquarium

Photos below courtesy Whale's Tail Charters, Depoe Bay











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LATEST May 28, 7 a.m. Samuel J. Cassidy, the gunman in the San Jose shooting, was reportedly facing punishment after making racist remarks to his co-workers at the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority (VTA).

Both KPIX and NBC Bay Area are reporting that Cassidy faced a disciplinary hearing over his comments on the day of the shooting.

An update provided by the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office on Thursday also revealed that he has been a highly disgruntled VTA employee for many years, which may have contributed to why he targeted VTA employees.

A prior report stated that Cassidy sought out specific employees during the shooting. NBC Bay Area reported that Cassidy told one worker, Im not going to shoot you, before targeting others.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that Cassidy was the subject of a Customs and Border Protection investigation in which officials found a book detailing his hatred of his workplace as well as books on terrorism.

May 27, 11 a.m. During a Thursday morning press conference held by the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority, themes of family, community and solidarity consistently popped up.

The VTA is offering extended grief counseling for all employees and their families. Two separate funds have been set up by Working Partnerships USA and the ATU (Amalgamated Transit Union) Disaster Relief Fund. All proceeds will go to their families, said Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez. A vigil is planned for 6 p.m. at San Jose City Hall.

"We are all grieving together and we want to do everything we possibly can to support each other," said Glenn Hendricks, the VTA chairman who has emerged as a leader for employees and the community.

Naunihal Singh, a VTA transportation superintendent, told personal stories of working with three of those killed, whom he supervised.

Words are not enough to justify the pain we are all going through, he said, talking about the graciousness of Paul Megia and selflessness of Taptej Singh, two of those killed in yesterday's shooting.

It shows the character of these guys, how they tried to help others while going through a tragic situation, Singh added. Im going through a lot of confused emotions, Im angry, Im sad, Im lost for words.

A VTA maintenance manager, George Sandoval, spoke about why exactly familial bonds are forged among VTA employees.

"Many of these folks worked here for 20, 30 years, and we do become a family," he said. "When you work in a small group  theres a bond that occurs."

But in addition to monetary support and presence at the vigil, San Jose City Councilmember Dev Davis encouraged kindness and compassion among VTA riders in the coming weeks.

Please remember to demonstrate kindness and compassion to the men and women who keep it running  as they deal with their own pain, she said. Let us ensure that they do not have to suffer alone.

Hendricks concluded his words with a haiku: Our friends will be missed/Serving riders makes us smile/Nine will inspire us.

May 27, 6:30 a.m. The death toll of the mass shooting at the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority has risen to ten, after a victim hospitalized in critical condition after the shooting was pronounced dead late Wednesday.

He has been identified as Alex Fritch, 49, and is among the victims, many of whom were VTA workers, identified by the county coroner.

The other victims were identified Wednesday as Paul Delacruz Megia, 42; Taptejdeep Singh, 36; Adrian Balleza, 29; Jose Dejesus Hernandez, 35; Timothy Michael Romo, 49; Michael Joseph Rudometkin, 40; Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, 63, and Lars Kepler Lane, 63. The gunman, Samuel J. Cassidy, also died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. There were no other injuries.

Laurie Smith, the Santa Clara County Sheriff, told the Today Show and other media outlets that the suspected gunman, Samuel Cassidy, possessed two semi-automatic handguns with 11 magazines and stored explosive materials in his locker.

The VTA is shutting down rail service until further notice, and will be replaced with bus bridges.

May 26, 2:15 p.m. At least eight people, all employees, are dead following a shooting in downtown San Jose at the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority (VTA) rail yard, officials said Wednesday. The shooter died from a self-inflicted gun wound, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office confirmed.

Multiple news outlets have identified the alleged shooter as Samuel J. Cassidy, a 57-year-old "substation maintainer" for the VTA. Officials have not disclosed his identity but confirmed the shooter was a VTA employee. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office spokesman Deputy Russell Davis said during an afternoon press conference that deputies did not exchange gunfire with the shooter.

The Department of Homeland Security, which first told multiple Bay Area outlets that at least 7 were deceased, declined to comment to SFGATE.

Noah Berger/AP

An investigation is still underway, led by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, at the rail yard at 101 W. Younger Ave. The building, a storage hub for VTA light rail trains and a control center for the rail service, is near the sheriff's office, the city police headquarters and the National Guard office. Law enforcement are asking the public to avoid the area. Bomb squads are currently in the area following reports of explosives in the building.

A separate house fire on Angmar Court in San Jose that took place at 6:30 a.m. is likely linked to the shooting, said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. The FBI is currently on site at the home.

VTA light rail service has been suspended for the remainder of the day, said VTA chairman Glenn Hendricks, but will be replaced by bus service. He added that the shooting did not take place in the VTA's control center.

The San Jose Police Department and the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office were both on the scene just after 7 a.m. The shooting took place at about 6:30 a.m., when multiple calls were made to 911 of shots fired, Davis said. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office said that the shooter was down just after 8:10 a.m.

KTVU is reporting that the shooting took place at a union meeting at the VTA rail yard. At least 80 people were in the building when the shooting began, KPIX reported. In addition to the deaths, Davis said there were multiple injuries, although the number and severity of those injuries is unclear at this time.

Multiple agencies staged a rescue operation that extricated victims, Davis said. The remaining VTA employees in the building have since been evacuated.

"We are in a very dark moment, but I am heartened to see the response of the VTA family coming together to help their co-workers. We're going to do everything we can to support the families of those who have lost their loved ones," Liccardo said in a press briefing.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom expressed his anger at the repetition of gun violence in America. "It just feels like it happens over and over and over again," he said. "It begs the question: 'What the hell is going on in the United States of America? What are we doing wrong?'"

"Ive reached out to Mayor Liccardo to offer my support and condolences," tweeted San Francisco Mayor London Breed. "Our thoughts are with the victims and their families."

California Attorney General Rob Bonta mourned the loss, saying his "heart goes out to the families" affected. "Gun violence is America's disease," he wrote on Twitter.

The sheriff's office is holding family reunification efforts at 70 W. Hedding St. in the Isaac Newton room, and family and friends can also call (408) 299-2311.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for more updates.
AP

NEW YORK (AP)  Disneys iconic Winnie the Pooh will travel from the forest to find a home off-Broadway this fall.

Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation will bring together Pooh, Christopher Robin, Eeyore, Tigger, and the gang in a new production developed by Jonathan Rockefeller.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Two stolen hand-carved religious artifacts, sandstone lintels dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries, were returned to the Thai government on Tuesday in a ceremony more than 50 years overdue.

The 1,500-pound (680-kilogram) antiquities had been stolen and exported from Thailand  a violation of Thai law  roughly a half-century ago, authorities said, and donated to the city of San Francisco, authorities said. They had been exhibited at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum.

San Francisco, which owns the museum, agreed to hand over the ancient sandstone slabs following a three-year investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and a civil lawsuit. The lintels had been structural parts of two religious sanctuaries in northeastern Thailand.

Records showed that the lintels had been obtained by a collector in galleries in London and Paris in the 1960s, according to the civil complaint. The collector, Avery Brundage, was apparently aware that at least one of the lintels had been illegally taken out of Thailand, the complaint states. Brundage, a former controversial president of the International Olympic Committee who donated the art to establish the museum, died in 1975.

The museum, however, contends that authorities conflated the two lintels with a third  which Brundage actually returned to Thailand in 1970 when he found out it may have been illegally removed from the country, according to Robert Mintz, deputy director of the Asian Art Museum.

The third lintel was never part of the San Francisco art collection, Mintz said, and museum officials say there's no evidence Brundage knew the other two lintels may have been stolen.

The Thai government had been trying to get the museum to return the other artifacts since 2016. The Los Angeles Times reported the mystery surrounding the lintels, and various attempts to return them to Thailand, in March.

Mintz said the curators are entrusted with artifacts held for the public and it was their responsibility to determine if any challenges to provenance are valid.

Mintz said the museum followed its bylaws  which stipulate certain steps must be taken  and did not seek to delay the return of the lintels.

We're very happy that the Thai lintels have officially returned, he said. The two lintels really are going to where they belong."

But the museum still maintains that the lintels may not have been stolen. The artifacts left Thailand under circumstances that are very unclear, Mintz said, and turned up in Europe, where Brundage bought them.

No documentation regarding their export from Thailand has ever been found  which U.S. and Thai authorities say is evidence they were stolen. But Mintz says that a lack of evidence does not mean there is proof of that a crime was committed.

The case prompted the museum to review the provenance of its other artifacts.

The San Francisco city attorney, which represented the museum in litigation, did not immediately return a request for comment on Tuesday.

U.S. officials stressed the importance of repatriating stolen cultural artifacts. The repatriation ceremony, which included Thai dancers and prayers, was held in Los Angeles because the consulate is in the city  which also has the largest Thai population in the U.S.

The Thai ambassador to the U.S., Manasvi Srisodapol, called the ceremony part of the lintels' sacred journey back home" and acknowledged the ongoing illegal trade of Thai artifacts in the black market.

I do wish that the story of the Thai lintels will help raise public awareness to prevent removal of historic, religious and cultural treasures form their original sites in local communities," he said.

David Keller, the Homeland Security Investigations special agent who oversaw the repatriation case for nearly four years, said officials believe European dealers illegally exported the lintels out of Thailand. The antiquities' combined estimated value is $700,000.

Tatum King, the special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations in San Francisco, said the case reinforces the need for museums and art collectors to inventory their items and see if any are in fact stolen artifacts.

Museums are often the front line of this, and we need their help, King said.
After only slight changes in contract negotiations that have left some 600 workers locked out of ExxonMobils downtown Beaumont refinery and packaging plant for nearly a month, union members from across the region are gearing up for a new demonstration.

Members of the USW Local 13-243 in Beaumont will meet with other regional and international union member, including from the local representing ExxonMobils Baytown refinery, outside the companys Irving, Texas headquarters during Wednesdays annual shareholders meeting.

The demonstration comes as the union continues to ratchet up pressure against the company  first the lockout and demonstrations and then the addition of nighttime demonstrations using a projector to display messages on the refinery itself  and the company releases increasingly-detailed messages and videos breaking down their specific goals for a long-term contract.

But neither actually have sat at the table with the other since a negotiation meeting on May 12. However, both parties say another meeting could be scheduled at some point in the next few days.

USW District 13 Representative Richard Hoot Landry told the Enterprise that the union used the two-hour May 12 meeting to highlight their proposals before the company for time to work on answers to the unions questions.

The company responded the next day, but there havent been continued discussions since, according to both parties.

In a May 21 informational post, representatives for the company were even more candid about negotiations, outlining the companys desire to remove seniority requirements for job placements. Around 25% of the positions covered under negotiations require senior USW members to be considered for placement first, according to the company.

The company also is seeking to cross-train more employees across different units in the facility to allow more flexibility, a point that USW has said would potentially jeopardize overall safety.

Company representatives acknowledged that the lockout was initiated because it was worried about what would happen after the deadline that would have allowed the union to strike with just 24-hour notice.

In order to limit any risk and secure the safety of our people and operations, ExxonMobil locked out USW-represented employees with a supplemental eight days of notice and preparation time, representatives for the company wrote. It is vital to the safety of our community that we control this timeline to allow our qualified and highly-skilled team to assume safe control of our operations.

The USW previously has declined to talk about specifics of contract proposals, citing a policy not to negotiate in the media, but ExxonMobils new disclosures seemingly match up with the unions reported concern over impacts to seniority and training.

The company has said it wants the new contract to reflect policies already in place at its other facilities, but Landry said the union is wary of what these changes would mean going forward since the seniority system protects senior employees in the event of a layoff..

Our concern is around why the company is asking for this kind of language now, Landry told the Enterprise. We havent ever had a lay off in this Beaumont plant, and that raises concerns for what our future will mean with the company.

Amid continued demonstrations, the union also has set up a food pantry at the locals office on 11th Street where members and their families can pickup groceries on Tuesday and Thursdays, as well as an intake center at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 479 on Spindletop Road in Beaumont where members can submit bills and receive aid while they go unpaid.

Workers have missed one paycheck since the lockout began, but Landry said the Texas Workforce Commission confirmed that unemployment checks could be coming for employees that already have applied within the next few weeks.

jacob.dick@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/jd_journalism
STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. (AP)  The board overseeing a mountain park near Atlanta with a giant carving of Confederate leaders voted Monday to relocate Confederate flags from a busy walking trail and create a museum exhibit that acknowledges the site's connection to the Ku Klux Klan.

The moves were part of an effort by the Stone Mountain Memorial Association to address criticism of the park's Confederate legacy and shore up its finances. The chairman of the association's board promised more changes.

We've just taken our first step today to where we need to go, the Rev. Abraham Mosley said at a news conference after the vote. Mosley, appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp last month, is the board's first African American chairman.

The board did not address the carving at Monday's meeting, but Mosley did not rule out changes to it in the future. Critics have called on the board to remove the colossal sculpture of Gen. Robert E. Lee, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Gen. Thomas J. Stonewall Jackson from the mountain's northern face. Completed in 1972, it measures 190 feet (58 meters) across and 90 feet (27 meters) tall. It is the largest Confederate monument ever crafted and has special protection enshrined in Georgia law.

The changes approved Monday come amid a national reckoning on race that brought down dozens of Confederate monuments last year. Many of the Confederate monuments that are now controversial were erected in the early 1900s by groups composed of women and veterans. Some honor generals or soldiers; others bear inscriptions that critics say wrongly gloss over slavery as a reason for the Civil War or portray the Confederate cause as noble.

Work on the Stone Mountain sculpture languished until the state bought the mountain and surrounding land in 1958 for a public park. Finishing the monument gained renewed urgency amid resistance from Georgia and other Southern states to the civil rights movement and efforts to end segregation.

Today, the park 15 miles (25 kilometers) northeast of downtown Atlanta markets itself as a family theme park rather than a monument to the Confederacy. It attracts large numbers of tourists and other visitors interested in hiking to the top of the mountain or walking the grounds. Still, it is replete with Confederate imagery.

Former DeKalb County NAACP President John Evans told the Stone Mountain board before the vote that they needed to do more.

We need to take down the flags. We need to change all the street names and do what we said we were going to do: eliminate the Confederacy from Stone Mountain Park, he said.

A member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans who spoke at Mondays meeting said maintaining the carving at Stone Mountain is not racist but a way to honor the soldiers who fought for the Confederacy. Eric Cleveland said he did not have a big problem with the changes the board approved, calling them a compromise," but he said they would embolden critics.

These people will not stop until our history is completely erased, he said.

The museum exhibit approved by the board will relate the history of the carving, including its roots in efforts to maintain segregation, said Bill Stephens, Stone Mountain Memorial Association's CEO. It will also reflect the site's role in the rebirth of the Ku Klux Klan. The group marked its comeback with a cross burning atop the mountain on Thanksgiving night 1915.

The board also voted to change the park's logo, which currently features the Confederate carving, and seek federal recognition of a bridge built by a prominent African American.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP)  The man on trial for the 2018 abduction and stabbing death of a University of Iowa student claimed for the first time Wednesday that two masked men were responsible for the crime but forced him to take part at gunpoint.

In a surprise development, the defense called Cristhian Bahena Rivera as a witness at his first-degree murder trial. He admitted that his black car was the one seen on surveillance video circling Mollie Tibbetts while she was jogging in Brooklyn, Iowa, on July 18, 2018. He also acknowledged that she ended up in his car's trunk, that he hid her body in a cornfield and that he told investigators where to find it a month later.

But the farm laborer presented a far different narrative about what happened than prosecutors did, denying that he was responsible for the stab wounds to Tibbetts' head, neck and chest that caused her death.

Bahena Rivera said two armed men who were wearing black and had their faces covered by stocking caps showed up at his trailer after he finished showering that evening. The men directed him to get in his car and drive, and they passed Tibbetts as she ran several times before directing him to stop, he said.

Bahena Rivera, 26, said a man with a knife got out of the car and walked down the rural road. The man was gone for about 10 minutes as the second man in the back seat of the car grew nervous, saying, Come on, Jack, he claimed.

The defendant said he didn't know the men's identities, but his lawyers have tried to raise suspicions about Tibbetts' boyfriend, Dalton Jack, who admitted to an affair with another woman and past anger problems. Police said they cleared Jack as a suspect after establishing he was out of town for work that day.

Bahena Rivera said the men loaded something into his trunk, directed him to drive several miles to a rural area, turn off the car, wait a few minutes and leave. They said they knew his ex-girlfriend and young daughter, and that they would harm them if he ever told anyone what happened, he said.

Bahena Rivera said the men took off on foot down the road and he never saw them again. He said he opened the trunk a few minutes later and found Tibbetts' body, which he said was heavy as he carried it to the cornfield.

He said he covered her body with corn stalks because I didn't want her to be too exposed to the sun," and that he then left and never planned to discuss what had happened again. Bahena Rivera said he left Tibbetts' phone, Fitbit and earbuds on the side of the road.

Bahena Rivera said he wasnt truthful when detectives began questioning him about Tibbetts' disappearance on Aug. 20, 2018, because he was worried about his daughter's safety. Back then, he said he had approached Tibbetts as she ran, fought with her after she threatened to call police and then blacked out" before hiding her body.

He said he agreed to lead investigators to Tibbetts' body early the next day because he was tired and wanted the interrogation to end. And he said police had urged him to put myself in the family's position and to think of how he would feel if his daughter was missing.

Bahena Rivera recounted growing up poor in southern Mexico and illegally coming to the U.S. after he turned 17, crossing a river into Texas on an inflatable raft with about 10 other people. He immediately went to live in Iowa, where his fathers brothers had settled, and got a job within days milking cows at a dairy farm, he said.

Bahena Rivera, who has been jailed since his August 2018 arrest, said he worked 12-hour days and was careful to avoid police for fear of deportation. He said never had contact with law enforcement until investigators looking into Tibbetts' disappearance identified his vehicle on a homeowner's surveillance video on her running route.

Most legal experts had not expected Bahena Rivera to testify. His lawyer Chad Frese said during jury selection that he was torn on whether to call his client as a witness. He said that if Bahena Rivera didn't testify, it would look like he had something to hide, but that if he did, he might be seen as trying to save himself.

Jurors perked up when Bahena Rivera took the witness stand and prosecutors furiously took notes while he testified. Bahena Rivera showed little emotion, but his voice dropped and slightly trembled as he discussed the men's alleged threats to his daughter.

The defense rested its case later Wednesday. Closing arguments in the weeklong trial at the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport were scheduled for Thursday. Bahena Rivera faces life in prison if he's convicted.
Vance declined to run for reelection and will leave office at the end of the year, meaning the Trump case is likely to pass to his successor in some form. An election next month is all but certain to determine who that will be.
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)  Officials in Montana have released the name of a wildland firefighter who was critically injured while fighting a fire on private land in southwestern New Mexico, near the U.S. Mexico border.

Tim Hart of Cody, Wyoming, was injured Monday following a hard landing after parachuting into rocky terrain in the Animas Mountains, said Marna Daley, a spokesperson for the Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana.
Bedford, PA (15522)

Today

Considerable cloudiness. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 63F. Winds light and variable.
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The Robertson family gained fame and skyrocketed to success when their series Duck Dynasty premiered on A&E in 2012. They were not strangers to wealth as the family had a successful family business before the cameras started rolling.

They have also had a fair share of obstacles that many members of the family have faced from addiction to depression and even infidelity. Overcoming adversity is already a challenge by itself but throw in cameras that put a spotlight on your family for the world to dissect and you have got dysfunction and chaos.

Phil Robertson started whittling duck calls which turned out to be far superior to anything that could be found in stores. Thus launching Phils Duck Commander Company in 1973. Launching that business was also challenging as success was not met right away, Phil had to convince retailers that his duck call was the must-have for shoppers, he only made $8,000 the first year.

It was also in the 70s when Phil turned to God after living what he called reckless in Louisiana. In an interview with Fox News, Robertson stated Until I was 28 I didnt have any faith, Robertson told Fox News. Here I am biblically speaking  God said I was under the control of the evil one. I didnt know that. I was just getting high and drunk with the worst of them.  I had built a track record that was not a good one. I then realized, What was I thinking? All that mischief and carrying on.  I came to know Jesus. I looked up one day and I said, Man, Im driven to do this. I have to do it.

Phil went on to publish a book titled The Theft of Americas Soul which was described by Phil as a prophetic wake-up call for Americans looking to find peace and unity in Christianity. During his mid-twenties, he faced temptation as many others do and finally accepted God as his savior. He remains dedicated to his faith and speaks every year to hundreds of churches in hopes of helping others become a better person to which he believes is his true purpose in life.

Phil had numerous contracts with popular outdoor retailers though by the time A&Es cameras started rolling for Duck Dynasty. Willie Robertson, Phils son, would be involved with the family business and would eventually become president of the company. He would also move to create the Buck Commander Brand which was a hunting DVD and gear company dedicated to his love of duck hunting. It may surprise you, but the family was worth millions before their hit series ever aired.

The family took advantage of the opportunities that came along with their television debut and created licensing deals that included greeting cards, clothing, books, and exclusive outdoor gear which only added to the familys net worth.

In the new 8-part series from I Am Second viewers get a second chance to see the Robertsons again with interviews spanning from the last 8 years. The series will feature Phil Roberson, kay Robertson, Al Robertson, Lisa Robertson, Jep Robertson, Reed Robertson, and Phils daughter Phyllis Robertson Thomas. While the reality series captured a lot of Robertson drama, the new series will take viewers on a deeper dive into the struggles the family faced while giving them hope that change is possible.

I Am Second Vice President John Humphrey stated in a news release that Due to the unique opportunity of capturing three generations of Robertsons, we feel there is a strong narrative of how the love of Jesus and the restoration of souls has been passed through the Robertson family. Watching the series, we walk through the lives of the family, beginning with Phil and Kaya and most recently finding its way to Phils newly found daughter Phyllis.

Watch the trailer for Dysfunction to Dynasty here.
Even a fantasy world can pay respect to great warriors of old - through Chaos.

As long as Warhammer has existed, the threat of Chaos has assailed every other faction. Striking out from the frozen north of the Chaos Wastes, these powerful warriors descend on the settlements of others to pillage and raze to their heart's content, all in service of their dark gods.

While several tribes strike out from the Wastes, three great tribes stand above the others: the Norsca, the Kurgan, and the Hung. Each has a basis in a real-world group of warrior-conquerers, so here's a quick exploration of the historical influences of the Great Chaos Tribes.

Norsca

As you can probably guess from their name, the Norsca tribesmen are based on the Norse raiders of Scandinavia, Denmark, and Sweden. Described in Warhammer canon as tall men caped in furs and horned helms, the Norscan peninsula that these warriors call home borders both the Sea of Claws and the Kraken Sea (see the map below). As such, the warriors conduct their raids from mighty dragonships, striking coastal towns before moving inland. Most of the greater chaos invasions of the Old World have been led by Chaos, and a Norscan Warlord led the warband that Sigmar Heldenhammer fought in the Time of Legends novels. The dragonships, coastal raids, and furred armor are all markers of what we think of as Norse warriors or Vikings (th...
This is not fear-mongering. This is one law of many that has a propaganda title. This is an effective political strategy that impacts public policy. People can accuse anyone who does not support the bill of not providing local families tax relief. This is how non-support (opposition) can be used as a weapon.
Volkan Bozkir, president of the United Nations General Assembly, waves to Rohingya teenagers at a refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, May 26, 2021.

The world has not forgotten the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya sheltering in Bangladesh after fleeing unimaginable horrors in Myanmar, the president of the U.N. General Assembly said Wednesday as he visited refugee camps in the South Asian country.

Still, the ultimate goal is the repatriation of the Rohingya to their homeland, said General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir, who traveled to southeastern Coxs Bazar district, where almost 1 million Rohingya refugees are sheltering.

The General Assembly has not forgotten about the Rohingya people, Bozkir said via Twitter after meeting with refugees at camps in Coxs Bazar.

Right now, there is no defined path for the future, for a permanent home. Voluntary, dignified and safe return is the ultimate goal.  I assure you, the United Nations General Assembly is determined to ensure a better future for the Rohingya people.

In 2018, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was the last senior U.N. official to visit the sprawling camps along Bangladeshs border with Myanmars Rakhine state.

On the second day of his two-day trip to Bangladesh, Bozkir met with 40 Rohingya leaders, Mohammad Shamsuddoha, an official with Bangladeshs Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commissioners office, told BenarNews.

The Rohingya urged Bozkir to put pressure on Myanmar to grant them citizenship so they can return safely to their homes in Rakhine state, from where they fled after a brutal crackdown by the Burmese military in 2017.

Mahmudullah, a Rohingya who participated in the meeting with Bozkir, said leaders told the senior U.N. official that the refugees would go back to Myanmar only after getting an assurance of their safety from the United Nations.

We told him [the General Assembly president] that we want to go back to our homeland with citizenship, rights and respect, Mahmudullah told BenarNews.

Afroza Khanom, who participated in the meeting as a representative for women refugees, said she told Bozkir that any negotiated return must be for the long term.

I came to Bangladesh as a refugee three times in my life. I am not willing to come here again in the future. Thats why I urged the United Nations for a sustainable repatriation for us, Khanom told BenarNews.

Cannot be optimistic about his assurances

For his part, Bozkir said that meeting with the refugees was an immense privilege.

I came face to face with resilience today in Coxs Bazar. We often speak about the Rohingya in the UNGA  but today I spoke with them, Bozkir said.

The Rohingya people living here in Coxs Bazar have survived unimaginable horrors and persecution. They undertook treacherous journeys to reach safety  last year alone 200 lost their lives at sea.

In the capital Dhaka on Tuesday, Bozkir met with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who expressed concern about how the Feb. 1 military coup in Myanmar and its aftermath had affected the prospect of repatriating the Rohingya.

After all, in 2017, it was the Myanmar military  under the leadership of the current junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing  that launched an offensive against the Rohingya, which the U.N. later described as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.

The military being in power has made the situation even more precarious in Myanmar for the Rohingya, the Burmese Rohingya Organization U.K., said this week.

[A]buse, extortion and humiliation of Rohingya continue on a daily basis, the U.K. group said in a statement.

One analyst said that the visit by the General Assembly president to the refugee camps sends a strong signal to the world about the magnitude of the problems the Rohingya face, but not much else.

The issue will be discussed in the global media and forums, as he [Bozkir] has brought it to the attention of the international community again, after it was overshadowed because of COVID-19, Md. Rafiqul Islam, a professor of peace and conflict studies at Dhaka University, told BenarNews.

But I cannot be optimistic about his assurances, because they [the U.N.] could not do anything when Myanmar was forcing the Rohingya people to leave the country by killing them, and looting and torching their houses.
An Indonesian youth browses through his Facebook page at an internet cafe in Jakarta, Tuesday, March 5, 2019.

A new regulation that gives Indonesias government jurisdiction over online service-providers and platforms has come under fire from internet freedom and human rights advocates, who warn that it will be used to stifle free speech.

The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology says the policy, which requires online platforms to register with the government for content monitoring, aims to protect domestic users and monitor content that violates the law.

Ministerial Regulation 5 affects services such as Facebook, YouTube and Netflix, and is too sweeping, according to Human Rights Watch.

MR5 is deeply problematic, granting government authorities overly broad powers to regulate online content, access user data, and penalize companies that fail to comply, HRW said in a statement last week.

The regulation poses serious risks to the privacy, freedom of speech, and access to information of Indonesian internet users, HRW said, as the global rights watchdog group urged the ministry to suspend it.

Ministerial Regulation 5 is a human rights disaster that will devastate freedom of expression in Indonesia, and should not be used in its current form, said Linda Lakhdhir, the Asia legal advisor at HRW.

Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan, director general of applications and informatics at the ministry, said similar laws such as Indonesia regulation were also in force in other countries, including in Germany, where violators face hefty fines.

We learned from Germany about how they regulate content. So, it is not only in Indonesia, Semuel told BenarNews.

The policy is part of the governments efforts to protect the country and the people of Indonesia.

The deadline for services to register was May 24, but it has been extended for six months, after which services that fail to comply could be blocked.

So far around 1,000 mostly domestic private electronic system operators had registered with the system, Semuel said.

The law regulates blocking the operations of a provider that publishes content which is prohibited in Indonesia. It defines prohibited content as electronic information or data that violates laws, causes public unease, or disrupts public order.

The regulation also applies to foreign providers that offer services within Indonesia, and operate systems that are used or offered in the country, according to international law firm Hogan Lovells.

The law also allows the government to access personal data for the purpose of monitoring and law enforcement.

Under the regulation, digital service providers must remove prohibited content within 24 hours after a notification from the ministry.

They are given four hours to crack down on content that contains child pornography or messages that support terrorism.

Violating human rights

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), an organization that defends civil liberties in the digital world, said that of all similar regulations in other countries, Indonesias proposal is the most invasive of human rights.

As it is, critics say Indonesia has used hate speech and religious blasphemy laws to silence dissent and target religious minorities.

Police have also arrested social media users for insulting President Joko Jokowi Widodo and other top government officials.

In 2019, the government imposed a three-week internet blackout in Papua, home to a separatist insurgency, during deadly rioting and widespread anti-government protests that year.

At the time, the government said it had to act to prevent what it called fake news related to Papua from being spread online.

The Southeast Asian Network for Freedom of Expression (SAFEnet) said the law could curtail freedom of information.

The right to access information should be guaranteed, Nenden Sekar Arum, a SAFEnet campaigner, told BenarNews.

If one platform cannot operate, we will lose access to information, Nenden said.

She said SAFEnet was concerned about provisions banning content that could cause public unease and public order.

This is too broad and prone to multiple interpretations and therefore threatens freedom of expression. This could be used by the government to stifle criticism and take down unfavorable content.

The requirement for services and platforms to have representatives in Indonesia could force them to withdraw from the country, Nenden said.

The other requirement to remove content within four hours will overwhelm small companies with limited staff, Human Rights Watch said.

The time allocated for response is unrealistically short, particularly for companies that work in multiple time zones, and will impose onerous burdens on smaller companies with limited staff, the group said.

Unreasonably short time frames for removing content would most likely lead service providers to pre-emptively take down content to ensure compliance and could force the shutdown of smaller providers that do not have adequate staff available to respond to such requests.
An Indonesian coast guard ship escorts the Iranian-flagged oil tanker MT Horse (top left) toward Batam Island in Indonesia, Jan. 26, 2021.

An Indonesian court on Tuesday found two oil-tanker captains from China and Iran guilty of violating the Southeast Asian countrys navigational rules by carrying out an unauthorized ship-to-ship petroleum transfer in January, but suspended their one-year prison sentences.

Chen Yo Qun, captain of the Panama-flagged MT Freya, and Mehdi Monghasemjahromi, captain of the Iranian-flagged MT Horse, will not have to serve time in prison unless they commit a similar offense during the next two years, the Batam District Court ruled.

It also ordered Chen to pay a fine of 2 billion rupiah (U.S. $140,000) for dumping oil in Indonesias territorial waters.

Chen and Monghasemjahromi had violated navigational rules by entering Indonesias waters without a permit, Chief Judge David Sitorus said in a court session broadcast on YouTube.

He said Chen was proven to have committed the crime of dumping waste without a permit, thereby violating a 2009 law on environmental protection.

The two defendants said they accepted the verdicts and would not appeal, defense lawyers said.

Elindo Saragih, Monghasemjahromis attorney, said his client was not aware that the oil transfer took place in Indonesian waters off West Kalimantan, a province on Borneo Island.

Monghasemjahromi, who was accompanied by Iranian embassy officials during the trial, which began late last month, will be released and handed over to his agent to allow him to arrange for a sailing permit, according to his lawyer.

On Jan. 24, Indonesias coast guard intercepted and seized the two foreign ships after detecting that the tankers identification systems were turned off near West Kalimantan, and discovered that a suspected illegal transfer was under way, authorities said at the time.

At least 30 Iranian nationals crewed the Horse, while 25 Chinese nationals crewed the Freya, officials said. The Panama-flagged tanker is owned and managed by a firm listed as the Shanghai Future Ship Management Co., according to information from MarineTraffic.com.

The crews of both ships have already been released and repatriated.

Case is the tip of the iceberg

According to the latest information posted online by MarineTraffic.com, the MT Freya and the MT Horse were still anchored in Indonesian waters in and around Batam, an island near Singapore, on Tuesday.

Violations allegedly committed by both tankers in January included transferring oil ship-to-ship, concealing the tankers origin, turning off their automatic identification systems (AIS), and spilling oil, the Transportation Ministry said back in February.

Tehran, for its part, has been accused in recent years of violating U.S. sanctions on its oil exports by hiding the international movements of its tankers through turning off their automatic identification systems.

The head of Indonesias Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), Vice Adm. Aan Kurnia, said the two tankers had trespassed 25 nautical miles into territorial waters when they were caught.

Bakamla, the Indonesian coast guard, said it had become more vigilant after a Chinese survey ship went through Indonesias exclusive economic in January with its AIS turned off.

All foreign vessels, including warships, have the right of passage as long as they transit continuously and do not pose a security threat. Indonesia requires all ships passing through archipelagic waters to activate their automatic identification systems, or report any damage to those systems.

Indonesia is the only nation that has designated archipelagic sea lanes.

This case is the tip of the iceberg. Illegal actions are difficult to monitor due to limited technology and boats, Raja Oloan Saut Gurning, a maritime expert at the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) in Surabaya, told BenarNews.

This should be a lesson for Indonesia, that in the future our territorial waters can be better monitored, he said.
Agakhan Sharief (second from left), receives an award from former Peace Secretary Jesus Dureza (third from left) during a ceremony at Mindanao State University in the Philippines, Sept. 5, 2018.

Philippine peace activist and Marawi tribal leader Agakhan Sharief, who rescued more than 200 trapped civilians during a siege of the southern city by Islamic State-linked militants in 2017, died on Tuesday after a prolonged illness.

Sharief, 49, who was popularly known as Bin Laden because of his flowing beard that resembled that of the dead terrorist leader, brokered a ceasefire between state forces and the militants so that 255 civilians could escape.

His heart finally gave up at around 1:25 a.m., said Tirmizy Esmael Abdullah, Shariefs colleague and a coordinator for the Interfaith Cooperation Forum.

We are grieving the loss of a great street parliamentarian of our people.

Back in 2017, Sharief braved sniper fire from the militants and suspicions from the military as he rode his small motorcycle around Marawi looking for civilians.

Sharief was already sickly when he spearheaded the rescue of Marawi residents trapped in the fighting, Abdullah said, adding his colleague died from liver cirrhosis.

On Tuesday, a small crowd of friends gathered outside the hospital where Sharief spent the last week of his life.

Drieza Lininding, Shariefs friend and chairman of the Moro Consensus Group civic organization, said the activist was buried Tuesday on the campus of Mindanao State University in a section that overlooks Marawi.

During the siege of Marawi, President Rodrigo Duterte initially spurned Shariefs efforts to rescue the citys trapped residents.

Let me be clear that the position of the palace and the president is not to negotiate with terrorists, including these local terrorist groups, which had intended to establish a state within the Philippine, Ernesto Abella, Dutertes spokesman at the time, said in July 2017.

Sharief argued he had to negotiate with the militants so he could enter Marawi without being shot.

Isnilon Hapilon, the Filipino leader of the regional Islamic State group, allowed a joint team of Moro Islamic Liberation Front members and rescue workers inside the embattled city to bring out the trapped civilians.

Hapilon and a group led by the Maute brothers, led hundreds of militants from Southeast Asia and the Middle East in taking over Marawi on May 23, 2017. The leaders were killed before government forces reclaimed the city in October 2017.

Sharief had recalled that he was scared someone would break the ceasefire and resume the fighting, while he was on his rescue mission.

Omar Maute would sometimes wait for us on the side of the street to guide us to where the civilians were hiding, Sharief had said.

In 2018, the local government held a ceremony at Mindanao State University to honor Sharief for his role in rescuing the civilians.

Four years after the siege began, a section of Marawi remains off limits and tens of thousands of civilians have yet to return to their homes.
Adm. George Ursabia, the chief of the Philippine Coast Guard, greets a boy during a visit to Pag-asa Island in the South China Sea, May 25, 2021.

The Philippine Coast Guard said Wednesday that it planned to upgrade its station on Pag-asa (Thitu), an island in the South China Sea, to improve monitoring in contested waters where Manila has complained about incursions by hundreds of Chinese ships.

Adm. George Ursabia Jr., the head of the coast guard (PCG), visited Pag-asa on Tuesday as part of a move by Manila to assert sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, a section of the South China Sea that falls within the countrys exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Theres a plan to further improve the PCG station in Pag-asa for monitoring purposes, especially for maritime safety and search and rescue, Commodore Armando Balilo told reporters on Wednesday. Its also for our fishermen.

In addition, officials are discussing potentially using El Nido, a popular tourist site in the western Philippines Palawan Islands, which face the South China Sea, as a hub for operations to monitor activities in the maritime region, said Balilo, a PCG spokesman.

The coast guards announcement came after Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the Philippine military chief, said earlier this month that the armed forces planned to transform Pag-asa, which is located in the Spratly chain, into a logistics hub and that he would ask President Rodrigo Duterte for funds for it. The facility would be equipped with high-resolution and night-capable cameras to monitor activities in those waters, Bloomberg news agency quoted Sobejana as saying.

In April, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs began filing daily protests against Chinese incursions into its territories within the West Philippine Sea after more than 200 ships had been spotted. The government also accused China of swarming ships near Pag-asa, which is known internationally as Thitu Island.

In a report issued on Monday, U.S.-based Simularity noted that about 120 Chinese ships were spotted in the Philippine EEZ as of May 18.

They are primarily located on the Philippine side of Tizard Bank, Simularity said in the posting on its website. Tizard Bank is in the northwestern region of the Spratly Islands.

Simularity said its software automatically analyzes geospatial imagery and data to automatically find and classify unusual changes.

Beijing has allowed its fishermen, backed by militias, to fish in areas considered to be in the EEZs of other claimants. Earlier this month, Philippine officials rejected an annual fishing ban imposed by China, and which runs through Aug. 16.

Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea region as its own while the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan have their own territorial claims. Indonesia does not regard itself as party to maritime disputes in the sea, but Beijing claims historic rights to parts of the waterway that overlap Indonesias EEZ.

School supplies

During his Tuesday visit, Ursabia distributed school supplies to children at a school built in 2012, according to the coast guard.

Balilo said the trip was meant to ensure that coast-guard personnel assigned to the countrys remote areas were in high spirits and to echo President Dutertes policy of protecting the safety and well-being of our fishermen and coastal communities in all parts of the country, including the WPS [West Philippine Sea].

Last week, Duterte vowed that contested waters would be patrolled.

Our vessels will continue to patrol relevant areas to firmly assert what is ours, Duterte said in a statement at the time. The Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will be where they need to be.

Since taking office in July 2016, Duterte has issued conflicting statements on the South China Sea while his critics have called him too soft on China. Lately, he has thanked Beijing for its help in sending COVID-19 vaccines to Manila amid a supply crunch.


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Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeff Riley said Tuesday that all elementary and middle schools in Massachusetts are now offering full-time in-person learning and 99 percent of high schools met his deadline of May 17 to do the same.
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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.
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.
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Heather Bellow, a member of the investigations team, joined The Eagle in 2017. She is based in the South Berkshire County bureau in Great Barrington. Her work has appeared in newspapers across the U.S.
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.
PITTSFIELD  On Sunday afternoon, the community will gather to celebrate the grand opening of the newest addition to the citys network of parks.

I think there is some great satisfaction in transforming this stretch of land that has been neglected for a long time, said Permitting Coordinator Nate Joyner, among the team of people who shepherded Westside Riverway Park into reality.

Plans for the project hatched about 2007, when efforts were launched to establish a network of parks and trails in the neighborhood. Westside Riverway Park sits on about 2 acres on Dewey Avenue, along the West Branch of the Housatonic River, space the city acquired and cleared to make way for the park.

The city envisions the park as a common backyard for a neighborhood, a space for community gatherings at the newly constructed pavilion, with ample green space and a canoe launch.

The hope, Joyner said, was to improve access to the river and recreational opportunities in the neighborhood.

The project was financed by a $400,000 construction grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and a $175,000 match from the city, Joyner said. The city also received a $100,000 donation from the Jane and Jack Fitzpatrick Trust.

All are welcome at the grand opening from 1 to 4 p.m., hosted by Westside Legends with support from a number of other community organizations.

On top of raffles and a giveaway happening throughout the day, a performance from Youth Alive! is scheduled to kick off the event, followed by a ribbon cutting with Mayor Linda Tyer, as well as poetry and music.
Regional gap in vaccinations expected to close

China Daily) 08:34, May 26, 2021

Immunization plan that prioritizes large cities, port areas reasonable, expert says

Health experts have expressed confidence in narrowing the regional disparity in China's mass vaccination campaign.

A woman receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site in Shushan District of Hefei, East China's Anhui province, May 15, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

However, they also warned that a lack of awareness in some areas about the severity of the virus could hinder progress toward herd immunity, which is expected to be achieved by the end of this year.

The regional gap in the country's mass vaccination campaign is a natural outcome of its staggered immunization approach, deepened by temporary constraints on production capacity and varying enthusiasm for getting vaccinated, they said.

"Our immunization plan that prioritizes distribution to large cities and port areas, as well as speeding up inoculating workers in the healthcare and public service sectors is reasonable and feasible," said Zeng Guang, chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some areas are likely to fall behind at the moment due to limited supplies, but China's step-by-step approach is well planned and will be bolstered by expanding production later this year, he added.

Feng Duojia, chairman of the China Association for Vaccines, said sufficient supplies are the prerequisite for speeding up immunization. He added that China has consistently ramped up production capacity. The recent scaling up of production has been spurred by an acceleration in the pace of vaccinations, fresh local outbreaks and growing global demand for domestically made products.

"The total output is expected to exceed 3 to 4 billion by the end of this year, and is likely to approach 10 billion by the end of 2022," he said, adding that the staggered rollout of vaccines in different regions is a stopgap measure.

Duan Yufei, head of the Guangdong Health Commission, said the province had classified areas under a three-tier system based on whether they are port cities, their inoculation capacity, and the level of population mobility and frequency of foreign exchanges. The province's five largest cities are designated as first-tier areas for vaccination.

"When supplies are not very large, we focus on guaranteeing vaccines in the first-tier areas. And when supplies grow, we deliver more vaccines to areas in lower tiers," he said. "Key areas and high-risk groups should receive vaccines first."

As of Monday, 527.25 million vaccines had been administered nationwide, according to official data.

In Beijing, over 16.3 million people, or 84 percent of its population had received at least one shot as of Tuesday afternoon. More than 13.6 million people, or 70 percent of the population, in the capital have been fully vaccinated.

In Shanghai, 51.4 percent of local residents had received at least one dose as of May 17.

Dalian, a port city in the northeastern province of Liaoning, said nearly 70 percent of its permanent residents, or about 5 million people, had been given at least one dose as of Monday. Twenty-five counties and cities in Yunnan province, which borders Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar, had also vaccinated 97 percent of their 4 million target group, according to official data.

Experts said there is also now a heightened sense of urgency to get vaccinated due to the realities of recent local and overseas COVID-19 outbreaks.

"From the raging outbreak in India to sporadic local infection clusters, their impact on lifting the willingness of Chinese people to get vaccinated is huge, especially in areas recently affected by the virus," said Liang Xiaofeng, vice-president of the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association.

Dalian and Ruili have each experienced at least two local outbreaks in the past year. Anhui province in East China has been battling a small-scale outbreak since May 13.

Local officials said daily inoculations broke records on May 16, with 1.18 million doses given, up 40 percent from the daily average recorded for the previous week.

The rise in enthusiasm for inoculations has spread nationwide. "The number of days that it took for China to administer 10 million doses has greatly shortened," Shao Yiming, a researcher at the China CDC, said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency.

It took just seven days to achieve the 500 million threshold from 400 million doses, data from the National Health Commission shows.

But experts said challenges to build herd immunitywith an estimated 80 to 85 percent of the total population fully inoculatedare still strong, especially in inland regions.

In Gansu province in the northwest, only about 5 percent of the population had received a first dose as of the middle of this month. The rates in North China's Shanxi province and Ningxia Hui autonomous region in the northwest were also lower than 25 percent as of mid-May, official data shows.

"Of course, we do not hope to see sluggish paces in some regions compared with the national average," Shao said. "We should be tense, but there is no need to panic as vaccine supplies are sufficient and production capacity will speed up gradually."

Zeng Guang, from the CDC, said more efforts should be made to create a sense of urgency among the public to get vaccinated.

"If a proper understanding of vaccines regarding their safety, efficacy and urgency can be built up in wider regions, I do not think we will even need tactics such as giving free gifts or bonuses to lure people," he said.

Jiang Qingwu, a professor of epidemic disease research at Fudan University's School of Public Health, said local governments can beef up mobilization and promotion efforts.

"In the meantime, health departments should plan and coordinate vaccination work meticulously," he said in a recent interview.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Du Mingming)
While her teacher Kevin Reilly holds her hand for support, Victoria Wollam, 15, of Buxton School in Williamstown receives her first dose of the vaccine during a clinic at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish Center in North Adams on Thursday.
From Arthur's Desk

The Problem of the Narrative of Police Abuse of Blacks
Darnella Frazier, the 17-year-old who filmed George Floyds death and testified at former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvins trial over the incident, is issuing her first public statement over what she witnessed on the year anniversary of the 46-year-olds passing.

Frazier, in the lengthy statement posted to her Facebook page, says she still holds the weight and trauma of what I witnessed a year ago.

A year ago, today I witnessed a murder, she wrote in opening the statement. The victims name was George Floyd. Although this wasnt the first time, Ive seen a Black man get killed at the hands of the police, this is the first time I witnessed it happen in front of me. Right in front of my eyes, a few feet away. I didnt know this man from a can of paint, but I knew his life mattered. I knew that he was in pain. I knew that he was another Black man in danger with no power.

RELATED: Darnella Frazier, The Teenager Who Filmed George Floyds Death, Posts Emotional Message Following Verdict

Frazier went on to say that Chauvins actions took away her innocence and scarred her for life. "Its a little easier now, but Im not who I used to be, she wrote. A part of my childhood was taken from me.

George Floyd was killed a year ago today (May 25) by Chauvin, who was convicted of second and third degree murder and second degree manslaughter last month for kneeling on Floyds neck for over nine minutes, which led to his death. Fraziers cell phone recording of the Floyds passing was key evidence in Chauvins murder trial. Additionally, her testimony helped lead to a conviction.

Read her full statement below.

A year ago, today I witnessed a murder. The victims name was George Floyd. Although this wasnt the first time, Ive seen a black man get killed at the hands of the police, this is the first time I witnessed it happen in front of me. Right in front of my eyes, a few feet away. I didnt know this man from a can of paint, but I knew his life mattered. I knew that he was in pain. I knew that he was another black man in danger with no power. I was only 17 at the time, just a normal day for me walking my 9-year-old cousin to the corner store, not even prepared for what I was about to see, not even knowing my life was going to change on this exact day in those exact moments it did. It changed me. It changed how I viewed life. It made me realize how dangerous it is to be Black in America. We shouldnt have to walk on eggshells around police officers, the same people that are supposed to protect and serve. We are looked at as thugs, animals, and criminals, all because of the color of our skin. Why are Black people the only ones viewed this way when every race has some type of wrongdoing? None of us are to judge. We are all human. I am 18 now and I still hold the weight and trauma of what I witnessed a year ago. Its a little easier now, but Im not who I used to be. A part of my childhood was taken from me. My 9-year-old cousin who witnessed the same thing I did got a part of her childhood taken from her. Having to up and leave because my home was no longer safe, waking up to reporters at my door, closing my eyes at night only to see a man who is brown like me, lifeless on the ground. I couldnt sleep properly for weeks. I used to shake so bad at night my mom had to rock me to sleep. Hopping from hotel to hotel because we didnt have a home and looking over our back every day in the process. Having panic and anxiety attacks every time I seen a police car, not knowing who to trust because a lot of people are evil with bad intentions. I hold that weight. A lot of people call me a hero even though I dont see myself as one. I was just in the right place at the right time. Behind this smile, behind these awards, behind the publicity, Im a girl trying to heal from something I am reminded of every day. Everyone talks about the girl who recorded George Floyds death, but to actually be her is a different story. Not only did this affect me, my family too. We all experienced change. My mom the most. I strive every day to be strong for her because she was strong for me when I couldnt be strong for myself. Even though this was a traumatic life-changing experience for me, Im proud of myself. If it werent for my video, the world wouldnt have known the truth. I own that. My video didnt save George Floyd, but it put his murderer away and off the streets. You can view George Floyd anyway you choose to view him, despite his past, because dont we all have one? He was a loved one, someones son, someones father, someones brother, and someones friend. We the people wont take the blame, you wont keep pointing fingers at us as if its our fault, as if we are criminals. I dont think people understand how serious death isthat person is never coming back. These officers shouldnt get to decide if someone gets to live or not. Its time these officers start getting held accountable. Murdering people and abusing your power while doing it is not doing your job. It shouldnt have to take people to actually go through something to understand its not ok. Its called having a heart and understanding right from wrong. George Floyd, I cant express enough how I wish things could have went different, but I want you to know you will always be in my heart. Ill always remember this day because of you. May your soul rest in peace. May you rest in the most beautiful roses.
In Chicago, there is increasing pushback against whether Cook County should change the Columbus Day holiday to Indigenous Peoples Day  at least until acknowledgement is made by major tribes in the United States over what one official says was their role in the rich history of Black slaves.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, on Monday (May 24), Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore said that before a vote can be taken over the renaming, tribes need to recognize that theyve unfairly denied descendants full tribal membership and are excluding them from education and housing assistance benefits and casino profits.

They are discriminating against us, and if they do not want to recognize the Freedmen and their descendants, they should no longer accept nor receive federal taxpayers dollars based upon the census population of the Freedman, Moore, who is a direct descendant of a Choctaw Freedman, said in a statement, according to the Sun-Times.

RELATED: Columbus Day Is Now A Holiday For Indigenous Peoples And There Are Numerous Reasons Why

Moore made his remarks as the Cook County Board debated a resolution Monday on changing the October holiday. Opponents of the name change included members of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian-Americans, who feared renaming the holiday would hinder an annual celebration of Italian-American culture. The Sun-Times reports others wanted to create an Indigenous Peoples Day, but not on October 13.

Moore said his push to delay the committee vote is personal and has nothing to do with Columbus Day. Alford Trotter, his great-great-grandfather, was a Black Choctaw whose family were enslaved by the Choctaw Nation.

Historically, the Choctaw, along with the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Muscogee [Creek] and Seminole nations were referred to historically as the Five Civilized Tribes, or Five Tribes, by European settlers because they often incorporated themselves into the settlers culture, which sometimes included owning slaves.

The Cherokee Nation is currently the only tribe that fully recognizes the Freedmen as full citizens.

Its very hurtful and personal for me that when I look up my great-great-grandfathers name ... and see his name with the word denied next to it, Moore said, according to the Sun-Times.

No action was taken by the board on Monday. On June 23, the committee aims to vote on the proposed resolution.
George Floyd changed the world.



One year ago, the world paused to witness the ugliness of racial hatred and white supremacy manifesting in the form of a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, who used his knee and body weight to choke the life out of Floyd, a Black man, over an alleged counterfeit $20 bill. Floyds deadly encounter with Minneapolis Police sent shockwaves to those who had willfully refused to acknowledge the depths of police violence against Black people in this country.

It sent a chilling reminder to Black people that we are still not free and still not being treated as human beings in a country that our enslaved ancestors labored and toiled to help build.

Floyds murder and circulation of the bystander video taken by then 17-year-old Darnella Frazier became a local, national and international cry for justice and accountability within hours. Demonstrations and uprisings took place in Minneapolis, across the country and across the world.



RELATED: Philonise Floyd Remembers His Brother George, One Year After His Tragic Death

Some buildings were burned, including the Third Precinct Police station where Chauvin and the other officers worked. Some protesters sustained serious injuries from the less lethal and chemical weapons that were deployed. White vigilantes attacked Black people and other peaceful protesters.

And millions of people marched and demonstrated to demand justice. They demanded the swift firing of Chauvin and the three other officers who helped kill Floyd as well as murder charges.

After being on trial for three weeks, on April 20, 2021, a diverse jury of his peers found Chauvin guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. Black residents of Minneapolis and Black people around the country and the world breathed a collective sigh of relief when the verdict was read and Chauvin was led away from court in handcuffs.

This was an outcome that many did not think was possible because the system is designed to allow police officers to kill people with impunity. That is the reason that out of the thousands of police killings that have happened in recent years, only a handful of police officers have been convicted of murder. This must change, and the system of policing itself must be drastically overhauled and transformed.

Since Floyds murder, the Minnesota Legislature has passed a handful of watered-down police reform bills, which are a disgrace. Other jurisdictions have taken more serious action, such as New York City becoming the first locale to end qualified immunity. Maryland overhauled its police bill of rights. Many jurisdictions have banned chokeholds and neck restraints like the one used on Floyd.

The city of Brooklyn Center (10 miles from Minneapolis) recently passed sweeping police reforms, including placing significant limits on armed police officers conducting traffic stops after the police shooting death of Daunte Wright, a 20 year-old Black man and father killed during a bogus traffic stop in the midst of the Chauvin trial.

Floyds family and supporters have lobbied for the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, while some argue that the proposed changes will be incremental and not significant enough. At the conclusion of the Chauvin trial, the Department of Justice announced an investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department, and federal civil rights charges have been brought against all four officers connected to Floyds murder.

These efforts are an important step, but there is much more that needs to be done to fundamentally transform policing in this country to prevent unnecessary loss of life, the overcriminalization of Black people, racial profiling, and violence at the hands of police. The cases of those who were killed before Floyd and after need to be opened and/or reopened and viewed through a racial justice lens.

Justice is nothing without ridding Black people of oppression. Chauvins conviction is not the end of the cycle but simply one break in the chain of systematic racism.

Nekima Levy Armstrong is a civil rights attorney, activist and executive director of the Wayfinder Foundation.
It took two years for Louisiana State Police to release the body cam footage of the May 10, 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene, which only went viral after the disturbing video was obtained by the Associated Press. But now Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards is speaking out.

"I wouldn't have been disturbed had I thought it was professional, had I thought those officers had performed as they should  they did not, Bel Edwards said to reporters at the state Capitol in Baton Rouge, according to CBS News. "They don't represent what we aspire to in the state of Louisiana, at the Louisiana State Police, especially once Mr. Greene was not just in custody but was restrained.

They were not professional, he continued. They did not conduct themselves as a law enforcement officer should, and quite frankly I'm disappointed in officers who were on the scene who didn't intervene as well. That evidences a lack of professionalism also. It is regrettable, it is unfortunate We have implemented a number of changes with the goal of making sure this does not happen again."

Col. Lamar Davis, the state police superintendent since October 2019, said last week the agency had limited chokeholds and stun guns.



However, CBS News reports, despite Bel Edwards saying the incident was regrettable, the Democratic governor refused several requests to release the footage and said it would be "detrimental" to an ongoing federal civil rights investigation into Greene's death.

The video shows Greenes door opening and a taser going off. "OK, OK," he is heard saying. "I'm sorry. I'm scared. Officer, I'm scared. I'm your brother. I'm scared."

An officer approaches Greens car with his weapon drawn. "Let me see your [expletive] hands [expletive]."

RELATED: Police Told Ronald Greenes Family He Died In Wreck, But Video Shows Officers Kicking, Tasing Him

After being tased, Greene can be heard moaning while still on the ground and being put in handcuffs by an officer while another kicks him several times. One cop can be heard saying, "I've got blood all over me, I hope this guy ain't got [expletive] AIDS," as Greene continues to moan. Greene is also dragged at one point in the video.



Its unknown who or how the original footage was leaked to the Associated Press, however, the outlet also reports Greene was left lying face down and moaning for more than nine minutes while officers used sanitized wipes to clean blood off themselves.

According to a preliminary report, Louisiana State Police claimed Greene died due to an auto accident after a high speed chase, which now appears to be false. The initial state police report does not mention state troopers using force or an arrest.

RELATED: Police Brutality Caught On Camera: 22 Videos That Explain Why Black Lives Matter

The LSPs report said two officers pursued a vehicle being driven by Greene following an attempt to pull over Greene for an unspecified traffic violation and the pursuit ended when Greene crashed his vehicle.

In May 2020, Greenes daughter filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the officers and claimed her father was "brutalized by Louisiana State Police and Union Parish Deputy Officers which caused his death."

According to CNN, a report from the Louisiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division revealed that Greene died on the way to the hospital.
A brief filed to the Ohio Supreme Court by lawyers for the mother of police shooting victim Tamir Rice, seeks to bar the policeman who shot him from becoming an officer again.



The policeman, Timothy Loehmann, who was fired in 2017 when it was discovered he lied on his job application, is seeking to be reinstated with the backing of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association, which says he was wrongfully terminated. A Cuyahoga County, Ohio judge ruled in December 2019 that the firing was justified. Loehman appealed that decision, but the appellate court upheld that ruling. Now the case has reached the states highest court.



But Sameria Rice, who has been adamant in keeping her sons name alive in the narrative around police violence, wants to ensure that Loehmann does not get his old job back and her lawyers filed an amicus brief, offering expertise against his attempt to be reinstated.



Timothy Loehmann cant be trusted, Rice said, according to local Cleveland station WOIO. I hope that the Supreme Court does not give him a chance to get back his job. The fact that the Cleveland police union is still trying to get him his job despite him killing my child and lying on his application to become a police officer shows you just how immoral that organizations leadership is.

RELATED: George Floyds Family Members Meet With Biden Administration, Call for Passage of Police Reform Bill



The City of Cleveland is also supporting Loehmanns firing saying that the termination was justified because Loehmann was not forthright about having resigned from the Independence, Ohio police department in 2012.



Loehmann fatally wounded Rice, 12, in 2014 when someone saw him at a Cleveland park playing with a toy gun. Loehmann and another officer, Frank Garmback responded to the scene. In a surveillance video, their patrol car appears to pull up and a shot is fired at Rice, striking him in the torso. The officers later claimed they ordered him to show his hands, but he instead seemed to draw what they thought was a weapon. Rice died the next day.

A grand jury later declined to charge the officers in the shooting. The City of Cleveland settled with Rices family for $6 million. In April Rices family asked Attorney General Merrick Garland to reopen the federal investigation into his death, after Trump Administration Attorney General Wiliam Barr closed the federal probe last December.
Compiled reports from the Labette County Wind Advisory Committee (January 2021).Kevin King:1. Security. This is something that the county does participate in small ways. However, the building team will furnish their own on site security. The county may need to have a few extra patrols in the area2. Fire. This is simple, just contain any fire. With the height of the towers, extinguishing one that is burning is not feasible. No department in the area has the equipment to do it. The fire will just need to be contained on the ground to keep from spreading.3. Noise. This is tricky. The noise will be mitigated somewhat by setbacks. However in interviewing other peoplethat have wind farms in their area, the noise is a non-factor. It is something that is not noticed after a short period oftime.4. Economics. This is all positive. Especially short term. The short term prospect for small businesses isexcellent. The service industry (convenience stores, restaurants, motels, travel trailer parks) will benefit greatly. The county coffers themselves will depend on the contract negotiated by the county commission with RWE. A PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) program with RWE could prove to be incredibly lucrative to the county5. Medical In interviewing local Med Flight pilots they can access anywhere within the proposed farm providing.A). Atmospheric conditions allowB). The turbines are not rotatingC). Distance from operating turbines is sufficient. This is at the pilots discretion6). The topic of setbacks was not one of my assignments, however I feel I must weigh in. To me a logical distance from a property line would be 1.5 times the fall height of the turbine. I also would think a 1.7 times fall distance may be sufficient for dwellings, roads and structures.I have come to understand that the Board of County Commissioners are not able to regulate any distancesituations without a zoning law in place. I personally am against that. I feel once the county is zoned for this, a slippery slope appears and it becomes necessary to zone for more and more things.
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Spearfish, SD (57783)

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MOSCOW - Liam Marchant, a saxophone and composition major at the Lionel Hampton School of Music at University of Idaho, has been named the 2021 recipient of The Presser Foundation Undergraduate Scholar Award.

Selected by the faculty, the $4,000 award recognizes Marchants high level of academic and musical accomplishments and his leadership and citizenship.

I kind of live and breathe music, said Marchant, a Moscow resident. During his three years at U of I, he has been lead alto in various jazz ensembles, a Vandal Marching Band section and squad leader and is treasurer of the campus saxophone club.

I want to amplify voices and facilitate that connection to the world, Marchant said.

When hes not playing his saxophone, he loves discovering new music on Google earth. His current fascination is the music of Ghana, specifically vocal and drum traditions in the Volta region. While at Boise High, Marchants curiosity about the world took him to Cambodia in 2018 as a volunteer for a bicycle distribution program organized by the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights. Witnessing the stories, sounds and traditions of others around the world solidified his vision to unite the world in music.

Marchant plans to study music in Ghana next summer. For the next few months, he will work with U of I Associate Professor Barry Bilderback, library faculty member Olivia Wikle and Habib Iddrisu, Ph.D. from the University of Oregon, on a digital cultural preservation initiative of Ghanas performing arts through a fellowship with U of Is Center for Digital Inquiry and Learning.

The Presser Award is our most prestigious honor given to a current student by the faculty of the Lionel Hampton School of Music, said Vanessa Sielert, director of LHSOM.

It is a longstanding tradition that we take great pride in awarding. Liam Marchant has exemplified the Presser Scholar in all aspects of his work in the school of music, and we are looking forward to seeing what he will do in the coming year.
Trust

Do you want your children to learn self-direction and independent thinking? asked the professor. We nodded, Yes. What if they grow up to think differently than you? he continued. Whoa, of course our children should think exactly like me because Im right. This discussion from 50+ years ago has stayed with me.

My children are grown now so I can evaluate. From their first day, children are influenced by the words, actions and attitudes of those around them. As they grow older, circles of influence expand and they are exposed to new ideas and knowledge. A variety of beliefs are encountered. New information is evaluated, accepted or rejected, and their own basket of knowledge and beliefs are formed. My children grew to value honesty, fairness, hard work and respect for others, sometimes more fervently than I do.

Encourage your children to learn thinking and questioning skills. Do not fear exposure to knowledge of racial and social justice or other issues. Your influence is first and strongest. Trust they will make the best choice.

Penny Neely, Caldwell

Greater Idaho

A legislature for Greater Idaho?

If all the Powers That Be approve the creation of a Greater Idaho, taking in the dissident rural counties of Oregon and northern California, there will need to be adjustments to the Idaho legislature.

My count of the population of the rural Oregon counties is some 700,000 people. If they were to be represented at 55,000 per district, that is at least a dozen additional legislative districts. How would we fit a dozen more Senators into our Senate chambers, and 2 dozen more members into our House chambers? What sort of remodel would be required? How much will it cost? If we keep the legislature at 35 districts, that is 2.5 million people at some 71,300 per district. How big would the sparsely populated rural districts need to be? A compromise on the number of legislative districts will still require some major adjustments.

These are all things that need to be considered as those interested move forward with plans for a Greater Idaho.

Elinor Chehey, Boise

Farewell

Today, My home of 30 plus years became just a house where I can stay another 30 days. Yes, I sold it. I love Idaho. I love Boise. But its time to leave. Most of the really cool small city things are gone. The Mode, The Bon Marche, The Emporium, Peter Shotts (where I use to listen to Gene Harris several nights a week) in the lobby of the Idanha for free while I waited for my table, Bens Crow Inn (best clams in town) and the No Lawyers Crescent Bar is closed. Im heading 1700 miles away to a town of about 18,000 with no parking meters or public transportation. They dont need it. Sure I sold my home (now just a house) for a bunch and moving to a town where the median sales price is $110,000. Ill be OK. Yall stay OK too. Idaho, a state of Altitudes and attitudes. Bye guys.

Tony Diehl, Boise

Outraged

Im outraged at whats going on amongst republicans in Congress and Idaho Legislature.

Their continued loyalty to Trump and their own dictatorial attitude is alarming and against our democracy. They seem to admire Trump (wannabe dictator) and chastise members of their own party who criticize Trump.

Now, theyre trying to downplay January 6th insurrection. Trump realized he couldnt overthrow our government single handedly, so he recruited his loyal thugs to do it for him; like a mob boss. Every one of them belong in prison; especially Trump. A President (past or present) should be held to a much higher standard than common citizens. His attempts to ruin anyones career and reputation who stands up to him must stop. Anyone who defends Trump now has to be just like him and has no place in our government. He needs to be sent to Guantanamo Prison alongside other terrorists.

Im very unhappy with our Congressmen. Simpson championing removal of Snake River dams is insanity. Salmon can be hatchery raised; and stocked in rivers: problem solved! Good enough!

Judy Smith, Caldwell

Questions

Some questions for my fellow Republicans who are among the 60% of the party who believe, without any proof, the 2020 elections was rigged. Do you blame your Republican neighbors who volunteered at the polls, or was it the Republican officials you elected to count and verify your votes? Were they all dishonest and corrupt ? Was it your elected members of Congress who cheated you as they certified all state results while under attack on January 6 by a violent Trump mob ? Or do you believe the courts, including the Republican Supreme Court, lied when they found no fraud in 60 cases challenging election results ? Do you believe our government should function on constitutional laws and the will of the majority of American voters, or be run by violent, unAmerican and nonPatriotic mobs of election losers ? Does the future of the Republican party involve the truth, loyalty to Country and democracy, or in the blind loyalty to the Big Lies and conspiracies of one pathological liar and his violent followers?

Steven Shake, Caldwell
It is shameful that it took a mans death to make organizations such as NASCAR and Quaker Oats do what they should have done a long time ago. It is disheartening that a man had to die before many Americans took the time to Google the unofficial holiday Black people all over this country have celebrated for generations on June 19.
Watch the latest video at FoxNews.com By Bill O'Reilly It is now becoming clear that the Homeland Security Department let all Americans down by not flagging the slain terrorist Tamerlan Tsarnaev. When Russian intelligence alerts American Homeland Security people about an individual, you mark that individual forever. The Russians are busy. They don't have time for small ball. The fact that this guy was selected for scrutiny by Russian intelligence is huge. And then he travels from the USA to Russia, returning six months later and U.S. intelligence doesn't watch him? What a massive screw up. Massive! In addition, the guy was posting jihad garbage on the Internet. And still, he was not being watched. We simply can't have it. That's a mistake that cost four people their lives and more than 200 others their health. We cannot afford mistakes like that. Now, on the broader question, it's clear to any sane person that Muslim jihadists are a threat to the world. Yet, President Obama will not say that. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) OBAMA: When a tragedy like this happens, with public safety at risk and the stakes so high, it's important that we do this right. That's why we have investigations. That's why we relentlessly gather the facts. That's why we have courts. That's why we take care not to rush to judgment. Not about the motivations of these individuals, certainly not about entire groups of people. (END VIDEO CLIP) O'REILLY: But, of course, it's all about motivation and it is about a specific group of people. President Obama is wrong, seriously wrong. It's clear the two Boston bombers were jihadists. They believed they have a right to kill children to serve their religion. Who else does that? What other theology in this world justifies murdering innocent people? The answer is? Only radical Islam allows terror murder. That's the truth. President Obama doesn't want to say the truth. And the reason is politics. As we reported last night, there are Muslim nations that help the USA, they provide vital intelligence. Their secret police actually kill jihadists. Mr. Obama rightly doesn't want to alienate those nations. Also, most Muslims on this earth are good people but they are not helping to neutralize the jihad. They are not standing up against it in any numbers. And that includes American Muslims; they largely remain silent. This is a situation we all face in America. The jihad is real. Radical Muslims are killing innocent people and threatening the world. Country like Iran would wipe out every Jew on earth if it could and then they would wipe us out, if it could. Iran is a Muslim theocracy. You can't solve any problem unless you stand it. I believe President Obama does understand that jihad is a threat to the world. I also believe he's never, never going to define it that way. He's not going to say what the real situation is. Again, I believe that's a terrible mistake. 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 The controversy over illegal immigration took another turn today. In order to persuade conservatives to support a new law, some Republican senators including John McCain and Marco Rubio are hoping that tough new border proposals that will cost billions will be enough to pass legislation that would allow illegal aliens already here to work legally. Basically the new stuff comes down to doubling the border patrol from 20,000 to 40,000 on the Mexican front, building 700 miles of new fence and installing a variety of high tech gizmos designed to track those who cross the border illegally. In addition the E-Verify system would be used so aliens who do not follow the rules couldn't work in the USA at all. Now the bill is extremely complicated and if passed would take years to implement. Senator Rubio told me on the phone today that it would be at least 13 years, 13, before people in the country illegally right now could gain full legal working status and even longer to achieve citizenship. "Talking Points" supports immigration reform, even though I well understand the new law will be somewhat chaotic and will be a magnet for even more people to come here illegally, which is why we need step up security on the border. For conservative Americans the issue is a difficult one because immigration reform would reward bad behavior; the illegal entry into the USA. But please keep in mind that part of that illegal behavior was actually encouraged by the federal government, which for decades did nothing to stop it. Also some business people who make money from cheap labor aided and abetted illegal immigration. The Republican Party has a lot to lose here. If it doesn't compromise many Hispanic voters will reject the GOP entirely pretty much dooming the party in the future. That's reality. Liberals on the other hand are generally soft on illegal immigration because it helps the Democrats as most new voters support the entitlement party. Also the left likes to bill itself as the ideology of compassion. A footnote off all of this comes in "The New Yorker" magazine which implies that Fox News colluded with Republican senators on immigration reform. The writer Ryan Lizza reports that I, your humble correspondent, had private conversations with Republican senators and agreed to support the immigration bill in those conversations. That never happened. I never collude with anyone. This is a no collusion zone. I occasionally talk with politicians who give me information, as every political analyst and reporter does. But there are never ever any deals made here about anything. Back to reality. It is time for the USA to pass immigration reform. For years I've called for a more secure southern border, you know that. And now it looks like the secure border is in reach at least somewhat. So I hope this bill does become law. 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 Today on Capitol Hill, Senate Intelligence Committee began hearings about the murder of the Ambassador to Libya and three other Americans in Benghazi on 9/11. As you may know, the Obama administration will not define exactly what happened. And the press has been largely negligent in pursuing the story. Well, now the testimony is under oath, so it's serious. There are two ways this thing could go. First, into a Watergate-type spectacle with cover-ups and bogus statements to the American people. Or second it could be a big nothing, a human error which spiraled out of control. The problem is compounded by the President's refusal to define anything. He continues to say there is an investigation, so he can't even give us basic facts like "When were you told, Mr. President, about the attack in Benghazi?" An answer to that question cannot possibly impact any investigation; nevertheless, Mr. Obama refuses to provide it. That has raised all kinds of conspiracy theories and now you have the Petraeus situation added to the mix. At a press conference today, a reporter from the McClatchy News Service asked Senator John McCain if the fact that General Petraeus' mistress had kept secret documents in her possession, was it more serious than the entire Libyan debacle? (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: Well, I say with great respect, that's one of the dumbest questions I've ever heard. Ok? There's four dead Americans, there's four dead Americans. Not a socialite. Not a socialite. I'm answering your question. Ok? Do you want me to answer your question or do you want to interrupt? Which do you want? REPORTER: Continue sir. MCCAIN: Ok. There is four dead Americans. (END VIDEO CLIP) O'REILLY: Senator McCain obviously feels very strongly that there is government malfeasance involved in the Libyan chaos. But that has yet to be proved. However, the Senate is doing the right thing by holding hearings trying to get the information out to we the people. I mean, look at it this way, back in 1972, Richard Nixon denied he had anything to do with a low level political break in. If the press had not been aggressive, Nixon would have gotten away with it. And certainly the break in at the Watergate Hotel was not nearly as important as failing to define a terrorist attack that killed four Americans. President Obama made a mistake in not getting ahead of the story. He should have given us the facts weeks ago. He chose not to. And the press let him get away it. But now the heat is coming down as it should. 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 Over the weekend another vicious terror attack, this one in Nairobi Kenya. Scores of innocent people massacred, gun downed in a shopping mall. This kind of terror activity now a growing industry throughout the world and there is a reason why. The truth is that Muslim jihadists want to kill Christians and Jews. That's what this is all about, nothing more. The Muslim jihad believes that infidels do not deserve to live. But you will not hear the leaders of the world say that including President Obama. They will not tell you what is really going on here. This is simply about murder and if you are a Christian or a Jew, you are a target. It is clear that al Qaeda and its affiliates are now going to wage small- time terrorism all over the world. They will burn down Christian churches, attack Jewish synagogues and if they can launch another 9/11. And then there are other horrific attacks by jihadist Muslims on other Muslims. In Iraq alone, more than 4,000 civilians have been killed this year by other Muslims. In Pakistan, a pair of Muslim suicide bombers killed at least 81 Christians just yesterday at a church. In March, a Muslim mob torched 200 buildings at a Christian neighborhood of Lahore, Pakistan. In Egypt 60 Christian churches were burned during a four-day period last August, all by Muslims. "Talking Points" could go on and on. And what is the Muslim world doing about it? Nothing. Pakistan, for example, allows terrorists to live in the northern part of the country pretty much unmolested. From there they can launch attacks on Afghanistan and blow up Christians inside Pakistan. Iran pretty much supports worldwide terrorism with arms and shelter. Yemen, a safe haven for Muslim terrorists. Somalia another chaotic place where terrorists can pretty much do what they want to do. In fact, the attack inside Kenya was launched from Somalia, according to reports. There's simply no coordinated leadership to confront the jihad. President Obama is not going to do it; Great Britain and NATO not going to do it. In fact, the most aggressive country fighting the jihad is France, if you can believe it. Recently French troops defeated al Qaeda in the African country of Mali. France gets it. The French understand the danger from fanatical Muslims. We're living in a cowardly world and the terrorist know it and sadly we can expect more death and destruction because the jihad is just getting started. 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 Laura Ingraham So, with all the problems facing America today  unacceptably high unemployment, skyrocketing healthcare costs and now Russia and China thumbing their noses at us in the Snowden debacle, today the President announced a big new plan to tackle -- drum roll, please -- global warming. At a Georgetown University speech, he announced that the EPA will do what he couldn't get Congress to do. Issue regulations that will make it more expensive for traditional energy companies to do business in the United States. Of course at the same time, he gives benefits and special breaks to solar and wind power companies, including another $8 billion in loan guarantees. Now remember how well that worked out last time? Can you say Solyndra or Fisker Automotive? So who cares if the President's plan results on higher energy cost for the American people and kills thousands of jobs in the oil and gas industries. At least Al Gore and Leo DiCaprio will be happy. The President is wildly out of touch with the concerns of the American people -- gun control, massive amnesty push and now this. These issues don't rank in the top 10 or top 20 of voter concerns but they are on the top of the far left's wish list. Folks are saying that the President is now in "legacy mode." He did big healthcare, so now he wants big immigration reform and then big climate change action. The President, as usual, well, he wraps up his new plan around protecting the children. This is the same President, of course, who thinks it's just hunky-dory to give half a billion dollars taxpayer money to the biggest killer of the unborn, Planned Parenthood. In the end, if we do not have a robust growing economy producing good jobs that pay decent wages, if we don't cut the deficit and long-term debt, our children's future will be bleak. Their wages are going to be low and their standard of living diminished. So forgive me, Mr. President, if I'm not warming up to your climate change silliness, when there is so many other pressing problems on the table. And that's "The Memo." Transcript Show Name: O'Reilly Factor
Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com Over the weekend ISIS savages in Libya beheaded 21 Christian migrant workers on camera  21. The barbarity of that, hard to believe. These men were simply workers who traveled from Egypt to Libya to make some money for their families. But they were Coptic Christians and so the jihadists executed them for their religious beliefs. Almost immediately the White House issued a statement: "The United States condemns the despicable and cowardly murder of 21 Egyptian citizens in Libya by ISIL-affiliated terrorists. We offer our condolences to the families of the victims. Notice the White House did not say the victims were all Christians or were killed because of that. The statement did not mention Islam or Muslim extremists or the jihad. Again, the avoidance of the true issue is truly shocking and Americans should demand that it stops. Democrat Leon Panetta, former CIA chief and secretary of defense, once again defined the problem: LEON PANETTA. FORMER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: ISIS is -- truly represents kind of a whole new face in the war on terrorism ((EDIT)) and that have to be met tooth and nail with everything we have got. That's the reality. ISIS is a whole new chapter in terms of the terrorist threat to this -- to that area and to our country. ((EDIT)) When you look at terrorist threats around the world, the one you have to worry about the most is al Qaeda in Yemen, AQAP, because they have the bomb-making capability and they have the other capabilities to basically do what they have to do to attack this country. They are a real danger. Talking Points applauds Leon Panetta for being an honest man. Everybody in Washington knows that President Obama is not confronting the jihad in an aggressive way, preferring to play word games. Because of that, the jihadists are emboldened. They know they can expand their operations with little opposition. These are the first beheadings in Libya. They won't be the last. In Denmark, a lone Islamic militant killed two people, wounding five others over the weekend. We can expect murders like this pretty much on a regular basis. Muslim fanatics are running wild, yet the world stands by and allows it to happen. It's not just President Obama that is failing to confront evil; it's just about every nation in the world. This fable about a 60-country coalition united against ISIS is insulting. What are these nations doing? Nothing. It's easy to sign a piece of paper and not show up. Egyptian planes are bombing some ISIS positions in Libya in retaliation for the slaughter there. We hope Egypt, which has a strong military, will join Jordan in attacking these killers. But where is the coordinated effort? Where is the world-wide summit? Where is President Obama trying to lead the world to crush this jihadist movement? To those simple questions there is no answer. And that's the memo.
30th Anniversary of World Health Assembly Resolution and WHO Global Leprosy Strategy 2021-2030 are opportunities to accelerate efforts against the disease

As the 74th World Health Assembly (WHA) gets underway, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination Yohei Sasakawa is urging countries not to overlook leprosy amid the global coronavirus pandemic and aim for zero leprosies. 30 years ago this month, the WHA adopted a resolution to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem.

The resolution adopted at the 44th WHA in 1991 called for the elimination of leprosy as a public health problem at the global level by the year 2000. 'Elimination' was defined as reaching a prevalence rate of the disease of less than 1 case per 10,000 population. This was achieved globally by the end of 2000 and almost all countries have since replicated that success at the national level.

In April, the fight against leprosy entered a new phase with the launch by the WHO of 'Towards Zero Leprosy: Global Leprosy (Hansen's disease) Strategy for 2021-2030.' The targets include zero leprosy patients in 120 countries and a 70 per cent decrease in new cases detected globally by 2030.

Yohei Sasakawa, who has visited over 100 countries since first being appointed Goodwill Ambassador in 2001, welcomes the new strategy and believes it will accelerate momentum towards a leprosy-free world. But he cautioned, "These are ambitious targets, so commitments from national governments will be required if they are to be achieved. I realise these are challenging times, but we mustn't allow leprosy to be overlooked amid COVID-19."

Goodwill Ambassador Sasakawa, who has been involved in efforts against leprosy for nearly half a century with The Nippon Foundation, the Japanese non-profit grant-making organisation he serves as chairman, said the 30th anniversary of the WHA resolution on eliminating leprosy is an appropriate moment to recall the spirit that brought countries together in a sense of common purpose against leprosy.
Introduces new synthetic cholesterol product nine months ahead of schedule

Merck has launched a new, high-purity synthetic cholesterol product to meet the high demand for lipids, a key component of mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics. The product has been launched nine months ahead of schedule.

Tapping into two decades experience of developing and manufacturing high-quality lipids, we designed a proprietary process to bring our new SAFC synthetic cholesterol product to market nearly a year early, said Andrew Bulpin, Head of Process Solutions, Life Science, Merck. With the introduction of our new SAFC synthetic cholesterol product, we have increased our capacity by 50 times, helping bio manufacturers bring lifesaving therapies to patients faster.

The neutral lipid, used in commercially marketed products, is more than 99 per cent pure; offers high batch-to-batch consistency and is scalable under commercial GMP.

The launch of the new product follows the companys acquisition of AmpTec, a Hamburg, Germany, based mRNA contract development and manufacturing organisation. By combining AmpTecs PCR-based mRNA technology with Mercks extensive expertise in lipids manufacturing, Merck can provide a truly integrated offering across the mRNA value chain. Merck has more than 20 years of experience developing and manufacturing high-quality lipids, following GMP processes. The company provides regulatory support through all phases of clinical development and commercialisation, as well as deep analytical expertise.
Rowberry brings two decades of experience in innovation, strategy and development having worked at leading Fortune 500 companies

Aster DM Healthcare has announced the appointment of Brandon Rowberry, a global leader in corporate innovation and strategy, as Chief Executive Officer of its Digital Health business. Working closely with Alisha Moopen, Deputy Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare, Rowberry would be driving the digital roadmap for the group and play a crucial role in developing digital capabilities across the organisations existing presence in seven countries and soon in Cayman Islands.

Alisha Moopen, Deputy MD, Aster DM Healthcare said, Digital health, under Rowberrys leadership will be set up as an independent business and merge both the physical door and digital door to access healthcare as a seamless experience from simple virtual consults to e-ICUS at home.

Healthcare is rapidly changing for the better and Aster is at the forefront of leading that change while serving the needs of tens of millions of patients. Harnessing the power of our people, technologies and partners I do not doubt that we will make a significant impact on our patient's lives. I am thrilled to join the organisation at this exciting stage and look forward to leading its global digital transformation journey, said Brandon Rowberry.

Rowberry brings two decades of experience in innovation, strategy and development having worked at leading Fortune 500 companies. Before joining Aster, Rowberry was an advisor-strategy and planning at Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA). Former Vice-Chair- Global Business Solutions for Mayo Clinic, Rochester and also former Vice President Innovation Development for UnitedHealth Group, Rowberry has a grasp of a broad array of tactical and strategic skills.

He holds a masters degree from Brigham Young University, Utah and has completed Senior Executive Education in Design thinking, AI, Big Data and Organizational Leadership from Harvard Business School.
The CDMO sector has grown and innovated immensely over the years, and technology has acted as a catalyst in this transformational journey

The Indian contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) sector has been increasingly showing a greater willingness to embrace technological innovations over the years. Speed and efficiency have always been the top two factors that determine the success of CDMO operations, and investing in advanced technologies has certainly helped this sector achieve that.

In fact, innovations like biotherapeutics and monoclonal antibodies are a testimony to the augmenting capabilities of CDMOs in transforming the lives of patients across the globe, especially when it comes to curing serious medical conditions including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes, among others.

Fast-forward to the ongoing COVID-19 scenario to understand how technology is making CDMOs more efficient than ever in terms of vaccine development.

While the entire country is grappled with the pandemic, which has led to a shortage of drugs and vaccines, more and more pharma players are turning to CDMOs for leveraging the benefits of outsourced services. Moreover, the switch from pharma to biologics has also brought about a significant change to the overall manufacturing requirements. This change also calls for advanced equipment that are highly efficient, easy-to-use and most importantly, be applicable throughout the process, that is, from development to scale-up levels.

The role of single-use technologies

The burgeoning demand for biologics involves smaller batch sizes, which in turn, requires more flexibility in manufacturing solutions. Due to this very reason, there is a need for switching from large manufacturing scales to small flexible facilities, making single-use and disposable technologies more relevant than ever at this juncture.

These advancements offer better opportunities to develop robust biomanufacturing processes at a much faster pace. For instance, it can enable a CDMO to evaluate their operations, deliver solutions, install them, and finally be prepared to kick off in around six to ten months or less, thus entering the market with a rapid go-to strategy and maintain a competitive edge in the overall biologics production.

Need for collaborations

At a crucial time like this when there is a shortage of development and delivery facilities, biotech companies and CDMOs should join forces and work together to address this issue. Doing so will benefit biotech companies in numerous ways.

It will help them lower their Capex and also leverage the latest technologies used by CDMOs to add flexibility to their overall biomanufacturing operations. The collaboration, if done at the early development stage, will also help these companies predict the quantity of material required for various purposes such as clinical trials, commercial launches and subsequent commercial supplies in multiple markets.

Besides, the government will also play a pivotal role here by deploying various localization initiatives to make CDMOs self-reliant. Initiatives like Production Linked Incentive (PLI) and Bulk Drug Parks are expected to promote domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials (KSMs) and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in India. The country can achieve these goals faster if the partnerships between industry, CDMOs and academic institutions are strengthened further.

Summing up

The CDMO sector has grown and innovated immensely over the years, and technology has acted as a catalyst in this transformational journey. However, one thing is very clear that technology alone wouldnt be adequate to catapult CDMOs to new heights. Collaborating with the government and other pharma players is equally important to maximize the potential of these companies. If all these factors go hand in hand, CDMOs and other players can together enhance the overall healthcare infrastructure of the country and make India capable enough to tackle unexpected odds, including black swan events like COVID-19.

Karan Bagaria, Managing Director, Kemwell Biopharma, Bengaluru
New York University linguist John McWhorter worried in 2009 that dilution of the term will leave us where we dont have a word that we use to call people racist who actually are. But he added hopefully that in 100 years, when people chronicle how America got past race, the uptick in white people calling Blacks racist is going to be seen as a symptom of the end.
When the Economic Reform Programme (ERP) was formulated way back in 1994, it recommended that 30% of South Africa's electricity comes from alternative energy sources. Fast forward almost 30 years, and the national power utility is still struggling to meet the energy needs of the country.

Image source: Getty/Gallo

The role of the private sector

Municipalities as middlemen

Long-term solutions

RMIPPPP floating power stations raise questions on carbon emissions Questions have been raised around governments' reasoning to include three Karpowership floating power plants to provide part of the 2,000MW tendered under the RMIPPPP....

Eskom has been badly maintained through budget overruns, missed timelines and corruption, and Andre de Ruyter, Eskoms newest in a string of CEOs, recently announced that the country can expect power supply shortfalls for at least another five years.As a result, private energy generation among homeowners and businesses has surged up to 1MW, which does not require a license from The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa). Until battery storage becomes more affordable and accessible, were have to rely on coal and nuclear energy to be the baseload to the grid, particularly during peak periods that require guaranteed of power; however as technology advances, the storage of renewable energy in batteries will allow users to become entirely self-sustainable with a reliable energy supply.For now, this self-generation cuts out municipalities, which rely heavily on the income they generate from the sale of electricity from Eskom to users  despite the fact that the parastatal is owed over R35.2bn by various municipalities.To solve our power supply shortly we need money. Let the private sector lead the wayPrivate sector investors are favoured for renewable energy projects as they can secure funding on commercial terms. This creates accountability in setting up contracts and aligning strategies to develop infrastructure at an agreed cost and delivery date.The way parastatals and private businesses operate commercially is very different. Independent power producers (IPPs) are highly regulated and adhere to strict contracts to ensure that all corporate, administrative, financial and legal governance is in place. Their boards, shareholders and trusts hold them accountable to ensure their projects are commercially viable, while benefiting locals and empowering nearby communities through revenue-based social economic development fees. Private projects of this nature also include Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) shareholding components.While traditional power stations take five years to become fully operational from inception, IPPs take about a year to go online, which is hugely advantageous considering our current power shortfall. Once IPPs come online, energy supply can be fast tracked fairly quickly to 10-50MW to supply energy-intensive sectors like mining.To remain profitable in the future, municipalities will try to retain their position as middle men by securing contracts directly with IPPs to supply surrounding communities. To date, Eskom has been the sole purchaser of electricity from IPPs. The Western Cape aims to semi-privatise electricity supply by signing power purchase agreements (PPAs) with IPPs for six of its municipalities to start with and paying for the use of Eskoms grid to distribute electricity to its users.Eskom is in the process of splitting into three entities. Two of which will deal with revenue and distribution respectively. On this premise, ahead of the REIPPPPs implementation, IPPs have been waiting for the parastatal to build new transmission stations to increase capacity and enable electricity distribution.While these costs and services should be undertaken by Eskom, the IPPs have started to build new transmission stations independently in the meantime to ensure that they meet their projected timelines. This as the global pandemic has already resulted in the holdup of equipment reaching South Africa, which has seen certain IPPs pay penalties for not being online in time.While a reliable electricity supply from IPPs could be fairly cost effective for the end-user and hugely beneficial to the economy and foreign direct investment, theres the risk that it could be held to ransom by Eskom, which would have to undertake extensive retrenchments to make its business model sustainable. Electricity prices are likely to continue increasing if Eskom continues to be mismanaged.Procuring an affordable and reliable electricity supply from IPPs is certainly much more affordable in the long run than mooring three power ships at various South African ports. That is not to say that South Africa might not see a mixture of energy supply, with IPPs that use coal or gas, to help alleviate its electricity supply constraints.While these power ships might appear to be a suitable short gap for now, as IPPs come online, they come at a hefty price. Instead, we need a long-term solution that benefits South Africans, creates new employment opportunities and will create long-lasting economic impact.
Apparel Designer/Developer

Remuneration: negotiable BasicSalary Benefits: Medical Contribution Location: Cape Town, Woodstock Education level: Diploma Job level: MidSenior Type: Permanent Reference: #DESIGNDEVELOPER06/21 Company: Ciovita

Job description

Design and develop technical products & drive the process from concept to completion on top-end products

Work closely with the R&D team to build a complete range of products that fall in line with the brand

Review and implement existing products that require improvement

Drive the product testing process

Work closely with the patternmaking team to brief developments and attend fittings

Requirements

Matric + fashion design related degree/diploma

At least five years experience in a similar role (design/product development)

Needs to be an avid cyclist

Experience in working with local and international suppliers

Ability to create accurate technical drawings and do tech packs

Excellent communication and influencing skills

Understanding of the process of moving a product from concept to end product

Be deadline orientated and have good organisational skills

We are looking for an apparel designer and developer to join our research and development team. The ideal candidate should be passionate about technical apparel, thrive in a high-paced environment, think big, be able to work well within a team, be deadline-focused, and most importantly, be passionate about cycling.Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5pm Posted on 26 May 15:21
Three years ago, the district created and funded an additional clerk position at Byrne Elementary to support this employee during a difficult time, CPS press secretary James Gherardi said in a written statement May 11. Like hundreds of schools, Byrne Elementary is wheelchair accessible, and could meet her needs. Recently, the employee was asked to begin applying for vacant clerk positions at other wheelchair accessible schools, with the districts support. The district remains fully committed to continuing to work with the employee to find a new position at another school that meets her needs. Any suggestion the district has been unsupportive of this employee is uninformed.
The great thing about the motorcycle community is its so diverse, he said. We have men, women. We had a kid who just got his license and just got his first new bike. We have somebody in their 70s, whos been riding for 50 years. We had a guy who rode 90 miles from Wisconsin. We have law enforcement, nurses and doctors and teachers, firefighters. Any color and race. We come together with a passion for riding motorcycles and for our faith, knowing there is something greater than us that can keep us safe.
Pritzker was unfazed by the price hikes impact last week when he announced the annual road program, folded into his ongoing $51 billion Rebuild Illinois plan adopted in 2019, which relies in part on a doubled motor fuel tax that will hit 39.2 cents per gallon July 1. He defended the tax as a fair, improved-roads user fee and said gas-price fluctuations are tied to outside public markets when asked whether families would embrace his Time to Drive campaign with gas so costly.
The mayors massive proposal also includes language that gives City Hall more control over approving business signs, by requiring the local alderman to provide a recommendation on a sign application within 30 days to the city commissioner of Business Affairs. The commissioner would then be free to agree with the recommendation, or to simply issue the permit if the commissioner believes the business has met the application requirements.
The U.S. government funded vaccine research to the tune of more than $9 billion, spent $22 billion to support vaccine distribution, shelled out another $10 billion to expand access and currently announced $3 billion to spend on an ad campaign to combat vaccine hesitancy.

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Story at-a-glance:

The government funded vaccine research to the tune of more than $9 billion, spent $22 billion to support vaccine distribution, shelled out another $10 billion to expand access and currently announced $3 billion to spend on an ad campaign to combat vaccine hesitancy.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched a grassroots campaign engaging leaders in your community that people know and trust to encourage more people to get vaccinated in addition to a news media blitz in the last 18 months about the virus and vaccine.

The government paid for the development of the vaccine, for the advertising and for your vaccination to support a for-profit industry whose revenue from the COVID-19 vaccine program continues to mount.

Anyone who dares to use their First Amendment rights to free speech may find themselves publicly hamstrung as was Joe Rogan by White House communications director Kate Bedingfield.

The White House is pouring taxpayer money into free advertising for a booming and liability-free vaccine industry, which doesnt seem quite right. Since the beginning of human existence, greed has played a central role in the corruption of man.

The phrase follow the money was popularized in the film, All the Presidents Men, a docudrama about the break-in at the Watergate office building and the subsequent political scandal that ultimately brought down the presidency of Richard Nixon.

The movie, based on the nonfiction book by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, suggests that by following the money, political corruption will be exposed. In the past 18 months, theres been so much money promised, allocated, provided and spent in relation to the COVID pandemic that its difficult to tease out the origins.

The amounts of money reported in the news or announced by government agencies are so large its easy to believe the pot of money is endless. Yet, that pot of money is funded through your tax dollars, and those tax dollars have plummeted in the last 18 months as more and more businesses closed, shutting more and more people out of a paycheck.

In comparison, in 2008, one of the worst recessions in recent history, the average unemployment rate was 5.8%. But in 2020 the jobless rate rose to a record high of 14.7% and one year later is still above the 2008 recession rate, averaging 6.1% in April 2021. As a comparison, the average unemployment rate before the pandemic, in 2018, was 3.9%.

Although these seem like small percentage differences, they represent large numbers of people and sums of money that were not being paid in taxes. For example, 5.8% of the population in 2008 (304.09 million people) was 17.6 million people not working and contributing to the tax pool; 6.1% of the population in 2020 was 20.17 million people. In 2018, the average tax bill in the U.S. was $15,322, which means if you do the math, the U.S. was short $309 billion in tax money in 2020.

$3 Billion in free advertising goes to Big Pharma

In January 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services announced $22 billion to support expanded testing and vaccine distribution. In March 2021, the White House announced they would spend another $10 billion to expand access to vaccines and build confidence in them in designated areas.

Twelve days later, April 6, 2021, the CDC announced they would again dip into taxpayer money through Washingtons Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act to spend $3 billion to support an ad campaign to combat vaccine hesitancy.

In the CDC announcement they said the money would fund innovative partnerships with community-based organizations to increase vaccine uptake. This begs the question, hasnt there been enough free publicity in the news and on television about the pandemic and the need for vaccination to return to normal?

The advertisements were played on network TV and cable throughout April 2021 in English and Spanish in the hope they would reduce vaccine hesitancy as skepticism about the vaccines also remains high. Yet, as the National Vaccine Information Center points out, you only have to turn on the evening news on any major television network in the U.S. to see one long COVID vaccine commercial.

As Jeffrey Zients, White House COVID-19 response coordinator, commented in a press briefing about the $3 billion being used to bolster information about the COVID vaccine in communities, Building vaccine confidence and increasing access to vaccination is central to our efforts.

At the beginning of the pandemic, major drug companies were funded with taxpayer dollars to develop COVID vaccines to the tune of more than $9 billion. They were then handed a liability shield, which ensured if the product did not work or a person were hurt by using it, the company was shielded from any lawsuits.

In other words, the vaccine industry was given billions of dollars to develop a vaccine, then shielded from any liability if their vaccines didnt work or if they hurt people. Next, the government poured billions more taxpayer dollars into advertising those vaccines and spreading information that might help people to decide to get the vaccines.

It is important to note that the government is providing the vaccine free of charge to you regardless of your health insurance status. FiercePharma reported in February 2021 that the cost to the government per dose for COVID-19 vaccines was:

$19.50 Pfizer

$16.00 Novavax

$15.00 Moderna

$10 Johnson & Johnson

$4 AstraZeneca

So, added to the billions already given to the vaccine companies to develop the vaccine, free advertising for their product through the news media and billions poured into increasing access to their product  plus additional paid ad campaigns  all paid for by the government, vaccine companies are now charging the government for each individual dose they deliver. This may make the COVID-19 vaccine the best return on investment for drug development and sale in history.

Department launches grassroots campaign

But the amount of money, time and effort being poured into vaccinating as many people as possible in the shortest time possible doesnt stop there. In early April 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services launched a grassroots ad campaign for the COVID vaccine industry called the COVID-19 Community Corps.

This is a group of leaders within communities that people know and trust, whose goal is to encourage Americans to get vaccinated. The group was invited to:

 receive timely, accurate information to share with your family, friends and neighbors. By encouraging them to get vaccinated, youll help protect them  and allow all of us to safely gather together again.

The New York Times reported that 275 organizations had signed up for the COVID-19 Community Corps by mid-May 2021, including the Catholic Health Association, the North American Meat Institute and NASCAR.

Its expected that many of the Catholic and evangelical groups will work at a community level to address the concerns surrounding the use of abortion-derived fetal cell lines in the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

While some have tried to debunk this concern using general terms, the answer lies in the technicalities of how the cell lines have been used, as detailed in Several COVID-19 Vaccines Are Made Using Aborted Fetal Cells. The general terms that self-declared fact-checkers like to use when rating something false or misleading is in fact, false and misleading.

There have been cell lines commonly used in vaccine development that originated from aborted fetuses. Several vaccine makers used at least one of these cell lines in the development of COVID-19 vaccines, including Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.

One argument for using fetal cell lines during the production of vaccines is the claim that the cells are clones of the original. This is like saying your 20-year-old or 40-year-old body is no longer your body since all the cells are copies of those when you were a baby.

They are, in essence, a clone of the original. However, there is virtually no difference between cells that grow and multiply in a petri dish and those that grow and multiply in your body during your lifetime. If the cells in your body are still you, then the cells in the petri dish are still those of the original aborted fetus.

Agencies soft pedal reasons for vaccine hesitancy

The government agency reasons given for the slowdown in vaccinations, which threatens to create a situation where supply exceeds demand for the vaccine, are superficial. The New York Times quotes Shirley Bloomfield, chief executive of NTCA  The Rural Broadband Association as saying:

Ive got some pockets where they cite religious reasons with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. There are a lot of pockets where people have already had COVID and a sense of, Well, weve all already gotten it, so were not really pressed.

In early May 2021, the White House announced that 100 million people in the U.S. were fully vaccinated. According to a reporter from The Hill, Authorities need to dispel the legitimate concerns that make people hesitant, while also stopping waves of misinformation. How do you dispel concerns that are legitimate without using your own misinformation?

The news media appears to classify those who are vaccine hesitant based on their political affiliation, continuing to cite Trump supporters as those who might want to create chaos around vaccinations. Yet, according to a recent poll reported in The Hill, only 30% of Republicans said they would not get the vaccine, and only 35% of the U.S. is fully vaccinated.

As the number who are willing to get jabbed by a genetic experiment begins to wane, its difficult to justify how vaccine hesitancy can fall along political lines. To put this another way, 40% of the U.S. population now identifies as Republican, and 30% of those said they would not get the vaccine. If politics were a significant factor for vaccine hesitancy, then only 12% of the U.S. population would not be willing to be vaccinated.

Some of the reasons being cited for an unwillingness to take an experimental vaccine include some of the side effects without talking about the side effects, potential safety without describing why there may be safety issues and a belief that COVID-19 isnt a problem. In each case, the reasons for hesitating are downplayed and countered.

Who has more medical knowledge  Joe Rogan or Bill Gates?

In a slightly comedic turn of events, Dr. Anthony Fauci and White House communications director Kate Bedingfield questioned radio blogger Joe Rogans medical knowledge after he made comments in his popular podcast that young people likely didnt need to be vaccinated, which he possibly based on these facts:

The CDC states: Children and adolescents have had lower incidence and fewer severe COVID-19 outcomes than adults; 2.5% were hospitalized, 0.8% required ICU admission, and <0.1% died.

The vaccine may not prevent you from getting COVID-19 but reduces your symptoms.

Researchers are not sure if you can spread COVID-19 after vaccination.

This means young people are not at significant risk for severe disease and death. Since the vaccine may not prevent a mild to moderate illness in this age group and the vaccine may not prevent transmission, Rogans statement doesnt seem like misinformation. Yet, Bedingfield told CNN:

Did Joe Rogan become a medical doctor while we werent looking? Im not sure that taking scientific and medical advice from Joe Rogan is perhaps the most productive way for people to get their information.

The same question could be asked of Bill or Melinda Gates. Did either of them become doctors when we werent looking? Yet, Gates:

Is called the worlds most powerful doctor in reference to his influence over the World Health Organization, years before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hosted Event 201 with the World Economic Forum in October 2019, which was a highly predictive novel coronavirus pandemic exercise of the events that transpired over the coming 12 months.

Set up,and influences the actions of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, with a grant of $750 million to start and a subsequent infusion of $50 million in 2020; GAVI claims they are a key partner in shaping the vaccine market across the world.

Government officials are crying out over the dissemination of misinformation surrounding COVID-19 and the vaccine, all while demonizing those who have the audacity to use their First Amendment rights to free speech. Public health experts, while being allowed their own opinions, said Rogans comments could perpetuate vaccine hesitancy. But they didnt stop there.

Georges Benjamin, the executive director of the American Public Health Association, told Rogan, You have a responsibility as an adult, you have a responsibility as a community leader, your responsibility as a communicator to get it right. He later went on to talk about developing trusted COVID messengers, saying:

I just think they have to speak the facts. You speak the facts, and anytime you discover the facts that are incorrect, you try to correct them. And  I dont think you demonize the individual, nor do I think you try to pin motive to it, because you dont know what the motive is.

In other words, he implied that Rogan was acting like a child and an irresponsible community leader, but those who are sent as community messengers must not be derided or demeaned since you dont know what the motive is. In other words, the objective is to try to correct the information.

These are the insidious ways that anyone with an opposing opinion who does not align with the desired rhetoric is discredited. Its an effective technique that uses a deep understanding of psychology to sway your beliefs and your opinions. It is vital at this time in history to read the information and make up your own mind.

While it may be easier to listen to the experts, many dont have your individual best interest in mind and are likely leading people down a primrose path to a future they design and control. Consider the information shared in the following articles and decide for yourself.

Originally published by Mercola.
Now that Jeff Bezoss space flight company Blue Origin has lost a multibillion contract to Elon Musks SpaceX, Congress is prepping the ground for Bezos to win a contract anyway, ordering NASA to make not one but two awards.

The order would come through the Endless Frontier Act, a bill to beef up resources for science and technology research thats being debated on the Senate floor this week. An amendment was added to that legislation by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., to hand over $10 billion to NASA  money that most likely would go to Blue Origin, a company thats headquartered in Cantwells home state.

Cantwells amendment is no sure bet though: Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., introduced a last-minute amendment Monday to eliminate the $10 billion. It does not make a lot of sense to me that we would provide billions of dollars to a company owned by the wealthiest guy in America, Sanders told The Intercept Tuesday.

The Bezos space company had been competing against SpaceX for a contract to put astronauts on the moon, the first such trips since 1972, but lost the bidding process with a price tag twice that of SpaceX. NASA announced the award to the Elon Musk-owned company last month.

Cantwells measure wouldnt rescind the grant to SpaceX but would create an additional contract that Bezoss company would be in line to win. A third company, Dynetics, had also bid for the moonshot, but the author of the new amendment offers a strong suggestion of which company its likely to benefit.

Cantwell told NASAs incoming administrator, former Sen. Bill Nelson, that she was surprised at the way the award unfolded, before introducing the legislation to add a new one.

I think there needs to be redundancy, or multiple contractors in case one fails, she told Nelson at his confirmation hearing. And it has to be clear this process cant be redundancy later. It has to be redundancy now.
The return of a classic Chicago beach season will run through Labor Day, with 22 lakeshore spots in the city reopening all amenities except drinking fountains, which will remain shut off, according to a Wednesday news release from the mayors office. Lakefront concessions will offer indoor and outdoor dining options starting Memorial Day weekend as well. But the Juneway, Rogers, Howard and Fargo beaches on the Far North Side will not reopen because of rising water levels and erosion.
A recent ABC News story about a grand jury refusing to convict a Texas cop of killing an unarmed mentally-ill Black man might just leave you speechless.

A five-year veteran of the Killeen Police Department killed 52-year-old Patrick Warren in his own yard.

"A grand jury in Texas has declined to indict police officer Reynaldo Contreras who fatally shot an unarmed Black man who rushed toward him during a mental health call. Family members have said that the day before Warren was killed, a Bell County mental health deputy had taken him to a hospital."

Body camera footage shows police returning the next day and shooting Warren on his front lawn.

"Body camera footage shows Patrick Warren waving his hands as he walks into his yard, toward officer Reynaldo Contreras, who tells him to get on the ground. Contreras then uses his stun gun. Warren gets back up and begins again advancing toward Contreras, who warns Warren to lay back and that he'll shoot him before firing."

A Killeen Police Department news release attempts to sanitize police tasing people in the most humanely detached way possible.

"This incident is rightfully of great concern to the community. As Killeen Police Chief, it is my duty to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted so that all parties, including the public, have the answers they seek. There are many more facts in this case that are not publicly available at this time. I assure you that more information will be made available as soon as appropriate, and I ask for your patience as both investigations proceed."

Apparently police care so much about tasing unarmed people that they felt the need to first add what essentially amounts to a public disclaimer.

Because we our so concerned about how the community will respond to us killing an unarmed Black man, we will withhold divulging "many more facts..." whatever those might be.

The Killeen Police Department does its best to sanitize the story even further by acknowledging that they received a "reference to a psychiatric call" with no mention of a mental health deputy being there the day prior.

The police departments' news release reads like a clinical account of the government's version of events, that is a SINGLE paragraph long.

"At approximately 5:29 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of Carrollton Avenue in reference to a 911 call in reference to a psychiatric call. Upon the officers arrival, he encountered an emotionally distressed man. The officer initially used his conducted energy weapon, which was ineffective, and then discharged his duty weapon during the encounter, striking the subject. The male was transported by paramedics to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center and later succumbed to his injuries. He was pronounced deceased by medical personnel and Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke."

Police reports are notoriously one-sided, and this one in particular reveals two disturbing trends that police across the country have begun using.

One: how to make electrocuting a person sound less life-threating?

I know; let's first change the name of the company from Taser International to Axon Enterprise Inc., that will sound less life-threatening. Oh and why you're at it, the Department of Justice thinks it would be a great idea for police department's to refer to government-approved electrocutions (50,000 volts) as "conducted energy devices."

"Today, more than 12,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States use conducted energy devices (CEDs) as an alternative to conventional physical control tactics or other means of subdual."

This is not some cheesy SYFY TV show where Robocops shoot people with futuristic energy weapons, this is American police department's doing their best to sanitize tasing people by using conducted energy weapons or devices.

Secondly, by describing a police officer as discharging his "duty weapon" on an unarmed Black person who later "succumbed to his injuries" is a disservice to his humanity.

No person of color should ever be described by law enforcement in such clinically disconnected terms. This is not 1821 it's 2021; taking a human life should never be described by government agents in such a disrespectful manner.

Don't forget that for the past thirteen years, America's police have also been using Axon's X12 Mossberg 500 shotgun on people.

As Forbes warns , people will soon have more to worry about than being shot by Axon's CEDs, because in the not-too-distant future, police will be shooting people with "WATOZZ" electroshock bullets.
A mayoral candidate has been killed in Mexico, bringing to 34 the total number of candidates murdered nationwide ahead of June 6 legislative elections that will fill thousands of local seats and nearly half of the countrys governors.

Alma Barragan was shot dead on Tuesday, local media reported, while campaigning for the mayorship of the city of Moroleon in the violence-plagued state of Guanajuato in central Mexico. Two other people were reportedly injured.

On Wednesday, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the killing was without doubt the work of organised criminal gangs who were killing candidates to scare voters away from the polls.

When there is a lot of abstentionism, the mafias dominate the elections, Lopez Obrador said during his daily news conference.

Experts say drug gangs want to place sympathetic candidates in town halls and city governments, so they can operate without interference from police and extort money from local businesses and government budgets.

They also say violence during elections is not new.

Theres always been violence with elections and electoral cycles especially at the mayoral level where you really see things get heated, but this time it feels like its way more than ordinary, said Gladys McCormick, a history professor at Syracuse University and expert on security.

Its a testament of the influence of organised crime with these local elections trying to sway the institutions, McCormick told Al Jazeera, organised crime has infiltrated municipalities, law enforcement at the municipal levels, she said. This is working its way up.
Students in Kelsey Voellers journalism and Honors English classes at Jefferson High School chose seniors to profile as the school year wound 
It is uncertain how the event will look different from previous Pride Parades, if at all. There still exists a level of great unknown to all of this  masks might become something we have to use again, Frye said. Regardless, if it were even remotely possible that it would not be safe to have the parade, we wouldnt think twice about that.
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WINNIPEG - Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister apologized Tuesday after using some very unparliamentary language during a committee hearing.

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Premier Brian Pallister gestures during question period in the Manitoba legislature on Wed., April 7, 2021. Pallister apologized Tuesday after using some very unparliamentary language during a committee hearing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kevin King - POOL

WINNIPEG - Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister apologized Tuesday after using some very unparliamentary language during a committee hearing.

Pallister was appearing before a legislature committee that examines the provincial budget in detail.

While fielding questions from Opposition NDP Leader Wab Kinew about the COVID-19 pandemic, he accused Kinew of unfairly criticizing health officials.

The committee chairman interrupted Pallister and said his time was up. The premier's microphone appeared to turn off for a split second, but then it was immediately back on.

"... approach to just being an asshole," Pallister was heard to say during the hearing, which was livestreamed.

Committee chair Dennis Smook, a backbencher in the Progressive Conservative government, asked Pallister to withdraw his comment.

"I withdraw that comment," Pallister responded.

Kinew appeared to accept the apology.

"These are trying times. I think we all acknowledge that," Kinew told the committee before going on to his next question.

"First I want to apologize to (Kinew) for my comment earlier," Pallister said when his turn came.

The exchange was part of a late afternoon question-and-answer session in which Kinew asked Pallister about Manitoba's rising demand for intensive care beds. Manitoba has shipped 18 intensive care patients to Ontario to free up bed space.

Kinew said the government failed to expand intensive care unit capacity before the pandemic's third wave, which arrived in Manitoba later than in other provinces.

"There were no steps taken to prepare for this third wave in a way that would have actually made a difference," Kinew said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2021
Brandon University is set to honour six Manitoba educators for their contributions to research and teaching during Thursdays spring convocation.

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Brandon University is set to honour six Manitoba educators for their contributions to research and teaching during Thursdays spring convocation.

According to a Monday news release, the current crop of award winners from BU includes professors Doug Ramsey, Rachel Herron and Rick Baker, who are all receiving Senate Awards during this virtual ceremony.

Meanwhile, BU officials will also hand out three Distinguished Teaching Awards to K-12 educators Penny Dixon (Hamiota Elementary School), Kristin Harris (Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute) and Yuri Sudermann (Dufferin School).

Mondays news release also went into more detail about the reasons each educator is being recognized.

For example, Ramsey and Herron are both getting Senate Awards for "excellence in research" within the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science, respectively.

Doug Ramsey

While Ramseys interests are more varied  focusing on areas like tourism, agricultural restructuring and downtown revitalization Herrons research is more geared toward mental health and the quality of life in rural regions.

For his work in the Political Science department, Baker will receive his Senate Award for "excellence in teaching," having established a reputation for "going above and beyond in his determination to connect with students."

All three Senate Awards will be presented in faculty-specific portions of Thursdays convocation.

Yuri Sudermann

Mondays news release also specified that the winners of this years Distinguished Teaching Awards (Dixon, Harris and Sudermann) were nominated by their principals and members of their respective student body, who wanted to highlight how these individuals have "inspired students in their school to continue their education."

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this years BU spring convocation ceremony is being presented in a pre-recorded video, which will be posted to brandonu.ca/convocation on Thursday at 2 p.m.

Links to the virtual ceremony will also be shared on social media and the video will remain online perpetually.

Rachel Herron

Outside of handing out awards to the six previously mentioned educators, BU officials will also be conferring two honorary doctorates during Thursdays event.

Both Indigenous entertainer Tom Jackson and chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin will receive a Doctor of Laws degree for the contributions theyve made to their respective fields.

Plus, former BU professor Meir Serfaty will be on hand to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award after spending nearly 50 years teaching at the university.

Thursdays festivities will also feature an appearance from Canadian Sen. Mary Jane McCallum, who was appointed as BUs newest chancellor on May 6.

 The Brandon Sun
China, Russia eye fixing global disorder amid US withdrawal

(Global Times) 08:35, May 26, 2021

China Russia Photo:Xinhua

China and Russia held a new round of strategic security consultations on Tuesday in Moscow, and during the frequent interactions between the two major powers in recent months, the world has showed a dangerous trend of disorder or tensions in some regions, including the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Western Pacific, due to global strategic shift made by the US,

Chinese analysts said that the recent change has been generally caused by the decline of US hegemony, and not only will US pressure and hostility push China and Russia to stand closer, the decline in Washington's strength and influence in some regions will also make Beijing and Moscow consider how to figure out new regional order to stabilize the situation and protect their interests after the US pullout.

Top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi and Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev co-chaired the 16th round of strategic security consultations on Tuesday, which is a high-level meeting focusing on strategic cooperation in confronting both regional and global security and geopolitical threats.

Yang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping in a phone conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, which reiterated the bilateral relationship between China and Russia.

The Russian president echoed this message, hoping Yang transfers his greetings for Xi and two top leaders will maintain close communication.

The two sides also discussed issues related to the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, reiterating the importance of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia and celebration of the 20th anniversary of the signing fo the treaty, in addition to a number of hot topics on global affairs.

Yang will also visit two Eastern European countries and EU members - Slovenia and Croatia  after his visit to Russia.

Reshape order

Although China and Russia have repeatedly expressed that they have no intention to challenge the US and their cooperation won't target any third party, rising pressure from the US and its allies has always been a key topic on the table of China-Russia discussions.

After Yang told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan that the US is not qualified to "speak to China from a position of strength" at the Alaska "2+2" dialogue in March, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said in an interview with media in the same month that Russia won't let the US or any other country speak with it "from the position of force."

The similar remarks made by China and Russia toward the US is a clear signal to the world that the US hegemony will no longer be tolerated, and the world order dominated by the US and its allies is unable to keep stability in many regions, and this kind of order is causing more tensions and conflicts, said Chinese experts.

The US hasty pullout from Afghanistan is resulting in surging violent attacks in the country, and the Palestine-Israel conflict has caused heavy casualties but the US stance was blocking international mediation through the UN Security Council. These are all the signs that make China, Russia and other relevant countries worried due to the wavering "Pax Americana," experts said.

Yang Jin, an expert at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that when the US imposes pressure on China and Russia, it also withdraws from many regions with unsolved problems, and these regions such as the Middle East and Central Asia are all closely related to the interests of China and Russia.

So Beijing and Moscow must keep close coordination to handle the upcoming situation, including how to establish a new order to replace the US-dominated one once the latter gets totally dysfunctional, Yang Jin said.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, an international organization which China and Russia are among founding members, will need to play a greater role in Afghanistan's peace process in the future, and it can consider giving Afghanistan membership, said Chinese analysts, noting that the US might want to move its troops from Afghanistan to other Central Asian countries to maintain its military presence, and this is also a new issue that China and Russia need to handle.

Hot spot issues

Chinese and Russian officials would focus on a range of regional and global issues, including Central Asian stability, after the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, foreign interference into their internal affairs, Western threats against the political security of the two countries and their neighbors or allies, anti-disinformation campaign and cyber security, as well as the question about the biolab security, according to Chinese experts.

Among a wide range of topics, how to confront "the challenges posed by the US-led Quad alliance" that may pose security impacts to China and Russia would also top the agenda of security talks, Wang Xianju, deputy director and research fellow at the Renmin University of China - Russia St. Petersburg State University Russian Research Center, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

India's shifting position caught the attention of China and Russia, given India has also been reportedly relying on the Quad to disrupt the power of Russia in the region, and China and Russia have not coordinated a position toward such regional strategy led by the Biden administration.

The leaders of Australia, India, Japan and the US met in March, hailing the Quad meeting as "historical" to tackle the regional challenges, while Russia slammed the Quad, accusing the West led by the US of using India as an object in its anti-China game.

"Apparently, the Biden administration didn't drop off the Indo-Pacific Strategy started by the previous Trump administration," Wang said.

Due to the most recent incident of detaining an opposition activist at the airport in Minsk by the Belarusian government, ties between Belarus and other Western countries are getting intense, Chinese and Russian senior officials could also mention the issue since Belarus is a close partner of the two major powers in the region.

Putin's visit to China?

China and Russia have been maintaining frequent interactions over the past year, especially in the face of the US-led containment and unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. The friendship between the two countries has appeared to be more valuable and outstanding, analysts said.

Last year, the top leaders of the two countries spoke on the phone five times with a practical agenda and on December 28, 2020, the leaders indicated that on celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia, the two countries eyed a higher level, broader scale of cooperation in 2021.

The White House announced on Tuesday that the US President Joe Biden will meet with Russian President Putin in Geneva, Switzerland on June 16, 2021 and the two leaders will discuss the full range of pressing issues, as we seek to restore predictability and stability to the US-Russia relationship. the Chinese expert said it's also reasonable for Putin to visit China after the Russia-US summit to further coordinate with Beijing on global affairs.

Putin might visit China after his summit with Biden in June and before the 20th anniversary of the signing of 2001 China-Russia Treaty of Friendship on July 16, and the 100th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China on July 1 could also be a friendly occasion and environment for the possible visit, analysts said.

"China-Russia ties have been moving forward steadily it's very likely that Putin will visit China in July, at the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the treaty, while considering the epidemic situation," which means from June to July, the China-Russia-US trilateral ties would likely see a series of major events, Wang noted.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
The Travis Scott Meal added bacon and limp shredded lettuce to a Quarter Pounder with cheese, plus medium fries with Tangy BBQ sauce and a medium Sprite with extra ice. (Yes, they touted the extra ice.) The J Balvin Meal took a more reductive approach, removing pickles from a Big Mac, paired with an Oreo McFlurry plus medium fries with ketchup. (Because who could have possibly ever thought of ketchup with fries.)
They are the ones waiting for surgery or important diagnoses while the health-care system struggles to care for COVID-19 patients.

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They are the ones waiting for surgery or important diagnoses while the health-care system struggles to care for COVID-19 patients.

Theyre called invisible.

Non-urgent and elective procedures have been cancelled for the most part in the province with as many as 1,000 Manitobans per day not receiving elective or non-urgent surgery, the Winnipeg Free Press reported this week.

"We are continuing to see the COVID-19 numbers continue to rise, especially in our intensive care units across the province," Shared Health chief nursing officer Lanette Siragusa said at a press conference on Tuesday.

"We have been forced to significantly reduce surgeries again," Dr. Perry Gray, provincial lead for medical specialist services and chief medical officer for Shared Health, said Tuesday.

Urgent surgeries may also be impacted, Gray said.

"I am worried that we are getting close to that," Gray said.

Six people have died waiting for cardiac surgery during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, said ICU anesthesiologist Dr. Eric Jacobsohn, after an announcement by six physicians asking for communities to stay home, even if the government doesnt require it. They were also calling on public health to close all non-essential businesses immediately and implement a stay-at-home order.

Anyone who has a serious chronic condition, who may have early cancer that needs to be diagnosed or is in need of urgent surgery is now at great risk of not getting the care they need, the release from the six doctors said.

Gray echoed this. He said the province is working on the idea of transferring cardiac surgery patients.

As well, he added: "They are also working on the idea and in discussions about potentially transferring patients who need very complex and very urgent but not emergent spine surgery south of the border. We are working on those. No outpatient has been transported yet."

Of the 146 intensive care unit beds being made available, there are already 120 of those beds in use. The province is expected to reach that capacity over the next couple of days.

Currently, there are 190 cardiac cases on the wait list (up from 60 pre-COVID); 75 of these are on the urgent list. There are 20,000 less pathology specimens year over year, reflecting patients who are not being seen or are not receiving a diagnosis as well as non-surgical diagnostic procedures used to evaluate throat, stomach and colon, are also being cancelled.

Nationally, oncologists estimate cancer diagnoses are down 25 per cent in some cancers as a result of COVID-19; and also expect a surge in advanced cancers once patients are able to be seen or diagnosed.

"We need your help," Gray said to Manitobans.

Currently, the province is sending four intensive care COVID-19 patients a day to Ontario.

Ontario has stated it has a 20-bed maximum dedicated for this province. Saskatchewans premier, Scott Moe, announced the province will be accepting one intensive care unit patient from Manitoba per day to a maximum of five, at which time he said the province will re-evaluate.

Manitoba is expecting 12 nurses from other provinces that are already on the other side of the third wave to assist Manitoba with a total of 50 nurses expected to arrive in the province.

 kkielley@brandonsun.com, with files from The Winnipeg Free Press
Police busted a major drug trafficking ring in Brandon earlier this month, seizing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of cocaine and dismantling a major network.

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Police busted a major drug trafficking ring in Brandon earlier this month, seizing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of cocaine and dismantling a major network.

Between February and May, the Brandon Police Service, Winnipeg Police Service, RCMP and Manitoba Prosecution Services conducted the joint investigation, dubbed Project Brazen.

The entire investigation spanned 16 months, BPS inspector of operations Mike Pelechaty said. The alleged network was first identified by police in early 2020.

The investigation was into a "sophisticated and prolific" group of people involved in importing and selling cocaine and other drugs in the city and surrounding area, said Staff Sgt. Brian Partridge said during a Tuesday morning press conference hosted on Microsoft Teams.

On May 3, Brandon police executed search warrants at two residences, where three kilograms of cocaine  worth an estimated $300,000  and $70,000 in cash was seized.

Then, on May 18, police executed five more search warrants in the city. Police seized one kilogram of cocaine, worth approximately $50,000, and items believed to be the proceeds of crime.

The alleged drug ring was one of the highest-level cocaine trafficking networks in the city, Partridge said, and disrupting it will have a major impact on the local cocaine supply.

"By dismantling that, we have put a serious dent in the availability of cocaine in the city," he said.

"I am confident this is the major network operating in our city that has been destroyed, I hope."

While police initially suspected the network was trafficking in other drugs such as methamphetamine and MDMA, Partridge said police are "not confident" other drugs were being trafficked at the same level.

Eleven people were charged in the investigation and face charges, including trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, possession of the proceeds of crime and conspiracy to possess the proceeds of crime.

In what police dubbed an "anomaly," many of those arrested were not permanent residents of Canada. Partridge said one person is an American citizen on an expired study visa, three people are citizens of Nigeria also on study visas and one person was on a visitor visa from Jamaica.

That created "hurdles" for police in the investigation as the foreign citizens didnt have criminal records in Canada or a history in the country, Partridge said.

"Identifying them and ensuring that we have the right people proved to be a bit of a difficult task at the start of this investigation  but its certainly nothing we couldnt overcome," he said.

Manitoba Justice recognized Project Brazen as meeting criteria set out in the May 2019 policing and public safety strategy and supported it with resources, Pelechaty said. The strategy puts specific emphasis on police services collaborating on intelligence and operations.

An arrest warrant for trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of cocaine and other charges has also been issued for 26-year-old Rafael Toichoa-Fulford, who Partridge said was the primary suspect of the investigation.

The accused is a dual citizen of Canada and the United States, according to police. He left the county in early April and has not returned since.

"His current whereabouts are unknown," Partridge said.

All 11 people arrested so far have had their first court appearances.

The search warrants in Project Brazen are not connected to a joint RCMP investigation in April, which also sought to disrupt drug trafficking operations in Westman. During the April investigation, dubbed Project Debris, police seized $17,000 cash, cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and motorcycles.

 dmay@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @DrewMay_
The prediction was vintage Jack Ma, as provocative as it was prescient.

This is the era of the internet, the Chinese billionaire proclaimed in October 2013, just weeks after his plan to take Alibaba Group public in Hong Kong had been scuttled by regulators. It no longer belongs to Li Ka-shing.

Mas dig at the famed Hong Kong tycoon raised plenty of eyebrows at the time, but few would disagree with him now. The past few years have seen a remarkable shift in fortunes between Chinas tech-savvy moguls and their old-school Hong Kong counterparts -- a trend that shows few signs of fading any time soon.

Chinas most famous billionaire, tech tycoon Jack Ma. Credit:Dave Marco

Even as Xi Jinpings government moves to curb the clout of Ma and some of his peers, the combined wealth of Chinas 10 richest people has surged threefold since 2016 to $US425 billion ($548 billion), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. For Hong Kong, it doubled to $US218 billion during the same period.
Kyle Davies and Su Zhu started Three Arrows Capital at the kitchen table of their apartment in 2012. Now theyre among the worlds biggest crypto holders with a portfolio worth billions of dollars.

At least for the moment.

Their portfolio was rocked in recent days as environmental concerns over mining, regulatory scrutiny, warnings by Chinese authorities about digital currency payments and a flurry of erratic tweets by Teslas Elon Musk whipsawed prices. For Davies, an early investor in the space and an evangelist for the underlying technology, the recent volatility is just a blip, enough perhaps to scare off newbie investors, but not for someone who has experienced far more volatile periods.

Co founders of cryto currency company Three Arrows, Kyle Davies and Su Zhu.

Bitcoins down 30 per cent off the highs, its really not down very much, the 34-year-old said in an interview from Singapore. I dont see anyone really being that spooked.
The result is a riotous four-part comedy that dazzles as much as the diamond necklace at its centre. Otto veers marvellously from tone-deaf socialite with champagne in hand to a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown as she wrestles a swaggering OBrien to the ground. Dumlao, meanwhile, turns Evie into someone who, finally, learns to put herself first. In short, the whole thing is a hoot with a stacked cast and I-cant-believe-people-live-here real estate porn thrown in for kicks. But its also a nuanced comedy that gives everyone in the cast equal footing and where stereotypes are turned on their head. And that is in large part due to associate producer and writer Vonne Patiag, who grew up in Blacktown, western Sydney, where the number of people with a Filipino background is six times the national average. Patiag worked alongside writers Jessica Redenbach (who created the show) and Roger Monk and producers Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford to give the show an authentic Filipino voice. And that meant everything from the power dynamics between Sara and Evie to the type of outfits Roxanne would strut about in (animal prints, just like the ones Patiags mum wears) were discussed in detail. Otto with Matt Day, who plays her husband Garth in The Unusual Suspects. Credit: I think sometimes when youre creating POC [people of colour] stories, with diverse teams, sometimes there is this mandate of like, OK, were going to do a show like this. So youre just going to have to create diverse characters that fit our mould, right? says Patiag, who was nominated for an AACTA award last year for his online comedy Halal Gurls.

Whereas Ive been able to go in and be like, Oh, I actually think she probably wouldnt talk about her husband in the Philippines, because marital problems are the thing that Filipinos dont often talk about openly. Divorce isnt legal in the Philippines. So the way we talk about personal problems is really different. So it was really interesting to work with the other writers and [producers] Angie and Polly in crafting these characters. And for me to just say, That might be your experience of how you dealt with stuff, but I actually think a Filipino character will do this  every step of the way I have been listened to. On set, Patiag was also doing the listening, as he worked with the cast on adjusting the dialogue that is spoken in the Central Philippine language of Tagalog. As well as the eye-popping real-estate, Aina Dumlao (left, with Susana Downes) was impressed with the input the Filipino actors had in shaping the script. Credit:Tony Mott The native speakers can run circles around me, he says, laughing. So its all about trusting Aina, for instance, that she probably knows what the better lines are and what flows better and naturally. And its not about chopping her down with a line but actually being like, Oh, that line actually works better. And me being able to catch that on set and being like, We have to go with that one.

That care with character development is what appealed to Dumlao, a Filipino actor who has worked mainly in the US on shows such as Greys Anatomy and Ballers. As Evie, she grows from a stomped-on nanny to a woman who can march through Paddington after hocking one of Saras handbags for cash. Creator and lead writer Jessica Redenbach and Vonne Patiag. Before I flew out to Sydney, they asked for our opinion, she says. We had a Filipino-only roundtable via Zoom, where we were able to just say, OK, I dont think she would do this, but maybe she would do that. [The producers] were so open to us giving them Filipino input. So that was amazing. Its never happened before. The other eye-opening thing for Dumlao was the eye-popping real estate. Only in Sydney could a house with harbour views in Bellevue Hill pale in comparison to the sleek, polished concrete ocean-side edifice in Coogee that was home to the Beasleys.
There are many reasons to love Mare of Easttown: Kate Winslets astonishingly lived-in performance; the space given for secondary characters to breathe in their own right; the gritty realism of its portrait of a small town in economic and moral crisis (even if the actual Easttown, Pennsylvania is in truth one of Americas more desirable places to live).

But theres another reason it has so captured the imagination of all who have seen it. Its a cracking whodunnit.

With the finale of the seven-part series to air next Monday, were left with quite the line-up of suspects in the murder of teenaged mother Erin McMenamin (Cailee Spaeny).

By the end of the penultimate episode, the finger seemed to be pointed squarely at one or other of her fathers cousins, Billy (Robbie Tann) or John (Joe Tippett) Ross, but there are plenty of other contenders too.
The mother of a disabled man who was allegedly punched and kicked by his support worker in his care home says she lost trust in the staff and feared for her sons life, the disability royal commission has heard.

Carl*, 24, is blind and has a severe intellectual disability and lives with two other residents in the care home in western Sydney, operated by Sunnyfield Disability Services.

Carls mother Sophia said she wished there was CCTV in the home.

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability heard on Tuesday from Carls mother Sophia* who detailed her sons anxiety around his carers in 2018 and 2019 and said she became fearful for his life.

In 2019 a Sunnyfield employee reported a fellow support worker, known as SP2, for physically assaulting Carl. Police charged SP2 but the matter was dismissed by a judge.
Lambie told CBD she had lost her cool and had apologised to staff. But she would like to do so again. It was the end of a long week in Canberra. Id backed into a car that morning, got a speeding ticket on the way to work, and my flight home was delayed. The senator said she wasnt in her usual frame of mind after taking pain medication for an old back injury. It was a bad day for me. But it was worse for the poor Qantas staff who had to stand and take my rant. It was totally uncalled for and totally unacceptable behaviour on my part. I have apologised to the staff for my actions, and Id like to do so again. Ill take whatever punishment Qantas throws at me. Ive done the crime and Ill do the time, because thats what I deserve. A day after publication, the airline provided the following response: While Qantas typically doesnt comment on individual customer matters, the allegation of hate speech being used in our lounges requires a response. We have confirmed with our lounge staff that Senator Lambie did not make a homophobic remark as part of the incident for which she has apologised, the airline said.

Lambie then issued a further statement on Friday, after her original apology.

I never said it. Id never say that. Im not a homophobe, and I dont know why someone is anonymously accusing me of being one. It never happened. What did happen was I blew my top at a Qantas worker who didnt deserve it, and I apologised to them, Ill apologise now, and Ill wear the consequences.

We would have been happy to include those comments in our original item, but they werent part of the Senators original response. Mutual respect Stonnington Council is rightly proud of its mutual respect charter, recently endorsed 9-0 by councillors. Loading The charter, something of a precedent in local government circles, is based on the principle of mutual respect and co-operation and supports our values of providing a safe and respectful workplace.

Good news after such a long period, as chronicled in CBD, of fraught relations between councillors leading to a broken, toxic and dysfunctional council before last years elections. But it looks like history is repeating itself. CBD hears that relations between a small number of councillors are now so bad that a formal mediation process is underway. With councillors at odds over a nasty post-COVID rate hike proposed for business and residents alike, and a looming tough budget, its looking a little messy. Some staff are pining for the days of what now looks like peace and love under the colourful and flamboyant former mayor. Come back, Steve Stefanopoulos. Chief executive officer Jacqui Weatherill told CBD that mediation is common in modern workplaces. Stonnington Councillors have been encouraged to access mediation when necessary to strengthen the performance of the group.

On the bright side, no matters among councillors had reached the test for formal external arbitration as outlined in the Victorian governments Local Government Act 2020 and therefore no external costs have resulted from this. Lets hope the internal arbitration works out then. Weatherills previous gig running the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust must have been much more fun than this. Loading Nimby notions Labors federal member for the seat of Paterson, Meryl Swanson, used a caucus meeting in Canberra this week to voice her displeasure at the Oppositions lack of cut-through with the voting public. This was days after the NSW Labor party had suffered an embarrassing defeat in a byelection right in her hood, so Swanson had every right to feel stung.

One of the concerns on Swansons gripe list in the closed-door meeting was her partys criticism of major companies such as Harvey Norman, which reaped the rewards of the JobKeeper scheme but pointedly failed to hand back the $22 million windfall when its retail sales unexpectedly boomed during lockdown. We sound like were whinging, Swanson told the party room. Harvey Norman is a retailer the MP has some affinity with, given her husband Nick Swanson is the franchisee of the Maitland superstore in Rutherford. Oh, and she also owns shares in the company. But theres another federal government policy Swanson has again broken ALP ranks on to voice her approval  the plans to put a $600 million gas-fired power plant at the aluminium smelter site in the Hunter town of Kurri Kurri. She says it will secure jobs and energy supply. Possible relevant fact: Kurri Kurri is the same town where the Swansons have an investment property, according to the parliamentary register of interests. AAT attack Sian Leathem, the $400,000 Registrar of the Administrative Appeal Tribunal, is back before Senate Estimates in Canberra this morning (Thursday) to defend the government agency that is often derided as a repository of cronies of whichever political party happens to be in power at the time.
A major power outage caused by a fire at a central Queensland power station on Tuesday has thrown the issue of the states energy mix front and centre.

Investigations are continuing into a fire at the Callide power station in one of its four main generators that shut the plant down and then knocked out power to nearly half a million people across the state.

The outages came because once the Callide plant was shut down it created instability in the grid, which tripped a number of in-built safety measures.

Three other power stations, Gladstone, Stanwell and Yarwun, were deliberately taken offline as well to protect them from any overloads.
After finding themselves homeless, underpaid, out of work and with little to eat during the pandemic, international students have established a hub in Sydney to support each other.

The new International Student Hub, backed by the City of Sydney and the Sydney Alliance coalition of community groups, unions and religious groups, was launched in Surry Hills on Wednesday as the first collective of its kind to be run by students.

Erika Katalbas and Abhishek Singh at the new International Student Hub. Credit:Edwina Pickles

University of Sydney business school lecturer Stephen Clibborn, who is on the hubs advisory committee, said it would provide much needed community support and advice to students about their legal rights and entitlements to minimum wages.

Dr Clibborns research has identified systemic underpayment of international students who were more likely to be mistreated at work and at risk of exploitation in overcrowded accommodation.
The actress also said the judge has failed to adequately consider a section of the California courts code, which says it is detrimental to the best interest of the child if custody is awarded to a person with a history of domestic violence. Her filing did not give details about what it was referring to, but her lawyers submitted a document under seal in March that purportedly offers additional information.
Although the case numbers  15 as of Wednesday evening  are still relatively small, Victorian health authorities know the virus had at least a weeks head start on them before the first positive test was returned. A notice posted on Instagram by the Three Monkeys bar on Chapel Street, Prahran. Credit:Instagram All it will take, Professor Blakely says, is for cases to emerge that cant be linked to others in the northern suburbs cluster. If even one case occurs among somebody who is not a known contact already, I think they will hit the lockdown button. Professor Blakely says there is a frustrating familiarity to this outbreak. It is almost a year to the day since Melbournes second wave epidemic broke out of a quarantine hotel. All cases in the current cluster have been genomically linked to a quarantine hotel in Adelaide. The policy prescription, however, is dramatically changed.

Where a year ago, we were being told to keep our distance from one another, wash our hands and get tested, Health Minister Martin Foley says there is now something more important many of us can do. Getting vaccinated, if you are eligible, is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself, your loved ones and the community, Mr Foley said. He got no argument from his federal counterpart Greg Hunt, who told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald: If you catch COVID-19 you could die. Its as simple as that. I urge all eligible Australians to be vaccinated as soon as possible. Victoria was concerned as recently as two weeks ago that the vaccine rollout was being hampered by insufficient supply. That has now changed, with acting Premier James Merlino and Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton saying there is enough AstraZeneca and Pfizer available in Victoria to inoculate anyone who is eligible for a jab.

The issue now in Victoria is people coming forward to get the vaccine, Professor Sutton said. We have got the supply, we have got the infrastructure to deliver it. We want people to book in, to walk in and to get the vaccine. The take-up of vaccines in Victoria, where AstraZeneca is available to anyone aged 50 and over and Pfizer to younger people at higher risk from COVID-19 due to their profession, medical history or circumstance, has been plagued by hesitancy about the safety of the AstraZeneca product. In the days since the northern suburbs outbreak was first reported, any such hesitancy appears to have waned. Jan Ireland, 73, is vaccinated by Jestine Lyra Lubrica at Melbourne Showgrounds on Wednesday. Credit:Eddie Jim A record 15,858 people in Victoria lined up on Tuesday to receive their jabs at GP clinics and government-run vaccination centres. On Wednesday, people previously reluctant to get the AstraZeneca vaccine joined the queue at a vaccination centre at the Melbourne Showgrounds, which opened last week.

Jan Ireland, a 73-year-old midwife from Yarraville, said the latest outbreak had overridden her previous concerns about getting sick from the vaccine. Samantha Byrne, a podiatrist from East Keilor, was also lined up for her shot. Whilst I was a bit hesitant considering Im still breastfeeding, I did my research and to keep my family safe thought it was important to come and get vaccinated, she said. Loading Professor Blakely is booked in to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine on Sunday. It is critical that we use this event to get people vaccinated, he said. This will happen again and again and the more of us who get vaccinated, the better for the future. Mr Merlino said there was also a sense of urgency about his government and Canberra agreeing to terms on a new quarantine centre to serve as an alternative to housing returned travellers and people infected with COVID-19 in city hotels.

Senior bureaucrats from the Victorian and federal governments are negotiating over a Victorian proposal to build a new quarantine facility on vacant Commonwealth land at Mickleham, in the citys north, or at Avalon Airport, near Geelong. Mr Merlino said the origins of the outbreak underscored the pressing need for better quarantine arrangements. We know that the best way to defeat outbreaks and the best way to defeat the pandemic is, one, the successful rollout of the Commonwealths vaccine program and secondly, have an alternative quarantine system, particularly for our most highly at risk individuals. In the meantime, the scale of the challenge confronting Victorias contact tracers is evident in the array of more than 50 exposure sites now listed by the Health Department. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video

Each of these venues got a similar call to the one received by Three Monkeys owner Antony Harveys partner from a Monash Health contact tracer at 8.10pm on Tuesday saying that a patron at their business had tested positive to COVID-19. Loading The initial call was alarming and disturbing but our thoughts were for our staff and patrons, Mr Harvey said. We immediately jumped on the phone and got [staff] isolated and they have all been tested, which is fantastic. He posted news of the positive test on the bars social media pages about 12 hours before it was listed as an exposure site. Mr Harvey bought the Three Monkeys about 18 months ago, just as the novel coronavirus was emerging in China. Before owning a bar, he consulted to business and government as an expert in risk, crisis management and disaster recovery. His bar uses the Services Victoria app and QR code system and his staff are fastidious about making sure all patrons check in. About 150 checked in on Saturday night. By now, all should have been contacted by the Health Department.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size A Perth familys attempts to penetrate the secrecy surrounding the public school systems role in managing their sons mental distress before he took his own life will be heard before the Supreme Court. Cohen Fink was in year 12 at Warnbro Community High School when he suicided on June 4, 2019; a week after his mid-year Australian Tertiary Admission Rank exams. Almost two years to the date of his death, his parents Chris and Pamella Fink are still searching for answers after being forced to use Freedom of Information laws to discover the administration errors that led to Cohen missing out on the help he needed at school. Armed with fresh evidence, the Finks will go before the Supreme Court on July 1 to seek an inquest after the state coroners office initially denied their request. Cohen Fink at school before he took his life in 2019. The State Coroners decision was set aside on February 24 this year after the Finks employed Palmos Legal and took steps to show the finding contained errors, including a reference to Cohen suffering misophonia. The Finks say that there was no evidence upon which the coroner could have drawn the conclusion he had misophonia, a condition where some sounds trigger unreasonable reactions.

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The family question why the school never alerted them to Cohens deteriorating mental condition in the days leading up to his death, despite those in charge being aware he had been seeing a private psychologist for depression every fortnight. It was only via FOI last year that the Finks learned a school psychologist directed student services almost a year before Cohens death to put him on a Student At Educational Risk (SAER) list ASAP, but it was never done. We didnt even know that the student education risk list existed until after Cohen died, Mrs Fink said. When we made the complaint to the department, they justified it as an administrative error [at the school] due to people in fill in positions. And that was it. They were discussing our childs mental health and we never got told. Cohens mother Pamella Fink The department however told WAtoday that Mrs Fink made the request for Cohen to go on a SAER list, a claim which contradicts school records. According to the Students at Educational Risk in Public Schools policy, principals and teachers are meant to provide parents with ongoing, accurate and relevant information about their childs progress.

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But the communication is not mandatory and there is no state-wide central database of all the children on a SAER list. [Education Minister Sue] Ellery actually said in Parliament, she doesnt want to have a centralised system because it would be incredibly labour intensive, Mr Fink said. Ms Ellery refused to comment. Cohen Fink as a baby with his father Chris and family. Credit:Facebook The Finks said that for almost a year the school ignored Cohens condition and did not inform his teachers, with staff frequently making poor decisions regarding his care; including one incident a month after he was diagnosed when a teacher found him carrying a pocket knife and let him walk home alone with it. My first reaction was thats how school shootings happen, like student services had no idea that he was having mental health issues, Mrs Fink said. Mrs Fink raised the incident with the school psychologist who reassured her that Cohens condition would be discussed with teaching staff at an up-coming meeting and he would be properly monitored.

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I believed her and I shouldnt have, Mrs Fink said. We found out later, through a Freedom Of Information [application] that he was never discussed at that meeting. Cohens teachers continued on unaware of his diagnosis. But in the days leading up to his death, some became alarmed at what he had written as answers in ATAR exams. His responses got progressively worse across the week, with his exam papers filled only with swear words, doodles, and phrases like I dont care. Im getting it wrong. Im failing. It was only via a FOI application requesting teachers internal email exchanges that the Finks learned the school could have warned them of his exam answers. They were discussing our childs mental health and we never got told, she said. So we had no idea that thats what he was doing at school.

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Mrs Fink said Cohen would come home saying the exams went fine and afterward, on the Monday public holiday, they chatted comfortably on the couch as a family about his girlfriend and his future. And then the Tuesday, we woke up and he was already gone, she said. She said the added shock came when the school responded insensitively to his death. While Premier Mark McGowan announced last week the government was working with the Coroner to fast-track a coronial investigation into Aishwarya Aswaths death, the Finks were disappointed they hadnt received the same support. Chris and Pamella Fink have made it their life mission to raise awareness for suicide in schools. What does it take to get an inquest? asks a frustrated Mr Fink. Our government is fobbing it off while our kids are dying. Its absolutely ridiculous.

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Lambie told CBD that she had lost her cool and apologised to staff. But she would like to do so again. Loading It was the end of a long week in Canberra. Id backed into a car that morning, got a speeding ticket on the way to work, and my flight home was delayed. The senator said she wasnt in her usual frame of mind due to taking pain medication for an old back injury. It was a bad day for me. But it was worse for the poor Qantas staff who had to stand and take my rant. It was totally uncalled for and totally unacceptable behaviour on my part. I have apologised to the staff for my actions, and Id like to do so again. Ill take whatever punishment Qantas throws at me. Ive done the crime and Ill do the time, because thats what I deserve.

A day after publication, the airline provided the following response: While Qantas typically doesnt comment on individual customer matters, the allegation of hate speech being used in our lounges requires a response. We have confirmed with our lounge staff that Senator Lambie did not make a homophobic remark as part of the incident for which she has apologised, the airline said. Lambie then issued a further statement on Friday, after her original apology. I never said it. Id never say that. Im not a homophobe, and I dont know why someone is anonymously accusing me of being one. It never happened. What did happen was I blew my top at a Qantas worker who didnt deserve it, and I apologised to them, Ill apologise now, and Ill wear the consequences. We would have been happy to include those comments in our original item, but they werent part of the Senators original response. Backyard blitz

Labors federal member for the seat of Paterson, Meryl Swanson, used a caucus meeting in Canberra this week to voice her displeasure at the Oppositions lack of cut-through with the voting public. This was days after the NSW Labor Party had suffered an embarrassing defeat in a byelection right in her neighbourhood, so Swanson had every right to feel stung. One of the concerns on Swansons gripe list in the closed-door meeting was her partys criticism of major companies such as Harvey Norman, which reaped the rewards of the JobKeeper scheme but pointedly failed to hand back the $22 million windfall when its retail sales unexpected boomed during lockdown. We sound like were whingeing, Swanson told the party room. Harvey Norman is a retailer the MP has some affinity with, given her husband Nick Swanson is the franchisee of the Maitland superstore in Rutherford. Oh, and she also owns shares in the company, as has been reported by the Herald. But theres another federal government policy Swanson has again broken ALP ranks on to voice her approval - the plans to put a $600 million gas-fired power plant at the aluminium smelter site in the Hunter town of Kurri Kurri. She says it will secure jobs and energy supply. Possible relevant fact: Kurri Kurri is the same town where the Swansons have an investment property, according to the parliamentary register of interests.

Star power Its Reconciliation Week, so the Sydney Theatre Company has perfectly timed its reboot of the 1995 Indigenous play The 7 Stages of Grieving to premiere on Tuesday night. The one-woman play, written by then-unknown Deborah Mailman and playwright/festival director Wesley Enoch, broke new ground for First Nations Australians 26 years ago, as it was the first time many saw themselves represented in theatre. Joining Enoch for opening night at the Wharf Theatre was businessman and philanthropist David Gonski, actor Leah Purcell, authors Linda Jaivin and Ross Steele, the ABCs Annabel Crabb and Herald columnist and ABC presenter Julia Baird. But on the night, the STC wasnt the only one exhibiting perfect timing. We wont spoil any of the plays high points, but at times during the performance, its star Elaine Crombie cradles an old leather suitcase that contains photos of her deceased relatives. At one point Crombie walks offstage and into the front row of the audience, handing the suitcase to a startled punter, saying these are my stories - help me tell them.

And who was the lucky recipient of the suitcase on opening night? None other than Lisa Davies, editor of The Sydney Morning Herald. Crombie has already been described as giving a singular performance. It seems she has a preternatural talent for seeking out influencers as well. AAT attack Sian Leathem, the $400,000 Registrar of the Administrative Appeal Tribunal is back before Senate estimates in Canberra on Thursday morning to defend the government agency which is often derided as a repository of cronies of whichever political party happens to be in power at the time. CBD previously reported on Leathems pick of former BHP ethics and investigations principal Monique Adofaci as National Director, a job with the brief to ensure tribunal bureaucracy works for the people it is meant to serve. Whatever that means. Lets hope she enjoys herself more than the previous executive director, Bernadette Ryan, who has taken to social media describing her former employer as a repository for LNP failures, staffers and mates.
The federal governments $226 billion Future Fund will get an 80 per cent increase in staff to deal with what it warns is a fundamentally changed investment outlook that will make it harder to make strong returns for taxpayers.

After years of clamping down on staff numbers across agencies and the entire public service, the government has given the agency  headed by former treasurer Peter Costello  the go-ahead to swell its numbers by more than 150 people over the coming 12 months.

Future Fund CEO Raphael Arndt has revealed the agency is getting an 80 per cent increase in staff to deal with a fundamentally changed financial world. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

The fund was created 15 years ago to cover the superannuation liabilities of the Commonwealth. Since then, it has been used to oversee other funds including the Medical Research Future Fund, the Future Drought Fund and most recently the Emergency Response Fund.

The fund has a target return of 6.1 per cent but has easily out-performed that, averaging 9.1 per cent to now have $226 billion under management.
A contested report into the demise of Christine Holgates reign at Australia Post has called for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to apologise and the boards chairman to resign over her treatment in the Cartier watches saga.

In a major reversal of her position, Ms Holgate is now seeking a $700,000 payout from Australia Post and her legal fees paid, despite insisting last year that she wanted no financial compensation when she resigned as chief executive from the company.

As Ms Holgate revised her demands, a Senate committee dominated by Greens and Labor senators delivered a damning report into the circumstances surrounding Ms Holgates exit over her decision to reward employees with $20,000 in Cartier watches in 2018.

Former Australia Post chief executive Christine Holgate. Credit:James Brickwood

It recommended the Auditor-General investigate Communications Minister Paul Fletcher over his request to the Australia Post board that it should stand Ms Holgate aside on October 22 while an investigation occurred into the purchase of the watches.
Labor campaigners are calling for an urgent change in the partys direction to address household concerns about costs and wages, adding to fears the party is sleepwalking to a federal election loss.

In a warning to Labor leader Anthony Albanese, local party figures in the NSW Hunter Valley said the partys loss at a state byelection last Saturday was a sign of a national challenge in winning back blue-collar voters.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese is facing concerns within his party about how to win over blue collar voters. Credit:Alex Ellighausen

Cessnock deputy mayor Darrin Gray said the party had to put Labor back into Labor by throwing more weight into policies to tackle household costs, wages and the day-to-day pressures on families.

Another long-standing Labor member, former Muswellbrook councillor Malcolm Ogg, said the federal caucus members had to decide what they stand for and give voters a clear message on policies such as climate change.
Power has been restored to all homes and businesses after an explosion at a Queensland power station which then caught fire, leaving more than 400,000 properties without electricity on Tuesday.

A day after the outage at the Callide Power Station, Labor politicians talked up the benefits of Queenslands power companies remaining in public ownership.

The station was expected to have limited damage.

A CS Energy spokeswoman said the investigation into the explosion and fire would take significant time.
Lagos: More than 100 people were missing and feared dead after a boat with more than 165 passengers, including women and children, broke up and sank as it was travelling in Nigerias northern Kebbi state.

Twenty-two people had been rescued and five bodies recovered, including a baby, according to Sani Dododo, chairman of the Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency.

We have two male and two female corpses, while the fifth is that of a baby that is less than one year old, he said, adding that the mother of the infant had not been identified.

Rescuers recover people caught when their boat sank in Kebbi, Nigeria Credit:Facebook/Zaidu Bala

Eleven rescue boats and divers were searching for about 138 missing passengers as anxiety grew among relatives of those missing.
London: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson once suggested that he be injected with coronavirus live on television to prove it wasnt dangerous, his former chief adviser has claimed.

Dominic Cummings  a key force behind Brexit and Johnsons thumping 2019 election win  also conceded the governments decision to delay lockdown at the start of the pandemic had caused carnage.

Dominic Cummings, once British Prime Minister Boris Johnsons most powerful and trusted aide, says the governments decision to delay lockdown at the start of the pandemic had caused carnage. Credit:AP

Appearing before a parliamentary inquiry into Britains response to the crisis, Cummings said senior ministers and staff had fallen disastrously short.

When the public needed us most, the government failed, he said.
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. So goes the catch-cry chanted by anti-Israel demonstrators around the globe over the past 10 days.

Let there be no doubt about what these words mean to the people who coined them. They do not represent a call by everyday Palestinians against what they view as unjust policies of Israel. Nor is it an appeal for a Palestinian homeland to be established as part of a two-state settlement.

The slogan is an aspirational bid for the state of Israel, which lies between the Jordan river on the east and the Mediterranean to the west, to be wiped off the map of the world.

A protest in support of Palestinians in London last Saturday. Credit:PA

To quote from the original Hamas charter: Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it just as it obliterated others before it ... The day of judgment will not come until Muslims fight the Jews and kill them.
Why not let the actors talk on their own for the entire running time, without the intrusion of Corden (whose presence here feels like a non sequitur) and a socially distanced audience? Perhaps because the cast isnt that interesting, as a group, when not in character. At the very least, they dont come across as natural storytellers. Perry opens the door to something potentially intriguing when its just the six of them alone on the old set, and he talks about feeling the pressure to generate a laugh and the anxiety if a joke didnt land. His co-stars are surprised to hear this, but no one attempts to talk about it more deeply. They shrug and move on. The actors on Friends lost so much of their privacy, so quickly, when the show took off; maybe their instincts are to avoid anything too personal when the cameras are on. Maybe they see it as protecting one another  but then, what is the point of a reunion if everyone is too wary to really talk? At another point, Kudrow mentions watching old seasons with her husband and the cringe she felt seeing herself on screen. Huh, comes the response. And thats it. But no conversations delving into their thoughts about the show or how they developed their characters or how they feel about their experiences in hindsight.
The former Central Connecticut player spent most of last season on the New England Patriots practice squad.
By Sudarshan Varadhan and Aditi Shah

CHENNAI (Reuters) - Automaker Renault-Nissan will shut its plant in India's southern state until May 30, according to an internal note and two sources familiar with the matter, a day after workers said they would strike over coronavirus-related safety concerns.

A note by Renault-Nissan India Chief Executive Biju Balendran, which was e-mailed to employees and reviewed by Reuters, said the plant near state capital Chennai will be shut from May 26 to May 30 to ensure safety amid rising COVID-19 cases.

"We will continue to closely monitor the situation in Chennai and and come back to you shortly with information on when the plant will restart," Balendran said in the note.

A workers' union at Renault-Nissan's plant, which employs over 8,000 workers, had warned of a strike from Wednesday if their COVID-related safety demands were not met. Four workers have died and over 400 employees have contracted the virus this year, according to the union.

A source from the union said a decision on returning to work would be taken after reviewing safety measures.

The India workers union demanded better social distancing measures, vaccinations and higher insurance cover to include medical expenses for their families.

Nissan, which owns a majority stake in the plant, declined to comment. Balendran said in the e-mail the company was in talks with union representatives to ensure safety.

"This will include careful consideration of what additional measures we may need to introduce, as well as an audit of current procedures," he said.

Hyundai Motor Co on Monday said it would suspend operations at its Tamil Nadu plant till May 30, after several workers staged a brief, sit-in protest amid rising cases.

Hyundai, Nissan and Renault - all of which manufacture cars in Tamil Nadu, often dubbed India's Detroit - together account for more than a fifth of India's passenger car market.

(Reporting by Sudarshan Varadhan; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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The has directed online search engine to remove links to a judgement acquitting an Indian origin American citizen of charges after he moved a plea claiming that because of the availability of the verdict he was unable to get a good job in the US.

Apart from Google, Justice Prathiba M Singh also directed web portal Indian Kanoon to block access to the judgement in question till the next date of hearing on August 20.

The court also issued notice to the Centre, and Indian Kanoon, seeking their stand on the man's plea to permanently remove access to the judgement.

While issuing notice in the matter, the court said, "The question as to whether a court order can be removed from online platforms is an issue which requires examination of both the right to privacy of the petitioner on the one hand, and the right to information of the public and maintenance of transparency in judicial records on the other hand."



The court, in its April 12 order, further said that though the petitioner was acquitted in the case "irreparable prejudice" may be caused to him, his social life and his career prospects, and therefore, he was "entitled to some interim protection" while the legal issues are pending adjudication.

"Accordingly, Respondent 2 and 3 ( India and Google LLC) are directed to remove the said judgment dated January 29, 2013 from their search results.

"Respondent No.4 Indian Kanoon is directed to block the said judgement from being accessed by using search engines such as Google/Yahoo etc., till the next date of hearing. Respondent No.1 (Centre) to ensure compliance of this order," the court said.

According to the petitioner, when he travelled to India in 2009 a case under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, was lodged against him.

In April 2011, a trial court acquitted him of all the charges and an appeal against the same by the police was rejected by the high court which in January 2013 upheld the acquittal.

However, as the 2013 judgement was available online for any potential employer who wanted to conduct a background verification about him, he was unable to get any jobs as per his expectations despite having a good academic record, the petitioner told the court.

He has also said that he sent legal notices to Google and Indian Kanoon but they did not remove the judgement from their platforms and hence he moved the high court for relief.

(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 host of linked to the controversial Gupta brothers received a total of over 49 billion rands in irregular payments from a number of parastatal corporations, a witness has claimed at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.

Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta have been accused of siphoning billions of rands from state-owned corporations through their alleged closeness to former South African president

Paul Edward Holden, a researcher with the London-based Shadow World Investigations, explained that hundreds of financial transactions and bank statements were studied to arrive at the detailed conclusions about the sources of funds and the used in the money laundering that are listed in the report.

Among the listed as having received irregular payments from state-owned enterprises is Neotel, in which Tata Communications held a majority interest until it sold its stake to Liquid Telecom in 2016.

The report says Neotel received over 5.6 billion rands for what was called network services and CCTV installations from the national rail network operator Transnet, which is currently in disarray with many railway stations nationwide stripped bare by vandalism.

Transnet also paid about 42 billion rands to Regiment's Capital, a company run by Salim Essa, a close associate of the Guptas, and another billion rands to Trillian, where Essa also had a stake.

The Free State provincial government, including the Office of the Premier and several other departments, featured prominently in the list of money allegedly laundered between companies linked to the Gupta family to eventually end up in the account of Gateway Limited, the Gupta enterprise in Dubai.

The report said between January 2013 and January 2016, Combined Private Investigations (CPI) was making monthly payments to a Gupta Enterprise front company, which started with about 500,000 rands and went up to over a billion rands.

"Initially, the payments were made to a front company called Chivita, then Homix, then Forsure and finally Medjoul.

"All of those entities are effectively controlled by the Gupta Enterprise or, alternatively, were receiving funds and dissipating them on behalf of the Gupta Enterprise," Holden said.

"The financial surveillance department of the South African Reserve Bank (intervened after) the discovery that CPI had made payments to Chivita, Homix and Forsure, which were incorrectly identified as payments made to (another company)," he added.

Another state-owned enterprise, electricity distributor Eskom, which is currently financially constrained to the extent that the country experiences frequent load-shedding, paid almost seven billion rands for Gupta-related projects.

The Gupta family is currently in self-exile in Dubai with the South African government continuing attempts to extradite them through the United Nations (UN) as there is no extradition treaty with Dubai. They have denied the scores of allegations against them by various witnesses at the commission.

The family arrived from Saharanpur in India in the 1990s as democracy dawned with the release of Nelson Mandela to grow their business empire from a humble retail shoe store to a vast empire spanning information technology, mining and media.

Essa, who is also believed to be in Dubai now, wrote to the commission in March, accusing it of defaming him by leading evidence about him that was false.

(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.)
ABB in India on Wednesday announced a comprehensive programme to achieve carbon-neutrality targets by 2030 in its operations, reaffirming its commitment to a sustainable energy future.

Contributing to the drive to build back better, the pioneering technology leader is adopting a three-dimensional approach to decarbonisation.

The programme is designed to reduce the carbon footprint of its own operations and in the products that it delivers.

The goal of the programme is aligned with India's Mission Innovation and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 7 to increase access to affordable and clean energy.

The company expects to achieve its carbon-neutral target of 100 per cent fossil-free electricity by the close of FY22. It is also electrifying its operations to deliver further efficiencies over the coming years.

Additional 2030 targets include 50 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions along with the value chain and the introduction of greenhouse gas-free technology solutions.

Two more targets relate to 50 per cent reduction in waste generation and cutting freshwater usage by 25 per cent, progressively through the next 10 years.

"We see ourselves as a key enabler of a sustainable energy future and are playing our part in the fight against global warming," said N Venu, Managing Director and CEO of ABB in India.

"Electricity will be the backbone of the entire energy system and we are working on electrified, reliable, and decarbonised operations and products," he said in a statement.

ABB is a global technology leader with a combined heritage of almost 250 years, employing around 36,000 people in 90 countries.

Headquartered in Switzerland, the business serves utility, industry and infrastructure customers across the value chain, and emerging areas like sustainable mobility, smart cities, energy storage and data centres.

(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.)
ABB in India today announced it would achieve carbon-neutrality targets by 2030 in its own operations. It has already signed power purchase agreements with some of the green power generators in Gujarat including Amplus Solar Solutions and will be signing more such contracts to move to 100 per cent green energy by March 2022.

As part of its drive to build back better, the company is adopting a three-dimensional approach to decarbonization. The programme is designed to reduce the carbon footprint of its own operations and in the products that it delivers.

The approach includes a carbon-neutral target of 100 per cent fossil-free electricity by the close of FY22. The company currently consumes about 44605.316 megawatt per hour (unit) of power. N Venu, Managing Director and CEO of ABB in India told Business Standard around 30 per cent of this power is currently green.

It is also electrifying its operations to deliver further efficiencies over the coming years. Additional 2030 targets include a 50 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions along the value chain and the introduction of greenhouse gas-free technology solutions.

Two more targets relate to a 50 per cent reduction in waste generation and cutting freshwater usage by 25 per cent, progressively through the next 10 years. It consumes about 5,15,000 kilo litre of water annually. Seventy per cent of waste generated currently is recycled while 155 tonne of scrap is co-processed.

By adopting a more systemic approach to business development, it expects to reduce carbon emissions for the benefit of the environment and society. We see ourselves as a key enabler of a sustainable energy future and are playing our part in the fight against global warming, said Venu.

To get closer toward a carbon-neutral future, means that we have to start by strengthening our own environmental, social and governance practices. Electricity will be the backbone of the entire energy system and we are working on electrified, reliable, and decarbonized operations and products. With solutions such as our revolutionary electric-bus fast-charging technology, we remain at the forefront of enabling the clean energy transition," he added.
Abhishek Sethi and Prateek Behera, graduates from IIM-A and BITS Pilani, respectively,have launched a USD one million fund to support and invest in startups founded by college students.

Their venture, gradCapital, based here, said on Wednesday it would invest USD 25,000 in each of the 20 start-ups they select over the next year.

gradCapital, also being supported by'CIIE.CO - The Innovation Continuum', based out of IIM Ahmedabad, would host an eight-week, intensive programme for founded and run by college students, it said in a statement.

"Apart from building a strong and sustainable structure for their company, these young entrepreneurs will leave with countless tools, crucial knowledge, a network of peers, mentors and investors, and funding of USD 25,000", it said.

gradCapital plans to invest in 100 startups in the next three years.

It has now opened the application process for its firstcohort of start-ups.

"We genuinely believe in academic spaces. Entrepreneurship is a way to bring such strong ideas to life and create value for society. We are betting on such ideas," said Sethi.

While conceptualising the idea of gradCapital, Sethi and Behera ran a pilot to test their "hypothesis".

They ended up with a cohort of eight companies, including KiranaKart, Humit, Codedamn, Valerio Electric, and Neuralastic.

According to Behera, "There is tremendous value waiting to be unlocked by students from Science, Commerce, Arts, and Engineering colleges".

(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.)
Eicher Motors Ltd-owned will shut its three south Indian manufacturing plants for three days to ensure safety amid rising COVID-19 cases, according to an internal note seen by Reuters and two sources.

- an famous brand in India, the world's biggest motorbike market, will shut its three manufacturing plants from May 27 to May 29, the internal note to workers said.

"We will resume operation from Monday, 31st May," the internal note to workers signed by Chief Operating Officer B Govindarajan said.

"The above days shall be compensated later as per market needs," Govindarajan said in the note.

Royal Enfield did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.

All the three plants are located in and around Chennai in southern Tamil Nadu state, often dubbed India's Detroit. The automaker had also shut its plants for three days earlier this month from May 13 to May 15.

Tamil Nadu is one of the worst hit states with more than 30,000 cases a day last week. The state, an auto hub known as India's Detroit, has imposed a lockdown but has allowed some factories, including auto plants, to continue operating.

(Reporting by Sudarshan Varadhan, editing by Louise Heavens)

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a further indication that will not join Tata Sons for the bidding of Air India, the company has said that it is not going to go for any merger & acquisition with the fund it has raised and instead will use it to shore up liquidity of the company. This comes as the process for financial bidding of Air India has started. Tata Sons with whom SIA owns and operates Vistara is one of the frontrunners to acquire the state-owned carrier.

The company however will continue to invest in Vistara and said that the airlines fleet will grow to 70 by mid of 2023. Vistara currently has 47 planes with a mix of Airbus A320 family and Boeing 787.

The reason we are proceeding with the Mandatory Convertible Bond programme (MCB) now is that the recovery forecast is still uncertain. It will be prudent for us to bolster our equity base. The other perspective we took in thinking around issuing the MCBs now is a multi-year view. How to build ourselves, what we need to do, what we need to invest in our core capabilities in order to emerge stronger from Covid-19 and take advantage of all the opportunities. There is no mention of use of proceeds for M&A, Tan Kai Ping, Executive Vice President for Finance and Strategy at said.

He was replying to a question on whether the airline intends to use the proceeds from the fund raise to participate in the bidding for Air India.

SIA recently announced to raise $6.2 billion through a convertible bond issue. The offering constitutes the second tranche of its MCB programme, originally approved by shareholders on 30 April 2020, says SIA.





The fund raising follows $13.3 billion of liquidity raised during the FY 2020-21, during which the group suffered a record net loss of S$4.3 billion amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has crushed the and hospitality industry across the world. SIA, which primarily depends on international traffic is impacted further as the Singapore government has been cautious about opening up borders in order to counter the pandemic.

Last month, EY, the transaction advisor for the privatisation process of Air India, issued a request for proposal (RFP) to the shortlisted bidders, asking them to submit financial bids.

The process, said government officials, is expected to be completed by the end of September. However, the second wave of Covid-19 is likely to delay the process as fresh closure of international borders has impacted the due diligence process by bidders.

Experts who keep a track of SIA's business said that while the impact of the pandemic has been severe on the company. In the absence of a domestic market and international travel almost completely suspended, SIA has been forced to ground most of its fleet

The airline recently said that its passenger volume fell by 97.9 percent in the financial year ended March 31 from a year before and it will be able to deploy only 32 per cent of pre-Covid capacity by July.

The liquidity that we will raise through the MCBs will further strengthen our financial position during these uncertain times, while providing the resources to position the SIA Group for growth and leadership, said SIA chairman Peter Seah.
One late amendment to the bill was to allow social equity applicants, meant to apply primarily to minority investors, to open a new shop within 1,500 feet of an existing shop. That change was meant to allow new businesses to compete with established stores that already locked in prime locations, such as Chicagos River North and Wrigleyville areas. Sponsors said only one new store is allowed in a 1,500-foot radius, to prevent a cluster of such shops.
Mobility company said it has successfully administered the first dose of vaccinations for over 50 per cent of its employees and their dependents.

In March, SoftBank-backed had committed that it would provide free vaccination to all of its employees and their dependents as well as its contractors, consultants, advisors and their immediate dependents. completed vaccination of those above 45 years in April and the drive to vaccinate the rest began early last week after the government opened up vaccination for all 18-plus age groups in May. The drive is live in Bengaluru where the majority of Olas employees are and will expand to other cities in the coming weeks as vaccine supplies improve.

Health and safety of our people are paramount and at Ola, we have been focused on taking a comprehensive view and providing meaningful support so our people and their loved ones can stay healthy and safe whether they are at work or at home, said Rohit Munjal, Group chief human resources officer at Ola.

To provide a seamless and safe vaccination experience Ola has partnered with leading hospitals. It has set up the vaccination camp within the Ola Campus. This helps people avoid unnecessary exposure in hospital visits and also makes it super convenient as there is minimal wait time. The vaccine is administered by qualified professionals from the hospital. Each employee is kept under observation for 30 mins post-vaccination and then discharged.

Our efforts encompass not just employees but our broader community including contractors, advisors, consultants as well as drivers and consumers, said Munjal. Vaccination is an important step in our fight against the pandemic and we aim to vaccinate all our people over the coming weeks.

Since the pandemic began last year, Ola has taken significant steps to ensure the safety of its key community stakeholders including employees, contractors, consultants, drivers and consumers.

We've vaccinated 50% of our employees through a drive started last week. We're providing free and accessible vaccination to all employees and their family members. Vaccination is key to beating the virus and I encourage you get vaccinated as soon as possible! pic.twitter.com/2heCWxLGoD  Bhavish Aggarwal (@bhash) May 26, 2021

It started with the setting up of a dedicated Covid Action Team that runs Olas comprehensive safety and support operation for Covid relief. Over the last year, the Covid Action Team has been constantly creating and implementing processes to ensure the safety of all employees and a safe workplace for all stakeholders in the Ola ecosystem.

In addition to Covid being covered under the existing healthcare policy, Ola also provides reimbursement of any expense related to covid treatment. This includes medical tests, medicines and equipment being bought by employees up to 30,000 rupees. Ola has also extended additional financial assistance to employees who might require it on a case by case basis.

The firm has set up a panel of independent mental health counsellors, in addition to the Employee Assistance Program for those who may require counselling.

There is a dedicated 24x7 Covid Care helpline number to provide healthcare support and assistance for all its employees and their dependents including booking hospital beds, procuring medicines and oxygen cylinders or concentrators.

The firm has also set up 24x7 ambulance service in Bengaluru, non-ambulance transport to hospitals and emergency doctor-consultations

For any employee that tests positive, the Covid Action Helpline is in touch on a daily basis. They keep track of their health and address any requirements they might have.

For employees who find it difficult to quarantine at home, either because of lack of space available or due to at-risk elderly people staying with them or even if they are alone and unable to take care of themselves, Ola said it provides hotel stays. This way they can quarantine safely and be taken care of till they recover.




India-made microblogging website has raised $30 million in Series B led by Existing investors Accel Partners, Kalaari Capital, Blume Ventures and Dream Incubator participated in the round as well.

IIFL and Mirae Assets are other new investors who have come on board the cap table with this round.

Koos valuation crossed $100 million with the new funding: up from about $25 million in February. In March, startup A-listers such as BookMyShow founder Ashish Hemrajani, Udaan co-founder Sujeet Kumar, Flipkart CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy, Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamat bought Shunwei Capitals stake in the company. This allowed Shunwei, the sole Chinese investor, to exit from Bombinate Technologies, the parent company of

said it would use the fresh round of to strengthen engineering, product and community efforts in Indian languages.

We have aggressive plans to grow into one of the worlds largest social media platforms in the next few years. Every Indian is cheering for us to get there soon. is the right partner to have on board to realize this dream, said Aprameya Radhakrishna, Co-Founder and CEO of Koo.

has this year led rounds in Cred, Innovaccer, Infra.Market, Groww, ShareChat and Gupshup, helping the Indian to become unicorns.
Yalo, the conversational commerce (c-commerce) platform previously known as Yalochat, has raised $50 million in a Series C round of financing, bringing total capital raised to date to $75 million. The round was led by existing venture investor B Capital Group, a firm co-founded by Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.

Yalo platform enables large enterprise businesses like Unilever, Nestle, Coca-Cola and Walmart to communicate and transact directly with consumers through messaging apps like WhatsApp.

Yalo, which has operations in India, US, Mexico and Brazil, will use the financing to deepen its presence in Latin America and Southeast Asia. It would also fund the development of new product offerings, including conversational marketing and payments solutions.

Yalo has become the leading conversational commerce company, revolutionizing the way large enterprises engage with their customers and enabling them to transact through chat applications, said Eduardo Saverin, who previously co-founded Facebook. We have been impressed with their execution and are very pleased to expand our relationship with them by leading their Series C round.

Conversational commerce allows businesses to sell products in a personalized way through messaging apps by bridging the proximity of the physical world with the convenience of digital commerce. According to a BCG report, c-commerce is already a $35 billion market with the potential to reach $130 billion by 2025 in emerging markets, where it represents 60 per cent of digital commerce and 8 out of 10 consumers are exposed to online shopping exclusively via c-commerce.

Weve seen significant sales uplift since initiating our conversational commerce partnership with Yalo, said John Santa Maria, CEO of Coca Cola Femsa. We now have close to half a million corner stores placing their orders with us through WhatsApp. Conversational commerce has quickly become a fast-growing and important commerce channel for us in several countries, and were excited to be working closely with Yalo.

Yalos technology is platform-agnostic and can be embedded in any messaging app, making it extremely convenient for to be where customers are. Yalos conversational commerce platform, which includes marketing, helpdesk, and payments solutions, allows to run their most critical operations, such as sales, on top of messaging apps. With Yalo Studio, the company also allows non-developers and partners to create their own c-commerce applications.

For a long time enterprise digital transformation has been synonymous with complexity; not anymore, said Javier Mata, founder and chief executive officer of Yalo. Conversational commerce is a simple technology solution that enables brands to meet end-users where they already are -- in their favourite mobile communication channels.

Mata said the firm would use this round of financing to fund the development of new conversational commerce products. It would also add further value for our global customers by enabling them to retain their customer relationships and compete with e-commerce giants.

During the pandemic, Yalo enabled like Coca-Cola to shift offline commerce to conversational commerce, generating an increase in sales of more than 20 per cent. Similarly, Yalo helped retailer Sears increase its own conversion rate via c-commerce by 260 per cent. Driven by these customers success stories, last year Yalo recorded year-on-year revenue growth of 120 per cent. The company rapidly scaled its teams to serve customers across more than 41 countries.

Mata said conversational commerce is rapidly becoming e-commerce 2.0 by enabling brands to connect critical business systems with consumers on messaging apps, where they already spend 84 per cent of their phone time.

This is particularly in our core markets of Latin America, India and Southeast Asia. Yalo helps companies handle the customer relationship and the purchasing process end-to-end, said Mata. We are confident that conversational commerce global sales volume will outgrow e-commerce in the long run, and were very excited to be playing an integral role in that transformative growth for businesses worldwide.
More than 1.77 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with states and union territories, and they will receive one lakh more within the next three days, the Union said on Wednesday.

The Centre has so far provided, both under the free of cost category and through the direct state procurement category, more than 22 crore vaccine doses (22,00,59,880) to states and UTs, it said.

Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 20,13,74,636 doses, the ministry said, citing data available at 8 am Wednesday.

More than 1.77 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses (1,77,52,594) are still available with the states and UTs to be administered. Furthermore, 1,00,000 doses are in the pipeline and will be received by the states and UTs within the next three days, the ministry said.

As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, the Centre has been supporting states and UTs by providing COVID-19 vaccines free of cost, and by also facilitating direct procurement by them, the ministry said.

Vaccination is an integral pillar of the Centre's comprehensive strategy for the containment and management of the pandemic, along with test, track, treat and Covid-appropriate behaviour, the ministry underlined.

The government on May 1 opened up the inoculation drive for a large section of population on May 1 under its Liberalized and Accelerated Phase-3 Strategy of COVID-19 Vaccination'.

Under the strategy, 50 per cent of the total Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) cleared vaccine doses of any manufacturer would be procured by the Government of India every month.

It would continue to make these doses available to the state governments free of cost as was being done earlier, the statement 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.)
Delhi Police's Crime Branch on Wednesday brought Lawrence Bishnoi, Sampat Nehra and two others from jail for interrogation in connection with Sagar Dhankar case in which wrestler has been arrested.

According to the Delhi Police, these are criminals and gangsters are lodged in different jails and were brought for questioning in the case.

Earlier on Tuesday, the post mortem report of 23-year-old wrestler Sagar Dhankar, who was killed in a brawl at the Chhatrasal Stadium, suggested that the cause of his death was "cerebral damage".

According to the post mortem report submitted by Dr Munish Wadhawan, Specialist, Forensic Medicine, Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital, Sagar had multiple injuries on his both legs, limbs, chest and abdomen.

Olympic medallist is the prime accused in the case of wrestler Sagar Dhankar.

An incident of a brawl among wrestlers was reported on May 4 in which some wrestlers were injured and they had to be admitted to a hospital and one of them died during treatment.

On Sunday, Sushil was arrested from the Mundka area in the capital along with his associate Ajay Bakkarwala, who was with him on a two-wheeler.

A team of Crime Branch took and his associate to three locations in Delhi -- Model Town, Shalimar Bagh, and Chhatrasal Stadium - which are connected with the incident.

According to sources, when the police was questioning the wrestler at these places, Sushil was seemingly nervous and was changing his statement repeatedly.

They said the police questioned Kumar at these locations and tried to know who else was present with him during the course of the events on May 4 and May 5.

They said that police also tried to verify the video in which Sagar Dhankar could be seen being beaten by Kumar.

(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.)
Infections are soaring. So are deaths. Whole cities are under lockdown. And the government seems powerless to help.

India is in the grip of a crisis. Experts agree that the spread is probably even worse than the official statistics suggest. In many parts of the country, hospital beds, supplemental oxygen and other vital supplies are running short.

As Western countries roll out mass vaccination campaigns, only about 3 percent of Indias population is fully inoculated. Though conditions are slowly improving in New Delhi and Mumbai, the virus appears to be spreading largely unchecked through the rest of the country.

The New York Times asked readers in India to describe their lives in the midst of the pandemic with words and photos. They wrote about fear and loss, anxiety and boredom. Some wrote about their anger at the stumbling response by Indias government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But they also wrote about family and friends who have helped them cope, and efforts they have made to help neighbors and strangers alike.

A lot of people my age have been helping people find resources like hospital beds, oxygen cylinders, medication, etc., through social media by verifying whatever leads are floating around on the internet and sending them to whoever needs them. Ive been working with one such group. I realize that it is a necessary job in these times, but its also incredibly draining. It is the sign of a completely broken system that teenagers have to band together and work themselves to exhaustion trying to answer all these desperate pleas all over Twitter. And its getting harder to do by the day as things worsen because resources get exhausted very quickly. Most of the time we just end up calling a lot of numbers and get no response, and when we do its usually people saying theres nothing they can do for us. Its heartbreaking when people around are just suffering and dying and theres so little you can do to help. Were all terrified and burnt out and this is a very unsustainable system of getting people access to health care. You cant leave it to the citizens to bear the brunt of a health care system thats crumbling.  Arunima Tiwari, New Delhi

I miss spontaneity. I hate that I now have to plan everything out and even when I do, the plans feel like they can just disappear. Im trying not to focus on what could have been. Instead, Im determined to stay focused on what I can do. I have reactivated my long-dormant social media accounts to amplify what I can, and I now volunteer at a response center that offers assistance to Covid-positive patients. I dont have a choice but to help because elected authorities have made it loud and clear that they arent going to.  Anindita Nayak, Bangalore

Life in Delhi at the moment feels like youre having an out-of-body experience. Its hard to imagine this is actually real and happening. Every social media feed, every WhatsApp group is full of requests from people looking for oxygen, hospital beds, critical lifesaving medicines. The worst part: Theres almost nothing you can do to help anyone immediately. It takes hours of verifying, calling, begging for help to actually find some solutions, if that even happens. By that time, you feel almost too scared to call back and find out if help is still needed for fear of hearing the inevitable  that the person has died without getting adequate care. Indians are dying not because of Covid but because theyre not receiving treatment and care.  Shweta Bahri, Delhi

Both my parents got Covid. I lost my mother yesterday. Father is on ventilator support. The reason I lost my mother is because she didnt get treatment. I live in Bangalore, and there is no way you can get a bed in any hospital. The help line numbers never work. If they do, then they just take details or transfer your call with no help. Being completely helpless, I took my mother to a hospital that Im not sure is even legitimate. They just wanted money from me. They did not have trained staff. Oxygen was always in short supply. I felt helpless that I could not take her anywhere. I knew that if I kept her there she would not survive. I had to bring my father there, and his condition deteriorated due to lack of oxygen. I managed to take him to a different hospital, but it was too late. Now he is on a ventilator.  Paresh Patil, Bangalore

(Rahul Patil died on May 17, Paresh Patil said, after this submission was received.)

It has been challenging, but I maintain a mood log throughout the day and encourage my family to do the same. I also post a mood meter on social media so people can reply with how they are feeling using an emoji and we can talk about it. I also help my parents with their medicines, food, oximeter and temperature readings. Since both have different sets of medications, its really important we keep a record of the medicines along with a chart of the vitals. My extended family has been very helpful during this time. They remain connected through calls and texts and remind us not to lose faith.  Rachita Ramya, Delhi

Since I have been going to work every day, I have not really experienced the lockdown in terms of staying inside. But it has been a very stressful year when it comes to working. When the lockdown lifted last year, people immediately rushed into the bank where I work. It has been very difficult and almost impossible here, in a rural part of India, to make people understand the importance of masks and social distancing. The government has done little to make people aware of the situation. Also, the lockdowns initially were more of a television ratings stunt rather than a precautionary measure. A lot of workers in banks have died on duty, and some have been denied leave even when they were sick. The precautionary measures on paper are nowhere close to reality. In the past few months, we played dumb to something which we clearly saw coming.  Shweta Beniwal, Kolar

As I type this out, four doors lay ajar or wide open in my home. Three of us have now developed Covid symptoms. My old dad has been taking care of cooking, cleaning, medicating and sanitizing all day. My dad sleeps in fits through the day and night, interrupted by calls for food, tea, hoarse coughing, and groans of pain and frustration. How do I cope? Each night, as a 21-year-old, lying wide-awake  the weather is unbearably hot, and my fever rarely subsides  I make up positive scenarios in my mind. Getting a job and earning enough to secure my familys well-being in this cruel dog-eat-dog world. Being more bold, less hesitant, in fighting people who didnt see the warning signs of a corrupt, inept distribution of resources. Slapping each of those complacent idiots who voted into power a ruthless demagogue who wins elections by stoking fear and resentment but is a dud when it comes to long-term policymaking, tough decision-making and leadership.  Harmandeep Khera, Chandigarh

(Since sending his submission, Mr. Khera said, he and his family have recovered.)

Many friends have been infected, and we call each other every day to share a joke and to stay positive and make plans to meet in the future. Still frightening, but we are coping. I also try to help people overcome disinformation and keep telling people that most of us who are infected will recover. I ask people to avoid panic buying and seeking unvalidated cures. Since last year I have exercised regularly and continue to do so even while infected and isolated. I am also a pistol shooter for my state of Maharashtra, so mental conditioning has been an important part of my training. I meditate for 10 minutes each day to stay positive.  Raj Khalid, Mumbai

It is very frightening. Half of the people I know have been tested positive or have been previously infected. We havent stepped out of the house for the past two weeks, and it has taken a greater toll on our physical and mental health. The only rule is to avoid contact. If you want to keep your close ones safe, then you need to keep them away for a while. My mother is an essential worker, and I have seen her doing grocery shopping for many needy people who are quarantined. Its something Im proud of. In times like these, we need to hold on to humanity and have faith in whatever you believe in. Being an atheist, I have faith in science and myself.  Akash Helia, Mumbai
Senior leader Azam Khan's condition is serious but under control, the private hospital where he is undergoing treatment for COVID-19 said on Wednesday.

The condition of his son, Mohammad Abdullah Khan, is stable, and he is being monitored by doctors, it added.

"Treatment of (72) was started, after cavity and fibrosis was found in his lungs. Today (Wednesday), he needed 3-5 litres of oxygen. He is kept under the observation of a critical care team. His condition is serious, but under control. He is under observation of critical care team," a statement issued by the Medanta Hospital, Lucknow, said.

An expert team of the critical care unit of the Medanta Hospital is making continuous efforts for his better treatment, it added.

and his son were shifted from a Sitapur prison to the hospital for treatment on May 9.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi [India], May 26 (ANI): COVID-19 vaccine COVAXIN's manufacturer on Tuesday said application for Emergency Use Listing (EUL) of its vaccine has been submitted to World Health Organisation (WHO), Geneva, and regulatory approvals are expected between July and September.

The latest status of COVID-19 vaccines within EUL/PQ evaluation process' guidance document dated May 18 on the website said submitted EOI (Expression of Interest) on April 19 and that more information is required.

"Regulatory approvals for COVAXIN are in process in more than 60 countries, including USA, Brazil, Hungary etc. Emergency use authorisations have been obtained in 13 countries and there are more to follow. Application for EUL has been submitted to WHO, Geneva. Regulatory approvals are expected Jul-Sept 2021," said in a statement.

The has given approvals to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for emergency use on December 31. The AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine got its approvals on February 15, and the COVID-19 vaccine Ad26.COV2.S developed by Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) was approved on March 12. Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine and China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine have also both been approved in the EUL.

(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 Gujarat High Court on Wednesday said the state government should ramp up health infrastructure keeping in mind that there could be a third or even a fourth wave of because people are not going to follow the rules regarding face mask, social distancing and sanitisation.

Observing that discipline enforced in China cannot be implemented in India, a division bench of Justices Bela Trivedi and Bhargav D Karia asked the Gujarat government to ramp up infrastructure for medical facilities to deal with any fresh wave of the pandemic. The bench made the observations while hearing a suo motu PIL on the COVID-19 situation and other related issues in Gujarat. It said ramping up of health facilities, especially in rural Gujarat, should be on a long-term basis and not on short-term to address just the ongoing second wave of the pandemic.

"What about this type of third or fourth wave? The third wave will be followed by the fourth wave, because the people of the state are not going to follow, to put on masks, to have social distancing or sanitise. Nobody in this country is going to do that, so every six month there will be a wave," the court observed.

"With this understanding you have to prepare yourself," the court told Advocate General Kamal Trivedi during the hearing of the PIL.

When Trivedi compared India to European nations and said seven advanced countries combined together have seen more casualties and suffering due to the pandemic, the court said the only country India can be compared with is China, which is" incomparable". "You will have to compare only with China. It is incomparable. The discipline implemented there cannot be implemented here... Therefore, ramp up infrastructure for medical facilities," the court said. Trivedi then remarked that "Somebody has rightly said that we have paid the price for democracy."



Responding to this, the HC observed, "In the name of democracy we cross all lines, everything is pardoned." When Trivedi said India is a country "with a huge population," where policing in every nook and corner is difficult, Justice Karia observed, "Then prepare for infrastructure when the (COVID-19) waves come."



The bench asked the state government to elaborate on policy it has in place for long-term engagement of medical resources that could cater to the needs of the next three or five years when another wave of COVID-19 may strike. Trivedi assured the court that the government will look into all these aspects. The Advocate General said the government has been trying its best to ensure that discipline regarding social distancing, wearing face masks and sanitisation is maintained to curb the spread of

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In brief but blunt comments after their private meeting, Netanyahu said he was grateful that the Biden administration consistently affirmed Israels right to defend itself after coming under rocket attack by militants in the Gaza Strip. He said he and Blinken had discussed how to curb Hamas, which controls Gaza, and how to help rebuild and otherwise improve the lives of the 2 million Palestinians who live there.
With Yaas predicted to make landfall on the eastern coast on May 26, the on Wednesday said it has stepped up and made all necessary arrangements for the rescue and relief operations.

"INS Chilka at Khurda has stepped up and made all necessary arrangements, to coordinate the rescue and relief operations in close liaison with State Government agencies with the support of Headquarters Eastern Naval Command Visakhapatnam," informed an official release by Indian Navy

The further said that it has been closely monitoring the very severe Cyclonic Storm Yaas closing in on the Eastern Coast which is likely to cross the between Badrak and Balasore districts on 26 May.

As part of the preparation, a 24*7 monitoring team has been established and is functional from 24 May, assorted relief material and community kitchen for thousands of people are being made ready for immediate deployment in consultation with state authorities.

The Naval Officer-in-Charge (Odisha) Operations Room has been monitoring ships movement along the coast in coordination with authorities at Gopalpur, Paradip and Damara ports.

"For maintaining constant communication with the Naval and civil authorities, constant liaison is underway from INS Chilka," it added.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged the people living in the coastal regions of Odisha to cooperate with the local administration and shift to shelters. Addressing the people of the state yesterday, the CM also asked them to adhere to Covid-19 protocols and wear two masks.

(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.)
and evacuated more than two million people as a powerful cyclonic storm, Yaas, hit the east coast on Wednesday, causing extensive damage at a time when India is battling the worlds worst outbreak of Covid-19.

Earlier classified as a very severe cyclonic storm, Yaas weakened into a severe cyclonic storm by afternoon after pounding the beach towns in north and neighbouring with wind speeds of 130-145 kmph. Yaas hit the coast north of Dhamra in Odisha's Bhadrak district, 50 km south of Balasore district, around 9 am. The landfall process was over around 1.30 pm.

Yaas destroyed more than 300,000 houses in and affected 10 million people, the states Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said. River embankments were breached, damaging crops and fisheries and livestock farms, she added. The state evacuated about 1.5 million people to safer areas. Neighbouring moved more than 500,000 people to relief centres where authorities asked people to maintain social distance to check the spread of the coronavirus. News agencies reported that several boats, shops and houses were damaged in the state and scores of trees uprooted.

The second severe storm to batter India in 10 days is posing several challenges to the already stressed authorities in the country, which is battling a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Home Minister Amit Shah asked the state governments to ensure adequate power backup for hospitals, laboratories, cold stores for vaccines and other medical facilities.

Seawater entered several villages in Balasore and Bhadrak districts, Odisha's Special Relief Commissioner P K Jena said. Heavy rainfall in the Similipal National Park in Odishas Mayurbhanj district sparked fears of a flash flood in the Budhabalang river. In the afternoon, the water level in the river was at 21 metre against the danger level of 27 metre, Jena said.

In neighbouring Bangladesh, river transport was suspended. As a precautionary measure, the country readied 15,000 storm shelters that could accommodate as many as 2.5 million people.

Flights affected



The storm impacted several flights in the affected states as airports in Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Rourkela and Durgapur remained shut on Wednesday.

Ports, refineries and plants were on alert. Indian Oil Corp, the biggest refiner, had stopped unloading crude oil at Paradip in Odisha, according to a spokesman. The Kolkata Port was on tenterhooks for a while as Hooghly swelled to eight metres, crossing the height of the external lock gate of the Haldia Dock System, an official said.

Ongoing construction activities by oil and gas companies in the region were temporarily suspended, according to Indian Oil. All ships carrying crude oil and other related products were asked to keep a safe distance from the cyclones path, it said in a statement, adding that efforts were underway to ensure smooth supply of liquid medical oxygen from the eastern parts to the rest of the country.

More than 20 relief columns of the Indian Army were deployed and another nine were on standby. Heavy and medium transport aircraft of the Air Force flew in over 200 personnel and equipment for the National Disaster Response Force.

Tata Power Co mobilised nearly 10,000 people, including engineers and contract workers, to take up restoration work in the affected region, said Praveer Sinha, chief executive officer of the company, which manages power distribution operations in Odisha.

There were unconfirmed reports of one person having died in Odisha after a tree fell on him. Jena cautioned that the sea would remain rough till Thursday.

In West Bengal, the resort town of Digha in East Midnapore district, which shares a border with Balasore district of Odisha, was completely inundated and the army was called in for rescue operations, a defence official said.

The weather office has forecast extremely heavy rainfall in East and West Midnapore districts and heavy to very heavy rainfall in Jhargram, Bankura, South 24 Parganas districts over the next 24 hours. In Odisha, a red warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall was issued for nine districts.

Jharkhand, which was already on high alert, continued evacuating low-lying areas amid the forecast that the would be hitting the state by midnight, officials in Ranchi said.
India on Wednesday reported a net reduction of 91,191 in active cases to take its count to 2,495,591. Indias share of global active cases now stands at 16.77 per cent (one in 5). The country is second among the most affected countries by active cases. On Wednesday, it added 208,921 cases to take its total caseload to 27,157,795. And, with 4,157 new fatalities, its Covid-19 reached 311,388, or 1.15 per cent of total confirmed infections.

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Ending the divide between rich and poor nations in the provision of COVID-19 vaccines is a moral imperative, South African President told the World Health Assembly on Monday.

"Millions of people in wealthier nations have been vaccinated, while billions of people in poorer countries still wait and are still vulnerable to infection, disease and death. We all need to work together to correct this," Ramaphosa said.

"This is not only a moral imperative. Effective and comprehensive global vaccination is vital to ending the pandemic. None of us can hope to be safe unless we are all safe," he added.

"This requires that we attend with urgency and purpose to the huge divide in the provision of the COVID-19 vaccines to the peoples of the world," the president said.

Stating that the assembly is taking place in one of the most critical periods in recent history, he said the pandemic has made all countries more aware of their strengths and vulnerabilities.

"It has also demonstrated how interconnected we are and how dependent we are on each other for our health and well-being. At this year's World Health Assembly, we are urged to end this pandemic, prevent the next one and build a healthier, safer and fairer world," Ramaphosa said as he reiterated his call for a waiver on intellectual property rights on the vaccines.

"We must urgently increase vaccine production across the world, including in low and middle-income countries. Among other things, we need all countries to support the call for a limited waiver on intellectual property rights as a mechanism to promote rapid, equitable access.

"This will allow countries to allow the use of intellectual property, share technologies to produce vaccines and therapeutics, lower prices and expedite distribution to everyone, everywhere," he said.

Ramaphosa also called for the establishment of a global health council that collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) to support regional and national response mechanisms.

"As humanity, we are in the midst of a devastating crisis. Let this be a turning point in our attitude towards human health and well-being. Let us deepen global solidarity and cooperation, and let us face the future together," the president concluded.

(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 Goa government on Tuesday filed an appeal in the Bombay High Court against former editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine Tarun Tejpal's acquittal verdict in an alleged sexual assault case.

"We have filed an appeal in Bombay High Court against the verdict (acquittal of Tarun Tejpal, former editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine, in alleged sexual assault case). The state government will fight this case until the woman gets justice," Goa CM Pramod Sawant told ANI.

On May 20, a Goa sessions court acquitted Tejpal in the

Tejpal, who was already out on bail, was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2013.

He was arrested on November 30 in 2013 after allegedly raping his colleague at a five-star resort in North Goa.

On September 29, 2017, the court had charged him with various Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including rape, sexual harassment, and wrongful confinement. He, however, pleaded not guilty.

Following the framing of charges, Tejpal moved the Supreme Court seeking quashing of the charges levelled against him.

In August, the top court refused to quash the charges and directed the trial to be concluded within six months.

(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.)
Johnson and Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine to be manufactured in India by Biological E cannot be directly channelled to the domestic market and will have to be handed over entirely to the US pharma giant as agreed by the firms but the government is looking at the possibility of securing a part of this production, sources said.

Hyderabad-based Biological E has, however, proposed to manufacture about 30 crore doses of its indigenous vaccine exclusively for the Indian market by December and has sought "funding support" from the government. Its vaccine candidate is currently in phase 1/2 clinical trial phase.

According to the sources, there are limited prospects of J&J exporting its vaccine from the US to other countries in the near future and the "entire production" at the BE facilities in India, beginning July/August, will be handed over to the pharma giant under a contract between the companies.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), along with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), has been asked to work on securing a part of the J&J vaccine to be manufactured by BE for the Indian market, the sources said.

The government is exploring all avenues to boost vaccine supply urgently to inoculate the billion-plus population amid a devastating second wave of COVID-19, and the Cabinet Secretary chaired two rounds of high-level meetings last week on the availability of the shots in the global as well as domestic markets.

The heads of the Quad member-countries -- the US, India, Japan and Australia -- had decided at a virtual summit in March to launch a mega vaccine initiative.

Under the agreement, vaccines will be produced in India for the Indo-Pacific region with financial assistance from the US and Japan, while Australia will contribute in logistical aspects.

Biological E is likely to start "fill and finish" of the J&J vaccine in July-August and manufacturing of the vaccine in the last quarter of the year. The Development Finance Corporation of the United States is supporting BE for setting up three additional fill and finish lines, exclusively for J&J vaccine, and they plan to manufacture about 1 billion doses by the end of 2022, the sources said.

The sources privy to the discussions said another US pharma company, Moderna, does not have surplus jabs to share in 2021, and is expected to launch a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in India next year.

Pfizer is ready to offer five crore shots in 2021 itself but it wants significant regulatory relaxations, including indemnification and waiving the requirement of testing its vaccines in Central Drugs Laboratory, sources said earlier.

Many states have flagged shortage of vaccines and the gap between supply and requirement is widening amid the deadly second wave. India has administered over 20 crore doses since the launch of the vaccination drive in mid-January.

India is currently using two 'made-in India' jabs - Covishield manufactured by the Serum Institute and Covaxin of Bharat Biotech - and Russian-made Sputnik V to inoculate its population.

A few more indigenous vaccines, including the ones made by Biological E, Zydus Cadila and Gennova, are in the pipeline.

For its indigenously developed vaccine, Biological E has sought funding support from the government for at-risk manufacturing, essentially for the import of adjuvant which is in "high demand" in the international market.

A sub-committee has examined the funding proposal of Biological E and given its recommendation to the health ministry, the sources said.

The health ministry has been asked to take immediate decision on the funding proposal of Biological E, they added.

In the high-level meetings chaired by the Cabinet secretary, officials from the MEA, NITI Aayog, Department of Biotechnology, and law health ministries were present.

(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.)
Mahindra Group chairman said on Twitter that the India-bashing should stop', referring to widespread criticism of the countrys Covid response.

While sharing a news report about the Japanese city Osaka reeling under the Covid-19 pandemic, Mahindra wrote on Twitter to his over 8 million followers, The Japanese model of fighting Covid & their health infrastructure was envied. But yes, No ones safe anymore. The India-bashing should stop & we need to understand that we have to heal the world TOGETHER. Osaka should try the  Model.

The japanese model of fighting Covid & their health infrastructure was envied. But yes, No ones safe anymore. The India-bashing should stop & we need to understand that we have to heal the world TOGETHER. Osaka should try the  Model. https://t.co/GHDoPRCruk  (@anandmahindra) May 25, 2021

In his tweet, Mahindra referred to the  Model of tackling the Covid pandemic, while ostensibly praising the citys successful efforts in implementing a strict lockdown since April, which brought down the spread of the virus drastically in the megapolis. In the last 24 hours, Mumbai recorded 1,037 new Covid cases and 37 deaths. The citys recovery rate is at 94%. The city has been under a strict lockdown since mid-April, which is likely to be eased in a phased manner starting June 1.

Meanwhile, Mahindras tweet met with a mixed response. Several users lauded the industrialist for calling out those only criticising Indians Covid response but not giving any constructive suggestions.

Others however claimed that criticising the Indian government for its handling of the Covid crisis doesnt amount to India-bashing, as Mahindra wrote in his tweet.

Sorry Sir, you are equating India with its govt. India is not equal to its govt. We are criticising the govt for mishandling the pandemic, not bashing India. Please use correct terminology.  Shaveta sharma (@Shaveta36174686) May 25, 2021

Sorry Sir, you are equating India with its govt. India is not equal to its govt. We are criticising the govt for mishandling the pandemic, not bashing India. Please use correct terminology, a user tweeted.

Amid the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, which emerged in April, cases have skyrocketed across the country, resulting in an acute shortage of medical-grade oxygen and essential medicines such as Remdesivir and Fabiflu. Medical experts have criticised the Centre for allowing super-spreader events such as the Kumbh Mela to take place in Uttarakhand last month, also the slow pace of Indias vaccination drive and the lack of medical infrastructure.

In the last 24 hours, India has recorded 208,000 fresh infections and 4,157 deaths due to the virus.
In response to global tender floated by Karnataka to procure two crore Covid-19 vaccines, two suppliers have come forward to supply Russia's Sputnik V and Sputnik Lite vaccines.

Mumbai- based Bulk MRO Industrial Supply Pvt Ltd and Bengaluru-based Thulasi Systems have responded to the tender that closed on Monday, and no bids have come from major vaccine manufacturers, official sources said.

While Bulk MRO Industrial Supply Pvt Ltd has offered to supply Sputnik V, Thulasi Systems has said it can also supply the Sputnik Lite, single dose vaccines.

The documents including financial bids will be scrutinised, and only after that negotiations on price and other things may happen, an official said, adding that "the government will take a final decision on procurement after going through all aspects and procedures required."



However, the government is also reportedly mulling over extending the time limit for bids, looking for more response.

With the country battling the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, several states have called for global tender to procure the vaccines.

The Karnataka government had recently approved Rs 843 crore for the vaccine procurement.

The state government is also directly procuring domestically manufactured vaccines- Serum Institute of India's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin- aimed at increasing the pace of vaccination in the State.

According to information shared by the state's Health Minister K Sudhakar recently, Karnataka has so far received 12,91,280 doses of Covaxin under Central quota and 1,44,170 doses under direct procurement.

While, total Covishield doses received from the Centre is 1.05 crore, 13.54 lakh doses have been purchased directly by the state.

With a shortage of vaccines, the government has limited vaccination for the 18-44 age category to only select priority groups, for now, while the vaccination to other age groups is going on slowly.

(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.)
Over 17,239 metric tonnes of Liquid Medical (LMO) in over 1,042 tankers has been delivered across the country by the Indian Railways' Express during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of said in a statement on Tuesday.

As many as 263 Expresses have completed their journey so far, including those carrying 680 MT from Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand in the last 12 hours ahead of Cyclone Yaas. Eight Oxygen Expresses have moved from the region.

Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Karnataka have been delivered over 1,000 MT each. 614 MT of Oxygen has been offloaded in Maharashtra, nearly 3649 MT in Uttar Pradesh, 633 MT in Madhya Pradesh, 4820 MT in Delhi, 1911 MT in Haryana, 98 MT in Rajasthan, 1421 MT in Karnataka, 320 MT in Uttarakhand, 1099 MT in Tamil Nadu, 886 MT in Andhra Pradesh, 225 MT in Punjab, 246 MT in Kerala, 1029 MT in Telangana and 80 MT in Assam.

In order to ensure that Oxygen relief reaches in the fastest time possible, the average speed of these critical freight trains is way above 55, in most cases over long distances on high priority Green Corridors. Technical stoppages have been reduced to 1 minute for crew changes over different sections. Tracks are kept open and high alertness is maintained to ensure that Oxygen Express keeps zipping through.

(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.)
Seeking a "paradigm shift" in its ties with the US, Pakistan's National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf has presented to his American counterpart Jake Sullivan a blueprint to enhance bilateral relations not based on security and defence but focusing on and trade, according to a media report on Wednesday.

Yusuf, who was appointed as the National Security Adviser (NSA) this month, met Sullivan on Sunday in Geneva. In a first in-person high-level meeting, the Pakistani and the US NSAs held wide-ranging talks on the bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.

Breaking from the past practice, Yusuf presented the Pakistani plan, seeking bilateral cooperation with the US not based on security and defence but economy, trade and business.

Sources familiar with the development told The Express Tribune that is seeking a "paradigm shift" in its approach as far as ties with the US are concerned.

The relationship between and the US has often been seen as transactional as Islamabad for long relied on the country's strategic location for leverage with Washington.

Former US president Donald Trump had suspended all security assistance to in January 2018, arguing that he was not satisfied with Islamabad's cooperation and role in the fight against terrorism.

However, there has been a consensus among the policymakers that Pakistan needs to move away from geo-strategic to geo-economics. At an Islamabad Security Dialogue held earlier this year, Pakistan's civil and military leadership talked about that shift.

In line with that approach, Prime Minister Imran Khan in March formed an Apex Committee that was tasked with formulating a new strategy on ties with the US under the Biden administration, the report said.

The 14-member committee is headed by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and comprises ministers for finance, national food security, economic affairs, information technology, national security adviser, and Prime Minister's aides on commerce, climate change, human resource development, power, and investment.

The Terms of Reference of the committee solely focused on finding ways and means to seek cooperation between Pakistan and the US in the fields of economy, trade, business, energy, technology, and climate change.

This is seen as a clear departure from the earlier approach adopted by Pakistan and the US that largely focused on security cooperation with Afghanistan.

Sources said Moeed went to Geneva with a blueprint' envisaging Pakistan's desire to broaden its relationship with the US beyond security cooperation and Afghanistan, according to the report.

Different ministries and departments made several proposals identifying potential areas of cooperation between Pakistan and the US.

The Board of Investment (BoI) has proposed to attract more US foreign direct investment in Pakistan, especially through technology firms. The BoI also seeks US investment through special incentive regimes.

The Ministry of Commerce has suggested that an American-Pakistan Economic Zone could be set up near Karachi port to allow reprocessing at concessional rates.

It has also proposed to enhance structured engagement through TIFA Ministerial Council and Business Opportunities Conference. Last time, the TIFA council meeting was held in May 2019. The US-Pakistan TIFA is the primary mechanism for both countries to discuss trade and investment issues and focus on ways to strengthen the bilateral relationship.

The United States continues to be Pakistan's largest market for exports.

The Ministry of Commerce has also sought early finalisation of proposed legislation on Reconstruction Opportunity Zones, which had been promised by the Bush administration in return for Pakistan's support to the US war in Afghanistan.

However, it is not clear if the Biden administration is receptive to the idea given its strategic priorities and close ties with India. Also, close ties between Pakistan and China can be a major factor that may desist the US from seeking broader engagement with Pakistan, the report said.

It is believed that given the conversation, Pakistani authorities have had so far with the new US administration, Washington has linked future cooperation with Pakistan delivering on the Afghan peace process.

Unlike the past, this time the US does not want to give any incentives to Pakistan before the Afghan endgame. If there is a peace deal to the satisfaction of the US, there is a likelihood of Washington offering certain incentives to Islamabad on trade, economy, and other issues.

Meanwhile, sources said Moeed may visit Washington soon following his recent meeting with his American counterpart, the report said.



Qureshi rules out providing military bases to US in future



Foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said in the Senate that Pakistan would not provide its military bases to the United States for future counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan and also not allow drone attacks inside Pakistan, ANI reported. The foreign minister also rejected as unfounded the reports of providing the US, bases in Pakistan, making it clear that PM Imran Khan would never provide its bases to the US, nor would allow drone attacks inside Pakistan, reported The News International.


In their experiments, Hongs team recorded this synchrony in a part of the brain called the medial prefrontal cortex, which had been linked to a range of social behaviors. Certain neurons in each animals brain seemed to encode the animals own behavior, whereas other cells activity correlated with the behavior of the other animal. There was some overlap between the two groups, suggesting that certain cells were responsive to both animals. These findings could be related to previous studies of mirror neurons, which fire when an animal acts or observes that action in another animal, although that link is far from clear, Hong said. Whether theyre mirror neurons or not is definitely something were very interested in, he added.
Congress General Secretary Vadra on Wednesday asked the government about the shortage of vaccines in the country in her series of "jimmedar Kaun" (who is responsible) posts.

She has asked three specific questions from the government on her Facebook page -- "when the Prime Minister is saying that they were ready with the plan of vaccination, then why did the government only order 1.60 crore vaccines and why did the government export vaccines at the cost of Indians, and when India is the largest manufacturer of the vaccine, why did it have to import?"

She said these are the questions which people of India are asking from the government.

She said, last year the Prime Minister from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day said that India is ready with the vaccination plan. "Initially, the earlier success of vaccine made impression that it will be done in good way. As Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru established vaccine unit in 1948 in Chennai and gave a path to vaccination program in the country. India has been successful in vaccination against polio and small pox."

"But the bitter reality is that what was expected a smooth program became a tool of publicity for the Prime Minister and after being the largest manufacturer, India is reduced to an importer for a population of 130 crore. Only 11 per cent got the first dose and 3 per cent both the doses."

When all the countries were placing orders for vaccines, the PM did not place for us and even exported 6.5 crore vaccines.

on Tuesday had announced that she will begin "Jimmedar Kaun" (Who is responsible) series on the issue of pandemic. She has sought feedback and suggestions from the people.

In her Facebook post, she had said that during second wave of pandemic, when country was devastated and the people were struggling for medicines, beds and oxygen, the government was in mute mode.

--IANS

miz/skp/

(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.)
Citing "massive" vaccine shortage in the country, Chief Minister on Wednesday said India will lose the COVID battle if the Centre and states fail to combat the fatal virus together.

Kejriwal appealed to the Centre and states to join hands as Team India to procure vaccines while he "assured" the prime minister that all chief ministers were ready to take any responsibility given to them.

"Why is the country not buying vaccines? India is battling the COVID-19 pandemic, and in such a situation, state governments cannot be asked to look out for themselves. If tomorrow, Pakistan declares war on India, should UP buy its own tanks and its own weapons? Kejriwal said in an online briefing.

"In past many months, several big mistakes were made. At a time when other countries were vaccinating their citizen, we were exporting vaccines. is already delayed by six months in the country," he said.

Claiming India developed the first vaccine against Covid, Kejriwal expressed disappointment that the urgency towards was still missing.

India cannot lose this battle. If the central government loses, the BJP will not lose, India will lose. If the government loses, the Aam Aadmi Party will not lose, India will. If the Maharashtra government loses, the Shiv Sena would not lose, India will," he said.

This is the time to work harmoniously and not engage in competition with state governments. This is the time when the governments of 36 states and Union Territories, along with the central government should work together as Team India, he stated.

"I would like to assure the prime minister that all the CMs are with you and are ready to take any responsibility, but the Centre should also fulfill its responsibilities. The states cannot fulfill the responsibilities of the Centre," Kejriwal stated.

The central government has assigned the responsibility of buying vaccines to the states but not a single state has been successful in procuring the doses, Kejriwal said citing his interaction with other chief ministers.

"The Centre cannot abdicate its responsibilities and leave it to the state governments. It is responsible for procuring the vaccines and supplying them to the states," he said.

Kejriwal claimed the country lacked a plan for vaccine distribution and mass-scale vaccination, saying many other countries in the world have successfully accomplished it and brought Covid under control.

Citing vaccine shortage in Delhi, Kejriwal said the doses for 18-44 years age group have finished and Covaxin stock for those aged 45 years and above has also run out.

"This is not just the case with Delhi but across the country. In a pandemic situation, we should ideally be opening new centres every day, but that's not happening. We're facing a massive shortage of vaccines in the country," he said.

If the people in India had been vaccinated at the right time, then possibly the effect of the second wave could have been reduced and many lives could have been saved, he said.

The second wave has proved to be extremely deadly for the country. Barely any family has remained untouched by COVID," he said.

Despite all-out efforts, the states have so far failed to get even an extra dose of vaccine from any company while many of them issued global tenders but failed, claimed the chief minister.

Kejriwal said foreign vaccine manufacturers have made it clear that they will deal with the Centre and not entertain the demands from individual states.

(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 3,821 fresh COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, pushing the cumulative case tally to 5,60,141.

With 4,298 recoveries and 23 deaths, the overall count in the state reached 5,18,266 and 3,169 respectively on Tuesday.

The state currently has a recovery rate of 92.52 per cent.

At present, the case fatality in is 0.56 per cent.

India's daily new cases remained below the 2-lakh mark for the first time after 40 days with 1,96,427 fresh infections, and 3,741 deaths being recorded in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry informed 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.)
reports Rs 11,940 cr Q4 profit

Privatisation-bound Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) on Wednesday reported a net profit of Rs 11,940.13 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, as against net loss of Rs 1,361.01 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

The total income of the company during Q4 FY21 saw a robust jump to Rs 1,00,419.63 crore from Rs 82,452.99 crore seen in the same quarter of previous year.

The Board of Directors of the company have recommended a final dividend of Rs 58 per equity share. READ HERE.

New IT rules not against privacy; tracing messages only for "very serious offences": Govt

The government on Wednesday said it respects the right to privacy and the requirement of tracing origin of flagged messages under the new IT rules is for prevention and investigation of "very serious offences" related to the sovereignty of India or public order.

In a statement, the IT Ministry termed WhatsApp's last moment challenge to the intermediary guidelines as an unfortunate attempt to prevent norms from coming into effect. READ HERE.

Govt seeks compliance report from social media cos

The government on Wednesday staunchly defended its new digital rules, saying the requirement of messaging platforms such as WhatsApp to disclose origin of flagged messages does not violate privacy, and went on to seek a compliance report from social media firms.

A day after WhatsApp filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court challenging the new digital rules on grounds that the requirement for the company to provide access to encrypted messages will break privacy protections, IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the new norms will not impact normal functioning of the popular free-messaging platform. READ HERE.

Cyclone Yaas ravages Bengal, Odisha as over 2 mn evacuated

Cyclone 'Yaas', packing winds of up to 130-145 kmph, whiplashed the country's eastern coasts on Wednesday, dumping heavy rain, damaging houses and farmlands, and leaving at least four persons dead - three in Odisha and one in Bengal -- officials said.

Thick sheets of rain blurred the vast coastline, as the cyclone made landfall around 9 am near Dhamra port in Odisha, with surging waters swamping the mud-and-thatch houses in the low-lying areas, where a massive evacuation drive has been undertaken to move more than 2 million people to safety. READ HERE.
The Hotel Association of India (HAI), the apex body for hotels, has appealed to Prime Minister Shri for immediate intervention to provide relief to the which is on the verge of collapse, HAI said in a statement on Wednesday.

The lobby has sought intervention in five key areas. These include a one-time settlement of loans and extension of loan moratoriums till September 2021 and waiver of all statutory liabilities at Centre, State and municipal levels for the pandemic period.

The increasing loan burden at a time of almost non-existent income may serve only to increase the NPAs of Banks and Moratorium will provide a breathing space to the already crippling industry, said the association.  remains one of the most impacted sectors in the country and continues to struggle due to Covid restrictions and absence of financial reliefs from the government.

It has also appealed for a stimulus package that subsidizes the salaries of hotel employees by 50 per cent from April 2021-March 2022 as is being done by many countries as a part of their economic recovery programmes.

HAI has also demanded that the be accorded an Infrastructure Status and be brought to the concurrent list of the Constitution. HAI in its letter has highlighted that more than 40 per cent of hotels have either shut or are on the brink of closure and 70 per cent of overall jobs are now in danger directly or indirectly.

This will enable the industry to access long term funds at subsidized rates as available to other infrastructure industries like ports, highways, airports, railways etc. HAI also added that Infrastructure status will encourage greater investments in tourism infrastructure around the country, create income, and have a ripple effect on demand and will therefore help economic recovery of the country.

At present, the relief, incentives, and other promotional support to industries differ from state to state.

For harmonious growth of the industry, there is a need for greater and closer coordination across the country. Featuring Tourism & Hospitality in the concurrent list of the Constitution will facilitate a stronger coordinating role for the Ministry of Tourism, HAI added.

The Industry body also recommended forming a consultative mechanism like a task Force of the government and industry representatives which will help in pragmatic policy formulation and bring the true spirit of Public-Private Partnership.

Reiterating its earlier demand HAI has requested waiver of all statutory liabilities at Centre, State, and Municipal levels for the pandemic period especially during the lockdown period on grounds of natural justice. Even with zero revenue and resources, many of the hospitality establishments continue to pay the staff on humanitarian grounds which is now unbearable for the industry, claimed HAI.

Lauding the Governments effort to promote domestic tourism the industry body also stressed on the fact that expansion of domestic tourism will require creation of suitable accommodation to meet the incremental demand. The hospitality sector is a provider of key tourism infrastructure serving the basic need of accommodation of travelers of any kind.

The potential shock to the livelihood of millions working in the hospitality industry is enormous. The Indian hospitality sector has a critical role to play in the post pandemic economic revival and has been announced as the fourth pillar of the Indian economy.

HAI has sought the PM's intervention and directions for implementation of the suggestions to save the Industry jobs and the lives and livelihoods of the citizens employed in hotels and to enable the industry to get on its feet so that it can make its contribution to the national economy added HAI.
Indian have started selling sugar without the support of government subsidies, which could lift exports by 14% from a year ago to a record 6.5 million tonnes in 2020/21, industry officials told Reuters on Wednesday.

The exports will help the world's second-biggest sugar producer to lower stockpiles and support local prices, which, at odds with the global market, have been under pressure from oversupply at home.

They could also cap a rally in benchmark prices in New York and London, which jumped to 4-year highs earlier this year.

"India could easily export 6.5 million tonnes in the current season. Exports could rise even further if global prices rise above 18 cents," Prakash Naiknavare, managing director of the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd, said.

New York raw sugar futures traded around 16.84 cents per lb on Wednesday.

In mid-December, India approved a subsidy to encourage cash-strapped mills to export 6 million tonnes of sugar in the 2020/21 marketing year ending on Sept. 30.

Before then, mills had exported a small quantity - around 15,000 tonnes, without any subsidy.

Mills have so far contracted around 5.8 million tonnes of sugar out of the export allocation of 6 million tonnes, a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trading firm said.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the dealer said most mills had exhausted their export quota and a few had started selling for export without any subsidy.

Together with other dealers, he said mills have contracted 150,000 tonnes of sugar without export subsidies, which they are selling at around 29,500 rupees per tonne compared to the local price of above 31,000 rupees.

Mills need funds to make cane payments to farmers, which became difficult after coronavirus lockdowns curbed local demand, another Mumbai-based dealer said.

Although mills can borrow from banks to pay farmers, that results in interest payments and storage costs, so they are cutting losses by selling to exporters, he said.

(Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav; editing by Barbara Lewis)

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Prime Minister and French President spoke over phone on Wednesday and discussed the positive outcomes of the recently concluded India-EU Leaders' Meeting.

The prime minister and the French president agreed that the announcements regarding resumption of negotiations for balanced and comprehensive free trade and investment agreements, and India-EU Connectivity Partnership were welcome steps, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement.

Modi thanked Macron for the assistance rendered by France to India's Covid response, it said.

The leaders discussed bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest, and expressed their satisfaction at the positive outcomes of the recently concluded India-EU Leaders' Meeting, the PMO said.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the depth and strength that the India-France Strategic Partnership has acquired in recent years and agreed to continue working closely together in the post-COVID era.

Prime Minister Modi also reiterated his invitation to President Macron to visit India as soon as conditions permit, the statement said.

Modi, earlier this month, held a virtual meeting with the heads of state or government of all the 27 member states.

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The Indian government is in no mood to give more time to firms to comply with new rules. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in a notification, has asked all intermediaries to give details of the complaint redressal mechanism with an officer being based in the country, as soon as possible.

This will include a chief compliance officer, a nodal contact person for 24x7 coordination with law enforcement agencies, and a resident grievance officer, and the physical contact address in India, preferably by today itself, said the notification.

The notification said: The additional due diligence required from significant social media intermediary (SSMI) have come into effect today, at the conclusion of three additional months given to SSMIs.

As you, including your parent company or any other subsidiary, provide a variety of services in India, some of which falls within the definition of SSMIs in the context of the IT Act and the aforesaid Rules (sic).

The notification further stated: "As part of ascertaining the compliance to these Rules, you are requested to provide the following information: Name of App./ Website/ service falling within the scope of significant social media intermediary. The details of Chief Compliance Officer and the contact details, Nodal Contact Person and the contact details, Resident Grievance Officer and the contact details, the physical contact address in India and the Compliance status of these Rules."

Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology asks all social media intermediaries compliance details over the new 'the InformationTechnology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Ethics Code) Rules, 2021'. pic.twitter.com/5hvWekHK8n  ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2021

If you are not considered as SSMI, please provide the reasons for the same including the registered users on each of the services provided by you. The Government reserves the right to seek any additional information, as may be permitted within these Rules and the IT Act, said the notification.A significant social media intermediary has been defined as one with over 5 million registered users. reports suggest social media firms could lose their intermediary status following the May 25 deadline.
Around 300 students of Class XII on Tuesday sent a letter petition to the (CJI) NV Ramana to quash the decision of the Central Board of Secondary (CBSE) to conduct physical examination amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The students asked the top court to direct the Central government to provide alternative assessment scheme to the students.

This comes days after a high-level meeting chaired by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reached a consensus on conduct of board exams. However, the government had sought a detailed list of suggestions from all the states.

The Class XII examination is likely to be conducted and its date and format to be announced by Union Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on May 30, according to sources.

Earlier on April 14, the had notified that Class XII exams were postponed in view of the COVID pandemic. had said further information regarding the Class XII exams board exams would be given to students by June 1.

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The prestigious Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced 2021 test has been postponed in view of the coronavirus situation in the country.

Since the JEE Mains examination could not be held at the scheduled time (May 24-28), so the examination, which was going to be held on July 3, has also been postponed, the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur announced.

The Union Ministry had decided to conduct the JEE Mains examination four times in the current year.

Candidates can appear in all four examinations of which their best test scores will be considered for appearing for the exam. However, only two of the four sessions of JEE Mains examination have been conducted till now.

National Testing Agency's Senior Examination Director, Sadhana Parashar, said the first session of the JEE Mains examination was held in February this year and more than 6,20,000 students appeared. The second session was held in March with more than 5,56,000 students appearing.

The third session of the JEE Mains examination was scheduled to be held from April 27 to 30, but had to be postponed in view of the second wave of pandemic. In the sane way, the fourth session to be held on May 24-28 was also postponed.

According to the Ministry, students will be informed 15 days in advance before the test is conducted.

The results of the JEE Main Exam Session 2 which were held in March have been already declared. These exams were conducted in 12 foreign cities and 334 Indian cities.

Due to the second wave of Covid-19, the Union Ministry had decided to postpone all offline examinations scheduled in the month of May.

This decision will be applicable to all central higher educational institutions across the country. Such higher educational institutions, which receive financial aid from the government, will also have to postpone these too.

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Financial technology start-ups in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates offering online short-term credit say they are enjoying exponential growth as the coronavirus pandemic drives a shift in consumer spending online.

Digital buy now, pay later (BNPL) purchasing is relatively new to the region where consumers have traditionally been sceptical of paying for goods before getting them.

But Saudi Arabian-based Tamara and UAE's Spotii, Tabby and Postpay all say the take-up has far exceeded initial expectations. And investors are paying attention. Tamara last month raised $110 million in debt and equity, a large amount for an early stage Middle East start-up.

This week, Australia's second biggest BNPL player Zip said it was buying the rest of the shares in Spotii it did not already own for $16 million. Tabby has raised over $30 million including funding from Abu Dhabi state fund Mubadala. Were constantly having to re-forecast our numbers just because we constantly get surprised by the consumer adoption," Tabby Co-Founder and Chief Executive Hosam Arab told Reuters.

There is no independent data available on the Middle East BNPL market which also includes Shahry in Egypt; all of the in the sector are early stage start-ups and many only began operating last year.

In the United States, Australia and Europe, BNPL is marketed as an alternative to credit cards. During the pandemic, with consumers conserving cash and seeking alternative methods of borrowing money, the service exploded in popularity.

In the Gulf, BNPL present themselves as an alternative to cash on delivery, the most common payment method for online purchases in many Middle East countries, according to a 2018 report by British security firm G4S. But Anil Malhotra, chief marketing officer of digital payments business Bango, said a cultural challenge for BNPL in the Gulf was to make sure it "doesn't look or smell like credit." Islamic customs prohibit charging interests on loans, which has deterred some Middle East consumers from using credit cards.

Saudi Arabian independent retailer Crate, which introduced Tamara on its website last August, has found that while those checking out with BNPL had become repeat users, most customers preferred to pay by card or cash on delivery.

Half of all purchases are paid with card, while cash on delivery accounts for 40 per cent of all online transactions with BNPL making up 10 per cent, Chief Executive Rayan Fadul told Reuters. BNPL is still new to the region's consumers who are wary of using a product they don't yet fully understand, he believes. "They would like to see other people talk about it first and maybe explain to them how easy it is."



The model varies but BNPL typically allow shoppers to pay for purchases in instalments over several weeks or months. Gulf providers do not charge interest and instead earn most revenue by charging merchants fees. While shoppers can be charged hefty fees if they miss a payment, providers say they cause less financial burden than credit cards. Users can be suspended if they miss a payment. They also say they help merchants increase sales as shoppers are able to spread out payments over an extended period and allow shoppers to buy products they need.

As BNPL firms generally make money off merchant commissions and late fees, not interest payments, they sidestep the legal definition of credit - and credit laws. But the sector has come under scrutiny with authorities in Britain and elsewhere reviewing or tightening rules around the industry, with some regulators saying that technology companies offering BNPL should be regulated like ordinary lenders. It's not clear how Middle East regulators plan to react.

The financial authorities in Saudi Arabia and the did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. "This is credit and if credit is mismanaged, either by the lender or borrower, bad things happen," Citi Global Head of Banking Research Ronit Ghose told Reuters. Tamara, which is in Saudi and the UAE, says it has signed up over 1,000 merchants and that transaction volume has been increasing 170 per cent month-on-month.
China's banking regulator has asked lenders to stop selling investment products linked to futures to mom-and-pop buyers, three people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, to curb investment losses amid volatile commodity prices.

It has also asked lenders to completely unwind their existing books for these products, which they manufacture and sell to individual investors, said the sources, who are involved in and have been briefed on the decision.

The Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission's (CBIRC's) order to exit these products has not been reported before. It issued the order this year, two of the sources said.

"The risk contained in banks' commodity-linked investments cannot be easily spotted by ordinary investors, neither can they bear it," one of the sources said. "Banks also don't have enough expertise to run such products properly." The sources spoke on condition of anonymity as the directive is not yet public. The CBIRC, China's top banking watchdog, did not immediately reply to a Reuters email seeking comments.

The move comes as runaway commodity prices in both onshore and offshore have raised regulatory concerns about the risks of speculative bets, prompting China's state planner and exchanges in recent weeks to take price-control measures. The CBIRC wants to prevent losses like that incurred a year ago by Bank of (BoC) on crude-oil linked investment products, the people added.

It has asked lenders, including Industrial and Commercial Bank of (ICBC), to report "clean-up progress" on commodities-linked investment products on a monthly basis to regulators, two of the sources said. The CBIRC has, however, not given a specific deadline to the banks for completely exiting their positions, they added. The ICBC did not immediately reply to a request for comment. While the total size of such products in the Chinese banking system is unknown, BoC's $1.8 billion losses tied to just US crude futures highlights the attractiveness of similar products for retail investors looking for higher returns.

Regulators are worried mom-and-pop investors may get burnt again by the recent big swings in commodity prices, driven by post-pandemic demand recovery, liquidity easing and speculative trading.

Government watchdogs have urged Chinese industrial metal firms to maintain market order.

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India on Wednesday said the recent political developments in are its internal matters and it is for the country to deal with them under its own domestic framework and democratic processes.

The Ministry of External Affairs said India (MEA) remains unwavering in its support for and its people on their journey toward peace, stability and development.

witnessed fresh political turmoil last week after President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved Parliament following unsuccessful attempts to obtain a majority to form a new government by caretaker Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and opposition leader Sher Bahadur Deuba.

The Nepalese president has also ordered the holding of general elections in November.

"We have taken note of the recent political developments in Nepal. We view these as internal matters of Nepal to be dealt by them under their own domestic framework and democratic processes," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

He was responding to media queries on fast-paced political developments in Nepal.

"As a neighbour and friend, India remains unwavering in its support for Nepal and its people on their journey toward progress, peace, stability and development," Bagchi said.

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founder has picked a date to step down as CEO.

Bezos, who grew from an internet bookstore to an online shopping behemoth, said Wednesday that executive Andy Jassy will take over the CEO role on July 5.

We chose that date because it's sentimental for me," Bezos said during an Amazon shareholder meeting Wednesday. He explained that it was exactly 27 years ago on that date in 1994 that Amazon was incorporated.

Seattle-based Amazon.com Inc. announced that Bezos was stepping down as CEO in February, but didn't provide a specific date. Jassy, his replacement, currently runs the company's cloud-computing business.

Bezos, 57 and with a personal fortune of $167 billion, won't be going far. He will become executive chair at Amazon and focus on new products and initiatives. He also plans to focus on his other ventures, such as his rocket ship company, Blue Origin, and his newspaper, The Washington Post.

On Wednesday, Amazon also announced it would buy storied Hollywood studio MGM for $8.45 billion with the hopes of filling its video streaming service with more shows and movies to watch.

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Foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday said in the Senate that would not provide its to the for future counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan and also not allow drone attacks inside

The foreign minister also rejected as unfounded the reports of providing the US, bases in Pakistan, making it clear that Prime Minister Imran Khan would never provide its bases to the US, nor would allow drone attacks inside Pakistan, reported The News

"I want to assure the House that is in safe hands," he remarked.

The remarks came after a Pentagon official said that Pakistan had allowed the US military to use its airspace and given ground access so that it could support its presence in Afghanistan.

Responding to the concerns of a senator, the Qureshi said, "Because what we were fearing and we still fear and are concerned that a vacuum created in Afghanistan can drag or suck the country back into the decade of 1990s".

Qureshi contended that as the US planned to withdraw its remaining troops from Afghanistan by September 11, Pakistan would continue playing its role for advancement of the peace process in that country, reported The News

Mian Raza Rabbani, ex-chairman Senate, also said that Pakistan should not allow the the use of its air and ground facilities for action in Afghanistan and an mechanism be thrashed out to prevent such circumstances from happening again.

Meanwhile, diplomatic sources in Washington told Dawn that Pakistan had always allowed overflights and ground access to the US to facilitate its military presence in Afghanistan and would continue to do so.

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Entire cities lie in ruins, the economy is collapsing and more than half the population has been displaced, but has emerged as the last man standing from Syrias decade of war, having played off friend and foe to restore his grip over most of the country.

In power since 2000, Assads poised to win a fourth seven-year term in Wednesdays presidential elections. Though the votes been roundly dismissed by the U.S. and European nations as a sham, the Syrian leaders been bolstered by moves to woo him back into the Arab fold, part of a broader realignment thats seen work to ease tensions with Iran and tamp down conflicts across the Middle East.

Wide-ranging Western sanctions on mean Gulf countries are unlikely to invest significantly in reconstruction thats likely to cost $120 billion or more, at least for now, but even a diplomatic rapprochement would mark a remarkable shift in regional faultlines that once saw Iran and engaged in proxy conflicts from Syria, to Lebanon to Yemen.

The Biden administration is focused on reviving the 2015 nuclear pact with Tehran, which was abandoned under Donald Trump, and isnt keen to inflame tensions over Syria, where the Iranians and their Lebanese proxy Hezbollah were instrumental in propping up Assad, according to two people familiar with the matter. Its said it wouldnt recognize the results of elections not held under UN supervision and, like European allies, will maintain strict sanctions -- a policy that has yet to persuade Assad to share power.





ALSO READ: Turkey, Russia agree to prevent ceasefire violations in Syria's Idlib

Russia, whose military intervention helped pivot the war in Assads favor, has pushed Arab countries to rebuild their ties in an effort to imbue him with regional legitimacy and to check Iranian influence -- an unspoken rivalry the Syrian leaders exploited to his advantage.

Thats left Arab leaders, who severed ties with Assad after the start of the uprising in 2011 and supported the rebels fighting against him, increasingly pondering whether its time to cut their losses, and even invite back into the Arab League.

Saudi Outreach



When Saudi Arabias intelligence chief, Khalid al-Humaidan, met his counterpart in Damascus this month, he offered to restore relations and provide the government with financial aid through humanitarian channels in return for a split from Tehran, said a diplomat briefed on the talks.

The Syrians declined to abandon the Iranians, but kept the door open for further communications, two people who were briefed on the meeting said, calculating theyd eventually crack the isolation.

Saudi Arabias outreach, both in Damascus and Baghdad, where its held indirect talks with Iran to reduce tensions with Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels, has emboldened Assad, as well as Hezbollah, which have concluded that the shift in U.S policy under Biden has put Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the back foot, the people said.

Saudi and Iraqi officials have confirmed contacts took place in Baghdad but have not acknowledged the Damascus meeting.

David Schenker, Trumps assistant secretary of state for the Near East, said while the current U.S. administration was uncomfortable with Syrias status quo, it would be a mistake to allow the rehabilitation of Assad thinking it would restore security.

 and Abu Dhabi want security, not war. They want a modus vivendi but the Iranians dont appear to be interested. Theyre happy to talk, to have more trade, more smuggling but they now dominate in Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq and from their point of view theres no need for accommodation, he said by telephone.

Certainly, the nuclear threat is the greatest and has to be dealt with as a priority but if those other threats arent dealt with, it will not bring stability.

A veneer of legitimacy



Syrias civil war erupted when the Arab Spring protests of 2011 were met with repression, morphing into armed rebellion and chaos.

The regime sought to re-establish legitimacy with multi-party elections in 2014, but Assad won over 90% of the vote in an exercise widely dismissed as theater. Russia intervened the next year, unleashing devastating bombardment of rebel-held areas that allowed Assad to gradually regain his grip as peace efforts foundered.

Only the northwestern province of Idlib remains under Turkish protection, home to a hodge-podge of Islamist and other fighters, while Kurdish groups retain a measure of autonomy in parts of the northeast, where theres a residual U.S. presence from the fight against Islamic State thats currently under review.

The U.S. and European governments are asking Gulf countries not to normalize ties, say diplomats. But their reluctance to get too involved or to engage Assad have left the field open to Moscow which, with Ankara and Tehran, has shaped Syrias post-war contours at their expense.

Russia hopes that Arab countries, Gulf nations will change their position and help with reconstruction, said Elena Suponina, a Moscow-based Middle East expert. Russia will remain as a guarantor of stability in Syria. As per Irans role, it is hard to believe that Arab countries can buy Assad and make him cut ties with Assad. No. Assad will develop his relations with Arab monarchies and keep his ties with Iran.

For Saudi Arabia, which supported Trumps withdrawal from the nuclear accord, Bidens arrival changed the calculation. The worlds largest oil exporter has already been shaken by repeated attacks on its oil infrastructure mounted by Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels, driving it to seek a separate understanding to guarantee its security in a febrile region rather than counting on an old ally thats often disappointed.

Under the Biden administration, diplomatic engagement, even with controversial actors, is viewed as less problematic, said Cinzia Bianco, a fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations whos focused on the Gulf. Saudi Arabia sees value in re-positioning itself as an actor that will not close the door to dialog and diplomacy.
Global conglomerate on Wednesday said that a court in the US has formally vacated the Department of Defense's designation of as a "Communist Chinese Military Company", thus lifting all restrictions on its citizens to purchase or hold of the company.

The US District Court for the District of Columbia on Tuesday issued a final order vacating the Department of Defense's designation of as a Chinese military company.

"The company is grateful for the trust and support of its global users, partners, employees and shareholders. The company reiterates that it is an open, transparent, publicly traded, independently operated and managed corporation," Xiaomi said in a statement.

Xiaomi said that it will continue to "provide reliable consumer electronics products and services to users, and to relentlessly build amazing products with honest prices to let everyone in the world enjoy a better life through innovative technology".

In March, the court had ruled to temporarily suspend the decision by the Department of Defence asking the US not to invest in the Chinese conglomerate.

In January, the US government blacklisted Xiaomi as a "Communist Chinese military company".

A Xiaomi spokesperson had said: "The company confirms that it is not owned, controlled or affiliated with the Chinese military, and is not a 'Communist Chinese Military Company' defined under the NDAA. The company will take appropriate course of actions to protect the interests of the Company and its shareholders".

In July 2020, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated Chinese telecom companies, Huawei and ZTE, as national security risks to America's communications networks.

--IANS

na/in

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A top US Congressman has introduced new legislation named the "Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement" or EAGLE Act, that aims to counter the policy challenges posed by

The bill addresses a wide range of issues, including increased investment to promote US manufacturing, trade, and re-engagement in organisations. The bill calls for increased US support for Taiwan and pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong.

"I am proud to introduce the 'Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement' Act, groundbreaking legislation that reinvigorates American institutions and competitiveness at home and American diplomacy abroad to effectively respond to the challenge," said Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Meeks said that the "EAGLE Act" was introduced with the aim to bolster an order that has safeguarded American interests and contributed to the maintenance of global peace.

"The People's Republic of (PCR) increasingly seeks to undermine that rules-based order and challenge America's place in it. We must leverage America's true strengths and focus on the real challenges posed by the PRC," he added.

A foreign house committee release stated that the act authorises an increase in US Department of State resources devoted to the Indo-Pacific and presents blueprints to enhance American engagement.

The act reinforces US commitment to engagement with partners and allies through bilateral and trilateral engagement as well as through the Quadrilateral Dialogue.

It spurs US strategic and economic competitiveness on the world stage through climate action, vaccine diplomacy, development finance, and digital and cyber partnerships.

Furthermore, it holds China, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gasses, accountable on climate, to ensure that it plays a constructive role in the climate fight.

"...Reinforces commitment to American values by responding to the PRC's human rights violations, imposing costs on China for its use of Uyghur forced labor, and providing temporary protected and refugee status for qualifying Hong Kongers; and Strengthens America's economic diplomacy and statecraft in order to shape the economic rules that govern global commerce, empower American workers and businesses, and invest in the technologies of the future," the House Committee release said.

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By Michelle Price and Pete Schroeder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Wall Street bank chiefs will tout the role their institutions have played in getting the pandemic-hit U.S. economy back on track when they appear before Congress this week, but are likely to face tough questions on hot-button social and economic issues.

The Senate Banking and House Financial Services committees will hear from the chief executives of JPMorgan Chase & Co, Bank of America Corp, Citigroup Inc, & Co, Group and Morgan Stanley on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

In prepared testimony posted on Tuesday, the CEOs highlighted their banks' resilience during the pandemic and their efforts to support struggling clients. They also flagged their work on other priorities, including efforts to address climate change and structural racism.

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said climate change is "one of the defining issues of our time," while Citigroup chief Jane Fraser said the banking industry cannot ignore the role it played in the past in contributing to "systemic inequities."

Wednesday's hearing is the first time the CEOs of the nation's largest banks will have testified before the Senate Banking Committee since the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Democratic gains in the 2020 election handed control of that panel to Senator Sherrod Brown, a fierce Wall Street critic.

Brown said in an interview on Monday that banks' success steering through the pandemic was not enough.

"They did well, but they did well for themselves," he said. "Every time there's a crisis, banks seem to do better than the rest of the country."

While the hearings are unlikely to result in policy proposals, they are politically risky for the CEOs as scrutiny of their industry grows in Washington under Democratic leadership.

They are likely to be grilled on a raft of issues including economic inequality, fair lending, diversity, racial justice, climate change, cryptocurrencies and tax policies.

"We expect these hearings to be disjointed and nebulous, but they will be must-watch television, nonetheless," Isaac Boltansky, a director at Compass Point Research & Trading, wrote in a note.

The banking industry's image has improved in Washington since the financial crisis more than a decade ago and big banks believe they have a good story to tell after getting $69 billion of COVID-19 aid into the hands of 850,000 struggling small businesses.

INDUSTRY WATERSHED

Wednesday will mark a watershed for the industry with Citigroup's Fraser, the first female CEO of a Wall Street bank, making her Capitol Hill debut.

She will appear alongside Dimon, Morgan Stanley's James Gorman, Well Fargo's Charles Scharf, Bank of America's Brian Moynihan and Goldman Sachs' David Solomon.

"Diversity, equity, inclusion - these banks have a great story to tell on these issues," said Richard Hunt, chief executive of the Consumer Bankers Association.

Still, the executives are likely to get heat from some lawmakers, particularly progressives who want them to do more to tackle wealth inequality, racial injustice and climate change.

The legislators are also likely to seek answers from the CEOs on evidence flagged by congressional reports that lenders discriminated against some borrowers when distributing pandemic aid, and whether Wall Street's wealthy pay enough taxes.

Republicans, on the other hand, are angry at what they see as Wall Street's liberal leanings and will likely criticize the CEOs for trying to drive social policies by curtailing credit for sectors such as gunmakers, private prisons and oil and gas.

"Banks influencing elements of social policy...presents a perilous political dynamic as attempts to placate the left will undoubtedly frustrate their historic allies on the right," wrote Boltansky.

(Reporting by Michelle Price and Pete Schroeder; Editing by Peter Cooney)

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While Zachs surgical treatment was unusual, his condition was not. Epilepsy affects somewhere around 2 million people in the United States, and 50 million worldwide, and can be caused by a variety of factors, according to the Epilepsy Foundation. While most cases can be managed with medication, its thought that about one out of three cant be adequately treated. In those intractable or refractory cases, patients may choose to try surgery.
PRI GEN INT .LONDON FGN10 BELARUS-JOURNALIST-KIDNAPPING kidnapping: what law says about capture of dissident Roman Protasevich By Kanstantsin Dzehtsiarou, Professor in Human Rights Law, University of Liverpool; and Arman Sarvarian Lecturer in Law, University of Surrey London, May 26 (The Conversation) Here's what we know: the aircraft carrying dissident Belarusian Roman Protasevich was scheduled to fly from Athens in Greece to Vilnius in Lithuania on May 23. While in Belarusian airspace, the pilot was ordered to divert from its course and to land in Minsk. On the ground, the airport authorities searched the baggage of the passengers, checked their identities and detained at least two of them: Protasevich a prominent opponent of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko and his girlfriend, law student Sofia Sapega. But the full details of what happened remain a matter of dispute. The Belarusian authorities claim that they received an anonymous letter claiming that Hamas had planted a bomb on board and so they had duly ordered the pilot to land the aircraft so they could find and destroy the bomb if the report was true. This claim appears doubtful. It is unclear why someone would decide to notify the authorities of about the bomb, rather than, for example, the authorities in Greece or Lithuania. When the aircraft was diverted, it was closer to Vilnius than to Minsk. If the safety of the passengers was the primary concern of Belarusian authorities, they would have probably allowed it to quickly land in Vilnius. Finally, a military aircraft was sent to accompany the flight to land at Minsk airport. In the event, no bomb was found on board. There are two main legal questions with the actions of The first is whether Belarus had the power to divert the aircraft from its flight path to land in Minsk. Although the facts remain murky, the apparent justification for the interception of the plane by a fighter jet was its safety due to a suspected bomb on board. The method by which Belarus seemingly ordered the pilot to make an emergency landing at Minsk may be legally significant. While the Convention on Civil Aviation 1944 authorised Belarus to order a civil aircraft flying above its territory to land, Belarus must have had reasonable grounds to do so. Also, it was required to issue the order in compliance with its published national regulations regarding the interception of civil aircraft. It is for Belarus to prove that it has complied with both requirements: the president of the Council of the Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is seeking official explanations and has called an urgent meeting of the 36 members of the Council for May 27 to discuss the incident. Even if Belarus can show that its diversion of the plane was lawful, the detention of Protasevich and Sapega is another question entirely. Under the ICAO treaties, Flight FR4978 was under the jurisdiction of Poland as the country of registration of the aircraft. The aircraft was still in flight, even when diverted to Minsk. No country has the right to detain suspects on a civil aircraft for crimes that were not committed on board that aircraft. From what is known at present, it seems that the Belarusian authorities detained Protasevich and Sapega for alleged crimes that had no connection to the flight. To seek custody of them, Belarus should have applied to Poland or to Lithuania (as Vilnius was the port of destination) for their extradition for alleged crimes in Belarus. On both issues, Poland could bring legal claims against Belarus for violating its rights under the ICAO treaties as the flag state of the aircraft. It is also possible that other countries could seek standing to sue Belarus before the International Court of Justice (the UN court) on the basis that the global system of civil aviation is threatened by such actions. There have been cases similar to this one in the past, such as when France detained a Moroccan charter plane in 1956 to arrest Algerian rebel leaders who were travelling to a diplomatic conference. If Protasevich and Sapega were technically detained by the Belarusian authorities on the territory of Poland, as the flag state of the aircraft, then he was potentially protected by the European Convention on Human Rights. Belarus is not a participant in that treaty but Poland is. The detention of Protasevich and Sapega could have violated their right to liberty. Although Poland is not responsible for arresting Protasevich and Sapega, it could be in violation of the Convention if failing to exercise due diligence to secure their release. In a number of cases, the European Court of Human Rights has found the Convention to apply to aircraft and ships registered in or flying the flag of a Contracting Party. While Poland has issued a strongly worded public condemnation of the actions of Belarus, calling it state terrorism, it is required to take practical steps within its power, such as diplomatic representations, to secure the release of the detainees on the basis that their detention was unlawful. Although, the episode has already triggered significant international reaction, it should not be treated as an isolated instance. The Belarusian authorities have consistently undermined their own country's rule of law, and the international community's reaction has been limited and slow. For instance, it wasn't until May 2021 that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights appointed experts to document episodes of human rights violations, principally torture, that happened mostly in August 2020. The reaction of international community should clearly demonstrate that violations of international law bear consequences. (The Conversation) MRJ 05261044 NNNN

(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 crackdown by Beijing is rapidly accelerating a shift in focus by makers of machines that 'mine' cryptocurrencies like bitcoin from China to North America and Central Asia as Chinese clients face an uncertain future.

China's central government vowed to clamp down on and trading on Friday, causing some miners to halt all or part of their operations in a country that accounts for more than half of the world's crypto supply.

The makers of the equipment miners use, many of them Chinese, say they are now looking elsewhere for growth.

Hangzhou-based Ebang International said that its "mining machines will still be in short supply" overseas, even if domestic sales disappear.

The impact will be further softened by the fact that "domestic customers will go overseas to mine", it added in a statement sent to Reuters.

Illustrating the trend, Shenzhen-headquartered BIT Mining Ltd said in a statement on Monday that it had entered into a deal with a Kazakhstan-based company to jointly invest in a crypto mining data centre in the central Asian country.

Bitcoin miners use increasingly powerful, specially-designed computer equipment, known as "rigs", to verify bitcoin transactions in a process which produces newly minted bitcoins.

The energy-hungry business is big in China, although the country's market share had been declining for years due to regulatory uncertainty.

If China quickly loses its crypto computing power, foreign miners will benefit, Alex Ao, vice president of Innosilicon Technology, a chip-designer and crypto mining rig maker, said.

"Places like North America and Central Asia have advantages in terms of power supply and policy support," Ao said, adding that more Chinese miners will shift abroad.

Edward Lu, senior vice president of Canaan Inc, another Chinese maker of mining machines, said it was looking at similar markets.

"The strategy should be to strenuously develop markets such as Kazakhstan, Canada, and North Europe, where energy resources are abundant and cheap, while regulations are clear and predictable," Lu told Reuters.

'HOSTING HOTELS'

Although China's northern region of Inner Mongolia, a major mining centre, published draft rules on Tuesday to root out the business, other major mining centres have yet to issue their own, after last week's salvo from a State Council committee led by Chinese Vice Premier Liu He.

"Relocating their mining operations to overseas is the miners' only Plan B," Winston Ma, NYU Law School adjunct professor, said, adding that only China's biggest mining operators can make the exodus smoothly.

Kazhakstan, which clarified its crypto mining rules last year, hopes it will boost an oil-dominated economy.

"We received inquiries from three Chinese bitcoin miners on Monday about using our hosting services," said Didar Bekbauov co-founder of Kazakhstan based Hive Mining, which provides 'hosting hotels' for mining machines.

Bekbauov said it appeared they were looking for an alternative after the crackdown.

Some miners are angry at having to move.

"As long as the mining business is not illegal, you should not kill the industry with just a few words from officials," one Chinese crypto player, who declined to be identified, said.

(Reporting by Samuel Shen in Shanghai and Alun John in Hong Kong; Editing by Sumeet Chatterjee and Alexander Smith)

(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.)
Oil prices steadied on Wednesday as a drop in US crude stockpiles reinforced expectations of improving demand ahead of the peak summer driving season, offsetting worries that a possible return of Iranian supply would cause a glut.

Brent rose 16 cents, or 0.2%, to $68.81 a barrel by 11:20 a.m. EDT (1520 GMT), and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was up 11 cents, or 0.2%, at $66.18 a barrel.

Both benchmarks pared earlier losses after government data showed US crude stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, storage hub fell last week to the lowest since March 2020. Refiners also ramped up utilization rates to pre-pandemic levels. [EIA/S]

Gasoline product supplied rose to 9.5 million barrels per day, a proxy for demand, while distillate demand was also higher. Gasoline consumption generally rises beginning around US Memorial Day - which falls on May 31 this year - when people take to the roads.

Prices found some support from lifting of coronavirus curbs.

"An urge to 'hit the roads' in heading out on vacations that were precluded by the pandemic last year will be supporting the gasoline market," said Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch and Associates in Galena, Illinois.

But market players were also closely watching developments in Iranian-US nuclear talks which could lead to lifting sanctions on Iran's energy industry and releasing Iranian oil on the market.

"Prices should remain supported over the summer with the only thing keeping oil from price increases being the potential return of Iranian oil," said Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates in Houston, Texas.

Iran's government spokesman Ali Rabiei said he was optimistic Tehran would reach an agreement soon, although Iran's top negotiator said serious issues remained.

Analysts have said Iran could provide additional supply of about 1 million to 2 million bpd if a deal is struck.

Iran and global powers have held talks in Vienna since April to work out steps Tehran must take on nuclear activities and Washington should take on sanctions to return to full compliance with the pact Iran reached with world powers in 2015.

Russia said the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, a group known as OPEC+, should consider a possible increase in Iranian output when assessing further steps.

OPEC+ is bringing back 2.1 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil production through July, easing cuts to 5.8 million bpd. Their next meeting is set for June 1.
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is quoting at Rs 476.6, up 0.46% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The stock is up 44.67% in last one year as compared to a 64.16% spurt in NIFTY and a 53.06% spurt in the Nifty Energy.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd gained for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 476.6, up 0.46% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is up around 0.54% on the day, quoting at 15291.2. The Sensex is at 50966.8, up 0.65%. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd has risen around 13.38% in last one month.

Meanwhile, Nifty Energy index of which Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is a constituent, has risen around 8.86% in last one month and is currently quoting at 19542.4, down 0.4% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 83.09 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 87.4 lakh shares in last one month.

The benchmark May futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 475.4, up 0.3% on the day. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is up 44.67% in last one year as compared to a 64.16% spurt in NIFTY and a 53.06% spurt in the Nifty Energy index.

The PE of the stock is 14.32 based on TTM earnings ending December 20.

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PG Electroplast has enabled resolutions to raise Rs 76.60 crore from investors for capacity expansion at its air conditioning plant in Pune.

Baring Private Equity India AIF, Ananta Capital (promoted by the Taparia Family) and the Patni family office are participating through preferential allotment of Equity Shares of Rs 40.30 crore and Compulsorily Convertible Debentures (CCD) of Rs 36.30 crore in the company.

Through this funding, PG Electroplast is planning to expand its plant situated in Pune which produces air-conditioners and cooler businesses and establish a new plant in Greater Noida which will produce air coolers, mobile phone parts and other plastic components.

Total investment planned for the expansions is about Rs 100 crore for this year.

Vikas Gupta, Managing Director of PGEL said, Through this growth focused funding, we plan to expand our production capacity in manufacturing of ACs and coolers. We want to triple the production capacity of AC manufacturing and other products too. The capacity expansion is in line with the growth envisaged in the segment and will also allow use to comfortably meet the PLI scheme criteria of the Government of India.

The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 25 May 2021. Shares of PG Electroplast rose 4.99% to settle at Rs 392.60 yesterday.

PG Electroplast is a trusted partner for Electronic Manufacturing Services and Plastic Moulding for leading consumer durable and automotive plastic companies in India.

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PNB Housing Finance informed that the meeting of the board of directors of the company is scheduled on 31 May 2021 to consider and approve fund raising.

Hinduja Global Solutions announced that it is looking to hire up to 250 remote customer service representatives in Quebec to support its ongoing growth of its Canadian entity.

Zuari Agro Chemicals informed that the damages caused by Cyclone - Tauktae to the fertilizer plant at Goa including loss due to material lost is approx. Rs. 2.5 crore.

Bodal Chemicals informed that PT BODAL CHEMICALS INDONESIA has been incorporated in Jakarta, Indonesia as a Wholly Owned Subsidiary Company of Bodal the company. Main objective is trading (including wholesale trade) of dyes and other related chemicals and basic chemicals ingredients.

PG Electroplast has enabled resolutions to raise Rs 76.6 crore from investors. Baring Private Equity India AIF, Ananta Capital (promoted by the Taparia Family) and the Patni family office are participating through preferential allotment of equity shares of Rs 40.30 crore and Compulsorily Convertible Debentures (CCD) of Rs 36.30 crore in the company.

Hercules Hoists said the company's board of directors approved the proposal received from Hindustan Unilever, Nashik regarding purchase of three windmills, 1.25 MW capacity each situated at Khori, Dhule, Maharashtra

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The Governor, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) held a meeting with the MD & CEOs of select Private Sector Banks on May 25, 2021 through video conference. The Governor recognised the crucial role played by the private sector banks as important stakeholders in the Indian banking sector. He impressed upon the banks to quickly and swiftly implement the measures announced by RBI on May 5, 2021 in right earnest.

He also advised the banks to ensure continuity in provision of various financial services including credit facilities to individuals and businesses in the face of challenges brought on by the pandemic. He also urged them to continue focussing on efforts to further strengthen their balance sheets proactively. The officials also deliberated on assessment of current economic situation and the state of the banking sector and credit flows to different segments of the economy, particularly to small borrowers, MSMEs, etc.

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About 1:20 a.m., Clark, 32, of the 700 block of West Roscoe Street in Lakeview, was riding east on his bike on Logan Boulevard, approaching the intersection at North Western Avenue, police said. A silver Hyundai Sonata driving south on Western Avenue was coming up on a green light and drove into the intersection, hitting the bicyclist as he ran a red light, a witness and the driver both told responding officers, according to a crash report.
Tata Consultancy Services announced that it has partnered with LACChain, an initiative led by IDB Lab, the innovation laboratory of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, to drive the development of a blockchain ecosystem across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The LACChain alliance collaborates with technology partners and ecosystem actors to create blockchain platforms, standards, and marketplaces to innovate and co-create life-changing solutions for people who are vulnerable and affected by economic, social or environmental factors.

TCS will leverage its deep domain knowledge across industry verticals, technological expertise, and research and innovation to create a marketplace of blockchain solutions in the areas of healthcare, energy, education and financial services. The partners will focus on coming up with a range of solutions to address the urgent need of healthcare systems - such as decentralized vaccination distribution platforms and immunity passport for safe travel - which will also aid in reviving the economy and ensuring safe travel.

n the digital identity space, the partners will create blockchain solutions to enable collaboration between academics and companies to create a skills marketplace and revive the job market in the geography.

In the financial services field, it will address inefficiencies in payments and settlements to offer faster settlements and financial inclusion for every citizen. The solutions will also drive the adoption of renewable energy while reducing the cost per unit, creating an abundance of energy for the people.

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Incidents of inter-community riots and chaos due to a social media message, forwarded several times, have become a big headache for the government and local law enforcement agencies. The incidents have caused a huge loss of life and property and tarnished the image of the administration. Therefore, to stop the spread of such malicious content, the Indian government believes that its important to find the genesis of the message.



Hence, under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, published on February 25, social media platforms were asked to actively monitor the content on their platform, among other things.

The deadline to comply with these IT rules was 25th of May.



So far, only  the homegrown version of Twitter, has accepted the guidelines. Meanwhile, has indicated that it'll comply with the IT rules, WhatsApp has filed a legal challenge against the Indian government.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday stated that India is proud of its scientists who have worked on the development of COVID-19 vaccines. The Prime Minister was delivering the keynote address at Virtual Vesak Global Celebrations on Buddha Purnima i.e May 26. PM Modi talked about how India and the rest of the world has been dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak, describing it as the "worst crisis humanity has faced in decades".

"We now have a better understanding of the pandemic which strengthens our strategy to fight. We have the vaccine which is important to save lives and defeat the pandemic. India is proud of our scientists who have worked on the COVID-19 vaccines," said PM Modi.

The Prime Minister also praised the efforts of the frontline workers who have sacrificed their lives in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. "I once again salute our frontline healthcare workers, doctors, nurses who selflessly risk their lives every day to serve others in need, to those who have suffered and lost their dear ones. I extend condolences," said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister added that while the world is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, it must not lose sight of other challenges humanity faces. He said, "One of the challenges is climate change. Weather patterns are changing, glaciers are melting, rivers & forests are in danger, we can't let our planet remain wounded".

"India is among the few large economies to be on track to completing the Paris targets. For us, sustainable living is not only about right words it is about actions," PM Modi added.

During his keynote, PM Modi discussed the lessons learned from the life of Gautam Buddha who the event was dedicated to. PM Modi said, "Buddha's life was about peace, harmony and coexistence. Today, there're still forces whose existence depends on spreading hate, terror & mindless violence. Such forces don't believe in liberal democratic principles. Believers of humanity must come together, defeat terror."

"In the last year, we have seen several individuals & organizations rise to the occasion and do everything possible to reduce suffering. The generous contribution of equipment and materials made by the Buddist organizations, followers of Buddh dharma from the world over," added the Prime Minister.

The Virtual Vesak Global Celebrations are being organised by the Culture Ministry in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC). Heads of the Buddhist Sanghas from around the world are participating in his event. Over 50 most prominent Buddhist religious leaders from around the world are slated to address the congregation.

Also read: 'Countries must share vaccine tech; no space for vaccine nationalism': Nirmala Sitharaman

Also read: FM Sitharaman to chair 43rd GST Council meeting on May 28
The Indian health-tech market is expected to grow at a 39 per cent compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) over FY2020-FY2023 and is expected to reach US $50 billion by 2033, says a report.

The health-tech market, which comprises of six segments -- telemedicine, e-pharmacy, fitness, wellness, healthcare IT, analytics, home healthcare and personal health management, is currently worth about $2 billion. This is less than 1 per cent of the overall healthcare industry in India, the report by RBSA Advisors said.

"The pandemic and adoption of technology in healthcare has brought a quantum shift in the sector. In recent years, we have seen some of the most significant deals, and the Indian health-tech sector has received close to $1.6 billion in funding since 2017," said Rajeev Shah, MD and CEO of RBSA Advisors.

The report says the Indian health-tech industry will grow to $5 billion by 2023 and to $50 billion in another ten years. E-pharmacies were the largest segment in the Indian health-tech market in 2020 with $700 million revenue, followed by B2B health-tech market ($60.2 million), B2B medical supplies ($28.8 million), other health-tech services ($100 million), e-diagnostics ($70 million) and teleconsultation ($45 million).

Wider application of robotics, machine learning and artificial intelligence, wearables and on-body devices, blockchain, among others, are going to change the future of healthcare. Cloud infrastructure in healthcare record maintenance and increased focus on digitalisation of patient healthcare records is likely to accelerate further, the report said.

Also read: MeitY defends new social media rules after WhatsApp lawsuit, assures right to privacy

Application of robotics is growing rapidly in healthcare and medical industry and going forward, wider application of 'humanless' systems and technology is expected especially in surgery, prosthetics, therapeutics, healthcare logistics, pharma manufacturing, among others. 3D bioprinting will find its application in drug testing, living human tissue production, medical research and development.

The Internet of Things in conjunction with telemedicine has created a new Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), which has come to play a critical role in monitoring and preventing illnesses. AI-driven analytics, tools and machines can help healthcare providers find the right approach for each patient with more efficient, precise and impactful intervention. Applications of nanotechnologies in disease diagnosis, drug delivery targeted at specific sites in the body and molecular imaging are being investigated and various products are undergoing clinical trials, said the report.

Health-tech startups have now started getting investor attention and are raising capital. Some of the major health-tech startups to get sizeable PE/VC funding are healthcare and IT analytics company Innovaccer ($225 million), e-pharmacy Pharmeasy ($651.5 million) and 1mg ($191.3 million), fitness and wellness platform cure.fit ($404.6 million), and telemedicine platform practo ($232 million).

Also read: This Tata Group stock zoomed 280% in 12 months, did you miss the rally?
Following the lawsuit filed by WhatsApp in the Delhi High Court against the government's new digital rules, the Government of India has clarified that it respects the right to privacy and does not have any intention to violate it. The government also stated that WhatsApp's last moment challenge to the Intermediary Guidelines is an unfortunate attempt to prevent the same from coming into effect, even when they had sufficient time and opportunity available during the consultation process and after the rules were enacted.

While WhatsApp seeks to mandate a privacy policy wherein it will share the data of all its user with its parent company Facebook for marketing and advertising purposes, it is making every effort to refuse the enactment of the Intermediary Guidelines which are necessary to uphold law and order and curb the menace of fake news, Centre said.

The government stated that any operations being run in India are subject to the law of the land, and WhatsApp's refusal to comply with the guidelines is a clear act of defiance of a measure whose intent can certainly not be doubted. It also added that WhatsApp is carving out an exception that messages on the platform are end-to-end encrypted. It is also pertinent to note that the rule to trace the first originator of the information is mandatory for each and every significant social media intermediary, irrespective of their method of operation.

ALSO READ: Why WhatsApp has sued Indian govt

The Government of India further added the Intermediary Guidelines are not rules enacted in isolation but have global precedence. In July 2019, the governments of the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada issued a communique, concluding that: "tech companies should include mechanisms in the design of their encrypted products and services whereby governments, acting with appropriate legal authority, can gain access to data in a readable and usable format." And what India is asking for is significantly much less than what some of the other countries have demanded, the government said.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) highlighted that the Rule 4(2) of the Intermediary Guidelines is not a measure in isolation. The rules were framed after consultation with various stakeholders and social media intermediaries, including but not limited to WhatsApp. Also, after October 2018, WhatsApp made no specific objection to the Government of India in writing relating to the requirement to trace the first originator in relation to serious offences. While WhatsApp had generally sought time to extend the time for enforcement of guidelines but did not make any formal reference that traceability is not possible.

Union IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stated, "None of the measures proposed by India will impact the normal functioning of WhatsApp in any manner whatsoever and for the common users, there will be no impact." He further added that the Government of India is committed to ensuring the right to privacy for all its citizens, but at the same time it is also the responsibility of the government to maintain law and order and ensure national security.

ALSO READ: Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp vs Indian govt: New rules, case in Delhi HC and other key points you must know

MeitY also clarified that according to all established judicial dictum, no fundamental right, including the right to privacy, is absolute and it is subject to reasonable restrictions. The requirements in the Intermediary Guidelines pertaining to the first originator of information are an example of such a reasonable restriction.

The government said, WhatsApp would only be required to disclose the origin of a particular message for prevention, investigation or punishment of very serious offences related to the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, or public order, or of incitement to an offence relating to the above or in relation with rape, sexually explicit material or child sexual abuse material. Also, such information can only be sought as per a process sanctioned by the law thereby incorporating sufficient legal safeguards.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS

LDS syringes have been delivered in Lucknow and Noida

More LDS syringes to be handed over to the Greater Chennai Corporation in Tamil Nadu

LDS syringes reduces drug wastage by minimising amount of drug left in syringes

Helping India scale up its COVID vaccination drive, South Korean technology giant Samsung is importing innovative Low Dead Space (LDS) syringes. Airlifted from South Korea, 3,25,000 LDS syringes each have been delivered to district administrations in Lucknow and Noida, and another 3,50,000 LDS syringes will soon be handed over to the Greater Chennai Corporation in Tamil Nadu. These syringes will be deployed at COVID vaccination centres in the districts.

A part of the company's COVID support programme for India, Samsung says LDS syringes will minimise the amount of drug left in the syringes after an injection, reducing vaccine wastage, and thereby enabling 20 per cent more people to get the dose with the same amount of vaccine. Samsung has helped the manufacturer of these syringes increase production capacity. These innovative syringes have been introduced for usage in a few markets including the United States to optimise vaccination.

ALSO READ: COVID-19: Sputnik V makers have agreed to supply vaccine to Delhi, says Kejriwal

Samsung has pledged $5 million contributions to help India fight against COVID-19. Samsung's contribution includes $2 million worth of medical supplies, including 100 oxygen concentrators, 3,000 oxygen cylinders and one million LDS syringes. The company is providing donations to central and state governments and boosting the healthcare sector with essential medical equipment for hospitals.

"Samsung stands strong with the nation in these testing times. Over the past few weeks, Samsung has focused on providing support to governments with oxygen concentrators and oxygen cylinders, and financial grants to purchase more of these equipment, as this was the need of the hour. Now, as our country focusses on vaccinating the population, we are supporting this effort with innovative LDS syringes that will help reduce vaccine wastage and vaccinate more people with the same amount of vaccine," said Partha Ghosh, Vice President and Head of CSR, Samsung India.

Samsung has also announced that it will cover the vaccination costs for over 50,000 eligible employees and beneficiaries in India.

In April 2020, Samsung had contributed Rs 20 crore to India's fight against the pandemic. This included a donation to the central government and support to the local administration in Noida, where the company had provided hospitals with medical equipment required in the preventive drive against the pandemic such as thousands of masks and Personal Preventive Equipment (PPE) kits.

ALSO READ: Moderna plans India launch next year for single-dose COVID vaccine
Fugitive Indian diamantaire Mehul Choksi, who went missing from residence in Antigua and Barbuda, has been taken into custody by Dominica Police. Dominica is a small island nation located in the Carribean sea.

Meanwhile, the Antiguan PMO has asked Dominican government to treat Choksi has persona non grata and deport him directly to India for entering the country illegaly. Persona non grata in diplomatic terms refers to situation where diplomatic immunity of an individual from arrest and persecution is revoked.

After someone from his household revealed that Choksi has been missing, the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda had started looking into the matter. The businessman, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is one of the prime accussed in the Rs 14,700 crore PNB scam which came to light in February 2018.

Choksi took the citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in 2017 via the citizenship by investment route. He and Modi fled India in January 2018 before the scam could be brought into public light. While Modi has been hiding, and is now in custody, in London, Choksi was hiding in Antigua and Barbuda. He has two cases against him in the Carribean nation - one is related to his extradition to India and the second one is revocation of his Antiguan citizenship. Modi, on the other hand, is fighting his extradition case in UK courts.

Local media reports said Choksi was last seen driving in the southern area of the island on Sunday. He was reportedly going for dinner at a well-known restaurant. Police have recovered his vehicle but were unable to trace him, reports suggested.

Police had reportedly launched a manhunt to trace the fugitive businessman on Sunday last week. A statement regarding his disappearance was issued and later shared with Interpol.

ALSO READ: Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi goes missing in Antigua and Barbuda

ALSO READ: PNB scam: Special court sends show cause notice to Nirav Modi
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COVID-19 lockdowns to cost India $74 billion in Apr-Jun: Barclays

The economic costs of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in India and lockdowns to curb spread of infection are rising rapidly, and may cost India $74 billion (about Rs 5.4 lakh crore) during April-June quarter, according to Barclays. While the economy is "reasonably stable", it experienced a sharp decline in activity in May.

WhatsApp sues Indian govt, says new media rules mean end to privacy

WhatsApp has filed a legal complaint in Delhi against the Indian government seeking to block regulations coming into force on Wednesday that experts say would compel the California-based Facebook unit to break privacy protections, sources said. The lawsuit, described to Reuters by people familiar with it, asks the Delhi High Court to declare that one of the new rules is a violation of privacy rights in India's constitution

Moderna plans India launch next year for single-dose COVID vaccine

Moderna is expecting to launch a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in India next year and is in talks with Cipla among other Indian firms, while another US giant Pfizer is ready to offer 5 crore shots in 2021 itself but it wants significant regulatory relaxations including indemnification, sources said on Tuesday.

Cyclone Yaas intensifies into very severe cyclonic storm, red alert in Odisha, Bengal

Cyclone Yaas intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday evening, India Meteorological Department Director General M Mohapatra said. The IMD has also issued a red-coded warning alert to the Odisha and West Bengal coasts. It is very likely to move north-northwestwards, intensify further and reach near north Odisha coast close to Dhamra port

COVID-19: Delhi reports lowest daily deaths since April 16, positivity rate at nearly 2-month low

Delhi recorded 156 Covid fatalities on Tuesday, the lowest since April 16, while 1,568 new cases were reported as the positive rate dipped to nearly two-month low of 2.14 per cent, according to the daily health bulletin.

This is the third day in a row that the daily cases in the national capital have remained below 2,000.
Highlights Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter are yet to accept the new privacy policy.

The government had not only set the rules for Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp and other social media apps but also for the OTT platforms.

WhatsApp has filed a lawsuit against the government seeking a ban on regulations coming into force.

The fate of Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp hang by a single thread as the new intermediary guidelines come into effect starting today. The Ministry of Electronics had announced new IT rules on February 25 and had given the social media platforms three months to comply with the new rules. However, none of the platforms including Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp has complied with the new law as of now. The entire fiasco has raised a lot of questions about whether the Indian government will get rid of the social media apps if they don't accept the new rules or not. While the chances of that happening are slim, there could be other factors that would change the course for the social media companies in India.

The government had not only set the rules for Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp and other social media apps but also for the OTT platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime and others. While Netflix has complied with the new intermediary guidelines, the other companies are yet to submit their agreement. The reason why the companies are taking longer to accept the new rules is that it gives the government a lot of power to regulate companies dealing in information and content within India.

On February 25, the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MEITy) had announced new guidelines for the social media and OTT platforms. The IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had urged the companies to have a 'soft-touch oversight mechanism' and have a 'robust redressal of grievances." Prasad had said during a press conference that the social media platforms provide a voice to ordinary citizens, but such platforms should not be used to disseminate content that affects "individuals rights dignity" and privacy. The social media platforms were granted three months time to comply with the new policy.

What are the new rules?

The new IT rules say that if the social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp do not comply with the new guidelines, they will lose the protection that "intermediaries" get in under the IT Act. So what are the new rules, and why are companies taking so long to comply with them?

Under the new law, the big tech companies have been asked to appoint a chief compliance officer from India, who can cater to the demands of the government and address the issues raised by the government. For instance, If the government asks for user data from any of the social media apps, and if the demand is legal, the compliance officer will provide the data. Along with a compliance officer, the companies have also been asked to hire a nodal officer that will coordinate with the law enforcement authorities whenever required.

The companies have also been asked to include a special grievance redressal officer, who shall be responsible for addressing the issues of the social media users.

 WhatsApp primarily has been asked to trace a message to the original sender if the need arises. However, this is strictly against the promises WhatsApp has made to its users. The app is end-to-end encrypted which means not even the company can access the chats of the users, but this new law would mean breaking or circumventing end-to-end encryption on messages. Appointing officers seem easier than complying with a request like this. The government had said that it would help in stoping the spread of fake news through platforms like WhatsApp.

Out of the many rules laid out by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MEITy), these are some of the major ones that would change how social media companies would function once they comply with the new guidelines.

Are WhatsApp, Facebook complying with the new rules?

While Facebook has said that it aims to comply with the provisions of the IT rules, WhatsApp has filed a lawsuit against the government seeking a ban on regulations coming into force on Wednesday. As per a Reuters report, WhatsApp had asked the Delhi High Court to declare one of the rules as a violation of privacy rights because it forces the social media companies to trace the "first originator of information" when the government demands it. This law would compel WhatsApp to go against its own policy as the app is end-to-end encrypted. Tracing the originator of the message would mean circumventing the end-to-end encryption.

Talking about why WhatsApp is challenging the Indian government's IT rules, a WhatsApp spokesperson told, "Requiring messaging apps to 'trace' chats is the equivalent of asking us to keep a fingerprint of every single message sent on WhatsApp, which would break end-to-end encryption and fundamentally undermines people's right to privacy. We have consistently joined civil society and experts around the world in opposing requirements that would violate the privacy of our users. In the meantime, we will also continue to engage with the Government of India on practical solutions aimed at keeping people safe, including responding to valid legal requests for the information available to us."

Will Facebook, WhatsApp face a ban if they do not comply?

This brings us to the most important question will social media apps get banned in India if they don't comply with the new rules? The government has not clearly mentioned whether it will completely ban the social media apps or not but has talked about taking away the protection in the IT act.

"Where an intermediary fails to observe these rules, the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 79 of the Act shall not be applicable to such intermediary and the intermediary shall be liable for punishment under any law for the time being in force including the provisions of the Act and the Indian Penal Code," the government said.

To break it down for users, sub-section (1) of Section 79 of the IT Act gives protection to social media apps by making them "intermediaries". This saves the social media apps from being responsible for what the user is posting on social media. So as per the government, if the social media apps fail to comply with the new rules, they will lose the protection that "intermediaries" get in IT Act. The protection is extremely crucial for social media companies because once they lose it, they can be held responsible for the actions of the users and prosecuted using the laws that are applicable.

What are long terms effects?

For now, social media apps will continue to function. However, if it fails to comply with the new rules, the government will make decide the fate of the companies in India. The government might not entirely block the social media apps because they are a lot of factors involved but may levy a fine or stop the companies from doing business in India.

But for now, Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp are not going anywhere you may continue to use the apps just the way you were before the whole IT rules fiasco happened.
Highlights The government of India has issued a warning against sharing their certificates on social media.

The vaccination certificates should not be shared on social media as they may be misused by cyber fraudsters.

The moment you get your first dose of COVID-19 vaccination, the government issues a certificate.

Getting a COVID-19 vaccination shot in such bleak times can be a matter of joy but sharing your COVID-19 vaccination certificate on social media can be a bad move. The government of India has issued a warning against sharing their certificates on social media. People who are vaccinated or have received their first dose have posted their certificates on social media without thinking that the certificate carries some crucial data that should not put out in the public.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has posted the advisory on Twitter from the Cyber Dost account, which is the Cyber-safety and Cybersecurity awareness handle. Warning users against posting their certificates, the government said in a tweet, "Beware of sharing #vaccination certificate on social media because the vaccine certificate contains your name and other personal details." The tweet further highlights that vaccination certificates should not be shared on social media as they may be misused by cyber fraudsters to defraud you.

The moment you get your first dose of COVID-19 vaccination, the government issues a certificate that mentions the name of the vaccine you have received, along with the time and date of receiving the vaccination. The certificate also carries the name of the vaccination centre and last four digits of your Aadhaar card. Apart from that, the certificate also mentions the date of your second dose. However, the certificate that you receive after your first dose is only the provisional certificate, you will receive the final certificate once you get fully vaccinated.

A vaccination certificate will become as important as your Aadhar card in the near future as you use it while travelling to other countries, cities as when the COVID situation eases in India. You will get the link to download your certificate as an SMS on your registered mobile number as soon as you take your first dose. You can also sign in to the Cowin portal to download your certificate. You can also get it from the Aarogya Setu app using your beneficiary ID.
State Sen. Robert Martwick, a Chicago Democrat whos pushed for an elected school board for several years and is sponsoring the latest effort in the Senate, said he is willing to continue negotiating, but Im not going to give up if we cant reach a comprise; Im not going to say we shouldnt do anything if people cant agree.
Druva Inc., the leader in Cloud Data Protection and Management, today announced that Redington (India) Limited has been appointed as the companys national distributor in India. Leveraging Redingtons far reaching presence across India and its more than 500 SaaS channel partners and industry expertise, new and potential customers will now have expanded access to a wide range of preferred channel partners offering Druva Cloud Platforms comprehensive cloud data protection solution. Together, Druva and Redington will enable even more Indian businesses to experience the benefits of cloud.

The global pandemic and remote working over the last 12 months has pushed Indian businesses to accelerate their digital transformation initiatives. According to IDC, by 2024, over 50 percent of enterprises in India will replace outdated operational models with cloud-centric models*. As Indian enterprises rapidly replace legacy infrastructure and become cloud ready, channel partners become critical in accelerating this shift, ensuring successful application migration and deploying unified data protection for existing and new cloud and SaaS workloads.

Successful partnerships are founded on a shared desire to help others, and a determination to deliver outstanding experiences, said Scott Morris, vice president APJ sales, Druva. Redingtons deep focus on support for SaaS solutions aligns perfectly with Druva Cloud Platforms cloud-native approach and expansive workload coverage for hybrid, cloud, devices and leading SaaS applications. Working with Redington, we will deliver the promise of the cloud to more businesses and help them unlock the value of their data.

Through its partnership with Redington, Druva is focused on empowering channel partners and supporting businesses in their digital transformation journey with market expertise and a leading solution designed to harness the power of the cloud. Channel partners and their customers can benefit from Druvas comprehensive workload coverage, ensuring data security, compliance and business continuity as Indian enterprises increasingly shift to the cloud.

We are seeing increasing demand for cloud native data protection and management solutions, which not only address the core data center solutions but also address the requirements of public and hybrid cloud environments, said R. Venkatesh, President Enterprise, Redington India. Through our partnership with Druva, we will create one of the most complete data protection solutions delivered via SaaS to our partners and customers.

This partnership with Redington follows Druvas increasing focus in the APJ region. As businesses of all sizes increasingly utilize the regions rapidly expanding cloud resources to re-imagine business operations, Druva has grown its data centre workload revenue more than 100 percent in the last 18 months. The company recently appointed storage industry veteran, Scott Morris, to further accelerate this growth and lead its APJ sales and alliances organization. In India, Druva has continued to witness rapid cloud adoption and a demand for improved business agility, helping more than 400 companies including Indigo and Adani Wilmar to move away from the investment-heavy and legacy approach to data protection.

Additional Information

*IDC, IDC Unveils Cloud Predictions for 2021 and Beyond

About Druva Cloud Platform

Built for the public cloud with a microservices architecture, Druva Cloud Platform is secure by design, always up-to-date, and offers all-inclusive, consumption-based pricing. The industrys largest cloud-native SaaS platform operating at scale, Druva Cloud Platform enables organizations to centrally protect data, no matter where it lives: cloud environments, leading SaaS applications such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and Salesforce, hybrid environments, or endpoint devices. Leveraging this innovative SaaS platform, organizations can reduce the cost and complexity of data protection, accelerate and protect cloud projects and increase cyber resilience and regulatory compliance.

About Druva

Druva delivers Data Protection and Management for the cloud era. Druva Cloud Platform is built on AWS and offered as-a-Service; customers drive down costs by up to 50 percent by freeing themselves from the burden of unnecessary hardware, capacity planning, and software management. Druva is trusted by thousands of companies worldwide, including over 50 of the Fortune 500. Druva is a privately held company headquartered in Sunnyvale, California and is funded by Sequoia Capital, Viking Global Investors, CDPQ, Neuberger Berman, Tenaya Capital, Riverwood Capital and Nexus Partners. Visit druva.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210525005943/en/
Merck Foundation announced the Call for Applications for their upcoming Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards More Than a Mother 2021 and Mask Up with Care Media Recognition Awards 2021 in partnership with African First Ladies at the 8th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary.

The Merck Foundation Health Media Training was attended by African, Asian, and Latin American Journalists from more than 35 countries.



Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany conducted their Health Media Training through an online video conference, on the sidelines of the 8th Edition of MERCK FOUNDATION AFRICA ASIA LUMINARY, being held in partnership with the Government of Zambia. The conference was inaugurated by The President of Zambia, H.E. Dr. EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU and Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp Chairman of both of Executive Board of E.Merck KG and Merck Foundation Board of Trustees. It was co-chaired by H.E. Mrs. ESTHER LUNGU, The First Lady of Zambia and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.



The Merck Foundation Health Media Training is a part of Merck Foundation More than a Mother community awareness Program and was organized to emphasize on the important role that media plays to influence our society to create a cultural shift with the aim to Break the Stigma around Infertility, raising awareness about Infertility Prevention, and Empowering Girls and Women through Education.



Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck More Than a Mother emphasized I have always emphasized on the prominent role of media as I strongly believe that media has the capacity and ability to create a culture shift in our communities in a cost-effective way. Through this important training, we are aiming to educate media, especially the young journalists, on how to break the silence and be the voice of the voiceless in order to eliminate the stigma of infertility and raise awareness about male infertility and infertility prevention and emphasize the importance of girls education, through their day to day work.



Merck Foundation Health Media Training was addressed by top fertility experts and stalwarts of media from countries like Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mauritius, and Senegal.



The Health Media training was attended by journalists from Print, TV, Radio and Online media from more than 35 African and Latin American countries.



During the session, Merck Foundation also announced two awards for media fraternity, Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards More Than a Mother 2021 and Merck Foundation Mask Up With Care Media Recognition Awards 2021; two awards for fashion fraternity, Merck Foundation Fashion Awards More Than a Mother 2021 and Merck Foundation Make Your Own Mask Fashion Awards 2021.



Furthermore, Merck Foundation in partnership with African First Ladies announced two other important awards:



1) Merck Foundation Film Awards More Than a Mother 2021 and

2) Merck Foundation Song Awards More Than a Mother 2021.



All these awards are in partnership with my dear sisters the First Ladies of Africa. 20 First Ladies will lead these awards in their countries as Ambassadors of Merck Foundation More than a Mother. However, the awards are open for all of Africa as well as Latin America which will be announced separately in Spanish and Portuguese next week, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej added.



Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej also emphasized, I strongly believe that media, art, and fashion play a significant role in raising awareness about sensitive topics like infertility and girl education and women empowerment, hence will contribute significantly to break the stigma around infertile women in Africa, if utilized properly. There are many infertile women out there; we witness their stories of suffering and humiliation every day, it is time to act and make a change. Through the awards under the More Than a Mother campaign, we would like to join hands with media, film, music and fashion fraternity to make a change and Break Infertility Stigma, a message that must reach every door, every community, every mind, and every heart. Another important message is to emphasize the importance of girl education in our communities.



Moreover, given the unprecedented times and second wave of coronavirus, it is important to sensitize communities and raise awareness about following best practices. Raising awareness about coronavirus in our communities will also contribute to supporting health workers who are at the forefront of COVID-19 response - providing high-quality, respectful treatment, and care. Hence, we came up with awards for media persons and fashion designers, so as to encourage people to wear masks during the Coronavirus pandemic and protect themselves and others.



Details of the Merck Foundation Africa More Than A Mother Media Recognition Awards 2021:



Who can apply:

Journalists from Print, Radio, Online, and Multimedia platforms from the following groups:

Southern African Countries West African Countries East African Countries African French Speaking Countries African Portuguese Speaking Countries Latin American Countries



How to Apply:

Entries can be submitted via email to:



Last date of Submission: 30th August 2021



The Subject line of the mail should mention: Merck Foundation Africa MORE THAN A MOTHER Media Recognition Awards 2021



Please specify your name, country, category of application, and contact details in the mail.



Categories and Prize Money: Entries can be submitted via email to: [email protected] 30th August 2021

Categories Print Media Online Media Radio Multimedia Prize Money USD 500 USD 500 USD 500 USD 1000



Sending multiple applications will increase the chances of winning the award.

For more information on the awards, please visit our website: www.merck-foundation.com



About Merck Foundation More Than a Mother campaign



Merck Foundation More Than a Mother is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education and change of mind-sets. This powerful campaign supports governments in defining policies to enhance access to regulated, safe, effective and equitable fertility care solutions. It defines interventions to break the stigma around infertile women and raises awareness about infertility prevention, management and male infertility. In partnership with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Information, Education & Gender, academia, policymakers, International fertility societies, media and art, the initiative also provides training for fertility specialists and embryologists to build and advance fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries.



With Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, we have initiated a cultural shift to de-stigmatize infertility at all levels: By improving awareness, training local experts in the fields of fertility care and media, building advocacy in cooperation with African First Ladies and women leaders and by supporting childless women in starting their own small businesses. Its all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child.



The Ambassadors of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother are:



H.E. NEO JANE MASISI,

The First Lady of Botswana H.E. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia H.E. MONICA GEINGOS, The First Lady of Namibia H.E. SIKA KABORE, The First Lady of Burkina Faso H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of Ghana H.E. AISHA BUHARI, The First Lady of Nigeria H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, The First Lady of Burundi H.E. CONDE DJENE, The First Lady of Guinea Conakry H.E FATIMA MAADA BIO, The First Lady of Sierra Leone H.E. BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central African Republic H.E. CLAR WEAH, The First Lady of Liberia H.E. ESTHER LUNGU, The First Lady of Zambia H.E. ANTOINETTE SASSOU-NGUESSO, The First Lady of Congo Brazzaville H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA, The First Lady of Malawi H.E. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of Zimbabwe H.E. DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI, THE First Lady of Democratic Republic of Congo H.E. ISAURA FERRAO NYUSI, The First Lady of Mozambique The Former First Lady of Burundi, H.E DENISE NKURUNZIZA, The Former First Lady of Chad, H.E. HINDA DEBY ITNO, The Former First Lady of Malawi, H.E. PROFESSOR GERTRUDE MUTHARIKA and The Former First Lady of Niger, H.E AISSATA ISSOUFOU MAHAMADOU have worked successfully with Merck Foundation as Merck Foundation More Than a Mother Ambassadors to break the stigma of infertility and empower infertile women in their countries.



Merck Foundation launched new innovative initiatives to sensitize local communities about infertility prevention, male infertility with the aim to break the stigma of infertility and empowering infertile women as part of Merck Foundation More than a Mother COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, such as;
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Mike Long, who has been Manton police chief since 1998, announced a couple of years ago he would be retiring in 2021. In March, the commission approved the hiring of former Wexford County Sheriff\'s Deputy Corey Lipar to replace Long as chief.
North Chinas Inner Mongolia has announced more plans to crack down on cryptocurrency mining, including by shuttering businesses, as part of its efforts to slash its energy consumption over the next few years.

The autonomous regions government would revoke a certain telecommunications business license of any telecommunications and internet companies that engage in cryptocurrency mining, according to a list of proposed measures (link in Chinese) released Tuesday by the Inner Mongolia Development and Reform Commission for public comments.

Cryptocurrency mining gobbles up vast amounts of power both through the electricity consumed by the specialized computer equipment needed to solve the mathematical puzzles that produce the currency and through the energy needed to cool the machines and prevent them from overheating.

The list of proposed measures also says that big-data centers and cloud computing companies involved in cryptocurrency mining would no longer be eligible for preferential government policies. Such firms would also be banned from trading in a local electricity market that launched in 2010.

In addition, the measures stipulate that the commission could report those who use electricity for cryptocurrency mining without regulatory permission to judicial departments. It would also report government officials to graft busters if they aid companies in cryptocurrency mining.

China is the biggest consumer of computational power for mining Bitcoin, the dominant cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency miners have been in particular drawn to regions such as Inner Mongolia and the Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region in the far west, where electricity resources are abundant and relatively cheap.

As China works to implement its pledge to create a low-carbon economy and reach peak carbon emissions by 2030, policymakers are putting pressure on local governments to play their part, setting targets for annual energy consumption per unit of GDP and for the use of renewable energy.

The Inner Mongolia government released (link in Chinese) its energy targets for 2021 in February, aiming to lower its energy consumption per unit of GDP by 3%, and reduce the role of high-energy consumption industries in its economy. The government said in February that it would shut all virtual currency mining projects in the region by the end of April to meet its energy goals.

Last week, Inner Mongolia announced it had set up a platform for the public to report illegal cryptocurrency mining projects. In the wake of tightening oversight in China, some cryptocurrency miners have started to transfer their equipment overseas.

Read more

China Hits Cryptocurrencies With Double Whammy

The recent list of proposed measures also pledged it would toughen supervision on industrial parks, data centers, and private power plants if they allow companies to use their physical sites or electricity for cryptocurrency mining. The entities would likely face severe punishment if they deliberately conceal such activities or do not shut down the activities in a timely fashion.

The Chinese governments dim view of the digital tokens goes beyond energy consumption concerns. Last week, the prices of several major cryptocurrencies slumped after authorities reiterated that financial and payment institutions cannot accept them as a form of payment. Officials have been concerned about cryptocurrencies potential financial impact for several years, with a ban on initial coin offerings and limits on trading inside China dating back to 2017.

Timmy Shen and Guo Yingzhe contributed to this report.

Contact reporter Tang Ziyi (ziyitang@caixin.com) and editor Joshua Dummer (joshuadummer@caixin.com)

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China surpasses Germany as Britain's biggest single import market in Q1: British statistics office

Xinhua) 08:39, May 26, 2021

Aerial photo taken on Jan. 14, 2021 shows the container terminal of the Lianyungang Port in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Photo by Geng Yuhe/Xinhua)

LONDON, May 26 (Xinhua) -- China surpassed Germany as Britain's biggest single import market in the first quarter (Q1) of 2021, the British Office for National Statistics has said.

Goods imports from China to Britain soared to 16.9 billion pounds (about 23.95 billion U.S. dollars) in Q1, accounting for 16.1 percent of the country's overall goods imports, significantly higher than the second place of Germany at 12.5 billion pounds (17.71 billion dollars), the office said Tuesday.

In addition, goods imports from China increased by 41.1 percent between January 2020 and December 2020, driven by telecommunications, sound equipment, textiles, and clothing, the office added.

The recent increase in imports from China shows a continuation of a long-term trend of increasing imports, "likely because of the relatively limited impact of COVID-19 on Chinese exports," the office said.

Notably, of Britain's top five import partners, China is the only one for which imports grew between Q1 2018 and Q1 2021, it added.

During the past three years, goods imports from China rose by 65.6 percent, followed by Germany, the United States, the Netherlands, and France.

Meanwhile, total goods trade, including imports and exports, from non-European Union (EU) countries overtook that from EU countries in Q1 this year, according to data from the office.

Goods imports from non-EU countries, excluding precious metals, fell by 0.9 percent between Q4 2020 and Q1 2021, while exports increased by 0.4 percent, which "contrasts the significant falls seen for both imports and exports with the EU," the office said.

The continued global impact of COVID-19 and uncertainty surrounding the effect of Brexit have contributed to increased volatility in goods trade across Britain throughout 2020 and into early 2021, it added.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Bianji)
Three other people also were seriously wounded in the shooting. A 15-year-old boy was taken to the Comer in serious condition with a gunshot wound to the head. Another boy, 17, was shot in his left shoulder and was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he had been listed in serious condition, police said. A 22-year-old man was shot multiple times in the back, and he was in critical condition at the University of Chicago Medical Center.
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The driver of the Porsche, of an unknown age, was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. His name was not immediately being made public.


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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
Today would have been Adams 14th birthday. It is hard for me to say these words, Elizabeth Toledo said in a statement read by her attorney. I wish he were here and we were having pizza and cake, just something simple like that. ... What I really want is to have Adam back and I cant do that. But we can try to help other families protect their sons from the temptations that took Adam into the street that night, the night that he was killed.
Photo: The Canadian Press Ombudsperson Jay Chalke.

As British Columbia lays out plans to shed COVID-19 restrictions, the person who ensures fair access to government resources is calling for caution, especially when deciding who is eligible for relaunched services.

A statement from the office of B.C.'s ombudsperson says vaccination certification programs are being explored in B.C. and in jurisdictions across Canada.

Ombudsperson Jay Chalke says this raises concerns about provincial or local public services being limited based on vaccination status.

The organization representing the public advocates across Canada has released guidance about how so-called vaccination passports could affect receipt of services under its members' jurisdiction such as municipal, health, education and other provincial ministries.

Chalke says fairness must be at the centre of any passport program and the national guidance document created by the Canadian Council of Parliamentary Ombudsman agrees.

It says passports must be open to appeal, alternative services must be available for those who have not been vaccinated and governments must offer clear legislation or policy directions about how vaccine certifications are used.

The mandate of a provincial or territorial ombudsman is to ensure people are treated fairly in the delivery of public services and Chalke says vaccine passports have the potential to "result in outcomes that are unreasonable, unfair and unjust."

"Although we're not seeing people having to provide vaccination status yet when receiving public services, we know given the highly dynamic nature of this pandemic that this kind of verification could potentially come into play in a variety of ways," Chalke said in the statement.

If governments do decide to restrict access to services based on a person's vaccination status, Chalke said the decision must be transparent, procedurally fair and clearly communicated.

Possible confusion created by vaccine passports will likely result in complaints to his office, he said.

He said he hopes the guidance issued by his colleagues across Canada will prevent unfairness by offering "proactive reminders" to governments.
Photo: File photo

A B.C. Supreme Court justice has awarded a woman $527,373 in damages for injuries she suffered when she was hit by a pickup while working as a flagger in Quesnel.

In a decision May 20, Justice Robert Jenkins found Phoenix Rea has suffered diminished earning capacity and ongoing pain and suffering as a result of the Sept. 18, 2016 incident.

In a summary, Jenkins said a then 23-year-old Rea was directing traffic when her supervisor told her to stop a vehicle going through a portion of a construction zone closed to traffic.

Rea testified the truck did stop when she held up her sign, but when a co-worker approached to take a photo of the licence plate, the driver "lunged his truck towards me" and struck her with the front driver's side.

Rea recalled lifting her feet so she would not get pulled under the truck. She went onto the hood and then fell off such that her right arm hit the side view mirror and jarred her neck. She landed on the ground, but did not hit her head.

The driver, Daniel Law, left the scene.

In a response to the notice of claim, Law said he had been pulling out of a parking lot of a restaurant in the 300 block of Anderson Drive where pylons had been placed about seven feet apart, making it tight to get in and out. But he also said restaurant staff had told him the city had ordered that the project not block the restaurant's entrance.

Law said a worker from the project waved at him from across the street and, when he stopped, complained to Law about his use of the entrance. Assuming it was over a concern about a concrete pour along the curbs, Law said he told the worker the forms had been stripped and that a packer had rolled over them too, such that a half-ton pickup would cause no harm.

Law said the worker became "instantly boisterous and flamboyant with his hands." Deciding their differences could not be resolved, Law said he drove onto Anderson and headed east to the intersection with Doherty Drive, about a block away. With the worker running behind him and yelling, Law said Rea turned her sign to stop.

"When I could see her efforts to stop me were personal, I decided to go around her," Law said. "It seemed very certain to me the construction worker was interested in beating me up."

He said Rea then blocked the lane and, in response, Law said he moved over and slowed to use a turning lane. When Rea moved in front of her again, Law said he moved over a second time and had slowed down to "walking speed."

Law said he could clearly see his front bumper and tire had passed by her when she "willingly chose" to throw her her arms and sign on the hood. Law said he slowed down even more as Rea "pressed herself away from my vehicle now so that my door mirror might not brush her."

"I stopped just past her long enough to see she was fine and left as I was not interested in dealing with the angry construction worker," said Law, who added he had been driving a commercial vehicle for 10 years without incident.

In contrast to Law's claim, Jenkins found Rea had been hit by a fast-moving pickup truck and found it fortunate that her injuries were not more serious. Jenkins also recounted a difficult work history in the aftermath and a loss in the quality of her life, noting Rea had been an active person prior to the day in question.

Jenkins awarded Rea $250,000 for future loss of income, $135,000 for non-pecuniary losses, $104,000 for future loss of care, $24,800 for loss of past income and $13,573 in special damages.
Photo: The Canadian Press An Atlantic salmon is seen during a Department of Fisheries and Oceans fish health audit at the Okisollo fish farm near Campbell River, B.C., Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS /Jonathan Hayward

Evidence shows a debilitating virus found in British Columbia salmon was transferred from Atlantic fish farms, which then spread from Pacific aquaculture operations into wild fish, says a study published Wednesday.

The researchers used genome sequencing to trace the piscine orthoreovirus, or PRV, that they say was first introduced to B.C. waters from Norway about 30 years ago at the start of open-net pen aquaculture in the province.

The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances, says the evidence now suggests the virus is continuously spread between farmed and wild Pacific salmon as they migrate past the farms.

PRV, which devastated salmon farms in Norway, is a disease linked to heart and skeletal muscle inflammation in farmed salmon, and kidney and liver damage in wild B.C. salmon.

The research was conducted by experts from the University of British Columbia and the Strategic Salmon Health Initiative, a partnership of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Genome BC and the Pacific Salmon Foundation.

"One of the cool things about our study is we demonstrate that this genomic technology, which has been developed to survey viral pathogens in humans, can be translated and used to study a really important fishery resource," said Dr. Gideon Mordecai, a viral ecologist at the university's department of medicine.

In an interview, Mordecai said the researchers sequenced 86 complete PRV genomes and concluded the lineage of the virus in B.C. originates from the North Atlantic.

"This is consistent with the timing of Atlantic salmon egg imports from Europe for salmon farms in the northeast Pacific," the study says.

Mordecai said evidence is mounting that B.C. aquaculture operations pass the virus to wild salmon, with increased infection rates found the closer wild salmon are to the fish farms.

"This virus has been introduced to the region," Mordecai said. "It wasn't naturally here. It's been introduced by people, and it continues to be introduced by the high infections that are in the stocked net pens and that's having an effect."

The B.C. Salmon Farmers' Association said Wednesday that it wanted to review the study before reacting to it.

The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans was not immediately available for comment.

The department has conducted numerous studies on the effects of PRV on farmed Atlantic salmon and wild salmon, but found minimal risk to wild stocks.

Indigenous groups opposed to aquaculture in their traditional territories, especially near the Discovery Islands off northern Vancouver Island, say the proximity of fish farms to wild salmon migration routes increases their disease risk.

The federal government announced the phase out of almost 20 open-net fish farms last December in the Discovery Islands area over the next 18 months.

Mordecai, who earned his doctorate researching honey bee pathogens, said he was spurred to study salmon health after attending academic conferences where government scientists expressed confidence PRV did not pose major risk to wild salmon.

"I thought, 'Well, I better ask that question,'" he said. "The government's lines are the virus poses minimal threat to salmon. It's low risk. It doesn't cause disease and the virus is endemic to the region."

But the genome sequencing results provides evidence that salmon farms serve as a source of the virus to B.C.'s wild salmon, Mordecai said.

The study calls for more monitoring and regulation of infectious diseases threatening wild salmon.

"Although infectious disease is just one of many threats to marine organisms, fully understanding the health status of at-risk wild populations will only be possible if management agencies continue to invest in active monitoring for emerging infectious diseases," says the study.

"Our study highlights the need for robust regulation of aquaculture that may prevent future losses in wild populations, which we propose may be exacerbated by PRV-1 and other emerging infectious diseases."
Photo: The Canadian Press Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois-Philippe Champagne takes part in a year-end interview with The Canadian Press at Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa on December 16, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Science Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says Canada plans to land a rover on the moon in the next five years.

The Canadian Space Agency says the unmanned robotic vehicle will aim to gather imagery and measurements on the moon's cratered surface, showcasing technologies from Canadian companies in a polar region of the earth's only natural satellite.

Conducted in partnership with NASA, the mission hopes to have the rover make it through an entire lunar night, which lasts about two weeks and presents major technological challenges due to the extreme cold and dark.

Lisa Campbell, president of the space agency, says it will put out a request for proposals on design and development from two companies in the coming months.

Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques, decked out in his flight suit, was also present at the virtual announcement Wednesday, and will be among the candidates for the one Canadian spot on a four-person mission to travel around the moon in the next few years.

The announcement happened to come the same day the moon drifted through the earth's shadow in the first total lunar eclipse since January 2019.

The federal government pledge falls under a $150-million lunar exploration program launched that year.

In December the government signed an agreement with the United States to send a Canadian astronaut around the moon as part of a broader effort to establish a new space station above the lunar surface.
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The policy also calls for officers to use a so-called balancing test to determine whether a foot chase is appropriate, assessing the seriousness of the crime the suspect is wanted for against whether a pursuit could put the suspect, officer or any bystanders at risk of getting hurt. It also says that officers can only pursue people on foot if they have probable cause that the person committed a crime or believe that theyre about to commit one.
Pakistan records mixed export and production data

26 May 2021

The Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) of Pakistan has released cement export and production data for the July 2020-April 2021 (10 months) and July 2020-March 2021 (nine months) periods. It continues to post mixed trends in export and local production.

Export volumes increased during this period, but revenues remained thin in dollar terms, reflecting a weaker price market for cement and clinker. Meanwhile, local output increased driven by high local demands and enabled by capacity expansions.

AHL Research gives credit to the increase in northern mill exports, as they exported good volumes to Afghanistan and the south, as well as to the export of sufficient cargoes to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Export

Pakistan's cement industry earned US$225.1m of export revenue by delivering 6.624Mt of cement and clinker overseas in 10MFY20-21, compared to US$223.2m from 5.959Mt of exports in the year-ago period. The export data represents a meagre growth of 0.8 per cent on the export front in dollar terms but reflects the double-digit growth of 11.2 per cent in terms of volumes during this period, as reported by FBS.

In local currency terms, the export value increased by four per cent to PKR36.34bn (US$225.056m) from PKR34.96bn during this 10MFY20-21. Nevertheless, the cost per tonne fell from US$37.45/t in 10MFY19-20 to US$33.97/t in the July 2020-April 2021 period.

However, in April 2021 alone revenues contract to US$15.012m on the export of 377,016t from US$26.8492m on the export of 776,934t cement and clinker exports in March 2021, apparently due to COVID-19. The export trend represents a substantial fall of 44.1 per cent and 51.5 per cent in terms of value and quantity, respectively.

However, in the comparison period of April 2020, when exports stood at US$13.13m on the shipments of 366,849t of commodities, exports grew by 14.3 per cent in value and 2.8 per cent in quantity, YoY.

Production in 9MFY21

The Large Scale Manufacturing Industries Index (LSMI) sees a growth trend in July 2020-March 2021 in Pakistan. The latest data released by PBS suggests that LSMI output, including cement, during 09MFY21, witnessed an increase of nine per cent YoY and an increase of 22.4 per cent YoY during March 2021.

During this cumulative nine-month period of July 2020-March 2021, Pakistan's cement production increased by 25.1 per cent, YoY to 37.62Mt compared to 30.663Mt a year earlier. The upward trend in cement production was also observed in March 2021 alone, when production rose by 57.2 per cent to 4.711Mt versus 2.996Mt in the same month last year.

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Cemex releases new low-carbon cement to European market

26 May 2021

As part of its innovative Vertua low-carbon product portfolio, Cemex Espana has launched its new high-performance grey cement type II 52.5 R to the European cement market This cement has been tailored to provide superior performance to the precast and infrastructure segment by providing early strength such as that obtained by Type I cement but with ~20 per cent lower direct CO 2 emissions, says Cemex.

The new cement is part of Cemexs Future in Action climate strategy, which aims to achieve a 55 per cent reduction in CO 2 emissions by 2030.

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Buena Vista, CO (81211)

Today

Sunny, along with a few afternoon clouds. High near 85F. E winds shifting to S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low 49F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
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Danville Police arrested a suspect in a pair of armed robberies; The suspect in a bizarre probe in Caswell County is behind bars; Another big vaccination clinic is set for Saturday in Danville; The slate of candidates is decided in this fall's city and county elections.
A Chattanooga jury will be selected to hear a Middle Tennessee murder case.

Jury selection will begin on Tuesday at the Courts Building in the case in which Joseph Daniels is charged with killing his son, Joe Clyde Daniels.

It was decided to bring in the outside jury due to pre-trial publicity.

It is expected the jury will be selected by Wednesday and taken to Dickson County for the trial. The panel is to be sequestered in a hotel.

The trial is expected to last about a week.
County Attorney Rheubin Taylor said in a legal opinion that the special election to choose a successor to Rep. Mike Carter In House District 29 could not also include the District 9 County Commission seat at the same time.

Rep. Carter died recently from pancreatic cancer.

District 9 County Commissioner Chester Bankston is giving up his seat and moving to Florida.

Governor Bill Lee has not yet issued the Writ of Election that will determine when this year the primary and general special elections will take place.

County Commissioner Greg Martin had asked Attorney Taylor if the County Commission members could forego appointing an interim commissioner for District 9 and merge it into the House District 29 special vote.

Attorney Taylor replied "No."

He said County Commission District 9 as presently laid out spans four different state House districts - including District 29 and three others.

Attorney Taylor said trying to fit both issues on the same ballot would result in only District 9 residents who are also in House District 29 being able to vote. He said other voters in the district would be disenfranchised.

He said the commission needs to go ahead and make an appointment. The appointee will serve until the next general county election in August 2022. The winner of the District 9 election will take office on Sept. 1, 2022.

Eight candidates are in the running for the District 9 vacancy on the County Commission.

Those seeking the post are:

Shannon Stephenson

Jeff Eversole

Stephen Highlander

Dean Moorhouse

Tunyekia Adamson

Andrew Mullins

Rob Healy

Charles Lowery Jr.

The appointment will be by the County Commission at a meeting on June 2.

Commissioner Bankston's resignation is effective May 31.
There at least 20 people in Hamilton County this very moment who would literally fall to their knees and beg you to accept the COVID vaccine. There are thousands more in the Chattanooga tristate area who would join the 20, if asked. But lets focus on the 20. There are 14 of them in intensive care and another six who are unable to breathe without a medical ventilator. This is right now. Today. Each is in critical condition, and as all of us who in the past have wondered will this day be my last, youll do anything to avoid asking yourself ever again: Is this the day I am going to die?

Yet for some inexplicable reason, the lines at the Hamilton County Health Centers lone remaining location for the vaccine (the Riverpark) have sagged while the disease persists.

Granted, the vaccines availability is now widespread  doctors offices, drug stores, Walmarts all across America  but in Hamilton County, only 36.1 percent of our 368,000 residents are fully inoculated, meaning they have taken both suggested doses. Weve had 41.1 percent take the first dose so its a sure bet that total vaccines will increase.

When the CDC gave the okay to discard masks, the public perception was everything is rosy but COVID is not planning on a summer vacation. Of those in intensive care with the coronavirus, 15 are not from Hamilton County, the Health Departments Becky Barnes said yesterday, her point easily made that COVID continues to lurk where you least expect it. Science follows data and we are trying to track these cases in every way we can.

We need to remember weve been dealing with COVID for only 14 months, so which way will it turn this summer? We hope the fewer cases will continue, but two weeks ago when we had three people in ICU, how have we increased to 36 that are hospitalized and more who are homebound with the virus, County Mayor Jim Coppinger explained why Ms. Barnes, who has been on a roller-coaster ride beyond compare, has learned not to guess,

The only sure thing is the vaccines, and they are working in a wonderful way. Despite the prize-winning one-two punch of Coppinger and Barnes, neither is satisfied by the slowing urgency to get the vaccine. Some people dont trust the government and others dont trust doctors. I get that, Coppinger said, but dont fall for some totally false claim on the Internet. I had a guy almost convince me there was a miniscule amount of the live virus in each vaccine. That is totally and completely untrue. Not one person I know of who has been vaccinated has gotten the virus. If there was just one live cell a certain number would have gotten sick. That didnt happen.

Ms. Barnes agreed. The vaccine has performed wonderfully but with summer beginning, people now unmasked as though this war is over, simply isnt true. I think a change from our guarded lifestyle into vacation mode could be a factor in our immediate situation, as well as two or three months from now, she added, with due worry.

And me? I am totally sold on the vaccine. I hate death and this is a step in the opposite direction. I have seen COVID wreck lives and loves and dreams. My belief in The Constitution and the freedoms it assures prohibits a mandate but from a commonsense standpoint, if three months from now walk into an Ace Hardware and all the fluorescent lightbulbs come on, Ill get a giggle and avoid fluorescent bulbs. In the same vein, if you know so-and-so does not believe in vaccines, Id avoid them too.

Face it, our lives have changed. Embrace the change rather than ignore it because COVD doesnt play favorites. I was talking to a doctor from the Galen Group and, as politely as I could, I asked how COVID has affected her life. Ive lost 40 patients  it will always be a burden to me. These were wonderful people, each one, and I found it unbelievable how 40 families were devastated and there was nothing I could do but to pray. COVID has negatively affected every health care professional I know.

And if a patient is insistent about not taking the vaccine? I tell them that I respect their decision and, as a physician, I will do everything in my power to get them through the nightmare. But if they would simply take the vaccine, we wouldnt be having this sad discussion.

* * *

HAMILTON COUNTY VACCINES BY THE NUMBERS

(Note: This is preliminary data as of May 25, 2021 at 5 p.m. Compiled by the Hamilton County Health Department, it includes all vaccine sites available in the county from hospitals, doctors offices, Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and more. The current overall population in Hamilton County is 368,000 citizens.)

BY AGE AND SEX:

*-- Males: From a male population of 178,403, there have been 67,340 at least partially vaccinated (38%)

* -- Females: From a female population of 189,401, there have been 82,478 at least partially vaccinated (44%)

* -- Other: There have been 51 at least partially vaccinated.

* -- Unknown: There have been 163 at least partially vaccinated.

--

BY RACE:

* -- White: from a population of 274,851, there have been 98,100 at least partially vaccinated (36%)

* -- Black: From a population of 67,998, there have been 17,748 at least partially vaccinated. (26%)

* -- Asian: From a population of 7,453, there have been 3,468 at least partially vaccinated. (47%)

* -- Other: There have been 25,953 at least partially vaccinated.

* -- Unknown: There have been 4,766 at least partially vaccinated.

- -

ETHINICITY:

* -- Hispanic: From a population of 22,191, there have been 6,936 at least partially vaccinated. (31%)

* -- Non-Hispanic: From a population of 354,613, there have been 133,375 at least partially vaccinated. (38%)

* -- Unknown: There have been 9,724 at least partially vaccinated.

--

BY AGE:

* -- 12-15: From a population of 17,250, there have been 1,720 at least partially vaccinated. (10%)

* -- 16-20: From a population of 21,607. there have been 5,907 at least partially vaccinated. (27%)

* -- 21-30: From a population of 51,624, there have been 16,636 at least partially vaccinated. (32%)

* -- 31-40: From a population of 48,813, there have been 20,292 at least partially vaccinated. (42%)

* -- 41-50: From a population of 44,814, there have been 20,754 at least partially vaccinated. (46%)

* -- 51-60: From a population of 47,791, there have been 25,152 at least partially vaccinated. (53%)

* -- 61-70: From a population of 44,159, there have been 29,770 at least partially vaccinated. (67%)

* -- 71-80: From a population of 26,812, there have been 21,230 at least partially vaccinated. (79%)

* -- 81 & Up: From a population of 14,247, there have been 10,294 at least partially vaccinated. (72%)

* * *

Please, get the vaccine now.

royexum@aol.com
As part of that plan, he made an agreement with Ristik to accept $5,000 a week in consulting fees in exchange for steering lucrative contracts from Victim Company A to several of Ristiks companies, which were based in Chicago, Des Plaines, Justice and in Florida, according to the charges.
Armed Forces Day Event  White Lightning Harley Davidson Dealership of Chattanooga held an all-day event on May 15 to honor America's greatest patriots, our military veterans.

"While the day was filled with many activities, none was more proudly served than the dealership's sponsored Warrior Ride Fundraiser," officials said.

White Lightning's very own H.O.G. Group members put together the Warrior Ride fundraiser for a Local Wounded Warrior Project Warrior. The group members set up the fundraiser page as TN Riders and invited all motorcycle riders to join the fundraiser ride. It was this Warrior Ride that kicked off the day's event.



"Like its parent company Harley Davidson USA, White Lightning HD has a proud history of supporting our country's military and our veterans. So having its H.O.G. Group members hitting the road to honor and support a local registered Wounded Warrior Project Warrior was both an exciting opportunity and a no-brainer," officials said.



"Sounds like our Armed Forces Day Event and a Warrior Ride like this is a Win-Win, said Marcus Kilgore, marketing manager at White Lightning HD when first asked if the Warrior Ride could be part of the Armed Forces Day event. He went on to share that they would be working with other organizations that day that also will be making an impact for those who served.



The WLHD H.O.G.s began the Warrior Ride registration at 9 a.m. and had a KSU (Kick Stands Up) at 10 a.m. Altogether, 20 motorcycles registered for the ride, and some had passengers. The ride began at White Lightning HD and headed for the National Cemetery in Chattanooga. After entering the cemetery, the riders made their way to the top of the mount and circled the half-mast flying American Flag as a salute before making their way to a stopover at the Branch Memorial below.

"The Memorial overlooks a reflecting pond where everyone found themselves reflecting the significance of such a memorial tribute," officials said. "Many shared they had family buried there. After a short time, the riders held a moment of silence in honor of those who laid around them and headed back to the White Lightning HD Dealership.

"The Warrior Ride proved to be both an honor and a successful fundraiser raising $550 for the Wounded Warrior Project.



"The WLHD H.O.G. members aim to continue supporting veterans in future rides and would like to invite and welcome any that want to join."
Tennessee first lady Maria Lee today announced the third annual Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge will begin on Tuesday, June 1, and run through Sunday, Aug. 1. The summer challenge calls on rising kindergarten through sixth-grade students to devote a portion of their summer break to serving others.The Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge always brings so much joy to our state, said Ms. Lee. To see kids serving their neighbors and enriching the lives of those around them through acts of service is so encouraging.We are excited to announce this years challenge and hope kids across the state will join us in devoting a portion of their summer break to service.This years challenge includes eight categories from which kids are encouraged to select a service project. To fulfill the challenge, a child must complete an activity from at least four of the eight categories. Challenge participants with the most service hours will be invited to join Governor and First Lady Lee at the Tennessee Residence for a fall celebration.Parents and guardians can register their child online or by contacting the Office of the First Lady at 615-741-7846.
Over the last five years, Hamilton County Schools (HCS) has significantly increased the number of students earning industry certifications, officials said. The number of high school students earning an industry certification nearly tripled from last school year, with over 900 industry certifications earned this year.

Industry certifications allow graduates to leave high school with a certification for a skill set in a career field that aligns with their interests. An earned certification also makes graduates extremely competitive when looking for a job or entering a post-secondary training program.

Industry certifications are important because they help students prepare for life after school and demonstrate that our graduates are equipped with the skills as well as knowledge necessary to make immediate contributions in a specific industry, said Blake Freeman, K-12 Academic Officer for Hamilton County Schools. These certifications are also designed to respond to the workforce needs of the Chattanooga community.

Officials said, "An important goal in the five-year strategic plan of HCS is for 75% of graduates to complete at least one advanced course or industry certification exam as studies show students who take early post-secondary courses and earn industry certifications are more likely to enroll in a post-secondary program and more likely to complete a program of study.

"Each of the industry certifications is selected and supported by the schools' advisory boards to ensure that the district provides the right opportunities to support the industry when students graduate."

Certifications by Year:

2017-2018: 61

2018-2019: 224

2019-2020: 316

2020-2021: 906+ HCS anticipates more certifications through the summer as several agencies finish up certification paperwork.



Certification Areas:
Catoosa County Sheriff Gary Sisk is turning up the heat to help save lives in the 7th annual Battle of the Badges 2021 by encouraging all who can donate blood to give the gift of life on Friday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Battle of the Badges is a friendly competition between Sheriff Sisk and Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson, in partnership with Blood Assurance. Last year, Walker County won a close victory by one donated unit of blood. Ultimately Battle of the Badges 2020 was a big win for the region as donors in Catoosa and Walker counties contributed 171 blood units during the event, which benefited more than 500 people in regional health care facilities, it was stated.



Battle of the Badges 2021 offers North Georgia residents several opportunities to save lives and support their Sheriffs Office.

To donate on behalf of the Catoosa County Sheriffs Office, people can visit the Blood Assurance Bloodmobile on June 4 at 5842 Highway 41 in Ringgold. To schedule an appointment, go to bloodassurance.org/catoosa or call Beth Sullivan at (706) 935-1111.

To donate on behalf of the Walker County Sheriffs Office, people can visit with the Blood Assurance Bloodmobile at 105 South Duke Street in LaFayette on June 4. To schedule an appointment, go to bloodassurance.org/walker or call Kim Jones at (706) 639-0831.



People may also donate on behalf of either Catoosa or Walker counties by visiting Blood Assurance in Fort Oglethorpe, 2720 Lafayette Road, from Tuesday, June 1, through Friday, June 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, June 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.



All donors receive a 7th annual Battle of the Badges 2021 T-shirt.



I am thankful for the support we have received over the years for our Sheriffs Office and Blood Assurance, and I hope this year we can reclaim a win for Battle of the Badges 2021, said Sheriff Sisk. I strongly encourage people to take a few minutes to give the gift of life to help ensure our blood supply meets the needs of our community. The life you save could be your own.


In Freeforms Cruel Summer Episode 7, the novel, The Talented Mr. Ripley played a larger role than you might think. Both Kate Wallis (Oliva Holt) and Jeanette Turner (Chiara Aurelia) mention the book. It might seem like something minor, but the novel might hold the secrets to everything.

[Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers from Cruel Summer Episode 7.]

Cruel Summer Episode 7 with Olivia Holt as Kate Wallis and Froy Gutierrez as Jamie Henson | Bill Matlock/Freeform/ Getty Images

Cruel Summer recap about The Talented Mr. Ripley

In Cruel Summer Episode 7, Kates boyfriend in 1993, Jamie Henson (Froy Gutierrez), gave her a promise ring for her 16th birthday. However, she didnt seem very excited about the gift. Later, when Jamie was drunk in the episode, he asked Kate what her favorite birthday present was.

Probably an original print that my dad gave me of The Talented Mr. Ripley, she told Jamie in Cruel Summer. Its about a con artist that lived a lie. Its creepy stuff, but it takes place on this beautiful island in Italy. I always wanted to go to Italy.

Kate realized that Jamie wanted her to say the promise ring was her favorite gift. So, she claimed the book was her second favorite gift.

Later, when Jeanettes brother, Derek Turner (Barrett Carnahan), ran into her room with the transcript of Kate and Ashleys private conversation, Jeanette held a book. In the only scene featuring Jeanette in Cruel Summer Episode 7, she was reading The Talented Mr. Ripley.

What is The Talented Mr. Ripley about?

The novel The Talented Mr. Ripley is about a young man, Tom Ripley, who struggles to get by in New York City. He exaggerates his relationship with Dickie Greenleaf to Dickies father and accepts the task of traveling to Italy to convince Dickie to come home.

However, throughout the novel, Ripley becomes obsessed with Dickie and his extravagant lifestyle. At one point, Dickie finds Ripley in his bedroom dressing up like Dickie and imitating his mannerisms. Ripley later murders Dickie and takes over his life and identity.

RELATED: Where Is Cruel Summer Filmed? What Time Does the Series Air? Episode Count and More

By the end of the novel, Ripley believed he might be caught for his lies. However, the police believe that Dickie died by suicide. The book ends with Ripley happily rich but forever haunted by the fear of getting caught.

Why is Jeanette reading The Talented Mr. Ripley in Cruel Summer?

Jeanette took over Kates life after she disappeared to Martin Harris (Blake Lee) house. Jeanette also pretended to be Kate in the mirror in Cruel Summer Episode 5. She dated Kates boyfriend, Jamie Henson, and befriended her two best friends. The show portrays subtle hints that Jeanette was obsessed with Kate.

Why was Kates favorite book The Talented Mr. Ripley?

Kate felt like she was living a lie in her life with her extravagant lifestyle that her mother pushed on her. In Cruel Summer Episode 7, she told her mother, Joy Wallis (Andrea Anders), that she felt like a puppet. In an upcoming episode, a Cruel Summer trailer teases an interaction between Kate and Jeanette. Kate accuses Jeanette of stealing her life; however, Jeanette refutes that You didnt even want it.

RELATED: 5 Cruel Summer Theories So Good, Youll Want to Rewatch From the Beginning

Although Kate was kidnapped, not killed, like in The Talented Mr. Ripley, the parallels between Cruel Summer and the novel are abundant.

Mallory Higgins is also similar to Tom Ripley

Although Mallory Higgins (Harley Quinn Smith) isnt seen reading The Talented Mr. Ripley in Cruel Summer, viewers believe that she is similar to Tom Ripley. In Cruel Summer Episode 7, Mallory is envious of Kates beautiful home. Mallory doesnt have a great home life or money like Kate.

What if this reference is related to Kate and Mallorys relationship instead of Jeanette and Kates? one fan asked on Reddit. Mallory may have done something extreme to trigger Kates rescue and set herself up to befriend Kate. We also know that one of the identities that Tom struggles with is his sexuality, and we get this impression with Mallory in the latest episode.

Mallory and Kate get very close in the latest episode, skating together, holding hands, and wearing ring pops. Viewers wonder if this Cruel Summer scene is also a parallel to Tom Ripley and Dickie in The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Cruel Summer Episode 8 returns to Freeform on June 1, 2021, at 10 p.m. EST.
Food Network star Ree Drummond who hosts the very popular Pioneer Woman cooking show on the network cant be accused of not having her own distinct brand. Its a thoroughly cowboy-themed, Oklahoma-based brand that Drummond lives and breathes.

The chef described in her memoir Frontier Follies, however, that when she began her Food Network show, her producers seemed to want her program to resemble the Ina Garten hit, Barefoot Contessa. They learned quickly they were not in Gartens Hamptons.

The Pioneer Woman star Ree Drummond | Monica Schipper/Getty Images for The Pioneer Woman Magazine

Drummond never dreamed of her sudden fame

Its been 10 years since the red-haired television personality hit the small screen with her Pioneer Woman show. Thanks to exposure from her early 2000s food and life blog, which had readers in the millions, Drummond eventually landed her Food Network show.

Her blog began as her way to keep her mother and family up on her new life as a ranchers wife but it gained an enormous following  and the Food Networks attention.

As she wrote in her memoir: It was the most incomprehensible turn of events that resulted in me, a regular gal with no official culinary training, winding up with a cooking show on Food Network. But life is a crazy roller coaster, and right or wrong, good or bad, it happened in 2011.

She shares the same production team as Ina Garten  and it showed in their initial expectations

The production company that films my show is mostly British, she wrote. Five times a year, they fly from London, England to Pawhuska, Oklahoma and spend three weeks on my turf, filming me cooking in the kitchen and Ladd working on the ranch.

The production crew, Drummond noted, is the same company that films Barefoot Contessa, Ina Gartens well-loved Food Network series  a series, by the way, thats filmed entirely in and around East Hampton, New York.

RELATED: The Pioneer Woman Ree Drummonds Awkward Interaction With Someone She Thought Was a Fan

As Drummond pointed out, by the time the crew began work on her series, they had had a great deal of experience filming in the Hamptons. So this means that the first two years we worked together were a continual learning experience for them about the many ways in which Pawhuska, Oklahoma, is not the Hamptons.

The crew learned to embrace Oklahoma

One of the ideas the producer, named Rachel, pitched was to follow Drummond around the grocery store as she picked up items for her home and show, which the Food Network host found puzzling.

She was surely picturing Ina, hand-woven wicker basket on her arm, strolling around a local Hamptons grocery shop for bundles of watercress and fresh-baked brioche, Drummond wrote. Id tell Rachel that sure, she was welcome to come to the store with meits called Pawhuska Hometown Foods and the baskets are made of red plastic and say Best Val-U on them in scratched-up white letters. The floors are linoleum and the bakery is brought to you by Sara Lee. Theres a whole aisle of Velveeta. But yes, youre more than welcome to film it!

Eventually, the mother of five wrote, Rachel and crew embraced the unique Oklahoman flavor of Pioneer Woman and its pleasant host.

They love us and would do anything for us, she said. We feel the same about them.
Luann de Lesseps from The Real Housewives of New York City made her feelings clear about former cast member Carole Radziwill, referring to her as a b*tch during dinner with Heather Thomson.

Thomson and Radziwill made remarks about de Lesseps on Thomsons podcast, specifically about drug use in the past. Leah McSweeney decided to (stir the pot) read articles that chronicled what was said on the podcast, infuriating de Lesseps. Fanning the flames even further was de Lesseps realization that Radziwill was the guest on Thomsons podcast. If Thomson was the one who made the remarks, why is de Lesseps so angry with Radziwill?

Luann de Lesseps, Heather Thomson, and Carole Radziwill from RHONY attend the Sonja Morgan New York Brands Launch Event in 2015 | Mike Pont/FilmMagic

Luann de Lesseps is unhappy with Heather Thomson (or really Carole Radziwill)?

On her podcast, Thomson and Radziwill remembered that marijuana was smoked during a girls trip but hard drugs were also produced. I was on the podcast with someone and we were talking about an experience and actually, it wasnt about you, it was about my experience that I had, Thomson said during the latest episode.

Who was the guest? de Lesseps demanded. Thats when Thomson told her the guest was Radziwill.

RELATED: RHONY: Ramona Singer Shades Sonja Morgan Says Shes Been Disloyal and Made Up Stories About Her

Oh b*tch, de Lesseps said. Cant stand that b*tch.

Whenever I see something Carole I swipe, de Lesseps said in a confessional. Buh bye. Ratsville.

Why is Luann de Lesseps so irritated with Carole Radziwill?

Radziwill and de Lesseps relationship soured when Radziwill started dating Adam Kenworthy, a chef she met through de Lesseps. For several months, de Lesseps insisted that Radziwill had stolen Kenworthy from her niece. Eventually, Radziwill and de Lesseps had an understanding that it wasnt exactly the case.

Even though Radziwill and Kenworthy have since broken up and time has passed, de Lesseps is still stewing over the romance. De Lesseps appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, which was when she was asked if she regretted coming for Radziwill at the time. No, I do not [regret it]. That woman stole my nieces boyfriend, de Lesseps insisted.

Radziwill and de Lesseps also sniped at each other during the pandemic when Radziwill referred to de Lesseps as a maskless idiot. Radziwill tweeted in Jan. 2021, Trump is gone buy the maskless idiots remain. At least they are all in one place. Good luck Florida.

Trump is gone but the maskless idiots remain. At least they are now all in one place. Good luck Florida. #nurseluann @dailymail LuAnn de Lesseps parties MASKLESS in Florida as insiders blast behavior amid COVID-19 RHONY scare | Daily Mail Online https://t.co/ivJRBdXhWL  Carole Radziwill (@CaroleRadziwill) January 20, 2021

RELATED: RHONY: Did Heather Thomsons Podcast Spark Her Own Reckoning?

But it didnt end there. Earlier in the year, Radziwill also took a shot when Megyn Kelly was fired. This just in from a woman who was fired for defending Luann de Lesseps wearing BLACKFACE to a #rhony party. Word is the knife was planted in the car by the cops, she tweeted in Aug. 2020. Sit down @megynkelly.

De Lesseps responded to Radziwills remarks, claiming to ignore them. I dont get involved in that, she said on the Behind the Velvet Rope with David Yontef podcast. I feel like social media can be great, but the downside of that is people attack each other from their computers and I think thats just not my vibe. And you see Carole Radziwill makes negative comments about Bravo, and me, and I dont even engage because shes not worth my energy.
In the May 26 episode of The Handmaids Tale, June Osbourne was reunited with her family and friends in Canada. Free from Gileads brutal hold, shes having a tough time adjusting to this new lifestyle. But unlike Emily, Moira, and Rita, June seems to be using her freedom for vengeance.

[Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers for season 4 episode 7 of The Handmaids Tale.]

Elisabeth Moss in The Handmaids Tale | Hulu

In episode 7 of The Handmaids Tale, June reunites with her loved ones in Canada

Finally, after seven years of torture and pain, June (Elisabeth Moss) is free from the grips of Gilead. In episode 7 of The Handmaids Tale, Home, she steps off the aid ship and is granted asylum in Canada.

June is whisked off to a fancy hotel, where she notices how free this society is, particularly the women. Understandably exhausted, she sleeps for 17 hours and wakes up to Luke (O-T Fagbenle) lying on a couch near her.

June and Luke talk about Hannah, acknowledge their guilt, and apologize to each other. After a short briefing with Mark Tuello (Sam Jaeger), the two head home to see Nichole and Emily (Alexis Bledel).

RELATED: The Handmaids Tale: Will Gilead Use Hannah to Lure June Back In?

The next day, June heads out to the grocery store with Moira (Samira Wiley) and Luke. But there, she sees flashbacks of Gilead. She sees her friends get killed, recalls the torture and rape she endured, and remembers her last moments with Janine (Madeline Brewer) and Hannah.

Visibly shaken, June takes a minute to compose herself. She then acts like everything is OK and visits with Emily, Moira, and Rita to discuss Gilead and their newfound freedom.

Shortly after June discovers Serena is pregnant, she gets up in the middle of the night and asks Mark to take her to the prison. June confronts Serena, and in a justifiable rage, she lets the Commanders wife know shes coming for her.

How Junes adjustment to freedom differs from Emily, Moira, and Rita

Emily, Moira, and Rita have been free from Gilead for a while now. And all three have had different experiences adjusting to their new lives.

After reuniting with Luke, Moira threw herself into humanitarian efforts, trying her best to help those coming out of Gilead. Emilys transition was more emotional, as she had difficulty reuniting with her wife and son. And Rita seemed to have a Stockholm Syndrome-like attachment to Gilead until she met with Serena and realized how selfish she is.

Is June the same woman Gilead took away from Luke? Episode 7 is now streaming on @Hulu. pic.twitter.com/kGZhWnOT4T  The Handmaid's Tale (@HandmaidsOnHulu) May 26, 2021

RELATED: The Handmaids Tale Season 4 Will Unite Characters Youd Never Expect

But Junes reaction to freedom feels far different than her friends. Rather than throw herself into her family, guilt, or pain, she focuses on her main goal  making Gilead pay.

Junes demeanor upon arriving in Canada is like a general getting ready for battle. And as teased in the previews and trailers, shell continue to fight against Gilead until she gets justice.

New episodes of The Handmaids Tale air Wednesdays on Hulu.
Before 2015, no one knew who Anya Taylor-Joy is. That year, the actor starred in the horror movie The Witch. And in the years that followed, shes continued to gain notoriety, starring in hits movies such as Split and Emma. Now Taylor-Joy is officially on the rise, and fans are beginning to wonder what the star of Netflixs The Queens Gambit considers her ethnicity.

Anya Taylor-Joy wears a black dress outdoors while filming a Tiffany & Co. commercial | LRNYC/MEGA/GC Images

Anya Taylor-Joy is the award-winning star of The Queens Gambit

From 2015 to 2019, Taylor-Joy appeared in a wide range of movie projects. She played the titular character in the 2016 sci-fi thriller Morgan, co-led the dark comedy Thoroughbreds, and reprised her Split role for 2019s Glass. But during the pandemic, she found a whole new level of fame. And no, were not talking about the critical and financial bomb that was 2020s The New Mutants.

Thanks to her role as chess prodigy Beth Harmon on The Queens Gambit, Taylor-Joy is as popular as ever. She even won both a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award for the series. But The Queens Gambit isnt Taylor-Joys first foray into TV. She previously played main roles on both Peaky Blinders and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance in 2019.

RELATED: MCU: The 1 New Mutants Character Who Deserves Salvation in the Movies

But what is the actors ethnicity?

Now Taylor-Joy is gaining a whole new following on The Queens Gambit, fans want to know more about the stars personal life. Naturally, that includes her ethnicity. In fact, Taylor-Joy joked about it herself in her recent hosting gig on Saturday Night Live.

Now that youre hearing my accent, you may be surprised to know I was born in Miami, raised between Argentina and London, and my first language is Spanish. So legally, my ethnicity is fashion week.

Indeed, the actor was born to a Scottish-Argentinian father and British-Spanish mother in Miami on April 16, 1996. Her family eventually moved to Buenos Aires, where they lived until Taylor-Joy was six years old. From there, she spent her childhood in London and moved to New York as a teenager. Despite her English upbringing, Taylor-Joy considers herself a Latina.

I come from many different places, but I think my warmth and my outlook on life are from Argentina. Im very grateful for that part of my history. I feel very proud to come from Argentina, she said, according to Newsweek.

RELATED: Mad Max Spinoff Furiosa Stars a Marvel Superhero, a DC Supervillain, and a Modern Horror Icon

Anya Taylor-Joys next project is this falls thriller Last Night in Soho

Riding high on The Queens Gambit, Taylor-Joy is wasting no time on her next project. In fact, shes returning to the big screen in October 2021 for Last Night in Soho, a new psychological thriller directed by Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Baby Driver). Taylor-Joy stars opposite Thomas McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit).

Beyond that, Taylor-Joy will reunite with The Witch director Robert Eggers for The Northman. Shell join an ensemble cast that includes Alexander Skarsgard, Nicole Kidman, Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, and Bjork. In addition, she seems open to The Queens Gambit Season 2. But fans shouldnt get too excited, as nothing official has been announced just yet.
In everyday life, phase transitions usually have to do with temperature changes  for example, when an ice cube gets warmer and melts. But there are also different kinds of phase transitions, depending on other parameters such as magnetic field. In order to understand the quantum properties of materials, phase transitions are particularly interesting when they occur directly at the absolute zero point of temperature. These transitions are called "quantum phase transitions" or a "quantum critical points".

Such a quantum critical point has now been discovered by an Austrian-American research team in a novel material, and in an unusually pristine form. The properties of this material are now being further investigated. It is suspected that the material could be a so-called Weyl-Kondo semimetal, which is considered to have great potential for quantum technology due to special quantum states (so-called topological states). If this proves to be true, a key for the targeted development of topological quantum materials would have been found. The results were found in a cooperation between TU Wien, Johns Hopkins University, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Rice University and has now been published in the journal "Science Advances".

Quantum criticality  simpler and clearer than ever before

"Usually quantum critical behaviour is studied in metals or insulators. But we have now looked at a semimetal," says Prof. Silke Buhler-Paschen from the Institute of Solid State Physics at TU Wien. The material is a compound of cerium, ruthenium and tin  with properties that lie between those of metals and semiconductors.

Usually, quantum criticality can only be created under very specific environmental conditions  a certain pressure or an electromagnetic field. "Surprisingly, however, our semimetal turned out to be quantum critical without any external influences at all," says Wesley Fuhrman, a PhD student in Prof. Collin Broholm's team at Johns Hopkins University, who made an important contribution to the result with neutron scattering measurements. "Normally you have to work hard to produce the appropriate laboratory conditions, but this semimetal provides the quantum criticality all by itself."

This surprising result is probably related to the fact that the behaviour of electrons in this material has some special features. "It is a highly correlated electron system. This means that the electrons interact strongly with each other, and that you cannot explain their behaviour by looking at the electrons individually," says Buhler-Paschen. "This electron interaction leads to the so-called Kondo effect. Here, a quantum spin in the material is shielded by electrons surrounding it, so that the spin no longer has any effect on the rest of the material.''

If there are only relatively few free electrons, as is the case in a semimetal, then the Kondo effect is unstable. This could be the reason for the quantum critical behavior of the material: the system fluctuates between a state with and a state without the Kondo effect, and this has the effect of a phase transition at zero temperature.

Quantum fluctuations could lead to Weyl particles

The main reason why the result is of such central importance is that it is suspected to be closely connected to the phenomenon of "Weyl fermions". In solids, Weyl fermions can appear in the form of quasiparticles  i.e. as collective excitations such as waves in a pond. According to theoretical predictions, such Weyl fermions should exist in this material," says theoretical physicist Qimiao Si of Rice University. Experimental proof, however, is yet to be found. "We suspect that the quantum criticality we observed favours the occurrence of such Weyl fermions," says Silke Buhler-Paschen. "Quantum critical fluctuations could therefore have a stabilising effect on Weyl fermions, in a similar way to quantum critical fluctuations in high-temperature superconductors holding superconducting Cooper pairs together. This is a very fundamental question that is the subject of a lot of research around the world, and we've discovered a hot new lead here."

It seems to us that certain quantum effects  namely quantum critical fluctuations, the Kondo effect and Weyl fermions  are tightly intertwined in the newly discovered material and, together, give rise to exotic Weyl-Kondo states. These are "topological" states of great stability that, unlike other quantum states, cannot be easily destroyed by external disturbances. This makes them particularly interesting for quantum computers.

To verify all this, further measurements under different external conditions are to be carried out. The team expects that a similar interplay of the various quantum effects should also be found in other materials. "This could lead to the establishment of a design concept with which such materials can be specifically improved, tailored and used for concrete applications," says Buhler-Paschen.
The discovery of Wades DNA on the clothes of first grader Lindsey Murdock Jr. was a watershed moment in the case. Mark Maxson, who had previously been found guilty of the murder despite forensic evidence excluding him, was released in 2016 after nearly a quarter-century behind bars. The next day, Wade appeared in court charged with murder in the boys death.
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, 
As communities continue to battle COVID-19 and weather the storm of secondary effects left in the wake of the pandemic, we are beginning to hear more from minority and diaspora communities.

According to a study conducted by the American Psychological Association, conducted in Somaliland, among Somali refugees in the U.S., and psychological professionals, people living in or displaced from low- and middle-income countries are navigating extra layers of complexity in how they react to the pandemic. Some aspects of their lives make them more resilient, while others tend to lead to greater vulnerability.

But one study found Somali communities, both in the US and abroad doing something innovative: they are combating COVID-19 by exploring the effectiveness of community-based interventions that combine faith and evidence-based posttraumatic stress treatments.

With compounding factors such as insecurity, trauma, and forced migration, refugees and individuals living in conflict zones are at a higher risk for posttraumatic stress disorder. Community leaders and psychological professionals recommend a local to global approach in order to understand the layers involved in the lives of refugees from war-torn countries and how they respond to the pandemic.The reality of facing a global pandemic varies depending on many factors. This study briefly considers the realities for Somali individuals and families, both in the United States and in Somaliland. The nature of a low or middle-income countrysuch as Somalialends itself to a rapid spread of communicable diseases because of inadequate health facilities, overcrowding, and lack of access to information. In the case of conflict-affected countries like Somaliland, people are still recovering from years of natural disasters and war. This greatly reduces a peoples capacity to respond quickly and effectvely.

On the ground in Somaliland, measures have been taken to spread awareness, enforce social distancing, and meet health standards to combat the spread of COVID-19. However, Governmental public health messaging has been limited, leaving the population vulnerable to misconceptions about COVID-19 and limited responsiveness to recommended prevention measures among segments of society.

The Islamic faith, though helpful in comforting and coping, has also influenced the populations view on COVID-19, leading to a less serious adherence to social distancing measures because, according to researchers, Allah determines destiny so human measures are less important. Social distancing measures are also hard to enforce, because of the cultural value placed on collectivism. This cultural practice helps strengthen resilience and offers comfort to a community when various other crises strike; but in the case of COVID-19, there must be a balance since congregating together can lead to a wider spread of the virus.

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Meanwhile, in US cities where there are larger communities of Somali refugees, families and individuals, challenges are different from their comrades in Somalia. These groups are adhering to social distancing guidelines. They share challenges with their American neighbors, such as how to work from home while homeschooling children or job loss.

However, due to the unique circumstances that come with being an internationally displaced person, these Somali communities face additional hardships. They might not have as ready-access to testing and treatment resources because they are more likely to be uninsured or need an interpreter; they are more likely to occupy those jobs deemed non-essential and therefore lost income.

Mental health issues are also compounded: The acute effect of COVID-19 is superimposed on high rates of trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. On top of this, there remains a lack of awareness, overwhelming difficulties in accessing health services and a preference to seek healing through community and religious means influenced by the Somali culture.

In order to manage COVID-19s secondary effects, communities of displaced people must navigate local complexities while maintaining global ties. Cultures like those of Somaliland find significant healing and coping in collectivistic practices and the pandemic has proven how they have rallied around their vulnerable and helped mitigate what could have been detrimental loss.

According to researchers, Focusing on faith and social connectedness have helped Somali communities bond together, even if specific practices have had to be adjusted. Their resilience and adaptiveness have been tested during the pandemic and have helped them survive.

MaryRuth Davis is a M.A. student at the Humanitarian and Disaster Institute at Wheaton College. She earned her B.S. in Biology in May of 2017 before moving to Africa to work in refugee camps for two years. She received her M.A. in Humanitarian and Disaster Leadership in May of 2021.

Bentley, J. A., Mohamed, F., Feeny, N., Ahmed, L. B., Musa, K., Tubeec, A. M., Angula, D., Egeh, M. H., & Zoellner, L. (2020). Local to global: Somali perspectives on faith, community, and resilience in response to COVID-19. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 12(S1), S261S263.
Old controversies never die; they simply reinvent themselves. So its been with the evangelical gender wars, rekindled last fall by Kristin Du Mezs Jesus and John Wayne, which traces the rise of militant masculinity in evangelicalism.

The debates were further fueled by Beth Moores very public exit from the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). She cited an overemphasis on the man-made doctrine of complementarianism. Next came Beth Allison Barrs The Making of Biblical Womanhood, followed by the announcement that Rick Warrens Saddleback Church (in the SBC) had ordained three long-serving female staff members as pastors.

While the alliances and battle lines have been predictable, the discussion has taken on new intensity, with neither egalitarians nor complementarians pulling punches. The subtitle of Du Mezs book goes as far as to suggest that conservative white evangelicals fractured a nation. Barr, too, cuts to the chase: Complementarianism is patriarchy, and patriarchy is about power. Neither have ever been about Jesus.

One difficulty in evaluating the charge of patriarchy is that complementarianism itself is difficult to pin down. At its most basic, the view makes two claims: first, that men and women are equal image bearers worthy of equal honor and value; second, that men and women hold different roles, with men exercising a headship that corresponds to a particular kind of authority in the church and the home. But while the word complementarian has traceable roots (as well as a parachurch organization devoted to its advancement), its beliefs work out differently across church traditions.



Like evangelicalism, complementarianism is a sprawling enterprise. But also like evangelicalism, it is held together as much by a shared culture and network as a set of doctrinal distinctives. That means those who want to distinguish themselves from patriarchy will have to give as much attention to their practices, partnerships, and policies as they give to their principles.

In this respect, the greatest challenge facing complementarianism is not that patriarchal doctrine hides around every corner. The real problem is that paternalism is out in the open, often unnamed and unchecked.

As someone whose entire ministry has taken shape in complementarian spaces, I know this critique will surprise many people who have no intention other than obeying Scripture. I also know that failing to identify and root out paternalism will undermine the ability to do just that.



Strictly defined, paternalism is policy or practice on the part of people in positions of authority of restricting the freedom and responsibilities of those subordinate to them in the subordinates' supposed best interest. In the case of complementarian cultures, paternalistic policies and practices are those that restrict both the freedom and the responsibilities of women who do not hold the authority associated with pastors and husbands.

The question of paternalism, then, is not whether men should have some form of authority but rather what they do with the particular authority they hold.

While paternalism has historically followed from patriarchy, its still visible in cultures that are decidedly modern and democratic and can be expressed by anyonemale or femalewho holds a position of cultural or organizational power. As a writer and speaker without postgraduate credentials, Ive encountered paternalism from women in academic circles as often as from men. And my experience is nothing compared to the socioeconomic paternalism that the poor deal with or the racial paternalism that people of color face every day.



What does this have to do with evangelical gender debates? Complementarians believe in a particular type of male authority in the church and the home. When that authority is combined with paternalistic practices, its hard to counteract the accusations of patriarchy. But complementarians make another claim (one shared with egalitarians): that men and women are of equal worth and value. This second claim, if attended to and cultivated, can distinguish complementarianism from patriarchy by holding broader paternalistic impulses in check.



The challenge for complementarians, then, is to create policies and practices that dont unnecessarily limit the freedom or the responsibilities of women as coheirs of the gospel of life. It also means recognizing where their policies and practices have become paternalistic. And given the inherent structure of complementarianism, the onus is on male church leaders to ensure this happens.



So what might church leaders look for? What exactly do they need to root out?



First, they need to carefully weigh the restrictions put on womens giftedness and service, beyond those based in Scripture and applied ecclesiology. When leaders make prohibitions simply in order to err on the side of caution, they reduce the credibility of their claim to honor and value women as equal image bearers. Even worse, they risk losing the very gifts the Holy Spirit has given for the growth of the church.



For example, in his blog post How To Turn Complementarians into Egalitarians, Denny Burk, president of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, argues that women should not teach mixed Sunday school. In his opinion, people would see women perform functions similar to those that male pastors perform, and that in turn would eventually lead to women being ordained as pastors. The endgame is not teaching Sunday school, he warns. Its the pastorate.



Its one thing for a church to understand teaching in the assembled gathering as closely tied to pastoral office and limit it to those ordained by the church. Its another thing, however, to acknowledge that Sunday school classes or guest preaching occur outside the purview of pastoral authority but then still restrict women from participating because it looks too much like what male pastors do. Even if out of good intention, these are hedges. Those who choose these hedges open themselves up to a legitimate challenge: that something other than careful, consistent application of Scripture is driving their practice.

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Paternalism also expresses itself in the lengths that women must go to in order to be heard. According to James 3:17, a primary characteristic of Christian maturity is that a person is easy to be entreated and can be approached and reasoned with. In some complementarian settings, that easy approach is missing. Sometimes the hurdles are structural, with male leadership operating in a silo, distanced from female congregants. But too often the church of God is failing the same way the culture around it isby failing to honor and extend credibility to womens words.



In his Substack newsletter, The Case for Post-Patriarchal Manhood, Michael Bird recounts his own formation in unequivocally misogynistic spacesthose where women were regarded as damsels in distress to be protected and simultaneously objects of sexual conquest to be used and dispensed with. Bird listened to the experiences of his female friends and students and in time recognized and rejected his malformation.

Neither Bird nor I are suggesting that women be believed simply because they are women. That would be paternalistic. Instead women whove lived as true disciples of Christ should not have to produce more evidence or work harder to be heard than their male peers.

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By far the most flagrant (and completely unnecessary) example of paternalism is when male leaders make decisions for women without conferring with them. In my work as a writer and conference speaker, Ive lost count of the number of times Ive heard of a womens ministry leader making plans to lead in a certain direction, only to have those plans altered or co-opted by a male pastor. Sometimes it happens despite her objections and sometimes without her knowledge. But the unavoidable message is that women cannot be trusted with ministry decisions or even the gospel itself.

Despite these pitfalls, complementarians possess the tools necessary to identify and root out paternalism.

The movement makes several countercultural claims about the way men and women partner in the world. Outsiders tend to assume that views on headship and restrictions on pastoral office are the more radical positions. But perhaps the greater claim is, once again, this idea that women and men are of equal value and worth.

To prove their commitment to this ideal, however, complementarians need to pay close attention to their life and teaching (I Timothy 4:16, CSB) in order to demonstrate that they truly see women as partners in the gospel. As the apostle James writes, Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds (James 2:18).



Complementarians also need to prove that their vision of differing gender roles doesnt result in the marginalization of women. Those who are truly, convictionally, exegetically complementarian (and aren't simply using the label as cover) have to make every possible effort to hear women's voices and enable their giftedness for the sake of the kingdom.



To do this, male leaders must learn to see the problems in their midst. After all, the defining feature of paternalism is the misuse of power. Do they use it to restrict freedom and responsibility? Or do they use it to open up pathways of flourishing and partnership?

As complementarian Jen Wilkin writes, The challenge for any pastor would be to consider whether he is crafting a church culture that permits women to serve or one that pursues women to serve. Because a culture of permission will not ensure complementarity functions as it should.



But if complementarians are willing to do the work, if theyre willing to hear the voices of women within their homes, churches, and organizations, and if theyre willing to engage women as God-given partners in the gospel, they have everything to gain. Including their own credibility.

Hannah Anderson is the author of Made for More, All Thats Good, and Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul.
I told my students to go out and do all the things, and I thought it was time for me to go out and do some things myself, said Ajayi, who taught at three colleges around Bloomington-Normal in central Illinois. I took a leap of faith and went to see what was out there.
East of downtown Austin, a row of more than 20 closely linked tents and makeshift shelters are set up outside the Terrazas Branch of the Austin Public Library, around the corner from Christ Church of Austin.

The churchs associate rector, Matt Dampier, visits the homeless encampment on Sundays to meet with people and offer Communion. I walked with him to the encampment shortly after a recent election that reinstated a camping ban designed to remove growing homeless encampments throughout the Texas capital.

Theyre trying to get all those homeless people out of sight, Amy Goldman, 44, told us. What they need to do is lower the cost of living and allow a living wage.

Goldman, wearing a clean Philippians 4:13 T-shirt, has been homeless for nine years. She moves between this camp, where she shares shelter with another person, and one further south where she keeps her own tent tucked away.

Goldmans response accurately reflects that someone with a minimum-wage job ($7.25 an hour) would have to work 120 hours a week to afford a one-bedroom apartment in Austin, according to Ending Community Homeless Coalition (ECHO) 2020 data.

Limping along the wet sidewalk after a heavy downpour, Stephen Holmes, 54, stops to speak with us, his bare feet splattered with post-rain debris and his disabled left leg jutting outward.

Im not living the American dream, Holmes said. Hes originally from Austin and attended Anderson High School on the northwest side of town. Im an Anderson Trojan, he said proudly, as my heart sunk even further when I heard him name my neighborhood school.

Holmes had been on disability and taking care of his father for 10 years before he died. He became homeless for the first time three months ago. I want to be self-sufficient, he said. The state is going to need to find some cheap housing. Dampier asked Holmes if he could pray for him, which he did.

Goldman and Holmes are among some 3,160 people experiencing homelessness in Austin/Travis County, with 2,238 of those living unsheltered in tents, cars, and abandoned buildings as opposed to traditional shelters, according to 2021 statistics from ECHO. Austins Homeless Response System shows a 4.5 percent increase in the unhoused from 2019 to 2021, with a 20.6 percent increase for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

Historically, the role of churches has been to distribute meals, clothing, and hygiene items, as well as offer community and fellowship, said Emily Seales, a Christian social worker who was a case management supervisor at Trinity Center in downtown Austin and is now engaged in a technology and health research study for Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center and the University of Texas.

Growth in encampments over the past two years and recent debate over the reinstated public camping ban have led more leaders, such as Seales, to focus both on temporary assistance for their vulnerable neighbors and on advocacy to fix what they see as broken systems that have left people without livable wages and affordable housing in the first place. Part of that advocacy includes accelerating cooperative efforts between the city, established nonprofits, churches, faith-based organizations, and individuals.

I dont think the city knows what to do with faith communities, said Cathy Stone, associate pastor at First United Methodist Church in downtown Austin. But I think its important that we start practicing and showing that we can do more and that we also want to be involved in advocating and decision making.

The bipartisan advocacy group Save Austin Now campaigned this spring to reinstate the public camping ban that Austin city leaders lifted back in 2019. The proposed ban, called Proposition B, passed in a May 1 special election, with 58 percent of voters in favor and 42 percent against. The ban now makes sitting, lying, or camping in public a criminal offense and prohibits soliciting money at certain times and locations. Now, Texas is moving toward banning camping statewide.

The clearing of encampments will be delayed to allow the city time to implement a four-phase plan that includes conducting outreach and community engagement before enforcing the ban through citations and arrests. Austins city manager, Spencer Cronk, said at a press conference that the city is looking into a variety of housing options, including city-sanctioned encampmentswith the possibility of some on church properties. As one of its temporary solutions, the city has purchased three hotels to help with the transition to permanent housing.

Stones downtown church was highly vocal against the ban, including its senior pastor, Taylor Fuerst, who preached against it prior to early voting. Christ Church on the east side, where Dampier has been building relationships with members of the homeless community, was more divided.

In Dampiers 800900 person congregation, those in favor of reinstating the camping ban argued that the city failed to find housing solutions in the two years that the ban was lifted and raised concerns about the lack of dignity and vulnerability of living on the streets. Last year was one of the deadliest for people experiencing homelessness in Austin, with at least 256 deaths, KUT reported, based on figures from Austins street newspaper The Challenger.

Even those against the ban did not want to see people living permanently in encampments, Dampier said, but they were concerned about the lack of space at shelters to house them. Most of the people he spoke with preferred a more phased-out approach to empower those in encampments and incentivize cleanup.

For years, Christians in Austin have offered aid and assisted in rehousing, and those efforts have continued during the pandemic. In downtown Austin, Trinity Center provides meals, bus passes, and case management, and in East Austin, Angel House, Austin Baptist Chapels soup kitchen, has remained opened for breakfast.

Austins well-known Mobile Loaves & Fishes food truck ministry has served millions of meals since 1998, and its tiny house Community First! Village is planning its fourth phase of development that will add 1,400 tiny houses over the next decade to its existing 500-house, 51-acre full-service community northeast of town.

First United Methodist houses a Mobile Loaves & Fishes food truck and supplies volunteers for its downtown run. Prepandemic, the congregation also fed breakfast to 250300 people twice a week followed by a worship service, and it continues to provide showers for women.

Mission Possible sets up Church Under the Bridge, where four churches sponsor a Sunday a month to host weekly worship at encampment sites beneath overpasses.

Amy and Simon Kenyon, members of Christ Church, can walk to the bridge at Sixth Street and I-35 where theyve been leading services for 5060 people on the first Sunday of the month for eight years. They hand out sausage wraps and coffee, which is secondary to the worship service, they said.

The Kenyons consider the gospel as the transformative factor for those experiencing homelessness. Its shocking to us how little faith Christians have in the gospel, Amy Kenyon said. Its usually heart issues that lead people to the streets.

Factors around homelessness abound, according to social worker Emily Seales, and include trauma, domestic violence, chronic health conditions, growing up in foster care, mental health diagnoses, intellectual disabilities, issues with the criminal justice system, and systemic racism and housing policy, atop the lack of affordable housing.

Simon Kenyon, who is ordained through the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches, said that he believes in more potential for those on the streets and that God has a better plan for them.

I think of Ephesians 2:10, he said, to be Gods workmanship; something that hes created beforehand for each one of us to do and to be.

The Kenyons voted to reinstate the camping ban partly to help incentivize getting off the streets but also because they were told by those experiencing homelessness that Austin streets have become more dangerous due to the influx of people from other states.

Despite those perceptions, 83 percent of people who are homeless in Austin started that journey in Austin or Texas, according to Seales. With the passage of Prop B, theres literally nowhere to go, she said. People will go deeper into the woods, or there will be efforts in the same place over and over again to help people move along.

Some Christians are trying to simplify and accelerate the process of helping those experiencing homelessness by partnering with various agencies under one roof.

Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center provides that kind of integrated model. The ministry grew out of Sunrise Community Churchs desire to offer assistance to those in several nearby south Austin encampments. The center now serves food and offers showers, an address for mail, mental health workers, a health clinic, and housing case managers.

Over six years, Sunrise has become its own entity with five paid staff and more than 100 volunteers, although it still shares a building with the church. They work together with various agencies staff to serve 200300 clients every day and recently helped house their 550th person, said Mark Hilbelink, lead pastor of the church and director of the navigation center.

Hilbelink operates from a Calvinist theology, he said, that believes strongly in Gods election of people. Were not constantly in fear of peoples salvation status, he said. For that reason, the social work aspect takes precedence over evangelism, he said.

Sunrises current goal is to replicate its integrative model through a program called Compass Network that helps train and connect churches with the social services community. Sunrise adheres to the approach that handouts need to go hand in hand with a connection to the larger social services community. Hilbelink has also been mentoring Leah Hargrave, a deacon at Mosaic Church and director of Mosaic Street Ministry, to create a navigation center in north Austin.

Currently Sunrise is working with three teams of four to seven churches per team that have adopted a nearby microhomeless population (about 100 people). Christians with different theologies and different politics have come together to help, Hilbelink said.

They would never worship together, he said, but they are on this team because mission is on the forefront and everything else is behind.

On Sundays, a church from one team, with the help of interns from a variety of Texas universities, sets up a citywide database, ID printers, and connections to referral systems at a shopping center parking lot that is within one mile of the churches. The church hands out aid, while the interns work on the social services part. One location in south Austin has already helped house 20 people.

Christians, like at Sunrise and Community First! Village, have developed some novel ideas that focus on more-integrated services and a communal approach, and cities all over the country are examining those models.

In 2020, more than half a million people experienced homelessness in the United States, a 2.2 percent increase from 2019, according to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The lifting of national and local eviction moratoriums and the end of pandemic unemployment benefits by end of summer will also contribute to people losing their homes. Other municipalitiessuch as suburban Seattle and Aurora, Coloradohave considered similar camping bans.

Due to a housing crisis in Austin and other citiesrents have risen 3.3 percent since 2019 and 1.6 percent nationallyHilbelink believes homelessness will become one of the biggest problems America will face in the next 1015 years and will require an army to tackle.

To take up the challenge, some churches will donate money, some will volunteer with an organization, others will adopt a micropopulation, and some will build navigation centers, Hilbelink said. Others, such as Seales and Stone, will advocate with city and state governments about equity and social justice issues, affordable housing, and living wages.

Every church is going to have to figure out what our response to this is going to be, Hilbelink said.

Deborah Pardo-Kaplan is a writer in Austin, Texas.
A year after calling off their annual meeting due to COVID-19, more than 12,600 Southern Baptists plan to attend this years in Nashville, the conventions biggest turnout since 1997.

Ronnie Floyd, president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee, tweeted the pre-registration figures this week, ahead of the June 1516 event.

Registration will be open through the meeting itself, but the number of messengers planning to attend has already surpassed the 8,200 who went to the previous annual meeting in Birmingham in 2019. The SBC hasnt brought together a crowd over 10,000 in over a decade, according to its own records.

The Southern Baptist annual meeting tends to draw bigger crowds when held in southern cities, and Nashville, home to the denominational headquarters, is a major hub already.

Its also a belated election year for the SBC, with a full slate of presidential hopefuls gunning for the position J. D. Greear held for a third year due to the 2020 meeting being cancelled.

And the SBC has been hashing out ideological divisions around hot topics like race, politics, abuse, and women in ministry, as a newly vocal conservative wingthe Conservative Baptist Networkwarns the denomination about drifting leftward and getting entangled with critical race theory.

Greear has called for three days of prayer and fasting leading up to the annual meeting, held on Wednesdays starting this week.

One of the areas of prayer is around gospel unity, asking that God would bring churches together for their sake of their mission. Earlier this year, Greear told the SBC Executive Committee that denominational disputes over secondary issues and their failure to adequately address racism in the SBC were hurting their witness and their ability to spread the gospel.

The size of the gathering reflects the significance of this years meeting for many Southern Baptists, who see the slate of presidential hopefuls representing different visions for the future of the SBC. The 14-million-member denomination has suffered years of decline, worsened by the pandemic.

Candidates include Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Alabama pastor Ed Litton, known for his involvement in racial reconciliation efforts; former SBC Executive Committee chair Mike Stone, a founding member of the Conservative Baptist Network and critic of cancel culture and woke ideology; and Randy Adams, a leader with the Northwest Baptist Convention.

Southern Baptists can only elect the convention president and vote on resolutions by attending the annual meeting in person as delegates or messengers from their churches.

Just months ago, SBC leaders didnt know what to expect for the annual meeting, which was scheduled and planned while the country was still in the throes of the pandemic. Other denominations called off their meetings or made contingency plans, unsure of whether Americans would be comfortable traveling or attending big events by the summer.

There was also concern that COVID-19 precautions could skew the attendance. If risks were still high, would it just be more conservative attendeesthose less concerned about the spread of the viruswho came to Nashville? Or, if the venue was strict about masks and social distancing, would fewer conservatives make it?

In April, the SBC announced that the meeting had moved from the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center to the Music City Center in downtown Nashville to accommodate the attendance levels and provide adequate social distancing. Its going to be the first big meeting in the city since the pandemic.

The Baptists will test the citys preparation for postpandemic conventions, Butch Spyridon, president and CEO of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp, told the Tennessean. Convention personnel will track the Baptists travel histories and vaccination rates as well as compliance with safety protocols.

The Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA) is also gathering for its annual council in Nashville this year, with a crowd of 2,600 expected at the Gaylord, May 31June 3. A smaller denomination of under 400,000 members, the CMA said registration is among the highest in decades. The annual council is also available for online attendees. One big agenda item for the CMA is a conversation about whether women can be called pastors.
Blinken promises US aid to Gaza won't benefit Hamas during Middle East trip

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While traveling to Jerusalem on Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and announced the United States plans to provide aid to Gaza and assured that work will be done to ensure Hamas doesn't benefit from U.S. aid dollars.

We know that to prevent a return to violence, we have to use the space created to address a larger set of underlying issues and challenges, and that begins with tackling the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza and starting to rebuild, Blinken said in remarks.

Blinken reiterated that the U.S. would ensure Hamas did not receive any aid intended to assist the Palestinian people.

The United States will work to rally international support around that effort while also making our own significant contributions, including some that Ill announce later today, Blinken continued. Well work with our partners, closely with all to ensure that Hamas does not benefit from the reconstruction assistance.

Blinken announced $38 million of aid to support humanitarian efforts in Gaza and the West Bank.

"This new assistance includes nearly $33 million for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in support of its West Bank and Gaza operations, and an additional $5.5 million to humanitarian partners," the announcement reads.

"This critical assistance will support humanitarian organizations to provide emergency shelter, food, relief items, and health care, as well as mental health and psychosocial support for those who experienced trauma."

The administration also stated its intent to work with Congress to provide $75 million in "additional development and economic assistance over the next year that will support relief and recovery in the West Bank and Gaza." The aim of that potential funding is to "advance private sector growth and access to basic needs and services, such as providing health care and addressing food insecurity."

"Pending completion of congressional notification, another $10 million will support programs that support reconciliation work to reduce tension and violence over the long term," the State Department announcement explained.

The total amount of U.S. assistance to Palestinians pledged by the Biden administration is at least $360 million after President Donald Trump cut off virtually all aid for the region, according to ABC News.

Last Friday, the United Nations announced its release of $22.5 million in humanitarian aid for the rising needs in Gaza after the flare-up of violence in recent weeks between Israeli Defense Forces and Hamas led to death, injury and mass displacement.

Some are concerned that providing aid to Gaza will indirectly contribute to the Iran-backed Hamas terrorist group, which has a powerful hold on Gaza.

Blinken's remark comes after a senior State Department official on Monday said the agency could not guarantee that Hamas will not receive any of the funding when asked by a reporter if the U.S. could ensure aid to Gaza would not be diverted to replenish the Hamas arsenal.

Were going to be working in partnership with the United Nations and the Palestinian Authority to kind of channel aid there in a manner that does its best to go to the people of Gaza, the official said, according to a State Department transcript.

Im also sure that the Government of Egypt will have some role in that, the official continued. As weve seen in life, as we all know in life, there are no guarantees, but were going to do everything that we can to ensure that this assistance reaches the people who need it the most.

Hamas, which the U.S. recognizes as a foreign terror organization, seek Israels demise and initiated the recent attacks that lasted nearly two weeks, firing over 4,000 rockets into Israel.

In response, Israel Defense Forces launched airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders, which Gaza health authorities say also killed civilians and children.

Around 250 people were killed, and hundreds were wounded, primarily Palestinians, in the two weeks of violence. Additionally, several buildings were destroyed.

A ceasefire was reached on May 21.

Blinken also mentioned the U.S.s potential return to the Iran nuclear agreement while countering Irans destabilizing actions in the region.

The Trump administration withdrew the U.S. from the nuclear agreement with Iran, one of Hamas top sponsors.

Netanyahu said he hopes the U.S. does not rejoin the nuclear deal with Iran since Israel believes "that that deal paves the way for Iran to have an arsenal of nuclear weapons with international legitimacy."

During the remarks, Netanyahu thanked Biden for firmly supporting Israels right of self-defense." He said if Hamas breaks the calm and attacks Israel, our response will be very powerful.

The prime minister said that they have discussed ways to collaborate to prevent Hamas rearmament with weapons and means of aggression.

Netanyahu also emphasized the importance of improving the lives of Palestinians and conditions in Gaza.

We discussed also how to improve the lives and the conditions of the Palestinians, the humanitarian conditions in Gaza, including the question of the return of our MIAs and two civilians who are there, as well as building economic growth for Judea and Samaria, the West Bank, with international cooperation and participation, and for peace itself with the Palestinians, a formal peace, Netanyahu said.

I think President Biden was absolutely correct when he said youre not going to get peace until Israel is recognized as an independent Jewish state, the prime minister continued. And that is the key.

Blinkens trip to the Middle East includes travels to Jerusalem, Ramallah, Cairo and Amman.

The U.S. has engaged in intensive diplomacy to bring an end to the hostilities in Gaza, according to the State Department.

During his visit, Blinken will discuss efforts to continue to reduce the risk of conflict and continue the ceasefire.

"I believe the Palestinians and Israelis equally deserve to live safely and securely and to enjoy equal measures of freedom, prosperity and democracy," Biden said upon the announcement of the ceasefire. "My administration will continue our quiet and relentless diplomacy toward that end.
David Daleiden says NIH-funded research grafted illegally aborted babies' scalps onto lab mice Pro-life activist urges Congress to investigate experiments on babies born alive

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A pro-life activist is calling for Dr. Anthony Fauci to testify before the U.S. Congress about his knowledge of federal funding awarded to a Pennsylvania university conducting experiments on human fetal tissue, including one experiment where illegally aborted babies' scalps were grafted onto lab rats.

David Daleiden, the founder of the pro-life activist group Center for Medical Progress, said on Fox News last Thursday that the director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases should testify about the nearly $500,000 grant his agency awarded to the University of Pittsburgh to conduct research using aborted babies scalps.

Daleiden wants Congress to ask Fauci, the most prominent figure overseeing the U.S. coronavirus response, if he knew of potentially illegal actions taken by the institution.

.@TuckerCarlson asks @daviddaleiden about the @PittTweet / @NIAIDFunding study that grafted the scalps of late-term unborn babies onto rats.



"Has Fauci accounted for this?"



"No, and Dr. Anthony Fauci owns every bit of this study." pic.twitter.com/AOO23HJEZi  Edie Heipel (@ediemheipel) May 21, 2021

At the University of Pittsburgh, they were doing a study where they were taking the scalps of 5-month-old aborted babies, and they were grafting them onto lab rats and lab mice to see how much longer they could keep them growing for, Daleiden explained. You can actually see the photographs in the published study of little baby scalps grafted onto the backs of lab rats growing little baby hairs.

According to Daleiden, This study was funded by ... multiple grants from the NIAID office, which is run by Dr. Anthony Fauci.

He contended that Fauci owns every bit of this study."

As the head of the NIAID office, the buck stops with him in terms of how those grants are spent  whether theyre being monitored and made sure that theyre ethically and legally and just compliant as far as good stewardship of taxpayer money," Daleiden said.

In addition to expressing disgust that experiments on aborted fetal body parts received taxpayer funding, Daleiden suggested that the experiments themselves may have broken the law.

The fact that they were using scalps from 5-month-old aborted babies, that means that the heads of those children probably needed to be intact in order to get the scalps, which is an indication that those are either partial-birth abortion or even infants delivered alive and whole, he said.

Federal law bans dilation and extraction abortions, also known as partial-birth abortions. The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act signed into law in 2003 prohibits partial-birth abortions. The law was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2007.

While Fox News did not show the pictures of the experiment on air, a video explaining the University of Pittsburghs experimentation with aborted babies on the CMP website does include graphic photos.

As the narrator explained, NIAID has given several additional grants to scientists and programs at the University of Pittsburgh that conduct fetal tissue research.

According to CMP, the experimentation on aborted babies scalps was described as full-thickness human fetal skin cut from the heads and backs of aborted babies then processed via removal of excess fat underneath the babies skin before stitching it onto the rats."

"Human skin tissues were obtained from the scalp and dorsum of donors and were used in developing human skin engraftments with and without hair in the mouse model, respectively," the published report states. "Full-thickness human fetal skin was processed via removal of excess fat tissues attached to the subcutaneous layer of the skin, then engrafted over the rib cage, where the mouse skin was previously excised."

According to CMP, another scientist at the university developed a protocol for harvesting the freshest, most pristine livers from 5-month-old aborted babies in order to isolate massive numbers of stem cells for experimental transplantation into adults.

The Pittsburgh scientist who developed the protocol received nearly $3 million from the NIH, the parent agency of NIAID, CMP reports.

The NIH has also awarded the University of Pittsburgh a $1.4 million multi-year grant that makes the university a distribution hub for aborted fetal kidneys and other fetal body parts for NIH-funded projects across the country," the activist group alleged.

According to the Center for Medical Progress, the fetal experimentation at the University of Pittsburgh goes back decades to the 1950s, when a doctor obtained live fetuses from abortions at Pitts hospital and tested their reflexes until they died.

When I was undercover, Planned Parenthood abortion providers told me that they were the ones who were supplying the aborted baby body parts for experiments at the University of Pittsburgh," Daleiden said in his Fox News interview.

While the university told the media that there is no procurement relationship for fetal tissue with Planned Parenthood, archive footage of Daleidens undercover exchange with Planned Parenthood officials shows a doctor at Planned Parenthood Western Pennsylvania acknowledging that theres a tissue bank  at Pitt that we offer patients to donate to.

Additionally, the University of Pittsburgh has served as a location for Planned Parenthoods Ryan Residency, which provides training for many doctors who go on to work for the nations largest abortion provider.

Daleiden remains optimistic that more details about the research at the University of Pittsburgh will become public and that people will be held accountable.

I think that everyday Americans  are justifiably disturbed and upset and sad and want accountability and want enforcement  from their elected representatives, from government officials on these issues," he stressed.

Were talking about a set of government policies with fetal experimentation and experiments on aborted children that basically say that our children are worth more dead than alive, he added. It speaks to who we are as a people and who we are  as Americans.

In a statement to The College Fix, University of Pittsburgh spokesperson Keith Joseph denied any allegations of wrongdoing.

The University does not obtain fetal tissue from Planned Parenthood, does not use any of its state appropriation to fund fetal tissue research and follows all laws and regulations governing fetal tissue research, he asserted.

Maintaining that the video footage of Planned Parenthood officials discussing the tissue bank at the University of Pittsburgh was false, Joseph argued that David Daleiden has been repeatedly discredited, ordered to pay millions of dollars after being found liable for breaking multiple state and federal laws, and is now facing felony charges in criminal court.

The Christian Post reached out to the University of Pittsburgh to respond to Daleiden's claim that NIH funds were used for the research to graft fetal skin on lab mice. A response was not received by press time.
Ohio city becomes first in state to pass ordinance banning abortion, becomes sanctuary city for unborn

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A city in Ohio has become the first in the state to pass an ordinance that bans abortions in its jurisdiction after its leadership unanimously voted to approve the measure.

The Lebanon City Council, whose city has a population of about 20,000, voted Tuesday evening to pass Ordinance 2021-053, which bans abortion in the community.

The meeting had a packed crowd, with several locals speaking for and against the ordinance before Councilman Doug Shope, who sponsored the proposal, spoke about the measure.

We had been talking about some of the ridiculous sanctuary city things that have been done in other parts of the country, said Shope, citing, as an example, sanctuary cities for those who entered the United States illegally. Wouldnt it be great if we had a sanctuary for the unborn?

Councilwoman Krista Wyatt, who opposed the ordinance, resigned from the city council in advance of the vote, denouncing the political climate of the local government.

Multiple Republicans have reached out to me to indicate while they do not support abortion, they do not feel it should be made into local legislation that conflicts with state and federal laws, said Wyatt, as reported by Fox 19.

There is a core group of people who have hijacked the council to force their personal, political and religious views on the entire citizenship of Lebanon. It is not fair to the citizens and is not the role of a city council member to be a moral compass.

Created Equal, a pro-life group that helped Shope get in touch with the group Sanctuary City for the Unborn to craft the ordinance, celebrated the result of the city council vote.

Ohio is once again taking the lead to protect children, and more cities are joining this movement every week, stated Mark Harrington, president of Created Equal, in an emailed statement.

The Ohio chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union denounced the ordinance, and in advance of the vote threatened legal action against Lebanon.

This hyper-local strategy is another attempt by anti-abortion extremists to stigmatize and ban abortion in Ohio, by whatever means necessary, stated Freda Levenson, legal director for the ACLU of Ohio.

Anti-abortion politicians in Lebanon have no business interfering in people's lives and healthcare. We will do everything in our collective power to ensure this effort is dead on arrival.

More than 20 cities in Texas and two cities in Nebraska have passed similar ordinances to protect the unborn.
Only 6% of Americans have a biblical worldview, research from George Barna finds

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Only 6% of Americans have a "biblical worldview," according to research from notable evangelical pollster George Barna released as part of a new endeavor with the Christian conservative advocacy organization Family Research Council.

In a statement Wednesday, FRC announced that Barna, who founded the influential evangelical polling organization Barna Group, joined the organization as a senior fellow of their newly launched Center for Biblical Worldview.

FRC President Tony Perkins said that the center is "designed to give Christians a firm foundation so that they can engage the culture by being rooted in Gods Word."

Every Christian can and should obtain a biblical worldview  which is only achieved when a person believes that the Bible is true, authoritative, and then taught how it is applicable to every area of life, which enables them to live out those beliefs," Perkins stressed in a statement.

As part of the center's launch, FRC released research conducted by Barna's Metaformation research group. Some of the new report includes questions and data compiled for the American Worldview Inventory produced by the Barna-led Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University.

The data found, among other things, that while 51% of American adults said they have a biblical worldview, only 6% of American adults actually hold this worldview.

Barna drew the conclusion of inconsistency among the 51% reporting a biblical worldview by noting that many of the questions to determine worldview found this group technically outside of what the pollster defined as a biblical worldview.

For example, of the 51%, 49% said that reincarnation was a possibility after they die. Meanwhile, only 33% said they believed that human beings are born with a sinful nature and can only be saved from the consequences of sin by Jesus Christ.

Data for the research came from a May survey featuring a nationally representative sample of 1,000 adults, with a sampling error of about plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.

Christians have a duty to stand against the prevailing cultural tides and proclaim Gods truth to a dark and wandering world," Perkins stated. "But before you stand, you need solid ground."

The data comes as similar results have been found by other surveys in recent years. Last September, the Cultural Research Center revealed survey data compiled in January 2020 that showed that 2% of millenials hold a biblical worldview even though 61% identify as Christian.

In 2017, a survey from the American Culture and Faith Institute found that about 10% of Americans hold a distinctly biblical worldview even though 46% claimed to lead a Christian life.

In addition to Barna serving as a senior fellow, FRC's new Center for Biblical Worldview will be headed by David Closson, author of FRCs "Biblical Worldview Series" who has written pieces for publications including National Review and The Gospel Coalition. Owen Strachen, the provost and research professor of theology at Grace Bible Theological Seminary in Arkansas, also joined the center as a senior fellow.

I am excited to work more closely with FRC to apply the research findings in ways that help to transform individuals lives and American culture," Barna said in a statement. "Given FRCs track record of making a difference in our society based upon its unwavering commitment to biblical principles, I look forward to an effective and fruitful partnership using research to guide our efforts.

The founder and namesake of the Barna Group, Barna also founded the Cultural Research Center in March 2020.
PCUSA lost over 56K members, 116 churches in 2020: report

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Presbyterian Church (USA) lost approximately 56,000 active members and closed more than 100 congregations in 2020, according to a recent annual report on denominational statistics.

The PCUSA Office of the General Assembly released the annual statistics on membership and giving on Monday, which included minutes from the 224th General Assembly.

According to Section IV of the minutes on statistics, PCUSA had approximately 1.245 million active members in 2020, down from 1.302 million in 2019, or a decline of 56,689.

The data is derived from reporting by 82% of PCUSA churches, which represent 90% of the denomination's membership.

The largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States also saw a drop in congregations, going from 9,041 in 2019 to 8,925 in 2020.

Although 2020 was a year of pandemic lockdowns, which impacted churches of all denominations, PCUSA losses were comparable to 2019, when the denomination reported losing around 50,000 members and closing 120 congregations.

Over the past several years, as with other mainline Protestant denominations, PCUSA has experienced a considerable decline in membership numbers and congregations.

The decline in membership comes as data has shown in recent years a decline in Americans who consider themselves Christians and a rise of Americans who consider themselves religiously unaffiliated.

Another factor for PCUSA has been the theological direction of the church, as its affirmation of gay clergy led several congregations to leave the denomination in protest in recent years.

The OGA report documents were released exclusively in a digital format for the first time in the denomination's history.

PCUSA OGA Stated Clerk Rev. J. Herbert Nelson II said in the announcement that this switch to digital was partly in response to the decline in revenue the church has experienced.

For one, it costs approximately $25,000 to produce 2,000 copies of this book. Secondly, it can quickly become outdated as things change throughout the church, stated Nelson.

I have said many times over the past year that we need to be moving the church forward in the 21st century.  But economics have also prompted us to make smarter decisions on how per capita dollars are spent. We find this to be more efficient and timelier, giving Presbyterian leaders the information they need in real time.

Additionally, PCUSA has openly considered no longer hosting its biennial General Assembly as a mass gathering due to financial woes and declining membership.

In a statement last August, Nelson attributed this plan to end the big tent General Assembly due to declining membership and financial giving.

That is happening, basically, because we are at a place financially with the drying up of per capita as it is and the whole system is strained with regards to the fallout in the denomination with membership loss, he said last year.

Dealing with the issue that we are not a denomination right now ... that can afford the kinds of things that we have been doing.
Capitol Police investigating after pro-life congresswoman nearly struck by car outside abortion clinic

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U.S. Capitol Police are investigating after a pro-life congresswoman was nearly run over by a car while leaving a prayer rally in front of an abortion clinic in her district.

Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., was one of several pro-life activists praying outside the Whole Womans Health abortion clinic in South Bend, Indiana, on May 15 when a car nearly hit her and two others as they were leaving the protest.

Security camera footage of the incident was obtained by REAL News Michiana, a conservative news outlet based in the region of Indiana and Michigan known as Michiana.

The video footage shows a Dodge Challenger stopping short of hitting Walorski and the others as they separate from the larger group of pro-lifers gathered on the lawn in front of the abortion clinic.

REAL News Michiana reports that there is a large shoulder and bike lane in front of the clinic, and the vehicle "crossed the bike lane into the shoulder where the congresswoman was walking."

Walorski and the other two protesters appear to engage in some dialogue with the driver for a short time before walking away after about 20 seconds. The car remains at the side of the road for about 30 seconds before driving into the abortion clinic's parking lot.

On Saturday, a week after the incident, Walorski released a statement announcing that Capitol Police is investigating the incident.

On Saturday, May 15th, I joined a group of pro-life Hoosiers in prayer while they gathered peacefully near a South Bend abortion clinic, she recalled. As I was leaving, a vehicle traveling quickly down Lincoln Way West swerved toward the group and came to an abrupt stop just a few feet away from me. Given the recent increase in threats against members of Congress, the U.S. Capitol Police are investigating this incident.

Although the alleged attack against Walorski happened hundreds of miles from Washington, D.C., Capitol Police still have jurisdiction. Capitol Police are authorized by federal law to protect, in any area of the United States, the person of any member of Congress, officer of the Congress  and any member of the immediate family of any such Member or officer, if the Capitol Police determines such protection to be necessary.

Walorski vowed that the effort to intimidate her and other pro-life activists would not deter their support for protecting the right to life.

They will not be silenced or intimidated by threats or acts of violence from radical activists," she said.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., echoed Walorskis sentiment in a tweet condemning the unhinged leftist who nearly ran them over with his car.

According to McCarthy, Conservatives will not be intimidated in expressing our right to free speech and in support of life!

Absolutely sickening.



While @RepWalorski and other pro-life Americans were praying together in defense of the unborn, an unhinged leftist nearly ran them over with his car.



Conservatives will not be intimidated in expressing our right to free speech and in support of life! pic.twitter.com/R52pw8vefu  Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) May 22, 2021

As Walorski herself noted, the representative from Indianas 2nd Congressional District is not the only member of Congress to face threats in recent weeks.

On Monday, Fox News reported that Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., received a death threat in the mail in the form of a white substance and a picture depicting the senator on crutches, wearing a neck brace and a cast on his arm with a gun to his head.

The picture was accompanied by a caption reading, Ill finish what your neighbor started, referring to the 2017 incident where Paul was assaulted by his neighbor, causing the lawmaker to suffer broken ribs.

The FBIs field office in Louisville told Fox News that it was working with the Warren County Sheriffs Office and the Capitol Police by providing forensic and technical assistance.

Although an initial test from Capitol Police determined that the substance is not dangerous, the substance will undergo further testing at an FBI lab. Both federal agencies will continue investigating.
RZIM apologist who wrote book with Ravi Zacharias admits shortcomings, says he was deceived

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An apologist who worked closely with Ravi Zacharias and co-authored a book with him said he was deceived by the late apologist who was embroiled in several sexual abuse allegations that were substantiated by an independent investigation released earlier this year.

In an interview with Josh and Sean McDowell that was streamed online Friday, Abdu Murray, who has been in the leadership of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries since 2017, explained why he believed the late apologists version of events when accusations were made public, and apologized for how he and the ministry handled making statements when the allegations arose.

We really cannot afford to elevate ministry above people or certainly above Jesus, Murray said, speaking about what he learned amid the gradual exposure of Zacharias that took place the past few years.

I think that we have this mentality in ministry that somehow ministry is itself sacred, that ministry is itself untouchable. And so when an allegation of abuse happens, we find it unbelievable because these people could not possibly have done it.

Yet the Bible says otherwise, he continued, as many who had a calling from God committed terrible acts.



Murray co-authored Seeing Jesus from the East: A Fresh Look at History's Most Influential Figure with the late apologist, which was released weeks before Zacharias died after a battle with cancer in May 2020.

When asked what contributing factors led so many to believe Zacharias deceptions for so long, specifically regarding what happened with Brad and Lori Anne Thompson  the Canadian couple at the center of much of the scrutiny of the apologist when allegations of sexual misconduct first emerged in 2017  Murray said he could not answer for what others thought, but that he considered Zacharias unblemished record as proof of his trustworthiness.

Zacharias had portrayed the Thompsons' as a couple who were attempting to extort money from him and denied any inappropriate interactions with them, especially Lori Anne, whom he groomed into an illicit online relationship. Zacharias subsequently filed a racketeering (RICO) lawsuit against the couple.

Adding to his belief that Zacharias was trustworthy was that he believed in and employed women who wanted to study and do apologetics, and he wanted them to be in leadership positions across RZIM.

Zacharias presented an Im not going to hide ... let the truth be known approach to the allegations in 2017, Murray said, noting that he first learned of them when the RICO legal action was announced in the organization.

This is the actions of an innocent man, he said, recalling his thinking at the time.

Ive since learned something very important ... that this can be a tactic to silence people.

Once more damning information emerged, my thinking should have given way, Murray said, to a more critical examination, but the reality of it was that I didnt want it to be true.

Emails obtained by The Christian Post show that Murray wrote to Zacharias in November 2017 to give him encouragement because he believed the allegations amounted to a spiritual attack on the ministry, given its effectiveness worldwide in reaching people for Christ.

Murray elaborated in the interview with the McDowells that realizing that the allegations of misconduct against Zacharias were true presented another irony  that he came to faith in Christ, not wanting the Gospel message and claims of the Christian faith to be true.

When I came to faith, I did so despite my desire for it not to be true. Ive often said that I value truth over comfort. But the reality is this, its that even though youve done that in your life, and I did that in my life, it doesnt mean you cant be vigilant all the time now.

You have to be ever-vigilant, he reiterated, guard your own heart ... Is this true or are you claiming its false because you dont want it to be true? I think thats a big part of why a lot of people were able to believe [Zacharias] side of the story. They just could not possibly fathom it. But I think we have to embrace the truth no matter how inconvenient it is.

The RZIM leader admitted that he was skeptical when additional charges emerged in August 2020 from massage therapists who had repeatedly interacted with Zacharias over the course of several years. But regardless of how uncomfortable it was, he and others within the ministry pushed for an independent investigation and they wanted the truth.

RZIM hired the Atlanta firm Miller & Martin to conduct the review, and its full report was published in February.

During the interview, Murray also addressed a statement that was circulated in the media and attributed to him about him wanting to hire a rough Atlanta ex-cop to investigate women who made sexual misconduct allegations against the late apologist with the goal of discrediting them.

What actually happened, Murray said, was that he was asking a lawyer, Brian Kelly, about potential investigators who were reputable. Kelly told him and the only one he knew of was a rough Atlanta ex-cop who doesnt have a light touch.

When he relayed that to the RZIM team in a meeting amid mounting questions about Zacharias conduct, Murray recalled saying that they could not go that route and advocated not using such a person.

In an email to CP on Tuesday, Steve Baughman, an attorney and author of the book, Cover-Up in the Kingdom, who brought Zacharias sexual misconduct and misrepresentation of his academic credentials to light, said he believes Murray when he said he didn't suggest they hire a rough ex-cop to investigate the women who accused Zacharias of abuse, and that it's a particularly ugly thing to be falsely accused of doing.

Yet, Murrays reputation is widely known as Ravis pitbull, he maintained.

Despite his recent mea culpa, RZIM insiders have revealed that Murray pressured team members who questioned Ravi, he wanted to use attorney-client privilege to keep ugly information from the public, he put a positive spin on Ravis 2016 written suicide threat to Ms. Thompson, he defended Ravi for the false statements in the press release announcing the lawsuit settlement, and more, Baughman said.

Abdu Murray can now plead blindness. But his blindness was knowingly and willingly self-inflicted. Abdu made it his mission to snuff out the red flags.

Since the release of the Miller & Martin report earlier this year, RZIM has announced that it's changing the ministry's name and restructuring to become a grant-making organization supporting evangelism and abuse victims, laying off the majority of its staff.
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Ravish Kumar, an Indian journalist and the 2019 recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, recently shared on his personal blog that he is battling COVID-19. He wrote that our nation has become like an empty tumbler  we have nothing left, not even the essential oxygen we need to breathe.

He is right.

Indias second wave of COVID-19 has collapsed the poor, the middle class and the rich into one sea of humanity, all of whom are gasping for oxygen and knowing that timely care would have saved tens of thousands of lives.

We believed our own false propaganda about India experiencing prosperity and the new middle class numbering about 250 million. We were wowed with the rest of the world. But now reality has hit everyone.

While medical experts are saying no one is safe until everyone is safe, there is a strong message to the middle class which continues to ignore the plight of the majority of Indians who are struggling to survive.

For years the middle class, which prospered because of the economic liberalization of India, simply turned a blind eye to the myriad of deficiencies in Indias public healthcare system, which was allowed to disintegrate in rural areas and small towns. Very few in the middle class seemed concerned that their ability to receive healthcare in private hospitals mushrooming across India also meant that members of poor and marginalized communities would be forced to borrow or sell their property and face exploitation by money lenders.

Let us not forget to commend the minority within the middle class who do not bow to political pressure and do speak out for those who are suffering in the midst of this crisis. But the death of a collective social conscience in the middle class is destroying India, not only in its healthcare but in multiple areas of social cohesion.

The lack of social conscience among the wealthy class is even more disturbing. They thought nothing of flying away to the Maldives or some other exotic safe place to protect themselves from COVID-19 and celebrated their travels on Instagram. They have the luxury of forgetting their home and their neighbors.

Yet, the middle and wealthy classes must realize that Indias new prosperity is tenuous at best because until most Indians prosper, the rest cannot reach their fullest potential.

The majority of the poor know that many doctors hired by the government end up having private practices because of the low salaries the government pays its doctors and nurses. The decline of the public healthcare system should not be a surprise. In response, there are plenty of private hospitals and 5-star hospitals there for those who can come up with the money.

In this health crisis the Indian judiciary has become a beacon of hope, as it has taken on the state and central government. The judiciary is the last resort for Indians to assert their basic human right to live. Right now 10 of our high courts, along with the Supreme Court, are asking hard questions of the various governments, including the election commission, which held elections for five states without implementing COVID-19 safety protocols. The government allowed for a religious festival in northern India, which led to super spreader events across the country, particularly in rural areas.

The Supreme Court along with the central government has now instituted a national task force of medical practitioners and government officials to ensure that all of India will have an adequate supply of oxygen in all of its healthcare facilities. The Supreme Court wants a scientific plan, not just slogans and meaningless announcements, which are the bread and butter of all political propaganda.

Our hospitals are crammed with the rich, the poor, the middle classes. And they are filled with people of all faiths. This virus continues to be no respecter of persons.

This COVID-19 crisis in my beloved India is further evidence that it is its citizens who have failed our nation and displayed a crass kind of nationalism toward our own people.

Will the severely shaken middle and wealthy classes at last realize that this is a crisis of their own making because they have ignored the health needs of the poor?

When this second wave peaks, my prayer is that the middle and wealthy classes do not simply return to business as usual without first demanding from the government that the healthcare infrastructure for all classes across India becomes a national priority. I do not want to even imagine the alternative, as medical professionals are predicting a third wave and variants of the virus will have dire consequences, particularly for children.

In an interdependent, populous India, any major health issue  any new viral outbreak  will eventually affect all of us. The right to life, work and health is not only for the educated, the wealthy or for the increasingly prospering middle class, but for every Indian.

We have to rise up as one unified India, regardless of our religious, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. A national concern for our neighbors and a seismic paradigm shift is what is needed at this critical hour in Indias history.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker didnt get behind the legislation, and we applaud him for that. But he put out his own proposal that includes subsidies to keep Exelons Dresden and Byron nuclear plants up and running to the tune of $71 million annually over a five-year span. Thats not nearly as big of a broadside to ratepayers as the union-backed bill, but it still would cost customers more. His Consumers and Climate First Act also would phase out coal by 2030 and require the states power supplying industry to be carbon-free by 2050. It would return to the Illinois Commerce Commission the say-so on utility rates and infrastructure spending, and create a path for customers to get restitution for illegal conduct committed by ComEd.
Pentecost Sunday kicks off 33-day challenge to pray for Gospel-destitute areas of the world

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Pastors David Platt and Francis Chan have joined a collective of more than 50 Christian ministries in launching a 33-day prayer challenge on Sunday, the Day of Pentecost, to raise awareness for the one-third of the worlds population that is still without access to the Bible, the church and other believers.

The 1:11 Prayer Challenge, which will begin with a Facebook Live event on Sunday at 1:11 p.m. in each U.S. time zone, will ask Christians across the U.S. to pause at 1:11 p.m. each day for 33 days to pray for the third of us who have no access to Jesus.

What many people dont understand is that unreached is not the same as unsaved or even unevangelized, explained Marv Newell, executive director of the Alliance for the Unreached, which is hosting the event as part of the A Third of Us movement. The vast majority of people in communities across North America are reached with the Gospel, meaning that they have access to the Good News in their language in some form or another.

Newell continued: But this is not true for the 3.2 billion people living in Gospel-destitute areas of the world. They are considered unreached because they have no access to the Good News. They still await the opportunity to hear the message of Jesus for the first time, and based upon the number of professing believers in their community, it is extremely unlikely they will meet or know a Christian personally.

Throughout the day on Sunday, the online event will feature video chats with Platt, the lead pastor of McLean Bible Church in Vienna, Virginia, and New York Times bestselling author Chan.

I cannot imagine having to face God apart from Christ, the alliance quotes Chan as saying. So how can I allow other people to do this? If there are people who havent even heard  God, give me a desire for them. Give me a love for them.

Participants will be asked to draw or place the Three Line Symbol  I II  somewhere visible, for example, on their hands or in their profile pictures on social media with the hashtag #athirdofus. The three lines represent a third of humanity with the three nos  no Bible, no church, and no other believers.

This is a conversation starter to talk about the movement and invite others to join the 1:11 Prayer Challenge, says the alliance, which includes Bibles for the World, FEBC, Door International, Ethnos 360, Frontier Ventures, Joshua Project, Missio Nexus, Mission Network News, Operation Mobilization, Seed Company, TransWorld Radio, World Mission and ZimZam Global.

Someone came and presented the Gospel to us and gave us the opportunity to be reconciled to God, to have a relationship with God, and to have our lives transformed by the Living God. Why would we hold that back from millions of others? said Jon Fugler, board chair of the Alliance for the Unreached. So awareness is our focus. Our campaign is designed to help spread awareness, through our social connections, simply and quickly.
How significant is Pentecost for Christians?

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Churches across the United States and elsewhere are observing Pentecost Sunday, referred to as the birthday of the Church. It's a day that, for many Christians, is as significant as Christmas and Easter.

On Pentecost Sunday  which comes 50 days after Easter and hence the name Pentecost, which is a Greek word for fifty  some churches use red color as the theme for decoration to symbolize the fire and joy of the Holy Spirit as they commemorate the coming of the Spirit on the early followers of Jesus.

Acts 2:1-4 records: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Many see the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus on the first Pentecost as the birth of the Church. Before His ascension, Jesus instructed His disciples not to leave Jerusalem but wait for the gift my Father promised. He added that they would receive power and be His witnesses in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the world when the Holy Spirit came on them, according to Acts 1:4, 8. This came true on the day of Pentecost.

What happened on the first Pentecost carries on today. Whoever puts faith in the Gospel of Jesus receives the Holy Spirit, though not necessarily in the same way as it happened in the first century when many visible signs followed.

The Holy Spirit plays an essential role in a Christians life.

It is through the Spirit that one can appropriate Gods promises in Jesus by accepting Him as the Lord and Savior. As Peter said on the day of the Pentecost, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off  for all whom the Lord our God will call. (Acts 2:38, 39)

Further, it is the Holy Spirit  co-equal with God the Father and God the Son, as per the doctrine of Trinity  who keeps Christians as He indwells in them.

Pentecost also underlines the importance of the Church in Gods work. God sent the Holy Spirit to Jesus disciples on an occasion when they were all together in one place. And what followed was the building of a community, a model community.

Acts 2:42-47 says: They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Whats more, Pentecost reflected a key mission of the Church. By enabling the disciples to declare Gods wonders in various languages, the Holy Spirit showed that the Church needs to reach out to various cultural, racial, ethnic and linguistic groups rather than become an affinity group. It taught the Church to honor diversity.

Acts 2:5-8 reads: Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: Arent all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?

The outpouring of the Spirit was for each of the believers gathered on the first Pentecost, irrespective of their backgrounds.

The birth of the Church, in a historic sense, and the reflection of its centrality in Gods ministry and its mission to reach out to all people groups while honoring local cultures and languages, as well as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in all believers, are reasons why many believers look at Pentecost as an event as significant as Christmas and Easter.
Matt Chandler identifies 2 'non-negotiables' for pastors to lead well in 'increasingly hostile' culture

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Village Church Pastor Matt Chandler identified two non-negotiables pastors must employ to lead their churches boldly post-COVID-19 and offered the reminder that though culture is growing increasingly hostile to the Body of Christ, the Church was made for this moment.

What I want to encourage the brothers and sisters to do is to make sure their eyes and hearts are oriented around Jesus and who He is and His promises to His bride, His promises to the Church, so that we might stand in the confidence of knowing that the gates of Hell will not prevail, that we might stand in the confidence of knowing that we are the bride, and He will not betray His bride, Chandler said during Exponential's Reset Summit on Wednesday

If we will orient our imaginations, our minds, our hearts, around being the Bride of Christ, what the Scriptures have said about the Bride of Christ, and consider the reign and rule of King Jesus lion and lamb, I think we can move forward in courage. If we use the old metrics, I think we're in a lot of trouble.

When it comes to leading a church with confidence post-COVID, Chandler, who also leads the Acts 29 church planting network, presented two non-negotiables for pastors. The first, he said, is to fight for unhurried time with Jesus.

It's one thing to kind of create space for, study your Bible or to write a sermon or to do deep work. It's another thing to say, I want to fight for, and I will want to find, unhurried space where I can just linger with Jesus, thanking, praising, asking for gratitude to be stirred up in my heart, remembering who I am in Him, remembering He called me into this ... so He won't betray me, He won't abandon me.' And just sit there and listen, and that will reveal all sorts of other things that are going on in your heart that then the Spirit of God can deal with that I think will really embolden and strengthen ministers of the Gospel.

The second non-negotiable is, I'm always going to fight for transparency with my inner circle," Chandler said, revealing that, for him, his inner circle are two close, trustworthy friends.

Those guys have seen my budget, they've seen my tax returns, they know when [my wife] Lauren and I are trying to navigate something, they know when I'm frustrated or concerned or worried about a kid, they know when I feel like I'm crushing it, and when I feel like I'm not. I will copy the select group of men  on emails that I'm in that seem to be growing hostile, so that they serve as a buffer for what the compulsion of my heart is versus how I probably need to behave as a pastor to a member.

I've been sustained by the Spirit of God simply by fighting for that unhurried time with Jesus, and then making sure that those closest to me know exactly what's going on in this head and heart of mine.

Coming out of a pandemic, Chandler said he wants to preach confidence back into the people of God. He stressed that though there is a growing hostility toward the Church, the Body of Christ was made for this moment.

God created us for this moment, let's step into it with all the zeal of those who understand how the story ends, he said.

If the Church believes it's over and we've lost, and it's over ... what an opportunity we just squandered, he said. People are more lonely, more desperate. Secularism has been exposed as lacking, our sexual ethics is starting to show the cracks in its ideology. What an opportunity to step in and be this plausibility structure that, life can be different than you see it, life can be different than you know it, and here's a group of people that embody that and believe it and pray and worship and love one another in a way that shows you there's something better than the life you're in.

Its inevitable that pastors are going to get beat on in todays culture, Chandler said, making it all the more important for people to know who they are in Christ.

It has been given to you to suffer and be misconstrued and be misrepresented and to be in some senses bullied and badgered, he emphasized. As it was given to Jesus so now it's given to you. I would try to reframe this as, what a privilege at this moment in history to endure as our Savior endured and bear the reproach, even from those who are in the household of faith.

You are not going to be able to lead in such a way where you're not misrepresented  that day is gone. You will be misrepresented, you will be misunderstood  I want you to reframe that as the blessing that Jesus said it was, he added.

What a privilege to endure hardship for the sake of the King, and then boldly step into the call to radical discipleship, the call to radical surrender that He's called us to that now comes with a cost  we will suffer, but through worship and prayer and fasting and confidence, we will overcome and conquer.
This week in Christian history: Bob Jones loses at Supreme Court, Protestants banned from Canada

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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.

Here are three events that happened this week in Christian history. They include the birth of a prominent liberal preacher, Bob Jones University losing a U.S. Supreme Court case, and Protestants being banned from New France.
Episcopal school student faces disciplinary hearing after conservative social media posts

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A student at Alexandria, Virginias Episcopal High School will face a disciplinary hearing after making several posts sympathetic to the conservative movement on social media but the school claims the actions its taking have nothing to do with political views.

Mackenzie, whose last name has been withheld for security reasons, a 17-year-old student at the boarding school, faces the threat of dismissal as a result of her social media posts.

Mackenzie recently took to Instagram to express her disgust that Ibram X. Kendi, a Boston University professor who referred to Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett as a white colonizer, was speaking at the school.

Absolutely DISGUSTING that @episcopalhs let this man speak at our school. Unbelievable, she wrote.

Her Instagram post featured a screenshot of Kendis description of Barrett as a white colonizer on Twitter. Mackenzie has also used her Instagram account to repost stories from conservative organizations such as PragerU and Turning Point USA.

According to Jesse Binnall, Mackenzies attorney, the student faces disciplinary action as a result of her social media posts.

The disciplinary committee process, of course, will be a politically motivated attack against a conservative student  one whose simple act of expression has alarmed the school in a way that illuminates its egregious bias against conservative thought  and in turn  a conservative student, he wrote in a letter to the school.

Of course, none of Mackenzies posts come close to violating school rules as outlined in the EHS Student Handbook. While it might wish to push its political narrative on students, conservative ideology and freedom of thought has not (yet) been explicitly forbidden by the school."

The lawyer claimed that "EHS has tried to force Mackenzie out because she refuses to surrender to the schools Newspeak type-agenda surrounding rhetoric supported by the Black Lives Matters organization  an admittedly Marxist group."

Charley Stillwell, head of school at Episcopal High School, explained in a statement to The Christian Post Thursday that he would not provide a detailed account of the disciplinary matter, as it would be inappropriate to discuss the behavior and language of a student in such a situation.

According to Stillwell, the issues involved do not relate to either conservative or liberal political perspectives."

"We do not discipline students for their political positions; that would be antithetical to the values we hold closely as a community," Stillwell explained.

We do, however, set very clear expectations and high standards for how all of us engage with and treat one another. We have worked hard in recent years to help our students learn to hear and respect each others differences even as they engage in conversations on topics about which they disagree."

The head of school acknowledged that the institution is "aware and disappointed that a faculty member acted unprofessionally in an online exchange that involved the student."

"The interaction was unacceptable; we expect members of our community, most particularly the adult role models, to treat each other with respect at all times, Stillwell explained. The situation is more complex than has been presented, but we are limited in what we can share about personnel matters. We addressed this incident and are continuing to take it seriously.

In an interview with CP, Binnall spoke about the status of his client.

They still are threatening to put her through a disciplinary process," he said. "Theyve issued no apology and  they refuse to back down from their position that they can discipline her because they think her mainstream conservative social media posts should be forbidden.

Theyve told her about the disciplinary committee for about a week now, he added. While they are not explicitly disciplining her based on the Kendi post, it was shortly after she made the Kendi post that they started instigating the disciplinary proceedings.

The lawyer said that the school won't tell his client when the proceedings will be.

He explained that while the disciplinary proceeding was initially slated to include faculty and students, theyve decided to ignore that procedure and just have her appear directly in front of the administration.

Binnall sees this as an attempt to railroad her through a process because of her conservative ideology.

In his letter to the school, Binnall also alleged that the school has failed to take action to stop the harassment and bullying of Mackenzie by students, alumni, and even a teacher."

He says it is "harassment and bullying based on her mainstream political beliefs, her physical appearance, and even based on her previous interracial relationship.

He requested that the school please immediately cease all further disciplinary actions against Mackenzie, advise us of what actions you will take to hold her harassers and bullies accountable for their violations, and issue her a formal and public apology for refusing to act sooner.

This is not the first time that Mackenzies social media posts have caused her to face adverse treatment from her school community. According to Binnall, troubles started for the student after she posted sympathies for the family of David Dorn, a retired African-American police captain who was shot by a rioter looting a pawn shop in June.

Binnall claimed that he will not have the opportunity to advocate on Mackenzies behalf at her disciplinary hearing because they are denying her any outside advisor at the hearing, leaving her without the impartial advice she needs or the emotional support she deserves before being put in front of a hard-left virtual firing squad.

He told CP that what happened to Mackenzie is part of a problem across the country right now where woke liberals on campus are trying to silence conservative students."

Rather than engage with people on the ideas themselves, they just want conservatives to shut up," he argued.
Women controlling husbands with sex, other means is destructive, Transformed Wife warns

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Lori Alexander, a married Christian woman who's also known through her blog The Transformed Wife, is warning married women that their desire to control their husbands through a matriarchal spirit using sex, an insistence on being right, always having the last word and others means could lead to the destruction of their marriage.

We dont use sex to manipulate our husbands. We dont deprive our husbands sexually. We give it to him willingly and freely because we love pleasing our husbands. So women, rid yourself of that matriarchal spirit today. Just give it to the Lord. Its an idol in your life. Its hurting your marriage, could potentially destroy your marriage. Begin building your husband up. Respect his opinions. Stop arguing with him. You dont need the last word. You dont need to be right, and youll be shocked at how much better your marriage is and how much happier your husband is, Alexander, who has been married to her husband since 1980, warned in a video shared on YouTube Sunday.

According to Daughters of Promise, the matriarchal or Jezebel spirit uses seduction, womanly wiles, or sexual means to control men. If those dont work, it uses shame and sarcasm, scorn and arrogance. This spirit, according to the ministry, specifically targets the weak and the wounded, the hurt, rebellious and rejected. It uses flattery, smooth words, prophecies and tears to seduce these targets out from under authority.

Most women, says Alexander, have the matriarchal spirit.

The grandmother of nine, who is a mentor to women, has been featured in publications such as USA Today. She says she suffered 23 difficult years in her marriage but turned things around using Gods principles and believes older women must share their wisdom with younger ones.

My ministry is based upon Titus 2:3-5 in which God commands that older women teach younger women to be sober, love and obey their husbands, love their children, be chaste, discreet, good, and keepers at home, she writes on her blog.

In her message to women on Sunday, she insisted that the Bible doesnt endorse the matriarchal spirit.

Women, I just want to encourage you today to get rid of your matriarchal spirit. God is a God of patriarchy. He created Adam first, and thats why were not to preach or teach in the churches, because thats His authority structure. It has nothing to do with value, but it has to do with order. Just like in I Corinthians 14, right before God tells women to be silent in the churches  and its a shame for women to speak in the churches, and if they have a question, they need to ask their husbands at home  right before that verse, it says that God is not a God of confusion but a God of order, she added.

And His order is that women need to be quiet in churches and men are to be the leaders, preachers, pastors and teachers. And the order in the home is the husband is supposed to be the head over the wife, the leader of the home. And we are supposed to reverence our husband, respect their leadership, submit to them and even obey them, she continued.

We dont need to be right. If you are always insisting on being right and having the last word, you will never have a good marriage. This absolutely tears down marriage ... this matriarchal spirit that we women can so easily have. It belittles our husbands. It emasculates them. It causes them to feel unworthy.  Its like the verse that says that we tear our homes down with our hands. This is one of the greatest ways that we tear homes down, is by being in control, having to have the last word, being right.

She further argued that the matriarchal spirit isnt feminine and its the opposite of what God wants women to be.

Being right doesnt matter! God doesnt care that you are right. God doesnt care that you are right. He cares that youre submissive and that you have a meek and quiet spirit. Being a mate, having a matriarchal spirit, is completely the opposite of having a meek and quiet spirit. Being a mate, having a matriarchal spirit is completely the opposite of having a meek and quiet spirit thats precious in the sight of God. Its the opposite of being feminine. Its the opposite of what God wants us to be, she said.
Methodists protest UMC bishop for terminating 3 theologically conservative Korean pastors

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A group of Methodists in California are protesting against a regional body of the United Methodist Church, accusing its leadership of mistreating three theologically conservative Korean pastors by terminating their appointments.

The Rev. Jonathan Lee of San Diego Korean United Methodist Church, the Rev. Jae Duk Lew of the Valley Korean United Methodist Church, and the Rev. Nak In Kim of the Bell Memorial United Methodist Church each had their appointments as senior pastors terminated.

The three pastors fell under the jurisdiction of the UMC California-Pacific Conference, a largely theologically progressive regional body headed by Bishop Grant Hagiya.

Nearly 50 people demonstrated outside the conference offices in Pasadena on Saturday, protesting against Hagiya, who they've accused of bullying the pastors for not aligning with his views on the schism debate within the UMC.

For decades, the UMC has debated whether to change its biblically-based stance on marriage and sexuality, as outlined in the denomination's Book of Discipline that identifies homosexuality as a sin, bans the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals, and prohibits the blessing of same-sex marriages.

The Rev. Glen Haworth, president of the California-Pacific chapter of the theologically conservative Wesleyan Covenant Association, was part of Saturday's demonstration.

In an interview with The Christian Post, Haworth explained that he believed Bishop Hagiya targeted three Korean-American pastors for their activities with the Wesleyan Covenant Association, in preparing their congregations to disaffiliate from the UMC once the Protocol for Separation is approved by the General Conference of the UMC.

These pastors were doing nothing wrong. The bishop felt they were being disloyal to him, and so he simply removed them from their churches, Haworth said.

They serve thriving, vibrant congregations that are doing significant ministry. There was no purpose to removing them except to further the bishops own agenda.

Haworth also told CP that the WCA chapter he leads sent a letter of protest to the bishop, with others emailing local churches, accusing the bishop of racist actions.

Bishop Hagiya is Japanese-American, and there is a long history of racist actions by Japanese against Koreans, he explained. We plan further protests, and well as a possible boycott of the Episcopal Fund in the denomination, from which bishops are paid.

Haworth said Saturdays demonstration went extremely well, noting that the private security guarding the UMC offices commended them for being civil in their protest.

The Christian Post reached out to the California-Pacific Conference for a response to the accusations of mistreatment, but they did not return comment by press time.

The Korean Caucus of the Conference also started an online petition demanding that the bishop openly provide an understandable explanation for causing frustration and harm inflicted on the Korean church due to this situation.

Helena Kim, co-chairwoman of the California-Pacific Conferences Korean Caucus who was involved in the demonstration, told CP that she believed Hagiya is abusing his authority as a bishop to essentially harm the pastors' ministry, their credibility [and] the three churches.

According to Kim, the pastors and their churches have taken a legal action by jointly filing a complaint with the UMC Judicial Committee against bishop Hagiya and his superintendents.

The Cal-Pac Korean Laity Network has drawn up a resolution citing the unjust actions of the bishop and demanding the withdrawal of his wrongful decision, she added, noting that around 3,000 had signed the resolution.
Lending a Helping Hand to Those in Need

The Bible teaches us that since we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, we are to look after one another and share the weight of each others burdens. So, as Christians, we are called to provide help for those in need, giving what we can whether that be emotionally, spiritually, physically, or financially. The importance of this is clear when you consider how often the concept of sharing is mentioned throughout the Bible. One of the most well-known Bible verses relating to the concept of sharing comes from Hebrews 13:16 which says, But do not forget to do good and share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Many of us take this guidance to heart in various aspects of our lives, such as donating to our churches, donating to charities, helping a family member who has lost their job, or in various other ways. However, there are so many additional opportunities for Christians to provide assistance to our fellow brothers and sisters. While it is, of course, important to maintain a generous spirit towards all of Gods children whether they are facing difficult times or not, it is especially important to do so when they are, in fact, facing a difficult challenge in their life.

Oftentimes, periods of health complications or health emergencies are some of the most challenging times a person will face. Whether those health issues are your own or theyre being experienced by a family member or close friend, those times are extremely difficult in various ways. Not only are health issues challenging physically, but they can also be challenging emotionally and financially. In times like these, it can be extremely uplifting and beneficial to have a supportive community there to assist you.

Thankfully, this concept of a group of fellow Christians being there to support you emotionally and financially when you need it already exists. The concept is known as healthcare sharing and has been around for several decades, since being created by individual churches as a way to help their members pay for medical expenses which they would not have been able to afford on their own. Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, which included an exemption that allowed healthcare sharing ministries to continue operating if they had been established prior to 1999, membership in healthcare sharing ministries has grown significantly. Currently, over one million Americans utilize healthcare sharing to pay for their medical expenses.

Each healthcare sharing ministry, including Share HealthCare, provides their members with an ethical and principled way to pay for their medical expenses. While the specifics may vary from ministry to ministry, the overall concept is consistent and is quite simple. Each month, members submit an agreed upon amount and that monthly amount is directed towards the medical expenses submitted by their fellow members. Likewise, when a member submits a medical bill to the ministry, their fellow members monthly contributions are used to share the medical expense.

Another trait that all of the healthcare sharing ministries have in common is their religious principles. While nearly all healthcare sharing ministries are founded on Christian principles, each ministry has their own set of principles to which their members agree. For example, with Share HealthCare, members must agree to The Shared Beliefs of Share HealthCare Members which outlines the core beliefs that guide their membership community. Among this section are several Bible verses that highlight the need for Christians to assist one another especially in times of need, which is exactly what Share HealthCare strives to do with its healthcare sharing ministry.

As a religious and non-profit organization, Share HealthCare strives to keep membership in their healthcare sharing ministry accessible and affordable, while also offering a comprehensive program. In order to do this, they offer three sharing levels from which members can choose. The monthly contribution amount begins at $149 for singles, which amount increasing depending on the number of members on the membership and the unshared amount for which the member is responsible.

Once a part of the Share HealthCare community, members can share the burden of eligible medical expenses related to doctor, hospital, urgent care, and emergency room visits, as well as medical imaging and testing, wellness screenings, physical therapy, maternity expenses, and more. But the support from the community doesnt stop there. Members can also extend prayers and well wishes to their fellow members via their secure, online accounts. And we all know how much emotional support and the prayer of power can make a difference during difficult times.

Periods of health complications can be overwhelming times physically, emotionally, and financially. Thankfully, with organizations like Share HealthCare, you can receive emotional and financial support that can help you receive the medical care you need to alleviate the physical challenges you may be facing. With support like this, its no wonder the popularity of healthcare sharing ministries has exploded in recent years. If you would like to join Share HealthCare or simply learn more about their program, please visit their website at ShareHealthCare.com or give them a call at (844) 742-7342 to speak with one of their experts.
Biden passes on Notre Dame commencement speech amid backlash to abortion stance

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President Joe Biden passed on delivering the 2021 commencement address at the University of Notre Dame on Sunday as thousands of the Catholic institution's community members objected to the invitation over the presidents pro-abortion policies.

About 4,500 members of the Notre Dame community and others signed a petition urging the Notre Dame President John Jenkins not to invite the second Roman Catholic U.S. president. But the private university still requested Biden to deliver the address.

Sources from the White House told Catholic News Agency earlier this month that the 78-year-old could not attend the ceremony due to scheduling.

Bidens three consecutive predecessors or their vice presidents have addressed Notre Dames commencement in their first year in office  President George W. Bush in 2001, President Barack Obama in 2009 and Vice President Mike Pence in 2017.

The universitys finance executive and trustee, Jimmy Dunne, was asked to address the graduates.

[Biden] rejects Church teachings on abortion, marriage, sex and gender, and is hostile to religious liberty, the petition reads.

He embraces the most pro-abortion and anti-religious liberty public policy program in history. The case against honoring him is immeasurably stronger than it was against honoring President [Barack] Obama, an action that alienated countless Catholics and brought upon Notre Dame the harsh criticism of 83 cardinals, archbishops and bishops.

C.J. Doyle, executive director of the Catholic Action League, told The Washington Times that there was unprecedented opposition to Obama receiving a degree from Notre Dame, so much so that the President of Notre Dame, Father Jenkins, actually walked in the National March for Life in D.C. afterwards.

The petition pointed out that actions that Biden has already taken to increase access to abortion and those promised will result in the killing of countless innocent unborn both here and abroad through federal funding of abortions and abortion organizations.

This is not hyperbole, the petition reads. It is demonstrable fact because of Bidens lifting the bar against the flow of federal funds to both domestic and international Planned Parenthood and similar organizations. The calamity will assume truly harrowing proportions if Biden achieves his goal of providing direct federal funding of abortions.

The Notre Dame commencement ceremony is no stranger to protests related to the involvement of national political figures.

In 2017, there was some opposition to Vice President Mike Pence speaking at the ceremony as some graduating seniors walked out of the event in protest of policies the vice president pursued when he was governor of Indiana that they claimed targeted the most vulnerable.

Obamas speech in 2009 also drew backlash from those concerned about his support for abortion and embryonic stem-cell research. Over 54,000 people backed an online petition calling for Notre Dame to rescind the invitation. But university officials stood firm on the invitation.

The Catholic Church teaches that abortion is gravely contrary to the moral law. In a 2004 memo to then-Washington, D.C. Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and Wilton Gregory, who served as Bishop of Belleville, Illinois, at the time, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who would later become Pope Benedict XVI, outlined the factors that determined an individuals worthiness to receive communion.

Regarding the grave sin of abortion or euthanasia, when a persons formal cooperation becomes manifest (understood, in the case of a Catholic politician, as his consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws), his Pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the Churchs teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself for Holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin, and warning him that he will otherwise be denied the Eucharist, he wrote.

When these precautionary measures have not had their effect or in which they were not possible, and the person in question, with obstinate persistence, still presents himself to receive the Holy Eucharist, the minister of Holy Communion must refuse to distribute it, the memo continued.

In 2019, a priest in South Carolina denied Biden communion as he campaigned in the state.

According to a Pew poll conducted in March, 67% of Catholics disagreed with the idea that Biden should be denied communion. Meanwhile, 29% believed that his support for abortion should prevent him from receiving the Eucharist.

Fifty-five percent of Catholic Republicans and those who lean Republican said that Bidens support for abortion should disqualify him from receiving communion. By comparison, 87% of Catholic Democrats and Catholics who lean Democrat felt otherwise.
Judge denies Christian colleges request for religious protection against Bidens LGBT order

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A federal judge rejected a Missouri Christian universitys plea for temporary protection against the Biden administrations Fair Housing Act, which, the school said, requires religious schools to open womens' dorm rooms and showers to male students.

District Judge Roseann Ketchmark on Wednesday denied the College of the Ozarks motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the Department of Housing and Urban Developments Fair Housing Act, Springfield News-Leader reported.

Ketchmark said an effort by the college to stop HUD from applying the new federal directive wouldn't protect the college from any liability related to unfair housing allegations, the newspaper added.

James Luh, an attorney representing HUD, argued that the memorandum was not directed at the college and does not specifically address the kinds of issues the college has raised here  showers, or roommates.

Luh said there was no immediate threat to the college and that no legal complaint had been filed against it. The plaintiffs cant establish either irreparable harm or the likelihood of success necessary to sustain a preliminary injunction, he was quoted as saying.

Serena Orloff, another attorney for HUD, argued, We recognize the college may have strongly held beliefs  Nothing that the government has done ... should be taken to suggest a lack of respect for the colleges religious beliefs but at this juncture, this is a purely one-sided dispute.

Representing the college is the legal nonprofit Alliance Defending Freedom. The groups senior counsel Ryan Bangert told KOLR, The Fair Housing Act has long prohibited discrimination on several grounds, including sex. But by redefining sex, the Biden administration is twisting the fair housing act to harm young women directly.

On his first day in office on Jan 20, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to prevent discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. In February, HUD announced it would administer and enforce the Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

The federal order instructs organizations and agencies that receive grants through HUDs Fair Housing Initiative Program (FHIP), in carrying out activities under these grant agreements, must interpret sex discrimination under the Fair Housing Act to include discrimination because of sexual orientation and gender identity.

In April, the liberal arts college filed a lawsuit saying HUD forces any entities that receive federal taxpayer dollars covered by the Fair Housing Act to place transgender-identified male college students in girls' dormitories.

The lawsuit argued that the rule forces religious schools to violate their religious beliefs and said the order was issued without notice or the opportunity for public comment. It further contended that the policy was issued without considering alternative policies that respect the interests of private religious colleges.

College of the Ozarks' President Jerry C. Davis said he will appeal the federal district courts rejection of the motion.

While we are disappointed in [the] ruling, we expect to appeal so that schools are not forced to open womens dorm rooms to males and violate their religious beliefs, he said, according to Branson News. For more than 100 years, College of the Ozarks has provided a distinctly Christian education to students with financial need. We will not abandon our mission. The fight to protect our religious freedom has just begun.

Davis said the HUD policy forces his college to decide between defending its religious liberty from government overreach or violating our core beliefs.

The governments threats include harmful fines that could easily amount to six figures, he said. Fair Housing Act penalties can even land people in jail. College of the Ozarks will not stand on the sidelines while our right to religious freedom is attacked.

Davis added: Its our college today. Tomorrow it will be someone elses college, it could be another school, it might be your church or charitable organization. The constitution of the United States protects our freedom by separating power and limiting government. When the government overreaches, the College of the Ozarks will defend freedom, especially religious freedom.

ADF argues that the directive violates both women's sex-based rights and the school's religious liberties.

The government cannot and should not force schools to open girls dorms to males based on its politically motivated and inappropriate redefinition of sex, ADF senior counsel Julie Marie Blake said in an earlier statement.

Women shouldnt be forced to share private spaces  including showers and dorm rooms  with males, and religious schools shouldnt be punished simply because of their beliefs about marriage and biological sex. Government overreach by the Biden administration continues to victimize women, girls, and people of faith by gutting their legal protections, and it must be stopped.
There were some frustrations for me in my institutional role, Obama said. I went as far as I could just commenting on cases like Trayvon Martin or what was happening in Ferguson because, as we discovered, not every president follows this  at least my successor didnt  but I followed the basic notion that the Justice Department was independent. I could not steer them.
Ex-gay Christian realtor drops license over association's ban on 'hate speech'

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A Christian realtor is allowing his real estate license to expire rather than comply with the new requirement from the National Association of Realtors that he and other members refrain from engaging in hate speech.

Matt Moore, a realtor who lives in Minnesota, announced his decision on Twitter Friday.

In addition to serving as a real estate agent, Moore creates digital content from a Christian worldview. The content available on his website includes a podcast titled Moore Musings, blog posts and videos.

Would you pray for my wife and me as we seek God's will for what's next? This week my broker informed me that I cannot continue to talk publicly about Christian views re: LGBTQ+ issues if I want to remain with this brokerage.

As of July 1st, I will no longer be a realtor. 1/  Matt Moore (@onemoorematt) May 21, 2021

This week my broker informed me that I cannot continue to talk publicly about Christian views re: LGBTQ+ issues if I want to remain with this brokerage, he wrote.

Moore indicated that he would instead let his license expire than comply with that request, stating that As of July 1st, I will no longer be a realtor.

While Moore acknowledged that there are other brokerages in town, he cited the widespread uneasiness about real estate agents talking about LGBTQ+ issues in the public sphere in light of policy changes implemented by the National Association of Realtors.

Moore formerly identified as a member of the LGBT community and is now in a heterosexual marriage. He uses his platform to emphasize biblical teachings on sexuality.

In a Dec. 10 blog on his personal website, Moore wrote an open letter to the National Association of Realtors expressing concern about changes made to the groups Code of Ethics, which he warned could foster discrimination against Christian realtors.

Originally, realtors were encouraged to follow the principles of the Code of Ethics in all of their activities, but only with respect to real estate-related activities and transactions involving the REALTOR. Under the revised policy, realtors will be subject to disciplinary action under the Code of Ethics with respect to all of their activities.

One aspect of the Code of Ethics mandates that realtors must not use harassing speech, hate speech, epithets, or slurs based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

According to Moore, the new policy means a realtor can now be reported to his or her association for any perceived commission of hate speech against a protected class in any sphere of his or her life, including on personal social media profiles.

Consequences for violating the policy range from fines to suspension or termination of membership in the National Association of Realtors.

Moore warned that under the new policy, Realtors who express a historic Christian view of homosexual and transsexual behavior could become regular targets for undeserved allegations of hate speech." He warned that there exists no legal or standard definition of the term hate speech in the United States."

He argued that a mere articulation of Christian beliefs concerning homosexuality and transgenderism is frequently labeled as hate speech.

Countless are the times I have been falsely accused of using language that inflicts harm or incites violence upon gay and transgender people," he wrote. "I have been called hateful, bigoted, and homophobic even though I have expressed my loving intentions toward the LGBTQ+ community and communicated myself with gentleness and respect."

In his Twitter thread, Moore maintained that he and his wife arent angry about this.

Describing the new policy and his decision to give up real estate as a wrench thrown into our plans, he expressed confidence that Gods plan is still in place."

He will direct us in the way we should go, and we are excited to see where that will be," he said.

Moore continued the Twitter thread by characterizing his December warning letter as an effort to prevent other realtors, who may face similar ultimatums if something doesnt change, from having the same experience.

Expressing hope that sharing this will lead to that change, Moore maintained that all realtors should be free to share their religious beliefs outside of their job duties.

Full disclosure: I am not sure where the line is between seeking the good of others (advocating for religious liberty & policies) and quietly bearing the crosses God assigns to us (the worlds rejection is a sure one). Im trying to navigate it the best I can, he added.

I think my open letter to NAR in which I pleaded with them to reconsider their changes to the CEO is appropriate advocacy. I think stating that I am more or less being forced out of real estate because of the imposition of the COE on my personal life is appropriate advocacy.

Moore stressed that he is "not looking to bear the political torch because he has must focus on "Gospel things."

Perhaps God has called one of you to take up the political torch," he concluded. "But I think hes called me to move on.
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On May 25, 2020, George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The medical examiner later ruled his death a homicide. On April 21, 2021, Officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on three murder and manslaughter charges and is awaiting sentencing.

Mr. Floyds tragic death one year ago marked our nation and still does today.

Several members of his family met in Washington, DC, with President Biden, House Speaker Pelosi, and other lawmakers. The NAACP held a moment of silence at 9:29 a.m. on its Facebook page to mark the nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds Derek Chauvin knelt on Mr. Floyds neck.

Shareeduh Tate, cousin to Mr. Floyd and president of the George Floyd Memorial Foundation, told CNN that the family feels uplifted by the racial reckoning, the conviction of Mr. Chauvin, and the federal indictment of Mr. Chauvin and the other three officers involved in Mr. Floyds death.

A solidarity march and rally in Dallas, Texas, marked the one-year anniversary of Mr. Floyds death. A free concert in Mr. Floyds memory was aired by the Pacific Symphony in Orange County, California. Black and white congregations in Minneapolis have been partnering across the last year to serve the city.

However, violence and divisions persist in our land.

There were at least twelve mass shootings in the US last weekend. There was a shooting today near George Floyd Square in Minneapolis. Deep and wide divisions over racism remain in our country.

On this tragic anniversary, we should remember three biblical facts:

1. Racism is sin

Scripture is clear: God shows no partiality (Acts 10:34). To the contrary, There is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all (Colossians 3:11). When we hate someone God loves, we sin against them and against him.

2. We must do all we can to defeat racism and promote equality

Racism in America is both tragic and persistent. (For more, see my article, What does the Bible say about racism?). Jesus called us to love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another (John 13:34). His best friend reiterated: If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:11).

We cannot love someone unless we work for their best. In the case of racism, this means using our influence and means to promote the equality of all people, remembering that God loves each of us as if there were only one of us (St. Augustine).

3. We need each other

The Lord said of the first human, It is not good that the man should be alone (Genesis 2:18). God created humans to need other humans. We are to bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). Gods will is that there may be no division in the body, but that the members have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together (1 Corinthians 12:2526).

To experience our best future, we must experience it together. Frederick Buechner noted: Your life and my life flow into each other as wave flows into wave, and unless there is peace and joy and freedom for you, there can be no real peace or joy or freedom for me. To see realitynot as we expect it to be but as it isis to see that unless we live for each other and in each other and through each other, we do not really live very satisfactorily; that there can really be life only where there really is, in just this sense, love.

This is not just the way things ought to be. Most of the time it is not the way we want things to be. It is the way things are. And not for one instant do I believe that it is by accident that it is the way things are.

Will you live very satisfactorily today?

Originally published in the Denison Forum.
8 Christians killed, church burned down during attack in Nigeria

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Eight Christians were killed, and a church building was burned down along with a few homes during an attack last week by bandits in northwestern Nigerias Kaduna state amid what some advocates say is an attempt by some to cleanse the country of its Christians.

Armed bandits shot eight Christians to death and set fire to a church and houses in Ungwan Gaida in Kaduna states Chikun area last Wednesday, according to the United States-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern.

The death toll was confirmed by Kaduna Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs Samuel Aruwan in a statement shared with the media.

The victims were identified as Bitrus Baba, Umaru Baba, Gideon Bitrus, Bawa Gajere, Samaila Gajere, Sambo Kasuwa, Samuila Kasuwa and Solomon Samaila.

According to Aruwan, the church building razed belonged to the Assemblies of God denomination.

In a separate incident on Wednesday, the Nigerian Navy troops in the Kujama General Area killed three bandits and arrested two accomplices after repelling an attack on the Wakwodna community near Kasso village in the Chikun local government area, Nigerias Premium Times newspaper reported.

In the 2021 annual report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, Commissioner Gary Bauer called Nigeria a killing field of Christians.

All too often this violence is attributed to mere bandits or explained away as hostility between farmers and herdsmen, Bauer said in the report. While there is some truth in these assertions, they ignore the main truth: radical Islamists are committing violence inspired by what they believe is a religious imperative to cleanse Nigeria of its Christians. They must be stopped.

The Anambra-based civil society group International Society for Civil Liberties & Rule of Law estimates that at least 1,470 Christians have been killed in the first four months of 2021 in Nigeria. The group also estimates that about 2,200 have been abducted in Nigeria during that period.

Kaduna state recorded the highest number of Christian deaths, at 300, according to the organization. The state also recorded the highest number of abductions. Of the 800 kidnappings recorded in Kaduna, 600 were indigenous Christians, including those abducted in Muslim-held areas of Birnin-Gwari, Igabi and Giwa Local Government Areas.

The Global Terrorism Index ranked Nigeria as the third-most affected country by terrorism and reported over 22,000 deaths by acts of terror from 2001 to 2019.

USCIRF's 2021 report warned that Nigeria will move relentlessly toward a Christian genocide if action is not taken.

Islamic extremism, particularly in northeast Nigeria, has led to thousands of deaths and millions displaced in recent years.

Nigeria was the first democratic nation to be added to the U.S. State Departments list of countries of particular concern under the International Religious Freedom Act for engaging in tolerated systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Belarus authoritarian president lashed out Wednesday at Europe for trying to strangle his country with sanctions over the diversion of a passenger jet, and he accused a dissident journalist arrested after the flight landed in Minsk of working to foment a bloody rebellion."

In a long, rambling speech to lawmakers and top officials, President Alexander Lukashenko defended his decision to tell the Ryanair flight to land in his country, maintaining his contention that there was a bomb threat against it. He called it an absolute lie that a fighter jet he scrambled forced the plane to land.

European Union leaders have denounced the move as an act of air piracy. Ryanair has said its crew was instructed to land. The plane was searched on the ground, and no bomb was found  but Raman Pratasevich, a 26-year-old journalist and activist, and his Russian girlfriend were detained.

I acted in a lawful way, protecting people in line with international rules, said the 66-year-old Lukashenko, who has ruled the ex-Soviet nation with an iron fist for more than a quarter century, relentlessly stifling dissent.

He fumed at the EU, accusing the West of waging what he said was no longer just an information war but a modern hybrid war against his country of 9.3 million.

Lukashenko doubled down on the idea that there was a grave security risk, saying the plane was not far away from the Astravets nuclear power plant and that he had ordered air defense systems to high alert.

We acted in strict accordance with aviation safety rules, he said, claiming the crew hesitated for about a quarter hour before following the Belarusian flight controllers' directions to land in Minsk. It's the captain who makes a decision according to all instructions and rules, and we offered our help. The captain was thinking for 15 minutes and consulting the bosses and Vilnius airport staff.

He said the crew hesitated for so long that Belarusian authorities no longer expected the crew to turn back to Minsk, since the plane was already near the Lithuanian border, but they did. The Belarusian MiG-29 was sent to help direct the Ryanair plane to land and facilitate communication in case of problems.

They should have been thankful to us! Lukashenko exclaimed. We did everything to save people.

But he also alleged that Pratasevich and his associates were working with foreign spy agencies to organize a massacre and a bloody rebellion in Belarus.

He also warned his other foes abroad that the authorities will go after them.

We know your faces, and it's just a matter of time for you to be brought to account before the Belarusian people, he said.

Lukashenko has faced unprecedented pressure at home with months of protests following his reelection to a sixth term in an August 2020 vote that the opposition rejects as rigged. But he has only increased the crackdown, and more than 35,000 people have been arrested since the protests began, with thousands beaten.

Pratasevich, who left Belarus in 2019, has become a top foe of Lukashenko. He ran a popular messaging app that had a key role in helping organize the huge protests.

In Poland, Pratasevich's parents said they fear for his welfare and made an emotional plea for assistance.

World, please stand up and help. I urge you very much because they will kill him, they will kill him! Natalia Pratasevich said through tears in an interview in Warsaw.

Her son appeared in a video broadcast on Belarusian state TV on Monday in which he confessed to some of the charges against him.

Natalia Pratasevich said her son's nose appeared to broken and he seemed to be wearing makeup to cover facial bruises. The journalists father, Dmitry Pratasevich, said his son must have been forced to make the confession.

Ivan Tertel, head of the Belarusian state security agency that still goes under its Soviet-era acronym KGB, said Pratasevich told investigators about the sponsors of subversive activities against Belarus, its mechanisms and special services and politicians behind it and promised to release details soon.

Pratasevich, who fled to Lithuania in 2019, was charged in absentia with staging mass riots and fanning social hatred. Those carry a prison sentence of up to 15 years, and some fear he could face more serious charges, including some that carry the death penalty.

In response to Pratasevich's arrest and the diversion of the flight, which was traveling between two EU countries, European leaders agreed to ban Belarusian airlines from using the airspace and airports of the 27-nation bloc. They urged European airlines to avoid Belarus airspace. They agreed to draft more sanctions on officials linked to the diversion and ones targeting businesses provide income for Lukashenkos government.

Our ill-wishers outside and inside the country have changed their methods of attacking the state, he said. That's why they switched from organizing riots to trying to strangle us.

He said Western sanctions are driven by "their envy, helplessness and anger that they have failed to carry out an armed rebellion and a coup in Belarus.

Lukashenko said Belarus "is in the center of Europe, and if something flares up here, it could trigger another world war.

We will respond firmly to any sanctions, attacks and provocations. Not because we want to provoke a fight in the center of the continent. We dont want it, we have had enough of it, but because you in the West are giving us no other choice, he said.

He promised to retaliate by loosening border controls against Western-bound illegal migration and drug trafficking.

We were stopping migrants and drugs  now you will catch them and eat them yourself, he said.

Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko said the country could halt Western cargo shipments via Belarus.

Our measures would be quite painful for the countries that have taken an openly hostile stance  from import bans to restrictions on transit, he said. Still, we hope that those who rush to pass the point of no return to sober up and think twice before entering a slippery path of economic war in which there will be no winners.

Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei also said Belarus could opt out of the EU's Eastern Partnership in view of the new sanctions. The program is part of EU efforts to help Belarus and other ex-Soviet nations distance themselves from Moscow's influence and integrate into the West.

___ Associated Press writer Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently announced that the company is no longer just a manufacturer of electric cars, but that they are currently dabbling in artificial intelligence with the development of one of the strongest hardware and software AI teams in the world. world .

"The software that existed to solve the problem of autonomous driving was really quite primitive, so we built a team from scratch and have been developing what we believe is probably the most advanced artificial intelligence in the real world," revealed the Tech leader to analysts during the call to release Tesla's financial status for the first quarter of 2021.

It is worth mentioning that days ago the US company published its seventh consecutive quarterly balance with solid earnings . From January to March 2021, it achieved an income of 10,380 million dollars , which represents an increase of 74% more than the first quarter of the previous year.

Similarly, it declared a record quarterly profit in its history with 438 million dollars .

During the report, the company disclosed that it sold 10% of its Bitcoin for a value of 272 million dollars during this last quarter . From this sum they have obtained profits of approximately 101 million dollars .

Recall that two months ago Tesla surprised everyone by announcing that it had invested 1,500 million dollars in Bitcoin and then redoubled its bet by announcing that its vehicles could be bought with this cryptocurrency .

For his part, Zack Kirkhorn , Tesla's CFO, said that Bitcoin is a long-term bet for the company: "we believe in the long-term value of Bitcoin and we will keep it that way."

It should be noted that Tesla was one of the first companies to announce that it was going to accept Bitcoins as a means of payment , and such was the impact that the news generated that Elon Musk's own statements moved several times, up and down, the price of the most popular of cryptocurrencies.

But picking up on Tesla's foray into the world of artificial intelligence, we should note that Musk has for some time promoted the idea that investors see the firm not only as a carmaker and an energy company, but as a group of startups .

The entrepreneur has argued for months that Tesla's service centers are a startup , Tesla's insurance company is a startup , Tesla's automation group is a startup , etc. In this sense, the also co-founder of SpaceX , affirms that artificial intelligence and robotics will become as synonymous with Tesla as cars and energy already are.

And it is that the South African tycoon has been betting and investing in artificial intelligence companies for years . An example of this is OpenAI , a company he founded in 2015 together with Sam Altman , Ilya Sutskever , Greg Brockman and Wojciech Zaremba .

OpenAI emerged with the objective of investigating and democratizing access to General Artificial Intelligence . Originally, it was a non-profit organization. However, in 2020, it became a company and partnered with Microsoft in order to achieve new advances, both in the field of language with GPT-3 models, and in the field of robotics and computer vision.

But Musk aspires to more: think Robotaxis , Artificial Intelligence and power provision. Tesla will not be remembered so much as a car company, but as one of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics , said the British magazine The Economist . In fact, Musk believes that he is about to overcome the challenge of the self-guided vehicle based on 6 cameras , "machine learning " (one of the pillars of Artificial Intelligence) and a computerized "brain" capable of reacting at superhuman speed. .

Additionally, the company continues to work on the Dojo , a supercomputer for training Tesla's autonomous AI. Musk has previously claimed that Tesla's Dojo supercomputer will be capable of performing an exaFLOP , a quintillion (1018) of floating point operations per second, or 1,000 petaFLOPS , making it one of the most powerful computers in the world. It will be optimized to train neural networks and will be made available to other companies.

According to The Economist , if Elon Musk manages to mix cars, artificial intelligence, software and energy, his market will be extraordinarily broad . And, as Musk himself recently stated, Tesla will become better known as a robotics firm in Artificial Intelligence .

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Joe Rogan has fully embraced life in Texas.

The poster man for podcasts sat down with Austin Mayor Steve Adler for an interview this week. The two discussed the pandemic, life in the "utopia" of Austin and the city's troubled relationship with its un-homed population.

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Here are some revealing points of conversation that came up between Rogan and the mayor of our state's capital:

1. Joe Rogan thinks Austin doesn't have traffic?

Oh, sweet summer child. When Adler mentioned that Austin reportedly has some of the worst congestion in the country, Rogan immediately pushed back, "Traffic here is literally a joke... You guys don't have traffic." Remember, this is a guy who moved to Texas during the pandemic, so he hasn't experienced the hell that is either of Austin's highways at 3 p.m.

When I was a lowly newspaper intern in Austin, it regularly took me 35 minutes or more to get to my home only 3 miles away, and that was the faster route that avoided I-35. No traffic? I have to laugh.

2. Rogan says 10 of his friends have moved to Austin since he got there.

We know Texas (and especially Austin) has experienced a huge influx of newcomers in recent years. Rogan himself arrived sometime around September of last year. That 10 of his friends have moved there in just nine months really puts the migration into some sort of perspective.

"When I ran for reelection there were lots of people coming up to me and their one ask was that I would stop the city from growing," Adler said.

Rogan put it differently: "It's too good here. It's such a good city."

"I think Austin could easily be the center for comedy," Rogan continued. "Ten friends have moved here within the last year and it's continuing to pile up and as more comics here about the great Austin scene, more will move here."

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3. Homelessness is not that big of a problem in Austin

With all the attention Austin gets for this issue, you'd think tens of thousands of people were experiencing homelessness in our capital city. But according to Adler, it's a fraction of that size: around 3,000, a number Adler frequently threw out during the podcast.

Adler praised Houston as a city that has successfully reduced its un-homed population through outreach and housing programs. Houston's homeless population decreased from 8,400 in 2011 to around 3,800 in 2020, according to a 2020 Houston Chronicle reporta decrease of more than 50 precent.

The mayor also told Rogan he hopes to achieve in three years what Houston did over 20. The mayor also mentioned there are 250 people experiencing homelessness in Austin who are frequently in emergency rooms or arrested, each person costing the city $220,000 per year, according to adler.

"I wish there was like a contest, where people from around the country or around the city or wherever could come in and like, there would be a prize if you could turn any of these 250 people into working productive members of society," Rogan pondered. "... Clean them up, counsel them... I wonder what could be done if there was real incentive, say if there was a million-dollar prize, ... it seems like it could be done."

4. Rogan did ask Adler about his jaunt to Cabo San Lucas during the pandemic.

Cruz wasn't the only politician who hopped down to Mexico during the pandemic. Adler was there in November 2020 after his daughter's wedding and posted a video to Facebook encouraging Austinites to stay home while he was on vacation.

"You had a little problem during the pandemic with that one thing you did, kind of told people to stay home when you weren't staying home," Rogan asked toward the end of the interview.

"I was already gone," a sheepish Adler responded. "It was a mistake on so many different levels. I went on a trip at a time where it was okay to take a trip, got information while I was on the trip, I should never have warned people back home."

"I should have come home first, then reported it," Adler said.
NEWTOWN  Scarlett Lewis cant miss the everyday signs of her son who was killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting  from his school bus that passes her home to his unused playground alone in a field of buttercups.

The signs serve as a reminder of the harsh reality that what happened to Jesse continues to happen in our country, she says. Its 100 percent preventable if we have the courage to look at the problems and the issues in a different way, to see why suffering culminates in violence.

Lewis and the nonprofit she founded in her sons name to promote principles of love in schools is organizing a flurry of wellness events in June to celebrate what would have been Jesses 15th birthday.

The virtual June events range in topics from post-traumatic growth to a session called Playing with the Energy Ball, and follow the launch of three new programs at the Newtown-based Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement. The nonprofits free social and emotional learning curriculum is taught in 10,000 schools and 110 countries.

What amazes me is not just my team that keeps him alive but the educators and students who work to honor him, Lewis said on Monday during an interview from her home. Its amazing how alive Jesse is in them.

Lewis was last in the news in January, when actress Elisabeth Rohm confirmed she was starring in a television movie about Lewis, based on Lewis 2013 memoir, Nurturing Healing Love: A Mothers Journey of Hope and Forgiveness.

Lewis made national news in 2019 when New Hampshires governor adopted her social and emotional learning curriculum statewide, and in 2018 when she and her older son J.T. Lewis met with President Donald Trump during a roundtable discussion about school safety.

The June events include one-time sessions as well as offerings about wellness and self-care that run for multiple sessions. They conclude with a birthday show at 7 p.m. on June 30. Details are on the Choose Love website.

We are all connected in our want for love and our need to love, Lewis said. We also face challenges and have pain in our lives, so our month of fun events runs the gamut from challenges and healing and lessons to growth and joy.

The June events follow the launch of a new program called Choosing Love in Our Brave New World that reflects our current (pandemic) environment and addresses how students and educators can grow through the pandemic and be strengthened by it.

The nonprofit has also launched two other programs since the start of the year  a subscription-based series called How to SEL for parents and educators, and a professional development workshop for educators called Cultivating Authentic Relationships in our Education System, or CARES.

The feedback weve been getting in the field from our hero teachers is they have so much on their plates that there is still a need to get everybody on the same page to understand what social and emotional learning looks like in visualization, Lewis said of the subscription program. It walks people through what it looks like with taped session with students  everything from outbursts to not wanting to do homework.

rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342
Montgomery County Court at Law No. 3 Judge Patrice McDonald is stepping down after 14 years on the bench.

County Judge Mark Keough announced McDonalds retirement following a commissioners court executive session Tuesday. The court unanimously agree to appoint McDonalds Associate Judge Amy Tucker to preside over the court until the bench is up for election in 2022.

We hate to see her go, Keough said. She has been a great asset to the county.

While a specific reason for McDonalds retirement was not provided, Keough said she indicated it was her time to step down to address personal issues. Her retirement is effective June 30 with Tucker taking over July 1.

McDonald first won election to the bench in 2006, garnering the most votes in a three-person primary election then winning a runoff. McDonald faced no opponent in the 2006 general election and was not challenged in either the primary or the general election in winning second and third terms in 2010 and 2014 and her fourth in 2018.

McDonald served as administrative judge for the county courts in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014. She also served as the chair of the DWI curriculum committee for the Texas Center for the Judiciary in 2011 and 2012.

She was a member of the Texas Center for the Judiciary Curriculum Committee in 2013 and chair of the College for Judicial Studies in 2015.

McDonald was selected as the Montgomery County Employee of the Year in 2013, authored the "Best Legal Article" in 2012 presented by the Texas Center for the Judiciary and was designated a "Super Lawyer" by Texas Monthly each year from 2003 to 2006.

She received the President's Award for Outstanding Service by the Montgomery County Bar Association and was a past officer and director of the Montgomery County Bar Association, as well as past president of The Woodlands Bar Association.

Keough, along with Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack, stressed the appointment of Tucker was not an endorsement but rather a transitional move to ensure the cases continue to move through the court system.

(Tuckers appointment) will give us the least amount of disruption and really would be a seamless move, Keough said adding Tucker has the experience needed to keep the court running smoothly.

Noack said the court system needs consistency during the transition.

We cant just sit and do nothing, he said. Im doing this more as a place holder for the consistency for the court and people that have cases pending in CCL No. 3.

According to the courts website, Tucker was appointed as the associate judge for County Court At Law No. 3 in December 2012.

Tucker graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in english literature and then received her law degree from the University of Texas. She began her legal career as a law clerk for United States District Judge Hayden W. Head and then served as an assistant county attorney for Montgomery County from 2001-12 where she specialized in child abuse cases. Tucker is also board certified in family law and child welfare law.

cdominguez@hcnonline.com
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP)  Two employees of an independent unit that investigates accusations of excessive police force or misconduct in Wyandotte County have been fired because of comments that were made on an audio recording.

The county prosecutor's office said in a news release Wednesday that the remarks violated the office's code of conduct." The release didn't provide the names of the former employees of the Community Integrity Unit or describe what they said. The release only said that the recording was made during working hours and that the prosecutor's office was made aware of it last week.
TOKYO (AP)  Three crew members of a Japanese crab fishing vessel died Wednesday after a collision with a Russian freighter in the Sea of Okhotsk, north of Japans Hokkaido island, officials said.

The Japanese vessel overturned following the collision. The Russian cargo ship rescued all five crew members, but three were confirmed dead after arriving at the port of Mombetsu, Japans government spokesman Katsunobu Kato said.
Georges murder ignited the largest anti-racism movement our country has seen since the Civil Rights Movement and has demanded that we work that much harder to create a society where Black people and people of color are able to live their lives free from the fear of police brutality and systemic injustice, Mayor Lori Lightfoot wrote in a social media post this morning. It has also urged us to take an honest look at the policing and racial justice problems still facing our country. What we saw was this: some progress. Far too many failures. And above all, a lack of holistic solutions to the scourges of racism.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP)  Authorities say all three juveniles arrested in the shooting deaths of two men in an Ohio city earlier this month have been charged with aggravated murder.

Maple Heights police and U.S. marshals last week announced the arrests of 14-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy in the May 8 homicides of 29-year-old Zachery Cuter and 31-year-old Ryan Tyler. A 14-year-old boy had been arrested earlier.
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP)  NAACP, state and local officials on Wednesday denounced what they called continued racism at an Amazon warehouse construction site in Connecticut where eight nooses have been found within a month, despite additional security measures added last weekend.

The latest noose was found at the site in Windsor on Wednesday morning, the day of a scheduled meeting between workers and NAACP officials about safety and security, said Connecticut NAACP President Scot X. Esdaile.

We have a serious problem in America and it hasnt gone away, Esdaile said. It's deplorable. Its sickening. Its a sick mindset that Black people have to fight against.

Amazon closed the site over the weekend, saying it was putting additional security measures in place after a seventh noose was found last week. The company closed the site again Wednesday to allow the FBI to investigate after the new noose was found under some electrical materials, Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement.

Hate, racism or discrimination have no place in our society and are certainly not tolerated in any Amazon workplace," Nantel said. "We will continue to work with all levels of law enforcement as well as our development partners, to hold the perpetrators accountable and ensure that all members of our community feel valued, respected and safe.

At an afternoon news conference outside the warehouse site, however, Esdaile and state and local officials accused Amazon of not taking the problem seriously enough and not doing enough to stop the racist incidents.

Nuchette Black-Burke, a town council member in Windsor, said many employees at the site are afraid to go to work. She vowed to keep putting pressure on Amazon to solve the problem.

Many people dont understand our history, she said. A noose? Peoples heads were put in those and hung from trees, hung from different places. So while people may think that someones doing this just for giggles and ha-has, no, its real history that impacts.

Windsor police did not return a message seeking comment Wednesday. Police officials previously denounced the nooses and called them potential hate crimes. Mayor Donald Trinks said police officers have been stationed at the site around the clock.

Esdaile said NAACP officials were not let onto the site Wednesday to talk with workers. He said police officers surrounded members of the group and told them they had to leave the property. Esdaile said he plans to file a complaint with the police department.

Windsor police have been working with the FBI and state police to try to identify those responsible for the nooses, the first of which was found at the site last month. A $100,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the identification of the culprits.

Gov. Ned Lamont called the nooses racist provocation of the worst type.

I can tell you that Im talking to Amazon, the Democratic governor said at an unrelated news conference about the coronavirus Wednesday. Were doing everything we can from a security point of view, everything we can from a law enforcement point of view. But I cant change peoples hearts and it just breaks my heart that this is still going on.

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Associated Press writer Pat Eaton-Robb contributed to this report.
NEW YORK (AP)  Nine current and former New York City Department of Correction workers were arrested Wednesday on charges alleging they took cash bribes to smuggle items including razor blades, drugs and alcohol into city jails in the last two years.

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss in Manhattan said the workers accepted thousands of dollars in bribes.

"This alleged activity violated the defendants duties, and endangered the inmates they were charged to supervise and guard, Strauss said in a release.

Seven individuals, ranging in age from 25 to 60, were arrested in New York, one in Pennsylvania and one in Virginia based on indictments returned against seven men and two women in Manhattan federal court.

Authorities alleged that one defendant pocketed over $40,000 in bribes between June 2019 and September 2020.

Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett said the documents describing how guards and other employees, the majority working at the Rikers Island jail complex, were engaging in contraband smuggling and bribery reflect the pernicious and damaging impact of corruption.

Correction officers and staff should protect the integrity of the jails, not promote lawlessness and violence by accepting bribes in return for trafficking drugs, scalpels, razor blades, cell phones, and other contraband  all highly valued, illegal items that undermine order in the jails and compromise the safety of other correction officers and inmates, Garnett said.

William F. Sweeney Jr., who heads the FBI's New York office, said the defendants risked the safety and security of their colleagues and others within the New York City Department of Correction when they carelessly decided to smuggle contraband into our jails.

Separate indictments brought against the defendants described crimes over the last two years that led to the smuggling of scalpels, cellphones, large quantities of cigarettes, razors, marijuana and methamphetamine.

If convicted of charges including conspiracy, bribery, honest services wire fraud, the defendants could each face a maximum of decades in prison, though convictions in these kinds of cases usually result in prison sentences of less than a decade.

In 2019, city lawmakers approved a plan to replace the Rikers Island complex by 2026 with four smaller jails. The complex was the scene of hundreds of stabbings annually during the 1980s and early 1990s.

In 2014, an investigation by The Associated Press produced descriptions of dozens of inmate deaths, including that of a homeless ex-Marine who essentially baked to death from an epileptic seizure in solitary confinement.

In 2019, a transgender woman who couldn't afford $500 bail was found dead from an epileptic seizure while in solitary confinement.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  The superintendent of New Mexico's largest school district has backtracked on a promise to channel federal relief of at least $6 million toward staff bonuses  after state auditors warned that handing out the bonuses would probably violate state constitutional provisions against giving away taxpayer dollars.

Scott Elder, the recently appointed superintendent of Albuquerque Public Schools, last week announced that the district would give $1,000 each to full-time teachers and staff or $500 bonuses to part-timers as a one-time additional payment for COVID-related work" since the outbreak of the pandemic.

But in an online video on Tuesday, Elder said the bonus payments had been flagged as a potential violation of the anti-donation clause within the New Mexico Constitution.

I have some extremely difficult news to share and I ask that you not lose faith, Elder said. I just dont want you to plan for money that may not arrive.

District spokeswoman Monica Armenta said the bonuses were proposed by several unions, community members and school employees. Payments were scheduled for about 12,000 employees.

State Auditor Brian Colon told The Associated Press that the anti-donation clause of the New Mexico Constitution prohibits retroactive compensation after services are rendered and that the proposed bonuses likely would have resulted in an audit finding or other potential violations of law.

Its very disappointing that Albuquerque Public Schools didnt do its homework and follow the rules, he said. We have given consistent guidance on this question throughout the pandemic.

Colon added: Unfortunately, I know that education professionals have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and there are going to be a lot of disappointed folks out there, including my wife, who is a teacher at Van Buren Middle School in Albuquerque.

Elder hinted at an unspecified new plan to pay employees for extra COVID-related work that we know lies ahead."

Colon said the states anti-donation clause is designed to protect against abuses of power by official who make donations or give gifts that are inappropriate uses of tax dollars.
TOKYO (AP)  Former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn has backed his former colleague American lawyer Greg Kellys insistence he is innocent of any wrongdoing.

Ghosn said in an interview with The Associated Press in Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday that Kelly, a former Nissan executive vice president, had sought only legal methods to arrange post-retirement compensation for his boss.

Kelly was arrested at the same time as Ghosn in Tokyo in November 2018 and is charged with falsifying securities reports. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. Ghosn fled Japan in late 2019.

Testimony and documents presented at Kellys trial have shown that he sought ways to beef up compensation for Ghosn after he agreed to a pay cut at Nissan in 2010, when Japan began requiring disclosures of high executive pay. Ghosn insisted Tuesday that no additional compensation agreements were approved by the board.

Obviously he (Kelly) is innocent, Ghosn said.

Greg is probably the person, from all the teams I had, one of the most professional. Highest integrity person I know. Thats one of the reasons I trusted him, Ghosn said.

At his trial, which began in September, Kelly has answered questions from his chief defense lawyer Yoichi Kitamura about discussions and documents related to Ghosns income.

Kelly has stressed his role was to ensure payments to Ghosn were legal.

Ghosn backed that view in the AP interview. That is significant because Ghosns voice has been absent in Kellys trial, though the defense team has had prosecutors records of their interrogations of Ghosn read aloud in the courtroom, a rare procedure in a Japanese trial.

Nothing was decided. It was only brainstorming. And frankly to the end, nothing was decided, Ghosn said in the interview this week.

There was nothing illegal in this. This is the object of the trial of Greg Kelly.

Ghosn, a superstar executive at Nissan Motor Co. for two decades, voluntarily took a pay cut of about 1 billion yen ($10 million) per year, roughly halving his income beginning in 2010.

Kelly has emphasized that one of the main aims of the discussions about Ghosn's compensation was to ensure he would not leave Nissan for a rival company. At the time of his arrest, Ghosn was chairman of the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance.

In the interview with AP, Ghosn said he had been offered a job at General Motors Co. but was reluctant to leave Nissan, and Japan, after the blows from the global financial crisis and then triple disasters of a huge earthquake, a tsunami and nuclear meltdowns in March 2011.

Ghosn said GM turned down his proposal that it join the Nissan-Renault alliance.

In a hearing in Tokyo District Court on Wednesday, Kelly said that post-retirement payments were common at Nissan and often involved a non-compete clause barring the employee from working for a rival. In the case of Nissan North America that was a lifetime requirement.

Such agreements are rare in Japan, however, because of the loyalty engendered by the country's lifetime employment system, he said.

Ghosn and Kelly were the only Nissan officials arrested in the case.

Hiroto Saikawa, Nissan chief executive from 2017 until his 2019 resignation, was not charged, although his signature is on the same documents on Ghosns post-retirement pay along with Kellys.

Greg Kelly is facing trial, while Saikawa is free. You know, whats the big difference? Ghosn told the AP.

___

Jeffrey Schaeffer reported from Beirut, Lebanon.
Two black pickups speed down an empty city street in Myanmar before coming to a sudden stop. Security forces standing in the back of the trucks begin firing at an oncoming motorbike carrying three young men.

The bike swerves, crashing into a gate. More shots are fired as two of the passengers run away, while the third, Kyaw Min Latt, remains on the ground. Moans are heard as officers grab the wounded 17-year-old from the pavement, throwing his limp body into a truck bed before driving off.

The incident lasted just over a minute and was captured on a CCTV camera. It is part of a growing trove of photos and videos shared on social media thats helping expose a brutal crackdown carried out by the junta since the militarys Feb. 1 takeover of the Southeast Asian nation.

An analysis by The Associated Press and the Human Rights Center Investigations Lab at the University of California, Berkeley, looked at cases where bodies of those targeted indiscriminately by police and the military are being used as tools of terror. The findings are based on more than 2,000 tweets and online images, in addition to interviews with family members, witness accounts, and local media reports.

The AP and HRC Lab identified more than 130 instances where security forces appeared to be using corpses and the bodies of the wounded to create anxiety, uncertainty, and strike fear in the civilian population. Over two-thirds of those cases analyzed were confirmed or categorized as having moderate or high credibility, and often involved tracking down the original source of the content or interviewing observers.

Since the military takeover, more than 825 people have been killed  well over two times the government tally  according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a watchdog organization that monitors arrests and deaths. The junta did not respond to written questions submitted by AP.

The HRC Lab examined hours of footage posted online over a two-month period showing dead bodies being snatched off the streets and dragged like sacks of rice before being thrown into vehicles and driven to unknown destinations. Some people have been disappeared or arrested one day and returned dead the next, their corpses mutilated with signs of torture, witnesses confirmed to AP.

Autopsies have been carried out without the permission of families. And some death certificates blame heart attacks or falls after violent attacks, contradicting witness accounts and images captured by protesters, journalists, or residents, including some who have been stealthily recording incidents with mobile phones through windows or from rooftops.

Cremations and exhumations of the deceased have been secretly conducted in the middle of the night by authorities. Other times, grieving families have been forced to pay military hospitals to release their loved ones remains, relatives and eyewitnesses told the AP.

Though the incidents may seem random and unprovoked  including kids being shot while playing outside their homes  they are actually deliberate and systematic with the goal of demobilizing people and wearing them down, said Nick Cheesman, a researcher at Australian National University, who specializes in the politics of law and policing in Myanmar.

That, he said, is exactly the characteristic of state terror.

___

Taking a page from the armys historical playbook, experts say the violence also appears aimed at keeping the death toll artificially low and concealing evidence. But unlike past violence, the attacks are being captured on smartphones and surveillance cameras in real-time and could one day be used against the regime before international criminal courts, as has happened elsewhere in the world.

It has always been the militarys strategy to hide the mass crackdown there, the mass killing of the protesters, said Van Tran, a Cornell University researcher who studied the bloody 1988 and 2007 uprisings in Myanmar. There are always large-scale operations in order to either cremate the bodies of people that were shot down or ... bulldoze and bury those bodies. So a lot of the time, families do not know where their children went.

Almost a quarter of the recent cases with known locations analyzed by the HRC Lab involved injured people or dead bodies snatched by security forces in the countrys biggest city, Yangon, followed by Mandalay and Bago.

The largest number of those incidents, documented through posts on social media, was reported on March 27. Celebrated annually as Armed Forces Day, it commemorates the start of the militarys resistance to Japanese occupation during World War II after more than a century of British colonial rule.

This year protesters dubbed it Anti-Fascist-Resistance Day, and came out in large numbers in a stand against the military takeover.

It was on that day that motorbike rider Kyaw Min Latt was shot, though his family told AP the young carpenter had not been to a demonstration but was instead heading home from the job site to grab an early lunch with two friends.

Using satellite visuals, reverse image searches, and a sun-shadow calculator, the HRC Lab was able to verify that the shooting took place at 10:38 a.m. in front of a high school on Azarni Road in the southern town of Dawei. In the footage, two shots are heard and Kyaw Min Latt, who was sitting between the driver and a fellow passenger, is seen grabbing his head and falling sideways. Officers chased after the two other riders with guns raised. Another bang is then heard.

Sixteen minutes later, a passerby posted a picture on Facebook of blood-soaked concrete and flip flops near the white motorbike that security forces had carefully propped back up before taking Kyaw Min Latts body.

Within two hours, the CCTV footage was also being shared widely across social media platforms.

Thats how the teens father received the news. He told AP he later learned his son had been taken to a military hospital. He rushed there to see him that afternoon and said the teen was still alive, but unconscious.

He was badly wounded, Soe Soe Latt said. He opened his eyes when we were at the hospital, but could not say any words.

The boy died soon after, and his father said army doctors wanted to perform an autopsy. The family fought against it, but said the hospital would only release the body if they signed a paper saying their son died of head injuries from falling off the motorbike.

A photo published online before Kyaw Min Latts funeral by Dawei Watch, a local news outlet, told a different story: There was a gaping wound in the teens neck.

_____

Myanmar has a long, tumultuous history of coups, military control, and ethnic conflicts.

A junta seized power in 1962, ending 14 years of civilian rule. That began five decades of censorship, mass arrests, disappearances, and dark isolation, resulting in harsh international sanctions that placed it roughly on par with North Korea.

Then in 2011, the country became the darling of the Obama administration and other Western governments when it started moving toward quasi-civilian rule and implementing political reforms as part of its long-promised roadmap to democracy.

But, despite the newfound freedoms and political reforms in the past decade  from the first ATMs and KFC restaurants to high-speed Internet and smartphones  the military never really relinquished control.

A quarter of the seats in parliament were reserved for those in uniform, and the armed forces held onto key ministries. Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, now chairman of the juntas State Administrative Council, also had the power to impose a state of emergency if he felt national security was at risk.

But after the party headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi won a landslide election last November, the military, known as the Tatmadaw, cried voter fraud. That triggered the February takeover and an emergency declaration, transferring all power to the top commander, on the morning the new parliament was set to begin.

Suu Kyi  who earlier supported security forces during their violent crackdown on ethnic Rohingya Muslims  and other leaders of her National League for Democracy party were put under house arrest. Hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life poured into the streets nationwide in protest.

Soon after, other NLD members were hauled in for questioning. Some of them would never return alive. Party officials said that family members were prohibited from collecting the body of one man who died at an interrogation center. Two other NLD members were returned as corpses to relatives the next day, drawing a sharp rebuke from the U.S. State Department.

Photos and videos posted on social media from several locations, and analyzed by the HRC Lab, show they appear to have been tortured, with the skin partially peeled from one mans face. Another had dried blood on his head and bruises covering his body.

Just tell people he had a heart attack and died, a man who attended the cleaning of one victims body told AP, recalling what doctors told family members.

Despite the attacks on NLD members, the anti-military demonstrations continued. Ordinary citizens soon found themselves targets of soldiers and police.

This month, relatives of one man in Bago Regions Pyay Township said security forces arrived at their home with guns drawn.

After beating 33-year-old Aung Khaing Myit, his sister told AP they took him away for questioning about his suspected involvement in a bomb blast. She said the officers swore nothing would happen to him, but he was heard screaming in a nearby room before falling silent.

The next day, the family was taken to a military hospital. They were told Aung Khaing Myit died while trying to jump out of a transport vehicle and that he was already placed inside a coffin. His sister said they were allowed to look at his bruised face, but not his entire body, and then authorities took him away for cremation over their objections.

We knew they beat him to death, she said. But they tried to lie to us.

And even if bodies are returned to families, it doesnt mean they will be buried and left to rest in peace.

Nineteen-year-old Kyal Sin, better known as Angel, became a high-profile case after being shot in the head March 3 during a protest in Mandalay, galvanizing supporters to wear T-shirts and banners bearing her image. Thousands, outraged by her death, gathered for her funeral the next day.

But later that night, the flowers were removed from her grave and MRTV state television said her body had been exhumed by authorities so an official autopsy could be carried out, exonerating the police. All that remained at the site afterward was a bloody latex glove and other strewn debris.

Authorities later released a death certificate saying the bullet that killed her didnt match the caliber used by police, and that it came from the wrong direction for security forces to be responsible.

Shootings by soldiers and police were the reason Ye Yint Naings mother had forbidden him to join a protest in northern Shan State. But that didnt stop the 15-year-old  he simply skipped breakfast that morning and snuck out while she was busy washing clothes in the back of the house.

He quickly met up with friends and headed to the rally, but an hour later tensions began to explode. After activists set a car on fire, Myanmar security forces responded by shooting into the crowd.

Ye Yint Naing was hit and fell to the ground. As he lay bleeding and calling for help, his friends watched paralyzed for two hours, unable to reach him because they feared they would be shot by a sniper standing watch, his brother told AP.

When the gunfire finally stopped, Ye Yint Naings motionless body was loaded into an ambulance and driven away. Social media posts provided the first clues for family members about what happened to him.

A picture posted on Facebook by a sympathetic worker at a local cemetery showed them where the body was ultimately taken. Once there, Ye Yint Naing was cremated  which goes against Muslim burial customs  following an order by police.

They actually wanted to hide the dead body, his brother said, adding he was able to get a bag with ashes and bits of bone to bury. I have to say, Thank you, to the person who cremated the body and took the photo. If not, it would have been hard for our family to find my younger brother because we would not know where he was taken.

Other secret cremations were confirmed in a mountainous trading town in the same state. Military trucks carrying soldiers and police rumbled into Aungban to stamp out a protest early on March 19th, firing off tear gas and bullets that left at least eight people dead, a witness told the AP.

Images from the scene posted on social media, showed one bloodied body lying next to a curb, and video captured men dressed in black uniforms kicking debris and randomly shooting their guns.

Security forces brought most of the corpses to the local cemetery that night and days later. They broke locks on the crematorium and used car tires to burn several bodies, witnesses said, until all that remained was ash.

Terrified that their loved ones will not receive proper burials, some family members have started hiding bodies, racing to get them buried before security forces can claim them.

That was the case with 13-year-old Htoo Myat Win. He was hit in the chest by a stray bullet while sitting inside his home in the central town of Shwebo, Sagaing Region.

Video posted online showed security forces shooting while walking through the street, and a neighbor who witnessed the boys death confirmed to AP that they were spraying bullets at houses.

Authorities came to ask the family for the boys body, but they refused to hand it over and instead hid it at a local temple, the neighbor said, declining to give his name fearing retribution. They cremated him the next day.

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Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said there is a clear legal procedure in place when people die. Families are informed and autopsies are carried out.

We never hide this number, he said at a press conference earlier this month.

However, the military has put the total killed nationwide at about 300, stressing that nearly 50 police have also died in the violence. Earlier, state-run TV called the more widely used figures from AAPP fake news, even though the highly regarded Thailand-based monitoring group often includes the victims names, ages and photographs. It also details how and where they died as part of its tally, helping bolster the credibility of those numbers.

Ko Bo Kyi, the groups co-founder, noted the junta also claimed hundreds  instead of thousands  died during some of the countrys biggest pro-democracy protests in 1988. He added that, just as in the past, their goal now is to maintain a climate of fear and uncertainty that immobilizes people and breaks their will.

They believe if they kill, torture, and arrest the protesters, they can stop the demonstrations, he said.

But access to technology and social media since the recent military takeover could eventually be used to help build an international criminal case against the junta, while also making it difficult for foreign donors and developed nations to turn a blind eye to what could one day be classified as crimes against humanity.

Its a whole new ballgame in terms of evidence in a way that will make prosecution possible many years from now if need be, said Richard Dicker, International Justice director at the nonprofit Human Rights Watch, noting that video footage from smartphones has also been used in other uprisings and conflicts, including crimes committed in Syria. That wouldnt have been viable (in the past) because the evidence would have disappeared.

Still, despite the fact that security forces are aware their actions are being filmed, posted online, and seen around the world, they have continued their attacks on civilians unabated. Dicker said authoritarian governments have long silenced their opponents.

Normally, he added, these kinds of atrocities occur at night in the shadows. Whats new is that it is taking place on the streets and in public view.

___

Associated Press journalist Kiko Rosario contributed to this report from Bangkok.

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Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP)  A trafficking network that ferried drugs from the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico through California to multiple drug dealing organizations around the nation's capital has been dismantled, according to local and federal officials.

An investigation that began in 2017 with work from a Loudoun County sheriff's deputy assigned to a federal task force eventually stretched to seven states and resulted in more than 30 arrests, the seizure of more than 100 firearms; $6 million in cash, jewelry and other assets; 473 pounds (215 kilograms) of methamphetamine; 42 kilograms of fentanyl; and 129 kilograms of cocaine.
BALTIMORE (AP)  Baltimore City Schools won't require tens of thousands of students failing classes this year amid challenges posed by the pandemic to repeat a grade in the fall.

Instead, Chief Academic Officer Joan Dabrowski says they will give students additional time and customized instruction plans to make up gaps.
CAIRO (AP)  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up a two-day Mideast mission on Wednesday, winning valuable diplomatic support and hundreds of millions of dollars of pledges from Arab allies as he moved to shore up the cease-fire that ended an 11-day war between Israel and the Gaza Strip's militant Hamas rulers.

But the mission made little headway in resolving the deeper issues at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the tensions in the contested holy city of Jerusalem that played a key role in the latest war.

After two days of talks with Israeli, Palestinian and Arab allies, Blinken acknowledged that any resumption of peace talks remained far off. In the meantime, he said he had made progress toward the more modest goals of cementing the cease-fire and rebuilding hard-hit Gaza.

We see the ceasefire, not as an end, but as a beginning, something to build on, Blinken told reporters in the Jordanian capital of Amman, where he met King Abdullah II.

He said the first priority was to meet the immediate needs of Gaza's 2 million people and then aim to create better conditions in which we can try to move forward.

Earlier, he was in Egypt for talks with President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. The visits came a day after intensive talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

Blinken has vowed to rally international support to rebuild hard-hit Gaza while promising to make sure that none of the aid reaches Hamas. He also is trying to bolster Hamas' rival, the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority.

In a boost to those efforts, the energy-rich Gulf country of Qatar pledged $500 million to postwar reconstruction in Gaza. Qatar often serves as a mediator between Israel and Hamas and it has contributed hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to support past cease-fires.

In Cairo, Blinken met with el-Sissi for nearly two hours. Meeting with American diplomatic staff afterwards, he described Egypt as a real and effective partner that helped end the Gaza war.

El-Sissi spoke to President Joe Biden last week before and after the ceasefire was announced, and his government has also pledged $500 milllion in assistance to Gaza.

I think we both believe strongly that Palestinians and Israelis deserve equally to, to live in safety and security to enjoy equal measures of freedom, opportunity and dignity. And were working on that together, Blinken said.

El-Sissi said the latest round of violence showed the urgency of resuming direct negotiations. In a statement, he called for active American engagement to bring Israel and the Palestinians back to the negotiating table.

Jordan's king echoed that call, noting the pivotal role of the United States in pushing for the re-launch of series and effective negotiations. Abdullah, who serves as custodian of Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, also warned against provocative Israeli violations in the holy city.

Both Egypt and Jordan are key U.S. allies that have peace agreements with Israel and frequently serve as mediators between Israel and the Palestinians. Egypt maintains ties with Hamas, but also enforces a tight blockade on Gaza, along with Israel, with a shared goal of preventing the Islamic group from arming.

The stop in Cairo, along with Bidens phone talks with el-Sissi, signal a closer relationship between the countries after a cooler beginning, when the U.S. expressed concern over el-Sissis human rights record.

The Gaza reconstruction effort will be an important test. The 11-day war killed more than 250 people, mostly Palestinians, and caused heavy destruction in the impoverished coastal territory. Preliminary estimates have put the damage in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

One of the U.S. goals is to ensure that any assistance be kept out of the hands of Hamas, which opposes Israels right to exist and which Israel and the U.S. consider a terrorist group.

In Gaza, Hamas leader Yehiyeh Sinwar told journalists Wednesday that the group welcomed reconstruction aid, as long as it did not come from Israel, and had no objections to international oversight.

"I emphasize our commitment in Hamas that we will not take a single penny earmarked for rebuilding or humanitarian issues, he said.

Sinwar, who has close ties with the group's armed wing, said Hamas receives ample military assistance from outside sources  led by Israel's archenemy, Iran. When I said we do not take money destined for aid, this is because we have comfortable sources of funds covering our activities, he said.

He also lashed out at Blinken for trying to strengthen the Palestinian Authority at Hamas' expense. They are trying to add more fuel to the fire of Palestinian division, Sinwar said.

Blinken said Tuesday the U.S. is trying to bolster the rival government of President Mahmoud Abbas, whose forces were ousted from Gaza by Hamas in 2007.

Abbas Palestinian Authority now administers autonomous areas in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Abbas has been largely sidelined by recent events, is deeply unpopular at home and has little influence in Gaza.

Abbas hopes to establish an independent state in all of the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem  areas captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. The Biden administration, along with most of the international community, supports a two-state solution as the best way for resolving the conflict.

In a gesture to the Palestinians, Blinken on Tuesday announced plans to reopen a diplomatic office in Jerusalem that oversees outreach to the Palestinians. He also pledged nearly $40 million in additional aid to the Palestinians.

In all, the Biden administration has pledged some $360 million to the Palestinians, restoring badly needed aid that the Trump administration had cut off.

The truce that ended the Gaza war on Friday has so far held, but it did not address any of the deeper issues plaguing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Those challenges include a hawkish Israeli leadership that seems unwilling to make major concessions, Palestinian divisions, years of mistrust and deeply rooted tensions surrounding Jerusalem and its holy sites.

The war was triggered by weeks of clashes in Jerusalem between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters in and around the Al-Aqsa Mosque, built on a hilltop compound revered by Jews and Muslims that has seen several outbreaks of Israeli-Palestinian violence over the years. The protests were directed at Israels policing of the area during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers.

The truce remains tenuous since tensions are still high in Jerusalem and the fate of the Palestinian families is not yet resolved.

In his remarks after his meeting with Blinken on Tuesday, Netanyahu hardly mentioned the Palestinians, warning of a very powerful response if Hamas breaks the cease-fire while expressing support for economic development in the West Bank.

As he closed his trip, Blinken said repairing Gaza would take cooperation from all of the key players.

It's really incumbent on on all sides to, again, avoid taking steps that could potentially reignite this cycle of violence, he said.

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Federman reported from Jerusalem.

___

Federman reported from Jerusalem.
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  Chad Daybell made his first appearance in Idaho court Wednesday on three murder charges in connection with the deaths of his late wife and his new wife's two children.

Meanwhile, the mother of the two slain children, Lori Vallow Daybell, had her first appearance on murder charges postponed because of unnamed exigent circumstances.

The Daybells are at the center of a tangled case that involve several suspicious deaths as well as a bizarre apocalyptic religious belief that prosecutors claim the couple designed to justify the murders of 7-year-old Joshua JJ Vallow, 17-year-old Tylee Ryan and 49-year-old Tammy Daybell.

During Wednesday's court appearance in Fremont County, 7th District Judge Faren Eddins explained to Chad Daybell the penalties he could face if convicted of any of the eight charges he is facing under a new indictment released earlier this week. Both Lori and Chad Daybell could face the death penalty or life in prison if they are convicted of murder or conspiring to murder the victims in the case.

Chad Daybell is charged with three counts each of first-degree murder and conspiring to commit murder and grand theft by deception, as well as two additional counts of insurance fraud in connection with the life insurance policies on his late wife.

Lori Daybell is charged with three counts of conspiring to commit murder and grand theft by deception, as well as two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of her children. Lori Daybell is also charged with two counts of grand theft because prosecutors say she collected her childrens' Social Security survivor benefits after they died.

Prosecutors have about two months to decide if they will seek the death penalty in the case.

The Daybells have already been in jail for several months, charged earlier with conspiring to destroy evidence. They have pleaded not guilty to the earlier charges and have not yet had a chance to enter a plea in the new murder case.

The complex case began in 2018, according to the indictment on murder charges, when Chad and Lori Daybell  both still married to other people  began espousing their apocalyptic system of religious belief.

A family friend earlier testified that the couple believed a person's soul could be sent to limbo, allowing an evil spirit to take over their body on earth. The friend, Melanie Gibbs, said Lori Daybell referred to those supposedly possessed bodies as zombies, and that the couple claimed the only way to free the person's soul from limbo was to kill their earthly body.

In 2019, Lori Daybell's then-husband, Charles Vallow, was seeking a divorce, writing in court documents that she believed she had become a god-like figure who was responsible for ushering in the biblical end times.

But the divorce never happened because Lori Daybell's brother, Alex Cox, shot and killed Charles Vallow in suburban Phoenix. Cox claimed self-defense and charges were never filed. Cox himself died several months later of a blood clot in his lungs.

After the shooting, Lori Daybell and her two youngest children moved to Idaho, where Chad Daybell lived. Chad Daybell ran a small publishing company with his wife, Tammy Daybell, and released several of his own books  doomsday-focused fiction loosely based on the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Tammy Daybell died in October 2019, and her obituary said she died in her sleep of natural causes. But authorities grew suspicious when Chad Daybell married Lori Daybell just two weeks later, and they had Tammy Daybell's body exhumed.

Police began searching for the children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, in November after extended family members raised concerns that the children were missing. Police say the Daybells lied to investigators about their whereabouts before quietly leaving Idaho. They were found in Hawaii months later, without the children.

The children's bodies were found last June, buried on Chad Daybell's property in eastern Idaho.

Tylee Ryan's aunt, Annie Cushing, said news of the murder charges was surreal. The announcement was made on what would have been JJ Vallow's ninth birthday.

I've pictured this day so many times in my head as I've been waiting for some indication that more serious charges were coming, Cushing told EastIdahoNews.com in an interview. You feel this tugging at you because you don't want to be crushed. But at the same time I was like, 'Is this it?' 

Tammy Daybell's parents and siblings also released a statement in response to the murder charges, asking for privacy as they grieve.

We'd especially ask that this consideration be extended to our dearest Tammy's children and grandchildren. We want their lives to retain as much peace, normalcy and remembrance of their mother/grandmother as possible, the family wrote. No one knows how to handle this perfectly. We ask that we all be given the space to continue to honor and grieve our loved one the best we can.
Actual use of FDI into Chinese mainland up 38.6 percent in first four months

09:16, May 26, 2021 By Ouyang Jie, Lin Lili ( People's Daily

A rendering of an industrial park of GLP in Lingang area, Shanghai. (Photo from the official website of GLP)

Foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Chinese mainland, in actual use, rose 38.6 percent from a year ago to 397.07 billion yuan ($61.55 billion) in the first four months of this year, according to statistics released by China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM).

A total of 14,533 foreign-invested enterprises were established nationwide during the same period, up 50.2 percent year on year, or an increase of 11.5 percent over the same period in 2019.

Since the beginning of this year, multiple major foreign-funded projects have been implemented. For instance, a verbund chemical production site in south Chinas Guangdong province, whose investment totals $10 billion, has celebrated consecutive 500,000 safe working hours for its initial phase. In east China's Jiangxi province, a manufacturing base for power chips funded by foreign investors also commenced building.

According to the 2021 Business Climate Survey issued by the American Chamber of Commerce in China, 61 percent of the interviewed foreign enterprises considered China as one of their top three investment destinations in their recent global investment plans.

German insurer Allianz recently obtained regulatory approval to set up Chinas first wholly foreign-owned insurance asset management company. Allianz China Holding, the parent firm of the newly approved company, is also the first insurer in China that is fully controlled by foreign capital.

As a witness and beneficiary of the opening up in Chinas financial sector, Allianz China Holding supports the country to open wider and encourages foreign financial institutions to invest in China, said Solmaz Altin, general manager of the company. China has become an important strategic market of the company, he added.

According to the Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, China will promote the construction of all kinds of open platforms in a coordinated manner, and build new high grounds of opening up at higher levels, with better business environment, and covering wider areas.

On April 9, China's State Council approved Tianjin, Shanghai, Hainan and Chongqing to proceed with the comprehensive opening-up trials in the services sector over the next three years. Foreign investment in the service industry came in at 312.94 billion yuan during the January-April period, up 46.8 percent year on year.

In Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA), an MLCC (Multi-layer Ceramic Capacitors) plant of South Korea's Samsung Electro-Mechanics is under construction. The plant is expected to be put into operation before the end of June this year.

Samsung selected TEDA for its complete industrial chain and transport infrastructure, as well as preferential policies, said Deuk-Kyu Hwang, head of Samsung China, adding that Tianjin has become an important overseas manufacturing base for the South Korean multinational corporation.

Teresa Zhuge, co-president of Global Logistic Properties (GLP) China business, noted that the company's annual investment in China has exceeded 1 percent of the total annual FDI into China for the past 10 consecutive years, and the company will keep investing in the country.

"What attracts GLP is not only the huge Chinese market, but also the increasingly improved business environment," she explained.

At the end of the last year, GLP, together with other investors, jointly established a new fund of nearly 4.5 billion yuan for investing in modern logistics assets at Shanghai's GLP Park Lingang.

China's door will open wider and wider to attract foreign investment, said MOFCOM spokesperson Gao Feng. The country will keep revising its foreign investment negative list this year to further reduce restrictions, he added. Besides, China will implement the foreign investment law and relevant regulations, and carry out legislation, amendment, and revocation of supporting policies. Services will be better guaranteed for major foreign-funded enterprises and projects to speed up the implementation and construction of foreign-funded projects, and the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors will be better protected to improve the transparency and convenience of investment.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
The policy also called for officers to use a so-called balancing test to determine whether a foot chase is appropriate, assessing the seriousness of the crime against whether a pursuit could put the suspect, officer or any bystanders at risk of getting hurt. It also says that officers can only pursue people on foot if they have probable cause that the person committed the crime or believe that theyre about to commit one. Read the rest here.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  Labor unions and veterans groups are urging North Dakotans who may have been exposed to asbestos to get screened before a new law takes effect that will make it more difficult to sue.

Backers of the law, which will bar people from suing over asbestos exposure unless they've already been sickened by it, say its intent is largely to guard against fraudulent claims.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed the Republican-sponsored bill into last last month after it sailed through the Legislature along mostly partly-line votes in the House and Senate. It takes effect Aug. 1.

Landis Larson, president of the North Dakota AFL-CIO, said the new law adds arbitrary roadblocks in the way of asbestos disease victims. His organization and veterans groups are hoping to get as many people screened as possible so they will be grandfathered under the old law. It will be almost impossible to get any kind of relief after this new law comes in.

Asbestos is a building material linked with deadly mesothelioma cancer and other health problems. It has been the subject of lawsuits that have led to billions of dollars in damages being paid to victims from trust funds established by the makers of products that contain asbestos, such as roofing material, insulation, tiling and brake linings.

Insurance industry groups and insurance companies supported the new law.

Steve Schneider, vice president of state affairs for The American Property Casualty Insurance Association, said in testimony that this important legislation gives priority to asbestos plaintiffs who can demonstrate impairment according to objective criteria utilized by the medical community.

He said the legislation also helps to ensure that plaintiffs with actual impairment are suing the proper defendants with an actual connection to the plaintiff. It also will help ensure that asbestos trials are both efficient and fair by allowing courts to consolidate, he said.

Jaclyn Hall, executive director of the association representing trial lawyers in North Dakota, called the Legislation an industry bailout bill that strips workers of constitutional rights.

Asbestos-related diseases have a long latency period. Larson said he has had two relatives die of mesothelioma long after exposure.

Nearly 740 North Dakotans have died from asbestos exposure since 1999, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention database.

Jim Nelson, who heads the North Dakota Veterans Legislative Council, testified in opposition to the bill, saying thousands upon thousands of military veterans were regularly and unknowingly exposed to asbestos.

About 10 states in recent years have passed legislation similar to North Dakotas new law. Nelson said veterans groups have opposed similar legislation in other states that he said will delay and deny compensation for sick and dying veterans and others by placing additional burdens on them.
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)  The Montana Department of Corrections has reported about half of the people in custody are choosing not to get vaccinated for COVID-19, despite being held in communal living situations that increase the risk of infection.

Department spokesperson Alexandria Klapmeier said there is a 50% vaccination refusal rate across the state, The Billings Gazette reported Tuesday. So far, 1,405 inmates in state prisons have been fully vaccinated.

The Montana State Prison has vaccinated 51% of its facility population, or 820 of 1,453 people, officials said. The Montana Women's Prison vaccinated 49% of its facility population, or 102 of 206 people. Some locations are doing better than others, with the Great Falls Regional Prison reporting that it vaccinated more inmates than it currently has in custody.

The DOC continues to provide information to inmates about the benefits of vaccination and offer vaccine to inmates who have declined previously, Klapmeier said. She noted that everyone booked into department-run facilities is offered COVID-19 vaccine, but not everyone accepts the offer.

Officials said the state's two largest jails  Yellowstone County jail and Missoula County jail  are seeing lower rates of vaccination. Yellowstone County jail reported 108 inmates are inoculated, about one-fifth of the current jail population. Missoula County jail, which also is home to the Missoula Assessment and Sanction Center, reported 97 of 312 inmates in its facility are vaccinated.

The figures do not indicate an exact percentage of vaccinated inmates, because new people are booked and released daily, officials said.

The risk of transmission is higher indoors, in large groups and with people close together for more than 15 minutes at a time, said Pat Zellar, spokesperson for RiverStone Health, Yellowstone Countys public health department. All those risk factors are present in the jail population. That's why the CDC still recommends that everyone wear masks in correctional facilities, even if they are fully immunized.

Across Montana, 42% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated, The Gazette reported. Nationally, that number is 47%.

The common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, breathing trouble, sore throat, muscle pain and a loss of taste or smell. Most people develop only mild symptoms. But some people, usually those with other medical complications, develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia. Sometimes people with a coronavirus infection display no symptoms.
JOHANNESBURG (AP)  Rebels have killed 22 officials of the war-hit Tigray regions interim administration, Ethiopias government said Wednesday.

An additional 20 interim officials had been kidnapped by forces loyal to the Tigrayan Peoples Liberation Front, or TPLF, which ruled the region until it was toppled by an offensive ordered by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in November. A further four have been wounded and hospitalized, said the statement issued on Twitter.

Abiy declared victory four weeks after the offensive began and replaced the TPLFs regional administration with an interim one headed by officials appointed by the federal government based in Addis Ababa. But six months on, fighting continues in Tigray as pro-TPLF fighters wage an insurgent campaign in the region's countryside.

The attacks on the officials have been carried out by TPLF fighters that claim to be fighting for the people of Tigray but have rather been actively engaged in the destruction of property, kidnapping and killing of members of the provisional administration that are tasked with bringing stability, said the statement.

It added that the TPLF have continued to burn down houses and fire ammunitions into households.

Nine officials were killed in northeast Tigray, the highest figure of any area, while six were killed in the regions central zone. Both areas have seen heavy fighting.

Reports of atrocities perpetrated by Ethiopian and Eritrean troops in Tigray, including massacres and widespread sexual violence, have drawn international condemnation.

U.S. President Joe Biden issued a statement Wednesday expressing concern about the violence and human rights abuses in Tigray, urging the parties to declare a cease-fire and engage in negotiations to restore peace.

The large-scale human rights abuses taking place in Tigray, including widespread sexual violence, are unacceptable and must end. Families of every background and ethnic heritage deserve to live in peace and security in their country, Biden said.

The U.N. humanitarian chief, meanwhile, said the humanitarian crisis in Tigray is worsening and warned that there is a serious risk of famine if assistance is not scaled up in the next two months.

In a note to the Security Council obtained by The Associated Press, Mark Lowcock said: It is clear that people living in the Tigray region are now facing significantly heightened food insecurity as a result of conflict, and that conflict parties are restricting access to food.

He said the latest famine alert indicates emergency food insecurity in central, eastern and parts of northwest and northeast Tigray.
HONOLULU (AP)  A former Honolulu police lieutenant must report to prison next week to serve a three-and-a-half year sentence in Hawaii's biggest ever corruption case after a U.S. judge denied his request to remain free while he appeals his conviction.

A judge denied Derek Wayne Hahn's motion at a hearing Tuesday, said his defense attorney, Victor Bakke.
MIAMI (AP)  Bolivia's former interior minister has been arrested in the U.S. for allegedly taking part of $602,000 in kickbacks from Florida-based businessmen accused of selling tear gas at inflated prices to the conservative government of former interim President Jeanine Anez.

Arturo Murillo was charged with a single count of conspiring to commit money laundering, according to a Department of Justice statement on Wednesday.

The Associated Press previously reported that Murillo's former chief of staff had been arrested as part of the investigation along with the owner of a Florida-based supplier of police and military equipment and his father, who press accounts indicate was charged two decades ago in Bolivia with weapons smuggling.

Murillo, 57, was one of the most outspoken voices in the Anez government that took power in November 2019 after President Evo Morales stepped down amid violent protests disputing his reelection to a fourth straight term.

He has a long history of far-right provocation. As a congressman, he supported a ban on abortion by once telling women that they should commit suicide by jumping from a five-story building if they wanted to terminate a pregnancy.

As interior minister, he referred to opponents as narco-terrorists, brought charges against Morales for sedition and led the deadly police response against protesters that drew rebuke from international human rights groups. He also bragged about meeting with the CIA when he traveled to Washington to meet with senior officials in the Trump administration who initially viewed Anez's ascent as an opportunity to improve bilateral relations that turned hostile under Morales.

But the crackdown on Bolivias left backfired, and almost a year later, Morales ally, Luis Arce, was elected and proceeded to lock up Anez and other officials tied to her short-lived rule.

On Wednesday, his successor as Interior Minister, Eduardo del Castillo, said the Arce government would ask the U.S. to extradite Murillo and Sergio Mendez, his former chief of staff, so they could face justice at home. Bolivian authorities also arrested a relative of Murillo as he was withdrawing money and valuable from a security deposit box at a bank in the city of Cochabamba held in Murillo's name, according to press reports.

Murillo became the key force behind the de facto govts repression, said Kathryn Ledebur, director of the Bolivia-based Andean Information Network. His arrest is an important message that rampant corruption and abuse cannot be tolerated by the international community.

According to investigators, Murillo, Mendez and another unnamed co-conspirator in the Defense Ministry helped a Florida-based company obtain a $5.6 million contract to supply tear gas and non-lethal equipment to the Anez government.

The company was allegedly owned by Bryan Berkman, a dual Bolivian-American national who purchased the tear gas in Brazil for a much-smaller sum of $3.3 million, according to an affidavit from a Department of Homeland Security agent that accompanies the complaint. Part of the profits allegedly were used to coordinate the bribe payments, some of which were to be paid from a delivery of $700,000 in cash to Bolivia.

While the American company is not named in the complaint, Berkman is the chief executive of Taramac-based Bravo Tactical Solutions, according to Floridas corporate registry. His father, Luis Berkman, who was also arrested and charged, runs a separate Tamarac-based company called International Defense Group.

Bolivian press reports indicate that the older Berkman was arrested on weapons trafficking charges in 2001, accused of heading a criminal ring that tried to smuggle military assault weapons to Paraguay. He was declared a fugitive in 2013 without having been found guilty, according to a Bolivian judicial filing.

According to the complaint, evidence compiled from text messages, emails and bank records show that Mendez was asked by a co-conspirator to write a letter to the Brazilian tear gas manufacturer insisting that Bolivias government would only purchase its products via the Berkman-owned company.

On Jan. 13, 2020, Bolivia's Central Bank attempted to wire transfer $5.6 million to a U.S. account belonging to the Berkman-owned company. On the same day, Murillo met Bryan Berkman in Miami and opened a bank account with a $10,000 deposit.

However, the wire transfer from Bolivia's government was rejected, prompting Mendez to send an email from his government account to the U.S. bank to try and clear the transaction.

Once blocked, the alleged co-conspirators tried a few weeks later with a different U.S. bank.

Help me with the payment please, the elder Berkman wrote in a text message to Murillo, who responded We're all going to meet at the Ministry of Economy at 7:30 tomorrow and the go-ahead will be given.

An attorney for Murillo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

__

AP Writer Paola Flores contributed to this report from La Paz, Bolivia.

Follow Goodman on Twitter: @APJoshGoodman
NORTON, Kan. (AP)  A former school resource officer in Kansas City, Kansas, has been sentenced to life in prison for repeatedly raping and abusing a child younger than 14.

Mark Scheetz, 32, of Norton, was sentenced Tuesday in Norton County District Court, the Kansas Attorney Generals Office said in a news release. In April, a jury found him guilty of two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy with a child younger than 14, two counts of rape, sexual exploitation of a child and intimidating a witness.
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  A former assistant district attorney in Tennessee has pleaded guilty to soliciting a sexual bribe in exchange for expunging a womans criminal charges.

William E. McManus Jr. entered his plea Monday in federal, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
WORCESTER, Mass. (AP)  JetBlue is restarting service between Worcester Regional Airport and New York City and Florida later this year, officials announced Wednesday.

Daily flights between Worcester and JFK International Airport in New York are scheduled to Aug. 19, with a second daily flight scheduled to start Oct. 21, according to airline and Massachusetts Port Authority officials.
HONOLULU (AP)  A judge ordered Honolulu officials to turn over unedited police body camera footage to attorneys representing the family of a South African citizen who was shot and killed by police after he entered a home that wasnt his.

Judge Dean E. Ochiai during Tuesday's hearing also ordered the city to turn over all incoming 911 calls in the area between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on April 14, the night Honolulu police shot Lindani Myeni.

Myeni, 29, had entered a home, sat down and took off his shoes, prompting an occupant to call 911, police said. Myeni later physically assaulted a responding officer who ended up in the hospital, police said.

About two days after the shooting, police released two brief clips of body camera footage. In the footage, three gunshots rang out before an officer said police.

The department later released a recording of the 911 call made by a frightened occupant. I dont know him, she told the dispatcher, who asked her several times about the mans ethnicity.

Is he white? Is he Black? Is he local? the dispatcher asked. The woman, who sounded like she was crying through much of the call, eventually answered, Black.

A lawsuit by his widow filed on April 29 alleged that police were motivated by racial discrimination against an unarmed Black man.

It also sounded like Myeni was having a calmer conversation with someone else in the home. Lawyers representing his wife, Lindsay Myeni, have said they will retain forensic experts to enhance the background conversation.

The calls and full footage must be turned over by June 10, the judge ruled.

The court granted some of the citys attempt to delay discovery in the wrongful death lawsuit until after the Honolulu Police Departments and the Prosecuting Attorneys separate investigations conclude, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.

Police reports, investigations, personnel files and anything related to the actions of the officers under investigation for possible criminal liability by the prosecutor will not be disclosed in the civil case prior to July 16, in accordance with a timeline issued by Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm, Ochiai ruled.

If Alm finds no evidence to support criminal charges against the officers, the protective order will be dissolved. If charges are brought, the order will remain in effect.

A police spokeswoman declined to comment on the ruling. Attorneys for Myeni's widow didn't immediately comment on the ruling Wednesday.

We appreciate Judge Ochiais consideration of our motion and the issuance of a protective order, Krishna F. Jayaram, first deputy corporation counsel for the city, said in a statement to the newspaper. As to the remainder of his ruling, we are in the process of parsing through it.
GILZE-RIJEN AIR BASE, Netherlands (AP)  Judges and lawyers in the trial of three Russians and a Ukrainian charged in the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 visited the wreckage of the plane Wednesday at a Dutch military air base.

Remnants of the Boeing 777 were laid out in a hangar at the Gilze-Rijen Air Base. The cockpit and front section of the fuselage were partially pieced together from wreckage recovered after the plane was shot down over eastern Ukraine as it flew from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, killing all 298 passengers and crew members on board.

Arlette Schijns, a lawyer representing families of victims, said the visit would help the next of kin who are still searching after all these years for the truth and justice.

As painful as it is to see the airplane, it is good that you are here, that your court sees for itself the material damage done to the plane," Schijns said. Anybody who sees that can imagine that the immaterial suffering caused by this is immense.

Presiding Judge Hendrik Steenhuis led judges into the hangar, where they studied the wreckage. The judges walked around and climbed steps to a raised platform that allowed them to see the inside of the partial reconstruction, which included the remnants of two cockpit seats for pilots.

The plane was blown out of the sky on July 17, 2014, by what an international investigation and a separate Dutch crash probe concluded was a Buk missile. The four defendants, none of whom has surrendered to face justice, are accused of involvement in the attack and the murder of all the people on Flight MH17.

The left side of the cockpit was badly damaged by what prosecutors say was a missile fired by pro-Russian separatist rebels. Prosecutors say the Buk missile was trucked into Ukraine from a Russian military base. Russia denies any involvement in the plane's downing, which happened during the conflict, then recent, between separatists and Ukrainian government forces in the country's east.

During Wednesday's review of the wreckage, the judges visited the hangar first and were followed by the lawyers before they all visited together. One lawyer used a tape measure to gauge the size of holes in parts of the wreckage.

Families of the victims were not present but could follow the events via a livestream. The families had a previous opportunity to visit the wreckage.

Steenhuis said the court realized that the visit would have an exceptional emotional charge" for relatives of the dead.

"The reconstruction is, after all, a plane in which their loved ones were on their way to a destination they never reached, he said.

The judge said the aim of the visit was to allow the court to make observations that at a later stage can be used as probative or exculpatory evidence.

After a years-long international investigation, prosecutors named four suspects in the downing of Flight MH17: Russians Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinskiy and Oleg Pulatov, and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko. Only Pulatov is represented at the trial by lawyers. He has denied involvement.

The preliminary phase of the trial began last year. Next month, the court will begin debating the merits of the case, which is expected to continue into 2022.

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Corder reported from The Hague.
We always knew at some point, as we got closer and more of the community got vaccinated, that we would need to shift our operations, Cook County Health CEO Israel Rocha said in a phone interview. The demands of the community is what drives our response.  By shifting these resources, were going to be able to create more pop up sites and priority (points of dispensing) throughout the community.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  Republicans on Wednesday pushed a resolution through the Kansas House expressing the state's solidarity with Israel and condemning Hamas militants as terrorists after an 11-day war this month in the Gaza Strip.

The House voted 83-27 in favor of the resolution, which will be sent to Israeli government representatives in the U.S. It inspired a brief but intense debate, with two of the Legislature's most liberal members arguing that the measure ignored abuses by the Israeli government against Palestinians.

The resolution was the Legislature's last order of business before members adjourned for the year. Republicans in both chambers approved another non-binding resolution calling on Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to end extra unemployment benefits in Kansas that were provided under federal coronavirus relief legislation, in the latest attempt by Republicans to ratchet up pressure on her.

The resolution on Israel said Kansas views Israel as a trusted ally" and endeavors to work toward peace" while ensuring "security for Israel's people, neighbors and citizens of the world."

They've been a great partner to us, and we just wanted to acknowledge that to them, said state Rep. Chris Croft, an Overland Park Republican.

The Kansas House's brief debate came a day after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to the Mideast to announce initiatives aimed at bolstering the Palestinian government and promising that President Joe Biden's administration was committed to rebuilding the United States' relationship with Palestinians.

The Kansas House's resolution did not mention the war, which killed more than 250 people, mostly Palestinians, and caused heavy destruction. Instead, it condemned Hamas' rocket attacks on Israeli cities.

The resolution also didn't mention questions about Israels policing of Palestinians or the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers.

Democratic state Rep. Boog Highberger, of Lawrence, argued that Palestinians have been under occupation for decades. He said lawmakers should call for lasting peace and dignity for Arabs instead of "supporting the murder of civilians.

And Democratic state Rep. Aaron Coleman, of Kansas City, Kansas, who is Jewish, said: The American revolutionaries  they used violence to get our independence, and now the Palestinians are using the same tactics that George Washington embraced to get their independence.

All votes against the resolution came from Democrats, but four voted yes. Seven Republicans and eight Democrats were either absent or did not vote.

Rep. Tatum Lee-Hahn, a Ness City Republican, suggested that backing Israel is necessary for "God's blessing and favor in your life.

The other resolution, approved 27-11 in the Senate and 79-38 in the House, largely along party lines, comes with Republicans, business groups and companies pushing Kelly to end an extra $300 a week in unemployment benefits. Kelly has said she is reviewing the issue.

Republicans argued the extra aid creates a perverse incentive that keeps unemployed workers from accepting jobs, hindering businesses and hurting the economy. Democrats said the move would hurt struggling families, and people aren't taking jobs because of concerns about child care and COVID-19. They also suggested that workers are benefitting from employers having to raise wages to attract them.

Meanwhile, the Legislature's top eight leaders, six currently Republicans, postponed until Friday a decision on extending a state of emergency for the coronavirus pandemic. It expires Friday, and Kelly must get top lawmakers' approval to retain it.

Lawmakers did not override Kelly's recent vetoes of GOP legislation on health insurance and compensating businesses for pandemic losses.

Also, GOP senators picked Sen. Larry Alley, of Winfield, as their new majority leader. Republicans had ousted Sen. Gene Suellentrop, of Wichita, as majority leader in April after he was charged with drunken driving and a felony charge of attempting to elude law enforcement for driving the wrong way on a highway in Topeka.

Alley, a retired aircraft manufacturing planner, was first elected to the Senate in 2016. He had been serving as assistant majority leader and had handled most of Suellentrop's duties after Suellentrop's arrest in mid-March.

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Andy Tsubasa Field contributed to this report.

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Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna
WASHINGTON (AP)  Karine Jean-Pierre on Wednesday became the first openly gay woman to deliver the White House press briefing and only the second Black woman in history to take on the role.

Jean-Pierre, the White House principal deputy press secretary, had briefed reporters aboard Air Force One, but Wednesday marked her first time before the lectern for a televised briefing.

Its a real honor to be standing here today, Jean-Pierre told reporters, when asked about her historic turn. Clearly the president believes that representation matters, and I appreciate him giving me this opportunity.

Judy Smith, who served as deputy press secretary to President George H.W. Bush in 1991, was the first Black woman to take on the role.

Jean-Pierre is seen as a potential successor to current White House press secretary Jen Psaki, who has publicly said she only intends to serve in the role for about a year, and Wednesdays appearance was seen as an audition of sorts for the job. Jean-Pierre fields press requests and makes frequent appearances for the Biden administration on cable news.

Today is a big day in the press office and @WhiteHouse. My partner in truth--@KJP46 is doing her first full briefing from the podium today making history in her own right. But doing her real justice means also recognizing her talent, her brilliance and her wonderful spirit, Psaki tweeted.

On Wednesday, like Psaki and generations of White House spokespeople before her, Jean-Pierre leaned heavily on a binder full of prepared notes and statements, as she fielded questions on topics including the Tokyo Olympics and the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

Jean-Pierre, who was born in Martinique to Haitian emigrants and grew up in New York City, has spoken publicly about how her own experiences as an immigrant have informed her lengthy career in politics.

I am everything that Donald Trump hates, she said in a video for progressive organization MoveOn in 2018. Im a Black woman, Im gay, I am a mom. Both my parents were born in Haiti.

During the 2020 campaign, Jean-Pierre was now-Vice President Kamala Harris chief of staff. She previously worked on both of Barack Obamas presidential campaigns, ultimately serving as national deputy battleground states director for the 2012 campaign. In between, Jean-Pierre worked in the Obama administration, serving as the White House liaison to the Labor Department and later as regional director in the White House Office of Political Affairs.

Jean-Pierre is one of a handful of potential Psaki successors, a list that includes Symone Sanders, Harris chief spokesperson, who has tamped down speculation over her interest in the role. Sanders showed support for Jean-Pierre on Wednesday with a tweet offering her congratulations.

I will be raising my coffee cup during the WH press briefing in celebration of representation, aptitude and brilliance. The ancestors are proud, she tweeted.
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP)  A proposal to create a state-based public health insurance option has yet to be heard by the state Assembly. A plan to move up Nevada's presidential primary to make it the first in the nation has yet to be heard by the state Senate.

And a long-rumored measure to reform Nevadas mining tax structure has yet to surface.

Lawmakers are hoping to speed the passage of priority bills in the final full week of the session. The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn on Monday and, to remain under consideration, most bills had to clear either the Senate or the Assembly weeks ago.

Here are several priority proposals that remained up in the air as of Wednesday:

UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM UPDATE

Lawmakers on Monday held the first hearing on a proposal introduced a week ago to spend up to $54 million to update the state's unemployment insurance system. The unemployment department struggled to issue checks to the hundreds of thousands of Nevada residents laid off last year due to the pandemic. Laid-off workers complained about technological glitches on the department's website, long wait times on the phone, and having their claims identified as fraudulent. Meanwhile, the department said fraudulent claims cost the state billions of dollars.

Gov. Steve Sisolak and legislative leaders from both parties identified fixing the system as a top priority early in the session. But discussions were delayed until the U.S. Treasury Department released guidelines about how state governments could spend federal coronavirus relief funds. The proposal under consideration would draw $54 million from the state's $2.7 billion in relief dollars.

TENANT PROTECTIONS

Most of the the tenant protection proposals that housing advocates have pushed stalled earlier in the session, but lawmakers on Monday held their first hearing on a proposal to stave off evictions once the state's pandemic moratorium ends this month. The proposal would require landlords to inform tenants about the millions of dollars in federal coronavirus relief funds earmarked for rental assistance before issuing eviction notices.

RIGHT TO RETURN

Labor unions and large casinos and resorts have fought over a proposal that would require businesses to rehire laid-off workers at pre-pandemic wages, rather than recruit new employees. The Culinary Union Local 226, which represents 60,000 workers in resorts and casinos and commands major clout in Nevada, wants its members hired back under contracts they negotiated with management, rather than be replaced by workers who havent accrued as many benefits. Some resorts and casinos argued mandates would be difficult to enforce and could hamper the state's path to recovery.

Lawmakers introduced an amendment to the proposal on Tuesday night that addressed concerns about enforcement and litigation, giving management at least 15 days to comply with the rehiring law before the issues can go to court or the state Labor Commissioner. The Senate passed the amended proposal on Wednesday, sending it to the Assembly.

ELECTIONS AND VOTING

After the country's attention was turned to Nevada's vote-counting and election procedures in 2020, lawmakers are pushing changes to the election procedures. Proposals from Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson would send mail-in ballots to all active voters in future elections and make Nevada's presidential primary the first in the nation.

Both proposals sat in a budget committee with no hearing scheduled for more than a month but were discussed on Tuesday and passed through the Assembly on Wednesday.

PUBLIC OPTION

Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro's proposal to create a state-based public health insurance option passed the Senate on Monday but has yet to be heard in the Assembly. Hospital associations and insurance companies have vehemently opposed the measure, arguing mandates and price controls could compel providers to leave Nevada and exacerbate the states practitioner shortage. The bill passed the Senate on Monday and how heads to the Assembly.

GOVERNMENT TRACKING

The Associated Press and The Markup reported weeks ago that the vaccination website run by a nonprofit on behalf of the state planted more third-party cookies and ad trackers than any state vaccination website in the country. The disclosure prompted Republican lawmakers to introduce a proposal to tighten the restrictions on how personal data can be collected from websites operated by government entities or other groups contracted to work on their behalf. The bill has yet to be scheduled for a hearing.

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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.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP)  A Rhode Island factory once praised by former President Donald Trump for ramping up production of N95 face masks in the early days of the pandemic is laying off nearly 500 workers as the pandemic eases and demand for the face coverings wanes.

A spokesperson for Honeywell International told WPRI-TV on Wednesday that about 470 jobs at the Smithfield facility are being cut.

Employees are being urged to apply for other jobs at the company and some eligible workers will receive severance, he said.

We are now seeing a dramatic reduction in demand for N95s in the U.S. as many states are ending or scaling back mask mandates and vaccinations are being widely distributed, Eric Krantz said in a statement. For these reasons, Honeywell is adjusting its N95 operations and ceasing manual production of N95s at our facility in Smithfield.

The company is shifting production of N95s to more efficient, automated production lines that were created during the pandemic, he said.

The disposable respirators are critical safety equipment for health care workers and others.

We appreciate the hard work and dedication these employees displayed in helping to protect American frontline workers battling the pandemic, Krantz said.

The Smithfield facility also produces eye protection products, including safety glasses, goggles and face shields.

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HEALTH DEPARTMENT DATA

The Rhode Island Department of Health on Wednesday announced nearly 80 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus, one additional virus-related death and a daily positivity rate of 1%.

The number of people in the state's hospitals was up slightly to 70, according to the latest data.

Of the new cases, 65 were recorded on Tuesday and 13 were added to previous dates.

The number of fatalities is now 2,708.

Although vaccination rates are slowing down, nearly 541,000 people have been fully vaccinated in the state.
PHOENIX (AP)  A federal judge has denied compassionate release from prison for a Phoenix man convicted of making false statements to FBI agents and witness tampering during the investigation of a terror attack six years ago in suburban Dallas.

U.S. District Judge John Tuchi cited the prisoners refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine when rejecting a claim in an order issued Monday that Abdul Khabir Wahid's continued incarceration leaves him vulnerable to the coronavirus.

Wahid argued that his HIV diagnosis and hypertension make him susceptible to severe or fatal consequences were he to contract the virus in prison. He is serving a 5- year sentence for convictions stemming from his conduct during the investigation of a 2015 attack on a Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest in Garland, Texas. Wahid wasnt directly involved in the attack, authorities said.

Tuchi concluded that Wahid didnt present extraordinary and compelling reasons to justify a sentence reduction, noting a decline in COVID-19 cases at the Arizona prison where Wahid is incarcerated and his refusal to take the vaccine.

Whatever the reasons for his refusal, the court will not allow defendant to create an increased risk to himself  and therefore try to conjure an extraordinary and compelling circumstance  by declining a readily available and overwhelmingly significant preventative measure, Tuchi wrote.

The judge said granting Wahids request would reward him for prolonging the risk of infection to himself with a sentence reduction.

The 2015 attack was carried out by two of Wahids friends from Phoenix, Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi, who were killed by police after the pair opened fire outside the anti-Islam event. Wahid also testified at the trial of Abdul Malik Abdul Kareem, a Phoenix man convicted of conspiring to provide guns to Simpson and Soofi.

Wahid was convicted of falsely portraying to federal agents what transpired when Simpson and Soofi, who were followers of the Islamic State, visited his home two days before the attack. He also was found guilty of witness tampering for urging Soofis brother to not talk to FBI agents in the weeks after the attack.

Prosecutors have said Wahid failed to alert authorities that Simpson was obsessed with jihad, or holy war, and had invited Wahid to participate in an attack on a U.S. military base.

In an earlier ruling, Tuchi said Wahid was aware from visits to Soofi and Simpsons apartment in Phoenix that the pair had watched Islamic State videos of beheadings, possessed assault weapons and that Simpson had expressed a desire to avenge his faith. Still, Tuchi said it wasnt proven that Wahid intended for Simpson and Soofi to succeed.

Wahid has said if he had tipped off law enforcement about Simpson, he feared Simpson would have known he alerted investigators. Wahid has described himself as a typical American father and said that he isnt a terrorist.

He is expected to be released from prison in May 2024.
HONOLULU (AP)  A man who pointed a handgun at Honolulu police remained hospitalized Wednesday, the morning after an officer shot him, Acting Chief Rade Vanic said.

It was the third time Honolulu police officers have shot someone this year. The other two happened in April and were fatal.

Plainclothes officers located a 27-year-old man wanted on two warrants late Tuesday in Kalihi behind the wheel of a parked Jeep, Vanic said.

When officers ordered him out of the vehicle, he drove out of a parking stall and hit four vehicles.

He was exiting his vehicle with a gun brandished in his hand and pointing it towards the direction of the officer, Vanic said.

The officers were wearing bulletproof vests marked with police, and are not among the officers assigned to wear cameras. Uniformed officers wear cameras but the department is looking to also have plainclothes officers wear them in the future, Vanic said.

He said police won't release surveillance footage from the area.

The man, whose name was not released, was struck multiple times in the upper body, Vanic said. The warrants are for charges including kidnapping, abuse of a household member and firearms offenses, Vanic said.

He was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
SAN DIEGO (AP)  In March of 2020, Estela Lazo appeared before Immigration Judge Lee OConnor with her two children, her muscles tensed and a lump in her throat. Would they receive asylum?

OConnors answer: No  he wasnt even ready to consider the question.

But he issued a ruling that seemed promising: It was illegal to force the Honduran family to wait in Mexico, under then-President Donald Trumps cornerstone policy to deter asylum-seekers. OConnor said he was dismissing their case due to government missteps and scheduled another hearing in his San Diego courtroom in a month.

Paradoxically and typically, the family was sent back to Mexico to await its next day in court.

But when Lazo, her 10-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter appeared at a Tijuana border crossing for the follow-up hearing, U.S. authorities denied them entry because their case had been closed.

Lazos inability to have her claim even considered on its merits is one of many anomalies of the policy known as Remain in Mexico, an effort so unusual that it often ran afoul of fundamental principles of justice -- such as the right to a day in court.

As President Joe Biden undoes Trump immigration policies that he considers inhumane, he faces a major question: How far should he go to right his predecessors perceived wrongs?

Biden halted Remain in Mexico his first day in office and soon announced that an estimated 26,000 asylum-seekers with active cases could wait in the United States, a process that could take several years in backlogged courts. More than 10,000 have been admitted to the U.S. so far.

But that leaves out more than 30,000 asylum-seekers whose claims were denied or dismissed under the policy, known officially as Migrant Protection Protocols. Advocates are pressing for them to get another chance.

Many asylum-seekers whose claims were denied for failure to appear in court say they were kidnapped in Mexico. Others were too sick or afraid to travel to a border crossing in a dangerous city with appointments as early as 4:30 a.m. Human Rights First, an advocacy group, tallied more than 1,500 publicly reported attacks against people subject to the policy.

Then there are about 6,700 asylum-seekers like Lazo whose cases were dismissed, according to Syracuse Universitys Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. It was usually after judges found the government erred applying the policy. Many were returned to Mexico indefinitely, some after U.S. authorities filled out forms with fake court dates to make sure Mexico took them back.

In San Diego more than 5,600 cases were dismissed. When a Homeland Security attorney challenged Immigration Judge Lee O'Connor at a hearing in October 2019, he thundered that he took an oath to uphold U.S. laws, not to acquiesce when they are flagrantly violated.

For Lizeth -- who spoke to The Associated Press on condition that her full name not be published due to safety concerns -- an OConnor ruling led to a Kafkaesque nightmare.

Lizeth said she fled Santa Ana, El Salvador, in January 2019, on the run from a police officer who demanded sexual acts. Then 31, she never said goodbye to her five children -- ages 5 to 12 -- fearing the officer would discover where they lived.

Her freedom was short lived. She said she was kidnapped near Mexicos border with Guatemala, and her captors drove her in a minivan to Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, and forced her into prostitution. She escaped four months later and entered the U.S. illegally at San Diego.

When OConnor dropped Lizeths case in October 2019, saying she was illegally returned to Mexico, U.S. Customs and Border Protection gave her slip of paper to appear for court on Dec. 16 -- even though no hearing was scheduled. Asked about the fake court dates that she and other asylum-seekers received, CBP said at the time that they were intended as check-ins for updates on the status of their cases, but the notice didnt say that and updates are done over the phone or online.

The Justice Departments Executive Office for Immigration Review, which oversees immigration courts, said it does not comment on judges rulings.

It is unclear how often CBP issued tear sheets with fake court dates to get asylum-seekers with dismissed cases back to Mexico, but anecdotal evidence suggests it was common for some time. San Diego attorney Bashir Ghazialam has about a dozen clients who got fake court dates in late 2019 after their cases were dismissed and knows about three dozen more from other lawyers.

Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez, Mexicos consul general in San Diego, said he learned about the fake court dates from news reports and non-governmental organizations in late 2019, leading Mexican immigration authorities to more closely examine documents of asylum-seekers being returned to wait. The practice appears to have lasted about three months.

The judges' core reason for dismissing cases was technical: Only arriving aliens should be eligible for Remain in Mexico, or anyone who appears at an official port of entry like a land crossing. People crossing the border illegally -- who made up about 90% of those subject to the policy -- are not arriving aliens as defined by law.

Faced with having their cases dismissed, the Border Patrol regularly left blank a place in charging documents that asks how asylum-seekers entered the country. When they reported for their first court dates, U.S. authorities amended their complaints to say -- falsely -- that they first sought to gain entry at an official crossing, making them arriving aliens.

The administration has yet to say if asylum-seekers whose cases were denied or dismissed under Remain in Mexico will have another shot. When asked, aides have emphasized Bidens promise of a humane asylum system to be unveiled soon.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  Yet another mayoral candidate in north-central Mexico has been killed, bringing to 34 the number of candidates murdered nationwide ahead of the June 6 elections.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Wednesday the killing was without doubt the work of organized crime gangs. The Etellekt consulting firm said the overwhelming majority of the 34 slain candidates were vying for nominations or running for local posts.

Alma Barragan was killed Tuesday while campaigning for the mayorship of the city of Moroleon in violence-plagued Guanajuato state.

Experts say drug gangs want to place sympathetic candidates in town halls and city governments, so they can operate without interference from police and extort money from local businesses and government budgets.

Lopez Obrador said the gangs were killing candidates to scare voters away from the polls.

When there is a lot of abstentionism, the mafias dominate the elections, the president said.

Barragan was running on the ticket of the small Citizen's Movement party, which said in a statement that, It is unthinkable that participating in political life means putting one's life at risk.

This is the most violent election in Mexican history, and in Citizen's Movement we are not willing to act as if that is normal.

Moroleon is located near the border with Michoacan state, also hit by drug cartel violence. The insurgent Jalisco cartel has been fighting local gangs backed by the Sinaloa cartel for control of Guanajuato.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP)  Nebraska lawmakers expanded Nebraska's food stamp and heating assistance programs and ordered the state to take over the management of Omaha Public Schools' troubled pension system on Wednesday, brushing aside the objections of Gov. Pete Ricketts.

Lawmakers overrode the Republican governor's vetoes of all three bills on the second-to-last day of this year's regular session.

The newly enacted laws will allow an additional 3,945 Nebraska families to qualify for federal food-assistance benefits, expand eligibility for federal heating assistance, and direct the state's public-employee retirement agency to start managing the investments that pay for teacher pensions in the state's largest school district.

In his veto letters, Ricketts argued that the food-assistance bill would create a disincentive to work at a time when businesses are desperate for employees. He said the energy assistance bill relied on a one-time infusion of federal money to permanently expand the benefit. And he argued that the state's managerial takeover of the Omaha Public Schools' pension fund was part of a push by the district to eventually have the state assume responsibility for its $1 billion pension liability.

On each measure, lawmakers rejected the governor's arguments.

The sponsor of the food-assistance law, Sen. John McCollister, said most people who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP or food stamps, are already employed. And he said those who aren't often suffer from serious disabilities or are caring for a relative.

McCollister said the proposal would give more families a new lease on life, by raising the cutoff to qualify. The law will temporarily allow families to qualify if their gross income is 165% or less of the federal poverty level  $43,725 for a family of four. Under current Nebraska law, the same family could only qualify if they make 130% or less of the federal level, or $34,450.

Please remember that SNAP recipients are our friends, neighbors and fellow church members, said McCollister, of Omaha.

The argument didn't sway some conservative lawmakers, who viewed it as expansion of the welfare state, but lawmakers voted by the narrowest possible margin, 30-19, to override Ricketts.

You want to do your good works with your neighbor's tax dollars, because that's what we're doing here, said Sen. Mike Groene, of North Platte.

Senators voted 32-15 to override the veto of the heating-assistance bill. The sponsor, Sen. Tom Brandt, of Plymouth, said allowing more people to qualify would solve a bureaucratic problem with the program.

Because the federal government requires states to return a certain amount of unused money, the state Department of Health and Human Services has been making extra payments to current Nebraska enrollees rather than sending it back to Washington. Brandt said he was trying to stop unneeded extra payments to people" by spreading out the money among more recipients.

Ricketts countered that distributing the money to more people would eventually leave less for those who need it the most.

Senators voted, 31-18, to override the governor on the Omaha school pensions bill.

The sponsor, Sen. Mark Kolterman, of Seward, said he agreed with Ricketts that the state should not be responsible for the Omaha school district's unfunded pension liability. But he argued that any effort to have the state assume that debt would face tremendous resistance from lawmakers.

I might be wrong, but I don't see that happening, said Kolterman, the chairman of the Legislature's Retirement Systems Committee.

The $1 billion pension liability was largely the result of speculative, non-traditional investments made after the 2008 recession by a trustee board with no professional investing experience. Kolterman said Omaha Public Schools is one of just 10 districts nationally and the only one in Nebraska that manages its own investments.

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Follow Grant Schulte on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrantSchulte
SHELBY, N.C. (AP)  Parents who said their 2-year-old son was the victim of a drive-by shooting have been arrested after detectives determined that they were responsible for the shooting, a North Carolina sheriff's office said Wednesday.

The shooting occurred at a Lawndale home on Mother's Day, May 9, the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. Deputies said the boy was shot in the abdomen and rushed to a hospital in Shelby for emergency surgery to stabilize him before being flown to hospital in Charlotte.
Im not out of order, King said. I had my hand up before. I see the play here, I called for a roll call, just like we did before. This is just inequity playing out, right here in front of us.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  A Florida-based group of Romanian nationals stole $740,000 from hundreds of churches by taking donation checks from their mailboxes and cashing them, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said Wednesday.

Four people were arrested and two others are wanted in what authorities are calling Operation Thou Shalt Not Steal.

The group was based in Orlando but traveled throughout Florida and other states stealing checks, investigators said. In all, authorities identified 636 churches that were victims, including 355 in Florida.

This low-tech yet well-organized effort to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of mailed-in charitable donations  at a time when donations may have been most needed  has been stopped," FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said in a news release.

The group had numerous bank accounts it used to deposit the checks and then used ATMs to withdraw cash as soon as they cleared.

Arrested Wednesday were Ionut Raducan, 33; Marius Dumitru, 27; Marius Dumitru, 34; and Panait Dumitru, 32. Each was charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering, racketeering, grand theft, unlawful possession of personal identification information and money laundering.

All were being held in the Orange County jail. Jail records didn't list a lawyer for the men. Authorities are still searching for Catalin Trandafir, 45, and Simona Trandafir, 39, who face the same charges.

The investigation began last December after Cape Coral police determined 24 Lee County churches were victims. Authorities said the group spent the money on cars, food and clothing and made high-value wire transfers to Romania.

Attorney General Ashley Moody's Office of Statewide Prosecution will prosecute the case.

Churches depend on donations from generous members of the community to operate and serve those in need. It is despicable that this crime ring would exploit the selfless acts of kindness displayed through these donations for selfish greed," Moody said in a news release.

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The name of the investigation has been corrected to Operation Thou Shalt Not Steal in the headline, summary and story.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  An energy company that gave the money in an alleged $60 million bribery scheme in Ohio and a man accused of spending a large chunk of it are now arguing in separate proceedings that their actions were legal.

Neither asserts the money didnt flow.

Akron-based FirstEnergyCorp. argues that political donations are protected by the First Amendment and a federal criminal complaint failed to provide evidence that money was exchanged for official favors, according to a motion filed by company attorneys seeking dismissal of shareholder lawsuits.

Matt Borges, a former state Republican Party chair and lobbyist, called violations of campaign finance law leveled against him by the state elections chief, based off the federal complaint, absurd and without merit, according to a recent affidavit submitted to the Ohio Elections Commission. He doesn't deny he paid $15,000 in dark money funneled through a private bank account to another person, only the details of their arrangement.

As FirstEnergy and Borges lay out their defenses, campaign finance experts say their tacit acknowledgement is notable.

We've been in a place with money in politics for awhile where the scandal isn't a paper bag of money in a dark alleyway, but the scandal is what's legal," said Ian Vandewalker, senior counsel in the Brennan Centers Democracy Program.

Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, said her organization is watching the sweeping federal racketeering case in Ohio to see if it clarifies the law around dark money organizations: It may be legal. We shall see. Even some things that are legal strike average people as sketchy."

The latest FirstEnergy and Borges filings appear against the backdrop of what federal prosecutors described in July as, not everyday political giving, but an elaborate secret scheme orchestrated by then-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder to gain the speaker's chair, elect political allies, pass a $1 billion nuclear bailout law and crush a ballot effort aimed at repealing it.

Householder, a Republican who's been demoted but not unseated from the House, also maintains that he is innocent and expects to be vindicated. Federal prosecutors charge that FirstEnergy funneled millions through a network of private businesses, bank accounts and dark money groups controlled by Householder, who, along with four associates including Borges, spent it on candidates, campaigns, influence peddling and personal expenses.

Bipartisan calls to remove Householder from office escalated this week, with both House Democrats and a pair of fellow Republicans introducing resolutions to do so.

Both he and Borges have pleaded not guilty to racketeering charges. Two others charged in the probe have pleaded guilty and a third died by suicide in March.

In his affidavit, Borges said recordings of conversations between him and Tyler Fehrman, who wore a wire for the FBI while working for the repeal effort, were selectively edited to make those discussions appear as bad as possible. Fehrman declined comment, referring a reporter to details in the criminal complaint. A preliminary review of Borges' elections case is scheduled for June 24.

FirstEnergy's filing said there was no explicit agreement between the company and Householder and his associates to commit an unlawful act.

Its attorneys referred to FirstEnergy spending on the effort to pass the nuclear bailout bill, House Bill 6, as not bribes but contributions and to nonprofits implicated in the alleged scheme as not dark money groups but as "social welfare organizations.

Krumholz said social welfare is often far from these groups' main mission.

These are not your average Girls and Boys Clubs, she said.

She said if the scheme fails to produce convictions, Ohioans will be worse off  but they will have learned something about politics as usual.

The bottom line is this leaves Ohioans in the dark about how money is used to influence the laws that their representatives pass and that will govern their lives, she said. And thats why its called dark money. It leaves us in the dark.

Vandewalker said, Of course, the people who are receiving the money know exactly where it's coming from and what those people want.

Generation Now, the dark money group also indicted in July alongside Householder and the others, pleaded guilty in February.

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Gillispie reported from Cleveland. AP reporter Andrew Welsh-Huggins contributed to this report.
SYDNEY (AP)  A recreational plane landed safely on a Sydney beach with three people aboard including a baby on Wednesday after its single engine failed, officials said.

The Tecnam P2008 aircraft landed without incident on Collaroy Beach in northern Sydney early afternoon, a police statement said.

The 25-year-old male pilot, a 28-year-old female passenger and a 1-year-old boy were not injured, police said.

The pilot made a forced landing following a reported engine failure, said the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, a crash investigator.

The plane appeared to land gently on the beach just above the water line.

The plane had taken off from Bankstown Airport in Sydney's southwest less than an hour before it had mechanical problems, Nine News reported.

They were OK. A little bit shaken up. Obviously, not the intended flight path for them, but they were fine. We didnt need to provide any medical treatment, ambulance official Dave Stubbs told reporters.

Surfer Fabio Silvestre watched from the sea the plane land and said it was fortunate that no one was on the beach in its path.

The plane was a recreational category aircraft and any safety investigation would be conducted by the Recreational Aviation Australia agency. An agency spokesperson was not available for comment.
DOVER, Del. (AP)  A Dover man is facing a fourth offense drunken driving charge after police said he led Delaware state troopers on a chase around his neighborhood.

Troopers responded around 4 a.m. Tuesday to a complaint that loud music was playing in a Chevrolet sedan parked along Harvest Grove Trail in Dover, Delaware State Police said in a news release.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  With employers struggling to fill positions as post-pandemic restrictions end, North Carolina state senators advanced a proposal Wednesday giving $1,500 bonuses to unemployment benefit recipients who return to work this summer.

The Senate Commerce Committee gave bipartisan support to the measure, which would offer bonuses, but only if federal labor officials allow the state to use money coming from Washington that's made unemployment benefits more generous during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill also would place additional requirements upon current beneficiaries to respond to job interview requests, or they could ultimately see benefits cut off.

Its a good first step to helping us address the workforce shortages that we have in North Carolina right now, Sen. Chuck Edwards, a Henderson County Republican, told the committee.

The additional $300-a-week benefit provided by Washington is proving to be a disincentive to some displaced workers, according to bill supporters. Several senators have been told by local employers that they cant find enough people to hire, even while increasing wages.

This crisis is widespread; its impacting all industries, all sizes all across North Carolina, said Nicole Hendren with Catapult, a North Carolina-based employer consultant on personnel and other issues. The federal supplement is creating an incentive to not work. Elimination or repurposing is key.

Lynn Minges, president of the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association, said its member businesses lost workers permanently during last year's restrictions on in-person dining. Now that all capacity limits are lifted, the industry loss of a ready workforce is being felt.

We have hotels who are now turning away reservations because they cant service rooms. We have restaurants that ... now are shutting their dining room two days a week because they cant find workers, Minges said. Without workers, the hospitality industry cannot sustain and cannot recover.

With federal approval, the bill would provide $1,500 bonuses to people who accept reemployment within 30 days. The bonus would drop to $800 if they begin employment on or after 30 days but before 60 days.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who would be asked to sign any bill into law, issued an executive order the day after the measure surfaced last week that requires all unemployment benefit claimants to meet work search requirements in state law starting June 6. The work-search mandate was suspended last year and partially reinstituted in March. Cooper also directed the state Commerce Department to find ways the state could create an incentives programs using federal funds.

Hendren said employers are concerned that the unemployed may work for a short period of time to receive the bonus, then quit. Edwards, a fast-food restaurant operator, said later that there's no guarantee a worker won't leave quickly. He said he believes it would be difficult for these workers to requalify for pandemic benefits.

Edwards said he's speaking with Senate Democrats about whether the bill can be amended to address helping people whose child care challenges are an obstacle to retaining employment. The bill next heads to another Senate committee.

North Carolina's unemployment rate was 5% in April, marking a decline for the seventh consecutive month. The jobless rate reached a pandemic high of 13.5% in spring 2020.

More than 20 states plan to begin blocking the $300-a-week federal payment for the unemployed starting in June. Interest in North Carolina doing the same has been muted, but GOP U.S. Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis urged Cooper on Wednesday to end the expanded benefits immediately and focus on incentives to return people to the workforce.

The employment shortage caused by exorbitant federal unemployment benefits is a real and serious threat to North Carolinas recovery," Tillis and Burr said in a joint statement.
O'FALLON, Mo. (AP)  Environmental Protection Agency officials improperly influenced a decision to re-approve use of dicamba, a herbicide blamed for crop damage in hundreds of lawsuits, during the Trump administration, according to an internal agency report.

We found that the EPAs 2018 decision to extend registrations for three dicamba pesticide products varied from typical operating procedures, a summary of the report released Monday by the EPA's Office of Inspector General stated. Namely, the EPA did not conduct the required internal peer reviews of scientific documents created to support the dicamba decision.

Dicamba is found in several products and used on tens of millions of acres of soybeans and cotton nationwide. It has been the subject of multiple lawsuits, mostly by farmers whose crops are not dicamba-resistant, but whose land sits next to farms using the weedkiller. The lawsuits claim that wind blows dicamba onto their land, damaging and often killing their crops.

Farmers have been using dicamba for more than 50 years, but after Monsanto  which was bought by Bayer in 2018  released dicamba-tolerant cotton and soybeans, the herbicides use became more widespread.

In February 2020, Bayer and BASF were ordered to pay $265 million to a Missouri peach farmer who said the herbicide drifted from nearby cotton fields and damaged thousands of his trees.

Bayer said in June that it would pay up to $400 million to settle claims of dicamba drift. But Paul Lesko, a St. Louis attorney who is handling several dicamba cases, said the new EPA report could open the way for new litigation.

Anybody that doesnt settle or for cases going forward, I think its a big deal, Lesko said. I think it shows that punitive damages are back in play.

Companies that make dicamba were licensed in 2016 and the EPA renewed the license for two years in 2018.

The EPA report said three agency officials were more involved in the dicamba decision (in 2018) than in other pesticide registration decisions. This led to senior-level changes to or omissions from scientific documents. For instance, these documents excluded some conclusions initially assessed by staff scientists to address stakeholder risks. We also found that staff felt constrained or muted in sharing their concerns on the dicamba registrations.

The report said those actions led to a federal appeals court's decision last year vacating the 2018 registrations. In that ruling, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge William Fletcher wrote that the EPA overstated the protections and understated or ignored the environmental and economic risks of dicamba.

A statement from Bayer said the company stands behind its dicamba-containing XtendiMax herbicide, which has been reviewed and approved for use under different administrations. The company said the herbicide helps growers safely and successfully protect their crops from tough-to-control weeds.

Email messages left Wednesday with BASF werent immediately returned.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  The leader of the Salvation Army of Jackson is moving to a new post with the organization in Alabama.

Major Robert Lyle is leaving Mississippi to serve as an area commander for the charity organizations Birmingham, Alabama branch, WAPT-TV reported.
A Santa Barbara man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to setting a wildfire that forced hundreds of people from their homes.

Victor Angel Hernandez, 23, is accused of setting a hillside fire last week in Santa Barbara that triggered evacuations and damaged two homes, prosecutors said.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  A federal judge has approved a settlement in a lawsuit focused on a beleaguered part of Virginia's unemployment system in an effort to speed up benefits for people who are out of work.

U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson approved the settlement Tuesday in a suit filed last month on behalf of five women who alleged gross failures to provide needed help as required by law amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Virginia has done well in quickly processing simple unemployment benefits for eligible individuals as applications surged amid the pandemic, but the state has recently been dead last for timely processing of certain claims that require additional adjudication, data show.

The judge's order directs the Virginia Employment Commission to increase the number of unemployment insurance claims adjudicated each week. It also says that the agency shall substantially resolve" at least 95% of unpaid claims awaiting adjudication by Labor Day.

It also directs the commission to improve communication with applicants and recipients and begin planning for a process to automatically provide information to each claimant about how to apply for other government assistance programs.

I was cut off benefits, without information or a chance to fight for them, nine months ago. Its beyond frustrating not to know whats going on  and my daughter and I lost our apartment in the process. Its time for Virginia to fix this, Amber Dimmerling, one of the plaintiffs, said in a statement.

The commission said in a statement that the settlement is a reflection of its ongoing efforts to speed up the processing of claims in adjudication, which represent just 4% of all claims.

The agency said that in addition to hiring hundreds of staff and contractors, it also recently hired a private sector partner with 300 additional staff to expand adjudication.

Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam issued an order last month directing the agency to commence with many of the same initiatives outlined in the settlement.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs said the judge's order approving the settlement pauses the litigation while the agency works to implement the terms.
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP)  Slovakia on Wednesday became the second European Union country to authorize use of the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine, which has not yet been approved by the bloc's drug regulator.

The Slovak government asked Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky  who has expressed reservations about the Russian COVID-19 vaccine  to make it available by June 7. Slovakia has 200,000 doses of Sputnik V in stock but had not allowed its use until now.

Hungary is the only other EU nation to use Sputnik V, which has not been authorized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

A secret deal for Slovakia to purchase 2 million Sputnik V shots orchestrated by then-Prime Minister Igor Matovic triggered a political crisis in March that resulted in the Slovak governments collapse.

Use of the vaccine still remains controversial.

Lengvarsky had said Tuesday that he would prefer Sputnik V to be first authorized by the EMA before it is administered in his country.

He answered no on Wednesday when asked whether he was ready to get a shot of Sputnik V or would recommend it to his relatives.

Lengvarsky said his ministry was working to allow people to have a free choice among the available vaccines, including Sputnik V.

Slovakia has been administering the Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca jabs, and will also use Johnson & Johnson  all authorized by EMA.

Lengvarsky said Sputnik V will be administered to people aged 18 - 60 because his country doesn't have enough information from Russia to allow it for older people.

He said the Slovak state takes responsibility for possible negative side effects of the vaccine.

After the 200,000 Sputnik V shots are used up, more of the Russian vaccine will be imported to the country only after it is approved by EMA, Lengvarsky said.

The nation of 5.4 million has fully vaccinated 774,928 people. More than 1.6 million received at least one shot.

___

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Workers rights will be prioritized and not just in this General Assembly, but we will bake it (in) and we will make it permanent in the Constitution of the state of Illinois for our children for generations to come, Evans said.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  An internal investigation into an apparent bureaucratic blunder by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolfs administration that scuttled a statewide voter referendum sought by victims of childhood sexual abuse found no evidence of a deliberate attempt to derail it.

The Office of Inspector General's report, released Wednesday, said agents interviewed 22 current and former state employees and reviewed the email accounts of nine state officials for any evidence of outside influence or intentional acts.

Rather, it said, Wolf's Department of State  which oversees elections and professional licensing and has about 500 employees  had no executive office, bureau or executive staff member responsible for overseeing internal processes for constitutional amendments.

The referendum was to be on whether to give victims of childhood sexual abuse a fresh opportunity to sue their abusers and complicit institutions, a proposal propelled by damning investigative reports in 2016 and 2018 on Pennsylvania's Roman Catholic dioceses.

The mistake has sparked outrage in the community of childhood sexual abuse survivors. Some questioned anew Wednesday how it was possible that the Department of State had successfully advertised other proposed constitutional amendments.

One cant help but think, Was this a political assassination? said Mike McDonnell, 52, who has told of being sexually abused by a Roman Catholic priest in his suburban Philadelphia parish. "A survivor cant help but think that this was purposely done.

The Associated Press does not name survivors of sexual abuse unless they come forward publicly.

State Rep. Jim Gregory, R-Blair, himself a victim of childhood sexual abuse, said, Nobody was actually fired as a result of this and that's unconscionable to me, unconscionable to victims.

The referendum had been on track for last week's primary election until the Democratic administration revealed four months ago that it hadn't advertised the proposal in newspapers across Pennsylvania, as is constitutionally required.

Many victims lost the right to sue when they turned 18 or were young adults, depending on state law at the time. Under the proposed amendment, they would have had two years to sue over their alleged abuse, no matter how long ago it occurred.

A referendum may now have to wait until 2023, with Senate Republicans, in the majority, thus far unwilling to use an emergency process to amend the constitution or pass legislation to change the law right away.

The Department of States top official, Secretary Kathy Boockvar, resigned over the matter in February. The agency's legislative liaison resigned on Friday, but agency officials would not say whether it was related.

Still, the report made clear that top department officials believed it was the liaisons responsibility to notify the relevant agency bureaus to carry out the advertising.

The liaison told agents that the proposed amendment did not affect the Department of State's functions, and he thus did not believe it his responsibility to notify agency bureaus and did not realize that his notifications triggered the advertising process.

Wolf's acting secretary of state, Veronica Degraffenreid, said in a news conference Wednesday that she accepted the inspector general's report and was carrying out its recommendations so that such a failure will never happen again.

The report quickly became political grist.

Two Senate Republican committee chairs said it raised more questions, demanded accountability and vowed to get to the bottom of what happened. House Minority Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, urged Senate Republicans to quickly pass the House's legislation to give victims the right to sue.

The House has commissioned a panel to look into the matter and passed legislation in April  for the third time in five years  to change the law to restore the right of now-adult victims to sue.

Senate Republicans, however, are blocking such legislation, as they have since 2016, amid opposition over the years from insurers, the Roman Catholic bishops and various business advocacy groups.

Senate Republicans argue that the right to sue must be restored constitutionally to be legal. Wolf and state Attorney General Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, disagree.

Gregory said victims are spending every day they can, away from families and jobs, to go to the state Capitol and lobby senators to pass the House bill.

This is what we have available to us, this is what the victims are asking for, lets give them a chance to have their day in court and not decide it for them," Gregory said. "Let the courts decide it. We do that in this body regularly.

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Follow Marc Levy on Twitter at https://twitter.com/timelywriter.
GENEVA (AP)  The Swiss government on Wednesday pulled out of years-long negotiations with the European Union on a comprehensive package of bilateral accords, after the two sides failed to reach agreement on the cross-border movement of jobseekers and other key issues.

Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said the government informed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about Switzerland's decision to withdraw from the talks  a breakdown that could resonate with Britain as it seeks to flesh out its own ties with the EU following the wrenching, divisive Brexit process.

The collapse of talks could have significant repercussions for the wealthy Alpine nation of about 8.5 million people, which is all but surrounded by EU nations. Some 1.4 million EU citizens live in Switzerland, and about 340,000 people commute across the border to work in an array of Swiss industries.

The negotiations largely stumbled over EU demands for its citizens to have full access to the Swiss labor market, including those seeking work. Switzerland had resisted such a move. Cassis said it could mark a paradigm shift which might result in non-Swiss citizens getting social security rights.

Cassis said Switzerland hoped to remain a close partner of the 27-nation bloc, with which it has more than 100 bilateral treaties, but also suggested his country deserved respect it wasn't getting from the EU.

We want Switzerland to be treated on an equal footing compared to other third-party states (outside the EU), whether it's a question of cooperation or the recognition of equal standards," Cassis told reporters in Bern, the capital.

The EU's executive Commission expressed regret at what it called a unilateral Swiss decision, and said the negotiations were aimed to ensure that anyone with access to the bloc's single market faces the same conditions. It said decades-old EU-Swiss agreements were not up to speed for current bilateral ties.

"We will now analyze carefully the impact of this announcement," it said.

But the bloc has been unflinching in its previous warnings about what a failure to strike the institutional framework agreement would mean. The EU has circulated a fact sheet suggesting that a lack of common rules could cause Switzerland to lose its privileged connection with the blocs electricity system and that the lack of a framework accord was hampering access of Swiss air carriers to the EUs internal market.

The EU also suggested that cooperation in the health sector or labor market would suffer. It has warned that failure to reach an agreement could harm numerous existing agreements, including cooperation in the areas of trade, education and research.

Over the years, the Swiss have demonstrated hot-and-cold attitudes about EU migrants, which has put pressure on top politicians in a country where a nationalist, populist party still holds the most seats in parliament.

Lawmakers, bound by previous pacts with the EU, struggled to apply the popular will as expressed in a 2014 referendum called Stop mass immigration, which largely was intended to cap the number of EU citizens in Switzerland.

Cassis acknowledged that the potential cost of granting the EU's demands were only part of the calculation.

A very important element, which the federal council perhaps considered more serious, was the political dimension, he said. If there's one issue that's delicate and sensitive in the population, it's the issue of free movement."

The minister suggested that after spending years fine-tuning its immigration policy to achieve social peace," the Swiss government did not want to upset that balance.

Cassis said the government has long maintained that it wants to keep ties built on bilateral agreements and that other talks could continue even if the ones on a sweeping framework accord had failed.

This shouldnt be compared with Brexit at all. Brexit was the exact opposite, Cassis said. They (the British) took a step backward and wanted to completely distance themselves. So its a totally different logic than that of Brexit, and we are not before a cliff edge.

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Jordans reported from Berlin. Raf Casert in Brussels contributed to this report.
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP)  Thousands of Syrians lined up outside polling stations in parts of their war-torn country to cast votes on Wednesday, in elections dismissed as a sham and guaranteed to give longtime President Bashar Assad a fourth seven-year term.

The vote's legitimacy was challenged by throngs of Syrians living outside of government-controlled areas, who rallied to denounce what they called a farcical play that ignores the countrys reality.

Torn by a decade-old conflict, Syria is divided into areas controlled by the government, rebel fighters and foreign troops, all competing for influence and resources.

Half of Syrias pre-war population of 23 million has been displaced  mostly living outside of government-controlled areas where they wont vote. Over 5 million were driven out and live in neighboring countries where the vote is not held. The fighting has left nearly half a million dead and hundreds of thousands detained or missing.

Western countries also dismissed the election as illegitimate, saying it violates U.N. resolutions adopted to resolve the crisis through negotiations between the government and opposition groups, and the drafting of a new charter.

The Assad regimes so-called presidential election is neither free nor fair, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a Twitter post Wednesday. The U.S. joins France, Germany, Italy, and the UK in calling for the rejection of the regimes attempts to regain legitimacy without respecting the Syrian peoples human rights and freedoms.

Assad blasted the criticism saying those who dismiss the vote as illegitimate have colonial history.

We as a state are not concerned about such statements, Assad said after casting his ballot in the Damascus suburb of Douma where he arrived with his wife Asma, driving his own car.

The area was one of the main rebel strongholds until it was retaken by government forces in 2018. It was the scene of an alleged poison gas attack in April 2018 that triggered strikes by the U.S., Britain and France.

The vote is the second presidential election since the countrys conflict began 10 years ago.

This time, it comes after the 55-year-old Assad weathered what at one point appeared to be an imminent threat from western and regional-backed armed rebels within miles of the capital.

Since the 2014 vote, Russia and Iran have thrown their military and financial capabilities behind Assads government and troops pushing back military threats and propping up his cash-strapped government facing western sanctions.

Assad took over in 2000 from his father Hafez, who ruled before that for 30 years. The civil war broke out in 2011 when Arab Spring-inspired protests against Assad family rule turned into an armed insurgency in response to a brutal military crackdown.

Wednesdays vote is held under Syrias current constitution, disregarding U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254 from 2015, which unanimously endorsed a political process and road map to peace that begins with drafting a new constitution and ends with U.N.-supervised elections.

Two other little-known figures, Abdullah Salloum Abdullah and Mahmoud Marie, are also running for the countrys top post. But competition with Assad is largely seen as symbolic.

Starting at 7 a.m., thousands began arriving at polling stations in Damascus, thronging streets festooned with giant posters of Assad and banners praising his rule. Most were not wearing masks, despite a coronavirus outbreak.

We choose the future. We choose Bashar Assad, read one of thousands of banners raised in the capital Damascus.

I am here to vote because it is a national duty to choose a president who will lead us in the coming period, said civil servant Muhannad Helou, 38, who said he voted for Assad.

Voting was extended until midnight in 12,102 polling stations.

No vote will be held in northeast Syria, controlled by U.S.-backed Kurdish-led fighters, or in the northwestern province of Idlib  the last major rebel stronghold.

In rebel-held Idlib city, thousands took to the streets in a boisterous rally, chanting against Assad and reviving slogans used in the early days of the uprising against him.

I woke up this morning to find Bashar Assad electing himself. What a farce! said Salwa Abdel-Rahman, who wore a revolution flag around her neck and a headband that read: No to racism and tyranny. She was displaced from Aleppo in 2012.

Challenges facing Assad remain tremendous.

The vote this year comes as Syrias economy is in free fall as a result of a decade of war, Western sanctions, government corruption and the financial crisis in Lebanon, Syrias main link with the outside world.

Edward Denhert, Middle Eastern research analyst at The Economist Intelligence Unit, said in a note that the election will deepen the rift between Syria and the West and that consequently, Assad will pivot further toward its Russian and Iranian backers as well as China.

The Biden administration has said it will not recognize the result of the election unless the voting is free, fair, supervised by the United Nations, and representative of Syrian society.

The U.N. is not involved in this election and has no mandate to be, U.N. special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen told the U.N. Security Council in a briefing Wednesday. It is a source of regret that, despite our best efforts, there has been little progress this month, and indeed at all, in advancing the different dimensions of resolution 2254, he added.

Pedersen had previously singled out the Syrian government for blocking progress in the constitutional committee established to draft a new constitution.

Even in government-held areas, there was opposition to the vote. Many residents of the restive southern province of Daraa and nearby Sweida called the vote illegitimate.

Activists and opposition media platforms reported a general strike for the second day Wednesday in villages and towns in Daraa province to protest the elections and the ballot boxes in their area.

___

Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue and Sarah El Deeb in Beirut and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed reporting.
BAGHDAD (AP)  Tensions mounted in Iraq's capital on Wednesday after the arrest of a militia commander on terrorism charges, prompting a dangerous showdown by the detainee's paramilitary supporters and the Iraqi government.

The confrontation began after Iraqi security forces arrested at dawn militia leader Qassim Mahmoud Musleh based on a judicial investigation and arrest warrant on terrorism charges, Iraq's military said in a statement. The statement said he was being questioned by a joint investigative committee.

Musleh is the head of the Popular Mobilization Forces in Anbar province. The PMF is a state-sanctioned group comprised of an array of militias formed to defeat the Islamic State group in 2014. Among the most powerful members of the group are Iran-backed Shiite militia groups.

Shortly after the arrest, forces affiliated with the PMF, which maintains offices inside the heavily fortified Green Zone, were deployed surrounding Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's headquarters.

Tensions reached fever pitch when Iraqi security forces and the elite Counter-Terrorism Service were deployed to protect the government and diplomatic missions, sparking fears of violence. Some armed PMF factions gathered around the Green Zone's entrance gates.

The presence of the PMF inside the seat of Iraq's government was considered by some senior Iraqi government officials as a way to pressure al-Kadhimi to release Musleh.

The prime minister described the show of force as a serious violation of the Iraqi constitution and the laws in force," adding in a statement we have directed an immediate investigation into these movements.

Al-Kadhimi later held a meeting with senior Shiite political leaders who hold sway over the PMF. The premier also ordered the formation of an investigative committee comprised of intelligence from both defense and interior ministries and the PMF security and National Security.

Three PMF officials said after the meeting Musleh was transferred from the custody of the Joint Operations Command, which oversees an array of Iraqi security forces, to PMF security.

An Iraqi intelligence official said Musleh's arrest was recommended by the Anti-Corruption Committee headed by Lt. Gen. Ahmed Abu Ragheef, and was done based on a judicial order. The charges accuse Musleh of corruption and complicity in the assassinations of Iraqi activists in the southern city of Karbala. All four officials spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the subject.

The incident highlights the government's struggles to assert the rule of law and reign in powerful militia groups. Attempts to arrest militia-affiliated individuals in the past have unfolded along a similar pattern: Pressure from militia groups and concessions on the part of the government.

A raid carried out by the CTS last summer against the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah led to over a dozen arrests. All were eventually released after pressure and threats of escalatory violence against the government.

The rising number of assassination of outspoken activists sparked outrage and protests this week particularly after prominent protest organizer Ehab al-Wazni was gunned down in Karbala this month.

International condemnation flooded in from the United Nations and other diplomatic missions in Baghdad.

Any arrest case should run its course, as goes for any Iraqi, tweeted U.N. Special Representative to Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert. Nobody should resort to a show of force to get their way. Such behavior weakens the Iraqi state and further erodes public trust. State institutions must be respected at all times. Nobody is above the law.
NEW DELHI (AP)  As the coronavirus tears through India, night watchman Sagar Kumar thinks constantly about getting vaccines for himself and his family of five amid critical shortages of shots in the country. But even if he knew how to get one, it wouldn't be easy.

The main way is to register through a government website. But it is in English  a language the 25-year-old Kumar and nearly 90% of Indians can't speak, read or write  and his family has a single smartphone, with spotty internet service.

And even though his state of Uttar Pradesh gives free shots to those under 45, there is no vaccination site in his village, with the nearest hospital an hour away.

All I can do now is hope for the best, Kumar said.

The pandemics disparities already were stark in India, where access to health care is as stratified and unequal as many other parts of society. Now wealth and technology is further widening those chasms, and millions are falling through the gaps.

That worries health experts, who say vaccine inequality could hamper Indias already difficult fight against a virus that has been killing more than 4,000 people a day in recent weeks.

Inequitable vaccination risks prolonging the pandemic in India, said Krishna Udayakumar, founding director of the Duke Global Health Innovation Center at Duke University in North Carolina. Reducing barriers for the most vulnerable populations should be a priority.

India's vaccination campaign began in January with a goal of inoculating 300 million of its nearly 1.4 billion people by August. So far, however, it has fully vaccinated a little over 42 million people, or barely 3% of its population.

The government didn't reserve enough shots for the campaign and it was slow to scale up vaccine production. Then, with the country recording hundreds of thousands of new infections daily, the government on May 1 opened up vaccination to all adults.

That made an already bad shortage even worse.

Amid those challenges, the federal government also changed its policy on who can get vaccines and who must pay for them. It allotted itself half of the shots in the country and said it would give free shots to front-line workers and those 45 and older.

Individual states and private hospitals could then negotiate deals with the country's vaccine-makers for the other half of the shots, the government said. That effectively put the burden for inoculating everyone under 45 on states and the private sector, who often ask members of the public to pay as much as $20 for a shot.

The disparities already are showing in rich states where private hospitals tend to be concentrated.

The capital of New Delhi has given first shots to 20% of its residents, while Bihar state, one of the poorest, has only given shots to about 7.6% of its population. And even states that are providing free shots often can't keep them in stock  both because of the shortage and competition with the private sector.

Many experts say the federal policy is a mistake, and it will hit the poorest the hardest.

Vaccinating people is the national duty of the government and they need to vaccinate everyone for free, said K Srinath Reddy, president of the Public Health Foundation of India. Nobody should be denied a vaccine because they are unable to afford it or register for it.

Vaccine disparity is not just a question of inequality but also inefficiency, said developmental economist Jean Dreze.

If people get sick, Dreze said, they will not be able to work. That in turn could push many more into poverty.

Already, the poor have to miss work, forgo the days wages and travel long distances to get vaccinated.

We should not just make vaccines free but also give people incentives to get vaccinated, Dreze said.

The national government is seeking to address some of the concerns. It has said the website to register for shots will soon be available in Hindi and other regional languages. Still, experts point out half the population lacks internet access, so the better solution would be easier, walk-in registrations for all.

The government also has said it will alleviate the vaccine shortages, insisting there will be about 2 billion doses available between June and December. Experts, however, say the government will likely miss that goal.

Indias health ministry did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

Kavita Singh, 29, was making the equivalent of $250 a month working as a domestic helper in a wealthy part of the capital. But as cases began to surge in April, she lost her job.

They were scared I would spread the virus and told me to come back only after I am vaccinated, Singh said.

She could not afford paying for a shot, so Singh and her three daughters returned to her village in Bihar state. There's no vaccination center nearby, and Singh said she doesn't know if she'll ever be able to return to New Delhi.

We barely manage to earn enough for our daily means," Singh said. "If we use that money for vaccines, then what will we eat?
A deeply split New Jersey Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the conviction of a Florida woman found guilty of killing her young son in New Jersey three decades ago, with the justices divided on whether the state presented enough evidence to justify the jury's verdict.

Michelle Lodzinski's attorneys called the decision a travesty of justice and said they would consider appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The death of 5-year-old Timothy Wiltsey was one of New Jersey's most infamous cold cases after his disappearance in May 1991 and the discovery of his body several months later.

Lodzinski, his mother, was convicted in 2016 and is serving a 30-year prison sentence. Wednesday's 3-3 ruling, in which Chief Justice Stuart Rabner did not participate, upheld the conviction.

Lodzinski had been a suspect from the outset after she told investigators the boy disappeared while they were at a carnival in Sayreville but gave varying accounts describing strangers who could have kidnapped him.

Lodzinski went on with her life and had two other children, and was living in Port St. Lucie, Florida, in 2014 when authorities in New Jersey charged her with killing Wiltsey. Investigators said a break in the case had come when one of Wiltseys former babysitters identified a blue blanket, found near the boys body 11 months after he disappeared, as belonging to Lodzinski.

During her 2016 trial and on appeal, Lodzinskis lawyers argued that no forensic evidence tied her to the blanket and that prosecutors didnt produce enough evidence to show Lodzinski purposely caused the boys death. A cause of death couldnt be determined because Wiltseys body had deteriorated.

Prosecutors argued the totality of the evidence was enough to prove Lodzinski's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. An appeals court agreed in 2019 when it upheld Lodzinskis conviction.

In an opinion Wednesday, Justice Anne Patterson wrote that the sum of the circumstantial evidence presented by the state was sufficient for a jury to reach a guilty verdict. Two justices joined Pattersons opinion.

In a stinging dissent joined by two other justices, Justice Barry Albin wrote that the state presented absolutely no evidence that (Lodzinski) purposely or knowingly caused his death.

In the modern annals of New Jersey legal history Albin wrote, to my knowledge, no murder conviction has ever been upheld on such a dearth of evidence.

In an email Wednesday, Lodzinski's attorneys Gerald Krovatin and David Fassett wrote, Simply put, this case never should have been charged, much less allowed to proceed to trial and verdict. To permit this completely unsupported verdict to stand  and Ms. Lodzinski to remain in prison, having already served almost seven years for a crime she did not commit  is a travesty of justice.

The Supreme Court rejected defense attorneys' arguments that the dismissal of the jury foreman during deliberations should have merited a mistrial. The juror was dismissed after it was revealed he had done Internet research on FBI crime-scene guidelines and shared his findings with other jurors. An alternate stepped in and the panel reached a guilty verdict several hours later.
An initiative by state Rep. Tom Craddick to help establish a general surgical resident training program in the Permian Basin could be voted on by House and Senate members this week.

The rider request that Craddick submitted is in the Conference Committee report. It calls for more than $1.675 million over the biennium ($499,758 in general revenue in fiscal year 2022 and $1,176,245 in fiscal year 2023) to support administrative and residency costs for the Permian Basin Rural General Surgical Resident Training Program in association with the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

Officials called it a community-based residency program for both Midland and Odessa. There is no surgical residency program currently in the region, and this funding will allow TTUHSC to begin hiring staff.

Other recent rural health care initiatives from Craddick include another partnership with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. In 2013, Craddick drove the effort to keep and eventually expand the TTUHSC physician assistants (PA) program at Midland College. In 2019, Craddick helped secure $20 million for facilities associated with the PA program.

A second rider from Craddick this session provides funding for full-time extension agency employees that would oversee education programming about chronic disease prevention in rural parts of the Permian Basin.

One employee is based in the extension office that helps residents in Midland, Martin and Dawson counties, while the other works in the office that helps residents in Crane, Upton and Reagan counties.

Last week, Craddicks office announced two bills the Midland Republican filed that were on their way to Gov. Greg Abbotts desk.

House Bill 876 would ensure that any Texas resident who would prefer a paper check instead of an electronic fund transfer may not be charged any additional fees.

We cant discriminate against those who need and utilize paper copies Craddick stated in a news release. Even though this issue was brought to me by a constituent; I am thankful this legislation will be able to help many Texans for years to come.

House Bill 1572 seeks to clarify that a business which rents electric generation equipment is considered a retail electric provider, thus allowing these businesses to lease on a per-megawatt hour.

By clearing up the gray area for businesses, consumers will be able to be billed on a per-megawatt hour rather than solely a flat fee; Ensuring customers are being properly billed for use of an electric generator, Craddick stated.
San Francisco loves a good mural. But in the case of the artwork on the side of the SF LGBT Center, the city can just as easily hate a good mural.

The saga of the purple wall located at Octavia and Market Street has become one of the most controversial public art issues in recent memory. The wall remained empty for more than 100 years, until the street artist known as fnnch, responsible for the honey bear art around San Francisco, approached the LGBT Center with an idea for a mural commemorating the 50th year of Pride in 2020.

Fnnchs popularity has led to him raising $293,00 for charity during 2020, according to statements given to the California News Times. Fifty percent of the sales from many of his bear paintings go to associated charities, so for each $600 Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence painting you see in a window for instance, the organization received $300. He said in a statement on Instagram that $20,000 was raised specifically for the LGBT Center. But the ubiquity of his artwork led to a citywide backlash, and his San Francisco transplant status resulted in accusations of gentrification. The issue was amplified when a confrontational video hit social media of fnnch repainting the LGBT Center mural after it was vandalized. In the video, he claimed to be an immigrant, stating he was from Missouri.

Now, a week before Pride gets underway, the mural has been replaced with a new piece of artwork by queer artists Juan Manuel Carmona and Simon Malvaez, whose artwork has been featured at El Rio, Blondies and next to the Painted Ladies. The new artwork came about through a connection by one of the citys most legendary drag queens, Juanita MORE!, who introduced the two artists to the LGBT Center. They expressed interest in painting the wall with a collection of queer historical icons and local leaders, and conceived not only a piece of visual art, but an educational series on the figures pictured that will run throughout the year.

We decided to take the colors of the progressive pride flag and turn each color into a character that for the both of us means something important inside our queer history, says Malvaez.

We chose characters that were champions in the city. We wanted to have locals that have done something for the community and for San Francisco specifically, says Carmona, who cites living legends like Sister Roma and Honey Mahogany, and of course MORE!, plus historical figures like Harvey Milk and Frida Kahlo.

Malvaez grew up in Tijuana then spent time in Mexico City before moving to San Francisco three years ago. Carmona was born in Texas, then lived in Central Mexico before moving to San Francisco about 10 years ago, working in a bar in the Castro while attending art school. Their biggest influences come from the rich tradition of political art in Mexico.

As a team, I would say our biggest influences are Mexican muralism. It might sound a little cliche, but the style that Frida Kahlo was doing, and Diego Rivera and [David Alfaro] Siqueiros, and how they were portraying their reality and being political with their art. I think were doing similar things on todays society, and who we are and who we represent, says Malvaez.

Were queer Latino artists in San Francisco. If we wanted to define what our style is, its the exploration between the LGBT communities. All of our murals have some of rainbows, or a drag queen, or some sort of representations of these communities that were a part of. And our intersection with our Latino heritage, says Carmona.

Their immigrant identity informs the new art, and also their reaction to the viral video of fnnch defending the previous mural.

I am an immigrant, so for me, I took it a little more personal. As someone who has experienced immigration, I feel like it was disappointing, says Malvaez.

We dont have anything against the previous artist. Its very unfortunate what happened, but its also an opportunity to have more eyes on us, and have a wider audience to deliver a message of love and of queer heroes, says Carmona.

Fnnch appears to not harbor any ill will regarding the replacement of his artwork. In an email to SFGATE, he shared that he spent time with Carmona and Malvaez recently, before he knew theyd be painting the mural. They are both wonderful people, and I am a fan of them and their art. I look forward to seeing their mural on the SF LGBT Center. I am honored to have played a part in kicking off this rotational mural program, he wrote. He also addressed the controversy in an Instagram post.

As for the future of Carmona and Malvaezs work, they hope that their emphasis on community figures will keep it from facing the same vandalism that the honey bears did. But in addition to a visual reminder of the citys queer history, the mural will hopefully serve as an educational tool.

The mural is the first step of this project. Its bigger than that. The center is going to keep posting about these characters that we decided to celebrate, but we also invite the people who see these murals to show us their own queer icons and influences, says Malvaez.

To celebrate that during Pride, its important for us to make people see that theyre not alone. I think part of the centers identity is this sanctuary where you can actually be free and be who you are. We hope this mural invokes that in people. We have heroes, too, were not alone, says Carmona.
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She was in the center lane of the three-lane road and moved to the left lane, after which a driver who had been in the left lane zoomed into the median, pulled up in front of her and stopped his vehicle in traffic, said Rob Kohen, an attorney with the firm.
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.

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Manitoba has invited 3,018 PNP candidates to apply for a nomination in 2021.

Manitoba PNP draw: 232 immigration candidates invited Manitoba has invited 3,018 PNP candidates to apply for a nomination in 2021.

Manitoba PNP draw: 232 immigration candidates invited Manitoba has invited 3,018 PNP candidates to apply for a nomination in 2021.

Manitoba PNP draw: 232 immigration candidates invited Manitoba has invited 3,018 PNP candidates to apply for a nomination in 2021. Alexandra Miekus Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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Manitoba has released the results of its most recent immigration draw.

On May 25, Manitoba invited 232 candidates who can now apply for a provincial nomination through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). If they receive it, the nomination will support their final application for Canadian permanent residence.

Manitoba regularly invites immigrants to apply through one of the following three Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams: Skilled Workers in Manitoba, International Education Stream, and Skilled Workers Overseas. The Skilled Worker streams require that candidates have previously submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile.

Find Out if Youre Eligible for Canadian Immigration

The following are the results of the latest draw:

Skilled Workers in Manitoba 166 invitations with a minimum EOI score of 415;

Skilled Workers Overseas 46 invitations with a minimum EOI score of 703; and

International Education Stream 20 invitations with no EOI score requirement.

A total of 20 invitations, also known as Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs), went to Express Entry candidates.

Manitoba immigration programs

Manitoba has a number of immigration programs dedicated to attracting international talent to settle in the province. The provincial government manages its immigration through the MPNP, which supports immigration applications to the federal government. Canadian provinces do not have the ability to give out permanent residency status, but they can help an application along by issuing provincial nominations.

If you want to benefit from a nomination from Manitoba, you need to register an Expression of Interest with the MPNP. This puts you in a position to receive an LAA through the Skilled Workers in Manitoba and Skilled Workers Overseas streams.

Manitoba then ranks candidates out of 1,000 points for their human capital factors, as well as their connections to the province.

The Skilled Workers Overseas Category and Skilled Workers in Manitoba streams are designed to allow the province to identify candidates who meet its labour market needs.

Candidates overseas need to demonstrate connections to Manitoba through the likes of close family ties, previous experience in the province, or an invitation through one of Manitobas Strategic Recruitment Initiatives. You do not need to be living in Manitoba at the time of your application to be eligible.

In order to receive an invitation under the Skilled Workers in Manitoba category, you need to have a full-time job offer from a provincial employer.

International graduates who complete education in Manitoba can receive an LAA under the International Education Stream if they demonstrate that they have in-demand skills.

Manitoba invites Express Entry candidates

Express Entry is the main way Canada manages skilled worker applications. It is possible to skip the PNP process and receive a permanent residence invitation by applying through Express Entry directly. However, having a provincial nomination effectively guarantees that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will invite you to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Express Entry is an application management system for three federal immigration programs. When you submit your profile, you are then ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which considers factors like your age, work experience, education, and language skills.

The highest-scoring candidates receive invitations to apply for permanent residence through regular Express Entry draws.

You gain an additional 600 CRS points if you receive a provincial nomination from a PNP, such as Manitobas. This award is high enough to allow you to receive an Invitation to Apply in an Express Entry draw.

Find Out if Youre Eligible for Canadian Immigration

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
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One of the most significant  and inevitable  shifts in New York Democratic politics over the last decade has come in how Israel is approached, discussed and defended.

It was inevitable because the Democratic Party, on economic and cultural issues, is being increasingly tugged left while the hard right in Israel is ascendant. Former President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were close allies. And in the Palestinians, many liberal Democrats see an oppressed people who deserve justice like marginalized groups in the United States.

For decades, no matter where on the ideological spectrum a Democrat belonged, there was little debate about Israel: in all clashes with their Palestinian neighbors, the Jewish state could do no wrong. The last time Israel warred with Gaza, in 2014, Democratic elected officials staged vigorous rallies in support of Netanyahus government. Support for the Palestinian cause, beyond activists in the street, was virtually nonexistent.

It is up to us in New York City to make the case for Israel! New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, now a candidate for mayor, shouted at one rally that year, also attended by Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, among other prominent Democrats. We must make the case that tunnels are not being built by squirrels, but by terrorists!  If we cant beat the terrorists and they win, shame on all of us. Lets fight back, lets be angry, lets really give it to them the way we should! We are in the right!

These days, with Israel and Gaza reaching a tentative ceasefire after roughly 250 Palestinians were killed, Democratic politicians in the five boroughs are no longer so unified in their support for Israel. Many young, left-wing elected officials released statements condemning Israel and several came out in full support of BDS, the nonviolent boycott movement that is reviled by many pro-Israel Americans.

Meanwhile, statements of support for Israel that would not have drawn any attention in 2014 or 2015 enraged many thousands of politically-engaged, progressive New Yorkers. Andrew Yang, one of the top candidates for mayor, stated that he was standing with the people of Israel who are coming under bombardment attacks, and condemn the Hamas terrorists. The people of N.Y.C. will always stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel who face down terrorism and persevere.

The backlash online, and among young progressives, was severe. Yang has been heckled at public events. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attacked him for attempting to go to an Eid event after issuing such a hawkish statement on the conflict. Yang was forced to somewhat backtrack, releasing a follow-up statement that acknowledge Palestinian suffering. Dianne Morales, the mayoral candidate vying for the support of the young left, spoke out in support of the Palestinian cause while the other Democrats hunting for progressive votes, like Maya Wiley and the aforementioned Stringer, refrained from reflexively hawkish comments.

Even Mayor Bill de Blasio, who has proudly addressed the Israel haws at AIPACs annual meeting and vigorously condemned BDS, offered a more measured response to the latest outbreak of violence in Israel and Gaza. If you spend time talking to Israelis, talking to Palestinians there and here, you've got to recognize the humanity on both sides of this conflict, de Blasio said in May. Children are dying on both sides of this conflict. It's absolutely unacceptable, it needs to end.

Remarks like these from a pro-Israel Democrat in power would have been unthinkable for most of the 2010s. As recently as 2016, a progressive Democrat-dominated City Council was still able to overwhelmingly pass a resolution condemning BDS. Notable politicians hunting for the left lane in todays scene, including City Council Members Brad Lander and Mark Levine, co-sponsored the resolution.

With left organizations like the Democratic Socialists of America ascendant in New York and other well-known groups, like the Working Families Party, speaking the language of this new movement, Democrats in certain neighborhoods trying to appeal to millennial and emerging Generation Z voters will have to, at the minimum, acknowledge the suffering of the Palestinian people. Among these groups and people, there is still debate over what that should mean  a two-state solution or a single multiracial democracy  but a minimum standard must be met: a willingness to challenge the conservative Israeli government government.

This trend will only continue as ideological polarization makes staunch support of Israel, a nation now ruled by conservatives, more of a Republican cause than a Democratic one. At the same time, the pro-Israel wing of the Democratic Party will not disappear entirely. Though Orthodox Jews mostly vote Republican nationally, many of them strategically remain registered Democrats in New York City, where they can vote in the relevant primaries. As secular Jews, who always have leaned left, increasingly turn away from Israel  politically, there is increasingly no great difference between a left-leaning Jewish voter and a left-leaning Christian or Muslim voter  it is the Orthodox Jews who become a primary target of outreach for the mayoral campaigns.

Yang has made that clear, aggressively chasing the support of Orthodox and Hasidic Jewish kingmakersand largely succeeding. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, who has a good chance of defeating Yang in the June primary, is vying for the same votes and remains a strong backer of Israel. (Adams released a statement nearly identical to Yangs, but without such a large social media following, he avoided the same backlash.) Some younger Democrats, like Rep. Ritchie Torres from the Bronx, have defied the leftward bent of their party and drawn closer to Israel.

In the coming years, this divide will become even more stark. Fewer and fewer local Democrats will feel the need to reflexively back Israel in an armed conflict. But the growing clout of Orthodox Jews will ensure there will always be politicians, like Yang and Adams, who hew to the traditional mode of politics in New York.

Correction: The Working Families Party is a political party.
Before state Sen. John Liu, a trailblazing Asian American lawmaker, endorsed Andrew Yang as his first choice to be the next mayor of New York City on Monday, it didnt look like Yang was going to be his candidate.

Liu had praised Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams outreach in Asian American communities, but when asked about Yang he told The New York Times in March: Im going to limit my comments to things I will positively say about specific candidates.

He told City & State in an interview last month that concerns raised by hundreds of progressive Asian American New Yorkers about Yang in a letter were legitimate and not surprising. But Liu conceded that Yang represented a voice that needs to be both heard and seen, and he was energizing Asian American voters in New York City.

So, some were surprised when Liu endorsed Yang this week. Lius influence as New York Citys first Asian American elected to the City Council, as a former citywide official as comptroller and as a state senator from New York City is likely to boost Yangs candidacy in the citys growing Asian American community, which is 14% of the citys population.

A source close to Liu said they do not think Yang was the state senators first choice. But as an Asian American lawmaker  who ran for mayor but finished fourthin the 2013 Democratic primary  he recognized the significance of Yangs candidacy to Asian New Yorkers.

(Liu) more than anyone else recognizes the historic significanceof this moment as an Asian American in New York City politics because he was seen at one point as a potential mayor of this city and part of that was galvanizing Asian Americans who felt he would help raise the visibility of our community, said the source close to Liu, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak freely about Lius thinking. Even though hes not in the same position now, I think (Liu) feels the same goal is still there for him to really raise the visibility of our community and  like many Asian Americans  theres some lingering hope that Andrew being mayor may help us as a community to get out of the margins and into the center of New York City politics.

The source said Scott Stringer, who had been the candidate of the progressive left until allegations of sexual abuse prompted progressive lawmakers and the Working Familes Party to rescind their endorsements, may have been Lius first pick, but said Stringers downfall as the progressive champion has left politicians with no choice but to back Yang or Adams. Its a rock and a hard place. (Liu) had to make a decision, the source said.

The latest polls had shown Yang and Adams typically battling for first and second place, but Kathryn Garcia topped one recent poll. A poll from mid-May found thatYang polls the strongest among men, young and moderate Democrats and Asian voters. While Adams polls the best among African Americans, conservatives and Brooklynites.

Before Liu, Yang won the endorsement of Asian American Council Member Margaret Chin, New Yorks most prominent Asian lawmaker, Rep. Grace Meng, and progressive Assembly Member Ron Kim.

But Mengs and Kims endorsements, in particular, left the state senator no choice but to follow in their footsteps, said Peter Tu, a senior consultant at the Flushing Chinese Business Association, who considers himself a friend of Liu.

Grace Meng already endorsed Andrew Yang. Ron Kim endorsed Andrew Yang. So if youre John Liu, do you have any choice? Tu said.

Liu told City & State that he was critical of Yang just as he was of other candidates and that his decision boiled down to three things: Yangs well-rounded experience as a born and bred New Yorker and roots in the city he has put down with his wife  a Flushing girl  and their two children in the public school system; his success in the presidential race and performing far better than anybody expected, which included facing tough questions from the media that has shown his grit and poise; and last, Liu said his endorsement boiled down to the fact that Yang is a viable Asian American candidate.

This is a time when the climate is very different now than it was six months ago when he entered the race, Liu said. The sheer onslaught of anti-Asian hate  its mind boggling  and there are Asian Americans and New Yorkers who are not Asian Americans who are clearly articulating that, Hey, maybe its time we had an Asian American face and voice in the top levels of government.

Zara Nasir, of The Peoples Plan NYC, who helped organize the critical letter against Yang, said fellow organizers were disappointed in Lius and Mengs decision to endorse Yang, since they had been seen as progressive lawmakers.

If you felt conflicted about the representation versus supporting some of these progressives in the race, you could have just stayed out of it, Nasir said. I think its disappointing that they are literally going out to bat for Yang.

Kim said that if identity politics was one of the stronger factors in Lius decision, he would have endorsed Yang early on and not waited four weeks before the June 22 primary to do so.

The reality of the current situation is that every indicator shows that this is a race between Eric Adams and Andrew Yang, Kim told City & State, noting that progressives candidates like Dianne Morales are simply not registering with voters. I wouldnt reduce this moment just as identity politics.  I think thats an easy narrative for some people to feel comfortable with.
By May 12, authorities in India reported that an unexpected second surge of covid-19 in the country had caused 23 million infections and roughly 250,000 deaths. These were the official numbersepidemiologists say the actual number of deaths, so far clustered in urban centers like Mumbai and Delhi, is two to five times the government estimates. In April, the positivity rate was 36 percent.

For photojournalists, tragedy is visible everywhere. Thousands of people have been turned away from overcrowded hospitals. The sky above mass cremation grounds, where the fires burn twenty-four hours a day, glows in the night.

Adnan Abidi, a Reuters photojournalist from Delhi who is also based there, has been capturing the crisis in his hometown. Abidi has covered many traumatic events over his sixteen years with the agency. He was one of the first Indian photojournalists, along with Danish Siddiqui, to win a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the exodus of the Rohingya people from Myanmar in 2017. He won a second Pulitzer for coverage of student protests in Hong Kong in 2019. His work regularly features on the front pages of the New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Guardian, the Wall Street Journal, The Independent, the Globe and Mail, and Time magazine.

With covid-19 affecting his home and members of his immediate family, though, Abidi has found going out to shoot increasingly difficult. Yet he continues, convinced that his work can serve to inform the public. Ive seen dozens of people die in the last month, he told CJR. Shooting as someone is dying in my hometown street. Children pressing their fathers chest. He died right there on the street. I was shaking when I was shooting.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

The first time we spoke last week, you were almost too tired to talk.

This pandemic is the first time Im facing something like this. No one in the whole world was prepared for this. Many of my relatives got sick, and many of my friends. Theyve now improved, but my family was very scared.

Tell me about this first photo.

This was at a cremation ground. I saw an entire family wearing PPE suits as they came to cremate their family member. In the photo, they are standing behind the dead persons body, holding each other, as I look at them through the flames. I had asked their permission to shoot when they were coming in. But when I clicked that picture, they couldnt see me because of the heat. It was really not easy to click that picture. The heat was so much that I couldnt even stay there for ten secondsI clicked and then came back rubbing my hands.

Are there other moments in your career that helped you prepare for this?

During the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, the Reuters team was staying in a room in a hospital near the border. In the evening quiet, wed hear new patients coming in. I shot inside the hospital. That was the first time I saw kids with broken hip bones, broken hands. I was twenty-five.

Many people have asked me if I want to go to therapy, but I have never tried that. I cried many times in the field. In 2017, during the Bangladesh Rohingya influx, I was literally howling. My colleague was there, and she hugged me.

Everyone has his own mantra to deal with the burden. Mine is to talk it out with your close ones. I would call my sisters and friendsnot my parentsand I would tell them everything. Sometimes you have to take it out, or you cant work the next day. If you get affected mentally, you cant work. Or you become biased. Its good that you get emotionally attached sometimes, but it should never affect the transparency of your work. My job is to show whats happening in front of my eyes. When you get attached to your subject, spend time with them, hear their stories, its very hard to control.

In Bangladesh, there was a twelve-year-old boy who lost his father. He came with his mother and seven younger siblings. He was earning money to support them by doing little jobs, holding umbrellas for people, that sort of work. Not begging. I shot him for seven or eight days.

He was a kid from a rural village, so hed get excited when he saw my camera. When I pointed the camera at him, he would start smiling, and so I could not get the moment. But then a local politician drove through the refugee camp to distribute food and clothes, and he chased the car along with hundreds of people, ignoring me completely. That was the time. Running behind the car, he broke his slipper. I saw him in the crowd trying to repair it so he could keep up. I couldnt bear it. I broke from inside. That day I wrapped my story.

Does it affect you differently, covering people in crisis in your hometown?

Seeing terrible things at home is very different. Last month my wife and mom had symptoms, and they tested positive. I was caring for them and working at the same time. When Im going out in Delhi, I see that people are panicked. I want to control my emotions. When you panic, thats when you make mistakes. You have to use your mind. Where are you safe? Know the limits.

Are there any moments that have been particularly hard to photograph?

For these photos, I was at a Sikh temple, where they give free oxygen to people who cant afford their own. Families bring their sick relatives there. So this man came with his wife and daughter. They gave him oxygen for a couple of hours, but still his oxygen level was dropping. The doctors began to press his chest to get him to breathe. Then the family joined in. They were howling. His daughter kept pressing on his chest to breathe, and later they took him in an ambulance to the hospital. That girlshe was just doing her best to revive her father, but the doctor asked them to please take him to the hospital.

Then I had to come back home to care for my mom and wife. I wore a mask, headgear, glasses. In hospitals, I used PPE suits and sanitizers. Shooting at the cremation ground, I carry sanitizersI sanitize every minute. When I come back, I clean myself as much as possible.

What are you trying to show in your pictures of the pandemic?

Sometimes people say these photos are beautiful, but I just want to show people whats happening. Right now you dont want to show people how good you are, with composition or whatever. What matters is how well you can convey the message through your pictures that its not safe out here. If people see my pictures on social, maybe they will be more cautious. Photographers are the ones who see everythinghospital, graveyards, cremation grounds.

Two days ago, I took this photo of a woman whose husband died of coronavirus. There was so much heat. We had to ask her to leave the heat and go outside, because she was so old. But as soon as her husbands body went on the pyre, she came back and stood next to his body. She couldnt stay outside. She came back in her sari to be with him, and she just looked up at the sky.

Normal people are not seeing this. Im shooting a life-and-death situation here. Its not a joke. Its not just panic. Its a real battle out there. Its not easy. Frontline workers have seen it in past years. For the rest of us, we have never seen something like this. They know how to control the situation, but we are not aware.

As a journalist, you usually shoot sports, politics, protests, normal life. Now, for the last year or so, you just see death, misery. Things affect you sometimes. Theres a saturation point. If you see the same thing every day, you need rest so you can think of something new.

You took some time to rest over the weekend while you were recovering from the vaccine. Did you think of something new?

Now in my hometown things are improving and cases are going down. But the virus has reached the rural areas, the villages. This country is 70 percent agriculture; villages are the backbone of this country. Its not an easy thing, to go into a village. You need contacts, because there are no journalists in those areas. We have no clue how well do it, but were planning.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Amanda Darrach is a contributor to CJR and a visiting scholar at the University of St Andrews School of International Relations. Follow her on Twitter @thedarrach.
 Several language revisions to the librarys trustee manual, including the addition of statements that the library board will have the exclusive control of the expenditures of all moneys (sic), and the library will be for the use of the residents and taxpayers of the district. This second sentence drew questions from Olson and Keane-Adams, with the latter cautioning against excluding non-residents from using the library.
Grace Louise Archer, age 90, a resident of Aurora, Colorado, a former resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Shalom Park, Aurora, Colorado. Grace was born the daughter of Maurice P. Martin, Sr., and Margaret (O'Connor) Martin on October 10, 1930, in Chi
Just when Israel was emerging triumphant ahead of the rest of the world from the coronavirus pandemic, we found ourselves at war with Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the Gaza Strip.

In an apparent effort to position itself in the eyes of the Palestinian people as the defender of Muslim Jerusalem, Hamas fired rockets at Jerusalem. When I heard the news, it was clear to me Israel could not sit idly by while its capital was attacked. The Israeli air force responded with air strikes on Gaza.

I was working the following evening from my office in Tel Aviv and had a sense this was not the end of the story. Although I normally park my car on the street, I decided to park in the underground parking garage at the office, on the off chance Tel Aviv would be next, and it was.

Shortly before 9 p.m., Hamas launched a barrage of rockets on the entire Tel Aviv area. I and the rest of the office staff went to the underground garage, which also serves as a shelter. That night alone, hundreds of rockets were fired at Israel.

As we consulted our cellphones to get a sense of what was going on above ground, over and over we heard booms, presumably interceptions of rockets by Israels Iron Dome anti-missile system, which worked well even under furious waves of rocket fire. The Israeli armys civil defense website showed the breadth of the attack, with city neighborhoods and suburbs throughout the region, including my own suburb of Raanana, under fire.

From the office garage, I texted my wife  who had taken shelter in a secure stairwell in our apartment building  and my older daughter, who was in a safe room in her Tel Aviv apartment. I headed for home at midnight. Shortly after falling asleep, there were more sirens and this time my wife and I were together in the stairwell, along with our bleary-eyed neighbors. Unsurprisingly, our neighbors were calm and courteous then and the following night, as we found ourselves sharing a staircase in the middle of the night.

I felt particularly bad for a family of new immigrants from Argentina, who had just moved into our building. As they sat on the floor of the hallway with their children and their dog, I quipped that their immigrant experience would only get better. They didnt seem intimidated.

Later in the week, I heard the siren and yelled to my wife we needed to go into the stairwell. She didnt answer me, and I realized she was in the shower. We had something over a minute from the time a siren sounded to take shelter. She quickly wrapped herself in a towel and sat in the stairway among our neighbors.

I have sympathy for the residents of Gaza, whose Hamas government invested millions in building an elaborate tunnel network for its military force but nothing for civil defense structures for the population. Israeli officials insist Israel took major precautions to avoid civilian casualties, but when Hamas fighters are embedded in a densely populated area such as Gaza City, it is difficult to avoid them altogether and still subdue Hamas to the extent that it will be deterred for many years from threatening Israels population centers again.

The round of fighting is thankfully over, but it was a reminder that efforts by the Israeli government in recent years to sideline the Palestinian issue and the Palestinian Authority were misguided and only strengthened Hamas. The fighting also laid bare tensions in Jewish-Arab relations in Israel itself  subjects for future columns.

Cliff Savren is a former Clevelander who covers the Middle East for the Cleveland Jewish News from Raanana, Israel.
Beachwood, OH (44122)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
The Paper: Recently, several US officials claimed that China's investigation on virus origin-tracing lacked transparency, and called for a comprehensive and experts-led investigation on the origin of the coronavirus. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: Origin-tracing of the virus is a scientific issue. The purpose is to improve human's understanding of the virus and better guard against infectious diseases in the future.

After the outbreak of the pandemic, China took the lead to support the WHO in conducting researches on origin-tracing on a global scale. From January 14 to February 10 this year, the WHO international expert team carried out an in-depth study in Wuhan together with the Chinese experts for one month or so. Experts on both sides jointly made field trips, analyzed a large number of statistics, issued an authoritative study report, and reached many significant conclusions. This joint study actively promoted the origin-tracing globally.

Some people in the US talk about "facts", when what is really on their mind is political manipulation. Every time when the issue of pandemic is brought up, they smear and attack China, while totally ignoring the doubts over the origin-tracing work and failure of pandemic response in the US. They are obsessed with spreading "lab leak theory" and other conspiracy theories and disinformation. What they did is total disrespectful of the spirit of science and research results of the WHO expert team, and undermines global anti-epidemic efforts and solidarity.

I want to stress again that, according to the clues, reports and researches, the COVID-19 pandemic was spotted in various places around the world early in the second half of 2019. China takes the origin-tracing work seriously with a responsible attitude, and has made positive contributions that are widely recognized. If the US side truly demands a completely transparent investigation, it should follow China's lead to invite the WHO experts to the US, open Fort Detrick and bio-labs overseas to the rest of the world, and disclose the detailed data and information on the unexplained outbreaks of respiratory disease in northern Virginia in July, 2019 and the EVALI outbreak in Wisconsin. We urge the US and other relevant countries to cooperate with the WHO in a scientific, open and transparent manner.

Shenzhen TV: We noticed that the Japanese side has been stressing lately that the Fukushima nuclear contaminated water is treated water that has been filtered and diluted and met the criterion for discharge. Some say this is an attempt to justify the decision of discharging the water into the sea. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: No matter how the Japanese side tries to justify or whitewash itself, there is no way it can cover up its wrong and selfish decision in disregard of the common interests of all humanity.

The nuclear contaminated water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant contains complicated components including many radionuclides as it came into contact with nuclear fuel of the molten reactor core. TEPCO once claimed that after purification, most radionuclides can be removed except for tritium, an attempt to draw public attention to tritium to hide other serious problems. But in 2018, it reluctantly admitted that there were cases where non-tritium radionuclides in treated water exceeded acceptable levels. In February 2020, a report by the Japanese side showed that 73 percent of the nuclear contaminated water exceeded Japan's discharge standards after treatment. Besides, diluting tritium-containing water cannot change the total amount of tritium. The nuclear contaminated water will remain unchanged no matter how it is packaged. Once discharged into the ocean, it will produce inestimable damage to the global marine environment.

We've also noticed that the Atomic Power Citizens Council recently exposed that Japanese testing personnel rigged the equipment in an attempt to fool the public and sell the narrative that the contaminated water is safe after treatment. Head of the Council agrees with this. If indeed the treated nuclear contaminated water conforms with Japan's so-called safety standards, then why not release it into Japan's water pipes for household use? By opting for ocean discharge, the Japanese government and TECPO will cut costs but the global ecology and all people on earth including in Japan will pay too dearly.

Japan's short-sighted economic calculation is a crime against the Earth and humanity. It should correctly assess the situation, return to reason and science, act in a responsible manner to international public interests, and handle the issue prudently with openness and transparency. It mustn't start the discharge before reaching consensus with all stakeholders and the IAEA through full consultation.

AFP: The idea that COVID emerged from a lab leak in Wuhan has been gaining increasing momentum in the US. The demand for more investigation is also getting traction in Western countries. Will China agree to or consider a probe specifically in the lab of Wuhan?

Zhao Lijian: I already stated China's position on origin-tracing just now.

CCTV: Yesterday State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended and addressed the reception celebrating the 58th Africa Day, elaborating China-Africa friendship and cooperation from various aspects. What is the special context and significance of China-Africa co-hosting this Africa Day celebration event?

Zhao Lijian: Africa Day is an important day for the African people in striving for independence and strengthening unity. The Chinese side has actively participated in celebratory activities of the Africa Day organized by African diplomatic missions over the years. Strengthening unity and cooperation with African countries is the constant priority of China's diplomacy, so the Africa Day also marks a common holiday for China and Africa.

This year, China and Africa have overcome the impact of COVID-19 to jointly host the Africa Day reception. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended and addressed the meeting. He put forward four proposals on developing China-Africa relations, namely, to keep pace with the times and ensure the success of the next FOCAC meeting, to work together to quickly defeat the COVID-19 epidemic with mutual assistance, to pursue common development and advance practical cooperation in a steady and sustained manner, and to uphold fairness and justice and strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs. African envoys and ambassadors to China warmly congratulated the CPC on the upcoming centenary of its founding, spoke highly of the achievements of China-Africa cooperation and expressed high expectations for a better future of China-Africa relations. It is fair to say that this reception is another important manifestation of the traditional friendship between China and Africa and demonstrates the true solidarity and cooperation between the two sides in the face of the epidemic.

China attaches great importance to Africa and China-Africa relations. In today's world, the international community will be morally untenable if it does not pay attention to or assist Africa in its development. Likewise, without the support and participation of African countries, global affairs cannot be handled well. China and Africa have jointly launched the Initiative on Partnership for Africa's Development. We welcome the participation of more countries and international organizations in this initiative to jointly support Africa's post-epidemic recovery, development and revitalization, and promote greater progress in Africa's seeking strength through unity and integration process. China will continue to deepen practical cooperation with Africa through platforms including the BRI and FOCAC, make greater contributions to Africa's development, jointly uphold international fairness and justice, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

Xinhua News Agency: At the request of Pakistan, as coordinator of the OIC, and the state of Palestine, the UN Human Rights Council will hold a special session on the Palestine-Israel conflict on May 27. Relevant Muslim countries submitted a draft resolution, calling for establishment of an independent international commission of inquiry to investigate all human rights violations in the conflict. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: China supports the UN Human Rights Council in holding this special session. We express grave concern over the large number of casualties, including women and children, caused by the recent Israel-Palestine conflict. We condemn all acts of violence against civilians and attacks on civilian facilities, especially hospitals and schools. We are also concerned about the continuously worsening human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory in recent years. China welcomes the ceasefire between parties of Israel-Palestine conflict, and hopes that the parties concerned can effectively cease fire and stop violence. China firmly supports Palestine's just appeal and all efforts conducive to the implementation of the two-state solution.

Associated Press of Pakistan: During his meeting with the Chinese Ambassador in Islamabad, Prime Minister Imran Khan highly appreciated President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang for their able leadership. He also reaffirmed top priority accorded by his government to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and its speedy completion of projects. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: We note this and appreciate Prime Minister Imran Khan's positive remarks.

As an important pilot project of the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has made significant progress in transportation infrastructure, energy, ports and industrial parks since its launch. This has not only vigorously boosted Pakistan's faster economic and social development, but also played a positive role in promoting regional connectivity. Statistics show that since the launch of CPEC, 75,000 jobs have been created in total in Pakistan. China is ready to work with Pakistan to promote the high-quality construction of CPEC and play a bigger role in improving people's living standards and promoting regional connectivity and economic integration.

Global Times: People took to the street across the US to protest against racial discrimination on May 25, one year since the killing of George Floyd, an African America who died after a police officer pressed the knee onto his neck. However, the issue of anti-Asian and -African hate is still there and the situation hasn't been changed since the death of Floyd. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: As you said, many netizens have raised these questions to the US side: Has anything changed since one year ago? Can people like Floyd breathe freely now?

Floyd's family said brokenheartedly that "It's been a long year. It's been a painful year". One year on, the desperate cry of "I can't breathe" still echoes, and gun violence and other violence targeting ethnic minorities keeps hitting the headlines. At least 64 people, more than half of which are people of color, have died at the hands of police in 21 days since the start of the trial of the Floyd case according to reports. An Axios-Ipsos poll indicates that the relationship between Black Americans and the police, instead of improving, is becoming a profound and escalating crisis over the past year. Likewise, 72% of Black Americans said police shootings of Black or brown youths have gotten worse in the last year.

What's inside the Floyd case is just a tip of the iceberg on the issue of racism in the US. A poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about 6 in 10 Americans say racism in the United States is a "very or extremely serious" problem. More than 6,600 hate incidents against Asians have been reported in the year after the pandemic began in the United States, announced Stop AAPI Hate, a non-profit organization. Everyone knows that the US has a poor record of racial discrimination and hate crime. The US leader also admitted this year that hate crime and racial discrimination is a "ugly poison" that plagued the American society.

We hope the US will get its house in order, solve its own problems and ensure safety for its people and enable them to enjoy freedom from discrimination and terror and to breathe freely. It should forsake its obsession with spreading lies and disinformation against other countries, stirring up trouble and interfering in others' internal affairs.

Phoenix TV: In a recent interview with Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Taiwan's "foreign minister" Joseph Wu talked about the mainland's military activities in the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea and its attempt to expand its influence. He hopes fellow "states" could pay attention to and support Taiwan. He also said that Hong Kong no longer enjoys the same economic and political freedom as it did before and that he would not let Taiwan become "the second Hong Kong". What is the foreign ministry's response?

Zhao Lijian: First of all, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory and there is no so-called "foreign minister" of Taiwan. Under the guise of so-called democracy and freedom, the Taiwan authorities have repeatedly taken advantage of Hong Kong affairs to maliciously slander and denigrate the mainland. It's real purpose is to disrupt Hong Kong and seek "Taiwan independence". Its clumsy political manipulation for grandstanding will not succeed, and will only invite humiliation on itself.

China News Service: This year is designated as the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour by the United Nations General Assembly. Over the years, the International Labor Organization (ILO) has repeatedly expressed concern about the child labor problem in the US and the severe work injuries arising therefrom. There are also a plethora of media coverage about child labor in the US tobacco industry. I wonder if China has any comment on this?

Zhao Lijian: Children are the future of the world. To protect and promote children's rights is an important part of the human rights cause that countries in the world commit themselves to. As a self-proclaimed "beacon of human rights" and the most developed country in the world, the US is the only country in the world that has not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and has been keeping itself from the scrutinizing light of this "beacon of human rights" when it comes to its severe child labor problem.

According to US official statistics, in 2019, US law enforcement officers found 858 cases of child labor in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act, with a total of 544 minors employed in violation of Hazardous Occupation Orders (HOs). The statistics of some US industry associations are far more alarming than the official figure. According to reports of relevant organizations, there are approximately 500,000 child farmworkers in the US. Many of these children start working as young as age 8, and 72-hour work weeks (more than 10 hours per day) are not uncommon. Children are three times more susceptible to the pesticides' carcinogenic effects than are adults. Agriculture was responsible for more than half of child occupational deaths. Between 2003 and 2016, 237 children died in farm-related work accidents, representing four times the number of deaths of any other sector.

The prevalence of child labor in the US tobacco industry is particularly worrying. According to some human rights organizations, tobacco farms in many US states employ a large number of children to harvest and dry tobacco leaves, and even operate heavy machinery. Working on tobacco farms can do great harm to children's physical and mental health, as many have reportedly experienced symptoms of nicotine poisoning including nausea and headache, and some have even suffered lung infection.

For years, the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) has been speaking out on the issue of child labor in the US. It has repeatedly expressed concern about the excessive fatal injuries to children working on farms in the US, and urged the US government to step up supervision of the use of child labor in agriculture, and provide relevant statistics in details, In particular, the number of work-related injury cases and the investigation and handling of illegal use of child labor cases.

However, the US government has turned a deaf ear to the concerns and suggestions of ILO, and has done precious little to solve the problem of child labor. On the occasion of the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour, we hope that the international community will pay more attention to the child labor issue in the US, urge the US government to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), take effective measures to eliminate the serious problem of child labor in the country, and earnestly implement the ILO Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labor.

Bloomberg: Recently, the actor John Cena apologized for referring to Taiwan as a country. And then his apology was criticized by some in the US including Republicans and conservative media. They sort of slammed him for bowing to China. Tom Cotton, a Republican Senator, described Cena's as apology as pathetic. Does the foreign ministry have a response to Cotton's remarks?

Zhao Lijian: The criticism of the people you mentioned is groundless. Everyone knows what kind of person Cotton is. His words are nothing but like what's written on a piece of waste paper.

Beijing Daily: The US Department of State released the 2020 Report on International Religious Freedom and announced sanctions on a Chinese official. Do you have any response?

Zhao Lijian: This so-called report from the US side, in disregard of facts and fraught with ideological bias, has unscrupulously denigrated China's religious policy and severely interfered in China's internal affairs. China firmly rejects this.

In response to the US blatant move to endorse cults and impose unilateral sanctions on Chinese personnel based on lies and disinformation, China decides to sanction Johnnie Moore, Commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). The individual concerned and his family members are prohibited from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao of China.

China urges the US side to rectify its mistake, rescind the so-called sanctions and stop interfering China's internal affairs in the name of religious issues.

People's Daily: In an interview with Singapore-based Lianhe Zaobao recently, Kishore Mahbubani, a Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore, said that one of the big misunderstandings the US has about China is that the Chinese people are oppressed by the Communist Party of China. A credible academic study by the Harvard Kennedy School has shown that the approval rate of the CPC is surprisingly high. What is China's comment on this?

Zhao Lijian: Indeed. As State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointed out in his speech at the China Edition of the 57th Munich Security Conference last night, to understand China's development, it is essential to have a good understanding of China's history and the CPC. As an ancient nation with a 5,000-year civilization, China has had its glory days and been through trials and tribulations. In modern times, to save the nation, the Chinese people explored and exhausted almost all political models available at the time, and yet all ended up in failure. Finally, it was the CPC that adapted Marxism to the Chinese context and rallied and led the Chinese people to achieve national independence and liberation. A right path was found to prosperity and strength, a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In recent years in particular, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has scored a succession of historic achievements in its development, and socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era.

The Communist Party of China has been putting into practice its original aspiration and mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation with concrete actions. It always represents the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people, serves the people wholeheartedly, and takes the interests of the people as the fundamental purpose and ultimate goal of all work. It is for this reason that the Communist Party of China is deeply revered and supported by the people. According to polls conducted by authoritative international polling agencies, the Chinese public satisfaction with the Chinese government has exceeded 90% year after year. We believe that as time goes on, more and more people will have an objective and correct understanding of the Communist Party of China.

Reuters: Taiwan's "president" Tsai Ing-wen said today that the government has not been able to sign a deal with Germany's BioNTech for vaccines because of China's intervention. Do you have any comment on this?

Zhao Lijian: First of all, I must correct you on one point. We don't recognize this so-called "president". She is only the leader of a region of China. I'm not aware of what you mentioned, but I can tell you that Taiwan's access to vaccines from the mainland is open. Taiwan's attempt to seek independence under the pretext of COVID-19 will only lead to a dead end.

Beijing Youth Daily: The so-called "Uyghur Tribunal" set up by anti-China forces in collusion with East Turkestan organizations like the "World Uyghur Congress" will hold a public hearing soon on genocide allegations in Xinjiang. Does China have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: The government of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region responded in detail to the so-called "Uyghur Tribunal" you mentioned at the ninth press conference on Xinjiang-related issues held in Beijing on May 25. I would like to stress that the so-called "Uyghur Tribunal" can by no means represent the vast Uyghur community. It is not even a real tribunal or special court, but only a special machine producing lies. It was patched together by the notorious anti-China separatist "World Uyghur Congress" in collusion with anti-China forces. Its speciality is producing and promoting lies to attack and smear Xinjiang and meddle in China's internal affairs with the end goal of using Xinjiang to contain China.

This so-called "tribunal" is not a judicial organ or procedure as we understand the terms to mean. It was founded by people with ulterior motives and carries no weight or authority. It is just a clumsy public opinion show under the guise of law. Using the word "tribunal" as a cover, it resorts to grandstanding to attack and smear Xinjiang and meddle in China's internal affairs, which is both illegal and preposterous.

Its establishment is completely void of any legal basis. According to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, "Persons charged with genocide ... shall be tried by a competent tribunal of the State in the territory of which the act was committed, or by such international penal tribunal as may have jurisdiction with respect to those Contracting Parties which shall have accepted its jurisdiction". Genocide cases have been tried in courts of a few countries where the acts were committed. Other than that, no country, organization or individual has the authority or power to wantonly designate that a certain country is guilty of genocide. This so-called "tribunal" is an illegal organization set up by the "World Uyghur Congress" in collusion with Western anti-China forces. It is in no position to file charges or pass verdicts on such a grave international crime. It is not just smearing and provoking China but also trampling upon international law and insulting the memory of all victims of genocide throughout history.

Based on presumption of guilt, this so-called "tribunal" falsifies evidence and recruits actors. The few so-called "witnesses" who keep up the show are just lying anti-China elements. We've laid bare their true faces repeatedly. Perhaps to cover the cost of recruiting the actors, this special machine of lies launched a public fundraising campaign for 50,000 pounds, but only received about 7,000 pounds in three months, which serves to show how little support it has.

This special machine of lies thinks it can do whatever it wants under the guise of law. Those behind it openly claim that they want to draw attention and "impose pressure". Any so-called "verdict" by this mechanism would only add to existing evidence of how they spread rumors. A lie can never become truth, even if repeated a thousand times. No matter how hard they try to sell the show, they won't be able to change the fact that Xinjiang is flourishing in security and stability and residents of various ethnic groups there are leading happy and fulfilling lives.

Reuters: The President and Prime Minister of Mali has been detained by the military since Monday evening. The United States, and the European Union and others have condemned their detention. Does China have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: China follows the developments in Mali and noted relevant reports. China supports Mali in pursuing peace and development, and calls on relevant parties in Mali to proceed from the fundamental interests of the country and people, and resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, so as to safeguard national stability and solidarity. China is willing to work with the international community and play a constructive role in this regard.

Reuters: The Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement Act was introduced to the United States House of Representatives on Tuesday. This bill is calling for the US to coordinate with allies to compete with China. Do you have any comment on that?

Zhao Lijian: The relevant bill of the US Congress defames China's development path and domestic and foreign policies in disregard of facts. It interferes in China's internal affairs and undermines China's interests on issues concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. China is firmly opposed to this and will firmly defend its own interests.

The Taiwan question is the political foundation of China-US relations. It is a red line that cannot be crossed and allows no interference by any outside forces. Hong Kong is part of China's territory. Only after Hong Kong's return did Hong Kong compatriots truly begin to exercise their democratic rights as masters of the city. The so-called "genocide" of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang is a blatant lie conspired by a few Western anti-China forces, which has been proved false by numerous facts. The US has abused the concept of national security to suppress Chinese companies and curb China's development. Such actions harm others and do no good to the US itself. China pursues an independent foreign policy of peace and a win-win strategy of opening-up, and promotes the building of a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind. The US has been ganging up around the world, forcing other countries to take sides and forming a "clique" against China, which is unpopular. We also noted that the relevant bill includes the content of supporting closer cooperation between China and the US in addressing climate change and other global challenges. At the same time, it must be pointed out that cooperation must and can only be carried out on the basis of mutual respect.

China urges relevant members of US Congress to abandon the Cold War mentality and ideological bias, stop making use of false information to engage in political manipulation on China-related issues, stop saying or doing anything to undermine China's interests under the guise of so-called "democracy and human rights", stop deliberating and pushing forward the relevant negative China-related bill, and remove the China-related negative content. The US side should do more to promote China-US relations, mutual trust and cooperation and create favorable conditions for our cooperation in climate change and other fields.

China Daily: After Yuan Keqin, former professor of Hokkaido University of Education, was detained by the Chinese Government for suspected espionage, his eldest son Yuan Chengji and his supporters held a press conference. They said, it is hoped that Yuan Keqin will be proven innocent and released at an early date, and that people-to-people exchanges can take place between China and Japan in a secure and reassuring way as usual. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: The Chinese citizen, Yuan Keqin, has long been engaged in espionage and intelligence activities at the request of spies of Japanese intelligence agencies. Yuan, suspected of espionage, was investigated by the national security department in accordance with law, and he made a full confession to his crimes. Based on clear facts and conclusive evidence, Yuan's case has been examined and prosecuted by the procuratorial organ and handed over to the court.

Hereby I'd like to ask those who voiced grievances for Yuan Keqin. Are you not aware of the facts? Or do you just play dumb? China is a country under the rule of law. Those who endanger national security should undoubtedly be punished by law. Any attempt to smear China and interfere in China's judicial system would be proven unavailing.

It reminds me of many cases in recent years where Japanese citizens are suspected of espionage and violating Chinese laws. It is not hard to see who exactly cast a shadow over the normal personnel exchanges between China and Japan. I want to stress that the Chinese side supports normal bilateral people-to-people exchanges with the Japanese side, and this position remains unchanged. Meanwhile, China will resolutely crack down on illegal and criminal activities that endanger China's national security in accordance with the law.

AFP: According to media report, US defense secretary has tried to connect with the Chinese military counterpart but failed to do so. It seems that his calls were rejected. Do you have any comment on this or more information?

Zhao Lijian: I'm not aware of the situation and you may refer to the Ministry of National Defense.
"My heritage has shaped my values, my personality, my goals, and much more," said Cen Huang, Vice Provost and Associate Vice President International at Canada's University of Alberta.

As a woman of Chinese descent in Canada, Huang told Xinhua that she is used to taking time during Asian Heritage Month to reflect on the meaning of heritage, and how it impacts her.

In May 2002, the Canadian government officially designated May as Asian Heritage Month in Canada, which is meant to reflect on and celebrate the contributions that Canadians of Asian descent have been making to the growth and prosperity of multicultural Canada.

Born in China, Huang studied in Britain, Canada and the Netherlands after completing her undergraduate education in China.

As an Asian Canadian and a university administrator, Huang stressed that her heritage has shaped those experiences and made her the person she is today.

"Everywhere I have gone in life, I have taken my heritage with me. And I don't mean only in terms of physical travel, but also in my personal journeys," Huang said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

There's a Chinese saying that goes "it takes ten years to grow a tree, but a hundred years to educate a people."

Huang said the expression resonates with herself and she views education as such a dynamic pursuit, both personally and academically.

She said it is one of the reasons that she enjoys working in higher education and observing the journeys of the students, professors, and staff that come to the University of Alberta from all over the world.

"Heritage encompasses many things. It's about our ethnic roots, of course, but it also includes cultural teachings and personal experiences.

"It's about who you are and where you have come from to get to where you are today," Huang said.

Huang spoke highly of the Chinese culture which values good education and hard work. "I see these values as an important complement to the Canadian educational values that emphasize students' independence, choice, and critical and creative thinking."

She said "I think it's critical for various perspectives to be considered and explored during one's life experiences -- if we can learn from each other's values, then we can work towards a global worldview that will enrich our local and international communities."

Huang believes that one's heritage is truly something to be treasured. "We share our heritage and customs with many others, but it impacts each one of us in unique ways."

Another Chinese saying goes like this "for any three persons walking together, I am bound to be able to find teachers among them." It means that a modest learner shall learn from everyone around them.

"To me, this is a major aspect of higher education and the vibrant learning community that is created through the diversity at University of Alberta and across Canada," Huang said.

Huang pointed out it is all Canadians' duty to work together to say "No" to any forms of racial discrimination and anti-Asian hate crimes.

"When we work together to stand up against racism, we can make a difference," noted Huang.
In this May 2020 file photo, Ethan Nielsen gets help with his cap from his mother, Shannon, before graduating from Clinton High School. Last year, Clinton High School scheduled private graduations for students and their families to avoid the spread of coronavirus. This year the district will allow seniors to graduate together, but its restricting attendance to keep families distanced.
Celebrate the Class of 2020

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 25)  Two priority measures listed by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council reached the Senate plenary on Tuesday.

The legislative measures are Senate Bill No. 2234, establishing the Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos, and Senate Bill No. 2232, which creates a tax regime for Philippine offshore gaming operators.

In his sponsorship speech, Senator Joel Villanueva clarified the proposed department does not encourage Filipinos to leave the country.

"By putting eight government agencies and offices under one roof and one head does not mean a shift to embracing labor-export as a policy, but plainly a shift to improve collaborative governance from the ad-hoc services it creates," said Villanueva.

Villanueva hopes the bill will address the problems of recruitment, red tape, regulation, emergency response, repatriation and reintegration among OFWs.

Under the proposed measure, the department will absorb the powers and functions of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. Eight agencies will be merged to form part of the department, including the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices, and the International Labor Affairs Bureau.

In a committee hearing last May 10, some senators questioned the need to integrate the said agencies into one department.

The bill also mandates the secretary and other key officials of the proposed department to have experience in governance related to OFW concerns, or have been migrant workers themselves.

Meanwhile, Senator Pia Cayetano emphasized that taxing POGOs is a must because of their potential as a high source of revenue for the government. Data from the Bureau of Internal Revenue show that collection from POGOs last year amounted to 7.18 billion, which is around 11% higher than the 6.42 billion collected in 2019.

"The Philippine government could have collected more than 38 billion in 2019 alone (from POGOs), far from the actual collection of BIR," Cayetano said in her sponsorship speech.

The proposed bill provides that all offshore gaming licensees, whether Philippine or foreign-based, must pay a 5% gaming tax on their gross gaming revenue or receipts from gaming operations.

The Supreme Court earlier issued a temporary restraining order against the 5% franchise tax on POGOs.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 25) For Vice President Leni Robredo, the opposition should field only one presidential candidate in next year's elections.

"I believe that there should only be one opposition candidate in the 2022 elections," Robredo said in a forum on Monday when asked about the presidential polls.

"The reason why I believe that is that, we have to accept that the President is, again, a very popular president," she pointed out. "And to have many different candidates running in the elections will only ensure another six years of victory of the same kind of governance that the last five years [have] given us."

In March, a new coalition dubbed as "1Sambayan" was formed with the group aiming to field a single slate of candidates that would challenge the current administration's bets.

The group launched by retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio, former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario earlier eyed Robredo as a potential presidential candidate for the 2022 polls.

Robredo, however, has yet to make a decision on the matter.

"It would require a lot of many different things because a run for presidency is very much different from my previous runs," Robredo noted.

Meanwhile, 1Sambayan is set to launch on June 12 its portal and online survey on potential candidates, according to Carpio.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26)  The 401-billion COVID-19 economic stimulus package passed by the House of Representatives on second reading is not on the list of priority bills that the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) wants Congress to approve as soon as possible.

House Economic Affairs Committee chairperson Rep. Sharon Garin - one of the primary sponsors of the proposed Bayanihan to Arise as One Act, or Bayanihan 3 - said talks are ongoing with senators and executive branch on funding sources for the stimulus bill.

"Bayanihan 3 is not in their priority. It's a priority of the House and I think eventually of the Senate, kasi yung Senate naman, concerned din (because even the Senate is concerned)," she said in a press briefing Wednesday.

"I think they're listening to the logic behind why we need Bayanihan 3. And I can see their reaction. Rome wasn't built in one day. The members will keep on pushing and I think our counterparts are listening, which is good," Garin added.

Deputy Speaker Isidro Ungab had warned during the period of interpellation on the Bayanihan 3 bill that the stimulus package might end up as another unfunded legislative measure unless the Department of Finance and Bureau of Treasury issue a certification on the availability of funds.

Asked whether the government's economic managers are lukewarm to the bill, Garin said: "I don't think it's not that they don't want it. It's just that we have to arrive at the right number and the right programs we want to be implemented."

The Bayanihan 3 bill proposes, among others, a 2,000 cash aid to be distributed in two tranches to all Filipinos. The measure also seeks additional financial assistance to sectors badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26) - The National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday said it has arrested in Paranaque City a Japanese fugitive suspected to be the big boss of an international telecommunication fraud syndicate.

In a statement, the NBI said the suspect Watanabe Yuki, also known as Kenji Shimada or Shi Shimada, has been subject of a blue Interpol notice. This is a request for police in member countries to collect additional information about a persons identity, location or activities in relation to a crime.

NBI Officer-in-Charge Eric Distor said the Japanese national had been hiding in the Philippines, where he allegedly operated syndicate activities, such as online fraud and extortion.

The bureau said its special task forces verification revealed that subject Watanabe is said to be the big boss of the largest telecommunication fraud syndicate, whose international operations cover several countries including Japan and Philippines.

A commitment order from the Bureau of Immigration also said Watanabe is an illegal entrant and had been charged with undesirability, according to the NBI.

The suspect was apprehended by authorities on May 17 at a 5-star hotel. Also with him were two other Japanese, who were likewise brought to the NBI office after initially failing to present travel documents.

One of the two companions, Tomonobu Saito, was later found to have an outstanding summary deportation order. Meanwhile, the other was ordered released due to lack of evidence to establish probable cause and after no criminal record was found in the NBI database to legally detain him.

As per BI procedure, the three foreigners were tested for COVID-19. Watanabe was found to be positive, while the two others tested negative but also had to be quarantined and later undergo re-swabbing.

Watanabe and Saito are now under BI custody after being cleared from the coronavirus.

The two foreigners have not issued a statement, but CNN Philippines is trying to get their or their lawyer's comment.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26)  The first virology institute in the Philippines will soon rise in New Clark City in Tarlac, an undersecretary of the Department of Science and Technology said Wednesday.

Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Source, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Rowena Guevara said they are already in talks with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority as well as the Department of Public Works and Highways for the allocation of 5 hectares of land for the Virology Institute of the Philippines and its possible construction next year.

"There are special requirements for this VIP because we will put up biosafety levels in this facility and we have to make sure it is secure in the area," Guevara bared.

"We are going to put up an animal house, several laboratories, and other types of laboratories for undertaking the research for virology in plants, animals, and for humans," she added.

At least seven "balik scientists" from abroad have also expressed commitment to take part in the program to help in training more people who will work for the VIP, Guevara added.

"Our hope is we are going to build human capital for virology by encouraging balik scientists to come in and ask some of our experts in the Philippines to train in virology," Guevara added.

The government's Balik Scientist Program encourages scientists and experts to return to the Philippines and share their expertise "to promote scientific, agro-industrial, and economic development" in the country.

According to Guevara, at least 50 million has already been allocated for the detailed engineering design of the institute. They are hoping to finish construction by 2023 or 2024.

Through the establishment of the VIP, the DOST hopes to deepen studies on different human viruses like Zika and Chikungguniya, apart from COVID-19. They also hope to gain more research on the African Swine Fever that has been affecting the country's pork industry.

The VIP will also tie up with at least eight firms eyeing local vaccine manufacturing in the Philippines, five of which will be for COVID-19, she added.

The bill for the operation of the VIP is still pending at the House of Representatives, where it was referred for plenary discussion after it hurdled the committee level in March.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26)  Senator Panfilo Lacson believes postponing the 2022 Bangsamoro elections should be decided by the residents themselves in a plebiscite.

"In the plebiscite they ratified last January of 2019, kasama po ito sa kanilang ni-ratify na magkakaroon ng eleksiyon (this is one of the things they ratified, that there will be an election) after the transition period of three years. So therefore, the people in the Bangsamoro region not being able to exercise that right to suffrage will affect the basic structure of the Bangsamoro regional government," Lacson said during plenary debates on Wednesday.

Lacson was interpellating Senator Francis Tolentino, chair of the committee on local government and sponsor of Senate Bill No. 2214, which seeks to amend the Bangsamoro Organic Law to allow the postponement of the region's first regular election.

The two senators cited the same jurisprudence, the Supreme Court decision on the Abas Kida vs. Senate of the Philippines case but differed in their interpretation.

For Lacson, depriving the Bangsamoro people of their right to vote in 2022 constitutes a change in the basic structure of the regional government  a condition that would require a referendum.

Tolentino has a different view.

"The structure is not affected. The organic law remains, but the substantive right, the fundamental right to vote might be delayed," he said.

Tolentino added that the polls could not push through as scheduled since the interim government has not passed an electoral code, among other reasons. The Bangsamoro Transition Authority said a three-year period is too short to finish all essential transition work. It has appealed for the extension of its term for another three years or until 2025, through the deferment of polls, so it can fulfill its mandate.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front-led BTA currently governs the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which was created through the BOL. It was a result of decades-long negotiations between the government and Moro rebels who fought for self-determination.

Tolentino clarified that the proposed amendments do not seek to extend the term of BTA officials but allow the continued existence of the body. The executive will decide whether to reappoint or replace the interim government officials. President Rodrigo Duterte supports the BTA's call for another three-year term.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 27)  President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday night criticized Filipinos who only want to be vaccinated with the Pfizer COVID-19 shot.

During his pre-recorded weekly address, Duterte said Filipinos cannot afford to be selective in terms of vaccine brands especially since supply is limited.

Kung gusto ninyo sigurado Pfizer at you begin to be selective hindi ho pwede iyan kasi iyong Pfizer isa lang sa mga dini-distribute natin, he explained. When you begin to demand exclusive iyong Pfizer sa inyo (to you), how about the others?

[Translation: You cannot be selective and demand only Pfizer. That is not allowed because Pfizer is just one of the brands we distribute.]

The President further said that Pfizer cannot be exclusively distributed in a single area and exclude access to other Filipinos. There must be equality in everything, he emphasized.

Kailangan talaga i-mix iyan at tsaka blind ang tao sa kung anong binibigay. Basta may bakuna period. And the best bakuna (vaccine) really is the one that is available for you, Duterte said.

[Translation: We really need to mix distribution and people should be blind on what is being given. As long as there is a vaccine, period. The best vaccine is the one that is available for you.]

Currently, the country has received over 8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, most of which are Chinas Sinovac vaccine. Of this, around 7.7 million doses were deployed in 3,850 vaccination sites across the country.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said during the briefing that 4,495,375 doses were already administered. Of this, 1,029,061 individuals are now fully protected from the virus.

Despite this, Galvez noted that there is still high vaccine hesitancy in some members of the population. He said up to 40% of groups D and E, or those that belong in poor communities, still do not want to receive their vaccine.

Hesitancy is also high among barangay health workers and senior citizens, which he said is concerning since the latter constitutes 60% of casualties due to the virus.

Latest data from the Health department show that nationwide tally has reached 1,193,976, with 46,037 or 3.9% tagged as active cases.

The department also said on Wednesday that it has recalibrated the governments vaccination target for the year from the initial goal of 70% of the population to 50%- 60% by focusing on Metro Manila to reach immediate protection. However, if global supply improves, the Philippines could still reach its initial goal to achieve herd immunity this year, it added.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has underlined efforts to further advance reform and opening-up, strengthen market vitality and actively deal with changing domestic and external situations for pushing forward the country's stable and sound economic development.



Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during his inspection tour to the city of Ningbo in east China's Zhejiang Province from Monday to Tuesday.

When inspecting the Ningbo-Zhoushan port, a major transit area for bulk commodities in China, Li called for paying close attention to the cyclical changes in the world economy and commodity price fluctuations in the international market.

China should expand opening-up, further promote the facilitation of customs clearance and conduct free and fair trade, he said, adding that the country should give full play to the advantages of the port and use market-oriented methods to improve the import, storage and trading of bulk commodities.

Li spoke with managers of several manufacturing enterprises to learn about the impact that upstream price changes in raw materials had had on their businesses.

He said that rising commodity prices would not only bring excessive pressure to large and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises but also affect the small, micro and individual businesses, adding that consumption activities downstream would also be affected.

Li called for making good use of policies, such as tax and fee cuts and inclusive financing, to support market entities, and ramping up market regulation to slow down the transmission of rising costs to the downstream sectors.

Enterprises should also pay attention to tapping into their potentials and drawing on innovation to relieve cost pressures and improve competitiveness.

During his visit to a government service center in the city, Li stressed that the country should relieve the pressure on enterprises, continue improving its business environment, and create a fairer market for competition.

He also inspected a talent resource market to learn about the local employment situation. While visiting a local company, he encouraged it to develop more new products enjoyed by consumers.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 27)  Barangay leaders will be the first ones arrested if they fail to prevent mass gatherings in their areas, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered on Wednesday. But he also wants to make sure that guests will not be off the hook.

Kapag may isa pa, beginning tonight, ang unang hulihin ang barangay captain, he said during his weekly national address.

[Translation: If there is one more incident, beginning tonight, the barangay captain will be the first one to be arrested.]

I'm ordering the police to arrest the barangay captain and bring him to the station. Investigate him for dereliction of duty, having failed to enforce the law, added Duterte.

Duterte made the remark after Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano reported incidents of mass gatherings in NCR Plus amid the pandemic. There were superspreader parties that recently took place in Caloocan and Quezon City which infected more than 70 attendees.

A councilor in Quezon City was also asked on Monday to explain the breach in health protocol after around 6,000 people showed up at an ayuda distribution activity organized by Councilor Franz Pumaren in Barangay Old Balara.

I hate it. Malaki ang respeto ko sa barangay captain (I have a huge respect for barangay captain)  I am telling you that it is your duty to prevent these kinds of events from happening in your jurisdiction, Duterte said.

He also assured the police not to be afraid of enforcing the law.

The police must play an important role. Do not be afraid you can use reasonable force if there is a resistance to the arrest, said Duterte.

The President also said he will look for a suitable law against individuals who will continue to gather in large groups despite the constant warnings from officials.

"Binabalewala ninyo ang pakiusap ng gobyerno and its criminal for you to get the COVID and pass it on to another innocent person. It is really a crime. Naghahanap ako ngayon ng batas na paano ko kayo ipahuli ng pulis," he said. "Walang katapusan na itong p***** i**** to kasi lahat kayo naghahawaan na naman and you know the danger of congregating or getting together so close to each other, nagsasayawan pa, nagpipiyesta pa."

[Translation: You are ignoring the appeal of the government. It is a crime for you to have COVID and pass it on to an innocent person. I am looking for a suitable law for your arrest. This pandemic will not end because you are spreading the virus. You know the danger of congregating or getting together so close to each other and yet here you are dancing with each other and partying.]

Duterte previously ordered the arrest of those who fail to properly wear face masks in public. The Departments of Justice and Interior Government are still in the process of crafting the guidelines. It is unclear if this will also cover those who violate mass gathering restrictions.

The country on Wednesday recorded 5,310 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the nationwide tally to 1,193,976, the Department of Health reported. Of the total, 46,037 or 3.9% are active cases or currently ill patients.
The National Weather Service in State College issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the area until 8 p.m. Wednesday, according to a Twitter post.

The storm watch includes regions of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont and West Virginia.

According to the State College National Weather Service, the storm could include scattered hail, wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour and frequent lightning.

The storm could potentially impact 13,484,775 people, 297 hospitals and 4271 schools, the post said.

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Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, a fast-food restaurant chain originally founded in Louisiana, may open its first Pennsylvania location at 228 E. College Ave. in downtown State College.

During a State College Zoning Hearing Board meeting Tuesday, Adam Caracci, the East Coast property development manager for Raising Cane's, presented the business's request for a property requirement variance.

According to Caracci, the business is seeking a variance from the rule that open steps must be 18 inches behind a front property line.

The restaurant requested to install a ramp at the front entrance of the store, which would extend past the 18-inch rule, in order to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The board said it will meet again June 8 to make a decision after the board's solicitor reviews the business's requests.

Raising Cane's said a denial of its variance request would make the location "unfeasible," however, it did not confirm the approval of these requests will officially result in a State College location.

Caracci told The Daily Collegian he could not comment about the possible new location.

According to Kelly Hansen, a divisional leader of marketing for Raising Cane's, the restaurant is awaiting permit approval from the City of State College.

"We expect this location to open early next year," Hansen said via email.

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Tierra Williams moved to State College three years ago with her son and has actively engaged herself in the community since. Now, she is a candidate running for Ferguson Township Supervisor.

Williams has 1,598 votes in the primary election as of May 24 and is running against Lisa Strickland, who currently has 1,650 votes. The primary results will not be finalized until early June, and the general election will be Nov. 2.

Williams ran for the position during the primary elections as part of the joint slate, Our Communities Cant Wait. The campaign includes Penn State student and formerly incarcerated activist Divine Lipscomb, artistic director for FUSE Productions Richard Biever, and Penn State clinical law professor Gopal Balachandran  all of whom ran for State College Borough Council.

The slate is sponsored by Pennsylvania Uniteds Political Action Committee, which supports the candidates people-powered, people-funded campaigns through donations and grassroot organization, according to its website.

Williams said members of State Colleges 3/20 Coalition inspired her to run for the Ferguson Township Supervisor position. If elected, she would be the first Black woman to serve on the board, as well as its youngest member.

Ive never thought of myself as a politician and will never consider myself a politician, Williams said. Im an activist and advocate for the people no matter what office I am elected or not elected to.

Williams has served as the co-leader of the 3/20 Coalition since September 2020.

The 3/20 Coalition formed after Osaze Osagie, a 29-year-old Black man, was killed by a State College police officer on March 20, 2019 when three officers arrived at Osagies apartment to serve a mental health warrant.

Osagie, who had autism and a history of schizophrenia, ran at the officers with a knife. After an unsuccessful attempt to deploy a Taser on him, he was allegedly shot by Officer M. Jordan Pieniazek.

The three officers involved in the shooting have not been charged.

Racism doesnt just go away because you want it to. Its still here, and it has to be dealt with, Williams said. A lot of the work with the 3/20 Coalition is the same fire that Im going to bring to speak for the underprivileged people in this community.

With the 3/20 Coalition, Williams has led protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and Osaze Osagies legacy in the State College community.

Protests and politics go hand in hand, Williams said. When people speak out, they push legislation and push people to make changes in these offices.

MORE NEWS COVERAGE

Before moving to State College, Williams lived in Mississippi and attended Jackson State University. She graduated with a degree in speech communications with a theatre concentration.

In State College, she has performed in local plays, such as Remembering Osaze, and led poetry readings at the Central PA Theatre and Dance Fest during various summers.

I'm constantly in the streets because our work is in the streets and making an uproar to make people listen, Williams said. But, it is also structural reform by attending borough council meetings and speaking out against those in political positions.

Williams said she has used her platform on the Black Tea show she created to highlight racial inequities, religion, politics and police brutality issues in State College.

Im the type of person to call you out because it doesnt matter if you are in my party or claim to agree with my ideologies, Williams said. I will call out racism, bigotry, prejudice and discrimination no matter who you are, where you are or what you are because that is who I am and who I will be regardless if Im elected or not.

Jenna Henry, Williams campaign manager, met Williams through her work with the 3/20 Coalition. Henry has been involved in politics since 2017 and worked on Bernie Cantornas, Erin McCrackens and Susan Bosars campaigns.

Henry has worked with Williams and other members of the Centre County Cant Wait slate and said she believes different perspectives are needed for every aspect of State College politics.

Tierra has a unique perspective on issues of the world and the way things work and how issues affect people locally, Henry said. Anytime you bring in people that have different backgrounds and different life experiences, it makes the board that much stronger because of the different perspectives.

Having lived in State College her whole life, Henry said she has seen issues evolve that are often hidden.

There is poverty in State College, massive problems with affordable housing and jobs that pay enough to afford places to live, and problems with drug abuse and addiction in this area, Henry said. Some people dont know that [the problems are] there because its all been hidden so well, and they need to be addressed to make it a more liveable community for everyone.

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Henry said she hopes the community can have open dialogues about these issues instead of fighting each other on them.

People need to look at the ways that issues affect everyone in the community, not just the people advocating for or against a certain issue, Henry said. Tierra has whats best for everyone in the community in mind.

Robert Zeigler, the chair for the PA United campaign slate, serves as the Millheim Borough Councils president.

Zeigler graduated from Penn State in 2005 with a degree in political science and later earned his masters degree from the University of Phoenix.

Once I started going to council meetings, I wanted to be involved in governance and had ideas for the borough, Zeigler said. I got involved in Centre County Democrats throughout the pandemic and eventually was asked to be the chair for the PA United slate where I met Tierra.

Zeigler said he believes many people wouldnt realize Williams is a veteran, which Zeigler said helped her leadership qualities.

Williams holds a certification in the U.S. Army as a human resource specialist from the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies.

Ziegler also said he believes leaders need to be driven and honest to do whats best for the community, which he said can be difficult.

Uncomfortable conversations are a good sign of growth, and many people avoid talking about those things, Ziegler said. As a leader, Tierra is always willing to talk about and participate with those conversations, even if it makes people uncomfortable.

Williams said she encourages everyone to go out and vote no matter who your vote is for.

If there are more people in these offices that look like me and represent the group of people that I represent, more things will be sustainable for our communities, Williams said. In 2021, were still talking about the firsts in politics, and even though there are many challenges to go through, Im up for the challenge.

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Sen. Pete Lee has officially killed his initial bill this session to reform the pre-trial detention process, but his scaled-back version cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee Wednesday and moved to the Senate floor, where it won preliminary approval. A final Senate vote on Thursday is next, followed by a trip to the House.

The Colorado Springs Democrats legislation, Senate Bills 62 and 273, seeks to clamp down on the use of arrests and cash bail for what he described as low-level offenses. The initial effort, SB 62, was the successor to a 2020 effort that had bipartisan support, but the 2021 version found support only among Democrats, and apparently not enough of them.

As introduced, the bill would have banned the use of cash bail for limited misdemeanors or low-level felonies, unless the person is believed to be a flight risk. But it was the bills second provision allowing law enforcement to issue a summons in lieu of arrest for offenses such as traffic charges, misdemeanors and low-level felony or drug offenses that drew massive opposition from law enforcement, municipalities, municipal judges, mayors and even the Colorado Retail Council.

According to Lee, it became clear that [SB] 62 was having some trouble, because some of the narrative about it had turned quite negative, so he opted for a reset with SB 273.

The latest version of bill keeps the bail provision intact, but strikes class 4, 5, or 6 felonies from the arrest provision in hopes to move people to support.

That wasn't good enough for Sen. John Cooke, R-Greeley, who spent 90 minutes Wednesday evening on a filibuster of the bill. He referred to SB 273 multiple times as "Senate Bill 62, I mean, Senate Bill 273," stating there was no difference between the two measures. He also read off a list of offenses for which a personal recognizance bond would be allowed under SB 273, as well as a list of those in opposition in law enforcement and mayors. He also read off a list of cities where crime has gone up during the pandemic, but never tied any of those increases to increased use of a personal recognizance bond.

Under SB 273, a working group in the department of public safety would propose statewide policy and legislative initiatives "to safely increase community response in lieu of law enforcement engagement for lower-level offenses." Cooke pointed out that the working group, as outlined in the bill, lacked representation from the bail bonds industry, judiciary and a crime victim. But it does have a criminal, Cooke said.

Cooke's efforts paid off with a couple of amendments adopted by the Senate, including one adding the representation he said the working group lacked, as well as changes to the reports counties must file about their jail populations.

Two sections of the bill also got named after people who died in police custody, at the behest of Sen. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora. One section would be named after Michael Marshall, a street preacher with mental health issues who was killed in 2015 by deputies while in the Denver jail. Marshall was jailed on a misdemeanor and was unable to post the $100 bond. Marshall's death was ruled a homicide, although no deputy was ever held accountable for his death. Marshall's family settled with the city of Denver for $4.6 million.

Another section of the bill is being named for Marvin Booker, who died in the Denver jail in 2010 at the hands of sheriff's deputies, who were deemed responsible for his death. Booker's family settled with the city for $6 million.

The bail provision of the bill would also require courts to issue a personal recognizance bond if a defendant fails to appear for their court date, with a handful of exceptions built in.

SB 273 cleared the appropriations panel on a 4-3 party-line vote shortly after Lee opted to postpone SB 62 indefinitely, which is legislative jargon for scuttling a bill for the session.
Senators ran through many amendments in what will be the penultimate big fight on the bill. The last will be waged within a conference committee, one that is all but certain to take over in crafting the final version of the bill.
Colorado Politics covered the ins and outs of the bill as it has made its way through the General Assembly. Read our extensive coverage of the bill, its changes, the stances for and against and in-between, and its journey.
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U.S. car manufacturer Tesla has established a data center in China to store its car data locally, the company announced Tuesday.

All data generated by the company's vehicles sold on the Chinese mainland will be stored in China, with more local data centers due to be built by the company.

In the future, owners of Tesla vehicles will be able to access a platform to query vehicle data, as part of a bid to standardize data management and ensure data safety, according to the company.
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Columbia, MO (65201)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms in the morning, then partly cloudy late. High near 90F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Mostly clear skies. Low near 65F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
CPC always puts people first: former Lao Deputy Prime Minister

09:20, May 26, 2021 By Qu Song ( People's Daily

"The history of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is one in which the CPC has led the Chinese people to overcome all kinds of difficulties and make new achievements one after another," said former Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad in a recent interview.

Under the leadership of the CPC, China has paved a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics that well suits its national conditions, said Somsavat, also a former politburo member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP).

Aerial photo taken on July 24, 2020 shows the China-Laos Railway's Ban Ladhan Mekong River Super Major Bridge in Laos. (Xinhua/Pan Longzhu)

Speaking of China developing into the world's second largest economy in a very short period of time since its reform and opening up, Somsavat called it a very remarkable progress for a major country with 1.4 billion people.

Somsavat has witnessed and been a part of the friendly exchanges between Laos and China since 1960s. Later, he served as the foreign minister of Laos, the head of the LPRP Central Committee's commission for external relations, and deputy prime minister of the country successively.

"The attention-getting development achievements made by China came from the strong leadership of the CPC," Somsavat NOTED. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping as the core has carried forward its fine traditions, deepened all-round reform with enormous political courage and wisdom, and brought the socialism with Chinese characteristics into a new era, he explained, adding that China's development has been constantly scaled onto new heights.

In 2005, general secretary Xi Jinping of the CPC Central Committee, who then served as the secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the CPC, led a CPC delegation to visit Laos. He was received by Somsavat, who was the head of the LPRP Central Committee's commission for external relations at that time.

Ten years later, Choummaly Sayasone, the then General Secretary of the LPRP and Lao President, paid a visit to China. He was accompanied by Somsavat, the then deputy prime minister of Laos.

Somsavat said the Lao delegation was surprised and touched by President Xi when the latter, at a welcoming banquet, recognized Sounthone Xayachack, the then head of the LPRP Central Committee's commission for external relations who accompanied him on a visit to Luang Prabang during his 2005 trip to Laos.

"General secretary Xi is erudite, sincere and cordial. I'm respectful to him for his charisma, pragmatism and love for the people," Somsavat said.

He introduced that the LPRP attaches high importance on learning Chinese governance experiences. On a politburo meeting of the LPRP, he specifically made a presentation on CPC's efforts to combat corruption, in which he explained the Chinese term "taking out tigers and swatting flies," which means an official, no matter how high his or her position is, must be severely punished once he or she violates the Party disciplines or laws.

"The Lao side agrees with the CPC's governance philosophy which always puts people in the first place, and is holding similar values itself," said Somsavat, who has visited China for times, attending seminars and the China-ASEAN Exposition. The Lao politician is grateful to China for sharing its experiences unreservedly.

From the opening of the first expressway in Laos and the in-orbit delivery of the Lao Sat-1 satellite, to the holing through of the China-Laos railway tunnels and Laos turned from a land-locked country to a land-linked one, Somsavat has witnessed the people-to-people ties and sincere cooperation between the two countries that have brought tangible benefits to the Chinese and Lao peoples.

The completion of an irrigation project implemented under China's preferential export buyer's credit policy in Laos' Khammouan province in 2015 has formed a 2,800-hectare irrigated area, Somsavat said, adding that the project has significantly improved local residents' livelihood, raised grain production and lowered impacts of floods.

In August 2015, Somsavat, on behalf of the Lao side, signed the Joint General Scheme of Mohan-Boten Economic Cooperation Zone with China in Beijing. The economic cooperation zone is the second cross-border economic cooperation zone established by China and its bordering country. It is an important measure for China and Laos to create new cooperation mode and accelerate opening up. The building of a Laos-China community with a shared future has injected enormous impetus into the economic and social development of Laos, Somsavat noted.

Facing the challenges brought by the COVID-19 epidemic, Somsavat said, China was the first country to control the virus and restore economic and social development. It was because the CPC has always put the Chinese people, as well as their lives and health in the first place, he explained.

The institutional advantages of China were well exhibited amid the epidemic, which demonstrated the leadership and execution of the CPC and the Chinese government, Somsavat said.

"Through the fight against the virus, Laos has gained a better understanding of the CPC's governance philosophy that always puts people first and of the institutional advantages of socialism, which further reinforced the country's resolution and confidence in pursuing socialism," Somsavat said.

He stressed that the joint construction of the Belt and Road and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind are connecting countries closer, providing new ideas and schemes for the promotion of world peace and development, as well as win-win cooperation.

The Laos side appreciates China's efforts to safeguard multilateralism, promote the reform in global governance system, and facilitate global peaceful development and human civilization progress, Somsavat said, adding that China's practices are in line with the common aspiration of the people around the world.

Somsavat believes that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping as the core, China will definitely achieve its goals. Guided by the philosophy of building a community with a shared future for mankind, China will work together with the rest of the world to make the planet a better place.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
The United States' exports to China have benefited nearly all U.S. states and industries, the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC) said Tuesday during a conference held in Shanghai.

Data released by the council showed that U.S. exports to China grew by about 18 percent year-on-year to over 123 billion U.S. dollars in 2020, while its exports to the rest of the world fell by 15 percent during the same period.

China became the United States's third largest market for exports of goods during the period. China was also among the top five goods destinations for 45 U.S. states, with 35 states seeing growth in exports to China and nine gaining more than 1 billion U.S. dollars in the growth of export value, said the council.

Among them, Texas showed the largest export value to China, totaling 16.9 billion U.S. dollars, while Louisiana achieved the largest growth, up nearly 120 percent year on year.

A diverse range of industries has also reported a gratifying increase. In 2020, the major drivers of growth included oilseeds and grains, semiconductors and their components, as well as oil and gas, with export volumes totaling 17.2 billion, 12 billion and 9.2 billion U.S. dollars, respectively.

Such statistics reflect the fact that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries are still economically interdependent, with economic and trade exchanges remaining the cornerstone for the Sino-U.S. relationship, the USCBC representative said.

So far, American enterprises continue to show upbeat expectations regarding the Chinese market. About 1,600 American companies set up operations in China last year.

Since the two nations started trading relations, over 70,000 American enterprises have invested in China or operated a business there, with a total annual sales volume exceeding 700 billion U.S. dollars. About 83 percent of them regarded China as their most important market or among the top five, said the USCBC.

China has remained a hotspot for foreign investment amid the pandemic, with the total foreign direct investment into the country's financial hub, Shanghai, rising 20.3 percent to about 7.77 billion U.S. dollars in the first four months of 2021.
Danville, IL (61832)

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Partly cloudy in the morning. Thunderstorms developing later in the day. High 92F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

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Singapore detects 26 new COVID cases, three of them unlinked

Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) today confirmed the detection of 26 new cases of COVID-19 infection, taking the country's total case count to 61,916.

The ministry also added a number of new venues to the list of places visited by COVID-19 community cases while infectious. Photo courtesy: BI

There are 24 new cases of local infection, out of which 21 are linked to past cases, said MOH in a news release. The other three local cases are unlinked.

Of the new local cases, fourteen have already been placed on quarantine while seven were detected via surveillance, the ministry added.

Based on MOH's investigations, 23 of the new cases are in the community and one resides in a migrant worker dormitory. There are also two imported cases, who have been placed on Stay-Home Notice upon their arrival in Singapore.

In its nightly update yesterday, MOH said that the three residents at a migrant worker dormitory who tested positive earlier that day were roommates and colleagues of a previously-reported case. The four cases now form a new cluster at the Harvest @ Woodlands dormitory where all the men reside.

The ministry also added a number of new venues to the list of places visited by COVID-19 community cases while infectious. These include a FairPrice Finest outlet at Bukit Timah Plaza, Hup Choon Eating House at 1 Binjai Park as well as the Chang Cheng company headquarters in Woodlands.
05/26/2021

Photo (c) ALEXIUZ - Getty Images Coronavirus (COVID-19) tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Previous numbers in parentheses.)

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 33,171,024 (33,145,906)

Total U.S. deaths: 591,116 (590,758)

Total global cases: 167,961,302 (167,416,621)

Total global deaths: 3,488,454 (3,475,888)

CDC to allow Royal Caribbean to simulate a cruise

If youre ready to get back on a cruise ship, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is clearing the way. Royal Caribbean Group announced on Twitter that it would be the first to undertake a CDC test cruise.

After 15 months of hard work and collaboration, @RoyalCaribbean has received CDC approval for simulated cruises on #FreedomoftheSeas in June, the company posted. This is the latest promising step to return to sailing in the U.S. We look forward to seeing our crew and loyal guests this summer.

Its a significant milestone for the cruise industry. Ships have been confined to ports in the U.S. since March 2020, when a number of outbreaks aboard ships resulted in several deaths from the coronavirus.

CDC director: Enjoy the Memorial Day holiday

Millions of vaccinated Americans are no doubt looking forward to the Memorial Day weekend and the official kickoff to summer. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky has some advice: be careful but enjoy yourself.

In a briefing, Walensky expressed optimism that the U.S. would not see a spike in new cases of the virus after this weekend, much like it has had following other recent holidays. She said the U.S. is better protected with 130 million people vaccinated.

Thanks to vaccines, tens of millions of Americans are able to get back to something closer to normal: visiting friends and family, she said while advising unvaccinated people to continue wearing a mask in public.

Most businesses may adopt a hybrid approach

If youve gotten accustomed to remote work over the last year and want to continue, theres a good chance youll be able to. A study by researchers at Forrester predicts that 70% of all U.S. and European companies will adopt a hybrid work model after the pandemic.

In a hybrid model setup, some employees can work anywhere they want for two or more days a week while coming into the office on the remaining workdays. The research shows that companies that do this will benefit, especially in the areas of recruitment and employee retention.

Forrester reports that 55% of U.S. employees said they hope to work from home more often, even after the pandemic ends.

COVID-19s devastating after effects

Some people who recovered from severe cases of COVID-19 were left with lingering symptoms. Researchers at the University of Michigan (UM) medical school say their numbers are greater than first reported.

Publishing their findings in the journal PM&R, investigators reported that 45% of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 experienced a significant functional decline after being discharged. Eighty percent of that group required additional therapy and 20% could no longer live independently.

"Rehabilitation needs were really, really common for these patients," said lead author Dr. Alecia K. Daunter, a pediatric physiatrist at Michigan Medicine. "They survived, but these people left the hospital in worse physical condition than they started.

Pandemic may have changed spring cleaning

After spending most of their time at home for a year or more, Americans have approached spring cleaning a little differently this year. Retail chain Meijer reports that it tracked two new trends in customers' spring cleaning habits after spending 14 months at home.

As everything opens up, consumers are preparing to open their homes to visitors again. That, the company says, is leading homeowners to start cleaning with a balance between natural and disinfecting products and with increased kitchen organization.

"We saw our customers focus on home cleaning in a big way over the last year and many of those habits aren't going away any time soon," said Angie Pagel, director of Merchandising for Household Consumables at Meijer. "In fact, we're already seeing some of those cleaning habits evolve as they begin to start opening their homes up to more guests."

Around the nation
Navarro County Commissioners approved the bond and appointment of Raychaun Ballard to the position of Pct. 2. Constable, and he was sworn in at the May 24 special meeting.
Beiersdorf's Oscar&Paul VC division and 9.5 Ventures have announced a joint investment in Routinely, a personalized skin care brand that focuses on a modular skin care ritual emphasizing the dynamic nature of the skin.

Routinely features an online questionnaire that consumers complete through an app to find the perfect combination of a total of 13 unisex serums for their skin. The daily skin care routine is individually adjusted based on current measurement results in real time.

Previously: Drivers of Personalized Skin Care

The Routinely investment is part of a wide range of personalization activities at Beiersdorf under its C.A.R.E.+ strategy.



Charlotte Van Loock, co-founder and CMO at Routinely, said, "We must reconsider the traditional, static way of thinking when it comes to skin care. Our skin is a living, breathing organ that is influenced by a myriad of factors, such as eating habits, day-to-day environment, sleep patterns, hormonal balance, and many more. Generic products fail to cater to this individual specificity of our skin. Our goal is to create more clarity in the skin care segment. We want to offer consumers exactly and exclusively what they need to improve their skin health. Active ingredients that are proven to work while providing smart, convenient care."

Ascan Voswinckel, head of Oscar&Paul Beiersdorf Venture Capital, said, "We know from comprehensive feedback and studies how relevant personalized skin care is to the consumer. We strongly believe in the pioneering concept of Routinely brought about by the team with an exceptional deal of dedication and spirit. As an investor and strategic partner, we collaborate closely with the team and share our expertise to bring Routinely to market quickly and evolve it successfully."
P2 Science Inc. has announced that professor Vania Leite has joined the companys scientific advisory board (SAB).

Related: P2 Science Appoints Adalberto Fleitas as Senior Applications Chemist

Leite is a professor of cosmetology at the Federal University of Sao Paulo in Brazil and holds the position of honorary senior research fellow at the University of Queensland, Brisbane Australia.

Leite is set to advise the company in areas of technology, innovation and cosmetic science.

She has more than 20 years of experience within the industry, with an emphasis on research and development of cosmetics, involving research, development and validation of new methodologies and technologies for evaluation of cosmetic performance.

P2 CEO, Neil Burns, said, With Vania now on our SAB, we benefit from her deep expertise in the field of cosmetology and her amazing background in the global business of cosmetics. Hers is the sort of experience and perspective that is unique and incredibly enriching for us."

Want to know everything going on in flavor & fragrance? Sign up for P&F+'s newsletter. You can also follow along on Instagram and LinkedIn.
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Partly cloudy skies in the morning will give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 95F. Winds light and variable.

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 74F. Winds light and variable.

Tomorrow

Partly cloudy. Hot. High 94F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
Fuling district in China's southwestern city of Chongqing is home to several leading Chinese enterprises that have ambitions to shape the world.

A hot-rolled coil production line in a plant at Panhua Group's Fuling base in Fuling district, Chongqing, May 22, 2021. [Photo by Zhang Rui/China.org.cn]

"We are the leading private enterprise in the steel sheet industry, and it's thanks to Chongqing's Fuling district that we had the opportunity to achieve this extraordinary accomplishment," Li Xinghua, chairman of Panhua Group, told China.org.cn.

The "extraordinary accomplishment" Li is referring to is the construction of a production line in the district in just 258 days. "Normally, a production line of this scale would take three years to build, but thanks to Fuling's local government, its preferential policies and a special and considerate service system for outside enterprises like us, we managed it," Li said.

The production line is a hot-rolled coil line producing 4.5 million metric tons annually, which makes use of world-class technology and equipment. In the past, a production line like this required more than 1,000 workers, but now it can be operated by just six technicians. "Still, the annual output value is 27 billion yuan, this is our strength  smart and digitalized production."

Panhua Group's Fuling base has played a leading role in helping transform China's steel industry. The steel sheets it produces are not only sold to domestic markets, but also exported worldwide through its own wharf in Chongqing. "Our goal is to be No. 1 in our industry globally with an output value of over 100 billion yuan," he added.

So far, the group has built four production bases in China. It is also currently investing $3.5 billion in the Philippines to build the first comprehensive steel plant in the country. "After the Philippines plant is finished, Panhua Group will have a complete industrial chain system," he said.

The factory site of Chongqing Wankai New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. in Fuling district, Chongqing, May 21, 2021. [Photo by Zhang Rui/China.org.cn]

Chongqing Wankai New Materials Technology Co., Ltd., is also a new materials project with a total investment of about 3.6 billion yuan that Zhejiang Zhink Group Co., Ltd. contracted with Chongqing's Fuling district. It can produce 1.2 million metric tons annually of food-grade PET (Polyethylene terephthalate)  a product widely used in food and drinks packaging  at Fuling Longqiao Industrial Park.

Phase one of the food-grade PET material project at Chongqing Wankai officially went into production on March 25, 2020, while the second phase is slated to be up and running by the end of 2021. On completion, it will be the largest production base of food-grade PET in the world with an output value of 10 billion yuan.

Qiu Zengming, general manager of Chongqing Wankai, explained that PET is not only used in food, medical and cosmetics packaging, but also in sectors such as electronics, aerospace and rail transit. The company sells its products to various countries and regions around the globe, and has the ambition of becoming the world's biggest company in the polyester material industry.

Qiu added that the Chongqing base was set up to fill gaps in western markets, while Zhejiang Zhink Group wants to seize national strategic opportunities from the Belt and Road Initiative, strategy of west development and development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and recognized Chongqing's important position in west China with its international transportation channels.

Longtou Port in Fuling district, Chongqing, May 21, 2021. [Photo by Zhang Rui/China.org.cn]

Longtou Port is a key port for international transportation in Chongqing, connecting rail, road and waterway. With 11.6 billion yuan of investment, it is positioned as an important integrated logistics base in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, a material distribution center and bonded port on the Yangtze and Wujiang rivers, as well as a transportation base along the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

The first phase of the port entered operation in 2017, while the next phase is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2022, said Kuang Bin, the president of Longtou Port. After completion, the port will achieve an annual throughput of 40 million metric tons.

Industry is the main "engine" of Fuling's development and the foundation of Fuling's strength, according to Wang Zhijie, secretary of the CPC Fuling District Committee. The district has an industrial development pattern supported by the six leading industries of materials, clean energy, consumer goods, equipment manufacturing, biomedicine, and electronic information. In 2020, Fuling achieved a regional GDP of 122.51 billion yuan. Local government data shows that there are 277 industrial enterprises above designated size in the district, including four enterprises each with an output value of more than 10 billion yuan.
While traveling to Jerusalem on Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and announced the United States plans to provide aid to Gaza and assured that work will be done to ensure Hamas doesn't benefit from U.S. aid dollars.

We know that to prevent a return to violence, we have to use the space created to address a larger set of underlying issues and challenges, and that begins with tackling the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza and starting to rebuild, Blinken said in remarks.

Blinken reiterated that the U.S. would ensure Hamas did not receive any aid intended to assist the Palestinian people.

The United States will work to rally international support around that effort while also making our own significant contributions, including some that Ill announce later today, Blinken continued. Well work with our partners, closely with all to ensure that Hamas does not benefit from the reconstruction assistance.

Source:The Christian Post
Democrats are vowing that any action by the United States Supreme Court to alter the legal precedent on abortion will add fuel to the push among some in their party to add seats to the nation's highest court.

Congressional Democrats issued the warning after the Supreme Court announced that it would decide on the constitutionality of Mississippis 15-week abortion ban by hearing the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. The state of Mississippi is asking the court to review a lower court decision finding that the ban on abortions more than 15 weeks into a pregnancy is unconstitutional.

Democrats fear that with the court consisting of six justices appointed by Republican presidents and three justices appointed by Democratic presidents, the justices could uphold the pro-life state law, thereby striking a blow to the longstanding Supreme Court precedent in Roe v. Wade establishing the right to obtain an abortion nationwide.

According to The Hill, Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., are among the lawmakers promising to push for changes to the Supreme Court if the nearly half-century-old court decision is overturned.

Source:The Christian Post
Big Tech companies will now be held accountable and face lawsuits or fines for censorship through a new law in the Sunshine State that protects Floridians from the "totalitarianism" of Big Tech oligopolies.

Florida's Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 7072 in Miami on Monday to hold Big Tech accountable, require transparency and protect the ability of Floridians to participate freely in online platforms.

This session, we took action to ensure that We the People  real Floridians across the Sunshine State  are guaranteed protection against the Silicon Valley elites, DeSantis said in a statement.

Many in our state have experienced censorship and other tyrannical behavior firsthand in Cuba and Venezuela, he continued. If Big Tech censors enforce rules inconsistently, to discriminate in favor of the dominant Silicon Valley ideology, they will now be held accountable.

Source:The Christian Post
A group of Methodists in California are protesting against a regional body of the United Methodist Church, accusing its leadership of mistreating three theologically conservative Korean pastors by terminating their appointments.

The Rev. Jonathan Lee of San Diego Korean United Methodist Church, the Rev. Jae Duk Lew of the Valley Korean United Methodist Church, and the Rev. Nak In Kim of the Bell Memorial United Methodist Church each had their appointments as senior pastors terminated.

The three pastors fell under the jurisdiction of the UMC California-Pacific Conference, a largely theologically progressive regional body headed by Bishop Grant Hagiya.

Nearly 50 people demonstrated outside the conference offices in Pasadena on Saturday, protesting against Hagiya, who they've accused of bullying the pastors for not aligning with his views on the schism debate within the UMC.

Source:The Christian Post
A city in Ohio has become the first in the state to pass an ordinance that bans abortions in its jurisdiction after its leadership unanimously voted to approve the measure.

The Lebanon City Council, whose city has a population of about 20,000, voted Tuesday evening to pass Ordinance 2021-053, which bans abortion in the community.

The meeting had a packed crowd, with several locals speaking for and against the ordinance before Councilman Doug Shope, who sponsored the proposal, spoke about the measure.

We had been talking about some of the ridiculous sanctuary city things that have been done in other parts of the country, said Shope, citing, as an example, sanctuary cities for those who entered the United States illegally. Wouldnt it be great if we had a sanctuary for the unborn?

Source:The Christian Post
Two years after the Southern Baptist Convention acknowledged in Resolution 9 that critical race theory can be a useful analytical tool to explain how race has and continues to function in society, Mike Stone, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Blackshear, Georgia, is proposing a new resolution asking the denomination to condemn the theory.

Stone, who is vying to become the next president of the worlds largest Baptist denomination at its annual meeting next month in Nashville, Tennessee, promoted his proposal on Twitter last Wednesday.

The pastor said the proposed resolution seeks to provide leadership with clarity, compassion, and conviction in addressing critical race theory and intersectionality.

He explained that the proposal has more than 50 supporters. They include Owen Strachan, an associate professor of Christian theology and director of the Center for Public Theology at the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; and Carol Swain, a retired professor of political science and law at Vanderbilt University.

Source:The Christian Post
Lori Alexander, a married Christian woman who's also known through her blog The Transformed Wife, is warning married women that their desire to control their husbands through a matriarchal spirit using sex, an insistence on being right, always having the last word and others means could lead to the destruction of their marriage.

We dont use sex to manipulate our husbands. We dont deprive our husbands sexually. We give it to him willingly and freely because we love pleasing our husbands. So women, rid yourself of that matriarchal spirit today. Just give it to the Lord. Its an idol in your life. Its hurting your marriage, could potentially destroy your marriage. Begin building your husband up. Respect his opinions. Stop arguing with him. You dont need the last word. You dont need to be right, and youll be shocked at how much better your marriage is and how much happier your husband is, Alexander, who has been married to her husband since 1980, warned in a video shared on YouTube Sunday.

According to Daughters of Promise, the matriarchal or Jezebel spirit uses seduction, womanly wiles, or sexual means to control men. If those dont work, it uses shame and sarcasm, scorn and arrogance. This spirit, according to the ministry, specifically targets the weak and the wounded, the hurt, rebellious and rejected. It uses flattery, smooth words, prophecies and tears to seduce these targets out from under authority.

Most women, says Alexander, have the matriarchal spirit.

Source:The Christian Post
BANDIPORA , MAY 25: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Dr. Owais Ahmad on Tuesday briefed the media about the status of Covid-19 pandemic, preparations and the mitigation measures in the district.

Addressing the media, Dr. Owais said that the administration is fully prepared to deal with any situation and all requisite arrangements have been put in place while the healthcare infrastructure is being updated and augmented with every passing day.

Dr Owais said as on date there are 1217 active positive cases in the district out of whom 118 patients are hospitalized in different levels of covid hospitals. He said 42 active patients are on additional Oxygen support.

He said there is no shortage of oxygen as oxygen supported beds are fully functional at Level-III hospital and other covid designated hospitals across the district.

The DC said that the patients who are under Home Isolation are being taken care of and medical kits have been provided to them and their regular check-ups are being conducted by the field staff. He said the administration has also deputed a psychologist to counsel the Covid-19 positive patients to overcome the stress and anxiety while they are staying in isolation.

Dr Owais said that the administrations in a process of further augmenting healthcare system and added that 5-bedded Covid Care Centres (CCCs) are being established in each Panchayat with an aim to strengthen the health infrastructure in rural areas amid the 2nd wave of Covid-19 pandemic.

He said one among the 5 beds will be an oxygen supported bed for immediate patient care at village level. Elaborating on the status of Vaccination campaign in the district, the DC said that 73 percent of vaccination of people above 45 years of age is completed and appealed the rest to get vaccinated at the earliest adding that sufficient doses of vaccination are available in the district.

Regarding Corona curfew, DC said that corona curfew stands extended till 31th May, 2021 and complemented the general public for adhering to Covid-19 SOPs and guidelines as ordered in the district and said that it has proved instrumental in bringing down the positivity rate in the district.
A family-friendly street festival, musical performances and a moment of silence were held Tuesday to honor George Floyd and mark the year since he died at the hands of Minneapolis police
Should women be silent in church?

More than any other ancient book, we see women operate with incredible grit and determination throughout Scripture, accomplishing amazing feats of perseverance, tenacity, fortitude, courage, and strength.

In the Old Testament, Sarah births a nation at the age of 90. Jochebed defies the Pharaoh to rescue her son. Miriam prophesies and sings over a fledgling nation. Deborah commands armies as the chief prophet and judge in the land. Jael assassinates the enemy. Jehosheba preserves the lineage of David. Huldah instructs the king. Rahab operates as a spy. Esther saves her people.

In the New Testament, an unwed girl accepts a divine, dangerous assignment that changes the course of human history. Anna becomes the first evangelist, prophesying that the Messiah has come. Mary lavishes her inheritance on the Messiahs feet.

The women at the tomb are the first to testify of Christs resurrection. The women at Pentecost prophesy and speak in other tongues. Priscilla instructs Apollos. Chloe leads a house church. Phoebe is a deacon and currier of the Gospel. Junia is an apostle.

And yet, the very things that many of these women did in Scripture, they cannot do in some Christian circles today.

Should Women Be Silent in Church: Women Are Unjustly Limited by These Two Misunderstood Passages

Recently, the mayor of a small Texas town invited a group of missionaries from YWAM, Youth With a Mission, to give the invocation at a city council meeting. Mayor Eric Rogue had only one requestthat the representatives who prayed were not women.

Given the litany of examples from Scripture mentioned above where women pray, praise, prophesy over and instruct nations, much less congregations, why this prohibition?

Two New Testament passages are frequently referenced in order to forbid women to minister as these women in Scripture do. Or rather, these verses are used out of context to limit the role of women in ministry.

1 Corinthians 14:34-35 says,

Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

And 1 Timothy 2:11-12 says,

A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.

For thousands of years, these two passages have been used to silence the voice and gifts of women.

In a recent article, I examined other passages of Scripture from both the Old and New Testament which conflict with the interpretation of these verses that silence and limit women. And in another article, I examined the critical cultural context necessary to understand the meaning of these passages.

Without this vital framework, these verses are easily misunderstood.

Think of this article as the third installment of a trilogy on women in ministry (also read Why We Should Reconsider What the Bible Really Says about Women in Ministry and Does Scripture Oppress or Liberate Women?)

Now it is finally time to examine the translations of these specific verses to find an interpretation that is consistent with all of Scripture. Lets break these two passages down to really understand what Paul is saying and what Gods is heart towards women in the church.

Does 1 Corinthians 14 Actually Say that Women Should Be Silent in Church?

A strict moratorium on women speaking in the church is not just inconsistent with the whole of Scripture  it is inconsistent within the same letter.

In chapter 11 of 1 Corinthians, just three chapters before the supposed restrictions on women speaking in the church, the Apostle Paul gives both men and women instructions on how to pray and prophesy in the church assembly (1 Corinthians 11:4-5).

One can pray silently, but prophesy is always audible. If Paul instructed women on how to prophesy in the church, he did not expect them to be silent. Nor did the Holy Spirit expect women to remain silent as his fiery baptism caused both men and women to prophesy and speak in other tongues at the churchs gathering on Pentecost (Acts 2).

It is illogical to suggest that Scripture requires women to be silent in the church just moments after instructing women on how to prophesy in the church. It is contradictory to think that God requires women to be silent in the church assembly when the Holy Spirit caused women to prophesy and speak in other tongues at the Pentecost church gathering.

And lets not forget Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah prophesied over the nation of Israel, not just a small church assembly.

Scripture must interpret Scripture. If something is inconsistent, it must be in our understanding, not in Gods intention.





Photo credit: SparrowStock

So Why Does Paul Tell Women to Be Silent in Church in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35?

According to Dr. John Temple Bristow, the answer lies in the words that Paul chose in 1 Corinthians 14.

For silence, he could have chosen the verb phimoo which means forcing someone to be silent, or hesuchia, which means quietness and stillness, but he didnt. Paul chose the verb sigao, which is a voluntary silence.

Sigao is the kind of silence asked for in the midst of disorder and clamor.[i]

Likewise, when Paul said it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church, he could have chosen any one of dozens of Greek words that imply speaking in ministry. Five of them denote preaching or proclaiming, and twenty-five others can be translated say, speak, or teach.[ii]

Paul didnt use any of those words. Instead he chose the word laleo, which can mean speaking something important. But of all the verbs that can be translated speak, only laleo can also mean, simply, talk.[iii]

Dr. Bristow contends that Paul was telling women to stop chattering during what had become very unruly gatherings. And the context of order, which is the clear theme of the entire chapter, supports this interpretation.

The silence required in chapter 14 of 1 Corinthians is a voluntary silence in accordance with the need for order in the church service. It was not intended to silence women outright.

The New Testament Liberated Women

Keep in mind, for the first time women were allowed to participate in the church service. They were no longer relegated to the balcony, hidden behind a curtain. They were on the main floor.

Women had been given instructions on how to pray and to prophesy in the service, but this privilege had become a disruption. The women were chattering and asking questions, which is precisely why, in the midst of the admonition to stop disturbing the service, Paul says, If they [women] want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home (vs. 35).

Paul was condemning disruptive chatter and questions that interrupted the service.

Why Does Paul Tell Timothy That He Does Not Allow a Woman to Teach or Exercise Authority over Men in 1 Timothy 2?

There are many theories here, but why search for one at all? Why not just accept this recommendation at face value?

Because at face value, it contradicts so many other Scriptures.

If God did not approve of women leading and instructing men, why was one-third of Israels first leadership team female? God said to the prophet Micah, I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam (Micah 6:4).

Why was Deborah the chief prophet and judge over all of Israel for four decades? Why was Huldah the most accurate prophet in Israel, and why did God use her to instruct the king? Why did Anna prophesy at the temple and Priscilla instruct Apollos?

Why was Chloe a house church leader, Phoebe a deacon, and Junia an apostle? Why did Jesus appear to the women first at the tomb?

In many instances, women do teach, lead, and exercise authority over men in Scripture. This fact requires an explanation.

Other Parts of 1 Timothy 2 Are Not Practiced Today

In this same section of Scripture, women are told not to wear gold or pearls, and they must not braid their hair (vs. 8). Are these prohibitions binding for all women of all cultures? Biblical scholars today, like Dr. Bristow and David Joel Hamilton, agree that these admonitions sought to distance women from an ostentatious and promiscuous culture[iv] in which temple courtesans braided gold jewelry into their hair.[v]

This section of Scripture also says, But women will be saved through childbearingif they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety (vs. 15).

Read that verse again.

Did Paul suddenly change the criteria for women to be saved?

Clearly not, although at face value it seems to. Too many other verses in Scripture tell us that salvation comes through faith, not childbirth. (Mark 16:16, Luke 7:50, John 5:24, Acts 10:30-31, Romans 10:9-10, Ephesian 2:8-9) Some suggest that this verse is referring to a woman being saved from dying in childbirth. Others suggest that this refers to the salvation that came through the birth of Christ. Whatever the meaning, it is clear that spiritual salvation does not come through bearing children.

So, the verses prohibiting women from wearing jewelry or braiding their hair and the verse saying that women are saved through bearing children are not taken at face value, while the prohibitions of women teaching or exercising authority are.

Is it logical to surgically remove this single exclusion and make it binding while the others arent?

At best, this is an inconsistent application of Scripture. We need to dig deeper to find a meaning that is consistent with many clear examples of women speaking, teaching, and leading in the Bible.

But before we consider those theories, we must first recognize how ground-breaking Pauls admonition was.





Photo credit: Getty Images/Rawpixel

Paul Commanded That Women Learn

Much is made of the fact that 1 Timothy 2:11 says a woman should learn in quietness and full submission. It is rarely noted, however, that this commandment to learn was a landmark, groundbreaking amendment for women.

Prior to the establishment of the New Testament church, women were not allowed to learn at all.

Critics focus on the quietness and full submission required in this section and not the revolutionary command that a woman should learn. The Bible not only permitted but also required educational opportunity for women.[vi]

For the first time in Jewish history, women are now students just like the men.

And the posture of a male disciple was quietness and full submission. Before, throughout, and after Pauls time, the rabbis were agreed that silence was an admirable attribute for the pious scholar.[vii]

The posture of silence and submission required in this section of Scripture was not a restriction, is was a sign of equality. Women were now given the same privilege and responsibility in learning as the men.

So, why did Paul say, I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet (1 Tim. 2:12)? Lets explore 3 different explanations.

The Specific Woman Theory to Explain This Passage:

Biblical scholar David Joel Hamilton contends that in 1 Timothy 2:11-12, Paul is speaking of a specific woman. After discussing women in general, Paul suddenly switches to the singular in these two verses and the two verses that follow.

This theory is based on a very clear grammatical shift in the Greek. From verse 11 to the middle of verse 15, the plural nouns are gone. Theyre all singular: a woman, she must be silent, and she will be saved through the childbearing. Then, in the second half of verse 15, Paul returned to the plural.[viii]

Why did Paul make this dramatic switch from plural to singular? Hamilton asks. He concludes that Paul had a specific Ephesian woman in mind as he wrote these words to Timothy. The context suggests that she was a vocal promoter of the false teachings troubling the Ephesian church.[ix]

What was that false teaching?

The entire book of 1 Timothy is predicated on Pauls desire to set right the errant doctrines mentioned in chapter 1. And one heresy fits the context more than any other: Gnosticism.

This may be why Paul reviews the creation order in 1 Timothy 2:13. Some Gnostic teachings would have Adam ignorant and Eve informed of the truth of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge (Gnosis).[x]

This leads Biblical Scholar John T. Bristow to a logical conclusion: It seems almost certain that Pauls intention was not to make any statement regarding superiority or inferiority, but to refute the doctrines of certain Gnostic teachers,[xi] one of whom might have been a woman.

The Oppressive Culture Theory to Explain This Passage:

Bristow offers another theory in his book, What Paul Really Said About Women.

Given the incredibly misogynistic and oppressive atmosphere for women permeating from the Greek culture and Jewish practice of the day, Teachers, at first, had to be men, for only men were educated in the faith. And Jewish custom strictly forbade women from conversing with men other than their husbands,[xii] according to Dr. Bristow.

In the New Testament church, there were some serious roadblocks for women leading and instructing as Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah had in the Old Testament. First, Greek culture and Jewish practice restricted them from learning. Then it restricted them from speaking.

How could women teach what they had not yet learned and were not allowed to say?

The Mistranslation Theory to Explain This Passage:

Yet another more compelling theory uncovers the true meaning of the word authentien, a word found nowhere else in the Bible.

This verb in 1 Timothy 2:12 is ordinarily translated to have authority or power over. Greek scholar Catherine Clark Kroeger, however, uncovers that this translation was not common until the third or fourth century. At the time of the New Testament church, this verb also had the meaning to originate.

Given that Pauls clear objective in this letter is to defeat false theology, one of which was the Gnostic teaching that man originated from woman, a more accurate translation of this text may be, I do not permit woman to teach nor to represent herself as originator of man.

This translation explains why Paul then immediately sets the creation account straight, stating that man was created first, then woman (vs. 13).

Kroeger contends that Pauls objection is not to women teaching in general, rather his objection is to what some women were teaching.

And there are other theories. Not all of them can be true, but some fit with the clear examples of women ministering throughout Scripture better than the theory which requires women to be silent.

Does Scripture Restrict Women from Speaking, Teaching, or Exercising Authority in the Church?

God certainly didnt restrict women when it came to Miriam, Deborah, and Hulda. And the New Testament was birthed in the Holy Spirits baptism which fell on men and women alike.

Anna is the first evangelist testifying that the Messiah had come. Paul himself commends the teaching ministry and leadership of Priscilla, Phoebe, Chloe, and Junia.

Women have been restricted and oppressed throughout history, and this unfortunate reality is seen in Scripture and church history as well. But a strong argument can be made that this is not Gods doing. It is mans.

We should consider the poignant plea of the founder of modern nursing:

I would have given her [the Church] my head, my hand, my heart. She would not have them. She did not know what to do with them. She told me to go back and do crochet in my mothers drawing-room; or if I were tired of that, to marry and look well at the head of my husbands table. You may go to the Sunday School if you like it, she said. But she gave me no training even for that. She gave me neither work to do for her, nor education for it. (Florence Nightingale in a letter to Dean Stanley, 1852)

How many Nightingales has the church lost?

Perhaps the church should be busy setting women free to use their gifts like God did with these incredible women in Scripture instead of creating a dogma out of four verses that stand in stark contrast to so many others.

See also:

Does the Apostle Paul Hate Women?

Why We Should Reconsider What the Bible Really Says about Women in Ministry

Does Scripture Oppress or Liberate Women?

Photo credit: Getty Images/monkeybusinessimages



Sources

[i] Bristow, John Temple, What Paul Really Said About Women: An Apostles Liberating Views on Equality in Marriage, Leadership, and Love. Harper Collins, 1991, pg. 63.

[ii] Ibid.

[iii] Ibid.

[iv] Hamilton, David Joel, Why Not Women? A Fresh Look at Scripture on Women, in Missions, Ministry, and Leadership, YWAM Publishing, 2000, pg. 212.

[v] J.T. Bristow, pg. 90.

[vi] D. J. Hamilton, pg. 218

[vii] Spencer, Aida Dina, Beyond the Curse: Women Called to Ministry. Thomas Nelson, 1985, pg. 79. Quoted in Hamilton, David Joel, Why Not Women? A Fresh Look at Scripture on Women, in Missions, Ministry, and Leadership, YWAM Publishing, 2000, pg. 218.

[viii] D.J. Hamilton, pg. 213.

[ix] Ibid, 214.

[x] J.T. Bristow, pg. 75.

[xi] Ibid.

[xii]Ibid, pg. 72





Catherine Segars is an award-winning actress and playwrightturned stay-at-home-momturned author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and motherhood apologist. This homeschooling mama of five is the host of CHRISTIAN PARENT/CRAZY WORLD, a Life Audio podcast about raising godly kids in an ungodly world, and she is matron of the Mere Mother website, which delves into critical cultural issues that affect families and marginalize mothers. Catherine helps parents navigate through dangerous secular landmines to establish a sound Biblical foundation for their kids. You can find Catherines blog, dramatic blogcast, and other writings at www.catherinesegars.com and connect with her on Facebook.

Listen to Catherine's FREE podcast - Christian Parent, Crazy World, available now at LifeAudio.com!




Homebuilding in Fountain, which can help ease the regions housing shortage, is dependent on the availability of water  and a way to get it to new users.
Justin Tate is a graduate of Metropolitan State University of Denver. He got his start as a staff writer for the Balch Springs Sentinel in 2011 and has covered boxing for Bleacher Report and Fox News. He joined CPH in 2021.

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This article appears in the June 2021 issue of Connecticut Magazine.

The bakery is named for their beloved parents, immigrants from Laos. The croissants are painstakingly hand-crafted, evoking memories of their jaunts to Paris. Fluffy buttermilk biscuits studded with cheese, jalapenos and ham nod to their upbringing in Texas.

Sisters Khamla Vorasane and Chan Graham have found a way to meld their cultural background, their love of French pastries and their Southern roots into a slice of Paris in greater Hartford.

Vorasane, a former insurance executive, and Graham, a classically trained chef, opened BouNom Bakery in Avon in February 2020. Its a loving tribute to their late parents, father Bounlieng Bou, and mother, Nom.

In the early 1990s, Graham won a cooking contest where she incorporated soy sauce into a creme brulee, Vorasane said, and the innovative recipe caught the attention of Johnson & Wales Universitys culinary program. They offered her a scholarship, and she trained in French cuisine - but not as a pastry chef.

Her background is literally French savory culinary, not this pastry stuff at all, Vorasane said. Its the fact that she can do both, and do it so well, is amazing.

Vorasanes job in the insurance industry, where she specialized in kidnap and ransom coverage, brought her to London. When Graham visited, the two would take the train to France and spend several days eating their way through Paris - baguettes, pates, cheese, croissants.

As another career move took Vorasane from New York to Travelers in Hartford, she missed being able to readily find high-quality French pastries in central Connecticut. So she turned to her sister, asking if shed translate her love of French cuisine into a local bakery.

I said Chan, Im telling you right now, if you do it, people will come, she said. If youre goodand people like it, theyll tell their friends about it.

They faced some doubt, as people thought their location within the Riverdale Farms development wasnt visible enough. But Vorasane stuck to what she calls her New York mentality; that people would travel 45 minutes on the subway for the best pasta, or wait in line for two hours for an incredible pastry.

I told her people would find it, and they would come, she said. And they did.

Less than a month after opening BouNom, they faced tumult as Gov. Ned Lamont ordered restaurants closed due to COVID-19. Without an online ordering system in place at first, they worked their social media accounts, sharing photos and inventory of daily offerings and having customers text orders to Vorasanes cell phone. The outreach worked, and word of the bakery and its decadent treats spread quickly through community Facebook pages.

The list of goodies is a treasure trove of carbs. Croissants, handmade daily with French butter, are best-sellers in sweet and savory flavors: almond, chocolate, pistachio, ham and Gruyere and everything bagel spiced, among many others. Vorasane estimates they sell about 4,000 a month.

Other classic French delights include madeleines, canele, financiers and palmiers. BouNom also offers a wide variety of muffins (including a unique and decadent banana custard option) and Graham recently added Japanese milk bread to the menu, a soft and slightly sweet loaf served plain or with rotating fillings like chocolate or vanilla coconut custard.

Sandwiches, on baguettes or croissants, feature the Seine-et-Marte (Brie and ham with apples) and others with smoked turkey with bacon - the Nom gets kick and crunch from jalapenos, cabbage, cilantro and wasabi aioli, and the summer sandwich, served cold, gets a spread of sweet, fruity lingonberry aioli with turkey, beefsteak tomato and baby spinach.

In a nod to their Texas roots, the sisters also offer southern decadence items on the menu: Southern pecan sticky buns, assorted cookies and fluffy biscuits: cheddar chive, cilantro jalapeno, broccoli cheddar, wildflower honey buttermilk. Vorasane said she thinks BouNom has pioneered cheddar chive biscuits in the area, as shes seen them show up on other local menus since they opened.

Couture special occasion cakes with intricate designs are entirely customized, but in high demand - theyll often book up months in advance, Vorasane said. BouNom also features a full coffee program with espresso-based beverages, flavored lemonades, matcha drinks and boba tea.

BouNom closed the bakery to the public even after COVID-19 shutdowns were lifted, instead encouraging customers to call or order online for curbside pickup. But that hasnt dampened any enthusiasm for the baked goods, as visitors eagerly turn out for treats daily. Vorasane and Graham plan to open the bakerys sunny cafe area in early summer, a bright and cheery space with citrus-printed wallpaper, floral-upholstered armchairs and fresh flowers.

Inspired by their kindhearted parents, Vorasane and Graham regularly give back to the community, donating baked goods to local organizations. On Mothers Day in 2020, they packed 86 boxes of pastries for residents at CRT Generations in Hartford, where grandparents have legal custody of their grandchildren; Coventry Place in Bloomfield, which is independent living for seniors on fixed income; and parents living at CRTs East Hartford Family Shelter.

In March, the sisters hosted a fundraiser at the bakery, donating 100 percent of proceeds from a days sale to three organizations working toward ending violence and discrimination against members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. The turnout was excellent, Vorasane said, and they ultimately raised more than $4,000.

The sisters have been watching anti-Asian sentiments and violent incidents escalate over the past year during the pandemic, Vorasane said, particularly with political rhetoric and vitriol blaming China for COVID-19.

We felt it was so important to raise awareness of whats going on in the Asian community, Vorasane said. Sometimes you can be in a bubble, in Avon and Simsbury, because you dont see that. You dont see the increased Asian hate crimes that you do in New York or San Francisco. And we just wanted to kind of highlight and raise awareness about whats going on the rest of the country.

BouNom Bakery

136 Simsbury Road (No. 15) in Avons Riverdale Farms complex

860-470-5172, bounom.com , @bounom_bakery on Instagram

Hours: Wed.-Sat. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Leeanne Griffin is the food and consumer reporter for Hearst Connecticut, handling coverage of restaurant openings and closings, trends, events and general news about Connecticut food and beverage businesses.

You can subscribe to Connecticut Magazine here, or find the current issue on sale here. Sign up for our newsletter to get our latest and greatest content delivered right to your inbox. Have a question or comment? E mail editor@connecticutmag.com. And follow us on Facebook and Instagram @connecticutmagazine and Twitter @connecticutmag.
BRIDGEPORT  Officials responded to a preliminary report of a person wounded by gunshot Tuesday, according to Bridgeport police.

A private vehicle brought a person to a hospital, a tweet from the department read.

Scott Appleby, the citys director of emergency communications and emergency management, wrote in an email that this is an active incident, and there wasnt further information on the victims status.

There had been a ShotSpotter activation in the 300 block of Helen Street, and when police investigated in the area, they followed evidence to Shelton Street, according to Appleby. There is a crime scene at Shelton Street, Appleby wrote.
A Bridgeport resident has been sentenced to over 21 years in prison in connection to several violent armed robberies, federal prosecutors say.

Judge Kari Dooley sentenced 37-year-old Eric Chambers Tuesday, according to a U.S. Attorneys office.

A relative of Chambers  his half-brother, Jachim Brown  wore a mask and went into Nikitas Bar in Bridgeport on Sept. 27, 2017 and pointed a gun at an employee working there, officials said.

Brown directed the employee to a location behind the bar to retrieve a key to a safe, officials said in a news release. After the employee complied, Brown opened the safe and stole approximately $2,450.

While that was happening, surveillance video captured a car belonging to Chambers  who worked security at the business before  driving past the bars entrance, officials said. |

Weeks later on Nov. 9, Brown robbed an Avenue Cafe employee bringing about $2,000 to Bishops Corner Cafe, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

Surveillance video outside showed Chambers car near the robbery, according to officials.

Brown confronted that same person Nov. 13, but they had delegated his money courier responsibilities to another security guard following the earlier incident, officials said. Brown shot the persons thigh when he realized they didnt have the money, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

In a Nov. 14 incident that year, Brown went in the Bar Restaurant in Stratford, going directly to a bin near the cash register that typically contained approximately 80 envelopes with cash payments for employees of the Bar Restaurant and other establishments, officials said in the news release.

Brown grabbed the bin, pointed his gun at one employees head, and turned and fired at a second employee who had his hands raised, hitting the second employee in his stomach, officials said in the news release. Surveillance video revealed that Brown had been dropped off behind the restaurant by Chambers.

And in a Nov. 16 incident that year, Bridgeport Police went to an EbLens in the city in response to an armed robbery report,

After Brown exited the store, a Bridgeport Police officer chased him on foot, the U.S. Attorneys office said. As Brown attempted to get into Chambers car, he turned and fired at the police officer. The officer returned fire, tackled Brown and placed him under arrest.

Brown had a handgun when he was arrested, which forensic analysis linked to the Nov. 13 and Nov. 14 shootings, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

Officials arrested Chambers on April 30, 2018, and in March 2019, a jury found him guilty of four counts of aiding and abetting Hobbs Act robbery, the release read.

Brown  or Ameer Edwards  pleaded guilty to four counts of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence in May 2019, officials said. Judge Dooley sentenced Brown to over 21 years in prison in February 2020, according to officials.
BRIDGEPORT  The former CEO of Bridgeport Hospital is headed back to the city, taking the top spot at one of that hospitals major competitors.

Hartford HealthCare announced Wednesday that William M. Jennings will join the system as president of its Fairfield Region, which includes St. Vincents Medical Center in Bridgeport. He will also be a system level vice president.

The job will officially begin July 19.

Vincent DiBattista, the current regional president, will continue to lead major system initiatives until his planned retirement in September 2022, Hartford HealthCare said.

Jennings, 53, said he was contacted about the impending opening by Jeffrey A. Flaks, Hartford HealthCares president and CEO.

He called out of the blue and shared the compelling vision of Hartford HealthCare expanding in Fairfield County, and I was interested, he said.

It will be a homecoming of sorts for Jennings who, from 2010 to 2018, was CEO of Bridgeport Hospital and executive vice president for Yale New Haven Health. In 2018, he left Connecticut to take a job as executive vice president of Tower Health  a seven-hospital system in southeastern Pennsylvania  and president and CEO of the systems flagship 714-bed Reading Hospital.

Jennings said his position at Tower hasnt yet been filled, but expects that to happen soon.

Before his leadership of Bridgeport Hospital, Jennings was president of SSM St. Mary's Health Center in St. Louis, a 582-bed teaching hospital, and president of the SSM St. Louis Heart Institute which served six hospitals.

Jennings has had executive positions with BayCare Health System in Florida and the Cookeville Regional Medical Center in Cookeville, Tenn.

DiBattista has led the Fairfield Region since it became part of Hartford HealthCare in October 2019.

Jennings said part of his goal when he takes on the position with Hartford HealthCare is to continue expanding the system into the Fairfield County area  an effort that began with the acquisition of St. Vincents.

He said hes excited to return to the area he called home for years.

I missed the people, Jennings said. I missed my friends. Theres so much I missed.
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP)  A judge has upheld Connecticut's requirement that children wear masks in schools, rejecting a challenge by some parents who said mask wearing can be harmful and education officials exceeded their authority.

The ruling released Monday affirms the legitimacy of mask requirements in schools this academic year but does not address any guidance on masks that may be issued for the next school year.

The state Department of Education has not yet decided whether to require mask in schools for the 2021-2022 year. Officials said they will be monitoring updated guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in making that determination.

The decision by Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher in Hartford upheld Gov. Ned Lamonts coronavirus-related emergency orders that granted the state Department of Education authority to require masks. Moukawsher cited decisions made earlier this year by the legislature and by the state Supreme Court upholding the governors right under the state constitution to issue emergency orders in response to COVID-19.

The ruling came in a lawsuit filed in August by the CT Freedom Alliance and several parents and their children that challenged the mask requirement.

Brian Festa, co-founder of the CT Freedom Alliance, said his group is planning to appeal the ruling to the state Supreme Court.

The plaintiffs remain steadfast in their position that the school mask mandate was not only an unconstitutional overreach of executive authority, but that it was  and continues to be  far more of a threat to childrens health than the coronavirus, Festa said in a statement.

The alliance argued masks can cause distress for students and claimed they are not useful despite assurances from the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention and other health experts that masks help prevent spread of the coronavirus.

Moukawsher, however, said in previous decision that he believed Lamont, a Democrat, likely exceeded his authority when he extended his executive orders related to the coronavirus multiple times without legislative approval. Lamont issued the first orders in March 2020, and Moukawsher said state law required legislative approval to extend them after six months.

In other coronavirus-related news in Connecticut:

___

LAID-OFF WORKERS

The Connecticut Senate on Tuesday passed legislation requiring employers to recall certain workers who were laid off during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and afterward in order of seniority.

The bill, which passed on a 19-15 vote, now awaits action in the House of Representatives.

Under the proposed legislation, private-sector employers with at least 15 employers must notify laid-off employees in the janitorial and maintenance, food service and hospitality industries in writing about positions they're qualified to fill that become available. Workers with the most seniority would get preference for the open job and would have no less than five days to accept or decline the offer.

Sen. Julie Kushner, D-Danbury, co-chair of the General Assembly's Labor and Public Employees Committee, said the legislation will help ensure that businesses don't try to save the bottom line a bit as they emerge from the pandemic and hire less senior employees to fill open jobs.

Sen. Paul Formica, R-East Lyme, a restaurant owner, said while he understands the thought behind the bill, he said it's too intrusive on small businesses. He also noted the legislation applies to people laid off after March 10, 2020, and before Dec. 31, 2024, which is more than three years away.

___

DRINKS ON THE GO

It's now up to the Senate to decide whether to let one of the governor's more popular COVID-19 executive orders  allowing the delivery of alcoholic beverages with meals  to continue for at least three more years.

The House of Representatives on Monday forwarded a wide-ranging bill that includes a provision allowing consumers to continue ordering limited amounts of beer, wine and cocktails, with certain restrictions, with their meal deliveries. The Senate has until June 9 to vote on the bill.

The governor's executive order allowed this. The industry seemed to like it, the consumers liked it, said Rep. Mike D'Agostino, D-Hamden. We're going to see how this works out.

D'Agostino said if the legislation passes the Senate and is signed into law by the governor, lawmakers will revisit the issue in three years and decide whether to make it permanent.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  A South Carolina county has agreed to pay $10 million to the family of a man with mental health issues whom deputies forced to the ground on his stomach and repeatedly shot with stun guns and pepper spray before he died in jail this January.

The Charleston County Council voted Tuesday evening to approve the settlement for the family of Jamal Sutherland, a 31-year-old Black man who was booked into the county jail Jan 4.

The agreement comes less than two weeks after county officials released video clips that show deputies attempting to take Sutherland to a bond court appearance the next morning. Video shows that after Sutherland refused to leave his cell, deputies deployed stun guns and knelt on Sutherlands back before he stopped moving. An hour later, Sutherland was dead, officials reported.

I am so happy that it was a unanimous decision to do what was right by the Sutherland family, Council Chairman Teddie Pryor said. We know that no amount of money will bring their loved one back, but I think this starts the healing process.

The detailed video has prompted Charleston activists this month to call for broad changes in how law enforcement agencies attend to people with mental illness.

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, for treatment of his schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Officials said they were called to investigate a fight at the center and arrested Sutherland as a result.

Mark Peper, the family's attorney, has previously said that Sutherland's illness was so severe he should never have been held in a nonmedical portion of the jail.

Justice for Jamal will come in many forms, the family said in a statement Wednesday. We are pleased to have negotiated a settlement with the government entities that provides the type of civil justice he deserves, but our work is not yet done.

County councilmembers said Tuesday that they are looking into crafting jail and public safety reforms.

I did promise the family were going to look at new reforms, Pryor said. I think thats all theyre asking for, is to be included and to have some type of reform, because this should never happen to anyone ever again. Ever.

Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano said in a statement that she and other law enforcement officials are working to develop a model design that is beneficial to treating mental illness with continuum of care.

I have taken responsibility for this incident, Graziano said. This was a disastrous set of circumstances that led to the unfortunate loss of Jamal Sutherland.

Sutherlands death occurred just a day after Graziano, who pledged a slew of reforms to reshape the 900-person department and build community trust, was sworn in as sheriff.

Graziano has since fired two deputies involved in the case, Lindsay Fickett and Brian Houle. Protesters in Charleston have called for Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson to charge the deputies with murder or recuse herself from the case, news outlets reported.

Wilson, who is now consulting outside experts after receiving the official law enforcement and autopsy reports on Sutherland's death, has not yet indicated whether she will pursue charges in the case.

The $10 million settlement is among one of the more expensive payouts to families of those killed by police across the country. By comparison, North Charleston, South Carolina, paid $6.5 million in 2015 to the family of Walter Scott, an unarmed Black man who was killed by white police Officer Michael T. Slager as Scott ran after a traffic stop. Slager later pleaded guilty to a civil rights violation.

___

Liu 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.
BRIDGEPORT  When Bridgeport Board of Education member Jessica Martinez was charged this week in a campaign fund scheme, at least one of her fellow board members had prepared for that scenario.

The elections complaint that led to the charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud had been filed in June 2018. And, according to Chairman John Weldon, the school board became aware of the federal investigation at the start of last year.

The indictment... has minimal impact from an operational perspective, he said. Because this issue was still lingering, I purposely didnt appoint her to any committees so that, in the event of a development like this, the boards workings in that regard wouldnt be affected.

Martinez and State Sen. Dennis Bradley, for whom she served as campaign treasurer, turned themselves in Tuesday on charges they attempted to fraudulently obtain $179,850 in state campaign grants. Both pleaded not guilty. They are accused of trying to cover up the cost of a campaign event in 2018 and lying about political contributions received at the event in order to qualify for public campaign funds, according to the federal indictment.

Each was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Martinez, 39, was also charged with false statements and false declaration to a grand jury. Martinez was released after posting $250,000 bond. She did not respond to requests for comment.

3 1 of 3 Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 3 of 3





I do feel this development has brought a certain undue negative attention to the board, and its disappointing that Ms. Martinez didnt take steps to minimize that, said Weldon. However, the board will work to move past this and not allow it to overshadow all of the good and meaningful work that gets done every day in Bridgeport Public Schools.

Martinez, who has attended two of a total 17 virtual Teams meetings this year, none of which were regular board meetings, has had a rocky tenure on the school board.

She joined the board in 2017 and became its chair in December 2019.

Martinez, who was previously a paid lobbyist for a charter school organization, was removed as chairwoman in March 2020 because of the investigation, combined with other legal and personal issues, according to Weldon.

Board member Albert Benejan  who was one of three, including Martinez herself, to vote against removing her as chairwoman  said she has his support.

I dont know how she got involved, he said. She was a great leader: She got things done, she communicated with the staff and board members.

Benejan was adamant that the charges should not interfere with her position on the school board.

I will not accept either if someone tries to bring this into a meeting, he said. Shes a board member  thats separate from what happens in her life.

Martinezs four-year term wraps at the end of this year.

There is no mechanism for removing members, who are elected officials, from the school board itself unless they do so voluntarily or cease to be a city resident.

Weldon added the board could ask for her voluntary resignation, but said it would be inappropriate since she hasnt been proven guilty of the charges.

City Council member Maria Pereira, who previously served on the school board for several years, said its Martinezs prerogative.

Jessica should simply resign, she said.

Dasha Spell, who has previously run for the school board, said she feels for Martinez and her family but is concerned about how the charges will impact the reputation of the school board and greater Bridgeport.

As an elected official, all actions is a direct reflection on the community as a whole, she said. Bridgeport continues to receive a bad reputation due to elected officials that care about personal gain and not the community.

Spell is also a parent in the district.

I teach my child the difference between wrong and right, she said. But, however do we teach our kids that choices have consequences and in life being an elected official in Bridgeport doesnt give you a pass from being held accountable?

Mayor Joe Ganims office called the news surprising and said they learned of it from the media  though we are still not aware of details related to these charges, said Rowena White, communications director for the city of Bridgeport.

At this time, we support our Board of Education, the delegation, along with the Senate in any actions that may need to be taken in the best interest of the constituents they serve, she said in an email.

The arrest on Tuesday does not mark Martinezs first time facing criminal charges, although previous charges have since been dismissed.

Last school year, a fight with her then-boyfriend led both to be arrested. Claiming self-defense, Martinez completed a 20-week pretrial violence prevention program for battered and abused women.

The charges against her  attempted second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and violating previous conditions of release  were dismissed in January 2020. Bradley represented her in the case. Related motor vehicle charges were also dropped.

Martinez was put under investigation later that month in connection with the stabbing of her ex-boyfriend but was not arrested.

Around the same time period, she was also involved in an eviction case brought against her by her landlord, and an investigation by the State Elections Enforcement Commission for possibly voting in the wrong district that was put on hold because of the federal investigation.

That year, a photograph also emerged on social media that appeared to show Martinez with drug paraphernalia.

I did once dabble with marijuana, Martinez said at the time. I havent touched it in a long time and it wasnt something that I did on a regular basis. I am not on drugs.

Jury selection for the campaign fund scheme case was tentatively set for Aug. 2.

Staff writer Dan Tepfer contributed to this report.
Earlier this year, we blogged about a class action lawsuit pending in Virginia which alleged a lender violated the Military Lending Act (MLA) in offering vehicle purchase loans. Last week, that court issued a favorable decision, dismissing the case.

As background, the MLA rule has an exception for loans that are expressly intended to finance the purchase of a motor vehicle, where the loan is secured by the vehicle being purchased. There is a similar exception for certain loans financing the purchase of personal property. Some past interpretative rules created some confusion about the scope of this exception and what it means for a loan to be expressly intended to finance a vehicle purchase. The Department of Defense (DoD) did not address this issue in the original 2015 rulemaking, then issued guidance in 2017 indicating that loans which financed credit-related products like Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP) would not fit into the rules exemption and therefore would be subject to the MLA.

In early 2020, the DoD rescinded that guidance, citing that creditors may be unable to technically comply if a vehicle purchase included products not expressly related to the purchase. This reverted the guidance to its 2016 state, where question 2 only references the MLAs exception for loans expressly intended to finance the purchase of personal property when secured by the property being purchased. More information about the guidance changes can be found in this NAFCU Compliance Blog post.

This lawsuit hinges in part on the meaning of this language in the exception as the plaintiff had purchased a motor vehicle in 2018 and the loan agreement did not contain MLA disclosures. While acknowledging the exception for vehicle purchase loans, the plaintiff was asserting that if a loan also includes a credit-related product or service such as GAP removes the loan from the exclusion. This is similar to the position that the Department of Defense (DoD) took in late 2017 but then rescinded. The defendant asserts that the MLA exception applies to these loans and filed a motion asking the court to dismiss the case.
GreenState Credit Union($7.5B, North Liberty, IA) is serious about serving Iowas growing Latino community. So much so that it has hired someone to lead those efforts full time.

After spending nearly five years at the Des Moines-based Hispanic marketing consultancy Coopera,

Kenia Calderon Ceron joined GreenState in March as the cooperatives first vice president/bilingual business development director.

A native of El Salvador, Ceron, her parents, and two younger siblings walked across the U.S. border when she was 11 in search of a better life away from the rising gang violence in her home country. Ceron talks about the decision to leave and her familys hope for the future in an opinion piece for the New York Times.
Funeral service for Helen Francis Turner, 76, of Cullman will be Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. James Watts and Rev. Keith Whitley officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing with burial in Bell Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, June 11, 2
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Motorist charged with 2 felonies after striking two protesters with vehicle during Brown-shooting march in EC

cday / Chris Day/The Daily Advance/ Sgt. Jamie Judge of the Elizabeth City Police Department asks protesters to submit any video they may have taken of the vehicle that witnesses say drove through protesters, striking two of them, to help in his investigation on Monday in Elizabeth City. cday / Chris Day/The Daily Advance A woman is seen entering an ambulance for treatment after witnesses say she was struck by a vehicle whose driver tried to drive around and through protesters on Ehringhaus Street shortly before 7 p.m., Monday. jeure / Photo courtesy Albemarle District Jail OQuinn

A Greenville woman with previous misdemeanor arrests in Pasquotank County is facing two felony charges  and the possibility of hate crime charges  after Elizabeth City police say she used her vehicle to strike two city residents participating in a protest of Andrew Brown Jr.s shooting death Monday night.

Lisa Michelle OQuinn, 41, of the 3000 block of South Evans Street, is charged with two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill by use of a motor vehicle, one count of careless and reckless driving and one count of unsafe movement, Sgt. Latoya Flanigan of the Elizabeth City Police Department said in a news release Tuesday morning.

According to Flanigan, OQuinns vehicle struck two pedestrians who were peacefully protesting and exercising their constitutional rights at the intersection of Ehringhaus and Griffin streets at 6:45 p.m.

Flanigan identified the pedestrians as Michelle Fleming Morris, 42, and Valerie Lindsey, 42, both of Elizabeth City. Both Morris and Lindsey were transported to Sentara Albemarle Medical Center where they were treated for non life-threatening injuries and released.

A reporter who visited the intersection of Ehringhaus and Griffin streets moments after the incident observed a woman believed to be one of the pedestrians walking without assistance but with an apparent lower leg injury.

A video posted on Twitter by the account of @PAWGsForBernie shows a white Nissan Sentra approaching and colliding with a person on a bicycle on Ehringhaus Street just moments after apparently striking a pedestrian. In the video, two women are seen in the vehicle.

According to witnesses, the collisions occurred after the vehicle turned right off Griffin Street onto Ehringhaus Street where a group of protesters were marching. After the collisions, the vehicle appeared to be stopped by law enforcement.

City Public Safety Director Eddie Buffaloe, speaking at City Councils meeting via Zoom Monday night, said the incident was being investigated.

I am not at liberty to say anything publicly because everyone has their due process as it relates to that. But interviews are being conducted as we speak, he said.

OQuinn was taken before a magistrate Monday night who set her secured bond at $40,000. She was then transported to Albemarle District Jail at 12:15 a.m. and released after posting bond at 1:59 a.m., a jail official said. Her first court appearance on the charges is scheduled for Thursday.

According to Flanigan, police are apparently contemplating other charges against OQuinn, including a potential hate crime.

The police department is currently investigating this matter and we will be presenting facts and findings ... to include potential aggravating factors for criminal enhancements for potential sentencing purposes of a hate crime involving this event, she said.

City Manager Montre Freeman said Tuesday police are considering hate crime charges against OQuinn because both of those hit with her car were protesters. Police also noted in their press release that OQuinn is white and the two pedestrians are Black.

On social media, the Instagram account lisa.oquinn has several photos of dogs and cats, but also at least two pictures with references to the Confederate flag. Both images were posted in 2016.

One picture features the flag with the words Heritage not hate, keep it flying and the other is the flag with the words, Kiss my rebel ass.

Another post is a meme with No racism written across the top, but the i in racism is replaced with a sperm cell. Underneath are the words, We all were white once....

A check of N.C. Department of Public Safety records shows OQuinn has a previous record of convictions for misdemeanor charges.

She was convicted of larceny and possessing stolen goods in Pasquotank County July 2017 and sentenced to probation, records show. She also was convicted of larceny in Perquimans in May 2016 and also sentenced to probation.

OQuinn was convicted of driving while license revoked and communicating threats in May 2013 and sentenced to probation. She also has convictions for second-degree trespass in April 2013 and shoplifting in February 2012. She was sentenced to probation for those convictions as well.

Protesters have been conducting daily marches on the citys main thoroughfares nearly every day since Browns fatal shooting by Pasquotank sheriffs deputies attempting to serve him with drug-related arrest and search warrants April 21.

Organizers have said the protests are designed to call attention to protesters demand for full release of the body and dash camera footage showing Browns shooting death by law enforcement. Thus far, only portions of the footage have been shown to Browns family and the public.

Last week, District Attorney Andrew Womble disclosed portions of the footage during a press conference where he announced that the three deputies who shot and killed Brown would not face criminal charges. Womble said the deputies shooting of Brown was justified because Brown put the officers lives at risk by driving his car at them and making contact with one of them.

Approximately 32 protest participants have been arrested since the protests of Browns death began. The first group were charged with disorderly conduct for violating the citys since-lifted 8 p.m. curfew. Four others were charged with impeding traffic by sitting, standing or lying in roadways. Seven others were charged last week with failure to disperse. One other was charged with assault on a government official and damage to property. Two reporters for USA TODAY were arrested last week but not charged.

Buffaloe noted that Mondays protest was the first since outside police agencies started withdrawing their assistance with the protests.

Of course, our staffing levels are not up to where they were before the beginning of this particular protest, he said. Most of those assisting agencies have returned back to their normal agencies to police their own communities.

Buffaloe told council that city polices goal remains providing a safe environment for the protesters as well as our motoring public. But that job is difficult with polices current staffing.

It is a tremendous strain on all the staff members in the police department because we have to police this community and we are doing it with the number of manpower that we have, he said. We only have 66 allotted (sworn police officer) slots but we have some vacancies.

At this point, the police department is trying to give some of its officers some time off, Buffaloe said.

Some officers have been working since this event has started, he said. Some have not had any days off. It is a tremendous strain on the staffing levels within the police department but we are doing the very best that we can.
Elizabeth City, NC (27909)

Today

Cloudy with showers. High 77F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low around 65F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph.
On May 21, the leaders of the Group of Twenty (G20) issued a joint declaration at the close of the Global Health Summit aimed at coordinating their efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic. Multilateral cooperation remains the cornerstone that can facilitate compliance with the International Health Regulations of 2005, the better use of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) accelerator, the strengthening of COVAX and the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. If the words of the Rome Declaration are followed by deeds, valuable time will be gained in the global fight against the virus. In spite of existing optimism generated by the discovery and distribution of vaccines, the fight is still ongoing, and certainly not yet won.



The Global Health Summit came at a time when the most serious pandemic in a century is still wreaking havoc. While China has managed to drastically reduce the number of COVID-19 cases, it allows no domestic complacency. Imported cases are still reported and require careful monitoring to prevent contagions in larger parts of the population. On the whole, the Chinese administration has prioritized the health of its citizens over the operation of industries and the preservation of standard economic activities by taking strict measures in January 2020 and adopting similar policies when required throughout the course of the pandemic. This has proven to be the best remedy not only to protect ordinary people but also to secure a quick and safe return to normalcy. China was the only major economy in the world to return to growth in 2020, and is currently witnessing a stable recovery.

The Chinese government has addressed difficult domestic challenges exacerbated by COVID-19. Although it announced the eradication of absolute poverty in rural areas last February, a prudent approach calculates the cost of new social policies to avert possible setbacks. The risk of social imbalances will become higher as long as the pandemic persists. The continuous improvement of living standards cannot be taken for granted under extreme circumstances.

China's international role is informed by its internal self-knowledge and its external sense of responsibility. Inequalities are the symptom of the pandemic across the globe. This is occurring in both developed and developing economies  but the latter suffer more. At the Global Health Forum, China reiterated its commitment to providing economic aid, medical assistance and vaccines to the international community. Among other things, the country proposed to set up an international forum on vaccine cooperation to explore "ways of promoting fair and equitable distribution." The immunization gap is currently an unpleasant element of rising inequality.

The international community and citizens of the world will not overcome the COVID-19 drama by adding political characteristics to it. Only actions matter to the families who have experienced losses, hospitalization, unemployment, and poor access to medicine, vaccines, and even food. Over the next few months, we will discover if the basic goods of health and prosperity can unite the world's politicians, even at this late but critical stage of the pandemic. The policy of China, in this regard, is clear and remains consistent.

George N. Tzogopoulos is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/GeorgeNTzogopoulos.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

If you would like to contribute, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn.
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CAIRO, N.Y.  A kindergarten teacher at Cairo-Durham Elementary School in Greene County has been charged in connection with an investigation o
FILE - In this March 6, 2019 file photo, attorney Alan Dershowitz leaves Manhattan Federal Court in New York. Dershowitz, in a lawsuit filed Wednesday, May 26, 2021, in Miami federal court, is suing Netflix for $80 million over his portrayal in the streaming service's Filthy Rich series about sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has wrapped up a visit to Egypt as he presses ahead with his efforts to shore up a cease-fire that ended an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas
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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Tuesday that his country will go ahead with the process of reopening its consulate in East Jerusalem and strengthen its ties with the Palestinian Authority.

Blinken made the remarks to reporters after he met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

The U.S. consulate in East Jerusalem was closed in late 2017 when former U.S. president Donald Trump recognized the disputed holy city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The Palestinians regard East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 war, as the capital of their future independent Palestinian state.

Meanwhile, Blinken welcomed the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire deal that ended the 11-day conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip.

"We welcome the ceasefire in Gaza and call for building on it," Blinken said, adding that "it is important to stabilize the ceasefire in coordination with the Palestinian Authority and the United Nations."

Blinken called for emphasizing the principle of the two-state solution, respecting the status quo on the al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, and preventing the displacement of Palestinians from their homes in the city.

He said the U.S. will provide 75 million U.S. dollars in development aid to Palestine, in addition to 5 million dollars in relief support and another 2 million dollars to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

He pledged that the U.S. would strengthen its relations with the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people.

For his part, Abbas thanked the U.S. administration led by President Joe Biden for the efforts it had made in close cooperation with Egypt and the Arab and relevant parties to reach the ceasefire.

He said that "the ceasefire must include East Jerusalem and the West Bank, mainly stopping Israeli settlers' assaults and the Israeli occupation forces' attacks on the holy city of Jerusalem and on the Palestinian people."

Abbas also called on the U.S. to exert pressure on the Israeli government to stop Israeli attacks against the Palestinians in East Jerusalem, particularly the al-Aqsa Mosque, prevent the forced expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in Jerusalem, and stop Israel's expropriation of Palestinian land for settlement activities.

Earlier on Tuesday, Blinken held a meeting in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Speaking to the press after meeting Netanyahu, Blinken said the U.S. will work to rally international support to rebuild the Gaza Strip and make its own "significant contributions."

But it will be ensured that "Hamas does not benefit from the reconstruction assistance," Blinken said, referring to the Islamic Resistance Movement that rules the besieged Palestinian enclave.

Netanyahu warned that his country will launch a "very powerful response" if Hamas renews rocket attacks at Israel.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf speaking with the press. Governor Tom Wolf today visited the Philadelphia Flyers organization at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia to discuss COVID-19 vaccine efforts in Pennsylvania. The Flyers recently launched a comprehensive COVID-19 vaccine campaign, Take Your Shot, encouraging Pennsylvanians to get vaccinated. Philadelphia, PA  MAY 3, 2021
A firefighting helicopter carrying four people crashed Tuesday near a central Florida airport, killing at least one person, officials said. Crews still hoped to find survivors in a wooded, swampy area hours after the crash.
This was Westminster's version of Cambodia's Killing Fields, only more brutal. One by one, those who had dared thwart Dominic Cummings or failed to come up to his exacting if quixotic standards when he was the Prime Minister's main man in Downing Street were taken out into the paddy fields of Whitehall and shot.

The victims weren't even allowed the alternative of a spell in re-education camp to mend their ways.

Boris Johnson led the Cummings death march. He was unfit to be PM, no better than an erratic 'shopping trolley'. The Cabinet Office was useless in a crisis. Cobra, the official emergency committee, just as bad  and it leaked like a sieve. Even the PM's partner, Carrie, and their dog Dilyn, didn't escape the carnage. The future Mrs Johnson was even accused of 'illegal' moves to get jobs for pals.

The more his testimony went on the nastier and more brutal it turned.

Pictured: Dominic Cummings, former Special Advisor to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, leaving the Houses of Parliament after giving evidence in central London

But when it came to Health Secretary Matt Hancock, one deadly bullet was not enough. Hancock was shot, then hung, drawn and quartered, then shot again. Every now and then Cummings would walk over to the corpse and pump another metaphorical bullet into it, just because he could.

There was a serious point to all this score-settling, though we've known the broad outlines for ages. When the pandemic struck early last spring, this was a Government seriously out of its depth, from the Prime Minister down.

Drawn almost wholly from the limited ranks of Johnson's Brexiteers, it lacked the collective brain power, the experience and the confidence to deal with the worst peacetime crisis in modern British history.

So mistakes  often egregious mistakes  were made and Cummings was right to spell them out.

There was no plan  not just a poor plan, no plan  to deal with the pandemic. The procurement of protective equipment for health workers was a shambles. As were early efforts at test and trace. We went into lockdowns too late and came out too soon.

All this cost lives. Nowhere more so than in our care homes, scene of the biggest scandal of all.

ANDREW NEIL: Boris Johnson led the Cummings death march. He was unfit to be PM, no better than an erratic 'shopping trolley'

Of course, all governments made mistakes, even ones, like Germany, we thought were doing much better than us at the time. It was an unprecedented crisis and bungles were inevitable. But ours made more than most and was often a culpably slow learner (it still is  look at the mess over guidance for those in the current Indian variant hotspots). The result is a death toll higher than most comparable countries.

Cummings clearly wants to destroy his former boss.

He corroborated some of the most damaging quotes attributed to Johnson (including letting bodies 'pile high' rather than imposing a lockdown) and accords sole responsibility to the PM for the delay in locking down last autumn.

As his attacks escalated, however, he undermined his case by coming across as a man on a single-minded mission to exact revenge. And, for all the litany of error, muddle, potential scandal and downright incompetence he detailed in his testimony, I sense he's unlikely to get his way.

For a start, it's not clear the public is that interested in what he has to say, however incendiary.

The Westminster bubble is obsessed with him and in its collective eye he's gone from duplicitous weirdo to courageous whistleblower in a matter of months. But a recent poll suggested only 16 per cent of people trust what he has to say. It's not a strong base from which to overthrow the Government.

Pictured: Dominic Cummings facing questions from lawmakers over the government's Covid-19 response

For most folks, Cummings is still that guy who drove to Barnard Castle during lockdown with wife and family to 'test' his eyesight. They think that a man who pushed for lockdowns harder than most, then broke his own lockdown, is not someone they necessarily want to listen to.

His fresh efforts to explain it all away yesterday were met with derision.

But more important than what people think of Cummings, are the stark politics of the pandemic. Rightly or wrongly, people are likely to give more weight to the successful rollout of the vaccines, which is allowing us to come out of the pandemic, than the mess and muddle going into the pandemic, which already seems like another age.

Vaccines are not just a health policy, they're an economic policy, allowing a return to normality. They are the one unadulterated success story of the Government's patchy pandemic record and the political dividend has been rich.

Normally, at this time in a parliament, the opposition could expect to be ahead in the polls by double figures.

But it is the Johnson Government which is ahead by double figures, with Labour dead in the water and its leader, Keir Starmer, struggling to make much of an impact on his own party, never mind the wider public.

Of course, the political halo effect of the vaccine will wear off, threatening the Government's popularity. But by the time that happens the British economy will be booming. It is not yet widely appreciated just how big this boom will be.

The recent forecasts of the leading lights of the global economic establishment, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organisation For Economic Cooperation And Development (OECD), are already looking silly.

All were unanimous that Britain's economic recovery from the pandemic would be lacklustre. The OECD even predicted we'd be the worst performer of any major economy in 2021. That already looks ridiculous.

The British economy is springing back with a vengeance. Growth in the current quarter is likely to be around 5 per cent  which is equivalent to annual growth of 20 per cent!

Naturally we won't grow that fast because much of the recovery is already in hand but every major international forecaster is now rushing to upgrade their British economic forecasts.

Even mighty Goldman Sachs, which has been down on Britain ever since we voted for Brexit in 2016, now predicts over 8 per cent growth this year, which would still put Britain in the fast lane with America and well ahead of any other major European economy and the Eurozone.

If the Chinese economy continues to slow we could even grow faster than China next year.

The reason is encouraging. Much of our growth this year will be propelled by consumers. British households have accumulated extra savings in the past year of around 130 billion. They will start to spend a fair chunk of that as lockdown ends.

The British economy should be back to its pre-Covid size by the autumn. Of course, previous consumer booms have ended in tears. But this time could be different.

British businesses have accumulated an extra 100 billion on their balance sheets during lockdown. They will spend that next year before Chancellor Rushi Sunak's 'super deduction', which gives huge tax breaks for investment, comes to an end.

A consumer boom followed by an investment bonanza. That is the stuff of economic dreams. No wonder the Bank of America's UK 'optimism index' is at its highest level ever.

A successful vaccine rollout followed by an economic boom will not necessarily guarantee a Johnson victory at the next election (likely in 2023). Nothing can do that. And the PM has it within himself to screw things up.

But together they must make him favourite, as things currently stand, for re-election, leaving Cummings baying into the wind and all these arguments about Brexit so yesterday.
Should we believe a man who admitted yesterday to having misled the country in the aftermath of breaking lockdown rules a little over a year ago?

Do we take seriously Dominic Cummingss grave allegations against his old boss Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock, given that he has a motive to damage them, and is partly driven by revenge?

Many will say that he has disqualified himself by his actions and misbehaviour, and that we should quickly turn the page and leave Mr Cummings and his gripes firmly in the past.

I suspect that much of what he said about the Prime Minister will have fallen, if not exactly on deaf ears, then on fallow ground. Most people are probably so relieved by the near miracle of the vaccine rollout that they arent very interested in the cock-ups of last year.

Dominic Cummings, former Special Advisor to Boris Johnson, giving evidence at the Science and Technology Committee and Health and Social Care Committee in London, May 26 2021

Unhinged

Indeed, Mr Cummingss performance in front of a Commons committee could be his last hurrah. No one will ever pay so much attention to him again.

Boris Johnson will doubtless continue to flourish long after his former chief adviser has been forgotten, though I would be less sure about Mr Hancock.

For all that, I believe it would be a tragic mistake to dismiss everything this disgruntled and combative man said. By all means set aside the venomous personal stuff. His vitriol against Mr Hancock  not one of my pin-up politicians, I can assure you  seemed a bit unhinged.

But if we strip out the self-interested ad hominem attacks, we are left with a devastating characterisation of a dysfunctional British state run by second-rate politicians and smug, inept civil servants.

At their deepest level, Mr Cummingss outpourings shouldnt be read so much as an attack on a defective prime minister as a deconstruction of our system of government. There was, he insisted, nothing that could be described as a plan.

Leave aside Boris Johnsons well-known cavalier approach. Mr Cummings painted a picture of a Civil Service that was shamefully unprepared for a pandemic, and chaotic when it arrived.

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson talking to the Secretary of State for Health Matt Hancock (right), England's Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty (top Right) and Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance (left) on the stairs of No10 Downing Street, after the Coronavirus press conference on March 12 2020

According to him, the general view of many Government scientists until the middle of March 2020 was that the public would never accept lockdowns or any curb on individual freedoms. Such was the view of modellers, some of whom Mr Cummings described as charlatans.

We have got so used to know-all scientists on Sage (the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) laying down the law, and pressing for new restrictions, that it came as a shock to learn that as late as March 18 last year they still couldnt agree whether there should be a lockdown. One followed on March 23.

The ex-chief adviser, once at the heart of Government, enumerated successive failures. He claimed the reason testing stopped suddenly in early March was that officials judged there was no point in carrying on with it if many millions of people contracted the disease, as indeed they would have done under the then policy of herd immunity.

Other fiascos included the transfer of Covid patients from hospitals to care homes, where they spread the virus. Mr Cummings stated that Mr Hancock categorically assured colleagues this would not happen.

The Government was also said by Mr Cummings to be slow in closing borders, though it could simply have downloaded a helpful document in English from the website of the government of Singapore, far more successful in restricting the virus.

Health Minister Matt Hancock outside his home in north west London. May 26, 2021

Of course, he could be exaggerating or even lying. But what would be the point? Many of the examples of institutional cock-ups were not pinned by Mr Cummings on individuals, though he did blame Mr Hancocks vainglorious target of 100,000 tests a day by the end of April 2020 for the postponement of a more comprehensive test-and-trace system.

To me these stories of incompetence ring true. I believed him when he said that a slothful Department of Health proposed importing PPE equipment by boat from China in the midst of a drastic shortage  which would take a month  rather than by aeroplane.

Might he have invented such an allegation? I doubt it. It is the only too credible manifestation of a procurement system which he plausibly described as being completely unfit for purpose.

The shortcomings listed by Mr Cummings didnt sound to me like sour grapes motivated by personal animus. They seem well-founded, not least because they echoed what this paper and other observers said at the time.

It was a mess, and although this mess could partly be attributed to individuals, it also reflected a general malaise of Government and Civil Service.

Mr Cummings conceded that there were thousands of bright people working in Whitehall, but they were not generally to be found at the highest levels.

Boris Johnson speaking during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) in the House of Commons in London on May 26, 2021

Fatal

He pointed out a fatal unwillingness to learn from other nations, especially democratic ones in Asia such as Taiwan and South Korea, which were far more successful in combatting the disease. As he put it, the western world, including Britain, completely failed to see through the smoke.

Here is evidence of a misplaced sense of superiority on the part of our mandarins. Learn from the Taiwanese or the South Koreans! What could be more ridiculous? But they had much to teach us which we were either slow to pick up, or simply ignored.

Now it is perfectly true that other large European nations have also fared poorly. Italys Covid death rate per capita is slightly worse than ours, whereas Frances is a little better, and Germanys more markedly so, though not by such a large margin as once seemed likely.

We could, if we wanted to, take refuge in this comparison. Britain is not uniquely dysfunctional, though to hear Mr Cummings speak one might sometimes think that it is.

But to compare Britain with European also-rans in a self-satisfied way is not the right approach. We could, and should, have done better  as of course we have, triumphantly, in the single case of the vaccine rollout.

Incompetent

Mr Cummings was ungenerous in recognising this, saying in his negative way that successful jabs could have been produced sooner. Well, perhaps. The point is that the same administration and Civil Service that had blundered so egregiously in other instances have succeeded marvellously with the vaccine.

This gives one cause for hope that the Government is not irredeemably incompetent. It can do things well. Yet over the past year, it has undoubtedly done many things badly. We should acknowledge this fact.

Mr Cummings can help us do so. He may be insufferable. He is certainly arrogant and self-obsessed. He develops hatreds, and seems to find it almost impossible to stay loyal to any political leader he serves.

By his own admission, he misled us about his lockdown jaunt to Barnard Castle in April 2020, which he rightly described as a complete disaster [that] undermined public confidence.

I feel less than fully convinced, though, by his contention that he and his family had been driven out of London by death threats.

Yes, Dominic Cummings is a flawed man, and some of his personal attacks are wildly over the top. But we shouldnt let his hyperbole or desire for vengeance blind us to the fact that he has illuminated better than anyone else the shortcomings of the British State.
Customers don't often hold back when it comes to posting bad restaurant reviews - and these posts prove the owners can give as good as they get.

From a diner who was too drunk to be served alcohol to another who chose to show off their chest hair instead of their ID, Texts From Last Night has rounded up a selection of witty messages restaurant owners have penned in response to poor reviews from visitors and even competitors.

One restaurateur argued a customer treated the dining area like a playground after reading a review that accused them of grumpy service and a lack of personal cleanliness.

Another blasted a reviewer for claiming to have found a fingernail in their food -despite the restaurant not even being open yet.

Texts From Last Night has rounded up a selection of amusing responses restaurant owners have given to poor reviews - and it will make you think twice about who to trust when making a booking (file image)

Liar, liar! One restaurant owner, whose location is unknown, blasted someone for writing a bad review before their venue had even reopened

Another owner, who runs a restaurant in the US, accused their reviewer of being refused service because they harassed female staff and chose to show their chest hair instead of their ID

Game over! A restaurant owner, whose location is unknown, blasted the reviewer for leaving a bad comment after trying to turn the dining room into a playground for their children

One person was slammed for claiming the bartender was rude, while failing to acknowledge that their friend was too drunk to be served

Another business owner was left unimpressed after figuring out the individual who wrote their 'bad' review was one of their neighbours

Good riddance! A restaurant owner, who lives in Manhattan, vowed to kick out a customer who complained about the time breakfast service ended

One business owner, based in Iceland, asked a customer to explain how they were able to have a bad experience with an item not available on their menu

Another owner based in the US accused a customer of using a stock image to support their bad review about finding a maggot in their food

Someone's sour! A restaurant owner, who lives in Miami, accused a reviewer of complaining about their business because they were fired from the establishment
 Flash

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday addressed a session on China at the Munich Security Conference via video link. Wang elaborated on China's development, China's relations with the world, and China-EU cooperation.

Wang pointed out that China is a trustworthy partner of all countries, not an institutional rival that confronts others. "We will stick to the system and development path we have chosen, fully respect the independent choices of other countries, and will not engage in exporting its system," he said.

Wang said China stands ready to practice true multilateralism with European countries and the world and safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core.

"We are willing to maintain and expand comprehensive cooperation with Europe based on the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit, and win-win results," Wang said. He added that China has always viewed China-EU relations from a strategic perspective, believed that cooperation is the general direction and keynote of bilateral relations, and regarded Europe as a partner rather than an opponent.

He noted that China will, as always, firmly support the European integration process, support the EU's unity and self-reliance, and support the EU to play a greater role in the international community.

The two sides should prevent the political virus from undermining their unity and lay a solid public opinion and social foundation for the stability and long-term development of China-EU relations, Wang said.
Prince William is a 'normal bloke' and 'like any other member of the Middleton family,' his uncle-in-law has revealed.

Gary Goldsmith, the brother of Kate Middleton's mother Carole, revealed he first met the Duke of Cambridge while making a cup of tea at the family home in Berkshire and he 'immediately' told all his mates about William and Kate dating, despite being 'sworn to secrecy'.

In a new interview, the Ibiza-based self-made millionaire, 55, added that his niece has a 'devilish and wicked sense of humour' and was 'born ready to be Queen'.

Gary Goldsmith, the brother of Kate Middleton's mother Carole, revealed he first met the Duke of Cambridge while making a cup of tea at the family home and he 'immediately' told all his mates about William and Kate dating, despite being 'sworn to secrecy'. Gary is pictured with his daughter at Pippa Middleton's wedding in 2017

Describing the first time meeting William as 'surreal', he told 60 Minutes Australia: 'I walked through the front door of the family home there's Kate cooking supper and William making a cup of tea, all the family mooching round.

'William said "hello I'm William", I said "hello I'm Gary". It was just like meeting a normal bloke, he was a normal part of the family, which was a bit bonkers.

'That's Prince William and he was just making a cup of tea'.

Gary added that he can't have 'usual' small talk with the royal - such as 'what do you do?' and 'where do you live?' but said that 'there's loads of fun to be had'.

'When the rugby's being watched, I asked is your dad supporting Wales and you England?

Discussing the first time he heard William and Kate were dating, he added: 'Well I got the phone call, I was in a board meeting, and Carole phoned me to say "this might be happening" and I was sworn to secrecy.

Gary said that William is 'a normal bloke' and like 'any other member of the Middleton family'. William and Kate are pictured today in Saint Andrews

'The conversation was "you what what" seriously I can't believe this is a real thing.

'The first thing you do even though your sworn to secrecy is tell your best mates.

'I told them I think i'm gonna be uncle to a queen of country'.

Clearly close to his niece, Gary went on: 'I think she was born ready [to be Queen].

'It's a modern version of the royal family we know, I think she's perfect for that role.

'Obviously I'm a bit biased but wouldn't Kate and William be great at it.

Discussing William and Kate's wedding day ten years ago he added: 'It was unbelievable from the moment we jumped into the car and went to the ceremony.

Gary, pictured at a Conservative party Black and White Ball at Natural History Museum in 2018, said that his niece has a 'wicked sense of humour'

'It was crazy thinking "this is out Kate; seeing her walking down the aisle with Mike [Micheal Middleton, her father], I was just looking at my daughter and we were thinking "oh em gee"'.'

'I'll be like a baby when Kate becomes Queen.

'She's someone to be super super proud of, she's nicer on the inside than the outside, she's a beautiful soul.

'She's got a wicked and devilish sense of humour, she's a very funny girl and laughter fills every room she's in.

'She's very domestic and very good at cooking, she's almost like the girl next door with a wicked sense of humour that happens to have a very important role'.

Describing the first time meeting William as 'surreal', Gary told 60 Minutes Australia: 'I walked through the front door of the family home there's Kate cooking supper and William making a cup of tea, all the family mooching round'. William and Kate are pictured is in Scotland yesterday

In the same interview, he said he was 'massively disappointed' when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to throw the firm 'under a bus' in a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey and also took aim at the Sussexes for claiming that Kate reduced Meghan to tears in a row over bridesmaids' dresses.

After the bombshell interview aired in March, Mr Goldsmith posted a message on LinkedIn branding Harry and Meghan 'muppets craving attention'.

He pleaded with them to 'shut the F up' and let Britons get on with 'saving lives' and the 'economy' during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in the UK.

When asked about the infamous post, he said 'I'm embarrassed about doing it but I stand by it'.

'I'm just very disappointed with them and there's a whole nation that's massively disappointed with them,' he said in the interview on Australian TV on Sunday night local time.

'We all love Harry, the whole world loves Harry, but you just don't do what they did.

'You just don't do what they did and then go on Oprah and talk like that. It's just not the way the world works.'

Among the proud uncle's biggest gripes with the couple is Meghan's incendiary claim the Duchess of Cambridge made her cry in an emotional row leading up to her 2018 wedding.

'I don't believe a word of it,' he told the Channel Nine program.
Broadmoor staff have revealed what it's really like to work at the high-security psychiatric hospital treating the criminally insane.

From a patient torturing and killing another inmate to stopping obsessive 'fans' visiting high profile murderers with their children, mental health professionals open up about their harrowing experiences in a new Channel 5 show airing tonight at 9pm: Broadmoor: Serial Killers & High Security.

Located in Crowthorne, Berkshire, Broadmoor Hospital has housed dozens of sadistic killers since it opened its doors in 1863, including Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe, gangster Ronnie Kray and rapist Robert Napper.

Professor Pamela Taylor, who worked as head of medical services at the institution, reveals how women would get solicitors to fight for their right to visit sex offenders with their own children in tow, and sent so many love letters to Sutcliffe that he couldn't answer them all.

Another staff member who features on the show is Dr Jackie Craissati MBE, who admits reading about the crimes committed by the patients she treated left her 'overwhelmed' and feeling 'waves of fear'.

Dr Jackie Craissati MBE, who treated Broadmoor's patients, reveals how reading about their gruesome crimes left her scarred for her life and 'overwhelmed' in Broadmoor: Serial Killers & High Security, airing tonight at 9pm on Channel 5

Professor Pamela Taylor, who worked as head of medical services at Broadmoor, discusses how staff are faced with warding off serial killer fans who want to visit with their children, and trying to rehabilitate the country's most notorious madmen

In the documentary, Broadmoor staff reveal the difficulties of managing hospital life with their patients, such as Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe, who murdered 13 women and injured seven more in the 1970s

'Our job is not to dwell on what they've done in the past, it is to rehabilitate them,' Professor Taylor says.

'People want contact with high profile patients, so I think it's not any secret... that Peter Sutcliffe had a very big post bag.

'It is claimed in the documentary that Sutcliffe received so many love letters from women that he didn't have the time to respond to all of them.

An aerial view of Broadmoor, the high security hospital where the criminally insane are homed and treated

Peter Sutcliffe, known as the Yorkshire Ripper, who killed 13 women and injured many more in the 1970s, was a patient at Broadmoor

How Ronnie Kray had his own BUTLER, was visited by his tailor and acted like he was 'in a posh restaurant' One of Broadmoor's most notorious patients was gangster Ronnie Kray, who stayed at the institution for 16 years, and died there aged 61 in 1995. With the help of visitors, Ronnie was able to keep up his luxury lifestyle while at Broadmoor, and even had a butler to prove his status. His friend Maureen Flannigan regularly visited him and organised for him to have a tailor come make him a suit. 'When he walked in, you saw heads turn and people poking each other other saying "that's Ronnie Kray",' Maureen said. 'I took a tailor into Broadmoor every October, he said "I got to have a new suit",' she added. When Maureen asked Ronnie if he ever attended the Saturday Broadmoor disco, put together by patients, he replied: 'I don't want to mix with those people, you know they're all mad, here.' During their visits, Ronnie's biographer, Fred Dinenage, now 78, and Maureen both were greeted by his 'butler.' 'I had a chat with this young man called Charlie Smith, and he was a double murderer, he was a very good friend with Ronnie and did a lot of jobs for Ronnie around Broadmoor,' Fred said. Maureen also recalled Ronnie asking Charlie to get some tea for his and his visitors, and ordering him to get something from the kitchen: two strawberry tarts. 'I just couldn't believe that he could order this sort of delicacy in a place that is really an asylum,' Maureen said, adding Kray acted as if he was in a 'posh restaurant.' Dinenage said that Ronnie thought he was 'top dog' and the 'main man' in Broadmoor hierarchy. The gangster, who had no hope of ever leaving Broadmoor, spent his time gardening and painting. He also used his visiting time to find himself a wife, and got married twice during his time at the institution to women who had written letters to him. His second wife, Kate Howard, was 23 years his junior. Kray despised fellow patient Peter Sutcliffe, because 'the Kray twins had no time whatsoever for people who offended against women or childre,' Dinenage said. When Maureen visited Ronnie in Broadmoor, he would make her move so that Sutcliffe wouldn't be in his line of vision when he spoke to her. Ronnie never expressed remorse about killing George Cornell, who belonged to a rival gang. Fred Dinenage said it was 'the ony thing that saddens me about Ronnie, Fred said Ronnie told him that when he shot George, said he 'I've never felt more alive.' Maureen added: 'he said it was "better than sex".' Advertisement

Not only that, but the serial killer, who died in November last year, also received three to four visits a week from young women - a different one every time.

True crime author Wensley Clarkson saw some of the letter penned by Sutcliffe while at Broadmoor.

'If I didn't know who the author of those letters were, I'd think they were written by someone quite young, in their 20s or 30s,' he says.

'Someone who is very awkward with women who thought he could arouse them with writing these frothy 1950s, 1960s expressions like "supa-duppa" and "absolute bliss" and "how wonderful".

'And there's the way Sutcliffe signs off literally at the end of the letter. Not only are there lots of "xs" and he signs it "Pete," he also writes "It's brill!".

'It's very creepy actually, it's as if he's trying to prove something, and he's trying to show how nice and gentle he is, when we know he's a monster.

'This is the Yorkshire Ripper who brutally killed women without bothering to find out their names.'

In other cases, Professor Taylor tells how she had to deal with difficult requests from people wanting to visit inmates - some of which defied belief.

'Another man who'd seriously damaged children had women wanting to visit him with their children and were even prepared to get their solicitors to argue the right to visit,' she explains.

'It's not people who are related to this man. It's a constant process of trying to manage that situation so you're decent to everyone.'

Dr Sohom, a consultant forensic psychiatrist, says there is a 'fascination' amongst the public to look into these people's lives.

'People want to know what are they about,' he explains.

Dr Jackie Craissati, who offered therapy to Broadmoor patients, admits she can't claim that treatment is always effective and that everybody is able to be successfully rehabilitated.

'People do need sometimes a long time to come to terms with what they've done to begin to be able to reflect,' she says.

'Not everyone will get out, but there is capacity for change and rehabilitation.'

However, Dr Craissati admits she herself had felt 'overwhelmed' by the sheer horror of the crimes committed by some of Broadmoor's patients.

'We're very careful and very sensible about how we meet with people, where we sit, who knows where we are,' she says.

'But having some insight into what it might have been like for the victim, it might overwhelm and you might experience a wave of fear that belongs more to the victim than the reality of the place I'm in.'

Professor Taylor explains how the staff have to research their patients' crimes in order to put together a treatment plan.

'When I was at Broadmoor we almost invariably had, should I call it, the crime package, including the police reports from the scene of the crime, so I would make myself read them,' she recalls.

'It's important that I've got that angle, and it's also important that I don't, in my mind, diminish what happened, that I really got the measure of it.'

Another notorious Broadmoor patient was sadistic rapist Robert Napper, who murdered Samantha Bisset and her toddler Jazmine in 1993.

In 2008, he was sentenced to stay at Broadmoor indefinitely after it was found he had also brutally killed Rachel Nickell in 1992.

Author and journalist Geoffrey Wansell, pictured, says in the documentary that some people think Broadmoor is like a holiday camp for serial killers

Violent Gangster Ronnie Kray, pictured, was a patient at Broadmoor until he died of a heart attack aged 61

Napper was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and Asperger's Syndrome, and during his time at Broadmoor, opened up about the sexual abuse he had suffered as a child.

'Because he was sexually abused himself, I wonder if it warped his understanding of sexuality and what's appropriate and where the boundaries lie,' Dr Spohom says.

'We never consider traumatic event to be an excuse or a complete explanation. Its part of understanding the pathway to offending,' Dr Craissati adds.

'There are some crimes where it does affect us at that point, and actually often meeting the individual is the first time our feelings of horror and the emotional distress from reading the documentation starts to arise.

'For me, the issue is, can I find meaning in the offence, in the choice of victim, in their approach, in what happened, how were they feeling? What was in their mind at that time?'

Wensley Clarkson elaborates on Napper's time at Broadmoor.

'Robert Napper has always kept a low-key existence in Broadmoor, he's supposed to keep himself to himself, quite shy, likes to be known as "Bob".

'But slightly more disturbingly he has a habit of starring at some of the female staff which makes them very uncomfortable, particularly when you consider what the crimes are that he's committed,' he adds.

Dr Sohom reveals in the documentary there are certain guidelines staff had to follow for their own safety. He worked in the high dependency unit, where people are 'acutely disturbed' and 'potentially very aggressive'.

There is only one entrance and one exit to the secure institution which houses some of the country's most violent killers

He explains that some patients can only be spoken to through a door because they are too dangerous to be let out.

Broadmoor, the UK's oldset psychiatric hospital that housed some of Britain's most notorious killers Broadmoor is the oldest of three high-security psychiatric hospitals in England. Founded in 1863, the hospital was opened as the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum and first admitted a female patient for infanticide. It now houses up to 210 men after the female service closed in 2007. The average length of stay at the hospital is five-and-a-half years however this is skewed by a few men who have stayed for for more than 30 years. Patients are admitted from prison, court or a medium-secure hospital. However some have not committed an offence but are considered to pose a high risk to society and need to be housed in a secure environment. Therapy and vocational activities along with medication and pastoral care is on offer. Patients are transferred back to the criminal justice system or a lower security environment when they no longer require high-security care. Advertisement

'We're discouraged to talk about our personal lives in front of the patients because sometimes it can be used against you,' Dr Sohom adds.

He also explains that under the Mental Health Act of 1983, mental institution staff are still allowed to inject prisoners with substances against their will.

He stresses that force is only used as a 'last resort' because it isn't a pleasant experience, and that teams of three to four nurses administer the substances to immobilise the patient.

The main focus of the team, Dr Craissati says, is to try to see if the patients can be rehabilitated into society.

'Ultimately we want to look forward and see if we can reduce the risk that a patient poses,' she explains.

In the documentary it's revealed that one patient at Broadmoor costs the taxpayer 200,000 to 300,000 a year, with many patients staying there for years, even decades.

'There is no question that in some people's minds Broadmoor is a bit like a holiday camp; you can do what you want, you can order food, you can play games with the wardens, it's very cosy and comfy and it's not a bit like Wakefield or these tough prisons,' author and journalist Geoffrey Wansell acknowledges in the programme.

However, Dr Craissati claims the reality is not as straightforward, and that patients at Broadmoor can have a 'very difficult time' because they are upset, 'angry' and not 'in control'.

'You're asked about what you're thinking and how you're feeling all day and it can be irritating to some people,' she says.

In 1977, serial killer Robert Mauldsey murdered fellow inmate Francis David at Broadmoor, torturing him for nine hours after locking him in his cell because he was a child molester.

Reflecting on the murder, Geoffrey Wansell says the incident was incredibly traumatic for staff who witnessed David's bloodied corpse when his it was 'held up so that prison staff could see it through the spy hole'.

Describing it as a 'scene of absolute horror', he recalls: 'In Broadmoor they weren't allowed plastic knives, but forks and spoons. Mauldsey broke and sharpened a spoon and shoved it into Francis' ears.'

He adds: 'A man was turned into a punch bag, a mannequin, a doll to be kicked, to be hit, with his head repeatedly stomped on, punched, kicked. What might have been going though David's head through that ordeal? He must have been terrified for his life.'

In spite of this horrific murder, Dr Sohom says an incident like Francis David's murder is unlikely to happen nowadays because of the new security protocols in place.

Professor Taylor says patients at Broadmoor had keys to their own rooms, which were all individual with en-suites.

'One of the big tasks in reforming Broadmoor and the other hospitals was to create more personal spaces and so now it is true to say in every secure hospital, patients will have their own individual rooms and en-suite,' she says, adding patients had their own keys to their rooms as well.

'Patients can lock themselves in their room but staff can override that,' she adds, before saying 'they can't have other people in their room.'

In 2012, it was revealed that Jimmy Savile had been volunteering at Broadmoor since the 1960s, and had been given his own 'cell' and his own set of keys to the mental institution.

It is believed Savile took advantage of his power and notoriety to abuse the patients of Broadmoor during his visits.

Several former Broadmoor residents said they had been molested by Savile during their time at the hospital in the 1980s.

Broadmoor: Serial Killers & High Security airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 5.
A mum has revealed her embarrassment after her young son's school contacted her over his inappropriate lunch.

The mum accidentally sent the boy to school with a lunchbox full of raw sausages instead of a sandwich and snacks.

Posting on a Facebook family group she explained that she had found his lunch in the fridge after dropping him to school.

A mum accidentally sent her boy to school with a lunchbox full of raw sausages instead of a sandwich and school snacks

This made her gasp in horror as she assumed he had taken his lunchbox from the previous day to school again.

'Then am email came from the school saying as they went to switch his lunch they found sausages,' she laughed.

'He only went and took my raw sausages from the fridge instead of his lunch.'

The mum described the moment as a 'mum fail' and said they would be double checking the lunch boxes from now on.

But the post was quickly inundated with comments from other parents who had also sent their kids off to school with random food items instead of their lunch.

One mum said she had made her daughter a cheese sandwich, only to pack the block of cheese instead.

'I put an egg in my sons lunch box to remind me to boil it for sandwiches. The next day I just did ham sandwiches. He got to his summer activity club and the staff just assumed I had boiled it and told him just to tap it on the floor to get the shell off. He did this and a raw egg fell out,' another mum wrote.

'Half an onion in foil here. I thought it was the ham roll I had made,' one person said.

Dietitian Susie Burrell four-step formula for a perfect school lunch 1. Sandwich, wrap or salad with some form of protein. 2. Fruit and cut-up vegetables. 3. Protein-rich snack such as yoghurt or cheese. 4. Something fun or 'yummy' like homemade protein balls, healthy chips or biscuits. Advertisement

Others admitted to accidentally sending dog and cat food along to school.

Some people remembered their own parents' lunchbox mishaps.

'My mum gave me her sewing box once for my lunch, so in year one I opened my lunch box to pins and needles,' one woman laughed.

Others were more dangerous.

'A couple of weeks ago, I put my cigarettes and lighter in my 10 year old's school bag instead of her morning snack,' one mum admitted.

'My mum worked as a TA in a primary school and one lad was crying at lunchtime because his water tasted funny. To start with the teacher thought he was being fussy as he could be like that. But eventually someone went to check and they sniffed the bottle and it was vodka,' one woman revealed.
An American expat was pleasantly surprised by a popular Australian dinner trend he claims to have never seen until he moved Down Under.

In a recent TikTok video titled 'Things I had never heard of before moving to Australia', Adam Foskey said he was unfamiliar with the concept of degustation until he relocated from his native Georgia.

Degustation menus, also known as tasting menus, see diners being served multiple small portions of the chef's signature dishes in one sitting - a trend Mr Foskey called 'amazing'.

He said he was also surprised by how Australians sing 'happy birthday', noting that Aussies often end the celebratory tune by chanting 'hip hip hooray' which is something Americans never do.

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Adam Foskey (pictured) said he was pleasantly surprised by a popular Australian dinner trend he claims to have never seen before moving Down Under

Also known as a tasting menu, degustation is where small portions of a chef's signature dishes are served to diners in one sitting (stock image)

'[Degustation] is when you go to a restaurant and you're served anywhere between three to 14 courses just to be able to taste their menu,' Mr Foskey said in the clip.

'It's full of flavour and it's amazing.'

While the additional cheer of 'hip hip hooray' is not customary in the US, Mr Foskey said it' is something he can 'get behind because it adds to the whole birthday vibe'.

Viewers were baffled by his revelations, which have been watched more than 531,000 times since they were uploaded on May 24.

'You don't say hip hop hooray? What? How awkward is it after you finish singing happy birthday?' one person asked.

Mr Foskey also surprised by how Australians sing 'happy birthday', ending by chanting 'hip hip hooray' which is something Americans never do (stock image)

Another wrote: 'So what happens when you finish singing happy birthday. It just... ends?'

Elsewhere in the video, Mr Foskey said he had never heard of superannuation, the Australian pension scheme which sees employers contribute money on behalf of their staff into a dedicated account they cannot access until retirement.

He said it beats the American 401k system - which relies on individuals opening their own retirement fund and companies providing an optional sponsored account - 'by a country mile'.

Mr Foskey also said he had never heard of a ute - an abbreviation for utility truck used in Australia and New Zealand - until he moved Down Under.
A talented home baker has shared her incredible twist on a classic tiramisu dessert, by adding the popular Lotus Biscoff biscuits to the dish.

Mum Walla Abu-Eid, from Sydney, shared the simple recipe on her Instagram page, where she delighted her fans.

'The biscomissu! A tiramisu with a Lotus Biscoff touch - because let's admit it, Biscoff makes everything better!' Walla wrote.

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A talented home baker has shared her incredible twist on a classic tiramisu dessert, by adding the popular Lotus Biscoff biscuits to the dish (Walla's 'biscomissu' pictured)

Mum Walla Abu-Eid, from Sydney, shared the simple recipe on her Instagram page , where she delighted her fans, who loved the creativeness of the recipe (pictured)

To make the decadent dessert, you'll need to get your hands on a few dessert ingredients, including thickened cream, sponge fingers, sugar, vanilla extract, milk, coffee and of course Lotus Biscoff biscuits.

The 'biscomissu' takes around an hour to prepare, and then it needs to set in the fridge for at least four hours or ideally overnight.

Walla added that you can use mascarpone in your 'biscomissu', but she doesn't like it and so makes it with an alternative.

How to make Walla's 'Biscomissu' INGREDIENTS Walla shared the delicious recipe on her Instagram page (pictured) 600mL thickened cream (heavy whipping cream) One packet sponge fingers 1.5 tablespoons sugar One tablespoon vanilla extract One cup milk, coffee of choice and sugar (to taste) for the coffee mixture 1/2 jar Lotus Biscoff spread Some Biscoff biscuits for decoration METHOD 1. Whip the cream, sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Once this is done, place the mixture in a piping bag. 2. Melt the Biscoff jar in the microwave and place it in a piping bag. 3. In a bowl, heat the milk until warm, add a bit of water, coffee and sugar to taste. Keep mixing it until both the coffee and sugar dissolve. 4. Dip the sponge fingers in the coffee mix and layer on a platter. Whip cream on top and then drizzle the Biscoff spread on the top of that. 5. Repeat the layering, ending with a layer of cream, Biscoff spread and biscuits. 6. Refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight, and enjoy. Source: Walla Abu-Eid Advertisement

More than 180,000 people who saw the dessert recipe were impressed and said they were 'drooling' over how good it looks (pictured in process)

More than 180,000 people who saw the dessert recipe were impressed and said they were 'drooling' over how good it looks.

'What a stunning twist on a classic,' one commenter posted.

'You are the Biscoff queen, this looks incredible,' another added.

A third wrote: 'Your recipes are so creative'.

Walla recommends that you set the delicious 'biscomissu' in the fridge for at least four hours, and ideally overnight

This isn't the first time Walla has shared a recipe and delighted her thousands of followers.

Her inventive cooking has previously seen the mum make everything from Turkish lentil soup to an M&M gravity-defying cake.

She has also made Middle-eastern pancakes stuffed with cheese and served with sugar syrup in a nod to her heritage.
A top Australian beauty brand has created a body cream that claims to rejuvenate dry, dehydrated skin while keeping it smooth and soft throughout winter.

The $92 Ultra Retexturising Body Lotion from Ultraceuticals is made from natural plant extracts and a powerful blend of anti-ageing ingredients such as lactic acid and niacinamide, the cosmetic name for vitamin B3.

These gently exfoliate skin, helping to restore its natural radiance and leave it feeling age-defyingly supple while reducing signs of sun damage and pigmentation.

Customer transformation photos show hands and decolletage rejuvenated beyond recognition after just two months of daily use.

The $92 Ultra Retexturising Body Lotion from Ultraceuticals gently exfoliates skin, helping to restore its natural radiance and leave it feeling age-defyingly supple while reducing signs of sun damage and pigmentation

The lotion (pictured) is made from natural plant extracts and a powerful blend of anti-ageing ingredients such as lactic acid and niacinamide, the cosmetic name for vitamin B3

The lotion from Australia's leading cosmeceutical-grade skincare brand is a new and improved version of its original retexturising product, packed with a higher volume of 'miracle' ingredients.

Lactic acid is used in many over-the-counter and professional-grade skincare products for its ability to reduce the severity of pigmentation as well as fine lines and wrinkles.

Derived from milk, lactic acid belongs to a famous group of anti-ageing ingredients called alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) which also includes glycolic acid and citric acid.

Niacinamide, also known as water-soluble vitamin B3, occurs naturally in the body and helps to support the health of the kidneys, brain and skin.

Both are used in beauty products to prevent build-ups of sebum, the leading cause of spot breakouts.

Natural extracts including ylang ylang, lavender and chamomile also work to keep skin smooth and supple.

The lotion, which launches May 31 online should only be applied to the body, never to the face.

Earlier this month, Ultraceuticals Global Education Ambassador Tracey Beeby told Daily Mail Australia how we should care for our skin in winter.

Customer transformation photos show hands and decolletage rejuvenated beyond recognition after just two months of daily use

Ultraceuticals is Australia's leading cosmeceutical-grade skincare brand. Pictured: beauty clinic owner Aleesha Watson

Lukewarm showers, plenty of water and a different moisturiser to the one you usually use are the keys to after a healthy complexion throughout the colder months, Ms Beeby claimed.

She said a change of season or a sudden cold snap can lead to a range of skin concerns from dryness to dehydration, rosacea and even eczema.

'Skin tends to suffer more from dryness and dehydration (lipid and moisture loss) in winter due to hotter showers and heating, harsher weather outside, more comfort foods and less activity,' Ms Beeby told Daily Mail Australia.

Tracey Beeby (pictured) says lukewarm showers, plenty of water and a different moisturiser to the one you usually use are the keys to after a healthy complexion throughout the colder months

'Certain skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema can also flare up in winter due to the dry, windy air and harsh temperatures, but also the fact the skin is covered with woollen clothing, which can often irritate.'

She said most important step to ensuring skin is adequately moisturised during winter is identifying whether you have a dry or dehydrated complexion.

'Dehydrated skin lacks moisture but still may produce oil,' Ms Beeby explained.

'Whereas dry skin is skin that is oil-dry. A dry complexion can feel tight all the time - even after applying moisturiser and flakey patches may crop up.'
On the night of her daughter's fourth birthday, Claudia Hobday noticed her little girl's left eye was slightly crossed in every photo.

Weeks later, Zoe Hobday was in hospital facing permanent blindness and 16 months of chemotherapy.

Zoe's slightly crossed eye was the first sign a growth was in her brain and pushing against the optical nerve causing it to become inflamed.

The growth, which turned out to be cancerous, was caused by Neurofibromatosis - a genetic disorder which causes tumours to form on nerve tissue.

Claudia, 36, soon found out that she, her 10-year-old son Arthur, and Zoe all have the disorder.

Zoe's slightly crossed left eye (above) lead to her Neurofibromatosis diagnosis and the discovery of a cancerous tumour pressing against her optical nerve

Claudia Hobday, 36, pictured here with her husband Ben, son Arthur and Zoe, assumed her daughter was just tired

Speaking with Daily Mail Australia, Claudia explained the family's tough journey over the past two years.

From the moment she first noticed the tiny detail in her daughter's birthday photos to the present day - where Zoe sadly accepts needles, hospital visits and total blindness in her left eye are parts of her life.

'We noticed her left eye was crossed in the pictures and figured it was probably nothing,' Claudia said.

'But after a few days we decided to take her to an optometrist.'

There were no red flags raised during the test, which was done on Easter Thursday, so the family went home.

What is Neurofibromatosis? Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a set of three complex genetic conditions that cause tumours to form on nerve cells throughout the body, including the brain and spine.  Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1)  Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2)  Schwannomatosis NF can lead to a range of significant health issues including deafness, blindness, paralysis, physical differences, bone abnormalities, cancer, learning difficulties and chronic pain. NF can affect anyone regardless of age, ethnicity, gender or family history and causes tumour (known as neurofibromas) to grow around the body's nerve cells, including the spine and brain, under the surface of the skin or deep in the body. It is impossible to predict how mildly or severely someone with NF will be affected and roughly half of all cases arise in families with no history of NF. Source: The Children's Tumour Foundation Advertisement

On the following Tuesday they took Arthur to get his eyes tested too.

'The optometrist told me he had been thinking about me and Zoe all weekend and that we should see a specialist paediatric ophthalmologist just in case,' she said.

The Hobday's live on the NSW Central Coast, so made the appointment to see an ophthalmologist in Sydney and headed down on the train.

Claudia thought the appointment would be over quickly but they were with the specialist for hours.

'At the end of the appointment she said "I know you aren't prepared for this but you need to go to emergency as soon as possible",' Claudia recalled.

Now the family know all about NF1, the genetic disorder which effects Claudia, Zoe and Arthur in three very different ways

'She then showed me the photos of the back of Zoe's eyes, the right one was healthy and the left one was swollen and inflamed.

'She said she was pretty sure something was pushing up against the optical nerve.'

It turned out to be a 5.5mm tumour.

Doctors at the hospital soon diagnosed Claudia, Zoe and Arthur with the genetic disorder which can cause cancer, blindness and deafness, as well as bone abnormalities, learning difficulties, chronic pain and visible skin tumours.

The family were booked to see neurologists and an oncologist.

Within three weeks, Zoe's tumour had grown by another 2mm.

'It was unheard of because this type of tumour is usually very slow growing,' Claudia said.

The check up with the ophthalmologist revealed something was leaning on the optical nerve

The startling growth was picked up after Zoe started complaining of a sore head and had a series of 'eye twitching' episodes.

'Her eyes were fluttering and shaking from side to side, each episode would last about 30 or 40 seconds,' Claudia said.

Zoe was started on chemotherapy straight away and endured 16 months of treatment. The tumour has now stabilised.

'She has come to terms with it now, but occasionally she askes why she can't see and says that she just wants to see again,' Claudia said.

Zoe now has to have tests every three months to make sure there are no new growths.

Following their diagnosis Claudia realised the lumps she had felt in her breasts in 2017 were probably linked to the disorder.

There is a strong chance the tumours developed by people with NF1 will become cancerous, so Claudia had them removed as a precaution.

Two quickly grew in their place and were also removed.

The diagnosis has made it easier to understand different elements of the family's life such as Arthur's learning disabilities and need for physio and speech therapy

This is a picture of Zoe on her last day of chemotherapy

The diagnosis has made it easier to understand different elements of the family's life such as Arthur's learning disabilities and need for physio and speech therapy.

There is no cure for NF and treatment options are limited. A child is born with the disorder every three days in Australia.

The Hobday family are sharing their story as part of NF Awareness month.

The diagnosis has made it easier to understand different elements of the family's life such as Arthur's learning disabilities and need for physio and speech therapy.

There is no cure for NF and treatment options are limited. A child is born with the disorder every three days in Australia.

The Hobday family are sharing their story as part of NF Awareness month.
Rather than rushing outside to get the laundry off the clothesline when it rains, a mum has shared the perfect solution.

Kimberly, originally from South Australia, posted an image on Facebook of her garments pegged to the hills hoist clothesline which were all safely covered by a black tarp.

The 'genius' product is ideal for those who don't own a dryer and protects the clothes from sun damage.

Kimberly, originally from South Australia, posted an image on Facebook of her garments pegged to the hills hoist clothesline which were all safely covered by a black tarp

'We have put a square 3x3m shade over our hills hoist for years now it helps reduce sun fade clothes dry quicker because it's warmer underneath,' Kimberly wrote online.

'Depending on the quality of the shade sail, when it rains they don't get soaked.'

Kimberly said she purchased the product by Clevacover, which is designed to have a high tolerance for strong winds, is waterproof and easy to install.

But while the covers are innovative and helpful, they cost a minimum of $255 on sale.

Similar sizes of varying prices are also available from Lifestyle Clotheslines.

Kimberly said she purchased the product by Clevacover, which is designed to have a high tolerance for strong winds, is waterproof and easy to install

But while the covers are innovative and helpful, they cost a minimum of $255 on sale. Similar sizes of varying prices are also available from Lifestyle Clotheslines

The social media post was praised by more than 750 people who 'liked' the clever idea.

'Wow never seen that before,' one person wrote, another said: 'I have one of these and they're great! Washing stays dry too!'

A third added: 'My mum used a large tarp on hers for over 30 years, worked a treat.'

'Brilliant, it would also stop the dew overnight if you leave them out,' another wrote.
Rose Smith says the 'flower super moon', is likely to be breathtaking for spectators but will also have a huge effect on everyone's emotions.

Tonight's super blood moon could spell disaster for couples, with astrologers predicting a lot of breakups this evening.

Rose Smith says the emotional devastation will impact fire signs the most but 'everybody will be effected'.

"There's going to be a great push for Sagittarians and other fire signs to get rid of toxic situations and relationships,' she said.

The super blood moon is set to be the brightest full moon of they year and will be coupled with a full lunar eclipse, which hasn't been seen since January 2019.

It will lead to some emotional highs and lows, according to the intuitive astrologer.

Ms Smiths says the 'flower super moon', is likely to be breathtaking for spectators but will also have a huge effect on everyone's emotions.

She said the combination of the two rare lunar events are bound to bring withheld emotions to the front of your mind.

'Full moons ordinarily can bring out the 'crazy' in people, but we can expect people doing crazier things than usual  and this can be attributed to pent up emotional tension.

'People should be trying to release this tension around the super blood moon in healthy ways, sitting with their feelings and endeavouring not to deny them,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

The emotional impact of the flower super moon will be especially powerful for women, she said, because women are more likely to 'hold onto' their emotions.

'As the total lunar eclipse and super moon are in Sagittarius, it could be a particularly emotional time for fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius,' she said.

'On the other hand, water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are looking fortunate, with more balance coming into their lives. They could be feeling divinely inspired.'

There hasn't been a total lunar eclipse since January 2019.

What is so special about tonight's full moon and where can I see it? The super moon is special because it will be the biggest, brightest full moon of the year. There is also a total solar eclipse occurring tonight. This is the first total solar eclipse since January 2019. it is the only total solar eclipse this year. A solar eclipse happens when the moon moves into the earth's shadow, causing it to gradually turn a reddish brown colour. The eclipse event will go for just 14 minutes. Stargazers in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland will see the show from 9.11pm. In South Australia it will begin at 8.41pm and in Western Australia it will begin at 7.11pm. This is the second super moon of the year, which in itself is a rare phenomenon as they usually occur 12-14 months apart. Advertisement

Stargazers can see the event at different times tonight depending on their location. In new South Wales, Queensland and Victoria it will start at 9.11pm.

People in South Australia will be able to witness the eclipse at 8.41pm and in Western Australia it will begin at 7.11pm.

The moon will be 7percent bigger than a typical full moon - with moonrise being the best time to see it at its biggest due to an optical illusion when it is close to the horizon.

The moon will be the brightest full moon of the year because it is the closest full moon to the earth this year, 158 kilometres closer to earth than April's pink super moon.

Virgos have been told to focus on family differences and relationships over the next week (stock image)

Ms Smith said there are other astrological influences to consider moving into June, with Mercury being in retrograde from May 29 until June 22.

There is also a solar eclipse on June 10. Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune are also going into retrograde.

What does tonight's lunar eclipse mean for my star sign? Aries (March 21 to April 19) The super moon is encouraging you to broaden your horizons by making your life larger in some way. Perhaps you're thinking about studying or travel. Your spiritual journey could also take the driver's seat in your life now and you may be a little surprised about your spiritual side. Taurus (April 20 to May 20) Issues may arise about shared resources and other people's money. Taxes, superannuation, inheritances and joint assets might be on your mind. There might also be a strong desire for union and deeper intimacy with another person. Relationships can be rejuvenated now. Gemini (May 21 to June 20) Important connections such as a marriage or business partner might be on your mind. Transformation comes with issues that need to be dealt with in close relationships. There might also be some legalities or problems with someone you don't see eye to eye with. It's time to sort out these issues. Cancer (June 21 to July 22) Your everyday habits or work changes in some way. Daily life could get a bit of a shakeup, but this is needed to get you thinking about how to improve your life. Your health or wellbeing could also be affected which could prompt you to take better care of yourself. Change your diet and your exercise regime. Leo (July 23 to August 22) Your creativity gets a shake up and you realise just how brilliant you can be. Even if you suffer from writer's block or it feels like your creative well has run dry, this is happening to get you to focus on your inner life. You may also have more dealings with children or your own inner child. Your romantic life could also change and this is probably overdue. Virgo (August 23 to September 22) There is transformation around your home or your family. Do ensure you attend to any necessary repairs before they get worse. But there could be a silver lining here because you may improve your home in the process of rectifying faults. Regarding your family, change is likely, perhaps children leave home or changes take place in some way. Libra (September 23 to October 22) There could be changes in your local area which somehow affect you. Perhaps there are things like road works or additional traffic. You may be thinking of studying or running lots of errands around your local community. Issues could also arise with siblings or distant family members. With Mercury retrograde, the lunar eclipse and the super moon, you're really quite likely to have issues with miscommunication, technology and delays around travel. Back up all your devices. Scorpio (October 23 to November 21) There's transformation around your money, especially the money you earn. It's time to protect and secure your possessions. You may also experience changes around other things you value, perhaps your belief systems. Watch you don't overspend or waste money on a whim. Buy practical things you need. Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21) It's all about you. It's time to re-examine what you believe, especially about you. What do you really want in life? You may be more perceptive than usual and get some extraordinary insight into your life, even if your thoughts are a little cloudy at the moment. Take some time out, especially if your emotions are all over the shop. Capricorn (December 22nd to January 19) You may feel more sensitive than usual and unusually intuitive. Right now, you probably need more quiet time alone so you can reflect on your life. Transformational changes from deep down emerge now so it's a great time to meditate and watch your dreams as you are changing. Aquarius (January 20th to February 18) You may need a deeper sense of community and connection with others now. Group efforts and community events, especially with women are likely. Your friends, groups and connections are transforming so let go of the past and embrace the future. New people are entering your life. Pisces (February 19 to March 20) There's transformation in your career zone and if you're not enjoying work that makes your heart sing you may consider leaving and finding another job. Your reputation and social status is also changing, so do be careful not to overshare online, especially if you're looking for work. If you stay in the same job, it might be changing - there could be some sort of shakeup regarding procedures or administration. Advertisement

Gemini, Libra and Aquarius will be most effected by Mercury going into retrograde, Ms Smith warns people who fall under those signs will need to have a good handle on their emotions.

'Mercury retrogrades are about miscommunications and misunderstandings in relationships and problems with technology  so back up your devices for one,' she suggested.

'Relationships can also be testing - treat each situation anew. Don't let the weight of previous relationships overly influence you, thinking you know what the other person is going to do or say. It's important to give the other person room to move.'

There's a transformation in Pisces' career zone - pushing them to embrace a job they love (stock image)

She said contracts or important decisions made in that period could need to be changed later.

Ms Smith said next month's solar eclipse is in Gemini - which is an air sign - and is all about masculine principles.

'Women have inner masculine forces and it's time to be more proactive, independent and externally focused so they can get more of what they want in the world,' Ms Smith said.
Now two, she defied odds of never walking by being able to run, walk and climb

A two-year-old girl who had pioneering spine surgery while still in the womb has defied odds of never walking by being able to run, walk and even climb.

Little Eloise Simpson, from Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, has shocked her parents and medical professionals with her ability to walk despite suffering from spina bifida - a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don't form properly.

In January 2019, mum Bethan Simpson, 28, chose to have surgery while pregnant after finding out her daughter had the condition at her 20 week scan where she was offered a termination.

The surgery had only just been approved in the UK - with Bethan and her husband, Kieran, 30, one of the first couples to undergo the complex procedure which involved operating on Eloise while she was still in the womb.

Eloise Simpson, two, from Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, who had pioneering spine surgery while still in the womb has defied odds of never walking by being able to run, walk and even climb. Pictured, Bethan giving birth to her daughter, Eloise

Little Eloise (pictured, now) has shocked her parents and medical professionals with her ability to walk despite suffering from spina bifida - a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don't form properly

In January 2019, mum Bethan Simpson, 28, chose to have surgery while pregnant after finding out her daughter had the condition at her 20 week scan where she was offered a termination. Pictured, Bethan's scar from the surgery

The operation was successful and managed to prevent any further damage to her spine, meaning just two years on, Eloise is able to run around and climb on her much loved climbing frame.

Bethan, a ward manager, said: 'Eloise is now walking fine without any intervention.

'She doesn't need any physiotherapy; she can run, jump, spin, climb a flight of stairs, climb tables, use her climbing frame and she's very sporty.

'We can't believe how well she's doing given her prognosis; we could never have imagined that she would be how she is now.

The surgery had only just been approved in the UK - with Bethan and her husband, Kieran, 30, one of the first couples to undergo the complex procedure which involved operating on Eloise while she was still in the womb. Pictured, Kieran holding Eloise

WHAT IS SPINA BIFIDA? Spina bifida is a relatively common birth defect, affecting about 1,500 to 2,000 babies born in the US each year and around 700 in the UK annually. Babies born with spina bifida have improperly formed spines and spinal cords. During development these structures - along with the brain - all arise out of something called a neural tube, a precursor the entire central nervous system as well as the protective tissues that form around them. Typically, this tube forms and closes by the 28th week of pregnancy. But in babies with spina bifida, it doesn't close properly, for reasons that are not entirely clear yet to scientists. Instead, these babies are left with a gap in the vertebrae, through which part of the spinal cord may slip, depending the severity. People with the mildest form of spina bifida - the occulta form - may not even know they have it. The gap between their vertebrae is so small that the spinal cord stays in place and they are unlikely to experience any kind of neurological or motor symptoms. In the next more severe form of the condition, called meningocele, the the protective fluid and membranes around the spinal cord are pulled through a gap into a fluid filled sack on the exterior of the baby's back. There's no actual nervous tissue out of place, so there may be complications, but they're less likely to be life altering. But in open spina bifida, or myelomeningocele, there are larger or multiple openings along the spine. Both the membranes and spinal nerves and tissues they're meant to protect are pulled outside the baby at birth. The symptoms vary wildly based on where and how severe these openings are. Some children may develop little more than skin problems, while other with severe forms may be unable to walk or move properly, or develop infections like meningitis that can leave them with permanent brain damage. Making sure women get plenty of folic acid in pregnancy can help ensure the spinal cord develops properly. After birth, surgery to repair these openings may be performed and, in more recent years, some surgeons have begun repairing spina bifida in the womb. Advertisement

'When I was 20 weeks pregnant, doctors performed a scan which confirmed she had a small defect low down on her spine and I was offered a medical termination there and then.

'That was never an option for us and something we never considered; we were told a lot of people choose to terminate because babies often won't have function of their legs and can't walk or talk.

The operation was successful and managed to prevent any further damage to her spine. Pictured, Eloise after spine surgery

Mum Bethan has been left with a scar from the surgery that stretches the full way across her stomach but says she wouldn't change anything (pictured, left and right)

When Bethan was 20 weeks pregnant, doctors performed a scan which confirmed she had a small defect low down on her spine and she says she was offered a medical termination there and then. Pictured, with daughter Eloise

Bethan was 25 weeks pregnant with her daughter Eloise (pictured) when they did the operation

Just two years on from surgery, Eloise (pictured, with Dad Kieran) is able to run around and climb on her much loved climbing frame

'I went to the Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London Hospital where I had a second opinion and that's when I was told about this new procedure that was being trialled.

'I was 25 weeks pregnant when they did the operation; the surgery was to correct the defect in terms of closing it and ensuring there was no more damage to her spine to improve her outcomes.

'If we hadn't done it, her nerve damage could have been significant and she could have had brain damage.

'We were only the fourth one in the UK but I'm quite a positive person and I trusted them - now there's a lot more of these procedures happening which makes me even more happy we went ahead with it'

Eloise's surgery was to correct the defect in terms of closing it and ensuring there was no more damage to her spine to improve her outcomes. Pictured, with her parents

Speaking of her daughter Eloise, Bethan says: 'She doesn't need any physiotherapy; she can run, jump, spin, climb a flight of stairs, climb tables, use her climbing frame and she's very sporty.' Pictured, together

Eloise's parents (pictured, together) want to raise awareness that spina bifida is 'not a death sentence' and say they 'don't think termination should be the first point of call'

Mum Bethan has been left with a scar from the surgery that stretches the full way across her stomach but says she wouldn't change anything.

She added: 'The large scar was okay in terms of healing but it has remained quite painful. The scar is huge and it does make me self conscious.

'I used to have a completely flat stomach and the scar is a lot higher than where a standard c section would be so it's very noticeable'.

Now, Bethan and Kieran are hoping to raise awareness for spina bifida and the outcomes children can have.

Bethan and Kieran are hoping to raise awareness for spina bifida and the outcomes children can have. Pictured, with daughter Eloise

The couple say if they hadn't opted for Eloise (pictured, now) to have surgery, her nerve damage could have been significant and she could have had brain damage

Bethan and Kieran (pictured, with Eloise) are hoping to raise awareness for spina bifida and the outcomes children can have

Eloise's mother Bethan says even if her daughter didn't have surgery. she still would've had a good quality of life. Pictured, Eloise now

She said: 'It's not a death sentence and I don't think termination should be the first point of call.

'Even if she didn't have the surgery, I know she still would have had a good quality of life.

'She may have still walked but needed to use splints but why do we judge that?

'People need to know it's not the end of the world and there are other options to look at before opting for a termination'.
 Flash

U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold their first summit in Geneva, Switzerland on June 16, the White House said on Tuesday.

"The leaders will discuss the full range of pressing issues, as we seek to restore predictability and stability to the U.S.-Russia relationship," the White House said in a short statement.

It will be Biden's first in-person meeting with Putin as president. Biden said earlier this month that he expected to meet with Putin during his trip to Europe in June, when he would attend the Group of Seven Summit in Britain and then the NATO Summit in Brussels, Belgium.

The Kremlin also confirmed the meeting in a separate statement.

"We intend to discuss the state of and the prospects for the further development of Russian-U.S. relations, strategic stability issues, as well as topical issues on the international agenda, including interaction in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and the settlement of regional conflicts," said the Kremlin statement.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Iceland last week in a move that was widely perceived as part of the preparation for the summit.

The two officials have expressed willingness to cooperate while admitting "serious differences" amid tense relations.

On Monday, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held consultations with his Russian counterpart Nikolay Patrushev in Geneva. The White House said in a joint statement that their meeting was "constructive" despite "outstanding differences."

"The sides agreed that a normalization of U.S.-Russian relations would be in the interest of both countries and contribute to global predictability and stability," according to the joint statement.

Relations between Washington and Moscow have been adversarial in recent years. The two sides have obvious differences on issues related to Ukraine, cybersecurity, human rights, and U.S. election interference.

The Biden administration noted it seeks "a more predictable, stable relationship" with Russia.

The much-anticipated Russian-U.S. summit in a third country was first proposed by Biden during a telephone conversation with Putin on April 13, according to the Kremlin.
People trapped in unhappy relationships could be more likely to stray this year, predicts the woman dubbed 'Britains most prolific mistress' - because the pent-up sexual frustration caused by lockdown can finally be freed.

Gweneth Lee, 48, from Chelsea, West London, claims she's already juggling three affairs with rich married men since overnight stays were allowed again under the new May 17 rules.

The ex-model became a widow 10 years ago after her husband died and says she's had more than 130 affairs over the last decade.

Lee thinks potentially adulterous partners are now releasing sexual tension by cheating on their loved ones - because it's easier to do so than it was at the height of the pandemic.

Gweneth Lee, 48, pictured, from Chelsea, West London, claims there had been an 'explosion' of extra-marital affairs since restrictions began to ease under the new May 17 rules

She said: 'I have never known it to be so busy and it is like there is cheating frenzy going on'.

'Bored spouses are desperate to have some fun now that all the vulnerable people have been vaccinated and it is safe to have casual sex again.'

She also claims she received gifts from her lovers throughout lockdown - some amounting to an impressive 20,000 - and says she's happy if her men look elsewhere for sex too, saying she never wants to be 'exclusive' again.

Lee adds: 'More than a year of pent-up sexual frustration is being released and there has been an explosion of affairs over the last few weeks.'

The mistress actively encourages leaving a relationship if you're not happy, saying: 'Lifes too short too short to be stuck in one boring relationship for 40 years or more.

'If there is one lesson we have all taken from the pandemic it is that we need to lead life to the full and not worry too much about tomorrow.'

The serial mistress, who claims she's had more than 130 affairs over the last decade, said people are releasing 'more than a year of pent-up sexual frustration'

Lee began using dating website IllicitEncounters.com more than a decade ago while still married to her late husband Robert, a Dutch oil executive, who also used it for affairs. She carried on using the site as a widow following his death ten years ago.

During the recent lockdown she broke rules by seeing a select few lovers but she insisted she was careful to be tested regularly and made sure all her lovers had a negative test before they slept together.

She has met up for sex with three married lovers since the casual sex ban ended last Monday.

Gweneth used to be happily married to her late husband David, right, but she's now vowing never to be 'exclusive' again

The mistress, pictured, said she's received lavish gifts from her lovers during lockdown, including a Salvador Dali artwork worth 20,000 purchased at an online auction

Gweneth, pictured, said she broke lockdown rules to visit one of her lovers, and said she met another one every three months as a 'quarterly pick-me-up'

She went on: 'One is a rich hotelier who has had a torrid last year with most of his hotels closed. He has been spending far too much time at home getting bored with his wife during lockdown. They have an arrangement where he can see other women as long as he is discreet.

Lee explains: 'I think she has affairs, too. Even with hotels reopening they are still not busy because of the restrictions on overseas travel, so we were able to take up one of his most luxurious suites for a night of passion.

She paints a passionate picture of their reunion, saying: 'We hadnt made love since before the start of the pandemic because he was very strict about sticking to the rules. The sex was electric - we made love all night and feasted on champagne, strawberries and oysters through room service.'

Gweneth started meeting lovers online during her marriage to Robert, pictured, who used the same website for infidelities

The mistress, pictured, said one of her lovers had an arrangement with his wife that he could have affairs as long as 'he was discreet'

'He is my "three-month man" - we meet every quarter for a night of love-making at his hotel. It is his little quarterly pick-me-up.'

Another lover, she says, works at a hedge fund in the City: 'He has been at work every day, staying at his flat in Westminster, while his wife and children are at their estate in the Home Counties.

'Again he would not see my through lockdown because he is a stickler for the rules, so we made love on the very first day that sex was allowed again last Monday.'

A spokesperson for Illicitencounters.com, which Gweneth uses to find married lovers, confirmed there was a surge in activity since lockdown restrictions were eased

'He said: "Ive been dreaming about this moment for the last year." We made love three times and then went out for dinner at his favourite restaurant - a first Michelin-starred meal for both of us for more than six months.'

During lockdown, Mrs Lee has been inundated with gifts from rich lovers who are keen to keep the connection going while they are prevented from seeing her.

They included a 3,000 racing bike which she needed to train for a forthcoming road race competition, a 20,000 Salvador Dali artwork bought at an online auction and regular deliveries of jewellery from brands such as Tiffany and designer clothes and lingerie.

Gweneth's third lover worked and stayed in a flat in the city while his wife and children were back at home on the South Coast

Lee's third lover is 'brand new', a bookmaker who 'has made a lot of money through lockdown with some many people gambling online to stave off boredom'.

'His wife lives on the south coast and they have a flat in the City near St Paul's. We went out for dinner and then went back to the flat for a night of sex. It was electric and he will become one of my regulars over the next few months.'

An IllicitEncounters.com spokeswoman said: 'Gweneths experience mirrors that of a lot of our customers.

'There has been a surge in activity over the last few weeks as everyone celebrates the imminent end of lockdown.

'We are expecting the busiest year in our history as people make up for lost time and start those affairs that have been brewing over the last few months as we all anticipate life returning to normal.'
Jeremy Clarkson brought Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? to a halt to call out a member of the audience for coughing during last night's show.

The episode, which first aired in 2019, saw the presenter prepare to ask contestant Lynne Greenwood, from Oldham, her 16,000 question, only to be interrupted by one of the spectators.

An audience member with a tickle in their throat started coughing before Jeremy could finish speaking, causing the host to stop and take aim at them.

Referencing Charles Ingram's cheating scandal, the presenter quipped: 'You're supposed to cough after the questions are being asked', causing the audience to erupt into laughter.

Army major Ingram sensationally cheated his way into winning 1million on the popular British quiz show in 2001 with the help of another contestant and his wife Diana, who coughed when the correct multiple-choice answers were read out.

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Jeremy Clarkson (pictured) brought Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? to a halt to call out a member of the audience for coughing during last night's show

Lynne, a former sixth form teacher of 30 years, enjoyed a successful start to the show as she stormed her way to the 8,000 mark.

She was about to tackle the 16,000 round, with Jeremy starting to say: 'Marvellous, this is the next question then...' when he was cut off by a member of the audience clearing their throat.

Upon hearing the coughing, Jeremy said: 'I can hear people coughing,' before looking around for the culprit.

He then joked: 'You're supposed to cough after the questions are being asked, in such a way that Lynne can use itnot just cough constantly before I've asked the question.'

The episode, which first aired in 2019, saw the presenter prepare to ask contestant Lynne Greenwood (pictured left), from Oldham, her 16,000 question, only to be interrupted by one of the spectators

An audience member with a tickle in their throat started coughing before Jeremy (pictured) could finish speaking, causing the host to stop and take aim at them

The presenter, 61, was referencing the coughing scandal in which Charles Ingram was convicted, alongside his wife Diana, of cheating his way into winning 1million on the quiz show in 2003.

Both were given an 18 month prison sentence suspended for two years and fined 15,000 apiece.

The war veteran became known as the 'Coughing Major' when he sensationally cheated his way to the jackpot in 2001 with the help of another contestant and his wife, who coughed when the correct multiple-choice answers were read out.

Lynne (pictured), a former sixth form teacher of 30 years, enjoyed a successful start to the show as she stormed her way to the 8,000 mark

But the winning cheque was taken off him before it was cashed and he was subsequently convicted - along with his wife - of deception.

Ingram later persuaded magistrates to cut his fine to 5,000, while his wife had her fine quashed on appeal, but he was forced to resign his commission by the Army Board.

Meanwhile, after making his joke, Jeremy then sarcastically asked the audience member: 'Are you better?' before adding: 'I don't care.'

Viewers at home were enjoying the presenter's comments, with one writing on Twitter: '@JeremyClarkson's coughing jokes have just made my night #whowantstobeamillionaire.'
He's single, handsome 30-something with a 19billion family fortune, so it is easy to see why Kim Kardashian might want to party with British property scion Jamie Rueben.

The reality TV star, 40, who filed for divorce from Kanye West in February, set tongues wagging when she was spotted arriving at Jamie's 34th birthday party at a Beverly Hills mansion on Saturday night.

Jamie is the son of Mumbai-born property magnate Simon Reuben, one half of the Rueben Brothers who own large parts of London's Mayfair, including the 200-year-old Burlington Arcade, of which Jamie is managing director.

It's not known how Jamie and Kim know each other but they move in similar circles. Jamie has partied in Cannes with Paris Hilton - Kim's childhood BFF - and is friends with California-based media mogul Scooter Braun, who manages Kardashian family friend Justin Bieber.

Jamie is also 'old friends' with Princess Beatrice and has rubbed shoulders with Boris Johnson.

But while his A-list friends love the spotlight, Jamie prefers to stay out of the public eye. Indeed such is the intrigue surrounding the mega-rich heir that he was dubbed 'one of London's most mysterious bachelors' by society bible Tatler.

It is not known what brought Jamie to California, other than the chance to celebrate with the stars, but it is possible he is mixing business with pleasure.

In September last year it was reported the Reuben brothers were financing a $275million loan for the redevelopment of Los Angeles' Century Plaza site.

A-list guest: Kim Kardashian set tongues wagging when she was spotted arriving at Jamie's 34th birthday party at a Beverly Hills mansion on Saturday night, with friend Fai Khadra

Star-studded: Jamie with Paris Hilton at a glittering Cannes Film Festival party in May 2016. The reality TV star and DJ is a friend of Kim Kardashian's, and might have introduced them

LA real estate: It is possible another potential business deal has brought Jamie to California. In September last year it was reported the Reuben brothers were financing a $275 million loan for the redevelopment of Los Angeles' Century Plaza site. Pictured, the Century Plaza Hotel

They previously acquired a stake in another loan for the project, which includes two residential towers, retail space and a luxury hotel.

The siblings completed a string of deals in the US last year, including financing for the Time Hotel in New York and an Upper West Side apartment building.

They also acquired a retail property in Manhattan for approximately $170million.

Jamie also has plenty of people to look up in California, with media mogul Scooter Braun and Paris Hilton among his previous party pals.

It remains to be seen exactly how long Jamie will remain Stateside, or if he will be hosting any more star-studded bashes, but certainly he is a young businessman with the world at his feet.

Here, a look at what we know about the world of Jamie Reuben.

HIS BILLIONAIRE FAMILY

Runs in the family: Jamie Reuben, is the 33-year-old son of Simon Reuben, one half of the billionaire Reuben brothers. Pictured, Jamie with his father (left) and uncle David in 2013

The Reuben brothers' wealth is staggering. Their shared personal fortune, estimated at over 18.6billion ($26.3billion), is large enough to place the family at second place on The Sunday Times Rich List, ahead of more high profile businessmen like Sir James Dyson and Roman Abramovich.

This is largely due to their real estate holdings, which include Mayfairs Burlington Arcade and Westminsters Millbank Tower. They also own London Oxford Airport and London Heliport and the John Lewis headquarters at London Victoria.

The Reuben Brothers continue to be one of the largest investors in luxury leisure group Belmond Ltd. Other holdings include Travelodge Hotels.

However they started off with more modest business ventures. Simon and David were born in Mumbai, India, and came to Britain in the Fifties with their mother, Nancy.

After starting his career at Mount Star Metals, a UK-based scrap-metals business, David joined Trans-Continental, a subsidiary of Metal Traders Inc. In 1977 he left that firm and formed Trans-World Group, and in 1986, along with his brother, Simon, he restructured the firm, bought out his partners, and took control of the business.

In 2000 the brothers wound down Trans-Worlds operations to sharpen their focus on Reuben Brothers activities.

Today Reuben Brothers is a leader in private equity, real estate investment and development, and debt financing.

Last year the company expanded into the US and other markets, including Madrid and Spain's Balearic Islands. The brothers also backed a takeover bid for Newcastle United.

The brothers are also funding Oxford's newest college with an 80million ($113.3million) donation.

HIS FAMOUS FRIENDS

Friends in high places: Reuben with Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Showbiz: Another friend is American music mogul Scooter Braun, whose clients include Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande. Jamie and Justin looked like close friends as they posed for photos at the Vanity Fair party at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019, pictured

Like many well-connected 30-somethings in London, Jamie counts a member of the royal family among his circle of friends.

He and Princess Beatrice, described in the press as an 'old friend' have been spotted together at a number of parties over the years and sat side-by-side at the US Open in 2013.

They most recently rubbed shoulders at an event in November last year.

Another friend is American music mogul Scooter Braun, whose clients include Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande. Jamie and Justin looked like close friends as they posed for photos at the Vanity Fair party at the Cannes Film Festival last year.

He's also been pictured with Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

According to The Times, Jamie has also become friends with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, whom he is said to have met through a friend.

Elon Musk was among those at his Beverly Hills birthday party.

STAR-STUDDED PARTIES

Jamie was front and centre for a party hosted by his father and uncle at a party celebrating the 200th Christmas at the Burlington Arcade in November last year. Pictured, with Judi Dench

While the Reubens prefer to stay out of the glare of the public eye, Jamie does occasionally make exceptions for star-studded parties.

In 2013 Reuben showed his support for Schmidt by hosting a launch party for his book The New Digital Age, co-written by Jared Cohen.

Among the guests at the event was Dasha Zhukova, the ex-wife of Roman Abramovich who recently tied the knot with Stavros Niarchos, Princess Beatrice's ex-boyfriend Dave Clark and Sir Richard Branson's daughter, Holly Branson.

He brought out his phone book again last year to host a black tie bash at the Cannes Film Festival, where he posed with Bahamian model Chase Carter.

That same month Jamie was front and centre for a party hosted by his father and uncle at a party celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Burlington Arcade.

Princess Beatrice, then newly engaged, looked elegant in a shift dress as she posed for photos with the likes of Sir Michael Caine and Lady Alice Manners.

HIS GLAMOROUS EX

Jamie Reuben enjoyed a long-term relationship with TV presenter and fashion designer, Marissa Montgomery. It is not known when their relationship came to an end but the couple were seen together as recently as May last year (right). Pictured left, at Cannes in 2014

Jamie Reuben enjoyed a long-term relationship with TV presenter and fashion designer, Marissa Montgomery.

The couple, who share many of the same friends, were spotted attending parties as far back as 2008, with Jamie planting a kiss on his blonde date's cheek as they posed for photos at an Evening Standard event.

It is not known when their relationship came to an end but the couple were seen together as recently as November, when they both attended the Burlington Arcade anniversary party.

At the age of 21, Marissa founded lingerie line Pussy Glamore, following it up in 2014 with trendy t-shirt label Rotten Roach, now available to buy at Selfridges.

She is close friends with the actress Rebel Wilson, works as a correspondent for US TV channel Extra and helps organise high-profile events.

HIS FUTURE PROJECTS

Ongoing project: The Reubens have several projects in the pipeline but perhaps the one that has made most headlines is the old premises of the Naval and Military Club, pictured, which will now be turned into a hotel and seven luxury homes. It was bought in 2011

The Reubens have several projects in the pipeline but perhaps the one that has made most headlines is the old premises of the Naval and Military Club, popularly known as The In & Out after the prominent inscriptions at the entrance to its Piccadilly courtyard.

Once one of London's most magnificent houses, the Reubens shelled out an estimated 100 million for the building in 2011, initially intending to convert it into Britain's most expensive private house, with an underground swimming pool, gym, 35,000-bottle cellar  and a possible 200 million price tag.

The brothers had a change of heart last year, deciding instead to turn the property into a 102-bedroom luxury hotel and seven high-end homes, on what they want to call the 'Piccadilly Estate'.

'It will be a contemporary British country house oasis in the middle of Mayfair,' Jamie said in his interview with Times Magazine.

The businessman also spoke of wanting to breathe fresh life into Mayfair, saying he has the perspective to see beyond his father and uncle's 'safe' and 'traditional' ideas.

He added: 'Because Im younger, I can see things changing and I can see different ideas probably being more relevant going forward.'
A giant statue of Marilyn Monroe has been branded 'incredibly offensive' by campaigners who believe the sculpture 'encourages upskirting'.

London-based journalist Olivia Petter appeared on Good Morning Britain today alongside Marilyn impersonator Suzie Kennedy to debate whether a 26-foot-tall statue of the icon promotes misogyny and upskirting.

The statue, titled Forever Marilyn, is located in Palm Springs, California and depicts the famous moment Marilyn's dress blows up as she stands over a subway grate in The Seven Year Itch.

Petter called the statue 'wildly out of touch' and argued that it encourages tourists to 'run in between her legs and take a photograph'.

But Kennedy said she hates the idea of perceiving Marilyn as a victim, and that other women should be 'building her up', rather than wanting to tear her statue down.

Viewers branded the backlash 'laughable' and called the argument a statue encourages people to take pictures underneath women's skirts in the real world 'rubbish'.

Marilyn Monroe impersonator Suzie Kennedy appeared on Good Morning Britain to defend a 26-foot-tall statue of the icon which has been accused of promoting misogyny and upskirting

London-based journalist Olivia Petter called the statue 'wildly out of touch' and argued that it encourages tourists to 'run in between her legs and take a photograph'

'Thinking about the pose, if we look at Marilyn's character in that film she is completely an object of male desire, she has no autonomy herself, she is purely a sexual object.

'While the film is a very famous film and Marilyn was an icon, it was of its time. The real issue here is it's a 26ft statue that encourages tourists to run in between her legs and take a photograph under this woman's dress.

'That is incredibly offensive and wildly out of touch when we think that upskirting is a serious crime that has serious psychological consequences for victims.'

However Suzie argued that when she went to visit the statue in person she didn't see anyone running underneath its dress, insisting that the statue is 'joyous' and reflects 'a piece of movie history'.

Viewers branded the backlash 'laughable' and called the argument a statue encourages people to take pictures underneath women's skirts in the real world 'rubbish'

She went on: 'Whatever statue you have, you are going to get someone take a picture that is lewd. It doesn't mean we should get rid of Michael Angelo's David.'

Olivia said that while Marilyn appeared to be a 'super confident sex symbol' she was suffering from inner 'turmoil', battling with addiction and mental health issues.

Suzie argued: 'I don't like Marilyn always [being] portrayed as a victim, this is a woman who came from having no father figure, her mother was put into an institution, she was in different foster families.

'Her dream was to be loved and famous and here she is with a 26ft statue that other women and women are campaigning to tear down. If anything, we should be building her up, not tearing her down.'

Suzie argued that when she went to visit the statue in person she didn't see anyone running underneath it's dress, insisting that the statue is 'joyous' and reflects 'a piece of movie history'

Olivia said that while Marilyn appeared to be a 'super confident sex symbol' she was suffering from inner 'turmoil', suffering with addiction and mental health issues

She went on: 'We cannot say people are photographing her from underneath if the odd person does that. I've been there, I've seen the reaction from people when they see it.'

Viewers disagreed that a statue can encourage upskirting, with one writing: 'I'm offended that people are offended by the Marilyn Monroe statue. Seriously, get a grip!'

Another said: 'Seriously do we not have anything better to do? Complaining about a statue is actually laughable. It's a scene from a film. Grow up!'

A third wrote: 'Some woman on GMB getting offended by a Marilyn Monroe statue saying it encourages upskirting?! FFS imagine going on TV and arguing this rubbish?'
Facebook boss Nicola Mendalson said she feels like an 'inconvenient footnote' in the successful vaccine roll out, dubbing those with blood cancer 'forgotten victims of the pandemic'.

The 49-year-old businesswoman, from Manchester, who is Facebook's Vice-President for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, was diagnosed with Follicular lymphoma in 2016.

Despite having two doses of the vaccine, tests for the Covid antibody three weeks after her second jab came back negative, meaning that the mother-of-four isn't protected against the virus.

She said on Lorraine today that those with blood cancer are still 'stuck' in lockdown as the rest of the country opens up, with no idea whether they are protected against Covid even if they have the vaccine.

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Despite having two doses of the vaccine, tests for the Covid antibody three weeks after her second jab came back negative, meaning that the mother-of-four isn't protected against the virus

Facebook boss Nicola Mendalson, pictured giving a seminar in London, said she feels like an 'inconvenient footnote' in the successful vaccine roll out

'We're here at this point now in the UK where everyone's getting very excited', she said. 'The country is opening up and getting back to some sort of normal which is fantastic - but people like me with blood cancer can't.

'It really does feel now like we're the forgotten victims of the pandemic, and in many ways we're a bit of an inconvenient footnote in this otherwise really great success we've seen with the vaccine, so we're a bit stuck'.

Last month a study from King's College London stated that more than half of cancer patients may not be protected against coronavirus after a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

According to Blood Cancer UK there is still not a clear picture of how successful the vaccine will be at protecting people with the disease from Covid.

She said on Lorraine today that those with blood cancer are 'stuck' in lockdown as the rest of the country opens up - with no idea whether they are protected against Covid even if they have the vaccine

Nicola went on: 'There's about half a million people in the UK living with a compromised immune system and about 230,000 of them have some form of blood cancer.

'We were always at much higher risk from Covid, but the early evidence is showing the vaccine is much less likely to work for us. Where we are now, nobody, if they've got blood cancer, really knows if we're protected by the vaccine.

'We've heard the people who were very vulnerable were the people that very early on got the vaccine. We've herd of people going out having both the jabs and and getting Covid and sadly some people who have died. '

What is follicular lymphoma? Follicular lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and develops when the body makes abnormal white blood cells. The most common symptom of the blood cancer is swelling in the neck, armpit or groin. Other symptoms include tiredness, weight loss, night sweats and fevers. The cancer is slow-growing and does not always require immediate treatment. Any treatment usually involves a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Source: Macmillan Cancer Support Advertisement

Mother-of-four Nicola says that the lack of research into vaccine effectiveness for those with cancer is 'really cause for concern' and says that it doesn't just impact her, but her family too.

'It's not like my family can now go out', she said . 'Even though they are vaccinated, because they still pass it on to me, I have no antibodies at all.'

The mother wants the government to fund more research into how the vaccine is working, and include those with comprised immune systems in vaccine booster shot trials.

Nicola's cumulative cancer treatment was stopped because she was too high risk during the Covid-19 pandemic and it cannot be resumed - with doctors unsure when her illness will return.

'I am well', said Nicola. 'I was having treatment which had to stop last year when the pandemic started and it was accumulative treatment which would have taken place over two years.

'So now i'm back to what is called watch and wait. At some point it's going to come back, we don't know when and so the doctors will monitor me and we wait for that day. Hopefully it's a long way off though.'

Last year Nicola launched the Follicular Lymphoma Foundation (FLF), which is dedicated to helping people with the disease to live well and get well.

It will achieve this by funding research to find new treatments and cures for Follicular lymphoma, and supporting patients and their families affected by the disease by creating information resources.

Speaking on BBC2 last year, the mother said she tries not to think about the fact her disease is terminal.

She added her four children take comfort in the fact she's still working despite her incurable cancer diagnosis, because it reassures them that she's 'alright'.

'I try not to think about that, erm, I think [my children] try to not think about that either,' she explained.

'They say that they see how I am, they look me, and I do ask them, I'm asking them all the time, "How are you about it?" and they go, "Well, you're alright Mum, if you're working, if you're living what seems like our normal life, then we're OK".'

Nicola told how she is determined to find a cure for the incurable disease through her newly-established charity, and believes it can be done in her lifetime with the right funding and publicity.
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge today returned to the University of St Andrews where they met as students 20 years ago.

Prince William, 38, and Kate Middleton, 39, spoke to students about their pandemic experiences and visited St Salvator's, the halls of residence where the young prince met his future wife.

The couple became friends in their first year before romance blossomed after William saw 'hot' Kate strut down a charity fashion show catwalk in a sheer dress. They graduated in 2005 and William proposed five years later.

The couple, who share Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, six, and Prince Louis, three, celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary this year.

William and Kate were in excellent spirits as they took a trip down memory lane before continuing to Fife where they met local fishermen and their families.

Kate was smartly dressed in a 650 striped Erdem jumper, 549 Jade Holland Cooper blazer and 90 Veja trainers, after changing out of the 159 Barbour jacket and See by Chloe boots she wore to race land yachts this morning.

The Duchess also let down her ponytail, added a slick of makeup and swapped her gold hoop earrings for a slightly more decorative pair from Freya Rose.

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Plenty to smile about! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge today returned to the University of St Andrews where they met as students 20 years ago. The couple were in excellent spirits despite the rain

The look of love: Kate Middleton smiled at her husband as they met students in a marquee set up for the royal engagement

University sweethearts: Prince William and Kate Middleton on the day of their graduation ceremony in 2005

Young fans: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge later met local Fife fishermen and their families, including their children

Polished: Kate was smartly dressed in a 650 striped Erdem jumper, 549 Jade Holland Cooper blazer and 90 Veja trainers

On their level: The Duchess of Cambridge crouched down to speak to the children on the outing in Fife today

Flowers for Kate: The Duchess of Cambridge was given a beautiful bouquet of flowers on the waterfront, pictured

Quick visit: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met fishermen and their families in Fife at the end of a busy day

On St Salvators Lawn, The Duke and Duchess joined Geography and History of Art students - the courses studied by William and Kate, respectively - to learn more about the Can Do scheme, a joint initiative between the University and the St Andrews Students Association.

The Duke and Duchess also paid a visit to the Can Do marquee, meeting students who were able to plan and host their Covid-secure extra-curricular activities and society events in the space.

From Ballroom and Latin dancing to charity and wellbeing activities, the Can Do marquee has hosted a diverse range of over 500 events since its launch, acting as a vital morale boost for students on campus.

Their Royal Highnesses also joined an interfaith discussion with students from the Universitys School of Divinity, campus inter-faith groups and the University Chaplain, to hear how the university encourages inter-faith dialogue.

Finally, The Duke and Duchess planted the first tree for the St Andrews Forest, one of the key initiatives in the Universitys action plan to become carbon neutral by 2035.

Conceived by students on the Universitys Environmental Sustainability Board during the pandemic, the forest will have multiple sites across the world, and provide new habitats for wildlife, green spaces to aid mental health and wellbeing, as well as opportunities for education and research.

Plenty to say: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were presented with a folder of art by the young children

Princess popular: The children crowded around to speak to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their visit to Fife

Delighted: The Duchess of Cambridge was in her element as she spoke to the children on the royal outing today

Listening ear: Kate beamed as she listened to the youngsters on the visit to the fishermen's families in Fife

Later the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met with fishermen from the Pittenweem Fishermens Mutual Association and their families to hear about the fishing industry in Fife, and the impact of the last year on fishing communities on the East Coast of Scotland.

During the visit to Pittenweem Harbour on the Firth of Forth, The Duke and Duchess were shown the fishermens boats, which catch langoustines, lobsters and crabs.

Their Royal Highnesses spoke with individuals involved in various stages of the fishing process, including fishermen, the harbourmaster and a fish merchant, before enjoying a seafood BBQ with local restaurateur Amy Elles, who buys produce from the harbour at the local market.

Earlier William and Kate went head-to-head in a land yacht race in St Andrews at West Sands Beach.

Kate, who was dressed down in her favourite 159 Longshore Barbour jacket, 310 See by Chloe boots and a 115 Campbell's of Beauly Fairisle Jumper, appeared unfazed by the strong winds and wet weather, and beamed as she shot past her husband.

Shared experiences: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spoke to St Andrews University students during their visit

Getting stuck in: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took part in a tree planting ceremony during their visit

Trip down memory lane: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chatted as they walked through the grounds of St Andrews

Braving the rain! The couple were in good spirits as they toured the grounds despite the drizzly weather

Green fingers: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge planted the first tree for the St Andrews Forest

Special memories: The couple laughed and joked with each other as they visited St Andrews, where they met 20 years ago

Back to where it all began: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit St Andrews University today

Polished: Smartly dressed in a striped jumper and 549 blazer by Jane Holland Cooper, Kate appeared in excellent spirits

Light-hearted moment: Kate smiled as she spoke to students during her visit to the university today

At one point the Duchess's back wheel was lifted into the air by the force of the wind - but not even that was enough to stop Kate from smiling.

The royal couple were joined by a group from Fife Young Carers, which helps young carers maintain their well-being through a range of outdoor activities, workshops, and residential trips.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spoke to young carers about the challenges they have faced during the pandemic.

The Duke and Duchess also heard about the charitys work to raise awareness of the role of young carers in the local area, including introducing a 'Young Carers Authorisation Card' scheme in schools, pharmacies and other medical settings.

The card helps young carers easily identify themselves, without having to repeatedly outline their circumstances and personal stories to those in the local community.

There she blows! The Duchess of Cambridge had her land yachting kart lifted off the sand in a safety demonstration

Thrilled: The couple beamed as they crossed West Sands Beach, St Andrews, despite the bad weather

Head-to-head: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sailed down the sand at West Sands Beach, St Andrews, this morning

Casual Kate: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge dressed down in jeans, jackets and boots for the land yachting session. At one point Prince William placed a hand on his wife's back (right)

And she's off! Competitive Kate was in her element as she took on her husband in the land yacht race on the blustery beach

All good! Smiling Kate waved at the young carers who joined them in the session. Right, Will gives them a thumbs up

Pulling ahead! The Duchess of Cambridge beamed as she overtook her husband in their land yachting race

... Wills takes the lead! The Duke of Cambridge had his game face on as he edged in front of Kate on the sandy course

Sharing a joke: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met young carers living around Fife and workers from Blown Away

In her element: Sporty Kate was thrilled to get involved in the activity on West Sands Beach, at St Andrews

The session was hosted by Blown Away, a local company who are the only commercial land yachting company in Scotland, and host sessions in St Andrews and other iconic Scottish locations.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge travelled to St Andrews from the Palace of Holyroodhouse, in Edinburgh, where they are staying while on their week-long tour of Scotland. The couple will return to London tomorrow.

Yesterday William and Kate spent several hours in Orkney, opening a new hospital in Kirkwall and visiting a marine turbine machine. They also stopped at the home of a local family, the Bichans, to hear more about life in Orkney over a cup of tea.

The visit is part of a broader royal charm offensive to help persuade Scotland to resist the demands of nationalists for independence.

Prince William arrived in Scotland on Friday and has carried out a number of engagements focused on the environment, young people and mental well-being.

The Duchess of Cambridge joined her husband on Monday and the pair have continued with a busy schedule of royal engagements.

Challenge accepted: The Duchess of Cambridge beamed at Prince William as they prepared to set off on their land yachts

Catch me if you can! Kate beamed as she pulled ahead of Prince William during the land yachting challenge

Ready to race! Competitive Kate looked in her element as she and Prince William tried their hand at land yachting

Blustery day: At one point the Duchess of Cambridge's back wheel lifted off the sand as she turned

Keeping control: The Duke of Cambridge remained calm as the kart was almost blown over by a gust of wind

Tight corner: The couple were challenged with steering the wind-powered vehicles through a series of cones

Concentration: Kate had her game face on as she set off on her land yacht for the friendly race on West Sands Beach

Getting the hang of things: The Duchess of Cambridge smiled as she set off down the beach in the land yacht

Don't topple over! Kate Middleton laughed as the instructor lifted up the Duchess in the safety demonstration

Gone with the wind... The Duchess of Cambridge sped down the beach, which is close to St Andrews University

Getting close! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge both tried their hand at the activity in St Andrews today

Which way are you going? The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge headed off in opposite directions on their land yacht

On Monday the pair visited Turning Point Scotland, a social care charity in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire.

The couple learned about the support the organisation provides to those facing homelessness, mental health issues and substance abuse. Later in the afternoon they visited the pioneering Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU), and learned about the support it provides to community organisations across the country.

In the evening they were joined in the cafe kitchen at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where they are staying, by Sikh Sanjog to prepare meals which will be distributed to vulnerable families across the Edinburgh community.

Over the weekend William gave a deeply personal speech in which he described the 'special place' that Scotland had in his heart, a country which he said held both some of his 'happiest memories' and his 'saddest'.

It was at Balmoral where he learned of the death of his mother Diana, in 1997. And it was at St Andrews where he met and fell in love with Kate Middleton.

Important work: The royal couple were joined by a group from Fife Young Carers, which helps young carers maintain their well-being through a range of outdoor activities, workshops, and residential trips

Beach day: The Duchess of Cambridge laughed while speaking to employees of activity company Blown Away

The Duchess of Cambridge wore a cap pulled down over her hair (left). Right, the royal learns more about Blown Away

Quick sprint: The Duchess of Cambridge hurried across the rainy beach during the engagement this morning

Challenging conditions: The couple had to wrap up in several layers for the outing. Right, Kate wipes her eyes

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge went for practicality over style in choosing their outfits for the beach enagement

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge looked on at a group of young carers taking part in the land yachting

The birthplace of a royal romance: As William and Kate return to St Andrews 20 years on from when they met in halls, how a friendship between a homesick prince and his 'hot' flatmate bloomed into a first love that's stood the test of time

William and Kate both initially enrolled to study History of Art (he switched to geography after that) and lived in the same hall of residence, St Salvators  known as Sallies.

As Kate recalled in their engagement interview: I turned bright red and sort of scuttled off, feeling very shy about meeting him.

It wasnt too long, however, before, seeing him every day around the campus  and in the university pool where they often swam together early in the morning  she was as relaxed with him as he was with her.

William had hoped that by avoiding a big metropolitan university hed be able to merge into local life relatively unnoticed. Now he was finding that in a small town like St Andrews the opposite was true.

He was weary of avoiding eye contact with strangers and pointedly declined invitations to join university clubs.

The young prince reportedly struggled with homesickness but found a listening ear in Kate, although there was initially no romantic involvement.

Centre of attention: It was in 2002 that Kate reportedly caught William's eye when she sashayed in a see-through sheer dress with visible black underwear down the runway at a university charity fashion show, prompting Wills' much-quoted comment, 'Wow, Kate's hot!'

At the time she had a boyfriend, Rupert Finch, a dark and handsome fourth-year student reading law. (These days Rupert is a company lawyer with Johnson Matthey, the science and tech company, married, with three children, to Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs, dressmaker daughter of the Marquess of Reading.)

But then, William also had a girlfriend, second-year English student Carley Massy-Birch, a Devon farmers strikingly attractive daughter who was, according to her mother Mimi, definitely an item with the prince for a couple of months.

Meanwhile, meeting around the campus as friends, William and Kate were entirely relaxed in each others company. The tall, slender brunette who liked an early morning jog soon became one of the group who joined William for breakfast before lectures.

The budding friendship, it must be said, did not go unnoticed. Fellow students would joke to her, Bet youll be wearing a tiara soon. Certainly, some of the other girls in her year, a number of them from well-connected families, were positively suspicious of the middle-class girls easy closeness to the Queens grandson.

Graduating into royal life: Kate Middleton at her graduation in 2005, by which time her relationship with Prince William had been made public. He proposed five years later

It was in early 2002 that Kate reportedly caught William's eye when she sashayed in a see-through sheer dress with visible black underwear down the runway at a university charity fashion show, prompting William's much-quoted comment, 'Wow, Kate's hot!'

Unsurprisingly, perhaps, that was the night their relationship matured from friendship into romance. Later that evening after the show they were drinking together, and reported to have been seen kissing.

She was different from the kind of girls he had dated in the past  the socially ambitious offspring of his fathers polo-playing circle  and he found her natural and unaffected ways comfortingly reassuring. When he missed a seminar she would cover by letting him copy her notes.

Meanwhile, in his uncertainty at St Andrews, William had been talking to his father and to his former housemaster at Eton, Dr Andrew Gailey, about dropping out at the end of the first year in 2002. And yet, tellingly, it was after talking to Kate about it that he made up his mind to stay.

Taking a swing at love: Prince William practises golf on the beach at St Andrews in 2003

She had also been uncertain about whether to remain at St Andrews, she told him, but on the whole thought it better to stay. She felt that having invested so much time there, it would be mad to chuck it in.

When William told her he thought his biggest mistake was his degree course, it was Kate who suggested switching to geography. Which he did.

Not even when Kate and William, together with two others, shared a flat in their second year  in aptly named Hope Street  did anyone think they were an item.

The foursome were William, his Eton chum Fergus Boyd  a godfather to Prince George  Army officers daughter Olivia Bleasdale, and Kate. William had asked Kate to join the group.

Over the next three university years their relationship deepened. One of their circle, Michael Choong, who played rugby with William and is these days a property developer in Scotland, recalls, They never showed any affection in public. Kate was good for him.

'She was very loyal and did not gossip. William was naturally gregarious  hed always get a round of beers in at the pub  but Kate was less so and hated having her picture taken.

Young romance: Kate Middleton and her father Michael leave a shop in St Andrews in 2005

As university flatmates, no one saw anything special about William being one of the guests at Kates 21st birthday party, a 1920s-themed extravaganza with flapper girls and the Charleston. William arrived a bit late.

That was the moment he was first introduced to Carole and Michael Middleton. And Kate would attend Williams Out Of Africa 21st birthday party at Windsor Castle.

Significantly, however, he had already had her as a guest at Wood Farm, the royals favourite bolthole on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

When the prince gave an interview marking his coming of age, he was evasive about his love life. Theres been a lot of speculation about every single girl Im with, he said. Its a pain for the girls.

But he couldnt keep Kate a secret forever, try as he might. Skiing in the Swiss resort of Klosters with his father, he agreed to a photocall on the understanding the photographers would leave him alone afterwards.

None of the media there knew Kate was present too. Photocall over, she joined him at the ski lift and  flash, flash, flash  suddenly the world knew Dianas boy was in love. Kates life would never be the same again.

Royally good fun: Prince William at his graduation from St Andrews University in June 2005

Proud father: Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall at Prince William's 2005 graduation

Granny was there, too! The Queen attended her grandson Prince William's 2005 graduation

By now they were in their third year at St Andrews, and installed in a comfortable farmhouse on the nearby 400-acre Strathtyrum estate. Not alone, of course. Two other discreet chums joined them, Alasdair Coutts-Wood and Oli Baker.

Here Kates natural home-making skills were allowed to flourish  she ran up some new gingham curtains. There in the kitchen was her dream  an Aga cooker  and not only that, in the baronial dining room was a table that could seat 18. More dinner parties followed.

Even so, William was beginning to show the first signs of unease at being tied down so young. It was a constant in his mind in the early years of the relationship. They agreed to spend the summer break apart.

He slipped away to America, flying to Tennessee to join the family of an old (and platonic) friend, Anna Sloan, a department store heiress who was at Edinburgh University. Kate went to the Dordogne as a guest of the family of one of their old flatmates, Fergus Boyd. One evening she disclosed that their being apart was something of a trial separation, adding, I miss him.

She didnt have to wait too long before seeing him. At summers end they were back together again sharing the same house in their final year. Judged on what happened next, William had been missing her too.

The couple graduated in 2005 and five years later - after spending a summer apart - William proposed while on holiday in Kenya.

They made their engagement public in November 2010 and married the following April. The couple celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary this year.

BY RICHARD KAY and GEOFFREY LEVY. A VERSION OF THIS STORY FIRST APPEARED IN WEEKEND MAGAZINE
A taxi driver who murdered his ex-partner after a bitter custody battle over their three children and has never disclosed where her body is made eight crucial mistakes that led to his arrest, a documentary has revealed.

Sarah Wellgreen, 48, a mother-of-five, went missing on 9 October 2018, from the home she had shared in Kent with her ex-partner Ben Lacomba, a taxi driver.

A police investigation concluded that Lacomba killed Sarah before hiding her body in an unknown location, and he was convicted and sentenced to 27 years in jail at October 28, 2019 at Woolwich Crown Court.

5Star documentary My Lover, My Killer, which aired last night, revisited Sarah's case with police officers, loved ones and neighbours all recalling the search for the beautician.

It listed the many 'bizarre' actions Ben Lacomba took in the days following Sarah's disappearance which baffled his neighbours and raised police officers' suspicions, leading to his arrest.

Among his strange actions was peeling off from the search for Sarah to organise a children's event at the local village hall, and trying to rush a custody hearing in the days after she disappeared.

Sarah Wellgreen was murdered by her ex-partner Ben Lacomba in October 2018. A 5Star documentary looked back at the case, with testimonies from the police officers who led the search for the mother-of-five, her family and neighbours

1. No concern for Sarah

DCI Ivan Beasley, who led the investigation into Sarah's disappearance, said on the documentary he knew something was wrong from the get go, because all of Sarah's belongings were in the house, except for her phone.

A search party around the village where Sarah and Lacomba lived was launched as part of the investigation, but police soon grew suspicious of the father-of-three.

Lacomba had called the police to report Sarah missing, but he was reluctant to speak to the officers DCI Beasly sent to his house.

'Ben didn't seem to be that concerned. The way he was presenting to us was described to me by my officers, as quite odd,' he said.

Ben Lacomba was convicted of murdering his ex partner Sarah Wellgreen and sentenced to 27 years in jail in October 2019

'He didn't really want to engage with us, he didn't really want us at the house, which, for somebody who had reported Sarah missing, he didn't seem to be acting in that way,' he added.

'We learned later that it was Sarah's family that had put pressure on Ben to report her missing.'

During this first point of contact with Lacomba, police searched the home and found Sarah's car, and her handbag, her purse, cash and cards were all there also.

2. Threw his phone away

As the investigation progressed, police grew more suspicious of Lacomba when he refused to cooperate with them.

'Usually we got a lot of cooperation from people, especially when there are concerns for a loved one,' DCI Beasley said.

'But actually, Ben was more interested in the information we could retrieve from his phone and refused to give us his phone,' he recounted.

'He told us that he'd see us the next day, that he'd come to the station and would hand us his phone then, but needed to do some things on his phone first,' he added.

Police later found out that after speaking to police, Lacomba drove to the next village and threw his phone in the river Thames, before buying a set identical to the one before and putting his old SIM card in.

The father-of-three later claimed he had 'written but not sent' messages where he expressed his frustrations about Sarah and their custody battle over their children, and said it wouldn't have looked good for him in his effort to gain sole custody.

3. The broken CCTV

The couple shared a house after Sarah decided to move back in with Lacomba in 2018 to be with her young children, despite her family pleading with her not to.

Sarah's older sons, Jake and Lewis, both said in the documentary they disagreed with her decision to move back to Kent, but knew she was doing it for the children.

Police grew suspicious of Lacomba when he refused to hand his phone over to police to help with the search, and to cooperate in any other way. After his first arrest in October 2018, he refused to talk during any of his police interviews, pictured

Lacomba had a room in the converted attic of the property, while Sarah slept on the second floor.

The father-of-three had rigged the whole house with CCTV he controlled from his room.

Author and criminal barrister Tony Kent reflected on Lacomba's set up, saying the time the estranged couple spent in the same house was not a 'happy time or a healthy time.'

'He has CCTV fitted all around the house but why does he need to know what is going on in every room of the house?' he said.

'Why does he need to have this omniscient, overlord looking down approach to his domestic life?'

Sarah with her son Lewis Burdett before her disappearance. Her twon sons, Lewis and Jack, travelled to Kent after she was reported missing and suspected her ex-partner because of his suspicious behaviour

'When you look at that, combined with his repeated failures, you think it's a ticking time bomb,' Kent added.

DCI Beasly said: 'It was quite an elaborate set up, he had cameras at the side, at the front and at the back of his house, all controlled by an assistant which was kept in his bedroom, which was in the converted attic part of the house.

'She knows that she's being watched, she knows her every reaction is being recorded. She's well aware because it's impossible not to be that there's CCTV all around this house,' Tony Kent continued

But when police came looking for Sarah following her disappearance, Lacomba claimed the CCTV system had not been working for a year.

'His CCTV system was corrupted, there was nothing on his footage that we could find to help us find Sarah,' DCI Beasley said.

4. Lies caught on neighbour's CCTV

While Lacomba claimed his CCTV had not been working for a year, CCTV footage from a neighbour's camera also found that he had been lying.

The footage captured that Lacomba's cameras were flickering, showing they were active, as late as 11:45pm on October 9, but were turned off.

'The CCTV system itself was located in Ben's room, so who else could have turned it off?' DCI Beasly asked.

While Lacomba's CCTV system was no help, police had more luck turning to neighbours to see if they could spot any recorded suspicious activity.

Through neighbourings camera, police found that Lacomba always parked his car in the spot on his drive, except for the day Sarah was last seen.

Police searching the home Ben Lacomba and Sarah Wellgreen shared with their three children in Kent

Instead of his usual spot the father-of-three decided to park at the back of the house, in a place that was not covered by his neighbour's CCTV, a fact he was aware of.

Neighbour CCTV also helped police pin down the last time Sarah was seen alive.

'We know from that CCTV that Sarah came home just before 8pm on 9 October ad went in her home address,' DCI Beasley said.

'That's the last time that anyone saw Sarah, apart from her children and Ben and at that stage we could only go on what Ben was telling us,' he added.

And the neighbours' footage led to another breakthrough.

'We had a real breakthrough when we found that just after 2am that night, Ben's car was on the move and we captured it on a number of cameras of private addresses,' DCI Beasley said.

'So we knew Ben had gone out and he didn't return until half past four in the morning,' he added.

'So Ben Lacomba had told us he had been in bed all night and that when he woke up in the morning, Sarah was missing. But we've now found his car on the move and it had been away from the home address for over two hours.'

5. The muddy car

Following the CCTV breakthrough, police also found that Lacomba's car, which was always pristine, was full of mud on the morning of 10 October.

'The following morning after Sarah had disappeared, his car had mud all around his wheels, and all over the sides, both sides, of his car,' DCI Beasley said.

'So that car had been out at night and had been out of the road, so where had that car been?

Lacomba's car, pictured, was captured by CCTV with muddy wheels and mud smeared on its side the morning after Sarah's disappearance, but the father-of-three swiftly went to have it washed

'Within two hours of us seeing that car the following morning, he'd got the car cleaned again and it was spotlessly clean as per usual.'

By that point, DCI Beasley said he felt he had mounting evidence Lacomba was responsible for Sarah's disappearance, but the force was frustrated with the fact they couldn't located Sarah's body still.

6. The police interview

Early on in the investigation, Lacomba was arrested by police on suspicion of Sarah's murder, and he was interviewed.

'In custody, we interviewed him a number of times, we had seven hours worth of interview,' DCI Beasley said.

'Throughout all interviews he remained silent, he refused to answer any questions.'

'And for somebody that was innocent, somebody that had nothing to do with Sarah's disappearance, somebody that had phoned us with concern that she'd gone missing, for him not to help us was really strange.

Lacomba, pictured, continued with his daily life while the village and the police all looked for Sarah

'And it was in very early stages. We were a week after Sarah had gone missing, there was still a lot of investigations we needed to do.

'I had strong suspicions that Ben Lacomba had was responsible, but at that stage, Ben Lacomba was released on bail.'

For Tony Kent, Ben Lacomba was counting on the fact Sarah's body had not been found to prove his innocence.

'You can only assume Ben is relying on the lack of a body being here,' he said, 'to guarantee that he doesn't get arrested or charged.

Sarah's son Lewis Burdett said: 'The first time he was arrested told us all what we were all thinking. Then he was released, we weren't too sure why.'

7. Not letting Sarah's sons visit their step-siblings.

Sarah had two sons from a previous relationship, Jack and Lewis Burdett. The two brothers raised the alarm when she failed to answer their calls, and they travelled from Hampshire to Kent when she was reported missing.

'A couple of days after she went missing, we wanted to see the children and we were blocked from it,' Lewis said.

'And I always thought that was a bit strange. Then I found out he had taken the children to his mother's sister's house and that we were not allowed to see them. So it's from that point that my suspicions grew a lot more,' Jack said.

'You can tell that he's obviously hiding something, it only points you to one answer,' Jack added.

Last sighting of Sarah driving home on October 9. The last people to see her were her children and Lacomba

Search parties combed through every field and streams around the village where Sarah was reported missing

Search dogs were called in to help with the police investigations, but Sarah's body remains hidden to this day

Sarah Wellgreen's disappearance and the murder investigation Timeline of events leading up to and immediately after the disappearance of Sarah Wellgreen. 2004: Ben Lacomba and Sarah Wellgreen meet online. They enter into a long-distance relationship before she moves to live with him in Majorca. 2006: Lacomba and Ms Wellgreen move back to the UK due to financial issues. 2014: The couple separate but remain living together in the family home. July 12-13, 2018: Ms Wellgreen contacts a mortgage broker about buying Lacomba out of their house. August 7: Ms Wellgreen contacts the mortgage broker again confirming that she wishes for them to act for her. August 15: The mortgage broker sends Ms Wellgreen a mortgage quotation. She confirms that she wishes to proceed. September 13: Ms Wellgreen is informed that the mortgage has been approved. September 21: Ms Wellgreen applies for a job as a business development manager. October 8: Ms Wellgreen is offered the job, which comes with a pay rise and company car. She accepts the next day. October 9: 9.30am: Lacomba's first taxi job of the day 4.50pm: Lacomba drops off his last customer of the day in Sevenoaks and then books off work. October 10: 8.30am: Lacomba arrives at his children's school and speaks to staff about a school trip his children are booked on. 10.34am: Lacomba's first taxi job of the day. 1.34pm: Lacomba drops off his last customer of the day and books off work. October 11: 9.55am: Lacomba telephones the police to report Ms Wellgreen missing. Police later search the family home. October 12: Police search family home again. October 14: Police visit the home a further time. October 16: Police seize Lacomba's Vauxhall car. 12.20pm: Lacomba attends Dartford County Court seeking a residence order for his children, saying that Ms Wellgreen was officially missing. 1.55pm: Lacomba is arrested for the first time in Dartford. October 19: 11.50am: Lacomba is released on police bail. Police search the family home a further time. Two shovels are seized from the shed. They also seize a silver metal box containing various personal documents, including Sarah Wellgreen's passport, her birth certificate, marriage certificate and a Spanish identity card. November 2: Police conduct a further search of the family home. December 20: 6.45am: Lacomba is arrested for a second time. 7.40pm: Lacomba is charged with the murder of Sarah Wellgreen. December 21: Police conduct another search of the family home and seize a further shovel from the shed. October 28, 2019: Lacomba is convicted of murder at Woolwich Crown Court. Advertisement

8. Organising a kids' event while village is out searching for Sarah, as well as a custody hearing

Sharon Brine was a volunteer who took part in field searches for Sarah, and she said the village found Lacomba's behaviour 'bizarre.'

'We were very baffled with Ben when during day three or four of our searching, he went into the village office to book the village hall and we thought it was completely bizarre,' she said.

'There's half the village looking for the mother of his children, and he's trying to arrange a kids' game in the village,' she added.

'We did realise that we were dealing with somebody who didn't think like the rest of us did.

'So we applied that to our searches: "What do we think he thinks? What do we think his thought pattern is?",' she added.

Meanwhile DCI Beasley also found it suspicious that Lacomba tried to organise a court hearing regarding custody of his children soon after reporting Sarah missing.

'Within a few days of her disappearance, Ben had gone to the family court and was trying to have an urgent meeting so he could have primary custody of the children.

Now I wonder what the urgency was, why did he need to do that so quickly? He knew Sarah would never be coming home,' he said.

What happened next?

Thanks to the CCTV footage, police gathered enough evidence to arrest Ben Lacomba on December 20 2018 and charged with Sarah's murder.

Police had to prove that the absence of Sarah's body meant she was dead, by looking at her financial and digital footprint.

They had to convince the jury that there was enough evidence to prove that Sarah could possibly be alive.

Lacomba was found guilty and given a 27-year sentence on October 28, 2019 at Woolwich Crown Court.

But Sarah's family and loved ones are yet to find peace, because Lacomba has never revealed the location of her remains.

'There's still that missing piece, and it will always be like that, because there'll always be that missing piece because of what he has done,' Lewis said.

'I believe he's withholding that because that's the only sort of power that he has left. As soon as he tells us that, that's him admitting doing it, which he has never done. But all the evidence pointed towards him.'

'It'd be a lot easier if he was to say where she was but I believe he'll keep on denying it so he has a hope of having a relationship with his children,' Jack added.

Jack, who stayed in Kent since Sarah's murder, thanked the people who had organised search parties for her mother.

'The involvement in searches, I feel as though if I wasn't involved, I wouldn't be doing anything else that would be useful, the whole reason I came back to Kent was to find her, I've been here ever since,' he said.

'There's lots more of work to do but they are a great support network, without them I don't think I'd be as capable and as strong as I am today to carry on with what we do.'

The location of Sarah's remains is still unknown.

My Lover, My Killer airs on Tuesdays on 5Star at 10pm and is available on My5.
A black man who was jailed for life after stealing a pair of hedge clippers in 1997 says he's 'never met a white prisoner' who has been sentenced using the same legislation as him.

Fair Wayne Bryant, 63, spent 23 years in Louisiana's Angola prison after being sentenced under the state's Habitual Offender Statute - which allows those with previous convictions to be given harsher sentences.

He was granted parole last October and appeared on BBC2 documentary The Black American Fight For Freedom, examining racial inequality in the US, over half a century after the introduction of the Civil Rights Act.

Bryant's criminal record included 22 arrests and 11 convictions - however only one from the 1970s was for a violent crime, and he initially thought his mandatory life sentence would be overturned.

Highlighting the disproportionate number of black prisoners he encountered during his time behind bars - he claimed he'd never met a white person in jail who had been sentenced under the habitual offender law.

Fair Wayne Bryant, 63, spent 23 years in Louisiana's Angola prison for stealing a pair of hedge clippers in 1997 after being sentenced under the state's Habitual Offender Statute

He was granted parole last October and appeared on BBC2 documentary The Black American Fight For Freedom, examining racial inequality in the US

'The morning after I was found guilty by the jury, the district attorney filed the Habitual Offender Law Act on me', said Bryant. 'He filed the three strike law as you call it, to give me a mandatory life sentence.

'What was going through my mind at the time was, it was going to get overturned. All the time, that's what I was expecting the court system to do.

Louisiana has a notoriously high incarceration rate, recorded in March this year as 680 per 100,000 people. In April 2021, the number of people serving prison sentences in Louisiana under the habitual offender statute was 3,591.

Research shows that ethnic minorities are over represented in U.S. prisons, with a 2010 Census stating the number of black people incarcerated per 100,000 was 2,749, compared to 675 white people.

He commented on the disproportionate number of black prisoners he noticed during his time behind bars - claiming he'd never met a white person in jail who had been sentenced under the habitual offender law

'To really be able to understand the justice system in Louisiana, just go back and look at the conviction rates,' said Bryant. 'What type of people they convicted? How many? That will pretty much tell you everything you need to know.

'Of the people I met, guys that I met that came into Angola were black that had the habitual offender law used on them.

'I didn't find, the whole time I was in Angola, I didn't find one white person they used the habitual offender law on.'

Bryant was convicted of burgling the store room of a carport in his hometown of Shreveport. At the time of his sentencing, four of his 11 convictions were felony offences.

In 1979 he was sentenced to ten-years in prison for the attempted armed robbery of a taxi driver. His other felonies were possession of stolen property in 1987, attempted forgery in 1989 and burglary in 1992.

What are habitual offender laws? Habitual offender laws are used to deter a person who has already been convicted of offence from committing a crime again. Penal systems throughout the world provide longer terms of imprisonment for those with convictions than for first-time offenders. The legislation is sometimes known as the 'three strikes' law and mandates major sentences for minor crimes. Louisianas Habitual Offender Statute states that an offender who has already been convicted of more than one crime faces a longer sentence. An offender is given longer sentences for each subsequent conviction. Before 2017, a person in Louisiana could be sentenced to life in prison after receiving a fourth nonviolent conviction under the legislation. Advertisement

The case hit the headlines in August last year when Louisiana's Supreme Court denied a request to review his case. Bryant had appealed the life sentence as unconstitutionally excessive in 2000.

Chief Justice Bernette Johnson wrote that the habitual offender law was a 'modern manifestation' of 'pig laws' aimed at unfairly jailing black people for petty crimes.

Each of these crimes was an effort to steal something. Such petty theft is frequently driven by the ravages of poverty or addiction, and often both,' Johnson wrote in her searing dissent.

It is cruel and unusual to impose a sentence of life in prison at hard labour for the criminal behavior which is most often caused by poverty or addiction.

She also pointed out that his incarceration had already cost American taxpayers over half a million dollars.

After being denied parole on three previous occasions, Bryant was finally released in October 2020.

The head of the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, Alanah Odoms, called the decision to release Bryant 'long overdue'.

'Now it is imperative that the Legislature repeal the habitual offender law that allows for these unfair sentences, and for district attorneys across the state to immediately stop seeking extreme penalties for minor offences', she said.

The parole board spoke extensively about Bryant's history of alcohol and cocaine use ahead of his release.

Conditions of his parole included compulsory attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, a curfew and community service.

'I had a drug problem,' said Bryant after his release in October. 'But I've had 24 years to recognise that problem and to be in constant communication with the Lord to help me with that problem.'

Upon his release, Bryant was assisted by the Louisiana Parole Project, a nonprofit that helps released prisoners adjust to life after jail.

The charity has since began fundraising page to provide financial support and help rebuild Bryant's life.

The Black American Fight for Freedom airs on BBC2 this evening at 21:00
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands looks a vision in a houndstooth print dress and matching coat as she pays a visit to a family business to mark their 200th anniversary.

The Argentinian-born royal, 50, looked glamorous as ever as she stepped out in the stylish ensemble as she arrived at Smit and Son in the northern Dutch city of Weesp on Wednesday.

She paired her look with a wide-brimmed camel fedora as she visited the company, which develops products for making and finishing leather.

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands looks a vision in a houndstooth print dress and matching coat as she pays a visit to a family business to mark their 200th anniversary

The wife of King Willem-Alexander, 54, who is mother to daughters Amalia, 17, Alexia, 15, and Ariane, 14, showcased her love of accessories on the outing by adding some statement gold earrings to her look.

Her complementary brown clutch bag was barely visible under her arm as she draped her coat over her shoulders and added a pair of matching suede court heels.

Maxima's golden tresses were mostly covered by her hat, but were styled in sleek lines and she drew attention to her beauty with a touch of make-up.

Earlier this week, she stepped out in a tweed tailored suit as she arrived for a visit to the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences.

The Argentinian-born royal, 50, looked glamorous as ever as she stepped out in the stylish ensemble as she arrived at Smit and Son in the northern Dutch city of Weesp on Wednesday

She paired her look with a wide-brimmed camel fedora as she visited the company, which develops products for making and finishing leather

She teamed her look with a black waisted belt, stilettos and a leather bag with a wood handle.

Matching her protective black face mask to her outfit, Maxima sported a pair of hoop earrings and a large flower ring and gold bracelets.

Maxima looked like she meant business, strolling into the building clutching a blue notebook and pen while smiling under her mask.

It's the latest in a string of royal engagements for the queen in Holland's second largest city, a major logistic and economic centre which is home to Europe's largest seaport.

Her complementary brown clutch bag was barely visible under her arm as she draped her coat over her shoulders and added a pair of matching suede court heels

Rotterdam also hosted this year's Eurovision Song Contest last weekend, which saw Italy crowned winners.

Last week Maxima unveiled an interactive musical play set at a school for her More Music in the Classroom campaign.

She sported a stunning long-sleeve purple frock to visit the AS Talma school in Rotterdam, and looked in great spirits as she beamed for the camera while cutting a ribbon at the nearby Music Playground.

The More Music in the Classroom campaign aims to provide structural music education for all primary school children in the Netherlands.

The royal has shown repeated commitment to the campaign, of which Maxima is the honourary chairwoman, even at the height of the coronavirus pandemic last year.

The aim of the campaign is for music lessons to be a standard part of the curriculum at every primary school in the Netherlands.

Maxima's golden tresses were mostly covered by her hat, but were styled in sleek lines and she drew attention to her beauty with a touch of make-up

Queen Maxima looked stunning in tweed earlier this week as she arrived for a visit to the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences

Trainee primary teachers will need to gain enough confidence to make music and learn the technical skills to teach the subject.

The new grant scheme will give schools an incentive to provide high-quality music education for their students.

An important condition is that they work together with colleges of music.

The engagement came days after the monarch celebrated her 50th birthday, and a collection of stamps were released to mark the occasion.

The biggest stamp, Koningin Maxima, features an unseen retro black and white close-up snap from the monarch's private collection, showing Maxima in New York in 1999.

The wife of King Willem-Alexander, 54, showcased her playful side as she struck a pose for a socially-distanced photo opportunity

A beautiful black and white portrait of Queen Maxima taken in New York in 1999 was recently released as a stamp to mark her 50th birthday

It shows a profile of the then 22-year-old with freckles on her cheeks, and strands of blond hair falling down to her shoulders,.

Four other pictures in colour honour King Willem-Alexander's wife royal duties and engagements, including her commitment to the More Music in the Classroom campaign.

Willem-Alexander and Maxima got engaged in March 2001 and tied the knot in a grandiose ceremony in February 2002.

At the time, the fact that Maxima, who was a 28-year-old economist, was the daughter of Jorge Zorreguieta, who served as Secretary of Agriculture under General Jorge Rafael Videla, during Argentina's military dictatorship, raised eyebrows.

Maxima and Willem-Alexander have been married for 19 years and share three daugthers. Their engagement was met with controversy because Maxima's father, Jorge Zorreguieta, served as Secretary of Agriculture under General Jorge Rafael Videla, during Argentina's military dictatorship

Hello Magazine reported in 2016 that Willem-Alexander put his foot down and was so set on marrying Maxima he was ready to renounce the throne to be her husband.

Maxima, who was born in Buenos Aires, endeared herself to the Dutch people thanks to her warm personality, and the nuptials went ahead on February 2 2002 at Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam church.

Willem-Alexander became King of the Netherlands in April 2013 following the abdication of his mother Queen Beatrix.
A cocker spaniel amongst the crowds of well-wishers greeting The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at St Andrews today caught Kate Middleton's eye, as she chatted with her owner about her family's late pet, Lupo.

The Duchess of Cambridge, 39, who was returning with Prince William, 38, to visit the Scottish university where the couple first met 20 years ago, stopped to chat to the owner of the glossy-coated dog - named Lily, even bending down to say a cheery 'hello' to the pet.

After telling the owner of the pet she liked Lily's raincoat, the royal also shared that the couple had spotted an Italian restaurant in the town earlier that day which shared the same name as their late dog, saying it had brought Lupo into their minds.

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The Duchess of Cambridge had her eye caught by a glossy-coated black cocker spaniel named Lily as she was greeted by well-wishers in St Andrews with Prince William today

Lily's owner films her pet's brush with royalty on her phone as she chats about the royal tells her about her late dog, Lupo. The Duchess leans in to take a closer look at the pet, which looked remarkably similar to the family's late dog Lupo, which died in November aged nine

The royal was filmed telling members of the crowd: 'We noticed the cafe or bar called Lupo's, and we had a dog, who's no longer with us, called Lupo.'

The black Cocker Spaniel, a wedding present from Kates brother James, died in November, with the couple saying at the time the pet had been 'at the heart of our family for the past nine years and we will miss him so much.'

The gathered crowd then offered their sympathies and Kate asked Lily's owner whether, like Lupo, the dog was a cocker spaniel, to which she replied that she was.

After telling the group it was 'very nice to meet you', the couple, shielding from the inclement Scottish weather with umbrellas, moved along.

Under umbrellas, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chat about their late pet with the crowds

As Prince William looked on, Kate asked whether Lily was a cocker spaniel, to which her owner replied that she was. The rain-soaked royals told the owner they liked the pets raincoat

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge later spoke to students at the university about their pandemic experiences and visited St Salvator's, the halls of residence where the young prince met his future wife.

The couple became friends in their first year before romance blossomed after William saw 'hot' Kate strut down a charity fashion show catwalk in a sheer dress. They graduated in 2005 and William proposed five years later.

Plenty to smile about! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge today returned to the University of St Andrews where they met as students 20 years ago. The couple were in excellent spirits despite the rain

The look of love: Kate Middleton smiled at her husband as they met students in a marquee set up for the royal engagement

University sweethearts: Prince William and Kate Middleton on the day of their graduation ceremony in 2005

The couple, who share Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, six, and Prince Louis, three, celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary this year.

William and Kate were in excellent spirits as they took a trip down memory lane before continuing to Fife where they met local fishermen and their families.

Kate was smartly dressed in a 650 striped Erdem jumper, 549 Jade Holland Cooper blazer and 90 Veja trainers, after changing out of the 159 Barbour jacket and See by Chloe boots she wore to race land yachts this morning.

The Duchess also let down her ponytail, added a slick of makeup and swapped her gold hoop earrings for a slightly more decorative pair from Freya Rose.
Chinese envoy underlines tackling root causes of conflict to protect civilians

Xinhua) 09:25, May 26, 2021

UNITED NATIONS, May 25 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for efforts to tackle the root causes of conflict as a fundamental way to spare civilians in armed conflict.

Numerous painful experiences have shown that in the face of violence and conflict, even the most vigorous measures in place are not enough to protect civilians and civilian facilities from harm, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. "Only by preventing and resolving conflicts can we provide the best protection for civilians."

The Security Council must fulfill its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and be committed to addressing root causes and resolving conflicts politically, so that civilians can see the hope for the future, he told the council in an open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

"To address the root causes of conflict, we must take integrated measures, fully implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, help countries in conflict achieve poverty reduction goals as soon as possible, strengthen education and health care, enhance people's well-being, and consolidate the foundation for peace," he said.

To resolve conflicts politically, it is necessary to defuse hot-spot issues through dialogue, good offices and consultations, so that all parties to conflict are urged to respond to the global cease-fire initiative, immediately cease hostilities and advance the peace process through negotiations, Zhang said.

According to the UN Charter and international law, the responsibility to protect civilians lies, first and foremost, with the governments concerned. In implementing Security Council resolutions on the protection of civilians, full consideration should be given to the characteristics and specific circumstances of each conflict situation, and the sovereignty and legitimate concerns of the countries in question should be respected, he said.

The international community should provide humanitarian development and reconstruction assistance to the countries concerned, and help these countries strengthen capacity building. Humanitarian actions should be carried out by complying with the principles of impartiality, neutrality, objectivity, and independence, and by maintaining its humanitarian nature and avoiding politicization, said Zhang.

For many years through South-South Cooperation and joint endeavors of the Belt and Road Initiative, and through various channels, such as the UN Peace and Development Fund, China has funded many projects to help developing countries, including countries in conflict, strengthen infrastructure building, improve people's livelihood, and protect civilians, he said.

In response to the urgent humanitarian needs of some countries in conflict, China has timely extended a helping hand and provided large amounts of food, medical equipment and COVID-19 vaccines to various countries. Going forward, China will continue to work with the international community to address the root causes of conflict and help countries in conflict enhance their capacity for independent development and protection of civilians, said Zhang.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
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China has decided to impose sanctions against Johnnie Moore, commissioner for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, in response to the United States' unilateral sanctions against a Chinese official.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the announcement on Wednesday, slamming the U.S. State Department's 2020 International Religious Freedom Report and its announcement of the sanctions.

"The so-called report, full of ideological prejudice, ignores the facts, wantonly denigrates China's religious policy and seriously interferes in China's internal affairs. China firmly opposes this," the spokesperson said.

China has decided to prohibit Johnnie Moore and his family from entering the Chinese mainland, as well as the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, because the United States openly endorsed cult organizations and imposed unilateral sanctions against Chinese personnel based on lies and false information, Zhao said.

"China urges the U.S. side to correct its mistakes, retract the so-called sanctions and stop interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of the so-called religious issues," Zhao added.
Genealogy researches have revealed that Friends stars Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox are distant cousins.

Matthew, 51, Courteney, 56, make up one of TV's most beloved celebrity couples, but in real life they are distantly related.

According to researchers at the online genealogy website MyHeritage, who spoke to CNN this week, the actors are 11th cousins through Courteney's mother and Matthew's father.

Related! Genealogy researches have revealed that Friends stars Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox are distant cousins

Who knew? Matthew, 51, Courteney, 56, make up one of TV's most beloved celebrity couples, but in real life they are distantly related

Far apart: The actors are 11th cousins through Courteney's mother and Matthew's father

The pair's connection goes back centuries to William Osbern Haskell III and his wife Ellen Haskell, who lived in England about 500 years ago.

In 1635, Ellen and her two sons, Roger and William, moved to what is now the US.

That was nearly 30 years after Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the Americas, was founded, and 141 years before the Declaration of Independence was written.

Courteney is a direct descendent of Roger, while Matthew is a direct descendent of his younger brother William.

'We went into this line very deeply, we checked every name. We found a lot of records that support it, and we have confidence that they are related,' said Roi Mandel, the head of research at MyHeritage.

Way back: Their connection can be traced back to William Osbern Haskell III and his wife Ellen Haskell, who lived in England about 500 years ago

They're back! The pair are set to appear together in HBO Max's Friends reunion

Mandel explained that they searched through billions of historical records to find the relationship.

He added that it's 'not such a surprise' to find a connection between them, saying 'it makes sense that when you go so many generations back.'

In fact, both Matthew and Courteney are also related to Lady Gaga  of whom Courteney is a fan.

'Of course I like Lady Gaga. Who doesn't love talent?!' she tweeted in 2012.

Lady Gaga is among several stars set to make appearances on the Friends reunion that will premiere on May 27 on HBO Max.

Previously, Courteney learned of some of her other famous relations in a 2017 episode of TLC's Who Do You Think You Are?

Surprise! Both Matthew and Courteney are also related to Lady Gaga

'Of course I like Lady Gaga. Who doesn't love talent?!' Courteney tweeted in 2012

Courteney learned of some of her other famous relations in a 2017 episode of TLC's Who Do You Think You Are?  including Queen Elizabeth

More relations! Matthew is the stepson of Dateline correspondent Keith Morrison, who has been married to the Friends star's mother Suzanne Perry, for 39 years

Most notably, she is very distantly related to the reigning Queen Elizabeth.

The star learned that her 18-times great-grandfather was a man named Thomas de Berkeley, whose descendants including the queen.

Thomas de Berkeley also once held Edward II prisoner in 1327.

Meanwhile, Matthew is the stepson of Dateline correspondent Keith Morrison, who has been married to the Friends star's mother Suzanne Perry, for 39 years.
In 1982 I went along to St Marys, Paddington. My stepmother was in the London hospital, having just given birth to my sister, Julia.

I had no idea that my mother was also an in-patient at the same hospital at the same time.

I looked out of the window, and saw you with a bunch of flowers, and thought, how lovely, Rachels coming to see me, my mother told me afterwards, in an exchange that still haunts me nearly 40 years later. But you never came.

I didnt go to see her because I didnt know she was there, having the brain scans and tests that would result in a diagnosis of Parkinsons disease, aged just 40.

Rachel Johnson explains her hope that she will be brave if she has Parkinson's disease, as it's revealed 145,000 people in the UK are affected by the condition. Pictured: Rachel with her mother

My mother, a painter and mother of four, had been driving and realised she couldnt work the pedals. She found herself on the hard shoulder on the M4 with cars screaming past, honking. As she told the family doctor later, my foot felt like a flipper.

In those days, you saw a GP in person. He or she could tell a lot simply by looking and listening, and therefore Dr Calman sent her that same day to St Marys.

My mother continues to have the absolute best of expert care and cutting-edge treatment across the NHS, especially from the National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery, where she had electrodes implanted in her brain a few years ago.

But there is still no cure for the disease that affects 145,000 people in the UK, and is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world. Last week, one of those people came out and it was TV presenter Jeremy Paxman, to whom we all owe a huge debt.

No, not for being a curmudgeonly old codger who barked at his interviewees on Newsnight and who sandpapers contestants on University Challenge, but for helping to normalise a cruel disease that two people are diagnosed with every hour, but still nobody ever talks about.

Parkinsons is not like cancer and mental health.

Rachel (pictured) said Parkinson's is unpredictable and hard to spot, revealing her mother freezes and has bradykinesia

Its only considered newsworthy or significant  let alone sexy in media terms  if a celebrity has it (Billy Connolly, Michael J Fox, Alan Alda, Paxo) and not just someones mum.

Until its your mum.

When someone in your family is diagnosed with it, you learn very quickly how impatient and ignorant the world is of Parkinsons.

Paxo decided to come out with his horrid ailment before everyone called him a drunk after he fell over, face first, while dog-walking in the park earlier this year.

Parkinsons is horrid. It is also unpredictable and hard to spot. As those posters say, Not all disabilities are visible, unless you are actually shaking. People often mistake sufferers for drunks or incompetents.

Had my second jab in the Science Museum this week, thank you NHS, but it took ages as theyre prioritising younger cohorts to get the vaccine into as many arms as possible. When I turned up they said, Second jab, Madam? and made me stand in the hail and sleet and shiver as fresh-faced under-40 first-jabbers were fast-tracked into a VIP lane. Ive never felt colder  or older  in my life.

But my mother doesnt shake. Neither do my aunts  two of my mothers sisters, one older, one younger, also have the disease  although they can get tremors in their hands. No, my mother freezes. She has bradykinesia, a symptom of Parkinsons when everything is much slower.

Now 78, she finds it difficult to speak, chew and swallow, and needs the constant assistance of her wonderful carer, Yamuna. But she continues to beat all comers at Scrabble.

Parkinsons is a fact of life. One in 500 of us will get it. It offers up a grim smorgasbord of symptoms from tiny handwriting to incontinence.

Yet people still stare and tut rudely at someone who staggers, freezes, drools in a restaurant, takes ages to do something, unaware that the other person has an incurable and progressive neurological condition. It makes me incandescent with rage.

In spite of my mother and aunts all having it, only ten to 15 per cent of cases are thought to be hereditary. Ive chosen not to participate in any genetic trials. (I may change my mind. Ive already donated my brain, or whatevers left of it, to a brain bank.) Que sera, sera.

Im already 15 years older than my mother when she received her diagnosis, so I feel lucky.

I have never once heard my mother complain. If I do also have it, I can only hope I can be as brave a soldier as my mother and Paxo  but I very much doubt it.

A little advice for my sister-in-law to-be

As the nation celebrates the pending nuptials of Boris n Carrie it occurs to me that I was an early adopter of the lockdown-style wedding way back in 1992. Ours was totally painless, for me anyway, which is the important thing.

We gave our 30 guests a weeks notice. (Yes, it was a shotgun wedding.) We went to Chelsea Register Office and then had lunch in a nearby restaurant that has since closed. The future prime minister and the father of the bride made excellent speeches. I wore an old navy suit from Next, and my husband paid for everything.

Start as you mean to go on, I say to all my spectacular sisters-in-law!

Tears will be Harry's trump card

Rachel said Prince Harry hasn't shed a tear in his podcast or documentary, and must be waiting to open the floodgates

The advance publicity for Keirs Tears for Piers (next weeks Life Stories interview with the Labour Leader on ITV) is in full swing, with much focus on Starmer weeping over the deaths of his mother, his mother-in-law and family dog.

For broadcasters, tears are liquid gold and this makes me fear for the Royal Family. Thus far, Prince Harry has not shed one tear. Not in his podcast, his documentary, nor interview with Oprah (even though everyone else including Glenn Close, Lady Gaga and Oprah herself blubs in The Me You Dont See trailer).

This is concerning. The Prince must be waiting to open the floodgates for a yet more private and emotive emission entirely...

We are a nation of shopkeepers and dog lovers. And herein lies our problem. Like 2.2 million others, I acquired a pandemic puppy. I took her on my errands yesterday.

The hairdresser was welcoming. The clothes chain Cos was delightful. But black mark to Uniqlo. I wasnt even allowed to tie Ziggy up outside! But she is my most precious possession.

If I cant bring her into a shop, she could be nicked, and upsold by robber Cruellas. If retailers want our custom, I suggest they welcome dog owners with the enthusiasm of a Greek waiter greeting his first, thirsty, British tourist of the summe
A dream trip to South Africa was our last big holiday before the pandemic  and my husband, Mark, and our sons, Felix, then nine, and Max, seven, had reached the top of Table Mountain in Cape Town after a strenuous two-hour hike.

We did it! I called out, fighting the wind at the top. Look at the view!

In one direction you could see Robben Island; in another, Lions Head mountain. The city shimmered below us. I stopped to rummage in my bag  it was Easter weekend and Id packed Creme Eggs, a family favourite, as a surprise reward for our travails to the top. Little did I know Mark had planned a surprise of his own.

Er, Dad what are you doing? Felix asked, as Mark dropped to one knee.

You look funny, said Max, with a puzzled smile on his little face.

Zoe Folbigg who lives in Hitchin with husband Mark (pictured) and their sons, recalls marking their tenth wedding anniversary with a second proposal

Mark had gone down on one knee and was proffering a small black jewellery box.

What? I laughed. I thought perhaps the altitude was messing with my mind.

Will you . . . he hesitated. Will you . . . stay married to me? For another decade? And perhaps another. And another.

It was our tenth wedding anniversary  and we had booked the holiday to coincide with it. Starting off on safari in Madikwe Game Reserve, then flying to Cape Town to enjoy all its gems: the penguins of Boulders Beach, an eye-opening trip around Robben Island and visiting the Cape Of Good Hope, where two oceans collide.

Table Mountain was the final thing on our South Africa bucket list, so when the shroud of cloud that often covers it had evaporated that morning, Mark said: Lets do it! Something memorable to mark the day.

Wed parked our rental car at the bottom and, loaded with water, wound up the narrow path over huge stepping-stones, chatting in the spring sunshine.

While our boys were on the lookout for the wildlife, I contemplated ten years of married life and our dating years before that.

It had been a long journey to a first date for me and Mark. I had loved him from afar, a tall, dark stranger on the train on our daily commute. From the minute he started taking the 8.21am from Hitchin, Herts, to Kings Cross, in July 2003, it had taken me over a year to pluck up the courage to hand Train Man a note, asking him to go for a drink with me.

It was the most excruciating moment of my life, standing on a packed carriage, somewhere between Finsbury Park and Kings Cross, and saying Excuse me please, can I give you this, as the train pulled into the station, and our fellow commuters looked on.

Mark contacted Zoe to go for a drink in 2005, after separating from the girlfriend he had when they first met on their daily commute. Pictured: Zoe and Mark on Table Mountain

Worse still was the rejection that was to come in response to my note. A polite email later that day saying thank you, but he had a girlfriend. This was followed by awkward months of me blushing on the train, embarrassed about my moment of madness. Of course he has a girlfriend, he was too lovely, his face too kind to be available. Guys like him always have a someone special.

Writing off any hope of Train Man, I continued my life of first dates that never led to a second.

But in January 2005, Mark, as I now knew he was called, emailed me again to say hed been single for a few months, and did I still fancy that drink?

We went out the next night, and it was the best first date  and the last first date  Ive been on. That had been the long journey to us getting together, and now, as Mark crouched down on one knee, among the red orchids and white confetti bushes that dotted the pathways, I felt utterly blessed.

Not just that our worlds had collided on that commuter train, but for the two boys who were now darting in and out of the bushes, howling with laughter about what was going on.

Zoe and Mark married six months after he proposed on a train in the middle of Australia

But you already proposed, I said, stunned.

I didnt do it properly the first time, Mark said. I wanted to do it properly. And in front of the boys.

I had thought his first proposal, three years after our first date, was lovely, if a little nervous. We were backpacking as part of a year-long round-the-world trip, and what I didnt know was that Mark had been trying to propose in all of these romantic locations, but kept losing his nerve.

He also worried that he hadnt bought a ring (there werent many opportunities on the backpacking trail), and he had wanted to make a courtesy call home to my parents and run it past them  but we were always together.

Eventually, Mark proposed on a sleeper train in the middle of Australia, and as the sun had set over the red centre, he knew the opportunity was too good to miss. He didnt have a ring and there had been no space to get down on one knee in our tiny train compartment, but I was elated. Train Man had proposed to me . . . on a train. I couldnt have been happier. We married six months later.

Ten years after that, on top of Table Mountain, I said yes again. And Mark slipped the ring  a grey, pear-shaped diamond set on a platinum band  onto the ring finger of my right hand.

Zoe said they had rarely paused to take stock of how far they've come, before their anniversary trip. Pictured: The family on Table Mountain

Stopping to eat our Creme Eggs and take photos, I looked at my original engagement ring on my left hand  I had picked out a brown diamond in a jeweller in Brighton after we got home from backpacking  and the new ring on my right, shimmering in the sunshine. I thought about the ten interim years of married life: moving house, finding our feet, the exhaustion of having two children in two years, struggling to get my debut novel published, then write another three books.

I looked at my new ring and thought of how far wed come

We get so bogged down in the daily grind  especially this year, of all years, with the lack of socialising, parties and holidays that usually punctuate it  that we rarely pause to take stock of how far weve come.

If weve found a deep love, its easy to let that astonishing piece of luck pass us by without acknowledging it. Luckier still if its grown and strengthened, as ours has.

Of course, its impossible to sustain romance in a relationship all the time. Life gets in the way, especially in lockdown. Mark is a senior software manager for Just Eat and is on Zoom calls most of the day. Ive found it hard to cope with a house full while Im writing, and homeschooling was hellish.

Zoe said ten years may seem a bit early to renew their vows, but she'll take any excuse for a party after covid. Pictured: Zoe and Mark

Ten years may seem a bit early to renew our vows, but perhaps well do it anyway. What better way to cut through last years struggles and show us what weve got? How incredibly lucky we are. Like the sun finally coming out after a downpour.

Were not as broke as we were the first time around either. And frankly, Ill take any excuse for a party after Covid. We got married the first time in a tythe barn near our home in Hitchin, and I wore a gown with capped Chantilly lace sleeves and a grey silk sash  but I love every wedding dress I see in the window of my local bridal shop, and Id love to try some on.

Meanwhile, were saving up for our next adventure. Im voting for Mexico, Mark covets Costa Rica. Daydreaming and hope got me this far. But if we cant go abroad for a while, thats fine. A UK holiday can be just as life-affirming and romantic as long-haul travel  so long as we go by train.

The Night We Met (8.99, Head of Zeus) is out now.
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Kate Middleton continued her Scottish-themed wardrobe this evening, sporting a full-length tartan trench coat to host NHS Charities Together and NHS staff at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh with Prince William.

The couple arrived to greet their guests in a Land Rover Defender that previously belonged to Prince Philip, who passed away aged 99 on April 9. The Duke of Edinburgh was so fond of the British-made vehicles that he arranged for his coffin to be carried on one at his funeral, which was 'designed and custom-made to the Duke's specification'.

Queen of diplomatic dressing Kate, 39, sported an 849 Marlborough Trench Coat in Heather Tartan by Holland Cooper for tonight's occasion - having worn a blazer by the British brand earlier today for a visit to St Andrews.

The statement piece featured a double breasted-front with eye-catching gold buttons and a belted waist, giving it a fitted silhouette which complimented the Duchess of Cambridge's slender frame.

The mother-of-three appeared to be wearing a shimmering gold Joseph skirt beneath the coat, and she teamed her outfit with a pair of emerald suede Manolo Blahnik stiletto heels.

Kate Middleton continued her Scottish-themed wardrobe, sporting a full-length tartan trench coat to host NHS Charities Together and NHS staff at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh with Prince William

The couple arrived to greet their guests in a Land Rover Defender that previously belonged to Prince Philip, who passed away aged 99 on April 9

The Land Rover used by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge belonged to the late Duke of Edinburgh, pictured here with the Queen perching on the top at the Badminton Horse Trials in 1968

William looked to be enjoying himself behind the wheel of his late grandfather's Land Rover - and thankfully the windscreen wipers worked

A queen of diplomatic dressing, Kate, 39, sported an 849 Marlborough Trench Coat in Heather Tartan by Holland Cooper - having worn a blazer by the British brand earlier today for a visit to St Andrews

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are Joint Patrons of NHS Charites Together, whom they welcomed tonight for the special screening along with NHS staff members in Scotland

Before the screening, Kate delivered a short speech in which she paid tribute to NHS staff across Scotland and thanked them for their dedication, commitment and personal sacrifice

Kate swept her chestnut locks into a chic ponytail which showed off a dazzling pair of looped sapphire earrings which are currently on loan from the Queen. They were gifted to Her Majesty by former Dubai leader Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum in 1979 as part of an elaborate jewellery set, originally all made by Asprey but later modified by the monarch, consisting of sapphires and diamonds set in gold.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hosted NHS Charities Together and NHS staff for a unique drive-in cinema to watch a special screening of Disney's Cruella at the Palace - where they are staying - on the penultimate day of their week-long visit to Scotland.

Before the screening, Kate delivered a short speech in which she paid tribute to NHS staff across Scotland and thanked them for their dedication, commitment and personal sacrifice.

She said: 'As Joint Patrons of NHS Charites Together, William and I are absolutely delighted that so many of you could join us here tonight. We wanted to thank you for the extraordinary dedication, commitment and personal sacrifice you have shown in supporting our communities through this pandemic.

'It is a real privilege to work with NHS Charities Together. For the last 13 years it has worked tirelessly to improve services for patients and support NHS staff and volunteers, both practically and emotionally. Today, this work has never been more important.

'So, with an enormous thank you to Her Majesty The Queen for allowing us to host the first-ever drive-in film night here at Holyrood. And with a huge thank you to Disney and BAFTA, for putting on this evening, and to the fabulous actress Tipper for joining us here tonight, William and I invite you to grab your popcorn, cuddle up under your blankets and be transported to 1970s Britain for an evening of much-deserved fun, drama, glamour and escapism!'

Disney is giving Cruella de Vil the live-action treatment with its anticipated new film Cruella, starring Emma Stone as the sinister protagonist, Tipper Seifert-Cleveland as 'young Cruella' and Emma Thompson as Baroness von Hellman.

Arriving in style! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in the Duke of Edinburgh's treasured old Land Rover

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tonight hosted NHS Charities Together and NHS staff at a unique drive-in cinema to watch a special screening of Disney's Cruella at the Palace, where they are staying, on the penultimate day of their week-long visit to Scotland

Kate's chic Full Length Marlborough Trench Coat by Holland Cooper featured military-inspired epaulettes on each shoulder, a hook and bar closure at the centre front neck as well as a double-breasted front with a buckle-fastened belted waist

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tonight hosted NHS Charities Together and NHS staff at a unique drive-in cinema to watch a special screening of Disney's Cruella at the Palace

Kate swept her chestnut locks into a chic ponytail which showed off a dazzling pair of Dubai looped sapphire earrings which are currently on loan from Her Majesty The Queen

Kate wore a pair of earrings gifted to the Queen by former Dubai leader Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum in 1979. They were part of an elaborate jewellery set consisting of sapphires and diamonds set in gold

The smiling Duke and Duchess of Cambridge greet NHS staff as they host NHS Charities Together and NHS staff at a unique drive-in cinema

Kate's statement coat featured a double breasted-front with eye-catching gold buttons and a belted waist, giving it a fitted silhouette which complimented the Duchess of Cambridge 's slender frame

The couple, styled as the Earl and Countess of Strathearn whenever they visit Scotland, are staying at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh for their week-long visit north of the border

On Monday evening, William and Kate took part in a video call with Emma Thompson and Emma Stone, during which they discussed what it was like to make the film in parts of London, the incredible costumes featured in it as well as the inspirational work done by NHS staff across the country and how important it is to thank them.

Earlier today the couple paid a visit to St Andrews, where they met at university 20 years ago, and spoke to students about their pandemic experiences. They also visited St Salvator's, the halls of residence they both shared.

The couple became friends in their first year before romance blossomed after William saw 'hot' Kate strut down a charity fashion show catwalk in a sheer dress. They graduated in 2005 and William proposed five years later.

William and Kate, who share Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, six, and Prince Louis, three, and celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary this year, were in excellent spirits as they took a trip down memory lane before continuing to Fife where they met local fishermen and their families.

William and Kate pictured waving as they arrive in Prince Philip's old Land Rover. The Duke of Edinburgh was so fond of the British-made vehicles that he arranged for his coffin to be carried on one at his funeral, which was 'designed and custom-made to the Duke's specification'

The mother-of-three appeared to be wearing a shimmering gold skirt beneath the coat, and she teamed her outfit with a pair of emerald suede Manolo Blahnik stiletto heels

The beaming Duchess opted for her usual natural make-up with a slick of black eyeliner on the top lid, accentuated brows and a nude lip

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge greet actor Tipper Seifert-Cleveland who plays young Cruella in the new live-action flick

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge colour-matched their outfits perfectly, with William donning a smart navy suit with a white shirt which he left open at the collar

Disney is giving Cruella de Vil the live-action treatment with the anticipated new film, Cruella. Pictured: the Duke and Duchess meet with one of its young stars Tipper Seifert-Cleveland

The Duchess of Cambridge joined her husband in Scotland on Monday and the pair have continued with a busy schedule of royal engagements

Ahead of tonight's event, on Monday evening, Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge took part in a video call with Emma Thompson (top left) and Emma Stone (top right). They discussed what it was like to make the film in parts of London, the incredible costumes featured in it as well as the inspirational work done by NHS staff across the country and how important it is to thank them

The Duchess appeared to be wearing a shimmering gold skirt - or dress - beneath her coat, along with Manolo Blahnik green stilettos

Kate pictured giving a speech tonight. The Cambridges' visit is part of a broader royal charm offensive to help persuade Scotland to resist the demands of nationalists for independence

The Duchess thanked Her Majesty The Queen for allowing her and Prince William to host the first-ever drive-in film night at Holyrood

During the visit to Pittenweem Harbour on the Firth of Forth, the Duke and Duchess were shown the fishermens boats, which catch langoustines, lobsters and crabs.

Their Royal Highnesses spoke with individuals involved in various stages of the fishing process, including fishermen, the harbourmaster and a fish merchant, before enjoying a seafood BBQ with local restaurateur Amy Elles, who buys produce from the harbour at the local market.

Earlier in the day William and Kate went head-to-head in a land yacht race in St Andrews at West Sands Beach.

Kate, who was dressed down in her favourite 159 Longshore Barbour jacket, 310 See by Chloe boots and a 115 Campbell's of Beauly Fairisle Jumper, appeared unfazed by the strong winds and wet weather, and beamed as she shot past her husband.

At one point the Duchess's back wheel was lifted into the air by the force of the wind - but not even that was enough to stop Kate from smiling.

Plenty to smile about! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge today returned to the University of St Andrews where they met as students 20 years ago. The couple were in excellent spirits despite the rain

University sweethearts: Prince William and Kate Middleton on the day of their graduation ceremony in 2005

Polished: Kate was smartly dressed in a 650 striped Erdem jumper, 549 Jade Holland Cooper blazer and 90 Veja trainers

The royal couple were joined by a group from Fife Young Carers, which helps young carers maintain their well-being through a range of outdoor activities, workshops, and residential trips.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spoke to young carers about the challenges they have faced during the pandemic.

They also heard about the charitys work to raise awareness of the role of young carers in the local area, including introducing a 'Young Carers Authorisation Card' scheme in schools, pharmacies and other medical settings.

The card helps young carers easily identify themselves, without having to repeatedly outline their circumstances and personal stories to those in the local community.

The session was hosted by Blown Away, a local company who are the only commercial land yachting company in Scotland, and host sessions in St Andrews and other iconic Scottish locations.

Head-to-head: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sailed down the sand at West Sands Beach, St Andrews, this morning

There she blows! The Duchess of Cambridge had her land yachting kart lifted off the sand in a safety demonstration

Thrilled: The couple beamed as they crossed West Sands Beach, St Andrews, despite the bad weather

Yesterday William and Kate spent several hours in Orkney, opening a new hospital in Kirkwall and visiting a marine turbine machine. They also stopped at the home of a local family, the Bichans, to hear more about life in Orkney over a cup of tea.

The visit is part of a broader royal charm offensive to help persuade Scotland to resist the demands of nationalists for independence.

Prince William arrived in Scotland on Friday and has carried out a number of engagements focused on the environment, young people and mental well-being.

The Duchess of Cambridge joined her husband on Monday and the pair have continued with a busy schedule of royal engagements.
Diners are 'transported to Japan' when they walk through the doors of a humble cafe that serves the famous Osaka 'jiggly' pancakes.

Gram Cafe & Pancakes has attracted huge crowds since opening its first Australian venue in the Sydney north shore suburb of Chatswood in early 2020.

The $18.90 'premium' souffle pancakes are served with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, butter and maple syrup.

The ultra-fluffy three-tier pancakes have become the star attraction of the cafe, with many insisting their dining experience in Sydney was 'better than Osaka'.

Diners are 'transported to Japan' when they walk through the doors of a humble cafe that serves the famous Osaka 'jiggly' pancakes (pictured of a diner holding a plush toy pancake)

The $18.90 'premium' souffle pancakes are served with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, butter and maple syrup

The light texture of the pancakes are carefully created in the kitchen before serving.

The chefs whip egg-white batter on high speed until stiff peaks form. Next, they are steamed under metal domes, and then cooked on a hot plate until its golden on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside.

Before the store opening, the cafe's executive chef was flown to Sydney from Japan to teach the team the secret to perfecting the famous souffle pancakes.

The cafe has hundreds of near-perfect reviews on Google, with many saying they feel like they are being 'transported to Japan' via the dining experience.

'Don't get upset due to the long queues but you will be amazed with the fluffy pancakes. Feels like I'm in Japan without leaving the country, especially in this covid situation,' one wrote.

And another added: 'Pancakes were amazing (and very filling). We'd been to the original Gram in Osaka, but our experience here at Chatswood was actually a much better one. Would definitely go back again for more! Great pancakes and drinks.'

The ultra-fluffy three-tier pancakes have become the star attraction of the cafe, with many insisting their dining experience in Sydney was 'better than Osaka'

The cafe has hundreds of near-perfect reviews on Google, with many saying they feel like they are being 'transported to Japan' via the dining experience

Since opening, the Chatswood store has proved popular after customers revealed having to line up in massive queues, with up to two hours of wait time.

'The line was so long I had to queue for two hours. But worth the wait, they were amazing. They were so fluffy and the handmade cream on the side was so smooth and delicious,' one diner wrote.

Many regular customers revealed they can't get enough of the fluffy pancakes.

'I've been here a few times now and I really enjoy their fluffy pancakes with a great cup of coffee. If you want to try pancakes cooked in a different way then you will not be disappointed. These Japanese souffle pancakes are just delicious,' one said.

The range of toppings and sides include tiramisu, matcha or caramelised banana and honey apple with earl grey cream - or a savoury version served with smoked salmon or bacon.

Other items on the menu include brioche French toast, parfaits and smoothies.

Japan's famous Gram Cafe & Pancakes opened its first ever store in Sydney's Chatswood

Founded in Osaka in 2014, the Sydney venue is among the chain's 60 stores across Asian and North America

The Sydney store had initially offered a limited amount of pancakes per day but after drawing in large crowds since opening, the cafe has since served the souffle throughout the entire day.

'We hope everyone can understand that the response we have received over the last two to three days of the official grand opening has been incredibly overwhelming,' the cafe said in a statement.

'Our team are adapting their operations and trying to keep up with the demand... As such, there will be no limiting to the number of premium pancake portions per day, and we will be serving them throughout the day.'

The cafe said the ingredients are imported directly from Japan.

'The cream being used is not something you can buy in Australia, or else the fluffiness and flavours we have been able to achieve wouldn't be so unique,' the owners said.

Founded in Osaka in 2014, the venue at Chatswood Interchange, near the train station, is among the chain's 60 stores across Asian and North America.
Opioid deaths in Canada jumped by 135 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic, with younger people being hit especially hard, a new study finds.

Researchers from the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network, St Michaels University and Drexel University gathered overdose death data from the province of Ontario and compared the first six months of the pandemic to overdose deaths in previous six month timespans.

Weekly opioid deaths in the country jumped from 23 in September 2019 to 54 in March 2020.

Additionally, weekly deaths among those 35 and younger jumped from five to 21, an increase of 320 percent in the same time span.

The results show that Canada's largest province also dealt with a surge in opioid deaths last year across North America.

The findings also reflect similar trends in the US, with with at least 42 states reporting an increase in fatalities, since the crisis began, according to the American Medical Association.

A new study finds that weekly opioid deaths surged by 135% the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada, with weekly deaths among those 35 and younger jumping 320%

Opioid deaths in the months prior to the pandemic's start in March 2020 were relatively consistent, and then surged when COVID-19 begin to spread across the world, according to the study, published in JAMA Network Open on Wednesday.

Researchers found that 1,237 opioid overdose deaths were recorded in Ontario from March to September 2020.

Comparatively, March to September 2019, 766 deaths were recorded.

From September 2019 to March 2020, the six month timespan in between, 771 deaths were recorded.

Deaths increased across all age groups as well.

Deaths among individuals aged 15 to 34 increased to 426 from 249 and 274 in the previous two six month time spans, a 50 percent spike.

Individuals aged 35 to 54 also saw a rise of opioid deaths of over 50 percent.

The sharpest increase was among those aged 55 and older, where deaths swelled from 131 over six months to 233 over six months once the pandemic started - a more than 70 percent increase.

The gender breakdown of deaths stayed relatively consistent over all three time spans, with men accounting for around 75 percent of opioid overdose deaths.

Researchers blame the sharp increase in opioid deaths during the first six months of the pandemic to a multitude of factors.

Deaths among individuals aged 15 to 34 increased to 426 from 249 and 274 in the previous two six month time spans, a 50% spike. Men also accounted for around 75% of opioid overdose deaths

Much of the treatment opioid addicts received before the pandemic was either stopped or moved online last March.

The pandemic also caused increased social isolation for many, which leads to more drug use.

The general emotional toll of living through the pandemic may have also caused some to start abusing drugs.

The researchers said there is an urgent need for low-barrier access to harm reduction services, especially for younger people, in order to prevent the surge in 2020 from happening once again.

Opioid deaths have surged across the United States as well, with a 34 percent increase in deaths since the pandemic began last March.

Public health officials worry that the pandemic may have undone progress on controlling the opioid epidemic over the years.

Opioid deaths have become common place in the United States, with an epidemic officially being declared in 2017.

Some preventative public health measures have been put into place over the years, such as first responders carrying Narcan, a drug which can prevent overdoses, and Good Samaritan laws that protect those who seek medical treatment from an overdose from legal charges.
The number of Americans testing positive for marijuana on employer-required drug screenings is increasing, even as overall positive tests are decreasing, according to data from Quest Diagnostics.

In 2020, 2.7 percent of drug tests administered by Quest were positive for Marijuana, up from 2.5 percent the year before, first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

No other illicit drug had an increase in positivity. Cocaine, the next most common drug, dropping from 0.25 percent positivity in 2019 to 0.21 percent positivity in 2020.

The positivity rate overall decreased for the first time in a decade last year, as it decreased from 4.5 to 4.4 percent year-over-year.

The positivity rate of workforce drug testing decreased in 2020 after nearly a decade of year-over-year increase, new data from Quest Diagnostics show

Marijuana use is increasing across the country as more states begin to legalize it for medical and recreational use.

Purchase of legal marijuana skyrocketed during the pandemic, with the industry bringing in over $18 billion in revenue from April 2020 to April 2021.

Quest carries out a large portion of employer drug testing around the country, whether for new hires or for testing of current employees.

Dr Barry Sample, Quest's senior director for science and technology, told the Journal that attitudes towards marijuana are changing.

'We haven't really seen a sea change in the overall testing rate, but we've been seeing changes in the degree to which marijuana is included in the testing panels,' he said.

Some companies are removing marijuana from the list of drugs that will cause a prospective employee to fail a drug test.

By doing so, they are increasing their ability to recruit employees and widening their potential talent pool.

Despite the overall decrease in positivity rates, more testees were positive for marijuana in 2020 than in 2019, a trend that has continued over the past five years

The restaurant industry, which is currently undergoing a well documented labor shortage, had the highest marijuana positivity rate at 6.4 percent.

Turning away potential employees for smoking marijuana could exacerbate labor issues, so many are dropping the requirement for new employees.

Marijuana is fully legal in 16 states and the District of Columbia.

South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Kansas, Wyoming and Idaho are the only states where the drug is still fully illegal and not decriminalized.

Marijuana is at least partially legal in almost all American states. It is fully legalized for recreational use in 16 states, and many others are likely to follow in the coming years

Marijuana is significantly more popular with younger generations than older generations, signaling a potential change in public opinion over the years

While each state currently has its own rules, it is likely that more states begin to decriminalize and legalize marijuana for recreational use as public opinion changes.

Polling by Statista from 2019 shows that 22 percent of Americans aged 18 to 29 are currently users of marijuana.

It is a significantly larger portion of the population than the 11 percent of Americans aged 30 to 49, 12 percent of those aged 50 to 64 and only three percent of Americans aged 65 an older who currently use the drug.

Marijuana is still not legalized federally, though, meaning jobs that are part of or overseen by the federal government will reject candidates who test positive for the drug, no matter what state they reside in.

While the drug slowly becomes legalized in states across the country, there has been no action on the federal level to do so.
German scientists claim they have discovered why some coronavirus vaccines cause blood clots  and say jabs could be tweaked to stop the complication.

Two vaccines, one manufactured by Oxford-AstraZeneca and the other by Johnson & Johnson, have been linked to rare clotting disorders, particularly among women under the age of 50.

AstraZeneca's has been linked to 309 clots and 56 deaths in the UK out of 33million shots. The J&J single-dose vaccine has been linked to 28 cases in the US out of more than 10.4million shots.

The clots  which can occur in the brain  are happening alongside abnormally low platelet levels, known as thrombocytopenia.

Now, researchers at Goethe-University of Frankfurt and Ulm University, in Helmholtz, say the problem lies in the adenovirus vector  a common cold virus used so both vaccines can enter the body.

They say the vaccines can be adapted to prevent the rare side effect from occurring, reported the Financial Times.

It comes after 18-year-old student Ellie Peacock, who suffered clots after receiving AstraZeneca's jab in Australia, yesterday urged recipients to be aware and monitor any potential side effects.

Following her first dose on March 31, a week before the Government advised under-50s against receiving the jab, she suffered severe headaches and chest pains and was diagnosed with pneumonia before doctors finally discovered three blood clots in her lungs two months after the jab.

Mother-of-two Lauren Briggs, from Connah's Quay, North Wales, was nearly killed by a 'one in a million' blood clot from her AstraZeneca Covid vaccine  but she urged others to keep getting the jabs.

Ms Briggs, 32, suffered a range of symptoms within days of getting her jab, starting with a 'horrendous headache' before experiencing pain in her lower body that felt like her leg was 'exploding'.

Germans scientists say they have figured out why the Covid vaccines from AstraZeneca (left) and Johnson & Johnson (right) are linked to rare blood clots. In a new pre-print, the team says the problem is with the adenovirus vector, a common cold virus used to get the body to induce an immune response

Yesterday 18-year-old nursing student Ellie Peacock, who suffered blood clots after receiving the AstraZeneca jab, issued a warning to other Australians getting the vaccine, urging them to monitor for side effects

Lauren Briggs, from Connah's Quay, North Wales (left), is lucky to be alive after suffering a 'horrendous headache' within days of getting her jab (right)

Ellie Peacock shared photos of her hospital stay over TikTok, urging others to monitor for side effects after receiving the Covid-19 vaccin

Scientists believe that in some people, the immune system sees the vaccine as a threat and over-produces antibodies to fight it. These lead to the formation of clumps in the blood, which can become deadly if the clots move towards vital organs and cut off supply.

The complication spooked some countries into turning their backs on AstraZenecas jab, with Denmark opting against using it in April. Norway and Austria later followed suit.

Other countries have restricted its use to older adults. UK health chiefs say under-40s should be offered other jabs because the risk of blood clots doesnt clearly outweigh the benefits.

The decision was made because cases of Covid were plummeting, meaning the risk of catching the disease was tiny. On top of that, younger adults face little risk of falling seriously ill with Covid.

For older people who are at a genuine risk of dying if they catch Covid, the benefits of protection from the virus clearly outweigh any negative side effects, regulators say. The absolute risk of developing clots is around one in 100,000.

Some countries' decision to stop using the jab and criticisms of it sparked a political row in Europe, with EU leaders both demanding more supplies of the vaccine and at the same time claiming it didn't work and was dangerous.

German ministers claimed the jab didn't work at all old in people and France's Emmanuel Macron called it 'quasi-effective', despite real-world data having proven that it works.

Similar fears later emerged about the vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson after recipients in the US developed clots. That jab has been age-restricted in Europe, too.

The reason both have been linked to clotting is thought to be that they work in the same way  attaching part of the coronavirus to a damaged common cold bug called an adenovirus.

Russia's Sputnik V vaccine works in the same way but there have not yet been reports of that jab causing blood clots.

Dr Rolf Marschalek, a biochemistry professor at Goethe University in Germany, told the Financial Times clots may be caused by the way vaccine enters the body.

The paper says the problem is 'completely absent' in mRNA vaccines like Pfizer's and Moderna's.

Dr Marschalek suggests that the vaccine is delivered to the nucleus of the cell  a blob of DNA in the middle  rather than to the fluid around it that acts as a protein factory.

Bits of coronavirus proteins that get inside the nucleus can break up and the unusual fragments then get expelled out into the bloodstream, where they can trigger clotting in a tiny number of people, Dr Marschalek said.

The first clots to alarm people were ones appearing in veins near the brains of younger adults in a condition called CSVT (cerebral sinus venous thrombosis).

Since that, however, people have developed clots in other parts of their bodies and they are usually linked to low numbers of platelets, which is unusual because platelets are usually used by the immune system to build the clots.

In most cases people recover fully and the blockages are generally easy to treat if spotted early, but they can trigger strokes or heart or lung problems if unnoticed.

Dr Marschalek and colleagues think that the problem could be stopped if the genetic material in the vaccines is edited so that it doesn't break up inside the cell nucleus.

This could be done in the labs producing the jabs, he said, and Johnson & Johnson has already approached the team for advice on how it can change its own vaccine  the study does not outline how this would be done.

'With the data we have in our hands we can tell the companies how to mutate these sequences, coding for the spike protein in a way that prevents unintended splice reactions,' Dr Marschalek told the FT.

Daily infections (3,180) spiked by 18 per cent compared to last Wednesday's figure, reaching their highest level since April 12 (3,568). But deaths remained in single figures, with nine fatalities today up slightly on the three posted last Wednesday

Britain's mammoth vaccine drive continued at full steam ahead, with 387,987 top-up jabs dished out across the country yesterday. It takes the UK's number of fully vaccinated adults to more than 23.6million

British woman, 39, dies in Cyprus in 'blood clotting incident' days after receiving AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine A 39-year-old British woman has died in a Cypriot hospital after a blood clotting incident after receiving the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. Charalambos Charilaou, the spokesperson for the state health services, said the European Medicines Agency (EMA) would investigate the death. The woman, treated at Nicosia General Hospital's intensive care unit, received the first dose of the vaccine on May 6 in the resort town of Paphos on the western coast of the Mediterranean island. The woman, who was not named, suffered symptoms days later and died over the weekend. Cyprus health authorities have opened an investigation to see if the 'serious thrombotic episode' was linked to the AstraZeneca jab. Cypriot authorities are investigating another four other cases of 'mild' blood clotting incidents - three of which occurred after an AstraZeneca shot and one after a Pfizer jab - are also being investigated by Cyprus. Some countries have restricted or dropped AstraZeneca shots from national vaccine campaigns over very rare blood clots, though the EMA says the benefits outweigh the risks. AstraZeneca is the backbone of the vaccination rollout in Cyprus, where family doctors also allowed to administer the jab to anybody aged over 20. Advertisement

One case of blood clotting following the AstraZeneca jab was in a 39-year-old British woman who died in a hospital in Cyprus.

She had received the first dose of the vaccine on May 6 in the resort town of Paphos on the western coast of the Mediterranean island.

The woman, who was not named, suffered symptoms days later  they can include headache and fainting or seizures  and died over the weekend.

Cyprus health authorities opened an investigation to see if the 'serious thrombotic episode' was linked to the AstraZeneca jab.

In Europe, some countries have stopped using AstraZeneca's jab completely, while others, including Britain, recommend that younger women get a different vaccine.

It comes after data showed a growing number of people are suffering from blood clotting disorders after their second dose of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine, when scientists originally noticed most cases were linked to the first.

The UK's medical regulator found 15 cases in people given their booster dose by May 12, up from six at the start of the month.

So far more than 9million Britons have been given two doses of AstraZeneca's jab, meaning the extremely rare clots are occurring in around one in 600,000 people.

Scientists told MailOnline it was 'disappointing' the extremely rare complication was becoming more frequent in double-jabbed patients.

The clots are happening alongside abnormally low platelet levels, a condition known as thrombocytopenia.

But the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said symptoms were 'milder' and less frequent than after the first dose.

As of May 12, the MHRA had spotted 294 cases of the clots in Britons given an initial injection, affecting about one in 80,000.

The conditions were found to be occurring more frequently in young people, which has led to the British jab being restricted for use in under-40s.
Vaccine lotteries across the country may not convince around 20 percent of Americans to get their COVID-19 shot.

States including Colorado, Maryland, New York, Ohio and Oregon have announced programs, in which people can win as much as $1 million by getting the vaccine.

But a public health expert warns that while the lotteries are worthwhile to sway those who are on the fence, they are unlikely to convince adults who are staunchly against getting the jab.

'Ultimately, the key goal across the world is to get as many shots into arms as possible, every vaccinated person is one more person with substantially reduced risk of spreading the virus further,' Lynn Kamerlin, a professor at Uppsala University in Sweden, told DailyMail.com.

'In that sense, the lottery will likely get a group of people who otherwise would not have gotten vaccinated vaccinated, but it will hit a ceiling because eventually you will hit the people who will not get vaccinated under any circumstances.

''How to reach out to those people I am not sure.'

Some states, like Ohio, Maryland and New York, are holding vaccine lotteries or distributing vaccine scratch cards in order to boost dwindling demand for vaccines in their state

After hitting it's peak in late April, demand for vaccines across America has decreased in recent weeks. Lynn Kamerlin, a Swedish health expert, believes the lottery could help boost the demand, and early data from Ohio shows the lotteries may be working

America's vaccine rollout has slowed down in recent weeks after hitting highs in late April.

For the last few weeks, the amount of Americans seeking the vaccine has declined, despite there still being a large population of unvaccinated Americans and the eligibility of the vaccine being expanded to include children aged 12 to 15.

Kamerlin says she thinks there are benefits to the vaccine lottery program, but that there is a ceiling to their effectiveness.

'The main challenge is that there are two groups of people who don't want to get vaccinated right now: the convinced anti-vaccine crowd, for whom no amount of lottery or other incentives is going to get them to take a vaccine.' she said.

'And then a second layer of people who don't consider themselves particularly high risk for COVID in the first place, likely were masking when there were mandates but also still comfortable doing things like eating indoors unmasked, don't have strong anti-public-health-interventions attitudes, but at the same time are neutral and feel like they are not at sufficiently high risk to warrant taking a vaccine.'

The first group of people will not be effected by programs like the vaccine lottery, as they have already made up their mind.

People in the second group will likely get vaccinated if there are enough incentives for them to do so, as they have no strong reason to not get vaccinated.

According to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, 19 percent of Americans say they either will not get the vaccine, or will only get it if it is required.

That group is unlikely to be motivated by the lottery.

'The vaccine lottery is a new more extreme example of initiatives like giving away free burgers at major chains and similar,' Kamerlin continued.

'There will for sure be a segment of people who fall in this spectrum who may otherwise not have taken the initiative to get vaccinated, but who will be more motivated when there is a big prize potentially at play for it.'

She said that there is no way to know for sure if the lottery is that exact incentive many unvaccinated but willing people need to get the shot, though.

Rep Jena Powell, an Ohio Republican in the state legislature, is attempting to block the state's lottery program, calling it a waste of resources.

Powell referred to the lottery as a 'grave misuse' of funds earlier this week.

She filed a bill to stop the lottery from happening earlier this week.

Early results show that vaccination rates in the state have increased since the lottery was announced, after weeks of declining vaccine demand, especially among the state's younger population.

The state saw a 55 percent increase in its vaccination rate after announcing the lottery.

More than 2.7 million Ohio residents have entered the lottery so far.

White House senior adviser Andy Slavitt says the federal government supports federal relief funds being used for vaccine lotteries

Maryland, New York and Oregon have announced similar vaccine lotterird in recent weeks, with Maryland already drawing a winner.

The federal government has approved the use of relief funds to go towards vaccine lotteries, which is how Ohio and the other states are finding the money for the programs.

'We are nothing if not responsive to good ideas,' said Andy Slavitt, the White House senior adviser on COVID-19, this week when asked about the use of relief funding for the lotteries.

'We encourage states to use their creativity to draw attention to vaccines and get their states and the country back to normal as quickly as possible.'

As of Wednesday afternoon, almost half of Americans are fully vaccinated, and 60 percent of adults, have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Health officials believe the level needed to reach herd immunity may be somewhere around 80 percent of the population vaccinated.

The federal government has no plans to require the vaccine at this time.
A ban on flavored tobacco products in San Francisco intended to reduce youth smoking may have had the opposite effect, a new study suggests.

The 2018 ban was mainly targeted towards the sale of flavored vapes and electronic cigarettes that are popular with underage smokers.

That same year, the California city saw a 30 percent increase in underage use of cigarettes, while other cities across the country continue to see declines.

Researchers from the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) believe the ban caused high schoolers who would have used the flavored nicotine to instead reach for cigarettes.

Youth smoking has declined across the country for years. San Francisco instituted a ban on the sale of flavored nicotine products in 2018, and in doing so may have caused more youths to start smoking more dangerous cigarettes

The increased popularity of flavored nicotine products like vapes and e-cigarettes have led to many more youth using nicotine than before.

The team, says its study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, is the first to see how flavor bans affect the smoking habits of teenagers

'These findings suggest a need for caution,' study author Dr Abigail Friedman, an assistant professor of health policy at YSPH, said in a statement.

'While neither smoking cigarettes nor vaping nicotine are safe per se, the bulk of current evidence indicates substantially greater harms from smoking, which is responsible for nearly one in five adult deaths annually.

'Even if it is well-intentioned, a law that increases youth smoking could pose a threat to public health.'

Smoking cigarettes is seen more dangerous than vaping, because someone who smokes cigarettes is also inhaling tobacco and other more dangerous chemicals, unlike vaping where a person is only inhaling heated nicotine.

The author of the study used surveys from school districts' Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System to gather data on underage smoking across the nation and in San Francisco.

The ban on flavored tobacco was made hoping for the opposite result, with the belief that flavored products were a gateway to eventual cigarette usage.

Flavored tobacco products have often been the blame for an increase in youth nicotine abuse with a slate of bills passed the country.

Last year, sale of all electronic cigarettes was banned in San Francisco and Chicago banned the sale of flavored nicotine.

The entire state of New York became the first to do so when they banned the sale of flavored tobacco products last year.

A bill in Florida that would have done the same passed through the state legislature in 2020, but was vetoed by Governor Ron DeSantis.

A 2020 survey found that more than 80 percent of youths who consumed nicotine did so through flavored vaped or e-cigarettes.

The survey also showed that many were transitioning from the flavored nicotine to menthol cigarettes, which also have a mint flavor.

Menthol cigarettes have recently been targeted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and could potentially be banned in America during the Joe Biden administration.

The FDA claims the cigarettes are more likely to hurt minority and younger Americans, though some disagree with the potential ban.

Menthol cigarettes are already banned in Massachusetts, and also in the United Kingdom, Brazil and other countries.

Whether the data from the Yale study is an externality or a real sign that the bans cause more harm then good can not fully be known without more research, though the trend in San Francisco is worrying as more nicotine and tobacco bans seem to be on the way across the United States.
Shares in Marks & Spencer have been staging an impressive recovery, having all but doubled in value in little over a year.

Does this herald a genuine new dawn for the retailer, which has been in a state of perpetual turnaround for the past 20 years, or just another false one?

The core problem for chairman Archie Norman and chief executive Steve Rowe is the one in the old joke about the Englishman in Connemara who asked a genial farmer the way to Letterfrack: you wouldn't start from here.

M&S is making stupendous efforts to pivot away from dowdy stores in the wrong places. It has invested heavily in tech in shops, including till-free shopping and automated click and collect

The food business has performed well and the joint venture with Ocado has got off to a roaring start.

But clothing remains in the doldrums, despite a valiant attempt to pivot online and towards leisure and casual togs.

Some of this is pandemic-related. M&S has traditionally been a destination for good value work and formal wear.

Having conducted numerous Zoom calls with senior executives in polo shirts, it is an open question to me whether anyone is going back into suits.

The retailer is taking a leaf out of Next's book and hosting brands online, including Finery and Nobody's Child.

This doesn't guarantee winning market share from the myriad of competition for the middle-aged fashionista's purse, nor does it address the bigger issue of how to make clothes shopping in stores more enjoyable.

M&S is making stupendous efforts to pivot away from dowdy stores in the wrong places. It has invested heavily in tech in shops, including till-free shopping for food and automated click and collect, where customers go to a kiosk, type in their name and receive their order in less than a minute.

Rowe has also launched a major initiative called MS2  let's hope any similarity to HS2 is purely coincidental  to make stores and online work better together, and to leverage the vast amounts of information it has on customers' habits and preferences.

Brexit has not helped M&S, which is taking a big hit on food exports in terms of tariffs and administrative costs.

These are likely to come to up to 47million in 2021-22, of which up to 33million relate to the island of Ireland, and they are not teething problems but likely to be a permanent extra expense. In the context of the retailer's current profits, these are a significant burden.

In an ideal world, M&S would probably be better off only selling food and lingerie. This is impractical: clothing and homewares are often in the same shops and cannot easily be hived off.

Disposing of stores in the current environment  with doubts over the future of the High Street  is not easy.

The overhaul of the store estate, with old ones closing and new ones opening up, will grind on. M&S recently promoted Katie Bickerstaffe and Stuart Machin to joint chief operating officers, setting tongues wagging about succession planning.

Steve Rowe is not ready to go yet, but will he succeed where his predecessors failed? Let's hope so.

The share rally is heartening, but as long-term holders like myself  I have a small stake  are all too aware, M&S is a long way from the 560p price of a few years ago (and peak over 700p in 2007).

I'd love to see M&S regain its place in the FTSE 100 and at the pinnacle of British retail, but I'm not sure I would put money on it.

Heeling touch

The Daily Mail has this week launched campaign to shine a light on the activities of private equity.

Some models of ownership are riskier than others but none are inherently good or bad: it comes down to the behaviour of those in charge.

Mutuality is often heralded as morally superior, yet who could forget the antics of Crystal Methodist Paul Flowers, chairman of the Co-operative Bank?

There are private equity successes that show how well it can work, done properly.

Kurt Geiger, the shoe chain, whose chief executive Neil Clifford we interview today, stands out as a contrast to the damaging private equity takeovers that have scarred our high streets.

The British Venture Capital Association argues that private equity has an important role in supporting the UK economy to build back better after Covid, and to meet the climate change challenges that we all face.

I agree.

But it will only fulfil that role if it roots out the sharp practice that has given buyout barons a bad name.

The best way to do that is for private equity firms to adopt the Daily Mail's manifesto for responsible investment.
Havoc wreaked on British Lands estate of shops and offices by the coronavirus crisis has put it on the back foot.

The pandemic sent shopper numbers plunging and left offices empty as lockdown forced people to stay at home.

That resulted in a third annual loss in a row for British Land, whose empire includes the Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield and office blocks in the City of London.

Retail strife: Covid sent shopper numbers plunging resulting in a third annual loss in a row for British Land, whose empire includes Sheffield's Meadowhall shopping centre (pictured)

The company posted losses of 1.08billion in the year to March 31, slightly better than the 1.11billion in the previous year.

And the value of its property portfolio fell by 10.8 per cent  or 1.1billion  to 9.1billion. The firm warned the market was set to remain tough as rents continue to decline.

Chief executive Simon Carter said it had been an extraordinary year that had compounded existing challenges for retailers.

More than 1billion was wiped off British Lands stock market value yesterday, as the shares slid 3.7 per cent, or 19p, to 500.6p.

Stock Watch - Zotefoams Foam manufacturer Zotefoams had a strong start to the year, as demand for its padding products grew. The firm, whose customers include Unilever, Red Bull, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, makes materials used in everything from shoes and food packaging to aeroplane and car seats. While gyms were closed in the pandemic, Zotefoams noted that it had seen particularly strong sales of its materials for use in trainers. Sales of its specialist insulation products, used in cleanrooms such as laboratories, were also up. Shares rose 9.1 per cent, or 37p, to 442p.

The dividend was cut from 16p a share to 15p. But the landlord is trying to turn its fortunes around. It has sold about 1.2billion of property over the past year to boost its finances and fund new developments.

British Land has also spent some 200million on buying retail parks, which have become more popular during the pandemic.

And it is focusing on London office developments, as it believes high-quality buildings will still be wanted by top firms.

Even so, its results weighed on the FTSE 100, which ended the day down by 0.04 per cent, or 2.86 points, at 7026.93.

Energy company SSE also dipped, by 0.5 per cent, or 8p, to 1542p, after lockdowns pushed down demand for electricity and punched a 170million hole in its profits.

But chemicals firm Croda International, up 2.6 per cent, or 180p, to 7018p, and engineering firm Aveva, up 2.6 per cent, or 88p, to 3416p, were both propping up the blue-chip index after votes of confidence from analysts at Goldman Sachs and UBS respectively.

The FTSE 250 did rather better, up 0.9 per cent, or 201.18 points, at 22,640.08, despite a drag from drinks company C&C Group.

The firm, which owns brands including Tennents lager and Bulmers and Magners cider, is going cap-in-hand to investors for 151million.

It needs money to pay down debt and keep the business ticking over, after lockdowns hammered sales in pubs. Around 80 per cent of its turnover came from pubs and bars before the pandemic.

Revenue in the year to February 28 fell 56.1 per cent to 636.6million. It swung to an operating loss of 51.5million from a profit of 102.5million a year earlier.

Investors will have the chance to buy 23 new shares for every six they own, at 186p each. C&C fell by 11.4 per cent, or 34.6p, to 270p.

Mike Ashleys Frasers Group decided to put to bed speculation he would bid for Hugo Boss, after his investment company Mash Holdings built up a 5.1 per cent stake in the German fashion business.

The announcement was made after the market closed, but Frasers shares were already up 1.8 per cent, or 10p, to 580p after it said it had sold down its stake in online shopping firm Studio Retail Group.

Bus company Go-Ahead slipped 3.1 per cent, or 40p, to 1260p as chief executive David Brown, said he would step down at the end of the year, after a decade at the helm.

Auction Technology Group, which runs online sales of specialist items from machinery to antiques, soared 12.2 per cent, or 118p, to 1084p after unveiling its half-year results.

It only listed in February, and says its revenue jumped 431 per cent to 34.5million in the six months to March though its losses widened from 12.3million to 22.6million

IT company Softcat said Covid savings may begin to unravel when its staff can travel again.

Results for the year to July would be ahead of expectations. Shares climbed 6.9p per cent, or 125p, to 1929p.
Big oil has come under fire from the courts and investors as pressure mounts on them to go green.

In a major win for campaigners including Friends of the Earth, Shell lost a landmark court case in Holland when a judge ordered it to ramp up its plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Revolution was also in the air in the US, where corporate titan Exxon Mobil's shareholders backed activists in their bid to reshape the company.

In a major win for campaigners including Friends of the Earth, Shell lost a court case in Holland when a judge ordered the company to ramp up plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions

Rival oil giant Chevron also faced a rebellion at its annual general meeting over climate change.

Danni Hewson, financial analyst at AJ Bell, said: 'Climate activists have power and they've figured out how to use it.

'Change can be painful but it is coming. Reaching the ambitious climate targets western governments have set requires big oil to be at the forefront of that change.'

With the oil industry in particular under pressure to clean up its act, Shell had set out plans to reduce emissions by 20 per cent within a decade and reach net zero by 2050.

But Milieudefensie, the Dutch wing of Friends of the Earth, called on the company to go faster, cutting carbon emissions by 45 per cent by 2030.

A lawsuit was filed in April 2019 on behalf of more than 17,000 Dutch citizens who claimed Shell was threatening human rights by investing billions in the production of fossil fuels.

The case was heard in The Hague, where Shell's headquarters are based. Yesterday, Judge Larisa Alwin backed the campaigners, and said that by 2030 Shell's net carbon emissions must be 45 per cent lower than 2019 levels.

The decision stunned investors, and Shell said it would appeal.

The judgement means Shell will have to ramp up current climate policies radically to hit the target and it is expected to sell more assets and cut back exploration.

Alwin said her decision would require 'a change of policy' from Shell that could 'curb the potential growth of the Shell group'.

The ruling shows how strong climate change activists have become and oil majors can no longer brush them aside. Donald Pols, director of Friends of the Earth Netherlands, said it was 'a monumental victory.'

While many countries have signed up to the Paris Agreement on climate change, companies are not part of the agreement and are not bound by national pledges.

The ruling could set a precedent and make oilers' climate change emissions plans legally binding.

Hours later, activist hedge fund Engine No.1 won a big victory over Exxon Mobil at the company's annual general meeting.

Shareholders elected two of Engine's four nominated directors to the board. Engine is trying to reshape the oiler to make it ramp up plans to combat climate change. Second-largest shareholder Blackrock was among those to back Engine nominees.

Separately, Chevron executives were clobbered as 61 per cent of investors voted for a proposal to reduce emissions from its customers.

US oil giants have been slow to change and while European oil companies have been selling off oil fields and cutting back on exploration, Exxon and Chevron have doubled down on oil.

But US President Joe Biden has said that this is the 'decisive decade' for climate change, and the US has pledged to cut carbon emissions by 50 to 52 per cent below 2005 levels by the year 2030.
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Since 1978, when Frank W. Abagnale Jr. sat down with Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show, the nation has been fascinated with his fantastic feats - immortalized in a book, movie and Broadway musical. However, a new book claims that not only are Abagnale's daring and dazzling tales fake or inflated, some are also impossible: He was in jail or prison for much of the time he said he was scamming. Above, Abagnale, then 20, posing as a Trans World Airlines pilot

Frank W. Abagnale Jr. may be running the longest con ever.

Known for Catch Me If You Can, Abagnale was a clever teen who posed as a Pan Am pilot to travel the world in the 1960s. He raked in $2.5 million passing off bad checks  all while evading the FBI and Interpol. His fantastic feats were immortalized in his 1980 book, then in a 2002 blockbuster movie and later on, in 2011, a Broadway musical.

But a new book claims that not only are his daring and dazzling tales fake or inflated, some are also impossible: He was in jail or prison for much of the time he said he was scamming.

Abagnale, who was born in 1948, has said he committed his crimes between the ages of 16 and 21. Records show he was serving a three-year sentence for forgery at Great Meadow Correctional Institute in Comstock, New York from July 1965 until his release in December 1968. He was paroled but was quickly sent back after violating it.

'There was no ongoing hunt for the guy who later claimed, absurdly, that he was the youngest man ever to make the FBI's Top Ten Most Wanted list,' wrote Alan C. Logan in his new book, The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth, While We Can.

While Abagnale did briefly fool people into thinking he was a pilot, the book maintains he was often swiftly caught and arrested, and that his schemes did not net him millions. For instance, according to the book, during a 12-week period of a Pan Am pilot ruse, he filched $1,448.60.

Presented as a bold mastermind who only committed victimless and harmless crimes, the book paints another picture of Abagnale: A criminal who used his own name on counterfeit checks that he cashed at mom-and-pop businesses and who stole from a summer camp and a hardworking family in Baton Rouge.

Paula Parks Campbell knows this all too well: In 1969, Abagnale pleaded guilty to stealing from her family after they took him in as a gesture of Southern hospitality.

'He's still conning,' she told DailyMail.com. 'The irreparable harm he has done to so many people, including my mother, needs to be bought to the light.'

Abagnale declined DailyMail.com's interview request. He wrote in an email: 'I have not read the book, nor do I think it is worthy of a comment.'

'When I was sixteen years old I successfully impersonated an airline pilot for Pan American Airlines for two years until I was eighteen. At the age of eighteen I became the chief resident pediatrician of a Georgia hospital where I practiced medicine there for about a year. At the age of nineteen, having never been to law school in my life, I took the state bar exams in the State of Louisiana, I passed the bar and became a licensed attorney. Before my nineteenth birthday was over, I was appointed the Assistant Attorney General of the State, where I practiced law in that position for about a year,' Abagnale said during a 1994 speech, according to a new book. Above, Leonardo DiCaprio, left, with Abagnale, on the set of Catch Me If You Can, which was released in 2002, in an undated photo. DiCaprio played Abagnale in the film

Paula Parks, above, had just started with Delta in 1969 when she met Abagnale, who was then posing as a TWA pilot, on a flight, she told DailyMail.com. He ended up meeting her family in Baton Rouge, taking them up on their Southern hospitality, staying with them and then stealing checks from them, according to The Greatest Hoax on Earth

Author Alan C. Logan started researching Abagnale after he published a book in 2019 about another con man, Dr. Robert Vernon Spears. Logan wrote DailyMail.com: 'Reviewers of the book inevitably compared Spears with the man commonly known as the world's greatest con man, Abagnale.'

His research led to newspaper articles in 1978 that closely examined the con man's claims and to the Parks family in Baton Rouge.

Paula Parks was a new stewardess for Delta in 1969. In early January, on a night flight from New York to Miami, a pilot from Trans World Airlines hitched a ride  a courtesy airlines extend to one another for on-duty crew members who need to travel for an assignment.

That TWA 'pilot' was Abagnale, then 20.

'He was very charming, very charming,' she told DailyMail.com.

After landing in Miami, he invited the flight attendants out for a meal, but since it was late, they ended up grabbing hot dogs. The next morning, two dozen roses and a five-pound box of candy were waiting for Parks at the hotel's front desk. There was also a note from Abagnale asking her to lunch. Not wanting to go alone, a co-worker went with her. After the meal, he asked for her number and she gave it to him.

'I wish to this day that I hadn't,' Parks told Logan, the author of The Greatest Hoax on Earth.

Abagnale then started showing up wherever she landed and she later learned he had gotten her schedule from the airline. 'It was just creepy. I really felt he was stalking me,' she said in the book.

'John and Charlotte Parks had everything Abagnale craved. Love. A wonderful family. A happy home. They had it in spades. They worked hard for everything they had. With their generous hearts, they were beloved in the community. "Bud" to his friends and family, John was a music educator, known locally and throughout Louisiana. Charlotte was a nurse,' Logan wrote in his new book. Above, Abagnale with John and Charlotte Parks in 1969

'My parents did what any good-hearted Southern Christian family would do. They opened the door and gave him a room in the house. By the time I heard about this, mamma was cooking his meals and cleaning up after him!' Parks told Logan. 'They had even cut him a set of keys to the house!' After Abagnale moved out of the Parks house, above, local police soon arrested him on February 14, 1969. He then admitted to taking a check from the Parks, forging John's name and cashing it for $150, which is around $1,000 in today's money, according to a Louisiana court document

The Parks family were flabbergasted when they saw Johnny Carson interviewing Abagnale on The Tonight Show in 1978. John Parks later told a local newspaper: 'He made his claim on TV that he'd never done anything to hurt any families. I wanted his address real bad.' Paula Parks told DailyMail.com: 'It just broke my mother's heart. She changed forever.' Parks also said that Abagnale stole from her younger brother, a teen who was then bagging groceries at a store. Charlotte Parks told the newspaper: 'I fed him. I cooked. I think the thing that hurt me most that someone would come into our home I don't trust people as much anymore.' Above, DiCaprio in a still from 2002's Catch Me If You Can

In New Orleans, when she told Abagnale that she was going to Baton Rouge to see her family, he offered to drive her. During the visit, she said: 'Everybody was so impressed he was a TWA pilot. They just fell in love with him.'

When they were leaving, Parks' mother, Charlotte, invited Abagnale fishing  an offer that he took her up on a few days later. He then moved in with the family and stayed in Parks' room while Charlotte cooked and cleaned for him, according to the book. Parks told DailyMail.com that she refused to go home while he was there.

By the time he moved out of the Parks home, local police were on to Abagnale in connection to bogus checks and he was arrested on Valentine's Day. Abagnale, who had been released from prison on December 24, 1968, was again in jail, according to the book and records.

'Like a Lifetime made-for-TV drama, Abagnale had been rifling through the family's possessions when their backs were turned (H)e discovered what he was really looking for - checkbooks. He peeled off some checks from the back of the checkbook in order to minimize the risk that it would be noticed. Signing John Parks' name, he had been siphoning their account. One of the checks was for $150, which is the equivalent of over $1,000 today,' Logan wrote in his new book.

Parks said he also stole from her younger brother, a teen who was then bagging groceries at the store. She pointed out that her father, John, was a teacher, and her mother, Charlotte, was a nurse. Abagnale had taken them out to dinners and brought Charlotte flowers  with money he had stolen from them, according to the book and Parks.

In The Greatest Hoax on Earth, Logan notes that Abagnale had some lucky breaks and this was one of them. After he pleaded guilty to theft and forgery, a judge sentenced him to 12 years. But he got supervised probation instead of being sent to the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, which was infamous for its horrid conditions. He was also ordered to undergo psychiatric treatment, according to the book.

Camp Manison was a beloved summer camp in Friendswood, Texas owned by a well-known member of the community, Tom Manison. In the summer of 1974, recently paroled Abagnale told Manison he was a furloughed pilot for Delta and was hired to run errands and as a bus driver, according to The Greatest Hoax on Earth. After valuables like cameras went missing, suspicion fell on Abagnale. It was also uncovered that he was not a pilot for Delta and the police were called, according to the book. Above, Abagnale in a Camp Manison photo in 1974

On August 29, 1974, Abagnale, then 26, was arrested, above, for the thefts at the camp. However, Logan noted in his book, that the judge 'knocked his low-level felony cases down to misdemeanors and just dispensed fines. So, once again, Abagnale looked set to skate through the system.' In a November 27, 2017 Talks at Google, Abagnale said he had only been arrested once when he was 21 - an assertion the book disputes

In the late 1970s, Abagnale had a press kit. In the 1978 version reviewed by DailyMail.com, its title page stated: 'Impostor Extraordinaire, Incredible Hoaxer, Retired Master Forger.' Then under Introduction to a Legendary Figure, it states that he was 'once one of the world's most-sought con men and fraudulent check writers.' Logan wrote in his book that the story known about Abagnale started in Houston around 1976. The next year, he was on the show To Tell the Truth and in 1978, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Above, Abagnale and Mark Zinder, who was his booking agent, in 1980 - the year Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake was published

The book, which was co-authored with Texas journalist Stan Redding, was a success and by 1981, Abagnale was a highly sought-after speaker. Logan wrote: 'Abagnale played up his role as a jet-set playboy and international man of mystery. And he always dressed the part... in his top pocket, what appeared to be an expensive pocket square was really a pair of women's silk panties.' He then pulled them out 'like a magician,' Logan wrote in The Greatest Hoax on Earth, and seen above at Stephen F Austin University in 1981

Later on, Abagnale had a press kit to promote himself as a speaker and security consultant. In the 1978 version reviewed by DailyMail.com, its title page stated: 'Impostor Extraordinaire, Incredible Hoaxer, Retired Master Forger.'

The dossier described his time in Baton Rouge differently: 'Cooling off in Baton Rouge after one such escapade, Abagnale learned the state's attorney general was seeking assistants. Using the name Robert Conrad, and a faked law degree transcript from Harvard, Abagnale applied for one of the positions. After a month studying law and three attempts, Abagnale passed the bar examination and was hired at a salary of $12,000 a year.'

According to the book, Abagnale was in jail from February 14 until his sentencing on June 12, 1969.

Logan, who spent about 18 months researching his book, then traces where Abagnale went after he skipped town that June 1969. Logan wrote: 'It would not have been difficult for Abagnale to reach Europe - especially by dusting off another airline costume. That summer, Pan Am began offering bargain-basement deals to employees of competing airlines like Delta or TWA - seventy-five percent off a seat to Europe. Qualification for the deal was easy.'

According to records, Abagnale served three months in a French prison and then two months in a Swedish one. He had pushed bogus checks in both countries and stolen two cars, according to the book.

'I think it is important to underscore that Mr. Abagnale has made outrageous claims for over forty years, claims that cannot be deflected onto his now deceased co-author, Stan Redding. Abagnale was making his primary claims years before the 1980 book was published, and before Stan Redding wrote any article about Abagnale,' Alan C. Logan wrote DailyMail.com. Above, the cover of his new book, The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth, While We Can

In the early 1970s, he was back in the United States. By August 1974, the then 26-year-old Abagnale was arrested for stealing from a summer camp in Friendswood, Texas. While he was ordered to pay restitution to the camp's owner, he was not sentenced to any jail time, according to the book.

In around 1976, Abagnale started to build his career as a speaker and security consultant in Houston, according to the book. He would also launch his own firm Abagnale & Associates.

He first spoke to local organizations but after a few newspaper articles about him and his story - one of a misguided teen who pulled off harmless incredible capers to a reformed con man working on the side of law enforcement - Abagnale was chosen to be on a show called To Tell the Truth in 1977. Celebrity panelists had to figure out which one of three people was telling the truth.

He said on the show: 'I, Frank William Abagnale, am known as the world's greatest imposter. And no wonder. In the course of my nefarious career I've palmed myself off as a doctor, lawyer, college instructor, stockbroker, and airline pilot.'

After an appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in April 1978, his book soon followed. Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake was co-authored by Stan Redding, a Texas journalist who had also written an article about the con man.

The book, which was published in 1980, was a success.

Mark Zinder, who was Abagnale's booking agent around this time, told DailyMail.com: 'He was so good. I was so good, I would fill up his calendar in a couple months. He's a master storyteller. He has an amazing memory.'

The two parted ways. Abagnale's star kept rising and both Zinder and Paula Parks Campbell said they contacted the media throughout the years. 'The guy has no conscience, he was still telling bald-faced lies. And the media weren't interested in veracity. And that just enabled and emboldened him more,' Zinder said in the book.

Zinder told DailyMail.com: 'No one wanted to ruin the story.'
A crazed woman was caught on camera stealing a dog rescued from a shelter patronized by celebrities including the Kardashians, Charlize Theron and the Jonas Brothers.

Cody Wood said he was walking his friend's German Shepherd/Pug mix named Noodle, in Las Vegas last Wednesday morning when a woman pulled up in her car and began yelling that the animal was hers.

Wood and another witness said the middle-aged woman then got out her car and attacked him, wrestling the dog from him while he was distracted calling the police, and sped off in her car - almost running him over in the process.

A bystander, a local business owner who asked to be named only as Raina, caught the bizarre attack on camera and shared the video with DailyMail.com.

The dog's owner, Julien Calella, said he adopted Noodle last year from Los Angeles shelter The Labelle Foundation, patronized by a raft of A-listers.

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Video shared with DailyMail.com captured the moment a crazed woman took off with Julien Calella's dog, Noodle (pictured) in Las Vegas Wednesday morning

Julien's friend Cody Wood (pictured) had been taking Noodle on his morning walk to a nearby cafe Wednesday when a woman (in pink) suddenly pulled up in her car and began shouting that the dog was hers

Wood said he initially thought the dog-napper was being 'sweet' as she asked him if she could see the pooch

The woman, who was not identified, was seen wrestling the dog out of Wood's arms as he tried to call the police

The Kardashians have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the shelter, while Charlize Theron, the Jonas Brothers, Pink and Sharon Stone have all either adopted dogs from the charity, donated or volunteered there.

The woman was later arrested trying to board a flight out of the state after getting into an altercation with Homeland Security officers, Calella said police told him.

And in a stroke of luck Noodle was found and turned in to a local shelter on Friday - where Callela was videoed being reunited with his furry friend.

Wood said he and Calella, 29, were staying in Vegas setting up a new restaurant for their company, Wish You Were Here Group, and he decided to take Noodle for a walk to a nearby cafe around 8:30am Wednesday.

'The woman pulled up in the car. She said "hey, can I see your dog?" She sounded like she was being nice and sweet,' Wood, 36, said.

'I didn't move but then she opened the door and said "that's my dog," and then started calling the dog, which was alarming.

'Then she got out of the car. At that point I picked up the dog and people could tell it was becoming a situation.'

The woman was seen punching Wood and managed to pull Noodle into her car during the struggle, causing him to fall back on the ground

She then took the pooch and sped off in her car - almost running Wood over in the process

Noodle was eventually picked up and brought into a local shelter, where he was later reunited with Calella. According to police, the woman told detectives she left Noodle on the street near the coffee shop after she realized the dog was not hers

Video of the heartwarming reunion showed Noodle was clearly

'She approached me at that point. She was saying "that's my dog," I said, "no it's not". I said "let's call the cops, if you really think this is your dog we'll wait for the police and we'll have time to get everything sorted out." She agreed and stepped away.

'While on the phone with the police, that's when the video starts. She came and started pulling the dog.

'She had one of the dog's legs in her hands and was pulling so hard it looked like it might severely injure Noodle.'

Raina, 34, said she first noticed the woman when she 'almost ran me over' in the Dutch Bros Coffee parking lot.

She said she saw the woman accost Wood, then when he was distracted calling the police, she said the woman punched him three times.

'She started punching him in the face to try to get hold of the dog,' Raina said. 'She was yelling.

'With all her weight she pulled them both into her car. That's when it looked like he got pinned between her door and the panel. I saw her turn it from park to drive. If he hadn't realized to roll to his left he would have gotten run over.'

Calella told DailyMail.com he got 10-month-old, 30lb Noodle from the Labelle Foundation

The German Shepherd-Pug mix was born at the shelter after his pregnant mother was transferred from another animal charity and was originally named Tater-tot, founder Laura Labelle revealed

'The entire thing was so shocking,' said Wood. 'Once she got it in drive she stepped on the gas so quickly I was very close to the tires. She just hit go and unfortunately she got away with Julien's beautiful dog.'

Calella told DailyMail.com he got 10-month-old, 30lbs Noodle from the Labelle Foundation.

'We just instantly bonded. I took him home the same day I met him,' he said.

'This is awful. It's so crazy and hard to believe I haven't fully processed it.

'Just not having him looking through the window when I pull up to the house is heart-wrenching.'

LVMPD confirmed the alleged theft in a statement to DailyMail.com.

'A victim was walking through a parking lot located in the 2800 block of East Tropicana with a dog,' LVMPD said in a statement. 'The victim alleges a female approached him and accused him of stealing her dog.

'A struggle ensued and the suspect was able to leave in a vehicle with the dog. This case is currently under investigation.'

Raina's video and pictures of the incident captured the license plate of the car the woman was driving.

Calella said he took Noodle home the same day he met him after the pair 'instantly bonded'

Calella said that police used the plate to trace the apparent dog thief to a nearby address, where her husband allegedly told officers that she had recently given birth, had been acting strangely, took off that day without explanation and had not returned.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) told Calella the woman was arrested after she got into an altercation with Homeland Security officers while trying to get on a flight out of Nevada, telling them she was 'going to talk to God.'

The woman told detectives she realized after taking the dog that it was not hers, and left it on the street near the coffee shop.

Luckily, the little dog was picked up and brought into a local shelter, and within hours was reunited with his owner.

A video obtained by DailyMail.com shows Calella kneeling down and hugging Noodle as the pup pees on the floor with excitement.

'I'm just happy he's back,' Calella said. 'He turned up there recently, my buddy put up a post online, and we got a response pretty quickly. I'm so relieved.'

Laura Labelle, the founder of the rescue shelter where Calella adopted Noodle, told DailyMail.com that the dog was born at the shelter after his pregnant mother was transferred from another animal charity in Bakersfield, California.

Dua Lipa and boyfriend Anwar Hadid revealed they adopted dog Dexter from the Labelle Foundation in last July

Several A-list stars including Charlize Theron, the Jonas Brothers, and Sharon Stone have all either adopted dogs from the charity, donated or volunteered there. In March, Pink shared a photo of her new pup Habanero Mountain Guy Kadashi Hart with her kids after adopting him from the shelter

'We originally named him Tater-Tot,' she said. 'We named all the litter after potatoes: there was Hash Brown, Baked Potato, Tater-Tot and French Fry.

'We take a lot of pregnant dogs from that area, and find homes for their puppies and the moms.'

Labelle added that she had seen a rise in brazen dog theft cases.

'I could not be more overjoyed to find Tater-Tot has been found. Not all of these stories unfortunately have a happy ending.

'I was reaching out to other rescues to share a picture of Tater-Tot. One rescue told me that one of their adopters was walking his Chiwawa and these guys pulled up in a car, beat him up, took the dog and drove off. It was a five-month-old and it's never been seen since,' she said.

'At Venice Beach and the Marina [in Los Angeles] it's a daily occurrence, dogs are getting stolen right out of people's hands.

'It's so horrible and terrifying. It's so important to the wellbeing of a dog to be walked  but carry pepper spray!'

The charity's website says: 'The Labelle Foundation is a Los Angeles foster based 501(c)(3) animal rescue devoted to saving, rehabilitating, and advocating for dogs.'

To donate the charity go to labellefoundation.org.
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Gripping her proud dad's hand firmly and her hard-earned testamur, university graduate Kassidy Fisher grinned for a photo in a borrowed cap and gown.

It wasn't how she imagined her graduation photograph would look. But with her father gravely ill and official ceremonies postponed, Ms Fisher was just grateful for the moment.

Minutes before the photo was taken on May 8th, the 22-year-old signed the paperwork agreeing to put her father into palliative care.

He died two days later.

Taking her graduation photo should have been one of the proudest moments of Ms Fisher's young life, but the memory will always be 'bittersweet'.

Just minutes before this touching graduation photo was taken on May 8th, the 22-year-old signed the paperwork agreeing to put her dying father on palliative care. He'd live for just two more days

Ms Fisher's father - her 'confidant and idol' - wouldn't live to see her accept her certificate on stage at campus, which had been delayed due to Covid

She'd breezed through her marketing and public relations degree at the University of Technology Sydney and only one week earlier had secured full time work in her field.

But Ms Fisher was still weeks out from her official graduation ceremony. The cap and gown in the photo didn't belong to her - instead, her boyfriend had borrowed them from the discard pile at a university where he works.

Ms Fisher's father - her 'confidant and idol' - wouldn't live to see her accept her certificate on stage at campus, which had been delayed due to Covid.

Rather than forego the long awaited graduation snap entirely, Ms Fisher and her boyfriend of eight years concocted a plan to ensure her dad didn't miss out.

She dressed up in a blue mini dress and did her hair and make up for her Saturday morning visit to her dad's hospital room, inviting her step siblings along while her boyfriend was tasked with bringing the graduation gear.

Mr Fisher's condition had deteriorated and when she arrived at the hospital, she was required to sign paperwork instructing his medical team to put him on palliative care to make him more comfortable in his final days.

The morphine dosage that morning had made him drowsier than usual, but still he wanted nothing more than to hold Ms Fisher's hand and celebrate her impromptu graduation ceremony.

Ms Fisher's boyfriend, who works at a university, managed to secure some robes so she could have a makeshift graduation ceremony at her dad's bedside

Ms Fisher has worked as a performing mermaid for the past three years and recently secured a fulltime PR job

'It's not the photo or moment I had imagined, but I'm forever grateful to have this memory now,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'I'm glad I did it, even though it's bittersweet.'

Two days after the photo was taken, Mr Fisher died.

He'd been battling late stage Crohns disease and Ulcerative Colitis for eight years prior to receiving a bowel and bone cancer diagnosis in June 2020.

Ms Fisher, who works part time as a performing mermaid, is grateful for the time she spent with him and credits her father for teaching her 'how to be a good person'.

'I wouldn't be who I am without you... I'll miss you every single day of my life,' she said in a moving tribute to her dad after his death, explaining her dad often helped her with assignments and let her 'whine about classes' whenever she needed.

Ms Fisher idolised her dad, who was her primary caregiver for much of her childhood. Pictured at a Beauty and The Beast themed birthday

The final year of Ms Fisher's degree was far from what she had expected.

She had only recently moved to England to complete a semester abroad on exchange with the University of Leeds when the Covid pandemic swept through and Prime Minister Scott Morrison called all Australians home.

When she returned, most of her work as a performing mermaid had been halted due to lockdowns and then her father's cancer was discovered and his condition deteriorated.

Given classes had moved online and Ms Fisher's work had dried up, she spent more time than ever taking her father to appointments and generally helping him as he got sicker.

After officially completing classes in November 2020, she set her sights on finding a job and was offered a role in public relations a week before his death.

'He was so proud of me getting a new job and didn't want me to worry about him... He told me to take it and told all of his friends about it [so] I just want to continue making him proud,' Ms Fisher said.

She's taken some time off to grieve and get her father's affairs in order but expects to return to the role soon.

Australia looked different when she returned home early from her university exchange in England. Lockdowns were in place and she could no longer work as a performer (pictured). All of her classes moved online and she never returned to campus
Boris has not told me whether this had any bearing on the choice of such a wonderful spot for the G7 summit (pictured left), but I must say I am chuffed it is taking place there. I have always been proud of my Cornish ancestry. When I was trying some time ago to be selected as a parliamentary candidate for St Ives, I fished out the birth certificate and waved it in front of the selectors' eyes. It didn't do the trick. I wish it had. I might have been a junior minister by now! My grandparents - Stanley Williams and his French wife, Marie-Louise de Pfeffel - lived in Carbis Bay in a largish house high above the beach with a magnificent view of St Ives Bay. Virginia Woolf and her siblings used to stay there when it was a lodging house in the early 1900s. She described the outlook as 'the divinest view in Europe', and insisted: 'You won't find better though you go round the world for it.' Godrevy Lighthouse, at the edge of the bay, is thought to have been the inspiration for one of her most famous novels. (Pictured right, Stanley Johnson, circled, and his siblings with 'Granny Butter', centre, Boris Johnson and his father Stanley Johnson.)
A white woman has been charged with striking two black female protesters with her car during a march against last month's police shooting of Andrew Brown Jr that was held in North Carolina on the eve of the anniversary of George Floyd's murder.

Lisa O'Quinn, 41, of Greenville, faces two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill by the use of a motor vehicle and related charges, the Elizabeth City Police Department said in a statement.

Investigators said they are also looking into the possibility of charging O'Quinn with a hate crime amid witnesses' claims that she was heard yelling racial slurs, including the n-word, at the protesters, who were seen on video blocking her car and banging on it.

The women who were struck, Michelle Morris and Val Lindsey, both 42, were treated at a hospital and released, police said.

Driver Lisa O'Quinn, 41, was charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill by the use of a motor vehicle, but she could also face hate crime charges

A group of activists were protesting the police shooting of Andrew Brown Jr in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, on Monday when a car operated by a white driver struck two black women

Video shot by activist Kerwin Pittman shows the moment the white Nissan strikes protesters Michelle Morris and Val Lindsey

Protesters In Elizabeth City, NC...Hit With Car By Racist Confederate Support #Justice4AndrewBrown pic.twitter.com/gZdNVzkcRq  Kerwin Pittman (@KerwinPittman) May 25, 2021

Speaking to WTKR after her release, Morris said of her condition: 'Im in pain, but Im alive.'

Lindsey suffered an injury to her leg, which appeared to be in a cast when she spoke to the news station.

They were part of a small march in Elizabeth City on Monday evening that was against the April 21 shooting by sheriff's deputies of Brown, an unarmed black man, while he was in his car.

Such marches have been a nightly occurrence in the city, where protesters say that Brown was unjustly killed while sheriff's deputies tried to serve drug-related warrants. A prosecutor cleared the deputies last week, saying that Brown used his vehicle as a weapon.

Cellphone video shot by activist Kerwin Pittman shows a smattering of marchers walking down US Route 17, a four-lane business route of the highway that runs along restaurants and other businesses. A white Nissan at an intersection turned onto the main road where the protesters were.

The video shows the Nissan moving toward people, who then bang on the vehicle's hood as it continues to turn onto Route 17. At least one person can be seen on the ground after the car turns.

Lindsey said that before striking her and Morris with her car, O'Quinn rolled down her window and said that police were not guarding the march, the protesters 'would not be safe.'

According to the victim, when she and two other protesters approached O'Quinn's car, she uttered the n-word and other racial epithets.

'She said it freely,' Lindsey told The Daily Beast.

Lindsey called for O'Quinn to be charged with a hate crime, arguing that she must be held accountable for her actions.

Linwood Gallop, who was in the march, attested to the fact that some words had been exchanged between the people in the car and protesters before the incident occurred.

Victims Lindsey (left) and Morris (right) later spoke out about their ordeal, with Morris saying she is 'in pain'

'I didnt pay any attention to what was being said,' he said. 'Were going to get some people who shout at us and yell at us. That comes with protests.'

O'Quinn was jailed on $40,000 bond. She is scheduled to make her initial court appearance on Thursday.

O'Quinn has a lengthy criminal record in North Carolina, which includes convictions on counts of larceny and communicating threats

Brown's shooting has sent shock waves through this small, majority black city in the states rural northeastern corner. It has also drawn national attention and become a flashpoint in the movement toward racial justice and police reform.

The incident at the march protesting Brown's killing took place on the eve of the one-year anniversary of George Floyd's murder by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, which sparked nationwide protests.

Records indicate that O'Quinn has an extensive criminal history in North Carolina stretching back to at least 2012, which includes convictions on misdemeanor charges of ethnic intimidation, carrying a concealed weapon, larceny and possession of stolen goofs, driving while license revoked, communicating threats, trespass and shoplifting. In each case, she was sentenced to probation, reported The Daily Advance.

As recently as last year, O'Quinn was charged with assault by pointing a gun and communicating threats, reported WRAL.
A woman who allegedly punched a Southwest Airlines flight attendant knocking her teeth out has been arrested and charged with felony battery.

Vyvianna Quinonez, 28, allegedly grew irate when she was told to buckle her seatbelt during a flight from Sacramento to San Diego on Sunday and punched the flight attendant in the face, KTXL reported.

Quinonez was escorted off the flight by Port of San Diego Harbor police as the flight attendant, who was not named, was pictured with a bloodied face and wheeled off the flight in a wheelchair.

The flight attendant lost two teeth and suffered other injuries to her face and was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital, KFMB-TV reported. She was later released from the hospital and Southwest flew a friend to San Diego to be with her.

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Vyvianna Quinonez, left, allegedly grew irate when she was told to buckle her seatbelt during a flight from Sacramento to San Diego on Sunday

The flight attendant, who was not named, was pictured with a bloodied face and wheeled off the flight in a wheelchair

The flight attendant lost two teeth and suffered other injuries to her face and was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital

Taro Arai, the owner of Sacramento restaurant Mikuni, said he saw the two shoving each other before Quinonez threw the punch

Cops charged Quinonez with felony battery causing serious bodily injury and she was released on a $35,000 bail, KFMB reporter Abbie Alford posted on Facebook.

Quinonez, from the Sacramento suburb of Antelope, claimed to Alford that she acted in self defense and wouldn't say anything more without her lawyer present.

Taro Arai, the owner of Sacramento restaurant Mikuni, said he saw the two shoving each other before Quinonez threw the punch.

'In the beginning, they were not arguing. They were just like 'do this, don't do that, don't do this, don't do that.' Then even the flight attendant said, 'Don't touch me,' Arai told KTXL.

He told Good Day Sacramento that the flight attendant was 'bleeding everywhere in the back.'

'This lady who hit her went back to her seat, wore a mask  nothing happened seems like. I'm like huh, woah, I mean, she was so strong she could knock me out,' he said.

Southwest spokesman Chris Mainz said Quinonez ignored the flight crew's reminders of wearing a seatbelt and putting her tray table away.

'The passenger repeatedly ignored standard inflight instructions and became verbally and physically abusive upon landing,' he said.

The incident marked an escalation in unruly behavior by airline passengers and led the president of the flight attendants' union to ask for more federal air marshals on planes in a letter.

'Unfortunately, this is just one of many occurrences,' said the union president, Lyn Montgomery.

She said there were 477 incidents of 'misconduct' by passengers on Southwest planes between April 8 and May 15.

The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday that airlines have reported 2,500 incidents of unruly passengers this year, including 1,900 cases in which passengers refused to wear face masks, which are required by federal rule.

The FAA provided those numbers as it announced it was seeking civil penalties totaling $54,500 against five passengers for behavior ranging from refusing to wear a mask to assaulting flight attendants.

'I've been in the industry since 1992, and this is the worst ever,' Montgomery said in an interview. 'People seem to be more angry. When theyre asked to do something, compliance seems to be more difficult.'

Taro Arai said he saw the two shoving each other before Quinonez threw the punch

Southwest and most airlines train flight attendants to de-escalate tense situations with unhappy travelers. Montgomery said those tactics are growing less effective and a small number of passengers are becoming bolder in challenging the authority of crew members.

Montgomery, the president of Local 556 of the Transport Workers Union, wrote about the weekend attack in a letter to Southwest CEO Gary Kelly.

Montgomery asked Kelly to lobby federal officials for more air marshals on flights and to ban passengers who violate rules instead of putting them on another flight.

She said flight attendants are concerned about Southwest's plan to resume selling alcohol on board planes. Many recent cases that have caught FAAs attention involving passengers who were drinking.

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.

Southwest said in a regulatory filing that demand is still being driven mostly by leisure travelers. It said bookings by business travelers are ticking modestly higher but remain down about 80% from 2019 levels.
Some of Jeffrey Epstein's alleged co-conspirators are set to testify against Ghislaine Maxwell in her trial later this year, court documents suggest.

Prosecutors said in a filing that the material for the trial includes 'any co-conspirator statements', a major sign that one of Epstein's inner circle has turned state's witness.

Prosecutors said that nine weeks before the trial, which is set to begin in November, they would turn over to the defense 'the identity of any unindicted co-conspirator' they plan to call to give evidence.

A separate filing from Maxwell seeking dismissal of the case says that one accuser was 'encouraged to recruit other females to provide massages to Epstein.'

The filings strongly indicate that some of the four women who were named as potential 'co-conspirators' under Epstein's sweetheart plea deal in 2008, under which he served just 15 months in jail for having sex with children, could face off against Maxwell in court.

Sarah Kellen, 40, who is accused of having a rolodex of women she would call up for massages at Epstein's mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, is set to testify against Ghislaine Maxwell. She's pictured with Maxwell in 2005

Lesley Groff (left), 53, is said to have been Epstein's executive assistant for 20 years and said in a 2005 interview that she had such a tight bond with him. Nadia Marcinko (right), 35, is alleged to have taken part in sexual encounters with underage girls and has been described as Epstein's on-off girlfriend

Adriana Ross is a former model from Poland in her 30s who allegedly helped to organize Epstein's massages. They're pictured together in 2005

The women in question have been accused of being Epstein's 'recruiters, groomers, sexual partners and friends' and have almost always pleaded the fifth amendment when questioned during depositions.

They are Sarah Kellen, 40, who is accused of having a rolodex of women she would call up for massages at Epstein's mansion in Palm Beach, Florida.

In a filing obtained by DailyMail.com, prosecutors said that Jeffrey Epstein's alleged co-conspirators will testify against his alleged madam Ghislaine Maxwell

Lesley Groff, 53, is said to have been Epstein's executive assistant for 20 years and said in a 2005 interview that she had such a tight bond with him 'I know what he is thinking'.

Nadia Marcinko, 35, is alleged to have taken part in sexual encounters with underage girls and has been described as Epstein's on-off girlfriend.

Adriana Ross is a former model from Poland in her 30s who allegedly helped to organize Epstein's massages.

In a court filing late on Friday night, prosecutors and Maxwell's defense submitted competing timetables and logistics for the trial.

Prosecutors from the Southern District of New York said that materials during the trial 'will include testifying witness statements, which themselves will also include any co-conspirator statements about which witnesses may testify at trial'.

Prosecutors said that they 'only intend to introduce co-conspirator statements either through the testimony of witnesses or in the exhibits, which will be marked before trial'.

Under the proposed prosecution timeline, they will hand over to the defense 'the government's witness list, any co-conspirator statements it intends to introduce at trial, and the identity of any unindicted co-conspirator' on September 27, nine weeks before trial.

The material will include documentary statements about co-conspirators 'e.g., emails between Epstein and any number of thousands of persons', the government said.

The few emails that have been made public in relation to Epstein have emerged from a defamation case brought by Epstein victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre against Maxwell.

The case was settled but a federal judge has ruled that the documents should be made public and they are being released in batches.

Among the emails was one from Epstein to Maxwell on January 24, 2015 after Giuffre accused her of recruiting and grooming her for Epstein to abuse.

Epstein tells Maxwell: 'You have done nothing wrong and i woudl (sic) urge you to start acting like it. go outside, head high, not as an esacping (sic) convict. go to parties. deal with it'.

The filings strongly indicate that some of the four women who were named as potential 'co-conspirators' under Epstein's sweetheart plea deal in 2008, under which he served just 15 months in jail for having sex with children, could face off against Maxwell in court

Maxwell's correspondence with Prince Andrew was also made public and shows him asking about Giuffre.

If the alleged co-conspirators do give evidence it promises to be one of the most dramatic moments of Maxwell's trial.

Kellen has been accused of being Epstein and Maxwell's top lieutenant

She flew 350 times on Epstein's private jet, known as the 'Lolita Express', and has been seen in photographs on his private island in the Caribbean.

Epstein victim Sarah Ransome has said that 'it was Ghislaine and Sarah Kellen that showed me how to please Jeffrey'.

Kellen is now married to Nascar driver Brian Vickers and has rebranded herself as an interior designer under the name Sarah Kensington.

When approached by reporters outside her home in New York's Lower East Side last December, Kellen said: 'I'm no monster. I'm a victim of Jeffrey Epstein. I was raped and abused weekly'.

Marcinko's personal story is disturbing and Epstein once bragged she was his 'sex slave' who he had bought from her family in the former Yugoslavia when she was 15.

She reinvented herself as a pilot who ran a company called Aviloop selling discount flying lessons under the name 'Global Girl'.

Groff was Epstein's personal assistant in New York and Ransome has claimed that she spoke directly to her including once emailing that she Epstein requested that she lose weight to maintain her slim figure.

Ross moved to Florida in 2002 and worked at Epstein's mansion in Palm Beach and flew frequently on his private jet, including with Bill Clinton.

Now aged in her 30s, she broke down in tears and declined to comment when approached for comment outside a Catholic church close to her home in Miami in 2019.

Another person who could give evidence against Maxwell is Haley Robson, who features heavily in the reports from the 2006 investigation into Epstein which say she recruited girls for him.

Robson appeared in the Netflix documentary 'Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich' in which she said she was manipulated.

She said: 'I was just a 16-year-old girl doing what this man had asked me to do.

'As a (teenager) you don't really stop to think about the bigger picture; you're not mature enough'.

A separate filing from Maxwell seeking dismissal of the case says that one accuser was 'encouraged to recruit other females to provide massages to Epstein'

DailyMail.com has approached lawyers and spokespeople for Kellen, Marcinko and Groff.

Tracy Schmaler, a spokeswoman for Kellen who works for Washington-based crisis management company Kivvit, has previously cast her as a victim.

She said that Kellen joined Epstein's circle aged 22 after divorcing a man she married at 17 and was 'cast out of the Jehovah's Witness community in which she had been born and raised'.

She has said: 'Sarah continues to struggle with the trauma of her experiences and has chosen not to speak publicly at this time'.

Erica Dubno, a lawyer for Marcinko, has said she was 'severely traumatized' by her abuse and was still coming to terms with it.

Michael Bachner, a lawyer for Groff, has said that she made appointments for Epstein but 'at no time did she engage in any misconduct'.

Maxwell, 59, denies trafficking a minor and conspiracy sex trafficking among other offenses.
A former US Marine wanted by Spain for breaking into the North Korean embassy in Madrid to help a diplomat defect could be assassinated by Kim Jong-uns regime if he is extradited by the Justice Department, his lawyer says.

Christopher Ahn, 40, faces his final extradition hearing in federal court in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Two years ago, he was freed on $1.3million bail but was forced to serve home confinement ahead of his possible extradition to Spain.

The US government is working to extradite Ahn to Spain even though the FBI has reportedly told him that North Korea wants to assassinate him.

Ahn's attorney says that extradition puts his client's life in jeopardy since the North has been known to send hit squads to target enemies of the state - even if they are on foreign soil.

Ahn was arrested in LA by US Marshals in 2019 - weeks after he and a group of anti-Kim activists devoted to helping North Koreans flee the authoritarian country broke into the embassy in Madrid in an attempt to help a top diplomat defect.

The plan was to make it appear as if they were going to kidnap Yun Suk So, the commercial attache at the embassy and the most senior official representing Pyongyang in Spain, according to BuzzFeed News.

Christopher Ahn, 40, faces his final extradition hearing in federal court in Los Angeles on Tuesday

Ahn is a former US Marine wanted by Spain for breaking into the North Korean embassy in Madrid to help a diplomat defect in 2019

Ahn is allegedly shown in a still photo from a surveillance camera standing in front of the North Koria embassy in Madrid on February 22, 2019

Ahn (pictured moments before the incident) and alleged co-conspirators including Adrian Hong Chang, a leader of the Free Joseon group, tied up North Korean diplomats and started beating them up as part of an elaborate plot to stage a kidnapping to trick the Kim regime into thinking their envoys had been abducted

North Korea punishes the families of those who defect to the West, so Ahn and his alleged co-conspirators thought if they could trick the Kim government into believing their diplomat in Spain was kidnapped, it would spare his relatives back home.

According to law enforcement officials in Spain, Ahn and his cohorts broke into the North Korean embassy in Madrid, tied up some of the diplomats there, and started beating them up.

Ahn and other members of the group Free Joseon, whose name means Free North Korea, claim that they were allowed into the embassy by diplomats who had agreed to help them execute their plan to facilitate their escape.

But the plan went awry when the diplomats told Ahn and the other members of Free Joseon that they changed their minds and had no intention of defecting from North Korea.

President Joe Biden is pictured left. North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un is pictured right. Biden's Justice Department is seeking to have Ahn extradited to Spain - a move that could possibly put his life in jeopardy, according to the American's attorney

Ahn and the other alleged co-conspirators involved in the plot fled the embassy into getaway cars. They then managed to take taxis to Portugal, where they booked a flight back home to the US.

But Spanish police using surveillance footage from that evening identified the members of the group and sought their extradition from the US.

Spain and the US have an extradition treaty which requires DOJ to send anyone suspected of a crime to Madrid if there is probable cause that person should stand trial for crimes that would also be crimes in the US.

If a judge approves DOJs request to extradite Ahn to Spain, he faces up to 24 years in prison on charges of illegal entry, assault, illegal confinement, and being part of a criminal organization.

But Ahns attorneys say that extraditing him puts his life in jeopardy as the US government reportedly obtained intelligence indicating that the Kim regime wishes to assassinate him.

Spain and North Korea have full-fledged diplomatic relations, meaning that Korean nationals from the North could freely travel to Western Europe and potentially try to target Ahn.

The North Korean government has been accused of sending hit squads to try and assassinate the regimes perceived enemies.

In 2017, Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of Kim Jong-un, was killed when a group of operatives acting on the orders of the North Korean government poisoned him with VX nerve agent at Kuala Lampur International Airport in Malaysia.

If a judge approves DOJs request to extradite Ahn to Spain, he faces up to 24 years in prison on charges of illegal entry, assault, illegal confinement, and being part of a criminal organization

Ahn, a former Marine, is seen in the above undated file photo taken during his deployment to Iraq

In 2019, Ahn (above) was arrested by US Marshals during a raid on the Los Angeles apartment of a co-defendant, Adrian Hong Chang, a leader of the Free Joseon group

Hong Chang (pictured) has not been arrested. During incident, Hong Chang knocked on the embassy's door and asked to speak to a specific official. He was let inside and moments later let the group inside. They were armed with machetes, iron bars, knives and fake guns

In 2019, Ahn was arrested by US Marshals during a raid on the Los Angeles apartment of a co-defendant, Adrian Hong Chang, a leader of the Free Joseon group.

Hong Chang was not at home and has not been arrested.

Free Joseon, also known as the Cheollima Civil Defense group, styles itself as a government in exile dedicated to toppling the ruling Kim family dynasty in North Korea.

Hong Chang knocked on the embassy's door on February 22, 2019, and asked to speak to a specific official, according to court papers filed by the US Attorney's Office.

After he was let inside and a worker walked away, Hong Chang opened the door and let in six other members of the group, including Ahn, according to the documents.

The group - armed with machetes, iron bars, knives and fake guns - beat some of the workers and then tied them up with shackles and cables, prosecutors alleged.

They put bags over some of the workers' heads, beat them and threatened them with the metal bars and guns, according to the court papers.

The wife of one of the embassy officials tried to escape from a terrace but fell and was injured.

Another woman and a young child were guarded as the attack continued.

One of the embassy workers later identified Ahn (pictured) as an attacker from his LinkedIn profile picture. When Ahn was arrested, US Marshals found a loaded .40 caliber handgun hidden in his waistband

When Spanish police officials arrived, Hong Chang answered the embassy's front door - posing as an embassy official and wearing a pin featuring North Korea's leader on his jacket - and told the officers there was no commotion inside.

The hostages were beaten and held for hours as the group stole several 'pen drives,' two computers, two hard drives and a cell phone, the complaint said.

Five of the members of the group fled in three vehicles they stole from the embassy, documents said. The vehicles were later found abandoned.

As the other members of the group fled in the stolen embassy vehicles, Hong Chang hailed an Uber using the alias 'Oswaldo Trump.'

He canceled the first ride because the Uber pulled up near police and summoned another a few minutes later behind the embassy, taking a ride to Toledo, Spain.

Three North Korean students went to the embassy, jumped over a fence and ran inside to free the workers who were still tied up.

Outside the embassy, police found a fake Italian identification card with the name 'Matthew Chao' and a photo of Hong Chang.

Police in Madrid also found four machetes, the imitation pistols, cable ties and a 'defensive spray,' the documents said.

Police believe Hong Chang had purchased the items the morning of the attack.

Hong Chang's attorney, Lee S. Wolosky, didn't immediately respond Tuesday to a call seeking comment.

The day after the attack, Hong Chang returned to the US, flying from Lisbon, Portugal, and met with agents at the FBI's office in New York.

During the interview, he turned over the items he stole from the embassy, the complaint said.

Hong Chang also told the agents he had 'carried out the raid on the North Korean Embassy in Spain days before,' and provided the FBI with details, the papers said.

Ahn's lawyers say that extraditing him to Spain places his life in jeopardy since the US has intelligence indicating that North Korea wants to assassinate him. The North Korean government has been accused of sending hit squads to try and assassinate the regimes perceived enemies. In 2017, Kim Jong-nam (above), the half-brother of Kim Jong-un, was killed when a group of operatives acting on the orders of the North Korean government poisoned him with VX nerve agent at Kuala Lampur International Airport in Malaysia

He told agents that he and members of the group had carried  but did not display  knives and airsoft pistols.

After the attack, Hong Chang also met with FBI agents at the bureau's office in Los Angeles and told them that Christopher Ahn, a former Marine, had participated in the attack.

One of the embassy workers later identified Ahn as an attacker from his LinkedIn profile picture.

When Ahn was arrested, US Marshals found a loaded .40 caliber handgun hidden in his waistband.

His attorney, Callie Steele, said in court that the gun was licensed and Ahn carried it after the FBI informed him that there were threats against his life.

In court documents, US prosecutors said Ahn had a 'strong incentive to flee' because he faces more than 10 years in prison if hes extradited and convicted in Spain.

Steele denied Ahn was a flight risk because he was a devoted caregiver to his ill mother and 98-year-old grandmother, who is blind.

The Los Angeles native received an honorable discharge from the Marines, earned an MBA from the University of Virginia, and has no criminal record, Steele said.

Ahn's case has attracted nationwide attention, including from the parents of Otto Warmbier.

Ahn's case has attracted nationwide attention, including from the parents of Otto Warmbier. Warmbier (seen above in North Korean custody after his arrest in January 2016) died 17 months after he was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor by North Korea

Cindy and Fred Warmbier, Otto's parents, were expected to attend Ahn's extradition hearing in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The couple is seen above in May 2018

In January 2016, Warmbier, a 22-year-old from Cincinnati, Ohio, was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor by North Korea for trying to take from his hotel an item bearing a propaganda slogan.

Warmbier had been arrested at the airport in Pyongyang as he prepared to leave the reclusive communist country. He had been traveling with a tour group.

Seventeen months after his arrest, Warmbier died shortly after he was released into US custody. At the time of his release, Warmbier was comatose.

A coroner found that Warmbier suffered from a lack of oxygen to the brain that was caused by an injury that took place more than a year before his death.

Cindy and Fred Warmbier, Otto's parents, were expected to attend Ahn's extradition hearing in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
A man has revealed the split-second decision that saved his life when he was attacked by a three-metre shark - and how 'something didn't feel right' in the sea before the attack.

Brett Highlands, 48, was spear-fishing with friends 50 kilometres north of Broome in Western Australia on Friday morning when the shark bit him in the arm twice.

After the second bite, Mr Highlands stabbed the shark in the stomach with his spear and swam nearly 100 metres to the boat.

The shark bit Brett Highland's arm (pictured) twice, and only let go when he stabbed it in the stomach

The experienced fisherman and diver had a bad feeling in the sea that morning.

'[It was] really dark blue, sort of eerie. There was a lot of unusual fish in the water,' he told 7NEWS.

Mr Highlands said when the shark bit him the first time he thought, 'I'm in for the battle of my life here.'

'It was just a wild animal attached to my arm. I didn't have a lot of time to think, but I do remember thinking, "oh my god, this is it,"' he said.

'It bit and then it bit again, almost like a dog trying to get a good grip of a bone.'

Mr Highlands ran his spear into the belly of the shark, and when it let go of his arm he sped towards the boat.

'I just backstroked and I kept looking under the way to see if it was coming at me,' he said.

The fisherman (pictured) said the shark that attacked him was 'like a dog trying to get a good grip of a bone'

His friends used a diving belt as a tourniquet while making the half-hour trip to shore, where Mr Highlands was flown to Royal Perth Hospital for surgery.

His wetsuit is being analysed to identify the species, which is believed to be a tiger shark.

Mr Highland has vowed to go back in the water - but first, the builder is looking to hire.

'If there's anyone out there looking for some work, I need a right-hand man,' he joked.
A Sydney unit that is barely bigger than some walk-in wardrobes is on the market for just under $400,000.

The studio apartment at Balmain in the city's gentrified inner west has just 13 square metres of space and is so small it has a bunk bed above the kitchen sink and a fold-out dining table for one.

While that's bigger than most standard bedroom closets, it is roughly the same size as a more deluxe walk-in wardrobe with lots of shelves.

The Mort Street residence in the old heritage-listed The Star Hotel is close to Sydney Harbour and a two-minute walk to a ferry terminal.

Owner Mark Destefano, a 58-year-old IT technician in the public service, said the very tight floor space had been rented out by couples and dog owners since he bought it for $305,000 in 2017.

'It's the smallest with strata with actual land title in Sydney,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

A Sydney unit that is barely bigger than some walk-in wardrobes is on the market for $400,000. The 1920-built studio apartment at Balmain in the city's gentrified inner west has just 13 square metres of space and is so small it has a bunk bed above the kitchen sink

'A couple used to live there, they were really happy.

'I've had all sorts of people. An English staffy loved it, used to sit in the corner there with his blanket.'

The floor space is also significantly smaller than the minimum 35 square metre rule for newly-built studio apartments, which the New South Wales government enacted in 2015.

The laws didn't retrospectively apply to existing studio units but a property owner now subdividing a mansion or an old hotel into apartments would face tougher planning regulations.

The residence in the old The Star Hotel is so small there is a shelf for a bunk bed above the kitchen accessible via some very steep stairs.

Banks don't lend to owner-occupiers if a studio apartment has less than 50 square metres.

The residence in the old The Star Hotel is so small there is a shelf for a bunk bed above the kitchen accessible via some very steep stairs

An investor interested in buying this second-floor unit would have need to have a 40 per cent deposit, instead of the usual 20 per cent.

With a selling price of $398,000, that means a buyer would need to have $159,200 saved up.

Mr Destefano bought unit nine with money from his self-managed super fund, shortly after it was renovated four years ago, and still owns unit ten in the complex, with 19 square metres.

A couple with two children lived in a 21-square metre unit in the same complex.

The Star Hotel, built in the 1880s, was converted into eight very small units, mainly owned by old residents who don't mind the steep stairs to get to the loft bed.

While that's bigger than most standard bedroom closets, it is roughly the same size as a more deluxe walk-in wardrobe with lots of shelves

'It wouldn't be suitable for older people but saying that, all the owners around there, they're pretty elderly themselves and they've all got loft beds and they get up there somehow,' Mr Destefano said.

'Balmain people, they're pretty fit, let me tell you.'

The building with the units was once a pub favoured by wharfies and the street it is on was a film set for the 1974 bikie movie Stone, starring the late Bill Hunter.

The old The Star Hotel now has two shops on the ground floor with most of the residents living on the second floor, accessible at the back.

The residence in the old The Star Hotel is at least also close to Sydney Harbour

It was once a pub favoured by wharfies and the street it is on was a film set for the 1974 bikie movie Stone, starring the late Bill Hunter

Selling group Australian Home Partners suggested it was the kind of place to be rented out rather than lived in as an owner occupier.

'This compact 13 sqm studio apartment would make the ideal investment purchase,' it said.

Mr Destefano said it was ideal for those who wanted to be a 10-minute ferry ride away from the city, liked to be near pubs and hated cleaning.

'They don't have to do much work. It's easy to rent,' he said.

The apartment sold for $305,000 in March 2017 and is now on the market for $398,000.

Balmain's median apartment price is beyond the $1million mark while a more moderately-sized studio would cost upwards of $750,000.

Should it find a buyer, the asking price would mark a 31 per cent increase over four years averaging out at 7.6 per cent a year.

While house prices in Sydney are surging, rising by 11.2 per cent since January, unit prices have risen by a more subdued 4.6 per cent, CoreLogic data showed.
A new drug injecting room has been branded 'nothing short of insanity' after locals warned parts of Melbourne CBD are a drugs hotspot slum.

A safe injecting centre is set to open near Flinders St Station after it became a honeypot for heroin and methamphetamine addicts.

Local councillor Roshena Campbell slammed the plan and said it could wreck the city's bid to rebound from the COVID-19 lockdown.

Melbourne is set for a new CBD drug injecting room after locals branded parts of the the city centre a drugs hotspot slum. Pictured is a drug user near the city's first safe injecting room in North Richmond

But her opposition was overruled by Lord Mayor Sally Capp who won the support of the council for the state government's proposal.

Poll Should a drug injecting room be approved in Melbourne CBD? Yes No Should a drug injecting room be approved in Melbourne CBD? Yes 28 votes

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Ms Capp said a local resident near a known drug 'hotspot area' at the intersection of Flinders and Elizabeth streets described it as a slum.

'Nobody wants that,' she said. 'Any response to address these issues must improve the outcomes, not exacerbate the situation.

'I acknowledge that the location of a medically supervised injecting service in the City of Melbourne will be controversial.

'But the evidence shows services such as these save lives, and they do reduce the number of people who are shooting up in our city streets.

'Combating addiction is incredibly complex. Reducing drug use and dependency would benefit our entire society.'

The supervised injecting centre at North Richmond, which opened in 2018, has been controversial due to its proximity to a school. Pictured here are drug users receiving assistance

She added a balance had to be struck between public health and the livelihoods of local residents and businesses.

'I acknowledge that this can be a difficult balance to achieve but it is not impossible,' she said.

There has been speculation that Flinders St could be the site of Melbourne's second injecting room, to follow the facility in North Richmond.

The location of the second room is subject to a consultation process being run by former police commissioner Ken Lay.

The supervised injecting centre at North Richmond, which opened in 2018, has been controversial due to its proximity to a school.

But Acting Premier James Merlino insists the North Richmond centre is saving lives and other initial problems have improved.
Brittany Higgins' boyfriend has accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison of treating her as a political problem.

David Sharaz levelled the accusation after a report by Mr Morrison's chief of staff found no evidence that advisers spread smears about him to journalists in a practice known as 'backgrounding'.

Mr Sharaz believes the prime minister's spin doctors told journalists that he had a grudge against the government which could explain Ms Higgins' decision to allege she was raped in Parliament House in 2019.

David Sharaz (pictured with Ms Higgins in April) has accused Scott Morrison of treating Ms Higgins like a political problem

The former public servant, who has worked in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and as a political reporter for Sky News, released a statement on Tuesday slamming the internal report by chief of staff John Kunkel.

'The PM's chief of staff undertakes an investigation into his own office and finds it's functioning well. How unexpected,' he said in the statement sent to Guardian Australia.

'Even the most cynical person would see this for what it is - PMO staffers protecting themselves,' he added.

'I'm incredibly proud of Brittany for everything she's achieved, and the dignified way in which she's handled herself at the hands of a government intent on treating her like a political problem.

'We won't be intimidated by those who wish to silence us.'

Prime Minister Scott Morrison arrives for Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday

Former Liberal Party advisor Ms Higgins shocked the nation earlier this year when she alleged she was raped by a colleague in a minister's office in Parliament House after a boozy night out in March 2019.

She made a complaint to police in February and officers have almost concluded their investigation, meaning her alleged rapist could be charged within weeks.

Mr Morrison tabled the findings of the 'backgrounding' investigation by Dr Kunkel in parliament on Tuesday.

Earlier, Labor had named members of the prime minister's staff accused of 'back-grounding' journalists about Mr Sharaz during a feisty Senate estimates hearing.

The four-page report by Mr Morrison's chief of staff John Kunkel found only 'hearsay' to back up the claims of 'backgrounding'.

'I do not make a finding that negative briefing against Mr Sharaz of the sort alleged has taken place,' he wrote.

'My conclusion, based on the evidence presented to me, should in no way be taken as a reflection upon the honesty or sincerity of Ms Higgins.'

Labor's Katy Gallagher had said one journalist who came forward and forced the hand of the prime minister to launch the investigation had since withdrawn their evidence.

She questioned why Dr Kunkel would ask the victim of an alleged rape at Parliament House in March 2019 to now demonstrate that the backgrounding occurred.

'This looks like an attempt to push back on Ms Higgins very strongly and it seems extremely unfair to me,' Senator Gallagher said.

With AAP
A seemingly innocent children's toy from Kmart is attracting plenty of attention - for all the wrong reasons.

After recently spotting a $1 wooden eggplant toy in a Kmart store on the NSW south coast, TikTok user Taja uploaded a suggestive video, praising the discount chain for introducing 'realistic sizes' for customers.

Eggplant emojis are a modern day way to describe male genitalia.

As a result, Taja's 'explicit' video - which has been viewed over 100,000 times since Sunday - was controversially removed from the popular video sharing site for breaching 'adult nudity' rules.

This kids toy (pictured) from Kmart is attracting plenty of attention online following a recent video on TikTok

Viewers couldn't believe the TikTok clip about the wooden eggplant toy was banned by the site for breaching 'adult nudity' rules

The $1 item - for children - has caused a stir online after a TikTok user cheekily praised Kmart for its 'realistic sizes' - the eggplants are used as emojis to describe male genitalia on social media

In the clip, Taja can be seen holding the innocent toy in her hand before cheekily stating 'look at Kmart coming in with the realistic sizes'.

It didn't take long for comments to flood in, with many criticising TikTok for removing the video.

'OMG, it's a VEGETABLE, what is wrong with it,' one person said.

'It's an eggplant, get over it TikTok,' another fumed.

Plenty saw the funny side in the clip, with one woman revealing she had bought her brother one of the toys and that he 'loved it'.

Last August, the Federal Government rejected calls for TikTok to be banned in Australia due to its fractured connection with China.

Analysts warned ByteDance - the Chinese company who own TikTok - harvest high levels of data from its millions of global users.

Fears were rising the information of Australian users would be illegally shared with the Chinese Government.

However Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: 'There's nothing at this point that would suggest to us that security interests are being compromised, or Australian citizens are being compromised.'
A hit Australian television series has given viewers an insight into how prisoners speak inside the country's toughest prisons.

Mr Inbetween, a Foxtel Original comedy-drama, tells the story of hitman-for-hire Ray Shoesmith played by the show's creator and writer Scott Ryan.

Ryan personally researched common jail vernacular to make the show's third season more realistic.

In prison to be 'jazzed' means you've been assaulted, while a prisoner with no connections is a 'crumb', and a riot police officer is referred to as a 'turtle'.

Mr Inbetween, a Foxtel Original comedy-drama, tells the story of hitman-for-hire Ray Shoesmith played by the show's creator and writer Scott Ryan (pictured)

The show, which is a spin off of Ryan's acclaimed 2005 film 'The Magician', was turned into a full-length series on the pay-TV network in 2018.

The black comedy tracks the life of Shoesmith who attempts to balance his illegal activities with his family life.

Ryan told the Telegraph he spoke to a number of former convicts and prison staff to make the show as authentic as possible.

He spoke to one prisoner who innocently used the word 'champ' as a casual greeting, only to find out the word carries negative connotations and himself in 'all sorts of problems'.

'If you say that to somebody, you have got to expect you are going to have a bad day.'

Prison is commonly referred to as 'boot' behind bars, someone struggling with mental health issues is a 'spinner', 'jugging' someone is to throw boiling water on them and a 10-year sentence is called a 'brick'.

Through significant amounts of research Ryan has attempted to bring common jail vernacular into the show, including phrases like 'turtle' which refers to a riot police officer

A former justice system worker also said the language was in place mostly to exclude guards and police who work in the jails, acting as a 'secret code'.

To 'safe it/bang it' is to hide something in your body, methadone is known as 'petrol' 'giving birth to a governor' is to defecate and like the outside world a 'gronk' is an idiot.

Mr Inbetween, which returns to Foxtel on Wednesday, provides a lighter comedic look at prison life mixed in with darker elements.

Season Three is available on Foxtel Showcase and Foxtel On Demand.
Australia's out-of-control mouse plague could last for up to two years if urgent action is not taken to kill millions of the rodents, a farmer's association has warned.

Xavier Martin, the vice president of NSW Farmers, said growers are now abandoning paddocks to the mouse hoard, fearing that crops sown there over the winter will be devoured before they can be harvested.

'Without a concerted baiting effort in the next few weeks, this could easily turn into a two-year plague event,' Mr Martin warned as the government revealed it is ready to hand out one of the world's deadliest poisons for free, as soon as states approve it.

The chemical - bromadiolone, an anti-coagulant which causes animals to bleed to death - is controversial because of effects it could have on the wider environment.

And Mr Martin has warned that it could come too late to stop the onslaught of mice which one expert warned could soon spread from the countryside into cities.

Pictured: A pile of dead mice on a New South Wales farm. Farmers are abandoning some paddocks and can't defer sowing winter crops any longer, industry chiefs have said

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, pest hunter Dieter Mafra warned that mice are likely hitching rides from the country into cities such as Sydney on food trucks and other vehicles.

As winter approaches, the mice will likely seek shelter in people's homes meaning that scenes reported in the countryside - such as mice biting people in bed - could soon be seen in urban centres.

'They will travel to Sydney, I would say by August,' Mr Mafra said.

Australia suffers from periodic mouse plagues that typically affect grain-producing farm regions and tend to go in 10-year cycles.

2020 was a particularly good growing year after heavy rains ended two years of drought and created fertile growing conditions.

At the end of the season, it meant farmers had large amounts of food to store, which they put away in silos and sheds - which quickly became breeding grounds for mice.

What started in New South Wales has since spread to Queensland and South Australia, and shows no sign of slowing down.

A map created by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation shows how sightings have been increasing and spreading in recent months as mice move from rural hinterland closer to the coast.

The mice have already caused millions of dollars-worth of damage to homes and livelihoods, with the NSW government announcing a $50million assistance package to help out those whose businesses are affected.

But Mr Martin warned that money - along with the deadly poison - could end up being too little too late.

Mice are pictured falling into a large tub of water and drown as part of a makeshift trap on a NSW farm. Farmers are concerned about the effect of poison on farm dogs, piggeries and other animals

The government has secured 5000 litres of the super-deadly rodent poison bromadiolone - offering to provide it for free once federal authorities approve its use

The extent of Australia's revolting mouse plague is shown in this alarming new map by the CSIRO (pictured)

'The state government's assistance package is impractical, dysfunctional and weeks away, which is not helping farmers who need support right now to drive mouse numbers down and break this horrible unrelenting cycle,' he said on Wednesday.

'After more than eight months of battling growing mouse numbers farmers are still waiting for state government assistance to hit the ground and offer some practical support to our farming community,' Mr Martin said.

The NSW government said on Thursday it had secured 5000 litres of the super-deadly rodent poison bromadiolone - enough to treat about 95 tonnes of grain - offering to provide it for free once federal authorities approve its use.

But farmers are concerned about the poison's possible effect on farm dogs, piggeries and other animals.

NSW Farmers say the simplest, safest and most timely way for the government to help farmers is to provide rebates of up to $25,000 per farm business to cover 50 per cent of the cost of zinc phosphide bait.

While NSW Farmers initially welcomed the state government's assistance package, Mr Martin says it's now apparent that the provision of 'free baits for farmers' are still dependent on federal approval which could be weeks away.

'Each day we delay in taking effective action to control these mice will increase economic losses and the likelihood we will still be battling mice come Christmas time,' Mr Martin said.
A 1985 V8 Commodore originally owned by Australian motor racing great Peter Brock has sold for more than $1 million at auction.

The 1985 VK Group A car was the one the nine-time Bathurst 1000 winner drove during the build and release of the now highly-collectible VK Group A series.

The vintage car was later sold to a family who drove it only on special occasions before putting it up for sale.

This blue V8 Commodore once owned by Australian motor racing great Peter Brock has sold for more than $1 million at auction

'This could possibly be the most sought after and collectible Brock Holden Dealer Team car ever built,' auctioneers Grays said.

Bidding for the car rose from a modest $3,759 less than a week ago before hitting $1million late on Monday with the final price of $1,057,509 when the auction closed on Tuesday night.

The V8 Commodore has travelled just over 77,000 kilometres and features a 4.9 litre engine paired to a manual gearbox.

The vintage car's engine is pictured; it was later sold to a family who drove it only on special occasions before putting it up for sale

An advert for Brocks' Commodore is pictured. His V8 Commodore has travelled just over 77,000 kilometres and features a 4.9 litre engine paired to a manual gearbox

The blue exterior paint and light blue interior were both listed as in good condition for the car's age.

In April, it emerged a car enthusiast had built a replica of Brock's after Holden Torana after unknowingly buying its original engine.

Queenslander Rod Bowen found that the engine plate belonged to Brock and the same motor competed in the prestigious Bathurst race in 1976 in an L34 Torana.

The engine was considered one of Australian motor racing's greatest mysteries after going 'missing', having been removed from the Torana before the car was sold in 1979.
Dominic Raab landed in Israel last night to call for an end to the cycle of violence. The Foreign Secretary arrived for talks with senior leaders following the Israel-Gaza ceasefire.

Today he will meet Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.

Mr Raab said it was crucial all sides focus on ensuring the ceasefire lasts. He said: Events of the last month demonstrate the urgent need to make genuine progress towards a more positive future for both Israelis and Palestinians... The UK supports a two-state solution as the best way to deliver a lasting peace.

His visit came as the US said it will help rebuild Gaza but not to the benefit of the militant group Hamas.

Today Dominic Raab (pictured landing in Israel) will meet Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas adjusts his glasses as he listens during a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the West Bank city of Ramallah

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who met with Mr Netanyahu, backed Israels right to defend itself but said the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza must be tackled to prevent a return to violence.

The 11-day war killed more than 250 people, mostly Palestinians, and caused widespread destruction in the impoverished coastal territory.

Mr Netanyahu said: If Hamas breaks the calm and attacks Israel, our response will be very powerful.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks at US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken during a joint press conference in Jerusalem

Netanyahu and Blinken shook hands as they held a joint news conference yesterday

Mr Blinken was scheduled to meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas later, though not Hamas, which is blacklisted by Washington as a terror group.

He will then travel on to neighbouring Egypt and Jordan.

US President Joe Biden said Mr Blinken would meet with Israeli leaders about our ironclad commitment to Israels security, as well as seeking to rebuild ties with the Palestinians.
Tasmanian devils have been born in the wild on Australia's mainland for the first time in 3,000 years after they were wiped out by dingoes.

Seven joeys were born in late April after 26 devils were released into a newly-built 400 hectare sanctuary at Barrington Tops in New South Wales in October last year.

Conservationists are celebrating the birth of the joys which are still as 'small as jellybeans'.

Devils are the world's largest carnivorous marsupial and a distant relative of the extinct Tasmanian tiger.

Tim Faulkner of conservation group Aussie Ark with a fully-grown Tasmanian devil (left) and the tiny month-old devil joeys, which are the first born in the wild on mainland Australia in 3,000 years (pictured right)

They were believed to have been wiped out on the mainland by dingoes 3,000 years ago, but continued living in Tasmania.

Conservation group Aussie Ark described the project as being akin to the successful return of wolves to Yellowstone National Park in the United States in the 1990s.

'Once they were back in the wild, it was up to them, which was nerve-wracking,' Aussie Ark president, Tim Faulkner, said.

'We had been watching them from afar until it was time to step in and confirm the birth of our first wild joeys. And what a moment it was!'

Up to 20 joeys are expected to be born this year.

Since 2009, the Tasmanian devil has been classified endangered after a contagious facial cancer ravaged the island population in the 1990s, dramatically reducing numbers.

Around 25,000 Tasmanian devils are believed to be left.

Conservation group Aussie Ark described the project as being akin to the successful return of wolves to Yellowstone National Park in the United States in the 1990s.The devils pictured are older and from a previous captive breeding program

Tasmanian devils are the world's largest carnivorous marsupial - and a distant relative of the extinct Tasmanian tiger. They have been classified as endangered since 2008 and bred in captivity since 2011

Tasmanian devils grow up to 65cm in length, are considered apex predators (predators at the top of the food chain), and their future on the mainland could help control the spread of feral cats and foxes.

'This doesnt just bode well for this endangered species, but also for the many other endangered species that can be saved,' said Don Church, president of Re:wild, another group behind the project.

He added that Australia has 'the world's worst mammal extinction rate'.

'Tasmanian devils are ecosystem engineers that can restore and rebalance the wild to the benefit of other native wildlife, to the climate, and to people,' Mr Church said.

Tasmanian devils have a brutal introduction to life, with the female giving birth to a litter of up to one hundred young which fight their way to the mother's teats. Only four make it.

The mother eats the unlucky young.

Tasmanian Devils have been bred on the Australian mainland since 2011 - but only in captivity.

Aussie Ark runs a tour 2.5 hour escorted tour twice a month to view captive Tasmanian Devils.
Navy SEALs have been ordered to immediately provide urine samples for drug testing after the elite teams scaled back testing during the pandemic to limit exposure to COVID-19, it has been reported.

The SEALs, whose ranks have reportedly been plagued by the use of illegal drugs such as cocaine, were ordered by Commander Rear Admiral Hugh Howard to provide the samples on May 19, CBS This Morning reported.

SEALs who are on official leave or temporary assignments were ordered to provide the urine sample on the day they return.

Random drug testing in the Armed Forces is standard procedure but current and former SEALs told the outlet that the immediate force-wide testing is not routine and has not been seen at this scale since 2016.

SEALs who are on official leave or temporary assignments were ordered to provide the urine sample on the day they return

A Navy spokesperson told the outlet that Navy commanders were temporarily given the authority to pause random drug testing to ensure safety amid the pandemic.

'Maintaining a drug-free workplace is critical to warfighting readiness in keeping with Navy policy. We will not tolerate those who use illicit drugs and misuse prescription drugs,' the spokesperson told CBS News.

'Due to the health concerns of COVID-19, the Navy provided commanders the authority to temporarily pause required random testing to ensure the safety of personnel. This did not stop testing, but gave commanders more flexibility to test and mitigate potential transmission of COVID-19.

'The commander [of the SEALs] directed a force-wide urinalysis as a prudent measure to establish a baseline given COVID impacts on program compliance.'

The Navy also said in a press release on Monday that the entire branch has resumed its 'normal' pre-pandemic drug testing.

Vice Admiral John B. Nowell Jr., the Chief of Naval Personnel, said 'commands will return to normal testing procedures and requirements.'

'Commands shall not recall individuals who are restricted in movement or quarantined, except in cases of probable cause, or as determined by the commanding officer in consultation with a local Judge Advocate General officer,' Nowell wrote.

A Navy spokesperson told CBS News that Navy commanders were temporarily given the authority to pause random drug testing to ensure safety amid the pandemic

CBS News spoke with current and former SEALs last month who detailed deployments where SEALs were taking illegal drugs after six members of SEAL Team 10 tested positive for cocaine

The Navy noted that sailors and Marines who can telework does not excuse them from participating in the urinalysis.

The Navy also eased a number of its coronavirus mandates for its ranks, noting that none of the more than 230,000 fully immunized sailors and Marines have been hospitalized to date for COVID-19.

Fully vaccinated sailors can once again take advantage gyms, laundry facilities, commissary access and other base amenities while in ports overseas.

CBS News spoke with current and former SEALs last month who detailed deployments where SEALs were taking illegal drugs after the outlet obtained a heavily redacted investigative report revealing six members of SEAL Team 10 had tested positive for cocaine.

'I would say the majority of guys are not doing it. We've got to work hard to find the guys who are and how they're getting it around,' one of the SEALs told CBS News.
A young nursing student who suffered blood clots after receiving the AstraZeneca jab has issued an important warning to other Australians getting the vaccine.

Ellie Peacock, who works in a Queensland hospital, has urged others to monitor for side effects after she developed concerning symptoms following her first dose on March 31 - a week before the Government advised under-50s against receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The 18-year-old suffered severe headaches and chest pains and was diagnosed with pneumonia before doctors finally discovered three blood clots in her lungs two months after the jab.

The condition, known technically as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TSS), is 'very rare', according to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), with the rates in Australia consistent with other countries.

Ellie Peacock received her first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine on March 31 and went to the emergency department on April 18 with what she claims were 'signs of clotting'

In a video posted on TikTok, Ms Peacock told Australians to keep an eye out for warning signs after receiving the jab, sharing a series of photos of her hospital stay earlier this month.

'If you get the vaccine, watch your side effects closely!' she wrote in text superimposed over the clip.

'[I am] one of the 25 Australians with blood clots from the Covid Vaccine.'

'[There is] a 0.01 per cent chance of developing TSS.'

In its latest Covid-19 Vaccine Safety Report on May 20th, the TGA reported there are 24 cases of people with blood clots following the AstraZeneca vaccine out of 2.1 million doses. Overall, 21 of these cases are considered confirmed and three are considered probable.

Ms Peacock shared images showing her skin covered in red dots, while others showed her in a hospital gown, strapped up to machines.

Ms Peacock, who was recently discharged, must now get her blood tested every week, go for a CT scan every month and take blood thinning medication for the next six months.

Despite all this, she says Australians should still get vaccinated but take into consideration advice from medical authorities.

Ms Peacock shared photos of her hospital stay over TikTok, urging others to monitor for side effects after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine

Ms Peacock suffered severe headaches and chest pains and was diagnosed with pneumonia before doctors finally discovered three blood clots in her lungs

'I think people should still follow the TGA guidelines,' she told A Current Affair.

'I'm not an anti-vaxxer. I've never missed a vaccine in my life. I've never had side effects to any other vaccine. This is the first one I've had a reaction to.'

Ms Peacock said she had received a call from the Therapeutic Goods Administration confirming the blood clot was linked to the vaccine.

The 18-year-old went to the emergency department at the Royal Brisbane Women's Hospital with severe throbbing and tightness in her calf on April 18 and what she claims were 'signs of clotting'.

But no blood clots were picked-up in an ultrasound and she was sent home where her pain subsided, the Courier-Mail reported.

The trainee nurse then started getting regular headaches and by May 7 Ms Peacock had severe pain near her collarbone while inhaling.

Two days later a chest X-ray identified she had pneumonia after she went back to hospital complaining of pain in her back and ribs.

Nursing student Eli Peacock has just been released from hospital after it was discovered she had three blood clots on her right lung

She returned home again but on May 11, Ms Peacock was rushed to emergency at 2am after struggling to breathe.

'I was sent home within six hours without further testing done and was told that it's normal pain with pneumonia and that I need to put up with the pain until the medications start working,' she said.

Ms Peacock was sent back to hospital after visiting her doctor two days later after her oxygen levels dropped to 90 per cent.

It was then the three blood clots were discovered on her right lung, along with a low platelet count.

'The doctor believes the ultrasound they did on my calf back all that time, that the clot had already got to my pelvis, or, was too small to show in the ultrasound,' she wrote in an Instagram story.

'This experience has been terrifying and overwhelming but I'm on the mend. Now to focus on my health for the next six months.'

Ms Peacock was sent back to hospital after visiting her doctor two days later after her oxygen levels dropped to 90 per cent

Acting Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd last week addressed concerns surrounding the vaccine.

Professor Kidd said while the vaccine can cause blood clotting in people with low platelet counts he stressed that the chances of it happening are 'very small'.

'The serious risk disease and death from Covid-19, if we experience another severe outbreak is far greater than the very small potential risk of a very rare clotting disorder associated with the vaccine,' he said.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is currently only recommended for those aged over 50, who those under that age are advised to get the Pfizer jab.
The number of paedophiles who pose a threat has almost tripled in lockdown  with up to 850,000 offenders in the UK.

Shock figures from the National Crime Agency (NCA) show the estimated number of UK child sex offenders has risen from 300,000 in the last year.

Officials estimated between 550,000 and 850,000 suspects in the UK  which included paedophiles who download and share images as well as those involved in direct physical abuse.

But investigators say that figure is likely an underestimate as it does not include teenagers who demand naked selfies and foreign offenders.

Shock figures from the National Crime Agency (NCA) show the estimated number of UK child sex offenders has risen from 300,000 in the last year

In its National Strategic Assessment, the NCA said the rise was due to an increase in child pornography users during the pandemic combined with more children going online as schools shut.

Offenders living with victims will also have had a greater opportunity to abuse during lockdowns.

Mark Russell, chief executive of The Children's Society, said: 'Drastic action is needed to make the online world a safer one.'

In the last year, more children were safeguarded than ever before, with nearly 10,000 children identified by police and the National Crime Agency in the first nine months of 2020/21 and more than 7,000 suspects arrested.

The NSPCC saw a 60 per cent average monthly increase in contacts made about children experiencing online child sexual exploitation when lockdown was imposed

They included a number of people in positions of trust, including the deputy head of a primary school who was later jailed.

The report says child sexual abuse in the UK is increasing: 'The assessment concludes that despite significant operational and policy responses, the child sexual abuse threat continues to grow, exacerbated by rising online activity.'

Investigators warn: 'It is highly likely that some individuals who began or increased their online offending or networking during lockdown, will continue these behaviours after Covid-19 restrictions end...

'Similarly, some children who increased their online footprint during lockdown are highly likely to remain active online, increasing the potential victim base.'

Charities have also warned of a surge in child sex offenders.

The NSPCC saw a 60 per cent average monthly increase in contacts made about children experiencing online child sexual exploitation when lockdown was imposed.

The Lucy Faithfull Foundation saw an 11 per cent increase in people contacting their helpline about child sexual abuse from 2019-2020 and a 42 per cent surge in potential offenders looking at its online help page.

The Internet Watch Foundation has also reported a 77 per cent global increase in the number of reports of naked pictures taken by children, either shared with peers or taken on the orders of an offender.
Melbourne's worrying Covid cluster has grown to 15 cases while 43 venues including the MCG have been exposed to the highly infectious Indian strain, sparking fears of another dreaded snap lockdown.

More than 23,000 footy fans at Sunday night's game at the MCG have been put on alert, while contact tracers are scrambling to track down the mystery link after an outbreak in the city's northern suburbs grew to 15 cases within two days.

Victoria recorded 11 new cases of Covid on Wednesday, but five of them were reported late on Tuesday - bringing today's new cases to six and the total to 15.

The five cases recorded on Tuesday were all linked to the highly contagious Indian strain after an infected man aged in his 60s spread the virus to four household contacts.

It sparked a return to a series of restrictions including the wearing of masks indoors and limits of five guests inside a home and a cap of 30 on groups gathering outside.

There are now more than 50 exposure sites across Melbourne and regional Victoria, including the MCG.

Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino on Wednesday said he won't rule out taking 'further action' in terms of restrictions.

'It's fair to say the 24 hours are going to be particularly critical,' he said.

'It's good that everyone (cases) is linked at this stage, but we are concerned about the number and also about the kind of exposure sites.'

Melbourne remains on high alert after its surprise new Covid-19 cluster grew to nine, with mask restrictions back in place (pictured, a woman in Melbourne)

Barkly Square shopping centre in Brunswick, in Melbourne's north, is the latest of a string of venues to be added to the list of Tier 2 exposure sites - meaning anyone who attended the complex must get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result.

'We have been advised the affected individual was present at the centre on Saturday, 22 May between 1:15pm and 2:30pm,' centre management wrote in a press release.

The Covid-positive person went to Priceline Pharmacy, OPSM, Kmart and Woolworths.

Victoria's Health Department announced Three Monkeys Bar on Chapel Street in Prahran has been added to the Tier 1 exposure site alert.

Acting Premier James Merlino remained steadfast in his decision not to lock down the state just yet, saying officials are 'making changes based on public health advice'

Patrons at the bar between 9:10pm and 11:00pm on Saturday night, and 12:30am to 2:00am Sunday morning must get tested immediately and isolate for 14 days.

Somewhere Bar in Prahran, between 10:30pm on Saturday to 1am on Sunday, and The Circus Bar in South Yarra, between 1:30am and 4:15am on Sunday morning, are also new exposure sites of particular concern.

Genomic sequencing has linked the latest cases to a Wollert man who caught the virus in South Australian hotel quarantine two weeks ago.

But how the virus was transmitted remains a mystery, amid growing fears the city could once again be plunged into the lockdown if the outbreak isn't contained.

'So we understand the relationships between them and we have an explanation for how transmission has occurred,' Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said.

'We might see new people coming forward and testing positive that either tell us what the missing link is.'

Mr Merlino said the 'genesis' of the outbreak was the breach at the quarantine hotel in South Australia.

'We know there is a link with all 15 cases as part of this outbreak. The good thing we know is the link going back to the hotel breach in South Australia,' he said.

A reporter pointed out that the city's February lockdown was brought in amid a rapid spread of the UK's B.1.1.7 strain, however the current Indian strain, which is more infectious, hasn't led to a lockdown.

'This particular variant, B1617, the sublineage one [which is present in this cluster] doesn't appear to be as bad as sublineage two [which is dominant in India and the UK],' Professor Sutton said.

The fate of Melbourne's outbreak was sitting on a 'knife edge', according to CSIRO's Director of Health and Biosecurity Dr Rob Grenfell

Anyone seated in that area between bays M1 and M16 will be contacted directly by contract tracers and advised to get tested and isolate until they return a negative result, with all fans told to watch for symptoms (pictured, a seating map of the MCG)

'So this lineage that is part of this cluster may not be as bad, but you're right, it's probably at least as transmissible as [the UK variant] and we will have that in mind as we consider the epidemiology today.'

Mr Merlino remained steadfast in his decision not to lock down the state just yet, saying officials are 'making changes based on public health advice'.

'We are not going to foreshadow what those changes may or may not be. It will be dependent on what happens over the next 24 hours and advice from the public health team,' he said.

Victoria's Department of Health had identified 301 primary close contacts, with 80 of those so far returning negative results. The remaining results will come through on Wednesday.

Prof Sutton said the fact that there have been 'exposures over a number of days ago back in time is concern'.

'Finding the primary close contacts and getting them tested and identifying their contacts and getting them tested and going to the next ring has been fantastic,' he said.

'But there has been a lot of chasing to be done because we have had those individuals out in the community for some days in the past, so there are potential exposures there that relate to some days ago that I get to potentially play out new cases.'

Prof Sutton said health officials will review the possibility of a lockdown throughout today and tomorrow.

'This particular variance, the B1617, which has taken over in India, the sub lineage does not seem to be as bad,' he said.

Among the other exposure sites is a regional hairdresser 160km north of Melbourne in Bendigo and a cafe in the nearby town of Axedale.

It has also emerged that none of three cases aged over-50 had been vaccinated despite being eligible for the jab - which can help stop transmission.

CSIRO's Director of Health and Biosecurity Dr Rob Grenfell said the fate of Melbourne's outbreak was sitting on a 'knife edge'.

'The next few days will tell us how harsh it will be - we are sitting on a knife's edge here in Melbourne,' he told Today.

'This virus isn't going away. It is here and it is going to eventually establish itself in this country, so we have to be very cautious.'

Another expert warned even another handful of cases on Wednesday could lead to an immediate snap lockdown.

'If we see another bunch of cases tomorrow, I think it is unfortunately lockdown time,' University of South Australia biostatistics professor Adrian Esterman told The Age.

An urgent alert has also been issued after an infected case attended the AFL game between Collingwood and Port Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday, with hundreds of fans in certain sections of the stadium told to isolate immediately.

The infected case sat in Zone 4, Level 1 of the Great Southern Stand at the Punt Road end of the ground, with 23,000 spectators at Sunday night's game.

An alert has been issued after an infected case attended the AFL game (pictured) between Collingwood and Port Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday

Three Melburnians aged over-50 had not been vaccinated when they were infected. Pictured are Melburnians at a testing station at the Royal Melbourne Hospital on Tuesday

Anyone seated in that area between bays M1 and M16 will be contacted directly by contract tracers and advised to get tested and isolate until they return a negative result, with all fans told to watch for symptoms.

'Some individuals with the closest contact to the positive case will be directly provided more specific advice from the Department of Health. Others attending the MCG not located in these areas will be advised to check for symptoms and be tested if any develop,' the alert states.

CCTV footage will be reviewed to determine if the advice to test and isolate will be broadened beyond these areas.

The Indian strain is considered by health officials to be equally as infectious as other mutant variants, including the dangerous UK strain.

'It is by no means one to be complacent about,' Victoria's chief health officer Dr Brett Sutton said on Tuesday.

'It is at least as infectious as the so-called UK variant.

'It's been called the double-mutant variant, in fact it's got 15 mutations, two of which are a concern that relate to transmissibility.'

Leading expert Professor Sharon Lewin from the Doherty Institute expressed 'a number of issues of concern' with the latest outbreak in Melbourne - warning that the huge gap between an initial case in hotel quarantine and the new infections could lead to a lockdown.

'First of all, it is nine cases with no new transmission for a long time in Victoria, and it is the Indian variant which we know is more infectious,' she told ABC's 7.30.

'There's also been quite a bit of a gap between where we think this came from, which was the initial quarantine hotel in Adelaide and now these cases are appearing with quite a significant gap so there is a lot of work to look at steps in between for those transmission events.'

She hopes a 'significant' lockdown can be avoided.

'There are lots of things that go into decisions around the lockdown but we have seen quite large clusters being managed really effectively and an example are the Northern Beaches in New South Wales back in December, that were done with really good and extensive contact tracing and some limitation of movement,' she said.

Professor Lewin is also concerned about the low vaccination rate, with fears growing that not all Australians will be vaccinated by the end of the year.

'Simply because... you need to get people vaccinated to prevent severe infection and hospitalisation and death,' she said.

'We don't have enough people vaccinated.'

Pedestrians queue at a Covid-19 testing station in Melbourne on May 25 as the city recorded new locally-acquired coronavirus cases in the community after an 86-day unbroken stretch of zero infections

Professor Sharon Lewin (pictured) from the Doherty Institute expressed 'a number of issues of concern' with the latest outbreak

Meanwhile, Western Australia has introduced tough new restrictions on Victorian travellers declaring all new arrivals to the state must immediately self isolate.

The state government stopped short of closing its border to Victoria, but will require all arrivals from from 6pm on Tuesday to immediately get tested and self-quarantine until they receive a negative result.

Anyone who has visited any of the 24 exposure sites in Victoria during the relevant times are also required to get tested immediately and self-quarantine for 14 days.

Travellers from Victoria who have arrived since May 15 are urged to monitor their health closely and are warned they will be contacted by WA Police using the G2G Pass declaration system in place in WA.

EXPOSURE SITES IN MELBOURNE Tier one; Anyone who visited the below sites must get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result Tier two: Anyone who attended the following sites at the times listed must get tested and isolate until a negative result or further advice Circus Bar at 199 Commercial Road, South Yarra, between 1:30am and 4:15am on Sunday May 23. Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure The Three Monkeys bar at 210 Chapel Street, Prahran, between 9:10pm and 11:00pm on Saturday May 22 and 12:30am and 2:00am Sunday May 23. Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Somewhere Bar at 181 Chapel Street, Prahran, between 10:30pm and 1:00am on Saturday May 22. Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Bundoora Jump! Swim Schools Bundoora 4/37 The Concord, Bundoora VIC 3083, 21/05/2021, 8:55am - 10:15am, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Axedale Axedale Tavern 105 High Street, Axedale VIC 3551, 23/05/2021, 11:45am - 1:30pm, Case attended function, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Bendigo Hairfolk 33 Williamson Street, Bendigo VIC 3550, 22/05/2021, 9:40am - 10:10am, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Brunswick Futsal Brunswick 409 Victoria Street, Brunswick VIC 3056, 23/05/2021, 9:00am - 10:00am, Case attended venue. The Department may provide you with specific advice depending on what activity you participated in at this exposure site, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Clifton Hill McDonald's Clifton Hill 199 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill VIC 3068, 22/05/2021, 6:00pm - 7:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Coburg BP Southvale 303 Bell Street, Coburg VIC 3058, 22/05/2021, 8:10am - 8:30am, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Coburg The Nicholson Coffee House 6/14-20 Nicholson Street, Coburg VIC 3058, 22/05/2021, 12:00pm - 1:00pm, Case sat inside cafe, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Epping Chemist Warehouse, Dalton Village, Epping Shop 15, Dalton Village, 351-371 Dalton Road, Epping VIC 3076, 19/05/2021, 6:45pm - 8:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Epping The Furniture Trader 102-120 Cooper Street, Epping VIC 3076, 18/05/2021, 12:00pm - 12:50pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Epping JMD Grocers & Sweets 768 High Street, Epping VIC 3076, 17/05/2021, 10:30am - 1:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Epping Nando's Epping (Dalton Rd) Shop 17 Dalton Village, 351-371 Dalton Road, Epping VIC 3076, 19/05/2021, 8:30pm - 9:20pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Epping Epping North Shopping Centre 2 Lyndarum Drive, Epping VIC 3076, 22/05/2021, 4:45pm - 5:50pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Epping House and Party (store) 2 Lyndarum Drive, Epping VIC 3076, 22/05/2021, 5:15pm - 5:50pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Epping Woolworths Epping North 2 Lyndarum Drive, Epping VIC 3076, 22/05/2021, 4:45pm - 5:45pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Epping Urban Diner Food Court, Pacific Epping Shopping Centre 571-583 High Street, Epping VIC 3076, 23/05/2021, 1:15pm - 2:30pm, Case attended Urban Diner Food Court - inside location (not outside dining precinct with individual restaurants), Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Epping ALDI Epping Dalton Village, 347-371 Dalton Road, Epping VIC 3076, 23/05/2021, 6:00pm - 7:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Epping Chemist Depot Epping, Pacific Epping Shoping Centre 571-583 High Street, Epping VIC 3076, 23/05/2021, 11:15am - 12:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Epping Woolworths Epping Shop Number Q003. Pacific Epping Cooper Street & High street, Epping VIC 3076, 20/05/2021, 6:25pm - 7:15pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Epping Coles Epping Shop Number Q002. Pacific Epping Cooper street & High street, Epping VIC 3076, 20/05/2021, 6:45pm - 7:35pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Fitzroy North Secco and Co 414 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy VIC 3068, 22/05/2021, 7:35pm - 8:55pm, Case attended party, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Lalor Deep Indian Supermarket 3/494 High Street, Lalor VIC 3075, 20/05/2021, 7:00pm - 8:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Lalor Fruits of Lalor 328 Station Street, Lalor VIC 3075, 19/05/2021, 12:00pm - 1:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Lalor No. 1 Fruit Market 37 May Road, Lalor VIC 3075, 19/05/2021, 12:00pm - 1:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Lalor Everfresh Fruit Market 346 Station Street, Lalor VIC 3075, 19/05/2021, 12:00pm - 1:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Maribyrnong Highpoint Shopping Centre, all other areas on Levels 2 and 3 excluding specific shops listed as Tier 1 sites Levels 2 & 3, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong VIC 3032, 20/05/2021, 5:15pm - 6:35pm Case attended venue. If you attended one of the shops listed as Tier 1 (Lush Cosmetics, Toyworld, Smiggle, Kidstuff, Ishka), see specific shop instructions, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Maribyrnong Smiggle, Highpoint Shopping Centre Level 3, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong VIC 3032, 20/05/2021, 5:55pm - 6:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Maribyrnong Kidstuff, Highpoint Shopping Centre Level 2, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong VIC 3032, 20/05/2021, 5:20pm - 5:55pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Maribyrnong Ishka, Highpoint Shopping Centre Level 2, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong VIC 3032, 20/05/2021, 5:45pm - 6:20pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Maribyrnong Lush Cosmetics, Highpoint Shopping Centre Level 2, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong VIC 3032, 20/05/2021, 6:05pm - 6:35pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Maribyrnong Toyworld, Highpoint Shopping Centre Level 2, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong, 3032, 20/05/2021, 5:30pm - 6:20pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Melbourne Bamboo House 47 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, 21/05/2021, 11:00am - 11:50am, Case attended venue,Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Mill Park Bunnings Warehouse, Mill Park 761 Plenty Road, Mill Park VIC 3082, 20/05/2021, 4:00pm - 6:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Port Melbourne Port Park Cafe 7/484 Graham St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, 24/05/2021, 12:30pm - 1:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Port Melbourne The Local, Port Melbourne 22-24 Bay Street, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, 21/05/2021, 1:40pm - 3:30pm, Case dined inside venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Port Melbourne Bay 101 Cafe 7/101 Bay Street, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, 24/05/2021, 7:30am - 8:20am,Case sat inside venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Preston Adams Reserve Playground Milton Crescent, VIC Preston 3072, 23-05-2021, 2:15pm - 3:45pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Preston ALDI Preston South 15 Dundas Street, Preston VIC 3072, 23/05/2021, 3:45pm - 4:25pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Reservoir P & C Indian Grocery & Convenience Store 246 Broadway, Reservoir VIC 3073, 22/05/2021, 6:00pm - 7:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Reservoir Shell Coles Express Reservoir 192-202 Broadway & Whitelaw Street, Reservoir VIC 3073, 18/05/2021, 3:15pm - 4:15pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Reservoir B.T. Connor Reserve 200 Broadhurst Avenue, Reservoir VIC 3073, 21/05/2021, 8:00pm - 11:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Thomastown ACTROL (Retail Store- refrigerator and airconditioning parts) 13-17 Brand Drive, Thomastown VIC 3074, 17/05/2021, 12:00pm - 1:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Thomastown White Line Automotive 2/28 Lipton Drive, Thomastown VIC 3074, 20/05/2021, 12:00pm - 1:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Thornbury Little Tienda 410 Station Street, Thornbury VIC 307122/05/2021, 7:45am - 8:20am. Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Advertisement

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan described the situation as 'concerning' as 18,000 travellers from Victoria have arrived in Western Australia over the past 10 days.

'This is a rapidly evolving situation and things may well change,' he said.

'Given the unknown source of the current outbreak, and genomic sequencing confirming a link to the Victorian man who acquired the virus in South Australian hotel quarantine earlier this month, it is a very concerning situation.

'It means there have been infectious people in the Victorian community potentially since May 15.'

The premier, who has become known for his tough stance on borders during the pandemic, made no apologies for the 'extra precautionary' measures.

'I understand this may be inconvenient for some people, but we need to take this course of action to protect Western Australia,' Mr McGowan said.

'My government will take whatever action required to keep Western Australians safe.'

Health workers conduct COVID-19 test at Northern Health in Epping on Tuesday as Victorians flocked to get tested following the new outbreak

Deputy Premier James Merlino confirmed in a press conference on Tuesday morning a man in his 60s has tested positive, with the state's cases from the latest cluster now sitting at nine

Genomic testing has determined Tuesday's new cases are an Indian variant linked to the Whittlesea cluster in Melbourne's north, with 168 close contacts identified so far.

The Whittlesea area includes the suburbs of Beveridge, Donnybrook, Doreen, Eden Park, Epping, Humevale, Kinglake West, Lalor, Mernda, Mill Park, South Morang, Thomastown, Whittlesea, Wollert, Woodstock and Yan Yean.

With fears growing the outbreak could quickly spread interstate, the Queensland government has also introduced some restrictions on travellers from Victoria, with the City of Whittlesea local government area declared a Covid-19 hotspot.

That means anyone arriving in the Sunshine State who has been in Whittlesea over the past 14 days will be required to go into hotel quarantine unless they have a valid exemption.

The new measures went into effect from 1am on Wednesday.

Commuters wear face masks in Melbourne on Monday, after it was revealed the state had identified new local Covid cases

New restrictions in Melbourne: Maximum of five visitors per household

Maximum of 30 people gathering outside

Masks must be worn indoors and on public transport

People travelling from Melbourne to other areas must carry restrictions with them

Schools and workplaces will remain open with the new restrictions applied

Dancefloors remain open but people must wear masks while dancing Advertisement

South Australia also imposed fresh border restrictions on Victorians from key sites linked to new Covid-19 cases.

The state will stop travellers who visited 24 announced locations in Melbourne from crossing the border, and anyone in SA who recently visited those sites must self-isolate for 14 days and get tested three times.

Less severe measures have been imposed for anyone who visited the City of Whittlesea, with those arrivals required to have a test within 24 hours and isolate until they receive a negative result.

South Australia's Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said on Monday the cases were a reminder that even though Australia had done well in containing the virus, the potential for a significant outbreak remained.

NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said the new infections are a stark warning to the community.

'You can see how Covid can be transmitted in the community because it can be a mild disease and, therefore, go undetected,' she said on Monday.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian will not shut the border between the two states, but people travelling from Victoria to Sydney will be asked on arrival whether they have visited an exposure site.

A declaration form is also available on the Service NSW website and must be completed upon entry.

Authorities have also told anyone who has visited the Whittlesea area to avoid visiting aged care facilities or hospitals.

A fifth case of coronavirus has emerged as a result of the Whittlesea outbreak as a man aged in his 60s tests positive on Tuesday

Chief Health Officer Mr Sutton said the new case was symptomatic at the time of his testing and they are investigating another 'intermediary' link.

'His initial recollections don't overlap with any of the Wollert case's exposure sites, so there's no definitive link to that Wollert case even though we know that there's a genomic link, so there may still be another intermediary,' he said.

'We need to explore that, but we need to finish the very lengthy, very detailed interview with that case this morning.'

He confirmed the case is from the Indian variant and said there could still be cases in the community.

'It's possible there's another missing link out there,' Professor Sutton said.
A woman who protested outside a school in Leeds after its headteacher called the Palestinian flag a 'call to arms' has said she is satisfied with his apology.

Yasmin Ahmed, 30, was pictured outside Allerton Grange School on Monday with a placard bearing the Palestinian flag and the message: 'This flag is not a 'call to arms'. This is a symbol of freedom and self-determination.'

Headmaster Mike Roper was forced to apologise for making the 'foolish' comments during an assembly in which he said that some people felt 'threatened' and 'unsafe' whenever they saw the Palestinian flag.

A clip from the assembly circulating online showed him telling pupils that the flag was sometimes 'seen as a message of support of anti-Semitism'. He added: 'It was never meant to be like that in the first place.'

Protesters gathered outside the school on Monday while an online petition calling for Mr Roper to resign has gained more than 500 signatories. The school has said that it had faced a 'social media barrage' and will host a 'fully impartial' whole-school lecture on the crisis in the Middle East.

Ms Ahmed told the Times she was satisfied with the apology and added: 'We went to demand an apology and action to be taken by the school, which has happened, and to give the pupils some confidence and extend solidarity so that they feel enabled to express themselves without being bullied.'

Yasmin Ahmed, 30, was pictured outside Allerton Grange School on Monday with a placard bearing the Palestinian flag and the message: 'This flag is not a 'call to arms'. This is a symbol of freedom and self-determination'

Protesters gather at Allerton Grange School in Leeds, West Yorkshire

A clip from the assembly circulating online showed Mike Roper (pictured) telling pupils that the flag was sometimes 'seen as a message of support of anti-Semitism'

One parent said: `I'm certain the head had no intention of causing such huge offence and he has now apologised, which I accept so long as there is no repeat of the kind of language he used.'

On Monday, police were stationed outside the school as protesters gathered at the gates, waving Palestinian flags and chanting.

Last week's assembly is understood to have been held to try to address tensions after some pupils were disciplined for wearing lanyards bearing the flag.

Ms Ahmed previously told the Telegraph: 'The kids at that school were displaying the Palestinian flag in a peaceful way to make a statement about how they felt about what is happening over there, and to display their anger and their solidarity.

'For the headmaster to then issue a video saying that the Palestinian flag is a call to arms and a symbol of anti-Semitism was shocking and inflammatory.'

A clip from the assembly circulating online showed him telling pupils that the flag was sometimes 'seen as a message of support of anti-Semitism'

Yasmin Ahmed, 30, from Leeds, said Mr Roper's comments were 'shocking and inflammatory'

On Monday police were stationed outside the school as protesters gathered at the gates, waving Palestinian flags and chanting

In the video, Mr Roper is heard saying: 'When I spoke to them they were so articulate in how they felt about innocent people in the Middle East and how they were being treated.

'But the problem is by using a symbol such as the Palestinian flag that message is lost because for some people they see that flag and they feel threatened, they feel unsafe.

'They worry because for other people that flag is seen as a call to arms and seen as a message of support of anti-Semitism, for being anti-Jewish and it was never meant to be like that in the first place.'

He says he has asked students not to use symbols or flags 'because it is causing a lot of distress to students, particularly minority students'.

A joint letter from the school and Leeds City Council was issued, in which Mr Roper apologised

A joint letter from the school and Leeds City Council was later issued, in which Mr Roper apologised for his comments.

He says: 'In a diverse school like Allerton Grange, with such a rich mix of communities, it is not surprising that divisions on the international front will be felt within our school. It was in an attempt to address those tensions that I gave an assembly to all students on Wednesday morning.

'I am deeply sorry that a particular example I used in that assembly, referring to the Palestinian flag, has caused such upset within the community.

'That was never my intention. The full message shared with students last week praised our students' passion for their views and beliefs.

'It set out how we want to work through the issues highlighted with our students in an informed and respectful way.'

In the local Roundhay ward, 12.7 per cent of people are Muslim and 2.4 per cent Jewish, according to the 2011 census.

The national averages are 5 per cent and 0.5 per cent respectively.

Allerton's Ofsted report, which rates it as good, notes: 'This is a multicultural school and pupils enjoy the diversity.'
It will reward those who've served in Army, Royal Navy or RAF for at least 12 years

Thousands of non-UK citizens in the Armed Forces will have the costs of applying to settle in Britain waived.

The move by the Home Office and Ministry of Defence will save troops from Commonwealth nations 2,389 each, rewarding those who have served in the Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force for at least 12 years.

There are more than 10,000 non-UK citizens in the British Armed Forces from countries including Australia, Canada and Fiji.

According to the MoD, many of these troops may consider applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK when their service ends.

Home Secretary Priti Patel pictured during her visit to Wellington Barracks, central London, to meet service personnel ahead of a public consultation into waiving indefinite leave to remain application fees for non-UK service personnel who wish to remain in the UK after service

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: We owe those who showed us loyal service, our loyalty in return. It is right that we recognise their contribution by not only smoothing the pathway to residency and citizenship, but also by lifting the financial cost of doing so after 12 years of service.

Previously, non-UK troops were given only six weeks to apply for leave-to-remain status.

Under the new plans, troops could use the last two years of their service to ensure all the necessary paperwork is completed. The waiver is unlikely to be extended to the dependants of non-UK personnel.

The breakthrough follows a high profile court case involving eight Fijian troops who served in Afghanistan and Iraq who have been denied indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

They lost a legal battle earlier this year to have their status overturned after claiming, unsuccessfully, that the Ministry of Defence was responsible for bureaucratic errors which adversely affected their applications.

Their case, which was supported by former Army commander and Conservative MP Sir Bob Stewart, triggered a campaign which has finally been recognised by the government.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace pictured with Ms Patel during their visit to Wellington Barracks on Tuesday. The move by the Home Office and Ministry of Defence will save troops from Commonwealth nations 2,389 each

Last night, Home Secretary Priti Patel said: I am immensely proud that brave servicemen and women from around the world want to continue to call the UK their home after their service.

It is only right that those who continue to do extraordinary work on behalf of our country are recognised and rewarded, and I am determined to support them settle in our wonderful communities right across the UK.

The moves are subject to a public consultation period which begins today and runs until July 7th. The policy is likely to come into effect later this year.

Non-UK personnel can still apply for leave to remain after serving a minimum four year period but these application costs would not be covered under the new policy.
Australia's music festival scenes is back after a long Covid delay with thousands of revellers dressed to impress at the Big Pineapple Music Festival.

The festival, which kicked off on Pineapple Fields on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, had a huge turnout with revellers donning bright fruit-themed outfits.

A video uploaded to Tik Tok on Monday showed festival-goers moshing together to a DJ set in a large amphitheater later in the evening.

Pictured: Three women dressed in boots and flared pants at the Big Pineapple Music Festival on Friday, May 21, in Queensland

Some festival-goers opted for fruit-themed outfits (pictured) for the event, near the Sunshine Coast. Others dressed as pineapples

The event was supposed to take place in November 2020, but organisers were forced to postpone amid Covid-19 fears.

Queensland has not recorded a local case in about two months, but festival bosses followed advice from Queensland Health and ordered ticket-holders to stay 1.5m away from others.

People who opted not to wear fruit-themes attire wore more traditional festival outfits, including chunky runners, glitter, coloured hair extensions, fishnet tights, leopard print, flare pants and flowy skirts.

Neon sunglasses and bright pineapple-themed memorabilia could be seen at every corner of the festival.

Pictured: Thousands of revellers hanging out near the main stage at the Big Pineapple Music Festival on Friday afternoon

Pictured: A woman dressed in glittery flares and strappy boots while holding a red cup at the music festival on Friday

Pictured: A group of people in bright coloured t-shirts standing by a festival sign. Lots of revellers opted for fruit-themed shirts

Thousands of festival-deprived Australians flocked to the event to enjoy the star-studded line up, including Alison Wonderland and Peking Duk

But the extravaganza wasn't all fun and games, with 27 people arrested for drug possession.

About 200 people were searched by sniffer dogs and 27 were arrested and are set to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court over the next six weeks.

MDMA was the most popular drug, with police seizing 27 capsules and 1.2g of crystal MDMA.

They also found found one LSD strip and 10g of marijuana.

Aside from the arrests, organisers said the event was a huge success.

Organisers of the Big Pineapple Music Festival said the event was a huge success (pictured revellers at the event)

The festival was meant to be held in November, but it was postponed to May 21 due to Covid. Attendees were told to socially distance

'Wasn't it great to see live music again?' festival organisers wrote on Facebook over the weekend. Festival-goers were excited to watch live music again

'Wasn't it great to see live music again?' they wrote on Facebook.

'Hopefully the success of the #BPMF2021 means more Aussie music festivals in the future.'

Festival-deprived Australians took to the comments section to encourage government officials to support more music festivals, despite the pandemic.

Pictured: Two people at the Big Pineapple Music Festival on Friday, held near Queensland's Sunshine Coast

'It was amazing. So happy to see live music again,' one woman wrote. Pictured: Women at the festival

'Congrats to everyone involved, was a great day. Hopefully government agencies were in attendance to see how a successful festival can run post Covid. Fingers crossed this opens more doors for indoor venues as well,' one person wrote.

'It was amazing. So happy to see live music again,' one woman wrote.

'Massive massive congrats on an amazing festival well done guys killed it,' another wrote.
Walmart has apologized after a racist email saying 'Welcome to Walmart, N*****' was sent to hundreds of customers on the one-year anniversary of George Floyd's murder.

People in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom reported waking up Tuesday to see they'd received the offensive email from the company's official help@walmart.com email address.

Many posted screenshots to social media and expressed their fury at the company.

In a statement, Walmart said it was 'shocked and appalled' and blamed an 'external bad actor'.

The company said someone had created fake Walmart accounts using the email addresses possibly obtained after a previous data breach, and changed their first names to a racial slur.

Walmart said it had blocked emails containing a racial slur from being sent from its domain.

Reuters reported the company was unsure how many emails had been out, but its systems were not hacked and no customer information had been compromised.

Walmart has apologized for sending out an email containing the N-word to hundreds of customers

Hundreds of people who received the email expressed their fury at the company

This person says she called Walmart to complain about receiving the offensive email, and a supervisor told her to read it out loud back to her

This person from the United Kingdom also received the 'disturbing' email

Courtney Rhodman told WXYZ in Detroit that she was appalled to receive an email with 'such a hateful word like that'.

'I didn't think it was real. So, I closed it out, and then I went back into it. I just can't believe it,' she told the station Tuesday.

'And today is George Floyd's anniversary. I just would have never thought I would be here talking about Walmart calling me the word.'

Floyd, 46, was killed in Minneapolis on May 25 2020 after former police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his knee for more than nine minutes.

Rhodman said she has retained an attorney Joseph Goldman to take up her complaint with the company.

The retail giant said the unknown offenders had created fake accounts on its website 'with obvious intent to offend our customers'.

'We were shocked and appalled to see these offensive and unacceptable emails. We're looking into our sign-up process to ensure something like this doesn't happen again,' a PR rep said in a statement.

Courtney Rhodman told WXYZ in Detroit that she was appalled to receive the email on the one-year anniversary of George Floyd's murder

Walmart swiftly apologized and said they had blocked their servers from sending emails with racial slurs

A woman said she had called the retail giant to complain and the customer service rep had asked her to read the email back to her over the phone.

'Spoke to a 'Supervisor' at Walmart who asked me to read what the email says. I proceed to read 'Welcome to Walmart, N*****' along with everything else.. she said it sounds like it's just an advertisement. Excuse me ma'am do you not know what 'N*****' mean..ugh.'

Another woman from Scotland tweeted how she had also received the email.

'Walmart I received a very disturbing email from you this am. Please DM me so I can share said email,' the person wrote.

Janey Whiteside, Walmart's chief customer officer, apologized to everyone who had received the offensive email.

'We are very sorry that you received an offensive and unacceptable email,' she wrote.

'We are working to update the account sign-up process to ensure that something like this doesn't happen again.'

Whiteside said all of the fake accounts would be deleted.

'Again, we know the email sent was appalling and strongly believe those words should never be used,' she said.

'We're looking into all available means to hold those responsible accountable.'

A security expert said the email addresses had probably been acquired after a previous unrelated data breach.

Vikram Thakur, technical director at Symantec, told CNN Business the bad actors had probably acquired email addresses from an 'easily and freely available 'dump' from a historical third party data dump.

In December, Walmart apologized for using its official Twitter account to troll Missouri GOP Senator Josh Hawley.

After Hawley said he would challenge the Electoral College vote counts on January 6, Walmart's Twitter account wrote: 'Go ahead. Get your two-hour debate.'

The tweet, which was later deleted, ended with the hashtag #soreloser

Hawley hit back at the Arkansas-based retailer, slamming it for its 'insulting condescension'.

'Now that youve insulted 75 million Americans, will you at least apologize for using slave labor? the US senator wrote.

Walmart said that original tweet was 'mistakenly posted by a member of our social media team'.
A feeling of unease at the prospect of the working week starts on Sunday afternoon, a study found.

And the sense of being lower in spirits lasts until Thursday when looking forward to the weekend perks us up, according to researchers.

They said the emotional discomfort people experience from Sunday afternoon shows up in their tweets.

They worked out feelings throughout the week by analysing 25million messages on Twitter.

The sense of being lower in spirits lasts until Thursday when looking forward to the weekend perks us up, according to researchers (file image)

Positive words are used less in posts towards the end of Sunday through to Thursday when the mood picks up again.

Study co-author Dr Lucas Bietti, of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, said the trend was very much related to the beginning of the working week.

The study analysed both the language and emojis used by people on Twitter, over the course of a day as well as a week.

The hours of 2pm to 11pm appeared to find people at their best, with positive emotions, expressed in words like nice, sweet and love, increasing during this time.

The authors suggest that people become less happy during the late morning, as their job starts to chip away at their wellbeing.

Dr Bietti said: In our study we found that, in self-referencing tweets, positive emotions were highest on Sundays and that there was a decline in positive emotions throughout the week until Thursday, and an increase on both Saturday and Sunday.

Researchers said the emotional discomfort people experience from Sunday afternoon shows up in their tweets (file image)

The study, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, looked at peoples tweets about themselves and about separate subjects, using four different types of analysis.

Dr Eric Mayor, first author of the study from the universities of Neuchatel and Basel in Switzerland, said: We believe reasons positive emotions might increase from 2pm to 11pm could be that individuals may be re-energised by their lunch and starting to think about their evening.

But negative emotions also increase during this period, suggesting a more complex pattern which could be investigated in further studies.

People report positive emotions in the morning between waking up and getting to work, however this positive trend ends at around 10am.
Some of the most popular holiday islands may be added to the quarantine-free green list  even if their mainland is not, say ministers.

It raises the prospect of summer travel to the Greek, Canary and Balearic islands as the next tranche of green list countries are announced next month, even if Spain and Greece remain amber.

In response to an MPs question about using the traffic-light system to reopen international travel, aviation minister Robert Courts said: The Government will take an island approach for border measures where possible.

It raises the prospect of summer travel to the Greek, Canary and Balearic islands as the next tranche of green list countries are announced next month, even if Spain and Greece remain amber (pictured: the Greek island of Santorini)

Changes to the traffic-light country system will be reviewed and implemented every three weeks, unless concerning evidence means we need to act faster to protect public health.

The move could also see other islands in the Caribbean and Mediterranean opened up to holidaymakers separate from their mainland.

The green list will be reviewed next week with a formal announcement possibly on Thursday, with the changes coming into effect on June 7.

British Airways boss Sean Doyle said an islands policy was crucial for getting tourism back up and running and unlocking holidays for millions of Britons.

The green list will be reviewed next week with a formal announcement possibly on Thursday, with the changes coming into effect on June 7 (file photo of passengers in the arrivals hall at Heathrow Airport in August last year)

British Airways boss Sean Doyle (pictured above) said an islands policy was crucial for getting tourism back up and running and unlocking holidays for millions of Britons

But it came as Austria joined Germany yesterday and banned British tourists over fears about the Indian Covid variant.

Britain joins Brazil, India and South Africa on Austrias list of virus variant states. Only Austrian citizens or people with residency rights will be allowed to enter the country from Britain. Direct flights from the UK will be halted from June 1.

Nearly a million Britons visit Austria every year but leisure breaks to the country, popular with skiers, will be off limits this summer if the ban continues.
Democrat leaders have acknowledged the prospect of removing Marjorie Taylor Greene from Congress after the controversial Georgia Rep. defended her remarks comparing coronavirus restrictions to the Holocaust.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer released a statement Tuesday saying Greene 'should change her rhetoric and behavior if she intends to remain a Member of the House'.

The threatening statement appeared a plea to Republican House members, whose votes would be needed to expel Greene from Congress.

'The time for talk is over. Republican Members need to ask themselves why they would want to continue associate with someone who engages in this time of behavior,' the statement read.

So far, they have not made it clear or convincing to the American people that their conference, as they claim, has no room for these dangerous and inexcusable statements and actions.'

In order to expel Greene, Congress would need 290 votes - two-thirds of all House members.

There are currently 223 Democrats and 213 Republicans in the House. A resolution to censure Greene is currently has 73 cosponsors in Congress.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (right) released a statement Tuesday saying Majorie Taylor Greene 'should change her rhetoric and behavior if she intends to remain a Member of the Houser'

Greene made her initial remarks about the Holocaust last week during an interview with David Brody on his Christian Broadcasting Network podcast 'The Water Cooler.'

She compared House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's mask mandates for unvaccinated lawmakers to rules imposed on Jews to identify themselves with a yellow star in Nazi Germany.

'This woman [Pelosi] is mentally ill. You know, we can look back at a time in history where people were told to wear a gold star, and they were definitely treated like second class citizens, so much so that they were put in trains and taken to gas chambers in Nazi Germany,' she stated.

Democrats immediately slammed Greene. A Change.org petition calling for House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to expel Greene from Congress quickly amassed 70,000 signatures.

On Tuesday, McCarthy finally condemned Greene's remarks.

'Marjorie is wrong, and her intentional decision to compare the horrors of the Holocaust with wearing masks is appalling,' McCarthy wrote on Twitter.

'Let me be clear: the House Republican Conference condemns this language.'

DEFIANT MAJORIE TAYLOR GREENE BLASTS KEVIN MCCARTHY Marjorie Taylor Greene thanked a supporter for calling GOP House leader Kevin McCarthy a 'moron' and a 'feckless c***' in a tweet she then deleted. A Twitter user called Simple Patriot responded to McCarthy condemning Greene for comparing COVID restrictions to the treatment of Jews during the Holocaust by saying: 'Look you moron, nobody supported Israel in their recent conflict with Hamas more than MTG. Her analogy may not have been perfect but seriously you need to get a grip you feckless c****. Pelosi is the villain here'. Greene shared the tweet and wrote: 'Thank you for seeing the truth and how much I support Israel and stand against the left's support for Hamas.' The Republican deleted the tweet, but not before other users caught it. Advertisement

Meanwhile, New Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik also added her voice to the criticism, writing: 'Equating mask wearing and vaccines to the Holocaust belittles the most significant human atrocities ever committed.'

'We must all work together to educate our fellow Americans on the unthinkable horrors of the Holocaust. #NeverAgain,' she added.

But Greene doubled down on Twitter Tuesday in claiming that her words are being twisted to say she compared mask mandates to the Holocaust.

'I never compared it to the Holocaust, only the discrimination against Jews in early Nazi years,' Greene tweeted.

'Stop feeding into the left wing media attacks on me,' she added. 'Everyone should be concerned about the squads support for terrorists and discrimination against unvaxxed people. Why aren't they?'

She also shared a tweet which called McCarthy a 'feckless c**t'.

Greene tweeted earlier on Tuesday before McCarthy's statement emerged: 'Vaccinated employees get a vaccination logo just like the Nazi's forced Jewish people to wear a gold star. Vaccine passports & mask mandates create discrimination against unvaxxed people who trust their immune systems to a virus that is 99% survivable.'

Attached to the tweet was a news article about Food City supermarkets dropping mask requirements for vaccinated workers.

However, the southern grocery store chain went a step further by saying those employees who did get the shot will have a 'vaccination logo displayed on their name badge.'

More than 70,000 people have signed a petition calling on McCarthy to expel Greene from Congress

No. 3 ranking House Republican Elise Stefanik said there needs to be progress on 'educating our fellow Americans on the unthinkable horrors of the Holocaust'

Greene doubled down on her comments on Monday by sharing a story of how vaccinated employees at a grocery store will wear a logo which she said was 'just like the Nazi's forced Jewish people to wear the gold star'

'I never compared it to the Holocaust,' Greene wrote in a tweet response to conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, who is Jewish

Greene said it's a slippery slope to require some sort of identification on whether a person is vaccinated against coronavirus or not.

The Georgia representative tweeted: 'Pretty soon it will be.. 'We only hire vaccinated people, show your vax papers.' 'We only admit vaccinated students, show your vax papers.' 'These bathrooms are only for vaccinated people, show your vax papers.'

'Then.....scan your bar code or swipe your chip on your arm,' she predicted.

During Senate floor remarks on Tuesday, Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer also lashed out against Greene.

'This morning, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Republican congresswoman from Georgia, once again, compared preparations taken against COVID to the Holocaust,' Schumer, who is Jewish, said.

'These are sickening, reprehensible comments,' he added, 'and she should stop this vile language immediately.'

Greene on Saturday defended her comparison of mask mandates to Nazi Germany by claiming 'any ration Jewish person' doesn't like either.

'I think any rational Jewish person didn't like what happened in Nazi Germany and any rational Jewish person doesn't like what's happening with overbearing mask mandates and overbearing vaccine policies,' Greene told Arizona TV outlet 12 News on Saturday.

Anti-Semitism is on the rise in American and the world after a massive conflict broke out between Israel and Hamas operating in Gaza earlier this month.

Greene has blamed Democrats for the rise in anti-Semitic attacks at home.

'Happening in Joe Biden's America,' Greene, 46, wrote on Twitter Sunday morning of a man beating a yarmulke-wearing Jewish man in New York.

The 23-year-old suspect said: 'If I could do it again, I would do it again. I have no problem doing it again.'

House Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is Jewish, called Greene's continued comparison 'sickening' and 'reprehensible' and called for her to 'stop this vile language immediately'

She blamed President Joe Biden for the rise in anti-Semitic attacks. 'Happening in Joe Biden's America,' Greene wrote on Twitter of a man beating a yarmulke-wearing Jewish man in New York

Greene took to Twitter Saturday morning to accuse fellow Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of supporting anti-Semitism.

She also branded AOC a 'terrorist' for supporting a cease in military funding for the Israeli government.

'.@AOC you're responsible for attacks on Jewish people bc of your hate-Israel stance against Israel's right to defend itself from from terrorists Hamas, calling Israel an apartheid state, & supporting terrorists groups. Aligning yourself with terrorists means your [sic] a terrorist,' Greene said in the tweet.

Greene shot to fame for pushing a series of bizarre QAnon conspiracy theories before she was elected as a representative for Georgia's 14th congressional district in November 2020.

In a 2018 Facebook post, she claimed a 'Jewish space later' controlled by the Rothschild banking family had been used to ignite California wildfires.
The ex-wife of disgraced former IMF chief and self-confessed 'sex addict' Dominique Strauss-Kahn has said she was 'frightened' of him during their marriage.

Anne Sinclair, a famous French TV journalist, stood by her husband through months of public scrutiny after he was accused in New York in 2011 of sexually assaulting a hotel maid and trying to rape her.

But now Sinclair, 72, who separated from Strauss-Khan in 2012, has said she became fearful of displeasing the serial adulterer and was under his power when he was embroiled in sex scandals.

Anne Sinclair, a famous French TV journalist, stood by her husband through months of public scrutiny after he was accused in New York in 2011 of sexually assaulting a hotel maid and trying to rape her. Pictured: Anne Sinclair and Dominique Strauss-Kahn in 2011 in New York

'I was a woman of action, I interviewed powerful people, but with him I was frightened of disagreements and fear of displeasing him,' Sinclair told Elle Magazine.

'Was that being in his grip? I don't know, but in any case it was submission and acceptance.'

Strauss-Kahn has been embroiled in a catalogue of sex scandals since being charged with sexually assaulting Nafissatou Dialloa, a chamber maid at the Sofitel hotel in New York in May 2011.

At the time Strauss-Kahn, one of the most powerful men in the world, was set to announce his Presidential candidacy in his home country of France.

Strauss-Kahn pleaded not guilty to four felony charges, including two criminal sex acts - including forced oral sex -, attempted rape and sexual abuse, as well as unlawful imprisonment.

Diallo's allegations and the media storm that followed left his reputation and political ambitions in tatters. He was also forced to quit as the head of the IMF.

Sinclair, 72, (pictured in 2016) who separated from Strauss-Khan in 2012, has said she became fearful of displeasing the serial adulterer and was under his power when he was embroiled in sex scandals

The criminal charges brought against Strauss-Kahn in New York were dropped three months after his high-profile arrest.

Sinclair is reported to have paid more than 1million in bail on his behalf for the case and said whenever she challenged him on the allegations, he managed to convince her he was innocent.

In the media frenzy that followed, it emerged he had had up to ten separate affairs during his marriage. He confessed to regularly attending orgies and admitted he was addicted to his swingers' lifestyle.

Sinclair said she did not know about the many affairs and orgies Strauss-Khan would attend - but admitted she had been in a state of denial.

'I know it's very difficult to accept,' Sinclair told the magazine. 'I admit that I myself wouldn't believe it if someone told me about it.'

French journalist and author Tristane Banon

Strauss-Khan faced a series of allegations of sexual assault. French journalist Tristane Banon accused Strauss-Khan of trying to rape her in a flat in a Paris in 2002 but the charges were later dropped.

In 2011, Strauss-Kahn found himself at the heart of another sex scandal after he was accused of procuring prostitutes for a prostitution ring in northern France.

It emerged that the financial experts loved to attend sex parties with women and alcohol, organised by the Press Relations Officer for the Cartlon hotel in Lille, France.

He was tried in France for allegedly procuring women for the orgies and was later acquitted. But this was the final straw for Sinclair.

'I said to myself: "That's enough". The Sofitel was one thing in its excess. The whole world was spying on us. It was crazy,' she said.

Sinclair added that in 2011 her husband was not excited about potentially being elected president. 'I didn't feel like going to the Elysee palace and nor did he very much, it was just a chain of events.'
Fallen TV chef Pete Evans has been smacked with an $80,000 fine for trying to cash in again on COVID-19 by flogging more fake treatments online.

It's the second time he's run foul of authorities after previously being fined $25,000 for trying to sell his so-called BioCharger for $15,000 a time on Facebook.

He insisted the light could cure COVID-19 and protect users from infection - but had no evidence to support the wild claims.

Despite the first fine, the craggy-faced conspiracy theorist continued to tried to sell the light to the unwary, along with a string of other fake treatments.

Fallen TV chef Pete Evans (left) has been hit with an $80,000 fine for trying to cash in again on COVID-19 by flogging more fake treatments online.

Mr Evans now looks dramatically different from his days as a smooth suave judge on My Kitchen Rules on Seven Network until his exit last year.

He resurfaced online earlier this week showcasing his new rough and ready look months after he vanished from the public eye.

Yesterday he was hit with another $79,920 in fines for advertising the BioCharger and several other unapproved treatments.

He unlawfully advertised two oral medicines, static magnet products and hyperbaric chambers to breathe pure oxygen in a pressurised environment.

Mr Evans falsely implied the products were endorsed by health professionals, but he has now been ordered to remove the posts, and to cease all adverts for them.

Pete Evans (pictured) has repeatedly made posts opposing COVID-19 vaccines and masks, and claimed in a podcast that the coronavirus is a hoax.

The former reality TV star has also been permanently booted off Facebook and Instagram for sharing misinformation and conspiracy theories.

He has repeatedly made posts opposing COVID-19 vaccines and masks, and claimed in a podcast that the coronavirus is a hoax.

Mr Evans was a judge on My Kitchen Rules between 2010 and 2020, and had over one million Facebook followers until his forced exit.
Tourists are flocking to a re-discovered picturesque lookout with one goal in mind - getting the perfect daredevil selfie.

Lincoln's Rock near Wentworth Falls in Sydney's Blue Mountains National Park, perched high above the Jamison Valley, is soaring in popularity, particularly as it offers stunning Instagram photos.

But the lookout is every bit as dangerous as the now banned Wedding Cake Rock in Sydney's Royal National Park.

And what's more surprising is a NSW tourist office even directs thrill seekers to the new selfie spot.

Depending on the time of day and the weather, photos can appear to be above the clouds - and despite many concerns, the cliff ledge has no safety rail.

Lincoln's Rock is a stunning backdrop for Instagram photos but there are concerns about safety at the Wentworth Falls lookout high above the Jamison Valley

A Blue Mountains tour operator says a local tourist office is directing people to Lincoln's Rock, an unsafe lookout where they are indulging in 'selfie hedonism'

Poll Would you sit on the clifftop for a selfie at Lincoln Rock? Yes No Would you sit on the clifftop for a selfie at Lincoln Rock? Yes 11 votes

No 60 votes Now share your opinion





In 2019 a Blaxland teenager sustained multiple fractures and internal injuries and had to be rescued by abseiling paramedics after falling backwards over the ledge.

A local tour operator recently blasted the Blue Mountains Echo Point tourist office for handing out flyers to visit what it claims is 'a dangerous, unprotected rock ledge'.

It is located within walking distance from 31 Little Switzerland Drive at Wentworth Falls.

'The flyer is on the counter but I don't think it is a responsible thing to do, Steve Ridd, owner of Katoomba-based Nature Trail, told Daily Mail Australia.

The flyer provided at Blue Mountains Echo Point tourist office which helps visitors find Lincoln Rock lookout

'Such promotion of a dangerous lookout to the general public would seem irresponsible and reckless.

'The majority of visitors to Lincoln Rock are not qualified and experienced rock-climbers, rather young people engaged in selfie hedonism at extreme risk to their safety.

'This place has a history of people falling off.'

A NSW National Parks source who did not want to be named said the service had concerns about safety standards at Lincoln Rock, but could do nothing about it because it wasn't in the Blue Mountains National Park.

Blue Mountains City Council and Destination NSW were approached for comment.

A visitor up to some questionable hijinks at Lincoln's Rock at Wentworth Falls

There is no safety rail at Lincoln's Rock above the Jamison Valley in New South Wales

Lincoln's Rock is named after the late Lincoln Hall, an Australian mountaineer left for dead on Mount Everest in 2006. He lived at Wentworth Falls.

Lincoln's Rock been called honeymoon rock and 'wedding rock' because of its popularity with newlyweds for photos on their special day.

But the wedding reference and the precarious-looking photos are also reminders of another infamous landmark.

Lincoln's Rock near Wentworth Falls is growing in popularity with people looking for the perfect social media photo

A visitor dressed as Darth Vader hams it up at Lincoln's Rock near Wentworth Falls

French student, Fabien Ardoin, 23, who was believed to have been posing for photographs died at Wedding Cake Rock in Sydney's Royal National Park in 2014 after falling more than 40 metres.

Tourists were banned from climbing onto the rock in 2015 over fears the ledge could collapse into the ocean below.

Lincoln's Rock featured in the Facebook group Sydney Bush Walks, and on Instagram in late May with the accompanying comment, 'I am on top of the sky'.

According to adventure website True Blue Mountains, Lincoln's Rock is safe.

'The drawcard of Lincoln's Rock is the impressive optical-illusion photo you can get as a memento, which makes it appear as though you're sitting literally on the edge of a cliff.

'In truth you are, except that there's a fairly safe ledge just below that would stop you from falling very far.'

But the same website also runs a disclaimer: 'No authorities would recommend you attempt to take this pic, and if you do it's at your own risk.'

In 2020 an Edith Cowan University researcher asked 325 visitors to the Blue Mountains why they ventured off main tracks and found that selfies were a major reason.

'They rationalised their own behaviour by following others,' Dr Edmund Goh said.

'If others can do it, everything should be alright. There is also an element of FOMO (fear of missing out).'

Visitors to New South Wales' popular tourist hotspot Wedding Cake Rock are continuing to ignore warnings and risk their lives as they climb out on to the rock surface
A former New York fashion model has sold a South Pacific island she inherited from her princess mother to a New Zealand buyer for more than $13million.

Olivia Cayetana Hallman dropped the price of Pepin Island, in New Zealand's Tasman Bay, from $16million to $13.5million on March 31.

The private 518-hectare island, in the nation's south, has now been bought by anonymous Kiwi buyer after spending three years on the market. It is understood it was sold for close to the asking price.

New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty agent, Ian Keightley, said two buyers prospective buyers had submitted offers for the land.

Pepin Island (pictured) has been sold to an unidentified New Zealand buyer for close to $13.5million

'Covid multiplied inquiries, I'd say by one thousand per cent. We had a lot of interest from expats but people couldn't travel, so that was a difficulty,' Mr Keightley told the NZHerald.

Ms Hallman was the only child of German Princess Viola von Hohenzollern, who died aged 68 in 2012.

A steel-tycoon, von Hohenzollern, who bought the island for $2million in 1995, also left her daughter a $1.9million fortune from her business ventures in Scotland upon her sudden death.

The entrepreneur had business interests in 16 countries - and a penchant for unique properties- having also owned a 14th century castle in South Ayrshire, southwest of Glasgow, the Herald Scotland reports.

She sold Killochan Castle to a Saudi Arabian businessman for $2.2million just months before she died.

The 518-h isle (pictured) was bought by German Princess Viola von Hohenzollern in 1995, who left it to her only daughter Olivia Hallman upon her death in 2012

Pepin Island, which is connected to the mainland via a naturally occurring causeway, is currently a sheep station which offers private accommodation.

There are three small holiday homes scattered around and the property and a seven-bedroom farm house, which is occupied by the farm manager Andrew Newton.

Mr Keightley said the buyer intends to continue the farming operation, tourist accommodation business, and maintain public access.

The land has not been owned by a New Zealander in more than two decades, after it was kept in the aristocrat family for 26 years.

Ms Hallman retired from international modelling around eight years ago to focus on her horse riding career.

The former high street runway model, who is listed as the sole shareholder of Pepin Island Sheep Station and Resort, is believed to still be residing in the United States.
An arrest warrant has been issued by police in New Hampshire for Marilyn Manson in connection with an alleged 'snot assault' on a camerawoman at one of his concerts in 2019.

Manson, 52, was performing a concert in Gilford, New Hampshire, on August 18, 2019, when the alleged assault occurred.

The concert was being held at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, and the arrest warrant was issued two months after the show.

Manson, seen on stage in Columbus, Ohio, in May 2015, has a warrant out for his arrest

Police said that the two counts of misdemeanor simple assault are related to an incident involving a videographer who was subcontracted to record the concert, and was in a stage pit area when the alleged assault occurred, police said.

Three concert attendees, including a security guard, told People that they saw Manson spit and 'shoot his snot' at the camerawoman who has not been identified.

'He was spitting everywhere and one time it got on her camera so she wiped it off and looked semi-irritated. He noticed this and kept purposely spitting on her camera,' one attendee told the magazine.

'I think her final straw is he got on the floor, got within 2-3 feet of her and hacked a giant snot rocket at her not the camera.

'She was pissed off and disgusted so she stormed off and he just laughed.'

Police in Gilford, New Hampshire, have reissued their October 2019 arrest warrant for Manson

A bail commissioner found probable cause and an arrest warrant was issued on Oct. 8, 2019.

Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, had been made aware of the warrant for his arrest but has ignored it, police said.

'Mr. Warner, his Agent and legal counsel have been aware of the warrant for some time and no effort has been made by him to return to New Hampshire to answer the pending charges.'

In a statement to PEOPLE, Manson's attorney Howard King said the misdemeanor claim, which can carry a jail sentence of up to one year and a $2,000 fine, was pursued after the videographer asked for $35,000 for the effects on the camera equipment.

'It is no secret to anyone who has attended a Marilyn Manson concert that he likes to be provocative on stage, especially in front of a camera,' King said in a statement to PEOPLE.

'This misdemeanor claim was pursued after we received a demand from a venue videographer for more than $35,000 after a small amount of spit came into contact with their arm.

'After we asked for evidence of any alleged damages, we never received a reply.

'This whole claim is ludicrous, but we remain committed to cooperating with authorities, as we have done throughout,' King added.

Last week his former personal assistant, Ashley Walters, 37, sued him for sexual assault, battery and harassment in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County - one of at least 16 women to level similar allegations against him, The Cut reported.

The claims include that he raped and assaulted former wife Evan Rachel Wood, 33, and tortured Game of Thrones star Esme Bianco during their two year relationship.

Walters says Manson's campaign of abuse began soon after they first met in 2010, when the shock rocker claimed her photography had caught his eye.

He tried to sexually assault her the first time they met up for a photo shoot at his West Hollywood home.

Three months later Manson asked her to become his personal assistant.

The lawsuit claims Walters lived in a constant state of fear about Manson's violent temper during the 12 months working for him, and was forced to work for 48 hours straight during his cocaine binges.

Manson would throw dishes at her and push her up against the wall.

The latest to allege sexual assault and battery is Ashley Walters, 37, who worked as Manson's personal assistant in Los Angeles for two years

Walters says Manson got in contact with her to say he likes her photography and wanted to collaborate on an artistic project, but soon began a campaign of abuse which included making her work for two days straight and offering her as a sexual plaything to friends

He once sent her a photo of Bianco's back showing whipping wounds with the subject line: 'See what happens?'

The former bestselling artist took Walters to an awards show in 2010, where he allegedly pushed her onto the lap of an actor and said he could 'have her', according to the lawsuit.

'The actor proceeded to kiss Walters and keep her on his lap,' the lawsuit said.

Manson also introduced Walters to a film director who sexually assaulted her.

'It just made me feel like a piece of meat,' Walters told The Cut.

Manson has denied assault. He is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for domestic violence.

Walters says Manson initiated contact over MySpace in May 2010 to say he liked her photography, and they began chatting over the phone.

Manson said he was interested in collaborating with her, and she went to his West Hollywood home to work out how they might work together.

She says other bandmates who were present at his home left around 2am, and he told her the carpark where he'd recommended she park closed at 7am.

He asked her to do a photo shoot, and asked her to take off her shirt.

She says he pinned her down on a bed and tried to kiss her, moved behind her and bit her ear while grabbing her hand and placing it in his underwear.

Walters said she was able to get away from him, and as soon as the parking lot opened, went to retrieve her car. At the time she didn't consider it assault, as he had stopped, she told The Cut.

The two did a few more photo shoots and Manson offered her double what she was making as an office coordinator at a production company to become his assistant.

'She knew it could be an incredible opportunity to become involved in the creative entertainment field,' the complaint says.

'One that would not be likely to come around again.' She said 'yes.'

After just over a year in the job, Walters claims Manson had become paranoid and accused her of trying to sabotage his career.

The lawsuit says he ordered her - and other abuse victims - to dress up in Nazi uniforms as 'collateral' in case they ever spoke out about him.

He fired her soon afterwards, and allegedly hacked into her Facebook account and threatened her.

After a while, she says, Manson began texting as if nothing had happened.

She says the experience left her feeling isolated and vulnerable.

In 2020, she was contacted by a group of Manson's ex-girlfriends and they shared their stories of psychological abuse.

Notorious: Manson is seen in LA back in January 2020 prior to the various claims sparked against him

Bianco first met Manson in 2005, and the two started a sexual relationship in 2007, after his divorce from Dita Von Teese. Bianco claims that the singer lured her to the US with promises of work, which never materialized

Bianco, who is best known for playing the prostitute Ros on the hit HBO series, is one of a dozen women who have accused Manson of misconduct

In April, Bianco filed a lawsuit in federal court against Marilyn Manson, accusing the musician of raping, beating and torturing her, after bringing her from the UK to Los Angeles under false pretenses.

The explosive 10-page complaint, which was filed in US District Court for the Central District of California on Friday, alleges sexual assault and battery, and violation of Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and attorneys' fees.

Bianco, 38, who is best known for playing the prostitute Ros on the hit HBO series

The 52-year-old singer previously denied any wrongdoing, calling allegations made against him by Wood, Bianco and the other accusers 'horrible distortions of reality,' and insisting that he has only had 'consensual relationships with like-minded partners.'

Bianco's bombshell lawsuit reprises and expands on some of the claims that she first made during an interview with New York magazine in February, including how Manson on one occasion cut her with a knife - described in the complaint as a 'Nazi' knife - and then photographed her mutilated naked body. The gruesome images were later shared online without Bianco's consent, she claimed.

In 2019, Bianco posted this photo of her back covered in welts from a beating that was allegedly carried out by Manson, although she did not name him at the time

According to the court filing, Bianco, an English actress and burlesque performer, first met Manson back in 2005 through Dita Von Teese, his then-fiancee, and the musician expressed interest in casting Bianco in a film project, which never got made.

The two stayed in touch through Manson's two-year marriage to Von Teese, with the singer meeting Bianco while visiting the UK for work.

When Manson and his wife divorced in 2007, Bianco's lawsuit alleges that he began making 'his first sexual overtures towards' the actress by repeatedly asking her for nude photos, but playing off his request 'as a joke.'

In 2009, Bianco's complaint alleges that Manson, who is referred to by his legal name, Warner, flew her out to Los Angeles to take part in the filming of a music video for his song 'I Want to Kill You Like They Do in the Movies.'

'Ms. Bianco understood this to be a professional project that would be publicly released after being filmed on Flip cameras by Mr. Warner himself,' the filing reads.

'Upon arrival, Ms. Bianco found that there was no crew present and that she was expected to stay at Mr. Warner's home rather than in the hotel that had been previously booked.'

In March 2019, Bianco posted a graphic photograph of her scarred back on Instagram, describing herself as a 'domestic violence survivor'.

Without naming her alleged abuser, she told her followers: 'The injuries you see are real. The whipping that gave me these wounds was filmed in the name of 'art'. I used to look at this photo with pride because I thought it was a sign of great devotion to my abuser. Now I look at it with horror.'

At around the same time she teamed up with Evan Rachel Wood, who was with Manson for three years, to create the Phoenix Act - a bill to increase the statute of limitations on domestic violence crimes across all 50 U.S. states and 'give victims more time to come back from their trauma'.

They have worked with lawmakers and domestic violence survivors and, as part of their campaign, both gave evidence to the California Assembly Public Safety Committee about the abuse they suffered  without naming Manson at the time.

After Bianco and Wood both named Manson as their alleged abuser in February, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department launched an investigation into allegations of domestic abuse, but he has not been charged with any crime.

Allegations: Ashley Morgan Smithline has also detailed sexual, psychological, and physical abuse accusations against her ex Manson, as she spoke to People

Earlier this month, Ashley Morgan Smithline detailed sexual, psychological, and physical abuse accusations against Manson.

Smithline, 36, who had a relationship with Manson that spanned two years, was featured in the explosive cover story of the latest issue of People magazine as she gave her account of their relationship as she said: 'I survived a monster.'

The shocking claims made by the model include that she was sexual assaulted by Manson several times, he cut her with a swastika-emblazoned knife despite her being of Jewish descent, shoved his fist in her mouth during sex, forced her to do a blood pact, and was locked into a soundproof room called 'the bad girls room' whenever she made him angry.
he students at St Johns will get full tuition and living expenses for three years

A Cambridge college will offer the UKs most generous bursary scheme  with 40 disadvantaged students getting the equivalent of 51,000 each.

The students at St Johns will get full tuition and living expenses for three years, meaning they will graduate debt-free.

The college, which is one of Cambridges wealthiest, aims to rival the lavish financial aid handed out to students by Ivy League universities in the US.

Applicants to the St Johns scheme  planned to start in 2023  must have a household income of below 16,200. Eligible students will be able to access more than 17,000 of financial support for every academic year.

St John's College (pictured above), which is one of Cambridges wealthiest, aims to rival the lavish financial aid handed out to students by Ivy League universities in the US

Heather Hancock, college master, said: It is still true that high-potential pupils from low-income families and young people leaving care are deciding against university because of the prospect of significant debt. We want to take away that anxiety.

The scheme has been launched after an anonymous foundation made a 14million pledge to its fundraising campaign.

It comes as the most selective universities are under increased pressure to improve access to higher education for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Hancock added: For more than 500 years, St Johns College has had an unwavering commitment to provide financial support for students in need.

We are determined to sustain this legacy.

Removing serious financial barriers for prospective students is a powerful signal that Cambridge really is for everyone.

St Johns has also appointed one of its academics to forge links with schools in the north of England to support students who may never have previously contemplated applying to Cambridge.

St Johns is thought to be the second wealthiest Cambridge college with assets of about 780million.

The students at St Johns will get full tuition and living expenses for three years, meaning they will graduate debt-free (file photo of Cambridge University students graduating in 2018)

The bursary is thought to be the UKs most generous.

Scholarships from the grime star Stormzy offer a similar amount, but these only pay for two students a year at Cambridge.

Last week, the University of Cambridges annual admissions statistics confirmed that Cambridge accepted a record proportion of state school pupils - 70.6 per cent - last year, up from 68.7 per cent.

A scheme run by the Fulbright Commission and the Sutton Trust has secured places at US universities for more than 400 British school leavers in recent years.

Each year they have been awarded millions of pounds worth of financial aid.
A University of Melbourne graduate reveals how she founded one of the largest tech companies on the planet worth $3.4billion - as a side hustle.

Lucy Liu co-founded Airwallex when she was just 25 while chatting with friends who ran her local coffee shop in the trendy Docklands area.

She regularly visited Tukk & Co cafe after taking a career break to travel to Europe and Japan and work out what she wanted to do next.

The commerce and finance graduate, now aged 30, has lead the team at the international payments app to triple the startup's value in the last two years alone.

Lucy Liu (pictured), 30, is the president and COO of Australian payments app Airwallex

Ms Liu is a Shanghai native but moved to Auckland as a teenager and then to Melbourne where she attended university

Ms Liu started the business chatting with Tukk & Co cafe owners, Jack Zhang and Max Li, both with engineering-banking backgrounds.

They were sourcing products such as coffee cups from China and were getting hit with high banking costs and currency conversion fees.

The pair decided to build their own payments platform with Ms Liu and another friend, Xijing Dai, soming on board for his business acumen and investor contacts.

Ms Liu, who is Airwallex's COO and president, said she had to continually prove herself in the early days as she sat in boardrooms with experienced executives.

'I looked very young... in some industries, it's normal to have young founders. But in Fintech, it still feels like a very technical [field]. A lot of the difficulties I felt in the early days were to do with how young I was,' she said.

The cross-border finance company is one of the fastest growing start-ups on the globe, on track to exceed $100million in revenue in 2021.

Ms Liu became a mother three years ago and said it has made her realise how strong parents need to be when raising a child

Airwallex announced on Monday they have been valued at $3.4billion

Ms Liu continued her role within the company after becoming a mother three years ago.

While a natural at facing financial regulators in boardrooms, Ms Liu said she looked to her own mother, a kindergarten teacher, for guidance in raising a child.

'Becoming a mother really changed everything for me... my mum is the most selfless person I know, and now that I am a parent myself, I fully understand the strength that it takes to bring up a child,' Ms Liu told The Australian Financial Review Magazine.

She has moved back to Shanghai to be closer to her parents, where she had originally attended a multi-language school before moving to Auckland as a teenager and then to Australia.

Her father was involved in the financial industry and investing as China loosened some of its strict regulations in the early 2000's.

While Ms Liu said her parents had never pushed her into any particular career, her father's financial dealings clearly sparked an interest - with her first job being an investment consultant at China International Capital Corporation.

On March 19 her University of Melbourne peers voted Ms Liu to receive a 'rising star' award not only for her corporate work but also for being a role model for women in business and her charity and mentorship efforts.

She regularly provides guidance to young startups as part of the university's programs.

'Throughout my career, I have been fortunate enough to be guided and advised by a wonderful array of mentors, and so it has been incredibly important to me to give back to the start-up community,' Ms Liu said.
Queensland and South Australia have moved quickly to block at least 2230,000 Melburnians who were potentially exposed to the Covid from travelling to their states - as the city's outbreak grew to 15.

Victoria recorded 11 new cases of Covid on Wednesday, including the five reported late Tuesday, sending shockwaves through the community as the number of exposure sites increased to 46 and many speculated a lockdown was looming.

South Australia and Queensland confirmed they would be closing borders to anyone from the City of Whittlesea, which in the north of Melbourne with 14 suburbs including Bundoora and Epping North, and has a population of about 223,000.

Queensland and South Australia have moved quickly to block at least 2230,000 Melburnians who were potentially exposed to the Covid from travelling to their states

Acting Premier James Merlino remained steadfast in his decision not to lock down the state just yet, saying officials are 'making changes based on public health advice'

Queensland will send anyone arriving into the state from Whittlesea straight to hotel quarantine, unless they have a valid exemption in a radical move from the government.

The mandate came in at 1am on Wednesday morning as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk again stakes a hard stance on the virus.

Anyone entering from the Greater Melbourne area arriving in the state will be banned from attending aged care facilities, disability accommodation services, hospitals and correctional facilities.

From 1am on Thursday morning the state will declare the City of Whittlesea a hotspot and will require anyone flying in from Victoria to complete a border pass.

Queensland will send anyone arriving into the state from Whittlesea straight to hotel quarantine as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk again stakes a hard stance on the virus

South Australia confirmed Wednesday morning they would block the travel of any Whittlesea residents and impose strict measures on anyone travelling from the Greater Melbourne area.

Travellers must be tested within 24 hours of arriving in the state and isolate until they receive a result.

They must also be tested on days five and 13 after arriving in a similar system to those undergoing mandatory hotel quarantine when arriving from overseas.

People coming from Melbourne are banned from high-risk areas and must not attend any events with 1,000 people or more.

Anyone who attended the high-risk exposure sites determined by the Victorian government are also denied from entering.

South Australia confirmed Wednesday morning they would block the travel of any Whittlesea residents and impose strict measures on anyone travelling from the Greater Melbourne area

New South Wales Health have advised anyone who was in the Greater Melbourne or Bendigo regions from May 12 onwards to avoid any aged care or healthcare facilities unless seeking treatment or are attending for compassionate reasons.

They have urged anyone who was in any of the listed exposure sites at the relevant times to immediately contact the department on 1800 943 553 where residents will be advised as to whether they must immediately seek a test and isolate.

Travel declarations are now mandatory for anyone entering NSW from Greater Melbourne.

The New Zealand government have also suspended their travel bubble with Victoria.

New Zealand paused the arrangements from AEST 6pm on Wednesday in a move that will remain temporarily in place for at least 72 hours.

Anyone currently in New Zealand who had been in Melbourne from May 11 onwards is being advised to monitor their condition closely and immediately seek a test if any symptoms appear.

Mr Hipkins urged any Kiwis who had been at the potential hotposts to immediately contact Healthline on 0800 611 116.

He said while he understands it potentially leaves several citizens stranded in the Victorian capital or other regions, it is an essential measure to ensure the virus does not spread back to New Zealand.
Two masked gunmen jumped out of a stolen car and shot two IHOP employees taking a smoke break in Louisiana - killing one and injuring the other - before then allegedly torching their getaway car.

The gunmen hopped out of the vehicle and opened fire on workers at the restaurant on Siegen Lane, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at around noon.

They then fled the scene before ditching the car in a nearby residential neighborhood and setting it on fire, The Advocate reported.

First responders found one of the workers at the IHOP on Siegen Lane and rushed them to a local hospital where they died, the outlet reported. The staff members have not yet been identified.

Workers at a local optician's office in an adjacent strip mall told the outlet they saw the second victim run out of the IHOP and jump into his car with the back of his white shirt drenched in blood.

He then tried to drive himself to a hospital but was found in his car nearby by paramedics, WBRZ reported. He was also taken by ambulance a local hospital in stable condition.

Two masked gunmen jumped out of a stolen car and shot two IHOP employees taking a smoke break in Louisiana

The suspects then fled the scene, ditching and torching the car in a nearby neighborhood

First responders found one of the workers at the IHOP on Siegen Lane and rushed them to a local hospital where they died

A map shows where the car was ditched and torched in relation to where the shooting happened

The names of the two victims have not been released, and police told the outlet this afternoon that the shooters were still on the run. Detectives told The Advocate that they have not determined a motive for the shooting.

A public information officer for the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office told DailyMail.com on Tuesday night that there have been no updates in the case.

Cops described the suspects as black men wearing red-and-white bandanas over their faces, The Advocate reported. One of the men was wearing red pants and the other wore light-colored pants.

Tabatha Sanchez, who works at the Vision 4 Less optician's office, said she thought she was going to die.

'We all did. It was panicked and chaotic. My heart is still beating from it,' she said.

Cops described the suspects as black men wearing red-and-white bandanas over their faces

Police found a number of shell casings on the ground while video shows multiple bullet holes in the wall of the IHOP

Vision 4 Less employees told the outlet that the optician's office sits next to an Army National Guard office and that several soldiers ran outside after hearing gunshots.

It was not immediately clear if members of the National Guard were able to provide assistance in the investigation or aftermath of the shooting.

Residents on Hidden Ridge Lane, where the car was torched, described hearing the gunshots before seeing the blue sedan engulfed in flames, The Advocate reported.

According to the outlet, the East Baton Rouge murder rate 'remains higher than ever' after a record-breaking 2020.
All eligible Australians are being urged to get vaccinated against coronavirus as an outbreak threatens to spread across Melbourne.

Victoria's cluster of cases has reached 15, with authorities naming dozens of exposure sites including the MCG where an infected person attended an AFL match on Sunday.

Liberal senator Jane Hume is concerned three Victorians at the centre of the outbreak were not vaccinated despite being eligible.

'The most important thing for Victorians is that they get out and get themselves vaccinated,' she told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

All eligible Australians are being urged to get vaccinated against coronavirus as an outbreak threatens to spread across Melbourne (commuters wearing masks are seen in Melbourne this week)

'We heard that of the new cases that were announced overnight and yesterday as well, three of them were over 50 that could have been vaccinated, so that increases the urgency to get the vaccinations done.'

The outbreak in Melbourne has raised questions about hotel quarantine and the speed of the vaccine rollout.

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews denied federal government supplies were hampering the rollout despite Australia lagging well behind other nations.

'There are adequate supplies at this point so please go out and get vaccinated,' she told Sky News.

Labor argues the prime minister could be doing more to keep Australians safe.

The Melbourne outbreak is linked to a man who fell ill earlier this month after completing hotel quarantine in Adelaide.

Labor health spokesman Mark Butler said the federal government should be moving faster to fund state proposals for purpose-built quarantine facilities in Victoria and Queensland.

'We need to speed up the vaccine rollout but we also need a safe national quarantine system' he told the ABC.

'We can't continue to see these outbreaks from a quarantine system based around hotels, which were built for tourism, not medical quarantine.

Liberal senator Jane Hume is concerned three Victorians at the centre of the outbreak were not vaccinated despite being eligible (pictured Covid-19 vaccination clinic in Melbourne)

'We don't have national standards still in our hotels around ventilation, around the use of personal protective equipment. We still have staff in our hotels doing quarantine who haven't been fully vaccinated.'

Ms Andrews said the Commonwealth was doing its own due diligence on the Victorian quarantine proposal but could not put a timeline on when a decision would be made.

'This is a very important proposal that has been put forward. It is a comprehensive proposal, which is excellent - that's what we need.'

Labor is also urging the government to redraft vaccination plans and scrap its tiered program for getting a jab.

Just under 3.7 million doses of coronavirus vaccine have been administered across the country, well short of initial targets.

State and territory governments have defied the staggered approach to the vaccine rollout and opened eligibility to new groups ahead of the federal government.

New restrictions have been imposed across Melbourne, including mandatory mask-wearing indoors and limits on gatherings, but the state government has so far resisted a lockdown.

States and territories have tightened borders with Victoria but stopped short of complete closures.
Australians are more likely to quit the job over the lack of career progression than dissatisfaction with pay.

Salary increases have been stuck below the long-term average of 3 per cent since mid-2013 and have edged up by a miserable 1.5 per cent during the past year.

But poor wage rises weren't the main reason staff quit or looked for another job.

With Australia's borders closed to foreigners and skilled migrants, bosses are set to have a harder time recruiting the right staff, especially with advertised jobs at the highest level since 2008.

If they don't offer them a better career path, they can expect to talented staff.

Australians are more likely to quit the job over the lack of career progression than dissatisfaction with pay. Pictured is a stock image

Recruitment firm Hays surveyed 3,800 professionals and found the lack of career progression was the number one reason employees were dissatisfied, with 50 per cent of professionals citing it as an issue.

The company's managing director in Australia and New Zealand Nick Deligiannis said employers need to take this issue seriously.

'It's come through loud and clear again through the data in the survey: career progression was the number one factor that would impact on whether an employee choses to stay,' he said.

'From an employer point of view, it's really important to understand that

'You may think you've got your career planning under control, in the current market retention and attraction is going to be so competitive.'

Mr Deligiannis said employers needed to spell out the opportunities for talented staff rather than assuming they would stay.

Recruitment firm Hays surveyed 3,800 professionals and found the lack of career progression was the number one reason employees were dissatisfied, with 50 per cent of professionals citing it as an issue. Pictured is a woman in the construction industry at Barangaroo in Sydney

'Map out for your top talent exactly what the opportunities are,' he said.

'Don't be reactive and wait until they come and say, "I'm going to leave for a better opportunity" and then try and move heaven and earth.'

Recruitment firm Hays's managing director in Australia and New Zealand Nick Deligiannis said employers need to take this issue seriously

Natalie Britt, the director of human resources with Sydney's International Convention Centre, said Australian workers were increasingly reading the career guides.

'Employees are now starting to become more savvy about the position that they hold, where that position is in the market, they're more educated on the market changes and trends,' she said.

Ms Britt said bosses really needed to showcase internal opportunities within the company if they wanted to keep high performers.

'The only way to do that is to have those performance conversations, having quality conversations around career progression,' she said.

'We don't call it a personal development plan because it's more than just your personal growth at work.'

Deloitte Access Economics head of macroeconomic policy Kristian Kolding said the end of Australia's uninterrupted three decades without a recession, in 2020, had encouraged staff to consider other career possibilities.

Natalie Britt, the director of human resources with Sydney's International Convention Centre, said Australian workers were increasingly reading the career guides

'A lot of people who were in comfortable jobs who hadn't thought about, "What will I do the day where this job might not actually exist anymore or I have to find something new?",' he said.

'Many, many more employees than usual would have just put their head above the parapet and looked around.'

The Hays salary guide for 2021 was also based on a survey of 3,500 public and private sector groups employing 8.8million Australians.

Australia's unemployment rate fell to 5.5 per cent in April and both Treasury and the Reserve Bank are expecting the jobless figure to fall below 5 per cent in 2022.

Jobs advertised on the internet are also at the highest level since 2008, data from both the National Skills Commission and ANZ show.
A 64-year-old man will appear in court today charged with performing sex acts in front of horrified passengers on Sydney buses.

Police say the offences occurred between February and March on public transport in Sydney's CBD, Redfern, Haymarket, Broadway and Newtown.

The man was arrested at Railway Square in Sydney's Haymarket yesterday and charged with 10 counts of carrying out a sexual act with another without consent.

Police have arrest a 64-year-old man and charged him with performing sex acts in front of horrified passengers on Sydney buses. (Stock image)

The arrest came after police yesterday released new clearer CCTV images of a man wanted in connection with the offences after a previous unsuccessful appeal for help in April.

Police Transport Command North Central's Proactive Crime Team later arrested a man outside Sydney Central Station.

The accused faces 10 10 counts of carrying out a sexual act with another without consent. He was denied bail and will appear in court today. (Stock image)

He was refused bail and will appear before Central Local Court today.
A young mother has hit out at a shopping centre after a staff member asked her not to breastfeed her newborn son in front of the high-end designer shops.

Mother-of-two Shannon Laverty was sitting in the lounge area of the Gold Coast's Pacific Fair Shopping Centre on Saturday with her son Shep when she said a concierge worker 'came running over' to her.

Ms Laverty said the woman told her the shopping centre had breastfeeding facilities, hot water and milk powder and she didn't need to use her own body.

Mother-of-two Shannon Laverty (left) has hit out at a Gold Coast shopping centre after one of their concierge staff asked her not to breastfeed her newborn son in the public lounge area

Pacific Fair Shopping Centre has in response vowed to re-educate all of its staff on the company's policies and the right of mothers to breastfeed in public.

Under the federal Sex Discrimination Act 1984 it is illegal in Australia to discriminate against a person either directly or indirectly on the grounds of breastfeeding.

'I sat down on the public lounge area in front of the concierge desk and when my son was latched on my breast, this woman came running over,' she told ABC News.

'[She said] for your information, there's a facility you can change the baby's nappy, there's also hot water and milk powder so you don't need to use your body.'

Ms Laverty said she told the member of staff she was happy where she was sitting, at which point the employee highlighted the high-end nature of that part of the shopping centre.

'She said "well if you're not going to use the facility, I'm going to ask you to move on from here because, as you can see, there are stores like Louis Vuitton and Gucci, so you'll have to breastfeed somewhere else",' the mother said.

She said it took her turning down the request three times before the staff member left her alone.

Pacific Fair said mothers were free to breastfeed as they wanted throughout the shopping centre and called the exchange a 'misinterpretation'.

PUBLIC BREASTFEEDING LAW IN AUSTRALIA In Australian Federal Law breastfeeding is a right, not a privilege. Under the federal Sex Discrimination Act 1984 it is illegal in Australia to discriminate against a person either directly or indirectly on the grounds of breastfeeding. Direct discrimination happens when a person treats someone less favourably than another person. For example, it is discriminatory for a waiter to decline to serve a patron who is breastfeeding. Source: Australian Breastfeeding Association Advertisement

Ms Laverty said she told the member of staff she was happy where she was sitting and had to repeat herself three times before being left alone

Pacific Fair Shopping Centre on the Gold Coast has promised to re-educate staff on the company's policies

'Unfortunately while a member of staff was attempting to explain the various options available at the centre, there may have been a misinterpretation which caused offence to the customer,' a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.

'We would like to reaffirm that mothers are free to breastfeed wherever they are most comfortable and at any time throughout the centre.

'We have committed to undertaking additional training with all staff to ensure our customers have access to an inclusive, safe and welcoming environment when they visit Pacific Fair.'

The Australian Breastfeeding Association said it supported the centre's initiative to re-train its staff.

'Its disappointing there are incidents such as these,' Queensland Branch President Kath Angus told Daily Mail Australia.

'This is a case of someone just trying to do their job and not realising they are going against the anti-discrimination act.

'You see more breast on an advertising board at a bus stop than you do from a mother breastfeeding in a shopping centre.'

Ms Laverty said the employee highlighted to her the high-end nature of that part of the shopping centre and that she would have to 'breastfeed somewhere else'. Pictured is the Louis Vuitton store at Pacific Fair

Ms Laverty made her experience public in an Instagram post and vowed to stage a protest in the shopping centre on Friday.

'If youve chosen to prod the parenting community, the breastfeeding mothers... you've chosen the wrong one,' she wrote.

'To Pacific Fair.. well see you on Friday. We stand together to normalise our bodies, our breasts and breastfeeding in all its GLORY.'
The woman accused of defaming her lothario ex-lover of being a sex-addict has branded him a liar and stormed out of court.

Selina Holder could no longer contain her disgust for IT tech guru Constantine Arvanitis, who has been under cross examination for five days in their County Court of Victoria defamation trial.

'That's a lie. You're a pathological liar,' she exclaimed from a position seated behind her barrister Barrie Goldsmith.

Selina Holder is defending allegations she defamed her former partner

Selina Holder attends the County Court of Victoria on Monday. She is defending claims she has defamed her ex-partner by calling him a sex addict

Constantine Arvanitis and Melanie Thornton leave the County Court of Victoria. Mr Arvanitis claims he has been the target of a savage attack to destroy his reputation

'Sorry, I'm leaving.'

The incident followed a claim by Mr Arvanitis that Ms Holder had embarked upon a mission to destroy his relationship with his latest girlfriend Melanie Thornton - the sister of respected cancer surgeon Dr Chantel Thornton.

Throughout Wednesday morning, Mr Arvanitis denied he had maintained a sexual relationship with Ms Holder while sleeping around with anywhere up to half-a-dozen other women.

Mr Arvanitis, 48, has been accused of being a sex addict by Ms Holder in a messy defamation hearing that has played out for more than a week.

As the hearing descended into something resembling a school yard fracas, Ms Holder continued to disrupt the court upon her return.

Again she branded Mr Arvanitis a liar after he denied from the witness box that he had once spiked her drink with methamphetamine - the deadly drug known commonly as ice.

Mr Arvanitis had been a rampant drug addict when he met Ms Holder in 2012 but was allegedly clean in 2013 when he is accused of slipping his then girlfriend a 'mickey'.

'That's a lie. You're a liar,' Ms Holder said again from her seat - causing Judge Julie Clayton to sanction the irate ex.

Ms Holder alleges he was having sex with at least two other women - and her - and possibly more during the same period.

Constantine Arvanitis has been accused of bedding multiple women and being a sex addict

Selina Holder (left) Melanie Thornton (centre) have all become embroiled in a messy court case in Melbourne

Selina Holder had been all smiles upon leaving court when the trial began. On Wednesday she could hardly contain her rage for her ex-partner

Letter To Mr Arvanitis' fiance Melanie Thornton Court documents allege Selina Holder shared a document with Mr Arvanitis' current fiancee that stated:

'He is dangerous and violent and sex addict (sic). He goes to Sydney and cheats on you. He will beat you up. (redacted) We have the police investigating him. We want to warn you. We are the sisterhood. We have to expose him. He will take all your money. He has to be stopped. We have evidence of his abuse. We are trying to save you. You must contact us so we can protect you from this evil person. We all want to help you. We are in Melbourne together so please meet with us. Advertisement

The court heard a series of raunchy text exchanges between Mr Arvanitis and Ms Holder during the period he was 'hooking up' with sex partners he had met on Tinder.

The couple had already broken up and Ms Holder had moved to her home town of Sydney with their young daughter.

Mr Arvanitis denied continuing a sexual relationship with Ms Holder and claimed the text messages - some of which contained references to the 'morning after pill' and 'getting pregnant' - were a form of long-distance role playing.

The defamation case was brought on by Mr Arvanitis over allegations Ms Holder passed on documents to Ms Thornton and her sister claiming he was, among other things, a violent sex addict.

Two other women, Sydney woman Suzanne Stretton-Brown and Melbourne woman Michelle Langford, had been hit with similar legal action by Mr Arvanitis before they offered a full apology.

Mr Arvanitis admitted he had been having unprotected sex with the two women while dating his current fiance Ms Thornton.

On Wednesday, Mr Arvanitis further claimed Ms Holder was responsible for an unsigned death threat that was sent to Ms Thornton in 2019.

The letter branded Ms Thornton a 'plastic whore, slut and bitch'.

'Die Barbie,' it read. 'We are going to get you.'

The court had previously heard 'Barbie' was a derogatory term Ms Holder had used to describe Ms Thornton.

'It came from Selina,' Mr Arvanitis told the court. 'Plastic, whore, Barbie - only one person called Melanie that and it was Selina.'

Selina Holder walks from a Melbourne court. On Wednesday, the court heard she had sent some horrendous text messages to her ex-partner

Con Arvanitis claims messages sent by Ms Holder to him such as 'I will take the morning after pill' and 'You will have a baby if I don't get my period' were role playing games

Next week, a series of Mr Arvanitis' ex-girlfriends will enter the witness box and provide evidence for the defence.

Mr Arvanitis has told the court the women were all simply 'hook-ups' that he had met on the dating app Tinder under the full intention of having meaningless sex.

Again Mr Arvanitis claimed the jilted women - now numbering five - were conspiring to destroy him.

One Adelaide women had since moved to Melbourne and was now 'stalking' Mr Arvanitis, he claimed.

'She's very unhinged ... I believe she's trying to hurt me,' he said.

Like Ms Holder, Mr Arvanitis claimed he had engaged in similar 'story telling' sex messages with the woman.

The court heard Ms Stretton-Brown said she now felt 'sickened' about having unprotected sex with Mr Arvanitis at the time.

'He lied to me for eight months,' she claimed in an email read to the court.

Mr Arvanitis refuted he was not a man of integrity for failing to disclose he was having sex with others he had met on Tinder.

'She was living in Sydney, I was living in Melbourne,' he said of his relationship with Ms Stretton-Brown.

'It was crazy to think anything could happen ... it was a hook-up. I met her on Tinder.'

The civil trial continues.

Dr Chantel Thornton is married to luxury car dealer Srecko Lorbek. She is expected to give evidence next week

Dr Chantel Thornton allegedly received some damning information about Con Arvanitis and shared it with her husband
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says he wants to make 'significant changes' to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement - as 'frustrated' agents at the agency say the Biden Administration 'doesn't have their backs'.

Mayorkas made the claim in an interview with The Washington Post on Tuesday, as ICE deportations drop to a record low.

Less than 3,000 illegal immigrants were expelled from the United States last month by ICE, despite border crossings surging to a 20 year high.

Mayorkas will release his first DHS budget request this week, and has already announced that two ICE deportation centers will close.

However, the Democrat told The Washington Post that he has no plans to abolish ICE, instead saying he wants to 'reorient' the agency.

'I really want to elevate all of the other work [ICE] does and also ensure that its civil immigration work is well-focused in the service of the national security and public safety mission,' he stated.

However, Mayorkas' statement seem at odds with ICE employees who told The Post that Biden's new policies have effectively stopped them from doing their jobs.

ICE deportations have dropped to their lowest level on record as DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas admits he wants to make 'significant changes' to the organization

Less than 3,000 illegal immigrants were deported from the United States last month by ICE, despite border crossings surging to a 20 year high

The paper says 'Biden has placed ICE deportation officers on a leash so tight that some say their work is being functionally abolished'.

Biden has implemented new rules in which 'deportation officers must seek written authorization from senior-level supervisors to arrest anyone who is not a recent border crosser, a national security threat or an aggravated felon who poses a public safety hazard'.

ICE agents are now making an arrest once every two months on average, and are spending more time 'idling or doing paperwork'

According to The Washington Post, ICE deportations peaked at an average of more than 33,300 per month during Obama's second term. He was dubbed the 'deporter-in-chief'.

In the first three years of the Trump administration, that average fell to 20,000 per month.

However, the numbers have plummeted quickly and significantly during the first six months of the Biden Administration.

Last month, ICE booted out just 2,962 immigrants - down from 20 percent from the 3,716 the month before.

ICE reports that there are 1.2 million illegal immigrants in the United States who have been ordered to leave the country by a judge.

ICE agents are now making an arrest once every two months on average, and are spending more time 'idling or doing paperwork'. ICE agents are seen back in 2007, when they were making tens of thousands of arrests per month

In April, 178,000 migrants were apprehended at the southern border - the highest monthly total in two decades. Migrants are seen arriving in the US earlier this week after making their way across the Rio Bravo

It comes after it was revealed last week that more than 61,000 migrants who arrived illegally in the U.S. have been released into the country during Biden took office.

A whopping 61,312 migrants have been let free with either a Notice to Appear before an immigration judge or an I-385 which fast tracks migrants out of custody and on to ICE.

It means many are being released without a court date.

The data, first reported by the Washington Examiner, has been seized on by critics as more evidence that the Biden administration is unable to take control of the border crisis.

In April, 178,000 migrants were apprehended at the southern border - the highest monthly total in two decades.

Dozens of migrants are seen being apprehended by CBP officials in Texas earlier this month
A man has been rushed to hospital with severe facial cuts after being trampled by a bull in Sydney's west.

Emergency services were called to a property on the Northern Road in Bringelly just after midday on Wednesday.

The man in his 30s has suffered a large laceration to his face and is currently being treated by paramedics.

It's belived the man was working on the property when he was attacked by the bull.

He has been taken to Liverpool Hospital where he is in a stable condition.

'Initial reports was that a bull was out of control, but we were relieved to hear that the man was outside the paddock when we arrived,' New South Wales Ambulance Inspector Phil Sweet said in a statement.

'Paramedics assessed the man quickly and thankfully he escaped with just minor injuries.'

'You can be as careful as you like but if you're working around large animals sometimes unpredictable accidents occur.'
A shopping centre in Melbourne's inner north is the latest in a string of venues to be exposed to Covid amid the city's growing outbreak.

Barkly Square in Brunswick, in Melbourne's north, was added to the list of Tier 2 exposure sites after a Covid-positive shopper visited Priceline Pharmacy, OPSM, Kmart and Woolworths.

'We have been advised the affected individual was present at the centre on Saturday, May 22 between 1:15pm and 2:30pm,' centre management wrote in a press release.

Anyone who attended the complex at the above times must get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result.

All staff members who came into close contact with the positive case will isolate for 14 days, while a deep clean of the shops will begin, the centre said.

There are now more than 50 exposure sites across Melbourne and regional Victoria, including the MCG.

The latest Covid outbreak now sits at 15 cases, with 11 new infections - five of which were announced late on Tuesday.

Barkly Square in Brunswick, in Melbourne's north, was added to the list of Tier 2 exposure sites after a Covid-positive shopper visited Priceline Pharmacy, OPSM, Kmart and Woolworths

Melbourne's Covid outbreak is now at 15 cases, with 11 new infections - five of which were announced late on Tuesday

Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino says the next 24 hours will be critical to avoid another lockdown after the state recorded six more locally acquired COVID-19 cases.

The new cases are close contacts of people who have already tested positive to Covid as part of the City of Whittlesea cluster, which has grown since Monday to 15.

Five of the six new cases are linked to a finance firm in Port Melbourne where one infected person works.

'It's good that everyone is linked at this stage but we are concerned about the number and also about the kind of exposure sites,' Mr Merlino told reporters on Wednesday.

'The next 24 hours are going to be critical.

'I cannot rule out taking some further action but we'll update people as soon as we know.'

All 15 cases have the B1617 COVD-19 variant, which originated in India late last year.

Genomic sequencing shows the outbreak is linked to the case of a Wollert man, who contracted the virus in SA quarantine earlier this month.

But a definitive link between the Wollert man and the outbreak hasn't been established.

Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino says the next 24 hours will be critical to avoid another lockdown after the state recorded six more locally acquired COVID-19 cases

There are now more than 50 exposure sites across Melbourne and regional Victoria

EXPOSURE SITES IN MELBOURNE Tier one; Anyone who visited the below sites must get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result Tier two: Anyone who attended the following sites at the times listed must get tested and isolate until a negative result or further advice Circus Bar at 199 Commercial Road, South Yarra, between 1:30am and 4:15am on Sunday May 23. Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure The Three Monkeys bar at 210 Chapel Street, Prahran, between 9:10pm and 11:00pm on Saturday May 22 and 12:30am and 2:00am Sunday May 23. Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Somewhere Bar at 181 Chapel Street, Prahran, between 10:30pm and 1:00am on Saturday May 22. Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Bundoora Jump! Swim Schools Bundoora 4/37 The Concord, Bundoora VIC 3083, 21/05/2021, 8:55am - 10:15am, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Axedale Axedale Tavern 105 High Street, Axedale VIC 3551, 23/05/2021, 11:45am - 1:30pm, Case attended function, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Bendigo Hairfolk 33 Williamson Street, Bendigo VIC 3550, 22/05/2021, 9:40am - 10:10am, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Brunswick Futsal Brunswick 409 Victoria Street, Brunswick VIC 3056, 23/05/2021, 9:00am - 10:00am, Case attended venue. The Department may provide you with specific advice depending on what activity you participated in at this exposure site, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Clifton Hill McDonald's Clifton Hill 199 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill VIC 3068, 22/05/2021, 6:00pm - 7:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Coburg BP Southvale 303 Bell Street, Coburg VIC 3058, 22/05/2021, 8:10am - 8:30am, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Coburg The Nicholson Coffee House 6/14-20 Nicholson Street, Coburg VIC 3058, 22/05/2021, 12:00pm - 1:00pm, Case sat inside cafe, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Epping Chemist Warehouse, Dalton Village, Epping Shop 15, Dalton Village, 351-371 Dalton Road, Epping VIC 3076, 19/05/2021, 6:45pm - 8:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Epping The Furniture Trader 102-120 Cooper Street, Epping VIC 3076, 18/05/2021, 12:00pm - 12:50pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Epping JMD Grocers & Sweets 768 High Street, Epping VIC 3076, 17/05/2021, 10:30am - 1:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Epping Nando's Epping (Dalton Rd) Shop 17 Dalton Village, 351-371 Dalton Road, Epping VIC 3076, 19/05/2021, 8:30pm - 9:20pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Epping Epping North Shopping Centre 2 Lyndarum Drive, Epping VIC 3076, 22/05/2021, 4:45pm - 5:50pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Epping House and Party (store) 2 Lyndarum Drive, Epping VIC 3076, 22/05/2021, 5:15pm - 5:50pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Epping Woolworths Epping North 2 Lyndarum Drive, Epping VIC 3076, 22/05/2021, 4:45pm - 5:45pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Epping Urban Diner Food Court, Pacific Epping Shopping Centre 571-583 High Street, Epping VIC 3076, 23/05/2021, 1:15pm - 2:30pm, Case attended Urban Diner Food Court - inside location (not outside dining precinct with individual restaurants), Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Epping ALDI Epping Dalton Village, 347-371 Dalton Road, Epping VIC 3076, 23/05/2021, 6:00pm - 7:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Epping Chemist Depot Epping, Pacific Epping Shoping Centre 571-583 High Street, Epping VIC 3076, 23/05/2021, 11:15am - 12:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Epping Woolworths Epping Shop Number Q003. Pacific Epping Cooper Street & High street, Epping VIC 3076, 20/05/2021, 6:25pm - 7:15pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Epping Coles Epping Shop Number Q002. Pacific Epping Cooper street & High street, Epping VIC 3076, 20/05/2021, 6:45pm - 7:35pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Fitzroy North Secco and Co 414 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy VIC 3068, 22/05/2021, 7:35pm - 8:55pm, Case attended party, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Lalor Deep Indian Supermarket 3/494 High Street, Lalor VIC 3075, 20/05/2021, 7:00pm - 8:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Lalor Fruits of Lalor 328 Station Street, Lalor VIC 3075, 19/05/2021, 12:00pm - 1:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Lalor No. 1 Fruit Market 37 May Road, Lalor VIC 3075, 19/05/2021, 12:00pm - 1:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Lalor Everfresh Fruit Market 346 Station Street, Lalor VIC 3075, 19/05/2021, 12:00pm - 1:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Maribyrnong Highpoint Shopping Centre, all other areas on Levels 2 and 3 excluding specific shops listed as Tier 1 sites Levels 2 & 3, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong VIC 3032, 20/05/2021, 5:15pm - 6:35pm Case attended venue. If you attended one of the shops listed as Tier 1 (Lush Cosmetics, Toyworld, Smiggle, Kidstuff, Ishka), see specific shop instructions, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Maribyrnong Smiggle, Highpoint Shopping Centre Level 3, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong VIC 3032, 20/05/2021, 5:55pm - 6:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Maribyrnong Kidstuff, Highpoint Shopping Centre Level 2, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong VIC 3032, 20/05/2021, 5:20pm - 5:55pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Maribyrnong Ishka, Highpoint Shopping Centre Level 2, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong VIC 3032, 20/05/2021, 5:45pm - 6:20pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Maribyrnong Lush Cosmetics, Highpoint Shopping Centre Level 2, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong VIC 3032, 20/05/2021, 6:05pm - 6:35pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Maribyrnong Toyworld, Highpoint Shopping Centre Level 2, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong, 3032, 20/05/2021, 5:30pm - 6:20pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Melbourne Bamboo House 47 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, 21/05/2021, 11:00am - 11:50am, Case attended venue,Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Mill Park Bunnings Warehouse, Mill Park 761 Plenty Road, Mill Park VIC 3082, 20/05/2021, 4:00pm - 6:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Port Melbourne Port Park Cafe 7/484 Graham St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, 24/05/2021, 12:30pm - 1:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Port Melbourne The Local, Port Melbourne 22-24 Bay Street, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, 21/05/2021, 1:40pm - 3:30pm, Case dined inside venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Port Melbourne Bay 101 Cafe 7/101 Bay Street, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, 24/05/2021, 7:30am - 8:20am,Case sat inside venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Preston Adams Reserve Playground Milton Crescent, VIC Preston 3072, 23-05-2021, 2:15pm - 3:45pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Preston ALDI Preston South 15 Dundas Street, Preston VIC 3072, 23/05/2021, 3:45pm - 4:25pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Reservoir P & C Indian Grocery & Convenience Store 246 Broadway, Reservoir VIC 3073, 22/05/2021, 6:00pm - 7:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Reservoir Shell Coles Express Reservoir 192-202 Broadway & Whitelaw Street, Reservoir VIC 3073, 18/05/2021, 3:15pm - 4:15pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Reservoir B.T. Connor Reserve 200 Broadhurst Avenue, Reservoir VIC 3073, 21/05/2021, 8:00pm - 11:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Thomastown ACTROL (Retail Store- refrigerator and airconditioning parts) 13-17 Brand Drive, Thomastown VIC 3074, 17/05/2021, 12:00pm - 1:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Thomastown White Line Automotive 2/28 Lipton Drive, Thomastown VIC 3074, 20/05/2021, 12:00pm - 1:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Thornbury Little Tienda 410 Station Street, Thornbury VIC 307122/05/2021, 7:45am - 8:20am. Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Advertisement

'The only missing link is the link to the Wollert case from the South Australian hotel quarantine,' Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said.

While confident authorities have 'run down multiple generations of transmission', Professor Sutton is concerned about the amount of time that positive cases have been out in the community.

'There are potential exposures there that relate to some days ago that are yet to play out in new cases,' he said.

Prof Sutton said any lockdown would be broad rather than confined to the northern suburbs.

'We've got significant spread of exposure sites at the moment so it's not something that we would look to at a postcode level,' he said.

An infected person also attended the Collingwood-Port Adelaide game at the MCG on Sunday, sitting in zone 4, level 1 of the Great Southern Stand at the Punt Road end

A number of restrictions were introduced on Tuesday evening, including gathering limits of five people at homes and 30 in public and mandatory masks indoors

New restrictions in Melbourne: Maximum of five visitors per household

Maximum of 30 people gathering outside

Masks must be worn indoors and on public transport

People travelling from Melbourne to other areas must carry restrictions with them

Schools and workplaces will remain open with the new restrictions applied

Dancefloors remain open but people must wear masks while dancing Advertisement

Health Minister Martin Foley said there was also 'concern' about three bars now listed as tier one exposure sites - Three Monkeys and the Somewhere Bar in Prahran, and South Yarra's Circus Bar.

An infected person also attended the Collingwood-Port Adelaide game at the MCG on Sunday, sitting in zone 4, level 1 of the Great Southern Stand at the Punt Road end.

Spectators who sat in the same area have been told to get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result. Others in surrounding areas are being told to go for testing if they develop symptoms.

Mr Foley said of the 301 primary close contacts identified as of Tuesday night, 80 had returned negative tests.

He said four new testing sites would be set up on Wednesday and praised more than 26,000 Victorians who were tested in the 24 hours to Wednesday morning.

A record 15,858 people received a COVID-19 jab at the state's mass vaccination hubs during the same period.

The trio urged anyone eligible to get vaccinated, with Mr Merlino again flagging the possibility of expanding eligibility criteria for vaccines in Victoria.

'We're just working through other details of what that looks like and getting advice from public health, but we are keen to explore what we can do about increasing eligibility,' he said.

It comes after a number of restrictions were introduced on Tuesday evening, including gathering limits of five people at homes and 30 in public and mandatory masks indoors.

The restrictions apply to Greater Melbourne, or people travelling into regional Victoria.

Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory have tightened restrictions for people travelling from Victoria but stopped short of closing their borders.

Victoria last entered a five-day 'circuit breaker' lockdown in February, when the virus escaped hotel quarantine and infected 13 people.
Australia's best-loved Olympian Cathy Freeman has thrown her weight behind calls for urgent change to ensure there is always an Indigenous voice in federal parliament.

Freeman, now 48, rarely makes major public comments but on National Sorry Day she spoke powerfully in support of constitutional change.

'The time is now for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice to be enshrined in Australia's Constitution,' Freeman tweeted.

Olympic hero Cathy Freeman has backed calls for an Indigenous voice in parliament via consitutional change - which could put her at odds with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

'The Uluru Statement from the Heart is four years old today. Come on Australians. Support what is right and fair.'

Freeman has long been an ambassador for all Australia. She is pictured above at the 2019 Laureus Academy welcome reception in Monaco

The Uluru statement was delivered in 2017 and is considered one of the most important public documents expressing a unified front for Indigenous people.

It calls for a representative body giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders a say in law and policy affecting them, supported by a change to the constitution.

Freeman, a Kuku Yalanji woman, also retweeted a call from the organisation behind the Uluru Statement for a referendum on an Indigenous voice in parliament after the next election.

Freeman is rarely outspoken on major Indigenous issues but was quick to praise the amendment to the national anthem in January, which saw the words 'young and free' replaced with 'one and free'.

'What a way to start the year. A phone call from our Prime Minister to say that we are 'One and Free! Thank you!' Freeman tweeted in January.

Protesters march through the CBD during a Stop The Stolen Generation! Sorry Day Rally, in Sydney on Wednesday

Stop the Stolen Generation was the theme of the Sorry Day Rally in Sydney

But Freeman's call for constitutional change could put her at odds with Scott Morrison, who has said legislation and not a constitutional change would be enough to realise Indigenous representation.

A survey of 1500 people done by Griffith University last month showed 62 per cent of people favoured a First Nations voice in parliament, with constitutional change the preferred option.

A small but vocal gathering Indigenous people and activists gathered for a National Sorry Day rally starting at the Sydney Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon.

The group Grandmothers Against Removals and the University of Sydney Women's Collective were among the rally organisers, with the stolen generations obviously a major issue on the minds of protesters.

On National Sorry Day, Indigenous communities urged all Australians to remember the mistreatment of the stolen generations.

Wednesday signals the start of National Reconciliation Week and the anniversary of the parliamentary tabling of the Bringing Them Home report in 1997.

The forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island children from their families and communities must never be repeated and the hardships endured should never be forgotten, the stolen generations Council of NSW and ACT said.

'It is crucial for members of the stolen generations, that have endured so much pain, to be supported in their process of healing,' executive officer Kirrily Jordan said.

Indigenous people and activists were among the small but vocal crowd in the Sorry Day rally

Sydney protesters with placards expressing a wide range of Indigenous issues marched during a Stop The Stolen Generation! Sorry Day Rally on Wednesday

'The impact of these past government policies has started a vicious cycle of intergenerational trauma that requires extensive support and assistance.'

The organisation noted that the number of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care continues to increase and is set to double by 2029.

'Sorry Day is an annual reminder of the injustices committed against Aboriginal peoples by previous governments. Sadly, however, the impact of child removals on Aboriginal families is not a thing of the past.'

The federal government said National Sorry Day 'acknowledges and raises awareness of the history and continued effect of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from their families, communities and culture'.

Throughout National Reconciliation Week the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet directs the Aboriginal Flag and Torres Strait Islander Flag should be flown beside the Australian Flag on all government buildings, where possible.
American youngsters are being pushed towards extreme sexual therapies and gender realignment surgery by a 'daily barrage' of online content promoted by big technology firms, Tucker Carlson has argued.

The Fox News host on Tuesday night opened his show by discussing Sunday's episode of 60 Minutes, which spoke to people who regretted having the hasty operations.

One young woman, Grace Lindinisky-Smith, was granted a double mastectomy after just four months.

Garrett, a young man from Louisiana, was castrated after just three months of taking female hormones.

Tucker Carlson on Tuesday night spoke about gender reassignment surgery for young people

Grace Lindinisky-Smith (left) and Garrett (right) told Stahl about their harrowing experiences

Carlson noted how the young people interviewed by host Lesley Stahl all said they had learnt about transgender surgery and identity on the internet, and were influenced by the forums and communities online.

'They see a daily barrage of propaganda, most of it online, made possible by Google and Facebook,' he said.

'That propaganda has a very specific effect, as intended.'

Carlson said that it was designed to normalize the feelings of gender dysphoria which, he said, were relatively uncommon until the internet age.

And he told his viewers that statistics showed the drastic surgical options frequently led to further unhappiness.

'Gender reassignment surgery and chemical castration cause depression and exacerbate mental illness,' he said, pointing to a study five years ago under the Obama administration, which he said found no positive health benefits.

In a 2016 document called the 'Proposed Decision Memo for Gender Dysphoria and Gender Reassignment Surgery,' Obama officials concluded that: 'Based on a thorough review of the clinical evidence available at this time, there is not enough evidence to determine whether gender reassignment surgery improves health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries with gender dysphoria.'

Garrett told Stahl, in a clip from 60 Minutes broadcast by Carlson: 'I didn't get enough pushback on transitioning. I went for two appointments and after the second one, I had my letter to go get on cross-sex hormones.'

All four young people who spoke to Stahl said they were influenced by the internet

He continued: 'I had never really been suicidal before until I had my breast augmentation.

'And about a week afterward, I wanted to actually kill myself.

'I had a plan and I was gonna do it but I just kept thinking about my family to stop myself.

'It kind of felt like: how am I ever going to feel normal again, like other guys now?'

Carlson lamented the ease with which young people can receive gender changing treatment.

He quoted Joe Biden from an October 2020 town hall, to suggest that Biden backed surgery.

'He suggested that children as young as eight can change their sex,' Carlson said.

Biden did indeed say he supported children being able to live as a different sex, but he did not mention surgery.

Biden told the town hall: 'The idea that an eight-year-old child or a 10-year-old child decides, 'You know, I decided I want to be transgender. That's what I think I'd like to be. It would make my life a lot easier.' There should be zero discrimination.'

Carlson praised Lesley Stahl for her 'brave' reporting on transgender young people

Carlson said the process was too easy. 

'Therapists will steer those kids to doctors, who will almost immediately give them powerful sex hormones, whose long-term effects we can't know,' he said.

'In some cases, those kids will then be referred to surgeons, who will mutilate or remove their sex organs permanently.

'That is happening across the country tonight. We rarely talk about the details of any of it. It's all good, we're told. It's all part of a vital, long-overdue process of personal liberation, and if you stand in the way or ask too many questions, you're evil.'

Lindinisky-Smith told Stahl in another clip: 'We only did a few sessions. They asked me, 'So, why do you wanna go on testosterone?'

'And I said, 'Well, being a woman just isn't working for me anymore.'

'And they said, 'Okay.''

She said she then underwent surgery, but immediately felt wrong.

'I started to have a really disturbing sense that like a part of my body was missing, almost a ghost limb feeling about being like, there's something that should be there,' she said.

'And the feeling really surprised me but it was really hard to deny.'

Lindinisky-Smith then transitioned back to being a woman again - all within a year.

Carlson praised Stahl for 'a remarkably brave piece of journalism.'
An Atlanta area man suspected of fatally shooting his wife was arrested near Seattle on Saturday two weeks after her body was found just outside of St. Louis, according to police.

Luther Luke Henderson, 39, was taken into custody by authorities in the Pacific Northwest after law enforcement officials in Georgia issued a warrant for his arrest on a felony murder charge.

Henderson was last seen with his wife, 33-year-old Tykeisha Dixon, on May 6 as they were leaving their home in Roswell, Georgia where their three sons were being watched by a babysitter, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Police said Dixons body was found two days later on the side of a road in Edwardsville, Illinois - a college town that lies about 20 miles northeast of St. Louis.

Atlanta police allege that Tykeisha Dixon (left) was fatally shot by her husband, Luther 'Luke' Henderson (right), on May 6 near their home in Roswell, Georgia

Luther Luke Henderson (left), 39, was taken into custody by authorities in the Pacific Northwest after law enforcement officials in Georgia issued a warrant for his arrest on a felony murder charge. He faces murder charges in the death of his wife, Tykeisha Dixon (right), 33

Dixon's body was found on May 8 near St. Louis on May 8. Two days later, the couple's car was located near Chicago but Henderson was still missing. This past weekend, he was arrested by police near Seattle

The couple is not known to have had any connection to the area.

According to investigators in Atlanta, Dixon was shot sometime on May 6.

Police believe that the shooting took place in the Old Fourth Ward section of Atlanta.

Henderson and Dixon were believed to have been traveling to pick up Hendersons daughter at a nearby Taco Bell that night.

A missing persons report filed by police in Roswell indicated that the girl told her uncle that while they were in the car together, Henderson took Dixons cellphone and threw it out the car, breaking it, somewhere on North Ave. in Atlanta.

Hendersons cellphone was broken as well.

Atlanta police were notified by law enforcement officials in the Greater St. Louis area that the couples car - a blue Chrysler 200 - was found near Chicago on May 10.

Henderson, however, was still missing.

'I did a canvass at the area that Tykeisha and Luther were last seen in, and with the help of witnesses, phone records and surveillance cameras, I was able to develop enough probable cause to charge Luther Henderson with the death of Tykeisha Dixon,' Atlanta Police Detective Jamael Logan said.

She was a very caring, loving person, Dixon's brother, Talaris Adams said. She never met a stranger and her smile literally lit up the room.'

Henderson remains in Washington State where he is awaiting extradition to Georgia to face charges.

Dixons brother, Talaris Adams, told AJC that the family was devastated by his sisters death.

She was a very caring, loving person, Adams said.

She never met a stranger and her smile literally lit up the room. If you werent her friend before she first met you, you would be by the end of the night.

She just loved people and she didnt deserve what happened to her, at all.

A memorial service in Dixons honor was held on Friday. Her family launched a crowdfunding effort on GoFundMe to help pay for funeral expenses as well as costs related to caring for her three sons ages 10 to 16.
Panic buyers are believed to have started stripping Melbourne's supermarket shelves of toilet paper - despite the city not even being in lockdown yet.

Health authorities have warned the next 24 hours will be 'critical' in determining whether further restrictions will be imposed on Victoria after the state recorded six new infections on Wednesday, bring the number to cases to 15.

Coles has confirmed increased demand but said are not intending to put buying limits in place at this stage. Woolworths is understood to also be preparing for potential increase in demand.

A photograph of empty empty shelves at Greenvale Coles amid Melbourne's latest outbreak

The toilet paper aisle at Coles in Elsternwick was seen virtually empty, and the supermarket confirmed it has experienced 'elevated demand'.

'We've seen elevated demand in Melbourne today but there is plenty of stock in the supply chain, regular deliveries to stores and our team members have been refilling gaps throughout the day,' a spokeperson said.

'We ask that customers stay calm, only buy what they need and be respectful to our hard working team members.'

The latest Covid outbreak now sits at 15 cases, with 11 new infections - five of which were announced late on Tuesday.

Victorian supermarkets were stripped in June last year after restrictions caused panic buying (pictured Melbourne supermarket in June 2020)

Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino says the next 24 hours will be critical to avoid another lockdown after the state recorded six more locally acquired COVID-19 cases.

'The next 24 hours are going to be critical,' he said.

'I cannot rule out taking some further action but we'll update people as soon as we know.'

In response, shoppers reported some Melbournians have wiped shelves in major supermarkets.

The new cases are close contacts of people who have already tested positive to Covid as part of the City of Whittlesea cluster, which has grown since Monday to 15.

Five of the six new cases are linked to a finance firm in Port Melbourne where one infected person works.

'It's good that everyone is linked at this stage but we are concerned about the number and also about the kind of exposure sites,' Mr Merlino told reporters on Wednesday.

All 15 cases have the B1617 COVD-19 variant, which originated in India late last year.

Genomic sequencing shows the outbreak is linked to the case of a Wollert man, who contracted the virus in SA quarantine earlier this month.

But a definitive link between the Wollert man and the outbreak hasn't been established.
A plane was forced to make an emergency landing on a popular Sydney beach following engine issues.

A man and a woman, both in their 40s, luckily escaped without injury after the light plane landed on Collaroy beach on the northern beaches at 2pm on Wednesday.

A beach buggy is on the scene and is attempting to tow the plane, a Tecnam P2008, off the sand.

A man and a woman, both in their 40s, luckily escaped without injury after the light plane (pictured) landed on Collaroy beach on the northern beaches at 2pm on Wednesday

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau spokesperson said the pilot had to perform the tricky emergency landing after the aircraft's engine experienced an issue.

Witness Don Cunningham said he was drinking a coffee at the North Narrabeen Surf Club when he saw the plane flying very low.

'I said "gee, that plane looks awfully low" and there was no engine noise,' he told the ABC.

'I said "this looks pretty serious" and we just watched and then, very gently it came down, down, down.

'It came a long way down the beach and it finally touched down here. It seemed to take forever to land and it came down properly because it didn't flip or anything.'

The Recreational Aviation Australia will investigate the incident because the plane is a recreational aircraft.
Ousted Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate is owed an apology from Scott Morrison and the company's chairman should resign, a senate committee report has found.

The former CEO was roasted for giving four executives luxury Cartier watches worth a combined $19,950 in October 2018 as a reward for securing a $66 million deal with three big banks.

On hearing about the reward last year, a furious Mr Morrison told Parliament the gifts were disgraceful and said: 'She's been instructed to stand aside and if she doesn't do that, she can go.'

Ousted Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate (pictured) is owed an apology from Scott Morrison and the company's chairman should resign, a senate committee report has found

Poll Should Scott Morrison apologise to Christine Holgate? Yes No Should Scott Morrison apologise to Christine Holgate? Yes 80 votes

No 69 votes Now share your opinion





Ms Holgate, who resigned in November, said she was treated 'like a criminal', 'abandoned to a media firestorm' and wrongfully ousted against her will, leaving her suicidal and needing insomnia medication.

A report into her departure by the Senate's Environment and Communications References Committee said the prime minister should apologise.

'The committee recommends that the Australia Post Board and Shareholder Ministers and the Prime Minister apologise to Ms Holgate for denying her the legal principles of procedural fairness and natural justice in her departure from Australia Post,' it said.

The committee also demanded chairman Lucio di Bartolomeo resign over the fiasco and the board of the publicly owned company be packed with politicians to improve oversight.

Government senators on the committee, which was dominated by opposition and crossbench politicians, rejected many of the recommendations.

Former Australia Post boss Christine Holgate at the State Funeral for fashion designer Carla Zampattiat St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney in April

'The claim that Ms Holgate was denied procedural fairness and natural justice is contested,' they said in an alternative report released at the same time.

The group said the report was biased because it had become a 'highly politicised exercise.'

Mr Morrison has previously said he regrets causing hurt to Ms Holgate but has not apologised.

'I see that this has caused some very strong reaction from Christine and had hurt her deeply. That was not my intention and so I regret that,' he said in an interview in April.

'The issue here was how taxpayers' funds were being used in a government-owned company and as prime minister I have to stand up for those standards and did.

'It was not my intention to upset or offend Ms Holgate. I appreciate she has gone through a difficult time and that's not something that I would have liked to have seen happen.

'But we're all accountable for the decisions we make and the things that we do.'

Ms Holgate has since become CEO of Toll Global Express.

Australia Post's lawyers have conditionally agreed to participate in mediation with her over the circumstances of her departure.
This is the moment violence erupted between door staff and clubbers in Liverpool city centre.

The footage, posted online, shows door staff clashing with a group near Lanigan's pub on Ranelagh Street.

The incident happened on Friday, May 21 at around 9pm with the violence continuing for several minutes as innocent bystanders watched on in horror.

In the video, a fight can be seen breaking out between a large group of males and a team of security staff.

Two men and a doorman can be seen involved in a punch-up after a bouncer appears to say 'go back where you f****** came from' to one of the group, prompting them to confront him.

Chaos ensues as more security staff and other members of the public become embroiled in a mass brawl.

A violent brawl broke out between revellers and doormen in Liverpool after one doorman appeared to shout 'go back to where you came from' at a group of men as they were leaving

Reports say the brawl outside Lanigan's bar in Liverpool city centre involved up to 20 people

Fighting can be seen spilling out into the street and onto the road which stops traffic in the process.

It was reported that around 20 people were involved. It is unclear what happened prior to the start of the video.

Police officers located two suspects a short distance away from the scene, near the Adelphi Hotel.

Two men, aged 27 and 35, both from Northern Ireland, were arrested on suspicion of affray.

They have since been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

CCTV and witness enquiries are ongoing.

Police are now investigating the clash and are appealing for witnesses to come forward

Detective Inspector Gary Thomas said: 'This was a shocking incident and, although we have made two arrests, we are continuing our enquiries and conducting licensing checks to ensure we find all those responsible.

'This was the first weekend hospitality venues were allowed to open indoors under easing of coronavirus restrictions and we are committed to ensuring that people can enjoy their night out in Liverpool safely, without incidents such as this.

'If you witnessed the incident or have any information then please let us know, either directly or anonymously through Crimestoppers. Any information you hold could be vital to our enquiries.'

A second video showed a bouncer saying a man had 'punched him in the face' before knocking him to the ground over a chair outside the bar.

Lanigan's Irish Bar issued a statement via their Facebook page addressing the incident and condemning the violence which took place outside the premises.

The post read: 'On behalf of Lanigan's Bar Liverpool, we would like to address the scene brought to our attention.

Lanigan's (pictured) issued a statement clarifying that the bouncer in the video who appears to shout 'go back to where you came from' did not work for them but was assisting their bouncers

'Firstly, we do not condone violence of any sort, especially by security staff responsible for the safety of the public.

'We would like to clarify that the bouncer in question, is NOT a member of Lanigan's staff and was NOT working for us on the night in question.

'He was assisting our bouncers and works in a completely different venue.

'However, that is no excuse and we are very saddened to see altercations of such magnitude on the street outside our premises.'

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or on Facebook at 'Merseyside Police CC'.

You can also call 101 quoting reference 21000327578.
Footage from a camera setup on the wall of a dam could hold the key to finding a pair of missing campers who vanished more than a year ago.

Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, who were having a secret affair, haven't been seen since March last year when they were camping at the Wonnangatta Valley in the Victorian Alps.

While multiple theories have emerged into the couple's disappearance, police are yet to find the pair.

Attention has now turned to the Lake Buffalo Dam as it's one of three main routes that lead into the Wonnangatta area.

A camera lodged on the dam's wall would likely be able to capture if anyone had been coming or going from the valley which could help detectives narrow down if someone else had been with the pair.

Investigators are still trying to determine how Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, disappeared while camping in the rugged bushland of the Wonnangatta Valley in Victoria's East Gippsland region on March 19, 2020

Meanwhile, some locals near the Wonnangatta Valley believe the lovers may have accidently been killed by a hunter - or hunters - armed with crossbows or rifles.

The area is notorious for 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.

The pair had been involved in a secret affair for years and had gone on the camping trip before their site was found burned to the ground two days later

While multiple theories have emerged into the couple's disappearance, police are yet to find the pair. Pictured: Carol Clay

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.

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.

The pair went missing in the Wonnangatta Valley, more than 200km north east of Melbourne

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.
Serial conman Peter Forster will hand himself into Queensland police to fight fraud charges after being accused of stealing $2million in cryptocurrency.

Foster had been due in court in Sydney last week so that 16 fraud charges filed against him in New South Wales could be withdrawn and the case sent to the neighbouring state of Queensland for trial.

But Foster never appeared, with his lawyer forced to admit to the judge that he has no idea where the 58-year-old is.

His lawyer now says 'Charismatic crook' Foster is planning to hand himself into Queensland Police and plead not guilty to all charges.

Peter Foster, a notorious conman who sparked 'Cheriegate' in 2002, has disappeared during a trial for fraud in Australia (pictured during his arrest in August last year)

'Charismatic crook' Peter Foster is planning to hand himself into Queensland Police and plead not guilty to all charges, his lawyer says

Foster had already served jail time for fraud when he helped Cherie Blair buy two cut-price homes in 2002 (pictured at the time)

An arrest warrant for Foster has been issued in Queensland after prosecutors in Sydney dropped more than a dozen charges over an alleged multi-million-dollar Bitcoin scam.

The 58-year-old was facing 15 fraud charges after allegedly posing as a man called Bill Dawson and extricating 120 Bitcoin from a Hong Kong man in 2019 and 2020.

Foster rose to infamy in 2002 when he sparked 'Cheriegate' after it emerged he had helped then-Prime Minister Tony Blair's wife buy two discounted houses.

Cherie initially denied Foster -already an established fraudster who had served jail time in the UK - was involved in the deal, but after the Daily Mail exposed emails between the pair she was forced to make an apology.

Foster's lawyer Chris Hannay said the fresh Queensland charges related to those dropped south of the border, and he believes there are 'significant issues' with the brief.

'There's been an internal investigation in Sydney over it, within the police department,' he said on Wednesday.

Cherie Blair (left on her way to apologise for the property purchases, and right following her husband's 1997 election win) initially denied Foster was involved in the sales but after the Daily Mail exposed that as a lie, she was forced to make a tearful apology

NSW Police said it would be inappropriate to comment 'as the matter is currently the subject of an internal investigation'.

While Foster was a 'charismatic crook' and a 'charismatic good bloke', he's 'not the villain in this', Mr Hannay said.

A Sydney court in February was told police were yet to directly take a statement from the complainant.

'The whole prosecution relies upon investigations not conducted by the police but a private investigator and his own reasons,' lawyer Angelo Bilias said at the time.

Court papers for the since-withdrawn charges state the alleged fraud was valued at about $US1.141 million ($A1.73m) in January 2020, when the last transaction was said to have occurred.

Foster was arrested on a beach in far north Queensland in August 2020 before being extradited to Sydney.

He spent seven months in custody until a magistrate granted him strict bail on March 26.
Prosecutors say they will not appeal Porsche driver Richard Pusey's 10-month jail sentence for outraging public decency over a fatal crash in Melbourne.

Victorian prosecutors will not push to increase the 10-month jail term handed to Porsche driver Richard Pusey for outraging public decency.

Pusey was jailed in April after filming dead and dying police officers following Melbourne's Eastern Freeway crash and calling it 'f***ing justice'.

Prosecutors say they will not appeal Porsche driver Richard Pusey's 10-month jail sentence for outraging public decency over a fatal crash in Melbourne

Senior Constable Kevin King (pictured, far left), Constable Glen Humphris (second from left), Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor (second from right) and and Constable Josh Prestney (far right) all died in the crash

Senior Constables Lynette Taylor and Kevin King, and Constables Glen Humphris and Josh Prestney, died when a truck veered into the emergency lane on April 22, 2020.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Office of Public Prosecutions said it would not seek to appeal Pusey's sentence.

'Taking all relevant matters into consideration, the Director (of Public Prosecutions) has determined that there are no reasonable prospects of successfully appealing this sentence and therefore will not appeal,' the statement said.

Pusey pleaded guilty in Victoria's County Court to outraging public decency, speeding and drug possession.

He was never charged with causing the officers' deaths. But his actions at the scene were labelled 'heartless, cruel and disgraceful' by Judge Trevor Wraight.

He was pulled over for speeding before a truck, driven by a sleep-deprived and drug-addled truck driver Mohinder Singh, veered into the group.

Pusey during his arrest a day after the fatal crash. A homicide squad detective would go to court and outline to the media exactly what Pusey had done

Richard Pusey's Porsche is towed away after the horrific crash that killed four police officers. They had pulled over the speeding Pusey who escaped the wreck after he jumped the fence to urinate

Pusey avoided injury because he was urinating beside the freeway, away from the vehicles.

Instead of helping, he filmed the scene, zooming in on the dead and dying officers and their injuries.

'That is f***ing justice, absolutely amazing,' Pusey said, focusing on a damaged unmarked police car.

He walked towards the truck and said: 'You c***s, I guess I'll be getting a f***ing Uber home, huh.'

It was accepted Pusey made the comments to himself and was not taunting the officers.

He has a severe personality disorder and Judge Wraight accepted this played into the man's actions alongside shock.

Pusey's sentence included 296 days he'd already spent in custody.
A man has died during a helicopter crash in New South Wales.

The smash happened about 12noon on Wednesday in the Murrumbidgee region.

Emergency services were called to a property on Toopuntul Road, Maude, about 50km west of Hay, following reports the helicopter had crashed.

A man has died during a helicopter crash in New South Wales . The smash happened about 12noon on Wednesday in the Murrumbidgee region (stock picture)

The male pilot  and sole occupant  died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified.

Officers attached to Murrumbidgee Police District attended and established a crime scene, which is still being forensically examined.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is underway.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been notified.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Health authorities are locked in crisis talks debating a snap five-day lockdown for Melbourne in a desperate battle to stop the coronavirus cluster from spreading.

The city's fate hangs in the balance after six new cases were announced on Wednesday as the outbreak grew to 15.

It's understood officials are considering a five day circuit breaker, which could be extended if significant numbers of cases not directly linked to the current cluster emerge.

Sources claim the decision could go either way, the Herald Sun reported.

The crisis talks come hours after Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino revealed the next 24 hours will be critical to avoiding a second snap lockdown within four months.

Premier Daniel Andrews is understood to be monitoring the situation closely while on leave with a back injury while officials believe the 15 cases are closely linked.

South Australia has slammed shut its borders to Melbourne in the wake of the growing outbreak.

Melbourne's fate hangs in the balance with a snap lockdown being considered. Pictured are queues at a testing facility in Melbourne on Wednesday

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall declared anyone from Greater Melbourne is banned from entering the state from 6pm Wednesday.

Essential workers and returning South Australians will be allowed to cross the border but they must get three virus tests and isolate for 14 days.

Travellers who have crossed the border from Greater Melbourne from May 20 have also been ordered to undergo testing and isolate until they return a negative result.

'Our thoughts are with everybody in Melbourne. Any outbreak is something we need to take extraordinarily serious,' Mr Marshall said.

South Australia's Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier is concerned about the growing number of exposure sites across Melbourne and and regional Victoria.

She said three South Australians have been identified as close contacts of a confirmed case in someone who attended the Port Adelaide and Collingwood AFL game at the MCG on Sunday.

They have been asked to isolate, with one of those three still in Melbourne.

Almost 500 other South Australians who also attended the game are being considered to be tier 2 contacts and will be ordered to get tested.

Of 30,000 texts sent to South Australians who have visited Victoria since May 6, 44 admitted to SA Health they've been to high-risk exposure sites.

Road checkpoints have also been reintroduced at the borders.

'The snap border closure does not allow enough time for motorists to flee to SA from Victoria,' SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said.

'There is no reason anyone could be making a run for the border at this point,'

Melbourne is on high alert with 15 Covid cases recorded since Monday. Pictured is a health worker at a South Melbourne drive-through testing site

Melburnians have been banned from crossing the South Australian border. Pictured is a testing queue on Wednesday

Victorian health officials are concerned about the the growing list of exposure sites and the type of venues involved, including bars, nightclubs, the MCG and Marvel Stadium.

Of biggest concern on the list is trendy nightspot Somewhere Bar in Prahran.

It's understood a group of revellers entered the bar late Saturday night without having to check-in. Herald Sun reported.

It's since emerged an infected case was at the venue at the time.

Anyone who attended Somewhere Bar between 10.30pm and 1am and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the test result.

A shopping centre in Melbourne's inner north is also the latest in a string of venues to be exposed to Covid.

Barkly Square in Brunswick, in Melbourne's north was added to the list of Tier 2 exposure sites after a Covid-positive shopper visited Priceline Pharmacy, OPSM, Kmart and Woolworths.

'We have been advised the affected individual was present at the centre on Saturday, May 22 between 1:15pm and 2:30pm,' centre management said in a statement.

Anyone who attended the complex at the above times must get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result.

All staff members who came into close contact with the positive case will isolate for 14 days, while a deep clean of the shops will begin, the centre said.

Barkly Square in Brunswick, in Melbourne's north, was added to the list of Tier 2 exposure sites after a Covid-positive shopper visited Priceline Pharmacy, OPSM, Kmart and Woolworths

Melbourne's Covid outbreak is now at 15 cases, with 11 new infections - five of which were announced late on Tuesday

The six new cases are close contacts of people who have already tested positive to Covid as part of the City of Whittlesea cluster, which has grown since Monday to 15.

Five of the six new cases are linked to a finance firm in Port Melbourne where one infected person works.

'It's good that everyone is linked at this stage but we are concerned about the number and also about the kind of exposure sites,' Mr Merlino told reporters on Wednesday.

'The next 24 hours are going to be critical.

'I cannot rule out taking some further action but we'll update people as soon as we know.'

All 15 cases have the B1617 COVD-19 variant, which originated in India late last year.

Genomic sequencing shows the outbreak is linked to the case of a Wollert man, who contracted the virus in SA quarantine earlier this month.

But a definitive link between the Wollert man and the outbreak hasn't been established.

Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino says the next 24 hours will be critical to avoid another lockdown after the state recorded six more locally acquired COVID-19 cases

There are now more than 50 exposure sites across Melbourne and regional Victoria

EXPOSURE SITES IN MELBOURNE Tier one; Anyone who visited the below sites must get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result Tier two: Anyone who attended the following sites at the times listed must get tested and isolate until a negative result or further advice Circus Bar at 199 Commercial Road, South Yarra, between 1:30am and 4:15am on Sunday May 23. Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure The Three Monkeys bar at 210 Chapel Street, Prahran, between 9:10pm and 11:00pm on Saturday May 22 and 12:30am and 2:00am Sunday May 23. Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Somewhere Bar at 181 Chapel Street, Prahran, between 10:30pm and 1:00am on Saturday May 22. Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Bundoora Jump! Swim Schools Bundoora 4/37 The Concord, Bundoora VIC 3083, 21/05/2021, 8:55am - 10:15am, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Axedale Axedale Tavern 105 High Street, Axedale VIC 3551, 23/05/2021, 11:45am - 1:30pm, Case attended function, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Bendigo Hairfolk 33 Williamson Street, Bendigo VIC 3550, 22/05/2021, 9:40am - 10:10am, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Brunswick Futsal Brunswick 409 Victoria Street, Brunswick VIC 3056, 23/05/2021, 9:00am - 10:00am, Case attended venue. The Department may provide you with specific advice depending on what activity you participated in at this exposure site, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Clifton Hill McDonald's Clifton Hill 199 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill VIC 3068, 22/05/2021, 6:00pm - 7:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Coburg BP Southvale 303 Bell Street, Coburg VIC 3058, 22/05/2021, 8:10am - 8:30am, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Coburg The Nicholson Coffee House 6/14-20 Nicholson Street, Coburg VIC 3058, 22/05/2021, 12:00pm - 1:00pm, Case sat inside cafe, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Epping Chemist Warehouse, Dalton Village, Epping Shop 15, Dalton Village, 351-371 Dalton Road, Epping VIC 3076, 19/05/2021, 6:45pm - 8:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Epping The Furniture Trader 102-120 Cooper Street, Epping VIC 3076, 18/05/2021, 12:00pm - 12:50pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Epping JMD Grocers & Sweets 768 High Street, Epping VIC 3076, 17/05/2021, 10:30am - 1:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Epping Nando's Epping (Dalton Rd) Shop 17 Dalton Village, 351-371 Dalton Road, Epping VIC 3076, 19/05/2021, 8:30pm - 9:20pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Epping Epping North Shopping Centre 2 Lyndarum Drive, Epping VIC 3076, 22/05/2021, 4:45pm - 5:50pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Epping House and Party (store) 2 Lyndarum Drive, Epping VIC 3076, 22/05/2021, 5:15pm - 5:50pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Epping Woolworths Epping North 2 Lyndarum Drive, Epping VIC 3076, 22/05/2021, 4:45pm - 5:45pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Epping Urban Diner Food Court, Pacific Epping Shopping Centre 571-583 High Street, Epping VIC 3076, 23/05/2021, 1:15pm - 2:30pm, Case attended Urban Diner Food Court - inside location (not outside dining precinct with individual restaurants), Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Epping ALDI Epping Dalton Village, 347-371 Dalton Road, Epping VIC 3076, 23/05/2021, 6:00pm - 7:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Epping Chemist Depot Epping, Pacific Epping Shoping Centre 571-583 High Street, Epping VIC 3076, 23/05/2021, 11:15am - 12:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Epping Woolworths Epping Shop Number Q003. Pacific Epping Cooper Street & High street, Epping VIC 3076, 20/05/2021, 6:25pm - 7:15pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Epping Coles Epping Shop Number Q002. Pacific Epping Cooper street & High street, Epping VIC 3076, 20/05/2021, 6:45pm - 7:35pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Fitzroy North Secco and Co 414 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy VIC 3068, 22/05/2021, 7:35pm - 8:55pm, Case attended party, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Lalor Deep Indian Supermarket 3/494 High Street, Lalor VIC 3075, 20/05/2021, 7:00pm - 8:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Lalor Fruits of Lalor 328 Station Street, Lalor VIC 3075, 19/05/2021, 12:00pm - 1:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Lalor No. 1 Fruit Market 37 May Road, Lalor VIC 3075, 19/05/2021, 12:00pm - 1:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Lalor Everfresh Fruit Market 346 Station Street, Lalor VIC 3075, 19/05/2021, 12:00pm - 1:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Maribyrnong Highpoint Shopping Centre, all other areas on Levels 2 and 3 excluding specific shops listed as Tier 1 sites Levels 2 & 3, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong VIC 3032, 20/05/2021, 5:15pm - 6:35pm Case attended venue. If you attended one of the shops listed as Tier 1 (Lush Cosmetics, Toyworld, Smiggle, Kidstuff, Ishka), see specific shop instructions, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Maribyrnong Smiggle, Highpoint Shopping Centre Level 3, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong VIC 3032, 20/05/2021, 5:55pm - 6:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Maribyrnong Kidstuff, Highpoint Shopping Centre Level 2, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong VIC 3032, 20/05/2021, 5:20pm - 5:55pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Maribyrnong Ishka, Highpoint Shopping Centre Level 2, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong VIC 3032, 20/05/2021, 5:45pm - 6:20pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Maribyrnong Lush Cosmetics, Highpoint Shopping Centre Level 2, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong VIC 3032, 20/05/2021, 6:05pm - 6:35pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Maribyrnong Toyworld, Highpoint Shopping Centre Level 2, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong, 3032, 20/05/2021, 5:30pm - 6:20pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Melbourne Bamboo House 47 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, 21/05/2021, 11:00am - 11:50am, Case attended venue,Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Mill Park Bunnings Warehouse, Mill Park 761 Plenty Road, Mill Park VIC 3082, 20/05/2021, 4:00pm - 6:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Port Melbourne Port Park Cafe 7/484 Graham St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, 24/05/2021, 12:30pm - 1:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Port Melbourne The Local, Port Melbourne 22-24 Bay Street, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, 21/05/2021, 1:40pm - 3:30pm, Case dined inside venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Port Melbourne Bay 101 Cafe 7/101 Bay Street, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, 24/05/2021, 7:30am - 8:20am,Case sat inside venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Preston Adams Reserve Playground Milton Crescent, VIC Preston 3072, 23-05-2021, 2:15pm - 3:45pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Preston ALDI Preston South 15 Dundas Street, Preston VIC 3072, 23/05/2021, 3:45pm - 4:25pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Reservoir P & C Indian Grocery & Convenience Store 246 Broadway, Reservoir VIC 3073, 22/05/2021, 6:00pm - 7:00pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Reservoir Shell Coles Express Reservoir 192-202 Broadway & Whitelaw Street, Reservoir VIC 3073, 18/05/2021, 3:15pm - 4:15pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Reservoir B.T. Connor Reserve 200 Broadhurst Avenue, Reservoir VIC 3073, 21/05/2021, 8:00pm - 11:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Thomastown ACTROL (Retail Store- refrigerator and airconditioning parts) 13-17 Brand Drive, Thomastown VIC 3074, 17/05/2021, 12:00pm - 1:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Thomastown White Line Automotive 2/28 Lipton Drive, Thomastown VIC 3074, 20/05/2021, 12:00pm - 1:30pm, Case attended venue, Tier 2 - Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result Thornbury Little Tienda 410 Station Street, Thornbury VIC 307122/05/2021, 7:45am - 8:20am. Case attended venue, Tier 1 - Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure Advertisement

'The only missing link is the link to the Wollert case from the South Australian hotel quarantine,' Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said.

While confident authorities have 'run down multiple generations of transmission', Professor Sutton is concerned about the amount of time that positive cases have been out in the community.

'There are potential exposures there that relate to some days ago that are yet to play out in new cases,' he said.

Prof Sutton said any lockdown would be broad rather than confined to the northern suburbs.

'We've got significant spread of exposure sites at the moment so it's not something that we would look to at a postcode level,' he said.

An infected person also attended the Collingwood-Port Adelaide game at the MCG on Sunday, sitting in zone 4, level 1 of the Great Southern Stand at the Punt Road end

A number of restrictions were introduced on Tuesday evening, including gathering limits of five people at homes and 30 in public and mandatory masks indoors

New restrictions in Melbourne: Maximum of five visitors per household

Maximum of 30 people gathering outside

Masks must be worn indoors and on public transport

People travelling from Melbourne to other areas must carry restrictions with them

Schools and workplaces will remain open with the new restrictions applied

Dancefloors remain open but people must wear masks while dancing Advertisement

Health Minister Martin Foley said there was also 'concern' about three bars now listed as tier one exposure sites - Three Monkeys and the Somewhere Bar in Prahran, and South Yarra's Circus Bar.

An infected person also attended the Collingwood-Port Adelaide game at the MCG on Sunday, sitting in zone 4, level 1 of the Great Southern Stand at the Punt Road end.

Spectators who sat in the same area have been told to get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result. Others in surrounding areas are being told to go for testing if they develop symptoms.

Mr Foley said of the 301 primary close contacts identified as of Tuesday night, 80 had returned negative tests.

He said four new testing sites would be set up on Wednesday and praised more than 26,000 Victorians who were tested in the 24 hours to Wednesday morning.

A record 15,858 people received a COVID-19 jab at the state's mass vaccination hubs during the same period.

The trio urged anyone eligible to get vaccinated, with Mr Merlino again flagging the possibility of expanding eligibility criteria for vaccines in Victoria.

'We're just working through other details of what that looks like and getting advice from public health, but we are keen to explore what we can do about increasing eligibility,' he said.

It comes after a number of restrictions were introduced on Tuesday evening, including gathering limits of five people at homes and 30 in public and mandatory masks indoors.

The restrictions apply to Greater Melbourne, or people travelling into regional Victoria.

Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory have tightened restrictions for people travelling from Victoria but stopped short of closing their borders.

Victoria last entered a five-day 'circuit breaker' lockdown in February, when the virus escaped hotel quarantine and infected 13 people.
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Ministers have today completed an humiliating U-turn over travel restrictions on Indian variant hotspots after a mutiny by local leaders.

The Government caused chaos after a change to online guidance told people they could only make 'essential' trips to and from Bolton, Blackburn with Darwen, Kirklees, Bedford, Burnley, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside. The shift went unnoticed for four days before ministers scrambled to explain why there had been no formal announcement.

No10 tried to contain a growing backlash among local Tory and Labour leaders yesterday by stressing that the guidance was 'not statutory'.

However, last night the government caved into pressure and changed the wording of the advice, which now merely states that people should 'minimise travel in and out of affected areas'.

The Department of Health said it wanted to 'make it clearer we are not imposing local restrictions'.

'Instead, we are providing advice on the additional precautions people can take to protect themselves and others in those areas where the new variant is prevalent,' a spokesman added.

'These are not new regulations but they are some of the ways everyone can help bring the variant under control in their local area.'

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi faced the wrath of MPs over the 'upsetting and insulting' rules in the Commons yesterday.

Shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth slammed the confusing situation, and also condemned Health Secretary Matt Hancock for not having the 'courtesy' to come to the House himself.

At a press conference with other local leaders, the Tory leader of Bolton Council David Greenhalgh said ministers had now clarified that there are no extra restrictions. 'As long as they follow the guidance I don't believe residents in Bolton should be cancelling holidays,' he said.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said the guidance was a 'fairly major communications error' which had caused 'huge amounts of confusion'.

The public health directors for Leicester and Tyneside also said they had been told there are 'no restrictions on travel in or out of each of our areas and it was a mistake to suggest there was'.

It came as the UK recorded 2,493 new infections - a 3.4 per cent rise on last week - and 15 deaths, up on the seven last week.

The Government caused chaos after a change to online guidance told people they could only make 'essential' trips to and from Bolton, Blackburn with Darwen, Kirklees, Bedford, Burnley, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside

Last night the government caved into pressure and changed the wording of the advice, which now merely states that people should 'minimise travel in and out of affected areas'

The number of people in hospital with Covid (shown in blue) has typically spiked shortly after cases rise (orange), which appears to be happening again this spring but to a lesser degree thanks to the rollout of the vaccines. The data for the first wave is out of sync because the UK was not routinely testing people for the virus which meant the majority of cases were missed

MailOnline's analysis of the Government's Covid dashboard data suggests Bolton's Indian coronavirus variant outbreak may have already peaked (shown as the flat blue line). The rolling seven-day average number of infections was about 185 on May 17, the most recent date for which data is available. The figure had dropped from 177 to 178 the day before. While Bolton is still suffering the highest proportion of cases of anywhere in the country because of the Indian variant, the fact the virus is no longer growing rapidly suggests the town's outbreak may have already peaked

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham (left) and Tory leader of Bolton council David Greenhalgh were among those criticising the online guidance change

Data shows how big Covid outbreaks are in the eight areas with the travel guidance. The figures show how the rolling seven-day infection rate (the number of cases spotted in a week for every 100,000 people) has changed since the start of the year, with it spiking in Bolton (top right) to above levels seen during the second wave in January. Cases appear much flatter in other areas, including Leicester and Hounslow

Ministers 'sneaked out' the advice without any announcement. Local leaders have reacted furiously to the changes, and said they are surprised no one in Whitehall even had the courtesy to let them know about the change

 Slide me  The number of hotspots for the Indian variant, where it accounts for more than 50 per cent of infections, has doubled in just seven days from 23 to 44 local authorities. Separate figures show it is already dominant in the UK

MailOnline's analysis of the Government's Covid dashboard data suggests Bolton's Indian coronavirus variant outbreak may have already peaked (shown as the flat blue line). The rolling seven-day average number of infections was about 185 on May 17, the most recent date for which data is available. The figure had dropped from 177 to 178 the day before. While Bolton is still suffering the highest proportion of cases of anywhere in the country because of the Indian variant, the fact the virus is no longer growing rapidly suggests the town's outbreak may have already peaked

In another promising sign for Bolton, the Government's Covid dashboard shows the town's test positivity rate has also been declining in recent days. Currently 5.9 per cent of all PCR swabs done in the borough are positive for Covid, according to data from May 19, down from a peak of 8.1 per cent a week earlier, on May 11. That's despite almost four times more testing kits being deployed in the Manchester town now than a month ago as part of a surge testing programme to stem the spread of the variant

Bolton currently has an infection rate of more than 400 cases per 100,000  twenty times the national average  but infections appear to have levelled off (shown on the far right)

Mobile vaccination and testing units have been operating in the affected areas and Covid test kits are being handed out to local residents.

Following a meeting about the updated Government guidance, Leicester's director of public health said officials confirmed 'there are no restrictions on travel in or out of our areas'  adding that any suggestions of that sort was a 'mistake'.

Professor Ivan Browne said: 'These officials confirmed there are no restrictions on travel in or out of each of our areas and it was a mistake to suggest there was.

'There are no local lockdowns and there is no justification for Leicester to be treated differently to the rest of the country.

'No-one from the Department of Health and Social Care or Public Health England contacted us about this advice, to explain the rationale behind it or give any other information.

'As it stands, Leicester has lower rates of the variant than other parts of the country, and we have a plan in place for stepping up our vaccination rate as agreed with the Government last week.'

North Tyneside's director of public health said there were no restrictions on travel to or from the borough.

Wendy Burke said: 'Following the national coverage of recently revised guidance, we have met with national officials and confirmed there are no restrictions on travel in or out of North Tyneside.

'There are no local lockdowns.

'In areas where the new Covid variant is spreading we are all working together to boost testing and vaccination and to support self-isolation.

'There are sensible public health precautions people can take as individuals in line with the sorts of advice we have all been following throughout the pandemic.

'We will keep sharing that and working with national officials to make sure people understand what they need to think about as they go about their daily lives.'

The PM's official spokesman stressed that the new guidance affecting eight Indian variant hotspot areas was 'not statutory'.

The spokesman said: 'It is important to emphasise that this is guidance, these are not statutory restrictions placed on those local areas.

'We have talked before about where we are at this stage in the pandemic in the UK, where we are able to move away from top-down edicts from the Government and start transitioning to a position where we have moved back to where the public are able to exercise their good judgment, as they have done throughout.

'We will continue to monitor the situation.'

Earlier, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused ministers of 'shameful' behaviour for making the change without telling local people, and demanded they provide clarity 'fast'. 'Local lockdowns are the wrong approach for both public health and local economies,' he said.

Bolton MP Yasmin Qureshi said she was left 'gobsmacked' by the change. Blackburn MP Kate Hollern dubbed the extra guidance 'lockdown-lite', and newly elected West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin called for Mr Hancock to explain the change to Parliament.

The Indian variant has already spread to almost half the country, or 151 out of 315 council areas, and is thought to now be the dominant strain in the country having displaced the Kent variant. Estimates suggest it may be around 30 per cent more transmissible but vaccines still work against it.

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi faced the wrath of the Commons this afternoon with Labour branding the shift in guidance 'upsetting and insulting'

Where is the Indian variant dominant? And are cases going up? AUTHORITY Bolton Blackburn w D Sefton West Lancashire Stevenage Nottingham South Northants Bedford Chelmsford Hillingdon Camden Hounslow Greenwich Croydon Bromley Dartford Sevenoaks Canterbury Rushmoor Hart Ribble Valley Preston Fylde Burnley Rossendale Chorley Central Beds East Northants North Herts East Herts West Oxfordshire Bristol Wiltshire Test Valley Swindon Reading Woking Havering Barking & Dag Barnet Ealing Slough S Oxfordshire Wigan INFECTION RATE 434.0 215.1 22.4 9.6 10.2 22.8 16.9 142.5 5.6 39.1 8.5 47.5 26.0 29.5 19.6 8.0 9.9 34.5 22.2 21.6 21.4 49.8 9.9 60.7 57.4 55.8 35.0 15.9 6.7 6.7 15.4 14.5 6.2 7.9 19.4 33.4 16.9 6.9 11.3 9.9 35.7 25.4 4.2 34.1 WEEK GROWTH up 72.6% up 87.2% down 54.1% down 35.3% down 18.2% down 35.0% down 50.0% up 20.5% down 44.4% down 7.0% down 39.5% down 13.4% up 21.0% up 14.0% up 41.3% down 50.0% up 140.0% up 533.3% down 27.6% down 32.3% up 44.4% up 40.0% down 42.9% up 22.7% up 215.4% up 61.0% up 83.6% down 31.8% down 10.0% down 11.1% up 183.3% up 4.7% down 53.7% down 16.7% up 19.4% up 68.8% up 112.5% down 45.5% down 35.1% down 48.0% down 8.3% down 5.0% down 66.7% flat Advertisement

The updated guidance comes as Boris Johnson and his ministers continue to weigh up the latest evidence on the variant as they decide whether 'freedom day' on June 21 - the last step in the PM's roadmap - will be able to go ahead as planned.

Bolton in Greater Manchester recorded 451 cases per 100,000 people in the week to 20 May, the highest in England.

The number of people in hospital with coronavirus in Bolton has more than tripled in a fortnight as the Manchester borough grapples with an outbreak of the highly-infectious Indian variant.

Sources say there are currently 43 Covid patients in the town's NHS trust, compared to 12 that were receiving care on May 10.

Experts fear the pressure on the trust, which looks after the Royal Bolton Hospital, will only get worse as the infection rate climbs.

Bolton is recording more than 400 Covid cases per 100,000 people - twenty times the national average - following a period of exponential growth of the Indian variant in the last month. It takes several weeks for cases to turn into hospitalisations due to the lag between someone catching and falling seriously ill with Covid.

However, Number 10 has said the 'majority' of people being hospitalised with the disease currently are either unvaccinated or have not been for both jabs.

Analysis by Public Health England has found two doses of AstraZeneca or Pfizer's jab provide a similar level of protection from the Indian variant as they do for the Kent version, which has raised hopes that hospital and death rates will not reach the peaks of previous waves.

Meanwhile, data published this week showed the Indian variant spiralling in Bolton is now dominant in nearly 15 per cent of authorities in England  almost twice as many as the previous week.

Analysis of samples from people infected with Covid in the week up to May 15 also shows that the B.1.617.2 strain had spread to 151 out of England's 314 local authorities.

The mutant virus had overtaken the previously-dominant Kent variant in 44 places, up from 23 the week prior.

It is now behind behind 90 per cent of Covid infections in Blackburn and eight in ten in the hotspots of Bolton, Sefton, Bedford and Croydon.

The places where the Indian strain overtook the Kent variant in the most recent week were: Ribble Valley, Preston, Fylde, Burnley, Rossendale, Chorley, Central Bedfordshire, East Northamptonshire, North Hertfordshire, East Hertfordshire, West Oxfordshire, South Oxfordshire, Bristol, Swindon, Wiltshire, Test Valley, Reading, Woking, Slough, Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Ealing.

It is still dominant in: Bolton, Blackburn with Darwen, Sefton, West Lancashire, Stevenage, Nottingham, South Northamptonshire, Bedford, Chelmsford, Dartford, Sevenoaks, Canterbury, Rushmoor, Hart, Hillingdon, Camden, Hounslow, Greenwich, Croydon and Bromley.

But it is no longer the dominant strain in Oadby and Wigston, Broxbourne and Brent which may be down to very low case numbers in these areas.

Bolton has the highest infection rate out of local authorities suffering outbreaks of the Indian variant (434 cases per 100,000 people) which has more than doubled over the past week.

Data suggests that two per cent of people in one neighbourhood of the borough tested positive for the virus last week.

Blackburn with Darwen had the second largest outbreak (215.1), and Bedford had the third largest (142.5).

They were followed by new hotspots Burnley (60.7), Rossendale (57.4), Chorley (55.8) and Preston (48.9).

Indian variant hotspot Hounslow had the highest Covid infection rate in London (47.5). It was followed by Hillingdon (39.1) and Ealing (35.7).

For comparison, England's average is 21.3 per 100,000 and has remained around this level since mid-April.

PHE's latest breakdown shows 46.2 per cent of Covid cases were the Kent variant in the week to May 10, but 53.8 per cent were down to other variants. It is thought the first majority were B.1.617.2.

Because the vaccines were shown to be highly effective at stopping people falling ill with Covid in the first place, PHE said they are likely to be even better at preventing hospitalisation and deaths.

Hospitalisations and deaths across the UK are at their lowest levels since the crisis began, with just six fatalities a day and fewer than 100 hospital admissions, on average. For comparison, around 1,300 deaths were occurring every day at the peak of the second wave in January.

However, the number of infected patients occupying beds at the major NHS trust in Bolton  one of the country's hotspots for the Indian variant  has continued to creep up over the past week.

There is no proof the Indian variant is more lethal than older strains of the coronavirus but data shows it is more transmissible than the Kent type, which triggered Britain's devastating second wave before vaccines were rolled out.

Experts believe B.1.617.2 is 30 per cent more infectious than B.1.1.7  the name for the Kent strain  but won't get any concrete data for at least another week.
The trial of a former 60 Minutes producer accused of blackmailing alleged tax scammers for $5million has ended in a hung jury.

Veteran Sydney journalist Stephen Barrett was discharged by the NSW Supreme court after the jury failed to reach a verdict.

The 63-year-old pleaded not guilty to blackmailing the alleged 'Plutus fraudsters' Adam Cranston, Jason Onley and Dev Menon by using his media status to threaten the trio.

During the high-profile trial, Australian TV icon and gold Loggie winner Ray Martin was called upon as a character witness for Mr Barrett.

Veteran Sydney journalist Stephen Barrett (pictured) was discharged by the NSW Supreme court after the jury failed to reach a verdict

The 11 remaining jury members left the court on Wednesday following nine days of deliberations.

They had been given the option for majority verdict after their foreperson sent a note to the judge asking to be discharged days earlier.

'I cannot come into the courtroom with the other jurors. I am scared to be in the room please discharge me. Sorry,' the note read before they were formally let go.

The Crown case alleged Mr Barrett was paid up to $3000 to play the role of an investigative journalist by inside-man Daniel Rostankovski, and property developer Daniel Hausman.

A pivotal moment in the case is a law firm meeting in February 2017 that was previously bugged by police and attended by Adam Cranston and other key figures.

Barrett testified he was there to flush out the truth of the matter and had been asked to show his media credentials to the group, and then 'just walk out'.

During the high-profile trial, Australian TV icon and gold Loggie winner Ray Martin (pictured) was called upon as a character witness for Mr Barrett

He did not hear the final stages of the meeting where 'the demand' for money was made, but the Crown submitted this was all part of the plan.

But Barrett's defence argued he was hoodwinked by 'the Daniels' who managed to extort $5 million from the accused masterminds of the $105 million Plutus Payroll tax scandal.

'Do you really accept for a moment that Barrett would involve himself in this, for about $2,000, or $3,000? ... it's just nonsense ... it's completely illogical,' Barrett's lawyer Clive Steirn SC said in his closing address to the jury.

The journalist said he was seduced by the promise of an explosive story involving 'mum and dad investors' who were duped out of money.

He believed the story involved one of the Australian Taxation Office's highest-serving officials.

TV icon Ray Martin took the stand earlier in the trial to speak to Mr Barrett's character.

The 63-year-old pleaded not guilty to blackmailing the alleged 'Plutus fraudsters' Adam Cranston, Jason Onley and Dev Menon by using his media status to threaten the trio

'I think if you were trying to get someone from central casting who was a police reporter or a crime reporter you'd probably base it on Steve Barrett  he's a very good journalist, he's ethical, he's accurate, he's highly respected by his colleagues, which is saying something in journalism,' Martin said according to the The Daily Telegraph.

'It tends to be a very competitive and a very bitchy profession, to have your colleagues respect you highly is quite a mark.

'You don't get sources unless you are trustworthy, reliable and accurate and he's all three of those.'

Outside court, Barrett said 'of course' he would return to court despite the strain it had taken upon him.

'I am not guilty,' he said.

The matter is due back in court on June 4 while Barrett has been excused from attending.
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Leading University of Cambridge academics have slammed a website set up by the institution to report professors' 'micro-aggressions' that could have included raising an eyebrow or turning their back on students.

Critics had described the Report and Support site, which could be used by those studying there to report 'inappropriate behaviour' from both students and staff, as a 'threat to traditions of free speech'.

Report and Support was set live by the University of Cambridge last week but was taken down on Monday, May 24 after some 'material was included in error' according to the Telegraph.

The reporting tool would have allowed anonymous reports to be filed on 'micro-aggressions' - that included apparent offences such as raising an eyebrow, turning your back, giving backhanded compliments or referring to a woman as a girl.

The now-deleted page was set-up by the 800-year-old academic institution to create and maintain a 'safe, welcoming and inclusive community, which nurtures a culture of mutual respect and consideration for all', according to archived screenshots.

But top professors revolted against the implementation of the website, saying they feared for the future of 'free and fearless discussion of ideas' at the world-leading university.

The link to the University's Report and Support website is 'temporarily unavailable'. It is not clear when or if it will return, and students and staff have been directed to other online resources in the meantime.

An archived image of the University of Cambridge's Report and Support website (above) where students could anonymously report their peers and staff members

The anonymous reporting tool (pictured) would have allowed reports to be filed on 'micro-aggressions' that could include raising an eyebrow, or referring to a woman as a girl

The now-deleted page was set-up by the 800-year-old academic institution to create and maintain a 'safe, welcoming and inclusive community, which nurtures a culture of mutual respect and consideration for all'

A list of 'micro-aggressions' as defined by The University of Cambridge The University of Cambridge has faced criticism over its controversial new anonymous reporting tool. Their Report and Support website stated: 'We are committed to creating and maintaining a safe, welcoming and inclusive community, which nurtures a culture of mutual respect and consideration for all.' According to the now-deleted web page, 'micro-aggressions' include 'slights, indignities, put-downs and insults' that target minority groups. These would include: 'Behaviours such as a change in body language when responding to those of a particular characteristic'.

Such as: 'Raising eyebrows when a Black member of staff or student is speaking, dismissing staff or student who brings up race and or racism in teaching'.

'Backhanded compliments'.

'Avoiding or turning one's back on certain people'.

'Being mis-gendered (especially after sharing one's pronouns)'

Referring to a woman as 'a girl'. Advertisement

A list published on the Report and Support website defined 'micro-aggressions' as 'slights, indignities, put-downs and insults' against minority groups.

These would have included offences such as raising an eyebrow when Black students or staff spoke, giving out backhanded compliments, mis-gendering individuals or referring to a woman as a girl.

Last week, one unnamed Cambridge don described the 'profound shock and concern' expressed by professors at the controversial anonymous reporting website.

The academic told the Telegraph: 'The worry is if the changes are cosmetic, the basic problems including the anonymous reporting tool and highly contestable and extreme ideology will be hardwired into the ancient fabric of the university.'

Toby Young, general secretary of the Free Speech Union, wrote to Cambridge University chiefs, claiming the website 'proposed a system of policing speech and everyday interaction'.

Slamming the list of 'micro-aggressions', Mr Young of FSU said the slights make no 'allowance for the fact that, in many cases, taking offence as such behaviour would be unreasonable'.

He continued: 'These are all situations which may arise wholly innocently, through misunderstanding, a breakdown in communication, or a simple error.'

Vice-chancellor Professor Stephen Toope is also said to be facing a legal challenge from FSU over the contents of the website.

The group has also promised a judicial review if something similar is reproduced by the academic institution.

The University u-turned on the Report and Share site just days after its inception and removed it after stating parts of it were uploaded 'in error'.

In a statement promising an investigation into the website, Prof Toope said: 'It has come to light that certain ancillary material was included in error'.

'I believe that some of the statements and examples in this material go beyond the approved policy framework and would undermine its impact.

'The website has been temporarily taken down while that material is removed. I have asked senior staff to look into how this error occurred.'

In a letter addressed to Cambridge chiefs (pictured), Toby Young of Free Speech Union slammed the list of perceived 'micro-aggressions'

Last week, one unnamed Cambridge don described the 'profound shock and concern' expressed by professors at the controversial anonymous reporting website. (File pic)

A group of 25 leading academics, including Roberts Tombs (above) shared their delight at the removal of the controversial web page

A group of 25 academics, including Roberts Tombs, professor emeritus of French history, David Abulafia (Mediterranean history) and John Marenbon (philosophy) have shared their delight at the controversial website's removal.

The collective said: 'We trust that whatever replaces the documentation will be fully compatible with the right to unfettered freedom of speech and expression within the law.'

In a statement on the University's own website, it states: 'Our community encourages and celebrates academic freedom and freedom of speech, and the University has a duty to ensure that this is not limited unnecessarily.

'Sometimes, we may be personally offended or upset by topics, ideas or views raised and discussed, but that does not mean this should not happen if they are within the law. '

'Micro-aggressions' are not a legally defined term, but several universities describe them as: 'Everyday verbal, non-verbal and environmental slights, snubs or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership.'

The University of Cambridge's Human Resources department defines them as: 'Numerous, small remarks and acts sending denigrating messages to the recipient, linked to an individuals characteristics or status.'

On a page published on the University of Edinburgh from February, they say 'micro-aggressions' are the 'most common common way racist and other forms of discrimination are expressed on a daily basis, both online and face to face.'

This latest fall-out follows a statement published by Cambridge University on free speech in the midst of a row over so-called 'cancel culture' in which public figures with controversial views are ostracised either online or in the real world.

Their statement read: 'The University of Cambridge, as a world-leading education and research institution, is fully committed to the principle, and to the promotion, of freedom of speech and expression.

'The Universitys core values are "freedom of thought and expression" and "freedom from discrimination".

'The University fosters an environment in which all of its staff and students can participate fully in University life, and feel able to question and test received wisdom, and to express new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions within the law, without fear of intolerance or discrimination.'

Last year, Cambridge University's lecturers were embroiled in a bitter row over free speech after a new rule threatened them with disciplinary action for mocking or disagreeing with people or ideas.

The University's Council had proposed a series of rules which would require academics to be 'respectful of the diverse identities of others'.

But critics argued that the proposals, which looked to change free speech guidelines, were 'authoritarian'.

The controversial idea was rejected by academics in December, after they voted to protect the right to robust debate and backed amendments making it harder for public speakers to be boycotted because of their views.
Scott Morrison has accused Labor of 'whinging and complaining' after the Opposition criticised the pace of Australia's Covid-19 vaccine rollout.

Labor has been attacking the government over the slow rollout all week, pointing out it has fully vaccinated less than two per cent of the population while more than a third of Britons and Americans have had two doses.

Opposition health spokesman Mark Butler took Mr Morrison to task in a heated Question Time on Wednesday, saying Australians were being left behind.

'The Prime Minister promised Australians last year we would be at the front of the queue.

'Prime Minister, isn't it true that we're so far back, we can't even see the front of the queue?' Mr Butler said.

Mr Morrison has insisted that Australia hasn't needed a rapid vaccine rollout like other countries because the virus has been largely kept out of the country -and slammed Labor for failing to take this into account.

'I don't know what world those sleepwalkers opposite are living in,' he said.

'I don't know what world they're living in. But I know every Australian is very happy to be living in Australia during the course of this pandemic.

Scott Morrison has accused Labor of 'whinging and complaining' after the opposition criticised the pace of Australia's Covid-19 vaccine rollout

Australians wait for a vaccine at a mass COVID-19 vaccination hub in Sydney on May 24

'I don't know Australians who want to go and take up residence and live in the Covid environment, whether it be in Europe, the United States, UK or anywhere else,' he added.

'I know that Australians  because they approach me every time when I go out into regional Australia or the suburbs and cities of this country  they know here, in this country, they're living a life during Covid like few are anywhere else in the world.'

Mr Morrison also took the chance to spruik the economic recovery, with 75,000 more Australians in work than before the pandemic hit.

'This country has enjoyed safety from this pandemic and an economic recovery like few, if any, other countries in the world,' he said.

Mr Morrison also accused Labor of failing to support the government's rollout.

'Those opposite, Mr Speaker, may want to retreat into whinging and complaining and undermining the Government, as we fight the virus and they focus on the politics.'

Mr Morrison originally hoped to vaccinate all Australians by October but this timeline was pushed back until the end of the year due to a European export ban delaying vaccine supplies in March.

All Australians over 50 are eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine, while younger Aussies will be given Pfizer later in the year.

State health authorities have complained that many more vaccines could be given out but not enough people are turning up to get their shots, worried about potential side effects such as very rare blood clots.

Victoria's chief health officer said Melbourne's outbreak of 14 cases this week has prompted an increase in demand.
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A drunk woman was left unconscious after she was body slammed when a dispute over line-jumping at an Ohio water park sparked a mass brawl.

Footage shows the 23-year-old, who is studying to be a police officer, as she is hurled head-first into the ground while around ten people in swimsuits trade punches with each other.

She is then seen with blood pouring from a head wound.

Brittany Cabay and her boyfriend Zackary Thomas Colzin, 24, were arrested following the fight at the Kalahari Water Park in Sandusky, Ohio, on May 17.

Brittany Cabay, 23, was left bloodied and unconscious after she was thrown to the floor in a row over queue-jumping at an Ohio water park turned violent

Footage shows a bloodied Cabay landing a series of punches before being thrown to the floor and knocked out in the violent scuffle at Kalahari Water Park in Sandusky, Ohio, on May 17

Cabay was arrested after the violent tussle and charged with persistent disorderly conduct while intoxicated, resisting arrest, and failure to disclose personal information. Colzin was arrested and charged with several felonies. He was not granted bail and was remanded in custody in Erie county

Deputies said Cabay and Colzin (pictured) were both intoxicated at the time of the mass brawl. She was described by Colzin as 'all I need'

Videos show the brawl erupting at the entrance to the resort's FlowRider surf ride. Two staff members wearing lifeguard T-shirts are caught in the middle trying to diffuse the situation.

A man, identified as Colzin, can be seen punching one of the brawlers, who Cabay then charges.

She lands several punches on the man before he lifts her up and body slams her head first into the ground, knocking her out.

The site's Emergency Medical Technician then rushes to restrain the man and Colzin jumps in to hurl several more punches in his direction.

Eventually a lifeguard steps in and seems to spar with Colzin to keep him away from the EMT and the man who body slammed Cabay.

But, Colzin fights back and eventually the EMT staffer tackles him to the ground with the help of an onlooker.

Cabay was arrested alongside boyfriend Zack Colzin. The Michigan couple had been together since at least November 2020, but pictures on her Facebook show the pair knew each other as early as August 2019

Cabay refused to identify herself to deputies once she regained consciousness and allegedly made death threats against emergency services personnel at the scene

Sheriffs office deputies said Cabay and Colzin were drunk when they arrived at water park in Sandusky, Ohio

Two videos of the scuffle shows a group of at least ten swimsuit-clad young people arguing at close quarters, before fighting breaks out. Two members of staff wearing Lifeguard t-shirts are caught up in the tussle and try to diffuse the situation, to no avail

A man, identified as Colzin, can be seen at the center of the group before he starts punching one of the other guests. The tussle allegedly broke out after one person attempted to jump the queue for a ride at the water park

Cabay, meanwhile, is unconscious on the floor. Staffers jump to her aid as the brawl continues around them.

A woman then grabs a chair and hurls it at Colzin who picks up and tries to throw it back but is stopped by another man.

Colzin then appears to slip over backwards as onlookers rush to restrain him. The camera then pans back to Cabay who is still unconscious on the floor.

Official reports said Colzin later hit his head on the floor after he was tackled by a water park staffer and was unconscious when paramedics and deputies arrived at the scene.

The EMT told law enforcement he had been forced to tackle Colzin, who described girlfriend Cabay as 'all I need' on Facebook.

Once he was conscious he cursed, shouted racial slurs, and punched one of the deputies. He also threatened to self-harm. He was tasered and placed under arrest.

Colzin, of Sterling Heights, Michigan, was charged with two counts of assault on a peace officer and an EMT, persistent disorderly conduct while intoxicated, resisting arrested, and a failure to disclose personal information.

He was remanded in custody at Erie County Jail without bond. Authorities said there is a warrant for his arrest in Michigan over an alleged car theft.

Cabay and fellow brawler Zackary Colzin, 24, were arrested after the fight at Kalahari Water Park in Sandusky, Ohio, on May 17

Colzin, of Sterling Heights, Michigan, was charged with two counts of assault on a peace officer and a water park employee, persistent disorderly conduct while intoxicated, resisting arrested, and a failure to disclose personal information. Cabay was charged with persistent disorderly conduct while intoxicated, resisting arrest, and failure to disclose personal information

Cabay was released on bail but Colzin has been remanded in custody without bond

Cabay of Flint, Michigan, was also arrested over the brawl.

When she regained consciousness she refused medical attention from paramedics and allegedly made death threats against emergency services personnel at the scene.

She refused to identify herself, telling deputies she was studying to become a police officer, and repeatedly tried to talk to Colzin who was waiting outside for an ambulance.

As she approached Colzin she reportedly became 'combative' and was asked by officers to walk away. She was arrested after she refused to move and continued trying to talk to Colzin.

She was charged with persistent disorderly conduct while intoxicated, resisting arrest, and failure to disclose personal information. She made bail from Erie County Jail on a $14,000 bond.

Cabay and Colzin both received medical treatment at Firelands Hospital before they were remanded in custody.

They were both arraigned Tuesday morning in Huron Municipal Court.

Deputies said it is possible a third person may face charges over the incident.

Deputies said it is possible a third person may face charges over the incident which took place a Kalahari Water Park, Ohio (pictured)on May 17

Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth said incidents 'fueled by overconsumption and abuse of alcohol' were on the rise at the park

The fight is believed to have broken out after a row about queue jumping at the resorts FlowRider surf ride (pictured, a map for the Kalahari water park)

Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth said these incidents have been increasingly frequent at the water park in the last few months.

'We've had too many incidents there that have quite frankly been fueled by overconsumption and abuse of alcohol,' he said hinting he thought pent-up demand after a year of lockdowns contributed to the rise.

'They were both very intoxicated, and they were also combative. The male was combative with our deputies. He was charged accordingly, and he also had a warrant out in the state of Michigan.'

Since the beginning of the year, Sigsworth said, they have responded to 150 calls at Kalahari, including a shooting where ten rounds were fired outside the resort late a night.

No one was injured in the shooting and deputies later arrested an 18-year-old man from Toledo one suspicion of attempted murder. A second suspect is on the run and is yet to be identified by police.

Among the rest of the 150 incidents were seven assaults, ten disorderly conduct incidents, and 13 cases of domestic violence, 19 News reported.

Sigsworth said he wanted people to enjoy a visit to the water park but also 'be responsible with their consumption of alcohol.

'We'll continue to respond to 911 calls out there, whatever they may be, and if people are intoxicated to the point where they're causing a disturbance, they're gonna be arrested.'

He said his office was doing 'everything we can to combat those issues' including working with local and state partners as well as staff at the water park.

Sigsworth added deputies would increase patrols in the resort, especially in the evening, and that the resort were paying for staff overtime.
An Indigenous man who died after being restrained by West Australian police was showing 'extreme strength' even after being tasered, an inquest has heard.

Police who tasered and restrained an Indigenous man in Perth have told an inquest into his death their use of force was '100 per cent' justified.

Coroner Michael Jenkin is examining the May 2017 death of 39-year-old Mr Riley, whose first name is not being used for cultural reasons.

The father of six, who had a history of drug-induced psychosis, was approached by Constables Rory Winterburn and James Wolfe outside an Officeworks store in East Perth after being seen rocking from side to side and slapping his forehead.

Family of Mr Riley pose for a photograph outside the Perth Coroner's Court in Perth on Tuesday

They called triple-zero to request an ambulance when Mr Riley did not engage with them.

Const Winterburn on Wednesday told the inquest Mr Riley had then sprung to his feet, advanced on the pair and yelled 'I'm going to kill you'.

The pair retreated and warned him to stay where he was before Const Winterburn fired his Taser, causing Mr Riley to fall forward.

They attempted to restrain the prone man as he struggled, asking a civilian witness to help by sitting on Mr Riley's legs until back-up arrived.

The inquest has been shown confronting footage of Mr Riley wailing as he was pinned down on his front by multiple officers for seven minutes before an ambulance arrived.

Attempts were made to resuscitate him at the scene before he died in hospital.

A pathologist found his cause of death was consistent with cardiac arrhythmia 'following violent exertion necessitating physical restraint in a man with methylamphetamine effect, known systemic hypertension and morbid obesity'.

The inquest heard Mr Riley had tried to grab Const Wolfe's holstered gun and had bit down on his arm, causing it to bleed heavily.

Const Winterburn's Taser was trigger-activated 10 times in less than two minutes.

He said he could only initially remember firing the weapon three times, and believed only the first discharge had achieved neuromuscular incapacitation.

Asked if he believed the use of force was necessary under the circumstances, Const Winterburn replied: '100 per cent, yes.'

Mr Riley had exhibited 'extreme strength' and resisted harder and for longer than anyone he had experienced as a police officer.

'I feel like we would have (otherwise) lost control and the threat level would have escalated,' he said.

Const Winterburn said he was left 'shellshocked' afterwards and had suffered depression and anxiety.

Under questioning from Greg McIntyre SC, representing Mr Riley's family, Const Wolfe said his holster had a locking mechanism preventing access to his Glock pistol.

Mr McIntyre suggested this made snatching the gun 'a fairly remote possibility'.

'Just because it didn't happen, doesn't mean it couldn't happen,' Const Wolfe replied.

Both officers said they were aware of the risks of positional asphyxia in people under police restraint but did not consider it in the moment.

An internal WA Police report concluded there was no criminal conduct by any officers.

Mr Riley had previously been convicted of assaulting a police officer and ambulance officer. His family had been concerned about his welfare and he had been pulled over by police for driving erratically the night before his death.

He was later seen outside Royal Perth Hospital yelling 'cops are after me, why are they after me?'.

Perth Coroner's Court has declined to release footage of the confrontation between police and Mr Riley despite protests from his family.

The inquest continues.
Two circus tigers have been shot dead after they escaped and mauled their keeper to death in China in the latest incident of lax safety in the country's zoos.

The tigers belonged to a circus that had rented them out to a tourist attraction near the city of Nanyang in the Henan province, according to Xinhua news agency.

A staff member, surnamed Jia, was feeding the big cats when they suddenly got loose and mauled the keeper, who later died in hospital, the report said.

It comes soon after three leopards escaped in a separate incident in eastern China, while authorities are still hunting for one of the animals, which remains on the loose.

Two circus tigers have been shot dead after they mauled a keeper at a tourist attraction to death and escaped near the city of Nanyang in the Henan province (stock image)

After the tigers escaped, local residents were evacuated while authorities launched a search for the cats, which included laying out chicken meat laced with tranquilizers, state television said.

But after attempts to recapture the tigers failed, authorities shot the animals dead on Tuesday afternoon. The reports gave few other details.

Meanwhile, an animal breeder at a zoo in eastern Anhui province was killed by a tiger on Sunday in a separate incident.

The 55-year-old keeper, surnamed Yang, was mauled by a tiger while he cleaned its cage, according to state-run newspaper Global Times.

After the tigers escaped, residents were evacuated while authorities searched for the cats, but the attempts to recapture the tigers failed and they were shot on Tuesday (stock image)

The zoo keeper, who had worked at Zhanggongshan Zoo for nearly two decades, was hospitalized on Sunday with scratch and bite marks and later died in hospital.

It is believed that the tiger handler had entered the cage to clean it without making sure the door of the cat's isolation cubicle was locked, state media reported.

Cases of dangerous zoo animals escaping and injuring or killing people happen regularly in China.

The issue of lax safety and abysmal animal welfare in Chinese zoos and safari parks hit the headlines in recent weeks after three leopards escaped a safari park in Hangzhou, Zhejiang.

Careless cage-cleaners were blamed for letting the leopards out after they escaped on April 19, but the Hangzhou Safari Park hid the breakout for nearly three weeks to avoid bad publicity, police said.

The park said it delayed making a public statement to avoid causing panic, but has been attacked online for allowing the animals to escape and endangering residents by not alerting the public in a timely fashion.

The safari park said it was 'sincerely sorry' for not announcing the incident sooner, according to a previous statement.

The issue of lax safety in Chinese zoos hit headlines after three leopards escaped in Hangzhou, while one remains on the loose. Pictured: Workers search for runaway leopard on May 9

The leopards' escape sparked a frenzy among web-users, who had shared pictures and video of the spotted felines roaming tea plantations in the area.

Two of the leopards have been recaptured but authorities have been searching for the final cat for nearly a month, while nearby residents were warned to stay indoors for their safety.

No announcements have been made since, while the explosion of fuming social media posts quickly dried up as China's internet censors apparently moved to contain criticism over the public-safety breach.

Chinese zoos and wildlife parks frequently face criticism over recurring revelations of horrific conditions for animals or deadly incidents blamed on lax management.

Chinese state media reported in 2017 that a tiger killed a visitor to a wildlife park in the eastern city of Ningbo after the man apparently entered its enclosure, and tigers at a Beijing park killed one woman and injured another the previous year after the pair left their vehicle.
Farmers say the NSW government's $50 million package to help farmers fight the ever worsening mouse plague is 'impractical, dysfunctional and weeks away'.

NSW Farmers say the out-of-control mouse plague will cut the value of the state's winter crop by one billion dollars as the eight-month long scourge continues to worsen.

The government-funded Mouse Alert website indicates sightings have doubled since March, with a growing number of mice being sighted in and around Sydney.

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

NSW Farmers Vice President Xavier Martin says farmers were abandoning some paddocks and couldn't defer sowing winter crops any longer, while researchers warn that 'without a concerted baiting effort in the next few weeks this could easily turn into a two year plague event'.

The $50 million NSW government assistance package announced last week isn't helping.

'The state government's assistance package is impractical, dysfunctional and weeks away, which is not helping farmers who need support right now to drive mouse numbers down and break this horrible unrelenting cycle,' he said on Wednesday.

'After more than eight months of battling growing mouse numbers farmers are still waiting for state government assistance to hit the ground and offer some practical support to our farming community,' Mr Martin said.

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

Sharing the footage to Facebook, hundreds of mice are seen struggling to make it out of the tub of water

The NSW government said on Thursday it had secured 5000 litres of the super deadly rodent poison bromadiolone - enough to treat about 95 tonnes of grain - offering to provide it for free once federal authorities approve its use.

But farmers are concerned about the poison's possible effect on farm dogs, piggeries and other animals.

NSW Farmers say the simplest, safest and most timely way for the government to help farmers is to provide rebates of up to $25,000 per farm business to cover 50 per cent of the cost of zinc phosphide bait.

While NSW Farmers initially welcomed the state government's assistance package, Mr Martin says it's now apparent that the provision of 'free baits for farmers' are still dependent on federal approval which could be weeks away.

'Each day we delay in taking effective action to control these mice will increase economic losses and the likelihood we will still be battling mice come Christmas time,' Mr Martin said.
A Cabinet Office minister has called on BBC Radio 4 to bring back its classical four-nations theme tune after it was axed in 2006.

Penny Mordaunt wrote to BBC director-general Tim Davie urging him to put the 'UK Theme' back on the airwaves, claiming it would help the BBC 'reconnect with its audience' and promote 'regional and local diversity'.

The much-loved five-minute long piece of orchestral music was written by Jewish refugee Fritz Spiegl, who fled Austria to escape the Nazis in 1939.

He composed it as a 'love song to those that took him in', the minister said.

Cabinet Office minister Penny Mordaunt (pictured) wrote to BBC director-general Tim Davie urging him to put the 'UK Theme' back on the airwaves, claiming it would help the BBC 'reconnect with its audience and rebuild that trust'

The much-loved five-minute long piece of orchestral music was written by Jewish refugee Fritz Spiegl (pictured), who fled Austria to escape the Nazis in 1939

'Love song' to the four nations: Who composed the 'UK Theme' and why was it significant? In 1973, composer Fritz Spiegl was commissioned to create a piece of music that would bring together all of Britain. He called the piece the 'UK Theme' and Radio 4 played it - in a recording by BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra - every morning at 5:30am. It mashes together songs synonymous with England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It starts off with Early One Morning, followed by Rule Britannia, Londonderry Air (known as Danny Boy) and Annie Laurie. What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor? is then played, before Greensleeves, Men of Harlech and Scotland the Brave. Fritz Spiegl himself was born in Austria in 1926 before his family fled in 1939 to escape the Nazis - with Fritz sent to England. He was educated in Magdalen College in Oxford and the Royal Academy of Music before joining the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic as a principal flute in 1948. He tried his hand at broadcasting, presenting BBC Radio - especially Radio 4 - regularly. Spiegl died during a Sunday lunch in 2003. He was with friends and his second wife Ingrid Frances Spiegl at the time. Advertisement

It mashes together songs synonymous with England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland including: Danny Boy, What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor? and Scotland the Brave.

Rule Britannia is repeatedly played throughout.

But BBC bosses replaced the tune - which played every morning at 5.30 before the shipping forecast - with another news bulletin in 2006.

In a letter to Mr Davie, Ms Mordaunt - writing as an MP - said: 'There is much to be gained by the BBC reconnecting with its audience and rebuilding that trust, and I know that is your focus.'

She said that trust was diminished when the 'UK Theme' was taken off air.

Ms Mordaunt claimed the song is not controversial nor jingoistic and is instead a 'love song' from Spiegl to 'those that took him in'.

She urged the BBC to consider bringing the song back, and said it would be a way for the corporation to show it had listened to the wants of its licence fee-payers.

Sources close to the minister told The Daily Telegraph more-modern songs to encapsulate the four nations could help bring the piece up to date.

Rule Britannia was marred with controversy last year after critics blasted it - and fellow patriotic tune Land of Hope and Glory - as 'racist'.

The BBC made the decision to drop the singing of both songs at the 2020 proms.

Radio 4's then-controller Mark Damazer made the decision to pull the UK Theme in 2006.

The move was blasted by top names including Jeremy Paxman, who threatened to play the theme daily on Newsnight unless the decision was recanted.

He justified the move by saying listeners would be 'better served by a pacy news briefing' in the morning.

He added: 'I know there are some people who will regret the passing of the UK Theme, but I believe the bulk of the audience will be better served by a pacy news briefing, read by one of Radio 4's team of news readers.'

It later emerged that Mr Damazer misinterpreted a report about how many people liked to listen to the tune - thinking the figures were in their hundreds rather than their hundreds of thousands.

He later said: 'I don't regret it but I think I underestimated the fact that I was causing some people considerable pain.'

In a letter to Mr Davie (pictured), Ms Mordaunt - writing as an MP - said: 'There is much to be gained by the BBC reconnecting with its audience and rebuilding that trust, and I know that is your focus'

Composer Spiegl was born in Austria in 1926 before his family fled in 1939 to escape the Nazis. Spiegl was sent to England.

He was educated in Magdalen College in Oxford and the Royal Academy of Music before joining the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic as a principal flute in 1948.

He tried his hand at broadcasting, presenting BBC Radio - especially Radio 4 - regularly. He became well-known for creating the Radio 4 'UK Theme'

Spiegl died during a Sunday lunch in 2003. He was with friends and his second wife Ingrid Frances Spiegl at the time.
Republican governors have slammed embattled Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer's controversial flight to Florida in a new ad.

The Democratic governor waited weeks to disclose partial details of a private jet trip she took to visit her father in Florida after two of her top aides headed south as coronavirus cases surged in Michigan and residents were cautioned against traveling south for spring break.

In the latest pandemic-related misstep for Whitmer, she came under fire after apparently violating state-mandated social distancing guidelines at an East Lansing bar and grill last Saturday.

She ate out with 12 other people - despite imposing a 'rule of six' ordering restaurants and cafes to serve groups of no more than six diners.

That rule was dropped the day after Whitmer's own violation of it was exposed.

The Republican Governors Association (RGA) hit out at Whitmer in their new ad, which featured a woman named Suzette from Northville, Michigan, whose father passed away during COVID-19 lockdown.

GOP governors have slammed embattled Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer's controversial flight to Florida in a new ad

Suzette from Northville, Michigan, whose father passed away during Covid-19 lockdown

Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer waited weeks to disclose partial details of a private jet trip

Suzette was unable to visit her late father in a nursing home due to the governor's lockdown orders.

Suzette explained during the ad: 'When we tried to say goodbye on the day that he died, the facility called the police.

'Whitmer ignored her own rules while the rest of us were forced to comply,' she continued. 'Gretchen Whitmer failed Michigan, failed me, and failed my father.'

'She doesn't deserve to lead this state any longer.'

In a statement, RGA spokesman Chris Gustafson slammed Whitmer's perceived hypocrisy. 'While Michiganders complied with Gretchen Whitmer's COVID-19 restrictions, the governor has been bar-hopping across Michigan and jet-setting to the Sunshine State,' he said.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (fourth from left) was pictured Saturday, May 22, 2021 among a party of 13 at the Landshark Bar & Grill in East Lansing

For months, Whitmer's health department has prohibited bar and restaurants from having more than six people seated at a table together. The governor apologized Sunday for appearing to violate the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' epidemic order

An exterior image of the Landshark Bar and Grill in East Lansing, Michigan

'Whitmer's rampant hypocrisy knows no bounds and leaves Michiganders with no choice but to Fire the Damn Governor.'

A photo circulated on social media on Sunday of Whitmer with a large group of unmasked people at an East Lansing bar-restaurant, The Landshark Bar & Grill.

The photo, which shows Whitmer seated with about a dozen people, was posted on social media by one of the attendees who was a friend of the governor, but was later deleted.

'Throughout the pandemic, I've been committed to following public health protocols,' Whitmer said in a statement Sunday.

'Yesterday, I went with friends to a local restaurant. As more people arrived, the tables were pushed together. Because we were all vaccinated, we didnt stop to think about it. In retrospect, I should have thought about it. I am human. I made a mistake, and I apologize.'

Michigan restaurants and bars were subject to capacity limits and social distancing requirements at the time of the gaffe.

As well as the rule of six, tables were also ordered to be kept six feet apart.

The Governor released a statement apologizing for her actions

Whitmer, a Democrat, also faced criticism from Republicans after she traveled to Florida in March before being vaccinated to visit her ailing elderly father.

'Gov. Whitmer continues to defy her own COVID rules while her administration punishes and fines others for not adhering to her strict orders,' said Tori Sachs, executive director of the Michigan Freedom Fund, a conservative political organization.

'Whitmer has proven time and again that she doesn't follow the rules she imposes.'

Last week, Whitmer announced all of the remaining mask-wearing and social distancing restrictions would be lifted on July 1, regardless of whether a person had been vaccinated or not.

Whitmer came in for some strong criticism on Twitter as a result of being pictured at the bar

Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced fully-vaccinated Americans could finally stop wearing their masks almost anywhere - indoors or outdoors.

Those who have finished their shot regimen can now go out to eat, see a movie, shake hands and give hugs at will, according to the new guidance.

The new guidance still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters, but could ease restrictions for reopening workplaces and schools.

People who are fully vaccinated but immunocompromised people may still be advised by their doctors to keep masking.

However, the CDC's recommendation is just that - an unenforceable recommendation. States, cities and businesses can still impose their own mask rules.

Many have since dropped or are planning to drop them, and say they will operate on an 'honor' system which assumes people who are not wearing masks have had their COVID vaccine.
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Dominic Cummings' bombshell evidence The initial apology: 'The truth is that senior ministers, senior officials, senior advisers like me fell disastrously short of the standards that the public has a right to expect of its Government in a crisis like this. When the public needed us most the Government failed. I would like to say to all the families of those who died unnecessarily how sorry I am for the mistakes that were made and for my own mistakes at that.' On the lack of preparation in February 2020: 'We didn't act like it was important in February, let alone January.... No10 and the government were not working on a war footing in February, it wasn't until the last week of February there was any sense of urgency.' On Boris Johnson's attitude to Covid: 'In February the Prime Minister regarded this as just a scare story. He described it as the new swine flu... The view of various officials inside No10 was if we have the PM chairing Cobra meetings and he just tells everyone ''it's swine flu don't worry about it, I am going to get Chris Whitty to inject me live on TV with coronavirus so everyone realise it's nothing to be frightened of'', that would not help actual serious planning.' On the first lockdown timing: 'In retrospect it is clear that the official plan was wrong, it is clear that the whole advice was wrong, and I think it is clear that we obviously should have locked down essentially the first week of March at the latest. We certainly should have been doing all of these things weeks before we did, I think it's unarguable that that is the case.' On his role in the lockdown delay: 'There's no doubt in retrospect that yes, it was a huge failure of mine and I bitterly regret that I didn't hit the emergency panic button earlier then I did. In retrospect there's no doubt I was wrong not to.' On No10 in March 2020: 'It was like a scene from Independence Day with Jeff Goldblum saying the aliens are here and your whole plan is broken and you need a new plan.' On Boris being distracted by Carrie and Trump: 'It sounds so surreal couldn't possibly be true ... that day, the Times had run a huge story about the Prime Minister and his girlfriend and their dog. The Prime Minister's girlfriend was going completely crackers about this story and demanding that the press office deal with that. So we had this sort of completely insane situation in which part of the building was saying are we going to bomb Iraq? Part of the building was arguing about whether or not we're going to do quarantine or not do quarantine, the Prime Minister has his girlfriend going crackers about something completely trivial.' On the PM missing Cobra meetings: 'Lots of Cobra meetings are just going through PowerPoint slides and are not massively useful.' On Health Secretary Matt Hancock: 'I think the Secretary of State for Health should've been fired for at least 15, 20 things, including lying to everybody on multiple occasions in meeting after meeting in the Cabinet room and publicly. There's no doubt at all that many senior people performed far, far disastrously below the standards which the country has a right to expect. I think the Secretary of State for Health is certainly one of those people. I said repeatedly to the Prime Minister that he should be fired, so did the Cabinet Secretary, so did many other senior people.' On herd immunity: 'It is not that people are thinking this is a good thing, it is that it is a complete inevitability, the only real question is one of timing. It's either going to be by September or it's herd immunity by January (2021) after a second peak.' On not cancelling mass sports events like Cheltenham Festival: 'The official advice at the time (March 2020) was that that a) won't make much difference to transmission, which seems absolutely bizarre in retrospect, the idea that we would keep mass events going on through this whole thing. But also secondly, it could be actively bad because you'd push people into pubs. Of course no one in the official system in the Department of Health drew the obvious logical conclusion which was well, shouldn't we be shutting all the pubs as well?' On Government secrecy: 'There is no doubt at all that the process by which Sage was secret and overall the whole thinking around the strategy was secret was an absolutely catastrophic mistake, because it meant that there wasn't proper scrutiny of the assumptions, the underlying logic. Actually Sage agreed with this, when I said on March 11 we are going to have to make all these models public and whatnot, there wasn't pushback from sage or Patrick Vallance either. Patrick actually agreed with me.' On Boris v Jeremy Corbyn at the 2019 election: 'There's so many thousands and thousands of wonderful people in this country who could provide better leadership than either of those two. And there's obviously something terribly wrong with the political parties if that's the best that they can do.' Advertisement

Dominic Cummings branded Boris Johnson 'unfit for the job' of PM today as he delivered an extraordinary condemnation of the 'disastrous' coronavirus response.

In an epic seven-hour evidence session with MPs, the maverick former No10 chief said Britons had been 'lions led by donkeys' and claimed that Mr Johnson viewed Covid as a 'scare story' just a month before the first lockdown.

Mr Cummings said 'tens of thousands of people died who did not need to die' as he conceded he should have been 'hitting the panic button' in mid-February but he had been 'wrongly reassured' by the WHO and others about the situation in China.

Having bungled the early phase of the crisis, Mr Cummings said the premier then opted to 'hit and hope' by deciding to shun a second 'circuit breaker' lockdown in September, despite entreaties from Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance among others.

Mr Cummings also insisted he personally heard the PM say in his study on October 31 that he would rather let 'the bodies pile high' than trigger a third lockdown. Mr Johnson has flatly denied making the remark.

And he accused Matt Hancock and other officials of briefing at the time that the strategy was to reach 'herd immunity', which was seen as an 'unavoidable fact'. He insisted it is 'completely wrong' that the government is now denying it was their aim.

In a detailed timeline, Mr Cummings laid out his version of how the government was far from a 'war footing' in February, with senior figures including Mr Johnson himself going on holiday. 'Lots of key people were literally skiing in mid-February,' he said.

He said Mr Johnson regarded the pandemic as a 'scare story' and the 'new Swine Flu' at that stage, and had even suggested he could be injected with the disease live on TV by medical chief Prof Whitty to show people it was not a threat.

Mr Cummings said that on March 12 at 7.48am he texted the PM and said the Cabinet Office was 'terrifyingly sh**' and Covid restrictions should be stepped up immediately.

However, on the same day Donald Trump was trying to persuade the UK to join a bombing raid in the Middle East.

And Carrie Symonds was 'going crackers' at the PM over a 'trivial' story in the papers about their dog Dilyn.

Mr Cummings said on the evening of March 13 the second most senior civil servant at the Cabinet Office, Helen MacNamara, came in and relayed to him the view of another senior official that 'there is no plan' and 'we're in huge trouble'.

Mr Cummings said she told him: 'I think we are absolutely f*****' and warned that 'thousands' of people could die.

Despite the rising alarm, at around the same time there were still meetings going on with officials suggesting people should be advised to have 'chicken pox parties' to spread the virus more quickly.

Mr Cummings suggested that after March he did not agree with Mr Johnson on any element of Covid policy.

He said by that stage the premier had decided lockdown was a mistake and he should have been like 'the mayor in Jaws who kept the beaches open'.

'I thought that perspective was completely mad,' he said, adding that the PM was like a 'shopping trolley smashing from one side of the aisle to the other'.

Stressing that his influence had waned dramatically by that point, Mr Cummings said that Ms Symonds was also 'desperate to get rid of me and all my team'. He was ousted in November along with most of the Vote Leave clique.

He also raged at the government's determination to delay the start of a public inquiry until next year, saying there was 'absolutely no excuse' for putting it off.

'The longer it is delayed the more people will rewrite memories... documents will go astray.'

Mr Johnson tried to shrug off the vicious onslaught at a bruising PMQs this afternoon, denying the government was 'complacent' and rejecting Keir Starmer's calls to bring the promised public inquiry forward.

'None of the decisions have been easy,' the premier said. 'To go into a lockdown is a traumatic thing for a county. We have at every stage tried to minimise loss of life.'

No10 refused to address the specific allegations levelled by his former ally.

But the committee heard hours of damaging claims, including that even in the first half of March Mr Johnson was still of the view that the threat to the economy was more significant than the public health risk.

Mr Cummings said the scenes were reminiscent of disaster movie Independence Day, where star Jeff Goldblum says the plan to resist the alien invasion has failed and there needs to be a new one.

The former aide also launched an excoriating attack on Matt Hancock, accusing him of 'lying' about PPE and access for treatment for those suffering from the disease.

He insisted the Health Secretary told ministers 'categorically' in March that people would be tested for Covid before being returned to care homes, but it later transpired that it not happened.

'We sent people with Covid back to the care homes,' he said.

He claimed that the then-Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill told him he had 'lost confidence' in Mr Hancock's 'honesty' during key meetings.

Mr Cummings said Mr Hancock used scientists including Professor Whitty and Sir Patrick as a 'shield' for himself and told the PM they could be blamed if things went wrong.

Mr Cummings said he went to Mr Johnson in July last year and said that he was going to leave because Downing Street was in 'chaos'.

He said he told the PM that he was 'not prepared to work with people like Hancock any more', accusing Mr Johnson of being 'frightened' to give him enough power to set up a functional system.

The former Vote Leave chief said Mr Johnson retorted that 'chaos isn't that bad' because it 'means everyone has to look to me to see who is in charge'.

'The Prime Minister knew I blamed him for the whole situation and I did,' Mr Cummings said.

'By October 31 our relations were essentially already finished, the fact that his girlfriend also wanted rid of me was relevant but not the heart of the problem.

'The heart of the problem was fundamentally I regarded him as unfit for the job and I was trying to create a structure around him to try and stop what I thought were extremely bad decisions and push other things through against his wishes.

'He had the view that he was Prime Minister and I should just be doing what he wanted me to.'

Dominic Cummings apologised for his own role as he started a marathon four hours of evidence to a joint session of the Commons health and science committees

Mr Cummings tweeted a picture of the whiteboard before his explosive grilling from MPs over how Downing St handled the pandemic. He captioned the image: 'First sketch of Plan B, PM study, Fri 13/3 eve - shown PM Sat 14/4: NB. Plan A 'our plan' breaks NHS,>4k p/day dead min.Plan B: lockdown, suppress, crash programs (tests/treatments/vaccines etc), escape 1st AND 2nd wave (squiggly line instead of 1 or 2 peaks)... details later'

A masked Dominic Cummings arrived at Parliament this morning (left) as he prepared to rain fire on Boris Johnson (pictured right at PMQs today)

Mr Cummings posted another excerpt from a report suggesting that imposing a tough lockdown could merely have caused a second peak at a more dangerous time for the NHS

When DID Cummings raise alarm bells about Covid and what did he say? According to Dominic Cummings's testimony in Parliamentary committee today, this is a timeline of his actions behind closed doors at No.10: January 25 Advised No.10 to 'look at pandemic planning and soon' after lacking confidence in the UK's preparations following a talk with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. Cummings said he himself stopped talking to journalists. February Cummings said he 'wrote a note' to Boris Johnson about Covid in February but the outbreak was not at the top of the Government's agenda, even after the World Health Organization had warned it was an 'international concern'. He was working on reforming government procurement processes and 'dealing with other things like HS2, national security issues and the [Cabinet] reshuffle'. He and the Prime Minister did not regularly attend COBRA meetings. Cummings and Mr Johnson realised at the end of the month that 'claims about brilliant preparations and how everything was in order were basically completely hollow'. March 5 Was personally convinced and afraid that the situation was out of control and 'was increasingly being told by people this is going wrong'. He admitted to being 'incredibly frightened' of taking the executive decision to tell the Prime Minister the plan needed to change. At this point SAGE recommended shielding elderly and vulnerable people. March 11 Told the Prime Minister to change the policy because the country's direction at the time  'mitigation'  would lead to disaster. Stricter measures were needed to stop the outbreak from overwhelming the NHS, he warned. March 12 Cummings rammed home the message that things needed to change. Cummings warned the Prime Minister there were 'big problems coming' if the Government didn't immediately tell people that they must self-isolate and cut themselves off from others if they felt ill. He described it as a 'completely surreal day' and said he sent a message to the PM saying: 'We've got big problems coming. The Cabinet Office is terrifyingly s***. No plans, totally behind the pace, we must announce today, not next week. We must force the pace. We're looking at 100,000 to 500,000 deaths between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios.' Mr Johnson was reportedly distracted because Donald Trump wanted him to join a bombing campaign in the Middle East and his fiancee, Carrie Symonds, was angry about a story in the media about the couple's dog, Dilyn. March 13 Whiteboard 'Plan B' was drawn up and shows Cummings realised hospitals wouldn't be able to cope with the surge in people infected with Covid. The penny dropped that lockdown would be necessary to control the outbreak and he wrote the chilling question: 'Who do we not save?' That evening, he said, the second most senior civil servant at the Cabinet Office, Helen MacNamara, walked into Mr Johnson's office and allegedly said: 'I think we are absolutely f*****', and warned that 'thousands' of people could die. Ms MacNamara had, Cummings said, been told by the director general at the Cabinet Office: 'I have been told for years that there is a plan for this, there is no plan, we are in huge trouble'. There was no plan for what to do with all the bodies of people who would die if there was a massive spike in fatalities, he said. March 14 Cummings showed the whiteboard to the Prime Minister, he said, and suggested to Mr Johnson that social contact would have to be limited and pubs closed. March 16 Cummings and other officials were ramping up the pressure after realising the UK was headed for disaster, but there was still no reliable data to work out how bad the situation already was. He said Government was relying on Sir Simon Stevens, the chief of NHS England, to relay intensive care data because it was the only figures they had at the time. ICU data is known to come around three weeks later than changes in infection rates and people generally don't start getting admitted until there are thousands of cases per day. Cummings said he was working out epidemic growth and possible numbers of cases and deaths using the calculator on his phone and writing on a whiteboard. Cummings finds out that the Cabinet Office is not responsible for controlling or scrutinising pandemic response plans, after believing it was for over six weeks, he said. Advertisement

Mr Cummings' bombshell claims of chaos and delay at the heart of Government came as Britain today recorded more than 3,000 Covid cases for the first time in a month amid the rapid spread of the Indian variant.

Daily infections today spiked by 18 per cent compared to last Wednesday's figure, reaching their highest level since April 12.

But deaths remained in single figures, with nine fatalities today up slightly on the three posted last Wednesday.

PM 'regarded Covid as a scare story and the new swine flu'

Mr Cummings revealed that neither he nor Mr Johnson attended Cobra meetings in the early stages of the crisis, and he did not advise the PM to do so. He said the sessions were often just 'powerpoint presentations' and 'not massively useful' and there were many leaks.

'In February the Prime Minister regarded this as just a scare story, he described it as the new swine flu,' Mr Cummings said.

When asked if he had told the PM it was not, Mr Cummings added: 'Certainly, but the view of various officials inside Number 10 was if we have the Prime Minister chairing Cobra meetings and he just tells everyone ''it's swine flu, don't worry about it, I'm going to get Chris Whitty to inject me live on TV with coronavirus so everyone realises it's nothing to be frightened of'', that would not help actually serious panic.'

In a damning assessment, Mr Cummings said: 'The truth is that senior ministers, senior officials, senior advisers like me fell disastrously short of the standards that the public has a right to expect of its Government in a crisis like this.

'When the public needed us most the Government failed. I would like to say to all the families of those who died unnecessarily how sorry I am for the mistakes that were made and for my own mistakes at that.'

Mr Cummings accused Matt Hancock and other officials of briefing at the time that the strategy was to reach 'herd immunity', which was seen as an 'unavoidable fact'. He insisted it is 'completely wrong' that the government is now denying it was their aim.

He said that assurances given in January last year that pandemic preparations were brilliant 'were basically completely hollow'.

He told the Commons committee he received a response from Mr Hancock assuring: 'We've got full plans up to and including pandemic levels regularly prepared and refreshed, CMOs and epidemiologists, we're stress testing now, it's our top tier risk register, we have an SR bid before this.'

'I would like to stress and apologise for the fact that it is true that I did this but I did not follow up on this and push it the way I should've done,' he said.

'We were told in No 10 at the time that this is literally top of the risk register, this has been planned and there's been exercises on this over and over again, everyone knows what to do.

'And it's sort of tragic in a way, that someone who wrote so often about running red teams and not trusting things and not digging into things, whilst I was running red teams about lots of other things in government at this time, I didn't do it on this.

'If I had said at the end of January, we're going to take a Saturday and I want all of these documents put on the table and I want it all gone through and I want outside experts to look at it all, then we'd have figured out much, much earlier that all the claims about brilliant preparations and how everything was in order were basically completely hollow, but we didn't figure this out until the back end of February.'

Mr Cummings said it is 'completely obvious' that many institutions around the world failed in their response to Covid.

'When it started, in January, I did think in part of my mind, 'Oh my goodness, is this it? Is this what people have been warning about all this time?' he said.

'However, at the time the PHE (Public Health England) here and the WHO (World Health Organisation) and CDC, generally speaking, organisations across the western world were not ringing great alarm bells about it then.

'I think it is in retrospect completely obvious that many, many institutions failed on this early question.'

Mr Cummings told MPs the Government 'didn't act like it (Covid) was the most important thing in February, never mind in January', adding the Government was not on a 'war footing' and that 'lots of key people were literally skiing' in February.

He suggested Cobra had been largely useless in the early phase of the crisis, and he avoided having 'sensitive' conversations there because it would leak.

'Bear in mind one of the huge problems we had throughout was things leaking and creating chaos in the media,' he said.

When asked if these were leaks from Cobra, he said: 'Leaking from Cobra, leaking from practically everything.

'So when I wanted to have sensitive conversations that I didn't want to see appear in the media I did not have those conversations in Cobra.'

'Crackers' Carrie Symonds distracted PM over trivial story about their dog

Mr Cummings said he warned the PM on March 12 that there were 'big problems coming' if self-isolation measures were not announced immediately.

He said he told Boris Johnson: 'We've got big problems coming. The Cabinet Office is terrifyingly sh**. No plans, totally behind the pace, we must announce today, not next week. We must force the pace. We're looking at 100,000 to 500,000 deaths between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios.'

But he said on that day rather than focusing on Covid the Government was consumed with a potential bombing campaign in the Middle East at the request of Mr Trump and a 'trivial' story in the Times newspaper about Mr Johnson, his fiancee Carrie Symonds and their dog.

He said: 'And then to add to  it sounds so surreal couldn't possibly be true  that day, the Times had run a huge story about the Prime Minister and his girlfriend and their dog.

'The Prime Minister's girlfriend was going completely crackers about this story and demanding that the press office deal with that.

Cummings brands Matt Hancock a 'liar' who should have been sacked Dominic Cummings accused Matt Hancock of 'criminal, disgraceful behaviour' during the early days of the Covid pandemic today as he launched an astonishing broadside at the Health Secretary. During a no-holds-barred attack on the senior Cabinet Minister he accused him of being a serial liar whose behaviour directly hindered the Government's ability to tackle the pandemic last year. In a rollercoaster appearance in front of MPs today Mr Cummings outlined a series of failings by Mr Hancock and the Department of Health and Social Care. Mr Cummings told a joint committee of MPs today: 'One thing I can say completely honestly is that I said repeatedly from February/March that if we don't fire the Secretary of State and get testing into somebody else's hands, we're going to kill people and it's going to be a catastrophe.' In a withering assessment of the Health Secretary's abilities Mr Cummings: Branded the minister 'stupid' for boasting last year that the test-and-trace system would be able to do 100,000 tests per day by the end April, saying it slowed the much-maligned system's long-term development.

Alleged that the Health Secretary 'categorically' told the Prime Minister directly that elderly people in hospital would be tested for Covid before being discharged to care homes - something which did not happen and contributed to the death toll.

Accused Mr Hancock of overplaying the UK's readiness for a massive infectious disease outbreak early last year, before Britain was affected.

Claimed that Mr Hancock used scientists including chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance as a 'shield' who could be blamed if things went wrong.

Alleged that Boris Johnson was advised to keep Matt Hancock as Health Secretary because 'he's the person you fire when an inquiry comes along'. Duiscussing mr Hancock's interference in test and trace, Mr Cummings said: 'In my opinion he should have been fired for that thing alone and that itself meant that the whole of April was hugely disrupted by different parts of Whitehall fundamentally trying to operate in different ways completely because Hancock wanted to be able to go on TV and say ''look at me and my 100k target''. 'It was criminal, disgraceful behaviour that caused serious harm'. Advertisement

'So we had this sort of completely insane situation in which part of the building was saying are we going to bomb Iraq? Part of the building was arguing about whether or not we're going to do quarantine or not do quarantine, the Prime Minister has his girlfriend going crackers about something completely trivial.'

Mr Cummings went on to accused Ms Symonds of 'unethical and clearly illegal behaviour' when trying to get Downing Street jobs for her friends - as he admitted her dislike of him was a factor in his firing.

The former No10 top aide referred to her only as 'the PM's girlfriend' as he accused her of distracting Mr Johnson and leading him into bad decisions during key moments in the pandemic.

In his marathon evidence session in parliament today Mr Cummings was asked if he was forced out after a 'power struggle' in which his ally, Mr Johnson's director of communications Lee Cain, was blocked from replacing him as a top adviser.

'My resignation was definitely connected to the fact that the Prime Ministers girlfriend was trying to change a whole bunch of different appointments in No10 and appoint her friends to particular jobs,' he said.

'In particular she was trying to overturn the outcome of an official process about hiring a particular job in a way which was not only completely unethical but which was clearly illegal.

'I thought the whole process about how the PM was behaving at that point was appalling and all of that was definitely part of why I went.'

However he said that although Ms Symonds 'wanted rid of me' his relationship with Mr Johnson had already collapsed by that point.

Cabinet Secretary wanted people to go to 'chicken pox parties' to catch Covid

Mr Cummings said at one point Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill had suggested the PM go on television and tell people to catch coronavirus as if it was chicken pox.

'We are sitting in the Prime Minister's office, the Cabinet were talking about the herd immunity plan,' he said.

'The Cabinet Secretary said ''Prime Minister you should go on TV tomorrow and explain to people the herd immunity plan and that it's like the old chicken pox parties, we need people to get this disease because that's how we get herd immunity by September''.

'I said 'Mark (Sedwill), you have got to stop using this chicken pox analogy, it's not right' and he said 'why' and Ben Warner said 'because chicken pox is not spreading exponentially and killing hundreds of thousands of people'.

'To stress, this wasn't some thing that Cabinet Secretary had come up with, he was saying what the official advice to him from the Department of Health was.'

Mr Cummings said the situation in Downing Street in mid-March was like 'a scene from Independence Day with Jeff Goldblum saying the aliens are here and your whole plan is broken and you need a new plan'.

On March 14 Boris Johnson was told that models showing the peak was 'weeks and weeks and weeks away' in June were 'completely wrong'.

He said the PM was warned: 'The NHS is going to be smashed in weeks, really we've got days to act.'

Mr Cummings said it was' obvious' in retrospect that the UK should have locked down in the first week of March at the latest.

'In retrospect it is clear that the official plan was wrong, it is clear that the whole advice was wrong, and I think it is clear that we obviously should have locked down essentially the first week of March at the latest,' he said.

'We certainly should have been doing all of these things weeks before we did, I think it's unarguable that that is the case.'

Mr Cummings said through the first half of March the PM was convinced that an economic crisis was the biggest threat from Covid.

'At this time, not just the Prime Minister but many other people thought that the real danger is not the health danger but the overaction to it and the economy,' he said.

'The Prime Minister said all the way through February and through the first half of March the real danger here isn't this new swine flu thing, it's that the reaction to it is going to cripple the economy.

Boris rejected 'obvious' need to close borders in March 'because he wanted to be like the mayor from Jaws who kept the beaches open' Boris Johnson rejected the 'obvious' case for closing UK borders last spring because he wanted to be like the mayor from Jaws who kept the beaches open, Dominic Cummings claimed today. The former No10 chief insisted the PM was told early in the pandemic it was 'madness' that there were no tough travel constraints despite the domestic rules. He said up until March the advice Mr Johnson was equivocal. But he said: 'After April, though, it's a completely different story, once we've switched to plan b. 'Fundamentally, there was no proper border policy because the Prime Minister never wanted a proper border policy. 'Repeatedly in meeting after meeting I and others said all we have to do is download the Singapore or Taiwan documents in English and impose them here. 'We're imposing all of these restrictions on people domestically but people can see that everyone is coming in from infected areas, it's madness, it's undermining the whole message that we should take it seriously. 'At that point he was back to, ''lockdown was all a terrible mistake, I should've been the mayor of Jaws, we should never have done lockdown 1, the travel industry will all be destroyed if we bring in a serious border policy''. 'To which, of course, some of us said there's not going to be a tourism industry in the autumn if we have a second wave, the whole logic was completely wrong.' Mr Johnson said Mr Johnson was being berated by Tory MPs and the media to be less harsh. 'We never won the argument,' he said. Mr Cummings said in his view the UK 'still doesn't have a proper border policy'. In retrospect, he said: 'Obviously we should have shut the borders in January.' Advertisement

'To be fair to the Prime Minister, although I think he was completely wrong, lots of other senior people in Whitehall had the same view, that the real danger was the economic one.'

Mr Cummings gave a far more glowing account of Chancellor Rishi Sunak - who has often been seen as a Cabinet 'hawk' against lockdowns.

'There have been lots of reports and accusations that the Chancellor was the person who was kind of trying to delay in March. That is completely, completely wrong,' Mr Cummings said.

'The Chancellor was totally supportive of me and of other people as we tried to make this transition from plan A to plan B.'

When it was put to Mr Cummings that he looked to be angling for a job if Mr Sunak took over as PM, he said: 'I think everyone from my wife to everybody in Westminster and Whitehall will agree that the less everyone hears from me in the future, the better.'

Health Secretary Matt Hancock 'should have been fired for multiple offences'

Turning his fire on Mr Hancock, Mr Cummings said he should have been fired for multiple offences - claiming Sir Mark agreed.

'Like in much of the Government system, there were many brilliant people at relatively junior and middle levels who were terribly let down by senior leadership,' he said.

'I think the Secretary of State for Health should've been fired for at least 15, 20 things, including lying to everybody on multiple occasions in meeting after meeting in the Cabinet room and publicly.

'There's no doubt at all that many senior people performed far, far disastrously below the standards which the country has a right to expect. I think the Secretary of State for Health is certainly one of those people.

'I said repeatedly to the Prime Minister that he should be fired, so did the cabinet secretary, so did many other senior people.'

Mr Cummings said one of Mr Hancock's 'lies' was that everybody got the treatment they deserved in the first peak when 'many people were left to die in horrific circumstances'.

Pushed for evidence to back up his claims about the health secretary, he said: 'There are numerous examples. I mean in the summer he said that everybody who needed treatment got the treatment that they required.

'He knew that that was a lie because he had been briefed by the chief scientific adviser and the chief medical officer himself about the first peak, and we were told explicitly people did not get the treatment they deserved, many people were left to die in horrific circumstances.'

Later in the session, Mr Cummings said he warned Mr Johnson that 'if we don't fire the Secretary of State (Matt Hancock) and we don't get the testing in someone else's hands, we are going to kill people and it will be a catastrophe'.

Mr Cummings told MPs there was 'constant, repeated lying' about PPE during the pandemic.

He said Sir Mark had told Mr Johnson 'the British system is not set up to deal with a Secretary of State who repeatedly lies in meetings'.

Health committee chair Jeremy Hunt said they were 'very serious allegations said under parliamentary privilege' and urged Mr Cummings to provide evidence of his claims before Mr Hancock appeared in front of MPs in a fortnight.

Cummings says Boris's 'crackers' fiancee Carrie engaged in 'clearly ILLEGAL' behaviour to get her friends jobs in No10 - and distracted him as pandemic broke Dominic Cummings today accused Boris Johnson's fiancee Carrie Symonds of 'unethical and clearly illegal behaviour' when trying to get Downing Street jobs for her friends - as he admitted her dislike of him was a factor in his firing. The former No10 top aide referred to her only as 'the PM's girlfriend' as he accused her of distracting Mr Johnson and leading him into bad decisions during key moments in the pandemic. As well as the lead up to his resignation late last year Mr Cummings also claimed she occupied the Prime Minister's attention at a crucial stage of the pandemic in March 2020 by 'going completely crackers' over a story in the press about their dog Dilyn. He described the toxic atmosphere in Downing Street amid claims the pair were at war for months until Mr Cummings and several of his allies were forced out last November. In his marathon evidence session in parliament today Mr Cummings was asked if he was forced out after a 'power struggle' in which his ally, Mr Johnson's director of communications Lee Cain, was blocked from replacing him as a top adviser. 'My resignation was definitely connected to the fact that the Prime Minister's girlfriend was trying to change a whole bunch of different appointments in No10 and appoint her friends to particular jobs,' he said. 'In particular she was trying to overturn the outcome of an official process about hiring a particular job in a way which was not only completely unethical but which was clearly illegal. 'I thought the whole process about how the PM was behaving at that point was appalling and all of that was definitely part of why I went.' However he said that although Ms Symonds 'wanted rid of me' his relationship with Mr Johnson had already collapsed by that point. Advertisement

Mr Cummings alleged that Mr Johnson was advised to keep Mr Hancock on because 'he's the person you fire when an inquiry comes along'.

'It's definitely the case that the Prime Minister was told that, contrary to my view I said sack him, I said sack him almost every week, sometimes almost every day,' he said.

'He was told though that you should not sack him, you should keep him there because he's the person you fire when an inquiry comes along.

'My counterargument to that was if you leave him there we're going to have another set of disasters in the autumn, and that's the critical thing.

'Forget the inquiry, the inquiry, God knows when that'll bloody happen, we've got to get rid of this guy now because every single week things are going disastrously wrong.'

The PM's official spokesman said: 'I don't plan to get into every allegation or claim made today.

'At all times the Prime Minister and the Health and Care Secretary have been working closely to protect public health during the pandemic, that's been the case throughout and continues to be so.'

Pressed if Mr Johnson still had confidence in Mr Hancock, the spokesman said: 'Yes, the Health Secretary has been working closely with the Prime Minister throughout and has been fully focused on protecting the health and care system and saving lives.'

Shielding plan for vulnerable cobbled together in two days before lockdown

Mr Cummings said that as of March 19 - just four days before the first lockdown - there was no plan for shielding.

'Not only was there not a plan, lots of people in the Cabinet Office said we shouldn't have a plan, we shouldn't put out a helpline for people to call because it will all just be swamped and we don't have a system,' he said.

'The shielding plan was literally hacked together in two all-nighters after the 19th, I think, Thursday the 19th.

'There wasn't any plan for shielding, there wasn't even a helpline for shielding, there wasn't any plan for financial incentives, there wasn't any plan for almost anything in any kind of detail at all.'

He also added: 'There wasn't any plan for furlough at all, nothing, zero, nada.

'The problem you are describing about the financial incentives on Covid and isolation, you are obviously completely correct, there should've been a whole plan but like on testing, like on shielding, there was no plan.'

Mr Cummings said the Cabinet Office's civil contingencies secretariat had 'completely collapsed' and 'imploded' during the pandemic.

In one surreal exchange, he compared the blame game between departments and ministers over who was responsible for pandemic planning to the famous internet meme of Spiderman clones pointing at each other.

Mr Cummings said he had wanted to implement 'the same as had happened in South Korea and Taiwan' for the UK's test and trace system.

He said when the PM returned to work after recovering from coronavirus that there was the idea to set up a separate agency for the test and trace effort and to 'rejig the whole Whitehall paraphernalia around this'.

Dominic Cummings branded Matt Hancock a serial liar today in an astonishing broadside against the Health Secretary, saying he should have been fired at the height of the pandemic

Dominic Cummings posted a chart claiming that COBR documents had the 'optimal single peak strategy' showing 260,000 dead because the system was 'so confused in the chaos'

PM rejects Cummings' claim that he 'fell disastrously short' Boris Johnson has rejected Dominic Cummings' claim that ministers 'fell disastrously short' of public expectations in their response to the coronavirus crisis. The Prime Minister hit back at Mr Cummings after his former chief aide made a series of bombshell claims about the Government's handling of the pandemic in a lengthy evidence session with MPs this morning. The evidence was seized upon by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions as he claimed Mr Johnson's 'inaction led to needless deaths' at the start of the crisis last year. But Mr Johnson defended himself and said 'none of the decisions have been easy' and the Government's focus has always been on trying to 'minimise loss of life' at every stage. Sir Keir began PMQs by asking Mr Johnson if he agreed with Mr Cummings' claim that ministers had 'failed'. The PM replied: 'The handling of this pandemic has been one of the most difficult things this country has had to do for a very long time and none of the decisions have been easy, to go into a lockdown is a traumatic thing for a country to deal with a pandemic on this scale has been appallingly difficult. 'We have at every stage tried to minimise loss of life, to save lives and protect the NHS and we have followed the best scientific advice that we can.' Advertisement

But he said GDPR and data privacy laws caused issues in developing the system he wanted to use.

'What I wanted to do was essentially the same as had happened in South Korea and Taiwan and places where you start using bank data, you start using mobile phone data to triangulate where people are, use the data coming off cell phone towers and things like that,' he told MPs.

'So it wasn't just the testing system you had to get built up. It was also the whole data architecture as well.

'And, of course, we had huge legal problems because you had a whole bunch of people coming back in the legal system saying first of all, EU data law or GDPR basically means all of this stuff is illegal, medium term.

'Secondly, a whole bunch of things around European Convention of Human Rights, right to privacy, etcetera etcetera.

'So you had  we've got to build this testing, we got to build this data, we've then got to think about all these complexities about the legal side.'

Cummings says it is 'crackers' that 2019 election choice was between Boris and Jeremy Corbyn

He also said it was 'crackers' that he and Mr Johnson were in power, suggesting that voters had been given an awful choice in December 2019 between the Tory leader and Jeremy Corbyn.

'What is it about your parties that gives choices like Johnson vs Corbyn?' he asked the MPs.

Mr Cummings denied there were major communications issues throughout the pandemic, laying the blame at the door of the PM saying it was 'bad policy, bad decisions, bad planning, bad operational capability'.

'It doesn't matter if you've got great people doing communications, if the Prime Minister changes his mind 10 times a day, and then calls up the media and contradicts his own policy day after day after day, you're going to have a communications disaster,' he said.

Dom's doomsday dossier Dominic Cummings set up his appearance before MPs today with a series of revelations - all of them contested by No10 - about the handling of the pandemic in recent days. Among them are: Boris Johnson said 'Covid is only killing 80-year-olds' when he delayed a national lockdown last autumn.

The Government's 'Plan A' in the early months of the pandemic was to pursue a strategy of 'herd immunity'.

The initial response to the crisis was 'total and utter chaos' and the original plan was only ditched after Number 10 was warned it would lead to a 'catastrophe'.

Matt Hancock was talking 'bullsh*t' when he denied herd immunity was an official policy.

Mr Johnson said 'I'm going to be the mayor of Jaws' in reference to the local politician in the film who ordered beaches to be kept open despite a deadly shark attack.

The PM had no plan for a Covid lockdown last year before experts started 'screaming' that hundreds of thousands of people could die.

All three country-wide lockdowns could have been entirely avoided if there were 'competent people in charge' and ministers had 'the right preparations'. Advertisement

Pointing to the row with footballer Marcus Rashford over free school meals, he said: 'For example, the whole thing with Rashford, the director of communications said to the Prime Minister twice, 'do not pick a fight with Rashford'. Obviously, we should do this instead.

'The Prime Minister decided to pick a fight and then surrendered twice.

'After that everyone says 'oh, your communications is stupid'. No, what's stupid was picking a fight with Rashford over school meals, and what should have happened is just getting the school meals policy right. So it's easy to blame communications for bad policy and bad decision-making.'

Ahead of his appearance before MPs, Mr Cummings tweeted a picture of a whiteboard on which the Government's 'plan B' for the first wave of the virus was sketched out.

One note visible on the board said 'who do we not save?'

The 'first sketch' was drawn up in Boris Johnson's study on the evening of Friday March 13 and shown to the Prime Minister the following day.

Plan A 'breaks' the NHS and results in a daily death toll of more than 4,000, Mr Cummings said.

Plan B was for 'lockdown, suppress, crash programs'  the accelerated drive to boost tests, treatments and develop vaccines in order to escape both the first and second waves, he said.

Mr Cummings' claim that Mr Johnson referred to Covid as 'Kung-Flu' will be seized on by those who criticise the Prime Minister's politically incorrect language.

The term was coined by Donald Trump in June last year, at which stage the full force of the pandemic had not hit America. By contrast, it had claimed 40,000 lives in the UK.

Mr Trump's 'Kung-Flu' jibe was part of his attempt to pin the blame for the pandemic on China.

Boris Johnson (L) is given the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine by a nurse at St Thomas' Hospital in London, March 19

Dominic Cummings reveals how the wheels came off inside Number 10: Extraordinary timeline of chaos as coronavirus spread across Britain... before civil servant screamed 'we're f*****' and aides drew up 'plan B' on a whiteboard asking 'who do we not save?'

Dominic Cummings today laid out a damning timeline of the battle to convince the Government to lock down in March 2020 and take Covid seriously in his blockbuster testimony to MPs that has seen him savage the UK response.

The No10 adviser turned loose cannon today presented a sketch of the 'Plan B' he and other Government aides hashed together when they realised Boris Johnson's original 'mitigation' Covid policy was going to kill hundreds of thousands of people.

It asks the chilling question 'who do we not save?' and was drawn up on the same day one of the UK's most senior civil servants marched into the PM's office and warned 'there is no plan... we're absolutely f****d.'

A furious Mr Cummings today slammed the Health Secretary Matt Hancock as incompetent and said everyone in Government made terrible mistakes during the pandemic, bearing some responsibility himself and admitting he was 'incredibly frightened' of being the one who forced the PM's arm into into a lockdown in March.

He lifted the lid on how Downing Street refused to take the crisis seriously until spring, claiming senior figures were still holidaying in February, and laid out a timetable of his alleged battle to get a lockdown imposed in Britain to prevent.

Here is Cummings's chaotic version of events:

Mr Cummings tweeted a picture of the whiteboard before his explosive grilling from MPs over how Downing St handled the pandemic. He captioned the image: 'First sketch of Plan B, PM study, Fri 13/3 eve - shown PM Sat 14/4: NB. Plan A 'our plan' breaks NHS,>4k p/day dead min.Plan B: lockdown, suppress, crash programs (tests/treatments/vaccines etc), escape 1st AND 2nd wave (squiggly line instead of 1 or 2 peaks)... details later'

Mr Cummings posted another excerpt from a report suggesting that imposing a tough lockdown could merely have caused a second peak at a more dangerous time for the NHS

Dominic Cummings posted a chart claiming that COBR documents had the 'optimal single peak strategy' showing 260,000 dead because the system was 'so confused in the chaos'

Lack of pandemic plans exposed in February  Cummings scrambled to get expert advice

What Cummings said: Cummings said he had urged the Government to look into pandemic preparedness plans at the start of the year after not having any confidence in them after talking to Matt Hancock.

It emerged at the end of February that 'claims about brilliant preparations and how everything was in order were basically completely hollow,' he said.

By the beginning of March Cummings was personally convinced and afraid that the situation was out of control and 'was increasingly being told by people this is going wrong'.

He spent much of the first two weeks of the month, however, 'having meeting after meeting with people trying to figure out where we were' instead of 'pressing the panic button' and forcing the PM to act.

What was happening in the UK: On January 31, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak  by that time confined mostly to China with cases among travellers in other countries  was a 'public health emergency of international concern'.

The first cases of coronavirus in the UK were recorded on the same day and, that weekend, the Government started an advertising campaign to encourage people to use tissues and wash their hands more often.

There had been a total of 23 confirmed cases in the UK by the end of February. The first death was recorded on March 6.

Cummings foresaw spiralling outbreak in March but was 'frightened' to force Johnson to act

What Cummings said: In early March Cummings said he was personally convinced and afraid that the situation was out of control and 'was increasingly being told by people this is going wrong'.

He admitted to being 'incredibly frightened' of taking an executive decision to tell the Prime Minister the plan needed to change because he claimed many others were not taking the threat as seriously as he was.

At this point, SAGE recommended shielding elderly and vulnerable people, but not more drastic action.

Boris Johnson held a TV press conference on March 3 and encouraged people to wash their hands more often. There had been 51 confirmed Covid cases by that date

What was happening in the UK: Prime Minister Boris Johnson held his first TV press conference  unprecedented for many people in the UK  on March 3, three days before the first Covid death on March 6.

He admitted: 'It is highly likely we will see a growing number of UK cases' and said that keeping the country safe was the Government's 'overriding priority'.

The PM said people should wash their hands with soap as often as possible for the length of time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice.

Despite there having been confirmed cases in the country for more than a month, no stricter measures were in place. By March 3 there had been 51 confirmed cases. This doubled to 114 within two days and was at 373 a week later.

March 11: Cummings takes the plunge and piles pressure on Johnson for a lockdown

What Cummings said: It wasn't until March 11 that Cummings finally took the plunge and worked to convince the Prime Minister to put the country in a lockdown.

He warned that the 'mitigation' policy being pursued by No10 would kill thousands and likely hundreds of thousands  this policy had been announced publicly just two days earlier.

In today's meeting he revealed that, at this point, he was planning to threaten to resign if Mr Johnson didn't do something more drastic, and said he would have quit the job and held a press conference to reveal that the official plan could kill hundreds of thousands of people.

Over the following week Cummings rammed home the message that things needed to change in No10.

What was happening in the UK: By March 11 there had been 456 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and seven people had died. There was still a lack of public testing and the death toll three weeks later  2,450 by the end of March  suggests hundreds of thousands of cases had gone undetected.

Boris Johnson had held a Downing Street press conference on March 9 and again encouraged people to wash their hands more often but failed to introduce any tougher measures to control the disease.

He publicly announced his plan to 'Contain, Delay, Research and Mitigate' the virus  which modelling later suggested could have killed over 250,000 people in a massive first wave. The PM added: 'There is no hiding from the fact that the coronavirus outbreak will present significant challenges for the UK.'

The Cheltenham Festival horse racing event went ahead on March 10 despite concerns that the virus could spread there, and Liverpool FC played a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on March 11.

Liverpool FC played a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid to a packed stadium at Anfield on March 11. By this time there had already been 456 coronavirus cases in the UK and seven people had died. It later turned out those figures were just the tip of the iceberg

March 12: 'Surreal day' forcing PM's attention to Covid as it emerges there are 'no plans'

What Cummings said: He described March 12 as a 'completely surreal day' and said he sent a message to the PM saying: 'We've got big problems coming. The Cabinet Office is terrifyingly s***. No plans, totally behind the pace, we must announce today, not next week. We must force the pace. We're looking at 100,000 to 500,000 deaths between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios.'

Mr Johnson was reportedly distracted that day because he was being pushed and pulled over Covid, Donald Trump wanted him to join a bombing campaign in the Middle East, and his fiancee, Carrie Symonds, was angry about a story in the media about the couple's dog, Dilyn.

What was happening in the UK: Prime Minister Boris Johnson held another TV press conference and finally introduced a self-isolation rule for anyone testing positive for coronavirus, but not their households. Schools remained open and ministers only committed to 'considering the question of banning major public events'. Mr Johnson advised over-70s not to go on cruise ships and said schools shouldn't go on international trips.

He admitted: 'We've all got to be clear, that this is the worst public health crisis for a generation' and warned the number of people infected was far higher than data were showing.

On that day 134 new coronavirus cases were recorded  more than double the 52 two days earlier  and there had been a total of 590 confirmed infections in less than two weeks, even without publicly available testing. Nine people had died to this date. The number of infections is since known to have been significantly higher and 2,450 people had already died by the end of March.

The Cheltenham Festival was ongoing.

This MailOnline graphic from March 12 shows how the virus had already spread to every region of England

March 13: Cummings realises threat to NHS and civil servant warns: 'We're f****d'

What Cummings said: Whiteboard 'Plan B' was drawn up on March 13 by Cummings and No10 colleagues and shows they realised hospitals wouldn't be able to cope with the surge in people infected with Covid. The penny dropped that lockdown would be necessary to control the outbreak and they wrote the chilling question: 'Who do we not save?'

This shows how Cummings and other Downing Street insiders already knew the outbreak was out of control and that deaths and hospital admissions would inevitably soar in the coming weeks and months.

The former adviser repeatedly claimed during his evidence session that the Government had no plans in place for how to deal with a disease outbreak and had to make most of its response up on the hoof.

Lockdown was an alien concept at the start of the outbreak and ministers did not want to consider it because they didn't believe people would follow the rules or accept the levels of control.

There are scraps of what lockdown could mean on the whiteboard from mid-March, with suggestions of 'everyone stays home, pubs etc close'; 'except certain infrastructure people'; 'who looks after the people who can't survive alone?'. It adds choice between for 'less contact', 'no contact' and 'contact illegal'.

That evening, he said, the second most senior civil servant at the Cabinet Office, Helen MacNamara, walked into Mr Johnson's office and allegedly said: 'I think we are absolutely f*****', and warned that 'thousands' of people could die.

Ms MacNamara had, Cummings said, been told by the director general at the Cabinet Office: 'I have been told for years that there is a plan for this, there is no plan, we are in huge trouble'.

There was no plan for what to do with all the bodies of people who would die if there was a massive spike in fatalities, he said.

It was on the night of Friday 13 that officials began to agree the UK was heading for 'the biggest disaster since 1940' when the country entered the Second World War.

What was happening in the UK: By March 13 coronavirus cases were clearly surging out of control. There were 207 new cases confirmed, quadrupling from 52 just three days earlier, and there were a total of 797 to date.

The Cheltenham Festival horse racing event went ahead on March 10, 2020, despite concerns that the virus could spread there. Pictured: A race on March 13, by which time Boris Johnson had already admitted: 'There is no hiding from the fact that the coronavirus outbreak will present significant challenges for the UK'

March 14: Realisation dawned on need for lockdown but it needed planning on the hoof

What Cummings said: Cummings showed the March 13 whiteboard to the Prime Minister the following day, on March 14, he said, and suggested to Mr Johnson that at a minimum social contact would have to be limited and pubs closed, for example.

He said it had become clear by this point that a lockdown was necessary because the virus was already out of control but that there was no plan or blueprint they could use and it had not been seriously considered until shortly before.

What was happening in the UK: The UK had recorded a total of 1,061 cases, with 264 on March 14, and 28 people had died. Both numbers appeared to be growing exponentially.

Critics were growing angry about the lack of proper restrictions and calling for a lockdown at the same time that Dominic Cummings claims he was trying to hammer home the message in Downing Street.

One frustrated scientist warned on March 12: 'Now is the time for the UK government to ban large gatherings, ask people to stop non-essential travel, recommend employers shift to home working and ramp up the response.'

March 16: Still no proper data or concrete plans, but Boris calls for country to stay home

What Cummings said: Cummings and other officials were ramping up the pressure after realising the UK was headed for disaster, but there was still no reliable data to work out how bad the situation already was.

He said Sir Simon Stevens, the chief of NHS England, was relying on intensive care data, which is known to come around three weeks later than changes in infection rates and people generally don't start getting admitted until there are thousands of cases per day.

Cummings said he was working out epidemic growth and possible numbers of cases and deaths using the calculator on his phone and writing on a whiteboard.

Cummings finds out that the Cabinet Office is not responsible for controlling or scrutinising pandemic response plans, after believing it was for over six weeks, he said.

What was happening in the UK: The Prime Minister held another press conference and made his first substantial step towards locking down the country, urging people to stop 'non-essential contact' with others and to 'stop all unnecessary travel'. He also added a 14-day self-isolation period for people living with someone with the virus.

He added: 'We need people to start working from home where they possibly can. And you should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues.'

Venues and offices remained open, however, and large gatherings could still go ahead just without the usual support from the emergency services. The next day Mr Johnson held another briefing with the caution: 'I stress that although the measures announced are already extreme, we may well have to go further and faster in the coming days to protect lives and the NHS.'

There had been 1,543 coronavirus cases and 64 deaths across the UK.

On March 16 Boris Johnson advised people to stop going to the pub but did not go as far as to make them close or impose and limits on capacity. Pictured: Punters in a bar in Manchester on March 20

March 19: Still no shielding plan and Government didn't want a helpline for vulnerable

What Cummings said: Cummings said the Government still did not have a proper plan by March 19 for the shielding programme, even though SAGE had recommended that elderly and vulnerable people should protect themselves at home.

He said: 'The shielding plan was literally hacked together in two all-nighters after the 19th, I think, Thursday the 19th.'

Whitehall had said they didn't want to have a phone helpline for people on the shielding list because the Government didn't have the capacity to cope with it. There were more than three million people on the list at its peak at the end of the 2021 lockdown.

Mr Cummings said: 'Not only was there not a plan, lots of people in the Cabinet Office said we shouldn't have a plan, we shouldn't put out a helpline for people to call because it will all just be swamped and we don't have a system.'

Dominic Cummings' evidence in full: Every answer Boris Johnson's fired chief of staff gave to MPs in bombshell evidence

Westminster is gripped today as Dominic Cummings gives evidence to MPs about Boris Johnson's handling of the Covid crisis.

The maverick former No10 chief adviser is delivering four hours of testimony to a joint session of the Commons health and science committees in which he is handing a bruising to his former friend and boss.

Mr Cummings is expected to be accused by Tory MPs of using today's appearance to 'avenge' his sacking in November after he lost a power struggle with Ms Symonds.

But Labour will seize on the claims as evidence that Mr Johnson could have done more to save lives.

Below is Mr Cummings' evidence in full:

SESSION ONE

Q - Greg Clark, Chair of the Science and Technology Committee

On January 22, Wuhan, a city the size of London, was sealed off. Did this set alarm bells ringing?

The truth is that senior ministers, senior officials, senior advisers like me fell disastrously short of the standards that the public has a right to expect of its Government in a crisis like this. When the public needed us most the Government failed. I would like to say to all the families of those who died unnecessarily how sorry I am for the mistakes that were made and for my own mistakes at that.

When it started, in January, I did think in part of my mind, 'Oh my goodness, is this it? Is this what people have been warning about all this time?' However, at the time the PHE (Public Health England) here and the WHO (World Health Organisation) and CDC, generally speaking, organisations across the western world were not ringing great alarm bells about it then.

I think it is in retrospect completely obvious that many, many institutions failed on this early question. The Taiwanese his the panic button some time around New Year's Eve and immediately closed the borders and introduced a strict quarantine system. I think it's obvious that the Western world including Britain completely failed to see the smoke and hear the alarm bells.

Q - Do you remember a time when you personally were seized of the important of it?

On something like January 25 I said to the private office at Number 10 that we should look at pandemic planning and soon after I asked Matt Hancock where we were with scanning the pandemic operation plans.

I would like to stress and apologise for the fact that it is true that I did this but I did not follow up on this and push it the way I should've done.

We were told in No 10 at the time that this is literally top of the risk register, this has been planned and there's been exercises on this over and over again, everyone knows what to do.

And it's sort of tragic in a way, that someone who wrote so often about running red teams and not trusting things and not digging into things, whilst I was running red teams about lots of other things in government at this time, I didn't do it on this.

If I had said at the end of January, we're going to take a Saturday and I want all of these documents put on the table and I want it all gone through and I want outside experts to look at it all, then we'd have figured out much, much earlier that all the claims about brilliant preparations and how everything was in order were basically completely hollow, but we didn't figure this out until the back end of February.

Q - When did you talk to the PM about it first?

It was definitely raised with the PM in the first half of January in a chat with me and other people.

Q - In the months that followed was Covid the most important matter that you dealt with?

At the time the government, in no way shape of form, acted like it was the most important thing going on in January, nor in February. The Government itself and Number 10 was not operating on a war footing in February on this in any way, shape or form. Lot of key people were literally skiing in the middle of February.

Obviously in retrospect I should have been hitting the panic button more than I did in February, I did more as the month went on.

Q - Give a brief summary of the principle things you were dealing with during February.

I was working very much on the science and technology agenda and procurement reform. I was dealing with other things like HS2, national security issues and the reshuffle.

Q - Did you have to book meetings with the PM?

I could just pop in and out of his office. I sometimes wrote notes but most of our interaction was talking. I wrote a note to him about the Covid situation in February, I'm not sure if I did in January.

Q - Did you attend Cobra meetings in February?

I don't think that I did. What I did was hire a guy to run data for No10. [Additional Q - Did you choose not to go?] It was a question of dividing people's time. I don't remember if I attended any of the Cobra meetings.

[Additional Q - Did you advise the Prime Minister to go?] No. [Additional Q - Why didn't you?] The best use of people's time was to send Ben Warner, a physicist I hired, and a Downing Street adviser. A lot of Cobra meetings are just PowerPoint slides and aren't very useful.

Also bear in mind one of the huge problems we had throughout was things leaking and creating chaos in the media. Things were leaking from Cobra, leaking from practically everything.

The view of various officials inside Number 10 was if we have the Prime Minister chairing Cobra meetings and he just tells everyone 'it's swine flu, don't worry about it, I'm going to get Chris Whitty to inject me live on TV with coronavirus so everyone realises it's nothing to be frightened of' On why the PM didn't attend Cobra meetings on Covid in February

'So when I wanted to have sensitive conversations that I didn't want to see appear in the media I did not have those conversations in Cobra.'

I was having meetings about it with people like Patrick Vallance [chief scientific adviser] in a way I knew wouldn't leak. In February the Prime Minister regarded this as just a scare story, he described it as the new swine flu.

The view of various officials inside Number 10 was if we have the Prime Minister chairing Cobra meetings and he just tells everyone 'it's swine flu, don't worry about it, I'm going to get Chris Whitty to inject me live on TV with coronavirus so everyone realises it's nothing to be frightened of', that would not help actually serious panic.

I'm not a technical person, I'm not a smart person. I couldn't understand a lot of the things that were being discussed and the modelling that was being done so I thought it was more useful to have a PhD physicist there [at the Cobra meetings]. A lot of it was over my head.

Q - Why did you change your 2019 blog to refer to coronaviruses?

There have been a lot of media stories saying that I changed what I wrote but that's all false. Not a single letter of what I wrote was changed. Not a single word was changed. [Additional Q - But you added to it?] Correct. [Additional Q - How did you have time to do that?] Pasting over a blog takes 90 seconds or so.

Q - Could you explain the thinking on the issue of herd immunity?

Herd immunity was seen as completely inevitability... and the only option.

Essentially the logic of the official plan from the Department of Health was that this disease is going to spread, vaccines are not going to be relevant in any way, shape or form over the relevant time period, we were told it was essentially a certainty that there would be no vaccines available in 2020, something else which turned out to be completely wrong because, as I think we'll come onto, it actually turns out we could've done vaccines much faster than happened.

PM 'focused on Trump's bombing plan and dog story as top civil servant admitted the UK was absolutely f*****' Dominic Cummings laid out a detailed timetable of the disastrous response to the coronavirus threat last March. The former aide said he warned the PM on March 12 that there were 'big problems coming' if self-isolation measures were not announced immediately. He said he told Boris Johnson: 'We've got big problems coming. The Cabinet Office is terrifyingly sh**. No plans, totally behind the pace, we must announce today, not next week. We must force the pace. We're looking at 100,000 to 500,000 deaths between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios.' But he said on that day rather than focusing on Covid the Government was consumed with a potential bombing campaign in the Middle East at the request of Mr Trump and a 'trivial' story in the Times newspaper about Mr Johnson, his fiancee Carrie Symonds and their dog. He said: 'And then to add to  it sounds so surreal couldn't possibly be true  that day, the Times had run a huge story about the Prime Minister and his girlfriend and their dog. 'The Prime Minister's girlfriend was going completely crackers about this story and demanding that the press office deal with that. 'So we had this sort of completely insane situation in which part of the building was saying are we going to bomb Iraq? Part of the building was arguing about whether or not we're going to do quarantine or not do quarantine, the Prime Minister has his girlfriend going crackers about something completely trivial.' Mr Cummings said on the evening of March 13 the second most senior civil servant at the Cabinet Office, Helen MacNamara, came in and relayed to him the view of another senior official that 'there is no plan' and 'we're in huge trouble'. Mr Cummings said she told him: 'I think we are absolutely f*****' and warned that 'thousands' of people could die. However, at around the same time there were still meetings going on with officials suggesting people should be advised to have 'chicken pox parties' to spread the virus more quickly. Even in the first half of March Mr Johnson was still of the view that the threat to the economy was more significant than the public health risk. Mr Cummings said it was like something out of disaster movie Independence Day, where star Jeff Goldblum says the plan had failed and there needs to be a new one. Advertisement

But at the time the whole plan was based on the assumption that it was a certainty that there would be no vaccines in 2020. So the logic was you can either have ... if it's unconstrained it will come in and there will be a sharp peak like that, and it will completely swamp everything and huge disaster.

The logical approach therefore is to introduce measures which delay that peak arriving and which push it down below the capacity of the health system.

In response to the argument. 'But hang on a second, look at what they're doing in Wuhan, Taiwan and South Korea', the assumption in Whitehall was that it wouldn't work for them... secondly, that it was inconceivable that the British public would accept Wuhan-style measures.

Even if we therefore suppress it completely all you're going to do is get a second peak in the winter when the NHS is already every year under pressure, so we only actually have a real choice between one peak and herd immunity by September - terrible but then you're through it by the time the next winter comes - if you try and flatten it now the second peak comes up in winter time that's even worse.

So, horrific as it looks in the summer, the numbers will be even worse if this happens in October, November, December-time.

It's important to bear in mind on this whole herd immunity point, obviously no one is saying that they want this to happen, the point is it was seen as an inevitability - you will either have herd immunity by September after a single peak or you will have herd immunity by January with a second peak, those are the only two options that we have.

That was the whole logic of all of the discussions in January and in February and early March. [Additional Q - So when Matt Hancock said on March 15 that herd immunity was not a policy, was that wrong?] Completely wrong. That was the plan. I'm completely baffled as to why No 10 has tried to deny that because that was the official plan.

Q - Jeremy Hunt, former health secretary

On the Sage meeting on March 5 it was five weeks since the WHO had said Covid was an issue of international concern. But the minutes say that the only measures recommended were shielding the vulnerable and elderly. Did you advise him that Sage were wrong?

No I didn't. In the first ten days of March I was increasingly being told by people things were going wrong, but I was also really worried about smashing my hand down on a button saying 'ditch the official plan'. By the 5th I was still reluctant to do that.

I was really torn about the whole thing because in the first 10 days of March. I was increasingly being told by people I think this is going wrong but I was also really, really worried about kind of like smashing my hand down on a massive button marked 'ditch the official plan, stop listening to the official plan, I think there's something going wrong'. I did do that as we'll come on to but on the fifth I was reluctant to do that.

[Additional Q - Did you advise that Cheltenham be cancelled?] No, the official advice was that it wouldn't make much difference to transmission, which was bizarre in retrospect, and that cancelling it could be actively bad as it would just push people into pubs. No one in the official system, in the Department of Health, drew the obvious logical conclusion, which was 'shouldn't we be shutting all the pubs as well?'

There was push back from within the system against advising on the 12th to say stay at home if you've got symptoms.

The official line was that it wouldn't make much difference to transmission. On the decision to hold Cheltenham

And me and others were realising at this point the system is basically delaying announcing all of these things because there's not a proper plan in place.

As far as I could tell from Sage, and as far as the minutes show, the fundamental assumption remained we can't do lockdown, we can't do suppression, because it just means a second peak.

Prior to giving evidence, Cummings posted a chart on Twitter claiming that COBR documents had the 'optimal single peak strategy' showing 260,000 dead because the system was 'so confused in the chaos'

You had this surreal situation where part of the building was going on about Covid, the other about bombing the Middle East and the Prime Minister has his girlfriend going crackers about something completely trivial. Cummings on the state of Number 10 on March 12

Q - Jeremy Hunt, former health secretary

How would you change the structures and systems to stop this happened in a future pandemic?

The way in which Sage and the whole thinking around the strategy was secret was a huge mistake because there wasn't proper scrutiny.

Anyone who has been involved in the political world knows the whole thing is riddled with duff studies to make people believe things that weren't true. And that was one of the problems behind the group-think, which was that the British public would not accept a lockdown or an Asian-style track and trace system. Those assumptions were central to the official plan and obviously completely wrong.

[Additional Q - did you advise going further with the lockdown?] We need to understand the crucial period between Thursday 12th and the Sunday, when things started to change.

I have been told for years that there is a plan for this, there is no plan, we are in huge trouble. What a senior official allegedly told Cummings on March 13

On the 12th - it was a completely surreal day... I sent a message to the PM at 7.48 that morning and, forgive the language this is expressed in, 'We've got big problems coming. The Cabinet Office is terrifyingly s***. No plans, totally behind the pace, we must announce today, not next week. We must force the pace. We're looking at 100,000 to 500,000 deaths between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios.'

So the day started with that but we then got completely derailed when in the morning of the 12th the people of the National Security Committee came in and said Trump wanted us to join in a Middle East bombing campaign.

And then to add to ... it sounds so surreal couldn't possibly be true ... that day, the Times had run a huge story about the Prime Minister and his girlfriend and their dog. The Prime Minister's girlfriend was going completely crackers about this story and demanding that the press office deal with that.

I think we're absolutely f****d and are going to kill thousands of people. Reported comments of a senior civil servant

So we had this sort of completely insane situation in which part of the building was saying are we going to bomb Iraq? Part of the building was arguing about whether or not we're going to do quarantine or not do quarantine, the Prime Minister has his girlfriend going crackers about something completely trivial.

Fortunately thank God the Attorney General persuaded the PM not to join in with the Middle East bombing campaign.

The evening of Friday 13th, I'm sitting with Ben Warner [data scientist] and the PM's private secretary in the PM's private study and we discussed about how we would have to speak to him tomorrow about needing to ditch the official plan. This is the white board [pictured below] which has plan B sketched on it.

The scene from Independence Day with Jeff Goldblum saying the aliens are here and your whole plan is broken and you need a new plan.

At this point, deputy Cabinet Secretary Helen McNamara said she had been talking to the official Mark Sweeney, who was in charge with coordinating with the Department of Health and he said, 'I have been told for years that there is a plan for this, there is no plan, we are in huge trouble'.

Helen McNamara said 'I think we are absolutely f****d' I think this country's in a disaster and we are going to kill thousands of people. I said 'I think you're right, it is a disaster, we are going to sketch out plan b'.

On March 14, the Prime Minister was told 'You are going to have to lock down'. But there is no lockdown plan. Sage haven't modelled it, DH don't have a plan, we are going to have to figure out and hack together a lockdown plan. This is like a scene from Independence Day with Jeff Goldblum saying, 'the aliens are here and your whole plan is broken, and you need a new plan'... that is what the scene was like that morning, with Ben Warner in the Jeff Goldblum role.

He took the Prime Minister through all the graphs, and through the NHS graphs, and showed him that the system is thinking this is all weeks and weeks and away... but this is all completely wrong... The NHS is going to be smashed in weeks.

Mr Cummings teed up his evidence by tweeting this chart of the government's Plan B this morning

Q - You didn't advise the PM to change tack until March 11, you didn't advise him to cancel Cheltenham, the Champions League, to close the borders. Do you not recognise that was a massive failing on your part?

There's no doubt in retrospect that yes, it was a huge failure of mine and I bitterly regret that I didn't hit the emergency panic button earlier than I did. In retrospect there's no doubt I was wrong not to. All I can say is my worry was, my mental state at the time was, on the one hand you can know from the last week of February that a whole many things were wrong.

But I was incredibly frightened, I guess is the word, about the consequences of me kind of pulling a massive emergency string and saying the official plan is wrong and it's going to kill everyone and you have got to change path because what if I'm wrong? What if I persuade him to change tack and that's a disaster?'

The Prime Minister said all the way through February that the issue was not this new swine flu thing, the danger was that people could overreact to it and cripple the economy. Cummings giving evidence today

We are sitting in the Prime Minister's office, the Cabinet were talking about the herd immunity plan. The Cabinet Secretary said 'Prime Minister you should go on TV tomorrow and explain to people the herd immunity plan and that it's like the old chicken pox parties, we need people to get this disease because that's how we get herd immunity by September'.

I said 'Mark (Sedwill), you have got to stop using this chicken pox analogy, it's not right' and he said 'why' and Ben Warner said 'because chicken pox is not spreading exponentially and killing hundreds of thousands of people'.

To stress, this wasn't some thing that Cabinet Secretary had come up with, he was saying what the official advice to him from the Department of Health was.

Q - Mark Logan, MP for Bolton North East

You are seen as very successful, but why were you not able to nail an earlier lockdown?

I didn't pay enough attention to it early enough, for sure. It was the classic group think bubble. But what is inarguable the case was that part of my job was to challenge things and I didn't do that early enough. If this process had been opened up to outside smart people we would have figured out at least six weeks earlier that there was an alternative plan.

At this time, not just the Prime Minister but many other people thought that the real danger is not the health danger but the over-reaction to it and the economy. The Prime Minister said all the way through February and through the first half of March the real danger here isn't this new swine flu thing, it's that the reaction to it is going to cripple the economy.

To be fair to the Prime Minister, although I think he was completely wrong, lots of other senior people in Whitehall had the same view, that the real danger was the economic one.

Mr Cummings posted another excerpt from a report suggesting that imposing a tough lockdown could merely have caused a second peak at a more dangerous time for the NHS

Q - During January, February and March time, how was the international situation being fed into the system?

It was essentially completely discarded by the system. During January, February and March, even after we went into lockdown on the 23rd, the view was that it is inconceivable to do a Taiwan-style lockdown.

Q - Rosie Cooper, MP for West Lancashire

What were the barriers to having the Sage papers published?

There was no push back from Patrick Vallance, Chris Whitty or Sage. But what should have happened is we would have had the conversation in January. What happened is we waited until when we were already dangling over the cliff.

I think the Secretary of State for Health should have been fired for at least 15/20 things, including lying to people on multiple occasions in meeting after meeting and publicly. Cummings making allegations about Matt Hancock

How would you rate the performance of the Department of Health and secretary of state?

Like in much of the Government system, there were many brilliant people at relatively junior and middle levels who were terribly let down by senior leadership. I think the Secretary of State for Health should've been fired for at least 15, 20 things, including lying to everybody on multiple occasions in meeting after meeting in the Cabinet room and publicly.

There's no doubt at all that many senior people performed far, far disastrously below the standards which the country has a right to expect. I think the Secretary of State for Health is certainly one of those people. I said repeatedly to the Prime Minister that he should be fired, so did the cabinet secretary, so did many other senior people.

Why were the financial incentives for people to self-isolate so fatally weak?

Not only was there not a plan, lots of people in the Cabinet Office said we shouldn't have a plan, we shouldn't put out a helpline for people to call because it will all just be swamped and we don't have a system. The shielding plan was literally hacked together in two all-nighters after the 19th, I think, Thursday the 19th.

There wasn't any plan for shielding, there wasn't even a helpline for shielding, there wasn't any plan for financial incentives, there wasn't any plan for almost anything in any kind of detail at all. There wasn't any plan for furlough at all, nothing, zero, nada. The problem you are describing about the financial incentives on Covid and isolation, you are obviously completely correct, there should've been a whole plan but like on testing, like on shielding, there was no plan.

When the PM tested positive we were told that the Department of Health had been turning down ventilators because the price was marked up.

Why did you describe the Department of Health as a smoking ruin?

There wasn't any system set up [at the Department of Health] to deal with emergency procurement. When the PM tested positive we were told that the Department of Health had been turning down ventilators because the price was marked up. It completely beggars belief that this kind of thing was happening.

We were told the PPE would not arrive for months because it would take that long to ship. 'But why are you shipping it?'... 'That's what we always do.' I told them to fly it... at that point you had Trump getting the CIA involved to get the fast track on PPE. Everything was like wading through treacle, that's why I described it as a smoking ruin.

Q - Greg Clarke

Saying Matt Hancock lied is a serious accusation, can you provide evidence to back that up?

There are numerous examples. I mean in the summer he said that everybody who needed treatment got the treatment that they required. He knew that that was a lie because he had been briefed by the chief scientific adviser and the chief medical officer himself about the first peak, and we were told explicitly people did not get the treatment they deserved, many people were left to die in horrific circumstances.

He kept basically bouncing back to, we don't know how dangerous it is, we are destroy the economy by having lockdown, maybe we shouldn't do it. Cummings' claim about Boris Johnson

In mid-April, just before the Prime Minister and I were diagnosed with having Covid ourselves, the Secretary of State for Health told us in the Cabinet room everything is fine with PPE, we've got it all covered, etc, etc. When I came back, almost the first meeting I had in the Cabinet room was about the disaster over PPE and how we were actually completely short, hospitals all over the country were running out.

The Secretary of State said in that meeting this is the fault of Simon Stevens, this is the fault of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, it's not my fault, they've blocked approvals on all sorts of things. I said to the cabinet secretary, please investigate this and find out if it's true.

The cabinet secretary came back to me and said it's completely untrue, I've lost confidence in the Secretary of State's honesty in these meetings. The cabinet secretary said that to me and the cabinet secretary said that to the Prime Minister.

[Did you make a note of that at the time, could you supply that to the committee?] Yes.

There is a very profound question about our political system that at the last election we could a choice between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn.

Q - Rebecca Long-Bailey, MP for for Salford and Eccles

Who in government was arguing against taking action for economic reasons?

The Prime Minister's view, throughout January, February, March, was - as he said in many meetings - the real danger here is not the disease, the real danger here is the measures that we take to deal with a disease and the economic destruction that that will cause. He had that view all the way through.

'In fact, one of the reasons why it was so rocky getting from the 14th, when we suggested plan B to him, to actual lockdown was because he kept basically bouncing back to 'we don't really know how dangerous it is, we're going to completely destroy the economy by having lockdown, maybe we shouldn't do it'. Fundamentally the Prime Minister just never ... didn't really think that this was the big danger.

Now, there have been lots of reports and accusations that the Chancellor was the person who was kind of trying to delay in March. That is completely, completely wrong. The Chancellor was totally supportive of me and of other people as we tried to make this transition from plan A to plan B...

It is completely crazy that I should have been in such a senior position in my personal opinion. I'm not smart.

There is a very profound question about our political system that at the last election we could a choice between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn. It shows things have gone extremely, extremely badly wrong.

There's so many thousands and thousands of wonderful people in this country who could provide better leadership than either of those two. And there's obviously something terribly wrong with the political parties if that's the best that they can do.

It is completely crazy that I should have been in such a senior position in my personal opinion. I'm not smart. I've not built great things in the world. It's just completely crackers that someone like me should have been in there, just the same as it's crackers that Boris Johnson was in there, and that the choice at the last election was Jeremy Corbyn. It's also the case that there are wonderful people inside the Civil Service, there are brilliant, brilliant officials all over the place. But the system tends to weed them out from senior management jobs. And the problem in this crisis was very much lions led by donkeys over and over again.

Q - Greg Clark

Did you engage in any unauthorised briefings?

Yes, I did talk to people unauthorised in the sense of actually pretty rarely did I speak to the Prime Minister before I spoke to any journalists. I just got on with things because because my view was the Prime Minister already is about a thousand-times too obsessed with the media.

I did occasionally talk to people but the main person I spoke to was Laura Kuenssberg of the BBC because the BBC has a special position in the country during a crisis and because I was in the room for particular crucial things I could give guidance to her on very big stories.

[Additional Q- Will you share all your communications with the media?] With all respect, chairman, I am not going to hand over my private phone and let you judge what you decide should be in the public domain. Anything that I think is significant to decisions that were made, including decisions that were made, then I will share those. But when you get to that stage you are getting into that territory because you are also sharing things that journalists themselves would think was private.

Q - Laura Trott, MP for Sevenoaks

In a well-run entity in my opinion you would have had some kind of dictator. If I was PM I would have said Mark Warner is in charge of the whole thing, he has as close to kingly authority as the state has legally to do that, and you're pushing the boundaries to legality. Cummings on how he would have run things as PM

Did anyone mention a risk register or a pandemic to you before 2020?

Yes, I had conversations with people about the risk register in general and some specific issues. And also during my time in government I had various specific meetings with people about the question of bioterrorism, which obviously overlaps with pandemic planning. [Additional Q - Did you have any views on the quality of the pandemic plans at that point?]

I thought that many of the plans seemed to me to fall very short of what was actually needed. A lot of things are just power points and they lack detail. But most importantly, I think, I think the process around them as with the pandemic plan is just not open, there's is not a culture of talking to outside experts. I was talking to some people who said 'did you ever go read the plan on solar flares' and I said 'no', and they said 'if you get some expert advice to that you will see that the current Government plan on that is just completely hopeless, if that happens we are all going to be in a worse situation than Covid'.

One thing that I did say to the Cabinet Secretary last year in the summer, and which I ardently hope is actually happening, is there ought to be an absolutely thorough, total review of all such risk register programmes, there ought to be an assumption of making this whole process open and only closed for specific things. For example, one of the other things very high on risk register is the anthrax plan, what happens if terrorists attack with anthrax. Personally, I would be extremely concerned that the plan is as robust as it should be.

Who is responsible for monitoring future threats?

One of the fundamental problems that we find in this whole thing, it is a general problem in Whitehall but it was very, very clear and disastrous during Covid, is you have this system where on the one hand ministers are nominally responsible in various ways for a, b, c. But ministers can't actually hire and fire anybody in the department. The officials are actually in charge of hiring and firing a, b, c.

So, as soon as you have some kind of major problem you have kind of that Spiderman meme with both Spidermans pointing at each other, it's like that but with everybody. So, you have [Matt] Hancock pointing at the permanent secretary, you have the permanent secretary pointing at Hancock, and they are both pointing at the Cabinet Office, the Cabinet Office is pointing back at them and all the different Spidermans are all pointing at each other saying 'you are responsible' and the problem is that everyone is right and everyone is unhappy.'

In my opinion, you would have had a kind of dictator in charge of this. If I was PM I would have said Mark Warner is in charge of the whole thing, he has as close to kingly authority as the state has legally to do that, and you're pushing the boundaries to legality. He is in charge, and he can fire anybody and jiggle people around.

Q - Katherine Fletcher, MP for South Ribble

I'd like to return to the data and the raw numbers that you had between January and May last year. What's your assessment of it?

Concerns is like saying 'we have concerns about the situation in May 1940'. In all sorts of ways it didn't exist. The data system on Monday March 16 was the following. It was me wheeling in that whiteboard you've seen from the photo, Simon Stevens [head of the NHS] writing down data from the ICUs. Then I'd get my iPhone out and go times two times two times two, then I'd say that if it was doubling every five days these are the numbers we'd be looking at... and everybody would say 'Jesus, could this possibly be correct?'

There was no proper data system and there was no proper testing data. All we could really do was look at people arriving in hospital, so the whole thing was weeks out of date.

There was no functioning data system. And that was connected with, there was no proper testing data.

Because we didn't have testing, all we could really do was look at people arriving in hospital. So, the whole thing, therefore, is weeks and weeks out of date. Once you're looking at ICU numbers as your leading indicator, you know that you're in a world of trouble... By the time I came back from being ill on Tuesday April 14 they then had an absolutely brilliant data system and were starting to build models and predictions... that completely transformed decision making.

Q - Aaron Bell, MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme

What were you doing in the first two weeks of March when you had said there wasn't a plan.

I was having meeting after meeting with people trying to figure out where we were.

[...] I have been critical of the Prime Minister. But... if you dropped, you know, Bill Gates or someone like that into that job on the 1st of March, the most competent people in the world you could possibly find, any of them would have had a complete nightmare. There is no doubt that the Prime Minister made some very bad misjudgments and got some very serious things wrong. It's also the case, there's no doubt, that he was extremely badly let down by the whole system. And it was a system failure, of which I include myself in that as well, I also failed.

Are you here today to help learn lessons or settle scores?

I was invited here to try and explain the truth about what happened. I think the families of the thousands of people who died deserve the truth. [Additional Q - What was your motivation for working for the PM?] I went in because in summer 2019 the situation that the country was facing was either to sort out the constitutional crisis and have a new agenda, or have Jeremy Corbyn and a second referendum which would have been absolutely catastrophic... that's why I got involved.

I do think that one way in which this could have been even worse than it was, if you imagine that Parliament of 2019, that hung parliament. If you imagine that Parliament colliding with this disaster in January 2020, God only knows what would have happened. If that broken Parliament had limped on into 2020 and confronted this crisis, I think that we'd be now be looking at ... I think, frankly, the whole system would have would have melted down and fallen apart.

Q - Greg Clark

You were a person of significant influence... what you've described is being like a whistle blower in a sense... did you forget to blow the whistle?

It's true that I hit the panic button and said we've got to ditch the official plan, it's true that I helped to try to create what an official plan was. I think it's a disaster that I acted too late. The fundamental reason was that I was really frightened of acting.

If you've got an official plan, you've got all the Sage advice, you've got the Cabinet Office, the Cabinet Secretary, everyone saying you've got to do this and if we don't do it and if we try and do something different and stop it now it's going to many times worse in the winter, I was asking myself in that kind of two-week period if I hit the panic button and persuade the Prime Minister to shift and then it all goes completely wrong, I'm going to have killed god knows how many hundreds of thousands of people.

I only had the confidence to do that once I knew that people who are much smarter than me had looked at it and said basically the Sage groupthink is wrong, the DH groupthink is wrong, we've got to change course. I apologise for not acting earlier and If I had acted earlier then lots of people might still be alive.

SESSION TWO

Q - Jeremy Hunt

On March 12 we stopped community testing following very clear Sage advice that when there was sustained community transmission is would no longer be useful. Sage 
Kieran Harris, 19, launched into a furious tirade on a three-hour flight from Alicante in Spain to Manchester last March after refusing to wear a face mask

A teenager who drunkenly threatened to shoot and kill easyJet cabin crew before demanding an air hostess perform a sex act on him has been jailed for 12 weeks.

Kieran Harris, 19, launched into a furious tirade on a three-hour flight from Alicante in Spain to Manchester last March after refusing to wear a face mask.

He told one cabin crew member 'I've killed people, and I will kill you as well' after drinking vodka, Manchester Magistrates' Court heard.

The teenager, from Garston, Liverpool, was escorted from the flight by police after it touched down at Manchester Airport on March 13.

He admitted being drunk on an aircraft and using threatening behaviour and was today jailed for 12 weeks.

The court heard Harris had been drinking heavily to 'calm' his nerves over flying before he board the three-hour flight to Manchester last year.

While on-board, he demanded a member of the cabin crew, Dorota Kazimierczak, perform a sex act on him when she asked him not to remove his safety belt during the plane's landing.

He told the woman: 'Come here and make me, and while you're at it, suck my d***.

'I will f*** you up. You and your stupid s*** Eastern European accent.

'I will f****ing kill you. Bring your boyfriend here, and I will f***ing kill him too. I've killed people, and I will kill you as well.'

In a statement, her colleague Caroline Callaghan said: 'The situation was distressing and incredibly difficult to deal with. He became intoxicated very quickly. I'm not sure whether this was because of alcohol or drugs, because he was foaming at the mouth.

He told one cabin crew member 'I've killed people, and I will kill you as well' after drinking vodka, Manchester Magistrates' Court heard. Pictured: Caroline Callaghan, one of the cabin crew on board the flight

The court heard Harris had been drinking heavily to 'calm' his nerves over flying before boarding the three-hour flight to Manchester last year. Pictured: Miss Callaghan

'Also throughout the whole situation, he wasn't wearing a mask. He was shouting and foaming at the mouth. This is the worst incident of aggressive behaviour I have had to deal with.'

Miss Kazimierczak said: 'I feared for my personal safety but had to remain a professional for the benefit of those on the flight. There were elderly passengers and some children upset by his behaviour.

'What he did led to the deterioration in our ability to ensure the safe running of the aircraft. Nobody has the right to do that, given the consequences for so many people.'

Harris was ordered to pay Miss Kazimierczak 250 compensation.

Prosecuting, Tess Kenyon said Harris first came to the attention of flight attendants 'because he was not wearing a face mask'.

She said: 'Despite being asked on several occasions, he proceeded to put the face mask on and remove it again.

'Members of staff suspected he was drunk and it reached a point when the staff members felt the need for the captain to make an announcement for face masks to be worn on the flight.'

The court heard Harris was later moved to a different seat on the plane to reduce the number of people in close proximity to him.

Miss Kenyon added: 'But there were four occasions where she challenged him about his face coverings - that was even before they had closed the doors ready for take-off.'

Harris ordered three drinks containing vodka during the flight, the court heard.

'When the flight departed and there was the first service of drinks, he asked for vodka then asked for two further drinks of vodka,' Miss Kenyon said.

'She told him he had to wait for the next service but two-thirds of the way through the journey, the cabin manager had to speak to him specifically about this.

'The defendant shouted back: "I'm f***ing eating! I want a f***ing drink," then shouting for the cabin manager to come back so he would "kick his head in."

While on-board, Harris (above) demanded cabin crew Dorota Kazimierczak perform a sex act on him when she asked him not to remove his safety belt during the plane's landing

'He said to Miss Callaghan: "I have seen the cells before. I know people. I am not scared of the police".'

Harris continued his tirade after being told the flight may have to be diverted, Miss Kenyon added.

He said: 'I don't care if they diverted the f***ing aircraft'.

The court heard Harris then threatened Miss Kazimierczak, calling her a 'grass' and saying he would shoot her and her boyfriend.

Following Harris' comments, the crew contacted the police at Manchester Airport.

The court heard he then said: 'Are you calling the police on me? I've killed people, and I will kill you as well.'

Miss Kenyon added Miss Kazimierczak was in fear Harris was 'going to come towards me', alleging he was 'shouting and foaming at the mouth.'

She said: 'The captain also challenged him about him trying to a make a phone call but the defendant was aggressive and the captain was unconcerned by his shouting and swearing. Ultimately, he was escorted off the flight.'

The court heard Harris had no previous convictions.

His lawyer Georgia Maudsley said in mitigation: 'Clearly, there was distress caused to the cabin crew and passengers and he is ashamed by his own behaviour.

'He used alcohol during the flight to calm his nerves as he suffers from flight anxiety.

'He was flying alone and his actions are completely out of character. He is still a teenager and is immature, and accepts on that day, he acted extremely immaturely.

'He struggles to engage socially with people he doesn't know. He resides with his father and is employed in his father's business fitting blinds.'

Sentencing JPs told Harris: 'Unfortunately, this crosses the custody threshold.

'There was serious violence feared and aircraft staff were affected in the course of their duties. They were trying to deal with that situation in a worldwide pandemic where others are affected.'
Grant Shapps today labelled Dominic Cummings' bombshell evidence to MPs about the Government's response to the coronavirus pandemic a 'sideshow'.

The Transport Secretary accused Mr Cummings of having an 'agenda' as he appeared to question whether the PM's former top aide is a 'reliable' witness.

Number 10 is braced for a damaging onslaught from the Vote Leave maverick as he addresses a joint session of the health and science select committees.

Government sources moved overnight to try to spike Mr Cummings' guns as they took on his central claim that pursuing 'herd immunity' was the initial strategy for responding to the crisis.

Grant Shapps today labelled Dominic Cummings' bombshell evidence to MPs about the Government's response to the coronavirus pandemic a 'sideshow'.

The Transport Secretary accused Mr Cummings of having an 'agenda' as he appeared to question whether the PM's former top aide is a 'reliable' witness

Mr Cummings has said 'herd immunity' was the 'Plan A' and the Government has 'lied' when it has repeatedly denied that was the case.

However, Politico said it had been shown WhatsApp messages from last March which apparently torpedo the claims.

Politico said the messages showed that Mr Cummings had privately ordered Cabinet ministers to deny 'herd immunity' was ever official policy.

He reportedly told ministers they should argue that achieving 'herd immunity' was simply a secondary long-term effect of the Government's original 'mitigation' strategy.

Mr Cummings is expected to use his evidence session with MPs to step up his criticism of Boris Johnson's response to the crisis after he used a lengthy Twitter thread to make a raft of initial accusations.

But Mr Shapps told Sky News: 'I'll leave others to determine how reliable a witness to all this he is.

'He was there at the time, what his motives would be I will leave to others.

'As I say, I think what most people are interested in in when are they getting their second vaccine, if they haven't had it already, or when are they getting their first one if they are younger.

'Good news on that is that we are coming down to 30 year plus this week actually.

'So we are getting through the population of Britain, getting down through the age groups and I think that is what will be focusing most people's attention this week rather than a side show over a former adviser who has his own agenda, presumably.'

The Transport Secretary acknowledged mistakes were made in the response to the pandemic but said the Government was responding to an unprecedented situation.

'There was no rulebook and of course there have been mistakes made,' he said.

He claimed that Mr Cummings 'has probably tweeted most of what he's going to say already' ahead of his appearance before MPs.

Mr Shapps added: 'We were making decisions under an unprecedented situation, there's no rulebook, there's no textbook to open and see how to deal with a pandemic, the last time the world faced anything like this was 100 years ago with Spanish flu.

'It's easy to be professors of hindsight.'

On the 'very big calls' like the vaccine programme and developing mass testing, Mr Shapps said 'we got it right'.

Asked whether Mr Cummings was a 'trusted adviser' to the PM, Mr Shapps said: 'He was certainly an adviser of the Government. It's for others to decide the trusted part of it.'
This is the jaw-dropping moment a South Carolina fisherman realizes he has hooked an alligator while fishing in a saltwater marsh.

Rob Birchmeier says: 'I think I got me a stingray,' moments before the killer reptile emerges from the murky waters of Murrells Inlet, in footage recorded by the kayak fisherman.

Birchmeier, from Pawleys Island, shouts: 'Oh boy, that's not a stingray...surprise, surprise!' before the 8ft beast begins thrashing in the water.

The alligator trashes around and attempts to dive back below the surface while still attached to the fishing line.

The 48-second clip, recorded on May 20, ends with the alligator floating just beneath the surface, with Birchmeier's jig still hooked into its back left leg.

'Does anybody wanna help me get my jig back?' he can be heard saying.

Birchmeier said he has made more than 500 trips in the area and that not much shocks him anymore.

He told Myrtle Beach Online: 'I was as surprised as I could be when that came up.

'It could have been a mermaid and I wouldnt have been more surprised.'

'That's not a stingray': Alligator begins to emerge from murky depths of Murrells Inlet - to the surprise of fisherman Rob Birchmeier

'Surprise, surprise!': The alligator emerges from the murky water with the fishing hook attached to its back left leg and thrashes in the water next to Robert Birchmeier's kayak before going back under the surface

The alligator eventually unhooked itself and swam off and Birchmeier was able to get his fishing jig back.

Birchmeier, a kayak tour guide and owner of Pawleys Island Beach to Creek, said the experience wont dissuade him from fishing from the kayak.

'I tell people they have more to worry about from sunburn, oyster shells and fire ants,' he added.

Murrells Inlet sits on the eastern coast and has long been a fishing mecca.

It is one of the very few coastal areas with a system of marshes and backwaters which are 100% saltwater.

There is no fresh water pumping into the area and reducing the salinity, making it ideal for fish species like trout, redfish and the doormat flounder.

While alligators typically prefer freshwater, they are often seen hunting in salt water in the US, including South Carolina.

They are known to put up with the saltier conditions for a chance to feast on the likes of stingray and crab.

Alligators do not possess salt glands, meaning they risk stress and death by staying in saltwater for too long, hence they tend to travel back and forth.

Murrells Inlet is also home to nearshore reefs, featuring mackerel, sharks, black sea bass, bluefish, spadefish and more.
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Caitlyn Jenner and former Trump campaign guru Brad Parscale stepped out for dinner in New York last night amid ongoing planning for her bid to become California Governor.

The pair were joined by Jenner's business partner and roommate Sophia Hutchins, 24, who is assisting in the 'Caitlyn for California' campaign ahead of the recall election - likely to take place in November.

The threesome were seen arriving at the $240-per-night Kimpton Muse Hotel in Midtown Manhattan before heading to Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse.

Jenner, 71, has recruited a team of former MAGA chiefs to help her oust Democrat Gavin Newsom who she has slammed for an 'over restrictive' Covid lockdown and his 'elitist' attitude.

The former husband of Kardashian matriarch Kris, is a registered Republican. She voted for Trump in 2016 but not in 2020, in protest against his position on transgender issues.

In an announcement on Instagram last month, she did not indicate whether or not she'll run as a Republican or Independent.

The poll on whether to recall Newsom is set to take place sometime this year after the required number of signatures were collected.

Voters will be asked whether they want to recall Newsom. If a majority say yes, he'll be ousted from office. They'll also be asked to choose a replacement governor on the same ballot, with the candidate who gets the most votes winning.

Parscale was dropped as Trump's campaign manager in the run-up to the doomed 2020 election and later had a public meltdown in September, with police called to his house by his wife who said he was suicidal.

The 44-year-old was involuntarily detained under Florida's Baker Act for three days and slapped with a risk protection order. Friends later said the outburst was down to he and his wife Candice losing twins in 2016.

Caitlyn Jenner and former Trump campaign guru Brad Parscale stepped out for dinner in New York last night as they continue planning for her bid to become California Governor. The pair were joined by Jenner's business partner and roommate Sophia Hutchins, 24, who is assisting in the 'Caitlyn for California' campaign ahead of the recall election - likely to take place in November.

The trio were seen arriving at the $240-per-night Kimpton Muse Hotel in Midtown Manhattan before heading to Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse.

Caitlyn Jenner checks into her hotel then head to dinner with Brad Parscale (right) in New York City

Sophia Hutchins, 24, with Brad Parscale. Hutchins is a transgender woman and first met Jenner through their hairdresser

Parscale walks with Hutchins, Jenner's business partner, as the trio head out for dinner in Manhattan last night

Sophia Hutchins, 24, heads out with former MAGA chief Brad Parscale, 44, as they headed for dinner with their boss Caitlyn Jenner

CAITLYN'S MAGA TEAM Brad Parscale Parscale was Trump's 2020 campaign manager but was removed before the 2020 election amid low polling numbers. In September, he was involved in a bizarre incident with his wife where she called the cops to their home in Florida, claiming he was suicidal. He was detained under the Baker Act. Parscale is not taking a formal role in the campaign but he is helping Jenner put her team together. Steven Cheung Cheung worked at the Trump White House in the communications department between 2017 and 2018. Tony Fabrizio Fabrizio worked for Trump in 2016 and 2020 as a pollster. He has also worked with other prominent Republicans including Rand Paul, Matt Bevin, Rick Scott, Mitch McConnell Bill Cassidy. Advertisement

As well as the Jenner campaign, he has been working on a platform to protect conservatives against cancel culture, called Campaign Nucleus.

The recall election comes amid growing calls by Republicans to oust Newsom. If a Republican wins, it will be the first time they have held the state since 2003, when Arnold Schwarzenegger won.

Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, former U.S. Rep. Doug Ose and businessman John Cox, who lost to Newsom in the 2018 governors race, are also running.

A member of Jenner's team told Axios: 'She's running as someone that's socially liberal and fiscally conservative.'

As well as Parscale, she has hired Tony Fabrizio, a pollster who worked on both of Trump's campaigns and Steven Cheung who was a senior White House communications officer and previously worked with Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003.

In the Instagram statement last month, Jenner said: 'I'm in! California has been my home for nearly 50 years. I came here because I knew that anyone, regardless of their background or station in life, could turn their dreams into reality.

'But for the past decade, we have seen the glimmer of the Golden State reduced by one-party rule that places politics over progress and special interests over people. Sacramento needs an honest leader with a clear vision.

'I have been a compassionate disrupter throughout my life, from representing the United States and winning a gold medal at the Olympics to helping advance the movement for equality.

'As Californians, we face a now-or-never opportunity to fundamentally fix our state before it's too late.

'Taking on entrenched Sacramento politicians and the special interests that fund them requires a fighter who isn't afraid to do what's right.

'I am a proven winner and the only outsider who can put an end to Gavin Newsom's disastrous time as governor.

'This will be a campaign of solutions, providing a roadmap back to prosperity to turn this state around and finally clean up the damage Newsom has done to this state.

'Small businesses have been devastated because of the over-restrictive lockdown.

'An entire generation of children have lost a year of education and have been prevented from going back to school.

Jenner is already selling a range of memorabilia on her campaign website

Caitlyn said she wants to 'take on' Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom who she says imposed an 'over restrictive' lockdown that damaged businesses and children's education

'Taxes are too high, killing jobs, hurting families and putting an especially heavy burden on our most vulnerable people.

'This is Gavin Newsom's California, where he orders us to stay home but goes out to dinner with his lobbyist friends,' she said.

She was referring to a November incident where Newsom, after shutting down the state and telling everyone not to socialize, was pictured dining indoors at luxury restaurant The French Laundry with a group of at least 10 people for a friend's birthday.

Jenner first became famous as Bruce Jenner, a Team USA gold medal-winning decathlete, then stepped back into the spotlight as Kim Kardashian's step-father on Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

She revealed in 2015 that she was transgender and had started living as Caitlyn.

Jenner is also being assisted by Caroline Wren who previously worked at Trump Victory, a joint fundraising committee for President Trump's 2020 campaign.

She also helped organize the rally he addressed immediately before the U.S. Capitol assault on January 6.

One of the questions raised after Jenner announced her campaign is whether or not she'll reveal some of her famous family's finances when she discloses five years worth of tax returns, a requirement of the race.

None of the Kardashian-Jenner clan have commented on her announcement.

Jenner first became famous as Bruce Jenner , a Team USA gold medal-winning decathlete. Above, the 1976 Olympics
Sydney's luxury car owners have been urged to be vigilant after a string of high-end thefts.

Police said thieves are breaking into homes in the city's affluent North Shore and stealing keys in late night raids while owners were asleep.

Lower North Shore suburbs Mosman and Cremorne have been heavily targeted in recent weeks.

Mercedes Benz cars are being targeted this month in Mosman and Cremorne according to police

Along with the Mercedes Porsche's have also been targeted this month

Earlier this month, four cars were stolen on the same night including a Lexus parked on Stanton Road, Mosman, and three other cars from nearby streets.

Another incident involved a thief breaking into a home on May 14 and stealing a set of car keys from the kitchen bench.

Other thefts include a Mercedes that was stolen from a Riverview home as well as a Mercedes Coupe from Chatswood.

Earlier this month on May 4 a Lexus was stolen from Stanton Street

The car thefts are being linked to crime gangs who targeting the area and using the cars to engage in pursuits.

A spokesperson for North Shore Police spokesperson said young kids have also been stealing the luxury cars and dumping them in parks.

'Generally (the offenders are) young kids wanting to get into pursuits in high-end cars and police are aware of a few cars that have turned up in car parks near where they were stolen from,' she told the Daily Telegraph.

'Our message is lock your home, lock your car and keep your car keys out of sight  don't make it easy for them.'
A disgraced former Melbourne primary school teacher who sent a series of 'highly sexualised' messages and a lewd photo of himself to a teenage girl on Snapchat has narrowly escaped jail.

Liam Paul Wilkinson, 27, was back in County Court of Victoria on Wednesday for sentencing after he recently pleaded guilty to one count of using a carriage service to transmit indecent communication.

The former Milgate primary school teacher will likely never work in a classroom again after he was busted in an international police sting while chatting online to a teenage girl in Colorado, who was actually a US investigator in 2019.

The court heard the then 25-year-old initially believed the girl was 16 but continued to send messages even after the investigator who was purporting to be the teen admitted she was only 14, the Herald Sun reported.

The court heard Wilkinson sent a series of sickening messages to his victim on Snapchat, including a photo of his torso with his genitals partially covered.

Former primary school teacher Liam Paul Wilkinson (pictured) has narrowly escaped jail

'OMG, you've got awesome bod,' the girl wrote.

'Here, well thank you,' Wilkinson replied.

The girl asked the RMIT graduate if he enjoyed his shower.

'I did. I would have enjoyed it more if I saw you in a snap,' he responded.

Wilkinson then wrote: 'I want you to choose like how I chose for you.'

The cop wrote back: 'Yep, you did choose for me. I never asked you for any nudes.'

Wilkinson quickly apologised and said he would stop sending photos, the publication reported.

'That's a shame. That's what I'm kind of looking for at the moment. Someone to chat with but have fun with if I'm being completely honest with you,' he added.

'So you want another girl then teacher?' the teen asked.

Wilkinson replied: 'Well that's what I'll be looking for, someone to play and talk. I am not pressuring you to do anything.'

Liam Paul Wilkinson sent a series of 'highly sexualised' messages (pictured) to a teenage girl in Colorado, who was actually a US investigator

Wilkinson continued with the barrage of sexualised messages.

'What you showed me last week was (flame emoji, love hearts eyes emoji). Just so you know be confident and proud of your body,' he wrote.

The girl replied: 'Thanks, I'm still working on confidence.'

Wilkinson then wrote 'Well I am only full of compliments. By the way, especially that full body one with you on your knees naked on your bed was just (wet emoji, wet emoji, wet emoji), hahaha.'

The girl wrote she hoped it was a good memory.

'Absolutely,' Wilkinson replied.

In an earlier Snapchat exchange, Wilkinson told the girl he had just woken up about her.

'  so thats clouding my judgment right now (monkey covering eyes emoji) which is super embarrassing lol,' he wrote.

The court heard Wilkinson did not actively seek out an underage girl and had not been charged with grooming but had not stopped messaging after finding out she was 14.

Liam Paul Wilkinson communicated with the US officer purporting to be a teen on Snapchat

Wilkinson was sentenced to nine months jail but walked free from court on a recognisance order, which included a two year good behaviour bond.

This means an offender can be released upon entering into a recognisance requiring you to give the court money as a promise to comply with certain conditions for the remainder of the sentence.

Judge Justin Hannebery noted Wilkinson had shown remorse and believed the chances of him reoffending were 'improbable'.

But he warned Wilkinson he would be locked up if he found himself on the wrong side of the law over the next two years.

He described the messages as 'highly sexualised' but on the 'lower end of the scale of explicitness'.

The judge also regarded it an 'inherently serious' offence as Wilkinson was working as a teacher at the time.

'You had a job that gave you a special understanding of the vulnerability of children,' Judge Hannebery told him.

'As a result of your own actions, your career as a teacher is almost certainly finished.'
James Hughes (pictured), 40, became a hotel manager after he was fired from the West Yorkshire police force for using a work computer to find 'an alarming number' of women's contact details

A fired policeman and 'sex pest' has been jailed for more than two years after stealing 64,000 from hotels to fund his cocaine and prostitute addictions.

James Hughes, 40, became a hotel manager after he was fired from the West Yorkshire police force for using a work computer to find 'an alarming number' of women's contact details.

Hughes used the details to bombard women with messages asking them out and was convicted of dishonesty and misconduct in a public officer in 2012, a court heard.

He sent one of the women 1,500 messages in just three months and was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to 12 months in prison.

After he was released, he became a live-in hotel manager at the Plas Nanteos Mansion in Aberystwyth, where he stole 24,000.

Prosecutor Tom Scapens said Hughes stole from the venue by using a 'sophisticated' and 'well thought-through' system of deleting bookings and switching customers' payments to himself.

But Swansea Crown Court heard he was rumbled after fellow workers discovered he had been sacked from the police and had a conviction for misconduct in a public office.

The court heard Hughes, who spent his stolen cash on cocaine and prostitutes, left the post in Aberystwyth but found another job in London, where he stole around 40,000 from a safe at the Coulsdon Manor Hotel in December 2019 in Croydon.

Hughes, of Helmsley, York, admitted two counts of theft from an employer.

Mr Scapens said that while working as a cop Hughes contacted 'an alarming number of women' and his victims described him as a 'sex pest'.

He then became a live-in hotel manager at the Plas Nanteos Mansion in Aberystwyth where he stole 24,000

Mr Scapens said: 'The money [from the Plas Nanteos Mansion] had been subsequently spent on professional sex workers.'

Ffion Tomos, defending, said Hughes was 'addicted' to paying for sex with high class escorts and spent money on cocaine.

She said: 'He is locked into a self-destructive pattern. He feels he has to provide them with a certain lifestyle so they stay with him.'

The court heard Hughes, who spent his stolen cash on cocaine and prostitutes, left the post in Aberystwyth but found another job in London where he stole around 40,000 from a safe at the Coulsdon Manor Hotel (pictured) in December 2019 in Croydon

'He is driven by the need to be appreciated and approved of.'

Judge Geraint Walters said Hughes's crimes were driven by his 'liking for cocaine' and 'addiction' to sex with prostitutes.

He said: 'This addiction is unusual but nevertheless real.'

Hughes was jailed for two-and-a-half years and a proceeds of crime application to reclaim his ill-gotten gains was ordered.
Thousands of footy fans will be forced to self-isolate after a positive Covid-19 case went to an AFL match on Sunday.

The infected spectator attended the Essendon versus North Melbourne game at Marvel Stadium on May 23, in what health authorities fear could have been a super-spreader event.

The Victorian department of health have declared anyone sitting on level 1 between aisles 5 and 28, or level 3 in between aisles 6 and 29, must get tested and stay isolated until they have received a negative result.

It comes just one day after the MCG was also added to the list of public exposure sites.

In response, the AFL has announced Saturday's Gold Coast and Hawthorn clash in Darwin will be postponed.

The infected spectator attended the Essendon versus North Melbourne game at Marvel Stadium on May 23, in what health authorities fear could have been a super-spreader event

Thousands of footy fans will be forced to self-isolate after a positive Covid-19 case went to an AFL match on Sunday

Heath authorities say they are working with the AFL and Marvel stadium staff to contact spectators and provide advice.

'Some individuals with the closest contact to the positive case will be directly provided more specific advice from the Department of Health,' Victoria's Department of Health said in alert on Twitter.

'Others attending the stadium not located in these areas will be advised to check for symptoms and be tested if any develop.'

The AFL said this weekend's Gold Coast verses Hawthorn clash in the Top End will be moved to a date later in the season.

However, Essendon and Carlton were able to depart for their round 11 interstate matches on Wednesday.

'Both the Suns and the Hawks will have their bye moved from round 12 to 11 in the meantime,' the AFL said.

Heath authorities say they are working with the AFL and Marvel stadium staff to contact spectators and provide this advice

Covid-19 testing continues across Melbourne with people queuing at clinics

The urgent warning to footy fans comes just one day after it was revealed an infected case also attended the Collingwood and Port Adelaide clash at the MCG on Sunday, with hundreds of fans in certain sections of the stadium told to isolate immediately.

The infected case sat in Zone 4, Level 1 of the Great Southern Stand at the Punt Road end of the ground, with 23,000 spectators at Sunday night's game.

Anyone seated in that area between bays M1 and M16 will be contacted directly by contract tracers and advised to get tested and isolate until they return a negative result, with all fans told to watch for symptoms.

The latest Covid outbreak to hit Melbourne's north jumped to 15 after six new cases were confirmed on Wednesday.

Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said he's concerned about the amount of time that positive cases have been out in the community.

Genomic testing has revealed the worrying Covid cluster was triggered when a man became infected at a hotel quarantine facility in South Australia after returning from India.

Although he returned three negative tests while in isolation and was discharged on May 4, he developed symptoms days after being released and travelling to his home in Melbourne's north.

A healthcare worker speaks with a member of the public waiting in line to get tested for the coronavirus disease outside a walk-in testing facility as the city experiences a cluster of new cases in Melbourne, Australia, May 26

Pictured: Motorists waiting in their cars at the Covid-19 testing facility in Victoria Park, Adelaide, Wednesday, May 26

'There are potential exposures there that relate to some days ago that are yet to play out in new cases,' Mr Sutton said.

The Victorian government has already introduced a number of restrictions to try and stop the spread, including mask mandates indoors and limits on gatherings.

Other states around Australia have also taken steps to stop the virus from spreading, re-introducing tough border restrictions that require incoming travellers from Victoria to self-isolate.

But with the situation growing more concerning by the day, Victorian health authorities are now locked in crisis talks debating a snap five-day lockdown for Melbourne, the Herald Sun reported.

It's understood officials are considering a five day circuit breaker, which could be extended if significant numbers of cases not directly linked to the current cluster emerge.

Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino said on Wednesday 'the next 24 hours are going to be critical'.

'It's good that everyone is linked at this stage but we are concerned about the number and also about the kind of exposure sites,' he said.

'But I cannot rule out taking some further action but we'll update people as soon as we know.'
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Three out of four people in England now have antibodies against Covid, a major Government surveillance study revealed today.

Updated figures from the Office for National Statistics showed 76 per cent of adults had signs of immunity either from past infection or inoculation, in the week ending May 3.

The number  an estimate based on random blood testing of around 20,000 adults  shows the continuous rise of population protection, which top scientists and ministers believe will squash any third outbreak and slash the numbers of people getting severe Covid and dying in future.

Antibodies, which are virus-specific immune substances made to block infections, are only detected in people who have had Covid in the past or who have had a vaccine  this is now a majority of people in the UK.

A total of 38.2million people in Britain have had at least one dose and 23.2m have been fully vaccinated with both, Government figures show.

Coverage with antibodies is higher in older people, who were the first to get jabs, with 92 per cent or more of over-65s testing positive for immunity in the ONS survey. It is highest in over-80s, among whom 98 per cent of people have some degree of protection from the virus.

In most cases the antibodies are expected to stop people from getting seriously ill or dying if they catch the coronavirus. In some people they will also completely prevent infection and stop them spreading the illness.

Protection is similar across the different countries within the UK and in different regions within England, the report shows, although vaccine uptake is lower than average in London  but antibody levels are still high, showing more people have been infected.

The report comes as the NHS today opened up its vaccine programme to 30- and 31-year-olds with vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi yesterday promising the immunisation drive was heading for a 'big' fortnight.

He told MPs his 'absolute focus' was that the campaign continued at pace because 'the faster we can move the vaccination programme, the sooner we can end those restrictions'.

Protection is similar across the different countries within the UK and in different regions within England, the report shows. The highest figure was in Wales, where 76.6 per cent of people were positive for antibodies, and the lowest was in Scotland with 68.6 per cent

Test results show that antibody levels are highest in the older age groups, with almost total coverage in the elderly, with slightly lower levels in the middle-aged groups who were later to get the vaccines, and significantly lower in young adults who have not yet been mass vaccinated

Nearly three quarters of all adults in the UK  38million  have now received their first dose of the vaccine and almost half  23.2 million  have had both doses

No10's vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi yesterday promised a 'big week this week and a big week next week' for Britain's inoculation drive

The ONS report comes after Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday praised the 'phenomenal pace' of the vaccination programme.

The Government is well on track to meet its target of giving all adults their first dose by the end of July, with vaccines likely to be offered to people in their twenties later this week.

Data up to May 24 shows an extra 122,379 people got their first dose and 332,955 more had their second.

Around 580,000 people are now getting jabbed every day, with the rate having risen consistently since the start of May. The drive peaked at around 600,000 daily doses towards the end of March.

Nationally, there were 2,493 new Covid cases recorded and 15 deaths within 28 days of a positive test.

Health officials have sped up the jab timetable to offer everyone over 50 their second doses within eight weeks in a bid to ensure that those at highest risk are protected from the Indian variant.

Under-40s are being offered either the Moderna or Pfizer jabs due to a very rare link between the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab and blood clots.

Mr Hancock said: 'Our vaccination programme is moving at such a phenomenal pace and I am delighted that less than six months after Margaret Keenan received the first authorised jab in the world, we are now able to open the offer to everyone in their thirties and over.

'The vaccine is our way out of this pandemic and recent data has shown the life-saving protection [that] a second dose of the jab can give, especially against the new variant.

'I urge everyone to come forward when you get the offer and play a part in getting us back to normality.'

EVEN MILD COVID CASES MAY PRODUCE LONG-LASTING ANTIBODIES People with mild cases of COVID-19 still have an antibody response nearly one year after clearing the infection, a new study suggests. Researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis said that reports early on in the pandemic claiming that coronavirus antibodies wane quickly were misleading. Their findings revealed that immune cells in bone marrow are still making antibodies even after levels in the blood decline. Results showed that patients had neutralizing antibodies seven to 11 months later - and the team suggests they may even have protection for life. 'Last fall, there were reports that antibodies wane quickly after infection..and mainstream media interpreted that to mean that immunity was not long-lived,' said senior author Dr Ali Ellebedy, an associate professor of pathology and immunology, medicine and molecular microbiology at Washington University, in a news release. 'But that's a misinterpretation of the data. It's normal for antibody levels to go down after acute infection, but they don't go down to zero; they plateau. 'Here, we found antibody-producing cells in people 11 months after first symptoms. These cells will live and produce antibodies for the rest of people's lives. That's strong evidence for long-lasting immunity.' Advertisement

Mr Zahawi yesterday told the Commons that he was 'cautiously optimistic that we are in a good place' to ease all restrictions on June 21.

MPs praised the Government for the 'scale and pace' of the coronavirus vaccination programme.

One Tory labelled it a 'marvellous achievement' and asked when guidance would be relaxed to allow choirs to finally practice indoors again, given the success of the inoculation drive.

Mr Zahawi said: 'The faster we can move the vaccination programme, the sooner we can end those restrictions.

'Therefore, my absolute focus  and my commitment to him  is that we continue at pace. We have a big week this week and a big week next week.'

GP and national medical director for primary care for the NHS in England, Dr Nikki Kanani, said: 'Getting the vaccine is the single most important step we can take to protect ourselves, our families and our communities against Covid-19 with the jabs saving thousands of lives already.

'The offer of a vaccine doesn't expire so, if you are eligible and haven't booked, please do come forward when you're invited to.'

NHS leaders in Scotland are encouraging people aged 30 and over to come forward for their jab and in Northern Ireland, those aged 25 and over are eligible for the vaccine. In Wales the invitation is now open to everyone over the age of 18.

Moderna has shown its jab can protect 12 to 17-year-olds against the virus, with side effects similar to those experienced by adults. The results, from a trial of more than 3,000 children, come as the US is already vaccinating 12 to 15-year-olds.

It follows similar trial results from Pfizer, which reported in March that its vaccine was 100 per cent effective.

In Bolton, teenagers have already been inoculated in a frantic effort to contain the Indian variant, and London mayor Sadiq Khan has called for 'flexibility' to give jabs to younger people in parts of the capital affected by the strain.

Public Health England analysis over the weekend found a single dose of AstraZeneca or Pfizer's jab was slightly weaker against the Indian variant compared to the Kent one, which triggered the country's devastating second wave.

Both jabs were only 33 per cent effective at blocking symptoms of the Indian strain three weeks after one dose, compared to 50 per cent against the Kent variant.

Officials said it highlighted the importance of getting both injections.

But the PHE data found two doses the vaccines were equally effective against both strains, which has bolstered hopes that hospitalisations and deaths will never reach the peaks of previous waves.
Chinese state media is turning on Dr Anthony Fauci after he said he was 'not convinced' Covid-19 started naturally.

The infectious disease expert added fuel to the fire amid increasing speculation that the virus was leaked from the Institute of Virology in Wuhan rather than the city's wet market.

On the weekend, the Wall Street Journal brought to light a State Department report claiming three lab researchers were hospitalised in November 2019, months before the outbreak was confirmed.

Now China has fought back through its media, accusing Dr Fauci and American elites of 'fanning a huge lie'.

The editor-in-chief of the state-run Global Times, Hu Xijin, wrote a fierce opinion piece titled: 'US elites degenerate further in morality, and Fauci is one of them.'

Chinese state media is turning on Dr Anthony Fauci after he said he was 'not convinced' Covid-19 started naturally

The editor-in-chief of the state-run Global Times, Hu Xijin, wrote a fierce opinion piece titled: 'US elites degenerate further in morality, and Fauci is one of them'

The article accuses Fauci and other health experts of peddling the 'old and groundless narrative' because of their 'anti-China stance'.

Xijin also said the Wall Street Journal's claims were 'a blatant lie, a conspiracy created by US intelligence agencies and the media outlet to slander China'.

His fiery attack ends: 'Their moral and professional standards do not match their reputation.'

Another article in the same newspaper said Fauci had 'betrayed Chinese scientists'.

The backlash was prompted when the chief medical adviser explained his uncertainty over the origins of the virus during a PolitiFact event on May 11 entitled: United Facts of America: A Festival of Fact-Checking.

'There's a lot of cloudiness around the origins of COVID-19 still, so I wanted to ask, are you still confident that it developed naturally?' PolitiFact managing editor Katie Sanders asked Fauci.

The infectious disease expert added fuel to the fire amid increasing speculation that the virus was leaked from the Institute of Virology in Wuhan

Fauci has since backtracked on his recent comments, saying he believes it is 'highly likely' the virus originated naturally before it spread from animals to humans

'No actually,' he replied. 'I am not convinced about that, I think we should continue to investigate what went on in China until we continue to find out to the best of our ability what happened.'

He later pulled back on his remarks, saying he believes it is 'highly likely' the virus originated naturally before it spread from animals to humans.

CBS News reporter Weijia Jiang said the medical adviser is still open to an investigation but does not believe COVID-19 was leaked from the laboratory.

She added: 'He does not know anything about the three researchers at the Wuhan lab who sought hospital care in November 2019 as reported by the WSJ.'

The lab leak theory, which Donald Trump's administration pushed during his presidency, was long ridiculed as 'disinformation' but is now gaining traction in the mainstream media.

COVID-19 spread quickly throughout the world, and now officials in the United States, Norway, Canada and Great Britain are calling for further investigation into its origins

In a statement on Tuesday, Trump said: 'Now everybody is agreeing that I was right when I very early on called Wuhan as the source of COVID-19, sometimes referred to as the China Virus.

'To me it was obvious from the beginning but I was badly criticized, as usual. Now they are all saying He was right. Thank you!' he added.

Circumstantial evidence has long raised questions about the Wuhan Institute of Virology, where researchers were known to be conducting experiments on bat coronavirus strains similar to the one responsible for COVID-19.

China insisted early and often that the virus did not leak from the lab, claiming that crossover must have occurred at a 'wet market' in Wuhan that sold live animals.

Trump's remarks joined a chorus of commentary remarking on the astonishing turnaround, with those who once insisted that the lab leak theory was false, dangerous, and even racist now admitting that it is a likely possibility.

Fox News host Tucker Carlson also slammed Fauci and the mainstream media for spreading 'lies' about the origins of COVID-19.

'Pretty much every sane person acknowledges at this point that the government of China likely caused the single worst man-made disaster in human history,' he said on Monday.

On Monday, government sources told Reuters that U.S. intelligence agencies are examining reports that researchers at the Wuhan laboratory were seriously ill in 2019 a month before the first cases of COVID-19 were reported.

The lab is one of only a handful in the world that is cleared to handle Class 4 pathogens  dangerous viruses that pose a high risk of person-to-person transmission

A still-classified U.S. intelligence report circulated during Trump's administration alleged that three Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) researchers became so ill in November 2019 that they sought hospital care, sources said.

It remained unclear what their symptoms were, one of the sources said. The virus was first reported in Wuhan in December 2019 and then spread worldwide.

In the final days of Trump's term in office, the State Department issued a public statement saying that several WIV employees became sick in autumn 2019 with symptoms that could be consistent with flu or COVID-19.

China's foreign ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian, said on Monday it was 'completely untrue' that three WIV staff members had fallen ill.
A drunk woman sexually assaulted a 15-year-old boy by grabbing a nipple and his genitals in a crowded train station, a court heard.

Charlene Pike, 37, is accused attacking the teenager after approaching him and his girlfriend at Cardiff Central railway station in September 2019.

The boy told a jury he was left terrified by the incident and has continued to suffer nightmares.

Charlene Pike, 37, pictured, is accused of sexually assaulting a 15 year old boy in Cardiff

The boy told Cardiff Crown Court that Pike, pictured outside court, that he was scared by the attack and still suffers nightmares due to his ordeal

Describing the incident, the boy told the jury: 'She came through the doors, came over to us, put her arms around me, and squeezed my nipple.

'She squeezed my nipple about three or four times. After she put her hand on my nipple and straight afterwards I felt her palm run down my right thigh and onto my penis and squeezed it very hard.

'She said I should go to a barbecue on the weekend because her boyfriend was boring.

'I said: "I don't know you" and she said: "It doesn't matter it's just a bit of fun".'

'She put her hand through my hair and said it was lush and put her hand through my hair four times.

'She said I might know her daughter and asked how old I was. I said I was 15 and she said she was 36.'

Giving evidence via videolink, the boy said he was 'very, very scared'.

He said: 'I felt frightened and to this day I still wake up in the night with nightmares and sweats.'

The boy has told the jury he was assaulted at Cardiff Central railway station, pictured

Prosecutor Nigel Fryer said it was 'unusual' for a woman to be charged with a sex assault on a male.

But he said: 'Sexual offending happens in all aspects of life - there's no stereotypical sexual offender.

'Ms Pike is female and the complainant is male and that is unusual because in society many people have a preconceived idea that sexual offending flows one way, male to female, but that's not how the law works.

'Sexual assault is not something dependent on gender.'

The boy called his father to tell him what had happened and was told to call the police.

Pike, of Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan, denies sexual assault in September 2019.

The trial at Cardiff Crown Court continues.
Dominic Cummings today claimed he did not 'hit the panic button' on the coronavirus pandemic earlier because the UK was 'wrongly reassured' by the World Health Organisation.

Boris Johnson's former top aide told MPs he should have sounded the alarm sooner at the start of 2020 but 'many institutions' including the WHO 'failed' on the early question of how serious the outbreak was.

Mr Cummings also revealed that Mr Johnson held meetings last year when it was discussed whether Covid-19 had 'escaped' from a laboratory in the Chinese city of Wuhan and looked at whether the disease had been 'engineered'.

It is hardly the first time the WHO has faced down criticism - including by Donald Trump back in May last year - that it was too slow to react to the Covid crisis and uncritically swallowed early reassurances given by Beijing.

Trump was also an early adopter of the lab-leak theory scorned by many until this week, when top US disease expert Anthony Fauci suggested that Covid may have been created in a lab.

Mr Cummings said those reports showed the potential engineering and escape of dangerous diseases from laboratories 'is a very important issue that needs to be addressed'.

Dominic Cummings today said he did not 'hit the panic button' on the coronavirus pandemic earlier because the UK was 'wrongly reassured' by the World Health Organisation

Mr Cummings revealed that Boris Johnson held meetings last year when it was discussed whether Covid-19 had 'escaped' from a laboratory in the Chinese city of Wuhan

Did Covid originate in Chinese lab? The Wuhan Institute of Virology has been collecting numerous coronaviruses from bats ever since the SARS outbreak in 2002. They have also published papers describing how these bat viruses have interacted with human cells. US Embassy staff visited the lab in 2018 and 'had grave safety concerns' over the protocols which were being observed at the facility. The lab is just eight miles from the Huanan wet market which is where the first cluster of infections erupted in Wuhan. The market is just a few hundred yards from another lab called the Wuhan Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (WHCDC). The WHCDC kept disease-ridden animals in its labs, including some 605 bats. Those who support the theory argue that Covid-19 could have leaked from either or both of these facilities and spread to the wet market. Most argue that this would have been a virus they were studying rather than one which was engineered. Last year a bombshell paper from the Beijing-sponsored South China University of Technology recounted how bats once attacked a researcher at the WHCDC and 'blood of bat was on his skin.' The report says: 'Genome sequences from patients were 96% or 89% identical to the Bat CoV ZC45 coronavirus originally found in Rhinolophus affinis (intermediate horseshoe bat).' It describes how the only native bats are found around 600 miles away from the Wuhan seafood market and that the probability of bats flying from Yunnan and Zhejiang provinces was minimal. In addition there is little to suggest the local populace eat the bats as evidenced by testimonies of 31 residents and 28 visitors. Instead the authors point to research being carried out within 300 yards at the WHCDC. One of the researchers at the WHCDC described quarantining himself for two weeks after a bat's blood got on his skin, according to the report. That same man also quarantined himself after a bat urinated on him. And he also mentions discovering a live tick from a bat - parasites known for their ability to pass infections through a host animal's blood. 'The WHCDC was also adjacent to the Union Hospital (Figure 1, bottom) where the first group of doctors were infected during this epidemic.' The report says. 'It is plausible that the virus leaked around and some of them contaminated the initial patients in this epidemic, though solid proofs are needed in future study.' Advertisement

Mr Cummings told a joint session of the health and science select committees into the Government's handling of the crisis that 'many institutions' failed early on in the pandemic.

He said: 'When it started, in January, I did think in part of my mind, "oh my goodness, is this it? Is this what people have been warning about all this time?"

'However, at the time the PHE (Public Health England) here and the WHO (World Health Organisation) and CDC, generally speaking, organisations across the western world were not ringing great alarm bells about it then.

'I think it is in retrospect completely obvious that many, many institutions failed on this early question.'

He added: 'Obviously in retrospect I should have been hitting the panic button far more than I was in February.

'I did increasingly hit the panic button as February went on but I, like most people, I think were wrongly reassured by things like the WHO and about what we were being told internally.'

Science Select Committee chairman Greg Clark challenged Mr Cummings on the claim as he said: 'The WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, so the WHO was not giving reassurance, quite the opposite.'

Mr Cummings replied: 'They did say that but after the 30th of January it was not at all seen in Whitehall that there is going to be a pandemic.'

Mr Cummings was grilled over why he made changes to one of his 2019 blog posts in April 2020 to include a reference to coronaviruses.

The original blog post looked at the issue of bio-labs conducting experiments and making errors which could cause a global pandemic.

Mr Cummings said he had updated the blog post to include a lengthier section from an article in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists because he believed the theory of a lab leak could become a 'massive issue'.

He said that at the time he was 'extremely confident' the theory would gain prominence because he believed Donald Trump was going to raise it during the US Presidential election.

But Mr Cummings said he was 'completely wrong' at the time as the theory was widely rejected.

However, a recent report by the Wall Street Journal, citing a previously undisclosed US intelligence report, claimed three researchers from the Wuhan lab sought hospital care in November 2019.

The newspaper said the report - which provides fresh details on the number of researchers affected, the timing of their illnesses, and their hospital visits - may add weight to calls for a broader probe of whether the Covid-19 virus could have escaped from the lab.

Mr Cummings told the committees: 'As you have seen in the news recently, there is now all sorts of things starting to come out from classified American sources suggesting that actually there were people ill with Covid in the Wuhan lab back in November.

'So, I was completely wrong about the timing of this but I do think it is a very important issue that needs to be addressed.'

Mr Cummings said the lab leak theory was being actively discussed in Government in April last year.

He said: 'Well, I went back and re-read [the article in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists] but also bear in mind at the time this was an actual live issue. It is not just a sort of historical thing.

'When I went back to Number 10 after the 12th, there were meetings in there then asking is this engineered, is it not engineered, has it escaped from the lab, has it not, what are the implications of all of this.

'So there were meetings with the Prime Minister, the national security team and what not about that question then.

'I obviously can't go into any of the details about that but it was a live issue.

'So I went back and re-read not just that piece but lots of pieces, pasting over text into a blog takes 90 seconds. It is not like this was something... it was literally something that takes a minute or so.'
Portland police declared a riot on the anniversary of George Floyd's death as the city descended into chaos with Black Lives Matter protesters attacking officers, smashing windows and setting fires.

Rioters hurled projectiles at officers, launched fireworks and set fire to dumpsters in the Oregon city which was rocked by weeks of protests throughout last summer.

Around 200 people, most of them dressed in black, gathered outside Portland's Multnomah County Justice Center as fires were lit, chanting: 'Burn it down.'

Some pelted frozen water bottles and eggs at police dressed in heavy riot gear before marching on City Hall where they smashed windows.

By the end of the night five people were arrested and booked into jail on various charges including criminal mischief, arson and riot.

A dumpster burns outside Portland's Multnomah County Justice Center after BLM rioters set it on fire last night

Rioters also targeted local businesses, smashing the windows of a Starbucks (pictured), a jewellers, a credit union and a steakhouse

Police declared an unlawful assembly at around 9.30pm last night as the protesters starting smashing windows and setting fires

An unlawful assembly had been declared at around 9.30pm as protesters targeted local businesses, smashing the windows of a Starbucks, a jewelers, a credit union and a steakhouse.

They tore down fences and threw spikes in the street which had to be cleared by the police so that firetrucks could access the area.

Some of the mob were wearing helmets and gas masks, suggesting they were prepared for violence.

As they progressed down Southwest 5th Avenue breaking windows and damaging property, the group began to disperse.

The number of people in crowd grew gradually smaller with infighting breaking out among the protesters and the lighting of an occasional trash can.

'People within the crowd were overheard saying the night was a success,' the police said.

The largest crowds in the riot ranged from about 150 to 200 people, authorities said

An office window broken at Portland City Hall. Authorities said attacks on the building were a major factor in declaring a riot

Five people were arrested in the riot on charges ranging from criminal mischief to arson

A separate peaceful demonstration had earlier taken place on the Burnside Bridge leading to southeast Portland's Revolution Hall.

By midnight the crowds had dispersed to around a few dozen, authorities said.

Tuesday was the anniversary of Floyd's death after white Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin knelt on the handcuffed black man's neck for nearly 10 minutes during an arrest on May 25, 2020. Video of the arrest sparked a global protest movement and Chauvin was found guilty of murder last month.

President Joe Biden hosted the Floyd family at the White House on Tuesday to discuss police reform.

Portland has a long history of protests, both peaceful and violent.

For roughly 100 days after Floyd's murder, thousands took part in sustained demonstrations in the city.

The protests took on a variety of forms, from peaceful to violent and destructive.

Early on the Portland Business Alliance said the riots in late May cost local businesses 'tens of millions' of dollars from property damage and lost wages.

In July the Department of Homeland Security deployed federal law enforcement to the city.

Protests ranged in size from a few hundred to up to 10,000, and continued near daily through September.

A firework explodes in downtown Portland as riots take place in the city following George Floyd's memorial earlier

The rioters smashed windows of City Hall and local businesses during their march
A teacher was suspended from her college job after she refused to have sex with her married boss, a misconduct panel has heard.

The teacher told how Stuart Ford, 51, showered her with gifts and money while trying to seduce her and even called her 'Little Miss Angelic' and 'Babe' after giving her a position at Coleg Gwent in Pontypool, South Wales.

The woman in her 20s - named only as Person A - told the disciplinary hearing that department head Mr Ford suspended her without reason after she rejected his advances.

During the misconduct hearing, the teacher, who appeared by videolink, said Mr Ford gave her money including a deposit for a holiday and paid for her to have a new tattoo.

He also took a bottle of Malibu to her home, would bring coffees into her classrooms and even offered to buy her a new mobile phone.

The teacher told a misconduct hearing how Stuart Ford (pictured), 51, showered her with gifts and money while trying to seduce her after giving her a position at the college

She said: 'I started to think that it wasn't a professional relationship and he was only interested in me because I was young and attractive.'

The woman told how Mr Ford would repeatedly call her 'Little Miss Angelic' and 'Babe' in text messages after he gave her a job at the college despite her lack of teaching qualifications.

The teacher said: 'I thought he had developed feelings for me.

'I felt I was employed because he wanted a relationship with me and one that was physical in nature.

'When I was not going to give that to him he was trying to get rid of me.'

The woman told the Educational Workforce Council hearing that Mr Ford then suspended her from her job at the college and said that a complaint had been made against her.

But she said Mr Ford gave her no details of the complaint and that no one gave her official notice of the suspension.

She continued: 'He did not want me at the college any more and I did not know how to deal with it.

'My suspension affected me a lot because I couldn't understand what I could have done wrong.'

The woman told how she suffered mental health problems following her suspension and that while later off sick Mr Ford made her redundant.

The woman in her 20s - named only as Person A - said Mr Ford even called her 'Little Miss Angelic' and 'Babe' after giving her a position at Coleg Gwent in Pontypool, South Wales (pictured)

Mr Ford had worked at Coleg Gwent for 20 years and was head of school for business and construction before an investigation into his behaviour began in 2018.

Presenting officer Lisa Jones said college bosses received an anonymous complaint that Mr Ford was absent during the school day and not doing his job.

She said: 'Three members of staff raised further concerns as to how the business department was being run.'

Ms Jones said Person A later contacted the college and requested to be interviewed as part of the investigation.

Mr Ford also faces a series of allegations of his running of the college's business school which if proved could see him struck from the teaching register.

He is not attending the online hearing and is not represented but the panel heard he denies unacceptable professional conduct.

The Educational Workforce Council hearing continues.
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Dominic Cummings today accused Boris Johnson's fiancee Carrie Symonds of 'unethical and clearly illegal behaviour' when trying to get Downing Street jobs for her friends - as he admitted her dislike of him was a factor in his firing.

The former No10 top aide referred to her only as 'the PM's girlfriend' as he accused her of distracting Mr Johnson and leading him into bad decisions during key moments in the pandemic.

As well as the lead up to his resignation late last year Mr Cummings also claimed she occupied the Prime Minister's attention at a crucial stage of the pandemic in March 2020 by 'going completely crackers' over a story in the press about their dog Dilyn.

He described the toxic atmosphere in Downing Street amid claims the pair were at war for months until Mr Cummings and several of his allies were forced out last November.

In his marathon evidence session in parliament today Mr Cummings was asked if he was forced out after a 'power struggle' in which his ally, Mr Johnson's director of communications Lee Cain, was blocked from replacing him as a top adviser.

'My resignation was definitely connected to the fact that the Prime Ministers girlfriend was trying to change a whole bunch of different appointments in No10 and appoint her friends to particular jobs,' he said.

'In particular she was trying to overturn the outcome of an official process about hiring a particular job in a way which was not only completely unethical but which was clearly illegal.

'I thought the whole process about how the PM was behaving at that point was appalling and all of that was definitely part of why I went.'

However he said that although Ms Symonds 'wanted rid of me' his relationship with Mr Johnson had already collapsed by that point.

Carrie Symonds holds the couple's dog Dilyn at an election count centre in Uxbridge, West London, on December 13, 2019

Carrie Symonds was so incensed by the story in the Times about Dilyn that she took to Twitter to claim it was 'total c**p'

In bombshell evidence to MPs today, the Prime Minister's former chief aide revealed that on March 12 last year, as Downing Street wrestled with the unfolding pandemic and a US demand to join their bombing campaign in the Iraq, Miss Symonds was furious over a Times story claiming the couple were going to get rid of the dog, calling it 'total c**p.'

Mr Cummings said: 'It sounds so surreal it couldn't possibly be true', explaining the PM's fiancee anger came on the day he told the PM that there were 'big problems coming' because of Covid and SAGE experts predicted up to 500,000 people might die from Covid-19.

He went on: 'That day, the Times had run a huge story about the Prime Minister and his girlfriend and their dog. The Prime Minister's girlfriend was going completely crackers about this story and demanding that the press office deal with that'.

The row was almost a fortnight before the first lockdown was finally introduced on March 23 and as Trump ordered airstrikes in Iraq on five weapons storage sites run by an Iranian-back militia, in retaliation for a rocket attack which killed two American and one British soldier near Baghdad.

Mr Cummings said: 'So we had this sort of completely insane situation in which part of the building was saying are we going to bomb Iraq? Part of the building was arguing about whether or not we're going to do quarantine or not do quarantine, the Prime Minister has his girlfriend going crackers about something completely trivial.'

Dilyn was said to have been at the centre of the increasingly bitter feud between allies of ousted adviser Cummings and the Prime Minister's wife-to-be. Mr Cummings was even accused of being behind leaking allegations that the dog cocked its leg over a No 10 aide's handbag and chewing on antique books and furniture at Chequers, allegedly inspiring Mr Johnson to call for someone to 'please shoot that f****** dog'.

Carrie's allies are said claimed that Mr Cummings 'took revenge' on Dilyn after the rescue dog humped his leg.

What was the Times story about Dilyn the dog that so incensed Carrie? The Times story about Dilyn the dog which so angered Carrie Symonds was a report in March 2020 claiming he could be quietly rehomed before the couple had their first child. The newspaper reported that the Jack Russell cross adopted by the couple had proved quite a 'sickly animal', with one Whitehall source saying: 'I'm not sure that dog is going to make it through the next reshuffle.' The couple were said to have been angry about the mess the dog created in their apartment above 11 Downing Street, with the source claiming: 'For a while there was dog s**t everywhere in the flat.' Dilyn moved from Friends of Animals Wales in Rhondda into Downing Street in September 2019 aged 15 weeks after puppy farmers abandoned him. But a Downing Street source told the newspaper at the time that Dilyn was in 'great shape', adding: 'It's completely untrue that there are plans for him to be rehomed.' And Miss Symonds dismissed the story hours later on Twitter, writing: 'What a load of total c**p! There has never been a happier, healthier and more loved dog than our Dilyn. 100 per cent BS. The people behind this story should be ashamed of themselves.' The story has since been removed from the Times website. Advertisement

Giving evidence to the Commons Health and Social Care and Science and Technology Committees he said that the PM had brought in Simon Case from Kensington Palace because his relationship with the Prime Minister was getting 'worse and worse'.

He added: 'In the summer I brought in Simon Case to be Permanent Secretary at Number 10 because I thought the Prime Minister is not listening to me on this whole subject [Covid], our relations are getting worse and worse, his girlfriend is desperate to get rid of me and all my team.

'If I bring in someone official to try to take over on Covid that will a, make things better, and b, maybe he will listen better to Simon Case than he will to me.'

Mr Cummings - who only referred to Miss Symonds as 'the Prime Minister's girlfriend' rather than by name - said he warned the PM that self-isolation measures had to be announced immediately, claiming that he told him: 'We've got big problems coming. The Cabinet Office is terrifyingly s**t. No plans, totally behind the pace, we must announce today, not next week. We must force the pace. We're looking at 100,000 to 500,000 deaths between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios.'

There were attacks on five targets in southern Iraq by US warplanes on the night of March 12 which were supported by the British military - so Mr Cummings is thought to have been referring to this.

Miss Symonds was so incensed by the story in the Times that she took to Twitter to claim it was 'total c**p'. The comments are the latest and most public stage of a major ongoing row between Mr Cummings and Miss Symonds, which is believed to have been the reason for his firing in late 2020.

She is believed to have been behind his defenestration last winter, which saw the former Vote Leave mastermind sensationally ditched. His allies were alleged to have referred to Miss Symonds, a former Conservative Party director of communications. as 'Princess Nut Nuts'.

The slur went viral last November as the extraordinary power struggle between the PM's fiancee and the Vote Leave cabal emerged in public.

But it was in fact said to have been circulating since the early days of Boris Johnson's premiership, with tensions evident from the outset.

Dominic Cummings 'took revenge on Dilyn the dog for humping his leg' Boris Johnson's dog Dilyn was the unwitting victim of an increasingly bitter feud between rival factions in his Downing Street 'court'  a canine caught in the crossfire between the allies of ousted adviser Dominic Cummings and the Prime Minister's girlfriend Carrie Symonds. With smears, claims and counter-claims once again engulfing Downing Street, Mr Cummings has been accused of being behind allegations that the dog cocked its leg over a No 10 aide's handbag, and chewed on antique furniture and books at the Prime Minister's countryside retreat  inspiring Mr Johnson to call for someone to 'please shoot that f****** dog'. Earlier this year it was claimed in The Mail on Sunday that Mr Cummings harbours a grudge against Dilyn because the dog once 'humped his leg' during a No 10 away day at Chequers. It was asserted he was using Dilyn to fight a proxy war against the PM's fiancee. Ms Symonds is said to have played a pivotal role in November's ousting of Mr Cummings and Lee Cain, the director of communications and a fellow member of the Vote Leave faction. Stuck in the middle of all the drama was said to be Dilyn. As the feuding has intensified, increasingly negative stories have appeared about the dog's behaviour. Reports yesterday suggested Mr Johnson had been left with a four-figure repair bill for the damage at Chequers. An insider said: 'I was at a meeting where Dilyn darted under the PM's feet with an old book in its mouth. The PM shouted, 'For God's sake, I'm going to get another 1,000 repair bill! Someone please shoot that f****** dog!' Luckily, Carrie wasn't around to hear him.' They added: 'I don't think he meant it literally.' It followed another story about 'Dilyn's Watergate', which saw him cock a leg over the handbag of aide Katy Lam  who then left No 10. It was reported that Ms Symonds was 'very angry' with the reaction from Miss Lam. One Tory source pointed the finger at Mr Cummings, and traced the animosity back to an away day at the Prime Minister's Buckinghamshire home. One said: 'Cummings was chatting away to his friends when Dilyn ran up to him and mounted him, leaving him absolutely furious. He was raging as he tried to get the dog off of him'. Advertisement

There had long been frustration over claims that Miss Symonds was running a shadow PR operation, while she is said to have been incensed at the aggressive behaviour of Mr Cummings and his cadre.

Miss Symonds, herself a former government special adviser and Conservative Party head of media, emerged triumphant last November in the struggle for control with Mr Cummings.

Other tags for Miss Symonds previously circulating among the Brexit clique include 'Cersei', a reference to the scheming Game of Thrones character.

A source told the Mail on Sunday that the nickname had been wrongly reported as 'Princess Nut Nuts'.

'It's Princess Nut Nut,' they said, before revealing that Miss Symonds' adversaries used the phrase so often during the general election that they started using an emoji of a princess followed by two peanuts instead of words in text messages.

Miss Symonds was reportedly labelled a 'princess' for what her foes claimed was regal behaviour while the 'nut' is believed to be a poor-taste joke about her being 'crazy'.

Mr Cummings said that in retrospect it was a 'huge failure' on his part not to 'hit the emergency panic button' earlier. He said it was' obvious' in retrospect that the UK should have locked down in the first week of March at the latest.

Giving evidence to the Commons Health and Social Care and Science and Technology Committees, he said: 'In retrospect it is clear that the official plan was wrong, it is clear that the whole advice was wrong, and I think it is clear that we obviously should have locked down essentially the first week of March at the latest.

'We certainly should have been doing all of these things weeks before we did, I think it's unarguable that that is the case.'

He added: 'There's no doubt in retrospect that yes, it was a huge failure of mine and I bitterly regret that I didn't hit the emergency panic button earlier then I did. In retrospect there's no doubt I was wrong not to.

'All I can say is my worry was, my mental state at the time was, on the one hand you can know from the last week of February that a whole many things were wrong.

'But I was incredibly frightened, I guess is the word, about the consequences of me kind of pulling a massive emergency string and saying the official plan is wrong and it's going to kill everyone and you have got to change path because what if I'm wrong? What if I persuade him to change tack and that's a disaster?'

Mr Cummings also told MPs that people died unnecessarily because of Government failings during the pandemic.

He said he was sorry that ministers, officials and advisers had fallen 'disastrously short' of the standards the public should expect in a crisis.

Carrie Symonds posted this picture to announce her engagement to the Prime Minister in February 2020

Mr Cummings carried his belongings out of No10's famous front door in a cardboard box in November. Today he claimed Carrie was 'desperate' to get rid of him and his team

Ms Symonds' adversaries are said to have used the 'Princess Nut Nut' name so much that they started using an emoji of a princess followed by two peanuts instead of words in text messages

US launched air strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq after attack killed British army medic and two Americans on coalition base Lance Corporal Brodie Gillon was killed in a missile attack on Camp Taji in Iraq in 2020 The US launched air strikes in Iraq on March 12 last year after a 'hugely popular' British army medic was killed in a missile attack on a coalition military base, along with two American servicemen. Lance Corporal Brodie Gillon, 26, who served as a Reserve with the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry, died after a dozen missiles were fired at Camp Taji, north of Baghdad, the day before. The US air strikes - which were supported by the British military - targeted the Iranian-backed Shia militia members who were thought to have been behind the deadly rocket attack, according to a US official. Two US servicemen were also killed in the attack, and another 14 military personnel were injured, according to the US Defence Department which described the action as defensive precision strikes on five weapon storage facilities. Advertisement

The former adviser, who left Downing Street last year after a behind-the-scenes power struggle, told the MPs: 'The truth is that senior ministers, senior officials, senior advisers like me fell disastrously short of the standards that the public has a right to expect of its Government in a crisis like this.

'When the public needed us most the Government failed. I would like to say to all the families of those who died unnecessarily how sorry I am for the mistakes that were made and for my own mistakes at that.'

Mr Cummings said he regrets that he 'did not follow up' and 'push' on pandemic preparations at the end of January 2020, adding that it was not until the end of February that it was realised the plans were 'hollow'.

The Government was not operating on a 'war footing' in February 2020 as the global crisis mounted and 'lots of key people were literally skiing in the middle of February', he said.

Mr Cummings admitted not attending early Cobra meetings - claiming information leaked too frequently from them and he would rather discuss issues in conversations with chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.

The former No 10 insider also suggested Mr Johnson did not chair early meetings of Cobra because he did not consider the virus to be serious.

He said the Prime Minister thought the issue was like 'swine flu' and did not need to cause concern.

And he suggested that Mr Johnson had considered being injected with coronavirus by chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty to prove it was not that serious.

'The view of various officials inside No 10 was - if we have the Prime Minister chairing Cobra meetings and he just tells everyone 'it's swine flu, don't worry about it, I'm going to get Chris Whitty to inject me live on TV with coronavirus so everyone realises it's nothing to be frightened of' - that would not help actually serious planning,' he said.

Ahead of his appearance before MPs, Mr Cummings tweeted a picture of a whiteboard on which the Government's 'plan B' for the first wave of the virus was sketched out.

Mr Cummings had said the Government's original plan was for limited intervention with the hope of achieving herd immunity but that was abandoned when it became clear the scale of the death toll that would result.

Mr Johnson runs through a park in London with Dilyn the dog yesterday

Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds in London on March 9, 2020, three days before the day Mr Cummings was referring to

In February this year, the Daily Mail reported how Katie Lam, who worked for Mr Cummings, put down her bag and other belongings  only to see Dilyn cock his leg over them.

Miss Lam pushed away the dog to protect her possessions, sources claimed, before Miss Symonds arrived at the scene shortly afterwards. According to some sources, Miss Symonds remonstrated with Miss Lam.

However, this was disputed by others. Some friends of Miss Symonds are said to have criticised the way Miss Lam responded. Friends of Miss Lam, though, said she acted 'perfectly reasonably'.

Miss Lam left Boris Johnson's inner circle in February, but there was no suggestion that her departure was linked to the incident with Dilyn in the garden  or any criticism of Miss Symonds.
The sister of a six-year-old boy shot dead in a suspected road-rage attack said 'it's crazy' how caring strangers have been towards the family, at a vigil on Tuesday night.

Alexis Cloonan said 'I've been reading all the comments people have been leaving, and it's crazy to me that strangers can be so caring... My mom reads all of the comments too - it makes her smile.'

Aiden Leos, from Southern California, was killed while on the way to school with his mother on the 55 Freeway in Orange on Friday.

Grandmother Carla Lacy said the Aiden's mother Joanna Cloonan, who did not attend the vigil, was 'so in shock' over the fatal shooting and that she could not 'believe the outpouring of love' following her son's death.

She added the family recognized 'the the nation and the world is praying for her.'

Lacy added a reward 'for the arrest and conviction of the man and woman that took Aiden's life' had been raised to $200,000 in a statement on Tuesday night.

The family had offered a $50,000 reward on Monday. It was tripled to $150,000 following two $50,000 discretionary fund donations from Supervisors Don Wagner and Katrina Foley on Tuesday afternoon.

It soared to $200,000 after an anonymous donor added $50,000 to the pot after the vigil held on a freeway overpass in Orange, near the site of the shooting.

The sister of a six-year-old boy shot dead in a suspected road-rage attack said 'it's crazy' how caring strangers have been towards the family, at a vigil on Tuesday night

Uncle John Cloonan comforts Alexis after she told mourners she was 'just thankful' her brother got 'to have a family as beautiful as he is' in the heartfelt tribute

Aiden Leos (center) was was killed while on the way to school with his mother on the 55 Freeway in Orange on Friday

The family of Aiden Leos, 6, who was shot dead on the 55 Freeway in Orange paid tribute to the boy at an emotional tribute on Tuesday night (pictured left to right Cheerie Cloonan, uncle John Cloonan, Carole Ybanez, sister Alexis Cloonan, and grandmother Carly Lacy)

Relatives and well-wishers filled the overpass with flowers, balloons, and stuffed animals at the emotional vigil on Tuesday night

Relatives and well-wishers filled the overpass with flowers, balloons, and stuffed animals at the emotional vigil on Tuesday night.

Messages written on the freeway overpass called for 'Justice for Aiden' and said 'You are missed Lil one'.

Explaining his decision to use discretionary funds for the reward, Supervisor Wagner said: 'It happened in my district, but it doesn't really matter where it happened. This is a young child,

'There's nothing we can do to undo it. Maybe this is a little something we can do to help at least bring this person to justice and closure for this family.'

He also appealed for help catching the shooter, saying: 'If you know something, if you know somebody who knows something, if you were in the area and have a dash cam and if you've got a store that looks out over the freeway, you may not have caught the actual incident, but you may very well have seen the vehicle fleeing or you've got a partial license plate or a partial description'.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer repeated the call, appealing for dashcam footage from anyone driving on the freeway at 8am on Friday.

Supervisor Foley told locals 'we really just need your help', as she announced she added $50,000 of discretionary funds to the reward.

'If you know anything, if you know this individual and they have shared information with you, please be a good citizen, report the information, do the right thing', she said.

The family added to appeals for information. Aiden's uncle John Cloonan said an arrest would 'mean closure for my sister's heart because it's bleeding right now'.

Alexis said the family were hopeful the growing reward would encourage witnesses to come forward information which might lead to an arrest.

She said: 'There's so many people on the freeway. There's tons of witnesses,

'I think after this being all over nationwide, someone is going to speak up, especially with the reward now. So I'm hopeful. We're all hopeful.'

Family member Carole Ybanez said the appeal was 'an outcry for humanity and human kindness.'

She added: 'We've had generous donations, and companies and people across the country that have been extremely generous.'

Aiden Leos (pictured), from Southern California, was fatally shot on the 55 Freeway in Orange, California, by a driver reportedly driving a white Volkswagen station wagon on Friday

On Saturday evening, Aiden's mother, father and sister said they wanted to express their appreciation for the 'loving support' in a post on the GoFundMe page

Aiden was in the rear of the family car being driven to school by his mother when another motorist cut her off while traveling in the car pool lane on State Route 55.

Aiden's mother Joanna Cloonan was said to have given the other driver the finger in her rear view mirror, according to Reyes Valdivia, who along with his wife pulled over to help.

As she moved over to to her right, a gunman, possibly sitting in the passenger seat of the suspect's car, suddenly fired into Aiden's vehicle, striking the boy in the back.

After pulling over to the side of the road, Aiden's mother picked him up and cradled him in her arms until an off-duty police office stopped to perform CPR and paramedics arrived on the scene.

'She had blood on her clothes and he started turning blue and that's when the ambulance took him and that was the last time my mom saw him alive,' said Alexis Cloonan, the boy's sister, during a tearful family press conference on Friday.

Aiden was shot while in the back of his mother's car being driven to school when another motorist cut her off while traveling in the car pool lane on State Route 55 on Friday

Aiden's distraught family are begging for justice with Aiden's older sister, Alexis Cloonan, pictured center, describing him and someone who was full of 'love, joy and laughter'

'Please help us find the people that did this to my little brother. He's only six and he was so sweet. He was a very loving boy so please help us find who did this to him,' Alexis pleaded through tears.

'[My mom] had to hold her little boy as he died so she is very distraught right now,' Alexis explained.

'He was a rare toddler. I just loved having him in my life,' she said as she paid tribute to the kindergartener who would often come to her room to tell her that he loved her.

Investigators believe a man and a woman were inside the Volkswagen at the time of the shooting.

Aiden's mother struggled to hold back tears as she described his horrific final moments while she was driving her son to school on Friday.

She told Good Morning America: 'I was driving on the freeway, and there was a car behind me that cut me off abruptly.

'I was in the carpool lane with my son, and as I started to merge away from them, I heard a really loud noise, and my son said, 'ow', and I had to pull over, and he got shot.'

A family is asking for the publics help in identifying the suspects who shot and killed 6-year-old Aiden. The little boy was with his mother, driving to school on the 55 freeway in Orange, when they were shot at during an apparent road rage incident. https://t.co/Sr1hYV5n88 pic.twitter.com/fVvfNkfZl6  FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) May 22, 2021

'Please help us find the people that did this to my little brother. he's only six and he was so sweet. He was a very loving boy so please help us find who did this to him,' Alexis pleaded through tears

Cloonan pulled over to try to save her son, but to no avail. His final words were 'Mommy, my tummy hurts.'

She continued: 'I pulled over and I took him out of the car, and I - I tried to put my hand on his wounds while calling 911 because he was losing a lot of blood.'

Addressing her son's killers, Cloonan said: 'They took my son's life away. He was beautiful, and he was kind, and she was precious, and you killed him for no reason. And I want to find them, and I want there to be justice to be served for my son.'

Cloonan, who was uninjured in the shooting, added: 'I hope that people see this [interview] and understand that this is not OK, whatever and whoever these people are and for whatever reason, this is not OK.

'It should never happen again. So whatever help this does, that's my intention for my son.

'He sang all the time, and the children at the preschool, everybody loved him. He's a once in a lifetime kid. I miss him, and the person that did this can't get away with it.'

Police are continuing to hunt for Aiden's killer, and have yet to make any arrests.

The California Highway Patrol asked for assistance from any drivers who were on that section of freeway between 7:55 a.m. and 8:15 a.m., especially if their vehicles have dashboard cameras.

Aiden's mother quickly pulled over to the shoulder of State Route 55 following the shooting

A single bullet hole can be clearly seen following the shooting on Friday morning

A single bullet hole can be clearly seen following the shooting on Friday morning

Police investigators walk along the closed northbound lanes of the 55 freeway south of Chapman Avenue looking for evidence following a shooting on Friday

Police officers conducted a search along the freeway on Friday following the shooting

The California Highway Patrol closed the northbound lanes of the 55 freeway as police investigators walk the freeway looking for evidence following the shooting

The horrific incident happened around 8:10am during the school run. Aiden was being taken to his kindergarten class at Calvary Chapel Yorba Linda.

Authorities are looking for a man and a woman. The male passenger is believed to have fired the fatal shot while his female accomplice was driving the vehicle, believed to be a newer model white Volkswagen wagon sedan.

'You can tell it was a cowardly way of doing it because they shot her in the back pretty much,' said the boy's uncle John Cloonan.

'You have no idea what you took from us today. You took her son away, her boy. This boy was full of love and joy and laughter,' he continued.

'I hope someone knows something and that whoever did this, I hope you can see what you've done to this family. Not that it matters much now because my nephew is dead. We're never going to be full again.'

'She [Aiden's mother] was merging to the right side to get away from this person, and as you can see if you go online and look at the photos, there's one bullet shot in the trunk that went through the trunk and right through my nephew,' Cloonan explained.

Yellow crime scene tape stretches across the northbound lanes of the 55 freeway

A 6-year-old boy seated in the backseat of his mother's car on a Southern California freeway was shot to death by another motorist on Friday

Traffic traveling northbound on the 55 freeway was diverted to the westbound 22 freeway as police investigators walked the freeway looking for evidence following the shooting

A six-year-old boy was shot and killed in what California police are calling an isolated road-rage incident that occurred on State Route 55 Friday morning

The child's mother was driving this silver Chevy sedan when she flipped off another motorist for cutting her off, as she later told Good Samaritans who stopped to help

Late Friday night, police had not released the names of any wanted suspects.

'It was an isolated road rage incident between the mom and another driver from a white sedan,' California Highway Patrol Officer Florentino Olivera told KTLA-TV at the scene.

Olivera said the deadly gunshot came from a white sedan and struck the rear of a silver Chevrolet Sonic that was traveling ahead of it.

'Unfortunately, the child that was seated in the right rear seat was struck,' he said.

Aiden was pronounced dead at Children's Hospital Orange County.

'If your vehicle has a dashcam, we're asking you, please call our CHP office in Santa Ana, provide that video,' Olivera said.

'If you were driving by, you saw something that was not right, call it in - even if it wasn't something major - call our office. We want to hear from witnesses.'

Reyes and Joanna Valdivia told Orange County Register they were taking their children to school when they saw the visibly distressed driver of the Chevrolet pull her wounded son from the backseat and collapse to the ground.

Police are pictured on the scene of the road-rage shooting, in which a bullet when through the back of the Chevy and struck the six-year-old who was in his booster seat

The freeway was shut down for hours as about a dozen investigators slowly walked the lanes looking for evidence

When the couple pulled over to offer help, Reyes said the mother, whom he described as 'hysterical,' told them she had showed the middle finger to the driver of the white sedan who cut her off in the carpool lane.

The mother told the Good Samaritans that when she veered to the right, the white sedan followed her and a gunshot went off.

The freeway was shut down for hours as about a dozen investigators slowly walked the lanes looking for evidence.

CBS Los Angeles reported that there have been nearly a dozen pellet and BB gun shootings on freeways across Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties over the past three weeks, but Olivera said Friday's road-rage killing was unrelated to those earlier incidents.

On a GoFundMe page set up to provide support for Aiden's family, grandmother Lacy announced a reward for information to help find the shooter on Monday.

The reward will come from the money raised on the fundraising page, the latest update on the page by Carla, from Huntington Beach, California, confirmed after donations raced past the original $100,000 target.

The appeal, which will also help Aiden's family with his burial costs, has already raised a staggering $233,000 in just a matter of days.

On a GoFundMe page (above) set up to provide support for Aiden's family, Carla Lacy, who is said to be Aiden's step-grandmother, announced a reward for information to find the shooter

It read: 'Due to the outpouring love and support we have reached our goal.

'However we would like to continue to raise money that will go towards a reward in hopes of finding the individuals that took Aiden's life.'

On Saturday evening, Aiden's mother, father and sister said they wanted to express their appreciation for the 'loving support' in a post on the GoFundMe page.

'While their lives are shattered in a million pieces they are strengthened knowing the world is wrapping their arms around them! THANK YOU!'

A second fundraising page had also been set up by a friend of Aiden's father Jose Leos (right) which revealed the heartbreaking moment he was told of his son's death

A second fundraising page had also been set up by a friend of Aiden's father which revealed the heartbreaking moment he was told of his son's death.

'Aiden Leos also had a loving father whom was very much in his life,' wrote Lily Dinh on the other GoFundMe page.

Aiden's father 'is now trying to figure out what is left for him when he worked long days and even took on extra work to help provide for his son,' she wrote.

'To get a phone call while at work from the CHP, to his heart racing only to think something happened to his son and then finally rushing to the hospital but it was too late.

'No last goodbye and no more smiles, hugs, or I love you's. This is something a parent should never have to go through. He is so heart broken that even a picture or the thought of his lil boy makes him break down.'

More than $21,000 had been raised on the second GoFundMe page by Wednesday morning.

Tips may be provided by calling the CHP's Santa Ana office at (714) 567-6000.
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Dominic Cummings today laid out a damning timeline of the battle to convince the Government to lock down in March 2020 and take Covid seriously in his blockbuster testimony to MPs that has seen him savage the UK response.

The No10 adviser-turned-loose cannon today presented a sketch of the 'Plan B' he and other Government aides hashed together when they realised Boris Johnson's original 'mitigation' Covid policy was going to kill hundreds of thousands of people.

It asks the chilling question 'who do we not save?' and was drawn up on the same day one of the UK's most senior civil servants, Helen MacNamara, marched into the PM's office and warned 'there is no plan... we're absolutely f****d.'

A furious Mr Cummings today slammed the Health Secretary Matt Hancock as incompetent and said everyone in Government made terrible mistakes during the pandemic, bearing some responsibility himself and admitting he was 'incredibly frightened' of being the one who forced the PM's arm into into a lockdown in March.

He lifted the lid on how Downing Street refused to take the crisis seriously until spring, claiming senior figures were still holidaying in February, and laid out a timetable of his alleged battle to get a lockdown imposed in Britain to prevent catastrophe.

Here is Cummings's chaotic version of events:

Mr Cummings tweeted a picture of the whiteboard before his explosive grilling from MPs over how Downing St handled the pandemic. He captioned the image: 'First sketch of Plan B, PM study, Fri 13/3 eve - shown PM Sat 14/4: NB. Plan A "our plan" breaks NHS,>4k p/day dead min.Plan B: lockdown, suppress, crash programs (tests/treatments/vaccines etc), escape 1st AND 2nd wave (squiggly line instead of 1 or 2 peaks)... details later'

Lack of pandemic plans exposed in February  Cummings scrambled to get expert advice

What Cummings said: Cummings said he had urged the Government to look into pandemic preparedness plans at the start of the year after not having any confidence in them after talking to Matt Hancock.

It emerged at the end of February that 'claims about brilliant preparations and how everything was in order were basically completely hollow,' he said.

By the beginning of March Cummings was personally convinced and afraid that the situation was out of control and 'was increasingly being told by people this is going wrong'.

He spent much of the first two weeks of the month, however, 'having meeting after meeting with people trying to figure out where we were' instead of 'pressing the panic button' and forcing the PM to act.

What was happening in the UK: On January 31, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak  by that time confined mostly to China with cases among travellers in other countries  was a 'public health emergency of international concern'.

The first cases of coronavirus in the UK were recorded on the same day and, that weekend, the Government started an advertising campaign to encourage people to use tissues and wash their hands more often.

There had been a total of 23 confirmed cases in the UK by the end of February. The first death was recorded on March 6.

Mr Cummings posted another excerpt from a report suggesting that imposing a tough lockdown could merely have caused a second peak at a more dangerous time for the NHS

Dominic Cummings posted a chart claiming that COBR documents had the 'optimal single peak strategy' showing 260,000 dead because the system was 'so confused in the chaos'

Cummings foresaw spiralling outbreak in March but was 'frightened' to force Johnson to act

What Cummings said: In early March Cummings said he was personally convinced and afraid that the situation was out of control and 'was increasingly being told by people this is going wrong'.

He admitted to being 'incredibly frightened' of taking an executive decision to tell the Prime Minister the plan needed to change because he claimed many others were not taking the threat as seriously as he was.

At this point, SAGE recommended shielding elderly and vulnerable people, but not more drastic action.

Boris Johnson held a TV press conference on March 3 and encouraged people to wash their hands more often. There had been 51 confirmed Covid cases by that date

What was happening in the UK: Prime Minister Boris Johnson held his first TV press conference  unprecedented for many people in the UK  on March 3, three days before the first Covid death on March 6.

He admitted: 'It is highly likely we will see a growing number of UK cases' and said that keeping the country safe was the Government's 'overriding priority'.

The PM said people should wash their hands with soap as often as possible for the length of time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice.

Despite there having been confirmed cases in the country for more than a month, no stricter measures were in place. By March 3 there had been 51 confirmed cases. This doubled to 114 within two days and was at 373 a week later.

March 11: Cummings takes the plunge and piles pressure on Johnson for a lockdown

What Cummings said: It wasn't until March 11 that Cummings finally took the plunge and worked to convince the Prime Minister to put the country in a lockdown.

He warned that the 'mitigation' policy being pursued by No10 would kill thousands and likely hundreds of thousands  this policy had been announced publicly just two days earlier.

In today's meeting he revealed that, at this point, he was planning to threaten to resign if Mr Johnson didn't do something more drastic, and said he would have quit the job and held a press conference to reveal that the official plan could kill hundreds of thousands of people.

Over the following week Cummings rammed home the message that things needed to change in No10.

What was happening in the UK: By March 11 there had been 456 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and seven people had died. There was still a lack of public testing and the death toll three weeks later  2,450 by the end of March  suggests hundreds of thousands of cases had gone undetected.

Boris Johnson had held a Downing Street press conference on March 9 and again encouraged people to wash their hands more often but failed to introduce any tougher measures to control the disease.

He publicly announced his plan to 'Contain, Delay, Research and Mitigate' the virus  which modelling later suggested could have killed over 250,000 people in a massive first wave. The PM added: 'There is no hiding from the fact that the coronavirus outbreak will present significant challenges for the UK.'

The Cheltenham Festival horse racing event went ahead on March 10 despite concerns that the virus could spread there, and Liverpool FC played a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on March 11.

Liverpool FC played a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid to a packed stadium at Anfield on March 11. By this time there had already been 456 coronavirus cases in the UK and seven people had died. It later turned out those figures were just the tip of the iceberg

March 12: 'Surreal day' forcing PM's attention to Covid as it emerges there are 'no plans'

What Cummings said: He described March 12 as a 'completely surreal day' and said he sent a message to the PM saying: 'We've got big problems coming. The Cabinet Office is terrifyingly s***. No plans, totally behind the pace, we must announce today, not next week. We must force the pace. We're looking at 100,000 to 500,000 deaths between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios.'

Mr Johnson was reportedly distracted that day because he was being pushed and pulled over Covid, Donald Trump wanted him to join a bombing campaign in the Middle East, and his fiancee, Carrie Symonds, was angry about a story in the media about the couple's dog, Dilyn.

What was happening in the UK: Prime Minister Boris Johnson held another TV press conference and finally introduced a self-isolation rule for anyone testing positive for coronavirus, but not their households. Schools remained open and ministers only committed to 'considering the question of banning major public events'. Mr Johnson advised over-70s not to go on cruise ships and said schools shouldn't go on international trips.

He admitted: 'Weve all got to be clear, that this is the worst public health crisis for a generation' and warned the number of people infected was far higher than data were showing.

On that day 134 new coronavirus cases were recorded  more than double the 52 two days earlier  and there had been a total of 590 confirmed infections in less than two weeks, even without publicly available testing. Nine people had died to this date. The number of infections is since known to have been significantly higher and 2,450 people had already died by the end of March.

The Cheltenham Festival was ongoing.

This MailOnline graphic from March 12 shows how the virus had already spread to every region of England

March 13: Cummings realises threat to NHS and civil servant warns: 'We're f****d'

What Cummings said: Whiteboard 'Plan B' was drawn up on March 13 by Cummings and No10 colleagues and shows they realised hospitals wouldn't be able to cope with the surge in people infected with Covid. The penny dropped that lockdown would be necessary to control the outbreak and they wrote the chilling question: 'Who do we not save?'

This shows how Cummings and other Downing Street insiders already knew the outbreak was out of control and that deaths and hospital admissions would inevitably soar in the coming weeks and months.

The former adviser repeatedly claimed during his evidence session that the Government had no plans in place for how to deal with a disease outbreak and had to make most of its response up on the hoof.

Lockdown was an alien concept at the start of the outbreak and ministers did not want to consider it because they didn't believe people would follow the rules or accept the levels of control.

There are scraps of what lockdown could mean on the whiteboard from mid-March, with suggestions of 'everyone stays home, pubs etc close'; 'except certain infrastructure people'; 'who looks after the people who can't survive alone?'. It adds choice between for 'less contact', 'no contact' and 'contact illegal'.

That evening, he said, the second most senior civil servant at the Cabinet Office, Helen MacNamara, walked into Mr Johnson's office and allegedly said: 'I think we are absolutely f*****', and warned that 'thousands' of people could die.

Ms MacNamara had, Cummings said, been told by the director general at the Cabinet Office: 'I have been told for years that there is a plan for this, there is no plan, we are in huge trouble'.

There was no plan for what to do with all the bodies of people who would die if there was a massive spike in fatalities, he said.

It was on the night of Friday 13 that officials began to agree the UK was heading for 'the biggest disaster since 1940' when the country entered the Second World War.

What was happening in the UK: By March 13 coronavirus cases were clearly surging out of control. There were 207 new cases confirmed, quadrupling from 52 just three days earlier, and there were a total of 797 to date.

The Cheltenham Festival horse racing event went ahead on March 10, 2020, despite concerns that the virus could spread there. Pictured: A race on March 13, by which time Boris Johnson had already admitted: 'There is no hiding from the fact that the coronavirus outbreak will present significant challenges for the UK'

March 14: Realisation dawned on need for lockdown but it needed planning on the hoof

What Cummings said: Cummings showed the March 13 whiteboard to the Prime Minister the following day, on March 14, he said, and suggested to Mr Johnson that at a minimum social contact would have to be limited and pubs closed, for example.

He said it had become clear by this point that a lockdown was necessary because the virus was already out of control but that there was no plan or blueprint they could use and it had not been seriously considered until shortly before.

What was happening in the UK: The UK had recorded a total of 1,061 cases, with 264 on March 14, and 28 people had died. Both numbers appeared to be growing exponentially.

Critics were growing angry about the lack of proper restrictions and calling for a lockdown at the same time that Dominic Cummings claims he was trying to hammer home the message in Downing Street.

One frustrated scientist warned on March 12: 'Now is the time for the UK government to ban large gatherings, ask people to stop non-essential travel, recommend employers shift to home working and ramp up the response.'

March 16: Still no proper data or concrete plans, but Boris calls for country to stay home

What Cummings said: Cummings and other officials were ramping up the pressure after realising the UK was headed for disaster, but there was still no reliable data to work out how bad the situation already was.

He said the Government's only source of reliable data was Sir Simon Stevens, the chief of NHS England, giving intensive care updates. ICU data is known to come around three weeks later than changes in infection rates and people generally don't start getting admitted until there are thousands of cases per day.

Cummings said he was working out epidemic growth and possible numbers of cases and deaths using the calculator on his phone and writing on a whiteboard.

Cummings finds out that the Cabinet Office is not responsible for controlling or scrutinising pandemic response plans, after believing it was for over six weeks, he said.

What was happening in the UK: The Prime Minister held another press conference  they were now daily  and made his first substantial step towards locking down the country, urging people to stop 'non-essential contact' with others and to 'stop all unnecessary travel'. He also added a 14-day self-isolation period for people living with someone with the virus.

He added: 'We need people to start working from home where they possibly can. And you should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues.'

Venues and offices remained open, however, and large gatherings could still go ahead just without the usual support from the emergency services. The next day Mr Johnson held another briefing with the caution: 'I stress that although the measures announced are already extreme, we may well have to go further and faster in the coming days to protect lives and the NHS.'

There had been 1,543 coronavirus cases and 64 deaths across the UK.

On March 16 Boris Johnson advised people to stop going to the pub but did not go as far as to make them close or impose and limits on capacity. Pictured: Punters in a bar in Manchester on March 20

March 19: Still no shielding plan and Government didn't want a helpline for vulnerable

What Cummings said: Cummings said the Government still did not have a proper plan by March 19 for the shielding programme, even though SAGE had recommended that elderly and vulnerable people should protect themselves at home.

He said: 'The shielding plan was literally hacked together in two all-nighters after the 19th, I think, Thursday the 19th.'

Whitehall had said they didn't want to have a phone helpline for people on the shielding list because the Government didn't have the capacity to cope with it. There were more than three million people on the list at its peak at the end of the 2021 lockdown.

Mr Cummings said: 'Not only was there not a plan, lots of people in the Cabinet Office said we shouldn't have a plan, we shouldn't put out a helpline for people to call because it will all just be swamped and we don't have a system.'

What was happening in the UK: By March 19, 3,269 people had tested positive for coronavirus in the UK and 159 had died.

Boris Johnson held another press conference  he didn't announce any new rules but reiterated the importance of those laid out the previous day. He made the poorly aged claim: 'I do think, looking at it all, that we can turn the tide within the next 12 weeks.'

And added that people should be strict about avoiding unnecessary contact; avoiding large gatherings, pubs, bars and restaurants; working from home; and washing hands.

The next day the Prime Minister would plunge the country into a total lockdown, urging people to 'stay at home' except for food shopping, after researchers said any alternative could lead to hundreds of thousands of deaths.
The best friend and family of murder victim Sydney Sutherland say her alleged rapist and killer should get the death penalty.

Quake Lewellyn, 28, was taken into custody over the rape and murder of 25-year-old Sydney Sutherland after her body was found dumped in Newport in rural Arkansas late September last year.

Now her best friend says Lewellyn should face the death penalty when he goes to trial later this year and that they are still 'living a nightmare' months after her murder.

Lewellyn told police he plowed down Sutherland with his truck while she was running on Jackson County Road 41 South on August 19, 2020, according to court documents obtained by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in October.

He admitted to loading Sutherland's body onto his truck and driving her to a deserted field, police said. They said Lewellyn then raped Sutherland and buried her body.

Quake Lewellyn, 28, (pictured above) was taken into custody over the rape and murder of 25-year-old Sydney Sutherland after her body was found dumped in Newport in rural Arkansas late September last year

Sydney Sutherland, pictured above, was murdered and her body found dumped in Newport in rural Arkansas late September last year

Murdered jogger Sydney Sutherland's mother says the 'evil killer' should get death penalty Sydney

The suspect has since pleaded not guilty to capital murder, kidnapping, rape and abuse of a corpse.

Prosecutor Ryan Cooper has said he is 'absolutely' pursuing the death penalty.

Quake's defense lawyers Bill James and Jeff Rosenzweig have filed 48 motions in Jackson County Circuit Court against capital punishment.

'The prosecutor seems to be pushing for it, and I hope it sticks,' Sydney's best friend Liz told The Sun.

'It's a slow process with a lot of motions having been filed so I'm sure it will be prolonged.'

The suspect has since pleaded not guilty to capital murder, kidnapping, rape and abuse of a corpse

The suspect has since pleaded not guilty to capital murder, kidnapping, rape and abuse of a corpse

She continued: 'I'm ready for it to be over so we don't have to see his nasty face in the news media.

'Everyone is still in shock and very heartbroken, we are all living a nightmare.'

Defense lawyer Bill James argued in court papers: 'What happened was a horrible accident and nothing about it was intentional.'

Jury selections for the case are scheduled to begin September 28.

Maggy Sutherland, the jogger's 55-year-old mother, previously told The Sun: 'Everyone is still in shock, it just does not seem real. It's like we are living a nightmare, not just the family but also the community.'

She added: 'As a family, we are living day to day and trying to get through this tragedy. We are grieving the best way we know how. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't think of her and miss her pretty smile.'

'To me, he deserves the death penalty, he is a monster, an evil monster. She did not deserve any of that,' she said

Nicknamed 'Sassy,' Maggy described her daughter as being a very 'beautiful, caring and loving person.' She added that the pair were 'best friends.'

Maggy feels Lewellyn is deserving of the death penalty and hopes he gets that sentence during his trial next year.

'I don't know what he got out of that because he took a beautiful life, a young woman who had a bright future,' the heartbroken mother said. 'He was very cruel to do what he did and the way that he did it.

'To me, he deserves the death penalty, he is a monster, an evil monster. She did not deserve any of that.'

Maggy shared that she frequents the various areas where her daughter was last seen and where Sydney's body was found, just days after she was reported missing.

She said: 'I still go to where it was at, I've walked it, I've done every step she's taken, to try and see what happened. He will never tell the truth.'

Sydney's mom, a receptionist at a local dental office, shared that the family had just returned from a trip to Destin, Florida, when she disappeared.

'We'd had a great trip, and she loved the beach. Everything was just right that day,' Maggy said. 'She came over, we talked a little bit.'

Lewellyn was arrested August 21 and is being held without bond at the Randolph County jail. He is facing charges of capital murder, rape, kidnapping and abuse of a corpse

This still shared from Ring footage of a family member is believed to be the last picture of Sutherland and was taken just 90 minutes before she went on a run near her home the day she was murdered

'She said, 'I'm going to go home, I'm going to bake some brownies or cookies.'

'She was leaving and I said, 'I love you, I'll talk to you later'. She said, 'I love you, too'. And that was the last I heard from her.'

At around 5pm, Maggy realized her daughter was missing when she received a call from her boyfriend. She called other family members and soon they were looking all around the Newport area for Sydney.

'I just threw my hands up like, 'We've been everywhere down that road she ran and there was no sign, nothing'. I said, 'Something's wrong'. And that's when the tragedy began.

'I panicked, I just thought... has someone gone through here, drug-related, and snatched her up?'

Maggy contacted the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and had AT&T track Sydney's phone and Apple Watch as more gathered at the couple's home.

She was reported missing after failing to return to the home she shared with her boyfriend of four years, Alex Nicholson (above together)

'She did not do this run [as a] routine,' Maggy shared. 'She was a nurse. She had different shifts all the time. It was never every day and at no certain time.

'We searched all night long, by the next day we had several different departments, state police, FBI, and I would say nearly 300 people volunteering.

'We did not get sleep for days, we did not get sleep until they found her.'

Sydney's parents and two brothers were notified of Sydney's death on the Friday after her body was discovered.

'We were very traumatized by this, she was the light of our lives,' Maggy said.

'But we stuck together as a very close family, and we stayed together in the days afterwards.'

Following reports of her disappearance, Lewellyn joined a Facebook page dedicated to searching for Sutherland.

Police found her body two days later following a wide scale search operation using K-9 units and helicopter crews.

Sutherland, who worked as a nurse, was last seen alive out jogging on August 19, 2020

They had previously located her iPhone about a quarter-mile from her home.

Authorities identified Lewellyn as a suspect after using data from his own cellphone that put him in the vicinity of where Sutherland's phone was found.

Lewellyn and Sutherland were known to each other but the nature of their relationship remains unclear.

He was arrested August 21, 2020 and is being held without bond at the Randolph County jail.

Lewellyn is facing charges of capital murder, rape, kidnapping and abuse of a corpse.

During his initial court appearance late last year, Lewellyn wore a bullet-proof vest and an orange prison jumpsuit as he arrived at the courthouse.
UN chief calls for solidarity with Africa in fight against COVID-19

Xinhua) 10:04, May 26, 2021

A woman receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Kampala, Uganda, May 21, 2021. (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua)

"On this Africa Day, I renew my call to developed nations to stand in solidarity with Africa," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

UNITED NATIONS, May 25 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called on developed countries to show solidarity with Africa in the fight against COVID-19.

"To end the pandemic, support economic recovery and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we need to ensure equitable and universal access to COVID-19 vaccines," he said in a message for Africa Day, which falls on May 25.

Currently, there is a profound imbalance in vaccine distribution among countries. The latest figures show that to date, African countries have received just 2 percent of vaccines, he noted. "On this Africa Day, I renew my call to developed nations to stand in solidarity with Africa."

COVID-19 has triggered a global recession that has exposed deep-seated inequalities and vulnerabilities. It is endangering hard-won development gains throughout Africa and beyond, he said.

The pandemic has also heightened the drivers of conflict by increasing inequalities and revealing the fragility of governance in many nations, particularly in the delivery of basic services such as health care, education, electricity, water and sanitation. The impact of the pandemic has also been exacerbated by the climate crisis, which disproportionately affects developing nations, said Guterres.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
AstraZeneca today told the EU it was 'not delivering shoes or T-shirts' after they were accused of 'not even trying' to fulfil contracts for Covid vaccines.

Brussels is suing the Anglo-Swedish firm over the shortfall after it bitterly blamed Britain, who it claimed had been given its doses, and leaders like Emmanuel Macron claimed the vaccine was only 'quasi-effective.'

The EU wants AstraZeneca to be fined after the drug-maker said it would deliver only 100 million doses by the end of June - instead of the 300 million foreseen in the supply contract.

But the Bloc's glacial vaccine programme was largely crippled by its own red tape, while countries like Britain and the US granted swift approval to the jabs, it wavered over safety fears.

AstraZeneca's lawyer Hakim Boularbah stressed the complexities involved in manufacturing the jab at the court in Brussels today, saying: 'This is not a contract for the delivery of shoes or T-shirts.'

The company has repeatedly said the contract was not binding as it only committed to make 'best reasonable efforts' in delivering doses. AstraZeneca's lawyer also told the judge the vaccine was sold at cost.

The EU's lawyer Rafael Jafferali retorted: 'AstraZeneca did not even try to respect the contract.'

The row has eroded public confidence in the jab and some countries have stopped offering it, while some EU leaders previously sparked fears for AstraZeneca's safety by deeming it 'quasi-effective', claims which were proven to be scaremongering.

In court on Wednesday, AstraZeneca's lawyer Hakim Boularbah (pictured) said they are not delivering 'shoes or T-shirts' after the EU accused the firm of not respecting their contract

European Union lawyer Rafael Jafferali (pictured) on Wednesday asked for penalties of millions of euros per day to be imposed on AstraZeneca for allegedly failing to respect its contract

But the EU has insisted its issues with the company are about deliveries only, not the safety or quality of the jab, which has been approved by the EU's drug regulator.

Earlier today, a lawyer for the EU asked for penalties of millions of euros per day to be imposed on AstraZeneca after accusing them of not respecting its contract.

The EU's legal team demanded an upfront fine of 10million euros ($12 million) plus '10 euros per dose and per day of delay' for each dose as compensation. If the judge accepted it, the penalty would apply from July 1 this year.

'AstraZeneca did not even try to respect the contract,' the EU's lawyer, Rafael Jafferali, told a Brussels court on Wednesday.

Jafferali said the drugmaker had not delivered to the bloc the 50million doses produced in factories that are listed in the contract as suppliers to the EU - including 39 million doses manufactured in Britain, 10million produced in the United States and one million in the Netherlands.

The lawyer said these doses were 'diverted' to other clients.

Another lawyer for the EU, Charles-Edouard Lambert, claimed that AstraZeneca decided to reserve production at its Oxford site for Britain.

'This is utterly serious. AstraZeneca did not use all the means at its disposal. There is a double standard in the way it treats the U.K. and member states,' he said.

AstraZeneca has said doses produced in Britain were reserved under a contract the British government signed with the University of Oxford, which developed the vaccine.

The EU took AstraZeneca to court in April in a bid to force the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker to deliver 90million more doses of its Covid vaccine by July (file photo)

Jafferali claimed AstraZeneca had pledged in the EU contract not to have other engagements that would prevent it from abiding by the terms of the deal.

The lawyer also said AstraZeneca had failed to communicate to the EU in a timely manner the magnitude of its supply problems because it repeatedly sent messages, including publicly, that it was able to meet its targets, before finally admitting there were large shortfalls in March.

The company had warned the EU in December of production problems, but communicated only at the end of January, just before the start of deliveries, a much larger cut than initially expected for the first-quarter.

A verdict is expected next month.

The row has eroded public confidence in the AstraZeneca jab, which is suffering from a negative perception in some countries because of worries over links to very rare fatal blood clots that can prove fatal.

Whether the damage done by raising fears over blood clots will be repaired remains to be seen. Denmark stopped using AstraZeneca as early as April, followed later by Norway and Austria, while other countries restricted its use to older adults.

The EU launched a vaccine war in January when it was notified by AstraZeneca to expect a shortfall in doses as Brexit-Britain raced ahead with inoculations.

Leaders like Emmanuel Macron lashed out at the UK, saying that the jab developed by Oxford University was only 'quasi-effective' - a claim later shown to be baseless scaremongering by the EU's own medicines regulator.

The bloc meanwhile lurched to a policy of embargoing exports, condemned as 'stupid' even by Jean Claude Juncker, to force AstraZeneca into delivering supplies.

As Britain raced ahead with rolling out the Covid doses, AstraZeneca supplied 30million does to the Bloc by the end of the first quarter, instead of the 100million it had pledged to deliver in its contract.

The EU blamed the manufacturer, but the reason why Britain and the United States have had such successful vaccine roll-outs compared to the EU is because they were able to secure the doses by cutting red tape.

Brussels, on the other hand, signed contracts with AstraZeneca much later due to its vast bureaucratic red tape.

They were also more reliant on receiving doses from Pfizer and Moderna, which were hit with early production woes.

The commission, which has procured vaccines on behalf of the whole of the EU, initially intended the AstraZeneca jab as the main workhorse in the bloc's inoculation drive.

It has now switched to the more expensive Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine as its mainstay.

Another EU lawyer, Charles-Edouard Lambert (pictured centre with Jafferali and Fanny Laune), claimed that AstraZeneca decided to reserve production at its Oxford site for Britain

By the end of the first quarter, AstraZeneca (pictured: lawyers (pictured Clemence Van Muylder, Hakim Boularbah and Stephanie De Smedt) supplied 30million doses to the Bloc

About 300million doses of vaccine have been delivered in Europe - a region with around 450million inhabitants, with about 245 million already administered.

Around 46 per cent of the EU population have had at least one dose.

In January, the European Medicines Regulator (EMA) approved the AstraZeneca jab for all age groups, but a number of EU countries, including France and Germany, refused to recommend it to people over 65.

At the beginning of March, France and Germany were forced into humiliating U-turns and approved the jab for 65 to 74-year-olds.

But just weeks later, they were among 13 countries which suspended use of the vaccine after sporadic reports of blood clots.

Now, a number of other countries have restricted the AstraZeneca's jab to older adults, as in France, for instance, it is reserved for those aged 55 and over.

On April 7, the regulator conceded there was a 'possible link' between AstraZeneca and blood clots, but said neither age group nor gender were a defining risk factor.

Most countries then restarted use of the vaccines after the EMA came out and said that the incidence of blood clots was actually lower among those who had received a jab than it was in the general population.

This week, MailOnline revealed a growing number of people are suffering from blood clotting disorders after their second dose of AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine.

The UK's medical regulator found 15 cases in people recently given a top-up dose by May 12, the most recent count, up from six at the start of the month.

So far, 9million Britons have been given two doses of AstraZeneca's jab, meaning the extremely rare clots are occurring in around one in 600,000 people.

Scientists told MailOnline this week that it was 'disappointing' the extremely rare complication was becoming more frequent in double-jabbed patients.

The clots  which can occur in the brain  are happening alongside abnormally low platelet levels, known as thrombocytopenia.

But the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said symptoms were 'milder' and less frequent than after the first dose.

The EU launched a vaccine war in January when it was notified by AstraZeneca to expect a shortfall in doses as Brexit-Britain raced ahead with inoculations (file photo)

As of May 12, the MHRA had spotted 294 cases of the clots in Britons given an initial injection, affecting about one in 80,000.

The conditions were found to be occurring more frequently in young people, which has led to the British jab being restricted for use in under-40s.

Doctors are also being told to look out for signs of the most common type of stroke following the Oxford coronavirus vaccine, after three British patients were admitted to hospital and one died.

Two women in their 30s and a man in his 40s suffered ischaemic strokes after having the vaccine.

Previous reports of rare blood clots from the jab have specifically involved cerebral venous thrombosis  a rare form of stroke caused by the blockage of specific veins.

But this is the first time AstraZeneca's vaccine has been linked to ischaemic strokes  the most common type and occurs when clots form in major arteries, blocking the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain.

Specialists from the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery at University College London (UCL) said vaccine-linked incidences were incredibly rare and far more likely to happen in people who catch Covid.

Nevertheless, they urged doctors to be on the lookout for classic stroke symptoms  such as face, arm or leg weakness, or impaired speech  in anyone who had the jab between four and 28 days later.
A man is accused of the stabbing murder of a cabinet maker over an unpaid renovation bill and accusations of shoddy work.

Samir Mayhouh allegedly stabbed 61-year-old Bunyamin Oksuz in the chest when the cabinet maker arrived at his customer's home in Melbourne's north to recoup the $8400.

'Why don't you want to pay?,' Mr Oksuz said, prosecutor Melissa Mahady told Victoria's Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Samir Mayhoub (pictured) and Mr Oksuz allegedly had a fight over an unpaid renovation bill

'Do you want to kill me?'

The cabinet maker of 30 years had badgered Mayhoub for months after receiving partial payment for the kitchen and laundry work, Ms Mahady said.

Mr Oksuz brought a friend to Mayhoub's home in May 2019 and a fight broke out in front of the accused killer's horrified family.

It's not disputed Mayhoub thought the work was shoddy and grabbed a knife.

This was solely to protect himself and his family, his barrister Ruth Shann said.

Mr Oksuz's wife (centre) leaving court in 2019 following the news that Mr Mayhoub was granted bail

The altercation was captured on Mayhoub's home CCTV before Mr Oksuz collapsed and died on the street.

'I don't know how the knife got there. I wasn't trying to murder him or anything, it just happened,' the court was told Mayhoub said to police.

'I only protect my family, that's all.'

The 56-year-old's trial for murder, and an alternative charge of manslaughter, is due to continue on Thursday.
Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko has threatened to flood Europe with migrants and drugs in response to western sanctions over the Ryanair flight hijacking.

The strongman leader told parliament that he plans to weaken border controls designed to catch drug and people smugglers after EU leaders cut off air travel with his country and threatened further sanctions.

'We were stopping migrants and drugs - now you will [have to] catch them and eat them yourself,' he said.

It comes after world leaders including Joe Biden, Boris Johnson, Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron lined up to condemn Lukashenko for diverting a Ryanair flight to Minsk on Sunday so he could arrest a dissident journalist and his girlfriend - calling it an 'outrageous' act and promising 'consequences'.

EU leaders subsequently advised all airlines to avoid Belarus airspace while moving to ban flights from the country entering the bloc, potentially costing the regime tens of millions in lost revenue per year.

'Targeted' sanctions against members of Lukashenko's government are also being prepared, the EU said, in addition to long-standing sanctions on the regime.

The UN security council is also due to meet in a closed-door session today to discuss the issue further.

But Lukashenko appeared unbothered as he gave a fiery address to parliament today - insisting that he acted 'in line with the law' when he diverted the flight as it crossed his airspace.

Alexander Lukashenko has threatened to weaken border controls in an attempt to flood Europe with migrants and drugs in response to EU sanctions

Around 1,500 migrants enter Europe each year through its eastern borders, according to Frontex, which says it is the least-busy route to the continent. Only a small number of those come via Belarus, the organisation says, though it is not clear how many are stopped from crossing

EU sanctioned Lukashenko after dissident journalist Roman Protasevich (left) and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega (right) were arrested in Belarus on Sunday after their plane was diverted

Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko has threatened to flood Europe with migrants and drugs in response to western sanctions over the Ryanair flight hijacking. Pictured: Migrants make their way through countryside after crossing the Croatia-Hungary border at the height of Europe's refugee crisis in 2015

Airlines boycott Belarus airspace, potentially costing regime millions EU leaders called for Belarusian airlines to be banned from European airspace and urged EU-based carriers to avoid flying over the country. While the move is partly political, it could also cost the regime millions in lost air traffic control fees. Here are the airlines that have so-far banned or restricted their pilots from flying in Belarus airspace: AIR ARABIA AIRBALTIC AIR FRANCE KLM FINNAIR LOT LUFTHANSA RYANAIR SAS SINGAPORE AIRLINES SIA Advertisement

According to Lukashenko, the diversion had nothing to do with Roman or Sofia and actually took place after a bomb threat was issued out of Switzerland. The Swiss deny ever sending a bomb warning.

Officials had earlier said the threat originated from Hamas.

'How were we supposed to act,' Lukashenko asked. 'My post requires me to protect people. I was thinking about the safety of the country.

'I could not allow the plane to fall on our people's heads. I acted in line with the law, protecting my people. And I will continue to do so.'

He went on to claim that he was particularly concerned about a nuclear plant along the plane's flight path, worrying that wreckage could hit it and spark a 'second Chernobyl'.

He said: 'Was Chernobyl not enough? If there was a bomb on board the plane and terrorists wanted to blow it up, we couldnt really have helped. But I couldnt let the plane fall on our peoples heads.'

Russia, a key ally of Belarus, said it had 'no reason to mistrust' Lukashenko's claim regarding the forced landing.

Around 1,500 migrants enter Europe each year through its eastern borders, according to monitoring group Frontex, which says it is the least-busy route to the continent.

Only a small number of those come via Belarus, the organisation says, though it is not clear how many are stopped from crossing.

During his speech, Lukashenko also claimed that Mr Protasevich was plotting a 'bloody rebellion' against him as part of a 'hybrid war' being waged against Belarus because it has close ties to Russia.

'Our ill-wishers from outside and inside the country have changed the methods of attacking the state,' he told lawmakers. 'They have crossed red lines, crossed the boundaries of common sense and human morality.

'This is no longer an information war, this is a hybrid modern war. Everything must be done, so that it does not grow into a hot one.

'They are looking for new vulnerabilities, and this is directed not only at us: we are a testing ground for them, an experimental site before the dive to the East.

'After testing with us, they will go there.'

Lukashenko claimed it was his 'sovereign right' to arrest Roman and Sofia.

'Let his many Western defenders now answer the question: what secret services did this man work for? Not only him but also his accomplice.'

But while western leaders are attempting to isolate and pressurize Lukashenko with sanctions, analysts said the short-term impact will be limited.

Alexander Lukashenko, the strongman leader of Belarus, has accused jailed journalist Roman Protasevich of plotting 'bloody rebellion' against his regime - suggesting it is part of a western plot to 'strangle' Russia and its allies

Anne Applebaum, an author and historian, said Lukashenko likely 'made a decision' ahead of the hijacking that sacrificing his ties to the west was worth it because he can simply rely on Russia instead.

Belarus - a former Soviet state - already benefits heavily from its ties to Moscow in the form of cut-price oil it sells at a profit, along with other financial concessions.

'[Lukashenko] doesn't mind being cut off from the rest of the world and he doesn't mind being totally reliant on Russia,' she said.

'[Russia] will now be his only ally, the only country that will buy goods from Belarus, the only country that will trade with him.

'He has decided that remaining in power, the fate of his regime and probably his personal safety matters to him more than the rest of the country.'

But she added that sanctions are still an important tool that could pressure elites within Belarus to rebel and oust Lukashenko.

'I think that's what the Belarus opposition wants to have happen,' she said.

Mr Protasevich made Belarus's most-wanted list after becoming involved in huge anti-Lukashenko protests which took off after he declared victory in presidential elections last year which are widely believed to have been rigged.

The 26-year-old journalist was working for a news channel on messaging app Telegram called Nexta, which became a place for activists to organise.

From his base in Poland, Mr Protasevich angered the regime by posting dozens of videos of the demonstrations, which were the largest in Belarus since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Lukashenko said during his speech that Nexta is now not only reporting solely on Balarus but also 'working full out against Russia, thus showing the true goal of western strategists'.

'Their goal is to dissolve the Belarusian people and move on to smothering their arch-enemy: the Russian.'

Europe's last dictator: Lukashenko has ruled Belarus with an iron fist since 1994 Born in 1954 in the village of Kopys, in what was then the USSR, Alexander Lukashenko was the son of an unknown father - thought by some to by a Roma gypsy - and a labourer mother, Ekaterina Lukashenko. He studied in Belarus and graduated from the Mogilyov Teaching Institute in 1975, then went on to study at the Belarusian Agricultural Academy in the 1980s. He did a brief stint in the Belarusian border guards and also served in the Soviet Army, becoming involved in politics as a teacher within the military, and as the leader of a Leninist organisation in the city of Mogilev. After leaving the military he joined the ranks of the Communist Party and was appointed leader of a state farm, before being elected to the Supreme Council of Belarus in 1990. Lukashenko made his name as an anti-corruption campaigner and emerged as a strong political ally of Moscow, and was the only deputy to oppose the December 1991 agreement that led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In 1994 he appealed to Russia to form a new union of Slavic states, shortly before his election as President of Belarus - promising stronger ties between the two nations. Two years later, he persuaded voters to approve a new constitution allowing him to extend his term in office, rule by degree, and to appoint a majority of parliament. Lukashenko used those powers to extend his term in 1999, and won an election in 2001 and another in 2006 - amid allegations of vote-rigging that resulted EU leaders banning him from their countries. Election victories - accompanied by more allegations of fixing - followed again in 2010 and 2015. Lukashenko's popularity declined rapidly between 2015 and 2020, spurred on by his increasingly erratic behaviour coupled with mismanagement of the Covid crisis - during which he claimed vodka and saunas could prevent the disease. Amid a wave of dissent, another election was held in 2020 which returned an official victory for Lukashenko with 80 per cent of the vote - though few believe this to be accurate. His main opponent - Sergei Tikhanovsky - was arrested in the run-up to the ballot, leaving wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to run in his stead. She subsequently fled the country to Lithuania after being targeted by police. Anger at the result sparked the largest wave of protests in Belarus since its Soviet days, with mass demonstrations, strikes and calls for a change of leadership. Lukashenko responded by sending riot police on to the streets to round up dissenters, with an estimated 25,000 arrested by November. Eight have so-far died amid the crackdown - the most-recent of whom was political prisoner Vitold Ashurok. Lukashenko has also cracked down on journalists, raiding the offices of the country's largest newspaper Tut.by last week along with the home of its editor on charges of 'tax evasion'. On Sunday he staged his most-daring move yet, by diverting a Ryanair jet carrying dissident reporter Roman Protasevich to Lithuania before arresting him. Mr Protasevich's allies, including Ms Tsikhanouskaya, say they now fear for his life. Advertisement

Mr Protasevich's work at Nexta saw him declared an extremist and put on a terror watchlist. He is now being held in Minsk on charges of being a protest organiser - though Lukashenko's regime refers to the demonstrations as 'riots.'

It is unclear what charges girlfriend Sofia is being held on, as she has no known links to Mr Protasevich's political activities. Late Tuesday, the regime released a video of her from inside detention in which she 'confessed' to running her own Telegram channel which published personal details of Belarus police officers.

Just a day earlier, Mr Protasevich had appeared in a similar video in which he 'admitted' to organising protests.

Families and supporters of the pair say the videos were produced under duress, and that the pair are likely being tortured. Mr Protasevich's father Dzmitry said his son's nose appears broken, and it also looks like he is wearing makeup to hide facial injuries.

While Ms Sapega does not appear wounded in her footage, mother Anna Dudich said she seems 'afraid' and is not speaking in a normal manner.

'She sways, eyes in the sky - as if afraid of forgetting something,' she told the BBC, calling the video a 'setup'.

Meanwhile father Andrey Sapega, a former Russian marine, appealed directly to Vladimir Putin in a video posted online to help rescue his daughter.

'I want to appeal for help to President Vladimir Putin, and the Russian Foreign Ministry,' he says in the footage, while speaking in English.

'My daughter Sofia is a hostage in this situation.

'I strongly believe that only the united position of the international community can help, and above all I am hoping for the principled position of the Kremlin and the Russian Foreign Ministry.'

So far the Russian authorities had been 'evasive', he claims, adding: 'I want to say just a few words addressing the government of my country.

'I am a 53-year-old father of four. Sofia is my eldest daughter, my first kid, my sweet kid.

'I've always been a law-abiding citizen, I paid my taxes and this is how I raised all my children.

'I have defended the interests of my country when I served as a marine in Africa, the Indian Ocean and SouthEast Asia.

'And now when my family faces such a threat I expect the same from my country.

'I want to ask my president, in Russian and English, to please help our family. Our family is under threat. Will [you] help us, please.'

He made his appeal as it emerged that Sofia's lawyer Alexander Filanovich was unable to see her following the release of a video-taped 'confession'.

Sofia is a student at a private university in Vilnius where she is studying International law.

Her parents say she has no interest in politics and got caught up with this after an on-off relationship with Mr Protasevich.

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov has since hit back at suggestions the Russian government was not assisting Sofia.

'Beyond any doubt, all consular and legal assistance will be provided to this Russian citizen,' he said.

'Our Foreign Ministry has already said that.

'The Belarusian side has said that she faces charges over participation in illegal rallies.

'Besides, we have seen her confession.

'But, in any case, she has the right to a legal defence, and of course, all necessary assistance will be extended to provide her with a legal defence.'

Lukashenko has faced unprecedented pressure at home with months of protests triggered by his reelection to a sixth term in an August 2020 vote that the opposition rejected as rigged.

But he has only doubled down on repression, and more than 35,000 people have been arrested since the protests began, with thousands beaten.

Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has condemned the 'hijacking' and on Wednesday said the opposition is preparing to stage a 'new phase' of active protests.

The opposition, led by Tsikhanouskaya said in a statement: 'The Lukashenko regime is on the verge of a complete isolation as never before in a statement issued after a meeting in Vilnius.

'We shouldnt wait any longer: terrorism has to be stopped once and for all. Were getting ready for a new active phase of protests.'

Following his arrest, Protasevich's mother has been begging the international community to save her son. Natalia Protasevich said the country's authorities are 'going to kill him' unless world leaders help get him released.

She and her husband Dzmitry Protasevich said they saw clear signs of their son having been beaten in the first footage of him since he was detained.

Joe Biden has led criticism of Lukashenko, calling the arrests 'outrageous' and vowing to uphold 'international norms'

Emmanuel Macron (left) said banning aircraft from Belarus airspace will have a 'biting' effect on the regime, while Angela Merkel (right) has rubbished Lukashenko's bomb threat excuse as 'completely implausible'

ROMAN PROTASEVICH: OPPOSITION BLOGGER FORCED INTO EXILE NEXTA, Protasevich's outlet, was closely involved in reporting a wave of opposition protests that last year threatened to topple Lukashenko, before he was given backing by Vladimir Putin Protasevich, 26, has long been a thorn in the side of Belarus's hardline dictator Alexander Lukashenko. He worked as an editor at the Poland-based Nexta Live channel, which is based on the Telegram messenger app and has over 1 million subscribers. The channel, which is openly hostile to Lukashenko, played an important role in broadcasting huge opposition protests against the President last year. Nexta also helped coordinate those same protests, which were sparked by anger over what the opposition said was a rigged presidential election. The channel's footage, which showed how harshly police cracked down on demonstrators, was used widely by international media at a time when the Belarusian authorities were reluctant to allow foreign media in. In November Protasevich published a copy of an official Belarusian list of terrorists on which his name figured. The listing said he was accused of organising mass riots while working at Nexta. He also stands accused of disrupting social order and of inciting social hatred. He regards the allegations, which could see him jailed for years, as unjustified political repression. Protasevich fled Belarus for Poland in 2019 due to pressure from the authorities, according to Media Solidarity, a group that supports Belarusian journalists. He moved his parents to Poland too after they were put under surveillance. He later relocated to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, where opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is also based. Protasevich is currently editor-in-chief of a Belarusian political outlet hosted on the Telegram messaging app called 'Belarus of the Brain' which has around a quarter of a million subscribers. He was flying back to Vilnius from Greece where he had spent time taking photographs of a visit there by Tsikhanouskaya. He had posted the pictures to social media before flying back. Advertisement

Mr Protasevich, 48, said his son had been 'forced' to film the video confession which was released on state TV late Monday and appeared to have a broken nose and missing teeth.

'I'm asking, I'm begging, I'm calling on the whole international community to save him,' Mrs Protasevich said, breaking down in tears. She said she has not slept for two nights and grips her phone tightly, hoping for any news of her son.

'He's only one journalist, he's only one child but please, please. I'm begging for help,' she said. 'Please save him. They're going to kill him in there.'

Protasevich's parents said they think he might be in a detention centre run by the secret service, still known as the KGB. But they do not know for sure and the uncertainty is torturing them.

'The lawyer tried to see him today but she was turned down, she could not see him. We still don't know if he is in there, what his condition is, how he is feeling,' said Mr Protasevich, , a former soldier.

'One of the ways our authorities torture is by not telling relatives where their loved ones are being held until the last minute,' he said.

Mr Protasevich said his son looked extremely nervous in the video footage which emerged on Monday and appeared to have bruises on the left side of his face and on his neck.

'The video was clearly staged. It was done under pressure and it should not be believed,' he said. But, he added, 'at least it shows he is alive.

'It is very likely that his nose is broken, because the shape of it is changed and there's much powder on the front of it, all of the left side of his face has powder, there's some greasy stuff on the left side.

'I think he was forced. It's not his words, it's not his intonation of speech, he is acting very reserved and you can see he is nervous,' he said.

Holidaying with his girlfriend in Greece, Mr Protasevich said Roman 'could not have predicted such an outcome'.

'He was on a plane registered in an EU country... and flying from an EU country to an EU country,' he said, with mother Natalia adding that he is still in shock that Belarusian authorities would deploy a fighter jet to force the plane to land.

'They sent a fighter jet to get this young man. It's an act of terrorism, I don't think you can call it anything else. He's been taken hostage. This is an act of pure revenge,' she said.

The hijacking unfolded around 9.45am GMT on Sunday as Ryanair flight FR4978 was flying through Belarus airspace on its way from Athens to Vilnius, when a Belarus MiG-29 fighter jet intercepted it.

Belarus authorities claimed they had received a bomb threat from Hamas - the group which operates in Gaza - threatening to blow up the plane in the skies above Vilnius, and informed the pilot of the threat.

According to officials in Belarus, the pilot then made the decision to divert to Minsk rather than continue to Vilnius or divert to another airport.

But observers say this makes no sense, as Vilnius was by far the closest airport - theorising that the fighter jet may have threatened to shoot down the passenger plane. Belarus denies this.

Hamas has denied there was any bomb threat, and has no known ability to operate outside of Gaza and Israel. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has also poured scorn on the idea, calling it 'completely implausible'.

Around half an hour later, the flight landed in Minsk where the passengers were taken off and had their baggage searched.

Dominic Raab, the UK's foreign secretary, said on Monday the forced landing could not have taken place without the approval of the Kremlin.

Witnesses say Mr Protasevich told them he was going to be arrested and faced 'the death penalty' before he was taken to a waiting SUV and sped away. Miss Sapega was also arrested.

Flight logs show three other passengers also disembarked in Minsk, amid claims these were Belarusian KGB agents sent to oversee the operation.

Initially it was thought that the agents could have been from the namesake Russian KGB, but Moscow has denied any involvement. The Kremlin says it is seeking consular access to Miss Sapega, who is a Russian citizen.

The trio who departed in Minsk have since appeared on Belarus state TV where they were presented as two Belarus nationals - Sergey Kulakov and Alexandra Stabredova - and a Greek man, Zisis Yason.

Opposition journalist Roman Protasevich's girlfriend Sofia Sapega who was also detained

Belarusian dog handler checks luggage from the Ryanair flight in Minsk International Airport on May 23

Ryanair flight FR4978 had been flying from Athens in Greece to Vilnius in Lithuania when it was escorted by a Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jet to Belarus amid fake reports of an IED on board. It was forced to make an emergency landing at Minsk Airport, where authorities arrested dissident journalist Roman Protasevich

Who is Sofia Sapega, Roman's girlfriend? Belarus arrested journalist Roman Protasevich in Minsk on Sunday, alongside girlfriend Sofia Sapega. While Roman is a well-known dissident and prominent reporter, far less is known about Miss Sapega. Russia has confirmed that she is one of its citizens, and social media suggests she is originally from Vladivostok and has a father who lives in Thailand. Miss Sapega also appears to have family in Belarus, but for the past several years has been living in Lithuania while studying at the European Humanities University. The university confirmed she is studying international and European Union law, and had been due to defend her Master's thesis before being arrested. It is thought that she and Roman had been dating for around six months before Sunday's hijacking, having met in a bar in Vilnius. Miss Sapega's mother revealed to the BBC that she had managed to send a message reading 'mummy' to her on WhatsApp before being arrested. Her mother added that she is now being held in jail in Minsk, and Russia's foreign ministry says it has asked for consular access. The charges against her are unclear. Advertisement

The group claimed they had been due to fly to Minsk anyway and had begged to be kept off the flight when it returned to the skies, around seven hours after it first touched down. They did not directly address claims about being undercover agents.

Before his arrest on Sunday, Mr Protasevich had flown to Greece to accompany opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya to the Delphi Economic Forum and had stayed on for a few days afterwards with his girlfriend.

Mr Protasevich had previously talked to friends about the risk of flying through Belarus airspace, but was apparently lulled into a false sense of security when Ms Tikhanovskaya flew from Athens to Lithuania several days before him without incident.

But on the day of his own flight, suspicions that things weren't quite right began to appear at the check-in desk - as Mr Protasevich messaged friends to say that a man 'speaking Russian' had tried to photograph his travel documents.

'It's not certain,' he texted a friend afterwards. 'But in any case that's some suspicious sh**.'

Nevertheless, he boarded the flight which took off at 9.29 local time, and flew most of its route as scheduled - including more than 100 miles through Belarus airspace.

But at 12.46 Belarus time, things suddenly changed. The plane made a sudden and sharp turn and began heading towards Minsk.

The captain announced to passengers shortly afterwards that the flight would be landing in the Belarus capital, without explaining why.

But witnesses say Protasevich was in no doubt. 'They will arrest me,' he is said to have told cabin crew, urging them to continue to Vilnius as scheduled - a request they reportedly refused.

The plane landed at Minsk around half an hour later, where Protasevich was separated from the other passengers and whisked away - telling them 'a death sentence awaits me here'.

A Lithuanian passenger on board the plane, who gave his name as Mantas, told how Protasevich jumped from his seat as the captain announced the plane was being diverted.

'Roman stood up, opened the luggage compartment, took luggage and was trying to split things,' he said.

'I think he made a mistake. There were plenty of people so he could give the things to me or other passengers and not the girlfriend, who was also I think arrested.'

Mantas was speaking to Reuters after a day-long ordeal that began in Athens and finally ended late in the evening in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, after a stopover of more than seven hours in Minsk.

Another exhausted passenger, speaking to reporters without giving her name, said Protasevich looked 'super scared'.

'I looked directly into his eyes and he was very sad,' she said. Protasevich was immediately separated on arrival in Minsk and checks of luggage using sniffer dogs turned up nothing.

'We saw that Roman was stopped due to some things in the luggage,' Mantas said, adding that the other passengers also had their luggage checked and were taken by bus to the terminal where they spent several hours waiting to reboard the plane.

'We saw from the window that Roman is standing alone, and one policeman with dog was trying to find something (in his luggage).'

Another passenger, who also did not give his name, told Lithuanian media that Protasevich had identified himself to Belarusian security officials on arrival. 'I saw how his passport was taken away. He took off his mask and said: 'I'm so-and-so and I'm the reason why all this is going on.''

Aviation experts revealed that the passenger plane had been significantly closer to Vilnius than it was to Minsk when it was forced to turn around, making a mockery of the Belarusian claims that it needed to make an emergency landing for a bomb threat.

Leading opposition figure Pavel Latushko said: 'The air traffic controllers of Minsk-2 airport threatened to shoot at the Ryanair civilian plane with passengers on board. For this reason, a military fighter MiG-29 of Belarus Air Force was sent.

'This proves again that this incident was an act of state terrorism It demands an immediate reaction of European authorities and the entire world community.'
A young couple who spent 13 terrifying hours trapped overnight in an ocean cave after being swept into the freezing waters by a freak wave admit they are lucky to be alive.

A coastal walk almost turned to tragedy when Jak Teerman, 24, and his girlfriend Shanaye Hunter, 21, had taken an afternoon drive to Catherine Hill Bay in NSW's Lake Macquarie region on Tuesday at 1.30pm.

The pair wound up battling in the pitch black for hours to stay safe, constantly being pushed off rocks by unrelenting waves before desperately pulling themselves back up time and time again.

Their ordeal began when Ms Hunter was standing on the edge of the cliff taking a Snapchat of the water, a post that would alter their lives.

Moments later, she was suddenly swept off her feet and plummeted into the rough seas between the cliff and rocks before Mr Teerman jumped into the water after her.

Jak Teerman, 24, (left) and new girlfriend Shanaye Hunter (right) are lucky to be alive after they spent 13 hours trapped in an ocean cave

'It was just an instant reaction, I didn't really think about it I just wanted to make sure she was okay,' Mr Teerman told Daily Mail Australia.

'In the moment I just had to make sure she was going to be okay, so I just did what felt right.'

The couple, who are newly dating, spent 20 minutes in rough seas being pummeled into the cliffs before they eventually scrambled onto rocks, where they spent the next 13 hours before being rescued by fire crews in a delicate operation that didn't end until 3am.

They continued to be smashed by waves as they clung to rocks in the cave in waist-lengths waters which washed their car keys and phones into the surf - and at times their own bodies before they scrambled back up.

'It was definitely a bit rough at times, we didn't have much to hang onto when it was high tide and even during the times we would get washed off the rocks I had a strong feeling we would get out of it okay,' Mr Teerman said.

'It was an ordeal to hold on and climb back in each time, but we did.'

'I just tried to stay calm, panicking wouldn't of helped the situation at all. The whole time I had a feeling we would get out safely but there was definitely some questionable moments.'

Jak Teerman paid tribute to the emergency services who rescued them, including the 'unbelievable' firefighters (pictured)

Concerned friends and family thought something was wrong when they hadn't heard from either of them by 8pm - and soon realised the last contact had been a social media post on a coastal walk.

'It's not very long, and they hadn't been on social media or in contact with anyone since 2pm,' Mr Teerman's sister Amy Thunig told the Sydney Morning Herald.

'They [friends of the couple] raised the alarm at 8pm. By 10pm we knew something was wrong.'

Ms Hunter's friend Ashley Clay noticed the couple's last social media check-in was six hours earlier on the coastal walk, a post which ultimately saved their lives.

'We're very grateful to have such a good friend that we do in Ashley, she's the real MVP in all of this. She got the word out that something was out of the ordinary and lead to us getting rescued,' Mr Teerman said.

After the alarm was raised, the couple's parents drove to the spot and found their abandoned car and alerted emergency services as they searched for the pair in the dark.

The couple were winched to safety early Wednesday morning by fire crews in a delicate operation and were treated at the scene by the paramedics for minor cuts and scratches.

The young couple were winched to safety by fire crews early Wednesday morning

'Got a few aches and pains but just relieved that we're both okay,' Mr Teerman said.

The couple learned a valuable lesson from their harrowing ordeal.

'Maybe next time I'd try and call emergency services first then jump but I think that's easier to say in hindsight,' Mr Teerman told Daily Mail Australia.

Fire and Rescue crews had to use ropes to send a firefighter down the 20m edge in an operation that began at 11.30pm and ended at 3am - 13 hours after the couple went into the water

It took five Fire and Rescue NSW crews four hours to rescue the couple, where firefighters had to a navigate a one-kilometre rocky path to get into the cliff.

'Crews worked through the dark and cold to establish a rope system to send a firefighter down a sheer 20m drop off ledge onto crashing waves and rocks then making his way inside the cave to locate the two trapped people,' Lambton Fire Station posted on its Facebook page

'One at a time Fire and Rescue NSW crews physically hauled the rescue firefighter and the casualties to the top of the cliff.'

Mr Teerman publicly thanked all the emergency services involved, especially the 'unbelievable' fire rescue crews.

Ms Thunig said the family is proud of her brother's efforts to save his girlfriend and remain safe during the terrifying ordeal.

'It sounds like he saved their lives several times over,' she said.

'They were waist-deep in water for a significant period of time. They were just in T-shirts and shorts and had no intention of getting wet.'
A grandfather was left to die at home after waiting 16 hours for an ambulance to arrive, an inquest heard.

Joseph Edge, 74, was left lying for hours at his home in Llandegla, North Wales, after his wife Carole dialled 999 at 1.15pm when she became worried about his health.

A paramedic didn't arrive at their home until 5.15am the next day - and it was too late.

An inquest in Ruthin heard Mr Edge died of natural causes but a 'prompter response' from emergency service could have saved him.

The hearing was told that retired plumber and mechanic Mr Edge had fallen the day before at his home and suffered a cut to his head.

Joseph Edge (pictured), 74, was left lying for hours at his home in Llandegla, North Wales, after his wife Carole dialled 999 at 1.15pm when she became worried about his health

Mrs Edge called for an ambulance at 1.15pm and was told four hours later that they had 'moved him up the list to urgent but were still very busy'.

In a statement, she said: 'The last call I received was around 3.15am. Anticipating the arrival on ambulance at 5:15am, I went upstairs and found my husband cold and unresponsive.

'I phoned 999 again and a paramedic arrived within half an hour. I am very upset and annoyed about what happened.'

Dr Brian Rodgers, a Home Office pathologist, said Mr Edge 'could have died at any time'.

He added: 'A prompter response from the ambulance service may have led to a different outcome but I can't be certain.'

The hearing was told Mr Edge's case had been miscategorised by the call handler.

A paramedic didn't arrive at their home until 5.15am the next day - and it was too late. Stock picture

Gill Pleming, a Welsh Ambulance Service manager, said: 'Even if he had been correctly categorised, he would have been treated the same with priority but he would have received a clinical telephone assessment.'

Claire Roche, the Welsh Ambulance Service's executive director of quality and nursing, said: 'We extend our deepest sympathies to Mr Edge's family at what we know will be a sad and difficult time.

'We acknowledge the coroner's conclusions and sincerely apologise to Mr Edge's family for what we agree was an unacceptable delay.

'We are an organisation committed to learning and will continue to work with the health board to improve our timeliness to respond to people when they need us.'
A NSW man charged over online abuse sent to NRL superstar Latrell Mitchell is 'exceptionally sorry', his lawyer says.

Daniel Robert Hudson, 25, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence over two comments directed to the South Sydney fullback in April.

'He is extremely apologetic for what he has done. He has apologised to police and asked that be passed on to Mr Mitchell and South Sydney,' lawyer Ryan Finch said on Wednesday.

Latrell Mitchell (pictured) has publicly spoken about the effects online abuse can have

'He accepted it's absolutely appropriate that Mr Mitchell and South Sydney would call this behaviour out

'He's exceptionally sorry.'

Hudson, from Lake Munmorah on the Central Coast, may apply to have the charge dismissed on mental health grounds.

The matter will return to Wyong Local Court on July 30.

Patrick James Hawkes was also charged over online abuse directed at Mitchell and pleaded guilty in his first court appearance on May 18.

The 22-year-old from Taree was fined $750.

The charges were laid after Mitchell took a stand against abuse he said he'd received from various people since the age of eight.

Mitchell (pictured) said he hopes the arrests makes people accountable for their actions. He is pictured during the Indigenous All Stars war-cry earlier this year

Speaking after Hudson and Hawkes were arrested in April, the Taree-born star said he hoped criminal action would stop the abuse flowing and make people think twice.

'It's not even just the rugby league community we need to worry about, it's about the general public, it's about our wellbeing,' Mitchell said.

'It only takes that one message for someone not as strong as me ... for them to go and do some self-harm.'

The NSW and Australian representative player said he'd been racially abused since age eight and admitted he'd been left exhausted by constant taunts online.

'I've always aired them out on social media as everyone has seen and I think that's what they wanted to get a kick out of,' Mitchell said.

'(The arrests) is an outcome that I've wanted for a very long time for people to be accountable for their actions and their words.'

Police became involved after the posts received by Mitchell were passed onto his manager, the Rabbitohs and then the NRL Integrity Unit.

For 24/7, confidential support call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
Dominic Cummings today lobbed a series of very personal criticisms at his former boss Boris Johnson as he questioned the Prime Minister's character and ability to lead the country.

The PM's former top adviser pulled no punches as he repeatedly attacked Mr Johnson during a marathon evidence session with MPs into the Government's handling of the coronavirus crisis.

The joint session of the health and science select committees was punctuated by a series of astonishing claims which threaten to destabilise Mr Johnson's premiership.

Mr Cummings stunned Westminster as he said he believed Mr Johnson was 'unfit for the job' of PM.

The Vote Leave maverick said it was 'crackers' that Mr Johnson ever ended up in Number 10 as he painted a picture of a vain and dithering figure who is obsessed with the media.

Mr Cummings told MPs that Mr Johnson kept changing his mind on what to do 'every time the Telegraph wrote an editorial'.

He claimed Mr Johnson is 'about a thousand times too obsessed with the media' and argued it was no wonder pandemic communications had sometimes resembled a 'disaster zone' because the PM 'changes his mind 10 times a day'.

Mr Cummings also suggested that Mr Johnson had downplayed the seriousness of the pandemic in its initial stages, viewing it as a 'scare story'.

The former adviser also took aim at Mr Johnson's fiancee Carrie Symonds who he claimed was a distraction when she allegedly went 'completely crackers' about their dog Dilyn on a key early day of the pandemic.

Dominic Cummings today lobbed a series of astounding accusations at the Prime Minister while giving an account of the government's response to Covid today

Mr Cummings said it was 'crackers' that Boris Johnson (pictured) - his former boss - ever got the top job in the first place

It was 'crackers' Boris Johnson ever became the Prime Minister

Amid his allegations today, Mr Cummings claimed it was 'completely crackers' Mr Johnson was in charge and that thousands of people in the country could provide better leadership than the Prime Minister.

The former-adviser said the fact that the public had to choose between Mr Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn in the 2019 election meant it was clear that the electoral system had 'gone extremely, extremely badly wrong'.

'There's so many thousands and thousands of wonderful people in this country who could provide better leadership than either of those two,' he said.

'And there's obviously something terribly wrong with the political parties if that's the best that they can do.'

He also said that 'in any sensible, rational government' he would have not had the power he did.

'It is completely crazy that I should have been in such a senior position in my personal opinion,' he said.

Mr Cummings said the fact that the public had to choose between Mr Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn (pictured) in the 2019 election meant it was clear that the electoral system had 'gone extremely, extremely badly wrong'

'I'm not smart. I've not built great things in the world.

'It's just completely crackers that someone like me should have been in there, just the same as its crackers that Boris Johnson was in there, and that the choice at the last election was Jeremy Corbyn.

'It's also the case that there are wonderful people inside the Civil Service, there are brilliant, brilliant officials all over the place. But the system tends to weed them out from senior management jobs.

'And the problem in this crisis was very much lions led by donkeys over and over again.'

Cummings (pictured celebrating in Mr Johnson's study on election night in 2019) was the strategist behind Johnson's landslide election win in 2019 and the Leave campaign winning the 2016 Brexit campaign

Premier was 'a thousand times far too obsessed with the media, which undermines him doing his job'

Mr Cummings said his former boss was a 'thousand-times too obsessed' with the media.

The former adviser said he did give unauthorised briefings to the press but this was only to rarely speak to journalists without telling the Prime Minister first.

He added: 'Yes, I did talk to people unauthorised in the sense of actually pretty rarely did I speak to the Prime Minister before I spoke to any journalists.

'I just got on with things because my view was the Prime Minister already is about a thousand-times too obsessed with the media.'

Mr Cummings told the committees that after the 2019 election his main media contact was with the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg and he spoke to her once every three or four weeks.

Boris Johnson was a 'like a shopping trolley smashing from one side of the aisle to the other'

Mr Cummings said he had a 'centre of gravity' that agreed with him on Covid policy, but the PM 'just wouldn't do' what he was advised.

He said on many occasions, he, the cabinet secretary Simon Case, Chancellor Rishi Sunak and other senior officials agreed on what to do - but Mr Johnson wouldn't take their advice.

He added: 'Everybody was screaming on quarantine, "have a policy, and set it out clearly and stick to it. You cannot keep changing your mind every time the Telegraph writes an editorial on it".

'Everybody agreed with me about that. Regardless almost of what they thought the real policy should be.

'But nobody could find a way around the problem of: the Prime Minister [was] just like a shopping trolley smashing from one side of the aisle to the other.'

Boris Johnson DID say 'let the bodies pile high'

Mr Cummings said he did overhear Mr Johnson say 'let the bodies pile high' amid the PM's reluctance to thrust the UK into a third lockdown.

During his grilling today, Mr Cummings said the statement was made shortly after the decision to thrust the UK into a second lockdown was finalised.

The PM denied saying this in parliament.

The PM 'called up the media and contradicted his own policy'

Mr Cummings said the PM contradicted his own policy in phone calls with the media.

When asked if there was a communications failure during the pandemic, Mr Cummings replied: 'It doesn't matter if you've got great people doing communications.

'If the Prime Minister changes his mind ten times a day and then calls up the media and contradicts his own policy day after day after day, you're going to have a communications disaster zone.'

He added: 'Inevitably there were certainly mistakes made on communications for sure.

'But all the big things that people think "why did that go wrong", like for example the whole thing with [Marcus] Rashford.'

'The director of communications said to the Prime Minister twice, "do not pick a fight with Rashford, obviously we should do this instead".

'The Prime Minister decided to pick a fight and then surrendered. Twice.'

The Manchester United star launched a successful campaign to pressure Mr Johnson into an embarrassing U-turn over the Government's free school meals policy.

'After that, everyone says "your communications is stupid". No. What's stupid is picking a fight with Rashford over school meals. What should have happened is just getting the school meals policy right,' Cummings added.

'So it's easy to blame communications for bad policy and bad decision making.'

Boris Johnson was 'cross' with Dominic Cummings and other advisers for advising first lockdown

Mr Cummings claimed that the premier was 'cross' with him and others who were in favour of the first lockdown.

He told the committee: 'There's a great misunderstanding that because [coronavirus] nearly killed him, therefore he must have taken it seriously.

'But in fact, after the first lockdown his view was, he was cross with me and the others for what he regarded as basically pushing him into the first lockdown.

'His argument was after that happened, literally quote: "I should have been the mayor of Jaws and kept the beaches open". That's what he said on many many occasions.

When asked if the PM was 'arrogant', he said: 'I don't know if arrogance is the right thing, but he took the view in January and February that economic harm caused by action against Covid was going to be more damaging for the country than Covid.

'And we could not persuade him that if you basically took the view of let it rip and not worry about Covid you would get not just all the health disasters, but you would also get a huge economic disaster.'

The PM felt he was 'gamed' on Covid stats

Mr Cummings said the PM 'thought that he'd been gamed on the numbers in the first lockdown'.

He said Mr Johnson thought the 'NHS would somehow have got through' without the country grinding to a halt.

The Prime Minister brushed off Covid-19 as a 'scare story' and 'the new swine flu'

Mr Cummings also accused the PM of playing down the threat of the pandemic.

He said Mr Johnson regarded Covid-19 as 'another scare story'.

'The basic thought was that in February the prime minister regarded this as just a scare story ... he described it as the new swine flu,' the former-adviser said.

Boris Johnson offered to be injected with Covid-19 on live TV

Mr Johnson also offered to be injected with coronavirus on live television to reassure the public, Mr Cummings claimed.

He told the committee: 'The view of various officials inside No10 was if we have the PM chairing Cobra meetings and he just tells everyone ''it's swine flu don't worry about it, I am going to get Chris Whitty to inject me live on TV with coronavirus so everyone realise it's nothing to be frightened of'', that would not help actual serious planning.'

Dominic Cummings speaks at a committee hearing in Portcullis House in London today

PM decided the March lockdown was a mistake and he should have been 'the mayor in Jaws'

Mr Cummings suggested that after March he did not agree with Mr Johnson on any Covid policy.

But by that time the premier had decided lockdown was a mistake and the 'lesson learned' was that 'we should have focused on the economy, it was all a disaster'.

He said the PM felt he 'should have been the mayor of Jaws' who kept the beach open despite shark sightings.

Mr Cummings said: 'After march he thought the lesson to be learnt is: "We shouldn't have done a lockdown, we should have focused on the economy, it was all a disaster, I should have been the mayor in Jaws".

'I had very little influence on Covid stuff. I mean I tried, I made arguments. But as you can see all the major arguments I did not win.

'What I therefore did in the summer was I brought in Simon Case to be permanent secretary at No10 because I thought, the Prime Minister is not listening to me on this whole subject, our relations are getting worse and worse, his girlfriend is desperate to get rid of me and all my team.

'If I bring in someone official to kind of take over on Covid, that will A) make things better and B) maybe he will listen better to Simon Case than he did to me, which to some extent did happen.

'Then I spent a lot of my time in kind of May, June, July not on Covid but on defence, science and technology, procurement form, planning regulations, the economy, productivity, innovation, data.'

The PM did not heed lockdown warnings in March

The maverick said he warned the PM on March 12 that there were 'big problems coming' if self-isolation measures were not announced immediately.

He said he told Boris Johnson: 'We've got big problems coming. The Cabinet Office is terrifyingly s***.

'No plans, totally behind the pace, we must announce today, not next week. We must force the pace. We're looking at 100,000 to 500,000 deaths between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios.'

And on March 14, Boris Johnson was told that models showing the peak was 'weeks and weeks and weeks away' in June were 'completely wrong'.

He said the PM was warned: 'The NHS is going to be smashed in weeks, really weve got days to act.'

Mr Johnson announced a lockdown on March 23.

Mr Cummings said the situation in Downing Street in mid-March was like 'a scene from Independence Day with Jeff Goldblum saying the aliens are here and your whole plan is broken and you need a new plan'.

Carrie Symonds was a distraction

Mr Cummings also claimed Mr Johnson's fiancee Carrie Symonds distracted the Prime Minister.

He said on March 12 - a key day early in the pandemic - Miss Symonds went 'completely crackers' about their dog Dilyn.

Mr Cummings also claimed that in February, the PM 'was distracted by [...] finalising his divorce, his girlfriend wanted to announce being pregnant, the engagement, his finances and all of that sort of stuff'.

He said the premier 'had a very difficult time mid-February in his private life for sure.'

Referencing March 12, Mr Cummings said Downing Street was trying to deal with the unfolding pandemic and the US wanting the UK to join in with a bombing campaign in the Middle East.

But the PM was distracted that day by his partner Ms Symonds, who was furious about a story in the Times that claimed the couple were considering getting rid of their dog Dilyn.

Mr Cummings said the combination of events 'sounds so surreal couldn't possibly be true'.

Carrie Symonds holds the couple's dog Dilyn in Uxbridge, West London, on December 13, 2019

Carrie Symonds was so incensed by the story in the Times that she took to Twitter to claim it was 'total c**p'

Boris Johnson would rather have chaos than let Dominic Cummings fix the 'system'

Mr Cummings said Mr Johnson had told him he liked the 'chaos' because it meant 'everyone has to look to me to see who is in charge'.

Giving evidence, Mr Cummings claimed he told the Prime Minister in July he was going to leave by December 18 at the latest.

He added: 'He [Mr Johnson] asked why and I said because this whole system is chaos, this building is chaos, you know perfectly well that from having worked with me I can get great teams together and manage them, but you are more frightened of me having the power to stop the chaos than you are of the chaos, and this is a completely unsustainable position for us both to be in.

'I am not prepared to work with people like Hancock any more, I have told you umpteen times you have got to remove him, you wont, its going to be a disaster in the autumn and therefore its time that I should go.

'He laughed and said "you're right, I am more frightened of you having the power to stop the chaos, chaos isn't that bad, chaos means that everyone has to look to me to see whos in charge".'
Gavin Newsom has been ordered to pay $1.35 million to a California church after its congregation was barred from worshipping by the state's Covid rules.

The Governor can no longer place lockdown rules on houses of worship as part of the settlement, according to local paper Pasadena Now.

It's the latest blow for Newsom who faces a recall election in the fall amid resentment at his swingeing lockdown rules  some of which he was accused of flouting with a visit to a luxury restaurant at the height of the crisis.

The Reverend Che Ahn, founder of the Harvest Rock Church of Pasadena, said he was 'thrilled to see the complete reversal of the last discriminatory restrictions.'

Gavin Newsom (pictured on May 14) has been ordered to pay $1.35 million to a California church after its congregation was barred from worshipping by the state's Covid rules

The Reverend Che Ahn, founder of the Harvest Rock Church of Pasadena (pictured), said he was 'thrilled to see the complete reversal of the last discriminatory restrictions'

Newsom had ordered all churches to close in March last year during the first lockdown. The restrictions were amended two months later to permit services with a quarter of the normal congregation - up to 100 worshippers.

Harvest Rock took their case to the US Supreme Court in February.

In a 6-3 ruling, judges decided it could allow 200 worshippers inside, but said bans on singing and chanting would remain in place.

Mat Staver, founder of the Liberty Counsel, which represented the Harvest Rock Church called Newsom the 'worst governor in America.'

He told The Washington Examiner: 'The church stayed open [during the lockdown], and the pastor and parishioners were threatened with daily criminal charges that were up to a year in prison.'

'Governor Newsom's Covid restrictions intentionally discriminated against churches while providing preferential treatment to many secular businesses and gatherings,' Staver added.

'What's important is this ruling is permanent. He cannot ever do this again.'

The settlement with Newsom's administration covers the legal fees accrued by the Harvest Rock Church.

The settlement 'resolves this case while providing clarity and certainty to the public around the public health standards applicable to places of worship following recent rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court,' Newsom's office said in a statement.

It comes after a 5-4 Supreme Court ruling in April that said California could not limit indoor, at-home religious congregations.

Newsom lifted restrictions on churches on the back of the ruling, but issued new guidance which said: 'Location and capacity limits on places of worship are not mandatory, but are strongly recommended.'

The 53-year-old, once tipped for a White House run, faces a recall vote likely to take place in November. If 50 per cent of Californians vote yes, he will be replaced.

Voters will also be asked who they want to replace him, with the candidate who receives the most votes then replacing Newsom as governor.

Among the runners and riders is Caitlyn Jenner, former husband of Kardashian matriarch Kris.

Caitlyn has not yet declared which party she is for but has previously voted Republican and has recruited a number of former Trump campaign chiefs including Brad Parscale.

She has described Newsom's lockdown rules as 'overly restrictive' and said she stands against 'elitism.'
The South Australian hotel quarantine breach which has sparked a worrying Covid-19 outbreak in Melbourne likely spread when doors of adjacent rooms were momentarily open at the same time, a report has found.

SA Health handed down the findings of its report on Wednesday, which suggests there were no failures in protocol by staff and no high-risk events that could have caused the virus to spread.

Health officials concluded the most 'likely' explanation for the double mutant Indian coronavirus strain escaping the Medi-hotel was airborne transmission - with a review of CCTV footage showing no high-risk events or protocol breaches.

The report comes as millions of Victorians face the threat of yet another grueling lockdown, with policymakers and health authorities holding crisis talks late on Wednesday night after the cluster swelled to 15 cases.

Patient zero for the latest Australian outbreak, who came to be known as the Wollert man, returned to South Australia from India on April 19, where he underwent 14 days in hotel quarantine at the Playford Hotel (pictured)

Masked Melbournians are seen waiting in a line to receive Covid-19 tests at a walk-in testing clinics

'A review of the timing and placement of food/goods/waste/linen outside of guest's rooms is likely to reduce the risk of further episodes of similar transmission events,' the report said.

'In addition, careful management and placement of guests at higher risk of developing COVID-19 (eg. close contacts) will also likely assist.'

Patient zero for the latest Australian outbreak, who came to be known as the Wollert man, returned to South Australia from India on April 19, where he underwent 14 days in hotel quarantine at the Playford Hotel.

The man in his 30s tested negative to the virus three times during his stay and was discharged on May 4 before he travelled to his home in Wollert, in Melbourne's north.

But a few days later he developed symptoms and genomic testing would later reveal he contracted the virus from another hotel quarantine guest who was staying in an adjacent room.

His infection has since been gnomically linked to the new shock cluster gripping Melbourne.

The number of Covid cases in Melbourne's north has now jumped to 15 after six new infections were confirmed on Wednesday.

Patient zero for the latest Australian outbreak, who came to be known as the Wollert man, returned to South Australia from India on April 19, where he underwent 14 days in hotel quarantine at the Playford Hotel. Pictured: A Covid testing clinic in Adelaide on Wednesday

But a definitive link between the Wollert man and the outbreak hasn't been established.

'The only missing link is the link to the Wollert case from the South Australian hotel quarantine,' Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said.

While confident authorities have 'run down multiple generations of transmission', Professor Sutton is concerned about the amount of time that positive cases have been out in the community.

'There are potential exposures there that relate to some days ago that are yet to play out in new cases,' he said.

The Victorian government has already introduced a number of restrictions to try and stop the spread including mask mandates indoors and limits on gatherings.

Other states around Australia have also taken steps to stop the virus from spreading, re-introducing tough border restrictions that require incoming travellers to self-isolate.

Melbourne's Covid outbreak is now at 15 cases, with 11 new infections - five of which were announced late on Tuesday after the virus was transported from hotel quarantine in Adelaide (pictured, an Adelaide testing centre on Wednesday)

But with the situation growing more concerning by the day, Victorian health authorities are now locked in crisis talks debating a snap five-day lockdown for Melbourne, the Herald Sun reported.

It's understood officials are considering a five day circuit breaker, which could be extended if significant numbers of cases not directly linked to the current cluster emerge.

Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino said 'the next 24 hours are going to be critical'.

'It's good that everyone is linked at this stage but we are concerned about the number and also about the kind of exposure sites,' Mr Merlino told reporters on Wednesday.

'But I cannot rule out taking some further action but we'll update people as soon as we know.'
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Britons going to France will have to quarantine for at least seven days and provide a negative coronavirus test due to fears over the spread of the Indian variant.

Arrivals from Britain will be forced to self-isolate in a bid to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 mutation, French government spokesperson Gabriel Attal said following a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

France placed the UK on its version of the 'amber list', meaning arrivals face isolation, supervised by police, with fines of between 1,000 and 1,500 for breaking the rules.

The new rules, expected to come into force on Monday, demand a negative PCR test at least 36 hours before touching down in France, or an antigen test done within 24 hours of entry.

The country follows Austria, which said on Tuesday it was banning direct flights and tourist visits from Britain, and Germany, which said on Friday that anyone entering from the UK would have to quarantine for two weeks on arrival.

Britain joins a list of 15 countries already on France's mandatory quarantine list - including Brazil, India, Argentina and Turkey. Currently, Brits arriving into France are told they must isolate for seven days but there is no enforcement.

Portugal and Gibraltar are on Britain's quarantine-free green list. Those coming back from European destinations on the amber list face having to quarantine for 10 days in Britain.

Coronavirus infections in the UK have been rising again, but the overall incidence is still low in a country with one of the world's fastest vaccine rollouts. The number of hospitalised COVID-19 patients fell last week to its lowest level since September.

Clusters of the B.1.617 Indian variant have grown quickly, however, to 3,424 as of last Thursday, up by 2,111 from similar numbers the previous week. The Indian variant has been reported in at least 17 countries.

France today tightened restrictions for UK travellers due to fears over the Indian variant in a fresh blow for eager British holidaymakers. Pictured: French President Emmanuel Macron speaks at an EU Summit in Brussels yesterday

How the coronavirus cases per million people compare in the UK and France from March 2020 to May

However, other European nations have welcomed British holidaymakers back to their beaches with open arms. Pictured: The 20 European destinations which will allow Britons to visit without needed to quarantine on arrival

Holiday islands may get the green light: Travel hotspots of Greek, Canary and Balearic isles could be added to quarantine-free list Some of the most popular holiday islands may be added to the quarantine-free 'green' list  even if their mainland is not, say ministers. It raises the prospect of summer travel to the Greek, Canary and Balearic islands as the next tranche of green list countries are announced next month, even if Spain and Greece remain amber. In response to an MP's question about using the traffic-light system to reopen international travel, aviation minister Robert Courts said: 'The Government will take an island approach for border measures where possible. It raises the prospect of summer travel to the Greek, Canary and Balearic islands as the next tranche of green list countries are announced next month, even if Spain and Greece remain amber (pictured: the Greek island of Santorini) 'Changes to the traffic-light country system will be reviewed and implemented every three weeks, unless concerning evidence means we need to act faster to protect public health.' The move could also see other islands in the Caribbean and Mediterranean opened up to holidaymakers separate from their mainland. The green list will be reviewed next week with a formal announcement possibly on Thursday, with the changes coming into effect on June 7. British Airways boss Sean Doyle said an 'islands policy' was crucial for getting tourism back up and running and unlocking holidays for millions of Britons. The green list will be reviewed next week with a formal announcement possibly on Thursday, with the changes coming into effect on June 7 (file photo of passengers in the arrivals hall at Heathrow Airport in August last year) British Airways boss Sean Doyle (pictured above) said an 'islands policy' was crucial for getting tourism back up and running and unlocking holidays for millions of Britons But it came as Austria joined Germany yesterday and banned British tourists over fears about the Indian Covid variant. Britain joins Brazil, India and South Africa on Austria's list of 'virus variant states'. Only Austrian citizens or people with residency rights will be allowed to enter the country from Britain. Direct flights from the UK will be halted from June 1. Nearly a million Britons visit Austria every year but leisure breaks to the country, popular with skiers, will be off limits this summer if the ban continues. Advertisement

The French government's announcement will be a blow to parts of the beleaguered tourism industry, which is desperate for a return to normal business ahead of the peak summer season.

'It's reasonable in terms of saving the French summer but will be very punishing for those regions which depend on British holidaymakers,' said Ge Kusters, owner of Le Paradis campsite in the Dordogne area and president of the regional campsite union.

'More financial support is going to have to follow.'

The isolation will need to last seven days, Clement Beaune, France's junior minister for European Affairs, said on Twitter, adding visitors would also need to present a COVID-19 test carried out less than 48 hours before departure.

British tourists had been due to be allowed to visit France without restrictions from June 9 if they carried a certificate of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 PCR test.

Some 13 million Britons visited France every year before the coronavirus crisis began in early 2020, more than any other nationality, according to official data.

French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had raised the possibility of tougher restrictions for British tourists on Sunday.

He suggested the UK could be put in a health category of its own, somewhere in between the strictest measures that France is imposing on visitors from India and 15 other countries, and more relaxed requirements being readied for visitors from the EU and some other countries.

Without giving specifics, Mr Le Drian said there was potential for 'health measures that are a bit stronger' but Paris is watching the progress of the Indian variant before making final decisions.

'We hope that the variant can be controlled in a country which experienced real failures during the pandemic,' he said.

'However, the arrival of the Indian variant and the increase of cases of Indian variant in the United Kingdom pose a problem and so we are vigilant about this (and) in contact with the British authorities,' he added.

'It won't be the red treatment if we have to do it. It will be an intermediate treatment,' the minister said.

'But it is not excluded - this springs to mind because of British tourists - that we have health measures that are a bit stronger.'

The tougher restrictions come after Germany declared Britain and Northern Ireland a virus variant region last week and required anyone entering the country from the UK to quarantine for two weeks on arrival.

Austria also yesterday banned British tourists over fears about the Indian Covid variant.

Rory Boland, Which? Travel Editor, said: 'France's decision to quarantine UK travellers in response to the Indian variant is a stark reminder of the unpredictability of international travel this year.

'People would have already been confused about what travel is safe and permitted due to the country's status on the UK's amber list, and this announcement will cause even more stress for those with an upcoming booking.

'Many will be surprised to find that changing entry requirements and mandatory quarantine at your destination won't always trigger a refund, especially for flights.

'This demonstrates just how important it is for anyone thinking about booking a trip in the next few months to do so with a holiday company that has the most flexible booking policies available, so they are protected against significant disruption to travel plans that can often occur at short notice.'

Some 13 million Britons had visited France every year before the coronavirus crisis began in early 2020.

Other European nations have since welcomed British holidaymakers back to their beaches with open arms.

Travellers will soon be able to visit 20 destinations on the Continent without having to quarantine upon arrival - despite 18 of those welcoming sun-seekers still being on the 'amber list.'

Spain has lifted its restrictions on travellers from the UK, with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez saying: 'Spain will be delighted, very delighted to welcome all British tourists'.

The popular holiday hotspot joins Italy, Greece and Cyprus in permitting Britons to arrive without quarantine.

However, if tourists do decide to travel to these 'amber list' destinations, they will need to self-isolate for 10 days and get tested twice upon their return to the UK.

Portugal is the only major tourist destination on Britain's 'green list', meaning people can go without the need to quarantine

The first flights from Britain arrive at Malaga Airport on Monday after Spain lifted the travel restriction from the UK

Covid-19 cases in a selection of the 'amber list' European countries where Britons don't have to quarantine upon arrival

British tourists had been due to be allowed to visit France without restrictions from June 9 if they carried a certificate of vaccination against Covid-19 or a negative PCR test.

Visitors from the UK are currently required to present a negative PCR test carried out less than 72 hours before departure and self-isolate for seven days.

They are then asked to take another PCR test which must be negative for them to end the quarantine period.

It is unclear how the tightened restrictions announced today will change these measures.

Austria bans UK tourist visits over India variant Austria is banning direct flights and tourist visits from Britain because of the prevalence there of a highly infections coronavirus variant first found in India, the health ministry said today. Britain was added overnight to Austria's list of 'virus variant states', joining Brazil, India and South Africa, from which arrivals are only allowed in a limited number of cases, the ministry said in a statement. 'Essentially, only Austrian citizens and people who are resident or habitually stay in Austria may enter the country,' it said, adding that entry would also be allowed on humanitarian grounds or for visits in the national interest. While the immigration rules take effect today, the ban on direct flights will go into force on June 1, it added. The statement referred to the World Health Organization and Public Health England having classified the B.1.617.2 variant first found in India as a 'variant of concern'. Coronavirus infections in Britain have been rising but the overall incidence is still low, and the number of people in hospital with Covid-19 fell last week to its lowest since September - but clusters of the variant are growing. Austria's move follows a similar step by Germany, which said on Friday it was declaring Britain a virus variant region. Austria has had a small number of cases of the Indian variant and overall infections have been falling. Advertisement

France is broadly following the EU's template for welcoming tourists, which are in the process of being updated. A 'traffic light system' should be fleshed out soon for what the restrictions for each category will be.

The latest blow for British holidaymakers comes as travel bosses today slammed Downing Street's 'utterly confusing' advice on foreign holidays and demanded the 'green list' is quickly expanded.

The CEOs of easyJet, British Airways, Ryanair, Jet2, Tui UK and others have written to the Prime Minister to share their frustration at ministers' recent comments telling Britons travel is 'dangerous' and urging them to 'stay in this country' rather than holiday abroad.

They asked Boris Johnson to 'bank the gains from the huge success of the vaccination programme and expand the green list' to include the US, the Caribbean and other European hotspots, saying Britons are now being left behind their neighbours.

The signatories, which also included the CEO of Virgin Atlantic and Loganair, added they 'fully understand' concerns about the Indian variant of Covid-19, but say comments made in the past week have 'moved the goalposts' and 'undermined the very purpose of the risk-based traffic light system.'

The letter says: 'The Government now appears not to want a meaningful restart to international travel this summer, and it is impossible for any business or consumers to plan under this scenario, such that we are genuinely fearful that some UK businesses may fail.

'Failures can be avoided. The science shows clearly the green list can be expanded safely now, including to many European countries, the US and the Caribbean.

'Many currently amber countries have significant levels of vaccinations, rapidly decreasing case numbers and, according to test and trace data, often considerably less than one per cent of arrivals testing positive with no identified variants of concern entering the country. Under an evidence-based system based on risk, these should be green.'

It comes as it emerged today that some of the most popular holiday islands for eager British holidaymakers may soon be added to the quarantine-free 'green' list  even if their mainland is not.

This raises the prospect of summer travel to the Greek, Canary and Balearic islands as the next tranche of green list countries are announced next month, even if Spain and Greece remain amber.

Speaking in the letter today, travel leaders warned the UK risks 'falling behind the rest of the world, with long-term consequences for our connectivity and prospects of a Global Britain' if it remains grounded while the rest of Europe opens up.

They added that Britain has 'never been in a better position' to manage the risk from Covid-19 due to its highly successful vaccine roll-out which today opened to those aged 30 and above.

The letter added: 'Along with the vaccination programme, our testing system allows us to assess inbound risk from medium and higher risk countries. With this safety net, we urge you to stick to the established framework, end confusion for travellers and allow our businesses to plan.

Fuengirola beach near Malaga is pictured on Monday as UK holidaymakers set their sights on a trip to Spain

Three women talk to each other while sunbathing on the beach at Fuengirola near Malaga in Spain on Monday

Travel hotspots of Greek, Canary and Balearic isles could be added to quarantine-free list Some of the most popular holiday islands may be added to the quarantine-free 'green' list  even if their mainland is not, say ministers. It raises the prospect of summer travel to the Greek, Canary and Balearic islands as the next tranche of green list countries are announced next month, even if Spain and Greece remain amber. In response to an MP's question about using the traffic-light system to reopen international travel, aviation minister Robert Courts said: 'The Government will take an island approach for border measures where possible. 'Changes to the traffic-light country system will be reviewed and implemented every three weeks, unless concerning evidence means we need to act faster to protect public health.' The move could also see other islands in the Caribbean and Mediterranean opened up to holidaymakers separate from their mainland. The green list will be reviewed next week with a formal announcement possibly on Thursday, with the changes coming into effect on June 7. British Airways boss Sean Doyle said an 'islands policy' was crucial for getting tourism back up and running and unlocking holidays for millions of Britons. But it came as Austria joined Germany yesterday and banned British tourists over fears about the Indian Covid variant. Britain joins Brazil, India and South Africa on Austria's list of 'virus variant states'. Only Austrian citizens or people with residency rights will be allowed to enter the country from Britain. Direct flights from the UK will be halted from June 1. Nearly a million Britons visit Austria every year but leisure breaks to the country, popular with skiers, will be off limits this summer if the ban continues. Advertisement

'Airlines can deliver a meaningful restart safely but a second lost summer for the sector, due to a limited expansion of the green list compared to our neighbours, would cause lasting damage to the UK's aviation, travel and tourism industries.

'In that case there would be an urgent need for a dedicated aviation economic support package to safeguard many thousands of jobs otherwise under threat and protect the essential infrastructure that will be critical to the UK's recovery and future prosperity.'

Speaking earlier, the CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, Steve Heapy, insisted confusion over foreign holidays was worsened by the fact Foreign Office advice was not always aligned with the traffic light system.

He told the Guardian: To have two separate lists is utterly confusing ... we have to make decisions based on conflicting information.'

EasyJet boss Johan Lundgren said: 'Customers want to travel this summer  they value their holidays, want to reunite with loved ones after many months of separation and develop their businesses so I urge the Government to increase the Green list and let the UK take off once again.'

Andrew Flintham, Managing Director for TUI UK and Ireland, said holidays to destinations including Spain, Greece, some Caribbean islands and the US should now be possible due to the worldwide vaccination effort.

He added: 'We're already seeing other European markets open up to travel and welcome back customers, so now is the time for the UK to do the same. We're a nation of travellers, so it's time to stop limiting our ability to travel where it's safe to do so.

'Whilst we've offered outstanding flexibility for customers this summer, what customers really want is to be able to take the holiday they've booked and look forward to.'

Charlie Cornish, CEO of Manchester Airports Group, owner of Stansted, Manchester and East Midlands airports, said: 'The Government is holding back international travel despite clear evidence that more countries should be on the green list.

'The UK's traffic light system ignores the benefits of our world-leading vaccination programme, which was meant to give Britain a head start and let people visit family and go on holiday this summer. Instead, the Government is actively telling people not to travel to amber list countries despite creating a system that makes it safe for them to do so.

'At the same time, we are requiring millions of people with immunity from Covid-19 to pay for PCR tests to gather data on variants that other governments reliably collect already.

The green list will be reviewed next week with a formal announcement possibly on Thursday, with the changes coming into effect on June 7 (file photo of passengers in the arrivals hall at Heathrow Airport in August last year)

Some of the most popular holiday islands may be added to the quarantine-free 'green' list  even if their mainland is not, say ministers. Pictured: Santorini, Greece

The latest blow for British holidaymakers comes as travel bosses today slammed Downing Street's 'utterly confusing' advice on foreign holidays and demanded the 'green list' is quickly expanded. Pictured: Mallorca, Spain

The CEOs of easyJet, British Airways, Ryanair, Jet2, Tui UK and others have written to the Prime Minister to share their frustration at ministers' recent comments telling Britons travel is 'dangerous' and urging them to 'stay in this country' rather than holiday abroad. Pictured: Tenerife, Spain

'With so much at stake, the Government must work transparently and collaboratively with industry to create a simple, fair and sustainable system that will truly get Britain flying again.'

Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, the industry body representing UK-registered carriers, said: 'The UK will rapidly fall behind the rest of Europe unless it looks again at its overly cautious approach to international travel.

'There is no reason why our green list can't be expanded to include the US and the most popular European hotspots, or for the UK not to follow the EU's lead in exempting vaccinated travellers from restrictions.

'It is time to allow UK citizens to take advantage of the fantastic success of the vaccine rollout but at the moment our competitors are reacting faster to the improving health situation and will reap the rewards this summer.'

Mark Tanzer, CEO of Abta  The Travel Association, said: 'It is illogical for the Government to not follow its own traffic light system  it makes no sense for Ministers to say people shouldn't travel to amber countries when the Government's own system allows people to do so in a risk-managed way.

'Travel agents and tour operators, and their customers, need a clear and simple system to follow without contradictions otherwise our sector's recovery will be unnecessarily slow and drawn out.'
Australia's national broadcaster will more than double its spend on cyber security measures in the wake of an attack on the Nine Network.

ABC managing director David Anderson has revealed the broadcaster's cyber security costs would increase from $1.7 million this financial year to $3.9 million next financial year.

'It is something that, frankly, for any media organisation you have to invest in to stand still,' he told a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra on Wednesday.

The ABC has announced that they will raise their cyber security budget from $1.7million to $3.9million

'The sophistication of the attacks that you see, or that I see certainly on our organisation, increases. So (does) the money you must spend to constantly make sure that you're ahead of that curve.'

But Mr Anderson doesn't expect the cost to continue rising at that rate, saying it should stay constant at best.

The Nine Network was the target of a cyber-attack in March, which had broad disruptions to its live programming and publications.

Since the incident, the ABC and Nine shared knowledge on how to better protect their companies.

ABC managing director David Anderson made the announcement in the wake of the cyber attack on the Nine Network

Mr Anderson also said the broadcaster was ready to finalise deals with Facebook and Google for the tech giants to pay for its content.

Letters of intent have been signed with the two technology companies over the news media bargaining code.

While Mr Anderson would not say how much the deals would be worth, the money is expected to go towards regional services.

'These investments will provide a huge boost to the regions at a time when many areas of regional and rural Australia have experienced a withdrawal of media services,' he said.

Google has signed deals with News Corp, Seven West Media, Junkee Media, Nine, Australian Community Media, Schwartz Media, The Conversation, Solstice Media, The Guardian and Times News Group.

Facebook has struck deals with News Corp, Seven, Nine, Private Media, Schwartz Media, ACM and Solstice.
Two detectives were shot and wounded during an armed siege in Dublin, which saw a gunman barricade himself into his home.

The plainclothes detectives, in their 30s, were shot while investigating reports of gunshots in a housing estate in Clonsilla, in the Blanchardstown area of Dublin, on Tuesday evening.

Both male detectives suffered gunshot wounds to the foot, while one also had a hand-wound, during the events at Whitechapel Grove just after 7.30pm, according to An Garda Siochana, the Irish police service.

Footage taken by an eyewitness at the scene shows Garda members apparently sheltering behind vehicles on the estate during the armed stand-off.

Two detectives were shot and wounded during an armed siege in Dublin, which saw a gunman barricade himself into his home in the Blanchardstown area of Dublin, on Tuesday evening

Both male detectives received gunshot wounds to the foot, while one also received a hand wound during the events at Whitechapel Grove (pictured: Forensic officers at the scene)

The plainclothes detectives, in their 30s, were investigating reports that gunshots had been heard in a housing estate (pictured on Wednesday) in Clonsilla, Dublin, on Tuesday evening

In the video, one man, believed to be a Garda member, could be seen being carried towards an ambulance with a bandage around his foot, apparently from a gunshot wound.

A man in his late 30s, who is reportedly known to gardai, was arrested at the scene and is being held in custody at Blanchardstown Garda station.

The two male gardai are being treated for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds at Connolly Memorial Hospital.

Plainclothes and uniformed Gardai were responding to reports of gunshots when the suspect barricaded himself inside his home and open fired on the armed support unit.

Garda members took cover behind a patrol car, which was struck by bullets, before gunshots were exchanged between the male suspect and the armed detectives in a stand-off which lasted several hours.

Gardai members had gone to the estate when the suspect barricaded himself inside his home (pictured) before open firing on the armed plain-clothes unit

Shocking footage taken by an eyewitness at the scene shows Garda members apparently sheltering behind vehicles (left) while one officer was carried to an ambulance (right)

Garda units had sealed off the area around the house and a number of houses were also evacuated for the residents' safety, police confirmed.

The armed stand-off saw a critical fireman's incident response put in place and an operational commander appointed, while a negotiator unit and armed support units were present, according to An Garda Siochana.

It is understood that following 'intensive' negotiations, two firearms - an automatic pistol and handgun - and ammunition were surrendered from the house shortly after 9.30pm.

Blanchardstown Gardai are continuing to investigate the circumstances around the critical firearms incident, according to the Garda.

A Garda spokesperson previously said: 'Two Garda members are currently being treated at Connolly Memorial Hospital for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.'

A media blackout had been requested during the incident, which was later lifted soon after 10pm.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he was shocked and deeply concerned to hear of two gardai being injured in the course of their duties.

'I wish both gardai a swift and full recovery, and I thank them for their service on behalf of the public,' he said.

'This incident in Dublin shows yet again the danger An Garda Siochana often face in their efforts to protect and serve the people.

'We should always be very grateful for all the work they do on a daily basis on our behalf.'

The scene remained sealed off on Wednesday morning as forensic teams carried out an examination of the area.

Justice Minister Heather Humphreys said her thoughts are with the injured officers and commended all of the gardi who were involved in the incident.

'I have been in contact with the Garda Commissioner this [Tuesday] evening, and I am relieved to hear that the situation was resolved following negotiation.

'I want to commend all of the Gardai who were involved in ensuring there were no further injuries,' she said.

'Shocking incidents such as this remind us of the dangers the men and women of An Garda Siochana face every day.

'We can never take for granted their bravery and the dedicated service they provide to our communities.

'We must always remember that in wearing the uniform and serving the Irish people, they place our protection and their duty to the State above their own safety.

'An investigation into the incident is now under way and I urge any member of the public with any information or footage to contact Blanchardstown Garda Station.'

Meanwhile, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris commended the 'bravery' of the two detectives who 'put themselves on the line;'.

'I want to commend all the gardai involved in securing a successful outcome to this firearms incident,' he said.

'In particular, the bravery of the two detectives who were first on scene.

'This was another in a long line of examples of gardai putting themselves on the line to keep people safe.

'I want to wish them a speedy recovery.'

As the seige involved the discharge of Garda firearms, the incident has been referred to the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission.

Blanchardstown Garda Station would appeal to any person with any information to contact the investigation team on 01 6667000 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 66 111.
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President Joe Biden laid out the red carpet for George Floyd's six-year-old daughter Gianna during her trip to the White House on Tuesday with an array of snacks and a big hug.

He told reporters that she 'threw her arms around me, gave me a big hug' and 'wanted to sit on my lap' when she walked into the Oval Office on the anniversary of her father's death. She then told the president: 'I'm really hungry. Do you have any snacks?'

'My wife [Jill] would kill me - we gave her some ice cream, she had some Cheetos and I think she had some chocolate milk,' he said before boarding Marine One for a trip to Wilmington for a funeral for his longtime aide Norma Long.

Gianna, who said 'daddy would change the world' after his murder by Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin sparked protests across the country, visited Biden with members of her family and lawyers including Ben Crump to discuss police reform.

She was pictured walking in and out of the West Wing, with a Marine holding a door open for her, with a tub of ice cream.

The youngster then joined the group as they spoke to the media with their fists raised and urged Congress to pass the police reform bill that has stalled on Capitol Hill.

Biden called Floyd's family courageous and also shared their frustration that the legislation hasn't been passed.

'I got a chance to spend a lot of time with Gianna and the family, and we just talked about  you know, its the one-year anniversary,' the president told reporters as he left for the brief trip to Wilmington.

President Joe Biden met with family members of George Floyd on the anniversary of his death. 'They've shown extraordinary courage over the last year, especially his young daughter Gianna, who I met again today,' said Biden

The Marine who stands guard outside the North doors to the Oval Office when the president is at the Resolute Desk held the door open for Gianna as she walked outside with one of Biden's favorite treats. Shortly after taking a look around, the siz-year-old turned around and went back inside

Vice President Kamala Harris greets Gianna at the White House on Tuesday after the young girl and her family were invited to meet with the president

Biden told reporters that Gianna 'threw her arms around me, gave me a big hug' and 'wanted to sit on my lap' when she walked into the Oval Office

Also in attendance was Grammy-nominated rapper Lil Baby who is close with the family and threw a birthday party for Gianna in December, paying for all the expenses.

Following the meeting, with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the family's attorney Benjamin Crump said: 'We have to respect the spilled blood that's on this legislation  it must be meaningful and we can do this together.'

Standing behind Crump were Floyd's brothers Rodney, Philonise and Terrence, his nephew Brandon Williams, Gianna and her mother Roxie Washington. Also joining the group were other lawyers on the team for Floyd's family and close friends identified as Dominique (Lil Baby) and William.

Biden said: 'And those of you that have been through personal loss know that although every anniversary is, youre happy people remember, it also brings everything back immediately like it happened that day. It takes a lot of courage to go through it. And theyve been wonderful.'

In a statement released following the meeting, Biden said: 'The Floyd family has shown extraordinary courage, especially his young daughter Gianna, who I met again today.'

He also shared the sentiment that Floyd's death helped enact change.

'The day before her father's funeral a year ago, Jill and I met the family and she told me, 'Daddy changed the world.' He has,' Biden continued.

Crump revealed that he and the family would go back to Capitol Hill on Tuesday afternoon to meet with Senators Cory Booker, a Democrat, and Tim Scott, a Republican, both black lawmakers who are working on negotiations to get a bipartisan police reform bill to the floor.

While speaking to press, the group held up their fists as Floyd's daughter Gianna, 6, shouted 'Say his name,' and they responded with 'George Floyd'

Present for the meeting and press conference at the White House Tuesday was rapper Lil Baby (standing behind Gianna)

Lil Baby also joined the family and lawyers during their meeting with Senators Cory Booker and Tim Scott at the Capitol after the White House meeting with the president and vice president

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told George Floyd's daughter Gianna on Tuesday that her father changed the world.Before heading to the White House, the family met with Pelosi and Representative Karen Bass on the one year anniversary of George Floyd's death.

'Gianna said, 'My daddy will change the world.' Indeed, her prediction is coming true,' Pelosi told reporters as she stood alongside members of Floyd's family before they traveled across town to meet with Biden and Harris for a closed-door meeting.

George's brother Philonise Floyd said: 'Today is the day that he set the world in a rage. We all said enough is enough.'

He then leaned down toward Gianna and asked: 'Your dad is going to do what?'

She replied: 'Change the world.'

Philonise also urged Congress to get a police reform bill on Biden's desk as soon as possible.

Crump held Gianna's arm up in a fist as they repeated the chant

During the Floyd family's meeting with Biden on Tuesday, Gianna emerged shortly from the Oval Office with ice cream in her hand

Gianna Floyd, 6, arrived at the White House to meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday

Gianni was transported from the Capitol to the White House on Tuesday. Here she looks up at her mother Roxie Washington, George Floyd's former partner

Philonise Floyd holds up his fist as the family arrives to the White House on Tuesday to meet with Biden to mark the first anniversary of his brother's death

The Floyd family attorney Ben Crump (in green tie) accompanied them for the trip. He emerged from a van after being transported from the Capitol to the White House

George Floyd's nephew Brandon Williams, (left) and brother Philonise (right) pose in front of the van that transported them to their meeting with the president

Rapper Lil Baby snarls as he goes through security at the Capitol before meeting with Senator Booker and Scott on passing police reform legislation

Biden, in a joint address to Congress in April, demanded lawmakers pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act by Tuesday, May 25, 2021  exactly one year after Floyd's death. That won't be happening as senators continue negotiations to create a bipartisan bill.

The president, who has a lot of experience with loss, sympathized in his Tuesday statement that the first year following the death of a loved one can 'feel like they got the news a few seconds ago.'

'And they've had to relive that pain and grief each and every time those horrific 9 minutes and 29 seconds have been replayed,' he said of the cell phone footage showing Floyd's arrest last May and the moment when he stopped breathing and went unconscious.

'His murder launched a summer of protest we hadn't seen since the Civil Rights era in the '60s  protests that peacefully unified people of every race and generation to collectively say enough of the senseless killings,' he added.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday that Gianna Floyd (pictured lower left) was right when she said: 'My daddy will change the world'

Floyd's family traveled to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to meet with lawmakers at the Capitol and with Biden and Harris at the White House

Notably, the president's statement did not mention any of the violent riots that emerged following Floyd's death leading to death, injury and businesses, cars and other property being burned to the ground.

'We need meaningful legislation,' Philonise said when addressing the press at the Capitol. 'We need it on Biden's desk, we need to get this taken care of.'

Crump added while speaking to press at the White House later that afternoon: 'This is an American issue.'

'This isn't a police issue, a Civil Right issue, we have to look at this as a national issue that we have avoided dealing with far too long,' he added.

Despite the somber occasion, Philonise said the family was 'excited to be there.'

The family traveled to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to speak with members of Congress, as well as Biden and Harris, to mark Floyd dying at the hands of a police officer during an arrest in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

While speaking to media prior to the media, Pelosi said of the family: 'They've been here before to help us pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.'

She said the family asked her during their last visit if she would 'name the bill the honor of George Floyd?'

'My response was, 'Only if it meets your standards,' and here we are today,' the California Democrat detailed of their previous conversation.

George's brother Philonise Floyd demanded Tuesday that Congress get police reform legislation to Biden's desk. 'We need meaningful legislation... We need it on Biden's desk, we need to get this taken care of'

Warm embrace: Philnoise and Pelosi share a side hug as the family and Congress marked the one year anniversary of George Floyd's death

The family's attorney Benjamin Crump accompanied the group during the meeting on Tuesday

Pelosi issued a letter to her Democratic colleagues on the anniversary of Floyd's death urging the Senate to get a version of the House-passed police reform passed.

'The House passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act on June 25, exactly one month after George Floyd's murder,' Pelosi wrote. 'In this new Congress once again, we proudly passed this vital legislation.'

'As Congresswoman Bass engages in negotiations on next steps, we remain hopeful that we will, in a bipartisan spirit, reach agreement and pass this legislation in its final form,' she continued.

No deal has been reached in the Senate to get a bill passed, meaning Biden's deadline won't be honored.

'I would be shocked if something happened as soon as tomorrow,' Senator Dick Durban, the Democratic Whip, told reporters at the Capitol on Monday. 'I was briefed before we left last week.'

When White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked during her briefing Tuesday why Biden wasn't putting more public pressure on lawmakers to pass police reform, she deflected it to the president's meeting with the family.

'Well we issued - or are issuing, it hasn't gone out yet - a public statement from the president, in his name, commemorating the anniversary of the death of George Floyd,' Psaki said. 'A moment that impacted him deeply personally as it did millions of Americans.'

'As you know he's meeting with the family today, he wants that to be a private discussion, he has a close relationship with them,' she added just before the family arrived at the White House.

'They've really impacted him with their courage and grace over the last year and he felt it was important for that to be private,' she insisted.

'But look I think we may just have a disagreement in terms of what the right strategic approach is to these negotiations moving forward and getting to the final outcome, which we all want to see, which is a bill the president can sign into law.'

Pelosi (center) and Rep. Karen Bass (to Pelosi's right) stand with members of the family as they speak to reporters prior to their meeting to mark the anniversary of George Floyd's death

Philonise Floyd pictured looking down at Gianna as the family and lawmakers spoke to the press. He asked Gianna in front of press: 'Your dad is going to do what?' She replied: 'Change the world.'

Throughout the press briefing Tuesday, Gianna hugged her mother, and Floyd's former partner, Roxie Washington

Despite genuine steps forward, Democrats and Republicans still weren't able to reach a deal by the deadline Biden set for getting police reform legislation to his desk.

Durbin said 'it felt good when there was a conversation on the floor' between himself and Senators Cory Booker, Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham.

'I felt good about it. But no sooner did the staff get together that they found some areas where they still need work,' Durbin said of reaching a deal on the police reform bill.

'I think we're a lot closer,' Booker said of the negotiations, but told CNN when asked if the group plans to announce a deal Tuesday: 'No.'

Reporters pushed Psaki on why Biden won't 'use his bully pulpit to call for police reform.'

'He used the opportunity of his joint session address, which is the highest profile moment any president of the United States has in their first year in office to call for forward movement on police reform,' she pushed back.

Psaki added that Biden used the address 'to call for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to pass.

During Biden's first joint address to Congress in April, he set the deadline for May 25 to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act so it would get to the president's desk on the one year anniversary of his death. The Senate failed to meet Biden's deadline.

Later on Tuesday, in his statement on meeting with the Floyd family, friends and lawyers, Biden again called for Congress to pass the legislation.

'The negotiations on the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in Congress are ongoing,' he wrote. 'I have strongly supported the legislation that passed the House, and I appreciate the good-faith efforts from Democrats and Republicans to pass a meaningful bill out of the Senate.'

'It's my hope they will get a bill to my desk quickly,' he added.

'We have to act. We face an inflection point. The battle for the soul of America has been a constant push and pull between the American ideal that we're all created equal and the harsh reality that racism has long torn us apart. '

'At our best, the American ideal wins out. It must again,' the president concluded.

The measure passed the House last week, but has yet to clear the Senate as it got help up in negotiations to ensure a bipartisan proposal is put forward.

'Again, I think this is a matter of what we feel is most constructive to move these negotiations forward,' Psaki said.

'When does he expect to see this bill on his desk?' a reporter pressed Psaki.

'I'm not here to put a new timeline on it,' she said. 'He's encouraged by the statement put out by the negotiators yesterday.

Before Floyd's family met with the president and vice president at the White House on Tuesday, they stopped at Capitol Hill first to meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representative Karen Bass, who is helping with negotiation efforts on police reform legislation.

Benjamin Crump, the family attorney, said they would also meet with several senators from both parties, although he did not identify any of the lawmakers by name.

Floyd's brothers Philonise and Terrence have been vocal leaders in the Black Lives Matter movement since their brother's death last May.

Crump walks across Pennsylvania Avenue to enter the White House for Biden's meeting with the Floyd family

Senator Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, Senator Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, and Representative Bass, a Democrat from California, have been leading talks on the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

The legislation aims to ban certain policing tactics at the federal level, like chokeholds and carotid holds. Lawmakers would also include provisions in the legislation that would seek to improve police training and invest in community programs.

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of second and third-degree murder and manslaughter after video captured his arrest of Floyd, which the jury concluded led to his death.

Chauvin's sentencing is on June 25, which could see him sent to prison for the rest of his life.

In Biden's statement on his Tuesday meeting with the Floyd family he wrote: 'Last month's conviction of the police officer who murdered George was another important step forward toward justice.'

'But our progress can't stop there,' he said, urging Congress to pass legislation on police reform. 'To deliver real change, we must have accountability when law enforcement officers violate their oaths, and we need to build lasting trust between the vast majority of the men and women who wear the badge honorably and the communities they are sworn to serve and protect. We can and must have both accountability and trust and in our justice system.'

Scott, the only black Republican in the Senate, said there is a 'conscious effort' to keep both parties at the negotiating table to get police reform passed.

'We need to find areas of compromise. We found some. So I'm optimistic,' Scott said.

Floyd was killed during an arrest in May 2020 by Derek Chauvin. The former Minneapolis police officer was guilty of second and third-degree murder and manslaughter after video captured the arrest, which the jury concluded led to Floyd's death

With an evenly split Senate, Democrats will need to garner support from at least 10 Republican members to avoid threats of a filibuster.

Therefore, they may need to compromise on some progressive priorities like ending qualified immunity, which currently grants government officials  including police  who are performing their duties immunity from civil suits unless the plaintiff can show the individual 'clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known'.

Floyd's death led to national outrage, a slew of riots and protests, and a reinvigorated effort from lawmakers to pass legislation to address how law enforcement interacts with the communities they are tasked with protecting.

Moment at least 30 gunshots are fired near Minneapolis' George Floyd Square on the anniversary of his death 'over a PARKING SPOT' - forcing people to run and take cover

Multiple gunshots were fired Tuesday in an alleged row over parking near the George Floyd Square in Minneapolis as people marked the first anniversary of his murder.

Journalist Philip Crowther was shooting live video from 38th and Chicago when shots were heard about a block east of the intersection. Crowther said a storefront window appeared to have been broken by a gunshot.

His video from the scene showed people running to seek cover as at least 30 shots rang out. The shooting came just hours before the square is to be the site of a family-friendly street festival marking the anniversary of his death at the hands of police.

Billy Briggs, a volunteer caretaker who tends to tributes left to Floyd at the intersection, said the gunfire appeared to stem from an argument over parking. 'All clear,' Briggs wrote in a text message to Reuters.

'Very quickly things got back to normal,' Crowther said. 'People here who spend a significant amount of time, the organizers, were running around asking, `Does anyone need a medic? It seems like there are no injuries.'

Police said they responded to a reports of gunfire at about 10:10 a.m. at the 3800 block of Elliot Ave. South. Callers told police that a vehicle was seen speeding away from the area.

Soon after, someone went to Abbott Northwestern Hospital with a gunshot wound. The victim was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center and its believed the injury is not life-threatening.

Journalist Philip Crowther was shooting live video from 38th and Chicago when shots were heard about a block east of the intersection. Crowther said a storefront window appeared to have been broken by a gunshot

Video from the scene showed people seeking cover as shots rang out. The shooting came just hours before the square is to be the site of a family-friendly street festival marking the anniversary of his death at the hands of police

'Very quickly things got back to normal,' Crowther said. 'People here who spend a significant amount of time, the organizers, were running around asking, `Does anyone need a medic? It seems like there are no injuries'

The intersection has been barricaded since soon after George Floyd's death and quickly turned into a memorial - and also a challenging spot for the city, with police officers not always welcome.

Informally dubbed George Floyd Square, it was being transformed Tuesday into an outdoor festival on the anniversary of his death, with food, children's activities and a long list of musical performers.

'We're going to be turning mourning into dancing,' rapper Nur-D tweeted. 'We're going to be celebrating 365 days of strength in the face of injustice.'

The intersection has been barricaded since soon after George Floyd's death and quickly turned into a memorial - and also a challenging spot for the city, with police officers not always welcome

Informally dubbed George Floyd Square, it was being transformed Tuesday into an outdoor festival on the anniversary of his death, with food, children's activities and a long list of musical performers

'We're going to be turning mourning into dancing,' rapper Nur-D tweeted. 'We're going to be celebrating 365 days of strength in the face of injustice'

Floyd, 46, who was black, died on Memorial Day 2020 after then-Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck, pinning him to the ground for more than nine minutes.

Chauvin, who is white, was convicted last month of murder and faces sentencing June 25. Three other fired officers still face trial.

The 'Rise and Remember George Floyd' celebration, including a candlelight vigil at 8 p.m., caps several days of marches, rallies and panel discussions about his death and where America is in confronting racial discrimination.

Many members of the Floyd family are in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, to meet privately with President Joe Biden, who called relatives after the Chauvin verdict and pledged to continue fighting for racial justice.

Floyd family attorney Ben Crump said he hoped Biden will renew his support for policing reform named for Floyd that would ban chokeholds and no-knock police raids and create a national registry for officers disciplined for serious misconduct.

'Now is time to act,' Crump said Tuesday on CNN. 'Not just talk but act.'

Boards lean up against a building, as multiple gunshots were heard near the George Floyd memorial square on May 25

Men board up Prestige Cuts Barber Lounge after sounds of shots were reported near George Floyd Square, on the first anniversary of the death of George Floyd

A view of George Floyd Square on Monday

Floyds brother Philonise, appearing alongside Crump, said he thinks about George 'all the time.'

'My sister called me at 12 oclock last night and said This is the day our brother left us,'' he said, adding: 'I think things have changed. I think it is moving slowly but we are making progress.'

Nur-D, whose real name is Matt Allen, took to the Minneapolis streets in the days after Floyd's death, often providing medical assistance to protesters who were shot or gassed in confrontations with police. He eventually founded an organization, Justice Frontline Aid, to support safe protest.

He described the past year as 'like we've lived 20 years inside of one' and hoped that people would feel 'honesty and a real sense of togetherness' during Tuesday's celebration at what's informally known as George Floyd Square.

'If you're angry, you can be angry. If you're sad, you can be sad,' Nur-D said in a follow-up interview. 'If you're feeling some sense of joy over the verdict and some sort of like step in the right direction, and you want to celebrate that, do that as well.'

The event was organized by the George Floyd Global Memorial.

Angela Harrelson, an aunt of Floyd's and a member of the board of directors, said the organization has stockpiled 3,000 items surrounding Floyd's death - things like artwork left behind in the square - and will display some of them in a pop-up gallery.

FILE - In this Aug. 28, 202o people carry posters with George Floyd on them as they march from the Lincoln Memorial to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington

Bridgett Floyd, sister of George Floyd, attends a rally and march for the one year anniversary of George Floyd's death on Sunday in Minneapolis

Separately, the Floyd family announced the launch of a fund that will make grants to businesses and community organizations in the neighborhood where he died, as well as broader grants 'encouraging the success and growth of black citizens and community harmony.'

The money comes from $500,000 earmarked as part of the city's $27 million civil settlement for the Floyd family earlier this year.

The event at George Floyd Square was due to start at 1 p.m., the same time Gov. Tim Walz asked Minnesotans to pause for a moment of silence to honor Floyd.

Walz asked that the moment last for 9 minutes, 29 seconds - the length of time that prosecutors say Chauvin had his knee on Floyds neck.

Walzs proclamation says Chauvins guilty verdict was a step in the right direction, 'but our work to dismantle systemic racism and discrimination has not ended'.

He added: 'True justice for George Floyd will come only through real, systemic change to prevent acts like this from happening again - when every member of every community, no matter their race, is safe, valued, and protected.'
Former Sen. John W. Warner of Virginia, a courtly figure and longtime military expert whose marriage to Elizabeth Taylor gave him a potent dash of starpower, has died at 94.

The former Navy secretary  who was the sixth of Taylor's seven husbands  passed away of heart failure at home in Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife Jeanne Vander Myde and daughter at his side, according to his longtime chief of staff, Susan A. Magill.

'He was frail but had a lot of spirit and was involved until his last days,' Magill said of the centrist Republican, who remained friends with Taylor until her death in 2011.

But before their whirlwind romance, Warner was married to his first wife, banking heiress Catherine Conover Mellon, the daughter of multimillionaire Paul Mellon, for 16 years.

Former Sen. John W. Warner of Virginia, a former Navy secretary who was once married to Elizabeth Taylor, has died at 94

Warner is pictured with Taylor at the 42nd New York Film Critics Circle Awards dinner in 1977. The pair divorced in 1982 and he married real estate agent Jeanne Vander Myde in 2003

They wed in 1957 and had three children: Virginia, John W. Warner IV, and Mary. He left the marriage a rich man in 1973 after receiving a $7 million divorce settlement.

Three years later, Warner met Taylor on a blind date in 1976 after she had broken up with Richard Burton for the second time. The British ambassador had asked him to escort the actress to an embassy party honoring another Elizabeth, the Queen of England, who was visiting Washington.

They said 'I do' that December on Warner's farm near Middleburg, Virginia, and his marriage to a movie star drew huge crowds when he was elected to the Senate in 1978. However, their marriage was short-lived and they divorced two years later in 1982.

Taylor wrote later that they remained friends, but she 'just couldn't bear the intense loneliness' when he became engrossed in his Senate duties.

She told Larry King in 2001: 'Well, I thought we would get married, live on the farm, raise horses... And I thought it would be all very sort of farmish, and jobby, horsey, and I could have animals, and I would go out and brand the cattle.'

When Warner got to the Senate in 1979, he was the butt of some jokes, including being immortalized as 'Sen. Elizabeth Taylor' in the 'Doonesbury' comic strip. And once he established himself as a senator, Taylor rarely got involved.

'I don't think I've ever been so alone in my life as when I was Mrs. Senator, and I don't blame my ex-husband,' Taylor wrote in her 1987 book 'Elizabeth Takes Off.' 'He never pretended to be anything but a man devoted to public service, and once that service began in earnest, I had to take a backseat to his constituency.'

The pair married after Taylor's second marriage to Richard Burton ended

The two met on a blind date in 1976 when the British ambassador asked Warner to escort Taylor to an embassy party honoring another Elizabeth, the Queen of England, who was visiting Washington. They married that December on Warner's farm near Middleburg, Virginia

After they divorced, he dated Barbara Walters and then married his real estate agent wife Myde in 2003.

Warner, a member of the Episcopal Church served five terms before retiring from the chamber 30 years later.

He drew support from moderates of both major parties, establishing himself at the center of American politics.

He was a key supporter of President George W. Bush's declaration of war in Iraq, and served for a time as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

He had an independent streak that sometimes angered more conservative GOP leaders. But he was hugely popular with Virginia voters.

Warner was a centrist Republican and a courtly figure whose marriage to a movie star drew huge crowds when he was elected to the Senate in 1978

Warner was succeeded in 2008 by Democrat Mark Warner  no relation  who had challenged him for the Senate in 1996 and went on to serve a term as Virginia's governor. After years of rivalry, the two became good friends. Mark Warner said he 'epitomizes what it means to be a senator.'

'In Virginia, we expect a lot of our elected officials. We expect them to lead, yet remain humble. We expect them to serve, but with dignity. We expect them to fight for what they believe in, but without making it personal. John Warner was the embodiment of all that and more. I firmly believe that we could use more role models like him today,' Mark Warner said Wednesday.

Warner won support from moderates in both parties. The courtly senator with chiseled features and a thick shock of gray hair was so popular with Virginia voters that Democrats did not bother to challenge him in 2002 for his re-election to his fifth term.

'Virginians know that I stand up for what I think is right, and I accept the consequences,' Warner said in 1996.

'Virginia has lost an unmatched leader, and my family has lost a dear friend,' said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. 'Once I came to the Senate, I understood even more deeply the influence of John Warner. I came to know John McCain, Carl Levin, and so many others who served with him and attested to his integrity and outsized influence in a body he loved so dearly.'

Warner had been an early supporter of McCain's campaign for president, endorsing his fellow senator in February 2007.

The former secretary of the Navy, a veteran of World War II and Korea, Warner devoted most of his career to military matters. He lost his post as Armed Services Committee chairman in 2001 when Sen. Jim Jeffords' departure from the GOP put Democrats in control of the Senate, but he regained it after the 2002 elections put Republicans back in charge until the 2006 elections.

Warner often defended the Bush administration's handling of the war in Iraq, but he also showed a willingness to buck the White House.

Barbara Walters (left) interviewed Warner and Taylor at their farm in 1977

After they split, Taylor admitted she suffered 'intense loneliness' while he was engrossed in his Senate duties

After a 2007 trip to Iraq, Warner called upon Bush to start bringing troops home. He summoned top Pentagon officials to hearings about the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal and the Iraq war. Years earlier, he cast a critical vote denying President Reagans nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge Robert Bork, a favorite of conservatives.

In 2005, Warner was part of the 'Gang of 14  a group of centrist senators who defused a showdown over judicial filibusters on Bush's appeals court nominees. That same year, Warner was the lone senator to formally object to the federal government stepping in on the Terri Schiavo right-to-die case.

'Greater wisdom is not always reposed in the branches of federal government,' he said at the time. He had quietly inserted his statement into the Congressional Record hours after the measure passed the Senate on a voice vote.

Republicans nominated Warner for the Senate in 1978 after the party's first choice, Richard Obenshain, died in a plane crash. Warner was ridiculed by some who thought he was riding on the coattails of his then-wife, Taylor.

Warner was elected by the razor-thin margin of 4,721 votes out of 1.2 million cast and was easily re-elected in 1984 and 1990.

Warner went on to date Walters in the 1970s after his divorce from Taylor. He is picture with her (center) and her daughter Jackie Gruber in 1992

Warner and Taylor are seen with their children from different marriages. Taylor told Larry King in 2001 that she was looking forward to farm life with Warner, until he started in the Senate

In 1994, Warner angered conservatives by opposing GOP nominee Oliver North's bid to unseat Democratic Sen. Charles S. Robb. Warner declared the Iran-Contra figure unfit for public office and backed independent J. Marshall Coleman, who drew enough independent and moderate GOP votes to ensure Robb's re-election.

Steamed by what they viewed as disloyalty to the party, GOP conservatives tried to deny him a fourth term in 1996, backing a challenge by former Reagan administration budget director Jim Miller.

Miller portrayed Warner as an elitist who spent too much time squiring stars, including Walters. But Warner easily defeated Miller in the primary, and went on to beat Democrat Mark Warner in the general election.

John Warner mended his strained ties with the GOP by supporting the successful campaigns of Jim Gilmore for governor in 1997 and George Allen for Robb's Senate seat in 2000.

'I sure risked my political future, that's for sure,' Warner said in 1994. 'But I'd rather the voters of this state remember that I stood on my principle. ... That's the price of leadership.'

John Warner mended his strained ties with the GOP by supporting the successful campaigns of Jim Gilmore for governor in 1997 and George Allen for Robb's Senate seat in 2000. He is pictured speaking to Virginia House Delegates in 2012

While the military was Warner's top priority, he also championed legislation to toughen seat belt laws and took up an increasing number of environmental causes.

Born in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 18, 1927, Warner volunteered for the Navy at 17 and served as a 3rd class electronics technician. He received an engineering degree from Washington and Lee University in 1949.

He entered law school at the University of Virginia in the fall of 1949 but volunteered the next year for the Marines, serving in Korea as a first lieutenant and communications officer with the First Marine Air Wing.

Following Korea, he returned to law school and received a degree from U.Va. in 1953.

He was a law clerk at the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, went into private practice, and then served four years as a federal prosecutor.

In 1960, he resumed private practice and specialized in banking, securities and corporate practice. He became under secretary of the Navy in 1969 and served as secretary of the Navy from 1972 to 1974. He was administrator of the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration from 1974 to 1976.
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky says business travel will never be the same post-COVID - but predicted an unprecedented demand for leisure trips in the coming weeks.

Chesky, 39, spoke to CNN's Poppy Harlow on Tuesday and said he was hopeful for the future of the travel industry, but conceded getting on a plane for a work trip is a relic of life pre-pandemic.

Asked about the future of traveling for work, Chesky said: 'I think traditional business travel is never going to return the way it was. It doesn't mean business travel is dead. Just business travel as we knew it isn't coming back the way it was.

'The reason why is the bar is higher to get on a plane to do a meeting. We're realizing how many things can finally be done remotely. I think that people now have what they didn't have a year or two ago.

'Many people now flexibility. They have flexibility where they travel and live and work. And they're starting to combine all those. I think once people have something, they don't want to let go of it.'

Chesky predicted that there would still be some business travel - but most likely to bring staff together for large, occasional corporation-wide events.

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky (right) told CNN's Poppy Harlow (left) that he predicts that as soon as Memorial Day Weekend travel will increase exponentially across the country

The CEO also predicted people would use new flexible working rules - such as the ability to work from home - to spend long periods living in multiple different places throughout the year.

Chesky said a quarter of bookings made on the site since January have been for stays lasting 28 days or longer.

He said regular Americans could exploit these rules to live the same 'nomadic' lifestyle as rich people who spend summers in beach resorts like the Hamptons, and winters in ski destinations like Aspen.

The travel expert explained that many people could rent out their own property on Airbnb, and use the cash from that to find their jet-setting existence.

Chesky also boldly predicted that there is going to be a travel rebound unlike anything in his lifetime.

He explained: 'I think this is probably the most important thing to happen in travel probably since World War II. And, you know, obviously, I've been doing this for for 13 years. But we're pretty big company.

'We've studied the history pretty closely. You know, what you have right now, just give you a couple pieces of data. Number one, you know, on Airbnb, we're seeing activity that is at 2019 levels already.

'This is before cross border completely reopens which is half of our business. And this is before, you know, you have re-emergence of people cities. You combine those two, that was 68% of our business.

'So without that full recovery, we're back to 2019 levels. What was taken away from us, and connecting with other people. And I think this memorial day weekend you'll start see something unlike anything we've ever seen.'

Chesky heads Airbnb, an online marketplace that connects people who want to rent out their homes with people who are looking for accommodations in that locale

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky predicts business travel wont come back to the way it was because working from home has created more flexibility for employees

In the first quarter of 2021, Airbnb reported that average nightly rates had climbed by 35% year over year, which Chesky related to the popularity of large suburban homes for American family reunions, BloombergQuint.com reported.

According to the CEO after having the option to travel taken away, people are jumping at the chance to get out there.

'I think sometimes in life when things are taken away from you , you want it more,' he told Harlow. 'What was taken away from people? Traveling and connecting with other people.'

Chesky predicts that as soon as Memorial Day Weekend travel will increase exponentially across the country.

Chesky also believes that the company will be shifting towards more long-term stays as it has become the 'cornerstone for the new digital nomad lifestyle,' where people spend months living in different locations, Bloombergquint.com reported.

'You used to have to be wealthy to live somewhere else for the summer, but people can defer the costs now by renting (their primary home) on Airbnb when they're goneit could even become a cash-neutral possibility now,' Chesky told Bloomberg, meaning that people could use money raised from renting their home on Airbnb to pay to live a more nomadic existence.

Chesky said working from home has created more flexibility in how long people can stay in one place, creating less incentive to travel (stock photo)

Brian Chesky (pictured) told CNN that there is going to be a travel rebound unlike anything in his lifetime

Chesky also discussed how the lodging company will adapt to post-COVID world, including whether or not they are considering allowing host to deny people the ability to rent out homes if someone does not provide proof of vaccination.

Chesky declind to get into specifics, but told CNN the company is working closely with health care professionals, including the surgeon general Dr. Vivek H. Murthy on a hand cleaning protocol for hosts.

'We're going just kind of take this step-by-step with guidance from health care professionals so we don't have anything announce right now,' he said. 'We want people very safely and responsibly though.'

After the initial shock of COVID 19, which wiped away 80% of Airbnb's business, the company rebounded in the summer of 2020 and has come out of the past 16 months in better shape than most travel businesses, BloombergQuint.com reported.

Airbnb was not the only travel company hammered by the pandemic, the World Travel & Tourism Council estimates that the sector lost nearly $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs last year, Forbes reported.

Airlines alone lost $126 billion last year and are on track to lose another $48 billion this year, the council estimated.

Many travel bans remain in place. The White House is under growing pressure to lift travel bans imposed on visitors from the UK and EU imposed by then-President Donald Trump in March 2020.

The EU have indicated that vaccinated American tourists are welcome to visit this summer, increasing pressure on President Biden to respond in kind.

They have insisted they will wait for the
A black woman says she was shot six times by an off-duty cop after confronting him for tailgating her.

Lacresha Murray says she was shot six times by the off-duty cop in Copperas Cove, Texas, on Sunday, though her injuries were not considered life-threatening.

The Texas Rangers are now investigating the incident.

Murray says the incident began while she was out for a drive on Sunday, and began to feel sick.

She says she she decided to turn herself around and head to a hospital.

Lacresha Murray is recovering after she was shot six times by an off-duty police officer

'I did a U-turn in the middle of the street because I was going to go to the hospital,' Murray, who spoke in scrubs after the shooting, told KWTX. 'I started feeling sick.'

Murray says that after the U-turn, which was made in front of a silver truck, the other driver began tailgating her, leading her to get out of the car and confront him.

During that confrontation, Murray was holding her side because of the pain she was in and the man, who Murray says had not identified himself as an officer yet, allegedly pulled his gun.

'When I turned around to run back to my truck and get out of there, I just heard pop pop pop pop and all I could do was bend over and duck,' Murray said.

'He just started shooting, all I could do was lean over and he hit me six times. I'm a victim that got shot by an off-duty police officer that did not identify himself,' Murray added to 25 News.

The shooting prompted residents of nearby houses to come out and film the incident on their phones, which is when the shooter finally identified himself as a cop, it is claimed.

His name and ethnicity have not been released, with no further information shared by Texas Rangers on why he opened fire.

'At the time, when he's looking back and seeing these guys recording, he turned around, then he took out his badge,' Murray said.

'Tell me you're a police officer? Why are you arguing with me like you're a regular person like you didn't do any of that,' Murray told 25 News, wondering why she wasn't told the man was a cop.

Murray was allegedly shot after she cut off a driver while making a U-turn

Murray alleges that the off-duty cop didn't reveal a badge until neighbors came outside

The daughter of a resident in the neighborhood ultimately called 911 around, while other residents tried to get the off-duty officer to put his gun away.

A press release from the Copperas Cove Police Department says officers responded to the scene at around 12:43pm on Sunday after multiple reports about the shooting.

They revealed that an off-duty officer was involved in the shooting, but was not injured.

They stated that the woman, later identified as Murray, was transported to Scott & White Hospital with gunshot wounds.

Further information on Murray's injuries have not been shared, although she was able to walk and talk during a televised interview.

The Copperas Cove PD has been redirecting comment to the Texas Rangers, who have not responded to a request for comment from DailyMail.com.

According to 25 News, Murray later returned to the shooting scene while still wearing her hospital gown to retrieve her phone from her vehicle.

'For no reason, I didn't approach him, I didnt threaten him. I don't do anything. He just opened fire for no reason,' Murray said of the shooting while back on the scene.

None of the cell-phone footage shot by neighbors has emerged.

The off-duty officer has been placed on administrative leave during the investigation

While the officer in the shooting hasn't been identified yet, Lt. Kevin Miller of the Copperas Cove PD told the Killeen Daily Herald that the cop has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation.

It's not clear if the leave the officer was placed on is paid or unpaid.
'Cult mom' Lori Vallow continued collecting her children's Social Security benefits for months after they were killed, according to charging documents released Tuesday.

Her Doomsday author husband Chad Daybell also increased his first wife's life insurance benefits to the maximum allowed under the policy weeks before her death and ended up receiving a $430,000 payout, their murder indictment claims.

Lori and Chad were each indicted by a grand jury Monday on charges of conspiracy, murder and grand theft in connection with the deaths of her children, seven-year-old Joshua 'JJ' Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan.

Chad is also charged with one count of murder and insurance fraud in connection with the death of his late wife Tammy Daybell - just weeks before his marriage to Lori.

The couple are scheduled to appear in Idaho court on Wednesday morning. If convicted, they face life in prison or the death penalty.

Lori's children JJ and Tylee were last seen alive in September 2019, soon after Lori moved from Arizona to Idaho to live with Chad. Their remains were found in June last year.

According to the indictment, Lori switched Social Security payments from her daughter's account to her own account in mid-August 2019.

She then allegedly continued to wrongly collect Social Security assistance checks worth $1,000 for five months on behalf of Tylee and four months on behalf of JJ.

Both kids were receiving 'survivor' Social Security benefits, which entitle children of a deceased parent to up to half of the parent's full retirement benefits.

JJ's adoptive father - and Lori's fourth husband - Charles Vallow died in July 2019. Tylee's father - Lori's third husband - Joseph Ryan died in April 2018.

Scroll down to read the full indictment

Lori Vallow, left, continued collecting her children's Social Security benefits for five months after they were killed, according to charging documents released Tuesday. Her husband Chad Daybell, right, also increased his first wife's life insurance policy weeks before her death, the indictment claims

Vallow's children JJ, seven, and Tylee, 16, were last seen alive in September 2019, soon after Lori moved from Arizona to Idaho to live with Chad. Their remains were found in June last year

Chad was also charged with the murder of his first wife, Tammy Daybell, pictured. She purportedly died in her sleep aged 49 on October 19, 2019; Chad refused an autopsy at the time, despite the fact that his wife was in excellent health

A grand jury in Fremont County, Idaho on Tuesday returned a true bill indicting Lori and Chad. The alleged leaders of a dangerous doomsday cult were already behind bars awaiting trial on charges of conspiracy to hide the kids' remains.

It is unclear what led to prosecutors filing the latest indictment now - more than a year and a half after the murders they are accused of committing.

The charges come after Lori was declared 'indigent' by a district judge last Friday, meaning she cannot afford to pay for an attorney.

Charles Vallow (left), 63, the estranged fourth husband of Idaho 'cult mom' Lori Vallow (right), removed her as the beneficiary from his $1million life insurance policy just a few months before he was shot and killed by Lori's brother, Alex Cox

This week's indictment is not the first time one of the couple has been accused of tampering with their former spouse's life insurance.

In April last year Lori was accused in emails of trying to lock her late husband - and JJ's adoptive father - Charles out of his $1million life insurance policy before his death.

He wrote an email to his life insurance provider accusing Lori of hacking into his account and changing his password, according to KSAZ-TV.

At the time, Charles sought to remove his then-wife as a beneficiary of the $1million policy, emails show.

Charles was then shot and killed by Lori's brother Alex Cox who said the shooting was in self-defense. He then died of unknown causes several months later.

The couple face no charges relating to the death of Charles. That's despite reports in August last year that investigators in Arizona had expected to charge Lori in relation to the shooting death of her former husband before the end of 2020.

The indictment also alleges the Daybells and Cox had conspired to kill Tammy Daybell before her death, and that Cox even practiced shooting, going to a gun range and searching the internet for information about bullet velocity and shooting through vehicles.

Lori also bought her own wedding ring - a $35.99 sterling silver band from Amazon - 17 days before Tammy's death.

Lori and Chad tied the knot in Hawaii on November 5, two months after her children, Joshua 'JJ' Vallow and Tylee Ryan, were last seen in Idaho in September, and less than two weeks after Tammy's death on October 19.

Charles Vallow accused his then-estranged wife Lori Vallow of hacking into his life insurance policy in February 2019 - right around the time he filed for divorce

Cult mom Lori Vallow and her husband Chad Daybell have been charged with murder, two years after the remains of her two children were found on their property

Lori's kids Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, seven, and Tylee Ryan, 16, were last seen alive in September 2019, and their remains were discovered on her Idaho property last June

Investigators are seen searching the area of Chad's yard where they found JJ and Tylee's bodies on June 9, 2020

Timeline of JJ and Tylee's disappearance July 11, 2019: Lori Vallow's husband, Charles Vallow, is killed by her brother, Alex Cox, in Arizona. Police initially rule that Alex acted in self defense but reopen the case months later after the children are reported missing. August: Lori moves children JJ and Tylee to Rexburg, Idaho, where her future husband Chad Daybell lives with his wife Tammy. September 8: The last time Tylee is seen during a trip to Yellowstone National Park with Lori, JJ and Alex. In the following weeks she tells people who ask where Tylee is that she's studying at Brigham Young University's Idaho campus. September 23: The last time JJ is seen at his school in Rexburg. Lori emailed the school the following day and claims she is moving the family to California for a new job. October 2: Brandon Boudreaux, the ex-husband of Lori's niece Melanie Pawlowski, is targeted in a drive-by shooting in Arizona. Police identify the vehicle carrying the shooter as a Jeep registered to Charles Vallow, Lori's late husband. October 19: Chad's wife Tammy, 49, dies at their Idaho home. An obituary states that she passed away peacefully in her sleep. Chad declines an autopsy and her death is listed as natural causes. October 25: A friend of Tylee receives a vague 'miss you' text from her phone but says that it didn't sound like the teen. November 5: Lori and Chad tie the knot on a beach in Kauai. Receipts indicate that Lori purchased her own wedding ring from Amazon nearly three weeks prior to Tammy's death. November 26: Out-of-state relatives ask Idaho police to perform a welfare check on JJ. Lori and Chad claim he is in Arizona with relatives and ask their friend, Melanie Gibb, to lie and say she took the boy there for Thanksgiving. Police soon learn that no one has seen JJ, or his older sister Tylee, since September. November 27: Police execute a search warrant related to the children at Lori's home and discover that she and Chad have fled Idaho. December 11: Tammy's body is exhumed from a Utah cemetery and her death is reclassified as suspicious. December 12: Lori's brother, Alex Cox, is found unresponsive in a bathroom in Arizona and dies. Months later an autopsy determines that he died of natural causes while he had the overdose drug Narcan in his system. December 21: Rexburg police issue the first press release about JJ and Tylee, revealing they believe their disappearance could be linked to Tammy's death and asking the public for information. December 24: Lori and Chad issue a statement through an attorney saying they love their son and daughter and look forward to addressing 'allegations once they have moved beyond speculation and rumor'. December 30: Police accuse Lori and Chad of lying to investigators and say they believe the couple know where the kids are or what happened to them. January 3, 2020: Police search Chad's home in Salem and remove 43 items, including tech devices and journals. They also comb over sections of the snow-covered yard. January 26: Lori and Chad are seen for the first time in months as police serve them with two search warrants in Kauai. Lori is also served with a court order to produce the children to authorities in Idaho in five days. The couple are approached by the media while cops serve the documents and refuse to say anything about the kids. January 30: Lori misses the court deadline to produce the children to Idaho authorities. February 20: Lori is arrested in Kauai and charged with two felony counts for desertion and nonsupport of dependent children, and one misdemeanor count each for resisting and obstructing an officer, solicitation of a crime, and contempt of court. March 5: Lori is extradited to Idaho, where she is held on $1million bond at Madison County Jail. March 17: Lori professes her innocence in a statement through her attorney as two other members of her defense team quit and the judge removes himself from the case. March 24: Court documents filed in the divorce of Lori's niece Melani and her husband Brandon Boudreaux allege that Lori told people she believed her children were zombies before they disappeared. April 9: Authorities reveal they are investigating Lori and Chad for murder, attempted murder and conspiracy in connection with Tammy's death. May 25: Idaho police issue a statement expressing hope that the kids will be found safe on what would have been JJ's eighth birthday. June 9: Police search Chad's home in Salem for the second time and discover human remains in the backyard. Chad is taken into police custody and charged with destruction or concealment of evidence. May 25, 2021: Lori and Chad are charged with first degree murder in the deaths of the children. Chad is also charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife Tammy. Advertisement

Lori and Chad had repeatedly refused to say where the children were but insisted that they were safe.





Police also launched an investigation into Tammy's and Charles' death.

Fremont County Coroner Brenda Dye asked a judge in Utah to have Tammy's body exhumed from its grave in Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, Utah - where Chad had once worked - after suspicions were raised.

Tammy's body was exhumed on December 11, 2019, one day before the death of Lori's brother Alex Cox, who is named in the new indictment as a co-conspirator in Tammy's death.

Chad and Lori are both charged with conspiracy to commit first degree murder and grand theft by deception and first degree murder.

Chad is additionally charged with first degree murder, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, grand theft and insurance fraud in Tammy's death.

Tylee vanished on September 8, 2019, just days before her 17th birthday. Investigators said her body was burned and dismembered before being buried sometime the following day.

JJ was last seen two weeks later on September 23. His body was wrapped in duct tape and plastic and buried the same day, investigators said.

Authorities believe Lori's brother, Cox, brought the children's bodies to Chad's home to dispose of them.

Police began searching for the children in late November 2019 after performing a welfare check ordered by concerned relatives who said they hadn't spoken to seven-year-old JJ, who was autistic, in months.

When officers first went to Lori's home in Idaho on November 26, she told them that JJ was visiting relatives in Arizona - which investigators say was a lie.

Officers returned the following day and found that Lori and the man she married weeks earlier, Chad, had fled from the home.

Authorities said the couple repeatedly lied about where JJ and Tylee were and refused to cooperate with the investigation.

Lori and Chad were named persons of interest in the children's disappearance after investigators said they believe the mother knew where her children were or what happened to them.

The case captured nationwide attention with the revelations that police were also investigating at least three mysterious deaths linked to Lori and Chad, as well as family members' claims that the couple are members of a dangerous doomsday cult.

The first death is that of Lori's estranged husband Charles, who was shot dead by her brother Alex in Arizona on July 10, 2019.

Charles and Lori had gotten into an argument when the father came to pick up JJ at the mother's home in Chandler.

Lori's brother intervened and fatally shot Charles.

Police initially determined that he acted in self defense - but the case was reopened amid the multi-state search for JJ and Tylee, who had moved to Idaho, where Chad lived, with their mother weeks later.

The second mysterious death was Tammy.

Investigators reopened the case after learning that JJ and Tylee were missing, as their mother had married Chad just two weeks after Tammy died.

On December 12, Lori's brother, Alex Cox, was found dead in Gilbert, Arizona.

An autopsy determined that the 51-year-old's died of natural causes but noted that he had the overdose drug Narcan in his system at the time.

Police tracked Lori and Chad down in Princeville, Hawaii, in late January 2020 and served the mother with a court order requiring her to physically produce the children to authorities in Idaho within five days.

Lori failed to meet the deadline, prompting her arrest and extradition to Idaho, where she is currently being held at Madison County Jail in lieu of $1million bond.

Chad was arrested three months later after the children's bodies were found.

Prior to Tuesday's indictment, Lori was facing two felony counts of conspiracy to destroy or conceal evidence, as well as three misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing officers, solicitation to commit a crime and contempt of court.

Chad was facing two felony counts of conspiracy to destroy or conceal evidence, along with two other felony counts for destruction or concealment of evidence.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the initial charges and maintained their innocence.

The couple were previously slated to face trial together this fall.

It's unclear whether the trial will be moved in light of the new charges.

Over the course of the search for the kids several people who knew Lori and Chad came forward with claims that the pair were members of a 'cult' called Preparing a People, which was dedicated to bracing for the end of the world.

The organization aimed to distance themselves from Chad and Lori as the missing children's case made headlines, allegedly fearing that misconceptions about Preparing a People could cause members to be excommunicated from the LDS Church.

At the core of the couple's beliefs was the idea that they were prophets sent to earth by God to lead the 'chosen 144,000' into the New Millennium on July 22, 2020, according to court documents and accounts from friends and family.

Part of their preparations included eradicating the world of 'zombies' before Doomsday arrived, according to Lori's former best friend Melanie Gibb, who was part of a small group with which Chad shared his personal gospel.

'It was their commission to get rid of all the zombies before tribulations came upon us,' Gibb told the East Idaho News last year.

Chillingly, Lori had accused three of her loved ones of turning into zombies prior to their deaths: JJ and Tylee, as well as her fourth husband Charles.

Investigators believe Lori's brother Alex Cox was involved in the murders of JJ and Tylee. The trio are pictured at Yellowstone National Park on the day Tylee vanished in September 2019

When Lori married Chad she was still married to her fourth husband Charles Vallow (pictured together). Charles was shot dead by Lori's brother, Alex Cox, in July 2019

STATEMENT FROM TAMMY DAYBELL'S FAMILY FOLLOWING MURDER CHARGES As the parents and siblings of our dearly beloved Tammy, we want to make a brief statement in light of today's (May 25) news. First, we'd like to extend our continued love and heartfelt sympathy to the families of Tylee and JJ. Words cannot adequately express the depths of loss and pain that they are suffering, but we hope they know that they are not alone and we grieve and hold a place in our hearts with them at this time. In light of new information and forward movement in the judicial process, we ask for consideration of our family's right to privacy and continued grieving as we process this. We'd especially ask that this consideration be extended to our dearest Tammy's children and grandchildren. We want their lives to retain as much peace, normalcy and remembrance of their mother/grandmother as possible. No one knows how to handle this perfectly. We ask that we all be given the space to continue to honor and grieve our loved one the best we can. We'd like to thank the tireless efforts of law enforcement, the FBI, and all those who've continued to seek out the answers during the investigations surrounding Tylee, JJ and Tammy. We appreciate their pursuit of justice, and ultimately some measure of peace for those of us left in the wake of our loss. Thank you to all those family, friends, and supporters near and far who have continually reached out to us. We thank those who've shown interest in honoring Tammy's legacy with us through our beginning efforts with the Tammy Douglas Daybell Foundation. We pray that truth will prevail, and that all of us left behind will find a way to pick up the pieces and somehow come out of this crucible together. Chad was also charged with the murder of his first wife, Tammy Daybell (pictured together) Courtesy: East Idaho News Advertisement

Charles had filed for divorce from Lori five months before he died, and in court documents and conversations with law enforcement he revealed that Lori had threatened to kill him because she believed his body had been possessed by evil spirits.

After Charles died, Lori moved her children to Idaho in August 2019. Gibb recounted a phone call around that time when Lori remarked that her daughter Tylee had also turned into a zombie.

Soon after Gibb visited Lori in Idaho, and the mother began ranting about how her son JJ was 'acting like a zombie' and crawling on the kitchen cabinets.

In her East Idaho News interview, Gibb also described how Lori and Chad met at an LDS Church conference in late 2018 and quickly developed an eerily close relationship - despite them both being married to other people at the time.

Gibb said Chad had told Lori that they knew each other previous lives and were 'sealed' to each other.

Chad married Lori on November 5, less than two months after her children vanished and two weeks after his previous wife Tammy died. The couple are pictured in January in Kauai, where they fled after police began asking questions about where JJ and Tylee were

Latter-day Saints believe that relationships continue after death if a husband and wife are sealed in the temple by an officiant. People cannot be sealed to a second spouse if they are already legally married to a living person.

Gibb also described an extensive chart Chad made that ranked people based on their spiritual level.

It was four pages and included Biblical apostles, the current Latter-day Saint 12 apostles, family members, friends and celebrities.

The chart detailed how many lives each person had lives, whether they were 'dark' or 'light' spirits, their previous names and other unusual information.

It stated that Lori was on her 21st life, Chad was on his 31st, and both had lived five lives on this earth. Chad was identified as a Holy Ghost.

It's unclear how much contact Lori and Chad have had since he landed behind bars last summer.

Lawyers for each of them had argued to keep their cases separate amid speculation that they could turn on each other before trial.

Tuesday's indictment marked a landmark development in the case that has inspired many television specials, podcasts and Facebook communities of devoted sleuths.

However questions still remain over why the couple allegedly committed murder - and why it took so long for prosecutors to bring the charges.

Read the indictment below:
A woman who hoped to 'forget' an alleged sexual assult by a company boss as his girlfriend slept in the bed next to them said she went to the police because she just couldnt function, a court heard.

David Horton, 47, is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room as his girlfriend slept next to them.

The businessman is also on trial over a number of assaults that are alleged to have occurred while he was with the woman and his partner in pubs and restaurants in central London.

He repeatedly groped the alleged victims bottom before attempting to reach between her legs at Sushi Samba and the Star and Garter pubs on Soho that night, jurors have heard.

While taking a taxi together back to the hotel Horton then allegedly reached over and grabbed her breasts.

After they all fell asleep at the four-star Apex Hotel, the alleged victim awoke to find Horton on top of her, 'laughing' as he assaulted her with his fingers, jurors heard.

David Horton, 47, is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room as his girlfriend slept next to them in addition to other sexual assaults alleged to have occured while he was with the woman and his partner in pubs and restaurants in central London

Horton, then working as a company director at a construction firm, later told police he thought he was stroking the leg of his girlfriend, who was asleep in the adjacent single bed.

Giving evidence at Inner London Crown Court, the woman said she initially thought she would tell no one about the alleged assaults.

When I came home, my intention was to forget about it and never speak about it ever, she said.

I just wanted to move on, carry on, never think about it ever again, but I couldnt function, I just couldnt function at all.

I had told him to stop touching me, I didnt consent to that.

I found it really disrespectful that he was touching me when I had to asked him not to, but he just kept on doing it.

She was later encouraged to report the allegations to police after talking to her close friend, who was a serving soldier in the British Army.

Earlier prosecutor David Povall said: It became clear she that was very distressed and disturbed, not herself.

Horton, of Pembroke Street, Rotherham, south Yorkshire, denies four counts sexual assault, and one of assault by penetration. The trial at Inner London Crown Court (pictured, stock image) continues

It took five days after she came home before she went to the police about what had happened.

Mr Povall added: What was said by Mr Horton in his police interviews is, on those occasions in the pub, Horton touching her bottom, he believed because of the flirtatious nature of their conversation over the course of the evening, that she was consenting to that.

As far as the taxi is concerned, that is a mistake, he believed it was his girlfriend, he was not after her. The incident in bed, that didnt happen.

The touching of her leg, he was on the floor, that was also a mistake, he just got the wrong bed.

Horton, of Pembroke Street, Rotherham, south Yorkshire, denies four counts sexual assault, and one of assault by penetration.

The trial continues.
Dr Martin D. Greenberg is being sued for 'medical rape' by a woman who says he used his own sperm rather than a donor's when he performed IVF on her in 1983

A New Jersey woman is suing a gynecologist who she says secretly used his own sperm to impregnate her in 1983 during an IVF treatment - and she only found out when her adult daughter took a 23andMe DNA test.

Bianca Voss, now 75, says she went to Dr. Martin Greenberg on Park Avenue 38 years ago for fertility treatment. She claims in her lawsuit - which brands the incident 'medical rape' - that Greenberg promised to use an anonymous donor's sperm, but instead secretly impregnated her with her own.

She knew nothing of it until her daughter Roberta, now 37, did an at-home DNA test which revealed he was the father.

Now, Voss is suing Greenberg, who lives in Miami, and is now 81.

Her attorneys also tell DailyMail.com that they've been contacted by 'several' other patients who say they are now suspicious of Greenberg.

Those patients are now doing their own DNA tests to find out if he also impregnated them.

Greenberg, through his attorney, denied the allegations and appeared to deny ever working with Voss.

His lawyer told DailyMail.com: 'I have the privilege of representing Dr. Martin Greenberg  a physician who dedicated his professional life helping parents bring children into this world when the thought of having families was only a dream.

'The allegations made against Dr. Greenberg are for events that allegedly took place approximately four decades ago and are unsubstantiated. My client has been retired for over 15 years and has no medical record and is not aware of any other document suggesting that he ever was involved in Ms. Voss medical care.

'Moreover, it is my understanding that Ms. Voss daughter is living a healthy productive life,' he said.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Bianca's daughter Roberta said she felt 'disgusted' by what had allegedly happened.

Bianca Voss, now 75, (left) and her daughter Roberta (right) now 37, during a Zoom press conference on Tuesday. Bianca went to Dr. Greenberg in 1983 for IVF

These are the results of the DNA test that Roberta did with 23andMe last year. It named Martin as the father unequivocally

Greenberg now lives in Florida with his family. Voss says he hasn't responded to her attempts to contact him about being her father

'There in black and white, Dr. Greenberg....was identified as my father.

'Not my possible father, not someone sharing a lot of the same DNA characteristics, it says flat out, he is my father.

'Its horrifying to look in the mirror and see the person who violated my mother and I see his face every time I look in the mirror.

'Im in turmoil about who I am, what this means and what kind of person would do this? And is that a part of who I am? And what about my son?' she said.

She hasn't had any contact with Greenberg. It's unclear what the circumstances were that led Bianca to seek IVF treatment in the 1980s, or if Greenberg was married at the time or had any other children. The lawsuit says he has since had a son, who died at a young age.

Roberta with her own family. She says she contacted her biological father to ask about family medical history for her son but was ignored

Bianca, Roberta and Roberta's son. The women say they are disgusted about what has happened

The Voss's lawsuit also wants to discover more about how Greenberg's son died, to ascertain whether Roberta may be at greater risk of a genetic medical condition.

Greenberg asked her if she had any preference on the ethnicity of the sperm donor and collected $100 from her for the treatment, she says in her lawsuit.

'Defendant stood over Plaintiff with her legs spread in stirrups and inserted his own bodily fluids into her.

'Plaintiff would never have agreed to allow Defendant to use his own sperm to impregnate her.

Roberta has tried contacting Greenberg through the service, where his details were already stored, but she says she hasn't heard back

'Defendant used his position of trust and authority to insert his own sperm into Plaintiff. He violated his oath as a physician,' lawyer Jason Kane's complaint reads.

The complaint, seen by NBC News, adds: 'Dr. Martin Greenberg inserted his own sperm into this patient, Bianca Voss. He did so without her consent and against her wishes.

'Some people call this horrific act 'medical rape.' But regardless of the name, Greenberg's heinous and intentional misconduct is unethical, unacceptable and illegal.'

Bianca had her daughter in 1984.

In the fall of 2020, the daughter, Roberta, used 23andMe to find out more about her family and heritage.

The test result came back 100 percent that a Martin Greenberg was her father.

It's unclear why his DNA was on file - ordinarily, it's either because that person or their relatives have submitted it for their own search or it has been handed over by law enforcement.

According to the lawsuit, Greenberg had previously been sanctioned for 'dishonorable, unethical, [and] unprofessional conduct' but it's unclear what that conduct was.

Roberta says she was able to find out about Greenberg's family and that he had a son who died at a young age.

She tried to contact him to ask if there was any family medical history she should be aware of for her own son, but he ignored her.

The Voss family is now seeking at least $75,000 in damages.
Talk about unwelcome guests.

A Georgia family has revealed its horror at discovering rat snakes living in their ceiling when it collapsed months after they complained about a leaky roof.

Harry Pugliese told DailyMail.com he had alerted his landlord, John Stafford, about the leak back in February, just one month after he, his wife Susan, and his 13-year-old step daughter moved into the home in Lafayette.

But Stafford never addressed the issue, Pugliese said, and last week part of the ceiling came crashing down  revealing at least four rat snakes living in the ceiling.

The family promptly called Animal Control, who informed them that they would have to get the landlord's permission to take the roof down and get the four snakes out.

But still, Pugliese said, Stafford 'didn't want to do nothing about it.'

Days after the snake discovery - which piled on top of a rat, cockroach and bee infestation the family was already aware of - Pugliese said Stafford served him with an eviction notice to move out within a week.

After part of their ceiling came crashing down last week, the Puglieses found rat snakes in the ceiling of their new home in Lafayette, Georgia

They counted at least four snakes since Monday, and are now having trouble sleeping

Harry Pugliese said his 13-year-old step daughter was originally 'freaked out' by the snakes, but eventually started making fun of the situation by naming them

Pugliese said he had been asking Stafford to fix the roof for months, but Stafford claimed he did not have the money for the repairs.

Stafford also told local ABC News affiliate, WTVC, that the Puglieses never told him about the pest issues, and claimed he had sent someone to fix the roof two months ago.

The family, however, said the maintenance crews only put a band aid on the issue, and Harry said he called Stafford '20, 30, 40 times' since then to tell him that the roof was still leaking.

Eventually, Pugliese said he told Stafford he decided to hire a roofer to repair the leak instead of paying him the money for rent that month, and that he would not pay rent until the roof was fixed and the pests were removed from the house.

'Why would I pay him rent, if I could take the money and fix the roof?' Pugliese said.

But on Wednesday, the Puglieses received an eviction notice informing them that they have until June 2 to move out.

'I was trying to be nice and help him out,' Harry said, 'and he backstabbed me.'

Stafford explained to WTVC that rent could not be withheld due to maintenance issues.

Harry and Susan Pugliese were married last year and moved into the Lafayette home in January

The home is one of about a dozen properties landlord John Stafford owns

They are now planning on staying with Susan's brother anyway as they can no longer sleep peacefully in their new home.

'I'm dreaming that a snake is going to fall on me,' Harry said in a WTVC interview. 'I can't sleep. I couldn't sleep last night because of the snakes.'

His step-daughter, he said, was also 'freaking out' about the snakes in the house, but eventually started making fun of the situation and naming the snakes.

Rat snakes are nom-venomous constrictors that can grow to three to five feet long. They primarily feed on rodents.

The family is also dealing with honeybees in the walls, Harry said, but fortunately have not been stung yet.

'You don't disturb them, they're not going to sting you,' he said, noting that he tried to get an exterminator to address the swarm, but the exterminator said the wall would have to be removed, which Stafford did not want to do.

And before they moved into the house, Harry told WTVC, Stafford informed them that there were rats in the house and they would have to put out traps and poison themselves.

'He acts like he doesn't care,' Susan said of Stafford. 'He said: 'Well, if there are snakes in the ceiling, they'll be taking care of the rats.'

The Puglieses claim a crew Stafford sent over to fix a leak in their roof only put a Band-Aid on the situation, and the leak continued until part of the ceiling caved in

The Puglieses also have a honey bee infestation in their walls, which Stafford said he does not want to remove as the species is endangered

Harry shared pictures of the home's ceiling and roofing, which he said, is continuing to leak

Stafford manages dozens of rentals, he told WTVC, but only the one home, and said the situation there is 'difficult.'

When asked whether he knew about the rats, Stafford said he 'never heard that, but there are rats everywhere, so I'm sure there are rats there,' and when asked about the bee situation, he told the news station: 'I would hate to disturb the bees, because it's getting hard to even raise bees.'

'Bees are becoming extinct and that is a strong hive,' he said, adding he doesn't 'think there's another option' when a reporter asked him whether he thought it was OK for people to live in a house with these pests.

He hung up on the WTVC reporter when she asked when the home was last inspected, and he hung up.

DailyMail.com also tried to reach out to him, but all he said was 'I think the videos speak for themselves' before hanging up.
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Prince Harry and Oprah Winfrey will reunite again in a programme this Friday as they revisit their Apple TV+ documentary about mental health with a virtual follow-up discussion one week later.

The Duke of Sussex will speak to Oprah and other celebrities involved in the five-part series including actress Glenn Close as they reveal more about their stories in 'The Me You Can't See: A Path Forward'.

It comes after Apple said the show, which began streaming last Friday, had brought a 25 per cent rise in new viewers to the platform and a more than 40 per cent increase in average weekend viewership in the UK last week.

This Friday's follow-up, described by Apple as a 'virtual town hall conversation', will reunite health experts, celebrities and others who spoke about their struggles with depression, schizophrenia and anxiety in the series.

In a statement on the Archewell website, Harry and Meghan said the new programme would see the Duke and others 'go deeper into their own stories' and begin to answer the question: 'Where do we go from here?'

The initial documentary, called 'The Me You Can't See', saw Harry speak at length about the trauma of his mother Princess Diana's death, his concern for wife Meghan Markle and the reaction by other Royal Family members.

But royal experts criticised Harry over the programme, with Angela Levin saying 'he should back away from being a woke lecturing celebrity' and Camilla Tominey slamming his 'smug, self-pitying and at times, spiteful rhetoric'.

It came after Harry accused the Royal Family of racism during an interview with Oprah in March and suggested the Queen and Prince Philip, who died aged 99 last month, had failed as parents in a podcast chat earlier this month.

The Duke's future relationship with his father Prince Charles, brother Prince William and the rest of the Windsors has been brought into question following Harry's repeated criticism of them after stepping down as a senior royal.

Now, Buckingham Palace will no doubt be braced for further allegations fired from California across the Atlantic by Harry, who is still due to visit Britain in five weeks' time for the unveiling of a statue to Diana on July 1. The planned trip comes despite the Duke saying in last week's Apple documentary that London is a 'trigger' for his anxiety.

Prince Harry and Glenn Close speak to Oprah Winfrey in 'The Me You Can't See: A Path Forward' on Apple TV+ this Friday

Oprah and Harry speak with mental health professionals and experts in 'The Me You Can't See: A Path Forward' this Friday

The Duke of Sussex will speak to Oprah again after appearing in the documentary with her which began streaming last Friday

Apple said last week's show was also widely watched in Canada, Australia, Germany, Brazil and other countries. It is not yet clear whether Harry will speak more about his own mental health struggles in this Friday's programme.

The new documentary - which Apple told MailOnline would be released in the UK 'very early in the morning' - is produced by Oprah's company Harpo Productions, with Oprah and Harry among the executive producers alongside Terry Wood and Tara Montgomery.

Key revelations from Prince Harry's bombshell interview last Friday On the Sussexes' cries for help to the Royal Family 'I thought my family would help, but every single ask, request, warning, whatever it is, just got met with total silence, total neglect. We spent four years trying to make it work. We did everything that we possibly could to stay there and carry on doing the role and doing the job. But Meghan was struggling.' On Harry's family 'stopping' them from quitting 'That feeling of being trapped within the family, there was no option to leave. Eventually when I made that decision for my family, I was still told, 'You can't do this', And it's like, 'Well how bad does it have to get until I am allowed to do this?'. She [Meghan] was going to end her life. It shouldn't have to get to that.' On Meghan's wish to 'end her life' 'Meghan decided to share with me the suicidal thoughts and the practicalities of how she was going to end her life. 'The thing that stopped her from seeing it through was how unfair it would be on me after everything that had happened to my mum and to now to be put in a position of losing another woman in my life  with a baby inside of her, our baby. 'The scariest thing for her was her clarity of thought. She hadn't 'lost it.' She wasn't crazy. She wasn't self-medicating, be it through pills or through alcohol. She was absolutely sober. She was completely sane'. On Prince Charles' parenting 'My father used to say to me when I was younger, he used to say to both William and I, 'Well it was like that for me so it's going to be like that for you',' Prince Harry says in the new documentary. 'That doesn't make sense. Just because you suffered doesn't mean that your kids have to suffer, in fact quite the opposite.' On 'smears' from 'The Firm' 'Before the Oprah interview had aired, because of the combined efforts of The Firm and the media to smear her, I was woken up in the middle of the night to her crying into her pillow because she doesn't want to wake me up because I'm already carrying too much. That's heartbreaking.' On Meghan helping Harry into therapy 'I saw GPs. I saw doctors. I saw therapists. I saw alternative therapists. I saw all sorts of people, but it was meeting and being with Meghan I knew that if I didn't do the therapy and fix myself that I was going to lose this woman who I could see spending the rest of my life with. 'When she said, 'I think you need to see someone,' it was in reaction to an argument that we had. And in that argument not knowing about it, I reverted back to 12-year-old Harry.' Advertisement

'The Me You Can't See' project marked Harry's first foray into television production since he and Meghan, formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, quit their royal duties and moved to California last year.

Apple TV+ said the virtual episode this Friday would feature some of those who were interviewed offering further insight into their stories and guidance from experts.

Other notable participants in the documentary included singer Lady Gaga, NBA basketball players DeMar DeRozan and Langston Galloway, boxer Virginia 'Ginny' Fuchs, and celebrity chef Rashad Armstead.

In a statement on Harry and Meghan's Archewell website today, the couple said: 'When we hear others' stories, it empowers us to share our own. And 'The Me You Can't See', Prince Harry and Oprah Winfrey's new critically acclaimed, multipart docuseries, is doing just that: inspiring people worldwide to share their stories and talk openly about issues of mental health and emotional well-being.

'Today, co-creators and executive producers Prince Harry and Oprah Winfrey, along with Apple TV+, have announced that they will be hosting a town hall, The Me You Can't See: A Path Forward, to continue that global conversation this Friday, May 28.

'In 'The Me You Can't See: A Path Forward', Prince Harry and Oprah Winfrey reunite with participants and experts from the series for a thought-provoking, wide-ranging discussion to build on their initial conversations around mental health and well-being. The subjects go deeper into their own stories from the series, the experts share their guidance, and together they begin to answer the critical question: Where do we go from here?

'The insightful and expansive town hall features members of The Me You Can't See Advisory Board, as well as series participants including Glenn Close; Zak Williams, a mental health advocate and speaker; and Ambar Martinez, an author and OnTrack NY peer counselor.'

News of this Friday's programme was released by Reuters, Associated Press and the Deadline news website simultaneously at exactly 1.16pm today.

About half an hour later at 1.49pm, the Sussexes's trusted media partner Omid Scobie, who is the royal editor at Harper's Bazaar, tweeted: 'Millions have already streamed #TheMeYouCantSee, and now @AppleTV confirm that @Oprah and Prince Harry are following up the series with a 'town hall-style conversation' special.

'A Path Forward will be available from May 28 and offers further insight from guests and their stories.'

An Apple spokesman said: 'Apple TV+ announced today 'The Me You Can't See: A Path Forward,' a town hall conversation hosted by co-creators and executive producers Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry, with subjects and experts from the critically acclaimed, multi-part documentary series exploring mental health and emotional well-being, premiering Friday, May 28 for free on Apple TV+.

'Following the global debut of the groundbreaking documentary series, 'The Me You Can't See: A Path Forward,' Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry reunite with advisors and participants for a thought-provoking, wide-ranging conversation about mental health and emotional well-being, and where we go from here.

'As the subjects offer further insight into their stories, experts share their guidance for continuing the global conversation.'

During the documentary, Harry once again lambasted the parenting skills of the Prince of Wales, criticising his father for expecting his sons to endure the pressures of royal life, just as Charles has done, instead of protecting them.

Harry criticised his family, accusing them of 'total neglect' when his wife Meghan was feeling suicidal amid harassment on social media.

'The Me You Can't See' project with Oprah marked Harry's first foray into television production since he quit as a senior royal

Harry spoke with Oprah Winfrey about his mental health during 'The Me You Can't See' which began streaming last Friday

And he laid bare his battles with panic attacks and severe anxiety, saying 'so 28 to probably 32 was a nightmare time in my life'.

Harry and Meghan did not break charity law: Regulator clears former Sussex Royal foundation of wrongdoing after 'baseless' claims over 300,000 in transfers Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's former Sussex Royal foundation was yesterday cleared by a UK regulator of breaking charity law as the couple criticised 'baseless' claims that it illegally transferred nearly 300,000. Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state, had reported the foundations of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Prince William and Kate Middleton to the Charities Commission in July last year. The Sussex Royal charitable body, which later became known as MWX Foundation before being wound up, received a 145,000 start-up grant from William and Kate's Royal Foundation. A further sum of 151,855 was transferred from the Royal Foundation to MWX to deliver Harry's Travalyst sustainable travel programme, and was later transferred by MWX to the Travalyst organisation. The Commission found that all transfers of funds were lawful, but also concluded that the MWX Foundation failed to adequately document its decisions especially relating to its spending on legal and administrative costs. It said trustees took a decision to close the charity just 12 months after it was established, 'doing so during difficult and unexpected circumstances', and that almost half its funds were spent on legal and administrative costs. Advertisement

Harry also claimed his late mother was hounded in part because she was dating half-Egyptian Dodi Fayed.

Asked by Oprah if he had any regrets, Harry also said he wished that he had taken a stronger stance on 'the racism' aimed at Meghan early in their relationship.

'By this point, both of us were in shock,' he said. 'My mother was chased to her death while she was in a relationship with someone that wasn't white.

'And now look at what's happened. And it all comes back to the same people, the same business model, the same industry.'

Asked whether he had regrets, he replied: 'My biggest regret is not making more of a stance. Calling out racism when I did. History was repeating itself.'

Harry claimed that it was only him and their unborn child that kept Meghan going, after she told him about her suicidal thoughts and the practicalities of how she was going to end her life.

He said: 'The thing that stopped her from seeing it through was how unfair it would be on me after everything that had happened to my mum and to now be put in a position of losing another woman in my life, with a baby inside of her, our baby.'

He said he was 'somewhat ashamed' of the way he dealt with it, suggesting that rather than prioritising their official duties they should have pulled out. But at the time, Harry said, that was not an option, because of 'the system'.

Harry said that after marrying Meghan his attempts to get help from his family, following online trolling which was pushing her to the brink, were ignored.

He said: 'Every single ask, request, warning, whatever it is, to stop just got met with total silence or total neglect.'

Harry added: 'We spent four years trying to make it work. We did everything that we possibly could to stay there and carry on doing the role and doing the job.'

He said he did not go to his family when Meghan felt suicidal because he was ashamed the situation had got 'that bad' and also suspected the royals would not have been able to help.

The duke said: 'That was one of the biggest reasons to leave, feeling trapped and feeling controlled through fear, both by the media and by the system itself which never encouraged the talking about this kind of trauma. Certainly now I will never be bullied into silence.'

Harry was also shown taking part in an eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy session with a trained professional.

He said: 'Therapy has equipped me to be able to take on anything - that's why I'm here now, that's why my wife is here now.'

His comments will no doubt have increased the much publicised tensions within the royal family following Harry and Meghan's bombshell interview with Oprah in March.

In that programme the Sussexes first accused the royal family of not supporting them, claimed royal aides declined to help Meghan when she was troubled with suicidal thoughts and said a relative had made a racist comment about their son's skin colour.

Prince Harry and Oprah have co-created and executive produced the Apple TV+ series called The Me You Can't See

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex speak to Oprah Winfrey during their first bombshell interview which aired on March 7

Royal biographer Angela Levin, the author of 2018 book 'Harry: Conversations with the Prince', tweeted on Monday: 'How dreadful if Harry constantly thinks that he will lose Meghan like he did Diana and blames racism.

'Plus can't get rid of M's threat to commit suicide. His life sounds too much for him and he should back away from being a woke lecturing celebrity.'

Hours before the new show aired, Harry joined his brother the Duke of Cambridge in criticising the BBC following an inquiry which found the broadcaster covered up 'deceitful behaviour' used by journalist Martin Bashir to secure his headline-making 1995 interview with their mother.

The series comes after Harry appeared to suggest his father and grandparents, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, had all failed as parents during a podcast interview broadcast earlier in May.

'The Me You Can't See: A Path Forward' will begin streaming on Apple TV+ this Friday worldwide
Dramatic footage has captured a young migrant boy trying to swim back to Morocco from a Spanish enclave while using his rucksack as a float - and refusing rescue efforts.

The child can be seen struggling to make gains in the choppy waters off Ceuta while Spanish Civil Guard officers try to coax him out of the water from a lifeboat.

But the little boy can be seen repeatedly ignoring the policeman - from the aquatic GEAS force - who is sticking his hand out in an attempt to pull him to safety.

More than 8,000 people entered Ceuta last week from Morocco in a bid to get into Europe after the North African country left the borders open.

Morocco has since closed them but, according to Spanish media, several thousand minors remain stranded in Ceuta in legal limbo - with dozens recently attempting to swim back.

The exact number is unknown but the government of Ceuta said on Friday they had received 4,400 calls from Moroccan families looking for their children after having made the crossing that week.

Broadcasting the footage of the swimming boy, a newsreader on Spanish TV channel La Sexta said: 'Police are trying to rescue the boy but it appears he will not let them.'

Another newscaster added: 'He appears to be using his white rucksack as a float they are trying to save him but he has only one objective and that is to arrive to the coast and to step foot only in Morocco.'

Spain's Civil Guard approach a minor in the Gibraltar strait as he struggles to swim back to Morocco from the Spanish enclave of Ceuta

The boy repeatedly refuses to board the vessel, kicking his feet furiously to propel himself closer to home.

The officers could only monitor him to make sure he did not drown.

According to police, he had jumped into the water with another boy, who is thought to have made it to the other side of the border.

Reports suggest dozens of minors have attempted to make the often dangerous journey back to Morocco over the past few days.

A policeman is just metres away from the boy and puts his hand out in a bid to pull him for the water, but the child ignores him and propels himself towards Moroccan shores

It comes after they were swimming across in droves just last week, including one boy who was filmed arriving by using plastic bottles as a float.

He was pictured attempting to scale a wall barefoot before being detained by Spanish soldiers.

But many are now seeking to return home after their hopes of a much better life in the Spanish enclave were dashed by the harsh reality of life on the streets or a prolonged stint at an internment camp, or CEPI (Centre for the Participation and Integration of Immigrants).

The return crossing can be relatively simple at low tide, when they can just cross some rocks from the Spanish beach of El Tarajal.

But in the high tide, those like the boy with the rucksack are often forced to swim around the rocks.

Meanwhile, the children who choose to remain in Ceuta are hiding from Spanish patrols among the rocks, or camping in the mountains in shelters made of sheets and blankets, reports La Sexta.

Migrants had been swimming around the border separating the Moroccan town of Fnideq from the Spanish town of Ceuta - but now many are attempting to swim back home

They have to scavenge for food and clean themselves in the sea, with one group seen fighting over a bottle of shampoo.

Estimates suggest there could be around 4,000 Moroccan children in the Spanish territory - with many still seen roaming the streets, hoping to avoid being transferred to an official shelter in fear of being placed in the CEPI or sent back home.

However the lack of documentation makes it almost impossible to repatriate them, although some families have been appealing for their children to be sent back, sharing their pictures and contact information on social media.

Other children who manage to speak to their parents on the phone are told to stay in Ceuta, Spanish media reports.

Heartbreaking images last week showed bodies washed up on the shores of Ceuta after thousands of migrants attempted to make the crossing.

The enormous influx of people, described by some politicians as an 'invasion', came amid strained relations between Madrid and Rabat over the former's decision to provide medical treatment for Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario Front, who has Covid-19.

The armed group has fought for the independence of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony mainly under Moroccan control, for decades.

Spain believes Morocco deliberately opened its borders and turned a blind eye as a form of 'revenge' in the ongoing feud.

Youth unemployment is a chronic issue in Morocco, where 80 percent of unemployed people are aged between 15 and 34, according to US government figures.

At least 8,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta from Morocco, prompting scenes of panic and distress as authorities struggled to manage the unprecedented influx. Pictured: Arrivals gathered outside a warehouse as they wait to be tested for coronavirus

Hundreds of people gathered on the Moroccan side of the border last Wednesday as they tried to cross into Spain, but found themselves blocked after border guards stepped in

Ceuta, along with Spain's other North African enclave Melilla, have the European Union's only land border with Africa and have long been a magnet for migrants seeking a better life in Europe via Spain.

Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles said last week that Morocco's inaction over the migrants was 'an aggression of Spanish borders and of the borders of the European Union'.

'We are not talking about youths aged 16, 17, children as young as seven or eight were allowed through according to NGOs... ignoring international law,' she said in an interview with Spanish public radio.

'Call it what you want but I call it blackmail,' she said, adding 'it is not acceptable to put the lives of minors or of people of one's own country, at risk.'

Spain's government said that around 5,600 of the 8,000 migrants had already been sent back to Morocco as of last week, and that anyone who reached Ceuta's beach would be immediately returned.

Spanish authorities had been caught by surprise when thousands of mostly young people began swimming or using inflatable rubber rings and dinghies to cross the border, with Moroccan forces appearing to look the other way.

Madrid moved quickly to return most of the migrants and calm has largely returned to the beach of El Tarajal in Ceuta, where hundreds of soldiers in armoured vehicles have been deployed.
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Judges overseeing a murder trial against three Russians and a Ukrainian national accused of shooting down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 viewed the wreckage of the jet today, as prosecutors prepare to present their case.

The aircraft was shot down in July 2014 in the skies over eastern Ukraine amid fighting between government forces and rebel groups backed by Putin. All 298 people on board were killed - two thirds of them Dutch.

Seven years on, prosecutors are preparing to open a case against four rebel commanders accused of being directly involved in the shoot-down with opening arguments due to begin in Amsterdam on June 7.

Today, attorneys took the judges for a tour of the plane wreckage which has been reconstructed in a hangar on a Netherlands airbase. 'We cannot get closer to the death of the 298 victims than this,' said lawyer Arlette Schijns.

Judges overseeing a murder trial against three Russians and one Ukrainian over the shoot-down of passenger jet MH17 in 2014 were taken on a tour of the wreckage today

The Malaysia Airlines flight was brought down by an anti-aircraft missile fired from a Russian-made BUK launcher being used by rebel forces fighting in eastern Ukraine, prosecutors say, killing all 298 people on board

Lawyers for the victims say it is important for the judges to get a sense of the damage that the missile caused to the jet ahead of opening arguments in the case, which are due to begin June 7

Presiding judge Hendrik Steenhuis is seen through a hole in the side of the plane, which has been pieced together inside an air base hangar in the Netherlands

Prosecutors say three Russian men and one Ukrainian being tried in absentia were commanders of rebel forces in eastern Ukraine who gave the order to shoot down the jet after mistaking it for a military plane

Russians Sergey Dubinsky, Oleg Pulatov and Igor Girkin and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko are being tried in absentia, accused of being rebel commanders in Ukraine who ordered the jet to be shot down. Wilbert Paulissen, national Police chief of the Netherlands, is pictured announcing charges against the Russians and one Ukrainian in 2019

Pre-trial hearings have been going on since March 2020, but have mostly been concerned with procedural issues with no witnesses called or evidence heard. That is due to change next month.

According to international investigators and Dutch prosecutors, the plane was shot down using a Russian-made BUK anti-aircraft missile launcher that had been smuggled from Russia into Ukraine for use by rebel forces.

They say ground commanders mis-identified the passenger plane as a Ukrainian military jet before opening fire with a missile that exploded alongside the aircraft, shredding the fuselage which then crashed to the ground.

The accused are Russians Sergey Dubinsky, Oleg Pulatov and Igor Girkin and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko, who prosecutors say were involved in a chain of command that decided to open fire. All are being tried in absentia.

Pulatov is the only one to have appointed a defence team and has asked through his lawyers to address the court and lay out 'alternative theories' for the downing of the jet. His request was denied.

Russia denies any involvement in the downing of the jet, and has instead pedalled theories that Ukraine was responsible. Ukraine strongly denies this.

Kharchenko is the only one of the four that is actually in custody, after being arrested in eastern Ukraine last year. He is not attending the trial because he is in court in Ukraine as part of a separate case.

The other three are thought to be somewhere in Russia, which does not extradite its citizens.

Presiding Judge Hendrik Steenhuis said before viewing the wreckage: 'This is a reconstruction of the aircraft in which their loved ones were travelling to a destination which they never reached.'

Presiding judge Hendrik Steenhuis, right, and other trial judges and lawyers view the reconstructed wreckage of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, at the Gilze-Rijen military airbase

Presiding Judge Hendrik Steenhuis inspects the reconstruction of the MH17 wreckage, as part of a murder trial which has been ongoing since March last year but will enter a new phase next month, as witnesses are called

MH17 was destroyed by an anti-aircraft missile that exploded alongside the jet, peppering it with shrapnel that caused the fuselage to disintegrate in the skies over eastern Ukraine

Judges and lawyers viewed the wreckage of MH17, which was flying between Kuala Lumpur and the Netherlands when it was shot down over Ukraine in 2014, ahead of a new phase in the trial of three Russians and a Ukrainian suspect
Pope Francis today kissed the number tattooed on the arm of an Auschwitz survivor who suffered medical experiments at the hands of Nazi doctor Josef Mengele.

The pontiff listened intently as a Polish priest who accompanied Lidia Maksymowicz, 80, told him of her story at a general audience in the Vatican's San Damaso courtyard.

She then rolled up her left sleeve to show him the number - 70072 - and he leaned in to kiss it before the pair shared an embrace.

Maksymowicz told Vatican News that she didn't exchange words with the Pope.

'We understood each other with a glance,' she said.

Lidia Maksymowicz, 80, rolls up her sleeve for Pope Francis to kiss her Auschwitz prisoner number

The death camp survivor rolls up her sleeve for the Pope to reveal her tattoo

Lidia Maksymowicsz, a Polish-Belarusian Holocaust survivor, hands Pope Francis a picture which depicts the train tracks into Auschwitz

Pope Francis leans in to kiss the prisoner number from Auschwitz tattooed on Lidia Maksymowicz's arm in the Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard

Maksymowicz told Vatican News that she didn't exchange words with the pope. 'We understood each other with a glance,' she said.

'Mengele was an atrocious person, without limits and without scruples," she told the official Vatican News website after the audience, adding that she still remembers the pain he inflicted.

Maksymowicz and her family were taken from their home in Belarus to the Nazi death camp in German-occupied Poland in December 1943, shortly before her third birthday.

She was put in a children's barracks, where she and others were the subjects of medical experimentation by the notorious 'Angel of Death', Mengele.

After the liberation of the camp in 1945, Russian soldiers assumed her mother Anna - tattooed with the number 70071 - was dead.

She was adopted and raised by a Catholic Polish family.

Pope Francis greets a Holocaust survivor Lidia Maksymowicz after the weekly general audience at the San Damaso courtyard, at the Vatican

The pontiff embraces Maksymowicz in the Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard on Wednesday

Born Ludmila Boczarowa, she did not know her birth mother had survived and they were briefly reunited shortly before her mother's death in the early 1960s.

Maksymowicz, who lives in Krakow, Poland, is the subject of a documentary called '70072: The Girl Who Couldn't Hate. The true story of Lidia Maksymowicz.'

She often meets young people in schools to discuss the dangers of extremism and populism.

The Nazis and their allies murdered around 6 million Jews, as well as others, in German-occupied Europe.

More than a million people, most of them Jews, were killed at Auschwitz. The vast majority were gassed to death.

Auschwitz survivor Maksymowicz hugs the Pope

The Pope blessing the woman today as her Polish priest recounted her story to the pontiff

Maksymowicz holds hands with the Pope after hearing about her life

The Pope has paid tribute to Holocaust survivors in the past, including a 2014 visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Israel and a visit in February to the Rome apartment of a survivor, 88-year-old Hungarian-born writer and poet Edith Bruck.

The Vatican said that during the hour-long visit, Francis told her: 'I came to thank you for your witness and to pay homage to the people martyred by the craziness of Nazi populism.'

'And with sincerity I repeat the words I pronounced from my heart at Yad Vashem, and that I repeat in front of every person who, like you, suffered so much because of this: "Forgive, Lord, in the name of humanity,"' the pontiff told Bruck, according to the Vatican's account of the private meeting.

People visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi German death camp, where more than 1.1 million, mostly Jewish prisoners, were murdered by the Nazis
A cigar butt discarded by Sir Winston Churchill and picked up by a policeman who was escorting him has sold for more than 4,200 at auction.

The item that was thrown away half-smoked by the wartime leader during the 1940s sold for 4,270 today.

The previous owner's grandfather, Arthur Church, who had served as a policeman at Scotland Yard in the 1940s, had been on duty escorting the former Prime Minister when he picked up the discarded butt.

On Wednesday, the item, which was expected to sell for as low as 800, drew significant interest and sold for a 3,500 hammer price, rising to 4,270 with buyer's premium.

The cigar butt belonging to the former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill has sold for 4,270 with Bellmans auctioneers

The discarded item was picked up by Arthur Church, who had served as a policeman at Scotland Yard in the 1940s

The cigar is wrapped in a fragile piece of paper which reads: 'Thrown away by Rt Hon Winston Churchill'.

The paper also records the date as being September and in the 1940s but is not fully readable because part of it has fallen away.

It was sold by Bellmans auctioneers, based in Wisborough Green, West Sussex.

Speaking of the item this month, Julian Dineen, specialist in charge of the Bellmans auction, said: 'It offers the chance for someone to own something that's a very tangible link to Churchill and to be able to hold and own something that they too would have held or owned themselves.

'It's really that tangible link to him that must give any buyer a real thrill.'

The high price for the cigar butt shows the enduring taste at auctions for items once owned by Sir Winston.

The auction comes just days after auctioneers at Bellmans revealed three brandy balloon glasses that once belonged to Sir Winston would also be put under the hammer this month.

The glasses, which are being sold by a member of the Churchill family, could fetch up to 10,000 each.

Also going on auction is a piece of paper featuring Sir Winston's autograph.

It bears the full message: 'With all good wishes from Winston S. Churchill 1948.'

On a separate sheet is the autograph of Sir Desmond Morton, Sir Winston's former private secretary.

The current owner's grandfather acquired it from an acquaintance of Sir Desmond and the lot is being sold with a handwritten letter regarding the acquiring of the signature.

The signatures are expected to fetch between 400 and 600.

Three balloon glasses that once belonged to Sir Winston are to be put up for auction and could fetch up to 10,000 each

A piece of paper featuring Sir Winston's autograph will also be put under the hammer by auctioneers

A final lot with a Churchill connection is a painted, wooden model boat named 'Namouna' which once stood in the suite used by Sir Winston when he stayed at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo

A final lot with a Churchill connection is a painted, wooden model boat named 'Namouna' which once stood in the suite used by Sir Winston when he stayed at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo.

The former PM was a frequent visitor to the principality after he left office.

The boat was among a number of items from the hotel which were previously auctioned off when the establishment was refurbished in 2015.

Bellmans estimate the boat will sell for between 300 and 500.

Earlier this month, a pair of satin slippers that once belonged to Queen Victoria were also put under the hammer with Bellmans.

Made in the mid-19th century, the royal shoes are detailed with gold thread bands and will go under the hammer almost 202 years after she was born.

A pair of satin slippers that once belonged to Queen Victoria are also set to go under the hammer

The slippers are expected to fetch up to 3,000 later this month when members of the public will be able to bid.

The ballet-style shoes had been gifted by Queen Victoria to her Mistress of the Robes, Harriet Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland.

Mr Dineen added: 'There is definitely a taste for memorabilia related to important historical figures at the moment.

'The recent sale of Churchill's slippers indicated that although we don't expect Queen Victoria's slippers to necessarily reach five figures as they are less rare.

'We suspect that Queen Victoria's household would have ordered more than one pair of a particular style and due to their delicate nature they probably wouldn't have been worn too many times.'
Reports that Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance has convened a special grand jury as part of his probe of his probe of the Trump Organization has sparked anxiety in the former president's inner circle, reports suggested Wednesday.

Trump aides are concerned that Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg will flip on the ex-president and are nervous because is a 'numbers guy who just has plain details', according to Politico.

'This isn't a Michael Cohen situation,' the aide added and insisted Trump's hints that he will run again in 2024 are not a defense tactic because he misses 'being president terribly'.

The report of the grand jury convening is an indication that Vance feels he has enough evidence to charge and ultimately convict Trump  raising the possibility of a potential indictment this year.

Vance has obtained Trump's tax return information after a long legal battle that went to the Supreme Court, and has joined forces with New York State Attorney General Letitia James, whose office confirmed it is undertaking a criminal probe.

The grand jury will consider a group of cases, including Trump's, and will meet three days a week for the next six months.

'The grand jury's going to get everything and that's true,' former Federal prosecutor Harry Litman told MSNBC after news broke on the secret grand jury.

'We know that the  that was the inception of the case, but then, they got the mother lode. They got the tax returns, going back and forth to the Supreme Court twice to get them,' he added.

President Donald Trump called a potential prosecution 'purely political,' following reports Manhattan DA Cy Vance has convened a special grand jury in his probe of the Trump Organization

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. is stepping down at the end of the year, putting time pressure on the probe. Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg faces pressure following reports that the company paid expensive private school tuition for his grandchildren

The intense legal pressure on longtime Allen Weisselberg is adding to the drama.

Legal experts have identified the company executive as someone with vast knowledge with company workings who could 'connect the dots' in a potential prosecution.

'There's definitely a cloud of nerves in the air,' and advisor told Politico.

'I think the Weisselberg involvement and the wild card of that makes the particular situation more real, because theres no sort of fluff and made-up fictional circumstances around the guy.'

'The fact that theyre dealing with a numbers guy who just has plain details makes people more nervous. This is not a Michael Cohen situation,' said the advisor.

Litman, a former deputy assistant attorney general during the Clinton administration, pointed to the potential prosecutors will uncover financial irregularities.

'So, that takes all kinds of transactions of this sort and forms the basis for possibly multiple counts where people surmise and it stands to reason that it's a similar kind of hanky-panky  changing the way you valuate same properties, one for tax to make it look low, one for loans to make it look high. That's fraud on both entities,' he said.

He was referencing claims by former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, who testified that the company inflated property valuations for securing lending, then low-balled them at tax time. He also referenced the Stormy Daniels scandal, where Cohen provided $130,000 in payments that he got reimbursement for from company funds for the former porn star who claims she had an affair with Trump. Trump denies the affair.

'And I think what is happening, likely, is a plethora of transactions like that, like that core one with Stormy Daniels, which we are learning is sort of the Trump way of doing business, the general MO, and also including Weisselberg,' he said.

Who's who in New York criminal probe into Trump New York state has opened a criminal investigation into former US president Donald Trump (pictured November 2020) A Democratic prosecutor nearing the end of his term, a loyal lieutenant of the Trump family and a lawyer determined to sink his former boss: AFP details some of the players in New York's criminal probe into Donald Trump. Cyrus Vance The 66-year-old Democrat has been Manhattan District Attorney since 2010. He was the first to launch a criminal investigation into the Republican ex-president. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance (pictured May 2020) has doggedly pursued Donald Trump, winning a years-long battle to obtain his tax records and deploying significant human and financial resources to the politically sensitive investigation Vance, whose father was US Secretary of State under President Jimmy Carter, has sometimes been accused of a reluctance to prosecute the rich and powerful. He delayed filing charges against disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein before securing a landmark conviction last year. Vance has doggedly pursued Trump, though, first by winning a years-long battle to obtain his tax records and secondly by deploying significant human and financial resources to the politically sensitive investigation. He has announced that he will not run for a fourth term when his current one expires in December, and many observers expect him to go out with a bang by filing what would be the first indictment against a former US president. Letitia James The Democrat became the first Black woman to become New York state attorney general in 2018. Since then, the 62-year-old has forged a reputation as a combative and independent prosecutor, filing countless civil actions against large companies, particularly tech giants, and the National Rifle Association (NRA). In addition to Donald Trump, Letitia James (pictured August 2020) is also investigating New York's governor, Andrew Cuomo, over sexual harassment allegations and his response to the coronavirus pandemic When Trump was in the White House, James launched dozens of civil actions against his government. She is also investigating New York's powerful Democratic governor, Andrew Cuomo, over sexual harassment allegations and his response to the coronavirus pandemic. James has been cited as a possible successor to Cuomo, particularly if her investigation forces him to resign. Allen Weisselberg The 73-year-old is the Trump Organization's long-serving chief financial officer and one of the family's most loyal servants. He began as an accountant for Trump's father's company before joining the Trump Organization as financial controller in the 1980s when Donald established himself as a Manhattan real estate mogul. Allen Weisselberg, pictured standing behind former president Donald Trump and his son Donald Jr. in January 2017, has served as the chief financial officer of the Trump Organization since the 1980s Weisselberg has been around for all of Trump's entrepreneurial adventures, including when his Atlantic City casinos went bust. According to Barbara Res, a former executive vice president at the Trump Organization, Weisselberg 'thought Trump was a god,' she told the Daily News. Investigators believe Weisselberg knows all of the Trump family secrets and have been putting pressure on him for months to cooperate with their investigation. Observers are closely watching whether Weisselberg will turn against his former boss. Michael Cohen Trump's ex-personal lawyer was sentenced to three years in prison in 2018 for tax evasion and violating campaign finance laws relating to Trump's 2016 vote win. Cohen was one of Trump's closest henchmen for a decade, once proudly boasting that he was prepared to 'take a bullet' for the real estate mogul-turned-president. Michael Cohen, pictured March 2021, openly rejoices in former boss Donald Trump's legal troubles on Twitter and through his podcast He turned against his former boss, though, deciding to collaborate with federal investigators in Manhattan. During a Congressional hearing in February 2019, Cohen alleged -- among other things -- that Trump regularly undervalued or overvalued his assets, both with banks and insurance companies. Cohen openly rejoices in Trump's legal troubles on Twitter and through his podcast 'Mea Culpa.' Source: AFP Advertisement

He said prosecutors would present a 'rolling narrative,' and that 'it is certainly their intention now for this kind of grand jury to be asking for charges at the end of the day against one or more person.'

He noted that Vance has said he will step down at the end of the year. 'He's going to want to make the charging decision,' he said.

As for the pressure on Weisselberg, he said: 'This is hardball. This is really putting the squeeze to a 73-year-old father. This is tough, tough stuff.

A former federal prosecutor said the Stormy Daniels sage represented the 'MO' of how the company did business, which could bring legal exposure. Longtime Trump lawyer Michael Cohen made payments to the former porn star who claims she had an affair with Trump

Trump blasted the developments and hit at prosecutors in a statement Tuesday from his Save America PAC.

'This is a continuation of the greatest Witch Hunt in American history. It began the day I came down the escalator in Trump Tower, and its never stopped. They wasted two years and $48 million in taxpayer dollars on Mueller and Russia Russia Russia, Impeachment Hoax #1, Impeachment Hoax #2, and it continues to this day, with illegally leaked confidential information,' Trump wrote.

'No other President in history has had to put up with what I have had to, and on top of all that, I have done a great job for our Country, whether its taxes, regulations, our Military, Veterans, Space Force, our Borders, speedy creation of a great vaccine (said to be a miracle!), and protecting the Second Amendment,' he said.

'This is purely political, and an affront to the almost 75 million voters who supported me in the Presidential Election, and its being driven by highly partisan Democrat prosecutors.'

He also referenced his own potential political ambitions  which could figure in a legal defense.

'Interesting that today a poll came out indicating Im far in the lead for the Republican Presidential Primary and the General Election in 2024. Our Country is broken, our elections are rigged, corrupt, and stolen, our prosecutors are politicized, and I will just have to keep on fighting like I have been for the last five years!'

Donald Trump, wife Melania, with the Barry and Jennifer Weisselberg, the son and daughter n law of Trump Org CFO Allen Weisselberg. Jennifer has been assisting the criminal probe into the Trump Org for months

Former President Donald Trump raged against Manhattan prosecutors for conducting a 'purely political' investigation in a statement made to his website

'DNA will be easier to get when he's at Rikers': Trump rape accuser E. Jean Carroll trolls him over Manhattan DA grand jury after he spent months refusing to give DNA in her defamation suit

Donald Trump's rape accuser E. Jean Carroll trolled him on Twitter after Manhattan prosecutors announced they are convening a grand jury to consider whether to indict him in a sweeping criminal probe of his business practices.

'Trump's DNA will be easier to get when he's at Rikers,' Carroll - who is suing Trump for defaming her when she came forward to accuse him of sexually assaulting her in a department store dressing room in 1996 - quipped on Tuesday in response to an article about the grand jury.

Lawyers for Carroll, 77, have spent months battling to have Trump submit a DNA sample in her lawsuit that can be compared to the unidentified male DNA on the dress she was wearing the day of the alleged assault.

In court documents Carroll's lawyers have accused Trump of pulling out all the stops and doing everything he can to avoid being deposed and giving a DNA sample.

'From the very start, however, Trump has done everything in his power to stop the truth from coming out,' the lawyers wrote in an April 16 filing in the federal court of appeals.

In her mocking tweet on Tuesday Carroll suggested that Trump landing behind bars in the Manhattan district attorney's separate probe could make it easier to finally force him to comply in her case.

Donald Trump's rape accuser E. Jean Carroll (left) trolled him on Twitter after Manhattan prosecutors announced they are convening a grand jury to consider whether to indict the former president (left) in a sweeping criminal probe of his business practices

Carroll's lawyers accused the DOJ of attempting to delay progression of the case, including Carroll's effort to get a DNA sample from Trump to see if it matches male genetic material on a dress she says she wore the day of the alleged attack (pictured)

The alleged incident involving Carroll, a former Elle magazine columnist, and Trump happened in the mid-1990s, but Carroll remained silent about it until 2019 with the support of the #MeToo movement.

When she finally published her claims , Trump, who was president at the time, attacked her and accused her of lying to sell her new book, saying: 'She's not my type.'
Newly released video shows the moment a man with a history of schizophrenia attempted to push a stranger into the path of a train in southeast Brazil.

Jose Elias, 35, could be seen standing behind what appeared to be a backpack while looking across the tracks at the Se subway station in Sao Paulo.

Elias then approached the woman and grabbed her by the arms as the train pulled into the station, it is alleged. However, the woman fought off Elias and ran towards the back of the platform and left the station while other passengers looked on, investigators say.

The random incident took place April 23, but surveillance video was first leaked Wednesday on Twitter by @Sao Paulo Sobre Trilhos (Sao Paulo on Rails), an account that posts subway content.

The womans name has not been released by Sao Paulo authorities.

Jose Elias charges at a woman and tries to push her into a train at a subway station in the southeastern Brazilian city of Sao Paulo on April 23. The video of the incident was leaked Wednesday. The 35-year-old was arrested, and according to authorities, had been diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2016. He is currently being held at a hospital under a court order obtained by the Civil Police

Still image of surveillance video shows Jose Elias (red circle) grabbing a woman by the arm and trying to push her into a train in Sao Paulo, Brazil

According to online news portal UOL Band, security guards at the station held Elias following the incident and turned him over to the Civil Police.

Agents searched his backpack and confiscated notes that included plans on how to kill people and how to commit suicide.

Jose Elias (red circle) looks at passengers on a platform at the Se subway station in Sao Paulo, Brazil, moments after he attempted to push a woman (white circle) into a train on April 23.

Jose Elias (red circle) had a backpack with notes that included plans on how to kill people and how to commit suicide

Authorities also discovered a medical file that showed that Elias had been diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2016. He had also been arrested for several crimes in the past.

Online news outlet G1 reported that Elias was hospitalized following a court order obtained by the Civil Police.

The Metropolitan Police Station is seeking attempted murder charges against Elias.
A Montana woman who shot and killed her ex-husband after she claimed he tried to rape her has had the murder charges against her dropped, putting a definitive end to a roughly two-decade cycle of abuse she suffered at his hands.

A district judge in Sanders County dismissed all charges against Rachel Bellesen, 38, with prejudice on Tuesday.

Lance Jasper, a pro-bono attorney for Bellesen said Judge Amy Eddy cited an 'ethical obligation' in her decision. Her order means the mother-of-two cannot be charged again for the same crime.

On the evening of October 8, Bellesen's ex-husband and the father of her children, Jacob Glace, used threats against their son to lure her to a local swimming pool, where she said he tried to rape her twice before she shot him.

Rachel Bellesen was accused of murdering her ex-husband last year when she said he tried to rape her. A Montana district court judge fully cleared her of the charges on Tuesday

Bellesen, who now works as coordinator at a shelter for domestic violence victims, had gone to police with her current husband, Cory Bellesen, shortly after to report the shooting, and went to a hospital to have her injuries documented. She was charged with murder the next day.

Jasper presented her entire defense to prosecutors before trial under the condition that they ask for the charges to be dropped with prejudice upon reviewing it.

Instead, in April they filed to have the charges dropped without prejudice, saying they would wait for forensic test results before deciding whether to charge Bellesen again for the killing.

Bellesen chronicled roughly two decades of abuse she suffered from her ex-husband Jacob Glace (pictured)

Advocates at the Abbie Shelter, where Bellesen works, argued that she should not continue to have the threat of prosecution hang over her. Judge Eddy, it would seem, agreed.

On Facebook, Bellesen's son, Orion, celebrated the decision, and praised his mother for her strength, saying: 'I am so beyond proud & at a loss for words for how strong you are. to go through what you had to go through is unimaginable & beyond the definition of brave. I love you so very much, with all of my heart, to the moon & back a million times. you will always be my hero, my best friend & wisest teacher I know.'

Bellesen met Glace 23 years ago in Washington state, when he visited her friend's house to sell them marijuana, the Daily Beast reported. At the time he was 23 and she was 15.

They went on to have two children together over the next two years, and she moved in with him when her mother left to live in Montana.

Their relationship was short lived. In 2004 the two divorced after Glace pleaded guilty to assaulting Bellesen after he hit, scratched and dragged her out of her apartment by her hair.

Bellesen would leverage her difficult experience into a career as counselor at a shelter for domestic abuse victims

Bellesen with her son, Orion. He would take to Facebook after her mother was cleared to praise her for her strength

Bellesen, struggling with homelessness and alcoholism, lost custody of her children to Glace and at age 21 moved to Montana.

Despite having full custody, he let her take care of the children, but Bellesen said her ex-husband would constantly threaten to take them away after he too moved to Montana to live near them.

By 2012 things started to look brighter for Bellesen. She met her current husband and started going to college to become a substance abuse counselor. She also started volunteering at Abbie Shelter, which would hire her full-time in 2018.

Glace, however, would still continue to harass her, she said.

In 2010 he was found guilting of assaulting another partner, and in 2020 he was charged for assaulting two other girlfriends.

After the judge's decision, Bellesen issued a statement, comparing the state's actions to those of her ex-husband's, saying they were, 'eerily similar to when an abuser attacks youand then tries to serve a sad excuse of apology with a bouquet of flowers the next morning, expecting you to just take them in gratitude, say nothing, and go on about your day like nothing happened.'
A 19-year-old man was charged with both murders and admitted assisting in the disposal of Mr Algar's body

Days later drug dealer Ebrima Cham, 35, was also killed in nearby Hounslow

A teenager who helped dispose of a talented trumpeter's body parts has been cleared of his killing but found guilty of murdering a second man.

Accomplished jazz musician William Algar, 53, known as Blaise, was killed and chopped up at his home in Barnes, south-west London, jurors heard.

Days later, drug dealer Ebrima Cham, 35, nicknamed the 'Brim Reaper', was also killed in a frenzied attack at a flat in Hounslow, west London.

Following an Old Bailey trial, a 19-year-old man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was found not guilty of Mr Algar's murder and manslaughter but guilty of Mr Cham's murder.

He had previously admitted perverting the course of justice by assisting in the disposal of Mr Algar's body.

The jury, which deliberated for more than 34 hours, had heard the teenager blamed co-defendant Simon Emmons for the killing despite appearing to confess to another man.

A 19-year-old who helped dispose of talented trumpeter William Algar's body parts has been cleared of his murder and manslaughter

Fellow drug dealers Emmons, 40, of no fixed address, and Zimele Dube, 33, of Hounslow, were convicted of Mr Cham's murder by a majority of 10 to two.

Emmons and street dealer Janayo Lucima, 19, of Kensington, were also convicted of perverting the course of justice, along with Marc Harding, 45, of Hounslow, who admitted the charge.

Prosecutor Crispin Aylett QC said the attack on Mr Algar was 'of extraordinary viciousness beyond anger'.

He told jurors it was 'frenzied' and 'the work of borderline psychopathic proportions'.

Mr Algar was described in court as a 'good guy' who had a lot of interests and 'did not have a harmful bone in his body'.

But following an Old Bailey trial, the teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was along with two co-defendants found guilty of rival drug dealer Ebrima Cham's (pictured) murder in nearby Hounslow

He suffered from mental health problems and had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

His life spiralled down after he began using and dealing class A drugs and his home was taken over by other dealers in what is known as a 'cuckoo' house.

Jurors heard that before his death around December 1 2019, he had fallen out with the 19-year-old unnamed defendant over money.

It was alleged that the defendant, described as a drug-dealing gangster, had bullied Mr Algar and threatened to kill his cat, which was never found.

Following Mr Algar's death, the defendant held a meeting on December 16 with Emmons and Lucima to decide what to do about the body, the court heard.

The Old Bailey heard the clean-up operation and disposal of Mr Algar's body was interrupted by the impromptu decision to attack Mr Cham, who was reputed to rob other dealers of cash and drugs. On January 3 2020, Mr Algar's head and torso were discovered by police at his home (pictured) after his mother raised the alarm

Early the next day, Emmons' phone was allegedly used to research dissolving a body in acid, like a plot from the Breaking Bad television series.

Lucima bought cleaning products at Tesco, and over the next couple of days Mr Algar was dismembered and his limbs were dumped on Hounslow Heath.

The clean-up operation was interrupted by the impromptu decision to attack Mr Cham, who was reputed to rob other dealers of cash and drugs, jurors heard.

Emmons, Dube and the unidentified 19-year-old travelled to Mr Cham's home where he was stabbed 11 times in a 'ferocious and frenzied attack', Mr Aylett said.

On January 3 2020, Mr Algar's head and torso were discovered by police at his home.

The victim's elderly mother had raised the alarm after he failed to keep in touch with her over Christmas.

Mr Aylett said: 'All of the events that take place in this case both in relation to Mr Algar and in respect of Mr Cham take place in the context of the lucrative and lawless world of class A drug dealing.

'The drug-dealing world is one of rivalries, robberies and turf wars.

'And when drug dealers fall out, they do not take their problems to the police.

'Instead, they take things into their own hands - usually with violence and often ending in either death or serious injury.'

The 19-year-old unnamed defendant denied the murders and claimed he saw Emmons chopping Mr Algar's legs off with a Rambo knife.

He admitted going to the house to clean up, but denied plotting to use a Breaking Bad-inspired acid bath to dispose of the body.

He dismissed alleged confessions as merely boastful talk.

In his evidence, Emmons dismissed the 19-year-old's claim he confessed to the killings and said the allegation he was involved in the clean-up was 'fantasy talk'.

The defendants were remanded into custody and will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on July 23.
A Queensland man who dissolved his wife's body in a wheelie-bin of acid after murdering her is applying for parole after serving less than 10 years in jail.

Klaus Andres, now 78, was sentenced to life behind bars after being found guilty in 2013 of murdering his 42-year-old wife Li Ping Cao.

German-born Andres dissolved Ms Cao's body in a wheelie bin of acid before pouring the remains down a stormwater drain outside the couple's Cairns home.

Klaus Andres, now 78, was sentenced to life behind bars after being found guilty in 2013

The pair met in China in 2006, the year after Andres' first wife died.

The sentencing judge said Andres had never recovered from her death from cancer.

Andres and Ms Cao lived together in Cairns from 2009, but the relationship deteriorated from the following year.

About two months before her death, Andres began a sexual relationship with a 35-year-old Thai woman who he met a Cairns casino while she was on holiday.

Ms Cao was last seen on October 29, 2011.

Li Huan Cao (pictured) with a photo of her sister Li Ping Cao, who was murdered by her husband in 2011

Detectives found only her porcelain teeth after her body was dissolved in acid.

Andres admitted to disposing of her body in that way and to causing her death.

But he denied intentionally killing her.

He claimed she twice stabbed him with a fork during an argument, so he pushed her, causing her to fall by accident and die suddenly.

He told everyone who asked that Ms Cao had left him.

Queensland's Parole Board is due to hear an aspect of Andres' parole application on Thursday.

The aspect relates to the No Body No Parole law, under which the board cannot grant parole unless 'satisfied that the prisoner has satisfactorily cooperated in the investigation of their offence to identify the victim's location', the Parole Board said in a statement.

The board's decision on Andres' parole application will be published at a later date.
A 22-year-old woman has been gang raped in India after she was lured into an ambulance driver and his accomplice who promised to give her food, police said.

The alleged attack took place on Monday after the married woman approached the vehicle in Jaipur.

After the paramedic and his friend offered her food, thy drove her to a remote location where they raped her, officer Surendra Pancholi said.

A 22-year-old woman has been gang raped in India after she was lured into an ambulance driver and his accomplice who promised to give her food, police said (file image)

The ambulance driver and the accomplice have been taken into custody where they are currently being interrogated.

The alleged victim's statement has been recorded by police and a medical examination has been carried out, the Times of India reported.

India is one of the world's most dangerous places for women, with a rape occurring on average every 15 minutes based on federal data.

Last year, a six-year-old rape victim has died in hospital ten days after being attacked, sparking furious protests in India which saw her family lay the girl's body in the street.

The girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by her cousin while she was at home in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state.

Protests were held across India following the alleged gang-rape of a 19-year-old Dalit woman in September. India is one of the world's most dangerous places for women, with a rape occurring on average every 15 minutes based on federal data

She was being treated at a hospital in Delhi but succumbed to her injuries on October 6.

Her death followed widespread demonstrations over the death of a 19-year-old woman following an alleged gang-rape in September.

In December 2012, the gang-rape of a 23-year-old woman sparked nationwide outrage and led to a tough new anti-rape law.

An average of nearly 90 rapes were reported in India every day last year, according to data by the National Crime Records Bureau, but large numbers are thought to go unreported.

India's 200 million low-caste Dalits have long faced discrimination, and campaigners say attacks have increased during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Florida father who police say killed his four-year-old son before taking his own life last week was being investigated for stalking after his ex-wife discovered a tracking device attached to her car and went to the police.

According to investigators, John Stacey, 47, who was said to be a former member of the 'Moonies' cult, carried out the murder-suicide on Thursday, just hours after the Plantation Police Department launched a criminal investigation into him.

Police performing a welfare check found the bodies of Stacey and his son, Greyson Kessler, at the father's Fort Lauderdale condominium apartment on Friday night.

John Stacey, 47, who reportedly had been a 'Moonie' cult member for five years, killed his son, Greyson (right), in a murder-suicide after planting a GPS device on the car of his ex-wife, Alison Kessler (right)

Kessler went to the police on May 20, after a mechanic working on her Lexus found the tracking device that had been attached to her car with magnets

Officials have said that both the father and son died of gunshot wounds.

Records cited by the Sun-Sentinel indicate that Alison Kessler became suspicious that her jealous ex-husband was stalking her when she took her Lexus to an auto center to have her tires rotated, and a worker there asked her is she knew that a GPS device had been attached to the bottom of the vehicle with magnets.

The device was an Optimus 2, a lower-end model that costs about $50.

Kessler headed to the Plantation Police Department on Thursday afternoon to report the finding, telling investigators that she had a feeling Stacey was tracking her movements because he told her knew that she had been to the courthouse and other places.

Kessler had filed a motion seeking an emergency pickup order to have her son removed from Stacey's home, which was denied only after the murder-suicide

Based on Kessler's complaint, police were looking into the possibility of charging Stacey with stalking, unlawfully installing a tracking device and domestic violence.

Kessler had filed an emergency pickup order to remove her son from his father's home after receiving a string of increasingly threatening and disturbing text messages and emails from him in the days leading up to the murder-suicide.

'You are not allowed to date other people. It's either me or no one. Or I will remove child support and quintuple text volume. The choice is yours, Ali,' Stacey wrote in a May 14 text message after coming to believe that his ex-wife had a new boyfriend, according to court documents.

Four days later, Stacey wrote to his ex-wife: 'you get what you deserve. You're not even human. You deserve to have your head separated from your body. But I am not the violent type. God will deal with you.'

Kessler had become concerned that Stacey had planted a tracking device on her car based on a text that she received from him on May 19.

Kessler said Stacey was stalking her and sending threatening text messages and emails. One message read: 'You deserve to have your head separated from your body'

Police said both Greyson and his father died of gunshot wounds inside the man's apartment in Fort Lauderdale

'Clearly you are attempting to take legal action against me if you are hanging out by the court house. What is the status?' Stacey wrote. 'You prob [sic] should tell me now rather than me wait to find out otherwise.'

The following day, Kessler found the GPS device and went to the police.

Kessler also said Stacey had spent five years in a cult called the Unification Movement Church, whose members are commonly known as 'the Moonies,' reported NBC6.

According to Kessler, Stacey had not received therapy to address his trauma from being in the cult, where he had married a Japanese woman who was handpicked for him by the founder of the religious movement, the Rev. Sun Myung Moon.

An article published in The Washington Post in 1997 stated that Stacey, then aged 23, left the controversial church and his wife earlier that year, having come to the realization that he had been trapped in a cult.

Kessler revealed the for five years Stacey had been a member of the 'Moonie' cult, and he even married a Japanese woman during a mass wedding ceremony (Pictured: 4000 brides and grooms at the world's largest mass wedding in Madison Square Garden, New York)

Florida Judge Michael Kaplan denied Kessler's motion seeking the pick-up order for Greyson, saying it 'does not present an emergency as it addresses the issue of child visitation.'

Kaplan's ruling came on Saturday, 12 hours after the four-year-old was found murdered.

'The 17th Judicial Circuit is aware of the tragic situation reported in the news over the weekend. Judges are prohibited from commenting on pending proceedings and cannot discuss the specifics of any orders,' a statement from the court read. 'It cannot be stressed enough that if someone has reason to believe a child or any other person is in danger, they should call law enforcement --- in all instances. We extend to the family and mother of this horrific event our deepest condolences.'

In a GoFundMe created Sunday morning to help support the grieving mother, Kessler's family blamed the agencies they said stood by to allow the deaths to happen.

'The police, child protective services and the criminal justice system failed Greyson and Ali, who filed multiple emergency orders to get Greyson safely away from the father, who had been sending threatening text messages and emails to Ali, and exhibited frightening behavior,' the fundraising page read.
A school in Texas refused to honor a student who killed herself at her graduation over fears it would trigger other students into killing themselves too, it is claimed.

Charisma Garza took her own life approximately two and a half years ago, when she was just 15 years old, after suffering from mental health issues.

She would've graduated from La Porte High School this Friday and her classmates were hoping the school would honor Charisma in some way, such as with a symbolic empty chair, or mention during the ceremony.

Instead, they were met with resistance from the school, with classmate Melody Fuentes claiming the principal feared a potential copycat situation.

Family and friends of Charisma Garza (pictured) are pushing her school to reverse a decision they made about not honoring her at graduation on Friday

Charisma (pictured with her brother) took her own life approximately two and a half years ago

'[The principal is] in fear that in doing so, memorializing her, another student will follow in her footsteps,' Fuentes said to KTRK.

Fuentes started an online petition a week ago along with several others, asking for Charisma's name to be called during the graduation and a moment of silence be held.

She also wanted there to be an empty chair provided, which would have a picture of Charisma and a stuffed animal provided by her friends.

On May 22, however, Fuentes updated the petition to say that her request had been denied by the school.

'This is not something that should be swept under the rug, they should not be putting her aside,' Fuentes said.

Her friends are now among those asking La Porte High School to honor her at graduation

A petition on Change.org has garnered over 3,8000 signatures as of Wednesday morning

Charisma's friends and family believe it's important to acknowledge her and bring awareness to the issue of mental illness, which she suffered from with bouts of depression and anxiety.

'I would never want any other parent to feel what I'm feeling, and if we can raise awareness, that's all we want to do,' Charisma's mother, Debbie, said.

She supports the call to pay tribute to her late daughter at the graduation.

Debbie described her daughter as an artist with ambitions of traveling around the world.

'You live with this not knowing forever because I will never know exactly what was going on in her mind,' Debbie added. 'I know that my daughter was sick. This is not going away. Our teenagers are still struggling with mental health.'

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, making it a particularly acute moment to honor Charisma.

In comments to DailyMail.com, Debbie and her husband said: 'We are deeply saddened that the school district was so quick to say no to Charisma's friends' request and not even offer them an alternative choice.

'It shows their lack of empathy towards their students even though they state that they are looking out for their student's best interests.'

The school is refusing to honor Charisma (pictured with her family), claiming that it could be a 'potential trigger' to those in attendance at the graduation

Her family and friends argue that it's important to bring awareness and honor Charisma

Charisma Garza is pictured with her mother, brother, and father on Facebook

Alexis Holley, another student behind the petition, reacted to the rejection from school officials to FOX 26.

'He was very big on saying it was going to be a trigger to other students and he was trying to be respectful about it, but at the same time he wouldnt really let me respond with well it could be triggering to us because were not being heard,' Holley stated.

Debbie stated that they were not trying to detract from the graduation of other students and that she just wants to raise awareness.

The La Porte Independent School District released a statement about their decision not to honor Charisma on Friday.

'As parents ourselves, we feel deep sadness for any parent who has lost a child. We also concern ourselves with the well-being of our students who are being honored for completing high school,' the statement reads.

The statement went on to identify the acknowledge of Charisma's death at graduation as a 'potential trigger.'

Charisma was described by her mother as an artist with ambitions of traveling the world

'All I want is for the school just to recognize that was the student they had, not the death. That didn't define her,' Charisma's mom said

'Heeding the educated advice of crisis counselors, we will move forward to recognize our graduating class of 2021 without any potential trigger for anyone who has experienced such a horrible loss or has considered it themselves. The health and safety of our students (and staff) are always of paramount importance,' the statement concludes.

Rebecca Seber, one of the students behind the petition, rejects the school's rationale.

'Their reasoning behind it is quite frustrating,' Seber said of the decision.

'[It's] disappointing and hurtful that the school is not honoring our request,' Fuentes added.

At this time, the school has two days to reverse their decision, which Charisma's friends and family hope they do.

'All I want is for the school just to recognize that was the student they had, not the death. That didn't define her,' her mom said.

'I feel like if we get them to memorialize her, even just a shout, it would mean that people are actually realizing this is a serious subject, that we need to take action on,' Holley added.

La Porte High School in La Porte, Texas is set to hold their graduation on Friday evening

The petition on Change.org has garnered over 3,800 signatures as of Wednesday morning.

Many of the signees have commented, urging the La Porte ISD to reverse their decision on Charisma.

'Pretending she never existed will be so damaging to her classmates,' commented Anita Constantine-Gay.

'Shame on LaPorte High School. If Charisma had passed from cancer everyone would jump on the bandwagon to recognize her and her 'valiant' battle against cancer,' another person commented.

Charisma's father, Luis, also appears to have commented on the petition.

'My daughter deserves a spot and her name called out in her graduating class of 2021. She was a caring, loving, giving to anyone and everyone whether it be strangers, friends and family. Her life deserves a spot light just as much. She earned it.'

For confidential support call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255
A conwoman with a history of inventing bizarre identities to dupe families and international authorities plans to leave Victoria and won't say where exactly she's headed.

Samantha Lyndell Azzopardi was due to be sentenced in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday over child stealing as part of a fake au pair scam.

But the 32-year-old's sentencing had to be put on hold until Friday after she was found unsuitable for a court order that would required specialist psychiatric treatment.

Samantha Azzopardi has been accused of stealing four children

Her lawyer Jessica Willard suggested Azzopardi could be released with time served and make contact with local area mental health services when she decides where she wants to relocate.

She told her lawyer she wants to live with an aunt in northern NSW, but has refused to hand over any specific details.

Prosecutor Kristie Churchill objected to the proposal, which she said would effectively put Azzopardi out on the streets.

'To simply sentence Ms Azzopardi without any treatment in place is simply setting her up to fail and not offering the community any reassurance as to her protection either,' she said.

She also had concerns given nobody would know where exactly Azzopardi intended to go.

'There's a pattern of offending in Ms Azzopardi's case where she moves from location to location, assumes identities and creates sophisticated backstories,' she said.

Magistrate Joanna Metcalf said she didn't disagree with Ms Churchill's concerns, and had some of her own.

She said Azzoprdi's unwillingness to divulge her plans was frustrating matters.

'It makes me wonder if there's other reasons. I don't know,' she said.

Azzopardi has been in custody for more than a year and earlier this month admitted charges of child stealing, obtaining property by deception and theft.

She duped Melbourne couple Tom and Jazze Jervis into believing she was a qualified au pair named Harper Hernandez.

While claiming to be from a rich American family she received $6500 while working for them for six months.

Samantha Azzopardi will not admit to where she's going after sentencoing

A French couple living in Melbourne was also duped by Azzopardi, believing she was an au pair named Sakah.

She took another child on a trip to Sydney after convincing a family that she was a talent scout called Marley.

In the video she is dressed as a school girl before she kidnaps the children.

They're not the first to fall victim to Azzopardi's strange schemes, with foreign governments also being duped by her.

In 2013, Azzopardi showed up in central Dublin claiming to be a teenage sex trafficking victim from Eastern Europe. It cost the Irish government hundreds of thousands of dollars before her true identity was exposed.

After being deported she showed up in Canada, where she said she was a victim of sexual assault and torture.

In Australia, she convinced a Perth family she was a Russian gymnast named Emily whose entire family had been killed in a murder-suicide in France.

She's been caught in Sydney too, passing herself off as a schoolgirl more than half her age.
The white woman dubbed 'Central Park Karen' for falsely telling police that a black bird-watcher threatened her in New York City has sued her former employer, saying it fired her without doing a fair investigation and falsely portrayed her as racist.

Amy Cooper filed the complaint against investment firm Franklin Templeton, where she worked from June 2015 to May 2020, in Manhattan federal court Tuesday night, nearly a year ago to the day after she was fired.

A day before she fired, Cooper was seen in a video that quickly went viral falsely telling police that a black birdwatcher was threatening her while gripping her dog's leash so tightly that the pup was lifted off the ground.

Franklin Templeton said in a May 26, 2020 tweet - which was liked 277,000 times - that it performed a legitimate investigation and 'determined indisputably' that Cooper was racist and terminated her.

Cooper's lawsuit, however, claims there was never a 'legitimate' investigation and the company's tweet gave the 'Karen' narrative 'legitimacy' and 'caused her such severe emotional distress that she was suicidal.'

Cooper is seeking unspecified damages for race and gender discrimination, defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.

The company's actions 'caused her such severe emotional distress that she was suicidal,' according to the lawsuit, which was filed Tuesday night.

Franklin Templeton told DailyMail.com in a statement: 'We believe the circumstances of the situation speak for themselves and that the company responded appropriately. We will defend against these baseless claims.'

Amy Cooper said in the viral video falsely accusing a black bird-watcher of threatening her

Christian Cooper, who is not related to Amy, is a birdwatcher who spends his time in Central park and was falsely accused of threatening Amy

In the lawsuit, Cooper says race had nothing to do with the incident. She said the birdwatcher - Christian Cooper - has a 'history of aggressively confronting dog owners' in Central Park.

'It was Christian Coopers practice and intent to cause dog owners to be fearful for their safety and the safety of their dogs, and he had a history of doing so to people,' the lawsuit says.

Amy Cooper talking police

She was 'frightened to death after being selected as the next target of Christian Cooper, an overzealous birdwatcher engaged in Central Parks ongoing feud between birdwatchers and dog owners,' according to the lawsuit.

The legal action cites a previous run-in Christian Cooper had with a man named Jerome Lockett, a black dog owner who frequents Central Park.

Lockett told media outlets that Christian Cooper is a 'd**k' and 'probably did threaten her.'

'Sure, were breaking the rules by having our dogs off leash in a park that has 80percent of its area off-leash hours, but that gives that guy no authority to accost people in such manner,' Lockett said, according to the court document.

'My two fellow dog owners have had similar situations with this man, but dont feel comfortable coming forward because theyre white. They think they'll be seen as a "Karen" or whatever.'

But the company still 'perpetuated' the 'Karen' vs. an innocent African American narrative and never contacted Lockett, the lawsuit says.

The dispute with the bird-watcher Christian Cooper, who is not related to her, went viral after a video surfaced of her calling the police and saying 'there's an African-American man threatening my life.'

The video has been viewed on Twitter more than 45 million times.

She received 'countless' threatening and harassing phone calls and text messages because she's a white woman, according to the lawsuit, which gave one example:

'You racist c**t b***h. F**k that dog too, stupid b***h. You all over social media lying on a black man. Stupid typical white b***h.'

Amy Cooper was charged by Manhattan prosecutors last July with filing a false police report.

The charges were dropped in February after she completed therapy that included instruction on not using racial bias.
Mike Lindell was thrown out of the Republican Governors Association (RGA) spring conference in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday after vowing in an interview earlier that day to confront governors about the 2020 election.

The MyPillow CEO, close Trump ally and staunch advocate for overturning the presidential election result told Politico that minutes after he collected his credentials at the lobby of the JW Marriott Hotel, the event coordinator turned him away, claiming he wasn't allowed at any RGA events.

An RGA official clarified to Politico that Lindell attempted to join RGA member transportation for a dinner at the Tennessee Governor's Mansion.

'These events are for RGA members, and Mike Lindell is not currently an RGA member,' the official said.

The Republican businessman showed proof to Politico of his 'executive roundtable' badge for the conference  and the dinner Tuesday night was titled 'executive roundtable reception and dinner.'

MyPillow CEO and Trump ally Mike Lindell said he was kicked out of the Republican Governors Association spring conference on Tuesday. Earlier in the day he said in an interview that he would confront Governors Doug Ducey and Brian Kemp on the 2020 election

Lindell also said he was invited to the conference and shared a screenshot of a calendar event headlined 'RGA  Nashville Meeting' with the attachment 'Nashville Agenda.pdf.' He also shared revealed documents labeled at the bottom with 'CONFIDENTIAL', which included the schedule for the three-day RGA conference.

Lindell has been encouraged by some to run for governor of Minnesota  including by former President Donald Trump.

While speaking on Steve Bannon 's radio show Tuesday before heading to the RGA conference, Lindell said he would confront Governors Brian Kemp of Georgia and Doug Ducey of Arizona.

Ducey serves as RGA chair.

He said he would speak to the two about the 2020 presidential election and allegations of widespread voter fraud and Democratic 'rigging' in their states.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey posted an image of himself at the conference in Nashville, Tennessee with some other GOP governors

Trump has lashed out against Kemp and Ducey for not doing enough to investigate voter fraud and work to overturn the election results in their respective states.

In February, Dominion Voting Systems filed a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit against Lindell after he repeatedly accused their machines were used to 'steal' the election for President Joe Biden.

Lindell has previously attended RGA events, including the winter 2020 meeting, which former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell brought him to as his guest.

After being booted from the conference on Tuesday, Lindell said he would leave Nashville rather than stick around.
LATEST COVID-19 DEVELOPMENTS:

* Melbourne's COVID-19 outbreak now has 15 cases, with six extra infections confirmed on Wednesday morning.

* The number of exposure sites has grown from 10 to more than 50 and includes the MCG.

* Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino says the next 24 hours will be critical to avoid another lockdown.

Facemasks are now mandatory indoors as well as a number of other changes across Victoria (pictured, testing in Melbourne on Wednesday)

* The city's residents have returned to mandatory indoor masks and beefed up gathering restrictions.

* A report into how the Victorian man at the centre of the cluster caught the virus while in hotel quarantine in Adelaide was released on Wednesday, finding transmission had occurred between two rooms at the end of a corridor.

* South Australia has slammed shut its border for any travellers from Greater Melbourne.

* Queensland will turn away travellers from the City of Whittlesea from Thursday, and has warned the state's residents to avoid travel to Victoria.

* The NSW government is also advising people against travelling to Melbourne and Bendigo for the time being.

A number of states have already brought in restrictions to Melburnians including South Australia and Queensland (pictured, testing in Melbourne on Wednesday)

* The outbreak has intensified criticism of the federal government's vaccine roll out, with Labor urging the government to redraft vaccination plans and scrap its staggered program.

* States have already begun offering jabs to cohorts of people outside the recommended stages.

* Prime Minister Scott Morrison has accused Labor of being 'whingers and complainers' for questioning the rollout, claiming voters stop him in the street to say how well Australia has done compared to other countries.

* Government MPs on Wednesday urged all eligible Australians to get vaccinated against coronavirus as the fresh outbreak threatens to spread across Melbourne.

SPORT:

* All Victorian-based AFL clubs have been forced into lockdown as the state deals with the fresh COVID-19 outbreak.

* Acting Victorian premier James Merlino said AFL games - including a blockbuster top of the table clash - would go ahead with crowds in Melbourne, but that could change if the outbreak worsens.

* Several sporting teams within the AFL and Super Netball League are rushing to get out of Melbourne as case numbers grow.

Sporting teams are now rushing to leave Melbourne to try to beat the border closures (pictured, testing facilities in the city on Wednesday)

AUSTRALIAN VACCINATION NUMBERS:

* There were 3,795,280 doses administered in the national COVID-19 vaccination rollout up to Monday, including 104,658 in the previous 24 hours.

* Of the total, 2,452,469 have been administered by the Commonwealth (an increase of 60,887 in the previous 24 hours).

* 2,119,443 have been issued in primary care (+57,921) and 333,026 in aged and disability facilities (+2966).

* 1,342,811 have been administered by the states and territories, including 43,771 in the previous 24 hours.

* 385,320 have been administered in Victoria (+15,816), 371,117 in NSW (+13,200), 198,598 in Queensland (+5596), 154,879 in Western Australia (+3156), 97,327 in South Australia (+2966), 60,801 in Tasmania (+1134), 45,324 in the ACT (+810) and 29,445 in the NT (+1093).

AUSTRALIAN CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS:

* Australia reported ten new locally acquired virus cases on Wednesday, all in Victoria.

* There were five new overseas-acquired cases in hotel quarantine; two in South Australia, two in NSW and one in Queensland.

* The national death toll is 910: Victoria 820, NSW 56, Tasmania 13, WA 9, Queensland 7, SA 4, ACT 3 (Two Queensland residents who died in NSW have been included in the official tolls of both states).

GLOBAL CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS:

* Cases: at least 167,856,000

* Deaths: at least 3,486,000

* Vaccine doses administered: at least 1,709,440,00.
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Boris Johnson's maverick former chief aide told MPs in a sensational five-hour grilling that the truth was 'quite the opposite' because 'we sent people with Covid back to the care homes'

Matt Hancock's claim that the Government threw a 'shield' around care homes is 'complete nonsense', Dominic Cummings insisted today.

Boris Johnson's maverick former chief aide told MPs in a sensational five-hour grilling that the truth was 'quite the opposite' because 'we sent people with Covid back to the care homes'.

More than 30,000 care home residents have died from Covid, with the scandalous fatality toll largely blamed on the move to discharge thousands of hospital patients into homes without testing them, with the aim of freeing up NHS beds to make room for an inevitable onslaught of coronavirus patients.

Taking aim at Matt Hancock over the scandal, Mr Cummings claimed the Health Secretary 'categorically' told the Prime Minister in March that all hospital patients would be being allowed into care homes.

But he alleged that Boris Johnson was furious when he returned to office at the end of April following his near-death battle with coronavirus to discover the promise wasn't kept.

Mr Cummings told MPs: 'So that was one of the other things that I, that we, found shocking, that when we realised in April that this had happened, the Prime Minister said a less polite version of "what on earth are you telling me?".

'When he came back after being ill: 'What on earth has happened with all these people in care homes? Hancock told us in the Cabinet Room that people were going to be tested before they went back to care homes, what the hell happened?"'

Giving evidence to MPs about the Government's catastrophic response to the Covid pandemic, Mr Cummings said he and the Prime Minister had been told 'categorically in March that people will be tested before they went back to care homes'.

He added: 'We only subsequently found out that hadn't happened. Now all the Government rhetoric of "we put a shield around care homes" and blah blah was complete nonsense.

'Quite the opposite of putting a shield around them, we sent people with Covid back to the care homes.'

It was not Mr Cummings' only attack on the Health Secretary, accusing him of 'lying' about PPE and access for treatment for those suffering from the disease.

More than 30,000 care home residents have died from Covid, with the scandalous fatality toll largely blamed on the move to discharge thousands of hospital patients into homes without testing them, with the aim of freeing up NHS beds to make room for an inevitable onslaught of coronavirus patients

He also claimed Mr Hancock 'should have been fired for at least 15, 20 things', and revealed that he told the PM he was 'not prepared to work with people like Hancock any more'.

Mr Cummings accused the Government's response to the pandemic of being the perfect example of 'lions led by donkeys', attacking the entire system for being 'chaos'.

There have been 36,275 deaths involving Covid in care homes since the pandemic began, according to the latest figures from the UK's statistics agencies. More than 400 residents were dying each day during the darkest spell of the first wave.

In April 2020, Mr Hancock came under fire for allowing patients to be discharged to care homes without a Covid test.

During media interviews, Mr Hancock insisted that from the beginning of the pandemic, the Government had tried to 'throw a protective ring around our care homes'.

But MPs last year claimed homes were 'thrown to the wolves' during the pandemic and the Governments actions were at times negligent'.

The social care crisis was exacerbated further by a series of 'reckless' and 'appalling' policy errors, according to a damning Commons public accounts committee report. Advising hospitals to discharge thousands of patients into care homes without knowing if they had coronavirus was an example of this, they said.

Taking aim at Matt Hancock over the scandal, Mr Cummings claimed the Health Secretary 'categorically' told the Prime Minister in March that all hospital patients would be being allowed into care homes. But he alleged that Boris Johnson was furious when he returned to office at the end of April following his near-death battle with coronavirus to discover the promise wasn't kept. Mr Johnson is pictured today in the House of Commons, while Mr Hancock was snapped running outside his London home this morning

Dominic Cummings' bombshell evidence The initial apology: 'The truth is that senior ministers, senior officials, senior advisers like me fell disastrously short of the standards that the public has a right to expect of its Government in a crisis like this. When the public needed us most the Government failed. I would like to say to all the families of those who died unnecessarily how sorry I am for the mistakes that were made and for my own mistakes at that.' On Boris Johnson's attitude to Covid: 'In February the Prime Minister regarded this as just a scare story. He described it as the new swine flu... The view of various officials inside No10 was if we have the PM chairing Cobra meetings and he just tells everyone ''it's swine flu don't worry about it, I am going to get Chris Whitty to inject me live on TV with coronavirus so everyone realise it's nothing to be frightened of'', that would not help actual serious planning.' On the first lockdown timing: 'In retrospect it is clear that the official plan was wrong, it is clear that the whole advice was wrong, and I think it is clear that we obviously should have locked down essentially the first week of March at the latest. We certainly should have been doing all of these things weeks before we did, I think it's unarguable that that is the case.' On No10 in March 2020: 'It was like a scene from Independence Day with Jeff Goldblum saying the aliens are here and your whole plan is broken and you need a new plan.' On Boris being distracted by Carrie and Trump: 'It sounds so surreal couldn't possibly be true ... that day, the Times had run a huge story about the Prime Minister and his girlfriend and their dog. The Prime Minister's girlfriend was going completely crackers about this story and demanding that the press office deal with that. So we had this sort of completely insane situation in which part of the building was saying are we going to bomb Iraq? Part of the building was arguing about whether or not we're going to do quarantine or not do quarantine, the Prime Minister has his girlfriend going crackers about something completely trivial.' On Health Secretary Matt Hancock: 'I think the Secretary of State for Health should've been fired for at least 15, 20 things, including lying to everybody on multiple occasions in meeting after meeting in the Cabinet room and publicly. There's no doubt at all that many senior people performed far, far disastrously below the standards which the country has a right to expect. I think the Secretary of State for Health is certainly one of those people. I said repeatedly to the Prime Minister that he should be fired, so did the Cabinet Secretary, so did many other senior people.' Advertisement

At least 25,000 patients were moved from hospitals to care homes between March 17 and April 15, when there was a lack of rigorous testing. Estimates suggest around two-thirds weren't swabbed.

The National Audit Office, which reviewed the scandal, said hospitals were told on March 17 to 'discharge urgently' all in-patients medically fit to leave in order to increase capacity'.

Its report at the time added: 'Due to government policy at the time, not all patients were tested for Covid before discharge, with priority given to patients with symptoms.

'On April 15, the policy was changed to test all those being discharged into care homes. It is not known how many patients discharged to care homes had Covid at the point they left hospital.'

Care home bosses also warned that their staff didn't have enough access to personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks and aprons. The industry also warned of a lack of testing at the start of the crisis, when swabs were rationed because of a lack of supply.

Officials also asked care homes to take Covid patients again in the winter. Under the scheme, designed to free up hospital beds and protect the NHS in the second wave, Covid-secure homes which passed inspection were asked to house infected patients.

Nadra Ahmed, chairwoman of the National Care Association, said that Mr Cummings' remarks about care homes were met with 'disappointment'.

She said: 'It is with great sadness that listening to Mr Cummings it emerges our initial thoughts and the evidence that was around us was right  that there was no shield around care homes, there was no thought on the impact on the vulnerable people that we care for.

'People were being discharged out of hospital into our services to save the NHS and put not only the people discharged, their lives, were put at risk, but the people who were in our services at risk.

'My reaction is great disappointment that the sector was lied to from the outset  we were lied to about any plan, it is clear there was no plan; we were lied to about the protective shield when we know there was no protective shield and it is disappointing to note that the testing that we were promised never took place.'

Shadow social care minister Liz Kendall said: 'Mr Cummings' comments have revealed what we knew all along  that the Government's 'protective shield' around care homes during this pandemic did not exist.

'Over 30,000 care home residents have died of coronavirus during this pandemic  25,000 elderly people were discharged from hospitals to care homes without any tests whatsoever, and frontline care workers were left without PPE.

'The Government was much too slow to act to protect residents and staff. As we emerge from this pandemic ministers must put in place a plan to transform social care and ensure that care homes never again face a crisis of this scale.'

Labour MP Barbara Keeley, a member of the committee questioning Mr Cummings, tweeted: 'The evidence from Dominic Cummings today was clear  at the start of this pandemic, residents in care homes were sacrificed in order to free up beds in hospitals.

'Matt Hancock must come explain why the promise that patients would be tested before discharge wasn't kept.'

Downing Street defended its handling of care homes as Mr Cummings continued to give evidence.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'With regard to care homes, we've always been guided by the latest advice at that time and we've taken a number of steps to protect care home residents and those being discharged from hospitals into care homes.'
Google has struck a deal with a massive hospital chain to help analyze some 32 million patient records, and hopes to develop new healthcare algorithms that could guide doctors' decisions.

HCA Healthcare, the hospital chain based in Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday announced the deal to consolidate and store data from its digital health records and medical devices with Google Cloud.

Using anonymized records stripped of personally identifying information, HCA plans to use Google's AI technology to develop algorithms that could advise doctors on the best treatment options for patients.

HCA, which owns and operates 186 hospitals and some 2,000 care sites including clinics, says it will utilize Google's 'planetary-scale database' to analyze data from its 32 million annual records of patient visits.

'Our contract prohibits Google Cloud from the use of patient identifiable information,' an HCA spokesman told DailyMail.com in a statement. 'Furthermore, access to any data is prohibited without HCA Healthcares permission.'

Many details of the deal remain unclear, including the financial side and whether the algorithms that HCA develops to improve treatment will be proprietary to the hospital system, or shared with Google.

The partnership marks Google's latest foray into the healthcare realm - and it is already raising privacy concerns.

Google is partnering with HCA Healthcare, which owns 186 hospitals across the country including Good Samaritan in San Jose, California, in a deal to analyze medical records

Writing for The Federalist, Jordan Davidson called the new partnership a 'privacy invasion' and 'technology power grab.'

Google and HCA both insist that patient data will be tightly controlled, and that Google will not have access to any patient-identifiable data.

What are the HIPAA rules for privacy? The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patients consent or knowledge. Healthcare providers, insurance companies, and their business associates are all bound by HIPAA rules. Protected health information can only be disclosed: To patients themselves

For treatment, payment or healthcare operations

With permission from the patient or in their best interest, such as notifying family members when a patient is incapacitated

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But that didn't stop critics from expressing concern, with one Twitter user sharing fears that Google's advanced AI algorithms would be able to identify even anonymized records.

Medical records are protected under federal privacy laws, but the rules allow hospitals and other healthcare providers to share patient information with contractors, as long as they abide by the same privacy protections.

HCA says that patient records will be stripped of personally identifying information before being shared with Google data scientists, and that the hospital system would control access to the data, according to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the partnership.

'Privacy and security will be guiding principles throughout this partnership,' HCA said in a statement. 'The access and use of patient data will be addressed through the implementation of Google Cloud's infrastructure along with HCA Healthcare's layers of security controls and processes.'

HCA hopes to use Google's algorithms to provide real-time input on treatment options for doctors and improve patient outcomes.

The hospital system points to early success using its own technology to monitor critically ill COVID-19 patients, and notify doctors of potentially better treatment options.

'Next-generation care demands data science-informed decision support so we can more sharply focus on safe, efficient and effective patient care,' said HCA CEO Sam Hazen in a statement.

The partnership marks Google's latest foray into the healthcare realm -- and it is already raising privacy concerns

'We view partnerships with leading organizations, like Google Cloud, that share our passion for innovation and continual improvement as foundational to our efforts,' added Hazen.

HCA says the partnership will also focus on streamlining non-clinical support areas that may benefit from improved workflows through better use of data and insights, such as supply chain, human resources and physical plant operations.

It is not Google's first foray into the healthcare realm, and the company's prior partnerships on healthcare records have drawn criticism before.

In 2019, a whistleblower leaked details of Project Nightingale, Google's partnership with Ascension, the St. Louis-based healthcare company that helped Google collect personal health-related information of millions of Americans across 21 states.

'Two simple questions kept hounding me: did patients know about the transfer of their data to the tech giant? Should they be informed and given a chance to opt in or out?' the whistleblower wrote in an essay for the Guardian.

'The answer to the first question quickly became apparent: no. The answer to the second I became increasingly convinced about: yes. Put the two together, and how could I say nothing?' the person continued.

The person said that about 150 Google employees and 100 Ascension staff collaborated on Project Nightingale, transferring the personal data of more than 50 million Americans to Google.

The data involved in Project Nightingale includes lab results, doctor diagnoses and hospitalization records, among other categories, and amounts to a complete health history, complete with patient names and dates of birth.

In that project, Google hoped to use artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to predict patterns of illness in ways that might some day lead to new treatments, according to the whistleblower.

Ascension issued a press release acknowledging its partnership with Google after the Wall Street Journal blew the lid off the project.

The statement said that the project would help Ascension 'improve the experience of patients and consumers, as well as providers and associates, and advance its Mission of providing compassionate, personalized care to all, especially people living in poverty and those most vulnerable.'
A teenage girl who claimed she and twin sister were both sexually abused took her own life just four months after her sibling took a fatal drug overdose, an inquest heard.

Chris Gould, 17, was hit by a train near a level crossing on January 26, 2019 - just four months after losing her twin Sam, 16, in September 2018 to a medication overdose.

Both siblings had suffered severe mental health issues, which the inquest previously heard had been directly related to allegations of sexual abuse throughout their childhood and into their teen years.

The inquest, at Huntingdon Town Hall, Cambridgeshire, heard that both Chris and Sam had felt 'invalidated' after learning in December 2016 that no prosecution would be brought against their alleged abuser.

Chris' inquest heard how she had made multiple suicide attempts and drafted a number of 'suicide notes', from May 2016 until her death in January 2019.

And coroner Nicholas Moss said that Chris' death was 'amplified' by losing her sister - with Chris stating the day after Sam died: 'I was supposed to be the one who died first, she was supposed to be trying to join me.'

Concluding the inquest today, Mr Moss recorded a narrative conclusion, stating that Chris had died by suicide, after suffering multiple traumatic blunt force injuries.

Chris Gould, 17, (right) and her sibling Sam,(left) from Fulbourn in Cambridgeshire, took their own lives within four months of one another, Chris' inquest heard

The coroner heard how the siblings suffered from mental health problems after they were sexually abused. The pair were left feeling 'invalidated' after not one was prosecuted over their abuse allegations

The inquest heard how Chris had been an 'informal' patient at the Darwin Unit for Young People, in Cambridge, at the time of her death.

Mr Moss said that, following the death of her sister, the Darwin had tailored a 'bespoke' arrangement for Chris, so that she was able to choose when and how much she accessed the unit for support.

And the inquest heard that Chris had spent her final hours on the unit - before 'impulsively' taking advantage of an unescorted cigarette break to go to the train tracks.

Recording his conclusion, Mr Moss said: 'It is unlikely that Chris had a fixed plan to harm herself that evening.

'She probably acted impulsively to being let out for a cigarette break when she was not expecting to get one.'

The inquest had previously heard that, as part of her 'bespoke' plan at the Darwin, Chris was permitted unescorted smoking breaks outside the grounds of the unit up until 8.30pm.

Coroner Nicholas Moss said Chris' death was 'amplified' by losing her sister - with Chris stating the day after Sam died: 'I was supposed to be the one who died first, she was supposed to be trying to join me'

On the day of her death, she had asked the nurse in charge to be let out for a smoking break - but he had suggested to her that she stay within the courtyard area of the Darwin.

However, due to a 'miscommunication' between the nurse and a healthcare assistant, Chris was let outside of the grounds for a cigarette - and told the healthcare assistant she would return in 15 minutes.

The inquest heard that Chris then headed down to the railway tracks - where she was struck by a train near the Cherry Hinton level crossing approximately an hour later.

Mr Moss said: 'I conclude that Chris died by suicide - by stepping in front of that train, Chris took an act to end her life.

'It is very hard to know what triggered this. After Sam's death, Chris' risk of suicide was consistently high and hard to assess.

'Her impulsivesness made her risk on any given day hard to assess.'

Mr Moss commended Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) for their 'dedication and flexibility' in making arrangements to support and care for Chris.

But he also noted 'shortcomings' in the lack of immediacy in the actions taken after Chris vanished from the ward on the day of her death.

The coroner praised the twin's parents for their role in their daughters' inquests, which were held at the Huntingdon Town Hall (pictured, stock image)

In particular, he noted the lack of communication between the Darwin Unit and the British Transport Police - which had previously set up a suicide prevention plan for Chris, who had been seen at the railway tracks before.

Mr Moss said: 'Chris should not have been allowed to leave the unit in the way that she was that night. She impulsively took advantage of the situation.

'Had Network Rail been informed that night, and had the trains been slowed, as per Network Rail policy, Chris might not have stepped in front of the train, or she could have suffered survivable injuries.

'I am unable to find that it it more likely than not that slowing the trains would have prevented Chris' death - however, it is a clear possibility that it could have done so.'

Mr Moss lastly thanked Chris and Sam's parents, Jane Cannon and Ian Gould, for their role in each of their daughters inquests.

He said: 'Mr Gould and Mrs Cannon have made clear in each inquest how very proud they are of Chris and Sam - proud of their fine qualities and what they overcame in the face of adversity.

'I am sure that today Chris and Sam would be equally proud of their parents, and particularly proud of how they have fought for learning points in the future.'

For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit Samaritans.org.
Millionaire Brexit-backing businessman Arron Banks has claimed a 160,000 inheritance tax bill on his donations to Ukip is discriminatory at the Court of Appeal.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) previously assessed Mr Banks, 54 - one of the self-styled 'Bad Boys of Brexit' - as owing just over 160,000 on almost 1 million in donations to Ukip between October 2014 and March 2015.

Donations to political parties which had two MPs elected at the last general election, or one MP elected and a total of 150,000 votes, are exempt from inheritance tax.

While Ukip received 919,471 votes across the UK in the 2010 general election, the party did not return a single MP to the House of Commons, prompting HMRC to bill Mr Banks for 162,945.34.

Mr Banks previously challenged the decision at the first-tier tribunal (FTT) and the upper tribunal, arguing the law on political donations being exempt from inheritance tax breached his human rights and EU law.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) previously assessed Mr Banks (pictured with Nigel Farage) - one of the self-styled 'Bad Boys of Brexit' - as owing just over 160,000 on almost 1 million in donations to Ukip between October 2014 and March 2015

He claimed the provisions of the Inheritance Tax Act were unlawfully discriminatory under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), as well as breaching his - and Ukip's - right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly under the ECHR.

After both tribunals dismissed his challenge, Mr Banks brought his case to the Court of Appeal on Wednesday.

Mr Banks' barrister Jason Coppel QC said: 'Firstly, we say that the appellant has suffered discrimination on the basis of his political opinion as a supporter of Ukip, that is direct discrimination.

'Secondly, we say the appellant has suffered indirect discrimination on the basis of political opinion as a supporter of Ukip.

'And thirdly we say the appellant has suffered discrimination on the basis of the status of Ukip as a party without an elected MP.'

Mr Coppel said the law encourages donations to some parties while discouraging donations to others.

Mr Banks (left, with Donald Trump and Nigel Farage) previously challenged the decision at the first-tier tribunal (FTT) and the upper tribunal, arguing the law on political donations being exempt from inheritance tax breached his human rights and EU law

'The common-sense position is that there is obviously a difference of treatment... Mr Banks was taxed because he gave to Ukip where he would not have been taxed had he given to the Conservative Party,' he said.

Who is Arron Banks - the man who 'bought Brexit'? The multi-millionaire (pictured) has donated millions to Ukip and in 2016 he backed Mr Farages Leave.EU group Arron Banks has been dubbed the man who bought Brexit for the way he bankrolled Nigel Farages campaign to leave the EU. The multi-millionaire has donated millions to Ukip and in 2016 he backed Mr Farages Leave.EU group. He was pictured alongside Donald Trump when the President met Nigel Farage in New York just days after his shock US election victory. Mr Banks made his fortune from the Bristol-based insurance broker Brightside which he founded. He then went on to found another firm, GoSkippy. He is married to Russian Ekaterina Paderina and has five children. Originally a modest Tory donor, in 2014 he defected to Ukip in desperation at David Camerons stance on Europe. William Hague made the mistake of describing Mr Banks as somebody we haven't heard of following his defection  prompting him to up his donation to Ukip from 100,000 to 1million. Advertisement

The court heard the law aims to allow donations to political parties while limiting abuse, but Mr Coppel argued it had the impact of indirectly discriminating against Ukip supporters.

'It was a provision which was neutral on its face but had a particular prejudicial effect on supporters of Ukip who were taxed while others were not taxed,' he said.

Inheritance tax law allows for a tax-free allowance of 325,000, meaning only donations over this amount would be subject to the tax.

Mr Coppel said: 'The fact that this provision may not in practice disadvantage many Ukip supporters because not many of them have the resources Mr Banks does is of very little relevance.

'All the Conservative supporters in that pool, all the Labour supporters in that pool, all the Liberal Democrat supporters in that pool still benefit from it.'

He added: 'This was an interference with freedom of expression... a 160,000-odd charge placed on an expression of political opinion.'

HMRC is disputing the claim, arguing the tribunals were correct in their decisions.

Sir James Eadie QC, for HMRC, said the alleged discrimination is not based on a personal characteristic and that Mr Banks would have been eligible for the tax exemption if he donated to the Green Party rather than Ukip.

He said in written submissions: 'That is not because the legislation treats the Green Party differently from Ukip, per se, but because the Green Party happened to achieve electoral success at a general election in 2010, whereas Ukip's success at a general election was not until 2015.

'That is political happenstance; it does not demonstrate that the measure is discriminatory.'

He added: 'It is not the appellant's case that he chose to support parties without MPs, eg because of an interest in the plurality of democracy.

'Rather, he was a supporter of a party that happened, at the time of the relevant donations, not to have an MP. '

The case, being heard by Sir Julian Flaux, Lord Justice Henderson and Lady Justice Nicola Davies, is due to end on Thursday.
A 10-month-old girl was killed in an attack by her family's two pet Rottweilers after her father left her unattended with the dogs for a few seconds.

Authorities said the father, Scott Winberry, briefly left his infant daughter Malia with the two large dogs while he went to move a sprinkler in the yard of the family's home in Willow Spring, North Carolina  about 15 miles south of Raleigh  at around 8pm Tuesday.

'He just stepped outside to move a sprinkler and the neighbor pulled up talking to him,' Danny Johnson, captain of the Johnston County Sheriff's Office, told ABC News, 'and not even a couple of minutes passed and he heard the commotion inside the house.'

Ten-month-old Malia Winberry (pictured) was killed in an attack by her family's two pet Rottweilers on Tuesday night after her father left her unattended for just seconds

Malia's father Scott Winberry (right) reportedly went outside to move a sprinkler and came outside to find her being attacked

Winberry saw the dogs attacking Malia when he stepped back inside his home. The dogs were identified as Rottweilers, like the ones seen here

The tragedy occurred in Willow Spring, North Carolina, as Winberry was fixing a sprinkler in the family's yard and started talking to a neighbor

Winberry, who also works in law enforcement, rushed back into the house, Johnson told CBS 17, and saw the Rottweilers attacking the baby girl.

He tried to give save the baby and called local law enforcement, and when deputies arrived, they tried to perform CPR on the baby girl, but were unsuccessful.

'Investigators arrived on scene and quickly determined this incident was a tragic accident,' Johnson said in a Wednesday morning briefing about the child's death.

Emergency Medical Squad units arrived shortly thereafter and again attempted CPR, but Malia was pronounced dead at the scene.

It is unclear whether the mother, who worked for Johnston County's EMS, was home at the time of the incident.

Danny Johnson, captain of the Johnston County Sheriff's Office, told reporters Tuesday night that Scott Winberry left his daughter, Malia, unattended for a few minutes when she was killed

Police report that the family did not have any prior issues with the dogs, which were taken into custody by Johnston County Animal Services

Johnson reported that the family had no previous issues with the dogs, according to WRAL, and no other small children were home at the time.

Johnston County Animal Services took custody of the two dogs, which will now be brought to a local animal shelter, according to the News & Observer.

'It's a bad scene,' Johnson said Tuesday night. 'Anytime that a young child like that passes  or any child  it is very hard on us all because we all have children.'

'Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family,' he added. 'We can't imagine what they are going through. They got a long road ahead of them.'
Abdul Sattar was sacked from his mosque for repeatedly bringing in extremist 'hate mongering' preachers to give speeches, an employment tribunal has heard

A Muslim cleric was sacked from his mosque for repeatedly bringing in extremist 'hate mongering' preachers to give speeches.

Abdul Sattar invited speakers including one who claimed the Bible tells Christians to 'throw homosexuals off mountains' and described being gay as an 'abominable action which goes against humanity'.

When other leaders attempted to oust Imam Sattar he allegedly encouraged his supporters to protest outside the mosque.

An employment tribunal held in Watford heard that the cleric preached at the Wembley Central Mosque, a registered charity, and had been there for over 20 years.

The tribunal heard there was a 'fissure' at the Masjid, between the management committee and worshippers who supported Imam Sattar.

The issue at the heart of the dispute centred around the speakers who were permitted to come and talk at the mosque.

Before anyone was allowed to come and speak, the mosque was required to fill out a 'Speaker Engagement' form which required it to make sure people who held extremist views, or had previously been accused of hate mongering, were not able to attend.

The Charity Commission, which regulates charities in the UK, said it had 'continuing concerns' about the Mosque from 2014.

In late 2016 it conducted a review and said: 'The Commission tested several of the speaker risk assessments where the trustees had stated that they had not identified any issues of concern.

The cleric had recently caused a 'fissure' between management and worshippers at Wembley Central Mosque after inviting several 'extremist' speakers including Murtaza Khan, who claimed the Bible tells Christians to 'throw homosexuals off mountains'

'A number of these tests revealed numerous negative media articles which the trustees have failed to identify or have dismissed them without proper consideration.

'Some of these speakers including Murtaza Khan, Uthman Lateef, Rasheen McCarthy, Ustadh Evans and Abu Mutasir, all of whom are considered by some to have expressed extremist views regarding various subjects.

'A basic Internet search of these names revealed articles containing negative stories and views that the trustees have not identified them in their background checks.'

Speaking in a video in 2011, one of the men, Murtaza Khan, said: 'According to the bible the [homosexual] person should be thrown down from a mountain.

'But no they teach you you are homophobic and if Christians stand up against this abominable action which goes against Christianity then they [are seen] as fundamentalists...

'I'm not homophobic. I believe in a natural way of life.'

After receiving the report the committee asked Imam Sattar to immediately cancel a speech from Dr Uthman Lateef, another preacher said to hold extremist views.

After receiving a Charity Commission report showing concerns over the mosque's speaker vetting processes, the committee asked Imam Sattar to immediately cancel a speech from Dr Uthman Lateef (pictured), a preacher said to hold extremist views

In the past Dr Lateef has claimed that the 'anti-Christ' will be a Jew who will lead 70,000 Jewish soldiers in an attempt to destroy all Muslims, according to the not-for-profit organisation Stand For Peace.

In response to the committee's request Imam Sattar wrote a letter claiming it was not him who was responsible for the risk assessment of speakers.

He refused to accept he was at fault and argued that if they had done the background checks themselves and made a note of them 'there would be no issues hosting the speakers concerned'.

He refused to cancel the speech with Dr Lateef.

The relationship between the committee and the Imam continued to deteriorate and in 2018 the committee banned another man, Asif Uddin, from giving speeches.

Imam Sattar had allowed Mr Uddin to give a talk but the committee said it was 'politically influenced' and perceived as 'hate mongering'.

An investigation was launched into the Imam's decision not to engage with the committee's requests but he repeatedly refused to attend disciplinary hearings.

Eventually, protesters turned up at the mosque during one management committee meeting and there were 'violent arguments and altercations' that the Imam was suspected of 'fuelling or encouraging'.

He denied being involved in the protests and claimed the fact they had been started by someone close to him did not mean that he had instructed him to do it.

Eventually, he was sacked after a combination of issues, including his administration of marriage ceremonies, and his refusal to resolve an ongoing legal dispute, became unworkable.

The tribunal panel concluded: 'It must be borne in mind that the situation in 2018 and 2019 was getting beyond control.

'There were regular protests outside of the Masjid involving the police.

'The Masjid was split between those who followed the [Imam] and those who supported management committee.

'There was also a serious breakdown in the employee employer relationship which seemed to be irretrievable.'

The judge ruled that the claim of unfair dismissal was not well founded and was dismissed.
Several Russian regions have reportedly started vaccinating pets against Covid-19 at veterinary clinics.

The development was reported by RIA news agency on Wednesday, citing Russia's agricultural safety watchdog.

Russia said in March it had registered the world's first vaccine for animals against Covid-19, named Carnivac-Cov.

Several Russian regions have reportedly started vaccinating pets against Covid-19 at veterinary clinics. A cat receives a dose of the Carnivac-Cov vaccine for animals against Covid-19 at a clinic in Moscow, Russia

Tests showed it generated antibodies against the coronavirus in dogs, cats, foxes and mink.

Carnivac-Cov was developed by the Federal Centre for Animal Health, according to Russian media.

'It is the world's first and currently only coronavirus vaccine for animals,' said Konstantin Savenkov, head of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, a watchdog.

'All the tested vaccinated animals developed antibodies to coronavirus in 100 per cent of cases,' he claimed.

Military dogs were vaccinated ahead of their appearance at a Red Square parade on May 9 to mark the anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Vials of the Carnivac-Cov vaccine for animals against Covid-19 are pictured at a clinic in Moscow, Russia. Carnivac-Cov was developed by the Federal Centre for Animal Health, according to Russian media

Virologist Dr Nadezhda Rakhmanina said: 'This particular vaccine is needed, first of all, in fur farming.

'Cases of mass deaths of fur-bearing animals abroad, including in Denmark, were described last year.

'In general, fur-bearing animals are susceptible to many infectious diseases of humans, they even have a susceptibility to influenza.

'These animals can get sick with the coronavirus en masse. So the vaccine is really needed.'

However Rakhmanina was less certain about the need for a jab for pets.

'Over the past year, it has not been proven that pets can be a source of Covid-19 infection for humans.

'There are isolated cases of infection in cats, which have been described and proven. But there is no mass [evidence] yet.'

Employees pack vials of the Carnivac-Cov vaccine at the production site of the Federal centre for animal health in Vladimir, Russia

In January, a group of scientists said that cats and dogs could have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in the future.

They said that transmission from animals to humans poses a 'significant long-term risk' because domesticated species can become infected and the virus continuously evolves in them as well.

'It is not unthinkable that vaccination of some domesticated animal species might ... be necessary to curb the spread of the infection,' the experts from the University of East Anglia, the Earlham Institute in Norwich and the University of Minnesota wrote in an editorial for the journal Virulence.
A Pakistani politician has today put forward a draft law which would make marriage compulsory for people aged 18 and impose fines on parents who do not obey.

Syed Abdul Rasheed, a candidate of the far-right political alliance Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) - translated as 'United Council of Action', proposed the regulation at the Sindh Provincial Assembly on Wednesday.

The bill, called The Sindh Compulsory Marriage Act, 2021, recommends fines of Rs500 ($6.88) for parents who fail to marry their children off at the age of 18, according to Dawn.

Politician Syed Abdul Rasheed has today put forward a draft law which would make marriage compulsory for people aged 18 (stock photo)

If a marriage is delayed past this age, parents will be forced to give a 'justified reason of delay' to the Deputy Commissioner of the District under the proposed law.

The bill also says parents will have to deposit any fines given out into the official account for the Deputy Commissioner's Office, ProPakistani reported.

In the southeastern province of Sindh, the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act was passed in 2014 to ban marriages for boys or girls before the age of 18 and make it a punishable offence.

Explaining his reasoning behind the draft law, Rasheed said: 'I believe that after 18 years of age, if there is a reason [for not marrying], parents should submit an affidavit along with a commitment of the time the person would be married off.'

In a video shared after the draft law was submitted, Rasheed reportedly claimed the law would control the 'rise' of 'societal ills, child rapes, immoral activities and crime'.

He added: 'According to the shariat of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Islamic teachings, Muslim males and females have been given the right to marry after attaining puberty or after 18 years of age and fulfilling this is the responsibility of their guardians, especially their parents.'

The bill, called The Sindh Compulsory Marriage Act, 2021, recommends fines of Rs500 ($6.88) for parents who fail to marry their children off at the age of 18 (stock image)

Rasheed also claimed that 'distance from Islamic teachings' had led to 'obstacles' preventing marriages, including unemployment and high costs.

The politician, who has been a member of the Sindh Assembly since August 2018, also called on the Government to ban dowry, which he claimed would make the process of marriage easier.

Rasheed, who stands for a political alliance of far-right, conservative, religious and Islamist parties, said he hoped all Sindh Assembly members would approve the law for the 'happiness and facilitation of positive pathways' for the province's youth.

The bill was said to have won the approval of multiple members of the Sindh Assembly, according to ProPakistani.

But other members of the Provincial Assembly told Samaa that the bill is unlikely to pass, citing the impracticality of failing to consider the financial stability of the couple.
A British businessman and his family were killed in a horror Sydney seaplane crash after a poisonous exhaust leak left the pilot disorientated and confused.

The chief executive of the world's largest contract catering company Richard Cousins, his two sons, fiancee and her 11-year-old daughter were instantly killed when a 2017 New Year's Eve sightseeing trip in Australia ended in tragedy.

The pilot 44-year-old Gareth Morgan also died when they plunged into the Hawkesbury River off Jerusalem Bay, after picking the family up from an exclusive restaurant.

An inquest heard how the 'experienced' pilot of the de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver plane carrying the five Britons was left confused, disoriented and visually disturbed by poisonous carbon monoxide fumes that had leaked into the cabin.

'It is very likely leaked carbon monoxide entered the cabin through holes in the firewall where three bolts were missing. It would have significantly degraded the pilot's ability to safely operate the aircraft,' a coroner heard.

Richard Cousins, 58, a millionaire CEO, his fiancee Emma Bowden, 48 died in the accident (pictured)

Ms Bowden's 11-year-old daughter Heather also died in the tragic incident

Sitting at Berkshire Coroners' Court, Ms Alison McCormick heard how the aircraft entered a confined bay with 'no need' to be there, before the pilot attempted a steep turn and aerodynamically stalled, before colliding with the water and fatally injuring all on board.

After a post-mortem examination, an Australian pathologist confirmed that art editor and fiancee Emma Bowden and her 11-year-old daughter Heather, who lived in Tooting, London, had died from combined effects of head injury and drowning.

Chief executive of FTSE 100 company Compass, Richard Cousins cause of death was confirmed as 'multiple blunt force injuries' while his son 23-year-old regional manager Edward died from drowning.

Edward, his 23-year-old regional manager son, died alongside political lobbyist William, 25

Pilot 44-year-old Gareth Morgan also died when the plane crashed when fumes overcame him

NSW police and salvage personnel work to recover the wreckage of a seaplane that crashed into Jerusalem Bay, north of Sydney, Thursday, January 4, 2018

TIMELINE OF EVENTS 3.00pm - British businessman Richard Cousins, four members of his family and Canadian pilot Gareth Morgan board an eight-seater seaplane at Cottage Point to return to Rose Bay. 3.05pm - Flight starts taxiing towards Cowan Creek take-off area for the planned 35-minute flight south to Sydney. 3.11pm - Flight lifts off the water. A photograph from the front seat passenger's recovered camera reveals the DHC-2 Beaver is airborne and heading northeast. 3.12pm - A person on the water takes a photo of the seaplane as it heads east towards the Hawkesbury River where it was expected to rise above the terrain and turn south to Rose Bay. 3.12pm - A final picture is taken by the passenger at Little Shark Rock Point moments before the plane turns and heads west. 3.13pm - Several witnesses see the plane head 'directly' towards Jerusalem Bay - a long and narrow stretch of water surrounded by steep terrain. - Minutes later witnesses see the plane, now 1.75km from where it turned west, make a sharp right turn and nosedive into the water. - 'The aircraft collided with the water in a near vertical position,' air crash investigators say. Source: Australian Transport Safety Bureau interim factual report Advertisement

Political lobbyist 25-year-old William, of Lane Gate Cottage Weedon Hill Past The Green, Hyde Heath, Bucks, died from 'head and facial injuries,' the assistant coroner heard today.

Coroner Ms McCormick said: 'All of the deceased lived in England, London and Buckinghamshire. They were together in Australia over New Years 2017 to 2018.

'All five were passengers on a return chartered flight from Cottage Point to Rose Bay.

'The plane entered a confined area, it made a steep turn and collided with the water. Everybody on the plane died at the scene.

'I accept the detailed Australian Transport Safety Bureau report, the crash occurred because the plane entered a confined area, there was no need for it to be operating in Jerusalem Bay and it did not continue to climb.

'Although it was possible to turn and land, the plane aerodynamically stalled.

'The pilot's ability to safely operate the aircraft was significantly reduced by reasons of high levels of carbon monoxide in the cabin.

'This was increased by the 27-minute taxi with the pilot's door ajar before the five passengers boarded.

'The pilot was likely disorientated and this adversely affected his ability to fly the plane safely.

'Although it had a carbon monoxide detector, it was affected by sun bleaching as it needs the pilot to register a change in colour.'

The coroner concluded a verdict of accidental death for the family of five who died on December 31 2017.

She added: 'At a time when they should have been having fun, what should have been a treat turned into a real tragedy.'
Nissan is in advanced talks with the UK government to build a huge car battery factory that would bring thousands of jobs to Sunderland, reports say.

The factory would be created at Nissan's existing hub in the North East and assist in the production of 200,000 battery cars per year, according to the Financial Times.

The 'gigafactory' will reportedly be built under a post-Brexit plan to make Britain Nissan's largest electric car production site outside of Tochigi, Japan.

An announcement by the Japanese carmaker could emerge ahead of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow this November.

However, Nissan will reportedly need millions of pounds in financial support from the UK government in order to make their plans a reality.

Nissan is in advanced talks with the UK government to build a huge car battery factory that would bring thousands of jobs to Sunderland, reports say. Pictured: The current Nissan factory in Sunderland

The factory would be created at Nissan's existing hub in the North East and assist in the production of 200,000 battery cars per year, it was said. Pictured: Stock image

A Downing Street spokesman declined to comment on any potential plans when approached by the Financial Times.

He said: 'We are dedicated to securing gigafactories, and continue to work closely with investors and vehicle manufacturers to progress plans to mass produce batteries in the UK.'

Nissan said earlier this year it planned to bring production of a larger battery for its electric Leaf model to the UK from the US amid post-Brexit trading agreements.

The 'gigafactory' site would produce six gigawatt hours of battery capacity per year and would open towards the end of 2024, insiders said.

What is a 'gigafactory'? The phrase 'gigafactory' once referred specifically to a factory being built by US electric car firm Tesla near Reno, Nevada. However, it can now be attributed to factories that will produce batteries for electric vehicles on a gigantic scale. The process is extremely complex, and requires a number of different processes. Tesla's factory in Reno takes in 1.9 million square feet, and covers 43 acres. The carmaker is also set to build a 'gigafactory' near Gruenheide, Germany. French car maker PSA Group and battery manufacturer Saft last year confirmed plans for two European 'gigafactories'. These will be in France and Germany. Advertisement

This could later rise to 18-20GWh.

The site would eclipse the current Sunderland plant which has a capacity of 1.9GWh.

The 'gigafactory' would be run by Nissans Chinese battery maker Envision AESC.

Operations chief Ashwani Gupta said in May that Sunderland is 'one of the best plants in the world for Nissan in terms of competitiveness'.

Nissan hopes that the UK could become its largest electric car production site after Tochigi in Japan.

Last June, Nissan warned its current Sunderland plant with 7,000 staff would have become 'unsustainable' if the UK had failed to strike a Brexit trade deal with Europe.

Gupta said the company would not be able to stand by its commitment to the plant if the UK left the European Union without a trade deal that enabled tariff-free EU access.

Mr Gupta said: 'You know we are the number one carmaker in the UK and we want to continue. We are committed.

'Having said that, if we are not getting the current tariffs, it's not our intention but the business will not be sustainable.

'That's what everybody has to understand.'

The Nissan factory in Sunderland opened in April 1984 and has since produced millions of cars.
CBS is standing by a recent episode of 60 Minutes which highlighted the stories of transgender teens who say they were rushed to transition and now regret it - amid complaints from furious LGBTQ activists who say it shouldn't have aired.

The episode featured 'de-transitioners', people who had started taking hormones to change their gender within a few months of identifying as trans. All of them said they'd learned about becoming trans on the internet.

Lesley Stahl, the veteran CBS journalist who led the episode, laid out how the teens can be easily taken advantage of by greedy doctors who are eager to perform reassignment surgeries and how they might have been influenced by the liberal-left tech industry, which is constantly pushing the issue on today's youth.

After the episode aired, she appeared in a bonus segment called 60 Minutes Overtime, where Stahl defended her report. She also took heat from a trans-rights lawyer who claimed her story could 'stigmatize' and 'further marginalize' suicidal trans youth if it was taken out of context.

Stahl also heard from doctors and psychologists who said they were concerned about the number of surgeons 'popping up' offering to perform gender reassignment surgery to meet demand, without anyone checking their credentials. They said they were scared to speak up for fear of looking like they don't support trans rights.

Stahl said that after weighing it all up, it was a story worth telling and others, like Fox News host Tucker Carlson, agreed, saying it highlighted a seldom talked-about issue.

Lesley Stahl is standing by her 60 Minutes episode that told the stories of trans people who felt they'd rushed into transitioning and now regretted it. She said it was a story worth telling, despite furious backlash from activists who say it 'fearmongers' people out of changing gender

Grace Lindinisky-Smith (left) and a young man who gave his name only as Garrett (right) told Stahl about how they'd been prescribed hormones within a few months of researching transitioning on the internet. Grace then underwent a double mastectomy and Garrett became suicidal after undergoing castration. They have both transitioned back to their original gender

All four young people who spoke to Stahl said they were influenced by the internet and had researched it that way

But GLAAD claimed the episode fearmongered young people. They slammed it as 'shameful'.

'Tonight @60Minutes @LesleyRStahl aired a shameful segment fearmongering about trans youth. Parents of trans youth could walk away with the false belief that young people are being rushed into medical transition. That is simply untrue, the organization tweeted.

The people Stahl interviewed said just that: that they had been rushed into it, and now regretted it.

One young woman, Grace Lindinisky-Smith, was granted a double mastectomy after just four months.

Garrett, a young man from Louisiana, was castrated after just three months of taking female hormones.

'I didn't get enough pushback on transitioning. I went for two appointments and after the second one, I had my letter to go get on cross-sex hormones,' Garrett said.

He said he became suicidal after starting the process and not before, as some of Stahl's critics have claimed.

'I had never really been suicidal before until I had my breast augmentation. 'And about a week afterward, I wanted to actually kill myself. I had a plan and I was gonna do it but I just kept thinking about my family to stop myself.

'It kind of felt like: how am I ever going to feel normal again, like other guys now?'

Lindinisky-Smith told Stahl in another clip: 'We only did a few sessions. They asked me, 'So, why do you wanna go on testosterone?'

Dr Erica Anderson is a gender psychologist and is trans. She told Stahl that six months, the standard that is set for diagnosing gender dysphoria, is not long enough and that she is appalled by what is going on in the medical field, with doctors rushing to diagnose patients and put them on hormones

Lee Savio Beers, the doctor who is president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, also expressed concern about what is going on and said it was imperative trans people are affirmed in their choices but that doctors are making sure they are giving proper advice

Dr Marci Bowers, a gynecologist, says she knows of surgeons and clinics 'popping up' to meet demand without proper policing

'And I said, "Well, being a woman just isn't working for me anymore."

'And they said, "Okay."'

She said she then underwent surgery, but immediately felt wrong.

THE DE-TRANSITIONERS STAHL INTERVIEWED Grace Lidinsky-Smith Lindinisky-Smith said she had been searching the internet, feeling depressed, in her early 20s when she came across transgender online communities. 'And when I saw them being so happy and excited about doing this wonderful, transformative process to really, like, become their true selves I was like, have I considered that this could be my situation, too? 'I just had this sense that if-- if I could inhabit life as, like, a trans man, as a man, then I wouldn't feel so self-conscious. I was thinking that it would make me feel very free.' She said she found a therapist on the internet but 'she didn't go - really go into what my gender dysphoria might've been stemming from. We only did a few sessions.' She found a clinic and was given hormone injections within months, she said. 'They asked me, "So, why do you wanna go on testosterone?" And I said, "Well, being a woman just isn't working for me anymore." And they said, "Okay."' Four months after starting testosterone treatments, she got a double mastectomy but she soon afterwards began feeling like part of her was 'missing'. 'I started to have a really disturbing sense that like a part of my body was missing, almost a ghost limb feeling about being like, there's something that should be there. 'And the feeling really surprised me but it was really hard to deny.' She stopped taking the hormones and started living as a woman again, after complaining to the clinic. Garrett Garrett, a young man from Louisiana, was castrated after just three months of taking female hormones. 'I didn't get enough pushback on transitioning. I went for two appointments and after the second one, I had my letter to go get on cross-sex hormones,' Garrett said. He said he became suicidal after starting the process and not before, as some of Stahl's critics have claimed. 'I had never really been suicidal before until I had my breast augmentation. 'And about a week afterward, I wanted to actually kill myself. I had a plan and I was gonna do it but I just kept thinking about my family to stop myself. 'It kind of felt like: how am I ever going to feel normal again, like other guys now?' Advertisement

'I started to have a really disturbing sense that like a part of my body was missing, almost a ghost limb feeling about being like, there's something that should be there,' she said.

'And the feeling really surprised me but it was really hard to deny.'

Lindinisky-Smith said she had been searching the internet, feeling depressed, in her early 20s when she came across transgender online communities.

'And when I saw them being so happy and excited about doing this wonderful, transformative process to really, like, become their true selves I was like, have I considered that this could be my situation, too?

'I just had this sense that if - if I could inhabit life as, like, a trans man, as a man, then I wouldn't feel so self-conscious. I was thinking that it would make me feel very free.'

She said she found a therapist on the internet but 'she didn't go - really go into what my gender dysphoria might've been stemming from. We only did a few sessions.'

She found a clinic and was given hormone injections within months, she said.

'They asked me, "So, why do you wanna go on testosterone?" And I said, "Well, being a woman just isn't working for me anymore." And they said, "Okay."'

Four months after starting testosterone treatments, she got a double mastectomy but she soon afterwards began feeling like part of her was 'missing'.

'I started to have a really disturbing sense that like a part of my body was missing, almost a ghost limb feeling about being like, there's something that should be there.

'And the feeling really surprised me but it was really hard to deny.'

She stopped taking the hormones and started living as a woman again, after complaining to the clinic.

'I can't believe that I transitioned and de-transitioned, including hormones and surgery, in the course of, like, less than one year. It's completely crazy,' she said.

Dr. Erica Anderson, a gender psychologist who is trans herself, told Stahl there were a growing number of doctors who are essentially jumping on the band wagon of performing gender reassignment surgery to because there is a growing market and it's trendy.

'There are health care providers who have jumped into this area because trans people are interesting. You know, they're unicorns. You know, "Oh, I have one of them now." 'And I think it's deplorable,' she said.

The standard for a formal diagnosis of gender dysphoria is that a person has been feeling that they want to transgender for at least six months.

Anderson said that she did not think it was long enough. She treats patients who have taken four years before transitioning.

'I'm not satisfied with six months myself.

Dr. Laura Edwards-Leeper, a psychologist, told Stahl she was 'deeply' concerned about what was going on but was afraid to speak out about it for fear of being accused of transphobia.

'It greatly concerns me where the field has been going. I feel like what is happening is unethical and irresponsible in some places.

'Everyone is very scared to speak up because we're afraid of not being seen as being affirming or being supportive of these young people or doing something to hurt the trans community. But even some of the providers are trans themselves and share these concerns,' she said.

On his show on Tuesday night, Carlson noted how the young people interviewed by host Lesley Stahl all said they had learnt about transgender surgery and identity on the internet, and were influenced by the forums and communities online.

'They see a daily barrage of propaganda, most of it online, made possible by Google and Facebook. That propaganda has a very specific effect, as intended.'

Carlson said that it was designed to normalize the feelings of gender dysphoria which, he said, were relatively uncommon until the internet age.

Tucker Carlson on Tuesday night spoke about gender reassignment surgery for young people

And he told his viewers that statistics showed the drastic surgical options frequently led to further unhappiness.

'Gender reassignment surgery and chemical castration cause depression and exacerbate mental illness,' he said, pointing to a study five years ago under the Obama administration, which he said found no positive health benefits.

In a 2016 document called the 'Proposed Decision Memo for Gender Dysphoria and Gender Reassignment Surgery,' Obama officials concluded that: 'Based on a thorough review of the clinical evidence available at this time, there is not enough evidence to determine whether gender reassignment surgery improves health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries with gender dysphoria.'

Carlson lamented the ease with which young people can receive gender changing treatment.

He quoted Joe Biden from an October 2020 town hall, to suggest that Biden backed surgery.

'He suggested that children as young as eight can change their sex,' Carlson said.

Biden said he supported children being able to live as a different sex, but he did not mention surgery.

Biden told the town hall: 'The idea that an eight-year-old child or a 10-year-old child decides, 'You know, I decided I want to be transgender. That's what I think I'd like to be. It would make my life a lot easier.' There should be zero discrimination.'

Carlson said the process was too easy. 

'Therapists will steer those kids to doctors, who will almost immediately give them powerful sex hormones, whose long-term effects we can't know,' he said.

'In some cases, those kids will then be referred to surgeons, who will mutilate or remove their sex organs permanently.

'That is happening across the country tonight. We rarely talk about the details of any of it. It's all good, we're told. It's all part of a vital, long-overdue process of personal liberation, and if you stand in the way or ask too many questions, you're evil.'

Civil rights lawyer Alphonso David criticized Stahl and said the episode should also focus on the positive stories of people transitioning, which are the 'vast majority'

Stahl was slammed by GLAAD for highlighting the issue. They said she was fearmongering

LGBTQ activists accused Stahl of fearmongering and only telling a negative side of the story.

They said she should have focused on positive trans stories.

GLAAD tweeted: 'Tonight 60 Minutes aired a shameful segment fearmongering about trans youth.

'Parents of trans youth could walk away with the false belief that young people are being rushed into medical transition. That is simply untrue.

'As the piece noted, every major medical association supports affirming, age-appropriate care for trans youth and the guidelines for that care are safe and well-established. And yet, the majority of the story was devoted to "raising concerns" about youth accessing that care.

'The segment also wrongfully implied that trans YouTubers and online communities which affirm trans youth are somehow brainwashing kids and turning them trans. That is dangerous and at the same time ridiculous. Aren't we past arguing that media can turn people gay or trans?'

The organization also claimed that the piece 'promulgates the same anti-trans dog whistles that we hear from anti-LGBTQ activists and in state legislatures like Arkansas.'

The start of the episode was devoted to recent law changes which take away trans medical treatment, like hormones.

Stahl also had Alphonso David on the bonus segment of the show where he ripped into her for airing the comments.

'I have a number of concerns that talks about detransitioning without focusing on the wider context of the trans experience.

'We also have to talk about the people who successfully transition- the vast majority that do. I'm concerned about that young person who is facing discrimination and they may attempt suicide because society has told the, they are worthless and a story taken out of context could further victimize and marginalize these people.

'Bringing a story to light about de-transitioning without talking about the vast majority of people who successfully transition sends a message... we need to also elevate the stories of people who successfully transition,' he said.
Heart stopping video footage shows two heroic cops drag a man from his burning truck seconds before it exploded into a huge fireball.

The incident began on Monday, when the unnamed driver of the Dodge Ram suffered a medical emergency while behind the wheel outside an apartment complex in Austin, Texas.

He was unable to take his foot off the truck's accelerator pedal, with its tires catching fire, and flames quickly engulfing the vehicle.

Austin Police Department Officers Chandler Carrera and Eddie Pineda arrived on the scene, and began trying to free the driver from his truck, while a frightened woman filmed from a short distance away.

According to the Austin American-Statesman, a man near the truck yelled, 'He's in there! He's still in there! He's in there,' which may have alerted the officers to the trapped driver.

Two Austin cops are being hailed as heroes after rescuing a man from a burning truck

Video shows one of the officers attempt to break the car's window open on Monday afternoon

Eventually, the officer was able to break the window and open the door from the inside

The video begins with the person behind the camera panting before focusing it on the burning truck, where an officer is banging on the driver's side window with his baton.

The back of the truck and right side of the vehicle are engulfed in flames.

The officer manages to get the window open and unlocks the door from the inside, opening it up.

Another officer then appears, trying to put out the fire from the back.

Officers Carrera Pineda - then began working together to pull the sick man out of his truck, and managed to get 30 feet away before it exploded.

Seconds later, a bang can be heard and the rest of the truck appears to go up in flames.

Officers Chandler Carrera and Eddie Pineda then begin working together to pull a man out of the burning truck by his arms, with a witness saying they managed to get at least 30 feet away

Seconds later, a loud bang can be heard and the rest of the truck went up in flames. The driver of the vehicle was hospitalized with serious injuries cause by smoke inhalation

The Austin Fire Department then appears on the scene as another loud explosion is heard and neighbors can be heard shouting and seen watching the incident.

The video ends with several members of the fire department working to put out the flames on the burning vehicle.

The driver, who has not been identified, was taken by EMS to the hospital with 'serious, potentially life-threatening smoke inhalation injuries' the Austin Fire Department said.

'We salute our brothers in blue for their heroic and selfless actions during this incident,' they added.

A picture posted on Twitter by the fire department afterwards showed the burnt out remains of the decimated truck.

Tony Farmer, who lives next to the apartments, witnessed the whole incident after hearing one of the loud bangs from the truck.

'I was just chillin' inside and I heard a loud bang, kind of like when the [trash truck] comes and slams the dumpster onto the ground when they're done emptying it or a transformer [exploding],' Farmer told the Statesman.

'Then the second time it happened, I was like, 'Woah, that's a little weird,'' Farmer added.

Farmer described the truck explosion as an almost cinematic experience.

'It exploded a little bit, almost like in the movies, not like a huge explosion like atomic, but it engulfed more about 20 seconds after [the man] was removed from the vehicle,' Farmer continued.

He added that he believed the police officers involved in the man's rescue are heroes.

'Those cops...there's no doubt about it - they risked their lives and they're heroes. There's no doubt about it,' Farmer said.

Assistant Chief of the Austin Police Department Robin Henderson agreed and later took to Twitter to congratulate the officers and give them a token for their heroics.

'Officers Pineda and Carrera received a chief's coin of recognition for their heroic actions yesterday, in saving a mans life from the vehicle fire,' Henderson tweeted. 'Please join me in recognizing these two for their quick-thinking and bravery! #OneAustinSaferTogether'

According to the Patch, Joseph Chacon, police chief, also commended the officers for their bravery.

'Despite the danger, they rushed in and saved a man's life,' Chacon said. 'These are the guardians of our community. Thank you, officers Pineda and Carrera!'

As of Wednesday morning, the condition of the injured man was not known. A press conference with further information is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
A Canadian military officer is facing mutiny charges after he urged fellow soldiers not to help distribute COVID-19 vaccines during an anti-lockdown protest in Toronto late last year.

Officer Cadet Ladislas Kenderesi was charged on May 12 with persuading others to join in a mutiny as well as scandalous behavior unbecoming of an officer stemming from comments he made at a protest on December 5, according to Canadian military officials.

'I'm asking military, right now serving, truck drivers, medical, engineers, whatever you are, do not take this unlawful order (for) the distribution of this vaccine,' he was heard telling the crowd of demonstrators in a video posted to YouTube.

Canadian Officer Cadet Ladislas Kenderesi was charged with mutiny after he urged fellow soldiers to refuse to take part in distributing coronavirus vaccines at an anti-lockdown rally late last year

It is not clear whether Kenderesi has a history of opposition to vaccines, but referring to the shot as a 'killer vaccine,' his comments urging fellow members of the armed forces to forsake the government's Operation VECTOR vaccine distribution program would appear to have gone too far.

'I might get in a lot of s**t for doing this, but I don't care anymore,' he said.

A military spokesman said he has been relieved of military duties pending the outcome of the investigation against him.

News of the charges came as nearly 53 percent of all Canadians have been inoculated against the coronavirus, according to federal figures.

Organizers of the Toronto rally said Kenderesi was licensed to operate tanks and other military vehicles. He is a training officer for cadets aged 12 to 18

On May 14 a GoFundMe was launched to help pay for Kenderesi's legal defense.

Although it has since been deleted, an archive of the page referred to coronavirus vaccines as 'experimental gene therapy' and claimed that Kenderesi faces life in prison.

'I'm just saying a small prayer for myself, and a prayer for Canada and Canadians, that hopefully my efforts and what I have done is not in vain,' he said in a video attached to fundraising page, which has also been deleted.

Canadian military law specialist Michel Drapeau said that this was likely the first known instance of mutiny allegations in the Candaian armed forces since World War II.

December's rally was organized by Lamont Daigle, an influential anti-mask advocate

Charges of mutiny are practically unheard of in the country's military, according to a Canadian military law expert

'You would likely have to go back to the late 1940s in the Royal Canadian Navy for anything that might be similar,' he told the Ottawa citizen.

Introducing the soldier, Lamont Daigle, one of the organizers of the rally and an influential anti-mask advocate, said Kenderesi had training in chemical and biological warfare, and was licensed to operate tanks and other military vehicles as well as machine guns.

Kenderesi's actual responsibilities, according to military officials, are to the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service, where he serves in the Cadet Instructor Cadre training youth aged 12 to 18 years old.
A former Connecticut nurse who stole fentanyl from patients undergoing fertility treatments and surgeries and substituted it with saline was sentenced to just four weekends in jail instead of a recommended five year jail sentence on Tuesday.

U.S. District Court Judge Janet C. Hall also sentenced Donna Monticone to three months of home confinement and three years of supervised release on Tuesday.

Monticone, of Oxford, pleaded guilty in March to one count of tampering with a consumer product.

A 'remorseful' Monticone (left) leaves the New Haven courthouse Tuesday with just an eight-day jail sentence

Monticone was sentenced after she pleaded guilty in March to one count of tampering with a consumer product

She worked as nurse at the Yale Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility clinic in Orange

Monticone worked as a nurse at the Yale Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility clinic in Orange and knew many of the patients who were receiving fertility treatments there.

Prosecutors have said that 75 percent of the fentanyl given to patients from June to October 2020 had been tampered with.

Monticone was using the fentanyl she stole herself.

The 49-year-old initially faced up to five years in prison for tampering with drugs, according to CBS New York.

The New Haven Register reported that the judge weighed the testimony of people who experienced incredible pain because of Monticone's actions with the fact that she cooperated with the investigation. Monticone started using the drugs during a painful divorce and amidst a years-long custody battle for her children, the outlet reported, though the judge said the court was not able to determine the full scope of her familial problems.

Attorney Josh Koskoff, who represents dozens of clients from the fertility center in the case, said that his clients were 'sensitive to the idea that this is a single mother,' according to CBS2s Tony Aiello.

The fact that Monticone had no prior criminal record played a part in her light sentencing, as well, the Register reports.

But the damage she inflicted by stealing or tampering with 175 vials of the notorious painkiller over a four-month period caused the fertility patients excruciating pain, according to their testimonies on Tuesday.

Testifying anonymously, patients who underwent egg retrieval treatments endured horrific pain with little or no pain medication, saying they were treated like drug addicts when they told their doctors the fentanyl was not working.

'It was more pain than I could ever imagine,' one woman told CBS back in March.

A look inside of the facilities where fertility patients say Monticone diluted their fentanyl with saline solution

'I remember screaming in the middle of the procedure from pain,' another patient told the news outlet.

Assistant Federal Defense Attorney Allison Near acknowledged the seriousness of Monticone's offense during Tuesday's sentencing in New Haven.

'My regret and shame runs deep,' Monticone said. 'Every day, I wish I could turn back time.'

Near said the disgraced nurse has fully cooperated with authorities since the start of the case, providing them information they would not have otherwise been privy to, according to the Register. Monticone has also attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings daily since her arrest.

'She had essentially been living a double life,' Near said. 'Youre not going to see her again. ... She created this, and she knows that.'

Monticone is no longer licensed as a nurse and is barred from working with narcotics again.
Building and DIY projects are being put on hold because of a supply shortage of cement, timber, steel and paint while homeowners face a major rise in the cost of renovation projects due to skyrocketing demand.

The Office for National Statistics has projected an increase of up to eight per cent in material prices, as shortages of vital construction materials post-lockdown mean that the industry its biggest price surge in two decades.

For instance, the price of timber has risen by more than 400 per cent over the last year, with copper nearly doubling in price during the same period.

Shipping costs have also increased sharply due to a shortage of empty containers from Covid-related issues and the recovery in global demand post-pandemic.

The Construction Productions Association told the BBC that the cost of shipping a 40ft container from Asia to northern Europe, for instance, rose from around 1,000 last summer to more than 5,800 by this month.

Employees work on the upper floors of new homes under construction at a Countryside Properties Plc new housing development in Chelmsford, January 22, 2021

Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, said some firms may have to delay DIY projects while others could be forced to close.

He told the BBC: 'My members are experiencing price rises of 10-15 per cent across the board, rising to 50 per cent on timber and 30 per cent on cement.'

There are also issues hitting specific products, such as the warmer winter affecting timber production in Scandinavia while the cold winter weather in Texas affected the production of chemicals, plastics and polymer.

Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, said that some building firms may have to delay DIY projects

In steel, the Scunthorpe mills of British Steel warned Construction News this week of 'extreme demand' and spoke of the need to limit orders because demand in the UK was verging on the brink of 'panic buying'.

Peek Home managing director Roland Glancy has even been warning people to delay home improvement projects until autumn, adding: 'The last thing you want is to knock through a wall and then struggle to get hold of a bag of plaster to complete your vision leaving you living in a building site.'

It comes as a coalition of roofing companies and organisations warned shortages have led to a 'perfect storm' in the housebuilding industry.

The National Federation of Roofing Contractors, and contractors SR Timber, Marley and the Avonside Group said in a statement that timber is in short supply across the world, with North American imports of it at 15-year highs.

The companies said the increased demand and lack of supply has significantly affected both cost and productivity in the UK sector.

The Carbis Bay Estate hotel and beach is seen from a drone on March 2, 2021

In a statement, the Construction Leadership Council said: 'Back in March we warned that product availability would worsen before it improved.

'This is proving to be the case; projections indicate that strong demand will continue over the next six months. This mirrors similar projections worldwide, as major economies such as China, the US and the EU surge following lockdowns.

'In fact, most of the shortages of products and raw materials impacting the market have been driven by both global and domestic supply and demand factors.

'Previously reported issues relating to timber, steel, pitched roofing, plastics and paints/coatings continue. Growing areas of concern, however, include certain electronic components and bagged cement.

'The surge in demand means some SME builders are not able to purchase essential materials, like timber, cement and roof tiles, as readily off the shelves. This not only impacts their ability to complete projects, but also the cash flow of their business.

'The unprecedented levels of demand, both in the UK and globally, is set to continue for the foreseeable future, placing the importance of forward planning and communication front and centre.

'Only by working positively together can we endeavour to provide customers with the products and solutions they require to complete projects in a timely manner.'
The illegal Mexican immigrant accused of murdering Iowa jogger Mollie Tibbetts has claimed he was ordered to follow her by two armed, masked men who held him at knifepoint and then placed her body in the trunk of his car.

Cristhian Bahena Rivera took the stand at his murder trial on Wednesday in Scott County, Iowa. He faces one count of first-degree murder in the July 2018 stabbing death of Tibbetts, a 20-year-old University of Iowa student.

If convicted, Rivera faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Testifying through a translator, Rivera sought to shift blame for Tibbetts' murder onto two unidentified men he said confronted him on the day she died, then killed her and left him in possession of the body.

He claimed he never reported the ordeal to police and dumped Tibbetts' body in a cornfield instead because he was afraid they would learn he was in the US illegally and deport him.

Rivera, 26, said he got out of his shower on July 18, 2018 and saw the two men standing in his living room wearing dark-colored sweaters with their faces covered.

One was larger and holding a gun, he said, and the smaller one was holding a knife.

He said they told him 'I shouldn't do anything stupid and everything was going to be okay.'

He said they never threatened him, but directed him into his car and told him to drive straight into Brooklyn, Iowa, where they came across a jogger he said he now knows was Tibbetts.

Cristhian Bahena Rivera, the illegal Mexican immigrant accused of murdering Iowa jogger Mollie Tibbetts, is seen testifying at his trial on Wednesday. He told the court he was ordered to follow Tibbetts by two armed, masked men who held him at knifepoint and then placed her body in the trunk of his car

Cristhian Bahena Rivera has pleaded not guilty to killing Mollie Tibbetts, pictured, in July 2018 while she was out running in Brooklyn, Iowa

The men in the car with him, he said, crouched down as low as they could, and directed Rivera to drive past Tibbetts three or four times.

The last time they approached her, Rivera testified, she was on her way back into town.

At that point, he said, the man with the knife, sitting next to him in the passenger seat told him to stop and got out of the car, walking towards town.

Rivera said he was gone for 10 to 12 minutes while he and the larger man waited. As the minutes past by, he said, the man in the back started whispering, and he heard him say: 'Come on Jack,' an apparent reference to Dalton Jack, Tibbetts' boyfriend.

When he testified last week Jack was confronted with phone records showing he only called Tibbetts once in the days after she vanished, with Snapchat messages about his affair with another woman and with questions about his temper.

Police said they cleared Jack as a suspect after establishing he was out of town for work when Tibbetts went missing.

When the smaller man got back into the car, Rivera said, he told him to keep driving, ultimately telling him to stop and hand him the keys, as both men got out.

At that point, he said, he heard and felt them put something in the truck.

The men then got back inside the car, Rivera said, and ordered him to drive quickly down a gravel road for five to eight minutes until they arrived at a white house and approached a corn field.

They allegedly told Rivera they knew about his ex-girlfriend and their daughter, and said that if he told someone they would 'take care of them.'

The men then took his keys and cellphone, he said, and he decided to get out of the car because he did not have the keys, but decided to see what the men put in his trunk.

'Obviously I knew there was something in the trunk,' he said.

When he opened it, Rivera testified, he found Tibbett's body along with his cellphone and keys.

After a few minutes debating what to do, he said, he decided to take the body out of the trunk and cover her body with corn 'because I didn't want her to be exposed to the sun.'

She was still in clothes at the time, save for one shoe.

Rivera then used his phone to get home, he said, and did not call the police 'because I was scared.'

Photos of Mollie Tibbetts' partially naked and decomposing body that was dumped in an Iowa cornfield were shown to jurors on Friday as Cristhian Bahena Rivera stand trial. Pictured above is the crime scene tape around the cornstalks where her body was found in 2018

The defense was trying to paint Rivera as a hard-working, family-oriented immigrant who used a coyote to get to the United States by way of Texas to earn money for his family.

In an opening statement for the defense on Tuesday, Bahena Rivera's lawyer claimed cops 'coerced a confession out of him' after he'd spent 12 hours scooping poop at a farm before being interrogated.

The lawyer, Jennifer Frese, said that authorities conducted an incomplete investigation into the 20-year-old's death in July 2018 and that they were too quick to close the case.

The defense had declined to give an opening statement when the trial began last week, opting to do so after prosecutors rested their case on Monday.

'Her family deserves justice but so does Cristhian Bahena Rivera,' Frese said Tuesday, standing next to her client.

The defense began by questioning the confession and DNA evidence. Frese told jurors: 'He wasn't in an interview; he was in an interrogation.

'There's no dispute on the facts that my client worked twelve hours at a dairy farm scooping poop, cleaning grounds, and then, at the end of his day, he was brought to the Poweshiek County Sheriff's Office.

'You will hear about this interrogation, and that it went on and on and on.'

Former Iowa City police officer Pamela Romero testified last Thursday that she noticed he had fallen asleep when she went to get him food. Romero recalled Bahena Rivera saying that he was sleepy but she said he remained alert and engaged during the questioning

The jury last week was shown photos of Tibbetts' partially naked and decomposing body after it was dumped in an Iowa cornfield, as well as images of her discarded black shorts and underwear.

Bahena Rivera, who has pleaded not guilty, may have entered the US from Mexico illegally a decade ago

An autopsy found that Tibbetts had been stabbed seven to ten times in the chest, ribs, neck and skull.

Frese said of Bahena Rivera's questioning: 'And then they started to confront him with the evidence. They confronted him with this videotape. They confronted him with these pictures.

'And they said, you know, we dont believe you. We dont believe that you werent there.

'And the confrontation continues until it was put in my clients head  perhaps you blacked out. The state  in this case  they got what they wanted. And they closed the case. They got what they needed.

'There was an intense amount of pressure, thats what the evidence has shown you, to close this case, to arrest someone for this vicious crime.

'And instead of continuing to work the case  instead of continuing to work the evidence  they just submitted it to you.'

Former Iowa City police officer Pamela Romero testified last Thursday that she noticed he had fallen asleep when she went to get him food. Romero recalled Bahena Rivera saying that he was sleepy but she said he remained alert and engaged during the questioning.

Defense attorney Chad Frese, right, hands Dalton Jack, Mollie Tibbetts' boyfriend, a phone record to review as Jack testifies for a second time during Cristhian Bahena Rivera's trial, Tuesday

Defense attorney Jennifer Frese gives an opening statement while presenting Cristhian Bahena Rivera's case Tuesday

Tibbetts disappearance triggered a search involving local, state and federal agencies and hundreds of volunteers.

Investigators say they began focusing on Bahena Rivera a month later after finding surveillance video showing his black Chevy Malibu driving back and forth near where Tibbetts had been seen.

They said he confessed during an 11-hour interrogation to approaching Tibbetts, fighting with her after she threatened to call the police, putting her body in his trunk and hiding it in a cornfield.

Investigators say he led them to the body, which was badly decomposed and hidden underneath cornstalks. Tibbetts DNA was found on blood spots on the rubber trunk seal and trunk liner of the Malibu.

Rivera claimed in court on Wednesday that he brought the police to the body because he was tired and wanted the interrogation to end.

Prosecutors told jurors that an autopsy found that she had been stabbed seven to 12 times in the chest, ribs, neck, and skull, and that she died from sharp force injuries

Mollie pictured with her father Rob. Tibbetts disappearance triggered a search involving local, state and federal agencies and hundreds of volunteers

Frese told jurors that the case was about a Mexican immigrant who came to the U.S. to earn better wages.

She said Bahena Rivera 'is a yes man' who did anything he was asked on the dairy farm where he worked, and cooperated when law enforcement showed up there and asked to question him.

Investigators say Bahena Rivera told them he 'blacked out' and couldn't remember how he killed Tibbetts.

The first defense witness called Tuesday was forensic consultant Michael Spence, who agreed that Tibbetts DNA was found on blood stains in the trunk, but said there was also unaccounted for DNA in the trunk, including at least one unknown male and female.

Spence conceded that it would not be surprising to find other DNA sources in a trunk of a vehicle that had been used, and that there are many ways they could have ended up there.

Iris Gamboa, the mother of Bahena Rivera's daughter, testified Tuesday that she lived with him for four years before they broke up in 2017. She said he worked 12-hour days and only got two days off every two weeks.

She said he was a good father who paid $500 per month to support their daughter, was not violent toward them and never showed excessive anger. Bahena Rivera was also sending money back to his parents in Mexico and paying to build them a house, she said.

Cristhian Bahena Rivera listens to court proceedings during his trial, Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport, Iowa. Bahena Rivera is on trial for the 2018 stabbing death of Mollie Tibbetts, a University of Iowa student. (Kelsey Kremer/The Des Moines Register via AP, Pool)

The defense showed jurors a photograph of a smiling Bahena Rivera and Gamboa with their young daughter at a family party in 2017.

'He was happy that his daughter was happy,' Gamboa said. 'It was a good day.'

Bahena Rivera's aunt, Alejandra Cervantes, said he was known as playful around the family and that children love him. She recalled going to the sheriff's office where Bahena Rivera was being interrogated but being unable to see him or get in touch with him by phone.
Oklahoma's top prosecutor has unexpectedly resigned over an alleged affair with a state employee just days after filing for divorce from his wife of 39 years.

Attorney General Mike Hunter released a statement on Wednesday that said he plans on stepping down on June 1 due to concerns that 'personal issues' could overshadow the work of his office.

The Oklahoman says those 'personnel issues' relate to an affair the Republican prosecutor had with another state employee which has destroyed his marriage and left his wife Cheryl 'heartbroken.'

'Regrettably, certain personal matters that are becoming public will become a distraction for this office,' Hunter's statement read. 'The office of attorney general is one of the most important positions in state government. I cannot allow a personal issue to overshadow the vital work the attorneys, agents and support staff do on behalf of Oklahoma.'

Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter announced his resignation, citing concerns over 'personal matters' becoming public soon

Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter and his wife Cheryl Hunter (pictured together) are divorcing after almost 40 years of marriage

The Oklahoman says it confirmed the affair with people close to Hunter and the other woman, but did not name her.

Their sources said the affair was not with someone who worked in the state's insurance office, and not directly with Hunter.

Contacted by the Oklahoman for a comment, the woman said: 'I will not comment on what should be a private matter.'

The Oklahoman reported the employee currently works at the state Insurance Department and filed for divorce from her husband of 25 years in April.

Last Friday, the 64-year-old filed for divorce from his wife Cheryl after nearly 40 years of marriage.

In his petition, he alleges as grounds for the divorce that a 'state of complete and irreconcilable incompatibility has arisen between the parties,' the Oklahoman reported.

The couple have two adult children.

His wife Cheryl, who is also an attorney, told the Oklahoman she is 'heartbroken' over the split.

'I am heartbroken and my priorities are to take care of my sons, my daughter-in-law, my grandson and my parents,' she said.

Hunter, a Republican, has served as attorney general since 2017, when he was appointed by then-Gov. Mary Fallin after Scott Pruitt, who left the post to serve as head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for former President Donald Trump.

Hunter narrowly defeated Tulsa attorney Gentner Drummond in a bruising GOP primary in 2018, winning by fewer than 300 votes, before coasting to an easy victory in the general election, the Associated Press reported.

Hunter bragged about his 35 year marriage while campaigning for the role of Oklahoma AG in 2018.

One 2018 campaign flyer read: 'Mike is most proud of his accomplishments as a husband and a father. He and his wife Cheryl have been married for 35 years.'

Hunter planned on seeking reelection in 2022 and his his latest contributions and expenditures report showed he had already raised more than $150,000 for his 2022 campaign, the Oklahoman reported.

He also had transferred $72,304 in leftover funds from the last campaign to his reelection effort.

Hunter helped lead the state's lawsuit against the makers of pharmaceuticals blamed for contributing to the opioid crisis, the first lawsuit of its kind in the nation.

It ultimately secured a $465 million order against consumer products giant Johnson & Johnson. That ruling is being appealed, AP reported.

Just last week, Hunter praised the Supreme Court for agreeing to review a Mississippi law that allows a woman to obtain an abortion only in cases of a medical emergency or severe abnormality in the fetus, CNBC reported.

Hunter's wife Cheryl (pictured right) who is also an attorney, said in a statement she is 'heartbroken' over the split

Hunter has served as attorney general since 2017, when he was appointed by then-Gov. Mary Fallin after Scott Pruitt. His final day will be June 1

Hunter joined 17 other state attorneys generals in urging the Supreme Court to take the case that could lead to a ruling that would uphold an Oklahoma law that bans abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Hunter's resignation means Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt will name his replacement, allowing the governor to put an ally in the post.

Stitt and Hunter, both Republicans, have occasionally clashed on various matters, including over Stitt's decision to renegotiate the state's gaming compacts with Native American tribes, AP reported.

A multicounty grand jury led by Hunter's office indicted Stitt's secretary of digital transformation and technology, David Ostrowe, on one felony count of attempted bribery of an officer.

In April 2020, Hunter requested an investigative audit of the state Health Department over the agency's spending of state-appropriated funds.

At the time, Stitt said he was disappointed in Hunter's request when the agency was 'in the midst of responding to the most historic pandemic of our time.'

Stitt said in a statement that Hunter notified him Wednesday morning of his plan to step down.

'I know he is going through a difficult time and I wish him, his family, and the employees of his office well,' Stitt said.

Hunter served as secretary of state and special legal counsel under Governor Fallin until he was appointed attorney general.

Hunter also has served as secretary of the Commissioners of the Land Office, a $4 billion land and investment trust in Oklahoma. He previously served as secretary of state under former Gov. Frank Keating and was Keatings chief liaison to the Legislature, the state judiciary and its congressional delegation, AP reported.
Teletext Holidays has agreed to pay back 7million in refunds after customers' trips were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Parent company Truly Holdings signed an undertaking promising to process all refunds by the end of August - or else face court action and sanctions.

It comes after the competition watchdog launched an investigation into Teletext Holidays in February. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has now demanded millions of pounds is paid back to those whose holidays were cancelled.

Bosses also vowed pay all future refunds within 14 days. Those who have been waiting the longest for their money back are expected to be paid first.

Parent company Truly Holdings signed an undertaking promising to process all refunds by the end of August - or else face court action and sanctions. Pictured, a plane landing in Canada on May 4 as flights resume

It follows similar agreements made by LoveHolidays, Lastminute.com, Virgin Holidays and Tui UK, after thousands of customers complained the companies failed to refund them for cancelled trips.

At the end of April the CMA told Truly Holdings it was preparing to take them to court unless an undertaking was signed.

Andrea Coscelli, chief executive of the CMA, said: 'There's no excuse for travel firms to delay refunding customers what they are legally owed, even in these extraordinary times. Companies should be doing the right thing without the threat of court action.

'As a result of our work, customers who have waited many months for their money back from Teletext Holidays and Alpharooms will now receive a full refund.

'With international travel resuming and many people considering long-awaited trips abroad, all package holiday firms must give refunds within 14 days where these are due, and should also provide clear cancellation information so that no one else is unnecessarily put through this ordeal.'

At the end of April the CMA told Truly Holdings it was preparing to take them to court unless an undertaking was signed (file image)

Teletext will also have to provide the CMA with regular reports on the progress of its repayments.

Dedicated pages for refunds will be created on the company's websites and those who received credit notes but not yet used them will also be offered the opportunity to receive a cash refund instead.

The travel sector has been one of the hardest hit during the pandemic and has faced the most scrutiny from the CMA, which wrote to more than 100 firms reminding them of their responsibility to process all refunds within 14 days by law for any cancellations.

A spokesman for Teletext Holidays said: 'We are pleased that a successful conclusion has been reached with the CMA in regards to the processing of refunds for our customers who have had their package holidays cancelled due to COVID-19.

'Further details of the refund timescale and process that we will be embarking upon will be published on our website by 28th May.'
Doomsday author Chad Daybell appeared in court ahead of his wife Lori Vallow Wednesday after they were both charged with the murder of her two children.

The couple were each indicted by a grand jury Monday on charges of conspiracy, murder and grand theft in connection with the deaths of seven-year-old Joshua 'JJ' Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan.

Chad is also charged with one count of murder and insurance fraud in connection with the death of his late wife Tammy Daybell.

If convicted, they face life in prison or the death penalty. Daybell appeared to laugh and smirk during Wednesday's hearing as the charges against him were read out.

He will be back in court for his arraignment June 9, the judge told him.

Lori - wearing a face mask - later appeared for her court hearing, also via Zoom. Her hearing was adjourned and she did not hear her charges in court. That came after Special Prosecutor Rob Wood objected to it continuing; it is not clear why.

Lori's children JJ and Tylee were last seen alive in September 2019, soon after Lori moved from Arizona to Idaho to live with Chad. Their remains were found in June last year.

According to the indictment, Vallow continued collecting her children's Social Security benefits for months after they were killed.

Daybell also increased his first wife's life insurance benefits to the maximum allowed under the policy weeks before her death and ended up receiving a $430,000 payout, their murder indictment claims.

Scroll down to read the full indictment

Chad Daybell, left, laughed as he appeared in court ahead of his wife Lori Vallow Wednesday after they were both charged with the murder of her two children

Lori Vallow, left, appears in court Wednesday after being charged with the murder of her two children

Vallow's children JJ, seven, and Tylee, 16, were last seen alive in September 2019, soon after Lori moved from Arizona to Idaho to live with Chad. Their remains were found in June last year

Chad was also charged with the murder of his first wife, Tammy Daybell, pictured. She purportedly died in her sleep aged 49 on October 19, 2019; Chad refused an autopsy at the time, despite the fact that his wife was in excellent health

According to the indictment, Lori switched Social Security payments from her daughter's account to her own account in mid-August 2019.

She then allegedly continued to wrongly collect Social Security assistance checks worth $1,000 for five months on behalf of Tylee and four months on behalf of JJ.

Both kids were receiving 'survivor' Social Security benefits, which entitle children of a deceased parent to up to half of the parent's full retirement benefits.

JJ's adoptive father - and Lori's fourth husband - Charles Vallow died in July 2019. Tylee's father - Lori's third husband - Joseph Ryan died in April 2018.

A grand jury in Fremont County, Idaho on Tuesday returned a true bill indicting Lori and Chad. The alleged leaders of a dangerous doomsday cult were already behind bars awaiting trial on charges of conspiracy to hide the kids' remains.

It is unclear what led to prosecutors filing the latest indictment now - more than a year and a half after the murders they are accused of committing.

The charges come after Lori was declared 'indigent' by a district judge last Friday, meaning she cannot afford to pay for an attorney.

Charles Vallow (left), 63, the estranged fourth husband of Idaho 'cult mom' Lori Vallow (right), removed her as the beneficiary from his $1million life insurance policy just a few months before he was shot and killed by Lori's brother, Alex Cox

This week's indictment is not the first time one of the couple has been accused of tampering with their former spouse's life insurance.

In April last year Lori was accused in emails of trying to lock her late husband - and JJ's adoptive father - Charles out of his $1million life insurance policy before his death.

He wrote an email to his life insurance provider accusing Lori of hacking into his account and changing his password, according to KSAZ-TV.

At the time, Charles sought to remove his then-wife as a beneficiary of the $1million policy, emails show.

Charles was then shot and killed by Lori's brother Alex Cox who said the shooting was in self-defense. He then died of unknown causes several months later.

The couple face no charges relating to the death of Charles. That's despite reports in August last year that investigators in Arizona had expected to charge Lori in relation to the shooting death of her former husband before the end of 2020.

The indictment also alleges the Daybells and Cox had conspired to kill Tammy Daybell before her death, and that Cox even practiced shooting, going to a gun range and searching the internet for information about bullet velocity and shooting through vehicles.

Lori also bought her own wedding ring - a $35.99 sterling silver band from Amazon - 17 days before Tammy's death.

Lori and Chad tied the knot in Hawaii on November 5, two months after her children, Joshua 'JJ' Vallow and Tylee Ryan, were last seen in Idaho in September, and less than two weeks after Tammy's death on October 19.

Charles Vallow accused his then-estranged wife Lori Vallow of hacking into his life insurance policy in February 2019 - right around the time he filed for divorce

Cult mom Lori Vallow and her husband Chad Daybell have been charged with murder, two years after the remains of her two children were found on their property

Lori's kids Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, seven, and Tylee Ryan, 16, were last seen alive in September 2019, and their remains were discovered on her Idaho property last June

Investigators are seen searching the area of Chad's yard where they found JJ and Tylee's bodies on June 9, 2020

Timeline of JJ and Tylee's disappearance July 11, 2019: Lori Vallow's husband, Charles Vallow, is killed by her brother, Alex Cox, in Arizona. Police initially rule that Alex acted in self defense but reopen the case months later after the children are reported missing. August: Lori moves children JJ and Tylee to Rexburg, Idaho, where her future husband Chad Daybell lives with his wife Tammy. September 8: The last time Tylee is seen during a trip to Yellowstone National Park with Lori, JJ and Alex. In the following weeks she tells people who ask where Tylee is that she's studying at Brigham Young University's Idaho campus. September 23: The last time JJ is seen at his school in Rexburg. Lori emailed the school the following day and claims she is moving the family to California for a new job. October 2: Brandon Boudreaux, the ex-husband of Lori's niece Melanie Pawlowski, is targeted in a drive-by shooting in Arizona. Police identify the vehicle carrying the shooter as a Jeep registered to Charles Vallow, Lori's late husband. October 19: Chad's wife Tammy, 49, dies at their Idaho home. An obituary states that she passed away peacefully in her sleep. Chad declines an autopsy and her death is listed as natural causes. October 25: A friend of Tylee receives a vague 'miss you' text from her phone but says that it didn't sound like the teen. November 5: Lori and Chad tie the knot on a beach in Kauai. Receipts indicate that Lori purchased her own wedding ring from Amazon nearly three weeks prior to Tammy's death. November 26: Out-of-state relatives ask Idaho police to perform a welfare check on JJ. Lori and Chad claim he is in Arizona with relatives and ask their friend, Melanie Gibb, to lie and say she took the boy there for Thanksgiving. Police soon learn that no one has seen JJ, or his older sister Tylee, since September. November 27: Police execute a search warrant related to the children at Lori's home and discover that she and Chad have fled Idaho. December 11: Tammy's body is exhumed from a Utah cemetery and her death is reclassified as suspicious. December 12: Lori's brother, Alex Cox, is found unresponsive in a bathroom in Arizona and dies. Months later an autopsy determines that he died of natural causes while he had the overdose drug Narcan in his system. December 21: Rexburg police issue the first press release about JJ and Tylee, revealing they believe their disappearance could be linked to Tammy's death and asking the public for information. December 24: Lori and Chad issue a statement through an attorney saying they love their son and daughter and look forward to addressing 'allegations once they have moved beyond speculation and rumor'. December 30: Police accuse Lori and Chad of lying to investigators and say they believe the couple know where the kids are or what happened to them. January 3, 2020: Police search Chad's home in Salem and remove 43 items, including tech devices and journals. They also comb over sections of the snow-covered yard. January 26: Lori and Chad are seen for the first time in months as police serve them with two search warrants in Kauai. Lori is also served with a court order to produce the children to authorities in Idaho in five days. The couple are approached by the media while cops serve the documents and refuse to say anything about the kids. January 30: Lori misses the court deadline to produce the children to Idaho authorities. February 20: Lori is arrested in Kauai and charged with two felony counts for desertion and nonsupport of dependent children, and one misdemeanor count each for resisting and obstructing an officer, solicitation of a crime, and contempt of court. March 5: Lori is extradited to Idaho, where she is held on $1million bond at Madison County Jail. March 17: Lori professes her innocence in a statement through her attorney as two other members of her defense team quit and the judge removes himself from the case. March 24: Court documents filed in the divorce of Lori's niece Melani and her husband Brandon Boudreaux allege that Lori told people she believed her children were zombies before they disappeared. April 9: Authorities reveal they are investigating Lori and Chad for murder, attempted murder and conspiracy in connection with Tammy's death. May 25: Idaho police issue a statement expressing hope that the kids will be found safe on what would have been JJ's eighth birthday. June 9: Police search Chad's home in Salem for the second time and discover human remains in the backyard. Chad is taken into police custody and charged with destruction or concealment of evidence. May 25, 2021: Lori and Chad are charged with first degree murder in the deaths of the children. Chad is also charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife Tammy. Advertisement

Lori and Chad had repeatedly refused to say where the children were but insisted that they were safe.





Police also launched an investigation into Tammy's and Charles' death.

Fremont County Coroner Brenda Dye asked a judge in Utah to have Tammy's body exhumed from its grave in Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, Utah - where Chad had once worked - after suspicions were raised.

Tammy's body was exhumed on December 11, 2019, one day before the death of Lori's brother Alex Cox, who is named in the new indictment as a co-conspirator in Tammy's death.

Chad and Lori are both charged with conspiracy to commit first degree murder and grand theft by deception and first degree murder.

Chad is additionally charged with first degree murder, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, grand theft and insurance fraud in Tammy's death.

Tylee vanished on September 8, 2019, just days before her 17th birthday. Investigators said her body was burned and dismembered before being buried sometime the following day.

JJ was last seen two weeks later on September 23. His body was wrapped in duct tape and plastic and buried the same day, investigators said.

Authorities believe Lori's brother, Cox, brought the children's bodies to Chad's home to dispose of them.

Police began searching for the children in late November 2019 after performing a welfare check ordered by concerned relatives who said they hadn't spoken to seven-year-old JJ, who was autistic, in months.

When officers first went to Lori's home in Idaho on November 26, she told them that JJ was visiting relatives in Arizona - which investigators say was a lie.

Officers returned the following day and found that Lori and the man she married weeks earlier, Chad, had fled from the home.

Authorities said the couple repeatedly lied about where JJ and Tylee were and refused to cooperate with the investigation.

Lori and Chad were named persons of interest in the children's disappearance after investigators said they believe the mother knew where her children were or what happened to them.

The case captured nationwide attention with the revelations that police were also investigating at least three mysterious deaths linked to Lori and Chad, as well as family members' claims that the couple are members of a dangerous doomsday cult.

The first death is that of Lori's estranged husband Charles, who was shot dead by her brother Alex in Arizona on July 10, 2019.

Charles and Lori had gotten into an argument when the father came to pick up JJ at the mother's home in Chandler.

Lori's brother intervened and fatally shot Charles.

Police initially determined that he acted in self defense - but the case was reopened amid the multi-state search for JJ and Tylee, who had moved to Idaho, where Chad lived, with their mother weeks later.

The second mysterious death was Tammy.

Investigators reopened the case after learning that JJ and Tylee were missing, as their mother had married Chad just two weeks after Tammy died.

On December 12, Lori's brother, Alex Cox, was found dead in Gilbert, Arizona.

An autopsy determined that the 51-year-old's died of natural causes but noted that he had the overdose drug Narcan in his system at the time.

Police tracked Lori and Chad down in Princeville, Hawaii, in late January 2020 and served the mother with a court order requiring her to physically produce the children to authorities in Idaho within five days.

Lori failed to meet the deadline, prompting her arrest and extradition to Idaho, where she is currently being held at Madison County Jail in lieu of $1million bond.

Chad was arrested three months later after the children's bodies were found.

Prior to Tuesday's indictment, Lori was facing two felony counts of conspiracy to destroy or conceal evidence, as well as three misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing officers, solicitation to commit a crime and contempt of court.

Chad was facing two felony counts of conspiracy to destroy or conceal evidence, along with two other felony counts for destruction or concealment of evidence.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the initial charges and maintained their innocence.

The couple were previously slated to face trial together this fall.

It's unclear whether the trial will be moved in light of the new charges.

Over the course of the search for the kids several people who knew Lori and Chad came forward with claims that the pair were members of a 'cult' called Preparing a People, which was dedicated to bracing for the end of the world.

The organization aimed to distance themselves from Chad and Lori as the missing children's case made headlines, allegedly fearing that misconceptions about Preparing a People could cause members to be excommunicated from the LDS Church.

At the core of the couple's beliefs was the idea that they were prophets sent to earth by God to lead the 'chosen 144,000' into the New Millennium on July 22, 2020, according to court documents and accounts from friends and family.

Part of their preparations included eradicating the world of 'zombies' before Doomsday arrived, according to Lori's former best friend Melanie Gibb, who was part of a small group with which Chad shared his personal gospel.

'It was their commission to get rid of all the zombies before tribulations came upon us,' Gibb told the East Idaho News last year.

Chillingly, Lori had accused three of her loved ones of turning into zombies prior to their deaths: JJ and Tylee, as well as her fourth husband Charles.

Lori Vallow, center, continued collecting her children's Social Security benefits for five months after they were killed, according to charging documents released Tuesday

Investigators believe Lori's brother Alex Cox was involved in the murders of JJ and Tylee. The trio are pictured at Yellowstone National Park on the day Tylee vanished in September 2019

When Lori married Chad she was still married to her fourth husband Charles Vallow (pictured together). Charles was shot dead by Lori's brother, Alex Cox, in July 2019

STATEMENT FROM TAMMY DAYBELL'S FAMILY FOLLOWING MURDER CHARGES As the parents and siblings of our dearly beloved Tammy, we want to make a brief statement in light of today's (May 25) news. First, we'd like to extend our continued love and heartfelt sympathy to the families of Tylee and JJ. Words cannot adequately express the depths of loss and pain that they are suffering, but we hope they know that they are not alone and we grieve and hold a place in our hearts with them at this time. In light of new information and forward movement in the judicial process, we ask for consideration of our family's right to privacy and continued grieving as we process this. We'd especially ask that this consideration be extended to our dearest Tammy's children and grandchildren. We want their lives to retain as much peace, normalcy and remembrance of their mother/grandmother as possible. No one knows how to handle this perfectly. We ask that we all be given the space to continue to honor and grieve our loved one the best we can. We'd like to thank the tireless efforts of law enforcement, the FBI, and all those who've continued to seek out the answers during the investigations surrounding Tylee, JJ and Tammy. We appreciate their pursuit of justice, and ultimately some measure of peace for those of us left in the wake of our loss. Thank you to all those family, friends, and supporters near and far who have continually reached out to us. We thank those who've shown interest in honoring Tammy's legacy with us through our beginning efforts with the Tammy Douglas Daybell Foundation. We pray that truth will prevail, and that all of us left behind will find a way to pick up the pieces and somehow come out of this crucible together. Chad was also charged with the murder of his first wife, Tammy Daybell (pictured together) Courtesy: East Idaho News Advertisement

Charles had filed for divorce from Lori five months before he died, and in court documents and conversations with law enforcement he revealed that Lori had threatened to kill him because she believed his body had been possessed by evil spirits.

After Charles died, Lori moved her children to Idaho in August 2019. Gibb recounted a phone call around that time when Lori remarked that her daughter Tylee had also turned into a zombie.

Soon after Gibb visited Lori in Idaho, and the mother began ranting about how her son JJ was 'acting like a zombie' and crawling on the kitchen cabinets.

In her East Idaho News interview, Gibb also described how Lori and Chad met at an LDS Church conference in late 2018 and quickly developed an eerily close relationship - despite them both being married to other people at the time.

Gibb said Chad had told Lori that they knew each other previous lives and were 'sealed' to each other.

Chad married Lori on November 5, less than two months after her children vanished and two weeks after his previous wife Tammy died. The couple are pictured in January in Kauai, where they fled after police began asking questions about where JJ and Tylee were

Latter-day Saints believe that relationships continue after death if a husband and wife are sealed in the temple by an officiant. People cannot be sealed to a second spouse if they are already legally married to a living person.

Gibb also described an extensive chart Chad made that ranked people based on their spiritual level.

It was four pages and included Biblical apostles, the current Latter-day Saint 12 apostles, family members, friends and celebrities.

The chart detailed how many lives each person had lives, whether they were 'dark' or 'light' spirits, their previous names and other unusual information.

It stated that Lori was on her 21st life, Chad was on his 31st, and both had lived five lives on this earth. Chad was identified as a Holy Ghost.

It's unclear how much contact Lori and Chad have had since he landed behind bars last summer.

Lawyers for each of them had argued to keep their cases separate amid speculation that they could turn on each other before trial.

Tuesday's indictment marked a landmark development in the case that has inspired many television specials, podcasts and Facebook communities of devoted sleuths.

However questions still remain over why the couple allegedly committed murder - and why it took so long for prosecutors to bring the charges.

Read the indictment below:
Dominic Cummings was today branded a liar by No10's top behavioural scientists for accusing them of being opposed to lockdown rules in March last year.

The former No10 adviser claimed in an explosive meeting with MPs that members of a SAGE sub-group were wrong because they suggested long lockdowns wouldn't work due to 'fatigue' that would see people give up on sticking to restrictions.

A meeting in March last year saw advisers on the SPI-B panel warn that restrictions may be harder to enforce over longer periods of time but experts admitted there was little evidence.

Boris Johnson repeated in his pre-lockdown press conferences in March 2020 that he wanted to make sure decisions were taken 'at the right time' and not too soon.

Mr Cummings today said the assumption that people would tire of obeying the rules was 'obviously completely wrong'.

Members of SPI-B today hit back at Cummings's claim and said he 'does not appear to understand the role of SPI-B not the contribution of behavioural scientists'.

One member said SPI-B made it clear fears about crisis fatigue should not be taken as the group's view nor used as an influencing factor in Government decisions.

A SPI-B file from March 12 showed the group was worried it would be portrayed this way and said: 'We are concerned our comments about the difficulty of maintaining behaviours should not be used as a reason for not communicating with the public about the efficacy of the behaviours.'

Ex-No10 adviser Dominic Cummings claimed in a meeting with MPs that members of SAGE sub-group SPI-B were wrong because they suggested long lockdowns wouldn't work due to 'fatigue' that would see people give up on sticking to restrictions  members of the group have hit back and said that was never their argument

Professor Susan Michie, a psychologist at University College London and member of the Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours said today: 'Cummings does not appear to understand the role of SPI-B nor the contribution of behavioural scientists on that group.

'SPI-B is not asked to comment, and has not commented, on what interventions are effective or when they should be triggered.

'Instead, the group is asked to provide advice aimed at anticipating and helping people adhere to interventions that are recommended by medical or epidemiological experts.

'It also considers the likely or possible impact of various measures or scenarios.'

She added the group had made it clear that 'empirical evidence was limited'.

The retort was echoed by Professor John Drury, a psychologist at the University of Sussex, who added: 'Cummings implicated SPI-B in the flawed fatigue rationale for delaying measures against the pandemic... the SPI-B paper from March 2020 clarifies that fatigue should not be an interpretation of any SPI-B recommendations.'

SPI-B includes psychologists and social scientists advises the Government on how people think, behave and might react to certain situations.

It warned in a meeting on March 13 that 'experience suggests it is harder to comply with a challenging behaviour over a long period than over a short period'  but admitted there was no evidence in the context of lockdowns.

MATT HANCOCK SAVAGED AND BRANDED A 'LIAR' IN DAMNING MEETING Dominic Cummings accused Matt Hancock of 'criminal, disgraceful behaviour' during the early days of the Covid pandemic today as he launched an astonishing broadside at the Health Secretary. During a no-holds-barred attack on the senior Cabinet Minister he accused him of being a serial liar whose behaviour directly hindered the Government's ability to tackle the pandemic last year. In a rollercoaster appearance in front of MPs today Mr Cummings outlined a series of failings by Mr Hancock and the Department of Health and Social Care. Mr Cummings told a joint committee of MPs today: 'One thing I can say completely honestly is that I said repeatedly from February/March that if we don't fire the Secretary of State and get testing into somebody else's hands, we're going to kill people and it's going to be a catastrophe.' During the evidence, which even took the MPs on the Commons Health and Social Care and Science and Technology Committees by surprise, Mr Cummings said: 'Like in much of the Government system, there were many brilliant people at relatively junior and middle levels who were terribly let down by senior leadership. 'I think the Secretary of State for Health should've been fired for at least 15, 20 things, including lying to everybody on multiple occasions in meeting after meeting in the Cabinet room and publicly. 'There's no doubt at all that many senior people performed far, far disastrously below the standards which the country has a right to expect. I think the Secretary of State for Health is certainly one of those people. 'I said repeatedly to the Prime Minister that he should be fired, so did the Cabinet Secretary, so did many other senior people.' He added that Mr Johnson 'came close' to removing Hancock in April last year. Pushed on why he didn't, Mr Cummings said: 'That would be speculation on my part. There is certainly no good reason for keeping him.' Mr Johnson's spokesman today said the PM had full confidence in the Health Secretary and tonight Mr Hancock hit back at the claims made about him. A spokesman said: 'At all times throughout this pandemic the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and everyone in DHSC has worked incredibly hard in unprecedented circumstances to protect the NHS and save lives. 'We absolutely reject Mr Cummings' claims about the Health Secretary.' Advertisement

Minutes from the meeting read: 'There is some evidence that people find quarantining harder to comply with the longer it goes on.

'The evidence is not strong but the effect is intuitive. There is no comparable evidence for social distancing measures, but experience suggests it is harder to comply with a challenging behaviour over a long period than over a short period.

'There is no strong evidence for public compliance rates changing during a major emergency. There is, however, a link between public anxiety and protective behavioural change.

'Difficulty maintaining behaviours should not be treated as a reason for not communicating with the public about the efficacy of the behaviours and should not be taken as a reason to delay implementation where that is indicated epidemiologically.'

A separate file from March 12 said: 'We are concerned that our comments about the difficulty of maintaining behaviours should not be used as a reason for not communicating with the public about the efficacy of the behaviours.'

Fellow SPI-B expert Professor Stephen Reicher, from the University of St Andrews, retweeted Professor Drury's comment and said: 'More evidence that behavioural scientists did not delay lockdown by invoking "behavioural fatigue".'

Professor Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, had publicly referred to the issue as 'crisis fatigue'.

And it was used by some experts as an explanation for why the UK didn't lock down sooner.

A consultant psychologist in London, Emma Citron, told the New Scientist in March last year: 'If they ask people to self-isolate now and curtail public gatherings or they close schools, then people can become fed up with strictures and simply stop conforming to them.'

In Boris Johnson's own TV speeches shortly before the first lockdown in March, he hammered home the importance of starting restrictions 'at the right time' to avoid doing them unnecessarily.

On March 9 the PM said: 'While it is absolutely critical, its absolutely critical in managing the spread of this virus that we take the right decisions at the right time, based on the latest and best evidence.

'So we must not do things which have no or limited medical benefit, nor things which could turn out to be counterproductive.'

Mr Cummings today slammed fears about the message and claimed they had slowed down Britain's movement into lockdown, although he denied saying that SPI-B were 'charlatans'.

He told MPs: 'Just to correct that I didnt say that everybody involved with SPI-B were charlatans and thats not the case.

'The problem is that in this field of behavioural science there are a lot of charlatans and anybody whos been involved with the clinical world knows that the whole field is riddled with duff studies, memes that people believe are true but arent true, and there is no doubt whatsoever that theres a critical part of the false groupthink.

'The problem is that in this field of behavioural science there are a lot of charlatans and anybody whos been involved with the clinical world knows that the whole field is riddled with duff studies and memes that people believe are true but arent true  and there is no doubt whatsoever that theres a critical part of the false groupthink.

'One of the critical things that was completely wrong in the whole official thinking in SAGE and in the Department of Health in February and March was, first of all that the British public will not accept a lockdown, secondly the British public will not accept what was thought of as an East Asian-style track and trace type system and the infringements of liberty around that.

'Those two assumptions were completely central to the official plan and were both obviously completely wrong.

'In the first half of March this was raised sometimes in the Prime Ministers office and me and others were literally pointing at the TV screen of Lombardy [Italy, the first part of Europe hit by the pandemic] and saying look at whats happening in Lombardy.

'Were getting text messages on our own phones from our own families saying whats going on?. This assumption that the public basically arent that frightened and dont want to have a lockdown is false and we should abandon it.'
A 13-month-old baby died after slipping down the bed and becoming covered by the duvet while sleeping between his parents, an inquest has heard.

Ifan George Torlop was 'blue in colour' when his parents Alana Bailey and Samuel Torlop were woken up by their six-year-old son at their home in Heol Maes y Cerrig, Loughor, on August 2.

Ifan had been sleeping between them in the double bed, an inquest at Swansea Guildhall was told on Wednesday.

Mr Torlop was woken by Miss Bailey 'screaming help me, help me' after she noticed their son had 'slipped down the bed, 'was covered by the duvet' and 'didn't seem right', a coroner heard.

An ambulance was called and Mr Torlop had already begun CPR when neighbours, one of whom was a nurse, headed inside to try and help the infant.

One neighbour described seeing 'a little boy motionless in the bed' and when paramedics arrived they were unable to resuscitate him.

Ifan George Torlop (pictured) was 'blue in colour' when his parents Alana Bailey and Samuel Torlop were woken up by their six-year-old son at their home in Heol Maes y Cerrig, Loughor, on August 2

The inquest heard Ifan regularly slept in the double bed with his parents because he would not settle in his crib since suffering bronchiolitis in November 2019.

He spent two days at Morriston Hospital with the lower respiratory tract infection.

The evening before he died, his parents visited Mr Torlop's father's home and returned to Miss Bailey's mother's house, where she also lived and where the couple spent most of their time.

They had dinner and watched TV as Miss Bailey had 'two small glasses of wine' and Mr Torlop had 'two bottles of beer'.

At around 10pm they heard Ifan stir on the baby monitor and Mr Torlop went upstairs to feed him and returned to watch TV before the couple went to bed at around 11.15pm.

South Wales Police detective constable Ian Wozencroft told the inquest officers were told Ifan had died when they arrived at the house.

He said: 'After a call from the ambulance service police officers were deployed to the scene where a crime scene was identified and assessed.

'They recovered a number of exhibits and officers activated their body-worn cameras. Voluntary urine samples were supplied and two baby bottles.'

A toxicology report found alcohol levels of 81mg per 100ml in Mr Torlop's urine and 164mg per 100ml in Miss Bailey's. The legal drink-drive limit currently stands at 107mg per 100ml.

Reading a statement on behalf of South Wales Police detective inspector Peter Collins, Mr Wozencroft added: 'The child displayed no injuries that caused any concern.

'Co-sleeping is known to be unsafe and we know health visitors had warned the parents about these dangers. There was no doubt that the child was cared for, clean, and brought up in a loving environment.'

Pathologist Dr Deryk James told the inquest there 'are risks with bed sharing' but there was 'no evidence' Ifan was laid on.

Mr Torlop was woken by Miss Bailey 'screaming help me, help me' after she noticed their son had 'slipped down the bed, 'was covered by the duvet' and 'didn't seem right', a coroner heard. Pictured, the street in Heol Maes y Cerrig where the family lived

Dr James said: 'He was found in the middle of the bed but under the duvet. We know sudden infant deaths are more likely to happen when a baby is too warm or in a position that's not ideal. If you are intoxicated you are less aware of the baby's position.'

Recording an open conclusion, assistant coroner for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot Aled Wyn Gruffydd said while there was no evidence overlaying or an increased body temperature contributed to Ifan's death he 'can't exclude it or say that it happened'.

He said: 'Ifan was a fit and well boy. He was well cared for, appropriately nourished, and clean. His cause of death was unascertained and there was no evidence of overlaying. The consumption of alcohol is a risk when co-sleeping as you are less aware of your baby sleeping.

'This is a tragic case and the parents' worst nightmare. My deepest condolences go to them.'
President Biden has finally asked his intelligence agencies to step up their efforts to get to the truth about the origins of COVID-19 amid growing concern that it emerged from a Chinese laboratory.

A string of senior scientists have recently admitted they may have leapt to conclusions in assuming the virus jumped from an animal host in the wild to humans and are now looking into the theory it leaked from a Wuhan lab that have been dismissed for the last 12 months.

At the weekend fresh details emerged about how staff at the Wuhan Institute of Virology sought hospital treatment for COVID-like symptoms in November 2019.

The result is that a theory once consigned to fringe websites, championed by the Trump administration and decried by the media has moved into the mainstream and Biden aides have ditched their skepticism to call for more investigations.

Biden defended his administration's approach and said the intelligence agents were divided on the two possible scenarios: laboratory leak or natural transfer in the wild.

'I have now asked the intelligence community to redouble their efforts to collect and analyze information that could bring us closer to a definitive conclusion, and to report back to me in 90 days,' said Biden.

'As part of that report, I have asked for areas of further inquiry that may be required, including specific questions for China.'

He also directed national laboratories to assist with the investigation.

President Biden said the inability of CDC inspectors to access key sites in China hampered early investigations as he asked the intelligence community to redouble efforts in investigating how COVID-19 emerged

Biden said he would continue to press China to participate in a full, transparent investigation to find out whether its Wuhan lab (pictured) was the source of the COVID-19 pandemic

'The United States will also keep working with like-minded partners around the world to press China to participate in a full, transparent, evidence-based international investigation and to provide access to all relevant data and evidence,' he said.

But he also said a final answer may never be found given the way that China refused to cooperate in the early days of an outbreak which has gone on to kill more than five million people around the world.

Even so, his statement marks a reversal for an administration that repeatedly expressed skepticism for the lab leak hypothesis.

In contrast, President Trump and his allies quickly pointed the finger at China as the pandemic spread.

In April last year, he said he had a 'high degree of confidence' that the novel coronavirus came from a lab and claimed to have seen evidence to support his certainty.

Yet on Tuesday it emerged that a State Department investigation into whether the Wuhan laboratory was the source of the pandemic had been shut down by the Biden administration.

Last fall, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lead an investigation to answer whether China's biological weapons program may have played a role in the pandemic, sources told CNN on Tuesday.

Three members of staff Wuhan Institute of Virology were reported to have sought medical help for COVID-like symptoms in November 2019, adding to growing speculation that the virus escaped from the facility triggered a pandemic

The government's most senior infectious diseases expert Dr Anthony Fauci said he could not be 100% sure of the origins of COVID-19, although he added that a natural transfer from animal to human in the wild remained the most likely explanation

And it comes as senior scientists admit they cannot be certain of the virus's origins.

The initially pointed to previous coronavirus outbreaks, including SARS and MERS, which could all be traced to naturally occurring animal reservoirs as evidence of COVID-19's origins.

But so far a natural host has yet to be found.

During a White House briefing on Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the administration's top infectious diseases expert, said he still believed the most likely explanation was a natural transfer to humans but that a deeper investigation is needed.

'Because we dont know 100 percent what the origin is, its imperative that we look and we do an investigation,' he said.

The World Health Organization released a joint report with Chinese scientists in March after a team spent four weeks in Wuhan.

But its findings were criticized amid concerns that investigators were delayed and lacked access to original samples.

This week Andy Slavitt, White House coronavirus adviser, said it had failed to explain how COVID-19 first emerged.

'We need to get to the bottom of this and we need a completely transparent process from China,' he said.

'We need the WHO to assist in that matter. We dont feel like we have that now.'

The result has been fresh Republican demands for Fauci to be fired as his critics once again accuse him of flipflopping.

Their anger may have been predictable, but the figurehead for the U.S. pandemic response also came under fire from a new quarter: Chinese state media.

The editor-in-chief of The Global Times wrote a ferocious attack headlined: 'US elites degenerate further in morality, and Fauci is one of them.'

He accused Fauci of 'fanning a huge lie' against China.

'Rumors and slander against China can be seen everywhere in the US media, and politicians lie about China without any bottom line,' he wrote.

However, senior officials have repeatedly suggested in recent weeks that they cannot be certain of COVID-19's origins.

Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told senators last month: "It is absolutely accurate the intelligence community does not know exactly where, when, or how COVID-19 virus was transmitted initially, and basically components have coalesced around two alternative theories, these scenarios are it emerged naturally from human contact with infected animals, or it was a laboratory accident.

The White House said getting to the bottom of this pandemic would help the world prepare for the next one.

But Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre shrugged off questions about whether new evidence had emerged to prompt the fresh push.

'Nothing has changed,' she said during the daily White House briefing.

'The president has asked his team to look into this back in March so this is something that has been ongoing.'

Republicans call for Dr Fauci to be fired or resign after umpteen U-turns on COVID and its origins Republican lawmakers demanded Dr. Anthony Fauci be terminated from his role as the nation's top infectious disease expert after he was accused of flip-flopping on key COVID-related topics like mask-wearing and the origins of the coronavirus. House Rep. Warren Davidson, a Republican from Ohio, on Tuesday proposed the 'FIRED Act' - whose acronym stands for 'Fauci Incompetence Requires Early Dismissal.' 'Dr. Fauci is at odds with the [Centers for Disease Control],' Davidson told Fox News. 'He has repeatedly put political science ahead of the science on COVID-19.' Republicans have criticized Fauci and other public health officials for telling the public to refrain from mask-wearing in the early days of the pandemic before reversing the guidance as the case count increased nationwide last year. House Rep. Warren Davidson (seen left in December), a Republican from Ohio, on Tuesday proposed the 'FIRED Act' - whose acronym stands for 'Fauci Incompetence Requires Early Dismissal.' Dr Anthony Fauci (right) on Tuesday appeared before a House committee to discuss the budget House Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, a Republican from Pennsylvania, told Fox News on Tuesday that the mixed messaging from Fauci was 'nothing new.' Fauci's critics also seized on comments he made criticizing the decision by Republican governors of Texas and other states to lift mask mandates in March. At the time, Fauci, other epidemiologists, and top Democrats, including President Joe Biden, blasted the decision as premature - though COVID-19 cases have continued to drop in those states as well as nationwide. House Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, a Republican from Pennsylvania, told Fox News on Tuesday that the mixed messaging from Fauci was 'nothing new.' 'He has been wrong, intentionally deceptive, and inconsistent throughout this entire pandemic,' Reschenthaler said. 'A few examples of Fauci's failures include: claiming there was very little risk to Americans in January of 2020, opposing President Trump's China travel ban then crediting it with saving lives, and wrongly predicting an explosion of cases in Texas after Gov. Abbott lifted the state mask mandates. 'It is long past time for Dr. Fauci to stop talking to the American public. Fauci should resign or be fired immediately.' Earlier on Tuesday, Fauci defended the United States' 'modest' and 'very respectable' funding of the Wuhan laboratory - which is now at the center of speculation as a possible source of the COVID-19 virus. Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), appeared before a Congressional budget committee on Tuesday. He defended allocating $600,000 to a group called EcoHealth Alliance, which then paid the Wuhan Institute of Virology to study the risk that bat coronaviruses could infect humans. Under the terms of the funding, the money could not be spend on 'gain of function' research - a controversial practice which explores how viruses mutate and become more transmissible or more dangerous. Fauci said the research was essential, pointing out that the SARS outbreak in the early 2000s was eventually traced back to bats. 'I would have been almost a dereliction of our duty if we didn't study this, and the only way you can study these things is you've got to go where the action is,' he said. 'You don't want to study bats in Fairfax County, Virginia, to find out what the animal-human interface is that might lead to a jumping of species. 'So we had a modest collaboration with very respectable Chinese scientists who were world experts on coronavirus, and we did that through a sub-grant from a larger grant to EcoHealth.' Advertisement

US liberal media's COVID U-turn: A year after TRASHING theory that COVID originated from a Wuhan lab because Trump supported the suggestion - America's woke mainstream news outlets suddenly start asking if it's true!

The liberal media have finally conceded that COVID-19 may have originated in a Wuhan laboratory - after a year spent ridiculing the suggestion.

The first fatality from COVID-19 was reported by Chinese state media on January 11, 2020, when a 61-year-old man who was a regular customer at a market in Wuhan died. The first confirmed case in the United States was 10 days later, when a man returned to Washington state from Wuhan.

Within a week, on January 26, 2020, the first article blaming the Wuhan Institute of Virology for the outbreak was published, in The Washington Times. Yet most mainstream media disputed the claims, dismissing them outright or even decrying them as racist.

When Donald Trump, on May 1, 2020, said he had 'a high degree of confidence' that the virus came from Wuhan, the New York Times, CNN, and NPR were quick to mock his comments.

CNN, which by the end of the Trump administration was brazen in its hostility to the president and his advisors, was almost gleeful in its mockery of the idea that the virus could have come from a laboratory.

The Washington Post, New York Times, and NPR were equally dismissive of suggestions that the virus could have come from a laboratory.

The Washington Post published a fact checker piece on May 25 saying the theory had 'suddenly' become credible after it was repeatedly brought up. It came after a year of naysaying from the liberal media who never accepted that it might be true

There is outrage over the fact that for the last year, the theory has been widely discredited by the media in America when it may explain the entire pandemic

Some outlets, such as the Huffington Post, even branded any suggestion the virus could have stemmed from a lab as a 'toxic conspiracy theory.'

Few were able to suggest that COVID-19 could have stemmed from a research facility without backlash but that didn't stop some media, including the Daily Mail, from questioning the narrative.

Fox News' Tucker Carlson was also clear in demanding an investigation into whether it could have escaped from the lab.

Finally, in the past few months, came the first signs that opinion was beginning to change.

In January, a World Health Organization (WHO) report only served to raise more questions after Beijing strictly controlled an on-site visit and who the researchers compiling the report spoke to. The WHO team was only allowed three hours inside the Wuhan lab and was unable to examine any of the Wuhan institute's safety logs or records of testing on its staff.

China's actions led to Biden's White House calling for greater transparency.

Even Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, said that the visit was inconclusive, adding that 'all hypotheses are open' and warranted future study.

By May 11, the leading public health expert in the United States, Dr Anthony Fauci, had accepted that the idea of the virus escaping from a lab had been too quickly dismissed.

Asked whether the virus originated naturally, Fauci replied that he wants to look closer into the matter.

'I am not convinced about that,' he said. 'I think we should continue to investigate what went on in China until we continue to find out to the best of our ability what happened.

'Certainly, the people who investigated it say it likely was the emergence from an animal reservoir that then infected individuals, but it could have been something else, and we need to find that out. So, you know, that's the reason why I said I'm perfectly in favor of any investigation that looks into the origin of the virus.'

Fauci's revelation came as a shock to many on the left who have accepted China's narrative that coronavirus spread from a wet market since the virus first emerged.

Of course, China continues to insist that COVID-19 did not originate in the Wuhan lab.

'The U.S. keeps concocting inconsistent claims and clamoring to investigate labs in Wuhan,' China's foreign ministry said in a written statement on May 24. This fully shows that some people in the U.S. don't care about facts and truth.'

CNN

On May 1, 2020, CNN reported that Trump had 'contradicted' the intel community by claiming to have seen evidence the virus came from a lab.

'President Donald Trump contradicted a rare on-the-record statement from his own intelligence community by claiming Thursday that he has seen evidence that gives him a "high degree of confidence" the novel coronavirus originated in a laboratory in Wuhan, China, but declined to provide details to back up his assertion.

'The comments undercut a public statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence issued just hours earlier which stated no such assessment has been made and continues to "rigorously examine" whether the outbreak "began through contact with infected animals or if it was the result of an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan."

"Yes, I have," Trump said when asked whether he's seen evidence that would suggest the virus originated in the lab. Later, asked why he was confident in that assessment, Trump demurred.

"I can't tell you that. I'm not allowed to tell you that," the report read.

Then on May 5, 2020, their editor-at-large Chris Cillizza wrote a scathing attack on the suggestion, entitled: Anthony Fauci just crushed Donald Trump's theory on the origins of the coronavirus.

MAY 1 2020: On May 1, 2020, CNN reported that Trump had 'contradicted' the intel community by claiming to have seen evidence the virus came from a lab. They pointed to how rare it was for the intelligence community to make a statement

MAY 5 2020: Chris Cillizza wrote an opinion piece saying Fauci had 'crushed Trump's theory' about the origins of the virus

OCTOBER 2020: CNN published another report about how the theory came from a 'shoddy' paper that was backed by Bannon. It claimed there was no proof whatsoever behind the theory

'Before we play the game of 'he said, he said' remember this: Only one of these two people is a world-renowned infectious disease expert. And it's not Donald Trump,' Cillizza wrote.

'In short, Fauci's view on the origins of the disease matters a whole lot more than Trump's opinion about where it came from.

'Especially because, outside of Trump and his immediate inner circle, most people in a position to know are very, very skeptical of the Trump narrative that the virus came out of a lab - whether accidentally or on purpose.'

Cillizza's article followed on from one four days earlier, headlined: 'Trump contradicts US intel community by claiming he's seen evidence coronavirus originated in Chinese lab'.

Yet fast forward almost a year, and the tone had greatly changed.

Dr Sanjay Gupta, CNN's chief medical correspondent, spoke on March 26 this year to Robert Redfield, the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC).

Redfield said that he had concluded the virus escaped from a lab.

MARCH 2021: The former CDC head, Dr Robert Redfield, on CNN in March 2021, saying he believes the virus came from a lab. He told the reporter: 'I am of the point of view, I still think the most likely etiology of this pathogen in Wuhan was from a laboratory, escaped. Other people dont believe that. Thats fine, science will eventually figure it out. Its not unusual for respiratory pathogens that are being worked on in a laboratory to infect the laboratory worker.' CNN called it 'controversial'

MAY 2021: On May 24, a new report was which said US intelligence had found there was some evidence the virus came from a Wuhan lab

'I am of the point of view that I still think the most likely etiology of this pathogen in Wuhan was from a laboratory, you know, escaped,' he said.

'Now, other people don't believe that, that's fine. Science will eventually figure it out.

'It's not unusual for respiratory pathogens that are being worked on in the laboratory to infect the laboratory worker.'

On May 23, The Wall Street Journal reported that three researchers from Wuhan Institute of Virology became sick enough in November 2019 that they sought hospital care, according to a previously undisclosed U.S. intelligence report

The following day the paper reported on a mysterious mine around 80 miles outside Wuhan where, in April 2012, six miners here fell sick after entering the mine to clear bat guano. Three of them died.

Chinese scientists from the Wuhan Institute of Virology were called in to investigate and, after taking samples from bats in the mine, identified several new coronaviruses. Yet they were not forthcoming with their information.

On May 24, CNN admitted that there may be more to the Wuhan lab than initially believed. They published an update: New information on Wuhan researchers' illness furthers debate on pandemic origins

But Cilizza is still standing by his earlier claims it isn't.

He wrote an opinion piece on why Dr. Fauci was 'hedging' on the subject, and said just because Fauci said he was no longer 'convinced' of the origins, it didn't mean he thought it came from a lab.

New York Times

When any Trump-supporting lawmakers said that the Wuhan lab theory merited further exploration, the New York Times was quick to dismiss their claim.

In the first month of the pandemic they seized on questions raised by Tom Cotton, the Republican senator for Arkansas.

'We don't have evidence that this disease originated there,' Cotton said.

'But because of China's duplicity and dishonesty from the beginning, we need to at least ask the question to see what the evidence says, and China right now is not giving evidence on that question at all.'

His words, on February 17, 2020, would prove prescient - yet the New York Times headlined its coverage: Senator Tom Cotton Repeats Fringe Theory of Coronavirus Origins.

By April 30, 2020, the paper was describing the efforts from the Trump administration to get to the bottom of the virus' origins as a political witch hunt.

'Senior Trump administration officials have pushed American spy agencies to hunt for evidence to support an unsubstantiated theory that a government laboratory in Wuhan, China, was the origin of the coronavirus outbreak, according to current and former American officials,' the paper reported.

FEBRUARY 2020: The New York Times was initially adamant (left) that the Wuhan lab leak theory was a nonsense invented by Trump, but by 2021 was accepting that opinions varied (right)

APRIL 2020: Another NYT report which said Trump officials had been pushing spies to find evidence behind the theory

'The effort comes as President Trump escalates a public campaign to blame China for the pandemic.'

The story was headlined: Trump Officials Are Said to Press Spies to Link Virus and Wuhan Labs

Yet this month two former science reporters at the paper - Nicholas Wade, who retired in 2012, and Donald McNeil, who left earlier this year amid a row about his language while guiding a tour of Peru - both said they now felt it was possible, indeed perhaps likely, that the virus came from a lab.

'In early spring 2020, I reported an article for The New York Times on which I put the tentative headline: 'New Coronavirus Is 'Clearly Not a Lab Leak,' Scientists Say,'' McNeil wrote on Medium.

'It never ran.'

He said that the paper was sharply divided over whether to believe the Trump officials saying it was a lab leak, or the scientists saying it wasn't.

'We still do not know the source of this awful pandemic. We may never know,' he wrote.

'But the argument that it could have leaked out of the Wuhan Institute of Virology or a sister lab in Wuhan has become considerably stronger than it was a year ago, when the screaming was so loud that it drowned out serious discussion.

McNeil, who left The New York Times earlier this year, said that China's 'lack of candor' was 'disturbing'. McNeil was fired by the Times after it emerged he'd used the N-word during a conversation with students on a NYT-run trip. He published an article on May 17 about the subject. He said he'd been told 'overwhelmingly' by scientists that it did not come from a lab

MAY 2021: Now the Times is repeating scientists' calls for an open mind on the theory

'And China's lack of candor is disturbing.'

Wade came to the same conclusion.

'Neither the natural emergence nor the lab escape hypothesis can yet be ruled out. There is still no direct evidence for either. So no definitive conclusion can be reached,' he wrote.

'That said, the available evidence leans more strongly in one direction than the other. Readers will form their own opinion.

'But it seems to me that proponents of lab escape can explain all the available facts about SARS2 considerably more easily than can those who favor natural emergence.'

Washington Post

Reporters for an article published on April 30, 2020, provided a nuanced and in-depth analysis of the Wuhan laboratory's work, and emphasized the risks involved.

Yet their headline read: Chinese lab conducted extensive research on deadly bat viruses, but there is no evidence of accidental release.

The following day, the dismissive tone continued: Was the new coronavirus accidentally released from a Wuhan lab? It's doubtful.

In May 2020 The Washington Post said it was 'doubtful' that the virus came from a lab in a story from its Fact Checker section

By May 24 this year, the paper was very close to admitting that they had been blinkered.

'Given everything we know about how Trump handled such things, caution and skepticism were invited,' wrote Aaron Blake, a senior political reporter at the paper.

'That (very much warranted) caution and skepticism spilled over into some oversimplification, particularly when it came to summarizing the often more circumspect reporting.'

He admitted: 'We might never truly know the truth.'

Now the Washington Post is urging WHO to carry out an investigation into what happened to determine if it did come from a lab

MAY 2021: Journalist Aaron Blake wrote that it is 'vexing' as a subject. He said: 'It has become evident that some corners of the mainstream media overcorrected when it came to one particular theory from Trump and his allies: that the coronavirus emanated from a laboratory in Wuhan, China, rather than naturally. Its also true that many criticisms of the coverage are overwrought and that Trumps and his allies claims invited and deserved skepticism.'

Huffington Post

As concern was mounting about the virus in the spring of 2020, The Huffington Post was rapidly ridiculing all question of its origins.

'A Toxic 'Infodemic': The Viral Spread Of COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories,' they headlined a story on April 7, 2020.

Yet a little over a year later, on May 24 of this year, the site followed up on the Wall Street Journal's report into the hospitalization of the Wuhan lab workers in 2019, and the issues that this raised.

'Wuhan Researchers Were Hospitalized With COVID-19 Symptoms Pre-Pandemic: Reports,' they wrote.

APRIL 2020: The Huffington Post was initially skeptical (left) about alternative ideas surrounding COVID and called it an 'infodemic'

MAY 2021: Now, like every other outlet, Huff Po is broadening its reporting on the theory

NPR

On April 23, 2020, NPR stated: 'Virus researchers say there is virtually no chance that the new coronavirus was released as result of a laboratory accident in China or anywhere else.'

The radio news network was determined to prove that there was no credibility to the Wuhan lab leak theory, and produced a series of 'explainers' insisting that COVID-19 was transmitted from animals to humans.

'Where Did This Coronavirus Originate? Virus Hunters Find Genetic Clues In Bats,' they reported on April 15, 2020.

APRIL 2020: NPR was initially dismissive of suggestions that the virus leaked from a lab (left), but by May 2021 was covering the increasing speculation

MARCH 2021: After a WHO report said the theory was gathering more steam, the headlines became more open minded

Yet a little over a year later, NPR was following the WHO's report - and its worrying conclusions - with interest.

'Theory That COVID Came From A Chinese Lab Takes On New Life In Wake Of WHO Report,' they concluded.

On March 31, they reported: Calls For An Open Investigation Into The Possibility COVID-19 Leaked From A Lab.

Among those watching the evolving news lines was Mike Pompeo, Trump's secretary of state.

'Over a year ago, I told @MarthaRaddatz that the Wuhan Virus most likely came from a lab leak,' he tweeted on May 20.

'She stopped just short of offering me a tin hat. The CCP said I was an enemy of mankind,' he said, referring to the Chinese Communist Party.

'And now? Well, now, the Left wing media is scrambling to get on the side of the truth.'
The White House is finalizing plans for President Joe Biden to meet with Queen Elizabeth II during his trip next month to the United Kingdom, which will be his first trip abroad since being sworn-in.

CNN first reported the development Wednesday morning.

Biden will travel to the U.K. for the G7 on June 11, before heading to Brussels, Belgium for a NATO summit and a European Union meeting, and then onto Geneva, Switzerland for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The White House is finalizing plans for President Joe Biden to meet with Queen Elizabeth II during his visit to the United Kingdom next month to participate in the G7

Queen Elizabeth II is photographed Saturday during a trip to Portsmouth. She first met with President Donald Trump more than a year into his one term in office

The White House announced the June 16 location for the Putin meeting Tuesday.

The administration has not made an official announcement on Biden's meeting with the Queen.

First lady Jill Biden is expected to accompany the president on the trip.

When the two leaders meet, Biden will be the 13th American president the 95-year-old royal has met since ascending to the throne in 1953.

Most recently, former President Donald Trump first met with Queen Elizabeth in July 2018, but that visit was described as a 'working meeting.'

In June 2019, the Queen invited Trump to the U.K. again for a much more formal visit, with an State Banquet at Buckingham Palace.

The Bidens have befriended Prince Harry, with the duke first photographed with first lady Jill Biden in 2012.

Since then, both the president and first lady have become supporters of Prince Harry's Invictus Games initiative, a competition for wounded servicemen.

In 2014, Biden joked about how much time Jill Biden and Prince Harry were spending together during an Invictus Games trip.

'I'm a little worried here, you know what I mean?' the then vice president said.

The White House was asked for reaction after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's sit-down with Oprah Winfrey in March, when the duchess shared she had suicidal thoughts while pregnant with the couple's son Archie.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki praised Markle's 'courage.'

'For anyone to come forward and speak about their own struggles with mental health and tell their own personal story, that takes courage and that's certainly something the president believes,' Psaki replied when asked if Biden had any reaction to the interview.

She said the White House planned not to comment further on the California-based royals as 'they are private citizens, sharing their own story and their struggles.'

Trump previously ripped Markle from the White House podium after the couple put out a message encouraging Americans to vote in advance of the November 2020 election, with subtle references that seemed to be an endorsement for Biden.

'I'm not a fan of hers,' Trump said in September 2020 to a question posed by DailyMail.com. 'I would say this - and she has probably heard that - I wish a lot of luck to Harry because he's going to need it.'

Prince Harry's relationship with the Windsors is currently on the rocks after he accused the royal family of racism in the March interview Oprah and then suggested in a more recent podcast interview that the Queen and Prince Philip, who died at age 99 last month, failed as parents.
Oxford University students have voted to change the name of one of its libraries due to its connections with a US pharmaceuticals giant.

The Sackler Library is named after multi-millionaire donor Dr Mortimer Sackler, who co-owned Purdue Pharma with his brother Raymond.

The company created the drug OxyContin, which is claimed to have contributed to the US opioid crisis.

In 2007, Purdue Pharma paid out a 450 million fine for misleading the public about OxyContin's risks of addiction, and three executives received criminal convictions.

More recently, the pharmaceuticals giant was forced to declare bankruptcy to pay for the thousands of lawsuits against the company relating to the opioid epidemic.

Dr Sackler died in 2010 - but now Oxford University students have decided to banish his name from the library he helped fund.

The Sackler Library is named after multi-millionaire donor Dr Mortimer Sackler, who co-owned Purdue Pharma with his brother Raymond

The Sacklers are one of the wealthiest families in the US. Pictured above is some of the Sackler family: Dr Richard Sackler, standing second from left and Jonathan Sackler standing second from right. Seated is Raymond and Beverly Sackler

It is part of the university's Bodleian Libraries, and specialises in archaeology, art history and classics.

At the Student Union's council meeting earlier this month, a majority voted for the motion and it was passed.

HOW IS OXYCONTIN IMPLICATED IN THE US OPIOID CRISIS? OxyContin is a prescription painkiller produced and sold by Purdue Pharma. The drug is strong, addictive and was linked to thousands of overdose deaths in 2017. Since OxyContin, a time-released opioid, was introduced in 1996, addiction and overdoses have surged. In both 2017 and 2018, opioids were involved in more than 47,000 deaths, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 1999, by comparison, there were fewer than 4,000 opioid overdose deaths. Purdue's drugs are just a slice of the opioids prescribed, but critics assign a lot of the blame to the company because it developed both the drug and an aggressive marketing strategy. Advertisement

It read: 'To remove the Sackler name from the Bodleian Libraries building.'

The student council asked: 'Are the funds donated by the Sackler family ethically acceptable?'

The motion was passed with 89 per cent in favour.

The proposer Marco Rodriguez told the student paper Cherwell: 'It would be difficult, if not impossible, for Oxford University to dissociate their funding with all the pain and sorrow the abuse of Oxycontin has brought to American society.

'The faster Oxford breaks links with this name, the better.'

The Student Council will now be required to lobby the university to try and change the name of the building.

An Oxford University spokesperson said: 'Philanthropic donations make a significant contribution to what we are able to achieve across Oxford, supporting scholarships, teaching, research and world-class facilities, access initiatives, public engagement and cultural collections.

'All major prospective donors are carefully considered by the university's Committee to Review Donations under the university's guidelines for acceptance.

'The committee considers the sources of an individual's or organisation's wealth and may reconsider a donor in the light of new information.

'The university monitors significant developments in the public domain and the committee considers donors when potential donations are brought to their attention.'

In total the Sackler family have donated around 11 million to Oxford University.

Since the start of the millennium the family's company Purdue Pharma has been involved in an array of lawsuits involving OxyContin.

The drug is thought to have contributed to the US opioid crisis, with more than 500,000 people dying from opioid overdoses since 1999.

Since the start of the millennium the family's company Purdue Pharma has been involved in an array of lawsuits involving OxyContin

The company is currently negotiating a bankruptcy plan, which would see it settle 3,000 lawsuits against Purdue for more than 3billion.

In a recent appearance in Congress, Rep Carolyn Maloney said 'a lot of people agree' that they are 'one of the most evil families in America'.

David Sackler responded: 'I still feel absolutely terrible that a product created to help, and has helped so many people, has also been associated with death and addiction.'

The Student Union's motion for the Sackler Library to be renamed follows recent calls for Oriel College to remove the statue of British imperialist Cecil Rhodes, which was refused by the college.

The Student Union said: 'We are disappointed to hear that Oriel's Governing Body will not be removing the Rhodes statue due to the regulatory and financial challenges involved in the process.

'Dismantling systemic racism in Oxford is one of the greatest challenges this university community has faced, but we believe this is no excuse for inaction.

'Cecil Rhodes is a symbol of colonialism, white supremacy, and racism, all of which have no place in Oriel College, nor any other part of this university.'

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson tweeted: 'Sensible & balanced decision not to remove the Rhodes statue from Oriel College, Oxford - because we should learn from our past, rather than censoring history, and continue focussing on reducing inequality.'

Under Boris Johnson's incoming free speech bill, student unions who 'no-platform' speakers could be fined up to 500,000.
During a heated confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Republican senators tore into President Joe Biden's pick to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives after he butchered the definition of an assault rifle.

David Chipman refused to say during the Judiciary Committee hearing if he would investigate Hunter Biden for violating federal law by lying on a gun background check and was forced to apologize for mocking gun owners in a 2020 interview.

'Day to day, ATF plays a significant role in the legal trade of firearms in this country,' Ranking Member Chuck Grassley said as he tore into Chipman, a senior policy adviser at the Giffords gun control advocacy group.

'Many see putting a committed gun control proponent, like Mr. Chipman, in charge of ATF, is like putting a tobacco executive in charge of the Department of Health and Human Services or Antifa in charge of the Portland police department.'

Senator Tom Cotton's questioning of Chipman was particularly heated as the Arkansas Republican demanded Chipman define 'assault weapon.'

'You have called for an assault weapons ban, I have a simple question for you: What is an assault weapon?' Cotton questioned Biden's pick to head the ATF.

'What Congress defines it as,' Chipman deflected.

'So you're asking us to ban assault weapons, we have to write legislation, can you tell me: What is an assault weapon? How would you define it if you were the head of the ATF? How have you defined it over the last several years as your role as a gun control advocate?' Cotton pushed.

According to firearm sale reports on the southwestern border, Chipman said, ATF defined an assault weapon as 'any semi-automatic rifle capable of accepting a detachable magazine above the caliber of .22, which would include a .223, which is, you know, largely the AR-15 round.'

Joe Biden's pick to head the ATF David Chipman was confronted by Republican senators during his confirmation hearing Wednesday on his proposal to ban assault weapons, refusal to commit to investigate Hunter Biden and comparing gun owners to Tiger King

Senator Tom Cotton demanded Chipman define 'assault weapon', to which Chipman deflected before saying 'any semi-automatic rifle capable of accepting a detachable magazine above the caliber of .22, which would include a .223, which is, you know, largely the AR-15 round'

Cotton also demanded that Chipman commit to investigating the president's son, Hunter Biden (pictured), for lying on a firearms purchase form in 2018 by saying he was not addicted to illegal substances, which would preclude him from purchasing a firearm

He still would not say definitively what he would define as an assault weapon.

'I'm amazed that that might be the definition of assault weapon,' Cotton said. 'That would basically cover every single modern sporting rifle in America today.'

During the hearing, the Judiciary Committee was tasked with questioning five nominees at the same time as Senate Democrats attempt to push through more confirmations of Biden appointees.

Republicans, in particular, complained about the format.

Cotton also asked Chipman to commit to investigating reports that the president's son Hunter Biden violated federal law by lying about drug use on a form to purchase a firearm in 2018.

'The ATF form 4473 asks, 'Are you an unlawful user of or addicted to any drug or uncontrolled substance?'. If an application clicks 'yes' they cannot purchase a firearm,' Cotton detailed.

'On March 25, Politico reported that Hunter Biden, President Biden's son, applied for a handgun that was later thrown in the trash and had to be recovered by Secret Service agents in 2018. Politico reported that Hunter Biden completed this background check and answered 'no' to the question of whether he was an unlawful user or addicted to any drug. Hunter Biden has since published a book and gone on a nation-wide book tour conducting numerous interviews stating that he was, in fact, very much addicted to drugs at the same time that he purchased this firearm. This would mean that by his own admission Hunter Biden lied on that form, and by your earlier testimony, committed a serious felony.'

Chipman wouldn't commit to an investigation, but deflected: 'If I'm confirmed as ATF director, it will be my responsibility to enforce all federal laws without political favor. I do not know any factors in this particular case, but I am familiar with the press account of it'

'Should Hunter Biden be prosecuted for breaking this law?' Cotton asked.

'If I'm confirmed as ATF director, it will be my responsibility to enforce all federal laws without political favor. I do not know any factors in this particular case, but I am familiar with the press account of it,' the nominee deflected, yet again.

After pointing out the facts are clear cut and have a statute of limitations for five years, Cotton again asked: 'Can I get your commitment that if you are confirmed you will, in fact, look into this matter and refer it for prosecution if you find that Hunter Biden violated the law?'

'I will ensure that all violations of law are investigated and referred to,' Chipman said. 'I'm not sure that it has not been investigated.'

'Many see putting a committed gun control proponent, like Mr. Chipman, in charge of ATF, is like putting a tobacco executive in charge of the Department of Health and Human Services or Antifa in charge of the Portland police department,' Judiciary Ranking Member Chuck Grassley said of Chipman

Senator Mike Lee also excoriated Chipman for an April 2020 interview with Cheddar where the gun control advocate and former ATF agent mocked first-time gun owners who purchased firearms at the onset of the pandemic.

He claimed that hopelessness, anxiety and fear may have led to the massive uptick in firearms purchases in spring 2020.

'There are risks to that choice,' he said in the interview. 'They might think that they're die-hard, ready to go, but unfortunately they're more like Tiger King and they're putting themselves and their family in danger.'

He also appeared to satirically give advice to these first-time owners by telling them to secure their firearms unloaded and 'hide it behind the cans of tuna and beef jerky that you've stored in the cabinet.'

Those comments were reupped by Lee during Chipman's confirmation on Wednesday.

'When I first saw this, I watched the clip and I read the clip several times, hoping I was missing context, hoping that there was something else there that would make this less troubling,' the Utah senator said of the comments.

'It concerns me that you, as the nominee to be the director of the ATF, would have such a flippant and, if I may say so, utterly condescending attitude toward first-time gun owners in this country,' he continued.

Senate Mike Lee also excoriated Chipman for comparing first-time gun owners who purchase at the onset of the pandemic to Tiger King's Joe Exotic

Chipman said in an April 2020 interview: 'They might think that they're die-hard, ready to go, but unfortunately they're more like Tiger King and they're putting themselves and their family in danger'

Lee asked: 'Why would you choose to insult so many of your fellow Americans with a statement like this based on the fact that they purchased a gun?'

Chipman said the comments were meant to be 'self-deprecating humor.'

'The person who had a gun stored behind his tuna and beef jerky was me,' he explained. 'And I was saying that all of us were acting in new ways as a response to COVID and I thought that people should be very clear that when they bring a gun in their home, they need to be properly trained.'

At the top of the hearing, Chairman Dick Durbin gave Chipman a chance to explain some information that has circulated about him, including that he was part of the ATF operation that led to the Waco Massacre and posed on the destruction for a photo  and that he spread false information in 2020 about that attack.

Chipman was a special agent with the ATF for 25 years, including at the time of the Waco siege.

The nominee insisted that he was not present during the massacre of Branch Davidian cult members in Waco, Texas in 1993. He said, rather, that he was brought in afterwards in May of that year to investigate the events.

'One of the reasons I was selected was because I had no involvement in the actual case that was being examined,' he reasoned.

'With regards to a photo that I too have seen on the internet  this is not me,' he insisted. 'It is, in fact, a real photo that comes from the time of Waco. It has a stamp on it that shows that it was evidence. But during the course of the investigation I interviewed all of the ATF agents at Wace and that is not an ATF agent.'

During a Reddit thread known as 'Ask Me Anything' in 2020, Chipman answered questions about his time as an ATF agent and his fight since then to combat gun violence and enact more gun control legislation in America.

There is an image of Chipman holding up a paper inviting people to 'ask him anything'.

Chipman falsely in an answer to one question that Branch Davidian religious sect members shot down two helicopters  something that blatantly did not happen.

He said: '[C]ult members used 2 (two) .50 caliber Barretts to shoot down two Texas Air National Guard helicopters.'

While it's plausible these powerful rounds could take down helicopters, none were shot down during the standoff.

Chipman, however said during the hearing Wednesday that he did see bullet holes in the helicopters, but said he should have used better wording to describe the officers were shot at and not taken down by the rounds.

'I could have done a better job by describing them as being 'forced down' because of the gunfire as opposed to shot down, which might have left the impression that they were blown out of the sky, which they were not. And I regret that confusion I added,' Chipman said.

He blamed having to 'type fast' for the event on what may have caused the slip up in wording.
Dominic Cummings tore into Boris Johnson's premiership before a select committee today, branding the PM 'unfit for the job'.

The former advisor let loose an extraordinary barrage of allegations against the government in a seven-hour-long session with MPs, claiming Britons had been 'lions led by donkeys' and 'tens of thousands' of people died needlessly.

Mr Cummings also claimed he heard the Prime Minister say in his study on October 31 that he would rather let 'the bodies pile high' than trigger a third lockdown - a claim Mr Johnson has flatly denied.

Here, we recount the 20 most devastating accusations made in today's hearing.

'Thousands died needlessly'

Mr Cummings said 'tens of thousands of people died who did not need to die' as he conceded he should have been 'hitting the panic button' in mid-February but he had been 'wrongly reassured' by the WHO and others about the situation in China.

Having bungled the early phase of the crisis, Mr Cummings said the premier opted to 'hit and hope' by deciding to shun a second 'circuit breaker' lockdown in September, despite entreaties from Chris Whitty and science chief Patrick Vallance, among others.

Mr Cummings said he failed by not advising a shutdown sooner.

He told MPs: 'There's no doubt in retrospect that yes, it was a huge failure of mine and I bitterly regret that I didn't hit the emergency panic button earlier then I did.

'In retrospect there's no doubt I was wrong not to.'

Dominic Cummings said Boris Johnson had not taken coronavirus as seriously as he should have at the start of 2020, as the crisis first started snowballing out of control

Boris 'thought Covid was just a scare story before he caught it'

Dominic Cummings said Boris Johnson had not taken coronavirus as seriously as he should have at the start of 2020, as the crisis first started snowballing out of control.

He said: 'In February the Prime Minister regarded this as just a scare story. He described it as the new swine flu.

'The view of various officials inside No10 was if we have the PM chairing Cobra meetings and he just tells everyone ''it's swine flu don't worry about it, I am going to get Chris Whitty to inject me live on TV with coronavirus so everyone realise it's nothing to be frightened of'', that would not help actual serious planning.'

When asked if he had told the Prime Minister that was not the case, Mr Cummings said: 'Certainly.

'But the view of various officials inside Number 10 was if we have the Prime Minister chairing Cobra meetings and he just tells everyone ''it's swine flu, don't worry about it, I'm going to get (England's chief medical officer) Chris Whitty to inject me live on TV with coronavirus so everyone realises it's nothing to be frightened of'', that would not actually help serious planning.'

The Government 'fell disastrously short'

Mr Cummings said the government 'failed' amid the coronavirus crisis, and apologised to families of people who died.

He said: 'The truth is that senior ministers, senior officials, senior advisers like me fell disastrously short of the standards that the public has a right to expect of its Government in a crisis like this.

'When the public needed us most the Government failed. I would like to say to all the families of those who died unnecessarily how sorry I am for the mistakes that were made and for my own mistakes at that.'

A lack of preparation in February 2020

The maverick advisor said high-ups did not treat the virus with the necessary sense of urgency until the last week of February 2020.

He said: 'We didn't act like it was important in February, let alone January.... No10 and the government were not working on a war footing in February, it wasn't until the last week of February there was any sense of urgency.'

On the first lockdown: 'We should have done it weeks before we did'

The former aide to the Prime Minister said it is 'unarguable' that the government should have locked down sooner.

He said: 'In retrospect it is clear that the official plan was wrong, it is clear that the whole advice was wrong, and I think it is clear that we obviously should have locked down essentially the first week of March at the latest.

'We certainly should have been doing all of these things weeks before we did, I think it's unarguable that that is the case.'

The former aide to the Prime Minister said it is 'unarguable' that the government should have locked down sooner

No10 in March 2020 was 'like a scene from Independence Day'

Mr Cummings said that in March 2020, as the coronavirus crisis deepened, 'It was like a scene from Independence Day with Jeff Goldblum saying the aliens are here and your whole plan is broken and you need a new plan.'

Boris was 'distracted by Carrie and Trump'

The former key aide said Mr Johnson's partner Carrie Symonds was going 'crackers' about a story about her dog while a part of the government was questioning if Britain was 'going to bomb Iraq'.

Mr Cummings said: 'It sounds so surreal couldn't possibly be true... the Times had run a huge story about the Prime Minister and his girlfriend and their dog.

'The Prime Minister's girlfriend was going completely crackers about this story and demanding that the press office deal with that.

'So we had this sort of completely insane situation in which part of the building was saying are we going to bomb Iraq?

'Part of the building was arguing about whether or not we're going to do quarantine or not do quarantine, the Prime Minister has his girlfriend going crackers about something completely trivial.'

Cobra meetings are often 'just going through PowerPoint slides'

Much has been made of Boris Johnson missing Cobra meetings, but Mr Cummings told MPs the gatherings are not that important.

He said: 'Lots of Cobra meetings are just going through PowerPoint slides and are not massively useful.'

Matt Hancock 'should have been fired for at least 15 things'

Mr Cummings laid into the Health Secretary, saying he performed 'far, far below' the expected standards.

He said: 'I think the Secretary of State for Health should've been fired for at least 15, 20 things, including lying to everybody on multiple occasions in meeting after meeting in the Cabinet room and publicly.

'There's no doubt at all that many senior people performed far, far disastrously below the standards which the country has a right to expect.

'I think the Secretary of State for Health is certainly one of those people. I said repeatedly to the Prime Minister that he should be fired, so did the Cabinet Secretary, so did many other senior people.'

Mr Cummings laid into the Health Secretary, saying he performed 'far, far below' the expected standards

On the 'inevitability' of herd immunity

Mr Cummings said it was a matter of when 'herd immunity' would come about, not whether or not it was a beneficial thing.

He said: 'It is not that people are thinking this is a good thing, it is that it is a complete inevitability, the only real question is one of timing.

'It's either going to be by September or it's herd immunity by January (2021) after a second peak.'

Cancelling Cheltenham Festival 'wouldn't make much difference'

When asked if he advised that Cheltenham Festival be cancelled, Mr Cummings said he did not.

He added: 'The official advice was that it wouldn't make much difference to transmission, which was bizarre in retrospect, and that cancelling it could be actively bad as it would just push people into pubs.

'No one in the official system, in the Department of Health, drew the obvious logical conclusion, which was 'shouldn't we be shutting all the pubs as well?'

SAGE secrecy was a 'catastrophic mistake'

Mr Cummings said Patrick Vallance agreed with him that Sage should be more transparent.

He said: 'There is no doubt at all that the process by which Sage was secret and overall the whole thinking around the strategy was secret was an absolutely catastrophic mistake, because it meant that there wasn't proper scrutiny of the assumptions, the underlying logic.

'Actually Sage agreed with this, when I said on March 11 we are going to have to make all these models public and whatnot, there wasn't pushback from sage or Patrick Vallance either. Patrick actually agreed with me.'

On Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn: 'There's something wrong with the parties if that's the best they can do'

Mr Cummings said neither Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn were the best people to lead the two major British political parties.

'There's so many thousands and thousands of wonderful people in this country who could provide better leadership than either of those two,' he said.

'And there's obviously something terribly wrong with the political parties if that's the best that they can do.'

Cummings: A well-run entity would have a dictator

Mr Cummings told MPs: 'In a well-run entity in my opinion you would have had some kind of dictator.

'If I was PM I would have said Mark Warner is in charge of the whole thing, he has as close to kingly authority as the state has legally to do that, and you're pushing the boundaries to legality.'

'Covid is history': The view of people in government last summer

Mr Cummings claimed that people running Britain thought that the crisis was finished in the summer of 2020.

He said: 'From the summer fundamentally the view was ''we're past it now, Covid is history'' - which was a terrible, terrible mistake.'

Boris Johnson 'changes his mind like a shopping trolley smashing from one side of the aisle to the other'

Mr Cummings suggested that after March he did not agree with Mr Johnson on any element of Covid policy.

He said by that stage the premier had decided lockdown was a mistake and he should have been like 'the mayor in Jaws who kept the beaches open'.

'I thought that perspective was completely mad,' he said, adding that the PM was like a 'shopping trolley smashing from one side of the aisle to the other'.

Senior civil servant: 'We are absolutely f*****'

Dominic Cummings, former Special Advisor to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves the Houses of Parliament after giving evidence to PM's in central London

Mr Cummings said on the evening of March 13 the second most senior civil servant at the Cabinet Office, Helen MacNamara, came in and relayed to him the view of another senior official that 'there is no plan' and 'we're in huge trouble'.

Mr Cummings said she told him: 'I think we are absolutely f*****' and warned that 'thousands' of people could die.

Despite the rising alarm, at around the same time there were still meetings going on with officials suggesting people should be advised to have 'chicken pox parties' to spread the virus more quickly.

Boris Johnson 'said he should have been the mayor of Jaws' and thought 'we should never have done the first lockdown'

Mr Cummings said that after April, there was no proper border policy because the Prime Minister 'never wanted a proper border policy'.

He said: 'We're imposing all of these restrictions on people domestically but people can see that everyone is coming in from infected areas, it's madness, it's undermining the whole message that we should take it seriously.

'At that point he was back to, ''lockdown was all a terrible mistake, I should've been the mayor of Jaws, we should never have done lockdown 1, the travel industry will all be destroyed if we bring in a serious border policy''.

'To which, of course, some of us said there's not going to be a tourism industry in the autumn if we have a second wave, the whole logic was completely wrong.'

The government 'was turning down ventilators in late March'



When asked why he described the Department of Health as a smoking ruin, Mr Cummings said there was no system there to deal with emergency procurement.

He said: 'When the PM tested positive we were told that the Department of Health had been turning down ventilators because the price was marked up.

'It completely beggars belief that this kind of thing was happening.

'We were told the PPE would not arrive for months because it would take that long to ship. ''But why are you shipping it?''... ''That's what we always do.''

'I told them to fly it... at that point you had Trump getting the CIA involved to get the fast track on PPE.

'Everything was like wading through treacle, that's why I described it as a smoking ruin.'

'The Cabinet Office is terrifyingly s***': Cummings' text to PM

Mr Cummings said one of the critical things that was 'completely wrong' in official thinking at Sage and the Department of Health in February and March was, firstly, that the British public would not accept a lockdown, and secondly, they would not accept a 'kind of East Asian style track and trace type system, and the infringement of liberty around that'.

He added: 'Those two assumptions were completely central to the official plan and were both obviously completely wrong.'

Mr Cummings said he felt 'mounting panic' about the response and was pushing on March 11 and 12 for the Government to announce that individuals should stay at home if they had symptoms and households should quarantine.

But he said there was 'push back from within the system' and 'me and others were realising at this point the system is basically delaying announcing all of these things because there's not a proper plan in place'.

He added: 'As far as I could tell from Sage, and as far as the minutes show, the fundamental assumption remained we can't do lockdown, we can't do suppression, because it just means a second peak.'

Mr Cummings said March 12 was a 'completely surreal day', starting with him texting the Prime Minister at 7.48am saying: 'We've got big problems coming.

'The Cabinet Office is terrifyingly s***, no plans, totally behind the pace, we must announce today, not next week, ''if you feel ill with cold or flu stay at home''.
Brandeis University Assistant Dean Kate Slater said in a post marking the anniversary of George Floyd's murder that 'all white people are racist' and that she hates 'whiteness,' despite being Caucasian herself.

Slater, who describes herself on social media as a 'racial justice scholar and educator,' made those controversial comments to her 5,424 Instagram followers on Tuesday.

'Yes, all White people are racist in that all White people have been conditioned in a society where one's racial identity determines life experiences/outcomes and Whiteness is the norm and the default. That includes me!' the educator wrote in all-caps.

She continued: 'I don't hate white people - I hate whiteness.'

Brandeis University Assistant Dean Kate Slater (left) took to Instagram on the anniversary of George Floyd's murder to rail against 'whiteness'

Slater, who is white, describes herself on social media as a 'racial justice scholar and educator'

Slater also used her public platform to defend critical race theory, which examines the ways in which race and racism influence politics, culture and the law.

CRITICAL RACE THEORY: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? The fight over critical race theory in schools has escalated in the United States over the last year. The theory has sparked a fierce nationwide debate in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests around the country over the last year and the introduction of the 1619 Project. The 1619 Project, which was published by the New York Times in 2019 to mark 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived on American shores, reframes American history by 'placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the center of the US narrative'. The debate surrounding critical race theory regards concerns that some children are being indoctrinated into thinking that white people are inherently racist or sexist. Those against critical race theory have argued it reduces people to the categories of 'privileged' or 'oppressed' based on their skin color. Supporters, however, say the theory is vital to eliminating racism because it examines the ways in which race influence American politics, culture and the law. Advertisement

The academic concept, which has been promoted by civil rights scholars and activists for the past 40 years, has recently come under fire from conservative educators and politicians, prompting Republican-led legislatures in several states, most recently to ban public schools and colleges from teaching it.

Some critics of the theory believe that it is rooted in Marxism and is used to sow racism and division.

Critical race theory is a reassessment of racial inequalities in the United States, which critics say emphasizes racial differences, and brainwashes white children into feeling guilty about the color of their skin.

Critical race theorists maintain that American legal and political systems are inherently racist and exist to create and further inequality between black and white people.

"Debates" about critical race theory are often straw men for debates about whether or not systemic racism is real. And no number of statistics or facts that I could offer are going to convince people to "see" systemic racism if they don't want to,' Slater wrote. '[Critical race theory] does not create oppression: it names oppression that already exists.'

By Wednesday afternoon, Slater had made her account private.

Her LinkedIn page reveals that Slater has a Bachelor's degree in English and theater from Skidmore College, a Master's degree in education from Northeastern University, and a PhD in educational policy from University of New Hampshire.

According to Slater's personal website, her doctoral research focused on 'the experiences of underrepresented minorities students in higher education, and in particular, at predominantly White institutions.'

Slater used her public platform to defend critical race theory, which examines the ways in which race and racism influence politics, culture and the law

She was hired as assistant dean of graduate student affairs at Brandeis just six months ago.

A spokesperson for the university was not immediately available to comment on Slater's remarks on Wednesday.

Brandeis is a $57,000-a-year private liberal arts university in Waltham, Massachusetts, where just over 5 per cent of its 5,800 students are black and more than 45 per cent are white.

Three Republican-led states have now signed laws banning critical race theory in public schools and nearly a dozen others are currently trying to pass similar bills that block or limit it from becoming part of curriculums

Brian Kemp, the governor of Georgia, issued a warning about critical race theory being taught in schools in his state just days ago.

Kemp wrote to the Georgia state board of education saying he was 'extremely concerned' about the spread of CRT in schools.

He said that he had spoken to parents who were 'alarmed this divisive and anti-American curriculum is gaining favor'.

Kemp said it was 'ridiculous' that federal funding could be used 'to push a blatantly partisan agenda'.

The U.S. Department of Education under the Biden administration has proposed a new rule that, if adopted, would prioritize federal education grants to K-12 public schools that promote Critical Race Theory, the 1619 Project - a controversial New York Times discussion of how slavery impacted the course of U.S. history - and 'anti-racist' activist Ibram X. Kendi.

In January, President Biden issued an executive order disbanding the '1776 Commission,' an initiative formed by former President Donald Trump as a response to the 1619 Project.

A coalition of 20 state attorney generals has written to the education secretary, Miguel Cardona, asking him to reconsider proposals to introduce CRT and the controversial teachings in schools nationwide.

In New York, a teacher at Grace school in the East Village of Manhattan lost his job once he started criticizing the teachings, and a parent at Brearley School withdrew his daughter amid concern about CRT.
The Democrat-led House Oversight Committee is demanding the U.S. Postal Service investigate its own law enforcement arm's controversial surveillance of American citizens' online activity.

In a letter sent Monday and obtained by Yahoo News, committee Chair Carolyn Maloney and ranking member Rep. James Comer expressed concern about 'recent press reports that the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) has been using analysts from its Internet Covert Operations Program (iCOP) to perform intelligence operations on First Amendment activity.'

The committee gave USPS a deadline of June 4 to decide whether it would perform the review and provide a timeline for its completion.

The Democrat-led House Oversight Committee is demanding the U.S. Postal Service investigate its own law enforcement arm's controversial surveillance of American citizens' online activity

A series of reports from Yahoo News revealed that the postal service's law enforcement arm, known as iCOP, was spying on Americans' social media posts on sites like Facebook, Parler and Telegram ahead of protests. It would then flag 'inflammatory' messages to other government agencies.

The bipartisan request for a probe marks the first time Democrats are speaking publicly on the issue, after a number of Republicans already expressed concerns.

'These activities raise serious questions about the scope of the program, the extent of sharing of information among law enforcement agencies, and whether USPIS has the authority to conduct such an operation,' the letter states.

It states that while the Postal Service expressed an effort to safeguard people's First Amendment rights, lawmakers still have 'significant' questions about iCOP and therefore 'respectfully request' an 'evaluation.'

The letter was sent after Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale confirmed Yahoo's initial reports on the program to Republicans and Democrats in separate briefings.

Barksdale reportedly told GOP lawmakers that iCOP began spying on protests in summer of 2020, amid nationwide demonstrations over George Floyd's murder and continued through subsequent Black Lives Matter demonstrations through the year.

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, who serves on the Oversight and Reform committees, previously told the Daily Mail that Barksdale claimed iCOP was not a real 'program' because it is 'incident related' rather than an ongoing matter.

Footage of a mail truck on fire during demonstrations was also reported to be a part of Republicans' briefing.

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee were shown no video and were instead mainly told about iCOP's work to combat the opioid epidemic and threats against the postmaster general.

Reports of iCOP using sophisticated artificial intelligence technology, including facial recognition software, to track social media accounts surfaced last week, prompting concern over privacy and free speech.

Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney and ranking member Rep. James Comer expressed concern about 'recent press reports that the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) has been using analysts from its Internet Covert Operations Program (iCOP) to perform intelligence operations on First Amendment activity'

A bulletin from late April reveals the surveillance program's focus on a March 20 protest against COVID-19 lockdowns, the World Wide Rally for Freedom and Democracy. None of the posts highlighted in the leaked document appear to have any threatening language.

USPS declined to explain its 'protocols, investigative methods or tools' in response to a request for comment from Yahoo.

The Postal Service confirmed to Yahoo that it is reviewing the House Oversight Committee's request.
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Hillary and Bill Clinton were spotted having dinner with friends on Manhattan's Upper East Side Tuesday evening.

Exclusive DailyMail.com photos show the presidential pair arriving separately with a Secret Service detail to posh uptown restaurant Fleming by Le Bilboquet.

But Hillary, sipping her favorite white wine, looked glum as her ever-engaging husband was deep in conversation with Sting's wife Trudie Styler, who at one point rested her head on Bill's shoulder for a group selfie.

Bill was dressed in a blue suit with a checkered button-down shirt - no tie - while Hillary wore a three-quarter-length striped wool coat as she drank her wine.

The couple were joined in the outdoor seating area by Trudie and two others. The friends appeared to enjoy their lively conversation and meal together at the high-end restaurant - where entrees range from $23 to $43.

Hillary Clinton, sipping her favorite white wine, looked glum as her ever-engaging husband was deep in conversation with Sting's wife Trudie Styler while they were out to dinner Tuesday

Not too soon after Bill showed up, Trudie arrived and they were seen deep in conversation while they had dinner with friends at upscale Fleming by Le Bilboquet

Exclusive DailyMail.com photos show Trudie posing with her head rested on Bill's shoulder as the group sat for a photo taken by a waiter. A bystander said Hillary appeared to not want to be in the photo

The friends are seen posing for a photo taken by a waiter. At one point in the evening, an older man and a younger blonde woman who were sitting a few tables over walked over to say hello

Hillary arrived to the restaurant before Bill and sat in the outdoor area sipping a glass of her favorite - white wine. She met a brunette woman and a young man with glasses who were already seated when she arrived

Hillary wore a three-quarter-length striped wool coat and looked pensive as she sat with her glass of white wine

Hillary arrived first to the restaurant at 6.30pm, in a vehicle separate to Bills.

Bill arrived just a few minutes later and snapped a few selfies with people before heading to the table where Hillary was already seated with a brunette woman and a young man with glasses.

Not too soon after, Trudie arrived. At the same time an older man and a younger blond woman who were sitting a few tables over walked over to say hello.

At some point the group of five had the waiter take a group-selfie, and according to a bystander, Hillary did not want to get in the photo.

At around 9pm the group were seen leaving and were welcomed by commotion on the street as fans and well-wishers descended on the Clintons for selfies.

The couple obliged and Hillary - the only one wearing mask - was seen taking a selfie with a man on the street before she and Bill hopped in the same car to go home together.

Exclusive DailyMail.com photos show the former president arriving with Secret Service detail to Fleming by Le Bilboquet on Tuesday evening

Bill arrived just a few minutes after Hillary and snapped a few selfies with people nearby before going inside to meet his wife

Bill was dressed in a blue suit with a checkered button-up as he arrived to the Upper East Side restaurant for dinner Tuesday evening around 6.30pm

In 2019, staff at the posh New York restaurant - where the Clinton dined Tuesday night - claimed bosses made them to google the names of guests before giving them reservations, so they can make sure the guests are either rich, famous or both

Trudie and Bill were seen engaged in conversation at the restaurant. The Clintons are long-time friends of Sting and Trudie

Hillary was seen engaging in conversation with Trudie. Fleming by Le Bilboquet can only seat 50 people at 20 tables inside and aside from the Clintons, recognizable faces have been seen eating there including Ivanka Trump , Robert De Niro and Paul McCartney

Bill arrived just a few minutes after Hillary and snapped a few selfies with people before heading to the table where his wife was already sitting with a brunette woman and a young man with glasses

In 2019, staff at the posh New York restaurant claimed bosses made them to google the names of guests before giving them reservations, so they can make sure the guests are either rich, famous or both.

English actress Trudie Styler has been married to rocker Sting since 1992

Fleming by Le Bilboquet can only seat 50 people at 20 tables inside and aside from the Clintons, recognizable faces have been seen eating there including Ivanka Trump, Robert De Niro and Paul McCartney.

But hostesses must 'pull up each unknown guest on Google' according to a page-long 'Fleming Hostess Reservation Protocol' document, and staff claim it's because 'we want to keep the restaurant for special people only'.

Bosses at the eatery admitted to carrying out the online searches at the time, but denied it was to filter out diners who were not rich.

An anonymous waiter at the restaurant, told The New York Post at the time. 'Yes, we Google people. There are more rich than famous people coming in but we get Robert De Niro, Paul McCartney, Ivanka Trump.'

The staff member added that the venue - which is a spin-off of legendary French restaurant Le Bilboquet  requires those entering reservations to clear it with their manager named Alex before confirming with guests.

The Post reported that someone who works in the kitchen said those who are rejected from dining there simply don't get their phone call returned.

At around 9pm the group was seen leaving and were welcomed by commotion on the street as fans and well-wishers descended on the Clintons for selfies

The couple obliged and Hillary was seen taking a selfie with a man on the street before she and Bill hopped in the same car to go home together

Bill was seen waving at the camera and posing with fans before he and Hillary hopped into the same car to head home

Trudie, seen in a long white summer dress and platform sandals, was seen socializing outside as the group left dinner

Billionaire Ronald Perelman and French restaurateur Philippe Delgrange opened Fleming by Le Bilboquet in 2018 and staff members claimed the venue is willing to forgo business in order to uphold a prestigious appearance.

'We want to maintain a certain environment for our customers, rich people, even if it means we're slow,' a waiter said.

But a representative for Fleming by Le Bilboquet said at the time the claims from those working there are false.

'What the staff is claiming is absolutely not true and whoever said it is making it up,' Josh Vlasto told the Post.

The original Bilboquet only had 30 seats when it opened on East 63rd Street then it closed after 27 years and reopened in 2012 with 100 seats.

The likes of Bill Gates, Martha Stewart, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Hugh Jackman dined there.
A group of British theatres says it will only cast transgender actors in trans roles, joining a heated debate over whether performers must mirror the sexuality or gender identity of LGBT+ characters they play on stage or screen.

The 'Trans Casting Statement', signed by over 40 theatres and production companies - including London's prestigious Royal Court and the Oxford Playhouse - also committed to 'actively seek casting opportunities' of any gender for trans actors.

In a statement, the theatres said their aim was to boost trans visibility on stage and better support what can be a marginalised community.

Hollywood actors who are not trans have won Oscars for playing trans characters, including Jared Leto for 'Dallas Buyers Club' in 2014.

The 'Trans Casting Statement', signed by over 40 theatres and production companies - including London's prestigious Royal Court (pictured)

But in recent years Halle Berry and Scarlett Johansson have pulled out of roles after criticism.

'This statement is hugely necessary,' Reece Lyons, a trans actor said.

'Trans people are a hugely marginalised community. We're facing a lot ... of negative media and press attention.

'If a role is a trans-specific role, then the actor who takes on that role needs to have the lived experience to be able to portray the nuance of that experience,' she said.

The view that only LGBT+ actors should play LGBT+ characters has been criticised by some in the industry who say that roles should be available to the best actor for the part.

The Oxford Playhouse (pictured) was one of the theatres to commit to 'actively seek casting opportunities' of any gender for trans actors

Similar disputes have erupted over who should perform disabled and Black roles on stage or the merits of women performing male parts in Shakespeare.

'I would certainly audition for a trans role if I felt it was a role I wanted to play in a production I liked,' Sam Lockley, a non-transgender actor and writer, said by email.

'I would also audition for a role whose sexuality I don't share, or whose political views I don't share. It's part of acting to play people that are different from you.'

Scarlett Johansson, a cisgendered actress, dropped out of playing a transgender character in the movie Rub & Tug in 2019, apologising for having been 'tone-deaf' to criticism.

Johansson told Vanity Fair at the time: 'I mishandled that situation.

'To feel like youre kind of tone-deaf to something is not a good feeling.'
A teacher who was suspended after showing a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad to pupils during an RE lesson is to be allowed to return to his job because he did not mean to cause any offence, a report into the controversial incident has concluded.

The teacher, who is not being named, was head of Batley Grammar School's RE department but remains in hiding with his family following furious protests in March.

Two of his colleagues who were also suspended for displaying similar pictures produced by him for the lessons at the West Yorkshire school are also being allowed to return to work.

A report into the affair at the West Yorkshire School conducted by the Batley Academy Trust, which runs the school said that although it was not necessary for the teacher to use the material in question, they 'genuinely believed' using the image had educational purposes and didn't mean to cause offence.

The teacher, who is not being named, was head of Batley Grammar School's RE department but remains in hiding with his family following furious protests in March. Pictured: Protests outside Batley on March 26

The report added: 'The independent investigation has concluded, and the Trust has accepted that the teaching staff who developed and delivered the lesson genuinely believed that using the image had an educational purpose and benefit and that it was not used with the intention of causing offence.

'The image was included to initiate a discussion about the meaning of "blasphemy".

'Nevertheless, the Trust recognises that using the image did cause deep offence to a number of students, parents and members of our school community.

'The Trust deeply regrets the distress this has caused. The Trust also considers that the topics covered by the lesson could have been effectively addressed in other ways and without using the image.'

Despite the lifting of his suspension, the teacher's father told MailOnline that he is unlikely to return to the school.

The father, who is not being named, added: 'He's not very happy. His whole life has been turned upside down.'

Neighbours of the teacher also told MailOnline that he had permanently moved from his family home just outside Batley and was now living in a secret location.

The report stated that in future, teaching materials will be subject to more rigorous monitoring and that staff will also be given more training on understanding the sensitivities of their students.

Commenting on the report, Stephen Evans, Chief Executive of the National Secular Society said: 'The decision to lift the suspensions against the affected teachers is welcome.

'But the trust's stated commitment to ensuring offence is not caused is a route to censorship and sets a very poor precedent.

On March 24, the teacher was suspended and the school accompanied its unreserved apology with the announcement of an independent panel to investigate. Pictured: Protestors outside the school

'The outcome of this local investigation will affect teachers' ability to do their jobs across the country. So, the government should face questions over its failure to show leadership when fundamental principles were at stake.

'Teachers must be able to explore challenging issues in the classroom and shouldn't face a religious veto on which resources they can use.'

The Mail on Sunday was told by a 14-year-old Muslim pupil that the row was sparked after cartoons depicting the Prophet were shown on an overhead projector along with other images of the former US President Donald Trump, Pope Francis and Boris Johnson.

The Prophet cartoons were first published by the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten in September 2005 and again in the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, later the target of a gun rampage that left 12 members of staff dead.

The schoolboy said pupils were unaware of who was shown in the cartoons until the teacher spelled out it was the Prophet and asked for their reaction.

'No one said anything. I was just gobsmacked. But no one raised their hand to say anything,' the pupil said.

The teenager said the teacher, a declared atheist, was popular with students and had never previously shown any disrespect towards Islam. 'He never said anything bad, but he likes to challenge pupils' minds. That's the way he teaches.'

When the lesson ended and the students began to file out, the teacher asked: 'So who is going to tell their parents tonight?'

The 14-year-old was one of those who did, initiating first an exchange of messages on a WhatsApp group for parents and then complaints to the school.

One of the parents has claimed to have spoken to the teacher on the phone, writing on social media: 'I got a call from Mr *****. I asked him to confirm what [my son] told me and he agreed. He [claimed] he has freedom of expression under his British values and could use that image. He stated he got consent from the children beforehand.'

By the following day, scores of Muslim protesters were at the school gates demanding the teacher be sacked.

On March 24, the teacher was suspended and the school accompanied its unreserved apology with the announcement of an independent panel to investigate.

More than 130 Islamic clerics  including Imam Shahzad  wrote an open letter to Boris Johnson, accusing the teacher of 'white supremacist ideology'.
An anti-vaxxer drove her SUV through a vaccination tent at high speed while screeching 'No vaccine!' to protest the COVID-19 shots, it is claimed.

Virginia Christine Lewis Brown, 36, allegedly went on the rampage in her blue Chrysler SUV at the vaccination site in Maryville, Tennessee, on Monday morning.

She was pictured sobbing in her mugshot after being charged with seven counts of reckless endangerment.

Brown is said to have hurled abuse at terrified volunteers and patients while her car roared through the tent, leaving several fearing she would drive into them and kill them.

The anti-vaxxer claims to have driven through at around 5mph, but those in the tent say her car was going far faster, and left them fearing for their lives.

Deputy Kevin Snider, who was in his cruiser, was among those who said they witnessed Brown plowing through the tent at the Foothills Mall.

The vaccine site opened in March, according to WBIR. Typically, people drive slowly through its course, which is marked by cones, and and into the tent to get their shot.

They are then supposed to drive out the other side, and park up for 15 minutes to be monitored for possible adverse reactions to the vaccine.

But Deputy Snider says he immediately noticed Brown's erratic driving as she made her way through the traffic cones, sped through the tent and exited the other side, before racing through the remaining cones.

Virginia Christine Lewis Brown, 36, has been charged with seven counts of reckless endangerment after she was witnessed driving through a vaccine distribution tent

The arrest report stated that there were at least 15 people in the parking lot tent, according to WATE.

Members of the health department and National Guard were among those inside the makeshift vaccination site at the time of the incident.

Snider's report says he spoke to everyone in the tent and there weren't any initial reports of injuries, though witnesses say her car was just inches away from hitting people.

'Several victims stated that they thought the driver was going to kill them,' the incident report added, according to The Daily Times.

'I was advised that they were within inches and feet of the vehicle as it came through the tent,' the report stated.

Witnesses also say Brown yelled 'no vaccine' while she was driving into the tent.

WBIR reports several people ran up to Snider to tell him about what had happened, leading him to give chase, according to Snider's report.

Afterwards, Snider performed a traffic stop, where Brown claimed her actions were a form of protest, according to Snider's report.

'While traveling to the jail, Ms. Brown made several statements about wanting to protest the vaccine,' the incident report stated.

The site where the vaccination tent was (pictured back in March)

Cars typically make their way slowly through the tent, which Brown allegedly did not do, according to a police report (tent pictured in March)

'Ms. Brown stated she was driving through the course and once she got to the tent she told the personnel working she was not there for the vaccine,' officials added.

After she was arrested, Brown allegedly told officials that she was only driving at 5mph while being transported to jail, though the report from the Blount County Sheriff's Office said she was driving at a 'high speed.'

Brown was booked into Blount County Jail and is being held on $21,000 bond, with a court appearance set for June 7.
Deputy White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre made some history when she took the White House podium Wednesday, as the first black woman to conduct the briefing since 1991.

The longtime Democratic operative was filling in for Press Secretary Jen Psaki, who congratulated her on her 'big day' before she faced the press.

She fielded questions for more than 50 minutes, occasionally reading from pre-prepared talking points. She also displayed a knack for tactics her predecessors used for not providing much new information in response to questions.

Karine Jean-Pierre held her first press briefing at the White House and became the first black woman to conduct the daily briefing since 1991

Karine Jean Pierre and Suzanne Malveaux attend the CNN Correspondents' Brunch at Toolbox Studio on April 26, 2015 in Washington, DC. Jean-Pierre is the first openly gay woman to conduct the briefing

'I dont have that information to share with you right now,' she said in response to a direct question about the U.S. Intelligence Community and China.

Several reporters acknowledged her debut at the podium, although she has also held less formal 'gaggles' with the press on prior trips aboard Air Force One.

When one asked her to share her thoughts on the moment, she responded: 'It's a real honor just to be standing here today. I appreciate the historic nature, I really do. But, I believe being behind this podium, being in this room, being in this building, is not about one person. It's about what we do on behalf of the American people.'

'Clearly the president believes that representation matters, and I appreciate him giving me this opportunity,' she added.

'This is not about me this is not about any of us,' she added.

She also made history in other ways. She is the first openly gay woman to brief the press from the podium. She is married to CNN reporter Suzanne Malveaux.

Jean-Pierre is the child of immigrants, and is the first openly gay woman to brief the press in the role

Judy Smith address the press in the briefing room for George W. Bush in 1991 (left). White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki (right) acknowledged Jean-Pierre for 'making history'

The 43-year-old was born in Martinique and is the child of Haitian immigrants who later moved to New York.

Predecessor Judy Smith, who served as deputy press secretary in the George H.W. Bush administration in 1991, was the first Black woman to brief the press in the role.

Other black women, including National Security Advisor Susan Rice, occasionally spoke to reporters from the briefing room in their different roles.

Jean-Pierre is considered a likely successor to Psaki, who has said she expects to fill her role for about a year.

Psaki hyped the moment on Twitter earlier Wednesday. '"Today is a big day in the press office and @WhiteHouse. My partner in truth--@KJP46 is doing her first full briefing from the podium today making history in her own right. But doing her real justice means also recognizing her talent, her brilliance and her wonderful spirit.'

Like Psaki, Jean-Pierre pledged to provide 'transparency' from the podium.

She succeeded in at least one capacity: she failed to make major news.
A severed heard was found hanging from an overpass 18 miles from the Mexico-United States border as part of a warning to a cartel that has teamed up with one of its former rivals.

Local media outlets reported that authorities were alerted to the gruesome sight Saturday approximately at 2am in the Tijuana neighborhood of Sanchez Taboada.

The head was placed inside a plastic bag that was tied to a rope. Inside the bag was also a message that warned the Tijuana New Generation Cartel and blasted the organization for its alleged ties to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

The poster was signed off by the Arellano-Felix Cartel, which is also known as the Tijuana Cartel, and read: 'This is going to happen to all the people who hang out with the new f****** filthy people.'

A severed heard was found hanging from an overpass 18 miles from the Mexico-United States border as part of a warning issued by the Arellano Felix Cartel to the Tijuana New Generation Cartel for its relationship with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel

The Tijuana New Generation Cartel formed in 2016 under the leadership of Hector Manuel Morales Guzman and consists of cells that splintered from the Arellano-Felix Cartel, according to Infobae.

However, the union was not approved by some of the cartel members who saw themselves loyal to the leaders of the Arellano-Felix Cartel, which was founded in 1989.

Although most of Mexico's drug smuggling routes are under the control the Sinaloa Cartel and Gulf Cartel, the Tijuana Cartel saw its power weakened with the arrests of its top boss, Javier Arellano Felix, in 2006.

The cartel fell under the control of his brother, Eduardo Arellano Felix, before he was arrested in October 2008 and extradited to the United States in October 2012.

Eduardo Arellano Felix at one time led the Arellano-Felix Cartel before he was arrested in October 2008 and the extradited to the United States in October 2012. He was sentenced by a federal court judge in San Diego in June 2013 to 15-year prison term for 'laundering tens of millions of dollars in illicit drug proceeds.' But he is now slated to be released August 18 due to his cooperation with the U.S. government

The organization was then engulfed with infighting by two cartel factions, one commanded by Luis Fernando Sanchez Arellano, who assumed the top leadership role until his capture in June 2014, and Teodoro Garcia Simental, who was apprehended in September 2010.

Eduardo Arellano Felix was sentenced by a federal court judge in San Diego in June 2013 to 15-year prison term for 'laundering tens of millions of dollars in illicit drug proceeds.'

U.S. authorities saw this verdict as the nail on the coffin for a transnational organization that 'orchestrated the importation of hundreds of tons of cocaine and marijuana into the United States,' according to prosecutors.

They say the cartel also ordered the kidnap and murder of multiple people, and directed the widespread corruption of law enforcement and military personnel in Mexico.'

Arellano Felix is expected to be released from prison August 18 due to his cooperation with U.S. authorities.

He is currently being held at Federal Correctional Institution Allenwood in Allenwood, Pennsylvania.
The true coronavirus death toll in India could be as many as 1.6 million compared to the official 310,000 fatalities reported, experts fear.

Last week the virus-ravaged Asian nation recorded 4,529 deaths in one day, the biggest 24-hour toll in any country during the pandemic.

But an analysis by the New York Times suggests the number could be at least double the official figure, at 600,000 - sparking concerns of huge undercounting.

The paper's 'more likely' scenario estimates the number of deaths to be 1.6 million, while the worst-case could be as high as 4.2 million.

By comparison, Britain recorded just nine deaths today and more than 127,000 fatalities in total. The US has recorded about 590,000, also suspected to be an undercount, in a population of about 330 million.

The true coronavirus death toll in India could be as many as 1.6 million compared to the official 310,000 fatalities reported, experts fear. Last week the virus-ravaged Asian nation recorded around 4,500 deaths in one day, the biggest daily toll of any country during the pandemic

Ambulance staff carry the body of a Covid-19 victim at a crematorium in Guwahati on May 26, 2021

Indian covid sufferers are now contracting deadly 'black fungus' infection with spike causing a shortage of the drugs to treat it A growing number of current and recovered Covid-19 patients in India are contracting a deadly and rare fungal infection, doctors said on Monday. Mucormycosis, dubbed 'black fungus' by medics, is usually most aggressive in patients whose immune systems are weakened by other infections. 'The cases of mucormycosis infection in Covid-19 patients post-recovery is nearly four to five times than those reported before the pandemic,' Ahmedabad-based infectious diseases specialist Atul Patel, a member of the state's Covid-19 taskforce, told AFP. In the western state of Maharashtra, home to India's financial hub Mumbai, up to 300 cases have been detected, said Khusrav Bajan, a consultant at Mumbai's P.D. Hinduja National Hospital and a member of the state's Covid-19 taskforce. Some 300 cases have been reported so far in four cities in Gujarat, including its largest Ahmedabad, according to data from state-run hospitals. The western state ordered government hospitals to set up separate treatment wards for patients infected with 'black fungus' amid the rise in cases. 'Mucormycosis - if uncared for - may turn fatal,' the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), the scientific agency leading the government's response, said in a treatment chart released on Twitter.o used steroids during their virus treatment, and those who had prolonged stays in hospital ICUs, the ICMR added. Reporting by AFP Advertisement

Official figures in India put the toll at 310,000 in a population of 1.4 billion.

In consulting with more than a dozen experts, the Times found it difficult to get a clear picture even of the total number of infections in India due to poor record-keeping and a lack of widespread testing.

Kayoko Shioda, an epidemiologist at Emory University, said the undercount could be even more pronounced because hospitals are being overwhelmed.

This could mean that many deaths with coronavirus are taking place at home, particularly in rural areas - and are therefore omitted from the count.

Ms Shioda also suggested labs which could confirm the cause of death are equally swamped as the virus causes havoc across the subcontinent.

Other researchers have found that there are few coronavirus tests available, and that families are unwilling to say their loves ones have died with the virus.

The system for keeping death records in India is also unreliable, with just four out of five deaths not medically investigated pre-pandemic.

Dr Ramanan Laxminarayan, director of the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy, told the New York Times: 'As with most countries, total infections and deaths are undercounted in India. The best way to arrive at the most likely scenario would be based on triangulation of data from different sources, which would indicate roughly 500 to 600 million infections.'

The paper reached its estimates by using data from three nation-wide antibody tests, called serosurveys. In each survey, about 30,000 people is examined and researchers then extrapolate that data point to arrive at a national estimate.

Its conservative scenario assumed a true infection count 15 times higher than the official number of recorded cases.

It also assumed an infection fatality rate of 0.15 percent - a number on the low end of the estimates it collected from experts.

The latest national seroprevalence study ended in January, before the current surge, and estimated roughly 26 infections per reported case.

In this scenario, the estimated number of deaths in India is more than five times the official reported count - at around 1.6 million versus 310,000.

The paper's worst-case scenario used a slightly higher estimate of true infections per known case, to account for the current wave.

The infection fatality rate is also higher, at 0.6 percent, to take into account the collapse of Indias health system during the surge.

In the Asian nation, hospital beds, oxygen and other medical necessities have been scarce - meaning a greater share of those contracting the virus may be dying, driving the infection fatality rate up.

A report by the World Health Organisation last week estimated that the global death toll may be two or three times higher than reported.

Policemen stand next to the bodies buried in shallow graves on the banks of Ganges river in Prayagraj, India, May 15, 2021

Relatives carry a dead body past shallow graves covered with saffron clothes of suspected Covid-19 victims near a cremation ground on the banks of the Ganges River in Shringverpur village, May 15, 2021

It comes after the Indian government was forced to reassure its citizens that 5G has not caused the second wave of coronavirus following a spate of conspiracy theories circulating on social media.

Officials pointed out that there are no 5G networks in India as the country only approved 5G trials last week and they won't start for months.

The government described the conspiracy theories as 'baseless and false' and urged the public not to be 'misguided' by the rumours.

India's Department of Telecommunication said in a statement: 'Several misleading messages are being circulated on various social media platforms claiming that the second wave of coronavirus has been caused by the testing of the 5G mobile towers.

'These messages are false and absolutely not correct... the general public is hereby informed that there is no link between 5G technology and the spread of Covid-19 and they are urged not to be misguided by the false information and rumours spread in this matter.'

A prominent message circulating on social media states that the radiation from cell phone towers 'mixes with the air and makes it poisonous and thats why people are facing difficulty in breathing and are dying', reports Coda Story .
'How are they going to prove that? Trump doesn't email,' said one

But Trump insiders say they are not worried

His investigation is believed to be looking at whether Trump ordered property prices inflated to get bank loans then deflated to reduce his tax bill

Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance faces race against time to bring charges before he retires at the end of the year

Witnesses are being prepared to appear before Manhattan grand jury as prosecutors accelerate case against former President Donald Trump

At least one witness has been told to prepare to give evidence before a grand jury investigating former President Donald Trump and his business, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The development is the latest sign that the Manhattan district attorney's office is racing into the next phase of its investigation and will soon present evidence to members of a grand jury to consider bringing charges.

Trump insiders say the move is politically motivated and that the former president is unperturbed by the threat.

'Prosecutors have been informally interviewing Trump Organization employees and it is my understanding that the next step is for them to appear before the grand jury,' said the source.

President Donald Trump called a potential prosecution 'purely political,' following reports Manhattan DA Cy Vance has convened a special grand jury in his probe of the Trump Organization

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. is stepping down at the end of the year, putting time pressure on the probe. Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg faces pressure following reports that the company paid expensive private school tuition for his grandchildren

Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance is leading an investigation into the former president's business practises.

It was triggered by the testimony of Michael Cohen, who worked as Trump's personal attorney and fixer.

One focus is reported to be whether Trump inflated the value of properties to obtain bank loans and deflated them when calculating tax liabilities.

Vance is stepping down at the end of the year, which means he has limited time to bring charges.

The idea of a Trump Organization conspiracy, with the former president directing staff to manipulate property prices, was dismissed by a Trump insider.

'How are they going to prove that? Trump doesn't email,' he said, adding that property prices were always in the eye of the beholder.

'Anyone who knows anything about real estate understands that valuations are subjective and are constantly changing and fluctuating for any number of reasons every day.'

Former President Donald Trump raged against Manhattan prosecutors for conducting a 'purely political' investigation in a statement made to his website

For now, they believe the criminal probe is focused on employees and that it has uncovered nothing on Trump - despite over-the-top headlines on strategically leaked stories.

In February, Vance's office said it had obtained Trump's tax returns after a long legal battle.

Trump had refused to reveal his tax records throughout his presidency, breaking with convention.

In recent weeks Allen Weisselberg, the chief financial officer of the Trump Organization, and his tax affairs have been the focus of the investigators.

His daughter-in-law told CNN he may 'flip' on the former president.

Trump himself dismissed the investigation as more of the same he endured in power.

'This is a continuation of the greatest Witch Hunt in American history,' Trump said in a statement late Tuesday.

'This is purely political, and an affront to the almost 75 million voters who supported me in the presidential election, and it's being driven by highly partisan Democrat prosecutors.'
Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn has been told by the Biden Justice Department to register as a foreign agent after he allegedly pressed his friend, former President Donald Trump, to deny a visa to a Chinese businessman at the request of Beijing.

Wynn, the co-founder of Wynn Resorts whose net worth has been valued at $3.2billion by Forbes, has denied lobbying Trump on behalf of the Chinese government.

In 2017, the 79-year-old billionaire is alleged to have tried to persuade the Trump administration to send New York-based businessman Guo Wengui - who is a wanted fugitive in his native China - back home, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Two associates of Wynn - Elliott Broidy and Nickie Lum Davis - told DOJ prosecutors last year they helped put Wynn in touch with Chinese government officials who expressed their desire to have Guo expelled from the US.

Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn (left) has been told by the Biden Justice Department to register as a foreign agent after he allegedly pressed his friend, former President Donald Trump, to deny a visa to a Chinese businessman, Guo Wengui (right) at the request of Beijing

Wynn, the co-founder of Wynn Resorts whose net worth has been valued at $3.2billion by Forbes, has denied lobbying Trump on behalf of the Chinese government to expel a businessman considered a fugitive by Beijing. Trump is seen above in New York earlier this week

Broidy, who pleaded guilty to violating the Foreign Agent Registration Act, claimed that he was with Wynn aboard Wynns yacht in August 2017 when the mogul called Trump to inquire about Guos status in the US.

Broidy was also pardoned by Trump on his last day in office.

Davis, who pleaded guilty last year to aiding and abetting FARA violations, said Broidy told her in June 2017 that Wynn reiterated to POTUS the need to reject Guos visa application, according to the Journal.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Wynns attorney and Trumps office seeking comment.

'Steve Wynn never served as an agent or lobbyist for China or anyone else,' the attorney, Reid Weingarten, told the Journal.

'He was merely a loyal messenger of information he received to our government.'

Two associates of Wynn told DOJ prosecutors last year that they discussed Guos removal from the country with the casino magnate. The associates - Elliott Broidy (left) and Nickie Lum Davis (right) - claim they helped put Wynn in touch with Chinese government officials who expressed their desire to have Guo expelled from the US

Weingarten added: Any effort to pursue him in any way for this conduct would be both a miscarriage of justice and an unwarranted extension of the FARA statute.

Guo released a statement to the Journal which read: 'I am glad to hear the DOJ is investigating Steve Wynn and frankly believe they should criminally indict him for serving as a greedy spy of the Chinese Communist Party.'

FARA is the acronym for Foreign Agent Registration Act, an 82-year-old statute that was originally signed into law to combat pro-Nazi propaganda in the US in the immediate period preceding the countrys entry into World War Two.

In the initial decades, it was rarely enforced. But in recent years the federal government has used it to compel domestic lobbyists acting on behalf of foreign actors to reveal their sources of funding and file periodic public disclosures.

The aim of the law is to increase transparency into the activities of foreign governments as they relate to policymaking and lobbying in Washington, DC.

Rudy Giuliani, Trumps personal attorney, is being investigated by the federal government for allegedly violating FARA statutes while working for the former president.

Guo, who at his peak was once the 73rd richest man in China, fled to the US in 2014 after learning he was wanted for bribery, fraud, money laundering and rape - allegations he fiercely denies.

He is a close business associate of former Trump adviser Steve Bannon.

Between 2018 and 2020, Guo, who is believed to have made his fortune in real estate, and Bannon launched two media projects - G News and GTV Media Group.

Guo, who at his peak was once the 73rd richest man in China, fled to the US in 2014 after learning he was wanted for bribery, fraud, money laundering and rape - allegations he fiercely denies. He is a close business associate of former Trump adviser Steve Bannon (seen left with Guo in this undated file photo)

Last August, FBI agents boarded Guos superyacht to arrest Bannon on charges of fraud.

Bannon, who was accused of cooking up a scheme to privately finance a section of a border wall along the southern frontier with Mexico, eventually pleaded not guilty.

He received a presidential pardon from Trump before he left office in January.

A federal judge in New York City dismissed the charges against Bannon on Tuesday.

At the time Wynn was allegedly trying to have Guo removed from the country, he was serving as the chair of the Republican National Committees national finance committee. Broidy was the national deputy finance chairman.

A year later, Wynn resigned from the position after The Wall Street Journal reported that he routinely subjected women who worked for him to unwanted sexual advances over the course of decades.

Wynn has called the sexual misconduct accusations preposterous.

The allegations, which surfaced at the height of the #MeToo movement, also led Wynn to resign as CEO of the company he co-founded.

Wynn's ties to the Chinese government were reportedly due in large part to his considerable business interests in Macau, the former Portuguese colony which is now an autonomous region on the south coast of China.

Macau in recent years has come to be known as 'the Las Vegas of Asia' due to its high concentration of casinos and resorts.
The teen claims she met Talon Dennis, pictured, on social media and went to his Fletcher Avenue home on May 14

An 18-year-old girl whom had run away from her Nebraska home alleges she was held captive for a week by three men who she claims sexually assaulted her.

Talon Dennis, 22, Ricky Ossler, 24, and Gianni Phillips, 23, are facing 1st degree sexual assault and 1st degree false imprisonment charges after their alleged victim, who is not being named, claimed they drugged, raped and kidnapped her.

Officers with the Lincoln Police Department were called to a local hospital last Friday after the teen, who had been reported missing since May 13, reported being sexually assaulted, KOLN reported.

Police have since arrested three men and charged them with first-degree sexual assault and false imprisonment.

Jail records show that, Dennis, Ossler and Phillips are being held at the Lancaster County Jail on $750,000 bail.

The teen claims she met Dennis on social media and went to his Fletcher Avenue home on May 14, KETV reported. Dennis was allegedly there with Ossler, his roommate.

She told cops that the two men physically assaulted her. She claims she woke up to the men sexually assaulting her after she was allegedly drugged, The Lincoln Journal-Star reported.

The teen was then allegedly taken to Phillips' apartment about 13 miles away on May 16 where she was allegedly physically knocked out before waking up to all three men sexually assaulting her, police said.

She was transported back to the Fletcher Avenue apartment where Dennis and Ossler allegedly sexually assaulted her several more times between May 17 and May 21, KETV reported.

Ricky Ossler, 24, left, and Gianni Phillips, 23, right, have also been arrested and charged for allegedly sexually assaulting the teen

A Google Street view shows the 400 block of Fletcher Avenue

A Google Street view shows the 1600 block of Prospect Street

Cops told KOLN that the men had allegedly told the teen that they would take care of her if she cared for their children and did their housework.

The teen eventually escaped when the men left the apartment on Friday and was observed with several bruises, cuts, and abrasions at the hospital, cops said.

Police served warrants on Saturday and arrested Dennis and Ossler at their apartment. Phillips was arrested at his apartment on Sunday.
He said there is no proper border policy in place despite concerns about variants

Cummings said there was a kind of 'groupthink' which concluded that it was 'basically racist to call for closing the borders and blaming China'

Boris Johnson feared that tough border controls to prevent those with Covid coming into Britain would also be ruinous to tourism, Dominic Cummings said

Boris Johnson refused to shut the borders during the pandemic because he thought it would be 'racist', Dominic Cummings claimed yesterday.

Mr Johnson wanted to be the Mayor from Jaws and feared that tough border controls to prevent those with Covid coming into Britain would also be ruinous to tourism, Mr Cummings said.

The reference is to the character in the 1975 Steven Spielberg film who keeps the beaches open to protect the tourist industry despite the threat posed by a killer shark  putting children and their parents in danger.

Boris Johnson refused to shut the borders during the pandemic because he thought it would be 'racist', Dominic Cummings claimed yesterday

He said there was a kind of 'groupthink' which concluded that it was 'basically racist to call for closing the borders and blaming China and the whole China New Year thing...

'And that was basically nonsense.'

He added that there is still no proper border policy in place, despite concerns about variants, including the Indian variant. Reflecting on the failure to close the borders in March 2020, Mr Cummings told MPs that the policy was 'madness' because travellers were still arriving from infected areas.

'Fundamentally, there was no proper border policy because the Prime Minister never wanted a proper border policy,' he told MPs, adding that Mr Johnson thought the travel industry would be destroyed if stricter measures were brought in.

'Repeatedly... I and others said all we have to do is download the Singapore or Taiwan documents in English and impose them here,' he said.

Mr Johnson wanted to be the Mayor from Jaws and feared that tough border controls to prevent those with Covid coming into Britain would also be ruinous to tourism, Mr Cummings said yesterday

The border policy is still inadequate, he said, partly because the Prime Minister was dealing with 'Tory MPs going crackers about it'. He also said in retrospect it was obvious 'we should have shut the borders in January'.

Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: 'The Prime Minister and Home Secretary now have very serious questions to answer about the dire failings they have overseen  and must urgently get a grip of the dangerous border chaos they have created.'

No 10 defended its border policies yesterday with the Prime Minister's official spokesman saying: 'We have some of the toughest border measures in the world and we have taken action whenever necessary to keep the public safe.'
Tim Parker is known in the City, where hes built a 250 million private equity fortune, as the Prince of Darkness because he likes to take the reins at major companies  and then sack thousands of the workforce.

Indeed, he owes the nickname to trade unions, who were outraged when he turned up at the headquarters of AA in the early 2000s for a meeting to announce redundancies, driving a spanking black Porsche 911.

It was a similar story at Clarks, the venerable British shoe manufacturer, where the 65-year-old became CEO a few years earlier and promptly fired 5,000 people.

At car firm Kwik Fit, he got rid of 3,000 workers, and the luggage maker Samsonite dispensed of a third of its staff in his first three years at the helm.

Parker most recently pulled off his old trick while running the National Trust, which last year announced that it was kissing goodbye to 1,300 employees, including a quarter of its expert curators.

Controversy: Tim Parker, pictured above, who announced on Tuesday that he will be stepping down as Chairman of the National Trust, following a troubled six-year reign

How ironic, then, that after such a career this prolific axemans latest victim should turn out to be . . . himself.

On Tuesday, Parker announced that he will be stepping down as Chairman of the National Trust, following a troubled six-year reign that has left the famous heritage charity fighting a bitter civil war.

His departure came just five days after the Daily Mail revealed that members furious at the organisations woke agenda under his leadership had decided to mount a hostile bid to replace him.

A motion of no confidence in Parker was due to be tabled at the Trusts upcoming AGM, along with three further resolutions designed to wrest the Charitys levers of power from a metropolitan cabal that has controlled its agenda for years, and was famously described by the art historian Sir Roy Strong as the Blair Government in exile: a Left-leaning group obsessed with ticking the boxes of the disabled, the aged, LGBT and ethnic communities and the rest of it.

The no-confidence motion was written by Restore Trust, a pressure group formed in the wake of a furious  and at times utterly surreal  dispute over the Charitys highly controversial decision to blacklist 93 of its 300-odd properties over their alleged links to colonialism and slavery.

Having now tasted blood, the collection of disaffected members, which claims to boast more than 10,000 supporters, is convinced that people power can overcome the wokery and ideological groupthink that has seen the organisation spend recent years drifting from PR crisis to PR crisis.

We are delighted that Parker has gone, but its only a start, said Restore Trusts founder, Jack Hayward, yesterday. Its obvious that across the Trusts senior management theres a group of very woke, connected people who like to denigrate British history, so we are now going to concentrate on getting rid of them.

There is a metropolitan elite dominating the Trust. We know who the culprits are, and they will be our next targets.

Those now in the firing line include Chief Executive Hilary McGrady and several of her senior employees, along with a majority of the charitys Board of Trustees, which Restore Trust believe is littered with Left-leaning quango-crats.

To this end, the pressure group has filed a second motion that will force the Trust to properly disclose the remuneration of senior executives.

Rudyard Kiplings home, Batemans in East Sussex, pictured above. Mr Parker's departure came just five days after the Daily Mail revealed that members furious at the organisations woke agenda under his leadership had decided to mount a hostile bid to replace him

It notes that 17 employees now trouser six-figure salaries, up from 15 last year  despite that recent round of redundancies  and notes that one senior staffer was recently let go with a 180,000 payoff, which Restore Trust argues is an astronomical sum by the standards of the Charity sector.

A third motion seeks to prevent the alleged dumbing-down that has seen expert curators sacked.

At the same time, leaked internal policy documents have suggested that senior Trust executives are now hostile to its tradition of looking after beautiful and historically significant country houses, which they dubbed an outdated mansion experience.

The fourth seeks to ban the Trust from requiring volunteers to wear badges, symbols or other items that reflect a political or social viewpoint.

This motion was inspired by a bizarre controversy that unfolded on Parkers watch in 2017, when unpaid guides at Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk staged a revolt after being ordered to wear rainbow-coloured lanyards and badges to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the legalisation of homosexuality.

Therell be outrage if they ignore grassroots Thousands of National Trust volunteers will quit if the charity ignores a grassroots revolt against political correctness, a campaign group warned yesterday. Restore Trust  which wants to reverse the woke agenda  said there would be mass outrage if bosses continued to ignore the opinions of ordinary people. The rebel group, which has more than 10,000 supporters after launching six weeks ago, has tabled a series of motions for this years annual general meeting. National Trust chairman Tim Parker said he was quitting on Tuesday, after the Mail revealed he was facing a no-confidence motion. The National Trust yesterday said it was not obliged to act upon motions passed as they are not binding. But Restore Trust spokesman Jack Hayward warned: Theres a good likelihood thousands of volunteers would resign. The National Trust relies on more than 50,000 unpaid workers to look after its properties. Advertisement

Their anger had been compounded by the Charitys decision to out Robert Wyndham Ketton-Cremer, an intensely private poet and historian who donated the 17th-century property to the Trust after his death in 1969. His alleged homosexuality, kept secret during his lifetime, was detailed in a five-minute film played to visitors and narrated by Stephen Fry.

Around the same time, it emerged that the Trust had decided to rebrand Easter egg hunts at several properties as Cadburys Egg hunts as part of a lucrative sponsorship deal with the food company. The Church of England accused the charity of seeking to airbrush faith.

It may seem odd that Parker presided over such developments, given that he is (on paper, at least) the sort of ruthless capitalist who would traditionally inhabit the rightward end of the political spectrum.

Indeed, in his ongoing position as Chairman of the Post Office, he recently played a role in one of the most appalling abuses of corporate power of modern times: the jailing of hundreds of innocent postmasters and postmistresses over false allegations of theft.

While his tenure at the business, which began in 2016, post-dates the dodgy convictions (which revolved around a glitch in its Horizon accounting software) he compounded the grief of victims in 2017 by choosing to supported his now-disgraced Chief Executive Paula Vennells when she elected to fight 557 former staff through the Civil courts, using an ultra-aggressive legal strategy.

In a grovelling apology last month, following a Court of Appeal decision to overturn 45 convictions  and after a lengthy campaign by this newspaper  he claimed to be extremely sorry for the impact on the lives of these postmasters and their families that was caused by historical failures.

But we digress. For despite the sharp-elbowed business career that has brought father-of- four Parker a vast pile in Chelsea, plus a Queen Anne mansion in Hampshire and a holiday home in Majorca, he turns out to have grown up a principled Trotskyist.

At Oxford, he became Chair of the University Labour Club, and after graduating with a degree in PPE he went to work at the Treasury under Denis Healey.

While Parker went on to acquire huge wealth during the Thatcher boom, he retained a keen sense of political correctness that characterises so many of the Left.

Shortly after taking the reins at the Trust, he said in an interview that many of its properties were allegedly built via the exploitation of workers.

Those now in the firing line include Chief Executive Hilary McGrady (pictured above) and several of her senior employees, along with a majority of the charitys Board of Trustees

Everything that required immense amounts of work was built on someone being paid very little by someone who usually had a lot, said Parker. Theyre all dead. We cant change that.

The remarks foreshadowed a more toxic row over slavery and colonialism that went nuclear last year, at the height of the Black Lives Matter protests, when the Trust invited teams of schoolchildren to its premises to lecture staff and volunteers about the horrors of the British Empire.

A left-wing academic was then hired to compile a gazetteer exposing what she regarded as the links between National Trust properties and either colonialism or slavery.

Littered with errors, it caused outrage when it was published last September, with critics complaining that named and shamed Allan Bank in the Lake District, the former home of William Wordsworth  a lifelong campaigner against slavery  on the spurious grounds that his brother had captained a ship of the East India Company to China.

The document also included Rudyard Kipling (who lived at Batemans in East Sussex), because he wrote about the British Empire, and Winston Churchill (his country home is Chartwell in Kent) whose entry chose to completely ignore his achievement in helping defeat Nazi Germany.

A spokesman for the Charity insisted yesterday that nothing obliges it to act on Restore Trusts motions even if they are passed by a majority of voters at the AGM (file photo)

For perhaps obvious reasons, this angered not only a swathe of the Trusts 5.6 million members and natural supporters, but also the descendants of many of Britains landed families, who argued that it falsely claimed their ancestral fortunes had been built on the proceeds of slavery.

When one wrote to complain, Parker responded via a letter saying that Black Lives Matter is a human rights movement, with no party political affiliations  neatly ignoring its various stated political aims, which include the overthrow of capitalism and the abolition of both the police and the nuclear family.

Announcing his resignation this week the Trust claimed that Tim Parker had been due to leave in 2020 after serving two full terms but that his tenure had been extended to provide stability to the organisation during the Covid-19 crisis.

Whether there will be much stability in the coming weeks and months is less clear: a spokesman for the Charity insisted yesterday that nothing obliges it to act on Restore Trusts motions even if they are passed by a majority of voters at the AGM.

The reason? Rules dictate that they are not binding.

Last night, Restore Trust responded that it boasts thousands of Trust volunteers among its supporters. They intend to resign, should the grassroots campaign be ignored, a spokesman said, adding: If volunteers go the National Trust will cease to exist in its current form: it cant afford to employ large numbers of staff.

In other words, the bitter civil war that has seen off the Prince of Darkness from Britains most popular heritage charity still has an awfully long way to run.
An impatient Melbournian has complained about having to wait two hours for his Covid-19 jab - despite not even making an appointment.

With Victoria edging closer towards another lockdown, the man's attitude was reflective of many Australians who are eligible to receive the vaccine but are showing a lack of urgency due to the country's low infection rates.

Vaccination centres in Melbourne reached capacity on Wednesday as thousands of Victorians raced to get the jab after 11 new cases were recorded overnight taking the cluster in the city's northern suburbs to 26 infections.

While many would see waiting in line for two hours as doing their part for the nation, the man was clearly so frustrated he couldn't get the vaccine immediately, he was happy to express his opinion on Channel 10's national news.

'I've come as a walk-up and they've said a two-hour wait,' he told 10 News.

A frustrated Australian man who did not want to wait in line for two hours for a Covid-19 vaccine despite not making an appointment

The line at a vaccination centre in Melbourne where the man complained about waiting two hours to receive the jab

WHO CAN GET THE VACCINE IN AUSTRALIA? Australians in Victoria, NSW, Queensland, ACT and WA must be over the age of 50 in order to get the vaccine. South Australians who are over the age of 16 are eligible to get the jab. Advertisement

'Who's got time for that? It's ridiculous, look at the line.'

The vaccine rollout has been slower than the Federal Government promised, but the nation has only recorded 30,000 cases and 910 deaths since the start of the pandemic and often goes months without any new local cases.

Australia had vaccinated 3.7 million people - little more than one eighth of the population - as of Thursday morning.

India, in contrast, has an out-of-control strain of Covid and has so far recorded 26 million cases and 311,000 deaths - with hospitals overwhelmed and a shortage of vaccines.

The number of cases in the United States finally dropped below 40,000 per day in Mid-May - for the first time since September.

About 59 per cent of citizens have had one jab and only 46 per cent have had two.

The United Kingdom's vaccine rollout was hastened in early 2021 after the number of new cases surged - hospital beds were full and residents were forced to endure a grueling lockdown.

Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said the rise in infections has driven more people to get the jab including this woman at a vaccination centre in Melbourne

Masked Melbournians are seen waiting in a line to receive Covid-19 tests at a walk-in testing clinics

Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley told reporters on Tuesday that the rise in infection numbers has driven more people to get the jab.

'People have got the message that if you are eligible to be vaccinated, please come forward and get vaccinated,' he said.

'Getting vaccinated is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself, your loved ones, and the community.'

Ambulance staff carry the body of a Covid-19 victim at a crematorium in Guwahati, India, on May 26, 2021

Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino said there was no issue with vaccine supplies and that the state is looking to expand the categories of people who are able to get the vaccine.

Under the current rules, Victorians who are under the age of 50 cannot yet get the shot.

Australians in Victoria, NSW, Queensland, ACT and WA must be over the age of 50 in order to get the vaccine.

South Australians who are over the age of 16 are eligible to get the jab.
Matt Hancock sent thousands of hospital patients back to care homes even though they had Covid  causing the disease to spread like wildfire, Dominic Cummings told MPs.

The Health Secretary allegedly misled the Cabinet when he assured it that patients would be tested before leaving hospital.

The catastrophic situation was then compounded because care homes were left to struggle on without enough PPE, Mr Cummings said.

He added that the failings meant Mr Hancocks repeated claims that elderly people were shielded were complete nonsense.

Figures show there have been more than 36,000 deaths involving Covid-19 in care homes since the pandemic began. At the start of the crisis, some 25,000 elderly people were discharged from hospitals to care homes without tests.

Matt Hancock sent thousands of hospital patients back to care homes even though they had Covid  causing the disease to spread like wildfire, Dominic Cummings told MPs (file photo)

The Health Secretary (pictured in northwest London on Wednesday) allegedly misled the Cabinet when he assured it that patients would be tested before leaving hospital

They were moved with the aim of taking the pressure off the NHS during the first wave. The Daily Mail led the way in exposing the crisis in care homes last spring as the tragedy began to unfold.

Last night, charities called the claims shocking and said it showed why the Prime Minister must honour his pledge to fix social care. Mr Cummings said the PM was furious when he came back to work after recovering from Covid to find untested patients had been discharged to care homes.

He said Mr Hancock told Boris Johnson previously that they would be tested  and it only became clear in April that this was not the case.

That was one of the other things that I, that we, found shocking  that when we realised in April that this had happened, the Prime Minister said a less polite version of, What on earth are you telling me?, he said.

Mr Cummings added that he and the Prime Minister had been told categorically in March that people will be tested before they went back to care homes.

We only subsequently found out that hadnt happened, he said. Now all the government rhetoric of We put a shield around care homes and blah blah was complete nonsense. Quite the opposite of putting a shield around them, we sent people with Covid back to the care homes.

As a result, he said residents went back to homes, infected others and it spread like wildfire. Describing the handling as a cascading series of crises, he added: It was a catastrophic situation  there is no other way to describe it.

It was not deliberate. It was a function of the fact that the system was just completely overwhelmed.

Nadra Ahmed, of the National Care Association, said if Mr Cummings was right we note with deep disappointment that the care sector has been lied to from the outset of this pandemic. For the most vulnerable to be let down in this way will be the greatest shame this Government will face in the way they responded.

Last night, charities called the claims shocking and said it showed why the Prime Minister must honour his pledge to fix social care (file photo)

James White, of the Alzheimers Society, called it a tragedy that could have been avoided, saying: The legacy from this devastating crisis must be that people affected by dementia are never neglected again. We need the Government to commit to bringing forward their plans to reform social care.

The Prime Ministers spokesman said: Weve always been guided by the latest advice at that time and weve taken a number of steps to protect care home residents and those being discharged from hospitals into care homes.

Bereaved daughter Cathy Gardner said Mr Cummingss evidence had confirmed her worst fears. Michael Gibson, 88, died last April after his Oxfordshire care home was allegedly pressured into accepting a Covid sufferer.

Dr Gardner, a microbiologist, said: When Matt Hancock said he had thrown a protective ring around care homes we all knew it was a lie, and Dominic Cummings has proved that.
Thousands of people with angina could be at risk of deadly heart attacks and strokes, research suggests.

Until now, microvascular angina (MVA) was widely thought to be a benign disease that mainly occurs in women and is often blamed on hormonal changes caused by the menopause.

But experts have found the condition  thought to affect up to 100,000 men and women annually in the UK  can lead to deadly heart attacks.

The illness, also called cardiac syndrome X, is caused by problems with arteries in the heart muscle that play a crucial role in regulating blood supply to the heart.

But the blood vessels are too small to show up on standard tests such as scans, electrocardiograms (ECGs) and angiograms, making the condition difficult to diagnose.

Thousands of people with angina could be at risk of deadly heart attacks and strokes, research suggests (stock image)

A study involving 686 patients from seven countries, including the UK, US and Japan, found 78 (the equivalent of eight per cent of patients annually) either died, suffered a non-fatal heart attack or stroke or were hospitalised with the condition over a three-year period.

Researchers warned the lack of diagnosis is costing lives, adding there is a 'massive unmet need' of patients worldwide.

Professor Hiroaki Shimokawa, of the International University of Health and Welfare in Japan, who led the study, said: 'Currently, many doctors are not aware of the importance of coronary microvascular dysfunction.

'As a result, many patients with MVA are misdiagnosed as having postmenopausal disorders or an imbalance of conscious and unconscious nervous system, for instance.

'However, previous research has suggested that the number of patients with MVA is three to four million in the USA, which is equal to or greater than the number of patients with breast cancer, so it is an important global problem.'

Patients can experience chest pains similar to those of a heart attack and shortness of breath.

Patients can experience chest pains similar to those of a heart attack and shortness of breath (stock image)

Those with suspected angina are given an angiogram  a heart X-ray  to identify the cause and work out the best treatment.

Some 250,000 are carried out in the UK every year  but these only spot blockages or narrowing in the large arteries that supply blood to the heart. About two in five patients are found not to have this problem and told they have a healthy heart, which may not be the case.

It also means people often have to go through multiple tests over a prolonged period of time before a condition is diagnosed.

Professor Shimokawa told the European Heart Journal the findings also helped to explain why fitting stents or heart bypass surgery was not always successful, with around 40 per cent of patients still experiencing chest pains following the procedures.

Patients are usually treated with drugs to prevent blood clotting or dilate blood vessels. But experts say more should be done to tailor treatment to the condition.

Filippo Crea, professor of cardiology at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome, said millions of people are affected worldwide and 'deserve to be carefully identified and treated. In addition, these data should stimulate the development of drugs that specifically target coronary microcirculation.'
An elderly man has been charged over the sexual assault of three young girls in Sydney's southwest, dating back more than 30 years.

NSW Police were told in February two girls - aged seven and 10 - had been sexually assaulted by a man known to them between 1988 and 2018.

Later, a woman told police she had also been indecently assaulted, when she was a teenager, between 1988 and 1992.

A 73-year-old man was arrested in Moorebank last month.

NSW Police were told in February two girls - aged seven and 10 - had been sexually assaulted by a man known to them between 1988 and 2018

He has since been charged with 11 offences including three counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10, four counts of producing child abuse material and two counts of indecently assaulting a person under 16.

Police will allege in court the man sexually touched the girls on multiple occasions between 1988 and 2018.

He is due to appear at Liverpool Local Court on Thursday.
An Australian citizen detained in China on espionage charges has told his family not to worry even though he expected to be tortured by the communist regime.

Dr Yang Hengjun, a writer, faces a closed court trial in Beijing on Thursday after being held in detention for more than two years 'without fresh air or sunshine'.

'I still have some faint hope that they will right the wrongs and do me justice,' he says in an undated letter posted on social media by supporters ahead of the trial.

'I will face suffering and torture with resilience. I am growing. I will face each day with dignity.'

An Australian citizen detained in China on espionage charges has told his family not to worry even though he expected to be tortured by the communist regime

Dr Yang was detained by Chinese authorities in January 2019 at Guangzhou Airport after arriving from New York.

Lawyers in Australia are concerned about the academic's lack of access to independent legal representation ahead of the legal proceedings and his prospect of a 'fair' trial under the communist regime.

Law Council president Jacoba Brasch said the right to independent assistance should be ensured from the moment of deprivation of liberty.

'And access to effective legal representation should be guaranteed to all persons at all stages of criminal proceedings,' she said in a statement.

Lawyers in Australia are concerned about the academic's lack of access to independent legal representation ahead of the legal proceedings and his prospect of a 'fair' trial under the communist regime

'This is a fundamental precondition to realising the right to a fair trial.'

Dr Brasch said what Dr Yang had faced fell well short of international standards.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne says despite repeated requests by Australian officials, Chinese authorities have not provided any explanation or evidence for the charges.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says it is 'absolutely untrue' Dr Yang acted as a spy for Australia, and Dr Yang has told his family he was innocent and would 'never confess to something I haven't done'.

Labor senator Penny Wong expressed disappointment that Dr Yang has not received basic procedural fairness consistent with China's international legal obligations.

Dr Yang was formally charged with espionage in October 2020 just a month after being first granted access to a lawyer.

He faces a lengthy jail sentence if found guilty on charges of endangering national security by joining or accepting a mission from an unidentified espionage organisation

Dr Brasch said under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations to which China is a party, and a bilateral consular agreement, Australian officials are entitled to communicate with Dr Yang, receive information on the charges against him, and attend his trial and other legal proceedings.

'We would expect that any caveats on these obligations - arising from the nature of the charges against Dr Yang - must give full effect to the purpose to ensure fairness, transparency, and humane treatment for which these rights were accorded,' Dr Brasch said.

He faces a lengthy jail sentence if found guilty on charges of endangering national security by joining or accepting a mission from an unidentified espionage organisation.

China has repeatedly cautioned Australia against meddling in the case.

In the letter, Dr Yang said there was nothing more liberating than having one's worst fears realised.

'I have no fear now. I will never compromise,' the letter says.
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Stunning images of the Super Flower Blood Moon set against a backdrop of natural landmarks have been shared by astronomers and photographers around the world today.

The moon put on a show for many parts of the world Wednesday night, as the first total lunar eclipse in more than two years coincided with a supermoon.

The blazing orange moon dazzled as it hung over the skies of the Pacific as well as the western half of North America, parts of South America and eastern Asia.

A supermoon is a stellar phenomenon that occurs when our natural satellite is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, causing it to appear 30 per cent brighter and 14 per cent bigger than usual.

The reddish-orange color of the super 'blood' moon is the result of all the sunrises and sunsets in Earth's atmosphere projected onto the surface of the eclipsed moon. It is known as a Flower Moon as that is a moon that coincides with the flowers blooming in May.

Over the UK, sporadic cloud cover gave the pictures of the large moon an eerie feel, with lines breaking up the otherwise bright and beautiful view.

The super moon was brightest on May 25 and 26, but may still appear to be full to the naked eye if viewed tonight.

For those that missed out on spotting the phenomenon in full force last night, never fear as more lunar shows are coming. On November 19 there will be a nearly total eclipse where the moon dims but doesn't turn red.

The next total lunar eclipse will be May 2022. The last one was January 2019.

The Flower Supermoon rises over the ancient temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, on May 26, 2021 in Athens, Greece

A cyclist uses a cellphone to photograph the full moon, known as the 'Super Flower Moon' as it rises over Arguineguin, in the south of Gran Canaria, Spain, May 26

A super moon is observed over Ping An International Finance Center on May 26, in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province of China

The lunar eclipse is observed over Mongolian yurts on May 26, in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China

A yacht sails past as the moon rises in Sydney Wednesday, May 26. Stunning images of the Super Flower Blood Moon set against a backdrop of natural landmarks have been shared by astronomers and photographers around the world

A super moon, known as the 'Super Flower Moon', rises over Judaean Mountains as seen from Ben Gurion Airport in Lod, central Israel May 26

The Flower supermoon rising over the Bristol Channel and the RNLI Tenby Lifeboat Station in Tenby, Wales, UK

The Supermoon rises past the Colosseum, in Rome, Italy, on May 26, 2021

People observe the Supermoon as it rises behind the Colosseum, in Rome, Italy, on May 26, 2021

Super moon is seen from Turkish capital Ankara on May 26, 2021. The phenomenon occurs when a full moon coincides with the Moon's closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit, a point known as perigee

The full moon, known as the 'Super Flower Moon' rises over the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion, near Athens, Greece

The lunar eclipse is observed over the Summer Palace on May 26, 2021 in Beijing, China

A lunar eclipse is seen over Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco, May 26, 2021

The super moon rises over Maslak, the economic centre of Istanbul,Wednesday, May 26, 2021

The super moon is seen during the total lunar eclipse on May 26, 2021 in Dongguan, Guangdong Province of China

The Flower supermoon sets behind Stonehenge in Wiltshire. Astronomers and photographers around the world have shared stunning images of the unusually bright and large moon set against a backdrop of natural landmarks

The full moon, known as the 'Super Flower Moon', is seen over the Anitkabir, the mausoleum of modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, in Ankara, Turkey

The Flower Moon rises above midtown Manhattan and the Empire State Building in New York City on May 25, 2021 as seen from Weehawken, New Jersey

The 'Super Blood Moon' rises behind the castle of the village of Castiglione Falletto, Langhe Countryside, Northwestern Italy, on May 26, 2021

A Super Flower Moon rises through low clouds above the city of San Diego, California. This month's full moon is a Super Moon, a stellar phenomenon that occurs when our natural satellite is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit of the planet

Full moon dates in 2021 Date 28 January 27 February 28 March 27 April 26 May 24 June 24 July 22 August 21 September 20 October 19 November 19 December Name Wolf Moon Snow Moon Wom Moon Pink Moon Flower Moon Strawberry Moon Buck Moon Sturgeon Moon Harvest Moon Hunter's Moon Beaver Moon Cold Moon Advertisement

From Stonehenge in the UK and Ankara in Turkey, to New York City and Hawaii, the large moon was on full display, including its markings, craters and surface features.

When the moon is full and at its closest point to Earth in its not entirely circular orbit, it is called a Super Moon.

When a Super Moon occurs alongside an eclipse it is a Super Blood Moon - the full name for this moon is a Super Blood Flower Moon.

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac the May full moon is known as a Flower Moon because 'flowers spring forth across North America in abundance this month.'

Most of the full moon names come from Native America or European sources.

Traditionally the name would apply to the full lunar month, not just the full moon.

The 'Flower Moon' name has been attributed to the Algonquin people who are indigenous to Eastern Canada, according to the almanac.

Other names given to the May moon are the Budding Moon, Leaf Budding Moon and Planting Moon, all linked to farming and planting in the Spring.

TV presenter, author and world-class astronomer Mark Thompson said a Super Moon is a great opportunity to to look for features on the lunar surface.

'The ease with which the full Moon can be spotted makes it a great object for kids and newcomers to stargazing,' he explained.

'See how many craters you can spot or if you can locate the Sea of Tranquillity where Neil Armstrong and Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin landed in 1969.'

The Full Moon is seen in sky over Ankara, Turkey. It is known as a Flower Moon as that is a full moon that coincides with the flowers blooming in May

A Super Flower Moon rises over the Makapuu lighthouse in east Oahu, Honolulu, Hawaii

Super Flower Moon rising over Blacko Tower in Lancashire. Over the UK sporadic cloud cover gave the pictures of the large moon an eerie feel, with lines breaking up the otherwise bright and beautiful view

A bird sits on a street light in front of a full moon over Turkey's Samsun province in the evening

A full moon rises over the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria. When the moon is full and at its closest point to Earth in its not entirely circular orbit, it is called a Super Moon

Full moon appears over Turkey's Aydin in the evening. Most of the full moon names come from Native America or European sources and traditionally the name would apply to the full lunar month, not jus the full moon

The full moon, known as the Super Moon, rises over a mosque in the Gulf emirate of Dubai during a total lunar eclipse visible in Asia and the Americas

The Full Moon is seen in sky over Ankara, Turkey. Other names given to the May moon are the Budding Moon, Leaf Budding Moon and Planting Moon, all linked to farming and planting in the Spring

Within the hundreds of images shared from around the world, by amateur and professional photographers alike, features are clearer than they usually would be.

The stunning supermoon will still be visible tonight but will not be 100 per cent full - although it may appear full to the naked eye - and astronomer Mark Thompson said the best time to capture images is just after sunset, looking to the east.

Taking photographs of the moon can be a challenge, explained Thompson, who said people are often inspired to capture their own picture but just see a tiny white blob.

The full moon is pictured behind a cross on top of an Orthodox church in the city of Rossosh', Voronezh region.

A bird flies in front of full moon over Turkey's Tekirdag. Within the hundreds of images shared from around the world, by amateur and professional photographers alike, features are clearer than they usually would be

A couple takes a selfie with the full moon in the background, the second and last super moon this year, called the 'Flower Moon,' as it rises over the castle in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia

The Flower supermoon sets over Bristol. The stunning supermoon will still be visible tonight, and Mark Thompson said the best time to capture images is just after sunset, looking to the east

'To successfully capture lunar close-ups, a long lens is a must. Aspiring photographers should check out these expert tips from Canon for more advice.'

A total lunar eclipse, like the one that will be visible in the US, is referred to as a Blood Moon due its more reddish colour than a non-eclipsed moon.

As well as being visible across most of the US, people in Australia, western parts of South America and South-East Asia should have been able to see the eclipse happen.

A man looks through binoculars at the full moon, the second and last super moon this year, called the 'Flower Moon,' as it rises over the castle in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia

The Flower Moon rises behind the antenna on top of One World Trade Center in New York City on May 25, 2021 as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey

View of the full moon between the two towers of the National Congress building, in Brasilia, Brazil

The Flower Moon is seen through trees on May 26, 2021 in Amesbury, UK. A total lunar eclipse, like the one that will be visible in the US, is referred to as a Blood Moon due its more reddish colour than a non-eclipsed moon

The Super Flower Moon turned a shade of red for 14 minutes during the eclipse on May 26, beginning at about 12:18 BST (07:18 ET).

This took place a few hours after the moon reached perigee, that is the closest point to Earth in its orbit, making it appear larger than a normal full moon.

A lunar eclipse happens two to five times a year, with a total eclipse happening every two to three years, according to Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomers.

The moon rises behind the US Steel tower in Pittsburgh. As well as being visible across most of the US, people in Australia, western parts of South America and South-East Asia should be able to see the eclipse happen

The Flower Moon rises above One World Trade Center in New York City. The Super Flower Moon will turn a shade of red for 14 minutes during the eclipse, beginning at about 12:18 BST (07:18 ET)

The Flower Moon rises above One Vanderbilt as the sun sets in New York City. This will happen a few hours after the moon reaches perigee, that is the closest point to Earth in its orbit, making it appear larger than a normal full moon

The full moon, known as the 'Super Flower Moon', is seen in the skies near Amesbury, UK

A total lunar eclipse, like this one, occurs when the Earth comes between the sun and the moon and the shadow of the Earth completely covers the moon.

It turns a shade of red when the eclipse reaches totality.

The level of 'red' depends on a number of factors, including the amount of global dust in the Earth's atmosphere at the time of totality.

View of the full moon over the Panteon da Libertade monument, in Brasilia, Brazil

A Super Flower Moon rises through low clouds above the city of San Diego, California, US

A man leaves after fishing in the Missouri River as the nearly full moon rises beyond the downtown skyline

Full moon rises over July 15 Martyrs Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey. A lunar eclipse happens two to five times a year, with a total eclipse happening every two to three years, according to Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomers

It can be a deep coppery red, or almost identical to its usual greyish self.

Dust in the atmosphere blocks the higher frequency blue light waves, but allows longer wavelength red light to shine through, astronomers explained.

On May 16, 2022 the UK will be able to watch its next total lunar eclipse, along with North America, Europe, South America and parts of Africa.

Even though you won't see the eclipse in the UK, the super moon itself is a great opportunity to study the moon, photograph the moon and gaze on the moon.

HOW TO TAKE A PICTURES OF THE MOON ON ANDROID HANDSETS Android users have similar options available to them as those on iOS, with a choice between the built in camera app and third party software. Here's a step by step-guide for the two methods: Taking a picture of the moon on Android's in-built camera: Each version of Android may be slightly different, as the operating system can be customised by individual handset manufacturers, so instructions may vary. 1 - Turn off the flash in the camera app. The flash will only light up nearby objects and bounce light back into the lens, which could ruin your shot. Tap the flash icon on the side or top of the screen and make sure to select the lightning bolt in a circle with a line going through it  depicting the flash as off 2 - You'll need to zoom in for the best results. If you need to make the moon more prominent in your image, touch the screen using two fingers and use the spread gesture to zoom in or the pinch gesture to zoom out. However, this will reduce the quality of your image, so it is not advisable to overdo it. My attempt at capturing the Wolf Moon last night, these are taken with my phone. Who wants to by me a real camera? #WolfMoon #moon #supermoon #Maine @StormHour @WGME @CharlieWGME @mainetoday pic.twitter.com/31lmhRSWN7  Jan Jensen (@jandavisjensen) January 2, 2018 3 - Many Android phones have a manual mode to drill-down and customise the camera settings. Open the camera app and then tap the three vertical lines icon in the top left corner, then tap manual. 4 - On the left hand-side of the camera interface, you will see a JPG icon. Tap on it and it will switch to RAW JPG. This will allow corrections to be made to the image while keeping a high-quality image after it has been taken. 5 - Change the Exposure Value by tapping the EV option on screen and selecting a low exposure. 6 - Select the ISO option and choose a value of between 80 and 100. 7 - Increase the shutter speed, using the S option on screen, and choose the longest option. This will keep the shutter open for longer, so ensuring the camera is still while the photo is being taken is crucial . 8 - Once you're happy with the way your image appears on the screen, click the circular capture button at the bottom of the app. Using a third-party app to enhance your image: 1 - Go to the Google Play and download a relevant app. Adobe's Lightroom app, which is available for iPhone, lets you enhance photos once they have been taken and get the most out of your Android's camera. 2 - Open the Lightroom App and click on the camera icon in the bottom right hand corner, if you want to use its inbuilt camera. Alternatively, jump to step 7 to alter images taken with the inbuilt Android app. 3 - Make sure sure the File Format is set to DNG rather than JPG. This is an uncompressed raw format, similar to those used by professional photographers, which captures far greater detail. Adobe's Lightroom app, which is also available for iPhone, lets you enhance photos once they have been taken and get the most out of your Android's camera 4 - Reduce the exposure by swiping left with your finger on the image, until the moon looks grey instead of white. If you take this too far, you can increase the exposure by swiping right. 5 - Make sure your flash is turned off by clicking on the lightning icon in the top right hand corner and selecting off. 6 - Once you are happy with the way your image appears on the screen, click the circular capture button at the bottom of the app. 7 - Edit your image within the Lightroom app, which uses technology from Adobe Photoshop to enhance your pictures. This includes increasing clarity and zooming in on an image once it has been taken. To edit your image, click the X button on the camera window, then select the image you wish to edit. A range of tools are then available at the bottom of the screen. Advertisement
SpaceX may face a legal challenge from a rival satellite operator who has called for a halt to Starlink launches pending an environmental review of the megaconstellation.

Broadband firm Viasat called on the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Friday to stay a license modification allowing for Starlink's expansion in low orbit.

The megaconstellation, which promises to offer high-speed internet access around the globe, presently numbers more than 1,600 satellites.

To reduce projected lag in the network, SpaceX requested the FCC approve a change to their original plans, bringing some 2,800 satellites into lower orbits.

Viasat intends to make the case in federal court that the FCC needed to conduct an environmental impact assessment before giving the go ahead for this change.

The firm's stated concerns  which have been mirrored by scientists  include around how the Starlink constellation is affecting astronomical observations.

Other environmental worries include the megaconstellation's potential to increase orbital debris and pollute the atmosphere by means of disintegrating satellites.

SpaceX may face a legal challenge from a rival satellite operator who has called for a halt to Starlink launches pending an environmental review of the megaconstellation. Pictured: an artist's impression of two Starlink satellites in Earth orbit

The FCC's original license to SpaceX permitted them to establish a constellation of 4,409 Starlink satellites , with 2,825 at an distance of 684808 miles (1,1001,300 km) and another 1,584 at 342 miles (550 km), which are in low Earth orbit.

However, on April 27 this year, the commission approved an application from SpaceX to modify the license  moving the satellites in higher orbits down to 342 miles (550 km) and lowering the total planned number of satellites by one to 4,408.

According to SpaceX, the change of plans was needed to reduce the latency, or lag, between the satellites and the ground, thereby improving the quality of video calls, gaming experiences and other applications for users making use of the network.

Providing low signal latency was a qualifying criteria for $890 million (628 million) in funding the FCC awarded Space X back in December as part of the first phase of the so-called 'Rural Digital Opportunity Fund'.

This scheme aims to ensure the delivery of broadband services to homes and businesses in the United States where such is presently not available.

ABOUT VIASAT Viasat is a communication firm based in Carlsbad, California which provides broadband services using satellites placed in geostationary orbit. At present, the firm is developing a constellation of three new satellites to expand its global operations and provide three terabits per second of throughput to its customers. The first of these 'ViaSat-3' craft is scheduled to launch early in 2022, and will serve the Americas. Advertisement

SpaceX exceeded the 1,584 low Earth orbit satellites permitted by its original license after launching a batch of 52 new craft on May 15  with another 60 scheduled to be ferried into orbit today, marking the thirteenth Starlink launch of this year.

Viasat  which is headquartered in Carlsbad, California  said that it had petitioned the FCC to conduct a thorough environmental review before granting SpaceX its license modification, but that the commission had rejected this request.

'We believe the FCC failed to conduct a legally required environmental review under National Environmental Policy Act [NEPA],' Viasat's chief officer for global government and regulatory affairs, John Janka, told SpaceNews.

Furthermore, he argued, the FCC 'did not honour the Biden-Harris administrations commitment to a science-based approach to protecting the atmosphere, the Earths climate, space and the well-being of US citizens.'

'As such, we have asked the Commission to stay its order until the federal courts review its legality.'

The FCC's original license to SpaceX permitted them to establish a constellation of 4,409 Starlink satellites , with 2,825 at an distance of 684808 miles (1,1001,300 km) and another 1,584 at 342 miles (550 km), which are in low Earth orbit. However, on April 27 this year, the commission approved an application from SpaceX to modify the license  moving the satellites in higher orbits down to 342 miles (550 km) and lowering the total planned number of satellites by one to 4,408. Pictured: Starlink satellites ready for orbital deployment

Defending its decision not to perform an environmental assessment under NEPA, the FCC said that the act did not cover the risks from light pollution.

Furthermore, they noted that the Federal Aviation Administration undertakes its own reviews as part of their process for licensing satellite launches.

However, the commission said that it did encourage SpaceX to continue to work with astronomers to mitigate the brightness of their satellites in the night sky.

Viasat have announced that  should the FCC not grant a stay to the modified license by June 1  that they will push for such in the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals.
Instagram and Facebook have announced new options for hiding likes on posts, in the hopes of building a 'more positive experience' on the platforms.

The popular apps began hiding like counts for users in seven countries back in 2019 to understand if it 'reduces pressure associated with posting'.

But the trial received some negative user feedback  leading to the Facebook-owned apps making a few alterations this time around.

This time, users will be able to choose whether they see likes on other users' posts, as well as whether other users see likes on their posts.

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Instagram and Facebook have announced new options for hiding likes on posts, in the hopes of building a 'more positive experience' on the platforms

Like-hiding options Starting today, Instagram and Facebook are giving the option to: Hide like counts on all posts in their feed Hide like counts on their own posts, so others cant see how many likes their posts get Hide like counts on others posts Choose to hide like counts before sharing a post. People can turn this setting on or off, even after the post goes live Advertisement

Instagram has concerns that seeing a post with thousands of likes can lead to feelings of low self-worth for users who only get a few likes or have just a handful of followers.

The efforts to make users feel happier online amid concerns social media can contribute to low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy in young people.

Instagram announced the new like-hiding options in a blog today.

It explained: 'You may have noticed that we've been testing hiding like counts on Instagram for a while.

'Today, we're announcing that everyone on Instagram and Facebook will now have the option to hide their public like counts, so they can decide what works for them.'

From today, users will be given the option to hide like counts on all posts in their feed, or on their own posts.

'This way, if you like, you can focus on the photos and videos being shared, instead of how many likes posts get,' Instagram explained.

Alternatively, users can hide like counts on others' posts by visiting the new Posts section in settings.

From today, users will be given the option to hide like counts on all posts in their feed, or on their own posts

The like-hiding options were first tested back in 2019 to see if it might 'depressurise people's experience on Instagram'.

However, some independent experts have suggested the decision was actually more to do with advertising and revenue.

'Let's stop the bulls**t that this recent change is about reducing the incidence of mental health among their users,' said Dave Levett, head of Australian marketing agency Murmur.

'It's about raising ad revenue for the platform, and make Instagram more appealing for small businesses and brands to pump dollars into the growing social behemoth.'

The move was also criticised by many influencers, who rely on like counts for securing new brand deals.

Instagram explained: 'What we heard from people and experts was that not seeing like counts was beneficial for some, and annoying to others, particularly because people use like counts to get a sense for what's trending or popular, so we're giving you the choice.'

The apps hope the update will change the way people view like counts.

'Changing the way people view like counts is a big shift. We'll continue working on new ways to give people more choice, so they feel good about the time they spend on our apps,' it added.
A giant tortoise found on the Galapagos islands has been confirmed to be a species thought to have gone extinct 115 years ago.

The adult female was discovered in 2019, and now a genetic analysis has confirmed her to be a Fernandina Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis phantasticus).

Ecuador's Environment Minister, Gustavo Manrique, confirmed the news on Twitter, writing: 'Hope is alive!'

Many species of giant tortoises were over-hunted for their meat by European and other colonists who travelled to the Galapagos archipelago.

A giant tortoise found on the Galapagos islands has been confirmed to be a species thought to have gone extinct 115 years ago

The sighting came during an expedition to the island of Fernandina in the western Ecuadorian region of the archipelago in 2019.

To prove the link, scientists from Yale University took samples from the female to compare to the remains of a male from the species Chelonoidis phantasticus.

The last previous sighting of the species had been in 1906.

Mr Manrique's tweeted added: 'It was believed extinct more than 100 years ago! We have reconfirmed its existence. The tortoise of the species Chelonoidis phantasticus was found in Galapagos. Hope is intact!'

Ecuador's Environment Minister, Gustavo Manrique, confirmed the news on Twitter, writing: 'Hope is alive!'

During the 2019 expedition, researchers from the Galapagos National Park and the US NGO Galapagos Conservancy crossed a three mile stretch of hardened lava flow and found the animal buried deep under a pile of brush

During the 2019 expedition, researchers from the Galapagos National Park and the US NGO Galapagos Conservancy crossed a three mile stretch of hardened lava flow and found the animal buried deep under a pile of brush.

'As a biologist and someone who has dedicated my life to the pursuit of animals believed extinct, this is by far my greatest scientific accomplishment and proudest moment,' said expedition leader, Forrest Galante.

Mr Galante compared the tortoise to Lonesome George, the last known Pinta Island tortoise who sadly passed away in 2012.

'Much like Lonesome George was an icon of extinction, I believe she can become an icon of wildlife hope. She's the rarest tortoise, if not animal, in the entire world and one of the largest discoveries in the Galapagos in the last century,' he added.

The adult female was discovered in 2019, and now a genetic analysis has confirmed her to be a Fernandina Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis phantasticus)

Anecdotal evidence and unconfirmed sightings have been reported ever since but it was formally listed on the IUCN red list as 'critically endangered (possibly extinct)'. Surveys and expeditions have turned up evidence of scat previously

The Fernandina Giant Tortoise is one of 14 giant tortoise species in the Galapagos but only ten are thought to have survived human colonisation and over-hunting for food.

A spokesman for Galapagos Conservancy said: 'While thought to be extinct due to volcanic eruptions in past centuries, there have been anecdotal observations indicating that there may indeed still be a very few left on the island.'

Anecdotal evidence and unconfirmed sightings have been reported ever since but it was formally listed on the IUCN red list as 'critically endangered (possibly extinct)'.

'These sightings and signs, though needing verification through more extensive surveys, indicate the possibility that the species may remain extant in exceedingly small numbers,' IUCN said.

The sighting came during an expedition to island of Fernandina in the western Ecuadorian region of the archipelago. It is the youngest and most volcanically active of all the Galapagos islands
Researchers have discovered 56 million-year-old fish fossils in an eastern Egyptian desert that show the fish were able to exist in seas with temperatures approaching 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

The fossils were found in dark-gray shale in a site in the Eastern Desert known as Ras Gharib A, roughly 200 miles southeast of Cairo.

They include more than 12 groups of different type of bony fish from the era, including percomorph acanthomorphs, a group that includes walleye, bass and bluegills.

Other fish that were found include the moonfish from the Mene genus (more than 60 specimens were found), as well as deep-sea hatchetfish and a predatory species known as bonytongues, which still has living relatives.

The Mene is still alive today, though it lives in parts of the Indian and Pacific oceans.

The moonfish Mene (pictured) was the most common fossil found at the site, with more than 60 specimens discovered

A modern day Mene, which lives in the Pacific and Indian oceans in tropic and subtropic regions

A percomorph, a member of the same group that includes familiar Michigan species such as walleye and perch, from Ras Gharib A

Paleontologists from Mansoura University Vertebrate Paleontology Center (pictured) helped excavate the area

The fossils were found in dark-gray shale in a site in the Eastern Desert known as Ras Gharib A, roughly 200 miles southeast of Cairo

The conditions that occurred during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), a period of highly elevated global temperatures, are seen as 'the best ancient analog' for the present-day warming of the planet.

Recent studies have said the average temperature on the planet has rose 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) since the mid-19th century, due in large part to the Industrial Revolution and human events.

During the PETM, these fish were swimming as far north as Denmark, showcasing how far their range was during the period.

'The impact of the PETM event on life at the time is of wide interest,' the study's co-author University of Michigan paleontologist Matt Friedman said in a statement. 'But a major gap in our understanding is how life in the tropics responded, because this region is not well-sampled for many fossil groups.'

Friedman continued: 'On the basis of the scant evidence we have for fishesremembering that this Egyptian site provides our first peek from the tropicsthey seem to have weathered the PETM surprisingly well, and there are even hints that important diversification in the group might have happened around or just after this time.'

The findings were published in the scientific journal Geology.

The newly discovered fossils give researchers the first clear picture into how bony fish survived and thrived during the PETM, highlighting a number of fish lineage and ecologies, the study's lead author, Egyptian paleontologist Sanaa El-Sayed explained.

'While the broader evolutionary consequences of the PETM for marine fishes remain little explored, the available paleontological evidence does not suggest a widespread crisis among marine fishes at that time,' El-Sayed said.

'In fact, the available records reveal that this time might have been a significant episode of evolutionary diversification among key modern fish groups, similar to patterns reported for land-living mammals.'

Researchers still need more time to accurately assess why the fish in Ras Gharib A were able to deal with the harsh PETM conditions.

Several theories exist however, including that there was a rise of cool water from the deeper part of the ocean to the northern coast of Africa.

Another theory is that the fish simply moved to cooler parts of the ocean to avoid the rising sea temps.

Or simply, they could have been more resilient than initially believed, as evidenced by the evolution that took place from the Cenozoic Era.

'A more detailed picture of the setting in which these fishes lived is a key part of the puzzle,' Friedman explained. 'This report really marks the beginning of a research project, and there's much more to do when it comes to studying the fossils themselves and their broader environmental context.'

Friedman said the ancient fossils could give researchers new insights into how the creatures are able to deal with changing weather patterns and how they interacted with each other.

'Impacts on ecosystems involve the interplay of multiple groups,' he explained. 'The survival of one group in isolation shouldn't be taken as evidence that changing climates are something to brush off.'

While the warm conditions during PETM are analogous to modern times, they are still imperfect comparison, with humans putting significantly more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than what was experienced during the PETM.

'It's really a sign of how unprecedented the current situation is,' Friedman said.
Red-handed tamarins, a species of monkey, is able to change its 'accent' to avoid conflict when it enters the territory of another species, a study has revealed.

Examining the behaviour of 15 groups of two types of tamarin monkeys living in the Brazilian Amazon allowed Anglia Ruskin University scientists to make the discovery.

They found that red handed-tamarins adopt the long calls used by pied tamarins when they enter their territory, and do so to avoid fights over territory and resources.

Red-handed tamarin (Saguinus midas). Red-handed tamarins, a species of monkey, is able to change its 'accent' to avoid conflict when it enters the territory of another species, a study has revealed

RED-HANDED TAMARIN (SAGUINUS MIDAS) Tamarins are a squirrel-sized New World monkey species. The red-handed tamarin is a New World monkey species belonging to the Callitrichidae family. It is native to wooded areas north of the Amazon River in Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname. They are of 'least concern' on the IUCN endangered species list. They are expanding into the historical range of Pied Tamarin, with studies showing they are able to mimmic their call to ease passage. They reach about 17 inches tall included the tail, with a maximum weight of about 1.2lb. They have dark brown or black fur with reddish-orange hair on feet and hands. Advertisement

Pied tamarins are critically endangered and have one of the smallest ranges of any primate in the world, much of it around the Brazilian city of Manaus.

They live in a similar area to red-handed tamarins, who occupy a generally larger region covering the north-eastern Amazon and have a greater vocal flexibility.

Study authors suggest that by using this greater vocal flexibility, including a much greater use of calls than pied tamarins, the red-handed tamarins keep the peace.

One species of monkey copies the accent of another when it enters its territory, possibly to avoid conflict, research has indicated.

Scientists examined the behaviour of 15 groups of two types of tamarin monkeys in the Brazilian Amazon.

Red-handed tamarins adopt the long calls used by pied tamarins when they enter their territory, according to the study.

Co-author Dr Jacob Dunn, associate professor in Evolutionary Biology at Anglia Ruskin University, said this is the first study to reveal asymmetric call convergence in primates, with one species call becoming the 'lingua franca' in shared territories.

'Because these tamarin species rely on similar resources, changing their 'accents' in this way is likely to help these tiny primates identify one another more easily in dense forest and potentially avoid conflict,' Dunn explained.

Lead author Tainara Sobroza, of Brazilian research institution the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia, said it can be difficult to tell tamarin species apart.

Sobroza said: 'During our research we were surprised to discover they also sound the same in the areas of the forest they cohabit.'

'We found that only the red-handed tamarins change their calls to those of the pied tamarins, and this only happens in places where they occur together,' she added.

'Why their calls converge in this way is not certain, but it is possibly to help with identification when defending territory or competing over resources.'

Dunn said that it has been known for some time that when closely related species overlap in a geographic area it leads to some 'interesting evolutionary patterns'.

Pied tamarin (Saguinus bicolor). Examining the behaviour of 15 groups of two types of tamarin monkeys living in the Brazilian Amazon, allowed Anglia Ruskin University scientists to make the discovery

Spectrograms showing how the red-handed tamarin calls match the pied tamarin calls in shared territory. They found that red handed-tamarins adopt the long calls used by pied tamarins when they enter their territory and do so to avoid fights over territory and resources

One famous example of this is the Galapagos finches, originally studied by Charles Darwin, whose beaks evolved to specialise on different foods to avoid competition.

"In some cases, rather than diverging to become more different from one another, some closely related species converge to show similar traits,' he explained.

That appears to be the case with the tamarins, with the red-handed species adapting their call to match that of the pied tamarins, creating a common language.

The research is published in the journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology.
A paralyzed man has become the first human to have electrodes implanted in his brain's sensory cortex, allowing him to 'feel' his robotic arm as it manipulates various objects.

Sensory input is crucial in understanding how to hold an object or if its in danger of slipping.

In a series of tests, Copeland was tasked with picking up cylinders, spheres and cubes and placing them on a box.

No longer required just to rely on sight, Nathan Copeland can complete tasks in about half the time it used to take.

With stimulation of his sensory cortex, Copeland was able to pick up a glass of water, pour it into another cup and casually place it down in under 24 seconds.

Without the senes of 'touch,' the glass fell over and it took more than a minute to finish the task.

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Nathan Copeland (pictured) has electrodes in his motor and sensory cortex that allow him to control a robotic arm and 'feel' what its metal hand is touching

In 2016, bioengineers offered to implant electrodes in both the motor and sensory cortexes of Copeland's brain to provide him some mobility through a robotic 'arm.'

Copeland was able to use his robotic arm to shake President Barack Obama's hand.

The electrodes implanted in his brain ead to ports on the top of Copeland's head connected to computer cables that relay information.

Sensory input is vital for basic tasks like picking up a coffee mug or telephone. Without it, it can be difficult to tell if you're grabbing something too tightly or if its slipping

The electrodes placed in the motor cortex track about 200 channels of information heading out from the brain, according to Jennifer Collinger, a biomedical engineer with the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Most brain-computer interfaces (BCI) center on the motor cortex, which guides movement.

Done correctly, they allow a user to signal they want to move a robotic limb.

But without any sensory connection, the movement is much less exact.

With stimulation of his sensory cortex, Copeland was able to pick up a cube and place it on a box in under 4 seconds. Without that stimulation it took more than seven seconds

When we pick up an objecta phone, a pen, a coffee cupwe rely on sensory data as much as visual cues to ensure we've got a good grip on it.

'The sensory piece of what we do as humans to make that happen is really important,' David Putrino, director of rehabilitation innovation at Mount Sinai's Icahn School of Medicine told Health Day.

Without understanding where your hand is in space, it can be difficult to tell if you're grabbing something too tightly or too loosely, Putrino said.

It's second-nature for most able-bodied people but for a robot it's a huge obstacle.

'Before, when I didn't have stimulation, I would be able to see the robotic hand touching an object but sometimes I would go to lift it off the table and it would fall out or be in the hand awkwardly, so I would spent extra time making sure I actually had hold of something before I started to move it,' Copeland, 34, told Health Day.

Now bioengineers are stimulating Copeland's sensory cortex, allowing the system to feed information to him about what his robotic hand is 'feeling.'

'Stimulating in the fingertip-related areas in the brain generated sensations that felt like they were coming from the participant's own hand,' Collinger told NPR.

In a series of tests, Nathan Copeland (anove) was tasked with picking up cylinders, spheres and cubes and placing them on a box. By stimulating his sensory cortex, engineers were able to allow Copeland to 'feel' what the robot's hand was touching

In a series of tests, Copeland was tasked with picking up cylinders, spheres and cubes and placing them on a box.

In research published this month in the journal Science, engineers report he could deftly guide the object to the target significantly faster with sensory feedback than without.

'In a sense, this is what we hoped would happenbut perhaps not to the degree that we observed,' Collinger said in a statement. 'Sensory feedback from limbs and hands is hugely important for doing normal things in our daily lives, and when that feedback is lacking, people's performance is impaired.'

On average, Copeland cut down his time performing tasks in half, from about 20 seconds to 10.

Some differences were even more profound: With sensory stimulation, Copeland was able to guide the robot arm to pick up a rock and place it on a box in under 5 seconds.

Without the input, it took more than 15 seconds.

'The sensation would actually change intensity based on how much force the hand was exerting on the object,' Copeland told NPR. 'So I could also tell if I had a firm grip on it or not. The control is so intuitive that I'm basically just thinking about things as if I were moving my own arm,' he says.

The synthesis of movement and sensation was fairly smooth, Copeland said in a statement.

'There wasn't really any point where I felt like stimulation was something I had to get used to,' he said. 'Doing the task while receiving the stimulation just went together like PB&J.'

Picking up a glass of water, pouring it into another cup and then safely putting the empty glass down took about 24 seconds with sensory stimulation. Without it, Copeland dropped the glass and took more than a minute and 15 seconds to finish the task.

Picking up a glass of water, pouring it into another glass and then safely putting the glass down took about 24 seconds with sensory stimulation.

Without it, Copeland dropped the glass on the table and took over a minute and 15 seconds to right the cup and finish the task.

'I could see the hand was touching the object, but I also had that extra reassurance and confidence that I definitely had made contact and I was applying a certain amount of pressure,' Copeland said.

'I knew if I went to lift the object off the table, it wouldn't fall out of my grasp.'

The team acknowledges there's still a long way to go before their technology can be implemented as a practical aid for the disabled.

'This is a first step in a technology that's incredibly invasive. It requires open brain surgery,' Putrino said. 'You're implanting electrodes that have a limited useful life span in the brain tissue,'

Copeland says he wasn't under any delusion the project would fully restore his mobility.

'It's literally the beginning of research,' he told Health Day. 'I just hope that through me spending my time trying to push the science forward, someone down the road that has an injury like mine and some sort of condition that limits their function, that this technology can help them in the future.'
Select items from the office of the late and eminent theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking will go on display at the Science Museum in London next year.

The announcement comes following an acceptance in lieu agreement, which allows families to offset tax, between the Cambridge University Library, the Science Museum Group and the UK Government.

Thanks to this, Professor Hawking's considerable collection of scientific and personal papers will remain in Cambridge in the collections of the university library.

This archive includes correspondence dating from 19442008, a first draft of a 'Brief History of Time' and a highlighted script from his first cameo on 'The Simpsons'.

The contents of his office at Cambridge's Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, meanwhile, will join the collections of the Science Museum.

Among the items being preserved are Professor Hawking's personal wheelchairs  which he needed due to motor neuron disease  and communication equipment.

Other objects saved include his personal reference library, scientific bets signed with his thumbprint, PhD thesis, medals and memorabilia from his remarkable life.

Hawking died in 2018 at the age of 76.

Select items from the office of the late and eminent theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, pictured, will go on display at the Science Museum in London next year

The announcement comes following an acceptance in lieu agreement between the Cambridge University Library, the Science Museum Group and the UK Government. Pictured: items being preserved include Professor Hawking's personalised wheelchairs (as left) and a highlighted script from his first appearance on 'The Simpsons' (right)

'They Saved Lisa's Brain' is the twenty-second episode of The Simpsons' tenth season. ... It featured the first official appearance of Lindsey Naegle and was the first episode in which theoretical physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking guest-starred as himself

'By preserving Stephens office and its historic contents [], future generations will be able to delve deep into the world of a world-leading theoretical physicist,' said Science Museum Group director Sir Ian Blatchford.

Professor Hawking, he added, 'defied the laws of medicine to rewrite the laws of physics and touch the heart of millions.'

'These remarkable items might even inspire the next Professor Hawking to wonder about the world around us.'

Pictured: a typed bet, signed with a thumbprint, between Professor Hawking and his colleagues John Preskill and Kip Thorne, dating to September 24, 1991

The Cambridge archive contains letters dating from 1944 to 2008, a first draft of his book A Brief History Of Time, film and TV scripts, and autographed scientific manuscripts from the early phase of his career.

There is also a large collection of photographs, papers and correspondence showing how he communicated with popes, US presidents and leading scientists of the age, including Nobel Prize winners Kip Thorne and Roger Penrose.

Cambridge's acquisition of the 10,000-page archive means Prof Hawking's papers join those of Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.

This brings all three archives together under one roof at Cambridge University Library, where they will be freely accessible to the scientists of tomorrow.

'We are very pleased that these two important institutions will preserve our fathers life's work for the benefit of generations to come and make his legacy accessible to the widest possible audience,' said Lucy, Robert and Tim Hawking.

'Our father strongly believed that everyone should have the chance to engage with science, so he would be delighted that his legacy will be secured by the Science Museum and Cambridge University Library.

'Our hope is that our father's scientific career will continue to inspire generations of future scientists to find new insights into the nature of the universe, based on the outstanding work he produced in his lifetime.

'For decades, our father was part of the fabric of life at Cambridge University and was a distinguished fellow of the Science Museum so it seems right that these relationships, so dear to him and us, will continue for many more years to come.'

'By preserving Stephens office and its historic contents [], future generations will be able to delve deep into the world of a world-leading theoretical physicist,' said Science Museum Group director Sir Ian Blatchford. Pictured: Fred Cuming's oil portrait of Professor Hawking

The acceptance of the Hawking archive by the University of Cambridge means the estate has settled a 4.2 million inheritance tax bill with the government.

This is through a plan allowing those with such tax bills to pay off the debt by transferring important cultural, scientific or historic objects to the nation. These artefacts are then allocated to public collections so they are available to all.

When his PhD thesis was digitised and made freely available by the University Library in 2017, Prof Hawking said: "Each generation stands on the shoulders of those who have gone before them, just as I did as a young PhD student in Cambridge."

Hawking occupied an office at the University of Cambridge's Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics from 2002 until shortly before his death.

'We are very pleased that these two important institutions will preserve our fathers life's work for the benefit of generations to come and make his legacy accessible to the widest possible audience,' said Lucy, Robert and Tim Hawking. Pictured: Professor Hawking, seen in 2015

Pictured: Medals given to Professor Hawking, including the White House Millennium Council brooch, the Papal Medal and the Companion of The Order of The British Empire

Prof Hawking, one of the most renowned scientists in his field, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 1964 at the age of 22 and given just a few years to live.

The father of three was later confined to a wheelchair and relied on a computer to communicate, but continued to travel the world to present lectures and further scientific knowledge.

He inspired the masses with his insight, humour and success against the odds with MND, which left him nearly totally paralysed.

He died at the age of 76 in March 2018 and his ashes were interred in Westminster Abbey alongside Sir Isaac Newton.

Other objects saved include Professor Hawking's personal library, scientific bets signed with his thumbprint, a copy of his PhD thesis (pictured, bottom, with another of his works, 'Singularities and the Geometry of Space-Time') and memorabilia from his remarkable life

'Stephen Hawkings incredible discoveries made an unforgettable impact on the world,' said UK Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage.

'The Science Museum and Cambridge University Library are fitting homes for his lifetime of work on the frontier of modern science.'

'Thanks to the generosity of his family, this extraordinary collection can now be displayed to the public where it will inspire curious minds for years to come.'

Following the display next year of a curated selection of items from Professor Hawking's office, the full set of his belongings will be made available digitally to the public via the Science Museum Group's online collection.

'Thanks to the generosity of his family, this extraordinary collection can now be displayed to the public where it will inspire curious minds for years to come,' said UK Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage. Pictured: a bet on the existence of a black hold at Cygnus X-1 between Professor Hawking and his friend and colleague, theoretical physicist Kip Thorne
Last summer, as tensions rose over the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, store owners in New York boarded up their businesses in anticipation of rioting or looting.

Now, weeks after former officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of Floyd's murder, a a group of artists have taken the wooden planks used to board up those shops and transformed them into outdoor art.

The artists were chosen from among 200 entrants to participate in the 'Plywood Protection Project,' using some 200 pieces of plywood sourced from local stores.

Their sculptures address a variety of issues, from Black Lives Matter to the return of public performance in the wake of COVID-19.

As tensions rose over police violence in the summer of 2020, many high-end New York businesses boarded up their storefronts. Now an art nonprofit has repurposed those plywood planks into political art

Sponsored by Worthless Studio, the 'Plywood Protection Project' features five sculptures, each made from dozens of plywood boards sourced from local businesses.

The combination of pandemic lockdowns and Black Lives Matter protests last June saw businesses across New York close up shop and board their windows with plywood planks.

'The communal slow-down that resulted shifted our focus away from all of life's minutiae and helped give rise to a powerful Black Lives Matter movement centered on the continued killings of innocent Black lives,' Worthless Studios said in a statement.

'In the summer of 2020 we finally left our homes to fight for racial justice while retailers, restaurants and luxury brands boarded up their windows.'

The city 'felt apocalyptic,' Worthless founder Neil Hamamoto told The Art Newspaper.

Be Heard, Behin Ha Design Studio's sculpture for the Plywood Protection Project, is a large-scale plywood megaphone. Plywood panels were arranged to create the conical form of a megaphone

'The stark contrast of boarded-up buildings opposed to the typical dreamy transparent retail windows was the visual roadblock that sparked the project.'

Founded in 2016, Worthless Studios is a nonprofit arts organization that provides space, materials, resources and technical assistance to aspiring artists to help them create engaging public art.

'An artist myself, I am aware of the artists' struggles for access to materials. The pandemic made everything worse,' Hamamoto told Metropolis.

RockIt Black by sculptor Tanda Francis is dedicated to undoing the stigmatization of Blackness by presenting Black identities as divine, with depictions of the African goddesses Mami Wata, and Oshun

'On top of the difficulties to pay studio rent and show work when galleries were closed, the artists had their access to materials halted.'

The project also draws attention to the soaring price of plywood: in March 2020, a 4' x 8' sheet went for about $38.

By April 2021, it had shot up to $96 a sheet, a 252 percent price hike, according to PolitiFact, 'on one of the most used pieces of common lumber for construction.'

'As businesses protected their storefronts with plywood due to the pandemic and the protests, worthless studios saw an opportunity to protect the plywood itself,' the studio said.

Hamamoto collected more than 200 boards and put out an open call for artists to submit proposals for works, thereby 'extending and repurposing the life of this material.'

Selected by an industry jury from among more than 200 applications, five artists were given studio space, tools, fabrication and installation assistance, along with a $500 material budget and a $2,000 stipend.

Michael Zelehoski's Plywood Protection Project work, Miguelitos, combines the concept of an obelisk with that of a caltrop, a spiked, metal object protestors throw in the path of oncoming cop cars

Their pieces, each of which used between 20 and 70 plywood boards taken from local businesses, were unveiled last week.

One is stationed in a green space in each borough and will remain on site until November 1.

On view in Thomas Paine Park in Tribeca, Be Heard by Behin Ha Design Studio, is a large-scale plywood megaphone.

Tony DiBernado's Plywood Protection Project sculpture, Open Stage, takes the form of a stage where local theater workers will have a chance to perform outdoors - in some cases for the first time in over a year."

Plywood panels are arranged to create the conical form of the megaphone and assembled to create the structural framework that holds it up.

RockIt Black by sculptor Tanda Francis in Queensbridge Park is dedicated to undoing the stigmatization of Blackness by presenting Black identities as divine, with depictions of the African goddesses Mami Wata and Oshun.

In Honor of Black Lives Matter by KaNSiteCurators and Caroline Mardok, in the Bronx's Poe Park, features multiple plywood cut-outs of Black Lives Matter protestors.

'As people walk through the portals they're transported into the energy of the protests of 2020: the unified experience of citizens across ethnicities and genders fighting for freedom and justice for Black lives,' the artists explain.

In Honor of Black Lives Matter by KaNSiteCurators and Caroline Mardok, in the Bronx's Poe Park, features multiple plywood cut-outs of Black Lives Matter protestors.

In Brooklyn's McCarren Park, Michael Zelehoski's Plywood Protection Project work, "Miguelitos," combines the concept of an obelisk with that of a caltrop, a spiked, metal object protestors throw in the path of oncoming cop cars.

Zelehoski first encountered caltrops, or "Miguelitos" as they're called in Chile, during protests against Pinochet in the 1980s.

Tony DiBernardo's Open Stage, on view at Staten Island's Alice Austen House, takes the form of a stage where local actors will have a chance to perform outdoors in some cases for the first time in over a year.

'I wanted to create a work that could capture and reflect on how this affects theater artists, while also embracing and preparing New York for the future,' DiBernardo said.

Worthless Studios is also working with various cultural institutions to supplement the exhibit with public programs, including readings and live performances.
As NASA attempts to return to the moon in 2024, the U.S. space agency has tasked Lockheed Martin and General Motors to create a new electric, autonomous lunar rover.

The rover will use GM's autonomous driving technology and allow it to go 'significantly farther' than the ones the auto maker worked on during the Apollo program, some 50 years ago.

Though the rover is still in the planning stages, both companies highlighted that it is imperative it allows astronauts to traverse difficult terrains of the lunar south pole, which could hold a number of interesting discoveries, including water.

A concept of what the Lockheed Martin-GM rover might look like on the moon's south pole

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE LUNAR SOUTH POLE? The lunar south pole is a site of interest for scientists and agencies planning crewed missions to the Moon. This is because water ice has been found in shadowed areas in that region with craters that never get sunlight. The rims of craters at the pole are exposed to near constant sunlight but the interiors are in permanent darkness, shaded from sunlight for billions of years. The water ice and volatile deposits are found in the cold traps that are shaded from sunlight. There have been orbital observations of the region including by NASA, India, Russia and China with the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mapping the entire region to help future astronauts. NASA plans to land the first woman and next man in the lunar south pole region as part of the first crewed landing since 1972. They will touch down in 2024, a year after a rover lands to take samples of the water ice and scout the terrain. Advertisement

'Surface mobility is critical to enable and sustain long-term exploration of the lunar surface,' Rick Ambrose, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Space, said in a statement.

'These next-generation rovers will dramatically extend the range of astronauts as they perform high-priority science investigation on the Moon that will ultimately impact humanity's understanding of our place in the solar system.'

Surface temperatures on the south pole of the moon can be wide-ranging.

They can reach as high as 260 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and as cold as negative 280 degrees Fahrenheit at night.

So far, China is the only country that has put a lander on the far side of the moon.

GM's history as a NASA contractor goes back to Apollo program, more than 50 years ago.

Not only did it work on the inertial guidance and navigation systems for the entire Apollo Moon program, but it also worked as a subcontractor for Boeing on the electric Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), used during the Apollo 15-17 missions.

'General Motors made history by applying advanced technologies and engineering to support the Lunar Rover Vehicle that the Apollo 15 astronauts drove on the Moon,' Alan Wexler, senior vice president of Innovation and Growth at General Motors, explained.

Those rovers only traveled 4.7 miles (7.6 kilometers) from the landing site, but the new rover will travel around the moon's cold, dark south pole, with its difficult terrain.

'Working together with Lockheed Martin and their deep-space exploration expertise, we plan to support American astronauts on the Moon once again,' Wexler added.

The U.S. space agency sent a notice to companies earlier this year asking for a 'human-class rover that will extend the exploration range' for astronauts in the Artemis program.

An lllustration of NASA astronauts on the lunar South Pole

The lander will have room for at least two astronauts, along 1,102 pounds worth of cargo, according to The Verge.

The news comes just days after NASA said it will send a rover to the Moon in 2023 to scout potential landing sites for a crewed Artemis mission.

It will send the $433.5 million (306 million) rover, named VIPER, to explore the lunar south pole, where it will look for water ice and other resources that could be harvested by humans and scout the terrain for a future crewed mission.




Kate Ferdinand has confirmed she has no plans to have more children any time soon, insisting she would be a 'madwoman' to do so after giving birth to son Cree in December.

The former TOWIE star, 29, who is also a stepmother to husband Rio Ferdinand's three children, Lorenz, 14, Tate, 12, and Tia, nine, asserted she doesn't need 'any more tears' in the bustling household.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, she also highlighted the importance of being candid and honest about motherhood in the face of unrealistic standards perpetuated on social media.

Not happening: Kate Ferdinand has confirmed she has no plans to have more children any time soon, insisting she would be a 'madwoman' to do so after giving birth to son Cree in December

'I think four is enough, theres already a lot going on and lots of crying,' she said. 'It's a busy house. So I think I'd be a madwoman if I wanted anymore! Four is plenty for now.'

Content with her current family set-up, she gushed over her husband, 42, and said: 'Rio has been amazing with Cree, he's a wonderful dad, the kids love having the little one too!'

Kate has been open about the challenges she has faced since welcoming Cree, as she admitted earlier this month that exhaustion and anxiety had reached an 'all-time-high' following the birth.

The mother needed an emergency caesarean section while in labour, which she is still recovering from after not being able to walk for six weeks.

Hands full: The former TOWIE star is also a stepmother to Lorenz, 14, Tate, 12, and Tia, nine - husband Rio Ferdinand's three children with late wife Rebecca

According to Kate, the difficulties she has faced as a parent aren't always truthfully portrayed or discussed on social media.

She said: 'Its important to be honest on Instagram and share your feelings, even if Im feeling down, emotional or haven't managed to do something that I was planning on doing.

'I feel like a lot of the time, people arent open, especially when it comes to pregnancy or becoming a new mum. They always want to put up the best picture without showing the reality.

Open and honest: Kate has highlighted the importance of being candid about motherhood in the face of unrealistic standards perpetuated on social media

'I used to put a pressure on myself to look a certain way and to keep on top of my fitness, but I feel like Im a lot more comfortable now being open and honest with myself.

'Theres so many bits of advice I feel like I missed out on during pregnancy which people just dont talk about, like having a C-section.

'It is a major surgery and because it was an emergency operation, it was traumatic and a lot to heal from. I am just trying to listen to my body and accept the changes.

Old times: The reality star shot to fame on The Only Way Is Essex in 2015 (pictured on the show with former co-stars Danielle Armstrong and Chloe Lewis)

'I used to love being on top of my fitness but now I have to let myself heal and not rush things. I dont need to beat myself up about it.'

The reality star shot to fame on The Only Way Is Essex in 2015 before turning her back on the limelight in 2017 after sparking up a romance with former Manchester United and England legend Rio.

While she is known for her incredibly stylish outfits and impeccable appearance, both on and off the show, Kate insists she doesn't always have time to dress up and is happy rocking a make-up free, laid-back look.

Fresh start, new chapter: Kate turned her back on the limelight in 2017 after sparking up a romance with former Manchester United and England legend Rio

She continued: 'I think people have this perception that Im glamorous all the time because of what they see on Instagram, but a lot of the time I like to just wear comfortable clothes, no make-up and Im rushing around looking after the kids. You dont need to be glamorous all the time and thats OK too.

'You dont realise how tired you will become [having a baby]! I knew with having three older kids it can be tiring but being a mum to a newborn is a whole new level.'

Kate added that she sometimes struggles to find time for herself, but thinks it's important to maintain some sort of balance.

Speaking out: According to Kate, the difficulties she has faced as a parent aren't always truthfully portrayed or discussed on social media

She continued: 'I think when he goes to sleep it is a good time to do something for myself. I also try to make sure I spend time with the other kids too, they dont want to be attending baby classes and theres certain activities they want to do.'

Speaking of her first night out in a year with friends in April, she continued: 'I had a great time, it was so nice to catch up with all the girls because I havent seen anyone in so long, so it was nice to feel a sense of normality.

'It was something we had taken for granted before and now we realise how important it is to have that time with your friends.'

Be yourself: 'I feel like a lot of the time, people arent open, especially when it comes to pregnancy or becoming a new mum. They always want to put up the best picture without showing the reality,' she said

Embracing her life as a mother to a tiny tot, Kate has teamed up with WaterWipes, which she credits for reducing Cree's nappy rash.

Speaking about her staple baby products, she said: 'I religiously use WaterWipes, they are now clinically proven as the No.1 wipe against nappy rash.

'I want to use the purest ingredients for Cree and it means hes less likely to get nappy rash and, if he does, it doesnt last as long compared to other brands, which for me is a no brainer!'

Kate is working with WaterWipes as they announce they are now clinically proven as the No.1 wipe against nappy rash, for more information go to the WaterWipes website.
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She lives in a gated compound in trendy Venice Beach that she purchased a couple of years ago for $5 million.

And now Margot Robbie had listed for sale a smaller property she owns in LA's upscale Hancock Park neighborhood, THR.com reported Tuesday.

The Australian actress, 30, is asking a shade under $3.5 million for the two-story residence which she bought new in 2017, shortly after her marriage to British filmmaker Tom Ackerley.

Margot Robbie has listed a four-bedroom home she owns in LA's upscale Hancock Park neighborhood for sale at $3.475 million after paying $2.725 million for it in 2017

Robbie, 30, and husband Tom Ackerley live in a Venice Beach compound they purchased for $5 million a couple of years ago

The white clapboard home offers about 3,400-square-feet of living space on a tiny .15 acre lot.

Situated behind a high wall and security gates, the two-story residence is secluded and private.

It also includes a camera-equipped security system.

There are four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms in the home.

The main floor boasts a formal living room/foyer and a formal dining room, each with marble fireplaces.

The ceiling are high, the floors are made from European oak and there's plenty of designer tile.

The 3,400-square-foot residence features European hardwood floors, high ceilings and an open plan main area that includes a foyer, kitchen and informal dining area

The living room adjoining the foyer has a marble fireplace and steel and glass doors that open onto the small backyard

The high-end kitchen includes a marble sink, top-of-the-range stainless steel appliances and a breakfast counter that seats six

There's a formal dining room with a large chandelier and other amenities include a wine cellar and a separate 'pet room'

Amenities include a wine cellar under the stairs and a separate pet room with its own door to the outside.

The high-end kitchen includes a marble sink and breakfast counter that seats six.

One bedroom and bathroom is located on the ground floor.

The main suite on the upper floor has a marble bath, a walk-in closet and a small balcony.

The main suite is located on the upper floor of the two-story home and it includes a balcony with room to relax

The adjoining bathroom has a tub, shower and marbles fixtures

Two guest bedrooms on the upper floor also have en-suite bathrooms. A fourth bedroom and bath are located on the ground floor

Two guest bedrooms have en-suite baths and there's also a laundry room on the upper floor.

While the grounds are compact, there is a swimming pool and spa as well as a cabana with a bar and a half bath.

Robbie found fame in Hollywood with Suicide Squad and I, Tonya.

She's gone on to star in Mary, Queen of Scots, Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood and Bombshell and has been nominated twice for an Academy Award.

The property sits on a tiny .15-acre lot yet there is a swimming pool and spa as well as a cabana with a bar and a half bath
Bella Thorne has been keeping it steamy during her bikini-clad vacation in Miami.

The 23-year-old former Disney star has been flaunting her incredible figure in a series of two-piece bathing suits on social media.

'Miamiiiii i wanna see you shake it,' she captioned a Reel posted to her Instagram account on Tuesday showing the actress in ab-baring white swimwear.

Flaunting: Bella Thorne, 23, has been flaunting her incredible figure during her vacation to Miami

She unzipped her long-sleeve top to reveal a bit of cleavage as she posed in the clear blue water.

Her taut tummy was on full display in the high cut bottoms, which hugged just above her hips with a black lining.

The Shake It Up performer's leggy body was highlighted as drops of water could be seen falling off of her.

Her signature fiery locks were pulled back into a wet updo to reveal her fully made-up face.

'Shake it': 'Miamiiiii i wanna see you shake it,' the former Disney star captioned a Reel posted to her Instagram account on Tuesday showing the actress in ab-baring white swimwear

Unzipped: She unzipped her long-sleeve top to reveal a bit of cleavage as she posed in the clear blue water, while her taut tummy was on full display in the high cut bottoms, which hugged just above her hips with a black lining

She sported a dazzling pair of gold earrings, as well as an array of additional accessories that included numerous blinging rings, bracelets and two watches.

'whos still streaming the song?? comment a [wave emoji] and I just might send you a special something from the video...,' she also wrote alongside the clip, which was soundtracked by her song Shake It.

Last week, the eccentric fashionista shared two images on Instagram showing her sunbathing in a red string number.

'Just a couple of peaches,' she captioned the cheeky snaps taken on the top of a small yacht.

Sunbathing: Last week, the eccentric fashionista shared two images on Instagram showing her sunbathing in a red string number

'Peaches': 'Just a couple of peaches,' she captioned the cheeky snaps taken on the top of a small yacht

Her red tresses were swept to the side and her body was arched in a sultry pose to allow her 24.5M followers to admire her as she basked in the golden rays.

Bella's pert backside was the focus of the pics as the revealing look helped her avoid any unwanted tanlines.

The former child star has continued to shed her 'good girl' image throughout the years, directing adult content for OnlyFans and even snagging a Pornhub award in 2019.

Thorne has been in the throws of pre-marital bliss with her Italian musician fiance Benjamin Mascolo, 27, who popped the question in late March with a pear shaped sparkler.

Off the market: She has been in the throws of pre-marital bliss with her Italian musician fiance Benjamin, 27, who popped the question in late March with a pear shaped sparkler; pictured April 25

Engagement party: The couple of two years celebrated properly with an elaborate party a month later at Employees Only in Los Angeles where she turned heads in a dramatic red gown

The duo had been dating for two years before they took their relationship to the next level, and they have worked on a series of creative projects together including a film in Rome last fall.

Though the pandemic caused a physical strain on time together due to lockdown restrictions, they reunited in Mexico over the summer where they enjoyed a few extended vacations after five months apart.

And after he popped the question with an extravagant display of red roses and a huge sign that read 'Marry Me,' they celebrated properly with an elaborate party a month later at Employees Only in Los Angeles.

Naturally Benjamin joined Bella in Miami where the two were seen partying until 5AM earlier this month per Page Six sources, as they hit up Prime 112 and the nightclub E11EVEN where they splashed out on two private tables.

'The entire crew was raging all night and was seated right in the main action of the nightclub. They had a huge parade of alcohol to their table that included Dom Perignon Rose, E11EVEN Vodka, and Casamigos Tequila,' said an insider.
Kanye West is currently in the midst of a divorce from his wife of six years Kim Kardashian, which was announced in February.

But the 43-year-old rapper is reportedly romantically linked to Russian supermodel Irina Shayk, 35, according to Instagram-based celebrity gossip site DeuxMoi.

'Kanye West is now secretly dating Irina Shayk aka Bradley Cooper's baby mama,' a tipster wrote in.

Moving on? Kanye West has been reportedly romantically linked to Russian supermodel Irina Shayk, 35, amid his divorce from estranged wife Kim Kardashian; Kanye and Kim pictured in 2019

The anonymous figure behind DeuxMoi replied to the tip with: 'After further looking into this, I don't know if "dating" is the right word, but there is perhaps some interest there.'

Seeming to double down on earlier 'dating claims,' another tipster insisted to DeuxMoi that Irina and Kanye ''Def dating.'

Though the pairing may appear random to some, Irina and Kanye have been connected for more than a decade.

Back in 2010, the runway maven was a featured player in West's Heaven-inspired Power music video, where she portrayed an angel.

'Kanye West is now secretly dating Irina Shayk aka Bradley Cooper's baby mama,' a tipster recently wrote into the Instagram-based celebrity gossip site DeuxMoi

Specifically, Shayk sported a revealing gold getup and a pair of CGI angel wings.

Just two years later, the Russian-born beauty put her modeling skills to the test as she graced the runway for West's Fall/Winter fashion collection at Paris Fashion Week.

Another link between the pair occurred as recent as last month, with Irina having sported a DMX shirt designed by West in collaboration with Balenciaga.

Famously, Irina was romantically involved with actor Bradley Cooper, whom she shares four-year-old daughter Lea De Seine with.

Connections: Though the pairing may appear random to some, Irina and Kanye have been connected for more than a decade

Power: Back in 2010, the runway maven was a featured player in West's Heaven-inspired Power music video, where she portrayed an angel

Irina and Bradley began seeing each other in 2015 and moved quickly with their relationship, as they welcomed Lea two years after they initially met.

Although the two were often spotted together in public over the next few years, their partnership came to an end in 2019.

Cooper and Shayk have remained on good terms, and the actor moved to New York City in order to be closer to his daughter and former girlfriend.

Prior to beginning a relationship with the A Star Is Born director, she was in a high-profile relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo for several years.

Angelic: Specifically, Shayk sported a revealing gold getup and a pair of CGI angel wings

Fashion: Irina has found herself intertwined with Kanye's fashion endeavors over the years, first appearing a fashion show for the rapper in 2012 before rocking his Balenciaga collaboration in April 2021

Kanye's nearly seven year marriage to Kim Kardashian came to an end in February, with the reality TV sensation filing for divorce.

According to People, the Stronger rapper filed his response for divorce in early April, where he asked for joint legal and physical custody of their children.

The estranged pair share daughters North, seven, Chicagos, three, and sons Saint, five, and Psalm, two.

The source also stated that, despite any rumored tension between Kim and Kanye, their divorce proceedings are going 'smoothly.'

Former flame: Famously, Irina was romantically involved with actor Bradley Cooper; Irina and Bradley pictured in 2018

Co-parenting: Irina shares four-year-old daughter Lea De Seine with Bradley; Irina and Lea pictured on May 19

They continued: 'Kim and Kanye are getting along. They have both stayed true to their commitment to make the best situation for the kids.

'Kim is very happy that they have managed to keep things calm,' the source claimed, adding that Kardashian thinks West is 'a good dad' and that she wants him 'to be able to spend as much time with the kids as he wants.'

The insider added that Kim 'seems happier' 'for every week that goes by since she filed for divorce.'

Divorce: Kanye's nearly seven year marriage to Kim Kardashian came to an end in February, with the reality TV sensation filing for divorce; Kim and Kanye pictured in 2016

Joint custody: According to People, the Stronger rapper filed his response for divorce in early April, where he asked for joint legal and physical custody of their children

She 'known that filing for divorce was the right decision. The kids are doing as she could hope.'

After her February filing, Kim and the children have continued to stay at their $60 million Hidden Hills mansion she previously shared with Kanye.

Although the source added that Kim is 'not looking for anyone right now', they continued: 'She's not looking to jump into anything but is keeping an open mind.'

It comes after it was recently reported that Kanye is looking to date an 'artist and creative person' once their divorce is made final.

Smoothly: The source also stated that, despite any rumored tension between Kim and Kanye, their divorce proceedings are going 'smoothly'; Kim and Kanye pictured in 2019

Kim and Kanye were friends for years, with Kim even marrying Kris Humphries in 2011 and divorcing him 72 days later during their friendship.

Kim and Kanye became romantic in spring 2012 and got married on May 24, 2014 in Florence, Italy after enjoying celebrations in Paris, France.

Just this past weekend, Kardashian sparked romance rumors of her own as she was spotted arriving to 'mysterious' London billionaire Jamie Reuben's star studded birthday bash in Beverly Hills.

The swanky bash took place one day before her seventh wedding anniversary to Kanye.
She announced her departure from Radio 1 last month.

And Annie Mac looked radiant in an all-green pant suit for the launch of her debut novel Mother Mother just hours after she appeared on the One Show discussing her reasons for saying goodbye to her popular show.

The DJ, 42, was glowing at the event, held at The Standard in London on Tuesday, accessorising her suit with a pair of white trainers and a yellow and green clutch bag.

Dazzling: Annie Mac, 42, was glowing as she attended the launch of her new book Mother Mother in London on Tuesday

Annie was joined by several famous radio faces for the launch, including pal Nick Grimshaw, 36, who wore a show-stopping orange printed button-up shirt and jeans.

Other well known names who attended were Radio 2 presenters Sara Cox, 46, who wore a pair of blue jeans and a black blazer for the outing and Jeremy Vine, 56, who also wore a jacket and blue trousers.

Earlier this week The Times reported Annie, and her husband Toddla T, had both made the decision to take a step back from radio to spend more time with their two sons, aged four and seven.

Famous faces: Annie was joined by several famous radio famous for the launch including Nick Grimshaw who wore a show-stopping orange printed button-up shirt and jeans (pictured)

In an interview, the mother-of-two, whose youngest child is starting school in September, explained the lockdown had given them new insight and they decided they wanted a change from the 'chaos' of their busy schedules.

'Id been thinking for a long time about being able to be there and have dinner with them and put them to bed, about doing a different radio show or a different thing,' she said.

Speaking about the effect the pandemic had on her outlook, she added: 'I was more aware of the kids than Ive ever been. Normally Im away DJing at weekends. Now I was zooming in on them. I could watch them grow every day, like the tulips outside.

Proud parents: Earlier this week it was reported Annie and her husband Toddla T, decided to take a step back from radio to spend more time with their two sons, aged four and seven

Moving on: The mother-of-two, whose youngest child is starting school in September, explained the lockdown had given them new insigh

'This sounds mad, but for the first part of my kids lives, up to this year, I had childcare because we both worked full-time and we were really just blagging it as parents. But for the first time this year Ive properly started to keep house.'

She also opened up about her awareness that people were waiting in the wings eager to take over her show and started to become insecure that she was not able to do listeners and artists 'justice' due to her hectic schedule.

Annie then elaborated on her decision to leave Radio 1 as she appeared on Tuesday's episode of The One Show.

Annie said: 'The thinking was, I've just had the best time and I really wanted to leave Radio 1 feeling like everything was brilliant about my time there and I wanted them to feel that too.

'It's the idea of leaving a party when you're having the best time. I'm conscious of Radio 1 being a place that is, I don't feel like you have to grow out of or too old of music, its ageless, I just feel like I'm ready for a change.'

Chic: Annie (pictured with Sara Cox) rocked an all-green pant suit at her book launch, accessorising the look with a pair of white trainers and a yellow and green clutch bag

Star-studded: Other well known names who attended the event, which took place after Annie appeared on The One Show, were Radio 2 presenters Sara Cox and Jeremy Vine (pictured)

But Annie was quick to reassure viewers that she plans to return to radio at some point after taking a break and figuring out what her next show might look like.

In April Annie announced she planned to leave BBC Radio 1 after 17 years, amid several line-up changes at the station.

Confirming her departure, the DJ told listeners her job at the broadcaster has been like a 'second home', as Clara Amfo has been revealed as her replacement on BBC Radio 1's flagship music show, Radio 1's Future Sounds.

Statement: Annie took to Twitter and wrote a statement about her decision to leave Radio 1 in April saying she wants to spend more time with her two children

Message: The Irish DJ, whose full name is Annie MacManus, added that she likes the idea of leaving her gig while she is 'still having the most fun I can have'

She said: 'After 17 wonderful years I have decided it's time to leave Radio 1. This second home has been the thread that has run through nearly my whole adult life; I have grown up, fallen in and out of love, moved homes, climbed up the career ladder, got married and become a mother twice over.

'I have done this alongside you, my listeners, who have done your own versions of the same. I will be forever grateful to you all for welcoming me into your days.

'I have never not walked out of the studio feeling lighter and happier than when I walked in, and that is all down to you.

'Working at Radio 1 has been like being at the best party ever and it is a wonderful feeling to be leaving with a huge smile on my face. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!'

Annie later took to Twitter and wrote a statement about her decision to leave, saying she wants to spend more time with her two children who she shares with her husband and fellow BBC Radio 1 DJ Toddla T.

New gig: Clara Amfo has been confirmed as the host of BBC Radio 1's flagship new music show, Radio 1's Future Sounds

She wrote: 'It's hard to articulate what this job has meant to me. It started with Annie Mac's Mashup on Thursday evenings. Then it was the big move to Fridays.

'Sunday nights was Switch with Grimmy and then The Musical Hot Water Bottle. Since March 2015 it has been every weeknight with the flagship new music show.

'I'm still in awe of the magic of music radio. Of the responsibility of handling these songs that are so powerful they can stop you in your tracks and make your emotions soar.

'I have never not walked out the studio feeling lighter and happier than when I walked in. So why leave? It's all about time really.

'I need more time to see my kids in the evenings now they are both in school. I would like more time to write fiction and to create podcasts.'

BBC Radio 1's line-up changes Annie Mac leaves the station after 17 years and is replaced on Future Sounds by Clara Amfo. Clara is set to present Future Sounds from Monday to Thursday 6pm to 8pm starting in September. Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges will take on Live Lounge from Monday to Thursday from 10:30am to 1pm. Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges Radio 1's Future Artists with Jack Saunders is moving to an earlier slot of 8am-10am Monday to Wednesday. Danny Howard, who joined Radio 1 after winning the station's Superstar DJ talent competition back in 2011, will take over as host of Radio 1's Dance Party on Fridays at 6pm. Newbies: Jack Saunders and Danny Howard are in the shake-up Jaguar has landed her own show on the station, hosting Radio 1 Dance from 10 to 11pm on Thursdays . Sarah Story will front the Friday night 8 to 10pm slot to present Radio 1 Future Dance. Signing: Jaguar and Sarah Story have signed up The station will also be bidding farewell to Diplo, who currently occupies 11pm  1am on Saturday nights with Diplo and Friends. Radio 1's Soundsystem will move to occupy the slot on Saturday evenings, 11pm  1am, while Radio 1's Residency will move to Thursdays 11  1pm. The station will also be bidding farewell to Diplo, who currently occupies 11pm  1am on Saturday nights with Diplo and Friends Advertisement

The Irish DJ, whose full name is Annie MacManus, added that she likes the idea of leaving her gig while she is 'still having the most fun I can have'.

She wrote: 'I also love the idea of leaving the party (and make no mistake, working at Radio 1 does feel like a party) with a huge smile on my ace, when I'm still having the most fun I can have.'

'In my time on Radio 1, I have fallen in and out of love, moved homes, climbed up the career ladder, got married and become a mother twice over, alongside you doing your versions of the same.

'Thank you for allowing me into your lives. Thank you for brightening my days. Thank you thank you thank you for listening.'

Annie was earning an annual salary of between 170,000-174,999 from 2019 to 2020 while Clara was said to have made between 155,000-159,999 in the same year.

Clara is set to present Future Sounds from Monday to Thursday 6pm to 8pm starting in September.

The former Strictly star previously presented The Official Chart and Live Lounge on the station and said she is 'beyond honoured' to start her new gig.

Taking to Instagram, she shared a snap of herself and Annie in the Radio 1 studio as she thanked the producers she has worked with on Live Lounge.

New role: Clara previously presented The Official Chart and Live Lounge on the station and said she is 'beyond honoured' to start her new gig

She said in a statement: 'How we all look @anniemacmanus TBH Presenting mid mornings and The Live Lounge on @bbcradio1 has been one of the most edifying and special times of my career and personal life.

'As a nation of music lovers, the experience of it live is nothing short of magical and to have had the honour of welcoming some of the world's most beloved and emerging artists in to The Live Lounge has created unifying moments that I and the listeners will never forget!!

'I am beyond honoured and ready to start this exciting new chapter on Radio 1. I'm such a fan of this show, the artists that is has championed and to be receiving the baton from Annie who I love and respect makes it extra special for me.

'Massive congrats to@rickiehw @melvinodoom @charliehedgesdj I love you 3 deep and you are gonna have THE most fun in the daytime!

'Massive big up to every single one of my daytime producers and The Live Lounge/smug life listener crew, I have loved hearing your stories and enjoying keeping you company with tunes in daytime and look forward to continuing that in September, so see you a few hours later!'

Exciting: Clara is set to present Future Sounds from Monday to Thursday 6pm to 8pm starting in September

Other changes at the station include Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges taking on Live Lounge while Radio 1's Future Artists with Jack Saunders is moving to an earlier slot of 8am-10am, Monday to Wednesday.

On hosting Live Lounge, Rickie, Melvin and Charlie said: 'To be given the opportunity to present the Live Lounge is just an absolute dream, a show we all adore and have so much love, passion and respect for.

'Celebrating great artists playing their new and live music on Radio 1 is a huge honour and we can't wait to put our RMC twist on it! Much love to Clara who has done an amazing job over the years and thank you for passing the baton - we promise not to break it!'

Meanwhile, Sian Eleri is set to host a brand new show called Radio 1's Powerdown Playlist from Monday to Wednesday between 10 and 11pm.

Annie said: 'In my time on Radio 1, I have fallen in and out of love, moved homes, climbed up the career ladder, got married and become a mother twice over, alongside you doing your versions of the same'

Danny Howard, who joined Radio 1 after winning the station's Superstar DJ talent competition back in 2011, will take over Annie's other hosting slot on Radio 1's Dance Party on Fridays at 6pm.

Jaguar has landed her own show on the station, hosting Radio 1 Dance from 10 to 11pm on Thursdays.

Sarah Story will front the Friday night 8 to 10pm slot to present Radio 1 Future Dance.

The station will also be bidding farewell to Diplo, who currently occupies 11pm  1am on Saturday nights with Diplo and Friends.

Radio 1's Soundsystem will move to occupy the slot on Saturday evenings, 11pm  1am, while Radio 1's Residency will move to Thursdays 11  1pm.
American actress Jenna Dewan is currently in Australia shooting a new project.

And during her downtime between filming, the 40-year-old has been enjoying herself with trips to various tourist destinations.

Photos on her Instagram account show the star at Werribee Open Range Zoo, Mount Egerton and many other places.

All smiles: Jenna Dewan was all smiles as she posed next to a koala

In one photo, her daughter Evie feeds a kangaroo.

'Australian bucket list check off begins.....! Evie found out today she is a kangaroo whisperer. Best day,' she captioned it.

In another image, Jenna puckers up and kisses a koala, writing in the caption: 'I have died and gone to heaven.'

'Best day': In one photo, her daughter Evie feeds a kangaroo at the zoo

'A huge thank you to @therookeepers for making our Australian animal dreams come true today!' she wrote next to another photo.

'And thank you for all you do to educate others and rehabilitate the animals.'

Jenna is currently Down Under with daughter Evie and husband Steve Kazee to film the reality competition show Come Dance With Me.

'I have died and gone to heaven': In another image, Jenna puckers up and kisses a koala

A dingo's got my Jenna! The actress got up close and personal with an Aussie dog

Despite being filmed in Australia, Come Dance With Me is an American series that will air on CBS.

The family-friendly show will feature ex-dancer Jenna as a judge, while NCIS: Los Angeles co-stars LL Cool J and Chris ODonnell will serve as executive producers.

The Step Up star was previously married to Channing Tatum from 2009 to 2019.
A man accused of stalking Kendall Jenner that allegedly went for a naked swim at her house in Los Angeles, while she was at home at the time, has been sentenced to jail time.

According to TMZ, suspect Shaquan King took a plea deal on Tuesday, pleading no contest to one count of trespassing and one count of loitering with the intent of committing a crime.

King, 27, has been sentenced to 180 days in county jail. Last month, King was ordered by a Los Angeles judge to stay more than 100 feet away from Jenner, along with her sister Kylie Jenner and mother Kris Jenner.

Busted: Kendall Jenner's alleged stalker who went for a NUDE swim at her house while she was home is sentenced to 180 days in county jail (model pictured above last month)

King managed to get onto Kendall Jenner's property in late March, when he proceeded to get naked and jump in her pool.

He also banged on windows in her home before Jenner's private security apprehended him.

While King was arrested by Los Angeles police, his jail stay was brief, reportedly only six hours, due to COVID-19 protocols.

Stalker: King managed to get onto Kendall Jenner's property in late March, when he proceeded to get naked and jump in her pool

Then just a day and a half after his release, he made his way to Kylie Jenner's gated community and was arrested for felony stalking.

King is now forbidden from contacting all three of the Jenner's, 'directly or indirectly, in any way, shape or form.'

He is also forbidden from getting near all of their homes, workplaces and vehicles for the next five years.

King was not present at the hearing, with Jenner represented by her attorney, Kate Mangels.

Earlier this year, Jenner was also awarded a five-year restraining order against stalker Maik Bowker.

Jenner's other stalker, Bowker, allegedly planned to drive across the country and buy an illegal firearm to kill both the supermodel, and himself.

She was tipped off to the plan by an LAPD detective and went to court to attain the restraining order, which she was granted.

Security: The 25-year-old supermodel was granted yet another five-year restraining order against a 27-year-old man named Shaquan King in April

Security: He also banged on windows in her home before Jenner's private security apprehended him

Another stalker: Jenner's other stalker, Bowker, allegedly planned to drive across the country and buy an illegal firearm to kill both the supermodel, and himself

Jenner has considerably beefed up her security after both incidents, and has even moved out of her home.

It was reported in late March that she was packing up and leaving her Beverly Hills home because there was too much risk staying there, despite adding more security.

She has since moved to an 'safe location with armed security, and while she has no plans on returning to the home, it's unclear if she's selling it.
RTHK: UK failed in Covid crisis, says PM's ex-chief adviser

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's former chief adviser said the government failed in the Covid-19 crisis and fell "disastrously short" of the standards the public had a right to expect during the most devastating global pandemic in decades.

With almost 128,000 deaths, the United Kingdom has the world's fifth worst official Covid toll, and Johnson was slow to appreciate the significance of the threat from the virus in early 2020 as it spread from China towards Britain's shores.

Dominic Cummings, the strategist behind the 2016 Brexit campaign and Johnson's landslide election win in 2019, began giving evidence to British lawmakers on the lessons that can be learned from the pandemic.

Cummings, who left the government late last year, has said the British health ministry was a "smoking ruin", that Western governments failed during the crisis, and that the secretive British state was woefully unprepared for the pandemic.

"The truth is that senior ministers, senior officials, senior advisers like me, fell disastrously short of the standards that the public has a right to expect of its government in a crisis like this," Cummings told lawmakers.

"When the public needed us most, the government failed," he said. "I think it's obvious that the Western world, including Britain, just completely failed to see the smoke until the alarm bells in January, there's no doubt about it."

Cummings casts the British state as an outdated system run by incompetent amateurs who are resistant to any innovation that would bring them closer to the modern world.

British officials, he said, failed to learn the early Covid lessons from Asia, were resistant to new ideas from young scientists, overly secretive, overly bureaucratic and lacked any real scrutiny from a compliant domestic media.

Asked about Cummings' criticism, Johnson's spokesman said: "At all times we have been guided by the data and the latest evidence we had."

Johnson has admitted that mistakes were made and that lessons need to be learned, but his ministers say they were working at pace in the biggest public health crisis in a century.

Johnson has pointed to Britain's vaccination programme as a success that will allow the economy to rebound before its peers.

Britain has the world's fifth fastest vaccination programme, based on shots per 100 people, behind the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Bahrain and Chile. (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2021-05-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Singapore PM Lee says U.S., China must learn to cooperate

Xinhua) 10:10, May 26, 2021

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks during a live address to the nation in Singapore, June 23, 2020. (Ministry of Communications and Information of Singapore/Handout via Xinhua)

"So if the two countries clash, everything is to be lost," Lee said.

SINGAPORE, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The United States and China must learn to cooperate with each other for the benefit of the world, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said.

The impact would be felt broadly should relations sour between the two countries, Lee said, speaking virtually last week at the inaugural Global Forum on Economic Recovery hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

"You are going to have a state of tension -- anxiety at the very least and conflict possibly -- all over the world," Lee said.

Containers of China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited are seen at the Port of Long Beach in Los Angeles County, the United States, Feb. 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Both America and China are countries with huge economic power, high-tech and nuclear capabilities, and modernized armed forces, he pointed out.

"So if the two countries clash, everything is to be lost," he said.

Both countries must accept each other as they are, work together and find common ground for cooperation, the prime minister added.

Opportunities for cooperation include climate change, nuclear non-proliferation, and public health, Lee said.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
Nick Knowles won't be sacked from DIY SOS, the presenter has confirmed.

The 58-year-old was rumoured to be in trouble with the BBC after he appeared in a Shreddies commercial, threatening his 22-year tenure on the renovation show.

But, despite reportedly being in breach of strict advertising rules set by BBC bosses, the corporation appears to have made a U-turn on their stance.

Safe! Nick Knowles won't be sacked from DIY SOS, the presenter has confirmed

Nick told The Sun on Tuesday evening: 'I have always said that DIY SOS is more than just a presenting job for me, its part of me.

'It has my heart and working for the BBC for over 22 years is something I have never taken for granted.

'I will continue filming new episodes of DIY SOS over the coming months and will be back on your screens with the purple shirts next year.'

MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment.

Hot water: The 58-year-old was rumoured to be in trouble with the BBC after he appeared in a Shreddies commercial, threatening his 22-year tenure on the renovation show

Tense: The presenter was told by corporation bosses in a Zoom meeting last month he would have to get the ad pulled or quit DIY SOS, according to reports

Nick plays a jobbing builder in the advert - a move said to go against the BBC's ban on TV talent trading-off their on-screen personas.

But fans of the presenter, who once netted as much as 300,000 in one year from his BBC work, took to social media to defend the star.

Some even branded the BBC as 'inconsistent' for coming down on Knowles while allowing Match of the Day host Gary Lineker to continue advertising Walkers crisps.

One Twitter user said: 'This is ridiculous. What's the difference between Gary Lineker selling Walkers Crisps? Very inconsistent policy?'

Issues: MailOnline understands that the sticking point in the row is to do with the similarity between Knowles' character in the advert and his role as the presenter of DIY SOS

Another said: 'If you think Nick Knowles has broken rules flogging Shreddies, as you sacking Mr Lineker for the Walkers ads?

'I know which one is more watchable and does more good!'

One Twitter user added: 'The BBC are happy to allow an overpaid Gary Lineker to post his boring sanctimonious opinions on social media, but let's boot out Nick Knowles for doing a Shreddies advert.'

The section of BBC policy that Nick Knowles is suspected of falling foul of References to BBC Content in Advertisements 15.3.40: Advertisements or promotions involving talent should not imitate, suggest a reference or connection to or pass off BBC content, for example, by replicating any editorial elements of a programme, such as characters, logos, titles, channel names or music or graphics associated with the programme, or by using or directly imitating sets or key venues, catchphrases or format points from the content. Advertisements should not replicate or pass off the role the talent plays in the programme. There should not be use of more than one member of BBC talent from the same programme in any advertisement for a non-BBC-related product. It is unlikely to be acceptable for several members of talent from different BBC programmes to appear in the same advertisement. The advertisement should not bring the BBC into disrepute. Advertisement

During crunch Zoom meeting last month Nick was told by corporation bosses that he would have to get the ad taken off air or quit the show that helped launched his career.

However the presenter, who has dropped off the BBC's top earners list in recent years and has recently signed up for a new DIY show on Channel 5, is still displaying the 30-second advert at the top of his personal website.

MailOnline understands that the issue is the similarity between Knowles' character in the advert and his role as the presenter of DIY SOS - and whether it breaches a rule banning stars from replicating their BBC roles in commercials.

The broadcaster's strict rules state that any promotions involving on-screen talent should not 'imitate, suggest a reference or connection to or "pass off" BBC content'.

Meanwhile, a source told the Sun: 'Nick is in absolute torment about the whole situation because he loves the Beeb.

'But they have very strict guidelines when it comes to their talent and advertising and he has already broken them by filming the ads. But Shreddies don't want to pull the campaign.

'While Nick is technically a free agent, he appears to have used his connection to DIY SOS in the advert which is totally out of order in the eyes of the BBC.'

The source added that Knowles has been handed an ultimatum and his future on DIY SOS may already be out of his hands.

In a joint statement from the BBC and the presenter told MailOnline: 'Both the BBC and Nick are keen to resolve this matter and are working together to seek a solution'.

Knowles has hosted DIY SOS since 1999.

The show, which is produced by the BBC, sees a team of builders and volunteers transform a person's home. The person is nominated by their friends and family.

Knowles was listed as earning between 300,000 and 349,999 at the BBC in 2016-17, dropping to 230,000-239,999 the following year.

However he wasnt listed in reports for the following two years, indicating Knowles earned less than the 150,000 threshold at which his pay is published.

Shreddies have not revealed how much Knowles was paid for the add, but one expert told MailOnline it could be in the region of 200,000.

Rules: The TV presenter plays a builder in a Shreddies commercial which is said to breach BBC advertising rules (pictured on DIY SOS)

Not happening: Nick previously insisted he has 'absolutely no intention' of leaving BBC hit DIY SOS after joining rival broadcaster Channel5 to present two new shows

Uncertain: The hugely popular show's future appeared to be in doubt after Nick revealed he would be taking part in upcoming programmes Your Life On Your Lawn and Home Improvements (Nick pictured with the DIY SOS team in 2008)

BBC stars who have fallen foul of the broadcaster's strict rules on adverts and impartiality - and those who manage to earn thousands without breaking them Nick Knowles is not the first presenter to fall foul of the BBC's strict advertising and impartiality rules. In March Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty was 'reminded of her responsibilities' by the corporation after liking a series of anti-Conservative tweets after she and co-host Charlie Stayt ridiculed Tory minister Robert Jenrick for having a Union flag and a portrait of the Queen in his office. It came after she was censured in 2019 over comments made about then-US president Donald Trump. The Republican told four Democratic congresswomen to 'go home' despite them all being US citizens. And, responding to a report of the comments on BBC Breakfast, Munchetty said: 'I can imagine lots of people in this country will be feeling absolutely furious that a man in that position feels its OK to skirt the lines with using language like that.' The BBC said the presenter was entitled to her own views but had gone 'beyond what the guidelines allow for'. In May last year Emily Maitliss was given a ticking off from BBC bosses after an on-screen monologue about former Downing Street aide Dominic Cummings. The presenter accused Boris Johnson of 'blind loyalty' to his chief aide in the debate over Mr Cummings' 260-mile trip from London to County Durham amid the Covid lockdown. But the BBC admitted she breached impartiality rules, saying the presenter had not met 'our standards of due impartiality'. Meanwhile, the BBC faced criticism in May after it was revealed some of its top on-screen talent were making thousands from paid speaking events. Andrew Marr was revealed to have been paid at least 5,000 for a Zoom call with a wealth fund, while Radio 4 journalist Justin Webb and news anchor Mishal Hussain were also listed as having taken part in paid speaking events. And in 2019 it was revealed how Huw Edwards had raked in 400,000 in five years by moonlighting as a guest speaker. There is nothing to suggest that any of the presenters breached BBC rules by taking part in these events. Staff who take part in such events must seek written approval from a divisional head of department before signing up to any external engagements. Boss must then determine that the work does not pose a conflict of interest. Advertisement

In the advert, Nick plays a builder who pours a bowl of the cereal into his hat, while calling himself 'Nick get it done Knowles'.

But the BBC has strict rules for on-screen stars when taking part in on-screen advertising.

One rule bans stars from imitating BBC products.

Under the heading 'References to BBC Content in Advertisements', it says: 'Advertisements or promotions involving talent should not imitate, suggest a reference or connection to or 'pass off' BBC content, for example, by replicating any editorial elements of a programme, such as characters, logos, titles, channel names or music or graphics associated with the programme, or by using or directly imitating sets or key venues, catchphrases or format points from the content.'

It also adds: 'The BBC does not seek to place unnecessary or unreasonable restrictions on talent, whether on-air talent or other production talent.

'However, promotional activity, which includes commercial advertising and endorsements, must not risk damaging the integrity of the BBC content they are associated with, or risk damaging the BBC's reputation generally.

'Nor should those activities undermine the personal reputation of the individual.

'Promotional work must not suggest BBC endorsement, compromise the BBC's values, bring the BBC into disrepute, or give the public reason to doubt the impartiality or integrity of BBC on-air talent.'

The BBC has not revealed the sticking point over Nick's advert.

It comes after Nick previously insisted he has 'absolutely no intention' of leaving DIY SOS after joining rival broadcaster Channel 5 to present two new shows.

The show's long-term future appeared to be in doubt after the star revealed he would be taking part in upcoming programmes Your Life On Your Lawn and Home Improvements.

But the presenter - who is not exclusively contracted to the BBC - has since confirmed he will definitely return, as and when a new series is commissioned.

He told MailOnline: 'DIY SOS is the most important thing I do and it's always meant more to me than just a show.

'To see people coming together representing the best of communities is more important now than ever.

'I have absolutely no intention of leaving DIY SOS - it's not just a job for me, we are a family and it has my heart.'

The BBC has since confirmed there are no plans to scrap DIY SOS, while insisting Nick is not obliged to commit himself exclusively to BBC content.

A BBC spokesperson told MailOnline: 'There is no question that DIY SOS will return to BBC One, and filming will resume as soon as we can ensure the safety of our contributors and volunteers on builds at this time.

'Nick is not exclusive to the BBC and like many presenters, he is working across a range of services.'

The show first aired in 1999, changing its name to DIY SOS: The Big Build in 2010, and it has been a staple programme on BBC One since.

Last year, Nick and the team raised almost 1million for with their Big Build.

Shreddies, which is owned by Swiss multinational food giant Nestle, declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline.

The company said it had not been asked to pull the advert.
She found fame on TV series Pretty Little Liars.

And on Tuesday, Shay Mitchell looked every inch a star as she ran an errand in Beverly Hills.

The actress, 34, showed off her fabulous figure in a black crop top and sheer cargo pants.

Fabulous figure: Pretty Little Liars alum Shay Mitchell looked every inch a star as she ran an errand in Beverly Hills on Tuesday wearing a black crop top and sheer cargo pants

The Canadian beauty added a long coat with black leather accents which billowed out around her as she walked.

She stepped out in strappy black sandal heels and carried a black leather purse.

Mitchell styled her long hair back from her face in a ponytail and accessorized with a chunky Rare Romance link chain necklace and rectangular sunglasses.

Sleek: The actress, 34, styled her long hair back from her face in a ponytail and accessorized with a chunky Rare Romance link chain necklace and rectangular sunglasses

Errand: The Canadian beauty added a long coat with black leather accents, She stepped out in strappy black sandal heels and carried a black leather purse

Mitchell and partner Matte Babel welcomed their first child, a daughter they named Atlas, in October 2019.

And in an interview with Women's Health, Mitchell spoke about how she's already thinking about how to teach her little girl about racism.

Mitchell's mom is Filipino and her father white and Babel is also mixed race.

'Matte is half white  his dad is from Trinidad. And Atlas is a mix of all of us,' she told the June issue of the magazine.

'But shes very fair-skinned and has light eyes and hair, so she doesnt look like either of us.'

She explained: 'Were learning how to have those appropriate conversations. It starts with her dolls, with the toys she plays with, and the books we read to her, that have all different colors and ethnicities.'

Parents: Mitchell and partner Matte Babel welcomed their first child, a daughter they named Atlas, in October 2019
Akon's Range Rover was recovered after it was stolen from an Atlanta-area gas station Monday while the rapper was filling his tank.

Authorities in Forest Park, Georgia were able to get back the 48-year-old musical artist's SUV, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Tuesday.

Atlanta police told the paper that the Smack That rapper said he had left the vehicle running at a QuikTrip gas station at the time someone entered the driver seat and took off in the vehicle.

The latest: Akon's Range Rover was recovered after it was stolen from an Atlanta-area gas station Monday while the rapper was filling his tank

The I Wanna Love You artist 'stated that when his tank was almost full he noticed his white Range Rover ... pulling off while he was still pumping his gas,' according to the police report.

Akon told police that the suspected car thief turned right onto Sidney Marcus Boulevard in the SUV, trailed by a dark sedan.

Authorities said that at around 11:37 p.m., the suspect was caught on surveillance cameras getting 'out of the passenger seat of what looks to be a black, four-door BMW sedan, get into the driver's seat of the victim's vehicle, and drive off with the black BMW following right behind.'

Akon's phone was in the car, and the rapper subsequently used an app to determine that the SUV was on Lawton Street, but the suspects had fled the area when police arrived at around 12:15 a.m., authorities said.

Atlanta police told the paper that the Smack That rapper said he had left the vehicle running at a QuikTrip gas station at the time someone entered the driver seat and took off

Akon was snapped in 2019 MTV EMAs in Seville, Spain

A second attempt at tracking the SUV traced it to Forest Park, where authorities were able to make the recovery, Police spokesman Officer Steve Avery told the paper.

The suspects in the case have yet to be identified.

Akon is the latest celeb to have their car stolen in Atlanta this year, according to the paper, as other stars who were victim of car theft include Ludacris and Tyrese, with both being recovered.
PR queen Roxy Jacenko once boasted that she spends $30,000-a-month on her designer wardrobe.

And the 40-year-old was busy adding to her collection on Tuesday, showcasing a variety of pieces from Italian luxury goods company Salvatore Ferragamo.

In one image, the mother-of-two showcased her impressive figure in a knitted sleeveless dress that retails for around $1,600.

'Obsessed': Roxy Jacenko, 40, was busy adding to her designer wardrobe collection on Friday, showcasing a variety of pieces from Italian luxury goods company Salvatore Ferragamo. She is pictured in the brand's $1,600 knitted sleeveless dress

'Obsessed with the new Ferragamo collection,' she captioned the post.

'The back is beyond tho my photographer Hunty (Roxy's son Hunter, 7) has packed it in for the night so it's front only.'

The PR maven later showed off her new pair of Viva Bow Pumps that the brand sells for $998.

'Ready for the day!' she captioned the photo.

'Ready for the day!' The PR maven later showed off her new pair of Viva Bow Pumps that the brand sells for $998

Roxy previously revealed to Daily Mail Australia the staggering cost of her immaculate wardrobe.

'My monthly clothes spend is $30,000,' she said, adding that was a 'conservative' estimate of her spending habits.

Green with envy: Roxy certainly looked thrilled with the bowed ballerina flats. Roxy previously told Daily Mail Australia she spends around $30,000-a-month on her wardrobe

'If you were to look at my debit card bill, it would be between $80,000 and $100,00 a month,' confessed Roxy, who shops 'every single day'.

However, the self-made millionaire and brains behind Sweaty Betty PR isn't reckless with money. In fact, her glittering lifestyle is well within her means.

'Do I spend? Yes, I'm a f***ing shocking spender, but I work hard, I live within my means and I make no apologies for it,' she added.

Hey, big spender! 'If you were to look at my debit card bill, it would be between $80,000 and $100,00 a month,' she confessed, adding that she shops 'every single day'

'Everything I do, I give 300 per cent too, and I aim to do it better than every other f***ing person out there.

'I don't give a f*** about fame, I want to earn money and be the best at what I do!'

Roxy is also known for her $1million Hermes Birkin bag collection.

The crown jewel of which is the ultra-rare crocodile skin Birkin, which can retail from anywhere between $70,000 and $435,000.
Martha Kalifatidis went head to head with gymnast Olivia Vivian during a dramatic boardroom showdown on Tuesday's episode of Celebrity Apprentice.

But it was the Married At First Sight star's very confident remarks during the challenge that had viewers disgruntled on Twitter.

The 33-year-old, who launched a career as a fashion and beauty influencer following her stint on MAFS in 2019, boasted about her earnings in a piece to camera.

Vocal: Furious Celebrity Apprentice fans have slammed influencer Martha Kalifatidis for saying she makes 'most people's annual wage in a month'

'Nobody listens to me because they think I'm just a beauty influencer. They don't understand,' Martha said of her team.

'I'm a beauty influencer who probably makes your yearly wage in a month. So, you should probably take some notes because this is not a fluke.'

Some viewers found the remark distasteful, with one posting on Twitter: 'Talk about having a chip on your shoulder.'

Confident remarks: 'I'm a beauty influencer who probably makes your yearly wage in a month,' she directed at her team. 'So, you should probably take some notes because this is not a fluke'

Taking offence on Twitter: Some viewers found the 33-year-old's remark distasteful, with one posting on Twitter: 'Talk about having a chip on your shoulder'

Another said: 'Martha, do you really genuinely think that your one-off face mask and teeth whitening sponsored Instagram posts earn you more than The Veronicas? Please come back to earth.'

One simply commented 'wow', while another described her as 'so vain'.

However, it wasn't all negative feedback, with one Twitter user commending Martha for her ability to 'fight for herself' while another praised her as a 'business guru'.

Praise: However, it wasn't all negative feedback, with one Twitter user commending Martha for her ability to 'fight for herself' while another praised her as a 'business guru'

Since becoming an influencer, Martha has landed many lucrative endorsements.

Martha previously told Daily Mail Australia that 'never in her wildest dreams' did she believe creating sponsored posts at home would become her full-time job, and expressed her surprise at how financially viable it is.

'It is surprising. I worked as a makeup artist for so long and I knew that big brands turn over so much. And the number one thing that they all invest in is marketing,' she said.

Cashing in: Since becoming an influencer, Martha has landed many lucrative endorsements

Although Martha did not reveal the exact figure she charges for branded content, it's estimated she makes up to $3,000 for a single sponsored selfie.

Some brands likely pay even more for multi-post deals, or to exclusively sign Martha up as the face of their campaigns across different platforms.

When asked how she was spending her impressive earnings, Martha explained she was investing it all into her own secret business venture.

Dream job: Martha previously told Daily Mail Australia that 'never in her wildest dreams' did she believe creating sponsored posts at home would become her full-time job, and expressed her surprise at how financially viable it is

Figures: Although Martha did not reveal the exact figure she charges for branded content, it's estimated she makes up to $3,000 for a single sponsored selfie

'I'm working on something of my own. It's going to take a while. This is a stepping stone right now. It's opened so many doors for me,' said the aspiring entrepreneur.

'Obviously I have this big platform now. It just sort of catapults your brand or whatever it is you're going to start. It's like a nice head start. I imagine that the hardest thing for most new brands is getting a platform.'

Martha is still in the running to win Celebrity Apprentice after Olivia was fired on Tuesday's episode after failing to impress British billionaire and CEO Lord Alan Sugar.
You may not have heard of Lucinda Nicholas, but the Australian former beauty pageant queen is making a name for herself in Bollywood.

Reflecting on her career this week, the 28-year-old spoke about the differences between Aussie and Indian culture and even admitted she subtly changes her appearance to 'look more Indian' to get better roles.

The former Miss World South Australia told The Daily Telegraph: 'Sometimes I would wear brown contact lenses to make me look more Indian, I guess you could say.'

Meet the Australian model taking on Bollywood: Former beauty pageant queen Lucinda Nicholas has admitted she subtly alters her appearance to 'look more Indian' for movie roles

Lucinda is of Middle Eastern and European heritage and has played characters with English, South Indian and Austrian backgrounds.

'A lot of foreigners become successful [in Bollywood] by really taking on the language and Indian culture,' she said.

'People think [India] is so different to Australia, but once you live there and you're a part of the culture you realise how similar we all are as humans no matter what race or religion.'

Background: Lucinda is of Middle Eastern and European heritage and has played characters with English, South Indian and Austrian backgrounds, reports The Daily Telegraph

Subtle changes; 'Sometimes I would wear brown contact lenses to make me look more Indian I guess you could say,' she said

Lucinda, who hails from Adelaide, spent six years living in Mumbai before returning to Australia before the coronavirus pandemic hit.

She describes India as her 'second home' and even speaks Hindi.

Lucinda has appeared in several Bollywood films, including Guest in London.

Her story: Lucinda, who hails from Adelaide, spent six years living in Mumbai before returning to Australia before the coronavirus pandemic hit

Home: The Guest in London star describes India as her 'second home' and even speaks Hindi

Last year, she told DeMode she was incredibly 'proud' of herself for learning Hindi.

'If there was one thing I am particularly proud of it is learning a foreign language, which is a language I had never been exposed to before moving to India,' she said.

She also said working in Bollywood had allowed her to 'travel and experience different cultures and [visit] all different parts of the world'.

'My greatest accomplishment was being in my first ever Hindi television as a lead actress,' Lucinda added.
Dame Joan Collins jetted into Mallorca on Tuesday and looked typically glamorous as she left the airport in Palma.

Joan looked stylish in a pale pink blazer and black cowboy hat as she arrived on the Spanish island with her husband Percy Gibson after flying from the UK.

Spain is currently on the UK's amber list of countries and travel there for holidays is discouraged. A representative for Joan confirmed she has travelled for work.

Glam: Joan looked stylish in a pale pink blazer and black cowboy hat as she arrived on the Spanish island with her husband Percy Gibson

Under her pink blazer Joan had on a low-cut black top and completed the look with dark trousers, chunky white sandals and of course a face mask.

She wore huge sunglasses on her face and appeared to have been sent some flowers on arrival as a member of staff carried a bouquet into their waiting car.

While travel to amber list country Spain is currently discouraged, the screen legend previously spent time in the Spanish capital to film scenes for the medieval series Glow and Darkness, in which she played Queen Adelaide of Savoy.

Jetsetter: Spain is currently on the UK's amber list of countries and travel there for holidays is discouraged. It is not known why she has travelled to the Spanish island

Which 'amber list' European countries can Britons visit without having to quarantine? All these European countries are on the UK's amber list, meaning passengers returning to Britain must stay at home for ten days and take a PCR test on days two and eight - as well as a lateral flow test before the return flight. They can also pay for 'Test to Release' on day five to end self-isolation early. But that is proving no deterrent to people flying to Spain - with all the amber list countries below allowing entry to UK citizens with no quarantine requirement: Albania Armenia Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Estonia Greece Italy Kosovo Malta Moldova Montenegro North Macedonia San Marino Serbia Slovenia Spain Ukraine Advertisement

A representative for Dame Joan has been contacted by MailOnline for a comment.

If you do travel to an amber list country, you will need to quarantine for a period of 10 days at home on your return to the UK and take a pre-departure test, plus a PCR test on day two and day eight.

Alternatively, you can pay for an additional Test to Release on day five to end self-isolation early.

The government may spot check you to see if you're isolating when you return home and you could face up to a 10,000 fine if you don't quarantine.

Holidaymakers visiting amber list countries also risk invalidating their travel insurance amid confusion over government advice, experts have warned.

Spain began accepting British tourists without a negative Covid test from Monday but their travel cover is likely to be void if they visit the country, they said.

It means families could be hit with bills of thousands of pounds if they suffer illness or an accident while abroad.

The risk also applies to the United States, Italy and most of Greece.

The validity of policies is governed by travel advice from the Foreign Office and not the 'traffic light system' introduced a week ago, said Malcolm Tarling of the Association of British Insurers.

Despite Spain welcoming UK tourists the Foreign Office warns against 'all but essential travel' to the country, apart from to the Canaries.

International travel appears to be picking up across Europe, with Airbnb bookings across the continent only four per cent below 2019 levels, according to holiday market monitors AirDNA.

Travelling in style: Dame Joan was seen being helped off the plane as she made a typically glamorous arrival to the country

Following on: Dame Joan chatted with the flight crew as Percy followed her off the jet

Last week the UK's traffic light policy descended into farce, with ministers accused of sowing 'mass confusion'.

On Tuesday, the system's second day in force, Environment Secretary George Eustice suggested trips to amber countries to see friends and family were acceptable.

But hours later the PM insisted such travel was off limits, and later hardened his stance by saying trips to amber nations should only take place in 'extreme circumstances'.

Stepping out: She wore huge sunglasses on her face and opted for a glam makeup look including a slick of dark pink lip

Smart: Under the blazer Joan had on a low-cut black top and completed the look with dark trousers, chunky white sandals and of course a face mask

Couple: Percy looked smart in a white shirt and pale chinos as he walked beside his glamorous wife

Lucky: Joan appeared to have been sent some flowers on arrival as a member of staff carried a bouquet into their waiting car

Details: The actress completed he stylish look with dangly gold earrings and wore a silver necklace too

Floral gesture: Joan was presented with a large bouquet of flowers upon her arrival

Meanwhile, health minister Lord Bethell claimed holidays anywhere abroad were 'dangerous', bringing even tourism to green list destinations into doubt.

Dame Joan's outing came after the actress debuted a striking new look.

The actress channelled her inner Marilyn Monroe for her latest role  taking on a bombshell blonde look.

Pictures from the film set of Tomorrow Morning show Dame Joan looking as ageless as ever in a black top, white blazer and with golden, curly hair.

Quick fix: The actress readjusted her face mask

Arrival: The star was seen chatting to a member of airport staff as she left the terminal building

Jet setters: The star and her husband looked relaxed as they arrived on the sunny island together

Smart: Dame Joan looked great in the pastel blazer which featured bold gold buttons and statement shoulder pads

Soaking up the sun: The Hollywood star appeared in high spirits to be in Mallorca as she chatted to author Marcel Remus

A sea of orange: Portugal is the only major tourist destination on Britain's 'green list', meaning people can go without the need to quarantine

It's not the first time the star has changed her style for a role.

In 1980, she wore a cropped blonde wig for an episode of Tales of the Unexpected and also in US show Blondes vs Brunettes in 1984.

Dame Joan, who turned 88 last weekend, is the latest addition to the film version of the 2006 off West End musical.

Star: Joan recently channelled her inner Marilyn Monroe and transformed into a blonde bombshell for her role in new film Tomorrow Morning

It follows the story of one couple told at two different points in their lives.

She plays Anna, the grandmother of leading character Catherine, played by Samantha Barks.

Filming started in London's Wapping last week and is expected to be shown in cinemas next spring.

The norm: The star is known for her voluminous raven hair which is usually brunette (pictured with darker tresses in 2020) but has gone blonde for her new role
Dr Chris Brown's strapping good looks have garnered a legion of admirers, including Channel Ten, who are reportedly desperate for him to be The Bachelor.

And the 42-year-old stripped naked to show everyone what all the fuss is about on Wednesday, alongside The Living Room co-star Miguel Maestre.

In a preview for Friday's episode, the close friends bonded over a nude sauna session as they promised to reveal the ultimate ways to de-stress.

The good doctor! On Wednesday, Dr Chris Brown, 42, (pictured) stripped naked for a steamy sauna romp alongside close friend Miguel Maestre in a preview for The Living Room

The former Bondi Vet star discussed new and inventive methods of relaxation while he was sat in the buff.

Chris' gym-honed physique was on full display in all of it's glory, as was his buddy Miguel's.

The notoriously private veterinarian is renowned for being somewhat reserved when it comes to going shirtless.

Take a load off: The former Bondi Vet star and his pal were promoting a segment on new and inventive methods of relaxation

The last time the Newcastle-raised vet showcased his muscular body was while celebrating his 42nd birthday last year.

He shared a throwback photo to Instagram from a holiday in Cape Town, South Africa.

Proving he's an attraction to all creatures great and small, two penguins sidled up to get a good look at the hottest doctor they'd ever seen.

Still naked! Several of the ideas involved nudity, including this suggestion of an icy cold dip with a close mate, a towel and nothing else

'Thanks for all the birthday love in these slightly weird and distant times. Despite not being able to travel and see friends, I'm still peng-winning,' he captioned the post.

That post came after he reportedly split from his last girlfriend, Brooke Meredith, after less than six months of dating.

Woman's Day claimed Chris is now back on the market after he cryptically hinted at a split from the 29-year-old model on Instagram.

All creatures! The last time the Newcastle-raised vet showcased his muscular body was while celebrating his 42nd birthday last year. It piqued the interest of two penguins, who looked thrilled to be posing with the hottest doctor they'd ever seen

Despite the reports, however, they were seen at the wrap party for I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! earlier this year.

Reports Chris was dating the glamorous model first surfaced in April last year.

'They looked very much like a couple,' an insider who saw the pair shopping at Bunnings Warehouse told Woman's Day.
Matthew Perry's slurred speech in a promo for the upcoming Friends reunion special recently sparked concern among the show's devout fanbase, with many questioning his sobriety.

But a source revealed to The Sun that the actor's slurred speech was due to 'an emergency tooth procedure' that had been performed just hours before filming.

'Matthew turned up to the reunion [in April] and members of his team said that he had an emergency tooth procedure that day,' the insider recalled.

Concern: Matthew Perry's slurred speech in a promo for the upcoming Friends reunion special recently sparked concern among the show's devout fanbase, with many questioning his sobriety

'That was said to impact his wellbeing and also how he was feeling. [Matthew] had been in pain from what we understand, which caused the slurred speech.

'Obviously no one wants to film after a procedure, but it happened. The feeling was one of huge sympathy for Matthew, especially in recent days given how people have reacted online.

'Matthew has told those around him that he is sober, and there is no need to worry.'

In the Friends reunion promo, released last week, Perry's awkward demeanor as he sat with co-stars Jennifer Aniston , Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc was hard to overlook.

Emergency: But a source revealed to The Sun that the actor's slurred speech was due to 'an emergency tooth procedure' that had been performed just hours before filming

Hours before: 'Matthew turned up to the reunion [in April] and members of his team said that he had an emergency tooth procedure that day,' the insider recalled

The highly-anticipated special, which was postponed a number of times due to the pandemic, was shot in April and will air on May 27 via HBO and HBO Max.

When asked if he ever took anything from set as a souvenir, Perry 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.

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.

'Just saw People interview and can't believe how Matthew Perry looks like seriously it breaks my heart,' one fan wrote on Twitter shortly after the clip made its rounds online.

In the Friends reunion promo, released last week, Perry's awkward demeanor as he sat with co-stars Jennifer Aniston , Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc was hard to overlook

'It pains me to see Matthew Perry like this, he just seems off, gazing at the void, speaking slowly,' wrote another.

'Hate to say it, but I'm sad and scared like hell for Matthew Perry,' a third added. 'Damn, Matthew Perry in those PEOPLE Friends interviews.'

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 wrote: 'Let's not use the friends reunion to make fun of the way matthew perry looks these days. people age, funnily enough.

'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.'

Heartbreaking: 'Just saw People interview and can't believe how Matthew Perry looks like seriously it breaks my heart,' one fan wrote on Twitter upon the promo clip's release last week

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.

Addiction left Matthew in a tough state, as he admitted to BBC Radio 2 in 2016.

'I don't remember three years of [the show],' he said. 'Somewhere between Seasons 3 and 6  I was a little out of it.'

He told People in 2013: 'I couldn't stop. Eventually things got so bad that I couldn't hide it, and then everybody knew.'

The actor, who checked himself into rehab during his time on Friends once in 1997 and again in 2001, told the Hollywood Reporter in 2015: 'I've had a lot of ups and downs in my life. I learned a lot from my failures.

'But the best thing about me is that if an alcoholic comes up to me and says, 'Will you help me stop drinking?' I will say, 'Yes, I know how to do that.''

Perry's addiction came about after he got hooked on prescription pills following a jet ski accident.

Keeping a low-profile: Matthew has stayed under the radar in recent years. He caused concern in 2019 when he looked dishevelled in his first sighting for almost two years

He did his third stint in rehab in May 2011, when a representative for the star said it was to prevent a relapse.

The Massachusetts born actor last starred in a movie in 2009's 17 Again opposite Zac Efron.

Following that he appeared in several TV series including Mr. Sunshine, Go On and The Good Wife.

After a break of several years, he will next be seen in the comedy Don't Look Up, which follows the tale of two astronomers, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, discover that a giant asteroid that could destroy all life on Earth is cruising toward the planet.

The film boasts an absolutely stacked cast including Cate Blanchett, Timothee Chalamet, Ariana Grande, Kid Cudi, Tyler Perry, Melanie Lynskey and Chris Evans, among others, and is expected to be released later this year.
Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli believes AFL players would be prepared to go back into hubs if required amid Melbourne's latest coronavirus outbreak.

With the number and spread of exposure sites around the city growing rapidly, including the MCG, Essendon, Carlton and Hawthorn, who play interstate this weekend, have been prompted to make early dashes out of Victoria.

Essendon will fly to Perth on Wednesday morning, Carlton will travel to Sydney on Wednesday afternoon while Hawthorn plan to fly to Darwin early on Thursday.

Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli (left) believes AFL players would be prepared to go back into hubs if required amid Melbourne's latest coronavirus outbreak

Bontempelli said players hoped the situation didn't reach a point where large-scale relocations like those in 2020 were necessary - but were aware it could become a possibility.

'I think we would be (prepared to go into hubs),' Bontempelli told reporters on Wednesday.

'You understand the landscape and clearly it's a somewhat ever-changing environment and knowing that (going into hubs) is always a chance, depending on how things look and feel.

'I think everyone's fingers (are) crossed that we don't get to that point but clearly if that becomes something we need to consider, the right discussions will be had and obviously, we need to go through the right things - but we know they do move quickly.

With the number and spread of exposure sites around the city growing rapidly, including the MCG, Essendon, Carlton and Hawthorn, who play interstate this weekend, have been prompted to make early dashes out of Victoria. Pictured: Bulldogs players on April 30

'So, in the back of everyone's mind, they probably are aware that (hubs) may potentially be something we have to move to.

'But ... for right now, hopefully we can get a handle on the current environment.'

The Bulldogs players and staff had coronavirus tests on Tuesday morning and had to self-isolate after a staff member visited Highpoint shopping centre when it was a coronavirus exposure site.

On Wednesday, the Bulldogs confirmed all those tests came back negative.

Bontempelli expected players to adapt to likely having to cut back on social activities amid the outbreak - having previously worked under stricter protocols than the general public.

'It is probably a bit of a natural instinct to think you've got to probably tease back some of the social outings or activities, obviously masks and things all come back,' he said.

'So it does feel like you slip back into a bit of a different mode or a different environment - which shouldn't be too difficult to do.

'Yes it's unfortunate, but I think we're all ultimately hoping and praying we can get a handle on it as a state, and then really, really be able to get back to the positive state we were in.

'So you've just got to follow the guidelines and do your bit to help slow any spread that happens.'
She has just enjoyed a quick two-day trip to sample New Zealand wines with her Nova radio co-hosts Joel Creasey and Tim Blackwell.

And Kate Ritchie, 42, attempted to go under the radar when she arrived back in Sydney on Tuesday night.

The Home and Away icon wore a low-key ensemble with sunglasses and a face mask as she wheeled her luggage through the airport terminal.

Quick trip! Kate Ritchie (right) attempted to go under the radar in sunglasses as she arrived back in Sydney on Tuesday, after enjoying a wine tour in New Zealand with her Nova co-hosts

Kate covered up her petite frame in an oversized plaid shirt, black skinny-leg jeans and black boots.

She held onto a black puffer jacket, her phone and passport, as she navigated her way through the terminal with who appeared to be two Nova colleagues.

Kate carried her other essential items in a burgundy shoulder bag, and even wheeled her own large red suitcase.

Layers: The 42-year-old covered up her petite frame in an oversized plaid shirt, black skinny jeans and black boots. She held onto a black puffer jacket

Enough for two days? Kate proved to be no diva, wheeling her admittedly large red suitcase through the airport terminal

Easy: Kate was returning from a quick two-day promotional trip to New Zealand, where she toured the wineries with her radio co-hosts

Kate was returning from a quick two-day promotional trip to New Zealand, where she toured the wineries with her radio co-hosts.

Joel shared a fun selfie to Instagram of himself with Kate and Tim, and wrote in the post's caption: 'Snuck across the trans-Tasman border for a quick 48 hours to see how many margaritas and wines we could imbibe.

'Safe to say we gave it a red hot go. Think teens on Contiki but with better clothes and more baggage (both physically & emotionally). Cheers for having us.'

No fanfare: Kate carried her other essential items in a burgundy shoulder bag and hoped to have gone unnoticed

Had a ball: During the trip, Joel shared a fun selfie to Instagram of himself with Kate and Tim, and wrote in the post's caption: 'Snuck across the trans-Tasman border for a quick 48 hours to see how many margaritas and wines we could imbibe'

He continued: 'Safe to say we gave it a red hot go. Think teens on Contiki but with better clothes and more baggage (both physically & emotionally). Cheers for having us'

In September, Joel replaced Marty Sheargold on the popular Nova drive show.

Covid-19 border closures meant the comedian had to initially host the show via Skype from Melbourne, while his co-hosts were based in Sydney.

New addition: In September, Joel replaced Marty Sheargold on Nova's drive show, Kate, Tim & Joel

Grateful: Shortly after beginning his role, Joel told News.com.au he was 'grateful' to have a job, but the early days were 'tricky'

Shortly after beginning his role, Joel told News.com.au he was 'grateful' to have a job, but the early days were 'tricky'.

'Essentially I was online dating two people with a whole bunch of other people having an opinion on those dates,' the 30-year-old said.

'So I now really know what it's like to be a Married At First Sight contestant.'
The billionaire bachelor you've NEVER heard of: Property scion Jamie Reuben, 33, who counts the royals as pals is on a mission to make Mayfair 'cool'

Single: The billionaire bachelor you've NEVER heard of: Property scion Jamie Reuben, 33, who counts the royals as pals is on a mission to make Mayfair 'cool'

He's single, in his 30s, and stands to inherit a 19 billion fortune.

But unlike many other mega-rich men about town, you've probably never even heard his name.

Indeed such is the intrigue surrounding Jamie Reuben, son of Mumbai-born property magnate Simon, one half of the fabulously wealthy Rueben Brothers, that Tatler today dubbed the handsome 33-year-old 'one of London's most mysterious bachelors'.

Jamie, whose friends include Princess Beatrice and music mogul Scooter Braun, is following the lead of his father and uncle David, who famously don't give interviews, preferring instead to allow their multi-million pound property deals to speak for themselves.

The Reuben Brothers, as they are most commonly known, built their estimated 18.6billion fortune by buying up large parts of London's Mayfair, including the 200-year-old Burlington Arcade, of which Jamie is managing director.

However last week Jamie broke cover and offered a peek behind the curtain when he gave a sit-down to Times Magazine, in which he discussed plans to transform the stuffy stomping ground of wealthy financiers into somewhere a little trendier.

One of the centrepieces is the site of the former Naval and Military Club, popularly known as the In & Out club, which is being transformed into a hotel and seven luxury homes, described by Jamie as a 'contemporary British country house oasis'.

Here, a look at what we know about the world of Jamie Reuben.

HIS BILLIONAIRE FAMILY

Runs in the family: Jamie Reuben, is the 33-year-old son of Simon Reuben, one half of the billionaire Reuben brothers. Pictured, Jamie with his father (left) and uncle David in 2013

The Reuben brothers' wealth is staggering. Their shared personal fortune, estimated at over 18.6billion, is large enough to place the family at second place on The Sunday Times Rich List, ahead of more high profile businessmen like Sir James Dyson and Roman Abramovich.

This is largely due to their real estate holdings, which include Mayfairs Burlington Arcade and Westminsters Millbank Tower. They also own London Oxford Airport and London Heliport and the John Lewis headquarters at London Victoria.

The Reuben Brothers continue to be one of the largest investors in luxury leisure group Belmond Ltd. Other holdings include Travelodge Hotels.

However they started off with more modest business ventures. Simon and David were born in Mumbai, India, and came to Britain in the Fifties with their mother, Nancy.

After starting his career at Mount Star Metals, a UK-based scrap-metals business, David joined Trans-Continental, a subsidiary of Metal Traders Inc. In 1977 he left that firm and formed Trans-World Group, and in 1986, along with his brother, Simon, he restructured the firm, bought out his partners, and took control of the business.

In 2000 the brothers wound down Trans-Worlds operations to sharpen their focus on Reuben Brothers activities.

Today Reuben Brothers is a leader in private equity, real estate investment and development, and debt financing.

HIS FAMOUS FRIENDS

Friends in high places: Reuben with Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Like many well-connected 30-somethings in London, Jamie counts a member of the royal family among his circle of friends.

He and Princess Beatrice, 31, described in the press as an 'old friend' have been spotted together at a number of parties over the years and sat side-by-side at the US Open in 2013. They most recently rubbed shoulders at an event in November last year. It remains to be seen if he will be invited to Beatrice and Edo's wedding in May.

Another friend is American music mogul Scooter Braun, whose clients include Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande. Jamie and Justin looked like close friends as they posed for photos at the Vanity Fair party at the Cannes Film Festival last year.

He's also been pictured with Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

According to The Times, Jamie has also become friends with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, whom he is said to have met through a friend.

STAR-STUDDED PARTIES

Star-studded: Jamie with Paris Hilton at a glittering Cannes Film Festival party in May 2016

Jamie was front and centre for a party hosted by his father and uncle at a party celebrating the 200th Christmas at the Burlington Arcade in November last year. Pictured, with Judi Dench

While the Reubens prefer to stay out of the glare of the public eye, Jamie does occasionally make exceptions for star-studded parties.

In 2013 Reuben showed his support for Schmidt by hosting a launch party for his book The New Digital Age, co-written by Jared Cohen.

Among the guests at the event was Dasha Zhukova, the ex-wife of Roman Abramovich who recently tied the knot with Stavros Niarchos, Princess Beatrice's ex-boyfriend Dave Clark and Sir Richard Branson's daughter, Holly Branson.

He brought out his phone book again last year to host a black tie bash at the Cannes Film Festival, where he posed with Bahamian model Chase Carter, 22.

That same month Jamie was front and centre for a party hosted by his father and uncle at a party celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Burlington Arcade.

Princess Beatrice, then newly engaged, looked elegant in a shift dress as she posed for photos with the likes of Sir Michael Caine and Lady Alice Manners.

HIS GLAMOROUS EX

Jamie Reuben enjoyed a long-term relationship with TV presenter and fashion designer, Marissa Montgomery. It is not known when their relationship came to an end but the couple were seen together as recently as May 2019 (right). Pictured left, at Cannes in 2014

Jamie Reuben enjoyed a long-term relationship with TV presenter and fashion designer, Marissa Montgomery.

The couple, who share many of the same friends, were spotted attending parties as far back as 2008, with Jamie planting a kiss on his blonde date's cheek as they posed for photos at an Evening Standard event.

It is not known when their relationship came to an end but the couple were seen together as recently as November 2019, when they both attended the Burlington Arcade anniversary party.

At the age of 21, Marissa founded lingerie line Pussy Glamore, following it up in 2014 with trendy t-shirt label Rotten Roach, now available to buy at Selfridges.

HIS FUTURE PROJECTS

Ongoing project: The Reubens have several projects in the pipeline but perhaps the one that has made most headlines is the old premises of the Naval and Military Club, pictured, which will now be turned into a hotel and seven luxury homes. It was bought in 2011

The Reubens have several projects in the pipeline but perhaps the one that has made most headlines is the old premises of the Naval and Military Club, popularly known as The In & Out after the prominent inscriptions at the entrance to its Piccadilly courtyard.

Once one of London's most magnificent houses, the Reubens shelled out an estimated 100 million for the building in 2011, initially intending to convert it into Britain's most expensive private house, with an underground swimming pool, gym, 35,000-bottle cellar  and a possible 200 million price tag.

The brothers had a change of heart last year, deciding instead to turn the property into a 102-bedroom luxury hotel and seven high-end homes, on what they want to call the 'Piccadilly Estate'.

'It will be a contemporary British country house oasis in the middle of Mayfair,' Jamie said in his interview with Times Magazine.

The businessman also spoke of wanting to breathe fresh life into Mayfair, saying he has the perspective to see beyond his father and uncle's 'safe' and 'traditional' ideas.

He added: 'Because Im younger, I can see things changing and I can see different ideas probably being more relevant going forward.'
Disgraced TV chef Pete Evans has been pictured for the first time since being fined yet again for trying to cash in on Covid-19 by flogging fake treatments online.

The former Channel Seven star, 48, looked dishevelled as he sported a scruffy grey beard and casual clothes while stepping out in Sydney.

Looking worlds away from his days as a polished television star, the anti-vaxxer and conspiracy theorist wore grey cargo pants and a black hoodie.

Bad day, Pete? Disgraced TV chef Pete Evans has been pictured for the first time since being fined yet again for trying to cash in on Covid-19 by flogging fake treatments online

From squeaky to scruffy: The former Channel Seven star, 48, looked dishevelled as he sported a scruffy grey beard and casual clothes while stepping out in Sydney

Evans also wore a white T-shirt and black sneakers.

The sighting comes after the QAnon enthusiast was slapped with an almost $80,000 fine for trying to profit from fraudulent Covid-19 treatments online.

It's the second time he's run foul of authorities after previously being fined $25,000 for trying to sell his so-called BioCharger for $15,000 a pop on Facebook.

Casual: Looking worlds away from his days as a polished television star, the anti-vaxxer and conspiracy theorist wore grey cargo pants and a black hoodie

Dressing for comfort: Evans also wore a white T-shirt and black sneakers

Fined: The sighting comes after the QAnon enthusiast was slapped with an almost $80,000 fine for trying to profit from fraudulent Covid-19 treatments online

He insisted the light could cure Covid-19 and protect users from infection - but had no evidence to support the wild claims.

Despite the first fine, the craggy-faced conspiracy theorist continued to try to sell the light to the unwary, along with a string of other fake treatments.

On Tuesday, he was hit with another $79,920 in fines for advertising the BioCharger and several other unapproved and totally ineffective treatments.

He unlawfully advertised two oral medicines, static magnet products and hyperbaric chambers to breathe pure oxygen in a pressurised environment.

Not his first rodeo: It's the second time he's run foul of authorities after previously being fined $25,000 for trying to sell his so-called BioCharger for $15,000 a pop on Facebook

Snake oil salesman: He insisted the light could cure Covid-19 and protect users from infection - but had no evidence to support the wild claims

Once bitten: Despite the first fine, the craggy-faced conspiracy theorist continued to try to sell the light to the unwary, along with a string of other fake treatments

Evans falsely implied the products were endorsed by health professionals, but he has now been ordered to remove the posts, and to cease all adverts for them.

The former reality TV star has also been permanently booted off Facebook and Instagram for sharing misinformation and conspiracy theories.

He has repeatedly made posts opposing Covid-19 vaccines and masks, and falsely claimed in a podcast that the coronavirus is a hoax.

Evans was a judge on My Kitchen Rules between 2010 and 2020, and had more than one million Facebook followers until his forced exit.

Banned: The former reality TV star has also been permanently booted off Facebook and Instagram for sharing misinformation and conspiracy theories

Controversial: He has repeatedly made posts opposing Covid-19 vaccines and masks, and falsely claimed in a podcast that the coronavirus is a hoax
Angelina Jolie says the judge in her custody case with ex-husband Brad Pitt has 'refused to hear the minor teenagers' testify to their wishes in regards to their 'custody fate,' saying that she's being denied 'a fair trial' in the process.

The 45-year-old actress submit docs to Californias Second District Court of Appeal Monday in an effort to disqualify Judge John Ouderkirk from ruling over the case, the AP reported Tuesday.

In the court docs, lawyers for the Maleficent actress said the judge's 'has failed to adequately consider ... input as to their experiences, needs, or wishes,' which is in violation of a state legal code that allows minors 14 to 17 to testify.

The latest: Angelina Jolie, 45, says the judge in her custody case with ex-husband Brad Pitt, 57, has 'refused to hear the minor teenagers' testify to their wishes in regards to their 'custody fate,' saying that she's being denied 'a fair trial' in the process

Jolie and Pitt, 57, are parents to six kids, five of them minors: Maddox, 19, Pax, 17, Zahara, 16, Shiloh, 14 and twins Vivienne and Knox, 12.

The Oscar-winner's legal team told the appellate court that the judge has neglected to let her submit to the court evidence that speaks to the safety and well-being of the minors, which is 'evidence critical to making her case.'

Jolie filed for divorce in 2016 - citing the 'the health of the family' - in the wake of a conflict on a private flight from France to Los Angeles in which she accused Pitt of behaving abusively to son Maddox, who was 15 at the time.

The Academy Award-winning actor faced no charges in connection with the incident amid probes from the FBI and social services.

Family matters: Jolie posed with kids Pax, Shiloh, Vivienne, Zahara and Knox posed at the premiere of Maleficent: Mistress of Evil in Hollywood on September 30, 2019

Calm before the storm: The former celeb supercouple was snapped in November of 2015, less than a year before their split

Pitt's legal team fired back, saying that the presiding judge 'has conducted an extensive proceeding over the past six months in a thorough, fair manner and reached a tentative ruling and order after hearing from experts and percipient witnesses.'

Pitt's camp said that testimony Jolie delivered to the court 'lacked credibility in many important areas, and the existing custody order between the parties must be modified, per Mr. Pitts request, in the best interests of the children.'

The actor's lawyers said more stalling or objecting to the custody agreement 'grave harm upon the children, who will be further denied permanence and stability.'

While Jolie and Pitt both initially agreed to Judge Ouderkirk as a private judge to keep the details of the case sealed, she has since said that the judge has a conflict of interest amid business dealings he has with one of Pitt's lawyers.

Jolie said she will appeal a finalized decision made by Ouderkirk in the case.
A Channel Seven executive has said cooking show My Kitchen Rules won't be coming back anytime soon.

Earlier this month, The Sydney Morning Herald reported Seven was hoping to revive the once-popular format as soon as next year - but now the network's Director of Programming Angus Ross has clarified this isn't the case.

'We'd like to revisit the format at some point but at the moment it feels way too soon,' Mr Ross told TV Blackbox.

Axed: A Channel Seven executive has said cooking show My Kitchen Rules won't be coming back anytime soon. Pictured: MKR judges Pete Evans, Colin Fassnidge and Manu Feildel

'It's certainly not anywhere in next year's schedule,' Mr Ross added.

It comes after the SMH claimed the broadcaster hoped to bring back the cooking show in order to 'boost network ratings and attract lucrative advertising dollars'.

The newspaper cited industry sources as saying the network was in the early stages of talking to production companies about a possible twelfth season.

'It's certainly not anywhere in next year's schedule': Earlier this month, The Sydney Morning Herald reported Seven was hoping to revive the once-popular format as soon as next year - but now Seven's Director of Programming Angus Ross has clarified this isn't the case

MKR had once been a ratings juggernaut for Seven, but its popularity nosedived in recent years as viewers flocked to Channel Nine's Married At First Sight instead.

In 2020, its eleventh season drew an average of 500,000 metro viewers per episode.

At its height in 2014, the fifth season had attracted an average audience of 1.891 million across the five major cities.

In May last year, television executive-turned-commentator Rob McKnight said MKR had been the victim of its own success.

Popular: MKR had once been a ratings juggernaut for Seven, but its popularity nosedived in recent years as viewers flocked to Channel Nine's Married At First Sight instead

'Basically the show has performed for such a long time but fatigue set in,' said Mr McKnight, who runs industry website TV Blackbox.

'The show could absolutely come back in a couple of years once viewers have had a break from it.'

The cooking show was hosted by Pete Evans, Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge.
Muscle-bound Marvel actor Chris Hemsworth was mercilessly mocked by his brother Luke for his relatively slender legs in a viral photo earlier this week.

And now KIIS FM breakfast host Jase Hawkins has added to the pile-on by revealing on Wednesday he actually has bigger calves than Thor.

'My leg is bigger than Thor's!' he declared on KIIS FM Melbourne's Jase & PJ show, after seeing a meme of his legs superimposed onto Chris' body.

'My leg is bigger than Thor's!' KIIS FM breakfast host Jase Hawkins has added to the pile-on of Chris Hemsworth in a meme shared to the Jase & PJ Instagram page on Wednesday

Jase's legs did indeed look bigger than Chris' in the photo in question, which the Aussie actor originally posted to Instagram on Tuesday.

'And very white,' he added, self-deprecatingly.

Jase also took a dig at the apparent lack of balance on Chris' physique, with his co-host Polly 'PJ' Harding quipping he was 'top heavy'.

Pleased as punch: Jase delighted in the fact he had bigger calves than the muscular actor

The on-air stunt comes after Luke Hemsworth took a swipe at his brother on social media, joking that he'd been skipping leg day.

The Westworld star couldn't help ribbing Chris over his Instagram snap which showed him holding hands with his son, who was wearing a Superman cape.

Luke pointed out Chris' slim legs as he commented: 'Bro?! You've been skipping leg days again?!' before mocking his personal trainer Luke Zocchi.

Slim pins: The Avengers star was mercilessly mocked by his brother Luke for his relatively slender legs in this viral photo earlier this week. Pictured with his son

Chris showed off his hulking, muscular body in a singlet, while baring his comparatively slim legs in a pair of shorts.

The Blackhat star is yet to respond to his brother's diss.

In the caption for the image, Chris admitted his son's allegiance lies with DC's Superman, not Marvel's Thor - the character he has played since 2011.

Legging it: Chris showed off his hulking, muscular body in a singlet, while baring his comparatively slim legs in a pair of shorts

Cheeky: Luke Hemsworth pointed out Chris' slim legs as he commented: 'Bro?! You've been skipping leg days again?!' before mocking his personal trainer Luke Zocchi

Pictured: Luke Hemsworth

'Holding my little man's hand and asking him the age-old question: ''What do you want to be when you grow up?'' Chris wrote on Instagram.

His son's reply: "'Dad I wanna be Superman!''

'Lucky I have two other kids,' the Aussie actor joked in reference to the betrayal.
Daniel Davis played the wise-cracking butler Niles on classic '90s sitcom The Nanny.

And the 75-year-old actor has now revealed how he landed the role, telling Australian morning show Studio 10 he couldn't believe his luck when he got the call.

The Broadway actor explained he'd auditioned for the part against screen legend Roddy McDowall and so didn't think he had a chance.

Famous role: Actor Daniel Davis revealed how he landed the role of wise-cracking butler Niles in '90s sitcom The Nanny, telling Studio 10 he couldn't believe his luck when he got the call

He revealed that Fran Drescher, who played the titular nanny on the show, had gently teased him about his defeatist attitude.

Imitating Fran's unique voice, Daniel said: 'She told me, "I bet you when you came into CBS you thought it was going to be Roddy McDowall!"

'I said, "Yes, actually. I really did."'

Starring role: The Broadway actor explained he'd auditioned for the part against screen legend Roddy McDowall and so didn't think he had a chance - but then Fran Drescher lobbied for him

He then revealed that Fran had lobbied for him to get the part because she didn't want to be upstaged by Roddy.

'She said, "No, because then it would be the Roddy McDowall show and this is the Fran Drescher show!" So right away I knew where I would be standing,' Daniel said.

During the run of The Nanny, Niles' nemesis C.C. Babcock, played by Lauren Lane, was often the butt of the butler's witty barbs.

He said that Lauren actually complained to the writers during the fourth season about her character being mocked so often.

Iconic: The Nanny, starring Fran Drescher, was one of the most popular sitcoms of the '90s and was particularly beloved in Australia, where repeats are still broadcast to this day

'I can't stand it! You have to start giving me some comeback,' he claimed she'd said.

The Nanny was screened in more than 30 countries, with several A-listers making cameos - including future U.S. President Donald Trump.

Daniel said Trump was less than personable after he complimented the business mogul on one of his Columbus Circle buildings in New York.

The Don: The Nanny was screened in more than 30 countries, with several A-listers making cameos - including future U.S. President Donald Trump

Daniel explained: 'I said to him one day, "I was just in New York about a month ago and that incredible building you are building in Columbus Circle, I would love to live in that building."'

Daniel said Trump then replied: 'You couldn't afford it.'

In contrast, he was dazzled by Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor, who was a delight to work with despite making 'so many demands' in her contract.

'They had to repaint her dressing room, everything had to be lavender, there was one kind of bottled water for her, another kind for the dog,' he said.

Diva with a heart of gold: Daniel said he was dazzled by Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor, who was a delight to work with despite making 'so many demands' in her contract

Turning his attention to his own storyline of Niles marrying C.C. Babcock, Daniel acknowledged it was a mistake.

'I don't think Lauren or I ever understood it,' he said. 'It baffled the hell out of me. It was so weird.'

Daniel is now a major star on celebrity shout-out app Cameo, where he records messages for fans while in character as Niles.
Channing Tatum left very little to the imagination in a censored nude snapshot shared to his Instagram on Tuesday.

The 41-year-old actor captured the NSFW portrait while on set of his upcoming film The Lost City of D, which also stars Sandra Bullock and Daniel Radcliffe.

'You know when you in the make-up trailer a**hole naked holding a towel over your junk you about to do some s**t on set that you gonna have to prepare ya mama for before she see the movie,' captioned Tatum.

In the buff: Channing Tatum left very little to the imagination in a censored nude snapshot shared to his Instagram on Tuesday

Channing posed before a vanity mirror with a towel over his private area, while a makeup artist seemingly prepared to give him a spray tan.

To make sure he was totally censored, he placed a monkey emoji over the majority of his lower half.

Never one to take himself too seriously, Channing joked that he was 'flexing so hard' for the shot that he 'got a cramp.'

Though he did not reveal what scene required him to ditch his clothes, The Lost City of D follows a romance novelist and a model who get thrown into a jungle adventure after a kidnapping attempt gone wrong.

The film is slated for an April 2022 release date.

With Channing taking on the role of the 'cover model' for The Lost City of D, he has been working extra hard to keep his shape in top form.

Staying in shape: Tatum worked on his chiseled figure on Sunday when he posted a short video fo himself emerging from the sea after a two-mile swim

And on Sunday, Tatum gave fans a peek at his workout routine by sharing a video of himself after a two-mile swim in the ocean to Instagram.

He looked as buff as ever from a distance, though he joked in his caption that his personal trainer 'didn't make it' after the rough swim.

Channing appeared to have on nothing but some tight black swim trunks and a dark swimming cap with goggles perched on his forehead.

In the clip, he was seen lumbering out of the water toward the shore after finishing up his aquatic expedition.

'I have done all kinds of bulls*** to get in or stay in shape. Almost everything you can think of,' he said. 'And i have to say nothing yet has been more suffocating and exhausting and effective than freestyle wrestling or open ocean water swimming.

Tiring: 'I have done all kinds of bulls*** to get in or stay in shape,' he said, but 'nothing yet has been more suffocating and exhausting and effective than freestyle wrestling or open ocean water swimming'

Having a laugh: He added, 'There are moments ... that i am always like i think I might die,' and joked that his trainer wasn't so lucky. 'as you can see Im coming in by myself Arin didnt make it. 2mile ocean swim bruh'

'There are moments in both that i am always like i think I might die haha. Yup pretty sure i cant go on let go would be better than this. Haha,' he wrote.

'And Im not even i professional athlete [sic]. I cant imagine the depths in which they push themselves. Unreal. I do it for movies Hahahaha very different motivation,' he continued. 'Either way get after it everyone. Its good to be alive. There are so many people that cant say that. Im so blessed.'

Channing ended the caption with some gallows humor about his trainer Arin Babaian, who famously helped him get in shape for the Magic Mike films.

'P.s as you can see Im coming in by myself Arin didnt make it. 2mile ocean swim bruh,' he joked.

In 2019, Babaian shared his experience training Tatum for the first of the stripper-themed films, which was released in 2012.

Best shape of his life: Channing's trainer Arin Babaian is responsible for getting him in shape for his two Magic Mike movies; seen in January 2020

Making a change: 'When I showed up, he was a little overweight, and didn't want to work out,' Babaian told Men's Health during a workout session at the actor's house. 'We had to change our plan. We turned our day into a fit lifestyle.'

'When I showed up, he was a little overweight, and didn't want to work out,' he told Men's Health during a workout session at the actor's house. 'We had to change our plan. We turned our day into a fit lifestyle.'

The trainer's intense workout regimen for Tatum includes a 20 mile bike ride, 10 to 20 laps in the pool, plus water burpees and situps, followed by 400 meters on the treadmill at the gym and several other exercises.

Channing revealed to Jimmy Fallon that he had put on 10 pounds early in the pandemic, though he was able to get back to his workout routines to shed the extra weight.

Although he's been focused on pumping iron and bulking up, the Hail, Caesar! actor has also been getting in touch with his feminine side while spending time with his daughter Everly, whom he let give him a magical makeover earlier this month.

Letting loose: Although he's been focused on pumping iron and bulking up, the actor has also been getting in touch with his feminine side while spending time with his daughter Everly, who gave him a makeover this month

Author: He celebrated his new status as a New York Times bestselling author with his children's book, The One And Only Sparkella

The actor turned author recently topped the New York Times Best Sellers list with his children's book The One And Only Sparkella, which was inspired by conversations he had with his daughter.

Channing was left 'speechless' after seeing the books popularity with families.

'Ten year old me would never believe this,' he tweeted earlier this month. 'Evie and I want to thank each and every one of you for all of the #Sparkella love. I couldn't be more excited right now! THANK YOU!!'
She went public last September with the revelation that she suffers from long COVID.

And Alyssa Milano reiterated Tuesday that she is still experiencing debilitating symptoms 14 months after contracting the coronavirus.

The former Charmed star, 48, stars in a new PSA in which she outlines her experience and urges people who haven't yet been vaccinated to get the jab.

Shares her story: Alyssa Milano stars in a new PSA in which she outlines her experience with long COVID and urges people who haven't yet been vaccinated to get the jab

'If I can take my experience from having COVID and be able to turn it around and help people, I'm all for it,' Milano explained to People.

In the PSA produced in partnership with the Creative Coalition, the actress says she wishes the vaccines 'had been around before so many of us had gotten sick'.

She said that she's still suffering from shortness of breath, heart palpitations, brain fog, exhaustion and 'aches and pains that feel like they're on a skeletal level.'

The star shared that her symptoms alleviated a little after she got her first vaccine and said she got her second dose of vaccine last Thursday.

In the PSA produced with the Creative Coalition, Milano, who contracted the coronavirus in April 2020, said she wishes vaccines 'had been around before so many of us had gotten sick'

The former Charmed star said she's still suffering from shortness of breath, heart palpitations, brain fog, exhaustion and 'aches and pains that feel like they're on a skeletal level'

'The vaccine is completely safe for people who have had COVID and I think it's really important that everyone, including those who have had COVID, get vaccinated,' Milano said in the PSA.

'This virus is like nothing I've ever experienced in my life and impacted every part of my health, from my mental health to my physical health,' she added.

'In order to avoid that happening to you or people that you love, please get vaccinated and please once vaccinated follow your state guidelines and protocol, and keep people that you love safe.'

'The vaccine is completely safe for people who have had COVID and I think it's really important that everyone, including those who have had COVID, get vaccinated,' Milano said in the PSA

Last year, Milano had called for attention to be paid to helping people like herself who are COVID long-haulers. 'This is a really rough, rough illness,' she shared

Last year, Milano had called for attention to be paid to helping people like herself who are COVID long-haulers.

'We should definitely begin to shift the focus on post-COVID syndrome and, you know, try to figure out what the lasting repercussions are,' she said.

'This is a really rough, rough illness,' she went on. 'We can't think that this is over and done with, because it surely is not.'

She added: 'I get super scared sometimes, though. Not of getting sick again but of my loved ones getting sick. I don't ever want them to have this thing. It's a beast.'
Kyle and Jackie O producer 'Snappy Tom' Whitaker has shared his ultimate pick-up guide for Sydney's eastern suburbs.

On Wednesday's show, the KIIS FM staffer began by saying you can always identify a single girl in the east by their fresh blow-dry, designer Louis Vuitton bag and P.E Nation outfit - despite being nowhere near a gym.

Tom also said a lot of girls who work in public relations are single, and named the Bondi to Bronte walk and Italian restaurant Totti's as the perfect 'pick-up' locations.

His top tips: Kyle and Jackie O producer 'Snappy Tom' Whitaker (pictured) has shared his ultimate pick-up guide for Sydney's eastern suburbs

The segment began with Tom saying how a girl from the east would most likely not be offended if she was approached by a guy, even if she's already in a relationship.

'If you did that in the east, it's kind of a form of flattery,' he explained - and radio host Jackie 'O' Henderson wholeheartedly agreed.

'She would think, "I've still got it,"' said Jackie, who lives in Vaucluse, adding that the woman's husband wouldn't 'even care' because they're probably 'a big executive'.

Single girl traits: He said you can always identify a single girl in the east by their fresh blow-dry, designer Louis Vuitton bag and P.E Nation outfit - despite being nowhere near a gym

Tom then explained how to identify a single girl in the east, noting how they often have a weekly 'fresh blow-dry from Joh Bailey's salon'.

They are also usually 'carrying some form of Louis Vuitton or Yves Saint Laurent bag,' he said, adding that Gucci would be considered 'lower class'.

'Even if she's not near a gym, she would be wearing P.E Nation,' he continued.

In agreement: Tom and Jackie 'O' Henderson (pictured) agreed the best places to pick up are the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk or Italian restaurant Totti's in Bondi

Tom suggested a girl 'might be single if she works in PR', as he has a lot of friends in that industry who are 'blonde, single and up for it'.

He and Jackie agreed the best places to pick up are the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk or Italian restaurant Totti's in Bondi.

A day earlier, another KIIS FM producer, Pedro Cuccovillo Vitola, shared his guide to seduction - this time for the streets of Sydney's western suburbs.

Pedro said men should get 'neck tatts' and start referring to women as 'rats'.

The other side of town: A day earlier, another KIIS FM producer, Pedro Cuccovillo Vitola, shared his guide to seduction - this time for the streets of Sydney's western suburbs

While some of his tips were obviously jokes, Jackie was appalled by the suggestion that a woman's relationship status can be divined by her choice of clothing.

'If she's wearing a midriff top or just a bra, she's single, she's ready to go,' Pedro said.

Jackie scoffed: 'What a load of s**t this is!'

Pedro added that after conducting a great deal of research in Sydney's west, he discovered that women love men who can supply drugs.

'You always need to have pingas available or any sort of drugs,' he said.

Thanks for the advice! Pedro (pictured with his wife Patty) shared several tidbits for gentlemen from 'the area', including that they should get 'neck tatts' and start referring to women as 'rats'

At this stage, Kyle clarified that Pedro was not encouraging listeners to partake in illegal activity.

The staffer went on to share two more suggestions for western Sydney singletons.

'The last thing you need is to have a criminal record and if you really want to get laid, you need to have an ankle monitor,' he said.

'Pedro, this is the worst thing you've ever done,' Jackie replied.
Francis Chan is advocating for "sacredness" in churches despite renowned figures abandoning the faith.

After observing that Christians "spend more time in the presence of leaders than in the presence of the Lord," the Crazy Love author invites Christians to return to the source of their faith: Jesus Christ.

"Don't get away from your own encounter with God," he said adding that leaders must ensure that people truly encounter Him so that their fear of God will not be simply a commandment they were taught to obey.

Dependence on religious leaders, according to Chan, is why people are turning away, squabbling with each other, and being so opinionated about everything, Christian Post noted.

"We have to direct people to Him," he said. "We have to do a better job of bringing sacredness back into our worship."

Not surprisingly, Chan addressed the Exponential Reset Summit with a call to sacredness and a return to worship. He says this is vital, especially in light of many high-profile Christians leaving the church in the past months. Charisma quoted him as saying:

"I am seeing so many people, friends of mine who were in ministry, who are just saying they don't believe, or they're walking away. And I just think that's crazy. We're seeing people that we look up to, leaders, fall. We're seeing the world look at evangelical Christianity as an absolute joke right now. Every day you can just jump on Instagram ... and someone is saying, 'I'm not a Christian anymore.'"

Chan believes that many have fallen into the "trap" described in Isaiah 29:13, which portrays individuals within churches and religious groups whose dedication is superficial and whose worship is only lip service to God. He went on to say that these people's worship is based only on human standards. The verse, according to the NIV, states,

"These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught."

Thus, he advocates for a "return" to the "sacred and reverent silence and awe," as well as encouraging Christians to acknowledge their "oneness" with God, particularly in light of the widespread persecution.

"The world is going to get worse; persecution is going to get worse. And when they're alone with Him, is there enough of this awe and enjoyment of Him, and a fear of Him, that they can survive anything?" he reasoned.

According to a recent survey, generations are becoming more polarized in their views of religion. While majority of the older generation has remained consistent in their views, the study shows that Millennials have diverged, with 46% indicating they "don't know, don't care, or don't believe" in God.

Georgia pastor Dr. Michael Youssef commented: "All across America and Europe, churches are emptying, and an entire generation is turning away from God. People today have many gods-money, pleasure, politics, the environment-but they no longer acknowledge the God of the Bible."

In an interview with The Christian Post, he said that yielding to the woke culture helps one to escape cultural and social rejection, and that it has become a very popular message that is now being taught from many evangelical pulpits that were formerly Bible-believing, Gospel-preaching congregations.

"I've always believed, as goes the pulpit, so goes the pew. As goes the pew, so goes the culture," he explained.

Youssef then advised those who love Jesus to step up and to not be scared. Likewise, to help those who are at the crossroads of doubt and faith to find the strength to fight for the truth of the Gospel.
Plans for a new Oasis compilation album and accompanying bonus disc of unreleased material have 'been scrapped' after feuding brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher failed to agree on the project's direction.

The group disbanded in 2009 after a volatile backstage dispute led to guitarist and chief-songwriter Noel announcing he would no longer work with his younger sibling.

But amid growing calls for a reunion, the musician, 53, hoped to capitalise on the band's enduring popularity by releasing a compilation of hits recorded during their arguably less popular second era, from 2000 to their eventual split.

Not happening: Plans for a new Oasis compilation album has 'been scrapped' after feuding brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher failed to agree on the project's direction

The album was expected to follow the 2020 release of Don't Stop..., a previously unheard acoustic demo recorded by Noel in the mid-2000s.

He told The Sun: 'You know that Dont Stop demo we put up? We had planned to do an Oasis best of the 2000s because its a period of Oasis that the masses are not interested in but for the actual fans theres some great tunes.

'With Dont Stop it was like, "Well people are f***ing floundering, put that out, the fans will love it". Well, we did this best of and the bonus disc was gonna be all these unreleased songs.

Abandoned: Noel hoped to capitalise on the band's enduring popularity by releasing a compilation of hits recorded during their arguably less popular second era

'But, ha, unfortunately we couldnt agree on something and it got dropped by the wayside.'

The band, originally formed by Liam in 1991, established themselves as one of the most significant indie bands of the 1990s following the release of debut album Definitely, maybe in 1994.

Second album (What's The Story) Morning Glory? - released the following year - became the second-fastest selling album in British history behind Michael Jackson's Bad with 345,000 copies sold in its first week, a record at time.

Feud: The two Gallagher brothers (above in 1995) have been trading insults in a decade-long feud ever since Oasis famously split up at their final concert in Paris in 2009

After replacing two-members in 2000, the new look group went on to release albums Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants, Heathen Chemistry, Don't Believe The Truth and Dig Out Your Soul over the course of the ensuing decade before finally disbanding.

Noel, who hasn't spoken to brother Liam since their acrimonious split, recently admitted he stumbled across a treasure trove of unreleased Oasis material while rooting around at home, including covers of tracks originally recorded by The Beatles.

He told record Collector: 'There was this box in the cupboard under the stairs with all these blank CDs in.

Old times: Oasis established themselves as one of the most significant indie bands of the 1990s following the release of debut album Definitely, maybe in 1994

'I went, "Right, today Im going to f***ing take that". Im putting on these CDs and I found a load of old Oasis stuff, like songs Id never recorded but demoed. Im going, "No f***ing way".

'Theres a great version of Eleanor Rigby, a punk version, and an amazing version of Its All Too Much we did on the day George [Harrison] died. Johnny Marrs on it.

'Id forgotten all about it. It was just the backing track. Liam hadnt gotten round to doing the vocals.'
Drake was shown getting cozy with coffee shop owner Luisa Duran in a snap she shared Tuesday in honor of him winning Artist Of The Decade at the recent Billboard Music Awards.

The 34-year-old Canadian rapper wore an all-black outfit as he stood behind Luisa with both hands around her waist as she wore a long-sleeved white minidress while taking a selfie.

'Congratulations on artist of the decade. Its been so amazing working with you these last 10 years. You are truly like a brother to me,' Luisa added as a caption.

Like family: Drake was shown getting cozy with coffee shop owner Luisa Duran in a snap she shared Tuesday in honor of him winning Artist Of The Decade at the recent Billboard Music Awards

She added the hashtags #family and #10moreyears in the caption and also shared a few more photos of the rapper on her Instagram page.

Luisa is the owner of Mercury Espresso in Drake's hometown of Toronto and her shop sells coffee and coffee accessories.

Drake was presented with the Artist Of The Decade award on Sunday at the Billboard Music Award in Los Angeles.

He brought his three-year-old son Adonis who he shares with artist-model Sophie Brussaux onto the stage as he accepted the top honor.

Ten years: The Toronto coffee shop owner said it's been 'amazing' working with Drake for the last 10 years

The rapper that he's 'really bad at taking compliments' and 'really self-conscious' about his work in his acceptance speech, in which he attributed his success to perseverance.

'I rarely celebrate anything,' he said. 'For anyone watching this that's wondering how this happened, that's really the answer: It's being so unsure how you're getting it done that you just keep going in the hopes of figuring out the formula.'

Drake, who also won for Streaming Songs Artist, said that he was focusing on the positives of the recognition.

Toronto connection: The Toronto coffee shop owner posted several snaps of Toronto native Drake

Family feeling: 'You are truly like a brother,' Luisa posted along with snaps of Drake

'I just know that I've spent an incalculable amount of hours trying to analyze all the things I did wrong,' he said, 'but tonight for once, I'm sure as hell we did something right.'

He also hosted a party Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California after the ceremony, with the party laid out at the 50-yard line of the venue, which is home to the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers.

Among the guests in attendance were The Weeknd, Chris Brown, DJ Khaled, Doja Cat and SZA, an insider told E!, adding that there were 'huge champagne towers and several bars set up throughout the stadium.'
They have been an item for three years.

And Nick Grimshaw look loved-up as he attended Annie Mac's book launch of her novel Mother Mother with his boyfriend Meshach Henry at The Standard in London on Tuesday.

The radio presenter, 36, sported an orange printed button-up shirt with a white vest and a pair of navy jeans.

Couple: Nick Grimshaw look loved-up as he attended Annie Mac's Mother Mother book launch with his boyfriend Meshach Henry at The Standard in London on Tuesday

Nick completed his look with a silver necklace and appeared in good spirits as he posed alongside his close pal Annie.

Meshach donned a brown shirt which he paired with a black leather jacket and matching trousers.

The couple were first reported to be dating in 2018 with Nick inviting Meshach to move into his North London home after less than a year together.

Annie Mac looked radiant in an all-green pant suit for the launch of her debut novel Mother Mother just hours after she appeared on the One Show discussing her reasons for saying goodbye to her popular Radio 1 show.

Looking good: The radio presenter, 36, sported an orange printed button-up shirt with a white vest and a pair of navy jeans

The DJ, 42, was glowing at the event, accessorising her suit with a pair of white trainers and a yellow and green clutch bag.

Other well known names who attended were Radio 2 presenters Sara Cox, 46, who wore a pair of blue jeans and a black blazer for the outing and Jeremy Vine, 56, who also wore a jacket and blue trousers.

Earlier this week The Times reported Annie, and her husband Toddla T, had both made the decision to take a step back from radio to spend more time with their two sons, aged four and seven.

Dazzling: Annie was glowing as she attended the launch of her new book

Famous faces: Nick completed his look with a silver necklace and appeared in good spirits as he posed alongside his close pal Annie

In an interview, the mother-of-two, whose youngest child is starting school in September, explained the lockdown had given them new insight and they decided they wanted a change from the 'chaos' of their busy schedules.

'Id been thinking for a long time about being able to be there and have dinner with them and put them to bed, about doing a different radio show or a different thing,' she said.

Speaking about the effect the pandemic had on her outlook, she added: 'I was more aware of the kids than Ive ever been. Normally Im away DJing at weekends. Now I was zooming in on them. I could watch them grow every day, like the tulips outside.

Proud parents: Earlier this week it was reported Annie and her husband Toddla T, decided to take a step back from radio to spend more time with their two sons, aged four and seven

Moving on: The mother-of-two, whose youngest child is starting school in September, explained the lockdown had given them new insigh

'This sounds mad, but for the first part of my kids lives, up to this year, I had childcare because we both worked full-time and we were really just blagging it as parents. But for the first time this year Ive properly started to keep house.'

She also opened up about her awareness that people were waiting in the wings eager to take over her show and started to become insecure that she was not able to do listeners and artists 'justice' due to her hectic schedule.

Annie then elaborated on her decision to leave Radio 1 as she appeared on Tuesday's episode of The One Show.

Annie said: 'The thinking was, I've just had the best time and I really wanted to leave Radio 1 feeling like everything was brilliant about my time there and I wanted them to feel that too.

'It's the idea of leaving a party when you're having the best time. I'm conscious of Radio 1 being a place that is, I don't feel like you have to grow out of or too old of music, its ageless, I just feel like I'm ready for a change.'

Chic: Annie (pictured with Sara Cox) rocked an all-green pant suit at her book launch, accessorising the look with a pair of white trainers and a yellow and green clutch bag

Star-studded: Other well known names who attended the event, which took place after Annie appeared on The One Show, were Radio 2 presenters Sara Cox and Jeremy Vine (pictured)

But Annie was quick to reassure viewers that she plans to return to radio at some point after taking a break and figuring out what her next show might look like.

In April Annie announced she planned to leave BBC Radio 1 after 17 years, amid several line-up changes at the station.

Confirming her departure, the DJ told listeners her job at the broadcaster has been like a 'second home', as Clara Amfo has been revealed as her replacement on BBC Radio 1's flagship music show, Radio 1's Future Sounds.

Statement: Annie took to Twitter and wrote a statement about her decision to leave Radio 1 in April saying she wants to spend more time with her two children

Message: The Irish DJ, whose full name is Annie MacManus, added that she likes the idea of leaving her gig while she is 'still having the most fun I can have'

She said: 'After 17 wonderful years I have decided it's time to leave Radio 1. This second home has been the thread that has run through nearly my whole adult life; I have grown up, fallen in and out of love, moved homes, climbed up the career ladder, got married and become a mother twice over.

'I have done this alongside you, my listeners, who have done your own versions of the same. I will be forever grateful to you all for welcoming me into your days.

'I have never not walked out of the studio feeling lighter and happier than when I walked in, and that is all down to you.

'Working at Radio 1 has been like being at the best party ever and it is a wonderful feeling to be leaving with a huge smile on my face. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!'

Annie later took to Twitter and wrote a statement about her decision to leave, saying she wants to spend more time with her two children who she shares with her husband and fellow BBC Radio 1 DJ Toddla T.

New gig: Clara Amfo has been confirmed as the host of BBC Radio 1's flagship new music show, Radio 1's Future Sounds

She wrote: 'It's hard to articulate what this job has meant to me. It started with Annie Mac's Mashup on Thursday evenings. Then it was the big move to Fridays.

'Sunday nights was Switch with Grimmy and then The Musical Hot Water Bottle. Since March 2015 it has been every weeknight with the flagship new music show.

'I'm still in awe of the magic of music radio. Of the responsibility of handling these songs that are so powerful they can stop you in your tracks and make your emotions soar.

'I have never not walked out the studio feeling lighter and happier than when I walked in. So why leave? It's all about time really.

'I need more time to see my kids in the evenings now they are both in school. I would like more time to write fiction and to create podcasts.'

BBC Radio 1's line-up changes Annie Mac leaves the station after 17 years and is replaced on Future Sounds by Clara Amfo. Clara is set to present Future Sounds from Monday to Thursday 6pm to 8pm starting in September. Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges will take on Live Lounge from Monday to Thursday from 10:30am to 1pm. Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges Radio 1's Future Artists with Jack Saunders is moving to an earlier slot of 8am-10am Monday to Wednesday. Danny Howard, who joined Radio 1 after winning the station's Superstar DJ talent competition back in 2011, will take over as host of Radio 1's Dance Party on Fridays at 6pm. Newbies: Jack Saunders and Danny Howard are in the shake-up Jaguar has landed her own show on the station, hosting Radio 1 Dance from 10 to 11pm on Thursdays . Sarah Story will front the Friday night 8 to 10pm slot to present Radio 1 Future Dance. Signing: Jaguar and Sarah Story have signed up The station will also be bidding farewell to Diplo, who currently occupies 11pm  1am on Saturday nights with Diplo and Friends. Radio 1's Soundsystem will move to occupy the slot on Saturday evenings, 11pm  1am, while Radio 1's Residency will move to Thursdays 11  1pm. The station will also be bidding farewell to Diplo, who currently occupies 11pm  1am on Saturday nights with Diplo and Friends Advertisement

The Irish DJ, whose full name is Annie MacManus, added that she likes the idea of leaving her gig while she is 'still having the most fun I can have'.

She wrote: 'I also love the idea of leaving the party (and make no mistake, working at Radio 1 does feel like a party) with a huge smile on my ace, when I'm still having the most fun I can have.'

'In my time on Radio 1, I have fallen in and out of love, moved homes, climbed up the career ladder, got married and become a mother twice over, alongside you doing your versions of the same.

'Thank you for allowing me into your lives. Thank you for brightening my days. Thank you thank you thank you for listening.'

Annie was earning an annual salary of between 170,000-174,999 from 2019 to 2020 while Clara was said to have made between 155,000-159,999 in the same year.

Clara is set to present Future Sounds from Monday to Thursday 6pm to 8pm starting in September.

The former Strictly star previously presented The Official Chart and Live Lounge on the station and said she is 'beyond honoured' to start her new gig.

Taking to Instagram, she shared a snap of herself and Annie in the Radio 1 studio as she thanked the producers she has worked with on Live Lounge.

New role: Clara previously presented The Official Chart and Live Lounge on the station and said she is 'beyond honoured' to start her new gig

She said in a statement: 'How we all look @anniemacmanus TBH Presenting mid mornings and The Live Lounge on @bbcradio1 has been one of the most edifying and special times of my career and personal life.

'As a nation of music lovers, the experience of it live is nothing short of magical and to have had the honour of welcoming some of the world's most beloved and emerging artists in to The Live Lounge has created unifying moments that I and the listeners will never forget!!

'I am beyond honoured and ready to start this exciting new chapter on Radio 1. I'm such a fan of this show, the artists that is has championed and to be receiving the baton from Annie who I love and respect makes it extra special for me.

'Massive congrats to@rickiehw @melvinodoom @charliehedgesdj I love you 3 deep and you are gonna have THE most fun in the daytime!

'Massive big up to every single one of my daytime producers and The Live Lounge/smug life listener crew, I have loved hearing your stories and enjoying keeping you company with tunes in daytime and look forward to continuing that in September, so see you a few hours later!'

Exciting: Clara is set to present Future Sounds from Monday to Thursday 6pm to 8pm starting in September

Other changes at the station include Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges taking on Live Lounge while Radio 1's Future Artists with Jack Saunders is moving to an earlier slot of 8am-10am, Monday to Wednesday.

On hosting Live Lounge, Rickie, Melvin and Charlie said: 'To be given the opportunity to present the Live Lounge is just an absolute dream, a show we all adore and have so much love, passion and respect for.

'Celebrating great artists playing their new and live music on Radio 1 is a huge honour and we can't wait to put our RMC twist on it! Much love to Clara who has done an amazing job over the years and thank you for passing the baton - we promise not to break it!'

Meanwhile, Sian Eleri is set to host a brand new show called Radio 1's Powerdown Playlist from Monday to Wednesday between 10 and 11pm.

Annie said: 'In my time on Radio 1, I have fallen in and out of love, moved homes, climbed up the career ladder, got married and become a mother twice over, alongside you doing your versions of the same'

Danny Howard, who joined Radio 1 after winning the station's Superstar DJ talent competition back in 2011, will take over Annie's other hosting slot on Radio 1's Dance Party on Fridays at 6pm.

Jaguar has landed her own show on the station, hosting Radio 1 Dance from 10 to 11pm on Thursdays.

Sarah Story will front the Friday night 8 to 10pm slot to present Radio 1 Future Dance.

The station will also be bidding farewell to Diplo, who currently occupies 11pm  1am on Saturday nights with Diplo and Friends.

Radio 1's Soundsystem will move to occupy the slot on Saturday evenings, 11pm  1am, while Radio 1's Residency will move to Thursdays 11  1pm.
She has garnered an impressive social media following thanks to her fashionable outfit snaps and sultry selfies.

And Ed Westwicks girlfriend Tamara Francesconi sent temperatures soaring on Tuesday as she showcased her lithe figure in chic garments from her new PrettyLittleThing collection.

The model, 24, worked her best angles in the sun-soaked city of Palma in Majorca, as she switched into a variety of skimpy outfits from her range.

Wow! Ed Westwicks girlfriend Tamara Francesconi sent temperatures soaring on Tuesday as she showcased her lithe figure in chic garments from her new PrettyLittleThing collection

Summer style: The model, 24, worked her best angles in the sun-soaked city of Palma in Majorca, as she switched into a variety of skimpy outfits from her range

Tamara flashed her toned midriff in a white cut-out dress as she reclined on derelict stairs.

She also posed seductively on a sun chair, sporting high-waist cream trousers and a complementing top, complete with an irregular hem.

Tamara played with her lengthy locks and protected her flawless make-up from the glorious sun with a straw hat.

The social media star also added a delicate touch with silver jewellery and white sandal heels for the picturesque outdoor shoot.

Stunning: Tamara flashed her toned midriff in a white cut-out dress as she reclined on derelict stairs

New look: She also posed seductively on a sun chair, sporting high-waist cream trousers and a complementing top, complete with an irregular hem

She then changed into an orange patterned bandeau top and matching skirt which cinched beneath a brown buckle, creating a V-waistline to highlight her slender curves.

The London-based influencer tucked her sleek brunette tresses beneath a complementing headscarf and accessorised with stylish gold jewellery.

Tamara drew attention to her slender curves once more in a slinky brown dress which tied at the waist. It also boasted an asymmetric neckline and cut-out section, exposing her toned midriff.

For another sensational look, she switched into a cut-out swimsuit as she was seen emerging from water on the Spanish island.

Shade: Tamara played with her lengthy locks and protected her flawless make-up from the glorious sun with a straw hat

Attention to detail: The social media star also added a delicate touch with silver jewellery and white sandal heels for the picturesque outdoor shoot

Chocolate dreams: Tamara drew attention to her slender curves once more in a slinky brown dress which tied at the waist

Dashing: Her dress also boasted an asymmetric neckline and cut-out section, exposing her toned midriff

She looked like a vision of serenity as she floated in the turquoise ocean and her locks swayed in the ripples.

Switching into another item from her new collection, she wore an abstract patterned bikini in a muted pink hue.

Tamara subsequently rocked a cut-out dress of the same fabric - which featured a halterneck and drawstring detailing - as she stood in front of the remarkable Majorca coastline .

The model changed location once more as she posed up a storm in a classic car while wearing another glamorous outfit.

Tropical: She then changed into an orange patterned bandeau top and matching skirt which cinched beneath a brown buckle, creating a V-waistline to highlight her slender curves

Breathtaking: The London-based influencer tucked her sleek brunette tresses beneath a complementing headscarf and accessorised with stylish gold jewellery

Incredible: For another sensational look, she switched into a cut-out swimsuit as she was seen emerging from water on the Spanish island

Savour the moment: She looked like a vision of serenity as she floated in the turquoise ocean and her locks swayed in the ripples

Her halterneck cut-out top flashed a glimpse of her underboob. The revealing item rested on her neck with the help of a gold chain and matched her side-split flared trousers.

She added a touch of luxury with brown satin gloves as she switched into another ensemble for the PLT campaign.

Tamara wowed in a brown mini dress which featured a brown corset top, gold chain link straps and ruched fabric.

Speaking about her collection earlier in May, the South African native said: 'Its one thing to be on a billboard but to see my name on a billboard is just too crazy.

Fashionista: Switching into another item from her new collection, she wore an abstract patterned bikini in a muted pink hue

Composed: Tamara subsequently rocked a cut-out dress of the same fabric - which featured a halterneck and drawstring detailing - as she stood in front of the remarkable Majorca coastline

Glamourpuss: The model changed location once more as she posed up a storm in a classic car while wearing another glamorous outfit

Exude femininity: Her halterneck cut-out top flashed a glimpse of her underboob and rested on her neck with the help of a gold chain

'PrettyLittleThing x Tamara Francesconi is coming! Its so dreamy and shot in the most beautiful location! 26.05.21 save the date!'

Earlier this month, Tamara enjoyed a romantic few days with Ed, 33, at the exclusive Soho Farmhouse in the Cotswolds.

The brunette and her actor boyfriend also travelled to her native country in 2021, a few months after they celebrated their one-year anniversary.

The happy couple, who have been dating since October 2019, first got together after Ed slid into Tamara's DMs on Instagram.

Beauty: She added a touch of luxury with brown satin gloves as she switched into another ensemble

Stunning: Tamara wowed in a brown mini dress which featured a brown corset top, gold chain link straps and ruched fabric

Leisure: Earlier this month, Tamara enjoyed a romantic few days with Ed, 33, at the exclusive Soho Farmhouse in the Cotswolds

Jetsetter: The brunette and her actor boyfriend also travelled to her native country in 2021, a few months after they celebrated their one-year anniversary

Talking about their relationship on social media, she said: 'Going to answer this first because it's my most asked question, and probably the reason a lot of you follow me.

'He direct message me out of the blue saying "Hi," and I nearly fell off my chair, we then chatted for a while and he asked me on a date, which I assumed would be a dinner.

'Instead he took me to a butterfly sanctuary in Mayfair, we thereafter spent the whole day exploring London together, and the rest is history.

'I feel like we have all become codependent with our partners this year (I know I have) I think it's really important to do things alone and for yourself, read a book, go for a walk, chat to a friend.' (sic)

Going strong: The happy couple, who have been dating since October 2019, first got together after Ed slid into Tamara's DMs on Instagram

Where it all began: Speaking about their relationship on social media, she said: 'He direct message me out of the blue saying "Hi," and I nearly fell off my chair, we then chatted for a while and he asked me on a date, which I assumed would be a dinner'

Sweet: She added: 'Instead he took me to a butterfly sanctuary in Mayfair, we thereafter spent the whole day exploring London together, and the rest is history'

Honest: Speaking about their relationship during the pandemic, she said: 'I feel like we have all become codependent with our partners this year (I know I have)' (sic)
She was a fan favourite on MasterChef with her quirky, effervescent personality, but Poh Ling Yeow has confessed she suffers from 'crippling' shyness in real life.

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday, Poh, 47, confessed she suffered from self-esteem issues as child, which carried over into adulthood.

The artist and chef admitted she always felt different as a child, and 'wanted to be blue-eyed with freckles, long-limbed and blonde hair'.

Wallflower: She was a fan favourite on MasterChef with her quirky, effervescent personality, but Poh Ling Yeow has confessed she suffers from 'crippling' shyness in real life

'I think looking different has always been an issue and even creeps up on me now as a nearly 50-year-old,' she confessed.

Poh revealed she was so shy as a child that her parents enrolled her in drama classes to help her build her confidence.

'I am not even confident now all of the time,' she admitted.

Shy girl: In an interview with The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday, Poh, 47, confessed she suffered from self-esteem issues as child, which carried over into adulthood

'I realise it is like exercise, you have to maintain it. I was super shy as a kid but it was my creativity that made me have to get over it.

'It was crippling. I could barely put my hand up to ask questions in school.'

Poh said she turned to art to help her overcome her shyness, and claimed painting and drawing 'took me to another place and gave me a sense of purpose'.

Artist at work: Poh said she turned to art to help her overcome her shyness, and claimed painting and drawing 'took me to another place and gave me a sense of purpose'

Meanwhile, Poh made her first public appearance on Wednesday since splitting from her second husband, Jonathan Bennett, in February.

After being announced as a L'Oreal ambassador in March, the Jamface founder attended the cosmetic giant's Revitalift Retinol launch in Sydney.

'I have huge respect for [makeup's] ability to transform how we feel and see our own potential,' she wrote on Instagram in March.
Tamara Ecclestones husband Jay Rutland has been slammed for mocking Prince Harrys mental health in a recent social media post.

Rutland, a creative director at London's Maddox Gallery, poked fun at the Duke of Sussex after he was filmed undergoing treatment for anxiety in his recent AppleTV+ documentary, The Me You Can't See.

Prince Harry, 36, was seen tapping his shoulders with his arms crossed and his eyes closed while having Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), a therapeutic process commonly used to treat PTSD sufferers.

Controversy: Tamara Ecclestones husband Jay Rutland has been slammed for mocking Prince Harrys mental health in a recent social media post

Rutland, 38 - who wed multi-millionare F1 heiress Tamara in 2013 - later posted a poll to his 133,000 Instagram followers in which he appeared to make light of the Royal.

A message accompanying an image of Prince Harry submitting himself to the unorthodox therapy read: 'The rarely spotted Great British T*t.'

He then asked fans to vote if they thought the Duke was a T*t or if they felt empathy for him and could sarcastically vote Poor Harry. The Instagram Story is no longer visible on his profile.

Lighting the fuse: Rutland (pictured with wife Tamara) poked fun at the Duke of Sussex after he was filmed undergoing treatment for anxiety in his recent documentary, The Me You Can't See

Rutland - who has two daughters Sophia, seven and eight-month-old Serena with Tamara - has since been blasted by mental health campaigners.

They criticised him while highlighting that mental health is the biggest killer of young men in the UK and needs to be taken seriously.

LBC presenter and mental health campaigner Natasha Devon MBE said: 'The idea that showing vulnerability renders a person worthy of ridicule is an unfortunate consequence of when Britishness meets toxic masculinity. And it's killing men.

Treatment: Prince Harry, 36, was seen tapping his shoulders with his arms crossed and his eyes closed while having Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR)

'Studies show boys grow up believing most emotions aren't 'appropriate' for them and that being 'strong' involves dealing with problems by themselves and not speaking out about them.'

She added: 'This is anathema to mental health and is at least partially responsible for elevated levels of addiction and suicide in British men.

'Prince Harry should be praised for addressing this taboo and hailed as a positive role model, not mocked.'

Family: Rutland- who has daughters Sophia, seven and eight-month-old Serena with Tamara - has been blasted by mental health campaigners for sharing a sarcastic poll with his followers

Not happy: LBC presenter and mental health campaigner Natasha Devon MBE was among those to speak out against Rutland

Jonny Benjamin MBE, a public speaker and mental health campaigner echoed this and said: 'Mental health stigma is still a massive problem for our society. We know that suicide is tragically the biggest killer of young men in the UK.

'Therefore, public figures in particular need to be sensitive to the messages they put out around mental health.

'If Prince Harry had cancer and was talking about his treatment, I doubt very much that Jay would have had the same reaction. We need to be encouraging men in particular to speak out; not shaming them.'

Important: The Prince underwent the therapy to combat his anxiety triggered whenever he visits the United Kingdom

Fresh start: The Duke Of Sussex moved to the United States two years ago with wife Meghan Markle and their son Archie (pictured). The couple are now expecting their second child

The Prince - who moved to the US two years ago with wife Meghan and son Archie - underwent the therapy to combat his anxiety triggered whenever he visits the UK.

He said he felt hunted and helpless in the capital where he grew up after the death of his mother Princess Diana in 1997, when he was 12-years old.

EMDR was created by American psychologist Francine Shapiro in 1987. It is thought the tapping can unlock bad memories from their past.

It is available on the NHS as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
She's known for her head-turning outfits.

And, Amanda Holden was preened to perfection in a yellow pencil dress and white stilettos as she left Heart FM in London, on Wednesday.

The radio host, 50, showed off her slender frame in the form-fitting textured frock, which she teamed with a longline lemon duster jacket and a chunky gold necklace.

Glam: Amanda Holden, 50, was preened to perfection in a yellow pencil dress and white stilettos as she left Heart FM in London, on Wednesday

The Britain's Got Talent judge strolled along in pointed white heels featuring perspex sections, and carried her belongings in a clutch bag.

Her blonde tresses were styled into glamorous curls and she shielded her eyes with a pair of cream sunglasses.

Amanda took to Instagram to show off her ensemble, sharing a video of herself strutting about inside Global HQ.

The TV star also posted a photograph of herself wearing her yellow frock while peering through blinds.

Looking good: The radio host showed off her slender frame in the form-fitting textured frock, which she teamed with a longline lemon duster jacket and a chunky gold necklace

Finishing touches: The Britain's Got Talent judge strolled along in pointed white heels featuring perspex sections, and carried her belongings in a clutch bag

It follows the news that Amanda is set to star in her own series called No Holden Back on E4.

The presenter, who previously teased she was working on a secret project, said she is 'delighted' to have landed her own show.

The eight-part series will follow Amanda's 'unique relationship' with her Nan Myrtle, with the star moving back in with her beloved grandmother.

Amanda told The Sun: 'I'm delighted that everyone is finally going to meet my nan, the apple never falls far from my tree and in this series she will certainly be keeping me on my toes.'

Watch me walk: Amanda took to Instagram to show off her ensemble, sharing a video of herself strutting about inside Global HQ

Peek-a-boo: The TV star also posted a photograph of herself wearing her yellow frock while peering through blinds

A spokesperson for her nan, Myrtle, said: 'I have no comment, apart from I'm really hoping being on TV might mean I can finally meet my favourite young man, Ben Shephard.'

Channel 4 Commissioning Editor, Steven Handley told the publication: 'Amanda is one of the UK's most well-known stars and we are thrilled to get insight into her life with her nan.'

MailOnline has contacted Amanda's representatives and Channel 4 for further comment.

The show will also be broadcast on Channel 4 meaning Amanda will have programmes on ITV (Britain's Got Talent), BBC (I Can See Your Voice) and Channel 4 (No Holden Back).
Hollyoaks actress Bronagh Waugh has welcomed her first child, a baby boy, with husband Richard Peacock.

The Northern Irish star, 38, announced the news to fans in a series of Instagram posts on Wednesday, two months after confirming her pregnancy.

Captioning the images, Bronagh - best known for her role as Cheryl Brady on the Channel 4 soap - also revealed she had given birth almost a month ago.

Happy news: Hollyoaks actress Bronagh Waugh has welcomed her first child, a baby boy, with husband Richard Peacock

She wrote: '3 weeks of Heaven with my wee man, my little #cinquodemayo Baby. Mind blown. Heart bursting. Ive never known tiredness like it but my God is it worth it! Completely & utterly in love.'

The actress originally announced her pregnancy on International Women's Day in March with a glamorous photoshoot taken over Zoom by Stewart Bywater and published on Instagram.

Revealing her baby bump for the first time, she wrote: 'Over Lockdown Ive been busy preparing for my next role (spoiler alert: its pretty major - Im going to be a Ma!)

Gritty roles: Bronagh is best known for playing Cheryl Brady on Hollyoaks between 2009-2013

Proud mother: The Northern Irish actress, 38, confirmed the news in a series of Instagram posts shared with followers on Wednesday

Cute: Bronagh and Richard shared their first images of the baby, but ensured its face was obscured

'Womens bodies are incredible with what they can do and what they withstand. Absolute miracle machines and strong as an ox!

'So Happy International Womens Day to all of the incredible women out there doing their thing; surviving, thriving, coping and carrying on. You make the World go round & I salute each & every one of yiz!'

The star's celebrity friends took to Instagram to share their best wishes, with Irish presenter Laura Whitmore and former Hollyoaks co-star Kieron Richardson both posting sweet messages.

Bronagh also showed off her bump as she posed in a cropped T-shirt with the slogan 'decriminalise' as she spoke in support of reproductive rights.

Previously: The actress originally announced her pregnancy in March with a glamorous photoshoot taken over Zoom

Wow: Bronagh showed off her growing baby bump in the images, shot by photographer Stewart Bywater

Emotional: Bronagh shared a message in honour of IWD as she prepares to become a mum

She wrote: 'Being pregnant has only affirmed how important reproductive rights are to me & how we must continue to fight for them.

'Its been over a year since abortion was decriminalised in N Ireland and yet still women are being forced to travel to England in the middle of a pandemic to access proper healthcare. It is unacceptable.

'The UK government, the Secretary of State & Stormont are all playing pass the buck & proper, safe, local abortion services are barely available or hanging on by a thread (due to the sheer perseverance of medical professionals and doctors).

'This is in spite of the UK Gov decreeing by law, nearly 18 months ago that abortion services should be made available in NI.

Gorgeous: The actress wowed in the remotely conducted shoot as she revelled in impending motherhood

'The DUP only a few weeks ago, introduced a bill in Stormont to try & reverse some of our new abortion laws.

'Women & pregnant people are being let down by both governments in Northern Ireland. Do not let these politicians stand in the way of our rights. We should all have the right to choose.

We should all have the right to proper healthcare. We still have work to do. Lobby your MP or your MLA today to put pressure on them.'

Go for it: Bronagh also showed off her bump once more as she posed in a cropped t-shirt with the slogan 'decriminalise' as she spoke in support of reproductive rights

In November 2019 Bronagh spoke of her intention to legally tie the knot with Richard after previously refusing to wed until same-sex marriage was legalised in her native Northern Ireland.

She had previously celebrated her love for partner Richard in a romantic Celtic hand-fasting ceremony in September 2018.

The actress revealed her excitement at legally becoming Richard's wife, over a year after their initial ceremony.

Radiant: The Irish star looked radiant as she placed a hand on her growing stomach

Baby on the way: The star also wrote a heartfelt caption in support of reproductive rights

Smitten: In November Bronagh spoke of her intention to legally tie the knot after previously refusing to wed until same-sex marriage was legalised in her native Northern Ireland

She told The Belfast Telegraph: 'Yes, this is it! Now I can finally get married properly. We are are going to do it. We will dust the dress off and do it properly back in Northern Ireland.

'I am going to have a big, big party and invite everybody from Love Equality and Amnesty and all my old friends from home and have a big party and celebration for equality.'

Bronagh is known for her role as Cheryl Brady on Hollyoaks between 2009-2013 and serial killer's wife Sally-Ann Spector in The Fall alongside Jamie Dornan.

More recently she played fictional character Charlotte Proctor alongside David Tennant as real-life serial killer Dennis Nielsen in ITV drama Des.

Starring role: Bronagh played Sally-Ann Spector in The Fall alongside Jamie Dornan
Gordon Ramsay's daughter Holly has revealed she spent three months in a mental health hospital after suffering PTSD from sexual assaults.

Speaking on her 21 & Over with Holly Ramsay podcast, the 21-year-old detailed how she was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder at university, which was the result of two sexual assaults when she was 18.

She left Ravensbourne University after one year and was admitted to the Nightingale Hospital in Marylebone, London's only private mental health hospital.

Emotional: Gordon Ramsay's daughter Holly has revealed she spent three months in a mental health hospital after suffering PTSD from sexual assaults

Holly gave the heartbreaking account, as she said: 'I went to university, studied fashion design, and I loved it. But by the second half of the first year I was being affected by my PTSD and I had no idea that this was happening.

'I was going out a lot, missing class because I'd been out. I wasn't enjoying myself. I was struggling a lot. The PTSD was a result of two sexual assaults when I was 18...

'I didn't tell anyone about it until a year afterwards. I just buried it in a box in the back of my mind. [In hospital] is was where I was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression.

'Since then, I have been in therapy up to three times a week. I now have these diagnoses that I carry around with me. It's confusing and I'm trying to take control of my narrative and use that to make something good.'

Open and honest: Speaking on her 21 & Over with Holly Ramsay podcast, the 21-year-old detailed how she was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder at university, which was the result of two sexual assaults when she was 18

Taking to Instagram upon the release of the podcast, Holly penned: 'Wow. I hope by listening, we can continue to break the stigma surrounding our mental health...

'Asking for help is not only the bravest thing you can do, but it is also your first step to reaching a happier & healthier you'.

She then gave a nod to her father Gordon, 54, her mother Tana, 46, her twin, Jack, sisters Megan, 23, and Matilda, 19, and baby brother Oscar, two.

Sweet: She then gave a nod to her father Gordon, 54, her mother Tana, 46, her twin, Jack, sisters Megan, 23, and Matilda, 19, and baby brother Oscar, two

Holly said: 'It's brought me closer to them in many ways.'

She previously said: 'Ive lost friends. Its definitely a journey. But I hope that by speaking out I can help other people...

'I hope we can continue to break the stigma surrounding our mental health. Asking for help is not only the bravest thing you can do, but it is also your first step to reaching a happier & healthier you.'

Candid: 21 And Over With Holly Ramsay is billed as: 'A podcast for those who struggle with anxiety, self-doubt, mental health and creating identities in todays world'

21 And Over With Holly Ramsay is billed as: 'A podcast for those who struggle with anxiety, self-doubt, mental health and creating identities in todays world...

'Join Holly Ramsay as she opens up and shares her journey with mental health along with other guests, advocates, musicians and more. Well laugh, well cry, but most of all well learn to celebrate our growth and what's to come in the future!'

The Ramsay family have long been staunch mental health campaigners, with mum Tana previously revealing that the family use exercise to help with trauma.

We are family: Holly said: 'It's brought me closer to them in many ways' (The Ramsays pictured in 2016)

On exercise and mental health, she said: 'What it does is allow you to process things. Whether it is cycling and chatting together, or running and having a cry on your own, you have to have that release...

'You also have to have those moments where you allow yourself to feel really sad, when youre thinking, Why me? Were all going to think like that occasionally. It means we can handle it. It has drawn us together as a family.

Its also important to talk with the children and not just think everything is fine. Gordons a really big one for talking. Sometimes I just say to him Seriously?, and hes like: No, we have to talk about it. Sometimes thats irritating'.

For help with any issues in this story call Refuge on 0808 2000 247, Mind on 0300 123 3393 or Samaritans on 116 123
Graham Norton has recalled the harrowing moment he was robbed, stabbed and left for dead after a violent unprovoked attack back in 1989.

The presenter, 58, lost half of his blood after be stabbed while walking home as a young drama student, years before he rose to fame on Father Ted.

Now in Elizabeth Day's How to Fail podcast, Graham said how he asked for a 'little old lady' to hold his hand as he lay on a mat 'dying'.

Scary: Graham Norton has recalled the harrowing moment he was robbed, stabbed and left for dead after a violent unprovoked attack back in 1989

Graham said: 'I'm on this mat and I didn't know I was dying, I didn't figure it out until later, and this is so not me but I remember saying to this little old lady "will you hold my hand?"

'And it was a flicker on her face of "oh do I want to hold his hand?" but she did and she held out her hand.

'I held her hand and I think that's something so deep within us and it motivates so much of our life that we don't want to die alone.'

Terrible: The presenter, 58, lost half of his blood after be stabbed while walking home as a young drama student, years before he rose to fame on Father Ted (pictured in 2002)

Graham continued: 'I think so many decisions in our lives like having a partner and having children are about not being alone when you die. It's about having someone to hold your hand.

'It gave me a really good attitude to risk and to failure because if you think of the worst-case scenario, no failure compares to dying. I'm not recommending anyone do it but for me it was a very useful and powerful life lesson.'

Graham contributed to a book called This Is Going To Hurt last year which followed stories from celebrities who have used the NHS.

Author Adam Kay recounted the presenter's story on This Morning. He said: 'He got not a bit stabbed, he got really stabbed.

'Just arrived in London and describes the NHS as the safety net, there to catch us when we fall, replacing the family he left behind in Ireland.

He writes with extreme humour as you can imagine, but there was this chilling section, where he asks the nurse if he was going to die.

'Her long pause made his flesh hug his bones, but like for so many of us, the NHS saved his life.'

Graham had previously revealed that he was stabbed in a piece for The Telegraph in 2010, writing: 'In 1989 I was mugged, beaten and stabbed by a group of boys, who left me for dead.

'To add insult to injury, not only did I lose half my blood but I lost my boyfriend too: he dumped me the next day, which wasn't the most tactful piece of timing.'
On Friday, hundreds of protesters gathered on the Rutgers University campus to oppose the college's rule that students present evidence of having fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to attending on-site classes.

According to My Central Jersey, 300 "medical freedom activists" are protesting Rutgers' mandated COVID vaccination requirement.

"My body, my choice," they yelled, "our kids, our choice," and "it ends now."

"You are not allowing students to make their own decisions," one activist said.

"We as the students should not be put in the position of having to choose between our beliefs and our education," said another.

However, they are not on their own in their protest. Rutgers' vaccination policy has been slammed by conservative lawmakers.

"Let me talk to the doctor and let me decide," Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger, R-Monmouth, who has filed legislation against obligatory "vaccine passports," reportedly said.

Sen. Mike Testa, R-Cape May also put the vaccine's efficacy into doubt.

"This vaccine is experimental," he said. "It doesn't do either of the two things a vaccine is even supposed to do. It doesn't prevent you from getting COVID-19. And it doesn't prevent you from spreading COVID-19."

Jersey noted that in Rutgers' campuses, there have been 2,427 COVID-19 cases. According to a recent College Finance poll, 88 % of students want to receive the vaccine, and more than 70% said the vaccination should be mandatory for college students.

Turning Point USA, Young Americans for Liberty, and NJ Stands Up, an organization opposed to coercive medical requirements, staged the protest on Friday.

Why the vaccine passport in colleges?

According to U.S. News, a database kept by the Chronicle of Higher Education suggests that more than 360 public and private universities throughout the United States will "require students" to be vaccinated, with more institutions expected to get on board.

Several large universities like the State University of New York system, have declared vaccine mandates in addition to individual campuses. Others, including the 23-campus California State University system, intend to take precautions until at least one coronavirus vaccine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Dr. Preeti Malani, a professor and chief health officer at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor said, "If you can ensure a highly vaccinated community, you can get back to a lot of those things safely."

Malani defines the current COVID-19 vaccinations as "safe and effective" based on the facts and the millions of Americans who have previously been inoculated, and she advises students to consider others while thinking about the vaccine.

"I'm a full believer that (colleges) asking students to be vaccinated prior to coming to campus or when they show up on campus is prudent, is safe, is reasonable and well within their rubric of running the campus," says Sheldon H. Jacobson, a computer science professor specializing in public health data at the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign.

Jacobson adds that current inoculation requirements against mumps, measles and other illnesses eventually offer a legal basis for mandates including COVID-19 vaccines.

To date, colleges have typically been divided into "four categories: requiring vaccines; offering students incentives to get immunized voluntarily; not requiring the shots; and adopting a wait-and-see approach."

Chris Marsicano, who researched institutional coronavirus reactions as part of his research work at the College Crisis Initiative lab, describes most institutions in the latter group.

The institutions have also utilized the metaphorical sticks and carrots approach to ensure that students were vaccinated before arriving on campus, according to U.S. News.
Oscar-winning songwriter Lady Gaga took the plunge in a ripped T-shirt and silver-sequin track pants after shopping at Aviator Nation in Malibu on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old pop diva - who was joined at the clothing shop by a gal pal - made sure to wear a pink metallic face mask, which are still required inside businesses.

There's been 1.2M confirmed COVID-19 cases leading to 24K deaths in the city, but LA County is currently in the least-restrictive yellow tier.

Sparkle time: Oscar-winning songwriter Lady Gaga took the plunge in a ripped T-shirt and silver-sequin track pants after shopping at Aviator Nation in Malibu on Tuesday

Gaga (born Stefani Germanotta) wore her brunette lock in a partial top-bun and she clutched two pink cell phones.

On May 8, Mother Monster wrapped Ridley Scott's Patrizia Reggiani biopic House of Gucci, which is scheduled to hit US theaters November 24 and UK theaters November 26.

In it, Gaga plays the fellow fiery 5ft Italian socialite Patrizia who was convicted of orchestrating the 1995 murder of her ex-husband, Gucci heir Maurizio Gucci.

Safety first! The 35-year-old pop diva - who was joined at the clothing shop by a gal pal (R) - made sure to wear a pink metallic face mask, which are still required inside businesses

Out and about: Gaga (born Stefani Germanotta) wore her brunette lock in a partial top-bun and she clutched two pink cell phones

The Milan-born 72-year-old completed 18 years of her 29-year prison sentence in 2016 along with four accomplices - including the hitman who gunned down Maurizio at his office.

House of Gucci also stars Adam Driver, Al Pacino, Jared Leto, Salma Hayek, Jack Huston, Reeve Carney, and Jeremy Irons.

The 12-time Grammy winner will next appear in Ben Winston's unscripted Friends: The Reunion, which airs this Thursday on HBO Max.

'Thats a wrap, Rid. #HouseOfGucci': On May 8, Mother Monster wrapped Ridley Scott's (R) Patrizia Reggiani biopic House of Gucci, which is scheduled to hit US theaters November 24 and UK theaters November 26

Action! In it, Gaga (pictured April 30) plays the fellow fiery 5ft Italian socialite Patrizia who was convicted of orchestrating the 1995 murder of her ex-husband, Gucci heir Maurizio Gucci

'It was worth every lira': The Milan-born 72-year-old (M, pictured in 1998) completed 18 years of her 29-year prison sentence in 2016 along with four accomplices - including the hitman who gunned down Maurizio at his office

Eyebrows raised when the 19 special guests were announced as only three include people of color: Malala Yousafzai, Mindy Kaling, and K-pop boyband BTS.

The Joe Biden inauguration performer will then kick off her six-city Chromatica Ball world tour on July 25 at France's Stade de France in Saint-Denis.

During the second quarter of 2021, Gaga is said to be releasing her second album with the legendary crooner Tony Bennett, which was recorded between 2018-2020.

'The One Where They Got Back Together': The 12-time Grammy winner will next appear in Ben Winston's unscripted Friends: The Reunion, which airs this Thursday on HBO Max
Her estranged husband Kanye West is reportedly romantically linked to supermodel Irina Shayk, according to Instagram based celebrity gossip site DeuxMoi.

But on Wednesday, Kim Kardashian kept her focus solely on her children in a sweet Instagram post.

The mother of four, 40, shared two snaps of daughters North, seven, and Chicago, three, as they played in the sand, captioning it 'Me and my girls.'

So cute: Her estranged husband Kanye West is reportedly romantically linked to supermodel Irina Shayk, according to Instagram based celebrity gossip site DeuxMoi. But on Wednesday, Kim Kardashian kept her focus solely on her children in a sweet Instagram post

Kim donned a cut-out bathing suit with spandex shorts, adding coordinating sunglasses.

The brunette beauty had Chicago on her lap in one snap with North next to them playing with the sand.

They also all sat in the sand and played in the second image.

The images come after her estranged husband Kanye was reportedly linked to Russian supermodel Irina Shayk, 35, according to DeuxMoi.

Doting mom: The mother of four, 40, shared two snaps of daughters North and Chicago as they played in the sand, captioning it 'Me and my girls'

'Kanye West is now secretly dating Irina Shayk aka Bradley Cooper's baby mama,' a tipster wrote in.

The anonymous figure behind DeuxMoi replied to the tip with: 'After further looking into this, I don't know if "dating" is the right word, but there is perhaps some interest there.'

Seeming to double down on earlier 'dating claims,' another tipster insisted to DeuxMoi that Irina and Kanye ''Def dating.'

Though the pairing may appear random to some, Irina and Kanye have been connected for more than a decade.

Reports: The images come after her estranged husband Kanye was reportedly linked to Russian supermodel Irina Shayk, 35, according to DeuxMoi

Back in 2010, the runway maven was a featured player in West's Heaven-inspired Power music video, where she portrayed an angel.

Specifically, Shayk sported a revealing gold getup and a pair of CGI angel wings.

Just two years later, the Russian-born beauty put her modeling skills to the test as she graced the runway for West's Fall/Winter fashion collection at Paris Fashion Week.

Another link between the pair occurred as recent as last month, with Irina having sported a DMX shirt designed by West in collaboration with Balenciaga.

Power: Back in 2010, the runway maven was a featured player in West's Heaven-inspired Power music video, where she portrayed an angel

Angelic: Specifically, Shayk sported a revealing gold getup and a pair of CGI angel wings

Famously, Irina was romantically involved with actor Bradley Cooper, whom she shares four-year-old daughter Lea De Seine with.

Irina and Bradley began seeing each other in 2015 and moved quickly with their relationship, as they welcomed Lea two years after they initially met.

Although the two were often spotted together in public over the next few years, their partnership came to an end in 2019.

Cooper and Shayk have remained on good terms, and the actor moved to New York City in order to be closer to his daughter and former girlfriend.

Fashion: Irina has found herself intertwined with Kanye's fashion endeavors over the years, first appearing a fashion show for the rapper in 2012 before rocking his Balenciaga collaboration in April 2021

Prior to beginning a relationship with the A Star Is Born director, she was in a high-profile relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo for several years.

Kanye's nearly seven year marriage to Kim Kardashian came to an end in February, with the reality TV sensation filing for divorce.

According to People, the Stronger rapper filed his response for divorce in early April, where he asked for joint legal and physical custody of their children.

Former flame: Famously, Irina was romantically involved with actor Bradley Cooper; Irina and Bradley pictured in 2018

The estranged pair share daughters North, Chicago, and sons Saint, five, and Psalm, two.

The source also stated that, despite any rumored tension between Kim and Kanye, their divorce proceedings are going 'smoothly.'

They continued: 'Kim and Kanye are getting along. They have both stayed true to their commitment to make the best situation for the kids.

'Kim is very happy that they have managed to keep things calm,' the source claimed, adding that Kardashian thinks West is 'a good dad' and that she wants him 'to be able to spend as much time with the kids as he wants.'

The insider added that Kim 'seems happier' 'for every week that goes by since she filed for divorce.'

She 'known that filing for divorce was the right decision. The kids are doing as she could hope.'

After her February filing, Kim and the children have continued to stay at their $60 million Hidden Hills mansion she previously shared with Kanye.

End of an era: Kanye's nearly seven year marriage to Kim Kardashian came to an end in February, with the reality TV sensation filing for divorce; pictured June 21, 2018 at Paris Fashion Week

Although the source added that Kim is 'not looking for anyone right now', they continued: 'She's not looking to jump into anything but is keeping an open mind.'

It comes after it was recently reported that Kanye is looking to date an 'artist and creative person' once their divorce is made final.

Kim and Kanye were friends for years, with Kim even marrying Kris Humphries in 2011 and divorcing him 72 days later during their friendship.

Kim and Kanye became romantic in spring 2012 and got married on May 24, 2014 in Florence, Italy after enjoying celebrations in Paris, France.

Just this past weekend, Kardashian sparked romance rumors of her own as she was spotted arriving to 'mysterious' London billionaire Jamie Reuben's star studded birthday bash in Beverly Hills.

The swanky bash took place one day before her seventh wedding anniversary to Kanye.
They brought their love to the West Coast after a romantic tropical trip to Tulum.

And Teresa Giudice sought out the comforts of home as she dined at the beloved Beverly Hills Italian restaurant Il Pastaio with boyfriend Luis Ruelas on Tuesday night.

The 49-year-old reality star stayed comfortable in leggings and a sweatshirt for a night of carb-loading as she enjoyed delicious pasta with her oldest daughter, Gia.

That's amore: Teresa Giudice sought out the comforts of home as she dined at the beloved Beverly Hills Italian restaurant Il Pastaio with boyfriend Luis Ruelas on Tuesday night

Teresa looked blissfully in love as she strolled hand in hand with her businessman beau while leaving the trendy eatery.

Her gym-honed figure was on display in a tight grey top with matching leggings, and she pulled it all together with a black blazer.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey star dressed down with a pair of pink trainers and accessorized with a few diamond necklaces.

Luis showed off his tan while unbuttoning the top few buttons of his long-sleeve shirt, which he paired with skinny leg jeans.

Family first: The 49-year-old reality star stayed comfortable in leggings and a sweatshirt for a night of carb-loading as she enjoyed delicious pasta with her oldest daughter, Gia

Let's eat: The couple, who began dating in November 2020, were joined by Teresa's 20-year-old daughter and Gia's boyfriend, Christian Carmichael

The couple, who began dating in November 2020, were joined by Teresa's 20-year-old daughter and Gia's boyfriend, Christian Carmichael.

Pasta was certainly on the menu at the local favorite restaurant as Tre and her crew dined on various delights, including the restaurant's signature black truffle dish served table side from a wheel of cheese.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey star began dating Luis shortly after her divorce from ex-husband Joe Giudice was finalized.

Court documents recently revealed that Luis, 46, 'left behind a trail of ex-lovers' before getting serious with Tre, according to Page Six.

Yum: Pasta was certainly on the menu at the local favorite restaurant as Tre and her crew dined on various delights, including the restaurant's signature black truffle dish served table side from a wheel of cheese

Romance: The Real Housewives of New Jersey star began dating Luis in November 2020, shortly after her divorce from ex-husband Joe Giudice was finalized

His ex-fiancee, Vanessa Reiser, made the stunning punishment claim in a 2020 legal action, filed after they broke up.

'He demanded that I be available for sex whenever he wanted,' she said in the court papers. 'If I objected to his demands, Luis Ruelas would punish me. He would be nasty, withdraw from me, and blame me for what happened.'

Luis was, at one point, also engaged to New Jersey native Paula Sanchez, with sources noting the couple constantly argued 'over his endless need to make love.'

'Ninety-nine percent of their fights were because he was complaining that they weren't having enough sex,' the source said. 'If they had sex like four times in one day, there was a complaint.'

Sources told Page Six that Ruelas could be the organizer of a meetup group called Allendale Sacred Sexuality Meetup, which was created in 2016 by 'Louie R.' and based where he lives.

Teresa served a nearly year-long prison stint in 2015 for a guilty plea to 41 counts of fraud after being charged accused of engaging in bank, mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud with Joe. He was deported back to Italy in 2019 after serving a 41-month prison sentence.
Emmy-nominated writer Seth Rogen recently weighed in on cancel culture and why comedians should not complain about it.

'I think there are certain jokes that for sure have not aged well, but I think that's the nature of comedy,' the 39-year-old Freaks and Geeks alum told ITV's Good Morning Britain on Monday.

'I think conceptually those movies are sound and I think there's a reason they've lasted. Jokes are not things that necessarily are built to last.'

'Jokes are not things that necessarily are built to last': Emmy-nominated writer Seth Rogen recently weighed in on cancel culture and why comedians should not complain about it

Seth continued: 'To me when I see comedians complaining about this kind of thing, I don't understand what they're complaining about. If you've made a joke that's aged terribly, accept it. And if you don't think it's aged terribly, then say that.'

Rogen said receiving criticism is 'one of the things that goes along with being an artist, and if you don't like that, then don't be a comedian anymore.'

When asked if he ever felt the need to go back and delete tone deaf tweets from his own account, the Canadian comedian - who boasts 23M social media followers - said no.

The 39-year-old Freaks and Geeks alum told ITV's Good Morning Britain on Monday: 'I think there are certain jokes that for sure have not aged well, but I think that's the nature of comedy'

Seth continued: 'To me when I see comedians complaining about this kind of thing, I don't understand what they're complaining about. If you've made a joke that's aged terribly, accept it. And if you don't think it's aged terribly, then say that'

'I was never a comedian that made jokes that were truly designed to target groups that were subjugated in some way,' Seth shrugged.

'Have we done that without realizing it? Definitely. And those things are in our movies and they're out there, and they're things that I am more than happy to say that they have not aged well. But in my Twitter, I've never made a joke that's outwardly horrific in some way.

'And if you have, I would question why you did that. Saying terrible things is bad, so if you've said something terrible, then it's something you should confront in some way, shape, or form. I don't think that's cancel culture. That's you saying something terrible if that's what you've done.'

'I don't make jokes designed to target groups that are subjugated': When asked if he ever felt the need to go back and delete tone deaf tweets from his own account, Rogen - who boasts 23M social media followers - said no

The Canadian comedian said: 'In my Twitter, I've never made a joke that's outwardly horrific in some way. And if you have, I would question why you did that. Saying terrible things is bad, so if you've said something terrible, then it's something you should confront in some way, shape, or form. I don't think that's cancel culture. That's you saying something terrible if that's what you've done'

Literary debut: Seth (pictured May 19) was on the program to promote his 272-page book of personal essays Yearbook, which was Crown published on May 11

Rogen was on the program to promote his 272-page book of personal essays Yearbook, which was Crown published on May 11.

The Invincible actor recently shot his role as Rand Gauthier - the porn actor-turned-electrician who stole Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee's sex tape from their safe in 1995 - in Hulu's eight-episode series Pam & Tommy.

Seth also executive produced Craig Gillespie's show - which features Sebastian Stan, Lily James, Nick Offerman, Taylor Schilling, and Andrew Dice Clay.

Action! Rogen (pictured May 4) recently shot his role as Rand Gauthier - the porn actor-turned-electrician who stole Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee's sex tape from their safe in 1995 - in Hulu's eight-episode series Pam & Tommy
She has been hitting the streets of New York in style and has enjoyed two date nights with her husband David Beckham in that time.

And Wednesday was no different for Victoria Beckham as she stepped out of The Mark Hotel in a sensational ensemble complete with a yellow jumper and coral trousers to join husband David for lunch at Bar Pitti.

The former Spice Girl, 47, looked incredible in the chic look, though she and David chose to keep wearing masks despite the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently ruling the public can remove coverings outdoors.

Wow! Victoria Beckham stepped out in NYC in a sensational ensemble complete with a yellow jumper and coral trousers as she enjoyed lunch with David at upscale Italian eatery Bar Pitti

The couple went on to enjoy lunch at celebrity hotspot and upscale Italian eatery Bar Pitti.

Victoria was opting for citrus hues as she stepped out in the ensemble, which boasted alarmingly long trousers which concealed her heels.

She draped a complementary yellow jacket over her arm while also clutching an envy-inducing Hermes Birkin handbag.

Her brunette locks were worn in curls while she covered her eyes with sunglasses.

Cosy: The couple packed on the PDA as they walked hand-in-hand after visiting the celebrity hotspot on Wednesday

Face masks: The former Spice Girl, 47, looked incredible in the chic look, though she and David chose to keep wearing masks despite the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently ruling the public can remove coverings outdoors

Loved-up: The couple looked loved-up as they sweetly held hands while leaving the famous restaurant in NYC

Going all out: She has been hitting the streets of New York in style and has enjoyed two date nights with her husband David Beckham in that time

Wow: Victoria wore sky-high black stilettos as she used the NYC pavement as her own catwalk

David, meanwhile, looked dapper in a cream polo shirt that he tucked into a pair of pinstripe trousers that he accessorised with a brown belt.

Last month, the CDC said those who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks outdoors, and ruled unvaccinated Americans could remove their masks when exercising outside.

At the time, New York City Governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed that the state's own mask mandates would be changed in accordance with the CDC's recommendations.

Amazing: Victoria was opting for citrus hues as she stepped out in the ensemble, which boasted alarmingly long trousers which concealed her heels

Stunner: Victoria wore a pair of sky-high Christian Louboutin heels

Sizzling: She draped a complementary yellow jacket over her arm while also clutching an envy-inducing Hermes Birkin handbag

Glamorous: Victoria wore her brunette locks in loose waves that framed her face well

Keeping it on: Throughout her outing, Victoria made sure to keep her mask on

Speaking at a press conference in Broome County, he said: 'New York has adopted that CDC guidance, so that's going to go into effect in New York state also.'

As long as they are outside, people who are fully vaccinated can now exercise, go to small gatherings or restaurants with people who are vaccinated or unvaccinated.

Later on, David and Victoria made a quick outfit change before heading out later in the evening, with the fashion mogul wearing a lemon yellow jacket and shirt.

Quick change: Later on, David and Victoria made a quick outfit change before heading out later in the evening

On brand: The fashion mogul wearing a lemon yellow jacket and shirt

Stunner: Victoria put on a casual chic display as she paired her bright attire with denim bootcut jeans and boots

Handsome: David kept things simple as he wore a white button-up shirt with jeans

Accessorise: David covered his locks with an orange beanie

Gentleman: David carried a bag of their stuff out of the hotel

Victoria put on a casual chic display as she paired her bright attire with denim bootcut jeans and boots.

David kept things simple as he wore a white button-up shirt with jeans, and covered his locks with an orange beanie.

It comes after Victoria and her husband David proved the magic is still alive after 22 years of marriage as they enjoyed two date nights.

Arrival: Victoria and David were seen arriving in style at the restaurant in Soho earlier on

Rules: Last month, the CDC said those who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks outdoors, and ruled unvaccinated Americans could remove their masks when exercising

Decision: At the time, New York City Governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed that the state's own mask mandates would be changed in accordance with the CDC's recommendations

Keeping safe: Despite the rule changes, Victoria and David chose to err on the side of caution

Sharp: David, meanwhile, looked dapper in a cream polo shirt that he tucked into a pair of pinstripe trousers that he accessorised with a brown belt

Stroll: David kept his mask firmly over his nose and mouth

Close: David looked back at Victoria as they prepared to go inside the trendy eatery

Sweet: The footballer gently laid a hand on Victoria's back as they went inside

The star, who shares sons Brooklyn, 22, Romeo, 18, Cruz, 16, and daughter, Harper, nine, with David, was snap happy during the night out as she posed with her husband, 46, yet came over shy by adding a filter over her face.

Victoria looked sensational in jeans, a white blazer and a white shirt with a Hermes handbag however she masked her face with the heart-eye emoji.

David and Victoria are one of the showbiz world's iconic couples and they have often spoken in the past about how they keep the spark alive.

Relaxed: David kept his personal items in his hands as he stepped out in Soho

Fashionista: Victoria always knows how to show off her sartorial prowess

Cute couple: David and Victoria proved they're just as smitten as ever with each other

In the mood for summer: Victoria's bright ensemble was sure to turn heads during her sun-soaked outing

Heading out: Victoria strutted her stuff in her elegant ensemble

Eye forward: Victoria appeared focused on her journey as she left her hotel

Showing off his style: David stepped out in a pair of smart brown brogues

Heading out in style: David wore a pair of chic shades for their outing

Stroll: Victoria was seen walking slowly behind David

Making a statement: The husband and wife were sure to wow onlookers as they left the hotel

Style maven: Victoria was seen carrying a designer handbag

Time to go: The pair appeared to have a number of events to attend

In 2019, Victoria discussed family life and her marriage to David, as she stated they always put their children first: 'The kids are our priority, everything we do revolves around the children. We both work really hard, we love what we do professionally.

'We support each other, we're very lucky to have found each other and lucky that we're growing together.'

Reminiscing about their first encounter two years prior to their wedding, Victoria admitted: 'It was love at first sight.'

BFF: They were joined by David's best friend Dave Gardner for lunch

Coming through: David and Victoria strolled through the restaurant

Details: Victoria's turtleneck shirt had flared sleeves and a matching neckline

Careful: David and Victoria kept their masks on as they walked by other customers

Two date nights in one week! She shared an image from their night on the town

Date night! It comes after Victoria and her husband David proved the magic is still alive after 22 years of marriage as they enjoyed a night on the town

Quizzed about how they make their family unit work despite their busy schedules, the Spice Girls star said 'communication is key'.

'We're very present in the kids' lives. We love our family, everything we do revolves around them', she explained.

'I think it's just being focused, working hard, having a great support team around us. And both of our parents help out with the kids.'

Happy days: The couple share sons Brooklyn, 22, Romeo, 18, Cruz, 16, and daughter, Harper, nine

Earlier in the day: Victoria was seen in her date night outfit earlier in the day

The busy mother-of-four has just launched her first make-up brand, Victoria Beckham Beauty, and says she took advice from Diane Von Furstenberg about never feeling guilty juggling family life with work.

She said: 'You feel guilty when you're a working mum. I'm sure there are so many mums watching this right now who feel torn.

'You want to be the best professional, follow your dreams but you also want to be the best mum. Diane said to me, don't feel guilty, it's ageing!'
They have enjoyed a whirlwind romance since connecting over Instagram in October 2019.

And Ed Westwick and his girlfriend Tamara Francesconi proved their relationship is still going strong as they attended her PrettyLittleThing fashion launch party at The Petersham in London on Wednesday.

The Gossip Girl star, 33, and the South African model, 24, looked close as they left the event together which was held to celebrate Tamara's new PLT clothing line and happened to be a week after her birthday.

Close: Ed Westwick and his girlfriend Tamara Francesconi proved their relationship is going strong as they attended a PrettyLittleThing fashion launch party in London on Wednesday

Tamara put on a leggy display in a thigh-skimming brown blazer dress which she teamed with strappy brown heels.

She accessorised perfectly with a matching brown leather snakeskin bag and wore her long brunette tresses in a sleek, poker-straight style.

Meanwhile Ed looked dapper in a double breasted grey blazer, dark chinos and suede black boots.

Celebrities in attendance at the party included fellow model Lottie Moss, 23, who showed off her midriff in a green crop top and Made In Chelsea's Emily Blackwell, 25, who wore an oversized grey suit.

Couple: The Gossip Girl star, 33, and the South African model, 24, looked close as they left the event together which was held to celebrate Tamara's new PLT clothing line

Fashionista: Tamara put on a leggy display in a thigh-skimming brown blazer dress which she teamed with strappy brown heels

Style: Celebrities in attendance at the party included fellow model Lottie Moss, 23, who showed off her midriff in a green crop top

Party time: Meanwhile Made In Chelsea's Emily Blackwell, 25, who wore an oversized grey suit for the fashion bash

Both Ed and Tamara made sure to put safety first as they left the venue wearing mandatory face coverings.

The pair also left the party carrying a huge birthday cake as they got into the taxi to go home.

It comes after the model launched her new PLT line this week which features swimwear pieces as well as chic dresses and trousers.

Details: Tamara accessorised perfectly with a matching brown leather snakeskin bag and wore her long brunette tresses in a sleek, poker-straight style

Precautions: Both Ed and Tamara made sure to put safety first as they left the venue wearing mandatory face coverings

Been shopping? Tamara carried an abundance of bags with her after the party

It's not a party without cake! Tamara has a bespoke cake made for the occasion

Speaking about her collection earlier in May, the South African native said: 'Its one thing to be on a billboard but to see my name on a billboard is just too crazy.

'PrettyLittleThing x Tamara Francesconi is coming! Its so dreamy and shot in the most beautiful location! 26.05.21 save the date!'

Lottie Moss, 23, showed off her quirky sense of style in a lime green corset-style camisole and light wash jeans as she attended the bash.

The influencer ensured a hint of her slim midriff was on display in her ensemble, with her ruched top not quite meeting her jeans.

Quirky: Lottie Moss, 23, showed off her quirky sense of style in a lime green corset-style camisole and light wash jeans as she attended the bash

Happy days: The influencer appeared to be in good spirits as she strolled through London, making her way to and from the bash on Wednesday evening

Sexy lady! Her lingerie-style cami boasted two small bows, tassels down each side and diamante straps drawing attention to her cleavage.

The lingerie-style cami boasted two small bows, tassels down each side and diamante straps drawing attention to her cleavage.

The beauty opted for beachy waves for her candy floss pink tresses, which cascaded over her shoulders and down her back.

Her flawless visage was enhanced with a full coverage foundation, and her noticeably full pout was kept hydrated with a light pink lip balm.

Fun with friends: The beauty opted for beachy waves for her candy floss pink tresses, which cascaded over her shoulders and down her back (Pictured with Emily Blackwell)

Trendy: Reality star Emily wore a white T-shirt and gold Gucci belt with her stylish grey trouser suit

Less is more: Felicity Hayward wore all-black for the fashion party

Yum: The pair also left the party carrying a huge birthday cake as they got into the taxi to go home

Celebrations: The cake was so big that Ed appeared to struggle to carry it as he got into the London cab

Earlier this month, Tamara enjoyed a romantic few days with Ed at the exclusive Soho Farmhouse in the Cotswolds.

The brunette and her actor boyfriend also travelled to her native country in 2021, a few months after they celebrated their one-year anniversary.

The happy couple, who have been dating since October 2019, first got together after Ed slid into Tamara's DMs on Instagram.

Talking about their relationship on social media, she said: 'Going to answer this first because it's my most asked question, and probably the reason a lot of you follow me.

Pals: Ed was seen hugging a friend as he left the party to head home with his stunning girlfriend

New look: Lottie was showing off her newly dyed pink tresses as she left the venue with a stylish pal

Coordinated: Lottie completed her look with strappy green sandals which matched her bright crop top perfectly

Yay! Emily looked ecstatic to be out with her Made In Chelsea pal

'He direct message me out of the blue saying "Hi," and I nearly fell off my chair, we then chatted for a while and he asked me on a date, which I assumed would be a dinner.

'Instead he took me to a butterfly sanctuary in Mayfair, we thereafter spent the whole day exploring London together, and the rest is history.

'I feel like we have all become codependent with our partners this year (I know I have) I think it's really important to do things alone and for yourself, read a book, go for a walk, chat to a friend.' (sic)

Fashion parade: Lots of Tamara's pals turned out wearing colourful ensembles

Simple does it: Felicity Hayward also attended the event, clad in all-black attire

Fashion event: Lottie was one of the famous faces that attended the bash held at a restaurant in central London

Star-studded: Pal of Lottie Moss, Emily also made a stylish appearance at the fashion party

Hashtag gifted: Lots of Tamara's pals attended the event and were spotted leaving with large branded gift bags
Rege-Jean Page has claimed he was 'not at all' nervous about leaving Bridgerton.

The actor, 31, announced his departure from the Netflix hit in April, much to the shock of viewers, but told Variety on Wednesday how his character was only meant to be in one season.

When asked if he was nervous about leaving the role of Simon Basset the Duke of Hastings behind, he said: 'Not at all, because that's what was meant.

Thoughts: Bridgerton's Rege-Jean Page claimed in an interview with Variety on Wednesday that he was 'not at all' nervous about leaving the show

Simon was this bomb of a one-season antagonist, to be reformed and to find his true self through Daphne

'I think one of the bravest things about the romance genre is allowing people a happy ending.'

Rege-Jean added that after his announcement was made public he made sure to keep his phone 'across the room' so he didn't have to see their reaction immediately.

He also compared leaving the raunchy period drama to graduating from High School, saying he was 'afraid of the unknown' and not making good friends like he did on the Bridgerton set, but has since learned otherwise.

Story: The actor said his character Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings was meant to only appear in one season and have a 'happy ending' (pictured with his co-star Phoebe Dynevor)

The actor also shared his support for Brazilian fans of the books for their support when he was cast in the role, because they backed him regardless of the fact he didn't have 'blue eyes' or look like the character on the page.

Rege-Jean is one of many actors tipped to take over the role of James Bond from Daniel Craig, however he refused to discuss the potential of him taking the part of 007, and went so far as to call it the 'B-word'.

He stipulated that he didn't like discussing roles he was 'not doing', and said he is happy with his current career prospects.

The show's creator Chris Van Dusen promised viewers a love story 'as sweeping and moving and as beautiful as viewers have come to expect' for the upcoming season, despite the absence of heartthrob Rege-Jean.

had his time: Rege-Jean claimed: 'Simon was this bomb of a one-season antagonist, to be reformed and to find his true self through Daphne'

Filming for the show kicked off at the historic Old Naval College at the University Of Greenwich on Wednesday, underneath the illustrious backdrop of sites including Queen's House and the Royal Observatory.

The London landmark has long been home to multiple big-budget productions, including The Crown and the 2013 film Thor: The Dark World.

When he announced his departure, Bridgerton's executive producer Shonda Rhimes 'dismissed' the idea of creative differences being the reason behind his exit from the Netflix show.

In a recent interview, she addressed the actor's departure from the popular period drama for the first time, saying she was 'shocked' at the fans' response to the news.

Setting record straight: When he announced his departure, Bridgerton's executive producer Shonda Rhimes 'dismissed' the idea of creative differences being the reason behind his exit

Yet she shut down talk that she was behind the decision, telling Vanity Fair: 'There's a lot of fantastically interesting talk that's been going on, mainly cause I think people are having a hard time letting go.'

She also dismissed claims that Rege-Jean turned down a deal for cameo appearances in Bridgerton's second season, after it was reported that his lesser role in the next season was behind his reason to quit the show.

Reiterating that she had only made a one-season deal with the star, Shonda said she didn't expect 'this much of an explosion' from the viewers.

The first season focused on the romance between Daphne Bridgerton, portayed by Phoebe Dynevor, and Simon, Duke of Hastings.

Bridgerton has been renewed for a second, third and fourth season with Netflix, and the next season is based on Julia Quinn's second Bridgerton novel The Viscount Who Loved Me.

The book sees Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) go on the hunt for a suitable bride when he meets Kate and Edwina Sheffield, renamed Sharma for the show.

While he tries to pursue Edwina he finds himself becoming attracted to Kate instead, despite the fact they are often at odds with each other.

Simone Ashley was announced to be playing Kate, and her character's surname has been altered to reflect Simone's South-Asian background.

Exciting: Bridgerton has been renewed for a second, third and fourth season with Netflix, and the next season tells the story of Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey, pictured)

The show has been praised for mixing up tired casting, and featuring BAME cast members in prominent societal roles such as Rege-Jean as the Duke of Hastings, Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte, and Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury.

In February, star Jonathan promised the show's second season will feature plenty of steamy sex scenes because they are 'at the heart' of the show in an interview with The Mirror.

Reflecting on the show, the actor, 32, said: 'The thing that's so at the heart of Bridgerton is intimacy and identity and sexuality  and so of course that's something we're going to have to make sure we continue with.

'The amazing producers will work magic, I'm sure, to make sure we still get the steaminess that we all deserve.'
They shot to fame on the 2020 series of winter Love Island.

And Jess and Eve Gale swapped the South African villa for the sunny climes of Mexico as they posed up a storm for a series of sizzling bikini snaps on Wednesday.

The blonde beauties, 22, showcased their curves and also gave fans a look at the resort they are staying in.

Holiday! Jess and Eve Gale posed up a storm for a series of sizzling bikini snaps on Wednesday from their Mexico holiday

Jessica posted a TikTok video with her sister to her Instagram stories and mentioned she wants to be 'more active' on the app.

The sisters stunned in baby blue and orange bikini tops as they posed for the camera.

In another video , Eve sported a blue bikini with a long-sleeved top as she posed playfully alongside her twin sister.

Jess looked sun-kissed in a lilac bikini with a purple floral print.

Stunning: Reality TV star Jess wowed in a sheer white beach cover up paired with a white string bikini as she shared a slew of sexy snaps

Pose: The blonde beauties, 22, showcased their curves and also gave fans a look at the resort they are staying in

Fun! Jessica posted a TikTok video with her sister to her Instagram stories and mentioned she wants to be 'more active' on the app

Jessica also looked sensational as she showcased her incredible figure in some images she shared with her 831K followers.

The reality TV star wowed in a sheer white beach cover up paired with a white string bikini.

Her blonde locks were loose and her glam make-up enhanced her natural beauty.

In another snap Jess wore a knit brown crop top and matching flared trousers.

Beauty: Jess wore her blonde locks loose and her glam make-up enhanced her natural beauty

Pose: In another snap Jess wore a knit brown crop top and matching flared trousers as she posed up a storm at their resort

Fun in the sun: The TV twins were just two of many celebrities who jetted to Dubai throughout the pandemic and have now hit up 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.

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.

Get away: 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
Mark Wright gave a tour of his temporary digs at the Corinthia hotel in London with wife Michelle Keegan on Wednesday with the duo staying in a 2,510-a-night suite.

The former TOWIE star, 34, took to Instagram to give an inside look at his 'home for now' which overlooks the River Thames and even includes a butler service.

It comes as Mark and Michelle, who recently celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary, continue to renovate their 1.3million 'dream home' in Essex after purchasing the property in October 2019.

Lavish! Mark Wright gave a tour of his temporary digs at the Corinthia hotel in London with wife Michelle Keegan on Wednesday with the duo staying in a 2,510-a-night suite (pictured in a throwback photo shared earlier this week)

Sharing a video tour of their 'home for now', the presenter gave his 1.8million followers a glimpse into the five-star hotel's River Suite, with prices starting at a staggering 2,510-a-night.

The lavish accommodation includes a super king bed, butler service, views of the River Thames, a bath tub with a built-in TV, 24 hour gym access and walk-in wardrobe.

In the video, which was filmed after his 5K run at St James' Park, Mark said: 'Walking back now to where I'm living at the moment, the one and only... Corinthia hotel. I'm feeling great, going to have a little sauna I think, little bit of breakfast.'

The former reality star then shared a picture outside the five-star hotel, which he captioned '[home emoji] 4 now @CorinthiaLondon.'

Alright for some! The former TOWIE star, 34, took to Instagram to give an inside look at his 'home for now' which overlooks the River Thames and even includes a butler service

'Home for now': Sharing a video tour of their 'home for now', the presenter gave his 1.8million followers a glimpse into the five-star hotel's River Suite, with prices starting at a staggering 2,510-a-night

Details: The lavish accommodation includes a super king bed - pictured during Mark's video tour

Yet the updates didn't stop there as Mark then filmed a tour inside the River Suite which included a lavish open plan sitting and dining room, large bedroom and stunning views of the River Thames.

It is believed that the couple are temporarily staying at the five-star hotel while they wait to move into their Essex mansion.

A source told The Sun: 'They've moved into their favourite London hotel after selling their Essex home as the new mansion won't be ready to live in until the end of the year.

'Mark and Michelle love it there and feel very at home - they couldn't be happier while they want for their new home to be built.'

Luxury: Other details include a butler service, a bath tub with a built-in TV, 24 hour gym access and walk-in wardrobe

Picturesque: It is called the River Suite for its stunning views of the River Thames

Update: In the video, which was filmed after his 5K run at St James' Park, Mark said: 'Walking back now to where I'm living at the moment, the one and only... Corinthia hotel. I'm feeling great, going to have a little sauna I think, little bit of breakfast.'

MailOnline has contacted both Mark and Michelle's representatives for comment.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Mark and Michelle are adding a designer granny flat to the grounds of the new mansion they are currently building in Essex.

Drawings - which were initially withdrawn last year - were re-submitted to Epping Forest District Council, and reveal that the annexe will have an ensuite bedroom, a cloakroom, kitchen, dining area and sitting area.

They purchased the original property for 1.3million in October 2019 and in January 2020, it was revealed that they were demolishing the four-bedroom farmhouse.

Impressive: It comes as Mark and Michelle, who recently celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary, continue to renovate their 1.3million 'dream home' in Essex after purchasing the property in October 2019 (before, top, and the CGI image of their future plans, below)

They are said to be building a lavish new five-bedroom mansion with a 'classical design', complete with bar, gym, kids' playroom, and outdoor swimming pool.

The outhouse will stand at 56 sqm, which is bigger than the average London flat according to numbers from the Office Of National Statistics, which state City of London flats have a median value of 47sqm.

The couple are hoping that normal life can be resumed once the pandemic is over and can use the guesthouse for visiting family and friends. The new addition is where the stables of the old farmhouse used to be.

It is unknown why they initially withdrew requests for 'demolition of an existing stable building' to build the 'one-bedroom annexe' last year.

Amazing: Earlier this month, it was reported that Mark and Michelle are adding a designer granny flat to the grounds of the new mansion they are currently building in Essex (pictured in 2019)

However they have since reapplied, and noted that the building will provide care for his parents Carol and Mark Sr.

In the application letter by MP Architects LLP, the company wrote: 'We attach our planning application for the removal of the existing stable building and construction of a 1-bedroom annex, in conjunction with the approved new house.

'The annex is for the use of our client's parents, who need to be close to our clients for care.

'The annex provides one bedroom, bathroom, a TV room and an open plan kitchen, living and dining area with a feature window & doors to provide good views over the countryside.'

Progress: Earlier this year, Mark took to Instagram to share with fans an update on the construction of the new property

The couple have been documenting their renovation on their new 'Wrighty Home' Instagram page.

Speaking to fans during a recent Q&A, Mark admitted progress was being made, but an official moving in date was still a long way off.

Responding to a fan who asked how the house was coming along, he wrote: 'Coming along nicely thanks, but I just want to click my fingers and it be done.'

The TV personality also shared images from the skeletal build, suggesting its completion might not be for some time. Asked by another fan when the house will be completed, he added: 'Tomorrow hopefully. Wishful thinking.'

Coming along nicely: Speaking to fans during a Q&A, Mark admitted progress was being made on the house, but an official moving in date was still a long way off

The couple recently shared a CGI image of the palatial home they're planning to build revealing its huge windows and bright white exterior.

As well as boasting lots of large windows, the couple's home features two smaller sections on the side of their home.

Showing just how much they're planning on changing, Michelle and Mark shared a snap of their home taken back in 2019 when they decided to do the transformation.

They wrote: 'Here's the lovely house that we purchased back in 2019 vs what we are hoping to create. It's been a long process so far and still a long way to go but sooner or later we will have the house, we could have only ever dreamed of. #grateful...

'Thanks to @tidyworkstudio for creating the CGI image of our home, to help us see what we have chosen come to life. Great job.'

In November, the couple's plans to make their dream family home a fortress was criticised by two local councils.

At the time, Mark and Michelle put in a new planning application to make the estate more secure by surrounding it with a 'rendered wall' between 1.8 metres and 2.1 metres high.

Both Epping Forest District Council and Stanford Rivers Parish Council hit out at the 'inappropriate' plans claiming they're not in keeping with the tone of the 'rural area' and they would have to cut down trees to make way for the wall.

Work in progress: Asked by a fan when the house will be completed, he added: 'Tomorrow hopefully. Wishful thinking'

On one side of the property, there's a public right of way, which would be blocked, according to the objections.

Epping Forest District Council wrote: 'This site is in a very rural area, on a minor country lane.

'Whilst we accept that the existing conifer screen could be considered to be incongruous within this setting, to replace it with a 2.1metre high rendered wall would be totally out of keeping, and fail to enhance the rural landscape setting...

'None of the other properties on this lane have such inappropriate boundary treatments. Additionally, we note that the wall on the right hand side of the proposed entrance is within trees...

'The trees and woodland are protected by a woodland tree preservation order, therefore tree reports should have been submitted to support the proposal potentially resulting in loss or damage to important tree assets...

Brick by brick: Mark and Michelle are in the process of building the house from scratch after the couple sold their original five-bedroom pile in rural Essex

'Our records also show a Public Right of Way, and a check of the Definitive Public Rights of Way map on Essex County Council website, confirms that there have been not alterations to its route. To build the walls as proposed it would block access to this right of way.'

The parish council were equally scathing about the plans, stating: 'The Parish Council OBJECTS to this application.

'The design of the height walls, together with the pillars and the gates, are out of keeping with the rural setting, and would detract from the rural nature of this particular area of the Parish...

'In addition, a public footpath currently runs through this property, and whilst we understand there may be possible applications to alter this in the future, we could not at this time support a planning application which would effectively block a public right of way.'

Both councils had no objection to them adding a wooden gate with rendered piers.
Theatres across the country have finally begun to open up again after a year of closure amid the coronavirus pandemic.

And Janette Manrara and Katya Jones led the stars stepping out to attend the Here Come The Boys press night at the London Palladium on Wednesday.

The Strictly Come Dancing professionals pulled out all the stops as they arrived at the iconic theatre clad in glamorous outfits.

Glamorous: Janette Manrara (left) and Katya Jones (right) led the stars stepping out to attend the Here Come The Boys press night at the London Palladium on Wednesday

Janette proudly showcased her phenomenal physique in a tiny plunging white mini dress, with a black belt highlighting her slim frame.

The Strictly dancer, whose husband Aljaz Skorjanec is in the show, looked sensational in the very short frock, which boasted ruffled detailing and a cross-over hemline.

Her brunette locks were pulled up into a chic bun, with strands left down to elegantly frame her face.

Katya looked equally glamorous, opting for an all-black ensemble comprising a plunging long sleeved body and tassel trousers.

Wow! Janette proudly showcased her phenomenal physique in a tiny plunging mini dress, with a black belt highlighting her slim frame

Work it: Katya looked equally glamorous, opting for an all-black ensemble comprising a plunging long sleeved body and tassel trousers

Mwah! Katya looked sensational in her chic ensemble and added a colour pop with red lipstick

Work it! Karen Hauer oozed biker chic cool in her edgy ensemble

Stunning: Adding a sophisticated twist to her look, Karen wore a simple pendant

Katya looked sensational in her chic ensemble, with her raven tresses styled sleek and straight, while she added a colour pop with red lipstick.

Fellow Strictly pro Karen Hauer oozed biker chic cool in her edgy ensemble, which left her washboard abs on display.

The Strictly stunner slipped into a leather-look crop top and biker jacket, which she wore with a black pair of paper bag style pants.

Adding a sophisticated twist to her look, Karen strutted along in royal blue stilettos and accessorised with a simple pendant necklace.

Cute couple: Former Strictly professional AJ Pritchard and his girlfriend Abbie Quinnen stepped out together for the press night

Pretty: The blonde beauty put on a leggy display in a gorgeous kaleidoscope print mini dress

Happy lady: Abbie beamed with delight as she stopped to have her photograph taken

Family time: AJ's brother, Love Island star Curtis Pritchard also joined the couple for the event in central London

AJ Pritchard and Abbie Quinnen looked loved-up as they stepped out together for the press night.

The blonde beauty put on a leggy display in a gorgeous kaleidoscope print mini dress, which she teamed with strappy orange stilettos.

AJ kept things simple, wearing light grey cropped trousers with navy loafers and a crisp white shirt.

His brother, Love Island star Curtis Pritchard also joined the couple for the event in central London.

Ferne McCann, 30, commanded attention in a lime green crop top and oversized blazer with her best friend Carl Cunard.

Strike a pose! Ferne McCann, 30, posed for the cameras outside the iconic theatre

Fun with friends: Ferne brought best friend Carl Cunard along as her plus-one

Standing out: The former TOWIE star commanded attention in a lime green crop top and oversized blazer as she arrived at the venue

Designer diva: The reality show stunner added a designer touch to her look, as she strolled along in Louis Vuitton sandals

The former TOWIE star showed off her toned midriff in the green halterneck, which she teamed with a a pair of light wash jeans boasting a distressed hemline.

The reality show stunner added a designer touch to her look, as she strolled along in Louis Vuitton sandals.

She also carried her belongings in a metallic purple bag featuring a long chain which she hung over her shoulder.

Ferne's tresses were scraped into a knot on top of her head and her flawless visage was adorned with smokey eyeshadow and lashings of mascara.

Careful! Sinitta tripped over on the stairs after posing for photographs, losing her balance and hurtling towards the floor

Oh dear: The singer took a tumble down the steps and reached out her arm in an attempt to regain her balance

Arrival: Kristina Rihanoff looked stunning in a black ribbed pencil dress

Strike a pose: The former Strictly professional embraced the opportunity to pose for photographers

Glamorous: She layered her look with a black wraparound cape-style jacket

Friends: Kristina was seen posing with a friend while making a glamorous exit from the event

Sinitta, 52, tripped over on the stairs after posing for photographs, losing her balance and hurtling towards the floor.

The singer took a tumble down the steps and reached out her arm in an attempt to regain her balance.

Smiling through the misstep, she quickly recovered and remained looking as flawless as ever in a plunging red floral dress.

Dare to bare: Marchioness Emma Weymouth flashed a glimpse of her underwear beneath a gold chain metal mini dress with risque side splits

Bold: The former Strictly star confidently posed in her daring frock which she teamed with glittering nude stilettos

Making a entrance: Emma certainly turned heads as she arrived at the theatre

Marchioness Emma Weymouth flashed a glimpse of her underwear beneath a gold chain metal mini dress with risque side splits.

The former Strictly star confidently posed in her daring frock which she teamed with glittering nude stilettos.

Giving her look a regal touch, the chef covered up somewhat in a metallic embroidered longline duster jacket.

Here Come The Boys is finally set to hit the Palladium stage for a 10-day run following a hugely successful nationwide tour.

It stars Aljaz Skorjanec, Pasha Kovalev, Graziano di Prima, Robin Windsor, along with Strictly finalist Karim Zeroual. Nadiya Bychkova is also guest appearing.

Reunited! Former Strictly judge Dame Darcey Bussell commanded attention in a bold red and pink ensemble

Lovely: Pregnant Dr Zoe Williams looked radiant as her partner Stuart McKay sweetly cradled her growing baby bump

Arrivals: Lizzie Cundy looked elegant in a white strapless dress while Strictly pro Amy Dowden wowed in an all-black ensemble (L-R)

Reunited: Kristina cuddled up to her fashion designer pal Julien Macdonald

Happy days: Ferne looked delighted as she was guided through the street by her pal

And Strictly's Janette and Aljaz looked in high spirits as they headed home after the high energy show.

Walking arm in arm, the nimble-footed duo were ready for bed after a welcome night back in the theatre.

Aljaz wheeled a black suitcase with his belongings down the street as he walked back home from central London.

End of the night: Strictly's Janette and Aljaz looked in high spirits as they headed home after the high energy show

After hours in her black stilettos, Janette supported herself as she walked along the street by clinging to Aljaz arm.

The dancer put one foot carefully in front of the other as she navigated the pavement in the towering heels.

And the Strictly star still looked flawless in her white ruffled dress after hours of socialising at the event.

Ouch: After hours in her black stilettos, Janette supported herself as she walked along the street by clinging to Aljaz arm

Bed time: Walking arm in arm, the nimble-footed duo were ready for bed after a welcome night back in the theatre

The dancing duo looked immaculate as they headed home without a hair out of place.

Always prepared, Aljaz donned a houndstooth coat as well as toting a black jacket that was ready for Janette to shrug on as they left into the chilly evening.

But Janette didn't appear to feel the effects of the cold nighttime weather as she strutted along the street in her thigh-skimming dress on the way home.

Immaculate: The dancing duo looked flawless as they headed home without a hair out of place
The charges against two Illinois churches that were penalized last year for performing worship services amid lockdown orders in light of the COVID-19 outbreak have been dismissed.

For hosting services in May 2020, the city of Chicago charged Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church and the Philadelphia Romanian Church of "disorderly conduct" and "mob action."

Elim, however, hosted services with social distancing guidelines, such as spacing between participants and assessing worshippers' temperatures in May of last year when the rules went into force.

The United States Supreme Court rejected to hear Elim's case in March, leaving the facility open to the potential of a temporary shutdown for holding services.

At present, the church intends to submit a move for "summary judgment" against the state of Illinois.

What are the details?

According to Christian Post, J.B. Pritzker, the governor of Illinois, issued executive orders restricting in-person worship to a maximum of ten persons.

Elim Pastor Cristian lonescu received a letter from the Chicago Department of Public Health ordering that his church cease hosting services that are in violation of state regulations.

Last year, Department Commissioner Allison Arwady wrote, "I appeal to you as a leader in your community and remain hopeful that you will work with me for the health, safety, and welfare of all Chicagoans."

"If you continue to operate in defiance of the Executive Order, the city will pursue all available legal remedies. ... Any future gatherings conducted contrary to the order will be considered a failure to abate and the city will take steps necessary to abate, including Summary Abatement."

Elim and other churches sued to overturn the gathering limits, and the case is still pending, despite the fact that gathering limits for places of worship in Illinois have been gradually loosened.

The churches, however, will not be fined for hosting the services, according to a ruling issued by Chicago's Department of Administrative Hearings on Monday.

The ruling was applauded by the Liberty Counsel, a conservative legal group that is defending Elim Church and Logos Baptist Ministries in a lawsuit challenging the limits.

The legal group has argued that under Gov. Pritzker's executive orders, churches may accommodate an indefinite number of people for nonreligious operations such as feeding, sheltering, and providing social assistance. Religious meetings, on the other hand, were restricted to a maximum of 10 persons in the same church.

Liberty Counsel founder and Chairman Mat Staver noted, "After 52 Sundays, the city of Chicago has finally dropped these outrageous 'disorderly conduct and mob action' charges against Romanian pastors for simply having more than 10-people in their church services."

"The pastors and the Romanian churches understand communism and they are resolved to continue to fight for religious freedom," he added.

With regard to the motion for summary judgment against Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Liberty Counsel said that churches are returning to the District Court in droves as a result of "an overwhelming number" of Supreme Court and other federal courts of appeal rulings against "discriminatory executive orders" targeting "churches and houses of worship."
Doting dad Bradley Cooper was seen out with his daughter Lea De Seine in NYC on Wednesday as they enjoyed some quality bonding time.

The A Star Is Born actor, 46, and the four-year-old toddler were glimpsed enjoying a spring day in the city before Cooper made a quick outfit change for a solo errand.

The sighting comes just a day after reports surfaced that ex Irina Shayk was said to be 'dating' Kanye West amid his divorce from Kim Kardashian.

Doting dad: Bradley Cooper, 46, enjoys quality one on one time with daughter Lea De Seine, four, in NYC amid reports ex Irina Shayk is 'dating' Kanye West

Bradley looked every bit the Hollywood star despite his face mask as he strolled beside his adorable golden-haired daughter.

He slipped his muscular frame into a black T-shirt and navy slacks and completed the outfit with black combat style boots and a pair of designer sunglasses.

And Lea looked like a vision of spring as she wore a blue floral dress and a pair of matching shoes with her mask stylish strapped around her neck via a gold chain.

After the duo enjoyed their city outing, Bradley was seen swapping his boots for a pair of sneakers and his slacks for khakis before heading out in a different shirt.

Spring style: The A Star Is Born actor slipped his muscular frame into a black T-shirt and navy slacks and completed the outfit with black combat style boots and a pair of designer sunglasses

Inside source: A source told wildly popular celebrity-tea-spilling Instagram account DeuxMoi that baby mama Shayk, 35, is 'dating' West amid his ongoing divorce from Kim

Follow-up: Hours later another tipster chimed in 'Def dating,' later following up the account's inquiry with a 'Yes'

The sighting comes just a day after a source told wildly popular celebrity-tea-spilling Instagram account DeuxMoi that baby mama Shayk, 35, is 'dating' West amid his ongoing divorce from Kim.

On Tuesday, multiple users wrote in to the unverified but credible account  which frequently posts 'blind' celebrity items that are later revealed to be true  about the pair's relationship.

One anonymous user messaged: 'Kanye West is now secretly dating Irina Shayk aka Bradley Cooper's baby mama,' which was posted on the account.

The page administrator wrote under the tip in asterisks: '*after further looking into this idk if "dating" is the right word, but there is perhaps some interest there.'

But just hours later another anonymous source wrote in and seemed to confirm that they were indeed dating.

Crossing paths: The pair have crossed paths a few times before on and off red carpets, and West cast her to be in his 2010 music video for 'Power'

'Def dating,' wrote the tipster, to which the account inquired if it was true which prompted a 'Yes.'

In April Irina was seen modeling a $200 DMX tribute shirt commissioned by West and in 2010 she was cast in the music video for Power.

Kim and Kanye almost made it to their seven year anniversary (May 24) but she filed for divorce in February after it was reported that divorce was 'imminent' for the pair.

On the other hand, the Russian model and Cooper enjoyed a four year relationship dating from 2015 before they split in 2019.

The pair are still photographed together amicably 'co-parenting,' or 'just parenting,' as Irina likes to call it. After their split, Cooper briefly ignited rumors that he was dating co-star Lady Gaga after their on-screen chemistry seemed apparent, but the reports were later shot down.
They have been happily dating since 2018.

And Nicola Adams and her girlfriend Ella Baig looked smitten as they lead the stars attending a screening of The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It at Picturehouse Central in London on Wednesday.

The Strictly Come Dancing star, 38, put on a casual display as she wore a chic grey jacket over a simple black shirt as she posed beside her stylish girlfriend, 23.

Outing: Nicola Adams put on a casual display as she joined her stylish girlfriend Ella Baig and they led the stars attending The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It screening on Wednesday

Nicola completed her relaxed look by wearing a pair of black jeans that she offset her ensemble with a pair of white Nike trainers.

She kept her personal items in a black cross-body handbag, and she opted to accessorise with a pair of stud earrings.

Ella, meanwhile, showed off her toned midriff in a black crop top that she wore with a pair of light-wash jeans.

Comfy: The Strictly Come Dancing star, 38, wore a chic grey jacket over a simple black shirt and Ella showed off her toned midriff in a black crop top

Casual: Nicola completed her relaxed look by wearing a pair of black jeans that she offset her ensemble with a pair of white Nike trainers

Style: Ella pulled her blonde locks into a simple bun, and she embraced her natural beauty by wearing a light palette of make-up

Attention to detail: Nicola kept her personal items in a black cross-body handbag, and she opted to accessorise with a pair of stud earrings

The model boosted her height in a pair of suede heeled boots, and she kept her accessories to a minimum for the outing.

Ella pulled her blonde locks into a simple bun, and she embraced her natural beauty by wearing a light palette of make-up.

Great British Bake Off star Candice Brown looked sensational in a gold wrap-front satin dress that had a thigh split to put her slender legs on show.

Candice offset her bright ensemble by wearing a pair of black heels, and she added a chic flair by wearing a silver pendant necklace.

Stylish: Great British Bake Off star Candice Brown looked sensational in a gold wrap-front satin dress that had a thigh split to put her slender legs on show

Killer heels: Candice offset her bright ensemble by wearing a pair of black heels, and she added a chic flair by wearing a silver pendant necklace

Happy couple: Marcel Somerville and fiancee Rebecca Vieira also made an appearance at the event, with the reality star donning a black blazer over a white shirt

Glam: Marcel's other half, who welcomed their son Roman in February, looked glamorous in a plunging white crop top that she paired with distressed high-waist jeans

Dapper: Marcel wore a black overcoat that he shrugged on over a white jumper

Marcel Somerville and fiancee Rebecca Vieira also made an appearance at the event, with the reality star donning a black blazer over a white shirt.

His other half, who welcomed their son Roman in February, looked glamorous in a plunging white crop top that she paired with distressed high-waist jeans.

TOWIE's Kelsey Stratford was sure to turn heads in her ensemble as she showed off a glimpse of her cleavage by going topless underneath a pink floral blazer.

She paired her jacket with matching trousers, and complemented the look by carrying a light pink handbag.

Flower power: TOWIE's Kelsey Stratford was sure to turn heads in her ensemble as she showed off a glimpse of her cleavage by going topless underneath a pink floral blazer

Chic: Kelsey boosted her statuesque figure in a pair of perspex open-toe heels, and she chose not to wear any accessories so all attention remained on her look

Looking good; Kelsey wore her golden locks in a sleek, straight style

Stunning: Kelsey paired her jacket with matching trousers, and complemented the look by carrying a light pink handbag

Kelsey boosted her statuesque figure in a pair of perspex open-toe heels, and she chose not to wear any accessories so all attention remained on her look.

Olivia and Alex Bowen also stepped out for the screening, and they opted for casual ensembles as they both wore comfy hoodies.

The Love Island star donned a grey blazer over her loungewear, and completed her look with black leggings and beige boots.

Alex, meanwhile, wore a cream hoodies with matching trousers, while he stepped out in a pair of black trainers.

Comfortable: Olivia and Alex Bowen also stepped out for the screening, and they opted for casual ensembles as they both wore comfy hoodies

Chic touch: The Love Island star donned a grey blazer over her loungewear, and completed her look with black leggings and beige boots

Keeping warm: Alex, meanwhile, wore a cream hoodies with matching trousers, while he stepped out in a pair of black trainers

Horror film fans: Comedian Romesh Rangnathan was joined by a friend at the screening

Ensemble: Romesh wore a tan jacket over a black hoodie and blue jeans

The film is the third installment in the successful Conjuring franchise that sees the return of Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga back as real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.

Only this go-around, the movie is based on the real-life murder trial of Arne Johnson, the first person whose defense sought to prove his innocence based upon the defendant's claim of demonic possession.

Johnson was accused of killing his landlord, Alan Bono, in Connecticut back in 1981.

Revealing: Tallia Storm wore a white tuxedo waistcoat that showed off her toned midriff

Sharp: Tallia wore a black blazer and suit trousers with her waistcoat

Gal pals: Tallia was joined by Tessa Hartmann at the screening

Standing out: TOWIE star Chloe Ross wore a light neon yellow blazer with a white shirt

Oozing glamour: Felicity Hayward (pictured with a friend) kept things simple by wearing a black maxi dress with a pair of sandals

The family of then 11-year-old David Glatzel would enlisted the aid of self-described demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren, in a last ditch effort to save the boy.

According to testimony by the Glatzel family, David played host to the demon that forced Johnson to kill Bono.

Farmiga and Wilson star alongside Ruairi OConnor, Sarah Catherine Hook, and Julian Hilliard.

Elegant: Actress Amber Doig-Thorne wore a black shirt tucked into a monochrome skirt

LBD: TV presenter Sian Welby wore a black mini dress and matching ankle boots

Film: The film is the third in the successful Conjuring franchise that sees the return of Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga back as real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren

Michael Chaves takes over the directorial duties in the latest tale that was written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and based on a story by Johnson-McGoldrick and James Wan, taken from the Warrens real-life files.

Wan, who directed the first two films in the lucrative series beginning in 2013, also returns as a producer with Peter Safran.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It was originally slated to be released in September 2020 but, like most films and television shows, it had to be pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Details: Model Mariah Idrissi wore a black pinstripe blazer over cropped jeans

Legs for days! Presenter Olivia Cox wore a cornflower blue dress and a green jacket
Emilio Vitolo Jr was seen in the company of an actress on Tuesday evening in New York City.

The 33-year-old chef was spotted leaving his father's restaurant Emilio's Ballato with Zoe Kravitz, 32, who filed for divorce from her husband Karl Glusman five months ago.

This comes just weeks after the aspiring actor - whose film The Birthday Cake with Ewan McGregor will come out in June - ended his eight-month relationship with Hollywood favorite Katie Holmes, 42.

A connection? Emilio Vitolo Jr was seen in the company of another actress on Tuesday evening in New York City. The 33-year-old chef was spotted leaving his father's restaurant Emilio's Ballato with Zoe Kravitz, 32

She is single, is she ready to mingle? The Big Little Lies actress filed for divorce from her husband Karl Glusman five months ago

Chemistry? Zoe, left, and Emilio, right, seemed to have a nice conversation on the street

His last girlfriend: This comes just weeks after the aspiring actor - whose film The Birthday Cake will come out in June - ended his eight-month relationship with Hollywood favorite Katie Holmes. Seen in 2019

Emilio looked to be in good spirits as he was seen outside his father's famous venue, which has been frequented by Tom Hanks and Johnny Depp in the past.

Vitolo and Kravitz were both smiling as they engaged in conversation and then it seemed as if they shared their numbers as they typed into their cell phones.

The Italian descended New Yorker had on a cream colored polo shirt with matching shorts as well as beige-and-white sneakers.

His black hair was slicked back.

Zoe was dressed down in a black sweatshirt with rust-colored slacks and a white beaded purse with hoops as straps. She was seen with little makeup on adding dangling pearl earrings.

The daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet added purple velvet shoes.

Also present were various friends as they spread out after a night of partying.

A lot of laughs: Emilio looked to be in good spirits as he was seen outside the venue. He and Zoe were both smiling as they engaged in conversation

His spring look: Vitolo had on a cream colored polo shirt with matching shorts as well as beige-and-white sneakers. His black hair was slicked back

Were they exchanging phone numbers? The new pals looked at their cell phones

No glam: Zoe was dressed down in a black sweatshirt with rust-colored slacks and a white beaded purse with hoops as straps. She was seen with little makeup on adding dangling pearl earrings

Zoe and Katie have something in common: they have both starred in Batman movies.

Holmes was in 2005's Batman Begins with Christian Bale and Kravitz will soon star as Catwoman in a 2022 Batman movie with Robert Pattinson.

Katie and Emilio dated for eight months and split this spring after some time apart. They were often pictured holding hands and kissing in New York City as they dined at al fresco restaurants.

Katie has had a thriving acting career with Dawson's Creek, Teaching Mrs Tingle, Batman Begins, Ocean's Eight and The Secret.

Now it looks like her ex's career is heating up. Earlier this month Emilio - who is friends with the Jonas brothers - shared an article from Variety that reported his film The Birthday Cake was acquired by Screen Media.

It's a mob crime drama from director Jimmy Giannopoulos that stars Shiloh Fernandez, Ewan McGregor, Val Kilmer, Lorraine Bracco, William Fichtner, Ashley Benson, Luis Guzman, Paul Sorvino, Vincent Pastore, Aldis Hodge, Penn Badgley, Emory Cohen, and Jeremy Allen White.

A lot of friends around them: The star was seen with two other women on Houston Street

Nice kicks: The California native showed off a pair of purple velvet shoes

Emilio has a small role.

The film will be released in June 2021. The official logline is: 'The Birthday Cake takes place on one fateful evening in the life of Gio (Fernandez), the son of a murdered mobster and the nephew of Brooklyn mob boss, Angelo (Kilmer). On the 10th anniversary of his fathers mysterious death, Gio carries on the family tradition of bringing a cake his mother (Bracco) baked to this uncles house for a celebration.

'Just two hours into the night, Gios life is forever changed as he begins to piece together what really happened to his father and ultimately comes face to face with the type of violence he has managed to avoid his whole life.'

Vitolo has appeared in other projects: he played the bartender in Royal Pains and had a part as Mike Cambioti in 2015's Around Every Corner. He has also been seen in the movies Tapestry and The Vigil.

It's over: Katie and Emilio dated for eight months and split this spring after some time apart; pictured November 2020. Katie, Emilio and his father Emilio Sr in SoHo, New York City in September

But with The Birthday Cake he has a larger part and he is working with a higher caliber of actors.

Katie and Emilio began dating in September and seemed to go full speed ahead with reports emerging that she thought the relationship could go 'all the way.'

He was said to be 'incredibly charismatic' according to Katie's friends and even got on well with Suri, with the chef treating Katie like a 'princess,' throughout the relationship.

But in April it was alleged the pair were 'taking space,' before their official split was revealed less than a month later.

It was reported that 'different schedules and different commitments,' were partially to blame, with Katie filming The Watergate Girl in Connecticut and Emilio trying to nurture his own acting career on top of working at his family's restaurant.

And after the split, Emilio was said to be leaning on friends for support but as the breakup was confirmed he was glimpsed by single New Yorkers on the celebrity dating app Raya.

New movie: Earlier this month Emilio shared an article from Variety that reported the chef's film The Birthday Cake was acquired by Screen Media. It's a mob crime drama that stars Ewan McGregor, Val Kilmer, Lorraine Bracco; Emilio is seen far right

Famous friends: Emilio is pals with the Jonas brothers. Seen here with Nick, Joe, Frankie and Kevin, as well as other pals and Emilio's dad in their NYC restaurant

'It's not just Raya  he's on a bunch of other dating apps too. He didn't exactly hide the fact that he's broken up from Katie,' an insider told Page Six.

Prior to Katie, Emilio was engaged to Rachel Emmons, breaking things off with her via text just days before photos of he and Katie emerged on a PDA-packed date in SoHo.

Katie has enjoyed two six-year relationships  a marriage to the Mission Impossible actor and a very private partnership with Jamie Foxx which ended in 2019.
She never fails to look glamorous when she takes a night off from her mum duties and hits the town.

And Ferne McCann looked flawless when she flashed her taut abs in a lime green crop top and mom jeans on Wednesday night.

The former TOWIE star, 30, put on an effortlessly stylish display when she attended the press night of the dance show, Here Come The Boys at the London Palladium.

Stylish: She never fails to look glamorous when she hits the town. And Ferne McCann looked flawless at the Here Come The Boys press night at the The London Palladium on Wednesday

The brunette showed off her toned midriff in the green halterneck, which she teamed with a a pair of light wash jeans boasting a distressed hemline.

The reality show stunner added a designer touch to her look, as she strolled along in Louis Vuitton sandals.

She also carried her belongings in a metallic purple bag featuring a long chain which she hung over her shoulder.

Ferne's tresses were scraped into a knot on top of her head and her flawless visage was adorned with smokey eyeshadow and lashings of mascara.

Chic: The former TOWIE star flashed her taut abs in a lime green crop top and mom jeans teamed with an oversized grey blazer

Ferne was joined for the evening by her best friend Carl Cunard, 30.

The influencer sported an all-black ensemble and cut a casual figure in jeans and a biker jacket.

He completed the ensemble with a plain black T-shirt and a pair of well polished lace up boots as he and Ferne beamed while they strode into the theatre.

Glamorous: The brunette showed off her toned midriff in the green halterneck, which she teamed with a a pair of light wash jeans boasting a distressed hemline

Night out: Ferne was joined for the evening by her best friend Carl Cunard who sported an all-black ensemble and cut a casual figure in jeans and a biker jacket

While Ferne was enjoying a night out with pal Carl, she has been in a relationship with Jack Padgett for the last few months, with the pair moving in together during lockdown.

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.'

Best foot forward: Meanwhile, Ferne added a designer touch to her look, as she strolled along in Louis Vuitton logoed sandals

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.

Accessorising: She also carried her belongings in a metallic purple bag featuring a long chain which she hung over her shoulder

Sleek: Ferne's tresses were scraped into a knot on top of her head and her flawless visage was adorned with smokey eyeshadow and lashings of mascara

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.'

Bestie time: And Carl completed his ensemble with a plain black T-shirt and a pair of well polished lace up boots as he and Ferne beamed while they strode into the theatre

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.'
School of Rock actor Kevin Clark has died in a horror crash after he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle in Chicago on Wednesday morning.

The 32-year-old was best known for playing Freddy Jones in the classic 2003 Jack Black comedy movie, and had reunited with the cast in 2013 and 2018 respectively.

According to TMZ, the former actor was riding his bicycle on the Northwest Side of Chicago at 1.20am Wednesday, when he was hit by a driver in a Hyundai Sonata after he ran a red light, police said.

Clark was riding east on Logan Boulevard when he was struck by a 20-year-old woman's car heading south on Western Avenue, and he was found by emergency responders partially under the vehicle.

The woman has not been arrested, but she has been issued with citations.

The drummer had just formed a band, Jess Bess and the Intentions, which performed live for the first time on Saturday.

His mother Allison Clark said: 'He told his bandmates just yesterday: 'You know, this is finally the life I want to live. And we're going to make it. You're my musical family  my family  and we're all going to make it.''

School of Rock child star Kevin Clark dead at 32: Actor fatally hit by motorist while riding his bicycle in Chicago (pictured left in the movie with Jack Black)

The drummer had just formed a band, Jess Bess and the Intentions, which performed live for the first time on Saturday (pictured at the gig)

Per a report from the Cook County Medical Examiner, Clark was rushed to hospital but pronounced dead at 2:04pm (CDT).

His sister said the former child star was on his way home at the time of the accident.

Once in a lifetime: Kevin Clark at the 2003 Toronto International Film Festival

Paramedics found him at Logan Boulevard and then took him to Illinois Masonic Medical Center.

Jack Black was one of the first to pay tribute to Clark, as he posted pictures of them together on his official Instagram.

Black wrote: 'Devastating news. Kevin is gone. Way too soon. Beautiful soul. So many great memories. Heartbroken. Sending love to his family and the whole School of Rock community.'

Fellow costar Miranda Cosgrove, who played the precocious band manager and class factotum Summer Hathaway and later starred in iCarly and Drake and Josh, wrote: 'Stunned and saddened by this news today. The world lost an amazing soul.

'I'll always remember your spirit and how kind you were to me. I'll never forget all the memories. You'll always be missed Kevin.'

Rivkah Reyes, who played stony-faced bassist Katie, said: 'Love you forever, spaz. I will never forget your hugs and your laugh and the sheer joy on your face when wed run into each other in Chicago.

'Thank you for always showing up for me with that "big brother I never had" energy.'

Born Kevin Alexander Clark in Highland Park, Illinois, the one-time actor had started playing the drums since the age of three, hitting pots and pans.

Mother Allison told the Chicago Sun Times: 'He loved music. He's just a raw talent. He's got a heart of gold.'

His drumming skills lead him to Hollywood as he ended up being cast in the 2003 comedy alongside Jack Black, as student drummer Freddy Jones despite no previous acting experience.

A friend who played the piano recommended he audition after seeing an ad for 10-12-year-olds who could play an instrument in a movie with Jack Black.

Allison said she remembers her son playing Black Sabbath hit Iron Man with Joey Gaydos Jr in the audition room, who would go on play guitarist Zack Mooneyham in the film.

It would be Kevin's only role, but clearly it had a lasting effect on him - as he reunited with the movie's star Black, 51, at a Tenacious D concert in Chicago in 2018.

'Heartbroken': Jack Black lead tributes to the former child star on Wednesday, and said that he was 'sending love to his family and the whole School of Rock community'

Miranda Cosgrove (pictured with Kevin), who starred as band manager Summer in the film, said 'the world lost an amazing soul'

Rivkah Reyes, who played bassist Katie in the film, paid tribute to her costar and bandmate in a touching post

Brian Falduto, who played the flamboyant band stylist Billy 'Fancy Pants' in the film, paid tribute to the 'wickedly talented and wonderfully kind man' as Jack Black left a comment on his post

Clark stands in Matthiessen State Park near Oglesby in November 2020, months before his untimely death

He also reunited with the whole cast for a 10th anniversary special event in 2013.

The movie was a huge success when it was released in the fall of 2003, going on to rake in $131.3million at the box office, against a moderate $35million budget.

Black played struggling rock guitarist Dewey Finn in the film, who disguises himself as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school, and forms a band of fifth-grade students.

Playing the drummer in the school band - Freddy 'Spazzy McGee' Jones - Clark would end up having a prominent role in the film, which he later revealed he only got because he could actually play the drums.

With his blonde spikey hair and impressive percussion skills, Clark's character certainly stood out in the movie and was considered one of the cooler members of the band.

Reunited: Clark (right) posed with Jack Black (left) backstage at a Tenacious D concert in Chicago in 2018, staging a mini-reunion

Classic movie: Clark can be seen playing the drums in another scene from the film

He was aged 14 when he was cast as the pre-teen student in the Richard Linklater-directed film, but looked far younger thanks to his baby-face appearance.

Following the film's success, Clark continued with his love of music, shying away from appearing in any other Hollywood films.

Instead, he formed the rock band Robbie Gold.

He is said to have then played in various other bands, and was most recently the drummer in a group called Jess Bess and the Intentions.

Hitting all the right notes: The young actor is seen posing in a promotional picture as Black plays the guitar

Breakout role: The former child actor (pictured center) is seen with Jack Black and co-stars Robert Tsai, Joey Gaydos Jr., Miranda Cosgrove and Rebecca Brown in 2003

World traveler: Clark is seen next to Black at the London premiere of School of Rock in 2003

First reunion: Clark (left) is seen with his co-stars Veronica Afflerbach and Jordan-Claire Green at the School Of Rock 10-Year Reunion screening at Paramount Theatre in 2013 in Austin, Texas

Tragically, the group are said to have played their first and last concert together on Saturday.

Previously discussing his decision to step away from acting and concentrate on music, Clark said: 'Most of the kids left acting for other jobs.'

Adding: 'No one expected me to still be playing, living in Highwood, and striving to be a rock star.'

Skilled: Clark (pictured above) went on to form the rock band Robbie Gold, and tragically the group are said to have played their last concert together on Saturday

Rock on: Clark is said to played in various other bands, and was most recently the drummer in a group called Jessie Bess and the Intentions (pictured recently above)

In 2008, Jack Black had said that a sequel for School of Rock was being considered, director Richard Linklater and producer Scott Rudin returning, but later admitted it would be 'unlikely.'

The movie was turned into a stage musical when Andrew Lloyd Webber announced that he had bought the rights to the film in 2013.

The musical received its world premiere on Broadway in December 2015, at the Winter Garden Theatre, with a book by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes.

Eventually closing on January 20, 2019, the stage adaptation grossed a staggering $160,145,109 over the course of 1,309 performances.

Where are the kids from School of Rock now? After actor Kevin Clark's tragic death, Femail reveals the casts' highs and lows - from Tough Guy and Blondie becoming a real-life couple to Zack Attack's arrests and drug issues

By Chloe Morgan for MailOnline

Nearly two decades on from its release, School of Rock is still a much-loved comedy, with a popular stage spin off, thanks largely to its young cast.

Tragically, it was announced yesterday that actor Kevin Clark, 32, who played Freddy Jones in the 2003 movie, died after he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle in Chicago on Wednesday morning.

He was one of the child start of the comedy following Jack Black's Dewey Finn, a failed rocker who becomes the substitute teacher at an elite private school, where he tries to transform his musically-inclined students into a rock band.

The film earned $81.2 million domestic and $131.2 million worldwide, from a $35 million budget. It was later adapted into a Broadway musical and a Nickelodeon TV series, which ran for three seasons between 2016 and 2018.

While the movie's adult stars, like Jack Black, Sarah Silverman and Joan Cusack have remained firmly on our screens, many of the film's child stars have opted for careers outside of Hollywood.

From an LGBTQ+ life coach, attorney and a pathologist, to run ins with the law and battles with drugs and alcohol, where is the rest of the cast now?

Caitlin Hale 'Blondie' and Angelo Massagli 'Tough Guy'

Caitlin Hale and Angelo Massagli, who played classmates Marta and Frankie, have become a real life couple since the classic 2003 Jack Black comedy movie was released. Pictured, Caitlin Hale playing Marta 'Blondie'

Caitlin and Angelo have since confirmed they have been romantically linked since 2016. Pictured, Angelo Massagli playing Frankie 'Tough Guy' in the School of Rock

Speaking of his relationship with Caitlin, Angelo said: 'This is locked down. Yes. This is it.' Pictured, the couple shared a loved-up snap on Instagram

Rumours of the pair dating first circulated when a photo was shared on social media of the couple together in Miami from March (pictured)

While School of Rock is best known as a comedy, thanks to Caitlin Hale, 30, and Angelo Massagli, 29, who played classmates Marta and Frankie, it's also proved to be quite the love story.

The couple went viral on TikTok when social media user @marfymae shared a video noting the two appeared to be an official item after they posed a loved-up snap together in Miami back in March.

Speaking to Inside Edition, the duo confirmed they had been romantically linked since 2016.

Massagli, who played 'Tough Guy' and was made a member of the band's security, explained how he found out his co-star was moving to Florida, where he was living at the time, in 'a group chat where all the School of Rock kids, we just hit each other up whenever someone moves somewhere new or is doing something different.'

Speaking of his relationship with Hale, he told the publication: 'The rest is history. This is locked down. Yes. This is it.'

Massagli also recalled the moment he first set eyes on his co-star during his audition for the movie.

'I get in there and the little blonde girl next to me, she gets called in first and she starts singing show tunes and just blows the roof off the place,' he said. 'It was excellent.'

More recently, Caitlin shared a post thanking her boyfriend for helping her during her recovery from endometriosis surgery.

More recently, Caitlin shared a post thanking her boyfriend for helping her during her recovery from endometriosis surgery (pictured)

She penned: 'Happy Endometriosis Awareness month! It's been 4 weeks since my second laparoscopic endometriosis excision surgery.

'I can't thank Dr. Seckin, Dr. Goldstein, and the @seckinmd team enough for their attentive care and thoughtfulness throughout the entire process.

'And, of course, couldn't have done it without @angelo_massagli waiting on me hand and foot during my two weeks of bed rest! Swipe for evidence.'

Since starring in School of Rock, Massagli has gone on to achieve huge success playing the role of Bobby Jr. in The Sopranos until 2007.

He went on to attend Northeastern University where he studied English with a minor in Business & Law, where he then returned to New York to become an attorney.

Meanwhile, Hale completed a degree in journalism before deciding that a medical career in New York was the best career path for her.

Reunited: In 2019, seven of the now-adult child stars from School of Rock reunited over New Year's Eve weekend in New York City. From left to right: James Hosey (Marco), Brian Falduto (Billy), Becca Brown (Katie), Zachary Infante (Gordon), Aleisha Lanae Allen (Alicia), Caitlin (Marta) and Angelo Masagli (Frankie)

School of Rock kids: Jack Black is joined by the School of Rock cast at the 2003 premiere. From left to right: Aleisha Allen, Maryam Hassan, Angelo Massagli, Kevin Clark, Becca Brown (second row) Cole Hawkins, Zachary Infante, Veronica Afflerbach, Jordan Claire-Green, Robert Tsai (third row) Joey Gaydos Jr., Caitlin Hale and Brian Falduto

On Instagram last year, she wrote: 'My desire to help treat reproductive disorders developed through my experiences managing endometriosis.

'Today I am an OB/GYN certified Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. I perform gynecologic and obstetric ultrasounds at an OB/GYN office in NYC.'

In 2019, more than 15 years after starring together alongside Jack Black in School Of Rock, seven of the young stars reunited in New York City.

Caitlin Hale posted the group shot of the former child stars on her Instagram with the caption, 'Seven School of Rockstars walk into a bar...'

Seven of the actors, James Hosey (Marco), Brian Falduto (Billy), Becca Brown (Katie), Zachary Infante (Gordon), Aleisha Lanae Allen (Alicia), Caitlin (Marta) and Angelo Masagli (Frankie) reunited at Wilfie & Nell in New York's West Village.

Miranda Cosgrove - Summer 'Tinkerbell' Hathaway

Miranda Cosgrove may best be remembered for her pitchy rendition of the song 'Memory' in the hit film, but she's come a long way since that deliberately dodgy vocal. Pictured, Miranda Cosgrove as Summer 'Tinkerbell' Hathaway

Miranda Cosgrove attends Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on March 13, 2021 in Santa Monica, California

Miranda Cosgrove may best be remembered for that pitchy rendition of the song 'Memory' in the hit film, but she's come a long way since that deliberately dodgy vocal.

For years, the now 28-year-old became known to the younger generation as web savvy tween Carly Shay in Nickelodeon's iCarly.

Miranda, who landed a role playing Megan Parker on Drake & Josh from 2004 to 2007, also released her own album, two EPs, and two soundtracks to accompany the hit show - and it seems her hard work paid off.

In 2012, the teen starlet was listed in the Guinness World Records as the highest paid child actress, having earned $180,000 per episode in 2010.

The home-schooled star went on to enroll at the University of Southern California where she studied for a degree in theatre and writing.

'I'm looking forward to being back in a school environment after doing home schooling for so long,' Cosgrove, who started filming iCarly at 13, told People. 'I'm just excited to meet people and learn.'

School's out forever: For years, Miranda Cosgrove, now 28, went on to become best known to fans as web savvy tween Carly Shay in Nickelodeon's iCarly (pictured)

In 2013, aged 19, she invested some of her fortune to buy a $2.65m home in the Hollywood Hills, according to Trulia Luxe Living.

The posh property was the perfect place for the star to stay while pursuing her degree because it was located conveniently near to the lecture halls and classrooms.

The School of Rock actress went on to lend her voice as Margo to the animated kid's film, Despicable Me 2, which was released the following July.

The sequel featuring more adventures with Gru and the girls also starred Al Pacino, Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Russell Brand, and Steve Coogan.

Brian Falduto - Billy 'Fancy Pants'

Brian Falduto, who played Billy 'Fancy Pants' (pictured), had one of the most memorable lines in the movie with his sassy one-liner: 'You're tacky and I hate you'

Brian Falduto attends 'School Of Rock' Broadway Opening Night at Hard Rock Cafe New York on December 6, 2015 in New York City

'You're tacky and I hate you' may just be the most memorable line from the Jack Black movie, but where is the baby-faced actor now?

Since those fabulously sassy one-liners left his mouth at just the tender age of 11, the 26-year-old looks almost unrecognisable today.

According to his website, after studying Theatre and Arts at Wagner College, Brian went on to collect various Off-Broadway & Regional theatre credits while working in radio, where he focused on bringing country music back to NYC with NASH FM 94.7.

Brian went on to become a singer-songwriter, with hits including a 2017 acoustic EP titled 'Love One Another' and a 2018 debut studio album titled 'Stage Two.'

His most recent single, 'God Loves Me Too,' became a final nominee at the 2020 International Independent Music Video Awards and winner of the Fan Favourite category.

In 2018, Brian was named one of the '20 most influential, outspoken, & optimistic individuals on the planet' in PrideLife Magazine's 20th Anniversary #20intheir20s issue.

Brian, who also works as a life coach which primarily focuses on LGBTQ+ clientele, launched The Gay Life Coach Podcast, The Gay Men's Self-Help Book Club, & The Gay Men's Mindfulness Collective in 2020.

His website states it comes 'as part of his continual efforts to create mindful conversation & content surrounding the effects of internalised & externalized homophobia & how one might heal from those experiences through expanded awareness & a deeper connection to oneself.'

Joey Gaydos Jr. - Zack 'Zack-Attack' Mooneyham

Gaydos' character was the lead guitarist in the school rock band. Pictured, playing Zack 'Zack-Attack' Mooneyham

While Joey Gaydos Jr became famous for shredding guitars in School Of Rock, he allegedly started stealing them. Pictured are Gaydos and Jack Black in a still from the film

Despite School of Rock's massive success, Gaydos - who played Zack 'Zack-Attack' Mooneyham in the 2003 film - decided to focus on music instead of a career in Hollywood.

He started the Joey Gaydos Group when he was 14-years-old in his hometown of Belleville, Michigan, and later played guitar for Detroit band Stereo Jane.

By the time he hit 25, Gaydos was teaching guitar to children at the Ann Arbor Music Center.

But while Joey Gaydos Jr became famous for shredding guitars in School Of Rock, he allegedly started stealing them to fund a drug habit.

The former child star, now 27, was arrested four times in five weeks for allegedly stealing guitars from Florida music stores. He was charged with larceny and grand theft.

School of Rock catapulted Gaydos to fame after the film, which starred Jack Black, opened at the top of the US box office and earned $131million worldwide. Gaydos is pictured center with Jack Black

Despite School of Rock's massive success, Gaydos decided to focus on music instead of a career in Hollywood

Authorities told TMZ that Gaydos had been walking into music stores, asking to test guitars, and then stealing them from the shops.

Gaydos then allegedly sold the guitars to pawn shops.

Among the stolen goods were a $1,900 gold Gibson Les Paul, an $800 blue Les Paul Epiphone Prophecy, and a $699 black Fender Stratocaster.

Gaydos also allegedly stole an amplifier as well during one of the music store visits.

He was first arrested on February 11 and booked into Manatee County Jail.

He was arrested three days later in Charlotte County and then again on February 25 in Sarasota County.

Police said that Gaydos confessed to the thefts and said he had a drug problem. Gaydos pleaded not guilty to stealing the guitars in court.

This isn't the first time Gaydos has got into legal trouble.

He was arrested for a DUI in March 2009. Gaydos, who was just 17 at the time, was taken into custody after trying to drive away from a Taco Bell. It remains unclear when Gaydos moved to Florida. His current listed address is in Punta Gorda.

Rivkah Reyes - Katie 'Posh Spice'

Reyes played Katie at the age of 10 in the 2003 hit that starred Jack Black (pictured)

The latest: School of Rock actor Rivkah Reyes said their early fame from the movie at 10 led to a problematic adolescence filled with bullying and later, addiction

Rivkah Reyes, who played Katie, had to adapt from being a cellist to a bass player to join Dewey's band in the comedy film.

Despite continuing to pursue a career in music, Reyes, who uses the gender-neutral pronouns they/them, has since said their early fame from the movie at 10 led to a problematic adolescence and early adulthood filled with bullying and later, addiction.

Last year Reyes, 28, wrote a tell-all experience about how being thrown into the spotlight at such a young age lead down a path of drugs and alcohol.

Reyes recalled being left feeling embarrassed when fellow students would scream quotes from the film.

The 28-year-old would be branded a 'bragging snob' if the comments weren't acknowledged, yet labelled 'a cold ignorant b***ch' if they were ignored them.

'From the age of 14, I used drugs, alcohol, sex, food, and self-harm to numb all of this pain. I've survived dozens of toxic relationships and three suicide attempts,' Reyes wrote for Mama Mia.

However, now living in LA and still releasing music, one of Reyes' biggest achievements is recovering from alcoholism.

'No credit or feat is as cool as the fact that I have been in recovery from alcoholism and addiction for two years and frankly, it's f*cking hard to maintain sobriety, but sometimes the idea of a TMZ headline reading 'That one girl from School of Rock dead from overdose at 27' is all it takes to keep me from a relapse, sadly,' Reyes penned.

In March, Reyes opened up to the New York Post about their life after playing Katie at the age of 10 in the 2003 hit that starred Jack Black.

Reyes said that their experience doing the movie itself was positive, and called its main star Jack Black 'a great guy.'

Candid: In a Medium post last year, Reyes opened up about the abuse they endured

Reyes said that their experience is 'kind of parallel with' the one Britney Spears has had, in the wake of the Framing Britney Spears documentary.

'After production wrapped, when I first came back to school, people were really nice or really mean,' Reyes said. 'There was no middle ground. I was literally followed around the school with people chanting School of Rock.'

In a Medium post last year, Reyes opened up about the abuse they endured: 'Because kids are a******s, I was bullied even more when I came back to school. I'll never forget one girl who came up to me and asked me to sign her lunch card, then tore it up and threw it in the trash in front of me.'

Reyes told the Post they felt like they were under pressure to get another role so their classmates would stop bullying them and calling them by their name in the movie.

Reyes said they were also concerned they would forever be defined by the role in the film: 'I spent over a decade terrified that I'd peaked at 10 years old.'

Reyes said they also 'felt unsafe existing' amid fans who sexualized them at a young age, leaving online messages about how they looked forward to when 'she's 18' when they were still the age of 10.

Reyes told the outlet they became a 'raging addict' from the ages to 14 to 24 toward unhealthy amounts of drugs, alcohol, sex and food, eventually tuning to self-harm.

Reyes said that their experience doing the movie itself was positive, and called its main star Black 'a great guy.'

'It was nothing but love and support,' Reyes said. 'I have never lost gratitude for that, or wish that I wasn't part of it.'

Reyes is currently developing a podcast about child stars called Where Are We Now.

'To quote Britney, I'm stronger than yesterday,' they said.

Aleisha Allen - 'Brace Face'

Aleisha Allen played backing singer Alicia in the movie, but she'd already made a name for herself in children's TV long before. Pictured, playing 'Brace Face'

Aleisha Allen attends 'School Of Rock' Broadway Opening Night at Hard Rock Cafe New York on December 6, 2015 in New York City

Aleisha Allen played backing singer Alicia in the movie, but she'd already made a name for herself in children's TV long before.

The 27-year-old had appeared in kids TV show Blues Clues between 1996 and 2004 and featured in 2005's Are We There Yet? where she played Ice Cube's daughter.

She also appeared in Young Adult, which starred Hollywood actress, Charlize Theron.

A woman of many talents, Aleisha now has a Masters of Science in Communication Science & Disorder and is currently working as a speech-language pathologist in New York.

Taking to Instagram earlier this year, she penned: 'I'm still alive and safe, and fulfilling my medical duties. 'And I hope you all are starting to feel lighter and more optimistic.'

Maryam Hassan - Tomika 'Songbird'

Maryam, who played a shy Tamika, impressed everyone at Horace Green prep school with her powerful voice as she led the backing singers in the school-orchestrated rock group. Pictured, Maryam Hassan - Tomika 'Songbird'

The former child star is often posting clips of herself belting out songs on social media, and is also known for sharing stunning snaps of herself online showing off her grown-up transformation (pictured)

Maryam, who played a shy Tamika, impressed everyone at Horace Green prep school with her powerful voice as she led the backing singers in the school-orchestrated rock group.

In a memorable, heartwarming scene she was overcome with stage fright and and reassured by Dewey who urged her not to self-conscious about her weight, adding: 'You've got talent, girl.'

But just like Tomika in the movie where she initially shied away from the spotlight, Maryam has opted for a life away from the limelight.

While she showed her face at a 10-year reunion to celebrate the worldwide success of the movie, she has kept a fairly low profile ever since.

In January last year, the 27-year-old did make an appearance when Mike Thornwell took to Twitter to share a snap of her in the hit film along with a caption which read: 'Thinking about her today.'

In response, Maryam simply penned: ''Thanks for thinking of me.'

The former child star is often posting clips of herself belting out songs on social media, and is also known for sharing stunning snaps of herself online showing off her grown-up transformation.

Zach Infante (Gordon)

Infante played Gordon 'Roadrunner,' who had a role behind the scenes in the movie's band. Pictured, in the film

Zachary Infante attends the opening night performance after party for the MCC Theater's 'Alice By Heart' at Kenneth Cole's 'The Garage' on February 26, 2019 in New York City

Infante only had a role behind the scenes in the movie's band, but he still managed to save the day when Jack Black decided to change songs at the last minute in the Battle of the Bands.

Despite already programming the lights in accordance to the other song, Gordon worked his magic and pulled off an impressive light display - and he's managed to have the same success in real life, too.

Now a director and products, Infant has gone on to earn himself a degree from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

He went on to star in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream and has had roles in other TV series including 2015's Gotham.

Infante, who has worked with several charities in New York, is also hoping to be elected for his hometown Board of Education in Roselle Park, New Jersey.

On his website, he penned: 'We're facing an unprecedented health crisis in our community, and I'm committed to the mental and physical health of our students first and foremost.'

Aged 15, Zach survived stage IV Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma - a type of blood cancer.

Jordan-Claire Green - Michelle

Jordan-Claire Green played the role of Michelle (pictured) in the Jack Black comedy, and had the very important role of naming the band

Actors Jordan Claire (L) and Robert Tsai attend the School Of Rock 10-Year Reunion screening at Paramount Theatre on August 29, 2013 in Austin, Texas

Director Richard Linklater, actress Jordan-Claire Green, and Jack Black attend the School Of Rock 10-Year cast reception at Omni Downtown on August 29, 2013 in Texas

Jordan-Claire Green, now 29, played the role of Michelle in the Jack Black comedy, and had the very important role of naming the band.

After graduating from the School of Rock, she had a few small roles in film and television - most notably in Wizards of Waverly Place, Arrested Development and Alias.

While she hasn't given up her acting career altogether, she has since become a registered nurse.

Robert Tsai - Lawrence 'Mr. Cool'

Robert Tsai, who played Lawrence, started out as a loner in the film, but soon found his groove on the keyboard (pictured)

Pictured, actors Robert Tsai (L) and Angelo Massagli attend the School Of Rock 10-Year Reunion screening at Paramount Theatre on August 29, 2013 in Austin, Texas on August 29

He may have started out as a loner who thought he wasn't 'cool enough,' but it wasn't long enough but Robert Tsai, who played Lawrence, found his groove on the keyboard in School of Rock.

However, his debut appearing in the film marked the beginning of the end for his acting career, only going on to appear in front of the camera as a part of the dance group Instant Noodle Crew.

Now living in New Jersey, Tsai has since graduated from Dartmouth and continues to show off his musical talent - instead swapping the keyboard for the classical piano.

Veronica Afflerbach - Eleni

In the 2003 Black Jack comedy, Veronica's character Eleni (pictured) helped to come up with the band name

Veronica (pictured) went on to appear as 'Jump Roper 1' in a Nickelodeon film called: 'The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie'

Pictured, actors Kevin Clark, Veronica Afflerbach, and Jordan-Claire Green attend the School Of Rock 10-Year Reunion screening at Paramount Theatre on August 29, 2013 in Austin, Texas on August 29

After graduating from the School of Rock, Veronica whose character also helped to come up with the band name, went on to appear as 'Jump Roper 1' in a Nickelodeon film called: 'The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie'.

Since then, she has left acting behind and appears to live in Miami, where she still manages to express her creativity by working as a hair and makeup artist.

Her social media accounts also suggest Veronica, now 28, has a keen interest in jewellery and has launched her own business, which she sells online.
On Tuesday, Kristin Cavallari shared a snap of herself rocking a plunging beige colored gown.

And one day later, Kristin Cavallari rocked a black two-piece bikini that revealed her tan lines in a snap shared to her Instagram page.

The 34-year-old was later seen in blue cut-off shorts with a white corset top while doing a photoshoot for Uncommon James, her jewelry brand, while in Palm Springs.

Wow: On Tuesday, Kristin Cavallari shared a snap of herself rocking a plunging beige colored gown. And one day later, Kristin Cavallari rocked a black two-piece bikini that revealed her tan lines

Kristin captioned the racy bikini snap as 'Tan lines are in,' tagging the location as Palm Springs, California.

The mother of three looked absolutely incredible in the set, which featured a halter style neckline and high-waisted bottoms with a cut-out detail along her toned midriff. She tagged the brand, which was from model Devon Windsor's bikini line.

The blonde beauty, who showcased her tanned legs in the snap, rocked layers of necklaces and coordinating earrings - all from her Uncommon James brand.

She had her golden hued locks loose around her with minimal makeup on as she posed on a roadway by green shrubbery.

Quick break: The 34-year-old was later seen in blue cut off shorts with a white corset talk while doing a photoshoot for Uncommon James, her clothing brand, while in Palm Springs

Vibes: For the Palm Springs shoot, Kristin donned a pair of light blue denim shorts, adding a textured white corset top

For the Palm Springs shoot, Kristin donned a pair of light blue denim shorts, adding a textured white corset top.

Her flat midriff was on display in the tiny look as well as her tanned, toned legs.

Kristin donned black cowboy boots with a delicate bangle and gold hoop earrings for pops of sparkle.

The Hills star posed against the hood of a vintage green convertible Mercedes.

In between snaps, Kristin was seen hydrating with a bottle of water before focusing her attention onto her phone.

What's see reading? In between snaps, Kristin was seen hydrating with a bottle of water before focusing her attention onto her phone

On Tuesday, Kristin revealed she was in Palm Springs to shoot her fall campaign for her brand.

The star explained in her Instagram stories: 'We are at our fall campaign right now, it's a different color in every room, I am at an insane house in Palm Springs.

In addition to her jewelry line Uncommon James, Kristin also created Uncommon Beauty, clean skincare brand.

Kristin also has Little James Clothing, which is a clothing brand for children.

Exciting: On Tuesday, Kristin revealed she was in Palm Springs to shoot her fall campaign for her brand

Latest: The star explained in her Instagram stories: 'We are at our fall campaign right now, it's a different color in every room, I am at an insane house in Palm Springs

The photoshoot comes 13 months after Kristin and Jay Cutler, 38, announced their split after almost seven years.

The former couple are parents to sons Camden, eight, Jaxon, seven, and daughter Saylor, five.

Kristin and Jay dated for 10 months before he proposed to her in April 20111.

They called off their engagement in July of that same year but reunited by December of that same year.

The duo tied the knot on June 8, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee; they were married for almost seven years before they called it quits.

She briefly dated comedian Jeff Dye earlier this year but Kristin revealed she is single in an interview with E! done just weeks ago.

The blonde beauty made it clear that she's not in the market for romance, stating in the interview she is focusing on her children and spending quality time with them.
Mr. Big will be back in a New York minute.

Chris Noth, 66, will be officially reprise his famous role as Mr. Big in the new Sex and the City reboot titled And Just Like That, HBO Max confirmed on Wednesday.

DailyMail.com exclusively revealed earlier this week that Big, along with John Corbett and David Eigenberg who played Aiden and Steve, respectively, had signed on for the iconic revival.

We couldn't help but wonder ... Chris Noth, 66, will be officially reprise his famous role as Mr. Big in the new Sex and the City reboot titled And Just Like That, HBO Max confirmed on Wednesday

'Im thrilled to be working with Chris again on And Just Like That,' executive producer Michael Patrick King in a statement. 'How could we ever do a new chapter of the Sex And The City story without our Mr. Big?'

Noth played Carrie Bradshaw's main on-again-off-again-on-again love interest, Mr. Big throughout the series. As of the second film sequel, the pair were still married.

Earlier this week, DailyMail.com revealed that in addition to Big, John Corbett will reprise his role of Aiden (the one that got away for Carrie) and Cynthia Nixon's character of Miranda will be joined by her on-screen husband Steve - played by David Eigenberg.

'Viewers will definitely see Big, Aiden and Steve,' a senior production source said.

'Im thrilled to be working with Chris again on And Just Like That,' executive producer Michael Patrick King in a statement. 'How could we ever do a new chapter of the Sex And The City story without our Mr. Big?'

The source also revealed that famed costume designer Patricia Field - responsible for Sarah Jessica Parker's iconic wardrobe - will not be returning to the reboot.

'Patricia Field is not coming back  she is focusing on Emily in Paris,' the source said. 'This is a first for the show as the clothes for the sixth season and two movies were all styled by Patricia.'

The reboot will follow three of the original stars, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) as they navigate life in the Big Apple in their 50s.

Mr. and Mrs. Big: Noth played Carrie Bradshaw's main on-again-off-again-on-again love interest, Mr. Big throughout the series. As of the second film sequel, the pair were still married

Kim Cattrall, who played Samantha Jones, is not returning to the franchise for the limited series reboot.

According to a production source, Samantha Jones will be written out of the Sex and the City reboot in the same way that her real-life friendship with Sarah Jessica Parker ended.

The source said Samantha will be written off as 'having had her friendship move in a different direction to the other three women.'

HBO Max chief content officer Casey Bloys told TVLine of the new changes,' '[EP Sarah Jessica Parker and King] are trying to tell an honest story about being a woman in her 50s in New York.'

Love triangle: Earlier this week, DailyMail.com revealed that in addition to Big, John Corbett will reprise his role of Aiden (the one that got away for Carrie) and Cynthia Nixon's character of Miranda will be joined by her on-screen husband Steve - played by David Eigenberg

'So it should all feel somewhat organic, and the friends that you have when you're 30, you may not have when you're 50.'

Bloys also explained the absence of Cattrall, though it is understood that she won't be 'killed off' in the new series.

Grey's Anatomy star Sara Ramirez will join the Cosmo-drinking trio for the reboot playing non-binary character Che Diaz.

Like the character, the Mexican-American actor, 45, also uses gender-neutral pronouns, and their character has been described as 'a nonbinary, queer stand-up comedian who hosts a podcast on which Carrie Bradshaw is regularly featured.'

Big Apple: The reboot will follow three of the original stars, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) as they navigate life in the Big Apple in their 50s

'Che is a big presence with a big heart whose outrageous sense of humor and progressive, human overview of gender roles has made them and their podcast very popular,' HBO Max added in a statement.

The casting news comes after it was reported that the reboot will feature at least three new black characters and a number of non-white writers working on the script in a call for more diversity on the HBO Max project.

'Everyone at 'And Just Like That' is beyond thrilled that a dynamically talented actor such as Sara Ramirez has joined the Sex and the City family,' executive producer Michael Patrick King said in a statement.

Newbie: Grey's Anatomy star Sara Ramirez will join the as 'a nonbinary, queer stand-up comedian who hosts a podcast on which Carrie Bradshaw is regularly featured.'

'Sara is a one-of-a-kind talent, equally at home with comedy and drama  and we feel excited and inspired to create this new character for the show.'

Titled after one of Carrie's most quoted catch phrases, And Just Like That, the series will consist of 10 half-hour episodes. However, DailyMail.com's source said that there is talk that there may even be more than one season.

Production is scheduled to begin in New York City this summer 2021.
Matthew Perry has left the celeb video service Cameo - where he charged $999 for a 20-second message - amid speculation over his condition after he was seen slurring words both in his Cameo clips and in a promotional clip for the upcoming Friends reunion.

The 51-year-old actor began his Cameo service, in which fans can pay for personalized messages from celebs, late last year, according to a report from The Sun detailing the course of events.

The Williamstown, Massachusetts native was seen in one clip published on the site in which he had kind words for a fan named Rachel about her birthday and engagement.

The latest: Matthew Perry has left the celeb video service Cameo - where he charged $999 for a 20-second message - amid speculation over his condition after he was seen slurring words both in his clips and in a promotional clip the upcoming Friends reunion

Perry was recently the subject of speculation after he appeared in an interview alongside David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc last week with People, with some fans speculating he had slurred his words and seemed out of it.

Perry, who played Chandler Bing on the NBC smash hit, has past dealt with substance abuse issues, including stints in rehab in 1997 and 2001.

A source told The Sun that the reason Perry had just undergone 'emergency dental surgery' in the chat, which was filmed in April.

Perry 'turned up to the reunion,' a source told the outlet, 'and members of his team said that he had an emergency tooth procedure that day.

Iconic: (L-R) Aniston, Courteney Cox, Perry, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc appear in the special

Perry was recently the subject of speculation after he appeared in an interview alongside Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer, with some fans speculating he had slurred his words and seemed out of it

The Williamstown, Massachusetts native was seen in one clip published on the site in which he had kind words for a fan named Rachel about her birthday and engagement

'That was said to impact his well being and also how he was feeling. He had been in pain from what we understand, which caused the slurred speech. Obviously no one wants to film after a procedure, but it happened.'

The source noted that Perry 'has told those around him that he is sober, and there is no need to worry.'

Friends: The Reunion Special, hosted by James Corden, explores the characters of the show, which ran on NBC from 1994 thru 2004.

The special faced delays of more than a year as result of the coronavirus. It debuts Thursday on HBO Max.

Perry has left the celeb video service Cameo, where he charged $999 for a 20-second message, according to The Sun
Joel Edgerton welcomed his first child with girlfriend Christine Centenera earlier this month.

And on Tuesday, the new father enjoyed some solo time as he hit the gym in Sydney.

After parking his car, the Australian actor, 46, revealed a glimpse of his muscular physique as he ripped off his jumper before his workout session.

No dad bod here! Joel Edgerton showed off his muscular frame as he hit the gym in Sydney on Tuesday, after welcoming his first child with girlfriend Christine Centenera earlier this month

Joel dressed comfortably in blue Adidas sweatpants, a black T-shirt and pair of white sneakers.

He teamed his ensemble with a blue cap and slung a beige bag over his shoulder as he walked towards the gym.

Before starting his workout, the Boy Erased star showed off his fit frame as he removed his blue sweater.

Looking fit! After parking his car, the Australian actor, 46, revealed a glimpse of his muscular physique as he ripped off his jumper before his workout session

Workout ready! Joel dressed comfortably in blue Adidas sweatpants, a black T-shirt and pair of white sneakers

Style: He teamed his ensemble with a blue cap and slung a beige bag over his shoulder as he walked towards the gym

Last Wednesday, Joel revealed his girlfriend Christine had given birth a few days earlier in Sydney.

'I just ran away from the hospital for a moment. I can't even put it into words. I'm in love,' he said during an interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The Bright star confessed he'd been worried about missing the birth, as he was filming a project interstate.

Lean: Before starting his workout, Joel showed off his chest as he removed his sweater

Congratulations! Last Wednesday, Joel revealed his girlfriend Christine had given birth a few days earlier in Sydney

'I was very nervous because I was working in Queensland and there are some border issues with Sydney and Queensland that pop up,' he said.

'I was getting very nervous that I'd get stuck.'

Fortunately, Joel was able to leave the set and return to Sydney in time for his child's arrival.

'I was working with some wonderful people who said, "We will move heaven and earth to make sure you don't miss something this important,"' he added.

Announcement: 'I just ran away from the hospital for a moment. I can't even put it into words. I'm in love,' Joel said during an interview with Oprah Winfrey

Race against time: The Bright star confessed he'd been worried about missing the birth, as he was filming a project interstate

Dad: Fortunately, he was able to leave the set and return to Sydney in time for his child's arrival

Christine had been pictured arriving at a North Sydney hospital on May 10 as she prepared to give birth.

She works as the fashion director for Vogue Australia and is also the designer of her own line, Wardrobe NYC.

The couple never officially confirmed they were expecting a child, even after photos surfaced of Christine with a visible bump in January.

In February, the Daily Telegraph reported that Joel was 'thrilled' to become a father.

Joel and Christine debuted their relationship at GQ Australia's Men of the Year Awards in Sydney in November 2018.

Keeping it a secret: The couple never officially confirmed they were expecting a child, even after photos surfaced of Christine with a visible bump in January

New addition: In February, the Daily Telegraph reported Joel was 'thrilled' to become a father
Kim Kardashian is planning to retake the baby bar, also known as the First Year Law Students' Exam, despite failing it the first go-round.

The 40-year-old KUWTK made the declaration in an Instagram Q&A, while also admitting that she has found the bar exams to be 'extremely difficult.'

'Unfortunately I haven't passed yet, but I'm not giving up and I'm preparing to take it again soon,' Kardashian wrote.

Resilient: Kim Kardashian is planning to retake the baby bar, also known as the First Year Law Students' Exam, despite failing it the first go-round; Kim pictured in teaser for upcoming episode of KUWTK

While answering a question about her 'favorite Netflix show,' the KKW Beauty founder revealed what programs she likes to have on in the background as she studies for the bar exams.

'When I'm studying for the bar I can't watch any true crime shows that I love. It's too overwhelming so I like to watch shows Bridgerton and Rom Coms,' she replied.

Kim humbly admitted that she did not pass the baby bar exam in a teaser for Keeping Up With The Kardashians, which was released Wednesday.

In March, Kardashian revealed she's halfway through her law degree with only two years left of studying.

Declaration: The 40-year-old KUWTK made the declaration in an Instagram Q&A, admitting that she has found the bar exams to be 'extremely difficult' for her

Latest: In March, she revealed she's halfway through her law degree with only two years left of studying. But on Wednesday's teaser for Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Kim Kardashian revealed she did not pass the baby bar, also known as the First Year Law Student Exam

In the KUWTK teaser, the reality star chatted with her sisters about failing, while also revealing that she is nervous to re-take the exam. She needs to pass to be allowed to continue three more years of study.

Kim has already focused much of her time on criminal justice reform and helped get Alice Marie Johnson pardoned from a life sentence stemming from a 1996 conviction on nonviolent drug charges.

The reality TV queen took up her cause with then President Donald Trump and his son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner.

Trump first commuted her sentence in June of 2018 and then granted her a full pardon in August last year.

Kim Kardashian is pictured with Donald Trump during a visit to the Oval Office in June 2018

Kim has already focused much of her time on criminal justice reform and helped get Alice Marie Johnson (pictured together) pardoned from a life sentence stemming from a 1996 conviction on nonviolent drug charges

The reality star is pictured studying law. In March, Kim revealed on Good Morning Vogue shes now halfway through her law degree

Kim also visited Trump in March last year and was joined by three newly-freed prisoners - Tynice Nichole Hall, Crystal Munoz, and Judith Negron - who the then President also granted clemency to.

Kim has also advocated for death row inmates including Brandon Bernard.

The Baby Bar - AKA the First-Year Law Students' Examination The California Baby Bar is is a one-day test given in June and November and consists of four one-hour essay questions and 100 multiple-choice questions. The exam only covers three subjects: Contracts, Criminal Law, and Torts. Applicants must pass the test within three consecutive attempts. Because California's bar exam is notoriously difficult and the pass rate is low, the baby bar was introduced in the first year. It needs to pass to be allowed to continue to study. Advertisement

The teaser kicked off with Kim seated with sisters Kourtney and Khloe on the couch, with Khloe enjoying a salad.

'Guys I did not pass the baby bar,' Kim said out loud to them, looking visibly disappointed.

Kim says in the one on one interview portion: 'If you do law school the way that I'm doing it, it's a four year program instead of your typical three year program and after year one, you have to take the baby bar.'

She added: 'This one actually harder here than the official bar.'

The footage turned black and white while Kim then talked to her mentor, attorney Jessica Jackson virtually about her scores.

Jessica says: 'You needed a 560, you got a 474. That's extremely close on a test that most people are not taking in the middle of a pandemic.'

Kim says: 'I am a failure' to Jessica.

'You're not a failure Kim,' Jessica assured Kim, who looked upset.

'I spent six weeks straight, 10 to 12 hours straight studying and it was so important for me to take this and to not pass gets your spirit down and just makes you want to give up,' Kim says to the camera.

In the KUWTK teaser, the reality star chatted with her sisters about failing, while also revealing that she is nervous to re-take the exam. She needs to pass to be allowed to continue three more years of study

Talking about it: The footage turned black and white while Kim then talked to her mentor, attorney Jessica Jackson virtually about her scores

Thoughts: 'I feel like dad would be really proud of you regardless. The fact that you're pursuing this,' Kourtney said

Back on the couch with her sisters Kim tells them: 'I didn't fail by that much.'

'I feel like dad would be really proud of you regardless. The fact that you're pursuing this,' Kourtney said.

'I think it's highly respectable what you're doing. The time taken away from your family, your kids, your friends...' Khloe added.

'That's what pisses me off, the fact that I spent all that time away from my kids. It's like I can't do it again. I don't have time to do the test - it's in November,' Kim says.

'November is in one month,' Khloe states.

'I know, and I'm filming the ending of our show, which will be so emotional. I have every birthday under the sun. It's my birthday, it's my 40th. I planned this whole trip, it's too late to cancel but if I fail again then if I fail again, what was the point,' Kim says.

'But if you don't take it this time, when's the next opportunity to take it? So why don't you just do that?' Khloe says.

'I don't want to wait another year to go back to school and then I feel like I just got to the end, I almost knew everything,' Kim says.

'So you feel like you're already there, stay in this headspace, push through,' Khloe says.

'Stay in this head space, I can try, or I could just give up.' Kim adds.

'I think if you take that year off, you're going to forget about it,' Kourtney says.

'I don't know I really need to think about it,' Kim concludes.

Kim Kardashian is pictured with Alice Johnson, whom she helped get released from prison

In March, Kim revealed on Good Morning Vogue shes now halfway through her law degree and has just two years left of studying before she can take her bar exam and become a fully qualified lawyer.

She said: 'Im still in law school, I have two years left. So I have two years under my belt. I actually am not doing an essay and doing this interview instead, so Im gonna have to get up really early tomorrow to write like a two-hour essay. So that is really steady and a lot of work.'

Kim also spoke about taking a break from her studies over the past year because the COVID-19 pandemic has meant shes been unable to meet with her teachers.

'Even the work schedule, I would have worked non-stop and I wouldve done anything and everything at all hours and never taken into consideration just slowing down at all. This was a forced halt.'

New episodes of the final season of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" air Thursdays at 8:00pm ET/PT on E!. Dont forget, you can watch your favorite episodes of KUWTK on Peacock.
A Texas judge who is Christian was banned by another judge from opening his courtroom proceedings with a prayer, thereby granting victory to the Freedom from Religion Foundation, a secular non-profit legal organization based in Wisconsin, a report said.

The judge ruled in favor of the FRFF, an atheist organization established in 1976 to advocate for atheists, agnostics, and non-theists, that challenged Christian Judge Wayne Mack in Houston who begins his courtroom sessions with a chaplain-led prayer. The prayer was not mandatory. However, on May 21, U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt ruled in favor of FRFF and a local attorney, who refused to be named, who attended Judge Mack's courtroom, the Christian Post reported.

The unnamed attorney claims to have attended Judge Mack's courtroom sessions at least 20 times and said he witnessed the Christian judge's chaplain-led prayers. Judge Hoyt decided, "The Court declares that the defendant's practice of opening regular court proceedings with religious prayers is unconstitutional. Should the defendant violate this Court's declaratory decree, an injunction will issue."

Judge Hoyt ruled that the Christian judge was in violation of the Establishment Clause whenever he "presents himself as theopneustically inspired, enabling him to advance, through the chaplaincy program, God's 'larger purpose'" in front of the litigants, counsel, jury, and the rest of the attendees of his courtroom in Texas. Judge Hoyt, who is a Reagan nominee, argued that the actions of Judge Mack goes against "historical tradition" and makes a "mockery of both religion and law."

But Judge Mack's habit of beginning courtroom sessions with a non-mandatory chaplain-led prayer has always been the norm for him as he vowed to uphold "religious values within the office" since his 2014 Republican primary campaign for the position as Montgomery County Precinct 1 justice of the peace. The Christian's judge has been known to implement various faith-based initiatives and has contributed to the community by holding prayer breakfasts and establishing a Justice Court Chaplaincy Program.

The chaplain-led prayers that launched courtroom sessions were not mandatory, which meant that people could leave the courtroom if they felt like it and come back when the court was in session. This setup made some people feel like they were being judged by Judge Mack and that he would rule their cases based on whether they stayed for the prayers or not.

In 2014, Judge Mack wrote an open letter to pastors and people of faith, saying his chaplaincy program was under "national and local attack" by those who "believe that God and faith has no place in public lives and service." The Christian judge argued that he wanted to "make a statement" to his detractors who believed that his actions were "unacceptable" and show them "God has a place in all aspects of our lives and public service."

"Judge Mack is following a long tradition of opening courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, with a ceremonial invocation," Justin Butterfield argued as per Christian Headlines. Butterfield is the deputy general counsel to nonprofit Christian conservative legal organization First Liberty. Butterfield vowed, "We disagree with the court's decision, and we look forward to appealing this decision to the Fifth Circuit."
Palestinian student Mira Krayem, in the refugee camp of Shatila in Beirut, where she has been busy protesting and gathering support for the Palestinian cause

From marching in rallies to posting live updates on social media, Palestinian refugee Mira Krayem has barely slept since conflict gripped her ancestral homeland earlier this month.

But the 24-year-old university student, who lives in Lebanon, said she felt solidarity messages for the Palestinian cause from across the world have made her and fellow activists feel reenergized after years of crushing defeat.

"It makes us feel like we have a voice," said Krayem, on a rooftop overlooking Shatila, the tightly packed refugee camp in Beirut where she was born, one of some 475,000 Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

In 11 days of violence before a ceasefire was declared last week, Israeli jets and artillery pounded Gaza, the blockaded Palestinian coastal enclave of two million ruled by Islamist group Hamas, who fired thousands of rockets towards Israel.

With graphic images of Israeli bomb blasts and Hamas rocket attacks broadcast live on television networks, supporters of each side took to social media to express their anger.

Rallies in solidarity with the Palestinians have been held in several countries; here Jordanian police surround protesters during a demonstration in Karameh

The United States and other states stressed Israel's right to defend itself against rockets fired by Hamas, but rights groups spoke out against the destruction wreaked on the enclave.

As the death toll mounted -- especially on the Palestinian side, given Israel's air superiority and its Iron Dome missile defence system stopping most Hamas rockets -- there were growing expressions of solidarity for the people of Gaza as thousands were made homeless with entire tower blocks blasted into dust.

- 'Makes you feel alive' -

Palestinian children hold candles as they visit the ruins of a building destroyed in recent Israeli air strikes in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on May 25

During the bombardments, hundreds of Palestinians and Lebanese marched in Beirut, echoing similar rallies of support for Gaza held in countries across the world.

British pop star Dua Lipa and models of Palestinian descent Bella and Gigi Hadid posted messages of support for Palestinian rights -- in turn prompting solidarity messages from those backing Israel's right to defend itself.

It has given the impetus to Palestinian refugees to keep pushing their cause.

"It is tiring, but it's tiring in a beautiful way," Krayem said, a Palestinian flag drawn on her black jumper.

"It makes you feel alive and close to Palestine."

Krayem's energy is emblematic of a generation born long after what Palestinians call the Nakba -- the "catastrophe" -- when more than 700,000 Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes by the 1948 war that led to the creation of the state of Israel.

Nearly three-quarters of a century later, their number has grown to millions scattered around the world.

Most live in the surrounding regional nations of Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria -- countries all bordering Israel -- where they are often marginalised.

Israel disputes their right to return.

Recent normalisation deals between Israel and Arab states looked like another nail in the Palestinian cause's coffin.

But the tragedy of the recent crisis has brought people together.

Palestinian flags line an alley in the Palestinian refugee camp of Shatila in Lebanon's capital Beirut on May 21

"Everyone in the camp is looking for a way to help... and discussions about Palestine haven't stopped," said Krayem, who also works as a volunteer teaching children Palestinian history and culture.

"All these people, who were so distracted with the economic crisis or the coronavirus pandemic in Lebanon, they all started talking about return again," she added.

"You can hear people saying things like 'tomorrow, when we return'".

- 'Our time is up' -

Palestinian refugee Rahma Abdul Qader, who left her home in Jaffa in 1948 aged nine and now lives in Syria, holds her original travel document

For elderly grandmother Rahma Abdul Qader in the Syrian capital Damascus -- one of some 438,000 Palestinian refugees in the country -- she fears it may be too late for her to ever return.

Qader left Jaffa -- now a mixed Arab-Jewish quarter of Tel Aviv -- in 1948, when she was nine.

"Even after all these years, the image of this place is fresh in my mind," she told AFP, surrounded by her family. "I tell my grandchildren about it all the time."

Unlike Krayem, she is not hopeful she will see her homeland again.

In Pakistan, supporters of the the Jamaat-e-Islami political party held Palestinian flags during a protest May 23

"Our time is up," she said. "But maybe my grandchildren will return one day, because justice always prevails in the end."

Her 55-year-old daughter Iman said she was touched by messages of support.

"The Palestinians used to feel isolated in recent years," said.

"But after everything that happened, there is a feeling that we have people on our side."
Former Clawson Mayor Reese Scripture resigned unexpectedly at the beginning of a City Council meeting May 4, but she now wants to resume her position as mayor.

Scripture emailed a letter to Clawson officials seeking to immediately rescind her resignation Friday.

She may have a route back into office if an outside legal opinion finds that her resignation was not effective because the City Council did not formally vote to accept it.

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Former Councilwoman and mayor pro tem Paula Millan became acting mayor the night Scripture resigned and logged off from the councils meeting on Zoom shortly after the meeting started. Later, Millan was sworn in as mayor.

Mayor Millan and the three remaining council members -- Louis Samson, Susan Moffet and Kathy Phillips -- met in a special meeting Tuesday night with City Attorney Renis Nushaj.

Nushaj requested an outside independent lawyer to render a legal opinion on Scriptures resignation and her request to rescind the resignation.

Theres a conflict of interest in having my office do the investigation, said Nushaj, adding that it will be up to another attorney to rule on the contradiction of Scriptures resignation and her attempt to rescind that decision.

He suggested three attorneys for the City Council to choose from. Ultimately, retired Troy 52-4 District Magistrate Clement J. Waldmann was selected in a 4-0 vote.

The City Council also voted unanimously to accept whatever the ruling is without debating it further.

Im supportive of doing this, said Councilwoman Kathy Phillips. I think its important we get this off the table one way or another.

Nushaj cited a ruling on a Bay City council member who sought to rescind a resignation. The ruling focused on two key questions, he said -- did the council accept the resignation, and was the seat filled.

How does the council accepting the minutes with (Scriptures) resignation in them apply? Nushaj asked. Its a close issue.

Clawson council members voted to accept the minutes, which contained Scriptures resignation, at their regular meeting May 18.

There could be a legal challenge that ends up in court regardless of what Waldmanns final opinion is, Nushaj said.

Clawsons City Charter requires that the City Council fill any vacancy within 30 days. When Millan became mayor, the City Council requested candidates to apply for Millans vacant council seat. Several people have reportedly already applied and the deadline for applicants is Thursday.

If Scripture regains her mayoral seat there will be no need to fill the vacant seat, since Millan would presumably retain her former council seat. If Scripture is unsuccessful in getting her former job back, Millan would have to be elected mayor in the November election to retain the position.

Nushaj said he will tell Waldman the city needs his ruling no later than noon, June 1.

Scriptures formal letter of resignation criticizes the city administration under City Manager Mike Smith for failing to give council members adequate budget and related information in a timely manner needed to approve a budget.

The city manager expects this council to rubber stamp whatever is put in front of us because no time is available for changes of any significance or additional review, Scripture said in her final minutes as mayor.

Scripture was elected mayor in 2019. Before that, she successfully sued the city over an Open Meetings Act violation.

An IRS agent, Scripture regularly audited municipal pension programs. She said her job as mayor created a conflict of interest, which left her no choice but to resign.

Scripture said the city administration failed to give the Council sufficient time to meet its obligations in passing a budget.

Approving a budget that I fear will exacerbate and perpetuate the conflicts of interests I face is unacceptable to me, Scripture said when she resigned.
Secretary Antony Blinken on Tuesday met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, his first visit as U.S. Secretary of State. During the meeting, Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his gratitude to the United States for "firmly supporting Israel's right of self-defense," but warned Sec. Blinken that if America renews its nuclear deal with Iran, the Iran-backed Hamas may continue acts of terrorism against Israel and its citizens.

"I hope that the United States will not go back to the old JCPOA because we believe that that deal paves the way for Iran to have an arsenal of nuclear weapons with international legitimacy," Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a statement. "We also reiterated that whatever happens, Israel will always reserve the right to defend itself against a regime committed to our destruction, committed to getting the weapons of mass destruction for that end."

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA is a nuclear deal between Iran and the United Nation's five permanent members plus Germany or P5+1, namely the U.S., U.K, France, Russia, and China. Under the deal, Iran's stockpile of medium-enriched uranium is heavily regulated. In April, several senators urged the Biden administration to halt JCPOA negotiations with Iran in the midst of the brewing conflict in Israel, saying that the U.S. must not "enrich Israel's enemies."

The most recent attacks against Israel that resulted in hundreds hurt and displaced were sparked by the Hamas militant group that is funded by Iran. Hamas fired over 4,000 rockets out of the Gaza Strip and into Israel, which defended itself using the Iron Dome, a defense technology developed by both U.S. and Israeli firms. Following the 11-day conflict that involved air and ground attacks, the Hamas militant group announced their gratitude towards Iran for their support of what the U.S. recognizes as a terrorist group.

"I cannot but thank those who brought forth money and weaponry to the valiant resistance, the Islamic Republic of Iran; who did not hold back with money, weapons and technical support," Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said in a clip aired by Iran's Press TV, as reported by Israel Hayom. Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu hit back, commenting that "It says everything on the true patron of terror in the Middle East in the world-Iran."

The Israeli Prime Minister isn't alone in condemning Iran for their support of the Hamas militant group. In the U.S. senators and leaders such as the former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer are condemning the Iran nuclear deal.

"Iran is stirring the pot in Iraq, in Syria, in Lebanon, in Yemen, in Gaza. That's all of Iran's terror proxies in the region which is another reason why what's going on in Gaza, we shouldn't lose sight of who the big enemy is-Iran," Dermer told CBN News.

Dermer, who was an Israeli ambassador under the Bush administration, hopes that the Biden administration would withdraw itself from the "dangerous nuclear deal with Iran" and instead would "continue to keep the pressure on that Iranian regime that represents a threat to us."
Seattle, WA (98195)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun in the morning followed by cloudy skies during the afternoon. High around 75F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Cloudy with showers. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP)  Former Sen. John W. Warner of Virginia, a courtly figure and longtime military expert whose marriage to Elizabeth Taylor gave him a potent dash of starpower, has died at 94.

Warner died Tuesday of heart failure at home in Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife and daughter at his side, his longtime chief of staff, Susan A. Magill, said Wednesday.

A centrist Republican, Warner had an independent streak that sometimes angered more conservative GOP leaders. But he was hugely popular with Virginia voters.

That popularity was only amplified by his marriage to a mega movie star, which drew huge crowds when he was elected to the Senate in 1978. The Doonesbury comic strip lampooned him as Sen. Elizabeth Taylor.

Warner was the sixth of Taylors seven husbands. The two were married in 1976 and divorced in 1982. Taylor wrote later that they remained friends, but she just couldnt bear the intense loneliness when he became engrossed in his Senate duties.

President Joe Biden, who served with Warner in the Senate, said Warner took principled stances guided by two things: his conscience and our Constitution.

"He neither wavered in his convictions nor was concerned with the consequences, Biden said, noting Warner wasn't afraid to buck his party on issues of rational gun policy, womens rights, and judicial nominees and even crossed party lines to support Biden's presidential candidacy in 2020.

Warner served five Senate terms before retiring from the chamber 30 years later. He was succeeded in 2008 by Democrat Mark Warner  no relation  who had challenged him for the Senate in 1996. After years of rivalry, the two became good friends.

In Virginia, we expect a lot of our elected officials," Mark Warner said Wednesday. "We expect them to lead, yet remain humble. We expect them to serve, but with dignity. We expect them to fight for what they believe in, but without making it personal. John Warner was the embodiment of all that and more. I firmly believe that we could use more role models like him today."

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia said, Once I came to the Senate, I understood even more deeply the influence of John Warner. I came to know John McCain, Carl Levin, and so many others who served with him and attested to his integrity and outsized influence in a body he loved so dearly.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lauded Warner as a great patriot ... a leader unafraid to speak the truth but always committed to finding common ground and consensus.

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who served both Democratic and Republican administrations, said Warner's "steadfast support for our men and women in uniform made a difference in their lives and in the security of our country. His friends and admirers came from across the political spectrum and he set an example for all of bipartisan leadership.

Flags at the Senate side of the U.S. Capitol were flown at half-staff. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised Warner as a consensus builder and an authority on military affairs. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky called Warner a principled patriot across the board.

The courtly senator with chiseled features and a thick shock of gray hair was so popular with Virginia voters that Democrats did not bother to challenge him in 2002.

A veteran of World War II and Korea, Warner devoted most of his career to military matters. He served as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and as Navy secretary.

He was a key supporter of President George W. Bushs declaration of war in Iraq and often defended the Bush administrations handling of the war. But he also showed a willingness to buck the White House.

After a 2007 trip to Iraq, Warner called upon Bush to start bringing troops home. He summoned top Pentagon officials to hearings into the torture of detainees at the U.S.-run Abu Ghraib prison and the Iraq war.

In 2005, Warner was the lone senator to formally object to the federal government stepping in on the Terri Schiavo right-to-die case. She had suffered brain damage and her husband sought to remove her feeding tube, over the objections of Florida lawmakers.

Greater wisdom is not always reposed in the branches of federal government, he said at the time.

In 1994, Warner angered conservatives by opposing GOP nominee Oliver Norths bid to unseat Virginia Democratic Sen. Charles S. Robb. Warner declared the Iran-Contra figure unfit for public office and backed independent J. Marshall Coleman, who drew enough independent and moderate GOP votes to ensure Robbs reelection.

I sure risked my political future, thats for sure, Warner said in 1994. But Id rather the voters of this state remember that I stood on my principle. ... Thats the price of leadership.

Steamed by what they viewed as disloyalty, GOP conservatives tried to deny him a fourth term in 1996, backing a primary challenge by former Reagan administration budget director Jim Miller. Miller portrayed Warner as an elitist who spent too much time squiring celebrities, including Barbara Walters. But Warner easily defeated him and then beat Mark Warner in the general.

John Warner mended his strained GOP ties by helping Jim Gilmore become governor in 1997 and George Allen take Robbs Senate seat in 2000.

Born in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 18, 1927, Warner volunteered for the Navy at 17 and served as a 3rd class electronics technician. He earned an engineering degree from Washington and Lee University and entered law school at the University of Virginia in 1949, but volunteered for the Marines, serving in Korea before finishing his degree in 1953.

Warner clerked at the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, went into private practice, and then became a federal prosecutor. He was Navy secretary from 1972 to 1974.

Warner got an estimated $7 million fortune in the breakup of his first marriage, to Catherine Mellon, daughter of multimillionaire Paul Mellon. He married real estate agent Jeanne Vander Myde in 2003.

Warner had three children, Mary, Virginia and John, and was a member of the Episcopal Church.

___

Dena Potter, a former staffer of The Associated Press, was the principal writer of this obituary.
ROME (AP)  Police arrested three people Wednesday in the cable car disaster that killed 14 people in northern Italy, saying workers placed a clamp on the emergency brake to deactivate it as a patchwork repair - one that prevented the brake from engaging when the lead cable snapped.

The revelations, obtained during an overnight police interrogation of the suspects, turned the horror of Sundays disaster into outrage, given the tragedy appeared to have been entirely preventable.

Prosecutor Olimpia Bossi hypothesized that the operators of the sightseeing funicular, which had reopened after a wintertime COVID-19 closure, used the jerry-rigged clamp to avoid having to shut the attraction down for the more extensive, radical" repairs that were necessary.

We arrested three people who it turns out were directly involved in a concrete fact: The emergency brake mechanism of the cabin that fell onto the Mottarone slope was manipulated," Bossi told reporters in Verbania, adding that the severity of the disaster warranted their detention.

Bossi said it still wasn't clear why the lead cable snapped or whether it was related to the brake problem. But she said that the intentional deactivation of the brake, done several times over recent weeks for a persistent problem, prevented the brake from doing its job.

After the lead cable broke Sunday, the cabin reeled back down the line until it hit the pylon and pulled off entirely. It crashed to the ground and rolled over down the mountainside until it came to rest against some trees. Fourteen people were killed; the lone survivor, a 5-year-old boy, remains hospitalized.

Carabinieri Lt. Col. Alberto Cicognani said at least one of the three people questioned overnight admitted to what happened. He said the fork-shaped clamp had been placed on the emergency brake to deactivate it because the brake was engaging spontaneously and preventing the funicular from working.

The cable car line reopened from lockdown April 26 and was bringing sightseers to the top of the Mottarone peak overlooking Lake Maggiore on the first sunny Sunday since then. The jerry-rigged clamp was still in place on the brake Sunday morning, Cicognani said, citing information gleaned from the suspects themselves.

Because of a malfunction, the brake was continuing to engage even when it wasnt supposed to, Cicognani told Sky TG24. To prevent the cabin from halting while transporting passengers, they chose to not remove the dispositive that blocked the emergency brake.

In this way, the brake couldnt function, and this brought about the fact that when the cable broke, the cabin fell backwards, he said.

Sky and the LaPresse news agency identified the three people arrested as the owner of the cable car service, the director of the lift and the service chief.

Bossi, the Verbania prosecutor heading the investigation, said the deactivation of the brake was clearly designed as a stop-gap measure to allow the funicular to continue operating. She told reporters that investigators think it was done with the full knowledge" of the cable car company's owners.

The development, while the town of Stresa at the foot of Mottarone was still recovering from the trauma of Sunday's disaster, is another blow, news reports quoted Stresa Mayor Marcella Severino as saying.

The investigation was continuing, but the mayor of the hometown of one of the victims, Serena Cosentino, announced that the city would pursue legal action against those responsible. The mayor said the city of Diamonte, in southern Calabria, would present itself as an injured party in the civil portion of any possible prosecution.

The news, unfortunately, is showing a broad picture of responsibility and omissive guilt," Mayor Ernesto Magorno said in a statement.

The developments in the investigation came as doctors at Turins Regina Margherita pediatric hospital reported that the lone survivor of the disaster, 5-year-old Eitan Biran, had begun to open his eyes after they gradually brought him out of sedation.

Biran suffered several broken bones in the crash, which killed his parents, younger brother and great-grandparents. An aunt who was not in the cable car was with him at the hospital.

The Israeli family had been living in Italy and on Wednesday, members of the areas Jewish community attended a prayer ceremony for the victims before their remains were transported back to Israel for burial.
The Handt familys lives changed forever late last year.

Jennifer and Rick Handts 3-year-old son, Charlie, was diagnosed with a rare, debilitating and potentially fatal muscle condition: Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

It was then that the couple began their fight for Charlies future.

We have learned to embrace every day  and that is so much easier with such a wonderful community supporting us and Charlie, Jennifer Handt said. Every single day we are doing something to help Charlie. We have a good life, and there is so much hope on the horizon.

Sydney Sheehan /

The Handt family, and the families of other children with Charlies diagnosis, are gathering June 5 for a gala benefit to help fund a cure. The goal: $250,000.

Duchenne is a genetic condition that typically impacts males and leads to muscle deterioration. A progressive condition, most children who get it will need to use a wheelchair by their early teens, with heart and breathing issues sometimes to follow.

Currently our son has some symptoms, Jennifer Handt said, but is still mobile.

The Handt family has spent months learning about the condition and the potentially life-changing gene therapy that may lie ahead.

The science is evolving so quickly  there is so much cause for hope, Jennifer Handt said.

The key for further research remains funding, which led the Handts and other Connecticut families with children suffering from DMD to team with Cure Rare Disease, a nonprofit biotechnology research organization on a mission to develop precision medicine for rare diseases.

Community for a Cure, which will celebrate progress made in developing customized therapeutics and raise funds to support patient research underway at Yale School of Medicine, will hold its early June benefit at The Village in Stamford.

This will be a special evening for the Cure Rare Disease family to come together to celebrate our recent progress and to demonstrate our commitment to the mission of curing rare disease, Rich Horgan, founder and president of Cure Rare Disease, said.

Horgan said Cure Rare Disease is approaching the final stages of developing a gene therapy treatment for DMD. Horgans brother, Terry, was born with DMD and will be the first person to receive the treatment later this year, he said.

I am extremely grateful to all of our sponsors, donors and families who support and champion our work and keep us steadily on the path of progress toward our goal of saving lives, Horgan said.

The $250,000 goal the organization has set will be earned  with luck  during a hybrid in-person and virtual program featuring both a silent and a live auction with professional auctioneer Harry Santa-Olalla. Among the prizes: an exclusive dinner for eight at Darien Butcher Shops underground restaurant, The Charles.

Signed copies of Walter Isaacsons book The Code Breaker will be given at the Champion level. The book highlights the Nobel Prize-winning inventor of CRISPR, the specific type of gene therapy that is the basis of the new treatment for DMD being used in the Yale trial.

The event will include an awards ceremony recognizing clinical and scientific contributions.

For the Handts, the celebration of clinical progress in the fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy is another sign of hope that further funding can accelerate work on the final cure to save Charlie, they said.

Charlie is the happiest child, Jennifer Handt said. His smile just lights up a room  he loves life, loves his family. But I know underneath his muscles are withering away everyday. Every parent in this situation would do what we are doing  fighting for a cure."

For more information about the galas sponsorship and donation opportunities and to purchase tickets, visit https://givergy.us/

CRDCommunityForACureGala/

?controller=home. For more information on the Handts Charlies Cure fund with Fairfield Countys Community Foundation, visit curecharlie.org.
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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken flew to the Middle East this week to ensure that the ceasefire between Israel and Palestine remains after 11 days of tremendous fighting involving air strikes.

Sec. Blinken then announced on Tuesday that the U.S. expects to reopen its consulate in Jerusalem that was shuttered under the Trump administration. Upon reopening, the consulate will serve as an autonomous office tasked with maintaining diplomatic relations with the Palestinians.

"I'm here to underscore the commitment of the United States to rebuilding the relationship with the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people," Sec. Blinken said, as reported by CBN News.

The 59-year-old State Secretary described the relationship between the U.S. and Palestine as one that is "built on mutual respect and also a shared conviction that Palestinians and Israelis alike deserve equal measures of security, freedom, opportunity, and dignity."

During his visit, Sec. Blinken promised to "rally international support" for Gaza following the 11-day conflict that the United Nations said demolished 94 buildings and killed about 250 people, including over 60 children, mostly Palestinians. As a result, the State Secretary is promising millions in U.S. aid, pledging $5.5 million in emergency assistance for Gaza. Sen. Blinken argued, "This relief is urgent. We have to respond to the profound need of people in this moment."

USA Today reported that the White House is also requesting $75 million more in development and economic assistance for Palestine for the current fiscal year and has allotted $32 million for the United Nations' humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza.

This and more financial aid brings up the tally to about $360 million after former President Donald Trump stopped providing assistance as he was concerned it would help support terrorism in the hands of the Hamas militant group. Sec. Blinken however promised that any funding to support Palestinian ties will not end up in the hands of the Hamas militant group, which the U.S. considers a terrorist organization.

The move to pledge millions in U.S. aid shows how the Biden administration is supporting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in his fight against Hamas. President Abbas is the leader of the internationally backed Palestinian Authority, which previously governed over the West Bank but was pushed out from Gaza by the Hamas militant group in 2007.

The New York Times reported that the Biden administration's plans to strengthen Palestinian ties and their promises to provide millions in U.S. aid come with "risks" of "angering Israel," which they called "the most reliable U.S. ally in the Middle East." Israel and other nations are concerned that the Biden administration is eager to come to an agreement with Iran for a nuclear deal, one which Israel has long been opposed to.

The Biden administration finds itself between a rock and a hard place after Prime Minister Netanyahu reminded Sec. Blinken of the policies they had backed under the Trump administration, including the termination of the Iran nuclear deal and the Abraham Accords, an agreement brokered by the U.S. and signed by Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan and the United Arab Emirates.
On a mission to transform the mindset & make people super focused towards ONE GOAL -Pratik Kale

When you take chances, you realise that there will be times when you succeed and times when you fail and that both are vital. Only one thing that prevents a dream from becoming a reality is the fear of failure. And once you've defeated it, you'll always be able to achieve new heights. Pratik Kale is one such person who has seen many setbacks in life but today is the World's 1st Marketing PsychologistTM.

No one can tell how much hard work he has put in to get to where he is today. His problems began in college when he was able to gain a spot in a prestigious aviation institution, but he ended up getting 13 backlogs in his first year, since then he had little interest in studying.

He was under a lot of societal pressure, and he couldn't see his worried parents' faces. It wasn't just his parents' hard-earned money at stake; but his parents, like any other middle-class family, were concerned about his future. He didn't give up hope, though, and pursued his childhood passion of becoming a dancer.

Spending two years practising on the dance floor led to an opportunity for him to travel to Kenya with a dance crew and he opened two dance studios in Bangalore with friends. Everything was going perfectly well for him, but God had other plans for him. He was duped by his buddies because he had no knowledge on how to run a business.

In 2013, he quit dance and relocated to Pune, where he began his career as a salesperson from the bottom up, learning everything he could about human psychology and ethical persuasion techniques. With this strategy, he progressed through Magic Holidays, Club Mahindra, Dominos, Subway, WNS, Vodafone, XDBS, and Tech Mahindra, all the while honing a new talent that was revolutionising marketing.

He began working as a Digital Marketing Manager for a company, receiving a terrific salary of INR 80,000. But he'd always wanted to do more, so he took the risky step of quitting his job and starting his own company. Every day was a hardship for him because he had no business expertise, and seeing his parents' displeased expression every day devastated him from the inside. His network of friends began to dwindle as well, and he endured a trying year.

When one realises all they can afford is a one-time dinner and their rent is due, many people lose money. However, the words "I'm worth more than this" helped him win the battle. He performed odd jobs as a pizza delivery driver and a Subway cleaner to make ends meet. By this time, he'd lost 8.7 lacs and was left with nothing but hope.

However, 2017 was a year of hope for him, and things began to improve for him, and his firm began to run smoothly with high-end clients such as Mercedes-Benz, Godrej, Lodha Group, Peter England, Super Sox, JW Marriott, and a few more worldwide names.

There has been no turning back in his life since then. He now has over 6 years of sales, strategy, planning, and digital marketing experience. He is also the co-founder of the Women Intellectual NetworkTM and Psychogyi InternationalTM, as well as the host of the popular 1 Million Women PodcastTM and the owner of Digitise Factory Pvt LtdTM, a full-fledged digital marketing agency.

After years of struggle, he has finally arrived at a position of abundance thanks to a simple realisation: "I'm worth more than this." This single statement is sufficient for anyone who aspires to take control of their life but lacks the courage to do it. Every one of us has the desire to follow the path less travelled, but courage is what distinguishes champions from regular people.

To discover more about Pratik and Psychogyi InternationalTM,' and to experience the astonishing potential of business psychology, click on the link below.

Disclaimer: No Deccan Chronicle journalist was involved in creating this content. The group also takes no responsibility for this content.
Beneficiaries wait for the COVID-19 vaccine dose outside a vaccination centre at Chhtrapati Shivaji Maharaj hospital in Thane. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: India on Wednesday reported 2,08,921 COVID-19 infections, pushing the overall tally of cases to 2,71,57,795, as the country conducted 22,17,320 coronavirus tests, its highest-ever in a day, according to Union Health Ministry data.

The death toll also climbed to 3,11,388 with 4,157 fatalities reported in a 24-hour period, the data updated at 8 am showed.

A total of 22,17,320 tests, the highest in a day, were conducted on Tuesday taking the cumulative number so far in the country to 33,48,11,496, while the daily positivity declined to 9.42 per cent, the ministry said.

This is the second day in a row that the case positivity rate has remained below 10 per cent, the ministry said. The weekly positivity rate has also declined to 11.45 per cent.

The updated data showed that the number of active cases have further come down to 24,95,591, with a net decline of 91,191 in a span of 24 hours.

The active cases now constituting 9.19 per cent of the total infections.

The data also showed that 2,95,955 patients recovered from the virus in a span of 24 hours, pushing the total recoveries so far to 2,43,50,816. The national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 89.66 per cent, it showed.

The case fatality rate was 1.15 per cent, the data showed.

India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

The country crossed the grim milestone of 2 crore cases on May 4.

The 4,157 new fatalities include 1,137 from Maharashtra, 588 from Karnataka, 468 from Tamil Nadu, 177 from Kerala , 174 from Punjab, 157 each from Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, 156 from Delhi, 128 from Haryana, 106 from Andhra Pradesh, 105 from Rajasthan and 104 from Bihar, according to the ministry data.

A total of 3,11,388 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 90,349 from Maharashtra, 26,399 from Karnataka, 23,565 from Delhi, 21,340 from Tamil Nadu, 19,519 from Uttar Pradesh, 14,674 from West Bengal, 13,642 from Punjab and 12,723 from Chhattisgarh.

The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities or preexisting health conditions.

"Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that the state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.
BKU leader Rakesh Tikait holds a black flag during a protest against the farm laws marking a Black Day, at Ghazipur border in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Farmers agitating at three Delhi border points raised black flags, shouted anti-government slogans, burnt effigies and took out protest marches as they observed 'black day' on Wednesday to mark the completion of six months of their stir against the three Central agri laws.

A brief ruckus was also reported from the Ghazipur protest site where farmers burnt an effigy of the central government amid heavy police deployment.

As part of their 'black day' protest, the farmers put up black flags and burnt effigies of government leaders at the three border points -- Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri -- to register their protest against the three laws as well as the Centre.

Women protest against farm laws wearing black turban marking a Black Day at Puda Ground in Ludhiana. (Photo: PTI)

The Delhi Police has urged people not to hold gatherings due to the COVID-19 situation and the ongoing lockdown and said it is keeping a tight vigil to deal with any situation at the protest sites.

Senior farmer leader Avtar Singh Mehma said that black flags have been hoisted not only at the protest sites but also in villages in Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, adding that villagers have put up black flags atop their houses as well as on their vehicles.

"Effigies of government leaders were burnt. This day is to reiterate the fact that it has been six months since we have been protesting, but the government, which also completes seven years in office today, is not listening to us," said Mehma.

All those in solidarity of their movement also donned black turbans and dupattas.

At the Singhu border, protestors gathered at the Kajaria Tiles office, held meetings, and took out a march towards the stage.

Farmer leader Kulwant Singh said, "The protesters took out a march carrying black flags. They burnt Prime Minister Narendra Modi's effigy while raising slogans against the three farm laws.

Farmers burn an effigy during protest against the farm laws marking a Black Day at Ghazipur border in New Delhi. (Photo: (PTI)

"We are urging people to support farmers by putting black flag at their residence and other places," he said.

On Tuesday, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had issued notices to Delhi, UP, Haryana on alleged flouting of COVID norms by the protesting farmers.

The Delhi Police too had urged people not to hold gatherings due to the COVID-19 situation and the ongoing lockdown.

However, Mehma said that the government shouldn't have introduced the three laws during the pandemic in the first place.

"If the government wants us to go back then it should listen to us and repeal the laws, because we are not going anywhere unless our demands are met.

"It is not our hobby to sit in the heat and the cold at the borders. We also want to go back home and be safe," the farmer leader told PTI.

Farmers burn an effigy during protest against the farm laws marking a Black Day at Ghazipur border in New Delhi. (Photo: (PTI)

Police force has been in place at all the borders points, including the protest sites of Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur, since Tuesday.

At Ghazipur on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, hundreds of farmers, led by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait, converged into groups as they burnt an effigy of the Centre in protest.

A ruckus briefly ensued between protestors and the local police, donning anti-riot gears, who had tried to stop them from burning the effigy at the UP Gate below the Delhi-Meerut Expressway.

While many BKU supporters held black flags in their hands, several others had placards that condemned the government and demanded withdrawal of the contentious laws, even as COVID-19 protocols on social distancing and face masks were largely amiss at the site.

Tikait, who has been leading the protest at Ghazipur since November 2020 and had become a prominent face of the protest after the January 26 violence in Delhi, was seen sporting a black-colour turban and a black flag.

The influential BKU spokesperson from western Uttar Pradesh was credited with reviving the protest that had lost sheen after the January 26 violence with his emotional pull that overnight drew support for the farmers on Delhi's outskirts.

Thousands of protesting farmers reached Delhi borders on November 26 last year to protest against the Centre's three new farm laws.
During the review meeting, the Chief Minister agreed to meet another demand of the junior doctors on ex-gratia amount. (Photo: Twitter @TelanganaCMO)

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Wednesday asked the protesting junior doctors in the state to call off their strike in view of the overall public health and the existing Covid-19 situation, and advised them to join duties immediately.

The Chief Minister said the government was ready to resolve the issues if the demands of the doctors were genuine. "They can bring those demands to the government and get them solved. But it is not proper to abstain from duties now and then, under the pretext of strike without even understanding the time and situation and causing inconvenience to people time and again," Chandrashekar Rao said during a review meeting on the overall medical situation and vaccination programme with the medical and health officials.

He further added that no one would appreciate the doctors going on strike during the present emergency situation due to Coronavirus.

Following the review, a late evening meeting between representatives of the Telangana Junior Doctors Association and the director of medical education Dr K Ramesh Reddy, junior doctors said no assurance on any of their demands was given by the officials. The junior doctors warned that with the officials not willing to provide any assurance on their demands, they had decided to boycott even emergency services from Thursday. On Wednesday, the junior doctors stayed away from all services other than attending to emergencies and treatment of Covid patients.

During the review meeting, the Chief Minister agreed to meet another demand of the junior doctors on ex-gratia amount. The Chief Minister directed the officials concerned to take measures so that the ex-gratia amount being extended as per the guidelines, gets handed over immediately as per the junior doctors' demand. He further instructed officials to provide better facilities to junior doctors and their family members at NIMS.

He also ordered to increase the honorarium paid to the senior residents by 15 per cent, also extending senior residents honorarium to the medical students who are engaged in Covid-19 duties after their three years of medical course.

However, on the issue of increase in stipend, the medical and health officials present in the meeting said that junior doctors in Telangana were already getting higher stipend compared to other states.

KTR warns of action, urges docs to end strike

The Telangana municipal administration and urban development (MA&UD) minister KT Rama Rao, warning of possible action, called for the junior doctors to end the protest, saying this was not the right time to go on a strike.

"When the entire humanity is going through a crisis, there are other ways to resolve issues if any. The government will discuss the issues with them with an open mind," he said during an inauguration event of 'Project Ashray', a 100-bed Covid facility in Hitec City.

He said the government had already acceded to some of the demands and requests of the protesting junior doctors, and urged the doctors to resume duties. The Telangana Junior Doctors' Association on Wednesday announced that they would escalate the protest in view of non-fulfilment of demands and further boycott emergency services as well.
Thousands of farmers protesting against the three laws that will govern Indian agriculture henceforth on Wednesday observed a black day, marking the completion of six months of their agitation at the gates of the national capital. We are not going anywhere, they said and insisted that they have no plans to go home unless the government listened to them, repealed the three laws and offered them legal guarantee for minimum support price for their produce.

They also want protection from the impact of the proposed Electricity Bill. Farmers in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and several other states also joined the protest, called by the umbrella organisation of farmers unions, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM).

The government has been playing hot and cold on the issue of the repeal of the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020. It is curious that all the tall figures in the government, from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to agriculture minister Narendra Tomar to defence minister Rajnath Singh who tried to mediate with the farmers, have all declared their intention to alleviate the fears of the farming community but they have remained on the streets for the last six months despite 11 rounds of talks!

The farmers have been apprehensive of the intentions of the government when it legally and effectively opens up the Indian farm sector and leaves it for the market forces to control. They cannot be faulted given that the governments track record of planning and executing its ideas on the ground has been dismal. If its bungling on demonetisation and the introduction of Goods and Services Tax is not enough, then the governments vanishing act while the nation fell prey to the second wave of the pandemic Covid-19 would add to the fear in the minds of the farming community.

The Opposition parties have also lent their support to the farmers demands. The government must stop being obdurate and immediately resume talks with the SKM, they have stated in a letter to the Prime Minister this week, reminding the government that it will help protect lakhs of our annadatas becoming victims of the pandemic so that they can continue to produce food to feed the Indian people.

While the government has been saying it had the welfare of the farming community at its heart, anti-social elements have been working overtime to malign the agitation. They almost succeeded in their mission with the drama played out on the Republic Day but for the dexterous move by the Bharat Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait. A similar attempt was made when a section of the media blamed the protesters for stopping oxygen carriers to Delhi. That also was exposed in no time.

The government must realise that no agitation can be drawn this long unless there is a genuine cause. The government must resume talks at the earliest and convince the farmers about its earnestness or be convinced by their fears. Letting the annadatas go on an unending agitation does not behove a democratic government.
Protesters hold banners and flags during a demonstration demanding freedom for Belarus opposition activist Raman Protasevich, in front of the Belarus embassy in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo: AP)

Airlines re-routed flights to avoid Belaruss airspace on Tuesday and Belarusian planes faced a possible ban from Europe, as international outrage mounted over Minsk forcing down a jetliner and arresting a dissident journalist on board. Western nations accused Belarus of hijacking and piracy over the interception of the Ryanair plane as it crossed the country on a flight from Greece to Lithuania, and diplomats said France, Ireland and Estonia would raise the incident at a private meeting of the UNSC on Wednesday.

The behaviour of the Belarus regime is outrageous, illegal, and completely unacceptable..., Canada PM Justin Trudeau told reporters. In response to Minsks actions, the European air traffic control agency, Eurocontrol, recommended that EU and British carriers that fly over Belarus should re-route via the Baltic states. Lufthansa, KLM, SAS, Air France, LOT and Singapore Airlines were among carriers that announced they would stop flying over Belarus.

A video released overnight showed Roman Protasevich, 26,  who was pulled from the passenger plane after Belarus scrambled a warplane to escort it to Minsk on Sunday  confessing to having organised anti-government demonstrations. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the video was concerning and described the forced landing of the jet as an unprecedented and unacceptable act.

Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said the footage showed Protasevich had been tortured. He said that he was treated lawfully, but hes clearly beaten and under pressure. There is no doubt that he was tortured, she said.

In the video released overnight, Protasevich can be seen seated at a desk in a dark hooded sweatshirt. I can state that I dont have any health issues... Police officers are treating me properly and according to the law, he says, adding that he had confessed to organising mass protests in Minsk.

His companion Sofia Sagega, a Russian citizen, may also face criminal charges, Russias foreign ministry said. Belarus did not comment on the torture allegation.
Beijing-controlled news agency China Daily has been discovered to have funnelled over $1.6 million in exchange for advertising campaigns in several western media companies such as Time Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Financial Times, and Foreign Policy. The disclosures filed with the Justice Department showed that in the last six months, the Chinese government controlled news agency had paid millions of dollars to American newspapers and magazines to promote CCP propaganda.

The report was revealed by The Washington Free Beacon, which said that despite U.S. officials' warning about Beijing's propaganda activities, these western media companies continued to accept payments from the Chinese government-backed news agency. In fact, the Chinese news agency also spent another $1 million on the L.A. Times, Chicago Tribune, and Houston Chronicle to print copies of their own publications.

China Daily was found to have increased its advertising budget by over 36% in the last six months, from $3.3 million to more than $4.5 million, the latest foreign agent disclosure revealed. About $700,000 was spent for advertising in Time magazine, $272,000 for the Los Angeles Times, $291,000 for Foreign Policy, and $371,577 for Financial Times. However, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post have cut ties with China Daily in recent years following complaints that they were promoting CCP propaganda.

According to WND, China Daily has paid Time magazine to run "paid partner content" but the latter has failed to disclose that such content is sponsored by CCP. In fact one of the more recent published "paid partner content" features an interview with U.S. diplomat Charles Freeman, who is linked to the controversial foreign policy think tank Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, which is backed by billionaires Charles Koch and George Soros.

In it, Freeman recounts his visit to China when he worked as a chief interpreter for President Richard Nixon in 1972. He said, "I knew China would change, but I never imagined how much and how fast it has changed."

But China isn't only using its millions to further CCP propaganda through western media. It's also conducting damage control following the negative image they've garnered following the COVID-19 pandemic that began within their borders. According to Voice Of America, research published this month by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) found that the CCP used foreign media to "reset its public image."

The report showed that among 54 journalist unions in 50 countries who were surveyed, 75% reported a "visible Chinese presence in their media" compared to just 64% last year. The survey also showed that in Europe, there was the greatest positive change of coverage of China since the beginning of the pandemic at 6.3, compared to North America's mostly negative change score of 3.5.

IFJ deputy general secretary Jeremy Dear said, "The coronavirus story over the past 12 months has been successfully used by China to create a more positive image of China, in a number of countries."

Earlier reports citing ChinaAid founder Bob Fu also indicated that China has allotted millions to pay western media outlets to promote CCP propaganda overseas.

These media companies, which include the Washington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Reuters and the Associated Press, among others, posted "advertisements" portraying the Chinese Communist Party as "democratic" as opposed to dictatorial, and that the life the Chinese have under the CCP is "beautiful" as opposed to what it really is - terrible.

The advertisements were also meant to distract or divert people away from the fact that the CCP is committing grave human rights violations by persecuting Christians and other religious groups, and working to eradicate Uyghur muslims in Xinjiang.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner talks to volunteers before they canvas around the Fairmount neighborhood in Philadelphia, on May 16. 1.
A meeting has taken place between Creggan school leaders, the Permanent Secretary at the Department of Education and officials to discuss more finance and support for local schools.

The meeting was convened by Sinn Fein Foyle MLA Karen Mullan who paid tribute to the local school leaders.

Speaking following the meeting, she said: "The mental health and wellbeing of their pupils has been impacted in recent times and schools need additional support to help their pupils to deal with these issues.

I am asking all government departments to work collaboratively alongside our schools, community groups, youth groups, sporting and community organisations to provide our young people with every opportunity in life."
Calls from a leading teaching union to suspend controversial academic selection tests planned for later this year have got the backing of Foyle Sinn Fein MLA, Karen Mullan.

Describing such tests as 'unfair' and 'unnecessary,' she said they needed to stop.

She was speaking after the Irish National Teachers Organisation, at its annual conference, called for academic selection tests to be suspended again this year to avoid putting young children through mental anguish.

Ms Mullan said: This is the latest in a series of mounting calls for academic selection to be scrapped.

I would call on schools still planning to use academic selection to listen to this call from the trade union, as well as the voices of experts, parents and others and abandon academic selection once and for all.
More must be done to tackle health service waiting lists before people 'die waiting for treatment', a local MLA has said.

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has said that the crisis in waiting lists in Northern Ireland demands the immediate attention of political leaders.

Speaking following the publication of the Royal College of Surgeons 10 Step Action Plan for surgical recovery, Mr Durkan said: I welcome the publication of this report and its recommendations.

It underlines the serious crisis that our Health Service faces and the particular pressure on people who have been on waiting lists for years.

We now have a suite of reports that outline the scale of the reform needed to address spiralling waiting lists and deliver first class care to people before they die waiting for treatment.

The issues facing the health service are systemic and they can only be tackled with strong political will. The only thing keeping the system going right now is the dedication of our front-line staff.

My party colleagues and I have consistently raised this issue in the Assembly and with the Ministers of Health and Finance.

Unfortunately, the Budget presented by Conor Murphy this week does not set out a plan to deal with the multiple crises facing our public services.

This is a missed opportunity and particularly disappointing that given the critical state of the health service that the Finance Minister has not made addressing waiting lists a priority.
A Derry man charged with the possession of the gun believed to have been used in the shooting of the journalist Lyra McKee has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Niall Sheerin, 28, of Tyrconnell Street in Derry, appeared in Laganside Court in Belfast this morning charged with possessing a Hammerli X-esse .22 pistol and ammunition on dates between September 11, 2018 and June 6, 2020 with intent to endanger life.

He is also charged with possessing the same weapon in suspicious circumstances on the same dates.

When he was arraigned today, he pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The case was adjourned until June 23 for a review and Sheerin was released on continuing bail.

The gun in question was found after a major police operation in the Ballymagroarty area of Derry in June 2000.

Following tests, the PSNI said that the weapon was the one used to shoot the journalist Lyra McKee on April 18, 2019.
Just six days ago, Kellogg's limited edution "Together with Pride" cereal hit store shelves all over the U.S. painting them purple to signify the company's latest collaboration with GLAAD or the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation media monitoring organization.

The purple-themed breakfast cereal box comes with the tagline, "boxes are for cereal, not people," which encourages kids and kids at heart to explore one's identity. But not all people are happy with this new initiative.

The Western Journal, via WND, accused Kellogg of selling "moral rot and perversion" to children whose households have the brand's products as staples. The accusation is that Kellogg's has "sexualized its cereal box" with this new initiative that aims to "create opportunities for homes and families to have conversations about the importance of acceptance, compassion and understanding, especially when it comes to LGBTQ+ youth," as explained by GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis in a statement.

"Kellogg is not only building on an ongoing commitment to support the LGBTQ+ community, but initiatives that spotlight the importance of using correct pronouns to create safe and welcoming spaces for trans and nonbinary people," Ellis explained.

The children's breakfast cereal box has allotted space in which they could write their preferred pronouns such as she/her, he/him, or they, which alludes not to plurality but to non-binary. Its contents are the usual Kellog's cereal but this time "berry-flavored, rainbow hearts dusted with edible glitter."

For every box of the Kellogg's Together With Pride cereal box sold, the company is donating $3 to GLAAD "to support the LGBTQ+ community." This indoctrination by the left uses " sexualized messaging intended to warp young minds into believing that homosexuality is another form of love and transgenderism is a journey of self-discovery," WND reported.

LifeSite News reported that Big Businesses are trying to pursue "wokeness" because that's where the money is. They argued that corporations such as Kellogg are "greedy" and want to be "seen as precisely where their customers are." Another reason why Big Business has chosen the "wokeness" path is because many corporations are led by "filthy rich liberals'' who feel bad about the fortune they've amassed and are looking for ways to justify their wealth, such as joining the revolution against the Christian right.

This is not the first time Kellogg has acted in the name of "wokeness." In 2017, the company apologized when writer Saladin Ahmed noticed that one yellow corn pop character on the Corn Pops cereal box was a person of color who was a janitor. The Washington Post reported that Ahmed took to Twitter to share his discovery, which was immediately addressed by Kellogg.

"Why is literally the only brown corn pop on the whole cereal box the janitor? This is teaching kids racism," Ahmed accused the company in a tweet. "Yes it's a tiny thing, but when you see your kid staring at this over breakfast and realize millions of other kids are doing the same."

Kellogg, being a company that believes in "wokeness," replied in five hours and promised to update the design, tweeting, "Kellogg is committed to diversity & inclusion. We did not intend to offend-we apologize."
Derry company Cloud 360 Accounting has won Best Small Firm of the Year at Xeros prestigious annual awards.

The awards showcased the achievements of those supporting businesses through one of the toughest years.

Accountants, bookkeepers and the app industry have played a huge role in guiding their small business clients through the pandemic and supporting the wider economy. Xero research shows 43% of small business owners said that their accountant has been crucial to their pandemic survival, while 58% named them as their most trusted business advisor.

Cloud 360 Accounting was Northern Irelands first Xero-certified advisors and since then the company has gone from strength to strength.

Chief executive Kieran Phelan has grown the business to a team of seven over the past eleven years.

The judges commented on the companys handling of COVID-19 and client relations which saw the company individually call each client to check how they were coping. Kieran provided further support with his weekly, free Facebook Live, Coffee with Cloud 360 which provided business advice on the latest developments from the government. They were also impressed with the Cloud 360 onboarding process and ability to harness technology into their services.

Mr Phelan said:: In what has been such a difficult year, we are thrilled to have won this award, it reflects the hard work and dedication from the whole team at Cloud 360 Accounting.

We are delighted to have been recognised on the UK stage for our work here in the North West.

We plan to continue to grow as a company and as such have a strategic vision that will include recruitment to our team and expansion of services which we will implement over the coming years. We see the Help To Grow Digital scheme announced by the government as a huge enabler for businesses to build their financial systems online this year and we will be at the forefront of helping businesses to achieve this. A huge well done to all finalists involved.
Abhinav Shukla Recalls The Time He Fell Asleep While Driving, Says 'That Scary Thing Still Flashes In Front Of Me'

Road accidents are still one of the biggest reasons for loss of lives not just in the nation, but throughout the world. There are so many young lives that are lost due to road mishaps, and quite a few of these happen when a driver falls asleep while driving. This is way more common than we would want it to be. Now, Bigg Boss 14 participant and actor Abhinav Shukla recalled the time when something similar happened to him.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Abhinav Shukla (@ashukla09)

Abhinav, who is currently in Cape Town shooting for Khatron Ke Khiladi 11, remembered the time when he had fallen asleep while driving. In an interview with Zoom, he said, I remember once I was driving down from Punjab to Mumbai and I was somewhere in Rajasthan, I had crossed Jaipur. People had told me a lot of times, the drivers tend to sleep on the wheel. And I actually slept on the wheel. So, that scary thing still flashes in front of me. He also added that when he woke up, he found that the car was in the middle of the road. He also cautioned all and said that one should stop the car and take a nap, rather than putting lives at risk.

Well, we are glad that Abhinav came out unharmed, but yes, it is important to stop the car by the side of the road and take a rest if necessary, rather than rushing into things.
Wisconsin has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) for its plan to implement a new federal program to provide food benefits for children under the age of 6 who are part of FoodShare households and who are not yet enrolled in school. We will be distributing benefits this week to those families. Called Pre-6 Pandemic-EBT (Pre-6 P-EBT), the program is designed to help families whose young children may have been at home more often since last fall due to closures of child care facilities during the pandemic. The first benefits for this program will be issued on May 29 covering the months of October through December 2020. FoodShare recipients do not need to do anything to receive these benefits.

Too many Wisconsin families were struggling to put food on the table even before the pandemic, and that need is even greater now, said Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. Pre-6 Pandemic-EBT will help feed our youngest and most vulnerable Wisconsinites, and we are committed to making sure these benefits reach our families that need them most.

The amount of benefits that FoodShare households will receive for Pre-6 P-EBT is being calculated on a regional basis, using the information submitted by schools for the regular P-EBT program about how often students learned from home during this school year. For each month, one of three scenarios will determine benefits:

If a household is in a region where the majority of school-age children learned from home all the time in a month, the household will receive the full Pre-6 P-EBT benefit amount for that month.

If a household is in a region where the majority of school-age children learned from home part time based on a hybrid learning model in a month, the household will receive a partial Pre-6 P-EBT benefit amount for that month.

If a household is in a region where the majority of school-age children learned in person at their schools in a month, the household will receive no Pre-6 P-EBT benefit for that month.

The full benefit amount will vary from month to month as it is calculated using the number of school days in a given month, multiplied by the per diem amount allowable for P-EBT, $6.82. Households are only eligible to receive Pre-6 P-EBT benefits for months in which they were active in the FoodShare program, and children must be under the age of 6 as of October 1, 2020.

All families in a region will receive the same amount of benefits in a given month.

Families will receive letters notifying them of how much they are receiving under this program. Pre-6 P-EBT benefits will be put on FoodShare households QUEST cards.

If a child is under the age of 6, but goes to a K-12 school where they are enrolled in free or reduced-price meals, they are eligible for the School P-EBT program and will not receive Pre-6 P-EBT benefits.
WhatsApp has filed a legal case against the Government of India in Delhi High court challenging the new internet rules that require messaging services to trace the origin of messages and people credibly accused of wrongdoing. The Facebook-owned messaging platform claims that complying with the new rules will undermine user privacy in the country.

The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 tighten regulations on Digital Media, OTT Players, and Social Media apps. It requires that intermediaries (that host content created and shared by regular people) with more than 5 million active user base will have to enable means to identify first originator of problematic content. This would be in response to a judicial order passed by a court or by a competent authority under section 69 of the IT Act.

According to the rules, if the first originator is located outside the country, then the first receiver in India will be deemed as the first originator.

To identify the accused, WhatsApp will have to break the encryption of both receivers and originators of such messages. It will also have to maintain a database of user messages. Many community groups agree that these new rules are harmful to user privacy and could ruin end-to-end message encryption for users in India.

Also Check: Whatsapp will not restrict features for Indian users who don't accept the new privacy policy

Requiring messaging apps to 'trace' chats is the equivalent of asking us to keep a fingerprint of every single message sent on WhatsApp, which would break end-to-end encryption and fundamentally undermines peoples right to privacy," said a WhatsApp spokesperson in a statement procured by ET.

WhatsApp has consistently joined civil society and experts around the world in opposing requirements that will violate the privacy of its users. In the meantime, we will continue to engage with the Government of India on practical solutions aimed at keeping people safe, including responding to valid legal requests for the information available to us, the spokesperson added.
At the start of this year, nine Chinese companies including Xiaomi were put on the US Department of Defense blacklist for allegedly being controlled by the Chinese military. Well, one of those companies, Xiaomi, is now off the hook. This implies US citizens no longer have any restrictions on buying or holding stocks in the company.

The sanction was one of the decisions taken under the Donald Trump administration against China. The Joe Biden administration has admitted to lack of sufficient reasons to put Xiaomi on the list and has agreed to not challenge the ruling.

Xiaomi had filed a legal complaint challenging its designation as Communist Chinese Military Company (CCMC) as unlawful and unconstitutional. It argued that its CCMC designation would do irreparable harm to its business.

Shares of the company fell by over 20 percent since January when it was blacklisted. Its formal removal from the list is likely to turn the tides.

A court filing earlier in May revealed that the US Defense Department would vacate Xiaomis designation as CCMC. The filling stated that Washington and Xiaomi would resolve the litigation without any further contest.

"The company reiterates that it is an open, transparent, publicly traded, independently operated and managed corporation," Xiaomi Chairman Lei Jun said in the statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange.

Xiaomi isnt the only company to get off the list. Chinas Luokung Technology, a big data provider that had also challenged its CCMC designation, was also removed from the list. Its likely that this victory will inspire other Chinese companies on the DoD blacklist to pursue the legal route.

Trump administration also put China's Huawei Technologies on an export blacklist in 2019, which barred it from accessing critical U.S. technology including access to Qualcomm and AMD Chipset technology and Google Mobile Services. The decision destroyed Huaweis pretty much global presence and was a massive blow to its smartphone division. Huaweis former sub-brand Honor will soon attempt a comeback on the global stage with Honor 50 series smartphones.
Photo provided by the Museum of History & Industry [enlarge]

Paul Thiry  best known for introducing the Puget Sound region to European Modernism  softened the pure modernism of his early work and incorporated elements of Pacific Northwest Modernism in his design of the Northeast Branch Library, a Seattle landmark, shown here.




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KALAMA, Cowlitz County (AP)  A Kalama man is facing one count of theft after a Washington Labor & Industries investigation alleges he was faking injuries to collect nearly $300,000 in workers' compensation benefits.

Labor & Industries says James Thomasson was hurt while working as a logger in 2006, The Daily News reported. A tree hit his leg, causing bruises and abrasions.





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SEATTLE  An apartment building at 155 Aloha St. sold for about $5.8 million, according to King County records.

The seller was a family investment group, which had owned the property for decades.





. . .
Chinese FM attends Africa Day reception, urges enhanced cooperation

Xinhua) 10:11, May 26, 2021

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi addresses the Africa Day reception in Beijing, capital of China, on May 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

BEIJING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday attended the Africa Day reception in Beijing, saying that China and Africa should work together to create a new situation in bilateral cooperation.

On behalf of the Chinese government, Wang Yi extended congratulations to the African envoys in China and to African countries and their peoples. Wang said that Africa Day is an important day for the African people in striving for independence and strengthening unity.

He stressed that Africa Day also marks a common holiday for China and Africa. Strengthening unity and cooperation with African countries is the constant priority of China's diplomacy. China and Africa are fighting side by side in the great struggle for national independence and safeguarding national dignity, while supporting each other on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he said that China and Africa helped each other to overcome the difficulties together. China has been the largest trade partner country for Africa for the 12th consecutive year, he said, adding that China-Africa cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative has continued to deepen and become more effective.

On global affairs, China and Africa support each other, he said. "We hold high the banner of multilateralism and jointly issue a voice of justice against the politicization of the epidemic, against racial discrimination and against foreign interference."

He put forward four suggestions for creating a new situation in China-Africa cooperation. He called on both sides to make a success of the next meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), work together to quickly defeat the COVID-19 epidemic, promote the development of practical cooperation in a steady manner, and strengthen coordination in international affairs.

Martin Mpana, Cameroon's ambassador to China and dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in China, said that Africa and China should jointly host the FOCAC meeting and send a strong message to the international community that Africa and China will join hands to promote fairness, justice and peaceful cooperation in the world.

On May 25, 1963, the Organization of African Unity -- the predecessor of the African Union -- was established, and May 25 was designated as Africa Day. The African Diplomatic Corps in China holds a celebratory reception in Beijing every year. This year's reception was co-hosted by China and the African Diplomatic Corps in China.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
Over half of Republicans reportedly believe that former President Donald Trump should be president and the U.S. Capitol Riots were caused by leftists as per a Ipsos/Reuters poll released last Friday.

The Christian Post said that a "slight majority" of Republicans believe that the U.S. Capitol riots were caused by "violent left-wing activists" targeting to discredit Trump.

"Former President Donald Trump's stronghold over the Republican party remains. His refusal to concede the 2020 election and calls of widespread fraud have raised doubts about the integrity of its results among his Republican base. Consequently, 56% of Republicans believe the election was rigged or the result of illegal voting, and 53% think Donald Trump is the actual President, not Joe Biden," Ipsos/Reuters said in its Topline Findings of the survey.

"Only 30% of Republicans feel confident that absentee or mail-in ballots were accurately counted, compared to 86% of Democrats and 55% of independents," they added. "As a result, 87% of Republicans believe it is important that the government place new limits on voting to protect elections from fraud. Finally, 63% percent of Republicans think Donald Trump should run for President again in 2024, compared to only 8% of Democrats and 23% of independents."

Ipsos conducted the study on behalf of Thomson Reuters online on May 17-19, 2021 with a sample base of 2,007 adults aged 18 years old and above who reside in the United States, Hawaii, and Alaska.

The respondents, as per the survey's literature, comprise a mixture of 196 Independents, 754 Republicans, and 909 Democrats. The survey was conducted randomly from Ipsos' online panel and did not include a margin of error being an online poll. However, the survey has a credibility interval of 3.7% points for Democrats, more or less 4.1% for Republicans, and more or less 8.0% for Independents.

The questions asked were classified into 10 types of questions that include the respondent's profiling. The respondents were asked "[The 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump] To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?" to which 48% responded with "strongly disagree," 18% "strongly agree," 13% "don't know," 12% "somewhat agree," and 9% "somewhat disagree."

Another question ran, "[Trump is at least partly to blame for starting the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol] To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?" where the respondents said 43% "strongly agree," 21% "strongly disagree," 15% "somewhat agree," 12% "somewhat disagree," and 10% "don't know."

While 40% "strongly disagree" to the question, "[The Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol was led by violent left-wing protestors trying to make Trump look bad] To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?" the other respondents replied with equal status on "strongly agree" and "don't know," at 17%, 15% "somewhat agree," and 12% "somewhat disagree."

The survey also asked if the respondents think Trump should not run for President again in 2024 to which 49% "strongly agree," 22% "strongly disagree," and equal stance on "somewhat agree" and "don't know" at 10%, and 9% on "somewhat disagree."

It's worth noting that left-center Thomson Reuters commissioned the study. Media Bias Fact Check, an outlet dedicated to exposing media bias and deceptive news practices, said left-center-biased media, which have a "slight to moderate liberal bias ... often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using appeal to emotion or stereotypes) to favor liberal causes." This provides insight on how some of the survey's questions were worded.
A Sunday school teacher from Plaistow, New Hampshire was allegedly arrested for simply demanding an end to the mask mandate.

Trending Views reported that the teacher was arrested for protesting against masks during a school board meeting of the Timberlane Regional School. The board meeting had to be held remotely after the state police troopers and Plaistow police officers were all over the auditorium that was the meeting's supposed venue. Chairwoman Kimberly Farah explained that she was after the security of every one.

The police were in the auditorium because they arrested teacher Kate Bossi who entered without wearing a mask and violated the policy of the school on it.

A video of the arrest that went viral was uploaded to YouTube. It showed Bossi letting go of a black signage used for a protest and entering the auditorium with the police behind her. The police caught up with her, got hold of her hands, and cuffed her. She then told the police they are violating her rights. The arresting officer was Sgt. Alec Porter who was named by one man while arresting Bossi.

"You are violating my rights right now. You are remiss," Bossi said.

"We have every right to be here. I get it's scary, but that should not dictate our right to be here. I came here pretty calm and now I'm trying to calm down," she added.

Bossi expressed her regret of bringing her children with her had she known that they would "face that kind of aggression."

While the man told the police, "Come on Sgt. Porter, you know this is wrong what they're doing to our kids. Are you seriously doing this you guys. This is law enforcement. You're not enforcing laws, you're enforcing policy."

In its report, the Union Leader said the meeting was held last Thursday night at the Performing Arts Center but was abruptly ended when Bossi went inside the building.

Bossi's daughter, Jackie Wydola, was already at the meeting when her mother arrived and was angered by her arrest.

"Are you seriously doing this you guys. This is law enforcement. You're not enforcing laws, you're enforcing policy. That doesn't matter," Wydola complained to the police who were taking her mother away.

Wydola told Union Leader that the police followed her mother into the auditorium after seeing her as the first person to walk in without a mask. And although Porter did not say why he arrested Bossi, Wydola said she was told her mother was arrested allegedly due to "disorderly conduct."

The Union Leader highlighted that besides Farah, the other attendees of the board meeting were frustrated that it was disrupted because of the unmasked.

"I didn't want to jeopardize the health of the staff and the students," Farah said

But Union Leader pointed out that there are members of the board, such as Danville Board of Selectmen Chairman Shawn O'Neal who was actually proposing to the school to remove its masking policy especially with the students' upcoming prom. However, his motion was not seconded during the said meeting.
Donegal companies are being encouraged by Enterprise Ireland to start preparing for the inevitable and necessary green future that lies ahead for us all.

Donegal manufacturing and exporting companies have an important role to play in reducing emissions and building a more sustainable future and Enterprise Ireland has a range of green supports to help them.

Recently launched by the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar, and the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, the Climate Enterprise Action Fund includes three supports that Donegal-based companies supported by Enterprise Ireland can access to assist on their sustainability journey.

These are:

Climate Action Voucher  a 1,800 grant to engage consultants to develop plans in areas such as resource efficiency and renewable energy.

GreenStart  up to 5,000 to measure carbon footprint and identify actions to reduce emissions and operate more sustainably.

GreenPlus  grant funding of up to 50% to develop a multi-annual climate change plan aligned to international standards and frameworks.



Aidan McKenna, Regional Director for the North East and North West at Enterprise Ireland said:

Ireland has an ambitious target to reduce emissions by more than 51% by the end of the decade. The enterprise sector accounts for 13% of Irelands emissions so it has an important role to play in this national strategy.

Reducing emissions and adopting more sustainable production practices is a smart business strategy. Increasingly consumers are placing a premium on environmentally sustainable products and services. Responding positively to this growing demand is important for consumer-facing businesses.

Likewise, businesses that provide products or services to larger companies are now being required to show transparent environmental credentials and alignment with international standards. Inclusion in this supply chain will increasingly rely on a commitment to our emerging low-carbon, sustainable economy.

Applications to the Climate Enterprise Action Fund will close on 31 August 2021 so I would strongly encourage companies to visit www.globalambition.ie/ climateaction for more information.

Enterprise Ireland is also holding a series of webinars to outline the benefits of making sustainability central to business strategy and how to avail of Enterprise Ireland green supports.

The first webinar, which will focus on the food and beverage sector, will take place on Tuesday, 1 June at 10am.

Speakers include Rosaleen Hyde of Ballymaloe Foods, Louise Brennan of OBrien Fine Foods, Padraig Mallon of Kerry Group, Owen Keogh of Lidl Ireland and Deirdre Ryan, Director of Origin Green at Bord Bia.

The webinar will highlight the progress that leading food companies have achieved in reducing emissions and adopting more sustainable processes. It will also focus on how transparent environmental credentials are increasingly important in supply chains.

Other webinars taking place during the month of June will focus on the manufacturing and construction sectors, and digital technologies, fintech, BPO and consumer services.

To register for the webinar on the food and beverage sector, go to www.globalambition.ie/webinar- climate-enterprise-action- fund-food/.
New energy labels are coming into effect to bring EU consumers a better understanding of their carbon footprint and energy consumption.

Irish lighting company Solus outline what exactly is changing when the mandatory new European Commission energy labelling regulations come into effect on September 1st, 2021



A brand-new version of the widely-recognised EU energy label for light bulbs and light sources will be applicable in all shops and online retailers from September 1st 2021 with an 18-month transition period for products already on the market.

On May 20th, Solus hosted an informative webinar presented by broadcaster Jonathan Healy with panel of experts from government and compliance bodies including Minister Pippa Hackett, SEAI Programme Manager Tim Stokes and Elizabeth O'Reilly, Environmental Compliance & Membership Manager for WEEE Ireland.

The webinar brought clarity on exactly what this new legislation entails, what timelines are in place and how the industry and its retailers can be compliant. The full webinar is available at https://bit.ly/2S8BYI2

The most important change is a return to a simple A-G scale on energy labels because more and more products are now achieving ratings as A, A+ or A++ according to the current scale causing confusion for consumers. The new energy label will leave empty energy efficiency classes at the top of the scale for advancing technologies and to encourage manufacturers to develop more energy efficient products.

SEAI Programme Manager Tim Stokes said The energy labelling regulation for light sources and its sister regulation relating to eco-design will have an estimated combined energy saving of 42 terawatt hours per annum by 2030

A further significant change is the introduction of a QR code. By scanning the QR-code, consumers can find additional information about the product model. By law, all energy labelled products on the EU market have to be registered in a new EU-wide database - European Product Registry for Energy Labels (EPREL).

Eco-design rules are mandatory for almost all lamps sold in the EU. From 1 September 2021, the existing rules will be repealed and replaced to include circular economy requirements.

According to Elizabeth O Reilly from WEEE Ireland, 3.2 million light bulbs were recycled in Ireland in their last full recorded year in 2019 and 38,000 tonnes of electrical waste was taken back from landfill for use in manufacturing again.

The extensive new EU regulations are the result of nearly five years of negotiations and it will be mandatory for all manufacturers and retailers to comply. The new rules consist of the Single Lighting Regulation (SLR) and the Energy Labelling Regulation (ELR).

We are in a time of transition to tackle climate change and create a new green economy. It is important that this change happens at a political level, at a corporate level and at a consumer level. said Minister Pippa Hackett as she commended Solus on taking a proactive approach to sustainability and the new regulations.

Solus is a proud Irish company and welcomes these new regulations which are in line with their progressive Planet First sustainability programme. The new energy labels will give clarity on energy efficiency for consumers and also ensure that businesses continue to innovate. See www.solus.ie
Louth is leading the way when it comes to volunteering with the county being the first in the country to launch a County Volunteering Framework.

Minister Joe OBrien of the Department of Rural and Community Development completed National Volunteering Week 2021 activities in Louth by launching the County Louth Volunteering Framework 2020 - 2023 last Friday.

Volunteering and the work of volunteers has been shown to be essential to our communities over the past year but is something that will need to be nurtured and supported as we emerge from Covid-19.

The County Louth Volunteering Framework - the first of its kind at county level in Ireland - will shape policy and resourcing in relation to volunteering in our county in the coming years.

It recognises and values the contribution of volunteers; seeks to expand the demographics of volunteering; supports those who support volunteers and aims to help make it easier for people in Louth to access voluntary activity.

Minster OBrien, speaking at the virtual launch event last week, said:

For a small county Louth has really punched above its weight with the launch of this vision for volunteering in the county and it is leading the way nationally in terms of what other counties could be doing.

Its a credit to all involved and real evidence of what can be achieved with true collaborative working.

I would like to congratulate all of those who collaborated on the development of the Framework and wish you well as you move forward with its implementation.

The delivery of the Framework will be overseen by an Implementation Group appointed by Louth Local Community Development Committee (LCDC).

Joan Martin, Chair of Louth LCDC said: If nothing else the past year has proven the value of volunteers and volunteering to our communities.

Here in Louth we have a vibrant volunteering community, as seen in the response to the COVID 19 crisis, however we also recognise that this is something that needs to be nurtured and supported.

As the Chair of Louth Local Community Development Committee and Chief Executive of Louth County Council I am proud that we are the first County to deliver a Volunteering Framework and to recognise the value of volunteering at County level in this way.

The Framework was informed by an in-depth consultation process involving over 350 people across Louth.

Louth Volunteer Centre secured funding the LEADER Rural Development Programme to appoint BluZebra as consultants to undertake this process.

Ciaran Reid, CEO of Louth LEADER Partnership remarked at the launch: This framework is actually a national achievement and a milestone for our county.

We are very pleased to be associated with it and look forward to working with Louth Volunteer Centre and Louth Local Community Development Committee in supporting the implementation of the Volunteering Framework.

Grainne Berrill, Louth Volunteer Centre Manager added: People from all walks of life, ages and backgrounds volunteer.

They are quietly making a difference to all our lives. "In Louth Volunteer Centre our vision is that our community will be enriched by the benefits of volunteering.

This Framework recognises, supports and formalises the volunteering ecosystem and conditions required to empower people to volunteer and to feel the inherent enriching benefits of volunteering.

It is really exciting to be the first county in Ireland to develop such a model and we cant wait to get stuck into achieving its outcomes.

Independent Councillor Maeve Yore said she is delighted that Louth has lead the way during National Volunteering Week by being the first in Ireland to launch the County Louth Volunteering Framework 2020-2023.

Councillor Yore said: As a lifelong volunteer and former Board Member of Louth Volunteer Centre I know the positive impact volunteering has.

Its worth noting Louth Volunteers have played a pivotal and vital role during this Covid pandemic with over 70 voluntary organisations with hundreds of volunteers across Louth answering their communities call.

I feel this Framework which is strongly aligned to the National Volunteering Strategy 2021-2025 can only enhance and build on the safe, effective, expert volunteer standards needed moving forward

I commend Louth Volunteer Centres vibrant, dynamic staff lead by Grainne Berrill, Louth Community Development Committee and Louth Leader Partnership for their collaborative work on this project.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys has announced the return of the Tidy Towns Competition.

The iconic competition was cancelled in 2020  for the first time in over 60 years  due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

But special arrangements have now been put in place to ensure the return of the competition this year, with the overall winners due to be announced before the end of the year.

As many as 21 Tidy Towns groups in County Louth have been awarded grants of up to 1,000 under the Tidy Towns Fund

The return of the Supervalu Tidy Towns Competition will be a huge boost to communities across the county, Fine Gael Senator John McGahon said.

The return of the Supervalu Tidy Towns Competition will be a huge boost to communities across County Louth many of whom have kept up the great work throughout the pandemic to keep their neighbourhoods clean, despite the cancellation of the competition due to Covid" he said.

21 Tidy Town Groups in County Louth have now been awarded grants of up to 1,000 under the Tidy Towns Fund announced by my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD.

The 2021 competition will take place in the same format as previous years, with the overall winners due to be announced before the end of the year.

"However special arrangements have been put in place to allow the competition to go ahead safely, with a specific emphasis on electronic entry and remote adjudication of each towns entry.

The health and safety of volunteers is a priority and groups should continue to adhere to public health guidelines as they have done so remarkably well since the onset of the Pandemic.

The organisers acknowledge that volunteers have not been able to deliver on all of the plans that they may have had for their towns, and the competition adjudicators will be mindful of this fact when assessing entries.

To reward the continued efforts of volunteers throughout the pandemic, Minister Humphreys has introduced a new award category aimed at groups that have continued to serve and look after their communities despite the difficulties posed by Covid-19.

There is also a special new prize for young people, which was committed to under Our Rural Future  the Governments ambitious new strategy for Rural Ireland.

I encourage everyone who cares about their community in County Louth to get involved in the competition."

This years closing date is Friday 2nd July 2021 and all information is on TidyTowns.ie.

Entry forms will be emailed to all registered groups and can also be obtained from the TidyTowns Unit in the Department of Rural and Community Development (Phone: 076 100 6912) or by emailing tidytowns@drcd.gov.ie.
To share the amazing works of God even amidst pandemic and encourage people to keep trusting in Him, a missionary organization launched a blog that features inspiring stories, each conveying the goodness of the Lord in people's lives around the world.

Captured by The Christian Post, the e3 Partners started "Field Stories of Hope" blog, presenting weekly accounts of how God is moving in places being reached out by the ministry.

The first story tells about Rohit, a Christian migrant worker in South Asia who shared the Gospel during his 700-mile journey home. He decided to return to his village when the lockdown was announced on the onset of pandemic. With the scarcity of public transportation, he went on foot and only hitched rides when available, sharing the Word of God along the way.

When Rohit finally reached home, he also shared the Good News to his friends and family, equipping them to disciple others. With this, he was able to plant 10 house churches and continues in his passion to share the message of hope.

The second story was about the three missionary families from Oklahoma who were forced to return to United States when the pandemic hit. They were saddened for leaving their ministries in Asia but saw how God continued to work even through the challenges.

They remained in contact with their national partners and were able to support the mission in prayer through the use of technology. One of these partners even planted more churches during the pandemic than he did for the last two years. In addition, the missionary families were able to start a number of online Bible studies and are currently working to start a new house church in the state.

Another story detailed about one of the ministry's partners, Carlos, who was stranded in Venezuela and shared God's love through his "Bread of Life Ministry." Searching for a way to spread the Gospel, he and a hundred other leaders in the region delivered breads to homes, which opened opportunities for them to share the Good News. With their ministry, they were able to evangelize to more than 800 unreached homes in 29 locations across the country, leading them to start new home groups.

The blog also presented the account of e3 Partners's food distribution in South Asia. Upon the government's lockdown announcement during the start of pandemic, affecting communities of impoverished people with little resources, the ministry's national partners worked with volunteers from local churches to give more than 4,000 hot meals and 300 grocery kits for 17 days. The packages were enough to feed poor families for more than two weeks. The project enabled them to minister to 1,500 individuals, 600 of them surrendered their lives to Christ.

The website also featured the conversion of an idol worshiper. A priest of a pagan religion for many years, Arwind heard the Gospel and got baptized last year. With his new found faith, he is now leading others to Christ and baptizing them too.

The ministry also shared the story of Dahlia's persecution in South Asia. Caught studying the Bible, she was beaten by some people in her village and even lost consciousness during the incident. The villagers also took her Bible and destroyed it. The woman survived the attack, got her new Bible and continues to study the Word of God.

To protect the identities of the people in the stories, the blog used pseudonyms.

The stories only showed that God is at work even in worst circumstances.

According to its website, e3 Partners's mission is to equip the people of God "to evangelize His world by establishing healthy, multiplying, transformative churches everywhere."
The Sullivan County Complex in Unity houses 156 beds. The county first discovered an outbreak through facility-wide testing in late April.
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
SANTA FE  New Mexico added more than 110 fatalities to its official COVID-19 death toll Monday as the Department of Health announced the completion of an audit of public health records.

The adjustment pushed the states coronavirus-related deaths to 4,245  a jump of 114 fatalities since the final report of last week.

All but one of the deaths  that of a man in his 60s from Bernalillo County  was due to the audit of health records, according to the state figures.

David Morgan, a spokesman for the Department of Health, said the deaths were added to the total after health officials caught up on the processing of vital records to check for inaccurate or incomplete information.

The work, he said, included requesting information from Texas hospitals that handled patients from New Mexico.

The additions to the list, Morgan said, are deaths directly caused by COVID-19 and others in which the virus played a role, sometimes by exacerbating another medical condition.

At the height of the pandemic in December, the state was reporting more than 40 coronavirus-related deaths a day on average.

Its very difficult under the best of circumstances to keep up, Morgan said.

Mark Rudi, a spokesman for the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, which includes the Office of the Medical Investigator, said Monday that the agency handled an unprecedented number of cases in 2020.

Autopsies usually take six to 12 weeks, he said, and more complicated cases can take much longer.

New Mexico has generally had more COVID-19 deaths per capita than its neighbors, except for Arizona.

Mondays update increased the states COVID-19 death toll by almost 3%, but the adjustment wasnt uniform throughout the state.

Bernalillo County  the states most populous county  had its total adjusted down by 1%, from 949 deaths to 936.

In Dona Ana County, by contrast, virus-related deaths climbed by 5%, from 459 to 484.

Two other counties that border Texas also had increases in COVID-19 fatalities: Lea Countys total grew 14%, from 170 to 194, and Quay Countys count went from eight to 10, a 25% increase.

Deaths arent part of the states statistical criteria for setting public health restrictions at the county-level, so the adjustments wont affect any countys status in the red-to-turquoise framework.

The state on Monday also reported 366 new coronavirus cases for the three-day period from Saturday through Monday.

Just the one recent death was reported.

Overall, New Mexico reported about 20% more deaths  of any cause  in 2020 compared with 2019, according to figures released by the Department of Health earlier this year.

COVID-19 was the third-leading cause of death last year, behind heart disease and cancer.
Like most kids of my generation I would wake up early Saturday Morning to watch Cartoons. Spider-man, Transformers, He-Man, Superfriends, Robotech, Jabber Jaws, Captain Caveman, Scooby Doo, Marine Boy, The Smurfs, its a big list.

One Saturday morning I was awake way too early. Too early for the 6:30am Spider-man show. So I turned on Rage. What was presented to me has been in my headspace for a very long time. David Bowies Ashes to Ashes music video.

Long before CGI and digital graphics there were limited special effects. Ashes to Ashes uses them all. Smoke and mirrors, lighting effects, editing tricks all together create an unsettling experience. This was a stage show in miniature.

Classical art is not the same as this music video. The edges were sharp and rough. It was pushing the medium and the budget. It was a creative risk, one that a star like David Bowie could take.

Different From Cartoons

While I sat there I was sure I had witnessed something that was different. No, not different bigger. Bigger than the cartoons I was going to watch that day. Because I had recognised for the first time that there was art and then there as Art.

Cartoons and animation are part of a larger commercial scheme to sell toys. In the 1980s they were all linked to a series of toys that we could pester our parents to buy. Star Wars showed the toy manufacturers that if you had a compelling mythos you could use that to promote toy sales.

For some it was not just a commercial grab for cash. There were writers and creators with a great story they wanted to tell. It was just that the toy, animation, merchandise machine was the conduit through which they had to navigate and get their stories told.

Bowie was Different

Bowie in comparison was in the Music industry. In that industry David Bowie was a chameleon who changed his musical persona multiple times. Bowie had worked himself into a position where he had a level of control. One that the animators of the 1980s did not always have.

We have been curated to. Our media a clipped and formed for the purposes of others than to the ideas and inspirations of the artists alone. Watching Bowies Ashes to Ashes I was not being offered a preprepared piece of media I was being shown and artistic expression from Bowie and his collaborators.

To this day I have found a few similar Artworks to Ashes to Ashes. I find it more in the Manga/Anime world. This could be due to the fast production schedules in Japan. So much is produced in a much shorter time. While there are a lot of misses the gold produced is astonishing.

This does not mean that Disney and other production houses cannot do the same. To this day the first three seasons of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic is incredible. That Hasbro let them do this is even more amazing. Then there is Gravity Falls. Kipo and the age of Wonderbeasts. The Dragon Prince. Once again, the list goes on.

You Know How Jokes Get Less Funny?

Perhaps it is the instant moment that songs create which imbue the music video with the power that it has. We connect with songs in an amazing way. You tell a joke only so many times till it just is not funny anymore. But a song that you love, that reminds you of a moment, a person, a group. That will always be with you.

We could talk influences and the symbolism of the video. Of the sad continuation of Major Toms story after Space Oddity. The clown, priest and the nuns all walking down the seaside like a fashion show from an electric world out of phase with our own.

It was just a moment when a young child saw something he had never seen before and was awestruck by it. I am still awestruck by it. The haunting lilt of the refrain. The use of the then experimental effects. It is a moment when I saw art in its raw form for the first time.

Like an Iconostasis

I had another moment when art struck me. It was when I visited the local Eastern Orthodox church. As one who grew up in modern chapels and warehouses this was just as startling. I was bombarded by the visual imagery that was earnest and forthright. A symbolic style crafted so it communicates exactly what it needs to.

Struck by the beauty and force of the Iconostasis I wept. I wept because this was art, art that told the story of the Christian faith boldly. Like those stoic heroes of 80s cartoons they were archetypes easily understood. You could read it without words. It was accessible and brilliant.

Bowies Ashes to Ashes was like the iconostasis, like all great art, creates a moment whereby you are transfixed. The message is not forced upon you it is translated to you. As you read the images they read you. You are known and by knowing you understand.

Art is Communication

Art is a form of communication. Where forms and symbols are writ upon the medium. It is not formal like language. Neither is it lightening in a bottle. You can craft it over time, or, in a moment.

When you release it into the world it must stand on its own or fail. You can try too hard and force the message. You can not try at all and hope that something will happen. Perhaps you miss the mark and no one gets what you have made. That is all part of making something.

Then every now and again. It all comes together and you get a moment. This was the story of a moment I had. One that David Bowie made happen. That I just happened to see. That still inspires me today.
Three suspects connected to the May 14 homicide in Clovis have been arrested, police said last week.

Those in police custody include one adult  18-year-old Xavier Lucero  and two juveniles.

Lucero and one juvenile were located in Kern County in Bakersfield, Calif. Both wanted individuals will be held in custody awaiting extradition back to New Mexico to face the charges related to this homicide, Clovis police said in a news release.

Another juvenile was recently arrested locally in connection with the death of 16-year-old Ricardo Gonzales.

The release stated police are still searching for a 14-year-old boy wanted in connection with the case. He remained at large heading into the weekend.

Officials have said Lucero and three juveniles all face murder charges.

Assistant District Attorney Brian Stover said Friday the suspects arrested in California are awaiting extradition to New Mexico.

I can't tell you when (they) will be back from California as the extradition process can take up to a month and maybe in as little as two weeks, Stover said.

Gonzales died after multiple people opened fire on a vehicle in which he was a passenger, police have said. The driver of the car attempted to flee, but crashed into a utility pole. Officials said Gonzales died from injuries suffered in the crash.

According to a criminal complaint filed last week in Curry County Magistrate Court:

 Police responded to Plains Regional Medical Center just before midnight on May 14 in reference to a car crash victim and a related gunshot victim. A witness at the hospital said the car crash stemmed from an argument that started at a party on the 1200 block of Brady Street and continued at the railroad tracks on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

 The witness said two vehicles  a Dodge truck and a Mercedes sedan  were waiting for the train when a gray sedan pulled up behind both. Multiple people came out and started shooting at both vehicles. One subject was hit by gunfire, and another was injured in a crash as they attempted to flee. A search of the site resulted in the discovery of 31 shell casings from at least three different firearms.

 The driver of the Dodge truck, Miguel Reyes, was struck by a round, treated at University Medical Center in Lubbock for a shattered scapula and later released. The driver of the Mercedes, Daniel Rivera, fled the scene on a railway service road and crashed into a utility pole. Gonzales, a passenger in the Mercedes, later died at PRMC; he did not have any gunshot wounds.

 In subsequent interviews, Lucero and others were identified as shooters.

Officials have said it was not clear what started the argument, noting different witnesses have given different reasons and one or all of them may be true.

Clovis police are asking anyone with information about the case contact them at 575-769-1921 and request to speak with the Investigations/Special Operations Unit.
PORTALES  The city of Portales looked west to find its new city manager, and has set its sights on Sarah Austin.

The Portales City Council, following a 45-minute executive session, agreed to enter contract negotiations with Austin. She will succeed Sammy Standefer, who is retiring after 29 years with the city.

Austin has served as the village manager in Milan since October 2019, and has worked with the village since 2016. She previously was a data steward with the New Mexico Environment Department.

Austin told The News was set to leave the village anyway for a position with the Western New Mexico Correctional Facility in Grants, but applied when she saw the position was available.

I was very excited to see (with) the board and the city manager, how involved they were, Austin said. I felt like they all work together very well. I am very excited to be offered the position.

Along with the city manager position, she felt like Portales would be a good fit for the family. Her husband, Darrell Keith Austin, was born in Portales and grew up as the son of a Clovis firefighter. Also, her daughter Jazmyn is entering her senior year of high school and has shown interest in attending Eastern New Mexico University. They also bring their son Jaden, who will be a sophomore.

Mayor Ron Jackson said Austin was hired from a field of 10 candidates, and impressed the council with her demeanor throughout the process.

Austins salary and contract are still being negotiated. She holds an associates degree from New Mexico State University, a bachelors from the University of Phoenix and a masters from Columbia Southern, and is also certified as a firefighter.
PORTALES  Roosevelt County commissioners welcomed the New Mexico Department of Transportations new district engineer, and hoped to continue a spirit of communication fostered by the previous engineer.

Francisco Sanchez, the engineer for DOTs District Two, said he wanted to continue the relationship predecessor Tim Parker had with Roosevelt and other counties in the district, and was optimistic new state funding would help the department stay ahead of what he called a deterioration curve for state roads. Recent years, Sanchez said, have seen priorities go to roads with US designations, and roads with NM designations are in need of work. Hes anticipating $120 million from the Legislature  split evenly amongst the states six districts  would help in those regards.

Commissioner Dennis Lopez asked if there were any Roosevelt County projects that are key district priorities. Sanchez said there werent, and that part of the reason he was at the commission was to get a feeling for what roads should become priorities.

You know your county, you know your constituents, you know your roads, Sanchez said.

Commissioners mentioned state roads 202, 267 and 114 as some of their higher priorities.

County Manager Amber Hamilton said the commission would normally provide Parker with a resolution ranking their top priorities, and asked if he would like the same. Sanchez said he would appreciate that type of communication going forward to help foster transparency.

If we cant do something, Sanchez said, were going to tell you why we cant do it and go from there.

In other business before the commission Tuesday:

 The commission approved the preliminary budget for 2021-22, with Hamilton telling commissioners most of the major details were covered during a five and a half hour budget session.

It was six hours, Commissioner Paul Grider reminded Hamilton and the audience.

The preliminary budget included county revenues of $8.6 million and expenditures of $10.388 million, but Hamilton said all but $163,363 of that would be covered by capital project dollars previously set aside. Much of the capital expenses, Hamilton said, were one-time expenses  including $660,000 in road barn work and transport vehicles for the detention center.

Hamilton said plenty could still change between the preliminary budget approved Tuesday and the final budget to be approved in July, particularly given the possibility of more federal pandemic-related recovery efforts. The final 2020-21 county budget included revenues of $10.874 million and expenditures of $12.48 million.

 Hamilton and commissioners honored Efren Arias for 25 years of county service, primarily with the county road department.

You are going to be missed, Hamilton said, while hinting to Urias he was welcome to work part-time if he ever found he gets bored in retirement.

 In her report, Hamilton told commissioners shes still waiting on Census data, but anticipates there will be some redrawing of commission districts. County Clerk Mandi Park said some voting precincts will also be redrawn, with voter turnout a key factor.

 The commission deadlocked 2-2 on rejoining the Eastern Plains Council of Governments, after spending the last two years out of the council.

Commissioner Dennis Lopez felt it was worth the $3,500 annual investment to have the council help acquire state and federal funding and provide other services.

Commissioner Shane Lee disagreed, noting that since the county decided to advocate for itself it had done a fine job getting outside funding on its own.

Grider joined Lee in the vote against rejoining, while Lopez was joined by Chair Tina Dixon.

 Johnny Montiel gave a preliminary update on Federal Emergency Management Administration flood maps. Once the matter is documented through legal advertisements, likely in late June, Montiel said a 90-day comment period would begin.

Lee said he couldnt sign off any decisions regarding the federal maps without seeing all of the information, and noted Montiel only provided partial maps. Montiel said his update was just a briefing, and he was welcome to stop by and look at everything well before the commission would be required to offer their input.

Lee said he wants to make sure the flood plain maps are accurate, and gave an anecdote about his house being in a designated flood zone. He said his house was on top of a 30-foot hill, and if a flood reached his house there wouldnt be much of a Roosevelt County left to worry about.

 Commissioners met for 25 minutes in executive session to discuss pending or threatened litigation, and took no action before adjourning.

 The next meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. June 8.


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Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, consumer buying behaviors have changed dramatically and e-commerce is booming. The 2020 holiday season alone saw online sales increase by a whopping 49 percent over the previous year. Meanwhile, eMarketer predicted last June that traditional brick-and-mortar retail sales in 2020 would drop by more than 10 percent.

At the heart of this surge in e-commerce is Amazon.

Today, more than 60 percent of consumers start their online shopping searches on Amazon. That trend is unlikely to change, as consumers have grown accustomed to the new normal of digital purchasing. Even seniors have changed their habits and are projected to be a major driver of e-commerce growth in the coming years.

The results that matter for brands speak for themselves -- Amazon's revenue from its marketplace sellers increased by more than 50 percent in 2020 compared to the previous year.

As we look ahead into 2021 and beyond, here is what will take place in the Amazon e-commerce ecosystem that brands need to know.

Winning brands will embrace Amazon as one of their top two channels

Clearly, Amazon stands out as a huge market opportunity, yet brands have traditionally treated e-commerce as an afterthought -- a secondary channel behind brick-and-mortar and their own Web presence, along with partners and resellers.

Some retailers fear they'll lose control over the brand experience or the direct customer relationships that are so important to them. They also worry about losing traffic to their own websites and existing e-commerce channels. But with the bulk of e-commerce sales now going through Amazon, brands that want to stay relevant simply can't ignore it any longer.

In 2021, the most successful brands will not only acknowledge Amazon as a top channel, but they will fully embrace it as an extension of their own website. With Amazon capturing the vast majority of the e-commerce traffic, other platforms will need to demonstrate a clear value to brands to remain in their channel lineup.

Getting the basics right will be critical

To win online, brands will develop wholly new strategies and execution plans that start with finding answers to the basic stuff, such as who will oversee their Amazon presence? How will they optimize their operations to deal with a whole new way of doing business? Will there be any ramifications to existing relationships with brick-and-mortar partners? How will they protect their brand and take control of the Amazon experience?

Logistics and supply chains will be a focus for both brands and Amazon

Selling on Amazon, particularly at scale, takes time, know-how, and resources. The importance of getting it right has come into acute focus with the pandemic. To keep pace with the demand generated by their Amazon storefront, brands need to make investments to ensure that their supply chain can keep up. This includes better forecasting, demand planning, inventory tracking, managing returns and customer service.

Expect Amazon to reclaim its logistics dominance. After being forced to back off its one-day and same- day delivery, Amazon will come roaring back on speed. Look for to Amazon quickly achieve one day delivery for all Prime products and expand its capabilities on same-day and even one-hour deliveries in 2021. This, again, speaks to the need for every brand to be ready.

Harnessing the power of data

Marketers in 2021 will have a new focus: getting found on Amazon.

With 9.7 million Amazon sellers worldwide, marketers will find creative ways to stand out, build brand awareness, and convert customers. Luckily, they can tap into the wealth of consumer data Amazon provides to sellers.

Amazon is the third-largest digital marketing channel behind Google and Facebook and can provide brands with valuable insights into buying personas and behaviors. While this data can help marketers develop targeted marketing campaigns and content that builds brand awareness and win market share, they should also be thinking about how to harness this data to improve the customer experience and make each interaction as seamless as possible.

Brand protection will take center stage

In addition to getting found on Amazon, brands will need to ensure their customers are finding the real deal. Counterfeiting is a big consideration for Amazon sellers. Amazon's lack of expediency in dealing with knock-off products has led several companies to pull out of Amazon.

Although Amazon is stepping up its housekeeping efforts to remove counterfeit and unauthorized sellers, it still falls on companies to monitor and remove violators.

Brands will find new strategic partners

In the brick-and-mortar world, brands usually team with retailers or resellers to help them achieve their goals and protect and support their business. But in an omnichannel world, they need new strategic partners to help them win.

One approach seen often -- and it's not an ideal one -- is for companies to partner with a traditional distributor to help them foray into Amazon. These distributors buy a brand's products at wholesale price then resell them on Amazon at a higher price. Another form of middlemen are so-called "Amazon account managers." Often located overseas, these independent, third-party "handlers" may be cheap, but brands get what they pay for.

In addition to these "partners" undercutting revenues, use of them makes it more difficult to protect brand integrity and gain control over unauthorized sellers. Brands will seek partners that help them get the basics right in a way that is more effective and efficient than they can do on their own.

Consumers will not look back

If it isn't already evident, retail will never look as it did before 2020. The massive move to e-commerce forced by the pandemic accelerated this trend by a decade. E-commerce penetration went from 16 percent of U.S. retail to more than 30 percent in Q1-2021.

As more consumers move towards a digital retail experience for the vast majority of their purchases, companies simply can't afford to reject Amazon as a channel.

The brands that can take advantage of an upswing in digital retail and popular channels like Amazon in 2021 will be the ones who are well positioned to meet consumers where they are, today and tomorrow. The ones that don't may not be around for 2022 and beyond.

Ethan McAfee is founder and CEO at Amify.




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Establishing a customer experience (CX) program's ROI is one of the greatest challenges that CX practitioners and the organizations they serve face in the modern experience landscape.

Across all businesses, the entire C-suite leadership team is looking to validate an experience management program by asking one question: what is the financial impact of my CX investment?

The question is most pertinent to CFOs and other key stakeholders who are tasked with signing off on initiatives and their budgets, according to Andrew Park, vice president for strategy and enablement at InMoment.

"If you serve as CFO or in another financially-minded position, your highest priority is to protect enterprise value. The nature of your role means that you are typically direct, results-oriented, and focused on the quantifiable impact of any business investment," he told CRM Buyer in an exclusive exchange.

Of course, you are happy to fund new business ventures for the organization. But in order to approve a business case for new technology, you will have a series of hard-hitting questions to vet a proposition before the investment is made, he cautioned.

Making a business case to the financial leaders of your company means that you have to be prepared to answer any value-based questions they might throw your way. To help you leverage the most effective answers, Park offered the most common business case FAQs to help you communicate the impact of experience initiatives to your organization.

Know Why CX Matters

Like many organizations in today's climate, budgets are limited. Why spend the money on customer experience?

Because focusing on the experiences of your customers is one of the most impactful investments you can undertake during a time of uncertainty, he responded.

Putting the customer at the center of your organization's universe and listening to valuable feedback from every point in their journey is critical. Your business is empowered with consumer intelligence that leads to business growth through cost-saving and revenue-generating opportunities, he explained.

To make his point more visible, Park detailed a customer story about Arby's, a fast-casual restaurant brand that has become a household name with its unique blend of quick, convenient service and mouth-watering menu items. It has seen tremendous success with its CX initiative.

Arby's partnered with InMoment to get a better understanding of the company's experience and what effective action it could take to improve its own CX. The result was well noted. Arby's Overall Satisfaction (OSAT) score increased by 34 percent. Additionally, the brand saw four percent revenue growth in just one year after implementing the new CX solution.

"In addition to identifying opportunities for action from customer feedback, having the capability to listen to your employees will help you determine internal inefficiencies and opportunities to invest and divest in existing systems and processes," explained Park.

"As business models adapt to today's climate, this source of the employee experience data is crucial to strengthening and validating the benefits of other business cases that land in your inbox for prioritization."

Make CX an Exception

In some cases, focused initiatives have trouble proving direct value. This makes them more of a nice-to-have rather than a business-critical program, noted Parks in leading to his next business case.

So how is customer experience an exception?

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, your brand's customer experience will ultimately be a key long-term strategic differentiator and advantage, Parks answered. But the only way experience software can be considered a 'must-have' capability is if, at its core, the software enables the business's strategic objectives.

"Of course, those will vary by industry and brand, but the functionality that makes a superior experience initiative a must-have is that it enables you to turn understanding into action," he said.

It is important to understand that businesses cannot manage what is not being measured, he continued. But measurement alone does not affect change.

"When a business decides to put the customer at the center of the organizational universe, it needs technology to collect their feedback, analyze patterns, and most importantly, act on consumer feedback so you can realize the business benefits," offered Park.

In an economic climate where customers are typically expecting more for less, acting on consumer intelligence is a must-have for businesses to succeed. Feedback will show you who is a detractor and how to recover them. That means you can hold onto valuable customers.

"It will show you systemic themes to prioritize and problems to solve before they become too overwhelming. And finally, feedback will expose ways to reduce costs across the business, adding to growth and profitability," he said.

Business Implications of Customer Expectations

Park makes a striking point to bring non-believers into the fold of focusing on CX strategies. The results he quotes from the CX Network "CX Trends Report: North America" are staggering. For instance:

62 percent of customers have stopped doing business with a brand due to a poor customer experience

56 percent of customers have higher expectations for customer service now than they had a year ago

66 percent of customers have a more favorable view of brands that offer or contact them with proactive customer service notifications

95 percent of customers believe organizations should give the opportunity to provide feedback

Ensuring Success

Another business case that poses a potential obstacle for onboarding CX strategies is the question of connecting tangible value and their experience initiative, according to Park.

For example, many other organizations struggle to draw that connection. How do I make sure my business realizes the full potential of our program?

"It is no secret that many customer experience programs have not quite reached best practices. In fact, many businesses transition to a new CX platform even after they have harvested the quick wins from simply measuring customer experience," he agreed.

Those organizations rapidly transition elsewhere because they have not been able to take action that actually improves their customers' experiences. What also falls short is being able to directly link them to business outcomes like growth, retention, and new customer acquisition.

"Experts should be able to help you prioritize business outcomes from the very beginning, helping you intentionally design a framework that outlines the return on experience investment (ROXI).

"The financial impact of the CX capability should be outlined in the onboarding process, tested, and controlled along the way, and measured and reported quarterly. As your experience management solution matures, there are multiple business benefits that can be realized," he countered.

ROI Timetable Matters

A typical business case in this post-pandemic recovery cycle forces companies to be fiscally cautious this year. So CFOs rightfully ask how quickly can they get to ROI and justify this spending?

In a post-pandemic landscape, businesses are going to be expected to make more of an impact with fewer resources. CFOs need to be hyper-selective with investments moving forward, and in most cases, ROI is the only conversation that truly matters, responded Park.

"It takes about six to nine months to see a return on investment. In the example below, one way to show return on investment is to show the impact of a closed-loop feedback program," he noted.

By saving one customer per month per store by contacting their detractors, a retailer was able to value the cost of each customer and arrive at a total ROI of +$2.5 million saved to this particular business, which is about 10 times.

An example of costs saved by reducing customer churn:

Save One Customer per Month with Closed Loop Process = 12

At Each of Top 1,000 Locations = 1,000

Total Customers = 12,000

Average Customer Value = $210

Annual Revenue "Saved" = $2,520,000

The cost of the program is absorbed by the amount of money saved through reduction of customer churn, increase in first-call resolution, reduction in repeat calls, and the ability to use root cause analysis for identifying systemic issues that cause businesses to lose revenue opportunity over time, explained Park.

Another opportunity for ROI is to consolidate multiple legacy platforms such as survey platforms, dashboarding, case management, text analytics, outdated voice of employee (VoE) software, market research and analytics functions, Park suggested.

"The best way to drive bottom-line profitability is by saving money at the top line. This gives an organization additional resources to then invest at the bottom line.

"Topline growth from an experience management perspective looks like retaining existing customers, finding new customers, and discovering opportunities to cut the costs involved with serving customers and establishing sustainable, recurring revenue," he detailed.

A Model for Churning Propensity

Through the automated, closed-loop feedback program, organizations can use churn propensity modeling to identify and save those customers who are showing signs of discontentment, noted Park. He used one of America's largest cable and home internet providers as a customer story example.

In an attempt to limit customer churn, the telecom giant wanted to identify at-risk customers and immediately reach out to understand the issue and retain their business. The company installed InMoment's customer listening technology within several of its regional customer care centers to enable immediate feedback following each interaction.

Customers who give negative responses are asked if they would like to speak with a manager regarding their issues. Using real-time alerting, managers are notified of customer callback requests immediately. Three percent of all respondents request a callback, totaling 1,000 customer recovery opportunities each month for 12,000 per year, according to Park.

The average cost of a triple-play package for phone, cable, and internet is $160 per month. So the average annual value of each customer is $1,920. Using this formula, the company was presented with the opportunity to recover $23 million in annual revenue by implementing a streamlined process for identifying and rescuing dissatisfied customers, said Park.

"A voice of customer program shines a light on actions that need to be taken to rectify systemic areas of failure. It also shows the best areas to save on costs and the best drivers of customer satisfaction that will reduce the cost to serve," he added.

Unanticipated Tasks Happen, Be Prepared

A pressing question of chief concern for CFOs crunching numbers to make CX platforms happen is "Do I need to be prepared for unanticipated costs with an experience management investment?"

Park's answer is "Yes! You should always be looking for a partner that allows you to run your experience management program in the most flexible and scalable way possible. That reduces operating costs from the start."

"While many do-it-yourself platforms require hiring a full analytics team to help you get from listening and understanding to action, this capability should be included within your program investment," said Park.

Do not hesitate to ask your partner about a self-service solution, fully managed or a hybrid, depending on your unique business needs. This will help eliminate unanticipated costs and avoid expensive change requests, he explained.

A progressive approach to enabling a full closed-loop feedback capability across the company can minimize the gap between initial software investment and obtaining returns from an improved experience for customers.

For example, start with one known area where customers are indicating experience issues and the outcomes they are getting. Then scale from there to include other customer touchpoint areas such as inbound, outbound call centers, branch/retail, chat, or digital enablement, recommended Park.

"Another and perhaps more important question is what unanticipated costs will surface if customer feedback is not collected, not considered, and not implemented? The opportunity cost of not having an experienced management platform in place should be carefully considered, as customer-centricity has become a non-negotiable lens for businesses across all industries," he concluded.

Jack M. Germain has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His main areas of focus are enterprise IT, Linux and open-source technologies. He is an esteemed reviewer of Linux distros and other open-source software. In addition, Jack extensively covers business technology and privacy issues, as well as developments in e-commerce and consumer electronics. Email Jack.




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A Russian-language dark web marketplace called Hydra that is known to facilitate the illegal sale of narcotics has seen cryptocurrency transactions soar over the last five years from US$9.4 million in 2016 to $1.37 billion in 2020.

According to a report released Tuesday by Flashpoint and Chainalysis, Hydra's crypto business began accelerating in 2017 after its chief competitor, the Russian Anonymous Marketplace, known as RAMP, was shut down by Russian law enforcement authorities.

Also contributing to the escalation in transactions is the growing narcotics problem in Russia and the dearth of outlets for turning cryptocurrency into hard cash, explained Flashpoint team lead Vlad Cuiujuclu.

"Transferring crypto into fiat is not something widely available in Russia," he told the E-Commerce Times.

What's more, it's safer to perform cryptocurrency transactions in a marketplace like Hydra than in other mainstream exchanges.

"Services that change cryptocurrency into fiat currency are being increasingly pressured by governments to examine the transactions that go through them and to put in place safeguards to ensure the money can be tracked back to an actual person," noted Flashpoint Senior Analyst Andras Toth-Czifra.

"Services that offer cryptocurrency laundering are becoming more lucrative," he told the E-Commerce Times.

Better Business Model

Hydra's business model has proven to be popular with its clientele, the report noted. The marketplace acts as a host for sellers who can set up and run their narcotics shops on the site. Hydra makes its money by taking a cut of all transactions on the site.

The marketplace also provides valuable services to its customers. It provides greater anonymity that can be found elsewhere, as well as security and "professional quality" deliveries.

"They can help you convert cryptocurrency into fiat currency and will even deliver it to your doorstep," Cuiujuclu said.

Hydra has also established direct suppliers in China, enabling it to build a reputation as a marketplace known for its large quantities of cheap synthetic drugs.

"Sites like Hydra provide an established market and established threat actors with reasonable cover from the authorities, and so it is exploding," Garret Grajek, CEO of YouAttest, an identity auditing company in Irvine, Calif. told the E-Commerce Times.

Buried Treasure

The Flashpoint report noted that Hydra's operators run a tight ship. Since 2018, the marketplace has imposed strict limitations on sellers, requiring that their cryptocurrency funds be withdrawn into Russian fiat currency via select regionally-operated exchanges and payment services.

Despite those limitations, Hydra seller accounts remain in high demand, Flashpoint reported. In fact, a new submarket has emerged created by cybercriminals willing to pay people with established seller accounts to gain direct access to the marketplace to circumvent Hydra's withdrawal restrictions.

"It's surprising how some of these cybercriminals resort to archaic methods to avoid the security measures and identification requirements of cryptocurrency exchanges," Toth-Czifra said.

One such technique is called "Hidden Treasure," where a buyer hires a courier, called a "kladman," to bury cash underground in vacuum-sealed bags within specific agreed-upon locations for the sellers to dig up later.

Once the cash is secured in the hands of the seller, they complete the sale of the contraband by either burying it or shipping it out, as has been done historically.

The report added that as the Hidden Treasure workaround becomes more popular so, too, does the demand for kladmen, which has become a high-paying job. Recent employment ads offer the couriers $400 a day or $1,000 or more for a week's work.

Government Collusion?

One reason Hydra has been able to thrive is that its operations have been largely ignored by the Russian government.

"Taking out a big criminal operation always carries the risk of violence and chaos," Toth-Czifra explained. "One of founding myths of the present political system in Russia is that it saved the country from that kind of chaos in the 1990s so it's a priority of the Russian government not to do anything that would create a vacuum that would lead to a violent struggle for positions."

He added that it would not be surprising to find a link between government officials and organized crime in Russia. "Indeed, the longer Hydra continues its operations undisturbed, the more likely it is that there are such connections," he said.

Grajek maintained that from an outsider perspective, the Russian government's attitude seems far too lax. "We do not know what is going on behind the scenes," he continued, "but they do not appear to be very concerned about shutting down these sites the way the West shut down 'Silk Road.'"

"It appears there is little care about cybercrime generated within its borders, so long as the victims are from other countries," added Erich Kron, the security awareness advocate at KnowBe4, a security awareness training provider in Clearwater, Fla.

"For this reason, as an added bit of insurance against accidentally crossing the government, some strains of malware will not execute on computers that are using a Cyrillic keyboard layout," he told TechNewsWorld.

Allure of Cryptocurrency

Kron explained that cybercriminals use cryptocurrency because there's little chance of them getting caught when they use it.

"In the world of tangible currency, when making an illicit purchase, physical money must be exchanged in-person for the item being purchased," he said. "This type of transaction carries dangers unique to having to be physically present for the exchange, such as being robbed or being arrested by waiting for law enforcement."

"It carries the additional risk of having to transport the purchased illicit goods from the meeting place to wherever the final destination is," he added.

"Even online transactions using funds transfer services run a significant risk of having accounts frozen, funds seized and are often far less anonymous than cryptocurrency," he continued.

"In contrast, cryptocurrency allows payments to happen and transactions to be completed without ever meeting the other party," he said. "It tends to be somewhat anonymous and easy to launder through services, and allows sellers of illicit items to sell to people across the globe with very little risk and effort."

However, cryptocurrency is volatile. Could a crash wipe out the cash of cybercriminals?

"I believe it's here to stay," observed Katherine Kirkpatrick an attorney with the global law firm of King & Spalding.

"You're starting to look at serious institutional investors investing, or at least diversifying with it now," she told the E-Commerce Times.

"This is no longer a fringe investment," she continued. "This is no longer solely associated with criminals. A lot of legitimate businesses are using it."

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.




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The ominous looming deadline for filing 2020 federal income tax returns has been extended from April 15 to Monday, May 17, 2021.

If your paperwork is still in the "pulling it all together phase," our conversation with a tax expert might provide you with a few tips to save money, especially if you are an entrepreneur working in research and development.

This year's revised federal tax code plus new Covid-19 initiatives provide additional incentives for startup companies, as well as small and medium-sized businesses. If you received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, you may qualify to have that indebtedness forgiven; and other tax incentives this year provide new deductions to lower your tax bill.

Gig workers and those who are self-employed need to keep up on the latest money-saving incentives in this year's tax filing process. Be sure not to overlook any tax breaks to which you may be entitled when making calculations this season.

Please consult your tax advisor about your specific tax situation.

Your situation might qualify you for PPP, R&D tax credits, and other credits that many people are not aware of but could use. Even better is the expectation over the next few months of more tax-saving benefits for certain businesses that will pass down to employees.

"It can be pretty significant in helping businesses claim employee retention tax credits that were as big or bigger for certain industries," Brent Johnson, cofounder and CEO of Clarus R+D, told the E-Commerce Times.

Federal Tax Overview

Historically, incentive programs are part of an overall tax plan, but in the past, they have only been really available to very large corporate taxpayers. That situation has been gradually changing.

Fairly significant rule changes took place, and over the last year with Covid-19, numerous programs came out of Congress that squarely are in that realm of these tax help programs. Clarus R+D helps businesses understand how to participate in these programs to get as much out of them as they can, according to Johnson.

For instance, one of the lesser-known programs in conjunction with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) of 2021 provide assistance to workers and their families.

But, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, the benefits came out at the end of the year. The PPP program is an employee retention tax credit program. It offers employers this year an opportunity to look back into 2020 to get tax credits for some of their employees.

Johnson sees that as a significant development at the end of the year in the last round of stimulus legislation. The key provision is an enhancement to the employee retention tax credit program called Recovery Startup Business (RSB) provision. It qualifies business owners with revenue under an average of $1 million in gross receipts for the previous three years who started a new trade or business to tap into an additional tax break.

"It effectively means the new product or service offering can become eligible for the employee retention tax credit, simply by starting that new trade or business," he said. It can be as much as $50,000 per quarter, the last few quarters of 2021. You will likely hear more about that.

But to clarify, that is a program at the company level. It is not something that the individual employee is able to claim, he explained.

How the R&D Credit Program Works

The R&D Credit Program expanded farily significantly about five years ago. It is most relevant to the tech startup space, and legislators are getting ready to potentially enhance that as part of the infrastructure bill that was being debated in Congress, noted Johnson.

"What happened about five years ago, the government targeted early-stage businesses which, in large part, are in the tech space," he said.

Qualified tech companies could start to utilize that credit against the payroll tax obligations. Before they did that, it was only creditable against the income tax. All others who do not have an income tax application could not claim that credit.

So the change allowed businesses for the first five years to claim up to $250,000 tax credit for payroll tax obligation. As part of the infrastructure bill, there was a proposal to expand that to an eight-year period and double the amount of credit that can be claimed against federal tax filing from $250,000 to $500,000, explained Johnson.

Something for Mom-and-Pop Tech Shops Too

Credit programs generally are employment, innovation, or infrastructure-related. As part of the employee retention tax credit, legislators lowered the eligibility threshold requirements, explained Johnson.

The latest change reduces the threshold for how badly your business has to be hurt. The 50 percent threshold dropped to 20 percent.

"A lot more businesses will be eligible for it in the first quarter of 2020," said Johnson.

Another change to consider is the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). It will affect employers who hire workers who are difficult to hire. You can get a tax credit for participating.

Something else out there in the taxosphere from the infrastructure perspective is green energy credits. These are likely to also be part of the infrastructure bill.

"So if you are deploying energy-efficient equipment in your business and relying on green energy, there are credits that are available to you," Johnson suggested.

Jack M. Germain has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His main areas of focus are enterprise IT, Linux and open-source technologies. He is an esteemed reviewer of Linux distros and other open-source software. In addition, Jack extensively covers business technology and privacy issues, as well as developments in e-commerce and consumer electronics. Email Jack.


The unexpected bombshell of a pay freeze for all public sectors caused an insurmountable level of distress to lots of public servants, myself included. While already not earning much, news of no pay rise until 2024 before I went to sleep, surely was not the best bedtime story.

As a primary school teacher, I have tried not to complain about my pay being undesirably low. By low, I am not comparing my salary to that of other professions (although if I did, it would not be an understatement), but to that of our cost of living here in New Zealand.

So, when this happened, I had to admit I felt fairly disappointed. Disappointed that my government, the leader of my country would think it is the best for us public sector workers to not have an increase in pay, not only for one year but for three years.

Lamentations

Chats in the staffroom before and after school were quickly filled with updating each other about the latest news accompanied by laments of what it all entails. Talks about the impacts of such measures being taken often ended in defeated sighs as to what the future holds for us.

Usually I would try to refrain from being overly expressive about my feelings especially negative emotions of anguish, sorrow and disappointment because it does not really do me any good. However, I felt pretty upset by the whole ordeal and needed an outlet to unload.

I was reminded of someone recorded in the Bible who went through a lot and was very vocal in expressing himself. David, the man after Gods heart, lamented a lot. David often cried unto the Lord time after time.

When he was doing his best in serving King Saul but was instead repaid by the jealous king with a wanted sign on his head, David poured out his heart to God seeking guidance. David and his men also cried out in anguished when their wives and children were taken by raiders from Ziklag and look to God for redemption (1 Samuel chapter 30).

Davids lamentations are so relatable as we have all experienced similar circumstances.

Some of us have been done nothing wrong but given our best yet we have not been given recognition and are forced to leave what we are familiar with. Others repeatedly fail and find themselves falling from grace of people who once adored them.

The key to an appropriate outburst is simple - go to God with our feelings. Firstly, God cares for us and loves us unconditionally. Hence, He will not judge us in our situation. Secondly, He is the King of all Kings, the ruler of all, which also means that He can do all things. Our source of hope should always be God.

Follow up

It is easy to just want to burst out in an explosion of emotions and feel entitled to do that. The only thing is that shouting out how we are feeling without any follow up usually does us no good. The emotions that are pent up still lingers even after we have shouted it out from a rooftop.

One remarkable aspect about Davids laments is that they do not stay as mere laments. David does not just tell God how He feels. David also seeks Gods wisdom and guidance. He pursues peace and joy from God despite his circumstances and draws strength from the comfort he receives from God.

On top of that, David always ends his lamentations by praising God for who He is, acknowledging all that He has done, is doing and will do. It is one thing to come to God with our feelings and to seek his advice but its another thing to be able to still sing praises to God when times are bad.

I realized that I have found this part extremely intriguing. How did David manage to praise God when there did not seem like there was anything to praise God for. Surely if we re-read the laments on Psalms, there often doesnt seem like there is anything good that David can thank God for.

Heres the catch, David wasnt thanking God for the situation He was in, because truly there isnt anything to thank Him for then. What David praises God for is for who God was, is and will be  He is the I AM, the omnipotent, the omnipresent the omniscient, the alpha and omega. Our present circumstances does not change who God is.

In addition to that, David praises God for all the things that God has done for him and all that God will do for him even before anything is done. It is important to remember all that God has blessed us with so when a day comes that we do not feel blessed, we know that God has blessed us before and can still do that now.

Monuments

This is why it was so important for the Israelites to built monuments when God gave them a victory, so that it would be a reminder to them of His goodness and that He desires for them to be blessed.

We too need to build monuments that will remind us of Gods grace and mercy in our lives, lest we forget all that He has already done for us and doubt what He will continue to do in our lives.

With the start of uncertainties with the pay freeze issue, lets come before our God, not only in tears of sorrow but also with shouts of praise. He who has promised to answer us when we call unto Him (Jeremiah chapter 33, verse 3), will comfort us and put our fears to rest. He will teach us what to do and provide for us through it all, if only we will come to Him.
Effingham, IL (62401)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 93F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Considerable clouds early. Some decrease in clouds late. Low 71F. Winds light and variable.
Mrs. Alberta Hamley Griffin, 97, of Athens, Alabama, died Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at Athens Health and Rehab. A Graveside Service will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday in Copeland Cemetery with Keith Griffin officiating. No visitation is planned. Spry Funeral Home in Athens is directing the services. Mr
This screenshot taken from the City of Athens' livestream of Monday's meeting shows an example of a Bird scooter. The company is seeking to put a fleet of electrified scooters in Athens, and the City Council heard a proposal during the meeting in order to help aid the decision on whether or not to allow the vehicles.
Dutch environmentalists have won a landmark court case that could have significant ramifications for the global climate movement and oil companies. On Wednesday, The Hague District Court ordered Royal Dutch Shell to reduce its carbon emissions by 45 percent by the end of the decade. After hearing both sides, a panel of judges determined the energy giant's climate plan was too vague. "[It] is not concrete, has many caveats and is based on monitoring social developments rather than the company's own responsibility for achieving a CO2 reduction," the court said.

Milieudefensie, the Dutch branch of Friends of the Earth, alongside several other charities, human rights groups and eventually more than 17,000 co-plaintiffs, sued Shell in 2018, demanding the company bring its emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. The case went to court last December. Following Wednesday's decision, the court didn't say how Shell should meet its new emissions target, noting its parent company "has complete freedom in how it meets its reduction obligation and in shaping the Shell group's corporate policy." The case is unique in that the court didn't order Shell to pay any monetary damages. It's also worth noting the ruling only applies to the company's operations in The Netherlands.

Shell called the decision "disappointing" and said it plans to challenge it. "Even if Shell decides to appeal, the ruling will lead to more cases worldwide and politicians and oil and gas companies will feel the pressure to change their course," a spokesperson for Milieudefensie told Euronews.

"The Shell decision is a watershed for the oil and gas industry,' Carroll Muffett, the CEO and president of the Center for International Environmental Law, told Gizmodo. "The court has made clear that Shell and similarly situated actors must take responsibility for reducing not only the direct emissions that arise from its own operations." The decision also comes at a pivotal moment of the climate crisis. In its 2020 Emissions Gap Report, the United Nations issued a stark warning. It said the world is on course towards a catastrophic 3 degree Celsius increase in global temperatures by 2050 if governments across the world don't rein in carbon emissions by the end of the decade.
Church history is full of the wondrous works of God through men. For when God intends to save a people, he anoints and sends a man.

Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. (Isaiah Chapter 6 verse 8)

In the next few weeks, I will be writing about some West African generals of the faith.

The early years and calling of Apostle Ayo Babalola

The story of Apostle Ayo Babalola is one of absolute awe and wonder. He was born on the 25th of April 1904 at Odo-Owa, Ilofa, in present day Ekiti Local Government area of Kwara State, Nigeria. He was born to the family of Pa David Rotimi and Madam Marta Talabi Rotimi who were members of the Anglican Church.

Babalola started school at Ilofa and got as far as standard five but he left school to become a motor mechanic. He later joined the Public Works Department (PWD) where he worked as a Steamroller Operator.

It was while he was working as steamroller along Akure-Ilesha road in October 1928 that Babalola heard a loud voice telling him to leave his job. Some days later, he heard the same voice telling him to leave his job and start preaching the gospel. Babalola obeyed the voice and resigned from his job against the wishes of his boss.

Encountering angels

He was further instructed to seek the Lord in fasting and prayer. It was during this period of fasting that Babalola had an encounter with a man that appeared to him in a dazzling robe. The man told him of the persecutions he would face and assured him of Gods protection.

During this encounter, Apostle Babalola was given a bell and water. He was told that the bell would drive away evil spirits and the water was for healing. One of the hallmarks of Apostle Babalolas ministry was that he often prayed on water and people would receive their healing after drinking the water.

Culturally relevant

During one of his encounters, an angel appeared to him and gave him a big yam which he ordered him to eat. The angel told him that the yam was the tuber with which God fed the whole world. One may wonder why the angel illustrated the word of God using yam and not bread as seen in the bible. It is simply because of the culture and civilization of the region Babalola was called to evangelize.

We all know Jesus- the word is the bread of life, but the people he was to preach to knew little or nothing about bread; but explain the word being a tuber of yam and they would instantly understand that. This is testament to the truth that the gospel is not a European construct, and that God can meet different tribes of the earth where they are without westernizing the gospel.

The ministry of Apostle Ayo Babalola

Apostle Ayo Babalola was instructed by God to go to Odo-Owa, his hometown to preach the gospel and to call for repentance. He was instructed to arrive in the town on a market day and to cover his body with palm fronds and paint himself with charcoal.

He entered the town in October 1938 and was instantly taken for a mad man. He started ringing his bell as he preached and called the people to repentance. He told the people that evil beasts would enter the town to destroy them unless they repent. They responded by beating him up. The villagers later armed themselves with guns and cutlasses in anticipation of the invasion of wild beasts.

However, God told Babalola to tell the people that he would not bring beasts again but instead, he would bring an epidemic within forty-five days unless they repent. Just as Babalola prophesied, smallpox broke out and within 3 weeks, about 300 people died. Those who repented were saved. He went around praying for the sick and they were healed.

Oke-Oye revival

One of the hallmarks of Babalolas ministry was the Oke-Oye revival. This revival began when Babalola raised a dead child back to life. The news broke all over the town and people came to Babalola to hear the gospel and to be healed.

Within 3 weeks, one hundred lepers, sixty blind people and fifty lame persons were cured. Many lunatics were also cured. Many idolaters and Muslims gave their lives to Christ. The prophet prayed for a stream called Omi Ayo (Stream of Joy) and as many as drank from it were healed.

Babalola also took the revival to other cities and anywhere he went, souls were saved, the sick were healed and the oppressed were set free. In March 1932, he was sentenced to jail for six months in Benin City for preaching against witchcraft.

The prayer life of Apostle Ayo Babalola

Without doubt, it is intense prayer that births great revivals. If we do not tarry in the upper room, the wind of revival will not come. Apostle Ayo Babalola was a man of prayer. It was his custom to go up to the mountains to fast and pray for many days. According to some disciples, Babalola could pray non-stop for 7 days.

The life of a prophet

The life of a prophet is a strange one even to the prophet himself. Why would John the Baptist go into the wilderness? Why did he eat locusts? Why would God tell a prophet to prophesy to Israel naked?

The prophet is a fool to the world but a joy to heaven. He is bold, he sees possibilities where others only see failure, because he sees the end of a matter even from the beginning, he glides confidently like the eagle that he is, even through the storms of life.

Legacy

Apostle Ayo Babalola founded Christ Apostolic Church (C.A.C). The C.A.C believes that the spiritual power bestowed on Babalola placed him on equal level with Biblical Apostles like Peter, Paul, and others.

He was one of the prophets that God gave the grace to know the date of his death. He slept in the Lord in 1959.

When darkness spreads upon a land, Gods answer has always been to send a man. Apostle Ayo Babalola was that man sent to Nigeria. For 30 years, he toured the nation and even went to neighboring nations such as Ghana. He came in the order of Elijah and fought gallantly against the prophets of Baal. I pray that God raises men of like zeal and authority across the earth.
Facebook has published a new report on the state of influence operations on its platform. The report, which covers the period between 2017 and 2020, sheds new light on the companys efforts to prevent election interference, and how attempts to manipulate its platform have evolved.

The report notes influence campaigns have changed a lot since 2016, when Russias Internet Research Agency used fake accounts to great effect . While Facebook is still uncovering IRA activity, its tactics are changing. For example, last year Facebook and Twitter uncovered an IRA scheme that involved US-based journalists who were unwittingly conned into authoring articles for a fake news site meant to prop up their influence campaigns. (Both Facebook and Twitter said at the time that the fake accounts were found before they could reach a large audience.)

Threat actors basically faced an empty field in 2016, and the world is very different today, Facebooks Head of Security Policy, Nathaniel Gleicher, said during a call with reporters. But also there are more actors who are using these techniques today than was the case in 2016.

Another major difference between now and 2016 is that inauthentic behavior is more frequently coming from within the country being targeted, not just from foreign actors. In the report, Facebook notes that it down an equal number of CIB (coordinated inauthentic behavior) networks from Russia, Iran and the US itself.

Facebook

Of those originating in the US, more than half were campaigns operated by conspiratorial and fringe political actors that used fake accounts to amplify their views and to make them appear more popular than they were.

Also complicating matters: that these networks often relied on real people to spread their message or run fake accounts. And though the report doesnt specifically name Donald Trump, it notes that the then-US President was among those promoting false information amplified by IO [influence operations] from various countries including Russia and Iran.

Of course, Facebook dealt with numerous other issues surrounding the election besides fake accounts. The company was slow to address QAnon and other extremists prior to the election, and these groups were able to spread conspiracy theories relatively unchecked for months. Following the election, Facebook failed to prevent the Stop the Steal movement, which fueled the violence on Jan. 6. An internal report from Facebook suggested that the companys focus on looking for fake accounts may have blinded it to the dangers posed by legitimate accounts spreading conspiracy theories.

The US 2020 election campaign brought to the forefront the complexity of separating bad actors behind covert influence operations from unwitting people they co-opt or domestic influencers whose interests may align with threat actors, the report says.
Over the next twelve months, Jaguar I-Pace EVs outfitted with Google's Street View mapping technology will start driving around Dublin. And they won't just collect Street View imagery  they'll also monitor the city's air quality. Google has teamed up with Jaguar Land Rover for the project, making the I-Pace the first all-electric Street View car. In addition to mounting Street View cameras on the roof of the vehicles, though, Jaguar's engineers also equipped them with air quality measuring sensors, so they could pull double duty like London's Street View cars did back in 2018.

The mobile air sensors developed by Aclima will be measuring nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, as well as fine particles (PM2.5) in the air on a street-by-street basis. They're expected to provide Google's scientific research partners with the data they need to be able to develop maps of street-level air pollution.

Google is working with the Dublin City Council for the project dubbed "Air View Dublin." It's part of the tech giant's efforts to map hyperlocal air quality data under the Environmental Insights Explorer program, which could give local governments the information they need to be able take care of their cities' climate and pollution issues.

Paddy Flynn, VP of Geo Operations at Google, said:

"Air quality is a serious concern, especially for cities, but there is a gap in terms of localised data and insights available to both decision makers and citizens. As part of this project, were using technology to capture this important data and make it accessible so that together with Dublin City Council, we can drive solution planning."

This isn't the first time an Alphabet company is using the I-Pace EV for a project. Waymo also added I-Pace EVs to its self-driving fleet a few years ago and is currently using the vehicles to test its autonomous driving technology.
Jeff Bezos will step down as Amazon CEO in just a few weeks. He said at the company's annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday that his final day in the role will be July 5th, according to Variety. Bezos will then become Amazon's executive chairman. Amazon Web Services (AWS) CEO Andy Jassy will take over the top job.

"We chose that date because its a sentimental one for me. It's the date that Amazon was incorporated in 1994, exactly 27 years ago," Bezos said. Im very excited to move into the exec chair role where I will focus my energies and attention on new products and early initiatives."

Amazon's founder announced his plan to step down as CEO earlier this year. At the time, the company said the transition to Jassy would take place at some point in Q3.

Jassy was part of the AWS founding team in 2003. Since 2016, he's been CEO of a division that he helped to turn into a juggernaut. In the first three months of 2021, AWS generated $13.5 billion. That's 12 percent of Amazons total revenue for the quarter.

While Amazon continues to enjoy astonishing financial success, Jassy will take the helm during a somewhat shaky time for the company. Amazon is facing antitrust scrutiny from regulators in Europe and the US. This week, Washington, DC Attorney General Karl Racine sued the company for allegedly "illegally abusing and maintaining its monopoly power by controlling prices across the online retail market and violating DC law."

News of the transition date comes on the same day Amazon announced a deal to buy MGM for $8.45 billion. The idea behind the acquisition is a fairly straightforward one. "MGM has a vast, deep catalog of much-loved intellectual property," Bezos said. "With the talented people at MGM and Amazon Studios, we can reimagine and develop that IP for the 21st century.
Moving forward, Tesla will store all data from cars it sells in China at a local data center within the country. The announcement comes after the Chinese government banned Tesla vehicles from military facilities over spying fears, and the company took to social media to address those concerns . At the time, Tesla said it planned to open a local data center by the end of June.

We have established a data center in China to localize data storage, and will continue to add more local data centers, the company said on Chinese social media website Weibo . All data generated from the sales of vehicles in the Chinese mainland market will be stored in China. In the same statement, the company announced its also working on a platform that will give Tesla owners in China a way to access their own data.
As expected, the US has removed China's Xiaomi from an official government blocklist that barred Americans from buying or holding its stock. The smartphone maker had swiftly filed a legal complaint challenging its designation as a Communist Chinese Military Company (CCMC) in January. Today, Xiaomi said the US District Court for the District of Columbia had issued a final order "vacating" it from the list.

The company reiterates that it is an open, transparent, publicly traded, independently operated and managed corporation, Xiaomi chairman Lei Jun said in the filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange.

Xiaomi's removal from the list is a resounding victory for the Chinese tech company  the world's third-largest smartphone maker, according to IDC  which warned the CCMC designation would cause "irreparable harm" to its business.

One of the last major anti-Beijing policies of the Trump era, the blocklist prohibited Americans from investing in companies that the Pentagon suspected of helping the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army. Xiaomi isn't the only Chinese company celebrating today. Luokung Technology, a big data provider that had also taken legal action against its CCMC designation, was also removed from the list.
Enid, OK (73701)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 93F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low around 70F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
Since the announcement of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates' divorce was publicized, many people are trying to shoot their shot at the two billionaires.

On different social media, many people have been posting screenshots of the funny, tacky, smooth, and disturbing things they sent Bill Gates, who has a current net worth of $126 billion.

With both of them single and billionaires, a thread on Reddit is filled with ideas on how they would seduce the co-founders of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Here are some of them.

Whispering Love To The Vaccine

A couple of Redditors said that one of the surefire ways to seduce billionaire Bill Gates is by talking to their COVID-19 vaccine.

In the past few months, Bill has been urging people to get vaccinated to save not only their lives but also everyone else around them.

However, there has been an inside joke on Reddit that vaccines from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are bugged with "chips."

@irrelevantadivor quipped, "As a Microsoft employee, I can tell you that's not how it works," responding to @chaz_wazzers saying that he won't do anything to seduce Bill because "he knows where to find me. I've been vaccinated."

"The chip is designed to place itself inside your butt cheek when inserted through the vaccine. To activate it tho you'll have to gently cup your ass & loudly chant TRACK ME, DADDY."

They added, "Only then the chip will activate enabling Mr. Gates to find you."

The same Redditor advised that the only way to destroy the "chip" is to "use essential oils."

Hide Messages in EULA

Some Redditors think that putting in "Will you marry me" messages among other sneaky messages in End User License Agreements is another way to get Bill Gates to click "agree."

@CaptainApathy419 wrote, "By agreeing to these Terms, you consent to be bound in holy matrimony in accordance with the laws of the state of Washington and all deities major and minor."

Using Extremely Ancient Machines

Reddit user@ithinkoutloudtoo believes that showing Bill Gates his old Dell desktop running Windows XP Professional would be the perfect way for the billionaire to see him.

"It still starts and runs greats," he added.

Stalk Him

@thecynicaltrashbag may have the perfect stress-free, hassle-free plan to get Bill Gates to notice them.

Singing Bill Gates A Song

@vicstolemylunchmoney said he will be serenading Bill Gates with an acoustic version of "It's All About the Pentiums" then they will become instantly engaged.

The Ultimate Plan to Seduce Bill Gates

@LordCitrus wrote the lengthiest post on the Reddit thread on how he plans to seduce the billionaire.

He claimed that he would research the things that interest the tech mogul, even writing some NYT bestselling books.

He'll also try to hold several book signings that would overlap with Bill's travel itinerary until they finally meet and exchanged numbers.

The Redditor also mentioned Jeff Bezos in the post, but long story short, the comments of this post were blown away.

@nrcssa wrote, "The very least Bill could do is sponsoring your writing career after this masterpiece."

READ ALSO: Melinda Gates' Ultimate Revenge: Ex Doesn't Want Bill Gates' Billions But Wants His 'Greatest Achievement'

Using The Best Microsoft Puns

@your-playboy has the second-best poetic response to the thread.

Going After Melinda French Gates

Some Redditors are not going after the fourth richest man in the world but instead will go to his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates.

@jerkollatex wrote, "She's the cute one."

Since the divorce, Melinda French Gates' net worth has been increasing, now she's worth $3 billion.

Did Bill Gates Write That Reddit Post?

According to @GstSalen, Bill Gates started the entire thread on Reddit because he's horny and wants a fan fiction out of him.

"Get out of Reddit, did you think we wouldn't be able to tell?"

READ MORE: Bill Gates' Affair: His 'Mistress' Years After Getting 'Serious' With Melinda French Revealed

See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles
Kevin Spacey is making a movie comeback this 2021 after being away from the spotlight for years following claims of sexual abuse.

Though many are excited to be able to watch him on the big screen once again, his newest acting gig isn't sitting well with some of his sexual assault accusers.

Mark Ebenhoch, who spoke to a news outlet of his feelings towards Spacey's new role in an Italian film.

The actor will be playing a cop investigating a man who was wrongfully accused of sexually abusing children.

Ebenhoch's, who claims he was solicited on a film set to have sex with the former Hollywood A-list actor, first thought was "'What the hell?!?!'"

He believes that casting Spacey for the role was "absurd" given that he had an alleged history of sexual misconduct and that the movie would be dealing with the same topic and concern.

While the victim says that he's still waiting for the "American Beauty" actor to publicly apologize to the people he was allegedly abused and taking full responsibility for the alleged misconduct, he is hoping that producers of Kevin Spacey's new movie this 2021 know that the actor has changed his ways.

He's also praying that Spacey isn't the same man who had alleged escapades with young men in movie sets.

Ebenchoch also said that producers should immediately fire the actor if he gets out of line and that people on set should keep an eye on Kevin Spacey.

Where is Kevin Spacey Now 2021?

News of accusers' outrage comes after it was widely reported that he's set for an acting return for an Italian movie titled "L'uomo Che Disegno Dio," or "Th Man Who Drew God," directed by Franco Nero.

This is the first movie he booked since sexual abuse allegations surfaced about four years ago.

The movie's production will be set in Italy and will also star the director's wife, Vanessa Redgrave.

Nero told ABC News of Kevin Spacey's participation in his film, "I consider him a great actor and I can't wait to start the movie."

READ ALSO: Larsa Pippen Slams 'Cheap' Malik Beasley After His and Montana Yao's Public Apology To Each Other

Kevin Spacey Sexual Abuse Allegations

Allegations about Kevin Spacey's behavior emerged in 2017 during the height of the Me Too movement.

He was fired from "House of Cards" and was even edited out of the Oscar-nominated movie, "All the Money In the World."

People were coming out with their own "Kevin Spacey Story" where some shared their encounters with the actor including some groping incidents including one in the bar of London's Old Vic Theater.

Even filmmaker Tony Montana came forward saying Spacey grabbed his crotch forcefully "and grabbed my whole package."

Past employees of "House of Cards" also spoke of their sexual harassment experiences with the actor, even claimed that there is a toxic work environment by Kevin Spacey on the set. They even described his behavior as predatory.

He then went on to attend The Meadows rehab for sex addiction and went to court numerous times for charges like sexual assault, criminal assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

READ MORE: 'The Voice' Finale: Kelly Clarkson's Dress Triggers Call for Boycott - Here's Why

See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles
Shaquan King, the man who allegedly entered the premises of Kendall Jenner's property without permission, gets two months of jail time.

According to TMZ, King took a plea deal on Tuesday, he pleads no contest to 1 count of trespassing and another count of loitering with the intent of committing crime. The alleged trespasser gets 180 days of jail time.

He was sentenced after an incident that happened in March. King went to the "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" star's home and knocked at her windows while shouting her name at 2AM.

He also went for a swim while naked at Kendall's own swimming pool before security detained him until authorities showed up. According to reports, Jenner was at home at the time of the incident but in a safe part of the house.

King was later arrested for misdemeanor trespassing and spent only six hours in jail, he was released because of COVID protocols. In a different report, a source told TMZ that additional armed security was added to her home but she later moved to a safer location with more armed security and is not planning to return . It is not clear if Jenner has plans to sell the house in the future.

READ NOW: Khloe Kardashian Net Worth 2021 Vs. Lamar Odom: Who's Wealthier Between The Ex-Couple?

Jenner was granted a restraining order against King and is not allowed to make any form of contact with her mom Kris, and sister Kylie as Daquan had also showed up at Kylie's house just a day and a half following the skinny-dipping incident, he was then arrested for felony stalking.

During the time of the incident, Kendall was also facing a horrendous death threat. A man named Malik Bower had allegedly traveled across the country so he could kill Jenner before killing himself, the man was later held on a mental facility.

The alleged stalkers mentioned above are not the only life-threatening incident that Kendall faced. In 2018, a man allegedly got into Kendall's property twice and he was also seen in Jenner's pool. The man was later deported to Canada.

Kendall did not showed up in all the hearings for the alleged stalking incident but was represented by her attorneys. She did not publicly addressed the issue.

READ ALSO: Marilyn Manson WANTED: Gets Another Arrest Warrant For New Allegations Following Mounting Lawsuit

See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles
"The Handmaid's Tale" season 4 spoilers ahead.

June is already out of Gilead but left behind two important people.

Serena Joy and Fred Waterford are already still stuck in prison and it doesn't seem like they will be getting out soon.

Other people such as June, Moira, Rita, Emily, and Nichole, who are all in Canada, need to save are Hannah and Janine.

Since the bombing in Chicago, Janine's fate is still unknown. It's unclear if she is still alive or if she will be rescued because the last few moments of episode 5 titled "Chicago" didn't show her.

However, now that Nick is a commander, it will give him even more power to get June's daughter Hannah finally out of Gilead.

In a new trailer for "The Handmaid's Tale" season 4, it was hinted that he might get Hannah out of there.

Fans immediately came up with theories about what will happen to Nick if he did save her.

Will Hannah Be Stuck in Gilead?

In the fifth episode of the fourth season of "The Handmaid's Tale," June's best friend Moira found her in the rubble after Gilead bombed the city.

The moment we've all been waiting for.  pic.twitter.com/b1OV8SvuAE  The Handmaid's Tale (@HandmaidsOnHulu) May 24, 2021

The chance encounter has helped June leaving Gilead and finally escaping to Canada. In the sixth episode titled "Vows," June and her husband Luke are finally reunited at the end of the episode.

When she sees her for the first time in so many years, June told him, "I'm sorry I don't have her. I'm sorry it's just me."

Since June is already in Canada, she'll surely have a plan to get her other daughter out of Gilead. In Margaret Atwood's book, she never revealed if June got out of the damn city.

The book ended where the first season of the show ended. It was when Offred thought she was pregnant with Nick's baby.

In the book, Hannah stays in Gilead as well. However, her fate is different in the sequel novel,"The Testaments."

READ ALSO: 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 4: Does Janine Die? Does June Get Out of Gilead? [Episode 5 Recap and Spoilers]

Is Nick Going To Die In 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 4?

In this season, it is pretty obvious how Nick remains loyal to June instead of Gilead despite already being a commander. Nick has tried to keep June alive in every possible way, despite it meant that he would have to stay in Gilead.

Now, however, Nick is June and Canada's biggest ally inside the ranks and fans believe he could die betraying Gilead just to get June's daughter out.

The trailer for "The Handmaid's Tale" hinted that he would try to save Hannah.

June is free, but what does this mean for Hannah? pic.twitter.com/FGQ7IXC2Fa  The Handmaid's Tale (@HandmaidsOnHulu) May 25, 2021

In the trailer, Nick looks at pictures of Hannah saying, "Getting her out is impossible," while June says that she will never stop trying to get her out. June is also seen being held back by her husband as she yelled.

Then a Gilead vehicle is seen driving in a snowy field.

On Twitter, fans believe June is yelling because Nick died in front of her at the Canadian border after he brought Hannah to her and Luke.

Other fans also believe that Canada may trade the Waterfords for Hannah.

Hmmm. I dont know if the Canadian government would give up Fred/Serena because technically theyre war criminals.



The June scenario I could see. With Nick.



Or maybe Nick defects and gets Hannah/Janine to her. And dies. I dont see him surviving this.   Travvie (@HeyTravvie) May 21, 2021

The show's official Twitter account responded to a fan with a GIF of Nick and a tweet that said, "Time to see where his allegiance lies."

Time to see where his allegiance lies. pic.twitter.com/zzDnLA39th  The Handmaid's Tale (@HandmaidsOnHulu) May 25, 2021

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2021-05-26

Maeci

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio, paid a visit today, 26 May, to the General Headquarters of the Guardia di Finanza. During the visit, the Minister confirmed the importance of cooperation with the Guardia di Finanza, also through the presence of experts from this law enforcement body in the Italian diplomatic offices abroad, a precious asset of Italys foreign policy.
2021-05-25

Maeci

Africa Day is held on 25 May, each year, to celebrate the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity on 25 May 1963, in Addis Ababa, which became the African Union in 2002.

To mark the occasion, a Conference on the anniversary of the establishment of the African Union has been organised at Palazzo Montecitorio, one of the Italian Chambers of Parliament, and opens today, at 15:30, with a speech by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio.

There will be speeches by institutional representatives of international organisations and African states, as well as by representatives of the private sector and of Italian civil society working on the front line in Africa, particularly on health protection issues.
2021-05-25

Maeci

Today, Vice Minister Sereni held cordial talks, by videoconference, with the European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen. They examined the key issues on the agenda of the forthcoming Foreign and Development Joint Ministerial Session as part of the G20, which Italy will be hosting on 29 June, in Matera, as Chair of the G20.These include food safety, financing sustainable development and the role of cities and regions in achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda.
ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery, today announced the recipients of four prestigious technical awards. These leaders were selected by their peers for making contributions that extend the boundaries of research, advance industry, and lay the foundation for technologies that transform society.

Shyamnath Gollakota, University of Washington, is the recipient of the 2020 ACM Grace Murray Hopper Award for contributions to the use of wireless signals in creating novel applications, including battery-free communications, health monitoring, gesture recognition, and bio-based wireless sensing. His work has revolutionized and re-imagined what can be done using wireless systems and has a feel of technologies depicted in science fiction novels.

Gollakota defined the technology referred to today as ambient backscatter--a mechanism by which an unpowered, battery-less device can harvest existing wireless signals (such as broadcast TV or WiFi) in the environment for energy and use it to transmit encoded data. In addition, he has developed techniques that can use sonar signals from smartphones to support numerous healthcare applications. Examples include detection and diagnosis of breathing anomalies such as apnea, detection of ear infections, and even detection of life-threatening opioid overdoses. These innovations have the potential to transform the way healthcare systems will be designed and delivered in the future, and some of these efforts are now being commercialized for real-world use.

Gollakota also opened up a new field of extremely lightweight mobile sensors and controllers attached to insects, demonstrating how wireless technology can stream video data from the backs of tiny insects. Some observers believe this could be a first step to creating an internet of biological things, in which insects are employed as delivery vehicles for mobile sensors.

The ACM Grace Murray Hopper Award is given to the outstanding young computer professional of the year, selected on the basis of a single recent major technical or service contribution. This award is accompanied by a prize of $35,000. The candidate must have been 35 years of age or less at the time the qualifying contribution was made. Financial support for this award is provided by Microsoft.

Margo Seltzer, University of British Columbia; Mike Olson, formerly of Cloudera; and Keith Bostic, MongoDB, receive the ACM Software System Award for Berkeley DB, which was an early exemplar of the NoSQL movement and pioneered the "dual-license" approach to software licensing.

Since 1991, Berkeley DB has been a pervasive force underlying the modern internet: It is a part of nearly every POSIX or POSIX-like system, as well as the GNU standard C library (glibc) and many higher-level scripting languages. Berkeley DB was the transactional key/value store for a range of first- and second-generation internet services, including account management, mail and identity servers, online trading platforms and many other software-as-a-service platforms.

As an open source package, Berkeley DB is an invaluable teaching tool, allowing students to see under the hood of a tool that they have grown familiar with by use. The code is clean, well structured, and well documented - it had to be as it was meant to be consumed and used by an unlimited number of software developers.

As originally created by Seltzer, Olson and Bostic, Berkeley DB was distributed as part of the University of California's Fourth Berkeley Software Distribution. Seltzer and Bostic subsequently founded Sleepycat Software in 1996 to continue development of Berkeley DB and provide commercial support. Olson joined in 1997, and for ten years, Berkeley DB was the de facto data store for major web infrastructure. As the first production quality, commercial key/value store, it helped launched the NoSQL movement; as the engine behind Amazon's Dynamo and the University of Michigan's SLAPD server, Berkeley DB helped move non-relational databases into the public eye.

Sleepycat Software pioneered the "dual-license" model of software licensing: use and redistribution in Open Source applications was always free, and companies could choose a commercial license for support or to distribute Berkeley DB as part of proprietary packages. This model pointed the way for a number of other open source companies, and this innovation has been widely adopted in open source communities. The open source Berkeley DB release includes all the features of the complete commercial version, and developers building prototypes with open source releases suffer no delay when transitioning to a proprietary product that embeds Berkeley DB

In summary, Berkeley DB has been one of the most useful, powerful, reliable, and long-lived software packages. The longevity of Berkeley DB's contribution is particularly impressive in an industry with frequent software system turnover.

The ACM Software System Award is presented to an institution or individual(s) recognized for developing a software system that has had a lasting influence, reflected in contributions to concepts, in commercial acceptance, or both. The Software System Award carries a prize of $35,000. Financial support for the Software System Award is provided by IBM.

Yossi Azar, Tel Aviv University; Andrei Broder, Google Research; Anna Karlin, University of Washington; Michael Mitzenmacher, Harvard University; and Eli Upfal, Brown University, receive the ACM Paris Kanellakis Theory and Practice Award for the discovery and analysis of balanced allocations, known as the power of two choices, and their extensive applications to practice.

Azar, Broder, Karlin, Mitzenmacher and Upfal introduced the Balanced Allocations framework, also known as the power of two choices paradigm, an elegant theoretical work that had a wide-spread practical impact.

When n balls are thrown into n bins chosen uniformly at random, it is known that with high probability, the maximum load on any bin is bounded by (lg n/lg lg n) (1+o(1)). Azar, Broder, Karlin, and Upfal (STOC 94) proved that adding a little bit of choice makes a big difference. When throwing each ball, instead of choosing one bin at random, choose two bins at random, and then place the ball in the bin with the lesser load. This minor change brings on an exponential improvement; now with high probability, the maximal load in any bin is bounded by (lg lg n/lg 2)+O(1).

In the same work, they have shown that, if each ball has d choices, then the maximum load drops with high probability to (ln ln n/ ln d)+O(1). These results were greatly extended by Mitzenmacher in his 1996 PhD dissertation, where he removed the sequential setting, and developed a framework for using the power of two choices in queuing systems.

Since bins and balls are the basic model for analyzing data structures, such as hashing or processes like load balancing of jobs in servers, it is not surprising that the power of two choices that requires only a local decision rather than global coordination has led to a wide range of practical applications. These include i-Google's web index, Akamai's overlay routing network, and highly reliable distributed data storage systems used by Microsoft and Dropbox, which are all based on variants of the power of two choices paradigm. There are many other software systems that use balanced allocations as an important ingredient.

The Balanced Allocations paper and the follow-up work on the power of two choices are elegant theoretical results, and their content had, and will surely continue to have, a demonstrable effect on the practice of computing.

The ACM Paris Kanellakis Theory and Practice Award honors specific theoretical accomplishments that have had a significant and demonstrable effect on the practice of computing. This award is accompanied by a prize of $10,000 and is endowed by contributions from the Kanellakis family, with additional financial support provided by ACM's Special Interest Groups on Algorithms and Computation Theory (SIGACT), Design Automation (SIGDA), Management of Data (SIGMOD), and Programming Languages (SIGPLAN), the ACM SIG Projects Fund, and individual contributions.

Hector Levesque and Moshe Vardi receive the ACM - AAAI Allen Newell Award.

Hector Levesque, University of Toronto, is recognized for fundamental contributions to knowledge representation and reasoning, and their broader influence within theoretical computer science, databases, robotics, and the study of Boolean satisfiability.

Levesque is recognized for his outstanding contributions to the broad core of logic-inspired Artificial Intelligence and the impact they have had across multiple sub-disciplines within computer science. With collaborators, he has made fundamental contributions to cognitive robotics, multi-agent systems, theoretical computer science, and database systems, as well as in philosophy and cognitive psychology.

These have inspired applications such as the semantic web and automated verification. He is internationally recognized as one of the deepest and most original thinkers within AI and a researcher who has advanced the flame that AI pioneer Alan Newell lit.

On the representation side, Levesque has worked on the formalization of several concepts pertaining to artificial and natural agents including belief, goals, intentions, ability, and the interaction between knowledge, perception and action.

On the reasoning side, his research has focused on how automated reasoning can be kept computationally tractable, including the use of greedy local search methods. He is recognized for his fundamental contributions to the development of several new fields of research including the fields of description logic, the study of tractability in knowledge representation, the study of intention and teamwork, the hardness of satisfiability problems, and cognitive robotics. Levesque has also made fundamental contributions to the development of the systematic use of beliefs, desires, and intentions in the development of intelligent software, where his formalization of many aspects of intention and teamwork has shaped the entire approach to the use of these terms and the design of intelligent agents.

Moshe Vardi, Rice University, is cited for contributions to the development of logic as a unifying foundational framework and a tool for modeling computational systems.

Vardi has made major contributions to a wide variety of fields, including database theory, program verification, finite-model theory, reasoning about knowledge, and constraint satisfaction. He is perhaps the most influential researcher working at the interface of logic and computer science, building bridges between communities in computer science and beyond. With his collaborators he has made fundamental contributions to major research areas, including: 1) investigation of the logical theory of databases, where his focus on the trade-off between expressiveness and computational complexity laid the foundations for work on integrity constraints, complexity of query evaluation, incomplete information, database updates, and logic programming in databases; 2) the automata-theoretic approach to reactive systems, which laid mathematical foundations for verifying that a program meets its specifications, and 3) reasoning about knowledge through his development of epistemic logic.

In database theory, Vardi developed a theory of general data dependencies, finding axiomatizations and resolving their decision problem; introduced two basic notions of measuring the complexity of algorithms for evaluating queries, data-complexity, and query-complexity, which soon became standard in the field; created a logical theory of data updates; and characterized the expressive power of query languages and related them to complexity classes.

In software and hardware verification, Vardi introduced an automata-theoretic approach to the verification of reactive systems that revolutionized the field, using automata on infinite strings and trees to represent both the system being analyzed and undesirable computations of the system. Vardi's automata-theoretic approach has played a central role over the last 30 years of research in the field and in the development of verification tools.

In knowledge theory, Vardi developed rigorous foundations for reasoning about the knowledge of multi-agent and distributed systems, a problem of central importance in many disciplines. His co-authored book on the subject is the definitive source for this field.

The ACM - AAAI Allen Newell Award is presented to an individual selected for career contributions that have breadth within computer science, or that bridge computer science and other disciplines. The Newell award is accompanied by a prize of $10,000, provided by ACM and the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), and by individual contributions.

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About ACM

ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery, is the world's largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting computing educators, researchers and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources and address the field's challenges. ACM strengthens the computing profession's collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for life-long learning, career development, and professional networking.
WASHINGTON - May 26, 2021 - A new research-based guide is available to increase uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine among nursing home workers. Invest in Trust: A Guide for Building COVID-19 Vaccine Trust and Increasing Vaccination Rates Among CNAs addresses concerns and challenges nursing home workers have expressed and outlines the most effective approaches to build trust in the vaccine and make it easier for them to get vaccinated.

The Center for Public Interest Communications (CPIC) at the University of Florida produced the guide for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network (the Network). Invest in Trust provides insights from social, behavioral and cognitive science and primary research and includes the voices of nursing home workers who have gotten vaccinated or who are still considering receiving the vaccine. The guide constitutes the type of evidence-based tools and resources that the Network has created to help nursing home leaders implement evidence-based infection prevention and safety practices to protect residents and staff.

"To fully protect nursing home residents and staff from COVID-19, the best thing we can do is continue to increase vaccination rates, especially among CNAs who are the backbone of the nursing home workforce," said David Meyers, M.D., Acting Director of AHRQ. "That means understanding where they're coming from and meeting them where they are with messages that address their concerns and practical interventions that help them get vaccinated."

Across the United States, research has found that significant numbers of frontline nursing home workers have still not been vaccinated against COVID-19 because they are in "wait-and-see" mode, do not want the vaccine, or have encountered barriers like lack of transportation or paid time off.

"If we want to understand what's keeping workers from getting vaccinated, we need to go to the experts--the frontline workers themselves," said Sanjeev Arora, M.D., Founder and Director of Project ECHO. "The incorporation of frontline wisdom and insight, paired with what we know from science, is what makes this guide so unique and valuable."

A recent survey of 233 U.S. nursing home and long-term care employees informed the guide and revealed that nursing home workers often face significant challenges to getting vaccinated. The findings suggest that employers may increase vaccination rates by offering paid time off for staff to get the vaccine and to recover from any short-term side effects, offering transportation or child care vouchers, and holding worksite vaccination drives.

The Network found that the most effective messages for building vaccine confidence is to appeal to workers' desire to protect others from getting the virus and prevent the spread of infectious disease across society. Among CPIC survey respondents who were hesitant about the vaccine, most-trusted sources of information included, in order, "my family," "local health-care professionals," "my closest friends," "my faith leaders," and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Least trusted were "my employer" and "political leaders."

Lori Porter, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA), the largest professional association representing the CNA workforce, was herself at first hesitant to take the vaccine until a partner organization representing medical directors in long-term care walked her through her concerns. "I had questions, too. And when my questions were answered, I came out in support of the vaccine and made my declaration to our members. But someone had to take the time to respect my concerns."

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For more information, visit:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Project ECHO

AHRQ ECHO National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network

Center for Public Interest Communications

For media inquiries, please contact:

Mona Elkalban, Senior Associate, Burness

melkalban@burness.com or 703-589-4305

Bridget DeSimone, Vice President, Burness

bdesimone@burness.com or 202-468-0766
Like a good story, feeding has a beginning, a middle and an end. It begins with appetite prompting the search for food, continues with eating the food and it ends when satiation hits and the consumption of food is stopped.

At Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Qi Wu, Dr. Yong Han and their colleagues have uncovered new aspects of the last part of this story that relate to the little-known neural circuits and neurotransmitters involved in ending food consumption.

The team discovered a novel circuit that connects a unique subset of dopamine-producing neurons with downstream neurons in the hindbrain (lower brainstem) and potently suppresses food intake by triggering satiation in mice. They also found that the FDA-approved drug methylphenidate (MPH) mediates its noticeable weight loss effect by activating this particular circuit, opening the possibility that regulating this circuit might help people control weight. The study appears in the journal Sciences Advances.

"Many people struggle with weight control, eating more than what the body needs, which adds extra pounds that can lead to obesity and higher risk of serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes," said Han, a postdoctoral associate in pediatrics-nutrition in the Wu lab and the first author of this study. "Our lab is interested in improving our understanding of what goes on in the brain during feeding with the hope that our findings might one day help people better control their weight."

New insights into brain regulation of the satiation response:

"The current study is about a circuit in the brain that helps to precisely regulate the size of the food portion that is consumed," said Wu, assistant professor in pediatrics-nutrition and the corresponding author of the study. "It is not about how eating begins but about how it ends. It's about the satiation response, which is as important as appetite."

Using several advanced techniques to study neural function, including cell-specific circuitry mapping, optogenetics and real-time recordings of brain activity, the researchers discovered a novel neural circuit that connects a unique group of dopamine-producing neurons called DA-VTA with downstream target neurons known as DRD1-LPBN and regulates food consumption in mice.

The team examined the activities of the two sets of neurons while the mice were eating. They observed that the activity of these DA-VTA neurons increased immediately before the animals stopped eating. When the researchers genetically inhibited these neurons, the animals prolonged their feeding, drastically increasing the portion size. This suggests that inhibiting the circuit prevented the satiation response. They also found that enhancing the activity of the DRD1-LPBN neurons, which receive signals from the DA-VTA neurons, robustly generated the response of meal termination.

The researchers also found that the novel circuit mediated the weight loss effect that is associated with taking the drug MPH, which is approved for mitigation of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

"Other brain circuits have been proposed to regulate feeding, but the one we discovered is the first to be fully described to regulate portion size via dopamine signaling," Han said. "Our new study shows that a circuit connecting neurons that produce dopamine, a chemical messenger previously known for the regulation of motivation and pleasure, has a new role in the control of feeding through dynamically regulating the satiety response."

"Our finding that MPH suppresses feeding and reduces body weight in laboratory mice by strengthening the dopamine-supported novel circuit we discovered, suggests a potential off-label application of a class of MPH and derivatives in tackling obesity," Wu said. "This also has implications for the future development of circuitry-based precision medicine that can deliver weight-reducing results with higher safety and effectiveness.".

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Guobin Xia, Yanlin He, Yang He, Monica Farias and Yong Xu, all at Baylor College of Medicine, also contributed to this work.

This project was supported by funding from a Shared Instrumentation grant from the NIH (S10 599 OD016167), the NIH Digestive Diseases Center PHS grant P30 DK056338, NIH grants (R01DK109194, R56DK109194), the Pew Charitable Trust award (0026188), American Diabetes Association awards (#7-13-JF-61), Baylor Collaborative Faculty Research Investment Program grants and USDA/CRIS grants (3092-5-001-059). Further support was provided by the Faculty Start-up grants from USDA/ARS NIH grants (R01DK093587, R01DK101379, and R01DK117281), USDA/CRIS grants (3092-5-001-059), American Heart Association awards (17GRNT32960003), American Diabetes Association (1-17-PDF-138), the NIH Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) grant P20 GM135002, a Pew Scholarship of Biomedical Sciences and a Kavli Scholarship.
Even though people stayed in touch during the pandemic's stay-at-home orders and social distancing, it was easy to feel out of touch with loved ones.

Technology and the internet have expanded the way humans communicate and added much to that communication -- think emojis, GIFs and memes. But they can still fall short of being physically with someone.

"Our social cues are limited online," said Fannie Liu, a research scientist at Snap Inc who earned her Ph.D. from the Human-Computer Interaction Institute in Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science. "We're exploring a new way to support digital connection through a deeper and more internal cue."

Liu was part of a team from CMU, Snap and the University of Washington that built Significant Otter, an app designed primarily for smart watches that allows couples to communicate with each other based on their sensed heart rate. The team presented their work this month at the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Computer-Human Interaction (CHI) Conference.

As the app's name suggests, it uses otters to communicate. The app allows couples to send animated otters to one another that represent emotions and activities. For example, otters can be sad, excited, calm or angry, or they can be working, exercising, eating or tired. The app senses a person's heartrate and then suggests otters with the emotion or activity that may correspond to it. A fast heartrate could prompt the app to suggest an excited or angry otter, or an otter that is exercising or eating.

The partner can then respond with preset reactions. The reactions aren't based on the person's heartrate but are instead designed to give support to the person communicating based on their heartrate. Example reactions include otters hugging, holding each other's hands or even giving an encouraging thumbs up.

The team tested the app in April and May 2020 with 20 couples separated by the pandemic and found that the use of biosignals -- in this case, heartrate -- made for easier and more authentic communication. Liu and the team didn't intend to test the app during the pandemic, but couples who participated in the test said that the app gave them a sense of their partner's physical state even when they couldn't be physically together.

"It's coming from your heart," Liu said. "It can be a very intimate gesture to see or feel someone's heartbeat. It's a signal that you're living."

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The app is available to download through Apple's App Store for iPhone and Apple Watch.
Annapolis, MD; May 26, 2021--A new study has mounted perhaps the most intricate, detailed look ever at the diversity in structure and form of bees, offering new insights in a long-standing debate over how complex social behaviors arose in certain branches of bees' evolutionary tree.

Published today in Insect Systematics and Diversity, the report is built on an analysis of nearly 300 morphological traits in bees, how those traits vary across numerous species, and what the variations suggest about the evolutionary relations between bee species. The result offers strong evidence that complex social behavior developed just once in pollen-carrying bees, rather than twice or more, separately, in different evolutionary branches--but researchers say the case is far from closed.

Diego Sasso Porto, Ph.D., has been studying the structure and form, or morphology, of bees for more than a decade, and his latest effort ventures into a longstanding conundrum about bee evolution. Corbiculate bees--those that possess corbicula, or pollen baskets, on their hind legs--encompass honey bees, stingless bees, bumble bees, and orchid bees. Among them, honey bees and stingless bees are the only groups with highly complex social behaviors, such as forming large colonies with queens, workers, and drones. Bumble bees display less complex sociality, and orchid bees are mostly solitary. Traditional morphological analyses have long indicated that honey bees and stingless bees are most closely related and that complex social behavior developed in their common ancestor before the groups diverged. However, in the 1990s, emergent techniques in molecular genetic analysis began to show that stingless bees and bumble bees were the more closely related "sister" groups, which would mean that honey bees and stingless bees each developed their complex social behavior independently, after their ancestral paths diverged.

Ever since, these different lines of evidence have persisted as a notorious case of incongruence between molecular and morphological data sets in animals. Porto, now a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Biological Sciences at Virginia Tech, made his foray into the debate amid his doctoral work at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, under the guidance of Eduardo Almeida, Ph.D., co-author on the new study.

"The main criticism from some molecular researchers against morphology, and even from morphologists themselves, was we don't have enough data," Porto says. "This work was a big effort to try to get the best morphological data set we could ever get for this group of bees, and we tried several analyses to see if the problem is with morphological data itself or the way we interpret morphological data."

Porto evaluated past morphological studies of bees and then conducted new analysis of specimens from 53 species, dissecting each, imaging anatomical structures under optical and scanning electron microscopes, and ultimately scoring all of the specimens across 289 different traits. Often minute or even microscopic in detail, these traits ranged from the number of teeth on a bee's mandibles to the arrangement of barbs on its stinger.

With this massive trove of morphological data in hand, Porto applied multiple types of computerized statistical analyses to evaluate the possible phylogenies, or "family trees," that delineate the relationships among bee species. The results strongly support previous morphological findings, that honey bees (tribe Apini) and stingless bees (Meliponini) are most closely related. "The evidence from our dataset, if we just take it at plain sight, is really strong. We have a lot of traits supporting this," says Porto.

But, he sought to further explore the discrepancy between what molecular genetic analysis shows and what his own morphological data supports. To do so, Porto ran his data through a separate analysis that evaluated how well the morphological data could fit with the evolutionary tree supported by molecular analysis--that Meliponini and Bombini (bumble bees) are most closely related. As expected, it was not a great fit--a bit like putting a square peg in a round hole--but they were not completely incompatible, he says.

In their report in Insect Systematics and Diversity, Porto and Almeida offer a few hypotheses for evolutionary processes that could explain the continuing discrepancy in lines of evidence about corbiculate bee evolution.

"Morphological data is telling us one story, and molecular data is telling us another story. We are not going anywhere if we just keep these conflicting discussions," says Porto. "So, our decision was ... let's try to interpret the alternative scenario with our data. If the hypothesis given by molecular data is true, how can we interpret our strong morphological evidence for the other hypothesis?"

One possible explanation, they say, is that, if bumble bees and stingless bees share a common ancestor that first branched away from honey bees, they then rapidly diverged in a short time frame and evolved separately for much longer, gradually obscuring the shared traits bumble bees and stingless bees once had. Moreover, the earliest ancestor of stingless bees is believed to have been relatively small, and "miniaturization" is known to drive structural simplifications in anatomical traits, which would have further contributed to erasing similarities between bumble bees and stingless bees.

However, these possibilities don't explain why stingless bees then evolved to become more morphologically similar to honey bees, but Porto and Almeida posit that similar functional roles or similar social behaviors among stingless bees and honey bees could have driven them to evolve in similar ways.

Testing these hypotheses is what Porto says he would like to explore next--and encourages other researchers to do, as well. "It would be really good to have maybe the same data set, but including more specimens from fossils, and run the analysis again," he says.

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"Corbiculate bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae): Exploring the limits of morphological data to solve a hard phylogenetic problem" will be published online on May 26, 2021, in Insect Systematics and Diversity. Journalists may request advance copies of the article via the contact below or download the published paper after 10 a.m. on May 26 at https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1093/ isd/ ixab008 .

CONTACT: Joe Rominiecki, jrominiecki@entsoc.org, 301-731-4535 x3009

ABOUT: ESA is the largest organization in the world serving the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and people in related disciplines. Founded in 1889, ESA today has more than 7,000 members affiliated with educational institutions, health agencies, private industry, and government. Headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, the Society stands ready as a non-partisan scientific and educational resource for all insect-related topics. For more information, visit http://www. entsoc. org .
New analysis suggests the California variant is more transmissible than unmutated strains, but vaccines are effective against it

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--May 26, 2021--In January 2021, reports of a new coronavirus variant that had emerged in California raised many concerns. Preliminary data suggested that it is more transmissible than the unmutated strains of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) from which it evolved.

Now, a multifaceted collaboration between researchers at UC San Francisco, Gladstone Institutes, and other organizations across California provides a comprehensive portrait of the variant--including its interaction with the immune system and its potential to spread.

"Our findings suggest that California's homegrown variant can infect people who already had COVID-19, but that it is vulnerable to vaccines," says Charles Chiu, MD, PhD, director of the UCSF-Abbott Viral Diagnostics and Discovery Center, and one of the co-senior authors of the study published in the journal Cell. He helped discover and report the new variant as a "variant of concern" earlier this year to the Centers for Disease Control and other health agencies.

"The take-home message is that everyone should get vaccinated, even if you've been infected before," says Chiu. The new findings appear in the journal Cell.

Tracking the Rise of the New Variant

Like all viruses, SARS-CoV-2 mutates over time, and new variants with distinct combinations of mutations arise continuously. Not all variants are cause for concern, but some variants appear to spread faster than others. This is thought to be due to mutations that enhance the function of the virus's spike protein, which it uses to latch onto and infect human cells.

California's variant actually comes in two different forms, dubbed B.1.427 and B.1.429, and each have a unique combination of mutations. But they are paired as a single variant because they share a few distinct mutations that affect the spike protein.

"When this variant emerged in California, it was important to determine how much of a risk it might pose," says Melanie Ott, MD, PhD, director of the Gladstone Institute of Virology and a co-senior author on the study. "But we needed to sequence--or analyze--its genome and conduct follow-up experiments to really understand it."

The researchers sequenced samples from 2,172 COVID-19 swab tests conducted in dozens of California counties. Analysis of the sequences suggested that the variant emerged in May 2020 and subsequently gave rise to the two current forms.

Between September 1, 2020, and January 29, 2021, the prevalence of the variant in the sequenced samples rose from 0 percent to more than 50 percent of cases. Its transmissibility appeared to be as much as 24 percent higher than unmutated viral strains, and people infected with the new variant had two times more virus present in their swab samples than people infected with unmutated strains.

"In a matter of months, this variant went from being practically undetectable to being the predominant variant circulating in California," says Raul Andino, PhD, a professor of microbiology and immunology at UCSF, and a co-senior author on the study.

Lab Tests Reveal Variant's Characteristics

Next, the researchers sought to better understand how the distinct mutations to the spike protein affected the California variant's ability to infect human cells.

To perform these studies safely, Ott and her team at Gladstone generated "pseudoviruses," harmless viruses that contain SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins with different mutations. This allowed the scientists to compare how the mutations affect the virus's ability to infect both individual cells and lung organoids--lab-grown, multicellular, miniature versions of a lung.

Specifically, the researchers compared three different spike protein mutations: two that are found in the California variant, and one that is commonly found in predominant variants worldwide. They found that pseudoviruses with one of the California variant's mutations, known as L452R, was better able to infect human cells than pseudoviruses carrying other mutations.

"This suggests that the L452R mutation enhances the ability of the virus to enter a cell, which could explain why the California variant has increased transmissibility," Ott says.

The researchers also conducted lab experiments to study how well the immune system's antibodies can neutralize--or block infection by--the new variant. They tested the variant against blood samples from people who had received both doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, as well as from people who had previously been infected with what was most likely an unmutated form of SARS-CoV-2.

These experiments showed that the new variant was only moderately neutralized by antibodies from previously infected patients. But antibodies from vaccinated patients showed a higher degree of neutralization.

"Our results send a very strong message that, even if you've already had COVID-19, you may not necessarily be protected against reinfection by this variant," Andino says. "However, the vaccines do appear to protect against it."

Remaining Vigilant

These findings highlight the importance of getting vaccinated--and making sure to receive both doses to maximize the effects of vaccination. This is in line with research on other concerning variants emerging around the world.

"It appears that vaccination largely remains effective against all of the circulating variants that are known so far," Chiu says.

However, Chiu notes, the new study underscores the need for a robust surveillance system to closely monitor the emergence and spread of new variants. Such a system was lacking in California at the time the new variant emerged, Chiu says, but recent improvements mean that future variants may be detected more quickly.

"We are entering a new phase of the pandemic, where the virus continues to spread despite the availability of vaccines," Andino says. "We may eventually see the emergence of a variant that's partially or completely resistant to vaccination, so we must stay vigilant."

Ott notes that this is a quickly evolving situation, because it is unclear for how long the new variant will remain prevalent in California or other locations. In fact, a different variant known as B.1.1.7 is currently increasing in prevalence in California.

"What's more, our antibody experiments were performed with blood plasma from newly vaccinated people, so it will be important to see how the vaccine holds up in the long term," Ott says.

For now, the researchers are getting to know the new variant in even greater detail. They are conducting studies in animal models to tease out any subtle differences between the two lineages, which have so far appeared to be quite similar. They are also examining patient data to see if the new variant causes more severe cases of COVID-19 than other variants.

Key to the new findings and ongoing investigations is the researchers' dedication to fruitful collaboration.

"Our work is a great example of how the scientific community has rapidly risen to the occasion in a time of need and concern for the public," Ott says. "With this collaborative sprit, we are reaching across institutions and scientific disciplines; just doing whatever is necessary to help."

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About the Study

The study entitled "Transmission, infectivity, and neutralization of a spike L452R SARS-CoV-2 variant," was published online by the journal Cell as a pre-proof on April 20, 2021: https:/ / www. sciencedirect. com/ science/ article/ pii/ S0092867421005055 .

Other authors of the study include Xianding Deng, Venice Servellita, Candace Wang, Alicia Sotomayor-Gonzalez, Dustin R. Glasner, Kevin R. Reyes, Amelia S. Gliwa, Nikitha P. Reddy, and Claudia Sanchez San Martin of UCSF and the UCSF-Abbott Viral Diagnostics and Discovery Center; Miguel A. Garcia-Knight, Scot Federman, Jing Cheng, Joanna Balcerek, Jordan Taylor, Jessica A. Streithorst, Steve Miller, Peter V. Lidsky, and Yinghong Xiao of UCSF; Mir M. Khalid, Bharath Sreekumar, Pei-Yi Chen, Ursula Schulze-Gahmen, Taha Y. Taha, Jennifer Hayashi, Camille R. Simoneau, Renuka Kumar, and Sarah McMahon of Gladstone; Mary Kate Morris, Alex Espinosa, Chantha Kath, Monica Haw, John Bell, Jill K. Hacker, Carl Hanson, and Debra A. Wadford of the California Department of Public Health; Peera Hemarajata and Nicole M. Green of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health; Carlos Anaya and Donna Ferguson of the Monterey County Department of Public Health; and Phillip A. Frankino, Haridha Shivram, Liana F. Lareau, and Stacia K. Wyman of UC Berkeley.

The research was supported by the Innovative Genomics Institute, Emergent Ventures, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Roddenberry Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health (grants R33-AI129455 and 5DP1DA038043).

About Gladstone Institutes
Continuous skin-to-skin contact starting immediately after delivery even before the baby has been stabilised can reduce mortality by 25 per cent in infants with a very low birth weight. This according to a study in low- and middle-income countries coordinated by the WHO on the initiative of researchers at Karolinska Institutet published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Continuous skin-to-skin contact between infant and mother, or "Kangaroo Mother Care" (KMC), is one of the most effective ways to prevent infant mortality globally. The current recommendation from the World Health Organization (WHO) is that skin-to-skin contact should commence as soon as a low weight baby is sufficiently stable, which for those weighing under 2 kg at birth normally takes several days.

"The idea of giving skin-to-skin contact immediately after delivery to very small, unstable babies has encountered quite strong resistance, but about 75 per cent of deaths occur before the infant has been judged sufficiently stable," says Nils Bergman, doctor and researcher at the Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, and one of the initiators of the study.

The new study, financed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and led by WHO, has examined whether immediate Kangaroo Mother Care, iKMC, after delivery leads to even better survival rates for infants with a birth weight of 1 to 1.8 kg in low- and middle-income countries. The study was conducted at five university hospitals in Ghana, India, Malawi, Nigeria and Tanzania, where mortality for these babies, prior to the study, varied between 20 and 30 per cent.

To improve and align the care to the greatest possible extent between study hospitals before the start of the study, training was provided in basic neonatal care and basic equipment was procured for measuring the babies' oxygen levels and to provide assisted ventilation. The participating hospitals were also trained in safe skin-to-skin contact for unstable infants. The KI researchers, supported by a colleague from the University of Stavanger, Norway, were responsible for the training and, by frequent visits to the study sites, the assurance of quality of the basic care in both groups and iKMC technique in the intervention group.

In the study, 3,211 infants were randomly assigned to two groups, one that received iKMC and continued skin-to-skin contact at the neonatal unit, where the mothers also received their medical care, and a control group that received standard care, whereby mothers and babies are cared for in separate units and are only reunited during infant feeding. As soon as the babies had stabilised sufficiently, mothers and babies from both groups were transferred to the regular KMC unit. During the first 72 hours, the infants in the iKMC group received approximately 17 hours of skin-to-skin contact per day, compared with 1.5 hours in the control group.

Mortality during the first 28 days was 12 per cent in the iKMC group compared to 15.7 per cent in the control group, which corresponds to a reduction of 25 per cent. There were also significantly fewer babies in the iKMC group with a low body temperature or bacterial blood poisoning.

"The main message is that low weight newborns should receive skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth and subsequently at a mother-infant couplet care unit, where mothers and babies are looked after together without having to be separated," says Bjorn Westrup, consultant and researcher at the Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and co-initiator of the study with Nils Bergman. "Our results suggest that this care model, which in itself isn't resource-demanding, could have significant health effects."

The researchers estimate that iKMC has the potential to save the lives of an additional 150,000 small newborns each year.

"Keeping the mother and baby together right from birth, with zero separation, will revolutionise the way neonatal intensive care is practiced for babies born early or small," says Dr Rajiv Bahl, Head of Maternal and Newborn Health Research and Development at WHO and the coordinator of the study. "This study illustrates that kangaroo mother care has the potential to save many more lives if it is started immediately after birth, a finding with relevance for countries of all income levels."

WHO is in the process of reviewing its current recommendations on kangaroo mother care, published in 2015, in light of new evidence. WHO recommends KMC for all babies, but the new study gives important evidence on the lifesaving role of immediate KMC for unstable small babies.

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No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Publication: "Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care and Survival of Low Birth Weight Infants". Sugandha Arya, Helga Naburi, Kondwani Kawaza, Sam Newton, Chineme Henry Anyabolu, Nils Bergman, Suman P.N. Rao, Pratima Mittal, Evelyne Assenga, Luis Gadama, Roderick Larsen-Reindorf, Oluwafemi Kuti, Agnes Linner, Sachiyo Yoshida, Nidhi Chopra, Matilda Ngarina, Ausbert Thoko Msusa, Adwoa Boakye-Yiadom, Bankole Peter Kuti, Barak Morgan, Nicole Minckas, Jyotsna Suri, Robert Moshiro, Vincent Samuel, Naana Wireko-Brobby, Siren Rettedal, Harsh Vardhan Jaiswal, M. Jeeva Sankar, Isaac Nyanor, Hiresh Tiwary, Pratima Anand, Alexander Ansah Manu, Kashika Nagpal, Daniel Ansong, Isha Saini, Kailash C. Aggarwal, Nitya Wadhwa, Rajiv Bahl, Bjorn Westrup, Ebunoluwa Aderonke Adejuyigbe, Gyikua Plange-Rhule, Queen Dube, Harish Chellani, Augustine Massawe. The New England Journal of Medicine, online 26 May 2021, doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2026486.

https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1056/ NEJMoa2026486

Sister study in high-income countries:

Wibke Jonas at Karolinska Institutet is leading a parallel study - the Immediate Parent Infant Skin-To-Skin Study (IPISTOSS) - with the same intervention but under well-resourced conditions at Karolinska University Hospital and Stavanger University Hospital. Here, underlying mechanisms, mother-baby interaction and the possible part played by iKMC in the infant maturing process and long-term development are studied. The primary financiers are the Laerdal Foundation, Baby Bjorn, the Swedish Research Council, the Kempe Carlgrenska Foundation, Region Stockholm, Lilla Barnets Fond, and Karolinska Institutet.
New research could enable better healthcare for patients with benign tumours of the adrenal glands. Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have identified the levels of cortisol produced by the tumours which are associated with higher mortality rates.

Up to half of benign adrenal tumours produce excessive amounts of the hormone cortisol. Until now, researchers did not know at which levels the cortisol could be harmful or even fatal for the patient.

In a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers at Lund University and Skane University Hospital followed up all patients diagnosed with benign adrenal tumours who came into contact with Skane University Hospital or Helsingborg Hospital between 2005 and 2015, a total of just over 1 000 patients.

The researchers collected data about the degree of cortisol production in the tumours. The patients were then divided into four groups, based on the degree of cortisol overproduction, from no overproduction to high. The difference in mortality between the groups was investigated using national registers on cause of death.

"The results show a clearly increased risk of death in the two groups with the highest production of cortisol. The risk is 2-3 times higher than for patients with normal cortisol production and the main cause of increased risk is cardiovascular disease", says Albin Kjellbom, consultant physician in endocrinology and diabetology at Skane University Hospital and research student at Lund University.

The groups with increased risk make up around 20 per cent of patients in the study, i.e. about 200 people.

The results also show that many patients whose tumours have a lower level of cortisol production do not have an increased risk of death.

"In the future, we will be able to identify the patients with an increased risk of death and concentrate our efforts on them, while being able to reassure a large group of patients. This also means a better use of public healthcare resources", says Albin Kjellbom.

There are currently two treatment strategies available for patients with benign adrenal tumours. Either the tumours are surgically removed, or treatment focuses on the known risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

"We actually know very little about which treatment is effective for these patients; so far, this has not been sufficiently studied. Nor is this something that our study can answer, but now that we are able to identify the patients with an increased risk of death, future studies can investigate which treatment is effective in reducing risk in this patient group", concludes Albin Kjellbom.

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Rough night of sleep? Relying on caffeine to get you through the day isn't always the answer, says a new study from Michigan State University.

Researchers from MSU's Sleep and Learning Lab, led by psychology associate professor Kimberly Fenn, assessed how effective caffeine was in counteracting the negative effects of sleep deprivation on cognition. As it turns out, caffeine can only get you so far.

The study -- published in the most recent edition of Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, & Cognition -- assessed the impact of caffeine after a night of sleep deprivation. More than 275 participants were asked to complete a simple attention task as well as a more challenging "placekeeping" task that required completion of tasks in a specific order without skipping or repeating steps.

Fenn's study is the first to investigate the effect of caffeine on placekeeping after a period of sleep deprivation.

"We found that sleep deprivation impaired performance on both types of tasks and that having caffeine helped people successfully achieve the easier task. However, it had little effect on performance on the placekeeping task for most participants," Fenn said.

She added: "Caffeine may improve the ability to stay awake and attend to a task, but it doesn't do much to prevent the sort of procedural errors that can cause things like medical mistakes and car accidents."

Insufficient sleep is pervasive in the United States, a problem that has intensified during the pandemic, Fenn said. Consistently lacking adequate sleep not only affects cognition and alters mood, but can eventually take a toll on immunity.

"Caffeine increases energy, reduces sleepiness and can even improve mood, but it absolutely does not replace a full night of sleep, Fenn said. "Although people may feel as if they can combat sleep deprivation with caffeine, their performance on higher-level tasks will likely still be impaired. This is one of the reasons why sleep deprivation can be so dangerous."

Fenn said that the study has the potential to inform both theory and practice.

"If we had found that caffeine significantly reduced procedural errors under conditions of sleep deprivation, this would have broad implications for individuals who must perform high stakes procedures with insufficient sleep, like surgeons, pilots and police officers," Fenn said. "Instead, our findings underscore the importance of prioritizing sleep."

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(Note for media: Please include link to the study in online coverage: https:/ / pubmed. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/ 34014758/ )

Michigan State University has been working to advance the common good in uncommon ways for 165 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU focuses its vast resources on creating solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges, while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

For MSU news on the Web, go to MSUToday. Follow MSU News on Twitter at twitter.com/MSUnews.
NASA has selected Northern Arizona University assistant research professor Alicia Rutledge as one of only five early-career scientists in the country to receive funding through its Planetary Science Early Career Award (ECA) program, which "supports outstanding early-career individuals and allows them to play an increasing role in the planetary science community."

Rutledge's proposal, "Ice, Ice, Rock: Analog Studies in Cold Environments to Understand Past Climate," which was selected for an award of $200,000, outlined how the award would enable her to invest in a portable laboratory that she could use to better conduct her research.

"My research integrates remote sensing spacecraft data, field work and laboratory measurements to better understand planetary surface processes and the role of climate in alteration processes, and I am especially interested in using geochemistry and mineralogy to investigate cryosphere-bedrock interactions on Earth and Mars," Rutledge said. "My work couples mineralogy with aqueous geochemistry in order to understand the composition and origin of weathering products at Mars analog field sites such as the Cascades Range in Oregon and Yellowstone National Park. I'm collaborating with NAU planetary scientist Mark Salvatore and an NAU student on a project studying the summit glaciers of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. I've also recently been awarded a separate NASA grant to study glacial landforms in Iceland in collaboration with NAU planetary scientist Christopher Edwards. I especially look forward to working with NAU students at these sites."

"In order to best study analogs in situ, however, I need a field-portable laboratory. Funding through NASA's ECA program will allow me to invest in the equipment and supplies necessary to have a greater impact in the field of planetary science. Assembling my own field laboratory will enable me to more easily propose future field analog studies as well as educate students in how to conduct analog fieldwork."

To ensure that NAU becomes a leader in planetary analog science, Rutledge will lead a strategic initiative to develop a field-portable geochemical and mineralogical laboratory, FieldLab, to complement the university's existing remote sensing research and lab capabilities. Rutledge will use the funding in part to purchase new instruments, including a handheld visible/near-infrared spectrometer and a temperature/pH/dissolved oxygen multimeter to measure properties of rocks and waters in their natural settings. In addition to the investment in infrastructure and equipment, the funding will help train next-generation analog scientists and provide opportunities for professional development for both faculty and students.

"I will advance the state of planetary analog research to enhance the exploration of planetary bodies and understand the evolution and modification of surfaces within our Solar System," Rutledge said, "with the goal of understanding past geologic processes by characterizing and understanding the mineralogical and physical features on planetary surfaces."

The award will have a significant impact on her career. "It will help me push the boundaries of planetary analog cold-climate alteration studies. I am especially excited that NASA has recognized me with this award. It means a lot to me on a personal level, especially as a Latina scientist and first-generation Ph.D."

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Rutledge is a team member of the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) mission aboard NASA's Mars Odyssey.

About Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University is a higher-research institution providing exceptional educational opportunities in Arizona and beyond. NAU delivers a student-centered experience to its nearly 30,000 students in Flagstaff, statewide and online through rigorous academic programs in a supportive, inclusive and diverse environment. Dedicated, world-renowned faculty help ensure students achieve academic excellence, experience personal growth, have meaningful research opportunities and are positioned for personal and professional success.
Solitary river otters in Brazil use a rich repertoire of vocalizations during play and conflict, according to a study publishing May 26 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, by Sabrina Bettoni, Tecumseh Fitch, and colleagues at the University of Vienna.

The otter subfamily includes 13 species of carnivorous, aquatic mammal with social lives ranging from completely solitary to highly gregarious. The most social species of this group, the giant otter, has a complex repertoire of vocalizations that have been extensively studied, but social calls in other otter species are less well understood.

The researchers recorded vocalizations and observed the behavior of six captive neotropical river otters (Lontra longicaudis) at Projeto Lontra, Santa Catarina Island, Brazil. Analyses of nearly 1000 calls revealed six clearly distinguishable call types, at frequencies ranging from 90 to 2500 Hz, which the otters used in different social contexts. For example, harmonic sounds such as high-frequency 'chirps' and low-frequency 'chuckles' were used, mostly by males, to reaffirm social bonds or to beg for food.

Females often produced low-amplitude 'squeaks' during social grooming or play, exhaling 'hahs' to express alarm at a novel object, and high-frequency screams to complain - both during play and in more aggressive contexts. Both sexes frequently used tonal, low-pitch 'growls' as a warning in disputes over food or individual space.

This is the first time that the vocal repertoire of the neotropical river otter -- a solitary species found across Central and South America -- has been formally described. With six call types, their vocal complexity is intermediate between the solitary North American river otter (Lontra canadensis; 4 call types) and the highly social giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis; 22 call types). The authors say a better understanding of the vocalizations of neotropical river otters could enable conservationists to make use of acoustic recordings to monitor this elusive endangered species.

The authors add: "The neotropical river otter has a rich vocal repertoire, with at least six distinct call types, similar in complexity to other solitary otter species but less complex than that of the social giant otter. Despite differences in sociality, phylogeny and ecology, L. longicaudis seems to possess vocalizations homologous to those found in other otters (e.g. hah and chirp), suggesting phylogenetic inertia in the otter communicative repertoire."

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Neotropical river otter "hah" call: https:/ / plos. io/ 3oxXgek

Neotropical river otter "scream" call: https:/ / plos. io/ 3fpASQ0

Citation: Bettoni S, Stoeger A, Rodriguez C, Fitch WT (2021) Airborne vocal communication in adult neotropical otters (Lontra longicaudis). PLoS ONE 16(5): e0251974. https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1371/ journal. pone. 0251974

Funding: Preparation of this paper was supported by Austrian Science Fund (FWF)(https:/ / www. fwf. ac. at ) DK Grant "Cognition & Communication" (#W1262-B29) to WTF and AS; by by Austrian Science Fund (FWF)(AP3103421) to AS.The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- One of the most important and widespread reef-building corals, known as cauliflower coral, exhibits strong partnerships with certain species of symbiotic algae, and these relationships have persisted through periods of intense climate fluctuations over the last 1.5 million years, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State. The findings suggest that these corals and their symbiotic algae may have the capacity to adjust to modern-day increases in ocean warming, at least over the coming decades.

Cauliflower corals -- which are in the genus Pocillopora -- are branching corals that provide critical habitat for one-quarter of the world's fish and many kinds of invertebrates, such as lobsters, sea urchins and giant clams. They are common throughout the Indo-Pacific -- the region extending from eastern Africa, north to India and Southeast Asia, across Australia and encompassing Hawaii -- and are capable of long-range dispersal and rapid growth, making them among the first species to repopulate reefs damaged by typhoons and events of mass coral bleaching and mortality.

"We found that Pocillopora has maintained a close relationship with certain species of algae in the genus Cladocopium over repeated oscillations in Earth's climate," said Todd LaJeunesse, professor of biology, Penn State. "Our findings reinforce how stable and resilient these relationships are over deep time."

LaJeunesse explained that corals comprise hundreds to hundreds of thousands of individual animals, called polyps. Tiny, single-celled algae, known as dinoflagellates, live inside these polyps' tissues, giving the corals their color and providing the animals with up to 90% of their energy needs through the products of photosynthesis. These dinoflagellates significantly influence the capacity of corals to deal with environmental stressors.

For two decades, LaJeunesse and his colleagues have been collecting coral samples from around the world, using molecular-genetic techniques to identify the coral and algal species, documenting the specificity of the partnerships (some species of algae are highly specific to certain species of coral, whereas others are generalists and can associate with many different types of coral) and determining how these partnerships have changed through evolutionary history.

"Important biological discoveries are more likely when working with accurate species resolution -- in this case, for both coral and dinoflagellate," said LaJeunesse. "Research on the biology of photosynthetic corals has been hampered by a lack of good taxonomic resolution. Our work on resolving these species is highly detailed and currently among the most sophisticated."

The team used a combination of genetic, ecological and morphological -- the outward appearance of an organism -- techniques to examine Cladocopium that associate with Pocillopora. Specifically, they relied on a variety of genetic markers -- or DNA sequences with known locations on chromosomes -- to determine the genetic identities of the species. They also used a microscope to visualize and image the Cladocopium cells. The findings published on May 20 in the ISME Journal, the official journal of the International Society for Microbial Ecology.

"With this research, we now know that Cladocopium, the most common genus of coral symbionts, comprises hundreds of species," said Kira Turnham, graduate student in biology, Penn State. "We were able to identify and describe two species, which we named Cladocopium latusorum and Cladocopium pacificum, and with this resolution, were able to deduce the age of their partnerships and unique importance to specific host corals."

Next, the team investigated whether Cladocopium from geographically dispersed populations of Pocillopora were reproductively isolated or displayed connectivity. They found that populations of both species, like their Pocillopora hosts, are genetically well-connected across the tropical and sub-tropical Pacific Ocean, indicating a capacity for long-range dispersal.

For instance, Turnham said, "Cladocopium latusorum spans the Indian and Pacific Oceans -- from the eastern shores of Tanzania to the Coral Triangle, Great Barrier Reef in Australia and Panama. This connectivity between populations in different locations may contribute to the resiliency of these species to endangerment or extinction threats."

To determine how old the partnerships are, the researchers used a "molecular clock" -- an analysis that assesses DNA sequence divergence over time -- to estimate when the two Cladocopium species diverged from their common ancestor. They found that the species arose during the late Pliocene to early Pleistocene epochs, at a time when their coral host was also forming new species.

"There has been considerable talk about corals' ability to shuffle their dinoflagellate species to improve their ability to withstand global warming," said LaJeunesse. "While some of this may be true, most corals have a very limited assortment of species with which they are able to associate. We have shown that with this limited number of compatible symbionts, Pocillopora have been able to deal with major changes in climate every 100,000 years for the past 1-to-2 million years."

Turnham noted that despite their persistence through time, the strict nature of the relationship between Pocillopora and Cladocopium may limit their ability to evolve in response to increased warming compared to corals that can associate with more thermally tolerant dinoflagellates.

"Ultimately," she said, "the broad geographic distributions and geological age of these and other coral-algal combinations must be considered in forecasting their response to ocean warming, and guide decisions when planning for their conservation."

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Other authors on the paper include Drew Wham, data scientist, Penn State; and Eugenia Sampayo, research fellow, University of Queensland, and former postdoctoral researcher, Penn State.

The National Science Foundation, Australian Biological Resources Study, Society of Systematic Biologists and Penn State supported this research.
The loss of genetic diversity is a crisis tied to mass species extinctions and climate change; it could be just as serious to human society as it is to ecosystems; however, there are ways to help combat this understudied issue

A hidden planetary crisis has long been neglected that is as serious as the disappearance of species and degradation of habitats. Genetic diversity, which reflects the variation in DNA within species and populations and is the key to their capacity to adapt in times of change, is being lost at an alarming rate. According to an article by 28 authors representing 16 countries, the loss of genetic diversity can affect resiliency in the face of environmental change and result in the loss of important services provided to society. Once gone, genetic diversity can take millennia to return.

"We know that genetic diversity is eroding, that it is happening fast, and that as a consequence nature is losing its resilience at a time when we need it most," said lead author Sean Hoban, of The Morton Arboretum, USA. "Genetic diversity isn't visible to the eye, and in many cases, it decreases before impacts are evident in a species' population".

As shown in the new article published May 26 in BioScience, scientists can now document changes in genetic diversity and devise actions to help. The use of museum specimens and genetic datasets collected over decades are showing that genetic diversity erodes long before species disappear. The authors also use findings from the Living Planet Index, which shows that species populations have declined by 68%, to forecast dramatic losses of genetic diversity (more than 50% loss for many species), if no protective actions are taken. Ongoing losses are already making natural and human systems, from coral reefs to farms to urban trees, highly vulnerable to extreme events like heat waves.

"Previous global targets mentioning genetic diversity have been focused on crops and other forms of agricultural diversity only, ignoring the importance of genetic diversity more widely," said Colin Khoury, study co-author and researcher at the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). "Yet even in crop targets, the actual metrics used to measure our progress have not used genetics."

Monitoring genetic diversity (by directly analyzing DNA within species over time) can help to detect vulnerabilities. The authors point out that monitoring genetic diversity is rapidly becoming more affordable due to major technological developments in genomic sequencing in the past 20 years. But, the article explains, technology must be made available globally, expert guidance is needed on its most efficient use, data must be made open and accessible, and knowledge must be synthesized for use by political leaders.

Other developments are making large-scale monitoring of this hidden and neglected level of biodiversity possible, including innovative policy and legislation, growing collaborations and capacity building efforts, and databases that store and make publicly available exponentially increasing genetic data. Scientists are also devising easy to measure proxies or substitutes for genetic data, such as ecological diversity or population size, that will allow monitoring in countries with technological or financial barriers to genetic laboratories.

The genetic diversity conservation community embraces the FAIR principles (data should be findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable) which means that data collected for basic research can be reused for conservation, and vice versa. Lastly, collaborations and increased capacity are helping to improve knowledge in understudied geographic regions including the tropics.

"Commitments by countries and non-state actors like cities and NGOs are needed and can make a difference to safeguard this foundation of biodiversity," said Cristiano Vernesi, chair of the GBIKE COST Action, which helped contribute to the study.

The article's findings and guidance are timely. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is making commitments for the next 10 years and beyond. Reflecting on a need to stop biodiversity loss and ensure its sustainable use, the CBD envisions a world "living in harmony with nature." Other global initiatives also aim for strong progress in the coming decade, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and European Union Biodiversity Strategy. These visions demand urgent and bold commitments. This article provides a road map for the use of genetic diversity information toward the fulfillment of these commitments.

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To help patients manage their mental wellness between appointments, researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a smart device-based electronic platform that can continuously monitor the state of hyperarousal, one of the signs of psychiatric distress. They said this advanced technology could read facial cues, analyze voice patterns and integrate readings from built-in vital signs sensors on smartwatches to determine if a patient is under stress.

Furthermore, the researchers noted that the technology could provide feedback and alert care teams if there is an abrupt deterioration in the patient's mental health.

"Mental health can change very rapidly, and a lot of these changes remain hidden from providers or counselors," said Dr. Farzan Sasangohar, assistant professor in the Wm Michael Barnes '64 Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. "Our technology will give providers and counselors continuous access to patient variables and patient status, and I think it's going to have a lifesaving implication because they can reach out to patients when they need it. Plus, it will empower patients to manage their mental health better."

The researchers' integrated electronic monitoring and feedback platform is described in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice.

Unlike some physical illnesses that can usually be treated with a few doctor visits, people with mental health needs can require an extended period of care. Between visits to a health care provider, information on a patient's mental health status has been lacking. Hence, unforeseen deterioration in mental health has a limited chance of being addressed. For example, a patient with anxiety disorder may experience a stressful life event, triggering extreme irritability and restlessness, which may need immediate medical attention. But this patient may be between appointments. On the other hand, health care professionals have no way to know about their patients' ongoing struggle with mental health, which can prevent them from providing the appropriate care.

Hence, patient-reported outcomes between visits are critical for designing effective health care interventions for mental health so that there is continued improvement in the patient's wellbeing. To fill in this gap, Sasangohar and his team worked with clinicians and researchers in the Department of Psychiatry at Houston Methodist Hospital to develop a smart electronic platform to help assess a patient's mental wellbeing.

"The hospital has the largest inpatient psychiatry clinic in the Houston area," said Sasangohar. "With this collaboration, we could include thousands of patients that had given consent for psychiatric monitoring."

Sasangohar's collaborators at Houston Methodist Hospital were already using an off-the-shelf patient navigation tool called CareSense. This software can be used to send reminders and monitoring questions to patients to better assess their wellbeing. For instance, individuals at risk for self-harm can be prompted to take questionnaires for major depressive disorder periodically.

Rather than solely relying on the patients' subjective assessment of their mental health, Sasangohar and his team also developed a whole suite of software for automatized hyperarousal analysis that can be easily installed on smartphones and smartwatches. These programs gather input from face and voice recognition applications and sensors already built in smartwatches, such as heart rate sensors and pedometers. The data from all of these sources then train machine-learning algorithms to recognize patterns that are aligned with the normal state of arousal. Once trained, the algorithms can continuously look at readings coming from the sensors and recognition applications to determine if the individual is in an elevated arousal state.

"The key here is triangulation," said Sasangohar. "Each of these methods on their own, say facial sentiment analysis, show promise to detect the mental state, albeit with limitations. But when you combine that information with the voice sentiment analysis, as well as physiological indicators of distress, the diagnosis and inference become much more powerful and clearer."

Sasangohar noted that both the subjective evaluation of mental state and the objective evaluation from the machine-learning algorithms are integrated to make a final assessment of the state of arousal for a given individual.

While their technology's prototype is ready, the researchers said they still need to improve the battery life of smartphones carrying their software since the algorithms guzzle a lot of power. Further, they noted that they have to address usability issues, that is, any issues that prohibit patients from using their technology, such as difficulty in navigating their application.

"Because of the stigmatization that surrounds mental illness, we wanted to build a mental health monitoring device that was very discreet," said Sasangohar. "So, we chose off-the-shelf products, like smartphones, and then build sophisticated applications that operate within these devices to make monitoring mental health discreet."

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Other contributors to the study include Dr. Christopher Fowler and Dr. Alok Madan from The University of Texas McGovern School of Medicine and Baylor College of Medicine; Courtenay Bruce and Dr. Stephen Jones from the Houston Methodist Institute for Academic Medicine; Dr. Christopher Frueh from The University of Texas McGovern School of Medicine and the University of Hawaii; and Dr. Bita Kash from the Methodist Institute for Academic Medicine and Texas A&M.
Understanding the communities of antimicrobial-producing bacteria that thrive in the feces of horned passalus beetles could help scientists discover new ways to outwit antibiotic resistance

Berkeley -- The lifestyle of the horned passalus beetle, commonly known as the bessbug or betsy beetle, might seem downright disgusting to the average human: Not only does this shiny black beetle eat its own poop, known as frass, but it uses its feces to line the walls of its living space and to help build protective chambers around its developing young.

Gross as it may seem, a new study suggests that this beetle's frass habits are actually part of a clever strategy for protecting the insect's health -- and could help inform human medicine, too.

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have discovered that the frass of the horned passalus beetle is teeming with antibiotic and antifungal chemicals similar to the ones that humans use to ward off bacterial and fungal infections. These compounds are produced by a host of beneficial bacteria called actinomycetes that live in the beetle's frass and that appear to be passed from beetle to beetle, and from colony to colony, via the process of coprophagy -- the technical term for eating poop.

Understanding the symbiotic relationship between bessbug beetles, actinomycetes and their antimicrobial compounds could help speed the search for new antibiotic drugs, and help doctors create better strategies for preventing the rise of antibiotic-resistant infections, the researchers said.

"Most of the antibiotics and antifungals that humans take are actually made by microbes, and we're really interested in how microbes are using these molecules in the environment," said study senior author Matthew Traxler, an assistant professor of plant and microbial biology at UC Berkeley. "When scientists discover a new antibiotic and bring it into the clinic, it often only takes a few years before the pathogen population starts to develop antibiotic resistance. But these microbes have been using the same molecules for millions of years, and that tells us that the way the microbes are using them is different from how we use them."

With the discovery, bessbug beetles join a handful of other insects, including leaf-cutter ants, southern pine beetles and beewolves, or bee-killer wasps, that benefit from symbiotic relationships with actinomycete bacteria. Leaf-cutter ants and beewolves have even evolved special structures in their bodies -- in their thoraxes and antennae, respectively -- to carry these microbes.

No special structures for harboring bacteria have been identified on the bessbug beetle, but that may be the beetle's advantage. While the ants and wasps are each known to associate with only one specific species of actinomycete bacteria, the researchers identified more than 30 actinomycete species associated with bessbug beetle "galleries," the hollowed-out tunnels inside dead logs where they live. The greater diversity of actinomycetes in bessbug beetle frass appears to contribute to a greater diversity of protective antibiotics and antifungals in their galleries.

"We collected samples from galleries all over the southern and eastern U.S., and for almost all of them, we were able to detect some form of antibiotic. This was really surprising, because these compounds are usually very difficult to detect in the environment," said study lead author Rita de Cassia Pessotti, who completed the research as a postdoctoral researcher at UC Berkeley. "We think that we are seeing larger diversity of molecules because there's a more diverse set of bacteria, as well."

Having a diversity of antibiotic and antifungal compounds all working in tandem may be one of the reasons why these chemicals are able to stay ahead in the evolutionary battle against pathogens, the researchers said.

"When humans take antibiotics to treat diseases, we usually just take a single molecule, and that means that whatever pathogen we are fighting only has to become resistant to one compound," Traxler said. "But in these galleries, there are a variety of these molecules for a pathogen to overcome. On top of that, sometimes the molecules can work synergistically, meaning they become more potent when added together against a specific pathogen. This can make it very difficult for a pathogen to outsmart them, even over ecological and evolutionary time spans."

A cross-country trek in search of beetles

Before Traxler and Pessotti began their study, the complex digestive system of the bessbug beetle had already caught the attention of Javier Ceja-Navarro and Eoin Brodie, research scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Ceja-Navarro and Brodie were intrigued by the beetle's ability to convert tough, difficult-to-digest plant polymers, like lignin and cellulose, into nutrient-rich frass, a digestive process that could inspire new ways to convert woody by-products into useful biofuels. To study this process, Ceja-Navarro and Brodie maintained an active bessbug beetle gallery in their lab.

Traxler and Pessotti were searching for a way to study actinomycete bacteria in the wild, and learned that actinomycetes had been found living in the guts of tropical beetles closely related to the bessbug beetle. They decided to ask Ceja-Navarro and Brodie, friends and colleagues of theirs, if they could test their beetles for the bacteria.

"I collected samples from all over the beetles and their gallery -- I even washed a beetle's mouth with some buffers to see what was in there -- and no matter where the sample came from, I always found the same species of Streptomyces," a type of actinomycete bacteria, Pessotti said. "We were pretty surprised that it was so common."

This strain of Streptomyces bacteria wasn't unique to Ceja-Navarro's beetles. Pessotti discovered that she could mail order bessbug beetles online -- "If you want to have a pet beetle, you can," she said -- and found that these beetles, originally from Georgia and North Carolina, also carried the same species of Streptomyces.

However, it took a trip to Oklahoma to finally convince Traxler and Pessotti that bessbug beetles could provide the ideal system for studying actinomycetes. After Traxler spotted Facebook photos of a beetle gallery located in his cousin's backyard in Oklahoma, Pessotti flew to the state to collect her first set of samples from beetles in the wild.

Sure enough, the Oklahoma beetles harbored now-familiar species of Streptomyces.

"That finding is what gave us the courage to go out and do this giant sampling trip, which in itself was a tremendous feat," Traxler said. "Rita is from Brazil, but at this point, I think she's probably visited more states in the U.S. than I have."

Pessotti spent a month crisscrossing the Southeastern U.S., trekking through forests to locate beetle galleries and gather samples to take back to the lab in Berkeley. In the end, she collected samples from a total of 22 galleries spread across 11 states.

In addition to managing logistical challenges -- like rerouting part of her trip at the last minute to avoid Hurricane Florence -- Pessotti also had to teach herself how to spot beetle galleries amidst the detritus of the forest floor. In the beginning, she made ample use of the cell phone app iNaturalist, in which naturalists and lay people alike can upload photos and descriptions of plants and animals, geotagged to their location.

The key to finding bessbug beetle galleries, she soon learned, is to keep an eye out for their sawdust-like frass.

"You don't need to go super far into the forest to find a beetle gallery -- I've actually found some next to trails," Pessotti said. "Usually, you can see tiny holes on the surface of a log with frass coming out of them, and frass all over the log and on the ground. And if you see evidence of frass by a log, that is a good hint there probably is a beetle in there."

The protective power of poop

Back in the lab, Pessotti isolated more than 300 strains of actinomycete bacteria from her gallery samples and detected antifungal and antibiotic compounds in all but one.

With the help of former UC Berkeley undergraduate student Jewel Reaso, Pessotti also devised a special experiment to confirm that actinomycete bacteria actually do help protect the beetles from infection. In the assay, Pessotti mixed sterilized beetle frass with a strain of Streptomyces isolated from the beetle galleries inside a test tube. She then exposed the frass to a fungal beetle pathogen she had collected during her field trip and observed what happened over the course of a week.

"I was super-lucky that doing the trip: I spotted a dead beetle laying on the top of a log -- it was like the beetle was waiting for me. And this dead beetle had a white/green material coming out of its body that I thought could be some sort of fungus," Pessotti said. "So, I brought this dead beetle to the lab, isolated the microbe that was responsible for the green/white material, and it turned out to be a strain of Metarhizium anisopliae, a fungal pathogen that can kill insects."

Pessotti's experiments showed that sterilized frass that had been mixed with Streptomyces bacteria was better able to resist the growth of the Metarhizium anisopliae pathogen than sterilized frass on its own, even in warm, damp conditions similar to that of a decaying log. Her findings confirmed that the antibiotic and antifungal molecules produced by actinomycete bacteria can, in fact, help ward off beetle pathogens found in the wild.

The results shine a new light on bessbug beetles' close relationship with their own poop: When the beetles use frass to line their galleries and to construct protective chambers around their developing larvae, they are actually defending themselves against fungal and bacterial pathogens that might otherwise thrive in the decaying logs where they build their homes. And when the beetles eat their own frass, and feed it to their young, they are ensuring that the bacteria stick around to benefit a new generation.

Traxler plans to continue studying the microbial communities associated with beetle galleries, both to better understand how the relationship between beetles and actinomycetes has evolved, and to potentially discover new antibiotics that can be used in human medicine.

"If you're out there in the world, and you see one of these bessbug beetles or their galleries, I hope you recognize that it's full of antibiotics and antifungals," Traxler said. "And, the beetles are using theses in a way that's pretty similar to how we would use them ourselves -- which is pretty cool."

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Co-authors of the paper include Bridget L. Hansen and Laila El-Hifnawi of UC Berkeley, and Eoin L. Brodie of UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Part of this work was performed at Lawrence Berkeley 865 National Laboratory under US Department of Energy contract number DE-AC02-05CH11231.
UC San Francisco researchers have found a way to double doctors' accuracy in detecting the vast majority of complex fetal heart defects in utero - when interventions could either correct them or greatly improve a child's chance of survival - by combining routine ultrasound imaging with machine-learning computer tools.

The team, led by UCSF cardiologist Rima Arnaout, MD, trained a group of machine-learning models to mimic the tasks that clinicians follow in diagnosing complex congenital heart disease (CHD). Worldwide, humans detect as few as 30 to 50 percent of these conditions before birth. However, the combination of human-performed ultrasound and machine analysis allowed the researchers to detect 95% of CHD in their test dataset.

The findings appear in the May issue of Nature Medicine.

Fetal ultrasound screening is universally recommended during the second trimester of pregnancy in the United States and by the World Health Organization. Diagnosis of fetal heart defects, in particular, can improve newborn outcomes and enable further research on in utero therapies, the researchers said.

"Second-trimester screening is a rite of passage in pregnancy to tell if the fetus is a boy or girl, but it is also used to screen for birth defects," said Arnaout, a UCSF assistant professor and lead author of the paper. Typically, the imaging includes five cardiac views that could allow clinicians to diagnosis up to 90 percent of congenital heart disease, but in practice, only about half of those are detected at non-expert centers.

"On the one hand, heart defects are the most common kind of birth defect, and it's very important to diagnose them before birth," Arnaout said. "On the other hand, they are still rare enough that detecting them is difficult even for trained clinicians, unless they are highly sub-specialized. And all too often, in clinics and hospitals worldwide, sensitivity and specificity can be quite low."

The UCSF team, which included fetal cardiologist and senior author Anita Moon-Grady, MD, trained the machine tools to mimic clinicians' work in three steps. First, they utilized neural networks to find five views of the heart that are important for diagnosis. Then, they again used neural networks to decide whether each of these views was normal or not. Then, a third algorithm combined the results of the first two steps to give a final result of whether the fetal heart was normal or abnormal.

"We hope this work will revolutionize screening for these birth defects," said Arnaout, a member of the UCSF Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, the UCSF Center for Intelligent Imaging, and a Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Intercampus Research Award Investigator. "Our goal is to help forge a path toward using machine learning to solve diagnostic challenges for the many diseases where ultrasound is used in screening and diagnosis."

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Co-authors include Lara Curran, MBBS; Yili Zhao, PhD, and Erin Chinn, MS, from UCSF; and Jami Levine from Boston Children's Hospital. The project was supported by the UCSF Academic Research Systems, National Institutes of Health (UL1 TR991872 and R01HL150394), the American Heart Association and the Department of Defense. Please see the paper for additional authors, funding details, and disclosures.

About UCSF Health: UCSF Health is recognized worldwide for its innovative patient care, reflecting the latest medical knowledge, advanced technologies and pioneering research. It includes the flagship UCSF Medical Center, which is ranked among the top 10 hospitals nationwide, as well as UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, with campuses in San Francisco and Oakland, Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital and Clinics, UCSF Benioff Children's Physicians and the UCSF Faculty Practice. These hospitals serve as the academic medical center of the University of California, San Francisco, which is world-renowned for its graduate-level health sciences education and biomedical research. UCSF Health has affiliations with hospitals and health organizations throughout the Bay Area. Visit http://www. ucsfhealth. org/ . Follow UCSF Health on Facebook or on Twitter.

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Travelling elephants pay close attention to scent trails of dung and urine left by other elephants, new research shows.

Scientists monitored well-used pathways and found that wild African savannah elephants - especially those travelling alone - were "highly attentive", sniffing and tracking the trail with their trunks.

This suggests these scents act as a "public information resource", according to researchers from the University of Exeter and Elephants for Africa.

More research is now needed to find out whether humans can create artificial elephant trails to divert elephants away from farms and villages, where conflict with humans can cause devastation to communities.

Alternatively, scent trails could be placed to improve the efficiency of routes connecting elephant populations between protected areas.

"Our findings suggest an important role of an elephant's sense of smell in long-distance navigation," said lead author Connie Allen, of Exeter's Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour.

"As elephants follow these trails, they deposit their own urine and dung, which reinforces the pathway's presence for future elephants.

"We see great potential for these findings to be applied to elephant management and conservation - primarily as a method for manipulating elephant movements.

"We carried out this study in Botswana, where the main threat to elephants is conflict with humans.

"By removing the existing scent paths that lead elephants to close contact with humans in problem areas, and redirecting them, perhaps we could reduce such conflicts happening."

The proposed technique could also aid efforts in Botswana to reconnect elephants with populations across southern Africa.

The study, which examined a predominantly male population, also found that urine deposits from adult elephants were more likely to attract attention than that of younger (subadult) males.

"African elephants may therefore be able to discern the age and maturity of individuals they can expect to encounter from remote urine cues on pathways," Allen explained.

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The study received funding from the Leverhulme Trust.

The paper, published in the journal Animal Behaviour, is entitled: "Field evidence supporting monitoring of chemical information on pathways by male African elephants."
MOSCOW, Idaho -- May 26, 2021 -- University of Idaho researchers partnered with other scientists from the United States and Australia to study the evolution of Tasmanian devils in response to a unique transmissible cancer.

The team found that historic and ongoing evolution are widespread across the devils' genome, but there is little overlap of genes between those two timescales. These findings, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, suggest that if transmissible cancers occurred historically in devils, they imposed natural selection on different sets of genes.

Tasmanian devils suffer from a transmissible cancer called devil facial tumor disease (DFTD). Unlike typical cancers, tumor cells from transmissible cancers are directly transferred from one individual to another like an infectious disease. DTFD is most commonly transmitted from host to host as devils bite each other during mating season. The tumors become malignant and can kill their hosts within six months.

DFTD was first discovered in 1996, and the recent discovery of a second transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils in 2016 suggests that they may be prone to this unique type of disease. The threat of these two cancers has prompted conservation efforts.

"For the conservation of Tasmanian devils, our work adds to the growing list of genes that we have observed to be evolving in response to DFTD," said Paul Hohenlohe, U of I Department of Biological Sciences associate professor, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies (IBEST) principal investigator and senior author on the paper. "We can monitor genetic diversity of these genes in wild populations to understand whether and how these populations can adapt and survive in the face of DFTD."

Using genomic sequencing and data analysis, the research team tested for natural selection in Tasmanian devils in response to DFTD to find out whether they are evolving as a result of the disease. They also looked for evidence of natural selection in the devils' evolutionary history to test whether the genes that are evolving under DFTD show evidence of historical natural selection.

Finding little overlap in what genes are involved at historical and modern timescales, the team determined that if transmissible cancers have occurred historically in devils, they caused natural selection on different sets of genes. Their results and analysis of historical selection suggest that DFTD is a newly emerging selective force that distinctly shapes today's wild devils.

This information can be used to inform conservation efforts by identifying targets for genetic monitoring and guiding maintenance of adaptive potential in Tasmanian devil populations.

"Our work suggests that maintaining genetic diversity across a wide set of functionally important genes is critical to make sure Tasmanian devils are able to adapt to transmissible cancers and other threats to their survival," Hohenlohe said.

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When do bees sting and how do they organise their collective defence behaviour against predators? An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the Universities of Constance and Innsbruck has provided new insights into these questions. Their study, published in BMC Biology, combined behavioural experiments with an innovative theoretical modelling approach based on "Projective Simulation". It shows that individual bees decide whether to sting - or not - based on the presence and concentration of an alarm pheromone. The scientists suggest that each bee has a likelihood of stinging that is not constant, but shows at least two internal thresholds for the concentration of the pheromone: one to start stinging and one to stop stinging. The computational modelling also revealed how several environmental factors, such as the rate of predator attacks and predator diversity, likely drove the evolution of the honeybees' pheromone-based communication in their defensive behaviour.

High concentrations of alarm pheromone as a stop signal

When a honeybee colony is attacked by a predator or seriously disturbed by a human who - accidentally or intentionally - got too close to the hive, the bees of the colony launch a coordinated counterattack to defend the colony and to scare off the trespasser. An important stimulus for them to start chasing and stinging the intruder is the presence of an alarm pheromone, which the bees carry on their stinger. In the event of an attack, the pheromone is dispersed either actively - by guard bees - or automatically upon stinging - by recruited soldiers. Thus, it carries information not only about the presence of an attacker, but also about the extent of the colony's counterattack. "The more bees have stung the intruder, the more alarm pheromone has been released with each sting and the higher its local concentration," clarifies Dr Morgane Nouvian, a biologist from Konstanz and joint-lead author of the study together with Andrea Lopez-Incera from Innsbruck.

To understand how individual bees from the hive may use this information to make the ultimate decision to sting for the good of the colony and possibly die as a result, the scientists observed individual stinging responses of Western Honeybees (Apis mellifera) from three colonies. Using different concentrations of natural and synthetic alarm pheromones and a dummy predator, they revealed that the aggressiveness towards the dummy - measured as the stinging likelihood - initially increases with the concentration of the alarm pheromones until it reaches a peak. However, at high concentrations, the aggressiveness drops back to a low level.

This is the first time decreasing aggressiveness at high pheromone concentrations has been demonstrated under controlled experimental conditions. "One possible function of this 'stopping' effect of high concentrations of the alarm pheromone could be to avoid over-stinging and unnecessary sacrifice when attacking an already defeated intruder," Nouvian suggests.

The "superorganism" as an evolutionary unit

In social insects, be they honeybees or other social species such as army ants, individuals often coordinate their actions for the benefit and survival of the colony. For this reason, evolutionary selection processes in these insects acts on the group rather than the individual level. "Normally, if an organism dies, it cannot pass on its genes to the next generation anymore. In a bee colony, however, it is the queen that is responsible for reproduction. If another bee dies defending the hive but saves the queen in the process, the colony will continue to reproduce," Nouvian exemplifies. Because the bee colony functions as a single 'superorganism,' the behaviours of the belonging individuals can only be understood through the collective outcome to which they contribute.

To further analyse their experimental results and address this peculiarity of the evolution of collective behaviours, the scientists used computational modelling based on so-called Projective Simulation, an approach originally developed by co-author Professor Hans Briegel and his colleagues from Innsbruck. In their agent-based model, each agent or "bee" has a very limited set of percepts - the concentration of the alarm pheromone and a signal that the predator is leaving - and actions - to sting or not to sting - relevant to the defence behaviour. "Our idea was to build a model that is realistic, yet minimal," explains Professor Thomas Muller, professor of philosophy at the University of Konstanz and co-author of the study. He continues: "We simulated a collective of these agents, which were called upon one after the other to perceive the current level of alarm pheromone at any given time. When a bee stings in response, the pheromone's concentration increases and the next bee's response depends on this new pheromone level."

A second important aspect of the model is that it includes a learning component: Neither the responses of individual bees nor the rules of interaction between them are predetermined. Instead, they "evolve" over many cycles of the simulation or, in other words, over many generations of the collective. "If the decisions of the individual agents are beneficial to the collective under certain environmental pressures, they are positively reinforced. This increases the likelihood that the next generation of agents will act similarly under identical conditions," Muller clarifies. Taken together, the agent-based approach with reinforcement learning at the group-level allowed modelling of the observed defensive behaviour of honeybees from the perspective of both, the individual bees and the collective.

Putting the model to the test

Using the model and different parameter combinations, predictions could be made about the possible influence of environmental pressures on the defensive behaviour of bees. For example, the simulations suggest that colonies adapt to the strongest predator they encounter. This means that colonies that primarily encounter weak predators, such as mice or toads, are less likely to sting at high pheromone concentrations than colonies that more frequently encounter strong and difficult-to-deter predators, such as bears. "For the survival of the colony, it makes perfect sense to be able to cope with the worst predator around, even if that means over-stinging some of the weaker predators," Nouvian describes.

The scientists also applied their model to the case of the notoriously aggressive "African bee", a subspecies of the Western honeybee. It has previously been suggested that the highly aggressive behaviour of this subspecies evolved in response to higher predation rates in the tropics and to highly specialised, hard-to-deter predators, such as honey badgers. Indeed, the simulation predicted that bee populations suffering from a high predation rate and predators that take a high number of stings before stopping their attack develop stronger defence responses than those that do not.

What's next?

"We were quite happy to see that our model supports the current hypotheses on how the higher aggressiveness of 'African bees' might have evolved. One of the next steps will be to collect empirical data from real bees in Africa to verify the results," Nouvian gives an outlook. Another step for the future is to model a more diverse population of bees. As mentioned before, there are at least two different types of bees involved in the defence attack of a real hive: guards and recruits. "In the current model, each bee in the collective followed the same decision-making process. Training a model with two different types of agents and comparing it with experimental data will be very interesting," Muller adds. In general, the modelling approach is highly versatile and can be applied to other tasks and species, providing a valuable new tool for studying the evolution of collective behaviour.

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The project was funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Ministerium fur Wissenschaft, Forschung, und Kunst Baden-Wurttemberg (MWK), the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), the Zukunftskolleg of the University of Konstanz, and the Volkswagen Foundation.

Key facts:

* Original study: Andrea Lopez-Incera, Morgane Nouvian, Katja Ried, Thomas Muller, and Hans J. Briegel (2021) "Honeybee communication during collective defence is shaped by predation", BMC Biology; DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01028-x

* Bees decide whether to sting, or not to sting based on the presence and concentration of an alarm pheromone. The likelihood for each bee to sting depends on the pheromone concentration and is highest at intermediate concentrations.

* Computational modelling using Projective Simulation revealed several environmental factors, such as predation rate and predator diversity, as driving factors for the evolution of the honeybees' defensive behaviour.

Note to editors:

You can download a photo here: https:/ / cms. uni-konstanz. de/ fileadmin/ pi/ fileserver/ Digital_Magazin/ 1. %20Wissenschaft/ 2021/ Stechen/ alerted_bee_1. jpg

Caption: Alerted honey bee (Apis mellifera)

Copyright: Morgane Nouvian
Discovered by Victor Hess in 1912, cosmic rays, relativisitic particles that shower Earth, contribute a signicant part of the energy density in the universe and carries unambiguous informations on various astrophysical processes . Yet until now, origin of cosmic rays is still a mystery.

A key problem in understanding the origin of cosmic rays is the searching for the acceleration site up to or even beyond Ultra-high energy (UHE). Such extreme accelerators are dubbed as PeVatrons. However, composed of subatomic particles, such as protons or atomic nuclei, cosmic rays are charged and lose the direction information in propagating in the magnetic field in the interstellar medium, which make it impossible to identify the PeVatrons from direct cosmic ray measurement. On the other hand, UHE -rays, those fall in peta-electronvolt (1015 eV) range, are produced unavoidably inside or in the vicinity of PeVatrons. -rays are not charged and travel straight , thus they can be regarded as the straightforward signature to identify PeVatrons.

A new observatory, the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) located at Sichuan, China, detected dozen Ultra-high Energy gamma-ray sources, opening a new window into the -ray sky, which indicate that the existence of a population of PeVatrons in our Galaxy.

In this article, though not fully installed, the half Kilometer Square Array (KM2A), one of the three interconnected detectors that constitute LHAASO, reported 12 PeVatrons with the statistical significance greater than 7 standard devition after observation using 11 months data. Of these sources, two have been detected with energy over 0.8 PeV, an energy equivilant to accelerate an electron with electric potential of 0.8 million billion electronvolts, and one with highest energy exceeded 1.4 PeV.

The 12 -ray emitting regions identified by LHAASO prompts the presence of active or recent PeVatrons. Team led by Professor YANG Ruizhi from the University of Science and Technology of China discussed some possible candidates, including pulsar wind nebulae, supernova remnants and star-forming regions, with multi-wavelength data.

To support the detection of UHE -rays, the team led by Professor LI Cheng from the University was responsible for the design and quality assurance/check of over 3000 high-dynamic-range large-size photodetectors for muon detectors of KM2A and Water Cherenkov Detector Array (WCDA), another component of LHAASO.

The team led by Professor AN Qi from the University designed, tested, and installed the readout electronics system for the 8'' and 20'' PMTs in WCDA, which achieves high precsion time and charge measurement over a large input dynamic range of 1 Photon Electron (P.E.) ~4000/2000 P.E..

Full article was published on Nature.

With comprehensive multi-wavelength data, researcher will be able to firmly identify and locate PeVatrons in the future. Longer observation and full installation of LHAASO is also expected to provide more detailed information on reported PeVatrons and to discover even more PeVatrons, which would advance the understanding of the origin of cosmic rays.

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- A researcher and professor in the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has been honored by a national professional society and recognized for his contributions. Doug Hayes of the Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science has been named a Fellow by the American Oil Chemists' Society.

In addition to his role at UTIA, Hayes also serves as a joint faculty member at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and has served as a guest professor at Wuhan Polytechnic University and Jinan University, both in China. His main areas of study include biocatalysis, biodegradable agricultural plastics, bioseparations and colloids. Specifically, his research program is centered on developing molecular understanding of chemical and biochemical processes at interfaces, including those involving bioplastics and surfactant-water-oil systems. In 2015 he was named as co-leader of a multi-institution study to determine an effective strategy for disposing of plastic mulches commonly used to grow crops, particularly small fruits and vegetables.

Hayes earned a doctoral degree in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan. Hayes has been a member of the faculty at UTIA since 2004. He has coauthored over 90 journal articles, 23 book chapters and three books. Hayes is also currently the editor-in-chief of the AOCS peer-reviewed Journal of Surfactants and Detergents.

Hayes currently serves as a member of the governing board of AOCS and recently presented at the annual meeting and expo on biobased surfactants. He has been a member of AOCS since 1991 and has held various leadership and service roles within the organization. "I am deeply honored to have received this award. I owe a debt of gratitude to AOCS for providing me many opportunities to serve as a leader and several colleagues and current and former students for their impact on my career," states Hayes.

Through its mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. utia.tennessee.edu.

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Belarus dissident journalist Roman Protasevich could be killed in custody, his mother Natalia said, adding she believes her son is being tortured in detention.
The Pound Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate has been mixed this morning as those aged 30 are now able to book in for their coronavirus vaccine in the UK.

The GBP/EUR pairing are trading around the 1.1554 level as the Euro is supported by the latest French business confidence for May.

Pound (GBP) Volatile as UK Government Braces for Cummings Testimony

The Pound has been mixed against many of its major rivals this morning as the UK government braces for Dominic Cummings, ex-advisor to the Prime Minister, testimony into the governments handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

The positive news that those over the age of 30 are now able to book in for their coronavirus vaccine in the UK appears to be offset by Mr Cummings testimony, and the damage it may cause.

The former government aide is expected to give details about the governments intention to pursue herd immunity at the start of the pandemic and the rumour that the Prime Minister delayed a second lockdown in Autumn because Covid is only killing 80-year-olds.

Speaking to UK television this morning, Transport secretary Grant Shapps commented on the testimony, saying:

I will leave it to others to judge how reliable a witness that former adviser happens to be. He was certainly an adviser of the government. Its for others to decide the trusted part of it.

Euro (EUR) Exchange Rate Mixed on France Business Confidence

The Euro has been mixed against the Pound this morning following the latest France Business Confidence for May which has risen to its highest level in two and a half years.

The manufacturing climate indicator in France increased to 107 in May from 104 in April, beating market forecasts of 106. Confidence among manufacturers increased for the 6th month in a row and staying above pre-pandemic levels.

However, limiting the Euro this morning were dovish comments from the European Central Bank (ECB).

Eurozone bond yields edged lower on Wednesday after ECB board member Fabio Panetta said that the ECB should not reduce the pace of asset purchase as the blocs economic recovery is still in an early stage.

Pound to Euro Outlook: German GfK Consumer Confidence in Focus

For Euro traders, tomorrow will see the release of the latest German GfK consumer confidence for June which although is forecast to remain in contraction, will be the highest reading in 6 months.

Pound investors will continue to focus on any further coronavirus developments in the second half of the week.

Any indication that the Indian variant of the coronavirus could derail the UKs roadmap out of lockdown would cause GBP to weaken further.
Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Rose Cherami supposedly said that she worked for Jack Ruby. Was she a stripper, a dope runner, or was she just making it all up?

Is that Rose Cherami behind Jack Ruby?

James DiEugenio, in Destiny Betrayed, writes: (page 79)

"On November 26, Fruge flew Cheramie from Louisiana to Houston. In the back of the small Sesna [sic] 180, a newspaper was lying between them. One of the headlines read that the investigators had found no connection between Ruby and Oswald. When Cheramie read this, she started to giggle. She said that Ruby and Oswald did know each other. She understood this from working for Ruby."

and: (page 182)

"She told the doctor that the president and other Texas officials were going to be killed on Kennedy's upcoming visit to Dallas. Weiss told Magruder that, like Fruge, he did not pay very much attention to these meanderings by the patient. But after Kennedy was killed, he went back to her. She now said, after Ruby had shot Oswald, that Oswald knew Ruby since she had seen them together at Ruby's club."

His source is a memo from 2/23/1967 from Detective Frank Meloche and Sergeant Sedgebeer to Jim Garrison. Here is that memo:

There are two Garrison notations. The first, on the left side, reads:

"Indicates that she did say this before the assassination."

And, at the bottom, he wrote:

"Note: This version has the FBI coming to pick her up! If this were the case, how did she get to Houston with Fruge?"

And, Garrison is correct - she was not picked up by the FBI, she was picked up by Fruge. And, so Garrison should have realized that there was something not quite right with the statement. Also, there is the claim that Cherami worked as a "dope runner" for Jack Ruby. But, is there any evidence that Ruby was involved with dope?

Of course, all of this is second-hand - it's just what Mr. Magruder remembers three years after the fact. He never even considered whether he should contact the FBI or the Warren Commission about the story. [By the way, Dr. Weiss told the HSCA that he talked to Cherami after the assassination]

We've previously posted Francis Fruge's memo to Jim Garrison from April 4, 1967 about Rose Cherami. Here is an excerpt from that memo:

Fruge writes that "it was verified" that she once worked for Jack Ruby as a stripper. But there is not one piece of evidence to support that.

Now look at what Fruge told the HSCA:

Now, "he thinks that this might have been checked later." That sure doesn't sound like "verified," does it? Further, Cherami did not strip at the Carousel, but that was the only strip club Ruby owned. He did not own a club called the "Pink Door," or the "Red Door."

Here's how James DiEugenio reports this in Probe Magazine: (July-August, 1999)

"In fact, Fruge later confirmed the fact that she had worked as a stripper for Jack Ruby."

But his source was just the Fruge memo shown above.

Fruge's memory improved during his deposition, just ten days later:

Now, it was definitely the Pink Door. And, now Cherami told Fruge that Ruby and Oswald had "been shacking up for years." Blackmer never asked Fruge about his earlier claim that he had "verified" that Cherami worked for Ruby.

No one has come up with any evidence that Rose Cherami ever worked for Jack Ruby.

Her FBI rap sheet provides another clue - when on earth could she have worked for Ruby? Jack Ruby opened the Carousel in 1960 - that was the only strip club he ever owned - so if she was a stripper, it would have been there.

Here is her FBI rap sheet from the 1960s:

As you can see, Cherami moved around quite a bit, and it doesn't appear that she was in Dallas all that much. She was arrested in Dallas on 5/15/63, but less than two weeks later, she was arrested in Norman, Oklahoma. So, when could she have worked for Jack Ruby?

Keep in mind that she was repeatedly using narcotics, and you can see what she looked like in 1964.

She doesn't look like a stripper to me.

It's not impossible that she worked, for a very brief time, for Ruby - but, in the absence of any evidence, I'd say that she didn't.
Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Megaphone Marketing helps businesses grow in competitive markets

Though the industry is male-dominated, Megaphone Marketing has 70% women representation in leadership roles

CEO Lauren Oakes works closely with members of the company to promote wellbeing

About Megaphone Marketing

Megaphone Marketing is an award-winning agency implementing proven digital marketing solutions to help businesses accelerate growth and gain a competitive advantage in rapidly evolving markets. Founded in 2013 and led by a female CEO, Megaphone Marketing has 45 employees based in Australia, and soon Los Angeles. They are known for their authentic client relationships, expert team, and fun workplace culture.

About Lauren Oakes

Lauren Oakes started as an Account Manager at Megaphone Marketing, and through innovative ideas and initiative, she was quickly promoted to Head of Accounts. After just eight months in this senior leadership role, she was appointed CEO in 2018. Lauren has accelerated client growth, set up a mentorship program to develop candidates with potential into the best talent in the industry, and has grown Megaphone from just four people into the full-service agency it is today.

Laurens clear processes, innovative strategies, and close work with teams to increase productivity while promoting well-being has strengthened the companys base in Melbourne, resulting in recent interstate and international growth. She implemented a twelve-week internship training program to help bridge the gap between university and working life and has hired four permanent team members through this program.

Megaphone Marketing has achieved 70% female representation in leadership roles in an often male-dominated industry through its focus on training, equity, and support. The team had the opportunity to give back as part of a manageable workload and empower four not-for-profit organizations this year through pro bono marketing services.

Megaphone Marketing won a Silver Stevie for Company/Organization Awards Categories - Women-Run Workplace of the Year - More than 10 Employees in The 2020 Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

Interested in the 2021 Stevie Awards for Women in Business?
A nearly 10-year employee of Shelton & Valadez has admitted to stealing about $1.7 million from the San Antonio law firm.

Irene M. Scott, who served as the firms bookkeeper and financial manager until last year, pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and one count of bank fraud during a court hearing this week before U.S. District Judge Fred Biery in San Antonio.

Scott, 41, used about $800,000 taken from Shelton & Valadez to support her husbands outdoor lighting business, the U.S. attorneys office said in a statement.

Shes gone through a lotand she wants to do everything she can to get that behind her and do the right thing, Guillermo Lara Jr., Scotts criminal defense lawyer, said Wednesday.

She has accepted responsibility and intends to pay as much in restitution as she can, Lara said.

On ExpressNews.com: Former officer manager of San Antonio dermatology practice indicted on bank fraud, other charges

Scott started working at the firm in 2011. By the end of 2012, she obtained access to a law firm credit card and began making purchases unrelated to the firm, a court filing by prosecutors states.

Prosecutors also say Scott opened another credit card account and never closed another card that had been returned to Shelton & Valadez by an employee who had left the firm.

Scott concealed fraudulent purchases on the cards by noting monthly payments in the firms financial ledger as vendor payments, the court filing says.

In addition, the filing says that over a two-year period starting in early 2018, Scott used the firms signature stamps to write checks to herself from the firms operating account with Frost Bank. The signature stamps normally are used on letters sent by the firm.

Scott made about 200 fraudulent withdrawals totaling more than $417,000 from the firms account. The money either went into her personal banking account or cash payments, the filing adds.

Scott labeled the checks as vendor payments to conceal the fraud, prosecutors say. She siphoned the money without the knowledge of anyone at Shelton & Valadez.

Scotts employment at the firm ended in January 2020.

On ExpressNews.com: Quesadilla venture results in charges of $1 million fraud

Scott remains free on a $20,000 unsecured bond. She is scheduled to be sentenced in November.

Bank fraud and wire fraud carry up to 30- and 20-year terms of imprisonment, respectively, as well as up to $1 million in potential fines.

She has a family, so she wants to do everything she can to stay out of prison, Lara said.

Shelton & Valadez partner Wade Shelton declined to comment, citing the criminal case and an ongoing civil lawsuit the firm has filed against Scott and her husband, Charles.

The firm sued the Scotts for fraud, civil conspiracy and other claims in March 2020 in state District Court in San Antonio. It seeks more than $1 million in damages.

Irene Scott allegedly confessed after the firm detected the theft, it says in the lawsuit. The firm also alleges that she manipulated payroll to pay herself unauthorized raises and to make unauthorized contributions to her retirement account.

The couple denied the allegations in an answer to the lawsuit. The parties agreed to a temporary injunction that, among other things, prevents the Scotts from transferring or disposing of funds in her retirement account.

A recent entry in the court docket indicates the case is supposed to go to mediation. A jury trial is set for July 6.

Shelton & Valadezs practice areas include commercial and civil litigation, employment matters and insurance defense.

pdanner@express-news.net
NEW YORK (AP)  New York prosecutors have convened a special grand jury to consider evidence in a criminal investigation into former President Donald Trump's business dealings, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The development signals that the Manhattan district attorneys office was moving toward seeking charges as a result of its two-year investigation, which included a lengthy legal battle to obtain Trumps tax records.

The person familiar with the matter was not authorized to speak publicly and did so on condition of anonymity. The news was first reported by The Washington Post.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. is conducting a wide-ranging investigation into a variety of matters such as hush-money payments paid to women on Trumps behalf, property valuations and employee compensation.

The Democratic prosecutor has been using an investigative grand jury through the course of his probe to issue subpoenas and obtain documents. That panel kept working while other grand juries and court activities were shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The investigation includes scrutiny of Trumps relationship with his lenders; a land donation he made to qualify for an income tax deduction; and tax write-offs his company claimed on millions of dollars in consulting fees it paid.

The new grand jury could eventually be asked to consider returning indictments. While working on that case, it also will be hearing other matters. The Post reported that the grand jury will meet three days a week for six months.

Trump contends the investigation is a witch hunt.

This is purely political, and an affront to the almost 75 million voters who supported me in the Presidential Election, and its being driven by highly partisan Democrat prosecutors," Trump said in a statement.

Vances office declined to comment.

The new grand jury is the latest sign of increasing momentum in the criminal investigation into the Republican ex-president and his company, the Trump Organization.

Attorney General Letitia James said last week that she assigned two lawyers to work with Vances office on the probe after her civil investigation into Trump evolved into a criminal matter.

James, a Democrat, said her office also is continuing its civil investigation into Trump. She did not say what prompted her office to expand its investigation into a criminal probe.

In recent months, Vance hired former mafia prosecutor Mark Pomerantz to help run the investigation and has been interviewing witnesses, including Trumps former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen.

Vance declined to run for reelection and will leave office at the end of the year, meaning the Trump case is likely to pass to his successor in some form. An election next month is all but certain to determine who that will be.

Trump said in a statement last week that hes being unfairly attacked and abused by a corrupt political system. He contends the investigations are part of a Democratic plot to silence his voters and block him from running for president again.

In February, the U.S. Supreme Court buoyed Vances investigation by clearing the way for the prosecutor to enforce a subpoena on Trumps accounting firm and obtain eight years of tax returns and related documents for the former president, the Trump Organization and other Trump entities.

The documents are protected by grand jury secrecy rules and are not expected to be made public.

Vances investigation has appeared to focus in recent weeks on Trumps longtime finance chief, Allen Weisselberg. His former daughter-in-law, Jen Weisselberg, is cooperating with both inquiries.

Shes given investigators reams of tax records and other documents as they look into whether some Trump employees were given off-the-books compensation, such as apartments or school tuition.

Allen Weisselberg was subpoenaed in James civil investigation and testified twice last year. His lawyer declined to comment when asked Tuesday if he had been subpoenaed to testify before the new grand jury.

A message seeking comment was left with Jen Weisselbergs lawyer.

___

Follow Michael Sisak on Twitter at twitter.com/mikesisak
I ts hard to imagine a meal in Texas without pickles in some form, be it crunchy dill slices with a barbecue plate or pickled onions and jalapenos alongside an order of tacos. But as much as we think of those briney treats as our own, pickles have a history that long predates the Lone Star State.

Preserving fruits, vegetables, meat and seafood in salt or vinegar  the technical definition of pickling  has been part of global cuisine traditions for millennia. And this week were going to explore some of those pickling traditions and tell you where to find them in San Antonio.

We can probably thank the ancient Mesopotamians for inventing the technique about 4,000 years ago, according to historians at the New York Food Museum. Those Fertile Crescent dwellers were preserving food in an acidic bath by 2,400 B.C. Cucumbers, a crop native to India and one of the oldest plants grown for food in the world, went into that brine a couple centuries later in what is today the Middle East, where pickling is still going strong.

From there, pickles spread far and wide around the globe, with nearly every culture developing their own pickling twists.

On ExpressNews.com: South Texans and San Antonians love their pickles. Danke schon, German immigrants

Paul Stephen /Staff

In India, dozens of varieties of fruits and vegetables  including mangoes, limes, carrots, garlic, tomatoes and a few greens such hibiscus leaves  and herbs are preserved into what is known as achaar, an all-purpose term for pickles. And the way theyre made is generally quite different from the brined pickles were more familiar with here. Often, the fruit or veggies will be salted, partially dried in the sun and then packed in oil along with a heady blend of spices. The results are often intensely salty with a tremendous depth of flavor and spice.

Japanese pickles, or tsukemono, are made in a vinegar brine and tend to be quite tart and mildly salty. Cucumbers, daikon radish, eggplant and carrots are common finds, although theyre rarely available in shelf-stable cans or jars in stores here.

In China, pickles are made from many of the same vegetables as they are in Japan, and they can be preserved with salt or preserved in a vinegar brine, although the brine often includes soy sauce, giving the pickles an extra layer of umami.

You cant really talk about Korean food without kimchi  a type of pickle that develops its tang from acids naturally produced during fermentation instead of in vinegar. Napa cabbage kimchi is the most familiar, but radishes, cucumbers, pungent greens, onions and more are preserved into more than 200 types of kimchi in Korea today.

Moving into Southeast Asia, fruits and vegetables are often pickled in potent vinegar brines that are both salty and sweet, and often spiked with chile. Mangoes, tart, young grapes, leeks and more are popular in Thailand. Sometimes seafood joins the party. In Vietnam, for example, pickled green papaya can be found packed in jars with whole shrimp. More simple pickles are made from baby eggplants and shallots or less common vegetables such as cattails.

One note on crunch: While were accustomed to pickles that have a snappy bite, many forms are much more tender, if not downright squishy, depending on how soft the vegetable is to begin with and how its preserved. In general, naturally fermented pickles will be on the softer side.

These are the stores where you can score pickles from around the world.

On ExpressNews.com: 4 places for the most puro San Antonio pickle treats

Paul Stephen / Staff

Ali Baba International Food Market: Youll find a huge selection of pickled cucumbers, eggplants, turnips and other vegetables popular throughout the Middle East at this international market  but dont expect the ordinary. The cucumber pickles are often made with small wild cukes and frequently get split and stuffed with garlic and herbs. Ali Baba also stocks a wide range of Indian-style pickles.

Ali Baba International Food Market, 9307 Wurzbach Road, 210-691-1111, alibabasanantonio.com, Facebook: @Alibabasanantonio

Paul Stephen / Staff

Asia Supermarket: As one of San Antonios largest Asian grocery stores, it isnt surprising to find the shelves well stocked with pickles. This store boasts a particularly large array of the sweet-and-sour pickles made from mangoes, papaya, onions and garlic popular in Vietnam, in addition to a smaller selection of pickles from China and Thailand.

Asia Supermarket, 4925 Windsor Hill, 210-455-2860, Facebook: @AsiaSupermarketTX

Paul Stephen /Staff

Himalayan Bazar: This store features a huge selection of Indian pickles, or achaars, lined up in tidy, colorful rows. Several varieties of pickled mango are available, but youll also find carrots, limes, garlic and more packed in oil and spices.

Himalayan Bazar, 8466 Fredericksburg Road, 210-614-8600, Facebook: @HimalayanBazarSanAntonio

Paul Stephen / Staff

Hung Phong Oriental Market: The pickle aisle at this market is all about Thailand. Youll find several versions of pickled grapes and mango, both of which are intensely sweet and sour, but very mildly spiced otherwise, making them easy to pair with a wide range of foods from around the world.

Hung Phong Oriental Market, 243 Remount Drive, 210-655-8448, no web presence

Paul Stephen / Staff

Minnano Japanese Grocery: Dont look for pickles in jars at this shop. Minnano specializes in refrigerated Japanese pickles packed in plastic pouches. Youll find mild cucumber pickles in addition to less common pickles made from daikon radish, carrots and burdock, a long, slender root perfect for tucking inside a homemade sushi roll.

Minnano Japanese Grocery, 7460 Callaghan Road, 210-340-7900, Facebook: @minnano.japanesegrocery

Paul Stephen /Staff

Sashas European Market: The tart and salty pickles of Eastern Europe are the stars here. The selection of pickled cucumbers is huge. And dont miss the fresh dills packed in plastic tubs in the refrigerated section. Youll also find pickled tomatoes, eggplants, mushrooms, pattypan squash and more from Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Georgia and more.

Sashas European Market, 8023 Callaghan Road, 210-348-7788, russiansanantonio.com, Facebook: @sashasmarket

Paul Stephen / Staff

Seoul Asian Market and Cafe: One word: kimchi. You wont find any shelf-stable canned pickles here, as this store specializes in freshly fermented kimchi packed into multiple refrigerated cases. They stock several types of napa cabbage kimchi in addition to radish, turnip, green onions, other types of cabbage and more.

Seoul Asian Market and Cafe, 1005 Rittiman Road, 210-822-1529, seoulasianmarket.com, Facebook: @SAseoulasianmarket

Paul Stephen / Staff

Tims Oriental & Seafood Market: The selection of pickles isnt huge, but Tims does stock a number of Chinese-style pickles that can be hard to find elsewhere. Small, green chilies in a tart vinegar brine, enoki mushrooms pickled with mustard greens and garlic, and other vegetables pickled in a brine laced with soy sauce are among the offerings.

Tims Oriental & Seafood Market, 7015 Bandera Road, 210-523-1688, Facebook: @TimsOrientalMkt

pstephen@express-news.net | Twitter: @pjbites | Instagram: @pjstephen
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP)  An employee opened fire Wednesday at a California rail yard, killing eight people before taking his own life as law enforcement rushed in, authorities said, marking the latest attack in a year that has seen a sharp increase in mass killings as the nation emerges from coronavirus restrictions.

The shooting took place around 6:30 a.m. in two buildings at a light rail facility for the Valley Transportation Authority, which provides bus, light rail and other transit services throughout Santa Clara County, the most populated county in the San Francisco Bay Area.

When our deputies went through the door, initially he was still firing rounds. When our deputy saw him, he took his life, Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith told reporters. Deputies were going through hallways saying, Sheriffs office! He knew at that time that his time for firing shots was over.

The victims, many of them longtime employees of the transit agency, were identified by the Santa Clara County coroner's office Wednesday night as Paul Delacruz Megia, 42; Taptejdeep Singh, 36; Adrian Balleza, 29; Jose Dejesus Hernandez, 35; Timothy Michael Romo, 49; Michael Joseph Rudometkin, 40; Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, 63, and Lars Kepler Lane, 63.

Their jobs included bus and light rail operators, mechanics, linemen and assistant superintendent. One had worked for the transit authority since 1999.

Singh had worked as a light rail train driver for eight or nine years and had a wife, two small children and many family members, said his cousin, Bagga Singh.

We heard that he chose the people to shoot, but I dont know why they choose him because he has nothing to do with him," he said. He said he was told that the gunman targeted certain people and let others go.

San Jose City Councilman Raul Peralez said Rudometkin was a close friend. There are no words to describe the heartache we are feeling right now, especially for his family, he wrote on Facebook. Eight families are feeling this same sense of loss tonight and our entire community is mourning as well.

The attacker was identified as 57-year-old Sam Cassidy, according to two law enforcement officials. Investigators offered no immediate word on a possible motive.

His ex-wife, Cecilia Nelms, told The Associated Press that Cassidy had a bad temper and would tell her that he wanted to kill people at work, but I never believed him, and it never happened. Until now.

Nelms, teary-eyed and shaken by the news, said her ex-husband would come home wound up and angry about things that happened at work. As he talked about it, he would get more mad, she said. He could dwell on things.

When Cassidy lost his temper, Nelms said there were times she was scared. He was someone who could physically hurt others, she said.

Nelms said they were married for 10 years  Cassidy filed for divorce in 2005  and had not been in contact for 13 years. She said he had been treated for depression.

Members of a union representing Valley Transportation Authority workers were meeting when the shooting began, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said, but its not clear the meeting was related to the attack.

When she heard shots, transit authority mechanic Rochelle Hawkins said she dropped her phone.

I was running so fast. I just ran for my life, she said. I would hope everyone would just pray for the VTA family. Just pray for us.

Other friends and family members awaited news after being unable to reach their loved ones through calls or text messages. Some had tracked the missing persons cellphone to the rail yard but had no information from authorities.

Sheriffs spokesman Deputy Russell Davis said he did not know the type of weapon used in the attack.

As bomb squads searched the rail complex, officials were also investigating a house fire that broke out shortly before the shooting, Davis said. Public records show Cassidy owned the two-story home where firefighters responded after being notified by a passer-by. Law enforcement officers cordoned off the area near the home and went in and out Wednesday.

Doug Suh, who lives across the street, told The Mercury News in San Jose that Cassidy seemed strange" and that he never saw anyone visit.

Id say hello, and hed just look at me without saying anything, Suh said. Once, Cassidy yelled at him to stay away as he was backing up his car. After that, I never talked to him again.

Cassidy had worked for Valley Transportation Authority since at least 2012, according to the public payroll and pension database Transparent California, first as a mechanic from 2012 to 2014, then as someone who maintained substations.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, speaking emotionally in front of a county office where flags flew at half-staff, said victims' relatives were "waiting to hear from the coroner, waiting to hear from any of us, just desperate to find out if their brother, their son, their dad, their mom is still alive.

It begs the damn question, What the hell is going on in the United States of America?

Another man wounded in the attack was in critical condition at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, spokesperson Joy Alexiou said.

The bloodshed comes amid a rise in mass killings after the pandemic had closed many public places and kept people confined to their homes last year.

A database compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University that tracks every mass killing over the last 15 years shows that the San Jose attack is the 15th mass killing so far in 2021, all of them shootings.

Eighty-six people have died in the shootings, compared with 106 for all of 2020. The database defines mass killings as four or more people dead, not including the shooter, meaning the overall toll of gun violence is much higher when adding in smaller incidents.

At the White House, President Joe Biden ordered flags to be flown at half-staff and urged Congress to act on legislation to curb gun violence.

Every life that is taken by a bullet pierces the soul of our nation. We can, and we must, do more, Biden said in a statement.

San Jose, the 10th-largest city in the U.S. with more than a million people, is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of San Francisco in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Trains were already out on morning runs when the shooting occurred. Light rail service was suspended and replaced with bus bridges.

Wednesday's attack was Santa Clara County's second mass shooting in less than two years. A gunman killed three people and then himself at a popular garlic festival in Gilroy in July 2019.

The Gilroy attack was on Mayor Liccardo's mind Wednesday as text messages flooded in, reporting the shooting and fire.

Not again," he thought as he jumped in his car and raced to City Hall. Transit authority workers told him they knew Cassidy.

You try to understand what would possess someone to do that much harm," Liccardo said by phone. Its unfathomable.

___

Associated Press writers Janie Har in San Francisco, John Antczak and Stefanie Dazio in Los Angeles, and Michael Balsamo and Colleen Long in Washington contributed to this report.
A former San Antonio police officer has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for distributing obscene images of children being sexually abused.

U.S. District Judge Jason Pulliam also sentenced Sebastian Torres, 27, to 15 years of federal supervision once he gets out of prison.

Torres was indicted in February 2020 on charges of distribution and possession, and the San Antonio Police Department fired him a month later. He admitted he sent numerous obscene depictions of young children being sexually assaulted to another person on Oct. 31, 2019.

During the investigation, San Antonio police officers searched Torres home and seized his cell phone, which he used to commit the crime.

According to his police disciplinary records, Torres sent eight videos on Snapchat, a video sharing and messaging app, to a female acquaintance. In the videos, Torres could be seen and heard performing sexual acts on himself, according to the records.

That same day, Torres sent five images to an acquaintance on Snapchat of what appeared to be children being forced into sexual acts.

During an interview with police detectives, Torres admitted that he had participated in group chats with children that might have been sexually abused or sexually exploited.

I have been in group chats where it turns into, like theres a minor there, and its like, ah thats too much and I exit the group chat, Torres told the detective.

Police Chief William McManus has previously described the case as disturbing.

When I was initially made aware of the allegations, he was immediately placed on administrative duty and a joint investigation with the FBI was launched, McManus previously said in a statement.

The investigation was started by the San Antonio Police Department and then proceeded as a joint investigation with the San Antonio FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted this case.

Torres worked at the South Side substation.

guillermo.contreras@express-news.net |Twitter: @gmaninfedland
An anonymous multimillion-dollar donation to the San Antonio Area Foundation will fund annual scholarships worth $2 million for high schoolers in Bexar and Webb counties for years to come, the organization announced Wednesday.

The money will support what is expected to be one of the largest scholarship programs in the region and will supercharge the Area Foundations efforts to provide students with the resources they need to earn a degree, said Lisa Brunsvold, vice president for development and donor services.

This is one of those scholarships that I think the kids and their parents will be so excited to know that an opportunity like this exists, Brunsvold said. For them to have this opportunity, its just tremendous and so impactful.

The new scholarship fund, dubbed the Legacy Scholarship, will provide $10,000 per academic year to 50 students from Bexar and Webb counties who plan on enrolling in a college or university in Texas. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years for a total of $2 million per 50 students.

On ExpressNews.com: With $1.5 million gift, Trinity University hopes to better develop school leaders

The Area Foundation, which for decades has connected local philanthropists to charitable causes, awarded nearly $5 million in scholarships to about 500 students in 2020, with an average scholarship size of about $5,000 per year. The Legacy Scholarship fund will boost the foundations total scholarship awards to about $7 million in 2021.

Like the Area Foundations other funds, the Legacy Scholarship is endowed and invested for long-term growth. It will support 50 students in its first year, but that figure is expected to double by the second year.

Four years from now, the Legacy Scholarship could be supporting as many as 200 students. The plan is to make the fund last forever, Brunsvold said.

The donors wishes were to support students from Texas who plan to stay in Texas, Brunsvold said. The Area Foundation is looking for applicants with competitive transcripts who are proven leaders and actively involved in their communities.

The number of applicants selected from Bexar and Webb counties will be proportional to the number of eligible students in each county.

On ExpressNews.com: Latest COVID relief steering $236 million to higher ed in San Antonio, much of it for students

Brunsvold said the donation will be transformational, not only for the students who will receive scholarships, but also for Texas as a whole.

I don't think that we can ever really quantify the impact, either from a financial state or emotions or what this is going to mean for the community years from now when these students are living, working, engaging and decide they want to pay this forward and repay the generosity, she said.

Alexes Salazar, 21, a fourth-year student at the University of Texas at San Antonio, said the Najim Scholarship she received from the Area Foundation has allowed her to make the most of her college experience. The $4,000 it provides each year has made it possible for her to work part-time instead of full-time while taking classes, freeing time for internships and other opportunities.

Its helped me tremendously because I've been a low-income student the entire time I've been in college, Salazar said. Without it, I really think that I would have been working and not going to school and not being able to really develop myself professionally.

Unlike many other scholarships, the Legacy Scholarship is meant specifically for high school juniors. Brunsvold said awarding the scholarships before senior year gives the foundation and the community more time to recognize and support the students, which can have psychological benefits.

Knowing that you have these resources and the San Antonio Area Foundation on your side trying to help you and motivate you and give you these funds, I think would really help the community strive toward education, because its really important, Salazar said.

Applications will open in the fall and the recipients will be announced next spring.

The Area Foundation has awarded more than $37 million in scholarships since 1969. It has about 100 scholarship funds and more than $1 billion in total assets.

andy.picon@hearst.com | Twitter: @andpicon
A personal battle with alcoholism and addiction once had Matt Hinojosa on the ropes, but it sparked a curiosity that led him to research Chicano activism and earn a master's degree in history from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

It will soon take him to an Ivy League school.

I just fell in love with it, Hinojosa said. I never thought I would be a historian, I never thought Id be doing it. But I think its going pretty well.

Without much fanfare  since he decided not to walk the stage this year  the young historian will begin a PhD program at Princeton University this fall.

Hinojosas plan is to continue his research into how the Chicano community dealt with drug and alcohol use, addiction and recovery. He wants to one day come back to San Antonio ready to teach college students how to put taboo, forgotten or distorted subjects out in the open.

Its important for our people to know this history, because for the most part, our past has been obscured and incorporated into the American historical narrative without any consideration of who we are as people, or where we come from, Hinojosa said.

Lisa Krantz /Staff photographer

It was his struggle with alcoholism and involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous that led Hinojosa to question the history of recovery programs in San Antonio. While attending meetings all over town, he realized that access to them varied widely.

One of the things I noticed pretty early on is that there was a pretty big racial disparity, as well as a big geographical disparity, Hinojosa said. So I wanted to figure out why it was that AA, even in San Antonio of all places, was so disproportionately white.

His UTSA professors guided him through research as an undergraduate, and the topics of addiction and recovery produced unexplored issues so deeply embedded in local history that he continued probing them through his master's program.

Addiction is not rare across Hispanic and Latino communities  what is rare are open conversations about recovery and access to help, Hinojosa said. Chicanos had fought this battle mostly in silence.

Just like folklore and traditions get passed through generations to shape a culture and keep it alive, Hinojosa believes the history surrounding addiction is important knowledge to pass on and learn from.

It helps us gain an understanding of how the past has informed the present, especially for a city like San Antonio, he said.

Required Reading: Get San Antonio education news sent directly to your inbox

Hinojosa, 28, moved here with his family from Laredo when he was 8 years old. He lived mostly in the Northwest Side but eventually all over the city.

Drug and alcohol use when he was a teen morphed into an addiction that brought him more trouble than he could have imagined. At 22, Hinojosa decided he was done with it and sought help.

Lisa Krantz /Staff photographer

His first stop was AA. The well-known program provides anonymity to protect from the stigma that comes with addiction, but Hinojosa decided to speak up about his personal experience.

Some of the people that mentored me when I first got sober, they were really big about the importance of the advocacy behind it, and the activism involved in recovery, Hinojosa said. It obviously goes against the anonymity of Alcoholics Anonymous  but by putting myself out there Ive been able to meet people who are struggling as well.

Hinojosa began mentoring young people who were in similar situations. Getting sober, he said, was such a radical change that everything seemed and felt new, and he wanted to help guide others through the same transition.

Without even knowing it, Hinojosa was acquiring a passion for teaching and community activism. He became close to local grassroots organizations and learned more about the disparities that historically plagued his community  and the uneven popular recognition of efforts to address them.

Newspaper archives led him to learn about a 1970s epidemic among youth throughout South Texas of huffing and sniffing volatile chemicals such as paint and glue.

Lisa Krantz /Staff photographer

A lot of community members of the barrios were kind of forced into these positions of activism, solely due to the fact that this was something that affected everybody, Hinojosa said. There was a big movement toward blocking access to those chemicals.

Out of this came one of his research papers, called La Culture Cura: Cultural Nationalism and Addiction Recovery in the Alamo City, 1969-1980. It included the recovery movement known as Victory Outreach and the work of Efrain Gutierrez, whose films brought national attention to drug use and addiction, particularly heroin, in Chicano barrios.

This is the type of knowledge he would have never gained through mainstream history books. But Hinojosa believes making it easily accessible to the communities involved is important to inform how these situations are addressed today.

Once he finishes the five-year program at Princeton, Hinojosas plan is to return to San Antonio and teach from a place of understanding and experience, maybe to inspire future historians who can help fill in the blanks of todays common knowledge.

Right now, men of color are not matriculating or graduating at the highest rates, Hinojosa pointed out. Its important to have people like us in these positions to keep students in the pipeline, because we lose lots of them, to all kinds of things.

danya.perez@express-news.net | @DanyaPH
IDEA Public Schools CEO JoAnn Gama and Chief Operating Officer Irma Munoz have been fired after a forensic review found substantial evidence that top leaders at the states largest charter network misused money and staff for personal gain, the organizations board president announced Tuesday.

In a letter to IDEA staff, Board President Al Lopez did not disclose details about the questionable spending and use of staff. Lopez did allege that staff members actions appeared to be done in a manner to avoid detection by the standard external audit and internal control processes that the Board had in place at the time.

IDEA Public Schools started in the Rio Grande Valley and now enrolls about 62,000 students throughout Texas. Its San Antonio region serves about 16,500 students in 28 schools that operate in pairs on 14 campuses, according to Jenny Flores, IDEA San Antonios communications manager.

Its rapid expansion, fueled by private philanthropy and millions of dollars in federal grants in recent years, has slowed somewhat in the wake of last years departure of two other high-ranking IDEA leaders, former CEO Tom Torkelson and former CFO Wyatt Truscheit. Lopezs letter said the allegations of misconduct involve a small number of IDEA senior leaders, though it does not name any individuals.

Lopez said the findings will be reported to the appropriate authorities, and the organization has invited the Texas Education Agency to appoint a conservator or monitor to the district.

We will not be able to provide additional information regarding the review at this time due to the confidentiality of personnel matters and the involvement of the authorities, Lopez wrote to staff.

Efforts to reach Gama and Munoz were not immediately successful.

In a statement Tuesday, TEA officials said they recently were made aware of IDEAs forensic audit and subsequently opened an investigation.

We will pursue all corrective measures available under law to protect the taxpayers of Texas, the agencys statement read.

If state officials find violations of state laws or rules, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath could impose a wide range of sanctions. His options include appointing a conservator, who would have the authority to direct actions by IDEAs board and superintendent, or a monitor, who would have lesser powers in the district.

The firings followed an anonymous tip received after the departures last year of two other high-ranking IDEA leaders, former CEO Tom Torkelson and former CFO Wyatt Truscheit. Lopezs letter says the allegations of misconduct involve a small number of IDEA senior leaders, though it does not name any individuals alleged to have engaged in improper spending or use of staff.

IDEAs finances came under fire in late 2019, following the boards quickly-reversed decision to lease a private jet and the disclosure that the charter network spent money on luxury suites at San Antonios AT&T Center, among other decisions. Torkelson resigned in May 2020, agreeing to a $900,000 settlement payout with the charters board.

IDEA board members chose Gama, who co-founded IDEA in the late 1990s with Torkelson, as the organizations next CEO.

Around the same time, IDEAs board members promised to make several financial and governance reforms, such as banning private air travel, curbing executive benefits, and ending business deals with leaders and their family members.

For several years, Munozs husband co-owned a company that served as IDEAs recommended uniform vendor in the Rio Grande Valley, home to 52 of the charter networks campuses. Munoz said her husband sold his 50 percent stake in the company at the end of 2019.

None of IDEAs financial arrangements detailed to date appear to have violated Texas law, though they have come under withering criticism.

Texas Education Agency officials, who have been supportive of IDEAs rapid expansion over the past decade, decided in September 2020 to approve 12 out of the networks 27 requests to add campuses in the upcoming school year. The decision came after TEA leaders raised questions about IDEAs administrative, governance and financial record.

Lopez said he will serve as acting CEO and the boards vice chair, Collin Sewell, will serve as acting COO for the time being.

Gama and Torkelson started IDEA more than two decades ago in the Rio Grande Valley, where both worked in traditional public schools. The network enrolls about 62,000 students throughout the state, including about 900 in Greater Houston.

IDEA boasts higher standardized test scores, graduation rates and college enrollment rates than neighboring traditional public schools. The charters leaders attribute the success to a rigorous, regimented approach to education that emphasizes advanced courses and reaching college.

IDEAs critics argue the network attracts higher-performing students and artificially filters out higher-needs children through its college-focused approach. Its opponents also say the recent instances of questionable spending illustrate a lack of accountability at charter schools, which are publicly-funded organizations governed by unelected boards.

Its time that our Legislature put a stop to promoting charter school chains and paving the way for their rapid expansion, Texas American Federation of Teachers President Zeph Capo said in a statement. The costs for our public schools and our taxpayers are much too high, particularly when we discover executives in our states largest and most sophisticated charter chain padding their pockets with our money.

jacob.carpenter@chron.com

Staff writer Andres Picon contributed to this report.
World Health Assembly rejects Taiwan-related proposal

Xinhua) 10:39, May 26, 2021

The World Health Assembly (WHA), the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), on Monday refused to include a proposal on Taiwan's participation in its agenda.

Chen Xu, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said in a statement at the meeting that the Chinese delegation firmly supported the recommendation by the General Committee of the 74th WHA to not include the Taiwan-related proposal in the agenda.

Noting that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, Chen said: "The UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 provided the legal basis for WHO to abide by the one-China principle, and recognized Taiwan as part of China. The Taiwan-related proposal is in violation of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, runs against the WHO's Constitution and the WHA's Rules of Procedure, and is illegal and invalid."

The Taiwan region's participation in the WHA must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle and through cross-strait consultations, he stressed.

Before the assembly, more than 150 countries have, through diplomatic channels, and over 80 countries have, through sending letters to the WHO, expressed their adherence to the one-China principle and their opposition to Taiwan's participation in the WHA, according to Chen.

"Facts have repeatedly proved that making Taiwan-related proposals is unpopular," he told reporters after Monday's meeting, adding that any secessionist attempt to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" is doomed to fail.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
A man is in critical condition Wednesday after taking a bullet that police said was meant for someone else during a shooting just north of downtown.

The man, between 40 and 50 years old, was standing with another person underneath Interstate 35 at North Main Avenue, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said.

About 2 p.m., another man drove up, got out of the car and walked up to them, the chief said. As he approached, he fired a shot, intending to hit the second person, McManus added.

The victim inadvertently stepped in front of the bullet and was hit in the upper torso, the chief said.

The shooter fled the scene in a gray sedan, while the victim ran to a nearby motel for help, police said. The victim, who was critical, was taken to an area hospital.

Investigators said the shooter and the second person had argued sometime before the shooting.

Police have not identified any of the people connected to the shooting.

We are pretty certain that we know who the shooter is; we got pretty good information on that, McManus said. Im confident that well have this case closed sooner rather than later.
Twice as many seniors and disabled adults will be able to get help from Meals on Wheels San Antonio when its new headquarters is complete.

CEO Vinsen Faris's vision for 6.1 acres nestled off Nacogdoches includes a park-like atmosphere, complete with a walking trail.

"This is going away," Faris said as he swept his arm across the dusty cul-de-sac at 2718 Danbury St. "This whole road is going to be gone."

Accompanied by three staff members, he pointed to a spot near a grove of trees. That's where the 44,000-square-foot building will be built.

The new facility will include more dry and cold storage space, an efficient food preparation area and delivery loading docks. It will also house a dedicated volunteer training room, along with an expanded Grace Place Alzheimer's Activity Center. The walking trail will encircle the landscaped campus and oak trees already on the property.

Billy Calzada, Staff / Staff Photographer

Faris said everything would be centered around the kitchen, and there will be ample storage and the ability to cook fresh meals. The kitchen is designed for 10,000 hot meals per shift. In an emergency, they could run three shifts in a day, producing 30,000 meals.

The current kitchen is so limited that the cooks have to arrive at 4 a.m. to start cooking batches of 600 meals. Faris said the new facility would allow the staff to start fresh with upgraded ovens and technology that will shorten the cooking times.

"It's so massive compared to where we've been," Faris said. "We will have the ability to respond to a natural disaster. Whether there's a hurricane on the coast, evacuees in, or something going on here, we can crank it up and go. We can't do that now."

On ExpressNews.com: Meals on Wheels San Antonios Comfy Casas program adds home repairs to good meals for clients

Meals on Wheels partnered with Project Control, LPA Design Studios and Joeris General Contractors to develop the new, 44,000-square-foot headquarters. The project's estimated cost is $18 million, and the nonprofit is raising $12 million of that through a capital fundraising campaign.

Billy Calzada, Staff / Staff Photographer

Faris said they hope to be fully operational by September 2022.

Contractor Gary Joeris said his company was blessed to be part of a project that impacts the community in such a positive way.

"Our teams live the Joeris mission of transforming people and places every day," he said. "When we get to do that by going beyond building and helping those who serve so many in the San Antonio area, it truly is an honor and a privilege. We are grateful to the Meals on Wheels team and humbled by their confidence in Joeris and, more importantly, by their selfless commitment to service."

In the 1960s, three apartment complexes encircled the cul-de-sac on the property, but the structures were demolished years later. Since the 1990s, it has been vacant. Debris littered the property, and truckers often parked their trailers at the site. After Meals on Wheels staff members cleaned up the acreage, Faris said it resembled a park.

Faris said the nonprofit worked with the City of San Antonio to purchase the street, appraised at $90,000. The city sold the property to Meals on Wheels and returned $85,000 as an investment in the project.

Billy Calzada, Staff / Staff Photographer

The nonprofit was established in 1977 in conjunction with Grace Place Alzheimer's Activity Centers. Its volunteers and staff members visit 4,300 clients in Bexar County and area counties twice a week.

During the pandemic, Meals on Wheels saw an increase in need across South Central Texas. In 2020, the agency added more than 2,400 new home delivery clients and expanded its service area to eight counties. Faris said the new space allows the nonprofit to expand its delivery territory even more.

In 1994, the nonprofit bought its current building, a former Wyatt's Cafeteria, at 4306 NW Loop 410. Before that, it operated out of the fellowship hall at St. John's Lutheran Church, where staff prepared 1,000 meals a day.

On ExpressNews.com: It feels good to know someone cares says recipient of San Antonio nonprofits goodwill and food box

Faris said staff members recently met at the property for a "marking the corners" party. Each member downloaded a geo-tracking app on their phones displaying the location of the 13 points of the building.

Divided into teams, they walked the property and hammered a stake at each spot, wrapping construction tape around each post to outline the exterior of the facility.

"It's got a flow," Faris said, looking over across the property. "We're excited. It's going to be nice."

vtdavis@express-news.net
Seven years. Six council members.

Thats the recent history of District 2, which covers the East and Northeast Sides of San Antonio. If current incumbent Jada Andrews-Sullivan loses her June 5 runoff to her former council aide Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, well be up to seven District 2 council reps since 2014.

During this period, District 5, which covers the West Side, has had one council member: Shirley Gonzales.

District 3, which covers the South Side, has also been represented by one person: Rebecca Viagran.

In those districts, unlike District 2, residents dont need a scorecard to keep track of who is representing them on City Council.

In a way, the revolving door in District 2 is Andrews-Sullivans best argument for re-election. She makes the case that the district has seen too much turnover in recent years and needs some continuity. Voting her out, she argues, would just create more disruption.

At the same time, Andrews-Sullivan is a symptom of what has ailed District 2. New figures keep emerging, voters keep giving them a chance, and they keep getting let down. District 2 voters are looking for their Rey Saldana, their Ana Sandoval, their Diego Bernal  someone who will go to City Hall armed with passion, idealism, expertise and a sincere commitment to serve.

Dissatisfaction with Andrews-Sullivan was obvious in the recent general election.

More than 83 percent of District 2 voters cast their ballots for one of her challengers. McKee-Rodriguez, a young, first-time candidate, finished nearly 10 percentage points ahead of her.

District 2 has a large population of voters who feel like they havent been well-represented over the course of many years, said Mario Salas, a long-time political activist and former District 2 councilman.

Not just necessarily from the district council member, but from City Council as a whole. So when people take positions that some may view as detrimental to the community, the voters have a long memory of how you have voted on something.

Nearly one-third of San Antonios African American residents are based in District 2. More than 21 percent of the districts population is African American.

You cant say that Andrews-Sullivan has been damaged by any particular vote she has taken. Her low standing with residents is rooted in something deeper and harder to shake.

Its the sense that she doesnt do her homework and doesnt listen to her constituents. Her single term on City Council suggests that she was more attracted to the idea of being a council member than the reality of doing the job.

There is also the nagging feeling that she has been a mere figurehead for her chief of staff, Lou Miller.

McKee-Rodriguez, who is gay, served nearly six months in Andrews-Sullivans office as her communications director. He has accused Miller of harassment and discrimination during that period over his sexual orientation.

Andrews-Sullivans non-defense defense of Miller didnt exactly inspire confidence in her leadership.

Miller is not one of the newest of times, and we have to remind him its OK to be old, but its not OK to bring old ways, she told the Express-News editorial board in April.

At least part of District 2s recent turnover can be attributed to fluke circumstances.

Ivy Taylor was well into her second term  and likely poised for a four-term run  when Julian Castro left the mayors office in the summer of 2014 to accept a federal appointment as the secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Taylors council colleagues appointed her to fill the mayoral vacancy. That move started the parade of instability weve seen since then.

In 2017, local attorney Cruz Shaw unseated the thoroughly disappointing Councilman Alan Warrick, offering hope that District 2 could find some long-sought continuity.

Eighteen months into his council tenure, however, Shaw announced that he would step down to accept a position as the associate judge for Bexar Countys 436th Juvenile District Court.

Shaw clearly did not enjoy the political gamesmanship at City Hall. On his way out the door, he acknowledged that he never expected to win the 2017 election and ran primarily to light a fire under Warrick.

We dont have to worry about whether McKee-Rodriguez wants the job. His army of block-walkers and his ultra-energetic campaign style should answer any questions on that front.

His insurgent effort also has been bolstered by endorsements from Julian and Joaquin Castro, Diego Bernal and the Texas Organizing Project.

He is super-organized, Salas said. At the moment, hes got the reins of the horse.

Its going to be a steep hill for Miss Sullivan to climb. But political wisdom always tells us that a runoff is a brand-new election.

A brand-new election, with brand-new hope that District 2 can find the leader it deserves.

ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470
When the pandemic began, the U.S.-Mexico border was closed for health reasons. Well, really, part of the border was closed.

Only Mexicans who already had visas or were employed by an essential American could cross the border by land. Anyone could take a plane as long as they could afford the ticket and a COVID-19 test. The border has remained this way since the pandemic began more than a year ago.

Now, again, for another month, the border is closed for local and regional travel. It seems as if the nation is concerned with only one of two immigration matters. Refugees are not the only ones who cross the border; local traffic and commerce pass, too  but theyve been halted almost completely and seemingly arbitrarily for over a year.

If the border was universally closed for health reasons  by both land and air  there would be no issue. Thats not the case. The populations of border communities are broadly Latino and include some of the poorest populations in the nation  yet our families, friends, businesses and communities remain separated if they cant afford time off, access to a vehicle or a plane ticket.

Families are apparently not essential either  unless they can fly from one wealthy hub to another. For Mexicans in a border community like Nuevo Laredo, that would mean spending at least $400 driving to Monterrey 150 miles to the south, then flying north 300 miles to San Antonio, and then driving 150 miles south again to Laredo. To return to Mexico, these travelers who have gone out of their way hundreds of miles can simply cross the bridge back home.

Commentary: Ban on travel creates another border crisis

These are communities divided by a common border. These cities are not far enough apart to justify a commercial flight. It would be like expecting someone to fly from north to south Chicago.

Businesspeople have a potential recourse if they are essential. They might have an opportunity to cross the border if they can obtain a sponsorship letter testifying to meetings. Most of the time these letters do not work, and denials seem random; one could be approved while 10 others are not. One of my clients  a Mexican who owned an American business and had not been to that U.S. location in over a year  had letters from their accountant, a banker and the manager of their own business and still could not cross by land. The purpose was not deemed essential.

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, and the local chamber of commerce have repeatedly called for a reopening of the border. Only the Biden-Harris administration has the power to change this border policy.

The Biden-Harris administrations interest on the border gave our community hope that it would reopen to everyday traffic. Its almost June, and there seems to be no relief in sight. Most of us here hope the administration will avail itself of common sense and open the border soon.

Andrew L. Carranco is a real estate developer in Laredo and serves on the Laredo Chamber of Commerce board.
Although the term vaccine hesitancy has gained momentum in recent months, it fails to capture the systemic nature of the greater problem of vaccine access and lack of trust in public health institutions, especially among groups and communities that historically have been underserved, mistreated or even abused by the public health and medical care systems. We should rephrase it to vaccine equity.

The COVID-19 pandemic undeniably hit communities of color the hardest. Disparities in testing, infection rates, rates of hospitalization and death in communities of color have been well-documented since the onset of the pandemic. And yet, according to the latest data available, the rate of vaccination within these groups lags well behind that of white individuals nationally. Texas is no exception.

The initial rush for the vaccine is over. The Americans who now remain to be vaccinated are not the ones so eager they waited in long lines for hours to get the first shot or so available that they could show up for any appointment time. The populations we must now try to reach are those who may be on the wrong side of the digital divide, those who are vulnerable to misinformation, those with limited transportation access and those whose trust in public health institutions has eroded after centuries of structural racism.

By opting instead for the phrase vaccine equity, we reframe the issue in a critical way.

As tempting as it is to focus on stubborn or ignorant individuals, the real problem is twofold. First, we have a health care system that fails to engender trust. Second, the frenzied circumstances of the pandemic have led many to the unfortunate (and wrong) conclusion that listening to people is a luxury they cant afford.

Another way is possible. We have an opportunity to design solutions that meet people where they are. The solutions that are working are the ones that recognize the disparities and innovate ways to break down those barriers. Mobile vaccination sites, outreach through local churches and other grassroots, community-based efforts are among the most effective ways we have seen of helping people overcome issues of access and trust.

Mount Pleasant in the northeastern part of our state near Texarkana illustrates what we can do once we make mobilizing community resources the main focus. Residents of this town of 16,000 were not the most receptive to vaccination  at more than 40 percent Hispanic, with many undocumented, fear and mistrust of government were barriers to vaccine acceptance.

Their experience holds many lessons. The town had enough of a critical mass of community members  faith leaders, health care workers and local organizations  who knew better than to write off their own community or treat hesitancy as an inalterable trait. By relying on trusted messengers, word-of-mouth and a willingness to meet people where they were, Mount Pleasant doubled its vaccination rate by early May, achieving this turnaround while rates slowed for the state as a whole.

This could be applicable across Texas, particularly in rural communities. This can happen only if public health experts are guided by more generous assumptions about those many have written off as hesitant. If vaccines are ubiquitous, convenient, accessible and promoted by trusted voices in the community, for even more conservative areas it wont be a question of if residents get vaccinated, but when and how.

Systemic change is never simple, but we can start by calling things as they are. Not only is it inaccurate to talk about vaccine hesitancy at this stage in the pandemic, it sidesteps and ignores the reality of the situation. Vaccine access and trust are issues of equity, not hesitancy. The next chapter in Americas efforts to vaccinate its population depends on our understanding that distinction.

Octavio N. Martinez Jr. is the executive director of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health at the University of Texas at Austin.
Violence between Jews and Muslims in the Middle East is often accompanied by spikes in anti-Semitic activity in the United States, but whats happened over the last week or so has been different.

As Jonathan Greenblatt, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, put it to me, Jewish organizations are somewhat inured to, say, pro-Palestinian graffiti on a synagogue following a protest. Whats new, and more reminiscent of the sort of anti-Semitic aggression common in Europe, are flagrant public assaults on Jews  sometimes in broad daylight  motivated by anti-Zionism.

In Los Angeles, a caravan waving Palestinian flags stopped near a sushi restaurant in West Hollywood, where men got out and attacked diners sitting outside. A witness recalled them asking, Whos Jewish? In New York, a 29-year-old Jewish man on his way to a pro-Israel rally was beaten and pepper-sprayed by a group of men hurling anti-Semitic slurs. In southern Florida, men in an SUV reportedly pelted a visiting Jewish family with garbage and shouted: Free Palestine and Were going to rape your daughter. Were going to rape your wife.

Whats distinct about these attacks, Greenblatt said, is the brazenness and the boldness.

These apparent hate crimes are, first and foremost, a catastrophe for Jewish people in the United States, who have just endured four years of spiking anti-Semitism that started around the time Republicans nominated Donald Trump in 2016.

But this violence also threatens to undermine progress that has been made in getting American politicians to take Palestinian rights more seriously. Right-wing Zionists and anti-Semitic anti-Zionists have something fundamental in common: Both conflate the Jewish people with the Israeli state. Israels government and its American allies benefit when they can shut down criticism of the country as anti-Semitic.

Many progressives, particularly progressive Jews, have worked hard to break this automatic identification and to open up space in the Democratic Party to denounce Israels entrenched occupation and human rights abuses. This wave of anti-Semitic violence will increase the difficulty of that work. The Zionist right claims that to assail Israel is to assail all Jews. Those who terrorize Jews out of rage at Israel seem to make their point for them.

Not surprisingly, there has been a rush to blame left-wing Democrats such as Ilhan Omar, who described Israeli airstrikes killing civilians in the Gaza Strip as terrorism, for inciting anti-Jewish hostility. If you blamed violent attacks against Asian Americans on Trump calling covid the Chinese virus, but you cant see how congresswomen accusing Israel of terrorism might result in Jews being attacked by pro-Palestinian mobs, you either cant think or you have a problem with Jews, Batya Ungar-Sargon, deputy opinion editor at Newsweek, tweeted last week.

But by this logic, those of us concerned about hate crimes against Asian Americans shouldnt denounce Chinas genocide of the Uyghurs. Israels treatment of the Palestinians is often so shocking that just describing it neutrally seems defamatory; when Human Rights Watch decided last month to accuse Israel of the crime of apartheid, it was because the facts on the ground left it little choice.

As Eric Goldstein, acting executive director of HRWs Middle East and North Africa division, wrote in The Forward last month, its not just that Palestinians live under relentless Israeli oppression.

Whats gone is the possibility of saying, with a straight face, that it is temporary, he wrote. Israeli authorities today clearly intend to maintain this system of severe discrimination into the future  an intent that constitutes the third prong of the crime of apartheid.

Its awful irony, but anti-Semitic violence helps shore up this system by strengthening the taboo against calling it what it is. I get the sense that some people on the left find talking about violence by Palestinian sympathizers embarrassing; it certainly doesnt receive the same sort of attention as white nationalist attacks. But it should be treated as a crisis, both as a matter of basic human solidarity and because its a political danger.

Greenblatt and I dont always agree about Israel; there are criticisms of the country that he considers illegitimate but I believe are fair. But I do agree with him that assaults on Jews are an emergency and should be treated as such, whatever the ideology of their perpetrators.

Greenblatt told me he is hearing from people who are afraid to wear their kippas or Jewish star necklaces in public.

To be honest, I have heard college students say that to me in recent years, because of the situation on campuses when it gets really hot, he said. But I have not heard of ordinary people in public places being afraid. Thats the situation in Europe. Talk to Jews in Belgium, in France, in Germany, in the U.K., and they will tell you that they modulate, they hide their Judaism.

It would be a disaster if this were to happen here, and not just for Jews.
The news landed at the Texas Capitol last month like a bombshell: State police were investigating claims that a male lobbyist from one of the most influential firms in Austin had used a date rape drug on two female legislative staffers.

The Capitol quickly swung into outrage mode. Female legislators wore pink in solidarity with the victims. The House speaker condemned the disgusting, detestable allegations. After the alleged culprit was identified, some legislators banned his firm, HillCo Partners, from their offices. And new laws requiring that lobbyists receive harassment training were proposed.

Within a week, however, the Travis County district attorney and the Texas Department of Public Safety announced in a statement that they would not be bringing any charges. We have concluded there is not enough evidence to support these allegations.  No crime occurred in this instance, DPS and DA Jose Garza said.

Now, a DPS investigation has concluded that a legislative staffer fabricated the story of the date rape drug to cover up embarrassing personal behavior. No evidence or facts obtained during the investigation support the allegation, the 50-page report said.

In a separate audio recording obtained by Hearst Newspapers, the investigator went even further, describing the accused lobbyist, Richard Dennis  not the female staffer  as the victim in this case. She lied to me, the investigator, Special Agent Patrick Alonzo, can be heard saying. She orchestrated all this.

NO CHARGES: Authorities wont bring charges against lobbyist accused of drugging Capitol staffer

DPS turned over the results of its investigation to the district attorneys office indicating that the woman was deceitful in her dealings with the police, but prosecutors declined to charge her. Garza, a Democrat elected in 2020, did not respond to questions from Hearst Newspapers.

In a lengthy interview in the office of his attorneys, David and Perry Minton, Dennis said that when he learned he was the suspect in the drugging case, he felt like his career was over. At one point, he said, he thought about killing himself.

I contemplated, with my life insurance, maybe I am at this point better off not walking this earth, to my family, than I am walking in it, said Dennis, 42. She needed an alibi. For some reason, this is the story that she settled on.

A festering Capitol culture

The speed with which the story about Dennis was accepted as true and the difficulty his legal team has had in conclusively dispelling it illustrates the hyper-charged environment surrounding allegations of sexual misconduct in an era of well-earned suspicion.

Ignited by revelations that movie producer Harvey Weinstein sexually preyed on female employees and actresses for years, the #MeToo movement demonstrated that many women had similar stories that too often had been ignored, disbelieved or covered up.

Even that number is almost certainly low. Many women are reluctant to cooperate with police out of distrust, experts say. Studies have shown that other cases can be difficult to prosecute because trauma can cloud victims memories. Reported assaults that law enforcement initially dismissed as false have later been proved true.

Texas politics has not been immune. In 2017, a former Texas Observer reporter revealed the existence of The Burn Book of Bad Men, a log of male state politicians and support staff whose behavior toward their female colleagues ranged from uncomfortable to criminal, in a story in the Daily Beast. Yet few cases have been reported because of weak policies and distrust.

In response, lawmakers passed new, tougher sexual harassment rules. Yet a steady stream of stories and rumors continues to trickle out of the Capitol.

Gossip gets especially thick in the hothouse environment of the biennial legislative session, when lawmakers, staffers and paid special interest representatives are thrown together for long, intense hours in the rush to cram two years of work into five months. Boozy after-work sessions with eye-popping drink tabs, typically covered by lobbyists, are common pressure releases at the bars and restaurants surrounding the Capitol.

So when news broke that a lobbyist had slipped a date rape drug into a legislative staffers drink at an after-hours gathering, few seemed inclined to doubt it. House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, quickly condemned the allegations as a symptom of a culture that has been festering in this building for far too long.

Early on, during his years of working as a high-level legislative staffer inside the Capitol, Dennis conceded he was aware he had acquired a certain reputation among some at the Capitol. I am guilty of having an office environment that at times more resembled a locker room environment, as far as the discussions, the chitchat, the back-and-forth banter, he said. I absolutely participated in that and regret doing so. That I will own up to.

It was that reputation that would make him a target of the drugging allegations, according to the DPS report.

A grim text: Girls ODd

On the morning of April 24, Dennis received the same alarming text notification that many Capitol staffers, observers and reporters were also reading.

Two male lobbyists (unnamed so far) roofied/drugged two young Capitol staffers at the Austin Club, it said. Girls ODd and were hospitalized. Leadership has been briefed. Girls pressing all charges. All levels of law enforcement involved. Lots of cameras at the Austin Club. Should be in the press soon.

Dennis said he was skeptical of the allegations despite having spent years inside the Capitol. Prior to arriving at HillCo five years ago, he had worked for almost a decade as chief of staff for Rep. Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound.

Still, he recalled feeling relief he hadnt been out drinking at the Austin Club anytime recently. The last time he had participated in a late night of drinking and legislative socializing had been three weeks earlier, he said.

About 6 p.m. that evening, however, his employer informed him that he was the prime suspect in an alleged crime that had occurred three and a half weeks earlier. I dont even know how to describe it, he said. I mean, my stomach just completely dropped.

The partying had begun early April 1, the Thursday afternoon before the long Good Friday weekend, he recalled. Dennis and a couple of HillCo colleagues decided to hit the Austin Club, known for its strong drinks, politically connected clientele and proximity to the Capitol. They were later joined at a part of the bar known as the HillCo Table by legislative staffers.

At this point, youre two-thirds of the way through the session, you can kind of see the light at the end of the tunnel, Dennis said. Everyone was in a great mood, and everyone was enjoying each others company. The rounds were being refreshed frequently at the table. The lobbyists, as usual, picked up the tab.

The gathering wound down after about three hours, when Dennis, a male legislative aide and the staffer headed to the Caroline Restaurant, two blocks away, for some food. They were later joined by another male legislative staffer, he recalled.

After a few more drinks, Dennis said, he called for an Uber about 11 p.m. We said our goodbyes on the street corner, he recalled, and he went home.

The Austin American-Statesman was the first to break the story of the alleged drink drugging, confirming on April 24, a Saturday afternoon, that DPS, which oversees Capitol security, was investigating the incident. The news flew through the states political ecosystem.

Two days later, Texas Scorecard, an insider news website influential in conservative circles, named Dennis as the suspect in a drugging and an alleged sexual assault. It included his photo with the story. The photo has since been removed from the online version of the story.

I absolutely, definitively knew I did not date rape drug anyone, Dennis said. My biggest fear was that these two poor girls had been drugged, but drugged by someone else after they parted ways, he remembered thinking.

Yet its going to come down on me.

Story was deceitful

It was the female staffers co-worker, another female who works at the Capitol, who reported a drugging incident to DPS, the investigation shows. Over the next several days, DPS investigator Alonzo interviewed more than a dozen people who were at the April 1 gathering or who witnessed it.

The co-worker told investigators she had blacked out after only a short time at the Austin Club and woke up feeling much worse than she thought she should after only a few drinks. The next morning, she had gone to a nearby emergency room, where she was treated for dehydration and nausea, the report says.

The following account is from the DPS report:

The staffer told her friend that she, too, had blacked out later during the party. Another Capitol worker had taken the staffer to his home for the night. In texts to her boyfriend and her co-workers mother, the staffer said she had gone to a medical clinic where she tested positive for GHB, a common date rape drug.

They found GHB in my blood, she said in one of the texts.

In his visit to that clinic, however, Alonzo found that it did not test for GHB.

He encountered more inconsistencies in her story as he continued his investigation. The man who had taken the staffer home reported that she appeared inebriated but otherwise fine. The next morning, she felt poorly, he said, but the two had dismissed it as a combination of her recent COVID vaccination shot and the drinking.

The female staffer agreed to meet with Alonzo once, after which she stopped returning his calls. In her taped interview, she told the investigator that after her second drink she couldnt remember anything and had woken up the next morning at her friends East Austin apartment not knowing how she got there. Contradicting her earlier story, she said she was not tested for date rape drugs.

Yet she continued to speculate how she could have been drugged by Dennis, Alonzo reported.

Throughout the interview (she) attempted to sell SA Alonzo the reputation of Richard Dennis rather than articulate facts as to why Dennis or any other lobbyist or person at the table would have placed an adulterant into her or (her friends) drink, the investigator noted.

It was the co-workers mother who first suggested that the staffer might be trying to hide from her boyfriend a secret relationship she had been having with the man who took her home from Caroline that night.

She needed a cover story for her infidelity, the co-worker later added, according to the DPS report. She said the female staffer had been romantically involved for some time with the male staffer who took her home, unbeknownst to her live-in boyfriend.

Citing the inconsistencies, Alonzo concluded the staffer had been deceitful in her dealings with DPS. Agency medical staff said the combination of COVID vaccines the women had received that morning combined with the alcohol could explain their symptoms.

In a brief text exchange with Hearst Newspapers, the female staffer said, I didnt file a police report or accuse anyone of anything. She also said she didnt concoct any stories or orchestrate anything. She declined to answer questions.

The co-worker and the man who took the staffer home also declined to be interviewed by Hearst Newspapers. But Alonzos report said the co-worker who made the drugging complaint erupted into tears after learning of her friends deception. I dont think I wouldve filed anything if I wouldve known from the beginning it wasnt what I thought it was, she said, according to the report.

Dennis supervisor at HillCo, Bill Miller, said the story had caused lasting damage.

The alleged drugging incident at the Capitol where one of our employees was named a person of interest was quickly proven to be completely false and a total fabrication, perpetrated by unscrupulous people for nefarious reason to frame an innocent party, he said.

Alonzo presented his findings to DA Garzas office April 28. A former public defender, Garza had campaigned by criticizing what he said was then-DA Margaret Moores weak record of prosecuting sexual assault cases, which he vowed to pursue aggressively.

The next day, he released a statement that did not identify Dennis as the victim of a made-up story. Instead, Garza stressed that recent events have amplified the conversation in our community that women should have the right to feel safe at all times. This conversation is long overdue, and we are encouraged by the Texas Legislatures attention to these important issues.

Minton, Dennis attorney, said his client deserved a better response from the district attorney.

The district attorney should have immediately and definitively exonerated our client  rather than highlighting the issues that got him elected, Minton said. We hope that he will move forward investigating the person that deliberately and intentionally lied to investigators.

Cayla Harris contributed to this report.

jay.root@chron.com
Its the battle of the billionaires as the two richest men in the world go back and forth for the number one spot.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was temporarily dethroned as the richest man in the world on Monday when the head of luxury house LVMH Bernard Arnault surpassed him. Arnaults net worth jumped to $186.3 billion on Monday which was slightly higher than Bezos $186 billion net worth, per reports.

But according to Forbes real-time billionaire tracker, by midday on Tuesday, Bezos had reclaimed the top spot with a net worth of $189.2 billion, while Arnault was settled at $188 billion even.

Related: 5 Things Jeff Bezos Does Other Than Work

The two men are followed closely behind by Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk, who had an estimated net worth of $151.6 billion in the same time frame.

LVMH, which stands for Louis Vuitton Moet Hennesy, is a powerhouse luxury goods company that includes major brands like Christian Dior, Givenchy, Celine, Bulgari, and of course, Louis Vuitton.

It is currently Europes most valuable company, with an estimated valuation of over $330 billion as of Tuesday.

Arnault has reportedly spent over $530 million in buying up stock of the LVMH, positioning his family to own just shy of half of the entire company at the end of 2020.

Related: Elon Musk is No Longer the World's 2nd-Richest Person After Tesla Shares Lost a Quarter in Value Since January

LVMH was up 0.35% as of late Tuesday afternoon with Amazon seeing an increase of 0.43% simultaneously.

Both Amazon and LVMH are back to having a strong foot holding after Q1 following a pandemic that ravaged much of the retail industry and business world.

Amazon surpassed earnings estimates after reporting a revenue of $108.52 billion in Q1, beating an original estimate of $104.47 billion.

LVMH reported a recorded revenue of around $17.2 billion thus far in 2021, up 32% from the same time period last year, per a company report.

LVMH is well-equipped to build upon the hoped-for recovery in 2021 and regain growth momentum for all its businesses," LVMH said in a statement. The Group will continue to pursue its strategy focused on the development of its brands, driven by strong innovation and investment as well as by a constant quest for quality in their products and their distribution.

Related: Amazon to Retire Beloved Prime Now Service

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
HAMDEN  Starting May 29, a whole new adventure awaits town native Walter L. Morton IV, a member of the Army National Guard who learned last week he will be deployed to Africa.

Given the life change, Morton will resign after nearly four years on the Board of Education and take military leave from his position as the towns director of legislative affairs, he said.

Working together has been the honor of a lifetime, and choosing to resign was one of the hardest decisions Ive had to make, as I have been so invested in the Boards work the past 5 years, Morton wrote in a letter to the public announcing his resignation. Growing up in Hamden, it has always been a goal of mine to hold elected office in the town I call home, and to be the change I wished to see in our community.

Appointed to the Board of Education in 2016, Morton has been chairman of the finance committee since late 2019, he said.

During my time, I worked with my colleagues on a range of issues from budgets, to redistricting, equity efforts, union negotiating, and special education funding to name a few, Mortons letter says. I can say unequivocally that our Board members are dedicated, hard-working, and work tirelessly to ensure our students  and future leaders  have a bright future.

Gary Highsmith, who was principal of Hamden High School when Morton attended, said joining the board was a natural transition for Morton, who showed an interest in government during his teenage years.

Currently the districts assistant superintendent for human resources and administration, Highsmith reflected on Mortons role on the Board of Education.

It was good to have somebody in Walters generation representing the needs of his generation, Highsmith said. He had a good understanding of what students needed in Hamden, especially those students who had the biggest disadvantage.  It wasnt about him, it was really about the kids for him, so that was refreshing to see.

As a board member, Morton said his proudest moment came when a young, local Black student told the district superintendent that seeing Morton, also Black, have a leadership role signaled he one day could do the same.

It was touching, it was moving, Morton said. Just to know that him seeing me  being on the board was inspirational to him.

As for his role in town government, the 29-year-old said he started as the director of legislative affairs roughly two-and-a-half years ago.

During his time on the job, he was instrumental in several major projects in town, according to Dale Kroop, Hamdens former economic development director.

He said Morton helped secure $4 million from the state for structural repairs to homes in southern Hamden, an ongoing project headed by the Hamden Economic Development Corp.

Kroop said Morton also helped get legislation passed giving Hamden the right to purchase the High Meadows property, which if developed could bring in significant tax revenue.

Morton named both those projects as his proudest accomplishments on the job, saying he might not be able to help himself from picking up the phone while overseas to check in on High Meadows.

While the news of his deployment was unexpected, Morton, who said he enlisted in the military in 2011, is looking forward to serving.

Its a little surreal, he said. Its a little bit of stress, a lot of excitement.  Im anxious to be able to add this to my military resume.

Kroop said Mortons absence in Hamden will be noticed.

I met Walter about a year, year-and-a-half ago. He makes a big impression on people, he said, adding that Morton is excellent with people and good at getting community members engaged.

He really cares about his town, Kroop went on. Some personalities are hard to replace.  Walter will be one of those.

Highsmith also said Morton will be missed.

I just want him to return home safely, he said. I appreciate Walter making that sacrifice.  I think it takes a significant degree of courage, to make a decision like that.

Morton expects to return next March, he said.

 I look forward to continuing to remain actively engaged in our community when I return from deployment, he wrote in his resignation letter.

meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com
LOS ANGELES (AP)  California and the U.S. government announced an agreement Tuesday to open up areas off the state's central and northern coasts to the first commercial wind energy farms on the Pacific Coast.

The pact that would float hundreds of turbines off the coast of Morro Bay and Humboldt Bay was touted as a breakthrough to eventually power 1.6 million homes and help the state and federal government reach ambitious climate change goals through clean energy production.

California, as we all know, has a world class offshore wind resource, and it can play a major role in helping to accelerate Californias and the nations transition to clean energy, National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy said.

The plan includes floating 380 windmills across a nearly 400-square-mile (1,035-square-kilometer) expanse of sea 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Morro Bay. The site could be finalized next month and could be put up for lease next year.

The announcement is part of President Joe Biden's plan to create 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030.

The new projects  if approved and built  would provide a major expansion of offshore wind power in the U.S. Currently, there are just two working offshore wind farms  off Block Island in Rhode Island and off Virginia  but more than two dozen others are in development.

The projects will require several stages of approval  from an early review by the Coastal Commission to federal and state environmental reviews after a lease sale, said Sandy Louey of the California Energy Commission.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said he included $20 million in his revised budget proposal this month that would help expedite environmental review of the projects.

We value process but not the paralysis of a process that takes years and years and years that can be done in a much more focused way, Newsom said.

Environmental groups  including Audubon and the Natural Resources Defense Council  issued statements in support of the project with the caveat that fish, seabirds and marine mammals are protected.

The Environmental Defense Center, which was founded in Santa Barbara after a massive offshore oil spill in 1969, echoed that sentiment, calling for minimal harm to species and coastal communities.

We must remain vigilant in our efforts to ensure offshore wind is a net positive for California by also implementing robust environmental protections, Kristen Hislop said in a statement.

Fishermen, however, are concerned that construction and operation of projects on this scale could disrupt the ecosystem and that they were not consulted on the impact the locations could have on their industry.

We feel weve not been invited to have a seat at the table. We feel were on the menu, said Mike Conroy, executive director of The Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermens Associations.

The area off Morro Bay is a fishery for tuna and sword fish and hes concerned that the floating turbines could change migratory patterns of whales and other species. If blue and humpback whales, for example, are forced closer to shore, it could bring closures of Dungeness crab fishing.

The areas were chosen by agreement with the state, the Department of Interior, which oversees the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and the Department of Defense, which conducts training and weapons testing off the coast.

The agreement comes two weeks after the Biden administration announced a $3 billion project off the coast of Marthas Vineyard in Massachusetts that would power 400,000 homes with 84 turbines. The 800-megawatt Vineyard Wind project would be the first utility-scale wind power development in federal waters.

Another proposed project, Ocean Wind, off New Jersey would create 1,100-megawatts of power.

Those wind farms would be dwarfed by the scale of the California projects.

The California wind farms would produce a combined 4.6 gigawatts, with the Morro Bay operation providing two-thirds of that output. Currently, wind turbines on mountain passes and in the deserts across the state can produce 5.5 gigawatts, according the California Wind Energy Association.

Unlike the East Coast wind farms where turbines are stationary, the California projects will employ a newer floating technology because the continental shelf drops off more quickly in the Pacific than in the Atlantic Ocean.

California set a goal to produce all electricity by 2045 through renewable energy resources and zero-carbon generating facilities.
Bravo! This is a shout out to Fairfield students and residents who spoke out and stepped up after two racial slurs rocked our two high schools earlier this month. And on Monday of this week, students streamed out of Fairfield Ludlow High School, protesting recent racial incidents and calling for changes, according to the Fairfield Citizen. A similar action took place across town at Fairfield Warde where students also staged a walkout.

Organizers in the story noted that between 500 and 600 students participated in Ludlowes event, which lasted a little under three hours and included scheduled speeches and an opportunity for students to share their own experiences.

I was pleased to see how many members of our quiet bedroom community arrived at the Ludlowe walkout to support students and make it clear that Fairfield will not put up with racism.

Youth for Equity organized the Ludlowe event and Fairfield Warde Voices for Equity organized the Warde one.

While it has been refreshing to see how diverse our community has become in the 39 years since we originally moved to Fairfield, it is very sad that social media vehicles, like Snapchat, were the alleged forum for racial slurs against a student in town. With the country as divided as it is, I thought Fairfield students might be above exercising racism against peers. Apparently, I was wrong.

I was also pleased to see that more than 24,000 people, locally and Im sure from other places around the state and possibly the country, spoke out online against the slurs toward these young Black students. Thankfully, social media can work both ways.

Both of our daughters are graduates of Fairfield Warde, but when they attended, Ludlowe High School had been closed due to a lack of students. The name had been changed to Fairfield High School but Warde was actually where the high school was. Based on this racial incident, I asked our daughters if they recalled any racist incidents toward students of color. Both said they didnt recall any from their time there in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

In those days, our lives were naive and simple. There was no internet or social media. Fairfields Black population was just starting to expand.

Among other parents and friends from Fairfield, with whom we got together regularly as the girls were getting older, we rarely discussed the cultural diversity of students or families and always complimented the quality education in Fairfield schools. We talked about racism in other places, but not Fairfield.

Between 2008 and 2013, when I substituted in Fairfield high schools and middle schools and the Black and Latino population had grown in town, I never encountered incidents where racism was a factor among students. Yes, more students were using emails and eventually texts, but I never heard of anything derogatory appearing online.

My limited understanding from this early May online incident is that both high schools are handling the discipline of the high schoolers privately and with respect to the targeted family. And I was very impressed by the way the walkouts at the high schools were handled by students and adults. But it seems the matter is not totally settled.

This Wednesdays edition of the Fairfield Patch indicated that there is still some disagreement among The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) about this issue.

According to Fairfield Patch, in referring to the charge against the student allegedly posting the racial slurs, The ACLU of Connecticut is arguing the charge restricts freedom of speech and is unconstitutional, according to the Associated Press. Having racist ideas or sharing racist ideas is something that we actually protect, Emerson Sykes, a senior staff attorney with the national chapter of the ACLU, told the AP.

Sykes added, Even if that viewpoint is offensive, even if its deplorable, we don't want the government making the call about whats OK to say and think and what is not. But we have limitations on that right.

The Patch reporter added that the NAACP argues the charges against the teen should be stronger.

The 16-year-old Fairfield Warde High School student was arrested and charged with ridicule on account of creed, religion, color, denomination, nationality or race, as well as second-degree breach of peace. He is accused of posting a photo of a classmate that was taken without that students knowledge along with a racial slur, police said.

I have no idea where this new conflict between the ACLU and the NAACP may be going, but I believe the actions of Fairfield students this past Monday surely commanded the respect of fellow students and residents here in the community. I applaud the effort to take a stand against the blight of racism locally and in our society.

Steven Gaynes is a Fairfield writer, and his In the Suburbs appears each Friday. He can be reached at stevengaynes44@gmail.com.
NEW DELHI (AP)  Indian farmers demanding the government repeal new agriculture laws they say will devastate their livelihoods marked their protest movement's sixth month Wednesday by flying black banners on the cars and tractors and burning effigies of the prime minister.

Protesters have been blocking three highways connecting New Delhi to northern and western cities since November to press their demand for scrapping of the laws they say will favor large corporate farms. The protest has continued despite a surge in coronavirus cases that has overwhelmed the country.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter on Wednesday announced his resignation, citing certain personal matters that are becoming public.

In a statement released by his office, the 64-year-old Republican said he plans to step down June 1. In the statement, Hunter expressed concern that his personal issues could overshadow the work of his office.

Regrettably, certain personal matters that are becoming public will become a distraction for this office," Hunter said. The office of attorney general is one of the most important positions in state government. I cannot allow a personal issue to overshadow the vital work the attorneys, agents and support staff do on behalf of Oklahoma."

Although the statement did not describe the personal matter, Hunter filed for divorce from his wife, Cheryl, on Friday. The couple has been married for nearly 40 years and has two adult children.

Hunter was appointed to the post in 2017 by then-Gov. Mary Fallin after Scott Pruitt, who was attorney general at the time, was tapped by former President Donald Trump to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Hunter narrowly defeated Tulsa attorney Gentner Drummond in a bruising GOP primary in 2018, winning by fewer than 300 votes, before coasting to an easy victory in the general election.

Hunter helped lead the state's lawsuit against the makers of pharmaceuticals blamed for contributing to the opioid crisis, the first lawsuit of its kind in the nation, ultimately securing a $465 million order against consumer products giant Johnson & Johnson. That ruling is being appealed.

Hunter's resignation means Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt will name his replacement, allowing the governor to put an ally in the post. Stitt and Hunter, both Republicans, have occasionally clashed on various matters, including over Stitt's decision to renegotiate the state's gaming compacts with Native American tribes.

Stitt said in a statement that Hunter notified him Wednesday morning of his plan to step down.

I know he is going through a difficult time and I wish him, his family, and the employees of his office well," Stitt said.

In December, a multicounty grand jury led by Hunter's office indicted Stitt's secretary of digital transformation and technology, David Ostrowe, on one felony count of attempted bribery of an officer. Ostrowe is accused of attempting to bribe members of the Oklahoma Tax Commission. He has denied wrongdoing, and the case is pending in Oklahoma County.

And in April 2020, Hunter requested an investigative audit of the state Health Department over the agency's spending of state-appropriated funds. At the time, Stitt said he was disappointed in Hunter's request when the agency was in the midst of responding to the most historic pandemic of our time."

Hunter served as secretary of state and special legal counsel under Fallin until he was appointed attorney general.

Hunter also has served as secretary of the Commissioners of the Land Office, a $4 billion land and investment trust in Oklahoma. He previously served as secretary of state under former Gov. Frank Keating and was Keatings chief liaison to the Legislature, the state judiciary and its congressional delegation.
A post-Brexit bill triggering the biggest shake-up of the UK's environmental regulation in decades has returned to parliament today following a string of delays.

The Environment Bill, first announced in 2018, is seeking to put into law long-term binding targets for improving the environment and the natural world.

The legislation returned to parliament on Wednesday (26 May) for Report Stage and Third Reading in the House of Commons.

Measures in the bill include new ways to tackle waste crime, seen as a blight on rural communities and costly to agricultural businesses.

The government has also proposed a number of amendments, including a legally-binding target on species abundance for 2030.

The Environment Bill will also crack down on water companies that discharge sewage into rivers.

Defra's environment minister Rebecca Pow said: "It is vital that we address the twin challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss and protect and improve the environment for future generations.

"The bill will ensure we deliver the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on earth, which is why it is essential that we complete its passage into law as soon as possible."

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) said it was a 'welcome relief' to see the 'much-delayed' bill return.

"Now the hard work really starts if government is serious about it becoming law this year," said Mark Bridgeman, CLA president.

While there are some areas of concern, such as water abstraction and the exclusion of heritage, we support the bills robust framework for environmental governance with long-terms plans and targets.

"The bill must work hand-in-hand with the Agriculture Act and land management schemes to ensure the environment is well preserved for future generations.
A police and Health and Safety Executive investigation has been launched after a man was killed on a farm in East Yorkshire.

Humberside Police were called to a farm in Halsham on Wednesday 12 May, where the farmer was found dead at the scene.

Both the force and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are now investigating the circumstances around his death.

A spokesman for Humberside Police said: On Wednesday, May 12 at 10.45am officers were called to concerns for a mans safety at a property on Withernsea Road, Halsham.

Upon arrival the man was sadly pronounced deceased. The circumstances of his death are not being treated as suspicious and our sympathies are with his family and friends at this sad time.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) spokesperson added that it was also investigating the farmer's death.

HSE is assisting police with their enquiries into the death of a man at a farm in Holderness, East Yorkshire. We cannot comment further at this time.

Figures show that agriculture still continues to account for a large share of the annual fatality count in the UK.

It has the highest rate of fatal injury of all the main industry sectors, around 18 times as high as the all industry rate.

The latest figures by the HSE show there were 20 fatal injuries to agricultural, forestry and fishing workers in 2019/20.
The NFU is seeking thoughts and concerns from farmers on the impact that future trade deals with Canada and Mexico could have on the industry.

The government has launched an eight-week consultation calling for views ahead of further trade talks with both countries.

When the UK secured roll-over trade agreements with Canada and Mexico in 2020, there was a commitment to begin talks for a further free trade agreement in 2021.

The NFU said it would like to gather input from farmers to inform its position.

The union's chief international trade adviser, Gail Soutar said both Canada and Mexico represented 'important markets' for UK agri-food goods.

Figures show that yearly exports to each country totalled on average 320 million and 170 million, respectively.

Ms Soutar said: "Both markets offer opportunities for UK farmers to export their high-quality produce, and Canada is already an important market for our dairy producers."

However, she warned that Canada and Mexico were among the 10 largest agricultural exporters in the world, sitting alongside the likes of Brazil, USA and Australia.

"The government must therefore be particularly mindful of the cumulative impact negotiating free trade agreements with these global agricultural powerhouses will have on our farmers here in the UK," she said.

It comes amid media reports that Australian exporters will be offered tariff-free, quota-free access to the UK market, putting severe pressure on farmers.

The NFU said Canada and Mexico trade talks must be 'conscious of the cumulative impacts of trade deals on British agriculture', particularly as a deal with Australia could be agreed this year.

Despite this, Canada and Mexico both represent important markets for UK agri-food goods: in 2019 the UK exported 344m worth of agri-food goods to Canada.

Similarly, between 2017 and 2020 an average of 350 million worth of agri-food goods were exported from the UK to Mexico each year.

The NFU explained that there was room for further growth in both markets, particularly for British dairy products.

In 2019 the UK exported c1,800t of cheese to Canada worth 14.1m, driven primarily by high-value premium or specialist cheeses, making this an important market.

There is also strong potential for further growth in Mexico, due to growing wealth and an increased focus on healthy and niche products.

But the NFU warned that it was 'vital' for negotiators to ensure high domestic production standards were 'protected' in any future FTA with Canada or Mexico.

This includes maintaining the ban on beef produced using hormone growth promotants, the union said.

Farmers who would like to offer their opinions can respond directly to the government's consultation, with the deadline set at 12 July 2021.

NFU members can also email the union at emily.roads@nfu.org.uk by 1 July 2021.
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A farmer from Dumfries and Galloway have been awarded this years prestigious Sir William Young Award for his contribution to cattle breeding.

The award, by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), recognises outstanding contribution to livestock breeding.

It also commemorates the service to the Scottish agriculture industry by the late Sir William Young.

Alasdair Houston, of Gretna House Farms in Gretna Green, runs one of the most influential in the national Charolais herdbook, with bulls to 25,000gns twice at national sales.

Added to this achievement was the creation of an Aberdeen Angus herd in 2011, and in just a decade Gretnahouse Blacksmith is one of the most sought-after bulls in the breed.

In the early stages of the Simmental breed, the Gretnahouse name echoed through sales rings, with Gretnahouse Supersonic gaining widespread distinction, and even today his name is scattered throughout the herd book.

But 20 years ago, foot and mouth disease ripped the heart of the prefix, taking with it all of the fine animals belonging to the herd.

However, with conviction of breeding policies, the Gretnahouse name was re-established through a new Charolais breeding programme by embryo transfer and purchasing some of the best genetics from breeders.

A well-respected businessman of wide learning and integrity who is celebrated in the hospitality and tourism sector  even collected an MBE in 2011 for his services to tourism  Alasdair's passion lies in pedigree livestock breeding.

As Chairman of the British Charolais Cattle Society, he modernised its constitution and mission, driving forward their youth programme which will ensure the Society thrives in years to come.

Alasdair commented on his win: I am delighted to be recognised for my work in this way, especially since cattle breeding is such a passion of mine and something that I hugely enjoy."

Adding his congratulations, Bill Gray, RHASS chairman said: Anyone in the livestock breeding world who hears Gretnahouse instantly recognises it as a mark of quality, integrity and the passionate production of top-quality animals.

Alasdair has been the driving force behind his herds, not to mention his contribution to the tourism and hospitality sectors, and it outstanding what he has achieved in a relatively short space of time.

"On behalf of RHASS, we wish him huge congratulations for this richly deserved award.
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Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. The expenditure on healthcare is showing a noticeable uptrend in both developed and emerging economies and the increased life expectancy coupled with the stress of modern day life should make geriatric patients demand more pacemakers. Future Market Insights in an upcoming report titled Cardiac Surgery Devices Market: Global Industry Analysis 2012  2016 and Opportunity Assessment 2017  2027 has studied the global cardiac surgery devices market for the period 2017-2027.

The medical devices industry is dominated by a few companies that are world leaders in the field. We have profiled some of the largest companies currently involved in the cardiac surgery devices market. We have provided a brief company overview, industry classification codes, legal information, segment and company financials, key ratios, recent developments, a strategy overview, and a SWOT analysis. This allows you to gain a holistic picture of what your nearest competition plans in the cardiac surgery devices market, allowing you to plot your course of action accordingly.

Request a Sample of this Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4602

The cardiac surgery devices market has been studied on the basis of seven major geographic regions viz. MEA, APEJ, Japan, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Latin America, and North America. Every region has a dedication section in the cardiac surgery devices market report wherein we look at the regional drivers, restraints, opportunities, and trends.

The regulations that pertain to that specific region have been mentioned and a pricing analysis follows therewith. We have analysed the largest countries in each region of the cardiac surgery devices market and compared and contrasted the historical market size from 2012-2016 with the expected market size at the end of the forecast period in 2027.

An important chapter in the cardiac surgery devices market report focusses on the regulatory scenario in the cardiac surgery devices market. In an area of medical devices as critical to human lives as cardiac surgery devices, you can expect the norms and guidelines to be extremely stringent as even marginal errors could be very dangerous.

It also includes the Porters Five Forces Analysis and the price forecast for every device available in the cardiac surgery devices market for every region assessed in the global cardiac surgery devices market report. The potential installation and volume analysis concludes this portion of the cardiac surgery devices market report.

Get Full Report Buy Now @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/4602

Cardiac Surgery Devices Market Taxonomy

Product

Heart Lung Machine

Breathing Heart Surgery Systems Stabilisers Positioners

Catheters Ablation Catheter Drainage Catheter

Perfusion Disposables Oxygenators Centrifugal Pumps Cardioplegia Delivery System



End User

Hospitals

Ambulatory Surgical Centres

Procedure

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting On pump CABG Off pump CABG

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Region

North America

Latin America

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

APEJ

Japan

MEA

The cardiac surgery devices market report begins with the executive summary that is a succinct yet thorough first glance at the global market for cardiac surgery devices. This section highlights important facts that you may wish to know about this market and it is presented in a simple format to quickly browse through.

Request for Report Ask A Question @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-4602

Our expert analysts have assessed the cardiac surgery devices market for a 10 -year period and have made useful conclusions and recommendations. These recommendations take the form of an overall approach to adopt, segment to target, and region to prioritise with a differentiating strategy to truly succeed in the cardiac surgery devices market. The Wheel of Fortune is a graphical representation of the cardiac surgery devices market that can be immensely beneficial to our readers.

The market introduction is largely complementary to the executive summary of the cardiac surgery devices market report. We have defined the cardiac surgery devices market as a whole along with the various products that are available in the global market. This is followed by the cardiac surgery devices market taxonomy.
Over the years, actor Manoj Bajpayee has proved his mettle as an actor. Be it comedy, drama or an action thriller, Manoj has time and again given cinephiles a performance that they will cherish forever. While theres no denying that Manoj is one of the most versatile actors in the industry, it wont be wrong to say that the actor has a stronghold on the crime-thriller genre. Now as the actor is gearing up for the release of the new season of crime-thriller The Family Man, where he reprises his role as Srikant Tiwari, we take a look at some of Manoj Bajpayees movies in the genre.





1. Satya (1998)



Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, Satya was Manoj Bajpayees big break. The film, which was based on the stories of Mumbais underworld, received plaudits from critics and audiences alike. The film was regarded as one of the most realistic portrayals of Indian gangsters and paved the way for future gangster films in India. Manoj Bajpayee as Bhiku Mhatre, a gangster, stole the show and went on to become the poster boy for gangster films. After all, Mumbai ka King Kaun, Bhiku Mhatre? This guns-and-gangs saga not only introduced the world to the brilliant acting of Manoj Bajpayee (and he won the National Award for the same) but also made him a dance icon (Remember Sapno Mein Milti Hai?)

2. Gangs of Wasseypur (2012)



Gangs of Wasseypur was a dark crime drama starring an ensemble cast comprising Manoj Bajpayee, Richa Chadda, Reema Sen, Piyush Mishra, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Pankaj Tripathi, Huma Qureshi, and Tigmanshu Dhulia, among others. Based on the coal-mafia of Dhanbad and vendetta between three crime families, Gangs of Wasseypur was a cult hit of 2012. The ensemble cast of such talented actors couldnt diminish the talent of Manoj Bajpayee who stood out as Sardar Khan in the film.





3. Shootout at Wadala (2013)

Once again donning the hat of a gangster, Manoj Bajpayee turned Zubair Imtiaz Haksar for director Sanjay Guptas Shootout at Wadala (2013). Manoj as a menacing Zubair was nothing short of phenomenal in the film and once again proved that when it comes to crime-dramas and crime-thrillers, no one does it better than him.

4. The Family Man (2019 and 2021)



Making a shift from playing a gangster to catching one, Manoj Bajpayee played the role of a senior analyst in the fictional Threat Analysis and Surveillance Cell (TASC) in Amazon Prime Videos Original Series The Family Man. Directed by Raj and DK, Srikant is seen fighting terrorists on the field while hiding the real nature of his jobs from his two kids. The gripping story and power-packed action sequences are elevated by Manojs acting who fits perfectly in the character. The new season, which will stream from June 4, 2021, will see Srikant Tiwari battle an even deadlier nemesis.





5. Silence...Can You Hear It? (2021)



Starring Manoj Bajpayee, Prachi Desai and Arjun Mathur, Silence...Can You Hear It? is a thriller film that revolves around the mysterious disappearance of a woman. Manoj played the role of a police inspector, entrusted with the job of finding the missing woman. The murder mystery, currently streaming on Zee5, will give you goosebumps and keeps you on the edge of the seats with its twists and turns. Needless to say, Manoj Bajpayee shines as ACP Avinash Verma in this film.





Theres no way we can limit Manoj Bajpayees talent to just five films. So apart from the above-mentioned titles, dont forget to check out his other brilliant acts in Naam Shabana, Aiyaari and Mrs Serial Killer and do not miss The Family Mans new season from June 4, 2021 on Amazon Prime Video.
It appears that the news of the possibility of social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram getting banned in India, has affected actor Aparshakti Khurana as well. The actor took to Instagram to share a funny thought on the same. "Thinking now that social media platforms are getting banned, maybe we should refer to the hobbies section of our resumes for some ideas to kill our time," he wrote.

"Law college resumes you mean?" actor Pranutan Bahl commented on his post. On the professional front, Aparshakti is gearing up for his film, Helmet, which is also his first film as a solo lead actor. The film is based on the awkwardness that people feel while buying and talking about condoms in India.
LONDON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Commonwealth of Dominica's investment in its healthcare infrastructure is rapidly developing. This week, the small island inaugurated its cardiology department at the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital. The Ministry of Health and Wellness lauded the new department as a milestone for the country's healthcare system, bringing a higher quality of services to the people of Dominica.

The department is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a 24hr halter monitoring, 24hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, external pacemaker capabilities, echocardiograms, and the latest 12 lead ECG technology. This will allow citizens to receive specific care on the island rather than having to travel overseas.

The inauguration comes at a pivotal time in Dominica's healthcare journey. The small island recently celebrated the elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission, as certified by the World Health Organisation - a monumental achievement only accomplished by a handful of countries globally.

During the ceremony, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit highlighted some of the upcoming successes by his administration: "We inaugurated six new health centres this year, with another five to be inaugurated within the next two months. The new Marigot Hospital will be completed in June of this year, and we expect the total completion of the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital at the end of 2021."

Notably, many of these healthcare advances have been made possible through careful allocation of funds from Dominica'sCitizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. As countries like India grapple with a second, and deadlier, wave of COVID-19, having access to quality healthcare has become even more crucial. Dominica has not only effectively curbed community spread but, despite the restrictions caused by the pandemic, remains committed to enhancing healthcare on the island. Aside from healthcare, Dominica has also invested heavily in education, sustainability and affordable housing for its population through CBI funds.

Under the programme, investors across the globe can become citizens of Dominica once either investing through the Economic Diversification Fund or buying into selected eco-luxury resorts from internationally branded hoteliers like Hilton, Marriott and Kempinski. Once passing the necessary vetting process, citizenship is usually granted within three months, along with a wealth of benefits. These include visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to over 140 destinations, alternative business prospects and the right to pass citizenship down through descent. Additionally, investors can rest assured that their investment is contributing to the betterment of their adoptive home.

Contact: +447867942505, pr@csglobalpartners.com, www.csglobalpartners.com
The company to showcase its suite of IC health and performance monitoring solutions for Datacenters, Automotive and 5G

HAIFA, Israel, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- proteanTecs, a leading provider of deep data monitoring solutions for advanced electronics, announced today its participation in this year's TSMC Online Technology Symposium. This follows the company's recent announcement about joining the TSMC IP Alliance Program.

proteanTecs will exhibit at the TSMC North America Technology Symposium on June 1, 2021 and at the TSMC Europe and Taiwan Technology Symposiums on June 2, 2021.

Addressing the challenges of scale from design to deployment, proteanTecs has introduced end-to-end monitoring, from within. Proteus, the company's deep data analytics platform enables visibility into advanced electronics, based on UCT (Universal Chip Telemetry), throughout their entire lifecycle. Machine learning algorithms and advanced analytics are applied to measurements extracted from on-chip monitoring IPs, strategically placed during design. These provide a high coverage, high resolution picture of the SoC's design sensitivities as well as its operational behavior. Users along the value chain gain actionable insights, based on common, correlated and predictive data.

At the events, proteanTecs technology experts will be available to discuss how UCT can advance:

Characterization, qualification, and circuit validation

Power and performance optimization

Precision-based outlier detection and yield reclamation

Performance degradation monitoring

Test time reduction

Debugging and root cause analysis

Early detection of shifts and drifts

2.5D packaging interconnect monitoring

Application and system sensing and optimization

Lifetime monitoring in mission-mode

"proteanTecs' UCT is becoming a critical requirement and common practice in single-digit nanometer processes," said Uzi Baruch, proteanTecs CSO. "Companies that manufacture advanced SoCs see us as their partner for successfully bringing these complex designs to market."

To learn more about the TSMC 2021 Online Technology Symposium, visit here.

About proteanTecs

proteanTecs develops revolutionary Universal Chip Telemetry (UCT) for electronic systems throughout their entire lifecycle, increasing their performance and reliability. By applying machine learning to novel data created by on-chip UCT Agents, proteanTecs provides meaningful insights and visibility unattainable until today, leading to new levels of quality, reliability and scale. Founded in 2017, the company is headquartered in Israel with offices in New Jersey, California and Taiwan. For more information, visit: www.proteanTecs.com .

Press Contact

Tamar Naishlos, Media Relations

tamarn@proteanTecs.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1518007/proteanTecs_TSMC_2021.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/844547/proteanTecs_Logo.jpg
As the Geneva-based 74th World Health Assembly (WHA) meets virtually this week, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the world's largest provider of HIV/AIDS care globally, calls for the initial whistleblowers of the novel coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China to be made available for interviews immediately-preferably outside of China.

China has been criticized since late 2019, at the onset of COVID-19, for attempting to cover up the origins of the outbreak by jailing and silencing whistleblowers for trying to warn colleagues and the world about a mysterious virus. Two doctors, Dr. Ai Fen and Dr. Li Wenliang, were among those censored by authorities. Dr. Li lost his battle with COVID-19 on Feb. 7, 2020, after contracting the virus from a patient the previous month.

"We don't know if this outbreak was a lab accident, but we do know that its origin is being hidden and has been shrouded in secrecy since the beginning," said AHF President Michael Weinstein. "With nearly 3.5 million COVID-19 deaths globally, China owes the world the truth about the outbreak's origins. Doctors Li and Ai were only two of several individuals who first tried to sound the alarm on the novel coronavirus-they must all be free to tell their stories. The world deserves to know how this happened to help stop the current pandemic and prevent others in the future."

Dr. Li was one of eight people detained in Wuhan for "spreading rumors," according to an article in The Lancet. Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan was also jailed for her early COVID-19 reporting in Wuhan-another example of efforts by authorities to impede and obscure global investigations into COVID-19's origins and its spread at the start of the outbreak. Since Zhang's imprisonment, there have been reports of her continued protests in confinement.

"Complete transparency is a must. The individuals who were detained, along with any others, including Ms. Zhang, who have firsthand knowledge of the origins of COVID-19, must be immediately allowed to speak-where they are free from the intimidation and censorship of Chinese officials," added Weinstein. "Health care workers on the frontlines are the world's first line of defense against infectious disease outbreaks. By not gathering and utilizing data from all their knowledge and experiences, the world is put at much greater risk-as we've seen all too clearly with this pandemic."

The more than 190 health ministers, who are members of the WHA, must raise their voices and demand that China be completely transparent, including providing all relevant information without interference. These actions would allow an independent panel to discover the truth about the origins of COVID-19, which has disrupted the lives of citizens across WHA member states and caused devastation to the health and economic systems in their respective countries.

AHF echoes Dr. Li's words just days before his death. "If the officials had disclosed information about the epidemic earlier, I think it would have been a lot better. There should be more openness and transparency," said Li in an interview with The New York Times. In February 2020, AHF memorialized Dr. Li's courage and sacrifice by naming its Asia Bureau office in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in his honor.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 1.5 million clients in 45 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210525006047/en/

Contacts:

US MEDIA CONTACT:

Ged Kenslea,Senior Director, Communications, AHF

+1.323.308.1833 work +1.323.791.5526 mobile

gedk@aidshealth.org



Denys Nazarov, Director of Global Policy

Communications, AHF

+1 323.308.1829

denys.nazarov@ahf.org


Eclipse Cross PHEV model

TOKYO, May 26, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced that the Eclipse Cross plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model will launch in New Zealand on June 1, with the launch in Australia to follow in July. The addition of the Eclipse Cross PHEV model to the lineup reflects Mitsubishi Motors' continued commitment to contributing to the development of a sustainable society by promoting electrification focusing on plug-in hybrids.The second plug-in hybrid in the Mitsubishi Motors' lineup, the Eclipse Cross PHEV model incorporates the twin-motor 4WD system from the Outlander PHEV and offers a quiet, smooth yet powerful acceleration unique to electric vehicles, as well as a sporty driving experience. Combined with the Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) system, the vehicle delivers stable handling and precise control, giving drivers confidence to conquer on-road conditions with ease. The traction battery can also be used as a reliable source of electricity in an emergency, as it can supply power to a general household for up to 10 days(1) via the Vehicle-to-Home system when the vehicle is fully charged and fueled."Our plug-in hybrid technology has been highly acclaimed in New Zealand, where the Outlander PHEV is the best-selling new plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle in the market's automotive history(2)," said Yoichiro Yatabe, executive vice president of MMC. "In addition to eco-friendly performance, the Eclipse Cross PHEV model allows nimble yet stable handling with peace of mind and is already well-received in Japan and Europe. We are confident that it will offer an enjoyable driving experience to the customers in New Zealand and Australia."The Eclipse Cross debuted in Europe in 2017 as Mitsubishi Motors' global strategic model. It has been rolled out to more than 100 countries across the world, with cumulative sales volume reaching around 273,000 units(3). The redesigned Eclipse Cross gasoline model was first introduced in Australia and New Zealand in November 2020, followed by the launch of the gasoline and PHEV models in Japan in December and the launch of the PHEV model in Europe in February 2021.(1) The amount of power is based on Mitsubishi Motors' internal calculation, assuming that the amount of power used per day in a general household is approximately 10kWh per day, and does not include the conversion efficiency of V2H equipment and similar device.(2) Source: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency sales data from January 2002 to March 2021. The Outlander PHEV was launched in New Zealand in February 2014.(3) As of April 2021About Mitsubishi MotorsMitsubishi Motors Corporation (TSE:7211), MMC - a member of the Alliance with Renault and Nissan -, is a global automobile company based in Tokyo, Japan, which has more than 30,000 employees and a global footprint with production facilities in Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, mainland China, the Philippines, Viet Nam and Russia. MMC has a competitive edge in SUVs, pickup trucks and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and appeals to ambitious drivers willing to challenge convention and embrace innovation. Since the production of our first vehicle more than a century ago, MMC has been a leader in electrification - launched the i-MiEV - the world's first mass-produced electric vehicle in 2009, followed by the Outlander PHEV - the world's first plug-in hybrid electric SUV in 2013. MMC announced a three-year business plan in July 2020 to introduce more competitive and cutting-edge models, including the Eclipse Cross PHEV (PHEV model), the all-new Outlander and the all-new Triton/L200.For more information on MMC, please visit the company's website athttps://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/Source: Mitsubishi MotorsCopyright 2021 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
METEX provides an update on the situation

at its Amiens plant

Clermont-Ferrand, May 26, 2021 - (FR0004177046 METEX), METabolic EXplorer (METEX), specialized in the design, development and industrialization of eco-friendly bioprocesses for the production of functional ingredients, is giving details on the origin and consequences of the event that occurred last week at its Amiens amino acid production site. As a reminder, this site is operated by its recently acquired subsidiary from the Japanese group Ajinomoto.

On Friday 21 May, at around 1pm, the breach of the manhole cover of a storage tank containing around 170 m3 of hydrochloric acid led to the rapid leakage of its contents into a retention basin. This spill caused a limited overflow in the immediate vicinity of the retention area.

In close collaboration with the authorities, employees and local residents were quickly brought to safety with the help of the fire brigade, which then led the operations to secure the site and pump out the spilled acid in order to avoid any evaporation. These operations were carried out until Friday night and enabled the evacuation of all the hydrochloric acid spilled in the retention basin and the surrounding area. The hydrochloric acid tank in question was scheduled for replacement in September 2021 in the investment plan.

5 people were taken in by the emergency services for superficial care without consequences. Aerial samples taken on the site during the entire management of the disaster showed no environmental impact.

Management would like to express its gratitude for the responsiveness and professionalism of its on-site teams, and for the effective action of the authorities and firefighters in protecting the Amiens Nord industrial zone. It deeply regrets the inconvenience suffered by the people affected on and around the site.

The company is at the disposal of the DREAL of the Somme, which came on site on Tuesday morning for an initial review. The plant's management is also assessing the event's impact on its facilities and operations.

As a SEVESO site, the safety of people, employees, subcontractors and local residents and the environment are our absolute priority. This assessment will take several days, at the end of which management will present an action plan providing all the necessary means to repair the damage and return to normal production as quickly as possible under perfect safety conditions. The subsidiary's net cash position at the end of April 2021 was 19.1 million euros, enabling it to cope with this event.

This case of force majeure has led the plant management to proceed with a gradual shutdown of production between now and May 28 for a period of several days. The company is well aware of the consequences of this exceptional situation for its customers: the sales teams will work with them and their agents to inform them of the consequences of this event. At the same time, discussions will be held with employee representatives on the measures to be put in place during this period.

"The exemplary responsiveness of our teams, who alerted the authorities very early on, enabled us to deal effectively with this event. I would like to sincerely thank them for this. I would also like to express my gratitude for the efficient action of the Prefecture and the fire department. In view of this case of force majeure, we will have to temporarily stop production in the next few days in order to carry out a precise assessment of the situation and define an action plan. We will only restart production once we are certain that it will be done in optimal safety conditions." said David Demeestere, Plant Manager.

A next update will be made on June 1st to inform our partners of the progress of our analyses and the main lines of the action plan envisaged.

- FIN -

About METabolic EXplorer - www.metabolic-explorer.com

Using renewable raw materials, the company develops and industrialises innovative and competitive industrial fermentation processes as alternative to petrochemical processes to meet consumers' new societal expectations and the objectives of the energy transition. Its functional ingredients of natural origin are used in the formulation of cosmetic products, nutrition-animal health or as intermediates for the synthesis of biomaterials.

The construction of its first production unit, through its subsidiary METEX NVISTA, will bring 1.3 propanediol (PDO) and butyric acid (BA) on the market.

The acquisition of AANE, the leading European producer of amino acids for animal nutrition, enables the METEX Group to realize its ambition to become one of the world market leaders in functional ingredients produced by fermentation.

Based at the Clermont Limagne technology park, near Clermont-Ferrand, METabolic EXplorer is listed on Euronext in Paris (Compartment C, METEX) and is included in the CAC Small Index.

Get free financial information on METabolic EXplorer by registering with

www.metabolic-explorer.com

Investor relations - ACTIFIN

Benjamin LEHARI

Tel: + 33 (0) 1 56 88 11 11

Mail: blehari@actifin.fr

Media relations - ACTIFIN

Jenna DRIFF

Tel: + 33 (0) 1 56 88 11 21

Mail: jdriff@actifin.fr

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CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The NZ dollar gained ground against its key counterparts in the Asian session on Wednesday, after the Reserve Bank of New Zealand kept its official cash rate unchanged and signaled about the possibility of a rate hike by September next year.



The Monetary Policy Committee of the RBNZ decided to keep its OCR unchanged at the record low of 0.25 percent, in line with expectations.



The Committee also will keep the Large Scale Asset Purchase (LSAP) Program of up to NZ$100 billion and the Funding for Lending Program (FLP) operation unchanged.



The global economic outlook has continued to improve, with ongoing fiscal and monetary stimulus underpinning the recovery, the central bank said in a statement accompanying the decision. New Zealand's commodity export prices have benefited from this rise in global demand. However, divergences in economic activity, both within and between countries, remain significant. The sustainability of the global economic recovery remains dependent on the containment of COVID-19.



In its OCR projections, the RBNZ projected that the cash rate is likely to raise to 0.5 percent by September 2022 and to 1.5 percent by the end of 2023.



The kiwi spiked higher to a 9-day high of 1.6759 against the euro and a 3-month high of 0.7317 against the greenback, up from Tuesday's closing values of 1.6939 and 0.7224, respectively. Next key resistance for the kiwi is seen around 1.62 against the euro and 0.75 against the greenback.



The kiwi approached 79.59 against the yen, its biggest level since April 2018. The pair had ended yesterday's deals at 78.57. The currency is seen finding resistance around the 82.00 level.



The kiwi jumped to near a 3-month high of 1.0648 against the aussie, compared to Tuesday's close of 1.0714. The kiwi may test resistance around the 1.03 level, if it rises again.



Looking ahead, Swiss economic sentiment index for May is set for release in the European session.



At 10:00 am ET, Federal Reserve Governor Randal Quarles will deliver a speech about insurance regulation at an online event hosted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners International Insurance Forum.



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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Bam Bam Resources Corp. (CSE: BBR) (OTC Pink: NPEZF) (FSE: 4NPB) ("Bam Bam" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Zonge International has been engaged to complete an extensive Induced Polarization/Resistivity (IP) program to expand and extend the existing deep IP coverage. A 2007 survey using 300 meter dipole spacing and a 2018 in-fill program has proven remarkably successful in defining high-chargeability and resistivity anomalies that correlate to porphyry copper related phyllic alteration and sulfide zones with chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, & arsenopyrite.

Figure 1

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

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The planned IP survey will provide wide coverage and extend the historic lines over the newly acquired private and public lands. Zonge's IP crew has mobilized to Majuba Hill to begin the extensive program.

David Greenway, Bam Bam's President and CEO, commented: "The geophysics are always an important tool when exploring for large porphyry copper deposits. I am particularly pleased that our ongoing, phased-exploration program has put us in a position to engage Zonge International at a very timely point in our exploration. Our recently completed Drone Magnentic Survey showed that the Tertiary Intrusive Assemblage at Majuba Hill is at least 2.5 times larger than the geologic mapping indicated. The results of the Deep IP Survey will help us immensely to understand the size and scope of this deposit."

The very direct correlation between the high chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, & arsenopyrite content in core hole MHB-8 and the high-chargeability anomalies outlined by the previous surveys is a good indication of the importance of the IP geophysics for identifying drill targets and outlining the potential scale for mineralization at Majuba Hill.

3D modeling shows a strong correlation of high copper values, high chargeability, and the felsite intrusive assemblage, in drill holes MMX-24 and MHB-6:

MMX-24: 370 ft (112.8m) at 0.45% Cu from 730-1100 ft (222.5-335.3m)

MHB-6: 50 feet (15.2 m) at 0.72% Cu from 750-800 ft (228.6-243.8 m) includes 20 feet (6.1 m) at 1.31% Cu from 780-800 ft (237.7-243.8 m).



Previous surveys shown strong IP chargeability highs emerging on the margins and along the previously completed lines. These chargeability highs are remarkably similar to the IP anomalies around MMX-24, MHB-6, and MHB-8.

The planned IP survey will extend the historic lines and provide wide coverage over the newly acquired private and public lands.

About Majuba Hill Property

Majuba Hill is a large contiguous land position controlling the emerging Majuba Hill Copper District, located Northeast of Reno, Nevada. The "Majuba Hill District" is comprised of extensive mineral and surface rights held by private ownership, patented mining claims, and Federal Lode Mining claims that are 100% controlled by Bam Bam Resources Corp. The land package is approximately 15.1 square miles (39.2 square km)/9,678 acres (3,917ha).

The property is easily accessed by 23 miles of well-maintained roads leading from U.S. Interstate 80. Reno and Elko are the major supply centers for exploration and mining activities in Nevada. The existing highways are sufficient for transportation of exploration-size heavy equipment. Development logistics would use the 4 lane Interstate 80 highway, Union Pacific railroad tracks and adjacent power, natural gas, and fiber optic transmission lines in the rail - highway corridor.

Mining is a common occupation in the area with several small to world class mines operating in the Winnemucca - Lovelock area over the past several decades. A well-trained and experienced mining workforce pool is available in Nevada when labor and expertise are required.

The excellent location of Bam Bam's Majuba Hill District, with already existing mining friendly infrastructure, will significantly reduce costs for exploration programs and future mining activities.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed by E.L. "Buster" Hunsaker III, CPG 8137, a non-independent consulting geologist who is a "Qualified Person" as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43- 101").

About Bam Bam Resources Corp.

Bam Bam Resources Corp. (CSE: BBR) (OTC Pink: NPEZF) (FSE: 4NPB) is engaged in the identification, review and acquisition of latter stage copper and copper/silver/gold assets. This is in direct response to the growing worldwide demand and lack of supply for precious metals fueled by the Green New Deal in the US and most other developed nations with similar programs aimed at addressing climate change. Such programs are heavily reliant on silver, gold and especially copper to produce Electric Vehicles and other renewable power sources, as well as building infrastructure to provide clean and affordable electricity.

The flagship project is the Majuba Hill copper, silver and gold District, located 156 miles outside Reno, Nevada, USA. Management has been mandated to focus on safe, mining friendly jurisdictions where government regulations are supportive of mining operations.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

On Behalf of the Board of Bam Bam Resources Corp.

"David Greenway"

David C. Greenway

President & CEO

For further information, please contact:

Joel Warawa

VP of Corporate Communications

E: jw@bambamresources.com

P: 1 (855) 475-0745

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking" statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Bam Bam Resources Corp. believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Bam Bam Resources Corp. management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Bam Bam Resources Corp. undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

###

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85263
Future Market Insights recently published a fully researched publication on Global Bioabsorbable Stents Market: Industry analysis (2012-2016) and Opportunity Analysis (2017-2022), which focuses on different aspects which influence the global market. The comprehensive research report on global bioabsorbable stents market focuses on trends, opportunities, challenges, restraints and growth drivers which have a one of a kind impact on the growth of the global market.

The research report presents a holistic angle covering the global scenario, thereby putting across a 3600 view of the global bioabsorbable stents market. Global scenario is covered with respect to important geographies of North America, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Latin America, Europe, Japan and Middle East and Africa (MEA). A detailed level five segmentation adds to the credibility and the value addition that the research report brings.

Request a Sample of this Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4819

Market Taxonomy:

Global bioabsorbable stents market is segmented on the basis of product type, by end user, by disease indication, by absorption rate and by region.

Region

North America

Latin America

Europe

Japan

APEJ

MEA

Product Type

Polymeric Stents

Metallic Stents

Polymeric-coated Metallic Stents

End User

Hospitals

Cardiac Catheterization Labs

Ambulatory Surgical Centers

Get Full Report Buy Now @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/4819

Disease Indication

Coronary Artery Disease

Peripheral Artery Disease

Absorption Rate

Slow Absorption Rate

Fast Absorption Rate

Know What your Competition Knows

Research report on global bioabsorbable stents market is well crafted and includes a separate section titled competitive analysis, which covers all details about the tier companies involved in the global bioabsorbable stents market. An in-depth analyses on these key companies includes a detailed SWOT, market share analysis, growth strategies, promotion tactics, mergers and acquisitions, expansion strategies, global presence, innovations and developments, etc. This competitive scenario will reinforce the readers decisions to gain competitive edge.

To achieve this clarity and get acquainted with the various market components, and elements which impact the market, a powerful research approach is followed at Future Market Insights, which has proven useful in gathering data and achieving high accuracy of the results provided in the report. Initial steps to understand the market and get a certain direction based on the market definition is achieved with the help of secondary research. This vast research covers a wide angle of the market and points in the right direction based on which primary research is carried out.

Request for Report Ask A Question @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-4819

Across all important geographies, several primary interviews are conducted which give a shape to the current market understanding based on which inferences are slated. Moreover, each insight, each data point or each statement which is noted is cross checked at every stage in the primary research, re-evaluated during each primary interview and thereby all the data undergoes validation a couple of times.

The key opinions from the market observers, industry experts and secondary sources are chalked and this extensive information overload is triangulated to arrive at conclusions with maximum accuracy. The research process includes profiling of the market, identifying and listing respondents, preparing a detailed conversation guide based on overall market understanding, collection of data points, validating the data and analysing it and providing meaningful insights.
COPENHAGEN (dpa-AFX) - Denmark retail sales declined for the first time in three months in April, figures from the Statistics Denmark showed on Wednesday. Retail sales dropped a seasonally adjusted 8.3 percent month-on-month in April, after a 19.8 percent increase in March. Sales of clothing and other goods decreased 8.1 percent monthly in April. Sales of food and grocery declined 7.5 percent and those of other consumables fell 8.8 percent. On an annual basis, retail sales increased 9.8 percent in April, after a 24.3 percent growth in the previous month. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
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.
LONDON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today TBD Media Group announces the release of the latest edition of its innovative and inspirational 50 Sustainability and Climate Leaders campaign, celebrating the sustainable efforts of today's farsighted leaders.

The health of the climate, along with the importance of engaging with sustainability have become increasingly fixed in the public consciousness and are now rallying calls from a hyper-aware consumer base, aimed at current organisations and businesses - demanding action and optimisation in equal measure. The companies that do not heed such calls risk being left behind in a sustainable transition. However, the leading businesses of the world are responding to the current situation and pressure for change in an innovative manner, seeing serious challenges as incredible opportunities.

50 Sustainability and Climate Leaders engages with the movers and shakers that are helping to drive the spheres of business and society towards a sustainable and optimal future. Such leading groups are being showcased for their actions, such as developing the world's first electric fire fighting apparatus, engaging with sustainable transformation within the food sector, optimising the wood panel industry, assisting in the transformation to a sustainable global economy and enabling more with less in terms of resource optimisation. In addition, this campaign highlights companies that are excelling when it comes to developing sustainable luxury, achieving climate neutrality, and driving the sustainable growth of regions like Africa.

This campaign makes effective use of short and bespoke documentary films to highlight the visionary measures that are being put in place to ensure the sustainable nature of tomorrow's industries. TBD Media Group's global reach offers a prime opportunity for communication on a worldwide scale.

Paolo Zanini, CEO of TBD Media Group, says, "The world of tomorrow will be a sustainable one. The leaders making sure we will have a strong and climate friendly future are, through their trailblazing actions, the ones to watch. Our role is to make sure they enter into the global conversation and tell us how they are changing the world."

Companies featured in this launch:

Chopard, AUDI AG, Standard Bank Group , Rosenbauer America, Tetra Pak , Georg Fischer , Moody's , Siempelkamp Group , QI Group, ROSSMANN, Oerlikon Group , ZEISS.

About 50 Sustainability and Climate Leaders:

The 50 Sustainability and Climate Leaders project is the response from the International Business Community which demonstrates the desire, the leadership, and the will to take effective action in the fight against Climate Change. Businesses that wish to get involved should contact info@tbdmediagroup.com .

About TBD Media Group:

TBD Media Group is an international, purpose-driven, media developer that helps companies, organisations and governments tell their brand stories in a human and direct way. Learn more at https://www.tbdmediagroup.com/ .

Media Contact:

Jenna-Leigh Soobramoney

Head of Marketing

TBD Media Group

j.soobramoney@tbdmediagroup.com

Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1518904/50_Leaders.mp4
Press Release

Nokia introduces new additions to industry-leading small cells portfolio

Nokia's new small cells portfolio includes new mmWave, micro RRH and AirScale indoor Radio products including support for U.S. C-Band deployments

Nokia's new products allow operators to leverage available spectrum assets and offer even more deployment options, both indoors and outdoors

Nokia small cells increasingly powered by Nokia's latest generation of ReefShark System on Chip technology

26 May 2021

Espoo, Finland - Nokia today announced the launch of new additions to its industry-leading AirScale small cells portfolio for premium indoor and outdoor 5G coverage. Nokia's new products include enhanced hardware and support the majority of frequency bands, including requirements for C-Band spectrum in the U.S.

Nokia's new AirScale micro Remote Radio Heads (mRRH) deliver premium outdoor 5G coverage, enhancing both capacity and coverage in dense urban environments. Nokia's mRRHs allow operators to cost-effectively densify their networks, especially where the deployment of a macro cell would not be appropriate. Micro RRH have small footprints and offer increased deployment options, as well as lower power consumption and so lower operational cost. In addition to the new U.S. C-Band (n77) product, Nokia's enhanced mRRH portfolio also offers even broader mid-band capabilities with a new n79 product.

Nokia also introduces its new range of AirScale indoor Radio (ASiR) solutions, including a new ASiR-pRRH (pico Remote Radio Head) supporting U.S. C-Band spectrum requirements and a new triple-band pRRH - the first integrated 4G/5G pRRH. Nokia has also released a new Smart HUB, which supports even greater throughput capacity for 5G and an associated Hybrid Fiber Converter that enables the use of hybrid fibers for interconnection to existing ASiR-pRRH.

Nokia has also announced the availability of its latest millimeter wave (mmWave) radio product line-up, ideal for extreme capacity 5G connectivity for stadiums, airports or pedestrianized areas. These compact products support a wide range of deployment options to ease installation considerations in busy locations. Nokia's mmWave portfolio supports all spectrum bands including 24/26 GHz, 28 GHz and 39 GHz.

Nokia recently launched the Nokia Smart Node, a compact femtocell solution delivering high-quality 4G and 5G indoor mobile coverage for residential and small-medium enterprise use. The unique, 'plug and play' modular design can be readily deployed in any environment to support evolving consumer applications. It is future-proof, supporting 4G now and 5G as and when required.

Remy Pascal, Principal Analyst, Omdia commented: "Nokia has maintained its position as one of the top small cell manufacturers for five consecutive years according to our research. This new portfolio of AirScale indoor and outdoor solutions should enhance their standing as an industry-leader particularly given their support for all key frequency band requirements including the C-Band."

Mark Atkinson, SVP, Radio Access Networks PLM at Nokia: "We are delighted to announce the launch of our new range of small cells products, which further strengthens our award-winning and industry-leading portfolio. The portfolio is bolstered by the inclusion of the latest ReefShark chipsets and support for all frequency ranges including the C-Band. I look forward to supporting our customers' requirements for premium coverage and capacity both indoors and outdoors."

Resources:

Nokia Small Cells

Nokia AirScale

Nokia 5G RAN

Nokia AirScale microRRH

Nokia AirScale Indoor Radio System

Nokia Femtocells

About Nokia

We create technology that helps the world act together.

As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

Adhering to the highest standards of integrity and security, we help build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable and inclusive world.
Online IT conference Transformation NOW! 2021 - June 16 and 17, 2021 - Opportunity for Change

BIELEFELD, Germany, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NTT DATA Business Solutions AG, formerly itelligence AG, is inviting decision-makers to the first virtual "Transformation NOW!" IT conference, taking place on June 16 and 17, 2021. In its new online format, the event will showcase successful examples of innovation and digitalization. Conference participants will obtain a concise overview of tools, technologies and methods to bring topics such as the Internet of Things, New Work, hyperautomation and Customer Experience to life. Under the motto "Learn.Share.Network", the digitalization experts will share their know-how about the current trends in the SAP and IT world in 70 slots.

Norbert Rotter, CEO of NTT DATA Business Solutions: "The virtual exchange of ideas at Transformation NOW! 2021 will bring together experts and expertise and provide decision-makers with an exclusive insight into strategies for digital success. Digitalization takes passion, know-how and excellent specialists to succeed. And you will be able to experience all that at Transformation NOW!"

Successful transformation needs collaboration

Online visitors will experience in detail how SME companies and global corporations are utilizing the technological megatrends to their benefit. A wide range of topics will be covered: cloud scenarios, digital manufacturing, robotic process automation, artificial intelligence, analytics, the path from raw data to fact-based decisions, chatbots, human experience management (HXM), New Work as well as customized SAP S/4HANA migration scenarios and the close integration of SAP and Microsoft IT systems.

Gain inspiration from thought leaders

Keynote speakers, such as the philosopher Richard David Precht, Global Digital Women founder Tijen Onaran, digital entrepreneur Philipp Riederle and Susanne Diehm, COO & Head of Cloud at SAP Germany, will widen your perspective on the impact of digitalization.

Successful customers of NTT DATA Business Solutions will describe their digitalization strategy and their journey to become an "Intelligent Enterprise". Scheidt&Bachmann, for example, a company specializing in signaling technology, ticketing devices and POS systems for gas stations and car parks, has developed and implemented a solution for smart logistics in collaboration with NTT DATA Business Solutions. This involves an indoor tracking system detecting the locations and movement data of goods and products in real time and logging the status changes along the production and logistics processes in the SAP system.

Richard David Precht: "The future is not just coming - we are making it"

Technology on its own will not be sufficient to secure such a fundamental transformation. The philosopher and bestselling author Richard David Precht will provide a philosophical outlook on the world in his keynote speech: "The future is not just coming - we are making it." Precht will consider the question of how society wants to live and work in the future: "Some are waiting for digitalization to happen in appalling naivety, others are warning of a dictatorship. Neither extreme represents an adequate response. We need to be proactive, discuss the transformation and take it in hand." News anchor Judith Rakers will subsequently moderate the podium discussion "Shaping the digital transformation".

Working World 4.0 will connect the generations

The second conference day will be opened by digital entrepreneur Philipp Riederle with the question "Is your company ready for Working World 4.0?". In the subsequent multi-generational discussion, Philipp Riederle, Tijen Onaran and Dr. Andreas Pauls, Executive Vice President DACH of NTT DATA Business Solutions AG, will discuss the following topic: "From baby boomers to Generation Z: how can Working World 4.0 turn out a success for all generations?"

The speeches, rounds of discussion, presentations, talks by experts and videos will address decision-makers from upper management and from operating departments as well as IT specialists. Dr. Andreas Pauls affirms the conference agenda as follows: "Trend analyses, concrete scenarios and practical examples will give participants the tools to drive innovation and change management in their companies securely." And he adds: "I am looking forward to the dialogue at eye level."

Decision-makers who wish to realize the potential of the digital transformation please click here to register for Transformation NOW! 2021, held online on June 16 and 17, 2021.

About NTT DATA Business Solutions

NTT DATA Business Solutions designs, implements, manages and continuously enhances SAP solutions to make them work for companies and their people.

Through extensive in-depth SAP expertise, it connects its clients' business opportunities with the latest technologies. As part of the NTT DATA group and with close ties to SAP, the company gives clients and prospects access to innovative solutions and developments, and thus makes an important contribution to innovation and long-term business success. NTT DATA Business Solutions employs some 10,000 people in more than 30 countries.

About NTT DATA

NTT DATA - a part of NTT Group - is a trusted global innovator of IT and business services headquartered in Tokyo. We help clients transform through consulting, industry solutions, business process services, digital & IT modernization and managed services. NTT DATA enables them, as well as society, to move confidently into the digital future. We are committed to our clients' long-term success and combine global reach with local client attention to serve them in over 50 countries around the globe. Visit us at nttdata.com.

Media contact international

Head of Corporate Communications

Silvia Dicke

NTT DATA Business Solutions

Konigsbreede 1

33605 Bielefeld, Germany

T: +49 (0) 521 / 9 14 48 - 107

E-mail: silvia.dicke@nttdata.com

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1518058/Norbert_Rotter_NTT_DATA.jpg
New central location in the heart of Rome will welcome customers to the historic Palazzo Marignoli

Apple today previewed Apple Via del Corso, the newest retail location nestled in one of Rome's most vibrant areas. As the 17th store to open in Italy, Apple Via del Corso will serve as an all-new, centrally located space for Apple team members to provide best-in-class service and support to the local community. The store preserves the grand Palazzo Marignoli, paying homage to Rome's rich history of art and culture, and making it one of Apple's most significant restoration projects.

Apple Via del Corso also brings the first-ever Today at Apple Made in Rome program dedicated to providing the next generation of young Romans with inspiration, skills, and tools to explore their passions. Led by over 40 local artists, Apple curated sessions across the fields of music, art and design, content creation, and video, aimed at supporting local communities across the city in the months to come. Once in-person sessions return, the new store will also host free Today at Apple sessions on topics ranging from photography and video, music, coding, art, design, and more.

"We can't wait to begin a new chapter in Rome with the opening of Apple Via del Corso," said Deirdre O'Brien, Apple's senior vice president of Retail People. "The new store represents a celebration of the unique history and art of Roman culture, and we hope to inspire creativity among the local community with our Made in Rome program and future Today at Apple sessions."

Originally constructed in 1873 by renowned architect Salvatore Bianchi and a second renovation by architect Giulio Podesti, Palazzo Marignoli was the home of Marquis Filippo Marignoli and housed Caffe Aragno, one of Rome's most notable gathering places in its day frequented by artists, writers, and actors. Several pieces of art showcased in Caffe Aragno have been carefully restored and thoughtfully incorporated within the new store design, including multiple graffiti panels created by Italian painter Afro Basaldella in 1950. The teams were also able to revive and integrate Fabio Cipolla's "Dawn" and Ettore Ballerini's "Dusk," two large ceiling paintings that date back to the early 1900s. Similar to previous restorations such as Apple Champs-Elysees in Paris, Regent Street in London, and Carnegie Library in Washington, D.C., Apple and a team of local restorers collaborated to create a thoughtful combination of historic and contemporary architecture with Via del Corso.

Large glass windows face Via del Corso, allowing natural light to stream into the interior. The store centers around a lush courtyard brimming with native Camphora trees the green heart of the palazzo and a remnant of the historic monastery Santa Maria Maddalena delle Convertite. On the first floor, four sets of doors provide access to an exterior landscaped terrace filled with jasmine vines and olive trees inspired by Roman roof terraces that look into the courtyard. Once inside, visitors will find a monumental staircase dating back to 1888, restored to its original detailing of locally sourced Carrara marble. On the upper floor, the Forum occupies the ballroom of the Marquis's palazzo, which will be home to Today at Apple sessions. Adjacent to the Forum is a dedicated space for Apple Support and the Genius Bar, where a team of conservators have worked thousands of hours to restore the exquisite, geometrically patterned, hand-painted ceiling.

Via del Corso joins the 117 Apple Store locations across 12 countries in Europe. Apple's presence in Europe spans more than 40 years, supporting over 1.8 million jobs with more than 100 new jobs created at the new store. In all, Via del Corso is home to 200 team members who collectively speak 20 languages.

On opening day, customers wishing to visit Apple Via del Corso are encouraged to book an appointment at apple.com/it/viadelcorso. Customers without reservations will be welcome based on store occupancy. The store will open with the same comprehensive health and safety procedures currently in place across all Apple Store locations. For those wishing to order new products online, customers can get shopping help from Apple Specialists, choose monthly financing options, trade in eligible devices, receive Support services, and select no-contact delivery or Apple Store pickup for online purchases.

Apple Via del Corso opens Thursday, May 27, at 10 a.m. CEST in Rome.

Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. Apple's five software platforms iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, and iCloud. Apple's more than 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple Newsroom (www.apple.com/newsroom), or call Apple's Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.

2021 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, Today at Apple, Genius Bar, Apple Store, and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005363/en/

Contacts:

Nick Leahy

Apple

nleahy@apple.com

408-862-5012

Pia Fontes

Apple

pia_fontes@apple.com

44-2032-846176
LIMASSOL, Cyprus, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- easyMarkets is very excited to announce the launch of an account that allows its traders to deposit, trade and withdraw in Bitcoin.

easyMarkets' new BTC account gives its clients the ability to trade any of the 200+ instruments - directly, without the need to exchange their Bitcoin for FIAT currencies - in a quick and easy way based on the blockchain. The new account automatically creates a Bitcoin wallet address for ease of use, convenience, and efficiency, ensuring that the clients can react quickly to protect themselves during volatility and seize opportunity when it presents itself.

easyMarkets BTC account features all of the innovative tools, protections and competitive conditions its other base currency accounts offer, including:

Some of the tightest fixed spreads in the industry on shares, cryptocurrencies, commodities, metals, options and currencies.

No Slippage on easyMarkets platform & App - a powerful benefit when one is trading highly mobile instruments like cryptocurrencies.

Negative Balance Protection

Free & Guaranteed Stop Loss & Take Profit on easyMarkets Platform & App

Available on MT4 too, for experienced users

On 17thMay 2021, CMO Ohad Golan said about the new account:

"We are excited about offering our traders the ability to deposit, withdraw and trade with their Bitcoin funds. As Bitcoin approached the critical 1 trillion dollar market cap level, more and more people bought into the impressive rally, including our clients. With their funds in Bitcoin though they aren't able to trade outside of an exchange until now. That is why this new type of account gives our clients even more freedom and choice when trading with easyMarkets. We are sure this will also be beneficial to our partners and affiliates by opening up new promotional and branding opportunities.

At the time of writing this release, Bitcoin has reached a market cap of $948.98B, 24hr volume of $100.62B and a staggering YTD growth of +69.58%. All other more "conventional" assets pale in comparison. And that is excactly why this new service we are offering is so exciting."

easyMarkets BTC account is available across all platforms easyMarkets offers; easyMarkets web and app platform and MT4.

Another benefit of depositing, withdrawing and trading with easyMarkets BTC account is security. easyMarkets is regulated in multiple locations across the world from Europe to Australia, including being licenced by CySEC and ASIC, ensuring that all activities are performed in a transparent way that protects clients and their assets.

Signing up for easyMarkets new BTC account is as simple as signing up for any other of its accounts.

Create an easyMarkets account.

During sign up select Microbitcoin as one's base currency

Verify one's account and identity

Fund one's BTC account by scanning the provided QR code

Now, one can deposit and withdraw in BTC and trade any of the multiple asset classes easyMarkets offers.

Bitcoin has been widely adopted as a trading instrument and virtual currency in recent years. easyMarkets joins the likes of PayPal, Auction house Southeby's, Amazon owned Twitch, Etsy and Xbox in accepting Bitcoin for services and transactions. And many companies such as Amazon, eBay, JP Morgan and Japanese mega eCommerce site Rakuten are looking into adopting Bitcoin as a form of payment.

Please note that one can only deposit and withdraw BTC with easyMarkets BTC Account and can not exchange the funds to other FIAT currencies. All instruments traded on the platforms easyMarkets offers are CFDs, meaning one does not possess the underlying asset.



Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1518910/easyMarkets_Launches_Account.jpg
Appointment of Second Independent Director Meets Corporate Governance Requirement for OTCQB Uplisting

EL CAJON, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 26, 2021 / Solar Integrated Roofing Corp. (OTC PINK:SIRC), an integrated, single-source solar power and roofing systems installation company, has appointed respected technology leader Muthla AlSayer to the Board of Directors, effective immediately.

AlSayer is a technology expert with over 20 years of experience guiding business strategy and creating purpose-built technology solutions. She was CEO & Co-Founder of omniX labs, where she brought experience and understanding of connecting the physical space in a digital world. Prior to omniX labs she was CEO of TagStone, an IoT technology systems integration company, and a management consultant at Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund.

She started her career at Goldman Sachs, an Investment Bank in New York City. She is a YPO member and has served as board member or advisor with companies including Precinct Partners, Toolbox OS, Claira, ElevenPoint2 and Abana. Muthla AlSayer graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and received a BS in Computer Systems Engineering as well as an MBA from MIT Sloan.

"Muthla is a highly respected, purpose-driven leader who has a strong track record of success throughout her career," said David Massey, Chief Executive Officer of Solar Integrated Roofing. "Her expertise in strategy, business development, operations and finance will prove invaluable as we strive to drive sustainable revenue growth and profitability in the near-term. In addition, her appointment importantly allows us to meet the requirement for two independent directors, which is a requirement for uplisting to the OTCQB.

"We welcome Muthla to the Board and look forward to her contributions as we continue to scale our company, leveraging recent acquisitions to create a truly comprehensive nationwide platform company for solar, battery and roofing solutions. I look forward to executing upon this vision to create sustainable value for our shareholders over the long-term," concluded Massey.

About Solar Integrated Roofing Corp.

Solar Integrated Roofing Corp. (OTC PINK:SIRC), is an integrated, single-source solar power and roofing systems installation platform company specializing in commercial and residential properties throughout the United States. The Company's broad array of solutions include sales and installation of solar energy systems, battery backup and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to roofing, HVAC and related electrical contracting work. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.solarintegratedroofing.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements made in this press release which are not historical facts contain certain forward-looking statements; as such term is defined in the Private Security Litigation Reform Act of 1995, concerning potential developments affecting the business, prospects, financial condition and other aspects of the company to which this release pertains. The actual results of the specific items described in this release, and the company's operations generally, may differ materially from what is projected in such forward-looking statements. Although such statements are based upon the best judgments of management of the company as of the date of this release, significant deviations in magnitude, timing and other factors may result from business risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, the company's dependence on third parties, general market and economic conditions, technical factors, the availability of outside capital, receipt of revenues and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the company. The company disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in any forward-looking statement. This press release shall not be deemed a general solicitation.

Investor Relations Contact:

Lucas A. Zimmerman

Senior Vice President

MZ North America

Main: 949-259-4987

SIRC@mzgroup.us

www.mzgroup.us

SOURCE: Solar Integrated Roof Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/649101/Solar-Integrated-Roofing-Appoints-Respected-Technology-Leader-Muthla-AlSayer-to-Board-of-Directors
PARIS, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Epresspack, the European publisher of newsrooms dedicated to corporate reputation issues, together with Agence France-Presse (AFP) is today announcing the launch of MediaConnect, a unique service in France that optimises and secures the relationship between communication professionals (companies, organisations, institutions, consulting agencies) and information professionals (journalists, bloggers, influencers). The result of a joint venture between Epresspack and AFP, this large-scale newsroom is housed within an eponymous AFP subsidiary of which Epresspack is a shareholder.

Both a database and a search engine, MediaConnect enhances the value of information published by companies and organisations, while facilitating the work of the media by providing access to useful information whose source is authenticated (via Blockchain). More specifically, the platform centralises and archives press releases (texts, images, videos, graphics, etc.) submitted by companies. Journalists, for their part, may access this content from a secure space from which they can manage their favourites, launch searches facilitated by a comprehensive range of filters, and set up their email alerts.

Simplicity, trust and community are the hallmarks of this innovative newsroom, which offers an intuitive, responsive and secure experience for senders and receivers alike.

Aimed at all types of companies, institutions or individuals, the MediaConnect platform - financed through issuer subscriptions - will see its development ensured by AFP, which has a large institutional and corporate clientele, and Epresspack, whose technology has been adopted by many major brands and companies.

"We are very proud of our technological, commercial and financial partnership with this global news agency," explains Antoun Sfeir, CEO and founder of Epresspack. "It is recognition for the innovative technological solutions we have been developing for the past 10 years for the benefit of companies and their reputational challenges."

About Epresspack

Epresspack is the communication showcase for 300 major brands and multi-sector companies (30% in the CAC 40 and 10% in the FOOTSIE 100). A publisher and SAAS specialist, this French tech player deploys content platforms (publication, certification, distribution, live, audience analysis, workplace) dedicated to the reputation issues of brands and companies. Founded and chaired by Antoun Sfeir, the start-up - whose economic model is based on subscriptions - has a turnover of 4M (+20%) and 50 employees (Paris, London, Milan and Madrid).

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1518068/Epresspack_Logo.jpg

Contact:

Yael Dorfner

ydorfner@epresspack.com
The German Design Council has just honoured pioneering product innovations for the fourth time. A German Innovation Award 2021 in the category GOLD - the highest distinction among these honours to be awarded by the jury of this renowned institution - has been presented to DERMALOG Identification Systems GmbH.

BERLIN and HAMBURG, Germany, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DERMALOG has impressed the jury of experts for the German Innovation Awards with its latest Multi-Biometrics Cameras designed to provide high-speed biometric identification. The contactless and automated technology captures several biometric features at once, making it suitable for safe operation, for example, in the field of access control. According to the jury's statement, the camera system is a timely further development, which provides for even more safety in the pandemic era and beyond.

The innovative technology of the Multi-Biometrics Cameras detects the face and iris from a distance of up to two metres in just one second. The cameras also measure body temperature using integrated thermal sensors. The solution thereby offers exceptionally high accuracy in biometric identification and makes a valuable contribution to improving health protection.

"We're delighted to win the German Innovation Award for our Multi-Biometrics Cameras. This product series is the result of years of research work. So this award is also honouring the outstanding work of our many developers," says DERMALOG Managing Director Gunther Mull.

The new cameras developed by the Hamburg-based biometrics specialist are already in use in over 60 countries around the world. They enable secure and fast access control points in healthcare, education, border control, manufacturing, hospitality, and other sectors.

- Picture is available at AP Images (http://www.apimages.com) -

Press contact:

DERMALOG Identification Systems GmbH

Sven Bockler

Press Relations

Tel.: +49 40 413227 0

info@dermalog.com

www.dermalog.com
Isatoic acid anhydride also known as o-amino-benzoic acid, 2-aminobenzoic acid, N-carboxylic acid anhydride, and anthranilic acid, is the organic compound with the linear formula C6H4(NH2)CO2H. In appearance, Isatoic acid anhydride is a white solid when pure, although commercial samples may appear yellow. By the structure, isatoic acid anhydride contains a benzene ring with two adjacent functional groups, a carboxylic acid and an amine. Industrially, Isatoic acid anhydride is used as an intermediate for production of dyes chemicals and in medical product. Isatoic acid anhydride and its esters are used in preparing perfumes to imitate jasmine and orange, pharmaceuticals, and UV-absorber as well as corrosion inhibitors for metals and mold inhibitors in soy sauce. In addition, isatoic acid anhydride can be used in organic synthesis to generate the benzyne intermediate. It is sometimes considered as vitamin L1.





Regional Analysis

Asia Pacific is the largest market of isatoic acid anhydride due to huge consumption in dye & pigments, and agrochemicals-market-1267'>agrochemical-market-749'>agrochemical industry, in China region followed by India, Thailand, and Japan. Increasing demand for agrochemical industry in China, India, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea has made Asia Pacific largest consumer of the global Isatoic acid anhydride market followed by increasing in the consumption of Isatoic acid anhydride market in Europe region. In Europe region, Isatoic acid anhydride market is drive by perfume, pharmaceutical, and food & beverages industry. In addition, the third largest market of Isatoic acid anhydride is North America region due to large consumption in agricultural, pharmaceutical, and others industry. Moreover, Latin America and Middle East also observed in growth of Isatoic acid anhydride market due to various application such as pharmaceutical, dye & pigments, perfume, agrochemicals, and others.

Segmentation

The global isatoic acid anhydride market is majorly segmented on the basis of application, end use and region. Based on application of isatoic acid anhydride the market is segmented into dye & pigments, pesticides, herbicides, saccharin, flavors, and others. On the other hand, Based on end use industry of isatoic acid anhydride the market is segmented into pharmaceutical, agrochemicals, perfume, food & beverages, and others. Furthermore, based on region global isatoic acid anhydride market is segmented into North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.

Key Players

Key players of the global Isatoic acid anhydride market are BASF SE (Germany), The Dow Chemical Company (US), Alfa Aesar (India), Crystal Quinone Pvt. Ltd. (India), Taj Active Pharmaceuticals Ingredients (India), Wujiang New Sunlion Chemical Co., Ltd. (China), HIMALAYA CHEMICALS (India), ISHITA INDUSTRIES (India), KESHAR EMULSION PVT LTD (India), TCI (Shanghai) Development Co., Ltd (China), and others.





Geographic Analysis

The report covers brief analysis of geographical region such as North America, Europe, APAC, and RoW.

The report about Global Isatoic acid anhydride Market by Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with detail analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts and key opinion leaders to gain a deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives a clear picture of the current market scenario which includes past and estimated future market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report further provides detail information about strategies used by top key players in the industry. It also gives a broad study about different market segments and regions.

ACCESS REPORT DETAILS @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/isatoic-acid-anhydride-market-3325

Study Objectives of Isatoic acid anhydride Market:

To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 7 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global Isatoic acid anhydride Market

To understand the supply and demand dynamics including supply and consumption concentration mapping

To provide region level market analysis and future outlook for North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW) and their countries

To provide competitor positioning of the market

To provide company profiling of major players in the market along with their production and capacity

To provide regional trade analysis

To evaluate historical market trends, patents and technologies, and current government regulatory requirements that are relevant to the market

Intended Audience

Isatoic acid anhydride manufacturers

Traders and distributors of Isatoic acid anhydride

Production Process industries

Potential investors

Raw material suppliers
Oxford's Said Business School selects a woman from All Hands and Hearts' alumni network to join a prestigious executive course

MATTAPOISETT, Mass., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- All Hands and Hearts announced today that a member of its alumni community of volunteers was selected to participate in an online six-week executive course for women at The University of Oxford in England. Oxford's Said Business School offered a complimentary place on their Women's Leadership Development Programme to a member of the All Hands and Hearts global community and the woman selected, Michelle Walters, begins coursework on June 16.

"We know from World Economic Forum data that women globally are nearly a century away from closing the gender gap to achieve parity. We are committed to changing this in many ways globally by building Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) stations so girls can go to schools and study within the All Hands and Hearts community. This affords girls a powerful professional development opportunity to keep closing that gap," said Petra Nemcova, co-founder of All Hands and Hearts, philanthropist, supermodel, entrepreneur and mother.

Further widely-cited research from Our World in Data points to men earning more than women, women being underrepresented in senior positions and women being overrepresented in low-paying jobs observed across the world.

Nemcova added, "Our unique partnership with Oxford is a wonderful opportunity for All Hands and Hearts to support female members of our global community."

"I'm so honored to join the Said Business School's Women's Leadership Development Programme. I feel very fortunate for this opportunity to develop my own strategic skills as a leader, tools I can use to mentor and encourage future leaders and amplify other female voices," said Michelle Walters, a volunteer from the All Hands and Hearts Leogane Recovery program in Haiti. "The lack of women in leadership positions inhibits productivity and performance in workplaces and has individual and larger socioeconomic impacts. I know that by working together, we can tackle current barriers and address this seemingly intractable global issue."

About The University of Oxford

Oxford University has been placed number one in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for the fifth year running, and at the heart of this success is our groundbreaking research and innovation. Oxford is world-famous for research excellence and home to some of the most talented people from across the globe. Our work helps the lives of millions, solving real-world problems through a huge network of partnerships and collaborations. The breadth and interdisciplinary nature of our research sparks imaginative and inventive insights and solutions.

About All Hands and Hearts

All Hands and Hearts is a volunteer-powered nonprofit that effectively and efficiently addresses the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by natural disasters around the globe. By listening to local people, and deploying our direct-impact model, we are able to rebuild safe, resilient schools, homes and other community infrastructure. Learn more: allhandsandhearts.org.

Media Contact: Jen Tucholskijen@momentmedia.com
Kamoa-Kakula discovery enters production after 24 years of dedicated exploration and development efforts

Democratic Republic of Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi congratulates Ivanhoe for reaching the production milestone at the world-class discovery

Phase 2 concentrator expansion continues ahead of schedule

Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) Co-Chairs Robert Friedland and Yufeng "Miles" Sun are pleased to announce the start of copper concentrate production at the Phase 1, 3.8 million-tonne-per-annum (Mtpa) Kamoa-Kakula Mine, on May 25th, several months ahead of schedule.

His Excellency Felix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, commented on the significance of the start of production at Kamoa-Kakula: "The start of production of copper concentrate at the Kamoa-Kakula Mine indicates that the DRC is open for business and investment. We congratulate Ivanhoe Mines for having reached this milestone on this world-class discovery."

First ore was introduced into the concentrator plant on May 20th to perform initial hot commissioning tests on the ball mills and other processing equipment. The initial mill feed grade reached approximately 4% copper shortly after start-up. As of May 25th, 5% to 6% copper ore is being conveyed directly from Kakula's underground mining operations to the run-of-mine stockpile and the concentrator. Based on extensive testwork, the concentrator is expected to produce a very high-grade, clean concentrate grading approximately 57% copper, with extremely low arsenic levels.

"This is a historic moment for Ivanhoe Mines and the Democratic Republic of Congo," said Mr. Friedland. "Discovering and delivering a copper province of this scale, grade and outstanding ESG credentials, ahead of schedule and on budget, is a unicorn in the copper mining business. This accomplishment reflects the outstanding cooperation of thousands of individuals, and all of our joint-venture partners at Kamoa-Kakula.

"Although this exploration journey started well over two decades ago, it also is noteworthy that the Kakula deposit itself was discovered a little over five years ago, which is remarkable progress by the mining industry's glacial standards from first drill hole to a new major mining operation.

"The initiation of production puts us on the path to establish Kamoa-Kakula as the second largest, and perhaps eventually the largest, copper mining complex in the world. What really excites our geologists is the profound potential to find additional Kamoa-Kakula-like copper discoveries on our massive Western Foreland exploration licences right next door, in an identical geologic setting."

Co-Chairman Miles Sun also commented: "Today marks a monumental milestone not only for Ivanhoe Mines, but also for Kamoa-Kakula's host country - the Democratic Republic of Congo, our young, dedicated Congolese employees, and local communities. We all are extremely proud to be part of this remarkable achievement, which is a true reflection of Ivanhoe's 24 years of tenacity and commitment to the country and industry.

"The inception of Phase 1 is the birth of a copper complex that will benefit generations to come, and we very much look forward to the upcoming phases of expansion and exploration opportunities. Huge congratulations to the entire Ivanhoe Mines team and a roaring applause to all the hard-working suppliers and contractors for collectively completing this mammoth undertaking!"

Mr. Jinghe Chen, an Ivanhoe Director and Chairman of Zijin Mining, added: "As a joint-venture partner and a shareholder of Ivanhoe Mines, Zijin Mining is tremendously proud to showcase the fruition of this exceptionally successful partnership with Ivanhoe in bringing Phase 1 of Kamoa-Kakula into production ahead of time, while overcoming the significant challenges presented by an unprecedented global pandemic. It truly has required a global band of dedicated and exceptional talents that consist of the 7,000 workers onsite, and most importantly, the unwavering support from all our stakeholders, to make this important milestone a reality."

Copper production guidance for 2021

Ivanhoe's guidance for contained copper in concentrate expected to be produced by the Kamoa-Kakula Project for the balance of 2021 assumes a ramp-up from first production in line with published technical disclosures, and is as follows:

Contained copper in concentrate 80,000 to 95,000 tonnes

All figures are on a 100%-project basis. Metal reported in concentrate is prior to refining losses or deductions associated with smelter terms. Cost guidance is expected to be provided once the Kamoa-Kakula Project's Phase 1 plant has reached steady-state production.

The company plans to provide an update on Phase 1 copper concentrate off-take arrangements in the near term.

In April, the Kakula Mine mined 357,000 tonnes of ore grading 5.70% copper, including 121,000 tonnes grading 8.40% copper from the mine's high-grade centre. The company will update May's production in early June, and will continue with its practice of monthly progress updates.

Kakula is projected to be the world's highest-grade major copper mine, with an initial mining rate of 3.8 Mtpa, ramping up to 7.6 Mtpa in Q3 2022. Phase 1 is expected to produce approximately 200,000 tonnes of copper per year, and phases 1 and 2 combined are forecast to produce approximately 400,000 tonnes of copper per year. Based on independent benchmarking, the project's phased expansion scenario to 19 Mtpa would position Kamoa-Kakula as the world's second-largest copper mining complex, with peak annual copper production of more than 800,000 tonnes.

Given the current copper price environment, Ivanhoe and its partner Zijin are exploring the acceleration of the Kamoa-Kakula Phase 3 concentrator expansion from 7.6 Mtpa to 11.4 Mtpa, which may be fed from expanded mining operations at Kansoko, or new mining areas at Kamoa North (including the Bonanza Zone) and Kakula West.

A 2020 independent audit of Kamoa-Kakula's greenhouse gas intensity metrics performed by Hatch Ltd. of Mississauga, Canada, confirmed that the project will be among the world's lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of copper produced.

The Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project is a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines (39.6%), Zijin Mining Group (39.6%), Crystal River Global Limited (0.8%) and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (20%).

Watch a new video highlighting the commissioning of Kamoa-Kakula's Phase 1 concentrator plant and production of copper concentrate: https://vimeo.com/555053503/10c1906415

(L-R) Mark Farren, Kamoa Copper's CEO; Steve Amos, Kamoa Copper's Head of Projects; and Wimpie Steyn, Risk Control Manager, holding some of Kamoa Copper's first copper concentrate.





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Narcisse Kabuld, Crane Operator, with the first copper concentrate.





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Kamoa Copper appoints SGS CONGO for on-site analytical services

Kamoa Copper has appointed Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS) CONGO S.A., an accredited laboratory service provider for on-site analytical services. SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The new assay laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. Results for various mine, exploration and processing sample types will be reported using a wide range of analytical techniques that are specifically selected to provide accurate and precise results within the time required to efficiently control concentrator and mine processes.

Process control samples will be analyzed using portable x-ray fluorescence (pXRF) devices with a quick turnaround time for concentrator plant monitoring and control. Metal accounting samples will be analyzed by using two simultaneous ICP-OES multi-element instruments. The dual measurement mode of the ICP-OES instrumentation enables the analysis of critical elements such as mercury, arsenic, lead, etc., by providing high measurement sensitivity while the combination of two-sample digestion methods (fusion and acid digestion) will cover a wide range of analytic levels.

The high-grade copper samples will be analyzed using classical iodide titration method, which provides good accuracy and precision that is required for the dispatch samples. Convenient and flexible potentiometric auto titrators provide efficient and accurate results that are fully traceable to international methods and standards.

Ruth Karaj Irung, SGS Lab Assistant, in the weighing room at the new assay lab.





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Aerial view of the Kakula Mine. The northern portal, run-of-mine stockpile and main pre-production stockpiles are within the red circle. The Phase 1 concentrator, the concentrator storage shed, and the foundations for the Phase 2 concentrator are within the large yellow circle; the backfill plant is in the blue circle; the main 220-kilovolt electrical substation is in the green circle; and the green arrow points to the new 220-kilovolt powerline.





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Kamoa-Kakula's Phase 1 concentrator plant, with the foundations for the Phase 2 concentrator on the left. The concentrate storage building is in the background.





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Kamoa-Kakula's Phase 1 concentrator plant now in continuous operation.





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Members of the commissioning team at one of two balls mills at the Phase 1 concentrator. (L-R) Eddie Mong, Instrumentation Superintendent, Kamoa Copper; Aldo Groenewald, Commissioning Manager, DRA; Vongani Nkuna, Group Manager, Metallurgy, Kamoa Copper; Raul Bowers, Lead Process Engineer, DRA.





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Jack Shongo completing the painting of pipes at the concentrator plant.





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Yannick Tshala Ntambwe surveying one of the high-grade drifts at the Kakula Mine.





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Vongani Nkuna, Group Manager, Metallurgy, monitoring the commissioning of the ball mills.





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Loading balls into the ball mills as part of the commissioning process.





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Crew members and contractors celebrating the commissioning of the ball mills.





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Qualified Persons

Disclosures of a scientific or technical nature regarding development scenarios at the Kamoa-Kakula Project in this news release have been reviewed and approved by Steve Amos, who is considered, by virtue of his education, experience and professional association, a Qualified Person under the terms of NI 43-101. Mr. Amos is not considered independent under NI 43-101 as he is the Head of the Kamoa Project. Mr. Amos has verified the technical data disclosed in this news release.

Ivanhoe has prepared an independent, NI 43-101-compliant technical report for the Kamoa-Kakula Project, which is available on the company's website and under the company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com:

Kamoa-Kakula Integrated Development Plan 2020 dated October 13, 2020, prepared by OreWin Pty Ltd., China Nerin Engineering Co., Ltd., DRA Global, Epoch Resources, Golder Associates Africa, KGHM Cuprum R&D Centre Ltd., Outotec Oyj, Paterson and Cooke, Stantec Consulting International LLC, SRK Consulting Inc., and Wood plc.

The technical report includes relevant information regarding the assumptions, parameters and methods of the mineral resource estimates on the Kamoa-Kakula Project cited in this news release, as well as information regarding data verification, exploration procedures and other matters relevant to the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release.

About Ivanhoe Mines

Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal joint-venture projects in Southern Africa: the development of major new, mechanized, underground mines at the Kamoa-Kakula copper discoveries in the DRC and at the Platreef palladium-rhodium-platinum-nickel-copper-gold discovery in South Africa; and the extensive redevelopment and upgrading of the historic Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC.

Kamoa-Kakula began producing copper concentrates in May 2021 and, through phased expansions, is positioned to become one of the world's largest copper producers. Kamoa-Kakula and Kipushi will be powered by clean, renewable hydro-generated electricity and will be among the world's lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of metal produced. Ivanhoe Mines has pledged to achieve net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Mine when large-scale electric, hydrogen and hybrid underground mining equipment become commercially available. Ivanhoe also is exploring for new copper discoveries on its wholly-owned Western Foreland exploration licences in the DRC, near the Kamoa-Kakula Project.

Information contacts

Investors: Bill Trenaman +1.604.331.9834 / Media: Matthew Keevil +1.604.558.1034

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. 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.

Such statements include without limitation, the timing and results of: (i) statements regarding the concentrator is expected to produce a very high-grade, clean concentrate grading approximately 57% copper, with extremely low arsenic levels; (ii) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula and Kipushi will be powered by clean, renewable hydro-generated electricity and will be among the world's lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of metal produced; (iii) statements regarding Kakula is projected to be the world's highest-grade major copper mine, with an initial mining rate of 3.8 Mtpa, ramping up to 7.6 Mtpa in Q3 2022. Phase 1 is expected to produce approximately 200,000 tonnes of copper per year, and Phases 1 and 2 combined are forecast to produce approximately 400,000 tonnes of copper per year; (iv) statements regarding, that based on independent benchmarking, the project's phased expansion scenario to 19 Mtpa would position Kamoa-Kakula as the world's second-largest copper mining complex, with peak annual copper production of more than 800,000 tonnes; and (v) statements regarding Ivanhoe's guidance for contained copper in concentrate expected to be produced by the Kamoa-Kakula Project for the balance of 2021 of 80,000 to 95,000 tonnes.

As well, all of the results of the Kakula definitive feasibility study, the Kakula-Kansoko pre-feasibility study and the Kamoa-Kakula preliminary economic assessment, constitute forward-looking statements or information, and include future estimates of internal rates of return, net present value, future production, estimates of cash cost, proposed mining plans and methods, mine life estimates, cash flow forecasts, metal recoveries, estimates of capital and operating costs and the size and timing of phased development of the projects. Furthermore, with respect to this specific forward-looking information concerning the development of the Kamoa-Kakula Project, the company has based its assumptions and analysis on certain factors that are inherently uncertain. Uncertainties include: (i) the adequacy of infrastructure; (ii) geological characteristics; (iii) metallurgical characteristics of the mineralization; (iv) the ability to develop adequate processing capacity; (v) the price of copper; (vi) the availability of equipment and facilities necessary to complete development; (vii) the cost of consumables and mining and processing equipment; (viii) unforeseen technological and engineering problems; (ix) accidents or acts of sabotage or terrorism; (x) currency fluctuations; (xi) changes in regulations; (xii) the compliance by joint venture partners with terms of agreements; (xiii) the availability and productivity of skilled labour; (xiv) the regulation of the mining industry by various governmental agencies; (xv) the ability to raise sufficient capital to develop such projects; (xvi) changes in project scope or design; and (xvii) political factors.

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, the factors discussed below and under "Risk Factors", and elsewhere in this release, as well as 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.

Although the forward-looking statements contained in this release are based upon what management of the company believes are reasonable assumptions, the company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release.

The company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors set forth below in the "Risk Factors" section in the company's 2021 Q1 MD&A and its current annual information form.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85321
As the global economy recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, Turkey's flourishing textiles industry hopes to launch a new era of cooperation with international companies and brands to exceed a production capacity of $100 billion.

The Turkish textile industry hopes to hit the ground running in the post-Covid era by forging lucrative partnerships with globally recognized brands and textile companies. "The imminent recovery of international trade offers enormous opportunities for cooperation between Turkish textiles firms and foreign partners," Ahmet Oksuz, president of the Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Association, says.

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Turkish Textile Factory (Photo: ITHIB)

"We are going through times that global brands and especially technical textile companies need more and more cooperation. By establishing win-win relationships, we wish to turn pandemic era into an era of opportunities," he adds. "Our domestic textile sector boasts a number of top-notch businesses that have already proven themselves in the global marketplace." According to Oksuz, considering the upward momentum at the field of technical textiles in recent years the sector's impressive production capacity along with Turkey's strategic position between Europe and Asia, "offer the chance for potential partnerships that could bring tremendous benefits to all stakeholders and will soon be reflected in our trade figures."

'Turkey is the fifth largest textile supplier in the world'

The world's fifth largest supplier of textiles, Turkey expects to export roughly $12 billion worth of textiles, reaching to $30 billion in 2021 including apparel industry. The sector currently employs more than one million skilled labor.

"It's a highly dynamic sector, characterized by a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship," Oksuz says. "Our deeply rooted and integrated textile businesses with an industry renewing itself every passing day supported by our R&D and innovation capacity reveals the cutting-edge infrastructure and dynamism of the industry."

Contributing to a Greener World

Thanks to a groundbreaking Customs Union agreement between Turkey and the European Union that came into effect in 1996, the Turkish textile industry has been fully compliant with EU standards and norms. "The agreement is a concrete example of the sector's ability to quickly adapt to change, and we fully comply with all EU standards, including the European Green Deal," Oksuz says. "With a view to contributing to a greener world, we have reduced carbon emissions at all our facilities, and continue to invest in green infrastructure."

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Contacts:

Goksun Kuburlu, goksun@5n1pr.com.tr
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - QcX Gold Corp. (TSXV: QCX) (OTC: QCXGF) (FSE: 21MA) ("QcX" or the "Company") announces the start of drilling on its inaugural drill program on the Golden Giant Project in James Bay, Quebec. The program consists of 19 planned drill holes for a total of 3,075m across the Golden Giant East ("GGEast") and Golden Giant West ("GGWest") blocks. Four drill holes (675m) are reserved for targets on the GGWest block while the other 15 drill holes are planned for targets on the GGEast block. (Click HERE to listen to Aaron Stone, VP Exploration, provide further explanation of the target drill holes locations.)

The majority of early-stage exploration work to date has been on the GGEast block (located only 2.9km south of Azimut Exploration's Patwon discovery), hence there are more targets to cover. The Golden Giant project covers 18,992 hectares and is contiguous to Azimut Exploration Inc.'s Elmer project containing the Patwon discovery as shown in Figure 1.





Figure 1: Location of the Golden Giant Project (red) with respect to neighbouring companies including Azimut Exploration's Elmer project.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1791/85275_58b035341451d846_001full.jpg





Selected drill holes have one or all of the following:

Anomalous gold values from grab samples taken during last summer's surface exploration program A magnetic geophysical feature (from airborne survey conducted in January, 2021) An induced polarisation geophysical anomaly (from ground survey conducted in February, 2021)

Aaron Stone, Vice President Exploration of QcX, stated, "After approximately a year from ground acquisition to first stage exploration, to advanced geophysical surveys, and finally drill hole targeting, the QcX team is very excited to finally see the start of our inaugural drill program. It can sometimes take many years before a project sees a drill hole, so we are very happy with the rate at which we have been able to advance the Golden Giant project. It has taken a great deal of work from several parties to get us to this stage and we are confident with our drill targets. Our excitement is shared by external geologists and geophysicists alike that have worked with our data. We look forward to seeing the drill core come out of the ground and will keep the market updated with our observations over the coming weeks and months."

A selection of drill holes are highlighted below:

Drilling will commence at Golden Giant West (see Figure 2), where surface exploration returned the highest values from grab samples with results up to 18.9 g/t Au (see press release dated December 8, 2020). The elevated gold values are in association with an annular magnetic high anomaly in addition to a chargeability anomaly. In this area, gold is associated with continuous and concordant pyrite enriched horizons (up to 10%) hosted in an amphibolite rock. Three drill holes will target this area while the remaining drill hole to the east will target a brecciated and leached area with strong silica alteration and coarse pyrite mineralisation that showed minor gold values but also produced elevated zinc levels (3540 ppm and 4740 ppm Zn).





Figure 2: Planned drill holes at Golden Giant West where surface grab samples taken in the vicinity of a magnetic high returned grades of up to 18.9 g/t Au.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

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The first priority area for the Golden Giant East block includes six holes (see Figure 3). Two holes are planned to intercept quartz veining containing chalcopyrite and pyrite mineralisation that returned grades of up to 4.12 g/t Au, while four are designed to target magnetic and IP anomalies. As can be observed in Figure 3, local folds displaying "S" patterns are observable in the magnetical first derivative, these structures share similarities with the vertical projection of the mineralized zone at Azimut Exploration's Patwon discovery (only 2.9km north of GGEast).





Figure 3: Planned drill holes at Golden Giant East where surface grab samples returned up to 4.12 g/t Au and the magnetic signature displays structural similarities to the Patwon showing.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1791/85275_58b035341451d846_003full.jpg

The second priority area at Golden Giant East (see Figure 4) covers an area containing a felsic intrusion which produced values of up to 4.6 g/t Au from grab sampling. These gold values were found in quartz veinlets contained within the felsic intrusion, which in turn is found crosscutting a gabbro unit. This gabbro unit is folded on the same axis as the regional fold trend found across the GGEast property and in which anomalous background levels of gold was found in unmineralized and unaltered rock.





Figure 4: Planned drill holes at Golden Giant East in the second priority area where grab samples returned values up to 4.6 g/t Au within quartz veinlets of a felsic intrusion.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1791/85275_58b035341451d846_004full.jpg

An additional area of interest for the drill program on GGEast is a zone of heavily folded banded iron formation ("BIF") (see Figure 5). Folded BIF's are very favourable environments to host gold mineralisation and this area returned anomalous gold values. It is also found within a shear zone that can be traced across the property which was observed during field operations. This adds another layer of structural complexity which can increase the chances of hosting orogenic gold mineralisation.





Figure 5: Planned drill holes at Golden Giant East in a heavily folded BIF that returned anomalous gold values.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 5, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1791/85275_58b035341451d846_005full.jpg

Qualified Person

Maxime Bouchard P.Geo. M.Sc.A., (OGQ 1752), a Qualified Person ("QP") as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the geological information reported in this news release.

About QcX Gold

QcX Gold is exploring for gold and VMS style mineralization on its highly prospective and well-located properties in Quebec, Canada. The Golden Giant Project is located in the James Bay region of Quebec, only 2.9 km away from Azimut Exploration Inc.'s Patwon discovery on their Elmer gold project. The Fernet Project is located in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt in the Province of Quebec and is contiguous with Wallbridge Mining Company Limited's Fenelon/Martiniere property. Both properties are in close proximity to major discoveries which bodes well for exploration.

For further information, please contact:

Aaron Stone

Vice President Exploration

aaron.stone@qcxgold.com

514-235-6012

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 forward-looking statements. All statements, other than of historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including, without limitation, the planned exploration program, the expected positive exploration results, the timing of the exploration results, the ability of the Company to continue with the exploration program, the availability of the required funds to continue with the exploration and the potential mineralization or potential mineral resources are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words "will", "should", "continue", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "intend", "to earn", "to have', "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, failure to meet expected, estimated or planned exploration expenditures, failure to establish estimated mineral resources, the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, general business and economic conditions, changes in world gold markets, sufficient labour and equipment being available, changes in laws and permitting requirements, unanticipated weather changes, title disputes and claims, environmental risks as well as those risks identified in the Company's annual Management's Discussion and Analysis. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law.

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ORAL-B CREST ENCOURAGE CONSUMERS TO BRUSH UP ON THEIR ORAL CARE REGIMEN AND RECOGNISE ITS IMPORTANCE TO OVERALL BODY HEALTH

Oral-B and Crest have teamed up with Scientific American and its Custom Media Division (SACM) to explore the latest research connecting oral health and overall health; as many are unaware of the impact chronic periodontal diseases have on wider systemic disease.

The brand is leading the way in innovation, technology and research to help protect oral health and educate about the important connection between oral and overall body health. As part of the year-long partnership, Oral-B, Crest and Scientific American Custom Media are releasing a series of content, including educational resources from leading medical and dental researchers that will help readers better understand the connections between oral health and whole body health.

Oral diseases are at crisis level as it is estimated that they affect nearly 3.5 billion people worldwidei and in the midst of a global health pandemic, it is more crucial than ever to safeguard not only your oral health but your whole-body health too.

Jeremy A. Abbate, VP Publisher at Scientific American explains: "Over 700 studies substantiate the notion that great oral health habits can be a simple step in improving one's overall health. It's proven that periodontitis increasingly poses a significant risk to the development and progression of multiple systemic conditions and gum disease is the mouth's way of warning us of potentially more serious issues to come, so it's important to heed those early warnings."

While warning signs can be as small as bleeding gums or even tooth loss, they can lead to more severe conditions such as heightened pregnancy complications, cognitive loss, poor diabetes control, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

SYSTEMIC SPREAD OF PLAQUE BACTERIA THROUGHOUT THE BODY

A healthy mouth has minimal plaque build-up, ensuring oral bacteria cannot multiply, cause cavities, gum deterioration or spread beyond the mouth. However, when plaque build-up is present around the gum line and between teeth, it shelters oral bacteria (including P.gingivalis) from your toothbrush and natural defences. This provides the perfect conditions for the bacteria to thrive and cause inflammation-causing toxins that are known to spread throughout the rest of the body.

The formation of gum disease begins when plaque containing millions of bacteria coats the teeth, accumulates undisturbed. Acid produced by the bacteria can erode tooth enamel causing cavities and irritate the gums and cause gingivitis which can progress into periodontitis a more serious infection that can lead to tooth loss.

When oral conditions worsen, the hidden plaque bacteria can cause an inflammatory response in the periodontal tissues that sets off a chain reaction, spreading systemically through the body via the circulatory system to other parts of the body. These oral bacteria are also found to be transmitted via the lungs and gastrointestinal tract.

DISEASES IMPACTED BY GUM DISEASE

Stroke Periodontitis may increase the risk for stroke. A continuous flow of bacteria into the bloodstream from exacerbated gum sites can trigger inflammation, prompting plaque growth and leading to blood clots.ii Diabetes There is a two-way relationship between diabetes and periodontitis, with more severe periodontal tissue destruction observed in diabetic populations, due to poorly controlled glucose levels.iiiiv Heart disease Patients with periodontal disease are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Chronic gum inflammation may cause bad bacteria and toxins to enter the bloodstream and circulate to plaque sites in arterial walls.v Pregnancy gingivitis Pregnant women are at increased risk of gingivitis and pregnant women with periodontitis are at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, including pre-term birth, low birth weight babies, and pregnancy hypertension (pre-eclampsia).vi Dementia Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and cognitive function loss have a higher risk for developing poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease. The relationship is bi-directional, as periodontal bacteria can also infect the brain and play a direct role in the build-up of amyloid brain lesions, leading to Alzheimer's disease.vii

MAINTAINING A HEALTHY MOUTH AND BODY

Oral-B, the No.1 Dentist Recommended Toothbrush Brand Worldwide, is on a mission to make the invisible connection between oral health and whole-body wellness visible and to empower people to take their health into their own hands.

Following a daily holistic Oral-B and Crest regimen can help with maintaining a happy, healthy mouth:

Electric Toothbrush with a Round-Head

Oral-B brushes are round for a reason, to adapt to each individual tooth and reach between the teeth. The Oral-B iO's revolutionary technology removes 100% more plaque than a manual brush to give you that professional clean feeling every single day.

Stannous Fluoride Toothpaste

Stannous Fluoride (SnF2) helps to protect your gums against bacterial plaque.

Mouth Rinse

Mouth rinses containing bioavailable Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC) formulated at 0.07% helps to reduce plaque.

Interdental Cleaning

Plaque easily accumulates and hides between teeth where toothbrushing can't reach. Regular cleaning between teeth helps to remove plaque and helps protect gums.

Regular Oral-Health Check-Ups

Partner with your dental professional regularly to prevent and detect signs of gum infection at its earliest stages.

Scientific American educational resources developed in partnership with Oral-B and Crest can be found here.

About Crest

A trusted leader in oral health, Crest was the first oral care brand to secure the ADA Seal of Acceptance for a clinically proven fluoride toothpaste. Since first introducing fluoride toothpaste 65 years ago, it is estimated that Crest has helped prevent countless cavities in the United States.

About Oral-B

Oral-B is the worldwide leader in the over $5 billion brushing market. Part of the Procter Gamble Company, the brand includes manual and electric toothbrushes for children and adults, oral irrigators and interdental products, such as dental floss.

About Procter Gamble

P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always, Ambi Pur, Ariel, Bounty, Charmin, Crest, Dawn, Downy, Artificial Intelligencery, Febreze, Gillette, Head Shoulders, Lenor, Olay, Oral-B, Pampers, Pantene, SK-II, Tide, Vicks, and Whisper. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands.

i Oral Health https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health (Accessed April 2021)

ii Janket SJ, Baird AE, Chuang SK, Jones JA. Meta- analysis of periodontal disease and risk for coronary heart disease and stroke. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2003; 95:559-569

iii Grossi SG, Genco RJ. Periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus: A two-way relationship. Ann Periodontol 1998;3:51-61

iv Preshaw PM, Alba AL, Jepsen S, Konstantinidis A, Makrilakis K, Taylor R. Periodontitis and diabetes: A two-way relationship. Diabetologia 2012;55:21-31.

v Blaizot A, Vergenes JN, Nuwwareh S, Amar J, Sixou M. Periodontal diseases and cardiovascular events: Meta-analyseis of observational studies. Int Dent J 2009; 59(4):197-209

vi Daalderop LD,Wieland BV, Tomsin K, Reyes L, Kramer BW, Vanterpool SF. Periodontal disease and pregnancy outcomes: Overview of systematic reviews. JDR Clinl Transl Res 2018;3:10-27. Manrique-Corredor EJ, Orozco-Beltran D, Lopez-Pineda A, Quesada JA, Gil-Guillen VF, Carratala-Munuera C. Maternal periodontitis and preterm birth: systematic review and meta-analysis. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2019;47:243-251. Chambrone L, Guglielmetti MR, Pannati CM, Chambrone LA. Evidence grade associating periodontitis to preterm birth and/or low birth weight: I. A systematic review of prospective cohort studies. J Clin Periodontol 2011;38:795-808. Wei BJ, Chen YJ, Wu B. Periodontal disease and risk of preeclampsia: A meta- analysis of observational studies. PLOS ONE 2013;8:1-6. Conde-Agudelo A, Villar J, Lindheimer M. Maternal infection and risk of preeclampsia: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008;Jan:7-22

vii Savitt ED, Socransky SS. Distribution of certain subgingival microbial species in selected periodontal conditions. J Periodontal Res 1984, 19 (2): 111-123.

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Contacts:

Oral-B and Crest press team

Jemma Western

oralb@publicisgroupe.net
Camidanlumab tesirine (Cami) demonstrated anti-tumoral activity response rate in 86% of Hodgkin lymphoma patients at dose currently being evaluated in ongoing pivotal Phase 2 trial

ADC Therapeutics SA (NYSE:ADCT), a commercial-stage biotechnology company leading the development of novel antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) to treat hematological malignancies and solid tumors, today announced that results of the Phase 1 clinical trial of camidanlumab tesirine (Cami), an anti-CD25 ADC, in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas have been published online in The Lancet Haematology

"There is a significant unmet medical need for novel therapies that improve outcomes in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma," said Mehdi Hamadani, MD, Professor of Internal Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Division of Hematology Oncology and lead author of The Lancet Haematology paper. "This patient population is often heavily pretreated, as was the case in this published study in which patients experienced a median of five previous systemic therapies. The Phase 1 study demonstrates encouraging potential for Cami to provide a new treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma."

The multicenter, open-label, single-arm, dose escalation and dose expansion Phase 1 clinical trial enrolled 133 adult patients, 77 (58%) with classical Hodgkin lymphoma and 56 (42%) with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Enrolled patients were required to have pathologically confirmed relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma and no therapies with established clinical benefit for their disease stage available to them.

"We're pleased the results of our Phase 1 trial of Cami in patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma have been published in The Lancet Haematology," said Jay Feingold, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at ADC Therapeutics. "The positive results in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma guided the design of our pivotal Phase 2 trial, which has completed enrollment. We're continuing to follow patients and look forward to presenting data from the Phase 2 Cami trial at an upcoming congress."

Key results include:

In the total patient population, the overall response rate (ORR) was 58%, with 38 (29%) of 130 patients reported to have a complete response.

In heavily pretreated patients with Hodgkin lymphoma, across all doses, the ORR was 71%, with 32 (42%) of 77 patients reported to have a complete response. In Hodgkin lymphoma patients who received 45 g/kg (the recommended Phase 2 starting dose), the ORR was 86%, with 18 (49%) of 37 patients reported to have a complete response. In Hodgkin lymphoma patients who received 30 g/kg, the ORR was 55%, with seven (35%) of 20 patients reported to have a complete response.

In patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the ORR was 38%, with five (9%) of 53 patients reported to have a complete response.

The overall median duration of response was 6.6 months for all patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and 7.2 months for Hodgkin lymphoma patients who received 45 g/kg.

Cami demonstrated an acceptable safety profile. The most commonly observed adverse events included elevated liver enzymes (without hepatic synthetic dysfunction), rash, fatigue, oedema or effusion, and nausea.

Based on the data from this Phase 1 clinical trial, a Phase 2 trial to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of Cami in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma is ongoing. Interim data from the pivotal Phase 2 trial presented at the 2020 American Society of Hematology meeting demonstrated encouraging antitumor activity as a single agent with an ORR of 83%, a complete response rate of 38% and no new safety signals. These data highlight the potential for Cami to address an unmet need in heavily pretreated patients (median of seven prior lines of systemic therapy).

For information about the ongoing pivotal Phase 2 clinical trial of Cami in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma, please visit https://clinicaltrials.gov/ (identifier NCT04052997).

About Camidanlumab Tesirine (Cami)

Camidanlumab tesirine (Cami, formerly ADCT-301) is an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) comprised of a monoclonal antibody that binds to CD25 (HuMax-TAC, licensed from Genmab A/S), conjugated to the pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimer payload, tesirine. Once bound to a CD25-expressing cell, Cami is internalized into the cell where enzymes release the PBD-based payload, killing the cell. This applies to CD25-expressing tumor cells and also to CD25-expressing Tregs. The intra-tumoral release of its PBD payload may also cause bystander killing of neighboring tumor cells, and PBDs have also been shown to induce immunogenic cell death. All of these properties of Cami may enhance immune-mediated anti-tumor activity.

Cami is being evaluated in a pivotal Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and a Phase 1b clinical trial as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab in solid tumors.

About ADC Therapeutics

ADC Therapeutics (NYSE: ADCT) is a commercial-stage biotechnology company improving the lives of cancer patients with its next-generation, targeted antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). The Company is advancing its proprietary PBD-based ADC technology to transform the treatment paradigm for patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.

ADC Therapeutics' CD19-directed ADC ZYNLONTA (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl) is approved by the FDA for the treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy. ZYNLONTA is also in late-stage clinical trials in combination with other agents. Cami (camidanlumab tesirine) is being evaluated in a late-stage clinical trial for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and in a Phase 1b clinical trial for various advanced solid tumors. In addition to ZYNLONTA and Cami, the Company has multiple PBD-based ADCs in ongoing clinical and preclinical development.

ADC Therapeutics is based in Lausanne (Biopole), Switzerland and has operations in London, the San Francisco Bay Area and New Jersey. For more information, please visit https://adctherapeutics.com/ and follow the Company on Twitter and LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005542/en/

Contacts:

Investors

Eugenia Litz

ADC Therapeutics

Eugenia.Litz@adctherapeutics.com

+44 7879 627205

Amanda Hamilton

ADC Therapeutics

amanda.hamilton@adctherapeutics.com

+1 917-288-7023

EU Media

Alexandre Muller

Dynamics Group

amu@dynamicsgroup.ch

+41 (0) 43 268 3231

USA Media

Annie Starr

6 Degrees

astarr@6degreespr.com

+1 973-768-2170
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - HIRE Technologies Inc. (TSXV: HIRE) ("HIRE" or the "Company"), a company focused on modernizing and digitizing human resources solutions, announces its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

Revenue growth of 89.1% in Q1-2021 versus Q1-2020.

in Q1-2021 versus Q1-2020. Recurring contract placement revenue growth of 43% in Q1-2021 over Q1-2020.

in Q1-2021 over Q1-2020. Gross Margin of 42.4% for Q1-2021, the third consecutive quarter of increased margins.

for Q1-2021, the third consecutive quarter of increased margins. Net income of $2.2 million , $0.04 per share ($0.03 on a diluted basis).

, $0.04 per share ($0.03 on a diluted basis). EBITDA of $2.6 million .

. Organic Growth of 7% for this quarter more than double the growth rate achieved by industry peers (1.8%)1.

"Our business model, ability to execute, and the strength of our brands across Canada were fully demonstrated in the first quarter of 2021," said Simon Dealy, HIRE's Chief Executive Officer. "To date, in 2021, economic growth is evident and signals a significant rise in demand for staffing solutions. Organic growth was very strong, with our subsidiaries reporting a 219% increase in job requests, a 28% increase in client acquisitions, and a 21% increase in completed placements. We are very optimistic about the next steps in the execution of our strategic plan, with continued organic growth and profitability across our subsidiaries and a steady pipeline of acquisitions."

Q1 2021 Financial Highlights

Record revenue of $5.5 million was 89.1% higher than $2.9 million in Q1-2020 with $3.1 million contributed from acquisitions made in 2020.

Revenue Diversification: 53% of the incremental YoY revenue from acquisitions was driven by recurring revenue contracts.

Recurring contract placement revenue of $3.9 million ($2.7 million in Q1-2020) comprised 71% of Q1-2021 revenue (93% in Q1-2020).

High margin on-occurrence placements now comprise 29% of our book (7% in Q1-2020).

Record Gross Margin: $2.3 million in gross profit for Q1-2021 ($0.7 million in Q1-2020). As a percentage of revenue this is an 18.6 point improvement to 42.4%. This is the third consecutive quarter of improvement and is attributable to our rebalanced portfolio mix.

Strong bottom line performance: EBITDA of $2.6 million exceeded Q1-2020 by over $3.2 million. This included $0.4 million in realized gains on convertible debenture derivatives and $2.5 million in unrealized gains on mark-to-market. Adjusted EBITDA of $0.05 million was in-line with the prior year. Net income of $2.2 million ($0.04 per share or $0.03 fully diluted) was $3.0 million higher than Q1-2020 (net loss of $0.7 million or $0.02 per share).

Adjusted net loss was $0.3 million ($0.00 per share) for Q1-2021, versus $0.03 million for Q1-2020 ($0.00 per share).

See notes 2, 3 & 4 below for additional details.

Outlook

HIRE plans to add more partners inspired to join the "Powered by HIRE Technologies" growth platform from our strong pipeline of acquisition opportunities. Our acquisition pipeline has expanded meaningfully year-to-date.

HIRE looks to strategically add to its technology offerings, to enhance organic growth opportunities for our partners and grow our recurring revenue streams.

Other Updates

On April 1, 2021, the Company acquired Pulsify, a cloud-based people management application designed around data analytics, meeting facilitation, immediate feedback, predictive insights, and the proprietary Net Manager Score TM .

. On May 12, 2021, the Company announced a brokered private placement of up to $5,000,000 convertible debenture units.

Conference Call Details

HIRE will host a conference call to review its earnings results on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. ET. The conference call will be webcast at: http://services.choruscall.ca/links/hirecompany20210527.html.

The conference call will also be available by dialing 1-800-319-4610 or 1-604-638-5340. Please dial in 10 minutes before the start of the call.

Selected Financial Highlights

Period ended >> 3 months ended 3 months ended

March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 $ $ Net income (loss) 2,247,470 (744,965) Interest 73,298 16,559 Amortization 124,212 22,650 Depreciation 33,291 69,452 Tax 111,271 (4,660) EBITDA 2,589,542 (640,964) Add: Restructuring & Other Non-operating items 297,058 717,531 Realized (gain) loss on convertible debenture derivatives (421,461) - Unrealized (gain) loss on mark-to- market

(2,570,662) - Future contingent remuneration from acquisitions 100,534 - Share based compensation expense 82,956 - Rent expense (27,812) (26,548) Adjusted EBITDA 50,155 50,019

Period ended >> 3 months ended 3 months ended

March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 $ $ Net income (loss) for the Period 2,247,470 (744,965) Add: Restructuring & other non-operating items 297,058 717,531 Realized (gain) loss on convertible debenture derivatives (421,461) - Unrealized (gain) loss on mark-to-market (2,570,662) - Future contingent remuneration from acquisitions 100,534 - Share based compensation expense 82,956 - Adjusted net loss (264,105) (27,434) Adjusted net loss per share (0.00) (0.00)

This earnings press release, which was approved by the Company's Board of Directors on the Audit Committee's recommendation should be read in conjunction with HIRE's Annual Financial Statements and MD&A, which have been posted on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

All financial figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Non-IFRS Measures and Footnotes

This news release refers to certain financial measures that are not defined by International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA"), adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("adjusted EBITDA"), adjusted net earnings (loss), and gross margin.

Randstad N.V., The Adecco Group, Robert Half International Inc., Upwork Inc., ManpowerGroup, Learning Technologies Group, Kforce Inc., TrueBlue, Resources Connection Inc., and The Caldwell Partners International Inc.



Gross margin is a non-IFRS measure that does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The Company defines Gross margin as revenue less cost of services. Gross margin should not be construed as an alternative for revenue or net earnings (loss) determined in accordance with IFRS. The Company believes that Gross margin is a meaningful metric in assessing the financial performance and operational efficiency of the Company and its subsidiaries (the "Group").

EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are non-IFRS financial measures that do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS. EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. It provides management with insight into HIRE Technologies' operating performance without the impact of significant accounting policies related to depreciation and amortization, financing, and taxes. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA, excluding restructuring and other non-operating items, unrealized gains or losses on derivative financial instruments recognized as part of financings, other unrealized fair value through profit or loss mark-to-market gains or losses, earn-out payments treated as future contingent remuneration from acquisitions, and share based compensation expenses. Adjusted EBITDA also includes rent payments, which are not accounted for in EBITDA following the adoption of IFRS 16 Leases. The Company believes that EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are useful measures in evaluating the performance of the Group.



Adjusted net income (loss) is a non-IFRS measure that does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. The Company defines adjusted net income (loss) as net income (loss) excluding restructuring and other non-operating items, unrealized gains or losses on derivative financial instruments recognized as part of financings, other unrealized fair value through profit or loss mark-to-market gains or losses, earn-out payments treated as future contingent remuneration from acquisitions, and share based compensation expenses. The Company believes that adjusted net earnings (loss) is a meaningful metric in assessing the Group's financial performance.

About HIRE Technologies Inc.

HIRE is investing in and shaping the future of human resource management with a technology- first focus, by consolidating and modernizing the staffing marketplace. The Company owns and operates staffing firms as well as platform technology that it uses to help those firms become more technologically advanced. The Company is a disciplined capital allocator due to its technology DNA and extensive experience in building and growing staffing companies of all types. HIRE has a large recurring revenue base and helps our clients manage change in the workplace in order to achieve success.

For further information, please contact:

HIRE Technologies Inc.

Simon Dealy, Chief Executive Officer

Phone: (647) 868-9611

Email: sdealy@hire.company

Web: hire.company

Nikhil Thadani, Investor Relations (Sophic Capital)

Phone: (647) 670-0997

Email: nik@SophicCapital.com

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

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively referred to hereafter as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation.

All statements that address activities, events or developments that HIRE Technologies expects or anticipates will, or may, occur in the future, including statements about HIRE's business prospects, future trends, plans, and strategies, including those under the heading "Outlook", the Company's prospects for completion of additional acquisitions and future organic growth, and expected benefits from business activities are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements are preceded by, followed by or include words such as "may", "will", "would", "could", "should", "believes", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "expects", "plans", "intends", "proposes", "anticipates", "targeted", "continues", "forecasts", "designed", "goal", or the negative of those words or other similar or comparable words. Although the management of HIRE believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement herein will prove to be accurate. In making such forward looking statements, the Company has assumed that it be able to continue to complete acquisitions on terms favorable to the Company.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of HIRE to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company, as well as trends identified by the Company affecting it and the staffing industry can be found in the Company's March 31, 2021 MD&A and its continuous disclosure record available on SEDAR. Although HIRE 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.

Such cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements made in this press release. HIRE undertakes no 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85325
Victoria, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Plurilock Security Inc. (TSXV: PLUR) (OTCQB: PLCKF) and related subsidiaries ("Plurilock" or the "Company"), an identity-centric cybersecurity solution provider for workforces, is pleased to announce that it has signed two contracts worth a combined total of approximately US$280,000 with a U.S. Federal Agency under NASA's Solution for Enterprise-Wide Procurement ("SEWP"), a United States Government-Wide Acquisition Contract Vehicle ("GWAC").

According to the terms of the first SEWP contract, hardware support on the U.S. Federal Agency's Dell Storage Array has been renewed. Under the second SEWP contract, Atlassian software licenses have been sold to the agency and the Company will provide maintenance support for these products.

Given the pipeline of recent contracts signed by Plurilock, the Company continues to expand sales within the government vertical in order to establish a recurring client base.

About NASA's SEWP and GWAC

SEWP consists of over a large pool of pre-competed prime contract holders, including more than one hundred U.S. small businesses. The contract is part of "SEWP V", the latest version of GWAC, which NASA released in May 2015 and boasts the largest pool of contractors yet as well as detailed and automatic reporting to Chief Information Officers ("CIOs") in order to help meet Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act.

About Plurilock

Plurilock provides identity-centric cybersecurity for today's workforces. Plurilock offers world-class cybersecurity solutions paired with AI-driven, cloud-friendly security technologies that deliver persistent identity assurance with unmatched ease of use. The Plurilock family of companies enables organizations to operate safely and securely-while reducing cybersecurity friction.

For more information, visit https://www.plurilock.com or contact:

Ian L. Paterson

Chief Executive Officer

ian@plurilock.com

416.800.1566

Roland Sartorius

Chief Financial Officer

roland.sartorius@plurilock.com

Prit Singh

Investor Relations

prit.singh@plurilock.com

905.510.7636

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") which relate to future events or Plurilock's future business, operations, and financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements normally contain words like "will", "intend", "anticipate", "could", "should", "may", "might", "expect", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential", "project", "assume", "contemplate", "believe", "shall", "scheduled", and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, actions, or developments and are based on expectations, assumptions and other factors that management currently believes are relevant, reasonable, and appropriate in the circumstances. Although management believes that the forward-looking statements herein are reasonable, actual results could be substantially different due to the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent to Plurilock's business. Additional material risks and uncertainties applicable to the forward-looking statements herein include, without limitation, impact of general economic conditions, success of the Company in obtaining new or extended contracts or orders; the Company's ability to maintain existing customers or develop new customers; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquisitions of other businesses and/or companies or to realize on the anticipated benefits thereof; and unforeseen events, developments, or factors causing any of the aforesaid expectations, assumptions, and other factors ultimately being inaccurate or irrelevant. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond the control of Plurilock. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at the date hereof and Plurilock undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in its most recent Annual Information Form and are otherwise disclosed in its filings with securities regulatory authorities which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85228
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - First drill results from the Company's 2,000 meter drill program at Haukiaho, a zone approximately 20 kilometers south of the Company's primary target area Kaukua South, have returned significant widths and grades, including 72 meters at 1.8 g/t Palladium-equivalent ("Pd_Eq") (Hole LK21-071), on the Lantinen Koillismaa ("LK") PGE-Ni-Cu project in Finland, said Palladium One Mining Inc. (TSXV: PDM) (FSE: 7N11) (OTCQB: NKORF) ("Palladium One" or the "Company") today.

A total of 12 holes (1,943 metres) were drilled on the Haukiaho trend. This release contains the results from the first 7 holes of this program. The drilling was designed establish sufficient drill density to prepare a National Instrument 43-101 resource estimate at Haukiaho, which the Company anticipates completing in Q3 2021.

"Establishing a NI 43-101 resource estimate at Haukiaho has been a priority for the Company given the robust historical data set available to the Company. Haukiaho was the original focus of the Phase I drill program in 2020, however, the discovery of Kaukua South led us towards first defining the potential of this new discovery and exploring the greater Kaukua area. Despite this, Haukiaho was not forgotten and has remained an important part of our strategy to grow a multi-million ounce resource base. At 17 kilometers in length, the Haukiaho trend, currently represents the largest continuous patch of blue-sky potential on the LK property," said Derrick Weyrauch, President and CEO.

Highlights

Drilling has returned significant widths and grades

Expanded higher grade areas within the known historic Haukiaho resource area

within the known historic Haukiaho resource area Expanded mineralization 100m to east of the historic resource

72.2 meters grading 1.79 g/t Pd_Eq in hole LK21-071 starting 56m down hole, including 17.0 meters grading 2.23 g/t Pd_Eq

in hole LK21-071 starting 56m down hole, including 15.7 meters grading 2.26 g/t Pd_Eq in hole LK21-069 including 3.6 meters grading 3.11 g/t Pd_Eq

in hole LK21-069 including 51.2 meters grading 1.07 g/t Pd_Eq in hole LK21-073 including 9.1 meters grading 2.10 g/t Pd_Eq

in hole LK21-073 including The historic Haukiaho resource is shallowly drilled, mostly above 200m in depth and therefore amendable to open pit mining

Haukiaho Historic Resource Estimate

In the 1980's, Outokumpu (a Finnish State-run mining company) prepared a resource estimate using very widely spaced holes along a portion of the Haukiaho trend, which estimated 7 million tonnes grading 0.38% Cu and 0.24% Ni, however importantly, no PGE assays were undertaken. The cut-off grade used was a 0.7% Copper_equivalent (defined as Cu% + 2 x Ni%).

Subsequently in 2013, Finore Mining Inc. completed a non-pit constrained NI 43-101 historic resource estimate, over a much smaller strike length. Using a 0.1 g/t Pd cut-off, they estimated a resource of 1.13 million Pd_Eq ounces within 23.2 million tonnes grading 1.51 g/t Pd_Eq (0.31 g/t Pd, 0.12g/t Pt, 0.10 g/t Au, 0.21% Cu, and 0.14% Ni) (See news release August 12, 2019 and May 7, 2020). This resource estimate encompassed widely spaced drilling with a focus on maximizing tonnage, not grade.

The Haukiaho trend is 17 kilometers long and the historic 2013 Haukiaho resource prepared by Finore covers less than 2 kilometers of this trend. This knowledge coupled with the historic work by Outokumpu point to the enormous potential to significantly add resources at Haukiaho with disciplined execution of exploration activities.

While similar to the Kaukua deposit (See new release, September 30, 2019), the Haukiahio trend is more copper-nickel rich. At Kaukua, approximately ~1/3 of the in-situ value per tonne is copper-nickel, while at Haukiaho copper-nickel represent approximately ~2/3s of the in-situ value.





Figure 1. LK Project location map showing 43-101 compliant Kaukua deposit and historic Haukiaho resource along with 2020 IP grids (blue lines) and current 2021 IP grid areas (black boxes). Yellow lines represent Exploration Permits, red lines represent Exploration Reservations held by the Company.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6502/85236_a1a08eeb244edabb_001full.jpg





Figure 2. Plan map of Haukiaho 2020 IP chargeability anomalies and Palladium One drill holes locations.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6502/85236_a1a08eeb244edabb_002full.jpg





Figure 3. Plan map of the Haukiaho historic 2013 Finore resource estimate represented by the >0.5g/t Pd_Eq resource shape with Palladium One drill holes.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6502/85236_a1a08eeb244edabb_003full.jpg





Figure 4. Haukiaho Cross section showing holes LK21-071, Finore hole HAU11-005, and geological survey of Finland (GTK) holes R-390 and R-389.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6502/85236_a1a08eeb244edabb_004full.jpg

Table 1: Palladium One Haukiaho drill results

Hole From

(m) To

(m) Width

(m) Pd_Eq

g/t* Pd

g/t Pt

g/t Au

g/t Cu

% Ni

% LK20-008 17.3 33.5 16.2 1.99 0.38 0.15 0.14 0.26 0.20 Inc. 20.3 23.3 3.0 2.55 0.48 0.19 0.22 0.33 0.25 LK20-009 161.5 168.1 6.6 2.34 0.47 0.20 0.13 0.26 0.25 LK20-010 118.7 202.0 83.3 1.27 0.24 0.09 0.05 0.12 0.16 Inc. 166.8 201.0 34.3 2.09 0.47 0.20 0.10 0.20 0.22 Inc. 167.8 173.0 5.3 3.08 0.66 0.25 0.20 0.38 0.30 Inc. 20.3 23.3 3.0 2.55 0.48 0.19 0.22 0.33 0.25 LK21-067 No Significant values (collared in footwall rocks)

LK21-068 81.5 122.0 40.6 0.65 0.05 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.11 Inc. 106.2 120.0 13.9 0.80 0.12 0.05 0.02 0.06 0.12 Inc. 106.2 112.7 6.6 0.91 0.13 0.05 0.03 0.09 0.13 LK21-069 48.5 64.1 15.7 2.26 0.47 0.18 0.18 0.27 0.22 Inc. 48.5 60.0 11.6 2.53 0.52 0.19 0.18 0.30 0.25 Inc. 48.5 52.0 3.6 3.11 0.60 0.22 0.23 0.37 0.32 LK21-070 103.5 131.0 27.5 0.65 0.01 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.12 Inc. 113.0 119.0 6.0 0.83 0.02 0.00 0.04 0.09 0.14 LK21-071 55.8 128.0 72.2 1.79 0.37 0.15 0.14 0.22 0.17 Inc. 72.0 77.0 5.0 2.33 0.53 0.21 0.18 0.27 0.22 Inc. 74.0 75.5 1.5 3.20 0.75 0.29 0.23 0.39 0.29 And 86.2 94.0 7.8 2.74 0.53 0.21 0.23 0.32 0.27 And 111.0 128.0 17.0 2.23 0.53 0.21 0.18 0.28 0.18 Inc. 112.5 118.0 5.5 2.84 0.64 0.25 0.23 0.36 0.25 LK21-072 No Significant values (ended before zone)

LK21-073 75.8 127.0 51.2 1.07 0.15 0.06 0.06 0.13 0.13 Inc. 90.0 113.1 23.1 1.51 0.25 0.10 0.10 0.21 0.16 Inc. 90.8 99.9 9.1 2.10 0.37 0.15 0.16 0.27 0.21 Inc. 98.0 99.0 1.0 3.21 0.61 0.27 0.29 0.47 0.28 LK21-074 Pending













LK21-075 Pending













LK21-076 Pending













LK21-077 Pending













LK21-078 Pending















* Reported widths are "drilled widths" not true widths.

**Italicised orange highlighted results are previously released results see news release September 15, 2020

*Palladium Equivalent

Palladium equivalent is calculated using US$1,100 per ounce for palladium, US$950 per ounce for platinum, US$1,300 per ounce for gold, US$6,614 per tonne for copper, and US$15,4332 per tonne for nickel. This calculation is consistent with the calculation in the Company's September 2019 NI 43-101 Kaukua resource estimate. Additionally, US$1,100 per ounce for palladium is consistent with the UBS January 2021 long-term consensus price forecast even though the current price of palladium is approximately US$2,800 per ounce.

QA/QC

The Phase I drilling program was carried out under the supervision of Neil Pettigrew, M.Sc., P. Geo., Vice President of Exploration and a director of the Company.

Drill core samples were split using a rock saw by Company staff, with half retained in the core box and stored indoors in a secure facility, in Taivalkoski, Finland. The drill core samples were transported by courier from the Company's core handling facility in Taivalkoski, Finland, to ALS Global ("ALS") laboratory in Outokumpu, Finland. ALS, is an accredited lab and are ISO compliant (ISO 9001:2008, ISO/IEC 17025:2005). PGE analysis was performed using a 30 grams fire assay with an ICP-MS or ICP-AES finish. Multi-element analyses, including copper and nickel were analysed by four acid digestion using 0.25 grams with an ICP-AES finish.

Certified standards, blanks and crushed duplicates are placed in the sample stream at a rate of one QA/QC sample per 10 core samples. Results are analyzed for acceptance at the time of import. All standards associated with the results in this press release were determined to be acceptable within the defined limits of the standard used.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this release has been reviewed and verified by Neil Pettigrew, M.Sc., P. Geo., Vice President of Exploration and a director of the Company and the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Palladium One

Palladium One Mining Inc. is an exploration company targeting district scale, platinum-group-element (PGE)-copper nickel deposits in Finland and Canada. Its flagship project is the Lantinen Koillismaa or LK Project, a palladium dominant platinum group element-copper-nickel project in north-central Finland, ranked by the Fraser Institute as one of the world's top countries for mineral exploration and development. Exploration at LK is focused on targeting disseminated sulfides along 38 kilometers of favorable basal contact and building on an established NI 43-101 open pit resource.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Derrick Weyrauch"

President & CEO, Director

For further information contact: Derrick Weyrauch, President & CEO

Email: info@palladiumoneinc.com

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

This press release includes "forward-looking information" that is subject to a few assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Statements regarding listing of the Company's common shares on the TSXV are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties normally incident to such events. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future events and that actual events or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements represent management's best judgment based on information currently available. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions and general business conditions. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those set out in the Company's annual information form dated April 29, 2020 and filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, except as required by law. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85236
Market Scope:

Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates Market to surge at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period (2016-2023).

Market Drivers and Growth Factors:

The mounting sale of ointments and creams is expected to favor the market, as fatty alcohol ethoxylates are the primary components in these products. Then, the surge in product demand in industrial applications, including wetting agents and anti-foam is bound to do wonders for the market in the long run.

The manufacturers transform ethylene oxide into different types of products with a series of chemical reactions. The manufacturers also produce a high volume of fatty alcohol ethoxylates along with a broad range of products that meet with the consumer demands and also expand revenue. These have been identified as prime factors responsible for the lucrative run of the market during the review period.

Get a Free Sample of This Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/3860

Currently, consumers are laying strong emphasis on the use of environmentally safe products and are ready to shell out for higher priced products. The spike in demand for fatty alcohol ethoxylates to be used in detergents and low foam cleaners can be expected to do wonders for the market in the following years.

Leading Companies:

The leading companies in the worldwide fatty alcohol Ethoxylates Market include Rimpro-India (India), BASF SE (Germany), Huntsman International LLC. (US), Clariant (Europe), Unitop Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. (India), Akzo Nobel N.V. (Netherlands), GUJARAT CHEMICALS (India), P&G Chemicals (US), Ecogreen Oleochemicals (Germany), Shree Vallabh Chemicals (India), and others.

Industry Update:

June 2019

From July 2019, Bluesign will be releasing black limits in finished products including textile auxiliaries which are considered to have reprotoxic, mutagenic or carcinogenic properties. The Bluesign System Black Limits (BSBL) is expected to be integrated into other substances that are part of POP (persistent organic pollutant) regulation, in addition to the monomers utilized in textile dyes along with chemicals including ethylene oxide, acrylonitrile or acrylamide.

Market Segmentation:

The worldwide Alcohol Ethoxylates Market Analysis has been segmented on the basis of derivatives, application, and end users.

The derivatives-dependent segments in the market are lauryl alcohol ethoxylates, ceto stearyl alcohol ethoxylates, stearyl alcohol ethoxylates, behenyl alcohol ethoxylates, oleyl cetyl alcohol ethoxylates, tridecyl alcohol ethoxylates, and others.

With respect to application, the market can be considered for scouring, cleaning, emulsifying, foaming, and others.

The end users mentioned in the report cover textiles, agriculture, personal care, household, paper, and others.

Regional Analysis:

The key markets for Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates are Asia Pacific (APAC), Latin America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and North America.

Asia Pacific emerges as the largest fatty alcohol ethoxylates market, backed primarily by the increasing per capita income of the middle class, mostly in household and personal care industry. Prevalence of modern lifestyle, the rising cost of living and expanding population are elevating the adoption of surfactants across several industries like agriculture, textiles, household, personal care, and others. As a result, the regional market is deemed to mark a highly lucrative run during the evaluation period.

Europe, as the second largest fatty alcohol ethoxylates market, is led by the United Kingdom (UK), Italy, Germany, and France. The regional market can expect significant gains in the coming years on account of the high demand for environment-friendly products within the personal care sector. The EU members have banned the use of NPE toxic substances that are present in clothing, expanding the market size in the process.

With the third largest share of the worldwide fatty alcohol ethoxylates market, North America will be spearheaded by Canada and the United Mexican States. These countries are at the forefront of the market with respect to the demand for fatty alcohol ethoxylates. Interestingly, Middle East & Africa along with Latin America is touted to have rather healthy growth in the global fatty alcohol ethoxylates market in the following years. This growth will only get better during the assessment period, the trade pundits predict.

Browse key industry insights spread across 137 pages with 47market data tables & 13 figures & charts from the report, Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates Market Information- by Derivatives (Lauryl Alcohol Ethoxylates, Ceto Stearyl Alcohol Ethoxylates, Stearyl Alcohol Ethoxylates, Behenyl Alcohol Ethoxylates, Oleyl Cetyl Alcohol Ethoxylates, Tridecyl Alcohol Ethoxylates, and Others), by Application (Scouring, Cleaning, Emulsifying, Foaming, and Others), by End Use Industry (Textiles, Agriculture, Personal care, Household, Paper, and Others), and by Region- Forecast till 2023 in detail along with the table of contents @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/fatty-alcohol-ethoxylates-market-3860
Delta, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - AirTest Technologies Inc. (TSXV: AAT) (OTC Pink: AATGF) (FSE: 7IA) (WKN: A1JMFL) ("AirTest" or the "Company") CEO Ted Konyi is very pleased to announce that the Company has signed a Distribution Agreement with Environ Applied HVAC Systems (Environ). Environ has extensive experience in HVAC system design and installation with a primary focus in Arizona. The Company along with Environ have already collaborated to quote on four systems including, an apartment complex at City North in Scottsdale, a Phoenix based Fire Station an Elementary School and a large indoor growing operation.

Greenhouses and other growing operations operate with high Carbon Dioxide (CO2) levels to promote faster and greater crop yield. CO2 sensors and control systems are a requirement in these operations. These systems are also required to manage safe working environments for employees in growing operations. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) maintains strict guidelines for indoor air quality which requires measurement and management of CO2 in occupied spaces.

Environ and the Company have now proposed systems for a large commercial growing operation that if successful, could lead to many additional similar installations.

Korey Judson, Senior Sales Engineer for AirTest stated, "Working with the professional and experienced team at Environ has been a pleasure. Their years of successful HVAC installations will assist the Company in growing its sales in the Southwest. With 4 significant projects already on the table, Environ is proving to be the right group to work with in the Arizona market."

About Environ: Founded in 2006, Environ proudly represents manufacturers of the highest quality HVAC equipment who are considered leaders in their fields. With offices located in Phoenix and Tucson and a technical staff of experienced professionals, they provide services to clients throughout all of Arizona.

With almost 300 years of combined HVAC experience, Environ offers a unique experience to our clients and manufacturers. Our extensive equipment application and systems knowledge combined with our solutions approach and project management skills allows us to work with building owners, architects, mechanical engineers and contractors to assist in the design and construction of HVAC systems from the simplest to the most complex.

About AirTest: AirTest Technologies is a Green-Tech company specializing in Demand Control Ventilation systems that improve commercial building operating efficiency and generate proven energy savings. The company has developed new wireless sensors with dynamic real- time communication and control technologies, which builds upon 17 years of experience and thousands of installations amongst clients such as Lowe's, Shoppers Drug Mart and Ikea. AirTest solutions provide data on levels of Indoor Air Quality required by Schools, Retail Stores and Offices.

For further information, please contact: Mr. George Graham, President

Phone: (604) 517 3888

Fax :(604) 517 3900

Email: ggraham@airtest.com

Website: www.airtest.com

Or

Investor Relations Contact

Jeff Walker

Vice President

The Howard Group Inc.

Email: jeff@howardgroupinc.com

Tel: 403-221-0915

Toll Free: 1-888-221-0915

Legal Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward looking statements". Forward-looking statements are projections of financial performance or future events. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "believe", "estimate" and words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and they are subject to risks that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include those concerning the Company's belief in the energy savings that can be achieved through installation of the Company's products and that these installations lead to reduced maintenance, downtime expenses, future cost savings, and improvements in the bottom line. These statements are subject to risks that may cause the actual results to be materially different in future periods from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Risks that may prevent or delay the forward-looking statements from coming to fruition as anticipated include the availability of working capital, risks inherent in product development, as well as market factors that may increase costs or time to market. It is our policy not to update forward looking statements except to the extent required under applicable securities laws. Further information on the Company is available at www.sedar.com or at the Company's website, www.airtest.com.

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

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85252
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Moneta Porcupine Mines Inc. (TSX: ME) (OTCQX: MEAUF) (XETRA: MOP) ("Moneta") is pleased to announce that its common shares will commence trading today in the United States of America ("U.S.A.") on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol "MEAUF". Moneta has been upgraded to OTCQX from the Pink market.

Mr. Gary O'Connor, CEO, commented, "We are very pleased to have met the stringent requirements for the graduation to the OTCQX best market. We look forward to the additional exposure that the listing will provide Moneta in reaching new institutional and retail investors and which will contribute to increased liquidity for the Company. Moneta has one of the largest undeveloped gold projects in North America located in Timmins, Ontario, Canada which has been Canada's most prolific gold camp for the past 100 years, producing over 85 million ounces of gold."

Investors can find Real-Time Level 2 quotes as well as current financial disclosures and general information for the Company at https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/MEAUF/overview. The OTC Markets Group Inc. is an operator of financial markets for 11,000 U.S.A. and global securities. Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their U.S.A. investors. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. Moneta was sponsored for the listing by Stifel Nicolaus & Company Inc.

About Moneta

Moneta is a Canadian based gold exploration company focussed on the Timmins Gold Camp in Ontario. The Company's flagship project, covering the Golden Highway and Garrison Gold deposits, is located 100 km east of Timmins and hosts a total indicated resource of 3,967,000 ounces contained gold and a total inferred resource of 4,399,000 ounces contained gold. The project includes a total of 3,335,000 ounces of open pit indicated resources contained within 116.7 Mt @ 0.89 g/t Au and 2,270,000 ounces of open pit inferred resources contained within 79.4 Mt @ 0.89 g/t Au, at a cut-off grade of 0.30 g/t Au. The project also includes 632,000 ounces of indicated underground resources contained within 4.9 Mt @ 4.05 g/t Au and 2,129,000 ounces of inferred underground resources within 15.7 Mt @ 4.21 g/t Au, at a 2.60 g/t Au cut-off grade at South West and 3.00 g/t Au cut-off grade at the other underground deposits.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Gary V. O'Connor, CEO

416-357-3319

Linda Armstrong, Investor Relations

647-456-9223

The Company's public documents may be accessed at www.sedar.com. For further information on the Company, please visit our website at www.monetaporcupine.com or email us at info@monetaporcupine.com.

This news release includes certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, collectively "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to information with respect to the future performance of the business, its operations and financial performance and condition such as the Company's drilling program and the timing and results thereof; further steps that might be taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19; the impact of COVID-19 related disruptions in relation to the Corporation's business operations including upon its employees, suppliers, facilities and other stakeholders; uncertainties and risk that have arisen and may arise in relation to travel, and other financial market and social impacts from COVID-19 and responses to COVID 19. and the ability of the Company to finance and carry out its anticipated goals and objectives.

Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, competitive risks and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in our recent securities filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward looking-statements and we caution against placing undue reliance thereon. We assume no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85265
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Killi Ltd. (TSXV: MYID) (OTCQB: MYIDF) ("Killi"), a supplier of compliant consumer data, will host an investor webinar where founder and CEO Neil Sweeney will discuss the accelerating shift of the unconsented data market to one of compliance and consumer inclusion. Mr. Sweeney will also spend time outlining Killi's accomplishments, the business context around these accomplishments, and what to expect from the company going forward.

"We spent the last year at Killi assembling the most complete and compliant source of consumer profile data, building our scale to 320 million online data profiles in the US alone. Being a consumer-facing company, we systematically engage with consumers to view, edit, and ultimately control their data, assuring our data is compliant with the new and emerging privacy policies. As the market moves from an unconsented market to one that legally requires consent, Killi is positioning itself to take advantage of this massive transformation of the global data market. We have the scale; we have the distribution, and we have the consumer top of mind. Our number one focus is now on increasing the awareness of Killi and selling this data to companies who have a dependency on compliant consumer data for survival."

Session Details:

Date: Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at 4 pm EDT

Registration: Register in Advance for the meeting via Zoom at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcodu2gpj8pE9WpZMRastFZUNUppD3dWWn8

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting.

About Killi Ltd

Killi Ltd. (TSXV: MYID) (OTCQB: MYIDF) is a company driven by consumer data and privacy evolution. Offering compliant consumer data to brands & agencies, platforms, and data companies, Killi allows consumers to opt-in to share specific pieces of data with brands in exchange for compensation from the use of their data, democratizing data for both consumers and brands. Killi offers 1st party data that is global and compliant.

For further information, please contact:

Chris Frostad, CFO

1-855-908-DATA

E: investorrelations@killi.io

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

Forward-Looking and Other Cautionary Statements

This news release contains projections and forward-looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties regarding future events. Such forward-looking information can include without limitation statements based on current expectations involving several risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance of the Company. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. These statements are based upon the current expectations and beliefs of management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend and undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect, in particular, new information or future events.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85294
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - NEPTUNE DIGITAL ASSETS CORP. (TSXV: NDA) (OTC: NPPTF) FSE: 1NW) ("Neptune" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a hashrate management agreement with Luxor Technology Corporation (Luxor). In this partnership, Neptune and Luxor will jointly work on hardware sourcing, mining machine hosting, and physical and virtual management of rigs, while utilizing Luxor's proprietary mining pool technologies. This agreement enables Neptune to grow its North American Bitcoin mining operations by outsourcing critical hands-on expertise in order to keep internal costs and headcount as low as possible. The Company expects additional ASIC mining machines to come online through this partnership in the next 90 days, while it carefully navigates ASIC price swings during volatile Bitcoin moves.

"We are pleased to launch our initiative with Luxor in the United States and look to grow that relationship and our associated mining operations in the coming weeks and months", stated Cale Moodie, Neptune's Chief Executive Officer. "We are excited to leverage Luxor's deep expertise in Bitcoin mining, ASIC markets, hashrate management, and pool services to build a highly profitable mining program. Neptune is positioned extremely well given $40M in capital was raised towards the near-term market top and now we can secure assets at much lower prices. The market timing has worked in our favor and we reiterate to our shareholders, that in this sector, patience pays off."

"Luxor is very excited to work with Neptune on growing its mining operations. Neptune's professional team will combine with our experience in hashrate management and pool services to allow us to maximize hashrate earnings, creating a mutually beneficial relationship," stated Ethan Vera, Luxor COO.

At the time of this release, Neptune's staking operations currently generates $360,000 per month and Neptune currently holds $47.1M in cash and digital assets. The Company now holds 100 BTC, 270 ETH, 141,000 ATOM, 2,055 DASH, 1,439,481 FTM, and positions in LTC, DOT, BCH, Stellar, NEO, OMG, and QTUM; as well as its investment in the Protocol Quant Fund. The Company has 298 ASIC S17 Bitcoin mining machines currently hosted with Link Global Technologies.

About Neptune Digital Assets Corp.

Neptune Digital Assets aims to be a cryptocurrency leader with diversified assets and cryptocurrency operations across the digital asset ecosystem including bitcoin mining, tokens, proof-of-stake cryptocurrencies, decentralized finance (DeFi) and associated blockchain technologies.

About Luxor Technology Corporation

Luxor is a fast-growing technology company that is shaping the future of hashrate as a commodity, building the next-generation digital pipelines for computer power. Luxor is backed by notable investors such as Argo Blockchain, Bitnomial, Celsius Network, Routemaster Capital, and more. Luxor also runs Hashrate Index, the leading crypto-mining data website.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Cale Moodie, President and CEO

Neptune Digital Assets Corp.

1-800-545-0941

www.neptunedigitalassets.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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain "forward looking statements" and certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans", "proposes" or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to, the anticipated total hash rate of the S17 Bitcoin mining machines; the completion of Pure Digital Power Corp.'s renewable powered Bitcoin mining facility; the future scaling of the Company's Bitcoin mining operations; the Company's ability to grow and optimize its proof of stake operations; the Company's future earnings and operating costs; the Company's future growth in total assets; the Company's strategy to purchase crypto currency and optimize its crypto portfolio; the Company's ability effectively dollar cost average its purchases of crypto currency; and the future outlook of the crypto currency market generally. Forward-looking statements and information are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, and contingencies. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including but not limited to: the inherent risks involved in the cryptocurrency and general securities markets; the Company's ability to successfully mine digital currency; revenue of the Company may not increase as currently anticipated, or at all; the Company may not be able to profitably liquidate its current digital currency inventory, or at all; a decline in digital currency prices may have a significant negative impact on the Company's operations; the volatility of digital currency prices; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, currency fluctuations; regulatory restrictions, liability, competition, loss of key employees and other related risks and uncertainties. The Company does not undertake any 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85309
MELVILLE (dpa-AFX) - Henry Schein, Inc. (HSIC), a solutions company for health care professionals, announced Wednesday that it was received a $53.4 million contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or HHS for the storage and distribution of 80,000 pallets of personal protective equipment or PPE and COVID-19 related products. The contract is to support the Strategic National Stockpile or SNS, part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response within HHS. According to the company, the agreement will support the Government's efforts to leverage the collective strengths of both the public and private sectors to maximize the coverage and capabilities, minimize vulnerabilities, and facilitate an expedited response to emergencies. Stanley Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, said, 'As a solutions provider to the federal government, we strongly support ASPR's strategy to expand and enhance the SNS and its capabilities to supplement state and local medical supplies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and for future public health emergencies.' Henry Schein noted that it has supported the HHS COVID-19 Supply Chain Task Force since its inception in 2020, which was originally managed by the White House and then the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 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.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Maple Gold Mines Ltd. (TSXV: MGM) (OTCQB: MGMLF) (FSE: M3G) ("Maple Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to report results from the second hole of the recently completed 10,270-metre winter drill campaign at the Douay Gold Project ("Douay" or the "Project") in Quebec, Canada. Douay is held by a 50/50 joint venture (the "JV") between the Company and Agnico Eagle Mines Limited.

Highlights:

Drill hole DO-21-282X at the Nika Zone intersected 132 m of 1.58 g/t Au (from 185.5 m downhole), including 100.3 m of 1.76 g/t Au (from 185.5 m downhole) and 9.6 m of 5.49 g/t Au (from 247.6 m downhole). This result was within a broader envelope of mineralization that returned 195 m of 1.28 g/t Au (from 152 m downhole).

(from 185.5 m downhole), including (from 185.5 m downhole) and (from 247.6 m downhole). This result was within a broader envelope of mineralization that returned (from 152 m downhole). DO-21-282X represents by far the best intercept drilled at the Nika Zone to date.

Results are expected to expand existing resources at the Nika Zone, both in-pit in the area up-dip of hole DO-21-282X and below-pit as approximately 35% of the intersection is located below the 2019 RPA NI43-101 Resource Estimate ("RPA 2019") conceptual pit floor.

Matthew Hornor, President and CEO of Maple Gold, stated: "We are thrilled with these results from the JV's maiden drill campaign. Hole DO-21-282X returned one of the best grade-thickness intercepts ever encountered at Douay and is a testament to what a collaborative approach to exploration can uncover. We look forward to reporting more assays in the coming months from additional step-out and discovery drill holes completed this winter."

Fred Speidel, VP Exploration of Maple Gold, added: "This 132-metre interval at Hole DO-21-282X, which contains nearly continuous gold mineralization, is substantially longer than the original 50-metre discovery hole we intersected at Nika in 2018. Furthermore, the zone remains open in multiple directions including up-dip at shallower depth; below the current conceptual pit floor; and further along trend both to the northwest and southeast, where similar structural blocks remain undrilled. This result supports our belief that multiple existing zones at Douay host more continuous mineralization than what has been discovered to date and reinforces the expansion potential we see across the Project and land package."

Background and Interpretation of Results

Maple Gold discovered the Nika Zone in 2018 with hole DO-18-218, which returned 50 m of 1.77 g/t Au (from 297 m downhole). This discovery hole contributed to a new Nika Zone conceptual pit contiguous with an expanded NW Zone in the Company's subsequent RPA 2019 report.

Drill hole DO-21-282X, which deepened a winter 2020 hole that was cut short due to COVID-19 restrictions, targeted the southeastern continuation of mineralization in the original Nika Zone discovery hole and encountered a wider, higher grade and shallower zone of gold mineralization starting from 152 m downhole.

Key observations from DO-21-282X include:

Additional support for a >1-km-long northwest-southeast trending gold zone that remains sparsely drilled at its northwestern and southeastern ends;

Recognition that several holes previously drilled in the Nika Zone (e.g. DO-11-57; see Figures 1 and 2) may have been drilled too shallow to intersect the full width of the mineralized zone in DO-21-282X and require depth extension;

The existing RPA 2019 block model includes a limited amount of mineralization grading >0.45 g/t Au (base case cut-off grade) defined at shallow depths, including up-dip of DO-21-282X; results for DO-21-282X are indicative of a broader zone of shallow mineralization (see Figure 2);

The immediate DO-21-282X area forms part of a coherent structural block south of the Casa Berardi North fault (reference Lithotectonic Boundary in Figure 1 below), underlain by closely intermixed syenite and basalt containing sulphide mineralization and gold closely associated with crackle and hydrothermal breccias (See Plates 1-3 for drill core photographs);

Several areas with similar magnetic/structural characteristics remain undrilled or sparsely drilled, providing an opportunity to define high-potential drill targets both within and beyond the current >1 km strike extent of the Nika Zone; and

Results support current geological and structural interpretations that link the Nika Zone mineralization to the western part of the Porphyry Zone (see Figure 1).

Based on these observations, the JV has defined additional step-out target areas in the Nika Zone for drilling in upcoming campaigns (see Target Areas in Figure 1). Structural relogging and interpretation of petrophysical and geochemical analyses is also ongoing. Data from this work will feed into a more detailed reinterpretation of the Nika Zone for the purpose of additional targeting.

Additional assay results from the winter 2021 drill campaign will be released on a periodic basis over the coming months once they are received and interpreted.







Figure 1: Simplified structural analysis of the Nika area on First Vertical derivative airborne magnetics. Note numerous target areas on NW and SE extension of Nika Zone as currently defined. Dashed green line represents lithotectonic boundary between the Cartwright Hills volcanics to the south and Taibi Group sediments to the north.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Figure 2: N-S cross section looking west, 25m corridor either side, showing >0.45 g/t Au blocks from RPA 2019 model. Blocks >1 g/t Au highlighted in red. Possible interpretation of DO-21-282X mineralized zone outlined with red dashes - in this interpretation the distribution of >0.45 g/t Au blocks could be expanded up-dip within-pit and down-dip below pit based on results from DO-21-282X.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Figure 3: NW-SE long section (i.e. looking NE), 40 m corridor either side, showing >0.45 g/t Au blocks from RPA 2019 model. Blocks >1 g/t Au highlighted in red, which will clearly expand by including results from DO-21- 282X. Within the NW-SE corridor shown in Fig. 1, as is typically the case higher grade shoots will be present. This section shows that these shoots generally plunge moderately to the SE; however, (as is also the case at the Douay West Zone) perpendicular plunges (red arrow) reflecting structural intersections are also possible.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Table 1: Summary of intercepts in DO-21-282X.

Hole UTME UTMN Azimuth Plunge Length (m) From To Interval Uncapped Au g/t DO-20-282X 705259 5491562 358 -59 503.4 152.0 347.0 195.0 1.28 including 152.0 185.5 33.5 0.59 including 153.0 157.0 4.0 1.22 including 165.0 169.2 4.2 1.36 including 185.5 318.0 132.5 1.58 including 185.5 285.8 100.3 1.76 Including 217.5 229.5 12.0 2.11 including 247.6 257.2 9.6 5.49 including 255.5 256.2 0.7 17.40 including 290.8 293.8 3.0 4.67 including 318.0 347.0 29.0 0.74 including 326.6 346.0 19.4 1.01 DO-21-282X 355.6 356.6 1.0 4.13 DO-21-282X 471.4 473.6 2.2 1.21

* All reported assays are uncapped and downhole core lengths. True widths are estimated to be approximately 70-90% of downhole lengths.







Plate 1: Microbreccia with abundant sulfide and mostly disrupted dark purple fluorite veinlets, at 186.5 m downhole. Part of sample grading 8.53 g/t Au near top of interval reported. Core sample is 47.6 mm across.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Plate 2: Crackle-breccia in syenite, with chlorite-sericite pyrite overprint, cut by later dark purple fluorite veinlets, at 209.5 m. Part of interval grading 2.16 g/t Au. Approximately 20 mm top to bottom.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Plate 3: Highly fractured syenite overprinted by pyrite-sericite veinlets and patches at 256 m downhole, part of sample grading 17.4 g/t Au (highest grade sample from DO-21-282X). Approximately 20 mm top to bottom.

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Qualified Person

The scientific and technical data contained in this press release was reviewed and prepared under the supervision of Fred Speidel, M. Sc., P. Geo., Vice-President Exploration of Maple Gold. Mr. Speidel is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Speidel has verified the data related to the exploration information disclosed in this press release through his direct participation in the work.

Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC)

The JV implements strict Quality Assurance ("QA") and Quality Control ("QC") protocols at Douay covering the planning and placing of drill holes in the field; drilling and retrieving the NQ-sized drill core; drillhole surveying; core transport to the Douay Camp; core logging by qualified personnel; sampling and bagging of core for analysis; transport of core from site to the Val-d'Or, QC, SGS laboratory; sample preparation for assaying; and analysis, recording and final statistical vetting of results. For a complete description of protocols, please visit the Company's QA/QC webpage at www.maplegoldmines.com.

About Maple Gold

Maple Gold Mines Ltd. is a Canadian advanced exploration company in a 50/50 joint venture with Agnico Eagle Mines Limited to jointly advance the district-scale Douay and Joutel gold projects located in Quebec's prolific Abitibi Greenstone Gold Belt. The projects benefits from exceptional infrastructure access and boasts ~400 km2 of highly prospective ground including an established gold resource (RPA 2019) that holds significant expansion potential as well as the past-producing Telbel mine.

The property also hosts a significant number of regional exploration targets along a 55 km strike length of the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone that have yet to be tested through drilling, making the project ripe for new gold and polymetallic discoveries. The Company is well capitalized and is currently focused on carrying out exploration and drill programs to grow resources and make new discoveries to establish an exciting new gold district in the heart of the Abitibi. For more information, please visit www.maplegoldmines.com.

ON BEHALF OF MAPLE GOLD MINES LTD.

"Matthew Hornor"

B. Matthew Hornor, President & CEO

For Further Information Please Contact:

Shirley Anthony

Director, Corporate Communications

Cell: 778.999.2771

Email: santhony@maplegoldmines.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 PRESS RELEASE.

Forward Looking Statements:

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively referred to as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation in Canada, including statements about exploration work and results from current and future work programs. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, uncertainties and management's best estimate of future events. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations and projections. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to Maple Gold Mines Ltd.'s filings with Canadian securities regulators available on www.sedar.com or the Company's website at www.maplegoldmines.com. 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/85187
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Contact Gold Corp. (TSXV: C) (OTCQB: CGOL) (the "Company" or "Contact Gold") is pleased to announce voting results from the Company's Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders held on May 25, 2021 (the "Meeting").

A total of 160,368,117 common shares were voted, representing the votes attached to approximately 66.59% of all outstanding common shares. Shareholders voted in favour of the election of all director nominees.

Director Votes for % Votes for % Votes withheld Charlie Davies 155,942,432 99.63% 0.37% John Dorward 155,978,337 99.65% 0.35% Andrew Farncomb 155,977,417 99.65% 0.35% Riyaz Lalani 155,977,417 99.65% 0.35% Matthew Lennox-King 155,988,352 99.66% 0.34% George Salamis 155,988,337 99.66% 0.34%

Mark Wellings did not stand for re-election as a director of the Company due to other personal and business commitments. Mr. Wellings was a founding Board member of Contact Gold and an exceptional member of the Board and team since June 2017. The Board of Directors extends best wishes for his future endeavours.

Shareholders also voted in favour of (i) the reappointment of Ernst & Young LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditor of the Company; (ii) the plan of conversion from the State of Nevada to continue into the Province of British Columbia (the "Continuance"); and (iii) the plan of arrangement under the laws of British Columbia (the "Arrangement" and together with the Continuance, the "Repatriation Transaction").



Votes for % Votes for % Votes against Reappointment of Ernst & Young LLP, 160,352,197 99.99% 0.00% Continuance to British Columbia 155,742,028 99.50% 0.50% Plan of Arrangement 156,483,073 99.98% 0.02%

Completion of the Arrangement is also subject to approval by the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and receipt of applicable regulatory approvals and consents as may be required to effect and complete the transaction, including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV").

Assuming that all requisite approvals are received, the Company expects to close the proposed Repatriation Transaction during the first week of June 2021.

Reminder to Registered Securityholders

Registered Shareholders not holding their common shares in a brokerage account and Registered Warrantholders are reminded to complete, sign and remit the Letter of Transmittal along with the accompanying Common Share certificate(s) and/or Warrant certificate(s) as instructed in the relevant Letter of Transmittal in order to receive replacement securities of Contact Gold. Registered Warrantholders in the United States MUST also return the relevant U.S. tax forms attached thereto to the Company in order to comply with U.S. federal income tax provisions, including those related to withholding taxes.

About Contact Gold

Contact Gold is focused on advancing the Green Springs and Pony Creek gold projects in Nevada, both of which host extensive and robust Carlin Type gold systems.

Green Springs is located near the southern end of the Cortez Trend of Carlin-type gold deposits in Nevada, east of Fiore Gold's Pan Mine and Gold Rock Project, and south of Waterton's Mount Hamilton deposit. The Green Springs property is 18.5 km2, encompassing 3 shallow past-producing open pits and numerous targets that were not mined.

Pony Creek is strategically located immediately south of Gold Standard Ventures' South Railroad Project, on the Southern Carlin Trend, and totals 81.7 km2 underpinned by an extensive Carlin-type gold system.

Additional information about the Company is available at www.contactgold.com.

For more information, please contact (604) 449-3361 for either:

Matthew Lennox-King, President & Chief Executive Officer mlk@contactgold.com

John Wenger, Chief Financial Officer wenger@contactgold.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to the anticipated completion of the Repatriation Transaction, the, associated receipt of all requisite corporate, court and applicable regulatory approvals, including approval of the TSXV and timing therefor.

These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: failure to obtain the requisite corporate, court and applicable regulatory approvals, impacts arising from the global disruption caused by the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar to United States dollar exchange rate); 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); 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. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, 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 of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85262
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - ALX Resources Corp. (TSXV: AL) (FSE: 6LLN) (OTC: ALXEF) ("ALX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of the 2021 drilling program at the Alligator Lake Gold Project ("Alligator", or the "Project") located approximately 165 kilometres (103 miles) northeast of La Ronge, SK, Canada. ALX's inaugural drilling program was completed in March 2021 and successfully intersected the targeted Broken Hammer Shear Zone, which is known to be prospective for high-grade gold mineralization.

ALX's 2021 drilling at Alligator consisted of six NQ-size diamond drill holes totaling 617.6 metres (2,026 feet) focussed along an approximate 1,000-metre section of the Broken Hammer Shear Zone where ALX had previously sampled a sulphide-bearing quartz vein in outcrop at the Broken Hammer Showing that returned 504.0 grams/tonne ("g/t") gold (16.13 oz/ton), and 46.2 g/t silver, by fire assay (see ALX news release dated March 15, 2021). ALX's drilling encountered significant gold mineralization in multiple holes, which has provided a strong basis for follow-up drilling and ground exploration across the Broken Hammer Shear Zone and elsewhere at the Project. Visible gold was encountered in hole AL21-005 in five locations, and in two locations in hole AL21-006 at (see ALX news release dated March 25, 2021). Gold and silver fire assay results are shown in the table below, for intersections grading over 1.0 g/t gold:

Alligator Lake 2021 Drilling Results Greater than 1.0 g/t Gold



Hole

Number Depth of

Hole

(metres) From

(metres) To

(metres) Interval 1

(metres) Gold

(g/t) Silver

(g/t) AL21-003 111.0 34.24 35.87 1.63 1.54 0.26 AL21-004 81.0 6.86 7.84 0.98 10.67 0.42 including

6.86 7.43 0.57 18.20 0.38 AL21-005 120.0 4.05 7.50 3.45 1.58 0.47 including

5.00 5.50 0.50 5.66 0.59 and

6.94 7.50 0.56 4.01 0.63



10.36 14.00 3.64 1.21 0.42



61.98 70.42 8.44 1.93 0.69 including

62.28 62.97 0.69 16.80 4.92 and

65.08 66.27 1.19 1.88 0.42 AL21-006 120.0 26.66 27.18 0.52 1.71 0.19

1 All mineralized intersections described in this table are shown as measured drill core lengths - true widths of mineralized zones are not yet determined.









Map 1



To view an enhanced version of Map 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3046/85268_alxmap.jpg

Highlights of the Alligator Lake 2021 Drilling

ALX's drilling confirmed quartz veining with associated sulphides and gold mineralization at shallow depths in every hole.





The highest gold grades occurred in holes AL21-004 and AL21-005, which were drilled approximately 600 metres apart, each located on land to the north and south of Radiant Lake. Highly-anomalous gold values ranging up to 229 parts per billion were found in historical lake sediment samples from Radiant Lake where recommended drill targets remain to be tested.





The overall grades of gold mineralization are variable, but occur in several different rock types, e.g., granodiorite, psammite and greywacke, and therefore are not confined to one particular geological strata.

Future Exploration Plans at Alligator Lake

ALX is planning summer work in 2021 consisting of geological mapping and prospecting, and may include trenching in areas where high-grade gold mineralization has been intersected just below the overburden at depths as little as four (4) metres. ALX also plans to carry out a high-resolution airborne or drone magnetic survey at the Project in order to gain valuable information for the development of winter drilling targets at Alligator in 2022.

To view maps of Alligator click here

About Alligator Lake

Alligator consists of five claims totaling 2,973.32 hectares (7,347.24 acres) and is located adjacent to Provincial Highway 102, with an established winter trail suitable for mobilizing drilling equipment directly to ALX's primary areas of interest. The Project has been held since 1985 by a private company and has been the subject of a number of seasonal prospecting programs, some geophysical surveying and limited drilling. Prior to ALX's 2021 work, only 16 diamond drill holes have been drilled since 1995 to depths averaging less than 86 metres.

The Project is underlain by Precambrian Shield rocks of the Central Metavolcanic Belt ("CVB"), part of the La Ronge Domain. Northeast-striking and steeply northwest-dipping upper greenschist to lower amphibolite facies ultramafic to mafic metavolcanic rocks of the CVB are intruded by ultramafic to mafic sills. These ultramafic to mafic rocks are structurally underlain by similarly northeast-striking and northwest-dipping meta-arkose and calcareous metagreywackes of the McLennan-Sickle Group.

The dominant structural feature at Alligator is the Byers Fault, which strikes in a northeasterly direction and dips to the northwest. The Byers Fault can be traced along the southeast shore of Alligator Lake and through a series of topographic lows. The Byers Fault is recognized as a "first-order" controlling structure for many "second-order" quartz-sulphide-carbonate healed shear and tensional vein type gold deposits and occurrences in the greater Waddy Lake area (Schwann, 1991). In the Waddy Lake area, however, the Byers Fault trends approximately east-west before stepping/flexing into a more northeasterly trend in the Contact Lake-Alligator Lake area. Large-scale "bends" in fault systems are known to be the preferential location for dilatancies that could host gold-bearing quartz vein swarms.

In 1995, Uranerz Exploration and Mining ("UEM") drilled four holes at 100-metre intervals along the Broken Hammer Shear Zone. The best intersection was 7.31 g/t gold (0.23 oz/ton) over 1.5 metres in hole AL-02, from 38.9 metres to 40.4 metres, beneath the site where visible gold was discovered in the late 1980s (Avery and Leppin, 1995).

In January 2021, ALX and Alligator Resources Ltd. ("ARL", a private Saskatchewan corporation), executed a definitive agreement for the Project incorporating the terms and conditions of a previously-announced binding letter agreement. The definitive agreement provides ALX with the option to earn an initial 51% interest (the "First Option") and up to an 80% interest (the "Second Option") in the Project over a four (4) year period from the effective date of the definitive agreement in consideration for: (a) cash payments totaling $150,000, (b) the issuance of common shares of ALX to ARL totaling 1,500,000 common shares; and (c) ALX incurring eligible expenditures totaling $1,250,000 with respect to the Project.

Upon ALX obtaining an 80% interest in the Project (by exercise of both the First Option and the Second Option), ALX and ARL shall form a joint venture in respect of the development of the Project (with ALX as operator), with the terms of the joint venture agreement to be negotiated in good faith between the parties and executed prior to ALX earning a 51% interest. Alligator is subject to an underlying 2.5% net smelter returns royalty ("NSR") on the sale of valuable minerals from the Project, of which half of the NSR (1.25%) can be purchased by ALX from the royalty holders at any time for $1.0 million.

NationaI Instrument 43-101 Disclosure

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Sierd Eriks, P.Geo., President and Chief Geologist of ALX, who is a Qualified Person in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101.

Readers are cautioned that some of the technical information described in this news release is historical in nature; however, the historical information is deemed credible and was produced by professional geoscientists in the years discussed. Historical geochemical results quoted in this news release were taken directly from assessment work filings published by the Government of Saskatchewan and other regulatory filings. Management cautions that historical results collected and reported by past operators have not been verified nor confirmed by its Qualified Person, but create a scientific basis for ongoing work in the Alligator property area.

Geochemical results from 2020 grab samples and ALX's 2021 drill core samples described in this news release were shipped to SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories in Saskatoon, SK and analyzed using a 4-acid digestion with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Gold, platinum and palladium were analyzed by fire assay techniques. Certain of the drill core samples were further analyzed by metallic gold assay, or are in process.

About ALX

ALX is based in Vancouver, BC, Canada and its common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "AL", on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "6LLN" and in the United States OTC market under the symbol "ALXEF". ALX's mandate is to provide shareholders with multiple opportunities for discovery by exploring a portfolio of prospective mineral properties, which include gold, nickel, copper, and uranium projects. The Company uses the latest exploration technologies and holds interests in over 200,000 hectares of prospective lands in Saskatchewan and Ontario, stable Canadian jurisdictions that collectively host the highest-grade uranium mines in the world, and offer a significant legacy of production from gold and base metals mines.

ALX owns 100% interests in the Firebird Nickel Project (now under option to Rio Tinto Exploration Canada, who can earn up to an 80% interest), the Flying Vee Nickel/Gold and Sceptre Gold projects, and can earn up to an 80% interest in the Alligator Lake Gold Project, all located in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. ALX owns, or can earn, up to 100% interests in the Vixen Gold Project, the Electra Nickel Project and the Cannon Copper Project located in historic mining districts of Ontario, Canada, and in the Draco VMS Project in Norway. ALX holds interests in a number of uranium exploration properties in northern Saskatchewan, including a 20% interest in the Hook-Carter Uranium Project, located within the prolific Patterson Lake Corridor, with Denison Mines Corp. (80% interest) operating exploration since 2016, and a 40% interest in the Black Lake Uranium Project, a joint venture with UEX Corporation and Orano Canada Inc.

For more information about the Company, please visit the ALX corporate website at www.alxresources.com or contact Roger Leschuk, Manager, Corporate Communications at: PH: 604.629.0293 or Toll-Free: 866.629.8368, or by email: rleschuk@alxresources.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of ALX Resources Corp.

"Warren Stanyer"

Warren Stanyer, CEO and Chairman

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this document which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include: the Alligator Lake Gold Project ("Alligator") is prospective for gold mineralization, the Company's plans to undertake exploration activities at Alligator, and expend funds on Alligator. It is important to note that the Company's actual business outcomes and exploration results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include that ALX may not be able to fully finance exploration at Alligator, including drilling; our current findings at Alligator may prove to be unworthy of further expenditure; commodity prices may not support exploration expenditures at Alligator; and economic, competitive, governmental, societal, public health, environmental and technological factors may affect the Company's operations, markets, products and share price. Even if we explore and develop Alligator, and even if gold or other metals or minerals are discovered in quantity, the project may not be commercially viable. Additional risk factors are discussed in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the Year Ended December 31, 2020, which is available under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Except as required by law, we will not update these forward-looking statement risk factors.

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

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85268
Wind, solar, EVs expected to drive strongest demand growth for the 'red metal' in history

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 26, 2021 / Amarc Resources Ltd. ("Amarc" or the "Company") (TSXV:AHR)(OTCQB:AXREF) President & CEO Dr. Diane Nicolson reports that North American and global demand forecasts for refined copper, largely driven by a worldwide surge in renewable energy and electrification technology deployments, create a clear market opportunity for Canadian copper explorers and developers over the next decade.

"It's an exciting time to be an established mineral exploration and development company in a progressive, strategically located jurisdiction like British Columbia, and the 100% owner of three expansive and confirmed porphyry copper-gold districts," Nicolson said. "The surging demand for copper metal to meet the United States' and the world's resolve to fundamentally address climate change and achieve carbon-neutrality within our lifetime is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Copper mining can now be considered an essential and critical global industry."

Nicolson said a number of factors have coalesced to create the current market conditions for copper, in which experts believe the forecast gap between supply and demand will reach unprecedented levels over the next decade. These factors include:

the global push to adopt renewable energy, electrification and other no- and low-carbon technologies to address climate risks - notably wind and solar power generation, electric vehicles ("EVs") and associated charging infrastructure;

given the unique characteristics of copper as a conductor of electricity, it currently has no cost-effective replacement in most renewable energy and electrification applications; and

limitations on global copper production, as producers face exhausted orebodies, falling grades, growing geopolitical risk and a paucity of new copper mines in the pipeline.

"Goldman Sachs Commodities Research recently reported the global copper supply gap could reach 8.2 million tonnes by 2030 - the largest deficit on record, and one that will necessitate a 40% increase in production in less than 10 years," Nicolson said. "Even more compelling is that society's transition to 'carbon-neutrality' is absolutely dependent on the mining and metals sector's ability to address that gap."

Goldman Sachs' April 2021 research paper, entitled Green Metals: Copper is the new oil [1], makes clear the fastest growing segment of U.S. and global copper demand is renewable energy and electrification. Findings include:

global copper demand from wind, solar, EVs and battery applications will increase by 600% to 900% by 2030 to as much as 8.7 million tonnes, an increase that could exceed the 8.2 million tonne supply gap forecast for that year; and

global copper demand from EVs and charging stations alone will increase by more than 1,000% by 2030, and by 1,900% in the United States.

Nicolson said U.S. President Joe Biden and his Democratic allies in Congress have made the transition to renewable energy and low-carbon technologies a public policy priority. Even beyond wind, solar, EVs, battery technology and charging stations, America's climate change agenda will drive still greater demand for copper to upgrade the nation's power grid, to retrofit factories, commercial and residential buildings, and modernize industries from agriculture to transportation.

Currently, the United States relies on foreign producers for more than 35%[2] of its annual copper needs. This import reliance is expected to grow in future as the world's largest economy increasingly invests in renewable energy and electrification, and as President Biden pursues his 'American Jobs Plan' to enhance domestic manufacturing in the green energy sector.

"We're certainly aware of the United States Department of Commerce and its efforts to work with mining and metals interests in Canada to secure a reliable supply chain to meet America's climate change goals," Nicolson confirmed. "I think it's symptomatic of the market conditions we're going to see for copper for many years to come - both here in North America, but also in Asia, Europe and around the world. We couldn't be better positioned."

Amarc holds a 100%-interest in three major copper-gold porphyry districts in BC - including the 482 km2 JOY District in north-central BC, the 462 km2 IKE District in south-central BC and the 704 km2 DUKE District in central BC. The properties collectively host four known copper-gold deposits that remain wide-open to expansion, and 10 drill-ready porphyry copper-gold deposit targets with potential to support the type of low-cost, bulk tonnage, long-life mining opportunities in demand by major mining companies.

"As investor, government and public interest in copper as part of the solution to climate change continues to build momentum, Amarc will be working to advance resource delineation and district-wide exploration on all our properties," Nicolson said. "The recently announced alliance with Freeport-McMoRan Mineral Properties Canada Inc. on our JOY district (see release May 12, 2021) is just the first step of what will be an active and exciting period of time for Amarc and its shareholders."

Amarc's President & CEO added that the high-value JOY, IKE and DUKE copper-gold districts have all been acquired, assembled and advanced with an intrinsic understanding of the assets major copper producers will seek in the coming years.

About Amarc Resources Ltd.

Amarc is a mineral exploration and development company with an experienced and successful management team focused on developing a new generation of long-life, high-value porphyry copper-gold mines in BC. By combining high-demand projects with dynamic management, Amarc has created a solid platform to create value from its exploration and development-stage assets.

Amarc is advancing the 100%-owned IKE, DUKE and JOY porphyry coppergold districts located in different prolific porphyry districts in southern, central and northern BC, respectively. Each of the three districts is located in proximity to industrial infrastructure - including power, highways and rail. Importantly, each district represents significant potential for the development of multiple and important-scale, porphyry coppergold deposits.

Amarc is associated with HDI, a diversified, global mining company with a 30-year history of porphyry discovery and development success. Previous and current HDI projects include some of BC's and the world's most important porphyry deposits - such as Pebble, Mount Milligan, Southern Star, Kemess South, Kemess North, Gibraltar, Prosperity, Xietongmen, Newtongmen, Florence, Casino, Sisson, Maggie, IKE and Pine. From its head office in Vancouver, Canada, HDI applies its unique strengths and capabilities to acquire, develop, operate and monetize mineral projects.

Amarc works closely with local governments, Indigenous groups and other stakeholders in order to advance its mineral projects responsibly, and in a manner that contributes to sustainable community and economic development. We pursue early and meaningful engagement to ensure our mineral exploration and development activities are well coordinated and broadly supported, address local priorities and concerns, and optimize opportunities for collaboration. In particular, we seek to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with Indigenous groups within whose traditional territories our projects are located, through the provision of jobs, training programs, contract opportunities, capacity funding agreements and sponsorship of community events. All Amarc work programs are carefully planned to achieve high levels of environmental and social performance.

Qualified Person as Defined Under National Instrument 43-101

Mark Rebagliati, P. Eng., a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content in this release.

For further details on Amarc Resources Ltd., please visit the Company's website at www.amarcresources.com or contact Dr. Diane Nicolson, President and CEO, at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AMARC RESOURCES LTD.

Dr. Diane Nicolson

President and CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor any other regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking and other Cautionary Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All such statements, other than statements of historical facts that address exploration drilling, exploitation activities and other related events or developments are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: Amarc's projects will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses, studies and exploration of Amarc's projects will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, potential environmental issues or liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and tenure and delays due to third party opposition, changes in and the effect of government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, exploration and development of properties located within Aboriginal groups asserted territories may affect or be perceived to affect asserted aboriginal rights and title, which may cause permitting delays or opposition by Aboriginal groups, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions, as well as risks relating to the uncertainties with respect to the effects of COVID-19. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Amarc Resources Ltd., investors should review Amarc's annual Form 20-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

[1] Referenced in https://www.northernminer.com/news/goldman-sachs-calls-copper-the-new-oil/1003830196/ [2] https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-copper.pdf SOURCE: Amarc Resources Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/649108/AMARC-Surging-Global-Copper-Demand-Through-2030-to-Benefit-Canadian-Explorers-and-Producers
Perspectum announced that it has signed a strategic business partnership with Marubeni Corporation ("Marubeni") to support entry of Perspectum's AI diagnostic technology, called LiverMultiScan, into the Japanese market.

"We are delighted to partner with Marubeni to bring LiverMultiScan to Japan" said Dr. Rajarshi Banerjee, Chief Executive Officer of Perspectum. "Marubeni's mission to supply groundbreaking diagnostic support technologies complements Perspectum's overarching goal of improving healthcare for patients with suspected and established liver disease. In addition, Japan is one of the largest MRI markets in the world."

Through this partnership, Clairvo, a newly established subsidiary of Marubeni, will assist Perspectum in applying for the required regulatory licenses and build a comprehensive distribution network for medical institutions.

Ryota Kobayashi, CEO of Clairvo said "We are very much excited and honored to start our partnership with Perspectum. Perspectum is a 'one and only' company which holds a unique, innovative technology for liver diagnosis support. Marubeni/Clairvo will maximize our versatile capabilities to deliver LiverMultiScan in Japan and contribute to improving healthcare of Japanese citizens."

"This is another significant milestone in the adoption of LiverMultiScan in the Asia-Pacific region," added Dr. Catherine Kelly, Chief Informatics Officer and Asia-Pacific lead. "Japan has a strong history of adopting cutting edge technology and joins other countries in the region in making LiverMultiScan available to patients."

Professor Nakajima of Yokohama City University, a leader in hepatology added "Perspectum's LiverMultiScan is a technology expected to be widely used as a new biomarker, that contributes to the early diagnosis and treatment of liver disease especially for NASH/NAFLD patients, which has been increasing in Japan in recent years. We expect that Perspectum and Marubeni/Clairvo's collaboration will accelerate the delivery of the product into the clinical settings of Japan."

About Perspectum

Perspectum, a global medical technology company with offices in the U.K., the U.S. and Singapore, delivers leading digital technologies that help clinicians provide better care for patients with chronic metabolic diseases, multi-organ pathologies and cancer. With a strong focus on precision medicine using advanced imaging and genetics, our vision is to empower patients and clinicians through quantitative assessments of health enabling early detection, diagnosis and targeted treatment. With a diverse team of physicians, biomedical scientists, engineers and technologists, Perspectum offers a way to manage complex health problems at scale. For more information, visit www.perspectum.com and view our video outlining our mission at https://youtu.be/gFMxKGGvyJA.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005068/en/

Contacts:

Emily Holden

Perspectum, Investor Relations Corporate Communications +44 7803 337613

Emily.Holden@perspectum.com
Market Research Future published a Half Cooked Research Report on 

Global Reactive Dyes Market Research Report - Forecast to 2023

 Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2023.

Reactive Dyes Market  Overview

Reactive Dyes belongs to a class of organic compounds which is predominantly used for tinting textiles. Reactive dyes possess excellent property in the formation of covalent bonds with the substrate that is to be colored, moreover these form chemical bind with fiber, which is the main component of cotton fibers. These are majorly utilized in end use application such as nylon, cotton, wool, leather, and silk. The Reactive Dyes market is estimated to grow tremendously and register a strong growth during the forecast period. Growth of global Reactive Dyes market is predominantly driven by textile and leather industry. Furthermore, textile industry is expected to witness considerable growth on account of various factors such as increasing population, rising disposable income, and changing consumer trends. Textile industry is among the largest application segment for dyes and dyestuff and is predicted to offer a progressive scope for the reactive dye market over the assessment period. Additionally, constantly changing fashion trend along with the rising popularity of various clothing brands is estimated to drive textile industry, which in turn, is predicted to fuel the market growth over the forecast period. Apart from this, stringent regulations imposed by various government agencies in the use of synthetic based reactive dyes can hinder the growth of the market over the assessment period.

Geographically, Asia Pacific emerged as the leading market for reactive dyes followed by North America and Europe in 2016. The Asia Pacific region provide huge growth potential for reactive dyes and is predicted to register highest CAGR on account of continuous growth of textile, paper, and leather industry specifically in China, India, Japan, and South Korea. Moreover, end use industrial growth in various countries of Asia Pacific such as South Korea, India, Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Furthermore, increasing investment by major companies and shifting of manufacturing facilities as well as end use industries expansion in this region is predicted to propel the reactive dyes regional market growth. North American market is expected to witness substantial growth due to expansion of textile sector. Europe is estimated to witness moderate growth owing to the significant growth of leather and textile industries. Moreover, stringent regulations imposed by various regulatory bodies in Europe and North America is expected to slightly hamper market growth.

Key Players:

Huntsman International LLC., BASF SE, NIPPON KAYAKU CO. LTD., Sumika Chemtex Co., Ltd., Archroma, Colourtex, Kiri Industries Ltd., IM Dye Chem, Roop dyes and Intermediates, Kevin India Co. among others are some of the prominent players at the forefront of competition in the Global Reactive Dyes Market and are profiled in MRFR Analysis.

Access Complete Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/reactive-dyes-market-3870

Industry/ Innovation/ Related News:

November 2016- Huntsman Corporation signed an agreement for strategic partnership with Jihua Group, a China based company. With this agreement, textile division of Huntsman Corporation and Jihua Group will cooperate to meet the increasing demand for dye and dye intermediates for Chinas textile sector. The strategic partnership will strengthen the groups capabilities of serving customers in China and further speedily expand their business across the globe.

July 2016- Bodal Chemicals, one of the leading producer of dyes intermediate and dyestuff based at Ahmedabad, plan to expand its dyestuff manufacturing at its Vadodara facility. The company will expand its business in two phases. In first phase the company will expand dyestuff production capacity by 8000 MTPA and in second phase the company will increase production capacity from 17000 MTPA to 25000 MTPA. With this expansion the company strengthen its position in dye intermediate market.

September 2015- Shree Pushkar Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd planned to set up reactive dye manufacturing unit with an annual capacity of 3000 tonnes. As with increase in dye manufacturing demand, company will expand its dyes intermediate capacity of H acid by 750 tonnes and vinyl sulphone by 1000 toness. With this expansion in manufacturing unit, company strengthen its position in global market.

Competitive Landscape

The Reactive Dyes report analyses the degree of competition among the market players as well as industry growth and market scenario. The global reactive dyes market consist of various players operating in the market including large scale and medium size manufacturers. This industry is concentrating towards growth association specifically by Asia Pacific as medium scale and key operating players are from this region specifically from China, South Korea, Thailand, Japan, and India. Furthermore, reactive dyes manufacturers from Europe and North America are planning to expand their manufacturing base to Asia Pacific region in order to meet the demand for reactive dyes in this region. In addition to this, manufacturers operating in this region are expanding their production capacity in order to strengthen their position and to meet the demand for increasing textile sector. Moreover, the market is rising with a substantial growth rate which raises the competitive rivalry among the industry players.
- Introduces new synthetic cholesterol product nine months ahead of schedule

- Offers high purity, scalability, and consistent quality

- One of a few companies that produces lipids in quantities needed to meet demand for mRNA therapeutics, including Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine

DARMSTADT, Germany, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- To meet the high demand for lipids, a key component of mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics, Merck, a leading science and technology company, has launched a new, high-purity synthetic cholesterol product, nine months ahead of schedule.

"Tapping into two decades' experience of developing and manufacturing high-quality lipids, we designed a proprietary process to bring our new SAFC synthetic cholesterol product to market nearly a year early," said Andrew Bulpin, head of Process Solutions, Life Science, at Merck. "With the introduction of our new SAFC synthetic cholesterol product, we have increased our capacity by 50 times, helping biomanufacturers bring lifesaving therapies to patients faster."

Merck manufactures lipids in Schaffhausen, Switzerland; Darmstadt, Germany; and St. Louis, Missouri, USA. While there are animal-derived and synthetic versions of cholesterol available on the market, Merck's synthetic cholesterol product offers high purity, scalability, and consistent quality.

This neutral lipid, used in commercially marketed products, is more than 99 percent pure; offers high batch-to-batch consistency and is scalable under commercial GMP. Merck is one of a few companies in the world able to produce the quantities needed for lipid nanoparticle manufacturing and meet the quality requirements for mRNA therapeutics.

The launch of this new product follows the company's acquisition of AmpTec, a Hamburg, Germany, based mRNA contract development and manufacturing organization. By combining AmpTec's PCR-based mRNA technology with Merck's extensive expertise in lipids manufacturing, Merck can provide a truly integrated offering across the mRNA value chain. Merck has more than 20 years of experience developing and manufacturing high-quality lipids, following GMP processes. The company provides regulatory support through all phases of clinical development and commercialization, as well as deep analytical expertise.

Merck is collaborating with more than 50 companies to support their efforts in the development and production of Covid-19 vaccines and treatments, providing custom lipids, as well as other critical raw materials, processing equipment and services used in mRNA drugs and vaccines manufacturing. In early February 2021, the company announced the extension of its strategic partnership with BioNTech to significantly accelerate the supply of urgently needed lipids and increase the quantities to be delivered toward the end of 2021. The lipids will be used for the production of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.

The company recently announced the addition of a single-use assembly production unit at its Life Science Center in Molsheim, France. The company also recently announced expansion projects in Darmstadt, Germany; Cork, Ireland; Buchs, Switzerland; Carlsbad, California; Madison, Wisconsin; Jaffrey, New Hampshire; and Danvers, Massachusetts. At the latter site, Merck is working to double the local single-use production capacity by the end of 2021. These expansions are part of an ambitious, multi-year program to increase the industrial capacity and Merck's capabilities to support growing global demand for lifesaving medications and to make significant contributions to public health.

All Merck news releases are distributed by email 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.

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Ibex's Galen Breast solution demonstrates very high accuracy in detecting multiple types of breast cancer in a blinded study, supporting pathologists to provide accurate diagnosis, enhanced lab efficiency and quality control

TEL AVIV, Israel, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ibex Medical Analytics , the pioneer in AI-powered cancer diagnostics, today announced CE Mark for the Galen Breast solution for use in supporting pathologists in detection of various types of breast cancer. The solution is now generally available as Ibex partners with laboratories, hospitals and health systems to implement artificial intelligence (AI) technology into the diagnostic workflow. Galen Breast has already been ordered by multiple labs, including a network-wide deployment at a leading pathology group in Europe.

The CE Mark follows pioneering results from a blinded, multi-site clinical study at Institut Curie in France and Maccabi Healthcare Services in Israel. Galen Breast demonstrated very high accuracy in detecting various types of breast cancer, including invasive and in-situ cancers, distinguishing between different types of invasive cancer (e.g., lobular versus ductal carcinoma) and grading of DCIS lesions. These results validate the robustness of Galen Breast and support its adoption by pathology institutes that aim to improve their diagnostic accuracy by enhancing quality control with AI.

Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease in women worldwide, with over two million new cases each year. As such, accurate and timely diagnosis of breast cancer is instrumental in guiding treatment decisions and improving patient survival rates. Additionally, over the last several years there has been an increase in the number of cancer cases and together with rapid advances in personalized medicine, this has resulted in increases in the complexity of cancer diagnosis. Coupled with a global decline in the number of pathologists, these trends have led to growing workloads imposed on pathology labs and health systems. Clearly, there is a growing need for automated solutions and decision-support tools that help pathologists detect cancer to the utmost accuracy more rapidly, while enabling comprehensive and affordable quality control.

Ibex transforms cancer diagnosis by harnessing unique AI and machine learning technology at an unprecedented scale. Galen Breast is the first AI solution used for detection of breast cancer in pathology. It was developed utilizing state-of-the-art AI and machine learning techniques, and was trained on hundreds of thousands of image samples, scanned from biopsy slides digitized using digital pathology. Galen Breast is already deployed in routine clinical practice at multiple pathology labs globally where it is used as a second read application for real-time quality control, helping pathologists improve diagnostic accuracy.

"We are impressed with the successful study outcomes and performance of Galen Breast, which were in near perfect concordance with the consensus diagnosis between pathologists in distinguishing between malignant and benign biopsies, and between invasive and in-situ carcinoma and other histological types," said Anne Vincent-Salomon, MD, Director of Pathology at Institut Curie and the principal investigator in the study. "Our team demonstrated that Ibex's AI technology goes beyond detecting cancer and provides accurate insights on the type of tumor, the nuclear grading of in situ carcinomas and more. I'm confident that artificial intelligence will support breast pathologists and provide benefit to cancer patients across multiple segments of the diagnostic workflow and look forward to seeing this technology widely adopted in the field."

"In this age of personalized medicine, getting the most accurate and most precise diagnosis in breast pathology is more important than ever. We look forward to innovative technologies that could offer actionable insights in support of quality diagnosis," said Stuart Schnitt, MD, Chief of Breast Oncologic Pathology at the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center and Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School. "AI has already demonstrated its immense value in helping pathologists improve the quality and efficiency of prostate cancer diagnosis. The outcomes of this breast study strongly demonstrate that Ibex's technology is well positioned to make similar impact on breast cancer diagnosis."

"We are proud to have obtained this milestone CE Mark for our Galen Breast solution" said Daphna Laifenfeld, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Ibex Medical Analytics, "The excellent results coming out of this study demonstrate the robustness of our Strong AI technology and enable us to offer pathologists an unprecedented breadth of features. We have secured multiple orders for Galen Breast from leading health systems in Europe, and we look forward to accelerating its deployment in the very near future."

About Ibex Medical Analytics

Ibex uses AI to develop clinical-grade solutions that help pathologists detect and grade cancer in biopsies. The Galen platform is the first-ever AI-powered cancer diagnostics solution in routine clinical use in pathology and deployed worldwide, empowering pathologists to improve diagnostic accuracy, integrate comprehensive quality control and enable more efficient workflows. Ibex's solutions are built on Deep Learning algorithms trained by a team of pathologists, data scientists and software engineers. For more information, go to www.ibex-ai.com.

About Institut Curie

Institut Curie, France's leading cancer center, combines an internationally-renowned research center with a cutting-edge hospital group that treats all types of cancer, including the rarest. Founded in 1909 by Marie Curie, Institut Curie employs 3,600 researchers, physicians, and health professionals across three sites (Paris, Saint-Cloud, and Orsay), working on its three missions: treatment, research, and teaching. A private foundation with public utility status, Institut Curie is authorized to receive donations and legacies, and thanks to the support of its donors, is able to make discoveries more quickly, improving treatments and quality of life for patients. For more information, visit: www.curie.fr .

Media Contact

Yael Hart

GK for Ibex

yael@gkpr.com

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New website aims to better serve prospective students from the region pursuing a graduate business degree

RESTON, Va., May 26, 2021. As the most widely used exam for graduate business school admissions and accepted by more than 7,000 graduate business programs worldwide, GMAT has been a leading assessment tool among the vast pool of talents in the greater China region for more than six decades.



Recognizing the growing interest in graduate management education (GME), GMAC established the microsite for prospective students from the region to access accurate, comprehensive, and authoritative information about the GMAT and GME in their native language more readily and comfortably. Through the localized and targeted content, the GMAT Chinese website, along with GMAT's official WeChat account that went live earlier this year, provide the critical digital platforms to create and strengthen the connection between Chinese-speaking talents and the world's leading business schools in the region and beyond, and filling an information gap in the market.

"China has over the years grown into the second largest region for GMAT, after only the United States," said Sangeet Chowfla, president and CEO of GMAC. "As vaccines become more widely available and hope for economic recovery begins to take root, we expect to see more mobility and look forward to more Chinese students starting and returning to their journey of graduate business education in their own country or abroad, benefiting from the new Chinese-language platforms we are offering today."

According to GMAC's 2021 mba.com Prospective Students Survey Reportpublished in March, the level of concern about the impact of COVID-19 has been declining over time. Specifically, the proportion of Chinese respondents reporting that they are extremely or very concerned has dropped from 71 percent in July 2020 to 48 percent in November last year. The report also found that the Chinese respondents planning to pursue an MBA outside their country are not changing their original plans despite the pandemic, with 89 percent planning to pursue their MBA in the United States and 55 percent in the United Kingdom, making these two countries their top destinations of consideration.

"The interest in and desire of Chinese business talents to pursue graduate management studies have not declined but only been put on hold," said Yuan Ding, vice president and dean of CEIBS and a board director of GMAC. "The official GMAT Chinese website will help connect Chinese business talents all over the world with global business schools and leave no talents undiscovered."

More than seven million candidates on their business master's or MBA journey visited mba.com? GMAC's flagship graduate education resource and information portal - to explore business school options, prepare and register for exams, and get advice on the admissions process. GMAC is committed to supporting the goals of Chinese prospective students who wish to prepare and register for the GMAT exam.

About GMAC

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) is a mission-driven association of leading graduate business schools worldwide. Founded in 1953, GMAC creates solutions and experiences that enable business schools and candidates to better discover, evaluate, and connect with each other.

GMAC provides world-class research, industry conferences, recruiting tools, and assessments for the graduate management education industry, as well as tools, resources, events, and services that help guide candidates through their higher education journey. Owned and administered by GMAC, the Graduate Management Admission Testand The MBA Tourare subsidiaries of GMAC, a global organization with offices in China, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

To learn more about our work, please visit www.gmac.com
LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / May 26, 2021 / Anglo Pacific Group PLC ("Anglo Pacific" or the "Company") (LSE:APF, TSX:APY) is pleased to announce that at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 26 May 2021 ("AGM") all resolutions were duly passed by a show of hands. Resolutions 16 to 19 were passed as special resolutions.

Following today's AGM, the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Financial Officer gave a short presentation followed by a Q&A session with the Board for shareholders - a replay of this webcast will be available on the Company's website.

In accordance with Listing Rule 14.3.6, a copy of Resolutions 16, 17, 18 and 19 will shortly be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and the full text of all the resolutions passed at the meeting can be found in the Notice of Annual General Meeting, both available for inspection at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism

Full details of the proxy voting can also be found on the Company's website.

For further information:

Anglo Pacific Group PLC +44 (0) 20 3435 7400 Julian Treger - Chief Executive Officer

Kevin Flynn - Chief Financial Officer

Marc Bishop Lafleche - Chief Investment Officer Website: www.anglopacificgroup.com Berenberg +44 (0) 20 3207 7800 Matthew Armitt / Jennifer Wyllie / Varun Talwar / Detlir Elezi Peel Hunt LLP +44 (0) 20 7418 8900 Ross Allister / Alexander Allen / David McKeown RBC Capital Markets Farid Dadashev / Marcus Jackson / Jamil Miah +44 (0) 20 7653 4000 Camarco +44 (0) 20 3757 4997 Gordon Poole / Owen Roberts / James Crothers

Notes to Editors

About Anglo Pacific

Anglo Pacific Group PLC is a global natural resources royalty and streaming company. The Company's strategy is to become a leading natural resources company through investing in high quality projects in preferred jurisdictions with trusted counterparties, underpinned by strong ESG principles. It is a continuing policy of the Company to pay a substantial portion of these royalties and streams to shareholders as dividends.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Anglo Pacific Group PLC

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/649151/Anglo-Pacific-Group-PLC-announces-Results-of-2021-Annual-General-Meeting
NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 26, 2021 / Medaro Mining Corp. (CSE:MED) ("Medaro" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced private placement (the "Private Placement") of units (each, a "Unit") for gross proceeds of $3,220,703.36 through the issuance of 7,319,779 Units at a price of $0.44 per Unit.

Each Unit consists of one common share and one half of one (1/2) common share purchase warrant, each whole warrant being exercisable at a price of $0.55 for twelve (12) months from issuance. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Private Placement for acquisitions, marketing and general working capital.

Finder's fees of $180,306.28 were paid and 409,787 finder's warrants were issued in connection with the Private Placement. Each finder's warrant is exercisable at $0.55 for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of issuance. All securities issued in connection with the Private Placement are subject to a statutory hold period expiring September 26, 2021, in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The securities issued under the Private Placement have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and were not to be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About the Company

Medaro is a lithium exploration company based in Vancouver, BC and holds options over the Superb Lake lithium property located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and the CYR South lithium property located in James Bay, Quebec.

For more information, investors should review the Company's filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that are "forward looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the Private Placement and the use of proceeds therefrom are "forward-looking information". These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

Contact Information

Faizaan Lalani

Director and Chief Financial Officer

Telephone: 778 233 3537

Email: flalani@medaromining.com

SOURCE: Medaro Mining Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/649093/Medaro-Mining-Closes-Private-Placement-for-Gross-Proceeds-of-32-Million
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Southern Silver Exploration Corp. (TSXV: SSV) (OTCQX: SSVFF) (Santiago: SSVCL) ("Southern Silver" or the "Company") announces that due to significant demand, it has amended its agreement with Red Cloud Securities Inc. (the "Underwriter") to increase the size of its previously announced bought deal private placement to C$9,000,000 (the "Brokered Offering"). Under the amended agreement, the Underwriter will purchase for resale 18,000,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of C$0.50 per Unit (the "Unit Price"). Each Unit shall be comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Unit Share") and one half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall be exercisable into one common share of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.75 at any time on or before the date which is 24 months after the closing date of the Brokered Offering.

The Company is also increasing the size of its previously announced non-brokered private placement to up to 6,000,000 Units at the Unit Price for additional gross proceeds of up to C$3,000,000 (the "Non-Brokered Private Placement", and collectively with the Brokered Offering, the "Offerings"). The Units sold under the Non-Brokered Private Placement will be identical to those sold under the Brokered Offering.

The net proceeds from the Offerings will be used for exploration and advancement of the Company's Cerro Las Minitas silver-lead-zinc project located in Durango State, Mexico and for general working capital purposes. The closing of the Offerings is expected to occur on or about June 14, 2021 and is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the listing of the Unit Shares and Warrant Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Unit Shares, Warrants and Warrant Shares will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of closing of the Offerings in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws and may be subject to resale restrictions in the jurisdiction of residents of non-Canadian purchasers.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Units, nor shall there be any sale of the Units in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The Units being offered will not be, and have not been, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, a U.S. person.

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.

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.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85283
Sudbury, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - SPC Nickel Corp. (TSXV: SPC) ("SPC Nickel" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that a Spartan ground magnetotelluric ("MT") survey, consisting of 34 sites to be conducted by Quantec Geoscience, (the "Survey") has commenced at the Company's Aer-Kidd Project located in Sudbury, Ontario.

The Survey will focus on the east portion of the property where the Worthington Offset dyke is projected to extend beneath Perch Lake. The objective of the Survey is to highlight areas of increased conductivity that maybe related to sulphide mineralization hosted within the Worthington Offset dyke. The results of the Survey will be incorporated into the existing geological model and will be used to delineate drill target areas.

An extensive zone of amphibolite-bearing inclusion quartz diorite (AIQD), the primary host for massive sulphide mineralization on the Worthington Offset dyke, is interpreted to exist beneath Perch Lake. The AIQD zone has been intersected by 5 historic drill hole and is interpreted to extend from surface down to a vertical depth in excess of 1,500 metres. Four shallow historic drill holes completed by Crowflight Minerals Inc in 2001 reported well developed zones of AIQD containing large amphibolite fragments (up to 15.7 metres in diameter) and stringers of sulphide mineralization. These features all occur above 100 metres vertical depth. A single deep hole tested the Worthington Offset dyke at a vertical depth of 1,550 metres and intersected well developed AIQD.

What is MT?

Magnetotellurics (MT) is a long-established electromagnetic geophysical method which provides accurate sub-surface data for reliable geological interpretations. MT measures the earths' subsurface electrical conductivity using the natural geomagnetic and geoelectric field variations in the earth. MT utilizes the electrical fields generated by lightning discharges from thunderstorms that propagate through the sub-surface. MT is akin to conventional resistivity and electromagnetic surveys but incorporates magnetic fields to further help determine electrical heterogeneities between the earth and the audio frequencies.

Qualified Person

The technical elements of this news release have been approved by Mr. Grant Mourre, P.Geo. (PGO), CEO and President of SPC Nickel Corp. and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101.

About SPC Nickel Corp.

SPC Nickel Corp. is a new Canadian public corporation focused on exploring for Ni-Cu-PGMs within the world class Sudbury Mining Camp. The Company is currently exploring its key 100% owned exploration projects Aer-Kidd and Lockerby East both located in the heart of the historic Sudbury Mining Camp and holds an option to acquire 100% interest in the Janes project located approximately 50 km NE of Sudbury. The Company's flagship project, Aer-Kidd, is strategically located between two world class assets in the producing Totten Mine (Vale) and the large, high-grade Victoria development project (KGHM). The Company will initially focus on advancing its key Sudbury assets with a vision of growing to a pre-eminent North American nickel exploration company. Additional information regarding the Company and its projects can be found at www.spcnickel.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Information

Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "plans", "proposes", "estimates", "intends", "expects", "believes", "may", "will" and include without limitation, statements regarding estimated capital and operating costs, expected production timeline, benefits of updated development plans, foreign exchange assumptions and regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, risks inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Further information is available at www.spcnickel.com by contacting:

Grant Mourre

Chief Executive Officer

SPC Nickel Corp.

Tel: (705) 669-1777

Email: gmourre@spcnickel.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85327
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Sun Summit Minerals Corp. (TSXV: SMN) (OTC Pink: SMREF) ("Sun Summit" or the "Company") announces the mobilization of field crews to commence a property-scale exploration program across its 100% optioned 33,000 hectare Buck Property, central B.C.

Bob Willis, Sun Summit's CEO, stated: "We are excited to start fieldwork at our Buck Property in central B.C. Our technical team has designed a very comprehensive program consisting of geological mapping, prospecting, and multiple soil geochemical surveys. Based on our new knowledge of the Buck-style mineralization at the Horseshoe and Trench zones, we have outlined numerous areas we consider prospective for similar styles of gold and silver mineralization. We expect this major exploration program may take two to three months and look forward to keeping our shareholders informed regarding field results. In the meantime, the next batch of assay results from 18 drill holes completed so far in the Horseshoe and Trench zones are expected to be received and released shortly."

Highlights

Geological mapping and geochemical sampling will be completed across the 33,000 hectare land package.

The Buck property is predominantly underlain by Late Cretaceous Kasalka Group volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks. Kasalka Group rocks also host bulk tonnage-style, epithermal-related mineralization at the Blackwater and Capoose gold-silver projects of Artemis Gold Inc, approximately 170 kilometres to the south-east (not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the Buck Property).

Focus will be to explore numerous historic and overlooked zinc-in-soil anomalies. Drilling at Buck has demonstrated a strong correlation between zinc-in-soil anomalies and near-surface, sphalerite-associated bulk tonnage-style gold mineralization.

Property-scale exploration

Sun Summit is commencing a significant property-wide exploration program to rigorously investigate existing gold-silver targets and to define new targets across the 33,000 hectare land position. Central to this land package is an approximately 24 kilometre long, northwest-trending, fault-bound belt of Late Cretaceous Kasalka Group volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks, host to epithermal-related mineralization at Buck (Figure 1). Kasalka Group volcanic rocks also host bulk tonnage-style epithermal-related mineralization at the Blackwater and Capoose gold-silver development projects of Artemis Gold Inc. (Angen et al., 2018). The 11.7 million ounce Blackwater gold project (artemisgoldinc.com; PFS Report, Bird et al., 2020; not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the Buck Property) is approximately 170 kilometres southeast of Buck.





Figure 1. Buck property-scale targets. Large ovals highlight areas of proposed reconnaissance, confirmation and grid-based soil surveys.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6142/85216_24ba5691849bfbc8_001full.jpg

The extent and nature of sphalerite (zinc sulfide) mineralization associated with gold in numerous Horseshoe zone holes (e.g., BK21-017 and BK21-018; see news release dated May 11th, 2021; Table 1) is reminiscent of many late-Cretaceous intermediate sulfidation-type deposits in central B.C. (e.g., Blackwater; Averill, 2017). The 1.07 g/t gold over 109 metres intercept in BK21-017 (see news release dated May 11th, 2021) also contains 0.65% zinc over 109 metres and the 7.17 g/t gold over 5.2 metres intercept contains 2.8% zinc of 5.2 metres. This mineralized intercept is associated with a dacite matrix-rich and local sulfide + quartz + carbonate-cemented hydrothermal breccia. All phases of breccias contain gold and silver mineralization associated with clotted, disseminated and breccia-hosted sphalerite and pyrite. Zinc anomalism is thus a useful geochemical proxy for epithermal-related bulk tonnage-style gold mineralization in the surficial environment (e.g., soil and till; Averill, 2017).

Sun Summit has compiled all regional geology, stream sediment and till geochemical data, project-scale historic geophysical data, and soil and rock geochemical data to better define areas of interest in these prospective, yet under-explored rocks. A focus will be to investigate numerous historic and overlooked zinc (+/- silver, gold, arsenic, antimony and lead) -in-soil anomalies (e.g., IRK; Figure 1) and to define new geochemical anomalies over prospective Late Cretaceous volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks.

The center of IRK target is approximately 11 kilometres south of the main Buck target and comprises an approximately 2.8 kilometres long, northwest-trending zinc-in-soil anomaly associated with bleached andesite, dacite and rhyolite flows of probable Jurassic to Late Cretaceous age (Figure 1). The rocks are reportedly brecciated and silicified (Gale, 1984). The IRK target has not been systematically evaluated or drill-tested and represents a priority area for confirmation soil geochemistry, geological mapping followed by possible IP (induced polarization) geophysics and drilling.

Long, northeast-trending reconnaissance-style geochemical survey lines will also be completed (Figure 1). The lines are designed to transect the belt of Kasalka Group volcanics where no historic exploration has been conducted.

2021 Drill Program Update

Results from the first five of 18 drill holes from the winter 2021 drill program were released on May 11th, 2021, highlighted by 31.6 g/t gold over 4.0 metres including 246 g/t gold over 0.5 metres in drill hole BK21-020 (Trench Zone) and 1.07 g/t gold over 109 metres in BK21-017 (Horseshoe Zone). Assays from the 13 remaining holes are pending and results will be released in batches following receipt from the lab.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

All sample assay results have been monitored through the Company's quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program. Drill core was sawn in half at Sun Summit's core logging and processing facility in Houston, B.C. Half the core was sampled and shipped in sealed and secure bags to the ALS Global preparation facilities in Yellowknife, N.T. Samples were prepared using standard preparation procedures. Following sample preparation, the pulps were sent to the ALS Global analytical laboratory in North Vancouver, B.C., for analysis.

Core samples were analyzed for 48 elements, including zinc, by ICP-MS on a 0.25 gram sample using a four acid digestion (method ME-MS61L). Gold was analyzed by fire assay on a 30 gram sample with an AAS finish (method Au-AA23). Over limit gold (>10 ppm) was re-analyzed by fire assay using a gravimetric finish on a 30 gram sample. Over limit silver (>100 ppm) was re-analyzed using a four acid digestion and ICP-AES finish. Over limit zinc (> 10,000 ppm) was re-analyzed using a four acid digestion and ICP-AES finish. ALS Global is registered to ISO / IEC 17025:2017 accreditations for laboratory procedures.

In addition to ALS Global laboratory QA/QC protocols, Sun Summit implements an internal QA/QC program that includes the insertion of duplicates, standards and blanks into the sample stream.

National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure

This news release has been approved by Sun Summit's CEO, Robert D. Willis, P. Eng. a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators. He has also verified the data disclosed, including sampling, analytical and test data, underlying the technical information in this news release.

Some data disclosed in this news release (e.g., Figure 1) relating to sampling and drilling results is historical in nature. Neither the Company nor a qualified person has sufficiently verified this data and therefore investors should not place undue reliance on such data. Mineralization hosted on adjacent, nearby or geologically similar properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's property.

Community Engagement

Sun Summit is working to engage with First Nations on whose territory the Buck Property is located, to discuss their interests and identify contract and work opportunities, as well as opportunities to support community initiatives. We look forward to continuing to work with local and regional First Nations as the project continues.

Health and Safety

The Company's exploration programs are being carried out in full compliance with federal, provincial, and municipal guidelines established in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Sun Summit has a rigorous infection prevention and control protocol in place to protect the health of employees and contractors, as well as surrounding communities in which the Company works.

Buck Property

The recently expanded 33,000-hectare property, approximately 12 kilometres south of Houston, British Columbia, has excellent nearby infrastructure and allows for year-round road-accessible exploration.

About Sun Summit

Sun Summit Minerals is an exploration company focused on expanding its epithermal gold discovery at its flagship Buck Project located in north-central British Columbia.

The Company is exploring multiple high priority gold and silver targets through methodical, well-funded exploration campaigns with year round drilling access. The Project has high-grade and bulk-tonnage gold and silver potential and is located in a mining-established region that includes many former operating mines and current exploration projects.

Sun Summit is committed to environmental and social responsibility with a focus on responsible development to generate positive outcomes for all stakeholders.

Further details are available at www.sunsummitminerals.com

References

Angen, J.J., Hart, C.J.R., Kim, R.S., and Rahimi, M., 2018, Geology and mineral potential of the TREK area, Northern Interior Plateau, Central British Columbia, parts of 1:250,000 NTS sheets 093B, C, F and G; Geoscience BC Report 2018-12, MDRU Publication 411,175 p.

Averill, S.A., 2017, The Blackwater gold-spessartine-pyrolusite glacial dispersal train, British Columbia, Canada: Influence of sampling depth on indicator mineralogy and geochemistry; Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, v. 17, pp. 43-60

Bird, S., Fontaine, D., Meintjes, T., Schulte, M., and Thomas, J., 2020, Blackwater Gold project British Columbia, NI 43-101 technical report on pre-feasibility study, Sedar.com, 292 p.

Gale, R.E., 1984, Report on geochemical and geological exploration program with backhoe trenching, IRK claims, Assessment Report 12753, Assessment Report Indexing System, aris.empr.gov.bc.ca, 13 p.

Figure

https://sunsummitminerals.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Buck_Fig1_Regional_Geology_May_NR.jpg

For further information, contact:

Sharyn Alexander, M.Sc.

VP Technical Services

Nancy Curry

Corporate Communications

info@sunsummitminerals.com

Tel. 778-588-9606

Forward-Looking Information

Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences, without limiting the generality of the following, include: risks inherent in exploration activities; volatility and sensitivity to market prices; volatility and sensitivity to capital market fluctuations; the impact of exploration competition; the ability to raise funds through private or public equity financings; environmental and safety risks including increased regulatory burdens; unexpected geological or hydrological conditions; changes in government regulations and policies, including trade laws and policies; failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from government authorities; weather and other natural phenomena; and other exploration, development, operating, financial market and regulatory risks. Except as required by applicable securities laws and regulation, Sun Summit Minerals Corp. disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada 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/85216
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 26, 2021 / Wedgemount Resources Corp. (CSE:WDGY) ("Wedgemount" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce the addition of two highly qualified members to its technical advisory team, Mr. Christopher Leslie and Mr. Ken Thorsen.

Mark Vanry, President and CEO of Wedgemount comments, "We are extremely pleased to have added two outstanding explorationists to the Wedgemount advisory team. Both have exceptional track records of discovery, prospect generation and value creation."

Christopher Leslie

Christopher Leslie is an economic geologist with over 13 years of experience in project generation, project evaluation and district-scale targeting in porphyry to epithermal environments. He was most recently Vice President Exploration for Tower Resources Ltd., where he assembled and helped advance a portfolio of exploration projects throughout British Columbia. Prior to joining Tower Resources Ltd., Mr. Leslie was Senior Project Geologist for Richfield Ventures Corp. where he was an integral member of the discovery team at the Blackwater Gold project where he supervised the exploration and initial resource delineation drill programs that lead to the most recent mineral reserve estimate of 8.0 Moz gold. Prior to Richfield, Mr. Leslie was involved in mineral exploration and government geoscience, working on numerous deposit styles both in grassroots exploration and in production. He is currently finishing his Ph.D. at the Centre for Ore Deposit and Earth Sciences (CODES), University of Tasmania. He has an M.Sc. in geological sciences from the University of British Columbia and a B.Sc. in geological sciences from the University of Alberta. Mr. Leslie is a registered Professional Geoscientist with Engineers & Geoscientists British Columbia.

Ken Thorsen

Ken Thorsen commenced his extensive career in the mining industry in 1970 with Australian Selection Trust in Western Australia. During his three-year period there he was responsible for the discovery of the Leinster Mine in 1971 (Ni Cu) and managed the project through to preliminary feasibility study. In 1980 he joined Teck Exploration Ltd as District Manager, for Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba, and was instrumental in the discovery of the Estrades massive sulphide deposit in Quebec. In 1994, Mr. Thorsen was promoted to senior positions in Teck Corporation and in 1998 became President of Teck Exploration Ltd., in charge of exploration and administration of exploration in 17 countries. Mr. Thorsen has served as a Director of a number of junior mining companies, notably Capstone Mining and Newstrike Capital, as well as Oroco Resources. Mr. Thorsen has received a BSc in Geological Engineering and is a retired P. Eng (Ont and B.C).

About Wedgemount Resources Corp.

Wedgemount Resources is a junior mineral exploration company focused on maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition, discovery and advancement of high-quality copper - gold projects in North America. The Company's key exploration asset is the Eagle copper and gold porphyry project located near Fort Saint James, BC.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

WEDGEMOUNT RESOURCES CORP.

Mark Vanry, President and CEO

For more information, please contact the Company at:

Telephone: (778) 997-7573

info@wedgemountresources.com

www.wedgemountresources.com

Reader Advisory

This news release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Wedgemount Resources Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/649118/Wedgemount-Strengthens-Technical-Team-with-Appointment-of-Senior-Technical-Advisors
Initial Contract Into Orangeburg County School District of South Carolina Expected to Lead to Additional Opportunities

TOCCOA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / May 26, 2021 / Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. (OTCQB:GAXY) ("Galaxy" or the "Company), a provider of interactive learning technology solutions, is pleased to announce the award of a bid with High School for Health Professions in Orangeburg County, South Carolina. The awarded bid includes Galaxy's 75" interactive panels, accessories and software.

Orangeburg County School District encompasses 32 school campuses, 10,000+ students enrolled and 1,800+ employees. For additional information, please visit: https://www.ocsdsc.org/domain/77.

Galaxy already holds a vendor contract number with the state of South Carolina, so this flagship win into this district will assist in Galaxy direct marketing to other schools within the district and within South Carolina.

Gary LeCroy, Galaxy's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "This is our first school level win into this district, and we expect it will bring additional interest from the other schools within Orangeburg County. We look forward to expanding with Orangeburg County School District in assisting them on their mission to deliver a world-class education and opportunities for every student-no matter where they live in the county; a district of innovation, is committed to maximizing the potential of every student to compete worldwide."

About Galaxy Next Generation, Inc.

Galaxy Next Generation (OTCQB:GAXY) is a provider of interactive learning technology solutions that allows the presenter and participant to engage in a fully collaborative instructional environment. Galaxy's products include Galaxy's own private-label interactive touch screen panel as well as numerous other national and international branded peripheral and communication devices. Galaxy's distribution channel consists of 22+ resellers across the U.S. who primarily sell the Company's products within the commercial and educational market. Galaxy does not control where resellers focus their resell efforts, although generally, the K-12 education market is the largest customer base for Galaxy products - comprising nearly 90% of Galaxy's sales.

For additional information, please visit our website at: www.galaxynext.us

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release 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. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investors Contact:

IR@GalaxyNext.us

P:888-859-1274

SOURCE: Galaxy Next Generation, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/649117/Galaxy-Next-Generation-Awarded-Bid-for-High-School-for-Health-Professions-from-South-Carolina-Contract
Global Contraceptive pills Market - Overview Anti-conception medication pills which are also called as oral contraceptive pills are a kind of female hormonal anti-conception medication technique and are extremely viable at avoiding pregnancy. These pills are small tablets that a patient swallow every day. These birth control pills are been used from ancient times but the save and effective methods are introduce and available from 20th century. Contraceptive drugs are used to prevent the unwanted pregnancy by blocking the normal process of ovulations or by altering the process which support the fertilization of egg. Most pills contain two sorts of manufactured (man-made) female hormones: estrogen and progestin. These are like the estrogen and progesterone regularly made by the ovaries. These pills are called "combination oral contraceptives," and there are a wide range of these kinds. also read @ https://www.marketwatch.com/story/research-article-connected-on-contraceptive-pills-market-synopsis-and-highlights-and-forecast--2022-2021-01-23

Increasing need of population control and increasing incident of abortion has driven the growth of the market. Governmental initiatives for minimizing unwanted pregnancy, increasing awareness and healthcare expenditure, and increasing in use of contraceptives drugs has provided fuel for the growth of the market. While the side effects of the treatment and strict governmental rules in many countries may hamper the growth of the market.

Geographically, North America commands the largest market for the contraceptive drug market. Approximately 3 million women in North America experiences unplanned pregnancy. Beside this 90 % of the women use some of the method of contraception. Thus increasing number of abortion and rate of unplanned pregnancy has driven this market in North America. Major market of North America is contributed by US which is followed by Canada. Increasing awareness and minimizing the healthcare expenses by curbing number of abortion in US encourage contraceptive use among women. North America contraceptives drug market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9 % during forecasted period.

The market for contraceptive pills is characterised by the presence of several well-established and small players, the global market of contraceptive pills appears to be highly competitive and fragmented. Major players are increasingly expanding their footprint in the emerging nations, making it putting pressure on the regional players, especially in terms of features such as type, product portfolios, and pricing.

Contraceptive Pills Industry is witnessing intensified competition which is expected to get more intensified further during the forecast period. The contraceptive pills market appears to be highly competitive owing to the presence of several large and small key players accounting for a substantial market share. Well established players are getting into various product launches in order to gain competitive advantage in this market and to maintain their market position.

For instance, in 2015, Pfizer Inc. has introduced SAYANA, first injectable contraceptive in UK which can be self-administered.

While, in 2015, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has launched Beyaz which is a generic contraceptive drug. It is one of the most successful product of the company and in 2016 it has annual sales of approximately $133 million in the US. Recently, in March 2017, the company has launched a new product Minastrin in the market. Moreover, the company has launched the generic version of Janssens birth control pills Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. Into the brand name of Tri-Lo-Sprintec (norgetimate and ethinyl estradiol) tablets.

Therefore, the growing partnerships and product launches to expand their presence in various parts of the globe for their competitive products has spurred the growth of the market.

ALSO READ @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/contraceptive-pills-market-2122

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At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.
BROOKLYN, NY and CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / May 26, 2021 / Cloud DX (TSXV:CDX) and Maxwell Telecare are announcing a new partnership to bring round-the-clock virtual care and real-time vital sign monitoring to residents living in long term care (LTC) facilities.

The new solution, which combines Maxwell Telecare's on-demand telemedicine for post-acute care with Cloud DX's remote patient monitoring and diagnostic platform, is available now to healthcare partners in the US Midwest and Northwest. It will allow LTC and residential care providers to improve quality of care by reacting more swiftly to changing patient conditions, deliver care with greater efficiency, and ultimately reduce the need and costs of unnecessary hospitalizations. Under the initial 36-month agreement, Maxwell agrees to purchase Cloud DX products and services for deployment with all Maxwell customers in the United States. Maxwell will purchase Cloud DX on a per-patient-per-month basis for both Connected Health Kit and connectivity services deployed.

Maxwell Telecare prevents 75%-80% of rehospitalizations by having two doctors permanently assigned to a nursing facility, along with an onsite staffer. Now, with the addition of Cloud DX's Connected Health kit, staff can capture key patient vital signs (weight, blood pressure, pulse oxygen, glucose levels and temperature) at regular intervals during the day from the comfort of the patient's living quarters and flow that data in real time back to Maxwell's physicians, giving them an in-the-moment picture of an individual's health. This means doctors can intervene more quickly, adjust medications on the fly, or even dispatch a home-care nurse to the patient's room to make a house call. As a result, patients end up in the emergency room less, are admitted into hospital less, live at home longer and feel more in control of their health.

To date, Maxwell has deployed Cloud DX Connected Health kits to its clients Northwest Pulmonary, Meadowbrook Care Center, Homecare Associates (HCA), and The Landings of Minnetonka, IL. Together these clients care for more than 25,000 patients who qualify for remote physiological monitoring reimbursable by Medicare and/or private insurance. Several additional deployments including with Anew Home Health of Indiana are planned in 2021.

With the U.S. healthcare system overwhelmed by the surge of COVID-19 patients, telemedicine helped stem the tide by screening seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, an all-too-common result of lack of access to physicians during nights and weekends. Patients transferred to a nursing facility have a 25% likelihood of hospital readmission within 30 days and many bounce back more than once. When a physician cannot be located in a timely manner, nurses usually send patients to already overburdened hospitals.

"By adding Cloud DX's remote patient monitoring into our telecare model, we are now embedding a first line of intelligence right into each of our care facilities. Cloud DX will be the vital diagnostic eyes and ears for our physicians, providing them with the information they need make better care decisions quickly," says Maxwell founder and CEO Andrew Rosenson, MD. "By preventing patients from returning to hospital post-acute care facilities, providers can realize a 9.4X annual return on investment."

"We chose Cloud DX above all other vendors because of their incredible customer service and responsiveness, their Connected Health Kit's ease of use and adoption, their high patient satisfaction scores and the real-time care insights the platform provides back to our doctors," says John Hawkins, Advisory Board Member for Maxwell Telecare. "This partnership is creating a strong differentiator for our company and will deliver improved outcomes for our clients and for patients in their care."

"Remote patient monitoring is allowing us to monitor a patient's progress far more thoroughly than has been possible in the past and provides care teams with unprecedented, near real-time insight into a patient's condition so their decline or progress can be carefully tracked," says Robert Kaul, CEO of Cloud DX. "The model Maxwell Telecare and Cloud DX are building together is creating a new gold-standard for LTC and residential facilities. Patients and their families deserve this kind of advanced, technology-enabled care right now, not years in the future."

Residential and LTC providers interested in learning more about the Maxwell Telecare service, powered by Cloud DX, can visit: http://www.maxwelltelecare.com/

About 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 aging in place and deliver hospital-quality post-surgical care. Providers partnering with CloudDX 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. CloudDX is the co-winner of the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE, a Fast Company "World Changing Idea" finalist, a 2021 Edison Award winner and one of Canada's Ten most prominent Telehealth providers. Visit us at www.clouddx.com.

About Maxwell Telecare

Maxwell Telecare provides networks of dedicated physicians accessible via telehealth to long-term and post-acute care facilities. We reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, support chronic care management, and keep companies and facilities financially viable while improving quality of care, and satisfaction of both patients and families.

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/

For media inquiries please contact:

Heather Racicot

Ignition Communications

360-632-5616

heatherr@z-pulley.com

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/649091/Cloud-DX-and-Maxwell-Telecare-Partner-to-Bring-Round-the-Clock-Virtual-Care-and-Vitals-Monitoring-to-Residents-of-US-Long-Term-Care-Facilities
BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - German science and technology firm Merck KGaA (MKGAY.PK) announced Wednesday the launch of a new, high-purity synthetic cholesterol product, nine months ahead of schedule, to meet the high demand for lipids, a key component of mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics. The introduction of the new SAFC synthetic cholesterol product has increased the capacity by 50 times to help bio-manufacturers bring lifesaving therapies to patients faster. Merck manufactures lipids in Schaffhausen, Switzerland; Darmstadt, Germany; and St. Louis, Missouri, USA. This neutral lipid, used in commercially marketed products, is more than 99 percent pure, offers high batch-to-batch consistency and is scalable under commercial GMP. Merck is one of a few companies in the world able to produce the quantities needed for lipid nanoparticle manufacturing and meet the quality requirements for mRNA therapeutics. Merck is collaborating with more than 50 companies to support their efforts in the development and production of Covid-19 vaccines and treatments, providing custom lipids, as well as other critical raw materials, processing equipment and services used in mRNA drugs and vaccines manufacturing. In early February 2021, the company announced the extension of its strategic partnership with BioNTech to significantly accelerate the supply of urgently needed lipids and increase the quantities to be delivered toward the end of 2021. The lipids will be used for the production of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. 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.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Japan Gold Corp. (TSXV: JG) (OTCQB: JGLDF) ("Japan Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to report the start of drilling at the Ryuo Mine prospect located within the Ikutahara Project in the Kitami Region of northeast Hokkaido, Japan. The Ikutahara Project is 100% held by Japan Gold and is not included in the Barrick Alliance.

Highlights:

An initial 3 drill holes will test targets below or adjacent to historical workings which have coincident CSAMT resistivity anomalies and gravity defined structures.

5 areas of workings were developed along a 1 km long, open ended zone of alteration and mineralization prior to the government-imposed closure in 1943.

Underground sampling carried out in the 1950's at the Jinja vein workings, revealed zones of high-grade gold mineralization including one vein sampled over a strike length of 72 m returning average grades of 40.8 g/t Au and 193 g/t Ag (average vein width approximately 0.5 m).

and (average vein width approximately 0.5 m). An additional 8 drill pads have been permitted across the prospect to allow for further drill testing based on results of the first 3 drill holes.

Historic Ryuo Mine:

The Ryuo Mine operated before the Second World War and workings were developed on up to six levels on two veins, the Jinja and Shouei veins. A number of peripheral veins were also mined nearby. Workings on the main Jinja vein were developed over an approximate 75 m vertical extent before the government imposed mine closure in 1943.

The Ryuo Drill program:

The initial program of 3 drill holes totaling approximately 700 m, will target coincident CSAMT resistivity anomalies and gravity defined structures that lie below or adjacent to the Jinja, Shouei and Ryuei workings (refer to Figures 1 & 2). Hole 1 has commenced drilling and is targeting the down-dip extension of high-grade mineralization mined at the Jinja vein.

An additional 8 drill pads have been permitted to allow scout drill testing of inferred strike extensions and CSAMT resistivity anomalies. The Company is mobilising two more drill rigs to the Ryuo Mine to speed up drilling. Japan Gold has a highly experienced team of in-house drillers and has engaged the support of qualified engineers from Japan's most gold experienced drilling company to ensure the best compliance and efficiency for its drilling operations. Drilling results will be released at the completion of the first 3 drill holes.

Figure 3 illustrates a long section of the Jinja vein workings with samples collected in the 1950's and reported by the Metal Mining Agency of Japan (MMAJ)1. High-grade gold/silver quartz veins were mapped on all four of the lower levels of the Jinja vein system. Chip-channel samples were collected across the veins at intervals spaced between 0.3 m and 4.7 m along strike. Mineralization sampled along level 4 averaged approximately 0.5 m in width and included a zone having a strike length of 72 m length averaging 40.8 g/t Au and 193 g/t Ag1. The published MMAJ data indicates high-grade mineralization present on levels 4, 5 and 6 (Figure 3) and importantly the presence of a high-grade gold event at Ryuo. Contiguous CSAMT resistivity anomalies defined along strike of the mine workings, and no previous exploration drilling provide potential for more discoveries of high-grade mineralization at Ryuo. Refer also to the Company's news release dated Feb. 9, 2017 for more information on the Ryuo Prospect.

The Ikutahara Project also hosts the Kitami Region's third largest gold mine, the historic Kitano-o Mine along with numerous other historic mines and workings that the Company is in the process of advancing.

1 Metal Mining Agency of Japan, March 1990, Geological Survey Report for Fiscal Year 1989, Northern Hokkaido Area B-Metalliferous Deposits Overview.

Note 1

The Company's compilation of underground sampling data at Ryuo has been based on data published by the MMAJ and the Company has not resampled the underground workings or re-assayed samples. The MMAJ report does not refer to QA/QC protocols followed historically.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Japan Gold's Vice President of Exploration and Country Manager, Andrew Rowe, BAppSc, FAusIMM, FSEG, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

On behalf of the Board of Japan Gold Corp.

"John Proust"

Chairman & CEO

About Japan Gold Corp.

Japan Gold Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused solely on gold exploration across the three largest islands of Japan: Hokkaido, Honshu and Kyushu. The Company has a country-wide alliance with Barrick Gold Corporation to jointly explore, develop and mine certain gold mineral properties and mining projects. The Company holds a portfolio of 31 gold projects which cover areas with known gold occurrences, a history of mining and are prospective for high-grade epithermal gold mineralization. Japan Gold's leadership team represent decades of resource industry and business experience, and the Company has recruited geologists, drillers and technical advisors with experience exploring and operating in Japan. More information is available at www.japangold.com or by email at info@japangold.com.

For further information please contact:

John Proust

Chairman & CEO

Phone: 778-725-1491

Email: info@japangold.com

Website: www.japangold.com

Cautionary Note

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such 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 relating to expected or anticipated future events and anticipated results related to future partnerships and the Company's 2020 gold exploration program. These statements are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that include, but are not limited to, general economic, market and business conditions; competition for qualified staff; the regulatory process and actions; technical issues; new legislation; potential delays or changes in plans; working in a new political jurisdiction; results of exploration; the timing and granting of prospecting rights; the Company's ability to execute and implement future plans, arrange or conclude a joint-venture or partnership; and the occurrence of unexpected events. Actual results achieved may differ from the information provided herein and, consequently, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein speaks only as of the date of this News Release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking information or to explain any material difference between such and subsequent actual events, except as required by applicable laws.







Figure 1: Ikutahara Project, simplified geology and historical mines and workings.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5665/85332_3a96cfcf548bf830_001full.jpg





Figure 2: Historic Ryuo Mine, alteration map with historic workings, planned drill holes, permitted drill pads and gold in rock chip values

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5665/85332_3a96cfcf548bf830_002full.jpg





Figure 3: Jinja vein workings long-section with composited back sample intervals from 1950's sampling



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5665/85332_3a96cfcf548bf830_003full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85332
Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - White Metal Resources Corp. (TSXV: WHM) (FSE: CGK1) (OTC Pink: TNMLF) ("White Metal" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update from its Australian joint venture partner Noronex Limited (ASX: NRX) ("Noronex") on their current exploration program at the DorWit Copper-Silver Project (the "Property" or "Project") in Namibia. The Namibian Project comprises three Exclusive Prospecting Licences (EPLs) that cover 78,000 hectares, referred to as the Witvlei (EPL 7028 and EPL 7029) and Dordabis (EPL 7030) properties. The Project is prospective for sedimentary hosted Cu-Ag mineralisation within the prolific Kalahari Copper Belt that spans Namibia and Botswana.

Highlights from the Noronex exploration program (see Noronex ASX news release 12 May 2021) include:

Final data received from the airborne electromagnetic (EM) survey.





High priority targets now identified for a large scale sediment hosted copper deposit that have never been drill tested, including:



a 2.5 by 1.2 km copper in soil anomaly in an altered structural zone south of Okasewa.



a 1.0 x 0.7 km copper in soil anomaly west of historical drill intercepts at Gemboksvlei.



a new area at Otjiwaru with a 1.5 km strike soil anomaly.



new zones at Dalheim, Okasundu and Christiadore prospect regions.





Trial IP survey is planned at the known deposit of Okasewa to define its signature, determine the nature of the EM anomalies and to cover large untested copper soil anomalies.





Historical multi-element geochemical surveys, including over seven thousand soil samples completed in 2009, have been compiled and interpreted. This sampling post-dated all previous drilling and geochemical anomalies were never followed up.





A GIS database has now been prepared incorporating results of all historic work and recent geophysical surveys with satellite interpretation and structural mapping.





A program of over fifty holes is being planned in July/August to test these targets.





First JORC Code (JORC 2012) Mineral Resource Estimates on the Company's four deposits in the Namibian DorWit Project; Malachite Pan, Okasewa, Christiadore and Koperberg (see Noronex ASX news release dated 8 March 2021).

Michael Stares, President & CEO of the Company, remarked, "White Metal is delighted to have such a good partner as Noronex working with us in Namibia. Noronex has done some exceptional work to date, including the completion of a heliborne EM survey and especially in tracking down a historical soil geochemical survey, both of which will aid tremendously in advancing the Project. I am excited for the start of the Phase 1 drilling program and look forward to reporting all results to our shareholders. The price of copper and silver remains strong and, as we know, copper is one of the more important "green energy" metals, so I am confident that its value will remain strong for some time to come."

The following was reported by Noronex on 12 May, 2021. Please visit the White Metal website for additional information, including maps www.whitemetalres.com.

Airborne EM Survey

Final data has been received from the airborne electromagnetic (EM) survey recently completed over the 780 square km tenement package. The survey was flown on 200 m spaced lines oriented in a northwest-southeast direction, perpendicular to regional geological strike, providing excellent geological and structural information. The final data is now being processed to interpret the third dimension of the conductivity readings and gain deeper information on potential deeper targets.

Trial ground IP survey is planned at the Okasewa deposit to define the signature of known mineralisation, EM anomalies and cover large untested copper soil anomalies. Based on these results, further IP surveys may be completed at other prospects and infill anomalous areas for final drill hole targeting.

Geochemistry

A comprehensive historical soil geochemistry survey has been acquired, with 7,257 samples analysed for multi-element results in 2009 by WAGE. The western Witvlei region comprising 19,527 hectares of the company's 78,000 hectares was covered on 400 m line spacings with 80 m sample points. Selected infill surveys were completed at 200 and 100 m line spacing with 40 m samples.

The data has been levelled against iron and lithology with target areas along strike from known deposits being defined especially in major structural corridors with intense alteration. Sampling was 'post' all previous drilling and never followed up, despite defining these large, strong untested copper anomalies in prospective horizons. Historical plans have been located with previous mapping and drilling captured and included in the target definition. Field mapping and follow up soil sampling is planned to finalise planned drill sites.

Satellite Imagery and Structural Mapping

Remote sensing data using ASTER and Sentinel 2 images were utilised by Global Ore Discovery to identify alteration anomalies and link to the known mapping. Mineral intensity mapping utilising the composition of alteration minerals has defined broad northwest-southeast trending corridors of intense alteration associated with the known mineralisation. Detailed structural mapping is now underway using this high quality imagery to provide a base map for targeting drilling onto prospective structural prepared trap sites.

Drilling Plans

Drilling is planned to test a number of these high priority targets to discover further sediment hosted copper mineralisation at shallow depth. Noronex are defining potential structural trap sites by utilising basin modelling and analogous mineralised sedimentary copper basins. Target areas, where oxidised copper rich fluids have interacted with the reduced conductive horizons are defined along major cross-cutting mineralised structures.

The initial campaign will comprise fences of angled reverse circulation (RC) drill holes to between 150 and 200 m depth. The drill fences will cross the main copper geochemistry targets in favourable geological and geophysical zones.

Further zones will be followed up in the field and potentially also drill tested. Anomalies of over 500 m by 500 m are highlighted on the Otjiwarumendu and Christiadore farms, strong copper anomalies are also defined, with over a one-kilometre strike on the Dalheim and Okasundu prospects in the East Witvlei tenement EPL 7029. Work continues on the Dordabis area with soil sampling being planned on EPL 7030.

A program of fifty holes for 10,000 m of drilling is planned at four or five of the prospects. Field evaluation of planned sites will commence this month. Diamond drilling is expected to follow up on these regional RC hole fences to define the style and character of the geology and mineralisation.

Qualified Person

Technical 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.

About White Metal Resources Corp:

White Metal Resources Corp is a junior exploration company exploring in Canada and southern Africa. For more information about the Company please visit www.whitemetalres.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Michael Stares"

President & CEO

For further information contact:

Michael Stares

President & CEO

White Metal Resources Corp.

Phone: +1 (807) 358-2420

Nancy Massicotte

Investor Relations

White Metal Resources Corp.

Phone: +1 (604) 507-3377

TF: +1 (866) 503-3377

ir@whitemetalres.com

THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements."

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to gold price and other commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. 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. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85210
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Aurwest Resources Corporation (CSE: AWR) ("Aurwest" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it plans to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") to raise up to CAD$2,550,000 through the issuance of up to 10,000,000 Flow-Through Units ('FT Units") at a price of $0.18 per Unit and up to 5,000,000 Ordinary Units ("Ordinary Units") at a price of $0.15 per Ordinary Unit.

Each FT Unit will consist of one flow-through share at a price of $0.18 and one share purchase warrant (each, a "FT Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the subscriber to purchase one additional Common Share of the Company at a price of $0.24 for 24 months from the closing date.

Each Ordinary Unit will consist of one common share at a price of $0.15 and one share purchase warrant (each, a "Ordinary Warrant"). Each Ordinary Warrant will entitle the subscriber to purchase one additional Common Share at a price of $0.20 for 24 months from the closing date.

Mr. Eric Sprott, personally and through 2176423 Ontario Ltd., a corporation which is beneficially owned and controlled by him, plans to invest CAD$1,500,000 in the Private Placement, and plans to acquire approximately 5,555,555 FT Units and 3,333,333 Ordinary Units.

Mr. Cameron MacDonald, Chairman of Aurwest, commented, "We are very pleased to welcome Mr. Sprott as a key shareholder in Aurwest. His investment is a strong endorsement of our substantial gold property exposure in Central Newfoundland, and ensures Aurwest is well funded to pursue our exploration plans."

The proceeds of the Private Placement will be used primarily to fund Aurwest's continuing exploration program in Newfoundland on its expansive 47,800 hectares 100% owned projects at Paradise Lake and Stony Caldera. A portion of the proceeds will also be used to further the Company's exploration program at Stellar, B.C. and for general working capital purposes.

The company may pay finder's fee in respect to the Private Placement. Securities issued as a result of the Private Placement will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day. Closing of the Private Placement remains subject to regulatory approval, including approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction.

On Behalf Of Aurwest Resources Corporation

"Colin Christensen"

President and Chief Executive Officer

For additional information please contact:

Colin Christensen

Telephone: (403)483-8363

Email: cchristensen@aurwestresources.com Website: www.aurwestresources.com

About Aurwest Resources Corporation

Aurwest is a Canadian-based junior resource company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of gold, silver and other precious and base metal properties in North America. The Company currently has an option to earn a 100% interest in the Paradise Lake and Stony Caldera gold project in Central Newfoundland totaling 47,800 hectares. In addition the company owns a 100% interest in the 22,255 hectare Stellar copper/gold porphyry project, located approximately 25 kilometers southwest of Houston British Columbia.

Forward-Looking Information

Statements included in this announcement, including statements concerning our plans, intentions and expectations, which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as "forward-looking statements". Forward looking statements may be identified by words including "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "expects" and similar expressions. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the Company's proposed private placement, future operations and business prospects, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, except in accordance with the applicable laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept 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/85251
Cardston, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - American Creek Resources Ltd. (TSXV: AMK) ("the Corporation") is pleased to announce the commencement of the 2021 exploration program at their flagship property, Treaty Creek, located in the heart of the Golden Triangle of Northwestern British Columbia. Diamond drilling has begun on the Goldstorm Deposit, which is on-trend from Seabridge Gold's KSM Project located five kilometers to the southwest. The first two drills have arrived and have begun drilling the 30,000 meter, fully funded, Phase l exploration program. Six drills will be used for this deposit delineation and property exploration program.





Image of the 2020 Treaty Creek Exploration Camp

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/682/85302_24394ae5a4b61976_001full.jpg

Tudor Gold's Vice President of Exploration and Project Development, Ken Konkin, P.Geo., states: "Crews have been on site for several weeks preparing our drill camp and our lower exploration camp to receive our first two drill teams. This season had a remarkably deep snowpack compared to that of previous years. Our crews took advantage of the high snow level and excellent weather conditions during April and May to transport heavy equipment and drilling supplies to our site utilizing the South Treaty Glacier route. Avalanche technicians safely guided the convoy of equipment over the pass that connects to the Pretium Resources' Knipple Glacier ice road.

The priority of our exploration program this year is to define the limits of the Goldstorm Deposit, as it currently remains open to expansion in all directions and at depth. Furthermore, we will attempt to convert as much of the 7.9 million ounces of gold equivalent (AuEq) Inferred Resources to the Measured and Indicated Resource categories that currently total 19.41 million ounces of AuEq. In addition to drilling at Goldstorm (GS), we will also continue our drilling at Perfect Storm (PSZ) and other targets, including the Eureka Zone (EZ). Approximately 90% of the planned drilling will be undertaken at Goldstorm while two 300-meter southwestern step-out holes are initially planned for Perfect Storm, and one hole at Eureka. We expect to add two more drills in the following week."

Tudor Gold Corp and our associated service companies have taken extreme measures to maintain the highest professional standards while working within COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Only essential personnel are permitted to enter the camp and staging areas. Of those workers who are at the project site and staging site, we have strict daily monitoring of the workers' temperatures and general health conditions. We have a certified paramedic at the staging area to examine all in-coming and out-going workers of all Tudor personnel and all service providers.

Walter Storm, Tudor Gold President and CEO, stated: "We are all very pleased to see the safe start-up of the 2021 exploration program thanks to the hard work and dedication of our crews. I would also like to thank our good neighbours along our southern boundary; we very much appreciate the management and staff at Pretium Resources for their assistance and permission to transport vital heavy equipment and drill supplies to our site from their Brucejack Mine access road. Last year we completed our most successful exploration season at Treaty Creek, which provided the results for our Initial Mineral Resource Estimate. Our goal this year is to complete the drilling of the Goldstorm Deposit to hopefully expand and finalize the Mineral Resource Estimate. With this, we can then proceed with a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for 2022. We also have several high-level targets to explore at Treaty Creek, with the goal of identifying the nature and grade of gold distribution within the Perfect Storm and Eureka targets."

Darren Blaney, American Creek Resources CEO, states: "We are very excited to see drilling resume at Treaty Creek and look forward to a busy summer for Tudor Gold and their team. Following an exceptional program last year, we look forward to more of the same. Treaty Creek has become such a remarkable project. Getting off to an early start in 2021 was eagerly anticipated by management and shareholders."

Qualified Person

The Qualified Person for this news release for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 is the Company's Vice President Project Development, Ken Konkin, P.Geo. He has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this news release.

Treaty Creek JV Partnership

The Treaty Creek Project is a Joint Venture with Tudor Gold owning 3/5th and acting as operator. American Creek and Teuton Resources each have a 1/5th interest in the project creating a 3:1 ownership relationship between Tudor Gold and American Creek. American Creek and Teuton are both fully carried until such time as a Production Notice is issued, at which time they are required to contribute their respective 20% share of development costs. Until such time, Tudor is required to fund all exploration and development costs while both American Creek and Teuton have "free rides".

About American Creek

American Creek is a Canadian junior mineral exploration company with gold and silver properties in British Columbia, Canada.

The Corporation has an interest in the Treaty Creek property, a joint venture project with Tudor Gold/Walter Storm located in BC's prolific "Golden Triangle".

The Corporation also holds the Austruck-Bonanza gold property located near Kamloops.

For further information please contact Kelvin Burton at: Phone: 403 752-4040 or Email: info@americancreek.com. Information relating to the Corporation is available on its website at www.americancreek.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 Statements regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Corporation expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including the completion and anticipated results of planned exploration activities. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof 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" or the negative connation thereof.

Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the Corporation's planned exploration activities will be completed in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by the Corporation in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Corporation's plans or expectations include risks relating to the actual results of current exploration activities, fluctuating gold prices, possibility of equipment breakdowns and delays, exploration cost overruns, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Corporation with securities regulators.

Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by 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 forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85302
HIGHLIGHTS

FLEM identify multiple conductors 2.5km north of the Eastmain Mine at Placer Lake

Conductors extend over strike length of approximately 2km and coincident with historical rock chip samples of 8.3g/t gold at surface and untested by drilling

Total strike length of conductors exceeds 6km highlighting the potential scale of the district

In excess of 130 FLEM and DHEM modelled conductors have been identified by Benz Mining

Placer Lake conductors will be tested as part of ongoing 50km fully funded drill program

2 drill rigs currently on-site drilling over 1,000m of core per week

Additional FLEM survey underway covering another 3km of prospective strike to the west of Loop F

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Benz Mining Corp. (TSXV: BZ) (ASX: BNZ) (the Company or Benz) is pleased to provide an update on the results of the latest Fixed Loop Electromagnetic (FLEM) surveys completed to date. FLEM surveys were recently completed to the north of the Eastmain Mine in an area surrounding Placer Lake prospect. FLEM Loop F has returned positive responses significantly expanding the potential footprint of the Eastmain project to the north into an area with sparse drilling that has not tested the FLEM conductors.





Figure 1: Eastmain project showing location of Loop F and new associated modelled conductors over simplified geology and gridded VTEM anomalies.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/85308_85741fe61478396a_001full.jpg

Benz CEO, Xavier Braud, said

"The results from our electromagnetic surveys continue to deliver beyond all expectations on the Eastmain Gold Project. Since commencing our surveys less than 9 months ago, we have now identified in excess of 130 Fixed Loop and Down Hole modelled plates over a strike length of 6km, with several of these new conductors drilled discovering new gold bearing zones. Our exploration concept and methodology continue to show that this system has the potential to be significantly larger than the currently identified resource suggests and what was previously believed to have existed at Eastmain.

"We look forward to the continued work being done as part of our 50km fully funded drill program for 2021."

Extensive conductors at Placer Lake coincident with 8.3g/t gold surface rock sample

FLEM Loop F identified several FLEM conductors in the Placer Lake area. The prospect is located 2.5km from the Eastmain Mine on a parallel litho-structural trend.

The location of the newly defined conductors coincides with airborne VTEM anomalies identified from the survey flown in 2005.





Figure 2: FLEM loop F with newly modelled conductors over simplified geology and 2005 VTEM anomalies and best gold drill hole intersections.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/85308_85741fe61478396a_002full.jpg

Several FLEM plates were modelled and are recognised in three main areas within this grid. There are only 2 historical holes drilled in the central area, however, these holes did not test the FLEM plates. High grade gold has been identified in the area with rock chips up to 8.3g/t gold above the conductors. The other FLEM anomalies further west and east have not been drilled. The modelled EM plates are shallow and show a steeper dip to the NE compared to the FLEM conductors found in the southern part of the Eastmain project.

Several historical drill holes have intersected high grade gold mineralisation within Loop F. For example, at the Meg Prospect, historical drilling has identified high grade gold mineralisation including 1.0m at 80.6g/t gold and 1.0m at 17.3g/t gold. Interestingly, this mineralisation was not identified in the recent FLEM program and represents another style of mineralisation present at Eastmain.

Ongoing work programs including mapping, soil surveys, surface sampling and drilling at Placer Lake will continue as part of the fully funded 50km drill program for 2021.





Figure 3: Schematic long section of the Eastmain project featuring existing resource envelope, best intersections pierce points, FLEM and DHEM conductors modelled to date. Note the new F loop conductors extending the strike covered by conductors to 6km.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 3 please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/85308_85741fe61478396a_003full.jpg

The Eastmain Gold Project, situated on the Upper Eastmain Greenstone Belt in Quebec, Canada, currently hosts a NI 43-101 and JORC (2012) compliant resource of 376,000oz at 7.9gpt gold (Indicated: 236,500oz at 8.2g/t gold, Inferred: 139,300oz at 7.5g/t gold). The existing gold mineralization is associated with 15-20% semi-massive to massive pyrrhotite, pyrite and chalcopyrite in highly deformed and altered rocks making it amenable to detection using electromagnetic techniques. Multiple gold occurrences have been identified by previous explorers over a 10km long zone along strike from the Eastmain Mine with very limited but highly encouraging testing outside the existing resource area.

This press release was prepared under supervision and approved by Dr. Danielle Giovenazzo, P.Geo, acting as Benz's qualified person under National Instrument 43-101.

About Benz Mining Corp.

Benz Mining Corp. brings together an experienced team of geoscientists and finance professionals with a focused strategy to acquire and develop mineral projects with an emphasis on safe, low risk jurisdictions favourable to mining development. Benz is earning a 100% interest in the former producing high grade Eastmain gold mine, Ruby Hill West and Ruby Hill East projects in Northern Quebec.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Benz Mining Corp.

Xavier Braud, CEO

For more information please contact:

Paul Fowler

Head of Corporate Development (Canada)

Benz Mining Corp.

Telephone: +1 416 356 8165

Email: info@benzmining.com

Xavier Braud

CEO, Head of Corporate Development (Aus)

Benz Mining Corp.

Telephone +61 423 237 659

Email: info@benzmining.com

Forward-Looking Information: Certain statements contained in this news release may 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 regulatory approval. 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 prove not to be valid or reliable, that occurrences such as those referred to above are realized and result in delays, or cessation in planned work, that the Company's financial condition and development plans change, and delays in regulatory approval, 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.

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 ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Competent Person's Statements: The information in this report that relates to Exploration Results is based on and fairly represents information and supporting information compiled by Mr Xavier Braud, who is a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG membership ID:6963). Mr Braud is a consultant to the Company and has sufficient experience in the style of mineralization and type of deposits under consideration and qualifies as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves". Mr Braud holds securities in Benz Mining Corp and consents to the inclusion of all technical statements based on his information in the form and context in which they appear.

The information in this announcement that relates to the Inferred Mineral Resource was first reported under the JORC Code by the Company in its prospectus released to the ASX on 21 December 2020. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original market announcement and confirms that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimate continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Person's findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcement.

Appendix 1: JORC Tables

Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data

(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections.)

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling.

Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used.

Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report.

In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. FLEM (TDEM) Survey:



1 loop for 37line-km of fixed loop survey was commissioned by Benz Mining to TMC Geophysics at the Company's Eastmain Property in Quebec.



The survey was conducted using a conventional Crone DPEM- TDEM Fixed conventional loop with ARMIT sensor and SmartEM 24 by EMIT receiver.



Downhole/Borehole Electromagnetics was conducted by TMC geophysics using a Crone Deep EM system.





1 loop for 37line-km of fixed loop survey was commissioned by Benz Mining to TMC Geophysics at the Company's Eastmain Property in Quebec. The survey was conducted using a conventional Crone DPEM- TDEM Fixed conventional loop with ARMIT sensor and SmartEM 24 by EMIT receiver. Downhole/Borehole Electromagnetics was conducted by TMC geophysics using a Crone Deep EM system. This release does not contain any sampling results. Drilling techniques Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). This release does not include drill results Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed.

Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples.

Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. This release does not include drill results Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies.

Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography.

The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. This release does not include drill results Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken.

If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry.

For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique.

Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples.

Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling.

Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. This release does not include drill results Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total.

For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc.

Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have been established. This release does not include drill results Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel.

The use of twinned holes.

Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols.

Discuss any adjustment to assay data. This release does not include drill results Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation.

Specification of the grid system used.

Quality and adequacy of topographic control. This release does not include drill results Grid: UTM NAD83 Zone 18N Topographic control is cross-checked with a 2013 LIDAR survey Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results.

Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied.

Whether sample compositing has been applied. This release does not include drill results Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type.

If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. This release does not include drill results Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. This release does not include drill results Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. This release does not include drill results

Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results

(Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section.)

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Mineral tenement and land tenure status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings.

The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. The Eastmain Mine Project comprises 152 contiguous mining claims each with an area of approximately 52.7 ha covering a total of 8,014.36 ha plus one industrial lease permit that are owned by Eastmain Mines Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fury Gold Mines. The claims are numbered 1133433 to 1133583 consecutively plus claim 104458. All of the claims are located within NTS sheet 33A 08. The former Mine Lease BM 817 was issued on January 10, 1995 and expired in 2015 after a 20-year term. This former Mine Lease was converted to Industrial Lease 00184710000 on September 1, 2015 and contains all normal surface rights. The former mineral rights for BM 817 are now included in the expanded Claims 1133523, 1133524, 1133525, 1133505, 1133506 and 1133507. The claims are 100% held by Fury Gold Mines subject to certain net smelter royalties ("NSR"). On August 9, 2019, Benz Mining Corp. announced that it has entered into an option agreement with Eastmain Resources Inc. (now Fury Gold Mines) to acquire a 100% interest in the former producing Eastmain Gold Project located in James Bay District, Quebec, for CAD $5,000,000. Eastmain Resources would retain a 2% Net Smelter Return royalty in respect of the Project. Benz may, at any time, purchase one half of the NSR Royalty, thereby reducing the NSR Royalty to a 1% net smelter returns royalty, for $1,500,000. The Eastmain Mine, as defined by the perimeter of a historic mining lease, is subject to a production royalty net smelter return ("NSR") of 2.3% through production of the next 250,000 oz produced and 2% thereafter. A package of claims surrounding the mine precinct is subject to a production royalty (NSR) of 2% in favour of Goldcorp as a result of their succession to Placer Dome in an agreement dated December 30, 1988 between Placer Dome, MSV Resources Inc. and Northgate Exploration Limited. The 152 claims that form the Eastmain Mine Property are all in good standing with an active status. Exploration done by other parties Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. 1930s & 1940s - Prospecting of gossans 1950s & 1960s - Riocanex - Exploration of the Upper Eastmain Greenstone Belt Mid 1960s - Fort George - Diamond drilling of a gossan zone 1696 - Canex Aerial Exploration Ltd & Placer Dvelopment Ltd - Airborne magnetic and EM surveys with ground geophysics follow up. 1970 - Placer Development Ltd - Seven holes testing an EM anomaly. Discovery of A Zone with 1.5m @ 13.71g/t Au 1974 - Nordore - Aerodat airborne AEM survey and Ground geophysics. 3 holes returned anomalous gold values adjacent to B Zone 1974 - Inco Uranerz - Airborne geophysical survey over the whole greenstone belt. 1981 & 1982 - Placer - Airborne and ground EM, ground magnetics. Drilling of EM anomalies discovered B zone and C zone. 1983 to 1985 - Placer - Airborne and ground EM, downhole PEM, 91 holes over A B and C zones. 1986 - Placer - 25 holes into A B and C zones 1987 &1988 - Placer Dome / MSV JV - Drilling of A, B and C zones 1988 to 1994 - MSV Resources - Drilling, surface sampling, trenching, regional exploration, Seismic refraction over ABC Zones, 1994 & 1995 - MSV Resources - Mining of 118,356t at 10.58g/t Au and 0.3%Cu, processed at Copper Rand plant in Chibougamau, 40,000oz recovered 1997 - MSV Resources- Exploration, mapping, prospecting, trenching. 2004 - Campbell Resources - M&I resource calculation for Eastmain Mine. 2005-2007 - Eastmain Resources - Purchase of the project from Campbell Resources, VTEM, Prospecting, regional exploration. 2007-2019 - Eastmain Resources - Sporadic drilling, regional exploration, mapping, sampling, trenching. Surface geochemistry (soils) Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation. In the Eastmain Gold Deposit, gold mineralization occurs in quartz veins with associated massive to semi-massive sulphide lenses/ veins and silicified zones associated with a deformation corridor. The mineralized zones are 3 m to 10 m thick and contained in a strongly deformed and altered assemblage (Mine series) consisting of felsic, mafic and ultramafic rocks. Mineralized quartz veins and lenses show a variable thickness between 10 cm and 13 m, and sulphide contents average 15% to 20% in the mineralized quartz veins and sulphide lenses. In order of decreasing abundance, sulphides consist of pyrrhotite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite, with minor sphalerite, magnetite and molybdenite. Visible gold occurs in the mineralized quartz veins as small (<1 mm) grains associated with quartz and (or) sulphides in the A, B and C Zones. Drill hole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes: easting and northing of the drill hole collar elevation or RL (Reduced Level - elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar dip and azimuth of the hole down hole length and interception depth hole length.

If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. This release does not include drill results Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated.

Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high grade results and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail.

The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. No quantitative results reported. Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results.

If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported.

If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg 'down hole length, true width not known'). No downhole intervals reported. Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. See figures in the body of text Balanced reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. Benz Mining is not currently in possession of quantitative exploration results. It is the Company's intention to report all exploration results together when they become available. Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples - size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. Benz Mining Corp conducted a 37line-km Fixed Loop Time-Domain Electromagnetics survey on the Eastmain Property. The FLEM (TDEM) survey identified 10 first order conductors modelled as thin plates through Maxwell modelling. Benz conducted systematic BHEM of each hole drilled as well as BHEM surveying of historical holes.



BHEM identified numerous in-hole and off-hole conductors coincident or not with drilled mineralization. Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling).

Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. Benz Mining is currently drilling a 50,000m drilling campaign which started in January 2021 This drilling campaign is conducted concurrently with regional Electromagnetic surveys All newly drilled holes are systematically surveyed by DHEM. A selection of historical holes is surveyed by DHEM.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85308
DGAP-News: Global Fashion Group S.A. / Key word(s): AGM/EGM

GLOBAL FASHION GROUP S.A.: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING APPROVES ALL RESOLUTIONS ON THE AGENDA



26.05.2021 / 14:51

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





GLOBAL FASHION GROUP S.A.: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING APPROVES ALL RESOLUTIONS ON THE AGENDA



Luxembourg, 26 May 2021: The Annual General Meeting of shareholders of Global Fashion Group S.A. (the "Company") held today in Luxembourg approved all resolutions on the agenda. 67.34% of the voting rights were represented at the Annual General Meeting.



In view of the ongoing global pandemic (COVID-19), the Company took the decision to hold the Annual General Meeting by video conference as permitted by Luxembourg law. In view of the revised format, each shareholder was able to place their votes by correspondence or by proxy. Further details of the number of votes cast and the resolutions are available on the Annual General Meeting section of our website here. A comprehensive list of the resolutions passed at the Company's Annual General Meeting can be found in Annex A (below).



The Company is pleased to welcome Philipp Povel to the Supervisory Board of the Company following the approval of his appointment by the shareholders of the Company. As the co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Dafiti, the Company's Latin American business, Philipp will greatly complement the existing skills and expertise of the Supervisory Board.



The Annual General Meeting also acknowledged that Alexis Babeau stepped down as a member of the Supervisory Board at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting, after more than six years of exceptional service, having played a key role in the transformation of GFG from a privately held to a publicly listed company and celebrating its first year of positive Adjusted EBITDA.



---ENDS---



About Global Fashion Group

Global Fashion Group is the leading fashion and lifestyle retail destination in LatAm, CIS, SEA and ANZ. We connect over 10,000 global, local and own brands to a market of more than one billion consumers through four established ecommerce platforms: dafiti, lamoda, ZALORA and THE ICONIC. Through an inspiring and seamless customer experience enabled by our own technology ecosystem and operational infrastructure, we are dedicated to being the #1 fashion and lifestyle destination in our markets. With 17 offices and 9 fulfilment centres across four continents, GFG proudly employs a dynamic and diverse team with deep local knowledge and expertise. In the twelve months to 31 December 2020, GFG delivered 42.0 million orders to 16.3 million Active Customers. (ISIN: LU2010095458.)





For more information visit: www.global-fashion-group.com



Contacts:

Media: Jovana Lakcevic, press@global-fashion-group.com

Investors: Jo Britten, investors@global-fashion-group.com





Annex A: Voting Results - Global Fashion Group S.A Annual General Meeting 2021



Agenda item Valid votes Valid votes % (share capital) Yes votes Yes votes in % No votes No votes in % Abstention Presentation of the combined consolidated management report of the management board of the Company (the "Management Board") and of the report of the independent auditor (reviseur d'entreprises agree) on the Company's consolidated accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2020 prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union ("IFRS") and on the Company's annual accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2020 prepared in accordance with IFRS. No voting required Approval of the Company's consolidated accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2020. 145,752,464 67.34 145,752,464 100.00 0 0.00 0 Approval of the Company's annual accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2020. 145,752,464 67.34 145,752,464 100.00 0 0.00 0 Allocation of results for the financial year ended 31 December 2020. 145,752,464 67.34 145,752,464 100.00 0 0.00 0 Granting of discharge to Christoph Barchewitz, member of the Management Board, for the exercise of his mandate during the financial year ended 31 December 2020. 145,752,464 67.34 145,752,464 100.00 0 0.00 0 Granting of discharge to Patrick Schmidt, member of the Management Board, for the exercise of his mandate during the financial year ended 31 December 2020. 145,752,464 67.34 145,752,464 100.00 0 0.00 0 Granting of discharge to Matthew Price, member of the Management Board, for the exercise of his mandate during the financial year ended 31 December 2020. 145,752,464 67.34 145,752,464 100.00 0 0.00 0 Granting of discharge to Alexis Babeau, member of the supervisory board of the Company (the "Supervisory Board"), for the exercise of his mandate during the financial year ended 31 December 2020. 145,752,464 67.34 145,752,464 100.00 0 0.00 0 Granting of discharge to Georgi Ganev, member of the Supervisory Board, for the exercise of his mandate during the financial year ended 31 December 2020. 145,752,464 67.34 145,752,464 100.00 0 0.00 0 Granting of discharge to Cynthia Gordon, member of the Supervisory Board, for the exercise of her mandate during the financial year ended 31 December 2020. 145,752,464 67.34 145,752,464 100.00 0 0.00 0 Granting of discharge to Victor Herrero, member of the Supervisory Board, for the exercise of his mandate during the financial year ended 31 December 2020. 145,752,464 67.34 145,752,464 100.00 0 0.00 0 Granting of discharge to Carol Shen, member of the Supervisory Board, for the exercise of her mandate during the financial year ended 31 December 2020. 145,752,464 67.34 145,752,464 100.00 0 0.00 0 Granting of discharge to Laura Weil, member of the Supervisory Board, for the exercise of her mandate during the financial year ended 31 December 2020. 145,752,464 67.34 145,752,464 100.00 0 0.00 0 Acknowledgment of the resignation of Alexis Babeau as member of the Supervisory Board and decision to appoint Philipp Povel as a member of the Supervisory Board for a period ending at the expiration of the general meeting of shareholders approving the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending 31 December 2021. 145,752,464 67.34 145,752,464 100.00 0 0.00 0 Renewal of the appointment of Ernst & Young as independent auditor for the financial year 2021. 145,752,464 67.34 145,752,463 99.99 1 0.01 0 Presentation of and advisory vote on the remuneration report for the year ending 31 December 2020 for the members of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board. 135,562,939 62.63 135,562,938 99.99 1 0.01 10,189,525 Presentation of and advisory vote on the revised remuneration policy for the members of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board. 135,562,939 62.63 135,562,939 100.00 0 0.00 10,189,525 Approval and, to the extent necessary, ratification of the remuneration of the Supervisory Board for the financial year ending 31 December 2021. 145,752,464 67.34 145,752,464 100.00 0 0.00 0 Authorisation for the Management Board to repurchase up to 20% of the total number of common shares of the Company issued on the date of the Annual General Meeting within a period of five (5) years as from the date of the Annual General Meeting. 145,752,464 67.34 145,752,463 99.99 1 0.01 0 Presentation and acknowledgement of the special report of the Management Board with respect to (i) the restatement and renewal of the current authorised capital and the amendment of the Company's authorised capital and (ii) waiving the preferential subscription right of existing shareholders where expressly provided in the special report, and amendment of articles 6.1 and 6.2 of the articles of association of the Company. 145,752,464 67.34 145,752,463 99.99 1 0.01 0 Approval of the amendment of the term of office of members of the Management Board for new appointments and any renewals of existing appointments to the Management Board, and subsequent amendment of the article 15.2 of the articles of association of the Company. 145,752,464 67.34 145,752,464 100.00 0 0.00 0 Approval of the deletion of transitory provisions covering the conversion of common shares of the Company into dematerialised shares and subsequent deletion of article 7.5 as well as of articles 28.1 to 28.5 of the articles of association of the Company. 145,752,464 67.34 145,752,464 100.00 0 0.00 0







Luxembourg, 26 May 2021: The Annual General Meeting of shareholders of Global Fashion Group S.A. (the "Company") held today in Luxembourg approved all resolutions on the agenda. 67.34% of the voting rights were represented at the Annual General Meeting.In view of the ongoing global pandemic (COVID-19), the Company took the decision to hold the Annual General Meeting by video conference as permitted by Luxembourg law. In view of the revised format, each shareholder was able to place their votes by correspondence or by proxy. Further details of the number of votes cast and the resolutions are available on the Annual General Meeting section of our website here. A comprehensive list of the resolutions passed at the Company's Annual General Meeting can be found in Annex A (below).The Company is pleased to welcome Philipp Povel to the Supervisory Board of the Company following the approval of his appointment by the shareholders of the Company. As the co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Dafiti, the Company's Latin American business, Philipp will greatly complement the existing skills and expertise of the Supervisory Board.The Annual General Meeting also acknowledged that Alexis Babeau stepped down as a member of the Supervisory Board at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting, after more than six years of exceptional service, having played a key role in the transformation of GFG from a privately held to a publicly listed company and celebrating its first year of positive Adjusted EBITDA.---ENDS---About Global Fashion GroupGlobal Fashion Group is the leading fashion and lifestyle retail destination in LatAm, CIS, SEA and ANZ. We connect over 10,000 global, local and own brands to a market of more than one billion consumers through four established ecommerce platforms: dafiti, lamoda, ZALORA and THE ICONIC. Through an inspiring and seamless customer experience enabled by our own technology ecosystem and operational infrastructure, we are dedicated to being the #1 fashion and lifestyle destination in our markets. With 17 offices and 9 fulfilment centres across four continents, GFG proudly employs a dynamic and diverse team with deep local knowledge and expertise. In the twelve months to 31 December 2020, GFG delivered 42.0 million orders to 16.3 million Active Customers. (ISIN: LU2010095458.)For more information visit: www.global-fashion-group.comContacts:Media: Jovana Lakcevic, press@global-fashion-group.comInvestors: Jo Britten, investors@global-fashion-group.com

26.05.2021 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



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BEIJING, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 25, 2021, Beijing's high-level autonomous driving demonstration zone has released the autonomous delivery vehicle management policy. As one of the first batch of autonomous vehicle companies in China, Neolix is awarded the vehicle license for their autonomous delivery vehicle and obtained the greenlight to go on public roads. It is expected that by end of June 2021, more than 150 Neolix autonomous vehicles will be serving as the driverless 'convenience stores' for the end consumers. A Neolix autonomous vehicle service network will be built in the country's first pilot intelligent connected vehicle policy zone, providing convenient services to public on a regular basis.

Neolix autonomous vehicles have a wide range of application scenarios in many industries such as retail, security and finance. Before going on the public road, Neolix vehicles have already been operating in Yicheng International, BDA Enterprise Avenue, Beijing Yizhuang Biomedical parks and other areas, to provide convenience food service to office workers. Consumers can select and place their food order via the screen on vehicle or mobile phone, make the payment and collect their food instantaneously. Whether is a lunch box that need to be kept warm at 65C or an ice cream that is refrigerated at -18C, they are maintained in the temperature controlled cargo box module of the Neolix autonomous vehicle and not affected by the weather and temperatures.

Neolix aspires to lead the future smart city way of life with state-of-the-art technologies. Empowered by autonomous driving, 5G communications, Internet of Vehicles, intelligent hardware and autonomous vehicle super factory, Neolix has commercially deployed their vehicles globally to build a smart service ecosystem along with trusted partners and to provide consumers with superior experience. To date, Neolix autonomous vehicles have landed in more than 30 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xi'an and Xiamen, as well as 8 oversea countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Australia and Thailand, focusing on hundreds of application scenarios such as office parks, CBD core areas and park campuses.
New hires: former Cloudera exec Stephen Line to oversee commercial operations, former Puppet exec Nick Smyth to lead R&D

LONDON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Harness , the leading platform for software delivery, today announced an expanded presence for the European market with two new research and development offices in Belfast and Belgrade. The San Francisco-based software delivery platform will welcome more than 30 engineers across both offices, joining forces with its existing commercial hub in London. In addition, the company welcomes two key senior leadership hires to spearhead their efforts. Former Cloudera executive, Stephen Line will oversee commercial operations as VP & GM of EMEA and Nick Smyth, previously VP of Engineering at Puppet, joins as VP of Engineering for Harness, based in Belfast.

Pressure has never been higher for developers at companies of all sizes to deliver software quickly and flawlessly. Since 2017, Harness has provided U.S. customers with unmatched speed, security, ease-of-use and scalability via a platform that empowers engineers to focus on delivering innovation, rather than manually building software delivery pipelines. With this move, Harness is reiterating the importance of the this market and bringing its unrivaled service closer to its European customers, which include Openbank, Metrikus, UK Home Office, and Advanced. The company has strategically placed the offices in Belfast and Belgrade as centers for innovation, attracting high quality engineering talent.

"In our latest funding round, we knew one of our biggest investments would be the European market. Our mission is to deliver next-generation software faster than ever, regardless of location or company size," said Jyoti Bansal, CEO and co-founder, Harness. "We're delivering on that promise, welcoming both Stephen and Nick as experienced leaders with local expertise on how to get our platform into the hands of developers who critically need it, and building them a global team of R&D engineers to make it possible."

According to IDC , by 2021, 80% of European organisations will adopt DevOps but only 10% will excel at accelerated performance and delivery cycles. Moreover, by 2024 companies shipping code to production daily is expected to jump from 3% in 2019 to 40%.

"The opportunity that Harness has in the European market is significant. By increasing our R&D, we will bring new and revolutionary products that help organisations be as effective with software delivery as the largest and most dynamic global tech companies like Apple, Facebook and Netflix," said Nick Smyth, VP of Engineering for Harness. "Our customers can expect an 'always on' service, whether they are in the US, India, UK, France, Germany, Nordics, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, or Israel."

"Harness' UK commercial and US engineering teams have been a delight to work with. The support they've provided us and the effort their teams have put into building a seamless product are very clear," said Sam Hall, head of technology at Metrikus. "We found them to be exceptionally reactive and helpful, and the addition of local engineering support will make it even easier to implement new features and integrations into our operations."

Harness will invest, support and expand into new cities throughout the EMEA region this year. It will also expand existing teams and will include commercial teams based in London, Paris, Amsterdam and Munich. The company's annual user conference, Unscripted, happening June 16-17, 2021 will usher in multiple new developer capabilities available immediately to EMEA customers. For more information about how companies can deliver next-generation software visit harness.io and for additional details on Unscripted or to sign up for the event, see here .

About Harness

Based in San Francisco, Harness is the only end-to-end platform for complete software delivery designed to provide a simple, safe and secure way for engineering and DevOps teams to release applications into production. Harness uses machine learning to detect the quality of deployments and automatically roll back failed ones, saving time and reducing the need for custom scripting and manual oversight. Harness customers include NCR, Kohl's, Discover Financial, Nationwide Insurance and McAfee. Follow Harness on Twitter or try Harness for free at harness.io .

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/779232/Harnes_logo_horizontal.jpg
Market Synopsis of Blood Glucose Test Strip Market:

Market Scenario: Blood glucose test strips are small disposable strips which are used in conjugation with blood glucose meters for monitoring and controlling diabetes. These strips have glucose oxidase impregnated on them, which when reacts with glucose present in the blood gluconic acid. The market for Blood glucose test strips is expected to grow at a CAGR of XX% by the end of the forecasted period

also read @ https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/blood-glucose-test-strip-market-size-is-projected-to-grow-by-2027-research-insights-business-overview-and-share-estimation-2021-01-13

Blood Glucose Test Strip Market  Key Players

Some of the key players for Blood Glucose Test Strip Market are:

Abbott Laboratories

Acon Laboratories, Inc

Allmedicus

Apex Biotechnology Corporation

Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings Ag

Braun Melsungen Ag

HMD Biomedical

I-Sens, Inc.

Lifescan, Inc.

Roche Diagnostics

Taidoc Technology Corporation

Blood Glucose Test Strip Market  Segments

The Blood Glucose Test Strip Market growth can be segmented in to 2 key dynamics for the convenience of the report and enhanced understanding;

By Technologies: Comprises Thick Film Electrochemical, Thin Film Electrochemical, & Optical among others

By Regions: North America, Europe, APAC and Rest of the World.

Industry, Innovation & Related News:

July 05, 2018  Researchers at MITs Little Devices Lab (US) presented a Lego-like device they have developed to perform diagnostic tests at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. Referred to as plug-and-play the engineered system device is called as Ampli blocks, can test blood glucose levels in diabetic patients and also detect viral infection.

June 22, 2018  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a mHealth platform that includes a sensor embedded in the arm, a wearable transmitter and an app, all designed to help those with diabetes and their care teams continuously track blood-glucose levels. The Eversense CGM, system useful in continuous glucose management is developed by Senseonics and accounts for the first approved implantable device that promises up to three months of constant monitoring, contrary to other wearable CGM platforms.

April 13, 2018 - Livongo Health (US) a start-up developing connected devices and software for diabetics and other chronic conditions. The company completely devoted to providing cost-competitive aid for diabetes, has already developed its own glucometer & apps providing accurate readings. Livongo, also ships test strips to patients at no additional cost. The company announced that it has bagged the investment for USD 105 million to support the further development of its technology and a partnership from Cambia Health Solution.

April 2018 Pops! Diabetes Care, which is a Twin Cities device maker has registered its first patient in their clinical study which it is backing to see whether their device named, Pops! One, can effectively monitor blood-sugar levels for diabetics. They are also additionally partnering with the Childrens Minnesota health care system on a six-month research of 50 young patients who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. They will use the Pops device to record their blood-glucose levels and alert them when they need to inject insulin. The most noticeable piece is the blood-testing device which is slightly smaller than a typical smartphone which contains a disposable cartridge with a glucose meter and three tiny lancets that have been designed so that they are less painful and easier than using a conventional finger-stick unit with individual test strips. The individual replacement cartridge can be used for up to three tests.

Blood Glucose Test Strip Market - Regional Analysis

North America market leads the Global Blood Glucose Test Strip Market with the significant market share. The market is further expected to reach astronomical amounts growing at a substantial CAGR throughout the forecast period (2017-2027). Well-developed healthcare sector, increasing prevalence of diabetes in the US & Canada coupled with the high per capita healthcare expenditures of these economies, together drive the regional market growth. Moreover, the presence of some of the matured market players fuels the market growth.

Europe & Asia Pacific is the second & third largest market respectively in the Global Blood Glucose Test Strip Market. Expected to be a fastest growing market Asia pacific region is estimated to grow rapidly over the projected period. Increasing healthcare expenditures along with favorable government policies of developing economies like India and China foster the market growth in APAC.

Browse Complete 110 Pages Premium Research Report Enabled with Tables and Figures @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/blood-glucose-test-strip-market-892

While the world's second largest market of Blood Glucose Test Strip, Europe is predominantly driven by the availability of funds for research, well-developed healthcare infrastructure, huge patient population, & government support for research & development. Besides, economies having high healthcare expenditures such as the UK & Germany propel the growth of the Europe market.

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Press Release

Nokia and Proximus deploy world's fastest live fiber network

First ever 25G PON live deployment makes Proximus fiber network fastest in the world

Technology operates on the same fiber network equipment deployed today

Proximus is accelerating build out of Belgium's leading high capacity, open fiber network





26 May 2021

Espoo, Finland - Nokia and Proximus turned on the world's fastest fiber access network today at a media eventin Antwerp attended by the Belgian Minister of Telecommunications, the Mayor of Antwerp and executives and engineers from the two companies.

Operating over existing fiber and Nokia equipment deployed in the Proximus network, the first ever 25G PON live network connects the Havenhuis building in the Port of Antwerp with the Proximus central office in the middle of the city. The network speed exceeded 20 Gigabits per second making it the fastest fiber network in the world.

Proximus is the leading provider of fixed broadband networks in Belgium with 45.9% market share. The operator is accelerating the move to fiber, adding 10% coverage each year and is on target to reach at least 70% of homes and business by 2028. As part of its inspire 2022vision, it is creating a high capacity open network which will be available to all operators, eliminating the need for fiber overbuild.

Rupert Wood, Research Director for Fiber Networks at Analysys Mason, said: "Today's 25G PON achievement demonstrates the unlimited potential of fiber. This next evolution in fiber technology will provide enterprises with greater than 10 Gbs connectivity and the capacity needed to support 5G transport along with future next generation services such as massive scale Virtual Reality and real time digital twins."

.

Guillaume Boutin, CEO Proximus, said: "The activation of the first 25G PON network worldwide shapes our bold ambition to be a trendsetter, to become a reference operator in Europe and, why not, across the globe. Together with Nokia, we have achieved a technological leap forward that will become a key enabler of the digital and economy and society that we stand for. Today's announcement is also an occasion to stand still and look at the pace at which we connect the citizens of Antwerp to the technology of the future. Thanks to huge investments, we are realizing an acceleration that is unseen in Europe, and I am convinced this will be crucial to remain competitive for us as a company, but also for Antwerp as a city and for our entire economy."

Federico Guillen, President Network Infrastructure Nokia, said: "10 years ago our companies launched the technology which enabled a switch to HD TV. Today we make history again with a network that is 200x faster. We are proud to support Proximus in enabling the world's first 25G PON network, powered by Nokia's Quillion chipset, which supports three generations of PON technologies. Quillion has been adopted by more than 100 operators since its launch last year and all operators deploying the Quillion based GPON and XGS-PON solution today have the capabilities to easily evolve to 25G PON."

Notes to editors

Nokia's 25G PON solution utilizes the world's first implementation of 25GS-PON technology and includes Lightspan access nodes, 25G/10G optical cards and fiber modems.

Nokia Lightspan FX and MX are high-capacity access nodes for massive scale fiber roll-outs. Usually located in telecom central office, they connect thousands of users via optical fibre, aggregate their broadband traffic and send it deeper in the network. The fiber access nodes can support multiple fiber technologies including GPON, XGS-PON, 25GS-PON and Point-to-Point Ethernet to deliver l wide range of services with the best fit technology.

Nokia ONT (Optical Network Termination) devices, or fiber modems, are located at the user location. They terminate the optical fibre connection and delivers broadband services within the user premises or cell sites.

Resources

Further reading:25G PON, Supercharge your fiber network (https://www.nokia.com/networks/solutions/25gpon/)





About Nokia

We create technology that helps the world act together.

As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

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Perceptyx research finds that employees onboarded during the pandemic are less engaged and more likely to churn; urges managers to double-down on relationships

TEMECULA, Calif., May 26, 2021from Perceptyx , the leading employee listening and people analytics platform, has uncovered a problem in the making for companies that hired employees during the pandemic. Those employees are markedly less engaged, less connected to the culture, and less proud to work at their company than counterparts who joined pre-pandemic.



"The past 18 months have been a grand experiment in remote onboarding," said Brett Wells, Ph.D., Director of People Analytics at Perceptyx. "Now the results are in, and unfortunately it seems most employers have failed to engage their remote joiners adequately. They've created a ticking time bomb of sorts, which will likely lead to higher turnover rates in the near future. HR leaders need to rethink how they engage this cohort of employees as well as how they will onboard future hires."

Perceptyx surveyed more than 1,000 employees during March 2021 about their onboarding experiences and overall engagement at work. The resulting study, Failure to Attach: The Crisis for Pandemic Hires, compared the responses between two cohorts: those who joined during the pandemic (those with the company less than a year) and those who joined prior (tenured for 2-3 years). The differences were notable.

Employees who onboarded during the pandemic were less likely to feel part of the team than the prior cohort (73 percent compared to 78 percent). And fewer of them said their employer was effective at keeping employees connected (72 percent compared to 76 percent).

This cohort also reported lower well-being across almost every aspect of their experience, except in their ability to balance work and personal life. For example, only 64 percent of pandemic joiners said their employer cares about their health and well-being (compared with 71 percent of the prior cohort). Fewer said the expected pace of work was reasonable (72 percent vs 78 percent), that they felt able to "bounce back" (62 percent vs 72 percent) and that they were overcoming setbacks (71 percent vs 77 percent).

Only seven in ten of these employees would recommend their organization as a good place to work and were proud to work there, compared to eight out of ten in the prior cohort.



Perceptyx also compared the findings against its HR Benchmark Database containing engagement survey responses gathered from 14 million respondents over a three-year rolling period. Those data show turnover is 45 percent higher among employees who wouldn't recommend their employer and 21 percent higher among those who don't feel pride in their organizations.

"Usually, new joiners are more engaged than their slightly longer-tenured peers. Clearly, this 'honeymoon effect' was diminished for those joining during the pandemic and likely to be onboarded remotely. Our data suggest the levels of engagement and well-being reported by the COVID cohort are strong indicators of future turnover," continued Wells.

It's not all bad news, however. The study showed that employees who onboarded during the pandemic felt more welcomed by their manager than those who onboarded prior (85 percent of remote onboarders felt this way compared with only 79 percent of the prior cohort). They were also more likely to report that their manager supported them in balancing their work and personal life. Managers seem to be making every effort to support their new reports, which is critical for solving engagement issues. According to Perceptyx's panel research data, employees who believe their manager cares about them as a person are 5.5x more likely to believe they are able to balance their work and personal life.

Perceptyx recommends putting relationships at the center of employee onboarding experiences. Strong early connections between employees and peers as well as their managers will set the right tone for the rest of their tenure. For more guidance on how to improve engagement among remote onboarders, leaders can review tips from Perceptyx organizational behavior experts here .

About the Data

Failure to Attach: The Crisis for Pandemic Hires was conducted as a paid, panel research study that surveyed working Americans.

The Perceptyx HR Benchmark Database is a database of several hundred common survey items for external HR benchmarking. This data was gathered from Perceptyx clients over a rolling three-year period and includes data from hundreds of organizations with more than 14 million respondents. Domestic U.S. firms and many multinational organizations, varying in size from 50 to more than 500,000 employees, are represented in the database. Benchmarks are available by industry, sector, sub-sector, job level, job function, age, gender, ethnicity, tenure, country, size of company, union status, Fortune 100/Fortune 500 status, and more.

About Perceptyx

Since its founding in 2003, Perceptyx has been redefining the employee insights industry, delivering enterprise-level employee listening and people analytics to more than 400 clients, including nearly a third of the Fortune 100. With an unrivaled technology platform and a tailor-made, flexible approach, the Perceptyx platform makes it easy for managers, HR executives and business leaders to discover insights deep within large and complex organizations, driving meaningful action to improve business outcomes. Driven by a deep intellectual curiosity and a culture of innovation, Perceptyx is challenging the status quo - to help people and organizations "see the way forward."

Media Contact

Josh Green

Firebrand Communications

perceptyx@firebrand.marketing

415 848 9175
Exploration Continues on Gold-Silver Targets Identified in Phase-1 Diamond Drilling

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 26, 2021 / Brigadier Gold Limited (the "Company" or "Brigadier") (TSXV:BRG)(FSE:B7LM)(OTC PINK:BGADF) is pleased to announce the discovery of bulk tonnage type copper mineralization in trenching and further results from exploration of newly identified gold targets at its Picachos gold-silver-copper project Sinaloa, Mexico (the "Picachos Project," "Picachos" or the "Property"). Additional assays from phase-1 diamond drilling are anticipated to be received in June.

Pichachos, located approximately four hours' drive from the city of Mazatlan, covers 3,954 hectares and overlaps one of the largest high-amplitude contiguous anomalies for gold and base metals in the western Sierra Madre with values up to 6841 ppb Au in fine-fraction, active channel stream sediments.

Rob Birmingham, President and CEO, remarks, "We're proud of the team effort put into acquiring, financing, and driving exploration and development at Picachos. Exploration and diamond drilling efforts led by head geologist Michelle Robinson, have successfully identified an extensive mineralized vein system and numerous targets for follow up investigation, including a large, unexplored copper porphyry target situated in the northern part of the Property. We look forward to implementing a cost-effective approach aimed at further de-risking Picachos and building on the technical success achieved to date."

Copper Discovery

Brigadier has initiated trenching across historic anomalies considered prospective for bulk-tonnage style copper mineralization. Trench BRG-50250 was located approximately 2 kilometres south of a trench cut by Brigadier across several hundred metres of molybdenite in the winter of 2020. The first 50 metres of BRG-50250 have been sampled and analyzed using the field XRF and returned copper values between 0.05% and 1.34% and silver values between 20g/t and 284g/t. These samples will be sent to the lab when the trench is complete and mineralized intervals formally reported after that.

La Gloria Gold Target

Brigadier has completed mapping and sampling of the historic La Gloria underground gold mine in the central part of its Picachos Project. In 2020, Brigadier intercepted La Gloria in DH-BRG-028 between 140 and 141 metres depth where a value of 6.26 g/t gold across 1 metre was returned. This intercept was 112 metres below the historic workings. In the plane of the vein, the known underground workings are 60 to more than 130 metres below topography. Collectively, diamond drilling and the underground workings define the position of La Gloria Vein for more than 240 metres down-dip.

La Gloria stope is accessed by a 105 metre long cross-cut at the 950 metre elevation that trends easterly. The cross-cut and drill hole locations are now tightly controlled by a high-resolution airborne LiDAR survey recently completed by Eagle Mapping. From the portal, La Gloria cross-cut and stope was surveyed using a Brunton and tight chain.

From the mine portal to 71 metres, the host rocks consist of intermediate volcanics that are dark grey-green and contain amygdules that are filled with quartz, chlorite and calcite. The stope was mapped for approximately 35 metres northwest of the cross-cut and 65 metres to the southeast. La Gloria Vein strikes 155-160 and dips 80-65 southwesterly.

Samples were cut every metre along the cross-cut to identify any metal bearing veins or veinlets in the hanging wall to La Gloria and clean off the dust for geological mapping. In the stope, the historically worked faces form a honeycomb and samples were cut across the back or working faces where rock conditions were safe for sampling. Fifteen sample lines of one to three samples each were collected across the vein and these have been submitted today to SGS in Durango for gold and base metal analyses. Gold is apparent in panned concentrates of several samples.

Drill Results Pending

Assays are still pending for 518 metres of drilling completed in phase-one, most of which is from a 3-hole fence drilled across El Placer Norte where underground sampling returned grades of up to 12.79 g/t across the Huarache Vein. Perhaps more significantly, a surface trench across the El Placer trend returned values of 0.5 g/t gold across 65 metres in BRG-117154. This was followed by 8 metres of 2.14 g/t gold in adjacent trench BRG-117146.

National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure

The technical information in this press release has been reviewed by Michelle Robinson, MASc., P.Eng., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Drilling was completed using PQ and HQ tooling. Core and sample handling procedures are documented in the Company's press release dated October 22, 2020. Standard pulps, field duplicates, pulp duplicates and blanks are inserted into the sample stream. The samples were analyzed by SGS Laboratories in Durango using fire-assay methods for gold, and ICP methods with a 4-acid digestion for silver and base metals. SGS is an accredited laboratory. It is the Qualified Person's opinion that the technical information disclosed in this press release is reliable.

Please visit our website to learn more about Brigadier Gold.

About Brigadier Gold Limited

Brigadier was formed to leverage the next major bull market in the natural resource sector, particularly precious metals. Our mandate is to acquire undervalued and overlooked projects with demonstrable potential for advancement. Led by a management team with decades of experience in mineral exploration and capital markets development, we are focused on advanced exploration opportunities in politically stable jurisdictions.

For further information, please contact:

Brigadier Gold Limited

www.brigadiergold.ca

Robert Birmingham, Chief Executive Officer

rob@brigadiergold.ca

Leah Hodges, Corporate Secretary

(604) 377-0403

Reader Advisory

This news release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information," including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may," "would," "could," "will," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Brigadier Gold Limited

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/649068/Brigadier-Makes-Copper-Discovery-at-Picachos
Kymeta and HSC move closer toward the development of Flat Panel Electronically Steered LEO and GEO antenna solutions for South Korean markets and beyond

Kymeta Corporation (www.kymetacorp.com)-the communications company making mobile global-announced today that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has approved a $30 million investment by Hanwha Systems Co., Ltd. (HSC) (www.hanwha.com), a leading global solutions company that provides differentiated smart technologies in defense electronics and information infrastructure, in Kymeta.

The approval provided by CFIUS clears the way for HSC and Kymeta to close on the transaction that was jointly announced last December. The investment moves Kymeta one step closer toward developing solutions that are future proof and interoperable with both LEO and GEO mega constellations. Today, the Kymeta u8 is the only commercially available flat panel antenna that is compatible with LEO and GEO satellite constellations and enabled to take advantage of the growing capacity within space.

"We are thrilled that the investment is approved and eager to leverage Kymeta's expertise in hybrid satellite and cellular connectivity solutions," said Youn Chul Kim, CEO of HSC. "Kymeta's solutions will further our aerospace capabilities and deliver reliable communications for our defense customers."

"We look forward to moving ahead and working with HSC," said Doug Hutcheson, Executive Chairman, Kymeta. "We believe this investment will be instrumental in enabling the continued innovation, advancement and commercialization of Kymeta's connectivity solutions. We're excited about the future of Kymeta and the LEO satellite market."

The investment from HSC will further Kymeta's global market reach, accelerate production, and improve the overall growth trajectory of the company. The funding will support increased unit production, enhanced customer experience, and the ongoing development of Kymeta's next generation capabilities. With the capital investment HSC will also receive a seat on the Kymeta Board of Directors.

HSC plans to support Kymeta's metamaterial-based antenna technology and gain a foothold in the rapidly growing Low Earth Orbit (LEO) antenna market.

About Kymeta

Kymeta is unlocking the potential of broadband satellite connectivity, combined with cellular networks, to satisfy the overwhelming demand for comms on the move and making mobile global. Lepton Global Solutions, a Kymeta company, hosts the company's satellite connectivity solutions and offers unique, complete, and turnkey bundled solutions to the market based on best-in-class technologies and tailored customer-centric services that meet and exceed customer mission requirements. These solutions in tandem with the company's flat-panel satellite antenna, the first of its kind, and Kymeta Connect services provide revolutionary mobile connectivity on satellite and hybrid satellite-cellular networks to customers around the world. Backed by U.S. and international patents and licenses, the Kymeta terminal addresses the need for lightweight, slim, and high-throughput communication systems that do not require mechanical components to steer toward a satellite. Kymeta makes connecting easy for any vehicle, vessel, or fixed platform.

Kymeta is a privately held company based in Redmond, Washington.

For more information, visit kymetacorp.com.

About Hanwha Systems

HSC is a leading global solutions company providing differentiated smart technologies in defense electronics and information infrastructure. Since its founding in 1978, the Hanwha Systems has significantly advanced the defense capabilities of South Korea's military. The company has spent more than 40 years developing systems used globally, which are used to develop advanced systems for surveillance, reconnaissance, control, communication, computer, and intelligence (C4I), naval and land.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005324/en/

Contacts:

Business Inquiries for Kymeta:

Brenda Kuhns

Director of Marketing

Kymeta Corporation

bkuhns@kymetacorp.com

Media Inquiries for Kymeta:

Amanda Barry

Director of PR Content

The Summit Group

abarry@summitslc.com
Clearwater Analytics and Sionic Release New Report on the Asset Management Industry's Readiness for 'a Tsunami of Change'

LONDON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global SaaS provider Clearwater Analytics and global consulting firm Sionic have today announced the results of a joint Europe-wide study exploring how ready the European asset management industry is for the Sustainable Financial Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) transparency initiatives.

The report is based on a March-April 2021 survey of 21 European asset managers and 14 asset owners, including insurance companies and pension funds. It looks in detail at the current state of readiness to comply with regulation; the changes required to firms' operations and supporting technology; and the key challenges firms face around data availability and standardisation.

The key findings show that:

Asset owners and managers - reporting is critical

Asset owner key ESG focus areas are:

Reports from managers - 72% of those that receive ESG-related reports from managers would prefer to standardise reports across managers. Only 18% are currently able to do this.

Manager assessment and monitoring - 50% of the sample have ESG specific exclusion policies of whom 64% are monitoring against these restrictions manually, with a preference to automate where possible.

Internal reporting -whilst 79% of firms are incorporating ESG-related info into board reports for example around carbon footprint, this is at early stages and will evolve and mature over time.

Asset managers are focusing on:

80% on front office analytics.

Client reporting - 90% need to comply with SFDR and only 14% have identified an appropriate data source for the indicators.

Compliance and monitoring - a third are extensively including ESG limits in their checks and a further 47% plan to enhance this area.

United Nations Principles for Responsible Investing ( UN PRI ) and Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) are the initiatives that have gained most traction, with 85% of asset managers looking to address SFDR and TCFD together.

Data is key

Data is the biggest challenge for both firm types - coverage, consistency and comparability ranking as the most cited issues.

External data providers are becoming more vital, with 95% of asset managers subscribing to at least one, averaging five, with 60% aiming to increase this number over the coming year.

Asset owners are subscribing to fewer, with half not subscribing to any and the average being one, however 43% said they were looking to increase.

All asset managers are creating their own ESG data, with over 75% creating both scores and company engagement data, whereas 42% of owners are not producing any internal ESG data.

Robert Keller, CFA, Head of Product, Investment Management at Clearwater Analytics comments:

"It's clear that asset managers and asset owners are actively making significant enhancements to their operating model to support sustainable investment activities. But we believe that the increasing in-flow of funds into ESG-related products and growing regulatory interest mean that this is just the beginning of a tsunami of change."

Clare Vincent-Silk, the report's lead author and Partner at Sionic adds: "Sustainable investment is increasing the challenges on data functions that are dealing with disparate, incomplete ESG data sets which are being used as inputs to internal modelling, exclusion checks and reporting. Firms need to have in place an efficient and effective operating model, ensuring that their technology and data platforms offer the flexibility and scale to cope with this evolving type of investment activity, while providing an enhanced internal or external client experience."

Notes to Editors

1.The findings of this report will be released in a Clearwater Analytics-Sionic Webinar beginning at 14.00 BST on Wednesday 26thMay 2021. Media representatives can register to attend here.

2. The full report is available to download here. Some infographics will be available by request, made to the media contacts.

3. This report was commissioned by Clearwater Analytics and conducted and co-authored by Clare Vincent Silk and James Tasker from Sionic's specialist Asset Management Practice.

4. Clearwater Analytics is a global industry-leading SaaS solution for automated investment data aggregation, reconciliation, accounting, and reporting. Each day, the Clearwater solution reports on more than $5.5 trillion in assets for clients that include leading insurers, asset managers, corporations, pension plans, governments, and non-profit organizations - helping investment professionals across 50 countries make the most of their investment portfolio data with a world-class product and client-centric servicing.

5. Sionic is a global consulting firm specialising in financial services. The firm's specialist Asset Management Practice helps leading asset managers, pension funds, insurers and service providers to transform their operating model, technology enablers and strategy, with expertise in end-to-end operating model design; outsourcing strategy and implementation for the front, middle and back-office; regulatory change; market research; benchmarking; product strategy and development; post-merger integration; and data management strategy, system selection and implementation. www.sionic.com

6.Clare Vincent-Silk is a specialist in operations, technology and regulation. She works with a range of asset managers and asset owners on strategy definition, new operating model design, technology and service provider selection, transformation and change.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1502063/ClearwaterLogo__RGB_300_Logo.jpg
Regulatory News:

Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM) will host a live video webcast of a presentation by Jacek Olczak, Chief Executive Officer, Emmanuel Babeau, Chief Financial Officer, and Jennifer Motles, Chief Sustainability Officer, to discuss PMI's environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy. Dr. Moira Gilchrist, Vice President, Strategic Scientific Communications, will join for the question and answer session.

The webcast will be held in a virtual format, in a listen-only mode, and can be accessed at www.pmi.com/2021esg on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at approximately 9:00 a.m. ET. An archived copy of the webcast will be available until 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 1, 2021, on the same site.

The video webcast may also be accessed on iOS or Android devices by downloading PMI's free Investor Relations Mobile Application at www.pmi.com/irapp.

Presentation slides will also be available at www.pmi.com/2021esg. PMI's 2020 Integrated Report, published on May 18, 2021, is available at www.pmi.com/sustainability. Access here the ESG Highlights slide deck which summarizes PMI's 2020 Integrated Report in a more data-driven format for investors and other stakeholders.

Philip Morris International: Delivering a Smoke-Free Future

Philip Morris International (PMI) is leading a transformation in the tobacco industry to create a smoke-free future and ultimately replace cigarettes with smoke-free products to the benefit of adults who would otherwise continue to smoke, society, the company and its shareholders. PMI is a leading international tobacco company engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes, as well as smoke-free products, associated electronic devices and accessories, and other nicotine-containing products in markets outside the U.S. In addition, PMI ships versions of its IQOS Platform 1 device and consumables to Altria Group, Inc. for sale under license in the U.S., where these products have received marketing authorizations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) pathway; the FDA has also authorized the marketing of a version of IQOS and its consumables as a Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP), finding that an exposure modification order for these products is appropriate to promote the public health. PMI is building a future on a new category of smoke-free products that, while not risk-free, are a much better choice than continuing to smoke. Through multidisciplinary capabilities in product development, state-of-the-art facilities and scientific substantiation, PMI aims to ensure that its smoke-free products meet adult consumer preferences and rigorous regulatory requirements. PMI's smoke-free product portfolio includes heat-not-burn and nicotine-containing vapor products. As of March 31, 2021, PMI's smoke-free products are available for sale in 66 markets in key cities or nationwide, and PMI estimates that approximately 14.0 million adults around the world have already switched to IQOS and stopped smoking. For more information, please visit www.pmi.com and www.pmiscience.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005670/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations:

New York: +1 (917) 663 2233

Lausanne: +41 (0)58 242 4666

Media:

Lausanne: +41 (0)58 242 4500

Iro.Antoniadou@pmi.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - NSJ Gold Corp. (CSE: NSJ) (FSE: 9PZ) ("NSJ" or the "Company") announces the completion of its drill program at its Golden Hills Project. In total, 16 holes were completed totaling 4,145 feet (1,263 meters). These holes ranged in depth from 20 feet to 400 feet (6 to 122 meters) depending on the target. One of these targets is the main high grade gold zone, which has proven to be at least 290 feet (88 meters) long and is part of an 1,870 foot (570 meter) long IP anomaly. Three other IP anomalies were tested, with their lengths totalling approximately 5,330 feet (1,625 meters). All holes reached their intended depths.

All 828 samples from the drill program are currently at ALS labs for geochemical analysis. Before analysis, all samples were securely stored and always in the property of a site geologist or field technician. All drill holes will be analyzed with a standard, blank, and blind duplicate in their assay runs. Gold, silver, copper, and iron concentration analysis will be performed on all samples. The results of these assays will be reported as soon as they are completed, certified, and plotted. The analysis is expected to take somewhere between 3 to 6 weeks.

Qualified Person

Richard Kern, Certified Professional Geologist, a qualified person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Kern is not independent of the Company as he is Vice President of Exploration of NSJ Gold Corp.

NSJ also announces that it has issued 100,000 common shares in its capital at a deemed price of $0.20 per share to a Director and Officer in settlement of $20,000 in debt. The shares are subject to a statutory 4-month hold and are so legended.

About NSJ Gold Corp.

NSJ holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Golden Hills Project (the "Property") in Arizona, USA, subject to a 3% net smelter returns royalty. The property is located 100 miles west of the Kay mine (owned by Arizona Metals Corp.) and 80 miles south of the Moss Mine (owned by Northern Vertex Mining Corp.). The Property consists of 7 patented claims and 114 unpatented mining claims covering a total of 2,370 acres (9.6 km2). NSJ's management team possess extensive experience in financing, exploration, development and mining.

WWW.NSJGOLD.COM

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Jag Sandhu, CEO and President 778-218-9638

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85261
Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Altiplano Metals Inc. (TSXV: APN) (WKN: A2JNFG) ("Altiplano" or the "Company") is pleased to present recent exploration results and a proposed location for a new decline that will target the existing workings and also access a second mineralized system at the Maria Luisa gold-copper mine. The Maria Luisa project is located within the Atacama Region 100 km north of La Serena in Incahuasi, Chile.

The Maria Luisa project hosts gold-copper mineralization in two major NW-SE and N-S trending vein systems. Historical mining has largely been from the main NW-trending system, the Maria Luisa vein, (Figure 1) which is an anastomosing set of structures traceable for approximately 500 metres along-strike. Limited underground workings exist on the N-S vein system and there are no known production records or grades available in this area. However, recent surface and underground grab and chip sampling results along the N-S vein system indicate that this system may be of similar caliber to the Maria Luisa Vein. An underground chip sample from the N-S vein system returned 8.73 g/t gold over 5.75 metres, confirming continuity from surface where recent grab samples have returned up to 4.96 g/t gold and 3.51 % copper*. Anomalous gold-copper surface rock grab sampling of the N-S vein system defines a strike extent of over 450 metres that remains open.

An extensive road network on the project and favourable topography are proving very valuable as the Company designs the future underground development. A proposed portal entrance and southwest oriented decline (Figure 1) will allow for the development of both vein systems in tandem and provide excellent exploration and discovery opportunities as the decline is advanced between the two vein systems.

CEO Alastair McIntyre commented "Maria Luisa is a high-grade gold copper project that has yielded excellent grades from previous drill sampling and historical underground workings. In addition, the results of our recent underground sampling along a previously underexplored zone to the NE of the project are also very encouraging. These results provide the Company an excellent opportunity to further explore and develop the asset by connecting both high grade zones with our proposed underground decline system. Our next steps are to finalize engineering studies and submit the appropriate applications to begin the development work."

Property Geology

The vein ranges between 1-5 metres in width with associated structures including faults, magmatic-hydrothermal breccias, and tectonic breccias. Numerous other structural and vein systems on the project have not been effectively explored and could provide additional upside.

Mineralization

The mineralization was emplaced in two different stages:

Au-rich mineralization consists of specular hematite-quartz banded veins with epithermal textures including open spaces, crustiform quartz, and bladed calcite indicative of boiling. Grades up to 25 g/t Au across 1.6 m obtained from a vein of massive hematite suggest an association between Au and hematite, although supergene enrichment is suspected due to the presence of jarosite. This stage is brecciated and cut by a second stage of mineralization. Cu-rich mineralization consists of magmatic-hydrothermal breccia with abundant angular fragments of stage I mineralization and andesitic rock either clast-supported or cemented by siderite and iron-copper oxides.

Figure 1 - Location and sample map.





To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4303/85304_c8d9bb71b4a87896_001full.jpg

*Rock chip samples from outcrop/bedrock are selective by nature and may not be representative of the mineralization hosted on the project. Channel sample 001 is composite in nature and comprised of six samples that range in length from 0.7-1.2 metres. The reported gold value is a weighted average.

Recent Diamond Drilling

A limited four-hole, 495 metre diamond drill program was completed in 2017 that was intended to test mineralization below the historical workings of the main Maria Luisa vein system (Figure 1). The drill program intersected both the hematite Au-rich mineralization with hole 17MLD001 (1 m @ 6.95 g/t Au and 0.03% Cu), and Cu-rich mineralization with hole 17MLD003 (0.6m @ 5.90% Cu and 0.22 g/t Au). However, core recovery within the mineralized structures (fault gouge) was very poor ranging between 45 and 60%.

Historical Resource and Exploration Target

The Maria Luisa veins consistently yield significant grades of gold, with recent selective mining (2013 to 2015) of over 600 tonnes with an average grade of approximately 6.85 grams per tonne (g/t) Au and 1.89 percent (%) Cu (M. Dufresne, NI 43-101 Technical Report, February 2017). An exploration target has been defined for the Maria Luisa Property based upon the historical resource estimate conducted by ENAMI, recent underground sampling and mapping, historical production records and the author's own sampling and three-dimensional modelling. The target ranges from 200,000 to 400,000 tonnes with a range in grades of 1.5% Cu and 2 g/t Au to 2.5% Cu and 5 g/t Au. This estimation of quantity and grade is conceptual in nature with insufficient work to define a mineral resource, and further exploration may or may not define a resource at Maria Luisa (M. Dufresne, NI 43-101 Technical Report, February 2017). In addition, a decision to commence underground development at the Maria Luisa site is not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability and there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks of failure associated with this decision.

About Altiplano

Altiplano Metals Inc. (TSXV: APN) is a Canadian mining company focused on the acquisition and development of near-term cash flowing assets and exploration projects of significant scale. Altiplano's goal is to grow into a mid-tier producer of copper, gold and silver with immediate plans of generating profits from three cash flowing projects in 2021. Management has a substantial record of success in capitalizing on opportunity, overcoming challenges and building shareholder value.

John Williamson, B.Sc., P.Geol., a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this document.

Altiplano is part of the Metals Group of companies, managed by an award-winning team of professionals who stand for technical excellence, painstaking project selection and uncompromising corporate governance, with a proven ability to capitalize on investment opportunities and deliver shareholder returns.

www.metalsgroup.com

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4303/85304_c8d9bb71b4a87896_002full.jpgwww.metalsgroup.com

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

/s/ "John Williamson"

Chairman

For further information, please contact:

Alastair McIntyre, CEO

alastairm@apnmentals.com

Tel: (416) 434 3799

Jeremy Yaseniuk, Director

jeremyy@apnmetals.com

Tel: (604) 773-1467

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

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify any historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves and the issuer is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Any decision to commence production is not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability and there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks of failure associated with any production decision. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and title and delays due to third party opposition, changes in government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85304
CHICAGO, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report on the "Crane and Hoist Market by Type (Mobile Cranes, Fixed Cranes), Operations (Hydraulic, Electric, Hybrid), Industry (Construction, Shipping & Material Handling, Automotive & Railway, Mining, Aerospace & Defense, Energy & Power) - Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Crane And Hoist Market size is expected to grow from USD 26.0 billion in 2021 to USD 33.0 billion by 2026; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2021 to 2026. The key factors driving the growth of the market significant demand from construction industry, expanding mining industry, increased use in shipping industry.

Ask for PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=31538625

"Type-wise, mobile crane segment captured the larger market size of the overall crane and hoist market in 2020"

The mobile crane segment held the larger share of the global crane and hoist market in 2020. The growth of the mobile cranes segment is majorly driven by their features such as high mobility, high traveling speed, and requirement of less time to set them up on construction sites. The use of mobile cranes in the mining, construction, aerospace, shipping & material handling industries has gained popularity, where lifting and lowering activities require extensive displacements of objects, materials, or equipment.

"Operation-wise, hydraulic operations segment captured largest market size of the overall crane and hoist market in 2020"

The hydraulic operations segment held the largest share of the global crane and hoist market in 2020. The growth of the hydraulic-operated cranes market is driven by their increasing demand in construction and material handling activities. The use of hydraulic technology ensures efficient use of energy and reduces the need for power. Hydraulic cranes are widely used for hoisting and moving heavy materials in warehouses and industrial workshops. Moreover, hydraulic cranes are used in the transport, manufacturing, and construction industries. The retraction length of hydraulic cylinders is 20-40% of the fully extended length. Therefore, telescopic hydraulic cylinders are ideal for limited mounting space, and a long stroke is required. The use of hydraulic cranes is increasing owing to the space constraint in different industries, such as construction and shipping & material handling, and assembly lines. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the growth of the overall crane market, which has consequently hampered the growth of the hydraulic-operated crane market.

"Industry-wise, construction segment to grow at the highest rate from 2021 to 2026"

The construction industry has undergone substantial changes in recent years because of the global recession, which has led to the downsizing of the industry in developed markets. However, the investments regarding construction in most emerging markets have continued to grow at a moderate rate despite the global crisis. Earth-moving equipment is mainly used for construction works such as digging the earth, lifting, loading and unloading weight, and leveling. Applications of cranes in earth-moving equipment include heavy loading, high cycle rating, and accurate movement. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the global construction industry by delayed projects and decreased investments in the infrastructure sector. With the development of vaccination against COVID-19, the real estate and infrastructure projects across the globe are expected to slowly gain pace and lead to the growth of the construction industry. China has already launched the "New Infrastructure" campaign to offset the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These factors are expected to result in a high growth rate of the crane market for the construction industry.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Crane and Hoist Market"

187 - Tables

64 - Figures

230 - Pages

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"APAC to record highest CAGR from 2021 to 2026"

APAC is expected to hold the largest share of the crane and hoist market and is estimated to witness the highest rate during the forecast period. Asia Pacific is the most rapidly growing market and offers high opportunities for the construction industry, which is driven by the growing population. Construction and material handling industries have boomed rapidly and consequently have driven the market for cranes in India, China, and Australia. The growing awareness related to automation and the increasing emphasis of leading economies such as China and Japan on construction and material handling industries are some of the primary factors contributing to the largest market share of APAC. Besides, the rapid growth of the automotive, construction, and aerospace & defense industries in emerging economies, such as China and India, is also supporting the growth of the crane market in APAC

Major players involved in the crane and hoist market include Konecranes (Finland), Liebherr (Germany), Tadano (Japan), Terex (US), Zoomlion (China), Ingersoll Rand (US), Palfinger (Austria), Columbus McKinnon (US), Kito (Japan), Kobelco (Japan), Sumitomo Heavy Industries (Japan), ABUS Kransysteme (Germany).

Related Reports:

Hydraulics Market with COVID-19 Impact Analysis, by Components (Motors, Pumps, Cylinders, Valves, Filters, Accumulators, Transmissions, Others), Type (Mobile hydraulics and Industrial hydraulics), End User, and Region - Global Forecast to 2025

Automated Material Handling Equipment Market by Product (Robots, ASRS, Conveyors and Sortation Systems, Cranes, WMS, AGV), System Type (Unit Load, Bulk Load), Industry (Automotive, Metals & Heavy Machinery, E-commerce), and Region - Global Forecast to 2026

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-The escalating need for increasing the shelf life of automotive engines and the rising concerns about the growing emission levels will serve as vital growth factors for the ZDDP additives market

-The ZDDP additives market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 1.6 percent during the forecast period of 2019-2027

ALBANY, N.Y., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The automotive industry has observed tremendous advancements over the years. With the advancements in the automotive industry, the quality and build of the engines used in the vehicles have also evolved at a rapid rate. The utilization of various additives and formulations in engine oils to increase the engine's shelf life and efficiency has swelled in popularity. All these aspects will serve as good growth opportunities for the ZDDP additives market across the assessment period of 2019-2027.

Zinc Dialkyl Dithiophosphate (ZDDP) is a mixture of zinc and phosphorous that is commonly used as an additive to engine oils. It is a compound that is vitally used as an antiwear additive in automotive engine oils. It helps in avoiding surface micro-welding and wear and tear caused due to consistent metal to metal contact. The additives have a large number of benefits that make them appealing to the end-users. All these factors bode well for the growth of the ZDDP additives market.

Request for Covid-19 Impact Analysis on ZDDP Additives Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/Covid19.php

The analysts at Transparency Market Research (TMR) have estimated the ZDDP additives market to expand at a CAGR of 1.6 percent during the forecast period of 2019-2027. The global ZDDP additives market stood at a valuation of US$ 2,760.1 mn in 2018 and is prognosticated to reach US$ 3,183.8 mn by 2027, the end year of the forecast period.

The thriving automotive industry will bring extensive growth opportunities for the ZDDP additives market. The growing disposable income and the rising urbanization levels have led to an increase in the sales of automobiles to a considerable extent. These aspects will serve as vital growth contributors to the ZDDP additives market. Furthermore, the use of ZDDP additives in combination with other additives such as detergents, acid neutralizers, and dispersants will also bring profitable growth for the ZDDP additives market.

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Key Findings of the Report

Stringent Regulations Relating to Check Emission Levels to Bring Promising Growth for the ZDDP Additives Market

The government bodies of numerous countries have imposed strict regulations regarding emissions. ZDDP additives help in improving the quality of the engine and enable fewer emissions. Various countries have pledged to keep emission levels in check because of the growing concerns regarding enormous pollution levels. These factors will have a positive impact on the growth of the ZDDP additives market.

View Detailed Table of Contents at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/31028

Overwhelming Benefits Attached to ZDDP Additives will Bring Immense Growth Prospects

ZDDP additives have a variety of advantages that prove to be growth pillars for the market. The additives serve as a barrier against moisture to eliminate rust formation. The anti-wear properties of ZDDP additives also make them one of the most preferred options for end-users. The additives also serve as oxidation inhibitors. Oxidation can be described as the process of aging of a lubricant.

The oxidation process downgrades the properties of the lubricant. ZDDP additives slow down the oxidation process and assure a good shelf life for the lubricants. All these factors bring exponential growth for the ZDDP additives market.

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ZDDP Additives Market: Key Players

A massive number of players contribute largely to the growth of the ZDDP additives market. Some well-established players in the ZDDP additives market are:

ZPlus, LLC

Prasol Chemicals Pvt. Ltd.

The Lubrizol Corporation

Rislone CamGuard

Chevron Oronite Company LLC

Mukund Anderson Inc

AMSOIL

Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Chemicals and Materials Industry,

Performance Minerals Additives Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/performance-minerals-additives-market.html

Ammonium Sulfate Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ammonium-sulfate-market.html

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What impresses you about China's diplomacy?

Xinhua) 10:54, May 26, 2021

BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- "It is not a utilitarian but an active diplomacy of mutual benefit for all parties."

Experts, political party leaders and former diplomats have weighed in on what distinguishes China's foreign policy under the leadership of the CPC.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Bianji)
The staff of the Litchfield Jazz Festival is presenting the fourth installment of their free virtual concert series for April.
SHENZHEN, China, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dreame Technology, a global leading company in smart home cleaning appliances, joins the "G100 Global Selling Plan" of AliExpress. As the one and only home appliance brand, Dreame Technology signs abrand strategic cooperation agreement with AliExpress on May 26 in Shenzhen.

"The brand strategic cooperation agreement marks a closer cooperation between Dreame Technology and AliExpress. It motivates us to develop high-class products for consumers and build up Dreame's superior brand in home appliance field worldwide", said CEO and founder of Dreame Technology, Yu Hao.

By virtue of its endurable product quality, intelligent and user-friendly functions in home cleaning and prominent performance at AliExpress, Dreame Technology has been awarded as the Fastest Growing Brand of 2020 by AliExpress in April, 2021 and its cordless stick vacuum T20, V11, V10 have been ranked as the top sellers on AliExpress.

Since 2020, sales volume of Dreame cordless stick vacuum has achieved the TOP 1 in AliExpress French market and successfully become one of the best new brands in Europe. During the AliExpress Black Friday campaign in the same year, Dreame official store ranked the highest sales value within the home cleaning appliance category.

"We have visited Dreame's smart factory and talked with their experts in the fields of R&D, quality assurance and supply chain. Their passion and dedication for smart home appliances and high-end technology is impressive. I believe Dreame Technology would grow into a top home appliance brand with global influence in the near future," said a senior executive of AliExpress.

Dreame Technology has launched a live streaming product event on May 8, 2021. This successful event attracted over 100,000 global viewers with 205,000 visits for Dreame Bot L10 Pro on AliExpress and its inventories sold out within 2 days in Russia.

About Dreame Technology

Established in 2015, Dreame Technology, an innovative consumer product company focuses on smart home cleaning appliances with the vision to empower life through technology.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

For more information, please visit https://www.dreame-technology.com.

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Boise, Idaho--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Extreme Biodiesel, Inc.'s (OTC Pink: XTRM) Board of Directors provides this update to shareholders and the public.

The Company's subsidiary, North Star Homes ("NSH"), is making much progress for 2021.

Extreme Biodiesel, North Star Homes is proud to announce that the Company has started horizontal development on 3 of its upcoming projects here in the Treasure Valley with completion of over 50 available lots for NSH to start vertical construction on late this fall. The market continues to grow as Idaho is the fastest growing state in the US and the inventory of new homes for sale remains at all-time lows. This all bodes well for how the Company has positioned NSH for 2021 and beyond. The Company expects to hit sales in 2021 of 50 plus homes and in 2022 in excess of 100 plus homes. The Company's ability to both develop and build gives it a distinct advantage over most builders of comparable size when buildable lots are becoming a more limited commodity. At the same time, this will enable the Company to better compete with the many National Builders moving into the Treasure Valley. The Company hopes to establish a niche between the smaller builders, who will feel increasing pressure, and the large National builders, who will be applying that pressure. The Company will also capitalize on its long-standing reputation for quality as well as strong, local subcontractor and supplier partnerships, all of which are key contributors to the Company's growth.

NSH currently has 20 plus homes under construction at this time and is expecting record sales to finish out 2021.

NSH has some exciting news coming soon regarding two new locations outside of Boise which will allow NSH to continue to grow not only in Boise but other markets that are a good fit for NSH.

Also, the Company is very excited to be moving forward with a company name change and a company stock symbol change and have filed with Finra to begin the process for that corporate action.

Vinnie Angelos, CEO, stated, "We continue to grow at a fast but stable pace. We look forward to a very productive future. With a corporate action in place for a name and symbol change, we are setting the Company up for some exciting future endeavors. Becoming a quality home builder is not only a goal, it's a promise. We take great pride in what we have built so far, despite all that has happened in 2020. Let's keep on building and growing, together."

Vic Devlaeminck, CFO, stated, "I am excited to see all of the great things happening with this company. With all of the changes and projects currently in the planning stages, the future looks very bright for us."

Company's websites https://xtrm-northstar.com https://www.northstaridaho.com please follow us on twitter @XTRMBio.

Disclaimer: The Company relies upon the Safe Harbor Laws of 1933, 1934 and 1995 for all public news releases. The Company may make forward-looking public statements concerning its expected future operations, performance and other developments. Such forward-looking statements are estimates that reflect the Company's best judgment based upon current information. All investments involve risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that other factors will not affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements. It is impossible to identify all such factors. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by the Company include, but are not limited to, government regulation; managing and maintaining growth; the effect of adverse publicity; litigation; competition; and other factors which may be identified from time to time in the Company's public announcements.

Contact:

Extreme Biodiesel, Inc.

info@xtrm-northstar.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85340
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Mondelez International Inc. (MDLZ) said that it agreed to buy a European Snacking Company, Chipita S.A. for about $2 billion. The perimeter of the transaction does not include P.G. Nikas S.A., a meat-processing business, or Chipita S.A.'s minority interest in its Indian joint venture. Mondelez plans to fund the purchase price through a combination of new debt issuance and existing cash. Mondelez expects the transaction to be immediately accretive to earnings per share from closing. The transaction is subject to relevant antitrust approvals and closing conditions. Chipita was established in Greece 40 years ago. It is a producer of salty and sweet snacks in Central and Eastern Europe, with about $580 million of revenue in 2020. The company has a portfolio of iconic brands that among others include: 7Days, Chipicao, and Fineti. It has 13 production plants with presence in over 50 countries and employs more than 5,100 employees. 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.
Company extends battery life by 5x as industry's highest-rated trackers now leverage Wi-Fi

Solving the 10M+ per year pet loss problem, Tractive is the highest rated tracker, trusted by users in 175 countries

Tractive, the most trusted GPS device in the world for providing round-the-clock, real-time location tracking for dogs and cats, today announced that it has closed $35 million in growth funding led by Guidepost Growth Equity. The investment will accelerate innovation and adoption of the company's industry-leading pet tracking device, which currently serves over 400,000 active subscribers across 175 countries, the largest network in the world. Guidepost General Partner, Chris Cavanagh, and consumer subscription model expert and former Ancestry and Lynda.com executive, Andrew Wait, will join Tractive's board of directors. Entrepreneur and former Chairman and CEO of Partner in Pet Food, Attila Balogh, also participated in the investment -- the company's first since it began selling devices in 2013, as Tractive has been cash flow positive since inception.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005346/en/

Tractive Raises $35 Million and announced significant improvements to the battery life of its latest generation GPS tracker for dogs and cats. With new software that leverages an owner's WiFi to reduce unnecessary battery strain when pets are at home, Tractive has extended battery life by 5x. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Additionally, Tractive announced significant improvements to the battery life of its latest generation GPS tracker for dogs and cats. With new software that leverages an owner's WiFi to reduce unnecessary battery strain when pets are at home, Tractive has extended battery life by 5x.

Today's news comes as Tractive expands its reach in the U.S. market. The U.S. has quickly become Tractive's fastest growing region since the soft launch of its LTE Dog Tracker in July 2020, and the U.S. is on track to be Tractive's largest market over the course of 2021. With its new funding, Tractive is focused on executing its plans to aggressively scale. The company will invest heavily in customer acquisition and product development, pursuing new partnerships and distribution opportunities, and adding key personnel to oversee U.S. growth. Andrew Bleiman, an established leader in pet tech, joins Tractive as EVP of North America, while Martin Theissen, formerly SVP at Trivago, has been named VP of Marketing.

Designed to Bring Peace of Mind to Every Dog and Cat Parent

Founded by a veteran team of consumer tech experts, Tractive has a long track record of finding missing dogs and cats in geographies all over the world. In the U.S., approximately 10 million dogs are lost each year, and 34% of owners lose their cat or dog at least once in its lifetime. Though most dogs or cats are found within the first few hours, Tractive recognizes that it is scary and stressful for any pet owner when their loved one goes missing; every minute counts. Tractive solves the problem by providing industry-leading GPS live tracking with no distance limits. It also refreshes every two-to-three seconds, much faster than any pet tracker on the market today, enabling owners to quickly locate their pet, wherever they may roam.

"Tractive is like a seatbelt for your dog or cat. It provides coverage when and where they need it," said Michael Hurnaus, CEO and co-founder of Tractive. "We designed Tractive to deliver the best possible experience, with up-to-the second information, so that all pet parents can care for their dogs and cats the way they want and deserve -- whether that means monitoring activity levels to reduce the risk of obesity or tracking a dog or cat that slipped out of the yard."

Feature-rich Device Delights Consumers

Currently, Tractive offers its industry-leading GPS live tracking, virtual fence setting and alerts, along with activity and fitness tracking. The device also leverages a dog's or cat's collected activity, sleep and motion data to inform pet owners of any potential health issues or concerns. The goal is to provide early warnings to Tractive subscribers who, in turn, can connect with a vet if any irregularities are detected. To accomplish this, the Tractive team works closely with vets, as well as dog and cat researchers, to ensure its devices accurately monitor the most relevant general health metrics.

Additionally, Tractive has established roaming capabilities on more than 600 mobile operator networks and multiple carriers in the United States. This removes virtually all geographic limitations and enables tracking in some of the most remote areas where dogs or cats can easily get lost.

Tractive is the highest rated tracker in the world, trusted by users in 175 countries. Because of this combination of factors, it was featured in the popular Amazon Original Series, The Pack. Currently, Tractive has more than 400,000 active subscribers -- the largest subscription base of any player in the space. It consistently delivers a retention rate comparable to the best known subscription businesses in the U.S.

"Tractive is the global market leader and boasts an impressive leadership team, a compelling vision for the market, an innovative product and roadmap and exceptional customer retention rates," said Chris Cavanagh of Guidepost. "We are excited to leverage our background in the animal health technology sector, as well as our experience supporting Europe-based companies expanding into the U.S. market, and are thrilled to help the company fully realize this tremendous opportunity."

"I've been following Tractive for many years and am extremely impressed with Michael's leadership and the Tractive team's accomplishments," Attila Balogh added. "I look forward to supporting Tractive's future growth as they ensure each dog's and cat's safety and ease the minds of owners by allowing them to monitor their pet's location and activity level."

The Tractive GPS tracker is currently available for dogs and cats eight pounds and up. Priced at $49.99, it is the best priced tracker in the U.S., with the industry's lowest monthly subscription rate. Find out more at www.tractive.com.

About Tractive

Tractive was founded in 2012 in Austria by a group of paw-ssionate entrepreneurs looking to make lost pets a thing of the past. They specialize in the development of pet tech, wearables and apps. In addition to their GPS trackers and the Tractive GPS app, the company uses its extensive pet data and expertise to come up with ways to delight its users and make the world a better place for cats and dogs.

About Guidepost Growth Equity

Guidepost Growth Equity is a leading growth equity firm that partners with technology companies offering innovative solutions in large, dynamic markets including tech-enabled services, application software, data and information services, and infrastructure software and services. Current and prior investments include OutSystems, WP Engine, Lucid, Dyn (acquired by Oracle), Jive Communications (acquired by LogMeIn), and ProtoLabs (IPO on NYSE). Guidepost Growth Equity provides the flexible capital, operational support, and strategic guidance necessary to support the continued success of growth-stage businesses and has over $1.3 billion of capital under management. For more information, please visit our website at guidepostgrowth.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005346/en/

Contacts:

Editorial Contact:

Amber Moore

GMK Communications for Tractive

amber@gmkcommunications.com
Kanfer Shipping AS ("Kanfer"), the Norway-based shipping company focusing on small-scale LNG sea transportation and LNG bunkering, today signed shipbuilding contract with China-based Taizhou Wuzhou Shipbuilding Industry Co. Ltd ("Taizhou") for the construction of its first two small-scale LNG bunker and distribution ships with 6,000 cbm tank capacity each. Kanfer had signed an LOI with Taizhou in January earlier this year. The vessels are scheduled for delivery by second half 2023, with the option to build additional vessels.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005689/en/

Mr. Stig Hagen, Founder and CEO of Kanfer Shipping and Mr. Pan Xuejian, President of Taizhou Wuzhou Shipbuilding Industry Co. Ltd. sign the shipbuilding contract for the construction of its first two small-scale LNG bunker and distribution ships. (Photo: Business Wire)

"Taizhou has deep experience in building small-scale LNG carriers and Kanfer's technological partner, CGR Arctic Marine AS, has worked closely for years with the yard. This relationship and their competitiveness have made Taizhou an ideal choice for construction of Kanfer's 6,000 cbm capacity small-scale vessels," says Founder and CEO Stig Hagen of Kanfer Shipping.

CGR's concept design for these two LNG bunker and distribution ships including their specialized cargo and gas process plants, addresses the immediate industry need for more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly LNG bunkering. Key features include:

Mono-tank design, with simple arrangement and minimal boil-off

Pure gas electric power production combined with hybrid battery technology

Lowest possible environmental footprint

Extreme manoeuvrability with Azipull thrusters and bow thruster combined with joystick operation

500 cbm MDO cargo tank

The above technical features allow for both capex and opex savings:

Reduced crew size

Lower operational and maintenance costs

Minimal boil-off

Significant capex savings due to LNG-fueled vs dual-fueled design

These savings result in lower day-rates for our customers while at the same time offering excellent functionality and clear environmental benefits.

Taizhou Yard has extensive experience with building gas carriers. CGR Founder, Capt. Bard Nordberg, has been leading the design construction of 10 small-scale gas carriers at the shipyard, including several LNG vessels. Such extensive ship-building experience is unique in this space, and Kanfer is excited to leverage this.

"This announcement represents an important step for Kanfer in realizing its goal to provide cost-efficient and environmentally friendly bunker vessels. Having strong cooperation with blue-chip shipping companies and LNG terminal owners has positioned Kanfer to move forward today with these two new LNG bunkering vessels," said Mr. Hagen.

"This is just the start", continues Mr. Hagen. We will be building a large fleet of small- and medium-scale LNG distribution and bunkering ships. We see a rapidly expanding market for LNG bunker vessels as the world maritime industry continues to pivot towards its decarbonisation goals through LNG. The current very modest orderbook for new LNG bunkering vessels makes our decision well-timed, especially now that equivalent, new-built vessels to be delivered in 2022 and 2023 have already been chartered out. The need for the emergence of new LNG bunkering centres will indeed be critical as the trading pattern for gas-driven vessels will be global and very diversified. The existing hubs will also need to expand to cater for growing demand and for the requirement of different sizes of bunkering and distribution ships that Kanfer is in a position to build. This is one of the reasons why Kanfer is confident that the timing is advantageous. The designed for purpose vessels offers lower CAPEX as well as OPEX and will be a competitive LNG bunkering vessel in the market."

For more information about Kanfer Shipping, visit: http://kanfershipping.com/home/

For more information about CGR Arctic Marine, visit: https://www.cgrmarine.com/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005689/en/

Contacts:

MEDIA

Kanfer Shipping: Stig Anders Hagen, Tel: +47 413 599 80 or stig@kanfershipping.com.

CGR Arctic Marine AS: Bard Norberg, Tel: +47 913 18 441 or bard@cgrmarine.com
Curve raises 7.5m from nearly 9,000 investors since going live yesterday

Curve smashes its own 2019 crowdfund record 6m raised in under 3 hours

Curve, the fast-growing financial super app, today announces that its crowdfund campaign will close on Thursday 27 May at 1500 BST. At the 7.5m mark, nearly 9,000 customers and retail investors have taken part in the round since it went live at 0900 BST yesterday.

The announcement that the crowdfund will close in 24 hours comes after Curve smashed its own 2019 crowdfund record a day earlier, raising 6m in just 2 hours 49 minutes. In its September 2019 campaign, Curve raised 6m in 4 hours 42 minutes.

Prospective investors, including new and existing customers, will now have a final opportunity to share in Curve's future success following the rapid growth it has seen recently. Full details of the crowdfund can be found live on Crowdcube's website [http://www.crowdcube.com/curve].

Key highlights from Curve's crowdfund:

Over 3.1m raised in 30 minutes

7.2m raised in 24 hours

Nearly 9,000 investors to date

The proceeds of the crowdfunding round and its successful Series C round will be used to fuel the company's international expansion and product innovation.

Curve will provide a full overview of its crowdfunding round when it closes on Thursday 27 May at 1500 BST.

ENDS

About Curve

Curve is an all in one financial super app. Its mission is to be a one-stop shop for all the financial needs of a consumer; a single point of access to a wide range of financial products and services, bundling together all your money into one smart card and an even smarter app. Unlike other services available in the market today, Curve allows customers to connect and supercharge their legacy banks to the 21st century, without leaving their bank or signing up to a new bank. Curve is live in 31 markets across the UK and European Economic Area (EEA).

Curve provides a host of benefits to its customers:

Combines a customer's Mastercard and Visa debit and credit cards in one card.

Enables customers' cards to fit into Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, FitBit Pay and many more, even if their banks do not support this integration.

Curve provides 1% cash back on selected retailers for the first 30 days, or for an unlimited time on Curve's paid subscriptions.

With Curve's patented Go-Back-In-Time feature, Curve customers may be able to swap their spend to a different account, up to 90 days after the purchase was made.

Increased security and privacy Curve simplifies customers' lives by providing them with only one pin to remember; keeping other sensitive card numbers safe by using Curve when spending online; providing real time spending notifications and the ability to lock the Curve card directly from the app.

Peace of mind Curve's premium Metal offering provides mobile phone insurance and travel insurance to ensure customers can focus on living their lives, rather than worrying about losing their phone or bags when they travel.

Curve supports Mastercardand Visa networks. The Curve Card and e-money, related to cards issued in the UK, is issued by Curve OS Limited, authorised in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority to issue electronic money (firm reference number 900926). The Curve Card and e-money, related to cards issued in the EEA, is issued by Curve Europe UAB, authorised in Lithuania by the Bank of Lithuania (electronic money institution license No. 73 issued on 22 of October, 2020).

For more information go to www.curve.com, like our Facebook page and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter @imaginecurve and Instagram @imaginecurve.

About the crowdfund

This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale or subscription in any jurisdiction, and should not be relied upon in connection with any offer. Any investment decision should be based solely on the basis of the terms of the investment, which will be made available to eligible potential investors in due course.

Not for release, publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the USA, Canada, and Japan or any other state or jurisdiction in which such release, publication or distribution would be unlawful.

Investing involves risk and should be done only as part of a diversified portfolio. Investing equity in start-ups and early stage businesses involves risks, including illiquidity, lack of dividends, loss of investment and dilution. Crowdcube is targeted exclusively at investors who are sufficiently sophisticated to understand these risks and make their own investment decisions. Approved as a financial promotion by Crowdcube Capital Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (No. 650205).

END

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005742/en/

Contacts:

For media enquiries

Charley Bray

Email: charley.bray@imaginecurve.com
Boca Raton, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - CYIOS Corp. (OTC Pink: CYIO), a publicly traded holding company with subsidiary businesses focused on crypto-lending/deposits and specialty branded products in the Health and Wellness markets, is pleased to introduce three new members to its Advisory Board. The CYIOS Advisory Board is comprised of accomplished industry leaders who provide valuable insight in exciting growth areas such as crypto-product development, crypto & real estate lending, and crypto-technology development.

Mr. John O'Shea, Chairman of CYIOS, commented, "We are thrilled to welcome three, additional, well-respected industry leaders to the Advisory Board, as we accelerate our growth and seek new, strategic business opportunities. We look forward to the positive contributions of our now five member Advisory Board team at a time the Company continues to seek expansion and partnership opportunities that can build value for shareholders. With the addition of Ms.Danijella Dragas and Ms. Min Kim last week, we welcome our newest members Ally Medina, Ryan Luther and Nasser Azimi."

Ally Medina: Ms.Medina is a blockchain expert and is highly knowledgeable in the areas of crypto-legislation and crypto-product development. She proudly served the people of Emeryville, CA as Mayor of City and currently serves as City Council Member through 2024. She has a decade of state and local policy experience with an expertise in blockchain technology and serves as the Executive Director of the Blockchain Advocacy Coalition, an organization that educates policymakers and advocates for smart blockchain legislation that will allow the industry to grow in California and nationwide.

In 2020, Ally co-founded Paloma Pay (www.palomapayinc.com) where she currently serves as CEO. Her expertise in blockchain regulation and understanding of the struggles cannabis businesses face without adequate banking inspired her to create the Paloma Pay platform as a contactless payment solution that eliminates uncertainty about using cryptocurrency. She founded the Company to initially serve the needs of the un-bankable, such cannabis dispensaries in need of an alternative to traditional banking. . The Paloma Pay platform was developed by regulatory experts to make crypto safe and easy for businesses owners to accept. Ally and her team developed an easy-to-use crypto payments platform that allows users to accept cryptocurrency from their customers and deposit dollars into their account.

Ryan Luther : Ryan is crypto-technology expert and specializes in crypto-product development. For the past several years he has applied his expertise to tackle the unique challenges of UX for new cryptocurrency users, working on projects from blockchain browser extensions to cryptocurrency payments. Ryan currently serves as Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of Paloma Pay. With a passion for product design, technology and crypto, Ryan was instrumental in developing the Paloma Pay platform for customers in need of an end to end crypto payment solution.

Nasser Azimi: Mr. Azimi has over 25 years of experience as a business executive delivering complex and large-scale technology solutions for retail, wholesale, business administration, education, financial management, and government service delivery. Mr.Azimi currently serves as the President of Ohana Cannabis (www.ohanacannabis.com) and responsible for the development and implementation of upscale and hi-tech cannabis retail and wholesale facilities across California. He leads a team of over 260 cannabis retail specialists and consultants as well as scientists, software developers, growers, and manufacturers who are collectively responsible for transformation of Ohana's hi-tech vertically integrated cannabis operations across California under 20 State licenses and growing. Mr. Azimi is also the founder of Teranomic Software specializing in Drone solutions for private and public entities. He oversees software development and operational implementation of drone solutions used in agriculture, traffic management, and package delivery.

In addition to today's advisory board members, the Company previously announced Ms. Dragas and Ms. Kim, two well respected industry leaders to the advisory board;

Danijella Dragas : Ms. Dragas is Founder and CEO of The Lending Corporation LLC. Since founding the company 13 years ago, Danijella has expanded the Lending Corporation from the ground up and now offers a complete line of residential mortgage, commercial lending, structured financing, refinancing and specialty loans. The Company employs a knowledgeable staff of experienced mortgage bankers with an operations team that is second to none. By constantly updating loan programs, and pricing based on market patterns, the Company can ensure that delivery of extremely competitive rates combined with optimal mortgage structuring. She earned a BS in Economics/International Trade and Banking from the prestigious University of London. Ms. Dragas was one of the original team members that introduced Bear Stearns mortgages to the residential wholesale market. She is extremely competent in international banking and taxes proving to be an asset in dealing with the foreign national marketplace.

www.linkedin.com/in/danijella-dragas

Min Kim: Ms. Kim is a leading blockchain, cryptocurrency and crypto-lending expert and advisor, having guided the growth of numerous companies in the crypto space. Min currently serves as CMO at Polygon, and has engaged with more than 30+ startups in the crypto space as a marketing and partnerships consultant including some of the largest crypto startups out of India, Vietnam, China, and Russia.. Most recently, she served as Head of Marketing and Business Development at Cred, Huobi US, and was the first U.S. employee at TRON Foundation. From the early days of her career, she has surrounded herself with some of the most successful and influential crypto business leaders including having begun her crypto career working with Tim Draper on blockchain initiatives. A Dartmouth College graduate, Ms. Kim is fluent in four languages and has a passion for entrepreneurship and social networking. Ms. Kim is the founder of BLOCULTURAL an advisory company that specializes in planning blockchain events and assists crypto Companies with marketing, PR, community building, and coordinating investor dinners.

www.linkedin.com/in/minkim

CONTACT INFORMATION

Public and Investor Relations:

Marko Radisic

admin@cyioscorporation.com

Investors are encouraged to follow CYIOS using:

www.twitter.com/cyioscorp

Follow Helio Lending:

https://heliolending.com/

https://twitter.com/heliolending

About CYIOS Corporation

CYIOS Corporation is a publicly traded holding company with subsidiary businesses Helio Lending and Choice Wellness Inc. Through these subsidiaries, the Company is focused on crytocurrency lending through Helio's CeFi Aggregator platform, and Choice Wellness is focused on developing and marketing specialty branded products in the Health and Wellness markets, including the "DR's CHOICE" and "24" brand of products. The team has in-depth knowledge of the health and wellness markets, financial services industry, medical and health services, and blockchain. The Company looks to develop, distribute, and license proprietary products as well as evaluate potential acquisition opportunities. Further, the Company continues to seek and evaluate attractive business opportunities and to leverage its resources and expertise to build a diversified, sustainable business model. For more information, please visit www.cyioscorporation.com.

About Helio Lending, PTY LTD.

Founded in 2018, Helio Lending has developed a CeFi cryptocurrency lending platform, with headquarters in Australia. Recognized as the first to market in Australia, Helio Lending was the first independent crypto lending company to actively lend within Australia. Helio has since evolved and positioned itself as the first CeFi (centralized finance) aggregator worldwide. Helio has a large panel of partners providing access to the best rates and offers for crypto loan providers as well as offering a competitive yield generating platform. Helio Lending provides holders of cryptocurrency (such as Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin and Ripple) with a safe and secure way to access fiat funds at the best rates, without selling any of their cryptocurrency. Helio also allows holders to earn rates on their cryptocurrency.

About ChoiceWellness, Inc.

ChoiceWellness, Inc. is a health and wellness company that has brought to market the DR's CHOICE line of products, as well as the "24" Brand Hand Sanitizer products. DR's CHOICE was developed with a mission to offer Doctors and Medical Practitioners their own Professional Grade CBD BRAND with a suite of products they could stand behind and be confident to offer to their patients. Our customers can be assured that DR's CHOICE CBD products have gone through the highest scrutiny of testing for purity, potency and quality. DR's Choice products have been brought to market for Doctors and Medical Professionals seeking a better solution for patients suffering from pain, inflammation, anxiety or other persistent symptoms. For more information please visit www.choicewellnessbrands.com or email us at info@choicewellnessbrands.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This release contains "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements also may be included in other publicly available documents issued by the Company and in oral statements made by our officers and representatives from time to time. These forward-looking statements are intended to provide management's current expectations or plans for our future operating and financial performance, based on assumptions currently believed to be valid. They can be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "would," "could," "will" & other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements relating to future sales, earnings, cash flows, results of operations, uses of cash and other measures of financial performance. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others such as, but not limited to economic conditions, changes in the laws or regulations, demand for products and services of the company, the effects of competition and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or represented in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking information provided in this release should be considered w/ these factors in mind. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this report.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85344
Leading MSS Invests in World-Class Talent, Powerful Automation and Cloud Capabilities to Solidify Itself as a Leader in MDR

Trustwave, a leading managed security services provider focused on managed detection and response, today announced the appointment of two new members to its senior leadership team.

Spencer Ingram, senior vice president, operations, will drive strategy for customer experience and systems and processes that support the overall global business. Spencer previously served in managed security services (MSS) leadership positions at IBM and Secureworks, where he led global teams across security engineering, operations, security information and event management (SIEM), and service desk and vulnerability management to provide service delivery to thousands of global clients, representing hundreds of millions in annualized subscription revenue. At Secureworks, Spencer drove the significant expansion of gross margin and served as a key operational lead during the company's initial public offering (IPO).

Oriana Vogel, chief human resources officer, will spearhead the optimization of the company's talent, learning and development programs, and performance culture. Prior to Trustwave, Oriana served as a top human resources leader at Discover Financial Services. She led all Business Partners and Talent Centers of Excellence and established Discover's first-ever Human Resources Management System (HRIS) and Shared Services function. Oriana has also held senior human resources leadership roles at Amazon and American Express. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Trustwave also promoted two internal leaders on its senior leadership team. Marco Pereira has been promoted to senior vice president of strategy and transformation, and Edwin Lim has been promoted to general manager, Asia.

MDR Market Growth Fuels Trustwave Momentum

The appointments and promotions of top talent to Trustwave's senior leadership team come during a high-growth period for the managed detection and response (MDR) market.

"MDR is recognized as the next most important advancement in the Managed Security Services (MSS) market, rapidly expanding and demonstrating high double-digit growth," states Martha Vazquez, senior research analyst at IDC Security Services.

"Trustwave is actively elevating the level of our talent to support our strategic direction and growth, as well as heavily investing in integrating innovative technologies like machine learning and cloud capabilities into our Fusion Platform," said Trustwave CEO Eric Harmon. "We are combatting the surging advanced threat landscape and answering the market's need for world-class managed detection and response by continuing to evolve."

IDC Recognizes Trustwave's Strategic Direction and MDR Investments

Leading market intelligence firm IDC published a new commentary, "Trustwave Executes Strategic Initiatives to Focus on MDR," (Doc lcUS4772532, May 2021) which dives into the company's strategic direction and emphasis on its purpose-built and cloud-native Trustwave Fusion open XDR platform.

IDC states, "Trustwave has indicated a tremendous focus and investment in the Fusion Platform." According to the IDC Link, "Trustwave sees the cloud-native platform playing a critical role in its broader vision in the cloud security services space as the aggregator of cloud platforms from a security perspective, connecting 'all of the relevant dots' in the multi-cloud world."

Trustwave Receives Top Industry Accolades

Trustwave was named a Strong Performer and one of the top 9 "Providers That Matter Most" to clients in terms of current capability in the first-ever Forrester Wave for Managed Detection and Response. Trustwave was also recognized as a leader in the Q3 2020 Forrester Wave for Global Managed Security Services Providers positioning itself to strongly execute in the pure-play MDR market and, with its leadership in MSS, excel in crossover MDR/MSS service offerings.

Trustwave recently won "Top Managed Security Operations Center (SOC)" in the Microsoft Security 20/20 Awards and the "Market Leader in Global Managed Threat Detection and Response" category in the 2021 Global Infosec Awards.

To read the full IDC Link, "Trustwave Executes Strategic Initiatives to Focus on MDR," visit this page. For more information about Trustwave Managed Detection and Response, please visit our website.

About Trustwave

Trustwave is a leading cybersecurity and managed security services provider focused on threat detection and response. Offering a comprehensive portfolio of managed security services, consulting and professional services, and data protection technology, Trustwave helps businesses embrace digital transformation securely. Trustwave is a Singtel company and the global security arm of Singtel, Optus and NCS, with customers in 96 countries.

For more information about Trustwave, visit https://www.trustwave.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005752/en/

Contacts:

Edward Fernandez

Trustwave

+1 (312) 702-2497

Edward.Fernandez@trustwave.com
The "Europe Cable Joint Market Size, Share, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2020 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report provides in-depth analysis of the Europe cable joint market size (US$ Million) and compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) for the forecast period (2021- 2028), considering 2020 as the base year

Growth in the electrical and electronic industry due to the increasing production of electrical products is a prime factor propelling market growth of cable joints. Rapid urbanization coupled with the robust growth of the power sector around the globe is also expected to propel the market growth of the cable joint.

Up-gradation in the electronic infrastructure across emerging markets coupled with the development in the various manufacturing sectors such as automotive, oil &gas, mining, and petrochemicals, etc. are further anticipated to augment the market growth of cable joints. Technological advancement in the cable joints by manufacturers is another major factor expected to fuel the market growth.

Market Dynamics

Increasing railway projects is expected to drive the market growth during the forecast period. The growing demand for railways in developed countries is increasing the demand for better rail infrastructure. In addition, some of the countries in Europe are also planning to invest in railway infrastructure, which increases the demand for cables cable joints in the region.

For instance, in 2020, Britain railways planned to invest approximately $50,000 million for the development of new trains and upgrading existing tracks. Furthermore, increasing safety concerns in the railway industry are also driving the market growth. The advancements in technologies can lead to higher energy consumption.

To minimize power consumption, most of the companies are focusing on developing energy-efficient systems, which consume less electric energy. Railway manufacturers are focusing on improving the safety and security of railways by replacing existing systems with advanced systems. Therefore, the growing installation of high-end electronics and safety features in the metro, light, and high-speed rails is increasing the demand for cable joints in the market.

Key features of the study:

It elucidates potential revenue opportunities across different segments and explains attractive investment proposition matrices for this market

This study also provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approvals, and competitive strategies adopted by the leading market players

It profiles leading players in the Europe cable joint market based on the following parameters company overview, financial performance, product portfolio, geographical presence, market capital, key developments, strategies, and future plans

Companies covered as a part of this study include Prysmian Group, General Cable Technologies Corporation (Prysmian Group), Nexans S.A., NKT A/S, ABB Ltd., 3M, Cable Jointing Solutions, Fujikura, Yamuna Power, Cellpack Electrical Products, Connect Cable Accessories Co., Ltd., Consumers Electric Corporation (Pvt) Ltd., IES Components Limited

Insights from this report would allow marketers and management authorities of companies to make informed decisions regarding future product launches, product upgrades, market expansion, and marketing tactics

The Europe cable joint market report caters to various stakeholders in this industry including investors, suppliers, managed service providers, third-party service providers, distributors, new entrants, and value-added resellers

Stakeholders would have ease in decision-making through various strategy matrices used in analyzing the Europe cable joint market

Detailed Segmentation

Europe Cable Joint Market, By Type:

Indoor

Outdoor

Europe Cable Joint Market, By End-use Vertical:

Power

Communication

Others

Companies Mentioned

Prysmian Group

General Cable Technologies Corporation (Prysmian Group)

Nexans S.A.

NKT A/S

ABB Ltd.

3M

Cable Jointing Solutions

Fujikura

Yamuna Power

Cellpack Electrical Products

Connect Cable Accessories Co., Ltd.

Consumers Electric Corporation (Pvt) Ltd.

IES Components Limited

Key Topics Covered:

1. Research Objectives and Assumptions

2. Market Purview

3. Market Dynamics, Regulations, and Trends Analysis

4. Europe Cable Joint Market, By Type, 2021-2028 (US$ Million)

5. Europe Cable Joint Market, By End-use Vertical, 2021-2028 (US$ Million)

6. Europe Cable Joint Market, By Country, 2021-2028 (US$ Million)

7. Competitive Landscape

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1i2mml

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005784/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

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ROCKVILLE, Md., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Certification Academy under Inteleos announced a pilot project with MedGlobal and the Global Ultrasound Institute as the selection of their MissionPOCUS project for 2021. As the fourth MissionPOCUS project since the initiative's inception in 2018, Inteleos' MissionPOCUS will award these organizations a joint grant that will establish an innovative education program to assess the feasibility of training healthcare providers in POCUS remotely. The program will employ POCUS to address respiratory pathologies in rural clinics of Bangladesh, ultimately enhancing clinical decision making, improving resource utilization, and optimizing patient health outcomes.

The site of the training program is the difficult to access Rohingya Refugee Camp in the district of Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh. There, the refugee population stands at roughly 1 million and is at high risk from communicable disease and early death. "This is one of the most vulnerable communities of people on the planet, and respiratory illness is among the most dangerous for children and elderly in this population. The opportunity to have a clinician make confident, rapid, and accurate diagnoses in the Camp will completely change the quality of care. With POCUS, providers can treat onsite instead of transferring or referring out- which saves lives," said Kevin Bergman, Founder, Global Ultrasound Institute.

The 2021 MissionPOCUS project emulates the commitment of the POCUS Certification Academy to lay the foundation for greater integration and utilization of POCUS in rural regions and developing countries. For more information about MissionPOCUS or this pilot program, visit pocus.org/MissionPOCUS.

About Inteleos

Inteleos is a non-profit certification organization that delivers rigorous assessments and cultivates a global community of professionals dedicated to the highest standards in healthcare and patient safety, representing over 117,000 certified medical professionals throughout the world. The POCUS Certification Academy, under Inteleos, offers rigorous clinical certification, POCUS education and training packages, and community building opportunities for clinicians in over 100 countries. The POCUS Certification Academy allows healthcare providers to demonstrate their ultrasound skills and abilities, assess their proficiency, and promote best practices in POCUS.

MedGlobal is a humanitarian and health non-governmental organization (NGO) working to serve vulnerable communities around the world by providing innovative, free, and sustainable healthcare. Our health services support refugees, displaced persons, and other marginalized communities in conflict-affected and low-resource settings around the world.

Global Ultrasound Institute (GUSI) is community of expert POCUS educators and practitioners who are passionate about sharing their craft globally. As leaders in POCUS education, GUSI has trained over 1,000 residents and attending physicians from 15 countries to date. They are joined by 30+ POCUS instructors representing specialties as diverse as internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, cardiology, critical care, pre-hospital/EMS, global health, and more.
There is no place for any of this anywhere in our school system, the officials continued. We recognize that racism and privilege exist in our society. As a district we have committed ourselves to examining our school system and our school culture and to dismantling any practices that support inequality, privilege, and racism.
May 26, 2021

Collaboration takes a Silicon Valley approach to the Quadruple Aim, setting new standard for modern healthcare with end-to-end cloud-based interoperability and innovative AI

Amsterdam, the Netherlands and San Francisco, CA - Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), a world-class biomedical research hub and health system, today announced a partnership to develop technology that will enable a modern, more streamlined experience for patients and set a new standard for healthcare delivery.

UCSF will use Philips HealthSuite to oversee the development of technologies that leverage Artificial Intelligence to enable personalization and make it easier for patients to select providers, access their health information and receive virtual care at home, while also easing the burden on care providers with intuitive workflows and real-time decision support. Philips' open API-based ecosystem will foster the level of third-party innovation that, combined with UCSF's clinical expertise, can achieve these goals. With end-to-end interoperability and orchestration, the cloud-based system enables Philips' products, systems, devices and services to work seamlessly with those developed by partners and third parties, reflecting the diversity of delivery systems and technology partners held by both Philips and UCSF.

Address lack of interoperability

The work will address the significant challenge of integrating data from the multitude of often incompatible software systems that generate and track patient information, a problem that is intensifying as health systems expand their networks and extend care beyond hospitals and clinics into the community. The lack of interoperability often requires manual re-entry or hunting down of data among the different systems. Integrating these different data streams will ease the burden on clinical staff, provide richer analytics and enable more coordinated orchestration of care across diverse settings.

"Our goal in partnering with Philips is to serve our patients better," said Aaron Neinstein, MD, associate professor of medicine and director of clinical informatics at UCSF's Center for Digital Health Innovation. "The services we enable on this platform will help people more easily find the right provider for the care they need, eliminating the worries and delays people often experience. We know that people need convenient access to care, whether for their acute symptoms or chronic conditions, and we can provide a more comprehensive, continuous feeling of support from their care team enabled by virtual and in-person experiences across their care journey."

The co-developed solutions will power coordination and the frictionless flow of care across traditional boundaries of geography, hospital or site of care. "Over the past few years, UCSF Health has developed a network of high-quality providers across the Bay Area who share our vision to make healthcare more accessible, affordable and personalized," said Shelby Decosta, President of UCSF Health Affiliates Network and Chief Strategy Officer for UCSF Health. "Our partnership with Philips will empower UCSF Health with navigation tools to bring this vision to life across our network of world-class hospitals, community clinics and outpatient centers, as well as through virtual care."

The agreement includes a combination of applied research and digital solution implementation, ranging from developing advanced artificial intelligence algorithms and virtual care delivery solutions to enable a more continuous, connected care experience, to connecting multiple hospitals to better coordinate a patient's care journey. The partners will create and share best practices with the healthcare industry, focused on advancing the Quadruple Aim: better healthcare, at lower cost, with improved outcomes, while enhancing the experience for both patients and staff.

"We need to work together if we are going to move healthcare forward, and we are inspired by UCSF's willingness to push the boundaries of technology innovation and transform care for their patients," said Vitor Rocha, Chief Market Leader for Philips North America and member of the Executive Committee. "As consumers, we have come to rely on technology to make our lives easier, such as trusting the cloud to manage our financial data, our commerce and our education. With this partnership, we are looking to simplify healthcare in the same way and make technology solutions pay dividends when it comes to the patient's time and health."

For further information, please contact:

Silvie Casanova

Philips North America

Tel.: +1 781 879 0692

E-mail: silvie.casanova@philips.com

Mark Groves

Philips Global Press Office

Tel.: +31 631 639 916

E-mail: mark.groves@philips.com

Laura Kurtzman

University of California, San Francisco

Tel.: +1 415 317 3760

E-mail: laura.kurtzman@ucsf.edu

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips.

About UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco, or see our Fact Sheet .

Attachment
ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / May 26, 2021 / Findit, Inc. (OTC PINK:FDIT), owner of Findit.com, a full-service social networking platform which provides online marketing campaigns and tools for members to increase brand awareness through content creation and sharing, resulting in indexing in search engines is highlighting: Velox Insurance, Johnny Wooten, US Air Purifiers and Titan Roofing.

In today's release, Findit will be highlighting four featured members that are utilizing Findit marketing services which help improve overall web presence through search and social media. Findit offers a full suite of marketing services to each of these clients, from content creation to social sharing to video production and more to heighten their overall online presence, aiding them in reaching the audience that is looking for them throughout the web.

Our first featured member on Findit is Velox Insurance. Since 2003, they have been serving communities around Atlanta, GA with affordable insurance. Velox Insurance, Inc was established with the goal of providing competitive rates and superior customer service to meet insurance needs of their customers in the Southeast. Their commitment to excellence in providing affordable coverage and value to their customers has propelled their growth to 9 states and 40 locations throughout Georgia and Florida. Velox strives to provide reliable, fast service and to obtain the best coverage at the lowest price for your vehicle, property and business insurance needs. They are able to accomplish these goals by partnering with dozens of major insurance companies, which allows us them to select the appropriate coverage at the best rate in just a short few steps. Customers can visit their online platform to get a quote and purchase immediate coverage online in a matter of minutes. This platform has allowed them to expand to Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Check rates online and compare insurance quotes with Velox to find the best insurance for your home or vehicle.

Follow Velox Insurance on Findit



findit.com/best-car-insurance-quotes

Our second featured member is Johnny Wooten. Johnny Wooten is an auto detailing and car care products store that operates the website johnnywooten.com and is open to the public at their Winston Salem location. Individual car lovers, commercial auto spas and independent detailers can purchase high quality, competitively priced auto detailing products from Johnny Wooten in person or online to baby their car, truck or SUV. Johnny Wooten is committed to exceptional customer service and wants you to be happy with your purchase, offering hassle free returns and exchanges. Their products are perfect for commercial auto detailing shops, too. Findit has produced several videos for Johnny Wooten during their campaign to assist with improving their online presence. Videos are used in content created on Findit and the video in this release is one that was produced for Johnny Wooten.

Follow Johnny Wooten on Findit

findit.com/car-care-products

Our third featured member is US Air Purifiers. US Air Purifiers LLC is a USA based small business that is family owned by a female (WOSB) and a disabled, retired veteran. Their 5 Star Customer Rating and A+ BBB review among other certificates originate from their basic business philosophy, the backbone of their company: "Treat each and every customer the way we want to be treated". They have a wide range of residential and commercial air purifiers to meet your air cleaning needs. From air purifiers that purify the air in a single room to the entire home, customers can shop by brand, size, filter type, use, and price. They also have a great selection of silent air purifiers for living spaces, bedrooms, nurseries and home offices. Customers who need assistance with selecting the right purifier for their needs can call US Air Purifiers at 888-231-1463.

Follow US Air Purifiers on Findit

findit.com/airpurifiers

Our final featured member is Titan Roofing. Titan Roofing has had an on-going monthly marketing campaign with Findit for several years now. They have claimed a total of 17 names on Findit to target the services that they offer in the areas that they provide those services in. Titan Roofing is a locally owned and operated roofing company in Charleston, SC, that serves the Greater Charleston Area, including Mount Pleasant, Goose Creek, Summerville, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, and more. Recently, Titan Roofing acquired a sheet metal fabrication machine, the Cidan K25-30 Combi, and they now offer professional sheet metal fabrication services for metal roofing for other roofing companies, businesses, and individuals. Findit's campaign shifted focus to this new service across Charleston, SC, to help improve exposure for keywords surrounding metal roofing fabrication services and sheet metal fabrication.

Titan Roofing has expanded their marketing campaign to cover three new areas: Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, and Beaufort. Findit set up three new Findit sites for these new locations, targeting metal roofing installation services and metal roofing repair services for both residential and commercial property owners. Get in touch with Titan Roofing today by calling 843-647-3183.

Follow Titan Roofing on Findit

findit.com/charleston-metal-roofing-contractors

Claim your Name on Findit today with a Findit URL. Findit URLs are $9.95 per month, and each name only exists once on Findit. There is no limit to the number of URLs that you can have, and URLs that are not renewed on a monthly basis do have the ability to be claimed by other people or businesses.

Some of the videos embedded in this release were produced by Findit as part of the marketing campaigns provided to these companies.

Findit also welcomes individuals who are looking to post the content that they want seen and shared without censorship. Findit does not have algorithms in place that controls which posts show up and which posts do not and does not censor content unless it is of pornographic or terroristic nature or inciting violence.

Want to be a featured member on Findit? Get in touch with us at 404-443-3224 or email clark@findit.com.

Download the Findit App today and let the world see what you have to say and share with them.

Google

Apple

About Findit, Inc.

Findit.com, which is a Social Media Content Management Platform that provides an interactive search engine for all content posted in Findit to appear in Findit search. The site is an open platform that provides access to Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other search engines access to its content posted to Findit so it can be indexed in these search engines as well. Findit provides Members the ability to post, share, and manage their content. Once they have posted in Findit, we ensure the content gets indexed in Findit Search results. Findit provides an option for anyone to submit URLs that they want indexed in Findit search result, along with posting status updates through Findit Right Now. Status Updates posted in Findit can be crawled by outside search engines, which can result in additional organic indexing. All posts on Findit can be shared to other social and bookmarking sites by members and non-members. Findit provides Real Estate Agents the ability to create their own Findit Site where they can pull in their listing and others through their IDX account. Findit, Inc., is focused on the development of monetized Internet-based web products that can provide an increase in brand awareness of our members. Findit, Inc. trades under the stock symbol FDIT on the OTC Pinksheets.

Safe Harbor:

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including statements regarding potential sales, the success of the company's business, as well as statements that include the word believe or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Findit, Inc. to differ materially from those implied or expressed.

CONTACT:

Clark St. Amant

404-443-3224

SOURCE: Findit, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/649153/Findit-Features-Members-Velox-Insurance-Johnny-Wooten-US-Air-Purifiers-and-Titan-Roofing-Who-Benefit-From-Online-Marketing-Services-Provided-by-Findit


MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - The stage is set for U.S. President Joe Biden's first meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.



The meeting between the leaders of the world's two super powers is scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 16.



'The leaders will discuss the full range of pressing issues, as we seek to restore predictability and stability to the U.S.-Russia relationship,' said a statement issued by the White House announcing the high profile summit.



'They are expected to spend a fair amount of time on strategic stability, where the arms control agenda goes following the extension of New START,' Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at a news conference.



The President will also raise Ukraine, underscoring America's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Washington's grave concerns over the developments in Belarus, she told reporters.



This will be one of the three high-profile international meetings that Biden attending in Europe on three consecutive days.



The President will be in Brussels for the NATO summit on June 14. He will meet with heads of the European Council and European Commission the following day.



'We have much to do together, from climate change to health, from trade and multilateralism to geopolitical challenges', European Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen said about the upcoming EU-US summit.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
MIAMI, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shortly after the Italian Prime Minister announced a plan to reopen Italy to foreign travelers, South Florida-based travel news site, Live in Italy Magazine (http://www.liveinitalymag.com/) reached an all-time high in website traffic. Over 23,000 page impressions in the past week indicates the pent-up demand for travel to il Bel Paese. However, as the tourism industry door swings open, plans for how to continue travel without jeopardizing businesses and the environment will need to be considered. Live in Italy Magazine aims to connect travelers or people wishing to live in Italy with locals so they can discover the real Italy. Plus, offer a personalized marketing strategy accessible to all sizes of businesses.



"Live in Italy Magazine is my pandemic, passion project," comments Lisa Morales, founder and editor-in-chief. "The magazine idea was born from a conversation about how to give exposure to both small and large Italian businesses impacted by the tourism industry shutdown during COVID."

As a result the small team has created a 360 digital marketing platform that includes a website; digital magazine; YouTube channel; social media; and audio interviews currently available on SoundCloud, but will eventually turn into a podcast. This strategy goes way beyond SEO and the objective is to tell compelling stories and feature in-depth video interviews.

Contributing writers are from Florida, New York, Cozumel, the UK and Italian regions: Piemonte, Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Umbria, Lazio and Sicily. Most articles are in English and some are offered in Italian since after the United States, the second largest readership is from Italy. While the remaining readers come from English speaking countries, the largest growing audience is from Italian descendants living in Argentina. Morales plans to add a Spanish translation of the website.

The Format Includes :

Chat with An Expat: Interviews with foreigners now living in Italy and giving back to the local economy. The magazine's first YouTube interview with New Yorkers, Ashley and Jason Barter who run La Tavola Marche inn and cooking school in Le Marche, has been viewed over 32,000 times. Other popular interviews have been with filmmaker, Kylie Flavell from Australia; Ohioan, Katie Quinn (author of Cheese, Wine and Bread: Discovering The Magic of Fermentation in England, Italy and France); Podcaster, Rafael Di Furia; Katie Harris (UK) of Easy Italian; and Chantelle Kern (Canadian) co-founder of The Italian On Tour.

Real Estate and 1 Euro Homes: Real Estate stories have received about 32,000 views in the past 90 days and an article about 1 Euro Homes has generated many inquiries both from the website and magazine's social media.

Living in Italy: Marco Permunian of Italian Citizenship Assistance discusses Italian Citizenship by Descent and the many benefits of acquiring it. Readers can also take a virtual Italian lesson.

Food and Wine: What better way to learn about regional Italian food and its history, as well as native grapes and boutique wineries than from Italians? Live in Italy Magazine's food and wine writers are certified experts.

Top 8: In an effort to support local, Live in Italy features some of its new Instagram followers in a monthly round-up. Follow and tag @liveinitalymag for consideration.

"My passion project has become their passion project," concludes Morales. "The magazine has quickly evolved to become a story of the Italian people. The amount of stories waiting to be told by both our writers and the people we interview can't be tapped! I am touched by the emails, direct messages and social media conversations that we receive each day."

Live in Italy Magazine is offering customized advertising packages and in-house content creation services at special prices, from now until the end of 2021. They will work with businesses to develop an affordable marketing program. For information, email sales@liveinitalymag.com (mailto:sales@liveinitalymag.com). Send story ideas to liveinitalymag@gmail.com (mailto:liveinitalymag@gmail.com). Peruse the website, digital magazine, video interviews at www.liveinitalymag.com (http://www.liveinitalymag.com). Follow @liveinitalymag on social media and YouTube.

About Lisa Morales

Lisa Morales has over three decades of experience in marketing, public relations and journalism that began in her birthplace, Toronto, Canada. She owns Allegory PR Services, a boutique public relations and marketing agency and is the Public Relations and Social Media Manager for Pace Advertising. She formed Live in Italy Magazine in September 2020 and acts as its editor-in-chief while continuing to write for a variety of visual arts and travel publications. Seeking solace from her marketing life, Lisa cooks and blogs about her food and wine pairing adventures, travel and art escapes. She continues to study the visual arts and photography online, is WSET 2 Certified with Distinction and a member of the International Food Wine Travel Writers Association.

Media Contact : Lisa Morales, 786.440.6552, lisa@allegorypr.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/877c502b-94a9-4fba-8aa8-5a02f0877132 (https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/877c502b-94a9-4fba-8aa8-5a02f0877132) (Photo 1: Moped in front of typical Italian shop.  Shutterstock License)

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/516d8835-65ad-4a50-b31f-653720ee3646 (https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/516d8835-65ad-4a50-b31f-653720ee3646) (Photo 2: Lisa Morales, founder of Live in Italy Magazine  Michelle Van Tine Photography)
Regulatory News:

AKKA Technologies (Paris:AKA) (BSE:AKA) (ISIN:FR0004180537), a European leader in engineering consulting and R&D services, is proud to announce its involvement in the construction of a constellation of nearly 300 satellites for one of the world's largest global satellite operators.

This multi-year contract, worth about 20 million for AKKA, entails the development of a fleet of 300 state-of-the-art Low Earth Orbit satellites integrated with on-ground data networks, having onboard processing, phased array antennas and inter-satellite links.

For the next two years, AKKA will mobilize its European Centers of Expertise, to intervene during the entire product lifecycle from R&D to the launch of satellites. This project will involve up to 100 of the Group's consultants with advanced skills in all fields of space engineering: system design and architecture definition, mechanical and thermal conception and analysis, embedded software development, critical system testing and global system integration.

Stephane Latieule, Executive VP Aerospace Defence at AKKA France, commented: "We won this contract thanks to our innovative end-to-end solutions approach. We will focus on technical blocks involving global system engineering, mechanics and thermal, software simulation and testing, operations and avionics. Leveraging on our near 40 years of experience in the aerospace industry, AKKA was the sole competing provider able to deliver the full range of engineering and digital solutions for a project requiring multi-domain synchronization, a challenging schedule and a high production rate

ABOUT AKKA

AKKA is a European leader in engineering consulting and R&D services. Our comprehensive portfolio of digital solutions combined with our expertise in engineering, uniquely positions us to support our clients by leveraging the power of connected data to accelerate innovation and drive the future of smart industry. AKKA accompanies leading industry players across a wide range of sectors throughout the life cycle of their products with cutting edge digital technologies (AI, ADAS, IoT, Big Data, robotics, embedded computing, machine learning, etc.) to help them rethink their products and business processes. Founded in 1984, AKKA has a strong entrepreneurial culture and a wide global footprint. Our 21,000 employees around the world are all passionate about technology and share the AKKA values of respect, courage and ambition. The Group recorded revenues of 1.5 billion in 2020. AKKA Technologies (AKA) is listed on Euronext Paris and Brussels segment B ISIN code: FR0004180537.

For more information, please visit: https://www.akka-technologies.com/

Follow us on: https://twitter.com/AKKA_Tech

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005836/en/

Contacts:

Stephanie Bia

Group Communications Investor Relations Director

Tel: +33(0)6 47 85 98 78

stephanie.bia@akka.eu

Media Relations France

Alexandra Paleologue

Director Communications France

Tel: +33(0)6 03 33 10 48

alexandra.paleologue@akka.eu
Good evening,

Please find below the press release issued today.

Best regards,

___________________________________________________________________

Marishka Martins

Group PR Consultant | Marketing & Creative Services

Capgemini India | Mumbai

www.capgemini.com

Tel.: +91 9930835325

Email: marishka.martins@capgemini.com

_____________________________

As FinTech firms become increasingly profitable, traditional banks counter with branded digital-only subsidiaries

Paris, May 26, 2021 - FinTechs are approaching their next maturity milestone - profitability - as they demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic with verticals recording double-digit growth despite sector-wide operational and financial challenges. In response to FinTechs' growing popularity among consumers and close proximity to profits, traditional banks are creating digital-only entities to appeal to specific customer segments, according to the World FinTech Report 2021 from Capgemini and Efma .

More than half (51%) of FinTechs expect their capital reserves to be affected as costs related to staffing, onboarding, and data storage surged during pandemic lockdowns. Yet, despite the volatile environment, the FinTech sector reported 11% YoY deal activity growth in Q4 2020, after four consecutive years of decline. FinTechs with a diverse product portfolio are winning investor backing, too. As they've matured, FinTechs have proven to be competent competitors and partners; and the report tracked a 9% increase in deal activity in late-stage FinTechs from 2019 to 2020.

Global adoption of digital models during the pandemic also positioned FinTechs to capture market share while sparking sector competition and turning up the heat on incumbent banks. Twenty-five percent of global consumers on the lookout for faster delivery, personalized services, and convenience say they would try banking products from new-age players.1

However, while consumers increasingly accept FinTechs, they continue to trust traditional banks, and 68% say they would try a digital-only offering operated by their primary bank. Yet decades of operational patches and intertwined legacy technologies and business models present significant transformation challenges for incumbents. Moreover, COVID-19 aftershocks illustrate that delaying action is no longer an option.

"FinTech-inspired digital journeys need to become crucial strategic paths for banks across the board. However, players need to be sharp and specific as they move. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and banks cannot create all digital subsidiaries equally," comments Anirban Bose, CEO of Capgemini's Financial Services and Member of the Group Executive Board. "Players capable of achieving long-term growth and profitability today will be tomorrow's FinTech-era success stories."

Potential for seamless digital engagement is clear

Incumbents are preparing to leverage their strengths (global reach and customer trust) while addressing their weaknesses (legacy IT and customer experience) to remain relevant into the future. Putting the user first is a top priority, and as the sector evolves, banks need to cater to specific markets and meet consumer demand locally. Banks acknowledge the potential of seamless digital engagement. Of the banking executives surveyed, 63% said a digital-only subsidiary enables ubiquitous banking, 50% said it drives new products to market faster, and 52% said it makes collaboration with the ecosystem easier thanks to plug-and-play functionality.

The report outlines three approaches - Greenfield, Bluefield, and Brownfield - for incumbents creating a digital-only subsidiary and recommends a right-field methodology that defines a vision, develops a robust foundation, and drives long-term growth through an enabling culture. However, legacy mindsets and business models hinder the digital-only bank journey - including a lack of long-term parent support (47%), unwillingness to support short-term strategic cannibalization of the parent firm customer base (43%), and more than half (55%) struggling to address weak digital-only propositions. As FinTechs continue to gain influence and market share, traditional banks must evolve a hybrid model through behind-the-scenes modernization of their middle- and back-office operations while creating multiple digital-only entities to serve specific customer segments.

"Pandemic fallout has made the traditional retail banking environment even more demanding. For incumbents to remain relevant, now is the time to embed finance within customer lifestyle and embrace platform-based models - procrastination is no longer an option," said Efma CEO John Berry.

The report also provides a four-stage approach for mature FinTech firms seeking long-term growth and profitability. Phases include product diversification to attract a broader customer base, ecosystem orchestration to create new strengths, monetization of services, capabilities, or data - and expansion into new markets.

Consumers voice interest in green banking

Beyond the market competition impetus, incumbents are also experiencing mounting societal and regulatory pressure to shift toward green and sustainable practices. According to the Global Retail Banking Voice of the Customer survey 2021, 65% of consumers globally want banks to reduce their carbon footprint by following paperless processes, consuming renewable energy, and offering biodegradable cards. Nearly a third of consumers would pay an additional charge for green products and services - or shift to a new provider for environmentally and socially friendly products. By their very nature, digital-only banks are well placed to support sustainable finance - with paperless processes and zero branch networks.

Report methodology

The World FinTech Report 2021 draws on insights from three primary sources - the Global Retail Banking Voice of the Customer survey 2021, the Retail Banking and FinTech Executive surveys and interviews 2021, and the World FinTech Report 2021 Executive Steering Committee consisting of executives representing banks, FinTechs, technology partners, VCs, and business enablers, across the globe. Together, these primary research sources cover insights from 33 markets: Australia, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

About Capgemini

Capgemini is a global leader in partnering with companies to transform and manage their business by harnessing the power of technology. The Group is guided every day by its purpose of unleashing human energy through technology for an inclusive and sustainable future. It is a responsible and diverse organization of 270,000 team members in nearly 50 countries. With its strong 50 year heritage and deep industry expertise, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to address the entire breadth of their business needs, from strategy and design to operations, fueled by the fast-evolving and innovative world of cloud, data, AI, connectivity, software, digital engineering and platforms. The Group reported in 2020 global revenues of 16 billion.

Get The Future You Want | www.capgemini.com

About Efma

A global non-profit organization established in 1971 by banks and insurance companies, Efma facilitates networking between decision-makers. It provides quality insights to help banks and insurance companies make the right decisions to foster innovation and drive their transformation. 120 financial groups in 133 countries are Efma members. Headquartered in Paris. Offices in London, Brussels, Andorra, Milan, Stockholm, Bratislava, Warsaw, Moscow, Istanbul, Beirut, Dubai, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, and Montreal. Learn more: www.efma.com .







1 Capgemini's COVID-19 customer survey 2020





Attachment
Research Development innovation loan: 750,000.

Investment seed loan: 500,000.

Regulatory News:

Valbiotis (FR0013254851 ALVAL, PEA/SME eligible) (Paris:ALVAL), a Research and Development company committed to scientific innovation for preventing and combating metabolic diseases, announces the continued support from Bpifrance, with a 1.25 million innovation support loan.

Jocelyn PINEAU, CFO and member of the Board of Directors, comments: "The Company has made very significant progress in the first six months of 2021. The funds from our recent capital increase and these new innovation loans secure our financial situation for the foreseeable future, allowing us to focus confidently on the implementation of our scientific and commercial roadmap. We would like to take this occasion to thank the public authorities, our partners, and all our institutional and individual shareholders for their support. Bpifrance has stood alongside Valbiotis since the company was created in 2014. This long-term support is a tremendous encouragement to continue our innovation efforts, as we accelerate our research programs."

The 750,000 R&D innovation loan ("pret innovation R&D") has a 0.76% yearly flat rate and a 88-month duration, with a deferred capital amortization period followed by a linear amortization period, with a first payment in arrears scheduled for December 31, 2021.

The 500,000 investment seed loan has a 3.52% yearly flat rate and a 8-year duration, with a reimbursement over 20 quarterly payments, in arrears, after a 36-month deferred period during which only interests will be paid.

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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005880/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
Summary report

Regulatory News:

Legrand (Paris:LR):

The Combined (Ordinary and Extraordinary) General Meeting of Shareholders met on May 26, 2021, in a closed session chaired by Angeles Garcia-Poveda, the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors.

I. Main results of voting at the Combined General Meeting

All the resolutions submitted by the Board of Directors passed with a large majority

The General Meeting notably voted in favor of:

reappointing Annalisa Loustau Elia , Chairwoman of the Compensation Committee, as a director for a three-year term of office, and

, Chairwoman of the Compensation Committee, as a director for a three-year term of office, and appointing Jean-Marc Chery as a director for a three-year term of office.

Accordingly, of the 12 members1 making up the Board of Directors:

nine are independent directors , representing a ratio of 75%, which is higher than the 50% minimum ratio recommended by the Afep-Medef Code of Corporate Governance;

, representing a ratio of 75%, which is higher than the 50% minimum ratio recommended by the Afep-Medef Code of Corporate Governance; five are women , representing a proportion of 42%;

, representing a proportion of 42%; five nationalities are represented by American, French, German, Italian and Spanish nationals.

The composition of the Board of Directors thus meets the highest governance standards.

The General Meeting also approved payment of a dividend of 1.42 per share in respect of 20202. The ex-dividend date is May 28, 2021, with the payment on June 1, 2021.

II. A business model serving our purpose and responsible crisis management

During the General Meeting, Benoit Coquart, Chief Executive Officer, commented on Legrand's business model. Legrand is positioned in a vast addressable market, with an extensive range of products for all buildings. Its solid fundamentals drive responsible profitable growth over the long term (innovation, complementary acquisitions and a structured ESG3 strategy it has pursued for over 17 years now).

He then added that Legrand's development is being led by experienced multidisciplinary Executive managers and empowered teams using robust management processes.

This model, which aims to meet the needs of all stakeholders, is embodied in the core purpose shared in 2020 of "improving lives by transforming the spaces where people live, work and meet, with electrical and digital infrastructures and connected solutions that are simple, innovative and sustainable"

Benoit Coquart stated that Legrand's business model prompted a mobilization led in a spirit of responsibility and solidarity as soon as the pandemic struck. While actively supporting its customers, Legrand stood firmly alongside its communities and, more generally, made a balanced appeal to all stakeholders.

The presentation of the initiatives implemented by the Group concluded with a summary of the cyclical and structural measures taken amid the crisis.

1 Excluding directors representing employees.

2 To be made in full out of distributable income. For more information, please refer to the press release dated February 11, 2021.

3 ESG: Environment, Social and Governance.

III. Solid financial and ESG achievements

Next, Franck Lemery, Chief Financial Officer, commented on Legrand's robust financial and ESG performance.

He reported that despite a retreat in sales in 2020 (close to -8%), adjusted operating margin showed very good resistance at 19% of sales, and free cash flow was above one billion euros for the second year in a row.

Franck Lemery also pointed out that 2020 was the second year in the 2019-2021 CSR1 roadmap. The objectives set for the three pillars of the roadmap (Environment, People and Business ecosystem) are perfectly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With many achievements standing ahead of schedule, Legrand recorded a roadmap achievement rate of 128% over the year.

In addition, he noted that Legrand has demonstrated an ability to create value consistently over time, notably between 2010 and 2020, before presenting in detail its first-quarter 2021 robust financial performance. As a result, Legrand has raised its full-year targets for 2021, which are fully in line with the mid-term targets released in February2

Franck Lemery concluded his comments by highlighting in particular the balanced distribution of value-added between stakeholders over the long term.

IV. Enhanced growth model profiled for the post-crisis period

Benoit Coquart reiterated how Legrand's business model has been strengthened and how well suited it is for the post-crisis world. Legrand's development is driven by long-term trends for which it caters through its offering by (i) investing in innovation, (ii) developing its connected offering program (Eliot), and (iii) regularly launching solutions for datacenters, energy efficiency, new working habits or safety and comfort.

He also mentioned the role played by (i) acquisitions in consistently strengthening the Group's positions, with four deals completed in 2020 and the ongoing prospect of high-quality external growth, and (ii) the accelerated digitalization of front- and back-office.

Benoit Coquart then concluded his presentation after commenting that Legrand is also resolutely pursuing a standard-setting ambitious ESG policy in terms of protecting the environment, championing diversity in the workplace and embracing the highest governance standards.

V. Governance and compensation

Michel Landel, Lead Director and Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee commented on changes to the composition of the Board of Directors. He then presented the work performed by the Board and its specialized Committees in 2020, as well as the assessment of the operation of the Board of Directors.

After restating the principles underpinning compensation policy, Annalisa Loustau Elia, Chairwoman of the Compensation Committee, gave a detailed presentation of the resolutions concerning compensation for company officers submitted for shareholders' approval: (i) the compensation components paid to Gilles Schnepp, Angeles Garcia-Poveda and Benoit Coquart in respect of 2020, and (ii) the compensation policies attributable in respect of 2021 to the Chair of the Board of Directors, the directors and the Chief Executive Officer.

All the presentations made at the Combined General Meeting, together with results of the votes, and a full recording of the event and the responses given to written questions, are available in the "INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS Shareholders' meetings 2021 General Meeting" section of Legrand's website at www.legrandgroup.com.

1 CSR: Corporate Social Responsibility.

2 For more information, please refer to the press release dated February 11, 2021.

Key financial dates:

Ex-dividend date: May 28, 2021

Dividend payment: June 1, 2021

2021 first-half results: July 30, 2021

"Quiet period1" starts June 30, 2021

Capital Markets Day: September 22, 2021

2021 nine-month results: November 4, 2021

"Quiet period1" starts October 5, 2021

About Legrand

Legrand is the global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructures. Its comprehensive offering of solutions for commercial, industrial and residential markets makes it a benchmark for customers worldwide. The Group harnesses technological and societal trends with lasting impacts on buildings with the purpose of improving life by transforming the spaces where people live, work and meet with electrical, digital infrastructures and connected solutions that are simple, innovative and sustainable. Drawing on an approach that involves all teams and stakeholders, Legrand is pursuing its strategy of profitable and sustainable growth driven by acquisitions and innovation, with a steady flow of new offerings-including Eliot* connected products with enhanced value in use. Legrand reported sales of 6.1 billion in 2020. The company is listed on Euronext Paris and is notably a component stock of the CAC 40 and CAC 40 ESG indexes (code ISIN FR0010307819).

https://www.legrandgroup.com

*Eliot is a program launched in 2015 by Legrand to speed up deployment of the Internet of Things in its offering. A result of the group's innovation strategy, Eliot aims to develop connected and interoperable solutions that deliver lasting benefits to private individual users and professionals.

https://www.legrandgroup.com/fr/le-groupe/eliot-programme-objets-connectes

1 Period of time when all communication is suspended in the run-up to the publication of results.

Readers are invited to verify authenticity of press releases by Legrand with the CertiDox app. More information on www.certidox.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005646/en/

Contacts:

Investor relations

Legrand

Ronan Marc

Tel: +33 (0)1 49 72 53 53

ronan.marc@legrand.fr

Press relations

Publicis Consultants

Laurence Bault

Mob: +33 (0)7 85 90 63 36

laurence.bault@publicisconsultants.com
FLEX LNG LTD. (the " Company ") advises that the 2021 Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders of the Company was held on May 26, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Par-la-Ville Place, 4 th Floor, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton Bermuda. The audited consolidated financial statements for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2020 were presented to the Meeting.

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.
MND, the French industrial group specializing in ropeway mobility, snowmaking systems, mountain safety and sensational leisure infrastructures, has been selected in an international tender to supply a new automatic snowmaking system for the Veduchi ski resort, in Russia. This site is destined to become one of the leading tourist destinations in the Caucasus mountain range. The contract, worth 8 million euros excluding VAT, will run for two years, in 2021 and 2022.

After the recent commercial success achieved in the conclusion of the contract for the supply of two cable cars for the implementation of the project for the construction of the ski resort "Mamison", the MND Group has been selected to secure the snowmaking of the Veduchi site, a new mountain tourist destination under construction.

At Veduchi, MND SNOW will deliver a state-of-the-art automatic snowmaking system that will enable operators to guarantee snowmaking on 50 hectares of ski slopes while fully controlling water resources. The project integrates 165 automated snowmaking solutions using management software developed by MND SNOW to optimize energy consumption and optimize production volumes as well as facilitate snowmaking operation. The equipment is entirely designed and manufactured in France. Civil works and installation will be carried out by the project's general contractor, the local construction company Chus. MND's teams will supervise the entire two-year project and train the ski area operator.

This new commercial success confirms the Group's global offering strategy and its presence in Russia, as well as MND's ability to support strategic infrastructure projects for mobility and snowmaking.

About Veduchi

The Veduchi site is being built in the Kharachoy-Akhk river valley in the Itum-Kalinsky district, located less than two hours' drive from Grozny airport. With the involvement of international experts, including the French group Compagnie des Alpes, who have planned this 4-season outdoor recreation site, a diversified ski infrastructure has been designed and has been under construction since 2018. With the development of the north-facing slope of the Daneduk Massif, Veduchi will be able to offer a longer ski season (from November to April) to its customers, while diversified summer recreation activities are developed.

Learn more: Veduchi

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

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The female victim stated that she immediately opened up the rear driver side door and reached into the vehicle in an attempt to retrieve her purse but was punched while trying to do so, police said. She also stated that another passenger attempted to pull her into the vehicle but let go once she started screaming. She stated that she let go of her purse and quickly pulled her cell phone out to record the vehicle fleeing the lot, which captured the license plate of the vehicle.
Elektron is the world's only automatic and sustainable smartwatch, with always-on display and activity tracking, that never needs to be charged.

SEQUENT, the Swiss smartwatch brand, is turning the watchmaking industry upside down with the introduction of its new Elektron watch-a sustainable, self-charging and maintenance-free daily wearable. For the first time, U.S. customers can preorder the watch on Kickstarter beginning on May 26, 2021.

The new SEQUENT Elektron is an elegantly designed smartwatch combining the best of both worlds. Made for everyday wear, the watch face resembles an analog mechanical watch but surprises and delights with its backend technology. Equipped with solar-powered indices that glow in low light for visibility, the patented autonomous micromechanical movement technology means never needing to charge a watch again.

Enhanced user experiences allow for backend health monitoring-inclusive of step count, heart rate tracking, distance and workout monitoring utilizing e-GPS and more-all available from the connected Oxygen app available on both Android and Apple devices.

SEQUENT carefully crafts each watch by providing straps made of upcycled Tide ocean material, sourcing sugarcane for packaging, planting trees for every watch purchased, and offsetting 90kg of carbon (each watch produced generates 8.7kg of carbon) during the manufacturing process with myclimate. No screws, gears or batteries make the Elektron a solution to a simple problem-ending wasteful life cycles of products that cannot be recycled or reused.

"Elektron is the pinnacle of SEQUENT watch innovations," said CEO and founder Adrian Buchmann. "It shows us that sustainability doesn't need to be a step back in terms of design. Quite the opposite, it pushes us to new directions."

The Elektron collection includes three watches with different enhancements for a variety of individual needs. All watches in the collection-the Elektron, Elektron HR and Elektron HR VIU-boast a standby time of more than two years, precise timekeeping of 0.3 seconds a day (0.17 seconds more precise than mechanical watches) and are water-resistant up to 50 meters. The Elektron is crafted with a Grade 2 titanium case, black DLC coating, sapphire glass, black matte dial with Super-LumiNova hands and indexes, and straps are available in Tide ocean material, rubber or leather options.

The SEQUENT Elektron is available for preorder in the United States on Kickstarter at 12 p.m. EST on May 26, 2021. Visit Kickstarter to place an order and be a part of the SmartWatchRevolution.

About SEQUENT

SEQUENT is a Swiss start-up based in Basel with subsidiaries in Taipei (TW), London (UK) and Prague (CZ). The company has invented the first smart self-charging watch, powered with an automatic self-winding movement, that transforms gravity into electrical power. Therefore, SEQUENT merges traditional watchmaking with cutting-edge smart technologies to provide watch lovers the "Swiss way" of making a smartwatch. SEQUENT is certified by myclimate.org to offset its carbon footprint in the manufacturing of its products. For more information, visit sequentworld.com.

*Note for the editor: Download high-resolution photography here:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2fdfezhdj2w2s06/AABRWqyuDYfSu4Hu_rIJT4yia?dl=0

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005950/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Jane Richards, akhia communications

jane.richards@akhia.com, 330-436-5650



For more information, press only:

Risa Fuller, +44 79 49 56 2002,

press@sequent.ch
Frontline Ltd. (the "Company") advises that the 2021 Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders of the Company was held on May 26, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. at Par-la-Ville Place, 4th Floor, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton Bermuda. The audited consolidated financial statements for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2020 were presented to the Meeting.

In addition, the following resolutions were passed:

1. To set the maximum number of Directors to be not more than eight.

2. To resolve that vacancies in the number of Directors be designated as casual vacancies and that the Board of Directors be authorised to fill such vacancies as and when it deems fit.

3. To re-elect John Fredriksen as a Director of the Company.

4. To re-elect James O'Shaughnessy as a Director of the Company.

5. To re-elect Ola Lorentzon as a Director of the Company.

6. To re-elect Tor Svelland as a Director of the Company.

7. To re-appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers AS of Oslo, Norway as auditors and to authorise the Directors to determine their remuneration.

8. To approve the remuneration of the Company's Board of Directors of a total amount of fees not to exceed US$600,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Following the re-election of John Fredriksen as a Director at the 2021 Annual General Meeting, it is announced that he has stepped down as Chairman and President of the Company. The Board of Directors has appointed Ola Lorentzon as Chairman of the Company with effect from today's date.

Hamilton, Bermuda

May 26, 2021

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act


- The increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, ageing population, and technological advancements are major factors that are luring a plethora of medical devices companies to strengthen Pacemakers Pipeline.

LAS VEGAS, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's ' Pacemakers Pipeline Insights and Competitive Landscape ' report provides an in-depth assessment of the Pacemakers pipeline, market drivers and barriers, understanding the brand positioning and commercial activities, such as collaborations & licensing deals.

The Pacemakers report reviews details of major pipeline products which include, product description, licensing and collaboration details, and other developmental activities.

Key takeaways from the Pacemakers Pipeline report:

As per DelveInsight's analysis , 90% of the pacemaker devices available in the market are implantable , whereas only 10% of the pacemaker devices can be used externally.

, of the pacemaker devices available in the market are , whereas only 10% of the pacemaker devices can be used externally. Around 61% of the marketed products have dual chambers.

of the marketed products have The continuous development in the Pacemakers market includes leadless Pacemakers and biological Pacemakers that have given rise to a vast pipeline and extensive research studies in this arena.

The major players present in the pacemaker market are Boston Scientific Corporation, Medtronic, Abbott Laboratories, Biotronik SE, MicroPort Corporation, Shree Pacetronix Ltd., OSCOR Inc., Lepu Medical Technology ( Beijing ) Co., Ltd., Vitatron, Galix Biomedical Instrumentation, Atacor Medical, Inc., BioPace Inc., NuVascular Technologies , among others.

, among others. Medtronic and Boston Scientific have the highest number of products present in the market, making them the Pacemakers market leaders.

Medtronic is the only company with the first and only FDA and CE-approved leadless Pacemaker portfolio that is expanding the number of potential candidates in the United States and Europe .

is the only company with the first and only FDA and CE-approved leadless Pacemaker portfolio that is expanding the number of potential candidates in and . MicroPort Scientific Corporation's CRM offers the world's smallest trans venous Pacemaker.

The pipeline devices in the different developmental stages include Biological Pacemakers ( BioPace Inc. ), Biological Pacemakers ( NuVascular Technologies ), Leadless Pacemakers ( Boston Scientific Corporation ), Atacor EV temporary system ( Atacor Medical ), and Aveir Pacemaker System ( Abbott Medical ).

), Biological Pacemakers ( ), Leadless Pacemakers ( ), Atacor EV temporary system ( ), and Aveir Pacemaker System ( ). On October 08, 2020 , Medtronic launched the Azure with BlueSync Technology pacemaker that can communicate directly with smartphones and tablets. This will help Medtronic expand its product portfolio, making it the largest player in the market.

, Medtronic launched the with BlueSync Technology pacemaker that can communicate directly with smartphones and tablets. This will help Medtronic expand its product portfolio, making it the largest player in the market. In July 2020 , Abbott received FDA approval for its new generation of connected Pacemakers and defibrillator implants. The MRI-compatible Gallant devices were launched in Europe this past February after Abbott received a CE mark, expanding its portfolio in Pacemakers domain.

Request for Sample to know which Pacemaker device is set to make headlines @ Pacemaker Pipeline and Future Outlook

Pacemakers: Overview

A pacemaker is a device that tends to regulate the electrical system of the body; it helps in controlling the rhythm of the heart. Modern Pacemakers are equipped with two parts: the pulse generator, which carries the battery and the electronics that help in controlling the heartbeat. The other part comprises the leads that send electrical signals to the heart. Leads are small wires that can be seen traversing from the pulse generator to the heart.

Pacemakers are generally known to control two types of arrhythmias, namely, tachycardia and bradycardia.

Know more @ Pacemakers- Overview, Types, Technology

Demand for Advanced Pacemakers Grows

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year, more than 655,000 people in the United States die from heart disease, and around 805,000 Americans have a heart attack every year. Out of the total, around 200,000 happen to people who have already had a heart attack. Then, there is a huge burden due to arrhythmia, and it is estimated that approximately 200,000 to 300,000 patients die of arrhythmia per year. This adds a burden to the healthcare facilities and disrupts patient's lives.

The current forms of Pacemakers are not good at understanding the physiological needs of the body and adapting its pacing according to the individual's needs, and it is studied that a patient's heart rate variability provides a better understanding of a person's health than constant heart rate.

Get in touch to understand what factors are guiding the spur @ Pacemakers Emerging Devices and Key Companies

By the Numbers: Pacemakers in the Pipeline

According to a research article by (Hao et al., 2015), worldwide, there are more than 3 million functioning permanent Pacemakers, and about 600,000 Pacemakers are implanted each year.

The biological form of Pacemakers is considered an exceptionally useful development and is being researched continuously in pre-clinical and clinical stages and are expected to get commercialized in the near future. These forms of Pacemakers are found to have multi-directional benefits for both patients and clinicians. They are developed from embryonic stem cells, offerno immune responses, require no device replacement, and do not indulge in any device or lead failure issues.

A shift in the adoption towards technologically advanced non-invasive ultrasound-based Pacemakers, cardiac resynchronization therapy Pacemakers (CRT-P), and leadless Pacemakers would open numerous opportunities for the pacemaker market. Though, a significant challenge in the adoption of the Pacemakers is the presence of alternative treatments such as cardiac ablation-catheters and cardioverter-defibrillators that are used in tachycardia management.

Let's discuss more regarding the factors strengthening the Pacemakers Pipeline outlook @ Pacemakers Pipeline Landscape and Forecast

Competitive Assessment of Pacemakers in the Pipeline

Product Name Company Stage Product Type Atacor Ev Temporary Pacing System Atacor Medical, Inc. Clinical External LEADLESS II Abbott Clinical Internal TPG (external temporary pacemaker) Microport CRM Clinical External Biological Pacemaker BioPace Inc. Preclinical Internal Leadless pacemaker Boston Scientific Clinical Internal Biological Pacemaker NuVascular Technologies Clinical Internal

Key Companies in Pacemaker Pipeline Landscape

Boston Scientific Corporation

Medtronic

Abbott Laboratories

Biotronik SE

MicroPort Corporation

Shree Pacetronix Ltd

OSCOR Inc.

Lepu Medical Technology ( Beijing ) Co., Ltd.

) Co., Ltd. Vitatron

Galix Biomedical Instrumentation

Atacor Medical, Inc.

BioPace Inc.

NuVascular Technologies

Know more about the key companies involved @ Key Companies Strengthening the Pacemakers Pipeline

Table of Content

1 Key Insights 2 Pacemakers: Snapshot 3 Pacemakers Overview 4 Pacemakers Profiles: Competitive Assessment 5 Pacemakers: Comparative Benchmarking: By Company 6 Pacemakers - Commercialization Activity 7 Pacemakers: Regulatory 8 Pacemakers: Reimbursement 9 DelveInsight's Analytical Perspective 10 Conclusion 11 Bibliography 12 Appendix 13 DelveInsight Capabilities 14 Disclaimer 15 About DelveInsight

Visit to know more about the report offerings @ Pacemakers Pipeline Domain

The report provides valuable insight for clients venturing into the Pacemaker market and acts as the source of guidance for taking strategic business decisions in the field of the Pacemaker by providing a descriptive overview of Pacemakers and application, including detailed chapters on type of products.

The Pacemakers Pipeline report is a comprehensive account of both marketed and pipeline devices present in the Pacemakers market. The report helps in developing business strategies by understanding trends shaping and driving the global Pacemakers pipeline landscape.

This report has been prepared by DelveInsight's analysts after a thorough secondary and primary research into the Pacemaker pipeline. Analysis and estimations are done by taking into consideration industry expert viewpoints of Pacemakers and developmental activities by the companies.

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About DelveInsight

DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports Pharma companies by providing end-to-end comprehensive solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve .

For more insights, visit Pharma, Healthcare and Biotech Blog

Contact Us:

Shruti Thakur

info@delveinsight.com

+1(919)321-6187

www.delveinsight.com

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Regulatory News:

The Combined General Meeting of Sopra Steria Group (Paris:SOP) shareholders took place, behind closed doors, in Paris today, 26 May 2021 and was chaired by Pierre Pasquier, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sopra Steria Group.

All 15 resolutions submitted by the Board were approved.

The results of the vote on the 15 resolutions are presented hereafter. They are also available on the Group's website, in the investors shareholders' meetings section: https://www.soprasteria.com/investors/investors-relations-shareholders/shareholders-meetings

Total number of shares: 20,547,701 Number of shares with voting rights: 20,538,355 Number of shareholders in attendance or being represented: 1,203 Percentage of shares held by shareholders in attendance or being represented at the meeting 81.07% Number of votes in attendance or represented 22,013,360 Resolution Type expressed votes Number of shares represented by expressed votes Proportion of capital represented by expressed votes in favor against Result Abstention Vote Vote Vote 1 AGO 21,995,135 16,631,307 80.94% du capital 21,988,842 99.971 6,293 0.0286 Adopted 18,225 2 AGO 21,995,395 16,631,567 80.94% du capital 21,989,220 99.972 6,175 0.0281 Adopted 17,965 3 AGO 22,013,211 16,649,383 81.03% du capital 22,012,862 99.998 349 0.0016 Adopted 149 4 AGO 22,011,826 16,648,260 81.02% du capital 21,924,246 99.602 87,580 0.3979 Adopted 1,534 5 AGO 22,010,976 16,647,585 81.02% du capital 21,571,572 98.004 439,404 1.9963 Adopted 2,384 6 AGO 22,010,876 16,647,485 81.02% du capital 21,085,595 95.796 925,281 4.2037 Adopted 2,484 7 AGO 22,011,330 16,647,774 81.02% du capital 21,403,311 97.238 608,019 2.7623 Adopted 2,030 8 AGO 22,011,357 16,647,801 81.02% du capital 20,967,397 95.257 1,043,960 4.7428 Adopted 2,003 9 AGO 22,011,567 16,648,011 81.02% du capital 22,008,269 99.985 3,298 0.0150 Adopted 1,793 10 AGO 21,996,103 16,632,411 80.95% du capital 21,992,131 99.982 3,972 0.0181 Adopted 17,257 11 AGO 21,971,127 16,607,333 80.82% du capital 21,886,118 99.613 85,009 0.3869 Adopted 42,233 12 AGO 21,997,175 16,633,348 80.95% du capital 21,986,594 99.952 10,581 0.0481 Adopted 16,185 13 AGE 22,012,648 16,648,820 81.03% du capital 20,988,049 95.345 1,024,599 4.6546 Adopted 712 14 AGE 22,012,939 16,649,111 81.03% du capital 21,427,697 97.341 585,242 2.6586 Adopted 421 15 AGO 22,012,970 16,649,142 81.03% du capital 22,012,100 99.996 870 0.0040 Adopted 390

Disclaimer

This document is a free translation into English of the original French press release. It is not a binding document. In the event of a conflict in interpretation, reference should be made to the French version, which is the authentic text.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005991/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations Sopra Steria Group

Olivier Psaume

investors@soprasteria.com

+33.1.40.67.68.16

Press Relations Image Sept

Caroline Simon

caroline.simon@image7.fr

+33.1.53.70.74.65
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Boosh Plant-Based Brands Inc. (CSE: VEGI) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed its initial public offering of 5,750,000 units (each a "Unit") issued at a price of $0.50 per Unit, which included the exercise in full of an over-allotment option. This generated aggregate gross proceeds of $2,875,000 pursuant to a prospectus dated May 7, 2021 (the "Prospectus").

The Company now has 15,575,500 issued and outstanding common shares, of which 4,416,439 common shares are held in escrow.

Each Unit comprised one common share of the Company (each a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one additional Share at an exercise price of $1.00 per Share until May 26, 2022. The Warrants were issued pursuant to a warrant indenture dated May 26, 2021 between the Company and its warrant agent , Odyssey Trust Company. A copy of which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

A commission equal to 10% of the gross proceeds of the offering was paid to the Company's agent, Haywood Securities Inc. (the "Agent"), through the issuance of an aggregate of 575,000 Units, as well as a corporate finance fee of $40,000, plus applicable taxes, of which $20,000 was paid in cash and the remainder through the issuance of 40,000 Units. In addition, the Agent and its selling group members received 575,000 non-transferable agent's options to acquire up to 575,000 Shares at a price of $0.50 per Share until May 26, 2022.

The Company also granted an aggregate of 100,000 incentive stock options to consultants as outlined in the Prospectus. Each option is exercisable at a price of $0.50 per share for a period of two years, vesting immediately.

The Company will use the net proceeds from the offering in furtherance of its short term business objectives as outlined in the Prospectus. A copy of the Prospectus is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

The Company's common shares are listed for trading on the CSE under the trading symbol "VEGI" on May 26, 2021 and are expected to commence trading on May 27, 2021.

The securities of the Company 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. Accordingly, the securities of the Company may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

On behalf of the Board of Directors



James Pakulis

Chief Executive Officer



Telephone: (833) 882-6674

The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the Company's proposed use of the proceeds of its initial public offering. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward looking statements or otherwise.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85365
Regulatory News:

Publicis Groupe S.A.'s (Paris:PUB) [Euronext Paris: FR0000130577, CAC40] Combined General Shareholders' Meeting took place today, chaired by Mr. Maurice Levy, Chairman of the Supervisory Board. In the very specific context of COVID-19, this year again, the meeting was held behind closed doors, without the physical attendance of the shareholders, pursuant to the Order n2020-321 dated March 25, 2020 and to the French decree n 2020-418 dated April 10, 2020, as modified and extended by the French decree n 2021-255 dated March 9, 2021.

The Combined General Shareholders' Meeting was webcast live on the Groupe's website at www.publicisgroupe.com, and the different speeches are available at the following links: https://www.publicisgroupe.com/en/investors/shareholders/annual-general-meeting. All documents relating to the General Shareholders' Meeting have been made available to shareholders on the Groupe's website. Shareholders participated in the live event and were able to ask questions.

Representing a quorum of 73%, shareholders adopted all 26 resolutions, among which:

The renewal of the mandate of Mr. Maurice Levy, which was approved by 92.99% of votes, for a duration of four years. The Supervisory Board expressed its wish to see him continue his mission as Chairman of the Supervisory Board, providing support and advice to the Management Board and its President, Mr. Arthur Sadoun, who expressed the same wish. The Supervisory Board that met after the General Shareholders' Meeting unanimously approved the renewal of the mandate of its Chairman for a duration of four years.

The renewal of the mandates of Mr. Simon Badinter and Mr. Jean Charest, with strong support from shareholders, for mandates of four years as well.

The Management Board's 2020 compensation packages were approved by more than 88%, and their 2021 compensation policy passed at more than 90%.

The dividend of 2.00 euros per share, representing a pay-out ratio of 46.8%, above its pre-pandemic level. The option for payment of the dividend in shares must be exercised between June 17 and June 30, 2021 inclusive. The ex-dividend date will be June 15, 2021. Shareholders can opt to receive payment of the dividend either in cash or in new shares. The issue price of shares distributed as dividends was set at 53.05 euros per share, calculated as the average of the closing prices of the twenty trading days prior to the Combined Shareholder Meeting, minus the net dividend.

Maurice Levy, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, said:

 In a year when the whole world has been put to the test and we have entered in a new normal era, the Supervisory Board and I are very proud of the resilience demonstrated by your Groupe. It is the contribution of each person, the individual and combined strengths of the teams as well as the rapid, determined and efficient response of the management under the direction of Arthur Sadoun that have enabled Publicis Groupe, not only to weather this crisis by obtaining results above expectations, but also to emerge stronger, by returning to growth as of the 1st quarter of 2021. My attachment to the Groupe no longer needs to be demonstrated, after a journey of fifty years which has allowed me to accompany the different stages of the development of Publicis, to become the 3rd largest communication Groupe in the world and a leader in digital and data. It is therefore with full enthusiasm (although not part of my initial plans) that I will continue my mission for the Groupe and for all its stakeholders.

The Supervisory Board and I would like to thank shareholders for their trust and support. By their votes, they acknowledge the extraordinary work and mobilization of the Management Board and more particularly of its President and CEO in this period. I would also like to thank them for approving the renewal of my mandate as member of the Supervisory Board, and the Board for offering me to continue to support the Groupe as Chairman.

Thanks to its transformation and its long-term investments in technology and data, notably Sapient and Epsilon, your Groupe has all the assets it needs in an environment which has, with this crisis, evolved rapidly and irreversibly towards digital. While the environment remains uncertain, your Groupe is very well equipped and very well managed to meet the needs of its clients and support them on the path to growth in this new world.

During his presentation at the Combined Shareholder Meeting, Mr. Arthur Sadoun, Chairman of the Management Board, presented the key highlights of 2020.

When the crisis hit and despite a very uncertain environment, the Management Board reacted immediately and defined three clear priorities:

First, protect the Groupe's talents, by shifting all employees to home working in a matter of days, in all countries. Moreover, the Groupe undertook many initiatives in the year to ensure their well-being and their health.

Second, the Groupe fully mobilized to accompany its clients in rethinking and immediately adapting their communication campaigns to this new situation, contributing to their competitiveness and resilience in this critical period.

Third, the Directoire implemented a series of exceptional measures to maintain the Groupe's financial strength, notably with a 500m cost savings plan and a reduction of the initially proposed dividend. In parallel, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board and members of the Management Board proposed to reduce their salaries. Also, the voluntary salary sacrifices made by 6,000 talents at the peak of the crisis were reimbursed after the publication of better than expected results, with the exception of Management Board members.

Concluding this incredibly exceptional year, the Groupe emerged stronger and outperformed the market in 2020 organically while posting again the strongest financial ratios in the industry.

It is worth noting that, answering a question asked at the General Shareholders' Meeting, Mr. Arthur Sadoun, the Chairman of the Management Board, confirmed the continuation of the good trends observed in Q1 2021. He specified that organic growth for the 2nd quarter should be at the high end of the range indicated at the time of the Q1 results publication, which is +8% to +10%.

Composition of the Supervisory Board and of the Management Board

After this General Shareholders' Meeting, and after the departure of Mr. Enrico Letta1, the Supervisory Board remains composed of 13 members, with 55%(2) women as well as two members representing employees. With a 64%(2) rate, the Supervisory Board includes a majority of independent members.

The Supervisory Board also confirmed the composition of the Management Board, with four members: Mr. Arthur Sadoun (Chairman), Mr. Steve King (COO), Mrs. Anne-Gabrielle Heilbronner (Secretary General) and Mr. Michel-Alain Proch (Chief Financial Officer replacing Mr. Jean-Michel Etienne).

Composition of the Committees of the Board

During its meeting that took place after the General Shareholders' Meeting, the Supervisory Board approved the following composition of the Committees of the Board.

Audit Committee

Chair: Mr. Jean Charest.

Members: Mrs. Suzan LeVine, Mr. Andre Kudelski and Mr. Thomas H. Glocer.

Expert: Mr. Jean-Michel Etienne

Compensation Committee

Chair: Mr. Andre Kudelski.

Members: Mrs. Antonella Mei-Pochtler; Mr. Thomas H. Glocer and Mr. Maurice Levy.

Independent Expert: Mr. Michel Cicurel.

Strategy and Risk Committee

Chair: Mrs. Marie-Josee Kravis.

Members: Mr. Simon Badinter, Mr. Thomas H. Glocer, Mr. Maurice Levy and Mr. Pierre Penicaud.

 ESG Committee

A committee dedicated to environmental and societal reflexions, taking into account all stakehoders' interests, has been created:

Chair: Mrs. Suzan LeVine

Members: Mrs. Cherie Nursalim, Mrs. Sophie Dulac and Mrs. Patricia Velay-Borrini.

Nominating Committee

Composed of the Chairmen of the different committees, the Nominating Committee is chaired by Mrs. Elisabeth Badinter.

Members: Mrs. Marie-Josee Kravis and Mrs. Suzan LeVine. Mr. Jean Charest, Mr. Andre Kudelski and Mr. Maurice Levy.

Disclaimer

Certain information contained in this document, other than historical information, may constitute forward-looking statements or unaudited financial forecasts. These forward-looking statements and forecasts are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These forward-looking statements and forecasts are presented at the date of this document and, other than as required by applicable law, Publicis Groupe does not assume any obligation to update them to reflect new information or events or for any other reason. Publicis Groupe urges you to carefully consider the risk factors that may affect its business, as set out in the Universal Registration Document filed with the French Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF) and which is available on the website of Publicis Groupe (www.publicisgroupe.com), including an unfavorable economic climate, a highly competitive industry, risks associated with the confidentiality of personal data, the Groupe's business dependence on its management and employees, risks associated with mergers and acquisitions, risks of IT system failures and cybercrime, the possibility that our clients could seek to terminate their contracts with us on short notice, risks associated with the reorganization of the Groupe, risks of litigation, governmental, legal and arbitration proceedings, risks associated with the Groupe's financial rating and exposure to liquidity risks.

About Publicis Groupe The Power of One

Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris FR0000130577, CAC 40] is a global leader in communication. The Groupe is positioned at every step of the value chain, from consulting to execution, combining marketing transformation and digital business transformation. Publicis Groupe is a privileged partner in its clients' transformation to enhance personalization at scale. The Groupe relies on ten expertise concentrated within four main activities: Communication, Media, Data and Technology. Through a unified and fluid organization, its clients have a facilitated access to all its expertise in every market. Present in over 100 countries, Publicis Groupe employs around 80,000 professionals.

www.publicisgroupe.com Twitter:@PublicisGroupe Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Viva la Difference!

___________________________

1 Mr. Enrico Letta resigned from his mandate as a Supervisory Board member on March 28, 2021 after having been elected Secretary of the Italian Democratic Party.

2 Pursuant to the law and Afep-Medef Code, the members of the Supervisory Board representing employees are not taken into account for the calculation of percentages.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526006014/en/

Contacts:

Delphine Stricker

Corporate Communications

+ 33 (0)6 38 81 40 00

delphine.stricker@publicisgroupe.com

Alessandra Girolami

Investor Relations

+ 33 (0)1 44 43 77 88

alessandra.girolami@publicisgroupe.com

Brice Paris

Investor Relations

+ 33 (0)1 44 43 79 26

brice.paris@publicisgroupe.com
North Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) (ASX: LLO) ("Lion One" or the "Company") is pleased to announce numerous shallow and deep high-grade drill intercepts from its 100% controlled Tuvatu alkaline gold project, Fiji. Although the Company now has all six of its drills operational, drilling is temporarily paused due to a COVID-19 related lockdown in Fiji. Restrictions are expected to be lifted soon at which time drilling will resume.

Highlights:

Drilling continues to extend the Tuvatu orebody with significant high grade results including: TUDDH525 1.20m @ 13.74 g/t Au from 13.55m TUDDH526 6.00m @ 9.11 g/t Au from 444.00m TUDDH528 1.27m @ 11.58 g/t Au from 27.16m and 6.47m @ 17.90 g/t Au from 263.33m incl 0.35m @ 138.50 g/t Au from 268.25m

Six Company owned and operated diamond drill rigs now focusing on depth extensions of mineralization intersected in several holes from 570m to 750m down hole in 2020, regional Tuvatu look-a-likes, and potential high-grade zones which could be targeted in the first two years of production



All six of Lion One's drills are now operational and the dry season commenced approximately one month ago. The six drills include two deep capacity surface drills, two shallow capacity surface drills and two deep capacity underground drills. The Company is employing a three-pronged exploration program with the following goals:

Test deep extensions of know lodes below the existing Tuvatu resource using one deep capacity surface drill and, at times, one underground drill. This program will focus on extending high-grade lode extensions discovered in 2020, particularly hole TUDDH500 which intercepted 12.7m grading 55.43 g/t Au in an area sometimes in excess of 200m below the existing resource.

Commence testing high priority deep structural targets below strong gold zones such as Banana Creek. Data from controlled-source audio-magnetotellurics, similar to that which helped defined the deep target under Tuvatu leading to the discovery of high-grade feeder mineralization encountered in hole TUDDH500, is the principal means of defining targets for this program. One deep capacity surface drill will be utilized for this work.

Intensely infill drill shallow parts of the existing Tuvatu resource. This program will utilize both shallow capacity surface drills and both underground drills and is designed to provide critical data as the Company makes plans to develop and mine underground. It is expected that this type drilling will be ongoing for the foreseeable future as Lion One reaches this critical milestone.

Recent drill holes have yielded numerous high-grade intercepts presented in the table below. Most notable is a 6.47m intercept of 17.90 g/t Au from the URW3 lode encountered in hole TUDDH528. Several of the drill holes in this table are in progress having been temporarily halted due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in Fiji. Drilling will resume as soon as restrictions are lifted.

Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au (g/t) Lode TUDDH523 529.30 529.65 0.35 3.37 UR4 613.65 613.91 0.26 5.51 UR2 632.80 633.20 0.4 1.20 UR1 TUDDH524A 33.20 33.76 0.56 21.39 SKL4 incl 33.50 33.76 0.26 34.53 SKL4 41.81 42.50 0.69 2.03 Undefined 55.00 57.55 2.55 5.80 URW2a incl 57.00 57.55 0.55 19.06 URW2a 135.35 136.30 0.95 1.91 UR1 140.10 141.35 1.25 8.94 UR2 incl 140.10 140.70 0.6 17.75 UR2 TUDDH525 12.28 33.45 21.17 2.06 SKL4 13.55 15.62 2.07 8.22 Mur2 incl 13.55 14.75 1.2 13.74 Mur2 18.95 22.20 3.25 2.16 Mur2 incl 18.95 19.56 0.61 6.51 Mur2 24.97 25.62 0.65 1.56 URW2 27.35 33.45 6.1 2.71 URW2 incl 27.35 28.75 1.4 4.04 URW2 and 30.72 30.92 0.2 33.21 URW2 204.40 204.60 0.2 5.11 URW2a 217.59 217.80 0.21 6.94 URW2a 229.13 229.35 0.22 2.09 URW3 TUDDH526 366.75 367.95 1.2 8.85 UR5 incl 367.05 367.65 0.6 15.55 UR5 422.45 425.40 2.95 1.49 UR4 incl 422.45 423.00 0.55 6.28 UR4 427.80 428.85 1.05 0.53 UR4 429.90 450.00 20.1 3.38 UR4 incl 444.00 450.00 6 9.11 UR4 incl 448.80 450.00 1.2 33.81 UR4 462.60 465.45 2.85 4.65 UR2 incl 464.10 465.00 0.9 12.57 UR2 468.00 469.80 1.8 3.97 Undefined incl 469.20 469.80 0.6 10.62 Undefined 481.20 483.60 2.4 1.40 Undefined TUDDH527 86.20 86.50 0.30 0.93 Mur2 87.40 88.00 0.60 0.69 Mur2 TUDDH528 9.84 12.74 2.9 0.94 Mur2 incl 9.84 10.20 0.36 1.20 Mur2 and 10.80 12.74 1.94 1.16 Mur2 18.44 20.47 2.03 1.49 Mur2 incl 19.34 20.11 0.77 3.22 Mur2 25.33 29.60 4.27 3.72 Mur2 incl 27.16 28.43 1.27 11.58 Mur2 incl 27.16 27.48 0.32 40.94 Mur2 32.07 32.80 0.73 2.22 Mur1 35.40 36.00 0.6 2.22 Mur1 45.69 49.68 3.99 1.50 Undefined 52.95 53.25 0.3 24.62 SKL4 191.83 192.22 0.39 7.44 URW2 263.33 269.80 6.47 17.90 URW3 incl 263.33 265.19 1.86 20.39 URW3 incl 264.22 264.57 0.35 78.51 URW3 and incl 266.85 269.80 2.95 26.43 URW3 incl 268.25 268.60 0.35 138.50 URW3 319.25 320.30 1.05 11.90 UR2 323.87 324.17 0.3 3.56 Undefined TUDDH529 35.00 35.80 0.80 1.24 Mur2a 59.20 59.88 0.68 1.20 Mur2 TUG130 4.55 5.15 0.6 6.05 GRF 32.60 33.20 0.6 1.31 Undefined 129.80 129.95 0.15 10.77 URW1

Note: true width of intersections have not been accurately determined at this stage due to the distance below the known resource, the numerous lodes intersected to date, and variability of data coming from the oriented core data at depth.

Once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, the Company plans to commence aggressive surface exploration activities including trenching and sampling to follow up on multiple surface geochemical anomalies defined by historic soil sampling and recent stream sediment sampling.

"Lion One has a busy drill season planned this year," commented Dr. Quinton Hennigh, technical advisor to Lion One. "With the goal of soon establishing an underground mine, there are now three prongs to the exploration program, testing deep high-grade feeders under Tuvatu, testing for similar feeder structures elsewhere along the 7km highly prospective gold corridor across the Navilawa caldera and intense infill drilling in shallow parts of the resource in advance of mine development. With six operating rigs on site, we should be able to aggressively tackle all of these objectives. We eagerly await lifting of COVID-19 restrictions so work can resume."

Survey details of diamond drill holes discussed in this release

Hole No coordinates RL Dip Azimuth Depth Status N E (m) (TN) (m) of hole TUDDH523 3920460.32 1876585.14 318.55 -85 201.2 1055.80 completed TUDDH524A 3920566.97 1876343.35 287.26 -19 130.4 185.30 completed TUDDH525 3920796.01 1876351.25 209.40 -57 123.1 350.6 completed TUDDH526 3920460.21 1876583.73 318.89 -81 252.1 498.00 in progress TUDDH527 3920710.27 1876229.32 217.65 -80 353.4 135.80 in progress TUDDH528 3920795.19 1876351.23 209.41 -54 128.5 380.60 in progress TUDDH529 3920735.27 1876265.56 225.80 -59 348.3 101.50 in progress TUG130 3920761.00 1876456.00 139.00 -60 270.0 182.40 completed

Drilling and Assay Processes and Procedures

The Company is utilizing its own diamond drill rigs, using PQ, HQ and ultimately NQ sized drill core rods. Drill core is logged by Company geologists and then is sawn in half and sampled by Lion One staff.

Samples are analyzed at the Company's own geochemical laboratory in Fiji, whilst pulp duplicates of samples with results >0.5g/t Au are sent to ALS Global laboratories in Australia for check assay determinations. Assays reported here will be sent to ALS Global Laboratories for check assays shortly. All samples are pulverized to 80% passing through 75 microns. Gold analysis is carried out using fire assay with an AA finish. Samples that have returned grades greater than 10g/t Au are then re-analyzed by gravimetric method. Lion One's laboratory can also assay for a range of 71 other elements through Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), but currently focuses on a suite of 9 important pathfinder elements. All duplicate anomalous samples sent to ALS Townsville, Queensland, Australia are analyzed by the same methods (Au-AA26, and also Au-GRA22 where applicable). ALS also analyze for 33 pathfinder elements are analyzed by HF-HNO3-HClO4 acid digestion, HCl leach and ICP-AES. (method ME-ICP61).

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed, prepared, and approved by Mr. Stephen Mann, P. Geo, Managing Director of Lion One, who is a qualified person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI-43-101).

About Tuvatu

The Tuvatu gold deposit is located on the island of Viti Levu in the South Pacific island nation of Fiji. The mineral resource for Tuvatu as disclosed in the technical report "Tuvatu Gold Project PEA", dated June 1, 2015, and prepared by Mining Associates Pty Ltd of Brisbane Qld, comprises 1,120,000 tonnes indicated at 8.17 g/t Au (294,000 oz. Au) and 1,300,000 tonnes inferred at 10.60 g/t Au (445,000 oz. Au) at a cut-off grade of 3 g/t Au. The technical report is available on the Lion One website at www.liononemetals.com and on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

About Lion One Metals Limited

Lion One's flagship asset is 100% owned, fully permitted high grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project, located on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. Lion One envisions a low-cost high-grade underground gold mining operation at Tuvatu, coupled with exciting exploration upside inside its tenements covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, an underexplored yet highly prospective 7km diameter alkaline gold system. Lion One's CEO Walter Berukoff leads an experienced team of explorers and mine builders and has owned or operated over 20 mines in 7 countries. As the founder and former CEO of Miramar Mines, Northern Orion, and La Mancha Resources, Walter is credited with building over $3 billion of value for shareholders.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of

Lion One Metals Limited

"Walter Berukoff"

Chairman and CEO

For further information

Contact Investor Relations

Toll Free (North America) Tel: 1-855-805-1250

Email: info@liononemetals.com

Website: www.liononemetals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider

accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release may contain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Lion One Metals Limited's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Limited and on assumptions Lion One Metals Limited believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results. 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 Lion One Metals Limited or its subsidiaries to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the stage development of Lion One Metals Limited, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Limited 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. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lion One Metals Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85375
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Battery Mineral Resources Corp. (TSXV: BMR) ("Battery" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed its acquisition of ESI Energy Services Inc. ("ESI") concurrent with the completion of ESI's previously announced going private transaction. The result is that Battery, which owned 89.2% of the ESI common shares before the share consolidation, now owns 100% of the ESI common shares. ESI has applied to the Canadian Securities Exchange to delist its common shares and has applied to applicable Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities to cease its reporting issuer status.

ESI is a pipeline and renewables equipment rental and sales company with principal operations in Leduc, Alberta and Phoenix, Arizona. ESI, together with its operating subsidiaries, ESI Pipeline Services, Inc. and ESI Energy Services (Australia) Pty Ltd., supplies (rents and sells) backfill separation machines, called padding machines, to mainline pipeline contractors, renewables and utility construction contractors, as well as oilfield pipeline and construction contractors. The principal market places for ESI are in oil and gas with an increasing presence in the renewable energy marketplace where their products and service are used to construct wind and solar power generation farms.

Commenting on the ESI Acquisition, Martin Kostuik, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, said: "We are excited to have completed the agreement to add ESI to our portfolio. This transaction represents a unique opportunity to add immediate cash and positive cashflow to Battery. Consideration of offers to sell the business are on the table. While considering options to monetize, the focus for this new segment of Battery will be to initiate strategies intended to increase the value of this business to Battery shareholders. These strategies may include, among others, the sale of non-core assets, improvement of margins by reducing costs such as corporate overhead and investigating opportunities to increase revenue through expanding the product and services offerings. We look forward to continuing to advance our corporate strategy by realizing the value of our current projects for our shareholders while bolstering our platform with additional accretive investments in this exciting and growing space."

ESI Acquisition Terms

The Company completed the ESI Acquisition on the following terms:

The ESI Acquisition by consolidating ESI common shares so that minority shareholders of ESI received a fractional ESI common share post-consolidation. ESI immediately redeemed those fractional shares for cash and cancelled them. The cash payment to each minority shareholder of $0.75 per share is based on the number of ESI common shares held by minority shareholders before the share consolidation.

The result is that Battery, which owned 89.2% of the ESI common shares before the share consolidation, now owns 100% of the ESI common shares.

The transaction was approved by ESI shareholders at a special meeting earlier yesterday. Votes were cast at the meeting by the holders of 93.76% of the ESI common shares and the level of approval was 100% of the votes cast by all shareholders and 100% of the votes cast by minority shareholders.

Additional Information

The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the ESI Acquisition, and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. 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 press release.

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 and 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 now owns 100% of ESI Energy Services, Inc., a pipeline equipment rental and sales company with operations in Leduc, Alberta and Phoenix, Arizona. Finally, Battery is in the process of finalizing a concurrent private placement financing and acquisition of the Punitaqui Mining Complex (the "Punitaqui Acquisition"), a prior 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

The securities offered pursuant to the Private Placement have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements related to the completion of a private placement and Punitaqui Acquisition and Battery's ability to monetize its interest in ESI. Actual future results may differ materially. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections of the Company on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability of the Company to complete the Punitaqui Acquisition, obtaining all required regulatory approvals necessary to complete the Punitaqui Acquisition, risks related to share price and market conditions, the inherent risks involved in the mining, exploration and development of mineral properties, government regulation and fluctuating metal prices. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Battery undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY, OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85387
GSB Gold Standard and Josip Heit acquire historic German newspapers.

HAMBURG-NORD, Germany, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GSB Gold Standard, based in Hamburg, Germany, announces the strategic acquisition of three historic newspaper brands, along with their registered trademarks, in an effort to strengthen and expand their GSMedia Division and promote GSB's G999 Blockchain technology: Berliner Tageeszeitung, Berliner Tageblatt, and Deutsche Tageszeitung.

By acquiring these historic newspapers, GSB Gold Standard Group and Josip Heit as Chairman of the Board is confident of growing the German media company, which is comparable to some of the largest media organisations in the United States. The recently acquired newspapers were some of the most influential and well-known in Germany during the time of publication, with two of them having origins dating back to the 19th century.

Berliner Tageeszeitung - Founded in 1945

Berliner Tageblatt - Founded in 1872

Deutsche Tageszeitung - Founded in 1894

With a self-proclaimed obsession for technological innovation, Heit hopes to take these influential and historic names and transform them for the 21st century to be more modern, and in line with his pioneering spirit and entrepreneurial vision.

Heit follows a line of other business magnates like John W. Henry, owner of Liverpool FC, who in 2013, purchased the Boston Globe for $70 million, and former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, who purchased the Washington Post for $250 million the same year.

About GSB Gold Standard Corporation AG (GSB)

GSB's innovative software solutions, such as G999 and GStelecom, among others, create transparency and can be used equally by customers worldwide.

Current products such as the GStelecom app for both Apple and Android can be downloaded here:

Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=block.chain.chat

Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/tt/app/gstelecom-by-g999-blockchain/id1547577247

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G999, GStelecom, GSmedia, GSB Gold Standard: Josip Heit takes over German media group with brands:

G999, GStelecom, GSmedia, GSB Gold Standard: Josip Heit takes over German media group with brands: BERLINER TAGESZEITUNG, Deutsche Tageszeitung and Berliner Tageblatt

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HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / May 26, 2021 / Cub Energy Inc. ("Cub" or the "Company") (TSXV:KUB), a Ukraine-focused energy company, announced today its unaudited financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2021. All dollar amounts are expressed in United States Dollars unless otherwise noted. This update includes results from Kub-Gas LLC ("Kub-Gas"), which Cub has a 35% equity ownership interest, Tysagaz LLC ("Tysagaz"), Cub's 100% owned subsidiary and CNG LLC ("CNG"), which Cub has a 50% equity ownership interest.

Patrick McGrath, Interim CEO of Cub said: "We are pleased to report $709,000 in profit from our gas trading business during the first quarter which resulted in the Company reporting net income of $263,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The key driver in the financial performance was the increase in the natural gas price to $5.90/mcf during the current quarter. We also had operational success with the installation of the two Jenbacher power units and achieved commercial power generation mid-way through the second quarter of 2021."

Operational Highlights

Achieved average natural gas price of $5.90/Mcf and condensate price of $67.86/bbl during the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to $3.45/Mcf and $36.251/bbl for the comparative 2020 period. The increase is due, in large part, to a colder European winter and the lessoning global impacts of COVID-19 on commodity prices

Production averaged 555 boe/d (97% weighted to natural gas and the remaining to condensate) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to 646 boe/d for the 2020 period.

The Company's two Jenbacher power units were installed in the first quarter of 2021 and commenced commercial production subsequent to the quarter end. The power generation units have the capacity to produce as much as 3 megawatts ("MW") of power and utilize the Company's wholly-owned RK gas field.

On April 30, 2021, the Company announced it had entered into a share purchase agreement ("SPA") to sell its 50% interest in CNG Holdings, which indirectly owns the Uzghorod licence in western Ukraine. In consideration, the Company is to receive 800,000 (US $970,000) for its 50% interest in CNG Holdings. The consideration consists of 600,000 (US $728,000) in cash on closing and 200,000 (US $242,000) is a contingent payment on certain future events including a commercial discovery. The closing is subject to certain conditions including Ukraine regulatory approval.

Financial Highlights

The gross profit on the Company's gas trading business increased to $709,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to $134,000 in gross profit in the comparative 2020 period.

The Company reported net income of $263,000 or $0.00 per share during the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to a net loss of $706,000 or $0.00 per share during the 2020 comparative period.

Netbacks of $17.31/boe or $2.88/Mcfe were achieved for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to netback of $5.40/Boe or $0.90/Mcfe for the 2020 first quarter.

(in thousands of US Dollars) Three

Months Ended

March 31, 2021 Three

Months Ended

March 31, 2020 Petroleum and natural gas revenue 94 66 Pro-rata petroleum and natural gas revenue(1) 1,144 1,262 Revenue from gas trading 1,653 2,204 Net income (loss) 263 (706) Income (loss) per share - basic and diluted 0.00 (0.00) Funds generated from (used in) operations 16 350 Capital expenditures(2) 134 - Pro-rata capital expenditures(2) 134 851 Pro-rata netback ($/boe)(3) 17.31 5.40 Pro-rata netback ($Mcfe)(3) 2.88 0.90 March 31,

2021 December 31,

2020 Cash and cash equivalents 4,205 4,424

Notes:

Pro-rata petroleum and natural gas revenue is a non-IFRS measure that adds the Company's petroleum and natural gas revenue earned in the respective periods to the Company's 35% equity share of the KUB-Gas natural gas sales that the Company has an economic interest in. Capital expenditures includes the purchase of property, plant and equipment and the purchase of exploration and evaluation assets. Pro-rata capital expenditures are a non-IFRS measure that adds the Company's capital expenditures in the respective periods to the Company's 35% equity share of the KUB-Gas and 50% equity share of CNG Holdings capital expenditures that the Company has an economic interest in. For purposes of the pro-rata netback calculation, the Company's profit from gas trading is added to the revenue of Kub-Gas to better reflect the true natural gas price achieved and field netback.

Reader Advisory

With the current cash resources, negative working capital, fluctuating commodity prices, currency fluctuations, reliance on a limited number of customers, the Company may not have sufficient cash to continue the exploration and development activities. These matters raise significant doubt about the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern and meet its obligations as they become due.

Supporting Documents

Cub's complete interim reporting package, including the unaudited consolidated interim financial statements and associated Management's Discussion and Analysis, have been filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and has been posted on the Company's website at www.cubenergyinc.com.

About Cub Energy Inc.

Cub Energy Inc. (TSX-V: KUB) is a power and upstream oil and gas company, with a proven track record of exploration and production cost efficiency in Ukraine. The Company's strategy is to implement western technology and capital, combined with local expertise and ownership, to increase value in its undeveloped land base, creating and further building a portfolio of assets within a high commodity price environment.

For further information please contact us or visit our website: www.cubenergyinc.com.

Patrick McGrath

Interim Chief Executive Officer

(713) 577-1948

patrick.mcgrath@cubenergyinc.com

Oil and Gas Equivalents

A barrel of oil equivalent ("boe") or units of natural gas equivalents ("Mcfe") is calculated using the conversion factor of 6 Mcf (thousand cubic feet) of natural gas being equivalent to one barrel of oil. A boe conversion ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 bbl (barrel) or a Mcfe conversion of 1bbl: 6 Mcf is, based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead and is not based on either energy content or current prices. While the boe ratio is useful for comparative measures, it does not accurately reflect individual product values and might be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. As well, given that the value ratio, based on the current price of crude oil to natural gas, is significantly different from the 6:1 energy equivalency ratio, using a 6:1 conversion ratio may be misleading as an indication of value. The disclosure in this press release is prepared in accordance with NI 51-101 standards.

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Cub believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable; however there can be no assurance those expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Ukraine, the Black Sea Region and globally; political unrest and security concerns in Ukraine; industry conditions, including fluctuations in the prices of natural gas, power and foreign currency; governmental regulation of the natural gas industry, including environmental regulation; unanticipated operating events or performance which can reduce production or cause production to be shut in or delayed; failure to obtain industry partner and other fourth party consents and approvals, if and when required; 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 natural gas; liabilities inherent in natural gas operations; competition for, among other things, capital, acquisitions of reserves, undeveloped lands, skilled personnel and supplies; incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions; geological, technical, drilling, processing and transportation problems; changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the natural gas industry; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and dispositions; and the other factors. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive.

This cautionary statement expressly qualifies the forward-looking information contained in this news release. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our expectations except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

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: Cub Energy Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/649306/Cub-Energy-Announces-First-Quarter-Results
Connecticuts number of new COVID-19 cases continues to decline as well, with an average of about 210 a day over the past two weeks, down from more than 1,000 a day in early April and more than 2,000 a day in January.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - INCA ONE GOLD CORP. (TSXV: INCA) (OTC Pink: INCAF) (FSE: SU92) ("Inca One" or the "Company") a gold producer operating two, fully permitted, mineral processing facilities in Peru, is pleased to announce it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD$613,458 (the "Private Placement" or "Offering") with the issuance of 1,533,645 units (the "Units") at a subscription price of CAD$0.40 per Unit. The Company received approval from the TSX Venture Exchange to increase the size of the Private Placement from $500,000 to $613,458 shortly before closing.

Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Share") and one transferable common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder on exercise to purchase an additional Share of the Company at an exercise price of CAD$0.60 for a period of 36 months from the closing date ("Closing Date").

The proceeds from the Offering will be used for general working capital requirements. All securities issued in connection with the Private Placement will be subject to a statutory hold period of 4 months plus a day from the Closing Date in accordance with applicable securities legislation. No finder's fees were paid in connection with the Private Placement. The Private Placement is subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The following insiders of the Company subscribed under the Private Placement: Edward Kelly, President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, purchased 190,000 Units under the Private Placement through a company controlled by Mr. Kelly; Kevin Hart, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, acquired an aggregate of 362,000 Units under the Private Placement; and Rodney Stevens, a director of the Company, purchased 139,645 Units under the Private Placement. The issuance of Units to insiders pursuant to the Private Placement (the "Insider Participation") will be considered to be a related party transaction within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101"). The Company intends to rely on the 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 any Insider Participation. The Company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before the expected closing of the Private Placement as the details of the Private Placement and the Insider Participation were not settled until shortly prior to closing and the Company wished to close on an expedited basis for sound business reasons.

The securities described herein 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 unless registered under the Act or unless an exemption from registration is available.

About Inca One

Inca One Gold Corp is a TSXV listed, gold producer operating two, fully permitted, gold mineral processing facilities in Peru. The Company has produced in excess of 92,000 ounces of gold, generating over US$125 million in revenue from its first 6 years of operations. Inca One, is led by an experienced and capable management team that has established the Company as a trusted leader in servicing government permitted, small-scale miners in Peru. Peru is the world's seventh-largest producer of gold and its small-scale mining sector is estimated by government officials to be valued in the billions of dollars annually. Inca One possesses a combined 450 tonnes per day permitted operating capacity at its two fully integrated plants, Chala One and Kori One. To learn more visit www.incaone.com.





Figure 1. Inca One's gold processing facilities in Peru (left: Chala One facility; right: Kori One facility)



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2645/85391_16371b82341e8b47_001full.jpg

On behalf of the Board,

Edward Kelly,

President and CEO

Inca One Gold Corp.

For More Information Contact:

Konstantine Tsakumis

Inca One Gold Corp.

ktsakumis@incaone.com

604-568-4877

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

Statements regarding the Company which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. 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. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements due to factors such as: (i) fluctuation of mineral prices; (ii) a change in market conditions; and (iii) the fact that future operational results may not be accurately predicted based on this limited information to date. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to update any changes to such statements. Inca One believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included herein should not be unduly relied upon.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85391
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Mobi724 Global Solutions Inc. (TSXV: MOS) ("Mobi724" or the "Company"), a fintech enabler of AI-enhanced payment card-linked incentives, will announce its Q1-2021 financial results (the "Results") on Monday, May 31st, 2021, after-market closing.

Marcel Vienneau and Mathieu Laurin, CEO and CFO respectively of Mobi724, will co-host a webinar on Monday, May31st, 2021 at 5:00 PM EST to discuss the Results and to provide a management update.

Shareholders, investors, media representatives and other stakeholders are invited to join the webinar by following the instructions below:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/715094190644522764

Webinar ID: 143-271-787

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Alternatively, interested persons may also dial in using their phone:

Canada: +1 647-497-9389

United States: +1 213-929-4231

Access Code: 858-935-828

About Mobi724 Global Solutions Inc.

"Every Transaction is an Opportunity"

Mobi724 Global Solutions Inc. (TSXV: MOS) is a fintech company which provides a platform, that enables banks and merchants to offer their customers real-time payment card-linked incentives, in a white-label format. Mobi724's objective is to add a layer of AI-driven actionable intelligence to every payment transaction, creating engaging consumer experiences & generating incremental commercial opportunities to its clients. For more information about Mobi724 please visit www.mobi724.com.

Legal Disclaimer

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

THIS NEWS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION TO BUY OR SELL ANY SECURITIES IN THE UNITED STATES AND IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO US NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

Investor Relations:

Marcel Vienneau, CEO

Mobi724 Global Solutions Inc.

T: 514-394-5200 ir@mobi724.com

Eli Rozhansky, Investor Relations Coordinator

Mobi724 Global Solutions Inc.

T: 514-394-5200 ir@mobi724.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85376
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, 25 May 2021.

PSH NAV per share as of close of business on 25 May 2021 was 48.93 USD 34.60 GBP and year-to-date performance was 7.9%.

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/20210526006113/en/

Contacts:

Media

Camarco

Ed Gascoigne-Pees Hazel Stevenson +44 020 3757 4989, media-pershingsquareholdings@camarco.co.uk
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Allied Copper Corp. (TSXV: CPR) (OTC: CPRRF) ("Allied Copper" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement dated May 5, 2021 (the "Definitive Agreement") with 1269280 B.C. Ltd. ("BCCo"), a corporation incorporated in the Province of British Columbia, and 1303288 B.C. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company ("Subco") incorporated in the Province of British Columbia, whereby the Company will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of BCCo pursuant to a three-cornered amalgamation in accordance with Section 269 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "Proposed Transaction"). BCCo is a private company formed under the laws of British Columbia on October 8, 2020, whose sole asset is an option agreement with Goodsprings Exploration LLC ("Goodsprings"), Robert Cole ("R. Cole") and Lori Cole ("L. Cole" together with R. Cole and Goodsprings, the "Optionors") (the "Goodsprings Option Agreement"), whereby BCCo has the option (the "Option") to earn a 100% interest in the Silver King project in the State of Nevada (the "Silver King Property").

The Proposed Transaction is a Reverse Takeover (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The Proposed Transaction will not result in a change of business of the Company and following the completion of the Proposed Transaction the Company will be a junior mining issuer focused on the exploration and development of the Silver King Property.

The Silver King Property

The Silver King Property is a porphyry copper-gold exploration target in Lincoln county, Nevada. The Silver King Property, comprised of 316 BLM lode mining claims (2560Ha) sits on a highly prospective area, along a geologic trend which hosts multiple producing mines, with transportation and power infrastructure readily available.

The Silver King mine was discovered in the 1870's, with reported shipments of high-grade lead-zinc-silver ore to Salt Lake City. In 1919 construction of a 50 ton per day smelter was started on the property, but never completed, with additional, limited, production in 1939. There is no record of additional work until modern exploration work on the property was conducted by B&B Mining, commencing in the early 1960's. Subsequent exploration was conducted by Anaconda, Caldera Resources, Great Basin Exploration and Nevoro Nevada Inc. conducting the most recent work in 2007.

The work done to date includes an airborne magnetic survey, IP surveys and initial drilling. These work programs have identified multiple styles of mineralization, within an identified potential porphyry system. The culmination of this work has partially defined a Tertiary age (28 MA), multi-phased, intrusive complex which has generated widespread base and precious metal mineralization in the following environments:

Structurally controlled jasperoids and carbonate replacement zones;

Contact-related skarn zones;

Intrusion-hosted, quartz-sulfide stockwork zones; and

Zones of distal disseminated precious metal mineralization.

Nevada is a recognized mining jurisdiction being ranked #1 in the world for investment in 2020 by the Fraser Institute, and has been consistently in the top 10 over the last 8 surveys.1 The Fraser Institute takes into consideration a multiple of metrics which include a short permit approval process, high levels of transparency, confidence, taxation, quality of infrastructure, to name a few.

The Silver King Property is aligned with Allied Copper's focus and mandate to acquire, explore and develop potential long-life, scalable copper-gold assets in low-risk jurisdictions. Resource independence is, and has become a critical issue facing nations worldwide. Allied Copper will endeavor and strive to be a part of the solution.

The Goodsprings Option Agreement

Under the terms of the Goodsprings Option Agreement, BCCo may exercise the Option at acquire a 100% interest in the Silver King Property in exchange for payment of US$420,000 over a four-year period, as follows:

US$15,000 within 45 days of the date which the Goodsprings Option Agreement is signed by the last of the parties to sign (the " Effective Date "), but no later than February 15, 2021;

"), but no later than February 15, 2021; US$20,000 on or before the first anniversary of the Effective Date;

US$25,000 on or before the second anniversary of the Effective Date;

US$30,000 on or before the third anniversary of the Effective Date; and

US$330,000 on or before the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date.

BCCo confirms that the initial payment of $15,000 has been made in accordance with the Goodsprings Option Agreement.

In the event that the Option is exercised, BCCo will grant a 2% net smelter returns royalty ("NSR") in favour of the Optionors, subject to the ability of BCCo to purchase 1% of the NSR (resulting in the remaining NSR being 1%) for a purchase price of $1,500,000 at any time before the commencement of commercial production on the Silver King Property.

Below is a summary of financial information of BCCo based on an unaudited balance sheet as at March 31, 2021:

Financial Period Assets Liabilities Revenues Net Loss March 31, 2021 $39,881 $2,032 $Nil $2,301

Terms of Proposed Transaction

Under the Definitive Agreement in order to acquire a 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of BCCo, the Company will issue an aggregate of 6,691,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Consideration Shares") at a deemed price of $0.30 per Consideration Share to the shareholders of BCCo. The Consideration Shares shall be subject to contractual resale restrictions providing that the Consideration Shares may not be sold, transferred, optioned, encumbered, pledged or hypothecated in any way, except as follows: (i) as to 25% on the date which is six months from the date of issuance; (ii) as to 25% on the date which is twelve months from the date of issuance; and (iii) as to 50% on the date which is eighteen months from the date of issuance. All securities issued pursuant to the Proposed Transaction will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the issuance thereof, as applicable, in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Satisfaction of Conditions to Closing

The completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent, including:

Receipt of all necessary consents, approvals and other authorizations of any regulatory authorities, shareholders or third parties has been obtained, including but not limited to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"); The representations and warranties of the parties in the Definitive Agreement remaining accurate at and as of the Closing Date; The completion by BCCo of an equity financing for gross proceeds of a minimum of $1,500,000 and a maximum of $3,000,000 (the "Offering") at an offering price of $0.30 per subscription receipt (the "Subscription Receipts").

Concurrent Financing

In connection with the Proposed Transaction, BCCo proposes to complete a non-brokered private placement of up to a maximum of 10,000,000 subscription receipts at a price of $0.30 per Subscription Receipt (the "Issue Price") for aggregate gross proceeds of up to a maximum of $3,000,000 (the "Offering"). The gross proceeds of the Offering (the "Escrowed Proceeds") will be held in escrow on behalf of the subscribers of the Subscription Receipts by TSX Trust Company (the "Escrow Agent"), pursuant to the terms of a subscription receipt agreement (the "Subscription Receipt Agreement") to be entered into on or about the closing date of the Offering (the "Offering Closing Date") among BCCo and the Escrow Agent. Each Subscription Receipt will be automatically converted, without payment of any additional consideration and without further action on the part of the holder thereof, for one unit (a "Unit") of the Company upon satisfaction or waiver of the escrow release conditions ("Escrow Release Conditions") set out below and in the Subscription Receipt Agreement and prior to a Termination Event (as defined below), subject to adjustment in certain events. The Units to be issued upon conversion of the Subscription Receipts will be comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Unit Share") and one-half of one whole common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable by the holder thereof for one common share of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $0.45 per Warrant Share for a period of twenty-four (24) months following the date of issuance (the "Warrant Term") provided, however, that should the closing price at which the Common Shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (or any such other stock exchange in Canada as the Common Shares may trade at the applicable time) exceed CDN$0.90 for 20 consecutive trading days at any time following the date that is four months and one day after the date of issuance, the Company may accelerate the Warrant Term (the "Reduced Warrant Term") such that the Warrants shall expire on the date which is 30 business days following the date a press release is issued by the Company announcing the Reduced Warrant Term, subject to adjustments in certain events.

The Escrow Release Conditions are as follows:

The receipt of all required corporate, shareholder and regulatory approvals in connection with the Offering and the Proposed Transaction, including, without limitation, the conditional approval of the TSXV for the listing of the Unit Shares and Warrant Shares and any relevant listing documents having been accepted for filing with the TSXV; The completion or the satisfaction of all conditions precedent to the Proposed Transaction, substantially in accordance with the definitive agreements relating to the Proposed Transaction; and The Company having delivered a notice to the Escrow Agent, confirming that the conditions set forth in (a) and (b) above have been met or waived.

In the event that: (i) the Escrow Agent does not receive the release notice contemplated by the Subscription Receipt Agreement prior to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on that date which is 120 days after the Offering Closing Date (the "Escrow Release Deadline"); or (ii) prior to the Escrow Release Deadline, the Company announces to the public that it does not intend to proceed with the Proposed Transaction and/or satisfy the Escrow Release Conditions (each, a "Termination Event"), the Escrowed Proceeds (plus any interest accrued thereon) will be returned to the holders of the Subscription Receipts on a pro rata basis and the Subscription Receipts will be cancelled without any further action on the part of the holders. To the extent that the Escrowed Funds are not sufficient to refund the aggregate Issue Price paid to the holders of the Subscription Receipts, BCCo will be responsible and liable to contribute such amounts as are necessary to satisfy any shortfall.

The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to fund the consideration payable under the terms of the Goodsprings Option Agreement in respect of the acquisition of the Silver King Property and for general corporate purposes.

The Subscription Receipts issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a regulatory four month hold period. The Unit Shares and Warrants issued upon conversion of the Subscription Receipts will not be subject to resale restrictions.

The securities that will be issued in connection with the Offering will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined under the U.S. Securities Act) absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Reverse Takeover Transaction

The Proposed Transaction, together with the Offering, the name change and consolidation of the Common Shares of the Company which was completed on April 1, 2021 and the previous financings of the Company which closed on March 24, March 31, and April 29, 2021 collectively will constitute a Reverse Takeover pursuant to the policies of the TSXV and the Company intends to file a management information circular (the "Circular") in connection with the Proposed Transaction.

The Proposed Transaction may require sponsorship under the policies of the TSXV unless an exemption from sponsorship is granted. The Company intends to apply for an exemption from sponsorship requirements of the TSXV in connection with the Proposed Transaction. There can be no assurance that such exemption will ultimately be granted.

Management of the Resulting Issuer

Following the completion of the Proposed Transaction, the parties anticipate that the current Board of Directors and management of the Company will resign, with the exception of Mr. David Robinson, remaining as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, and Kyle Hookey, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, as he will step down from his role and transition as a Director. It is proposed that the following persons will be appointed, in the capacities listed below. Brief biographies of the proposed nominees are as follows:

Richard Tremblay, Chief Executive Officer and Director - Richard has over 15 years of experience in the resource business sector. In 2006 he entered the venture capital and junior resource markets industry and founded Golden Ears Consulting Ltd. Later, he worked for both public and private companies in sales of geophysical surveys, investor relations/corporate communications and corporate development. Richard has assisted in raising capital for several public and private companies across different sectors and was named CEO of Pacific Potash Corporation in February 2012. His long and varied experience throughout his career has provided him with a strong work ethic which he brings to Allied Copper, as well as the tools to evaluate and navigate the complex workings of an emerging public company.

Warner Uhl, Chairman - Warner brings more than 30 years of experience as a senior mining professional to the Company, as he has worked in executive management with mining, construction, and engineering companies to help bring resource projects from feasibility to commissioning. He has been involved in all stages of mine development and operations as a Silver King Property Director at Iamgold, Senior Vice President Technical Services at Procon Mining and Tunneling, Chief Silver King Property Officer at KGHM International and Manager of Mining and Metals at Leighton Contractors in Australia. Silver King Propertys include managing the underground expansion of a Diamond Mine in Canada's Northwest Territories and a $1.8 billion Iron Ore expansion in Australia. Warner oversaw the feasibility and construction of the first new mine in British Columbia in 15 years and recently a new $2.2 billion gold mine in Ontario. As Chief Silver King Property Officer of the International branch of one of the largest copper producers in the world, he oversaw development into Canada, the United States, and Chile. Warner has a proven track record of successfully taking projects from concept to operations, and he improves project NPVs through his experience and trade-off studies to find significant life cycle value. He has been active in working with First Nations Groups in promoting training and business partnerships and holds a Master of Business Administration, is a Certified Risk Manager, a Certified Safety Officer, and is a Silver King Property Management Professional.

David Eaton, Director - David started in the capital markets in 1981 as a floor trader at the Vancouver Stock Exchange. Throughout his career he has been active in all aspects of the corporate finance industry, consulting to both public and private companies in the areas of investor relations, financing and corporate transactions. David's experience and involvement in businesses spans many industries including real estate, mining, tourism, retail, manufacturing and marketing and distribution. David served as CEO of Jayden Resources Inc. and as a Director or consultant to many Canadian public companies including Novo Resources Corp., Confederation Minerals Ltd. and Kariana Resource Inc. Currently, David serves as the Chairman of Baron Global Financial Canada Ltd.

Kyle Hookey, Director - Kyle has over 10 years of experience in the capital markets, his efforts are focused on advising clients on equity and debt portfolios, public market M&A transactions and broad asset allocation mandates. His previous work experience includes Goldman Sachs JBWere and Euroz Securities, and he is a Member of the CFA Institute.

Campbell Smyth, Director - Campbell has fifteen years of experience in managed portfolio investing (in both mutual and hedge funds) and over twenty-five years of experience in corporate financing and capital raising. He currently serves as Chairman and Director of Norseman Silver and as a Director of Nubian Resources Ltd., both listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. Campbell has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Western Australia in 1990, he holds the designation of an authorized securities representative granted by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission as of 2001, and he is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

The Company hopes to welcome the new board members with their recognized leadership, tactical capital markets expertise and wealth of technical and development experience, as strategic forces for the growth and progression of Allied Copper on this exciting new phase.

Annual and Special Meeting

In connection with the Proposed Transaction, the Company will call an annual and special shareholder meeting (the "Meeting"), to approve, among other things, the Proposed Transaction and appointing new directors of the Company. Further details of the Meeting will be described in a management information circular of the Company.

Related Party Transaction

David Robinson, Chief Financial Officer and a director of the Company and Kyle Hookey, Chief Executive Officer of the Company hold 500,000 and 333,333 common shares in the capital of BCCo, respectively, representing approximately 7.47% and 4.98 %, respectively, of the issued and outstanding commons shares of BCCo. As a result, the Proposed Transaction constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Messrs. Robinson and Hookey currently hold 66,667 and 88,888 common shares in the capital of the Company, respectively, representing approximately 0.36% and 0.48%, respectively, of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. In connection with the Proposed Transaction Messrs. Robinson and Hookey will receive 500,000 and 333,333 Consideration Shares, respectively, resulting in Messrs. Robinson and Hookey holdings in the resulting issuer being 566,667 and 422,221 common shares, respectively, representing approximately 1.6% and 1.2 %, respectively, of the outstanding common shares assuming completion of the Proposed Transactions and Offering. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the Company is not listed on one of the markets specified in MI 61-101 and the fair market value of the Consideration Shares to be issued to the insiders of the Company does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101.

Qualified Person

Rory Kutluoglu, P. Geo., a Qualified Person (the "Qualified Person") as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Silver King Property, has reviewed and approved the geological information reported in this news release. The Qualified Person has not completed sufficient work to verify the historic information on the Silver King Property, particularly with regards to historical sampling and regional government-mapped geology. However, the Qualified Person assumes that sampling and analytical results were completed to industry standard practices. The information provides an indication of the exploration potential of the Silver King Property but may not be representative of expected results.

About Allied Copper

Allied Copper Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on acquiring and developing potential long-life, scalable, copper-gold assets in the Western United States. The Company's strategy is to focus on low cost and potential high growth operations over a multi-year growth pipeline in low-risk jurisdictions, and is committed to operating efficiently and with transparency in all areas of the business. Allied Copper headquarters are in Vancouver, BC, Canada and lists under the symbol CPR on the TSX Venture Exchange. Readers may sign up for updates on the Company's website www.alliedcoppercorp.com.

For further information, please contact:

David Robinson

Chief Financial Officer

Email: drobinson@cronincapital.ca

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.

The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Completion of the transaction contemplated by the Definitive Agreement, the issue price of the securities in connection with the Offering, the terms of the Subscription Receipts and the units (and securities being offered) and the closing of the Offering is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and, if applicable, disinterested shareholder approval. The transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the contemplated transaction or the Offering will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the transaction, any information released or received with respect to the contemplated transactions may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Further details of the transaction contemplated by the Definitive Agreement will be included in subsequent news releases and disclosure documents to be filed by the Company.

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. 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. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.

[1] https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/annual-survey-of-mining-companies-2020.pdf

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85399
Internet, Everywhere--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Shopify Inc. (NYSE: SHOP) (TSX: SHOP), a leading global commerce company, today announced the results from its Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") which took place today. All director nominees were re-elected to the Board of Directors and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was appointed as auditors. Shareholders approved the second amendment and restatement of each of the Company's Stock Option Plan and the Company's Long Term Option Plan and approved all unallocated options under the Stock Option Plan, as amended, and all unallocated awards under the Long Term Option Plan, as amended, all as further described in the Company's management information circular dated April 22, 2021 (the "Circular"). Shareholders approved the advisory resolution on the approach to executive compensation disclosed in the Circular.

The detailed results of the Meeting were as follows:

1. Election of Directors

The six (6) nominees for Director that were proposed by management of the Company were elected pursuant to a vote conducted by ballot. The votes were cast for each nominee as follows:

Director Votes

for % of

Votes for Votes

Withheld % of

Votes Withheld Tobias Lutke 185,422,777 99.16% 1,572,000 0.84% Robert Ashe 184,402,284 98.61% 2,592,493 1.39% Gail Goodman 186,367,943 99.66% 626,834 0.34% Colleen Johnston 185,788,556 99.35% 1,206,221 0.65% Jeremy Levine 185,678,248 99.30% 1,316,529 0.70% John Phillips 179,238,787 95.85% 7,755,990 4.15%

2. Appointment of Auditor

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were appointed as the Company's auditors and the directors were authorized to fix the auditor's compensation pursuant to a vote conducted by ballot. The votes were cast as follows:

Votes

for % of

Votes for Votes

Withheld % of

Votes Withheld 191,064,471 99.89% 209,555 0.11%

3. Approval of Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan

The Company's Second Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan and all unallocated options under such Stock Option Plan, as amended, were approved pursuant to a vote conducted by ballot. The votes were cast as follows:

Votes

for % of

Votes for Votes

Against % of

Votes Against 144,288,559 77.16% 42,706,218 22.84%

4. Approval of Amended and Restated Long Term Incentive Plan

The Company's Second Amended and Restated Long Term Incentive Plan and all unallocated awards under such Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended, were approved pursuant to a vote conducted by ballot. The votes were cast as follows:

Votes

for % of

Votes for Votes

Against % of

Votes Against 149,106,783 79.74% 37,887,994 20.26%

5. Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

The advisory vote on executive compensation was approved pursuant to a vote conducted by ballot. The votes were cast as follows:

Votes

for % of

Votes for Votes

Against % of

Votes Against 175,715,172 93.97% 11,279,605 6.03%

Following the Meeting, the Board of Directors selected Tobias Lutke to continue to serve as Chair of the Board of Directors, and Robert Ashe to continue to serve as Lead Independent Director.

About Shopify

Shopify is a leading global commerce company, providing trusted tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail business of any size. Shopify makes commerce better for everyone with a platform and services that are engineered for reliability, while delivering a better shopping experience for consumers everywhere. Proudly founded in Ottawa, Shopify powers over 1.7 million businesses in more than 175 countries and is trusted by brands such as Allbirds, Gymshark, Heinz, Staples Canada, and many more. For more information, visit www.shopify.com

CONTACT:

INVESTORS:

Katie Keita

Senior Director, Investor Relations

613-241-2828 x 1024

IR@shopify.com

SOURCE: Shopify



MEDIA:

Rebecca Feigelsohn

Communications Lead

416-238-6705 x 302

press@shopify.com



To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85400
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2021) - Baden Resources Inc. ("Baden" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its common shares are approved for listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") under the trading symbol "BDN" and are to commence trading on Friday May 28, 2021.

Baden's primary initial focus will be the Midway Property which is comprised of 24 claims covering 7,096 hectares. The property is held by option with Grizzly Discoveries Inc. ("Grizzly") and is part of Grizzly's larger Greenwood Property of approximately 74,000 hectares located around the town of Greenwood in southeastern BC along the US border.

Historical gold showings on the Midway claims have yielded significant precious and base metal grades. Recent exploration work conducted in the area resulted in the newly discovered Big Sexy area, including 668 metres of drilling in 2017 and 1,420 metres of further drilling in later 2018 by KG Exploration Inc. ("KG"), a subsidiary of Kinross Gold.

The Company will shortly be proceeding with the recommended exploration program on the property, involving an IP survey, magnetic survey and further prospecting, mapping and sampling.

The Company is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in Canada and the USA.

On Behalf of the Company

Howard Milne, Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact Howard Milne, CEO at 604-377-8994 email hdmcap@shaw.ca

Forward Looking Statements: This press release may contain "forward-looking information or statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, which may include, but are not limited to statements relating to its future business plans. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ from those in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, except as required by law.

Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES



To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/85418
Kula Bio, a Boston, MA-based provider of sustainable nitrogen solutions, closed a $10m seed funding round.

The round was led by Collaborative Fund with participation from The Nature Conservancy, Lowercarbon Capital, and the Grantham Environmental Trusts Neglected Climate Opportunities Fund, AgFunder, BOPU, Box Group, Decent Capital, Embark Ventures, iSelect Fund, and Pillar VC.

The company intends to use the funds to continue to expand operations and its development efforts.

Led by Bill Brady, founding CEO and director, Kula Bio makes Kula-N, a next generation nitrogen biofertilizer that helps farmers maintain yield and reduce environmental impact from traditional, synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. Since its founding in 2018, the company has run a series of third-party replicated field trials across diverse geographies, soil types and crops, proving that it can replace up to 80% of a farms nitrogen use.

FinSMEs

26/05/2021
The Uplifters Prima, PBC, a Los Angeles, CA-based company which specializes in botanicals innovations, closes a $9.2M funding round.

The round was led by Greycroft, H Ventures, Defy, and Lerer Hippeau, with participation from Adam Zeplain (mark vc), Global Founders Capital, Emerald Health, One Gun, and Purple Arch Ventures.



The company will use the funds for upcoming retail expansion, remedy-focused clinical research, portfolio refinement and education initiatives along its path to profitability.

A privately held Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) based in Santa Monica California, Prima is a science-led, holistic wellness brand which leverages functionally innovative botanicals. The company has national retail partnerships with Sephora, Nordstrom and expects to offer its products across over 800 new retail stores in 2021.

The team includes:

Christopher Gavigan, CEO

Jessica Assaf, Co-Founder and Chief Education Officer

Laurel Angelica Myers, Co-Founder and COO

FinSMEs

26/05/2021
Qualified, a San Francisco, CA-based conversational sales and marketing platform for companies that use Salesforce, raised $51m in Series B financing.

The round was led by Salesforce Ventures, with participation from existing investors Norwest Venture Partners and Redpoint Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate product innovation and expand the team in all key functions including engineering, sales, marketing and customer success.

Qualified is a conversational sales and marketing platform purpose-built for Salesforce Sales Cloud. The system alerts companies the moment an important buyer arrives on the website, arming sales teams with the tools to meet with them instantly via live chat, chatbots, voice calls and screen sharing.

FinSMEs

25/05/2021




Sharebite, a NYC-based food ordering platform built for workplaces, completed its $15m Series A funding round.

Impact-driven and minority-led investment firm Lafayette Square led this round along with Seamless founders Paul Appelbaum and Todd Arky, Delivery Hero founder Lukasz Gadowski, Essential Capital, Liberty City Ventures, Percy Capital, Reign Ventures, River Park Ventures and London Technology Club.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate the expansion of Sharebite Stations, its contactless ordering solution for workplaces, across major U.S. metropolitan markets.

Led by Dilip Rao, CEO, and Mohsin Memon, COO, Sharebite provides an enterprise-focused technology platform, which allows firms to manage food ordering and expense allocation across all levels of the organization.

Orders are placed using Sharebites group order technology from curated and popular local restaurants such as Chopt, Dig, Naya, Dos Toros, Veggie Grill and many others. The orders are then individually packaged, labeled, delivered and placed in designated areas within an office. They are batched into drop-off windows, allowing employees to avoid increasingly expensive fees charged by other delivery platforms.

Corporate clients include a majority of the top law firms in New York City, along with investment banks, private equity & hedge funds, tech companies, consulting firms, marketing agencies and real estate firms across the country.

Sharebite is headquartered in New York City, with operations in Chicago, the Bay Area (San Francisco/Oakland), Austin, Charlotte, Irvine, and Washington, DC.

FinSMEs

25/05/2021
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating after a small number of people, mostly adolescents and young adults, reported heart inflammation following their COVID-19 vaccinations. And while Connecticut officials say there have been reports of such cases in the state, medical experts are emphasizing that the cases are extremely rare and should not stand in the way of vaccination.
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Crompton Greaves, one of Indias leading manufacturers of home electronics, has announced the launch of the SilentPro Smart ceiling fans. These fans are IoT-enabled ceiling fans, feature Google Home or Alexa integration, offer silent performance with their ActivBLDC technology, and more.

The SilentPro Smart ceiling fan features an aerodynamic design and it is powered by their ActivBLDC Technology for silent operation at 52dB. The motor has a input power of 42W and can operate within a voltage range of 90V  300V.

The fan supports many smart features through the MyCrompton mobile app, along with support for linking with Google Home or Amazon Alexa. It features two modes of smart operation:

All New Sleep Mode : In this mode, the fan will reduce its speed step-wise every 90 minutes and continue to rotate at speed 1, providing silent operation through the night.

: In this mode, the fan will reduce its speed step-wise every 90 minutes and continue to rotate at speed 1, providing silent operation through the night. Natural Breeze Mode: The fan speed steps up from 3 to 5 and back to speed 3 step-wise every 30 seconds, recreating a natural breeze effect.

Along with app control, the fan comes with a smart remote control which can be used to operate the fan easily.

The Crompton Greaves SilentPro Smart fan comes in two colours  Silk White and All White, and will be available in retail stores across India for prices between Rs. 6200 to Rs. 6800.
Back in January, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) released a blacklist of 9 companies including Xiaomi as a Communist Chinese Military Company. After contesting the decision in February, a U.S. federal judge temporarily blocked the DoD from enforcing the consequences of the decision in March.

After several reports earlier this month, Xiaomi today announced that on May 25th, Tuesday, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has issued a final order vacating the U.S. Department of Defenses designation of the Company as a Communist Chinese Military Company.

In vacating the designation, the court has formally lifted all restrictions on U.S. people in buying or holding its stock.

In a statement, Xiaomi said:

The Company is grateful for the wet and support of all its global users, partners, employees and shareholders. The Company reiterates that it is an open, transparent, publicly waded, independently operated and managed corporation. The Company will continue electronics products and services to users, and to relentlessly build amazing products with honest prices to let everyone in the world enjoy a better life through innovative technology.
Lenovo has announced Yoga Pad Pro, the companys latest tablet in China. It features a 13-inch LTPS LCD screen with 2K resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, 100% sRGB color gamut, HDR10 and Dolby Vision, is powered by Snapdragon 870 with 8GB of RAM, but it is a Wi-Fi-only tablet. It has four modes that includes standing, reclining, tilting, and hanging mode so that you can use it for different scenarios such as games, reading, and painting.

The tablet has a side grip and stainless steel bracket on the back to hang it or make it stand without the need of any accessory. It has Alcantara material on the back that offers a smooth finish. It has dual 2.5W and dual 2W speakers on the opposite side tuned by JBL and supports Dolby Atmos. There is a full-featured USB-C 3.1 port, and it even has a micro HDMI port, so you can connect it to laptops, TVs and more.

It has a 8MP front camera along with a ToF sensor for face recognition. It packs a 10,200mAh battery with support for Quick Charge 4.0 fast charging.

Lenovo Yoga Pad Pro specifications

13-inch (2160 x 1350) LCD screen with Dolby Vision, HDR 10, 400 nits brightness, 10-point multitouch

Octa Core (1 x 3.2GHz + 3 x 2.42GHz + 4 x 1.8GHz Hexa) Snapdragon 870 7nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 650 GPU

8GB RAM, 256GB storage, expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD

Android 11 with ZUI 12.5

8MP front-facing (RGB) camera, ToF sensor for face unlock

3.5 mm audio jack, 2 x 2.5W + 2 x 2W JBL speakers, Dolby Atmos, triple mic array

Dimensions: 293.35 x 203.98 x 6.2~24.9mm; Weight: 830g

Wi-Fi 6 802.11 ax (2.4GHz + 5GHz), 2 x 2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS + GLONASS, USB 3.1 Type-C, micro HDMI

10,200mAh (typical) / 10,000mAh (minimum) battery with Quick Charge 4.0

The Lenovo Yoga Pad Pro Wi-Fi version is priced at 3,299 yuan (US$ 515 / Rs. 37,505 approx.) and is already available to order in China. It is not clear when the company plans to launch 4G / 5G version of the tablet. It will sell Precision Pen 2 with 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity separately.

Source
Xiaomis Redmi brand just announced the Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G, the companys latest mid-range 5G smartphone in China, as it had promised. It packs a 6.6-inch Full HD+ LCD screen with 120Hz refresh rate, 240Hz touch sampling rate, Adaptive sync variable refresh rate to switch between 120Hz, 90Hz, 60Hz, 50Hz, 48Hz and 24Hz depending on the content, supports DCI-P3 color gamut and has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection. It is powered by Dimensity 1100 with support for 5G SA/NSA, up to 8GB of RAM and has 16370mm VC liquid cooling, graphite, thermal conductive gel and copper foil, so the whole body is covered for the best heat dissipation.

The phone features a 64-megapixel rear camera, 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens and a 2-megapixel macro camera. It has IP53 ratings for splash resistance, has X-axis linear vibration motor and packs a 5000mAh battery with 67W fast charging that can charge up to 100% in 42 minutes.

Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G specifications

6.6-inch (24001080 pixels) Full HD+ LCD 20:9 aspect ratio screen with HDR10+, 120Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut, up to 450nits brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection

Up to 2.6GHz Octa Core MediaTek Dimensity 1100 6nm processor with ARM G77 MC9 GPU

6GB / 8GB LPDDR4x RAM with 128GB (UFS 3.1) storage, 8GB LPDDR4x RAM with 256GB (UFS 3.1) storage

Android 11 with MIUI 12.5

Dual SIM (nano + nano)

64MP camera with f/1.79 aperture, LED flash, 8MP 119 ultra-wide sensor with f/2.3 aperture, 2MP 4cm macro camera with f/2.4 aperture

16MP front-facing camera

Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, IR sensor

USB Type-C audio, Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Sound by JBL Audio quality certification

Splash Resistant (IP53)

Dimensions: 163.3 x 75.98.9mm; Weight:193g

5G SA/NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 6 802.11 ax, Bluetooth 5.2,GPS/GLONASS, USB Type-C, NFC 3.0

5000mAh(typ)/ 4900mAh(min) battery with 67W fast charging, PD/QC charging

The Redmi Note10 Pro 5G comes in Green, White and Blue colours, is priced at 1499 yuan (US$ 234 / Rs. 17,040 approx.) for the 6GB RAM with 128GB storage version, 1799 yuan (US$ 281 / Rs. 20,460 approx.) for the 8GB RAM with 128GB storage version and the 8GB RAM with 256GB storage version costs 1999 yuan (US$ 312 / Rs. 22,720 approx.). It is available to order and will go on sale in China from June 1st.

It also introduced the Redmi Note 10 5G for the Chinese market after it was introduced back in March, and it was recently launched in some markets as POCO M3 Pro 5G with a new design.

This comes in Chrome Silver, Graphite Gray, Nighttime Blue and Aurora Green colours and is priced at 999 yuan (US$ 156 / Rs. 11,360 approx.) for the 4GB + 128GB, 1199 yuan (US$ 187 / Rs. 13,625 approx.) for 6GB + 128GB, 1399 yuan (US$ 218 / Rs. 15,900 approx.) for 8GB + 128GB and the top-end 8GB + 256GB version costs 1599 yuan (US$ 250 / Rs. 18,180 approx.). It will also go on sale in China from June 1st.

Source 1, 2
As the new IT regulations will go into effect today, May 25th, 2021, various social media platforms in India have announced compliance with the new rules, or they are still in the process of becoming compliant. While some of these rules are reasonable to implement, some are not, and in response WhatsApp has now filed a lawsuit against the Government of India, seeking to block the regulations.

According to the new regulations, social media companies that have more than 5 million users would be required to have a grievance redressal mechanism that is led by a resident grievance officer, along with a chief compliance officer and a nodal contact person. Along with this, companies would be required to have an automated process to take down pornography and any content flagged by authorities as unlawful must be taken down within 36 hours.

Most companies, including Google and Facebook, have already started rolling out features to ensure they are compliant with these new regulations. Twitter, who recently came under fire for marking a post by a leader of the BJP as Manipulated Media, has not commented on their compliance.

However, one of the particular regulations announced is that companies would be required to have a system where they can identify the first originator of information and make messages traceable. According to the Government, this system would only be used in scenarios when the security of the state, or public order is threatened.

It is this rule for which WhatsApp has filed a lawsuit against the Government of India in the Delhi Court today. According to WhatsApp, implementing such a system would fundamentally not work as it would mean breaking end-to-end encryption and thereby violate their users privacy. WhatsApp has long maintained that they do not keep track of personal messages sent between their users and does not plan to backtrack on that either.

With its lawsuit, the company is seeking to block the regulations as they will violate fundamental privacy protections of Indian citizens.

Source 1, 2
Along with the Redmi Note 10 5G series, Xiaomi under its Redmi brand also introduced its Redmi AirDots 3 Pro, the next-generation budget true wireless earbuds in China. It has the latest Bluetooth 5.2, dual-device connectivity and can achieve a low latency of as low as 69ms. It also has active noise cancellation with up to 35dB active noise reduction, thanks to feed-forward and feed-back microphones it effectively eliminates external environmental noise during calls.

The earbuds have 9mm drives, IPX4 ratings for water resistance and promise up to 6 hours of standalone and 28 hours total battery life with the case that also supports Qi wireless charging. It also has support for fast charging that offer 3 hours of playback with 10 minutes of charge.

Redmi AirDots 3 Pro specifications

Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity with Dual device pairing, AAC codec

9mm drivers, tuned by Mi Audio Lab, 4 kinds of sound effects

Active noise cancellation up to 35dB with High, Balanced and Mild modes and transparency mode

69ms Super Low Latency Gaming Mode

Three microphone ENC which significantly reduces surrounding noise during a call

Touch controls for music playback and launch voice assistant (Siri / Google Voice)

Smart wear detection for autoplay and pause

Headphones: 25.420.321.3mm; Weight: 4.9g (Each)

Dimensions Case: 65x48x26mm; Weight: 55g

Water resistant (IPX4)

35mAh battery on the headset offer 6 hours (3 hours with ANC) of battery life on a single charge (at 50% volume), 470mAh battery on the charging case offers 28 hours of backup, Qi Wireless Charging, 10 min charging offers 3h battery life

The Redmi AirDots 3 Pro comes in Ice crystal Ash and Obsidian Black colours and is priced at 349 yuan (US$ 54 / Rs. 3,965 approx.). It will go on sale priced at 299 yuan (US$ 46 / Rs. 3400 approx.) during the first sale on June 11.

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Other members of Floyds family met in Washington with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who urged Congress to quickly pass a law in Floyds name that would bring changes to policing. A moment of silence to honor Floyd was also held in New York and a rally was held in Los Angeles. Globally, a rally took place in Germany and Floyds death was marked by U.S. embassies in Greece and Spain.
Paxton, IL (60957)

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Mixed clouds and sun with scattered thunderstorms. High near 90F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

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A few clouds. Low 67F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman has regained his state law license, years after being released from federal prison in a government corruption case.

The Alabama Bar Association on Monday confirmed that Siegelman's license was restored in December after he went through an application process.

The former governor, 75, told The Associated Press that he expects to do a mix of criminal and civil work. He said he would like to work with public defenders or advocacy groups to take on criminal defense cases.

I look forward to finding those special cases in which I believe and feel like I can make a difference and working either pro-bono or with another lawyer, Siegelman said in a telephone interview.

Siegelman has become an advocate for making changes to the criminal justice system, including providing a measure of justice to families who lose someone to the abuse of power or use of excessive force by police.

Siegelman for decades was a dominating figure in Alabama politics, holding the offices of secretary of state, attorney general, lieutenant governor and governor. He served as Alabamas governor from 1999 to 2003. He was the last Democrat to hold the position in the conservative state.

Siegelman was released from prison in 2017 after serving a six-year sentence for his conviction on charges of bribery and obstruction of justice.

A federal jury in 2006 convicted Siegelman on charges that he sold a seat on a state regulatory board to HealthSouth founder Richard Scrushy in exchange for $500,000 in donations to Siegelmans signature political issue  his 1999 campaign to establish a state lottery. Siegelman was convicted on a separate obstruction of justice charge that he tried to hide money he received from a lobbyist.

Siegelman maintained his innocence and unsuccessfully waged a lengthy battle in court, and in the media, to try to overturn his conviction. His lawyers argued his prosecution was motivated by Republicans upset by the Democrats political success and that the conviction was backed up by scant evidence.
(CNN) -- President Joe Biden will visit Tulsa, Oklahoma, next week in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre, the White House announced on Tuesday.

No other details were made immediately available about the trip slated for June 1.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of a race massacre in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, which encompassed more than 35 city blocks of entirely Black-owned businesses. A beacon for African Americans looking to escape the discrimination and violence of the Jim Crow South and live a peaceful and safe life, the district was founded by Black men and women -- many of whom were descendants of slaves -- and became known as Black Wall Street.

On May 31, 1921, racial tensions and violence with the neighboring White residents in Tulsa boiled over in a massacre. Hundreds of Greenwood's Black residents were killed and the district was left in ashes.

The White House's announcement of the visit came after Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met on Tuesday with the family of George Floyd on the one-year anniversary of his death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, sparking nationwide protests against racism and police brutality.

Meanwhile, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act -- legislation that would set up a national registry of police misconduct, ban racial and religious profiling by law enforcement and overhaul qualified immunity for police officers -- remains stalled in the Senate. Biden had set an initial goal of having the legislation passed by Tuesday, but the White House backed off that deadline to allow negotiations to continue in Congress.

Biden's visit to Tulsa comes nearly a year after his predecessor took a controversial trip to the city. Last June, then-President Donald Trump visited Tulsa in his first campaign rally since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, which by that time had already caused more than 2.2 million cases and 118,900 deaths in the United States, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Trump's visit was initially slated for June 19 -- Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The date was met with widespread criticism amid the national outcry following Floyd's death and nationwide protests over police brutality and racial inequality. Trump announced days before Juneteenth that he would reschedule the rally to June 20 "out of respect for this holiday."

During the rally, Trump stirred controversy anew when he said he had told officials in his administration to slow down coronavirus testing because of the rising number of cases in America. Tulsa also saw an increase in Covid-19 cases following the rally.

CNN's Jason Hoffman, Jazmin Goodwin, Kate Sullivan, and Karl de Vries contributed to this report.
(CNN) -- Record-holding NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson has spent more time in outer space than almost any other human on the planet, but even in retirement she's desperate to go back. On Tuesday, the 61-year-old Whitson revealed that she will do just that  and this time, she's flying private.

Axiom, a Houston-based company that focuses on arranging commercial flights to space, announced that Whitson will pilot a mission dubbed AX-2, which could be among the first privately funded civilian missions to space to launch from US soil.

"It's a little bit of an addiction," Whitson told CNN Business' Rachel Crane about her desire to return to orbit. Even with 665 total days in space already -- almost two years -- under her belt, Whitson, who first flew into space in 2002, says she hopes this mission won't be her last. She says she wants "many more  more and more and more and more; as many as I can get."

John Shoffner, an entrepreneur, race car driver, and pilot with over 8,500 flight hours in various aircraft, will join Whitson on the mission as a tourist.

AX-2 will make use of a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule to carry Whitson and Shoffner to the International Space Station, the two-decade-old laboratory that orbits about 200 miles above the Earth's surface.

SpaceX's Crew Dragon is the same type of capsule that NASA is using to fly its own astronauts to the station. Since SpaceX still technically owns those vehicles, however, the company is allowed to sell seats or entire missions to anyone who can afford a multimillion-dollar ticket. It's all part of the US space industry's plan to drastically expand the amount of private-sector activity in space after decades of government dominance.

The financial terms of the AX-2 deal were not disclosed nor is it clear who is funding the trip, but Whitson noted: "I'm not writing a check." When asked, Shoffner said only that he's "happy to be along for the ride."

Previously, the US government has indicated that Crew Dragon seats could cost about $55 million each.

During Whitson and Shoffner's stay on the ISS, they'll live alongside professional astronauts  including some of Whitson's former colleagues  who use the orbiting laboratory for scientific research.

Whitson, who nabbed the American record for time spent in space during her 22-year NASA career, said the AX-2 mission will likely be less onerous than the trips she's made to space on behalf of the US space agency. Still, Whitson said, she and Shoffner will be keeping busy: Shoffner plans to host livestreams from space to encourage math and science education. And they'll be supporting research projects for a company called 10XGenomics, Shoffner said.

Ahead of the mission, they'll also endure just as much training as they would for a NASA mission, Whitson said.

It's not clear when AX-2 will take off. First, NASA must formally approve Axiom's plans to make use of the International Space Station, and the space agency has previously said it will only allow two privately funded trips ISS per year to ensure that visitors don't interfere with the work of active NASA astronauts. Axiom has already secured one such slot, for a mission called AX-1, which is slated to take off in 2022.
Photographed through glass, streets are empty of traffic along the Las Vegas Strip as casinos and other business are closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, Tuesday, April 14, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The whole conversation around equity is about ensuring that entrance to the marketplace is able to be accessed by communities ... that have been most impacted by the war on drugs, he said. We want to ensure theres a broad diversity of individuals who are able to enter that marketplace, start a business, create their own wealth and benefit from what will be a new market.
GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina)- South Carolina Highway Patrol announced on Thursday that they identified the suspect responsible for the deadly hit and run that killed an Upstate teacher in Greenville on Sunday.
As I consider a candidacy for governor in 2022, today I will be filing paperwork with the State Elections Enforcement Commission to indicate that I will be expending personal resources as part of this consideration, she said in a statement Wednesday. At this point, I will not be accepting contributions or conducting any fundraising as I conduct my due diligence. I believe deeply in the potential of our state, and that the status quo of the Lamont administration has failed our families. I look forward to listening to voters across the state as I carefully consider what is best for our state, our people, and my family.
Yes! I think the restaurants should keep as much outdoor seating as possible  now and after the pandemic ends

It depends on the setup. I like some outdoor options a lot more than others

I always prefer to eat inside the restaurant

I dont really care

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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)

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Sun and a few passing clouds. High 88F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

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A mostly clear sky. Low 79F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.
Galveston, TX (77553)

Today

Sunshine along with some cloudy intervals. High 88F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low 79F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.
Cut Bank, MT (59427)

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Mainly clear. Low 43F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

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Mainly clear. Low 43F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Remains found in Washington in 2019 have been identified as those of a missing Corvallis man by DNA evidence, Corvallis police said Wednesday.

Christian Longs remains were found on the banks of the Columbia River in Cowlitz County, Washington, in May 2019, but could not be identified at the time. Long was 19 when his father, Donald Long, reported him missing in December 2016. Police have not released information about a cause of death and said the case remains an open investigation."

We are confident there are individuals who have information about the circumstances surrounding the death of Christian Long, and we implore them to contact the Corvallis Police Department to assist us, Detective Greg Kantola said in a news release.

Long was originally reported missing after he told his father he was going to Eugene for a while during October 2016. That December, after Donald Long lost contact with Christian Long, he reported his son missing to the Corvallis police.

Police say they received multiple tips from the public, including several that came from out of state, but were able to rule out leads or exhaust all accurate information they were given in the search for Christian Long. Donald Long gave a DNA sample to be entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System database.
Bob Lillie, a retired Oregon State University geology professor, transferred many of the maps and graphics from his book on Marys Peak, Oregons Island in the Sky: Geology Road Guide to Marys Peak, to the panels.

Panoramic photos by Marys Peak advocate Phil Hays are used to show the peaks to the east and west of the mountain. Lillie drills down into the subduction zone to show both how the mountain and its fellows were born and made and how the geology of the region threatens the mid-valley with a major earthquake.

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Marlyn Weaver points out why the topography of Western Oregon made it so perfect for growing trees.

Lillie also noted that Marys Peak is so durable and almost impervious to erosion at its summit because it is made of basalt and gabbro, with gabbro also visible as an anchor rock in the bases for the panels.

Judy Rycraft-Juntunen, an author and expert on the Kalapuya people, helped assemble photographs for the panels from the Benton County Historical Society collection.

One of the exciting things about an exhibition like this, she said, is that it introduces people to things that they might not otherwise see. So many things happened in this place.
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"It's also important that we talk about the history and the many people who contributed to the development of our country," Alonzo Leon, one of a record 12 members of color in the current Legislature, said. "These are people who for many years could not vote. I want to make sure those standards cover that piece of history."

Though Rep. Gerald "Boomer" Wright, R-Reedsport, also voted for the bill, he said lawmakers should be mindful of teaching priorities. Oregon graduation requirements cover two years of social studies  not necessarily civics, even though some districts already require it  in addition to four years in English and three years in math.

"When we require things in high school, there are only so many hours in the day," Wright, a retired teacher and school administrator, said. "Every time we require something, something is not taught that was previously taught. When we want to make sure our students get what we believe is necessary to continue this form of government and support this society, we must remember that when we add something, something disappears."

Only 24% of students in a 2018 National Assessment of Educational Progress  otherwise known as the nation's report card  were proficient or better in civics. The average score on civics was 153 of 300, largely unchanged from 150 (and 22% proficient) in 1998. Except for 2002, civics has been assessed every four years since then.

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One of the owners of Miltons Copperhead Contracting was charged with not completing projects. But he said he has the money to pay people back for work that came at a time when his business partner left.
Hamnet: A Novel of the Plague by Maggie OFarrell (Vintage, 320 pp.). Winner of the Womens Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award for Fiction, OFarrells novel takes as its subject William Shakespeares little-known son Hamnet, who died at age 11. A New York Times reviewer wrote, This novel is at once about the transfiguration of life into art  it is OFarrells extended speculation on how Hamnets death might have fueled the creation of one of his fathers greatest plays  and at the same time, it is a master class in how she, herself, does it.
China, Cuba vow to strengthen parliamentary exchanges

Xinhua) 11:13, May 26, 2021

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, holds talks with Esteban Lazo Hernandez, president of Cuba's National Assembly of People's Power, via video link at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Li Zhanshu on Tuesday held talks with Esteban Lazo Hernandez, president of Cuba's National Assembly of People's Power, via video link as the two sides agreed to strengthen parliamentary exchanges and cooperation.

Li, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, called on the two sides to strengthen mutual political trust and friendship, firmly support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests, and firmly oppose unilateralism, protectionism, as well as willful bullying in the form of blockades, sanctions, suppression and containment.

"We should deepen cooperation in the anti-pandemic sector and other areas including trade, investment, agriculture, new energy, tourism, and biopharmacy, so as to achieve more tangible outcomes," Li said.

Noting that this year marks the centennial of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Li said there are four reasons why the CPC can lead the Chinese people to make historic achievements and win support from the entire nation.

First, the CPC has always adhered to its ideals and convictions, stayed true to its original aspiration, and worked for the happiness of the Chinese people and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Second, it has always paid attention to theoretical development.

Third, it has always sought truth from facts and followed a development path that suits its own national conditions.

And finally, the CPC has always attached great importance to self-improvement and maintained the spirit of self-revolution.

Li called on the two sides to strengthen cooperation and expand exchanges between leaders of the legislative bodies, special committees, friendship groups and deputies; create a sound political and legal environment for trade and investment, and promote the implementation of the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries as well as bilateral cooperation deals.

"We should strengthen experience sharing on democracy, the rule of law, poverty alleviation and development, maintain close communication on major international and regional issues and jointly safeguard the interests of our two countries as well as other developing nations," he said.

Lazo hailed the time-honored friendship between Cuba and China and extended congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC.

"Cuba firmly adheres to the one-China principle and opposes any interference in China's internal affairs," Lazo said, vowing to strengthen parliamentary exchanges and promote the development of bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
In Virginia, we expect a lot of our elected officials, Mark Warner continued. We expect them to lead, yet remain humble. We expect them to serve, but with dignity. We expect them to fight for what they believe in, but without making it personal. John Warner was the embodiment of all that and more. ... Theres little Im prouder of than the fact that he twice endorsed me for re-election.
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Gillette, WY (82718)

Today

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 91F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

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Clear skies. Low 54F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.
According to a release issued by the foundation, Colonial Williamsburg is offering free admission to the Historic Area and two art museums. All active-duty military, reservists, retirees, veterans, National Guard members and their immediate families are eligible for free admission from Friday to Monday.
A priest removes an idol of Lord Jagannath from a seafront temple to a safer place while strong winds batter Balasore district in Odisha as Cyclone Yaas barrels towards India's eastern coast in the Bay of Bengal. (Photo: AFP)

Balasore/Digha/Kolkata: Cyclone Yaas pounded the beach towns in north Odisha and neighbouring West Bengal as it hit the coast around 9 am on Wednesday with a wind speed of 130-140 kmph, inundating the low-lying areas amid a storm surge, officials said.

The location of the landfall was north of Dhamra in Odisha's Bhadrak district and 50 km south of Balasore, close to Bahanaga block, on the coast, they said.

The wind speed during landfall was at 130-140 kmph, gusting to 155 kmph, as per Doppler radar data. "The landfall process is likely to be over by 1 pm. The maximum impact will be in Balasore and Bhadrak districts," Odisha's Special Relief Commissioner PK Jena said. The sea will remain rough till Thursday and the accompanying rain will continue, he added.

The wind will slow down by the evening and the cyclone is likely to leave Odisha for Jharkhand by midnight, Jena said.

Odisha has shifted 5.8 lakh people to safer places, while West Bengal has moved 15 lakh people ahead of the cyclone. There was no report of any major damage in Odisha though some incidents of trees getting uprooted have taken place, Jena said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said most parts of the state were affected by the cyclone and the rain it brought along. She urged the people of the state, particularly those in Purba Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Paschim Medinipur, Howrah, Hooghly, Purulia and Naida, to stay indoors.

High alert in Jharkhand, evacuation on amid cyclone threat

Jharkhand, which was put on high alert, continued evacuating low-lying areas on Wednesday amid the forecast that cyclone Yaas would be hitting the state by midnight after pounding neighbouring Odisha and West Bengal, officials said.

Operations are being executed on war-footing in the vulnerable areas in East and West Singhbhum, besides some other districts, in view of the very severe cyclonic storm Yaas, Disaster Management Secretary Amitabh Kaushal told PTI.

"We are witnessing high-speed wind and have evacuated about 6,000 persons from thatched houses and danger zones to shelter homes in safer locations," East Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Suraj Kumar said.

People are being shifted from low-lying areas near the two rivers in the district that are below the danger mark at present, he said.

Director-General of Police Neeraj Sinha told PTI, "Satellite phones are being provided to interior Naxal- affected police stations for emergent communications, besides batteries in police wireless systems have been readied in case of communication disruptions due to the storm." "We are ready to deal with the situation and have formed rescue teams," he added.

Yaas intensifies into very severe cyclonic storm: IMD

Cyclone Yaas intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday evening, India Meteorological Department Director General M Mohapatra said, even as the states of West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand aggressively evacuated over 12 lakh people to storm shelters by late evening.

The IMD also issued a red-coded warning alert to the Odisha and West Bengal coasts.

"The severe cyclonic storm 'Yaas' (pronounced as 'Yass') over northwest and Bay of Bengal intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm," Mohapatra said.

`Yaas', which was positioned 160 km south-southeast of Paradip in Odisha and 240 km south-southeast of Digha in West Bengal over north-west and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal on Tuesday evening, is likely to gain a maximum speed of 155 kmph to 165 kmph gusting to 185 kmph during landfall, the Met department said.

"It is very likely to cross north Odisha-West Bengal coasts between Paradip and Sagar Islands close to north of Dhamra and south of Balasore, in the morning hours of Wednesday, the 26th May as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm," the Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD added.

Flight operations at the Kolkatas NSCBI airport here will be suspended from 8.30 am to 7.45 pm owing to the weather warning on Wednesday, the Airports Authority of India said. Bhubaneshwars Biju Patnaik International airport too will remain shut from 11 pm Tuesday till 5 am on Thursday. The South Eastern Railways too has cancelled several trains,

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has asked Collectors of the three north coastal districts to be on a high alert as Yaas crosses over into neighbouring Odisha.

Cyclone Yaas likely to make landfall by noon: IMD

Cyclone Yaas is likely to make landfall by noon on Wednesday with wind speed of about 130 to 155 kmph, informed the India Meteorological Department (IMD), adding that it currently lay centred over northwest Bay of Bengal.

"We are expecting 'very severe cyclonic storm' Cyclone Yaas to make landfall by noon today with wind speed of 130-140 kmph gusting 155 kmph," Umashankar Das, senior scientist at the IMD, Bhubaneswar told ANI.

He added, "(As of 6:45 am) The cyclone lay centred over northwest Bay of Bengal near latitude 20.8N and longitude 87.3E, about 40 km east of Dhamra (Odisha), 90 km south-southwest of Digha (West Bengal) and 90 km south-southeast of Balasore (Odisha)."

People in Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand woke up to strong winds and heavy rain on Wednesday morning and braced for the cyclone.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged the people living in the coastal regions of Odisha to cooperate with the local administration and shift to cyclone shelters.

Over 11.5 lakh people were evacuated from vulnerable places in West Bengal ahead of the cyclone, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee informed on Tuesday, adding that she will stay at the state secretariat 'Nabanna' on May 25 and May 26 to monitor the cyclonic situation and relief work.

Indian Navy prepares for relief, rescue operations

The Indian Navy on Wednesday said it has stepped up and made all necessary arrangements for the rescue and relief operations.

"INS Chilka at Khurda has stepped up and made all necessary arrangements, to coordinate the rescue and relief operations in close liaison with State Government agencies with the support of Headquarters Eastern Naval Command Visakhapatnam," informed an official release by Indian Navy

The Indian Navy further said that it has been closely monitoring the very severe Cyclonic Storm Yaas closing in on the Eastern Coast which is likely to cross the between Badrak and Balasore districts on 26 May.

As part of the preparation, a 24*7 cyclone monitoring team has been established and is functional from 24 May, assorted relief material and community kitchen for thousands of people are being made ready for immediate deployment in consultation with state authorities.

The Naval Officer-in-Charge (Odisha) Operations Room has been monitoring ships movement along the coast in coordination with authorities at Gopalpur, Paradip and Damara ports.

"For maintaining constant communication with the Naval and civil authorities, constant liaison is underway from INS Chilka," it added
The government transferred Rs 31.11 crore to the accounts of farmers under the free crop insurance scheme on Tuesday.  DC Image/C. Narayana Rao

KURNOOL: Kurnool farmers on Tuesday were elated following the release of free crop insurance by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

As many as 1,85,744 beneficiaries had a total amount of Rs 181.12 crores directly credited into their accounts. On the occasion, they felt the scheme was a shield against the vagaries of nature.

During kharif last year, they suffered heavy losses due to unseasonal rains to cotton, groundnut, paddy, corn, and Bengal gram in an extent of 4,71,746 acres. As they got a compensation for which they paid no premium, they thanked the benevolence of the government. Praising it, Lakshmi Kanth Reddy of Chilla Banda in Kodumur mandal said heavy rains washed away Bengal gram in 5 acres and cotton in 7 acres, for which he spent Rs 30,000 per acre for cotton crop and Rs 5,000 per acre for Bengal gram crop. Jagan Mohan Reddy government was the only government in India that was coming to the rescue of beyond their imagination, he said.

Mohan Reddy, a farmer from Lakshmipuram in Kallur mandal, said he cultivated maize, cotton, and red gram in 9 acres. He spent Rs 30,000 per acre on maize crop Rs 25,000 on cotton crop, and Rs 20,000 on program crop. His entire crop was washed away. He was grateful to the government for providing timely aid. He said also got Rs 7,500 per acre through Rythu Bharosa recently.

The government transferred Rs 31.11 crore to the accounts of farmers under the free crop insurance scheme on Tuesday. Disclosing this, District Collector Pola Bhaskar said the government was also going to set up YSR comprehensive laboratories for seed and soil testing soon. Ongole MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy and MLC Pothula Suneetha were present.
Gloucester, MA (01930)

Today

Cloudy and damp with rain this morning...then becoming mostly sunny by afternoon. High around 65F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

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Some clouds. Low 57F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Kallam, who played a vital role in the formative days of the YSR Congress regime in 2019, was appointed as the Principal Advisor with great fanfare. (DC file photo)

Hyderabad: Uncertainty prevails over the continuance of retired bureaucrat Ajay Kallam as Principal Advisor to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Though he was appointed on June 4, 2019, for a three-year term, Praveen Prakash, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, cut short the term of Kallam, along with that of several other advisors, to two years to effect uniformity in tenures among all the advisors.

The GO brought out by Praveen Prakash, apparently in consultation with the Chief Minister, fixed the tenure of all advisors for two years irrespective of their rank and status, and that too with a retrospective effect. This would mean the end of Ajay Kallams tenure by June 4 and sources told this correspondent that there was no proposal in the CMO so far to extend his tenure.

The tenures of three other advisors  Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, G.V.D. Krishna Mohan and M. Samuel  will also end by mid-June, and the fate of Samuel too hangs in balance. Of the 25 or so advisors to either Chief Minister or government, Jagan Mohan Reddy utilises fully the services of only Krishna Mohan (communications) and Ramakrishna Reddy (public affairs) while for many others these posts are just ornamental, sources close to the Chief Minister pointed out. The extension of term of only these two advisors is certain, they added.

Kallam, who played a vital role in the formative days of the YSR Congress regime in 2019, was appointed as the Principal Advisor with great fanfare.

The party leaders were also happy over the Chief Minister duly accommodating Kallam in recognition of his efforts to mobilise the support of government employees across the state in the 2019 assembly polls. He was made the head of the CMO and allotted several crucial subjects. But soon, he went out of the orbit of power in CMO, and the entry of Praveen Prakash further tilted the balance of power. Last year, the Chief Minister stripped all powers of Kallam by removing subjects he was handling in the CMO on the pretext that retired bureaucrats should not process files.
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Goshen, IN (46526)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High near 90F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

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Some passing clouds. Low 64F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Elkhart Township firefighters work to extinguish the flames of a two-vehicle crash between a semi tractor and motorcycle at 1:17 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of C.R. 38 and C.R. 17 in Goshen.

Dallas Ervin Yoder, 27, of Goshen, the driver of the motorcycle, sustained third degree burns and serious bodily injury in the crash and was transported to Fort Wayne Lutheran Hospital, according to a news release. According to Elkhart County Sheriff's Office Patrol Capt. Brian Holloman, the semi tractor was turning east onto C.R. 38 and the motorcycle was heading north on C.R. 17 when the crash occurred.

According to a Goshen fire official, the cause of the fire was a direct result of the collision of the two vehicles, however, the investigation is continuing.

The driver of the semi tractor, Robert Ekema, 65, of Three Oaks, Michigan, was not injured.
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Earlier this week, Austria already announced that they will ban all flights from the United Kingdom as of June 1. France too has now taken extra measures against travellers coming into the country from the United Kingdom. With this the French Grand Prix seems to be in danger as well, since a lot of personnel comes from the United Kingdom.

EuroNews reports that France is imposing a mandatory quarantine requirement for travelers from the UK. They are doing this because the first coronavirus cases with the variant from India have been found in the UK. The French government doesn't want to take the risk that this variant also enters their own country and therefore they decided to impose the quarantine as a precaution.

France not the only one

Although the vaccination program in the UK ran tremendously well for a long time, most European countries still seem to be banning flights from the UK. Austria already did this completely from June 1, while Germany banned all non-essential travel from the UK.

Given that a large part of the F1 paddock has to come from the UK, these measures do seem to have an impact. However, the F1 organisation has shown many times last year that, even with strict measures, they can still create safe bubbles with little contamination. As a result, the French GP is not under immediate threat, but it is something to worry about early on for F1.
To my kid brother, Raymond George Rinard

This is a synopsis of my service time in World War Two.

I hitchhiked from Boone to Des Moines, Iowa on October 6th, 1942 to enlist and was sent back home with four papers to be filled out. One was for my mother giving her permission to me to enlist, one with signatures of three businessmen at Boone, one to be signed by the police chief showing I had no arrests, and one by the pastor of our church. I got them signed and hitchhiked to Des Moines again on October 10th.

I enlisted and spent the night in the hotel, where there were two men to each bed. Then we were driven to Camp Dodge outside of Des Moines where we were sworn into the army. October 12th, 1942, we shipped out and arrived four days later at Fort Francis E. Warren in Wyoming. I completed basic training and shipped out between Christmas and New Years to Mount Rainier Automotive Camp on Fort Lewis Army Reservation. I had basic training, KP, and guard duty. They thought they were going to make me into an auto mechanic. We never had a car at home; we couldn't have afforded gas if someone had given us a car.

I spent 42 days in the hospital, first with Scarlet Fever and then when I was almost well, I got queezy. My throat swelled so bad I couldn't eat, and I had a difficult time swallowing water. I came out of the hospital in late May, two days after my company had shipped out, so I spent about 10 days as fire guard in the camp area. I also cleaned up three platoon buildings that had held 32 enlisted men. I stocked the coal bins for two stoves in each barracks. Then I moved my bunk into the company latrines. I had to keep the fire going to heat the showers and also to heat the attached command post quarters for captain and first sergeant.

Finally, another company shipped out, so I was sent with them. My original company went to Larrimore, Louisiana to train in swamps, and then they went to the Pacific. I lucked out; my new outfit went across the country to Camp Patrick Henry in Virginia and shipped out to North Africa.

I left Newport News, Virginia on the USS West Point, formerly called the "United States," the largest US passenger ship in America. On June 6th, 1943, they said there were 12,000 troops aboard, and I don't doubt that was true. I got lost coming back from chow and ended up in the hold. They had beds stacked up 10 high. The guy on the top had ropes or belts to keep them being thrown from the bunks. I did better. I was in a stateroom for four, which was close quarters - we had soldiers wall to wall. We each had two large barracks bag containers that contained everything we owned.

There were nine canvas bunks. I was in the bottom one. When the middle bunk was occupied, I had to lay flat, there was no room to turn over. The second bunk was the same way. They fed us twice daily.

I was seasick from the minute I got on until I disembarked. We landed June 13th at Casablanca, North Africa. We weren't able to get into Port because the Vichy French, who were on Germany's side, had scuttled an earlier fleet of ships that were in port. When the Americans invaded, the ship stopped at the entrance to the harbor, let down the gangplank and attached it to one of the sunken ships. The engineers had constructed bridges to two more ships and finally to the dock. We disembarked wearing full packs, steel helmets and carrying two big barracks bags. They picked up the bags with 6x6 trucks and we walked three miles to a camp called Camp Marshall Lente. It was named after a famous French Officer in World War I. We got together 2 x 2 to set up our pup tents.

There was nothing but sand and occasional roads. It was 120 or better during the daytime and freezing at night. We were 2-3 miles from the ocean, so at night we got heavy dew. When you turned over in the pup tent and touched the canvas, water poured through the tent. The first thing they did was take our summer uniforms of Khaki cotton and give it to the French troops. They then made us wear our winter uniforms. We spent three or four weeks in camp, the number-one replacement depot. We spent our time taking walks 10-15 miles through the sand, working in the kitchen cleaning up the area, and putting in guard duty.

Finally, I was put on the train that took us over the Atlas Mountains to another replacement depot at Camp Oran. I was amazed that the French could put a track through those mountains. It was just solid rock. I almost laughed when I saw the train. It has narrow- gauge small cars and a little electric engine. I heard my mother's brother, John, say the little trains in France were painted with pictures of 40 men or 8 horses per car. And these were the same words in French. I will not attempt to spell them.

I suppose 40 men could stand up in the cars. We had 31 enlisted men and the new 2nd lieutenant. There was a big box on top with a large brake wheel to hold the cars on the incline. Two men rode there, the other 30 inside. The lieutenant and three others slung shelter (tent) halves across the car, and the 26 slept head against one side and feet against the other. The knots broke, and the lieutenant fell on two soldiers sleeping on the floor. Whoever helped him put up hammocks tied the slipknots. We spent three days and two nights on the train. The train moved so slow on grades that some guys dropped off and ran alongside. Then they were pulled back on board.

We arrived at camp in Oran, where we had more drilling, hikes through the sand and K.P. We lined up in front of tents every morning, and men were taken to fill rosters in companies. My time came with five other enlisted men and one second lieutenant. We wound up in a Cork Forest (they stripped the bark for bottle corks). We were met by a captain and a first sergeant. One look and we knew he was a real soldier. The captain asked if anyone thought he could whip the sergeant. No one was dumb enough to say yes. Three men were assigned to mechanics maintenance. One was assigned as headquarters clerk, and I was assigned to the cook shack. I got it right. I had worked in cafes back home, and I was the gofer guy: You - do this, you - do that, hurry-up.

About three weeks later we loaded up, convoyed to port and loaded onto Liberty Ship. It sailed to Southern Italy and landed four days after the main enlisted invasion. We had a big storm the night before and almost sunk the boat. Four of us landed the next evening. There were huge waves. The boat would sit on top of the wave then it dropped like an express elevator. Four of us got into the little flat-bottom landing craft. It almost capsized, so they cancelled the landing. We were the only group to make the dangerous landing.

We made it to shore and laid out in the brush in two groups. One got to sleep while the other guarded. We could see flashes from guns, and we watched flares firing up all night. The next morning, the rest of the company came ashore, and we started north through Italy.

We went through large cities and small villages right behind the front lines so we could service the equipment and get it back to the front. We never stopped in any towns. We needed space to set up camp. The first big city we saw was Naples. I did get to go across the bay to see where the volcano Vesuvius covered two towns with lava and ash. That is quite a tourist attraction. Then we went past Rome and other large towns. Finally, in Florence, we were camped outside of Bologna, a big city near the northern border with Switzerland and France.

We went into Lake Como, a famous resort in Northern Italy, across the lake from Switzerland. While we were driving north in Italy, the American Army was held up near a thousand-year-old monastery overlooking the only road north. American orders were not to destroy the monastery. After losing too many troops, they finally decided to bomb it. We were camped just short of the monastery. We saw a flight of bombers go over and could see smoke from the bombs. In fact, they flew directly over us, and we were cheering them on. When we saw something falling from one plane, we thought they were leaflets, but when we could hear them whistle, we scrambled to find shelter. They were anti-aircraft personnel bombs, and they hit a rock wall just outside our camp.

So, that didn't work very well for the Germans.

They just moved their artillery into the ruins and still commanded the only road. The Americans made an end run all the way around the line and landed at Casino Beachhead due to a timid (chicken) commander. They stopped to regroup, and the Germans threw up a line along the canals. The Americans were held up for months.

We served in Italy. I believe we landed Sept 7th, 1943, and the Germans surrendered May 8th, 1945.

I did four campaigns in Italy: Naples, Foggia, Rome, Anso, North Apennines, and Po Valley. Then we shipped out July 15th across the Atlantic through Panama Canal to the Pacific. We did stop in the canal, go into the fenced area, and walk around. We could buy souvenirs and bananas.

The next stop was a small volcanic rock island in the Pacific called Eniwetok - just two Quonset huts with message transmission equipment to forward messages to the Pacific.

We were making a convoy to invade Japan. On the second day, we received messages that the Atomic Bomb had been dropped on Hiroshima, and shortly after another on Nagasaki. That saved our lives and many others on both sides. We were routed to Manilla in the Philippines and landed August 16th, 1945. We were on the voyage for 46 days. We were rotated home November 17th, 1945 and landed in San Francisco Bay on December 5th, 1945. I was discharged at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on December 12th, 1945.

My rating was T-3.

Elmer 0. Rinard

A few afterthoughts:

When we were In North Africa, I was assigned to work in the kitchen for a trucking company. They hauled supplies from the docks and stockpiled them ashore. There was a young Arab boy to help us, and I felt sorry for him until I found out he could understand five languages. They included his Native Arabic; also second nature was Tsonga French because the French had colonized there 100 years earlier. He also spoke German and Italian, and finally the American English. I don't even do that well with my native tongue.

About that Liberty Ship we were on: the scuttlebutt was they made one ship every seven days. It was just a tub that floated. I'm sure they had a five-horse motor, just barely enough to move it in a convoy. I spent nearly two years in Italy. I don't speak a word of the language; I was never near any people.

Thanks, daughter Peggy, for deciphering my scrawl. Hope you can make heads or tails of my story, Roy.

Love to you and Edna,

Brother Elmer
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Thrilled bird watchers observe rare bird off GH north pier

Tribune photo / Becky Vargo Spring Lake High School English teacher Karl Sineath took his children  from left, Leah, Jordan and Malcolm  to Grand Havens north pier on Monday to see the very rare appearance in Michigan of a royal tern. Courtesy photo / Jim Markham The yellow-orange beak sets the royal tern aside from the slightly larger Caspian tern that has a red beak. The rare bird was viewed off Grand Havens north pier on Monday. Tribune photo / Becky Vargo Darlene Friedman of Novi was one of several birders who traveled from the east side of the state to see the royal tern. Tribune photo/Becky Vargo Jim Markham of Grand Rapids was bird watching on the north pier Monday morning when he spotted the royal tern. Tribune photo/Becky Vargo Ottawa County Parks Naturalist Curtis Dykstra discusses the rare bird viewed Monday on the beach north of Grand Haven's north pier. Courtesy photo/ Darlene Friedman A pair of ruddy turnstones were also observed off the north pier on Monday. Courtesy photo/Darlene Friedman Another shot of the royal tern visiting Grand Haven on May 24, 2021.

Dozens of birders armed with binoculars, spotting scopes and cameras made their way to Grand Havens north pier Monday to watch a rare bird  a royal tern  intermingle with the gulls and other terns in the area.

This is a pretty epic bird for here, said Ottawa County Parks Naturalist Curtis Dykstra, after watching the bird for an hour Monday afternoon.

Dykstra said this was the first time he had ever seen a royal tern in Michigan.

Ive seen them on the East Coast, he said. But just the East Coast.

The naturalist, who spent time on the pier with other birders from Ottawa and Allegan counties, said that this was a second state record (sighting) for the bird in Michigan.

There was one in Berrien County in 2010 and it was a fly-by, Dykstra said. Only a couple people saw it at the time, another birder added.

Grand Rapids resident Jim Markham was the first person to make the rare sighting Monday morning.

I was here bird watching and saw a bird that looked a little different than the Caspian tern, he said. It turned out to be a royal tern.

Once he was sure he had made a positive identification, Markham recorded the sighting on eBird  a digital database for avid bird watchers  and the other birders started to arrive, some coming from hours away for the chance to add a rare bird to their list.

The royal tern, much like the Caspian tern, has a black cap with a comb (some people describe it like a mohawk). The rare bird was walking among the Caspian terns on the beach and would occasionally fly far out over the lake and return minutes later. There was also a common tern and a couple of ruddy turnstones (a sandpiper-like bird) in the mix.

The last two birds are unusual for the area, but not rare like the royal tern, said Brian Allen, who traveled to Grand Haven from Manistee to see the bird. Allen observed the royal tern for half an hour, recorded sightings of a number of other birds, including a pintail and a lesser scaup, then left to return home.

Spring Lake High School English teacher Karl Sineath showed up at the pier with his three children in tow. His 9-year-old son, Malcolm, quickly spotted the royal tern with the familys spotting scope.

Weve been involved in nature activities for a long time, Sineath said. We have been avidly watching birds for a couple of years.

Sineath said former Spring Lake teacher Beth Miller, who is a local Audubon Club member, alerted him about Mondays sighting.

Markham said that its a good idea to head out right away if you hope to catch a glimpse of a rare bird.

Its a flip of a coin, he said. The best bet if its a rare bird is to chase it that day. Its a good bet it will be gone the next day.

The last reported sighting of the royal tern in this location was late Monday evening. As of late Tuesday morning, no new sightings had been reported.

Royal tern (from eBird)

Large tern, found strictly in coastal areas. Feeds in open ocean and saltwater bays, where it flies high above the water looking for small fish. Rests on beaches, often in groups with other species. Separated from many terns by large size; only slightly smaller than Caspian. Look for the thinner orange bill (usually not deep red) and shaggier crest compared with Caspian. Also, forehead whiter than Caspian tern in the nonbreeding season; this can show as early as midsummer.
Protocol, anyone?

Prime Minister Narendra Modis pep talk to district magistrates on the Covid-19 issue in an online meeting has got some raising the issue of whether it was right for Mr Modi to interact directly with district magistrates and other officials while bypassing their respective ministers. Moreover, the event was telecast live when, just a few weeks ago, the Centre had objected sharply to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for a live feed during Mr Modis meeting with chief ministers.

While seemingly there is nothing wrong with the Prime Minister addressing government officials whenever he chooses to, the question is about propriety and federalism. District officials work under elected state governments and chief ministers and report to them as well. Bypassing the state governments indicates thumbing ones nose at the federal structure, which is problematic, it is being said.

Interestingly, Mr Modis interaction follows a similar meeting organised by Union education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal who spoke directly with state education secretaries, overlooking the state education ministers. This was one reason why the Tamil Nadu government boycotted the meeting.

Docs in service assist medical teams

Taking a cue from Gujarat which took this step during the first wave of Covid last year, the Haryana government is using IAS and IPS officers who have a medical degree in the states fight against the pandemic.

Sources say that five Haryana cadre IAS officers and three IPS officers who have MBBS degrees have been pulled off their administrative duties and directed to assist medical teams running Covid hospitals in the state. They have been deputed to additional chief secretary for health Rajeev Arora for the creation and administration of 500-bed hospitals in Panipat and Hisar and other related duties.

The IAS officers are Dr Chander Shekhar Khare, Dr R.S. Dhillon, Dr Sangeeta Tetarwal, Dr Manoj Kumar and Dr Vaishali Sharma. The IPS officers are Dr Dheeraj Kumar, Dr Anshu Singla and Dr Arpit Jain. The state government has also deputed 22 senior IAS officers to oversee Covid preparedness in different districts.

No doubt, this is a temporary arrangement to combat the second wave of the pandemic. However, it also coincides with the growing demand by some medical experts and organisations that the government create a special all-India cadre of medical officers along the lines of the IAS and IPS, etc. If this stopgap measure is successful, it might prod the Centre to seriously consider the demand for a specialised medical service.

Two senior cops lock horns in Haryana

An intra-service battle has erupted in Haryana Police. IGP Y. Puran Kumar, a 2001-batch IPS officer, has filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana high court against the state police chief Manoj Yadava for alleged discriminatory behaviour towards Mr Kumar.

Sources say that Mr Kumar has accused DGP Yadava of partial attitude, discriminatory treatment and violation of service rules. He has sought directions from the court to direct the additional chief secretary for home to take immediate decision on his complaints submitted against Mr Yadava.

The spat does not seem to be new. Mr Kumar has accused Mr Yadava of targeting him since July 2020 in a vindictive manner ever since Mr Kumar was posted to Ambala instead of another officer favoured by the DGP. Mr Kumar has also sought directions from the court to restrain Mr Yadava from writing his annual performance appraisal report until the petition is decided.

The feud at the top in the states police service has happened at a time when the state is struggling with the Covid epidemic and also dealing with the farmers agitation against Central laws, and which shows no sign of disappearing. And when two senior cops take on each other instead of the issues facing Haryana, it cant bode well for law and order in the state.

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Formula 1 appears to be struggling to keep a full 23-race calendar for 2021 intact.

So far, several races have been postponed, cancelled or reshuffled, with the latest solution - following cancellation of races in Canada and Turkey - being a second race in Austria.

However, despite circuit owner Red Bull's eagerness to organise a second race in Styria, Sky Deutschland reports that the covid crisis may intervene once again in 2021.

"The Austrian government has imposed a landing ban for aircraft from Great Britain from June 1," the German broadcaster reports. "How long the ban will last cannot be forecast at this time.

"With so many Formula 1 teams headquartered in the UK, that could be a problem. But with a few weeks until the two races, the situation could change by then."

(GMM)
Jacques Villeneuve is not joining those who are criticising Ferrari for taking a risk so that Charles Leclerc could keep pole position last Sunday.

Some believe not changing the star driver's gearbox after his post-pole position crash on Saturday was an excessive gamble to avoid a five-place grid penalty.

Indeed, ultimately, Leclerc's Ferrari broke down prior to the start of the race.

But 1997 world champion Villeneuve said the 23-year-old driver "can only blame himself" for the retirement, because Ferrari confirmed that while it was actually a crack in the driveshaft hub, it was still the result of the crash damage.

The French Canadian told Belgium's RTBF broadcaster that Ferrari was right to gamble in a bid to keep pole.

"At Monaco, it was worth taking the risk and hoping that everything is more or less in order with the car at Monaco," Villeneuve said.

"Charles would have started from pole with an excellent chance of winning. It's Monaco, you have to take risks.

"If they had changed the gearbox, or gone over the car completely, he would have had a penalty or started from the pitlane, so the risk was justified.

"I am surprised that it was not the transmission itself that broke, but one of the elements on the left side of the car - where there was no damage from the crash.

"But it was still the consequence of the accident, and Charles can only blame himself for that," said Villeneuve.

(GMM)
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The asymmetry of power, resources and responsibilities between the Centre and the states in Indias federal structure has been so overwhelmingly tilted that it was but natural for the BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to assume that it was unchangeable and universally so, allowing him to try to scare and repress a puny (sic!) regional player, namely Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamul Congress party, after her splendid third-time victory. He and his party should have known better.

There is the power of the State, expressed through hundreds of articles in the Constitution of India, and then there is the power of the ultimate sovereign, the ordinary woman and man, who votes and delivers a verdict. In a statement that was unusually long and politically sagacious, CPI(M) West Bengal state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra delivered a summary of the attempt to induce turmoil and destabilise the Mamata Banerjee government as revenge politics, adding, for good measure, that the BJP should remember that the people of Bengal rejected their ideology in the Assembly elections.

That the CBIs sudden swoop and arrest on May 17 of three Trinamul Congress leaders, two of whom are ministers with responsibilities vital to bringing the Covid-19 surge and the six-week election administrative disarray under control, is vendetta politics is not any doubt in the minds of West Bengals voters. The CBIs raid that netted three TMC leaders and one politician with no party affiliation in a case of bribery and corruption, aka the 2014 Narada sting operation, brought into sharper focus the washing machine politics of the BJP.

Left out of the list of those arrested were Mukul Roy and Union home minister Amit Shahs prize recruit Suvendu Adhikari, prompting the public through the social media to question the exception.

The outcome is a further boost to the Trinamul Congresss standing with the people and a further erosion of the BJPs already tarnished credibility. The courtroom drama has further incensed the man/woman on the street, regardless of what the Centres lawyers may have argued, backed by the entirely irrelevant social media commentary by governor J.P. Dhankar.

There is no difference of opinion on what these antics are all about -- first the tweets by the governor about the near breakdown of the states constitutional machinery that were meant to signal that Presidents Rule could be imposed at any moment, overthrowing the just elected government, followed by the raids have been identified by the Congress, CPI(M) and privately by some sane BJP leaders as well.

In repeating behaviour similar to cattle raiders to hit back at the Opposition parties, the Narendra Modi government used exactly the same tactics of using or perhaps misusing the power to awe and smear vested in the Centre that had failed; governments led by Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi, Pinarayi Vijayan in Kerala, Hemant Soren in Jharkhand, Uddhav Thackeray in Maharashtra and Ashok Gehlot in Rajasthan were all raided and pushed back and Narendra Modi and his party were the losers.

In the preceding decades the capacity to push back, a complex mix of regional political culture and history that shaped the popular perception, was weaker than it is now. In West Bengal, the capacity to fault the Centre and winkle out vendetta politics against the legitimately elected and popular government has been honed over decades, when the Congress used Article 356 to impose Presidents Rule against the rickety coalitions of the United Front in the 1960s.

Over years of experience of the politics of discrimination and the consequences of the asymmetry of power between the Centre and the state, the average man in the street and especially in the rural areas, is politically well educated.

If these were diversionary tactics as has been argued in some quarters, it was politically foolish. The frantic family members of all those who died because the Modi government had not taken steps to ensure adequate supplies of oxygen to meet the surge that every expert said was coming are not diverted or deceived. The scandalous incompetence of the ruling establishment to handle the crisis is evident in the number of deaths across the country -- three lakhs and counting.

If these were tactics to assert the power of the Centre over the state, it was so badly timed that it has been described by BJP insiders as politically suicidal. Neither West Bengals electorate nor voters across the country are impressed by the display of power when the lives of loved ones have been sacrificed to feed the Modi governments hubris. There is so much traffic on the social media on this that there can be no room to challenge how the people have interpreted these shenanigans.

What is worse is that the judiciary has now been embroiled in what for the BJP is nothing more than a game that has gone wrong. A split decision on granting bail to the arrested leaders says it all. The simple conclusion, regardless of the complex interpretations by the Centres lawyers, is that the decision to arrest by the CBI is doubtful in law. No matter how long these hearings last, it is not possible to repair the political damage that the BJP has inflicted on itself in the peoples court.

The BJPs wizards have created a bigger problem for themselves out of the West Bengal defeat. The queue of defectors pleading to rejoin the Trinamul Congress is the best indicator. As is the letter from a defeated BJP candidate, Locket Chatterjee, who is still an MP, to Amit Shah asking for the Central security detail to be removed, because she cannot be a protected entity while the partys workers are unsafe.

Violence to settle political scores, before, during and after an election, is always condemnable; but that unfortunately is West Bengals culture. Having flaunted its arsenal of Central security forces to enforce peace before and during the elections, by constructing a narrative of locally uncontrollable violence, the BJP overplayed its hand. The post-election sending out of Central probe teams, frantic tweets by the governor or meddling by the Prime Minister are pointless gestures and understood by the public to be so. The verdict is out, and the BJP cannot overturn it, that West Bengal is not impressed by its leaders and categorically rejects its communal and divisive politics.
In what was, so far, the best baseball game of the week, the Jaguars pulled their 33rd win out of the fire and salvaged a gem of a start from their star pitcher.
Infinitum Electric, developer of the printed circuit board (PCB) motor (earlier post), raised $40 million in Series C funding to scale production of its ultra-high-efficiency, lightweight motors. The investment will be used to expand production of the companys IEs Series motors for commercial and industrial applications and complete development of its IEm Series motors for the rapidly growing electric vehicle market.

Infinitum Electrics motor design replaces the copper wire and laminated iron core found in conventional motors with a silicon-based printed circuit board stator, making the motor smaller, lighter and more efficient. Infinitum Electric motors are 10% more efficient, 50% lighter and smaller, and significantly quieter than conventional motors, the company says. Infinitum Electric motors offer a fully integrated system: motor, variable frequency drive (VFD) and embedded IoT in a single compact package.

Among their features, the motors offer low acoustic noise because of the absence of normal magnetic forces acting between the rotor and the stator. This results in an average of 3 dB lower sound power noise across the entire frequency range.

Additionally, Infinitum Electric motors do not have an iron core or slots on the stator, which means the distribution of the magnetic flux across the airgaps and stator remains constant. Therefore, there is no pulsating magnetic force acting on the rotor, reducing torque ripple.

Infinitum Electrics silicon stator produces the same power rating as an iron core stator for 10% of the weight. Additionally, the low-volume, high-energy product magnets and the direct coil cooling allow for 2-3x the density of a conventional motor, resulting in high power density.

In November 2020, Infinitum Electric announced an agreement with a leading US automotive supplier to support the development of a hybrid vehicle.

Energy Innovation Capital led the round with Infinitum Electrics existing investors Cottonwood Technology Fund, Chevron Technology Ventures and Ajax Strategies participating. Rockwell Automation also purchased an equity stake in Infinitum Electric, bringing the companys total funding to date to $55 million.

Infinitum Electrics motors use lightweight materials and modular design to generate the same power in half the size and weight, at a fraction of the carbon footprint of conventional motors.

As the energy use for heating and cooling buildings is likely to increase following CDC guidelines to increase outdoor air ventilation and run HVAC systems longer, more efficient motors are in demand. In response to a Request for Information seeking resource-efficient technologies that can improve building health and resilience, the US General Services Administrations (GSA) Green Proving Ground (GPG) program, in association with the Department of Energy (DOE), recently selected Infinitum Electric motors for evaluation in GSA facilities.

GSA is testing the performance of Infinitum Electric motors for HVAC systems in both a federally-owned building and a private commercial building with the goal of reducing costs for heating and cooling.
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GREENWICH  The dispute over a tree and a new accessible parking space in downtown Greenwich has taken another turn as a local advocate for disabled people filed a complaint with the town about this issue.

I do not agree with the tree warden and the (town of Greenwich) plan to compromise on the accessible parking in the redesign of the Elm Street/Greenwich Avenue crosswalk, Greenwich resident Alan Gunzburg said in his complaint.

Under the original plan for the parking spot, it was set to go in front of the TD Bank at 235 Greenwich Ave., which also would have meant cutting down the pin oak tree there.

But neighbors and business owners who opposed that plan requested a hearing before Tree Warden Gregory Kramer, who subsequently ruled that the tree could be removed. The group challenged his decision in Superior Court, leading the town and the tree advocates to agree to move the parking spot across the street.

But Gunzburg said the tree warden does not have jurisdiction because the public right of way and accessibility are federally guaranteed civil rights under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

How can a compromise discussion of federally mandated civil rights of residents with disabilities take place without the input of the ADA coordinator, community of disabled people and the First Selectmans Advisory Committee for People With Disabilities, Gunzburg said in his complaint.

He is chair of the committee but filed the complaint as an individual with Demetria Nelson, who is the towns designated ADA coordinator as well as the commissioner of human services. She and Gunzburg will meet Thursday about the issue.

Compromising on civil rights?

Even though work on the relocated accessible spot has been completed, Gunzburg said he is moving ahead with his complaint in order to have an impact on future town projects.

The original plan should be completed with disbursed parking on all four corners with equal access and close proximity to the crosswalks, Gunzburg said. These are my civil rights to get true access to wherever the town owns property, including the streetscapes, including the buildings, including the parks.

Gunzburg urged residents to take into account what people with disabilities go through.

Do we make compromises about water fountains? Do we make compromises about whos allowed in our schools? he said. These are civil rights. These are federally guaranteed civil rights. We dont compromise on that. We hold them up because today theyll take away ADA parking and tomorrow theyll come for your vote. Trees are not more important than people. If you move the parking spot over today as a compromise maybe the compromise next time is why dont we move it a block or two blocks away? Theres no compromising on this idea because a compromise is unfair.

A request for comment from Assistant Town Attorney Aamina Ahmad was not returned. On Wednesday, Kramer said he had not seen Gunzburgs ADA complaint but said he knew the towns legal department was reviewing his claims.

I will be waiting to hear back as to any needed changes moving forward, Kramer said.

Under the towns ADA grievance procedure, which was set in place by the ADA in 1990, a complaint can be filed alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs or benefits by the Town of Greenwich.

Once a complaint is filed, the ADA coordinator will meet with the complainant within 15 days. After meeting with Gunzburg on Thursday, Nelson will have 15 days to respond with the towns position as well as options for resolving the complaint.

If that does not resolve the matter, Gunzburg would have the option of appealing to the Board of Selectmen, who would then have 15 days to meet and discuss the complaint and offer resolutions. The Board of Selectmen is considered the final resolution of any complaint under the ADA.

Improving the Avenue

The parking space is part of long-planned improvements along Greenwich Avenue. Keeping the tree  and moving the parking space across the street  cost the town an additional $12,000.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Public Works James Michel, the projects on Greenwich Avenue have been planned in coordination with the tree wardens office since 2016. The intersection work included two field visits with Kramer, and a representative of the Greenwich Tree Conservancy, which had objected to the trees removal, was there during a 2020 field visit. Michel said.

At the time, Michel said, they discussed that a number of the trees on Greenwich Avenue were in failing health and reaching the end of their lifespan and may need to be removed in the next few years. The tree at 235 Greenwich Ave. was one tree identified between all representatives at the meeting that was expected to be removed.

In Kramers evaluation of the tree, which was put forward in the February tree hearing, he said the tree was in declining health with an uncertain life expectancy but not in imminent danger.

Reconsideration of the removal of the tree and placement of an ADA stall in the original design location may be considered in the future but no decision has been made at this time, Michel said.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops plans to devote part of its national meeting next month to the sensitive issue of which Catholics are worthy of receiving Communion, despite calls for a delay.

Dozens of bishops had requested the USCCB president, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez, postpone the debate until a later meeting, when they could meet in person rather than virtually. But prompt action is being sought by some conservative bishops who want to signal that President Joe Biden and other Catholic politicians who support abortion rights should not receive Communion.

The conservatives are now heartened, as Gomez confirmed in a memo Saturday that the topic is on the agenda of the June meeting. A vote is scheduled on whether the conferences Committee on Doctrine should draft a document addressing the Communion issue and present it at a later date.

An explanation of the agenda item makes clear that one of the subtopics will be the receiving of Communion by cultural and political leaders.

Denver Archbishop Samuel Aquila, one of the conservatives engaged in the discussions, issued a statement Tuesday praising Gomez and saying he followed the correct procedures to facilitate this critical discussion as a body of bishops.

Aquila referred to a May 7 letter to Gomez from the head of the Vatican's doctrine office, Cardinal Luis Ladaria, urging the U.S. bishops to deliberate carefully and minimize divisions before proceeding with any action on the Communion issue.

It was clear from it that the USCCBs plan to discuss and debate this important issue is warranted and encouraged, Aquila said. In contrast, the publication of the letter calling for a halt to discussion at our June meeting on this vital issue risks creating an atmosphere of factionalism, rather than unity amongst the bishops.

The bishops who requested a delay did not release their letter publicly or issue statements about it. According to The Pillar, an online news outlet covering the Catholic Church, the signatories included Cardinals Blase Cupich of Chicago and Wilton Gregory of Washington, the latter of whom has made clear that Biden is welcome to receive Communion at his archdiocese's churches.

But in a recent essay, Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego made a case against the campaign to deny Biden and others Communion.

It will bring tremendously destructive consequences, McElroy wrote. The Eucharist is being weaponized and deployed as a tool in political warfare. This must not happen.

San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, one of the conservatives, criticized the request to delay the debate.

Im deeply grieved by the rising public acrimony among bishops and the adoption of behind-closed-doors maneuvers to interfere with the accepted, normal, agreed-upon procedures of the USCCB, Cordileone said in a statement. Those who do not want to issue a document on Eucharistic coherence should be open to debating the question objectively and fairly with their brother bishops, rather than attempting to derail the process.

Cordileone thanked Gomez for his integrity in assuring that the procedures of our bishops conference are followed and said he looked forward to serene dialogue about Communion policies at the June meeting.

Aquila, in his statement, suggested that Catholics endanger their souls if they receive Communion in an unworthy manner.

As bishops, we are failing in our duty as shepherds if we ignore this truth and how it is manifesting itself in todays society, especially with regards to those in prominent positions who reject fundamental teachings of the Church and insist that they be allowed to receive Communion, Aquila said.

Cardinal Ladaria's letter to Gomez in May made several points that could affect how the USCCB handles the issue:

 He said any new statement should not be limited to Catholic political leaders but broadened to encompass all churchgoing Catholics regarding their worthiness to receive Communion.

 He questioned the USCCB policy identifying abortion as the preeminent moral issue, saying it would be misleading if any new document were to give the impression that abortion and euthanasia alone constitute the only grave matters of Catholic moral and social teaching that demand the fullest accountability on the part of Catholics.

 He said that if the U.S. bishops pursue a new policy, they should confer with bishops conferences in other countries both to learn from one another and to preserve unity in the universal church.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through The Conversation U.S. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union took on vaccine producer AstraZeneca in a Brussels court on Wednesday and accused the drugmaker of acting in bad faith by providing shots to other nations when it had promised them for fast delivery to the EU's 27 member countries.

During an emergency hearing, the EU asked for the shipment of missing doses to the region and accused AstraZeneca of postponing deliveries so the Anglo-Swedish company could service others, and Britain in particular.

AstraZeneca lawyers denied any wrongdoing and said the pharmaceutical firm has always done its best to fulfill delivery commitments.

AstraZenecas contract with the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, foresaw an initial 300 million doses being distributed, with an option for another 100 million. The doses were expected to be delivered throughout 2021. But only 30 million were sent during the first quarter.

Deliveries have increased slightly since then but, according to the EU commission, the company is set to supply 70 million doses in the second quarter when it had promised 180 million. A lawyer for AstraZeneca said Wednesday that more or less 60 million doses from the total order have been delivered so far.

EU lawyer Rafael Jafferali told the court that AstraZeneca expects to deliver the total number of contracted doses by the end of December, but he said that with a six-month delay, its obviously a failure."

The Commission wants the court to order the delivery of an additional 90 million doses by the end of June, and the delivery of the remaining 180 million doses by the end of the third quarter of 2021.

Until the company has caught up with the delays, Jafferali asked the court to force AstraZeneca to pay 10 euros per day for each non-delivered dose and to fine the drugmaker 10 million euros ($12.2 million) per day and breach of the company's contractual obligations.

A lawyer representing AstraZeneca, Hakim Boularbah, said it's impossible for the company to meet the deadlines and accused the Commission of trying to change the terms of their contract. He argued that the delivery schedule was based on estimates and that AstraZeneca could not be liable in case of delays.

A judgment is to be delivered at a later date. In addition to the emergency action, the European Commission has launched a claim on the merits of the case for which a hearing hasnt yet been set by the court.

The EU has insisted its gripes with the company are about deliveries only and has repeatedly said that it has no problems with the safety or quality of the vaccine itself. The shots have been approved by the European Medicines Agency, the EUs drug regulator.

The EU's main argument is that AstraZeneca should have used six production sites for EU supplies as part of a "best reasonable effort clause in the contract. Jafferali said that 50 million doses that should have been delivered to the EU went to third countries instead, in violation of the contract. The European Commission agreed to pay 870 million euros for the shots.

Charles-Edouard Lambert, another lawyer on the EU team, said AstraZeneca decided to reserve production at its Oxford site for Britain.

This is utterly serious. AstraZeneca did not use all the means at its disposal. There is a double standard in the way it treats the U.K. and member states," he said.

AstraZeneca said it informed the EU's executive Commission in a detailed production plan that the UK manufacturing chain would firstly be dedicated to British supplies. The company noted that delays in deliveries not only affected the EU, but the whole world.

Boularbah said the company's May 2020 agreement with the U.K. government and Oxford University, the vaccine's co-developer, to supply 100 million doses of vaccine at cost clearly gave priority to Britain.

Its very shocking to be accused of fraud, Boularbah said, calling it a groundless accusation.

The EU also accused AstraZeneca of misleading the European Commission by providing data on the delivery delays that lacked clarity.

While the bloc insists AstraZeneca has breached its contractual obligations, the company says it has fully complied with the agreement, arguing that vaccines are difficult to manufacture, with dozens of components produced in several different nations, and it made its best effort to deliver on time.

Unfortunately, to this date, more or less 60 million doses from the order have been delivered, Boularbah said, adding that AstraZeneca does everything it can to increase production and will deliver the 300 million of doses agreed to as soon as possible.

He played down the urgency claimed by the EU, saying 13 million AstraZeneca doses were stocked in EU member states. However, since the AstraZeneca vaccination takes two shots up to 12 weeks apart, member states can opt to reserve some of their supplies to make sure that recipients can get their second dose on time.

As part of an advanced purchase agreement with vaccine companies, the EU said it invested 2.7 billion euros ($3.8 billion), including 336 million ($408 million), to finance the production of AstraZenecas vaccine at four factories.

The long-standing dispute drew media attention for weeks earlier this year amid a deadly surge of coronavirus infections in Europe, when delays in vaccine production and deliveries hampered the EUs vaccination campaign.

Cheaper and easier to use than shots from rival Pfizer-BioNTech, the AstraZeneca vaccine developed with Oxford University was a pillar of the EU's vaccine rollout. But the EUs partnership with the firm quickly deteriorated amid accusations it favored its relationship with British authorities.

While the U.K. made quick progress in its vaccination campaign thanks to its AstraZeneca supplies, the EU faced embarrassing complaints and criticism for its slow start. Concerns over the pace of the rollout across the EU grew after AstraZeneca said it couldn't supply EU members with as many doses as originally anticipated because of production capacity limits.

The health situation has dramatically improved in Europe in recent weeks, with the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths on a sharp downward trend as vaccination has picked up. About 300 million doses of vaccine have been delivered in Europe  a region with around 450 million inhabitants, with about 245 million already administered.

About 46% of the EU population have had at least one dose.

Fanny Laune, another lawyer from the European Commissions legal team, insisted the case needs to be treated urgently despite vaccination campaigns picking up across the bloc. She said other producers in the EU vaccine portfolio have experienced delays in deliveries and could still be hampered by production problems.

She added that several EU countries have based their vaccine strategy on the AstraZeneca shots and that five member states wont be able to reach the targets set by the EU by the end of June if the drugmaker doesn't provide the promised doses in time.

If this legal action allows to save just one life, it justifies an urgent ruling, Laune said.

AstraZenecas lawyers asked the judge to properly assess whether citizens in the EU cant actually get vaccinated with the companys shots because of the delivery delays before determining whether the case should be settled urgently.

In total, the European Commission has secured more than 2.5 billion of vaccine doses with various manufacturers, but is now shying away from placing more orders with AstraZeneca. It recently sealed another major order with Pfizer and BioNTech through 2023 for an additional 1.8 billion doses to be shared among EU members.

___

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Themis Klarides, the former Republican leader of the state House of Representatives who didnt run for re-election last year so she could run for governor, announced Wednesday she is taking a first step toward the higher office.

Klarides, a delegate for former President Donald Trump in 2016 but not in 2020, faces tough hurdles in the form of a likely run by fellow Republican Bob Stefanowski, the partys 2018 nominee who ran a strong race; then, if she beats Stefanowski, she will have a likely general election campaign against Gov. Ned Lamont, whose popularity has surged during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a writtten statement, Klarides said she planned to file paperwork with the State Elections Enforcement Commission Wednesday that would allow her to spend her own money as she considers a run for governor. The commission had not received the filing as of late Wednesday morning.

At this point, I will not be accepting contributions or conducting any fundraising as I conduct my due diligence, Klarides said in the release. I believe deeply in the potential of our state, and that the status quo of the Lamont administration has failed our families. I look forward to listening to voters across the state as I carefully consider what is best for our state, our people, and my family.

Klarides is in Tennessee this week attending the Republican Governors Associations spring conference and is unavailable for interviews, said Sebastian Rougemont, a spokesman who served in several roles in Trumps presidential campaigns.

Klarides, who represented Derby but now lives in Madison, opened up a rally for Trump at Sacred Heart University during his first presidential run in 2016. She was mostly silent about Trumps re-election effort in 2020.

The highest-ranking woman in the legislature when she was in office, Klarides announced last spring that she would not seek reelection but said her time in public service wasnt over. She made no effort to quell widespread talk of her run for governor.

She is the latest former top legislator in the state Capitol to attempt a run for governor. Past candidates, such as former House Speaker James Amann, have found they dont have the name recognition outside of policy circles to successfully win top the top spot.

By choosing to finance her own exploratory period  in contrast to filing to raise money right away, as many candidates have done  Klarides is signaling that she may forgo the Citizens Election Program and the public financing that comes with it, along with spending limits. Her husband, Greg Butler, is executive vice president and general counsel at Eversource, and was prominent in Connecticut Republican cirlces long before they married last September.

But, in the Lamont era especially, running for governor in Connecticut is a big-money operation. Lamont spent about $15 million of his own money in his successful bid for governor in 2018 and hes believed to have access to resources well beyond that.

Lamont has not explicitly said he is running for reelection, but, like Klarides, he has welcomed speculation and has shown signs of a run. It means I have options, Lamont said recently after the state Democratic Party hired an operative who could help his campaign.

In a statement issued after Klarides announcement, Stefanowski, also of Madison, said, Its not important what I think about Themis exploring a run for office, its far more important what the people of Connecticut think.

Stefanowski ran as a hard-line cost-cutter, saying he would eliminate the states personal income tax, which accounts for about half of Connecticuts revenue. He has spent the last three years maintaining and cultivating a base of conservatives.

As Ive worked with volunteers across the state over the past few years, Ive heard over and over again that people are hungry for new leadership and new ideas, he said, adding that hes been humbled by the number of people who have asked him to run again.

They are the ones that matter most to me, he said.

New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart, a moderate Republican who in 2018 briefly ran for governor, then lieutenant governor, recently said after having a baby that she will not run again in 2022.

julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Military and federal authorities said Tuesday they were probing the cause of a fighter jet crash that killed a civilian pilot but did not injure anyone on the ground in a residential area near Nellis Air Force Base.

The Dassault Mirage F-1 that crashed Monday afternoon was owned and operated by Florida-based Draken US, a military contractor providing adversary air support during aerial war games flown from Nellis into restricted air space over central Nevada, a statement from the base said.

The pilot was Nicholas Hunter Hamilton, 43, of Las Vegas, the Clark County coroner said. He was the only person aboard the French aircraft, which records show was built in 1982.

In Reno, where he grew up, Hamilton's family released a statement calling him Nick and describing him as a devoted, kind husband, father, son and brother who held a black belt in taekwondo and was an accomplished violinist.

His death has left a large void in our lives, and we are all shocked and heartbroken," Aaron Damon, a family spokesman, said in the statement to the Reno Gazette Journal.

Damon did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press.

Hamilton graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2000 and was a fighter pilot for 20 years, including multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, the newspaper said. He retired from the Air Force in March 2020 to fly for Draken International.

His dedication to his family and his country will never be forgotten, said the statement on behalf of his wife, their two young sons and other family members.

Words cannot express our loss," it said. "A nickel on the grass. We need time to mourn this great loss and appreciate the respect given to our privacy in this tragic time.

In Las Vegas, homeowner Jose Villanueva told the Las Vegas Review-Journal he escaped injury when the jet slammed into his yard and his uncles adjacent yard. Attempts by AP to reach Villanueva by telephone were not successful.

It was a really, really, really, really strong noise, he told the newspaper.

The National Transportation Safety Board joined military officials in the investigation. Agency spokesman Eric Weiss said Tuesday it was too early to report on a cause of the crash.

Preliminary findings will be released within two weeks, Weiss said, and findings and a final report could take up to two years.

Draken spokeswoman Christina Childs said the company, based in Lakeland, Florida, was cooperating with federal, state and local authorities including the NTSB.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people and families affected by this event, the company said a statement.

Draken provides tactical aircraft, adversarial support, electronic attack or customized rotary wing training, and pilots including former U.S. military personnel, for combat training at Nellis and other sites.

We train the next generation of fighter pilots which is a crucial aspect of our national security, Childs said in an email.

She did not immediately respond to messages about Hamilton's military history.

In August 2016, not far from Nellis, a Draken pilot with more than two decades of experience received minor injuries when he ejected before the Douglas A-4K Skyhawk he was flying crashed in the desert near the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Investigators later said it appeared that debris entered the engine of the Vietnam War-era attack jet, causing a loss of power.
SOUTH WINDSOR  The case of Jessica Edwards spanned nearly two weeks and several towns from the first reports she was missing until her body was found in East Hartford and her husband was charged with her death.

Below is a timeline from about two days before she went missing until her husbands most recent court appearance. Some dates have been omitted for lack of major developments that day.

All details related to the information from May 8 through May 21 are based on what authorities provided in the arrest affidavit for Tahj Hutchinson, Edwards husband, who has been charged with first-degree manslaughter.

May 8

-Edwards and Hutchinson argued all day, he told investigators in his confession detailed in the affidavit.

May 9

-Edwards and Hutchinson again argued throughout the day. At one point it turned physical, and he claimed Edwards tried to hit him and threw items at him. He told investigators he pushed her hard and she hit her head on something and her ear started to bleed, the affidavit said.

-Edwards left for her mothers house in East Hartford at 8:17 p.m. to pick up her 7-month-old son. Thats when her family last saw her. Edwards sister later told police that Edwards told the family she and Hutchinson had been arguing that day, according to the affidavit.

-Edwards got back to her South Windsor condo at 11:29 p.m. and the couple continued to argue, according to the affidavit.

-The affidavit shows this is the last day Edwards made a purchase using her bank card.

May 10

-At 6:43 a.m., Hutchinson took two photos with his cellphone of a computer screen where he had logged into Edwards bank account, according to the affidavit.

-Hutchinson and Edwards began arguing in the morning, he told investigators.

-Family members of Edwards were unable to contact her all day, which they said was out of character for her, the affidavit read.

-A neighbors surveillance footage shows that Edwards is never seen leaving her condo this day, investigators said.

-This is the last day Edwards cellphone connected to the WiFi at her South Windsor home, but digital investigators were unable to pinpoint a time, according to the affidavit.

-Hutchinson claimed to investigators in his confession that Edwards allegedly hit him in the head with a laptop and grabbed a knife. He said the two wrestled over the knife, then he pinned her down and flipped her on her stomach. He told police he knelt on her back and neck until she stopped moving, the affidavit. He told investigators he didnt immediately realize she was dead.

-Throughout the rest of the day, Hutchinson told investigators he left Edwards body in the condo and tended to the couples son while avoiding calls from her family, the warrant shows.

-At 10:27 p.m., a neighbors surveillance footage shows a Jeep pull up to the condos entrance and stays there until 10:43 p.m., investigators wrote in the affidavit.

-At 10:46 a.m., South Windsor police took a frantic 911 call from Edwards sister who reported she was at her sisters South Windsor home to check on her welfare and her sisters husband sped off when she confronted him, the affidavit reads. She told officers who responded to the scene she believed he might have had her sisters dead body in the back of his Jeep.

-South Windsor officers responded to the scene and searched the home under concern that Edwards might have been harmed. They did not find her or signs of a struggle, according to investigators.

-From 10:57 p.m. to 11:07 p.m., Hutchinsons cellphone connected with a tower near Labor Park in East Hartford, the affidavit shows.

-At 11:14 p.m., Hutchinson arrived at East Hartford Police Department, barefoot, to report Edwards missing. He later told police he was barefoot because his shoes were muddy from when he allegedly dumped her body in the wooded area, according to the affidavit. Police said there was a roughly 28-minute gap from the time he left his South Windsor residence to when he got to the police station. The drive time is estimated to be about 10 to 15 minutes, investigators wrote.

-South Windsor officers started conducting neighborhood canvasses for any information, witnesses or camera systems. A K-9 unit was called to try a track. Police seized divorce papers completed by Edwards but not yet filed that Edwards sister found in the home, the affidavit reads.

May 11

-Investigators said Hutchinsons cellphone data again showed the device connected to the same tower near Labor Field in East Hartford from 2:30 a.m. to 3 a.m.

-At 7:57 a.m., Edwards sister called police to report she was at the South Windsor home and Hutchinson walked out to the dumpster, acting weird and has visible scratches on his face, the warrant said. Police responded and noted the scratches, saying he was wearing a mask while inside the police station the day prior.

-Investigators searched the area around Edwards condo along the wood line, pond in the center area and dumpsters on the property without finding any evidence. A K-9 unit searched around the condo, Amato Drive and the wooded area without finding anything.

-Hutchinsons parents, who he did not tell his wife had gone missing, showed up after Edwards sister and other family members went to their place in Manchester to tell them Edwards was missing and they believed Hutchinson has something to do with her disappearance, according to the affidavit.

-For DNA purposes, police seized a bra and underwear belonging to Edwards to be sent to the state lab for the missing person investigation. Police also took one of Edwards shoes to use as a scent article for police dog tracks, investigators said.

-Hutchinson told police he would stay with his parents in Manchester. At his parents house later that day, Hutchinson again spoke with investigators and agreed to let them do a forensic search of his cellphone, the affidavit shows.

May 13

-Hutchinson was interviewed for three hours by investigators at South Windsor police headquarters.

-Hutchinson agreed to let police bring a specialized dog trained in sniffing out electronics to his home to see if they could find Edwards phone. He agreed to let investigators search the couples three vehicles as well, the affidavit shows.

-During the search, investigators seized a comforter from the back of one of the vehicles, Hutchinsons Jeep, which they said had a possible bloodlike substance on it, investigators wrote in the affidavit.In the Jeeps console, investigators found Edwards drivers license and debit card.

May 14

-A judge signed search warrants for all the vehicles, the South Windsor condo and Hutchinson and Edwards T-Mobile accounts, records show.

-Three cadaver dogs went through all vehicles and the home but did not hit on anything. The gray cargo area privacy cover from the Jeep was swabbed after investigators saw blood on the handle, according to the affidavit.

-A white and gray pillow found in the condos bedroom with blood stains on it was seized as evidence, the affidavit shows.

May 15

-A neighbor on Amato Drive called South Windsor police to let them know they had a camera that faces near Edwards condo. Investigators spent three days reviewing the footage of the days leading up to and after Edwards disappearance.

May 17

-Investigators contacted the state lab and requested an expedited letter for the following items: the blanket, the privacy cover and the swab of suspected blood. The items were taken to the lab in Meriden that same day, according to the affidavit.

May 20

-Investigators got the cellphone data requested from T-Mobile for Hutchinsons and Edwards cellphones.

-At 7 p.m., inevstigators used a drone to search the wooded area near where investigators believed Edwards might be, based on the cellphone data. Police were unable to find her before it got dark and called off the search for the night.

May 21

-At 8:30 a.m., state and South Windsor police started searching the wooded area in East Hartford again, picking up on the search from the night before, and soon found a body matching Edwards description

-At 3:40 p.m., Connecticut Chief Medical Examiner James Gill positively identified the body as Edwards based on a birthmark on her right shoulder, records show.

-Investigators doing surveillance at Hutchinsons parents Manchester home, where Hutchinson was staying, spoke with him outside the house for about 3 hours. During that time, investigators said he provided a confession, according to the affidavit.

May 24

-Hutchinson appeared in court on the manslaughter charge and the judge upped his bail to $1.5 million. His case was transfered to Superior Court in Hartford, where more serious felonies are heard.
HMD Global shipped 2 million Nokia smartphones in the January-March period. That is up year on year (was 1.7 million in Q1 2020), but down from the previous quarter when the number of shipments reached 2.8 million, reports NokiaMob quoting data by Counterpoint Research.

What went wrong and what went right? Nokia smartphones lost ground in India, they were down 38.5% from Q4 last year and down 17% from Q1 last year. Nokias are doing well in Africa and parts of Europe, which helped boost shipments compared to the October-December quarter.

Smartphones aside, HMD shipped 11 million feature phones in Q1. The numbers here follow a similar pattern  up from the year-ago quarter, down from the previous quarter. HMD remains the third largest feature phone maker in the world.

On the global scale, the Nokia brand fell out of the Top 10 and is now 11th. This is counting both kinds of phones, looking at just smartphones the brand fell one place to 18th.



Smartphone shipments by volume and maker revenue share (source: Counterpoint Research)

Samsung, Apple, Oppo, vivo and Xiaomi are the largest smartphone makers and they bring home the most revenue too.

Source
Google started developing its Fuchsia OS as an open-source operating system for many platforms back in 2016, but for the longest time there haven't been any news abut it.

Well, Fuchsia is now the official OS for Google's original Nest Hub, formerly the Google Home Hub. The team behind Fuchsia is replacing the Nest Hub's limited Cast OS with Fuchsia, but on the surface the device should look and behave as before.

The move from Cast OS to Fuchsia OS will take several months and begin with users in the Preview Program first.

Fuchsia OS is designed to support smart devices such as Chromebooks, smartphones and others and Google has described it as a secure, updatable, inclusive and pragmatic operating system.

It appears Google wants to test the OS thoroughly, hence the month-long rollout to the Nest Hub.

You don't ship a new operating system every day, but today is that day.  Petr Hosek (@petrh) May 25, 2021

Still, this move leaves questions as to what exactly is the point of Fuchsia OS on the Nest Hub, given that it will look identical to Cast OS. And it doesn't offer any meaningful insight into Google's plans for Fuchsia.

Google previously said that Fuchsia isn't a replacement for Android, but it will be able to run Android apps natively. The main difference between Fuchsia and Android is that the former isn't based on a Linux kernel, but a microkernel of its own, called Zircon.

We'll have to wait and see what Google does with Fuchsia going forward.

Via
It appears Samsung's next clamshell foldable, the Galaxy Z Flip3 will weight the exact same 183g as its predecessor, as per renowned tipster Ice universe. Sadly, there's no more information in his report as of now.

Samsung is expected to change-up the design of the Galaxy Z Flip3 with a bigger outer display, which shares a matte glass cover with the dual main cameras. The total number of cameras is expected to stay at three - likely a wide and ultrawide on the outside and a selfie on the inside (possibly an under-display one, like the Galaxy Z Fold3).

Flip3 183g  Ice universe (@UniverseIce) May 26, 2021

Samsung could even ship the Galaxy Z Flip3 with a charger, but don't get excited as its only a 15W one.

July is the current bet for the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3's announcement and Samsung forecasts as many as 7 million foldables shipped this year.

Header image courtesy of LetsGoDitigal.
The United States has officially removed Xiaomi from its trading blacklist. The District Court for the District of Columbia has issued an order that removed the Communist Chinese military company designation, initially set up by the Department of Defense.

A spokesperson for Xiaomi said that the company is grateful for the trust and support of its global users, partners, employees and shareholders. It is an open, transparent, publicly traded, independently operated and managed corporation and will continue to provide products and services to its users.

The CCMC designation was issued in January, in the last days of the Trump administration. Xiaomi followed with a lawsuit, and in March it received a preliminary injunction. Earlier this month both sides reached an agreement, so todays action is a simply the expected legal conclusion of the whole thing.

Via




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Call the Pima County Sheriffs Auxiliary Volunteers with information about scams and frauds. To contact the Scam Squad directly, 9 am to noon Monday  Friday, call (520) 351-6715, or email scamsquad@gvsav.org. To report suspicious activity or a particular incident of fraud (a scam involving a loss of money) call (520) 351-4900. You may also check our Web sites at Scamsquadsav.org or GVSAV.org.

If you are interested in becoming a Sheriffs Auxiliary Volunteer, please email gvsavrecruiting@gmail.com for an application or call (520) 351-6746.
Chinese envoy asks Somali parties to break political deadlock over delayed elections

Xinhua) 11:13, May 26, 2021

Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, addresses a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Somalia at the UN headquarters in New York, on May 25, 2021. Zhang Jun on Tuesday called on parties in Somalia to strive to break the current political deadlock over delayed elections. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, May 25 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called on parties in Somalia to strive to break the current political deadlock over delayed elections.

Somalia's situation is at a critical juncture, and the political deadlock over delayed elections is still continuing, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.

Leaders of the Somali federal government have reiterated their commitment to the electoral consensus reached on Sept. 17, 2020, and once again convened a dialogue among parties in Somalia. China fully recognizes such efforts, he told the Security Council.

"To break the current political stalemate serves the common interests of parties and people in Somalia. We encourage parties in Somalia to put the interests of the country first, strengthen unity and cooperation, make necessary compromises, rebuild political trust, swiftly agree on electoral arrangements, restore Somalia's political stability so as to provide favorable conditions for the security transition and national reconstruction."

Zhang expressed concern over the dire security situation in Somalia and commended the efforts of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMSOM) in this regard.

China welcomes the mandate extension of AMSOM by the African Union Peace and Security Council and takes note of its efforts toward AMSOM's reconfiguration, he said.

The European Union has provided important funding support for AMSOM. China expects the bloc to continue its strong support so as to make new contributions to the maintenance of security and stability in Somalia. The international community should step up assistance to help Somali security forces gradually take over security responsibilities, said Zhang.

Somalia has long been in a deep humanitarian crisis. Lagging development, COVID-19, droughts, the locust plague have further compounded the plight of Somalis. The international community should provide more assistance in areas such as the fight against COVID-19, post-pandemic reconstruction, debt relief, food security, and poverty reduction, he said.

China has long supported Somalia's peace and reconstruction within its capacity. China has helped Somalia build infrastructure and enhance capacity building. It has recently donated COVID vaccines to Somalia. China will work with the international community to make greater contributions to lasting peace and sustainable development in Somalia, he said.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
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.




Haiti - International Eloquence Competition : Rose Lumane, wins the Audience Award (reactions)





Graduating student of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Management of Cap-Haitien (State University of Haiti - UEH), graduate in Administrative Sciences and local governance at the Public University of the North in Cap-Haitien, Rose Lumane Saint-Jean won on Tuesday May 25, 2021, the TV5 Monde Audience Award for the 3rd Edition of the international eloquence competition held at the University of Paris 1, (Pantheon-Sorbonne)



An award that provoked many congratulatory reactions



President Jovenel Moise :

"I offer my congratulations to Rose Lumane Saint-Jean who has just won the TV5 Monde Audience Award in the international eloquence competition. Proof that our company is full of talent. A huge pride for Haiti," Jovenel Moise



Pradel Henriquez, Minister of Culture :

"With this award, Rose Lumane Saint-Jean has just proved to the whole world that this country with a glorious, unique and mythical past possesses countless talents which have earned her over the years to be the proud Haiti [...] Ministry of Culture, on behalf of the Haitian Government, congratulates Miss Rose Lumane Saint-Jean for this Prize which is one more trophy adding to the Pantheon of so many compatriots who have before her shone the torch of knowledge, of the culture and spirit of the Haitian people."



Consulate General of Haiti in Paris :

"This victory proves once again that Haitian youth can work wonders when supervised, because the winner is above all a pure product of the University of Haiti. The Consulate congratulates this compatriot who makes the name of Haiti resonate on French soil. This award enhances our country and Haitian youth who need a role model more than ever. The Consulate General of Haiti in Paris joins the entire Haitian community in France by congratulating Rose Lumane Saint Jean who made the entire country proud."



State University of Haiti (UEH) :

"Congratulations to Rose Lumane Saint-Jean for winning the TV5 Monde Audience Award at the Paris 1 University International Eloquence Competition. The best is yet to come. Come on Rose Lumane! The UEH is with you !"



Former Senator (North) Dieudonne Luma :

"We warmly congratulate together this young Haitian pride, Rose Lumane Saint-Jean, who recently won the TV5 Monde Audience Award as part of the international eloquence competition of the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne 2021. We continue to keep this hope that our youth will retain these models of values in order to ensure the future of our dear Haiti through rising generations."











HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Economy : Poverty and underdevelopment in Haiti are planned





On May 23 at the Lycee Faustin Soulouque in Petit-Goave, at the initiative of the Movement of Young Defenders for the Progress of Haiti (MOJEDEPH), the very popular young economist, Etzer Emile, gave a conference on commitment citizens in the development of the country in front of a diverse audience composed among others of young people, executives, lawyers, students, schoolchildren, religious, lawyers, teachers, political activists, police officers and people from Miragoane...



The objective of the speaker was to explain in particular to the youth the causes of the underdevelopment of Haiti and the poverty of Haitians, by awakening his patriotic conscience and by encouraging him to engage in the work of national transformation.



Excerpts from Etzer Emile's conference :

Economist Etzer Emile explained "The misery, poverty and underdevelopment in Haiti are not accident. They are planned. They are the result of bad governance, corruption, the desire of a small group to enrich themselves to the detriment of the country, the absence of social and economic policies, the absence of production."



Stating "The economy of Haiti is no longer primarily agricultural. The country becomes an importing country. It has a closed economy controlled by a few men, an economy dependent on transfers. There is nothing supernatural about Haitis underdevelopment. It is the quality of individuals that generates the quality of policies implemented by leaders. And the quality of policies will give rise to the quality of life."



He further underlined "[...] Young people represent not the future but the present of Haiti. Now is the time to start working and putting in place the basic infrastructure. The standard of living of a people is linked to two factors : the level of training of the people and the quality of social and economic policies applied by the rulers. There must be a political agenda that addresses employment issues, the living conditions of the population, issues of wealth creation, the enjoyment of social and economic rights [...]



The number of jobs created and the improvement of people's living conditions is the best way to measure the performance of a government [...]



[...] Haitis problems remain the lack of work, income, a lack of money circulation and an employment policy.



The development of Haiti will go through the quality of training, education, commitment, involvement, awareness of youth and the development of an appropriate, decentralized national budget meeting the needs of the population.



[...] The development of Haiti will also pass through access to low interest rate credits, through the quality of our leaders : honest, competent, concerned about collective interests, the reduction of economic disparities between cities and investment in provincial towns." insisting "We need an economy based on production and competition"



Finally, he called on the youth to have "the competence, the honesty, the courage, the patriotism" so that they can participate in the work of national development by making good choices in the elections. Concluding "The development of Haiti will require the leadership of a new generation of men and women, the action of everyone."



HL/ HaitiLibre / Guyto Mathieu (Correspondent Petit-Goave)


















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In the wake of announcements about the dispersal of over $28 million in American Rescue Plan funds to counties and cities across north-central Montana little guidance has been issued by the federal government about how these funds can be used.

While some county- and city-level officials in the area have general ideas about where this money will be spent, few concrete plans are being made because so little is known about how the money can legally be spent.

We know we need to be accountable for how its spent and we have not received very broad rules about what it can be spent on, s...
Peterson health staff were suprised with a celebration in the lobby of the Peterson Regional Medical Center after learning that Peterson Health was recently named one of the nationss Best Places to Work by Modern Healthcare.




We're a family of seven living in Georgia where Andrew's working as a professor at GSU. You can read more about us here
Democrats, public employees working to stop personnel records bill

RALEIGH  A bill that would open disciplinary records of government employees is crawling through the Senate, and employee unions and Democrats are determined to kill it.

Lawmakers filed Senate Bill 355, the Government Transparency Act of 2021, in late March, and it has been mired in committee since. Republican Sens. Norm Sanderson of Craven County, Bill Rabon of Brunswick, and Joyce Krawiec of Forsyth are primary sponsors. Its expected the bill will be rolled into another measure to get around the crossover deadline, which for most bills was last week.



The N.C. Press Association is strongly pushing the bill, and employee unions, specifically, are fighting it. That includes the State Employees Association of North Carolina, the N.C. Association of Educators and the Teamsters.



S.B. 355, the legislative summary says, would create a new requirement that government entities make a general description of certain personnel actions available to the public. Under current law, personnel files of state employees are confidential and may not be released except in certain limited circumstances to certain individuals or entities, the summary says.



State statute provides a list of data that each state agency must maintain and make available to the public for inspection upon request, including name and age, terms of any contract, current position, title, and salary, date and general description of the reasons for each promotion, and date and type of each dismissal, suspension, or demotion for disciplinary reasons.



S.B. 355 would create a new requirement that the state provide a general description for each demotion, dismissal, transfer, suspension, separation, or other change in position for each state employee, the bill language says.



In an opinion piece published in Carolina Journal and throughout the state, Paul Mauney and Bill Moss say these organizations, as well as the N.C. Justice Center, have flooded senators inboxes with a letter declaring the bill unconstitutional, and they persist in the false portrayal even after sponsors agreed to an amendment addressing their due process concerns.



The aggressive opposition raises several questions. What is there to hide? What is the public policy interest in keeping public employee performance records hidden from the public?



Signing the letter were Ardis Watkins, executive director of the state employees association, and Tamika Walker Kelly, president of the teachers association. In the letter, the pair said the bill would allow ANYONE full access to a state employers personnel file, including any comments from supervisors about disciplinary actions in real-time, even though an employees appeal of potentially false information could take months.



Medical records and other personal information are already protected by federal law, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPPA.



The bill is certainly constitutional, an expert on the U.S. Constitution told CJ, and the core language was written in 2010 by, among others, N.C. Senate President Phil Berger, R-Rockingham. That bill passed with the same wording, the expert says, but, because of union opposition, was diluted to the point of becoming ineffective. State law hasnt changed since.



Examples of denials to the media and the public of access to disciplinary records of state employees are numerous, yet details of internal investigations and past offenses are scant, at best.



In 2014, the Times-News of Burlington sued the Alamance Burlington Board of Education over the departure of former Superintendent Lilli Cox, who resigned, the newspaper wrote, after the board held a series of lengthy closed-session meetings to discuss personnel matters. The board agreed to a $200,000 severance package and $22,000 in unused vacation pay. According to Coxs contract, $200,000 is the amount she would have received had the board unilaterally terminated her contract.



The paper, its story said, made a public records request to see those closed-session minutes in the months after the resignation was announced, and was given 45 pages of minutes with all but a few words blacked out.



The N.C. Court of Appeals ultimately upheld a decision by the Superior Court rejecting the lawsuit.



The courts job is to read the public records law broadly to promote access, John Bussian, an attorney for the Times-News, said at the time. [T]his decision, if correct, shows why North Carolinas public records access law keeps the public from knowing reasons for important government personnel decisions, unlike the law in more than 35 other states.



Bussian is pushing lawmakers to support S.B. 355. One of the countrys top press lawyers, Bussian and his firm specialize in media litigation. He has long been a national leader in defending press freedoms.



Bussian said the bill places a modest but important light on the records, especially when compared with other states.



There is no legitimate public policy reason not to allow North Carolinians the right to see records of disciplinary actions taken against the people they employ in state and local government, Bussian said. The vast majority of states enjoy access like this, and the best of these states allow complete access to these files.



As NCPA points out in its oped, such an open records law sounds like unequivocally sound public policy, which is how its regarded in more than 35 states where that information is available. Opponents in their efforts to derail S.B. 355 have nonetheless mounted a campaign based on misinformation and alarmist scenarios.



Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, often says he supports an open and transparent government. As attorney general, he even published a sort of manifesto on the subject and its gravity to a free press and exchange of ideas. As a state senator in 1997, Cooper sponsored a failed bill, the Discipline Disclosure Act, which sought, it says, to bring more openness to the performance of public employees by providing greater access to personnel records.



The bill called for open access to records related to any personnel action imposed upon a public employee, including, but not limited to, separation, suspension, demotion, reprimand, warning, or transfer, are public records. At a minimum, every supervisor shall place in the public employees personnel record a written summary of the personnel action imposed upon the public employee, including the circumstances that led to the personnel action, the nature of the action taken, and the effective dates of the action.



But, as governor, Cooper has treated the idea as anathema. Cooper is reluctant to talk about the bill and whether he would support it, and even inquiries about the bill from media that he deems friendly have been mostly ignored, a source tells CJ. Cooper rarely, if ever, responds to inquiries from CJ.



The News & Observer of Raleigh and The Charlotte Observer, which typically support the governor, took him to task last year over his refusal to disclose records related to state incentives to lure Apple to Research Triangle Park nearly three years ago.



"Were troubled, the papers wrote, at a pattern of the governor being too close to the vest with information that should be public. In 2018, Cooper was unnecessarily reticent about questions surrounding the states $58 million agreement with the developers of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. More recently, the governors office and Department of Health and Human Services were slow to respond to multiple requests for records, data, and policies involving COVID-19 and nursing homes, which had seen a surge of infections. Some of those requests still havent been filled.



Such secrecy doesnt serve the public, whether its the presidents tax returns or North Carolinas bid for a big business prize. N.C. lawmakers should close the open records loophole the governor thinks he has regarding Apple, and Cooper should stop hiding information the public deserves to see.
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As Delivered

Assembly President, Director General Tedros, fellow ministers, and distinguished leaders:

On behalf of the United States, I want to extend our thanks to the leadership of the World Health Organization and the staff who have worked tirelessly for the health and well-being of all humanity.

I want to thank the Pan American Health Organization for leading efforts to combat the pandemic and deliver much needed supplies and vaccines to our neighbors in the Americas as well as AFRO and its concurrent work to respond to multiple Ebola outbreaks on top of COVID-19.

And I want to express our gratitude and support for our frontline workers, whose sacrifices and service are appreciated more than I can express with words.

The COVID-19 pandemic not only stole a year from our lives, it stole millions of lives.

Now we must honor our departed by taking urgent action this year - to strengthen health security and pandemic preparedness so that we are better prepared for the next global health crisis.

This means improving global triggers, so all countries take swift action toward the next biological threat.

This means establishing a global health security financing mechanism that is sustainable - with strong accountability and oversight.

And this means developing surge capacity for the global manufacturing of personal protective equipment, vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and the healthcare workforce.

We cannot forget that people are the backbone of any response and must ensure and increase investments in our healthcare workforce.

And we must also do more to understand our current pandemic and look forward toward detecting, preparing, and responding to future biological threats.

Phase 2 of the COVID origins study must be launched with terms of reference that are transparent, science-based, and give international experts the independence to fully assess the source of the virus and the early days of the outbreak.

As Member States of the WHO, we need to come together and finish this fight against COVID, our greatest test.

We need to fully implement and adhere to obligations under the International Health Regulations.

We need to improve transparency, immediately share critical information about outbreaks with pandemic potential, and strengthen health systems to withstand shocks.

Global collaboration will be key in tackling the many challenges still before us. Collaboration with non-state actors must continue, and we must invite Taiwan to be a part of the World Health Assembly as an observer.

The challenges before us are many, but not insurmountable.

They begin by ensuring the resilience of global health systems through sustained investments - and by addressing inequity and helping all people realize their right to health.

Together, we must address racial, gender and other forms of inequality, promote sexual and reproductive health and rights, and strive for equity across society.

An inclusive global public health approach must include the voices of minorities, women, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex populations.

We must continue promoting critical nutrition and vaccinations, fighting HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, and addressing climate change.

And we will do this together with a strong and agile WHO.

Together we will beat this pandemic.



Together we can help all people realize their right to health.

Thank you.
George Floyd's death anniversary was meant to be a turning point, a time to commemorate the passage of legislation to "root out systemic injustice" in the criminal justice system, as President Joe Biden put it. Instead, Floyd's family traveled to Washington on Tuesday to mourn with Biden and urge Congress to act as they mark the first anniversary of the death of their brother, father, and son.

Floyd's brother Philonise addressed reporters at the Capitol alongside family members, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and other legislators, saying, "Today is the day that he set the world on fire. We need to work together to ensure that people in America no longer live in fear," WLWT reported.

Family members later spent an hour at the White House with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Bridgett Floyd, a sister, remained away, intending to return only when a bill was ready to be signed into law.

George Floyd's death ignited a global reckoning over racism and a surge in demands for police reform, but lawmakers have yet to respond. In contrast to his delirious public and private support for his infrastructure bill and the COVID-19 relief package, Biden has taken a back seat in this high-profile legislative battle, choosing to leave the job of crafting a solution to lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Read Also: Police Reform Bill Named After George Floyd Gets House Approval

Floyd family demanded Congress to pass police reform legislation

The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which the Democrat-controlled House passed in March, makes it easier for officers to be sued and charged with crimes and prohibiting police chokeholds on a federal level, restricting no-knock warrants, establishing a national database to monitor cops with records of misconduct and enacting a slew of other limits on police use of force.

Despite Biden's Tuesday deadline, the bill has stalled in the Senate, where Democrats need the support of at least 10 Republicans, most of whom are doubtful.

Later Tuesday, Biden told Philonise Floyd and the other Floyd family members, including George Floyd's mother and 7-year-old daughter, that he expects the Senate to find a bipartisan agreement and bring the bill to his desk soon.

Per NY Daily News, after meeting privately with the Floyds, the president issued a statement saying, "We must take action. We are at a crossroads. The battle for America's soul has been a relentless tug of war between the American ideal that we're all born equal and the harsh reality that racism has ripped us apart for years."

According to George Floyd's family, Biden expressed "genuine" concern for how the Floyd family was feeling on the anniversary of George Floyd's death and told them he is displeased that the deadline for police reform has not been met. Attorney Benjamin Crump, who accompanied the family, said the family would discuss bipartisan talks with senators Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Corey Booker, D-N.J.

"We all want better police, but it doesn't have to be one against the other. This is a national concern, not a law enforcement or civil rights issue," Crump noted, as per Fox News.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked earlier why Biden was not using the bully pulpit on Tuesday to turn the heat up on Congress to pass police reform. She said that it is a case of what is believed to be the most positive way to move the talks forward and get to the final result that everyone cares about, which is signing this bill into law. Psaki added that Biden is "encouraged" by bipartisan talks but has declined to set a new timetable for legislation.

Related Article: Key Events From George Floyd's Arrest to Derek Chauvin's Guilty Verdicts

@YouTube

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For the most part, the coming summit between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin will be an opportunity for both leaders to straighten out issues and restore both countries' relations. Biden's negative references to Putin have angered the Russian leader on many occasions. Putin, however, agreed to set their difference aside to set things right between Moscow and Washington, reported USA Today via MSN.

Much is expected from the first face-to-face between the Kremlin leader and Biden, who has been in office less than six months. The White House said last Tuesday that topics would include all relevant issues that need immediate attention.

Concerns have been raised over the adversarial state of affairs of both countries after Biden has repeatedly raised issues far different from that of Donald Trump, the former occupant of the Oval Office.

Actions of the Biden administration that drew Putin's ire

Last March, the White House imposed sanctions on Russia in connection to the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his arrest. The Kremlin saw it as interference in its affairs, which caused a severe fallout as Joe Biden continued with his tough stance.

In April, the current US administration imposed further sanctions on Moscow, accusing it again of intervening in the 2020 presidential race and hacking of the SolarWinds firm with malware, which impacted many US federal agencies and private companies. It will be one of the talking points between the two leaders' meeting.

Read also: Donald Trump: Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, They Like Him

Adding to the tensions was when the White House put sanctions on three dozen individuals and companies and expelled 10 Russian diplomats, discussing the incident with Kremlin. In response, Putin called out Biden's move and kicked out 10 US diplomats.

Biden called Putin a killer during an interview with ABC News in March, and it also became an issue. But he dodged a challenge from the Kremlin leader who might have an ax to grind. The summit will be public, and the president's cordon sanitaire might not be effective in Switzerland.

His predecessor, Donald Trump, proved better at fostering a more amicable relationship with Putin, which the Russian leader reciprocated.

The CNN mentioned that Biden had cautioned Putin that the US would not back off, "I could have gone much further" in reaction to the cyberattacks, but "I decided not to. I decided to be reasonable."

He added that it was not his goal to start a cycle of escalation and conflict with Russia, adding that the US wants to have a stable, predictable relationship.

Following last Tuesday's statement, Brett Bruen, a former State Department ambassador, tweeted saying Biden sees next month's meeting "as a chance to offer Russia an off ramp from the wayward route." Putin takes the opportunity to show that he can once again outpace the West's efforts to pull him in.

Biden sees this as a chance to offer Russia an off ramp from the rogue road.



Putin views this as an opportunity to show he can again accelerate past the West's efforts to reign him in. https://t.co/3p6NjQGCpE  Brett Bruen (@BrettBruen) May 25, 2021

Before the leader-to-leader summit, Biden's national security team has sought to normalize relations. The other week in Iceland, Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged with his Russian counterpart and addressed areas of cooperation, including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Related article: Putin Wants Live Debate Versus Biden After 'Killer' Remark

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A magnitude 4.1 earthquake hit the west of Shattuck at 1:30 p.m. local time last Tuesday. The quake was also reported to have been felt by residents in Kansas and Texas, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

In Shattuck, the town manager Sean Hamilton remarked that there were no immediate reports of damage in the small town of 1,300 residents, some 150 miles northwest of Oklahoma City, reported NBC News via MSN. He added that there were no tremors in Shattuck until now and that quakes don't happen in western Oklahoma.

The state's central region has started experiencing significant tectonic events due to oil and gas drilling. While Fracking, a mining technique employing compressed fluids, has also been blamed for the quakes, the USGS said the main suspect is mining wastewater. A leading cause of tremors is that industrial practice known as "wastewater disposal," said the USGS.

"Wastewater treatment is a different process that involves pumping fluid waste extracted from oil and gas extraction deep down, well below ground water or drinking water reserves. Over 90% of the wastewater pumped in Oklahoma is a byproduct of the oil extraction procedure, not residue frack fluid," as cited by Yahoo.

The USGS added the state had more magnitude 3 and bigger earthquakes occurring between 2014 to 2017 than in renowned earthquake-prone California.

However, wells have been closed due to the increased attention to the magnitude 4.1 earthquake experienced in Oklahoma induced probably by wastewater dumping, and the accompanying seismic activity has lessened. There has not been any new drilling activity in the area, according to Hamilton.

Read also: Pacific Ring of Fire: Volcanoes Erupt Causing Casualties as They Explode

Studies link Fracking to earthquakes in Central and Eastern U.S.

Researchers who presented at the SSA 2019 Annual Meeting said that small earthquakes in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Texas could be linked to hydraulic fracking wells in those areas.

While earthquakes caused by wastewater disposal in oil and gas fields in the Central United States are relatively rare, Michael Brudzinski of Miami University in Ohio (professor of Geology and Environmental Earth Science) considers them possible, as agreed with his co-authors. More than 600 minor earthquakes (magnitude 2.0 to 3.8) have been registered within those states, remarked Science Daily.

These earthquakes, he added, maybe "overlooked" in contrast to seismicity linked to wastewater disposal since they tend to happen less often. He and his colleagues investigate trends in the likelihood of inducing seismic activity from hydraulic fracturing, or FrackingFracking, that could help the drilling industry and state regulators better manage drilling practices.

Hydraulic fracturing is a method that involves breaking apart and then creating fissures in a rock formation so that oil and gas can flow and be extracted more easily.

Thus, the magnitude 4.1 earthquake experienced in Oklahoma could have been a result of man-made activities.

Related article: WATCH: 6.5 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes up Southern Idaho

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Two hand-carved sandstone lintels dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries were returned to the Thailand government on Tuesday in a ceremony over 50 years overdue. According to authorities, the 1,500-pound (680-kilogram) antiquities were stolen and exported from Thailand, which contravenes Thai law, roughly a half-century ago. They were donated to San Francisco City.

The US acquired a settlement in its lawsuit in which the City and County of San Francisco consented to the forfeiture of its two Thailand lintels to the US, declared Homeland Security Investigations (NorCal) Special Agent in Charge, Tatum King, and US Attorney David L. Anderson of the Northern District of California. On October 27 last year, the US issued a complaint to forfeit the two Thai lintels displayed at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum.

1,500-Pound Stone Lintels

An intricately carved sandstone slab immediately caught the attention of Tanongsak Hanwong, an archaeologist. He was initiating research for his doctorate at Burapha University in Thailand when he came across an article regarding two Thai antiquities at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. One of them featured the Buddhist and Hindu god Yama seated on a buffalo over a Kala monster face motif, reported Los Angeles Times.

San Francisco, the museum owner, agreed to hand over the ancient sandstone slabs after a three-year probing by the United States Department of Homeland Security and a civil lawsuit. In northeastern Thailand, the lintels had been structural parts of two religious sanctuaries, reported AP News.

Read Also: Pope Francis Assigns Archbishop Wilton Gregory, First Black American Cardinal

In the 1960s, records displayed the lintels had been acquired by a collector and Paris galleries in London, as indicated in the civil complaint. According to the complaint, Avery Brundage, the collector, was reportedly aware that at least one of the lintels had been illegally taken out of Thailand. Brundage, an infamous former president of the International Olympic Committee who donated the art to establish the museum, passed away in 1975.

The Thai lintels are two 1,500-pound hand-carved or relics. According to the complaint, they were initially part of ancient religious temples in Thailand. They are prime examples of the material art traditions of Southeast Asian art and ornamental lintel. The religious lintels were claimed to have been exported from Thailand in contravention of Thai law more than 50 years ago, reported the United States Department of Justice.

A second architectural lintel was discovered in the museum's online records. The two lintels originated from temples that Thailand had registered in the mid-1930s as ancient national monuments.

The museum affirms that authorities conflated the two lintels with a third. Brundage returned to Thailand in 1970 when he discovered it could have been illegally removed from the nation, according to Robert Mintz, deputy director of the Asian Art Museum. The third lintel was not a part of the San Francisco art collection. According to museum officials, there is no evidence Brundage knew the other two lintels could have been stolen.

Related Article: Chris Pratt Faces Backlash in Social Media for Religion, 'Avengers' Co-Stars Come To His Defense

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Participants in these live-firing drills are jets of the PLAAF practicing skills needed in theoretical maritime war, according to the US Navy, its main rival in the ongoing Indo-Pacific standoff, reported Newsweek via MSN.

The main activities practiced by the Chinese warplanes is how to bomb and fire missiles properly on approaching heavily armed US ships.

During the drills, China's state broadcaster said last Monday that aircraft assigned to the South Sea Fleet, part of the People's Liberation Army's Southern Theater Command, unloaded "thousands of munitions."

Based on the report, the Chinese aviator was learning how to use their aircraft in focused "precision strike" and "saturation attack, releasing bombs and ship-killer missiles, with firing guns at lower altitudes in the sea.

The Southern Theater Command said the live-fire exercise took place on May 14 and 15 in a video uploaded on its official Weibo page on the same day. The drills seem to be situated just off the coast of Hainan Province in southern China.

The JH-7, China's two-seater fighter-bomber often nicknamed as the "Flying Leopard," is prominently displayed in the publicly available video, which depicts jets strafing and attacking a marked platform just below the water's surface.

The China National Radio broadcasted pictures of the shelling drill on May 20, and a military program broadcasted the first video the following day showing the PLAAF simulating anti-ship attacks with live ammunition.

Read also: German Warship to Cross South China Sea in August this Year

The PLA announcement "followed only a few days after one US vessel intruded into the Chinese disputed sea in the region," added the state-owned Global Times, which also linked Monday's CCTV broadcast to recent US Navy maneuvers in the waterways around China.

A Communist Party publication seemed to be alluding to the USS Wilbur Curtis' freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) on Thursday, five days after the South Sea Fleet's drills concluded, cited Al Jazeera.

Since Beijing claims control over vast miles of the South China Sea (SCS) and the East China Sea, the American ship's transit was illegal. Later, they claimed they sent the boat away despite its regular mission for the US Navy in the Indo-Pacific.

It was not the first time an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, part of the US Seventh fleet, did a transit of the Taiwan Strait. Two days earlier, it passed the same areas of the SCS, also making the PLA angry.

China is one of the military powers growing faster than expected. The United States and its QUAD allies, Australia, Japan, and India, are contesting the claims of the People's Liberation Army Navy in the Indo-Pacific region.

US partners have been doing FONOPs in contested waters to remind the CCP, its claims are not accepted and will be confronted by the QUAD members.

Tokyo hosted US, French, and Australian troops in Japanese territory for the first time earlier this month for the Jeanne D'Arc 21, also known as ARC 21. The drills' naval elements started in the East China Sea and continued this week in the Western Pacific.

In simulating anti-ship attacks with live ammunition, the PLAAF assumes a war is inevitable and prepares heavily for it.

Related article: China Calls US Warship in Taiwan Strait a Threat to Peace

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Last Monday, piles of parcels were reportedly recovered on two separate beaches, Newhaven and Hastings. According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), the parcels contained an illegal substance known as cocaine and will be the focus of their investigation.

Concerned residents initially notified the Sussex Police Department of mysterious packages that were washed up on the beaches. They went and "collected the illicit items from the beaches and relocated them to a safe facility," remarked the Anti-Crime organization, reported Newsweek.

These questionable substances were found washed up on the beach "packed in watertight bags and fastened to life jackets to make them float," said The Argus media.

The Sussex Police stated that a report called their attention to unknown packages discovered at sea near the coast of St. Leonards. Units were sent to investigate the odd number of parcels found by accident.

In a statement, Sussex PD said that "The packages were collected in collaboration with the Coastguard and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, and will be examined to identify what they are," as per the Daily Advent.

The authorities further said that additional packages were reported along the Newhaven seashore later on the same day. They are trying to see if the two discoveries are connected.

The NCA and Sussex law enforcement made a detailed test that revealed that the parcels contained illegal substances. A thorough forensic examination will still be carried out, though, to confirm if the packages indeed contain illegal substances and if it is cocaine, as earlier mentioned.

Read also: Ousted Republican Liz Cheney Says Donald Trump Will Not Be President Again

The agency indicated in several tweets that the items seized from the two beaches weighed as much as 960 kilos or around 2,116 pounds. When the authorities calculated the street value of the illegal substance, they came up with a whopping value of 80million or US$113,195,760.

Branch Commander Martin Grace told the press that the illicit packages had been determined to have come from the international waters outside the United Kingdom.

He did not hesitate to say that the substances were of class A type and came directly from South America. But he stressed that other conclusions on how it reached the UK shores are also welcome.

The commander also stated that the NCA had joined forces with Sussex Police and another Border Force in investigating the washed-up parcels, which are being kept in an undisclosed location.

The discovery of the parcels of illegal substances was one of the most recent in a long line of illicit substance busts from around the world.

One week ago, 31 kilograms (about 68 pounds) of illegal substance also got washed up on a beach in Alabama. Over in Florida, a snorkeler also spotted a floating parcel of illicit nature, which was later appraised at $1.5 million.

Related article: Passenger Seen Snorting White Substance, Acting Erratically on Plane Forces JetBlue Landing

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The United Nations humanitarian chief says that despite last years U.N. call for global cease-fires to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, many conflicts never stopped, including in Syria, Yemen and Congo and new ones erupted
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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
Rae'Quaun Thomas, 19-years-old of Lima, Ohio, was indicted by the Van Wert County Grand jury on one count of Attempted Murder and one count of Felonious Assault. Both counts have a firearm specification attachment. According to the indictment, Thomas attempted to purposely cause the death of Noah Alan Dickman, and had a firearm on or about his person on October 24th, 2020.
DETROIT, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Unity Rd., the cannabis dispensary franchise from Item 9 Labs Corp. (OTCQX: INLB), announced today the signing of its newest agreement alongside expansion plans for the state of Michigan. The brand's growth strategy is twofold, including both helping interested entrepreneurs enter the complex industry while also partnering with existing dispensary owners via its Local Alliance Program. The expansion is a key function of Unity Rd.'s mission to keep dispensary ownership  and the wealth that comes along with it  local.

Interested investors are chomping at the bit to enter Michigan's adult-use market, which jumped 482% in 2020 to more than $500 million. In addition to Kevin Waltermire evaluating sites in Michigan for purchase  he recently signed a deal to open multiple Unity Rd. franchises  the brand recently signed an agreement with a mother-son team out of Detroit. Unity Rd. is already helping them plan their strategic market entry, which includes applying for their dispensary license through the city's Legacy Detroiter program, which gives applicants priority review and 99% discounts on application fees.

Unity Rd. offers the safest route for local cannabis entrepreneurs looking to stake their claim in the fast-growing, complex industry. In addition to offering the franchise opportunity to entrepreneurs who may be new to the industry, Unity Rd. also partners with existing dispensary owners via its Local Alliance Program, providing access to the buying power, resources and supportive network normally reserved for multi-unit operators. Additionally, the dispensary franchisor's time-tested Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and veteran team guide franchise partners through every operational function of the business, whether it be assisting with cash flow, product selection or changing regulations.

"The cannabis industry and all its complexities can be intimidating, leaving even the most capable of investors and operators unsure of where to start," said Unity Rd.'s VP of Franchise Development Justin Livingston. "As part of the Unity Rd. network, our partners can operate their dispensaries more efficiently  resulting in more time to focus on growing the business rather than managing it. We're offering the supportive network and tools they need to reach new heights and achieve their business goals."

The brand is actively seeking qualified franchise partners in target development markets including Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Bay City, Big Rapids, Detroit, East Lansing, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Marquette and Muskegon who would benefit from the systems, process and ongoing support the franchise offers. Unity Rd. is planning to bring 20-plus franchise locations across Michigan in the coming years. Currently, the franchise has multiple agreements signed with 15 entrepreneurial groups, who are in various stages of development nationwide.

Bursting with potential, Michigan's cannabis industry continues to grow year after year as statewide adult-use cannabis sales are projected to total upwards of $2.4 billion by 2024. In 2020 alone, Michigan's combined cannabis sales were $984.6 million, with medical accounting for $474 million and adult-use generating $510.7 million. To support this surge, MLive has launched a series of informative events, called Cannabis Industry Insights. Unity Rd.'s Director of Education and Training, Fay Powell, will be presenting at the upcoming event on June 17, which kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET. Area residents who are interested in learning more about operating cannabis businesses are highly encouraged to attend the event and can register for free courtesy of Unity Rd. by emailing franchise@unityrd.com for a discount code.

Unity Rd. franchise partners receive even more resources and supply chain connections as the brand was recently acquired by Item 9 Labs Corp., an award-winning cannabis operator. The combination of the Unity Rd. cannabis retail franchise and premium Item 9 Labs products makes Item 9 Labs Corp. one of the first vertically integrated cannabis franchise companies in the nation. Known for its impressive catalogue of products, Item 9 Labs currently offers 75 active cannabis strains and 150-plus differentiated cannabis vape products as well as premium concentrates. As Unity Rd. grows its franchise network, Item 9 Labs plans to develop or partner with cultivation facilities in states where Unity Rd. franchise partners open cannabis retail shops. This move will give Unity Rd. operators front-of-the-line access to a reliable product supply chain.

To learn more about the Unity Rd. franchise opportunity or its Local Alliance Program, contact partners@unityrd.com, call 480-542-9420, or visit unityrd.com.

ABOUT UNITY RD.:

Unity Rd. is bridging the two previously disconnected worlds of cannabis and franchising. The industry trailblazer is the first to bring the cannabis dispensary franchise model to the United Stateswith duality of prowess in both industries to back it up. Built up from a collective 200 years in the legal cannabis industry and franchising, the company helps eager operators enter the complex industry with ease. The marijuana franchise pioneer offers its partners the knowledge, resources, and ongoing support needed to compliantly and successfully operate a dispensary. Launched in 2018, Unity Rd. has signed multiple agreements with more than 10 entrepreneurial groups across the country. Recently, it was named one of the top cannabis retail leaders in the nation by MJBizDaily magazine and one of the "Best Cannabis Companies to Work For" in both the dispensary and cultivation categories in Cannabis Business Times' elite 2020 list. The company is also the first cannabis business to earn a Franchise Times Dealmakers award. For more information, visit unityrd.com.

Media Contact:

Liz Robinson

Fishman PR

lrobinson@fishmanpr.com

847-945-1300

Investor Contact:

Item 9 Labs

800-403-1140

Email: investors@item9labs.com

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cannabis-franchise-signs-agreement-for-michigan-signaling-statewide-development-plans-301299888.html

SOURCE Unity Rd.
Appointment

26 May 2021

Marin Management, Inc., a California-based hotel management company, announced today that Kimberly Ali has joined the company as vice president of business development. A longtime real estate hospitality veteran, Ali comes to Marin Management from Empire USA, LLC, where she served as asset manager of hospitality for the company's hotel division.

Ali will be responsible for the expansion of Marin Management's diverse portfolio spanning from boutique hotels to upscale properties, while positioning the organization for continued revenue growth. Recently the company added three new hotel management contracts, bringing the total number of branded and independent hotels to 24 across California, Oregon, Arizona and Colorado. In her new role, Ali will report to Pat Mitchell, president of Marin Management.

Born and raised in California, Ali has broad expertise in hospitality asset management, including responsibility for capital improvement projects, renovations and financial performance. She is a member of the Asian-American Hotel Owners Association and the Cali fornia Hotel & Lodging Association.
Supplier News

26 May 2021

Spotta Smart Pest Systems has strengthened its global reach with three new distributor agreements: Pest-End Exterminators and Colorado Tri-Flo Systems in the USA, and Amicus Environmental Services in the UK. The new additions further Spottas ability to provide technology-led solutions which aid pest control in the accommodation, forestry and agricultural industries.

Each of the new partnerships will centre on Spottas monitoring solution for the accommodation sector, which detects bed bugs in hotels, motels, hostels, student residences, care homes and other multi-room accommodation businesses. The resellers will also assist customers in their region with installation and servicing, training and ongoing customer support.

Pest-End will incorporate Spotta as a part of its integrated pest management solution. The provider works with residential and commercial properties in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.

Colorado Tri-Flo will offer Spottas always-on monitoring technology alongside its own industrial heaters for treating the pests.

Amicus Environmental Services plans to utilise Spottas technology as part of its focus on delivering technology-driven solutions to the pest control market.

Robert Fryers, CEO of Spotta, says: Each partner company shares our belief that technology can help the pest control industry work in a more proactive way. Monitoring leads to early detection, and early detection of pests leads to more effective treatment and the opportunity to reduce pesticide use."

Whether its the pairing of our monitoring system with Colorado Tri-Flos heat treatments, the support of industry-leader Pest-End or the forward-thinking of Amicus, each partner enhances our offering. Were looking forward to working with them to bring about a technological revolution to the global pest control industry.

Offering unique detection and 24/7 monitoring solutions, Spottas smart systems allow businesses to react early and in a targeted manner to the presence of pests. This early action leads to a reduction in pesticide use in treatment and minimises overall damage caused by pests, controlling them before large scale infestations can take hold. Spotta uses computer vision (to detect and classify the pests), a dedicated communication network (to notify of pests presence) and custom-designed hardware, for fit and forget installation. Its accommodation solution, the Bed Pod, has a 94.2% detection rate in detecting the presence of bed bugs.

For more information on Spotta Smart Pest Systems, visit spotta.co.
Press Release

26 May 2021

Phoenix, Arizona  The 15th annual BWH Hotel Group Travel Summit was held virtually Friday, May 14 with a panel of top travel industry leaders from AAA, Google and the U.S. Travel Association. The panel discussion, led by Dorothy Dowling, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of BWH Hotel Group, focused on traveler sentiment, road and summer travel, as well as trends reshaping the industrys rebound.

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The Return of Travel Following An Unprecedented Year

Dowling was joined by Greg Staley, Senior Vice President of Communications for the U.S. Travel Association; Nelson Boyce, Managing Director of Travel for Google; and Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of Travel for AAA. The expert panelists highlighted top trends shaping the return of travel and discussed how stimulus checks, savings, and the vaccine rollout have impacted consumer sentiment and pent up travel demand.

During her presentation and the panel discussion, Dowling spoke about how BWH Hotel Group is focusing on remaining agile, boosting consumer confidence, providing value and prioritizing guest loyalty this summer travel season.

Following a devastating and catastrophic year for travel, I cant help but express my gratitude for this esteemed group of people and their respective companies, said Dowling. Their partnership and invaluable insights have been integral in us understanding the landscape around us and helping us navigate a truly unprecedented time. Its a pleasure to reconnect with them today, to share and learn from each other as we embark on what is anticipated to be a very exciting time in our industrys path to recovery.

Coinciding with this years Virtual Travel Summit was the return of AAAs Memorial Day Holiday Travel Forecast. AAAs findings predict that 37 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend (May 27-31), a 60% year-over-year increase from the 23 million Americans that traveled during the same time period in 2020. In addition to AAAs Memorial Day Holiday Travel Forecast, U.S. Travel presented encouraging statistics during Fridays Virtual Travel Summit taken from a recent Harris Poll:

77% of Americans are planning on traveling this summer (compared to 29% in 2020)

Two-thirds of Americans have a summer trip either already planned (36%) or booked (30%)

With positive consumer sentiment at an all-time high, Best Western Hotels & Resorts is ensuring that it is meeting customers with the heart and empathy theyve come to expect with the launch of its See You Soon campaign. In speaking about the campaign during the summit, Dowling announced the companys summer Best Western Rewards (BWR) promotion. From May 17 through September 6, 2021, enrolled BWR members will earn a $20 Best Western Travel Card for each night after they stay, up to $100 or five gift cards.

Dowling also teased the upcoming launch of Best Western Hotels & Resorts Pay With Points program, which will allow BWR members to monetize their accumulated points and use them towards the cost of a booking.

Loyalty Programs Will Be Reimagined in a Post-Pandemic World

A key topic discussed during the Virtual Travel Summit was loyalty and the evolution of consumer behavior. Data presented by Google showed that 36% of consumers have tried a new brand amid the pandemic, with the top criteria for switching being availability, convenience and value. Of those 36% of consumers, 73% intend to incorporate the new brands into their routine. These trends, which come from McKinsey survey research, show that consumers are switching brands at unprecedented rates and signifies the need for travel loyalty programs to be enhanced and reimagined to connect with consumers post-pandemic.

At Best Western, we recognize that we have to re-earn most of our customers loyalty as they have not been able to participate in our program over the last 13 to 15 months. We are launching our Pay With Points program as a way to reengage with them, while also having the understanding that most customers join hotel loyalty programs because they want free nights. 80% of our rewards redemptions are for free nights, so its about knowing who our customers are and providing them with the rewards that matter to them most, added Dowling.

Shifts to Digital Impacting How Travelers Find Destinations, Book Stays

An important trend addressed during the Summit was how consumers are relying more on digital to book their next vacation. According to Google, consumers are looking for help and travel inspiration as they are unsure of where to go, with a popular search query being where to travel to. The pandemic led to much higher time spent on digital video and social media: +25% and +16% year-over-year, respectively.

Additionally, the average window for booking flights and hotels with intent has decreased, while the average window for researching, finding inspiration, and taking all necessary COVID-related precautions has increased.

Click here to access a full recording of BWH Hotel Groups Virtual Travel Summit.

For more information, please visit BestWestern.com or BestWesternDevelopers.com.
Press Release

26 May 2021

Within this service, multilingual face-to-face and telephone health assistance is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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The agreement also provides for the transfer of the patient by ambulance to the nearest Quironsalud hospital if the situation requires it, as well as a premium hospital assistance service with accompaniment, without language barriers.

Among other measures, they have a certified antigenic test whose results are available within 15 minutes. This service is free of charge in Germany for German customers, while for customers of other nationalities it costs 30 .

These are some of the proposals of NH's "Feel Safe" project, which consists of a set of health measures to ensure the safety of the group's customers, employees and suppliers.

"Keeping our travelers and employees safe is our top priority. We are proud to be able to offer all of these health services free of charge and in all of our facilities in Spain. Through the agreement with Quironsalud, which has more than 60 years of experience in the health care and wellness industry, we continue to make great strides in our commitment to provide our customers with experiences and services that exceed their expectations in safe environments." Hugo Rovira, Managing Director NH Hotel Group Southern Europe
Opinion Article

26 May 2021

As the school year winds down in many states, Memorial Day starts the summer vacation season in the United States.

Amadeus, a global leader in travel technology, with its unique ability to track forward-looking hotel occupancy in major markets around the world, is seeing continued positive momentum in hospitality based on hotel occupancy for Memorial Day weekend.

The top five destinations based on hotel occupancy are:

Moab, UT

Key West, Florida

Sierra Vista, Arizona

Destin, Florida

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

All five destinations are tracking over 80% occupancy for the weeks leading up to the holiday, which reflects an increase for each major U.S. holiday since Memorial Day last year.

Top five markets by occupancy (all 80% or higher)

Source: Amadeus Demand360 data as of May 20, 2021  Photo: Amadeus

Leading up to the Memorial Day weekend, there are 97 markets at or over 50% occupancy which is a 194% increase from 33 markets over 50% occupancy just two months ago for Spring Break in March 2021.

The majority of the markets with over 50% occupancy are popular summer destinations that have plenty of options for outdoor activities. Florida, Texas and California have the highest number of markets over 50% occupancy.

Source: Amadeus Demand360 data as of May 20, 2021  Photo: Amadeus

Likely driven by increased confidence to travel, the number of bookings made 31+ days prior to the holiday is expanding. In the weeks leading up to Memorial Day 2021, there is a significant increase in booking occupancy compared with all previous holidays in the past year reflected in chart below.

Source: Amadeus Demand360 data as of May 20, 2021  Photo: Amadeus

Top Destinations where U.S. travelers are flying for Memorial Day:

In addition to insight on hotel occupancy, Amadeus has identified the top destinations for Memorial Day weekend based on air travel searches. Travelers are flying to:

Miami

Fort Lauderdale

Orlando

Atlanta

New York

Los Angeles

Las Vegas

(Source: Amadeus Travel Intelligence Portal as of May 20, 2021)

Top destinations outside of the U.S. where American travelers are headed for the holiday weekend are Cancun and London.

Note that hotel and air travel top destinations may not align because driving remains a preferred method of transportation for many.

Your trusted source for industry-leading forward-looking market insight

Amadeus' Demand360 is the only business intelligence solution that provides actual forward-looking occupancies for your hotel and your selected competitive sets. The data provided is updated twice per week and occupancy information represents actual rooms sold, including market segment and channel statistics, so you know who is traveling and how they are booking their reservations. If you want to know what is happening in your market, contact us today. For more research, insight, and best practices on leveraging data to build an effective marketing strategy, please visit our Rebuild Travel resource center.

Amadeus Air Search Travel Data is the most complete suite of air data in the travel industry and includes shopping transactions performed by +2,500 customers including the worlds top travel agencies. It consists of consolidated data generated by daily transactions.
When Jamila Brinson started work last Tuesday, she was struck by what she didnt hear.

Gone were the screams of her 2-year-old son pleading for a huggie, the barking of her dog, and the urgings of her nanny trying to rally her son and 5-year-old daughter. Instead, she walked into her office at the Jackson Walker law firm, closed the door, and took a breath.

I will say its been great to be back in an environment thats quiet where I can fully focus on my work, Brinson said. I realized I did miss that.

Jackson Walker last week brought employees back to its downtown office for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, one of many businesses across Houston and the country that have changed their calculations for returning to the office since the Centers for Disease Control determined that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks or practice social distancing. For many workers, the new guidelines, announced May 13, mean they will be back at their desks sooner than expected.

It immediately accelerated peoples thinking about when to bring people back to the office and the protocols to put in place, said Bob Harvey, president and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership.

Houston, Austin and Dallas are leading the nations largest cities in bringing workers back to offices, according to Kastle Systems, an security company that has analyzed keycard access from 41,000 businesses across 47 states since before the pandemic began. As of May 12, about 42.9 percent of employees of its Houston customers swiped into their offices, compared to 43.3 percent in Austin and 42.3 in Dallas.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Downtown Houston faces uncertain future with pandemic's end in sight

Thats much higher than the average of the 10 largest cities, where about 27.8 percent of employees entered their places of work. San Francisco had the lowest rate, with only 15.6 percent of employees going into work.

Michael Slauson, general manager for the South and West region for Kastle System, said two factors have contributed to the faster return in Texas cities. First, Texas reopened its economy much earlier than New York, California and other states.

Still early

Second, in cities that rely heavily on mass transit, such as New York, Chicago, Washington, and San Francisco, workers remain hesitant to cram into subways, buses and commuter trains, prompting employers to go slow in bringing employees back.

Its too early to tell how much (the numbers) will change as far as the mask mandate or lack thereof, Slauson said. I think well start seeing that in the next couple of weeks.

Harvey said he has heard more companies talk about bringing at least some workers back on June 1. Even before the change in CDC guidance, he said, many companies were coalescing around that date after looking at rising local vaccination rates declining COVID cases.

On May 16, Texas logged zero deaths due to COVID-19 for the first time since March 2020, and the state reported a record low seven-day positivity rate of 3.9 percent last week.

CenterPoint Energy, for example, cited the improving COVID-19 statistics as part of its decision to bring its roughly 1,600 employees back to its Downtown office on June 1. Managers and officers had already returned to their offices last fall.

Most companies have set targets to bring workers back before fall. Kinder Morgan, for example, expects to have about 50 percent of its 2,100 employees back in its downtown headquarters by late June, up from about 20 percent who were reporting to the office for work in April. The company expects 100 percent to be back by September.

Some companies, however, are still hesitant to bring workers back or announce reopening plans. Officials with the British oil major BP, which employs 4,000 people in Greater Houston, said they still have yet to determine when they will reopen offices as they prioritize employees health and safety in decision-making.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston awash in empty office space as companies

Jeremy Baines, president of Neste North America, a renewable fuels company that typically has 100 employees at its Galleria headquarters, said he and his leadership team need to reflect on the new guidelines and how to bring people back safely. He said he is fine taking his time.

His workers were practiced in videoconferencing and collaborating with colleagues in Europe and other off-site locations before the pandemic, so the shift to working remotely was relatively easy.

We dont have a concrete plan yet, Baines said. But we think this summer well gradually and safely reopen the office.

The V question

Employers, meanwhile, are trying to determine how many of their workers are vaccinated. Many companies are doing anonymous surveys, Harvey said.

Brinson, the employment attorney with Jackson Walker, said employers dont need to be that subtle. They can specifically ask individual employees whether theyve gotten their shots.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has stated Yes, employers can ask their employees whether theyre vaccinated for COVID-19. she said. It goes to the fact that there is still a pandemic, the risk and negative impacts of COVID-19 in the workplace are still so significant that it outweighs employees right to privacy.

Brinson said most employers to whom she has talked have brought at least some people back. A minority of employers are still waiting to see how the vaccination phase of the pandemic pans out.

Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Regardless, she said, companies will need to be flexible as going to work becomes more involved than firing up the laptop on the dining room table and employees readjust to the requirements of the formal workplace, from dress to hours.

Not done yet

The pandemic, she added, is not over, and children under 12 who are not yet eligible for vaccines  a concern for working parents and their employers.

Brinson, for example, had to work from home on Monday  the first day she was supposed to return to the office. Her young daughter was exposed to COVID-19, so she wanted to make sure she tested negative before returning.

Im thankful she was not positive, but I think employers going to have to continue to be flexible, particularly for employees who have children, Brinson said. Theyre going to have to allow workers to take the time thats needed when theres a potential exposure or a childcare issue.

shelby.webb@chron.com
Houston-based MacroFab, which operates a digital platform for electronics manufacturing, said Tuesday it raised $15 million in a second round of funding.

Misha Govshteyn, CEO of MacroFab, said the funding will help the company open a distribution center in Mexico this summer, invest more in research and development, and accelerate its expansion across North America. The goal, he said, is to help other companies digitize electronics manufacturing from the earliest design stages to commercial production.

Interest in MacroFabs technology began to take off during the Trump administration, Govshteyn said.

Weve found ourselves in a perfect storm in the last few years. Our customers went from being curious about cloud enabling manufacturing to going all-in. he said. The turbulence started with the trade war and tariffs, and only accelerated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing silicon chip availability crisis. The old approach to manufacturing electronics suddenly no longer looks predictable and safe.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Microchip shortage hits Houston businesses: No one is meeting demand

MacroFabs platform can help troubled supply chains by aggregating unused production capability in more than 75 factories across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, which can help prevent mid-market companies from exporting their orders to countries in Asia.

Daniel Herscovici, a partner with the Edison Partners venture capital firm that led the funding round, known as Series B, said MacroFabs platform could help unlock part of $29 billion in untapped manufacturing volume in North America.

MacroFab is at the forefront of building supply chain resilience as the trend to nearshoring and multi-sourcing continues with rising costs in Asia, component shortages, and the increasing need for agile production, Herscovici said.

Infinitum Electric raises $40 million

The electric motor company Infinitum Electric said Tuesday it had raised $40 million in its latest round of funding from several venture capital firms, including several based in Houston.

Energy Innovation Capital -- with offices in Houston, San Francisco and Seattle - led the Series C round of funding, along with Chevron Technology Ventures, the Cottonwood Technology Fund and Ajax Strategies. Infinitum Electric is headquartered in Austin. Series C funding is awarded to successful young businesses that investors believe will be profitable in the long term.

Infinitum Electrics motors can be used in everything from electric vehicle engines, HVAC units, vacuum cleaners and petrochemical refineries, according to the companys website. The latest round of funding will serve two functions: to expand production of its IEs Series motors for commercial and industrial uses, and to complete the development of its IEm Series for electric vehicles.

The motors Infinitum Electric produces are smaller in size and weight, which the company says allows them to generate the same amount of power as conventional motors but with a much smaller carbon footprint.

Infinitum Electrics innovative technology approach and pragmatic design has resulted in a motor made for the next 100 years, said Kevin Skillern, managing partner of Energy Innovation Capital.

shelby.webb@chron.com
Almost every new energy project  whether an oil well, wind farm, solar array or transmission line  seems to trigger an often-costly fight.

Neighbors worry about groundwater, dont want their view ruined or warn against threats to plants and animals. Residents pack community forums, activists file lawsuits and projects get delayed, usually with disappointing results for everyone.

A foundation left behind by the man who perfected hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells has been developing a different system that promotes cooperation rather than confrontation.

The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation on Wednesday will reveal a methodology for bringing together environmentalists, developers, residents and academics to devise strategies to protect West Texas while allowing new fossil fuel and renewable energy projects.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: Energy execs need market overhauls to fight climate change

The Respect Big Bend Coalition believes predevelopment conversations and detailed mapping can balance community interests, property rights and economic development. The concept is often called development by design rather than the typical development by surprise approach.

In Texas, there is really no opportunity for citizens to provide comments or weigh-in on siting decisions. Those are made by energy companies and private landowners or mineral owners, said Melinda Taylor, executive director of the Center for Energy, Law and Business at the University of Texas at Austin. This approach is based on what the values are that the community members themselves articulate, married with a very strong basis in science.

No form of energy is without environmental impact. Drilling oil and gas wells can damage the water table and emit greenhouse gases. Wind turbines kill birds and bats, while solar fields can cover hundreds of acres of land, making it unsuitable for plants and animals.

Then there are social factors. I once took a French friend to Big Bend, where she was enchanted because she could look for miles in almost any direction and see no sign of human life. Old ranching families love their land and water. People move to West Texas to get away from human settlements. Energy projects of all kinds intrude.

Some residents of the Big Bend region became very concerned in 2016 when Apache Corp. discovered oil and gas reserves in an area centered on Reeves County. They worried about damage to the San Solomon Springs in Balmorhea State Park, among other threats.

Apache agreed to work with the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation to responsibly develop the Alpine High field. Though Apache suspended work in 2019 because of low natural gas prices, the foundation kept working on community cooperation.

Opinion polling in the 18-county region mirrors the rest of the country. Residents understand the importance of energy to national security and energy development to the economy. But they do not want to sacrifice their environment or way of life. They want to be involved in the planning.

In the Big Bend, dark skies are essential to the McDonald Observatory. Vistas are important to tourists and landowners. Migratory pathways are important to animals. Water and air protection are important to all living things. Oil and gas reserves, solar potential and wind zones are critical to meet energy demands.

The Respect Big Bend Coalition organized dozens of meetings and brought together residents, environmentalists, elected officials and energy executives in a Stakeholder Advisory Group. The group mapped out what areas should be preserved to maintain the local culture and natural environment and where energy projects could go without protest.

Michael Young at the state Bureau of Economic Geology based at UT-Austin gathered scientific experts to identify the different resources and the likelihood a company would develop them. The team provided a road map of where energy projects may go in the future, particularly wind and solar rather than oil and gas.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: Fossil fuel exploration companies need to find a new business line

We see West Texas as this microcosm of the transition, Young said. We could actually overlay where the land is really valuable, and heres where we think energy developments going to be. And this gives a point of discussion for people.

In reporting on energy, I have seen factions demonize each other and resort to litigation or regulator manipulation. The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation and the Respect Big Bend Coalition, themselves an odd amalgam of energy money and environmental activism, are trying to show us a better, longer-lasting way to ensure we have the energy we need without ruining our communities.

As with all things in life, we can get more accomplished when we spend less time shouting and more time listening.

Chris Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and politics.

twitter.com/cltomlinson

chris.tomlinson@chron.com
Royal Dutch Shell Plc was ordered by a Dutch court to slash its emissions harder and faster than planned, dealing a blow to the oil giant that could have far-reaching consequences for the rest of the global fossil fuel industry.

Shell, which said it expects to appeal the ruling, has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% within a decade, and to net-zero before 2050. Thats not enough, a court in The Hague ruled Wednesday afternoon, ordering the oil producer to slash emissions by 45% compared to 2019 levels.

The court said the ruling applies to the entire Shell group, which is headquartered in Dutch city and incorporated in the U.K. That raises the prospect of the company having to radically speed up its current climate and divestment policies in order to hit the new target. The ruling will be scrutinized globally amid a new era of litigation related to climate change.

This is big news for carbon emitters everywhere, not just in the oil industry, Angus Walker, an environmental lawyer at BDP Pitmans in London, said. This may spread from large emitters to small, and from the Netherlands to other countries, at least in terms of challenges, if not successful ones.

Shells total greenhouse gas emissions were 1.65 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2019, around the same as Russia, the worlds fourth-largest polluter.

RELATED: Exxon faces watershed moment in proxy fight

While many countries, including the Netherlands, have signed up to the Paris Agreement on climate change, companies such as Shell were not part of the agreement and so far havent been bound by national pledges. That didnt stop Larisa Alwin, the Dutch presiding judge, from stating that companies have a burden to shoulder too.

Shell has a joint structure with its headquarters in the Netherlands and its parent company incorporated in the U.K. But the case will be scrutinized globally amid a new era of litigation related to climate change.

Companies have an independent responsibility, aside from what states do, Judge Alwin said in her decision. Even if states do nothing or only a little, companies have the responsibility to respect human rights.

There are currently 1,800 lawsuits related to climate change being fought in courtrooms around the world, according to the climatecasechart.com database. The Shell verdict could have a powerful ripple effect, not least among its European peers including BP Plc and Total SE. Those companies have set similar emissions targets, which have also been criticized by campaigners for not going far enough.

Court Wins

The case against Shell was brought by local environmental group MilieuDefensie. The campaigners accused the company of violating human rights by not adhering to the Paris Agreements aim of limiting the average increase in global temperatures to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The courts have become an increasingly successful arena for campaigners to hold governments and countries to account over pollution and climate change. This is the second time in quick succession that a Dutch court has ruled that Shells parent company in The Hague is liable for environmental damages in other jurisdictions.

In January, a court of appeals said that Hague-headquartered Shell had a duty of care to prevent leaks in Nigeria. The German government fell foul of a judge over its climate targets when its top court ruled that Chancellor Angela Merkels climate-protection efforts were falling short in April.

Urgent action is needed on climate change which is why we have accelerated our efforts to become a net-zero emissions energy company by 2050, a Shell spokesperson said. We are investing billions of dollars in low-carbon energy, including electric vehicle charging, hydrogen, renewables and biofuels.
U.S. crude inventories decreased by 1.7 million barrels last week, helping to reverse earlier losses in oil markets Wednesday morning.

Oil was back above $66 a barrel at about 10 a.m. Central.

Oil prices fell early Wednesday of negotiations with Iran to revive a nuclear deal and restart exports, but optimism about summer demand is providing support to prices, according to Norwegian energy research firm Rystad Energy. Oil remains well within reach of the $70 a barrel, Rystad Energy said.

EXXON MOBIL: Exxon faces 'watershed moment' in proxy fight

The nations commercial crude inventories decreased to 484 million barrels during the week ended May 21 from 486 million barrels the previous week, the Energy Department said Wednesday.

With the inventory decrease, the country has about 2 percent less crude on hand than the five-year average for this time of year, the Energy Department said.

Gasoline inventories decreased by 1.7 million barrels last week and are about 3 percent below the five year average for this time of year. Jet fuel inventories rose by 1.8 million barrels last week as the airline industry continues to battle effects of the pandemic.



Refineries took in an average of 15.2 million barrels a day last week, some 123,000 barrels per day more than the previous period, the Energy Department said. Refineries operated at about 87 percent of capacity. Over the past four weeks, refineries have produced 9.1 million barrels a day of gasoline, about 29.4 percent more than during the same period last year, when much of the nation was shut down amid the pandemic.
Exports to China benefit nearly all U.S. states, industries: USCBC

Xinhua) 11:16, May 26, 2021

SHANGHAI, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The United States' exports to China have benefited nearly all U.S. states and industries, the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC) said Tuesday during a conference held in Shanghai.

Data released by the council showed that U.S. exports to China grew by about 18 percent year-on-year to over 123 billion U.S. dollars in 2020, while its exports to the rest of the world fell by 15 percent during the same period.

China became the United States's third largest market for exports of goods during the period. China was also among the top five goods destinations for 45 U.S. states, with 35 states seeing growth in exports to China and nine gaining more than 1 billion U.S. dollars in the growth of export value, said the council.

Among them, Texas showed the largest export value to China, totaling 16.9 billion U.S. dollars, while Louisiana achieved the largest growth, up nearly 120 percent year on year.

A diverse range of industries has also reported a gratifying increase. In 2020, the major drivers of growth included oilseeds and grains, semiconductors and their components, as well as oil and gas, with export volumes totaling 17.2 billion, 12 billion and 9.2 billion U.S. dollars, respectively.

Such statistics reflect the fact that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries are still economically interdependent, with economic and trade exchanges remaining the cornerstone for the Sino-U.S. relationship, the USCBC representative said.

So far, American enterprises continue to show upbeat expectations regarding the Chinese market. About 1,600 American companies set up operations in China last year.

Since the two nations started trading relations, over 70,000 American enterprises have invested in China or operated a business there, with a total annual sales volume exceeding 700 billion U.S. dollars. About 83 percent of them regarded China as their most important market or among the top five, said the USCBC.

China has remained a hotspot for foreign investment amid the pandemic, with the total foreign direct investment into the country's financial hub, Shanghai, rising 20.3 percent to about 7.77 billion U.S. dollars in the first four months of 2021.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
A medical worker takes test samples for COVID-19 at a makeshift testing center near Seoul Station, May 23. Yonhap



South Korea's daily new coronavirus cases sharply bounced back to a nearly two-week high Wednesday as sporadic cluster infections, along with more transmissible variant cases, continued to pop up across the country.



The health authorities said those who are vaccinated will be partly exempted from wearing masks and other virus restrictions in an effort to encourage more people to get COVID-19 jabs.



The country reported 707 more COVID-19 cases, including 684 local infections, raising the total caseload to 137,682, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.



The daily caseload marks a sharp rise from 538 new cases Monday and 516 on Tuesday, which were due to fewer tests over the weekend.



It marked the first time for the daily figure to surpass 700 in nearly two weeks.



There were two additional virus deaths, raising the total to 1,940.



The KDCA said the number of COVID-19 variant cases reached 1,390, with strains from Britain accounting for 1,147, expressing concern that more infectious variant cases may become prevalent in the country.



Amid still rising virus cases, South Korea has been revving up its inoculation program, whose pace has been nearly stalled due to a tight vaccine supply.



South Korea has completed the inoculation of 1.9 million people, or 3.8 percent of the country's 52-million population.



A total of 3.9 million people, or 7.7 percent, have received their first shots, up 77,472 from the previous day. AstraZeneca's vaccine has been given to 2.06 million people, while 1.87 million have received that of Pfizer.






Cortland

Cortland, an Atlanta-based multifamily investor and manager that has amassed a portfolio of more than 5,000 apartment units in the Houston region, is armed with funds for more acquisitions after closing its fifth fund.

The company has closed on the Cortland Enhanced Value Fund V after meeting a hard cap of $650 million in commitments. The oversubscribed Fund V drew interest from new and existing institutional investors.
Q: Ive been afraid to take my now 6-year-old to the doctor for the past year. Recently, the office started pressuring me to bring her in for vaccinations (not COVID-19). Cant I put it off?

Jenny P., Mobile, Ala.

A: Even before the pandemic, Americans were undervaccinating their infants and children. In 2018, only 72.8 percent of 19- to 35-month-olds had received all of the seven recommended vaccines, according to a new study in Health Equity. Were aiming for over 90 percent.

As for safety  the vaccines themselves are 35,000 times more beneficial than they are risky! Your 6-year-old should have already gotten the hepatitis B, rotavirus, DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), pneumococcal, polio, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), chickenpox (varicella) and hepatitis A vaccines. Theyre given between birth and 6 years of age; you can see the schedule at cdc.gov/vaccines.

Vaccinations have transformed childhood, spared parents enormous grief and protected millions of adults from disease.

A German measles epidemic in 1964 sickened 12.5 million Americans; killed 2,000 babies; and caused 11,000 miscarriages. The vaccine came into use in 1969; thereve been 15 cases in the past nine years.

In 1952, nearly 60,000 children contracted polio; thousands were paralyzed, and more than 3,000 died. The first polio vaccine was available in 1955; the country has been polio-free since 1979.

And as for the safety of the doctors office or clinic, banish any worries about going there by asking them the following four questions. Yes is the answer you want for each one.

Are staff and visitors required to wear masks?

Are they adhering to cleaning protocols and sanitizing measures for exam rooms, waiting areas, restrooms, elevators and other frequently touched surfaces?

Do they enforce social distancing in the waiting rooms?

Do they limit the number of people who can be in the office or clinic at the same time?

Then you can make the appointment and protect your child and your community.

Q: I dont like eating a lot of heavy food at lunchtime; it makes working in the afternoon more difficult. Having a nice, big dinner is so relaxing. Why do you keep advising against it?

Bob H., Pine Plains, N.Y.

A: My recent book, What to Eat When, lays out the scientific evidence that shows that it is healthier to get most of your calories at breakfast and lunch (around 80 percent) and then go light at dinner. In a nutshell: It takes advantage of your body clocks built-in timing for burning fat (during daylight), managing inflammation (ditto), processing carbs and keeping blood sugar levels under control (ditto). It also allows your body to repair your cells, and you dont want to block that with late-in-the-day overeating  all that digesting interferes with the nighttime cleaning crews job.

Recently, a study has confirmed just how risky eating late is. Researchers from the University of Alabama did a lab study and found that animals eating foods that contain what are called long-branched amino acids (such as leucine, isoleucine and valine) late in the day saw a 75 percent increase in the size of cells that control a heartbeat, and there was a speed up in the progression of heart disease. Those amino acids are beefed up in meats, dairy and egg yolks.

The study in the Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology also found that eating long-branched amino acids before activity doesnt do that to the heart muscle; in fact, they stimulate protein-building in muscles and may help prevent muscle breakdown. Timing is truly everything!

Our advice: Get your branched-chain amino acids early and from beans, canned tuna, salmon, turkey breast and 1 percent milk. Time your meals so youre eating unprocessed carbs and healthy fats early in the day, too, when your body is most sensitive to insulin. Then it can control your blood sugar and appetite most effectively. Youll avoid weight gain and heart woes.

Contact Drs. Oz and Roizen at sharecare.com.
Countries reliant on tourism are racing to reopen borders and revive economies decimated by the pandemic.

The World Travel & Tourism Council estimates that the sector lost nearly $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs last year. Airlines alone lost $126 billion last year and are on track to lose another $48 billion this year, according to their largest trade group.

The rollout of vaccines against COVID-19 is giving government officials in many countries new confidence to welcome visitors. But time is critical.

Summer is a strong season for most markets, particularly Europe and the U.K. We really hope to see restrictions ease, said Virginia Messina, interim leader of the World Travel & Tourism Council.

The patchwork of rules around the globe can be hard to follow for anyone planning a trip. Cyprus, for instance, has restrictions in place for countries deemed as higher risk, requiring arriving passengers to have a negative PCR test thats valid 72 hours prior to their departure and to undergo a new test upon arrival. They also have to self-isolate in Cyprus until their test results are issued.

Constantinos Victoras, general manager of NissiBlu Hotel, situated near Ayia Napas famed white-sand beach, says even though the infection rate in Cyprus has dropped significantly in the last two weeks, it wont be until late June when things will be clear enough for tour operators and airlines to ramp up bookings.

Uncertainty is too great right now," Victoras said.

Agatha and Simon Godurkiewicz of Sweden, said they chose to holiday on the island out of fatigue with the pandemic, and that people simply want to get on with their lives and return to some semblance of normality.

Were tired of the virus situation, said Agatha Godurkiewicz. It was panic at the start of the pandemic but its become too much now.

Heres how different regions are trying to reopen to travel:

EUROPE

Europe has been opening slowly, testing the patience of Mediterranean countries that rely heavily on tourism, including Greece, Spain, and Turkey. That is changing now, as European Union ambassadors agreed last week to allow in visitors who are fully vaccinated or are from a now-expanded list of countries whose citizens are deemed to be safe.

EU member countries still have to approve the changes, and its not clear exactly when they would take effect.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Friday that Spain will let British and Japanese visitors enter the country starting Monday if they have been vaccinated and people from other countries, including the United States, on June 7.

Tourists are already beginning to show up in Greece after authorities there decided this month to accept vaccination and test certificates from the European Union and 21 other countries.

On the Greek island of Naxos, business owners began pulling tables and chairs out of storage, power-washing wooden decks and reopening once-jammed seaside tavernas.

People here are optimistic and, indeed, there have been many bookings in the last two weeks, Naxos Mayor Dimitris Lianos said. There could be a significant comeback of the tourist season even in the latter half of the year. I dare to say it.

Croatia has also reopened  one of the few spots in Europe thats easy for Americans to visit. Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have announced direct flights from New York to Dubrovnik this summer.

ASIA

The virus is surging again across parts of Asia, causing several nations to halt cautious steps they had been taking to reopen.

Hong Kong and Singapore postponed a quarantine-free travel bubble for a second time after a new outbreak, and Hong Kong lengthened mandatory quarantines for many unvaccinated visitors. China set up checkpoints at toll booths, airports and train stations in Liaoning province, site of new cases this month  travelers must show proof of a recent negative test for the virus.

Thailand, which closed its borders and managed to keep outbreaks under control for most of last year, gradually began allowing entry to some foreign visitors in the fall under strict controls. But the country reversed course when it became overwhelmed by its worst outbreak in late March.

Bangkok closed entertainment venues and parks, ordered more people to work from home, and banned outdoor dining. Streets in the capital and many of Thailands resorts are nearly deserted, and people who have lost tourism-related jobs are second-guessing the authorities.

I am very angry with the government. They should have done better, said Narong, a worker in a Bangkok bar who declined to give his surname for fear of getting in trouble.

MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

At the height of the pandemic last year, the United Arab Emirates closed its borders and shuttered airports to travelers. The capital, Abu Dhabi, still has strict measures including mandatory quarantines even for fully vaccinated residents returning from certain countries. But the UAEs biggest city, Dubai, has opened its doors to travelers since last July with few restrictions beyond a negative COVID-19 test.

Dubai  home to the worlds busiest airport for international travel  is courting visitors fleeing lockdowns in Europe with open beaches, bars, hotel pools, restaurants, movie theaters, theme parks and spas. Social distancing and mask mandates are in place.

Meanwhile, the Gulfs largest country of Saudi Arabia is not permitting tourists into the country. Saudi citizens, who have largely been banned from travel since March 2020, are allowed to travel abroad starting this month if they have been vaccinated or recently recovered from the virus.

Egypt is trying to draw more foreign tourists even as it deals with a new wave of infections. It exempted beaches, cafes and restaurants tied to tourist hotels from new restrictions, like an earlier curfew and the closure of public beaches and parks during the Eid holiday. It even lowered the cost of tourist visas, although it still requires a negative COVID-19 test before entering the country.

LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN

Visitors to the tourism-dependent Caribbean tumbled by two-thirds last year to levels not seen since the 1980s. Bermuda was among the hardest hit, suffering an 84% drop.

A handful of islands, including Bonaire, Martinique and Montserrat, still ban travel from most countries. Elsewhere, tourists are trickling back under requirements that include electronic monitoring. Some islands, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines, have created bubble resorts to take tourists. Cruise lines are planning to shift ships from the U.S. to Caribbean ports this summer.

The U.S. Virgin Islands have been the regions success story this year, with arrivals down a modest 27% from January through March  much of that due to Americans who are forbidden in other places and can visit the U.S. territory without a passport if they avoid going through another country on the way.

Mexico has no flight restrictions, no requirements for visitors to pass a test or quarantine upon arrival. That has kept a reduced but steady flow of tourists, especially to beach destinations.

Mexicos laid-back approach, however, could be creating a backlash in the Caribbean coast state of Quintana Roo, which includes Cancun and Cozumel and where tourism accounts for 87% of the economy. Infection and hospitalization rates are rising, and stricter capacity limits have been imposed in public places.

If nothing is done right now in reducing activities in public, this trend will grow and grow and grow and grow, the federal governments point man on the pandemic, Assistant Health Secretary Hugo Lopez-Gatell, warned this month.

U.S. AND CANADA

The U.S. continues to bar most visitors from Europe, China, India, Brazil and other places. Inbound international travelers, including American citizens, must pass a COVID-19 test before boarding flights. The State Department discourages foreign trips, labeling most of the worlds countries high-risk.

The border between the U.S. and Canada remains closed to nonessential travel through June 21.

Domestic air travel in the U.S. is nearly back to 2019 levels, but travel-industry groups are growing impatient with what they see as an overly timid response by the Biden administration to allowing more international visitors.

As we continue to see vaccination rates increase and infection rates decrease, its absolutely critical from an economic standpoint to reopen international travel, said Tori Emerson Barnes, executive vice president of the U.S. Travel Association.

___

Koenig reported from Dallas and Hadjicostis reported from Ayia Napa. AP Staff Writers Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul and Elaine Kurtenbach in Bangkok; Aya Batrawy in Dubai; Samy Magdy in Cairo; Derek Gatopoulos in Athens; Dusan Stojanovic in Belgrade; Danica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Mark Stevenson in Mexico City contributed to this report.
To mark National Missing Childrens Day, a group of national organizations have launched a month-long billboard campaign seeking to bring missing children home.

Aiming to find fresh leads in four individual missing childrens cases, Clear Channel Outdoor Americas has partnered with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Texas Center for the Missing. The cases are from Houston, San Antonio, El Paso and Dallas.

Katy teen Thalia Macias, who disappeared in December 2019, is one of the children featured in this program.

BECOME A KATY INSIDER: Get must-read local news from a source you can trust

The purpose of this campaign is not only to highlight these four cases but to bring attention to the 37,023 missing children in Texas, said Beth Alberts, CEO of TCM.

Alberts made her remarks at a Tuesday news conference in Humble, where representatives and officials joined Thalias friends and family for the unveiling of Thalias billboard. Towering several feet into the air, the digital display panel faces south of FM 1960 on the Eastex Freeway (Highway 59) in Humble. Thalias photo will be broadcast on 34 digital billboard units throughout the Houston region more than 1,200 times per day for one month.

She was taken by professional criminals, opportunists who abducted her, said Thalias mother Alma Romero. They stole a child and robbed her of her innocence and childhood, her loving family.

Theres a different case in each city, said Lee Vela from Clear Channel. But its not just about the cases, the idea is to talk about these missing children all over our state and help bring them home so they can be with their families. We hope to recreate what happened in 2019, when the young lady in Houston and the young lady who was featured in San Antonio came home safe.

Vela was referring to San Antonios Evanegelys Colon and Houstons Mariah Garcia, missing teens who had featured in previous campaigns. Both girls were found and brought home. Evanegelys mother credited digital billboards and media coverage for her daughters safe return.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Katy man is seventh Houston-area resident charged in Capitol riot

Thalias mother describes Thalia as a well-mannered child who always wanted to help people. She was chosen to be a teachers aide and a mentor to younger students.

Thalia has been missing for more than 15 months. Authorities believe she may have been lured away from Mayde Creek High School in Katy. She recently turned 17. Thalia is a Hispanic female, with brown hair and eyes, 5 feet 1 inch, weighing 70 pounds.

Thalia previously went missing in 2017 at age 12. She was found and brought home safely.

She loves dancing and singing, Alma said. Everybody loved her. She has a beautiful heart. She's a human being. She's a child, she needs to come home. If anybody knows anything, please help us. Bring her home. I just want to thank you so much for everything, for your support.

Former President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 25 as National Missing Childrens Day in 1983. National Missing Childrens Day is a reminder to all parents and guardians to have recent, high-quality photographs of their children ready in case of an emergency.

juhi.varma@hcnonline.com
The Spring Branch ISD Board of Trustees weighed the benefits of lifting the its mask mandate early during a monthly meeting this week.

The motion would have ended the mask mandate in Spring Branch ISD schools starting May 25  just three days before the final day of school and a week ahead of the original end date of June 1.

A glance at the gridiron: FOOTBALL: Spring Branch ISD schools take to field for spring games

After extensive feedback from the community, including spirited citizen comments on both sides of the debate at the beginning of the May 24 meeting, the board chose not to lift the districts mask mandate early and voted to keep the original June 1 day.

We received a lot of feedback. The board listened, I listened, to what our community had to say and decided, you know what, maybe thats not the right move to make, said Superintendent Jennifer Blaine. Were always willing to admit when maybe we dont have the right idea, or were mistaken, or weve thought about it and maybe we came to a different answer.

One factor that came up repeatedly in community feedback as well as the board discussion is the requirement that all students  even students that have been engaged in remote learning the entire school year  have to take their final exams in person and what effect lifting the mask mandate early might have on that environment and those students performance.

CDC guidance: 'A breath of fresh air': Masks no longer mandated for vaccinated people

Spring Branch ISDs mask requirements will come to an end on June 1, three days before Gov. Greg Abbott Executive Order 36, which he issued on May 18, goes into effect. Executive Order 36 states that, no student, teacher, parent, or other staff member or visitor may be required to wear a face covering, after June 4.

Board president Chris Gonzalez said that Spring Branch ISD has long had June 1 as the date when it would lift its mask mandate and that Abbotts executive order had no impact on the boards decision.

June 1 seemed like a natural transition because its the end of the school year, but its right before summer school, said Blaine.

As it has for decisions and policies throughout the pandemic, Spring Branch ISD consulted its community partner Memorial Hermann about the decision regarding lifting its mask mandate early.

Thoughts from the community: Gov. Abbott bans mask mandates in Texas public schools, cities and counties

Neighboring Katy ISD also plans on lifting its mask mandate on June 1 while other districts like Clear Creek will end the requirement after the spring semester.

elliott.lapin@hearst.com
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion was a sea of forest green robes Tuesday night as 1,000 Highlanders from The Woodlands High School walked the stage for their graduation.

After hosting all district graduations at the Conroe ISD Woodforest Bank Stadium last year to allow for social distancing, the district was excited to return to the covered outdoor venue for the momentous occasion.

For Kaitlynn Adeola Wilson, the moment wasnt going to become real until she walked across the stage.

Im kind of excited for it, it will be a step to a new beginning, she said.

Next year she will be going to Spelman College to major in political science and minor in global affairs. But before she leaves, she has some words of wisdom for next years graduates.

Just cherish every moment you can and dont think too much on whats happening now, Adeola Wilson said.

After graduation, Jace Cutrer-McCarthy will be going into the National Guard and is heading to boot camp in about a month. After that he plans on going to helicopter school to learn how to work on the aircrafts. But ultimately Cutrer-McCarthy plans on going to Sam Houston University to study criminal justice and eventually enter the law enforcement field.

He had a good time in high school, he said, but hes ready to move on to bigger and better things. His advice to the class of 2o22? Have some fun.

Dont take everything too seriously, he said. Dont slack off either, but just dont take yourself seriously, dont take things too seriously, just have a lot of fun with it and enjoy your friends and enjoy your time there.

As excited as she was to graduate, Kaitlyn Buker was also a little nervous. Shes glad that this year the graduates could all be together. Last year the ceremonies for several CISD schools had to be split in half to allow for social distancing.

After graduation she plans to head to Lone Star College for a year before transferring to Texas A&M to study physics. Like Cutrer-McCarthy, Buker wants next years seniors not to stress too much it all.

Really dont care about what people think of you because it doesnt matter, she said. Easier said than done, but seriously, dont.

As is tradition, the seniors were greeted by bagpipes as they entered the pavilion to walk one last time, together, as Highlanders. After a long, tough year The Woodlands High School class of 2021 crossed the final threshold and accepted their diplomas as graduates.

jamie.swinnerton@chron.com
DENVER (AP)  Public colleges and universities in Colorado are no longer required to consider SAT or ACT scores for first-time freshmen during the admissions process under a newly signed law, officials said.

Democratic Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill on Tuesday that preserves the option for an applicant to submit test scores when they apply to an institution, bringing Colorado in line with other state university systems in places such as Oregon and California, The Denver Post reported.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  Elzie Ford lost power in his freezing home for nearly a week during Februarys catastrophic blackouts in Texas. By the time the 68-year-old widower was found on the floor, his hands were purpled with frostbite. He died the next day.

The whole thing was a train wreck from day one, pretty much," said Larry Ford, his son.

Three months later, Texas' first pass at a fix is almost out of time: Only days remain for state lawmakers to make good on promised overhauls following one of the largest power outages in U.S. history, when more than 4 million customers lost heat after an artic blast buckled the state's electric grid.

But there are worries that booming Texas may come up short of stabilizing power and averting future blackouts. Concessions to oil and gas interests have reduced the scope of weatherization mandates. The threat of hefty fines would be left up to Texas regulators who've long been criticized as cozy with industry operators. Nothing is on the table that would add more power capacity to one of America's fastest-growing states.

There also remains a fading but continued effort to push more costs onto renewable energy generators, though frozen wind turbines and iced solar panels were not, as some GOP lawmakers have falsely claimed, a primary driver of the blackouts.

It's hard to see how this provides full coverage of the winterization that we need, said Daniel Cohan, a professor environmental engineering at Rice University.

Any changes to Texas' beleaguered power grid must reach Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's desk by Sunday.

Energy experts who have criticized Texas' previous lapses in protecting the grid say that despite shortcomings, there is progress in legislation that is likely to reach Abbott. They point to power plants that would be winterized, new oversight and improved coordination when a crisis hits. But worry remains that it does not go far enough after America's proud energy capital couldn't keep the lights on.

Republicans, who boast about keeping regulation low in Texas, have defended the response.

When we started out we said we were going to fix it. And I think we've come a long way toward doing that, said Republican state Rep. Chris Paddie, who has steered the bills in the Texas House.

The freeze and ensuing blackout killed at least 151 people across Texas, according to state health officials, a tally that is certainly an undercount. Hypothermia was the most common cause of death, while carbon monoxide poisoning killed others who sought warmth from cars and outdoor grills. Lawsuits against electric providers have stacked up, including one from Larry Ford, who said icy roads around the rural town of Whitney prevented him from checking on his father sooner.

Fallout from the outages has slowed since a burst of firings and resignations of officials involved. Attention to the blackouts has also dimmed in the state Capitol as GOP lawmakers have raced to pass staunchly conservative laws over abortion, guns and voting restrictions in the final weeks.

Proposals to change the oversight of Texas' biggest electric grid  which powers 90% of the state and is cut off from the rest of the U.S.  and impose steep fines on power plants that don't winterize equipment have broad support. Abbott, whose hand-picked energy regulators stepped down under pressure, has demanded that power producers winterize.

But that is not likely to result in mandates to protect every natural gas wellhead or pipeline in Texas from freezes. The most comprehensive bill, Senate Bill 3, would instead leave it up to regulators to decide which ones are essential and then impose fines for failing to protect them.

Oil and gas executives have fought against weatherizing all natural gas infrastructure as excessive. The Dallas Fed put the cost of winterizing equipment between $20,000 to $50,000 per well.

During February's storm, demand for heat soared as temperatures plunged. Roughly a quarter of Texas natural gas supply was knocked off line. Failures by fossil fuel plants, including natural gas facilities, contributed twice as many outages as solar and wind generators, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the states grid operator.

One penalty would be $5,000 a day, which Democrats and critics have argued could make it cheaper for operators to pay than to winterize equipment. It leaves a huge amount of latitude, and historically, regulators have erred on the side of being too lax when given broad latitude, Cohan said.

The efforts to limit the weatherization of natural gas sources has played out as some Republicans are trying to push more costs onto the renewable energy industry in Texas, which leads the nation in wind energy production and provides more than one-fifth of the state's electricity.

Republican state Rep. Kelly Hancock, who has pushed for requiring renewable operators to pay for backup resources, called accusations that he was using the blackout to hurt renewables silly and defensive. Texas lawmakers have generally been supportive of the wind industry, a group that Hancock says includes himself.

I don't really care where the power comes from. I'm neutral when it comes to generation," Hancock said. But I'm not neutral in making sure that it's stable.

___

Associated Press writer Jamie Stengle in Dallas contributed to this report.
Citizens wait for any possible side effects after receiving the coronavirus vaccine at a vaccination center in Dobong District, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap



Vaccinated people can go outdoors without wearing masks from July



By Lee Hyo-jin



The government announced a set of incentives Wednesday that will be offered to people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. These come as part of efforts to boost public participation in its inoculation program.



However, medical experts are questioning the effectiveness of such measures, saying that eased social distancing regulations included in them may lead to a resurgence of the coronavirus.



The Ministry of Health and Welfare said that its current social distancing measures, including mandatory mask wearing in public and the ban on five or more people gathering together, will be gradually eased for vaccinated people.



Starting from June, those who have received at least one dose of the vaccine will be exempt from the gathering ban with direct family members, which currently is allowed for up to eight people.



From July, they will be able to go outdoors without wearing a mask, and the gathering ban on five or more people will be lifted for fully vaccinated people. Also, religious facilities will be allowed to hold activities attended by people who have received at least one shot of the vaccine.









In October, when more than 70 percent of the population is expected to have received at least one dose of the vaccine, the social distancing measures will be fully revised, significantly easing regulations such as having to wear face masks indoors.



The ministry added that vaccinated people will get discounts on tickets to several state-run cultural facilities including museums, parks and theaters.





Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol speaks during a briefing at Government Complex Seoul, Wednesday, on incentives that will be offered to people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Yonhap
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  Despite last years U.N. call for global cease-fires to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, many conflicts never stopped including in Syria, Yemen and Congo and new ones erupted making it more difficult to control the spread of the virus and care for infected people in many countries, the U.N. humanitarian chief said Tuesday.

Mark Lowcock stressed the link between conflict, COVID-19, and health care at a virtual Security Council meeting on civilians caught in conflict.

In March 2020, as the pandemic was starting to circle the globe, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for global action to put armed conflict on lock-down and focus together on the true fight of our lives against a common enemy COVID-19.

While there were some positive responses, Lowcock said deadly conflicts continued and emerged or got worse including in Ethiopia, Mozambique and between Armenia and Azerbaijan, contributing to a rise in the number of people forcibly displaced in 2020.

At the same time, insecurity, sanctions, counter-terrorism measures and administrative hurdles hindered humanitarian operations, he said, and the pandemic made aid deliveries more difficult because of suspended flights, border closures, quarantine measures and lockdowns.

Lowcock noted multiple reports of atrocities against civilians caught in conflicts during the pandemic.

He singled out the dozens of schoolgirls and civilians killed and injured in an attack on a high school in Afghanistan earlier this month, reports of mass rapes and killings in Ethiopias Tigray region, and the just ended conflict between Israel and Gazas Hamas rulers that saw over 200 deaths, mainly Palestinians.

During the pandemic last year, he said, the threat of famine re-emerged including in northeast Nigeria, parts of Africas Sahel region, South Sudan and Yemen -- all conflict areas.

By the end of 2020, nearly 100 million people faced crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity as a result of conflict, he said. That was up from 77 million the year before.

Lowcock also cited the impact of conflicts on civilians in urban areas from explosive devices, on farmers from the destruction of agricultural land, and on entire populations from attacks on medical care.

Last year, attacks on health care across 22 conflict-affected countries killed 182 health workers, with the highest numbers losing their lives in Burkina Faso, Congo, Somalia and Syria, he said.

In a two-month period this year, Lowcock said, 109 violent incidents against health care were documented in Myanmar, where a military coup took place on Feb. 1, accelerating the collapse in the public health-care system when many people needed it most.

And in Mozambiques Cabo Delgado province, which has faced attacks from Islamic extremist rebels, over a third of health facilities were damaged or destroyed when hostilities worsened and health workers fled, leaving thousands of people without a nurse or a doctor, he said.

Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, cited its recent report showing the impacts of COVID-19 on communities shouldering the double burden of war and disease.

While the need for robust health care systems has perhaps never been greater, paradoxically, health care is under attack, he said.

Maurer told the council that five years after its members adopted a resolution demanding an end to impunity for attacks on health care our observations in 40 countries affected by conflict show that attacks on health care have gone unabated, and cyber attacks on healthcare facilities have increased.

Both Maurer and Lowcock urged the Security Council and the broader international community to focus their energy on changing the way combatants behave in conflicts.

We need political solidarity, investment in basic infrastructure and services, Maurer said. We need better protection for civilians and more substantive and broader support for humanitarian action.
VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP)  The city of Vancouver, Washington is preparing to set up campsites for unsheltered people in what would be the the first such effort in the city.

A plan unveiled this week would create at least one organized camp somewhere in the city limits by September, with a capacity for between 20 and 40 campers, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported. City staff plans to have up to three such areas operating by December.
Perhaps we shouldnt expect Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush to have a natural aptitude for the art of owning the libs.

Still, the 45-year-old Republicans most recent contretemps with Democratic leaders in Houston and Harris County has left even the most rambunctious right-wingers in the region perplexed.

The Texas General Land Office, which Bush leads, last week announced how it has decided to allocate a pot of federal flood mitigation funds tied to Hurricane Harvey, which nearly four years ago brought historic amounts of rainfall and catastrophic flooding to greater Houston.

Houston and Harris County officials applied for $1.3 billion of those funds to finance a number of projects, only to be entirely shut out.

Thats right: Zero dollars will be coming our way from this pot of funding. Not one nickel. Not even a sheaf of coupons for half-price cherry limeades at Sonic Drive-In, or anything else that might mitigate the sting of such a snub.

Nor has P explained why the applications submitted by Houston and Harris County fell short. The answer likely has something to do with GLOs scoring criteria, which put densely populated urban areas at a disadvantage by, for example, rating projects in part on the percentage of a jurisdictions population that would benefit. Such a standard would obviously result in a worse rating for applications submitted by Harris County, with its 4.7 million residents, than  for example  neighboring Galveston County, with just 342,000.

But that standard was GLOs idea, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the source of the funds in question.

The formula for allocation was created by the state of Texas, HUD spokesman Michael Burns said in a written statement. They have full responsibility and jurisdiction over who gets the money that was allocated to the state for flood mitigation.

The grandson and nephew of U.S. presidents has seemed loftily dismissive of the controversy thus far, telling KTRK-13 that constituents  thats us  have to start asking the city of Houston and Harris County who exactly are filling out these applications, and are they being effective in representing their constituents.

Is this supposed to be convincing?

Bush is implying that the men and women who work for the city of Houston and Harris County are less competent than their peers in smaller jurisdictions. That would be a dubious suggestion on its face, even if we didnt know about GLOs scoring criteria  and its an insulting one, since we do.

Democratic leaders in Houston and Harris County see the snub as part of a broader pattern, in which the states Republican leaders have been dismissive of the needs and priorities of its largest city and county.

This is about state leaders intentionally deciding not to allocate one single dime to local communities that were substantially impacted by Hurricane Harvey, said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

Have state leaders forgotten the images of Houstonians wading through floodwaters as the rains came down, or of flooded streets filled with boats ferrying people to safety, or of local residents returning to unsalvageable homes? Harvey was a trauma for the Houston region, the scene of some 50 deaths and nearly half of the estimated $125 billion in statewide damage.

Its outrageous, said U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, a Democrat who represents the states 7th Congressional District, the one once represented by Bushs late grandfather, George H.W. Bush.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Editorial: Was it politics or bad math? Houston's Harvey funding snub doesn't add up.

This decision is an affront to our entire community, which has been working tirelessly to recover and rebuild after Harvey, she said in a statement. It also raises serious questions about the GLOs entire process.

Local Republicans share the latter concern, at least. I have reviewed agency scoring criteria for over 40 years and have never seen a more disconnected process, said Harris County Commissioner Tom Ramsey, noting in a statement that the county had the greatest number of homes flooded by Harvey.

As a conservative who wants government funds to be used for their stated purpose and meet congressional intent  this process failed, he added.

Most of the Republicans in Harris Countys delegation to the Texas Legislature joined their Democratic colleagues in urging Bush to reconsider, via a letter that notes that no reasonable person could believe that HUD intended the fourth-largest city in the country, which was obviously battered by Harvey, to get short shrift like this.

The question arises, then: Are reasonable people Bushs target audience, at the moment? Last weeks news comes as Bush openly mulls a challenge to embattled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton  still under indictment on state securities fraud charges and the subject of a separate FBI investigation into alleged abuse of office  in next years Republican primary. Paxton has denied any wrongdoing.

There have been some serious allegations levied against the current attorney general, Bush told Dallas radio host Mark Davis last month, adding: Personally, I think that the top law enforcement official in Texas needs to be above reproach.

And yet theres no evidence that Bush plans to take issue with Paxtons red-meat-slinging approach to the political arena, or the attorney generals enthusiasm for the GOPs trajectory under Donald Trump.

Indeed, Bush, first elected to statewide office in 2014, has made a diligent effort to make common cause with Trump since 2016, even as most members of his famous family  including his father, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and his uncle, former President George W. Bush  pointedly did not.

On Monday, as local leaders in Harris County were urging GLO to reconsider its decision about the flood mitigation funds and appealing directly to HUD for an intervention, Bush indicated that his priorities lie elsewhere, at the moment.

Great to speak with President Trump to discuss the future of Texas and how we are keeping up the fight to put America first. I appreciate the words of encouragement and support, Bush tweeted. Big things coming soon.

But not to Houston or Harris County, clearly: The message from GLO this week is that we shouldnt expect much.

erica.grieder@chron.com
A Houston man who stabbed his intimate partner to death in front of her children then slit his own throat has been sentenced to 60 years in prison.

Xavier Alejandro Martinez, 28, was convicted of murder in the death three years ago of Josselin Yamileth in their Park Place apartment in southeast Houston. He was sentenced on Monday, almost three years to the day of her death on May 23, 2018, after a six-day trial.
A Surfside Beach woman accused of hiring the man who beat her husband to death has been added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list.

Margaret Lorrain Womble Smith, now 62, is the focus of a manhunt by the U.S. Marshals Service, the Texas Rangers, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Brazoria County Sheriffs Office.

A reward of up to $12,500 is being offered for information leading to her arrest.

PRIOR COVERAGE: Wife charged in Surfside beating death is missing

Smith, a mother of four, was last seen in 2009 after a video camera recorded her in the parking lot of a San Antonio-area Walmart as she was getting into a maroon four-door sedan  possibly a Lincoln Continental, DPS officials said. Authorities on Tuesday couldnt say when or at which Walmart that footage was taken.

Smith was indicted for capital murder in September 2007, accused of hiring a man to kill her estranged husband of nearly 28 years, restaurant owner George Edman Smith Jr., 53. The Smiths were well known in Surfside Beach, a small city in Brazoria County, south of Houston.

Two vacationers found George Smith, a Marine veteran, dead in the sand on a remote Brazoria County beach. A pathologist later determined he had been struck in the head and face at least 10 times, his facial bones shattered into more than 100 pieces.

Investigators believe Lorrain Smith might have fled to Mexico, said Stephen Buchanan, a former Brazoria County Sheriffs Office investigator who handled the homicide case.

They used to go (to Mexico) quite often, said Buchanan, who is now a Brazoria County deputy fire marshal and arson investigator. They had a little place that was close to the border  not her, but the family.

Smith and her slain husband were a colorful and somewhat eccentric couple, famous for their shore-front burger restaurant. They frequently attended Surfside Beach City Council meetings barefoot, with their children in tow.

George Smith boasted that his hamburgers at Burgersmiths on Bluewater Highway were the best in the universe and claimed that alien spacemen once landed a spaceship on the restaurants roof and came inside to eat.

The couple, who married in 1979, had four children  Stormy Summer, Scarlet Sunset, Saffron Sunshine and Sequoia Sundance.

The husband and wife had separated, but were still business partners when they met for dinner and margaritas at a Mexican restaurant in Clute on the night of the slaying  Aug. 6, 2007. They were last seen leaving together and getting into George Smiths truck, a prosecutor said in 2009.

UP TO 50 KILOS: Bundles of cocaine are washing up on beaches in Matagorda County

Investigators accused Lorrain Smith of luring her estranged husband to the beach late that night and leaving him sitting in the sand as a man beat him to death with a metal object.

Prosecutors said she paid her neighbor at a Clute apartment complex to carry out the crime. A jury later convicted her co-defendant, Dylan James Laughrey, now 38, of capital murder. He is serving a life sentence without parole.

But Lorrain Smith, who had been free on $125,000 bail, didnt show up for the start of her trial on Aug. 17, 2009. A bailiff called her name throughout the Brazoria County courthouse three times and got no answer.

The trial couldnt proceed in her absence because a jury had not yet been seated when she vanished, Buchanan said.

Lorrain Smiths car was later found parked at an Angleton auto repair shop.

Investigators determined she had last been heard from a week earlier  on Aug. 10, 2009  when she contacted one of her daughters in North Texas seeking money, telling her she was lost after getting on a bus in Houston. The daughter sent $200 by wire transfer.

Smith had received permission from authorities that day to travel to the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston, as long as she returned home by that night, investigators said at the time. An ankle monitor notified authorities that Smith never made it home.

Investigators later recovered a video showing Smith inside the hospital that day, carrying fully packed duffel bags, then exiting the building  but they found no records indicating she had been treated or admitted.

Property owned by the couple in Matagorda County was sold a week before George Smith was killed, one of their daughters told the Houston Chronicle in 2009. The investigation revealed Lorrain Smith took the $44,000 from the sale.

Evidence at Laughreys trial showed that by the time George Smiths body was found, Lorrain Smith had withdrawn almost all that money from a bank, a prosecutor said.

Investigators never determined how much Laughrey was paid, but learned he was flashing a large amount of money around the day after George Smiths body was found.

Authorities believe Smith was killed with a 2-foot metal bar taken from an apartment belonging to one of Laughreys acquaintances.

One of the Smiths daughters told the Houston Chronicle in 2009 that she was not at all surprised her mother disappeared before standing trial.

We figured she was going to run, Scarlet Sunset Sears said. We actually thought shed run a long time ago.

Announcing Lorrain Smiths status among the states most wanted, the DPS described her as 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing 185 pounds. She has a mole on the bottom of her right eyelid and goes by either Margaret or Lorrain. She has curly hair, but often dyes it or wears wigs, DPS officials said.

Tipsters can call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-252-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip by clicking here. All tips are anonymous.

Smith is considered armed and dangerous, DPS officials said.

pohare@express-news.net | Twitter: Peggy_OHare

taylor.pettaway@express-news.net
Elizabeth Rose Williams, a Hill Country lifestyle coach specializing in essential oils and conscious food sourcing, believed she was destined to do great things, and be an influencer to leaders. FBI agents say she also appeared on Facebook posts and grainy surveillance video amid the Jan. 6 Capitol siege, wandering through the Crypt and Senate gallery with her North Carolina boyfriend, a QAnon devotee who ran a far-right boot camp.

Her boyfriend posted that the couple was hit with loud flash grenades and hard core tear gassed before the breach of the Capitol, according to the FBI. Another message declared the two were storming the Capitol. Pray for us all.

Williams, 31, of Kerrville, is among 44 Texans charged thus far in the Jan. 6 insurrection with breaking past barricades, battling police and surging through the iconic neoclassical building as Congress worked to seal Joe Bidens electoral victory.

Texas is home to the highest number of people accused in the frenetic melee, based on Justice Department filings and data from the Program on Extremism at George Washington University. The Texas defendants include military veterans, real estate agents, a mortgage broker, a cop, a florist and an actor with a bit part on Friday Night Lights.

They traveled with friends and cousins. They were fathers and sons, lovers and loners. A handful had ties to far-right groups, including the Proud Boys and Three Percenters, officials said. But the majority were just avid supporters of former President Donald Trump, rioting over an election they thought was being stolen from its rightful victor.

Nearly five months after the siege at the so-called Temple of Democracy, more than three new arrests occur daily, on average. That number includes a 38-year-old financial adviser from Katy who was arrested by the FBI last Tuesday on charges he faced off against an officer in riot gear inside the Capitol. Justice officials estimate that more than 800 people entered the Capitol building and say they are undertaking one of the largest criminal probes in U.S. history.

Some, such as Williams and her boyfriend, were merely trespassing at the Capitol, according to charges. Others, officials said, wielded all manner of weapons  tomahawks, plastic handcuffs, pepper spray, a desk drawer, a skateboard, a Trump flag and a firecracker  and sustained battle wounds as they pushed into the building.

The Texans awaiting federal prosecution in D.C. were identified in videos, wanted flyers and social media posts with help from their ex-wives, children, co-workers, former schoolmates and fellow little league parents. Their texts, social media boasts and GPS data also played a key role in placing them at a vast crime scene rife with amateur photographers and videographers.

Gearing up for battle

The Texans arrested so far were present every step of the way as the historic day unfolded. The following account is based on FBI evidence and testimony linking Texas defendants to conduct during the hours of the insurrection. The Houston Chronicle attempted to contact all defendants or their defense lawyers, a handful of whom responded. They are presumed innocent unless the allegations are proven.

They journeyed by car and commercial aircraft, responding to the presidents 11th-hour appeal for help stopping his electoral loss. Jason Hyland Lee, a Frisco real estate agent, chartered a jet he dubbed the Patriot flight. He was joined by at least two passengers also accused of occupying the Capitol. Ryan Nichols, a former U.S. Marine from Longview, texted a buddy on Jan. 3 as he and his father were preparing a truck for the trip, explaining they had built a gun container because I have intel that Washington will be a war zone.

Big possibility that actual battle goes down, Nichols continued in texts to Alex Harkrider, a fellow Marine veteran from Carthage who worked with Nichols in a storm rescue group.

Im looking forward to it, Harkrider responded. Attorney Kira Anne West has said Harkrider has mental health problems as a result of his active-duty trauma suffered in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The president asked people to come and show their support, Christopher Grider, co-owner of a boutique vineyard south of Waco, told his local CBS affiliate.  I feel like its the least that we can do. Its kind of why I came from Central Texas and went all the way to D.C.

Not a peaceful protest

Following Trumps Stop the Steal speech that brisk Wednesday, Grady Owens, a college music student, came up against a wall of 33 D.C. Metro Police officers on the west lawn of the Capitol. Body cam footage shows a scruffy-faced man in a stocking cap  identified as 21-year-old Owens  bashing a cop on the head with a White Fang skateboard. Footage also captured his father, Jason Owens, of Blanco, nearby shoving another cop with enough force that the officers head snapped backwards.

Daniel Caldwell, a former Marine employed at Texas Instruments, bragged that he sprayed some 15 officers with an orange mist as they were trying to prevent rioters from accessing the steps to the Capitol. Thats when they shot me with that big cannon with rubber bullets, the 49-year-old Dallas area man says in a YouTube video found by an internet sleuth and published by ProPublica.

Caldwells lawyer, John Hunter Smith, said his client never entered the Capitol building.

I was up there pushing through the barricades with about a hundred other patriots when they started beating my husband with billy clubs, wrote Jalise Middleton, 50, a health care executive from Forestburg, in a Facebook post.

The tear gas was easy to push through and still see, she said. It was windy so scouts in the scaffolding would holler take cover, we would cover our face, count to 10, and go again.

Luke Coffee, who played a customer at the gritty Landing Strip on season five of Friday Night Lights, wielded a crutch as he approached the officers protecting the buildings perimeter. Elsewhere in the mayhem, Shane Jenkins, 43, a roofer and oil worker from Houston, javelined a flagpole at officers holding the line at the lower west terrace. The man with MAMA TRIED tattooed across his neck, whod just finished a jail stint, proceeded to smash a window with a tomahawk.

David Judd, from Carrollton, 35, hurled what looked to be a lit firecracker. And Christian Cortez, from Seabrook, was reported to officials by former League City classmates, after video caught him hollering a string of profanities and oath breakers at police spraying the insurgents with mace while fellow officers tried to yank the Capitol doors shut.

Kevin Blakely, 55, of McKinney, was photographed on the Capitol steps near Jake Angeli  the shirtless QAnon shaman with face paint and animal horns  and also made his way into the building.

Pressed tight in the crowd was Wilmar Montano Alvarado, 37, owner of Bettys Bakery and Restaurant in Pasadena. Montano was knocked in the head by an airborne speaker as he joined a crowd pushing against a police line in a tunnel entrance.

Montano had spent his boyhood in war-torn El Salvador, and he told Fox 26 hed cast his first ballot as a U.S. citizen for Trump. He believed the presidents false claims of election fraud, a phenomenon he was familiar with since youth.

I went through the civil war and the election system was very, very bad, he said in the interview.

Sean Watson, a 49-year-old medical technician from the tiny Far West Texas town of Alpine, texted, I was one of the people that helped storm the capitol building and smash out the windows. We made history today. Proudest day of my life!

Armed with a crowbar, Nichols, the East Texas ex-Marine, peered down at the throng from the ledge of a broken window and offered the equivalent of orders to the amped-up foot soldiers. If you have a weapon, you need to get your weapon, Nichols bellowed into a bullhorn, This is the second revolution right here folks.  This is not a peaceful protest.

Death and destruction

Samuel Montoya, of San Marcos, was among many Texans who tried to document the day as they lived it. Montoya, a 36-year-old staffer at Alex Jones conspiracy group Infowars, captured firsthand what he called the execution of Ashli Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force vet who was shot by police as she tried to vault through a broken window into the Speakers Lobby. Grider, the vintner, said he saw Babbitt take a bullet to the chest and snapped a picture of officers carrying her away in their arms.

Surveillance video showed Midlanders Jenny Cudd and Eliel Rosa touring the building, including the Rotunda, Statuary Hall and the House Chamber. Cudd wore a Trump flag like a cape.

Others hammered on the door to House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office for hours while her staff hid under tables in the dark. Eventually they broke in and raided it. Treniss Jewel Evans III, a 46-year-old Canyon Lake man, partook in the party atmosphere: A witness heard hed been tossing back shots of Fireball whiskey in the San Francisco Democrats office.

One among thousands

At least one Texan perused the floor of the Senate. Larry Rendall Brock Jr., a decorated Air Force veteran from Grapevine, was photographed in the well of the Senate wearing a helmet and body armor and carrying zip tie handcuffs.

In Facebook posts, Brock explained hed worn the protective gear for the civil war that is coming. A Justice Department prosecutor said Brock intended to take hostages and possibly harm elected officials if the chamber was not already cleared. Brock had posted at some point that day, Men with guns need to shoot their way in. Brocks attorney argued against that assertion in court: He came to D.C. unarmed  Its all talk.

Brock, who federal officials say backed radical militia groups the Oath Keepers and Three Percenters, was just one amid a roiling swarm of thousands that day.

Officials have arrested 446 people in 44 states and D.C. in connection with the breach, according to GWU data. Tipsters have sent more than 270,000 digital tips to the FBI and agents are seeking help identifying scores of additional participants captured in photos and videos. A perimeter fence encircling the Capitol remains in place while officials await security improvements from Congress.

Director Christopher Wray said in Senate testimony that the FBI is committed to seeing this through no matter how many people it takes or how long or the resources we need to get it done. Hundreds of defendants will be prosecuted in the months and years to come at a federal courthouse less than half a mile from the site of the pandemonium.

gabrielle.banks@chron.com

benjamin.wermund@chron.com
If youre a parent, or even if youre not, you probably understand the basics of how child tax credits work. Generally, the more kids, the more a family saves on taxes.

Seems fair. Kids are expensive and the nation needs new blood to survive. But imagine that one day, Uncle Sam reversed his logic on tax credits. Instead of multiplying by each child, the IRS started dividing by each child, effectively favoring families with one child over families with several.

That would not be fair at all. But thats pretty much what Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush has done to Houston and Harris County in the latest clash over the allotment of long-awaited flood mitigation aid tied to Hurricane Harvey.

Of the more than $1 billion pot of money Bush dispersed among dozens of Harvey-affected applicants in the first round, the most populous city and county in the state which is the economic epicenter of Texas and suffered the most deaths and structural damage, did not receive one penny.

The main reason for that defies reason. While the priority of any agency doling out government funds should be to help the most people in the most need, it appears that Bushs agency used metrics that actually penalized the Houston region for having the most people.

Harris County officials say Bushs land office used two discriminating criteria: The first considered each projects cost per person helped. The second tallied the share of each city or countys population that could benefit from the project.

Yes, thats dividing the strength of Houstons application, not multiplying.

Clearly, the land office has a duty to treat other counties fairly and several smaller cities within Harris County - Pasadena, Jacinto City, Baytown and Galena Park, were awarded funds. But those awards totaled just 9 percent of the overall disbursement and they do nothing to plug the massive hole Harris County must fill to complete the $2.5 billion flood bond voters approved in 2018.

How is that fair when Harris County has more residents than the other 48 counties applying combined? When our region suffered around 50 deaths and nearly half of the $125 billion in damages Harvey is estimated to have wrought statewide?

Its not fair. Its unconscionable and worthy of every bit of outrage from Houston-area leaders  Republican and Democrat  condemning Bushs decision.

The fix was in from the beginning, Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey said. As a conservative who wants government funds to be used for their stated purpose and meet congressional intent - this process failed.

The only thing that could make it worse is the deceptive way Bush and his office have responded to the criticisms.

A land office spokeswoman pointed a finger at federal officials, claiming last week that the state agency was required to use the criteria developed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

But HUD spokesman Michael Burns disputed that late Friday, saying The formula for allocation was created by the State of Texas. They have full responsibility and jurisdiction over who gets the money that was allocated to the state for flood mitigation.

And as Bush visited communities that received funding, KTRK-13 reported that he tried to blame local officials for failing to secure an award, saying constituents have to start asking the City of Houston and Harris County who exactly are filling out these applications, and are they being effective in representing their constituents.

But Bushs office hasnt provided any evidence and city and county officials say the land office never notified them of problems with the application. Another accusatory suggestion from the land office, that Houston and Harris County should have joined forces to make their application stronger, doesnt make mathematical sense given individual caps on award amounts.

Enough excuses. Enough finger pointing. Enough of the animosity that has characterized Bushs relationship with some local leaders for years.

We encourage HUD officials in Washington to scrutinize Bushs allocations and intervene if possible.

We also agree with a bipartisan group of 22 Texas House members who wrote Bush to urge him to reconsider his decision to deny the Houston region funding in this first round and to re-evaluate the process that led to that outcome.

If Bush doesnt do that, we urge him to follow through on a solution that Harris County Commissioner Jack Cagle says Bush mentioned to him privately: to support granting Harris County aid directly when the land office distributes the next federal pot of billions.

Whatever bad blood exists in this funding process, our elected officials should let it go and remember: this is bigger than any political fight. For the Houston region, its a fight to survive intensifying storms, flooding and other effects of climate change that pose an existential threat. .

Houston leaders are already engaged in an epic battle with Mother Nature. They shouldnt have to battle for the tools they need to prevail.
Responsible citizenship

Regarding Bring back civics, (A12, May 21): Thank you Sen. John Cornyn for introducing a bill to encourage and assist states and schools to emphasize civics and to the Houston Chronicle for editorializing on how important civics education is to the preservation of our democracy. Our own Texas Constitution states that an educated citizenry is necessary for the maintenance of our democracy, and that education has historically included not only reading, writing and arithmetic but citizenship.

Emphasizing teaching our youth how our constitutional democracy functions and the importance of civic involvement is not a partisan issue. Politicians and others who want to make civics partisan are examples of how threatened our democracy is today. Schools can certainly emphasize teaching civics without taking anything away from science, technology and math.

Throughout life, I have carried with me my high school government teachers engaging lessons and discussions on how our government works and why and how everyone should be engaged and involved. Somehow we have strayed from educating and engaging our youth in understanding and appreciating the constitutional democracy we enjoy and our responsibilities of citizenship. The time to return to meaningfully teaching civics in our schools is now.

Kelly Frels, Houston

Missing argument

The one thing missing from all the talk about green energy replacing oil and gas is how much? What percentage of the billions of the BTUs provided by oil, gas and coal can solar, cooking oil, electric cars, etc., replace? Not enough is the most likely answer.

So when all these experts, from President Joe Biden down to the newest Houston Chronicle writer advocate shutting down fossil fuels and replacing them with green energy blather on, how is my house to be lit, heated and cooled in sufficient quantity?

Dave Feray, Tomball

Peace through strength

Regarding Thumbs up, down, (A13, May 22): The editorial staff of the Houston Chronicle gave a Thumbs Down to Sen. Ted Cruz for stating an obvious fact  we want and need a military that can win a war and stand for peace through strength.

I personally couldnt care less how diverse or inclusive or woke our military is as long as it is a strong military that wins wars.

Weakness invites aggression.

Strength ensures peace.

Bob Blumrick, Houston

Voter access

Regarding Room for optimism (A15, May 24): You called on Texans to contact the House and Senate members of the special conference committee on Senate Bill 7 to urge them to ensure voter access. The staff of one of the members refused to even take my comment because I am not in her district. Well, I am a Texan who will be affected by her contributions to the committee. That should be enough to at least listen to my comments.

Barbara Willis, Iowa Colony

Pray for rain?

Regarding Deluge drags on, floods roads, (A3, May 25): The next time we have drought conditions in Southeast Texas is there some way we can limit the number of people praying for rain?

Tom Hix, Houston

Blocking trains

Regarding Disruptions by parked trains have East End residents railing, (A1, May 24): Its about time something was said about parked trains. I live off of Telephone Road and Griggs Road and have left my house, seen the stopped train on Telephone, come back from my errands 45 minutes to an hour later to find them still standing on the tracks in the same spot! I have called 311 and they advise me to call police. HPD never comes so I call Precinct 6. Trains dont unload at this location so I dont know why they decide to block a major street. I have seen the speed the trains take when crossing Richmond Avenue near the Galleria and the speed when crossing Holcombe Street on Bellaire Boulevard. While we are on the subject they also sound their horns seven to 10 times while crossing Telephone from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m.

Marie Perez, Houston

State incompetence

Regarding I lost my best friend, (A1, May 24): For the families of 200 Texans, I lost my best friend could easily be I lost my husband, my wife, my child, my parent  who would be alive today were it not for the states incompetence and unwillingness to hold accountable and truly regulate those energy companies that failed us in February. It also speaks to the Legislatures priorities: the unborn are far more worthy of their attention than the born. Oh that those who mourn would also remember those responsible for their loss when they vote.

Gene Bruce, Conroe

Protecting patients

Regarding Group protests vaccine mandate for Houston Methodist employees, (A3, May 23): God bless Houston Methodist Hospital for its mandate to have all employees vaccinated against COVID-19! Houston Methodist continues to be patient centric and those who protest seem to put themselves ahead of protecting patient health.

C. Richard Stasney, Houston
Growing up in Odessa, my family had to eat in restaurant kitchens when we ate out because African Americans were banned from main dining areas.

Like other Black children, I was forced to attend a separate, but unequal public school. Movie theaters also had designated Colored sections. Golf courses, bowling alleys and country clubs were for whites only, unless Black people like me worked as waiters, bus boys or janitors. Among the most humiliating experiences Black people endured were on the road as families traveled to visit relatives in other cities. Public restrooms at gas stations were off limits to Black families, so men and boys carried jars for road trips, while women had no alternative but to relieve themselves in bushes on the side of the road. Ill never forget my family scouring the countrysides on road trips looking for the right place.

That isnt ancient history. It was the 1960s. Then, African Americans fought for the right to vote against Texas racist practices and laws. And in the subsequent decades as voter suppression measures were knocked down, we thought those battles were behind us. Now, we find them again at the forefront with the GOP-controlled Legislature leading the charge. This time, state leaders arent spelling their motives out in legislation, like the old Jim Crow I experienced growing up. This time its more subtle, cunning and cloaked.

That is why the Texas NAACP joined with LULAC and the League of Women Voters to amend Senate Bill 7. It should not have come to this because our state elections have proved to be secure, with no evidence of widespread fraud.

Confronted with a political anvil, we all worked with state House leaders to make a bad bill better, adding more than a dozen amendments to the bill passed out of the House. But that revised bill is in a conference committee, where it could be changed back to its original form passed by the Senate. To make matters worse, Senate leaders initially appointed a whites only conference committee, despite Latinos and African Americans making up nearly one-half of the states population. We are pleased that Speaker Dade Phelan included Latino and African-American lawmakers among his appointments after we made our concerns known.

That was intentional and reveals the true reason for the legislation: to lock out Black and brown citizens from any future state power-sharing arrangement, just like Jim Crow.

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.

Unlike in Georgia, Texas Republicans did extremely well in 2020 with former President Donald Trump winning the state; GOP leaders winning all statewide elections, including U.S. Senate; and Republicans winning a majority of legislative seats, and thus, maintaining control of both legislative chambers. Given that, there wasnt any justification for Republicans to do anything regarding the states voting system.

Unfortunately, voter oppression is in our states DNA. Its a tactic that both parties have used at various times throughout history to win and maintain power. Texas history reveals as much.

Even after the Emancipation Proclamation, Texas withheld freedom from enslaved residents. State leaders fought so vigorously against Black electoral participation that Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was required to send in Gen. Philip Sheridan to quell the disturbances after the war.

Jim Crow broke Reconstruction as Black elected officials were voted or intimidated out of office. Texas then adopted laws to continuously exclude African Americans from voting. White Texans went to the U.S. Supreme Court five times over 26 years to try and stymie the African American vote in Texas. Since passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the courts have found that Texas has discriminated against African Americans and/or Latinos during every decade of redistricting. Despite that history, our state has made strides. But as the old adage goes, history repeats itself when past lessons are ignored.

As the conference committee meets in private, voter suppression measures that are overly restrictive and punishing from the original Senate Bill 7 may be added back. For instance, the state no longer would process voter registration applications that contain minor mistakes or missing data. Another measure would make innocent mistakes criminal. Good Samaritan conduct also would be placed under exacting scrutiny. Those are the folks who help elderly voters, people with disabilities and citizens who dont speak English fluently with casting their ballots.

Most troubling is that partisan poll watchers would be able to video voters inside polling places, potentially compromising their right to cast private ballots or engaging in aggressive behavior that amounts to intimidation. The NAACP already has received numerous complaints regarding intimidation by partisan poll watchers. Its absurd to give them greater authority over citizens trying to vote.

There are too many ominous measures in the original bill to list, but one thing is certain: The sum and total of all of the measures are akin to Ku Klux Klan tactics that Grant sought to prevent. No need to don sheets because the government is pushing these measures in the light of day. It seems that the GOP-controlled Legislature is determined to repeat history. At the very least, lawmakers should go with the amended S B 7.

Bledsoe is the president of the Texas NAACP.
Caste is not well understood in the United States, even though it plays a significant role in the lives of Americans of South Asian descent. Two recent lawsuits make caste among the South Asian diaspora much more visible. They show that oppressed castes in the United States are doubly disadvantaged  by caste and race. Making caste a protected category under federal law will allow for the recognition of this double disadvantage.

Caste is a descent-based structure of inequality. In South Asia, caste privilege has worked through the control of land, labor, education, media, white-collar professions and political institutions. While power and status are more fluid in the intermediate rungs of the caste hierarchy, Dalits, the group once known as untouchables who occupy its lowest rung, have experienced far less social and economic mobility. To this day, they are stigmatized as inferior and polluting, and typically segregated into hazardous, low-status forms of labor.

The Indian government has many laws to combat caste prejudice and inequality. But attempts to provide oppressed castes with protection and redress  through affirmative action, for example  are met with fierce opposition from privileged castes. The past 20 years have also witnessed the rise of Dalit political movements and the emergence of a nascent middle class that has benefited from affirmative action. However, oppressed castes claims to dignity, well-being and rights are still routinely met with social ostracism, economic boycotts or physical violence.

Caste continues to operate in America, among the South Asian diaspora, but in a very different legal and economic context. Immigrants from India and other South Asian countries began arriving in large numbers after restrictive immigration policies based on rigid racial hierarchies were changed starting in the second half of the 20th century. These reforms provided opportunities mostly for privileged castes, like our own families, who have used their historical advantages to become an affluent and professionally successful racial minority in the United States.

Oppressed castes are a minority within this minority, and they continue to be subject to forms of caste discrimination and exploitation, as the two lawsuits make clear. Together, these cases show how caste operates within Americas racially stratified work force to create largely hidden, yet pernicious patterns of discrimination and exploitation. In both, the litigants are members of the oppressed caste Dalits.

One case is a discrimination suit filed in June 2020 against the technology conglomerate Cisco Systems Inc. and two supervisors by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing on behalf of a Dalit engineer. According to the lawsuit, Cisco failed to adequately address caste discrimination by two privileged-caste supervisors. The Dalit engineer alleges that one of the supervisors outed him as a beneficiary of Indian affirmative action. The lawsuit says that when he complained to the human resources department, both supervisors retaliated by denying him opportunities for advancement.

The plaintiff and one of the supervisors are graduates of the Indian Institutes of Technology, a set of elite public technical universities. When the Indian government extended caste-based affirmative action to these colleges in 1973 and 2006, students admitted through the quotas were met with fierce opposition and stigmatized as unworthy of an elite education. The fear of exposure has forced many Dalit students in India to pass as non-Dalits.

The Cisco case appears to shed light on the same patterns of caste discrimination in the U.S. tech sector. By allegedly outing the Dalit engineer, the supervisor marked his caste and, in effect, deemed him unworthy of his position at Cisco. The company has denied the allegations and said that its investigation found no grounds to support claims of caste discrimination or retaliation.

The other case shows how stark differences of caste power and status may be carried over from South Asia to America, a situation that can lead to labor exploitation. In May 2021, lawyers representing a group of Dalit workers filed a lawsuit against the Hindu sect known as BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) and related parties. The workers allege that they were brought to the United States on visas designated for religious workers to help build a temple in New Jersey. They claim that they were forced to work for more than 87 hours a week for $450 a month, or less than $2 an hour. Furthermore, they said they were not allowed to leave the temple property unaccompanied, were constantly monitored and were threatened with pay cuts, arrest and expulsion to India if they spoke to outsiders. BAPS has denied the allegations.

If the charges are proved to be true, BAPS will have weaponized the American visa system to violate U.S. labor and immigration law and engage in caste exploitation. But the situation is different in South Asia than it is in the United States. In South Asia, there is legal recourse for oppressed-caste rights. In the United States, however, there is little recourse. The lack of explicit legal protection for caste creates the conditions of impunity for caste exploitation.

Making caste a protected category is a critical step toward addressing the problem of caste in America. To protect oppressed castes in the United States, we have to be willing to insist that civil rights extend to communities whose oppression is still hidden.

Chakravartty is a professor of media and communication at New York University who has written extensively about race, migration and labor in the United States and India. Subramanian is a professor of anthropology and South Asian studies at Harvard University and has written extensively about caste and democracy in India. This opinion was published by the New York Times.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, center, greets President Moon Jae-in during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Wall of Remembrance at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., May 21 (local time). On right is Hogan's wife, Yumi Hogan. Captured from Maryland government website



By Nam Hyun-woo



The U.S. state of Maryland will commit $250,000 to support the maintenance of the Wall of Remembrance at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is married to a Korean American, Yumi Hogan.



The state government said Tuesday it will donate $250,000 to the Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation to support the wall, the construction of which started on May 21 (local time) during President Moon Jae-in's visit to the U.S. for a summit with his counterpart Joe Biden.



"The State of Maryland has a deep and abiding friendship with the people of South Korea," Hogan was quoted as saying by the state government. "We are proud to be part of this historic international effort to remember and honor those brave souls who gave their lives during the Korean War. This new wall will be yet another reminder of the immeasurable cost of war and the immense price of freedom."



The wall's construction was authorized by the U.S. Congress in 2016 to commemorate the 36,595 U.S. Armed Forces members and 7,174 Korean Augmentation to the United States Army (KATUSA) soldiers who were killed during the 1950-53 Korean War. When completed in June next year, the 1-meter-high and 50-meters-wide wall will carry more than 10,000 panels bearing the names of those who lost their lives in the war. The Korean government will fund $23.6 million for the construction.



According to the state, more than 15,000 Marylanders served in the Korean War, including 531 who were killed.



"Those veterans were American sons and daughters who participated in the war to protect the country which they didn't know and people whom they had never met before," Moon said during the ground breaking ceremony. "Thanks to their commitment and sacrifice, South Korea was able to protect freedom and peace and achieve the prosperity of today."



Along with the Maryland government, 12 counties in the state have pledged to donate for the wall; Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, and Talbot.



Governor Hogan and his wife are known for their close relationship with Korea. In April last year, when the U.S. was falling short of COVID-19 test kits, the state acquired 500,000 kits from Korea's LabGenomics. In April this year, Yumi Hogan expressed her hopes of supporting Korea's efforts to secure coronavirus vaccines.


People caught illegally dumping in Houston now will face a steeper fine, after City Council approved a measure doubling the penalty.

The council unanimously approved hiking the fine to $4,000, the maximum amount allowed under the law.

This is to make people pay for illegally dumping, Mayor Sylvester Turner said. It makes things far, far worse, its unattractive, its not safe. Its a public health problem.

Turner, who characterized the citys efforts against illegal dumping as an all-out attack, also encouraged judges to enforce the law sternly.

Illegal dumping can range from a Class C misdemeanor  akin to a parking ticket  to a state jail felony, depending on the weight of the trash and whether the person previously has been caught dumping. Most cases involve Class B misdemeanors, or between five and 500 pounds. Enforcement is somewhat rare as it is difficult to identify perpetrators if they are not caught on camera.

The measure received wide acclaim from council members, who have noted anecdotal increases in dumping of late.

It should be more, Councilmember Tarsha Jackson said of the fine hike.

The city earlier this month approved regulations on donation boxes, which often attract dumping. Several council members have used their own budgets to fund hot teams to survey their districts and pick up dumping sites.

Turner has said he also will explore expanding workdays for the citys six depositories  which are open only four days a week  and dropping requirements that residents bring a drivers license and utility bill to dump there. He also plans to use reserve funds to hire contractors to help Solid Waste catch up on missed heavy trash services, and is working on a drive to hire more than 100 drivers for the department.

dylan.mcguinness@chron.com
As political rivals likely to clash in the 2022 Republican primary elections, Attorney General Ken Paxton and Land Commissioner George P. Bush are already bashing each other in public and preparing campaign events. But away from that stage, theyre codefendants in a new civil lawsuit that puts them, more or less, on the same team.

Bush has said hes seriously considering challenging Paxton and has invited supporters to a campaign kickoff event on June 2 in Austin without specifying the office for which hell be running. The race is set to be the blockbuster match-up at the top of the ballot next March.

ALSO READ: Trump says he'll endorse in 2022 Texas Attorney General Republican primary

The suit, filed in federal court in Galveston on Monday, centers on an allegation by two private homeowners of Surfside Beach in Brazoria County that an order issued by Bush and enforced by Paxton unconstitutionally moved up the boundary of public beach onto their properties. The two are being sued in their official capacities; neither office immediately responded to a request for comment.

The March 29 order moves the line to 200 feet inland of the mean low-tide line for the next two years. The General Land Office said in a notice that the move was made because of damage caused by Hurricane Laura and Tropical Storm Beta that obliterated the vegetation line.

This Temporary Order is necessary to give the beach and dune system time to recover naturally from the meteorological events and establish a new line of vegetation, the notice reads.

The plaintiffs argue the order is unconstitutional because the government has illegally taken control of their land without compensation and deprived the homeowners of their due process rights.

Thats not how under the law youre allowed to take private property for the public beach, said J. David Breemer, an attorney for the Pacific Legal Foundation, who is representing property owners. Theres nothing in Texas law that allows you to just put the public beach at a place you think it should be or where you think the vegetation line is.

Breemer said the Land Office unlawfully disregarded the Texas Supreme Courts 2012 ruling that said the Open Beaches Act, which the attorney generals office said authorized the 200-foot line, does not apply in cases in which a storm causes the erosion that prompts a boundary change. The state should have gone to court to get permission to move the boundary, the plaintiffs contend.

BACKGROUND: Land Commissioner Bush backs 2012 beach access court decision

But beyond that, when you do that, youre taking private property, he said. Youre in essence turning private lawns into a public beach park by fiat.

As for the prospect of some potentially awkward depositions or hearings attended by the likely primary opponents, Breemer said he couldnt comment on that because Im not attuned to Texas politics.

But he added: I hope they will sit down and realize it was a mistake to draw a line and say this is the new public beach.

taylor.goldenstein@chron.com
Former President Donald Trump says will make an endorsement in the 2022 Republican primary race for Texas Attorney General, in which incumbent Ken Paxton is likely to face off against Land Commissioner George P. Bush.

I like them both very much, Trump said in a statement to CNN on Tuesday. I'll be making my endorsement and recommendation to the great people of Texas in the not-so-distant future.

Bush has not yet announced his candidacy, but he has invited supporters to a campaign kickoff event planned for June 2 without saying for what office and last month said hes seriously considering challenging Paxton.

Bush also tweeted Monday that he had spoken with Trump about the fight to put America first in Texas and teasing: Big things coming soon!

The nephew of former President George W. Bush and son of former Florida governor and 2016 presidential candidate Jeb Bush broke from his famous political family by being the only one to support Trump.

Paxton, meanwhile, has also been a strong supporter of the former president  most significantly when he carried a suit written by Trumps lawyers to the U.S. Supreme Court attempting to overturn the presidents loss in the 2020 election, which failed spectacularly.

Bob Owen, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Trump supported both Paxton and Bush in their 2018 re-election races.

Paxtons support from top Texas Republicans is far from guaranteed as the states top lawyer will enter the race with a 5-year-old criminal indictment for felony securities fraud hanging over his head, as well as an ongoing FBI investigation into a complaint from eight of his top aides accusing Paxton of bribery and abuse of office. Paxton has maintained his innocence in both cases.

Bush has seized on that vulnerability as he hints at a primary challenge. A Democratic challenger who clobbered Paxton over his securities fraud case in 2018, Austin municipal attorney Justin Nelson, came within 5 percentage points of the incumbent.

There have been some serious allegations levied against the current attorney general," Bush said in an interview with Dallas radio host Mark Davis in April. Personally, I think that the top law enforcement official in Texas needs to be above reproach  I think character matters and integrity matters.

taylor.goldenstein@chron.com
DALLAS (AP)  A Southwest Airlines flight attendant was assaulted by a passenger and lost two teeth in the attack last weekend, according to a union president, who complained to the airlines CEO about unruly passengers.

Unfortunately, this is just one of many occurrences, said the union president, Lyn Montgomery. She said there were 477 incidents of misconduct by passengers on Southwest planes between April 8 and May 15.

A Southwest spokesman said Tuesday that the incident happened Sunday morning after a flight from Sacramento landed in San Diego and involved a female passenger.

The passenger repeatedly ignored standard inflight instructions and became verbally and physically abusive upon landing, said the spokesman, Chris Mainz. He said police were asked to meet the plane when it arrived in San Diego, and the passenger was taken into custody.

Neither the passenger nor the flight attendant were identified. The flight attendant went to a hospital for treatment and was later released. Southwest flew a friend to San Diego to be with her.

The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday that airlines have reported 2,500 incidents of unruly passengers this year, including 1,900 cases in which passengers refused to wear face masks, which are required by federal rule. The FAA provided those numbers as it announced it was seeking civil penalties totaling $54,500 against five passengers for behavior ranging from refusing to wear a mask to assaulting flight attendants.

Ive been in the industry since 1992, and this is the worst ever, Montgomery said in an interview. People seem to be more angry. When theyre asked to do something, compliance seems to be more difficult.

Southwest and most airlines train flight attendants to de-escalate tense situations with unhappy travelers. Montgomery said those tactics are growing less effective and a small number of passengers are becoming bolder in challenging the authority of crew members.

Montgomery, the president of Local 556 of the Transport Workers Union, wrote about the weekend attack in a letter to Southwest CEO Gary Kelly.

Montgomery asked Kelly to lobby federal officials for more federal air marshals on flights and to ban passengers who violate rules instead of putting them on another flight. She said flight attendants are concerned about Southwest's plan to resume selling alcohol on board planes. Many recent cases that have caught FAAs attention involving passengers who were drinking.
Houston, MO (65483)

Today

Mostly cloudy in the morning with scattered thunderstorms developing later in the day. High 89F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 69F. Winds light and variable.
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

Mostly cloudy in the morning with scattered thunderstorms developing later in the day. High near 80F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Some clouds early will give way to generally clear conditions overnight. Low around 65F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 79F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low near 65F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
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South Korea and Indonesia on Wednesday agreed to expand economic ties to overcome challenges from the new coronavirus pandemic and seek green growth.







Industry Minister Moon Sung-wook met his Indonesian counterpart, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, in Seoul to discuss a wide array of bilateral economic issues, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.







During the meeting, Seoul and Jakarta vowed to jointly make efforts in rolling out the so-called Green New Deal policies, which center on seeking more sustainable development and reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.







The two countries agreed to speed up a process to fully implement the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), an equivalent of a free trade agreement, which was signed in December last year.







Seoul and Jakarta are both awaiting parliamentary approval.







Moon also requested Indonesia continue offering support to South Korean businesses based in the Southeast Asian country.







The two ministers shared ideas on improving the business environment for various industries, including automobiles, rechargeable batteries and textiles. (Yonhap)


How the music industry failed to answer Marvin Gayes call: Whats Going On

In year full of anniversarys Marvin Gayes classic 1971 hit Whats Going On is turning 50. Here, Fred Jacobs explores the risks Gaye took in creating the song, and how it has endured and remained alarmingly relevant in the present day.

Guest post by Fred Jacobs of Jacobs Media Strategies

Among other things, 2021 seems to be the year of the Golden Anniversary.

Every time you turn around, something or someone iconic is turning 50.

In my world, recent celebrations have included WRIF and NPR. And then theres Disney World, Amtrak, and yes, the invention of the frozen margarita. Theyve all turned the Big 5-0.

But one that caught me by surprise last week was the 50th anniversary of one of the most important songs in music history  Marvin Gayes Whats Going On, originally released in January of 1971.

Last week, Detroits Motown Museum was the centerpiece of the celebration of an amazing song that walked the fine line between protest and spirituality. It was an important musical statement about what was going on in America during that time.

And the fact it not only endures today, but retains its relevance, both musically and lyrically is an amazing tribute to Gaye. Brian McCollum, the Detroit Free Press music columnist, wrote a wonderful story about the Motown superstar, the amazing song itself, and how it still resonates in 2021. I recommend you read it.

Perhaps part of the issue is that we havent come that far in so many ways since then. Social justice, the state of our cities, the environment, and national and international instability were all topics addressed in a song that has always struck me not just as a statement of our times, but a question about who we are.

The fact Whats Going On eerily fits in with the mosaic of our chaotic lives today is a proof positive of Gayes ability to transform himself from one of Motowns best soul artists to a self-aware musician who had important stories to tell. And in 1971, he had the stones to tell them.

Like Steve Wonders Innervisions album and the Temptations Ball of Confusion, Gayes anthem about those uncertain times elicited great doubt from his boss, Barry Gordy, Motowns powerful founder and chief, who worried his artist was drifting away from his pop/soul core.

And it brings to mind the missed opportunities of the past year  or maybe past five years  when an equally anxious America was shaken to its core by social injustice, environmental crises, and of course, the pandemic, and all the disruption these events sowed.

By Eric Koch / Anefo

The fact that President Nixon was fighting a war in Vietnam while a half century later, President Trump was battling his own demons in the war against the coronavirus provide yet another analogy that inexorably binds then and now together, even though theyre five decades apart.

And that calls into question something Ive wondered about for several years, but especially during 2020, the Year of COVID, along with the Black Lives Matter movement and a Presidential election like no other.

Books, movies, TV mini-series, documentaries, and other cultural manifestations will soon be written and produced that address what was going on in America last year. It takes time and perspective to conceive them, create them, and release them.

But music can be made in the moment. And while it took Marvin Gaye months to visualize, write, and record Whats Going On, it is hard to imagine why an important artist of today  from any genre  hasnt taken a chance on making a musical statement about the here and now. There certainly is a lot to sing about.

Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of George Floyds death, an important bookmark of 2020, a year none of us will ever forget. But none of it was memorialized in a song that captured the focus of millions of Americans.

A fascinating aspect of Gayes masterwork is that rather than pointing fingers or expressing anger, his song is more of an insightful statement of the times, sung by a weary, worried musical observer commenting on the state of his city  and his world.

Yes, music is often an escape. While Gaye was busy producing Whats Going On, Lobo gave us Me And You And A Dog Named Boo, Donny Osmond hit the charts with Go Away Little Girl, and one-hit wonder Jean Knight had a hit with Mr. Big Stuff. The pop charts could be as irrelevant and vapid then as they are today.

While the music of that era fueled the big Top 40 stations from KHJ to WABC to CKLW, FM rock stations were playing a different soundtrack: The Whos Wont Get Fooled Again, Ten Years Afters Id Love to Change the World, and Cat Stevens Peace Train also hit the radio airwaves in 71, making their marks.

Put your streaming stats away, as well as the profit and loss statements the big labels enjoyed last year. It was another banal year of music, with few exceptions. The Grammys can blame its all-time horrific ratings once again this year on the pandemic or on the fact that every awards show is struggling to attract viewers. A record low 8.8 million viewers bothered to watch Americas historic music awards show, down from 2020s then record low 18.7 million viewers. The show  and the music industry itself  is failing to resonate with todays consumers.

It also has to be a statement about the reticence of many big artists, afraid to step away from their carefully crafted images and calculated brand strategies to send a different message to fans looking for answers in the music over the air or in their earbuds.

Thats what Marvin Gaye did in 1971 with Whats Going On.

Rather than crippling his career, he redefined it. The song (which hit #2 on the Billboard charts) broke Gaye out of the Motown stable and into a class by himself. And it inspired an entire generation looking for an anthem of their times.

Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of George Floyds death. That no song or contemporary artist has emerged in the same fashion in 2020 as a marker of these times may be attributable to a very different music and audio environment today, dominated by playlists and podcasts, rather than by radio airplay where we once communally experienced the same music played at the same time.

But it may also be the result of playing it safe, not wanting to offend any segment of an increasingly volatile and contentious public, willing at the drop of a song to take to social media to express their umbrage and outrage.

Oddly enough, the so-called culture wars that infect our society and our discourse were alive and well 50 years ago. America was divided then, as it is now, and the volume and anger were just as loud and just as palpable.

I am sure I will hear from some on this post, telling me about songs that came out last year with important messages and metaphors. And I dont doubt for a moment they exist.

But the fact these musical reflections of our times failed to break through and become part of the soundtrack of 2020 is a statement in and of itself. Thats part of what makes Marvin Gayes feat of 1971 even more significant. For whatever the reason, it apparently cant be done today.

Whats going on?

Fred Jacobs: President & Founder at Jacobs Media.

Fred Jacobs founded Jacobs Media in 1983, and quickly became known for the creation of the Classic Rock radio format.

Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.

In 2008, jacapps was launched  a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created  a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the connected car and its impact.

Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Medias commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.

Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.

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Pro-Kremlin media have mobilised a common  and flawed  instrument. In literature on Ethics, its referred to as the  Golden Rationalisation(opens in a new tab)   the notion that an unethical or criminal act is supposed to be less unethical or criminal if everybody does it. If others lie, steal, or cheat  why shouldnt I be allowed to do it?

On 23 May, a Belarusian fighter jet intercepted Ryanair flight FR4987 en route from Athens to Vilnius. The Minsk Air Control reported a bomb on board the aircraft and demanded the flight redirected to Minsk. As the plane landed, a dissident journalist wanted by the Belarusian authorities for extremism was detained. No bombs were found. In the afternoon 24 May, Belarusian authorities claimed(opens in a new tab) that the Palestinian terrorist organisation Hamas had organised the bomb threat, allegedly to force the EU to demand an Israeli cease-fire in Gaza. This came several days after a cease-fire had already been negotiated(opens in a new tab).

This incident drew virtually unanimous international condemnation. Michael OLeary, CEO of Ireland-based Ryanair, describes the incident as state-sponsored hijacking(opens in a new tab). Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney calls it aviation-piracy that is state-sponsored(opens in a new tab). Most of the passengers on board the aircraft were Lithuanians, and Lithuanian authorities are currently investigating the incident as an act of terrorism(opens in a new tab).

Pro-Kremlin media suggest that everybody forces down passenger liners with fighter jets. Russias Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova(opens in a new tab) asks the West not to apply double standards to Belarus, as everybody does it! Her boss, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov(opens in a new tab), follows the same talking points: everybody does it!:

The most famous episode was in 2013, when Austria, after demands from the US, forced the airplane of the President of Bolivia to land, without giving any excuses. Less known is the incident in 2016, when an aircraft of the Belarusian airlines was forced to land in Kyiv, as Ukrainian Security Service was interested in an Armenian citizen on board the flight. He was taken off the flight, and the plane could depart. No apologies followed.

Here one must correct Mr Lavrov: The president of Ukraine actually apologised(opens in a new tab) for the incident and offered financial compensation to the airline.

According to The Washington Post(opens in a new tab), none of the examples cited by Ms Zakharova and others involved bomb scares or crackdowns on the political opposition.

State News Agency RIA Novosti suggests that hijacking civilian aircraft is usual practice for security services everywhere/globally. Everybody does it! The agency forgets to mention that in the Ryanair case, the passenger plane was intercepted by a MiG-29 fighter jet belonging to the Belarusian Airforce, armed with air-to-air missiles.

Overall, the pro-Kremlin ecosystem has quickly adopted to the Everybody does it defence. The narrative is repeated in English(opens in a new tab), German(opens in a new tab), Spanish(opens in a new tab), Arabic(opens in a new tab); we read the same lines in pro-Kremlin media of Azerbaijan(opens in a new tab), Georgia(opens in a new tab), Ukraine(opens in a new tab) and Serbia(opens in a new tab). Everybody does the Everybody does it.

Kremlin-managed social media messaging is a little more diverse. RT editor-in-chief-Margarita Simonyan praises Lukashenkos decision to use fighter jets against civilian aircraft. (opens in a new tab)Similar praise is relayed in Telegram channels sympathetic (and quite likely linked) to Belarusian authorities(opens in a new tab).

What else does everybody do?

Sadly, this is not the first instance when the Everybody does it! defence is invoked. The EUvsDisinfo database on disinformation contains a number of examples illustrating this line of conduct. According to the distorted logic of pro-Kremlin, it was OK to illegally annex Crimea, because the West recognised Kosovo. Russian violence against street protests is OK because there have been isolated instances of violence in street protests in Europe. Russian doping is OK because all countries use doping

Justifying theft, violence, or drugs with the argument that everybody does it is no defence. The annexation of Crimea is a widely recognized violation of international law; the Russian police hard-handed crackdown on demonstrations in January 2021 was a violation of Russian law, and doping is simply cheating, which is punishable by international sports authorities. Whether or not others have violated the same laws is irrelevant.
THE promise of smart cities is clear: a more liveable space for citizens which in turn, fosters a better environment for businesses to flourish and grow, leading to greater economic growth. Governments in South-east Asia have been building up critical infrastructure and rolling out technologies to support their vision of smart cities. Indeed, Singapore is one of the strongest advocates for smart cities, and has been key in proposing the establishment of the Asean Smart Cities Network.

Yet, the race to fulfil this vision is not without its risks. Increased connectivity means more opportunities for cybercriminals to launch attacks and with the interconnectivity of smart systems, self-propagating malware can easily take down key systems rapidly and lead to breakdowns of critical services.

Case in point, the most recent ransomware attack launched on the United States' fuel pipeline operator Colonial Pipeline caused the shutdown of its entire network - the source of nearly half of the US east coast's fuel supply. While the damage of such magnitude caused by cyberattacks has not surfaced in Singapore, these incidents hammer home a valuable lesson in the importance of having a clear, effective cyber defence strategy.

In today's connected landscape, how can governments mitigate the risks of cyber threats and build secure and safe smart cities? Here are four key considerations that are critical for smart cities to mitigate digital risks and better position themselves against cyber threats.

#1 Stay ahead with strategic cyber intelligence

Staying one step ahead of these cyberattacks will require a thorough understanding of knowing where to look, who the threat actors are, what they are after, when they are planning to launch an attack and how they intend to do so. Smart city cyber-defenders must be proactive to gain a pre-emptive advantage. They need to be looking into the deepest, darkest corners on the Internet.

Over 94 per cent of the world's information reside in the deep and dark Webs, which are frequented by cyber-threat actors trading restricted information ranging from academic and research data, to financial and medical records.

To minimise the fear of data breaches and cyberthreats, smart cities must adopt an intelligence-centric mindset and leverage deep technology to monitor these platforms. Predictive detection capabilities will take the element of surprise away from these cyberattacks, allowing cybersecurity agencies to take action swiftly and prevent data exfiltration and loss.

#2 Fight AI-powered attacks with AI-powered self-defence systems

Similar to how our immune system continuously self-monitors, learns and heals when faced with anomalies, the next frontier of cybersecurity solutions should have the ability to identify abnormal foreign activities or programmes through adaptive machine learning.

An automated, self-defence cybersecurity system powered by AI and predictive analytical technologies will be able to define normal and abnormal statuses, monitor the system 24/7, and respond to and recover from new threats. Having such a system will reduce the risk of attacks significantly and reduce the attractiveness of being a hacking target for threat actors.

#3 Rethink regulatory environment for cybersecurity

While governments may have enacted cyber laws, many are proving to be challenging to enforce. There are a few areas where improvements can be made and scaled.

For a start, incident reporting can be made mandatory. This will create a body of research data that can provide insights on threats to the nation (and cities) and inform the government on strategies it can undertake to strengthen their cyber posture. Imposing mandatory risk and vulnerability assessments will also be helpful in identifying threats early and conduct remediations to close any cybersecurity gaps. Commencing attack vector assessments can help uncover new attack surfaces as businesses adopt new digital formats and services.

Additionally, nations can cultivate a cyber reward culture where the discovery of bugs and vulnerabilities are rewarded, providing an incentive for the cybersecurity community to share their knowledge and promote joint solutioning.

#4 Adopt a people, technology, process and governance framework

As much as cybersecurity is a technology problem, we (humans) are part of the equation contributing to it. Cyber hygiene needs to be emphasised and practised religiously. Employees and individuals need to be educated on cyber threats and risks, given the prevalence of phishing attacks and social engineering hacking campaigns.

From the technology perspective, the public sector and businesses alike should incorporate layered defences with data and endpoint security, gateway-based security, automating scanning, monitoring and malware removal. Antivirus solution, data loss detection and protection, and VPN solutions must not be overlooked.

With processes, cybersecurity teams should conduct threat profiling, creation of threat segmentation, zoning and risk containment. A habit of backing data daily would be a good policy to adopt too.

Finally, when it comes to governance, a good cyber threat visibility and intelligence programme will be vital in completing a well-rounded cybersecurity strategy.

Cyber threats and risks will always be present in our increasingly connected world. Nonetheless, given the immense potential that smart cities can bring to the economy and in bettering the lives of citizens, nations should not let the risks be a factor that derails their smart city initiatives.

By understanding and gaining intelligence of where threats lie, adopting effective cybersecurity measures and putting up strong cyber walls, cities can become smarter and safer.

Source: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion/smarter-and-safer-cities-with-effective-cybersecurity-measures
Lee Bank Foundation Awards $56,500 to Berkshire County Organizations

LEE, Mass.  Lee Bank Foundation awarded a total of $56,500 to 12 Berkshire-based community organizations, in the foundation's first 2021 round of grants.

Recipients were awarded grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support their work on social justice issues, environmental conservation, food and housing security. Included in the awards are a series of Arts Access Grants for arts and culture organizations to expand ticket access for underserved audiences.

Recipients include:

Berkshire Center for Justice

Berkshire Community Diaper Project

Berkshire Grown

Berkshire Natural Resource Council

Community Access to the Arts

Construct

Greenagers

Roots Rising

Arts Access Grants of $1,000 each were awarded to: the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Norman Rockwell Museum, WAM Theater and Berkshire Theatre Group.

"It was great to see proposals from such a wide range of organizations," said Foundation board member Jenn Gomez. "We look forward to seeing how our awardees put the funds to use to further their mission and benefit our community."
A mural by artist Gaia will be painted on the north side of the high rise beginning in June.

Ashland Street Apartment Building Mural to Be Painted in June

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Housing Authority Director Jennifer Hohn was excited to announce to the board of commissioners on Monday that work on the proposed Ashland Park Apartments mural should begin June 11.

"It will be starting up in a few weeks," she said. "It will be awesome."

It was announced in 2020 that artist Gaia was commissioned for the mural that will be installed on the north side of the high-rise building.

The mural was influenced by the input of more than 200 survey responses by building and community residents.

The mural is also inspired by horticulturalist Lue Gim Gong , a Chinese immigrant who, after moving to the state of Florida from North Adams, developed the Valencia orange in 1911.

The mural is part of of the Ashland Street Initiative, a project to enhance and beautify the area between downtown North Adams and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Inspired by the Eagle Street Initiative, the citizens' group behind that project, NAMAzing, teamed with Common Folk Artist Collective, Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, and the city to bring some of the same placemaking and artistic touches to the Ashland corridor.

The commission also discussed a proposed change within NAHA that would allow tenants to pay their rent directly to the bank online or even at Walmart.

"This is a great thing and if we can remove any barrier to payment, even if it psychological," Commissioner Kate Merrigan said.

Program Manager Lisa LaBonte gave a fire update and said the restoration process at the Greylock Apartments should begin shortly.

"That work should begin in the next couple of weeks," she said. "They are waiting on a few things."

In January, an apartment block in the Greylock Valley Apartments was severely damaged by fire leaving several families homeless.

LaBonte said NAHA are still housing two displaced tenants and another two are being housed at the Holiday Inn.

Information technology manager Jason Morin said he has made some progress on establishing free internet for all residents in NAHA.

"I am still trying to line all the ducks up," he said. "There are a lot of parts to this project, but it is looking good."

He said he has received a proposal from Dojo Networks, which has provided different cost tiers and ways to implement the wifi throughout the buildings. He said there also may be grant opportunities available.

Morin said he could have a proposal for the commission to vote on next month.
A bird's eye view of the fire from earlier on Tuesday by Nick Mantello, the North Adams Fire Department's official photographer.

North Adams Scrap Yard Fire Contained



North Adams Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre updates on the fire with Mayor Thomas Bernard, right, and Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson. NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Dozens of firefighters labored through the day to bring a raging fire at a local scrap yard under control.

Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre said the blaze has largely been contained but that crews will be working through the night to dig out the fires burning in the 100-foot long pile of automotive debris. He was hopeful it would be out by morning.

"There's a small area of fire still burning, we're still working to pull it apart. The pile is deep, and its rooted in the pile," said Lefebvre, speaking at the incident command center Tuesday evening. "It's about a two-story pile of rubble."

The fire started when a spark ignited gasoline still in a vehicle being cut up for scrap. George Apkin & Sons has been dealing with metal scrap at the end of Melody Lane since 1956.

The five-acre scrap yard lies between the railroad tracks and the Hoosic River and down a long lane, making access to water difficult. One hose was run from the hydrant at the former Sons of Italy and tankers filled up at the hydrant at Sarah T. Haskins School to replenish a pool setup at the scene.

There had been a question about nonfunctioning hydrants reported in the Ashland Street area. Lefebvre said he was only aware of one that had caused trouble and that the Water Department had responded and "got them hooked up to a hydrant that was working." He didn't know if was a matter of low pressure, which had been affecting lines because of the amount of water being drawn.

An approach on Ashland Street that was mounted by the Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Department ended about 6 and the street was to be opened by 7 p.m. The firefighters had been using a ladder truck to shoot water over the railroad tracks douse the blaze.

Fire crews from around Western Mass were descending on North Adams to spell local firefighters who had been battling the blaze since 10 on Tuesday morning. About 40-50 firefighters at a time have been working the fire.

"All crews that were working here today have been released for rehab and they'll be returning at six o'clock in the morning," Lefebvre said. The numbers included all available members from the city department.

"Effective at 6 p.m. this evening, a task force under the Mass Fire Mobilization Plan from Hampshire County is providing relief for the first-responders locally, and will provide fire management and containment support overnight under the command of the North Adams Fire Department," said Mayor Thomas Bernard. "Preliminary assessments by the [state] DEP and the Division of Fire Services indicate no significant air quality risks to the community from the fire and monitoring is ongoing. All residents and businesses may return to normal operations."

Black smoke and flames had billowed over the city causing Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts to evacuate its campus and the nearby Cumberland Farms to shut down its gasoline pumps. Residents were advised to close windows and shut off air conditioning units to avoid the smoky haze and burning odor that permeated the city.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, the state Department of Environmental Protection's air quality monitoring team and state Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Division responded to test the toxicity of the fumes from the junkyard fire. Air monitors were set up at various points and will be there through the night, the mayor said. The air was determined to clear, if smelly, and residents were advised they could open the windows and go outside by late afternoon.

Local fire companies batting the blaze or shuttling tanker water to the scene included Adams, Adams Fire Wardens, Clarksburg, Florida, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, Lee, Otis, Peru, Richmond, Sheffield, Stamford, Vt., Williamstown and Windsor. Arriving late Tuesday were Amherst, Orange, South Hadley and Westhampton, and more were expected to arrive during the night or in the morning to take over.

"These relationships are unbelievably important, critically important that we are receiving support from throughout Berkshire County from into Vermont and from Hampshire County and I believe Franklin's on point for the for the morning," said Bernard, referring also to the wildland fire last week that many of these same volunteer companies had fought.

Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson, regional coordinator for Western Mass, explained the extended mutual aid situation on Tuesday.

"We have run cards, as we call them, teams that are prepared," he said. "If an incident happens in whatever region, there's a specific group of towns that are going to respond to that whether it's forestry, structural, task force tankers, and so on."

This allows for exhausted fire crews to be rotated out, particularly during a large and lengthy fire, Anderson said. "This is a prescribed Massachusetts plan statewide, so that we can go from one end of the state to the other with prescribed mutual aid."

Tired firefighters were being provided with food and drink through Northern Berkshire EMS. Amalio Jusino, also a member of the Northern Berkshire Emergency Planning Committee, said food had been brought in from Angelina's Sub Shop and that McCann Technical School students would be providing breakfast on Wednesday.

They were also getting donations from the community as well as using some of the overwhelming amount of water and nonperishables donated at last week's wildland fire. "People should know we are using what they generously donated," Jusino said.
North Adams City Council Seeking Applicants for Vacant Seat

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Citizens interested in serving on the City Council have until Friday noon to submit a letter of interest.

The council on Tuesday voted to solicit interest in filling the seat left vacant on the nine-person council by the resignation of President Paul Hopkins last week. Hopkins stepped down because he is moving out of the area.

The last two vacancies had been filled by the 10th candidate on the ballot, a move that Councilor Wayne Wilkinson advocated for.

"I'm a firm believer that person that is on City Council should have been voted by the people," he said. "I know in the past that we've asked letters of interest, and that the council then gets together and goes over those letters of interest. The bottom line is, some of those people nobody ever voted for.

"I maybe somewhat prejudiced of this voting from the point that I came in No. 10 once, and I was voted back to the council."

Wilkinson was voted back on the council in 2017 after coming in 10th by 51 votes in his re-election bid. He filled the seat left vacant by the resignation of Nancy Bullet. He also nominated Councilor Peter Oleskiewicz , another 10th-place candidate, to fill the vacant seat of Robert Moulton Jr. last August. Oleskiewicz said he was willing to go whichever way the council wanted.

In both cases, the election of the 10th place candidate was accompanied by a solicitation of letters of interest that were reviewed by the council before voting. In this case, it wouldn't be the 10th-place finisher but rather the 11th, Bryan Sapienza who placed 17 votes behind Oleskiewicz in the 2019 election. Sapienza has run several times before and has taken out nomination papers for the November election.

The process was recommended by Councilor Lisa Blackmer in a communication to the council.

"I thought that it was important to get the process going so I put this on the agenda because we had already had Councilor Hopkins resignation before we had to file our council papers," she said. "My suggestion is that we announce today at the meeting, the process that we were going to use."

The candidates who submitted letters would be allowed to speak at the next meeting as part of the agenda. Then the council would discuss and vote.

Blackmer had suggested a June 4 as a deadline with a vote at the council's meeting on June 8, or a special meeting on June 1 so the new councilor could vote at the June 8 meeting.

"It's whatever the council's pleasure is," she said. "I just wanted to make sure that we move forward quickly with this because the June meetings and the meeting in July are kind of important."

Councilor Keith Bona was concerned that there would not be enough time to get the word out and have interested people get a letter in by Friday. He was, however, for soliciting letters rather than giving the seat by fiat, noting one time a councilor left and the 10th person had been in jail.

If it was closer to the election, would the council fill the seat, he wondered. It didn't when the late Clark Billings resigned two months before the 2009 election. "I think there was one time the council actually considered, would we put someone in place and say who was a former councilor who had no interest in running, and that way it took any politics or advantage out of the election," he said.

The council voted unanimously to request letters of interest to the city clerk's office by noon on Friday, May 28. A special meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 1, so the new councilor will be able to participate in the budget process.

In other business:

 Councilor Jason LaForest was sworn in as president, having been vice president. His first meeting was unfortunately troubled with technical issues when video would not work on Zoom. He said he hoped to return in person to council chambers the first meeting in June. Councilors Jessica Sweeney and Benjamin Lamb were not in attendance.

 The council affirmed the hiring of Marcus Lander as assistant city clerk. Wilkinson objected that the council had not even interviewed Lander and voted against; the charter gives the clerk the authority to hire her assistant with the confirmation of the council.

 Scheduled a joint hearing with the Planning Board on June 14 for a change in the zoning ordinances that would give the board more authority to compel compliance with special permits.

 Approved the appointments of Peter Breen and Michael Goodson to the License Board for terms to expire June 1, 2027; and Kyle Hanlon to the Redevelopment Authority for a term to expire June 1, 2025.

 Passed compensation and classification plans for the Police, Fire and Public Service Departments that include 1.5 percent raises retroactive to July 1, 2020. These are based on negotiated contracts with the public unions.

 Referred an ordinance change allowing at least two non-residents of the city to serve on the Airport Commission to General Government.

 Mayor Thomas Bernard read a proclamation in support of Pride Month, this June.
Georgian Ambassador to Korea Otar Berdzenishvili holds an amber-colored natural wine from Georgia, created through the country's 8,000-year-long winemaking tradition that continues to this day, at the Embassy of Georgia to Korea in Yongsan District, Seoul, May 18. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



Georgia celebrates independence on May 26



By Kwon Mee-yoo



Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia is a country of rich history and diverse culture.



The South Caucasian country is home to the Homo georgicus, the first European human fossils dating back some 1.8 million years, and is also known as "the cradle of wine" as the world's oldest wine from 8,000 years ago was found in Georgia.



Georgia celebrates its Independence Day on May 26, commemorating the Act of Independence and the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Georgia in 1918, after the Russian Revolution.



Georgian Ambassador to Korea Otar Berdzenishvili felt sorry that the embassy could not make the celebration bigger due to the COVID-19 pandemic.



"Instead, we became a little bit smarter. In this new normal, we started to come up with smarter ideas to celebrate our national days, not only in Georgia, but in the rest of the world," Berdzenishvili said during an interview with The Korea Times at the Embassy of Georgia to Korea in Yongsan District, Seoul, May 18.



"We ask all friends of Georgia, especially from the art and culture dimension and students and professors who have been involved with Georgia in the last 30 years and those who created important milestones in terms of increasing awareness, to make congratulatory videos. The video will be posted on our social media. That's how we became more creative this year, compared to last year's shutdown."



This year marks the 103rd anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Georgia.



"The first Democratic Republic of Georgia was short-lived, but this is a very important milestone in our history," the ambassador said, citing the establishment of Georgia's first state 103 years ago, the foundation of its current Constitution and the start of the country's direction to become part of the European family and the Euro-Atlantic Integrations.



While Georgia is one of the leading countries in the region in terms of establishing democratic institutions and a liberal economy after the collapse of the Soviet Union, it has much more in store with regard to its ancient history. Georgia is one of the oldest countries in the world and Ambassador Berdzenishvili poured out on the country's rich culture and history.



"We are counting around 8,000 years while speaking about our wine, culture and history. That's how we are counting our dates. And we are very proud to have our own language, which is among the world's 14 alphabets and the seventh-oldest manuscript in the world," he said.



The Georgian ambassador emphasized that the South Caucasus country is the most reliable partner for the Asian region and is trying to be a significant player among the international community, referring to Georgia's stand for the support of the major principles of the U.N. Charter and the international rules-based order.



"I think there is a lot of things in common with Korea in this regard, because Georgia and Korea, both of our countries, are democratically based, and a lot of things on our historic pages are similar when it comes to the defending of our democratic institutions," he said. "The two countries also have geographical similarities  a small country surrounded by big empires."





Kazbegi Mountain in Georgia / Courtesy of Georgian Embassy to Korea



Birthplace of wine



Earlier in March, the embassy held an exhibition titled "Georgia  the Cradle of Viticulture" in cooperation with the Korea Foundation, which greatly increased awareness on Georgia itself and as the birthplace of wine where winemaking is believed to have started some 8,000 years ago.



"We had a fantastic exhibition regarding the Georgian wine-making tradition. I think it was a very big success  the Korea Foundation offered both offline and online exhibitions and a lot of interesting articles came out. It is part of the celebration of our 30th anniversary of our anniversary of referendum on independence from the Soviet Union," the ambassador explained.



"We have more than 500 species of indigenous grapes in Georgia, which means that each square feet of the land has different types of grapes and different types of wine. And wine is part of our culture," he said.



"We are making wine with the same tradition that has been done since 8,000 years ago. I am holding this amber-colored wine, which is made in Georgia in big clay vessels, called qvevri in Georgian, and buried below ground."



Georgia's winemaking tradition was inscribed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2013.



"It was at the same time when Korean kimjang (culture of making and sharing kimchi) was acknowledged by UNESCO. It is interesting that we have similar food culture despite geographical distances between each other. Both of us have clay vessels buried under the ground and both go through a natural fermentation process. Koreans took cabbage and applied the idea of fermentation to make kimchi and we took grapes to make organic wines," he said.



Before it was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia was seeing an increase in Korean tourists, who have been discovering this hidden gem between Europe and Asia.



"Georgia has very interesting landscape that starts from the Caucasus Mountains, which is almost 5,000 meters high, and ends with the Black Sea coastline, and everything is within a one- or two-hour drive. There is even a place you could both ski and swim. There is fantastic nature for hiking, which Koreans love," the ambassador said.



"On the other hand, we have fantastic cuisine and wine, which is also an important part for Korean tourists. We are one of the friendliest people and prices are cheap too."



A photo exhibition of Georgia's Protected Areas from June 7 to 21 will give a glimpse of the country's natural beauty.



"The cooperation between our national parks will boost our existing relations. We will show Georgian national parks at the Korea National Park Service headquarters in Wonju (in Gangwon Province) and Korean national parks will be introduced in Georgia simultaneously," he said.





Tbilisi, capital of Georgia / gettyimagesbank
Firefighters were staged in the Sons of Italy parking lot Wednesday morning. Once hotspots are eliminated, they plan to vacate the scene. It was all hands on deck Tuesday with multiple fire departments responding to the blaze. As of Wednesday morning things have calmed down. PreviousNext

North Adams Scrapyard Fire Is Out; Ruled As Accident



Mayor Thomas Bernard and Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre held a press briefing Wednesday Morning. Update: The fire was declared out at 10 a.m. on Wednesday almost exactly 24 hours after it was reported Tuesday. It took dozens of firefighters from as far away as Orange and Northampton to aid in bringing the massive blaze under control. By noon, all units had been released and North Adams firefighters were cleaning up tools and equipment. "As of 10 o'clock this morning, we concluded firefighting operations. All known hotspots have been extinguished. We've turned the property back over to the owners, Apkin," said Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre. "Now we're conducting cleanup operations hitting all of our equipment placed back into service and decon from all the dirt and mud and the contamination that were on scene." NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Firefighters hope to vacate George Apkin & Sons scrapyard Wednesday afternoon as operations wind down.

North Adams Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre and Mayor Thomas Bernard provided an update early Wednesday morning in the Sons of Italy parking lot, and Bernard said although the firefight is ongoing, firefighters have entered into a new operational period and hope to have the fire completely managed by this afternoon.

"This is an ongoing firefighting operation, and the fire is largely contained," Bernard said. "Firefighters are continuing to identify hotspots with the help of machine operators at Apkin's who are breaking up the piles."

Dozens of firefighters spent Tuesday battling a raging fire that broke out in the scrapyard when a spark ignited gasoline still in a vehicle being cut up for scrap.

Black smoke could be seen throughout the downtown as fires burned in the 100-foot long pile of automotive debris.

Bernard reiterated that overnight air quality monitoring showed that the air still poses no health risk.

"I think the most important thing is that, overnight, air quality monitoring continues to show that there are no significant issues," he said. "In fact, there are no significant issues whatsoever with air quality."

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, the state Department of Environmental Protection's air quality monitoring team and state Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Division responded Tuesday to test the toxicity of the fumes from the junkyard fire. Air monitors were set up at various points throughout the city.

Tuesday, residents and businesses were asked to close their windows, close HVAC systems, shut off air conditioners, and stay indoors while the air quality was initially tested.

Lefebvre said the fire is waning and firefighters will continue to use thermal imaging to locate hotspots within the scrap.

"We use a thermal imager to monitor the pile that is on fire," he said. "Once they reveal that the temperatures are safe and they will not rekindle, that is when we make that determination."

He said once firefighters completely eliminate these small fires they can shut the operation down.

"Once those fires have been eliminated it should just be clean up and mop up," he said. "We should be out of here around this afternoon i expect."

Lefebvre said the State Fire Marshall has concluded their investigation, and the incident has been ruled as an industrial accident.

"It is pretty cut and dry," he said. "From here we just have to clean up and talk to the owner about how we can prevent this from happening again."

Lefebvre said he did not have another briefing scheduled. He said he may hold one the operation has concluded.

The city received support from local fire companies including Adams, Adams Fire Wardens, Clarksburg, Florida, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, Lee, Otis, Peru, Richmond, Sheffield, Stamford, Vt., Williamstown and Windsor. Arriving late Tuesday were Amherst, Orange, South Hadley and Westhampton.
Greylock Federal Credit Union and Greylock Insurance Agency Raise Minimum Pay

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Greylock Federal Credit Union and Greylock Insurance Agency have established $16.50 per hour as their corporate minimum wage.

Additionally, they have adjusted the salaries of all employees making less than $20.00 per hour.

"Our vision is to enable our community to thrive and that means starting with our own team," said Greylock's President and CEO John L. Bissell. "As a major employer in the area, we try to lead by example and listen to our employees' needs. We have designed a pay and benefits package that reflects our lived culture."

Greylock had previously set their base at $15.00 in 2016, years ahead of Massachusetts' statewide target date of 2023.

"This past year has given Greylock an opportunity to recognize the need to find more effective solutions to support our staff," said Bissell. "We knew it was important to lead with compassion as we help our staff meet the new challenges of life after the pandemic."

Greylock's human resources team has developed a benefits package with solutions designed specifically for Greylock staff.

"We are one of the few employers to still offer a 401K with employer match and a pension plan," said Bissell. "We also have a program that lets new parents bring their babies to work and we provide a stipend to help cover childcare costs. We have a tuition reimbursement program, a student loan assistance benefit and provide ongoing professional development opportunities. We want to find solutions that go beyond just a paycheck. We want to help our employees with the tools they need to build a life and a future inside and outside of the workplace."
Medical Matters Weekly Previews June 2 Show with Neurologist

BENNINGTON, Vt.  Southwestern Vermont Health Care's (SVHC) Medical Matters Weekly with Dr. Trey Dobson, a weekly interactive, multiplatform medical-themed talk show, will feature Emma Weiskopf, MD, an neurologist with SVMC Neurology, on its June 2 show.

The show will air at 12 p.m. Dr. Weiskopf will reflect on her career serving patients with migraines, epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, and other conditions of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system.

The show is produced with cooperation from Catamount Access Television (CAT-TV). Viewers can see Medical Matters Weekly on Facebook at facebook.com/svmedicalcenter and facebook.com/CATTVBennington.

Dr. Weiskopf received her medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. She completed her residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York and served as chief resident 2005  2006 before going on to a fellowship at New York University Medical Center 2006  2007. Dr. Wieskopf had been an attending neurologist at Berkshire Medical Center in Massachusetts 2008  2019. She is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

After the program, the video will be available on area public access television stations. On CAT-TV, viewers will find the show on channel 1075 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, 1:30 p.m. Monday, 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 a.m. Friday, and 7 p.m. Saturday. GNAT-TV's Comcast channel 1074 airs the program at 8 a.m. Monday, 9 p.m. Wednesday, and 1 p.m. Saturday.

Upcoming guests include:

12 p.m. Wednesday, June 9: Executive Director of Hunger Free Vermont Anore Horton will talk about statewide food security initiatives.

12 p.m. Wednesday, June 16: Patricia Ryan, RN, will share how she helps mend and strengthen hearts at SVMC Cardiac Rehabilitation.

12 p.m. Wednesday, June 23: SVMC Pediatrician Meghan Gunn, MD, will share her interest in children's health and her thoughts about vaccinating adolescents and children for COVID-19.

12 p.m. Wednesday, June 30: Nicholas Weinberg, MD, Emergency Medicine physician at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health with experience working on the search-and-rescue team at Mt. Denali in Alaska.

Videos and podcasts are on svhealthcare.org/MedicalMatters , as well as YouTube and on many podcast-hosting platforms, respectively.
Nile fishermen protect stocks by pulling plastic from river

May 26,2021 | Source: Reuters

For 17 years, Mohamed Nasar has supported his family of five by fishing in the Nile River near the banks of the tiny island of Al-Qursaya close to central Cairo.



But the 58-year-old says fishermen like himself catch fewer fish every year as the Nile has become clogged with plastic bottles, bags and other waste.



"The fish get caught in the bottles, and they die," said Nasar.



A local environmental group named "VeryNile" has asked the island's fishermen to use their boats to collect plastic bottles from the river. VeryNile says it buys the bottles at a higher price than the general market price on offer from traders or recyling plants.



The initiative provides a sustainable solution for helping to clean up the Nile, while providing an additional source of income for fisherman like Nasar.



"This job helped us a bit. We come and collect about 10 to 15 kilos (of plastic bottles), we get about 12 Egyptian pounds ($0.7682) for each," Nasar said as he sat in his boat collecting bottles.



Nasar, who made about 100 EGP a day after six hours of fishing, can now make up to about 200 EGP extra by collecting bottles.



Another fisherman, Saeed Hassanein, said cleaner Nile water would mean more fish.



"On the one hand, the Nile is cleaner, and on the other hand the fisherman now has more than one source of income," he said.



With the help of more than 40 fishermen, VeryNile has over the past year collected around 18 tonnes of plastic bottles, most of which were sold to recyclers.

 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved

Theme(s): Others.
Genetic diversity of Sri Lankas spa fish highlights need for informed conservation

by Malaka Rodrigo

May 26,2021 | Source: Mongabay

Sri Lankas fast-flowing freshwater streams are home to a variety of beautiful fish, which, as a rule, swiftly swim away if you dip your feet into the water. But not so the welcoming stone suckers (Garra ceylonensis), renowned for their use in fish spas, where they nibble away at the dead skin cells of visitors feet.



Theyre also among the most widely distributed of Sri Lankas freshwater fish. Now, a new study into that distribution shows that while G. ceylonensis populations in different river basins around the island are physically identical  in size, body patterns, color  they differ genetically.



We found six genetically different populations of G. ceylonensis from different locations, says lead researcher Hiranya Sudasinghe, a molecular biologist at the University of Peradeniyas Post-Graduate Institute of Science.



Sri Lanka is home to 91 freshwater fish species, 50 of which are found nowhere else on Earth.



But G. ceylonensis is a class apart: It has already adapted to survive in fast-flowing water, feeding on rock-clinging algae with its pouty mouth. The evolutionary history of G. ceylonensis hasnt been investigated until now, but its an ideal organism to reconstruct the evolutionary history of a widespread, yet morphologically specialized, freshwater fish in a tropical-island setting, Sudasinghe says.



The research, for which Sudasinghe and his team collected specimens from 38 locations in 16 river basins across Sri Lanka, also investigates exactly when the species first arrived on the island and looks at its ancestors. The study dates that initial colonization to the late Pliocene era, some 4.3 million to 3.2 million years ago, over the Palk Isthmus, the land bridge that linked Sri Lanka to India when sea levels were much lower than they are today. The arid climate during the Plio-Pleistocene, more than 5 million years ago, would have dried out the river connections between Sri Lanka and India, trapping the ancestral population of Garra in Sri Lanka, allowing them to later evolve into a separate species and form genetically distinct populations across the island.



Its a scenario that has played out countless times with other species: Indian shrub frogs, for instance, also crossed the land bridge to Sri Lanka and later evolved as endemic species, according to study co-author and evolutionary biologist Madhava Meegaskumbura. He tells Mongabay that in the case of Garra, the species didnt branch out into several distinct new species, unlike with the shrub frogs, likely because of continuous gene flow via the network of streams and other waterways.



Another reason could be the transportation of larvae long distances along with the monsoonal rains. Together, these two processes effectively ensured that the fish populations werent isolated over sufficiently long periods of time to allow a rise in new species, Meegaskumbura says.



Study co-author Rohan Pethiyagoda, a global expert in freshwater fish and former deputy chair of the IUCNs Species Survival Commission (SSC)., says the findings on G. ceylonensis addressing have implications for conservation policymaking.



Hiranyas study looks at the deeper genetics of G. ceylonensis addressing several interesting questions, and most importantly, it gives insights into the direction of conservation of freshwater fish in Sri Lanka, he tells Mongabay. It shows that our focus on species conservation is perhaps misplaced and what we should focus on instead is the conservation of genetically distinct groups.



He cites the case of hydropower and irrigation development projects in Sri Lankas south, fed by the Kirindi Oya River. To ensure an adequate supply, water is diverted to the Kirindi Oya from the Uma Oya, a tributary of Sri Lankas longest river, the Mahaweli. This also brings the fish and larvae from the Mahaweli into the Kirindi Oya, giving rise to what Pethiyagoda calls a genetic mix of Garra from the two rivers.



This highlights the environmental problems that could result from the diversion of water between basins, he adds.



According to Pethiyagoda, this principle applies not only to fish, but also to other organisms, such as parasites, which could lead to diseases being transmitted in this manner and illustrating the importance of carefully assessing such interventions.



Pethiyagoda did pioneering work in 1990s exploring the freshwater fish of Sri Lanka, but calls it kindergarten work compared to the current level of sophisticated studies using genetic analysis. These new studies by young scientists like Sudasinghe are bringing Sri Lankan fish studies into the 21st century, casting a new light on our understanding of species, evolution and conservation and helping to find answers to persisting questions, Pethiyagoda says.

 2021 Copyright Conservation news

Theme(s): Fisheries Resources.


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Defense Minister Suh Wook and his German counterpart Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer agreed Wednesday to develop bilateral security relations to become key partners in the Indo-Pacific region, the defense ministry said.







The German minister arrived here for a three-day stay for talks with Suh, becoming the first German defense chief to visit South Korea since 2007.







During the talks with Suh, Kramp-Karrenbauer expressed hope for enhancing the defense and security relationship with South Korea, noting that Germany designated Seoul as a key partner for implementing its Indo-Pacific strategies, according to the ministry.







Suh said the two nations could be "optimum partners to work for shared interests in the region given their history, geopolitics and strategic features," it added.







The German minister voiced strong support for Seoul's peace process with North Korea, as Suh explained the Korean Peninsula and regional security circumstances, the ministry said.







Suh also expressed gratitude for Germany's medical aid to Korea right after the 1950-53 Korean War.







"The two ministers agreed to foster bilateral defense cooperation which has not been pushed for normally due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kramp-Karrenbauer, in particular, asked for Suh's visit to Germany soon," according to the release.







The German minister is scheduled to visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) later in the day, officials said.







Germany and other major EU countries have been moving to deepen their influence in the Indo-Pacific region, expressing concerns over growing assertiveness by China.







Germany reportedly plans to deploy a warship to the Indo-Pacific region in the coming months for the first time in decades. (Yonhap)


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Flowers are placed near the spot where Son Jung-min, a 22-year-old medical school student, in Banpo Han River Park, Seoul, May 23. Yonhap



On the banks of the Han River, the lifeline of Seoul, a middle-aged woman clung to a portrait of a young man and wept uncontrollably.



"This 'ajumma' will reveal (the truth) no matter what," she said, using the Korean term for a married and typically older woman. "Poor Jeong-min," she cried.



Until recently, the woman had never heard of Son Jeong-min, a 22-year-old medical school student who was found dead in the river on April 30. His existence only became known to the nation after news of his April 25 disappearance and subsequent death made national headlines.



Still, the woman from Gangwon Province took the first bus to Seoul on Sunday morning to join dozens, at times hundreds, of people mourning Son's death at the riverside park.



"It's such a shame this happened to a young man who should have carried the future of this country on his back," she said.



Son's case has gripped the nation for a month amid sorrow that the future doctor could have had a promising life had he not come to Banpo Han River Park on April 24 and gotten drunk there with his friend. Every update in the police investigation has been urgently reported by the national press.



The circumstances surrounding Son's death have baffled the nation for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the absence of security camera footage from the section of the park where Son and his friend sat and drank from 11 p.m. on April 24 until 2 a.m. the next day before falling asleep.



The friend reportedly woke up around 4:30 a.m. and went home thinking that Son had gone home because he could not be seen. Shortly afterward, he discovered the phone he was carrying was not his but Son's and presumed his would be with Son. That phone has yet to be found.



The friend returned to the park with his parents early in the morning. By that time, Son had disappeared.



Five days later, a civilian diver recovered Son's body from the water. Two cuts were spotted behind his left ear, each the length of about two-thirds of a finger. The National Forensic Service conducted an autopsy on the body and presumed Son had died by drowning, but it drew no links between the cuts and his death.





Members of an online group called "People Seeking the Truth of the Banpo Han River Case" hold a press conference outside Seocho Police Station in Seoul, May 25. Yonhap
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In this March file photo, food delivery workers drive motorcycles on a street in Seoul. Yonhap



By Yoon Ja-young



A man who was paid by restaurants to write positive reviews for them has been sentenced to 10 months in prison.



The man, who runs an internet marketing agency, left reviews with comments such as, "It was delicious," without even eating the food. From September 2017 to May 2020, restaurant owners agreed to pay him 300,000 won each for 100 reviews.



According to Woowa Brothers, which operates Baedal Minjok (Baemin), the most popular food delivery app in Korea, an appellate court dismissed the man's appeal recently. He was convicted by the Seoul Eastern District Court in November 2020 of writing restaurant reviews without even tasting their food, in exchange for money. The verdict was finalized after he gave up the opportunity to appeal further.



He left a total of 35,000 fake reviews to promote the restaurants on the app, reaping 105 million won ($94,000). He left certain keywords in his reviews so that his clients could tell that it was his work.



Baemin app users can post a review only after ordering food and completing payment, so the company believes the restaurant owners paid him sometime after he made the reviews. He was also commissioned by another marketing agency to leave false reviews.



The ruling is noteworthy, as most fake review cases end up with a slap on the wrist. It may be good news for small businesses that want the playing field to be fair, not to mention for consumers who need accurate information to make their food choices.



Woowa Brothers says that it has been strengthening its monitoring to catch fraudulent reviews. It has been using AI since last November to catch and block them. The system detects reviews left on the app in real time, and automatically blocks suspicious users. The monitoring team then examines them to determine whether to reinstate them or block them permanently. Around 130,000 reviews were suspected to be fraudulent last year alone.



The company says it is undertaking legal proceedings for other similar cases, warning of stern action against fake reviews.


Temps to hit record-breaking 101 degrees by the middle of next week in Moses Lake
Since the beginning of the pandemic in Brazil, FENAJ - the National Federation of Journalists, along with all Brazilian workers, has monitored and fought to ensure the labour rights and health and safety of journalists.

FENAJ developed, in collaboration with its 31 affiliated unions, a safety protocol including health protection measures for working journalists whether reporting on the ground or from newsrooms. The protocols, which were supported by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the International Labor Organization (ILO), were widely adopted by Brazilian media companies.

The unions affiliated to FENAJ launched a range of other actions, including adding key safety measures in collective bargaining agreements and initiated a debate to extend protections to journalists working from home.

The IFJ affiliate also coordinated public demonstrations against the government measures, approved by the Congress, that only benefited employers, allowing massive layoffs and ever more precarious labour conditions, with reduced working hours and lower salaries.

Covid-19 among journalists: Pressure on work grows; professionals have reduced salaries  FENAJ  in Portuguese.

FENAJ has also closely monitored the measures taken by employers to protect their workers safety. FENAJ actively participated in the IFJ global research and laucnhed its own studies to monitor the working conditions and salaries in the media sector. This included a specific survey for women and mothers working from home.

MP 936: Mais de 4 mil jornalistas do pais tiveram impactos salariais durante a pandemia - FENAJ

FENAJ is currently coordinating the work of its affiliated unions for media workers to be vaccinated on a priority basis, pushing the authorities to consider journalists as essential workers during the pandemic.

This measures is vital for the sector. According to the FENAJ, 213 journalists have died up to mid-May 2021 as a result of COVID-19 infections in Brazil - the country with the highest mortality rate of journalists in the world.

The memory of the journalists killed by Covid is preserved in a forest

The union has not only fought for media workers safety but honored the memory of those who lost their life while performing their work. In a joint action, FENAJ, the Brazilian Press Association (ABI) and the Association of the Golden Lion Monkey (a species of small golden monkey threatened with extinction) created the Forest of Memory , dedicated to journalists killed by Covid-19, in the municipality of Silva Jardim, Rio de Janeiro.

A tree native to the Atlantic Forest - an extensive area of preserved forest that covers a large part of the Brazilian coast - was planted for each dead journalist. Next to each tree there is a plaque with the name of each person, a tribute to the media professionals who died while informing society during these tough times.

The "Forests of Memory" initiative is also part of the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) to create a global recovery movement, reverse species loss and help meet carbon emission reduction targets. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recognized the Brazilian forestry campaign as an example to follow for other countries.

The IFJ praises and recognises the work of the FENAJ in defending Brazilian media workers during the pandemic in such a difficult context, where the covid threat was on top of a hostile environment towards media workers led by Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro.
Al Amin Hossain, the Meherpur district correspondent for Daily Business Bangladesh, was arrested under the Digital Security Act (DSA) for publishing a news report about a political leader last year. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) urges the authorities to drop all charges against the journalist.

Al Amin Hossain was arrested on May 22 at his residence at Banshbaria in Gangni municipality in response to a case that was filed against him on May 13, 2020 by Sabuj Hossain, the nephew of the Gangni-2 constituency MP, Maqbool Hossain. The case statement filed at Gangni Police Station in Gangni Upazila contends that the journalist published a false news report against Maqbool Hossain in the Meherpur Protidin newspaper last year.

Al Amin Hossains piece accused Maqbool Hossain of occupying someone elses house for the last 26 years. Others charged over the accusation were MAS Emon, the publisher of newspaper Meherpur Protidin and its editor, Yeadul Momin.

Meanwhile, media reports that Meherpur Senior Judicial Magistrate Rafia Sultana granted bail to Al Amin Hossain at 5:30pm, the same day he was arrested. Earlier, Meherpur Chief Judicial magistrate had issued an arrest warrant for the journalist on March 9, following submission of a formal charge sheet issued from the police.

According to Article 19, a human rights organisation, more than 457 people were prosecuted and arrested in 198 cases filed under the Digital Security. Of this figure, 75 were journalists. Charges under the DSA carry a maximum penalty of 10 million taka (USD $118,000) and up to ten years imprisonment.

The IFJ said: The IFJ has long been advocating against the draconian Digital Security Act. We continue urging the authorities to release journalist Al Amin Hossain immediately and drop all charges against him. Silencing the voices of journalists is not acceptable.
Several journalists revealed the judicial warnings they received from the authorities ahead of the presidential elections to be held on the 18th of June and in which only candidates approved by the authorities are able to stand.

Critical journalists that sought to report about the Head of Judiciary Ayatollah Ebrahim Raeesis background and human rights violations were subjected to pressure and a few of them were summoned to appear before judicial or security authorities.

On19 May, veteran journalist Hormoz Sharifian posted a tweet and which, in an ironic manner, addressed the judicial authorities saying Sir; Could you please give me a list of candidates we are allowed to criticize so that we just critique them?.

Ehsan Badaghi, a reporter for the Iran state newspaper, faced a similar problem. He wrote on his Twitter that the head of the Culture and Media Court contacted him to remark "very politely" the necessity of "observance of the law in election writings."

The judicial pressures and warnings are not limited to journalist and media workers but also to social media activists, who are also being summoned.

In a 25th May press conference, the spokesperson for the Judiciary, Gholamhosein Esmaily, formally confirmed that a warning has been sent to all media and news outlets concerning the election and campaigns.

Some media reports say that the Cyber Police and the IRGCs Cyber Unit have been actively identifying journalists and harassing them.

Sajjad Abedi, the Chief Editor of the Talkhand Sisasi, a political comic page, also shared on social media that he had received a warning to avoid criticizing the electoral institutions of the Islamic Republic.

Abedi wrote I announce here that I respect the decisions of the Guardian Council and I do not criticize it neither in my media nor on my private social media pages.

The IFJ has repeatedly condemned the judicial harassment of Iranian journalists, especially on those who report on corruption cases.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: This is yet another example of how the Iranian government uses the legal system to clamp down on independent voices in the country. Iranian journalists must be able to report about the presidential campaign free from judicial warnings and pressures from the authorities.
I was lucky enough to chat recently with Harley Finkelstein. He is probably best known for being the president of Shopify, but what I came to learn during the course of our chat was that his real passion is helping entrepreneurs.

Finkelstein was born in Montreal, and tells me that he always had an interest in creating opportunities for himself to solve problems. Finkelstein, who is Jewish, says that in his youth he began attending numerous bar and bat mitzvahs. He marveled at the ways that the DJ with just a few key-phrases and an inflection in their voice could change the entire energy and vibe of the party. Finkelstein says he wanted to be a DJ, but couldn't get hired, so he started his own company.

Later, he started a T-shirt company while attending McGill University, but it wasn't until he was in law school that he realized he needed a business that could run while he was in class. He met Shopify founder, Tobi Lutke, became friends with him, and then became one of the first merchants on Shopify. Now, about a decade later, Finkelstein is running the show. He's a brilliant mind, a fascinating teacher and a self-proclaimed power extrovert. I was impressed by how many brilliant tips for entrepreneurs he was able to pack into our short interview. So here are some of my favorites. I'm calling it Harley Finkelstein's Lessons in Entrepreneurship.

Ask yourself, was it a good day?

Finkelstein mentions to me his admiration for renowned author and speaker Jim Collins, who for a long time would rank his days on a scale of -2, -1, 0, +1, +2. Finkelstein notes that after tracking his days for a long period of time, Collins would reverse-engineer how he had the days he ranked the highest. Finkelstein says he does something similar.

"I did sort of make mental notes of the days that I thought I was feeling at my best. I was feeling most engaged, most excited, most productive; I was having the biggest impact and I just sort of noted, hey, like that was a good day, what did I do again? Oh, right, I helped a bunch of entrepreneurs, oh, I spoke to this small business and helped them digitalize, or whatever it was."

Ikigai

The second lesson that Finkelstein brings up is the Japanese concept of Ikigai, which is a concept I'm quite familiar with after having lived in Japan and having studied the language and culture there.

"It helps to assess what you love. What does the world need? What can you be paid for? And what are you good at? And if it's two of those things, like for example, what are you good at? and what can you be paid for?--well, then, it's a profession. What does the world needs? and what can you get paid for?--it's a vocation. What do you love? And what the world needs? Well, that's a mission. And finally, what do you love and what are you good at? That's a passion. But if you can actually put together [all four], the centerpiece of that Venn diagram overlap is this idea of Ikigai--your reason for being, or what I'd call life's work."

Finkelstein acknowledges that curating a career that fits into the idea of Ikigai is an incredible privilege, one that many of our ancestors would never have dreamed of being able to do. He tells me that he feels inordinately lucky to be able to do what he loves for his career and that it changes people's lives. I personally vibe with the idea of Ikigai--it's part of the reason that I've made some of my own career moves and pivots over the years. If you can love what you do and you're good at it, why do anything else?

Using Entrepreneurship to Solve Problems

When it comes to his own experiences as an entrepreneur, Finkelstein says that he always used his entrepreneurial spirit to solve problems. He started a DJ company in his youth because he knew he couldn't get hired by any existing DJ companies because he lacked experience. He started his first Shopify store to help make money while he was sitting in law school classes.

"I think what entrepreneurship is is being really, really resourceful," he says. "Finding creative solutions to problems that you want to solve. So, I wasn't necessarily overly intentional about it, but all of these little bread crumbs I kind of picked up like DJ-ing... [I asked myself,] well, why do I like that? Oh, I understand. [It's] because I can actually change someone's energy; I can change their mood; I can give them something that maybe they didn't know they needed and make their life a little better. Why have I devoted my life to Shopify? Because what Shopify is is effectively just giving people the tools that traditionally they did not have, and they use those tools to share their gift with the world. That lines up perfectly with my Ikigai. And how I redefine my purpose.

What actually is failure?

Finkelstein notes that being an entrepreneur isn't always a path toward making millions of dollars. His own work with Shopify has exposed him to million-dollar companies like AllBirds or Bombas, but it's also exposed him to smaller businesses that are made up of people wanting to serve their communities because it gives them joy. He cites his own experience opening an ice cream shop with his wife in Ottawa--where he lives--because they felt that their neighborhood was lacking a good ice cream parlor. He even talks about one Shopify store owner, Mike D from Durham, North Carolina, who started a BBQ sauce store so he could create a family business that his children could work with one day.

"It's true, most small businesses do fail," he says. "That's doesn't necessarily mean that you shouldn't try. Just because I'm never going to be the fastest runner in the world doesn't mean that I should never run. I get a lot of enjoyment out of running. It clears my head, it makes me feel good, there are a lot of benefits to it. So, that definition of failure to one might be complete success to another. Success is a very individual, personal thing, and if success for you is just I'm gonna share delicious ice cream with my neighbors, then you can be a success and not make a million dollars."

Adaptability

We're living in a time where we've never needed to be more adaptable. The Covid-19 pandemic showed us how quickly the world, life, and our work can change. Humans never love change, and we tend to resist it, but when we can embrace it and re-position ourselves to succeed, not only can our business endeavors thrive, but also we thrive personally.

"When Covid hit, what we saw two different types of entrepreneurs, two different types of people," Finkelstein says. "We saw folks who reacted by saying, all right, new information is in, I need to change some things around--so you saw some of these entrepreneurs and these people being really resilient. They saw this tidal wave and they grabbed their surfboard. But you saw others waiting for the status quo to continue. They didn't grab the surfboard and surf when they saw the tidal wave, they ran to the shore and grabbed their towel. If you can be adaptable to any circumstance, any environment, regardless of what's being thrown your way, you are going to be set up as a great human, because no matter what happens to you, you understand that you can react to it."

Balance risk taking with lesson learning

Finkelstein talks about how the risk level for trying out a business these days is much lower than it once was. Platforms like Shopify make it relatively simple for businesses to see if their new idea is feasible, marketable, profitable, etc. There was a time when a burgeoning or aspiring store owner had to rent out a storefront, buy insurance, hire numerous employees to come work shifts--they might even have had to buy a certain level of inventory just to fill the store shelves and open. Today with platforms like Shopify and Etsy, entrepreneurs can start their business with much lower risk levels. The benefit I see in this is that people can try out different things before they find out what works best for them and what they love the most. Finkelstein says that failure is the successful acquisition of something that didn't work. In other words, we learn from our mistakes.

"Entrepreneurship now is so much more accessible than it's ever been. And technology is a massive catalyst for that," he says. "The internet is this new incredible city, in my mind, that is brand new, and it means that we're all closer and we connect with more like-minded people and it's so dynamic. So those examples of starting a brick-and-mortar store versus starting a digital store and being able to get information and pivot and adapt--it's just the risk tolerance required is very different, which means that there's no better time, maybe in the history of the planet, to be an entrepreneur than right now."
In their early days, all companies are in some ways embodiments of their founders. Launched in 1973, Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Cascade Engineering is now a 1,000-person company with $370 million in revenue. It makes plastic parts for companies such as Herman Miller and Ford. And it's still very much a reflection of founder Fred Keller, and more recently his daughter, CEO Christina Keller. The two are determined that Cascade be an engine for good in the world, and Christina is quick to enumerate the benefits that come from their brand of conscious capitalism: increased employee retention and engagement, a better recruiting environment, better relationships with suppliers and partners, and, of course, a marketing halo.

None of that comes easy. Christina Keller believes that leadership teams who embrace social responsibility solely for the economic benefits are doomed to fail. "What we've seen is you never get it right on the first try," she says of her company's efforts to support social justice. "If people are thinking in quarterly increments, they won't give it enough breathing room and allow it to take root." For business owners who feel strongly about advocacy and activism, and are looking for ways to help their companies reflect their values, the Kellers show how people-first leadership can transform a company and lead to sustained, multi-generational growth. As the social justice movement gains momentum in the U.S., their story is a case study in innovative thinking for the growing numbers of entrepreneurs seeking to embrace the human elements of management and lead with empathy.

Fred Keller's determination to build a different kind of company came indirectly from the social justice work of the 1960s, and directly from a meeting with another local business leader, Bob Woodrick. In the 1960s, Keller says the news of Black children being escorted into newly integrated schools by the National Guard seemed distant. He was "not moved to march or stand up for the rights of others," he says. As he focused on his young family and his new business, that inaction felt like a betrayal.

Then, in 1989, Woodrick called together a group of business leaders and told them that a White family member had adopted a child of color and was now being confronted by racist behavior from former friends. Woodrick asked the business community for help. Eight people, including Keller, participated in a 40-hour workshop held by the not-for-profit Institute for Healing Racism, which aims to end structural racism. At the end of the program, each participant was asked to come up with a plan to implement changes in their own organizations.

In this, Keller and his company have become role models. Cascade, a certified B Corp--meaning that the business is dedicated equally to people, the planet, and profit--runs a number of programs to help disadvantaged job candidates become productive and thriving employees. To make sure the commitment to anti-racism is embodied throughout the organization, all Cascade managers must complete training from the Institute for Healing Racism. Since 2002, Cascade has been hosting quarterly performances from KMR Diversity Theatre, in which professional actors perform skits that show racism, sexism, or even bias against newcomers in the workplace. The goal: to spur potentially difficult conversations and encourage more thoughtful behavior.

Both Fred and Christina Keller know that changing attitudes isn't enough. In 1993, Cascade began a program called Welfare to Career, aimed at getting welfare recipients into manufacturing jobs at Cascade. "We opened the doors to people who were on welfare, but we didn't solve any of their problems," says Christina Keller. Annual turnover among the welfare to career group was nearly 90 percent. Cascade partnered with Burger King, with the idea that those who had proved themselves at Burger King could work their way into a better-paying job at Cascade. But the Burger King transfers saw retention rates roughly on par with the first group of former welfare recipients.

That's when Christina Keller and the Cascade team started to really examine the program, and to lead with empathy. Transportation was a big problem--workers' cars would break down, leaving them with no way to get to work. Cascade persuaded the transit authority to run a bus to its plant.

That helped a bit. But Christina Keller says the big difference came when the company brought in a social worker. The social worker is not a Cascade employee--Cascade pays a not-for-profit, which in turn pays the social worker. That means the social worker can ask questions that someone in the company's human resources department couldn't: Are you pregnant? Are you being abused? Is your housing stable?

"Social workers remove barriers," says Christina Keller. "They are able to say, What is your issue, and how can I help?"

The eventual success of the Welfare to Career initiative paved the way for Cascade's Returning Citizens program, which recruits and hires people who have been incarcerated. While there are obvious social benefits, it works out well for Cascade, too. At Cascade, so-called returning citizens stay with the company an average of seven years after being hired; the average Millennial moves on after just two years. The program was officially launched in 2012, although Cascade had been hiring formerly incarcerated people since the mid-1990s.
The reason for Matthew Perrys slurred speech in a preview of the Friends reunion episode has been explained.

Shortly after the release of a promo video, which teased the casts first televised reunion since the show ended in 2004, viewers highlighted that the Chandler Bing actor was speaking in a slurred manner.

At one stage, it also seemed that he was on the verge of dozing off during the interview.

Many expressed their concern for Perry, 51, on Twitter  however, a source has now revealed the reason behind his behaviour.

According to a source close to the star, the actor needed emergency dental surgery hours before the interview was due to take place.

Matthew turned up to the reunion [in April] and members of his team said that he had an emergency tooth procedure that day, they told The Sun.

That was said to impact his wellbeing and also how he was feeling. [Matthew] had been in pain from what we understand, which caused the slurred speech.

>> Sign up for free weekly updates from the Independents culture desk by clicking here

In the trailer for the reunion, which is airing on Thursday (27 May), the actor left fans emotional when he broke down reminiscing on his memories of the show.

Yep, Im gonna cry, he says in the clip as Jennifer Aniston, who played Rachel in the beloved sitcom, strokes his shoulder, reassuringly.

The Friends cast gather for the big reunion episode (HBO Max)

Perry has been open about his struggles while making the show. After becoming a household name in 1994, he became addicted to alcohol and prescription drugs and, in 2016, said that he [cant] remember three years of the show as he was a little out of it.

He attended rehab twice during his run on Friends, and has since opened his own rehabilitation centre for alcoholics.

The Friends reunion episode is available to watch in the UK today (27 May)  find out how here.

The reunions biggest moment came when Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer revealed they had real-life feelings for each other while filming the show.

Elsewhere the episode, Perry revealed he constantly felt he was going to die if a joke fell flat in front of the live studio audience.

Meanwhile, Matt LeBlanc, who played Joey, also disclosed how Perry thought a classic episode of the sitcom was stupid.

Find our verdict on the reunion in Adam Whites review here.
After many delays, the Friends reunion is finally airing.

HBO Max originally announced the programme in February 2020, but it had to be postponed several times due to the coronavirus pandemic, which made an in-person reunion impossible.

The special marks the first time Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and Lisa Kudrow have reunited in front of TV cameras since Friends ended in 2004.

Here is everything you need to know about Friends: The Reunion:

When is the special airing?

In the US, the reunion special is available to stream as of Thursday (27 May) on HBO Max. A TV broadcast isnt currently scheduled in the US.

In the UK, viewers are able to stream the special on NOQW. It will also air tonight (27 May) on Sky One at 8pm BST.

When was the special filmed?

On 11 April, the official, verified account for Friends shared an image of a screen  presumably from the set  bearing the words: Friends  the reunion.

The accompanying caption reads: Thats a wrap! Could we BE anymore excited!? Friends: The Reunion is coming to @hbomax.

Prior to that, another clue came when, according to Deadline, Perry shared a photo of himself in a make-up chair before reuniting with my Friends. The post has since been taken down, but screenshots have been circulating.

Schwimmer had also announced earlier in April that he was flying to Los Angeles to film the reunion special.

What does the special look like?

Friends: The Reunion is unscripted, meaning the actors arent be in character. Instead, they sat together and discussed the show and their memories of it as themselves.

The special was filmed on the sitcoms original soundstage on the Warner Bros Studio lot in Burbank, California.

The programme also features a host of guest stars, some of whom appeared on the show during its original run. Lady Gaga, David Beckham, James Corden, and many more are set to join the reunion. For a full list of guest stars on the special, click here.

Matt LeBlanc, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston, and David Schwimmer (Getty Images)

Why is there so much excitement about the reunion special?

Two reasons: one, the HBO Max special marks the first reunion featuring all six main cast members. There was a reunion in 2016 without Perry, and the reviews were mixed. Expectations are higher than ever this time around.

Two, the Friends reunion special was one of the biggest TV programmes delayed by the pandemic  think No Time to Die, but for the television world. Producers chose not to film it via Zoom and held out for the real thing instead. Needless to say, fans are more than ready to dive in.
Im not sure why Channel 4 bothered with Before We Die, the latest wave in the seemingly unstoppable tsunami of police procedural dramas. Theres nothing intrinsically wrong with it, as such. Its the kind of bewilderingly complicated detective drama weve become used to, the sort where you cant quite recall whos doing what to whom, or why, but we still feel for the various complicated characters living their complicated lives.

Its actually a remake of an original Scandi noir import of the same name from a few years ago, but the action has relocated from Stockholm to, erm, Bristol. And a very close adaptation it is too, with the plot, scenes, and even dialogue lifted straight from the Nordic original. But the point about Scandi noir is that its Scandi noir; long winter nights, meaningful pauses, cool people, minimalist decor, and quirky twists. You dont really get that in Somerset. Take all the Scandi and the noir away, and there isnt much point to the exercise unless you really hate subtitles, or foreigners, or both. Which, presumably, Channel 4, doesnt.

Apart from that, its fine. Lesley Sharp plays the central figure, an austere Detective Inspector Hannah Laing, and does her best with the material, all moodiness and gloom. But shes just, you know, not actually a Swede. Shes having an affair with a married colleague, who gets kidnapped and murdered by a gang of Croatian restaurateurs, which is less comical than it sounds. Shes divorced and her troubled son Christian (The OAs Patrick Gibson) doesnt get on with her, but he happens to work for the nasty Croats, and gets tangled up with the crime. But she doesnt know that, of course, and, communicating only by text message, thinks he is the female spy inside the gang that her late boyfriend was in touch with.

Something like that anyway, but, without the Scandi style, the whole lark  quite gory at times  feels inferior to the original. The producers made everyone drive a Volvo, which was silly. As fond as I am of them, not everyone in Britain drives the famous Swedish brand. While, Wallanders Vincent Regan, as Hannahs colleague Billy Murdoch, is chucked in as the nearest thing to a moody Viking they could find, which was desperate.

I was fully expecting to see the coppers eating meatballs in an IKEA kitchen earnestly discussing the mechanics of sex or the future of European social democracy. Surely Brexit Britain can do better than this?
President Moon Jae-in speaks during a meeting with party leaders at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, May 26. Yonhap



President Moon Jae-in said Wednesday the Joe Biden administration has made a de facto offer to North Korea for the resumption of talks with the appointment of a special envoy.



Moon also stressed that South Korea and the United States have formed a "firm consensus" on the need to advance the Korea peace process.



He called it one of the most important accomplishments in his White House summit with Biden last week, speaking to the leaders of South Korea's five major political parties.



In an announcement, timed with Moon's visit to the U.S., Biden unveiled the choice of Sung Kim, ambassador to Indonesia, as special envoy to North Korea.



The move is "making a request for North Korea to resume dialogue," Moon said during the luncheon meeting at Cheong Wa Dae meant for a briefing on the results of his summit with Biden.



The president took note of his joint statement with Biden, in which they agreed that both the 2018 inter-Korean summit accord, signed at Panmunjom, and the Washington-Pyongyang summit agreement in Singapore are "essential" for the denuclearization and establishment of permanent peace on the peninsula.



It lays the groundwork for the resumption of talks involving North Korea and the "peace clock" to move again on the basis of existing agreements, he added.



Moon also cited the summit deal to terminate the allies' "missile guidelines," describing it as a demonstration of "the robustness of the alliance." Four-decade-long restrictions on the range of South Korea's missiles have been scrapped with the accord, which should spur the nation's space program.






A thick, sticky, mucus-like substance known as sea snot has spread across the waters of the Sea of Marmara in Turkey.

Scientists have warned that the substance is increasing due to climate change.

The sea snot, which had not been seen in the Sea of Marmara before 2007 and has been proliferating over the last six months, could pose a problem to fish and eventually humans.

The issue is caused by phytoplankton that can grow out of control when nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus become widely available in seawater, such as when nutrient-rich untreated sewage flows into it.

The increase in the number of elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus in the sea is largely related to domestic waste such as sewage, Mustafa Sar, maritime faculty dean of Bandrma Onyedi Eylul University, told the Daily Sabah.

Domestic waste released into the sea without treatment increases the nitrogen and phosphorus load of the seawater.

The sea snot resulting from this excessive proliferation is generally seen from 16ft to a depth of 98ft.

The sea snot from the phytoplankton could cause issues for humans because it makes it impossible for people to fish or swim in the waters.

I have been traveling here for 15 years and there used to be [snot] at some times, Burak Yenilmez, who works on a ship, told the paper. But it is worse this year. It is such a dirty sight, and it stinks.

Hakan Kara, a diver, told the paper: Our work reduced up to 70 per cent. He said the snot, which is visible at ports and on the surface, was actually 10-15 times higher under the water.

He added: It is in pieces but everywhere. The bottom of the sea is completely covered with snot. Sea horses, crabs, small fish and any marine creatures living there die because it clogs their gills. We need an urgent solution to this situation.

Experts have warned that climate change has exacerbated the problem.

Dr Neslihan Ozdelice, a marine biologist at Istanbul University, told The Guardian: The main trigger is warming related to climate change, as phytoplankton grow during higher temperatures.

She said seawater had warmed by 2-3C since preindustrial times, but conceded that countering climate change would require a global and concerted effort and urged Turkey to focus on issues such as overfishing and waste water discharges.

She added: We are experiencing the visible effects of climate change, and adaptation requires an overhaul of our habitual practices. We must initiate a full-scale effort to adapt.
Bakery giant Warburtons is reportedly looking to expand its offerings from bread and crumpets to cake.

The 145-year-old bakery brand will trial the launch of a new range of cake products called Ellie Warburton, named after the great-great aunt of chairman Jonathan Warburton, reported The Times.

The move would see Ellie Warburton cakes being initially sold online and in two pop-up coffee shops in Harrogate and Skipton, North Yorkshire.

The company hopes that if the trial proves it has a viable product, it can then attempt a supermarket deal to sell its cakes to the wider UK public.

Currently, Warburtons sells bread, wraps, crumpets, bagels and thins in supermarkets throughout the country. The company recently released an advert starring George Clooney, and has had other celebrities like Robert de Niro, The Muppets and Peter Kay promoting its products before.

Warburton, 63, told the newspaper it was an entrepreneurial move for the business, as it hopes to get a slice out of the publics enduring love of the Great British Bake Off.

He added: Because were a family-owned company, we can give the trial a few months or a couple of years, as long as it is heading in the right direction.

The Bolton-based company announced it was investing in production at its factory in Stockton, north east England, due to growing sales of its Thin Bagels earlier this year.

A spokesperson said at the time the company would pump 18 million into production, which will see the site expand by around 15 per cent and create 30 new jobs over time.

Over the course of the pandemic, Warburtons also saw a boom in sales as more people ate at home under lockdown.

Warburton said it had been a very good year for the family shareholders with 4.1 million given to the companys 5,000 staff in bonuses.

He is also aware of increasing scrutiny on the role of food manufacturers in rates of obesity in the UK, particularly because of Boris Johnsons new fitness push in the face of Covid-19.

The businessman told The Times that his 23-year-old son, who is a personal trainer, said life needs a treat every now and then or youd end up a dull person.

He added that if people were going to have naughty calories, then they should ensure theyre damn good naughty calories, and joked that Warburtons could do well out of growing veganism because bread is the ultimate plant-based food.

The Independent has contacted Warburtons for comment.
Scientists have identified the maximum lifespan a human can hope to reach is 150-years-old, according to a new study.

Researchers at Gero, a biotech company based in Singapore, working in collaboration with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Buffalo, New York, studied medical data from volunteers in the UK and US to arrive at the figure.

The group used AI (Artificial Intelligence) to analyse the health and fitness information provided by volunteers and blood samples to conclude that a persons lifespan is dependent on two points: biological age and resilience.

Biological age is a calculation associated with lifestyle, stress and chronic diseases, rather than your actual age, while resilience relates to the speed at which a person returns to good health after responding to a stressor.

Their findings, which were published on Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications, showed that between the ages of 120 and 150 years old, humans display a complete loss of resilience that equates to an inability to recover.

Professor Andrei Gudkov, vice-president and chair of department of cell stress biology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Centre, called the study a conceptual breakthrough which determines and separates the roles of fundamental factors in human life.

It explains why even the most effective prevention and treatment of age-related diseases could only improve the average, but not the maximal, lifespan, unless true anti-aging therapies have been developed, he said.

Professor David Sinclair of Harvard Medical Schools genetics department, added: The investigation shows that recovery rate is an important signature of aging that can guide the development of drugs to slow the process and extend health-span.

French woman Jeanne Calment, who died at the age of 122 in 1997, was the oldest person to live whose age was independently verified.

And in 2016, Emma Morano - then the worlds oldest living person  attributed her long life to eating two eggs a day.

Morano, from Lake Maggiore in Northern Italy, said: I eat two eggs a day, and that's it. And cookies. But I do not eat much because I have no teeth.
The Duchess of Cambridge cleared the air with a confused little boy who asked her if she was a prince during a visit to Orkney on Wednesday.

Kate Middleton and her husband Prince William chatted with children from Glaitness Nursery in Orkneys main town of Kirkwall, after visiting the tidal turbines half a mile off the coast.

They were taken to see the 680-tonne, 73 metre-long Orbital O2 superstructure via a Royal Navy vessel and were invited to pour Scapa Whisky over its 20 metre-long rotor blades for good luck.

The machine, launched in April, will have the capacity to generate enough energy to power 2,000 UK households a year once it is connected to the European Marine Energy Centre.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are on a royal tour of Scotland, which William is carrying out in his role as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

After they arrived back on the islands, the couple spoke to the nursery-age children who said they were desperate to meet a real prince and princess.

One little boy pointed at Kate and asked: Are you the prince?

She replied: No, Im the Duchess of Cambridge. Lots of people call me Catherine.

Some of the young boys were keen to show off their trainers to William, and one said: Well, you must be the prince.

The couple also officially opened the new Balfour Hospital on the islands and thanked medical staff for their work during the pandemic.

The trip marks their first official visit to the remote Scottish archipelago and they were greeted with applause and cheers from nurses and other well-wishers early in the tour of the new 65 million hospital.
A neo-Nazi who posed for a photo while wearing a Make America Great Again hat has been been jailed for terror offences.

Nicholas Brock, 53, told police he was just a normal person who likes collecting stuff after hoarding bomb manuals, Nazi weapons and extremist literature in his bedroom.

Kingston Crown Court heard that he demonstrated his extreme right-wing mindset with tattoos including prominent German Nazi figures from the 1930s and 40s, an SS Totenkopf skull, runes and other symbols adopted by white supremacists.

At the home he shared with his mother in Maidenhead, Berkshire, Brock possessed a collection of Second World War knives and daggers bearing Nazi and SS insignia, and recipes for homemade bombs annotated with hand-drawn swastikas.

Police also found a framed certificate of recognition from the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), addressed personally to Brock, under his bed.

Officers seized electronic devices containing photos showing Brock performing Hitler salutes, wearing a balaclava and holding a large firearm, posing in front of a swastika flag, and wearing a Make America Great Again cap in front of the Confederate flag.

The slogan, often abbreviated as Maga, was used by Donald Trump during his successful 2016 US presidential campaign.

A judge jailed Brock for four years on Tuesday, after he was convicted of three counts of possessing documents useful to a terrorist.

Judge Peter Lodder QC said he had carefully and deliberately filed the material, adding: You also had pieces of paper with instructions for the preparation of homemade bombs.

It is clear from the wide range of other material found on your computer and your hard drive that you are a right-wing extremist.

Your enthusiasm for this repulsive and toxic ideology is demonstrated by the graphic, racist, Islamophobic and white supremacist iconography which you have stored and appear to share with others of similar views.

Nicholas Brock, 53, had Nazi-era weapons, symbols, collectibles and literature in his bedroom (CTPSE)

The charges related to The Anarchists Cookbook version 2000, which contains bomb recipes, a document on knife fighting techniques and a US military manual containing further instruction on fatal attacks.

Kingston Crown Court heard that he tried to blame an old school friend for downloading terrorist documents, but the man had never visited Brocks home.

Brock denied the charges and said he was a military collector, who had an interest in weapons and ammunition stemming from his love of Action Man figures as a child.

He also told investigators he had no interest in far-right groups, as he didn't go out much due to his social anxieties.

Prosecutor Emma Gargitter said Brock had no legitimate reason for possessing documents that went far beyond memorabilia, and included advice on how to create bombs, on how to kill and how to maim.

Police found literature including a copy of Adolf Hitlers book Mein Kampf, National Front flyers in an envelope addressed to Brock and books about the KKK and neo-Nazi group Combat 18.

A flag displaying an eagle and swastika were on Brocks bedroom wall, and he had an SS wall plaque, Nazi propaganda poster and Nazi badge on his bedside table, the court heard.

Jurors were told that his laptop, hard drives and mobile phones contained insignia, flags and other material associated with historical and contemporary far-right groups, and videos of extreme violence.

They included the footage taken by the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooter, beheadings and KKK cross burnings.

Nicholas Brock, 53, had Nazi-era weapons, symbols, collectibles and literature in his bedroom (CTPSE)

Searches had been made on Brocks laptop for banned neo-Nazi terrorist group National Action, as well as for other extremist groups and racist terms.

Edward Butler, defending, admitted his client had hoarded the material over many years but added: There is no evidence of membership of a proscribed or terrorist organisation, intention to carry out or assist or participate in any form of terrorist activity, or any preparation for such activity.

Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing South East, who arrested Brock in September 2019, believe he was likely to have been self-radicalised.

Detective Chief Superintendent Kath Barnes said: Although it is likely Brock had extreme toxic views, these seem to have been enhanced over the last couple of years, leading to this investigation, his arrest and ultimately his imprisonment.

Online grooming can happen to anyone. Vulnerable people can be drawn into a way of thinking by what they view and who they speak to online, and it can be difficult for loved ones to know what signs to spot or what to do.

Getting people the right support early on is the key, before it is too late and they have committed offences.

Additional reporting by PA
Two men and three teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder over the shooting of activist Sasha Johnson in Peckham, south London.

The Black Lives Matter campaigner remains critically ill in hospital after being shot in the head after gunfire erupted at a party on Sunday night.

Police in the area stopped a 17-year-old boy on Tuesday and arrested him on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Their investigation led them to an address in Peckham where three others  an 18-year-old, a 19-year-old and a 28-year-old  were all arrested on suspicion of affray and possession with intent to supply class B drugs.

A fifth man, aged 25, was later arrested after failing to stop following a police pursuit of a car in Peckham.

They were all subsequently arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remain in custody, the Metropolitan Police said.

Two homes in Peckham and the car from the chase are being searched, the force said.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Leonard, from the Mets specialist crime unit, said: While the investigation remains in its early stages, these arrests show that progress is being made.

However, I would continue to appeal to those who may hold information about the events that led to Sasha receiving her horrific injuries, or about those responsible, to do the right thing and come forward and speak to police.

Superintendent Kris Wright, from the Central South Command Unit, responsible for policing in Southwark and Lambeth, said: These arrests are the result of instinctive local police work, combined with fast-time intelligence gathering, and shows the effectiveness of the various police teams in the Met working together.

Local officers, supported by specialist teams, will continue to be in and around the Peckham area in the coming days and I continue to urge anyone with concerns to engage with them.
Piers Morgan has apologised for the way he held the government to account during the coronavirus pandemic, saying he should have gone much much harder.

The former Good Morning Britain host made the remarks as Dominic Cummings described the chaos in Downing Street in the days leading up to the first lockdown.

Boris Johnson's former chief adviser told MPs his boss was more concerned about the economic impact of Covid-19 than the health risk in the early stages of the pandemic.

"The prime minister's view, throughout January, February, March, was  as he said in many meetings  the real danger here is not the disease, the real danger here is the measures that we take to deal with a disease and the economic destruction that that will cause," Mr Cummings said.

"He had that view all the way through. In fact, one of the reasons why it was so rocky getting from [14 March 2020], when we suggested plan B to him, to actual lockdown was because he kept basically bouncing back to, 'We don't really know how dangerous it is, we're going to completely destroy the economy by having lockdown, maybe we shouldn't do it'."

Midway through Mr Cummings testimony, Mr Morgan tweeted: Wow. Cummings is confirming everything I feared about our governments appalling handling of this pandemic.

His testimony is utterly devastating and exposes a terrifying level of incompetence and deceit led by Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock that cost 1,000s of lives. Heads should roll.

He added: A personal statement: I'd like to sincerely apologise for the way I held the government to account during this pandemic.

It's quite clear from Cummings' shocking testimony that I should have gone much much harder. Sorry.

In November last year, Mr Morgan accused the government of boycotting GMB for 201 days. He had previously accused the government of "cowardice" for not fielding members of the cabinet for questioning.

He quit the morning news programme after six years following outrage at his claim he did not believe a word of the Duchess of Sussexs claims to have suffered suicidal thoughts during her time as a senior royal
The Santa Clara County Sheriffs office confirmed the identity of the San Jose mass shooting suspect as Samuel Cassidy, 57, whom authorities described on Thursday as a highly disgruntled employee at the rail yard where he killed nine people a day earlier during a morning union meeting.

Santa Clara County sheriff Laurie Smith said officers ran into the building as shots were being fired in heroics that resulted in a diminished loss of life.

A fire was reported around the time of the shooting at the alleged gunmans San Jose house, about nine miles from the main railway crime scene, according to a firefighter quoted by KTVU. The FBI and bomb squad were also investigating the building.

Authorities reportedly found gasoline and hundreds of rounds of ammunition inside.

What happened?

Police were called at 6.34am about shots breaking out at a county railway maintenance year, located near the Santa Clara County sheriffs department headquarters.

Ten people died  including the suspect, who was an employee of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)  while more than 40 survivors were evacuated. One survivor who was injured and in critical condition at a nearby hospital died overnight Wednesday.

Santa Clara County Sheriffs deputy Russell Davis said the numbers can change, this is still a fluid and active situation.

A fellow VTA employee reportedly called his mother and said the shooting occurred during a union meeting at the rail yard.

Raj Singh, the recording and financial secretary for Amalgamated Transit Union local 265, which represents VTA operators, told The Mercury News that the shooting occurred at the busiest time of day during a shift change when operators and maintenance workers were getting ready for the start of the days service.

The shooting at 100 W Younger Ave is the location of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authoritys maintenance yard, which services rail, bus and shuttle services to the Bay Area.

Who is the suspect?

The primary suspect was identified as railway technician Samuel James Cassidy, 57, with multiple local media outlets, including KTVU, the San Jose Mercury News, and a local NBC affiliate, citing law enforcement sources. Sheriffs deputy Cian Jackson told The Independent they would not be releasing the name of the suspect until the coroners office had informed the next of kin. Police confirmed the suspects identity on Thursday afternoon. The gunmans motive has not been established, police said.

The gunman took his own life, sources told The Los Angeles Times, with multiple weapons and ammunition said to have been found inside his home. Authorities also said they believe the shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and that officers did not exchange fire with him.

Cassidys ex-girlfriend told NBC Bay Area on Wednesday that the man was not mentally stable during their relationship, which occurred 12 years ago.

The woman, who did not give her name, said she hadnt spoken with Cassidy in years, but described how he got angry and aggressive after she turned down a marriage proposal two months into their relationship, which began after meeting on dating site Match.com.

I was scared, she said. He made a lot of trouble for me. Ive moved forward.

Hes a murderer, she added. He killed innocent people. Thats terrible. I feel sad.

Cassidy didnt have a major criminal background, KTVU reports, though he did have a few traffic violations on file. One coworker reportedly said the man was strange, while others in the neighbourhood called him a loner.

Is there any evidence about a motive?

At a press conference on Wednesday, the sheriffs department said there was no official information yet about a potential motive.

Law enforcement sources told the LA Times that the shooting was related to a workplace issue and that it did not involve riders of Santa Clara Countys light rail system.

How is the investigation proceeding?

The Santa Clara County sheriffs department, San Jose police department, as well as federal agencies like Homeland Security, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms are assisting with the investigation into the shooting, which took place across at least two different buildings at the railway facility.

We received information there are explosive devices inside the building, Mr Davis, the sheriffs deputy, said, adding that the bomb squad and Federal Bureau of Investigation had been activated to investigate. A bomb dog detected a device but no further information was revealed.

Authorities must clear the building before a deeper crime scene investigation can occur.

A fire was reported around the time of the shooting at the alleged gunmans San Jose house, about nine miles away.

Cassidys ex-wife, Cecilia Nelms, told The Associated Press that he had a bad temper and would tell her that he wanted to kill people at work, "but I never believed him, and it never happened. Until now."

Ms Nelms confirmed to KTVU the couple had lived together at that address before divorcing in 2009.

What have elected leaders said in response?

Joe Biden was briefed on the mass shooting by his homeland security advisor, Liz Sherwood-Randall, according to a statement given to press pool reporters.

The president said in a statement that while theyre still learning details, there are at least eight families who will never be whole again.

There are children, parents, and spouses who are waiting to hear whether someone they love is ever going to come home. There are union brothers and sisters  good, honest, hardworking people  who are mourning their own, Mr Biden said.

The president urged Congress to do more and take immediate action to help end this epidemic of gun violence in America, saying every life taken by a bullet pierces the soul of our nation.

I have the solemn duty of yet again of ordering the flag to be lowered at half-staff, just weeks after doing so following the mass shootings at spas in and around Atlanta; in a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado; at a home in Rock Hill, South Carolina; and at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. Enough.

Vice president Kamala Harris, who has family in the city of San Jose, told reporters the facts are still revealing themselves but it is absolutely tragic, its absolutely tragic.

California leaders also condemned the violence and called for reform.

Governor Gavin Newsom asked when the country would end the politics, stale rhetoric and finger-pointing, which he argues produces nothing except more fury and frustration at mass shootings repeated over and over again.

Were experiencing something that is not experienced anywhere else in the world, there is a sameness to this and that numbness I think were all feeling, he said.

It begs the damn question, what the hells going on in the United States of America? What the hells wrong with us, and when are we going to come to grips with this? When are we going to put down our arms literally and figuratively?

San Joses mayor also expressed his anguish about the shooting, which occurred less than two years after another major spree in the area in 2019, at a garlic festival in Gilroy, California, where three people were killed and 12 were injured.

This is a horrific day for our city, and its a tragic day for the VTA family, San Jose mayor Sam Liccardo said on Wednesday. Our heart pains for the family and coworkers because we know so many are feeling deeply this loss of their loved ones and their friends. Now is the moment for us to collect ourselves and understand what happened, to mourn and help those who have suffered to heal.

He also called for reforms, saying he is working to ensure we never see a horrific tragedy like this again in San Jose.

What is being done for the families of the victims?

Family members looking for survivors evacuated from the facility were directed to a nearby County building at 70 W Hedding Street. The VTA said that grief counsellors would be onsite for employees and family.

Those looking for loved ones were also directed to call 408-299-2311 for more information.

A fund for families impacted by the violence can be found at Working Partnerships USA, a labour advocacy group.

Flags were ordered at half mast in Washington DC and San Jose, and a community vigil will be held on Thursday at 6pm PST at San Joses city hall.

How many mass shootings have occurred this year?

According to the Gun Violence Archive, at least 232 mass shootings  which they define as involving a minimum of four victims have occurred so far in 2021, putting America on pace to have the highest number of mass shootings since 2014.
Police have killed at least 229 Black people out of a total 426 people of colour since former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd on 25 May, 2020. Each case is different, but many share core similarities: quick encounters, for low-level infractions, met with deadly force, leaving families and communities with unanswered questions.

A popular chant, heard during thousands of protests across the country after the murder of George Floyd, was a simple one: Say his name. It was a simple act of memory after so many other victims of police brutality had been forgotten, or never acknowledged.

The police officer who fired a Taser stun gun at Kendrell Watkins, a naked, unarmed Black man, during a fatal arrest last summer didnt know his name.

On 15 August, Mr Watkinss family called the Tuscaloosa, Alabama, police to report that hed been acting erratically: making violent threats, throwing food, smashing a glass table at his aunts house. A cousin told officers who responded that he was losing it and may be on drugs.

Later that night, according to body camera footage, a police officer caught up with him in an empty parking lot.

Youre not Keyshaun Watkins? You sure? the officer says.

Kendrell Watkins says no.

You aint in trouble, or he aint in trouble either, the officer continues, before asking for ID, which Mr Watkins says he doesnt have. The officer lets him go.

Another officer soon arrives. After a redacted portion of conversation, the pair begins to walk after him.

 Alabama police Taser Kendrell Watkins during his fatal arrest

Hey Keyshaun, hold up real quick! the officer with the body camera calls out, before asking his partner if the man theyre now pursuing had any criminal charges against him. If he had charges I was going to chase him down.

A conspicuous break in the body camera footage, then the scene changes completely.

Officers are sprinting after Mr Watkins, who is completely nude. They order him onto the ground. He lifts his hands for a moment but keeps moving, then an officer Tases him at close range, firing again as the other officer climbs on top of the man, wrestling him into handcuffs.

Eventually, he goes unconscious, and officers stand around his limp body, with one joking that he rode the lightning, while the officer with the body camera gets his name wrong a third time, calling him DeAndre Watkins as paramedics arrive. Kendrell Watkins was pronounced dead later that day.

Police released video of what happened not long after the arrest itself, but since then, thats basically all thats been told to the public or his family. According to public information, the involved officers havent been identified or disciplined, and no charges have been filed.

At a press conference following his death, Tuscaloosa police chief Brent Blankley said he was extremely proud of the conduct, the human decency, compassion and professionalism of those officers.

His family, meanwhile, says they were shut out completely.

"The only thing Ive heard from them is what they put on the news that Saturday of his death, Mable Parham, Mr Watkinss mother, said in October. Aint nobody knocked on my door, sent a letter or email, no nothing. All Ive been getting is lies, from the day of his death. I dont know what to believe now because theyre all lying. I dont know what to do."

His family wasnt apprised of the results of his autopsy until November. They did not respond to a request for comment from The Independent.

Community members have protested the arrest, arguing police shouldnt have used force on someone in mental distress, and that despite an abundance of body camera footage, authorities still havent explained what happened in that gap in the footage just before things turned violent.

Thats not what we pay millions of millions tax dollars to have, said Celida Soto Garcia, a community organiser. It was conveniently during the time when it went from Mr Watkins sitting peacefully in a parking lot, to now the man is running frantically naked.

Some may think a Taser is non-lethal, Ms Garcia argued, but she says police used it in a racist way.

Any weapon that the police carry thats loaded with hate can lead to lethal force.

Since Mr Watkins died, the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit (TVCU), a multi-agency task force that includes the Tuscaloosa Police Department itself, has been investigating the incident, and activists say the process reeks of self-protection and delay.

The TVCU, Tuscaloosa Police Department, Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, and local districts attorneys office all declined requests from The Independent for interviews or comment.

These cases go on and on, and I believe that they intentionally suppress information until the hype, the attention is no longer on that case, and they release irrelevant statements to the public, said Eric Hall, a co-founder of the Black Lives Matter chapter in nearby Birmingham.

According to Police Scorecard, an organisation that studies police departments, the TPD both arrests and kills Black people at a rate higher than their share of the population, trends mirrored at the state and national level.

But even with body cameras, or high-profile convictions like Derek Chauvins, thats not always enough to make authorities, or the public, remember these peoples names.

An overhaul of our criminal injustice system is going to take way more than one act of police brutality and murder in any particular state, Ms Soto Garcia, the organiser, said. Its going to take unifying all of these particular cases and understand that we have a real systemic issue here.
The mother of two missing children found buried in an Idaho backyard has been charged with their murder, along with her new husband, prosecutors have announced.

Lori Vallow and her husband Chad Daybell were indicted on first-degree murder for the deaths of children Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua JJ Vallow, seven, as well as Mr Daybells first wife Tammy Daybell.

Madison County prosecutor Rob Wood announced multiple charges nearly one year after the childrens bodies were discovered on the property of the doomsday preppers.

Finally!!! and on JJs birthday too, cousin Zac Cox said on Twitter.

Prosecutors alleged in an announcement of the charges that the three homicides and related financial crimes were committed as part of a continuing criminal scheme.

Tylee and JJ went missing in the fall of 2019 before being found on their stepfathers property on 9 June 2020, prosecutors allege. Ms Daybell was found dead on 19 October 2019.

The case came to national attention over the couples participation in the preppers community. Mr Daybell ran a publishing company that put out books about apocalyptic scenarios loosely based on the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

If found guilty, the couple face sentences ranging from life in prison without parole to the death penalty.

Fremont County prosecutor Lindsey Blake said in a statement that progress in the case had been slowed due to the ongoing safety restrictions imposed by the courts during the Covid pandemic, and that they just recently received permission to present information to a grand jury for review.

They deliberated and determined there is probable cause to believe that the Daybells willfully and knowingly conspired to commit several crimes that led to the death of three innocent people, Ms Blake said.

They are expected to be arraigned on Wednesday on the new slate of charges, which include multiple counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft by deception, and insurance fraud.
Ruling Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Rep. Song Young-gil, second from the left, speaks during a Supreme Council meeting of the party, Wednesday, held during the party leadership's visit to Samsung Biologics in Incheon, which signed a deal last Saturday to manufacture Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine. Yonhap



By Jung Da-min



In contemporary Korean politics, the liberal political party has usually been associated with a younger, more vibrant and egalitarian image than the conservative camp. This image is attributed to the progressive lawmakers of the liberal party, who used to be student activists during the pro-democracy movement of the 1980s. However, that fresh luster seems to have dulled in recent years, as the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has increasingly reflected characteristics typical of the conservative camp  such as unilateral decision-making  while dozens of ruling bloc figures have been mired in corruption scandals and sexual harassment allegations.



According to a DPK internal report, based on an opinion poll and a focus group interview, a ruling party official now appears to be viewed as "a person in his 40s or 50s who is high-handed and incompetent, while possessing double standards to justify his own wrongdoings and criticize others for similar behavior."



The poll was conducted of 2,000 adults, aged 19 to 54, from April 22 to 26. The focus group interview took place from April 12 to 15.



In the focus group interview, 10 percent of the respondents said that they associate the DPK with the party's symbolic color of blue, but 8.5 percent said they associate the party with the word, "naeronambul," a Korean word used to describe hypocrisy, which roughly translates to, "If I do it, it is romance, and if you do it, it is adultery."



Some other keywords in the top 10 included "incompetence," "lie" and "sexual harassment." The last keyword may have come from sexual harassment allegations raised against former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon and Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don. Park killed himself and Oh resigned, resulting in the April 7 mayoral by-elections.



In particular, 71.1 percent of the respondents said that their image of the ruling party has turned negative after last year's April 15 general election, in which the DPK won by a landslide against the conservative main opposition People Power Party (PPP), becoming a supermajority with two thirds of the seats in the National Assembly.



The respondents said they felt betrayed and disappointed by the ruling party's moral hazard-based practices and real estate policy failures.



Despite the sexual harassment scandals of Park and Oh, the DPK fielded candidates in the by-elections after revising its internal regulations. The ruling party had stipulated earlier that it would not field a candidate for a by-election that was triggered by one of its members resigning over their wrongdoing.



While the Moon Jae-in government's policies to tame soaring real estate prices have not been effective, land speculation scandals involving employees of the state-run Korea Land and Housing Corp. (LH), as well as allegations of improper real estate deals involving some ruling bloc figures, have emerged. These scandals are viewed as one of the biggest factors that led to the DPK's defeat by the PPP in this year's by-elections, where the PPP won both in Seoul and Busan.



What tainted the younger image of the DPK was a remark by former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, a presidential hopeful of the party.



Talking about Lee Jun-seok, a 36-year-old rookie politician of the PPP who is running to be the party's chairperson and leads in public opinion polls, Chung said it would be difficult for the young lawmaker to become the PPP's next head, because there is a culture of "elders first" in Korean society.



Critics said that Chung's remarks sounded outdated.



The image of the PPP shown in the report was also negative, with the respondents saying the party's image is associated with a person in his late 50s to 70s who values money and power. But the report noted that the PPP has improved in some areas, due to this year's by-elections, with people associating the party with keywords like "rebuilding" or "bulldozer."



Political watchers said Lee's rising popularity in opinion polls, as well as increased media attention on him, could reflect the people's desire for change within the conservative party.


A South Carolina county has agreed to pay $10 million to the family of a man with mental health issues whom deputies forced to the ground on his stomach and repeatedly shot with stun guns and pepper spray before he died in jail this January.

The Charleston County Council voted Tuesday evening to approve the settlement for the family of Jamal Sutherland, a 31-year-old Black man who was booked into the county jail Jan 4.

The agreement comes less than two weeks after county officials released video clips that show deputies attempting to take Sutherland to a bond court appearance the next morning. Video shows that after Sutherland refused to leave his cell, deputies deployed stun guns and knelt on Sutherlands back before he stopped moving. An hour later, Sutherland was dead, officials reported.

I am so happy that it was a unanimous decision to do what was right by the Sutherland family, Council Chairman Teddie Pryor said. We know that no amount of money will bring their loved one back, but I think this starts the healing process.

The detailed video has prompted Charleston activists this month to call for broad changes in how law enforcement agencies attend to people with mental illness.

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, for treatment of his schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Officials said they were called to investigate a fight at the center and arrested Sutherland as a result.

Mark Peper, the family's attorney, has previously said that Sutherland's illness was so severe he should never have been held in a nonmedical portion of the jail.

Justice for Jamal will come in many forms, the family said in a statement Wednesday. We are pleased to have negotiated a settlement with the government entities that provides the type of civil justice he deserves, but our work is not yet done.

County councilmembers said Tuesday that they are looking into crafting jail and public safety reforms.

I did promise the family were going to look at new reforms, Pryor said. I think thats all theyre asking for, is to be included and to have some type of reform, because this should never happen to anyone ever again. Ever.

Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano said in a statement that she and other law enforcement officials are working to develop a model design that is beneficial to treating mental illness with continuum of care.

I have taken responsibility for this incident, Graziano said. This was a disastrous set of circumstances that led to the unfortunate loss of Jamal Sutherland.

Sutherlands death occurred just a day after Graziano, who pledged a slew of reforms to reshape the 900-person department and build community trust, was sworn in as sheriff.

Graziano has since fired two deputies involved in the case, Lindsay Fickett and Brian Houle. Protesters in Charleston have called for Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson to charge the deputies with murder or recuse herself from the case, news outlets reported.

Wilson, who is now consulting outside experts after receiving the official law enforcement and autopsy reports on Sutherland's death, has not yet indicated whether she will pursue charges in the case.

The $10 million settlement is among one of the more expensive payouts to families of those killed by police across the country. By comparison, North Charleston South Carolina, paid $6.5 million in 2015 to the family of Walter Scott, an unarmed Black man who was killed by white police Officer Michael T. Slager as Scott ran after a traffic stop. Slager later pleaded guilty to a civil rights violation.

___

Liu 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.
Joe Bidens administration has terminated the inquiry launched under the presidency of Donald Trump into whether Covid originated in a Chinese lab.

The closely guarded inquiry by the State Department was ended amid concerns about the quality of its work, CNN reported, citing three unnamed sources.

The probe had been launched last autumn on the orders of Mr Trump and led by an aide to then-secretary of state Mike Pompeo, investigating whether Chinas biological weapons programme was liked to the origin of the novel virus in Wuhan.

The development comes as some of the USs top health officials demanded a swift investigation into the origins of coronavirus and amid renewed concerns about whether the virus escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on Tuesday said international experts should be allowed to independently investigate the source of the virus and the early days of the outbreak, reported the Washington Post, during a ministerial meeting of the World Health Organisation.

The most prominent theory since the start of the outbreak has been that the virus emerged from the meat of wild animals that was sold in a market in Wuhan. But the so-called lab leak theory, while mostly dismissed by experts, has been heavily pushed by US Republicans as part of Mr Trumps rivalry with China.

A WHO team that went to various labs in China to investigate the source of the virus concluded in February that it was extremely unlikely the virus leaked from the Wuhan lab.

But the issue resurfaced this week after a report by the Wall Street Journal said three workers at the Wuhan lab became sick and were hospitalised in November 2019 not long before the first reported cases of Covid.

The report cited previously undisclosed US intelligence findings, but has been dismissed by Beijing officials who accused the US of hyping the lab leak theory.

The United States continues to hype up the lab leak theory. Does it care about traceability or is it just trying to distract attention? Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said.

Dr Anthony Fauci, the USs top virologist, has previously dismissed the lab leak theory but admitted after the WSJ report that he is not 100 per cent convinced Covid developed naturally, backing an investigation.

I think we should continue to investigate what went on in China until we find out to the best of our ability what happened, said Dr Fauci, who is Mr Bidens chief medical adviser.

The decision to dissolve the probe launched by the Trump administration came after Biden officials were briefed about the draft findings of the team, with questions raised on the legitimacy of the findings.

But the Biden administration also says it remains sceptical of Beijings role in limiting investigators from accessing information which could be crucial to know the origin of the virus.

The State Department confirmed that US intelligence agencies are continuing to look into the matter closely even as the inquiry has been stopped.
Donald Trump Jr became incensed after a White House reporter asked press secretary Jen Psaki about Joe Biden's weight-lifting routine.

"I can tell you traveling with him a fair amount, sometimes he's hard to keep up with," Ms Psaki responded.

The former president's son launched into a rant complaining that Mr Biden, who is 78 years old, appears to struggle sometimes with mobility issues.

"Really Jen?" Mr Trump Jr asked in a video he posted. He cant walk up the stairs of Air Force One without falling over! Now, if you said that hes hard to keep up with because you have no idea what the hell he is saying when hes speaking, that I would understand. But if youre going to tell me that hes hard to keep up with physically when we dont see him doing anything early, we see lids being called in the middle of the day, you dont see him doing anything late.

The thought of Mr Biden being "difficult to keep up with" was the part that apparently made the former president's son especially upset, though he also took a shot at the media for asking soft-ball, ingratiating questions about the president.

I mean, does anyone really believe hes hard to keep up with? he asked. You and I and any reasonable being with a brain has no idea what hes saying. But these are the hard-hitting questions from the media. I mean, oh, were blowing it out. This is journalism. Theyre asking all the tough questions! What the hell are you asking about?

While the White House press corps has long been criticised for sometimes asking inane questions that seem poised to give press secretaries opportunities to boost their bosses, it is especially hypocritical that the son of Donald Trump would complain about fawning media coverage.

It is true that Mr Trump was met with well-earned hostility from the press, who he called an "enemy of the people, often encouraging his supporters to harass media members during his MAGA rallies. However, there were plenty of media outlets  Fox News, OANN, and Newsmax in particular  that fawned over the former president without a word of criticism from his son.

Former Fox News host Lou Dobbs was one of the most shameless sycophants for Mr Trump, telling colleague Sean Hannity in 2017 that the then-president was "pretty close to perfect.

In 2019, he agreed with a pastor who said Mr Trump was "Sent from God, and later that year claimed that there was "sunshine beaming throughout the place, and on almost every face.

He once called Mr Trump the "greatest president in the history of our country," and later posted a poll that could have been lifted right out of North Korea state media, in which he asked how viewers would rate Mr Trump's Covid-19 response.

The responses available in the poll were "superb," "great," and "very good."

Mr Trump Jr did not appear to have any issue with that level of journalistic malfeasance when it was directed at his father.

The presidents sons rant earned him mockery on social media.
Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace criticised her colleague Marjorie Taylor Greene for comparing workers at a grocery store having marks on their name badges to show they're vaccinated to Jews being forced to wear arm bands in Nazi Germany to identify them as Jewish.

Vaccinated employees get a vaccination logo just like the Nazis forced Jewish people to wear a gold star, Ms Greene tweeted. Vaccine passports & mask mandates create discrimination against unvaxxed people who trust their immune systems to a virus that is 99% survivable.

Before that, Ms Greene appeared on a podcast and likened House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's decision to uphold mask mandates in the House chambers to Jews in Nazi Germany being forced to wear the Star of David.

You know, we can look back in a time in history where people were told to wear a gold star, and they were definitely treated like second-class citizens  so much so that they were put in trains and taken to gas chambers in Nazi Germany, Ms Green said. And this is exactly the type of abuse that Nancy Pelosi is talking about.

Ms Mace lashed out at her fellow Republican over the remarks.

Mask mandates are not even remotely comparable to the discrimination and persecution Jews faced during the Holocaust and to insinuate the two are similar is disgraceful, Ms Mace tweeted. Given the rise of antisemitism around the world today, I find this comparison even more appalling.

The Congresswoman then shared a flowchart that advised people on when it was appropriate to compare something to the holocaust. According to the chart, the answer is: never.

Ms Greene's anti-vax comments invoking the Holocaust were criticised by members of both parties.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy also chastised Ms Greene for her comparison.

Marjorie is wrong, and her intentional decision to compare the horrors of the Holocaust with wearing masks is appalling," Mr McCarthy said in a statement. "The Holocaust is the greatest atrocity committed in history. The fact that this needs to be stated today is deeply troubling."

He said not only did Ms Greene's comments not sit well with him, but they did not sit well with the party at large.

Americans must stand together to defeat antisemitism and any attempt to diminish the history of the Holocaust. Let me be clear: the House Republican Conference condemns this language, he said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called her words sickening, reprehensible comments, and said she should stop this vile language immediately.

Ms Greene defended herself, claiming she did not make comparisons to the Holocaust, despite doing exactly that.

I never compared it to the Holocaust, only the discrimination against Jews in early Nazi years. Stop feeding into the left wing media attacks on me, she tweeted. Everyone should be concerned about the squads support for terrorists and discrimination against unvaxxed people. Why arent they?

Ms Greene sent the tweet in response to a post by conservative media pundit Ben Shapiro criticising her bizarrely nutso Holocaust analogy.
Travellers from the UK to France will be told to self-isolate for a week after arrival, the government in Paris has announced.

The move to the French equivalent of the UKs amber list rules was decided at a council of ministers on Wednesday 26 May in response to concerns over the Indian variant of coronavirus. It takes effect on Monday 31 May.

UK visitors to France are currently required to present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival and complete a sworn statement (declaration sur lhonneur) form self-certifying they are not suffering from symptoms associated with coronavirus and have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight,

They must take a further test on day seven and are allowed to end self-isolation if it is negative.

But from 31 May travellers must have a test in the 36 hours before arrival  or present an additional negative antigen test no older than 24 hours  and isolate for seven days.

While there is no obligation to go into a hotel, self-isolation is closely supervised by police. Anyone who is not at their registered quarantine location faces a fine starting at 1,000 (870).

A French government spokesperson, Gabriel Attal, said the decision was taken after Germany decided to impose quarantine on arrivals from the UK.

The new rule is not expected to apply to hauliers.

The changed status closely matches the requirements for travellers from France to the UK. They face amber list restrictions with quarantine and multiple testing.

The move has caused dismay for the travel industry on both sides of the Channel. Businesses were anticipating that rules would be eased as the main summer season approaches.

A spokesperson for Brittany Ferries said: If theres one thing weve learned today, its that the lessons of the past have not been applied to the present.

The unwelcome move by France to tighten travel restrictions is a direct consequence of the failure of the UK to put India on the red list immediately following the emergence of the terrible and urgent health crisis unfolding in India.

Travel firms had hoped the UK might soon be added to the EUs safe list of third countries amid its speedy vaccine rollout, but this looks increasingly unlikely after both Germany and Austria announced they were closing their borders to British tourists.
Costa Rica and Gabon are 10,000 kilometres apart, separated by the wide expanses of the Atlantic Ocean, but both nations are standing side by side in calling for a new international agreement to prevent and combat the scourge of wildlife crime.

Wildlife crimes pose a threat to human and animal health, driving many species towards extinction, degrading entire ecosystems and their ability to sequester carbon, depriving governments of revenue, exacerbating corruption, insecurity, and poverty.

If we include the impacts of these crimes on ecosystems, then The World Bank estimates their value at a staggering US $1-2 trillion a year, said His Excellency Ali Bongo Ondimba President of the Gabonese Republic.

The world is still feeling the full brunt of a pandemic, which most likely had its origins in wildlife, we are advised that there are hundreds of thousands of new viruses that could spill over from wildlife to humans, we are struggling to combat climate change, and staring down the loss of a million species. The illicit trafficking in wildlife is exacerbating all of these interrelated global crises, said His Excellency Carlos Alvarado Quesada President Republic of Costa Rica.

Given the scale of the risks to people and the planet, we simply cannot stand by and watch wildlife continue to disappear without strengthening our collective response, including international laws for combating and preventing wildlife crime.

Its time to treat wildlife crimes as the serious and highly destructive crimes that they are. We owe it to the worlds youth to act boldly and swiftly to ensure we pass on a healthy and prosperous planet, said President Ali Bongo Ondimba and President Carlos Alvarado Quesada.

(Paul Hilton _ Earth Tree Images)

Both Costa Rica and Gabon are calling for preventing and combating wildlife crime to be embedded into the international criminal law framework by developing a new global agreement, namely a new agreement on wildlife crime, taking the form of a Fourth Protocol under the UN Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) against the illicit trafficking in wild fauna and flora. The three existing Protocols are on trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants, and the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms.

Costa Rica and Gabon are global leaders in promoting nature conservation and recognising its centrality to protecting biodiversity, combating climate change, preventing future wildlife-related pandemics, ensuring security and for generating decent jobs.

Gabon and Costa Rica have some of the most unique biodiversity on the planet and are recognised internationally for their leadership and efforts in setting aside marine and terrestrial protected areas, as well as for their leadership role in seeking to combat illicit trafficking of wild fauna and flora, and Gabon has co-chaired of the UN Group of Friends on Poaching and Illicit Wildlife Trafficking, established in New York in December 2013.

Gabon and Costa Rica are both members of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, a coalition of over 60 interregional countries championing the protection of 30% of planets land and 30% of the planets ocean by 2030.
Democrats had been holding out hope that the Senates confirmation of ex-DC Circuit Judge Merrick Garland would let the sunlight in on every dirty little secret of the Trump-era Justice Department. Unfortunately, a three-line filing submitted to US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson on Monday seemed to put an end to all that.

Since May 2019, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a good-government and transparency advocacy group, has been waging a court battle under the Freedom of Information Act. The aim is to gain access to key documents which detail how former Attorney General William Barr handled ex-Special Counsel Robert Muellers decision to not offer any opinion on whether Trump obstructed the investigation into Russian election interference in 2016.

At the centre of the dispute is a memo prepared by the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel  the executive branchs in-house legal adviser. That memo opined on whether Mueller had compiled sufficient evidence to establish if Trump had violated the law by (among other things) pushing a succession of characters  such as then-White House Counsel Don McGahn and outside adviser Corey Lewandowski  to induce then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions to fire him. Muellers report detailed ten separate obstructive acts committed by Trump. But while the ex-FBI director did not draw a legal conclusion as to whether Trump had committed a crime, he also noted that he could not say that Trump had not committed a crime, either.

The Trump-era Justice Department, not exactly a fan of FOIA to begin with, resisted most  if not all  attempts to force disclosure of Mueller-related documents. In this case, DOJ officials argued that the memo in question constituted legal advice that is shielded by deliberate process privilege, which allows executive branch officials to keep secret their own internal consultations with agency lawyers. The advice in question this time? In the DOJs telling, it was the Office of Legal Counsels reasoning which Barr claimed to follow when he announced that Trump had not obstructed Muellers investigation.

But Judge Jackson, an Obama appointee who presided over a string of criminal cases against Trumpworld figures which were brought by Muellers team, wasnt having it. On May 3rd, after personally reviewing the memo at issue, she released an official opinion which was previously sealed from public view. She found that Barr was not then engaged in making a decision about whether the President should be charged with obstruction of justice because the fact that he would not be prosecuted was a given.

Because, in her words, the memo was crafted for the purpose of getting a jump on public relations, Jackson ordered it released in its entirety. But rather than comply with her ruling and allow the public wholesale access to the document Barr claimed to have relied on when giving Trump reason to claim that Mueller totally exonerated him, the Garland-led Justice Department filed an appeal late Monday evening.

Speaking on MSNBCs The Last Word with Lawrence ODonnell late Monday evening, House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff said hed hoped that Garland would choose transparency over blindly asserting executive branch prerogatives because the latter ought to give way to the greater public interest.

After all, this involved an investigation into wrongdoing by the president of the United States and an attorney general, Bill Barr, who was willing to essentially lie to the country to conceal, he said. And I think that public interest and full disclosure ought to outweigh whatever concern the Biden Justice Department may have about the precedent, particularly when, as the court has found and the court has read this document, it isn`t an internal deliberation over a legal issue. It`s essentially spin. I don`t think the Biden administration should get in the way of disclosing that spin to the public.

When Schiff was informed, live on air, that the Justice Department had chosen to appeal Judge Jacksons ruling rather than release the Barr-era memo, he called the decision disappointing and said he hoped the Biden administration would lose its appeal before the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals.

Walter Shaub, the former Office of Government Ethics boss and senior ethics fellow at the Project on Government Oversight, also summed up the feelings of those whod hoped that Garland would err on the side of transparency when he took to Twitter early on Tuesday.

Legal experts argue that Garland and the rest of Justice Department leadership may feel they have no choice but to defend the position first staked out by the Trump administration. Such expressions of continuity are, in fact, relatively common, since judges tend to frown upon attorneys abruptly switching arguments for no other reason than changed marching orders from a new administration.

Moreover, many Justice Department veterans argue that not defending the use of the deliberate process privilege in this case, however dubious the reasoning for it might be, could undermine future administrations attempts to shield privileged information for legitimate reasons.

Glenn Kirschner, an ex-federal prosecutor who has called for a wholesale investigation of Trump-era abuses in the form of a Trump crimes commission, fears that such arguments, however well-intentioned, will only serve to provide a safe space for abuse of power and wholesale violations of law. Bad-faith actors would then be able to count on future administrations to shield their abuses under the guise of protecting the executive branchs own privileges.

Were giving corruption an opportunity to thrive, he said. Whats more important in this moment time is transparency. I actually think, as a general proposition, the federal government should be moving toward transparency in every area that doesnt damage national security or ongoing investigations.

Another veteran Washington hand  an ex-aide to a former GOP high officeholder who requested anonymity because their current job does not allow them to speak with media  said the Republican Partys authoritarian turn under Trump requires a wholesale rethink.

Until Barr started using the Justice Department as Trumps sword and shield, you could generally count on the DOJ to do the right thing, even if the tendency was to err on the side of secrecy, they said. But I dont think any decision made by any federal agency during Trumps presidency deserves to be given a presumption of regularity or good faith by the Biden administration or the courts.

Instead, the ex-GOP adviser said Garland should order a review of every Trump-era case that the DOJ is actively defending to determine whether the position the government argued before January 20 was adopted to benefit Trump personally instead of serving a legitimate interest, whether policies being defended were promulgated for the purpose of harming the former presidents real or perceived enemies, and whether continuing to advance those arguments would serve to cover up corruption or malfeasance. If any of those conditions are met, they argued that the Justice Department should back off.

Kirschner, the former federal prosecutor, suggested that transparency advocates could, in this case, pierce the shield of deliberate process privilege by citing the crime-fraud exception. This is an exception which prosecutors often use to gain access to otherwise privileged documents when prosecuting corrupt attorneys.

Bill Barr had effectively helped Trump in getting away with 10 counts of felony obstruction of justice, he said. Just as attorney-client privilege yields to the crime-fraud exception, just as the executive privilege yields to the crime-fraud exception, the deliberative process privilege  which, frankly, is kind of less compelling than the other more traditional privileges anyway  should also yield to the crime fraud exception.
Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community!

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Tourist season is ramping up in Southern Rhode Island but, for local hotels, the news is not all positive as an industry-wide staffing shortage is making keeping up with the increased demand incredibly difficult. Despite a recent move by the state to allow many who return to work to collect the federal unemployment benefits and earn more money before losing some portion of their state benefits, local hotels owners, managers and industry experts said the situation affecting the industry is exceptionally dire right now. South County is the perfect embodiment of this perfect storm, Sarah Bratko of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association told The Independent this week. With that in mind, do you believe Rhode Island should do more to encourage the unemployed to return to the work force? Let us know in this weeks poll question below.

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Commentary: "China speed" of vaccination highlights determination to beat COVID-19

Xinhua) 11:24, May 26, 2021

BEIJING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- China has administered more than 500 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines across the country as of Sunday. The country's accelerated speed of vaccination has proven its resolution to strengthen efforts to defeat COVID-19.

Data released by the National Health Commission showed that the first 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered across China as of March 27.

Such stepped-up moves have once again demonstrated China's strong mobilization ability, which has been proven by the country's response to the virus since the outbreak of the epidemic. The government now encourages voluntary vaccination and has been making efforts to ensure that everyone eligible for vaccination has full access to it.

Chinese people have answered the call with their concrete actions. It should be noted that China's vaccination speed has potential to further accelerate. The country's effective domestic prevention of the pandemic has created a strong sense of safety for its people, so some may not see vaccination as a pressing task for them at the very beginning.

As new waves of infections in certain countries emerge and variants of the virus become increasingly frequent, more and more people gradually recognize the importance of vaccination. No one is safe until everyone is safe.

In addition to quickening domestic vaccination, China has been making contributions to the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in other developing countries, despite its own huge population and supply shortage at home.

It has provided vaccine assistance to over 80 countries and three international organizations and has exported vaccines to over 50 nations. Recently, the Sinopharm vaccine has been listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization. China has also announced offer of vaccines to UN peacekeeping missions and the International Olympic Committee.

All the moves are in line with the idea that COVID-19 vaccines should be a "global public good," a solemn commitment made by the Chinese leadership from the very beginning.

The human society must ensure that the speed of COVID-19 vaccination is faster than the pace of mutation. The challenge of realizing herd immunity for the world's most populous country is obvious, but the "China speed" of vaccination has lit the light at the end of the tunnel.

Until a final victory over the virus is secured, China will not stop its efforts to make contributions to the battle against COVID-19.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
Chinese Ambassador to Seoul Xing Haiming voiced discomfort again on Wednesday over a joint statement from last week's summit between South Korea and the United States that touched on sensitive issues like the Taiwan Strait.







The statement following the first in-person summit between Presidents Moon Jae-in and Joe Biden in Washington on Friday made a rare mention of the issue of Taiwan, which Beijing regards as part of its territory under its One China policy.







"We feel it's a bit discouraging. For instance, the issue of Taiwan was brought up," Xing said in an interview with an MBC program. "Of course, the South Korean side had explained this to us, but from our perspective, this is China's internal affair."







Xing stressed that South Korea already recognized Taiwan as part of China when it opened diplomatic relations in 1992.







The ambassador also took issue with the statement's mention of the South China Sea, reiterating Beijing's claim that there has been no problem regarding the freedom of transit in the strategic waterway.







But he took note of Seoul's efforts to respect Beijing's position. Seoul has stressed that the summit statement did not directly mention China, though a set of expressions, including the Taiwan Strait, appeared to be targeted at Beijing.







"It is up to the Seoul government to independently engage with the U.S. based upon the consensus of the South Korean people," he said.







Friday's summit statement has apparently unnerved Chinese authorities. On Monday, Zhao Lijian, spokesperson of Beijing's foreign ministry, said Beijing "brooks no foreign interference" on the Taiwan issue. (Yonhap)


Delhi has reported 1,491 new positive cases, 3,952 recoveries and 130 deaths in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate has now dipped to 1.93%, which is the lowest in nearly two months. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a Covid positivity rate below 5 per cent is considered to be within the safe zone.

This is the fourth day in a row that the daily cases in Capital have remained below 2,000. The number of active Covid-19 cases stands at 19,148.



Representational Image/Reuters

About COVID tests

India conducted 22.17 lakh tests in the last 24 hours, the highest number of tests conducted in a single day. The country reported 2,08,921 new Covid-19 cases and 4,157 deaths in the last 24 hours. With this the countrys overall caseload has risen to 2,71,57,795, while the death toll is presently at 3,11,388.

The fall in the count of daily coronavirus cases and the shrinking positivity rate in Delhi can be attributed to the implementation of lockdown in the national capital to combat the pandemic, Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Wednesday.

PTI

"Positivity down to 1.93% and total positive cases come down to 1491. These are lowest numbers in last 2 months. We still need to take all precautions and follow covid appropriate behaviour," Jain tweeted.



Positivity down to 1.93% and total positive cases come down to 1491. These are lowest numbers in last 2 months.

We still need to take all precautions and follow covid appropriate behavior. pic.twitter.com/ciMHp47gTu  Satyendar Jain (@SatyendarJain) May 26, 2021





About lockdown

The lockdown in Delhi amid the ongoing second wave of the coronavirus pandemic was imposed on 19 April, which the government has successively extended and recently it was done till May-end. Medical experts recently had attributed the lockdown as the main factor when the first dip in daily cases had been recorded in mid-May amid the second wave of the pandemic, while cautioning that "severity of cases was still the same as before".



PTI

Jain, when asked about the death of a large number of doctors in the second wave, including in Delhi, said any death is unfortunate and added that about 10,000 lives have been lost due to Covid during the second wave here.



About vaccine

According to latest data released by the Union Health Ministry, the countrys active caseload has declined to 24.95 lakh. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday announced that the manufacturers of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine have agreed to supply the jab to the National Capital.

File Photo

However, they have not yet confirmed how many doses of the vaccine will be provided. Talks with the makers of Sputnik V are on. They will give us vaccine, but the quantity is yet to be decided. Our officials and the representatives of the vaccine manufacturers met on Tuesday, too, the CM told reporters.
The controversy kicked off by yoga guru cum FMCG and Ayurveda businessman Baba Ramdev over his unsubstantiated claims about modern medicine is refusing to die down.

The Uttarakhand division of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has sent Rs 1,000 crores defamation notice to yoga guru Ramdev for his recent statements on allopathy doctors and medicine.

BCCL

What the notice says

In the notice, IMA said if the yoga guru does not post a video countering the statements given by him and tender a written apology within the next 15 days, then a sum of Rs 1,000 crores will be demanded from him.

IMA Uttarakhand unit President Dr Ajay Khanna said Ramdev does not have sound knowledge and is engaging in rhetorics.

"I am ready for face-to-face with Baba Ramdev. Ramdev does not have a lot of knowledge about allopathy, despite that he is against allopathy and the doctors associated with it. He is making rhetorical statements," said Dr Khanna.

Baba Ramdev / Twitter

The IMA Uttarakhand unit president added that Ramdev's rhetoric has reduced the morale of doctors working day and night in the fight against COVID, and added, "Ramdev is constantly lying to sell his medicines."

This comes days after Ramdev in a viral video clip in which he is heard saying that "lakhs have died from taking allopathic medicines for Covid-19".

The IMA which strongly objected to Ramdev's comments in a strongly-worded statement asked Health Minister Harsh Vardhan to either accept what the yoga guru said and dissolve modern medical facilities or book and prosecute Yoga Guru under the Epidemic Diseases Act.

BCCL

Alleging that Ramdev's comments challenge the wisdom and integrity of the Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) and the Union Health Ministry, the IMA said if action is not taken against Ramdev then the medical body will take legal action against him.

After the massive controversy, Ramdev withdrew his comment, and Vardhan a medical doctor by qualification, who has been under fire for endorsing Patanjali's unproven COVID-19 cure Coronil lauded Ramdev and said it shows his maturity.

Patanjali Ayurveda

When everyone thought the war of words has ended Ramdev returned with 25 questions for IMA.

He asked if allopathy offered permanent relief from hypertension (BP) and type-1 and 2 diabetes.

"Does the pharma industry have permanent treatment for thyroid, arthritis, colitis and asthma?" he asked.

REUTERS

In the meantime, there was more trouble for Ramdev as more videos of him making unsubstantiated claims about doctors dying after taking the COVID-19 vaccine surfaced.

In one video, Ramdev said more than 10,000 doctors have died after taking both COVID-19 vaccines, while in the second video he said more than 1,000 doctors died.
Cyclone Yaas has made landfall today at around 10:30 AM on Wednesday, and according to the Indian Meteorological Department, the full-moon perigean that our world is currently experiencing could also result in increased damage.

AP

Also Read: Moon Disappeared For Months In 1110: Scientists May Have Solved This 910-Year-Old Mystery

This is according to Sanib Banerjee, deputy director of IMD Kolkata in a conversation with the Hindustan Times. He says that the damage would be mostly seen in the coastal districts of East Midnapore and South 24 Parganas.



IMD deputy director explained that due to the full-moon perigee, it would result in the rise of sea level by at least a metre -- a phenomenon thats known as spring tide and is seen during the full moon. This rise is over the normal high tide that the sea would witness on a daily basis.

What are spring tides?

When the moon aligns with the perigee and is at the closest point in the Earths orbit, we witness the supermoon where the Moon appears quite larger than it normally does.

However, during this time, the gravitational pull of the Moon is also the strongest, this causes the tides to rise much higher and much lower than normal. This phenomenon is known as a spring tide.

The IMD deputy warned that the storm surge caused by the cyclone in East Midnapore district would be two to four metres whereas in South 24 Parganas it would be around one to two metres. This is over and above the spring tide.

Also Read: 10 Years Of Moon Pics: NASA Explains Why Moon Shines In Red, Blue And Even Purple

Super Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse Timing in India

What also makes this supermoon special is the lunar eclipse that the world is experiencing today, putting quite a show for avid skywatchers.

Reuters

Also Read: Earth Will Have A Second Moon From October To May, Completely Human Made

The eclipse is expected to commence today, at 2:17 PM (Indian Standard Time) and will last about five hours.



For people who are only concerned about the total phase of the eclipse, thatll commence at 4:55 PM (Indian Standard Time).


Indian American spouses Vaibhav Jain (left) and Parag Mehta (right) are shown at the Model Town metro station in New Delhi in December 2019. Jain and Mehta have filed a precedent-setting petition with the Delhi High Court which urges India to recognize same-sex marriages. (Jai Gupta photo, courtesy of Humans of Bombay and Parag Mehta)
One reason Python is a prime choice for web development is the breadth of web frameworks available in the language. Among the most popular and useful is Flask, which lets you start simple (one drop at a time) but grows with your application to add just about all of the functionality you need.

In this article well walk through setting up and using Flask 2.0 for basic web apps. Well also touch on using Jinja2 for templating, and dealing with common issues like changing response types and handling redirects.

Setting up Flask

Flask 2.0 is easy to set up. Use pip install flask to install both Flask and all of its dependencies including the Jinja2 templating system.

As with any Python framework, its best to create a project using Flask inside a Python virtual environment. This isolates your project from your main Python installation and from other projects that might use Flask and its dependencies (as you might find yourself maintaining different versions for different projects).

Note that if you want to install Flask with support for async, use pip install flask[async] . See the Using async section below for more on this.

A basic Flask app

A simple, one-route Flask app can be written in only a few lines of code. Save this in a file named app.py:

from flask import Flask app = Flask(__name__) @app.route("/") def home(): return "Hello, world"

This app doesnt do much  it just creates a website with a single route that displays Hello, world in the browser.

Here is what each element does:

The line app = Flask(__name__) creates a new instance of a Flask application, called app . The Flask class takes an argument that is the name of the applications module or package. Passing it __name__ (the name of the current module) is a quick way to use the current module as the apps starting point.

creates a new instance of a Flask application, called . The class takes an argument that is the name of the applications module or package. Passing it (the name of the current module) is a quick way to use the current module as the apps starting point. The app.route decorator is used to wrap a function and indicate the function to use to deliver a response for a given route. In this case, the route is just the site root ( "/" ) and the response is just the string "Hello, world" .

To run the app, use python -m flask run in the same directory as app.py . You should see something like the following in the console:

* Environment: production WARNING: This is a development server. Do not use it in a production deployment. Use a production WSGI server instead. * Debug mode: off * Running on http://127.0.0.1:5000/ (Press CTRL+C to quit)

If you open a web browser to http://127.0.0.1:5000/, you should see Hello, world.

Note that you can name the main file of your Flask application anything, but calling it app.py allows Flask to recognize it automatically. To use a different name, you need to first set the FLASK_APP environment variable to the name of the new file minus its extension (e.g., hello for hello.py ).

Also note that when you run a Flask app in this fashion, youre running it using Flasks built-in test server, which isnt suited for production deployments. Well discuss how to deploy Flask in production below.

Routes and route variables in Flask

Web applications typically use components of a route as variables that are passed to the route function. Flask lets you do this by way of a special route definition syntax.

In this example, where we have a route in the format /hi/ followed by a name, the name is extracted and passed along to the function as the variable username .

@app.route("/hi/<username>") def greet(username): return f"Hello, {username}"

Visit this route with /hi/Serdar , and youll see Hello, Serdar in the browser.

Route variables can also be type-constrained. If you use <int:userid> , that ensures userid will only be an integer. If you use <path:datapath> , the part of the URL from that position forward will be extracted as datapath . For instance, if the route were /show/<path:datapath> and we used the URL /show/main/info , then main/info would be passed along as datapath . (See the Flask documentation for more about type-constraining route variables.)

Note that you need to be careful about using multiple, similar paths with different data types. If you have the route /data/<int:userid> and the route /data/<string:username> , any element in the second position that cant be matched as an integer will be matched as a string. Avoid these kinds of route structures if you can, as they can become confusing and difficult to debug.

Route methods in Flask

Route decorators can also specify the methods used to access the route. You can create multiple functions to handle a single route with different methods, like this:

@app.route('/post', methods=['GET']) def post_message_route_get(): return show_post_message_form() @app.route('/post', methods=['POST']) def post_message_route_post(): return post_message_to_site()

Or you can consolidate routes into a single function, and make decisions internally based on the method:

from flask import request @app.route('/post', methods=['GET', 'POST']) def post_message_route(): if request.method == 'POST': return post_message_to_site() else: return show_post_message_form()

Note that we need to import the global request object to access the method property. Well explore this in detail later.

Flask 2.0 also lets you use app.get and app.post as shortcuts. The above routes could also be decorated as:

@app.get('/post') def post_message_route_get(): return show_post_message_form() @app.post('/post') def post_message_route_post(): return post_message_to_site()

Request data in Flask

In the last section, we obtained the method used to invoke a route from the global request object. request is an instance of the Request object, from which we can obtain many other details about the request  its headers, cookies, form data, file uploads, and so on.

Some of the common properties of a Request object include:

.args : A dictionary that holds the URL parameters. For instance, a URL with arguments like ?id=1 would be expressed as the dictionary {"id": 1} .

: A dictionary that holds the URL parameters. For instance, a URL with arguments like would be expressed as the dictionary . .cookies : A dictionary that holds any cookies sent in the request.

: A dictionary that holds any cookies sent in the request. .files : A dictionary that contains any files uploaded with the request, with the key for each element being the files name.

: A dictionary that contains any files uploaded with the request, with the key for each element being the files name. .form : A dictionary that contains the requests form data, if any.

: A dictionary that contains the requests form data, if any. .headers : The raw headers for the request.

: The raw headers for the request. .method : The method used by the request (e.g., GET , POST ).

Returning responses in Flask

When a route function returns data, Flask makes a best guess to interpret what has been returned:

Response objects are returned as is. Creating a response object gives you fine-grained control over what you return to the client, but for most use cases you can use one of the items below.

objects are returned as is. Creating a response object gives you fine-grained control over what you return to the client, but for most use cases you can use one of the items below. Strings, including the output of Jinja2 templates (more on this next), are converted into Response objects, with a 200 OK status code and a MIME type of text/html .

objects, with a status code and a MIME type of . Dictionaries are converted into JSON.

Tuples can be any of the following: (response, status code [int]) (response, headers [list/dict]) (response, status code [int], headers [list/dict])



Generally, its best to return whatever makes clearest the route functions job. For instance, a 404 error handler can return a 2-tuple  the error message, and the 404 error code. This keeps the route function uncluttered.

Templates in Flask

Flask includes the Jinja2 template engine to programmatically generate HTML output from data. You use the render_template function to generate HTML, and pass in variables to be used in the template.

Here is an example of how this looks in a route:

from flask import render_template @app.route('/hi/<username>') def greet(username=None): return render_template('hello.html', username=username)

Templates referred to by render_template are by default found in a subdirectory of the Flask project directory, named templates. To that end, the following file would be in templates/hello.html:

<!doctype html> <title>Hi there</title> {% if username %} <h1>Hello {{ username }}!</h1> {% else %} <h1>Hello, whoever you are!</h1> {% endif %}

Jinja2 templates are something of a language unto themselves, but this snippet should give you an idea of how they work. Blocks delineated with {% %} contain template logic, and blocks with {{ }} contain expressions to be inserted at that point. (When we called this template with render_template above, we passed username as a keyword argument; the same would be done for any other variables wed use.)

Note that Jinja2 templates have constraints on the code that can be run inside them, for securitys sake. Therefore, you will want to do as much of the processing as possible for a given page before passing it to a template.

Error handlers in Flask

To create a route that handles a particular class of server error, use the errorhandler decorator:

@app.errorhandler(404) def page_not_found(error): return f"error: {error}"

For this app, whenever a 404 error is generated, the result returned to the client will be generated by the page_not_found function. error is the exception generated by the application, so you can extract more details from it if needed and pass them back to the client.

Running and debugging Flask in production

The Flask test server mentioned earlier in this article isnt suitable for deploying Flask in production. For production deployments, use a full WSGI-compatible server, with the app object created by Flask() as the WSGI application.

Flask's documentation has details on deploying to most common hosting options, as well as details on how to host Flask apps yourself -- e.g., by way of Apache's mod_wsgi or via uWSGI on Nginx.

Using async in Flask

Originally, Flask had no explicit support for asynchronous functions or coroutines. With coroutines now a standard feature in Python, Flask 2.0 supports async methods for route handlers. However, async support comes as an add-on. You need to use pip install flask[async] to install this feature.

@app.route("/embed/<embed_id>") async def get_embed(embed_id): data = await async_render_embed(embed_id) return data

Flasks async support doesnt change the fact that it runs as a WSGI application with a single worker to handle incoming requests. If you want to support long-running requests such as Websocket connections, using async only in your route functions will not be enough. You may want to consider using the Quart framework, which is API-compatible with Flask but uses the ASGI interface to better handle long-running requests and multiple concurrent requests.
Today

Rain showers this morning with overcast skies during the afternoon hours. High 79F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 62F. Winds light and variable.

Tomorrow

Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm in the afternoon. High 86F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
Real-time social media posts from local businesses and organizations across Northern Virginia, powered by Friends2Follow. To add your business to the stream, email cfields@insidenova.com or click on the green button below.
By Shim Jae-yun





Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl has continued to steal the limelight with various opinion polls showing he leads prospective presidential aspirants along with Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung. A survey conducted by the Korea Society Opinion Institute on May 21 and 22 showed Yoon was the most-favored presidential candidate with support of 32.4 percent, ahead of Lee at 28.2 percent and former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon with 10.3 percent.



Now all eyes are on whether Yoon will be able to maintain this lead in the upcoming presidential race and become the nation's next president in May 2022. He has already emerged as the most preferred presidential candidate for the "non-ruling" camp, and will likely declare his bid soon, continuing to remain a significant factor in the crucial election.



Kim Chong-in, former chairman of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), lauded Yoon for his charisma and audacity. "He succeeded in making 'fairness' his brand, which is the spirit of the times. I think he snatched the limelight." Kim, a highly influential political mentor, expressed the hope that Yoon will follow in the footsteps of French President Emmanuel Macron.



Except for the age difference, Yoon, 62, and Macron, 43, are similar in many respects. First, just like Macron before he became head of state, Yoon, as a life-time prosecutor, lacks political experience. Macron, a financial expert, worked for Rothschild with a brief stint in the Francois Hollande administration as a presidential economic adviser and economy and digitization minister in 2014.



Second, both bolted from their incumbent governments. Thanks to his fight against corruption under former conservative administrations, Yoon was tapped as chief prosecutor by President Moon Jae-in. Yet he quit the post to protest the "wayward and arrogant" pursuit of prosecutorial reform by the ruling elite. Macron also left "his" ruling camp 20 months ahead of the 2017 presidential election, after his attempt to legislate a package of pro-business laws ended in failure.



Third, both mustered rising support after severing ties with their respective administrations. Macron founded a new party, En March, with a focus on pragmatism, and took power in the 2017 election at the age of 39 amid prevalent antipathy toward the two mainstream parties  the Socialist Party and Les Republican. The French people were fed up with the incompetence and corruption of the two parties. Macron formed a network of 4,000 citizen-volunteers who conducted surveys on 100,000 people, the results of which were analyzed by around 200 supporters.



This is similar to the reality here where people have grown sick and tired of the two major parties  the current ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the PPP. The main opposition party has yet to overcome the disdainful public view of being an outdated, ultra-conservative party. The DPK, despite its crushing defeat in the by-elections for mayors of Seoul and Busan, has shown no sign of improving its notorious incompetence and nepotism, symbolized by the Korean phrase "naeronambul," meaning "I am right, you are wrong."



In order for Yoon to follow the path of Macron, he will need to gather support from a wide range of people. In reality, joining the PPP would be a feasible way to do this, but it will entail risks for Yoon due to the possible efforts by stalwart "senior" members of the party to contain him. Many PPP members were the targets of anti-corruption investigations led by Yoon under the impeached former President Park Geun-hye's administration.



As Macron did, Yoon may opt for "a third way." As a centrist pragmatist, he may attempt to organize a nationwide network comprised of citizens from various sectors of society. Yoon should be able to recruit capable people, including some from the current political parties, as recently, many organizations have been sprouting up to support him, even though he is still keeping his distance. Yoon's associates, however, have admitted that they have been contacting many civic group representatives.



Failure to garner support and expand his political clout could deal a blow to Yoon, as seen in the cases of ex-Prime Minister Goh Kun in 2007 and former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2017. Despite rising popularity as potential presidential hopefuls, they dropped their bids in the face of mounting challenges and odds.



Yoon has shown his political ambition by saying he would devote himself to serve the people and keep the constitutional spirit and rule of law alive. In addition to such values, he needs to become familiar with economic and security affairs.



In this vein, it is encouraging for him to have met with many experts to listen to their views for a future national vision. Many people seem to hope that Yoon will be able to stay in the race and inject fresh air into the contemptuous political circle, irrespective of whether he becomes the country's next president.



Shim Jae-yun (jayshim@koreatimes.co.kr) is editorial writer at The Korea Times.
The City of Manassas broke ground on the latest improvements to Route 28 on Wednesday morning, kicking off a $20.2 million widening of the road on the southwestern side of the city that will also add a shared-use path.

With the help of the state, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (contributing more than $3 million to the project) and the federal government (paying more than $1 million), the city is hoping to ease congestion along Route 28 by widening it from four to six lanes from Godwin Drive southwest to the Prince William County line.

Part of the citys capital improvement program, the widening is projected to be finished by fall 2022 and will cost the city more than $11 million. In addition to the two new lanes and the bicycle/pedestrian path on the north side of Route 28, crews will also install a dual left turn lane from northbound Route 28 onto Godwin Drive and new street lights from the 234 bypass to the county line.

Route 28 is not only a corridor of statewide significance; its a huge, huge bottleneck, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Executive Director Monica Backmon said at the groundbreaking Wednesday. So the widening accommodates traffic needs for motorists on Route 28 as they move to and from the 234 bypass, and also offers improvements for cyclists and pedestrians.

The project also ties into the series of widenings and expansions in and around Route 28 in both jurisdictions. Just south of the city limits, Prince William County is expanding the road to six lanes from the Route 234 bypass to Linton Hall Road. On the other side of the city, the county is still hoping to move forward with the Route 28 bypass, which would cut across from Route 28 to Godwin and Sudley Road, where the city is planning another widening.

In total, the NVTA has funded 10 transportation projects in the Route 28 corridor -- most of which are aimed at reducing congestion through roadway widening -- to the tune of $284.2 million.

At Wednesdays groundbreaking, Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger was joined by Backmon and Dic Burke, the Virginia Department of Transportation's transportation and land-use director for the Northern Virginia region.

The city of Manassas has waited a long time  to see this project come to fruition. Planning began back in 2004 as the areas population began to expand, Davis-Younger said. We all know that time we lose in traffic is time that we can be spending with our friends and family. When this project is complete, the extra capacity should help lessen that time.
A state lawmaker from Maine is facing a lawsuit from neighbors who say she and her husband cut down thousands of trees from their property to build a barn and horse paddock.

Sasha and Christopher Malone filed the lawsuit against Republican Rep. Heidi Sampson and Robert Sampson, of Alfred. The Malones lawsuit said the Sampsons clear-cut part of the Malones forested property, removing more than 4,300 trees.

The Sampsons said in court records that they mistakenly thought the area was part of their own property, the Portland Press Herald reported. They filed their own complaint against the company that harvested the trees in 2012. The Sampsons declined to comment to the Press Herald and the company did not respond to a request for comment.

The Malones have asked for punitive damages and a judgment that the Sampsons have no rights to their property. Their attorney said in a statement they are saddened and hurt that eight acres of their beloved home forestland was illegally clear-cut.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Legislation Maine
Drones, robots and self-driving cars were buzzing through downtown Westminster on Thursday for the ribbon-cutting of the first phase of MAGICs autonomous corridor project.

MAGIC, which stands for Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory, is a technology nonprofit in Carroll County and it has a plan to improve transportation downtown. MAGIC is working with Dynamic Dimensions Technologies, or DDT, to scan routes so autonomous shuttles can operate on a circuit and transport residents from place to place.

Graham Dodge, the executive director of MAGIC, said in a November interview the vehicles will have sensors that will help avoid obstacles in roads and adjust to formats like traffic circles. Its programming will allow the shuttle to understand the citys format and it will continuously scan the layout.

Dodge said in a phone interview that this is the beginning of what will hopefully be no longer than a two-year project.

The plan is to scan an 11-mile corridor then virtually test the various technologies that would allow the vehicles to drive themselves.

MAGIC hosted an event to kick-off phase one of the project at the Stockdales Service Center. Before the ribbon cutting, a few speakers gave their take on the project.

First to speak was Kelly Schulz, secretary of Maryland Department of Commerce, who said the autonomous corridor project is an example of a bold new idea, creates partnerships and makes transportation equitable.

Julia Jasken, the soon-to-be president of McDaniel College, said transportation has historically been a challenge for McDaniel students. This project could help with that.

The route would connect the retirement community Carroll Lutheran Village to McDaniel College and to Main Street in Westminster, then on to Carroll Community College and the YMCA.

Libby Trostle, Carroll Community Colleges vice president of continuing education and training, spoke to the possible partnership with MAGIC and Mona Becker, mayor of Westminster said the project would not have been possible without the citys fiber network.

She added Westminster is a city that innovates and chases technology, not one that waits for it to happen.

Around the parking lot were several tents belonging to the local colleges but also companies like Ting and the nonprofit Together We Own It. Towards the back were the likes of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), with its remote-controlled robots.

On the other side of the garage were members of Perrone Robotics, letting the public go for a ride in its self-driving van. It seated about 10 people. The driver drove the van manually from the garage near East Middle and allowed the car to drive itself on Willis Street.

Were not going that fast, I promise, Colleen Hahn, vice president of marketing and communications for Perrone Robotics, said before the van took off.

She said the vehicle has gone through a checklist of safety measures and has driven on multiple public roads. The van had a normal steering wheel and driver seat where Kyle Hernandez, a test/quality engineer for Perrone, was sitting. He took his hands off the wheel but kept them close as the van went into autonomous mode. It turned by itself and even went through a four-way traffic stop on its own.

Hahn said in the previous test drive, it stopped for a black cat that walked in the street near a funeral home.

Becker said the ride was cool and was impressed by how smoothly it navigated the turns in the road and with the four-way stop. Dan Hoff, a member of Westminsters Common Council, called it awesome and said it makes him wonder what Westminster will look like in 10 years.

Dodge said he hopes there will be a mix of different vehicles on the corridor, including Perrone, which could be owned by the city or other entities. He said FedEx, for example, could use the corridor for its autonomous robots to deliver packages.

He said the next steps will be virtual assessments like seeing if an autonomous vehicle can make it up a hill, which he hopes can be done by the fall.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Maryland
By Shin Yeol-woo





The 44th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 proclaimed 1994 as the "International Year of the Family," a formal reminder of the foundational value of the family in the rapidly changing world. Subsequently, since 1993, every May 15 has been celebrated around the world as the "International Day of Families."



The "International Day of Families" will not be celebrated this year, unfortunately, as COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on meetings and gatherings continue. In lieu of the usual celebrations, the United Nations put forward an inspiring theme for the observance of the International Day of Families this year  "Families and New Technologies."



The pandemic has spread digital technology into every aspect of our lives more rapidly than ever. Thanks to the accelerated digital transformation, all families, irrespective of cultural differences, are using innovative ways to communicate with one another and exchange valuable information.



Safety is one such area where, in Korea, new technologies play an especially important role in protecting foreign residents in the country, many of them in multicultural families. With over 20,000 people of foreign nationality calling on our ambulance service every year, new technologies have very much become an integral part of the fire service.



As recently as only a few years ago, there were instances where foreign residents missed their "golden hour," the short period of time after a severe injury during which medical assistance can maximize the chance of survival, because they were unable to call 119 and get help in time. Many of them didn't know the emergency number and procedures in Korea, which were different to what they had back home. The language barrier only adds to the challenge of getting help when you need it the most.



That's why Korea's fire service provider has for a long time continued to research and develop ways to help foreign residents secure their right to safety. There are standard fire safety training materials and videos developed for foreign residents and translated into six languages (English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai and Russian).



Fire safety songs for children and young people have also been translated into the six other languages to raise awareness among children of multicultural families who have also receive tailored education about fire safety, rescue and emergency response.



Even during the pandemic, safety education has continued online. Should non-Korean-speaking residents ever have an occasion to call 119, there is now a system to engage volunteer interpreters in the call to ensure clear and prompt communication in those languages. All of these means are possible thanks, of course, to digital technology.



It's certainly a worthy investment, as a recent event proved vividly. The 119 operators received a call from a pregnant woman in critical condition, only three days before her due date. The Vietnamese mother, married to a Korean husband with two children, gave birth to her third child in an ambulance on the way to the hospital.



When the newborn baby struggled to make its first cry, the paramedics responded promptly with a supply of oxygen. Fortunately, both the baby and the mother are now in good health. Once again, 119 was able to save the day and deliver a new life to the multicultural family because of its innovative system.



The global popularity of Korean culture is bringing more and more visitors to Korea every year. As of 2019, there were 2.2 million individuals of foreign nationality living in Korea  that's one in every 25 residents of Korea. There can be no doubt that their safety and unhindered access to emergency services are an important part of the National Fire Agency's duties. As we once again celebrate the International Day of Families, Korea's fire service provider reaffirms its commitment to protecting the safety of all multicultural families in Korea so that they may never fall through our safety net.





Shin Yeol-woo is commissioner of the National Fire Agency.


More than 50 people have been displaced by a fire at a Delaware apartment, according to the state fire marshals office.

Officials estimate that Saturday afternoons fire at the Lighthouse Hill Apartments complex in Wilmington caused more then $1 million in damage, the Delaware News Journal reports. No injuries were reported.

Flames were shooting through the roof of the three-story apartment complex when firefighters arrived. The fire damaged a building that housed 12 apartments and an adjoining building.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Systems are still down a week after a ransomware attack disrupted the IT network of five hospitals in the New Zealand district of Waikato, and concerns remain that private patient information may have been exposed.

Patients are being asked to arrive at appointments with paper documents and banks are urged to honor automatic payments to hospital staff who were either underpaid or not paid at all, a week after the Waikato District Health Board said it experienced a full outage of its information services.

By Tuesday, manual processes were implemented to support the backlog of patients while the public was reminded to seek alternative avenues of treatment unless they are critically unwell.

Read more: Ransomware Attacks Hit AXAs Asia Units, New Zealand Health Provider

The head of the health board, Kevin Snee, told reporters that theres a real threat some peoples personal information may have been breached as a result of the cyber attack.

Andrew Little, the health minister and the minister responsible for New Zealands intelligence agencies, said he could not give anxious patients any assurance that their personal data hadnt been compromised.

All the advice Ive had so far is obviously, theyve gotten into the system and theyve encrypted it, theres a chance theyve taken data from the system and exfiltrated it, Little told Radio New Zealand on Monday. He said the DHB was rebuilding its system and operations would be back online hopefully by the end of this week.

Theres been no official word on whether the attackers had demanded a ransom. Last week Snee told reporters that there would be no ransom payment and that the board had backups for all its files that it would use to rebuild its system.

The incident in Waikato, a local government region in the upper North Island of New Zealand, bears striking similarities to the May 14 cyberattack on Irelands hospitals. Officials there were forced to shut down many of their computers after hackers gained access to the health services systems. There, too, hospitals had to cancel services and staff have had to rely on pen and paper rather than PCs.

The hackers who targeted the Irish health service call themselves the ContiLocker Team and use a strain of ransomware known as Conti to break into victims machines and extort payments. When Waikato hospitals first had to shut down, the head of New Zealands doctors association, Deborah Powell, said the attack appeared to be of the same type. Radio New Zealand reported Powell saying that it was her understanding the cyberattack was a type of ransomware called Conti.'

Asked for clarification, the Resident Doctors Association said she was not immediately available and was unlikely to speak further on the matter.

The FBI said in a May 20 statement that more than 400 mostly health-care and first-responder organizations around the world have been victimized by Conti and that recent ransom demands have been as high as $25 million.

The New Zealand governments cyber agency refused to say if it was in contact with Irish authorities regarding the incident. The NCSC knows from its involvement in other significant cyberattacks that malicious actors can monitor what is being said in the media, and this can influence their behavior, the National Cyber Security Centre said in a statement.

Several New Zealand media organizations reported receiving communication from someone purporting to be responsible for the attack. Radio New Zealand said Tuesday that the emails appeared to contain caches of documents, including recent data on staff numbers and names, financial records, contracts and complaints. There were also files containing screenshots identifying hundreds of patients and staff, with some documents spelling out diagnoses and medical information, RNZ reported.

Its the second significant cyberattack New Zealand has encountered in under a year. Last August, its stock exchange had to halt trading over a period of four days because of a distributed denial of service attack that forced its public website offline.

Minister Little said there would need to be a review to understand how an entire IT system, phones, computers, everything, seems to have been brought down.

The Waikato breach was a high degree of exposure. You would expect in this day and age that there would be adequate protection around these sorts of things, he said to Radio New Zealand.

Copyright 2021 Bloomberg.

Topics Cyber Tech
Rising Edge, a London-based directors and officers (D&O) managing general agent, announced its official launch with the appointment of four key hires.

As previously announced, Rising Edge will focus on D&O insurance and is led by Philippe Gouraud, a well-known industry executive in the London insurance market, and D&O expert Yoel Brightman.

Vantage Risk Ltd., the Bermuda-based Class 4 reinsurer will provide the A- rated reinsurance capacity. Accredited Insurance (Europe) Ltd., a Randall & Quilter Group Company, also A- rated, will provide Rising Edge with the required insurance licenses to underwrite business.

The company focuses on serving wholesale London market and European brokers.

The support from both Vantage Risk and Accredited Insurance is a real marker of the robust business we have developed, Gouraud said in a statement. Having delivered such an operational platform in such little time is a testament of the quality of our team and business partners. We now look forward to deliver best in class experience to our clients and brokers.

Rising Edge also announced the appointments of the following four key hires:

Miles Murphy takes on the role of finance director and chief operating officer. Murphy has more than 25 years insurance industry experience and will be responsible for all the financial and operational aspects of the business. Murphy has been working with Rising Edge during the launch phase to design and develop a cutting edge and seamless end-to-end platform, delivering a first-class data-led service to our brokers and capacity providers. Murphy joins from AIG Asia Pacific where his role was head of Operations and Transformation Services. His appointment is effective immediately.

takes on the role of finance director and chief operating officer. Murphy has more than 25 years insurance industry experience and will be responsible for all the financial and operational aspects of the business. Murphy has been working with Rising Edge during the launch phase to design and develop a cutting edge and seamless end-to-end platform, delivering a first-class data-led service to our brokers and capacity providers. Murphy joins from AIG Asia Pacific where his role was head of Operations and Transformation Services. His appointment is effective immediately. Owen Dacey has been appointed head of Claims. Most recently, Dacey served as claims manager and regional practice leader, Management Liability, at AXA XL. Dacey is a qualified solicitor and D&O specialist with more than 10 years of experience managing high value complex D&O claims across the globe. Dacey also has extensive experience of handling claims in the U.S., most notably with respect to U.S. securities litigation. His appointment is effective Sept. 1, 2021.

has been appointed head of Claims. Most recently, Dacey served as claims manager and regional practice leader, Management Liability, at AXA XL. Dacey is a qualified solicitor and D&O specialist with more than 10 years of experience managing high value complex D&O claims across the globe. Dacey also has extensive experience of handling claims in the U.S., most notably with respect to U.S. securities litigation. His appointment is effective Sept. 1, 2021. Eleanor Fisher has been appointed underwriter and joins from Marsh London, where she was a vice president and U.S. wholesale broker working on financial lines, including D&O. Prior to Marsh, she was an underwriter in the Management Liability team at AXA XL, and as client executive and broker in the Management Liability team at Marsh McLennan. Her appointment will be effective over the next few weeks.

has been appointed underwriter and joins from Marsh London, where she was a vice president and U.S. wholesale broker working on financial lines, including D&O. Prior to Marsh, she was an underwriter in the Management Liability team at AXA XL, and as client executive and broker in the Management Liability team at Marsh McLennan. Her appointment will be effective over the next few weeks. Jamie Banks joins as underwriter from Travelers, where he served as associate underwriter in the Management Liability team. Prior to Travelers, Banks worked as assistant underwriter in the Management Liability team at AXA XL. His appointment is effective June 1, 2021.

Source: Rising Edge

Related:

Topics Insurance Wholesale Directors Officers
BHUBANESWAR, India  Storm surges inundated dozens of villages in eastern India on Wednesday after a powerful cyclone moved inland from the Bay of Bengal, damaging thousands of mud homes in two coastal states and killing at least one person, officials said.

Cyclone Yaas was packing gusts of up to 140 kph (87 mph) as it made landfall, days after another storm tore up the western coast, triggering mass evacuations and piling pressure on authorities battling a deadly second wave of the coronavirus.

Authorities said more than a million inhabitants had been moved out of the storms path and the busiest regional airport, in the city of Kolkata, had been shut until Wednesday evening.

Read more: India Braces for Second Severe Cyclone in 10 Days

In the eastern state of Odishas Balasore district, where the storm struck early on Wednesday, authorities said 46 villages along the coast had been flooded.

Most of the villages were empty. The total population would be around 10,000, K. Sudarshan Chakravarthy, the districts top government official, told Reuters.

In neighboring West Bengal state, rising waters breached river embankments in more than 100 locations and 20,000 traditional mud homes had been damaged, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee told reporters.

A large number of villages are under water, she said.

At least one person had died in the state after a house collapsed, Banerjee said.

I have not seen anything like this before, said another state minister, Bankim Hazra, after seawater gushed into low-lying areas of Sagar island in the Bay of Bengal and the tourist town of Digha, where a police station was flooded.

Successive high tides battered the coastline, he added. It is inundation all around and villages are cut off.

Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal are common at this time of year, and often roar ashore, bringing death and destruction to the coastal areas of both India and neighboring Bangladesh.

The devastating wave of virus infections complicated storm preparations. Odisha officials said they had suspended testing, vaccination and a door-to-door health survey in the three districts in the storms path.

Weather officials in Bangladesh said the storm was likely to swamp low-lying areas of 14 coastal districts, bringing tides three to four feet (0.91-1.22 meters) higher than normal. They advised fishing boats and trawlers to stay in shelter.

(Additional reporting by Ruma Paul in Dhaka; writing by Sanjeev Miglani and Devjyot Ghoshal; editing by Clarence Fernandez and Mark Heinrich)

Photograph: This satellite image provided by NASA shows Cyclone Yaas approaching Indias eastern coast. Yaas was expected to make landfall on May 26, 2021, and could pack sustained winds of up to 165 kilometers per hour (102 miles per hour), said the India Meteorological Department. Photo credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) via AP.

Topics Windstorm
This wrap-up of international People Moves details recent appointments at Peak Re, the Hong Kong-based reinsurer; Euler Hermes, the Paris headquartered credit insurer, and Sedgwick, the provider of technology-enabled risk, benefits and integrated business solutions.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

Peak Reinsurance Co. Ltd., the Hong Kong-based global reinsurer, announced the appointment of former NewRe executive, Matteo Cussigh to the role of CEO for its wholly owned Swiss subsidiary Peak Reinsurance AG, and head of Marketing & Production, Europe, Peak Re.

At the same time, Peak Re announced the retirement of Jacques Burri, the former CEO of Peak Re AG and head of Marketing & Production in Europe, and Emmanuel Thommen, the former senior vice president at Peak Re AG. Peak Re said in a statement that Burri and Thommen were instrumental in the companys European expansion and the setting up of its Swiss subsidiary.

Cussigh has more than 20 years in the industry and extensive experience in both traditional reinsurance and alternative risk solutions. Before joining Peak Re AG in 2020, Cussigh spent 10 years at NewRe, where his latest role was head of Origination & Analytics, Capital Partners. Previously, Cussigh worked for Aon and Swiss Re.

We expanded to Europe in 2015 and was licensed to write P/C reinsurance business in 2016, marking our strong commitment to European markets, commented Franz Josef Hahn, chief executive officer of Peak Re.

With our team in Zurich, we increase proximity to our European-based clients, while our experts in Hong Kong provide underwriting and operational support, he added. This model helps us best deliver on our values of strong customer focus and fast claims settlement. Matteo will be responsible for the continued growth of Peak Res European portfolio and further strengthen our relationships with our clients in Europe.

***

Euler Hermes, the Paris-based trade credit insurer and subsidiary of Allianz, announced key changes in its board of management and regional management teams.

Michele Pignotti , member of the group board of management in charge of Market Management, Commercial and Distribution, will be leaving the company on June 20, 2021 to pursue new challenges within Solunion in Spain. (Solunion is a Spanish and Latin America joint-venture between Euler Hermes and Mapfre). Pignotti joined Euler Hermes in 2004. In his roles as CEO for Italy, head of the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Africa (MMEA) Region and group head of Market Management, Commercial and Distribution, he developed Euler Hermes brand franchise through a new customer service model and digital marketing.

, member of the group board of management in charge of Market Management, Commercial and Distribution, will be leaving the company on June 20, 2021 to pursue new challenges within Solunion in Spain. (Solunion is a Spanish and Latin America joint-venture between Euler Hermes and Mapfre). Pignotti joined Euler Hermes in 2004. In his roles as CEO for Italy, head of the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Africa (MMEA) Region and group head of Market Management, Commercial and Distribution, he developed Euler Hermes brand franchise through a new customer service model and digital marketing. Anil Berry succeeds Pignotti as member of the group board of management in charge of Market Management, Commercial and Distribution, effective June 21. Berry joined Euler Hermes in 1997, holding risk underwriting, account management and broker distribution positions in the UK. He became CEO of the Gulf countries business, then head of Distribution in the APAC region before taking on the role of CEO of the Euler Hermes multinationals business.

succeeds Pignotti as member of the group board of management in charge of Market Management, Commercial and Distribution, effective June 21. Berry joined Euler Hermes in 1997, holding risk underwriting, account management and broker distribution positions in the UK. He became CEO of the Gulf countries business, then head of Distribution in the APAC region before taking on the role of CEO of the Euler Hermes multinationals business. Frederic Biziere , member of the group board of management in charge of Credit Intelligence and Reinsurance, will be leaving the company on June 20 to pursue new challenges within the Allianz Group. Over the past 23 years, he contributed significantly to Euler Hermes growth and success in his strategic roles within the group, where he held several board member positions in risk, finance, market management, commercial and distribution.

, member of the group board of management in charge of Credit Intelligence and Reinsurance, will be leaving the company on June 20 to pursue new challenges within the Allianz Group. Over the past 23 years, he contributed significantly to Euler Hermes growth and success in his strategic roles within the group, where he held several board member positions in risk, finance, market management, commercial and distribution. Fabrice Desnos has been appointed member of the group board of management in charge of Credit Intelligence, Claims, Collection and Reinsurance, effective June 21. He joined the company in 1996, holding senior financial positions in the UK and France. He served as CEO for the UK & Ireland from 2008 to 2012, and as regional CEO for Asia Pacific from 2012 to 2016, before becoming the CEO of the Northern Europe Region in 2016.

has been appointed member of the group board of management in charge of Credit Intelligence, Claims, Collection and Reinsurance, effective June 21. He joined the company in 1996, holding senior financial positions in the UK and France. He served as CEO for the UK & Ireland from 2008 to 2012, and as regional CEO for Asia Pacific from 2012 to 2016, before becoming the CEO of the Northern Europe Region in 2016. Milo Bogaerts will succeed Desnos as CEO of the Northern Europe Region, effective June 1.Bogaertsfirst joined Euler Hermes in 1998 as an account manager, a position he held until 2007. He then became the director for Interpolis Credit Insurance (a joint-venture between Euler Hermes and Interpolis). He re-joined Euler Hermes in 2012 as CEO for the Netherlands, then as Market Management, Commercial and Distribution director for Northern Europe. He has been CEO for Euler Hermes UK & Ireland since 2017.

will succeed Desnos as CEO of the Northern Europe Region, effective June 1.Bogaertsfirst joined Euler Hermes in 1998 as an account manager, a position he held until 2007. He then became the director for Interpolis Credit Insurance (a joint-venture between Euler Hermes and Interpolis). He re-joined Euler Hermes in 2012 as CEO for the Netherlands, then as Market Management, Commercial and Distribution director for Northern Europe. He has been CEO for Euler Hermes UK & Ireland since 2017. Holger Schafer will succeed Anil Berry as CEO of Euler Hermes World Agency, effective July 1. Schafer has more than 36 years experience in the Allianz Group. He has held various senior management positions, including global responsibility for sales and distribution in AGCS, based in Germanyand London. He then led AGCS Australia/New Zealand as CEO. He joined Euler Hermes as the head of the Asia Pacific Region in 2016.

will succeed Anil Berry as CEO of Euler Hermes World Agency, effective July 1. Schafer has more than 36 years experience in the Allianz Group. He has held various senior management positions, including global responsibility for sales and distribution in AGCS, based in Germanyand London. He then led AGCS Australia/New Zealand as CEO. He joined Euler Hermes as the head of the Asia Pacific Region in 2016. Paul Flanagan will succeed Holger Schafer as CEO of the APAC Region, effective July 1.Flanaganjoined Euler Hermes 30 years ago, working at the time for Trade Indemnity Plc, in the finance team. In 1998, he took over both finance and operations, before becoming risk, information, claims and collections director in the UK. In 2007, he successfully led Euler Hermes Canada through the global financial crisis while maintaining market share and growth. In 2010, Flanaganbecame regional risk director for Northern Europe, and in 2016, CEO for Poland, where he restored profitability and growth.

***

Sedgwick, a global provider of technology-enabled risk, benefits and integrated business solutions, announced the appointment of Kimberley Daley as head of its professional services division in Australia.

Daley joined Sedgwick in 2012 and is known within the industry as one of Australias foremost forensic accountants, said the company in a statement. Her expertise spans all commercial insurance classes: she advises clients on complex litigation matters as a financial loss expert and works closely with loss adjusters to drive successful outcomes on major losses. She has served as a key member of Sedgwicks national leadership team in Australia for the past five years.

In her new role, Daley will oversee Sedgwicks delivery of major and complex loss (MCL) adjusting, forensic advisory services, commercial property adjusting, construction and engineering, cyber liability and marine solutions to the Australian market.

Throughout her career, Daley has championed young professionals. She established a successful Women in Motion program to help up-and-coming female leaders at Sedgwick in Australia develop their business and management skills.

Topics Australia
A West Bloomfield, Mich., physician has been charged with insurance fraud and dispensing prescriptions without a license, the state attorney generals office reported.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has charged Dr. Namir Zukkoor, 71, with several crimes, including insurance fraud, for allegedly dispensing and billing insurers for prescriptions without the proper license.

The case is the result of collaboration between the Michigan Department of Attorney General and the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Fraud Investigation Unit.

Zukkoor, was arraigned in the 46th District Court on the following charges:

conducting a criminal enterprise, a 20 -year felony;

two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, a four-year felony;

two counts of false pretenses $1,000 to $20,000, a five-year felony;

operating a pharmacy without a license, a four-year felony; and

insurance fraud, a four-year felony.

The charges stem from Dr. Zukkoors business, VCC Services PLLC (VCC). VCC has never had a drug control license to dispense prescription drugs nor a controlled substance license to distribute drugs on schedules two through five.

Zukkoor is also accused of billing insurance companies for services he was not legally authorized to provide.

Source: Michigan AGs Office

Topics Fraud Abuse Molestation Michigan
A tornado caused lots of property damage, but no serious injuries, in the northwestern Kansas town of Selden as strong storms raked the area, the National Weather Service said.

Sheridan County officials reported the tornado hit around 6:30 p.m. Monday, tearing off roofs, crumbling the stone and brick walls of downtown buildings, uprooting trees and crumpling at least one farm silo.

We know a tornado touched down in Selden, National Weather Service meteorologist Jason Neilson, in Goodland, told The Associated Press. We have a survey team out there now to assess the damage and should have more information later in the day.

Neilson said the team will determine the scale of the tornado. Other tornadoes briefly touched down in the region Monday evening, Neilson said, but none of them were in populated areas that caused the damage seen in Selden.

One firefighter in Selden suffered minor injuries when a utility pole crashed into the back window of his truck, officials said.

Sheridan County Sheriff Brandon Carver says 38 properties in and around town suffered major damage from the storm, while another 84 suffered minor damage.

Neilson said residents in northwestern Kansas should be prepared for flash flooding on Tuesday after the storms dumped up to 3 inches of rain in some places, and more storms could hit the area again this week.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Kansas
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has issued a data call for information from certain insurance companies writing property insurance in Texas during calendar year 2020. The information will be used by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association to calculate participation shares if assessments become necessary in 2021.

The reporting period is for Jan.1, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2020. Responses are due by June 30, 2021.

Applicability

Companies that fall into one of the categories described below are required to respond to this data call. A company subject to this data call must submit the data call form and affidavit to TDI even if the company does not write any applicable business in the Texas catastrophe area.

Category 1: Companies reporting 2020 Texas commercial property or businessowners statistical data to TDIs commercial lines statistical agent, Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO), under a minimum or limited reporting format that does not include place-code- or ZIP-code-level detail. This category specifically includes companies reporting under the TDI minimum reporting guidelines for commercial lines statistical reporting.

Category 2: Companies reporting 2020 Texas commercial property or businessowners statistical data to ISO, under a full reporting plan format in which all four quarters of 2020 data have not been fully accepted by ISO as of February 28, 2021. Companies in this category must report premiums for the entire year, not just the quarters of 2020 that ISO has not fully accepted.

Category 3: Farm mutual insurance companies acting as fronting insurers, as defined by Insurance Code Section 221.001(c), that wrote property insurance in 2020.

Submission Requirements

Companies must complete the data call using the TWIA Data Call Form. This form requires Adobe Acrobat Standard 9.0, Adobe Professional 9.0, Adobe Reader 9.0, or a more recent version.

Complete and email or fax the TWIA Data Call Affidavit separately from the Data Call Form.

Visit the TDI website for reporting instructions and related information.

Topics Carriers Catastrophe Texas Data Driven
A grand jury indicted a former gynecologist at the University of California, Los Angeles on 21 counts of sexual abuse offenses in a case where he is accused of sexually assaulting seven women, court documents say.

Dr. James Heaps faces multiple counts each of sexual battery by fraud, sexual exploitation of a patient and sexual penetration of an unconscious person by fraudulent representation, according to a copy of the indictment, which was unsealed Monday.

The indictment includes offenses that allegedly took place between 2009 and 2018. No new victims were listed in the court documents. He had previously faced 20 counts.

Heaps was taken into custody Monday on $1.19 million bail after the indictment was unsealed, the Los Angeles Times reported. He was arrested in June 2019; his medical license has been suspended by court order as that case moves forward.

Heaps has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.

Dr. Heaps is confident he will be exonerated at trial,'Leonard Levine, his attorney, told the Los Angeles Times. He said his client plans to post bail.

Scores of patients have accused Heaps of sexual assault and sexual misconduct between 1983 and 2018, when he worked at the UCLA student health center and UCLA Medical Center. Accusations include making sexually inappropriate comments to patients, touching women sexually during exams without wearing gloves and simulating intercourse, often roughly, with an ultrasound probe.

The University of California system in November agreed to a $73 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit, under which more than 6,600 patients of Heaps could receive a payout, even if they have not accused him of abuse.

More than 100 of Heaps former patients have filed individual lawsuits. Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom approved a measure allowing a one-year window, all of 2021, for victims to file legal claims against Heaps and UCLA that could otherwise have been too late under an existing statute of limitations.

Related:

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Abuse Molestation
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Rookie politicians shine in opposition leadership race



A strong "wind of general change" is blowing through the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) as its younger members are challenging the old guard in the conservative party's leadership race. Most notably, Lee Jun-seok, 36, is continuing to steal the limelight, emerging as the most favored candidate in recent opinion polls. He is ahead of senior party members such as five-term Rep. Joo Ho-young, a former PPP floor leader; and Na Kyung-won, a former floor leader of the PPP's predecessor, the Liberty Party of Korea.



Other rookie members running for the party chairperson are freshman lawmakers Kim Woong, 42, and Kim Eun-hye, 41, who are also faring well. The leap taken by the novice politicians into the leadership race, is signaling a tectonic change in the political landscape in Korea. The PPP and other minor parties as well as the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) must be feeling a sense of crisis that if they cannot change themselves, they cannot survive.



The PPP is set to elect a new chairperson and Supreme Council members at its June 11 party convention. The winner will assume the crucial role of leading the party in the run-up to the March 9, 2022, presidential election. Lee's rising popularity reflects growing calls for a generational change from among the public, going beyond just support for Lee himself.



Yet it is premature to forecast the outcome of the PPP leadership race, as 70 percent of votes will be cast by party members. What is certain is, however, that the rookie politicians are very popular among those in their 20s and 30s, prompting the need for the outdated conservative PPP to change.



The PPP scored landslide victory in the April 7 mayoral by-elections in Seoul and Busan with the support from young and centrist voters. Yet the party should bear in mind that they voted for it to change as a more reliable conservative party through reform. This means they may withdraw their support anytime should the party remain the same.



The novice politicians have engaged in heated policy debates through social media and broadcasting channels, raising their profiles with the people. Lee entered politics in 2011 by joining the campaign team for former President Park Geun-hye. He made a failed bid in three general elections but has continued brisk activities in social media and broadcasting outlets. He has been actively communicating with the people, particularly those in their 20s and 30s.



The dazzling performance of the rookie politicians should be a turning point in the nation's politics. The DPK, in particular, should learn lessons since it has failed to bring about a big change despite its crushing defeat in the recent by-elections. If it sticks to the status quo and refuses to change, the wind of generational change will blow against it.



The ongoing PPP leadership contest reflects the people's growing calls for political change. Next year's presidential election will likely decide how to change the country's politics. The PPP has long faced disenchantment among the young people; now they are demanding drastic reform and change.


Burma 73 Children Killed by Myanmar Junta Forces Since Coup

Children slain since February by regime troops during their violent assaults against protesters.

At least 73 children were killed by regime forces across Myanmar from Feb. 15 to May. 15, according to the Ministry of Human Rights of the National Unity Government (NUG).

Several children were shot while playing near or inside their homes as soldiers and police raided residential areas while shooting at random. Others died during protests.

Among the fatalities were Khin Myo Chit, 6 years and 3 months old, who was shot dead while she sat frightened on her dads lap as regime forces broke into her house, 11-year old Aye Myat Thu, who was shot in the head while playing in front of her home, and 13-year-old Sai Wai Yan who was shot in the back of the head while trying to run away from junta forces.

Mandalay Region saw the highest number of children killed with 26 deaths, while Yangon recorded 13 killed, according to the NUGs current list of fatalities.

The Ministry of Human Rights said that the children killed during the current fighting in Chin States Mindat, Sagaing Regions Kani and Demoso, Kayah State had not been included on the list. Nor were the children killed by junta artillery strikes documented on the list. The ministry said that an updated list will be released soon.

Children continue to be among those killed and injured by regime airstrikes in ethnic areas where civilian resistance fighters are defending themselves against junta attacks and crackdowns.

In the most recent incident, 13-year-old Aung De was killed after his home was hit by an artillery shell on Monday afternoon in Kachin States Momauk Township. Locals said the shell was fired by junta forces and that some houses were also destroyed.

A 10-year-old child also died in a bomb blast in Tedim, northern Chin State, which also injured a six-year-old and a ten-year-old.

Since the juntas Feb. 1 coup, at least 827 people have been killed by regime forces, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which tracks killings and detentions since the military takeover.



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By Kim Bo-eun



A person walks by a mobile phone dealership in this file photo. Yonhap
Burma Govt Schools in Southern Myanmar Targeted With Bombs and Fire

The high school in Ka Myaw Kin village was razed by fire on May 24. / CJ

Three schools in Dawei in southern Myanmar were hit by bombs and a fire on Monday, as school enrollment week for basic education students commenced.

Explosions took place at a basic education high school and a post-primary school in Dawei, the capital of Tanintharyi Region, on Monday evening, while a fire broke out at another basic education high school on the outskirts of town, according to local residents.

A bomb was thrown at No. 6 Basic Education High School. The attack was targeted at the office of the school headmistress who opted not to join the civil disobedience movement. But the bomb just hit the lower parts of the office and exploded. A bomb was hurled at the post-primary school shortly afterwards. No one was injured, said a Dawei resident.

Following the explosions, junta troops came in four military vehicles and inspected passers-by. Junta forces also provided security for the headmistress of No. 6 Basic Education High School.

A basic education high school on Maung Ma Kan Road in Ka Myaw Kin village caught fire around 10pm Monday, said the Dawei resident. The school building was razed by the fire.

I heard many students came to enroll at Ka Myaw Kin School on Monday. But I havent seen anyone enrolling at the school today since the fire, a local told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday.

Three bombs exploded at a basic education middle school in a village in Wetlet Township, Shwebo District, Sagaing Region on Monday evening. An explosion was also reported at No. 13 Basic Education High School in Kale, Sagaing Region on Tuesday morning.

The military regime has ordered all basic education schools to reopen on June 1, the annual back-to-school day.

The juntas push to reopen schools is now facing increasing resistance, with anti-regime protesters calling for a boycott of education as part of the nationwide civil disobedience movement against the military regime.



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Burma More Than 70,000 People Displaced as Fighting Rages in Eastern Myanmar

Feature: Villagers in Kayah States Demoso Township fled from their homes on May 22 and are displaced in the hills. / CJ

Civilian resistance fighters in eastern Myanmars Kayah State seized and destroyed a police security checkpoint north of Loikaw, the Kayah capital, on Wednesday morning.

The Karenni Peoples Defense Force (KPDF) burned the captured outpost in Htee Se Khar in Loilen Lay town, 15 miles north of Loikaw and close to the border with Shan State, according to a member of the KPDF.

The attack comes as military tensions rise in Kayah and security has been tightened in downtown Loikaw, with junta forces checking the cell phones of residents. Many people are staying in their houses, while workers from other areas of the country are returning to their hometowns.

Fighting between regime soldiers and the KPDF broke out on May 21 and over forty junta troops, including police, have since been killed. The KPDF has attacked and destroyed police stations in Kayah States Demoso Township and Shan States Pekon Township and Moebyel Town. Regime forces have fired artillery into community quarters and villages following the shootouts with the KPDF.

Clashes continued in Demoso Township at dawn on Wednesday. A KPDF member said a woman was killed by junta forces gunfire, while another man was seriously injured.

Five KPDF members were confirmed killed after heavy fighting near the Ngwe Taung Dam in Demoso Township on Tuesday.

During the May 25 fighting, we lost five of our men. We also heard there were many casualties from the junta side. However, we can only confirm seeing five dead regime soldiers, said the KPDF member on Wednesday.

Displaced People

Some 70,000 residents from around 150 villages in Demoso, Loikaw and Shan States Pekon Township have been displaced in the five days of fighting since Friday, according to relief workers.

In Pekon and Moebyel Town, over 20,000 people have been displaced, while more than 50,000 are displaced in Kayah State, including 10,000 in Demoso and 6,000 in Nam Mae Khon, according to Pekon, Loikaw and Demoso residents.

One relief worker said the villagers have fled into the hills, while town residents are sheltering at monasteries, churches and in elders homes. We need shelters in the rural areas with the rainy season beginning. The elders and children also need medicine, he said.

Another relief worker in Pekon said the town residents and people from nearby villages have fled their homes. The displaced villagers are taking temporary shelter at five different places, as well as scattering across Pekon and Moebyel to stay with relatives. He added that they are in need of emergency help, as the basic food items the villagers brought with them will run out after a week if the fighting continues.

A spokesman of the management committee for the internally displaced people (IDP) in Pikin Kaw Khu, a village near the Kayah-Shan border, said that there are about 1,500 people who fled from Pekin Kaw Khu and Hawyi Kaw Khu villages. They have brought some food with them, but if they are going to be displaced for a long time, people will need rice, medicine and shelter from the elements.

We opened an IDP camp in Pekin Kaw Khu. But after artillery fire landed in the camp, we now have to go to another place, he said.

One villager from Kone Thar village said that more than 2,000 people have fled alongside him. We have rice, but not enough for a long time. We need shelters, clean water and medicine, said the villager.

Relief workers, camp management leaders and locals who The Irrawaddy contacted urged the junta forces not to fire at civilians and the IDP camps.

The relief worker from Pekon added, There is no guaranteed safe place for the IDPs, because the junta forces even fire at the churches where people are sheltering and white flags are flying.



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Burma Myanmar Catholic Bishops Urge Warring Parties to Spare Places of Worship

The Catholic church in Kayan Thaya (South) Village after it was shelled and shot at by regime soldiers on Monday.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Myanmar (CBCM) has made an urgent appeal to relevant parties not to target places of worship or people sheltering in them following the regimes recent deadly attack on a church in Kayah State.

The juntas artillery and small arms attack on the Sacred Heart Church in Kayanthayar in the Kayah State capital Loikaw in southeastern Myanmar on Sunday killed four people and wounded eight. They were among civilians taking shelter at the church from fighting between the regimes troops and local resistance groups. The building was seriously damaged.

Following the midnight attack, many people fled to the jungle. Cardinal Charles Bo, the archbishop of Yangon, called the situation a great humanitarian tragedy as there are many children and old people among them, forced to starve and without any medical aid.

This needs to stop. We plead with you all, related organizations, kindly do not escalate the war, he said in an appeal issued on Monday.

He reminded all parties that places of worship, hospitals and schools are protected during conflict through the Hague Conventions.

The bishops said they made this urgent appeal as a group of faith leaders not as politicians, adding that those who died and those who were wounded are citizens of Myanmar.

They were not armed; they were inside the church to protect their families. Every heart in this country weeps for the death of the innocent people, they said.

Fighting between regime troops and local resistance fighters in Kayah State has been going on since last week. Both sides have sustained casualties and many civilians have been forced to flee their homes. The CBCM estimated that more than 20,000 have been displaced by the recent conflict in Loikaw.



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Burma Myanmar Daily Post-Coup Update: May 25

Students wash their feet in regime-manufactured beer in Mandalays Aungmyethazan Township.

To keep you updated on what happened in Myanmar in the last 24 hours, here are the main events of the day more than three months after the putsch.

In Yangons Thingangyun Township, a parcel bomb exploded at a wedding reception, leaving four, including the newlywed bride, dead.

In another explosion on Waizayanna Road in Thingangyun, a vehicle was badly damaged and three people on board were injured.

An explosion took place at the electricity office in Shwepyithar Township. The military regime has set a deadline of May 25 for the public to pay electricity bills or face blackouts. Many members of the public have vowed not to pay their electricity bills as part of the civil disobedience movement against the regime.

Yangonites took to the streets to show their solidarity with Kayah State, which has been under siege by junta forces. Locals urged a boycott of the education system under military rule in Hlaing Tharyar Township.

In Ayeyarwadys capital Pathein, an explosion occurred at the township electricity office, leaving a staffer injured. Students also took to the streets to protest against the education system under military rule.

In Tanintharyis Launglon, a village basic education high school was set on fire, and the entire building was reduced to ashes. A teashop protest was held in the capital Dawei.

In Mandalay Region, local people marched in protest at the military regime in the countrys temple city of Bagan, as well as in Nyaung-U.

Buddhist monks in Mandalay prayed for the safety of Myanmar people including those who are being detained by the military regime. Youths staged a protest against the military regime at the foot of Mt. Mya Leik.

Students from Chanmyathazi Township called for a boycott of education under military rule. In Aungmyethazan Township, students washed their feet in regime-manufactured beer, calling for a boycott of products manufactured by military-run businesses.

Locals also staged a protest against military rule in Madaya Township.

In Paliek, people staged a protest against the military regime while celebrating the Full Moon Day of Kason, a day of religious significance for Buddhists.

In Kachin State, hundreds of locals called for the termination of the China-backed Myitsone Dam project. The megaproject has been suspended since 2011.

In the jade mining hub Hpakant, people continued protesting against the military regime, as they have done daily since Feb. 7.

Lieutenant General Soe Htut, the military regimes home affairs minister, visited Loikaw, the capital of Kayah State, following a series of attacks on police stations there. Police stations in Demoso near Loikaw and Moe Bye on the Shan-Kayah border were attacked recently, resulting in heavy casualties.

Protesters in Monywa, Sagaing Region visited the Shwe Guni Pagoda to observe one minutes silence for civilians who have fallen in the countrys Spring Revolution and pray for the health of those detained. Villagers in Monywa also staged an anti-regime protest.

Kani Township saw fierce fighting on both land and water between civilian resistance fighters and junta troops, with both sides suffering casualties.

An anti-regime rally took place in Taze and people staged a night protest against military rule in Tabayin Township. Villagers showed their solidarity against the military regime in Salingyi Township.

In Kale Township, people showed their support for the National Unity Government, a shadow government formed to rival the military regime. In Sar Taung town, Buddhist monks prayed for Myanmar to be freed from military rule.

In Ye-U Township, local residents held a night protest and prayed for those who have fallen in Myanmars Spring Revolution. People also planted a Banyan tree, praying for the earliest possible establishment of a federal Union.

In Magwe Regions Gangaw Township, villagers staged a protest against military rule while celebrating the Full Moon Day of Kason.

In Natmauk and Pakokku, people took to the streets against the education system under military rule. In Myaing Township, people drove motorbikes around the town in a rally against military rule.

In Namhkam in northern Shan State, people took to the streets against the military regime despite the rain.



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Burma Two Myanmar Resistance Fighters Killed in Sagaing Clash

Kani villagers hiding in a Sagaing Region forest. / CJ

Two civilian resistance fighters were killed and more than five wounded during a shootout with junta troops in Kani Township, Sagaing Region, on Tuesday.

It is the first fighting reported in the east of the township to the east of the Chindwin River.

A series of shootouts have occurred to the west of the river since April 2.

The shootout started on Tuesday morning near Nyaung Yin village when large numbers of resistance fighters attacked about 60 junta troops raiding villages while heading to the northern part of the township along the Chindwin, according to residents.

The military used artillery against resistance fighters armed with old-fashioned, homemade hunting rifles.

They used about 13 artillery rounds against us. Two of our members died and more than five were injured, a member of the People Defense Force told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, there were an estimated 10 military casualties in the firefight, residents said.

The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the numbers.

After three hours of shooting, the regime troops retreated to near Letpansu village on Tuesday afternoon and fired artillery at random from the village.

We have to resist as we cannot accept their oppression. They raided our villages and destroyed houses. Villagers are living in fear, the resistance fighter said.

Junta troops allegedly left Kani on Tuesday morning and raided several villages along the Chindwins east bank, looting homes while heading to the north of the township.

Around 10,000 residents of more than 10 villages have fled their homes, according to villagers.

Meanwhile, around 100 junta soldiers have raided about 10 villages to the west of the Chindwin since May 22 after fighting the resistance on the Kani-Mingin highway.

Around 5,000 residents from at least 12 villages are sheltering in forests after fleeing their homes last week.

Older villagers and children are suffering from cholera due to lack of clean water in the forest. No one dares to return home as junta troops are still deploying in the villages, a Myaunggone villager told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday.

Junta soldiers occupied Myaunggone for two nights and shot dead a 35-year-old villager who ventured back home on Sunday.



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Commentary To Those Who Sacrifice the Most for Myanmar, the Choice Is Clear

State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and Naypyitaw Council Chairman Dr. Myo Aung appear in court in Naypyitaw on Monday. / Commander in Chief of Defense Services Myanmar

Sacrifice is not sacrifice for many people of Myanmar. Its just a choice.

Those who really sacrificed or, in other words, gave up something valuable of their own in order to help other people or the welfare of the country, or its entire population, dont even think of the word sacrifice.

On Monday, two sad and tragic incidents which define the meaning of sacrifice were imprinted respectively in this dark age of Myanmars history. But these two incidents are just typical of everyday life here under military rule since the coup on Feb. 1 and, in retrospect, under the long history of previous military dictatorships.

On Monday morning, the detained leaders of the elected but overthrown government, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and Naypyitaw Council chairman Dr. Myo Aung, appeared in court for the first time since the military led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing staged a coup on Feb. 1.

They found themselves in the dock of a court facing multiple legal charges by the military regime, after having worked to restore democracy to the country over the past 30 years. They are all former political prisoners.

For Daw Aung San Suu Kyi herself, she was put under house arrest for a total of 15 years under the previous military regimes (six years from 1989 to 1995; one and a half years from 2000 to 2002; seven and a half years from 2003 to 2010) for her leading role in the countrys pro-democracy movement.

In 1989, when she found herself a political prisoner incarcerated by the then military regime for the first time, she was a 44-year-old woman. Now the 75-year-old finds herself a prisoner again.

It is believed, however, that she and her colleagues, including ousted President U Win Myint, would not even think of the word sacrifice to describe what they have done or the price they have paid for the country and its people to date.

They would believe that its their choice, not a sacrifice, as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi once said in an interview when asked about her sacrifice in the form of lengthy imprisonments and the other things she has endured, including living apart from her family.

These high-profile prisoners are not the only ones who conceive of their endeavors for the welfare of the country and its entire population as a choice.

Some unknown people have paid a higher price for what they have chosen.

On that Monday night, the wife of 53-year-old pro-democracy activist Ko Soe Moe Hlaing, known as Ko Mae Gyi, received a phone call from authorities saying that her husband was dead. On Saturday, only two days earlier, the military regimes soldiers and police arrested Ko Mae Gyi with some other villagers in a village in Bago Region. Witnesses saw the troops beating his head with rifle butts during his arrest.

His wife and friends believed that the father of five children was tortured to death, as he wasnt suffering from any deadly diseases.

Before he died, Ko Mae Gyi found himself arrested and tortured again, just as he had exactly 30 years previously back in 1991, when he was a 23-year-old. He was arrested in December of that year after hundreds of students staged a protest on the Yangon University campus, demanding that detained Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and students be released on Dec. 10, when she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

In 1988, when the military staged a coup to crack down on the nationwide pro-democracy movement, Ko Mae Gyi fled to the Thai-Burma border to take up arms to fight against the then regime. He became a member of the students army, known as the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF), before coming back to the country.

Due to all his pro-democracy activities, he was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and served 13 years from 1991 to 2003. Many of his fellow inmates said he was a staunch pro-democracy activist full of courage and honesty. After his release, Ko Mae Gyi actively worked on philanthropic projects and regional development in Bago until his latest arrest. He also established a network in the region to offer free education to children.

Like Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and many other pro-democracy activists, he wouldnt have thought what he was doing was a sacrifice. But Ko Mae Gyi wouldnt have imagined that he would be killed for his good work and dedication to his country.

For him personally, perhaps, he might have suffered more emotionally due to the fact that he was tortured to death by squads of his own brother, who is deputy minister of home affairs and chief of police of the regime led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

His elder brother, Lieutenant General Than Hlaing, was promoted to deputy minister and chief of police following the coup and is one of the key people responsible for the brutal crackdowns on civilians. Ko Mae Gyi knew that his brother was among those who are responsible for killing more than 800 people in anti-regime protests over the past nearly four months since Feb. 1.

Its sad that his soul could no longer find his own body due to his choicenot sacrifice.

Like Ko Mae Gyi and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, countless people of many generations have paid a high price. Myanmar recently witnessed throngs of its Gen Z youth taking to the streets to defy the regime by risking their lives. The momentum of the Spring Revolution they created is still in full swing. But what they have been doing shows that they arent afraid to risk their lives.

No doubt many people in this country will continue to sacrifice their lives in different ways, of their own choice. Their task of establishing democracy will remain unfinished as long as the military dictatorship still exists in this country.

Naing Khit is a commentator on political affairs.



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With trillions lost in last week's unprecedented crash that hit cryptocurrencies--such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin--the billionaire Mark Cuban has put some perspective on why it happened, and why we can expect the digital tokens to make a huge rebound soon.

Ethereum Value Drop Due to 'Great Unwind'

On Twitter, Cuban described the crash as the "Great Unwind," suggesting that investors have decided to unload their earnings due to the many factors affecting the market as of late. Quite notable was China's ban on cryptocurrency trading that sent shockwaves that led to the massive sell-off.

"Traders borrow to buy Eth, used eth to borrow alt/stable coin, used that to LP a high APY Pair, took the SLPs and staked them to maxout yield," Cuban explained in his tweet.

He further concluded that as ETH would fall to its "tragic number," investors had to "Unwind. Unstake, Remove Liqu(i)dity, Repay."

I think this is the "Great Unwind". Traders borrow to buy Eth, used eth to borrow alt/stable coin, used that to LP a high APY Pair, took the SLPs and staked them to maxout yield. The minute Eth drops to their Tragic Number, they had to Unwind. Unstake, Remove Liqudity, Repay.  Mark Cuban (@mcuban) May 23, 2021

However, in a succeeding tweet, Cuban sees that enormous recovery for the cryptocurrency, with the entry of what he calls "new money" into the market.

Read Also: Ethereum Price Prediction: Analysts Hint Massive Value Surge to Surpass Bitcoin!

Ethereum, in part, is known for its valuable use cases, with a flurry decentralized finance apps and non-fungible token purchases in its evolving blockchain.

Mark Cuban Tweet: Support Levels 'Unwound'

As Ethereum and the rest of the cryptocurrencies are still slowly regaining their momentum, Cuban said stable support levels will allow cryptocurrencies to recover immensely, with the businessman and crypto investor using rocket emojis to suggest that "new money" will lift prices up to astronomical levels.

It gets worse when a Double Tragic Number strikes those who have been in long enough to not think they would ever get hit. When they get hit that means most of the dry powder that was being used to hold support levels is unwound too. Which means it will take new money to   Mark Cuban (@mcuban) May 23, 2021

Prices of the most traded cryptocurrencies took a steep dive over these recent events, with Bitcoin falling over from $46,000 to $33,000. Dogecoin likewise dropped from a high of 50 US cents to less than 30 cents. Ethereum, on the other hand, slipped from over $3,500 to a price hovering around $2,000.

Mark Cuban: 'Best Platforms Will Do Well Over the Long Term'

Cuban, who owns the Dallas Mavericks and stars in the ABC series "Shark Tank," elaborated on his tweet in an e-mail interview with Newsweek, commenting that "the more utility the platform has the more successful it will be."

Cuban said that at the end of the day, "crypto is all software" and such successful software should have "happy users that can't live without it" and who are "willing to pay enough to keep them vibrant." He added that at the foundation of these cryptocurrencies, just in case the enthusiasts forget, are token holders, validator and miners who "all get rewards".

These rewards, Cuban said, will gain value only when there is enough revenue coming in, hinting that they would give their best efforts at improving the blockchain network for the long term.

"Speculation aside," Cuban noted, "the best platforms will do well over the long term."

Ethereum Price Prediction: Upgrades Will Help

Ethereum and Dogecoin have indicated working on upgrades to their network.

The Ethereum 2.0 upgrade, which is named after the brightest star in the Aquila constellation in the northern hemisphere "Altair," is scheduled to unveil in July or August, as per Coindesk. Its separate 11th backward-incompatible, system-wide upgrade or "hard-fork" upgrade is also scheduled to be released around that time, so users can expect maximum efficiency. This is seen to help the digital token cut its high-transaction costs, lifting ETH price to unprecedented heights.

Dogecoin developers, on the other hand, are also working on improving the meme-based coin's network. Collaborating with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on the Doge 1.21 upgrade that will enhance integration, wallet backups, and synchronization speed in a partnership that Musk described in a tweet as "potentially promising," according to The Ascent.

Related Article: Ethereum Price Prediction: Bearish Sentiment, China 'Crackdown' Could Pull Price Down to $2,000
Good news for value laptop users! A newly released version of the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook is now at an insanely discounted price, without having to trade-in existing units.

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 Price: Up to $200 Off

A 4GB RAM and 64GB storage version of the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 running on the Intel Celeron processor can now be purchased directly at Samsung for $450, which is $100 off the regular price, Engadget reported. Its upscale iteration-the 8GB RAM, 128GB hard disk Chromebook that uses the Core i3 processor, now just sells for $500, which lets users save $200 from its normal price, the report further said.

The original Chromebook with the 13.3-inch 4K OLED display and stowable stylus, meanwhile, has its Celeron version selling for as low as $449. Should you want to bump and take the i5 version of 8GB RAM, 128 GB HD, another $200 discount is offered.

While Samsung.com has given these immense price cuts on the Galaxy Chromebook and Chromebook 2, ChromeUnboxed.com reported that bigger discounts are offered to teachers, first responders, students, military personnel and others who are eligible to join the company's discount program. According to the report, a military discount will have a $999 Chromebook priced at $509.40 before tax, which is nearly 50 percent off, and the already discounted i3-run Galaxy Chromebook 2 is further pulled down to $399.

Details on Samsung's discount program are available on its site.

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Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 Review: A Solid Performer

The Galaxy Chromebook 2, though a scaled down version of the original, has been labeled as an awesome performer having the 10th generation Intel Core i3, with its long battery life reaching to about 12 hours without charging. And that's an immense benefit for users. It also features a 1080p QLED panel with a 16:9 aspect ratio, which replaced what reviewers call an "unnecessary" 4K screen in the original Chromebook. It is seen as a solid laptop that does a great job at a multitude of computer tasks without crashing.

It doesn't come with a pen but supports a USI stylus, which is purchased separately. It also has a pair of USB Type C ports, a microSD slot, integrated web cam, and support for WiFi 6-definitely a solid midrange laptop.

With this bargain, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 is truly a compelling purchase--incredible performance, eye-catching design, and acceptable display performance that is worth every dollar spent.

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Samsung Galaxy Chromebook: Explosive 496% Growth Year-on-Year

The Chromebook has actually achieved explosive growth since last year, Samsung said in a press release, as users heavily relied on remote learning and work-from-home environments. The tech giant announced a whopping 496 percent increase year-on-year in Chromebook shipments, with independent research group International Data Corporation suggesting that Samsung shipped over a million Chromebooks in just the first quarter of 2021.

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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:
Shelton, CT  5/26/2021  TMC today announced Eric Hernaez, President, RabbitRun Technologies will present a conference session at MSP Expo being held June 22-25, 2021 at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami, Florida.

Through interactive sessions, quality keynotes, exciting networking experiences and a recently expanded exhibit floor, ITEXPO connects businesses with the solutions, partners and education they need to drive digital transformation. As one of the only vendor neutral shows in the marketplace, thousands of Resellers, enterprises, service providers, media, manufacturers and developers come to ITEXPO year after year to make their purchasing decisions and select new partners.

Here are the details for Eric Hernaezs Presentation:

Conference Track: MSP Business Development

Session title: Profitability Tools for MSPs

Date: 6/23/2021

Time: 9:00am  9:55am

View all keynotes, speakers, special events, exhibitors and the entire MSP Expo conference program here.

For more information or to register for MSP Expo, contact events@tmcnet.com. Companies interested in exhibiting, sponsorship or advertising packages for MSP Expo should contact TMC's Joe Fabiano at 203-852-6800 x132 or Maureen Gambino at 203-852-6800 x109.



For the latest MSP Expo news, updates and information follow the event on Twitter at @MSPExpo.

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U.S. electric vehicle maker Tesla said on Tuesday it had established a site in China to store car data locally, as automakers come under growing scrutiny over how they handle information collected by vehicle cameras and sensors.







Tesla said in a Weibo post that data generated by all cars it sells in China, where it is making Model 3 sedans and Model Y sport-utility vehicles, would be stored in the country.







Tesla added it would expand its data center network in China. The company's shares were last down 0.7 percent.







China, the world's biggest car market and the second largest for Tesla, is drafting rules to ensure the security of data generated by connected vehicles as their growing popularity fuels concerns about privacy and national security.







Staff at some Chinese government offices have been told not to park their Tesla cars inside government compounds due to security concerns over vehicle cameras, two people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters last week.







Last week, Tesla vice president Grace Tao, along with executives at Baidu and Alibaba, attended a policy discussion held by a Chinese think-tank on data security.







Tesla is developing a platform for car owners in China that will allow them to access data generated by their vehicles. It is also boosting its engagement with mainland regulators and beefing up its government relations team, sources told Reuters. (Reuters)


Police release rules for protesters, officers | Board of Ed. clears up vax misinformation | IC professor, author talks about new book | BVC catches the latest at Regal | Enjoy your summer in the Finger Lakes Read Digital Edition
Genpacts research presents the view of 500 CIOs globally, 50 of whom are in Australia, on how they steered their companies during the Covid-19 pandemic and their preparedness to move forward. CIOs who invested in the right technology were able to adapt the best, according to the study.

Despite the time spent in investing in digital infrastructure and transformation, more than three-quarters (76%) of Australian chief information officers (CIOs) admit their CIO organisation is not completely prepared to help their companies withstand another major business disruption, according to a study by Genpact.

Pilots, co-pilots, and engineers: digital transformation insights from CIOs for CIOs, Genpacts research, found just over half (54%) strongly agree they are well-positioned to support company growth after the pandemic.

Genpacts research, in partnership with the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium, presents the views of 500 CIOs and technology leaders globally, 50 of whom are in Australia, on lessons learned on weathering the storm of the pandemic and preparedness for the journey forward.

The study highlights three distinct roles: pilots, co-pilots, and engineers, with varying levels of influence over guiding change in their companies. In Australia, 24% of CIOs are pilots, leading the way and driving the transformation journey strategically across core business functions. The largest cohort, 56%, are co-pilots partnering with business leaders to shape and deliver transformation, and 20% are the engineers, simply executing, not driving transformation.

A CIOs ability to drive digital transformation in the right places at the right time can make or break a business, the study says. During the past years disruption, Australian CIOs who invested in automating processes, adopting advanced analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) adapted the best.

Australia expects to see an innovation boom and heavy investment in growing digital skills as supported in the 2021-2022 Australian Federal Budget. This will not only enable CIOs to actively engage in the digital economy with confidence, but also empower businesses to grow investment in digital technologies.

Sanjay Srivastava, Genpact chief digital officer, who will present the research findings in a keynote today at the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium, notes: Our global study validates what were seeing across our clients. As the power of the cloud, data, and AI redefine the future of work, the CIO role is evolving exponentially but not equally.

He adds: Transformation pilot CIOs that drive alignment across the C-suite and put the organisational focus on building resilience and innovation will be the co-creators of new business models and future-ready companies. CIOs who do not will see their organisations struggle.

Other significant findings from Genpacts CIO study include:

Influencing the CEOs agenda is critical to CIOs transformation success

The findings show that it is not enough simply to have access to the CEO, but rather be involved in the CEO agenda. Its clear that to drive strategic change, a CIO needs to report at a high organisational level, ideally to the CEO. But for the most successful CIOs, regular CEO meetings, not just reporting lines, make all the difference in the ability to leverage combined business and technology expertise to influence the companys strategic business agenda.

Being a data-led organisation is imperative to success

Australian CIOs are aligned on the need to be data-driven. Almost all (98%) agree that their companies make data-driven decisions to realise business value. Respondents cite digital commerce technologies as the top innovation that will help CIOs achieve their goals.

The top choice for investment if they had additional financial resources is robotic process automation/intelligent automation. These technologies allow CIOs to make the most of the data at their disposal, generating predictive insights for more informed decision-making.



In the virtual world of work, CIOs are overlooking HR

As the pandemic forced more focus on employee safety, with only 30% of respondents saying that their CIO organisation helps track employee well-being, human resources still ranked last among the functional areas prioritised for full-stack technology investment over the next two years. This warns of a potential disconnect in meeting employee needs with new remote and hybrid office models emerging.

CIOs are pivotal in connecting employee and customer experience

About a third (32%) of Australian CIOs surveyed hold themselves accountable for employee experience and (30%) for customer experience. In fact, CIOs are uniquely positioned to connect customer and employee experience technologies. Only when employees are digitally enabled can they deliver the experiences customers expect.

Tom Davenport, professor at Babson College, visiting professor at Oxford, and research fellow at the MIT Initiative on the digital economy, and a co-author of the Genpact study, concludes: CIOs who are not prepared from business disruption and post-pandemic growth risk becoming obsolete. Genpacts research provides insights on how all three types of CIOs can take the pilots seat to accelerate digital business transformation and business growth.
Juniper has acquired intent-based networking solution Apstra software, which helps organisations reduce time and costs associated with deploying and managing complex data centre networks. The software has new intent extensions and connectivity template that connects attached systems.

The version 4.0 of Apstra software, an intent-based networking solutions, was acquired earlier this year by Juniper in a deal closed in January 2021, announces Juniper Networks.

Juniper says Apstra helps organisations to minimise the time and costs associated with deploying and managing traditionally complex data centre networks. The new software version builds on the multivendor capabilities of the Apstra solution to support VMware NSX-T 3.0 and Enterprise SONiC, in addition to previously supported data centre switching from Juniper, Nvidia (Nvidia Cumulus), Arista Networks, and Cisco Systems.

The Apstra software also has new intent extensions and connectivity templates that provide a way of connecting attached systems. Additionally, Juniper is offering Apstra with Juniper Networks QFX Series switches and SRX Series Services Gateways in drop-in building block solutions that can grow with evolving data centre needs.

Mike Bushong, Juniper Networks, vice president data centre, notes: Organisations are looking for new ways to enhance the experience of users and operators in the data centre.

Our Apstra software provides the perfect foundation by delivering closed-loop automation, analytics, and assurance for intent-based networking across vendors. In operations, speed is nothing without control, and with the newest Apstra extensions and multi-vendor solutions, teams can make changes more quickly with predictable outcomes, Bushong says.

Apstra open extensions and connectivity templates

Apstra 4.0 (formerly known as AOS) takes intent-based networking to the next level by extending intent to connections for attached systems. Its a method of essentially ensuring standardised operations are in customised ways. New connectivity templates enable operators to create their own reusable and validated templates.

These facilitate operations with bulk, accurate adds across the entire fabric in minutes, including servers, workloads and devices, while checking that everything in the network is functioning properly. Apstras single source of truth knows the intended state of the network and informs operators when anything deviates from expectations.

Additionally, new extensions integrate Apstra software with VMware NSX-T 3.0 and Enterprise SONiC, enabling even more organisations to benefit from Apstras reliability and time-savings value. With built-in validation for virtual machine connectivity, Apstras NSX-T integration assures and optimises operation between the virtual and physical networks.

Apstra tracks new NSX-T virtual network additions to assure fabric connections are also set up and allows operators to locate virtual machines within the fabric. Furthermore, with Apstra 4.0, Juniper claims it is now the only vendor with commercial support for management of Enterprise SONiC. With this new release, Juniper customers have additional options for building cloud-level, large-scale data centres with open networking.

These new integrations complement Junipers existing ecosystem of technology partners and underscore the commitment to preserve Apstra as an open and multi-vendor system. Customers can scale with the Apstra software, removing hardware and operational constraints and accelerating data centre evolution.

Building block solutions

The Apstra 4.0 release focuses on operations across vendors. Additionally, Juniper is making it easier for organisations to build and modernise their data centres. New turnkey building block solutions combine intent-based networking and Junipers switches with options for Secure Services Gateways. The scalable, optimised architecture lets teams deploy whats needed now, as small as a 4-switch deployment, and grow as needed to larger deployments.

New data centre deployments can be up and running in hours rather than days, using Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) and a set of pre-validated blueprints. With these building blocks, small and mid-sized organisations can adopt the most modern and automated data centre operations without expansive design projects, lengthy deployment programs and/or extensive in-house data centre expertise.

The data centre leader

Juniper says it has been a leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Data Center and Cloud Networking for the past three years. Junipers marquee customers include Aston Martin, T-Systems, and Zoom. In Q1 2021, Juniper grew its enterprise revenue for a third consecutive quarter, with enterprise orders rising more than 20% year-on-year. Cloud ready data centre orders grew nearly 30% year-on-year, as customers continue to recognise the value of Junipers cloud ready data centre solutions and the differentiation enabled by Apstra.

Don Ely, REI lead network security engineer, says: We are excited to move forward with Juniper Apstra with the intent that its detailed visibility and troubleshooting abilities in our data centre will allow us to find root-cause analysis faster than our current solution. We plan to use customised dashboards to bring visibility to other REI business units regarding the health of the data centre.

Hasan Siraj, Core Switching Group head of software products and ecosystem, says: Intent-based automation and analytics across a variety of network operating stacks, such as Enterprise SONiC, is a key enabler of an open ecosystem.

We welcome Junipers new Apstra 4.0 offering as it utilises the advanced capabilities available in Broadcom merchant silicon. By delivering a solution ready for general data centre deployments, this combination represents a milestone in spurring SONiC adoption, Siraj concludes.
SOC and IT security teams feel burned out after working hours, a Trend Micro study has discovered, and managers are overwhelmed with high volume of alerts.

SOC (security operations centres) and IT security teams in Australia and New Zealand are suffering from high levels of stress outside of the working daywith alert overload as culprit, according to a study by Trend Micro.

Two-thirds (66%) of respondents say their home lives are being emotionally impacted by their work, which is to manage IT threat alerts. Three in five (60%) feel their team is being overwhelmed by the volume of alerts and 43% admit that they are not confident in their ability to prioritise and respond to them.

It is no wonder therefore that teams are spending on average 26% of their time dealing with false positives.

These findings are corroborated by a recent Forrester study, which found that security teams are heavily understaffed when it comes to incident response, even as they face more attacks. Security operations centres (SOCs) need a more-effective method of detection and response; thus, XDR takes a dramatically different approach to other tools on the market today.

Outside work, the high volumes of alerts leave many SOC managers unable to switch off or relax, and they tend to be irritable with friends and family. Inside work, they cause individuals to turn off alerts (45% do so occasionally or frequently), walk away from their computer (49%), hope another team member will step in (57%), or ignore what is coming in entirely (45%).

Dr Victoria Baines, cybersecurity researcher and author, says: We are used to cybersecurity being described in terms of people, process, and technology.

All too often, though, people are portrayed as a vulnerability rather than an asset, and technical defences are prioritised over human resilience. It is high time we renewed our investment in our human security assets. That means looking after our colleagues and teams, and ensuring they have tools that allow them to focus on what humans do best."

With 66% of respondents already dealing with a breach or expecting one within the year, and the estimated average cost per breach is US$235,000, the consequences of such actions could be disastrous.

Mick McCluney, Trend Micro ANZ technical director, notes: SOC team members play a crucial role on the cyber frontline, managing and responding to threat alerts to keep their organisations safe from potentially catastrophic breaches. But as this research shows, that pressure sometimes comes at an enormous personal cost.

McCluney suggests: To avoid losing their best people to burnout, especially as Australia and New Zealand face ongoing cybersecurity talent shortages, organisations must look to more sophisticated threat detection and response platforms that can correlate and prioritise alerts. This will not only improve overall protection but also enhance analyst productivity and job satisfaction levels.

Trend Micro Vision One is Trend Micro's answer to the struggles of SOC teams. Prioritised, correlated alerts using data from the entire IT environment help teams spend their time more wisely. Fewer alerts and stronger intelligence allow teams to regain balance in their work life and ease the emotional toll of security.
Australian-listed AI data fusion enterprise solutions provider SenSen Networks is set to acquire Scancam Industries, a provider of AI solutions for fuel retailers in Australia.

SenSen (ASX:SNS) announced on Wednesday it has entered into a Share Purchase Agreement for the acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital in Scancam Industries.

The proposed acquisition follows the completion of technical, financial and legal due diligence by SenSen.

Scancams anti-fuel theft solution is designed to prevent drive-offs from motorists at service stations, and protects the profits of fuel retailers.

After capturing license plates and images of known offenders, the anti-fuel theft technology triggers operational processes to prevent further losses and it can be used as a reliable tool for law enforcement investigation.

SenSen says Scancam technology brings together latest advances in computer vision, AI, cloud computing and Internet of Things (IoT) and feeds a growing demand for more sophisticated security solutions, solving a serious problem faced by fuel retailers.

SenSen notes that Scancams blue-chip fuel retail clients include BP, Ampol (Caltex), Chevron, Euro Garages (formerly Woolworths Caltex) as well as the Western Australia Police Force - with its longstanding clients located across Australia in Western Australia, Queensland, and includes a growing presence in NSW, Victoria and the Northern Territory.

SenSen says that although Scancam developed its solution to address a serious problem that is costing the fuel retail industry A$59 million per annum across Australia alone, its grand vision is to use this as a springboard to launch product enhancements and variants to solve broader retail theft problems.

Retail crime in Australia alone is a A$9 billion dollar problem, according to the National Retail Association (NRA), says SenSen, adding that globally, retail theft is estimated to be costing the industry about US$60 billion annually.

SenSen is particularly excited about this large market and how solutions powered by the companies combined technologies could help offer a highly effective solution to prevent retail theft globally, SenSen said in its statement on Wednesday.

The acquisition follows an announcement from 1 December 2020, when SenSen acquired SNAP Networks Surveillance and. in line with SenSens strategy, the company says it is integrating SNAP technology into the SenSen platform, SenDISA, to develop a ground-breaking new product line called SenTRACK  the worlds first completely automated person-tracking solution across an entire surveillance network.

The combination of Scancam technology to track vehicles of interest and SenTRACK to track people of interest is expected to deliver the worlds first AI data fusion solution to prevent theft in all retail environments, not just fuel retailers, SenSen claimed.

SenSen CEO Dr. Subhash Challa said: This is an important strategic acquisition for SenSen, a move that not only aligns to our ARR generating growth plans for FY22 and beyond, but also provides a strong foundation and impetus to move into the broader retail business vertical.

SenSen is looking forward to welcoming the Scancam team into our group and expanding revenue-earning offerings for Scancams high-quality customer base.

Further, by integrating Scancam technology into SenSens proprietary platform SenDISA, we can provide further value to new and existing retail customers.

Our scalable digital AI architecture is a SaaS solution. Our ingenuity provides new and existing customers with a zero-capex solution  removing what was a barrier to entry for some retailers  and solving a problem that was once thought technically impossible.

As we acquire more service stations across the country on our network, this will enhance margins for SenSen, further increasing revenue growth. We are excited about the potential this integration holds to further accelerate annual recurring revenues whilst enhancing the margins of our solutions.

Scancams Eoin Byrne said: After many years of growing our anti-fuel theft business, we are excited to find a partner in SenSen to supercharge Scancams technology solutions and move into new markets and geographies. The Scancam team is also very pleased to be joining a world-leading AI data fusion solutions company in SenSen.
Chinese smartphone brand vivo has announced the launch of its X60 Pro 5G flagship device, which is customised for professional photography as it marks the beginning of collaboration with global imaging leader ZEISS.

A statement from the company said the X60 Pro 5G was designed for shake-free photos and would be available for pre-order from 3 June at a price of $1099. The official sale date is 17 June.

The partnership with ZEISS was announced in December last year.

"Smartphones have become an important part of our lives not just in maintaining friendships and staying connected, but also as a source of inspiration and creativity" said vivo Australia communications manager Laura Hayward.

"Captured memories are often ruined with blurry imagery and shaky footage. The X60 Pro solves this with a built-in Gimbal Stabiliser.

"The technology counteracts hand movements, so Aussies can experience a steady shot every time, whether it's a spontaneous moment or a live action event the X60 Pro will capture it in perfect clarity - bringing us all a little closer."

The X60 Pro Gimbal Stabilisation 2.0 Camera. Supplied

The device has three rear cameras (48MP main gimbal camera + 13MP wide-angle macro + 13MP professional portrait with 50mm equivalent focal length), and also a 32MP front camera.

The X60 is built atop a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC; it has 256GB storage and extended RAM technology that can effectively provide 15GB RAM, though the actual physical memory is 12GB.

It has a 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz response rate, with an edge-to-edge AMOLED display. The 4200mAh battery is supported by 33W Flash Charge, which vivo claims can recharge to 63% in half-an-hour.

The device is 7.59mm thick, weighs 177g, and is available in Midnight Black.

vivo is offering a a Harman Kardon Citation One MKII all-in-one smart speaker valued at $299 with all pre-orders which can be placed instore and online at JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Big W, The Good Guys and Mobileciti. From 17 June, the X60 can also be bought at Amazon.

SPECS

Model Number: X60 Pro

Description: vivo X60 Pro 256GB

Series X

Network 5G

SIM Card Type Dual nano sim

Operating System Funtouch OS 11.1Base on Android 11

Display 6.56 inches AMOLED

Display Resolution 2376*1080 (FHD+)

Rear Camera Rear 48MP + 13MP + 13MP

Front Camera Front 32MP

Camera Triple rear camera

Video Recording 4k

Internal Storage 256GB

Expandable Storage n/a

Processor Snapdragon 870

Memory (RAM) 12GB

Wi-Fi 2.4G+5G

Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.1

GPS Receiver Yes

Sensors In-Display Fingerprint Sensor, Accelerometer,Ambient Light Sensor,Proximity Sensor,E-compass, Gyroscope,Color Temperature Sensor

Water Resistant n/a

Battery 4200mAh (TYP) with 33W Flash Charging

Width (mm) 158.58

Height (mm) 73.24

Depth (mm) 7.59

Weight (g) 177

Additional Features NFC

Colour Midnight Black

What's in The Box

Handset

Earphone

Type-C Adaptor

Quick Start Guide

USB Cable

Charger

SIM Ejector

Case

Manufacturer's Warranty 2 years
Pratar. It's a Swedish word that means to speak, to talk, to communicate, and it's a very apt name for a communications company, headed by former OPR Agency COO and MD of Howorth, Graham White, who has launched his own agency specialising in communication services for technology brands and start-ups.

After completing his 20+ year tenure at OPR towards the end of last year, Graham White has wasted no time getting his new agency off the ground, with ten clients signed up.

With more than 25 years experience in communication and reputation management for many of the worlds most innovative technology brands, including many start-ups, it made sense to remain focused in a sector that still inspires me, said White.

The agency name Pratar is a Swedish word that simply means talking, to have a conversation, a name that White says perfectly explains the role communicators play for brands.

On a personal level, I read the words "prate", "prater" and "pratest" in Isaac Asimov's Foundation and Earth novel, part of the now greatly expanded Foundation Trilogy, and if you do a search for the words at this link in the Internet Archive, you can see where I saw them. This meant I knew exactly what Pratar meant when I first saw the name.

Diversions into the world of sci-fi aside, which technology companies regularly turn into science fact on what almost seems like a daily basis, let's get back to White's further reasons for using the word.

White said: Our primary role in communications is to engage people, both inside and outside an organisation, to build, manage and protect reputation. It is a name that easily came to me for personal reasons, with family connections to Scandinavia.

So, what is more detail on what Pratar does?

Well, we're told Pratar "provides a range of communication services to help organisations tell their stories and create conversations.

"This includes strategic communications, story development, thought leadership, earned media, media training, content, CEO and executive profiling. In addition, with more than 16 years running Australias largest and most successful technology PR agency, White is also providing business advisory services for agency founders and leaders."

White added: Having walked in agency leadership shoes for so long I understand whats involved and can provide advice, grounded in experience, to leaders who may need support."

Whites intention is to keep Pratar small, focussing on independence, stability and scaled collaboration with a range of specialist providers for specific expert skills.

After more than two decades at Howorth and OPR Ive been fortunate to work with some outstanding freelancers and specialist service providers, which works perfectly for a small agency like Pratar, he added. There are also many great ex-WPP people now running their own consulting businesses, who make great collaboration partners.

Pratars current client roster comprises global technology sector leaders, emerging and established startups, and venture capital firms.

This includes Equinix, Castlepoint Systems, OurCrowd, Raiz Invest, Rockwell Automation, Vow Food, BMC Software, Luceo Energy and GapMaps. White is also consulting as a senior advisor into 6AM Agency, a specialist wellbeing and good living integrated communications firm based in Sydney.

For more information, Graham White invites anyone interested in Pratar's services to contact him the email address and phone number at the bottom of the Pratar website, alongside other ways to get in contact there too.
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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.
POSCO Chairman Choi Jeong-woo, third from left, South Jeolla Province Governor Kim Yung-rok, fourth from left, and other dignitaries join the groundbreaking ceremony of the steelmaker's plant in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, Wednesday. The plant will be built by 2023, with an annual production capacity of 43,000 tons of lithium hydroxide, a key material for the production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Courtesy of POSCO



By Yi Whan-woo



POSCO has begun construction on a plant to carry out lithium hydroxide extraction, a key material for the production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province.



The country's top steelmaker said Wednesday the groundbreaking ceremony took place at the southern industrial city in the presence of 50 dignitaries.



Among them were POSCO Chairman Choi Jeong-woo, South Jeolla Province Governor Kim Yung-rok, Gwangyang Vice Mayor Kim Kyung-ho and POSCO Chemical CEO Min Kyung-zoon.



The 1,960-square-meter plant will be able to produce 43,000 tons of lithium hydroxide annually once it is constructed by the end of 2023. The amount is enough to make batteries for around 1 million EVs.



Lithium hydroxide is required for the production of lithium-ion battery cathodes  the component of a battery from which stored electricity flows out to a connected device.



"We have been able to take a step toward producing lithium by making active investments and innovating technologies, after selecting storage batteries as our next growth engine in the forthcoming era of EVs," Chairman Choi said in a speech.



He regarded self-sufficiency in lithium production as "a cornerstone to build a century-long POSCO" and that such efforts can help the domestic battery industry compete in the global market.





POSCO's Seoul headquarters / Korea Times file




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.
Jennifer Dorsey is chief copy editor and Business section coordinator. She worked in Washington, D.C., and Chicago before moving to the Tetons.
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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.
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Mike has reported on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem's wildlife, wildlands and the agencies that manage them since 2012. A native Minnesotan, he arrived in the West to study environmental journalism at the University of Colorado.
In this March 10, 2011, file photo, then U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, left, shakes hands with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Biden will hold a summit with Putin next month in Geneva, a face-to-face meeting between the two leaders that comes amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Russia in the first months of the Biden administration. AP-Yonhap



U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian leader Vladimir Putin will hold their first summit next month in Geneva, both sides said Tuesday, though no breakthrough is expected in the fraught relationship.



The meeting in the wealthy Swiss city  home to many UN organizations and location of a historic 1985 summit between Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and U.S. president Ronald Reagan  will be on June 16.



"The leaders will discuss the full range of pressing issues, as we seek to restore predictability and stability to the U.S.-Russia relationship," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.



The Kremlin confirmed the summit details and said in a statement that Putin and Biden would be discussing "issues of strategic stability," as well as "resolving regional conflicts" and the COVID-19 pandemic.



Biden, making his first international trip as president, will go to Geneva immediately after separate summits with his key Western allies in the G7, NATO and the European Union.



The face-to-face meeting with the Kremlin leader comes amid levels of tension not seen for years, with Washington now dialing back its ambitions to little more than establishing a relationship in which both sides understand each other and can work together in specific areas.



Unlike in 2009, when Biden was vice president and then president Barack Obama's administration declared a diplomatic "reset" with Putin's government, expectations going into the summit this time are far lower.



A high-profile encounter will suit Putin at a time when he faces a largely hostile West, but Biden's decision to meet should not be taken as a mark of approval, say White House officials.



"We don't regard the meeting with the Russian president as a reward," Psaki said.



Since taking office, Biden has imposed new sanctions against Moscow over what U.S. authorities say was the Russian role in the massive Solar Winds cyberattack and repeated meddling in the 2020 presidential election.



In addition, Washington has harshly criticized Moscow for the near-death poisoning and subsequent imprisonment of one of the last open opponents to Putin, Alexei Navalny.



Tensions are also high over Ukraine, where Russia already controls swaths of territory and recently massed troops on the border in a new show of force.



Yet another focus is on Russian-dominated Belarus, which caused an uproar this week after authorities forced an airliner passing overhead to land, then arrested an opponent to President Alexander Lukashenko who had been aboard.



And where Biden told an interviewer that he agreed with the description of Putin as a "killer," the Russian government has formally declared the United States to be an "unfriendly" country.





U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov gesture as they arrive for a meeting at the Harpa Concert Hall, on the sidelines of the Arctic Council Ministerial summit, Reykjavik, Iceland, May 19. Reuters-Yonhap
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On an icy Joburg winters day, Musa Masongo walks the streets of Braamfontein looking for food in dustbins. He is originally from KwaZulu-Natal and came to Johannesburg two years ago with the hope of finding work.









I have tried many times to find work but its difficult. Joburg doesnt have jobs anymore, said Masongo.





Over the next 10 years, the Gauteng Provincial Government is expecting an increase of people coming to the province as more people search for better work opportunities. The City of Johannesburg alone attracts about 15 000 people a month.





Some of those people like Masongo will end up living on the streets due to a limited amount of jobs.





Homelessness is a serious challenge in the City of Johannesburg and the municipality is working tirelessly to intervene and offer relief to the destitute.





The Citys Displaced Peoples Unit in the Department of Social Development has three homeless shelters. Kotze Street in Hillbrow has a 350-bed capacity. 1 Dan Street in Florida has a 60-bed capacity and Windsor West has a 40-bed capacity.





The homeless shelters are designed for people to sleep in at night. During the day occupants will go out and look for work. The shelter offers breakfast, lunch and supper. Each bed has blankets and occupants are given hygiene packs that include items such as soap, body lotion and roll-on.





Before Covid-19, occupants would pay R8 for a bed, but now entrance is free because Covid-19 has made it difficult for people to find work, said Moipone Zwane from the Citys Displaced Peoples Unit.





The citys shelters offer skills development programmes such as completing matric, typing, business admin, furniture manufacturing, security guard course and beautician courses. It is hoped that the skills will make displaced people more employable or in a position to be self-employed. The criteria to use the Citys shelter is that the displaced person should be between the ages of 18 to 49 years and be in good health. Those who do not meet the criteria such as children, the elderly, sick or frail individuals will be referred to other shelters or hospital.







Residents of the City of Johannesburg can contribute to the success of the shelters by donating food, clothing and hygiene stuff such as wash clothes, bath soap, roll-on and body lotion. Items can be dropped off directly at any of the shelters.











26/05/2021


Page Content

The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Housing in the City of Joburg, Councillor Mlungisi Mabaso, officially unveiled the first student accommodation project by the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO) today, 26 May 2021, at 16 Wolmarans Street in Braamfontein.







He was accompanied by the Chairperson of the JOSHCO board, Theodore Dhlamini, Ward Councillor Nokuthula Xaba and other JOSHCO senior executives and Board Members.





After 17 years of providing and managing social and affordable rental accommodation to the lower-income market, JOSHCO is now responding the call to deliver accommodation for students.





The building is on the corner of Simmonds and Wolmarans, Johannesburg inner city, and is close to amenities, the University of Witwatersrand, and other higher education institutions within the precinct and public transport nodes. It has 89 units comprising studio units with shared facilities, bachelor units, one-bedroomed and two-bedroomed units. Rentals are between R3 500 and R4 100 a month and the building has free Wi-Fi.





The project is aimed at housing students from institutions of higher learning in Johannesburg, which include Wits University, University of Johannesburg and Rosebank College, to name a few.







MMC Mabaso said the City plans to ramp up its supply of units dedicated to student accommodation. The Government of Local Unity cares and responds to the demand for student accommodation. We have more than 20 institutions of higher learning and the target is to provide 5 000 beds for over the next three years.





When we took office December 2019, one of the mandates I gave to the Board and the executive of JOSHCO, was to acquire a building and convert it into a student accommodation and indeed they headed to the call. I then charged all officials with the responsibility to expand the mandate of the entity to include the provision for students accommodation indeed they responded positive he concluded.





One of the students ambassadors, Andile Kwezi, a 19-year-old University of Johannesburg student, said: We are very happy with this building and it has been a pleasure to be involved from the beginning. The building is safe, secure and very close to our university and major transport nodes. The name of our building is called Dakalo Court (which means happiness) and we are indeed very happy, she said.





JOSHCOs aims to develop a student precinct that offers a safer sound security and technologically enabled environment based on the smart city approach. Biometric access controls will secure the safety of student community.





The primary goals that JOSHCO has in providing student accommodation include to enhance and facilitate the living and learning experience of students within a diverse student community and to contribute to academic success for previously disadvantaged by improving commute time and living conditions. The second targeted building for student accommodation will also be in the inner city. JOSHCO has secured relations with the University in Johannesburg and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.

















Written by Dudu Lushaba

26/05/2021


Security personnel keep watch outside the Wuhan Institute of Virology during the visit by the World Health Organization team tasked with investigating the origins of the coronavirus disease in Wuhan, China, Feb. 3. Reuters-Yonhap



Long dismissed as a kooky conspiracy theory favored by the far right, the idea that COVID-19 emerged from a lab leak in Wuhan has been gaining increasing momentum in the United States.



The government's position has shifted to agnosticism in recent weeks, with top pandemic advisor Anthony Fauci and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Rochelle Walensky both saying they are open to all possibilities.



"We need to get to the bottom of this and we need a completely transparent process from China, we need the WHO (World Health Organization) to assist in that matter," senior White House COVID-19 advisor Andy Slavitt said Tuesday.



The demand for more investigation is in stark contrast to the start of the pandemic, when scientists quickly came together around the idea that the virus crossed over from bats via an intermediary animal.



The problem is, this link still hasn't been found, Scott Gottlieb, a former head of the Food and Drug Administration, told CNBC on Monday  and not for want of trying.



Previous coronaviruses that crossed over to humans, SARS and MERS, were quickly traced back to civets and camels.



"The question for a lot of people is going to be when are too many coincidences too much?" added Gottlieb.



Citing a U.S. intelligence report, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that a trio from the Wuhan Institute of Virology were hospitalized with a seasonal illness in November 2019.



China disclosed the existence of an outbreak of pneumonia cases in Wuhan to the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019.



Beijing dismissed the Journal report as "totally untrue."





The P4 laboratory of Wuhan Institute of Virology is seen behind a fence during the visit by the World Health Organization team tasked with investigating the origins of the coronavirus disease in Wuhan, China, Feb. 3. Reuters-Yonhap



Transparency calls



On Tuesday, the United States and other countries called for a more in-depth probe into the pandemic's origins, after an international mission to China earlier this year proved inconclusive.



A long-delayed report by a team of experts dispatched by the WHO to Wuhan and their Chinese counterparts drew no firm conclusions on the origins of the pandemic.



It said that a natural origin was the most probable scenario, and that a theory involving the virus leaking from a laboratory was "extremely unlikely."



After the report was released, however, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus himself insisted all theories remained on the table.



And calls from scientists for more transparency are growing.



"We must take hypotheses about both natural and laboratory spillovers seriously until we have sufficient data," a group of researchers from top U.S. universities wrote in a letter published by the journal Science in mid-May.



The virus has claimed more than 3.4 million lives worldwide and determining how it passed to humans is considered crucial in preventing the next pandemic.





Former U.S. President Donald Trump / AP-Yonhap
SYNNEX Corporation Named Aruba Distributor of the Year for US and Canada
Joplin, MO (64801)

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Photo and art exhibition on Tibet opens in Beijing

Xinhua) 11:25, May 26, 2021

Guests attend the opening ceremony of an exhibition celebrating the 70th anniversary of Tibet's peaceful liberation at the Yanhuang Art Museum in Beijing, capital of China, May 21, 2021. An exhibition of art works and photographs opened in Beijing on Friday to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Tibet's peaceful liberation. The show at the Yanhuang Art Museum consists of 86 fine images created in the 21st century, portraying Tibet's scenery, people and culture. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition of art works and photographs opened in Beijing on Friday to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Tibet's peaceful liberation.

The show at the Yanhuang Art Museum consists of 86 fine images created in the 21st century, portraying Tibet's scenery, people and culture.

The exhibition is sponsored by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and will be free to the public until May 27.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
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BTS achieved 4 trophies at the "Billboard Music Awards 2021," held at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, USA on May 23.

The supergroup won the "Top Duo/Group," "Top Song Sales Artist," "Top Social Artist," and "Top Selling Song."
Joplin, MO (64801)

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Want to know how to navigate Downtown Los Angeles without climbing into the car? How about where to go when you need cold medicine and its late? Or are you looking for a place to work out? Check out this handy list that will help you with just about anything you want in Downtown. Its all a
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.
When you learn how Bill Pirolli became enamored with the idea of being a CPA, it's easy to understand why he is laser-focused on the pipeline to the profession as he begins his year as chair of the AICPA board of directors.

Pirolli hopes to motivate CPAs everywhere to inspire young people in the same way that Jack Renza, CPA, his accounting instructor, inspired him when he was a student at Rhode Island Junior College. Pirolli went to college unsure of what career he wanted to pursue, but the affable Renza soon got him hooked on accounting, and not because of a love of debits and credits.

Admittedly, part of what made Renza and accounting attractive was the lifestyle. Renza, a professor of accounting who also ran his own CPA firm, dressed in nice suits and had been spotted in the parking lot by Pirolli's classmate, David DiSanto, driving a Mercedes. But the thing about Renza that really attracted Pirolli to the profession was his ability to connect with people. He made people feel important, and it was easy to see why he succeeded in a profession dedicated to serving clients.

"You could just tell he was a relationship guy," Pirolli said. "This wasn't a spreadsheet guy. Jack cultivated relationships with his clients and cultivated relationships with the students, and we just got drawn into that."

Pirolli followed in Renza's footsteps to become a CPA, earning the Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) and Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) credentials and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation. It turns out that Pirolli, who was scheduled to be inaugurated as chair of the AICPA board of directors in May, was just one of many prominent CPAs whom Renza guided into the CPA profession.

DiSanto, the classmate who spotted Renza in the Mercedes, also interned with Renza and Saccoccia CPAs, and would partner with Pirolli more than 30 years later in the firm DiSanto, Priest & Co., in Warwick, R.I. Ernie Almonte, CPA, CGMA, also got his start with Renza and Saccoccia in a career that has included a year as AICPA board chair for 20082009.

Now it's Pirolli's turn to handle the leadership role and continue spreading the word that the CPA profession provides a great platform for a career of service to clients, employers, and the public.

"He has such dedication to the profession," said DiSanto, a CPA and CFF credential holder. "He's a real believer in it. He's a great mentor for the younger people. He has always encouraged others to join and provided them mentoring."

BACKING A NEW MODEL

Pirolli's focus is incredibly timely, as leaders of the profession are adopting strategies designed to ensure that the best and brightest young people will continue to be attracted to the CPA credential. Jobs at popular technology companies and startup opportunities are enticing for young people who are highly skilled in the latest tech, yet the accounting profession needs them more than ever.

In recognition of the need to continue to attract talented young people to the CPA profession and to help CPAs continue to develop the skills needed in the business environment, the AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy unveiled a new model for CPA licensure last year as part of their joint CPA Evolution initiative. The model will restructure the CPA Exam to allow candidates to test in the core areas of accounting, auditing, tax, and technology. Meanwhile, candidates will choose to test deeper knowledge in one of three disciplines (tax compliance and planning, business analysis and reporting, or information systems and controls). There will continue to be just one CPA credential, but the new model allows candidates to specialize in an area that interests them.

The continued development of this model will be a key element of Pirolli's year as chair, and his passion for the pipeline makes him an ideal leader for this time.

"I think it's really what the students want," Pirolli said. "Of course, we have the core, which is vital, and everybody has to go through the core. Then they get that expanded knowledge and expanded thinking, more critical thinking in one of those three disciplines. It will help the employers and certainly help the students zero in on a future path."

ENTREPRENEURIAL FAMILY

Pirolli's path to the CPA began in simple surroundings. He grew up in a family that he said was as Italian as pasta and sauce, with an entrepreneurial streak that clearly is among the qualities he inherited. His father, Carlo, ran a floor-covering business that was later passed down to Bill's brother, Mike, who runs it to this day. Bill's mother, Elena, was the head waitress at her family's business, a well-known restaurant and nightclub called the El Marocco. The club was the Copacabana of Rhode Island, with entertainers making stops there between stints in Las Vegas. While Pirolli's uncles ran the front of the restaurant as well as the kitchen, his aunts led a chorus of waitresses. Bill developed a love for cooking while watching cooks in tall white hats prepare stuffed lobsters in the kitchen.

He met his wife, Joanne, when they were seniors in high school as she played the lead in Gilbert and Sullivan productions and he sang in the choir, enchanted by the soprano who was the star of the show. Following Renza's advice, Pirolli enrolled in Bryant College (now Bryant University) after getting his two-year degree from Rhode Island Junior College, which now is known as the Community College of Rhode Island. During his junior year at Bryant, he began interning at a small firm run by Richard Delfino. After Renza inspired a love of the profession in Pirolli, Delfino taught him how to be a trusted business adviser. Delfino's clients were an incredible cast of characters from a collection of family businesses that each had their own unique quirks. With his ability to make connections and build relationships, Pirolli was quickly drawn into their world and helped steer them toward success.

Although he could have made more money in a larger firm, he never left and eventually bought out Delfino upon his retirement (see the sidebar "A Career Built on Client Service"). Pirolli left the technical accounting to others at the firm and focused himself deeply on developing relationships with the clients, some of whom grew to be close, dear friends.

"Through it all, we've been there," Pirolli said. "We're the first call. I tell everyone when they come up and when I mentor people to be partners, you're going to know you got there when you get the first call for everything and you become that trusted business adviser."

CPAs have found this to be true during the coronavirus pandemic as businesses and clients turned to them to help survive an economic shock. CPAs played a huge role in helping hold the economy together. They advised clients on the intricacies of obtaining Paycheck Protection Program funds and other government assistance. They used new forecasting and scenario-planning strategies to help businesses plan effectively during an economic event with no precedent. They assisted businesses and clients in finding new ways to operate when the traditional ways suddenly put people's health and safety at risk.

Many, many clients have expressed gratitude for the work by their CPAs that allowed them to keep their businesses from going under during this crisis. Pirolli said he has never been prouder of the profession.

"This was just the time when our skill set rose to the top," he said. "All the training, all the classes, all the things we've been through as a profession set us up for this moment to help keep the economy strong."
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Does import matter?

In this edition: we look at the future of imported beer, whether craft brews can find success in the budget category, how wine is faring post-Brexit, and more.
Media reports, originating in Brazilian newspaper Valor and further investigated by news agency Reuters, reported market regulator CVM is accusing Molina of the misuse of privileged information involving Marfrig shares before a filing in April 2018.

The reports said Molina is in talks with the regulator on a potential settlement,

CVM has accused Molina of insider trading over Marfrigs acquisition of a majority stake in National Beef announced in April 2018.

According to the Valor report, CVM found that Molina bought shares in Marfrig prior to the announcement of that deal with Marfrigs shares rising nearly 20% after the transaction was announced.

However, in a statement sent to Reuters, Marfrig said Molina fulfilled his fiduciary duties towards Marfrig by not buying or selling any of the companys shares between March 6, 2018, and April 9, 2018, adding that there was no irregular operation.



Just Food has contacted Marfrig and CVM seeking clarification of the matters reported.

On Friday (21 May), Marfrig announced it had acquired a 24.23% interest in fellow Brazilian meat group BRF. Marfrig insisted its aims through the transaction are to diversify investments in a segment that has complementarities with its sector of activity.
Lakeview, OR (97630)

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When China imposed punitive tariffs on Australian barley imports last year, grain growers worried that this would weaken an industry worth 2 billion Australian dollars.

But twelve months later Beijing shot In the trade dispute with Canberra, growers limited damage by opening new markets in Asia and Latin America.

It is disappointing that we participated in the competition for political purposes and we lost the premium we received from selling products to China, said Mic Fels, a farmer in Esperance, Western Australia.

But Australian barley growers are still doing well because the global market has rebounded as we impose tariffs and we find new markets.

The experience of barley growers has been replicated in other industries, and analysts believe that this is an economic coercion campaign launched by Beijing against Canberra. Since Australia resisted the rise of Chinese aggression in Asia and called for an international investigation into the origin of the coronavirus pandemic, diplomatic relations have begun to deteriorate.

Coal, beef, wineThe exports of timber, cotton and seafood all face strict tariffs or technical barriers, which have disrupted the trade pattern and may reverse the 10-year-old China-Australia trade boom.

Goods sold to China account for more than one-third of Australias exports, which makes Beijing the largest trading partner of Australia, with bilateral trade volume of 252 billion Australian dollars in 2019. With few signs of thawing relations between the two countries, exporters are scrambling to open up. Market and diversification.

Their efforts seem to be paying off, as the overall impact on bilateral trade remains weak. By 2020, Australias merchandise exports will fall by 2% from 2019 to 145 billion Australian dollars.

Covid-19, record Iron ore price, Changes in global market demand and exchange rate fluctuations make it difficult to assess the exact impact of these measures. But analysts believe that the trade diversion is weakening Beijings ability to strengthen Canberras armed forces and hitting the Chinese economy.

Roland Rajah, an economist at the Lowy Institute, a Sydney think tank, said: Beijings bark is worse than its bite at the moment. In areas hit by sanctions, right? Chinas exports have collapsed, but most of this trade loss seems to have found other markets.

Farmer Mic Fels says Australian barley growers are still doing well after finding new markets Evan Collis



he estimate The value of exports to China facing tariffs from Beijing has fallen by approximately A$11.7 billion (US$9 billion) each year. However, according to the analysis of trade statistics, the export value of these commodities to the rest of the world has increased by A$13.4 billion.

Rajah gave the example of coal, which is the most valuable commodity hit by technical barriers. Since the implementation of port restrictions in September 2020, the annual value of Australias exports to China has fallen by A$6.5 billion, while exports to the rest of the world have increased by A$9.1 billion.

According to cargo tracking data from global shipbroker Braemar ACM, between October 1, 2020 and the end of April 2021, total coal exports fell by 7.6% to 205.4 million tons. Strong growth in exports to India, Europe and Latin America helped to make up for the losses in the Chinese market.

Abhinav Gupta of Braemar ACM said: Australian exporters have done a good job of transporting coal to markets outside of China, while China has imported more coal from places like Indonesia, Russia, Mongolia and South Africa.

Beijings move to switch to a new coal supplier is hurting Australian producers, once Australian producers lose the premium paid by Chinese customers. But it also hurts Chinese generators and steel manufacturers, especially because Australian coal generally has better environmental quality than rival coal.

Mark Melatos of the University of Sydney said: China bears the cost from the trade diversion policy because it does not buy products from the most efficient customers, nor does it obtain high-quality products.

Since China proposed an 80% tariff in anti-dumping investigations in May 2020, Australian barley exporters have also turned to new markets.

We have started [anti-dumping] The investigation, although it has to be conducted remotely due to Covid-19, said Jason Craig of the CBH Group of the Grain Growers Cooperative.

CBH reopened the Saudi Arabian market last year and sent the first shipment to Mexico, which alleviated the blow caused by the Chinese losers.However, these new markets did not pay High quality The actions of Chinese buyers have caused about 400 million Australian dollars in losses to the entire industry.

Not all departments can work so effectively.When Chinese customs officials left 2 million Australian dollars Australian Lobster For safety reasons, they rotted at Shanghai Airport in November, and a fresh export industry with an annual output value of 750 million Australian dollars fell into chaos.

Matt Taylor, chief executive of the Western Australian Rock Lobster Council, said: The biggest difference is that the Chinese people pay twice as much for live lobsters as in other markets.

The industry has moved lobsters to South Korea, the United States and Australia as a whole, but opening up new markets during the pandemic has always been a challenge.

Similarly, the Australian wine industry Hammering According to Chinas 218% tariff, the export value fell 96% year-on-year from December to March to only 12 million Australian dollars.

Jeffrey Wilson of the Perth American Asia Center, a think tank, said: Lobster, wine and now table grapes have been hit hard because China is the only practical market that meets the export volume of Australian producers.

But he added that the increase in commodity prices over the past year has helped producers adapt to the loss of insurance premiums paid by Chinese customers.

We did not see the termination of Australian exports, but saw the global market realigning around the ban. Even if the prices are slightly lower, there will always be a market for almost all Australian exports.
In a disturbing investigation, a Massachusetts science teacher was suspended after inquiring about the sexual behavior of 11th grade students.

Eric Jackson has taught at Dracut High School for 19 years and was asked for leave last Friday because several students felt uncomfortable.

4 Teacher Eric Jackson was asked for leave after conducting surveys on students Image source: WHDH News

4 The survey asks students to answer a series of sexual questions Image source: WHDH News

According to reports, the survey included statements such as for me, my sex life is different from the usual environment and certain hormonal changes will definitely increase my sexual arousal.

Students are asked to rate their relevance to each statement on a scale of 0 to 4.

It is not clear where Jackson obtained the survey from, but reportedly obtained it from a sex education website.

Jackson is currently on vacation, awaiting review.

4 Jackson worked at Dracut High School for 19 years Image source: WHDH News

4 Some students said the survey made them feel uncomfortable Image source: WHDH News

When asked about the investigation By WHDH, Jackson remained silent, saying that he would wait to hear the results of the review.

He said: Some people are sad, some people-Im glad to hear someones support-but because of the pending investigation, I dont want to say anything anymore.

A student at the school told the exit point that the teacher did warn them that if they felt uncomfortable during the questionnaire survey, they could leave the room.

Apparently, several students accepted his invitation and walked into the corridor.

Killer condensation After the 4-year-old boy was kidnapped and brutally killed, the police arrested him Silence Probe Biden conducts closed secret Trump era investigation into Wuhan leaked laboratory George After Biden chatted, the Freud family raised their fists in the White House and demanded reforms to the police Pure politics After Manhattan DA convenes a criminal grand jury, Trump SLAMS looks for a witch Bad seed A nasty letter from a neighbor claims that the person did not weed his yard, thereby devaluing the area Insert his neck Biden was criticized as a weak man for meeting with gangster Putin

Another student said: I just think its weird. I dont want to be involved.

Sheriff Steve Stone called the investigation very inappropriate in a statement.

He said: The school district attaches great importance to the health and well-being of students and has begun to review the matter.
As civilian planes fled the airspace, Belaruss isolation deepened, the European Union enacted new sanctions and officials expressed concern about the welfare of opposition journalists.

Roman Protasevich was arrested on Sunday because he was removed from a plane transferred to Minsk, the capital of Belarus, in what the West calls a state-sponsored hijacking. The plane flew from Greece to Lithuania.

Take a quick look at how we got here:

Why does Belarus have objections?

The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, has been in power since 1994 and is the longest serving ruler in Europe.

He ruled a country of nearly 9.5 million people with an iron fist, controlled the media, and suppressed opposition movements and dissident voices.

After an election that is generally considered to have been rigged, he began his sixth five-year term in August 2020. His re-election triggered months of protests and opposition, and as many as 100,000 people regularly took to the streets of Minsk. Alley.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (Alexander Lukashenko), shown in April, started his sixth five-year term in August 2020 after elections that were widely regarded as rigged. His re-election triggered months of protests and opposition. . (Alexander Astafyev/Sputnik/Reuters#

Since the beginning of the latest round of protests, demonstrations have been violently suppressed and tens of thousands of people have been arrested.

In April, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Call on Belarus to end its barbaric acts against demonstrators .

The Viasna Human Rights Center in Belarus, More than 1,000 cases of torture have been recorded among detained demonstrators .

Lukashenko suppressed the opposition through rigorous police actions and kept most of the countrys economy under state control, which made Belarus an anomalous country in the new Soviet, and was cautious about the prosperity of NATO and the EUs neighbors.

People participated in the opposition rally in Minsk in September 2020 to protest the results of the presidential election and Lukashenkos inauguration. (Reuters)

Who is the Roman Protasevich?

The 26-year-old dissident journalist has been a voice against Lukashenko since he was a teenager. His protests caused him to be expelled from the school and later reopened from the Belarusian State University, where he studied journalism.

He was appointed Vaclav Havel Journalism Researcher In 2017-18, Radio Free Europe and the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly launched a joint project aimed at promoting an open society through journalism.

Protasevich co-founded the Nexta Live channel, which is based on the Telegram Messenger application and has more than one million subscribers. The channel was openly hostile to Lukashenko and played an important role in broadcasting opposition protests against the president in 2020.

It also broadcast police crackdowns during the protests.

Belarusian opposition journalist Roman Protasevich was screened in the pretrial detention center on Monday. The Ryanair plane he was flying was forced to land in Minsk and was filmed in the pretrial detention center on Monday. (Telegram @ Zheltyeslivy/Reuters TV/Reuters)

In November last year, Protasevich and his Nexta co-founder were included on the list of individuals deemed to be involved in terrorist activities, and he was accused of organizing large-scale riots while working at Nexta. He was also accused of disrupting social order and inciting social hatred. These charges are punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Media Solidarity, an organization supporting Belarusian journalists, stated that Protasevich fled Belarus for Poland in 2019 due to pressure from the authorities. He later moved to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, where opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya also lived.

At the time of his arrest, Protasevich was writing for another Telegram app called Belamova.

Watch | Why Protasevich became the target of attack and the problems he may face:

Journalist and non-resident researcher of the Atlantic Council, Hanna Liubakova, told David Common of CBC about the conditions for a possible Protasevich and why the President of Belarus had targeted him. 6:10

How was Protasevich arrested?

Protasevichs flight from Athens to Vilnius on Sunday.

The Belarusian flight controller told the crew of the Ryanair airliner that the bomb threatened to fly and ordered a landing, and the Belarusian authorities detained him. A Belarusian MiG-29 fighter was escorted to escort the plane.

(CBC News)

He was seen in a short video clip broadcast on Belarusian State Television on Monday. He spoke quickly and said that he was testifying to organize a large-scale riot.

Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, said that Protasevichs brief appearance was not reassuring because his face was clearly bruised, and it is likely that his appearance was not voluntary, and he Theconfession of serious crimes was also forced.

Watch | Protasevich video broadcast on Monday:

Belarusian journalist Raman Pratasevich said in a video posted online to the Telegram messaging app on Monday that he was in good health and provided investigators with evidence of organizing a large-scale riot. 0:30

How is the international response?

The leaders of the European Union took extraordinary swift action at a summit on Monday. They agreed to prohibit Belarusian Airlines from using the airspace and airport of the G-27, impose sanctions on officials involved in the diversion of flights on Sunday, and urged ICAO to start investigations into the incident, some of which were described as state terrorism or Piracy.

They also demanded that Protasevich be released immediately.

Polish airlines LOT and Baltic Airlines began to bypass Belarus on Tuesday. Air France, KLM, Finnair, Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines have all stated that they will also avoid flying over the country.

The United Kingdom, which is no longer part of the European Union, also advises airlines not to fly over Belarus, while British Airways flights are avoiding the country.

Watch | Trudeau called the behavior of the Belarusian regime heinous:

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared his views on Belarus forcing off the plane and arresting a journalist. 0:52

What will happen now?

European Commission President Ursula von Delane said that the EU will adopt more sanctions against companies and economic entities that provide funding for the regime.

Some people say that more sanctions will not help ease the situation, but will only bring Belarus closer to Russia and reduce the impact of the European Union and other countries.

Independent Minsk political analyst Alexander Kraskowski said: Lukashenko will become an increasingly easy prey for the Kremlin.

As a pariah country, Belarus will find it difficult to resist the Kremlins request for a single currency, deployment of air bases, and access to profitable Belarusian economic assets.
A young boy was stabbed to death in Kobe, when the police began a murder investigation.

The police said they were called before 7pm last night after reports that a boy was stabbed.

3 A teenager was stabbed to death in Kobe.The police took a group photo at the scene Credit: UKNIP

3 Three arrested in connection with the death Credit: UKNIP

Despite the best efforts of the paramedics, he died at the scene.

Northamptonshire police said: The investigation is gradually underway.

The police arrested three people in connection with the deceased.

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All three are currently in police custody.

DCI Steve Watkins (Steve Watkins) said: This is a rapidly evolving survey, and anyone with any information still needs to contact us.

Detectives under investigation call on witnesses or anyone with any information to contact them. Please call 101 and quote incident number 399 on 25/05/21.
Medan, Indonesia  On the last day of March, when 25-year-old college dropout Zakiah Aini walked into the Indonesian National Police Headquarters in Jakarta and brandished an air gun, it was initially widely reported, and perhaps it was believed that the perpetrator was a man. .

But in recent years, more and more Indonesian women have been involved in violent attacks across the archipelago, especially those trained by the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria who have returned and established groups affiliated to the Islamic State (such as Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD)) )after that. ).

Judith Jacob, a terrorism and security analyst at the London School of Economics, told Al Jazeera: ISIS has established a licensing structure that allows women to participate in more frontline roles. By encouraging opportunistic attacks and generally appealing to supporters. To the best of their ability, this provides women with easier access to participation than the previous command and control structure, which promotes a formal hierarchy that ultimately excludes women.

Ainis attack on the police headquarters eventually led to her being shot and killed by the police at the scene, the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Makassar, Sulawesi Attacked the week before Easter Caused by two suicide bombers who have been married for only seven months.

In 2018, A church in Surabaya, Java, was also attacked by a husband and wife and their four children, Another husband and wife team attacked a cathedral in Cholo, Philippines in 2019. At least 20 people were killed In that attack, dozens of people were injured.

On March 28, 2021, after an explosion outside a church in Makassar, Indonesian police carried a bag containing the remains of a suicide bomber with them. [Indra Abriyanto/]

It is believed that all the women involved in the attack were related to JAD, which is sometimes referred to as ISIL in Southeast Asia.

Jacob believes that it is important not to eliminate this attack, nor to speculate that the woman involved is simply obeying the mans orders.

She told Al Jazeera: Obviously, there are many aspects to doing this, but the first thing to get rid of is this terrible sexist notion that these women are tempted or forced to participate. These women are actively willing to participate and have always been from Indonesia. An indispensable part of Islamic radicals. The difference now is that they have moved to a more active role or frontline role. 

Following Attack on the police headquarters, National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo (Listyo Sigit Prabowo) described Ai Ni as a lone wolf, although she wrote a short illustrated declaration in her letter to her parents and siblings , In which she criticized recognized non-Islamic institutions such as liberals.Election, banks and civil servants that do not conform to Islamic teachings, including former Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (commonly known as Ahok), Imprisoned for blasphemy in 2017.

Before the attack, she also posted the ISIL flag on Instagram and purchased the weapons she used from a man in Aceh who was convicted of terrorism.

Noor Huda Ismail (Noor Huda Ismail) is a former member of the hardline organization Daru Islam, who has since established the International Peace Building Institute and has carried out anti-radicalization programs and workshops throughout Indonesia .

He said: Historically, in Indonesia, women have played a more supportive role. Even if they are members of a terrorist family, they have not directly participated in terrorist activities.

There is no reason to involve women in terrorism, but they are mostly driven by very personal and emotional reasons.

He added that this could include issues such as revenge, redemption, or relationship factors such as the prospect of finding a partner while traveling in Syria.

Radiation is not gender-neutral. Men and women have different experiences. We need to treat gender as a social construction, not a biology. For example, mens inherent violent ideas and womens inherent peace ideas.

However, he warned that research on gender among hard-line people is still in its infancy.

More research is needed to determine the drivers of womens participation in violence. The government must work closely with civil society and the private sector to intervene online and offline.

Even within radical groups, there seems to be some controversy over the role of women.

Signs of despair?

A former male member of JAD had a conversation with Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity. He said that in ISIL circles, allowing women to participate in attacks on political parties regarded as enemies is a permissible decision. It usually depends on the team that plans to carry out this type of attack. 

The JAD group he belongs to does not want to involve women in frontline attacks, while the JAD group in Surabaya has women as part of its 2018 church bomb attack strategy.

After the attack outside the Pentecostal church in the center of Surabaya in May 2018, the dog guards inspected the scene and at least 9 people were killed. [File: Juni Kriswanto/AFP]

He added that in addition to the psychological impact of such attacks on the public, female attackers are also used as propaganda tools.

He said: The ISIS circle allows women to participate in frontline attacks and is used to boost morale. The idea is to spread stories like this: Even women dare to sacrifice their lives, what about men?

However, there may be many ordinary and practical reasons why women play an active role.

We have seen ISIS call more clearly for women to participate in the jihad against the enemy in 2017. You can see that this is not a feminist breakthrough for ISIS, but given that they have a firm foothold and need to be mobilized, this is a The greater need is that all sectors of the so-called Caliph will survive. Jacob said.

Since the beginning of this year, Indonesias main counter-terrorism agency Densus 88 has conducted dozens of raids throughout Indonesia and arrested more than 100 suspects, including the former Secretary-General of Indonesia, Munarman. Prohibition of the Hardline Organization of the Front of the Defenders of Islam (FPI) and three other senior FPI officials were held in April and May.

Since the bombing in Makassar and the Jakarta attack in March, local authorities have also strengthened the security of the entire archipelago due to speculation that since Ai Ni is a female, she has easier access to the national police headquarters.

Jacob said: The ISIS call is at a good time to open, and the security forces are slow to plan and participate in the potential of women in attacks.

In the Indonesian context, after years of police repression and surveillance, this information has attracted those who communicate with those whose networks have been greatly weakened.
Authorities said a suspect was shot and killed eight people in a mass shooting in a California railroad yard serving Silicon Valley on Wednesday.

The Santa Clara County Sheriffs spokesperson Russell Davis said the suspect was an employee of the Valley Transportation Agency (VTA), which provides public services in Santa Clara County, the largest county in the entire Bay Area. Car, light rail and other transit services.

Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith (Laurie Smith) said the gunmans death method has not yet been determined.

The shooting occurred at around 6:30 a.m. local time in the San Jose light rail facility next door to the Sheriffs Department and crossed a highway at the airport. The facility is a transportation control center that stores trains and has maintenance stations.

Davis said the attack caused severe injuries. He did not know the type of weapon used, nor did he know whether the gunfire occurred indoors or outdoors. He said that the victims included VTA employees. The authorities did not disclose the names of any victims.

After Wednesdays shooting, emergency crews were seen in the railway yard. (Noah Berger/Associated Press)

Santa Clara County Superintendent Cindy Chavez said: During COVID-19, these people are heroes. The buses have never stopped running, and the VTA has not stopped running. They just keep working, and now we really Calling on them to become heroes again to survive such a terrible and terrible tragedy.

Police cars and orange crime scene tapes blocked the area where the shooting occurred, and reporters were isolated. The railway freight yard is located in the administrative area of ??the city, close to the sheriffs office and the city and county offices.

Davis said that after receiving information about possible explosive devices in the building, the bomb squad was searching the railway complex.

When the shooting happened, the VTA train had already started in the morning. The chairman of the agency, Glenn Hendricks, said at a press conference that the light rail service will be suspended at noon and will be replaced by buses.

He said that it is difficult for everyone to try to wrap their heads and understand what is going on.

Law enforcement officers will be seen at the VTA facility on Wednesday. (Noah Berger/Associated Press)

According to spokesperson Joy Alexiou, two patients were taken to the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. One person was declared dead when he arrived, and the other was in a critical state.

Outside the scene, Michael Hawkins told a local newspaper that he was waiting for his mother, who called him from a colleagues phone to ensure her safety.

Hawkins told Mercury News that when the shooting started, she came down with other colleagues and dropped her mobile phone. He said his mother told him that she had never seen the shooter and was not sure how close she was to the attacker.

After the shooting, VTA workers gathered near the railway yard. (Noah Berger/Associated Press)

The attack was the second shooting in the county in less than two years.A gunman killed three people and then committed suicide At a popular garlic festival in Gilroy in July 2019.

At the press conference, San Jose Mayor Sam Ricardo sighed for a day of horror in our city. Governor Gavin Newsom (Gavin Newsom) said in a tweet that his office is maintaining close contact with local law enforcement agencies and closely monitoring the situation.

Officials said that agents of the FBI and the Federal Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Administration were responding to the crime scene.
Emergency record

after Amy Howe and James Romoser





At 3:29 pm

The 1866 borders of five civilized tribes in Oklahoma.After the Supreme Courts ruling last year McGill v OklahomaThe Oklahoma court concluded that these boundaries constitute a Native American reservation for the purpose of state criminal jurisdiction. (Tcr25 via Wikimedia Commons)

Supreme Court Wednesday indeed A request from Oklahoma allows Oklahoma to retain custody of death row inmates, and the court is considering whether it should clarify the meaning of last years ruling, that is, Oklahomas treatment of land reserved for natives Certain crimes committed have no jurisdiction.

The prisoner Shaun Bosse was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of Katrina Griffin and her two children in 2010.He now claims that his conviction is invalid under the following provisions McGill v Oklahoma Because Griffin and her children are members of the Chickasaw Nation, and the crime occurred within the territory of the Native American Reservation. The Oklahoma Court of Appeals agreed and reversed his conviction and sentence. If the ruling goes into effect, Oklahoma will have to hand over Bosse to federal authorities (the latter has filed separate criminal charges against him). However, the Supreme Court-due to the opposition of the courts three liberal judges-approved the states request to shelve the Oklahoma court ruling, and the state filed a petition asking the judges to handle the case on the merits.

The case involves the scope of the 5-4 ruling last year McGilltJudge Ruth Bader Ginsburg and other liberal judges joined Judge Neil Gorsuchs ruling, which found that most of eastern Oklahoma (Reserved for the creek country in the 19th century) is still reserved for federal law, authorizing the federal government to try certain major crimes committed by any Indian in the Indian State.After McGilltMany prisoners convicted in Oklahoma courts began to argue that their convictions were invalid because they or their victims were Native Americans.In the Bosse case, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals concluded that even though Bosse himself is not a Native American, the state lacks jurisdiction to sue him on the following grounds McGillt.

Oklahoma urgently filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court last month. Ask the judge Block the rulings of state courts and weigh whether states have the right to prosecute non-Native Americans for crimes committed on Native American lands. The state of Oklahoma told the justices that this issue is now vital to the country and Indian victims because the number of people living in the area is now recognized as reserved. McGillt. Oklahoma added that allowing states to prosecute such cases would provide additional guarantees that tribal members who become victims of crime will receive judicial assistance from the federal government, the state government, or both. It minimizes Indians. Human abusers and murderers have the opportunity to escape punishment and protect the Indians from violence to the greatest extent.

hit Urge the justices Avoid disputes. He believes that Oklahomas argument that the state should also be able to prosecute crimes against Native Americans runs counter to the Supreme Courts more than a century-long ruling. Boss went on to say that Oklahoma also did not indicate that if the state courts decision remains in place, it will be permanently damaged: what will only happen is that Boss will be taken into federal custody for federal prosecution. If the Supreme Court finally reviews the case based on the merits of the case and overturns the state courts ruling, Bosse continues to say that his conviction and death sentence will be restored.Although Oklahoma also raised concerns about other cases, unlike here, the United States may not detain or prosecute the United States, Boss told the judiciary, if worried, the state should seek suspension. There. 

Acting US Attorney General Elizabeth Prelogar (Elizabeth Prelogar) took relatively unusual filing steps without getting the justices request. Introduction to Friends of the Court She agrees with Boss that Oklahoma has no right to try his crimes against Native Americans. Prelogar wrote: There is no basis for subverting peoples long-term understanding of the division of federal, state, and tribal jurisdictions in India. She concluded: On the contrary, the court reaffirmed the established rule that a country is against non-Indians against Indians. There is no jurisdiction over Indian crimes in the country.

In a brief unsigned order on Wednesday morning, the court set aside the state courts ruling until Oklahoma can file its petition for review. The court pointed out that if the petition is rejected, the state courts decision can take effect; and vice versa. If the request is approved, the ruling will remain until the Supreme Court issues a ruling.

The three liberal justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan all stated that they would have rejected Oklahomas request, but they did not provide any opposition. Explanation. Other judges did not publicly record their votes, although Oklahoma requires at least five votes to retain the state courts decision.

This post is Originally published on the court Hao Hao.
President Biden said the United States will urge China to participate in a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the origin of the coronavirus.

U.S. President Joe Biden has instructed U.S. spy agencies to review classified information about the origin of the coronavirus, including whether it comes from human-animal contact or from a research laboratory in China.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Biden said that the US intelligence community had discussed around two possible scenarios but had not yet reached a clear conclusion on the origin of the coronavirus.

It also does not have high confidence in the current conclusions, and it is still possible to disagree on which one.

As a result, Biden said that he has asked U.S. intelligence agencies to redouble their efforts to collect and analyze information that can bring us closer to a certain conclusion and report to him within 90 days.

The President of the United States said: As part of the report, I request areas that may require further investigation, including specific issues against China.

World Health Organization Learn The report released at the end of March concluded that the virus is most likely to be transmitted from bats to humans through another animal, and laboratory leaks are very unlikely.

However, there are still questions about the level of interviews obtained by WHO researchers during the fact-finding in Wuhan, China, and the previous reports of the disease by researchers from the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

A group of 14 countries attract attention Regarding the contents of the WHO report, due to delays and lack of adequate access to data, the head of the WHO also called for further investigation of this theory, arguing that the outbreak was the result of laboratory leaks. China strongly opposes this accusation.

At the same time, U.S. intelligence agencies have been reviewing reports on the following: Researcher of Wuhan Virology Laboratory I was seriously ill in 2019, one month before the first report of COVID-19.

But US government sources warned earlier this week that there is still no evidence that the disease is caused by the laboratory.

A source familiar with U.S. intelligence reports and analysis told Reuters that a still classified U.S. intelligence report circulated during the administration of former President Donald Trump stated that three researchers from the Wuhan Institute of Virology They fell ill in November 2019, so much so that they sought hospital care.

An unnamed source told Reuters that it is unclear whether the researchers were hospitalized or what symptoms they had.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Monday that the reports were completely untrue.

At the same time, Biden said on Wednesday: The United States will continue to work with like-minded partners around the world to urge China to participate in a comprehensive, transparent, and evidence-based international investigation and provide access to all relevant data and evidence.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Karin Jean-Pierre said that the Presidents instructions should not be interpreted as the United States rejection of WHOs research, but should be aimed at providing the United States with the best information and resources to resolve ongoing problems. .

WHO is doing its own thing, [intelligence community] Doing what they are currently doing is not mutually exclusive, Jean-Pierre said.

She told reporters at the White House: This may happen at the same time.
In a milestone in the climate crisis, a Dutch court on Wednesday ordered the energy giant Royal Dutch Shell to reduce its carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels.

The Dutch court on Wednesday ordered Royal Dutch Shell to reduce its carbon emissions by 45% compared to 2019 levels by 2030. This is a landmark case filed by the Climate Action Group. The decision praised the decision. The victory of the earth.

The Hague District Court ruled that the Anglo-Dutch energy giants have a responsibility to reduce emissions carefully, and that their current emission reduction plans are not specific enough.

This decision may set a precedent for similar cases that pollute multinational companies around the world. After the verdict was read aloud, the militants gathered outside the court cheered.

Won the climate today, said Roger Cox, a lawyer at the Dutch branch of Friends of the Earth, one of the organizations behind the case.

This ruling will change the world. According to our example, people around the world are filing legal actions against oil companies. 

The Hague court did not disclose how Royal Dutch Shell should achieve planned cuts. He said that the parent company of the energy giant has complete freedom in how to fulfill its emission reduction obligations and formulate Shell Groups corporate policies.

Shell said in a written response that it hopes to appeal the disappointing court ruling.

The company stated that it has invested billions of dollars in low-carbon energy, including electric vehicle charging, hydrogen, renewable energy and biofuels. We hope to increase demand for these products and expand our new energy sources faster business.

Shell lawyer Dennis Horeman (Dennis Horeman) said at a hearing in December that the ruling on the company could result in countless parties being able to pursue each others role in the (energy) transition passed by the court. And give judges an important role in the active and delicate political process. 

Shell said it has set an ambition to achieve a zero-emission energy business by 2050 or earlier.

The court stated in the English summary of its ruling that Shell is currently not violating the requirements of environmental organizations because its parent company is tightening its emissions policy, so Shell is not currently violating its emission reduction obligations.

But it ruled that Shells policy is not specific, has a lot of warnings, and is based on monitoring social development, not on the companys own carbon dioxide emission reduction responsibilities.

Therefore, the court has ordered RDS to adopt the Shell Groups corporate policy to reduce the emissions of Shell Group, its suppliers and customers by 45% compared to 2019 levels by the end of 2030.

A group of seven environmental and human rights organizations and approximately 1,700 Dutch citizens filed a lawsuit in 2018, calling on the court to order Shell to cut emissions in accordance with the global targets set in the Paris Climate Agreement. This is equivalent to Shells reduction of emissions by 45% by 2030.

The court ruled on the claims of six of the panels.

In the Netherlands, this case is the latest in a series of global legal challenges that climate activists seek to curb emissions, but it is believed to be the first case against a multinational company.

The Netherlands is also one of the first successful climate cases. Two years ago, the Supreme Court upheld a 2015 ruling that required the government to cut emissions by at least 25% from the 1990 baseline level by the end of 2020.

In February, a Paris court ruled that in a case brought by four NGOs, the French government failed to take sufficient action to combat climate change. Last month, the German Supreme Court stated that the federal government must set clear goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions after 2030.

Donald Pols, director of Friends of the Earth in the Netherlands, called The Hagues ruling an immortal victory for our planet and for our children, and a great step towards a livable future for everyone. step.
Minister of Health should be fired-cummins

Dominic Cummings, former chief adviser of Boris Johnson, said today that Health Secretary Matt Hancock was fired for allegedly lying at a government meeting.

Cummings told the parliamentary committee: I think the Secretary of Health should be expelled for at least 15 or 20 things, including lying to everyone after the cabinet meeting and in public.

When asked about an example, Cummings said Hancock had said that all patients can get the treatment they need during the first peak of the virus. Cummings said this was contrary to a briefing by government health experts, who had said that some patients were not getting the necessary treatment.

He also said that Hancock had told ministers that the supply of personal protective equipment was controlled in April, but that was not the case. Cummings also said that senior civil servants in the country told him that he had lost faith in Hancocks honesty.

A Hancock spokesperson said: We absolutely reject Mr. Cummings request to the Minister of Health. The Minister of Health will continue to work closely with the Prime Minister to promote vaccines, deal with the risks of variants and support the NHS.
On May 21, Israel bombed Gaza for 11 days, killing 253 Palestinians, including 66 children, and Israel declared a ceasefire. The entire family of the victims was torn to pieces while sleeping on an Israeli fighter jet. On May 14, Abu Hatabs family was killed at their home in the Shati refugee camp. One day later, 17 members of the al-Kulak family were killed in a large-scale Israeli air strike on al-Wehda Street in Gaza City.

Israel has targeted residential areas and houses, leaving approximately 74,000 people homeless. Other civilian buildings were also damaged or destroyed, including schools, government departments, police stations, banks, and clinics. In addition, Israeli jet fighters bombed important infrastructure, damaged roads, and disabled electricity and water supply installations.

Faced with the mass destruction of civilian buildings and infrastructure, Israel claims that its claims against Hamas are untenable. The Israeli army has always prided itself on using precision military technology. If it is so precise, how can it cause so many civilian deaths and so much destruction? The answer is clear: it intends to kill civilians, including children, and destroy the houses and livelihoods of Palestinians in Gaza in another collective punishment operation.

Another fallacy that the Israeli government has been spreading (the Western media has been blindly imitating) is that this is a conflict between Israel and Hamas. The reality is that this is a confrontation between the occupier Israel and the occupied Palestinian people. It is Jerusalem in Israel, the Palestinian people in the West Bank, the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel in 1948, Jordan, Lebanon, and the diaspora who oppose Israeli oppression. Hamas only entered this round of hostilities in response to popular pressure at a later stage.

It all started in April when Israeli forces repeatedly attacked the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, harassing Muslims and Christian Palestinians trying to reach the Holy Land, and threatening to expel another group of Palestinians from the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood. And protect Israeli extremists marching in this city and chanting Death to the Arabs!

The demonstrations were a response to Jerusalems ongoing provocations, and the Israeli police quickly dealt with these provocations with brutal force. The public call for Hamas to respond to Israels crimes began in the streets of Jerusalem and also from Gaza.

Earlier on May 10, Israeli occupying forces once again attacked the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, wounding about 300 Palestinians, clearing the way for Israels annual extremist flag march through the old city of Jerusalem. Around that time, members of the far-right Knesset went to Sheikh Jarrah to assure Jewish settlers that Israel would continue its efforts to judaize the Jewish quarter.

The Palestinian anger at these provocations reached a climax. Under the pressure of the people, the military resistance faction in Gaza finally decided to intervene and issued an ultimatum to the occupying forces later that day to leave the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Sheikh Jala. Israel did not comply, and they fired rockets at Jerusalem.

Videotapes circulating on social media depict Palestinians cheering and cheering in Jerusalem when the missile was launched from Gaza.

This general sentiment shows that this round of confrontation is a true and sincere expression of the Palestinian peoples willingness to fight for freedom.

For a long time, Israel has tried to divide the Palestinians, kill their unity, eliminate their national identity and destroy their cohesion. Even in the media, the Palestinians in refugee camps in Gaza, the West Bank, the 1948 territories, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria appear as if they were different people with different problems. But their problem is one: Israels occupation and colonization of their land has led to them being expelled, deprived and oppressed.

On May 15th, in the bombing of Gaza, the suppression of Jerusalem, and the lynching of Palestinians by Jewish settlers in the territory in 1948, we commemorated the 73rd anniversary of the founding of Nakba. The violence and oppression we have seen on the streets of Palestine remind us once again that the violent colonization of Palestinian land by Zionism has not stopped. As Israels ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians continues, the Nakas continue to advance.

What happened in Jerusalem in the past few weeks clearly illustrates this point. As in 1948, the Israeli army continued to raid Palestinian houses, throw away their rightful owners, and hand them over to Jewish settlers. They continue to raid Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, harass, beat and arrest Palestinian Muslims and Christians to remind them that this is their ultimate goal since 1948-Jerusalem and Palestine have racially cleansed Palestinians.

But Israels efforts to dissolve and divide the Palestinians have failed, as this collective response to colonial violence proves this.

When Israel attacked Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the territories in 1948, refugees and diaspora responded. Gaza fired rockets. The West Bank stood up to protest and staged a general strike. Refugees from Jordan and Lebanon appeared on the border fence, again showing that they did not give up the right to return. In Europe, people living in the United States and elsewhere mobilized a large number of supporters of the Palestinian cause.

The Israeli Palestinians who are called Arab Israelis by the Israeli and Western media in an attempt to eliminate their identities prove that they are Palestinians just like us. Despite decades of forced erasure, they also took to the streets of Lydd, Acre, Haifa, Umm al-Fahm, etc., and raised the Palestinian flag. They also chanted for Jerusalem and Gaza.

These are not riots because Israeli and Western media quickly identified them as riots. These are not dissatisfied citizens of Israel, they have their own points to settle with the State of Israel, which regards them as second-class citizens. These people are Palestinians, living with their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem, Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, and the diaspora to resist Israeli occupation and colonization of Palestinian land.

These confrontations represent the resurrection of the Palestinian spirit and the failure of the Zionist plan to destroy the Palestinian identity. This movement represents the cry of a people, and in the face of repeated efforts by Israel and the West to unify, destroy and erase them, they remain unified. This is a big question, We are here, we will not go, we will come back.

The ceasefire announced by Israel on May 20 may have removed Palestine from the international news agenda, but it did not stop Israels colonial violence against the Palestinians.

Only three days later, Israeli police and Jewish settlers attacked Al-Aqsa again. The Israeli government launched a large-scale campaign to arrest Palestinian citizens in Israel in support of Sheikh Jala and the Gaza Strip, arresting more than 1,500 people. It also raided dozens of Palestinian houses in the occupied West Bank and arrested more Palestinians. On May 25, Israeli agents executed Palestinian Ahmad Fahd (Ahmad Fahd) in Ramallah in broad daylight for no apparent reason.

As for Gaza, which has fallen into ruin again, the Minister of the Occupation Forces, Benny Gantz, announced that Israel will be able to provide much-needed assistance to rebuild it into a belt after the return of Israeli citizens captured by Hamas.

The Israeli government showed no signs of stopping colonial violence against the Palestinians. And doing so is repeating the past mistakes of other colonial countries. As the suppression of the Palestinians became more severe and the Palestinian people united, their determination to unite and resist also increased.

As long as the occupation continues, the Palestinians will continue to pay a huge price for pain and suffering. However, the events of the past few weeks have rekindled the vitality of the Palestinian national movement and brought new hopes for victory in the Palestinian struggle for freedom and justice.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.
Abdul Raheem (Abdul Raheem) Abdul Malek (Abdul Malek) and his sons are digging along the face of the family business on Al-Wehda Street in Gaza City, trying to reach this building Based on a six-story building.

They worry that it is no longer structurally reasonable.

Last week, in the early morning of May 16, Israeli warplanes destroyed three nearby buildings on this passage. These buildings are home to many residential areas and there are commercial establishments on the streets.

Two of these buildings are only 40 meters away from the shop, where Abdul Malek sells the basic equipment of the restaurant, such as cooking utensils and food display cabinets. He and his extended family live on the floor above the store.

He said that some family members were knocked down by the explosion on the street.

Al-Wehda Street is full of residential apartments and businesses, some of which are now in ruins. (Stephanie Jenzer/CBC)

My family has been traumatized. I have a silent young son [since then], He says.

Everyone was screaming and running around. We didnt know where to go or what to do. Things fell on our heads from the roof.

The days since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas Take effect Last Friday, Gazans emerged and witnessed the level of damage to streets like Al-Wehda, which made people lament that Gaza has not recovered from the previous war in 2014.

Abdul Raheem (Abdul Raheem), 67, the owner of Ramallah Company, a hotel and restaurant kitchen supply store in Gaza City, said his family was traumatized by an air strike near his home. (Stephanie Jenzer/CBC)

The Israeli military stated that it did not deliberately target civilians and issued a statement saying it had attacked Hamas underground infrastructure.

The statement said: Hamas deliberately placed terrorist infrastructure under civilian houses, putting them in danger. The collapse of the underground foundation caused the collapse of civilian houses above it, causing accidental casualties.

For whatever reason, peoples homes have become their graves.

In one building, 22 extended family members of one family were killed. In addition, Dr. Ayman Abu al-Ouf, the head of internal medicine at Shifa Hospital, was killed along with 12 members of his family.

Abu al-Ouf is one of the doctors leading the fight against COVID-19 in Gaza City. His parents, wife and two children were also killed. The third child survived, but is now an orphan.

Among the casualties in the conflict were two respected doctors, who were remembered by posters in the rubble.The highest picture Dr. Ayman Abu al-Ouf was killed on the hard-hit Al-Wehda Street in Gaza City (Stephanie Jenzer/CBC)

Abdul Malek knew he was lucky. His family (including five sons and four daughters) is safe. He said, but he was still shocked, not angry.

He said: I dont know what to do.

Imagine you are sitting in one room and your family is in another room. When the explosion happened, I saw them panicking in front of me. They were very scared. I still saw the shock on their faces. I cant forget this when I come to my room.

Ahseea Ahmed, the head of Gaza Protection and Neutrality of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, said that 8,000 people displaced by the recent fighting are now homeless. (Stephanie Jenzer/CBC)

Gazans are known for their resilience. Ahseea Ahmed, the head of the protection and neutrality of Gaza at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, says that this kind of resilience can only go so far.

Ahmed, a Canadian who has worked in other conflict areas including Syria and Afghanistan, said: At this stage, many people, including me, have difficulty expressing their pain.

The intensity of horror and cruelty is raining from the sky, and that feeling is absolutely no one is safe.

The children outside a school run by the United Nations became a refuge. 11 days after the bombing, adults have been trying to lift the spirit of the displaced children in Gaza. (Stephanie Jenzer/CBC)

During the 11-day conflict, at least 254 Palestinians, including at least 66 children, were killed; an Israeli soldier and 12 Israeli civilians were killed, including two children, Reuters report this week.

Ahmed said that 56,000 people displaced by the fighting sought asylum in 50 United Nations schools in Gaza, and 8,000 were left homeless.

More than 2 million people live in the Gaza Strip. The Gaza Strip is a narrow sand belt with a height of 41 kilometers by 12 kilometers at its widest point.

The blockade has not stopped weapons

Many Gazans will still say that the periodic wars between Hamas and Israel (four wars have occurred since the end of 2009) are not the hardest part of living there.

Mohammed Tafish is one of them. He described life in Gaza as a slow death.

Watch | Assess the damage in Gaza:

The people of Gaza are still assessing the damage caused by several days of rocket exchange between Israeli and Palestinian militants. Last weekend, the ceasefire ended in a ceasefire. 2:42

The day after the ceasefire was announced, the 36-year-old father with two children stopped CBC staff on the street while filming a demonstration of Hamas militants in Gaza City.

He said: Here, especially in Gaza, the Palestinian people are very poor. They die day after day.

Mohammed Tafish said that the Palestinian people deserve better leadership. (Stephanie Jenzer/CBC)

Since 2007, Israel has imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip with the help of Egypt, when the radical Islamist organization Hamas seized the power of rival Fatahs party.

Israel says the blockade is necessary to prevent smuggled Iranian weapons and any materials that can be used to make weapons from reaching Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups that have sworn to be destroyed by Israel.

Fourteen years later, Hamas is still trying to obtain weapons or make weapons on its own.

The Palestinians say that at the same time, another generation of Gazans has been condemned to a future without a horizon.

According to aid agencies, the unemployment rate in Gaza is about 50%, and more than 80% of the population depends on aid. Nothing is the general restraint of residents.

A boy helped load gravel into a donkey cart on a residential street in the center of Gaza. (Stephanie Jenzer/CBC)

Israel stated that it withdrew settlements from Gaza in 2005, but still maintained control of all land, borders and sea passages.

Tafish said he also condemned the leaders of Hamas and Fatah for failing to unite, saying that they are more concerned about themselves fighting for power than the Palestinian people.

I give [the] The two governments will work together. We are used to facing wars. no problem. Bombing is no problem for us. But we need good leaders. 

Their lives are simply unbearable

Many people on Gaza Street said that they do believe that after years of neglect, this is not only because of the recent fighting, but the world is once again paying attention to the situation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

They said that Palestinian protests against Israeli settler groups efforts to expel Palestinians from their homes in occupied East Jerusalem have continued and have attracted worldwide attention.

In the hours and days after the ceasefire was reached last week, many Gaza residents finally ventured to investigate the damage. In this photo, a family stands on the left side of the building where the AP and Al Jazeera offices are located. (Stephanie Jenzer/CBC)

Mosheer Amer, professor of linguistics at the Islamic University of Gaza, said: I am observing the reactions of the world in Canada, Australia, the United States, Europe and the Arab region.

Even at the Palestinian level, people are becoming more and more aware that this is a question of the Israelis insistence on this occupation.

Amers family originally came from a village near Ashkelon, which is next to the Gaza Strip and is now Israel. They fled to Gaza during the war after Israel declared independence in 1948.

Amer said: You call it a solution of one state. You call it a solution of five states. I dont know. But we have to solve these problems. People here, Palestinians everywhere, they have Real problems. They have real dissatisfaction. They have problems with occupation. Their lives are unbearable.

The missing factor in all of this is the lack of sufficient pressure from the international community on Israel.

Watch | Abdul Raheem (Abdul Raheem) Abdul Malek (Abdul Malek) son Ibrahim (Ibrahim) described an air strike he experienced:

Description: Ibrahim Abdul Malek described a deadly explosion caused by an Israeli airstrike near his home and family in Gaza in the early hours of May 16. 1:41

The name of the Abdul Malek store on Al-Wehda Street in Garra is Ramallah Company, which is an odd number of a store in Gaza because Ramallah is a city in the West Bank occupied by Israel.

But Abdul Malek said that he and his brother chose the name when negotiating the Oslo Agreement in 1993 or 1994, which included the establishment of the Palestinian Authority, the late leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Yasser Arafat serves as chairman and is headquartered in Ramallah.

At that time, people still believed that the two-state solution was the best option for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. That was a long time ago.

However, the basic life hopes held by people like Abdul Malek have not changed.

Should live in peace, smile, and visit our relatives. Dont hide in the explosion.

Watch | US Secretary of State Anthony Brinken tries to strengthen the ceasefire:
The Swiss government has terminated a multi-year process to reach a comprehensive partnership agreement with the European Union, which may have a profound impact on the economic relationship between the two parties.

The Swiss Federal Council stated that it is suspending negotiations with Brussels, the purpose of which is to reach an agreement with the European Union, on the grounds that there are significant differences between the two parties. However, it added that it wanted to maintain the existing trading network.

The move led to a swift condemnation from the European Commission, which warned that cooperation would inevitably deteriorate.

The commission said in a statement: Without this agreement, it would be impossible to modernize our relationship, and our bilateral agreement will inevitably age. For the EU, the deal is important for reaching further participation in Switzerland. Necessary conditions for possible future agreements [in] Single market.

The relationship between the EU and Switzerland has been the source of long-term frustration in Brussels. Brussels has devoted hundreds of hours of negotiating time to the multi-year talks that began in May 2014.

This relationship allows Switzerland to deeply integrate into the EUs single market. This relationship is different from any other countrys status and can be traced back to the early 1970s. It is based on about 120 industry-specific agreements, rather than general arrangements such as membership in the European Economic Area.

The desire to completely change the arrangement Become more urgent After Brexit, due to concerns within the European Union that the United Kingdom could use the Swiss model as evidence to prove that the United Kingdom should be able to stand out from the single market advantage, while still remaining outside the formal EU structure.

The goals of the European Union Talks with Switzerland Including the establishment of a stronger dispute settlement mechanism.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Swiss minister insisted that Switzerland remains committed to the bilateral path in the relationship between the two countries and called for organized political dialogue to strengthen our cooperation. The Swiss government stated in the statement that Switzerland is the EUs fourth largest merchandise trading partner and the third largest service trading partner.

However, Brussels was very frustrated because Berne decided to abolish years of negotiations.

In recent weeks, including During a visit to Brussels The President of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin (Guy Parmelin) said that it is becoming increasingly clear that Bern has little will to ratify the agreement. In an interview earlier this month, Petros Mavromichalis, the EUs ambassador to Switzerland, warned that the dying negotiations were a chronicle of predicted death.

Pamelin said at a press conference on Wednesday that the two sides are opening a new chapter and that the relationship between the two countries we hope to be fruitful.

European Express Communications Register here Receive European express, this is your guide to understand the important situation happening in Europe, it will be sent directly to your inbox every working day

The Swiss side has requested that the three aspects of the agreement be resolved: freedom of movement, social benefits and wages for EU workers in Switzerland, and state aid rules. EU officials say these requirements are unacceptable because they are the core area of ??any single market access agreement.

In recent years, the failure of the EU and Switzerland to reach an agreement has had consequences: Swiss stock exchanges have lost the right to provide services to EU customers, and have recently obtained important regulatory approvals to allow the sale of medical devices manufactured and inspected in Switzerland Threatened in the European Union.
GOOGLE Maps has updated its real-time display function, which can help you avoid getting lost again.

The real-time display allows you to view the augmented reality instructions on the screen using the phone camera.

2 pcs This feature uses AR to help you better understand your surroundings Credit: GoogleMaps

This update means that more precise instructions will now be displayed on the screen, so you wont miss a turn.

Now, this feature can also show your relationship with important places, such as your house or hotel.

The live view update is now available, but not available in all cities.

Live view can be used in most places with Street View.

2 pcs Real-time display is not a new feature, but it has been updated Credit: Getty-Contributor

This feature can also tell you information about the businesses you have walked through.

This includes the name of the restaurant and hours of operation, so it may be useful in a city you have never been to.

It can also tell you how busy your business is, including recent customer photos.

This may be useful if you want to keep as far away from others as possible during the day.

How to use Google Maps Live View

Google support page Explanation: When you click on the live display, a message will pop up on the screen.

The message tells you that pointing your phone camera at Google Maps can identify buildings, street signs, or any scenic elements based on street view data in the area. After Google Maps recognizes your location, it will display navigation instructions on your phone.

The Live View icon is a square box containing Googles precise positioning icon.

How to view your Google location history This is what you need to know There are several ways to check your own Google location history. The easiest way is to click on the link to the Google Maps Timeline page: In this way, you can accurately see where you are on the day, and even track your travel mode and travel time in certain locations. Or, if you have the Google Maps app, launch it and press the hamburger icon-three horizontal lines are stacked on top of each other. Then go to the Your Timeline tab, which will show the places you have been before the given date. If you have enabled Google Location History for several years without realizing it, this may be shocking. Suddenly discover that Google has a very detailed description of your real life situation, which seems creepy-so you may want to turn off this feature. The good news is that you can turn off Google Location History immediately at any time. You can turn off location history here: However, to really prevent Google from tracking you, you also need to turn off Network and Activity Tracking. You can view the tracked location markers here:

New Google Chrome browser features may prevent you from being hacked in SECONDS

open the window Microsoft boss revealed that Windows 10 will launch a new next-generation Windows six years after its launch No niche? Instagram will hide likes from today-this is how the new feature works Safe search Google now allows you to password protect searches to protect your history Selling Ill buy! Amazing iPhone 12 deals allow you to cover your Apple mobile needs for 29 a month Typo A warning about the WhatsApp scam, which turns you out and offers help to criminals Review G-WHIZ! New iPad Pro review: Apples first 5G tablet is amazing

In other news, you can now Password protect your Google search History, so prying eyes cannot see it.

The Microsoft team just arrived Some new features Can help it compete with WhatsApp.

Moreover, Facebook is Facing strong opposition in the U.S. It is planned to create an Instagram version for children under 13 years old.

How often do you use Google Maps? Let us know in the comments

We pay for your story! Do you have the story of The Sun Online Tech&Science team?Email us [email protected]
After a major earthquake, more than 20,000 people were left homeless and 40 people are still missing volcanic eruptions The United Nations said dozens of people were killed in the earthquake in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and continued to cause strong earthquakes in the nearby city of Goma.

Send out Saturdays eruption Lava river It flows down from the slopes of Mount Nyiragongo, destroying hundreds of houses and forcing thousands to flee, but it is less than 300 meters (984 feet) from Goma Airport, the main hub of aid operations in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. ) Stopped.

This lakeshore city of 1.5 million people is about 12 kilometers (8 miles) from the volcano.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement on Wednesday that the volcanic ash cloud caused by the volcanic eruption has closed the airports of Goma and Bukavu and may cause respiratory diseases.

OCHA said people who fled their homes lost valuable property, including motorcycles that were consumed or looted by the lava flow.

The death toll from this eruption rose to 32 on Tuesday.

Since then, more than 200 small and medium earthquakes have caused cracks in buildings and streets in Goma.

Fissures about 60 cm (2 feet) wide in some places made residents uncertain whether the danger has passed and caused panic.

Congolese riders were seen near the cracks in the road caused by the earthquake near Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo [Djaffar al-Katanty/Reuters]

Susanne Bigakura, 65, told Reuters: I was very young yesterday, right across from my house, but it has expanded today. Its scary. We are worried that it will collapse, and our children will be too. Fall in.

This makes me feel scared, because those who saw the 2002 volcanic eruption told us that where the crack crossed, the consequences would be catastrophic. Now, when we saw the crack after the most recent eruption, I was worried that we were in In danger, said welder Valentin Kikuni.

Some cracks opened in the road, obstructing traffic.

Worried about the collapse of the house, many people sleep on mattresses outside, but fortunately sleep under mosquito nets.

Residents felt regular tremors throughout the night, and Africas most active volcano erupted with two strong shocks, setting off widespread alarm bells and leaving the frightened people homeless.

RSM, an earthquake monitoring agency in neighboring Rwanda (the border is close to Goma), said it had detected a magnitude 5.1 earthquake at 5:46 am (3:46 GMT), followed by a 4.1 earthquake at 6:12 am

As a precaution, the authorities closed markets, shops and some construction sites.

Emergency workers said that on Tuesday, at least four buildings in Goma partially collapsed, including a three-story building, and eight people were seriously injured.

Residents displaced by the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo are waiting to register to receive some aid distributed in Goma by local politicians and businessmen [Guerchom Ndebo/AFP]

Since Nyiragongo returned to life, local volcanologists have recorded hundreds of aftershocks, with 119 on Monday alone, but he said that people hope this feared volcano will calm down .

Government officials who visited Goma on Monday announced several relief measures, including payment of victims funeral expenses, provision of roofing materials, food and medicine, psychological counseling and emergency repairs to damaged infrastructure.

But the residents are still nervous. The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Rwanda said that hundreds of people are hiding in refugee camps in Rwanda and many are still fleeing there.

Ships transported hundreds of people from Goma to Bukavu, an area located about 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) along the coast of Lake Kivu.

OCHA said a 1.7-kilometer (1 mile) lava river blocked the main road north of Goma and is still too hot to be cleared, preventing trade to one of the most food-insecure regions in Africa And the delivery of assistance.

However, according to the image on the governments Twitter feed, some work to restore the road has already begun.

Nyiragongo straddles the Great Rift Valley structural gap and is a so-called advection volcano measuring nearly 3,500 meters (11,500 feet).

Its last large-scale eruption was in 2002, killing nearly 100 people.
Messaging service WhatsApp is filing a lawsuit against the Indian government in the Delhi High Court, challenging new rules, forcing it to break its encryption and potentially revealing the identities of the people who send and receive billions of messages on its platform.Reuters First report A WhatsApp spokesperson confirmed the lawsuit to BuzzFeed News.

A WhatsApp spokesperson told BuzzFeed News: Civil society and technology experts around the world have always believed that the requirement totrack private information will break end-to-end encryption and lead to real abuse. WhatsApp is committed to protecting peoples personal information. Privacy, we will continue to do our best to do this within the scope of Indian law.

At the time of this news release, a spokesperson for the Ministry of IT in India had not yet responded to a request for comment.

Of the 1.2 billion Facebook owners of WhatsApp, more than 400 million are from India.

Since 2016, messages and files sent via WhatsApp have been encrypted, which means that no one but the sender and receiver can see their content. WhatsApp has long said that this is important for peoples privacy.But governments around the world, including United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Japan There has been pressure on apps like WhatsApp to crack the encryption technology because it cannot track who sent which information, which poses a challenge to law enforcement.Digital rights organizations like this Visit now, This Electronic Frontier Foundation, with Mozilla Support WhatsApps struggle to maintain end-to-end encryption.

India recently promulgated IT rules A messaging platform like WhatsApp is required to provide a way to track the identity of the sender of any message. The new regulations come into effect today.

in a Blog post On the official website released late Tuesday, WhatsApp stated [a] Governments that choose to enforce traceability are effectively enforcing a new form of large-scale surveillance. 

It also stated that traceability would violate human rights. The WhatsApp post said: Innocent people may be imprisoned or even imprisoned because of the content of the investigation. Even if they didnt mean to cause any harm to them at the beginning, they later became a problem in the eyes of the government. Threats can be traced back to them. This deprives people of their privacy. Even in private situations, it will have a chilling effect on what people say, violating the recognized principles of freedom of speech and human rights.

For global technology giants, India is a huge and important market. But recently, these companies have been under pressure from an increasingly authoritarian government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Early this week, the Delhi police Visited The Twitter office behind the platform marked some tweets by members of the ruling party as media manipulation.
The first total lunar eclipse in two years coincided with a super moon and performed a cosmic performance.

This Super Blood MoonS name will be visible on May 26-but not everyone will be able to see it.

4 People watch the Super Blood Moon rise over the Pacific Ocean at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia on May 26, 2021 Credit: Getty

Why cant I see the Super Blood Moon in the UK?

The Super Blood Moon can be seen from the Pacific Ocean, the whole of Australia and New Zealand, the western side of North America, and parts of East Asia and South America.

Hawaii is the best seat in the house Noah Petro of NASA said.

The Super Blood Moon is not visible in the UK, partly because of cloudy weather.

The rare cosmic event happened in The full moon coincides with the first moon -When the moon is very close to the earth and appears brighter than normal.

4 On May 26, 2021, a yacht sails past Sydney and the moon rises Credit: AP

About 15 minutes later, as the moon moved completely into the shadow of the earth, the moon appeared to turn red-named Blood Moon.

However, unlike other years, the moon will enter the perigee, or it will be the closest to the earth. Space.com report.

This means that when the moon is at perigee, it will appear slightly larger than the full moon, giving the impression of a super-moon orbit.

4 The Super Blood Moon falls behind the Statue of Liberty before sunrise in New York City on May 26, 2021 Credit: Getty

How do I watch Super Blood Moon online?

Fans can Watch Super Blood Moon on the live broadcast.

Watch the live video of timeandate.com, which covers the total lunar eclipse on May 26, 2021. The United States can be seen across the Pacific Ocean, Australia and New Zealand, the western side of North America, and the eastern and southern half of the country, on YouTube Read the instructions.

At 7:14 am Eastern Time on May 26, the moon reached its highest point.

4 On the night of May 26, 2021, the Super Blood Moon rises over the Anitkabir and Kocatepe Mosques in Ankara, Turkey Credit: AFP

This will be the closest super moon of the year, so you can see it on the night of May 25th to 26th.

The entire lunar eclipse does not mean that the moon has completely disappeared, but it does mean that the moon has turned into a slightly reddish orange color.

This phenomenon is also nicknamed Hua Yue because it appears in the spring, so it is the traditional name of the full moon in May.

Trendy Covid cases reach 3,000 for the first time in a month and require stricter limits break in Pressing time After Cummings announces his complaint, Matt Hancock will host a press conference tomorrow at 5 pm break in Child surprise alert The 8-year-old scared boy was kidnapped from outside his house and taken home Never be the same The police paid tribute to the 51-year-old father as they paid tribute to the 24-year-old son suspected of murder SASHA arrest Five people were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after BLM rights activist was shot in the head Killer crash A 34-year-old man was killed in the crash and injured 5 people including 2 children

The Sydney Observatory hosted a Covid safe viewing event with telescopes and expert speakers because peoples interest is high.

Bad weather may mean that some people cannot see the super moon.

The next total lunar eclipse will be in May 2022. The last time was in January 2019.
IYC Yachts

Bahamas: A Personal Journey on IYCs Loon MegaYacht & Flying Privately on A Magellan Jet

It looked like a 180 foot white cloud, floating on clear, turquoise water, but it was the Loon, one of the popular, awards-winning charter yachts of IYC -- International Yacht Company. To many in the working press  including me-- who are not as familiar with the yachting life as others, we experienced living four days on this megayacht, having been flown to Nassau on a private Magellan jet.

Magellan Jets

Magellan Jets and IYC have recently partnered, bringing remarkable access to the worlds of both private jet and charter megayacht travel. Such travel allows for unique exploration of areas not usually accessible by ordinary transportation. We experienced this type of travel for four transformative days, waking from a winter of Covid isolation, to again experience some unique adventures emerging from the Caribbean blue.

Walking onto the IYC yacht was like walking through the wardrobe doors of Narnia: moving, and oddly with quickened step, from one reality into another. It became less of a press trip, and more of an unexpected learning experience  as we learned by doing and seeing -- sights that few others actually see, unless they travel in this mode.



Susan Kime

Also, for a few days, we lived a blessed life where deadlines were left elsewhere, and where anxieties of the being the first time on Yamaha Wave Runners, Sea Bobs, water skis, wakeboards and kayaks were also left behind.

Part of the joy of charter yachting is being on the water with such multiple water toys available for use. The first day, we were taken from the Loon megayacht, (priced at $50M USD when new a few years ago) to a $2M tender/speedboat. We then went far from anywhere and played with these toys. We lived in the moment, an existential, memorable experience especially since, to many, it was our first press trip in a full year.

On that day and on days to come, we would explore and marvel and explore more.

Wikipedia

Adventure #1  Near the Exumas, and below the turquoise water, we saw the skeleton of Pablo Escobars drug running plane. Now lying peacefully on sandbars in about 10 feet of clear water off Normans Cay in the Exumas, it crashed in the late 1970s with smuggled drug cargo. I swam to it, and stood on the wing of the plane, before snorkeling down to see more. I noticed the many schools of striped fish swimming near me, resplendent with black and fluorescent yellow stripes. They looked at me as I looked at a crashed fuselage now decorated with coral and seaweed. I had never seen a 50-year-old crashed plane in clear blue water, now the peaceful home to luminous fish, coral, and seaweed.

Wikipedia

And then, adventure #2: the swimming pigs. We were told we would see swimming pigs at a place called Pig Island, AKA, Major Cay, in the Exumas. The island is uninhabited except for pigs, and it is unknown how the pigs came to be there. Suffice it to say they have been well fed by the tourists. They swam out to our tender in hopes for stalks of celery and carrot, which they received from the crew and from us. We swam with a few pigs back to their island, where we were greeted by other tourists and piglets.

Thunderball Grotto

Then, came Thunderball, adventure #3. Most on the press trip were too young to remember the James Bond 1965 film. Personally, I had never seen it, but we were told that it was around these cliffs and inside the grotto that some of the movie was filmed. It is now called Thunderball Grotto.

From the outside, the view is only of rocky cliffs, but there are places known to those who snorkel and dive for a living, where you can snorkel in, and, when you come up for air, you are in a grotto -- a hollow cave formation with sun holes about 10 feet up, letting the sun into the grotto. Many on our yacht, jumped from the sun holes into the blue grotto waters below. It was, many said, the experience of a lifetime.

Susan Kime - Dining Room, Loon Megayacht

Yet, in addition to the Loon water adventures, and just three were mentioned here, there was what only be called a sensuous re-awakening to the beauty of the sea, of marine life, of ocean weather, of the vibrant sea colors, all, nearly forgotten due to Covid. And to that end also, there was an emergent awakening inside the yacht, as we explored the interiors.

There, we found exceptional amenities: elevators to all interior decks, the sky lounge with 10-foot-high vaulted ceilings, sprays of real orchids and other tropical flowers on tables, an outdoor dining area, indoor dining areas, a pool and spa/hot tub, and Yacht Chef, Philip Browning, ready to create almost anything the guests desired. If a guest had gone fishing and brought some back to Philip, he could make a great meal from the catch for the evening dinner. Our staterooms were quiet, clean, dark wood paneled, with marble hallways and bathrooms The Loons six large staterooms have accommodations for up to 12 guests. Each stateroom had an unmistakable air of privacy and sanctuary.

Susan Kime

This experience, with a weeks hindsight, seemed a joyful reward for having survived a plague year. And still, we knew this type of journey is normal for those who live an ultra-high net worth life. We were never covetous, indeed, we were appreciative for this grand, though temporary, inclusion  an opening of doors to experiences we have only read and dreamed about.

www.iyc.com

www.magellanjets.com

The weekly rate for LOON is $300,000 plus expenses. IYC estimates expenses to be about 30% of the charter rate. Gratuity is not included.

Susan Kime

Master Suite #1, Loon Megayacht

Susan Kime

Master Suite #2, Loon Megayacht

Susan Kime

Dining Room Orchids

Susan Kime

Petting Nurse Sharks

Susan Kime

Sandbar at Twilight, Exumas

Leaving Nassau, from above
A Shawnee man is in the hospital following a boating accident that killed two of his children and their mother.
"Voice 4" is literally around the corner and yet new developments are still happening. The latest one is that "Prison Playbook" actor Lee Kyu Hyung will be joining the already star-studded show, even though it's unclear yet what his role is going to be. Excited fans only have one wish - that hopefully, he's not the villain.

#LeeKyuHyung is confirmed to star in upcoming tvN drama #Voice4 which is set to broadcast its first episode on June 18th. pic.twitter.com/Rx7H9LjB4Q  K-Drama News! (@kdrama_news) May 25, 2021

The last time fans saw the actor in a drama is on "Prison Playbook."

He played Han Yang, a Seoul University graduate who ended up in prison because he was taking illegal drugs. Because he no longer had access to drugs, the withdrawal hit him so hard that he developed a different personality when he became clean. But overall, his performance on the show was so endearing that it could not be so easily forgotten.

He's also a very versatile actor. He was also in "Hi, Bye Mama," but fans noted how different his roles were, and yet he was able to execute the two perfectly. Some said watching him on "Prison Playbook" made them look at him differently. It remains to be seen if he'll give the same jaw-dropping performance in "Voice 4".

As of now, it's not even announced what his role would be in "Voice 4." Since it's a relatively dark show, his character can either be an enigmatic protagonist or a crazy psycho or somewhere in between.

You Might Also Like: More of 'Vincenzo': Meet the Iconic Members of Cassano Geumga Family

Meanwhile, "Voice 4" is certainly not stopping with all the teasers. It has so far dropped several already, and the latest one is as exciting as the others.

It starts with Derek Jo entering a crime site with Kang Kwon Joo's guidance, played by Lee Ha Na (who has reprised her role four times already.)

"I hear the victim's voice. Please hurry. There's no time," she could be heard saying.

In the next scene, Derek Jo can be seen on a security camera. Turns out someone is spying on him, and it is likely to be a villain, a potential murderer in a black raincoat. What makes it interesting is that this person is a female.

A glimpse of this new psycho is then shown, smiling creepily then laughing in a more horrific manner.

The teaser does not end here.

The next scene shows Derek Jo entering a room and finding a corpse in a black bag that is wrapped in glistening lights. This certainly placed him in a very somber mood and compelled him to say, "Whatever monster you are, I'll catch you."

"Voice," which aired its first season in 2017, is a drama revolving around an emergency call center that always finds itself trying to save someone from being killed. Because they can only rely on things they hear on the phone, their jobs can sometimes be very exciting. Good thing they have someone in the force that has a vital power - the uncanny ability to hear things that ordinary people cannot. Without her, saving people in the midst of danger just by identifying clues through a phone line could be really difficult.

Derek Jo is actually a new character. He's going to be played by Song Seung Heon. Some fans are anticipating some pretty good scenes between him and Kang Kwon Joo since he is not an ordinary detective. He is a unit leader at the Los Angeles Police Department who winds up collaborating with the Golden Time Team or the Kang Center.

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.
"Youth of May" starring Lee Do Hyun, Go Min Si, Lee Sang Yi, and Geum Sae Rok, scores another achievement as it breaks its own highest ratings.

Despite the slow yet steady movement in terms of viewership, the KBS drama showed growth, setting a new personal record.

"Youth of May" Viewership Rating Recover with 4.3% Nationwide

According to Nielsen Korea, "Youth of May" episode 8 received an average nationwide rating of 4.3 percent while 5.7 percent in metropolitan areas, making this the drama's highest viewership rating to date.

Prior to their latest episode, the melodrama achieved their highest viewership during their sixth episode with a recorded average of 5.2 percent.

Unfortunately, it was followed by a slight dip to 4.2 and 5.0 percent for episode 7 but managed to bounce back on episode 8.

Amid the increase of the KBS drama, "Doom at Your Service" sustains its viewership rating.

The tvN drama featuring Seo In Guk, Park Bo Young, Lee Soo Hyuk, and Kang Tae Oh kept its standing with a 3.343 percent nationwide rating. This is almost close to its previous episode with 3.384 percent.

Despite the gradual increase of viewership rating, both "Doom at Your Service" and "Youth of May" were included in the latest list of most buzzworthy dramas.

It came after Good Data released the rundown of top dramas for the third week of May.

Landing on the top spot is tvN's fantasy drama for two straight weeks, followed by "Youth of May."

On the other hand, the first and second spots for most buzzworthy drama cast members belonged to Seo In Guk and Park Bo Young.

Meanwhile, "Youth of May" cast Lee Do Hyun and Go Min Si ranked fifth and sixth for the most buzzworthy actors.

"Youth of May" Episode 8 Highlights

Since its premiere last May 3, the melodrama directed by Song Min Yeop and written by Lee Kang has been making waves due to its exciting story and stunning visuals featuring a nostalgic vibe.

The recent "Youth of May" episode featured Hwang Hee Tae (Lee Do Hyun) and Lee Soo Ryun (Geum Sae Rok), who left Gwangju and transferred to Seoul as their honeymoon home.

All this was instructed by Hee Tae's father, Hwang Gi Nam (Oh Man Suk), who is pushing for the arranged marriage with Lee Chang Geun's family (Uhm Hyo Sub) despite their children's refusal.

As for Kim Myung Hee (Go Min Si), who was abducted by the security forces, she was threatened by Hwang Gi Nam to stay away from his son.

With Hwang Hee Tae in Seoul, she kept herself busy with work and household chores.

Despite the hard decision, she and Hwang Hee Tae opted to part ways to benefit each other's well-being.

"Youth of may" episode 8 also featured an emotional reunion between Kim Myung Hee and Hwang Hee Tae, who returned to Gwangju.

However, Myung Hee stopped Hee Tae from coming close to her, but he confessed that he truly missed her and wanted to be with Myung Hee.

"Can I come closer, Myung Hee?" Hee Tae asked; as soon as she heard this, she went straight to him and hugged her tight.









KDramastars owns this article.

Written by Geca Wills
In the year that has passed since the nation was confronted with harrowing video showing a Minneapolis police officer killing George Floyd, police and politicians across the country have been scrutinizing the failures in police leadership, culture and training that Floyd's murder exposed as they seek to redefine policing in America.

Police leaders in major cities are incorporating lessons learned from the Floyd case into their use of force policies, such as the obligation of fellow officers to intervene in excessive force incidents, rendering first aid to those harmed by police, and holding officers accountable by their colleagues for complaints and allegations of misconduct.

But as departments face an anti-police climate, as well as calls to defund their budgets following several police killings of Black Americans, law enforcement leaders face the daunting long-term challenge of fostering a cultural change while building trust with communities even as new incidents of excessive force dominate the news cycle.

"There is an appreciation for just how fragile that trust is because the Floyd incident happened in Minneapolis yet cities across America are impacted by it," said Charles Ramsey, former DC and Philadelphia police chief and a CNN law enforcement analyst. "It doesn't matter any longer where an incident occurs, it's going to affect law enforcement across the country. That realization really hit home."

Floyd's murder spurred one of the largest protest movements in American history, and with it came an unprecedented wave of police reform efforts that dominated local, state and federal legislative agendas.

A landmark bill in Congress called the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act passed the House in March but does not have enough votes to advance in the Senate in its current form. Bipartisan negotiators expressed new found optimism on Monday that a compromise on several key aspects of the bill is within reach.

Chauvin, who had 18 complaints filed against him before his May 25 encounter with Floyd, was found guilty of murder and manslaughter charges by a Minneapolis jury last month. The viral video taken by a bystander shows Chauvin kneeling on the neck of Floyd as he laid handcuffed and prone on the street after being apprehended for allegedly passing a $20 counterfeit bill at a corner store. Prosecutors in the trial said Chauvin knelt on the neck and back of Floyd for 9 minutes and 29 seconds.

Three other Minneapolis officers, Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane, who were on the scene face state charges of aiding and abetting Floyd's murder. The officers are set to stand state trial in March 2022. Separately, all four officers were indicted by a federal grand jury this month on civil rights violations during the arrest. The federal trial for Thao, Kueng and Lane is set to take place in August. Chauvin's federal trial date has not yet been scheduled.

In April, the US Justice Department announced federal civil rights investigations into the practices of the Minneapolis and the Louisville police departments. The impending probe in Louisville comes just over a year after 26-year-old Breonna Taylor, an emergency medical technician, was fatally shot by officers in her apartment during a botched raid in March 2020. A grand jury indicted one of the officers on three counts of wanton endangerment  and he pleaded not guilty.

"This is a moment for a comprehensive review of the entire criminal justice system, not just police," Ramsey said. "This is a movement, and police are the best place to start. But don't just end it there. There's thoughtful discussion and decision making that goes into how reform ought to look and not just a quick response to try and fix a very complex problem."

Minneapolis has 'to be serious' about reform

In the wake of Floyd's murder, members of the Minneapolis City Council announced plans to defund and "dismantle" its police department. In December, the council voted to redirect almost $8 million from the police department toward community-driven and violence prevention programs.

The Unity Community Mediation Team, a Minneapolis-based group of community activists, has been working directly with the police department in their efforts to implement necessary reforms and secure a more diverse leadership, among other recommendations, to revive public confidence in law enforcement.

"The difference now is that there's more awareness of the atrocities that the Minneapolis Police Department has been getting away with for decades," Pastor Ian D. Bethel of the New Beginnings Baptist Ministry told CNN. "That's the difference."

The group worked with the city's police department in 2003 and negotiated a federally mediated memorandum of agreement to improve policing as a "first step in addressing the historic grievances of the communities."

The document details a breadth of concerns pertaining to use of force policies, police and community relations, encounters between police and people experiencing mental health issues, as well as diversifying the police force. The agreement was signed by then-sergeant Medaria Arradondo, who is now the city's police chief.

"What we're going to do and what we are doing is to make sure we have proper law enforcement in our Black community, in our Brown communities," Bethel said. "We have to be serious about being at the table and making some concrete decisions about reform that will last generationally."

Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender and her constituents have led efforts to eliminate the police department and replace it with a new model for public safety.

"We have invested like so many cities, for years, for decades, in policing as basically the only way we're investing in keeping people safe," said Bender. "So people think of policing as synonymous with safety, but it isn't working."

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, however, is opposed to defunding the city's police department but has prioritized changing its structure and culture, with a specific focus on building police and community relations and public safety.

"These programs need to operate as supplemental to the work that is underway already in our police department," Frey said at a press conference this month. "You need law enforcement and the community driven approach working simultaneously to see safety."

Frey and Chief Arradondo have announced several key changes to the department over the past year, according to a recent report, including an overhaul to its use of force policy, a new policy on "no-knock" warrants, and a new requirement to report instances of police de-escalation attempts.

More than 3,000 bills have been taken up

Many police reform efforts, such as peer intervention and de-escalation, had already been underway in recent years, but the impact of Floyd's case only intensified the effort, according to Roberto Villasenor, former chief of the Tucson Police Department who was a member of former President Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing.

"The public has demanded that police departments deal with things like de-escalation, active intervention and lowering the threshold intensity," said Villasenor. "These things have been going for quite some time, but they absolutely haven't been going with the fervency that they are now."

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have introduced significant legislation that focuses on some aspect of police reform, with more than 3,000 bills that have been taken up by state legislatures since May 25, 2020, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). So far this year, 23 states have enacted bills that address police policies, NCSL data shows. The most prevalent themes focus on police oversight, accountability, and standards, according to the NCSL.

There are historical parallels between the events of 2020 with the period of civil unrest and riots in 1968 following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., according to Peter Moskos, a former Baltimore police officer and professor in the Department of Law, Police Science, and Criminal Justice Administration at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

"It does seem like a lot of the exact same things happen for the same reason, in terms of police abuse, civil unrest, rise in violence, talk about police reform," he said. "In that case, over decades, there was real change in policing."

The acknowledgment that Floyd was murdered indicates a positive change in policing, Moskos said, but incremental improvements in technology and training tend to fall short in addressing the point of the debate: race, violence and police killings.

Chauvin's trial further intensified the need for better police training with Chief Arradondo's testimony that the former cop violated department policy and his use of force was unjustified. Many departments have implemented techniques in their training curricula that address implicit bias, de-escalation, peer intervention and critical decision making.

Agencies in Baltimore, Dallas, and New Orleans had already drafted policies that required officers to intervene in excessive use of force incidents before last summer. The Baltimore Police Department overhauled its use of force policy that included the duty to intervene and render first aid under a federal consent decree, according to Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison, who is also the president of the board at the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), a national police research and policy organization.

"We had already planned to do this before the killing of George Floyd, but even after that it just brought a heightened sense of awareness of how important that training and those policies are in the direction that our department needs to move in," Harrison said.

On a national level, PERF has developed a police training program called Integrating Communications, Assessments, and Tactics (ICAT) that teaches officers how to "successfully and safely" de-escalate critical incidents.

Hundreds of agencies have incorporated ICAT into its training. Robin Engel, a professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati, evaluated the program and found a 28% drop in use of force incidents by Louisville officers.

This comes as more recent incidents of police using deadly force dominate the news cycle, including Daunte Wright, 20, in Minnesota and Adam Toledo, 13, in Illinois, have continued to erode the trust between communities and police.

The National Network for Safe Communities is a national organization that works with police departments to build trust and relationships with communities by facilitating listening sessions and engagement.

"What we look at in our framework is taking the recent cases that strengthen the need for a trust building framework with police that entails acknowledgment of harm by law enforcement leaders," said Paul Smith, the director of reconciliation for the organization.

"Hopefully that this is a way to bring community voices into the work of public safety and a pivot away from just the militarized kind of policing that happens," he said.

Reform efforts require investment, experts say

While efforts to defund and abolish police departments have been losing ground, reform is not, says former police chief Villasenor. But departments are already strapped for cash and have fewer officers at a time of economic collapse brought on by the pandemic, he said.

"We want to accomplish these changes and enact them, yet that causes a problem because it requires an investment from the government at a time when due to either political pressure or economic reality, they do not have the capacity or desire to invest in the proper areas of the agency," said Villasenor. "It's a conundrum for the departments because they are willing to change but they need people to help train the new change."

Several cities such as Minneapolis, Austin and New York have slashed police budgets amid calls and public pressure to defund the police, but the movement has not been pervasive across major cities, according to Laura Cooper, the executive director of the Major Cities Chiefs Associations. The nationwide surge in violent crime during 2020 has continued into this year, with over 7,500 people being killed by gun violence since January, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

"There has been a little bit of retooling of department budgets, but for the most part I can't say defund has actually played out," Cooper said. "The sustained increase in violent crime, the gun violence that we've been seeing and calls from the community that they don't want less police, they want better police, seems to be resonating."

Police chiefs are looking to hire from a more diverse pool of candidates to better reflect the communities they serve, according to Cooper, but they face significant challenges in hiring cops and keeping them in the profession due to an anti-police sentiment, the defund movement, and budget constraints.

Minneapolis saw a 20% drop in the average total number of police officers by late January of this year compared to 2019, according to city data. Chief Arradondo said the decrease in staffing levels could leave the police force one dimensional.

"Reimagining and common sense do not have to be arch enemies," Arradondo said during a press conference this month. "We have smart people. We can get together and we can solve these issues."

The Police Executive Research Forum did a survey with agencies in September that revealed 36% of respondents had a higher rate of resignations and retirements since June 1, 2020, compared to the same period over the five years prior.

"People in law enforcement ask how we're going to do this when we're losing people and we can't get replacements," said Villasenor. "When we do get replacements, we put them out in the field, but we can't put the investment in training or auditing to make sure we're doing things the way we're supposed to."

The development of thoughtful, effective police leadership is "critically important" in creating a better culture of policing, according to Ramsey, the CNN law enforcement analyst. "With 18,000 police departments in this country, how do you get any kind of standard and uniformity with that many agencies? Good leadership ought to be by design, not by chance."
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed an executive order Tuesday prohibiting state agencies, state service providers and state properties from requiring Covid-19 vaccine passports, the governor's office said.

Under the "Prohibition of Covid-19 Vaccine Passports" executive order, a vaccine passport will not be required for entry into the state of Georgia. The order also says that state employers should not have different rules for employees based on vaccination status unless rules are implemented using an honor-code system.

Kemp's announcement marks the most recent of a slew of restrictions on Covid-19 passports codified by Republican governors as growing vaccine levels have facilitated a return to normal.

"While I continue to urge all Georgians to get vaccinated so we continue our momentum in putting the COVID-19 pandemic in the rearview, vaccination is a personal decision between each citizen and a medical professional - not state government," Kemp, a Republican, said in a statement.

Tuesday's executive order makes clear that data held by the Georgia Department of Public Health and its immunization system will not be used by any public or private entity for a vaccine passport program, the release stated.

Some health experts argue that such proof of vaccination can be the ticket back to normalcy, saying it could reward people for getting vaccinated by allowing them into a crowded concert or ballgame, as well as offer the vaccinated peace of mind that the person next to them has been immunized, too.

But critics have stressed privacy concerns and characterized vaccine passports as an overreach by authorities.

The Georgia measure comes on the heels of Alabama Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signing a bill Monday banning the use of so-called vaccine passports in her state. Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has also signed legislation banning vaccine passports, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has issued an executive order prohibiting government-mandated proof of inoculation.

On the national level, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in March there will be "no centralized universal federal vaccinations database, and no federal mandate requiring everyone to obtain a single vaccination credential," adding that "we want to encourage an open marketplace with a variety of private sector companies and nonprofit coalitions developing solutions."
The Biden administration announced Tuesday that it is moving to advance offshore wind power on the coast of California for the first time. When developed, the regions selected have the potential to generate enough green energy for up to 1.6 million homes over the next decade, according to the administration.

The announcement is another step toward making good on President Joe Biden's target of 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030, a goal that would generate enough energy to power 10 million homes, according to the administration. It also expects these developments to support more than 75,000 jobs.

The administration identified two areas slated for offshore wind development. One is a 399-square-mile region near Morro Bay, in central California. The other is off the coast of Humboldt County near the Oregon coast.

The water along the Pacific coast is much deeper than the Atlantic, and given that constraint, the administration said the wind turbines there will be floating -- a technology that the Department of Energy has invested $100 million in researching.

At three gigawatts, the proposed Morro Bay wind farm would dwarf the 800-megawatt Vineyard Wind project the Biden administration announced earlier this month. The Vineyard farm, which will be located 12 miles off the shore of Martha's Vineyard, is expected to include up to 84 turbines, according to the administration.

"We're talking about a game-changing investment in a green energy future," said California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat. The offshore wind projects will generate power "without impacting diverse communities, but benefiting diverse communities," he said.

The Department of Defense has up until now opposed offshore wind along the Pacific coast because of the potential disruption to military training and testing. Undersecretary for Defense Policy Colin Kahl said Tuesday that the "defense department is satisfied that there's not a tradeoff between our green energy goals" and other military goals.

"It's our view that the world faces a grave and growing climate crisis," Kahl said. "Climate change is both a threat to the Department of Defense's operations around the world and an existential challenge to our ability to maintain resilience here at home."
SALEM, Ore.  A bill introduced by two Republican state lawmakers passed and has now been signed into law by Governor Kate Brown, declaring May 22 to be Crater Lake National Park Day.

HB 3162 was introduced by Representative E. Werner Reschke of Klamath Falls, along with his colleague Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson of Prineville. The bill aims to give Crater Lake National Park its own official day, 119 years after the territory was set aside by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902.

We were able to get support from urban legislators and rural legislators, Democrats and Republicans, Senators and Representatives to join us in designating May 22nd as Crater Lake National Park Day in Oregon, said Rep. Reschke. Crater Lake National Park is Oregons only national park. It is a special place; it needed its own special day."

Crater Lake is now located in Klamath County, but it was formed by an eruption on Mount Mazama 7,700 years ago. Reschke's office said that local Native Americans witnessed the collapse of Mount Mazama and kept the event alive in their legends. Today Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the U.S. and ninth deepest in the world.

Some 750,000 people from around the world visit Crater Lake National Park every year.

Crater Lake National Park is renown for its pristine, deep blue water, and the amazing 360degree bowl that majestically surrounds the lake. Crater Lake National Park is truly a national treasure located in Klamath County Oregon. We need to celebrate Oregons only national park and now we have a day to do just that. This is something all Oregonians can take pride in, said Rep. Reschke.

Governor Brown signed HB 3162 into law on May 21.
MEDFORD, Ore.  Jackson County's Board of Commissioners resolved in a Tuesday work session to send Governor Kate Brown a letter decrying the latest Oregon Health Authority guidance concerning vaccination status checks at businesses that want to loosen restrictions for fully vaccinated people.

Meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, the Board went through a draft version of the letter to discuss the language.

"I've been talking to businesses, and there are issues obviously  people are mad if they come in and [the businesses say] 'well we're gonna continue to require masks because we don't want to have to be the mask police and verify' . . . people are mad and say 'we're not gonna shop here,'" said Commissioner Rick Dyer.

OHA's guidance, prompted by new recommendations from the CDC, allows businesses to relax mask and physical distancing requirements for people who are fully vaccinated, but only if the businesses check and confirm the person's vaccination status by looking at a completed card or similar proof.

Businesses unwilling or unable to do the required status checks are free to continue with the existing mask and distancing requirements as before, according to the OHA.

The new guidance quickly drew a backlash from Republican lawmakers. House Republican Leader Christine Drazan in a letter to Governor Brown called the rules "misguided." Dyer indicated that the Jackson County Board's letter was derived, at least in part, from Drazan's.

Oregon so far appears to be only state to embrace a similarly widespread policy on vaccination status checks, at least without a system in place to support it. New York's updated guidance also included vaccination status check requirements in some venues, but the state has had the digital "Excelsior Pass" system since the end of March. Other states have adopted a vaccination status honor system, or gone the all-or-nothing route. California plans to keep its mask mandate unchanged and in place until June 15.

During Tuesday's session, Dyer argued that the scientific models employed by Governor Brown's office and OHA are too arcane, claiming that real-world data doesn't support impositions like vaccination status checks.

"The science that I choose to look is the very compelling empirical evidence that shows states that have opened up  have made these restrictions voluntary  have seen reductions in cases, reductions in deaths, they are faring much better than most of the states that have these restrictions in place still," Dyer said.

All three Jackson County commissioners agreed in principle on sending the letter in opposition, though Commissioner Dave Dotterer initially flagged the letter's use of the word "misguided" to describe the latest guidance as potentially counterproductive to their argument. Dyer and Commissioner Colleen Roberts insisted that the word should be left in.

The Board argued that asking for proof of vaccination status violates House BIll 3284, which was passed to prohibit the sharing of contact tracing data without consent. Commissioners also referenced a survey from the Medford Chamber of Commerce, in which 93.3 percent of the 1,505 respondents said that they would not ask for proof of vaccine status if customers choose not to wear a mask.

The letter to Governor Kate Brown is expected to be sent out by the end of Tuesday, and will also go to all 90 lawmakers in the Oregon legislature and all 36 county governments. The Jackson County commissioners said that they hope the letter will encourage other counties to write their own.
MEDFORD, Ore.- The Jackson County Commissioners held a zoom meeting today to discuss sending a letter to Governor Kate Brown, opposing businesses to ask for proof of vaccine status following OHA's new mask mandates.

County Commissioners argued today that the science behind other states that no longer have a mask policy, have a lower rate of covid-19 cases and death rates. Another argument following proof of vaccine status was the violation of house bill 32-84, that has a dashboard amendment on medical privacy.

Commissioners also followed the Medford Chambers of Commerce's mask mandate policy survey, which argued that out of 1505 local businesses in Jackson County, 93.3% say that they will not ask for proof of vaccine status if customers choose not to wear a mask.

The letter to governor Kate Brown will be sent out today and will include all 90 legislators and the 36 Oregon counties. Commissioners hope that the letter will encourage other county commissioners to write their own.
SALEM, Ore.  Both chambers of the Oregon legislature have now approved a bill that will ban the online sale of nicotine e-cigarettes and vaping products, sending it to Governor Kate Brown for her signature.

House Bill 2261 bans all online sales of tobacco or nicotine-related vaping products. It does not apply to marijuana vape devices. Representatives in the House passed the bill with broad bipartisan support in April.

Supporters of the bill say that it will cut down on the availability of e-cigarettes for Oregon's youth, "closing loopholes" that made it easier for underage Oregonians to buy the products.

The use of vaping products by our youth is shocking, said Democratic Senator Kathleen Taylor. No matter how diligent our retailers are, there is still significant access to these products online.

Oregon banned the online sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products in 2017, and the new bill adds vaping products to the list.

State Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum put her stamp of approval on the bill Wednesday. She cited figures from 2019 that 1 in 4 high school students and 1 in 10 middle students in the U.S. reported that they had vaped in the past 30 days.

There is no effective way to verify an age or stop minors from purchasing these products over the internet. In Oregon, you cannot buy cigarettes online, and there is no good reason to be able to buy vape products online either,  said Attorney General Rosenblum. Despite steep declines in the rate of underage cigarette smoking, increasing e-cigarette use among teenagers is threatening years of public health progress. If we want to make real progress in lowering rates of teenage vaping, we need to close this online sales loophole.

HB 2261 was championed by Senator Taylor and Representative Pam Marsh. It now goes to Governor Brown's desk.
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Recently, one of my clinic patients asked me to administer his intramuscular medication injection. I appreciated the vote of confidence but had to tell him he was mistaken in thinking that my skill would surpass that of our nurses.

Trust me, I told him. Youre in better hands with them.

It reminded me of the time, some years back, when I inadvertently found myself impersonating a nurse for a school field trip. And soon found myself in way over my head.

Our family was new in town. When my childs teacher found out I worked in health care, she asked if I would help out on the three-day, out-of-town, multi-class field trip. We need someone to act as the nurse.

I explained that I wasnt a nurse, but Id be happy to lend my medical skills for the duration of the trip. After all, I was a doctor. How hard could it be?

I would soon find out.

After introductions, the school nurse  who would (wisely, on her part) not be accompanying us on the trip  took me aside. She showed me the medication log and gave me a locked tackle box containing the medications. So far, it seemed straightforward enough.

Until I realized tracking down children on multiple buses at irregular stops, and making sure they took their medications on time, was harder than being an intern cross-covering three pagers. I chased down teachers to help me find kids, doling out pills and water until all my checkboxes were marked off. Until it was time for the next round.

I cringed inwardly, thinking of all the four times daily inpatient medication orders Id blithely signed off on over the years. Note to self: always try to find an alternative with a less frequent dosing schedule.

Finally, we arrived at our destination for the first night, a community center. I completed the last evening round of medications, double-checked I hadnt missed any, and locked up the medication tackle box for the night, stowing it under my cot. At lights out, I collapsed on my sleeping bag, looking forward to the rest.

As soon as my head hit the pillow, I fell asleep, to be awoken sometime later by a whispered voice.

Nurse  nurse 

I rolled over and put my arm over my head.

The voice got louder. Nurse  nurse!

Oh, wait, thats supposed to be me. I didnt know this job was going to come with night call.

I opened my eyes to find one of the teachers hovering over my cot.

Yes? I mumbled.

I was notified unceremoniously that a student had vomited.

She stared at me expectantly.

Oh, right. I was the nurse. I had another moment of inward cringing as I recalled all the times on rounds Id summoned a nurse because of emesis and then moved on to see my next patient.

I followed the teacher into the bathroom and tended to the child, who told us she felt much better now. I took her temperature and sent her back to bed before retreating to my cot. But mere minutes after my eyes had closed, there was a parent at my bedside. Nurse

And so it went throughout the night. As a parent myself, I was no stranger to vomit, but I marveled that the others thought there was some special need for the nurse to witness it each time. I wiped brows, took temperatures, and reassured the other parents that tucking the kids back into their sleeping bags seemed the best next step.

In the end, perhaps 10 percent of the kids were affected by whatever GI virus swept through the group. It was thankfully short-lived, with everyone feeling better within 24 hours.

In the end, I realized the only thing my physician training helped me with was my ability to function the next day on little sleep. I kept to the schedule in the binder and administered the medications, checking off my boxes. One skill I had learned in internship.

The second night, I was called to assess a child with chest pain. It turns out being an oncologist for adult patients in ones day job is absolutely useless for evaluating healthy children on a field trip. The immediate differential diagnosis that popped into my head by default was pulmonary embolus, SVC syndrome, and mediastinal mass. Then I oriented myself to the fact that (A) this was not an adult and (B) not an oncology patient. I could most likely dismiss the first two causes.

Running on fumes due to the previous nights sleeplessness, I did the only thing I could think of  called the pediatrician on-call back at our home hospital. As the childs parent listened to me summon the pediatrician to the phone by using my doctor title and the conversation that followed, they slowly backed away, nudging their child to step back as well.

You see, back at introductions the morning of the trip, I had identified myself to the other parents as the nurse. In my head, the words had quotes around them.

It would turn out the other parents hadnt picked up on this, as, in general, air quotes arent audible.

After a few minutes on the phone, my colleague assured me the child was likely fine, and this wasnt an initial presentation of childhood lymphoma. I hung up and turned back to the child and parent. But before I could say anything, they were halfway back to their tent.

My heart sank. I realized they had sought me out (or rather, sought out the nurse) for reassurance  not a call to the hospital and a scary discussion of improbable causes of the childs symptoms.

The final day of the trip came, and I made it through without any other blunders  and, thankfully, no more vomit.

That evening, we arrived back at the school parking lot, and I handed over the medication box to the school nurse.

Any problems? she asked.

Not a one. Except

What?

I didnt appreciate enough everything that nurses do.

Jennifer Lycette is a hematology-oncology physician and can be reached on Twitter @jl_lycette. This article originally appeared in Doximitys Op-Med.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
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Former President Trump ushered in a new era of distrust in evidence, science, and medicine, culminating in a coronavirus catastrophe, as editorialized by Nature. Medical mistrust, of course, is not a new concept; patients navigate bias from the health care system daily, and in the context of historical legacies of abuse and unethical practices, such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Accordingly, the resulting adverse impacts on health care outcomes are well-known to disproportionately harm Black, Latinx, LGBTQ, and many other minority groups. The top-down message is critical to restoring trust; however, individual patient-physician interactions also represent fundamental vehicles for change. In fact, the health of society at large depends on it, and currently, our effectiveness at combating the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Can an individual patient-physician interaction transcend institutional legitimization of disinformation, systemic racism, conspiracy theories, fears, anxieties, and historical wrong-doings? I believe yes.

Dr. Jessica Jaiswal, a public health scientist at the University of Alabama, suggests some fundamental places to begin the conversation. When discussing vaccine hesitancy with a patient, understanding their perspective is paramount. Physicians should be cognizant that medical mistrust may be strongly rooted in the context of systemic racism, social and economic inequalities and even, police brutality. Dr. Jaiswal advises avoiding terms like conspiracy beliefs, which would be an ethical mistake, derailing the conversation from addressing these root causes.

In my practice, it is common for patients to engage me about the COVID-19 vaccination. I find that most often, patients have legitimate concerns, and even the most educated have difficulty navigating the web of conflicting (mis)information. I empathize with them; it is confusing. I favor an approach of motivational interviewing, an evidence-based communication technique ideally situated for guiding patients through ambivalence in a respectful manner. In this technique, information is provided, fears are explored, and the patients own productive statements are reaffirmed.

At the end of the day, patients commonly want to know whether I personally received the vaccine or not, similar to how patients commonly query for any number of circumstances, what would you do if it was your family member? Im a neurologist, not an infectious disease doctor or COVID-19 expert, but it doesnt matter. To them, Im a trusted voice. Does this work all the time? Of course not. Is this more effective than incentivizing vaccination with beer and doughnuts? Im not sure, but I like to think so.

Patients will form opinions, adhere to a management plan, and take ownership of their health destiny, all based on trust. Conversely, when trust is not established, or even worse, when patients feel dismissed, they will search elsewhere for answers, sometimes in the form of fraudulent practices or even an armchair expert on TV.

To conclude, I will reiterate one of my favorite tools from the book, Motivational Interviewing in Health Care. When the conversation does not end in resolution, pose, would it be alright with you if we talk about this again the next time we meet? This demonstrates respect for the patient, and importantly, leaves the door open for the next visit.

Jonathan H. Smith is a neurologist.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
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Antibiotic halts spread of coral disease

E.N. SHILLING, I.R. COMBS AND J.D. VOSS/Scientific Reports 2021 An amoxicillin paste applied around a tissue-eating lesion on a great star coral, left, stopped the disease from spreading, according to the journal Scientific Reports.

A coral disease that has ravaged the reefs in Florida for seven years finally has an effective treatment, a common antibiotic known as amoxicillin.

Stony coral tissue loss disease first appeared in reefs off the Miami coast in 2014, according to Andy Bruckner, research director at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. By 2016, it was in the Upper Keys coral and by 2018 had spread all the way to Key West. The only area now not afflicted with the disease is coral in the Dry Tortugas. It affects about half of the reef-building coral in the state.

Bruckner said a few species of coral do not appear to be affected by it, such as staghorn coral, elkhorn coral and finger coral.

The disease is unusual, Bruckner said, in that it can sprout up anywhere on the corals body. Most coral diseases start in parts of the colony that have already been hurt in other ways.

It pops up anywhere and then it moves like a wildfire and forms a circle that radiates outward, Bruckner said. A coral about the size of a basketball can die in about a week.

The disease is a big problem for Florida reefs, which are already under serious threat from a growing list of factors. Bruckner said there have been some areas of reef where 80% of susceptible species can die in a matter of months. One reason the outbreaks of the disease have lessened over time is because there is less coral to attack.

When the tissue disease first emerged, scientists began trying all sorts of things to treat it. Toothpaste, even, was tried at one point. Bruckner said chloride epoxy was also tried out as a treatment, but with little to no success. Eventually researchers tried a series of antibiotics on the coral and upon using amoxicillin, discovered how well it worked. The findings were published in a report in the journal Scientific Reports on April 21.

There are challenges to applying the amoxicillin treatment. One is that large amounts of antibiotics cant be dumped in the water, as that would have negative consequences. The antibiotic has to be applied in small amounts directly to the diseased area. The scientists only have a limited amount of time to do this underwater, pending their air supply.

In about 70% of the corals treated with this method, the disease was vanquished completely. There is a portion of cases where it reemerges over time, but by reapplying the antibiotic, Bruckner said the effectiveness can be increased to 90% to 95%.

There is still much to be discovered about this disease, such as the root cause. Bruckner said scientists are still searching for it. He speculated it could be some sort of bacteria, since antibiotics are usually used to kill bacteria. He said some colonies continuously get new infections and the reason for that is still being researched as well.

In choosing which coral to target for treatment, Bruckner said scientists are targeting larger and older ones. They are more important to the overall health of the reef.

The ones that are two feet tall and are 500 years old, if those die well never see them again in our lifetime, Bruckner said.

There is research being done to search for a reef-wide treatment. The Smithsonian is looking into a sort of probiotic treatment for this purpose.

Bruckner said in terms of where this disease ranks on the scale of threats to coral, its probably the most severe threat to Florida coral itself. Water quality is also a big issue for coral, he said, but that doesnt always outright kill the coral. Rather, it affects its performance in the ecosystem. Climate change, of course, remains a major threat to coral reefs as well, and with it the rising water temperatures and ocean acidification that can cause huge bleaching events.

Bruckner said in 2014-15, a near-worldwide bleaching event was observed, the largest in recorded history and only the second such event in the last few decades. Floridas reefs were hit by the event, but were somewhat lucky. In the Indian Ocean, over 60% of the coral was lost to bleaching in the span of about a month, he said.

Fortunately, restoration efforts are underway in the Keys. Scientists are working to find the most resilient strains of coral that can withstand disease and higher temperature, and out-plant them into the wild. Bruckner said this is being done at a small scale at the moment, but as research progresses, the hope is that more can be done for Florida coral.

eweld@keysnews.com
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore.  Two brothers are hoping to build a massive facility along Interstate 5 that would be dedicated to equestrian competitions and fans.

The facility, which would be located on a property off the Metz Hill exit on I-5, will be a top-of-the-line venue, according to brothers Drew and Quinn Millegan.

The Douglas County planning commission gave the Millegans preliminary approval for the project last Thursday.

By providing a multi-disciplinary site, were filling a hole in the industry, said Drew. The reason people havent done this before is because its really difficult to find a place that works.

Drew said it will be complete with grass and sand areas, an equestrian cross-country course and polo fields.

They also said it will be a complete resort and spa, as they expect to attract people from all over the world.

Theres a lot of demand for events, said Drew. Equestrians will frequently drive six, seven, 12 hours to go to a decent venue on the west coast.

Quinn said theyre also hopeful this project will bring more people to Douglas County. He said they know these travelers will also choose to explore the county and its surrounding areas.

Theyll go to wineries, theyll go to restaurants, theyll go to local attractions, he said. So its a massive auxiliary to ourselves.

Drew also said the facility will bring at least 500 new jobs to the area.

Rachel Galambous, a competitor for KB Sporthorses in Tenmile, said shes very excited about the project. She said shes constantly traveling for competitions and it would be nice to have a facility so close.

We have Southern California and T-bird in BC, she said. Its going to be a real facility which we really dont have anywhere near us, she said.

However, not everyone is on board with the project.

Before the planning commission gave the brothers preliminary approval on Thursday, many Douglas County residents spoke during public comment, sharing concerns about how the project will impact jobs and quality of life in the county.

However, Drew said he believes the project will benefit the community in the long run.

Theres going to be a lot of positive changes I think, he said. People are going to see a big uptick in business.

They expect to start construction by 2022 and open the facility by 2024 or 2025.

Its being funded by private investors, and the brothers said they expect to invest $120 million over the next five years.
EUGENE, Ore.  A Eugene man found guilty of trying to kill a police officer will spend nine years in prison, a judge decided Wednesday.

Jordan Wilson, 56, will spend three years on post-prison supervision when he completes his prison term. Lane County Circuit Court Judge Charles Zennache also ordered him to forfeit the gun that was involved in the shooting.

On Friday, a jury found Wilson guilty of second-degree attempted murder with a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm.

The charges stem from an incident in July 2020, when officers responded to reports of a man menacing another man with a gun at a Eugene residence. Police said Wilson then ran to his home on Chambers Street. When police got there, Wilson opened his door and started to shoot at officers. Officers shot back but there were no injuries on either side.

SWAT and the crisis negotiation team worked with Wilson to take him into custody.

In a separate Lane County court case, Wilson faces charges of kidnapping and sex abuse and has pleaded not guilty to those charges. That case is scheduled to go to trial in late June.
EUGENE, Ore. -- Lane County will not be moving to lower risk on Friday after falling just short of the 65% vaccination target.

Currently, only 63% of residents ages 16 and up have gotten at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Lane County Public Health said 22,000 doses of the vaccine were given out last week, and of that 4,000 were given out to ages 12 to 15. However, the Oregon Health Authority doesn't include that age group in the overall percentage for the county.

Health officials said about 7,800 people need to get at least the first dose of the vaccine for the county to move to lower risk. Spokesman Jason Davis said they're optimistic the county will make the move in two weeks.

"It seems like a lot but it's not, that can be achieved in one day in a mass vaccination clinic, two days with our ramped-down version," Davis said. "This is absolutely achievable and every vaccine dose matters."

Lane County will stay at higher risk for the next two weeks until the governor reconsiders risk levels again. Benton County is the first in Western Oregon to move to lower risk. Linn and Douglas will stay at higher risk. Coos County will stay at moderate risk.
By Prossy Kisakye

Kampala lord mayor-elect Erias Lukwago, together with City Lord councilors of Kampala Capital City Authority is expected to take oath today.

Lukwago who contested using an FDC ticket retained his seat in a January tight race which attracted several contestants.

He collected 194,592 votes against his main challenger Nabillah Nagayi Sempala of the National Unity Platform who garnered 60,082 votes.

Other contestants were NRMs Daniel Kazibwe aka Ragadee, with 23388 votes, DPs Charles Senkubuge with 2355 votes, Independent Joseph Mayanja aka Chameleon with 12212 votes, independent Innocent Kawooya with 762 votes among others.
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By Prossy Kisakye

Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has been sworn in for the third term.

The function presided over by Buganda Road Chief Magistrate, Miriam Ayo Akello also saw 54 City Lord councilors sworn in earlier today.

Out of these 47 are from the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), 4 from the ruling NRM party, and 3 from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).

Accompanied by his wife and children, Lukwago has taken the oath to lead another five years as the city lord mayor of Kampala.

Lukwago was first elected to the position in 2011, he later won the race to retain his seat in 2016 and was re-elected in a tight race in the January 2021 elections.

He won the race with 194,592 votes against his main challenger NUPs Nabillah Nagayi Ssempalas 60,082 votes.

Earlier, speaking at the swearing-in ceremony at city hall in Kampala, the Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority, Dorothy Kisaka urged the newly elected City Lord Councillors to work closely with the authoritys technical wing to build Kampala into an attractive developed city.

Kisaka expressed the need for the leaders to pursue a participatory approach if Kampala is to be turned into an attractive city as well as solving the current challenges faced by over 4 million people working within the city and over 1.5 million city dwellers.

She said there might arise some misunderstandings but they should be quick to find avenues of seeking harmony for the good of all city dwellers.

Earlier, the drama ensued at the swearing-in ceremony after the Kampala Central Lord Councilor Moses Kataabu took to the podium to take oath wearing a red beret, chains, and a placard with words demanding the release of all political prisoners.

This forced the presiding Chief Magistrate, Mariam Ayo to order him to take off the attire and chains he was wearing before taking the oath.

Kataabu initially refused to heed the orders of the magistrate, causing commotion and this prompted the temporary halting of the ceremony.

Later Ayo returned to court and resumed the ceremony after calm had returned.
Kira Municipality MP Hon Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has revealed that many MPs voted for Kadaga because they believed that her win would hurt the dictator.

Many Opposition MPs were telling me that they will vote for Kadaga because her win will hurt the dictator more, he said.

While appearing on NTV today morning, Ssemujju says between Kadaga and Oulanyah, he would vote for Kadaga. However, he blames Kadaga for choosing Museveni instead of Ugandans during the age limit debate.

Kadaga had one day to choose between Uganda and Museveni, that was the day of the age limit bill, she chose Museveni. Kadaga behaved like a Chief, she scattered staff around Parliament, chased journalists, and did many things that I dont want to talk about but between her and Oulanyah, I would choose Kadaga, she said.

According to Ssemujju, Kololo, where the elections for the speakership race were held was hijacked and under influence.

If you look at the way we were being checked while entering Kololo, it was a complete hijack and you would tell from the word go that the election was under influence, Ssemujju said.

Hon Ibrahim Ssemujju garnered 15votes, Hon Jacob Oulanyah garnered 310 votes while the former speaker of the 10th Parliament Rebecca Kadaga garnered 197 votes in the concluded speakership elections.

Read also: https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/expect-a-fight-from-me-if-you-personalize-parliament-ssemujju-tells-oulanyah.html
By Ritah Kemigisa

Ugandans have been asked to stop criticizing the new speaker of the 11th parliament Jacob Oulanyah and instead give him space and support to work.

Since he took the oath of office after he was declared winner of the speakership race in which he defeated his former boss, many have alleged that Oulanyah is a mere state agent who will not deliver on the interests of the people.

However, Mike Sebalu, a senior NRM member and former EALA MP says, it is too early and unfair to judge Oulanyah who has barely started presiding over sessions.

Sebalu says judging Oulanyah using his previous position as a deputy speaker does not hold water.

In a victory speech, Oulanyah called for unity, respect, and decorum among members during legislative debates.

He further pledged to provide leadership that seeks to build bridges, mend relationships and re-build friendship as they replace despair with hope
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A Longford man has admitted that he attempted to murder gangland criminal Wayne Whelan in a shooting in west Dublin nearly two years ago.

His three co-accused also pleaded guilty to conspiring with each other to murder the deceased.

Wayne Ryan, Darren Henderson and two other men, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were arraigned before the Central Criminal Court today (Monday, May 24).

Ryan (41), with an address at Lanna Aoibhann, St Michael's Road in Longford pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Whelan (42) at Griffeen Glen Park, Lucan, Co Dublin on September 4, 2019.

His co-accused, Darren Henderson (31), of Cleggan Avenue, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 admitted to conspiring with Ryan and the two other men to murder Whelan within the State on dates unknown between May 15 and November 15 2019, both dates inclusive.

The two other men also pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Whelan on the same occasion.

Bernard Condon SC, prosecuting, told Mr Justice Michael White that the four defendants could each be arraigned on the separate counts.



All four men were originally charged with the attempted murder of Whelan and due to stand trial together on June 21 this year, but that date was vacated today following their pleas.

Henderson and the two other men were also accused of committing arson of a Ford Focus which was allegedly set on fire at the Old Bog Road in Kilcock, Co Kildare on the same date.



Whelan, who survived the attack, was shot a number of times in his body, head and arms while he was sitting in his car in an estate in Lucan.

However, the Clondalkin man was subsequently shot dead in a vehicle two months later before it was set on fire with his remains inside at Mount Andrew Rise in Lucan on November 18, 2019. He was identified using DNA analysis.

Whelan from Rowlagh in Clondalkin in west Dublin was well known to the gardai for his involvement in serious and organised crime for more than two decades.

Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC, for Henderson, said today that he was not looking for any reports to be prepared on behalf of his client.

Mr Justice White remanded the four men in custody until July 12, for a sentence hearing.
A businessman has been convicted of money laundering at Kilkenny Circuit Court.

Bartholomew Ohanya, 42 Carin na Ri, Singland Road, Limerick, pleaded guilty to the charge.



The offence was discovered as gardai investigated a report a lady in Spain had been deceived of 126,650.

Gardai examined the accounts of the man who deceived her and could clearly see the money coming in. They could also see transfers from the man to Mr Ohanya. Between June 25, 2018, and September 4, 2018, there were five electronic transfers totalling 21,000. They also saw 25,000 in 14 cash lodgements from the man.

Mr Ohanya was an agent for several money transfer agencies. The other man was his customer and lodged money to be transferred to the UK. He was a customer for two or three years. Mr Ohanya believed they had become friends.



Mr Ohanya told gardai he transferred 9,000 to Belgium for the man, and made two transfers to Germany, of 4,000 and 6,000.



Judge James McCourt heard the defendant is in his 50s, from Nigeria and a naturalised Irish citizen. He runs a business with his wife in Limerick and they have five children. He is a leader in the Nigerian community in the West of Ireland.



Mr Ohanyas trust was gained and he allowed himself to be used in a reckless manner. He is at a loss what went on, his barrister said.

The judge heard Mr Ohanya is at low risk of reoffending. He has cut all ties with the other man who had duped him. He had nothing to do with the initial fraud.



Judge McCourt accepted Mr Ohanyas remorse but said there was very significant recklessness here.

He directed Mr Ohanya to pay compensation of 5,000 to the victim of the initial fraud, within 12 months. If paid a jail sentence of three years will be fully suspended. If not he will serve one year in prison.




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The people of Castlecomer are fighting back on escalating drug use in the North Kilkenny town.

In the past two weeks gardai have searched five properties, and approximately 22,000 worth of drugs have been seized. Two arrests have been made and garda investigations are ongoing.

The local community is co-operating with gardai and there is a strong garda presence in the town as known drug dealers and users come under scrutiny.

There have been two drug-related tragedies in the town in recent months and a number of hospitalisations due to drug use.

People are being strongly encouraged to report any suspicious activity to gardai.

Chair of the Joint Policing Committee Councillor Pat Fitzpatrick said that he has raised the issue with gardai.

I welcome the recent drug seizures in Castlecomer and the escalation of garda activity in the area, he said.

Ongoing issue

Drugs have been an ongoing issue in Castlecomer for some time as is the case in many rural towns across the country and it needs to be tackled.

As a community we are full square behind the gardai. The drug dealers in our communities need to be rooted out and brought before the courts, he continued .

Cllr Fitzpatrick also said that he had discussed the ongoing issues with both the garda superintendent and the chief superintendent and he praised gardai for their hard work.

The councillor also urged to community to keep playing their part and to report any suspicious activity to gardai.

There is a confidential drugs hotline where people can call and report suspicious activity anonymously and I would urge people to use this number.

I am joining with the wider community in fighting back against drug dealing and drugs both in Castlecomer and in rural Ireland. Drug use tears communities and families apart and we need to ensure that this blight is driven from our community, he added.

Anyone wishing to contact the drugs hotline can do so on 087-7904885.
A large donation of Personal Protective Equipment from Taiwan was received by Cathaoirleach Andrew McGuinness in Kilkenny last Friday.

This is the second donation from the group since the start of the pandemic and will be distributed to homes for our elderly this week.

The donation was made through the Ireland Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Association, which is chaired by Deputy John McGuinness, and the Taipei Representative Office in Ireland, in partnership with the Taiwan Ireland Association.

Among the materials donated were medical masks, surgical gloves and hand sanitiser. The previous donation also included infrared forehead thermometers, gowns and goggles, and medical gloves.

Guests present at the event included Representative Pierre Yang of the Taipei Representative Office in Ireland, the chairman of the Ireland Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Association, John McGuinness TD and Chairman of the Kilkenny County Council, Andrew McGuinness.

Representative Yang said, As members of Irish society, the donation of high-quality PPE to help Ireland to fight the epidemic is the intention of the Taiwanese community. At the same time, Taiwan also hopes to establish long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation with Ireland as the impact of the epidemic alters many of the operating models we are accustomed to. Taiwan is very willing to cooperate with enterprises in Kilkenny City in order to produce masks with Taiwanese machinery and European materials, as well other epidemic PPE."

Deputy John McGuinness thanked the Taiwanese group for their kind donation adding that the donation will be of great benefit.

"Little did we know this time last year when we received the first donation of PPE, that we would still be battling the pandemic a year or more later. This donation and the previous donation are very kind gestures and have and will be of great benefit.

The previous donation was spread throughout community hospital facilities in the city and county and this donation will be spread among our public nursing homes, he said.

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Andrew McGuinness said he will now arrange for the PPE to be distributed.

Im delighted to accept this kind donation and will ensure that its delivered to our public nursing homes. Im very grateful to the Taiwanese Parliamentary Friendship Association and I commend them for the work they are doing all over the country."
There's a new beginning for the Midlands and the Midwest as the name revealed for Ireland's newest technological university.

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has confirmed the name of Irelands newest TU as the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest.

TUS, in Irish, denotes a beginning or start for the new university while Midlands Midwest represents the principal regions, whose geography and provenance are linked by the River Shannon. Inspired by Irelands longest river, TUS: Midlands Midwest represents the flow of knowledge and ideas.

The name of Irelands newest TU emerged from extensive independent research carried out with almost 3,500 students, staff, and regional stakeholders over several months.

Welcoming the announcement, the presidents of both institutes of technology, AITs Professor Ciaran O Cathain and LITs Professor Vincent Cunnane said this was another momentous step in the journey towards the opening of Irelands newest TU.

Commenting on the name reveal, President of LIT Professor Vincent Cunnane said, This is a new name that reflects a new beginning. TUS: Midlands Midwest brings a reality to our new TU, whilst TUS signifies a new beginning for our region and speaks to the connecting force of the River Shannon. The name represents a new beginning for our staff, our students, our communities, for the locations of our campuses and for the reinvention and reimagination of our region.

The legislation underpinning the technological university clearly sets out our remit and the role of our stakeholders in our future direction. To root the name of the institution in these stakeholders views signifies the intent of this technological university right at the very start of its existence.

I would very much like to thank all of those who took part in the naming process. We have now embarked on the process of fashioning a brand for the new institution that will reflect the findings of our research and will bring the new university to life.

President of AIT Professor Ciaran O Cathain said, This name marks the start of an exciting, bright future for the new university. TUS: Midlands Midwest speaks to our shared geography, heritage, and to the flow of knowledge and ideas that will bring TUS: Midlands Midwest to the cutting edge of higher education in Ireland and beyond.

As well as providing a cultural reference point to the Irish language, the River Shannon provides a feature of scale with which to communicate our international ambitions and our ability to impact regionally, nationally and internationally.

The naming signifies an important step forward in our journey to delivering a technological university for the Midlands and Midwest and stems from extensive engagement with stakeholders across both regions. Their passion, ambition and vision for the TU project has been its driving force and their voices have been instrumental in helping shape the new university.

The new university, which is set to open its doors later this year, will comprise a student population of more than 14,000 and a staff complement of approximately 1,200 people across six campuses in Athlone, Limerick (2), Clonmel, Ennis and Thurles.
Fears that a second line of electricity-line pylons could be erected across south Kilkenny were calmed at the recent meeting of Kilkenny County Council.

As part of their biggest ever public consultation on the future of electricity in the country EirGrid representatives gave a presentation and answered questions from councillors.



The meeting heard that while a lot of infrastructural work is planned it will be to replace existing poles and lines and to secure the existing electricity supply.



Michael Mahon, chief infrastructure officer with EirGrid, assured councillors there are no proposals for new infrastructure as part of this consultation process.

There was a proposal some years ago, he acknowledged, but EirGrid has identified a new solution for power supply.



The plan is to refurbish two existing lines bringing electricity into Kilkenny City. Mr Mahon said the supply into Kilkenny needs to be made more resilient especially into the city.

Work will include replacing 20 masts, reinforcing the foundations of six to make them resistant to storm damage, and replacing 158 poles. As well as this the wires will be replaced along existing lines.

Last year work was carried out on a new substation in Ballyragget and that line will now be continued into Laois, creating a third supply line into Kilkenny.



Robbie Ahern, Future Networks EirGrid, told councillors that EirGrid does not generate electricity or own the electricity grid but regulate the electricity market in Ireland.

This consultation process is in response to a government request that the grid be prepared for 70% of electricity from renewable resources by 2030.



Mr Ahern said this consultation is a broad sweep and they were not getting into routes. There will be detailed consultation with communities in the coming years, he added.



Councillors Fidelis Doherty and Mary Hilda Cavanagh raised local concerns about power lines.

Cllr Pat Dunphy brought a motion asking That Kilkenny County Council write to the Minister asking him to ensure that EirGrid do not erect a second line of pylons on the Cullenagh to Great Island line which takes in the districts of Carrigeen, Dunkitt and Slieverue areas in Co Kilkenny.
ROCHESTER, Minn. - An accused arsonist is pleading guilty to a different instance of property destruction.

Kyle Hiroshi Spandau, 33 of Oronoco, entered a guilty plea Wednesday to third-degree criminal damage to property. The Rochester Police Department says Spandau was trying to visit someone at St. Marys Hospital on August 27, 2019, and became angry when he was not allowed to visit. Investigators say Spandau punched the front of a computer cabinet, causing $610 in damage.

He has been given two years of unsupervised probation and ordered to pay restitution.

Spandau is still awaiting trial for third-degree arson. He's accused of pouring gasoline on several hay bales in Oronoco on August 9, 2019, and setting them on fire. The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office says there is security video of Spandau buying gasoline at a convenience store just before the fire.

Spandau pleaded not guilty in September 2020 and his trial is scheduled to start on July 12.
MILTON TOWNSHIP, Minn. - One person is taken to the hospital after a single-vehicle crash in Dodge County.

It happened around 8:30 am Wednesday on County Road 24. The Minnesota State Patrol says Jasmine Kay Paulson, 26 of West Concord, was driving east when she went through the intersection with Highway 57 and came to a stop in the west ditch.

Paulson was transported to St. Marys Hospital with what are described as non-life threatening injuries.

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office and West Concord fire and ambulance assisted with this accident.
MASON CITY, Iowa - A plea deal for enticing a minor means probation for a Mason City man.

Dylan Michael Jones, 24, was accused of committing a sex act with a 15-year-old in November 2020. Investigators say Jones knew his victim was underage. He was initially charged with third-degree sex abuse but pleading guilty to the lesser offense of enticing a minor.

Jones has been sentenced to five years of supervised probation and must sign up with the Iowa Sex Offender Registry.
MASON CITY, Iowa - A Mason City woman was arrested Tuesday after she allegedly gained access to a home she didn't belong in to steal alcohol.

Amy Dahl, 38, is being held in the Cerro Gordo Co. Jail on $5,000 bond.

Authorities arrested her after she was located in a home in the 1300 block of S. Georgia Ave. Police said she entered the residence via an unlocked back door. Once inside, authorities said she filled a bag with alcoholic beverages.
NORTHWOOD, Iowa - An accused catalytic converter thief is pleading not guilty.

Jacob Smith, 30 of Mason City, is charged in Worth County with ongoing criminal conduct, first-degree criminal mischief, second-degree theft, and trespass. Smith and another man allegedly cut five catalytic converters off vehicles on January 29. The thefts happened at three separate locations in Manly.

Court documents state the converters are worth over $3,000 combined and removing them did nearly $14,000 in damage to the vehicles.

Smith is scheduled to stand trial starting August 4.
$25,000 rewards offered for information in two unsolved homicides.https://t.co/tQchvYZ7nb pic.twitter.com/YbzFbnceZs April Jean Sorensen (right) and Robert E. Volgmann (left). April Jean Sorensen (right) and Robert E. Volgmann (left).  City of Rochester, MN Police Department (@RochesterMNPD) May 26, 2021

ROCHESTER, Minn. - Rewards of $25,000 are being offered for information that leads to convictions in two Rochester homicides.

April Sorensen was killed 14 years ago, and Robert Volgmann was killed a year ago, and now Rochester police are looking to reignite leads in the cases.

Our number one goal is to deliver the highest level of public safety, so when a homicide occurs in our community, we feel a deep responsibility to deliver answers and, ultimately, justice, says Police Chief Jim Franklin.

Police believe someone knows what happened in both cases and are urging them to call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or

rochesterolmstedcrimestoppers.org.

Here are recaps on the cases:

April Jean Sorensen was killed on April 17, 2007 in her home in northwest Rochester. A TV technician arrived at the house for a scheduled visit at 12:30 p.m. and saw smoke coming through a window. He immediately called 911. First Responders arrived on scene and determined that the fire was not an accident. Once the fire was extinguished, Aprils body was discovered in her bedroom. Autopsy reports confirmed that she had been stabbed and strangled to death.

For more on the case, click here.

April was a beautiful, 27-year-old woman in the prime of her life. She worked hard at everything she did and was studying to become a dental hygienist. She was close with her family. They shared a love for running and ran several races together. April had no enemies and was very well liked by everyone. Her death was untimely and a huge loss for her family, friends and our community. Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call Sergeant Eric Boynton at (507) 328-6925.



Robert E. Volgmann was assaulted and killed in his apartment in northwest Rochester. He was last seen alive on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020. There was a snowstorm that day. The bedroom window of his ground floor apartment was open for several days afterwards. The landlord went to check on Robert and called police to the apartment. Roberts body was discovered on April 16, 2020.

Bobby, as he was known to family and friends, was a jack-of-all-trades and could fix just about anything. He especially enjoyed building bikes. He also loved to travel and dreamed of moving to Hawaii someday.

We all are still devastated. We didnt just lose a brother or an uncle or a son, we lost our best friend, says Bobbys sister.

In a statement to RPD she shares, Bobby was very close to his family. He would do anything for them! His mother  oh boy!! I tell you, he was a mamas boy! A few weeks before Bobby was murdered, we had to say goodbye to our mother. Our mothers death was extremely hard on our family, and then we had to go through it again with Bobby. It was a very difficult day, getting a

phone call of another family member gone too soonOur family is still searching for answers, with restless nights as well as broken heartsPlease help us solve this case and finally put Bobby to rest.
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MASON CITY, Iowa  A third teenager has been arrested for a double-stabbing that happened on April 1.

The Mason City Police Department says Dominic Fogarty, 17 of Rowan, is now charged with two counts of first-degree robbery. Investigators say Fogarty joined two Belmond teens, Jaden Edel, 18, and David Gordon, 17, in an attack on a juvenile male and an adult male in the area of 15th Street NE and N Pennsylvania Avenue.

Police say one victim was stabbed in the back and another in the head. Both were taken to the MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center for treatment and law enforcement says both have been released.

Fogarty, Edel, and Gordon have all been booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail on $25,000 bond.
ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) -- There are new, detailed plans to prevent more bedlam on Washington Avenue ahead of Memorial Day weekend.

Videos show people dancing on top of St. Louis police car on Washington Avenue Social media videos circulating online show large crowds gathering outside on Washington Avenue early Sunday morning as bars were closing on the busy street in Downtown St. Louis.

Last weekend, social media videos show large crowds gathering outside on Washington Avenue early Sunday morning as bars were closing in Downtown St. Louis. Shots were fired and social media videos showed people dancing in the street and several standing and jumping on top of a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department vehicle.

Dacia Betts, co-owner of G5 security, says she has employees working some of the downtown bars and clubs.

Nine times out of 10 the police arent around when these crowds are dispersing, she said.

She says while they handle the security inside of these businesses, once the clubs are closed and people are on the streets they dont have the jurisdiction to intervene.

A lot of times this happens after things have spilled over and people are lingering and security is gone by that time, she said.

There's new video circulating on social media that shows a large crowd entering a loft near the City Museum after a group left a nearby club. The video goes on to show partygoers stomping on top of a city police vehicle.

I think we need all hands on deck, said Sheriff Vernon Betts.

Sheriff Vernon Betts says this incident was bound to happen after deputies were pulled from downtown patrols after an expired agreement under former Mayor Lyda Krewson.

You have to have visible presence in order to deter what we saw last week, Betts said.

Tuesday, city leaders met to discuss long-term solutions. Sheriff Betts says starting in June, his office will have 10 two man teams on foot patrols covering Washington Avenue from Eads Bridge to 14th street, on weekend nights.

Public Safety Director Daniel Isom says starting Memorial Day weekend, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department will be enforcing two specialized details. The first detail called "Summer Cruising Detail" will crack down on drag racing on city streets. The second detail, "Summer Violence Detail" will crack down on illegal activity. Both details will operate weekend nights.

They also plan to enforce a three-pronged approach by diverting and enforcing traffic and aggressively blocking off streets.

Newly-elected mayor Tishaura Jones said her office is working with the Downtown Neighborhood Associated to host a virtual meeting with downtown residents next week to discuss safety concerns and potential additional solutions.

The people closest to the problem should be closest to the solution. We know that people of St. Louis want to feel safe, and any plans we set in motion must address their concerns as proactively as possible. Our goal is to prevent any potential illegal activity before it escalates to injury or harm," she said in a statement Wednesday.
A man from South Windsor confessed to kneeling on his wife's neck after a fight and trying to hide the body when he realized he'd killed her.
The Major Case Squad is investigating the death of a Georgia woman, who was found dead in Madison County early Saturday morning.
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10th China Flower Expo opens in Shanghai

Xinhua) 11:28, May 26, 2021

People visit the 10th China Flower Expo in east China's Shanghai, May 21, 2021. The 10th China Flower Expo opened here on Friday, welcoming over 20,000 visitors on its first day. The expo, held to showcase the development of China's flower industry, will last until July 2. A total of 180 outdoor exhibition zones and 64 indoor areas have been set up at the expo park in the city's Chongming District. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Bianji)


Are you passionate about the arts? Do you enjoy supporting arts integration activities and cultural events that connect students, teachers, and community partners? If so, then Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School (CRIPCS) has the perfect opportunity for you.



Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School (CRIPCS) is an adult charter school that delivers high-quality education, career training, and supportive services that enable adult immigrants to realize their dreams while strengthening our community and economy. When you join the team at CRIPCS, you become part of a unique, mission-oriented organization that is actively and innovatively tackling some of the greatest challenges faced by adult learners and English language learners today, with a laser-beam focus on equity of opportunity for those we exist to serve.



Arts Integration & Culture Program Manager



We are seeking an Arts Integration & Culture Program Manager who under the supervision of the Principal, will be responsible for embedding appropriate arts integration activities throughout the Schools instructional programs. The Manager will work closely with their team and other key stakeholders throughout both campuses to develop and lead cultural initiatives and school-wide celebrations. They will also engage the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee, to establish and foster intentional community partnerships, with organizations and/or Artists who share a vision that supports the Schools mission.



Responsibilities:

? Oversees and supports the daily operations of the Arts Integration and Culture Departments staff/faculty- including timecards, approval of professional development, and evaluates staff performance through a formal performance appraisal system

? Works closely with the Curriculum, Professional Development (PD), and Student Academic Resource Team (SART) to embed, infuse, and integrate Arts Education through a Trauma and Healing Informed approach into the ESL curriculum where appropriate and needed

? Manages all activities in the arts integration department; including school-wide events, through collaborative involvement with the team to implement a collective vision that aligns with national, local, and school context through an anti-racist lens. I.e., LatinX/Hispanic Heritage, Black History, Womens History, Asian Pacific American Heritage, LGBTQ+ Pride, and Immigrant Heritage.

? Provides Professional Development workshops to support teachers with integrating Arts activities to support students Social and Emotional Learning and wellbeing

? Manages, develops, and oversees the budget for the Arts Integration and Culture Department; negotiating and overseeing all contracts, grants, and/or arts fundraisers annually

? Implements Departments strategy, vision, and goals, to align with the Schools mission and values; Analyzes data to support strategic decision making and overall cultural competency within the Department

? Oversees all arts integration initiatives in the classrooms and works closely with the Specialist to ensure that School values are implemented through culturally responsive education and that student goals are at the forefront of the projects

? Establishes and fosters intentional community partnerships with organizations and/or artists who share a vision that supports the Schools mission; partnerships are engaged through the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee

? Oversees the hiring and management of artists within the Artist in Residence program, while working closely with team members to ensure that the vision for the year is met through the project-based learning activities within the classroom by the artist(s)

? Oversees student recruitment for the student artist directory to connect them to workforce programs such as BTA, Small Business, or other employment opportunities from the Departments established partnerships

? Perform other related duties as assigned





Qualifications:



? Bachelors degree in Arts or a closely related field and a minimum of 5 years professional experience in arts education/administration at a public or private arts agency or organization, or the appropriate combination of education and experience

? Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

? Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

? Demonstrated ability to work independently, establish task priority, and as a team player to productively coordinate a program

? Knowledge of and/or experience working with English Language Learners

? Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and common online applications

? Demonstrated success in the leadership and management of a diverse team

? Proven ability to interact with populations of diverse cultural, social, and economic background

? Knowledge of practices and procedures of marketing, public relations, and fundraising.

? Demonstrated experience with budget planning, development, and management

? Ability to plan, develop and administer activities for arts and heritage programs

? Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the community, public and private organizations, boards, and other stakeholders

? Deep commitment to CRIPCS's core values and ability to model those values in relationships with colleagues and partners





Apply directly at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter Schools career page. This position will be posted until June 4, 2021.


Kokomo, IN (46901)

Today

Sunny skies this morning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. High 93F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Low 67F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.


The State Bar of Wisconsin has an opening for a passionate and hands-on Diversity & Inclusion Specialist to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity to have direct and meaningful impact on Wisconsins legal system by working with our members to develop and implement programs that promote diversity and inclusion within our organization and among State Bar officers, board members, law school students, and volunteers. In addition to working with our Diversity & Inclusion Oversight Committee, you will work with the law schools in the state and law school students, onboarding them into the Association and managing programs such as the Diversity Clerkship Program, providing opportunities for diverse students to build relationships and gain experience working with our participating employers. Who We Are The State Bar of Wisconsin is a professional association, created by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, for all attorneys who hold a Wisconsin law license. With more than 25,000 members, the State Bar exists to serve its members and the public by promoting the law and access to justice. We aid the courts in improving the administration of justice, provide continuing legal education and other services for our members, support the education of law students, and educate the public about the legal system. The State Bar of Wisconsin also provides public services -- such as attorney referrals and public education  and supports programs that provide reduced-fee legal assistance for low-income state residents. What You Will Love Working with a mission-driven organization that acts with integrity, promotes justice, and addresses systemic racism and implicit bias in the legal system.

The people and the culture! We care about our work, our members, and our colleagues. We work hard, but we also make time for fun as an organization. When pandemics arent happening, weve enjoyed time together in-person at holiday dinners, multicultural potlucks, and trivia competitions. Most recently, weve gotten together for fun events like virtual Bingo, Irish music and a cooking class over Zoom.

Flexibility and Team Support. Like our states motto, your colleagues at the State Bar want to see you move Forward and grow in your career. We offer flexibility and encourage and support professional development opportunities. Your growth contributes to our team and the organizations growth. What You Will Do Guide members and drive the development and implementation of diversity and inclusion practices, increasing the diversity of member representation in State Bar leadership and volunteer roles.

Provide guidance, advice and assistance to the Diversity & Inclusion Oversight Committee in the management of their programs, services, and events through active participation in strategic planning, marketing, budget planning/monitoring and daily administration.

Implement, monitor progress, and recommend adjustments in connection with the State Bar Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan and related programs.

Assist in developing policies and programs that promote a diverse and inclusive culture internally within the workforce.

Stay current on diversity & inclusion best practices and programs through contacts with others in the field.

Develop and manage a comprehensive law student outreach plan.

Foster relationships with the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University Law Schools and promote opportunities for the State Bar to showcase resources that serve law students.

Manage the State Bar's summer Diversity Clerkship Program with an eye in making the experience positive for both students and employers.

Build strong, collaborative relationships with members, customers, volunteer leaders, bar associations and others.

Some in-state travel is required as well as occasional evening and weekend work. What We Are Looking For Bachelors degree and prior experience leading diversity initiatives and managing programs.

Ability to guide and influence using your expertise. This position acts as a liaison and resource to the Diversity & Inclusion Oversight Committee and needs to successfully guide and work with volunteer leaders, committees and/or boards.

Ability to handle sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy.

Proven ability to establish priorities, meet deadlines and accomplish goals despite obstacles.

A strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and excellent relationship building skills.

Ability to work independently and effectively, prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Supports the mission, vision, and values of the State Bar by modeling integrity, teamwork, quality, ownership and displays a commitment to inclusion and diversity.

Experience in the legal field desired. Compensation and Benefits The State Bar of Wisconsin offers competitive compensation with merit increases and excellent benefits including generous vacation and sick time, excellent health and dental insurance, 10 paid holidays, flexibility, and an 8% 401(k) contribution!! How To Apply To apply, upload your resume and cover letter, including salary expectations . This position will be posted until it is filled but priority will be given to applicants who submit early, so dont wait. Apply today! The State Bar of Wisconsin is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and seeks to create a supportive, welcoming community for all. Candidates who share these values and reflect the diversity of our community are encouraged to apply.

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National Intelligence Service Director Park Jie-won walks toward his departure gate at Incheon International Airport, May 26. Yonhap



South Korea's intelligence chief departed for the United States on Wednesday to discuss cooperation on North Korea after their leaders held a summit and agreed to diplomatically engage with Pyongyang, sources said.



National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Park Jie-won was seen leaving Inchon International Airport, west of Seoul, earlier in the day for the U.S., according to the sources.



Park is expected to meet CIA Director William Burns and other officials. He could also meet with Sung Kim, the new U.S. special representative for North Korea.






President Moon Jae-in poses with his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden during their summit at the White House in Washington, D.C., Friday (local time). Yonhap



By Kang Seung-woo



Following President Moon Jae-in's summit with U.S. President Joe Biden that drew Washington's support for inter-Korean cooperation, the government here is providing glimpses of what it will do in its efforts to restore inter-Korean economic cooperation.



However, it remains to be seen if any moves will proceed as planned, with the U.S. still standing firm against the easing or lifting of sanctions on North Korea, according to observers.



According to the joint statement made after last week's summit, the two heads of state reaffirmed their commitment to previous inter-Korean and U.S.-North Korea agreements  the Panmunjeom Declaration and Singapore Joint Statement, both signed in 2018. This is being seen among advocates for inter-Korean engagement as the Biden administration possibly offering sanctions relief to facilitate economic cooperation between the two Koreas, which has been banned in part by international and U.S. sanctions.



On Tuesday, Unification Minister Lee In-young met with representatives of the Corporate Association of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex (CAGIC) behind closed doors.






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The number of babies born in South Korea fell to a fresh record low in March, data showed Wednesday, underscoring the country's gloomy demographic situation with the chronically low birth rate.



A total of 24,054 babies were born in March, down 0.6 percent from a year earlier, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea.



It marked the lowest for any March since 1981, when the statistics agency began compiling related data.



In the first quarter, the number of childbirths reached a record low of 70,519, down 4.3 percent from the previous year.



South Korea is struggling with a sustained fall in childbirths as many young people delay marriage or give up on getting married or having babies amid a prolonged economic slowdown.



The country's total fertility rate  the average number of children a woman bears in her lifetime  hit a new record low of 0.84 last year. It marked the third straight year that the rate was below 1 percent.



In the first quarter, the total fertility rate reached 0.88, the lowest level since 2009, when the agency started compiling related data.



In March, the number of deaths rebounded after falling for the second straight month.



The number of deaths came to 26,603 in the month, up 2.9 percent from a year earlier.



This resulted in the country's population declining by 2,549, marking the 17th straight month of fall.



South Korea reported the first natural decline in population last year as the number of deaths outpaced that of newborns amid the country's rapid aging and low birth rate.



Meanwhile, the number of couples getting married declined to a record low in March as the pandemic delayed the timing of weddings amid the downtrend in marriages.



The number of people tying the knot declined 13.4 percent on-year to 16,763, the data showed.



It marked the lowest for any March since 1981, when the agency began compiling related data.



Divorces rose 24.4 percent on-year to 9,074 in March, the sharpest on-year gain since March 1998, when they increased 27.3 percent.



The increase came as courts temporarily closed due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March last year. The number of "twilight" divorces after 20 years of marriage also rose, according to the agency. (Yonhap)


Small toy figurines are seen on representations of the Bitcoin virtual currency displayed in front of an image of China's flag in this illustration picture, April 9, 2019. China's place at the center of global bitcoin mining is fading as Beijing ramps up the pressure on heavy energy-use practices amid growing green ambitions and rising concerns over the financial risks posed by cryptocurrencies, according to experts. Reuters-Yonhap




Angola, IN (46703)

Today

Mostly sunny early then increasing clouds with some scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 87F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A few thunderstorms this evening. Mostly clear skies late. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.




Reports to: Warehouse Manager Status: Full-Time, 2nd Shift (3:00 PM-11:30 PM) Purpose: To properly facilitate the shipping of product. This position would ensure that orders are brought in, filled, shipped out; coordinate tasks of the warehouse; and verify that product is sent and received on-time. The Supervisor is also responsible for overseeing the employees in the shipping department for 2nd shift. Duties and Responsibilities: Use software to track, check, prioritize and route orders

Manage all important documents such as pack slips, pick tickets, bills of lading, etc.

Direct the flow of packages from preparation to shipment

Inspect labels, barcodes and other features of completed orders

Supervise and lead subordinates (receiving clerks, order pickers, etc.)

Collaborate with warehouse, purchasing and other managers to optimize processes

Resolve issues regarding shipped orders

Ensure compliance to legal regulations and company policies

Report to management on activities and issues

Take direction from the 1st Shift Manager and Warehouse manager for daily needs and duties. Qualifications: High school diploma required; BS/BA in supply chain, logistics or relative field is preferred. The ideal candidate is preferred to possess five (5+) years of supervisory or shipping manager experience, as well as the following: Proven experience as shipping manager

Solid knowledge of logistics procedures

Computer savvy (knowledge of WMS and SAP B1 preferred)

Good understanding of budgeting and reporting

Experience in directing and evaluating subordinates

Excellent organizational and communications skills

Attention to detail

Problem-solving abilities Click apply now to email your resume today!

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Cumberland County Public Schools

Current and 2021-2022 Openings

Even though schools are closed, we are still accepting applications and conducting virtual/phone interviews.

Now seeking the following for the 2020 - 2021 School Year:

BUS DRIVERS

Positions are open until filled

We offer competitive salaries, Virginia Retirement System, Life Insurance, Sick and Personal Days and Health Insurance.

EOE

Cumberland County is located in the heart of Virginia's vast, rich agricultural belt. Many aspects of life within the county are influenced by our rural lifestyle. Our students and staff enjoy the many recreational activities provided by Bear Creek Lake State Park, which is conveniently located four miles from the public school campus.

Cumberland County Public School System is a small, rural, model school division located one hour west of Richmond, Virginia. Approximately 1,400 students attend school in the division, which is composed of one high school, one middle school, and one elementary school. Cumberland County Public Schools has approximately 125 classroom teachers, library/media specialists, school counselors, and other teaching personnel focused on meeting the educational needs of our students.

The School Board is committed to providing the human and capital resources which are necessary for teachers and staff members to implement an instructional program that is rigorous and challenging for all students.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equal treatment of all employees without regard to race, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, physical or mental disability or other basis protected by law.

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FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho - Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow have been formally accused of killing Vallow's two children, Tylee and JJ Vallow.

A Grand Jury in Fremont County is accusing Daybell and Vallow of first-degree murder.

Along with the murder charges, Vallow is also accused of accepting welfare checks for the two children after they were already dead.

Daybell is also facing murder charges in the death of Tammy Daybell, his first wife. Daybell faces insurance fraud charges in connection with her death, as he was the sole beneficiary.

Daybell and Vallow are held in prison and were served with their new warrants today.

Both are set to appear in court to face the new charges Wednesday. Daybell will appear at 11:00 a.m. followed by Vallow at 11:30 a.m.

The court appearances will be live via Zoom.

This is a developing story.
BILLINGS - The ribbon was cut Tuesday as Rimrock expanded their Community Mental Health Services to a larger and more convenient location at 1601 Lewis Avenue, Suite 101.

This new location allows Rimrock to address the growing need for mental health care in the region, and is in direct relation to the over 40% increase in mental health needs due to COVID-19.

In addition to more capacity for in person services, Rimrock is also expanding capacity in telehealth through its CONNECT program.

Rimrock is committed to creating opportunities for those impacted by addiction and mental illness through innovative, compassionate and life changing care. Our model is to address whole person wellness and we believe this new location allows us to better serve this mission, Rimrock CEO Lenette Kosovich said.

Mental Health Services offered at the new Lewis location include Substance Abuse and Professional (SAP) services, mental health assessment services, EMDR, individual and family therapy, Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and LGBTQ support services.

In addition to these services, they offer Programs of Assertive Community Treatment or a PACT Team. This multidisciplinary team at Rimrock provides community-based psychiatric treatment for adults with mental illness and, at times, co-occurring concerns such as substance use disorders, homelessness, or involvement with the judicial system.

Rimrock Mental Health Services Director Dr. Malcolm Horn said, We have been hearing of patients having difficulty accessing mental health care. Rimrock has increased our mental health staff and we have open appointments. We want the community to know that if you are struggling with mental health concerns, Rimrock is here to help.

Clients can be referred to Rimrock Mental Health Services through their already-established Rimrock programs or through their private counselor or medical provider. Self-referrals are also accepted. Rimrock Mental Health Services can be accessed directly at 406-248-3175.

Rimrock is licensed by the State of Montana as a Mental Health Center and is a leader in the region for innovative therapeutic modalities working with community members experiencing situations negatively impacting day-to-day life.

To learn more about Rimrock you can visit their website at www.rimrock.org.
AVON, Mont. - A male grizzly bear was euthanized May 24 in the Ophir Creek area northeast of Avon. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife specialists said in a release the bear had been in the area consistently for the past month and killed several cows on a local ranch earlier this week.

The most recent cattle death was confirmed May 23, and USDA Wildlife Services crews set traps on the site that evening.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made the decision to have the bear euthanized due to its history of killing cattle and persistence in staying near livestock.

Multiple grizzlies have been observed in the area this spring. FWP and Wildlife Services having been working with local landowners to help secure livestock by removing bone piles and other attractants that can draw bears in. Despite these efforts, however, this bear remained persistent.

In early May, a different male grizzly was captured in the same location and relocated to a more remote area away from livestock and has not returned to the area.

FWP says producers can reduce the risk of depredation by placing electric fences around small calving pastures, pens and corrals. Distributing livestock away from brushy cover and creeks during the spring and early summer when bears frequently travel along these areas can also help.

Additionally, putting salt, mineral and creep feeders in the open away from brush and water can prevent problems. Removing or installing electric fencing around bone piles can also prevent bears from being drawn in near homes and herds.

In and around towns, attractants can include other things like pet food, garbage, barbecue grills and bird feeders. These sorts of items should be secured to prevent attracting wandering bears.

To reach the FWP west-central Montana bear specialist, call Jamie Jonkel at 406-542-5508. In cases of depredation or wounded livestock, call your local USDA Wildlife Services agent.
BILLINGS - The month of May is coming to end, but before it does we want to shine a light on National Stroke Awareness Month.

We talked with a physician at the Rehab Hospital of Montana, one of the only facilities in the state that offers in-patient rehabilitation.

Dr. Aaron Flanagan says the consequences of a stroke could range from complete recovery to serious loss of motor functions, or even death.

The Hospital uses the acronym, 'B.E.F.A.S.T' to help spot warning signs.

B stands for loss of balance

E is for sudden change in eye vision

F is for facial weakness

A is for arm or leg weakness

S is slurred speech

T, which stands for time, is most important

Dr. Flanagan says if you feel symptoms of a stroke it is vital to seek medical attention within the first few hours.

"During that time, the brain is attempting to form new neural connections. So the idea of giving as much therapy as tolerated early on to optimize that neural recovery in a way that becomes functional is really important," Dr. Flanagan said.
UPDATE: MAY 25 AT 2:12 P.M.

After investigating, the Laurel Police Department reports the threat was not credible.

They say all students and staff are accounted for and safe.

School has returned to its normal schedule and students will be dismissed at regular times.

LAUREL, Mont. - Laurel Middle School is currently in a hard lockdown due to a potential threat, according to a post from Laurel Public Schools - District Page.

The threat is being investigated by Laurel Police at this time.

All students are safe, please do not call the school or district for more information as we need the phone lines open, they wrote.
DENVER (AP)  A 22-year old man accused of fatally shooting 10 people in March at a Colorado supermarket made his second court appearance Tuesday, and a judge scheduled a September hearing to review evidence in the case.

The hearing for suspect Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa lasted about two minutes and did not include any substantive discussion about the case, including his defense team's claim the Alissa suffers from an unspecified mental illness.

At Alissa's first hearing the week of the March 22 attack in Boulder, defense attorney Kathryn Herold said the defense legal team needed two or three months to evaluate his mental illness and evidence collected by investigators before proceeding. She did not provide more specific details about his mental health at that time.

A law enforcement official briefed on the shooting previously said that the suspects family told investigators they believed Alissa was suffering from some type of mental illness, including delusions. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

It was not surprising that Alissa's mental health was not discussed at this point in the proceedings because he has not been asked to enter a plea to the charges yet, said Karen Steinhauser, a criminal defense lawyer and former Denver prosecutor. If the judge decides he should stand trial at the September hearing, Alissa's lawyers could then raise arguments about what his mental health was on the day of the attack as part of his defense, she said.

The separate issue of competency  whether or not defendants can currently understand court proceedings and help their lawyers defend them  is another issue that can be raised at any time, said Steinhauser, noting that many mentally ill people would be capable of assisting in their defense. If Alissa's lawyers were concerned about his competency now, she would have expected them to raise that issue before going ahead with more proceedings.

In the case of the 2012 Colorado theater shooting, James Holmes' lawyers first raised concerns about his mental illness within a month of the attack. But the judge did not accept a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity offered by his lawyers until nearly a year after. Under Colorado law, that meant he admitted committing the attack but believed he was not responsible because he couldnt tell right from wrong. His lawyers later said he committed the attack in the throes of a psychotic episode.

The courtroom was closed to the public because of coronavirus public health safety restrictions, with video of the proceedings aired online.

Photos from the lone media photographer allowed inside showed Alissa wearing an orange-and-white jail uniform and a white mask. He said nothing during the hearing as he sat by himself in the courtroom's jury box, a few feet from his attorneys.

Alissa is accused of killing nine shoppers and workers inside and outside the store and one of the first three police officers who entered the store.

Alissa has also been charged with attempted first-degree murder for allegedly firing at 26 other people, including 11 law enforcement officers. He is also accused of unlawfully possessing 10 high-capacity ammunition magazines, devices banned in Colorado after previous mass shootings.

Investigators have not released a possible motive for the attack. District Attorney Michael Dougherty has said there was no indication that Alissa, who was from the nearby suburb of Arvada, had ever visited the supermarket before.



Associated Press writer Michael Balsamo in Washington contributed to this report.
BUTTE, Mont. (AP)  A 4-year-old Montana boy was attacked and killed by two dogs at his grandparents' house earlier this month, Jefferson County officials said Wednesday.

Elliott Sherwin died in the attack on May 9 west of the town of Whitehall, Sheriff Craig Doolittle told The Montana Standard.

The dogs, believed to be Rottweilers, have been euthanized, he said.

The specifics of what happened and whether the dogs had ever been aggressive was still under investigation, the sheriff said.

Deputy County Attorney Andrew Paul declined to comment on the ongoing investigation and said no charges have been filed.


Location: Mequon - Wisconsin

Location: Devens - Massachusetts

Location: Eden Prairie - Minnesota Job Description Rockwell Automation is doing things never possible. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to make the world more intelligent, more connected, and more productive. We help the world work better and people work smarter and are looking for bright minds to make that happen. The makers, the forward thinkers, the problem solvers. That is where you come in. As a Product Manager for our iTRAK intelligent track systems product lines, you will act as a general manager for your products through every aspect of their journey. From vision to execution, roadmap definition, feature prioritization and external communication and promotion, you shape the future of the tools and help them grow a loyal internal and external customer base. In this role, you will be involved with product strategy and execution from beginning to end, working with a cross-functional team that includes sales, marketing, finance, legal, support, product development and engineering as well as partner companies. We are looking for a product manager who is passionate about helping our Independent Cart Technology (ICT) business grow in a still maturing market and support the transformation to leverage our Rockwell channels. Ideally, you have a strong understanding of industrial automation machine design, Independent Cart Technology, Motion Control and a keen acumen for new technologies and market trends. Responsibilities Functional Manage all aspects of a product lifecycle from strategic planning to tactical activities from new product development to launch, support and discontinuation with proper migration plans

Drive ICT adoption and channel strategy to grow the customer base of assigned product lines

Drive prioritization of the product backlog through collaboration with respective teams

Analyze market trends, customer requirements and competitive strategy to identify opportunities to increase customer and business value through differentiation

Develop business cases and define detailed product requirements based on market needs and industry trends

Lead new development from concept through commercialization, including voice of customer research, definition of customer and product requirements and value proposition, public presentations and competitive analysis.

Work closely with manufacturing, supply chain and sourcing to ensure competitive lead times

Understand and drive Engineering to Order Business to successfully meet customer requirements

Serve as the expert and evangelist for products and features you own and drive

Represent your product lines at internal and external events

Be the key contact person for partner companies to drive greater adoption.

Set global competitive pricing in alignment with the regions channel strategy

Ability to Travel up to 40% of the time globally.

Leadership Be a strong leader within a cross-functional team, developing the right product and features to fill market needs Make critical decisions weighing features against schedule, engineering cost, and product cost Serve as the customer advocate interacting with functional partners including Engineering, Program Management, Market Development, Supply Chain, Finance, Quality and Legal. Keep a positive attitude, and serve as a positive example to co-workers. Make appropriate & timely decisions based on current information and ensure adherence to existing company policy relating to delegation of authority. Lead development and implementation product roadmaps and improvements Be a spokesperson for the Kinetix Motion ICT Business when traveling with Sales Division employees and/or customers. Take an active role in the development of customer success stories and commercial marketing collateral Conduct tasks in accordance with applicable health, safety, quality, and environmental regulations (state/federal laws, ISO9001, ISO14000, etc.) as well as Rockwell Automation policies and procedures. Interpersonal Be a great communicator to ensure alignment and promotion Not afraid to take decisions and drive to resolution Be very open with management and peers, and conscious of keeping other members of the team up to date on status of work. Interface and provide direct input with other product groups such that the corporate business goals are aligned. Be comfortable stepping outside your comfort zone and handling multiple tasks Basic Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or equivalent practical experience Preferred Qualifications : Minimum of two years of Product Management, Technical Sales, Sales, Commercial Engineering or Engineering 5 years experience in the Industrial Automation industry Extensive experience in a product marketing role within the Industrial Automation domain, Project/Program management experience is a plus. A passion for helping customers, rigorous analytical skills and ability to distil market and user behavior down to the core essence. Strong communication and organizational skills and ability to comfortably interface with all levels of an organization Ability to communicate cross-functionally in a structured and clear manner to influence Outstanding strategic skills with solid creative thinking. Solid understanding and knowledge of the Industrial Automation industry. This position is part of a job family. Experience will be the determining factor. #LI-MB1 We are an Equal Opportunity Employer including disability and veterans. If you are an individual with a disability and you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact our services team at +1 (see application details).






Location: 4120-S.CntySntry SantaFeRd Ops



Job Title

Bilingual Customer Service Representative

Primary Location

San Luis Obispo, California

Employee Type

Employee

Job Description

San Luis Garbage, a Waste Connections company is looking for a high energy BilingualCustomer Service Representative to join the team at our location in San Luis Obispo, CA. Must speak Spanish and English. This is a Monday - Friday position working 8AM - 4:30PM. Starting pay will be $17/hour.



DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Work in conjunction with other departments to resolve customer disputes & demonstrate the ability to become proficient in the use of proprietary operational systems.

Interviews customers and records interview information into computer for customer service, talks with customers by phone and in person, to receive orders for installation, turn on, discontinuance, or change in service.

Fills out contract forms, determines charges for service requested, collects deposits, prepares change of address records and issues discontinuance orders.

Demonstrate effective use of software applications, at a minimum MS Word and Excel proficient.

Delivers services to customers in a manner that promotes goodwill. Interacts with customers and Waste Connections employees to determine service requirements and resolve problems or complaints.

Work in a fast paced, cooperative, high call volume environment. Solicit sale of new or additional services.

A typical schedule for this position is Monday-Friday, with an occasional Saturday as needed. WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT: Work environment is an office setting. Areas are clean, ventilated, and well lighted. Our Customer Service Reps normally have their own workstation or cubicle space and are equipped with a telephone, headset, and computer.

CSR call areas can be noisy and work may be repetitious and stressful, with little time in between calls, while still providing excellent service. Some calls are evaluated to ensure high standards.

Also, long periods spent sitting, typing, or looking at a computer screen are common. MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS: Ability to read, write, comprehend and communicate in English.

2 years of Customer Service experience in a high call volume atmosphere.

Experience with MS Word, Excel, and Email preferred . Typing and 10-key skills are required.

Excellent organization and communication skills.

Bi-lingual speaker. (Spanish / English)

Ability to analyze and solve problems. Gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.

Collections experience is a plus. To be considered for any of our current openings you must complete an application at www.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)


ROME, MAY 24 - Five families have been devastated by Sunday's cable-car disaster in Piedmont, which claimed 14 lives, including those of two children. The only survivor, a five-year-old boy, is fighting for his life in hospital. Three of the five families were resident in Lombardy, including one of Israeli origin, one was from Emilia Romagna and one from Calabria . The victims of Israeli origin were a married couple and their two-year-old child, who died along with an elderly couple, the woman's grandparents. Their five-year-old son is the survivor. The boy's aunt said Monday that she found out about the disaster when she started receiving Whatsapp messages containing condolences and, at first, she did not understand why. A five-year-old Italian child also died. A probe into culpable homicide has been opened. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Enrico Giovannini, Civil Portection Chief Fabrizio Curcio, Piedmont Governor Alberto Cirio and Stresa Marcella Severino are holding a meeting on the disaster on Monday. The cable car connects the Lake Maggiore resort of Stresa to the summit of the Mottarone Mountain at some 1,500 metres above sea level. It seems that one of the cables broke, causing the car, which had a maximum capacity of 35, to slide back until it hit a pylon and then plunging to the ground. Investigators will seek to establish why the cable broke and why the car's emergency brake did not work. (ANSA).
ROME, MAY 26 - The Verona Arena Opera Festival's 2021 summer programme, which will see live performances make a big come back, is based on a duet between opera and art. The 98th festival will open on June 19 with Giuseppe Verdi's Aida, staged in concert form by Riccardo Muti,to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first performance of the masterpiece in Cairo. Each of the shows on the programme will refer to, or be inspired by, one or more top heritage site or museum in Italy or the Vatican City. The Vatican Apostolic Library and the Valley of the Temples Archaeological Park will collaborate to outline the visual context of Sicilian folk culture, especially in the religious sphere, as seen in Cavalleria Rusticana. Fellini influences, on the other hand, were chosen for Pagliacci, with a collaboration between the Turin Museum of Cinema and the Fellini Museum that will open shortly in Rimini . The Arena Foundation identified Turin's Egyptian Museum as the ideal partner for Aida - its collections will act as an element characterizing the dialogue between the Arena's ancient Roman stones and Egyptian iconography. A collaboration with the National Museum of Italian Judaism and of the Shoah (MEIS) of Ferrara will take the field for Nabucco. The production of Turandot stems from dialogue with Parma's Museum of Chinese Art and Ethnography (Museo d'Arte Cinese ed Etnografico), a place not just of discovery of the treasures of past eras of distant peoples, but also a place of engagement with far-away, traditional cultures. The production of La Traviata, a Verdi masterpiece built around a lead character of unprecedented power that had a dramatic impact on the society of the day, takes it lead from path of study on the female figure in all its variations thanks to the rich collections of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. The Arena complex marks the 120th anniversary of the death of Verdi on the evening of his Requiem, the superlative work of this scared and human genre, a work that is both theatrical and intimate at the same time. The evening offers elements of history and reflection , illuminated by the heritage of the Paestum and Pompeii archaeological sites. Complementary to this evening is the Beethoven's IX Symphony, a creation that changed the history of music: the perfect embrace of the 'millions' quoted in Schiller's Ode to Joy is depicted with the help of images curated by the Alinari Photography Foundation (Fondazione Alinari per la Fotografia). (ANSA).
MILAN, MAY 26 - A Milan judge on Wednesday ruled that Silvio Berlusconi's case in the so-called Ruby Ter trial should not be be separated from those of other defendants because the ex-premier is seriously ill, despite please from both the prosecution and the defence. All defendants will go forward together, the judge ruled, with the next hearing being on September 8. 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. The three-time premier's defence entered a plea earlier Wednesday saying that his health conditions continued to be "severe" and he faced "a not brief prognosis" due to long COVID. The prosecution also said the media mogul had "pluri-pathologies", was in a "chronic" state, and was suffering psychiatric and neurological symptoms that merited "attention" from the court. Berlusconi is however on the mend after being prescribed "absolute rest" after suffering a bout of severe 'long COVID' symptoms, the no.2 in his centre-right Forza Italia (FI) party, ex-European Parliament president Antonio Tajani, said earlier this week. Berlusconi, 84, who had a heart valve replaced in 2016, said his experience with COVID last September was "the worst and most frightening in my life". The three-time former premier and media mogul caught the virus in Sardinia from his friend and fellow billionaire businessman, ex- Benetton and Renault F1 boss Flavio Briatore. The Mediaset empire owner spent a week in hospital earlier this month with a fever due to a COVID vaccination and the lingering effects of his bout of the virus, and has been reported as still being seriously ill even after he left the Milan clinic. On Monday Tajani said his boss "is better, he's in a convalescent phase, and we're keeping him informed of everything. He's the leader of FI, I'm not replacing him. I hope that this moment of absolute rest ends as soon as possible". (ANSA).
ROME, MAY 26 - Italy's brain drain has risen 41.8% in the last years, the Audit Court said Wednesday. "Limited job prospects and low pay are pushing ever more graduates to leave the country, with a rise of 41.8% over 2013." said the court. Italy like other countries is seeing more and more young people graduating, but is losing more and more of them unlike other countries, the court said. "The phenomenon is due to the persistent difficulties in entering the labour market and the fact that the degrees does not offer, unlike in the OECD area, greater chances of employment with respect to lower levels of education", it said. Successive governments have tried to reverse the brain drain. Premier Mario Draghi has vowed to make Italy "a country for young people" with the help of the EU-funded COVID Recovery Plan. (ANSA).
Maria Angela M. Cruz Other Existing work authorization required for United States Direct Hire, Full-Time ****** See below Not specified Health - Other

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No cover letter requested WS6dfIrmULOI0oiBpriRXwRNsXoOfP / Latpro-3794953 May-26-2021 Delaware, 20071
ROME, MAY 26 - Between 500,000 and two million jobs are at risk due to a planned end to the government's COVID-linked firing ban on July 1, the leader of the UIL trade union, Pierpaolo Bombardieri, said Wednesday. Like the CGIL and CISL union leaders, he spoke of a "social bomb" going off unless the ban is extended. Bombardieri said the half million figure was from the Bank of Italy while "our own data speak of a catchment area of two million workers". He said "the government must give the workers a response in order to stop this social bomb exploding". Bombardieri accused Premier Mario Draghi of "just listening to (industrial employers' body) Confindustria". He reiterated union criticism that businesses had got three quarters of government COVID relief. Some analysts say Italy is the only country to have had a COVID firings ban for so long, and argue that lay-offs will be fairly unlikely with the economy set to improve to the level of two years ago and not just last year. But other analysts agree with the unions that a "tsunami" of lay-offs could be on the way unless the government changes its mind. (ANSA).
MILAN, MAY 26 - Five young women who say they were drugged and raped by Milanese pharmaceuticals manager Antonio Di Fazio have come forward and spoken to prosecutors, including the latest two on Wednesday, judicial sources said. One of the girls has said she was held captive for four weeks, and another for several days, while a third said she managed to escape his clutches, the judicial sources said. Sources said they had told "horror stories" to the prosecutors. Police said they were investigating a suspected network of accomplices. Prosecutors say they have found images of other suspected victims of 50-year-old Di Fazio, who was arrested at the weekend on suspicion of drugging, raping and photographing a 31-year-old student who went to his office for a jobs interview. Police said they had found more than 50 photos on his phone but there were even more on his other devices, meaning that the victims are presumably much more numerous than the five initially thought. The images, like that of the student and another four young women, were found on Di Fazio's phone, PC and tablet. Police said he took them as "trophies" of his sexual violence. They said he slipped massive doses of tranquilizers into the women's drinks and then stripped them and raped them, before photographing them naked. Di Fazio has declined to answer prosecutors' questions. His lawyer, Rocco Romellano, told reporters: "He's very confused and worn out, he isn't well, I've always known him to be a cordial, honest and calm person, but I can't know if he had a double life, nothing like that has come out". (ANSA).
ROME, MAY 26 - The issue of vaccines could have caused a "war" within the EU without the management of the European Commission, European Parliament President David Sassoli told an ANSA Forum Wednesday. Sassoli also said that the lesson of COVID-19 should not be "filed away" but should serve as a permanent lesson. Sassoli added that the rules of European Stability Pact must be reformed in a "great and important reflection on the Europe of the future". (ANSA).
Big Island Development is a residential and mixed use land development on a large recreational lake located conveniently in central Missouri. Positioned on the 3 MM of the Little Niangua Branch of the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks. Big Island Estates is 84 acres with 79 lots. 21 lots are finished & ready to be sold. 58 lots are ready to be finished. Boat slip options in the community docks available for each lot! Great views at all homesites! The West View at Big Island is 18 acres that can be developed as lots or a planned unit development. West View has 2,000 +/- ft. of lake front. 18 homesites include 100 ft of lake frontage & private dock envelopes. Excellent value in 30 additional 2nd tier lots, outstanding views. Community pool in walking distance. 90% of the roads are in along with sewer and water! Electrical power distribution, 2 community docks w 32 slips, & permits for additional docks w 186 additional slips. Taxes TBD depending on amount of parcels purchased. HOA fees TBD.
Kevin Spacey is getting back in front of the camera.

The disgraced actor, who has been on the sidelines after dozens of men accused him of sexual assault spanning decades, has been cast in an Italian crime drama, according to ABC News.

Spacey will play a detective investigating a man wrongfully accused of sexually abusing children in "L'uomo Che Disegno Dio," or "The Man Who Drew God."

"I'm very happy Kevin agreed to participate in my film," director Franco Nero told ABC News. "I consider him a great actor and I can't wait to start the movie."

Nero's wife, Vanessa Redgrave, will reportedly have a role in the movie as well.

Spacey was booted from his starring role in Netflix's "House of Cards" in late 2017 after the first round of accusations, beginning with "Star Trek: Discovery" star Anthony Rapp, who was 14 at the time of the alleged assault. He was also erased from Ridley Scott's "All the Money in the World" and replaced by Christopher Plummer, who was nominated for an Oscar for the role.

He has, however, popped up occasionally with bizarre Christmas videos, sometimes in his "House of Cards" character. Last year's included advice for anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts.
In the letter to Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Georgias senators said they were working on legislation to create a federal workaround or pursue other strategies to provide coverage in holdout states. The two said they want the legislation attached either to President Joe Biden's infrastructure proposal or his proposal to provide additional education and family support benefits.

They said any alternative should not require insurance premiums and should require people who are insured to cover a low share of costs, like the traditional Medicaid program. Warnock and Ossoff didnt outline how they would make up for the state share of the costs over the long term, though.

Judy Solomon, a senior fellow on health policy at the liberal-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said one approach could be to use the federal marketplace and subsidize private insurers, creating plans with no premiums and smaller copayments. Another approach would be for the federal government to set up Medicaid-only plans in states that didn't expand the program.

Solomon said there are a lot of details to work out, but that people who were supposed to get coverage in 2014 shouldn't have to wait any longer.
A vineyard in northern Maryland says it has become the states first winery to have a licensed outdoor restaurant on the farm.

Our heartbeat has always been to create wines and experiences that connect people with our farm, said Drew Baker, of Old Westminster Winery in Carroll County.

Baker runs the winery with his sisters, Lisa Hinton and Ashli Johnson, and their parents, Jay and Virginia Baker.

The family got into the pizza business with two brick ovens bought from a Baltimore business that closed early in the pandemic.

The Bakers hired chef David Barboza, a James Beard Award nominee who had recently returned home to Maryland from Salt Lake City.

Supporting Local Farmers

The family wants local food to be a centerpiece of the business.

In its first four months of business, the group bought $48,000 of raw ingredients  including flour, produce, cheese, cured meats, honey and sunflower oil  directly from more than a dozen farms within 100 miles of their own.

When we talk about supporting local farms, its not in the token way that so many farm-to-table restaurants do, Baker said. We put our money where our mouth is.

The pizza dough is made with flour from Migrash Farm in Randallstown. Pepperoni and sausage come from Meat Crafters in Landover.

The cheese is from Shepherds Manor Creamery in New Windsor, Marylands only sheep-milking farm. The farm hand-delivers about 80 pounds of cheese per week.

Vegetables, fruit and other farm products come from Chesapeake Farm to Table, a regional farmer-owned marketing organization.

The starring role that local produce plays at Old Westminster can be demonstrated by a few of the punning pizza names on the menu: Oh Kale Yea!, (featuring a certain type of greens), Ramp It Up (with ramps, both pickled and pureed), and Back to Our Roots (anchored by sunchoke and fingerling potatoes).

Even the pizza oven is fueled by locally purchased oak, hickory and cherry wood.

Baker said he wants to support farmers and provide good jobs in the community.

Were achieving this by offering a deeper food and wine experience rooted in local agriculture that is totally delicious and approachable, he said.

Baker said hes gotten a lot of positive feedback from customers, and reservations are growing steadily.
In March of 2018 nearly 30 independent Pennsylvania dairy farmers received termination notices from the milk dealer purchasing their milk.

These producers received 90-day notices that their agreements would be terminated, and many had difficulty finding new markets.

In response, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture petitioned the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board to increase the legal dealer termination notice to producers from a 28-day requirement to 180 days.

The board held a hearing to listen to testimony from a variety of stakeholder organizations, and made a final decision to pursue a change to a 90-day notice. Those testifying included the Ag Department, the Center for Dairy Excellence, PMMB staff, milk processors, cooperatives, farmers and others.

Once the boards decision was made, our legal and management team engaged in the process to officially change the existing regulation (Title 7, Chapter 143.31).

There was a time when a 28-day notice did not present a problem to producers. Just about any independent dealer or cooperative operating within the state would be willing to take on additional suppliers, and there were no problems selling the additional milk or milk products.

Those in the industry clearly understand the many factors that have converged to shape todays dairy markets that operate within very thin margins. Plant-based alternatives, government subsidies, consolidation of farms and global markets are among the most critical factors, all of which have led to overproduction and an inflexible milk pipeline that cannot withstand even minor disruptions.

Acknowledging and Assisting Both Sides

Pennsylvania is in a unique situation in that its geography does not lend itself to many large farms, at least not with contiguous acreage. Our cultural heritage of smaller farms has flourished over time and has been valued by communities, government and the tourism industry. If the dairy industry in the commonwealth needs fixing, it is very unlikely that modeling it after what other states are doing will work or be beneficial.

One of the things that we can do is recognize and work within the realities that exist in our state. Changing regulations to meet the needs of a current market is one avenue that is open to the board.

Title 7, Chapter 143.31, states that No dealer shall terminate his contract or purchasing agreement with a producer and no producer shall terminate his contract or selling agreement with a dealer except by giving such producer or dealer at least a 28-day written notice before termination.

In todays tight market situation, dairy producers cannot afford to be uncertain about where their milk will be sold, and few dealers or cooperatives are in the market to take on additional producers.

At any time, there are 20-25 dealers that process raw milk from the one-third of Pennsylvania producers who do not belong to cooperatives. The regulation change will have no impact on the relationship that exists between cooperatives and their members, which comprise approximately two-thirds of Pennsylvanias dairy farmers.

The Pennsylvania Association of Milk Dealers, most of whose membership consists of small businesses, had expressed concern about its members who may experience financial difficulties due to the 90-day notice of termination requirement. Working with the milk dealers, board staff developed and tested a waiver process that would incorporate review of a dealers financial statements over a two-year period. If granted, and considering the review and notification periods, the notice period would be reduced to about 45 days.

Board staff often find themselves in positions of having to deal with conflicting interests between our constituent groups. The process of working on the notice of termination regulation change is a perfect example of how staff consider the effects of our decisions on all groups and attempt to develop outcomes that are the best for the industry.

PMMB is always available to respond to questions and concerns. I can be reached at 717-210-8244 or by email at chardbarge@pa.gov.
The Troubles seems incommensurate  euphemistic even  as a descriptor of the social fission that cleaved apart Northern Ireland in the late 20th century. In Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, the New Yorkers Patrick Radden Keefe probes the convulsions that claimed more than 3,500 lives in the country of less than 2 million people and scarred thousands more  and the stunned sense of denial that still clings to them  through the case of one victim.

The 1972 murder of Jean McConville was one of 497 killings that year in Ulster. The Belfast in which it occurred was a lawless, despoiled hellscape marauded nightly under cover of blackout darkness (police auxiliaries dubbed B-Specials had shot out the streetlamps) by paramilitary gangs and British army squaddies rolling in lights-out Land Rovers. Yet the eye snags on details. McConville straddled the religious divide. In a mixed marriage with a Catholic, her family had been ejected from their inner-city Protestant neighborhood  joining thousands of refugees from Belfasts sectarian enclaves. During the years that followed as many as one in 10 of Belfasts then-350,000 residents would be displaced, Keefe writes. Sometimes a mob of a hundred people would converge on a house.  On other occasions, a note [instructed] the owners that they had a single hour to vacate.

BBC Northern Ireland News footage from January 1973 features Michael, Helen, Billy, Jim Agnes and Tucker McConville. Featured in the book Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland. (BBC Northern Ireland News footage)

They found public housing in a Brutalist Le Corbusier-inspired, all-Catholic high-rise fast degenerating into a slum in the sky. Then her husband died. A single mother now to 10, McConville was snatched from her home in front of her children. Her abductors were neighbors, who later stood by  except to complain about the noise  as the unattended kids turned nearly feral, before another family evicted them and they were farmed out to the care of sadistic, predatory priests.

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McConvilles remains were disinterred from a beach 31 years later  DNA was used to identify the bones, but the clincher for her now-adult children was the nappy pin, an often used object for a mother of 10, on a swatch of fabric found with her remains.

Helen McKendry (fifth from left) and family members look into the site that is being excavated by Irish Police at Templetown in County Louth. It was believed this area contained the body of their mother, Jean McConville, who was abducted by the IRA from her Belfast home. (PA Images via Getty Images)

But her death wasnt mob rule: The book alleges the order to disappear her came from Gerry Adams, then-Belfast Irish Republican Army chief turned leader, until last year, of political party Sinn Fein, and co-architect of the 1998 peace accord that finally ended the carnage. According to Keefe, the IRA branded McConville an informer, but this doesnt square with her childrens recollection of a woebegone, careworn woman. An official inquiry concluded simply: She was an innocent woman who was abducted and murdered.

Say Nothing powerfully documents a society benumbed by trauma attempting to reckon with the abyss that engulfed it.

A man walks past a burning building during the Troubles in an image from the book Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland. (Doubleday)

The Troubles pitted Republican against Loyalist  Catholics railing against British rule they considered an occupation and that consigned them to second-class citizenship versus the descendants of Scottish and English planters proclaiming die-hard loyalty to the crown. But in 1969  when Catholic civil rights marchers were, with police connivance, jumped by Protestant thugs touching off the violence  there was another cleavage: young versus old. A new generation had come of age, imbued with the spirit of the previous years student protests. Police brutality convinced many there was little future in sit-ins. They would infuse physical force Irish republicanism with new fervor and dedication. In place of posthumous lionization, they sought results.

I grew up in England with an Irish immigrant father and English mother during the 1980s, by which time the IRA bombing campaign had moved to the mainland besides Ulster; Say Nothing chronicles the antecedents to that phase of the conflict. It reads at times like the annals of an action movie, teeming with superhero derring-do for the cause  one Ireland, united, north and south. IRA operative Brendan Hughes absconds from an internment camp inside a discarded mattress, narrowly escaping a skewering from the spear that crews impaled garbage with; his confrere Seamus Twomey is sprung from prison aboard a hijacked helicopter.

The scene of an IRA car bomb explosion at Great Scotland Yard, Whitehall, London, on March 8, 1973. The bombing was part of the IRAs first attacks outside Northern Ireland, in which three other car bombs were planted in London. (G/M/Camera Press)

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Then theres the physical scourging, wielding the body as a protest against British intransigence. Imprisoned in England for a 1973 London car-bomb attack, Marian and Dolours Price reprise the movements practice of hunger-striking. Theyre gruesomely force-fed but refuse to submit. The U.K. authorities cave, acceding to their demand to do their time in Ulster. In 1981, 10 IRA inmates of the notorious Maze Prison near Belfast sought reclassification as political prisoners; they fasted until they died.

But theres something inhuman about the idealism; the violence it incites against the self, and others. It was a point lost on the IRAs Irish American supporters  generations, and an ocean, removed from the old country  among their biggest financial backers (Keefe, with distant Irish roots himself, recalls ambient support for the IRA growing up in Boston during the 1980s; he also notes the tension between the IRAs professed revolutionary [socialism] and the conservatism of many U.S. supporters), but more than half of those killed in the Troubles were civilians.

Say Nothing powerfully documents a society benumbed by trauma attempting to reckon with the abyss that engulfed it.

Its an exercise fraught with recrimination. Atrocities were committed on both sides. Many would rather the festering wounds just scab over. Besides granting Northern Ireland its own legislature, closer ties to the Republic of Ireland and pledging, at such time as the majority of citizens favor it, unification with the south, the Good Friday Agreement sought to turn the page: releasing paramilitary prisoners; placing a two-year ceiling on sentences for crimes connected to the Troubles.

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But there are cases that, unlike their victims, wont die.

Mug shot of prominent Irish Republican and former IRA member Dolours Price featured in the book Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland. (PA Images via Getty Images)

Say Nothing has made headlines in Britain and the Irish Republic for its hypothesis that the trigger-person in McConvilles death was Marian Price (she vehemently denies this). Theres also witnesses testimony that McConville was executed on the orders of Adams, along with the 16 people disappeared during the Troubles  a tactic, Keefe notes, redolent of repressive regimes rather than self-styled freedom fighters.

Adams was arrested in 2014 but released without charge  the witnesses are dead; the evidence against him circumstantial. Though such accusations have dogged him over the years, he steadfastly denies even being in the IRA.

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This proved expedient, granting him entre to the U.S.-brokered peace talks through which he persuaded the IRA to disarm (mostly; unreconciled factions remain active)  an accomplishment for which hes rightly feted. But this amnesia is problematic in a key figure in post-Troubles Northern Ireland, stunting healing, Keefe writes.

Politician Gerry Adams gives a speech in Northern Ireland, featured in the book Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland. (Doubleday)

Toggling between marveling at his sociopathy and acumen though, I wonder if Say Nothing doesnt unduly mythologize Adams.

Mentioned only in passing is the vital tradition of non-physical force Irish nationalism.

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Moreover, while Ulster Protestants outnumbered Catholics two-to-one in 1969, thanks to higher birth rates, Catholics may eclipse them there within two years. Outbreeding Unionists may be an enjoyable pastime for those who have the energy, but it hardly amounts to a political strategy, Adams has said. Still, In the long run, Keefe writes, the war may be won by demography.

Then theres Brexit  particularly unwieldy when it comes to the Republic and Northern Irelands porous border, opening the door to a prospective referendum on Ulster seceding from the U.K.

A book jacket for Patrick Radden Keefes Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland. (Doubleday)

The real question is whether [a united Ireland] would have happened eventually anyway, without the violent interventions of the IRA, Keefe writes on the penultimate page.

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Yet one thing seems certain: Adams is an author of this brittle but enduring peace, pinioned in place in Belfast by intra-community peace walls damming up old enmities, and standing on the bones of victims like Jean McConville.

::

Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland

Patrick Radden Keefe

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Doubleday, 464 pp., $28.95

Phillips has written for the Atlantic, Smithsonian Magazine, NPR, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Financial Times, Times Higher Education and other publications.
George Floyd's family had a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and some of the top congressional leaders on his death anniversary. Today, May 25, marks the first year of his death that sparked protests across the country when he died under the custody of police officers.

Floyd's family members had met with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congresswoman Karen Bass. Bass is one of the leaders clamoring for a deal on police reform measure, according to a CBS News report.

Bass told reporters after meeting with Floyd's family that they will work to get the job done and pass the legislation in a bipartisan manner.

The family had also met with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris after meeting with the congressional leaders.

Biden had said that he is eager to sign the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and is urging Congress to approve the bill.

READ MORE: George Floyd's Family Agrees to 'Historic' $27 Million Settlement With Minneapolis

George Floyd Justice in Policing Act

The police reform measure was approved by the Democrat-controlled House in March for the second time. However, the legislation had been a stalemate upon reaching Senate, according to The Denver Channel report.

The act was introduced last summer after protests erupted across the country, calling for racial justice and an official response to some issues about policing practices and enforcement accountability.

It also aims to restrict the use of specific policing practices, aside from increasing accountability for law enforcement misconduct.

In addition, the bill would call for the improvement of transparency and data collection, as well as creating best practices and training requirements.

The Justice Department would also be mandated to create uniform accreditation standards for law enforcement agencies, while officers will be required to complete training when it comes to racial profiling.

Officers will also have the duty to intervene when another officer uses excessive force.

The policy could still be changed as the Senate continues to negotiate the terms of the legislation.

Some of Floyd's family had commented on the crafting of the said policing act.

Philonise Floyd said that if legislators can create measures to protect the bald eagle, then they can make federal laws to protect people of color, according to a USA Today report.

Meanwhile, White House Press secretary Jen Psaki said that the administration is engaged with groups around the country, consulting them about the bill.

George Floyd's Death Anniversary

Floyd was pinned to the ground by a former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin, while three other officers stood by to watch.

Chauvin was found guilty of two counts of murder earlier this month for the death of Floyd.

The former cop is facing up to 40 years in prison once he is sentenced. However, he is reportedly likely to receive far less time, according to The New York Times report.

A Minnesota prosecutor had argued that Chauvin acted with cruelty and indifference for a police officer and should be convicted for Floyd's death.

Chauvin's lawyer, Eric J. Nelson, said that the former police had acted reasonably when he knelt of Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes.

J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao were the three other officers involved in the incident. They are set to go to trial on August 23, according to The Mercury News report.

READ NEXT: Court Thinking to Reinstate Third-Degree Murder Charge vs. Derek Chauvin

WATCH: George Floyd's family pushes for police reform bill after meeting with Biden - from Washington Post




Couple Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell are now facing murder charges for the death of Vallow's children, identified as Joshua Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 17.

ABC News reported that the indictments were announced by the prosecutors on Tuesday, May 25. It comes a year after the remains of the two minors were found on Chad Daybell's property on June 9 last year, Fox News reported.

READ NEXT: Texas Family Killed an Innocent Man While Hunting for a Teen Vandal

Couple Charged with Murder of Children and Chad Daybell's Former Wife

Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood confirmed that a grand jury indicted Lorri Vallow and Chad Daybell with conspiracy and murder in connection with the deaths of Joshua and Tylee, USA Today reported.

Lori Daybell was also arraigned on the charge of grand theft concerning collecting the social security benefit checks on behalf of her kids.

Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell were also charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder charge in the death of Daybell's former wife, Tamara Daybell.

Chad Daybell also faced charges for two counts of insurance fraud related to the life insurance policies that the Doomsday writer had with his former wife, in which he was a beneficiary.

Prosecutors confirmed that the couple would each face anywhere from life imprisonment to death penalty. According to the prosecutors, the couple committed the crimes between October 2016 to January 2020 in Madison County, Fremont, and elsewhere.

Fremont County prosecutor Lindsey Blake noted that due to the court's ongoing concerns and safety measures amid coronavirus pandemic, they were only given permission "to present information to the grand jury to review."

"I want to assure everyone that despite the delays, we have been working diligently to pursue justice for the victims in this case," said Blake.

The Fremont prosecutor also acknowledged the views and concerns of the community that the development for the said case may have been slow.

Death of Lori Vallow's Children and Chad Daybell's Former Wife

Fox News reported that Tylee and Joshua disappeared in September 2019 but were never reported as missing by their mother. Relatives of the children notified the authorities and promoted a law enforcement inquiry.

A court document unsealed in June revealed that a friend of Lori Vallow cooperated with authorities and told them that Vallow believed her children had turned into zombies.

The friend also alleged that Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell were part of a cult identified as the "Church of Firstborn." A body tightly wrapped in black plastic and covered in duct tape was discovered in Daybell's property, and a skull that matched with Tylee was also found.

Meanwhile, Chad Daybell's wife died in October 2019 with her obituary claiming that the lady passed away in her sleep. Chad Daybell declined to have an autopsy performed. But after the kids went missing and Chad married Lori a month later, authorities grew suspicious, and they had the body of Daybell's wife exhumed in December 2019.

The autopsy's results have not been released, but prosecutors said the manner of death should be classified as a homicide. The couple is scheduled for an appearance on the new charges on Wednesday morning.

READ MORE: Oregon Woman Shot in the Head After Heated Argument Over Laundry

WATCH: Lori and Chad Daybell Indicted on Multiple Counts of Murder - From FOX 13 News Utah
Samuel E. Wright, famously known as the voice of Sebastian in the Little Mermaid franchise dies at the age of 74. The voice actor's death was announced by his hometown, the Town of Montgomery, on its Facebook Page.

READ NEXT: Chrissy Teigen Canceled: Bloomingdale's Drops Deal With Model Amid Courtney Stodden Bullying Scandal

The Little Mermaid Sebastian Voice Actor Dies at 74

Wright's daughter Dee confirmed with The Hollywood Reporter that the Tony Award nominee lost his life on Monday night at his home in Walden, New York. Wright's daughter furthered that Sebastian's voice actor lost his three-year battle with prostate cancer. Wright was described by his daughter as the "brightest light."

"Today, the Town of Montgomery mourns the loss of Sam Wright," said the town in a statement, adding that Samuel E. Wright and his family were an inspiration for their whole town. The statement continued that the voice actor and his family inspired the youth of Hudson Valley "to reach higher and dig deeper to become the best version of themselves. People reported that the Town of Montgomery is where the voice actor and his family resided.

The Town of Montgomery also labeled Sebastian's voice as a pillar to their community as they seek help in celebrating the life of Samuel E. Wright.

Samuel E. Wright as Voice Actor

People reported that Wright sang the famous song "Under The Sea" in the Little Mermaid Franchise as Sebastian. The outlet furthered that the song won Best Original Song and Best Original Score in the Academy Awards. The Hollywood Reporter noted that the song "Kiss the Girl", also sang by Wright, was also nominated for the same category.

Samuel E. Wright then recorded reggae-infused albums for Walt Disney Records as Sebastian. He also voiced the same character in Disney's House of Mouse and Mickeypalooza. Wright also voiced the said character in a two-direct-to-video sequel of The Little Mermaid.

Samuel E. Wright in Broadway

Samuel E. Wright started his career in Broadway when he debuted in1971 for Jesus Christ Superstar. Wright earned his first Tony nomination in 1984 when he portrayed a stern father in the musical "The Tap Dance Kid."

Apart from Sebastian, Samuel E. Wright also played the role of Disney's Mufasa, and one of the original Broadway cast of The Lion King. Being Mufasa in the Broadway production earned him a second Tony nomination in 1998.

His co-star for The Lion King Heather Headley on Twitter said that Wright will remain a king. Headley played the role of Nala in the Lion King Broadway alongside Wright.

"Maybe not every actor would say this, but if I didn't want to be immortal I wouldn't be acting," said Wright in his interview with L.A. Times in 1991.

Apart from the mentioned Broadway production, Samuel E. Wright also became a cast of "Pippin" in 1972 as well as "The Wiz" which was the 1995 revival of Appollo Theater. Samuel E. Wright also left the Hudson valley Conservatory, a performing arts school that offers classes in music, acting, and dance, as his legacy apart from being Sebastian in The Little Mermaid.

READ MORE: Here's How Selena: The Series' 3 Casts Have Ties With the Tejano Superstar

WATCH: Samuel E. Wright, known as voice of Sebastian the crab in 'Little Mermaid,' dies at 74 - from ABC7
A makeup artist had died from complications of plastic surgery after getting the procedure done in the Dominican Republic.

Jesmy Tapia, 30, had traveled to her native Dominican Republic for a liposuction procedure on her buttocks and to have breast surgery. She was treated for postoperative infection at a hospital in the Dominican Republic when she died in the intensive care unit, according to a Crime Online report.

However, it is not yet clear which facility had performed the plastic surgery on Tapia. Officials have not yet publicly spoken about her death.

Tapia's family issued a statement and denied that Tapia was anemic. She was survived by her two children.

Her family added that they will provide additional details in due course but are currently requesting privacy to grieve their loss.

READ MORE: United Airlines to Add New Latin America Routes

Tapia's Plastic Surgery Procedure

A person familiar with the matter said that Tapia and another woman had gone in early May to the Dominican Republic, according to a Daily Mail report.

However, Tapia's friend did not encounter any problem and is recovering from the operation.

Tapia's aunt and local journalist Liza Collado said that the mother of two worked as a nurse in the geriatric unit of a hospital.

Collado added that Tapia had a passion for her second job as a makeup artist.

Tapia was a resident of New York in the Far Rockaway sector of Queens, according to a Whatsnew2day report.

A funeral service was held for Tapia in Santo Domingo. It is not yet known whether Tapia will be buried in the Dominican Republic or flown black to the United States.

Plastic Surgery in the Dominican Republic

More than 23,000 plastic surgeries were performed in the Dominican Republic in 2018, with more than 18,000 of those were foreigners.

Dr. Myla Bennett, an Atlanta-based plastic surgeon, said that Dominican Republic does not follow the same U.S. regulations about how much body fat can be removed in one surgery, according to The Guardian report.

Bennett said that this increases the likelihood of heart failure and other consequences during procedures.

The safe surgery advocate added that people continue to fly to the Dominican Republic as they can get their dream bodies for a lower price.

Bennett said that ladies want a particular shape, such as an exaggerated form with a small waist and huge hips and butt.

She added that a lot of surgeons in the Dominican Republic do it really well.

Hector Cabral is known for the practice. Cabral does his procedures at the International Center for Advanced Plastic Surgery.

Cabral had also hit the headlines nine combined times when patients died on their operating tables.

Cabral keeps his own Instagram account, publishing client testimonials of their before and after photos. He also refers to his past clients as his "dolls," particularly "Cabral barbies."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had released a warning in the past against visiting the Dominican Republic for surgery.

Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston released a report in 2019, stating that the Dominican Republic could be the most dangerous place in the world for plastic surgery, according to another Daily Mail report.

READ NEXT: Deadlier than COVID-19? Mexican Crime Rate Increases

WATCH: Pandemic creates plastic surgery boom - from ABC News






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Audio Triage Automation Engineer Santa Clara Valley (Cupertino) , California , United States Software and Services Summary

Posted: May 25, 2021 Role Number: 200251405 Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Do you bring passion and dedication to your job? The Audio team within the Interactive Media Group is looking for an energetic automation engineer to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will help us process and analyze incoming bugs by utilizing existing tools and developing new approaches for our ever-expanding dataset of bugs. The Audio QA group provides audio software support across all of Apple's products. We are seeking a creative, and organized triage automation engineer to develop automated solutions to support and enhance our quality initiatives. Audio drivers, firmware and audio subsystems will all be qualified using this automated toolset. Key Qualifications Demonstrated experience and proficiency with Python and JavaScript a requirement

Strong problem solving and debugging skills along with a diligent approach

Exemplary written communication skills, and considerate, yet confident personal communication skills

A foundational understanding of electronics, audio technology, and studio recording

Musicians accepted Description This is a high visibility job that involves a deep understanding of what everyone on the team is working on. You will combine a passion for the operating system and Audio, with a strong dedication to product quality and reliability. Excellent communication and partnership are a requirement, as you will be asked to work closely with team members and other engineering teams. Areas of Responsibilities: maintain and further develop triage automation tools, including automated processing of diagnostic data for manual screening engineers, crash report symbolication and identification of known duplicate reports, and the development of manual triage tools which rely on automated input and ML data. Education & Experience BS or MS in CS, EE, or related, with an interest in digital audio Additional Requirements The following experience would be preferred, though applicants without this experience are welcome to apply: experience with iOS and macOS SDK and Core Audio development. Strong interest in digital audio technology. Experience with and a passion for audio / music applications.






Darion Foster of Synder Grand Valley Memorials in Grand Junction etches of Lake County veterans into stone at Evergreen Cemetery on Monday.
Chris Enss is a New York Times best-selling author who has been writing about women of the Old West for more than 20 years. She will visit Lake County on June 11 and 12.
South Africa: "Brazen corruption" of officials implicated in ABIS procurement

The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has urged the Home Affairs and Communications and Digital Technologies Departments to ensure consequence management against officials identified to have acted corruptly during the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) procurement.

The ABIS contract was initiated by the Department of Home Affairs in 2015, in efforts to migrate from the current Home Affairs National Information System to ABIS.

The State Information Technology Agency (SITA) was entrusted with the responsibility of procuring a new system. Following the awarding of the contract to information technology services provider EOH, the Auditor-General considered the R409 million contract irregular.

Acting chairperson of the committee, Mosa Chabane, said the committee received a detailed forensic report into the contract and was shocked by the brazen corruption identified in the report, with evidence that a SITA official made available tender information to EOH for about a year prior to the advertisement of the tender.

This gave undue advantage to EOH to the detriment of other bidders, undermining the spirit of competition, Chabane said.

The committee was unanimous in appreciating the work done to investigate the matter, which led to the final report with concise recommendations.

In line with this, the committee has called for urgent implementation of the forensic report.

Now that the forensic investigation has been concluded, effective consequence management must be implemented. We are in support of the recommendations of the forensic report that both criminal and institutional disciplinary actions must be urgently implemented.

The committee has instructed both SITA and Home Affairs to investigate if any of the officials who resigned prior to the conclusion of the forensic report are employed by the state. If they are still employed by the state, then they must be charged and taken through a disciplinary process, Chabane said.

The committee also noted the progress to recoup any undue monies from service providers and the committee will await a detailed progress report on recouping outstanding monies.

Electronic Document Management System

Meanwhile, the committee has welcomed the establishment of the Electronic Document Management System at SITA to ensure the safety of procurement information, which was a major shortcoming around the contract.

Chabane said the committee has, for its part, committed to invite the three stakeholders back to a meeting before the end of 2021 to update the committee on progress in implementing the recommendations of the forensic report.

The committee has also committed to monitor the implementation of the ceded contract and the positive impact this will have on providing services to the people, he said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-05-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
China to ban disposable non-degradable plastic use on flights

Xinhua) 13:35, May 26, 2021

BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- China will ban the use of disposable plastic packaging bags, tableware and straws on domestic flights starting next year, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said Wednesday.

Airports with an annual throughput of at least 2 million passengers will also stop providing such products next year, and the ban will be extended to all airports and international passenger flights in 2023, the administration said.

The ban was part of a five-year plan released by the administration to control plastic pollution. By 2025, the consumption of disposable non-degradable plastic in the civil aviation industry will decline sharply from the 2020 level, according to the plan.

Airlines in the country have already started the green transition, with some companies replacing disposable plastic tableware with recyclable ones and piloting on-board garbage sorting.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
Laois students are being put on alert that the closing date is fast approaching and inviting all applicants to submit their entries for an award which could be vital help getting through college.

The Naughton Scholarships 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 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 Laois, 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.

The closing date for receipt of application forms for The Naughton Foundation Scholarship 2021 is 5.30 pm, Sunday, May 30. There will be one guaranteed scholarship for each of the 26 participating counties and five additional scholarships allocated.

www.thenaughtonfoundation.com
Caroline Browne

Caroline Browne, Clongorey, Naas, Kildare / Newbridge, Kildare

May 25. Formerly of Dara Park, Newbridge, Co.Kildare. Peacefully at St Brigids Hospice, The Curragh surrounded by her loving family. Sadly missed by her loving parents Harry and Kathleen, partner Noel, brother David, sister-in-law Lisa, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.Due to current government guidelines regarding public gatherings, a private family funeral will take place. Those who would have liked to attend the funeral, but due to current restrictions cannot, please feel free to leave a message in the condolence page at RIP.ie. Removal from Glennons Funeral Home, 32 Main Street, Newbridge on Thursday morning to arrive at St. Brigid's Church, The Curragh, for Requiem Mass at 11o'clock. Burial afterwards in St. Conleths cemetery, Newbridge. Caroline's Funeral Mass will be live streamed on the St. Brigid's Church, The Curragh, Facebook page.

Barbara Holmes, Newtown, Celbridge, Kildare

May 24. Peacefully in the loving care of the staff at The Hermitage Clinic, Lucan. Beloved daughter of the late Thomas and Maureen. Predeceased by her elder brother Seamus who died young. Much loved sister of Tony, Frank, Denis, William, Bernard and Finbarr. Sadly missed by her loving family, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, relatives and friends. A private funeral will take place due to government advice regarding public gatherings. When the current circumstances have passed we look forward to celebrating Barbaras life with friends and extended family at a later date. Barbaras Funeral Mass may be viewed online on Thursday, May 27th, at 11:30 am by following this LINK. Those who would have liked to attend the funeral; but due to current restrictions cannot, please leave your personal message by selecting Condolences at RIP.ie or alternatively leaving a message at www.cunninghamsfunerals.com. Family flowers only, donations, if desired, to The Irish Cancer Society.

Gerry Christie, Highfield Estate, Newbridge, Kildare

May 24. A private family funeral will be held due to advice on Public gatherings. Removal from Anderson & Leahy's Funeral Home on Friday morning to arrive at St. Conleth's Parish Church for 11 o'clock Mass. Funeral afterwards to St. Conleth's Cemetery, Newbridge. Gerry's Funeral Mass will be live streamed on https://www.newbridgeparish.ie/webcam-1 Those who would have liked to have attended but due to current restrictions cannot, can leave their condolences on the RIP condolence section at RIP.ie

Donal Mullins, Shankill, Dublin / Newbridge / Montenotte, Cork

May 24. Due to current Government guidelines regarding public gatherings, a private family funeral will take place. Removal from Anderson and Leahy's Funeral Home on Thursday to arrive at St. Conleth's Parish Church for Mass at 12 o'clock. Those who would like to join the private funeral service remotely by webcam can do so by clickingon https://www.newbridgeparish.ie/webcam-1. Donal will be laid to rest in St. Conleth's Cemetery, Newbridge following the funeral Mass. Those who would have liked to attend the funeral, but due to current restrictions cannot, please feel free to leave a personal message for the family in the condolence page at RIP.ie. Family flowers only. Donations in lieu to the Hope Foundation.

Caroline Nugent, Maple Lawns, Dunmurray Road, Kildare Town

May 21. Due to current government guidelines regarding public gatherings, a private family funeral will take place, with a maximum of 50 people to attend the church. Those who would have liked to attend the funeral, but due to current restrictions cannot, please feel free to leave a message in the condolence page at RIP.ie. Removal on Thursday to arrive at the Carmelite Church, Kildare Town, for Requiem Mass at 11 o'clock. Burial afterwards in St. Conleth's Cemetery, Kildare Town. Caroline's Funeral Mass can be viewed at The Carmelite's Church, Kildare Town Facebook page or at the following link: https://churchcamlive.ie/carmelite-friary-church-kildare/
Kildare County Council has said it is difficult to hire contractors for some projects around the county.

District engineer for the Kildare Newbridge Municipal District, Brenda Cuddy, told the May meeting that landscapers in particular are proving to be scarce.

Cllr Fiona McLoughlin Healy had raised the issue of landscaping work in The Oaks are of Newbridge where a recent flood attracted an unlikely visit from ducks.

Essential works

Ms Cuddy said that only essential and emergency works were permitted in recent months due to bans on construction activity.

She added that there is a lack of availability of some contractors to carry out some works.

We are trying to source landscapers and contractors for works on roads and footpaths.

Two landscapers I have contacted have changed directions in their careers since the pandemic.

District manager Joe Boland said it can be frustrating for some local residents when landscaping is not carried out following works in their area.

He also pointed out to recent inclement weather as a factor in some projects bein delayed.

Ms Cuddy said works being carried out at the moment include drainage works completed in St Evins Park, Monasterevin; footpath repair in Castle Park in Kildangan and patching in Newbridge as well as the surveying and replacing broken signs and bins.

She said roads improvement works have begun in the Raheens area of Caragh.

Councillors also heard that the 2021 programme of works funded by the Local Property Tax was being prepared in line with approved budgets.

Roads Maintenance

In the area of roads maintenance, general surface dressing in selected areas is due to commence on June 14.

Cllr Noel Heavey also commented at the meeting that he was impressed by the way traffic was facilitated during ongoing works in Newbridge by Irish Water working in partnership with the Council on the Upper Liffey Valley Sewerage Scheme

He said: This has been an exemplary project.

Traffic kept moving and businesses were allowed to carry on a unusual.
June Fest 2021 goes ahead this year in Newbridge (May 27 to June 30) with a series of socially distanced free activities catering to people of all ages and interests.

Given that Covid-19 is still in our midst, the organisers want to impress on everyone participating in the Festival the need to follow public health advice and stay safe.

The Festival in structured to enable participants to enjoy themselves safely  whatever the activity.

June Fest chairperson Colm Somers said planning the Festival proved challenging but we feel we have come up with a mix of activities that will appeal to all the family  irrespective of age or interest.

According to Colm the selected Festival activities give a flavour of what June Fest 2021 has to offer.

The festival opens on May 27 with an online quiz with questions suited to all ages and loads of prizes.

From May 28 to June 13 people can join our Treasure Hunt, which offers 23 prizes totalling 750. This involves exploring nature trails, landmarks and the history of Newbridge over a 5k course.

From May 31, there will be an online art exhibition and an outdoor photography exhibition Drawn by Light  both of which can be enjoyed while fully complying with public health advice. Also, from this date, poets will be able to submit entries for the Poetry competition. The competition has a prize fund of 780 with special prizes for under 18s.

Another artistic highlight will be Small Steps, an outdoor miniature art exhibition on Georges Street by some 20 artists from the Kildare Art Collective, running until June 20.

June Fest has teamed up with Newbridge Local History Group to document the effects of Covid on the lives of young and old and provide future historians with the first-hand accounts they will draw on to write the history of our times.

From the beginning of June, the beautiful Liffey Linear Park will be festooned with Yarn Bomb creations providing a treat for locals and visitors alike.

The programme includes online audio tours of The Barracks in Newbridge and the Gibbet Rath on the Curragh with local historians, Frank Boland and Jim Kavanagh.

Staying with the history theme, there are six seminars run by the Irish Military Seminar. These events would normally pack the Riverbank theatre but this year they will be even more accessible online. This years Military History Seminars range across a virtual smorgasbord of topics  Kildare Military History Files from 1912 to 1923, Kildares World War 1 Dead, Military-Civilian Violence in Irish Garrison Towns and Guerilla Warfare in the War of Independence.

On a more relaxing note, there is an online video documentary on the history and wildlife of the Grand Canal with local historian, Paddy Behan, and Neil Burke of Birdwatch Ireland. Once you see this you will be very tempted to experience the quiet beauty of one of Kildares outstanding man-made amenities.

If poetry and music is your thing, there are online gigs with local performers  Appo, Mary Caffrey, A Lazarus Soul, Paul McCormack, Kilian OKelly, Eimear Dempsey, Nicky Keogh, Christine McEvoy and others.

On June 10 the Riverbank presents 10 String Symphony  a collaboration between Grammy-nominated fiddle player Christian Sedelmyer and acclaimed songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rachel Baiman. The Riverbank will also host a range of childrens activities.

Newbridge Library celebrates Cruinniu na nOg with fun online workshops for children of all ages  creating stories, smartphone filmmaking and a Harry Potter Craft Workshop. For young people with a thespian inclination, there are online dramas with Kildare Youth Theatre.

Those interested in biodiversity, can visit a photographic exhibition in the Riverbank Arts Centre by award-winning nature photographer, Tina Claffey, that will allow them to immerse themselves in ancient watery worlds.

Full details of the June Fest 2021 programme are available on the new June Fest website June Fest.ie

Patrons should note that the programme may be subject to change in accordance with Covid-19 public health advice.
Kildare athlete and Paralympian Patrick (Pa) Monahan, the T53 wheelchair racer, teamed up with builders' suppliers Chadwicks Group recently to launch its partnership with the Irish Wheelchair Association.

The IWA is the group's new charity partner for this year. It will supply a range of building materials to IWA community centres across the country to help improve accessibility for its users. The IWA operates 57 community centres nationwide and provides 1.3 million hours of assisted living services to more than 2,000 adults and children.

The IWA offers services for those with physical disabilities to live independently, all the while campaigning for equal opportunities for their community.

In addition to providing construction materials, Chadwicks Group, which has a large store in Naas, will also team up with the IWA to raise funds for its national support services which include accessible transport, community centres, driving assessments and lessons, and respite care.

Pa Monahan credits organisations like the Irish Wheelchair Association with helping him find his passion for wheelchair racing.

I am delighted to team up with Chadwicks Group and the Irish Wheelchair Association for this partnership. My accident over 10 years ago forced me to face a dramatic and difficult challenge, but I did not do it alone," he said.

"The support of my family along with incredible organisations like the Irish Wheelchair Association enabled me to find my great passion, wheelchair racing, and for that, I am hugely thankful. As a former apprentice plumber, I look forward to working with the team in Chadwicks Group to highlight not only my story, but the vital work that the IWA coordinates across the country. I believe this is an exciting time for both organisations, and I am delighted to be part of their next chapter together.

Commenting on the announcement, Patrick Atkinson Chief Executive of Chadwicks Group, said, At Chadwicks Group, we believe in empowering our colleagues to implement positive change in their local communities. These community centres are a vital service for so many across the country and we look forward to helping make these centres more accessible and most importantly making a real difference in the lives of those who use these centres across Ireland.

We also look forward to learning more about the accessibility challenges in our own business through the IWAs Disability Awareness Training programme which will be made available to all our Chadwicks Group colleagues. This training will increase our understanding of inclusion and diversity in the workplace, so we can adopt best practice principles across all of our nationwide branches.

Mildred Carroll, National Director of Community Services in the Irish Wheelchair Association, said: The help we will receive from Chadwicks in addressing the maintenance needs of our community centres will have an enormous impact on the quality of life of people with disabilities all over the country.

"Our community centre programmes are social, educational and recreational, providing essential support to people with disabilities in their local area, benefitting their physical and mental health. For some people, our centres are the only opportunity to meet friends and connect with their community. We are really grateful to Chadwicks for helping us to get much-needed work done across our centres.
A Drogheda criminal with 40 previous convictions has had his sentence reduced by the Court of Appeal for the "mysterious and even sinister" arson of a stolen car.

The court's ruling states that it also wants to "incentivise rehabilitation" for the 25-year-old by suspending part of the new sentence imposed.

Paul Crosby (25) of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, Co Louth was under surveillance in May 2019 by members of the Emergency Response Unit who watched as he and two others jump-started a stolen Volkswagen Polo, drove it to a field and set it on fire. He pleaded guilty to arson and a judge at Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court sentenced him to five years imprisonment with the final six months suspended.

Mr Justice Seamus Woulfe at the three-judge Court of Appeal today, Wednesday, May 26, reduced the sentence to three years and six months with the final six months suspended. To incentivise rehabilitation, Crosby must enter a bond to be of good behaviour for 12 months after his release and remain under the supervision of the Probation Service for six months. He must also enter his own surety of 100.

At a sentence hearing in April 2020, Detective Garda Seamus Nolan told Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court that Crosby was being watched by the Emergency Response Unit when, on May 10, 2019, he was seen with two other men trying to jump-start the stolen car at an industrial estate in Drogheda. The car had been reported stolen from Dublin and had been fitted with stolen plates and tax and insurance discs.

When the three men got the car started they drove to a field in the Yellowbatter area of the town. The two other men, driving a BMW, left and returned with a can of petrol. One of them, not Crosby, doused the car and set it on fire. The Volkswagen, which was said to have been worth 10,000, was a write-off.

Crosby's lawyers appealed the severity of his sentence earlier this year, saying the seven-year headline set by the judge was too severe. Lily Buckley BL, for Crosby, said the main concern in arson cases is the danger posed to others when fires get out of control. That did not feature in this case, she said, as the car was set on fire in a field away from buildings and people. She also argued that her client's early guilty plea was particularly helpful given that his trial would have been delayed indefinitely as the courts were not holding jury trials during lockdown.



In his judgement Mr Justice Woulfe said the headline sentence of seven years was "excessively high and outside the permissible range having regard to all the facts". While the maximum penalty for arson is life imprisonment, the judge said this case did not fall into the highest end of the mid-range, where it appeared to have been placed by the sentencing judge.

Mr Justice Woulfe said the circumstances of the offence were "mysterious and even sinister" but the reduced danger to the public resulting from the location of the arson put it at a lower level than other arson cases.

Allowing the appeal against severity of sentence, Mr Justice Woulfe quashed the original sentence and replaced it with one of three years and six months with the final six months suspended.

At the initial appeal, hearing the court heard that Crosby has 40 previous convictions: 31 for road traffic offences, four for theft, three for drug-related offences and two for criminal damage.

He was also acquitted of attempted murder following a trial in February 2019. He had been accused of the attempted murder of Gerard Boyle at Knockcommon, Beauparc, Slane, on November 10, 2016. Mr Boyle was stabbed 28 times and forced into the boot of a car that was then pushed into a canal. He escaped from the car and swam to the canal bank where a passing taxi driver called the emergency services.

Crosby denied any involvement and a Central Criminal Court jury took just 43 minutes to find him not guilty of attempted murder.
With the closing of Bank of Ireland branches in Manorhamilton and Drumshanbo in September this year, the public could be left without access to cash at night from Bundoran to Carrick-on-Shannon and from Enniskillen to Sligo.



Bank of Ireland responded to recent questions about their closures saying that there will be no delay in closing the banks this September.

In both Manorhamilton and Drumshanbo when the Bank of Ireland branch closes this will include the decommissioning of the ATM, stated the letter to the council.

Francesca McDonagh on behalf of the bank wrote cash will be available from the local post office as part of a partnership with An Post.



At the Manorhamilton Municipal meeting last week, Cllr Felim Gurn was not happy with the reply and said there should be an opportunity for the community to take over the ATM.

He said once it is gone there is no chance of it coming back. The post office in Manorhamilton is now in SuperValu, which he points out closes at 9pm. The problem is the night-time economy, he added.

Cllr Gurn said from Sligo to Enniskillen, Bundoran to Carrick-on-Shannon there will be no ATM available at night.

Cllr Justin Warnock pointed out that in Bundoran a youth group took over the AIB ATM.

Cllr Mary Bohan said the ATM was an essential service.

The councillors agreed this was the wrong message to go out as we try to re-open society.



At Monday's Ballinamore Municipal District meeting, councillors expressed concerns over banking facilities in Drumshanbo noting that the closure of the Bank of Ireland branch in September will leave the town with no bank facilities.

Cllr Gerry Dolan sought an update on the situation.

Cllr Enda McGloin said that the loss of the ATM would, in particular, also mean the loss of lodgement and withdrawal facilities for locals and tourists.

In preliminary discussion with the Bank of Ireland they say that they need a full secured containment for any ATM facility and this won't be possible with the branch closure so we won't have an ATM remaining in the town (on the street) independent of the bank, he observed.

He said that he was at a loss to know what to do about the loss of the bank and ATM and suggested that perhaps the town's credit union could take up the slack providing ATM facilities.

Cllr Brendan Barry said the loss of the bank was bad enough but the loss of the ATM was disastrous for Drumshanbo.

We are being directed to use the post office for banking but we don't know what the withdrawal limits will be for customers and the post office is only open for usual business hours, he noted.

With the night time economy finally re-opening people will need access to cash outside of post office opening hours, he pointed out.

Also read: Leitrim councillor calls for funding stream to enable communities to purchase former bank properties
The Sean Mac Diarmada Summer School 2021 will be live and online from Kiltyclogher on Friday June 4 and Saturday June 5.

Starting with the official opening at 7pm on June 4, the Summer School will host a terrific line-up of speakers over Friday evening and Saturday from 10.15am to 5.15pm.

All lectures are free. Full information and registration is available on the website www.seanmacdiarmada.ie.

Taking the theme, Reflections on the War of Independence 1919-1921, the summer school of 2021 focuses on a milestone event in early 20th century Irish history.

A strong line-up of speakers includes eminent politicians, Bertie Ahern and Michael McDowell. The event opens online on Friday, June 4 with an introductory video and an address by Ambassador Adrian ONeill, the Irish Ambassador to the UK.

Professor John Crown (leading consultant medical oncologist) will officially open the 2021 summer school and will be followed by a live presentation of three speakers comprising the Friday evening programme: Prin Duignan, Sinead Guckian and Frank White.

The Friday evening programme focuses on the local and regional aspects of the theme and the three speakers will examine material pertaining to the life of Sean Mac Diarmada, the Selton Hill event in March 1921, and will analyse how the ideals of the past may contrast with contemporary thinking.

The programme for Saturday commences with three times former Taoiseach of Ireland, and a key broker in the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, Mr Bertie Ahern. Mr Ahern will focus on how the War of Independence shaped the fabric of Irish life for the next one hundred years.

In his presentation, Senator Michael McDowell, former Tanaiste, Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, contends that the War of Independence was A justified struggle.

Dr Sinead Mc Coole, historian and curator, author of 'No Ordinary Women: Irish Female Activists in the Revolutionary Years, 1900-1923' will speak on the role of women in the War of Independence, with special emphasis on Min Ryan and the Ryan sisters.

Jack Ryan occupies the Youth Speaker slot in a new initiative created by the summer school committee for the 2021 event.

His presentation, 'Youth Perspective on the War of Independence and its Legacy, will analyse the War of Independence from the objective distance of one hundred years and the thinking of his generation.

Carrick-on-Shannon native Ronan Mc Greevy who is an award-winning Irish Times journalist and author of the official State book recalling the commemorations of 2016, will examine how Irelands freedom was never a given, and was far from inevitable, in his presentation, 'The Miracle of Irish Independence.'

Keynote speaker, Professor John Crown, brings the event to a close with his presentation, 'Building an island of saints, scholars and scientists'.

The 2021 strong speaker line up combined with a range of interesting and diverse presentation titles should ensure a dynamic and engaging event.

The committee of the Sean Mac Diarmada Summer School would like to acknowledge, and thank, Leitrim County Council, for its continued support of the event since its inception in 2009.



The Summer School has taken place in the pretty village of Kiltyclogher each year since, until Covid-19 led to the event being run online in 2020.

The pandemic forced a different method of operating on the summer school committee in 2020, but out of crisis arose opportunity; the opportunity to take the event far beyond Kiltyclogher and far beyond Ireland.



By broadcasting online, the event connected with many who could not have been present in Kiltyclogher and so they hope to continue to connect with the Leitrim and Irish diaspora in this way in the future, in addition to resuming the event in Kiltyclogher when possible.

Dont forget to register for both days on www.seanmacdiarmada.ie and all information relating to the event may be accessed there too.
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A unique free online event aims to bring a message of hope as we emerge from the difficulties of the last 15 months.

Leitrim's Health Is Wealth has been running as a live event for the last four years but this year it will be streamed free online to viewers across Ireland and across the world.

Aimed at encouraging people to talk about mental health, a subject which has never been more important than during the pandemic, Leitrim's Health Is Wealth also tackles topics like bereavement during the lockdown, coping with depression and isolation and also addiction.

There will be music provided by Mike Denver, Nathan Carter and Leitrim's own Amy Gilgunn and Charlie McGettigan. Well known playwright and poet, Seamus O'Rourke will also feature as will acclaimed author and columnist, Michael Harding.

Leitrim's Health is Wealth will be live streamed from 8pm this evening, May 26.

To view the event just click on the following link: https://youtu.be/xg3ropnkwO0
STAFF at Specsavers stores in Castletroy, Cruises Street and the Crescent Shopping Centre have rallied together with colleagues across Ireland in response to the ongoing Covid crisis in India, donating funds for vital oxygen supplies, food and other services.

Specsavers and its store partners have raised a total of 70,000 for its long-time charity partner The Hope Foundation, to support its emergency response to the latest deadly wave of infection.

The business has actively supported The Hope Foundation over the last four years, raising over 200,000 for the charity and services to date. Specsavers funds the hospitals eye care clinic in Kolkata, in addition to undertaking annual missions to India where they provide eyecare to the street and slum communities.

Kerril Hickey, Chairman of Specsavers Ireland, says the people of Kolkata hold a special place in heart of Specsavers staff and customers across the country. It was not a question of whether stores would help, but more a question of how.

"We are privileged to be in a position to help the people of Kolkata and I am enormously proud of how quickly and passionately our store partners have responded. This incredible sum of money will be put to work supporting The Hope Foundations efforts in the fight against Covid and helping India in its hour of need.

Sinead Clohessy of Specsavers in Limerick, who has participated in two missions to Kolkata in recent years, commented: "Having been to Kolkata and witnessing the level of poverty, the lack of healthcare facilities and resources available in a pre-Covid era, it is terrifying to try even imagine the true reality of whats actually happening on the ground there today."

Founder and Honorary Director of the Hope Foundation, Maureen Forrest says it has been very difficult to see friends and colleagues struggle and risking their own lives to help those in great poverty and dire need right now.

"Our partners at Specsavers have been incredible. Stepping up and showing their support, not turning a blind eye or getting distracted as things improve in Ireland. They continued to fund the eye care clinic through the pandemic and now with this 70,000 donation to our Covid crisis fund. We are indebted to them for their generosity and support and are overwhelmed by all they have done for us and continue to do for us," she commented.
THE HSE is urging people in Limerick to avail of a free walk-in and drive-through Covid-19 testing clinic which will open this Wednesday.

The four-bay facility, which is located at St Joseph's Health Campus, Mulgrave Street, will operate daily from 11am to 7pm up until Sunday.

The free service, which is part of the response to the recent spike in new cases of Covid-19 in Limerick, is being led by the National Ambulance Service, with support from HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare and Public Health Mid-West.

"We want people to come forward and to get tested if they have symptoms or if they think they have been at risk of actually contracting Covid recently," said Dr Marie Casey Public Health Specialist at Public Health Mid-West.

No appointments are needed for the walk-in testing service but those who attend must bring a photo ID and provide a mobile phone number so they can be contacted with their results.

Meanwhile, provisional figures released last night show a further 41 cases of the disease were reported in Limerick on Monday. Since Sunday, May 16, there have been 300 new cases in Limerick out of 361 across the Mid-West.

The HSE says The Covid-19 testing centre at Ballysimon Road continues to operate and is not impacted by the opening of the pop-up centre at St Joseph's Health Campus.
THE Department of Public Health Mid-West has launched an awareness campaign to help Limerick businesses and members of the public to stay safe from Covid-19 as more services and workplaces reopen.

The Safe Work Stops Covid initiative aims to educate and inform people and workers through a range of online initiatives, including daily and weekly updates on Covid-19 in Mid-West workplaces on social media; daily themed tips on how your local business can stay safe over the coming weeks and months and the publication of an easy-read guidebook.

Public Health Mid West says a Specialist in Public Health Medicine will also provide regular detailed insights on workplace trends and that a webinar will be arranged to help local businesses.

Currently a number of situations and outbreaks are being managed in workplace settings. The main causes include inconsistent mask-wearing, poor social distancing, inadequate ventilation, staff members working while infectious and a lack of robust Covid-19 workplace policies.

"Currently, Public Health Mid-West is investigating 23 workplace situations in the region, involving 32 cases and an estimated 59 close contacts. A workplace situation is when Public Health Mid-West is notified of at least one Covid-19 case that is linked to a workplace, requiring further investigation and risk assessment," said a spokesperson.

Dr Marie Casey, Specialist in Public Health Medicine, who leads outbreak control in workplaces in the Mid-West, commented: Our team has managed more than 5,000 Covid-19 outbreaks, hundreds of which have been linked to workplaces. Since the start of the pandemic, we have dealt with fewer than five Covid-19 cases, acquired outside of workplace, among our own public health team. None of the cases were linked or resulted in onward transmission. Like many other businesses, our office comprises a large open plan floor, and a number of multi-occupancy and single occupancy offices."

Dr Casey (pictured) says is encouraging people to engage with the new campaign. "The measures we aim to highlight through our Safe Work Stops Covid campaign are ones we use ourselves in our own workplace. We wear face masks at all times, socially distance, wash and sanitise our hands regularly, ventilate each working space, and prioritise Covid prevention and safety for staff. Some businesses in the Mid-West are still not applying these measures consistently, which makes them vulnerable to outbreaks," she said.

Businesses are also being encouraged to avail of the free walk-in Covid-19 testing service which opened in Limerick this morning.

"Additionally, we encourage all businesses to facilitate staff to be vaccinated when their appointment is allocated to them, this is of utmost importance over the coming months. We acknowledge that it is both and exciting and stressful time for businesses. However, our priority is to meaningfully engage with businesses, to equip them to deal with Covid-19 situations when they arise, and to help them to stay safe and open over the coming weeks and months ahead, Dr Casey concluded.

For more information, follow Public Health Mid West on Twitter.
COUNCILLORS have unanimously made a call on the UL Hospitals Group to lift restrictions at the Maternity Hospital to allow expectant mothers be accompanied.

Proposing the motion, Labour councillor Elena Secas, said: While everybody understands that the maternity restrictions have been put in place for the safety of women in maternity care, their babies, healthcare staff and society at large, the situation has changed and can be controlled by having a quick test, by wearing PPE, by having antigen testing in order for women to have and get the support they need throughout all maternity stages.

She added women need all the support they need especially when they are at their most fragile.

Her party colleague Conor Sheehan seconded the motion, saying: Its one of the very few hospitals with these unfair restrictions. We should request a presentation from [hospital boss] Colette Cowan as to why these restrictions are still in place.

But Fine Gael councillor Olivia OSullivan said: I managed to speak to the UL Hospitals Group this morning. There is a gradual lifting of restrictions at the hospital. Theyve restored neo-natal access to partners for a limited time. Theyve restored access to the anomaly scan. I know there was a request to the national infant and womens programme and access to labour.
A RATHKEALE man who knocked his neighbours pillar and then moved it on to his familys land was ordered to pay 900 for the cost of re-instating the pillar.

Making his order against Shane Moran of Ardlaman, Rathkeale Judge John King said: He has stepped outside the boundary of what is reasonable and legal.

If Mr Moran pays the compensation by June 11, the judge continued, he would then order a conditional discharge under the Probation Act on a three year bond.

The conditions attached would be that he would not interfere in any way with the injured party, or his property and that he be of good behaviour.

Earlier, Mr Moran had pleaded to the charge of criminal damage and theft.

Garda Elaine Freemantle told the court that last December 18 she received a call from a man who said he woke at 5am and saw a digger had knocked a pillar at the entrance to his property. The digger was next door on Morans property.

On December 28, the garda said, the pillar was removed and brought on to the Moran property. Shane Moran admitted he had damaged the pillar, Garda Feemantle said. He said it was a danger to people, she told the court.

The injured party, she added, just wants peace.

Pleading for his client, solicitor John Lynch said there had been a long running dispute between the man and his clients father about the laneway situated in the corner of the Moran property and used to access their farm.

The boundary between the properties was in the middle of the laneway, the court heard. The width of the laneway was such that some trucks had difficulty getting access, Mr Lynch explained.

His client, he said, had got sucked into the dispute. Over the years, the pillar was disintegrating, Mr Lynch continued, and his client used his tractor to take down the pillar before it fell down.

Did he write to (the injured party) asked Judge John King before continuing: He didnt go through any formal process. He just took it into his own hands.

The injured party told the judge the pillar was attached to a wall leading to a gate into his property where he had a business and sheds.

I am there 50 years. The trucks are going in for the last four years, he said. But, he went on: He (Moran) doesnt want to interfere with his own property.

If the trucks had a difficulty accessing, Judge King said, why doesnt he (Moran) widen on his own side. Why doesnt he do that? He owns the property opposite the pillar.

That would require planning permission, Mr Lynch said.

He didnt look for planning permission, Judge King responded. He decided to knock the pillar. Isnt that what he did? He is so far out of order, I dont think he has any real realisation that what he did was wrong.

The injured party said the cost of reinstating the pillar was 900. Garda Freemantle confirmed that Mr Moran did offer to pay compensation on January 20 but no figure had been given by the injured party. He didnt want the value of the pillar because he thought then there would be some ownership of the pillar, the garda said.

It could have been handled differently but for the history, Mr Lynch said.

It should have been handled in a different way, anyway, the judge responded. He is taking a conviction here without any shadow of a doubt.

The judge adjourned the case to June 11 for finalisation of his conditional probation order. In the event of non-compliance there would be a court order of two months, suspended.

He can take a probation bond or a suspended sentence, the judge warned.
THE owner of a well-known Limerick pub has confirmed it will not re-open after lockdown.

ODwyers pub, formerly known as Dan Reddans in Wolfe Tone Street, has ceased trading, with its owner Anthony ODwyer citing tough trading conditions.

Confirming the news, he said: Realistically speaking, its just a change in the times. I am just trying to focus on trying to get through the next year, and I cant do everything.

Mr ODwyer  who also runs The Hurlers in Castletroy  confirmed he will be converting the units into apartments.

Its very hard running two pubs through the pandemic, he added.

Formerly known as Dan Reddans, ODwyers Pub belonged to the broader family of Irish international rugby player Eoin Reddan, who along with his brother Cian were at Crescent College Comprehensive. Eoin played for Old Crescent RFC.

Established in 1912, it had enjoyed a major refurbishment in recent times.

There is sadness at the news of the bars closure, with local historian Dr Paul OBrien tweeting: Saddened to learn that ODwyers (the name I knew it by) will not be reopening. Spent many a night there during my postgrad days. It was home to the MIC [Mary Immaculate College] live music society and lovely creamy pints of Guinness.

Saddened to learn that ODwyers (the name I knew it by) will not be reopening. Spent many a night there during my postgrad days. It was home to the MIC Live Music Society and lovely creamy pints of Guinness. pic.twitter.com/s37BwAuQEq  Dr Paul OBrien (@Cooplafocal) May 26, 2021

I am very saddened to hear about the closure of Dan Reddans (O'Dwyers) on Wolfe Tone street. A much respected local business. A difficult decision for the owners and sad one for staff.



Last time I was here was for my @SjCrescent reunion. https://t.co/Gm4b7Q1ySL  Cllr Daniel Butler (@DanielButlerFG) May 26, 2021

Fine Gael councillor Daniel Butler described it as a much respected local business. A difficult decision for the owners and sad one for staff.

Former Vintners Federation of Ireland Limerick representative Jerry ODea said: Smaller pubs simply cannot afford the management structure. Unless the owner is managing the pub and probably not paying himself accordingly, the business stats dont add up. We are seeing this very much in rural areas where the volume of business cant sustain the expenses. Wed be calling on government to continue to support traditional family owned pubs into the first year of trading after Covid.
THE number of people getting tested for Covid-19 in Limerick has more than doubled in the space of a week as fears grow over the latest surge.

This Tuesday, the HSE confirmed that 1,088 people had been tested for Covid-19 at venues across the city on Monday alone - compared to around 500 on Monday of last week.

The demand at the main test centre on the Ballysimon Road was so extreme this Monday that it had to close an hour early, due to the number of people turning up.

There have been more than 300 cases of the virus locally over the past ten days, which has caused the Department of Public Health Mid-West to issue a fresh appeal for people to abide by guidelines.

A second walk-up test centre, opened on the grounds of St Josephs Hospital, Mulgrave Street this Wednesday morning.

Speaking on RTE Radio One, local doctor Yvonne Williams said the levels of Covid-19 infection being seen in Limerick now is on a similar scale to what was seen in March.

Public health director Dr Mai Mannix added: If daily cases continue at this rate, coupled with the health services coping with the sinister cyber-attack, we will find ourselves in a very troubling position.

The department pointed to activities contributing to the recent spike including house parties, indoor gatherings, social activities surrounding the recent Eid celebrations, and a significant onward transmission into work.

All this comes against the backdrop of the cyber attack which has wreaked havoc within the HSEs computer systems.

Dr Sarah OConnell, a consultant in infectious diseases and the clinical lead for Covid-19 at the UL Hospitals Group says staff at the hospital consider the attack as, if not more serious than the pandemic.

The reasons for this is we are reliant on our IT infrastructure for the basic workings of the hospital. Included in that would be that every patient would have a record number and we havent been able to issue those through the emergency department. In effect, we dont have access to working computers. Access to lab results is limited, she said.

Read also: UL Hospitals Group issues update on services following HSE cyber attack

Dr OConnell appealed to people to avoid the emergency department at University Hospital Limerick if they feel they can be seen by a GP.

The higher the number of patients which come through the hospital, the higher our backlog and the higher the overall risk. As we see increased numbers of Covid-19, theres a chance it could get busier from this perspective, and it will increase the burden still, she said.

In a separate development this week, Bus Eireann has announced a new shuttle bus service to connect patients receiving their Covid-19 vaccinations first at the Radisson Blu Hotel, then later at the Limerick Racecourse when that comes into operation in June.

For now, the special service  which kicked off this Monday  will serve Limerick Colbert Station, Henry Street, the Ennis Road, the Coonagh Roundabout, JFK School and the Jetland Shopping Centre en route to the Radisson Blu Hotel.

Funded by the National Transport Authority, standard city bus fares will be charged with free travel passes accepted.

Meanwhile, with the celebration of Eid being cited as a factor for the increased level of Covid-19 infections across Limerick, deputy mayor, Cllr Azad Talukder says he has been providing advice and information to members of the Muslim community.

He said he had urged people not to meet in houses during the celebrations.

One good thing is the communities are very aware, and they are going to the test centres. I've been myself, last Friday after talking to the health department. I saw many people there. Ive been asking people not to send their children to school if they have Covid-19, even mild symptoms.

However, he said Covid-19 affects everyone, pointing out that outdoor street drinking and also indoor social gatherings has caused the rise.
NEW DELHI : Infosys CEO Salil Parekh saw his annual pay package jump to 49.68 crore in 2020-21, with more than half of the total amount coming from exercise of stock options.

Parekh's compensation was at 34.27 crore in 2019-20.

The company's annual report for 2020-21 showed that his compensation included 6.07 crore in salary, 12.62 crore in bonus, incentives or variable pay, and 30.99 crore in perquisites on account of stock options exercised.

Rajesh Gopinathan, chief executive officer and managing director of India's largest IT services firm Tata Consultancy Services, drew a pay package of 20.36 crore in 2020-21.

Infosys chairman Nandan Nilekani voluntarily chose not to receive any remuneration for his services rendered to the company during 2020-21, the report said.

Its Chief Operating Officer U B Pravin Rao's compensation rose about 63% to 17.33 crore in FY21 from 10.6 crore in the previous fiscal.

The percentage increase of remuneration in fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020 (excluding perquisite value of stock incentive exercised during the year) was 8% for Parekh and 14% for Rao, as per the report.

In his note to shareholders in the annual report, Parekh expressed optimism about growth opportunities.

"As I look ahead, I am more optimistic than ever of the enormous opportunity ahead of us. Technology, especially digital and cloud, continues to be at the centre of change for large enterprises globally.

"We are among the best-positioned companies to partner with these enterprises and help them accelerate their digital journey to realise their objectives," he wrote.

He noted that the company delivered exceptional results in the financial year 2020-21 even amid a pandemic-hit year.

"Our clients have been expanding their work with us, especially in the areas of digital and cloud.

"The capabilities that we have built over the past three years, including differentiated offerings like Infosys Cobalt, are what large enterprises are looking for," he said.

Parekh added that Infosys' market-leading capabilities in data and analytics, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, automation, and internet of things are enabling it to be a "critical partner" for its clients.

"Our acquisitions in the past year  GuideVision, Blue Acorn, Kaleidoscope, and Carter Digital  have helped further strengthen our digital portfolio.

"We are rapidly becoming an integral part of the digital and cloud transformation journeys of our clients," he further said.

Nilekani said the proactive action that Infosys has taken over the last three and a half years has "decisively enabled" it to set the narrative for the global digital services and consulting industry.

"Infosys will continue to innovate and is well placed to lead the industry in the coming years," he added.

Infosys' 40th annual general meeting will be held on June 19 through video conference and other audio-visual means.

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Ola, India's leading mobility company, on Wednesday announced that it has successfully administered the first dose of vaccinations for over 50% of its employees and their dependents.

Ola completed vaccination of those above 45 years of age in April and the drive to vaccinate the rest began early last week, after the government opened up vaccination for all 18+ age groups in May.

To provide a seamless and safe vaccination experience Ola has partnered with leading hospitals and has set up the vaccination camp within the Ola Campus. This helps people avoid unnecessary exposure in hospital visits and also makes it super convenient as there is minimal wait time.

Ola chief human resources officer (CHRO) Rohit Munjal said, "Health and safety of our people is paramount and at Ola, we have been focused on taking a comprehensive view and providing meaningful support so our people and their loved ones can stay healthy and safe whether they are at work or at home. Our efforts encompass not just employees but our broader community including contractors, advisors, consultants as well as drivers and consumers. Vaccination is an important step in our fight against the pandemic and we aim to vaccinate all our people over the coming weeks."

In March, Ola had committed that it would provide free vaccination to all of its employees and their dependents as well as its contractors, consultants, advisors and their immediate dependents.

Since the pandemic began last year, Ola has taken significant steps to ensure safety of its key community stakeholders including employees, contractors, consultants, drivers and consumers.

In addition to covid being covered under the existing healthcare policy, Ola also provides reimbursement of any expense related to covid treatment including medical tests, medicines and equipment being bought by employees upto 30,000. In addition to this, Ola also extends additional financial assistance to employees who might require it on a case by case basis.

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Partly cloudy skies. Hot and humid. High 92F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

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Partly to mostly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms late at night. Low 74F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
WhatsApp has filed a legal complaint in Delhi against the Indian government seeking to block regulations coming into force on Wednesday that experts say would compel the California-based Facebook unit to break privacy protections, sources said.

The lawsuit, described to Reuters by people familiar with it, asks the Delhi High Court to declare that one of the new rules is a violation of privacy rights in India's constitution since it requires social media companies to identify the "first originator of information" when authorities demand it.

While the law requires WhatsApp to unmask only people credibly accused of wrongdoing, the company says it cannot do that alone in practice. Because messages are end-to-end encrypted, to comply with the law WhatsApp says it would have break encryption for receivers, as well as "originators", of messages.

Reuters could not independently confirm the complaint had been filed in court by WhatsApp, which has nearly 400 million users in India, nor when it might be reviewed by the court. The people with knowledge of the matter declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue.

A WhatsApp spokesman declined to comment.

The lawsuit escalates a growing struggle between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and tech giants including Facebook, Google parent Alphabet and Twitter in one of their key global growth markets.

Tensions grew after a police visit to Twitter's offices earlier this week. The micro-blogging service had labelled posts by a spokesman for the dominant party and others as containing "manipulated media", saying forged content was included. The government has also pressed the tech companies to remove not only what it has described as misinformation on the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging India, but also some criticism of the government's response to the crisis, which is claiming thousands of lives daily.

The response of the companies to the new rules has been a subject of intense speculation since they were unveiled in February, 90 days before they were slated to go into effect.

The Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code, promulgated by the ministry of information technology, designates "significant social media intermediaries" as standing to lose protection from lawsuits and criminal prosecution if they fail to adhere to the code.

WhatsApp, its parent Facebook and tech rivals have all invested heavily in India. But company officials worry privately that increasingly heavy-handed regulation by the Modi government could jeopardize those prospects.

Among the new rules are requirements that big social media firms appoint Indian citizens to key compliance roles, remove content within 36 hours of a legal order, and set up a mechanism to respond to complaints. They must also use automated processes to take down pornography.

Facebook has said that it agrees with most of the provisions but is still looking to negotiate some aspects. Twitter, which has come under the most fire for failing to take down posts by government critics, declined to comment.

Some in the industry are hoping for a delay in the introduction of the new rules while such objections are heard.

The WhatsApp complaint cites a 2017 Indian Supreme Court ruling supporting privacy in a case known as Puttaswamy, the people familiar with it said.

The court found then that privacy must be preserved except in cases where legality, necessity and proportionality all weighed against it. WhatsApp argues that the law fails all three of those tests, starting with the lack of explicit parliamentary backing.

Experts have backed WhatsApp's arguments.

"The new traceability and filtering requirements may put an end to end-to-end encryption in India," Stanford Internet Observatory scholar Riana Pfefferkorn wrote in March. Other court challenges to the new rules are already pending in Delhi and elsewhere.

In one, journalists argue that the extension of technology regulations to digital publishers, including the imposition of decency and taste standards, is unsupported by the underlying law.

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Oil dipped below $66 a barrel in New York as investors assessed prospects for more crude supply flowing from Iran.

West Texas Intermediate futures dropped 0.7%, reversing an earlier gain. Crude has fluctuated as traders weigh the likelihood of an Iranian deal against signs of buoyant demand. Meanwhile, an industry report showed a decline in US crude and fuel inventories ahead of the summer driving season.

World powers are conducting their fifth round of talks to revive a nuclear agreement with Iran that could pave the way for a lifting of sanctions. That may unleash a flood of Iranian barrels stashed on tankers at sea.

Yet prices have been supported in recent days by indications of healthy demand in the US, China and Europe, despite parts of Asia facing a comeback of Covid-19. A key gauge in the American physical market is signaling that traders are bracing for a potential supply crunch ahead of the busy summer driving season.

The fact is that price levels still remain well within reach of the $70 mark," said Louise Dickson, oil markets analyst at Rystad Energy. Global optimism over the coming strong summer demand is overwhelming."

The American Petroleum Institute reported that U.S. gasoline stockpiles fell by almost 2 million barrels last week, while crude inventories slid by 439,000 barrels, according to people familiar with the data. Official government figures are due later on Wednesday.

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Iran banned the mining of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin after a series of blackouts across major cities, in the latest sign of growing unease over the digital assets energy usage.

The ban is effective immediately and will last until Sept. 22, President Hassan Rouhani said on state TV on Wednesday.

It follows a regional ban within top Bitcoin-mining country China, and electric car-maker Tesla Inc.s decision to stop selling cars using the token. Both cited environmental concerns, triggering a drop in Bitcoins value from Aprils record high.

Iranian officials blame a surge in mining  as well as increased manufacturing and a drop in hydroelectricity supply  for blackouts that are playing havoc with businesses and daily life.

The government has been cracking down on the 85% of mining that is unlicensed, even enlisting spies to locate miners who hide computers everywhere from homes to mosques. Subsidized power prices allow miners to run the complex computers that compete to solve mathematical problems and receive Bitcoin as a reward.

The University of Cambridge estimates Iran was home to 3.4% of Bitcoin mining in the first four months of 2020, putting it in sixth place globally, with China far in front at 69.3%. Another estimate by analytics company Elliptic puts the Islamic Republics share at more than a percentage point higher.

Irans 50 licensed mining centers are spread across 14 of its 31 provinces and consume a combined 209 megawatts of electricity, grid operator Tavanir said in a statement on Wednesday, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

Iran is negotiating with the US and other world powers to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, which would ease sanctions and allow foreign companies to provide much-needed infrastructure investment in its power grid.

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Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, who had fled Antigua and Barbuda, captured in Dominica, according to news agency PTI citing local media.

Choksi is currently in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Dominica, reported Antigua media, as per reports.

The businessman, wanted in a 13,500 crore loan fraud in Punjab National Bank, had gone missing in Antigua and Barbuda where he has been staying since January 2018, his lawyer and the Royal Police Force of the Caribbean island nation said.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne had earlier said he has "no reliable information till date" that Choksi has fled the country and it was very likely that he was still in Antigua and Barbuda.

In a statement to the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda, Browne said authorities were "collaborating" with the Indian government, neighbouring countries and international police organisation to try and locate Choksi.

"Someone from his household indicated that he is missing. Since then Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda put out a statement to that effect. That statement will be shared with the Interpol," he said.

Browne said Choksi has two cases against him in courts of Antigua and Barbuda --extradition and revocation of citizenship -- for which he has brought in a celebrated lawyer from the United Kingdom to represent him and this showed his willingness to stay and contest the cases.

"I do not believe that law enforcement or anyone would have contemplated Mr Choksi would have fled the country. In any case we do not have any reliable information to date that he has fled the country. It is likely he may be still here and law enforcement is utilising all the efforts including all intelligence to try and locate Mr Choksi," he said.

Prime Minister Browne also downplayed "speculation" that Choksi had fled to Cuba as no aircraft with a flight plan having him as passenger has left the country, leaving the only option of travelling by boat.

It is "unlikely" that he had reached Cuba in 36 hours by boat, he said.

"Law enforcement continuing to collaborate with regional and international police so he is located just in case he has absconded. I maintain Mr Speaker that we do not have any reliable information to date that he has absconded," Browne said in his statement to the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda.

The businessman was last seen on Sunday in his car. Police recovered the vehicle after a search but Choksi could not be found, a statement from the Antiguan police said on Monday night India time.

His lawyer Vijay Aggarwal confirmed that Choksi has been missing since Sunday.

"Police in Antigua have started search operations for him. The family is worried about his safety. We are keeping a watch on developments," Aggarwal told PTI on Tuesday.

The Central Bureau of Investigation, which is probing allegations against Choksi, is verifying the reports through "formal and informal" channels, including the Interpol that has issued a red corner notice against him on a request from the agency, officials here said.

The statement from the Antiguan police, which launched a missing person operation on Sunday, carries a photograph of the businessman and seeks information from the public.

"The police are investigating a Missing Person Report made of 62-year-old Mehul Choksi of Jolly Harbour. Mehul was reported missing on Sunday 23rd May 2021 at the Johnson Point Police Station," it said.

Antiguanewsroom, a local media outlet, quoted Commissioner of Police Atlee Rodney as saying that the police is "following up on the whereabouts of Indian businessman Mehul Choksi", who is "rumoured" to be missing.

The media reports said Choksi, who had taken citizenship of the island nation, was seen driving in the southern area of the island on Sunday.

Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are wanted for allegedly siphoning 13,500 crore of public money from the state-run Punjab National Bank (PNB) using letters of undertaking.

While Modi is in a London prison after being repeatedly denied bail and is contesting his extradition to India, Choksi took citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in 2017 using the Citizenship by Investment programme before fleeing India in the first week of January 2018. The scam came to light subsequently.

With agency inputs

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Kathmandu: Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari on Wednesday appealed to Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind for access to COVID-19 vaccines as the Himalayan Nation reels under the second wave of the pandemic.

President Bhandari wrote to Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind requesting him to help Nepal with regard to the supply of "Made in India" COVID-19 vaccines.

"It has been communicated through diplomatic channels with Indian President requesting access to locally developed and manufactured anti-COVID vaccine. President Bhandari also thanked India for its assistance till date to fight the pandemic and measures to control it," Tika Dhakal, Communication expert to Nepali President confirmed ANI.

As per the official, the Nepali President also requested the Indian President to help the Himalayan Nation in regard to interruption in supplies of previously ordered Covishield Vaccines.

She also thanked India for providing vaccines under India's Vaccine Maitri initiative and the COVAX facility.

On Jan 2, Nepal had received one million doses from the Serum Institute of India and also a total of 348,000 doses of COVISHIELD under the COVAX facility on March 7.

The Nepal President also had a telephonic conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping with the same agenda, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed.

As per the ministry, the Chinese President committed one million dosages of the Chinese anti-COVID vaccine on a grant basis.

"During the conversation, the Chinese President announced that China will provide additional 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Nepal as grant assistance. President Xi also assured that Nepal will remain on a priority of China in vaccine support and cooperation," release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

Nepal to date has recorded a total of 535525 cases of coronavirus with 411603 recoveries and 6845 cases of deaths. On Wednesday also Nepal recorded as many as 6,714 cases of infection while 6,716 COVID-19 patients recovered and got discharged.

The health ministry also recorded 145 deaths cases related to COVID-19 on the same day. There are currently 101,777 active cases of COVID-19 across the country. Of them, 108,620 are in home isolation, 8,457 are in institutional isolation, 1,671 in ICUs and 434 on ventilators.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.

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Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko defended his handling of the diversion of a Ryanair flight over the weekend and accused Western leaders of trying to interfere in the countrys affairs, charging that they had crossed red lines in their attacks on the former Soviet state.

The Belarusian leader said his country was justified in asking the plane to land, heeding reports that there were explosives on board, and in doing so had averted a tragedy. He said he had acted legally to protect peoples lives.

We responded adequately to the information received," Mr. Lukashenko said in a speech to parliamentarians on Wednesday, his first comments since the Sunday incident. How would the United States react in such a situation in view of their sad experience?"

European Union and U.S. leaders were swift to condemn the forced landing of the plane, which was carrying dissident journalist Roman Protasevich, who was later arrested, and on Monday they agreed to impose a new round of sanctions on Belarus and ban its airlines from entering the blocs airspace and airports.

Western leaders have demanded the release of Mr. Protasevich, who became one of the lead actors behind a wave of antigovernment protests last year in the wake of Belaruss August presidential election. Mr. Lukashenko claimed to have won in a landslide, but Western officials said the vote was neither free nor fair. Opponents have been demanding the resignation of the Belarusian leader, who has been in power since 1994.

As we predicted, our ill-wishers from outside and inside the country have changed the methods of attacking the state," Mr. Lukashenko said. They crossed the boundaries of common sense and human morality."

He added, No sooner had the plane landed in Minsk, carbon-copy accusations from the West and flight bans started pouring in."

Belarusian authorities in November put Mr. Protasevich on a list of people involved in terrorist activities. They also started several criminal cases against him for organizing illegal protests and disrupting social order. Mr. Protasevich has said he regards the allegations as political repression. But the day after he was detained in Minsk, a video circulated on various Belarusian social-media accounts, including the oppositions, showed him saying he was in a pretrial detention facility in the Belarusian capital and confessing to organizing mass riots.

His supporters and parents said they believe his comments were coerced.

The planes grounding has raised questions over legality. U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab condemned the move as a shocking assault on civil aviation and an assault on international law," which represents a danger to civilian flights everywhere."

Mr. Lukashenko said, The state that will not succumb to hybrid pressure can survive. I appeal to the entire world community: There is no point in shaking Belarus."

Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who lives in exile in Lithuania, said on Wednesday that a new phase of active antigovernment protests are being prepared.

There is nothing more to wait forterror must be stopped once and for all," she said in a statement.

Mr. Lukashenkos comments regarding the flight diversion came a day after Belarusian aviation authorities released a transcript indicating that the Ryanair pilot repeatedly questioned air-traffic controllers about their request to reroute the plane to Minsk. The back-and-forth between the cockpit and ground control suggested the pilots sought clarity on diverting to Minsk, since the plane was already nearing the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, its final destination.

Mr. Lukashenko said that the Ryanair crew consulted with the owners of the plane and the airport in Vilnius, but decided to land in Minsk.

A spokeswoman for Lithuanias air-traffic control agency, Oro Navigacija, said on Tuesday that the crew did not contact the agency. It is unclear from the transcript that Belarus released whether the crew was able to communicate with Ryanair.

The airline declined to comment on Mr. Lukashenkos remarks.

The Belarusian leader said that a jet fighter dispatched by the Belarus air force wasnt meant to intimidate the crew.

Forcing the liner to land by a MiG-29 fighter is an absolute lie," Mr. Lukashenko said. The task of the fighter is to provide communication and take out a passenger plane for landing in case of a critical situation."

Mr. Lukashenko also said that the purported warning about a bomb on the plane, which was flying from Athens, came from Switzerland.

Switzerlands Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said that Swiss authorities had no knowledge of a bomb threat on the flight and have not been in touch with Belarus on the matter.

Belarus had earlier said it had received correspondence from Hamas, the militant group that governs the Gaza Strip, that a bomb on board was set to detonate over Vilnius. Hamas hasnt responded to requests for comment.

Hamas or no Hamasit doesnt matter today," Mr. Lukashenko said. I acted legally, protecting people, in accordance with all international rules."

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.

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An influential scientific panel says researchers should be allowed to grow human embryos in a lab for more than two weeks and recommends lifting the so-called 14-day rule, according to news reports.

The 14-day rule refers to a strict cap placed on the length of time lab-grown embryos are allowed to mature, in order to avoid ethical dilemmas that would arise as the tissues became more and more human-like, STAT reported . Some countries, including Australia and the U.K., have gone so far as to write the 14-day rule into law, while other countries, like the U.S., enforce the rule through regulatory research bodies. That said, in the past, scientists struggled to keep lab-grown embryos alive for that long.

But now, cell-culturing techniques have improved, and embryos can be kept alive up to the 14-day cutoff. And on Wednesday (May 26), the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) released new guidelines stating that scientists should be allowed to grow embryos past that two-week mark, NPR reported .

Related: 11 body parts grown in the lab

"There's very good reasons for doing this research. And people shouldn't be scared about it if there are robust mechanisms of review and oversight," Robin Lovell-Badge, a developmental biologist at The Francis Crick Institute in London and chair of the guidelines task force, said during a news conference on May 26, according to NPR. For example, such studies could provide valuable insight into infertility, miscarriage and birth defects, he said.

Between days 14 and 28 after fertilization, embryos begin building tissues from many different cell types, and the placenta forms, STAT reported. But because many people only learn they're pregnant after the 28-day mark, this period of development is difficult to study. Lab-grown embryos could help fill that gap in knowledge.

"When you ask, 'Is this ethically bad?' Well, you also have to put the opposite: Are there ethical issues for not doing research in that period?" Lovell-Badge said, according to NPR. "In many ways, you could argue it would be unethical not to do it."

The updated ISSCR guidelines will now be reviewed by regulatory bodies around the world, whose experts can dictate if and how the new rule is adopted, NPR reported.

"This is not a green light for groups to go ahead with extending human cultures [holding embryos] beyond 14 days," Kathy Niakan, a biologist at the University of Cambridge and Francis Crick and a member of the guidelines task force, said at the news conference, according to STAT.

"It would be irresponsible  and, in many jurisdictions, it would be illegal  to do so," Niakan said. "What we're doing instead is, the guidelines are a call to proactively engage in a two-way dialogue with the public to review the 14-day limit on human embryo culture."

Not all scientists and bioethicists agree with the new ISSCR guidelines. "I think it's deeply troubling," Dr. Daniel Sulmasy, a bioethicist at Georgetown University, told NPR. "Now, any sign of respect for the human embryo is gone."

Hank Greely, a Stanford University bioethicist, told NPR he supports the new guidelines but raised concerns that no new stopping point was introduced. "If you don't have any end point, could you take embryos to 20 weeks? To 24 weeks? Is viability the only endpoint?" he asked.

The new guidelines opened the door for these kinds of questions and now serve as the grounds for useful debate in the scientific community, Alta Charo, a bioethicist at the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison, told Nature News . "We didn't debate it before  now it's time to debate," Charo said.

Read more about the new guidelines and where the original 14-day rule came from in STAT , NPR and Nature News .

Originally published on Live Science.
A close-up of the handwritten equation, one of just four known examples , in the letter.

A lost letter written by Albert Einstein to a rival physicist recently sold to an anonymous collector for $1.2 million at auction. The handwritten letter includes Einstein's famous E=mc2 equation and is one of just four known examples of the equation in the physicists own handwriting, according to archivists from the Einstein Papers Project at Caltech and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The one-page letter, written in German on paper with Einstein's blind-stamped personal Princeton letterhead, was sent to Polish American physicist Ludwik Silberstein, a well-known critic of some of Einstein's theories at the time. The document is signed "A. Einstein" and is dated Oct. 26, 1946.

The letter remained in Silberstein's archives and was recently auctioned off by his family. The document was expected to sell for $400,000, but ended up going for three times that after a late bidding war between two parties on May 18, according to RR Auction , the Boston-based company that sold the letter.

Related: 8 ways you can see Einstein's theory of relativity in real life

"E = mc2 is the most famous equation in the world," Bobby Livingston, executive vice president at RR Auction, said in a statement. For that reason, it is "an important letter from a physics point of view."

Albert Einstein (left) and rival physicist Ludwik Silberstein (right). (Image credit: RR Auction)

Einstein first published the equation  energy equals mass times the speed of light squared  in a scientific paper in 1905. The idea behind the equation is that energy and mass are essentially just different forms of the same thing and can switch from one to the other, although the conditions required to do so are extreme, according to NOVA .

Prior to the publishing of the E=mc2 equation, physicists treated mass and energy as two separate entities that were only loosely related to each other. But in just a few strokes of his pen, Einstein changed this forever by proving they were actually two sides of the same coin, according to Discover Magazine .

The equation also allowed Einstein to prove his theory of special relativity  which states that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light in a vacuum because an object traveling at that speed would have infinite mass and therefore require infinite energy to move. Special relativity also changed physics by introducing the concept of space-time , which laid the groundwork for Einstein's later theory of general relativity , published in 1915, which showed that gravity is the result of distortions in space-time caused by objects moving through it.

The full letter written by Einstein to Silberstein in German. (Image credit: RR Auction)

In the letter, Einstein writes the famous equation to highlight the energy difference between two masses at both an infinite distance and a specified distance from each other, in response to a query from Silberstein. "Your question can be answered from the E = mc2 formula, without any erudition," Einstein wrote in the letter, translated from German.

Collectors were also drawn to the letter because it mentions the need for a unified field theory  a single theory that ties together all the fundamental forces of nature  currently considered to be the holy grail of modern physics.

Researchers recently reported on the discovery of another letter written by Einstein, this one suggesting that there could be a link between the migrations of birds and "unknown" physical processes, Live Science previously reported .

Originally published on Live Science.
The great white shark population off Northern California's coast is healthy and growing, a new study finds.

A survey of the great whites (Carcharodon carcharias) off the northern coast finds a stable adult population and a slight uptick in the number of subadult sharks, totaling 300 individuals. Researchers used a seal decoy to lure the apex predators to their boats so they could photograph and count the sharks.

The findings are great for the region.

Related: 10 times sharks made our jaws drop

"Robust populations of large predators are critical to the health of our coastal marine ecosystem," study co-author Taylor Chapple, a marine ecologist at Oregon State University, said in a statement . "So our findings are not only good news for white sharks, but also for the rich waters just off our shores here."

Great white sharks are found in coastal waters across the world. They are threatened by overfishing, according to the World Wildlife Fund , and their global population is in decline.

On the Pacific coast, however, the sharks seem to be doing well. Chapple and his team originally published a population estimate for sharks off Northern and Central California in 2011. The new research updates the previous estimate with longer-term observations. The sharks found in the region don't stay in one place: They spend half the year in the northeastern Pacific, between Baja, Mexico and Hawaii, then they spend the other half of the year closer to shore, ranging as far north as Washington and as far south as Mexico. The largest populations are found near the Guadalupe Island off Mexico and in the California Current off Northern California. This current stretches from Monterey Bay in the south to Bodega Bay north of San Francisco.

From 2011 to 2018, Chapple and his colleagues made boat-based observations at three sites near Southeast Farallon Island, Ano Nuevo Island and Tomales Point off the California coast. They collected more than 1,500 photographs as well as underwater video footage of great white sharks, using the dorsal fins to identify individual sharks and get a more accurate count.

"Every white shark has a unique dorsal fin. Its like a fingerprint or a bar code," Chapple said.

This individual identification also allowed the researchers to follow male and female sharks over a long period of time. Though the overall population numbers seemed strong, the researchers were slightly worried to find that the adult female great white population is only around 60.

"That underscores the need for continued monitoring of white sharks, as there are relatively few reproductively active females supplying the population with additional sharks, study co-author Paul Kanive, a doctoral candidate in ecology at Montana State University, said in the statement.

Much about great white shark reproduction is mysterious, but scientists believe the gestation period is around 12 months and that females usually give birth to between two and 10 pups at a time.

The possible population growth could be the result of natural fluctuation, or it could indicate that the shark protections in the region are working, the researchers wrote in the May issue of the journal Biological Conservation . In particular, restrictions on gillnets  fishing nets that are left in the water to entangle fish  might be improving the survival rate of young sharks. More should be done to protect the white sharks across their migratory path, Chapple said.

"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."

Originally published on Live Science.
South of New Zealand in the Tasman Sea is a stretch of stormy ocean where the waves regularly swell 20 feet (6 meters) or more and the winds blow at 30 mph (48 km/h) on a good day. Deep below these stormy seas, Earth is unquiet, too. This region is home to the Puysegur Trench, site of one of the youngest subduction zones on the planet. Here, the Australian plate is shoved under the Pacific plate, creating frequent large earthquakes, including a 7.2-magnitude quake in 2004.

Now, new research reveals how this baby subduction zone came to be: Over millions of years, a bit of the "hidden" continent of Zealandia on the boundary between the Australian and Pacific plates, got stretched and shifted in a way that led the denser oceanic crust to slam into  and under  it. This finding that positioning different types of crust against one another at a preexisting plate boundary leads to subduction may help to explain how other new subduction zones around the world form.

Related: Photo timeline: How Earth formed

"Subduction zones are one of the most important, if not the most important, plate boundaries," said study lead author Brandon Shuck, a doctoral candidate at The University of Texas at Austin. "They're really the main drivers of plate tectonics , so they're the primary reason why the plates on Earth actually move. And also they're very destructive plate boundaries. We don't really understand well how they start out and how they form in the first place."

Research in the 'Furious Forties'

Subduction zone formation is mysterious because subduction zones are, by nature, destructive. When a plate of oceanic crust dives under continental crust, the rocks at the surface twist, break and deform. The oceanic slab, meanwhile, churns into the mantle, where it's melted beyond recognition. This leaves little geological history behind to study.

The subduction zone in the Puysegur margin is young enough that this history has not yet been erased. That makes it an ideal spot to answer the question of how subduction zones form in the first place, Shuck told Live Science. There's not yet any good explanation of how tectonic plates break open and start subducting.

Related: In photos: Ocean hidden beneath Earth's surface

Studying the Puysegur margin is no easy feat, though, because it's in the "Roaring Forties," the latitudes between 40 degrees south and 50 degrees south where the winds and currents are brutal. Scientists aboard the research vessel Marcus Langseth set out to this region in 2018 as part of the South Island Subduction Initiation Experiment. It was a challenging trip, Shuck said. The crew had to spend almost a quarter of the time sheltering behind islands to avoid gales.

"Our boat was rolling side to side by like 20 degrees at one point," Shuck said. "It was a mess."

In spite of the weather, the researchers were able to deploy seafloor seismometers and to take seismic surveys of the subsurface, a method which uses reflected sound waves to see underground structures.

The making of a subduction zone

A schematic showing the Puysegur margin south of New Zealand. Seafloor spreading starting 45 million years ago stretched out the submerged continental crust of Zealandia on the Pacific Plate, creating a thinned region at the Solander Basin. A strike-slip fault brought this weakened continental crust and denser oceanic crust from the Australian Plate side-by-side. The collision pushed the dense oceanic crust under the lighter continental crust, a process called subduction. (Image credit: Brandon Shuck)

The new data allowed the researchers to put together a history of the young subduction zone, which Shuck presented at the virtual meeting of the Seismological Society of America on April 22, the same day the study was published in the journal Tectonics . It all started about 45 million years ago, when a new plate boundary between the Australian and Pacific plates began to form because of a force called extension -- basically, tectonic forces pulled the two plates apart like putty.

The oceanic crust at the plate boundary responded to this extension predictably: As the crust thin, magma from the mantle pushed up through fractures, hardening into new rock. This process is called seafloor spreading, and it's how new oceanic crust forms.

But there was a catch: The secret continent of Zealandia. Zealandia is a submerged section of continental crust the size of Australia around New Zealand. Zealandia was perched over the north end of this extensional zone. As continental crust is thicker and more buoyant, the extensional forces working at the plate boundary couldn't crack Zealandia. Instead, the continental crust merely stretched as it spread, creating a thinned-out zone now known as the Solander basin.

Now there were two plates. The Australian Plate, to the west, consisted of continental crust from Zealandia in the north and new oceanic crust in the south. The Pacific Plate, to the east, also consisted of oceanic crust in the south. To the north, the Pacific Plate hosted the thinned-out continental crust of the Solander basin. At the plate boundary, oceanic crust bumped up against oceanic crust, and continental crust against continental crust.

Likely little of interest would have happened, if not for another tectonic shift 25 million years ago.

At that time, the Australian-Pacific plate boundary stopped pulling apart. Instead, the plates started to move past each other, creating what's known as a strike-slip fault. Now, the Pacific plate was moving south, and the Australian plate was moving north. This opposing movement brought the oceanic crust of the Australian plate right next door to the thin Solander basin continental crust on the Pacific plate.

Illustration of a strike-slip fault at a tectonic plate boundary. (Image credit: MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images)

This was the key to starting subduction, Shuck said: Continental crust is more buoyant than denser oceanic crust, and this difference in buoyancy allowed the denser part of the Australian plate to slide under the lighter Pacific one, especially because the boundary between these continental and oceanic plates was already weakened by the earlier strike-slip faulting. The findings drive home how important strike-slip movement is to tectonics, Shuck said.

"How plates rotate is really important," he said. "If you just think about pulling things apart and pushing them together you don't really create that much contrast, but [with] strike-slip, you're translating [sliding a portion of crust] and it's super-efficient. Just imagine, with the plates sliding past each other, you're going to cause materials of different properties to come together eventually."

Moving down the fault

There are other spots around the globe where strike-slip movement is happening in the same place as the compression and convergence of plates, particularly along the Queen Charlotte fault north of Vancouver and south of Alaska, Shuck said. That fault may be a place where a subduction zone could potentially form, he said.

Related: 10 amazing geological discoveries

But there are also many questions left to answer about the fault south of New Zealand. Speaking at the Seismological Society of America meeting on April 22, geophysicist Caroline Eakin of Australian National University described a research trip to Macquarie Ridge, an undersea ridge 620 miles (1,000 km) south of New Zealand on the same fault as the Puysegur margin. In October 2020, scientists deployed seafloor seismic instruments at this rugged ridge, which is only 28 miles (25 km) wide but rises 3.7 miles (6 km) from the surrounding topography.

The researchers will return to pick up the instruments and their data in November 2021, as long as the weather allows. If the Puysegur margin is in the "Roaring Forties," Macquarie Ridge is in the "Furious 50s." The research ship encountered 68 mph (109 km/h) winds while trying to deploy the instruments and spent 38% of the mission in such bad weather that scientists aboard couldn't do anything but shelter in place and wait. Nevertheless, they are hopeful that the new ocean-bottom seismometers (OBS) will open their eyes to what's going on beneath the ridge. Right now, the researchers know there are large quakes originating in the region, but they don't know much about how deep in the crust they are, what kind of faults they occur on or what kind of tsunami risks they pose to coastal areas in Australia.

"The OBS data will also allow us to image the subsurface beneath-the-plate boundary for the first time using different seismic imaging techniques," Eakin told Live Science. "Currently, most of our observations tell us about what is happening at the surface or near-surface, but we have no idea what is happening beneath the surface of the plate boundary in the Macquarie Ridge region."

One question they hope to answer: Will the fault at Macquarie Ridge begin to turn into a subduction zone, too? The Puysegur margin and Macquarie Ridge are related and are experiencing similar changes in plate motion over time, Eakin said, though Puysegur is further along in the process. Macquarie Ridge, being two slabs of oceanic crust coming together, might be more resistant to subduction than the continental crust and oceanic crust boundary at Puysegur, Shuck said; but subduction zones can also spread along a fault from a single point.

"Those two segments could actually link up  maybe  in the future," Shuck said.

Originally published on Live Science.
Madagascar may be a secret stronghold for coelacanths, the "living fossil" fish that were considered extinct until a fisherman caught one in 1938.

That incredible first specimen hailed from the coast of South Africa, but coelacanths of the same species  Latimeria chalumnae  have since turned up off Tanzania, the Comoros (a group of islands off the eastern coast of Africa) and Madagascar. Now, a new review of the Madagascar fishery bycatch, or accidental catch, reveals that at least 34 confirmed specimens have been caught and that many more likely have been pulled up that never reached the attention of biologists or conservationists. Though the overall population numbers remain a mystery, the authors of the new study suspect that Madagascar may be an important habitat for coelacanths and that it may even be their ancestral home.

With 420 million years of history behind them, coelacanths are older than Madagascar, which has had a coastline for 88 million years and has been in its current location for about 40 million years. But they're best known from the Comoros, which are only about 15 million years old. Researchers think the fish may have been living in Madagascar longer, colonizing the Comoros later in history.

Related: See photos of the freakiest-looking fish

Madagascar "has got a vast shoreline, and we know that there are canyons along its coast," study co-author Mike Bruton, an ichthyologist based in Cape Town, South Africa, told Live Science. "And we know that coelacanths like to live in canyons from depths of about 150 to 500 meters [500 to 1,600 feet]."

Madagascar is also much older than the Comoros, where most recorded coelacanth catches come from. Because coelacanth fossil history stretches back 420 million years, Bruton and his colleagues believe that, compared with the Comoros, Madagascar might have been home to coelacanths for longer.

Fossil fish

That long history is what makes coelacanths fascinating, said Bruton, the author of " The Annotated Old Fourlegs: The Updated Story of the Coelacanth " (University Press of Florida, 2018). These fish evolved 180 million years before the dinosaurs first emerged, surviving even as continents shifted and an asteroid wiped out much of life on Earth, including marine "sea monsters" like mosasaurs . Known first from fossils , coelacanths were believed extinct until a trawler caught one in a gill net in December 1938 near South Africa. According to the Australian Museum , the crew was intrigued enough by the large, bizarre-looking fish that they alerted a museum in East London, South Africa, whose scientists brought the specimen to the attention of South African ichthyologist J.L.B. Smith. Smith confirmed that the creature was a coelacanth and gave it a scientific name. (Another species, Latimeria menadoensis, was discovered in 1998 near Indonesia.)

Information on coelacanths in Madagascar waters has always been scattered and disorganized, Bruton said; there has never been a coelacanth specialist based on the island. Given the promising habitat around the coast, the researchers started to gather reports of coelacanth catches. They found an increasing number of reports with time, possibly because of the rising popularity of large-mesh gill nets used to catch sharks for the shark-fin market. These gill nets, called jarifa nets, are left in deep water and sometimes baited with small fish. The nets probably go undetected by coelacanths until it's too late, as the fish hunt by night and mostly by using electroreception, the detection of tiny electric fields made by prey in the water. The nets don't generate electric fields. Making matters worse for coelacanths, the nets can be deployed in the rocky canyons they prefer, unlike trawl nets, which must be used on relatively smooth seafloor.

Of 34 catches with enough detail recorded to be confirmed coelacanths, the fish ranged in weight from 66 to 198 lbs. (30 to 90 kilograms). The lengths ranged from almost 4 feet to more than 6 feet (121 to 190 centimeters).

Protecting the coelacanth

The catches occurred across 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) of the western coast of Madagascar, from the southernmost point of the island all the way to the northwestern coast. The largest cluster was caught in Onilahy Canyon, off the southwest coast of the island. This level of bycatch could be dangerous to the coelacanths' survival. The species is critically endangered and has many of the features that put fish at risk of extinction, Bruton said: It is slow-growing, it reproduces rarely, and it is a high-level predator easily threatened by habitat loss and environmental degradation.

Related: 50 of the most endangered species on the planet

It's possible that coelacanths also live off the east coast of Madagascar, the researchers reported March 29 in the South African Journal of Science . Fishing activity is lighter to the east, so surveys using remotely operated vehicles would be helpful to search that side of the island for the ancient fish, Bruton said. The African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme, a project of the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, has a submersible that is capable of doing these surveys, Bruton said, but a planned expedition that included Madagascar was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic . He and his colleagues hope the expedition will be rescheduled.

"Only then will we know the full extent of the population, how healthy it is, and be able to recommend measures to ensure their survival," Bruton said.

For now, the researchers recommend that Madagascar set up a coelacanth sanctuary in Onilahy Canyon and pass legislation adding L. chalumnae to the country's protected species list. Fishing with jarifa nets should be banned in coelacanth-rich areas, they wrote in the South African Journal of Science, and fishing crews should be given incentives to tag, photograph and throw back any live coelacanths they catch. The fish make for poor eating, as their tissues contain a variety of rancid-tasting oils and a waste product called urea (the main ingredient in urine), but they are sometimes consumed in Madagascar.

If fishing crews can be brought onboard the conservation bandwagon, they might also help advance coelacanth research, Bruton said. Fishers could be taught to deep-freeze any dead coelacanths they do catch to preserve tissue for genetic analysis. Gene sequencing could help reveal whether there is any breeding of coelacanths between Madagascar and other West Indian Ocean populations, Bruton said.

"That would be very valuable information that we don't know at this stage," he said.

Originally published on Live Science.
For the first time in nearly 2.5 years, skywatchers were treated to a total lunar eclipse Wednesday morning (May 26). Luckily for anyone who missed it, many of these sky-gazers snapped photos of the moon with cameras ranging from those on smartphones to those equipped with telephoto lenses.

The celestial show began the Tuesday night (May 25), with the Flower Moon rising high in the night sky. May's full moon, named for the wildflowers blooming around the Northern Hemisphere, was the closest full moon to Earth of 2021, meaning it was larger and brighter than usual, or in other words, a supermoon.

Skywatchers in the lunar eclipse's path got an eyeful just before 6 a.m. EDT (10:00 UTC) Wednesday morning, when the partial eclipse started. During this phase, the moon moved into Earth's dark shadow, or umbra. This shadow is so dark, it looked as though a monster had taken a circular bite out of the moon. Then, shortly after 7 a.m. EDT (11:00 UTC), the umbra completely covered the moon, leading to totality.

Here are photos of the total lunar eclipse taken by photographers around the world.

Related: Glitzy photos of a supermoon

Rusty red over Indonesia

(Image credit: Johanes Christo/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The full moon is nearly in totality in this photo from Sanur Beach, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia on May 26, 2021. During totality, the moon is completely covered by Earth's dark umbral shadow. But the sun's rays bending around Earth, which pass through Earth's atmosphere, can still reach the moon. These rays are red, as Earth's atmosphere filters out the shorter blue wavelengths, but lets the longer red ones through.

Santa Monica moon

(Image credit: Photo By Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

A man takes a walk during the total lunar eclipse from Santa Monica Beach in California on May 26, 2021. Totality, when the Flower Moon turned red, lasted just over 14 minutes.

Celestial show over Christchurch, New Zealand

(Image credit: Sanka Vidanagama/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Usually the bright full moon dims out other celestial objects in the night sky. But when the May 26 full moon dimmed during totality, it was easier for sky-gazers on Earth to see bright stars in the sky, as they did here in Christchurch, New Zealand.

This was New Zealand's first visible super blood moon since December 1982.

Time-lapse from Mexico

(Image credit: Manuel Velasquez/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

A composite image of the total lunar eclipse on May 26, 2021, as seen from Mexico City, Mexico.

As seen from Chile

(Image credit: Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images)

This photo, snapped in Santiago, Chile on May 26, 2021, shows just a sliver of the moon illuminated.

California view

(Image credit: Michael Hunter)

Live Science reader Michael Hunter snapped this photo showing the partial eclipse phase from Fremont, California. Hunter noted that he never changed his camera's time for daylight saving, so the timestamp is an hour early (it was really 3:51 a.m. PDT). During this phase, the moon was still entering the Earth's dark umbral shadow.

"[The] moon was about to pass behind [the] rooftop, causing difficulty to focus," Hunter told Live Science. But we're thrilled we can see the moon's reddish tint.

Supermoon in Australia

(Image credit: Mark Evans/Getty Images)

The Flower supermoon rises above Rylstone, Australia, on May 26, 2021. According to NASA, supermoons can appear up to 14% larger and up to 30% brighter than the average full moon.

New Zealand combo

(Image credit: Sanka Vidanagama/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

A combination of photos from the super blood Flower moon eclipse, as seen from Christchurch, New Zealand, on May 26, 2021.

The images show the full supermoon (left), the partial eclipse phase (two middle moons), and the moon in near totality (right).

Hawaii shot

(Image credit: Michael Lumahai)

This shot of the total lunar eclipse on May 26, 2021, taken during near totality, was snapped on the island of Kauai in Hawaii.

Starry sky from Santa Cruz de las Flores, Mexico

(Image credit: Brenda Douglas)

Live Science reader Brenda Douglas took this photo of the burgundy red Flower Moon on May 26, 2021 from Santa Cruz de las Flores, a town just south of Guadalajara in Mexico.

Flower Moon in the Philippines

(Image credit: Evelyn Lapena)

Live Science reader Evelyn Lapena took this fantastic shot on May 26, 2021 from the Philippines with the help of a F36050 telescope.

Oregon View

(Image credit: Deb Merchant)

In this blood moon photo, taken May 26, 2021, Live Science reader Deb Merchant said she was "standing next to a farm field and old barn in Albany, Oregon at 4:12 a.m. [PDT]." She recalled the "frogs calling owls hooting birds singing and the moon hanging in the sky for my artsy-fartsy shot of the lunar eclipse!"

Red moon in Redwood City

(Image credit: Matt Frisbie)

Live Science reader Matt Frisbie took this photo during the total lunar eclipse on May 26, 2021 in Redwood City, California. "Crystal clear skies at 4 a.m. [PDT], shot this with a Nikon D3300," Frisbie told Live Science.

Mountain View lunar eclipse

(Image credit: Gordon Hamachi)

Gordon Hamachi, a Live Science reader, snapped this photo of the total lunar eclipse from Mountain View, California on May 26, 2021. Just as the full moon was almost entirely in totality, "I held my iPhone up to the eyepiece of a Meade Infinity 70 mm refractor telescope to take this photo," he told Live Science in an email.

Originally published on Live Science.
Livingston Parish teachers voiced their frustrations to the Livingston Parish School Board on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. Before the meeting, the Livingston Parish chapter of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers passed out specially-made face masks that read, See Teachers! Hear Teachers! Help Teachers!
By Alex McElroy

Atria. 304 pp. $27

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Sometime in the not-too-distant future, America has a "man horde" problem: Groups of adult men band together, seemingly subconsciously and attack unwitting people. These hordes do puzzling things. They swarm cars at the mall and change their tires, terrifying the drivers who don't need their tires changed. They rescue a kitten from a tree. They kick a German shepherd to death. They break into houses and ... fold laundry?

"There was no way of telling how a man horde would act once it formed ... The men who horded never remembered joining a horde." What can be done?

In "The Atmospherians," by Alex McElroy, Sasha Marcus and her best friend from high school, Dyson Layne, cook up a solution. They've both had run-ins with toxic masculinity. Sasha, co-founder of a social media wellness brand called ABANDON, is on the run from men's rights activists after an online stalker blamed her for ignoring his messages and livestreamed his suicide. The younger Dyson faced mockery from his macho, workout-obsessed father for being overweight, prompting an eating disorder so severe it gave him a heart attack.

Now in his late 20s, Dyson convinces Sasha that founding a cult will save them - and society. "The Atmosphere" will gather 12 men (groups of more than 12 men are forbidden in the horde-averse culture) and teach them how to lose their aggressive tendencies and forge authentic connections with each other, supposedly in preparation for rejoining their friends and families on the outside.

Murphy's Law says if anything can go wrong, it will. And plenty goes wrong with Dyson's plan. But McElroy's Law says if anything can go wrong, it will be strange - and strangely relevant. For example, Dyson decides that his cult members will take a cue from his past of disordered eating and weekly gorge on a "family meal" and then disgorge that meal in "the trough," a ghastly reminder of the lengths to which Western women will go to remain slim.

This debut novel has its uneven bits - the long sections about the Atmosphere's beginnings could be trimmed to save space for explaining how the cult grows later on, but McElroy offers trenchant commentary on our society's fraught gender dynamics. Men, we are told at one point, "appeared happy and content" when "free from the lives that led them here, wrested from the pressures of jobs, rent, love, family, and friends - free from expectations and need." And "women deserved to be more than who we were told to become." The patriarchy is a win for no one.

In this dystopian satire, winning is far from the point. The novel has occasional lists of things men "needed to know." At first they're almost funny: "Shirtsleeves are not napkins" and "What you consider pain is likely mere inconvenience." But they go on to become quite serious: "There is no reason not to be honest" and "Love is far more important than loyalty."

By the time Sasha and Dyson plot another scheme that will change their lives forever, readers will understand that anyone, of any gender, can be divorced from a true, compassionate self. Sasha runs a cult while running from herself; but what happens when she faces up to her faults? "The Atmospherians" provides a sharp-edged view of how contemporary gender politics have changed culture - but not what it means to be human.

- - -

Bethanne Patrick is the editor, most recently, of "The Books That Changed My Life: Reflections by 100 Authors, Actors, Musicians and Other Remarkable People."
Click here to read the full article.

Discovery-backed channel GB News will launch June 13 in the U.K. with a special program Welcome to GB News.

The channel will be available on Freeview channel 236, Sky HD, Virgin Media HD, YouView channel 236 and Freesat channel 216, besides mobile and online.

GB News is backed by Discovery and several other mostly non-British based financiers to the tune of 60 million ($82 million). The operation is led by chair Andrew Neil.

Neil helped Rupert Murdoch launch Sky TV back in the late 1980s. He was once an outspoken critic of the BBC when he edited the Murdoch-owned Sunday Times, but later became the one BBC interviewer most feared by British politicians of all stripes. His BBC show was later axed.

Neil leads the evening line-up with the prime time news and interview program Andrew Neil, while businesswoman and former The Apprentice winner Michelle Dewberry will host Dewbs & Co every weeknight.

Dan Wootton, former executive editor of The Sun, will front Tonight Live with Dan Wootton five nights a week. Broadcaster Nana Akua, who has had stints with BBC and ITV, will host Tonight Live with Nana Akua.

Archaeologist, author and journalist Neil Oliver will host Neil Oliver Live and comedian, writer and cultural commentator Andrew Doyle will host Free Speech Nation, a take on current affairs.

Alastair Stewart will anchor current affairs analysis show Alastair Stewart & Friends. Journalist Colin Brazier and social commentator Mercy Muroki will co-host a show together, as will former Labour MP Gloria De Piero and economist Liam Halligan and journalists Simon McCoy and Alex Phillips.

Fronting the channels morning show The Great British Breakfast will be Akua, Kirsty Gallacher, Rebecca Hutson, Inaya Folarin Iman, Darren McCaffrey and Rosie Wright, all of whom will work across other programs and news stories as well.

GB News has also hired regional reporters across the U.K.

We can sense a real hunger for something fresh and different in television news and debate, said director of news and programming John McAndrew. Its humbling because we are a small start-up with a fraction of the resources of others, but what we lack in size we make up for in passion and determination to provide a welcoming home for honest British news and debate.

McAndrew is an experienced British TV news operator who worked with Neil at the BBC and was a senior news executive at Sky News.

All our presenters will have the freedom to say what they think, to have some fun and to be brave about covering the issues that really matter to the people of Britain, McAndrew added.

The channel is set up to be a disruptor, unlike the normally staid nature of U.K. news channels.

Plans for another news channel with potentially provocative content, Rupert Murdochs News U.K. channel, are currently on hold due to the prohibitive costs of setting up such an enterprise. News U.K. chief Rebekah Brooks said in April that the company would look instead at providing news via shows on streaming platforms.

GB News is currently broadcasting test content on Freeview and YouView Channels 236 and Freesat channel 216.

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Click here to read the full article.

UPDATED: WarnerMedias HBO Max was hit with scattered technical issues for more than an hour Tuesday, with users nationwide reporting problems streaming video.

According to monitoring site DownDetector, problem reports with HBO Max began to surge around 4:45 p.m. ET, with user-reported issues concentrated in New York, L.A., Washington, D.C., and San Francisco.

Were aware some customers may be experiencing issues streaming #HBOMax and appreciate your patience as we work to resolve this as quickly as possible, the HBO Max Help account on Twitter posted Tuesday. The account pointed customers to its help website for updates.

At 6:08 p.m. ET, HBO Max Help tweeted that the issue had been resolved.

HBO Max users said they encountered error messages that said Cant Play Title or that video was simply not loading in the app.

Many HBO Max customers took to social media to complain about the outages. very cool of hbo max to go down at the exact moment im trying to fucking watch infinity train, one griped. Another quipped, I cant wait for the @LastWeekTonight bit about HBO Max being down this week

As of the end of March 2021, HBO Max and HBO combined had 44.2 million domestic customers (including 9.7 million retail HBO Max subs), up 2.7 million sequentially from 41.5 million at the end of 2020.

The first week of June, WarnerMedia plans to launch HBO Max With Ads, priced at $10/month with a limited amount of commercial breaks, a 33% discount from the regular $15/month ad-free tier. The ad-supported version offers the same content with the exception of the Warner Bros. films being made available on HBO Max day-and-date with theaters.

Also next month, WarnerMedia is planning to launch HBO Max in 39 Latin American countries next month, followed by 21 European markets in the back half of 2021. The company expects to end the year with between 67 million and 70 million HBO/HBO Max subscribers worldwide, up 10%-15% from the end of 2020.

Meanwhile, AT&T has set plans to jettison WarnerMedia: Last week the telco announced a multibillion-dollar deal to combine WarnerMedia with Discovery, in a bid to gain global synergies for their direct-to-consumer streaming businesses.

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On Tuesday, the City of Laredo and Rep. Henry Cuellar delivered an update on the Terminal Improvement Plan for the citys airport and showed off a model depicting what it may look for the tentative 2024 completion period.

To partially fund the expansion, Laredo received $27,694,964 in funds between the CARES Act and from the Federal Aviation Administration. According to Cuellar, in the last 10 years, over $184 million has been invested into the airport with more funds expected.

With $9,188,272 diverted to the taxiway construction, Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz said that there has been growth in cargo transportation and the expansion will add value to the city and improve transportation of cargo for the U.S.

He also said that with the unemployment rate in Laredo at approximately 3.4% before the pandemic, and at 8% earlier this year improvements are already being shown, citing that the current rate sits at 7%. And with the expansion, more jobs will become available centered around the airport.

Cuellar echoed the sentiment and said that he can see Laredo moving to the No. 1 air cargo port along with their standing as the No. 1 land port.

Cuellar touted that the airport is also in the process to see the addition of a new Air and Marine hanger facility that would bolster Laredo employment, along with the new taxiway that would pave the way for additional cargo to pass through Laredo.

The hanger would be used to store aircrafts and aircraft maintenance, and have space for Customs and Border Protection operations. It is planned to include two 24,000-square feet hangars and an administration office building.

As per the $18,506,692 from the CARES Airport Improvement Program, Saenz cited that the citys economy was flourishing prior to the pandemic, a trend he hopes returns as we the pandemics impact continues to dwindle

Airport Director Jefferey Miller said that he was excited to have finally unveiled the project and begin the process of expanding and renovating the terminal. With the cost estimated to reach $35 million, he said that having the leaders of both the Southwest Region Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Security involved will be a boon moving forward.

According to the plans, the airport will be seeing an expansion of its north side quadrant, which would relocate the TSA checkpoint and free up space to add airport amenities. For example, expanded bathrooms, a meet-and-greet area, a nursing mothers room and an adult changing room would be added.

Its going to make people feel like they are somewhere that is not benign, they are in Laredo, Miller said. The bones in this terminal are great, but it lacks some of those qualities that the traveler expects to have today.

One example of a change that passengers would notice right away would be the removal of the escalators in the middle of the terminal. As the airport still had a pre-9/11 infrastructure, the security checkpoint was placed at the top of the escalators but with little room. This meant that passengers would need to queue at the bottom, resulting in a traffic congestion. This was made worse in situations where 150 passengers would travel to Las Vegas and be stopped by the escalators.

The expansion is designed to eliminate that entire portion and streamline the terminal.

With a restaurant space, a resting area and an area to stay in line, Miller believes it will result in a more pleasant and safe airport experience.

With an average of 100,000 passengers passing through the airport, Miller projects a 3-4% annual growth, with the terminal expansion slated to complement that growth. This is compounded by the new Aeromar airline providing trips to Mexico City.

Ultimately, Miller believes that the improvements would reduce the leakage rate of 69% of Laredo fliers who travel to San Antonio to fly. This has already dropped by 10%, saying that the ease of flying local will eventually reduce that leakage even more.

cocampo@lmtonline.com
On Tuesday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton arrived to the Gateway City and visited the City of Laredo Police Department headquarters as part of a visit to survey and tour the border area and talk to local law enforcement officials about what is going on at the border.

During his visit to Laredo, Paxton also toured the Rio Grande with border officials to get a first-hand look at what is happening while also participating in a round table discussion with the local agencies to share the information they had about what is going on in the Laredo sector of the border. In the press conference, he also announced that his visit is to show that his office is ready to work with the county and city to see what more resources are needed in the area in efforts to combat the growing migration at the border.

It is a state issue, it is a national issue of incredible importance and it is just really an honor for me to be here with these amazing men and women of law enforcement and with the city and the county who are doing so much good and really doing everything they can to make a difference to stop these cartels from what they are doing illegally, Paxton said.

Paxton said his No. 1 concern was more action revolving around not wanting cartels to gain more influence or power because of the increased smuggling people into the country, which he states is a form of distraction for other illicit activities.

This is just to embolden them and provide them with greater resources to continue their crime spree and become a major force along the border and even the United States as more people come in, Paxton said. And they have access to pay them to bring them here.

Since his last visit to the border area years ago, Paxton states that the situation has gotten worse as he says there is a continued policy of open borders by the current presidential administration.

According to the attorney general, he and his team were briefed by the City of Laredo about the situation along the border prior to the press conference, and Paxton stated he has filed lawsuits against the Biden Administration in efforts to demand more action along the border. Paxton states that the lawsuits are in demand for the administration to enforce the federal laws and for the administration to be more proactive in demanding more action in stopping the immigration crisis.

Nevertheless, Paxton stated that his visit to Laredo was predominantly to hear from the local law enforcement entities in Laredo to hear from them about what is happening on the ground and what resources or policy maneuvers they need to implement change.

City of Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz was the one who introduced Paxton during the press conference, and he provided background on his work as attorney general which includes his initiatives against human trafficking, school rights, immigration and religious freedom.

It is always very eye-opening to me as a mayor to see what is going on in the community, but we have always had good dialogue here, Saenz said.

According to the mayor, the city is always delighted to have someone of his stature from the federal level come to the city to visit and ask around what is needed for the problems that might be happening in and around the community.

Paxton also stated that establishing more direct communication with the city to understand the issues that the city is facing and how the state government can help is something that he wants his office to do in efforts to tackle the problems facing the community head on.

We are going to establish more communication with the leadership down here, Paxton said. We have offered that up for prosecutions. Certainly any information that we can get, we are open to hearing it as we have some law enforcement, and we have a lot of lawyers. And whether we need a court or to help on the law enforcement side or the prosecution side, whatever resources we have we will make available to the leadership whether it is the city, county or anywhere else.

The Laredo Chief of Police also stated that his visit is beneficiary in efforts to understand what other avenues or resources they need in efforts to process people faster that come to the area or are involved with the smuggling of people in the area.

In ways to work better on our cases, in prosecuting cases, changes that may be needed to better work the different issues are coming up on our border and across the Texas border as well, City of Laredo Police Chief Claudio Trevino Jr. said.

The police department thanked the attorney general for his visit to the city and by holding a round table to discuss the various issues impacting the area and how the city could get more resources to crack down on the illegal trade of people and narcotics through the border.

During his visit, Paxton did not visit any local shelters housing migrants but expressed that he has visited several others around the state and understands the gravity of the issue. He also implied that the situation is similar throughout the border as migrant crossings have increased everywhere, but only Laredo is seeing more individuals coming by themselves instead of in family units like in other areas.

Several other city dignitaries also attended the event such as City Manager Robert Eads, City of Laredo District III Councilmember Mercurio Martinez III, District V Councilmember Ruben Gutierrez Jr. and others.

jorge.vela@lmtonline.com
A mother claimed that she smuggled migrants in exchange for money for her children, according to an arrest affidavit.

Joana Cazares was arrested and charged with transport, attempt to transport and conspire to transport migrants who had crossed the border illegally.

At about 9 p.m. on May 19, a black Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Cazares arrived at the Interstate 35 checkpoint. Cazares stated that she was a U.S. citizen. She was in the company of three passengers.

An agent asked a female rear passenger about their destination. The female passenger, however, replied that she was a U.S. citizen.

Asked for identification, the female passenger looked over to a male rear passenger. While investigating the passengers, Cazares stated that they were all on their way to San Antonio to find a party to go to, according to court documents.

But all three passengers eventually admitted to being in the country illegally. Cazares allegedly agreed to provide a post-arrest statement.

Cazares stated she needed money for her children and that it seemed easy for her, states the affidavit.

She added that a man called her to ask her if she was able to transport migrants to San Antonio. Cazares agreed. She asked for the payment in advance but never received it, according to court documents.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden is expected to announce he is nominating former senior State Department official Nicholas Burns to serve as his ambassador to China and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to be his ambassador to India, according to a person familiar with the matter.

With the selections, Biden is turning to a seasoned diplomat and a longtime political ally to serve in two of the countrys highest-profile diplomatic postings.

It was not clear when either nomination would be announced, according to the person familiar with the matter, who was not authorized to publicly comment on the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity. The White House declined to comment on either Burns or Garcetti and noted that no one is final until theyre announced."

The Associated Press has previously reported that Biden has settled on former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to serve as his ambassador to Japan and former Deputy Secretary of State Tom Nides to be ambassador to Israel. Neither of those selections has been publicly announced.

Prominent Democratic fundraisers Denise Bauer, Jane Hartley and David Cohen have also emerged as leading contenders for postings in France, Italy and Canada, respectively, according to people familiar with the White House deliberations but also not authorized to publicly comment on the matter. During the Obama administration, Bauer served as ambassador to Belgium, and Hartley was ambassador to France and Monaco. Cohen is a top executive at the cable company Comcast.

Burns and Garcetti, if confirmed by the Senate, would come to their postings at high-pressure moments in the U.S. relationships with China and India.

Biden on Wednesday asked U.S. intelligence officials to redouble their efforts to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, including any possibility the trail might lead to a Chinese lab.

The president has also pressed Chinas Xi Jinping on his government crackdown of democracy activists in Hong Kong, human rights abuses against Uighur and ethnic minorities in the western Xinjiang province, and what the U.S. sees as unfair and coercive trade practices.

Burns previously served as undersecretary of state under President George W. Bush and as U.S. envoy to Greece and NATO. Burns is now the executive director of the Aspen Strategy Group and Aspen Security Forum. Hes also a professor of the practice of diplomacy and international relations at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Garcetti, if confirmed, would be dispatched to India as it has been overwhelmed by a surge in coronavirus infections and deaths. Indias death toll is the third highest reported in the world after the U.S. and Brazil, and true numbers are thought to be significantly greater.

Alex Comisar, a spokesperson in Garcettis mayoral office, declined to comment.

Garcetti, 50, who considered a 2020 White House bid and later became part of Bidens inner circle, emerged as a widely discussed possibility to join Bidens Cabinet last year. But he took himself out of the running, saying the raging coronavirus crisis made it impossible for him to step away.

The two-term mayor would leave LA with an uneven record. He has been credited with continuing a transit buildup in a city choked with traffic, establishing tougher earthquake safety standards for thousands of buildings and steering the city though the deadly pandemic as it became a hot spot for infections. Cases have fallen steeply in the city and some restrictions have been rolled back, consistent with the trajectory in the state.

But Garcetti was overmatched by a crisis of homelessness that became a national embarrassment despite the massive jump in government spending to fight it. Many streets and sidewalks remain cratered and crumbling, despite his early pledge to make fixing them a cornerstone of his administration.

A lawsuit alleges that a former top staffer sexually harassed one of the mayors police bodyguards while Garcetti ignored it or laughed it off. The mayor denies the claims. One of his former deputy mayors was also indicted on corruption charges in an ongoing federal investigation at City Hall. And as is the case in many large cities, the crime rate in LA is spiking.

In picking Garcetti, the president would be rewarding a loyalist who was one of his national campaign co-chairs, who served on the committee that vetted his pool of vice presidential contenders and who served as one of several co-chairs for Bidens inaugural committee.

The India post would allow the politically ambitious Garcetti to burnish his foreign policy credentials ahead of a possible future White House run. Thats a conspicuous gap on his resume  the Ivy League graduate and Rhodes scholar has spent two decades in city government, either as mayor or a city councilman.

Garcettis popularity has slipped in recent years, and Black Lives Matter protesters had banged drums outside his official residence earlier this year to urge Biden not to choose Garcetti for a Cabinet position.

Axios first reported that Biden was ready to nominate Garcetti as ambassador to India and that Burns was the president's likely choice for ambassador to China.

___

Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani and Kathleen Ronayne contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The CEOs of the six biggest U.S. banks went before Congress Wednesday, eager to lay out their support for struggling consumers and small businesses hard hit by the pandemic.

But lawmakers focused more keenly in a Senate hearing on the contentious social and political issues dividing the country.

Climate change, voting rights and racial inequity animated the debate and questioning of the executives in a hearing by the Senate Banking Committee. Democrats demanded the Wall Street powerhouses do more to help struggling minority communities. Republicans warned against promoting social activism through banking practices.

Profits have gone up, stock prices have soared, your own compensation is stratospheric  but workers get a smaller and smaller share of the wealth they create and theyre working harder than ever, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, the committee chairman, told the CEOs. We have a racial wealth and income gap that has barely budged since we passed the Civil Rights Act. Prove to us that you are going to use your positions to ... make our economy work for everyone  not just CEOs and the wealthy.

Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, the panels senior Republican, said the banking industry showed remarkable resilience during the pandemic recession as he mounted a robust defense of capitalism. Toomey echoed an idea with growing cultural currency among conservatives, voicing concern about increased pressure on banks to embrace wokeism and promote social activism through their policies.

The chief executives of JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs appeared via video for the hearing by the Senate panel, which will be followed by a House committee session on Thursday.

The CEOs appeared as the U.S. economy is recovering from the recession. Big banks profits surged in the first three months of the year as the recovery took hold. They were able to release billions of dollars from their loan-loss reserves originally set aside in the early days of the pandemic last year.

The industry, which was blamed for the Great Recession more than a decade ago, has spent most of 2020 and this year trying to appear helpful and willing to work with borrowers and businesses. Banks across the country waived fees and put millions of mortgages into forbearance to shore up Americans distressed finances in the pandemic.

Citi quickly took action through a comprehensive approach to provide immediate, on-the-ground relief, Jane Fraser, the new Citigroup CEO, testified.

Most of the banks relief measures were meant to be temporary and are now going away. Senators pushed the CEOs to promise they would not force anyone into foreclosure or bankruptcy resulting from pandemic hardship after the measures expired. Democratic senators also pushed hard on what banks are doing to increase diversity in their ranks, and to address wealth inequality between Black and Latino households and white households.

Youve heard from everyone on this panel that were trying to do more, said JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, in response to questions on how well banks were doing in lending to minorities and the poor.

Brown criticized the banks for reducing lending to small businesses gutted by the pandemic while buying back their own stock. Bank of America, he said, reduced small business lending by 14% while buying back tens of billions of dollars worth of its stock. CEO Brian Moynihan parried the attack, saying, The good news is that we can do both.

Challenged by Brown on the wide gulf between bank CEOs compensation and average employees pay, Dimon responded, Were very proud of the opportunities we give to all of our people.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., a longtime critic of the big banks, pushed hard on why they collected overdraft fees on checking accounts during the pandemic.

In a tense exchange, she called Dimon the king of the overdraft fee, maintaining that JPMorgan collects more than seven times in fees per account than its competitors.

Dimon disputed the accuracy of Warren's figures. The bank says that last year it waived fees on over 1 million deposit accounts, including overdraft fees, with no questions asked. JPMorgan Chase has an account called Secure Banking with no overdraft fee and says it makes other accommodations to customers in specific situations.

Warren said the past year has shown that corporate profits are more important to your bank than helping struggling people.

Republicans, now in the minority in Congress after the latest national elections, renewed their warnings against seeking new regulations for the banking industry as a solution to problems. They praised programs created by Congress last year and renewed in early 2021 such as the Paycheck Protection Program that has funneled hundreds of billions in forgivable loans to small businesses. U.S. banks helped distribute more than $700 billion in loans under the program through late May.

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., challenged some of the CEOs on their public opposition to Georgias new Republican election law. Critics say the sweeping rewrite of Georgias election rules will restrict voting access, especially for voters of color, and it has become a flashpoint in the polarized political battle cleaving the country.
BEIRUT (AP)  Auto magnate-turned-fugitive Carlos Ghosn is campaigning to clear his name, and hopes a visit by French investigators to his home in exile in Lebanon will be his first real opportunity to defend himself since the bombshell arrest that transformed him from a visionary to a prisoner overnight.

In an interview with The Associated Press, the embattled former chairman of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance dissected his legal troubles in Japan, France and the Netherlands, detailed how he plotted his brazen escape from Osaka, and reflected on his new reality in crisis-hit Lebanon, where he is stuck for the foreseeable future.

Mending his reputation will be an arduous task. Ghosn was arrested in Japan in November 2018 on accusations of financial misconduct and fled to Lebanon a year later. He now faces multiple legal challenges in France after the Japanese accusations triggered scrutiny of his activities there. Meanwhile, several associates are in jail or on trial in Japan and Turkey, in cases related to his financial activities or escape.

There has been a lot of collateral damage . . . but I dont think Im responsible for that. The people responsible for that are the people who organized the plot to bring him down, Ghosn said Tuesday.

Ghosn has denied accusations of underreporting his compensation and misusing company funds, contending he was the victim of a corporate coup linked to a decline in Nissan Motor Co.'s financial performance as the Japanese automaker resisted losing autonomy to French partner Renault.

He said he voluntarily agreed to undergo days of questioning in Beirut next week by French magistrates investigating allegations of financial misconduct in France that led to the seizure of millions of euros of his assets. The outcome could result in preliminary charges being handed to him or in the cases being dropped.

The French investigators are looking into the financing of lavish parties Ghosn threw at the Versailles chateau  complete with period costumes and copious Champagne  as well as 11 million euros in spending on private planes and events arranged by a Dutch holding company, and subsidies to a car dealership in Oman. Ghosn denies any wrongdoing.

In Japan, you had a Japanese person interrogating me, writing in Japanese and wanting me to sign things in Japanese that I dont understand, he said. Now I will be speaking in French, and Ill have my lawyers present. Of course, I have much more confidence in the French legal system than in the Japanese system.

Ghosn was kept in solitary confinement in Japan for months without being allowed to speak with his wife. He has said he fled the country after it became clear he would have zero chances of a fair trial. His arrest drew international scrutiny and criticism of Japans legal system and its 99% conviction rate.

In late 2019, Ghosn fled Japan after jumping $14 million bail in a Hollywood-style caper. The improbable escape  hidden in a box stashed in the hold of a Turkey-bound private jet, according to Japanese officials  embarrassed Japanese authorities and has allowed him to evade trial there.

Now an international fugitive on Interpols most-wanted list, the 67-year-old Ghosn lives in self-imposed exile in his native Lebanon, where he teaches a weekly university business course and is fighting other legal fires.

He told the AP he was shocked after a Dutch court last week rejected his wrongful dismissal claim against an Amsterdam-based alliance between Nissan and Mitsubishi, and ordered him to repay the nearly 5 million euros ($6 million) salary he received in 2018. The ruling came in a case in which Ghosn sought to have his 2018 sacking from Nissan-Mitsubishi B.V. overturned and demanded 15 million euros ($16.5 million) in compensation.

Ghosn has vowed to appeal.

Ghosn, who has French, Brazilian and Lebanese citizenship, contended he was the victim of a character assassination campaign led by Nissan with the complicity of the Japanese government, aided by accomplices in France.

In the AP interview, he mounted a robust defense of a former Nissan executive, American Greg Kelly, who was arrested the same day as Ghosn and is standing trial in a Tokyo District court on charges of under-reporting Ghosns compensation. He would not talk about two other Americans who allegedly helped him escape, Michael Taylor and his son, Peter. They are in a Japanese jail awaiting trial after their extradition from the U.S.

Asked whether their legal troubles weighed on his conscience, Ghosn said: I feel empathy and compassion for them, because I was in the same situation.

Testimony and documents presented at Kellys trial have shown that he sought ways to beef up compensation for Ghosn after he agreed to a pay cut at Nissan in 2010, because Japan began requiring disclosures of high executive pay. Ghosn insisted Tuesday that no additional compensation agreements were approved by the board.

Obviously he (Kelly) is innocent, Ghosn said.

Recalling details of his escape, Ghosn told the AP how the plan was hatched, including choosing to execute it in December when he would be less likely to be recognized under a hat and heavy clothes.

It was very bold, but because it was bold, I thought it may be successful, he said. Ghosn refused to confirm reports he escaped in a musical instrument box, saying he didnt want to say anything that could be used against people being prosecuted for assisting him.

Arriving in a black Nissan SUV accompanied by a bodyguard, the former high-flying executive seemed to have lost none of his swagger despite his colossal fall. He said he spends his days in Beirut preparing his legal defense, teaching, helping startups and working on his books and documentaries.

As a fugitive living in the Mediterranean country where he grew up, he said he was enjoying a slower pace devoid of jet lag, enjoying having coffee with his wife and extensive talks with his children.

That includes living in a deeply unstable country in the grips of a historic financial and economic unraveling. Ghosn said he spent six months repairing his home after it was damaged in the massive explosion at a Beirut port last summer. And like other Lebanese, he said he has a substantial amount of money stuck in the banks after authorities clamped down on dollar currency withdrawals and transfers in October 2019.

Reflecting on his downfall, he said, Its like you have, you know, I dont know, a heart attack somewhere, or youve been hit by a bus. You change your life.

All of a sudden, you are in a completely different reality and you have to adapt to this reality.
/

A man featured in Laredo Crime Stoppers most wanted for running over a dog has been arrested, authorities said.

Jose Ricardo Quintana, 48, was served with a felony arrest warrant for cruelty to non-livestock animals on Friday.
DETROIT (AP)  A man was exonerated Wednesday after 32 years in prison when authorities agreed that he was wrongly convicted of a fatal stabbing in suburban Detroit based on faulty evidence, including a bite mark on the victim.

For years, Gilbert Poole Jr. had challenged his first-degree murder conviction with expertise from the Innocence Project at WMU-Cooley Law School.

An Oakland County judge dismissed the conviction at the request of the Michigan attorney general's office, clearing the way a few hours later for Poole's release from a prison in Jackson.

I spent decades learning, reading, studying law, but none of that was working for me, Poole, 56, said in court. It wasnt until I surrendered to a higher power and God stepped in and sent me a band of angels to look past the rules and regulations and looked to see who was standing in the furnace. I was standing in the furnace. I didnt belong here."

Poole was convicted in the fatal stabbing of Robert Mejia, whose body was found in a Pontiac field.

Pooles girlfriend told police that he had confessed to her that he met Mejia in a bar and later killed him during a violent robbery attempt. A dentist linked Poole to a bite mark on the victim.

Poole repeatedly denied any role. In 2015, the Michigan Court of Appeals ordered DNA testing of biological material gathered by police in 1988. There was evidence of type A blood at the scene, which didnt match Mejias or Pooles blood.

Someone else fought with Robert Mejia in the woods that early morning and someone else killed him, Assistant Attorney General Robyn Frankel told the judge.

Attorney General Dana Nessel said the county prosecutors office, which handled the case in 1988-89, had no objection to vacating Pooles conviction.

Bite mark evidence has been widely debunked. It's not reliable anymore, Nessel said. Then you have here not just that but the advent of very reliable types of testing such as DNA.

Poole's lawyer, Marla Mitchell-Cichon of the law school's Innocence Project, said an exoneration seemed out of reach at times.

But we are thrilled that the truth has finally been established, she said.

Nessel said Poole will be eligible for a variety of post-prison services, including housing assistance. She didn't address whether he would qualify for $1.6 million under Michigan's wrongful conviction compensation program.

The law grants $50,000 for each year spent in prison if someone is exonerated, typically because of new evidence.

___

Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwritez
Auckland Transport (AT) will fund the Wellsford to Warkworth bus service from May next year.

The service was launched in February 2019 using the Rodney Local Boards controversial transport targeted rate. At that time, AT said it would take over funding Route 998 if it met patronage targets over the three-year trial.

ATs service network development manager Pete Moth says the service has seen steady growth and he acknowledged the Local Board for trialling the service, which he says would otherwise not exist.
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In the spirit of the show must go on, organisers of The Oliver Goldsmith International Literary Festival have decided to go fully virtual to celebrate its 37th year.

This June Bank Holiday weekend (June 4-6), the festival, founded in 1984, will salute the iconic Longford/Westmeath novelist, playwright and poet with a special focus on his literary connection to farming and rural life.

The three-day event  themed The Deserted Village as Rural virtues leave the land: The Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability of Irish Agriculture  will feature a line-up of distinguished contributors and a host of presentations, discussions, readings, dramatic performances and musical medleys for all ages.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue will open the longest-running literary festival in Leinster  and third oldest in the country  to be followed by a range of leading individuals who will outline their thoughts on the three pillars of agricultural sustainability.

Among those taking part is Professor James Kinsella of UCDs School of Agriculture, who will talk about learning from the past to strike the best balance for sustainable agriculture in the future.

Leading economist Professor John Fitzgerald will discuss making agriculture climate neutral, while Dr Monica Gorman also of UCDs School of Agriculture will discuss women in agriculture  powerful but often invisible.

Award-winning writer, director and actor from Co Leitrim Seamus ORourke will also participate in the festival; as will fellow award-winning author, journalist and producer John Connell who will talk about the broken harvest  an investigation into migrant farm workers from the frontlines of change in rural America.

Preeminent Oliver Goldsmith scholar Dr Michael Griffin of ULs School of English will honour the 250th anniversary of the popular 18th century writers greatest poem The Deserted Village; while independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice will talk about the reality on the ground for farm families nationwide.

Dr Eamon Haughey of the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology will focus on the solution to the climate change and agriculture conundrum; while Dr Padraig Wims of UCD will pose the question: Has Covid-19 brought a social revolution to rural Ireland?

Former Longford IFA chairperson and dairy farmer Andrew McHugh will further address the role of farming in sustaining rural communities, while veterinary surgeon Niall Nally will present his contribution entitled mistakes of a morning.

Festival chairman Arthur Conlon said: The pandemic has been a huge challenge for all festivals which encompass a huge social dimension. However, we have adapted, and I feel we have arranged a very varied and interesting programme.

Although our agriculture- based theme will be a key focus of the event  which we hope will help enrich discussion and debate on the sector in the midlands region  there will also be lots of other exciting speakers for everyone to enjoy such as Seamus ORourke, fresh from his recent appearance on The Late Late Show.

We have all become familiar in recent times with online communication and this is something I feel will be a legacy of the pandemic  future festivals, like ours, will adopt a blended mode of presentation, encompassing both live and online engagement and this should make all our events more accessible, he said.

The chairman also thanked the festivals sponsors, Creative Ireland and Longford and Westmeath County Councils, stating:

The efforts of various statutory bodies to continue to support cultural events throughout the pandemic have been commendable and will ensure their continued viability.

To find out more about the festival programme and how to register for the event visit: www.olivergoldsmithfestival.com.
The head of Longford's Omniplex Cinema has spoken of how the industry is at "breaking point" and warned of "catastrophic damage" for its future unless urgent clarity is given on re-opening by government.

Mark Anderson, of the Omniplex group, said that if cinemas had any chance of surviving they, and their 2,000 strong workforce, need a reopening date without delay.

In an open letter penned to Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Mr Anderson called on the Government to step in after cinemas north of the border re-opened for business on Monday.

He said it was possible that thousands of film fans will cross the border to attend cinemas in the North, an "unnecessary movement of people and a devastating blow to cinemas in border towns".

"Cinemas continue to hemorrhage highly skilled management and teams to other industries," he said.

"How can we retain talent and attract new workers when, without a reopening date, we cannot provide basic job

security and guarantee work commencement?"

Mr Anderson's Omniplex firm are the owners of Longford's Riverside Shopping Centre having acquired the 73,000sq ft facility in February 2018 for around 1.2m.

ALSO READ: Boost as cinema bosses prepare to re-open doors to Longford public

At the time, the firm had revealed hopes of opening the long vacant centre within two years by turning the building into a "world class" cinema, retail and leisure complex.

In September 2018, it hosted a large scale business expo which saw more than 100 firms attend a two day showcase.

In 2019, Omniplex was given planning permission by local authority bosses to demolish its existing cinema as part of a major multi million redevelopment.

Those plans provided for a retail/coffee unit on the first floor along with the construction of two retail units totalling 225 sq metres in size on the centre's upper level.
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(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:







London Stock Exchange Group PLC - trading and clearing operator and index calculator - David Craig, head of Data & Analytics and chief executive officer of Refinitiv will leave LSEG at end of 2021. Andrea Remyn Stone, currently chief product officer for Data & Analytics, will become head of Data & Analytics from July 1. LSEG says the change comes as the integration of recent acquisition Refinitiv is "well underway". LSEG CEO David Schwimmer says: "I want to thank David for his partnership in driving the acquisition to completion and his valuable contribution to the integration, which is progressing at pace."







U&I Group PLC - London-based property regeneration developer and investor - Peter Williams will step down as chair and from the board at the end of the current financial year, which is March 31, 2022. Senior Independent Director Nick Thomlinson will leave the board at U&I's annual general meeting in September. Williams had joined the board in 2016 and Thomlinson in 2012. Barry Bennett, a non-independent non-executive director who joined the board as part of U&I's acquisition of Cathedral Group in 2014, will step down from board, also at the end of the current financial year. Ros Kerslake will become senior independent director. U&I says the search for a new chair will begin later this year. Williams said the changes to the board are part of the overall review of the business, which also has seen a series of executive management changes. U&I on Wednesday also reports net asset value per share of 163p as at end of March, down from 232p a year before. Its annual pretax loss widens to GBP86.7 million from GBP58.6 million.







InterContinental Hotels Group PLC - Denham, England-based hotelier - Non-Executive Director, Richard Anderson steps down immediately, due to "recent and unanticipated personal matters". Anderson had joined the IHG board only at the beginning of March. He is the former CEO of US passenger railway Amtrak and was executive chair at Delta Air Lines Inc.







Sureserve Group PLC - Basildon, Essex-based compliance and energy services focused on UK public sector - Hires Nick Winks as independent non-executive chair, starting immediately. Robert Legget will return to being senior independent director. Winks currently is executive chair and CEO of mortgage broker John Charcol Ltd, among other roles.







By Tom Waite; thomaslwaite@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - People arriving in France from Britain will have to self-isolate to prevent the spread of Covid-19, notably its Indian variant, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said on Wednesday.

Attal told reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting that details of the measure would be given in the coming hours.

Germany had already imposed additional measures for people arriving from Britain, he said, "and France will take similar measures".A

A French quarantine order is already in place for arrivals from Brazil, India, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Colombia, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Bahrain, Turkey, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, the UAE and Qatar.

The coronavirus variant firstA detected in India has now been officially recorded in 53 territories, a World Health Organization report showed earlier Wednesday.

source: AFP

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Adds detail, background, comment)

LONDON, May 26 (Reuters) - The boss of easyJet said

he does not expect the Indian coronavirus variant to be the

biggest problem for Europe's coming travel season, although he

said another lost summer would be perilous for Britain's

aviation industry.

Britain has so far stuck with strict travel restrictions for

most destinations abroad damaging the airline and travel

industries, which face a new threat from worries about the

spread in the United Kingdom of the novel coronavirus variant

first found in India.

Germany has banned most travellers from the country because

of the variant and France has hinted it could follow suit.

EasyJet Chief Executive Johan Lundgren said the industry's

survival could be at risk if it had to endure a second summer of

restricted travel.

"I don't think that UK aviation as an industry can go

through another lost summer without grave consequences," he told

an online industry event on Wednesday.

But for him, the Indian variant is not the concern. He said

that evidence so far showed that vaccines are effective against

it.

"I don't think that the outlook...is that because of the

Indian variant the summer is ruined," he said.

Lundgren's bigger worry is that Britain sticks to its strict

travel rules which mean Portugal is the only major holiday

destination open to Britons.

British tourists had hoped to return to southern European

beaches this summer, but rules for all other destinations mean

they must take multiple COVID-19 tests and quarantine on their

return, despite countries like Spain opening to them.

"The government needs to be ready and prepared to step up to

protect this industry and it has to do so because it is its

restrictions that have made it impossible to operate for the

players in this industry," Lundgren said.

It was unlikely that the coming summer would be another lost

season, said Lungren, but he urged Britain to put more countries

on its green travel list at the next review on June 7.

(Reporting by Sarah Young; Editing by Kate Holton and Barbara

Lewis)
Take a few minutes and scroll through some of the local news from the past week:
Charles Dickens had the Tale of Two Cities, but the City of Warren has the tale of three former bowling alley sites.
Exton, PA (19341)

Today

Cloudy. High around 75F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
Jefferson, GA (30549)

Today

Partly cloudy in the morning followed by scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 89F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms before midnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
To the editor: The Vermont Press Association wishes to thank Gov. Phil Scott for his veto of S. 107 and siding with greater transparency for all Vermonters while also allowing for more time on this important issue.
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.
Brian Plakke,age 59 passed away May 23rd, 2021 at Hillcrest after a long battle with cancer. Brian was born to Donald and Marlene Plakke.( Howard True stepfather.) He graduated from Mankato West and journied to Alaska with friends,where he enjoyed fishing and traveling throughout the state. 
Elijah Whiteside leads protestors in a chant outside of Solicitor Scarlett Wilson's office in the Charleston County Judicial Center, Friday, May 21, 2021, in Charleston, S.C., to demand that the officers involved in the death of Jamal Sutherland be charged. Charleston County has agreed to pay $10 million to the family of Sutherland, a man with mental health issues whom deputies forced to the ground on his stomach and repeatedly shot with stun guns and pepper spray before he died in jail this January.
FILE - In this Nov. 18, 2020 file photo, a worker wearing a mask walks past a Boeing 737 Max 9 built for Aeromexico as it is prepared for a flight from Renton Municipal Airport, in Renton, Wash. U.S. regulators have downgraded Mexico's aviation safety rating, Tuesday, May 25, 2021, a move that prevents Mexican airlines from expanding flights to the United States just as travel is recovering from the pandemic.
Marysville, KS (66508)

Today

A mainly sunny sky. High 89F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A mostly clear sky. Low 59F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
Pittsburg County commissioners look over paperwork after passing a resolution to work with the city of McAlester and the state on a project to widen and resurface Haywood Road from U.S. Highway 270 to the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant. Top row, from left: District 3 Commissioner Ross Selman, Kevin Smith, District 2, and Charlie Rogers, District 1. Front row, from left: County Clerk Hope Trammell and Commissioners Clerk Holly Sweetin.
Viola Caudill, 85, a resident of the Gowen Community passed away Thursday June 10, 2021 at home. A Graveside service will be held a 11:00 AM Monday June 14, 2021 in the Pavilion at Bache-Red Oak Cemetery. There will be a family and friends visitation on Sunday June 13, 2021 from 5:00pm to 7:
Atlanta, GA (30303)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 69F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
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China welcomes extension of nuclear monitoring agreement between Iran, IAEA: foreign ministry

Xinhua) 13:56, May 26, 2021

BEIJING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- China welcomes the extension of a temporary technical understanding between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and hopes it could be faithfully implemented, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Tuesday.

Director General of the IAEA Rafael Grossi said Monday that the temporary arrangement reached with Iran in February, which allows the agency to monitor Iran's nuclear activities, will be extended and will expire on June 24.

Zhao said China believes the extension reflects Iran's political will to promote talks on the resumption of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iran nuclear issue, which has bought precious time for the negotiations.

Although the negotiations have made important and substantial progress, some divergence still exist, he said, adding that China hopes relevant parties can make political decisions without delay and push for an early breakthrough in the negotiations.

As an important participant in the JCPOA, China has always insisted on a political settlement, guided the parties concerned to earnestly implement the consensus reached at the foreign ministers' meeting on Iran nuclear issue last December, facilitated negotiations for the United States and Iran to resume the implementation of the agreement, urged the United States to reflect on its withdrawal from the JCPOA as well as lift all sanctions against Iran, and called on Iran to resume full implementation of the nuclear deal, Zhao said.

China has fulfilled its commitments, overcome various difficulties, and made Iran's Arak reactor renovation project into a highlight of the implementation of the JCPOA, he added.

"China always firmly safeguards its legitimate rights and interests and actively promotes the complete lifting of all illegal unilateral sanctions by the United States against third parties including Iran and China," he said.

"China has been committed to maintaining regional peace and stability, advocated the establishment of a multilateral dialogue platform in the Gulf region to resolve the security concerns of all parties through equal-footed consultation under the precondition of upholding JCPOA," Zhao said.

China hopes that all parties can proceed from the long-term and overall interest, give full play to their political wisdom, resolve the outstanding issues with a flexible and pragmatic attitude, and reach a final plan for full resumption by the United States and Iran at an early date to get JCPOA back on track, he said.

China will continue to make unremitting efforts to promote this diplomatic process while firmly safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests, he said.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
Localised Temporary Restrictions of Movement Order made by the Prime Minister under Section 3 of the Quarantine Act 2020

1. The public is hereby informed that on 24th May 2021, by virtue of section 3(1)(b) of the Quarantine Act 2020, the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister for Rodrigues, Outer Islands and Territorial Integrity has issued a Localised Temporary Restrictions of Movement Order under Section 3 of the Quarantine Act 2020, vide Government Notice(GN) No. 748 of 2021, that all persons resident in such area mentioned below shall remain indoor until further notice.

(1) (a) Riviere des Anguilles and Tyack shall remain indoor until 28 May 2021 at 8 p.m.;

(b) Camp Diable shall remain indoor until 27 May 2021 at 8 p.m.;

(c) Bonne Terre, Vacoas, as described in Part A to the Appendix, shall remain indoor until 29 May 2021 at 8 p.m.; and

(d) Vallee Pitot, Port Louis shall remain indoor until 7 June 2021 at 8 p.m

2. Moreover, persons resident in an area specified above shall, at no time, travel outside that area, and persons not resident in the area shall, at no time, enter that area.

3. However, paragraph 1 shall not apply to the following persons or class of persons who have to travel outside, or enter an area specified at sub paragraph 1 above :-

(a) a person who has to avail himself, or to any other member of his family, of medical treatment, or to procure medicine, or any other item essential for his or his familys subsistence or livelihood;

(b) a person who is, pursuant to the COVID-19 (Closing Down of Premises and Restriction of Activities) (No. 2) Regulations 2021, authorised to be outdoor strictly on allocated days or authorised to carry out specific activities;

(c) employees of the Disciplined Force while on official duty;

(d) a Judge or Magistrate, or an officer of the Judicial Department, designated by the Chief Justice;

(e) a medical practitioner for the purpose of attending a hospital or private health institution, or for the purpose of domiciliary visits;

(f) a pharmacist for the purpose of attending his pharmacy;

(g) a person who has to avail his pet of veterinary treatment;

(h) a person required to attend a Court by virtue of a summons issued by the Court;

(i) a person who is issued with a permit by the Commissioner of Police under section 3(2) of the Quarantine Act 2020.

4. This Order has been issued in the interest of public health and to protect the population. Members of the public are urged to be self-disciplined and, whilst being outdoor as authorised, to strictly abide to the COVID-19 (Closing Down of Premises and Restriction of Activities) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 and to the Preventive and Sanitary Measures (COVID-19) as stipulated in its third schedule.

SPECIAL WORK ACCESS PERMIT (WAP)

5. Any person whose services are essential and are required to move in and out of the Red Zone should apply for Special WAP.

ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIAL WAPs FOR RED ZONE

6. Employees of public and private sector organisations and private individuals, whose services are essential for the running of the business/work and who are required to move in and out of the Red Zone should apply for Special WAPs on website besafemoris.mu.

7. Only those who are holders of WAPs are eligible to apply for Special WAPs.

EXAMINATIONS

8. No WAP is required for students proceeding from their place of residence to and coming from Examination Centres and accompanying responsible party. Students should be in possession of their time table and student ID Card. Likewise accompanying responsible parties should be in possession of their NIC and a copy of the time table.

PREVENTIVE AND SANITARY MEASURES

9. (a) Access to commercial premises such as Markets/shoppingmalls/hypermarkets/supermarkets/superettes/meat/poultry/fishshops/food retail shops/retail shops (magasins), bank, post offices and hardware shops (Quincailleries) shall be controlled on the principle of alphabetical categorisation of customers. Access to customers thereto shall be granted only on presentation, in case of a :-

(i) citizen of Mauritius, his National Identity Card or passport;

(ii) foreigner, his passport or residence, occupation or work permit.

(b) All customers will be able to shop strictly on allocated days as indicated hereunder 

Surname starting from 

A-F (Monday and Thursday)

G-N (Tuesday and Friday)

O-Z (Wednesday and Saturday)

10. Commercial premises shall arrange for social distancing markings outside and inside their respective outlets. Outlets at commercial premises will demarcate queuing lines by way of floor markings. Outlets will also demarcate social distancing inside their premises. Customers shall adhere strictly to these markings.

11. Commercial premises will open on Monday to Saturday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Banks will open during their normal banking hours. Commercial premises, except pharmacies and petrol stations, shall remain closed on Sundays.

12. The Commissioner of Police may impose conditions on the movement of holders of Special WAPs and reserve the right to revoke any permit issued in case of misuse or breach of conditions imposed or false or misleading information provided on the application form.

13. Members of the public are invited to inform the Police of any breach of the provisions mentioned above on Hotline 183. They are also encouraged to use Whatsapp to share any relevant information:-

5940 8999

5942 8999

14. Any person who is found outdoor in breach of this Order shall commit an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding 500,000 rupees and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years.

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Roswell, GA (30075)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 68F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
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.
Atlanta, GA (30342)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 68F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
Marietta, GA (30060)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 69F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
As you are aware, the Ministry of Health and Wellness in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO Mauritius) is conducting the Vaccination Campaign against Corona Virus (Covid-19). In this context, the vaccination for the 2nd dose is being implemented as from the 10th April 2021.

Please note that the date and venue for those who had their 1st dose of COVISHIELD/ ASTRAZENECA Vaccine on 16 March 2021, the scheduled dates, venues and time (in alphabetical order) for their 2nd dose .

Please note: All persons attending the respective vaccination sites are kindly requested to bring their National Identity Card and COVID-19 Vaccination Card on the date of appointment.

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Lehigh County property records show the branch was built in 1976, with the former First National Bank of Allentown its first occupant. Wells Fargo had been the last tenant, moving out in November after deciding not to renew its lease, according to agricultural society spokesperson Jessica Ciecwisz.
We are the kind of community where people can live, work and play. ... We can walk about and bike about pretty safely and we need to improve on that. I look at this as quality of life improvement in the big picture that allows us the opportunity to create jobs and attract small business, Heller said.
Renowned Indian television and film actor Sushant Singh had a rather sarcastic response for social networking giant Twitter and PM Narendra Modi after his personal Twitter was withheld.

 Zee5

While being critical of Twitter blocking his account without sending a prior notice, the 49-year-old actor took to Instagram to say, "My Twitter account @sushant_says has been withheld again. Hey @twitter at least have the decency to send a notice."



Calling the suspension, "a medal of honor", he also tagged PM Modi in the post, stating that the developments were a sign that he was doing something right. "Thanks @narendramodi @bjp4india @rssorg_official for letting me know that I am on the right path." he wrote.

The Savdhaan India actor was surprised to wake up on Wednesday (May 26) morning to find that his account had been suspended.

 Twitter

In a conversation with India Today, the actor had said he did not know exactly why his account was blocked. "I don't know what happened. I was not given any intimation." he said.



Sushant who started his Bollywood journey with Ram Gopal Varma's Satya is known to speak his mind beyond just the matters of film and television has had his Twitter account suspended in the past as well.

Asked if the action was meant to curb the freedom of speech in the country, Sushant said, "That's what it looks like." However, soon after news broke of the incident, many users including Swara Bhaskar joined in to question why the actor's account had been suspended.

Why has @sushant_says s account been withheld, and other accounts @TwitterIndia ?  Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) May 26, 2021

His account was withheld for what?? Retweeting ?? Cuz all he does is retweet. Modi is threatened by this  voyager 2 (@ashutoshsinghy2) May 26, 2021

@sushant_says why Sushant sir account oftenly withheld@Twitter



Tell me Twitter

Speaking truth is crime

Is twitter want to block free5 of expression?  no hate (@nohate137) May 26, 2021

Restore @sushant_says account @Twitter, he voiced the concerns of Indians, the lay men.........    (@kamlajatt) May 26, 2021

It is reported that following the social media backlash, Sushant's account has now been restored.


WhatsApp has finally taken legal action in Delhi against the Indian Government seeking to block the new media rules and regulations coming into force today. The new rules would compel WhatsApp to break privacy protections.

 Unsplash/rachit-tank-lZBs

The lawsuit was unearthed by Reuters and it asks the Delhi High Court to declare that one of the rules is a direct violation of privacy rights in Indias constitution. The new rules require WhatsApp to identify the first originator of information when authorities demand it.



At the moment, the law only requires WhatsApp to identify people credibly accused of any wrongdoing. However, the new rules would force WhatsApp to break encryption for its users as well as originators of messages. WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption which protects the privacy of its users.

Requiring messaging apps to trace chats is the equivalent of asking us to keep a fingerprint of every single message sent on WhatsApp, which would break end-to-end encryption and fundamentally undermines peoples right to privacy, a WhatsApp spokesperson said in a statement. We have consistently joined civil society and experts around the world in opposing requirements that would violate the privacy of our users. In the meantime, we will also continue to engage with the Government of India on practical solutions aimed at keeping people safe, including responding to valid legal requests for the information available to us.

If companies and media outlets do not comply with the new rules, they could face criminal penalties. WhatsApp had no choice but to file a legal action in court to oppose the new rules put forth by the Indian Government.

 Unsplash/asterfolio

It is worth pointing out that social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Instagram may face a block in the country if they do not comply with the new Intermediary Guidelines set by the Indian government. The deadline to accept the guidelines ends on May 25th. None of the social media giants have complied with the order as of now, but Facebook had said it aims to comply with the new rules.



However, the social media giant added that it needs more engagement with the government on a few issues. Facebook remains committed to people's ability to freely and safely express themselves on our platform, the spokesperson added.

Source: Reuters
The US has formally removed Xiaomi from its trading blacklist as there were concerns that the Chinese company might be associated with the Chinese military. The US District Court for the District of Columbia issued a final order on the issue. The inclusion of Xiaomi in the trading blacklist would have prevented Americans from investing in the consumer tech giant.

 Reuters

Xiaomi (the Company) is pleased to announce that on May 25, 2021, at 4:09 pm (Eastern Standard Time), the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a final order vacating the U.S. Department of Defenses designation of the Company as a Communist Chinese Military Company (CCMC). In vacating the designation, the court formally lifted all restrictions on U.S. persons ability to purchase or hold securities of the Company, a company spokesperson told MensXP in a statement.



The company is grateful for the trust and support of its global users, partners, employees and shareholders. The company reiterates that it is an open, transparent, publicly-traded, independently operated and managed corporation. The Company will continue to provide reliable consumer electronics products and services to users, and to relentlessly build amazing products with honest prices to let everyone in the world enjoy a better life through innovative technology, the spokesperson added.

In March 2021, the US court sided with the Chinese company and asked the Government to remove the ban. Both parties have now reached an agreement and the US government has withdrawn its move.

 Reuters

This will be helpful for Xiaomi in a number of ways such as selling its products in the US without any barriers. It also lets Xiaomi source key components such as chipset and software licenses.



The US Government ordered the CCMC designation to Xiaomi earlier this year in January during Donald Trumps last week in office. The decision has now been overturned by the Biden administration. Having said that, there is no word on whether the Biden administration is going to change its mind on sanctions targeting Huawei.
Meridian, MS (39302)

Today

Variable clouds with thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon. High 89F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds light and variable.
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Many people have toiled for paltry wages in Pennsylvania for years because of the states insultingly low minimum wage, stuck at the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour since 2009. If those people finally get a little more money, even while doing nothing, perhaps thats just divine intervention to even the score.
KABUL  Deputy and Acting Foreign Minister Mirwais Nab met with the Assistant High Commissioner for Operations of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Raouf Mazou, this morning.

Welcoming Mr. Mazou and expressing gratitude to UNHCR for its invaluable cooperation with the Afghan refugees and internally displaced persons, Mr. Nab highlighted the condition of Afghan refugees and IDPs, the latest developments in the Afghan Peace Process, and dynamics of cooperation with other countries and regional and international organizations following the withdrawal of the Resolute Support forces.

Deputy Minister Nab called for the continuation of cooperation between Afghanistan and the UNHCR to address effectively the issues related to the Afghan refugees, IDPs, and repatriates.

Describing the purpose of his visit, Mr. Mazou stated that assisting refugees and IDPs was a priority for UNHCR. He also assured Deputy Minister Nab of UNHCRs continued cooperation following the withdrawal of the Resolute Support forces from Afghanistan.
Ambassador of Belarus P.Utyupin meets the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan

On May 25, 2021, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Kazakhstan Pavel Utyupin met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Marat Syzdykov.

During the conversation, the sides discussed the state and prospects for the development of the Belarusian-Kazakh cooperation in the trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

The parties considered the results of the meeting of the Intergovernmental Belarusian-Kazakhstani Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation held on May 24, 2021.

Special attention at the meeting was also paid to the agenda of the upcoming bilateral contacts in this year.

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Miami, FL (33127)

Today

Variable clouds with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly during the afternoon hours. High 87F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms. Low 77F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
EGLE awards $492,145 in grants for community energy efficiency and solar projects

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 26, 2021

Nick Assendelft, Public Information Officer, AssendelftN@Michigan.gov, 517-388-3135

Twenty-six Community Energy Management (CEM) program grants totaling $492,145 announced today by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will finance energy efficiency upgrades and other energy-related projects.

"Reducing energy waste saves money, saves energy, makes us healthier and improves our environment all at once," EGLE Director Liesl Clark said. "Over half of EGLE's budget goes out the door to invest in local communities. Climate solutions are local solutions, and these Community Energy Management projects are building stones as Michigan lays the groundwork to reaching its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050."

The CEM program grants will help local governments, public schools and other community organizations fund energy use assessments and comparative usage studies, perform lighting and climate control efficiency upgrades, add efficient building insulation, improve heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, participate in renewable energy projects or update municipal plans and ordinances. These important projects will save money and reduce an organization's carbon footprint.

The grant recipients, award amounts and project purpose:

Alpena Public Schools, $15,000, energy efficiency upgrades.

Bellevue Community Schools, $15,000, energy audit and energy efficiency upgrades.

Big Rapids Housing Commission, $14,000, energy audit and energy efficiency upgrades.

Caledonia Community Schools, $15,000, upgrade building energy management system.

Chassell Township, $15,000, energy efficiency upgrades.

City of East Jordan, $15,000, energy efficiency upgrades.

City of Grand Blanc, $15,000, energy audit and energy efficiency upgrade.

City of Harrison, $15,000, renewable energy project.

City of Huntington Woods, $12,000, energy efficiency upgrades.

City of Kentwood, $15,000, energy efficiency upgrades.

City of Lansing, $9,900, under 60-kilowatt solar array installation.

City of Mt. Morris, $15,000, energy efficiency upgrades.

City of Petoskey, $15,000, energy efficiency upgrades.

Detroit 2030 District, $15,000, support the city's municipal benchmarking efforts.

East Jordan Public Schools, $15,000, 20-kilowatt solar array installation.

Ecoworks, $100,000, energy audits and energy efficiency upgrades for cold storage systems for organizations providing food and meal distribution services in Detroit.

Fiddler's Green Foundation, Bad Axe and Corunna, $13,000, energy efficiency upgrades.

Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County, $15,000, energy efficiency upgrades.

Lewis Cass Intermediate School District, Cassopolis, $15,000, energy efficiency upgrades.

Martin Luther King Jr. Education Center Academy, Detroit, $15,000, energy efficiency upgrades.

Overisel Township, $1,245, energy efficiency upgrades.

Royal Oak Public Library, $15,000, energy efficiency upgrades.

Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corp., $15,000, energy efficiency upgrades.

University of Michigan, $60,000, Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office matching grant for rural community solar barriers project.

Village of Ahmeek, $12,000, energy efficiency upgrades.

Village of Muir, $15,000, energy efficiency upgrades.

EGLE's Community Energy Management program is part of the Catalyst Communities Initiative run by the Office of Climate and Energy and EGLE's Energy Services. Catalyst Communities offers a series of webinars, workshops and cohort-style academies on a range of topics as part of a multi-tiered approach to provide local decision-makers across the state with the knowledge, tools and resources to take steps toward a just transition to decarbonization. Communities interested in learning more can visit the Catalyst Communities webpage and sign up to receive program updates.

Catalyst Communities will be the topic of a number of sessions at the Michigan Sustainability Conference June 2-4, including public-private community partnerships to advance decarbonization solutions, how community leaders can promote resilient coastal management and improve water infrastructure and energy management and low-income community solar. Conference attendees will learn from, collaborate with and drive transformation in social and environmental sustainability.

EGLE also offers grants for clean energy roadmaps, energy waste reduction for small businesses, electric vehicle charger installation and matching funding for businesses that have been awarded a federal clean energy technology development grant.

# # #
AG Nessel Submits Testimony Ahead of U.S. House Hearing on Rise of Militia Extremists

AG Nessel Submits Testimony Ahead of U.S. House Hearing on Rise of Militia Extremists

Lynsey Mukomel 517-599-2746 Attorney General

May 26, 2021

LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has submitted a statement to the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties ahead of its hearing examining the role of militia groups in the current rise of right-wing extremism.

The hearing, led by Chairman of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Rep. Jamie Raskin, will be streamed on YouTube beginning at 2 p.m.

A portion of Nessel's statement reads:

"Michigan is the original home of the militia movement and no stranger to the threat of domestic terrorism by violent militia extremists. Just last year, my office charged [eight] leaders and associates of the anti-government extremist militia, Wolverine Watchmen, with supporting a terroristic plot to kidnap and kill the Governor of our state; to hold members of our state legislature hostage in our state capitol for days before ultimately destroying it; and, planning to harm law enforcement officers who protect and serve our state residents. The U.S. Attorney's Office charged another [six] individuals stemming from the same investigation.

"In the same month, my office charged members of 'The Base,' a white supremacist militia that conducts paramilitary training in preparation for starting a race-war in the United States. Its name derives from the literal translation of Al-Qaeda. Under Michigan law, this extremist militia is a gang, and my office charged them as such when the gang provided the motive, means, and opportunity to commit felonies in Michigan.

"Some extremist militias are driven by white supremacist ideologies, others are inspired by far-right ideologies. Regardless of motivation, combatting violence is the goal and bipartisan solutions must be achieved...

"...Legitimizing militias, combined with the toxic partisan rhetoric of today and fed by misinformation and disinformation, has led to a marked rise in militia extremism. It has helped to create a climate that nurtures and fosters the deep sense of grievance that extremists hold, which often manifests in violence.

"In my home state we saw this when politicians held closed-door meetings with extremist militia members and stood with them on stages at rallies. Then, in April of 2020, some of the very same militia members who aided in the plot to kidnap the Governor of Michigan conducted a dress rehearsal for what we saw at the U.S. Capitol in January of this year. They entered the Michigan Capitol during protests of the Governor's pandemic orders in full body armor with assault weapons and attempted to intimidate our state legislators. Even after this, our Legislature did not ban guns from the Capitol building.

"What concerns me is the current inability of our national leaders to come together during times of crisis. After 9/11, bipartisan consensus was reached on issues of national security. Today, when facing the bipartisan problem of homegrown violent extremism, we cannot even agree to call it domestic terrorism let alone reach consensus on ways to solve it."

Nessel's full statement can be read on the Michigan Department of Attorney General website.
Hot temperatures, dry conditions and winds gusting up to 30 miles per hour this afternoon increased fire danger across mid-Michigan today and fueled a wildfire that has burned more than 400 acres.

The Colfax Fire, currently 60% contained, was reported this afternoon along 31 Road between 12 Road and 10 Road. At 10 this evening, an evacuation order was lifted for several homes northwest of the city of Manton in northern Wexford County. Area residents were evacuated late this afternoon as firefighters battled a wildfire that started on private land and spread into the state forest. Although the road closures have been lifted, please use caution when traveling in the fire area, as a significant number of emergency vehicles and fire crews are still working in the area. The fire began in a scotch pine plantation, spotted north across 10 Road and continued to burn into aspen, red pine and spruce on state forest land. The fire continued north and spotted over 8 Road, but a majority of the fire area has been contained south of 8 Road and west of 33 Road. ("Spotting" occurs when a fire produces sparks or embers that are carried by the wind and start new fires beyond the zone of direct ignition by the main fire.) The cause of the fire is unknown and is currently under investigation. The DNR reminds everyone to take precautions while doing yard work and engaging in outdoor activities this spring. Get a burn permit at Michigan.gov/BurnPermit and check local weather and fire danger before you burn debris. Other safety tips include burning debris in barrels with metal screens and clearing any vegetation around your burn area. Always have a source of water nearby when burning and never leave a fire unattended. Completely extinguish fires every time you burn.
LANSING - The Oakland County conviction of Gilbert Lee Poole, Jr. has been vacated after collaboration between the Michigan Department of Attorney General's Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) and the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School Innocence Project (Cooley Innocence Project). Poole was wrongly convicted of murder in 1989. DNA evidence from the scene exonerates him after nearly 32 years in prison.

Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Rae Lee Chabot set aside the conviction Wednesday morning during a hearing held via Zoom.

After the Department of Attorney General formed the CIU, Poole's Cooley Innocence Project attorney Marla Mitchell-Cichon asked the unit to review Poole's case. Following its own investigation, the CIU, led by Assistant Attorney General Robyn Frankel, moved to have Poole's conviction vacated and requested dismissal of all charges.

"This case serves as an example of the important work being done by our Conviction Integrity Unit," Nessel said. "When we established this team in 2019, we made a commitment to ensuring those convicted of state crimes are in fact guilty while also providing justice to those wrongfully imprisoned. I appreciate the tireless work the unit put in alongside the WMU-Cooley Innocence Project to reach this outcome for Mr. Poole."

This outcome wouldn't have been possible without the cooperation of law enforcement on all levels, including the Oakland County Sheriff's Department and Oakland County Prosecutor's Office.

The Department appreciates their assistance throughout the review process.

CASE BACKGROUND

On June 7, 1988, Robert Mejia's body was found in Pontiac after being stabbed to death. He was last seen at a Pontiac bar and several people provided a description of a man seen leaving the bar with Mejia.

Despite composite drawings running in the Oakland Press, no leads developed.

That November, Poole's then-girlfriend implicated him in the murder, thus leading to his arrest and ultimate conviction. Additionally, an expert testified that Poole's teeth matched the bite mark found on the victim's body.

In the years following Poole's conviction, bite mark analysis has been wholly discredited and rejected by the scientific and legal communities as unreliable.

Similarly, in the decades since Poole's conviction, there have been significant advancements in DNA testing. At the request of Poole's counsel, post-conviction DNA testing was conducted on crime scene evidence including blood stains on and around the victim. The DNA did not match Poole's DNA nor the victim's DNA. Rather, the DNA belongs to an unknown person. The resulting DNA exclusion led the Attorney General's CIU to conduct a full investigation. After extensive review of the case, the CIU determined Poole's innocence.

"Mr. Poole's conviction was based on unreliable evidence, including bite mark comparison which is not based in science," Mitchell-Cichon said. "I commend the Michigan Attorney General and her establishment of a conviction integrity unit that will investigate claims of innocence and uncover the truth."

Poole has been serving a life sentence since June 22, 1989. He is in the process of being released from the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility in Jackson.

In 2019, the Department of the Michigan Attorney General received a grant from the Department of Justice to partner with the Cooley Innocence Project in order to screen claims of innocence and conduct DNA testing. That same year, the Cooley Innocence Project received a separate grant from the Department of Justice to partner with the Department of the Michigan Attorney General in reviewing cases in which unreliable forensics played a role in the conviction. These grant partnerships were instrumental in Poole's investigation and release.

Exonerated prisoners are eligible for up to a year of reentry housing and two years of other supportive services offered by MDOC's Michigan Offender Success Program. These include job placement assistance, job training, transportation assistance, work clothing or tools, vital documents assistance and more.

Exonerees are presented information on these services when they are released, and can access them within two years of their release.

To date, the CIU has received more than 1,300 requests for assistance.

A celebration with Mr. Poole and his attorney, Marla Mitchell-Cichon, will be held following his release at Gilletts Park in Jackson.

Gilletts Lake Park - Pavilion B 480 Gilletts Lake Road Jackson, MI 49201
LONDON (AP)  Londons Science Museum and the Cambridge University library said Wednesday they have acquired a large collection of items belonging to late physicist Stephen Hawking, from his personalized wheelchairs to landmark papers on theoretical physics and his scripts from his appearance on The Simpsons.

The entire contents of Hawkings office at Cambridge  including his communications equipment, memorabilia, bets he made on scientific debates and office furniture  will be preserved as part of the collection belonging to the Science Museum Group.

Hawking occupied the office at the universitys department of applied mathematics and theoretical physics from 2002 until shortly before his death in 2018.

Highlights will go on display at the London museum early next year. Museum officials are also hoping to create a touring exhibition in the U.K. before setting up a permanent display in London.

Meanwhile, his vast archive of scientific and personal papers, including a first draft of his bestselling A Brief History of Time and his correspondence with leading scientists, will remain at Cambridge Universitys library.

The institutions acceptance of Hawkings archive and office meant that his estate settled 4.2 million pounds ($5.9 million) in inheritance tax.

This was done through a U.K. government plan which allows those who have such tax bills to pay by transferring important cultural, scientific or historic objects to the nation. Artefacts accepted under the plan are allocated to public collections and available for all.

Hawking studied for his PhD at Cambridge and later became the university's Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, the same post that Isaac Newton held from 1669 to 1702.

Cambridges acquisition of the 10,000-page archive means that Hawkings papers will join those of Newton and Charles Darwin at the university library, where they will soon be free for the public to access.

The archive allows us to step inside Stephens mind and to travel with him round the cosmos to, as he said, better understand our place in the universe, said Jessica Gardner, the universitys librarian.

This vast archive gives extraordinary insight into the evolution of Stephens scientific life, from childhood to research student, from disability activist to ground-breaking, world-renowned scientist, she added.

Diagnosed with motor neuron disease at 22 and given just a few years to live, Hawking survived for decades, dying in 2018 at 76. His work on the mysteries of space, time and black holes captured the imagination of millions, and his popular science books made him a celebrity beyond the preserves of academia. Hollywood celebrated his life in the 2014 biopic The Theory of Everything.

Hawkings children, Lucy, Tim and Robert, said they were pleased that their fathers work will be preserved for the public for generations to come.

My father would be so pleased and I think maybe at the same time, just a tiny bit overwhelmed that he was going to form part of the ... history of science, that he was going to be alongside the great scientists, the people whose work he really admired," Lucy Hawking said.
Some Huron County residents who are still frustrated about the Oak Beach boat launch being closed made their voices heard during this weeks county board of commissioners meeting.

The launch was closed to the public last year after the Huron County Road Commission, which runs the county parks, did not have the funding to maintain it. Concrete barriers have been put up blocking access to the launch and no progress has been made in getting it reopened since then.

A Facebook group was also launched called Oak Beach Boat Launch Supporters to help get it back open.

Some of the complaints echoed among the residents involved how it was closed without public comment, how inconvenient and unsafe it would be if they needed to make an emergency stop, how the launch helped bring money into the area, and how that ramp has been such a part of their lives. They also wanted it open just for small watercraft like canoes, kayaks, and jet skis without any major renovations done.

One of the residents, Mike Bushey, called in from Florida, saying how the launch has been part of the fabric of his whole life, with him first going out from the launch in a small boat 60 years ago.

I keep hearing about how they need money for improvements, Bushey said. Ive heard that my whole life. I head about putting in a snack shop and improving it, none of which came to fruition.

Bushey added that that any kind of structure built there does not seem feasible and everyone was happy with launching small boats from the site.

Ever since I was a kid, the ramp has been open, said Tom McNaughton, a farm owner in Hume Township. I would ride a little boat out there. Its always been launch at your own risk, so it would still be that way.

Chairman Sami Khoury said he felt the launch needs some tender love and care since he could tell which areas were paved over sand and washed away, with other scenarios possibly getting someone injured at the launch.

I would like to make a motion saying, OK, let's remove the barriers, but there are other scenarios that can put Huron County in danger because it's unsafe to launch there, unless we take care of these certain issues, Khoury said.

The idea of having Lake and Hume townships, where the park resides, contribute some funding with the road commission to get the launch open was discussed, but did not go far after some residents in attendance said that having the townships pay for something the whole county can use is wrong.

Commissioner Steve Vaughan said that he wanted the launch back open and improved since lessening the amenities at a county park does not make the county look good. Other commissioners said they would be looking for a solution to this as soon as possible.

Valerie McCallom, the Lake Township supervisor, also called into the meeting saying the township does want to see the ramp open for the summer because for years the township has had people express how they used it.
What began as a trip to America for education ended up becoming so much more for Vanessa Nguyen of Vietnam.

Nguyens journey in Bad Axe began in 2017, when she came here as an exchange student as a sophomore in high school.

Nguyen said she didnt pick Bad Axe, but was randomly assigned to it, much like she was randomly assigned to the Harless family, who took her into their home.

After completing her one year at Bad Axe, Nguyen transferred to a private school in Chicago.

Because the program was only one year, I had to move to a private high school if I wanted to complete high school in the U.S., Nguyen said. I chose Chicago because it was close to Michigan, so I could visit my host family frequently.

The private school Nguyen attended was partnered with Amerigo, an organization that houses international students when attending school in the U.S.

Nguyen graduated high school last year, but she was unable to return home to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Further complicating the situation, she was unable to continue onto Michigan State University, where she had planned to live on campus.

Instead, the Harness family once again opened their doors to Nguyen.

They graciously let me stay with them, she said. I only planned on staying here during the summer. I had planned to go to college at MSU and live on campus. But I ended up staying an extra year.

Instead, Nguyen stayed in Bad Axe and became a fixture at Lugos Taco Street, where she most often works at the drive thru window when she isnt attending one of her classes remotely. Regular customers of the business recognize Nguyen, despite her wearing a mask, because she often remembers their orders and what they like.

Nguyen said Lugos has become another home to her and the owners and staff have become her family.

I think I have made family through here, Nguyen said. We see each other 12 hours a day, that created a bond. I love working at Lugos. I work a lot but I love every minute of it.

Nguyen said although the pandemic has improved here, she was forced to once again cancel a trip home to see her parents due to the situation in Vietnam.

I planned on going home since the beginning of this year and I told my parents that I would sign up for a flight at the end of May, but right at the beginning of May there was a COVID peak, so I couldnt make my trip, she said.

Nguyen said she hasnt visited with her family in person in a long time.

This August would mark two years, she said. We do video call each other at least three times a week. On my end, I have been fine because I dont get homesick. But my parents miss me and want me to come home forever.

Since I have a job and I am dealing with my life pretty well, my parents arent that worried, she continued.

Nguyen said there are several differences between the Vietnamese and American education systems. In Vietnam, primary school is first through fifth grade, middle school is sixth through ninth grade and high school is 10th through 12th grade. Nguyen said Vietnamese schools utilize a block scheduling and a students day is always the same. Also, instead of students moving classroom locations throughout the day, the teachers are the ones that change classrooms.

However, perhaps the most significant different is the length of the school day in Vietnam, where kids go to school from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The reason why the school day is so long is because we have lunch breaks that are an hour long and a nap break, Nguyen said, adding that all students also have a recess regardless of grade level.

The differences arent limited to the classroom.

I think the culture is very different and more individualistic than our culture, Nguyen said. It is interesting to see how much more people value themselves here.

Nguyen said topics such as mental health and self-care are not discussed or focused on in Vietnam as they are in America.

Nguyen said one of her favorite parts about America is that it is a melting pot of different cultures.

I have never seen so many different people, she said. Its like traveling the world  people so different in one country.

Nguyens time in America has witnessed a lot of strife, between heated political movements and civil rights movements.

I dont feel very strongly about everything that has happened, she said. Maybe because I am not directly involved and maybe because I am an international student. It isnt that I dont care, because I plan to live here a long time.

Nguyen said she attended the Black Lives Matter rally held in Bad Axe last year.

I went to the protest because I support the cause, and I think it was fair to do so, she said. I dont understand why people have to struggle with their human rights.

Instead of returning home, Nguyen continues to stay with her second family  The Harlesses  until she hopefully heads off to MSU to live on campus.

Started college last August, but everything was online until now, she said. I do plan to move on campus this August. My school is planning to open at 75%, and as a sophomore, I would like to be on campus.

Nguyen said she has always wanted to travel and experience different cultures.

Studying abroad was one of the things I knew I always wanted to do, she said. The thing was when to do it. The exchange program is pretty cheap and a good way to find out if I liked the American way. It was a good opportunity and I am glad I did it.

Nguyen is enrolled at MSU and working toward a major in psychology and a minor in law, justice and public policy. Beyond her time at MSU, she isnt sure what her future holds.

Right now, I am am still hoping that I would stay and work in the US for a while, she said. I will probably go into criminal psychology and work for a law firm.

However, despite the fact she will be leaving Bad Axe, she said she will miss it, along with her friends and family that she has made.

I will be back for sure, Nguyen said. When I am back, I told Andres (Lugo) that I would take the window for free.
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The Met Gala should be so lucky.

In a spectacular (though sadly fictional) red carpet moment that easily rivals Lady Gagas 2019 Met Gala striptease , a sanitation truck arrives, ready to offload its trash. But then Emma Stone as Cruella de Vil somehow emerges from the detritus, gathering a 40-foot-train around her and looking like a demented Cinderella arriving at the ball  if her fairy godmother were a hybrid of Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen.

Her nemesis, Emma Thompson as the icy Baroness von Wintour, we mean von Hellman, glares. And there we have the three main elements that make Disneys Cruella a guilty pleasure, at least for the eyes: Emma S, Emma T, and fashion. Killer fashion.

Lets get out of the way whats sure to be the major complaint about this film, an origin story for the dog-hunting Disney villainess introduced in the 1961 animated classic One Hundred and One Dalmatians: Its long. No really. Its loooong. At 134 minutes, it definitely could benefit from a pair of shears.

But, rather like that 40-foot-train garbage dress  kudos to costume designer Jenny Beavan, the film's true heroine  why cut when you have Emma Stone in you, giving her all? That was probably the thinking from director Craig Gillespie. It does make some sense. Stone is always compelling, and with an ace nemesis in Thompson, shes having a blast.

Plus, with all those clothes, and a story set in the colorful punk revolution of 1970s London (with soundtrack to match), you need more movie. Thompson wears more than 30 looks, each more haute (read haughty) than the next, and Stone around 50. Still, when a movie brazenly celebrates style over substance, part of style is arguably knowing when to stop.

Lets also get the obvious puns out of the way: The De Vil Wears Prada. The Devil Wears Disney. Etc. Yes, there's more than a passing reference to that very durable 2006 film, which also pitted an aspiring young woman (Anne Hathaway) against a powerful fashion-world ice queen (Meryl Streep) modeled on Wintour. Then again, Hathaways Andy had nothing against puppies, as far as we know.

So back to Cruella. Youll remember she was brought to life (and live action) by Glenn Close in the 1996 and 2000 movies. This film begins at birth. How did she become the frightening figure who would scheme to kill puppies to make a coat? If she doesnt scare you, no evil thing will, went the song in 1961.

The screenplay does not entirely succeed in answering this question. The conundrum: Central to Stones appeal is that we love her, always. Whatever trouble she gets in, we want her to succeed. And so, like her trusty band of friends here  Jasper and Horace and Anita Darling  we remain on her side throughout. But really, is there a way one can love someone who will grow up to plot to skin puppies? Best to gloss over that, which the film sorta does.

We learn that Estella  her birth name  struggled as a child to tame her nasty side. Her sweet mother teasingly reminds her: Your name is Estella, not CRUEL-la.

At her small-town school, the young girl with a natural two-toned shock of black and white hair (an appealing Tipper Seifert-Cleveland) and passion for fashion gets into trouble, and Mum decides to move them to London. But tragedy strikes, and soon Estella is an orphan.

Luckily, she meets up with a pair of petty thieves, Horace and Jasper, who take pity and allow her to join the trade. You dont got too many options, they advise her.

Ten years go by. Estella (now Stone), an expert thief, gets her big break: a job cleaning floors at Liberty in London (arranged by Jasper and Horace, now played by Joel Fry and and an amusing Paul Walter Hauser; Kirby Howell-Baptiste has too few scenes as Anita.) Hey, its an honest wage. One night, drunk and frustrated, she redesigns a store window display. The baroness (Thompson), the worlds top designer, sees the rebellious window and immediately hires Estella.

As an employer, the baroness is cruel and capricious (not a comfortable source of comedy these days, but whatever). Still, she recognizes Estellas talent. Meanwhile, Estella discovers something disturbing about the baroness that connects to her own past. And thus the vicious showdown begins. Its her or me, the baroness says: I choose me.

And the weapon is fashion. And so, second only to that garbage-truck dress, we have another fabulous red-carpet moment with Stone in a voluminous red skirt (Beavan says she used more than 5,000 petals of fabric to keep it light), a bejeweled military jacket and Doc Martens, stomping on top of the baronesss car, swooshing her skirt around and literally swallowing the vehicle.

The Met Gala is returning this fall, folks. The red carpet awaits. Lady Gaga, are you listening?

Cruella, a Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures release, has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for some violence and thematic elements.  Running time: 134 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.

___

MPAA definition of PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
NEWTOWN  One year ago, Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on the neck of George Floyd outside of a local market, brutally cutting off his oxygen supply and eventually killing him, while the 46-year-old Black man gasped in words heard worldwide, I cant breathe.

Floyds cry for help would become a call for change in the days and months that followed, leading to mass protests across the country, and around the world. Across small towns and big cities, the young and old gathered to protest Americas long history of police brutality and systemic racism.

In Newtown, it was no different.

On a cool Tuesday evening a year later, roughly 45 to 50 members of the community outside of Edmond Town Hall on Main Street, to commemorate the anniversary of Floyds murder, to address racism, and to talk about efforts to change within their own town.

The event was held by Newtown Allies for Change, a local group that formed last year and now has about 1,300 members.

On its Facebook page, the group says its mission is to tackle racism and white supremacy and to educate and inform those in our community of the experiences of people of color.

The small crowd held signs that said things like Again and again, when will it end, Black Lives Matter, We the people means all of us, and quotes from Gianna Floyd, George Floyds daughter.

At one point, a young boy, stood on the steps of town hall and talked about being called the n-word by another student at his school.

He was supposed to be our friend, he said, his tie-dyed mask pulled under his chin to speak into the microphone. As a child, he said he didnt know what to do.

Last June, residents gathered at the town hall before marching to the flagpole at the intersection of routes 6 and 25, where they converged with another event being held to address racial equality, according to reporting from the Newtown Bee. There, reports said the two groups marked Floyds death by kneeling on the ground by the flagpole for 8 minutes and 46 seconds  the same length of time the white officer was reported to have knelt on Floyds neck  before marching to the police station. At former officer Chauvins trial in March, prosecutors said the former cop knelt on Floyds neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds.

The Newtown Bee reported that police estimated about 1,000 to 1,500 people were in attendance last year.

The Newtown Allies for Change held its own rally last summer outside the Town Hall, asking people of color to share their experiences living in the overwhelmingly white town. It was there that Nerlande Foote, who has lived in Newtown for four years, spoke for the first time about her experience as a person of color in town.

Newtown is nearly 92 percent white and just 1.7 percent Black, according to 2019 Census Bureau estimates.

This year, the group marked the somber anniversary of Floyds murder with a peace rally. Foote, who now serves on the groups executive committee and as its events liaison, said the purpose of the rally was to pay respects to Floyd and to make sure the push for racial equality doesnt lose momentum in town.

In Newtown, there is this notion that it isnt our problem, it isnt prevalent here. Unless you have a burning cross, then you dont see the racism, Foote said. They need to see it.

This was a sentiment echoed over and over again by residents speaking about their experiences with racism in town, as well as by white allies.

Indeed, several speakers talked about instances of profiling, racist language and microaggressions directed toward them in Newtown, including inappropriate and racist comments made at a local restaurant and an instance of racial profiling at a local bank.

From teachers to nurses to high school students, residents of color shared their stories while the small crowd listened. White residents spoke about their commitment to change and desire to educate others.

We have to deal with it now, said 15-year-old Miguel Gutierrez, who spoke at the rally about his experience as a Latino.

Gutierrez said the event and work being done to create lasting change in Newtown made him feel empowered. He wasnt able to join the rallies last summer because of COVID-19 and high-risk family members, but said his family was highly active on social media during that time to support the Black Lives Matter movement.

While the turnout was small compared to numbers seen last summer, Foote said it was a good turnout for a Tuesday night, and she was especially happy with the number of adolescents who shared their experiences.

First Selectman Dan Rosenthal and was called upon to speak on structural changes being made to combat racism and policing.

While Rosenthal said he had come to listen and hadnt prepared remarks, he briefly addressed the crowd, telling residents to keep the energy and pressure on.

Im here to listen and Im here to keep working on it, he said.

Foote said that her Black Lives Matter sign was vandalized by an elderly neighbor after the rallies last summer. Her friends children have been called racial slurs at a local school. People even asked her why they couldnt just celebrate Floyds life on Memorial Day this weekend, lumping the two events into one.

Theres a lot of people that didnt want us speaking tonight, that didnt want a rally, Foote said.

While shes hoped to see change in her community, she said its been more like taking steps forward, and then sliding back again.

Nicole Maddox, another member of Newtown Allies for Changes executive committee encouraged residents to use the tools here in town, their voices, and their privilege to push for change. She urged them to have uncomfortable conversations.

We have to be uncomfortable for a while, she said while standing on the steps of the town hall. If you are comfortable, you are not growing.

Just last month, a jury found Chauvin guilty on all counts in the death of George Floyd. The guilty verdict was unprecedented and marked the first time in the states history that a white officer was convicted in the murder of a Black person. Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison.

Even with that guilty verdict, groups across the country Tuesday continued calling for policing reform and justice.

Justice, Foote said, would be having George Floyd alive today. She doesnt want momentum in town to wane and is especially focused on making the world a better, more equitable place for the children in their town and others.

This town is beautiful and it should not be beautiful in landscape only. Residents should feel comfortable, Foote wrote to The News-Times.

My children facing discrimination is an inevitable and uncomfortable reality but making their journey in life easier as they grow is my ultimate goal. That is why I rally for equity and justice.
TRUMBULL  The Trumbull senior center was closed because of the pandemic so long that social services director Michele Jakab has to give her Welcome to the neighborhood speech to new neighbors twice.

On the day we closed down for quarantine, March 16, 2020, people were moving into the house across the street, and by then we were empty because people didnt feel safe coming out, Jakab said Monday as the center prepared to resume in-person programs. I told them things would pick up in a few weeks when things got back to normal. Now here we are, and they actually dont live there anymore.

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





The center is planning a staggered reopening, with exercise classes limited to 20 participants to start with. Masks and social distancing are required. The plan is to double capacity in July and eventually expand to 60 people per class if demand supports it, Jakab said.

Well have strength training, tai chi, and theres really been a big demand to get the zumba classes back up and running again, she said.

When Trumbull seniors return to the center at Priscilla Place, things will be a little bit different then they remember. For starters, there will be no congregating. For at least the first few weeks, the center is discouraging people from gathering for conversation, and the couches and benches in the building have been replaced with chairs to help keep people socially distant.

The centers chess players also will have to get used to slightly different protocols as the staff will institute a two-board policy.

The players sit distanced, each with a board in front of them, and they each move the pieces for both sides on their own boards, Jakab said.

The centers cafe also is not reopening immediately, although grab-and-go meals will be available, and the staff is planning a series of tailgate parties for outdoor dining.

On the other hand, some of the COVID-19-related changes have proven to be popular and will remain, Jakab said.

Zoom is here to stay, she said. That was one of the silver linings with the quarantine  weve really connected with people that we never had before.

Jakab said it was gratifying to see Trumbull seniors logging in for fitness or online art classes who otherwise would not have been able to attend.

Some of these people are full-time caregivers and wouldnt be able to leave the house, but they can sign in from their living room, she said. Other members spend time in Florida; one person moved to Texas, but she still attends programs.

In fact, the Zoom programs have proven to be so popular that the first group to return to the center in person was the Mens Club. And their first meeting focused on learning the intricacies of Zoom and other online meeting software.

Another silver lining of the pandemic year was the communitys efforts to help meet the needs of Trumbulls seniors even with the senior center closed.

Anything we asked for, we got, said Karen Seferi, who coordinates the centers food pantry. If we posted that we needed something, the next day someone came by to drop it off, or a delivery truck pulled up with it.

In addition, residents, some of whom found themselves with more free time during the pandemic, stepped up their volunteering, Seferi said. People volunteered to drive the centers meals on wheels vans and hand out food at curbside pickup time. And with some seniors in town living alone, volunteers also established a friendly phone call system where they called and simply spent some time talking to a homebound senior, she said.

A Daisy Scout troop donated the proceeds from their cookie sales, a high school student donated gluten-free food. It was amazing, she said. In addition, she said, a group of Chinese-Americans donated cases of masks and food.

People built wheeled carts to help us get food out, people in town that have chickens began donating fresh eggs every week, she said. People found all kinds of ways to give.

All of the combined efforts of everyone involved helped the center get ready to finally welcome members back into the building, Jakab said.

Its been so quiet, I cant wait, she said. I just want to hug them all, but thats still not allowed. We can fist-bump. Ill fist-bump everyone as they come in.

deng@trumbulltimes.com
PHOENIX (AP)  Arizona has revised the standards for allocating scarce medical resources during crises, such as the coronavirus pandemic, to resolve a months-old federal complaint that claimed the previous standards discriminated against older residents, people of color and people with disabilities.

The revised crisis care standards now reflect legal requirements and best practices to address the needs of people with disabilities and older adults, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights said in a statement on Tuesday, according to The Arizona Republic.

Several advocacy groups, including the Arizona Center for Disability Law and The Arc of Arizona, filed the complaint in July 2020. They argued the previous protocols were putting some residents at risk by raising the potential for some people with disabilities to be perceived as having a shorter life expectancy, which meant less medical care.

The new standards are a significant step forward for vulnerable residents, said Jon Meyers, executive director of The Arc of Arizona, which advocates for the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Were very glad that we have standards that would now ensure that all patients, including those with disabilities, would receive equitable treatment, Maya Abela, an attorney with the Arizona Center for Disability Law. Even though we are kind of past the initial surge (of COVID-19) and fingers crossed that never happens again, we thought it was really important to ensure that these changes nevertheless get incorporated.

Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ said the department is pleased with the new language.

The standards guide how resources are rationed to patients based on factors such as patients' likelihood for survival. The revisions now prohibit the use of patients' long-term life expectancy as a factor in allocating scarce medical resources.

Long-standing discrimination against people with disabilities and people of color by the U.S. health care system had led to a higher rate of underlying health conditions and lower life expectancy among those groups, the complaint said. For that reason, the complaint said, triaging people based on life expectancy is inherently unjust.

In addition to disability and civil rights groups, the complaint was filed by two Arizona residents, who have disabilities. Both had outlived life expectancy estimates from medical providers and were worried that if they were ever to be hospitalized with COVID-19, their life expectancy would be similarly misjudged.

The HHS Office of Civil Rights has over the past year helped resolve complaints about crisis standards of care in other states, including Utah, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Alabama.

Robinsue Frohboese, acting director of the health departments Office of Civil Rights, said the new standards help ensure non-discriminatory access to medical resources during this public health emergency for older adults and persons with disabilities.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison resisted calls for weeks to take over the prosecution of the white suburban Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot Black motorist Daunte Wright. He finally did so last week after one county prosecutor quit the case and a second asked him to step in.

The move satisfied many activists who hope Ellison  fresh off winning a murder conviction for the police officer who killed George Floyd  will file more serious charges in Wright's case. It also fueled expectations that Minnesota may more frequently bypass local prosecutors who activists complain undercharge police officers or don't charge them at all.

Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, is throwing his support behind the idea, one that several other states are also exploring.

I just know that the community, especially when it involves a police-involved shooting, feels much more comfortable if its a third party or an independent prosecutor, he said this week in an interview on Minneapolis' KMOJ-FM, a radio station with a largely Black listenership.

In the year since Floyd's death, bills have been introduced in Minnesota and several other states to transfer jurisdiction over excessive force cases or officer-involved deaths from local prosecutors to either state attorneys general or special prosecutors, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, though most of them haven't passed.

Maine has long given its attorney general sole power in such cases. The state's attorney general issue regular reports on whether deadly force encounters were justified  typically finding that they were.

In New York, a recent change in state law gave Attorney General Letitia James jurisdiction over all deaths involving police. Previously, she was limited to investigating cases in which the person killed was unarmed, and she had the option of passing them back to local district attorneys. Colorado and Virginia have also given their attorneys general more authority to investigate and prosecute such cases since Floyd's death, said Amber Widgery, a law enforcement policy expert with the NCSL.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser used his new powers last August to open a patterns and practices investigation into potential constitutional rights violations by the Aurora Police Department. That move buttressed the investigation his office was already conducting into the death of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old Black man who was injected with the sedative ketamine after Aurora police stopped him while he was walking home from a store in 2019.

But bringing in outside prosecutors isnt a cure-all.

Attorneys general who are sympathetic to police might not choose to pursue such cases as aggressively as a progressive like Ellison, who has sought more funding to expand his office's capacity to take on such cases. Ellison, who is Black, has also talked passionately about equal justice for anyone who commits a crime whether they wear a badge or not.

And while special prosecutors may be independent, theyre appointed, meaning they don't have to face voters the way attorneys general or local prosecutors do.

In the Wright case, white police officer Kim Potter was recorded on her body camera video shouting Taser! Taser! just before she shot Wright with her handgun during a traffic stop. Wright family members and activists have rejected the possibility that Potter mixed up her Taser with her handgun.

Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights lawyer and activist in Minnesota, favors a permanent special prosecutors office. Levy Armstrong led protesters in noisy demonstrations outside the home of the suburban prosecutor handling Wrights case, demanding that he bring murder charges. He eventually quit the case.

Without pressure from the people and demonstrations and calls for justice and accountability we would see no change," Levy Armstrong said. "We would see no prosecutions. We would see no convictions.

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi, who has handled police prosecutions  his office unsuccessfully prosecuted the officer who killed Black motorist Philando Castile in 2016  said sending cases to the attorney general is the best option because it would alleviate possible conflicts of interest and provide accountability.

They would be subject to the will of the voters no matter what, Choi said. Everybody gets a chance to vote for their attorney general.

But resources are a problem. Ellison's office has just three full-time prosecutors in its criminal division, and relied heavily on outside attorneys working free of charge to prosecute Derek Chauvin in Floyd's death. And the office is still gearing up for the joint trial of three other officers in that case next spring.

Current state law doesn't allow attorneys general to take over cases on their own, but they can step in when a county prosecutor seeks help. As a practical matter, the office currently declines most requests due to lack of resources; it's why Ellison resisted taking over the Wright case.

Walz is asking legislators for $1.82 million to add 11 permanent prosecutors in Ellison's office. It's a funding request that faces problems in the Senate, where majority Republicans have already targeted Ellison over some enforcement actions taken during the coronavirus pandemic.

The GOP has also opposed Walz and Democrats on most major racial justice reforms surrounding policing and prosecutions. Negotiations at the Capitol on a budget that includes attorney general funding are continuing, with the outcome unclear.

In Wrights death, the prosecution initially went to a suburban prosecutor under an agreement in which metro counties take each others deadly force cases involving police. That agreement expires next week.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, whose office asked Ellison to take the prosecution in Wrights death, said he expects the agreement will continue until its amended, or until the Legislature provides money to bulk up the attorney generals office.

Its clear from recent developments in the last three months that none of us can do our own cases anymore, Freeman said.
NEW YORK (AP)  The white woman who was widely condemned and fired after a videotaped dispute with a Black birdwatcher in Central Park filed a lawsuit against her former employer, accusing the company of not doing an investigation before her termination because of her race and gender.

In her federal lawsuit, Amy Cooper said the company, Franklin Templeton, nurtured" the idea of the confrontation last May as a racial flashpoint, characterized as a privileged white female Karen' caught on video verbally abusing an African American male with no possible reason other than the color of his skin."

She said in the lawsuit it wasn't racism that led her to call police but fear, because she was alone and being aggressively" confronted, and that the company would have known that with an investigation.

Cooper, who had been working as a portfolio manager at the investment firm until she was fired in the backlash to the call, accused the company of discrimination, saying an investigation would have been done if she were not a white woman.

We believe the circumstances of the situation speak for themselves and that the company responded appropriately. We will defend against these baseless claims," Franklin Templeton said in a statement.

The confrontation between Cooper and the man, Christian Cooper, who is not related to her, began over her dog being unleashed in a section of the park where that was prohibited.

Christian Cooper posted video on social media at the time telling her to go to another section of the park. The encounter escalated, with Amy Cooper warning him that she would call police and tell them there was an African American man threatening her life.

She then did call, saying she was being threatened.

She was also charged with filing a false police report, which was dismissed in February after she completed a diversionary counseling program. Prosecutors said the program included education about racial equality and five therapy sessions.

In the lawsuit, she said Christian Cooper had a history of confrontations with dog owners over their animals being off-leash, and that it was his practice and intent to cause dog owners to be fearful for their safety and the safety of their dogs."

Christian Cooper had no comment.
Getty Images / Contributed

NEW LONDON  A Tuesday morning shooting on Cleveland Street was not a random act, according to police.

The bullets were fired around 7 a.m. and hit a Cleveland Street home, according to police. Officers found multiple shell casings in the area.
TheaterWorks Hartford/ Goodspeed On Demand / Contributed photo

For singer and actress Christiane Noll, the long, winter hibernation is finally over, and she is emerging from her bubble after being trapped for 15 months. She is excitedly waiting for her audiences to return.

Noll considered herself a revolutionary gal, trapped by chaos and she will tolerate that no longer. She admires women who are crazy and strong and difficult to understand, but she is declaring that the wild days are over and its time to make magic.
MIDDLETOWN  E Chiamamulu Paisanu! Primu Diu E Sammastianu!

This Italian phrase, which translates to Hes one of our own! First God and then St. Sebastian, will be heard once again on the streets of Middlefield and Middletown for what will be the centennial anniversary of the St. Sebastians Church event.

Organizers have tentatively scheduled the feast, festival and parade from Sept. 17 to 19, a delay of a few months, due to COVID-19. The event was canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic.

We expect there will not be any more surges, Common Council Majority Leader and feast chairman Gene Nocera said in a prepared statement. We are optimistic. It is a historic event, and very rare, because of the centennial anniversary.

This will be a very special year for us, commemorating this milestone event of our faith, devotion, heritage and culture, festival second chairman Salvatore Nesci said in a press release issued by Frank Logiudice. The I Nuri will be participating, and my hope is to have more involvement and enthusiasm around this celebration than ever.

There will be a centennial anniversary Mass Sept. 19, and invitations have gone out to representatives of St. Sebastians Church in Melilli, Sicily, after which the Middletown church was modeled. Once Mass is over, the runners will enter the church, shouting praises to God and St. Sebastian for their help during the year, according to the news release.

In addition to religious observances, there will be food booths and rides, as well as an hour-long laser show Sept. 18 at 9 p.m.  similar to what is done at Disney World, Nocera said. It will be amazing, he said in the news release. Everything will be connected to the 100th anniversary theme.

The festival committee will be following state and federal protocols COVID-19 regarding safety, with hand-washing stations and other measures, in accordance with health department regulations and safety guidelines from the Diocese of Norwich.

There may not be a food auction this year, because people are restricted from bringing in food, Nocera said. There is a possibility the food auction may still occur because applicable restrictions may be lifted by September.

You can expect music, authentic food, amusements and spiritual devotion, including our Sunday Mass and procession, Nesci said.

The high Mass will be broadcast live on radio stations WLIS/WMRD-AM 1150 and 1420. A program for the festival will be available soon.

For information, visit Saint Sebastian Church, Middletown on Facebook.
ATLANTA (AP)  With a dozen states rejecting an offer of extra federal money if they expend Medicaid, Georgia's two Democratic U.S. senators are now pushing for a federal workaround.

Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock on Wednesday wrote a letter saying they want the federal government to find a way to provide health insurance coverage to people in Georgia and 11 other states that haven't agreed to expand the Medicaid program.

The federal government, which already funded coverage for these individuals through the Affordable Care Act, has a responsibility to step in and help these citizens who have been left behind by their state leadership, Ossoff and Warnock wrote. We cannot continue to allow Americans with low incomes to suffer any longer just because they live in a state that has been overcome by political obstruction.

Democrats had tried to motivate the 12 remaining holdouts by offering extra money to states that adopt Medicaid expansion through coronavirus relief. The federal government offered to boost its share of costs in the regular Medicaid program for two years if the states would expand Medicaid to cover more of the poorest Americans. Many able-bodied adults with low incomes are not currently covered, although those making more than 138% of the federal poverty level are eligible for federal health insurance subsidies paid to private insurers through an online marketplace.

In the letter to Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Georgias senators said they were working on legislation to create a federal workaround or pursue other strategies to provide coverage in holdout states. The two said they want the legislation attached either to President Joe Biden's infrastructure proposal or his proposal to provide additional education and family support benefits.

They said any alternative should not require insurance premiums and should require people who are insured to cover a low share of costs, like the traditional Medicaid program. Warnock and Ossoff didnt outline how they would make up for the state share of the costs over the long term, though.

Judy Solomon, a senior fellow on health policy at the liberal-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said one approach could be to use the federal marketplace and subsidize private insurers, creating plans with no premiums and smaller copayments. Another approach would be for the federal government to set up Medicaid-only plans in states that didn't expand the program.

Solomon said there are a lot of details to work out, but that people who were supposed to get coverage in 2014 shouldn't have to wait any longer.

Medicaid expansion is the keystone of Democratic policy demands in most states that have kept narrower eligibility. A federal workaround would give Warnock a major achievement as he seeks election to a full six-year term in 2022.

An analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation found the additional federal money offered under the coronavirus relief incentives would send Georgia about $1.4 billion over two years, and the states share of expanding coverage would be about $640 million. Georgia would end up $700 million ahead. More than 450,000 people in the state could become eligible for coverage.

But Republican leaders in Georgia and other states have ignored the enticement. Instead, Gov. Brian Kemp has been pursuing a more limited expansion that would impose work or education requirement to receive the benefits. The plan seeks to add an estimated 50,000 poor and uninsured Georgia residents to the Medicaid rolls in its first two years, with Republicans saying it's a more narrowly tailored, fiscally responsible alternative to a full expansion.

President Joe Bidens administration froze former President Donald Trumps approval of Kemp's plan, although Georgia lawmakers provided money for it anyway in the budget beginning July 1.

One-size-fits-all, government-run health care has failed to deliver results for Georgians in need, Kemp spokesperson Cody Hall said, indicating that's why Kemp has pursued his own plan.

The Georgia House voted 98-68 in March to reject full expansion, with majority Republicans rejecting the Democratic gambit.

Other states have been equally resistant. Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin on Tuesday opened and then closed within moments a special session that had been called by the Democratic governor seeking Medicaid expansion.

___

Follow Jeff Amy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jeffamy.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Republican leaders forcefully condemned GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on Tuesday, calling her comments comparing COVID-19 safety measures like mask-wearing to the treatment of Jews in Nazi Germany appalling.

Marjorie is wrong, and her intentional decision to compare the horrors of the Holocaust with wearing masks is appalling," House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said in a statement, which stopped short of calling for Greene to face disciplinary measures. The fact that this needs to be stated today is deeply troubling."

Greene, a conservative firebrand from Georgia and ally of former President Donald Trump, has thrived on stirring controversy, pushing conspiracy theories and forcefully confronting her colleagues since taking her seat in the House in January. But, until now, Republican leaders have proven hesitant to criticize her and refused to join with Democrats earlier this year when they voted to strip her of committee assignments.

Their rebuke Tuesday came after Greene made an appearance on a conservative podcast, The Water Cooler with David Brody, released last Thursday. In her interview, Greene excoriated safety protocols adopted by House Democrats, including a requirement that masks be worn on the House floor. She also called House Speaker Nancy Pelosi mentally ill and suggested that the rules were comparable to the treatment of Jews during the Holocaust.

You know, we can look back in a time and history where people were told to wear a gold star. And they were definitely treated like second-class citizens, so much so that they were put in trains and taken to gas chambers in Nazi Germany, Greene said on the podcast. This is exactly the type of abuse that Nancy Pelosi is talking about.

After her remarks sparked a firestorm of online criticism, Greene leaned in to the comparison further.

On Tuesday, she tweeted out a news story about a grocery store chain that plans to allow vaccinated employees to go maskless. Those who do would have a logo on their name tags indicating they had been vaccinated.

Vaccinated employees get a vaccination logo just like the Nazis forced Jewish people to wear a gold star, Greene tweeted.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called Greene's comments one of her "frequent outbursts that are absolutely outrageous and reprehensible. Still, he said any disciplinary action against her would have to come from the House.

Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the No. 3 House GOP leader, said equating mask wearing and vaccines to the Holocaust minimized "the most significant human atrocities ever committed.

Democrats said Greene should face more than just a public rebuke.

Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., proposed censuring Greene. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., called on her to change her rhetoric and behavior if she intends to remain a Member of the House. Pelosi, who previously suggested that Greene could face an ethics inquiry, called her comments so beyond reprehensible that they should have no place in our country.

The furor is just the latest provocative chapter in the activist-turned-lawmaker's brief tenure in the House.

Earlier this month, Greene followed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., off the House floor, shouting that the Democrat supported terrorists and doesnt care about the American people. She also appeared in Facebook Live video filmed outside Ocasio-Cortezs office, taunting the congresswoman through the mail slot of a locked door to get rid of your diaper and come out and be able to talk to the American citizens.

Before her election, Greene supported Facebook posts that advocated violence against Democrats and the FBI. In one 2018 post, she speculated that lasers or blue beams of light controlled by a left-wing cabal tied to a powerful Jewish family could have been responsible for sparking California wildfires.

And in February 2019, Greene appeared in an online video filmed at the U.S. Capitol, arguing that two Muslim lawmakers werent really official members of Congress because they didnt take the oath of office on the Bible.
DALLAS (AP)  San Diego authorities charged a 28-year-old woman with felony battery after an attack on a Southwest Airlines plane in which a flight attendant lost two teeth and suffered other injuries to her face.

The incident marked an escalation in unruly behavior by airline passengers and led the president of the flight attendants' union to ask for more federal air marshals on planes.

Unfortunately, this is just one of many occurrences, said the union president, Lyn Montgomery. She said there were 477 incidents of misconduct by passengers on Southwest planes between April 8 and May 15.

The incident happened during a flight from Sacramento to San Diego on Sunday morning. San Diego Harbor Police said Tuesday that they arrested Vyvianna Quinonez, and charged her with battery causing serious bodily injury. The Sacramento Bee reported that Quinonez lives in the Sacramento suburb of Antelope.

The passenger repeatedly ignored standard inflight instructions and became verbally and physically abusive upon landing, said Southwest spokesman Chris Mainz.

The flight attendant was not identified. Paramedics took her to a hospital for treatment, and she was later released. Southwest flew a friend to San Diego to be with her.

The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday that airlines have reported 2,500 incidents of unruly passengers this year, including 1,900 cases in which passengers refused to wear face masks, which are required by federal rule. The FAA provided those numbers as it announced it was seeking civil penalties totaling $54,500 against five passengers for behavior ranging from refusing to wear a mask to assaulting flight attendants.

Ive been in the industry since 1992, and this is the worst ever, Montgomery said in an interview. People seem to be more angry. When theyre asked to do something, compliance seems to be more difficult.

Southwest and most airlines train flight attendants to de-escalate tense situations with unhappy travelers. Montgomery said those tactics are growing less effective and a small number of passengers are becoming bolder in challenging the authority of crew members.

Montgomery, the president of Local 556 of the Transport Workers Union, wrote about the weekend attack in a letter to Southwest CEO Gary Kelly.

Montgomery asked Kelly to lobby federal officials for more federal air marshals on flights and to ban passengers who violate rules instead of putting them on another flight. She said flight attendants are concerned about Southwest's plan to resume selling alcohol on board planes. Many recent cases that have caught FAAs attention involving passengers who were drinking.

___

David Koenig can be reached at www.twitter.com/airlinewriter
3 1 of 3 Contributed / Waterbury Police Department Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Contributed / Waterbury Police Department Show More Show Less 3 of 3





WATERBURY  Police are asking for the publics help to locate a city woman who allegedly struck another woman with her car after a fight, leaving her with life-threatening injuries.

Waterbury police said they have obtained an arrest warrant charging the driver, 35-year-old Stacy Edwards with first-degree criminal attempt at manslaughter and reckless driving. Edwards, who has not been apprehended by authorities yet, also faces charges of evading responsibility, third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace, police said.
Naval Submarine Base New London / Contributed

GROTON  The Naval Submarine Base New London will host a 21-gun salute in honor of Memorial Day on Monday.

The ceremony will be performed at noon Monday by the Saluting Battery from the Support Facilitys Weapons Department. Each member will fire a single round volley at one-minute intervals until the tribute is completed.
The Army said Tuesday it had disciplined more than a dozen officer, enlisted and civilian leaders in the Illinois-based 416th Theater Engineer Command -- including a two-star general -- over its bungled implementation of a Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention program.

Maj. Gen. Miyako Schanely, the former commander of the 416th, received a reprimand from Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Joseph Martin over her failure to properly implement the command's SHARP program, the Army said in a release. Schanely had already been suspended from command over this issue, and relinquished her command, the Army said.

The Army said Martin also punished two other senior leaders for their own failures. And Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels, commander of U.S. Army Reserve Commander, took administrative action against 12 more officers, noncommissioned officers and civilians based on the problems uncovered by the Army's 15-6 investigation.

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Three more civilian actions are still pending. The Army said it would not release details about the actions taken against officials to protect their privacy.

The 416th is an Army Reserve unit that provides technical and tactical engineering support to the Army. It is one of only two theater engineer commands in the Army, and is based in Darien, Illinois.

The investigation was launched after a January 2020 story from the Associated Press reported it had failed to properly respond to sexual assault and sexual harassment cases.

The problems with the 416th's SHARP program had serious effects on some soldier's lives. The report found that one soldier, who had suffered a sexual assault, asked for help getting a transfer to another location closer to home.

But that soldier's transfer request was mishandled, the report found. Army personnel didn't get the right documentation in order, or properly inform the soldier about the transfer, leading to confusion.

That soldier's pay was also reportedly mishandled due to an administrative error during the transfer process, leading to the soldier not getting all owed money, or delayed payments.

The paperwork snafus became so bad the soldier apparently has no idea where he or she is actually assigned now, the report said.

"The soldier reportedly has not attended unit training since [redacted] due to uncertainty of [redacted] actual unit of assignment," the report said.

The report also detailed the command's mishandling of a report of sexual assault, including an unidentified official improperly contacting the victim in the case.

Schanely, Army Criminal Investigation Command, and other officials whose names were redacted were told in June 2019 about a reported case of sexual assault.

But instead of contacting CID as required by regulation, the unidentified official got a copy of a memo about the command's responses to the allegations at the time they were first reported, the investigation found. The official then alerted personnel about the allegations, and contacted the victim without the victim's solicitation.

By the end of July 2019, Schanely was told that the victim had decided not to receive support and services from SHARP.

According to the investigation report, which the Army posted online, Schanely's neglect of the SHARP program continued for years.

The 416th didn't hold a sexual assault review board -- during which measurable data on sexual assaults is usually gathered -- between November 2018 and February 2020, the report said. Nor did Schanely try to gather that data in other ways, the Army found, which put the 416th at risk for not being able to provide soldiers the care they needed.

The lack of leadership and interest in the program led to personnel shortages, and brigades and battalions regularly failed to adequately staff their SHARP programs or meet other requirements.

The 416th had no sexual assault response coordinator from mid-November 2018 until early July 2019, nearly nine months. And it was without a victim advocate for well over a year, from December 2017 until early February 2019.

The people in these positions are critical for running an effective SHARP program, the report said, and the lengthy periods during which the jobs were vacant "contributed to significant deficiencies and lapses in oversight."

Schanely assumed command of the 416th in September 2017, the report said, and commanders and supervisors are required to publish written policy statements on sexual harassment prevention, equal opportunity and other matters on how people are treated at units.

But it wasn't until January 2020 -- after the AP published its story -- that Schanely and two other unidentified officials got around to publishing an updated SHARP policy.

Schanely never conducted a command climate survey at her level since she assumed command, the report found.

The 416th's SHARP program was also in disarray over everyday things. For example, a lack of internal operating procedures meant that 23 voice messages left for the 416th's official victim advocate over a roughly 10-week period were missed.

The Army's investigation also pointed to broader problems with the SHARP program at Army Reserve's headquarters at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, which it called "inadequately staffed and poorly managed" by supervisors.

The current program manager position for Army Reserve headquarters' SHARP program, which is a civilian job, has been vacant since 2014, except for a roughly eight-month period in 2019.

-- Stephen Losey can be reached at stephen.losey@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StephenLosey.

Related: Air Force Two-Star General to Face Court-Martial on Sexual Assault Charge
Senate Republicans want to know what President Joe Biden plans to do with the controversial wartime prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as the U.S. ends its war in Afghanistan.

Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford and seven other Republicans sent a letter to Biden Tuesday urging him to maintain the prison and keep the remaining 40 prisoners locked up there.

"We anticipate your team is also developing a clear path forward to maintain GTMO operations, which are supported by a bipartisan congressional majority and most Americans," the lawmakers wrote. "While there were reasonable arguments for transferring and repatriating some low-risk detainees under your predecessors, we all agree that relocating the remaining 40 individuals or closing the facility would create an unnecessary risk."

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The letter comes after the Biden administration approved the release of three detainees who were never charged with a crime; all of them had been held for two decades.

Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and GOP Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Steve Daines of Montana and Thom Tillis of North Carolina also signed the letter.

The prison was opened by the George W. Bush administration in 2002 and held 680 detainees at its peak in 2003. Prisoners included Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the principal architect of the 9/11 attacks.

The Republican lawmakers said the remaining prisoners are too dangerous to relocate. An intelligence report found that 17% of former Guantanamo Bay detainees reengage in terrorist activities and routinely communicate with each other. Conversations range from the mundane to plotting attacks.

"We have also seen numerous examples of former detainees being released only to launch new attacks against Americans, resulting in the death of American service members," the lawmakers said. "There is no reason to take such unnecessary risks."

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Related: US Approves Release of Oldest Guantanamo Prisoner, Lawyer Says
More than 4,500 sailors aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt returned to San Diego Tuesday after more than six months at sea. It was the carrier's second deployment in less than a year.

Theodore Roosevelt sailors and their families can expect a long reprieve from oceangoing operations for the near future, according to Rear Adm. Doug Verissimo, the commander of the carrier strike group.

"Everybody will get a minimum of four to five months of coming home almost every night with some sporadic work here in the local area," Verissimo said during a short news conference.

While deployed, the Roosevelt supported operations in the Western Pacific with the Nimitz carrier strike group and the Makin Island expeditionary strike group, the Navy said in a statement. Due to the threat of the coronavirus, the ship did not make any port calls while deployed, Verissimo said.

The sailors of the Theodore Roosevelt and its air wing returned to a much different San Diego than the one they left on December 7. That day, almost 2,000 new coronavirus cases were reported by the county, a number that would continue to climb until reaching a seven-day average peak of more than 4,200 new cases per day in January.

The seven-day average for new cases now is below 90. And, with the Navy's relaxation of coronavirus restrictions, most family members, friends and assembled media at Tuesday's homecoming opted against wearing masks  a stark difference from the ship's July homecoming from its ill-fated first 2020 deployment. Upon the previous return, families were not allowed to gather pier-side to welcome their sailors home.

The ship left San Diego for that first deployment in January 2020. In March, as the world began coming to grips with the scope of the pandemic, the virus began spreading out of control on the Roosevelt, eventually infecting almost a third of its crew. The outbreak led to the firing of the ship's captain, Capt. Brett Crozier  and, eventually, the resignation of acting Navy secretary Thomas Modly, after he made disparaging comments about Crozier to the crew.

In November, after being home in San Diego only a few months, sailors began mandatory quarantines to ensure a "clean ship" environment. Sailors were unable to spend the Thanksgiving holidays with family members and others. And, after going to sea Dec. 7, they missed the rest of the holiday season as well.

Monique Hicks, whose husband, Petty Officer 1st Class Donald Hicks serves on board, said she tried to exercise as much as possible to avoid thinking about the long periods of separation.

"It's never not hard but you try to do what you can," she said.

Some of the family members waiting to be reunited with their service-member loved ones were service members themselves  something that can add extra challenges to deployment separations.

Jessica Scott, a petty officer 1st class stationed at Naval Base San Diego, waited outside the pier gates for her husband, Chief Petty Officer Abraham Lara, with their two kids  Arleigh, 7, and Primrose, 3. Scott said the last year and a half have been difficult.

"It's been really tough," she said. "Probably more for my husband than for me  he's made a lot of sacrifices for our family. He was deployed last year, too, and when COVID happened and they got sidelined in Guam, it was just miserable for him."

Jason Jenkins, a petty officer 3rd class on the Roosevelt, held his 2-month-old daughter Sage for the first time after walking off the brow of the ship. New fathers are among the first allowed off following a deployment. Sage's mom, Ja'Rielle Taylor, was previously assigned to the Roosevelt herself and deployed with the ship last year. That's when she and Jenkins became a couple, she said.

Taylor is now on shore duty at another San Diego command and is still on maternity leave. She said that her mother and sister came out from Atlanta to help her when Sage was born.

"It was worth the wait just to see this beautiful moment," she said.

Jenkins said that knowing his new family was waiting for him in San Diego helped him refocus on his job.

"Waking up every day knowing that she was back home, I knew what I was doing was for a good cause," Jenkins said. "That's how I got through it."

This article is written by Andrew Dyer from The San Diego Union-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.
The Pentagon is not planning on soon reversing a Trump-era move that blocked the release of deployed U.S. troop numbers in combat zones including Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.

Until 2017, the Defense Manpower Data Center's quarterly reporting on military and civilian personnel and the states and foreign countries to which they are assigned included detailed data on deployments to combat zones.

The information released by DMDC includes specific numbers of active-duty, Guard and Reserve troops and civilians assigned to individual locations, broken out by their service branches.

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But beginning in December 2017, near the end of the first year of the Trump administration, the military began excluding troops deployed in support of contingency operations from those charts. Officials also began to omit statistics for those three nations entirely, citing ongoing operations. The quarterly charts included language directing inquiries about personnel strength numbers to the Pentagon.

In a Tuesday press conference, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby indicated that was unlikely to change immediately, and cited the ongoing withdrawal from Afghanistan as one reason why.

But Kirby prefaced his remarks, when asked about the possibility of releasing more detailed troop numbers in the future, by saying, "We're working through specific policy decisions on that right now."

Kirby also noted that the Pentagon has talked in "broad brushes" about troop deployments to combat zones since President Joe Biden took office in January. He said there are now roughly 2,500 troops in Iraq, and fewer than 1,000 troops in Syria.

The U.S. had anywhere from an estimated 2,500 to 3,500 troops in Afghanistan in April, when the Biden administration announced plans to withdraw all remaining troops by September.

Since then, the military has released only broad statistics about the progress of the Afghanistan withdrawal, and no specifics on troop numbers remaining. On Tuesday, U.S. Central Command estimated it had completed between 16% and 25% of the withdrawal process, including flying about 160 C-17 loads of material out of the country, turning over more than 10,000 pieces of equipment to the Defense Logistics Agency for disposition and handing over five facilities to the Afghan Ministry of Defense.

Kirby said that the administration will no longer discuss specific numbers involving Afghanistan to preserve operational security.

The Pentagon wants to "make sure that the withdrawal can continue to occur on pace, and that we're not divulging more information than what is necessary, and we want to make sure that everybody gets out safely," Kirby said. "And so we have definitely curtailed the delivery of some data with respect to Afghanistan for those reasons, but I think you all understand that."

Kirby and other Pentagon leaders made a commitment to transparency with the public a priority when the new administration began. Kirby regularly briefs reporters several times a week, often on a near-daily basis.

And Kirby has pointed to the importance of the U.S. and allies' transparency to set an example around the world.

"I'm going to continually talk about what we're doing," Kirby said May 3 while discussing a readiness exercise in Europe involving 26 NATO allies and partners. "It's called transparency -- it's a wonderful thing. And we're not getting that out of Moscow and we haven't. So that's a big difference right there."

-- Stephen Losey can be reached at stephen.losey@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StephenLosey.

Related: Taliban Violence Raises Questions About US Troop Withdrawal
ALEXANDRIA, Va.  Former Sen. John W. Warner of Virginia, a former Navy secretary who was once married to Elizabeth Taylor, has died at 94, his longtime chief of staff said Wednesday.

Warner died Tuesday of heart failure at home in Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife and daughter at his side, Susan A. Magill said.

"He was frail but had a lot of spirit and was involved until his last days," Magill said.

Warner, a Republican, was elected to the Senate in 1978 and served five terms. He announced in 2007 that he would not run again in 2008.

A former secretary of the Navy, Warner was for a time was chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He had an independent streak that sometimes angered more conservative GOP leaders.

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Warner was also the sixth of Taylors seven husbands. The two were married from 1976 to 1982.

Democrat Mark Warner, who had challenged him for the Senate in 1996 and went on to serve a term as Virginias governor, won the election to succeed him in 2008. After years of rivalry, the two became good friends, and John Warner attended his swearing-in in January 2009. Mark Warner  no relation  said his friend epitomizes what it means to be a senator.

Virginia has lost an unmatched leader, and my family has lost a dear friend, said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. Once I came to the Senate, I understood even more deeply the influence of John Warner. I came to know John McCain, Carl Levin, and so many others who served with him and attested to his integrity and outsized influence in a body he loved so dearly."

John Warner had an independent streak that sometimes infuriated conservative party leaders but won him support from moderates in both parties. The courtly senator with chiseled features and a thick shock of gray hair was so popular with Virginia voters that Democrats did not bother to challenge him for his 2002 reelection that won him his fifth term.

This article was written by The Associated Press from The Associated Press and was legally licensed through the Industry Dive publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.
MONTGOMERY, Ala.  A Vietnam veteran charged with bringing 11 molotov cocktails and other weapons to Washington on the day of the U.S. Capitol riot had driven around the area a month prior, kept lists of officials and tried to find Republican Sen. Ted Cruz to discuss election fraud, a judge wrote in a court document.

U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on Monday ordered that 71-year-old Lonnie Coffman of Falkville, Alabama, should remain jailed until his trial on firearms charges. The federal judge cited Coffmans training at a Texas militia camp, his large stockpile of weaponry and actions, before and during the Jan. 6 insurrection, in the decision to deny him release.

This evidence of lists of political officials and public figures, Mr. Coffmans access to significant weaponry and his demonstrated ability to travel to Washington, D.C., raises serious concerns about Mr. Coffmans intentions and the danger he presents to the community, Kollar-Kotelly wrote.

Manuel J. Retureta, a defense lawyer representing Coffman, declined to comment about the case.

The FBI in 2014 identified Coffman as a participant at Camp Lonestar, a reported gathering place for Texas militia groups and had information about two other militia groups, the judge wrote. Coffman had kept lists of officials at his home with disparaging descriptions such as ex Dem. Senator, traitor and radical Dem. Senator.

The court order said GPS from Coffmans truck indicated he had visited Washington at the end of 2020 and driven around the Capitol and attempted to contact Cruz about his concerns over purported election fraud by both calling his office and looking for his home.

A Cruz staff member told police that Coffman did not seem threatening but had seemed unbalanced or not 100% there, according to the judges order.

Police on Jan. 6 found Coffmans truck in Washington packed with eleven mason jars containing a flammable liquid, several loaded guns, a crossbow with bolts; several machetes; camouflage smoke devices; and a stun gun, according to the order.

Coffman was arrested the evening of Jan. 6 when law enforcement officers discovered the weapons in his truck after authorities swept the area following the discovery of pipe bombs near two buildings. Prosecutors said Coffman left his truck in the morning during that day of chaos and rioting and was arrested when he returned to the vehicle in the evening.

Coffman is an Army veteran who served two tours during the Vietnam War. According to family members, he dealt with depression and often spoke about the difficulty he had dealing with the experiences from the war, the court document said. A family member said Coffman became a hermit after he separated from his wife, according to the court document.

This article was written by KIM CHANDLER from The Associated Press and was legally licensed through the Industry Dive publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.
The U.S. Naval Academy has appropriately responded to past reports of sexual assault, but the school could do more to track cases that don't involve official investigations, a Defense Department inspector general audit has found.

In its third report on the DoD's handling of sexual assault cases at the service academies, the Office of the Inspector General found that the Naval Academy's Sexual Assault Prevention Office, or SAPRO, appropriately provided services to students who experienced sexual assault and said the Naval Criminal Investigative Service followed policy while investigating cases.

But SAPRO personnel did not have a process or system to document interactions with victims who chose not to file an official report of an assault. Nor did they keep records of referrals made on behalf of victims for services in cases where the person chose not to file a report, the IG found.

Naval Academy officials told investigators that they didn't track the contacts out of concern for victims' privacy and confidentiality. But inspectors said having a process would help the SAPRO better measure efforts to help victims and understand the scope of the problem.

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"A process to track consults and contacts would result in a more complete understanding of the universe of sexual assaults that were reported and the full level of services requested within the USNA," wrote Randolph Stone, assistant inspector general for evaluations of space, intelligence, engineering and oversight.

The tracking gap will be resolved beginning Oct. 1, when DoD policy requires that the information be collected, according to the report, Evaluation of the Department of Defense's Handling of Incidents of Sexual Assault Against (or Involving) Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy.

Evaluations of the service academies' sexual assault programs were launched in 2017 after news reports indicated that more than a dozen Air Force Academy cadets were retaliated against by commanders and peers in connection with reporting a sexual assault.

The first DoD inspector general's report, on the Air Force Academy, was released in October 2019. It found that DoD failed to report 11 sexual assault cases to Congress as required by law and also did not tell lawmakers about 24 cases reported between 2015 and 2017.

That report also noted that the school's SAPRO did not track interactions with cadets who chose not to file an official report.

Likewise, the DoD IG found that the sexual assault and prevention office at the U.S. Military Academy failed to document contacts or consultations with cadets and also did not track its victim referrals for those who didn't file official reports.

The watchdog found, however, that all three schools' offices properly provided services and referrals to victims, and in no instances did the schools' leadership kick out those who reported a sexual assault.

At the Air Force Academy, the IG found eight cadets who disenrolled from the school after reporting a sexual assault, two of whom voluntarily separated for personal reasonsm and five of whom were involuntarily separated for a history of medical, disciplinary or academic issues prior to reporting.

The eighth cadet, who was involuntarily separated, filed a complaint with a member of Congress alleging retaliation; the DoD Inspector General concluded there was cause for dismissal and the investigations into the cadet's performance were part of the member's due process.

At the U.S. Military Academy, the auditors found nine cases in which cadets reported a sexual assault and later left the school. In three of the cases, the cadets left for academic or personal reasons without their leadership knowing they had filed a report and in five cases, they either resigned voluntarily or left for academic or medical reasons. The remaining cadet resigned from the school for criminal misconduct.

At the Naval Academy, investigators found three instances where midshipmen filed formal reports of sexual assault and later left the school, including one who departed after an honor code violation; one who graduated but received a medical discharge from the service; and a third who also received a medical discharge.

"We found that there were sufficient and well-documented reasons for the separations, which substantiated that the separations were not retaliation for reporting sexual assaults," Stone wrote.

A DoD report on sexual assaults at the academies released in 2019 found that 747 students reported experiencing "unwanted sexual contact" in the 2017-18 academic year.

The figure represented a 47% increase from the previous report covering the 2015-2016 school year.

The most recent report, released earlier this year, showed that there were 88 reports of sexual assaults during the 2019-20 school year, compared with 122 reports the previous year.

Defense officials attributed the drop to the COVID-19 pandemic, as most cadets and midshipmen were sent home to participate in classes virtually. Until March, 2020, however, the number of reports matched "quarter-for-quarter," according to Nathan Galbreath, deputy director of the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office.

The IG did not make any recommendations for the academy on improving its program.

Naval Academy officials did not respond to a request for comment by publication.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

Related: Army Punishes 15 Leaders, Including 2-Star General, Over Botched SHARP Program
The United States is preparing to send the carrier Ronald Reagan to the Middle East this summer to help support the Afghanistan withdrawal, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

The Pentagon plans to send the Reagan from its homeport in Japan to Afghanistan this summer, where it will stay for as many as four months, the Journal reported, citing unnamed defense officials.

The Navy declined to comment on the Journal's report, and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to Military.com inquiries.

Read Next: A Flying Car Could Be the Air Force's Next Medevac Transport

The Reagan will replace the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower, which is currently in the Middle East, the Journal reported. Last month, shortly after the White House announced plans to leave Afghanistan by Sept. 11 or earlier, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved an extension of the Eisenhower's stay in the Middle East.

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in April that the Eisenhower's extension, as well as the deployment to the region of more B-52H Stratofortress bombers, was approved in case the Taliban decides to attack U.S. forces as they withdraw.

"It would be foolhardy and imprudent not to assume that there could be resistance and opposition to the drawdown by the Taliban, given their staunch rhetoric," Kirby said then. "In light of that, we're going to make this a safe, orderly and deliberate, responsible withdrawal, where force protection is at a premium."

The Journal reported that the Eisenhower must leave the Middle East to return to Norfolk, Virginia, by July, because its deployment cannot be safely extended further.

Defense officials told the Journal that the Reagan's deployment to the Middle East will leave the U.S. Navy with no aircraft carrier in the Asia-Pacific region, at least temporarily.

-- Stephen Losey can be reached at stephen.losey@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StephenLosey.

Related: Bombers Deploy, Carrier Extends to Cover US Troops' Withdrawal from Afghanistan
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform unanimously agreed to send two bills to the House acknowledging two groups it said have previously gone unrecognized. The legislation would offer benefits to Gold Star children, or children of service members who died while in uniform, and covert air transport employees who served in military conflicts.

The Gold Star Children Act would extend federal hiring preferences to the children of veterans who died during a war or campaign or who are totally disabled as a result of their service.

Rep. Van Taylor, R-Texas, authored the Gold Star Children Act.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., who chairs the committee, said that she "strongly support[s]" it, adding that the notion that children in Gold Star families do not receive veterans preference is "just plain wrong."

"There are more than 15,000 children in the United States right now who have lost a mother or father to war. Many other children have a parent who was permanently and totally disabled as a result of their military service," she said. "The bill would finally right this wrong by extending the veterans preference to these children in recognition of the sacrifice that they too have endured."

Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., the ranking member of the committee, also offered his support.

"This bill will help America honor the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice by ensuring that children are able to bring their experiences, talents and skills to the American people's federal government," Comer said. "It's clear that the children of veterans who die or become disabled as a result of their service in the armed forces will face incredible hardships. They have endured a trauma that our country should never forget."

Maloney also expressed her support for the Air America Act of 2021. Employees who worked for Air America, the Central Intelligence Agencys proprietary airline, actually conducted search and rescue for pilots and personnel during the Vietnam War and provided vital transportation for thousands of troops, refugees and rescues in Laos.

"The employees of Air America have never been recognized as federal employees, and therefore were never deemed eligible to receive a federal pension," she said. "It's now clear that, while their employees were nominally working for Air America, they were really working for the federal government. This legislation would classify time employed by Air America as creditable service, making those employees, or their heirs, eligible for federal retirement benefits."

The bill has more than 100 co-sponsors in the House.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., the sponsor for the Senate version of the bill, and co-sponsors Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, expressed their support in a May 12 letter.

"Air America was a government-owned corporation that conducted covert operations during the Cold War, Korean War, and Vietnam War," the letter states. "The fight to ensure Air America employees receive the benefits they have earned is not a partisan issue, nor is it a new issue.  It is time for Congress to act."

Those who served with Air America offered key assistance in Laos and Vietnam, according to Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wis..

"There are about 1,000 people who flew for Air America," Grothman said. "They were very important to what we were doing in Laos, as well as the end of the Vietnam War."
A 28-year-old Reconnaissance Marine accused of stealing ammunition from an armory on Camp Pendleton will go to court-martial, military officials said on Tuesday, May 25.

Sgt. Gunnar Naughton has been referred to a general court-martial with a trial date set for July 1 at Camp Pendleton, said 2nd Lt. Kyle McGuire, spokesman for the 1st Marine Division.

Naughton, with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, was charged with six counts of larceny and military property-related offenses involving missing ammunition in early April. The charges followed an Article 32 fact-finding hearing held on March 19 at the Western Judicial Circuit Court.

In a list of articles under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice released by the 1st Marine Division, Naughton is accused of being found in possession of thousands of rounds of military ammunition, two military grenades and a smoke grenade, which Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigators said were found at his home off-base in Fallbrook. He is also accused of deleting evidence on Signal, a secure messaging app, and WhatsApp and attempting to discard the ammunition in a ravine in Fallbrook.

He is charged with dereliction in performing his duties, obstructing justice and violations of the Uniformed Code. He remains in the brig at Camp Pendleton.

According to military records, Naughton, of Kansas, started as a recruit at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in January 2015. In May 2015, he went to training at US. Army Training Center, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

From September 2015 to November 2019, he trained as part of a Chemical Biological Incident Response Force in Indian Head, Maryland. There he trained as a chemical, radiological and nuclear specialist. He joined the elite 1st Reconnaissance Battalion at Camp Pendleton in November 2019.

This article is written by Erika I. Ritchie from Orange County Register 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 Southern Poverty Law Center has added 64 locations -- roads, memorials, buildings and monuments -- to its list of U.S. military-affiliated places honoring those who served with the Confederacy.

The nonprofit organization, which specializes in litigation and issues, added the locations to a list it began in 2015 as a response to the killing of nine Black congregants at Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Of the new locations, three are at the U.S. Naval Academy and five are at the U.S. Military Academy, while 48 are at Virginia Military Institute and The Citadel -- state schools that offer Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarships and whose students fought for the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.

Many of the names or memorials were dedicated between 1906 and 1964, which the organization says corroborates "evidence that these memorials went up as part of an organized propaganda campaign in response to Reconstruction and the Civil Rights movement."

"Symbols of white supremacy should never have been associated with the military because they glorify a system of racial oppression and exclusion," SPLC Chief of Staff Lecia Brooks said in a release Wednesday. "There is no reason to wait three years to rename the Army's 10 bases, nor the military's numerous ships, roads, buildings, and memorials named after Confederate leaders."

Read Next: Navy Carrier Will Head to Middle East to Cover Afghanistan Withdrawal

The list of Confederate figures honored in the memorial contains several familiar names -- Robert E. Lee, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson and Matthew Fontaine Maury, who is considered the father of modern oceanography and maritime weather forecasting, and left the U.S. Navy to serve with the Confederate States of America.

Some on the list are more obscure, however. Among them: a memorial for Jackson's horse, Little Sorrell and a cannon made at the Tredegar Iron Works in Lexington, Virginia. The list also includes the Star of the West Monument at The Citadel, which honors students who fired on a steamship carrying supplies to Fort Sumter, South Carolina, in 1861, but also contains the names of the school's recipients of the "Star of the West Medal," awarded annually to the "best drilled" student.

The Virginia Military Institute's own "crest" is listed, likely referring to the school's coat of arms, which includes a black canton with broken gold chevron that commemorates cadet participation in the charge at the Battle of New Market on May 15, 1864.

The new additions come as the Defense Department begins its review of installations and locations named for the Confederate States of America or for those who served in the Confederacy, including 10 well-known Army bases.

Beginning this summer, a commission tasked with renaming the facilities will visit all 10, including Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Rucker, Alabama; Fort Benning and Fort Gordon, Georgia; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Polk, Louisiana; and four locations in Virginia, including Fort A.P. Hill, Fort Belvoir, Fort Lee and Fort Pickett.

The Commission on the Naming of Items of the Department of Defense That Commemorate the Confederate States of America or Any Person Who Served Voluntarily with the Confederate States of America, or simply, the Naming Commission, is being led by retired Navy Adm. Michelle Howard.

Congress ordered the commission's creation as part of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, which was subsequently vetoed by President Donald Trump, in part because of the renaming issue. Congress voted Jan. 1 to override his veto.

The Naming Commission is expected to look not only at base names but also at ships and assets that honor the Confederacy or the institution of slavery, Howard said. Fort Belvoir, for example, is on the list because it is named for the plantation that once occupied its site.

The group is expected to provide an interim report to Congress Oct. 1 and have its work completed next year. It is expected to provide suggestions for new names.

SPLC noted that since 2018, West Point and VMI have been in the process of removing or have removed five memorials to Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson.

Following the removal of the prominent Jackson statue at VMI, retired Army Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins, the school's superintendent and first Black man to lead the institution, said VMI "does not define itself by this statue."

"We are defined by our unique system of education and the quality and character of the graduates the Institute produces. Our graduates embody the values of honor, respect, civility, self-discipline, and professionalism. This is how we will continue to be defined," said Wins, who graduated from the school in 1985.

SPLC also maintains a list of more than 2,000 memorials and names across the U.S., mainly in the South, that memorialize Confederates, as well as the status of any renaming processes.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.
Travis Wilkes is a husband and father stationed in Europe where he serves as an active-duty major in the Air Force.

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

What message do military parental leave policies send to service members when a legal review is required simply to allow a father to take an equal role in caring for his newborn or newly adopted child? That was my experience when I designated myself as my child's primary caregiver in preparation for the birth.

Prior to my wife's pregnancy, I assumed the military's parental leave policy was straightforward: three weeks for men and 12 weeks for women. That is not the case. There is a primary caregiver vs. secondary caregiver construct, established by law, which gives weight to institutional subjectivity in which only one parent, overwhelmingly the woman, is allowed to be the predominant parent. This is not beneficial to women, men, children or even the military organization.

In short, servicewomen receive six weeks of medical convalescent leave to recover from giving birth. For birth or adoption, the designated primary caregiver receives six weeks of parental leave. Due to how the Defense Department policy is written, these are often combined to give servicewomen birth mothers a total of 12 weeks with their newborn.

For birth or adoption, the designated secondary caregiver, disproportionately men, receives three weeks in the Army, Air Force and Space Force, but only two weeks in the Navy and Marine Corps.

My wife and I do not view our parental roles in this outdated primary vs. secondary construct. We make a concerted effort to share our parental responsibilities equally, as does a majority of our generation. So naturally, I wanted to designate myself as the primary caregiver to be afforded the maximum amount of time to bond with my child and support my wife in her postnatal recovery.

I was fortunate to have a commander who wholeheartedly supported my decision, but he felt that the legal office should be consulted before approving it. While frustrating, his precaution was understandable since the military's parental leave policies are not written to easily allow, and certainly not encourage, non-birth parents or those with a civilian spouse (i.e. me) to be the primary caregiver.

The Air Force policy is reflective of the DoD policy. It outright states that in most cases the primary caregiver is the birth parent. Given that 83% of active-duty members are male and 91% of spouses are female, this automatically places a majority of the force into the secondary caregiver role. Policies establishing primary parental responsibilities enforce gender bias and an outdated family construct that no longer reflects American society.

Current policy also states that, for birth or adoption, the non-military (i.e. civilian) parent is most often the primary caregiver. This represents 44% of active-duty members who have a civilian spouse. Some examples are listed that would allow the non-birth parent military member, predominantly men, to be the primary caregiver. One is in the event of dual-military couples; however, only one member may be the primary caregiver, forcing the other to be the secondary.

The other examples include cases where the civilian parent must return to work and the incapacity or death of one of the parents. These seem more like extenuating circumstances that would dissuade most servicemen and their leadership from making or approving a request such as mine.

Fortunately, my leadership was supportive of our family decision to designate me as the primary caregiver. After further research, a Military Parental Leave Program frequently asked questions document was found on the Air Force's myPers website. It came to my rescue, answering the question of whether an active-duty male with a civilian spouse or partner can be a primary caregiver. It said that covered service members are allowed to decide their caregiver status.

With this information, along with the "other circumstances" allowed by the guidance, my commander happily approved my designation.

I will be forever grateful for my leadership and those first six weeks I had to support my wife during her recovery and to bond with my baby. However, I was one of the lucky ones. Current laws and DoD policies fail to provide a vast majority of service members the appropriate, medically recommended time with the newest members of their families. This disparity in parental leave is detrimental to servicewomen and damaging to the military's efforts to increase diversity.

In a 2018 Rand Corp. study, servicewomen "discussed a perceived [negative] stigma associated with pregnancy in the Air Force. They described a perception by leadership and peers that female officers get pregnant to avoid deployments and that pregnant female officers are not pulling their weight."

The study identified equitable parental leave as a means to reduce this stigma while simultaneously increasing gender diversity in higher ranks, as it would lead to increased retention of servicewomen.

Existing DoD policy, based upon interpretation of current laws, perpetuates unintended stereotyping and supports an institutional bias toward women in that they bear the responsibility of child-rearing to a greater degree than the other parent. Parental leave following a qualifying birth or adoption should be a universal entitlement for all service members, regardless of gender or family circumstances.

As part of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, some federal government employees were authorized up to 12 week of paid parental leave. The recently introduced Servicemember Parental Leave Equity Act would do the same for uniformed service members by increasing primary and secondary parental caregiver leave to 12 weeks for all troops following a qualifying birth, adoption or long-term foster placement.

This is a shift in the right direction; however, changes to laws and military policy can take several years to be fully implemented. A bigger task is generating a much-needed culture shift in which we as a military organization not only acknowledge, but also encourage all our service member parents, current and future, to take an equal role in child-rearing.

-- 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.
When Gavrilo Princip shot Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, he did it with an FN Model 1910 pistol. The assassination of the archduke became the catalyst of World War I, which itself laid the groundwork for World War II, and later the Cold War.

This lightweight weapon was easily concealed and perfectly engineered by American firearms designer John Moses Browning. Brownings weapons not only changed the course of the 20th century, it would help the United States win its coming conflicts and usher in the American Century.

A new book from former Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Nathan Gorenstein, The Guns of John Moses Browning: The Remarkable Story of The Inventor Whose Firearms Changed the World, details the list of Brownings engineering feats. It tells the incredible history of the boy who built his first firearm in 1865 at age 10 from scrap parts in his fathers workshop to the designs that are still in use today.

Here are just a few of the enduring weapons, many of which are still beloved by the U.S. military.

1. M2 Browning .50-Caliber Machine Gun

Affectionately called Ma Deuce, the .50-cal was developed just before the end of World War I but didnt enter active service until 1933. It has been used in every major American and NATO engagement ever since. It was first designed to penetrate the armor of tanks and bring down enemy aircraft, but Browning didnt live to see it in use. He died in 1926.

(U.S. Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Stormy Mendez)

It came at the request of American Expeditionary Force commander Gen. John J. Pershing, who specifically asked for a larger-caliber weapon that fired rounds at a higher velocity than Brownings previous machine gun, the M1917. It was so effective that other countries, including the Soviet Union, bought it or copied the design for themselves.

2. The Colt M1911

American troops fighting in the Philippines needed a sidearm that would stop Philippine rebels in their tracks, and the current sidearm, the .38-caliber M1892, just wasnt cutting it. They demanded a new .45-caliber weapon for the purpose, so Colt turned to its designer, Browning.

(U.S. Marine Corps/Cpl. Israel Chincio)

The pistol Browning created not only had the required stopping power, but it also might be the most durable pistol ever made. The 1910 Army trials put 6,000 rounds through Brownings design, cooling it by dipping it in water. The weapon still fired perfectly. Today, the M1911 remains the favored sidearm of many U.S. special operations troops.

3. Winchester Model 1897

Although in use by the U.S. military long before World War I, the trenches of the Western Front is where the Model 1897 gained its enduring notoriety (or infamy, depending on which trench you were in). The shortened barrel available on the 1897 made it the perfect weapon for trench warfare.

(Department of Defense)

Not only was it good for shooting down enemy grenades, it became known as the trench broom, because its five-shot capacity was effective in clearing enemy trenches. It became so deadly in the trenches that the German government protested its use as an illegal weapon of war.

4. M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR)

The BAR was the light machine gun of World War II and the Korean War. Amazingly, it was designed to be fired from an infantrymans hip while walking and actually saw action in World War I during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. With the BAR in the hands of American troops, the Americans pushed the Germans back more than nine miles before the wars end.

(U.S. Marine Corps)

An upgraded version of the BAR was used in World War II and Korea, where the machine gun not only was desired by infantrymen, it was necessary. By the end of WWII, infantry squads were equipped with at least three Browning Automatic Rifles.

5. M1919 Browning Machine Gun

The Browning M1919 is the all-purpose machine gun used by the United States (and other countries) from World War II to the Vietnam War. It was a versatile weapon, used in various forms by a five-man machine gun team or it could be mounted on jeeps, tanks or landing craft. It also was adapted for use on aircraft.

(U.S. Army)

This belt-fed wonder was reliable for prolonged firing and when converted into a lighter machine gun, and it later was altered to be lighter and more portable than the original. It was adapted yet again for brown water navy boats in the Vietnam War. Many countries still employ the latest variants.

For more about the life, work and history on the designs of Browning, The Edison of Firearms, check out The Guns of John Moses Browning: The Remarkable Story of The Inventor Whose Firearms Changed the World, on sale now.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

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WHA delegates highlight China's support in fighting COVID-19 pandemic

Xinhua) 14:21, May 26, 2021

GENEVA, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Delegates from countries such as Egypt, Mexico, Niger and Gabon on Tuesday highlighted China's support in their fight against COVID-19 at the ongoing virtual World Health Assembly, the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization.

The pandemic was an opportunity to nurture research capacity and researchers' competencies, so Egypt participated in clinical trials to test China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, said Egypt's Minster of Health Hala Zayed.

"I would like to highlight the significance of reaching an international strategy to improve access to medicines and vaccines with a focus on the importance of technology transfer, which Egypt has already done through constructive cooperation by resettling the vaccine industry and transferring manufacturing technology from the Chinese side," said the minister.

"We aspire, after the success of these experiences, to make Egypt a regional center to fulfill the needs of countries in the region based on Egypt's pioneer role in facing global and humanitarian challenges," she added.

Egypt has received the first batch of the raw materials to manufacture China's Sinovac vaccine, said the Chinese embassy in Egypt on Sunday.

Along with the Sinovac raw materials, a new shipment of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines also arrived at the Cairo International Airport on Friday, according to a statement by the embassy.

Jorge Alcocer Varela, secretary of health of Mexico, thanked friendly nations such as Argentina, China and Russia for their support.

"We have promoted a special program that promotes the use of safe vaccines in our country. In a very short space of time, Mexico has set up alliances that could be replicated in other parts of the world to accelerate the manufacture and distribution of available vaccines," he said.

Several shipments of China's COVID-19 vaccines have been sent to Mexico to help the country combat the pandemic.

The delegate from Niger also expressed gratitude to China, saying that Niger has set up an effective response mechanism with bilateral and multilateral support.

"This has allowed us to achieve satisfactory results when it comes to the management of the two waves that have affected our country," said the delegate.

Since March, Gabon has carried out vaccination campaign and over 11,000 people have been vaccinated with Sinopharm vaccines donated by China, said the Gabonese delegate.

Gabon received the first batch of China-donated Sinopharm vaccines in March. China is planning to send another batch of COVID-19 vaccines to Gabon to help the African country defeat the pandemic as soon as possible.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
The news isnt breaking, but the dance is. Once known as break dancing, its now a points-driven competitive sport, and its headed to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Team USA is gathering a super crew of Americas fresh B-boys and B-girls in America to represent in the first Olympic throwdown battle.

If you didnt understand half of that, its OK. You have a little over three years to update your wack vocabulary.

The International Olympic Committee added breaking, surfing, skateboarding and sport climbing to the Paris games in December 2020. One Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter mechanic is in full training mode to represent Team USAs breaking team.

Staff Sgt. Brianna Pritchard has been training for this her whole life -- she just didnt know it. Her father was a B-boy when he was in high school but didnt maintain his skills. His daughter picked up what he dropped and has been breaking ever since.

Her old man, hesitant to allow her to throw down at first, has become her biggest supporter.

He loves everything I do, he loves it, Pritchard said in an interview with the Alaska Air National Guard. It would be just as big of a dream for him as it would be for me to see me as an Olympian. He would absolutely love it, and thats my number one goal.

Pritchard has been training with the Olympics in mind for the past five years. She and her B-girl crew will vie for spots on the Team USA super crew to compete against the best in the world, and the rest of the world is tough competition.

Thats not enough to shake Pritchard, who already has competed internationally, won competitions in Arizona, Texas, Nevada, Hawaii and Florida and placed fourth in the USA Red Bull BC One National Finals in 2019.

Her recent deployment to Iraq may complicate her Olympic dreams, but it wont end them. She already has won two Olympic qualifiers that were held online due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Its just bad timing that the deployment came up. However, going on a deployment has been another goal of mine since I joined the Army, she said. I know I could have said no and just focused on the Olympics, but this is just as important to me, too.

Despite the requirements of her service, Pritchard says her number one goal in life is to be an Olympian, and even though its a new event for the 2024 Paris Games, she has no intention of stopping her Olympic training throughout her deployment.

If you dedicate yourself with enough discipline, you can serve your country, be an outstanding soldier and achieve your dreams, she said.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

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Rights groups in Ghana were campaigning Tuesday for the release of 21 people arrested last week for attending an LGBTQ event.

Gay sex is a criminal offence in the West African country and members of the LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, transgender, queer and intersex) community face widespread discrimination.

"Some LGBTQI members were gathering in the region for a conference aimed at championing their activities," local police spokesman Sergeant Prince Dogbatse said.

"We went to the conference grounds," he said. "We arrested 21 suspected LGBTQI members."

The suspects -- 16 women and five men -- were arrested for "unlawful assembly" last Thursday in Ho, in Ghana's southeastern Volta region.

They were remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear in court on June 4.

Since their arrest, the hashtag #ReleaseThe21 has been trending on social media.

"We are calling on the Ghana Police Service to #ReleaseThe21 persons arrested... for holding a training programme," rights group Rightify Ghana wrote on Twitter.

It said the meeting interrupted by police "was to empower some LGBTQI persons on various topics including training some as paralegals to document and report human rights violations being experienced by LGBTQI Ghanaians."

Another rights group, LGBT+ Rights Ghana, launched a crowdfunding campaign following last week's arrests.

"The funds will be used to help the activists get out of prison and also provide them with basic needs," it said on Twitter.

Alex Kofi Donkor, founder of LGBT+ Rights Ghana, said the latest crackdown was "a targeted attempt to intimidate the LGBTQI community".

"For how long are they going to harass us in a country that prides itself of freedom of association and orientation?" said Donkor.

"I donat feel safe in this country anymore."

In February, Ghana security forces raided and shut down the office of an LGBTQ rights group in the capital Accra after politicians and religious leaders called for its closure.

The controversy comes at a sensitive time for President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is reaching out to African-Americans and the Ghanaian diaspora through his programme "The Year of Return", encouraging people to return to their ancestral country.

After staying quiet on the matter, the head of state reaffirmed his position at a religious ceremony in March, saying: "It will not be under the presidency of Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo that same-sex marriage will be legal".

Actor Idris Elba, model Naomi Campbell and designer Virgil Abloh all signed an open letter of support for LGBTQ Ghanaians earlier this year, expressing "profound concern" at the situation they face.
An Italian judge on Tuesday set an October date for the trial of four Egyptian security officers accused of brutally murdering an Italian student in Cairo five years ago.

The mutilated body of Giulio Regeni, a 28-year-old PhD student researching the sensitive topic of trade unions in Egypt, was found on the outskirts of Cairo days after he disappeared on January 25, 2016.

Following a request by prosecutors, judge Pierluigi Balestrieri on Tuesday referred four Egyptian security officers for trial over his death starting on October 14, according to the AGI news agency.

Investigators accuse them of inflicting days of torture on Regeni before he died, leaving him so disfigured that his mother said she only recognised her son by "the tip of his nose".

Colonel Uhsam Helmi, General Tariq Sabir, Colonel Athar Kamel Mohamed Ibrahim and Major Magdi Ibrahim Abdelal Sharif are all accused of kidnapping, with Sharif charged with inflicting the fatal injuries.

Cairo strongly rejects the allegations and the men are unlikely to be extradited to stand trial in person.

Egypt's public prosecutor cleared all four in December along with a fifth suspect and said he would drop the case.

Regeni's death sparked outrage in Italy and severely strained diplomatic relations with Egypt. It also triggered fresh criticism of Egypt's human rights record under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The case remains a political issue in Italy, with Regeni's parents, Claudio and Paola, meeting with Prime Minister Mario Draghi last week.

Their lawyer Alessandra Ballerini expressed hope Tuesday that they would finally get justice for their son.

"Paola and Claudio often say that in Giulio's case, all human rights were violated," she said, according to AGI.

"From today we have the reasonable hope that at least the right to the truth will not be violated.

"It has taken us 64 months. But it is a good goal and a good starting point."
More than 20 chambermaids at an Ibis hotel in Paris have obtained better pay and working conditions after a 22-month battle with their employers, including eight months of strike action.

So, so, solidarite the triumphant women chanted on Tuesday outside the 700-room Hotel Ibis Batignolles, owned by the multinational hotel group Accor. They'd just signed an agreement with Accor and the cleaning and catering agency STN that it outsources its workers to.

After 22 months of turbulent struggle, there was a huge feeling of relief and pride.

Words fail me, Rachel Keke, one of the leaders, told RFI. We're proud of what we've achieved because we fought through to the end, we never gave up. I kept saying to my colleagues we have to hang on, we'll win in the end. And now we have this wonderful victory.

Historic progress

Above all they got their dignity back, Claude Levy, a rep with the Prestige and Budget hotels section of the CGT trade union, told RFI. These women from sub-Saharan Africa have shown unbelievable courage, they're lionesses.

The women did not manage to get taken on by the Accor group and remain sub-contracted workers, but all their other demands were met.

These include a salary increase of between 250 and 500 per month, a 20 percent reduction in the rate of their work, a pause during the day, a guarantee to work at least five hours a day rather than the previous four and a time clock to ensure that those working hours are respected.

Several of the group will also receive compensation. In return they agreed to end their industrial action.

Levy described the agreement as historic adding that Accor had a reputation for being very tough in negotiations.

17 minutes per room

The women launched their strike action on 17 July 2019 after 10 staff with occupational diseases were threatened with transfer to another establishment because they were unable to clean the number of rooms required.

What also set the powder keg on fire is the payment-per-room system, so common in sub-contracted work, Levy explained. They had to clean 3.5 rooms per hour, that's one every 17 minutes. And the hours over and above that rate were not paid. All of that resulted in undeclared work. It's an explosive cocktail.

Levy's union raised 284,000 in a solidarity fund to keep the women afloat during their eight-month strike action before the health crisis forced hotels to close and the government's furlough scheme kicked in.

France's biggest hotel group

Accor is the largest hotel group in France and Europe, and the sixth biggest in the world. While the deal was struck with both STN and Accor, Levy maintains the payer called the shots.

The prospect of hotels reopening with lighter health protocols drove the Accor Groupe to increase its commercial contract by around 30 percent  the equivalent of 500,000 per year, Levy said.

Another driver was the sheer length of the conflict which had seriously dented the group's prestigious image.

An example for rest of the industry

Under the agreement, the women have been upgraded from simple cleaners to skilled workers, a move Levy hopes to see across the hotel industry.

The Accor Groupe has realised it's no longer possible to continue with these unbelievable situations in hotel sub-contracting. These physically difficult jobs have to be upgraded because lots of young people are leaving the sector, turning their backs on this kind of work because of poor working conditions and low pay," Levy said.

This is an example for everyone watching us," housekeeper Rachel Keke said. "Fighting back pays off. We have to end this form of slavery, stop sub-contracting in hotels, restaurants, building sites, everywhere.

The women intend to carry on pushing to get hired in-house, and are counting on the two staff representatives they will now be allowed to elect on 15 June to argue their case.
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EcoCare Ghana on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 launched the Cocoa Governance and Advocacy Project to help reform the cocoa sector.

The project in-part looks at getting local civil society in Ghana properly mobilized and strategically positioned to use the ongoing discussions around the UK and EU due diligence regulation for forest-risk commodities proposals that are under consideration to advocate for governance reform in the cocoa sector in Ghana.

The project also looks at using learnings from FLEGT-VPA processes in Ghana as blueprint for civil society action towards governance reform in the cocoa sector.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the launch, Obed Owusu-Addai who is Managing Campaigner for EcoCare Ghana noted that the fundamental focus of the project is to realize the governance reform in the cocoa sector.

Basically what we want to do within the cocoa sector is that we want to get stakeholders to the table to discuss cocoa issues, who get to sit at the table, and how decisions are made around cocoa in Ghana, he shared.

Mr. Owusu-Addai added, The other thing that we also want to do is to ensure that civil society and farmer-based Organisations understand the problems within the cocoa sector and we are using constructive advocacy to get responses and review of those problems.

Mr. Obed Owusu-Addai

According to Mr. Obed Owusu-Addai, the project will use constructive advocacy to address issues of deforestation and child labour in the cocoa sector.

Giving a short remark at the launch of the project, country director for Gower Street Foundation, Joy Essandoh indicated that her outfit knows the importance of cocoa to Ghanas economy and are convinced the sector is the right place to invest their resources

Hence the decision by Gower Street Foundation, to take part in the project.

Representing the implementing partners, Mrs. Martha Mensah who stepped in to replace the national coordination of the Ghana Civil Society Cocoa Platform stressed that the GCCP is delighted to be part of the project.

She said while the GCCP looks forward to working with all stakeholders, it wants all partners involved to work towards the success of the Cocoa Governance and Advocacy Project to particularly improve the conditions all cocoa farmers at the end of the project.

The project that will be implemented by EcoCare Ghana in collaboration with the Ghana Civil Society Cocoa Platform (GCCP) is being financed by the UKAID through FERN with support from Gower Street Foundation.

More about the Cocoa Governance and Advocacy Project:

The Cocoa Advocacy Project seeks to leverage existing opportunities, improve awareness creation, mobilize CSOs and strengthen the capacity of stakeholders to reform the sector through a multi-stakeholder approach.

The overall objective of the project is to realize a reformed cocoa sector where decisions are being made through an effective multi-stakeholder approach.

The specific objective is to improve Cocoa governance in Ghana through targeted advocacy and stakeholder mobilization and to facilitate and consolidate civil society actions in cocoa sector reform in Ghana by leveraging ongoing due diligence reforms in the EU and UK.

The project is designed to take between 24-36 months to realize expected outcomes and achieve the objectives. It will have annual targets and plan of work with its own expected deliverables. The strategy and approach shall be viewed every 12 months taking into consideration milestones achieved and the changing dynamics of the cocoa advocacy sector.
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LGBT+ Rights Ghana has started a campaign to raise $10,000 to help free some 21 activities who were arrested and remanded by the Volta Regional Police Command in Ho.

Last Thursday some members of the lesbian, gay, transgender, queer, and intersex community were arrested at a workshop and subsequently charged with unlawful assembly.

They were arraigned before the Ho Circuit Court.

With no bail granted, LGBT+ Rights Ghana has launched a social media campaign to raise funds.

The campaign which has so far recorded over 6,000 tweets is to raise a total of $10,000 to help release the 21 activists from Police cells.

Part of the money will be used to provide them with some basic needs.

As of 22:00GMT on Tuesday, a sum of $5,457 had already been raised from the LGBTQI community and still counting.

The 21 suspects [16 women and five men] are currently in Police custody scheduled to appear in court on June 4, 2021.
With its economy hit hard by the pandemic, Tunisia is counting on Russians and eastern Europeans to salvage its tourist sector whose employees fear hunger more than Covid-19.

"The need to work is stronger than the fear of being contaminated," said lifeguard Aymen Abdallah, glancing at a half-empty beach in the Mediterranean resort of Sousse where Russians are making a comeback.

"If we don't work, we'll starve to death," added Abdallah, donning sunglasses and a mask.

The lifeguard is relieved to be back at work after an idle eight months. But "normally, the beach would have been full at this time", he sighed.

Tunisian health workers check the Covid-19 documentation of tourists arriving at Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport near the Mediterranean resort town of Sousse. By FETHI BELAID (AFP)

The North African country reopened its borders to tour operators in late April but then ordered a new week-long partial lockdown at the start of May because of a spike in coronavirus cases.

Up to 10 flights a week, mostly from Russia and eastern Europe, have in the past month been touching down at Enfidha, an airport serving Tunisia's tourism towns.

But revenues are down more than 60 percent on 2019, before the pandemic hit.

Hotels are authorised to operate at 50 percent of capacity but are struggling to reach that level.

"There's not much profit with just 30 percent hotel occupancy," lamented Adel Mlayah, deputy director of the high-end Mouradi Palace in Sousse.

The hotel normally employs at least 260 staff, but this year no more than 120 are working.

'Not scared'

Eastern Europe also came to the rescue after the 2015 jihadist attacks on the capital's Bardo Museum and in Sousse that killed 60 people, all but one of them tourists, bringing the crucial sector of Tunisia's economy to its knees.

While visitors from most West countries are deterred from travel by their governments, those from Russia, the Czech Republic and Poland appeared to have few such qualms.

"There are not that many countries where we can go," said Andrej Radiokove, newly arrived from Moscow.

"Turkey closed its borders -- that's why we chose Tunisia."

Like most of the others in his tour group, he has not been vaccinated.

The tourist chief in Sousse hopes for one million visitors for the year as a whole, compared to the nine million hosted in 2019. By FETHI BELAID (AFP)

"We had Covid two months ago, so we're not scared," he said.

Only around two percent of Tunisia's population has so far been vaccinated.

The pandemic has claimed more than 12,000 lives in the country of 12 million people. But the high local toll does not appear to have deterred the sun-seekers.

Around the pool of the Mouradi Palace, a clutch of them swayed to the rhythm of Russian electronic music.

"Customers from eastern Europe are less than reticent, less concerned about the pandemic," said Zied Maghrebi, marketing director of the nearby Movenpick hotel.

"We have fallen back on these customers because they're not afraid to travel."

Battered economy

Serafim Stoynovski, a 22-year-old Bulgarian law student, explained that he chose Tunisia because "restrictions here are not as strict" as in other countries.

"We can go out for a walk, go to a restaurant or have a coffee if we want," he said.

Tourists go through health protocols upon arriving at Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport. By Fethi Belaid (AFP)

Unlike other tourists who have to self-isolate for five to seven days in government-assigned hotels at their own expense, those in tour groups only need a negative PCR test.

Excursions, however, are restricted to tours organised by travel agents who adhere to health protocols, said Sousse tourism commissioner Taoufik Gaied.

He is holding out hope for one million tourists in 2021, still just a fraction of the nine million who came two years ago.

Locals are desperately hoping for a resurgence in visitors from all source markets, after a miserable 2020. By Fethi Belaid (AFP)

A decade since its 2011 revolution, Tunisia's economic woes have been compounded by the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown measures.

The International Monetary Fund expects the country's economy will grow 3.8 percent this year, making up little of the ground lost by an unprecedented 8.9 percent contraction in 2020.
West African mediators will be allowed to meet with Mali's detained president and prime minister Wednesday, a source close to the discussions said, two days after the transitional leaders were stripped of their powers by the country's military.

The detention on Monday of President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane, tasked with steering the return to civilian rule after a coup last August, triggered widespread international condemnation and the threat of sanctions.

The United Nations Security Council was set to hold an emergency meeting later Wednesday at France and others' request, with French President Emmanuel Macron likening the recent events to a second coup.

A mediation team from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) arrived in the Malian capital on Tuesday and has now been "given the green light" by strongman Assimi Goita to meet with Ndaw and Ouane, a source close to the talks told AFP.

Mali's President Bah Ndaw was detained along with the prime minister. By Michele Cattani (AFP/File)

"We are here to help our Malian brothers find a solution to the crisis, but it is clear that ECOWAS could quickly announce sanctions at a future summit," one member of the delegation, headed by former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, told AFP.

Macron, whose country has committed more than 5,000 troops to Mali's fight against jihadism in the Sahel, condemned the arrest of Ndaw and Ouane as a "coup d'etat in an unacceptable coup d'etat".

"We are ready in the coming hours to take targeted sanctions" against those responsible, he said after a European Union summit.

Coup leader Assimi Goita is currently serving as interim vice president. By MICHELE CATTANI (AFP/File)

On Monday, the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, the EU and United States issued a rare joint statement, attacking the detention and demanding the pair be released.

That demand was echoed on Tuesday by Britain and Germany.

A senior Malian military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Ndaw and Ouane had been taken to the Kati military camp near Bamako and "are fine."

"They spent the night in good conditions. The president saw his doctor," the source said.

A member of Goita's team said that during the talks with the ECOWAS mediators, they had "explained their reasons" for pushing the two men out, and insisted that elections would still be held next year.

They said more talks would be held with the ECOWAS delegation.

Reshuffle sparks army backlash

Young military officers ousted president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita last August after weeks of demonstrations over perceived government corruption and his handling of the jihadist insurgency.

ECOWAS, a 15-nation regional bloc, threatened sanctions, prompting the junta to hand power to a caretaker government that pledged to reform the constitution.

Map of Mali locating the capital Bamako where soldiers detained the president and prime minister on Monday.. By (AFP)

Ndaw and Ouane had been heading that interim government with the declared aim of restoring full civilian rule within 18 months.

But recently there had been signs of discontent among the public, with the opposition M5 movement demanding a "more legitimate" body.

On May 14, the government said it would appoint a new "broad-based" cabinet.

Designed to respond to growing criticism, the reshuffle saw the military keep the strategic portfolios it controlled during the previous administration.

But two other coup leaders -- ex-defence minister Sadio Camara and ex-security minister Colonel Modibo Kone -- were replaced, prompting officers to detain the president and prime minister.

'Intent to sabotage transition'

Goita, who holds the rank of vice president in the transitional government, accused Ndaw and Ouane of failing to consult him on the reshuffle.

Assimi Goita led a coup last August that overthrew Mali's elected president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. By MALIK KONATE (AFP/File)

"This kind of step testifies to the clear desire of the transitional president and prime minister to seek to breach the transitional charter," he said, describing this as a "demonstrable intent to sabotage the transition".

The transitional charter, a document largely drawn up by the colonels, sets down principles for underpinning Mali's return to civilian rule.

"The scheduled elections will be held in 2022," Goita added.

France has sent soldiers to help Mali combat a jihadist insurgency. By DaphnA BENOIT (AFP/File)

But many have doubted whether the military-dominated government had the will -- or the ability -- to stage reforms on a short timescale.

"What we are experiencing today is the logical outcome of the flaws at the start of the transition," when the junta sidelined civil society in the formation of the new government, said sociologist Brema Ely Dicko.

In the streets of Bamako, life seemed to continue as normal on Tuesday despite the ouster of Ndaw and Ouane, and many people interviewed by AFP said they were resigned to events.

Tahirou Bah, a civil society activist, attacked "putschist colonels.... (who) fight to the death for power" at a time when "80 percent of our country is under the control of terrorists, drug traffickers and bandits of every kind."

But, he said, many people simply focused on day-to-day living -- "This is survival for many Malians."

burs-yad/ri/lc/reb/gle
France and Rwanda aim to definitively turn the page on a quarter century of tensions when President Emmanuel Macron visits Kigali on Thursday to commemorate the victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Macron is the first French leader since 2010 to visit the central African country, which has long accused France of complicity in the mass killings of Rwandan Tutsis.

Years of mutual finger-pointing came to an abrupt halt in March when a commission appointed by Macron returned a damning indictment of France's role in the bloodshed.

In findings accepted by the French government, the historians accused Paris, which had close ties to the ethnic Hutu regime behind the massacres, of being "blind" to preparations for the genocide and said it bore "serious and overwhelming" responsibility.

The commission found no proof, however, of French complicity in the bloodshed.

For Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who led the Tutsi rebellion that ended the genocide and had led the charge against France ever since, the report was a game-changer.

On a visit to France last week, Kagame, who at one point broke off relations with France, said the report had paved the way for France and Rwanda to have "a good relationship."

Ahead of Macron's visit to Kigali, both sides have spoken enthusiastically of a "normalisation" of ties.

French officials say Macron could also use the visit to name an ambassador to Rwanda, filling a post left vacant since 2015.

Kagame led the Tutsi rebellion that ended the genocide. By Handout (Paul Kagame Flickr account/AFP/File)

But some in Rwanda want France to go further in facing up to the past and officially apologise for failing to help stop the killing of 800,000 Rwandans between April and July 1994.

They will be listening closely when Macron delivers a speech on Thursday at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the final resting place for over 250,000 genocide victims.

Kagame has downplayed the importance of the issue.

"It's not up to me, or anyone else to demand apologies," he told Le Monde newspaper in a recent interview, insisting that any such expression had to be spontaneous on the part of the French.

French 'blindness'

From Rwanda to Algeria and the colonial-era looting of African art, Macron has gone further than his predecessors in shining a light on unsavoury chapters of France's past in Africa.

The last French president to visit Rwanda was Nicolas Sarkozy, who attempted to break the ice by admitting to "serious mistakes" and a "form of blindness" on the part of the French during the genocide.

His remarks fell short of expectations in Rwanda and relations between the countries continued to fester.

Macron has presented himself as the standard-bearer of a new generation that came of age after the colonial period and is not afraid to admit to past wrongs.

While campaigning for president, the 43-year-old declared that the colonisation of Algeria was a "crime against humanity" -- an admission that deeply upset conservatives in France, where colonial rule was long portrayed as relatively benign.

Macron has acknowledged that France instigated a system that facilitated torture during Algeria's war of liberation. By CHRISTIAN HARTMANN (POOL/AFP/File)

He has also acknowledged that France instigated a system that facilitated torture during Algeria's war of liberation from France and agreed to return art looted by colonial forces from Benin and Senegal.

Analysts say these gestures are aimed at wooing young Africans who view France with suspicion, convinced that it is still pulling the strings in former French colonies where it propped up strongmen for decades.

"The fact of being from a new generation and a young president does not change the course of relations between France and African countries," Gilles Yabi, president of Senegal's WATHI think-tank, told AFP after the release of the Rwanda report in March.

To counter allegations of French paternalism, Macron has made a point of trying to nurture ties with English-speaking countries that lie outside of France's traditional sphere of influence.

After Rwanda, he will travel to South Africa, where he will hold talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa about the fight against Covid-19 and its impact on the global economy.

Macron is the only member of his delegation who does have to observe a period of isolation on arrival in South Africa, having contracted Covid-19 himself in December.
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The managers of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), has refuted claims that it is on the verge of collapsing due to debts owed some utility providers in the country.

Some media reports had suggested that the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) had cut water supply to TOR for close to a month due to its inability to pay accumulated water bills that had amounted to GHC 4 million in arrears.

It was also alleged that TOR owed the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) about 2.3 million Ghana Cedis in arrears.

The Managing Director of the company has also been accused of engaging new workers despite the financial challenges TOR is facing.

TOR in a statement however denied these claims, saying the company is currently taking some measures to ensure its strategic turnaround.

We wish to refute what is recently being circulated in the media to suggest that TOR is on the verge of shutdown. Such publications from anonymous sources create an unwarranted negative impression of the organization and hinder the progress of our revitalization and expansion plans as well as the business operations at large.

We hereby state categorically that TOR is not on the verge of shutdown, but has rather been positioned for its effective turnaround and revitalization through the support of its shareholder, excerpts of the statement said.

TOR, which is Ghana's first and only refinery has not been operational for a while now due to many challenges.

Several Civil Society Organisations such as the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers and the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), had been at the forefront of calls on the government to do all it can to get the refinery back on its feet.

The Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, during a tour of the refinery, expressed the government's commitment to ensure the facility is up and running as soon as possible.

There have been suggestions that the continuous redundancy of TOR may lead to human capital challenges.

---citinewsroom
The Chiefs and people of four districts in the Upper West Region have petitioned the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, over their exclusion from a 35 million European Union (EU) farm access roads project.

The districts affected are Wa East, Sissala East, Sissala West and Lambussie.

Community members in the districts on Monday held a demonstration to protest what they say was their neglect despite being major sources of agriculture production in the region.

According to them, the bad state of the road infrastructure in the communities and their subsequent sidelining from the projects will deprive them of economic development particularly when they are high agricultural production areas in the region.

It is our firm belief that the programme is aimed at improving inter-connectivity between areas of production of Agricultural crops and market centres in the Upper West Region. That being the case, our respective communities should have been given priority too. The reasons are not difficult to appreciate, portions of the petition read.

The government of Ghana, the World Bank, and the European Union broke grounds for the project which was aimed at granting support for improving inter-connectivity between areas of production and market centres.

But the disturbed residents simply put it that, their exclusion from the programme is unfair and inequitable

We therefore hereby petition your high office for urgent response to our grievances regarding the total exclusion of the above-aforementioned farming districts from the benefits of the EU funded Farm Access Roads that was launched on Tuesday 18th of May 2021, at Kpongu in the Wa Municipality, the petition added.

The Chiefs and farmers in the districts have for far too long complained to successive governments and development partners about the total neglect of the deplorable and almost non-existent farm access road network in the farming districts.

This they say has denied the poor farmers access to market centres which have the potential of worsening household incomes from farm produce and contribute to the widening the poverty gap.

We hereby demand on the principle of transparency and accountability, that the Ministry of Roads and Highways should publish the selection criteria that formed the basis for the inclusion or exclusion of beneficiary districts under the EU funded 670 km farm access roads project. We further demand that in the spirit of fairness, social justice and non-discrimination which are cardinal principles in the Ghanaian Constitution and values shared by the EU, a re-prioritization and selection of the farm access roads be done based on production levels and severity of need. Alternatively, we further demand that the Ministry of Roads and Highways should immediately find additional resources to create, rehabilitate and maintain the abandoned farm access roads in the four aforementioned excluded farming districts under the EU funded project. We wish to state emphatically that this petition is not against any district benefiting from the EU Funded Farm Access Roads Project. We are demanding fairness, equity, social justice and non-discrimination in the selection, allocation and distribution of development projects (roads). We wish to mention herein that a framework to resolve the issues mentioned herein has been attached for stakeholders study. It is our hope that in the shortest possible time, our grievances would be attended to for an amicable solution to be reached to further calm aggrieved youth and focused groups likely to advise themselves otherwise should they not behold remedies forthcoming.

The EU-funded feeder roads project

The government of Ghana received a grant of 35 million from the European Union for the rehabilitation and maintenance of 670 km of feeder and farm access roads in the Upper West Region.

The financial support is aimed at improving inter-connectivity between areas of production and marketplaces.

In a joint statement released by the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the European Union, the sector minister, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, noted that the support falls in line with the government's vision to provide a better transportation system for farming communities.

The grant comes under the larger EUR 160 million European Union-Ghana Agricultural Programme (EU-GAP) to develop sustainable agriculture in the Upper West Region.

The roads are organized in three packages, as follows:

1. Wa Municipal, Wa West, Nadowli-Kaleo (235 km)

2. Jirapa, Lawra, Daffiama-Bussie (210 km)

3. Nandom and Lambussie-Karni (225 km)

This intervention aims at improving inter-connectivity between areas of production and marketplaces in the Upper West Region.

The objective is to reduce the travel time on these sections of roads, promote road safety, and strengthen at the same time the institutional management of the transport sector.

The feeder roads are commissioned under Output and Performance-Based Road Contracts (OPBRC) managed by the Department of Feeder Roads under the Ministry of Roads and Highways.

To maximise the support intervention, the EU funding is administered under a Trust Fund administered by the World Bank as part of the Transport Sector Improvement Project' (TSIP), which finances a larger national transport programme.

---citinewsroom
Three persons have been removed dead after they were trapped in an illegal mining pit in Bremang in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central region.

Fifteen more persons are still trapped in the pit.

Two others were pulled out but are in critical condition.

They have been rushed to the hospital for treatment.

A rescue team from the police and officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) have rushed to the scene.

This comes barely a month government intensified its fight against illegal mining in the country.

A task force, Operation Halt have been deployed to mining areas to arrest all culprits and destroy their mining equipment.

After the burning of hundreds of excavators and changfan machines in illegal mining areas, the illegal miners have restrategised and returned to sites to continue their nefarious activities.

Other workers watching helplessly

In a press release after the inspection, the Reconnaissance Team of Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has disclosed that they discovered signs which indicated that there were still some illegal mining activities going on in some of the areas that had been cleared by Operation Halt II.

After destroying the extra equipment found on those sites, the Ghana Armed Forces has issued a warning to the public particularly people living close to the sites that Operation Halt is still ongoing.

The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to once again caution all citizens especially those living in and around major rivers and their tributaries, and forest reserves that Operation HALT is still in progress, part of a press release from GAF signed by Director Public relations, Colonel Eaggrey-Quashie has said.

It continued, "Any equipment found in and around water bodies and forest reserves would be destroyed."

---with files from classfm
Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong

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Businessman Ansu Gyeabour has responded to Kennedy Agyepong who accused him of murdering investigative journalist Ahmed Suale.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central Constituency in an interview on New York-based Adinkra TV named Ansu Gyeabour as the killer of the former Tiger Eye PI journalist who was killed in July 2018.

In a video on socialmedia, Ansu Gyeabour said the allegations by Ken Agyapong are false and only targeted at him because the outspoken MP sees him as an easy prey.

You saw me as the easiest target right. That I was declared wanted because a supposedly big man who thinks that he is untouchable, who thinks that he can bribe, he can pay, decided to defame me, Mr. Ansu Gyeabour is heard saying in a video posted on the YouTube page of TV3.

Explaining further, the businessman said he only trades in Oil and Gas and does not even know Ahmed Suale.

All those that know me know that I cant even kill a fowl. Ahmed Suale I dont know him, I trade Oil and Gas, he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ansu Gyeabour has revealed that his lawyers have taken the matter up and will let the law deal with media houses that carried Kennedy Agyapong's allegations.

Watch and listen to Ansu Gyeabour below:
Illegal mining activities, otherwise known as 'galamsey', have destroyed underground telecommunications fibres belonging to MTN Ghana in the Wassa Akropong of the Western Region, resulting in network disruptions.

Andy Coffie, Territory Sales Controller of MTN in Western North, disclosed this to Tetrete Okuamuah Sekyim II, Paramount Chief of Wassa Amenfi Traditional Area, when the former paid a courtesy call on him.

Mr. Coffie pleaded with the chiefs to help educate the illegal miners to stop their illegal activities in order to safeguard the country's infrastructure.

He told the chiefs that he and the staff of MTN had come to the area to inform stakeholders about the company's investment and expansion of its network in the country, adding that We are also here to educate stakeholders on MTN mobile money (MOMO) and the fraud activities associated with it.

Mr. Coffie also educated the people of Wassa Akropong on the MTN MoMo, asserting that it was the fastest, simplest, most convenient and secure way to transfer money, make payments and do other transactions using their mobile phone.

The MTN Corporate Services Advisor for Southern Ghana, Kennedy Ofosuhene, expressed gratitude to the chiefs and the people for their immense support to the MTN brand.

He said MTN had set aside $25 million to undertake legacy projects throughout the country as the company prepared to launch its 25th anniversary.

According to him, the projects would fall under the three thematic areas of health, education and economic empowerment, adding that If any community seeks community support, it should be tailored to meet the pillars for the foundation's management board to consider.

Mr. Ofosuhene pledged the company's continuous support to the government and the various communities towards the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, while recounting the various initiatives that had been implemented by the MTN Foundation.

The Paramount Chief urged MTN to continue to extend its network coverage throughout the Wassa Amenfi area to accelerate development.

Daily Guide
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Ghana is all we have and we can't possibly afford to lose our human resource to Galamsey. It is worthy of note that, the Offin, Ankobra, Birim, Pra, Densu, Ayensu Rivers have been destroyed. We live in a society where people's peculiar interests in amassing wealth for themselves continue to wreak havoc. The sad part of it is the aspect of using Mercury and Cyanide in this awful activity.

At the end of the day, indigenes within areas where these nation-wreckers operate end up experiencing deterioration in the nervous system. The Mercury impairs hearing, speech, vision, gait and causes involuntary muscle movements. Again, it corrodes skin, mucous membranes and causes chewing difficulty. What am I saying? If your gold-digging expedition causes cancer to someone's parent, friend, relative or acquaintance and they eventually die. What kind of money are you enjoying? Maybe, it's that of blood money.

To a large extent, I think the Minerals Commission has done this nation a disservice. Ghana can't continue this way. When a body mandated by law to ensure sanity in the mining sector cant possibly flush out all perpetrators behind this heinous crime then they should bow in shame.

In fact, every Politician or King who is behind this should be ashamed. Galamsey destroys for crying out loud. The Ghana Water Company continues to struggle in efforts to supply portable drinking water to the citizenry and we sit unconcerned? We are all at risk of contracting cancer. The fight of Galamsey must be a collective one. Everyone must assist in this fight. If a pragmatic approach isnt taken within the shortest possible time, Ghana could be importing water in the coming days.

Lets put politics aside and tackle this issue head-on. Enough of the NPP and NDC brouhaha on who started Galamsey. It doesnt solve the issue. My candid advice is this; if perpetrators are made to bring our water bodies to their original state when found culpable, it will serve as a deterrent to others.

Writer: Stephen Bernard Donkor, student of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ)

Email:[email protected]
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has jumped to the defense of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for assigning two haematologists (Physicians) to some key positions at its Laboratory Service Directorate, a move that has faced stiff opposition from laboratory scientists at the facility.

They (Komfo Anokye Chapter of the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS)), begun a one-week sit-down strike on Thursday, May 20, 2021, to demand a reversal of the decision.

The National Association has also threatened to escalate the strike if the management of KATH remains adamant.

Mr. Ernest Badu Boateng, the Chairman of the Komfo Anokye Chapter, maintained that they will only rescind their decision if the management of the hospital heeds their advice.

Tomorrow [Thursday], our chapter will meet and scale up our strike to a full-blown strike where we won't come to work at all, and the signals I am picking is that others in parts of the country are ready to join us from Thursday and then from Monday, the nationwide strike takes effect should the situation remain the same.

But in case we declare our strike and the management heed our demands and withdraw the said doctors, we will also return to work, but should they remain adamant and intransigent, then that is how it is going to be.

The Bono, Bono East, and Central Regional chapters of the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS), have also declared their support for the strike embarked upon by their colleagues at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and have vowed to join the action if their concerns are not addressed.

But the Ghana Medical Association, GMA, in reacting to the development also threatened to take action if the haematologists are reassigned.

The General Secretary of GMA, Dr. Justice Yankson, speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, said the Association will oppose any attempt to remove the physicians from their lawful positions.

All I am trying to say is that this is a specialization and a practice that predates those making all the arguments and whatever they want to talk about now. You cannot say that the laboratory space belongs to only laboratory technologists or medical laboratory technicians. The best practices all over the world tell you that there is a space in the lab for different facets of other professionals to work and work together.

So if your argument is that somebody who has spent 10 to 15 years of his life studying and finally moving on to become a specialist in laboratory medicine whose place of work includes the laboratory, and has been duly appointed to go and work there, and you say because the person is a physician you are going on a nationwide strike; then where should the person go and practice his or her lawfully chosen profession? he quizzed.

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The National Democratic Congress 2020 Parliamentary Candidate for the Awutu Senya East Constituency in the Central Region, Naa Koryoo Okunor, says the decision by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to reassign Lieutenant Colonel Frank Agyeman to the 64 Infantry Battalion as a Commanding Officer after his withdrawal from the National Security, is disrespectful and a slap in the faces of Ghanaians

Speaking on Citi TVs Breakfast Daily programme on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, Naa Koryoo Okunor, whos also a member of the NDCs National Communication team, said the state cannot be trusted to punish the persons involved in the arrest and subsequent assault on Citi FM and Citi TV Journalist, Mr. Caleb Kudah.

She thus called on well-meaning Ghanaians to speak up against Lt. Col. Agyemans new appointment.

Until Caleb Kudah was beaten, we all knew that these people perpetrating these criminal acts are not proper members of the National Security, but the government wants us to see and brand them as such. We know that these guys are state-sponsored terrorists just to harm people and destroy lives. I say this because we know that National Security is supposed to be an intelligence-gathering agency.

They (National Security) are to gather very intelligent and pertinent pieces of information for the government and the Ghana Police Service to use, but just look what they have been doing all these while. And shamefully after they assaulted Caleb Kudah that we (Ghanaians) expected the State to properly investigate and sanction those involved, Lt. Col Agyeman has been appointed into another key position. Such acts are disrespectful and a slap in our faces and I urge all well-meaning Ghanaians to speak up against this.

On the same issue, the Director of Legal Affairs of the NDC, Mr. Abraham Amailiba, has called on the Ghana Armed Forces to withdraw the appointment and ensure that he (Mr. Agyeman) is probed and sanctioned for his actions.

Lt. Col Agyeman's appointment is not just a disrespect to Ghanaians, but an insult to Ghanaians. Why Am I saying this? This is a gentleman who was seconded to the National Security and committed offences at the Secretariat and has been released of his duties at the Ministry, and then he goes back to his mother unit, and he is appointed rather than asking him to step aside so that investigations are conducted. This is shameful, an insult, and a disrespect to Ghanaians, and we should not allow this to happen. About Lt. Col Agyemans new appointment

The temporary transfer of Lieutenant Colonel Frank Agyeman and three police officers to the Ministry was terminated for inappropriate conduct following the arrest and assault of Citi News' Caleb Kudah, and the harassment of Zoe Abu Baidoo Addo, also a Citi FM journalist.

The statement that announced the decision of the National Security Ministry also directed that Lieutenant Colonel Frank Agyeman and the other officers must be probed further for the necessary actions to be taken.

It is unclear for now whether this further probe has taken place.

As a result, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Agyeman's new appointment has come as a surprise to many Ghanaians who have criticized it.

Citinewsroom
President Akufo-Addo has asked that persons who are against the burning of their seized excavators and other mining equipment by 'Operation Halt can go to court.

Speaking at a sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a new school complex for the Ghana School of Law in Accra, Nana Akufo-Addo said the government will deal decisively with the menace of illegal mining without political, ethnic, or religious considerations.

I know there are some who believe that the ongoing exercise of ridding our water bodies and forest zones of harmful equipment and machinery is unlawful and in some cases harsh. I strongly disagree, and I will advise those who take a contrary view to go to court to vindicate their position if they so wish. That is what the rule of law is all about, Akufo-Addo said.

The Ghana Armed Forces has been deployed to various parts of the country to fight illegal small-scale mining affecting water bodies and forest reserves.

As part of their operations, the Operation Halt taskforce has supervised the burning of various mining equipment including excavators and generators, but this activity has been widely condemned by some persons who believe the seized equipment could serve other useful purposes.

Some affected small-scale miners also claim they have documents backing their operations, and that they have been unfairly targeted; a situation that some fear could lead to the payment of judgement debts should such persons choose to go to court.

But President Akufo-Addo disagrees with this position, insisting that any such contrary view should be argued out in court.

Apart from the criminal violations of Act 703, the activities of such persons desecrate our environment, pollutes our water bodies, and endangers the lives of present and future generations of Ghanaians. These are monumental crimes that should not be condoned in any shape or form. The devastation caused by this equipment is nothing short of evil, and we should not compromise in our efforts to protect our environment, forest reserves and water bodies, Akufo-Addo said.

He further called on all Ghanaians to support the governments efforts to address the problem.

I appeal to all Ghanaians including many in opposition to rally behind government in its efforts to stamp out this far-reaching illegality and criminality rather than advocate for the protection of non-existent rights of persons caught in this evil activity.

That is the rule of law. It does not recognize social status, religious persuasion, political affiliation, ethnic origins or regional adherence, merely law and precedent.
The Accra Regional Police Command of the Ghana Police Service has detained five police officers following a complaint of alleged extortion in two separate cases on 25th May 2021 during patrol duties.

This was made known by the Public Relations Officer of the Accra Regional Police Command, DSP Effia Tenge on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.

According to her, the Service will not shield any officer found guilty.

DSP Effia Tenge further disclosed that the suspects are currently in police custody assisting with investigations.

She thus assured the public that the Command will provide further updates on the matter in due time.

The Command has begun a serious investigation into the case, and further updates would be communicated in due time.

The command will not shield any officer who hides in the uniform to perpetrate crimes against members of the community.

About the alleged extortion

The police in a statement said on May 21, 2021, a report was received at the Kaneshie Police Station to the effect that around 2:00am, the complainant was onboard an Uber vehicle from Madina to Airport, when about five police officers who were armed and onboard an Operation Calm Life Police Vehicle, intercepted the Uber Vehicle at UPSA road.

The officers accused him of being a fraudster and arrested him asking the Uber vehicle to go. He reported that the Police Officers forced him to transfer an amount of GHS 20,000 into a Mobile money account and abandoned him to his fate.

The Police Command further indicated that a similar report was made at the Achimota police station by a complainant who said at 11:23 PM on the same day, he was driving an unregistered Mercedez Benz when he was stopped by three policemen at Hatso, off the Atomic-Madina road.

According to the complainant, the policemen searched his car, after which he was arrested on grounds of being a cyber fraudster. He was then escorted to Silver Star towers at Airport and forced to withdraw a sum of GHS 20,000 from his ATM for them.

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Mali's interim president and prime minister resigned on Wednesday, a top junta aide said, two days after they were detained and stripped of their powers in what appeared to amount to the country's second coup in nine months.

President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane, tasked with steering the return to civilian rule after a coup last August, resigned in the presence of mediators visiting the military base where they were being held, said Baba Cisse, special advisor to junta boss Assimi Goita.

However a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Union and UN mission MINUSMA mediation mission told reporters that the leaders had in fact resigned before they arrived.

The delegation then went to speak to Goita -- who holds the rank of vice president in the transitional government -- again after seeing him late Tuesday.

"We saw the vice president again to express our dissent," the member told reporters on condition of anonymity.

Cisse said negotiations were under way for the pair's release and the formation of a new government in the poor Sahel country.

Their detentions triggered widespread international condemnation and the threat of sanctions.

The UN Security Council was set to hold an emergency meeting later Wednesday at the request of former colonial power France and others, with French President Emmanuel Macron likening the recent events to a second coup.

The ECOWAS delegation is headed by former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, shown arriving in Bamako. By Michele Cattani (AFP)

The ECOWAS mediators met with Ndaw and Ouane at the Kati military camp around 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the capital Bamako.

A member of the delegation headed by former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan had warned that ECOWAS "could quickly announce sanctions" if the crisis is not resolved.

France was also prepared to impose "targeted sanctions", Macron said after a European Union summit.

'Unacceptable coup'

Macron, whose country has committed more than 5,000 troops to Mali's fight against jihadism in the Sahel, condemned the arrest of Ndaw and Ouane as a "coup d'etat in an unacceptable coup d'etat".

On Monday, the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, the EU and United States issued a rare joint statement, attacking the detention and demanding the pair be released.

That demand was echoed on Tuesday by Britain and Germany.

Coup leader Assimi Goita is currently serving as interim vice president. By MICHELE CATTANI (AFP/File)

A senior Malian military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Tuesday that Ndaw and Ouane had "spent the night in good conditions," adding: "The president saw his doctor."

A member of Goita's team said that during the talks with the ECOWAS mediators, they had "explained their reasons" for pushing the two men out, and insisted that elections would still be held next year.

Young military officers ousted president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita last August after weeks of demonstrations over perceived government corruption and his handling of the jihadist insurgency.

ECOWAS, a 15-nation regional bloc, threatened sanctions, prompting the junta to hand power to a caretaker government that pledged to reform the constitution.

Ndaw and Ouane had been heading that interim government with the declared aim of restoring full civilian rule within 18 months.

Map of Mali locating the capital Bamako where soldiers detained the president and prime minister on Monday.. By (AFP)

But recently there had been signs of discontent among the public, with the opposition M5 movement demanding a "more legitimate" body.

On May 14, the government said it would appoint a new "broad-based" cabinet.

The reshuffle, designed to respond to growing criticism, saw the military keep the strategic portfolios it controlled during the previous administration.

But two other coup leaders -- ex-defence minister Sadio Camara and ex-security minister Colonel Modibo Kone -- were replaced, prompting officers to detain the president and prime minister.

'Intent to sabotage transition'

Goita, who holds the rank of vice president in the transitional government, accused Ndaw and Ouane of failing to consult him on the reshuffle.

France has sent soldiers to help Mali combat a jihadist insurgency. By DaphnA BENOIT (AFP/File)

"This kind of step testifies to the clear desire of the transitional president and prime minister to seek to breach the transitional charter," he said, describing this as a "demonstrable intent to sabotage the transition".

The transitional charter, a document largely drawn up by the colonels, sets down principles for underpinning Mali's return to civilian rule.

"The scheduled elections will be held in 2022," Goita added.

But many have doubted whether the military-dominated government had the will -- or the ability -- to stage reforms on a short timescale.
Sayre, PA (18840)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High 76F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy in the evening with more clouds for later at night. Low 57F. Winds light and variable.
France will impose self-isolation measures for people coming from the United Kingdom due to the presence of Covid-19 variants in the country, French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said on Wednesday.

People arriving in France from Britain will have to self-isolate to prevent the spread of Covid-19, notably its Indian variant, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said on Wednesday.

Attal told reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting that details of the measure would be given in the coming hours, including its start date.

"France will set up compulsory isolation for people coming from the UK," Attal told a news briefing after a cabinet meeting.

Germany had already imposed additional measures for people arriving from Britain, he said, "and France will take similar measures".

EU digital health pass

Since Sunday, travellers arriving in Germany from the UK have to submit to a quarantine period of two weeks, regardless of whether they can provide a negative test result for the virus.

As the UK is no longer part of the European Union as a result of Brexit, travellers coming from Albion won't benefit from a EU-wide 'digital health pass'.

The deal, reached last week, will allow for anybody living in the EU's 27 countries to secure a digital health pass that displays their vaccination status, results of Covid-19 tests or whether they have recovered from a coronavirus infection.

It is seen as "a key tool" to save the European summer vacation period, allowing countries dependent on tourists to reopen to visitors less likely to bring Covid with them.

Meanwhile, a ten day French quarantine order is already in place for arrivals from Brazil, India, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Colombia, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Bahrain, Turkey, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

People travelling from these countries must also be able to produce a negative PCR test less than 36 hours old, or one less than 72 hours old combined with an antigen test taken less than 24 hours previously.

Police are authorised to carry out random spot checks to ensure that quarantine rules are respected, with non-compliance punished with fines of up to 1,500 euros.

The coronavirus variant first detected in India has now been officially recorded in 53 territories, a World Health Organization report showed earlier Wednesday.

Vaccine, lockdown paying off?

Meanwhile, health figures in France show that the rapid vaccination of people and another lockdown that ended only two weeks ago, seem to have paid off.

On Tuesday, 25 May, just over 3,000 new cases were reported, down from over 17,000 on the Tuesday before. The rate of people testing positive has also fallen spectacularly, with only 3,5% of people tested appeared to have the illness, down from more than 8% one month ago. In total, 23,35 million inhabitants of France have received their first jab, about one third of the total population.
Imam Sufo Mussa is on the front line of Mozambique's jihadist insurgency.

Each day he struggles with the victims of anguish and despair. For him, divine help and military intervention are the way to end the suffering.

His little mosque lies a few hundred metres (yards) from a beach where fishing boats arrive almost daily, packed with people fleeing the violence sweeping the country's northernmost province.

Mussa is witnessing first-hand the toll on people who have lost loved ones, who have abandoned their homes and see no future.

"We are crying a lot," the imam told AFP, describing the crushing impact on people from an insurgency now in its fourth year.

More than 2,800 people have died and 700,000 have been driven from their homes.

Mussa currently hosts 30 displaced people, living in shacks erected behind the Aldjadida mosque in the port of Pemba.

Imam Sufo Mussa, at his mosque in the Paquitequete neighbourhood of Pemba. By JOHN WESSELS (AFP)

"They arrive here very desperate... full of tension," he said inside a madrasa room at the modest white-and-blue mosque.

Outdoors on the sandy grounds, little boys run around the yard, playing.

They are children displaced by the fighting.

"These ones came from Palma," Mussa said, pointing at two boys aged under six, cleanly dressed in matching gold-and-black shirts and trousers.

Palma lies close to a multi-billion-dollar gas liquefaction project -- a cornerstone of Mozambique's economic plans.

The militants brazenly attacked the town in March, prompting thousands of its panic-stricken residents to flee.

'Hospital without medicine'

Many people here are bewildered at the seemingly sluggish efforts to end the violence.

"We can't live like this," said the 61-year-old imam, wearing a brown robe and cream embroidered cap.

Displaced people arrive at Paquitequete beach in Pemba after fleeing Palma. By JOHN WESSELS (AFP)

"Is there someone who will listen to us?" he asked.

"To those who hear us, can you feel it in your heart, and find it in your head, that we are also people created by God?" Mussa pleaded, his hands gesturing in desperation.

"Please help us, help us, help us."

He made a passionate call for national and external military intervention to thwart the violence.

"We will not end it alone," he said.

If the violence is not quickly tackled, there "won't be Cabo Delgado" province left and the insurgency risks spilling into neighbouring countries, he warned.

Jihadist attacks in Mozambique. By Kenan AUGEARD (AFP)

"Zambia, South Africa, Malawi, Kenya, Zimbabwe -- why are those African countries not helping us?" he asks.

"Because when (the insurgency) leaves here it will go into Zimbabwe, go into South Africa. We are neighbours, they must join together to help us," he said.

The imam also called for help from Europe and African Union.

"Until we are helped, we are like a hospital without medicine."

Warnings 'dismissed'

Leaders of the regional bloc, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), are this week expected to meet to discuss the possibility of deploying 3,000 troops to battle the insurgents.

Former colonial power Portugal deployed a 60-member training mission shortly after jihadists swooped on Palma.

US Special Operations Forces early this month ended a two-month training exercise in tactical skills for Mozambican marines and a second exercise is slated to kick off in July, according to the American embassy in Maputo.

Palm trees at sunset: Behind the idyllic tropical scene, fear in Pemba runs deep. By JOHN WESSELS (AFP)

Mussa said that religious leaders raised the alarm with the authorities when they started noticing men "entering the mosque with shoes... with knives in their cassocks, and then we said that these are not from Islam".

But their warnings were dismissed, added Mussa, who is also a delegate of the Islamic community of Cabo Delgado.

Today, the insurgents are roaming the region, wreaking havoc in mainly coastal chunks of northern Mozambique, including Mocimboa da Praia, where they launched their first attack in October 2017 when they sprung raided three police stations.

A key port town, Mocimboa has become the jihadists' base since it was seized from the government last August.

In December, President Filipe Nyusi said his government had been aware of Islamic radicalisation in Cabo Delgado five years before jihadists launched their campaign.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame has slam lawyers who use social and traditional media to run down senior figures.

He said such practice, especially by senior lawyers, are unacceptable for professional lawyers.

Mr. Dame was speaking at a sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a new school complex for the Ghana School of Law in Accra.

Describing such acts as dishonourable, he said, I take this opportunity to denounce the tendency of lawyers, sometimes even senior lawyers, some of whom have occupied very high offices of the State and have been leaders of the bar to deploy social and traditional media to unjustifiably assail the integrity and reputation of senior figures of this country.

Such conduct is dishonourable and occasions a breach of the rules of professional conduct and etiquette at the bar, he added.

While it is unclear if Mr. Dames comment had specific references, it would be recalled that recently, the former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, accused the Attorney General of failing to prosecute some former and sitting MPs over the double salary saga.

Godfred Dame believes that if lawyers continue to engage in such actions, it could have negative effects on society.

He added that lawyers with that tendency may be seeking cheap publicity and that must be avoided.

The spread of false information by lawyers and disregard for the cherished values of the legal profession, apart from being disreputable, poses a far greater threat to cohesion in society especially when it comes from senior lawyers. The misguided craving for cheap publicity and undue disparagement of others must be avoided. The nation ought to be concerned because ultimately a dishonest bar breeds a corrupt bench and affects the core of the society we seek to build, Mr. Dame added.

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The Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana says they will sustain its strike action, which is aimed at pushing for improved service conditions until the government meets its demands.

The decision was made at an emergency meeting held by the Association's National Executive Committee.

The Association appeared to be considering calling off the strike, following a series of meetings between its leadership and the government.

However, in its latest statement, the Association said it will continue its strike due to the governments failure to address the concerns of its members.

The empty platitudes and false promises made by the government in the past, in matters concerning the resolution of our demands, have reached intolerable limits, thereby making it highly impossible for the strike to be called off.

The strike is hereby sustained until promises and commitments made by the government in the resolution of our demands, pave the way for action to be expedited, the statement said.

The Association also made some demands, including the announcement of special financial packages to senior staff of public universities and the payment of interests on their tier 2 pension contributions.

Government must announce a financial package to the Senior Staff Cadre of public universities, pending the outcome of deliberations on the non-basic allowance to alleviate the unacceptable deteriorating working conditions we find ourselves in.

The Association declared an indefinite strike over the failure of the government to pay their Tier 2 pension.

Among other things, they are asking for the payment of market premiums and non-basic allowances as well as the finalization of negotiations for their conditions of service .

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The Criminal Court 1 division of the High Court on Wednesday, May 26 denied two motions by former COCOBOD CEO, Dr. Stephen Opuni, and Agricult Ghana Limited CEO, Seidu Agongo, to halt the ongoing trial while they pursue an interlocutory appeal.

The two are standing trial together with Agricult Ghana Limited for allegedly causing the state to lose over GHS 217 million in a cocoa fertilizer transaction.

The parties at the close of the States case made a submission of no case but were dismissed.

They subsequently appealed this dismissal with an attendant motion on notice for a stay of proceedings while the interlocutory appeal is pursued.

Arguing the application, lawyers for Dr. Opuni, Seidu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Limited submitted that the Court erred in its decision to dismiss the submission of no case.

According to the laws, 13 exhibits of evidence that had been admitted without objection had been rejected by the Court acting on its own.

This, the lawyers argued, created circumstances likely to deny their clients their right to a fair trial, particularly where the liberties of the accused were at stake.

Opposing the application, Chief State Attorney, Evelyn Keelson, said the appellants had not shown any grounds on which the Court could exercise its discretion to stay the proceedings.

She submitted that the State fully discharged its burden of establishing a prima face case, and invited the Court to dismiss the application, so the accused persons can open their defence.

The Chief State Attorney also submitted that there was neither a law nor a rule of law that imposed on the Court a duty to stay proceedings, while an appeal is pursued. She argued that under the new Court of Appeal rules, the court was not bound to stay proceedings.

Clemence HonyenugaJSC, on the strength of the submissions made, dismissed the application for stay. He ruled that the Court was not obliged to stay the proceedings.

He, therefore, adjourned to June 3, 2021, for the parties to open their defence.

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Following the surge of Covid-19 cases in India this month, Ghanaians, have in a gesture of brotherliness, provided a donation of medical grade 150 oxygen concentrators to needy hospitals in that country.

This equipment are being shared among 30 health facilities in rural areas across 14 different states/regions.

Additionally, seven units of 10-litre-oxygen concentrators are being presented by the Government of Ghana to the India's Ministry of External Affairs, through the Ghana High Commission in New Delhi.

This gesture makes Ghana the first African country to have undertaken such an initiative.

An oxygen concentrator is a device that concentrates the oxygen from a gas supply by selectively removing nitrogen to supply an oxygen-enriched gas stream.

Medical oxygen becomes essential for treatment of severe COVID-19 patients.

Mr Amar Deep S. Hari, the Chief Executive Officer of IPMC, who commissioned the items, on a virtual platform, for distribution from India's famous mosque Dargah Nizamuddin in New Delhi, India, expressed his gratitude to Ghanaians for this assistance.

This gesture is mainly to show that Ghanaians from Africa are thinking of our Indian brothers and sisters and keeping their well being in our prayers, he said.

Prior to the second wave of COVID-19, Ghana had become one of the first recipients of the Indian manufactured COVID-19 vaccines under WHO's Covax program.

Having benefitted from such a facility the present initiative serves as a gesture of gratitude from Ghanaians towards India.

Members of the Indian Community in Ghana have lauded the prompt offer of help, which came from Ghanaians of diverse backgrounds.

"Whether teachers, doctors, students, drivers, businessmen and women or government employees - each of them contributed to the best of their abilities," one of them told the Ghana News Agency.

"It shows the deep roots of friendship that exists between the two communities since independence," he said.

Some expatriates of other countries in Ghana also participated in the noble cause.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has already pledged the services of Ghanaian doctors and nurses to India should they be needed at any time.

Dr Samuel Thomas, an India physician, from a community hospital of Tamil Nadu State, expressed his gratitude to Ghanaians for the timely donation, which according to him, would go a long way in treating critically ill patients.

Dr Nikhil Sharma from District hospital Himachal Pradesh, stated: Some angels from Africa are assisting to save lives in far off India and we will ever remain grateful to them for this gesture.

His hospital has benefitted from 10 units of the Oxygen concentrators.

Mr Frank Adu Jnr, a former Managing Director of CalBank Limited, told the GNA that Ghanaians were deeply touched by the plight of their siblings, hence their decision to support them with oxygen concentrators.

He said the COVID-19 catastrophe knew no boundaries, and urged Ghanaians to continue to abide by the safety protocols to prevent another wave of the disease in the country.

Meanwhile, a CNN report indicates that India reported 196,427 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday, May 25, the lowest single-day rise in cases since April 14.

This marks a decline from the first week of May when the country was reporting more than 300,000 cases daily. It has also reported 3,511 fatalities, on Tuesday, the lowest single-day death toll since May 4.

On Monday, India became the third country to top 300,000 deaths from the virus, after Brazil and the United States. India has reported a total of 26,948,874 Covid-18 cases, including 307,231 deaths. There are 2,586,782 confirmed active cases in the country, according to the health ministry.

GNA
Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso, the Dean of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), says the Electoral Commission needs protection from political parties and Ghanaians.

EC is the main prop of democracy and if we derail it, we will be in bad state. Political parties that have issues regarding their work must find a better and diplomatic way to communicate to the Commission and help it to improve on its work, he said.

Dr Antwi-Danso, addressing the media in Accra, said it was natural for political parties to engage in contestation but in doing so care must be taken not compromise the EC.

He scored the Commission high marks in the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections and called for support from the populace for the Commission.

Within 38 days amid COVID-19 they successfully compiled voters register, bought new devices, employed effective technology in the process and voting was smooth, he noted.

Dr Antwi-Danso said all the innovations were improvement over the 2016 elections, which was saddled with many problems.

Yes, there are infractions in every elections even that of United States of America so was that of Ghana in 2020. We need to talk about it and share ideas on how to make our EC perfect. But to contradict the Commission at every turn is unacceptable, he said.

Dr Antwi-Danso said it was wrong to blame the EC for the death of the seven persons during the elections explaining that the Commission's mandate was to conduct elections while the security services were mandated to provide security.

The security officials have their mandate to help the EC if it so happened that the security agencies did not follow their standard procedure then EC cannot be blamed, he said.

We need to understand constitutionalism and institutionalism and their mandates. Do we understand the Electoral Commission? If we do then we will know when to help cause a change and when we are making mockery of them. Beyond that we are sowing the seed for chaos, he stated.

Dr Antwi-Danso asked members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to bury their differences and go back to the Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC).

The EC held an IPAC meeting to review its performance in the 2020 general election, however, the NDC did not show up at the meeting.

GNA
The Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) has expressed disappointment in the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) over the decision to confer an honorary degree on Energy Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh.

The University has decided to honour the Minister who doubles as Member of Parliament for Manhyia South Constituency in the Ashanti Region for his service to the nation as Minister of Education from 2017 to late 2020.

Judging the performance of Mathew Opoku Prempeh at the Energy Ministry, ASEPA says he does not deserve to be honoured when the country is facing a power crisis.

According to the group, the decision to confer the honorary degree on the Minister is a huge blast on the faces of Ghanaians.

Reference to the Award of an honorary doctorate conferred on Dr. Matthew Opoku-Prempeh, the Energy Minister, we are quite shocked that the University would throw such a huge blast on the faces of Ghanaians without considering the optics and the general sensibilities of the populace, part of a press release from ASEPA has said.

It continues, How can any serious University decide to confer honors on an Energy Minister in the midst of a major power crisis that has thrown the entire country into total darkness??.

Strongly opposing the decision by the UEW, ASEPA wants the University to take immediate steps to withdraw the honorary degree in order to save its sinking image.

Below is the release from ASEPA:

Mensah Thompson of ASEPA writes...

YOU CANNOT AWARD THE ENERGY MINISTER WITH HONORARY DEGREE IN THE MIDST OF A POWER CRISIS-ASEPA SLAMS UEW

Reference to the Award of an honorary doctorate conferred on Dr. Matthew Opoku-Prempeh, the Energy Minister, we are quite shocked that the University would throw such a huge blast on the faces of Ghanaians without considering the optics and the general sensibilities of the populace.

How can any serious University decide to confer honors on an Energy Minister in the midst of a major power crisis that has thrown the entire Country into total darkness??

What sort of consideration went into the Award of such honors?

Its not as if the Energy Minister performed outstandingly in his previous position as an Education Minister for which reason the University would throw common sense to the dogs and expose itself to such international and local ridicule.

Take a look at our educational sector today, the poor nature of the free SHS program, the lack of textbooks and learning materials, ethnically profiled content for schools and a collapsing school feeding program triggered by corruption.

And all these are the footprints of the Matthew Opoku-Prempeh as an education minister and it is absolutely not surprising that only a few weeks upon assumption of office as Energy Minister, the whole Country was thrown into total darkness.

In the midst of these huge concerns and most importantly the power crisis, the UEWs decision to decorate the Energy Minister with such honorary degree slams in the face of good governance, professional ethics and academic integrity and we totally oppose every bit of it.

The UEW must realize that such degrees mostly conferred are supposed to motivate and inspire their students and the public to pursue dilligence and effective leadership and in this instance this honorary degree have failed to meet such an important criteria in the award of honorary degrees.

The UEW must therefore take immediate steps to withdraw this honorary degree to save its sinking image!!!

Mensah Thompson

Executive Director,ASEPA

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The Ghana Education Service (GES) has released a new calendar for the 2021 Academic Year for Senior High and Technical Schools.

This was contained in a letter from the GES signed by Deputy Director-General Kwabena Tandoh to all regional directors of education.

According to GES, all GOLD Track SHS 2 students are to vacate on May 28, 2021 while their colleagues in the GREEN Track will resume on June 1.

Regional Directors of Education are requested to ensure that Heads of Second Cycle Schools relay the dates to students, parents and all concerned, part of the GES letter reads.

Below is the letter from GES:
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Local governance Expert Mr Issaka Amon Kotei has said successive Ghanaian governments have not done enough to fight corruption in the country.

He said corruption had been a bane of the countrys development for years, with the poor and vulnerable being the victims, and yet governments were not doing enough to change the trend.

Mr. Amon Kotei noted that vetting of our Ministers since the era of President Kufour to the current dispensation has always been fraught with corruption and suspicions.

Speaking on OTECFMs NYANSAPO morning show in Kumasi on Wednesday, May 26, 2020, he indicated that the average Ghanaian politician was extremely preoccupied with the mindset to amass wealth for themselves and their families.

I entreat Ghanaians to desist from having false hopes that successive governments including the current Nana Akuffo-Addo led administration is endeared towards the fight against corruption in the country.

As a responsible opposition with a duty to keep government on its toes, the NDC is embarking on a corruption tracker series to track the status of the countless corruption scandals that Ghanaians have witnessed under the NPP government, he told the programmes host, Captain Koda.

According to the Local governance expert, he is worried about the fact that resources that should have gone into developmental projects to uplift the poor were allegedly channelled into the pockets of individuals.

Mr. Amon Kotei was of the view that, a lot of rhetorics about fighting the canker by Ghanaian leaders over the years and the same cannot be said about the current fight in terms of substantial evidence.

Touching on Mr. Martin Amidus latest epistle on President Akuffo-Addo using Minoritys Double Salary Scandal as a bargaining mechanism, Mr. Issaka Amon Kotei maintained that the writings were clear on the walls.

He added that the manner in which the Presidents appointees were approved en bloc after the vetting by the minority caucus indeed raises grave concern amongst the public.

He further accused the minority on the vetting committee of being self-seeking who he claims were just bent on approving the nominees no matter their level of competence.

"The minority wanted to approve the nominees especially Hon. Hawa Koomson who would mess up her ministry looking at her previous records so that it would give them the course to criticize the government in future. For instance, they were in a hurry to approve Hon. Ken Ofori Atta who was an expert in borrowing so that in the end they would accuse the government of over-borrowing. So you could see the Minority has their own agenda going into this whole vetting process.
If you go for a walk in the green hills of Mpumalanga in the north east of South Africa, you may stumble across some stone walls. Either stubbing your toe or appearing through the grass at about chest height, these walls direct and disrupt your path.

Climbing to the top of these gentle slopes, your eye is drawn to circular and linear patterns. From above you quickly realise these patterns are the remains of towns  clusters of homesteads, traditional households, terraces and roads. These ruins are the remnants of the Bokoni polity , a region that contains the southernmost collection of stone terrace farming sites in Africa.

Archaeologists study the Bokoni sites as they are a marvel of urban farming innovation and ingenuity.

In our research we have broken new ground about the Bokoni sites, and solved a mystery that's puzzled scientists for decades  when the first sites were built. Our findings were made possible with techniques and technology usually used in geology.

The search for the beginning

Archaeologists, in collaboration with historians, have defined four phases of occupation for Bokoni. Oral histories provide particular insight into phase II, the zenith of the Bokoni's urban growth and planning, when the larger towns were occupied.

For instance in 1936, as part of his research into the seKoni language, linguist C.W. Prinsloo mapped the extent of Bokoni in the 1800s and indicated earlier capitals. Pedi oral traditions recorded by missionaries in the 1960s refer to the Marateng (Pedi) royals encountering seKoni speakers in approximately 1650CE.

But there are no known historical accounts of Phase I. So, until now, it hasn't been known exactly when the Bokoni emerged. But, by turning to the material record and archaeological science, our research has solved this enduring mystery.

We applied a technique called luminescence dating to resolve the origins of this tradition. We now know that Bokoni Phase I was built as early as the 15th century  before the arrival of European colonisation or trade reached the interior. And that the Bokoni farmers continued to thrive for centuries despite the turmoil that was arriving at nearby shores.

These findings disrupt past narratives that decry the presence and ability of African farmers before and during colonisation. They also offer new ways of understanding individual lives and familial patterns. This research helped us reconstruct when people began to build these incredible structures, how long a household was occupied before abandonment, and how their successors interacted with the structures they left behind.

Four phases

The four phases identified by researchers as being key periods in the Bokoni polity are as follows.

Phase I marks Bokoni's emergence (the date of which remained unknown until now). Phase II, in the 17th and 18th centuries, saw the peak of Bokoni's urban growth and planning. During this period, most Bokoni residents would have been urban farmers, first in and around the capital called Moxomatsi, and later at the succession capitals Mohlo-Pela and Khutwaneng, which lies in modern day Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Phase III marks the start of the upheaval that resulted in Bokoni's decline in the 19th century, while Phase IV documents the diaspora from the mid-19th century onwards. Bokoni broke apart because of regional conflict in the early to mid 1800s.

Given the dearth of written or oral history from Phase I, we turned to the science of dating in our search for answers.

Dating methods

Only two radiocarbon dates exist for sites from this period and region. This is because radiocarbon dating is not ideal for Bokoni. Radiocarbon dating measures the radioactive carbon isotope in organic remains. The technique provides the date of death by measuring the remaining radiocarbon component of organic remains like bone or wood. But in certain conditions the soil does not preserve organic remains.

Read more: Explainer: what is radiocarbon dating and how does it work?

Luminescence dating was far more suitable for the Bokoni site. Optically stimulated luminescence is a dating technique that measures when quartz or feldspar grains within the soil were last exposed to light or heat. This time stamp tells us when these minerals were buried (or trapped in an object like a pot). Luminescence dating with a view. Alex Schoeman

When quartz grains are exposed to light, their electrons become excited and leave their correct orbitals; this is called bleaching. At the point of bleaching, the grain has age zero. Once the grain is buried, it uses the radiation within the surrounding soil to return its electrons to their correct orbital.

A GIF showing the process, Ruby-Anne Birin via GIPHY

Scientists then measure the dose absorbed by the grain and divide it by the rate at which that dose was absorbed. This value provides the date of the last exposure to light, which allows us to determine when a material or surface became buried, or when a pot was last fired.

Our team used this technique at two homesteads in Komati Gorge Village, a southern town within Bokoni. We already knew that one homestead was older than the other because many of its stones were re-purposed to build the more recent settlement.

Our results indicate several periods of occupation, abandonment and new construction. The older homestead was occupied from as early as 1489CE until it was abandoned around 1577CE. The builders of the younger homestead reused the older from approximately 1682CE to 1765CE. The younger homestead itself was reused at some time between 1738CE and the early 20th centuary.

Future work refining our understanding of the occupation periods of Bokoni may also allow us to better reconstruct the environmental and political landscape people lived within.

Alex Schoeman receives funding from the National Research Foundation, African Origins Platform.

Mary Evans and Ruby-Anne Birin do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

By Ruby-Anne Birin, DPhil student in Archaeological Science, University of Oxford And

Alex Schoeman, Associate professor, School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand And

Mary Evans, Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography and Geochronology, University of the Witwatersrand
Six persons, including a two-year-old boy, perished in a motor accident on the Nkawkaw-Atibie road when the brakes of the vehicle they were traveling on failed and the vehicle ran into the barricade at the edge of the road, falling on its side.

The six were the driver, Fred Amakwah, aged 26, Ayim Godfred, 21, Kofi Adu Twum, 30, Enoch Ofosu, 30, Ramatu, 37, and Blebor Owusu, two years.

Briefing the Ghana News Agency, Police Sergeant Francis Gomado, the Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command, said Ramatu and Blebor Owusu were pronounced dead soon on arrival at the hospital and their bodies had been deposited at the Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital Mortuary for identification and autopsy.

The remaining four sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to the Atibie Government Hospital for treatment but died later on.

Police Sergeant Gomado said on May 25 at about 1430 hours Fred Amankwah was in charge of the Rhino Truck, with registration number GW 5738-19, which was loaded with chairs, canopies and some spinning machines as well as nine passengers on board, from Forifori in the Afram Plains towards Accra.

On reaching a section of the road whilst descending the Kwahu Mountains near Nkawkaw, the driver alleged that the brakes failed upon several attempts to control the vehicle.

The vehicle had been towed to the Nkawkaw Central Police Station for examination.

---GNA
A man believed to be in his 30s has shot himself dead after he shot his girlfriend, Melody Owusu, who he allegedly caught with another man cheating.

The incident happened at Alavanyo Wududi in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region in the early hours of Wednesday, May 26, 2021.

Residents say, Sampson Ataafi suspected the lady of cheating, and trailed her new boyfriend at about 1:00 am on Tuesday, May 25.

Witnesses say, Sampson Ataafi, upon realizing that his girlfriend was in the new boyfriend's room, opened fire on the lady through a trap door.

After firing the gun, with the aim of killing the lady, Sampson shot himself and died in the process, thinking the lady had been killed.

Melody Owusu was rushed to Margret Marquart Catholic Hospital in Kpando for medical attention.

Kofi George, a resident who narrated the incident to Citi News said:

I was told, the gentleman traced the girlfriend to the new boyfriends room. So he shot the girl through the trap door, but fortunately, the girl survived, but the bullet hit her on the left breast. The man thought the lady was dead, so he then reloaded the gun and shot himself, dying instantly.

This is happening few months after a 53-year-old man was shot and killed in the same community during a disagreement over palm wine.

Similar stories have also been reported in the early part of 2021.

In March, residents of Ho were also thrown into a state of shock after a lady believed to be in her mid-twenties was found dead in a hotel room.

Reports indicated that Jay Dordorye, [26 years] the boyfriend of the deceased, reportedly inflicted knife wounds on Harriet Kafui Ahiati (deceased) and attempted to commit suicide.

26-year-old Jay Dordoye is said to have slit his girlfriend's throat and tried hanging himself after the incident. After failing in hanging himself, he resorted to stabbing himself multiple times.

Later in April, one Prince Charles Dedjoe, a businessman, suspected of killing his wife was also arrested by the police.

The deceaseds father reported to police that a day before his daughter's demise, she complained to him that she was severely assaulted by her husband, and that had led to the death of her daughter .

---citinewsroom
Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover

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Former Member of Parliament for Tema East Constituency, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover is not happy with Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, for openly naming the alleged murderer of investigative journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale.

He said what Mr. Agyapong should have done, if indeed he knew the one who murdered the late journalist, was to give the information to the security agencies to take the matter up, instead of mentioning the persons name on radio.

The vociferous MP, who himself has been named as a suspect in the case, named one Ansu Gyeabour as the man behind the shooting to death of the journalist at his Madina home in 2019.

In a television interview with Adinkra TV in New York, on Monday, Mr Agyapong said the alleged suspect was a resident in the Ashanti Region.

Reacting to the issue on Onua TVs Maakye hosted by Adwoa Konadu-Yiadom, Mr. Titus-Glover said it hurts if people make false allegations against you so I will urge Kennedy to halt those comments.

He wants us to know the truth and every Ghanaian also wants to know the truth about the murder of the journalist but he should not have put this information out.

The former Deputy Transport Minister said he could have gone to the IGP. He could have gone to the National Security Coordinator or the National Security Minister to give such information to them.

He should be calm. I will urge him to halt it else he will destroy the evidence and the person will run away. We all want the truth but intelligence and security issues are not discussed outside. Its done outside the camera, the former MP explained on Wednesday.

---3news.com
Vice Chairman of the Road Contractors Association of Ghana, Stephen Attatsi has accused government of being the cause of shoddy roads in the country.

He said government has been pushing them to do shoddy work and turn around later to blame them for the poor work done.

According to him, government sometimes fails to sign contract for the exact kilometer of roads and by far how many square kilometers.

Government has moved the road warranty from 1 year to 5 years and the road contractors are not happy.

Every contract has a duration; some can be 18 months, or 36 months. When you finish they will come and inspect it. Sometimes they will tell you for 5 months. I dont know if they are taking the five months to mean five years.

Citing an example for the poor work, Mr. Attatsi said Sometimes they [government] will give you money for one community and then they come later and tell you to extend it to 10 communities. For that matter, the contractor will do everything possible to make sure he extends it to 10 communities but later when there is a problem they come and put the blame on you, Mr Attatsi revealed this on the 3FM Sunrise Morning Show.

For instance now when you go to a lot of places, people are crying now for bitumen and the people only see coal tar but they dont know it is not finished work yet because they [government] tell you to finish the 20 kilometers so the contractor will put a primary seal then you put the secondary seal before the road will take shape. Take the Spintex road for instance there was a time they said they were putting asphalt but now use the road and see. it is not the contractors fault it is instruction given to you at the site.

---3news.com
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an international NGO that promotes press freedom and defends the rights of journalists across the globe, has joined calls for a thorough investigation into the allegations of abuse and arbitrary arrest of two Citi FM journalists, Caleb Kudah and Zoe Abu-Baidoo Addo.

CPJ, in a statement on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, said it has noted that journalists in Ghana have, in recent times, been subjected to indiscriminate arrests, brutality, and device seizures.

CPJ's Africa program coordinator, Angela Quintal, said Ghanaian authorities must identify and hold to account, the police officers who assaulted Caleb Kudah; arrested him and his colleague, Zoe Abu-Baidoo Addo, and deleted photos from their phones. In recent years, journalists in Ghana have too often been subjected to indiscriminate arrests, brutality, and device seizures by security officers.

CPJ said it had called and messaged the Minister of National Security Albert Kan-Daapah and police spokesperson, Sheilla Kessie Abayie-Buckman, for their comments on the attack on the journalists, but did not receive any replies.

On Tuesday, May 11, 2021, operatives of National Security arrested and assaulted Citi FM's Caleb Kudah, after they found him filming abandoned state-funded vehicles near their office.

The operatives subsequently besieged the premises of Citi FM to arrest another journalist, Zoe Abu-Baidoo Addo because Caleb had sent the files to her via WhatsApp.

Both reporters were forced by the operatives to delete all multimedia materials on their phones.

The two are yet to be charged after their release on that same day.

The National Security Secretariat in a statement on the development said it is investigating the matter.

The National Security Ministry later reported that the Director of Operations at the National Security, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Agyeman, and other National Security operatives violated the Ministry's operating standards.

The secondment of Lieutenant Colonel Frank Agyeman (Director of Operations) at the Ministry has been reversed. The officer is to report to the Chief of Defence Staff for further investigations and appropriate action the Ministry said in a statement.

Three police officers involved in the assault were also withdrawn and instructed to report to the Ghana Police Service for investigation.

Lieutenant Colonel Frank Agyeman has since been appointed as the Commanding Officer of the 64 Infantry Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces amidst condemnation from various NGOs and civil society groups.

---Citinewsroom
Worried traders of the Takoradi Market Circle, who have been relocated to a new site, have called on the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis Assembly (STMA), to speed up work to enable them secured spaces for their wares before the onset of the rains.

Some of the traders, who were also yet to be given spaces, pleaded with the Assembly to hasten the process to allow them to make ends meet.

The traders expressed the concerns in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Takoradi on Wednesday.

Madam Mavis Donkor, a trader, entreated the city authorities to be quick in the allocation process for the remaining traders who were yet to be settled.

Madam Grace Eshun, who sells vegetables, said in as much as the rains would be a big problem to her, she could not afford to lose her customers.

"I will wait patiently for the authorities to allocate me a store or a shed."

On her part, Madam Catherine Andoh said the rains had been a problem for market women year in and out but her major concern now was that she was yet to get a shed allocated to her.

Meanwhile, Nana Agya Kwamena XI, Chief of Apremdo, has called on authorities to reconsider activating the Apremdo market as many of the affected traders preferred their current places to move to the Apremdo market.

The Chief bemoaned why such a national investment was made to rot while traders struggled for space to trade.

But some traders the GNA spoke with were also unwilling to move to the Apremdo market should a directive come from city authorities.

Madam Emalia preferred perching with someone who got a store or shed rather than go to the Apremdo market.

---GNA
An Accra High Court has thrown out a motion praying it to move a seven-member jury to the crime scene of murdered J.B Dankwah Adu, former Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North.

Defence Counsel Yaw Danquah, lawyer for the two persons allegedly involved in the murder, wanted the jury to inspect the crime scene and see physical features of the scene so it could deliberate and appreciate arguments of the State and the defence.

The accused persons: Daniel Asiedu, aka, Sexy Dondon, and Vincent Bossu, aka, Junior Agogo are being held for various roles in the murder of the former Legislature.

The Trial Judge, Justice Mrs Lydia Osei Marfo, refused the application saying that the applicant had not demonstrated any material issues, which could be resolved by the inspection of the crime scene.

The Court said Article 19 (2) (c) of the 1992 Constitution deemed the accused persons as innocent of the offence charge until otherwise established by the Court.

It said even so the Evidence Act mandated the prosecution to establish the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.

The Accused person has no onus to establish his innocence whatsoever. This case can be resolved without having to visit the crime scene, the Court said.

Earlier, arguing the motion to move the jury to the crime scene, Mr Danquah said giving the lapse of time of when the purported crime took place and the time of the trial, it had been nearly six years.

Counsel said it had become evident in the course of the trial that witnesses were relying on the relapse of time to give vivid account of what they thought happened.

The Counsel said the jury needed to observe things for themselves rather than rely on photographs and videos taken from a particular angle, which did not give a holistic view of the place.

Mr Danquah held that the crime scene was a material issue in the trial and so it was important for the jury (judges of fact) to factually and physically see for themselves what the scene looked like.

According to him justice must be afforded to Aseidu because the charges against him, when found guilty, could be a death sentence at the extreme or life imprisonment.

Accused should be afforded this visit to help all parties involved to establish their case.

The State, led by Mrs Sefakor Batsa, Principal State Attorney, opposed the application, saying the decision to move to the locus could only be taken by the Court upon satisfaction that the visit would result in a material issue, which could be resolved by inspection.

She said the application did not provide any compelling reasons to satisfy the Court to move to locus considering the charges levelled against the applicant.

The Principal State Attorney held that the charges preferred against applicants could be resolved based on evidence adduced in the court room and there would be no need to visit the crime scene.

So far evidence adduced in this court room has not resulted in any conflict, which can only be resolved by visuals of the crime scene and evidences adduced by the prosecution witnesses were straight forward, Mrs Batsa said.

She, therefore, prayed the Court to dismiss the application.

Mr Stephen Apraku, a former security man of the MP, was to continue to answer questions under cross examination on Wednesday but due to the application, the matter has been adjourned to Thursday, May 27.

Asiedu and Bossu are standing trial for the death of the former Legislator at his residence at Shaishie, near East Legon in Accra on February 9, 2016.

Asiedu is being held on the charges of murder and robbery and additionally been charged together with Bossu for conspiracy to commit crime, to wit robbery.

They have denied the charges before a seven-member jury and remanded into custody by the Court.

---GNA
Haruna Iddrisu, Minority Leader in Parliament, has called on the Government to, as matter of urgency, constitute the boards of the statutory organisations like the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETfund) and National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

He said boards must also be constituted for District Assembly Common Fund and Ghana Road Fund as expected of the President.

Mr Iddrisu, in a submission in Parliament on Wednesday, drew the attention of the Government on the effects of the delay, and urged it to quickly name the boards yet to be established.

He described the issue as a matter of public importance and cited the Road Fund, that when properly constituted, would make Ghanaian contractors get their monthly releases.

He said government had a responsibility to protect the Ghanaian private sector and that duty must be extended to Ghanaian contractors who the Road Fund owed.

Even if government cannot find money to pay them they should let the administrative machinery work, Mr Iddrisu, the MP for Tamale South, said.

Why is the Road Fund Board not constituted, why is it not functioning, how do we expect contractors to survivefrom January to now, he queried.

He asked the Government to explain why chief executives for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies had not yet been appointed by government.

I do not share the view that this function or roles be reduced to ministerial role. I cannot imagine the Minister of Education wanting to come to Parliament to present the GETfund that would not be acceptable, Mr Iddrisu said.

It must be the GETfund Board, solely constituted by the parent Act creating it.

Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader, said the matter raised by the Minority Leader was of public importance, which the House must dialogue on.

He called for further engagement with government to resolve the matter.

---GNA
Canara Bank has alerted all customers that the IFSC (Indian Financial System Code) codes of the erstwhile Syndicate Bank will be disabled with effect from 1 July 2021. If you are a customer of Syndicate Bank, you should take note of this and update the IFSC codes so that you can continue to carry out online fund transfer transactions and you should also intimate remitters about the change in IFSC.

Canara Bank has given customers of Syndicate Bank time until 30th June to update their bank branch's new IFSC code. You can check this link to find out the new IFSC codes. Alternatively, you can type in the old IFSC code on this page to find out the new IFSC code.

Canara Bank, on its official portal, stated, "Dear Customer, this is to inform you that after the merger of Syndicate Bank with Canara Bank, all Syndicate IFSC codes or IFSC, a unique 11-digit alphanumeric code starting with SYNB have been changed."

"All the IFSC starting with SYNB will be disabled from 1 July 2021."

The bank has also further added that "We request you to inform the remitters (senders) to use only your new IFSC code starting with "CNRB" while sending NEFT/RTGS/IMPS, from now itself.

What is IFSC Code?

IFSC is a unique 11-digit alphanumeric code that is used for online fund transfer transactions done via NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer), RTGS (Real-Time Gross Settlement), and IMPS (Immediate Payment Service).

Why are IFSC codes changing now?

Earlier in 2019, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced the merger of Syndicate Bank with Canara Bank. This was part of a massive amalgamation plan when she announced the merger of 10 public sector banks into four mega state-owned ones in 2019. While the merger came into effect in April 2020, the IFSC and MICR codes are being updated in the financial year 2022, which started on 1 April 2021.

In February 2021, Indian Bank too had informed that branch codes and IFSC codes of the erstwhile Allahabad Bank branches would change because of its merger with the former. The bank had said new IFSC codes would be effective from 15 February 2021.

Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank were merged with Bank of Baroda (BoB) with effect from 1 April 2019. The IFSC and MICR code of these account holders will also change. However, the bank has yet not intimated its customers.

"You may however use the old IFSC and MICR codes until intimated by the Bank," BoB has said in FAQs on its website.
This is a big question  and a very important one, and becoming more important with every passing year. The question applies to individuals, to companies, and even to nations. It was mentioned in an article earlier, that a 2015 survey had found that China, Indonesia and India were rated as the most corrupt countries of Asia and Japan and Singapore were the least corrupt. A measure of trustworthiness! But things have not changed dramatically in the past six years.

So we have China, which takes away land in a piecemeal fashionuntil you realise one day that it is miles and miles of landbarren maybe, and sometimes snow clad. But it is someone elses land nevertheless. A nation that cannot be trusted, at least by India.

We have Dai-Ichi of Japan, buying Ranbaxy, a large pharmaceuticals company in India, in a multi- million dollar deal  and much later Dai-Ichi realises that some large debts were not disclosed at the time of the sale. Dai-Ichi then went to court to recover the amount- and the court case continues!

A book Bottle of Lies by Katherine Eban also lists the pharma companies of India that have been found guilty of exporting substandard products to the US over the past many years, where again Ranbaxy features as the biggest culprit.

So here you have the names of companies who have taken advantage of the fact that every import into the US is not subjected to random-sample checks  and, therefore, they have gotten by. Now these are companies that cannot be trusted by foreign buyersand perhaps not even by India.

We have companies that care more for their own image, more than they care for their employeesand where employees then lose trust in their employer.

Some companies underpay their employees (and can get by because of the high level of joblessness), yet they show large donations to charities. They project an image of high social consciousnesswhen, at the same time, the employees are planning to go on strike to demand a fairer deal!

It is a world where employees do not trust their employers!

Company job interviews are areas where trust should have been supreme, but sometimes is not. There was the chief executive officer (CEO), who advertised senior appointments every year. The idea was to get inside information about direct competitors from candidates from these companies who applied for these non-existent jobs, and in their anxiety to succeed at the interview, would reveal all.

Likewise, there are candidates, who will lie about qualifications, experience and previous emoluments- in order to make faster progress. Again, a matter of loss of trust.

Beyond the commercial world, there are also individuals in the world of politics who falsify their records of qualifications and criminal record, in order to be able to stand for elections and hopefully winand then even more hopefully, be able to change or amend the records.

On a visit to Indonesia, I was told that "our corruption is ethical." When an official takes a bribe and does not deliver on his promise, he returns the amount. So those who pay a bribe have trust, although it may still be looked at as an unethical transaction.

To change the focus to Japanthe nation with just a 1.9 score in the corruption rating. I had arrived a day earlier to attend and address a world marketing summit in Tokyo.

My hosts were kind enough to give me transport and an escort to take a ride around the city  and I saw long queues outside malls and supermarkets. I thought there was a sale going on  and I asked my host.

He explained that before my arrival the previous evening, there was a mild earthquake, and shoppers rushed out with whatever they had bought, in order to get home as soon as possible. All of them had come back this morning to declare what they had taken the previous evening and to make the required payment.

This was trust in the individual  and something that will be replicated in perhaps, very few places in the world!

My friend John went to Japan on a work trip many years ago and bought a tape recorder to bring back to India. When he went back to his hotel room, he tried to play it but failed. Since he was leaving Japan that night, he phoned the shop and told them about his predicament. Within two hours there was a person who came with a replacement  and checked in his presence that it was working. Then, he took the earlier purchase and showed John that that was also working.

John then apologised and offered to take the earlier purchase back with him.

Oh no, he said, We dont want you to go from Japan with a purchase about which you have a doubt. Please take the new one  please. No one should say that products from Japan are not dependable or are defective. Any product.

Trust in a company  and in some ways, trust in a nation!

When you see that the former prime minister of Malaysia is booked and in jail for corruption; the former president of South Korea has been sentenced for corruption; or the former president of France may soon be in the dock for corruption when he was in power; the chairman of the largest corporation in South Korea was arrested for bribing the government  we then know that humankind still values trustin spite of all the technological progress that would have been made in the last century.
IPS officer Subodh Kumar Jaiswal was on Tuesday named the new Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In an order, the Department of Personnel and Training said: "The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has, based on the panel recommended by the Committee, approved the appointment of Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, IPS, (Maharashtra 1985) as Director, CBI for a period of two years from the date of assumption of the charge of the office or until further orders whichever is earlier."

The appointment of Jaiswal comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi-header Committee comprising also of Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana and Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury discussed the names of the new CBI chiefs.

Jaiswal, who is currently the Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force, was considered the front runner for the post.

He also has served as Mahrashtra's Director General of Police and has a stint in India's external intelligence agency, R&AW.

The CBI had got an acting Director in the form of Praveen Sinha after the term of R.K. Shukla ended on February 3 this year.

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.
In her budget speech on 1st February, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced a provision of Rs35,000 crore for COVID vaccination for FY21-22. However, so far, the government has released just Rs4,488.75 crore for buying vaccine from two companies, as a reply received under Right to Information (RTI) Act shows.

The RTI application was filed by Pune-based activist Sanjay Shirodkar with the ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW). The ministry, in its reply, says, "The union budget 2021-22 provides for Rs35,000 crore for COVID-19 vaccination. Out of which Rs4,488.75 crore has been released towards the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines covishield (AstraZeneca's vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India-SII) and covaxin (manufactured by Bharat Biotech International Ltd) till date and doses of these COVID-19 vaccines for health care workers (HCWs), front line workers (FLWs) and persons above 45 years of age, are distributed to the states and union territories (UTs) free of cost."

Earlier this month, in a statement, the ministry had clarified that the government paid Rs1,732.50 crore to Serum Institute of India (SII) on 28th April for 110 million doses of Covishield vaccine during May, June, and July. Additionally, 100% advance of Rs787.50 crore was released on the same day to Bharat Biotech for supply of 50 million covaxin doses during May, June and July 2021, the ministry says.

Mr Shirodkar, however, questions the motive behind not releasing enough money for COVID vaccination. He says, "Who are responsible for people dying due to lack of vaccines, or delay in placing the order for vaccines, and not releasing enough money to buy vaccines? We live in a country where the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) transfers Rs99,122 crore surplus money to the central government. However, the government has not released sufficient money to buy vaccines that would save the people of India."

So far, the government of India has provided, both through the free of cost category and through direct state procurement category, more than 220 million vaccine doses to states and UTs.

Of this, the total consumption, including wastages is 20.14 crore doses, as per data available at 8am Wednesday. More than 1.77 crore COVID vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs (Union Territories). to be administered. Furthermore, 1 lakh vaccine doses are in the pipeline and will be received by the states and UTs (Union Territories). within the next three days, the MoHFW says in a release.

A few days ago, the Union government had told the Supreme Court that no governmental aid, assistance, or grant had been made either for research or development of either Covaxin or Covishield vaccines but some financial assistance was given for conducting clinical trials.

In an affidavit, the Centre had said that Covaxin has been developed under a public private partnership (PPP) arrangement between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Bharat Biotech.

"ICMR has not provided any funds to Bharat Biotech for covaxin development. However, funds have been spent on various activities undertaken by ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune for covaxin development. Also, phase 3 clinical trials of covaxin have been funded by the ICMR. The trials have been conducted at 22 sites in 25,800 participants," said the affidavit, which also provided details of activities undertaken by the ICMR-NIV, and that the total estimated expenditure of the ICMR in this was Rs35 crore.

For Covishield, the centre said the bridging studies of 1,600 participants in India were supported by the ICMR in partnership with the Serum Institute. Bridging study is a supplemental study performed in the new region to provide pharmacodynamic or clinical data on efficacy, safety, dosage and dose regimen.

"No funds were provided to the SII. Funds were transferred to 14 clinical trial sites. ICMR also supported laboratory studies on characterisation of immune response related to COVISHIELD at ICMR-National AIDS Research Institute (NARI), Pune," added the affidavit. The total estimated expenditure of ICMR was Rs11 crore.
GREAT FALLS, Mont. - Nearly three years after Tammy Goff went missing from Great Falls, her truck was found in the Missouri River with an unidentified body inside.

We were able to talk to the group, Adventures with Purpose, who is credited with finding her vehicle and what exactly it took.

The question everyone has been asking is, "how are they able to come and find Tammy's truck in four days when local law enforcement couldn't in nearly three years?"

Jared Leisek with the group says the reason is simple: equipment.

We have better equipment and technology, and we know how to use it. And, you know, we, around the entire world, we have found more and solved more cold cases in the past 12-14 months than any other organization... And that is not throwing any law enforcement under the bus anywhere. It took us quite a while for us to understand our equipment and use it every single day," Leisek said.

He says Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter was one of their first points of contact.

Sheriff Slaughter along with other local law enforcement just made their job easier.

He was just incredible to work with," Leisek said.

But what exactly went into finding Tammy?

A member of Tammy's family reached out to AWP in June/July of 2020 and that is when it first landed on their radar.

Some things ended up falling through so the never made it to Great Falls, Montana.

Fast forward to April 2021, Tammy's husband Bob reached out to Jared and his team for help.

So Bob reached out to me and says, 'Hey, Ive been watching your stuff and trying to learn how to use sonar. I am picking up some new sonar because I have not forgotten about my wife. I'm out there looking for her every chance I get,'" Leisek said.

Then, on May 10, 2021, Jared, Doug and Sam traveled to the Electric City from Oregon and Washington to help Tammy's husband.

Bob had this map and he had cell phone pings on the map, he had where Sadie was seen, some different times she was seen. He had some hot spots where he had been out doing some sonar and where he would have liked us to start some of our searches," Leisek said.

They say the key to finding Tammy was her dog, Sadie.

And that aha moment, on day four, morning, for us was that Sadie was actually seen on day one wet in the river pacing back and forth within a quarter mile stretch and so that's what took us back there," Leisek said.

When it comes to the $40,000 reward, Jared says the family told him that it was available but it wasn't why they came.

Were here free of charge for you and your family, should we receive your reward we will honor this so we can go help other families," Leisek said.

He says that money would go towards buying a new trailer and while it seems like a big chunk of money, it does go quick.

When asked how he feels about being able to give families much needed closure, he said it's like a super power not many people have.

"It put us in a position to be able to help these families, for no charge, and giving them the answers they have been looking for all these years," Leisek said.

AWP is releasing a four-part series on their YouTube channel next month about finding Tammy.

We have reached out to sheriff Slaughter again, but as of May 25, the body has not been identified.
GREAT FALLS, Mont. - A sunrise yoga class led by Candace Weeda Strobbe of Cascading Wellness is being held at the top of First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park.

The all-level class will start at 8:00 am on June 13.

A release from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks says the class, will provide an opportunity to re-center amidst the rush of summer activities while enjoying views of the distant mountains, open prairie, and big sky.

Participants will meet at the visitor center and drive to the top of the buffalo jump, however, in the event of bad weather, the class will be moved inside with limited space.

Participation is limited to 25 people and the cost for the class is $5 per person plus $6 if a non-resident vehicle.

Pre-registration is required. To register, you can call 406-866-2217, or email: kylee.meyer@mt.gov
BILLINGS, Mont. - The Summer Meal Service for kids is starting back up on June 14.

All meals are free to all children ages 18 and younger. They will be given out from 12-1 p.m. starting June 14 at the following locations: Pioneer Park, Central Park, Castle Rock Park and Big Sky Elementary.

Homeless Education Liaison for Billings Public Schools Sue Runkle said the summer meal program includes breakfast and lunch.

"Families can pick up the kids' lunches and also, at that same time, they will get a bag with breakfast for the next morning," Runkle said. "And, so they'll be getting two meals a day through this program."

And, Runkle announced something else:

"The free lunch program has been extended through the end of next school year where everybody in the district is free on the meals," she said.

Runkle supports homeless students in the Billings School District. She said there were 3714 identified homeless students in Montana as of 4/8/2021. That number is down from last year's number of 4265. However, she said those numbers don't tell the whole story.

"We know that we are probably missing some kids because of the remote platforms," Runkle said. "Kids that are maybe under the radar that we're not capturing because they are not physically in our buildings and talking with our staff. It's a little harder to identify kids when they are doing the remote or when they are not in school."

"Some of my homeless families from last year are actually homeschooling this year, so it's hard to keep up with them because they're not enrolled in our district," Runkle added.

If your family is experiencing homelessness, Runkle said you can call her for help at (406) 671-8421.

"Homeless families are just like a lot of our other families," Runkle said. "The only difference is they just don't have a stable place to stay. I don't ever want homelessness to be a stigma."
May 26, 2021

Roman Protasevich - Arrested In Belarus - Is A Western Government Financed Neo-Nazi

There is more to say about the Ryanair incident in Belarus and the arrest of the 'regime change' operative Roman Protasevich.

We will start with the latter.

The sympathetic portraits of Protasevich in the New York Times and in the Guardian are only of interest for what they leave out.

FOIA Research and The Canadafiles have very well sourced and way more complete pieces on him. They link to a mountain of evidence in form of social media postings, photos and videos which support their findings.

From those we learn that Protasevich has long been a member of the fascist "Young Front" militia of Belarus. He has fought alongside the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion in Ukraine's post-Maidan civil war.

Here is a 2017 picture of Protasevich during a Belorussian court hearing.

Here is Protasevich in 2015 on the cover of the recruitment magazine "Black Sun" of the Azov Battalion.

Here is Protasevich during an Azov parade (video from the event).



Protasevich - back row, third from right

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There are more pictures sourced from his friends' social media accounts. They all show him with Azov in full battle dress, with Azov insignia and guns. There have been claims that Protasevich was only working as a journalist for an Azov paper. That seems to be false. His father confirmed that his son 'fought' in Donbass. The Azov leader Andriy Biletsky confirmed that Protasevich fought with them in Donbass and that he was wounded.

Neither the NYT nor the Guardian mention Proasevich's ideological position or his involvement with the neo-nazis of Azov. The London Times had originally reported that Protasevich was involved with Azov but later silently removed that passage from its report.

Another point missing from 'western' media is that Protasevich has long been on the payroll of various 'western' government financed propaganda media:

After being arrested for hooliganism, Protasevich would leave for Prague, Czech Republic in December 2017, and begin formally integrating into the imperialist media sphere. Protasevich was a 2017-18 Vaclav Havel Journalism fellow in Prague, for US funded regime change outlet Radio Free Liberty/Europe. Four months after a week long tour of the US State Department, in April 2018, Protasevich began working for USAID funded Belarus Euroradio.fm on August 31, 2018. He left this job in December 2019, and would announce his new job, as Editor-in-Chief of Nexta, a foreign funded Telegram messaging channel covering Belarusian news, located in Poland, beginning in March 2020. Stepan Putila, Protasevichs partner at Nexta, worked for years at Belsat, which has been funded by the Polish Foreign Ministry since 2007, before engaging closely with Nexta. Nexta played a key role in organizing pro-coup demonstrations in Belarus to protest Western supported candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya who only won 11 per cent of the vote, yet falsely claims that the election was rigged in Lukashenkos favour, along with regime change organization NEDs funded activists in Belarus.

Protasevich's 2018 visit to Washington DC is of special interest:

On April 20, 2018, he flew via Brussels to Washington. On April 23, 2018, he posted a picture with the subtitle "The most important week in my life begins." The same day he posted a picture of himself inside the US State Department, stating "Never had so many important and interesting encounters in my life. Tired but very pleased." In DC he met with fellow regime change swamp creature, the Ukrainian-American Gleb Zhavoronkov.

Someone should ask the State Department what it thinks of Roman Protasevich's fashion habits.

Volodymyr Ishchenko @Volod_Ishchenko - 1:20 PM  May 26, 2021 Protasevich's selfie in an explicitly neo-Nazi brand Sva Stone. It's extremely unlikely that one can wear these T-shirts without being "in".

Neither the NYT nor the Guardian portrait mention Protasevich's employment by western funded regime change media or his State Department visit.

Neither is astonishing. A recent job description by the New York Times for a correspondent position in Moscow demanded extreme anti-Russian bias. The Guardian piece was co-authored by Luke Harding who is well known for his anti-Russian slant, his closeness to MI6 and his fake reporting:

In a recent book, Luke Harding, an investigative reporter at The Guardian, described how Mr. Steele had dispatched his collector [Danchenko] to surreptitiously approach a real estate broker, Sergei Millian, who was a peripheral figure in the Trump/Russia saga. Millian spoke at length and privately to this person, believing him or her to be trustworthy  a kindred soul, Mr. Harding wrote. But the trouble for Mr. Harding, who is close to both Mr. Steele and Mr. Simpson, was that he wrote those lines before the release of the F.B.I. interview of Mr. Danchenko. In the interview, the collector said that he and Mr. Millian might have spoken briefly over the phone, but that the two had never met. Mr. Harding did not respond to requests for comment.

That the London Times silently deleted the well-sourced Protasevich-Azov relationship from its report let's one to assume that the British government has issued a D-notice to hide that fact.

Posted by b on May 26, 2021 at 16:41 UTC | Permalink

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Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O'Malley announced the arrests of 31 northeast Ohio residents on May 26 as part of "Operation Deja Vu."
Members of the Lorain County Coroners Office and the Lorain Police Department investigate the suspicious death of Debra A. Owens, 63, who was found deceased March 19, 2017 in her home in the 3000 block of Meister Road.
A decade ago, after hackers were caught infiltrating natural gas pipeline operations and an al-Qaida video emerged calling for an "electronic jihad" on U.S. infrastructure, then-Sen. Joseph Lieberman tried to sound the alarm.

The system is "blinking red," Lieberman warned his Senate colleagues during debate on the threat in 2012. "Privately owned and operated cyber infrastructure can well be, and probably some day will be, the target of an enemy attack."

Led by the Connecticut independent and one-time vice presidential candidate, lawmakers sought to require energy companies to strengthen computer security. But the effort withered under fierce lobbying by oil companies and other corporate interests that succeeded in killing the legislation. That left in place a system of voluntary guidelines that failed to stop last month's ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline Co., which paralyzed a major artery for fuel along the East Coast.

"It's really a lost opportunity," said Lieberman, now senior counsel at Kasowitz Benson Torres. "The attack on the Colonial Pipeline might not have happened if we passed the legislation."

Now, in response to the attack, the Department of Homeland Security is preparing to jettison the voluntary approach and impose cybersecurity requirements on pipelines, according to a person familiar with the plans who asked not to be identified before a formal announcement.

That would be a defeat for oil companies and pipeline operators that for more than a decade have successfully fought off federal standards to thwart cyberattacks from legislation or regulatory agencies. Unlike power plants, U.S. pipelines are not required to follow any federal cybersecurity mandates, even though Homeland Security was given the authority to impose them when it was created in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

The Transportation Security Administration, the DHS agency in charge of protecting the nation's pipelines, will issue a directive this week requiring pipeline companies to report cyber incidents, according to the person familiar with the plans. Additional requirements for safeguarding facilities and responding to attacks are set to be advanced in coming weeks, the Washington Post reported.

"The Biden administration is taking further action to better secure our nation's critical infrastructure," DHS said in a statement on Tuesday. "We will release additional details in the days ahead."

Until now, the TSA had resisted using its authority to mandate cyberprotection measures.

"My belief was we could get quicker and better security through working with the industry instead of regulating them because regulations set minimum security standards and industry in many cases was doing more than that," said Jack Fox, who served as the agency's manager of pipeline security before retiring in 2016.

Lieberman's bill would have imposed cybersecurity performance requirements on privately owned critical infrastructure -- and slap fines on companies that fell short. The rules would have been applied to more than pipelines: sectors where a hostile take-down of computer systems could lead to mass casualties, the collapse of financial markets or the disruption of energy and water supplies, were to be included.

Even a watered-down version of the bill failed to overcome a Republican-led filibuster.

For Lieberman, the failure still stings.

"We would sort of ask ourselves who is driving this aggressive opposition and the answer we were getting was the energy companies and the pipeline companies," he said.

Every major U.S. oil company -- including Exxon Mobil, Chevron Corp. and ConocoPhillips -- lobbied on the legislation, alongside some refiners and at least one pipeline operator. Colonial didn't lobby on the measure in 2012, according to disclosure forms it filed with Congress. However, groups it belonged to did, including the American Petroleum Institute, the Association of Oil Pipe Lines and the Chamber of Commerce -- a political titan that reported spending $103.9 million influencing government policies in 2012.

The Chamber opposed the legislation at the time, calling it an overly broad, heavy-handed approach to regulation that threatened to create an "adversarial" relationship between the government and private industry instead of fostering collaboration against cyberattacks. The group backed an alternative approach focused on greater sharing of threat information, a stance it continues to endorse today.

"We support a public-private collaboration that strengthens our cybersecurity in all sectors, including pipelines, to benefit all Americans," said Matthew Eggers, vice president of cybersecurity policy for the Chamber.

Cybersecurity experts and government officials have cautioned for years about the consequences of a pipeline hack, including in 2019 when the Office of the Director of National Intelligence issued a report warning a cyberattack could disrupt a pipeline "for days to weeks."

Nevertheless, there was widespread business opposition to the Lieberman bill, with almost every affected industry, from financial services to communications, getting involved to warn the proposed cybersecurity mandates would insert the heavy hand of government into corporate affairs.

But proponents warned that mandates were essential to ensure there were sufficient safeguards amid a barrage of ever-more sophisticated attacks on private companies running power plants, dams and other critical infrastructure.

Weeks after the bill's introduction, the Department of Homeland Security warned hackers had spent months trying to infiltrate computer systems for a number of natural gas pipeline operators. ABC News reported the FBI had obtained an al-Qaida video calling for "electronic jihad" against U.S. critical infrastructure. And computer security firm McAfee Corp. warned of coordinated, ongoing cyberattacks on global energy companies in 2011.

The hacking episodes foreshadowed how alluring fuel delivery systems are to cyber-criminals, like the Russia-linked group that used DarkSide ransomware to hold Colonial's computer systems hostage around May 7. The company was forced to shut down its roughly 5,500-mile-long (8,851-kilometers-long) pipeline system, which provides about 45% of the fuel used on the East Coast, spurring outages at filling stations and the payment of a $5 million ransom before service resumed five days later.

It's not clear whether mandates would have thwarted the attack, and investigations are still underway. Colonial has pledged to "review any proposal that takes lessons learned from this event that strengthens or hardens our infrastructure."

Oil and pipeline trade groups steadfastly insist now is not the time for prescriptive federal mandates.

"Any discussion of regulation is premature until we have a full understanding of the details surrounding the Colonial attack," said Suzanne Lemieux, API's manager of operations security and emergency response. "But we are committed to continuing our robust coordination with all levels of government."

The trade association added in a statement it was generally aligned with the Chamber on the issue in 2012 and cautioned against a prescriptive one-size-fits all regulatory approach that it said would be counterproductive.

John Stoody, a spokesman for the Association of Oil Pipe Lines, whose members include Colonial Pipeline, said "We want TSA to get right anything they plan to do."

"For example, an overly broad reporting requirement could overwhelm TSA with hundreds of thousands of cyberattack reports every day that would not do anyone any good," he said.

Chevron said in an emailed statement that federal regulation "should take a risk-based approach" that gives companies flexibility to defend against threats. And Exxon noted that the rapid evolution of cyber threats means "any formal and prescriptive cybersecurity requirements for the industry are often outdated upon completion."

The Transportation Security Administration has long taken a similar approach. A branch manager in the agency's office of surface operations last year boasted it involves "very few regulations" and a "cooperative approach to industry adoption of security measure," according to a presentation archived on the agency's website.

The TSA opted not to regulate the pipeline sector because it felt a partnership with industry was more efficient, said Fox, the retired TSA manager of pipeline security."A regulation takes months or years to change," Fox said in a phone interview. "With this partnership we could make a phone call and say we need you to do such and such and it would be reacted to the next day."

Fox said he didn't think the Lieberman bill would have prevented the Colonial cyberattack."You can regulate whatever you like," Fox said. "We have regulations on speed limits and gun control and all kinds of things so if you regulate something it does not means it's not going to happen."

Ultimately in 2012, Lieberman and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, watered down their bill in a desperate bid to win over Republicans to get it passed. They dropped mandates and fines in favor of a measure that would create only optional requirements.

But even the pared-back bill wasn't enough. Continued concerns about liability and privacy haunted the legislation, and the Chamber opposed the new version too. It was twice defeated by a Republican-led filibuster, ultimately falling nine votes shy of the 60 needed to cut off debate in November 2012.

Amy Myers Jaffe, a Tufts University professor and author of "Energy's Digital Future," said the Colonial cyberattack may be the pipeline industry's "Macondo moment."

That's a reference to the Gulf of Mexico oil well that blew out in 2010, killing 11 workers and unleashing the worst oil spill in U.S. history.

An overly cozy relationship between federal regulators and oil companies was blamed for contributing to the disaster, Jaffe said. "It's shocking to me to think that an industry that likes to brag about its safety records would ever have lobbied against having government-run standards that are mandatory for cyber-security in vital energy infrastructure."
DETROIT (AP)  Ford expects 40% of its global sales to be battery-electric vehicles by 2030 as it adds billions to what it's spending to develop them.

The automaker said in a presentation for investors Wednesday that it will add about $8 billion to its EV development spending from this year to 2025. That brings the total spend to nearly $20 billion as Ford begins to develop and build batteries in a joint venture with SK Innovation of South Korea.

Under former CEO Jim Hackett, Ford was criticized by analysts for moving too slowly on its turnaround and future vehicle plans. But those plans have accelerated under CEO Jim Farley, who took over last October.

Today is show, not tell time, for the Ford team, Farley said at the start of the presentation.

Wall Street liked what it heard and shares surged $1.09, or 8.5%, to closed Wednesday at $13.90, a level not seen in about five years.

Ford announced two new electric vehicle platforms to handle pickup trucks, commercial vehicles and SUVs such as the Ford Explorer. It also said smaller vehicles in Europe would be built on underpinnings from Ford partner Volkswagen. But company executives wouldn't give details about when the new electric vehicles will go on sale.

Much of the 40% electric vehicle sales target will come from Europe, where the company has pledged to convert its entire passenger vehicle lineup to electric power by 2030.

The global auto industry and government policy makers are trying to pivot away from internal combustion to battery power as a way to curb climate change. Some European countries, as well as California, plan to phase out petroleum powered vehicles, while President Joe Biden is promising to spend billions on charging stations as well as tax credits and rebates to get people to switch.

Ford crosstown rival General Motors says it hopes to stop selling combustion vehicles by 2035.

In addition, shareholders at Exxon Mobil voted Wednesday to replace at least two of the companys 12 board members with directors who are seen as better suited to fight climate change.

Farley said Ford's financial performance hasn't been acceptable in recent years, but it has accelerated its turnaround plan and made progress in the past few quarters. The company is now generating cash flow so it can grow the scale of its electric and commercial vehicle businesses, he said. Ford predicted it would post an 8% pretax profit margin in 2023.

The company also announced it would create a separate business called Ford Pro that will focus on commercial and government fleet buyers. It expects the business to generate $45 billion in annual revenue by 2025, up from $27 billion in 2019.

It also expects to have about 1 million vehicles capable of getting over-the-internet software updates by the end of this year. Ford says it will have more vehicles with that capability than Tesla by July 2022. This opens up the chance added revenue through driver assist technology and digital subscription services, a $20 billion market by 2030, Ford said.

In the U.S., Ford's largest market, electric vehicles are only 1.2% of Ford's sales through April. Ford currently offers only one all-electric vehicle, the Mustang Mach-E SUV, but by next spring it will have an all-electric F-150 pickup and a battery powered Transit big commercial van on the roads. The company said 70,000 customers have put down $100 deposits to reserve an electric F-150 in the week since it was unveiled. Ford's F-Series pickup is the top-selling vehicle in the U.S.

Ford said it plans a new rear-drive, all-wheel-drive electric vehicle architecture to bring a new generation of high-sales vehicles, including an electric Ford Explorer SUV and other larger SUVs with two and three rows of seats.

The company also plans additional cargo vans and pickup trucks from the new architecture, and it expects one third of pickup truck sales to be fully electric by 2030, said Hau Thai-Tang, the companys product development chief.

Chief Operating Officer Lisa Drake said that by making electric versions of its top-selling brands, the Mustang, F-150 and Transit van, Ford can bring bulk purchasing power to EVs that smaller startups cant.

She said 70% of Mustang Mach-E electric SUV sales came from other auto brands, proving that EVs will help Ford increase its sales.

Ford, she said, expects to reduce battery costs from the current $140 per kilowatt hour to under $100 by 2025, and $80 by the end of this decade.

As an example of its turnaround plan taking hold, Chief Financial Officer John Lawler said international businesses, including Europe, China and South America, lost over $2 billion per year for the past two years, but in the first quarter generated a $500 million profit.

Lawler wouldn't commit to when Ford would restore its dividend, which was suspended at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. He said the company is focused on investing in growth areas and will bring the dividend back as soon as practicable.

The $8 billion in additional electric vehicle spending would go toward the joint venture with SK Innovation to develop and manufacture batteries announced last week. The venture will build two North American factories to make batteries for roughly 600,000 electric vehicles per year by the middle of this decade. The companies say they have signed a memorandum of understanding, but details on the ownership structure and factory locations have yet to be worked out.

____

This story has been updated to correct that Jim Farley took over as Ford CEO in October of 2020, not August.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A family-friendly street festival, musical performances and moments of silence were held Tuesday to honor George Floyd and mark the year since he died at the hands of Minneapolis police, a death captured on wrenching bystander video that galvanized the racial justice movement and continues to bring calls for change.

Floyds sister Bridgett and other family members held a moment of silence at a Celebration of Life event at a downtown Minneapolis park that included music, food trucks, an inflatable bouncy house and a vaccination stand. A few miles away, at the site of the intersection where Floyd died, dozens of people kneeled around a steel fist sculpture for several minutes  symbolizing the 9 minutes, 29 seconds during which Floyd was pinned down.

Its been a troubling year, a long year, Bridgett Floyd told the crowd downtown. But we made it. ... The love is here. George is here."

Other members of Floyds family met in Washington with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who urged Congress to quickly pass a law in Floyds name that would bring changes to policing. A moment of silence to honor Floyd was also held in New York and a rally was held in Los Angeles. Globally, a rally took place in Germany and Floyd's death was marked by U.S. embassies in Greece and Spain.

Hours before the Minneapolis festivities, the intersection where Floyd died was disrupted by gunfire.

Associated Press video from 38th Street and Chicago Avenue  informally known as George Floyd Square  showed people running for cover as shots rang out. Police said a man, who they believe was injured in the shooting, went to a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound. Police said he was in critical condition but was expected to survive. There were no immediate arrests.

Philip Crowther, a reporter working for AP Global Media Services, which provides live video coverage, reported hearing as many as 30 gunshots about a block from the intersection. Crowther said a storefront window appeared to have been broken by gunshots.

Very quickly things got back to normal, Crowther said. People here who spend a significant amount of time, the organizers, were running around asking, Does anyone need a medic?"

Like other major cities, Minneapolis has been struggling with rising gun violence, a problem made worse, in part, by many officers leaving the embattled force since Floyd's death. A 6-year-old girl was fatally shot and two other children wounded in recent weeks. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey last week unveiled sweeping public safety proposals aimed at fixing the problem. Other groups are pursuing a more radical remaking of the police department.

The intersection of 38th and Chicago has been barricaded since soon after Floyd's death. It quickly turned into a memorial  and also a challenging spot for the city, with police officers not always welcome.

The square was transformed Tuesday into an outdoor festival, with food, childrens activities and music. At times, people danced in the street. Artwork and signs from protests after Floyd's death also were on display. One group hosted an open mic next to a greenhouse that community members constructed earlier this year to house flowers left by mourners. Nearby, a brass band played for passersby.

The celebration also included a candlelight vigil, capping several days of marches, rallies and panel discussions about his death and confronting racial discrimination.

Xavier Simmons, 24, from Racine, Wisconsin, chanted Say his name! as people kneeled. Simmons said he hopes people taking part in the festivities will both honor Floyds life and legacy and continue to uplift and empower this movement."

We got the verdict that we needed, but its never going to change until we make a change, he said.

Yall keep doing the work, because yall changing the world, Common, an award-winning rapper, actor and activist told the crowd of hundreds during a musical performance Tuesday night prior to the vigil.

After Common left the stage and day turned to night in George Floyd Square, people placed candles in every conceivable corner, lighting up the area.

Floyd, 46, who was Black, died May 25, 2020, after then-Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck, pinning him to the ground for about 9 1/2 minutes. Chauvin, who is white, was convicted last month of murder and faces sentencing June 25. Three other fired officers still face trial.

Earl Vaughn, 20, of Minneapolis, attended the downtown event and said despite its celebratory atmosphere: For all this a Black man had to die, so thats really unfortunate."

In New York City, elected officials, including Mayor Bill de Blasio and U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, joined the Rev. Al Sharpton in kneeling for 9 minutes, 29 seconds. As we took a knee, imagine how long that was on a human beings neck, Sharpton said. Never switched knees, just dug in. Its time we correct policing in this country.

On Tuesday evening, activists and demonstrators gathered with some families of people who had died in interactions with the New York Police Department at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. They called for defunding the police, holding officers accountable and removing police officers from schools. Following the rally, they set off on a march through Brooklyn streets.

Several Floyd family members, including his young daughter Gianna, met with Biden and Harris earlier Tuesday. Biden, who previously pledged to continue fighting for racial justice, said he hopes the Senate can quickly pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and get it to his desk.

We have to act, he said of the legislation that would ban chokeholds and no-knock police raids and create a national registry for officers disciplined for serious misconduct.

Floyds brother Philonise told CNN he thinks about George all the time.

My sister called me at 12 oclock last night and said This is the day our brother left us,' he said, adding: I think things have changed. I think it is moving slowly but we are making progress.

Also Tuesday, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Kristen Clarke as assistant attorney general for civil rights, the first Black woman to hold the position. In the last few weeks, the Justice Department under Biden has announced sweeping investigations into the police in Minneapolis and Louisville and brought federal civil rights charges against the officers involved in Floyds death.

Separately, the Floyd family announced the launch of a fund that will make grants to businesses and community organizations in the neighborhood, as well as broader grants encouraging the success and growth of Black citizens and community harmony. The money comes from $500,000 earmarked as part of the city's $27 million civil settlement for the Floyd family.

___

Associated Press writer Amy Forliti and Deepti Hajela in New York City contributed to this report.

___

Find APs full coverage of the death of George Floyd at: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd
State

DoNER minister expresses concern over rising Covid-19 cases in NE

Dr. Jitendra Singh during the video conference, Tuesday.

NEW DELHI, MAY 25 (NPN): | Publish Date: 5/25/2021 12:50:39 PM IST

Spl. Correspondent

Concerned over rising number of COVID-19 positive cases in the North Eastern region, Union Minister of State (I/C) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr. Jitendra Singh Tuesday convened an urgent meeting of Health secretaries of the North Eastern states to review Covid preparedness.

At the meeting, which discussed recent Covid surge in the region, the minister called for strict containment and confidence building measures. Dr. Singh brought to the notice of the Health secretaries, the projections shown Tuesday morning which reflect the rising trend of positive cases in States like Tripura and Meghalaya, and also identified certain specific districts in Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh which were showing a much higher affliction comparatively.

Taking note of the reports in some sections of media that Northeast could become the next Covid hotspot, Dr. Singh expressed concern that the region, which remained relatively unaffected by Covid compared to other States in the last wave of the pandemic, had suddenly started registering a steep rise in corona positive cases in the last around two weeks.

Dr. Singh said he was in constant touch with all the eight chief ministers of the region, adding that whatever help sought from the states was being promptly provided from the Centre. He said that immediate resolve should be to find ways and means of ensuring that the rising graph of Covid cases in different NE states starts declining or immediately shows the flattening of the curve. He advised for strict enforcement measures and extensive testing and contact tracing measures. He said that all measures should be taken for observing COVID-appropriate behaviour and management of micro containment zones, wherever it becomes necessary.

Dr. Singh informed that in coming weeks, the Centre would supply enough vaccines for all NE States and a schedule for the same was being given final touches.

He asked the North Eastern states to send Covid and health related proposals on a priority basis and promised for speedy disposal of such proposals at the Centre. Singh asked the senior officials to prepare a comprehensive roadmap by next week to arrest the rising number of cases and fatalities.

The meeting was attended by health secretaries of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur and Mizoram as well as union secretary ministry of North East, secretary north eastern council and joint secretary incharge northeast in the ministry of health.
Last week, Bartram Trail High School in St. Johns, Fla., a public school about a 30-minute drive from Jacksonville, released its yearbook, and Riley O'Keefe was eager to see her photo.

The 15-year-old freshman immediately noticed something was amiss.

O'Keefe initially laughed off the picture, which had been altered to lift her neckline, until she turned more pages and noticed more obvious edits, with some bordering on the cartoonish side.

COVID NEWS: US warns against all travel to Japan as Olympics loom

"I couldn't believe they printed those and thought it was OK," she told The Washington Post in an interview. "I started to get really upset and angry. [The school is] looking through children's photos and looking at their chests."

O'Keefe and her sister, a sophomore at the school, didn't get the worse of it. Pictures of those who dared to wear patterns that day were marred with changes that looked like something out of Minecraft or the work of a first-grader, Stephanie Fabre, O'Keefe's mother, told The Post.

Students and guardians are furious that the pictures of 80 young women were altered, leaving teenagers feeling embarrassed and ashamed while their parents demand answers and change.

St. Johns County School District Superintendent Tim Forson said in a statement that the "student picture situation" didn't have "sufficient review of the steps taken before the decision was made to edit some student pictures."

"Certainly, there has never been an intent to embarrass or shame any student for the clothes that they wear," he said. "Unfortunately, we are learning a valuable lesson in the importance of process and understanding that the intent is not always the result."

The edits were made by a teacher who is also the yearbook coordinator, according to Christina Langston, chief of community relations for the school district.

In the past, students who were deemed in violation of the student code were excluded from the yearbook altogether, she said. The digital alterations to the images of female students were a solution to making sure all students were included, said Langston, who said students left out were not notified and that the disclaimer on their yearbook page was the notice.

Forson said the yearbook coordinator did nothing to deserve any disciplinary action, First Coast News reported.

The outcry from the community isn't the first time the school's dress code has drawn attention.

STATE GUN?: Greg Abbott names 'official handgun' of Texas for some reason

In March, 31 girls received dress code violations after school administrators and other school staff patrolled hallways to monitor student attire, which involved asking girls to raise their hands over their heads to see if their shirts exposed skin around their abdomen, The St. Augustine Record reported. The school usually averages about 12 or less dress code violations per day for its more than 2,800 students, the paper reported.

Shortly after, some boys staged a demonstration, wearing clothing items that would normally cause a dress code violation.

That day caught local media fire and moved O'Keefe to start an online petition demanding changes to the dress policy.

Taryn O'Keefe, Riley's stepmother, said she has been pushing the district for answers since last fall when her stepdaughter came home from a "Dress for Success" day upset that she received a verbal warning about the length of her business skirt.

"Now you've made her feel bad. She loved that outfit," she said. "When that happened that's when I got really stirred up and formed a parent group."

The school is offering refunds for parents calling about the issue, but the school should acknowledge and apologize for its handling of the yearbook photos and reissue the yearbooks, Fabre said.

"The end result is that the systematic dress code needs to be changed and consistently applied and enforced. Teachers need to go to some type of training," she said. "The sexualization of young girls has to stop."

The Post has reviewed a letter of proposed changes to the dress code for the school, which includes removing the standard differences between boys and girls, fingertip-length advice for girls instead of the four-inches-above-the-knee rule and what shirts must cover.

Taryn O'Keefe said she doesn't support the changes because it's not enough.

For Riley O'Keefe the dream dress code would allow boys and girls to both wear tank tops in the Florida heat with no violations, and discard words such as "modesty" and "distracting."

The aspiring lawyer says taking on the dress code is more important than the yearbook or what girls are allowed to wear - it's about how the school and the school district view young women's bodies.

"The dress code is based on creating a safe and better learning environment . . . it completely forgets about girls and acts like something is wrong with our bodies," she said. "The yearbook and how they chose which photos to edit is a continuation in their discrimination against females. They think males bodies are less distracting but naturally assume sexual with our bodies."
Muskogee, OK (74401)

Today

Partly cloudy skies in the morning will give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 91F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 72F. Winds light and variable.
Sports

Major Japan newspaper Asahi urges Tokyo Games cancellation

Representational image

TOKYO, MAY 26 (AGENCIES): | Publish Date: 5/26/2021 3:59:25 PM IST

Japanese newspaper publisher Asahi Shimbun, an official partner of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, called for the Summer Games to be cancelled in an editorial on Wednesday, citing risks to public safety and strains on the medical system from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several polls have shown the majority of the public is opposed to holding the Games this summer, concerned about tens of thousands of athletes and officials descending on a country where vaccinations have proceeded slowly.

Doctors associations have protested holding the Games, investors have talked up the benefits of shelving them, and maverick businessmen such as Masayoshi Son have called for cancelling the games.

We ask Prime Minister (Yoshihide) Suga to calmly and objectively assess the situation and decide on the cancellation of the event this summer, said the paper, a left-leaning daily often critical of Sugas ruling Liberal Democratic Party. We are far from a situation in which everybody can be confident they will be safe and secure, the paper added, invoking the government mantra about the Games.

In a statement later on Wednesday, the Asahi Shimbun said it remained committed to being an official partner of the Tokyo 2020 Games and that its editorial division had its independent mission.

The company would continue its activities as an official partner while monitoring the COVID-19 situation, the statement said.

Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto shrugged off the editorial, saying that it is only natural for all sorts of media organisations to have all sorts of opinions about the issue, at a news briefing held on Wednesday evening following a Tokyo 2020 executive board meeting.

He said the board did not discuss the possibility of a cancellation or postponement, instead discussing the importance of communicating how safe the Olympics would be to the public.

Olympic organisers have insisted that the Games can go ahead as planned.

Speaking ahead of the board meeting, Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto said only one coach tested positive for coronavirus over the course of four test events with almost 7,000 visitors from some 50 countries. The events are evidence that our current coronavirus precautions are effective, she said. Even baseball matches are being held currently with spectators. Why not go ahead with the Games?, Kozo Yamamoto, a heavyweight politician of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said in an interview with Reuters.

Although Japan has been spared the coronavirus ravages of overseas nations, it has struggled to control a fourth wave of infections across the country.

Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike said on Wednesday she will ask that the current state of emergency, originally set to be lifted at the end of May, to be extended for about another month, mere weeks before the Games is scheduled to start on July 23. Just over 5% of the nation has received vaccinations, and it has recorded about 719,000 infections and 12,394 deaths.

Although the majority of the population remains unvaccinated, the Japan Olympic Committee is expecting to start inoculating the Japanese Olympic delegation from June 1. About 1,600 people, including athletes and coaches, will receive Pfizer shots which were donated by Pfizer (PFE.N) separately from the national supply of vaccines.
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International

UN warns of possible civil war in Myanmar

File photo of clash between civilians and the army.

United Nations, May 25 (AP): | Publish Date: 5/25/2021 2:44:14 PM IST

The UN special envoy for Myanmar warned Monday of possible civil war in the country, saying people are arming themselves against the military junta and protesters have started shifting from defensive to offensive actions, using homemade weapons and training from some ethnic armed groups.

Chrisrine Schraner Burgener told a virtual U.N. news conference that people are starting self-defense actions because they are frustrated and fear attacks by the military, which carried out a coup on February 1 against the democratically elected government, and is using a huge scale of violence.

A civil war could happen, she said, and thats why for the past three weeks from her base now in Thailand she has discussed with many key parties the idea of starting an inclusive dialogue that would include ethnic armed groups, political parties, civil society, strike committees and the army, known as the Tatmadaw, as well as a small group of witnesses from the international community.

Clearly it will not be easy to convince especially both sides to come to a table, but I offer my good offices ... to avoid more bloodshed and civil war which would last a long time, Schraner Burgener said. We are worried about the situation and clearly we want that people on the ground ... decide how they want to see the country going back to normal.

Calling the situation in Myanmar very bad, she pointed to more than 800 people killed, over 5,300 arrested, and more than 1,800 arrest warrants issued by the military.

The U.N. envoy also cited reports of unconfirmed deaths, injuries, and damage to houses and civilian property in the town of Mindat in western Chin state, where the junta declared martial law because of armed resistance to military rule.

She also pointed to new reports of increased violence in Kayah state  also known as Karenni state  in eastern Myanmar and in southern Shan state.

Myanmar for five decades had languished under strict military rule that led to international isolation and sanctions. As the generals loosened their grip, culminating in Aung San Suu Kyis rise to leadership in 2015 elections, the international community responded by lifting most sanctions and pouring investment into the country.

The coup took place following November elections, which Suu Kyis party won overwhelmingly and the military contests as fraudulent.

Suu Kyi appeared in court in person for the first time since the coup on Monday on a variety of charges, amid threats by the military to disband her National League for Democracy party which won 82 per cent of the vote in Novembers election.

Her lawyer, Min Min Soe, said Suu Kyi wanted to tell Myanmars people that the party was founded for them, and the NLD will exist as long as the people exist.

Schraner Burgener called the militarys attempt to ban the NLD unacceptable and said, I also hope the NLD will survive because this is the will of the people.

The U.N. envoy had an hour-long meeting with the juntas military commander, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, on the sidelines of a meeting last month of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, known as ASEAN, which includes Myanmar.

ASEAN issued a five-point action plan that calls for stopping violence, constructive dialogue, appointment of an ASEAN special envoy as mediator, humanitarian aid and the mediators visit to Myanmar.

But Schraner Burgener said a day later general Hlaing said he would consider the five points when the situation in Myanmar is stable. And on Sunday he reportedly said in an interview with Chinese television that he doesnt see those five points can be implemented.

So clearly its up to ASEAN how to react, she said. Clearly, we should be aware that time is ticking and we have not a lot of time to see action on the ground, because time will just play in the hands of the military junta.

Schraner Burgener said the Tatmadaw declared on Sunday that it had changed the rules for the retirement age of the commander-in-chief which means Hlaing could stay for life in this position.

After her meeting with general Hlaing, which they agreed to keep private, the U.N. envoy asked to go to Myanmar to continue the discussion, but she said he replied still its not the right time.

She said she isnt giving up her efforts because she believes people would probably be encouraged by her presence. She still has an office in the capital, Naypyitaw, and said she receives daily reports from many people in the country.

Schraner Burgener has been holding talks with regional leaders and individuals and groups in Myanmar.

She said she is flying to Japan on Tuesday to meet the foreign minister. She said she is also ready to talk to Chinese officials.

Schraner Burgener stressed that the U.N. is trying to stop the violence, which started with the military coup.

Clearly its sad to see that people have to use arms, she said.

Local citizens have formed a so-called Peoples Defense Force with the National Unity Government, which must try and bring them under a single command structure, Schraner Burgener said, and protesters are shifting to offensive actions. Every day, she added, explosions happen anywhere, which is scaring the people.

Schraner Burgener said ethnic armed groups told her in meetings that they support the people and now have a common enemy, but she said its difficult to see how their mainly home-made weapons can go up against a very strong army who have a lot of lethal weapons.
When the Coastal Educational Foundation filed a lawsuit against one of its own benefactors in December, the foundations case arrived just in time to block what would have been the first step in the larger effort to preserve Waties Island for the benefit of the public.

The 2.5-mile island just north of Cherry Grove is the only undeveloped barrier island in Horry County. It starts a string of islands that run up through North Carolina. For generations, the island was privately owned by the Tilghman family.

I was shocked and outraged that Coastal Educational Foundation would file a lawsuit against one of its major donors, said Olivia Boyce-Abel in an email. Our family (my three siblings and myself) donated $10 million worth of land from our mothers estate to Coastal Educational Foundation, a large part of which includes [Waties] Island. Our aunt donated an additional $500,000 to the foundation as well.

Boyce-Abel, who has title to around 260 acres of land in two parcels on the northern end of Waties Island and the marsh behind it, was prepared to close on a deal with the Open Space Institute so the conservation group could hold her land until the S.C. Department of Natural Resources could acquire it for a new natural heritage preserve.

But just before the deal went through, Coastal Carolina Universitys non-profit arm filed a complaint disputing Boyce-Abels title to the land on which shes been paying taxes for decades. The foundation had never before disputed her title.

We were less than a week from closing for a conservation outcome when CEF filed its lawsuit saying they had claim to the land which I have paid taxes on and camped on since it became mine over 25 years ago, Boyce-Abel added. I find it surprising that a foundation would pursue actions that might put at risk future donations from other donors.

SCDNR spokesperson David Lucas confirmed that DNR had discussed turning the property into a heritage preserve with Boyce-Abel and the Open Space Institute.

The SCDNR discussed purchasing Mrs. Boyces property due to the high ecological values the property holds, Lucas said in an email. Public use is allowed on various heritage preserves in a way that is compatible to prevent harm to both the natural and cultural resources the SCDNR strives to protect, conserve and manage.

Lucas said the Heritage Trust Advisory Board had not yet approved the property acquisition. DNR staff had planned to submit the property to the board for consideration but decided to postpone due to the lawsuit. Even after a staff recommendation to the Heritage Trust Advisory Board, the property acquisition would have to be approved by the full DNR board as well.

If that land became a heritage preserve, it would be state-owned and open to the public, but without the infrastructure that comes with state parks like Huntington Beach in Murrells Inlet.

What I can tell you is that heritage preserve property is the highest and greatest protection that land can have under state law in South Carolina, said South Carolina Environmental Law Project Executive Director Amy Armstrong, whos representing Boyce-Abel in the suit.

But it also means that its a public resource, because the state then owns it as a heritage preserve, Armstrong added. I think theres tremendous value to the citizens of South Carolina to have one of our last undeveloped barrier islands as a heritage preserve. If that would end up happening, that would be really quite phenomenal.

The lawsuit

Thanks to Boyce-Abels family, Coastals foundation already has more than 1,000 acres of property on the lower third of the Island, marsh and Little River Neck uplands that are protected by a perpetual conservation easement. Boyce-Abel and her three siblings donated the land to Coastal after the death of their mother, Anne Tilghman Boyce. The siblings aunt, Kitty Lou Tilghman, also donated $500,000 to the foundation, Boyce-Abel said. The land is primarily used for student education and research.

Our mother had always wanted all of the Little River land, not just the island but the mainland behind it, preserved, Boyce-Abel added. She was always interested in preserving the place for nature and animals and humans; all of Gods creatures as she called them. That was her dying wish. And so we were carrying forward her intent with that donation.

The land the foundation is disputing cant be developed either.

In 1979, Horry County condemned a 50-acre tract of the Tilghman familys land on the north end of the island in order to construct a jetty as part of the Little River Stabilization Project. The county held title to the land until it donated the tract to the foundation in 2017, with deed restrictions preventing development, said Armstrong.

That tract of land is surrounded on all sides by land claimed by Boyce-Abel. Coastals foundation contends that 108 acres of accreted land on the southern border of the 50 acres actually belongs to them, arguing in the lawsuit that the land has accreted along the border of its property. That accreted land is seaward of the island's beachfront jurisdictional lines, said Armstrong, meaning the accreted land also can't be developed.

As evidence of their ownership claim, the foundations complaint cites a 1984 South Carolina Court of Appeals decision stating the Tilghman family had no legal interest in 39 acres of land on the northeast end of the island that was adjacent to the 50-acre tract. That property once belonged to the family, was submerged over time, and was then raised above sea level during construction of the jetty, according to the court decision. The family wanted compensation for the land in question, but the trial judge and appeals court ruled against them.

While the foundation argues that the accreted land in question belongs to them, Armstrong said their argument isnt accurate because South Carolina law stipulates that accreted land belongs to the state, and she filed a motion last week to dismiss the foundation's suit, citing that law.

But for the particular parcel of property in question, Armstrong said Boyce-Abel is the rightful owner, pointing to her title, tax payments and her property line.

Following Anne Tilghman Boyces death in 1988, her land was divided up amongst the family, including Olvia Boyce-Abel and her siblings.

The boundaries of her property include that accreted land, Armstrong explained. So shes been paying taxes according to the property boundaries of her land, which have not changed. The accretion is within the boundaries of her property.

Given that the land in question can't be developed, Armstrong is perplexed about why the foundation filed the lawsuit.

"Weve been trying to understand the reasons why, but havent seen or heard what the foundation is trying to get out of this," she said.

Tony Cox, chairman of the foundations board of directors, did not respond to a request for comment. The foundation sent a statement saying it doesnt comment on pending legal matters.

Olivia Boyce-Abels brother, Merrill Boyce, also serves on the board of directors for the foundation. Asked if he agreed with the suit, Merrill Boyce cited the appellate court decision.

The apparent issue was solved in a 1984 legal opinion which shouldnt need further clarification, he said in an email. Olivia Boyce-Abel declined to comment on her brothers involvement.

The islands future

Neither Boyce-Abel nor her attorney could explain the foundations motivation for contesting the ownership of the property in December, right before the land could have been acquired for conservation purposes.

Its been undisputed until the foundation brought this action that has really effectively been the one single thing that has stood in the way of a long-term permanent protection for part of Waties Island, Armstrong said.

Protecting the island is an important goal for Boyce-Abel. While she doesnt intend to develop her land, and Coastals land on the lower third is already under a conservation easement, some parcels on the island, in theory, could be developed.

Virginia-based Riverstone Properties owns more than 240 acres on the island and adjacent marsh, and close to 800 acres in the upland area behind the island. Riverstone also owns resorts in Kiawah Island and Hilton Head.

There are some major obstacles that they would need to overcome in order to do a development [on the island], Armstrong said. There are a couple of things that are relevant; one is that the property that they own isnt deed restricted. There arent any restrictive covenants or any protections on the land that they own, so that would mean theyre not prevented by deed from undertaking some sort of development. There are other limitations; problems with access. I think theres a pretty serious question about whether it could occur or not. Theyve got some significant hurdles if that was to happen.

While Olivia Boyce-Abel would like her parcel of land to become a heritage preserve because of the level of protection that comes with it, the city of North Myrtle Beach and the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism have been eyeing the island for a state park.

The governor, South Carolina Parks and Recreation, Duane Parrish; they all love Waties Island and would love to see it become a state park, and so would the city, said North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley. It would be a golden jewel for our state of South Carolina to have Waties Island as a state park.

Both a state park and heritage preserve would preserve the land for public use, but a state park could have infrastructure like parking lots, campsites, and water and electricity. State parks are managed by SCPRT and are designed to provide recreation opportunities while heritage preserves are managed by DNR and are designed to preserve unique or important habitats, and natural or cultural resources.

In late 2019, Director of State Parks Paul McCormack discussed with Boyce-Abel the possibility of the island becoming a state park, but with minimal impact.

Whatever the future of the property is, we believe we are all in agreement that the island proper, across the causeway, is an incredible part of the property that should remain in a natural state with minimal man-made impact, McCormack wrote to Olivia Boyce-Abel in November 2019. [SCPRT Director] Duane [Parrish] has had the chance to discuss thoughts on the island with Nate Berry at Open Space Institute and in an effort not to muddy the waters on what could be, we would prefer to let him take lead on the project at this point.

Boyce-Abel responded that she was glad SCPRT agreed the island should remain as natural as possible, and added that Nate is a good strategist and is a good negotiator with Riverstone. He does technically represent OSI, not us.

Neither OSI nor Riverstone responded to requests for comment. Boyce-Abel also declined to comment on OSIs negotiation with Riverstone.

I dont know the details of what would happen there, she added.

Lucas said the Riverstone property has also been of interest for conservation, and SCDNR is aware of OSIs continued communications to target a conservation outcome for Waties Island.

SCPRT Director of Corporate Communications Samantha Queen said the agency was still interested in turning parts of the island into a state park, with any additional infrastructure based on the natural and cultural resources in the area and what is appropriate for the environment. As a barrier island, the ever-changing environment at Waties Island would dictate what infrastructure is feasible and a good fit for the location.

Queen cited St. Phillips Island at Hunting Island State Park as an example of a barrier island in the state parks family with limited infrastructure. She said if Waties Island did not become a state park, it is not within her agencys purview to have a position on future conservation efforts.

Boyce-Abel said she would rather not see the island become a state park when there are other alternatives, but added, I think S.C. state parks understands our concerns about the fragility of the island; that it really is a very special place and I appreciate that.

Lucas said land acquired for a heritage preserve would be separate from any state park.

SCDNR staff have visited the Waties Island property and discussed the potential of the property becoming a heritage preserve with Mrs. Olivia Boyce and Open Space Institute, Lucas added. SCDNR did not intend for the potential acquisition of Mrs. Boyces property to be utilized in any way for a state park.

Boyce-Abel had hoped that putting her piece of land in the hands of DNR would have set a tone for the rest of the islands conservation instead of development.

The value of the land is much greater on the open market, she said. Ive chosen not to sell to a developer since I feel this legacy land is ideally conserved for the benefit of all of South Carolina.

But for her property, that goal is out of reach as long as the ownership dispute is pending.

Olivia wants to resolve this issue with the foundation as expeditiously as possible, said Armstrong. As long as this lawsuit is out there, that cant happen. So getting to the bottom of what motivated the lawsuit in addition to figuring out how we can resolve it is a key priority.
The Academy for Technology and Academics (ATA) hosted its annual Signing Day Blitz on Tuesday to celebrate the 24 graduating seniors who pursued their respective career training and signed their first business contracts.

ATA, a career-focused school that provides career training in different fields in addition to the regular high school curriculum, has students from Myrtle Beach, Conway and other areas who transition from their home high school to pursue certifications or licensure.

We call it the greatest hidden secret in Horry County, said Meredith Smith, the ATA engineering and science instructor.

Principal Jayson Powers began the ceremony by recognizing students for completing their education and committing to work in their chosen field. There were six sections in which students, their families and their employers were welcomed to the stage: automotive technology, cosmetology, the United States Marines, the National Guard and the Navy. Each student signed a letter of intent and received a certificate.

Anthony Resendiz, a graduating senior who is pursuing building construction and entering the Marines, said his experience at ATA paid off in more ways than one.

Just knowing that you already have something set up for you is a good feeling  you dont have to worry about much, Resendiz said.

Timothy Causey, a graduating senior who is pursuing medical administration and will also enter the Marines, said attending ATA has been rewarding in terms of career readiness but also in the amount of support he received from other students and his teachers.

Going into the workforce, I feel more independent, Causey said. Im going to miss the school and everyone here, but going into the workforce and being by myself is going to be different. Im used to hanging out with my friends. Looking at it now, of course Im nervous, but Im ready for it because this school helped me get ready. Theres not many people doubting you here; theres no You cant. Its going to be hard not having that support as much, but I know I can do it, and theyre always a phone call away.

RuSharia Dennison, a graduating senior who pursued her certifications in cosmetology, will join her familys business: a beauty salon called The Beauty Boutique. Dennison said the support she received from her teachers and her family enabled her to pursue a profession that has personal significance to her. Her mother, Shauna Riley, said she knows this has been a great opportunity for her daughter, not only because of the promise of employment but also because she has had a similar journey.

I feel elated that she was able to go through this program and be certified coming out of high school, Riley said. Its just a blessing to have a child thats going to follow into the family business. If someone really wants to pursue cosmetology, I would tell them this is the way to go, especially financially. I actually started in the same program 20 years ago but it wasnt at this school, and Im still doing hair 20 years later.

Dennisons instructor, Christina Cox, said this graduating class is unusual in a couple ways. Cox said this year was the first time that the cosmetology program has had three family businesses represented among the employers. Also, she said the challenges that her students were faced with over the past year because of the pandemic helped refine their education.

Therell never be a group like the group of 21; Ive never had a group like this, Cox said. They have come out, and I fully believe the pandemic has made these girls reach in ways they never dreamed they could reach.

Given the numerous pathways that students can pursue after high school, Smith said ATA provides a valuable alternative to students who dont necessarily want to pursue college.

Theres so much push for college, [yet] these kids are getting recognized for finding their careers, Smith said. You can be successful with a high school diploma and training and make a good living. I think people have lost sight of how important the trades, the blue collar work are.

Melanie McCluskey, the instructor of the program to become a certified medical administrative assistant, said ATA can help students find their footing in their field of interest and feel reinforcement from their school community.

Its a great accomplishment for these students to have found a career pathway that theyre interested in pursuing directly out of high school and that theyre prepared for that avenue," McCluskey said. "It puts students in a place where they are like-minded, so it promotes even more student success and maintains student focus.

According to Lisa Bourcier, spokesperson for Horry County Schools, most career tech centers offer two to three certifications in automotive technology while all nine are offered at ATA. Bourcier said 80 percent of ATA graduates earn all nine of the certificates. She also said the business owners from the local dealerships who attended the ceremony said its uncommon to have new employees of this age with as many as nine certifications.

After each student was recognized, Powers closed the ceremony and commented on the success of this years graduating class.

Im extremely proud of our students, Powers said. They came here two years ago, which means they ended their junior year with the pandemic starting. This school as a career facility is very hands-on. There were a lot of missed opportunities, and personally, I was worried about how that might turn out. But our students did an incredible job, and our teachers really went the extra mile. This class is exceeding any expectations; theyre actually one of the top-performing classes weve had recently as far as getting their licenses, their certifications and making that transition into the workspace.
NEW YORK (AP)  If there's one place where people could fear the coronavirus more than a vaccination needle, it's the Far Rockaway section of Queens: Nearly 460 residents of the seaside neighborhood have died of COVID-19.

That's one out of every 146 people who live there, making for one of New York City's highest death rates. And yet, no other place in the city has a lower percentage of vaccinated people.

As of Monday, only 29% of people living in Far Rockaways ZIP code, 11691, had received even one vaccine dose, according to data from the New York City Health Department. That compares to a rate of 49% citywide and nationally.

The situation in the community of around 67,000 people illustrates the challenges facing health officials in many places as they try to overcome hesitancy fueled by mistrust, misinformation and fear.

We have a good amount of people that still dont want to get vaccinated, for whatever reason, said Diana Catalan, a health clinic manager involved in the Far Rockaway inoculation effort whose father, a neighborhood resident, died of the virus in February.

Some people want to wait a few months to see how vaccinated friends and family respond to the shots, she said. Some have heard unfounded conspiracy theories that the vaccine is dangerous. Others just feel no urgency, having escaped serious harm so far.

Catalan said she was anxious to get her father a shot at the Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center, where she works. But he got the virus before the vaccine became available to people in his age group. He was 62.

He was very young and he had no chronic illnesses," Catalan said. He was nothing but a hard-working man.

More than an hours subway ride from Manhattan, Far Rockaway sits between a bay and a strip of urban beach on the eastern end of Queens seashore, beneath the flight path for nearby Kennedy Airport.

Like a lot of places where vaccination rates lag, a majority of residents are Black and Hispanic. Among some Black Americans, there's documented distrust in the medical establishment and government because of a history of discriminatory treatment.

People are naturally going to be scared of anything offered by the medical community, especially because of what weve seen through health care and what that has looked like for low-income black and brown communities disadvantaged in the state, Khaleel Anderson, a state Assembly member who represents the area explained.

For some Latinos, delaying the vaccine often comes down to logistics, such as work schedules or fear of negative immigration consequences. A section of the neighborhood is also home to a community of Orthodox Jews, a group that, like white evangelical Christians, is also experiencing more vaccine skepticism.

Initially developed in the 19th century as a beach resort community, Far Rockaway today is poorer than most parts of the city, a mix of public housing, seaside apartment towers and suburban-style single-family homes, all physically isolated. Its inoculation rate stands in stark contrast with the situation a few miles west in Breezy Point, a whiter, more affluent section of the Rockaway Peninsula where 75% of people have received their first dose.

Far Rockaway is always the forgotten community, said Michelle Chester, who was raised in the neighborhood and also happened to administer the very first COVID-19 vaccine dose in the state.

Local officials initially said limited access to vaccination sites is one factor contributing to the low numbers, though throughout May, there were at least four places where people were able to get shots in the 3 square miles (8 square kilometers) that constitute Far Rockaway. A large, state-run mass vaccination site is also just a few subway stops away, at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Still, Chester, who no longer lives in Far Rockaway but visits her mother there on weekends, said in early May that if there are convenient sites, that information is not getting to the community.

The city opened a new vaccination hub near the neighborhood in April, hoping to boost access.

Having the permanent site really helps push us in the right direction, Anderson said, but maintained that residents' hesitancy is driven by being genuinely concerned.

Misinformation has complicated vaccination efforts, especially among residents who are skeptical of the speed with which the vaccine was manufactured.

Marimar Alvarado, 24, has decided against getting the COVID-19 vaccine, along with the rest of her family. In Spanish, she referred to the vaccine as the Mark of the Beast, an ominous sign in the New Testaments Book of Revelation, signaling the end times. The fringe conspiracy theory has spread among some Christians.

Somer Saleh, a family therapist at New Horizon Counseling Center in Far Rockaway, said that she noticed, among her vaccine-hesitant clients, that theres misinformation on what the actual vaccine contains and wild conspiracy theories.

In Far Rockaways Jewish community, some women are fearful of getting the vaccine because of debunked claims the vaccine affects fertility, said Moshe Brandsdorfer, executive director of the Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula, which provides vaccine education through online outreach. He also noted that those who already had COVID-19 don't really feel the urge" to get vaccinated.

People without legal status in the U.S. are also fearful of getting vaccinated because they're hesitant to give personal information, local health workers told The Associated Press. The brief pause on Johnson & Johnsons one-shot dose, while health authorities considered a potential link to rare blood clots, also turned people away, they said.

Some progress is being made. The Addabbo center's Far Rockaway branch has been vaccinating between 30-80 people a day. Earlier this month, it began offering additional vaccine slots on weekends, which is helpful to capture the working-class people who cant afford to take off a weekday, Anderson said. Addabbo is seeing results from the weekend sessions. In one weekend alone in mid-May, more than 200 people got the vaccine at the clinic's Far Rockaway location.

Angelita Ramos, a 47-year-old Spanish teacher, recently got her second Moderna jab. She initially delayed vaccination.

I was scared," she said. To be honest, I said, Let me see how its going to work out.'

Ramos said seeing other teachers getting vaccinated convinced her to get the shot.

Elva Rosario, 79, also received her second dose recently, saying she often walked by the vaccine site but didnt think the vaccine was necessary since she was never infected.

Rosario said she wasn't afraid of COVID-19, saying at her age the virus hits you like a rock.

In some parts of New York, the city has hired people to go door-to-door promoting the shots. The state and city have also been offering incentives, ranging from free fries at Shake Shack to a week of free subway rides. To really ramp up vaccination rates, personalized outreach in the community is necessary, said Addabbo CEO, Miriam Vega.

This final batch of people that we want to reach in order to reach herd immunity is going to take a lot of work, she said.

Things like advertisements alone wont do the trick.

Its the human one-on-one interaction that matters," she said.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards agreed.

In a tight-knit community like Far Rockaway, if they dont see their neighbor getting the vaccine," he said, "they arent getting it.
NEW YORK (AP)  U.S. prosecutors in 2019 sought the electronic messages of two ex-Ukrainian government officials and a Ukrainian businessman as part of their probe of Rudy Giuliani's dealings in that country, a lawyer accidentally revealed in a court filing Tuesday.

The filing said federal prosecutors in New York had informed defense lawyers that the seized communications included an email account believed to belong to the former prosecutor general of Ukraine, Yuriy Lutsenko.

It said prosecutors accessed Lutsenko's account around the same time that investigators also got access to Giuliani's Apple iCloud account.

Lutsenko was a key figure in Giuliani's efforts to press Ukraine for an investigation into then-presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.

The two have both said in interviews that they met to discuss both the possibility of Ukraine launching an investigation of Hunter Biden's job with a Ukrainian gas company and Lutsenko's desire to meet with the U.S. attorney general to discuss efforts to recover looted national assets.

Lutsenko also spoke with Giuliani about his clashes with the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, who the Trump administration later removed.

The filing said prosecutors had also seized an email account believed to belong to the former head of the Ukrainian Fiscal Service, Roman Nasirov, in December, 2019, and the iPhone and iPad of Ukrainian businessman Alexander Levin in February and March 2020.

The identities of the individuals were in a submission in Manhattan federal court filed by a lawyer representing Lev Parnas, an associate of Giuliani who was charged in 2019 with scheming to make illegal campaign contributions.

The names were redacted in the document but could be viewed when copied into a separate document. CNN was the first to report the faulty redactions and the details on what the document contained.

The document also said prosecutors had obtained historical and prospective cell site information related to Giuliani and Washington lawyer Victoria Toensing, a former federal prosecutor and close ally of Giuliani and former President Donald Trump. Her law firm has said she was informed that she is not a target of the investigation.

Prosecutors are examining Giulianis ties to Ukraine and whether he violated a federal law that governs lobbying on behalf of foreign countries or entities. No charges have been filed.

Giuliani has insisted that his activities in Ukraine were conducted on behalf of Trump, not any foreign entity or person.

Last week, prosecutors revealed they had seized 18 electronic devices during raids on Giuliani's home and his law firm several weeks ago and a cell phone from Toensing. They also say they obtained email and Apple iCloud accounts of Giuliani and Toensing in 2019.

Prosecutors said investigators had successfully downloaded 11 devices belonging to Giuliani and returned them to him. They said they need to obtain passcodes or unlock seven other devices belonging to Giuliani or employees of his business.

Lawyers for Giuliani have challenged last months raids on the grounds that anything gathered from the 2019 search warrants was illegally obtained because investigators improperly intruded on private communications with the president during their secret inquiry.
Jacksonville Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Marlon K. Jackson, 31, of 800 Hoagland Blvd., Apt. 220, was arrested on a theft charge at 10:02 a.m. Tuesday after being accused of taking a package from a porch.

ACCIDENTS

 Joshua M. King, 41, of 728 N. East St. was cited on a charge of operating an uninsured vehicle after an unoccupied vehicle was hit in a parking lot in the 600 block of North Main Street at 8:22 p.m. Monday.

THEFTS, BURGLARIES

 The rear license plate was stolen from a car parked in the 800 block of North Main Street between 8 p.m. Sunday and 8:31 a.m. Tuesday.

VANDALISM

 Police said two 12-year-old boys were found on a roof at one of the buildings at the Jacksonville Developmental Center on South Main Street at 6:07 p.m. Monday. One of the boys acknowledged breaking a couple of windows. The property is owned by the state.

 Police are investigating a report that a wrench was used to damage the rear window of a car parked in the 400 block of West College Avenue at 8:18 p.m. Monday.

OTHER REPORTS

 Police are investigating a report filed at 11:17 p.m. Monday that someone was punched while inside a business in the 200 block of East Morton Avenue.



Calhoun County

Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Rodney M. Hughes, 48, of Kampsville was booked into the Greene County Jail at 8:54 a.m. Tuesday on a possession of methamphetamine charge.



Greene County

Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Tanner D. Newingham, 29, of White Hall was booked into the Greene County Jail at 11:39 a.m. Tuesday on Greene County arrest warrants accusing him of battery and criminal damage to property.

 Sarah R. Parker, 32, of Jacksonville was booked into the Greene County Jail at 11:10 p.m. Monday on a petition to revoke.

 Abra K. Albrecht, 37, of Springfield was booked into the Greene County Jail at 10:23 p.m. Monday on a charge of driving while license is suspended.

 Christopher J. Ballard, 34, of Chesterfield was booked into the Greene County Jail at 11:09 a.m. Saturday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of hypodermic syringes, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, having no front vehicle registration and expiration of registration.

 James K. Reno, 61, of Carrollton was booked into the Greene County Jail at 8:55 p.m. Friday on a charge of driving while license is revoked or suspended.

 Jary A. Snyders, 31, of Eldred was booked into the Greene County Jail at 10:20 a.m. May 10 on a charge of domestic battery involving bodily harm and on warrants from Calhoun and Macoupin counties accusing him of failing to appear in court.

 Madison R. Walkington, 19, of Meredosia was booked into the Greene County Jail at 4:06 a.m. May 8 on a charge of having no valid drivers license and on a Pike County warrant accusing her of failing to appear in court.

Carrollton Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Jeffrey M. Walters, 46, of Carrollton was booked into the Greene County Jail at 11:42 p.m. May 19 on a Pike County petition to revoke warrant.

 Jason E. Wyatt, 48, of Murrayville was booked into the Greene County Jail at 12:38 p.m. May 19 on a Greene County arrest warrant accusing him of aggravated stalking, unlawful restraint and three counts of violating an order of protection.

 Alfred E. Allison, 58, of Kampsville was booked into the Greene County Jail at 11:45 a.m. May 18 on charges of theft, driving while license is revoked or suspended and operating an uninsured motor vehicle and on a Calhoun County warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court.

 Joshua A. Talley, 45, of Carrollton was booked into the Greene County Jail at 3:40 p.m. May 14 on charges of criminal damage to government property and trespass to a residence.

Greenfield Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Davion J. Rayford, 20, of St. Louis was booked into the Greene County Jail at 5:51 p.m Saturday on a charge of reckless discharge of a firearm.

 Fredrick L. Grubb, 55, of Medora was booked into the Greene County Jail at 10:53 p.m. May 13 on a charge of violating an order of protection.

 Cesar R. Martinez, 31, of Jacksonville was booked into the Greene County Jail at 12:11 a.m. May 8 on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Roodhouse Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Rebecca L. Newingham, 35, of Roodhouse was booked into the Greene County Jail at 1:10 p.m. Tuesday on a petition to revoke probation.

 Jeremiah J. Kogel, 36, of Roodhouse was booked into the Greene County Jail at 3:24 p.m. May 17 on charges of driving while license is revoked or suspended and operating an uninsured motor vehicle and on a Greene County warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court.

White Hall Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Casey M. Bingeman, 39, of White Hall was booked into the Greene County Jail at 10:47 p.m. May 14 on charges of driving under the influence and resisting a peace officer.

 Enrique Medina, 43, of Jacksonville was booked into the Greene County Jail at 11:27 p.m. May 7 on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

 Nathan A. Daniels, 38, of Winchester was booked into the Greene County Jail at 7:40 p.m. May 7 on a Greene County petition to revoke probation.

 Austin K. Williams, 23, of Winchester was booked into the Greene County Jail at 1:15 a.m. May 6 on a possession of methamphetamine charge.



Scott County

Winchester Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Jimmie A. Cook, 26, of Winchester was booked into the Greene County Jail at 7:58 p.m. May 18 on a criminal damage to property charge.

Compiled by Darren Iozia and David C.L. Bauer
Why do most Capitol Hill Republicans oppose the creation of a bipartisan commission to investigate the deadly coup against democracy staged on Jan. 6?

Duh, take one guess. They know darn well that a thorough investigation will implicate them. They cant handle the truth.

Thats why 80% of the House Republicans voted no  even as the commission cleared the chamber. Thats why Senate Republican leaders want the commission idea to die on their watch  and their stated reasons are not subtle.

John Thune, one of Mitch McConnells top lieutenants, said candidly that a sweeping probe could hurt their prospects in the 2022 midterm elections because they want to be moving forward and not looking backward. That jibes with MAGA lickspittle Kevin McCarthys fear that a bipartisan commission could be potentially counterproductive.

I get what theyre saying. Its like if Ted Bundy had declared in 1979 that he opposed his Florida double-murder trial because he feared it would be counterproductive to his freedom, that looking backward could land him in the electric chair.

So heres the bottom line: If Republicans ultimately kill off the bipartisan concept negotiated in good faith by one of their own House members, fine. Let em walk. Their ranks are infested with domestic terrorist fellow travelers  as we saw again just weeks ago, just as we saw in their January refusal to certify President Bidens win  and our longstanding American policy is not to negotiate with terrorists.

Do the commission without them. If the insurrectionist abetters are not part of the probe process, it frees up the Democrats to be more firmly in charge, with full subpoena power to unearth which House GOPers were in backstage cahoots with the MAGA rioters. Who knew what when? And in the White House, what exactly was the lame-duck loser doing while the besieged Capitol Police were waiting for military assistance? What did the insurrectionist-in-chief know during that three hour gap, and when did he know it?

If a Democratic-led commission were to ultimately deliver a devastating verdict  which is likely where the facts will indeed lead it  then of course the Republicans would try to discredit it as partisan. Let them do their thing. Better to have them scream at top volume from outside the probe, than to have them working to sabotage the probe from the inside. Because you know that if a bipartisan commission were to ultimately be created, McConnell and McCarthy would be free to appoint GOP members who take their marching orders from Mar-a-Lago.

Its despicable, of course, that the party doesnt think the attempted violent overthrow of democracy in its own backyard is nearly as serious as (oh, for instance) the terrorist attack on Benghazi  to which they devoted more than 30 hearings conducted by nine congressional panels over a three-year span, including a select committee of their own creation with no bipartisan sheen  but this is what weve come to expect from a cult thats crafting incremental fascism in plain sight.

The negotiated bipartisan commission bill states that the panel, having unearthed the truth about why Jan. 6 happened, would then seek corrective measures in order to prevent domestic terrorist attacks against American democratic institutions in the future. Who could possibly be against that? But we know the answer. Which is why Rick Wilson, a Republican strategist and one of Trumps sharpest critics, is pleading with Democrats to grow a pair. He knows its futile to negotiate with terrorists:

They sent people to kill you. Get a  grip. Play offense. Drag them. Heres what you dont get; the Trump GOP as comprised today isnt stupid. Its evil. Theyre smart. Theyll play to your good will and instinct for a bipartisan veneer on the Jan 6 issue. Theyre conning you. Stop [messing] around. Announce the panel. Start. Dont delay. Time is fleeting, and 2022 is roaring into position. You need to nationalize the (midterms) over, you know, the little things like whether its OK to send a violent, armed mob to the Capitol to overthrow an election.

Yeah, what Rick said. Democrats have no choice, because the only choice has been thrust upon them. They can continue to indulge the GOP and pretend that this nation still has two pro-American parties  or they can do their duty and stand up for truth, justice and the American way.

Nancy Pelosi has already signaled that course of action: If they dont want to do this, we will.

Just do it.

Dick Polman, a veteran national political columnist and a writer in residence at the University of Pennsylvania, can be reached at dickpolman7@gmail.com
Pat Boyer, left, and Mary Ullman discovered they went to grade school together 54 years ago in south St. Louis because they frequently ride the Jeffco Express bus together.
Malis transitional president resigns while in detention View Photo

BAMAKO, Mali (AP)  Malis transitional president and prime minister will be released from detention gradually after resigning in the presence of international arbitrators who are in the West African nation to mediate the political crisis, the adviser to the military authority who detained the two leaders said late Wednesday.

The resignation by the leader of an 18-month civilian transitional government risks plunging the troubled nation into further instability.

The U.N. Security Council indicated Wednesday after a closed meeting that the resignations were forced and demanded an immediate resumption of the civilian-led transition and return of the military to their barracks.

The world body, along with the African Union and other international bodies, as well as the U.S., have urged Malis military to release the transitional leaders.

The leader of Malis 2020 coup, Col. Assimi Goita, who has been serving as the transitional vice president since September, regained control of the West African country by deposing the president and prime minister in an unprecedented move. President Bah NDaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane were arrested Monday, along with other government leaders, hours after naming a new Cabinet that did not include two major former junta leaders.

While in detention, NDaw dismissed the prime minister before handing in his own resignation letter, according to a military official and a West African diplomat involved in mediations. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not permitted to speak to the press on the subject.

Maj. Baba Cisse, the special adviser to Goita, who led the arrests Monday that have sparked international condemnation, said the resignations by both the prime minister and president were done in the presence of arbitrators and offered assurances the leaders would eventually be released.

After the resignation of the transitional president and his prime minister, the detainees will recover their freedoms. This will be done gradually for the obvious security reasons, he said at a news conference.

Cisse recited a list of reasons for the arrests of Malis heads of government, including accusations that the prime minister blocked the vice president on certain defense and security issues and violated the transitional charter by not consulting Goita about the formation of a new government.

The U.N. Security Council met Wednesday over Mali and in a statement condemned the arrests and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all the officials detained.

The statement, which was approved by all 15 council members after closed consultations, said that imposing a change of transitional leadership by force, including through forced resignations, is unacceptable.

The Security Council said it noted with concern the risk of negative impact of these developments on ongoing efforts to counter terrorism, implement the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, and stabilize the center of Mali.

The Security Council reiterated its strong support for mediation efforts by the African Union and West African regional group, known as ECOWAS, led by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.

French President Emmanuel Macron described the weeks events as a coup and warned of repercussions, including targeted sanctions.

French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said Wednesday, We were very clear with the junta: The transition must include civilians. It must be peaceful, it must be inclusive and it must be limited in time. What has happened  constitutes for us a rupture of confidence.

The European Union has also warned that it is ready to consider targeted measures against political and military leaders who obstruct the Malian transition.

The United States strongly condemned the detention of the civilian leaders, with the State Department saying it would be suspending security assistance to the Malian forces.

The United States will also consider targeted measures against political and military leaders who impede Malis civilian-led transition to democratic governance, State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

He said the U.S. was working closely with the local transition monitoring committee and other international actors to achieve the immediate and unconditional release of the government leaders held.

A democratic, civilian-led government presents the best opportunity to achieve security and prosperity in Mali and the wider Sahel region, the statement said.

Jonathan, who arrived Tuesday night with the West African delegation, said they came to Mali to listen to different parties, including the military, civil society groups and others.

Jonathan earlier acted as mediator in the political crisis last year after the junta detained former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on Aug. 18, forcing him to resign. ECOWAS previously threatened the junta with sanctions if it did not install a civilian president and prime minister, and shorten the transitional period to 18 months.

When Goita released a statement Tuesday, he pledged to move forward with new elections in 2022 as previously promised. But his display of force raises fears that there could be further significant interference by the junta that overthrew the last democratically elected president.

The new political unrest could further destabilize efforts to control Malis long-running Islamic insurgency. The U.N. now spends some $1.2 billion annually on a peacekeeping mission in Mali and Frances military has spent eight years trying to stabilize its former colony amid the ongoing threat.

___

Associated Press writer Baba Ahmed reported this story in Bamako and AP writer Carley Petesch reported from Dakar, Senegal. AP writer Elaine Ganley in Paris contributed to this report.

By BABA AHMED and CARLEY PETESCH

Associated Press
Defiant Ghosn pins hopes on French probes to clear his name View Photo

BEIRUT (AP)  Auto magnate-turned-fugitive Carlos Ghosn is campaigning to clear his name, and hopes a visit by French investigators to his home in exile in Lebanon will be his first real opportunity to defend himself since the bombshell arrest that transformed him from a visionary to a prisoner overnight.

In an interview with The Associated Press, the embattled former chairman of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance dissected his legal troubles in Japan, France and the Netherlands, detailed how he plotted his brazen escape from Osaka, and reflected on his new reality in crisis-hit Lebanon, where he is stuck for the foreseeable future.

Mending his reputation will be an arduous task. Ghosn was arrested in Japan in November 2018 on accusations of financial misconduct and fled to Lebanon a year later. He now faces multiple legal challenges in France after the Japanese accusations triggered scrutiny of his activities there. Meanwhile, several associates are in jail or on trial in Japan and Turkey, in cases related to his financial activities or escape.

There has been a lot of collateral damage . . . but I dont think Im responsible for that. The people responsible for that are the people who organized the plot to bring him down, Ghosn said Tuesday.

Ghosn has denied accusations of underreporting his compensation and misusing company funds, contending he was the victim of a corporate coup linked to a decline in Nissan Motor Co.s financial performance as the Japanese automaker resisted losing autonomy to French partner Renault.

He said he voluntarily agreed to undergo days of questioning in Beirut next week by French magistrates investigating allegations of financial misconduct in France that led to the seizure of millions of euros of his assets. The outcome could result in preliminary charges being handed to him or in the cases being dropped.

The French investigators are looking into the financing of lavish parties Ghosn threw at the Versailles chateau  complete with period costumes and copious Champagne  as well as 11 million euros in spending on private planes and events arranged by a Dutch holding company, and subsidies to a car dealership in Oman. Ghosn denies any wrongdoing.

In Japan, you had a Japanese person interrogating me, writing in Japanese and wanting me to sign things in Japanese that I dont understand, he said. Now I will be speaking in French, and Ill have my lawyers present. Of course, I have much more confidence in the French legal system than in the Japanese system.

Ghosn was kept in solitary confinement in Japan for months without being allowed to speak with his wife. He has said he fled the country after it became clear he would have zero chances of a fair trial. His arrest drew international scrutiny and criticism of Japans legal system and its 99% conviction rate.

In late 2019, Ghosn fled Japan after jumping $14 million bail in a Hollywood-style caper. The improbable escape  hidden in a box stashed in the hold of a Turkey-bound private jet, according to Japanese officials  embarrassed Japanese authorities and has allowed him to evade trial there.

Now an international fugitive on Interpols most-wanted list, the 67-year-old Ghosn lives in self-imposed exile in his native Lebanon, where he teaches a weekly university business course and is fighting other legal fires.

He told the AP he was shocked after a Dutch court last week rejected his wrongful dismissal claim against an Amsterdam-based alliance between Nissan and Mitsubishi, and ordered him to repay the nearly 5 million euros ($6 million) salary he received in 2018. The ruling came in a case in which Ghosn sought to have his 2018 sacking from Nissan-Mitsubishi B.V. overturned and demanded 15 million euros ($16.5 million) in compensation.

Ghosn has vowed to appeal.

Ghosn, who has French, Brazilian and Lebanese citizenship, contended he was the victim of a character assassination campaign led by Nissan with the complicity of the Japanese government, aided by accomplices in France.

In the AP interview, he mounted a robust defense of a former Nissan executive, American Greg Kelly, who was arrested the same day as Ghosn and is standing trial in a Tokyo District court on charges of under-reporting Ghosns compensation. He would not talk about two other Americans who allegedly helped him escape, Michael Taylor and his son, Peter. They are in a Japanese jail awaiting trial after their extradition from the U.S.

Asked whether their legal troubles weighed on his conscience, Ghosn said: I feel empathy and compassion for them, because I was in the same situation.

Testimony and documents presented at Kellys trial have shown that he sought ways to beef up compensation for Ghosn after he agreed to a pay cut at Nissan in 2010, because Japan began requiring disclosures of high executive pay. Ghosn insisted Tuesday that no additional compensation agreements were approved by the board.

Obviously he (Kelly) is innocent, Ghosn said.

Recalling details of his escape, Ghosn told the AP how the plan was hatched, including choosing to execute it in December when he would be less likely to be recognized under a hat and heavy clothes.

It was very bold, but because it was bold, I thought it may be successful, he said. Ghosn refused to confirm reports he escaped in a musical instrument box, saying he didnt want to say anything that could be used against people being prosecuted for assisting him.

Arriving in a black Nissan SUV accompanied by a bodyguard, the former high-flying executive seemed to have lost none of his swagger despite his colossal fall. He said he spends his days in Beirut preparing his legal defense, teaching, helping startups and working on his books and documentaries.

As a fugitive living in the Mediterranean country where he grew up, he said he was enjoying a slower pace devoid of jet lag, enjoying having coffee with his wife and extensive talks with his children.

That includes living in a deeply unstable country in the grips of a historic financial and economic unraveling. Ghosn said he spent six months repairing his home after it was damaged in the massive explosion at a Beirut port last summer. And like other Lebanese, he said he has a substantial amount of money stuck in the banks after authorities clamped down on dollar currency withdrawals and transfers in October 2019.

Reflecting on his downfall, he said, Its like you have, you know, I dont know, a heart attack somewhere, or youve been hit by a bus. You change your life.

All of a sudden, you are in a completely different reality and you have to adapt to this reality.

By JEFFREY SCHAEFFER and ZEINA KARAM

Associated Press
Sports

Zinedine Zidane will not leave Madrid: Benzema

MADRID, MAY 25 (IANS): | Publish Date: 5/25/2021 2:52:17 PM IST

Real Madrid star Karim Benzema does not believe head coach Zinedine Zidane will leave Santiago Bernabeu amid growing doubts. Zidane is widely expected to leave Madrid after a second spell in charge of La Liga giants, with former club and Serie A powerhouse Juventus a possible destination.

After claiming three consecutive Champions League titles and the La Liga trophy in his first stint, Zidane returned to Madrid in 2019 and delivered another league crown last season, DPA reports.

However, Los Blancos were dethroned by city rivals Atletico Madrid this term.

As speculation mounts, Benzema told LEquipe in a full interview to be published on Tuesday: I dont see him leaving. He will not leave, you will see.

Madrid ended the 2020-21 season amid an 18-game unbeaten streak (13 wins, five draws) in La Liga -- the longest current undefeated run of any team in the competition, and their best such run without a defeat within the same league campaign since March 2014 under Carlo Ancelotti (15 wins, three draws).

Benzema was involved in 32 goals in La Liga this season (23 goals and nine assists), his best tally in a single campaign in the league after surpassing the 2015-16 term (31-24 goals and seven assists). Five out of the six assists provided by Rodrygo ended in Benzema goals in La Liga.
GILZE-RIJEN AIR BASE, Netherlands (AP)  Judges and lawyers in the trial of three Russians and a Ukrainian charged in the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 visited the wreckage of the plane Wednesday at a Dutch military air base.

Remnants of the Boeing 777 were laid out in a hangar at the Gilze-Rijen Air Base. The cockpit and front section of the fuselage were partially pieced together from wreckage recovered after the plane was shot down over eastern Ukraine as it flew from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, killing all 298 passengers and crew members on board.

Arlette Schijns, a lawyer representing families of victims, said the visit would help the next of kin who are still searching after all these years for the truth and justice.

As painful as it is to see the airplane, it is good that you are here, that your court sees for itself the material damage done to the plane, Schijns said. Anybody who sees that can imagine that the immaterial suffering caused by this is immense.

Presiding Judge Hendrik Steenhuis led judges into the hangar, where they studied the wreckage. The judges walked around and climbed steps to a raised platform that allowed them to see the inside of the partial reconstruction, which included the remnants of two cockpit seats for pilots.

The plane was blown out of the sky on July 17, 2014, by what an international investigation and a separate Dutch crash probe concluded was a Buk missile. The four defendants, none of whom has surrendered to face justice, are accused of involvement in the attack and the murder of all the people on Flight MH17.

The left side of the cockpit was badly damaged by what prosecutors say was a missile fired by pro-Russian separatist rebels. Prosecutors say the Buk missile was trucked into Ukraine from a Russian military base. Russia denies any involvement in the planes downing, which happened during the conflict, then recent, between separatists and Ukrainian government forces in the countrys east.

During Wednesdays review of the wreckage, the judges visited the hangar first and were followed by the lawyers before they all visited together. One lawyer used a tape measure to gauge the size of holes in parts of the wreckage.

Families of the victims were not present but could follow the events via a livestream. The families had a previous opportunity to visit the wreckage.

Steenhuis said the court realized that the visit would have an exceptional emotional charge for relatives of the dead.

The reconstruction is, after all, a plane in which their loved ones were on their way to a destination they never reached, he said.

The judge said the aim of the visit was to allow the court to make observations that at a later stage can be used as probative or exculpatory evidence.

After a years-long international investigation, prosecutors named four suspects in the downing of Flight MH17: Russians Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinskiy and Oleg Pulatov, and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko. Only Pulatov is represented at the trial by lawyers. He has denied involvement.

The preliminary phase of the trial began last year. Next month, the court will begin debating the merits of the case, which is expected to continue into 2022.

____

Corder reported from The Hague.

By PETER DEJONG and MIKE CORDER

Associated Press
Serial killer case shows weakness of Mexico investigations View Photo

MEXICO CITY (AP)  A suspected serial killer in Mexico was only caught after years of alleged crimes because of the identity of the final dismembered victim: the wife of a police commander.

Without proper funding, training or professionalism, prosecutors in Mexico have routinely failed to stop killers until the bodies pile up so high they are almost unavoidable. In 2018, a serial killer in Mexico City was caught only after he was found pushing a dismembered body down the street in a baby carriage.

A suspect authorities have identified only as Andres is accused of killing and dismembering a 34-year-old woman named Reyna, who ran a small cellphone shop, on May 14. Authorities cant reveal the full names of the suspect and victims under Mexican law.

Investigators found womens shoes, makeup and lists of names at the home of the 72-year-old former butcher, and thousands of pieces of bones buried under the floor at the home in the working class Mexico City suburb of Atizapan.

They also found several IDs belonging to women who disappeared as long as five years ago, and Reynas carefully sectioned fileted body parts, a bloody hacksaw and a knife on a basement table.

Sergio Baltazar, the lawyer for the family of victim, says that Reynas husband, Bruno, had the same frustrating experience as most Mexicans when he went to prosecutors offices after his wife went missing.

The detectives really let him down, said Baltazar. They didnt want to help him.

But as a police commander, Bruno had means at his disposal that most Mexicans dont. With prosecutors unwilling to help, he accessed police surveillance cameras.

Bruno did a lot of the investigative work on his own, Baltazar said.

Reyna had been scheduled to take Andres, a family friend, with her on a semiweekly trip to a downtown wholesale market to get supplies for her shop.

Andres, who the family called El Viejo, The Old Man, was considered kind of a charity case by the couple and their children. They invited him into their house and fed him. He was to help Reyna carry supplies back from the market.

When Reyna failed to return home, Bruno, the husband, called Andres, who said he hadnt seen her, and that she had never shown up for the shopping trip.

But police cameras showed Reyna entering the street where Andres lived, and never exiting.

Two days later, growing increasingly worried, Bruno showed up at Andres house with Reynas brother. He had police stationed near by.

The old man got nervous, but allowed Bruno into the house, telling him he wouldnt find anything. And at first he didnt.

But then Bruno dialed Reynas cell phone number, and heard it ringing below, in what turned out to be a makeshift basement with a narrow entrance. He discovered what remained of the body.

Andres tried to run, but the waiting police swooped in.

Baltazar said Andres initially admitted to some murders, but then clammed up.

He says there are five that he remembers, but then when they showed him the notebooks (with lists of names) he says he doesnt remember, Baltazar said. But he does say he made recordings of the killings.

While prosecutors have not ventured a guess on the number of victims, the ID cards, the names found in handwritten notations at the house and bone fragments suggest it may reach 15 or more.

As the lawyer for the victims family, Baltazar wants prosecutors to investigate possible accomplices, given the suspects age and physical condition. It is hard to believe he had the strength to do this himself. There were probably accomplices.

Theres not much chance of that; in the few cases where they catch a culprit, prosecutors in Mexico seem happy to hang as many deaths on a single suspect as they can. For victims activists like Maria de la Luz Estrada, who heads the National Observatory on Womens Killings, it seems like investigators sometimes favor lone serial killer theories as an easy way out of investigating more.

Talking about serial killers in the context of so much impunity worries me, because what we have seen is that they dont investigate, Estrada said.

But if prosecutors are slow, inmates at an overcrowded prison almost settled the matter; Andres had to be transferred to another prison this week after inmates at the first facility tried to kill him.

___

AP Writer Maria Verza contributed to this report

By MARK STEVENSON

Associated Press
Calaveras and Tuolumne remain in the Orange Tier of the States Blueprint for a safer economy. Mariposa has officially shifted into the Yellow Tier in the states Blueprint for a Safer Economy. The State released this weeks Blueprint update today with data for the week ending May 15th. Tuolumne Countys Case Rate decreased slightly from 3.3 to 3.0, and the Test Positivity Rate went from 1.7 to 1.6 percent. Calaveras is at a 4.2 Case Rate from 4.5 and has a Test Positivity Rate of 4.2 from 3.2 percent, Mariposa is at a 1.6 from a 2.4 Case Rate and a Test Positivity Rate of 1.6 from 1.1 percent. California is on track to meet requirements to move Beyond the Blueprint as detailed here, on June 15th. More details on tiers are on our COVID page here.

Calaveras County  The Calaveras public health reports two new cases since yesterday with the countys total COVID cases at 2,161. Active cases increased one to nine and recoveries increased one to 2,096 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 34,092 vaccinations given and 42,894 COVID tests conducted.

Tuolumne County  Tuolumne County Public Health reports three new community cases, a woman age 18 to 29, a woman age 40 to 49, and a man age 60 to 69 who were all not vaccinated. One resident is hospitalized with COVID. A total of 12 cases are considered active.

Tuolumne County has a total of 4,161 cases split between 2,744 community cases and 1,417 Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) inmate cases, the California Department of Corrections reports no active cases. A duplicate case has been removed from the total case count by public health. Total community cases released from isolation is 2,665 and the total number of tests administered is 97,032. The county reports 18,562 fully vaccinated residents and 4,025 individuals partially vaccinated.

Mariposa County  Mariposa County Public Health reports one new case today, an unvaccinated man age 6 infected via community transmission. No cases are hospitalized and one case is currently active. There are a total of 454 cases since the pandemic began.

Testing  The Mother Lode Fairgrounds testing site is open Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 7 AM to 7 PM. The Groveland site is at the Youth Center, 18950 Hwy 120 on Thursdays from 7 AM to 7 PM. 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. Public Health is coordinating a new location for the State testing site in Sonora. The site is expected to move from the fairgrounds by May 30th and details will be shared when the move is confirmed.

Vaccines  Residents are able to attend clinics being held in other neighboring counties. For Tuolumne, Calaveras, and Mariposa clinics register at www.myturn.ca.gov to schedule an appointment. 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) 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 5/21 12 3 1,789 38 Calaveras 5/25 9 2 2,161 56 Mariposa 5/25 1 1 454 7 Mono 5/25 9 2 1,033 4 Stanislaus 5/25 286 34 56,043 1,066 Tuolumne 5/25 12 3 4,161 67 For other county-level statistics view our page here.
Yemen officials demand answers after AP report on air base View Photo

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Yemeni officials demanded answers Wednesday after an Associated Press report highlighted a mysterious air base being built on a Yemeni island in one of the worlds crucial maritime chokepoints.

A lawmaker asked Yemens internationally recognized government if the United Arab Emirates built the facility as data in the AP report links the UAE to the construction.

Another official openly criticized the UAE for undermining the government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. A Saudi-led coalition fought on the governments behalf when it entered Yemens long war in 2015 against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels now holding its capital.

The UAE, home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, has not responded to repeated requests for comment regarding the base and offered no immediate reaction Wednesday to the officials comments.

The runway on Mayun Island allows whoever controls it to project power into the strait and easily launch airstrikes into mainland Yemen, convulsed by a yearslong bloody war. It also provides a base for any operations into the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and nearby East Africa.

Satellite images from Planet Labs Inc. obtained by the AP showed dump trucks and graders building a 1.85 kilometer (6,070-foot) runway on the island on April 11. By May 18, that work appeared complete, with three hangars constructed on a tarmac just south of the runway. Images from Tuesday showed vehicles parked at the bases newly built hangars.

A runway of that length can accommodate attack, surveillance and transport aircraft. An earlier effort begun toward the end of 2016 and later abandoned had workers try to build an even-larger runway over 3 kilometers (9,800 feet) long, which would allow for the heaviest bombers. That earlier effort also saw ships linked to the UAE take part in the construction.

Military officials with Yemens internationally recognized government, which the Saudi-led coalition has backed since 2015, say the UAE is building the runway. The officials, speaking earlier to the AP on condition of anonymity as they didnt have authorization to brief journalists, say Emirati ships transported military weapons, equipment and troops to Mayun Island in recent weeks.

The military officials said recent tension between the UAE and Hadi came in part from an Emirati demand for his government to sign a 20-year lease agreement for Mayun Island, also known as Perim Island. Emirati officials have not acknowledged any disagreement and said they were withdrawing from the war in 2019.

Hadis government has been critical of the UAE, especially for backing southern separatist groups during its military campaign in Yemen. The separatists have gotten into shootouts with forces loyal to the internationally recognized government, forcing the Saudis to intervene several times. An Emirati airstrike on behalf of the separatists also killed at least 30 troops backing Hadi in 2019. The UAE has backed other militias in the war as well.

Yemeni lawmaker Ali al-Mamari wrote a letter to the government demanding more details.

There is information suggesting that the UAE is building a military base in the Mayun island without the knowledge of the member states, al-Mamari wrote. Is the government familiar with what is happening on the island? And what measures has it taken?

Another lawmaker, Ali Ashal, similarly asked for more information after facing what he described as silence after earlier raising concerns about the UAEs presence in Yemen.

Mohammed Qaisan, an undersecretary to Yemens Information Ministry with the internationally recognized government, tweeted that the UAE had tampered with Mayun Island. He also criticized the Emirates for its continuous support for the illegally armed militias in liberated areas, referring to the southern separatists.

This requires a firm stance from the government as silence on this made it pursue this and gave the Houthi militia an opportunity to undermine the legitimacy of the Yemeni government, Qaisan wrote.

___

Associated Press writers Ahmed al-Haj in Sanaa, Yemen, and Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report.

By JON GAMBRELL

Associated Press
Syrians vote in election certain to give Assad new mandate View Photo

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP)  Thousands of Syrians lined up outside polling stations in parts of their war-torn country to cast votes on Wednesday, in elections dismissed as a sham and guaranteed to give longtime President Bashar Assad a fourth seven-year term.

The votes legitimacy was challenged by throngs of Syrians living outside of government-controlled areas, who rallied to denounce what they called a farcical play that ignores the countrys reality.

Torn by a decade-old conflict, Syria is divided into areas controlled by the government, rebel fighters and foreign troops, all competing for influence and resources.

Half of Syrias pre-war population of 23 million has been displaced  mostly living outside of government-controlled areas where they wont vote. Over 5 million were driven out and live in neighboring countries where the vote is not held. The fighting has left nearly half a million dead and hundreds of thousands detained or missing.

Western countries also dismissed the election as illegitimate, saying it violates U.N. resolutions adopted to resolve the crisis through negotiations between the government and opposition groups, and the drafting of a new charter.

The Assad regimes so-called presidential election is neither free nor fair, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a Twitter post Wednesday. The U.S. joins France, Germany, Italy, and the UK in calling for the rejection of the regimes attempts to regain legitimacy without respecting the Syrian peoples human rights and freedoms.

Assad blasted the criticism saying those who dismiss the vote as illegitimate have colonial history.

We as a state are not concerned about such statements, Assad said after casting his ballot in the Damascus suburb of Douma where he arrived with his wife Asma, driving his own car.

The area was one of the main rebel strongholds until it was retaken by government forces in 2018. It was the scene of an alleged poison gas attack in April 2018 that triggered strikes by the U.S., Britain and France.

The vote is the second presidential election since the countrys conflict began 10 years ago.

This time, it comes after the 55-year-old Assad weathered what at one point appeared to be an imminent threat from western and regional-backed armed rebels within miles of the capital.

Since the 2014 vote, Russia and Iran have thrown their military and financial capabilities behind Assads government and troops pushing back military threats and propping up his cash-strapped government facing western sanctions.

Assad took over in 2000 from his father Hafez, who ruled before that for 30 years. The civil war broke out in 2011 when Arab Spring-inspired protests against Assad family rule turned into an armed insurgency in response to a brutal military crackdown.

Wednesdays vote is held under Syrias current constitution, disregarding U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254 from 2015, which unanimously endorsed a political process and road map to peace that begins with drafting a new constitution and ends with U.N.-supervised elections.

Two other little-known figures, Abdullah Salloum Abdullah and Mahmoud Marie, are also running for the countrys top post. But competition with Assad is largely seen as symbolic.

Starting at 7 a.m., thousands began arriving at polling stations in Damascus, thronging streets festooned with giant posters of Assad and banners praising his rule. Most were not wearing masks, despite a coronavirus outbreak.

We choose the future. We choose Bashar Assad, read one of thousands of banners raised in the capital Damascus.

I am here to vote because it is a national duty to choose a president who will lead us in the coming period, said civil servant Muhannad Helou, 38, who said he voted for Assad.

Voting was extended until midnight in 12,102 polling stations.

No vote will be held in northeast Syria, controlled by U.S.-backed Kurdish-led fighters, or in the northwestern province of Idlib  the last major rebel stronghold.

In rebel-held Idlib city, thousands took to the streets in a boisterous rally, chanting against Assad and reviving slogans used in the early days of the uprising against him.

I woke up this morning to find Bashar Assad electing himself. What a farce! said Salwa Abdel-Rahman, who wore a revolution flag around her neck and a headband that read: No to racism and tyranny. She was displaced from Aleppo in 2012.

Challenges facing Assad remain tremendous.

The vote this year comes as Syrias economy is in free fall as a result of a decade of war, Western sanctions, government corruption and the financial crisis in Lebanon, Syrias main link with the outside world.

Edward Denhert, Middle Eastern research analyst at The Economist Intelligence Unit, said in a note that the election will deepen the rift between Syria and the West and that consequently, Assad will pivot further toward its Russian and Iranian backers as well as China.

The Biden administration has said it will not recognize the result of the election unless the voting is free, fair, supervised by the United Nations, and representative of Syrian society.

The U.N. is not involved in this election and has no mandate to be, U.N. special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen told the U.N. Security Council in a briefing Wednesday. It is a source of regret that, despite our best efforts, there has been little progress this month, and indeed at all, in advancing the different dimensions of resolution 2254, he added.

Pedersen had previously singled out the Syrian government for blocking progress in the constitutional committee established to draft a new constitution.

Even in government-held areas, there was opposition to the vote. Many residents of the restive southern province of Daraa and nearby Sweida called the vote illegitimate.

Activists and opposition media platforms reported a general strike for the second day Wednesday in villages and towns in Daraa province to protest the elections and the ballot boxes in their area.

___

Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue and Sarah El Deeb in Beirut and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed reporting.

By ALBERT AJI

Associated Press
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  Amid pressure from some parents and teachers, public schools across New Mexico have rejected tens of millions of dollars in state funding for extra learning days.

Each no vote from local school boards is a blow to the state Legislatures signature education initiative.

Based on years of research about how best to improve academic outcomes for children and narrow the achievement gap for struggling students, the plan takes aim at the three idle summer months that hold back many students. The research found that extending the school year with the same teacher is more effective than summer school.

The measure would add 25 more days to the elementary school calendar which lawmakers hoped would boost dismal reading and math scores.

But even parents of children who are behind opposed additional learning time, demanding that their summer be kept long.

Until this year, extended learning programs were voluntary, and parents could decide if they wanted their kids to participate.

Now, parents like Lisa McCutchen, 33, of Carlsbad, feel like the state is tying my hands as a parent and saying, we know better than you what your kids need.

The struggle to reimagine New Mexico's education system has been further complicated by the coronavirus pandemic and what many have referred to as a lost year of learning.

In a weeks-long debate, Democratic legislative leaders considered making all extra days mandatory for children in all districts for the post-pandemic year. They compromised by dropping a statewide mandate and instead requiring participation by all students only at those schools that opted in.

The results are mixed: around twice as many children are expected to participate in programs this year, according to statistics from the Public Education Department. But many children will be left behind, regardless of how badly they need support.

Superintendents have cited various barriers to extending the school year.

Teachers like to have their breaks. Teachers need that break, to be able to replenish themselves to get ready for next year, said West Las Vegas Schools Superintendent Christopher Gutierrez, whose district opted to use federal funding for summer school and pass on state funding for extended learning.

In Carlsbad, the districts 3-2 vote against added learning days left $15 million in state funding on the table at a time when officials are preparing for a steep decline in enrollment. Fewer babies born in the past decade will mean fewer students in the next one. And families in rural southeast New Mexico have left the state as oil and gas revenues continue declining. Meanwhile, proficiency rates have dropped even lower that pre-pandemic rates, when only 37% of students were proficient in reading and less than one-quarter were proficient in math.

Superintendent Gerry Washburn used the metaphor of a child in a wheelchair trying to get into a building. He said extra learning days for elementary students is one of the few opportunities that we have to create a ramp for them to move forward.

While McCutchen, in Carlsbad, said she can move her two sons forward by helping them at home, she acknowledged that not all families are as supportive due to job constraints, substance abuse, and other issues. McCutchen has a flexible schedule working with her husband. Together they run a construction business and a ranch.

She fears that adding school days this year could lead to year-round school in the future. She said a shorter summer also would interrupt plans to take her kids to the family ranch in Colorado where theyll be learning on a working farm.

The ones that are invested into their kids' lives and education, theyll be okay, said Carlsbad school board member Simon Rubio, adding that other kids not represented by parents at a recent meeting dont have a voice.

Calls from parents and teachers opposed to extended learning have not only been louder, they've been more frequent.

Albuquerque Superintendent Scott Elder said the majority staff and community voted against adding more days.

Some parents support the extra time in an effort to reverse the summer slide.

We dont need a three-month summer. They just need some time off and then they go back, said mom Rebecca Baca-Green, a solar saleswoman in Albuquerque in favor of a year-round school year. I think there is a loss of learning that happens during the summer.

She was able to send her 12-year-old to a college prep charter school with a longer calendar, but she fears for low-income families with less secure jobs who often juggle swing shifts and gig work.

New Mexico's education system routinely ranks last in the U.S. About 80% of its students are covered by a court ruling that found education falls short of constitutional standards, while two-thirds of its third graders are not proficient in reading and a similar fraction is behind in math.

Those statistics are expected to worsen due to the pandemic, as legislative analysts highlighted that students are behind anywhere from six weeks to nearly 30 weeks depending on the subject.

New Mexico schools already have fewer in-class days than many other states, in part because some districts have adopted a four-day model in an effort to attract teachers.

The Legislature passed the changes for extended learning with only weeks left for districts to poll parents and plan accordingly.

Jeannie Oakes, an expert at the Learning Policy Institute who has published research on New Mexico schools, said the state should give districts a full year to plan extending the learning year.

The state also offers a program targeted at older kids to add 10 days to the school year.

The Santa Fe district added 10 days  five at the beginning of the school year and the rest sprinkled throughout. Superintendent Veronica Garcia called it fairly painless" but noted that it was late notice for some parents who had already put down deposits on summer programs.

If I were queen for a day, I would just add (the 10 days) to compulsory education and slowly incrementally move this forward, she said, urging New Mexico to increase the number of school days to that of high-performing countries. Internationally, kids go to school 10 months out of the year.

___

Attanasio 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 under-covered issues. Follow Attanasio on Twitter.
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)  Wildlife advocates pressed the Biden administration on Wednesday to revive federal protections for gray wolves across the Northern Rockies after Republican lawmakers in Idaho and Montana made it much easier to kill the predators.

The Center for Biological Diversity, Humane Society and Sierra Club filed a legal petition asking Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to use her emergency authority to return thousands of wolves in the region to protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Republican lawmakers pushed through legislation in recent weeks that would allow hunters and trappers to kill unlimited numbers of wolves in Idaho and Montana using aggressive tactics such as shooting them from ATVs and helicopters, hunting with night-vision scopes and setting lethal snares that some consider inhumane. Idaho's law also allows the state to hire private contractors to kill wolves.

Wolves in the region lost federal endangered protections in 2011 under an act of Congress after the species had rebounded from widespread extermination last century.

Hundreds of wolves are now killed annually by hunters and trappers in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Yet the population remains strong  more than 3,000 animals, according to wildlife officials  because the wolves breed so successfully and can roam huge areas of wild land in the sparsely populated Northern Rockies.

The new laws had been opposed by some former wildlife officials and reflect an increasingly partisan approach to predator management in state houses that are dominated by Republicans. Supporters of restoring protections say the changes will tip the scales and drive down wolf numbers to unsustainable levels, while also threatening packs in nearby states that have interconnected populations.

They argue the changes violated the terms that allowed state management of wolves, and want Haaland to act before the looser hunting rules start going into effect in Idaho on July 1.

The (U.S. Fish and Wildlife) Service was very clear that a change in state law that allowed for unregulated, unlimited take of wolves would set off the alarm, said attorney Nicholas Arrivo with the Humane Society of the United States. This is essentially an attempt to push the population down to the very minimum."

Wednesday's petition seeks to restore protections across all or portions of at least six states  Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, eastern Washington, eastern Oregon and a small area of northern Utah. It steps up pressure on the administration over wolf populations that were declared recovered when President Joe Biden served as vice president under former President Barack Obama.

Biden also inherited a legal fight in the Midwest over the Trump administration's removal of protections for wolves in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

In both regions, hunting groups and livestock producers successfully lobbied for more permissive hunting regulations to counter persistent wolf attacks on livestock and big game animals.

Idaho lawmakers who sponsored a law signed earlier this month by Republican Gov. Brad Little said they wanted to reduce the states 1,500 wolves to the allowed minimum of 150 to protect livestock and boost deer and elk herds.

In Montana, Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte  who received a warning this year for trapping a wolf without taking a required certification class in violation of state rules  signed a law last month requiring wolf numbers to be reduced, although not below 15 breeding pairs of the animals.

It wasn't to reduce them to zero, it was to reduce them to a sustainable level, said Greg Lemon with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. We've got the track record and the statutory framework to ensure they are managed to that sustainable level.

Montana U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, who offered the 2011 legislation that put wolves under state control, declined to comment directly on the new laws but said science needs to drive decisions on wolves.

"It is up to state officials in Montana to continue to ensure that population numbers remain adequate so wolves dont get relisted, the Democratic lawmaker said in a statement.

In Idaho, hunting rules already had been incrementally loosened over the past decade without causing a huge spike in the number of wolves killed, said Idaho Fish and Game spokesperson Roger Phillips. Hunters and trappers killed about 500 wolves in the state in 2020.

Idaho officials will be able to closely track how many are killed under the new rules through a mandatory reporting system. However, if problems emerge, any changes would have to be made by lawmakers after they took away wolf management decisions from state wildlife commissioners, Phillips said.

The Fish and Wildlife Service has long contended its not necessary for wolves to be in every place they once inhabited to be considered recovered. Spokesperson Vanessa Kauffman would not say if federal officials were looking at the new laws. The agency has 90 days to decide if protections may be warranted, but has not always met deadlines with previous petitions.

Wolves were wiped out across most of the U.S. by the 1930s under government-sponsored poisoning and trapping campaigns. They were reintroduced from Canada into the Northern Rockies in the 1990s and expanded over the past two decades into parts of Oregon, Washington and California.

The population in the Midwest has grown to some 4,400 wolves. In Colorado, voters last year passed a measure requiring the state to begin reintroducing wolves in coming years.
The Plainview Rotary Club will commemorate its Centennial Celebration with a special event on June 5.

The club will gather to in the Plainview ISD Board Room, 2409 Yonkers St., for a social at 5:30 p.m. followed by a meal and program at 6:30 p.m.

The cost to attend is $25 for non-members. The deadline to RSVP is May 31.

Checks must be made payable to Plainview Rotary Club, P.O. Box 964, Plainview, TX 79073-0964. Those interested can also register online at plainviewrotary.org.

Contact Deana Sageser by phone at (806)774-5846 or via email at jdsageser@sptc.net for additional information.
The rivalry between Samsung and Apple continues to give something to talk about in the world of technology. The South Korean company decided to announce its new Galaxy S21 Ultra smartphone with a strategy that previously worked well for it: with a video (several, actually) where it mocks Apple . However, this time things did not turn out in their favor and the criticisms of the Internet users made it clear.

During the last week, Samsung published three videos on its YouTube channel in which it compares the functions of its new device against those of the iPhone 12 Pro Max .

The first two clips highlight the power of the Galaxy S21 Ultra's hybrid zoom with the phrase 'Close enough?' . Its combination of cameras is capable of multiplying x100 the size of a photo while respecting the quality and sharpness of the image, something that exemplifies with shots of the moon and a sandwich, respectively.

The third video shows a feature that, according to Samsung , Apple devices do not have: take photos and video simultaneously "with a single click" .

Samsung's comparison against Apple was not to the liking of social media users, who responded with ruthless criticism .

In the comments of the video, netizens have described the Korean company as "pathetic" and "desperate ." Some of the messages that can be read in the clips are:

"Dear Samsung, as a long time user, please stop making fun of Apple (and any other company) as you have now and in the past, it is very unprofessional and I cannot take you seriously when you do that ."

." It's crazy how all companies try to go after Apple in their ads ... As if they know that Apple is superior and they always try to prove that they are better than Apple. It's actually pathetic ... Come on Samsung, hehehe  .

. "These desperate ads are just as embarrassing as the Samsung brand ambassadors caught using iPhones ."

Samsung and Apple have fueled their rivalry for years, picking up on each other countless times and claiming to have the best smartphone on the market.

However, the last time the Galaxy manufacturers trolearon the readores c of the iPhone had to recant. In October 2020, Samsung teased that the iPhone 12 did not include a charger and headphones , but only two months later they had to delete the posts, because their new Galaxy S21s also came out without such accessories.

We recommend: Filter photos of the possible appearance of the iPhone 13

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Filming completes on Chinese feature about CPV's courageous battle

Xinhua) 14:34, May 26, 2021

Director Chen Kaige (R) and actress Chen Hong attend the opening ceremony of the 5th Silk Road International Film Festival in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Oct. 8, 2018. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

BEIJING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Filming has been completed on a new feature depicting the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) in a courageous battle during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953).

The movie's official Weibo account broke the news Tuesday.

Known in Chinese as "Chang Jin Hu," which roughly translates to "Changjin Lake," the highly anticipated film tells the story of CPV soldiers fighting bravely in freezing temperatures, contributing to the CPV's victory in a key campaign around Changjin Lake.

Co-produced by Bona Film Group and August First Film Studio, the film is jointly directed by Chen Kaige, Dante Lam, and Hark Tsui -- all big names in the Chinese film industry.

Wu Jing, a renowned Chinese martial artist, actor, and film director, played a leading role in the new movie.

No release date has been given for the film yet, but it was previously announced that the movie would hit theaters in 2021.

Tuesday's announcement came just days after the workshop of Chinese director Zhang Yimou announced via Weibo that his film "Ju Ji Shou," or "The Coldest Gun" in English, set in the same war, is set for release on July 30. It is just two days ahead of China's Army Day, Aug. 1.

The upcoming film by Zhang revolves around a sharpshooter squad of the CPV in their heroic fight against the enemy.

Also set in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, "The Sacrifice," co-directed by Guan Hu, became a blockbuster after hitting theaters in October last year, grossing more than 1.12 billion yuan (174 million U.S. dollars).

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
WASHINGTON - JUNE 24: Zazi, a mother cheetah, gets a kiss from one of her five 10-week-old cubs during their first public appearance at the National Zoo June 24, 2005 in Washington, DC. The litter of cubs is the second born at the National Zoo in the zoo's 116 year old history. (Photo : Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Did you know that India used to have cheetahs on its own plains? It might sound strange given that most people think the tiger is the only big cat prowling around in Asia (even though that is very far from the truth).

But as a matter fact, cheetahs once did roam some of the plains in southern India before excessive hunting and habitat loss drove the country's population into extinction. And now, one conservation group has taken up the historical task of reintroducing the speedy predator back.

India's first international animal relocation effort

The Asiatic cheetah was once a common predator in both India as well as some parts of the Middle East. They even held much historical and cultural significance as hunting companions for Mughal kings and other aristocrats.

But by the mid-20th century, lavish hunting parties and excessive deforestation had wiped out the last of the species.

The loss was quite a devastating blow for India, both in terms of ecology and its own cultural legacy. Efforts have been made to try and undo the damage, with the Indian government spending about 1.4 billion on this recent rewilding project.

The transfer will see three females and five males moved from the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) to Kuno National Park in Barkheda. The government also hopes that its success will spur greater awareness of India's environmental degradation. The country is experiencing immense pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, but much of the land's natural capacity to do so has been compromised by continuing habitat loss.

And while the cheetahs being introduced may not be the exact subspecies, their presence in Kuno's grassland ecosystem could still prove beneficial to its overall health. The EWT's own resident expert had even flown in to check the park and found it was one of the most suitable habitats he has seen outside of Africa. The area is home to a growing population of chinkara, spotted deer and other prey species that are familiar to the fleet-footed big cat. Much of the government's allocation will also be focused on park security, as well as fencing the areas where these cheetahs will live.

Also read: VIDEO: Hitchhike with a Running Cheetah as the Cat Runs with a GoPro POV Camera

The future for India's cheetahs

Training and sensitization of park officials on the handling of these animals has already been scheduled for the next two months. Meanwhile, it is hoped that the first transfer would be complete by September and other reports have also confirmed that at least two more would be introduced by the end of the year.

Of course, the decision (and spending) have certainly drawn a small amount of controversy regarding expensive environmental actions in the midst of India's COVID-19 crisis. And with poverty driving poaching, illegal national park intrusions and tensions amongst the populace, the rewilding project will definitely need to be handled delicately if these cheetahs are to thrive.

But on the bright side, it could also pave the way to restoring the original Asiatic cheetah in other parts of the continent. With only a small number of the species still in Iranian conservation, any effort to bring the world's fastest big cat back to the east is a step in the right direction.

Also read: How Scientists Are Working Hard to Bring Back Animals From Brink of Extinction
NEW YORK (AP)  Paul Rudnick has written a romantic comedy with a royal twist.

In Playing the Palace, the playwright, screenwriter and novelist has a witty, engaging book about two unlikely lovers: A Jewish man from New Jersey and the crown prince of England.

Ive never written an all-out romantic comedy like this, says Rudnick, who put the finishing touches to the manuscript during the pandemic. It was so much fun to live in that world and to just try a complete celebration without a whole lot of trauma.

Playing the Palace is told from the slightly insecure perspective of Carter Ogden, a unhappily single associate event architect barreling toward 30 who adores Ruth Bader Ginsberg and IHOP. He believes that New Yorks St. Patricks Cathedral being located between a Tiffanys and a Saks is a sign of Gods admiration for high-end retail.

His chance meeting with the drop-dead gorgeous Prince Edgar, the Prince of Wales, triggers a romance with international implications and tons of snarky tabloid headlines. Can these two very different men make it?

Im a Jewish guy from New Jersey. I thought, OK, thats about as far away from the royal family as you can get, which made it sound like the most fun," says Rudnick. "I also wanted a story about people of wildly different social status.

Rudnick shares in the overwhelming fascination with the British royal family and weaves in references to Brexit, Buckingham Palace and "The Great British Bake Off.

What I really love about Paul is that he gives such specificity to his characters so that even if hes making them larger to life, they still feel very human and relatable because its the details that really bring them to life, said Cindy Hwang, his editor at Berkley, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

The book arrives on a wave of interest in the royals, especially in Prince Harry and his biracial American wife, Meghan, who are redefining who belongs in the House of Windsor.

It just felt like there was something in the air, says Rudnick. There was sort of a sense of inevitability that, OK, the royal family is progressing and this sort of romance is becoming far more possible.

Rudnick's plays include Jeffrey and I Hate Hamlet." His screenplays include Sister Act," Addams Family Values, Jeffrey and In & Out. With the new book, he painted a cheerfully progressive, LGBTQ-respecting world.

There are so many completely valid and very necessary stories of prejudice against gay people and the trauma of coming out and family oppression, he says. "But there also needs to be a balance of completely joyous queer love stories and stories about people who are wildly and openly gay and thats just a given.

The book is not the first to portray a same-sex American-British royal love  think Red, White & Royal Blue  but it sparkles with Rudnick's take, and his publisher hopes it attracts a large audience.

We really do feel like a lot of different kinds of people can enjoy this book for a lot of different reasons. Obviously, a traditional romance reader, yes, Hwang said. But a lot of people who dont really read romance I think would really enjoy this book.

Rudnick approached the sex scenes in the same way he did the rest of the novel, with humor and heart. I think sex scenes in any book can get very clunky and very embarrassing. And you want to avoid the cringe factor, he says.

In romance books, they can sometimes be absolutely pornographic or they can be completely only vaguely suggestive. I wanted to land somewhere in between the two.

Rudnick also uses the figure of Edgar  a witty, charming self-aware royal who jokes privately I could have you beheaded  to explore the isolating nature of mega-fame and the expectations put on pioneering gay figures.

Because hes the first openly gay royal, that comes with the enormous responsibility of representation, says Rudnick. You have to satisfy everyones dream of a very powerful gay figure.

Rudnick started thinking about a royal romance as long as two decades ago and even had the title. But he didn't always know what form it should take  stage play, movie or novel.

Nothing ever quite fit until I began working on it as a novel. And thats one of the very few things Ive learned in my career: Let the material dictate the form, he said. I always start from the point of OK, let the characters say where they want to make a home.

___

Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits
Frazer Harrison/BAFTA LA

File this one under no one is ever truly canceled if theyre rich and famous enough to make other people money: disgraced actor Kevin Spacey  who has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than 20 men (several of whom were underage at the time of the incidents)  is making his return to the big screen in an Italian film about, you guessed it, a man wrongly accused of being a pedophile.

Spacey will reportedly have a small role in Luomo che Disegno Dio (The Man Who Drew God), which is directed by Franco Nero, making it Spaceys first onscreen appearance since 2017, when the allegations against him first began coming out. According to The Guardian, hell play a police officer investigating the case of a man  played by the director, Franco Nero  who can draw people by listening to their voices, despite not being able to see and is wrongly accused of sexually abusing children. Vanessa Redgrave will also star as the accused mans piano teacher.
It's of-fish-ial, SEA LIFE San Antonio, the new aquarium that's been making waves recently, is now open at The Shops at Rivercenter.

The downtown destination hosted a grand opening on Tuesday after multiple setbacks. The aquarium features 10 interactive zones including the city's only underwater ocean tunnel where guests will have the chance to come "face to fin" and "dive into the ocean without getting wet," as the company describes it.

There's also a stingray bay and seahorse mangrove exhibit.

RELATED: Highly acclaimed Jerk Shack opening third San Antonio location at Hemisfair

The anticipation for the new attraction has been building for years. It was originally scheduled to open May 2019, then the grand opening was pushed back to the summer and then the fall. Eventually, February 2020 was set as the debut, but the opening was stalled again throughout the pandemic-wrought year.

Tickets are available online for the aquarium's inaugural week. Prices start at $23.99 per person. Most visits through what the website calls a "magical underwater world" last about an hour.

READ MORE FROM MADALYN: A guide to traveling to San Antonio, Texas' No. 1 destination

SEA LIFE is open daily, but hours vary. See here for a full complete calendar with times.

Get a sneak peek below.
While tubing season starts as soon as the temperatures warm up, the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend is often marked on calendars across Texas as the official kick off of the summer-long tradition.

The rivers across Central Texas are a unifying pastime for the state's thrill and adventure seekers. We've all lost an item in the water or had to save a rogue cooler tube or braved the Comal River chute. But not everyone has become an internet sensation for their tubing tomfoolery like the river revelers we've discovered in recent years.
Maybe it was sudden sticker shock. Maybe it was the escalating return to travel after more than a year at home. Or maybe it was just a long time brewing. Whatever the cause, a firestorm over fees on Airbnb erupted recently on social media, prompting the company to pledge a review.

Many users pointed out that the vacation rental platform, which was seen as a cheap alternative to hotels when it launched in 2008, had become so laden with extra charges that hotels sometimes seem like a better option.

"We gotta stop airbnb," wrote one Twitter user who included a screenshot of a $99 listing that would total $413.95 for two nights with fees and taxes included. That tweet was liked nearly 212,000 times and generated thousands of comments.

The resulting outcry was enough to merit a response from Airbnb, which offered a defense of its pricing transparency, an explanation about how fees are set and a promise to review the issue.

Nate Blecharczyk, one of the company's co-founders, said in an interview this week that the cleaning fees had always been part of the experience. The social media reaction, he said, was new.

"In response to that, we're definitely going to take a second look at this issue in partnership with our hosts," he said.

Cleaning fees are set by hosts so they can adjust to their needs, though the company pointed out that Airbnb offers tips to "keeping the amount reasonable, and suggest they consider not charging cleaning fees at all." In the early days of the pandemic, the company announced an enhanced cleaning process for hosts to follow.

"We also know that guests really want a clean property," Blecharczyk said. "We definitely don't want to compromise the quality of the cleaning by constraining what hosts can be reimbursed for here."

Worldwide, according to the company, 45% of listings don't charge a cleaning fee, and for those that do, the cost on average is less than 10% of the total reservation.

Service fees, which are set by Airbnb, and occupancy taxes, set by local governments, also add to the total - but the company noted that those and cleaning fees are always visible before it's time to pay.

A team will undertake a review of Airbnb fees and make recommendations "with the objective of making pricing even more transparent and easy for hosts and guests to navigate," the company said.

In the meantime, some users continued to complain. "We clearly didn't drag Airbnb on Twitter enough bc these prices are outta pocket," one Twitter user wrote early Tuesday morning.

The fee frenzy erupted a week before Airbnb unveiled more than 100 updates meant to make it easier to use the site and become a host. Changes include adding more tools for flexible searches, making cancellation policies more clear and doubling the number of customer support agents this summer.

"The most important thing is you can reach us," Blecharczyk said, noting that the company didn't have enough customer support staff last year. "Last summer was a real challenge because we weren't expecting the rebound to be so fast."

Airbnb says it continues to expect an "unprecedented" recovery as people have more flexibility to work remotely, travel when they want to and stay in places longer.

"What we're seeing in travel is the biggest travel rebound, not just in years since I've been doing this, but probably the biggest travel rebound in nearly a century," co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky said on "Good Morning America." "So people are clearly ready to travel around the world and certainly around the country."
ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said a series of severe allegations made against members of his entourage by a fugitive mafia boss were a plot against Turkey, and vowed to fight criminal gangs.

In a stream of videos posted on social media in recent weeks, convicted mob leader Sedat Peker has made stunning claims against ruling party figures that include alleged corruption, drug trafficking and a murder cover-up  maintaining there were close ties between senior officials and the underworld.

Peker, who is believed to be currently residing in Dubai, has not so far produced documentary evidence to back up his allegations.

His accusations have targeted Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, the son of former prime minister Binali Yildirim, and a convicted former interior minister as well as his son, who is a legislator from Erdogans ruling party.

The YouTube videos, which have hit millions of views, have led to opposition calls for Soylus resignation and for prosecutors to investigate Pekers claims.

Breaking his weeks-long silence over the allegations, Erdogan described them as a devious operation targeting the country and his rule.

We will spoil these games, these plots. No one should doubt that we will disrupt this devious operation, Erdogan said, in an address to members of his ruling party.

We pursue members of criminal gangs wherever in the world they flee to. We will not leave these criminals alone until we bring them back to our country and hand them over to the judiciary, he said.

In his latest video released on Sunday, the 49-year-old crime boss who has been in and out of prison in Turkey, claimed that Yildirims son, Erkam Yildirim, had traveled to Venezuela to stake out possible narcotics smuggling routes. Binali Yildirim firmly denied the allegation, insisting that his son, who owns a shipping company, had traveled to Caracas on a humanitarian mission to hand out COVID-19 testing kits and masks.

In the video, the crime boss also claimed to have had a close relationship with Interior Minister Soylu, who allegedly provided him with a security detail and warned him about an investigation into his group. Peker also claimed that Soylu had sought his help in a bid to defeat a rival group within the ruling party, which is led by Erdogans son-in-law. Soylu has denied the claims in television interviews and has filed a criminal complaint against Peker.

Erdogan said Wednesday he firmly stands by Soylu and Yildirim.

Ahmet Davutoglu, an opposition party leader and former Erdogan ally who had served under him as prime minister from 2014 to 2016, called for a parliamentary investigation into the allegations and questioned the president's support for Soylu.

If President Tayyip Erdogan believes in Soylu's innocence, he should have said this on the first day. Not after 25 days, Davutoglu said.

Other allegations by Peker have targeted former interior minister Mehmet Agar, and his son Tolga Agar, a lawmaker from the ruling Justice and Development Party. Peker claimed Tolga Agar was involved in the suspicious death of a Kazakh journalism student, Yeldana Kaharman, who had interviewed him and that her death was covered up as suicide following an alleged rape. The legislator rejects the accusation.

In continued allegations against the Agar family, the mob leader said Mehmet Agar was behind a series of political killings in the 1990s. Mehmet Agar had also, Peker claimed, illegally appropriated the marina in the upscale Aegean resort of Yalikavak from an Azerbaijani-Turkish businessman. Agar claimed that he had saved the marina from falling into the hands of crime gangs.

Pekers revelations have raised concerns over possible continued ties between state officials and illegal gangs. To many, they come has a grim reminder of the 1990s when Turkey was rocked by a scandal that was triggered by a car crash. The road accident in western Turkey killed a police chief and a wanted mafia hitman, and injured a member of Turkeys parliament  all riding in the same car  and revealed shady links between state actors and the underworld.

Peker is believed to have fled Turkey last year after getting wind of an operation against his group.

It is unclear why the mafia boss  who has supported Erdogan by organizing political rallies in his favor and by making threats against his opponents  has turned against the government.

Peker maintains that he was forced to speak out after his wife and two daughters were allegedly mistreated during a police raid on their home.
WASHINGTON (AP)  They mourned together and laughed together in the Oval Office  and spoke of what President Joe Biden called the hard reality that racism has long torn us apart.

The first anniversary of George Floyds death was supposed to be a milestone moment in Washington, a time to mark the passage of a policing law to make criminal justice more just. Instead, Floyds family met with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House on Tuesday to commemorate their loss and continue to push for legislation.

It was a remembrance of what happened to my brother, Philonise Floyd said of the meeting with Biden, calling the president a genuine guy.

Biden told them he just wants the bill to be meaningful and that it holds Georges legacy intact, said George Floyds nephew Brandon Williams. Williams said Biden showed genuine concern for how the family is doing.

Biden took time during the meeting to play with George Floyds young daughter Gianna, who enjoyed some ice cream and Cheetos, the president said, after she told him she was hungry.

Later, she stood before the cameras outside the White House and softly called out, say his name. Family members chanted in return, George Floyd.

A sister, Bridgett Floyd, stayed away, aiming to come to Washington only when there is a bill to be signed into law.

Thats when I will make my way to D.C., she said from Minnesota.

She and several other family members joined Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and others marking the anniversary in the city where George Floyd died, and other events took place in New York, Los Angeles and other cities in the U.S. and abroad.

Speaking to reporters at the end of the day, Biden said he had spoken with congressional negotiators and was hopeful that sometime after Memorial Day well have an agreement.

With the proposed George Floyd Justice in Policing Act still pending, his family began the day meeting with legislators and headed back to Capitol Hill later from the White House.

They met Tuesday morning with Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., who ushered the bill through the House. The Floyds met late in the day with Democrat Cory Booker of New Jersey and Republican Tim Scott of South Carolina, the Senates lead negotiators on the bill. The family then visited Black Lives Matter Plaza, the site near the White House where protesters gathered throughout last summer.

I was pleasantly surprised and encouraged by their thoughts, Scott said of the family. I wish I was negotiating with them, he said, though he also repeated the line of the day that progress was being made.

Earlier at the Capitol alongside Pelosi and other lawmakers, Philonise Floyd declared of his brother: Today is the day that he set the world in a rage.

We need to be working together to make sure that people do not live in fear in America any more, he said.

The Floyd familys meetings with some of Washingtons most powerful officials produced plenty of comments about optimism and moving forward. Nonetheless, the lack of a final deal contrasted sharply with advocates high hopes just last month, when former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvins conviction for Floyds killing and then Bidens nationally televised speech to Congress calling for action by May 25 gave supporters a sense of momentum.

The current standoff underscores the political complexities of an issue thats a top concern for many of both parties' voters  Democrats progressives and voters of color, and Republicans law-and-order conservatives.

Floyd died May 25, 2020, after police officer Chauvin kneeled on his neck for more than nine minutes while arresting him. His death sparked months of nationwide racial protests, a worldwide global reckoning over racism and a renewed debate over police reform. Chauvin was convicted last month of multiple charges.

Though a legislative response has been elusive, negotiators have displayed a steady solidarity thats unusual for such talks, never publicly sniping at each other.

Its a high-profile legislative fight in which Biden has notably taken a back seat, preferring to leave the work of crafting a compromise to lawmakers on Capitol Hill, in contrast to his fevered advocacy, both public and private, for his infrastructure bill and COVID-19 relief package.

We have been respecting the space needed for negotiators to have these discussions, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday.

She and congressional negotiators declined to offer a new deadline for reaching an agreement. Bass, the top House Democratic bargainer, said talks would continue until we get the job done. Republican Scott said negotiations have a long way to go still, but its starting to take form.

The Democratic-controlled House approved a sweeping bill in March that would make it easier for individual police officers to be sued and charged with crimes. It would also ban chokeholds, limit no-knock warrants and create a national database of officers with histories of complaints and disciplinary problems.

That bill has gone nowhere in the Senate, where the 50 Democrats will need support from at least 10 Republicans to overcome a bill-killing filibuster.

GOP lawmakers have preferred more modest changes.

Floyd family lawyer Ben Crump said Biden told them "he doesnt want to sign a bill that doesnt have substance and meaning.

So he is going to be patient, to make sure its the right bill, not a rushed bill, Crump said.

White House advisers say Biden and his team have been in frequent touch with Capitol Hill negotiators over the legislation, but they believe this is an issue in which a high-profile public campaign by the president may do more harm than good.

But some activists say theyd like to see the president be more outspoken in advocating for the bill.

President Biden has left it to members of Congress, and its in their hands right now. But the president will need to step up to make sure we get it across the finish line, said Judith Browne Dianis, executive director of the Advancement Project, a racial justice organization.

The chief stumbling block has been qualified immunity, which generally shields individual officers from civil lawsuits. Democrats have wanted to eliminate that protection while Republican Senate negotiator Scott has proposed retaining immunity for officers but allowing lawsuits against police departments.

While progressives and many criminal justice reform advocates are insistent that the bill eliminate protections for individual officers, some Democrats, most notably House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn of South Carolina and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois, have said they could see a compromise on the issue. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has said he wouldnt support any bill that ended qualified immunity.

While the president is waiting for the bill to hit his desk, Biden's aides have said the administration is doing what it can to deal with the incidents of police misconduct.

The Biden administration has signaled that the Justice Department will shift its focus to prioritize civil rights and policing reform after a tumultuous four years under President Donald Trump. In the past few weeks, the department has announced sweeping investigations into the police in Minneapolis and Louisville and brought federal civil rights charges against the officers involved in Floyds death, including Chauvin.

On Tuesday, as Floyds family was preparing to meet with Biden, the Senate voted to confirm Kristen Clarke as assistant attorney general for civil rights, the first Black woman to hold the position.
SAN DIEGO (AP)  In March of 2020, Estela Lazo appeared before Immigration Judge Lee OConnor with her two children, her muscles tensed and a lump in her throat. Would they receive asylum?

OConnors answer: No  he wasnt even ready to consider the question.

But he issued a ruling that seemed promising: It was illegal to force the Honduran family to wait in Mexico, under then-President Donald Trumps cornerstone policy to deter asylum-seekers. OConnor said he was dismissing their case due to government missteps and scheduled another hearing in his San Diego courtroom in a month.

Paradoxically and typically, the family was sent back to Mexico to await its next day in court.

But when Lazo, her 10-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter appeared at a Tijuana border crossing for the follow-up hearing, U.S. authorities denied them entry because their case had been closed.

Lazos inability to have her claim even considered on its merits is one of many anomalies of the policy known as Remain in Mexico, an effort so unusual that it often ran afoul of fundamental principles of justice -- such as the right to a day in court.

As President Joe Biden undoes Trump immigration policies that he considers inhumane, he faces a major question: How far should he go to right his predecessors perceived wrongs?

Biden halted Remain in Mexico his first day in office and soon announced that an estimated 26,000 asylum-seekers with active cases could wait in the United States, a process that could take several years in backlogged courts. More than 10,000 have been admitted to the U.S. so far.

But that leaves out more than 30,000 asylum-seekers whose claims were denied or dismissed under the policy, known officially as Migrant Protection Protocols. Advocates are pressing for them to get another chance.

Many asylum-seekers whose claims were denied for failure to appear in court say they were kidnapped in Mexico. Others were too sick or afraid to travel to a border crossing in a dangerous city with appointments as early as 4:30 a.m. Human Rights First, an advocacy group, tallied more than 1,500 publicly reported attacks against people subject to the policy.

Difficulty finding attorneys from Mexico meant few had legal representation, contributing to a measly 1.6% grant rate among cases that were decided. U.S. authorities gave asylum-seekers a list of low- or no-cost attorneys but phones rang unanswered and messages were unreturned.

Then there are about 6,700 asylum-seekers like Lazo whose cases were dismissed, according to Syracuse University's Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. It was usually after judges found the government erred applying the policy. Many were returned to Mexico indefinitely, some after U.S. authorities filled out forms with fake court dates to make sure Mexico took them back.

They never had a first chance -- a meaningful first chance, said Melissa Crow, an attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center, which has sued over the policy.

Immigration has bedeviled Biden as it has many presidents before him. He backs a path to citizenship for an estimated 11 million people in the country illegally, has halted border wall construction and has repealed other hardline policies. But he wavered on lifting Trumps all-time low cap on resettling refugees and has no quick answers to large numbers of asylum-seekers on the Mexican border and backlogged courts. In March, authorities encountered the highest number of unaccompanied children at the border on record, and April was second highest.

The administration has yet to say if asylum-seekers whose cases were denied or dismissed under Remain in Mexico will have another shot. When asked, aides have emphasized Bidens promise of a humane asylum system to be unveiled soon.

We will continue to prioritize the most vulnerable populations who have been waiting the longest period of time, Andrea Flores, immigration expert on the National Security Council, told reporters in April. We will continue to sort of build out eligibility based on vulnerability.

In San Diego more than 5,600 cases were dismissed, many by only two judges -- Scott Simpson, a former attorney for the Navy and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and OConnor, a former immigrant advocate who occasionally erupted in anger while overseeing Return to Mexico cases.

When a Homeland Security attorney challenged O'Connor at a hearing in October 2019, he thundered that he took an oath to uphold U.S. laws, not to acquiesce when they are flagrantly violated.

For Lizeth -- who spoke to The Associated Press on condition that her full name not be published due to safety concerns -- an OConnor ruling led to a Kafkaesque nightmare.

Lizeth said she fled Santa Ana, El Salvador, in January 2019, on the run from a police officer who demanded sexual acts. Then 31, she never said goodbye to her five children -- ages 5 to 12 -- fearing the officer would discover where they lived.

Her freedom was short lived. She said she was kidnapped near Mexicos border with Guatemala, and her captors drove her in a minivan to Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, and forced her into prostitution. They threatened others who were held in a large warehouse-style room with having their organs removed and sold. She escaped four months later and entered the U.S. illegally at San Diego.

When OConnor dropped Lizeths case in October 2019, saying she was illegally returned to Mexico, U.S. Customs and Border Protection gave her slip of paper to appear for court on Dec. 16 -- even though no hearing was scheduled. Asked about the fake court dates that she and other asylum-seekers received, CBP said at the time that they were intended as check-ins for updates on the status of their cases, but the notice didnt say that and updates are done over the phone or online.

Sent back to Mexico to wait, Lizeth was stuck in Tijuana. She confined herself to her cousins sparsely furnished one-bedroom home of concrete slabs and plywood walls, too scared to leave. The neighborhood is blighted with empty, half-built homes occupied by drug addicts and squatters; she said she was beaten when she got there.

The judges decision was not respected, she said.

The Justice Departments Executive Office for Immigration Review, which oversees immigration courts, said it does not comment on judges rulings.

Judith, who identifies herself as LGBT and fled Honduras amid threats over her sexual orientation, arrived late for her second hearing in November 2019; she overlooked instructions in her court packet to arrive at the border crossing in Tijuana at 4:30 a.m. Judith, who spoke on condition that her last name not be published due to fears for her safety, says U.S. authorities detained her and her daughter, now 10, for four days before giving them written instructions to return to court in three months.

When she appeared at the border in February 2020, she was told her case had been dismissed.

I presented myself and they told that I wasnt in the system, said Judith, who reports being threatened by kidnappers in Tijuana. I was speechless. There was nothing I could do.

Robyn Barnard, an attorney for Human Rights First who represented asylum-seekers with dismissed cases, said while she agreed with the judges that the policy was illegally applied, their judicial activism ended up harming asylum-seekers.

The outcome is that they terminated these cases and (the Department of Homeland Security) would still remove the people back to Mexico and then they were stuck in Mexico with no case, no ability to file an application for asylum, she said.

It is unclear how often CBP issued tear sheets with fake court dates to get asylum-seekers with dismissed cases back to Mexico, but anecdotal evidence suggests it was common for some time. San Diego attorney Bashir Ghazialam has about a dozen clients who got fake court dates in late 2019 after their cases were dismissed and knows about three dozen more from other lawyers.

After the Biden administration announced in February that people with active cases could return to the U.S., Jewish Family Service of San Diego, which provides temporary shelter to asylum-seekers, heard from 27 asylum-seekers who had been returned to Mexico with fake court dates. Their cases were terminated and they couldnt return.

Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez, Mexicos consul general in San Diego, said he learned about the fake court dates from news reports and non-governmental organizations in late 2019, leading Mexican immigration authorities to more closely examine documents of asylum-seekers being returned to wait. The practice appears to have lasted about three months.

A footnote in OConnors written opinions highlights what is seen as one of policys biggest deficiencies: Asylum-seekers generally dont have regular addresses in Mexico and the court system relies on mail. Court filings often say they live at domicilio conocido, or known address in English.

OConnor wrote that domicilio conocido is used in small Mexican villages where postal workers know where everyone lives but it is completely inadequate in a city the size of Tijuana, with about 2 million people. Without any fixed address, phone or Internet access in Mexico, advocates say asylum-seekers had no way to stay up to date on their cases and were being deprived of their rights.

The core reason for dismissing cases was technical: Only arriving aliens should be eligible for Remain in Mexico, or anyone who appears at an official port of entry like a land crossing. People crossing the border illegally -- who made up about 90% of those subject to the policy -- are not arriving aliens as defined by law.

Faced with having their cases dismissed, the Border Patrol regularly left blank a place in charging documents that asks how asylum-seekers entered the country. When they reported for their first court dates, U.S. authorities amended their complaints to say -- falsely -- that they first sought to gain entry at an official crossing, making them arriving aliens.

We are a country governed by Law, OConnor wrote, saying people who crossed the border illegally were returned to Mexico extrajudicially and without any legal authorization.

OConnor rejected 95% of asylum claims from 2015 to 2020, one of the highest denial rates in the country, which surprised and disappointed some of his old colleagues in the advocacy world. Before becoming a judge in 2010, he was an attorney at Indiana Legal Services Immigrants & Language Rights Center for 10 years and at Legal Aid Society of San Diego for five years.

Amy Maldonado, an attorney who knew OConnor as an immigrant advocate, credits him for ruling the policy was applied illegally, but the losers were asylum-seekers who were returned to Mexico.

His ruling was 100% on the law, said Maldonado, whose clients included Guatemalan man and his 17-year-old daughter who lost their claim because they missed a hearing while kidnapped in Mexico. I dont think he was concerned about what happened to the people whose cases he was terminating. I think he was angry at the government for doing all this illegal stuff.
An earthquake in the boundaries between Rwanda and Congo pulled down buildings in the city of Goma on Tuesday and increased fears that the volcano close by would erupt again three days after dozens of lives were taken and 17 villages were destroyed by lava.

The 5.3 Magnitude Earthquake

The quake was measured at 5.3 magnitude, the measurement was taken by the Rwandan Seismic Monitor, and was the largest of several tremors that accompanied the eruption on Saturday of Congo's Mount Nyiragongo volcano, one of the most active and dangerous in the world. The United Nations' children's agency said: "We are aware that children got injured when a building collapsed on Tuesday just some steps from the in Goma's UNICEF office."

The earthquake seemed to have destroyed some buildings in the city of two million, and an observer revealed a minimum of three people were rescued from the rubble and carried to the hospital. The quake took place at 11:03 a.m., originating in Rugerero sector in western Rwanda, as stated by the Rwanda Seismic Monitor, which is controlled by the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board.

Also Read: Supercomputer's 700,000 Year-Earthquake Simulation Could Predict When it'll Hit

Effects of Earthquake

In the last day, numerous cracks in the earth have surfaced in Goma, although businesses have re-started across the city, and life seemed to be largely going back to normal for those their homes weren't lost. The United Nations has said around 1,000 houses were destroyed and over 5,000 people displaced due to the eruption.

The U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said: "According to the authorities, 32 individuals lost their lives in incidents related to the eruption, seven individuals were also killed by lava flow and five others suffocated by gases." The lava stopped flowing a few hundred metres short of the city limits, but destroyed 17 villages on its way, cut the main supply of electricity and blocked the main road, preventing aid deliveries to one of the places in Africa that is the most food insecure.

Movement Restriction

The lava lake in the crater of the volcano seems to have refilled, increasing fears of new opening or another eruption, UNHCR said. A volcanologist Dario Tedesco who is based in Goma said on Monday he was afraid the tremors could open another fracture.

The government said a 1.1 mile (1.7 km) extension of road linking Goma to the north of the province was filled with lava, restricting the movement of people and goods to a region where some 280,000 people have been displaced since January by fighting and conflict.

The U.N. said the re-opening of the road would take days and that it was asking for authorization from the government to start re-using Goma airport. After lava came within 300 metres (yards), the hub for aid relief for the east of the country was shut down.

Related Article: 20,000 Swarms of Earthquakes Could Cause Volcanic Eruptions in Iceland, Experts Say

For more news, updates about earthquakes and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Billy Calzada /Billy Calzada

As of 11:59 p.m. on May 25, any bill that did not advance out of the Texas House was officially dead  at least for the 2021 session.

Included in that graveyard of legislation was an anti-transgender bill that would force children to play on the sports team of their gender at birth. Human rights and LGBTQ activists gathered in the rotunda at the stroke of midnight to cheer SB 29, which never advanced out of the house and was officially marked DOA.
I had suggested that Lambert include this shaggy dog story about our Covid vaccine misadventures in Links, but Lambert thought it was sufficiently revealing, in a bad way, that it was worth fleshing out and presenting as a post to see if other readers had encountered similar obstacles to getting a shot.

Mind you, for us, these were merely annoying time sinks. But imagine if you were an hourly worker or a retiree on limited income who didnt drive and had prevailed on a friend for the ride to and from the pharmacy, and didnt have time for this level of run-around.

My mother, one of their aides (a former NYC taxi driver) and I wanted to get a Johnson & Johnson vaccine at Publix. For those of you not from this part of the world, Publix is an employee-owned grocery chain in the South.

We have been isolated and using all sorts of prophylactics and wearing procedure masks in the house and KN95s when venturing out. These measures seemed to be the reason that neither my mother not I got Covid from one of our aides when she had a confirmed case in January.

Nevertheless, your humble blogger is getting surgery in 2 weeks. Going to a hospital not vaccinated seemed to be a wee bit too much risk.

However, the process of getting the vaccine was Gawd-awful. Mind you, I have never gotten a shot at a pharmacy, so I do not have a basis for comparison. But this experience was enough to deter me from ever going that route again.

The Publix website says it has J&J and Moderna. At least that much is correct. It says you can walk in but also offers appointments:

We wanted to make sure of supply so we thought an appointment was preferable. But the site offered only AM slots and only (oddly) a couple of days out the current week and nothing beyond that. I am not an AM person, so that was out.

On a regular grocery run, we had the aide go to the pharmacy to find out if there would be any risk of supplies being out if three of us showed up for a J&J shot in the PM.

The pharmacist said you had to sign up on the site (despite the site clearly saying otherwise) and they did J&J vaccinations only on Mondays and Tuesdays due to it being a small store. He also recommended accessing the site on a computer as opposed to a device.

I tried signing up. The only date offered was the following day, a Thursday, which the pharmacist had said was not a J&J day. I replicated this error just now after clicking the button to choose a J&J jab:

The site also no dates beyond the current week.

I had the aide photograph the relevant site pages from my laptop and go back to the pharmacist. He said he was sorry and hed hold 3 shots for Tuesday afternoon. He advised us to get there between 2 and 3, preferably 2 and 2:30, and said hed be there.

We arrived before 2. We were told the pharmacist we had dealt with was not on that day (!!!) but the employees on duty would take care of us.

It took over an hour and half to get the shots due to paperwork, or more accurately, billing. So the whole process took almost 2 hours.

They had no problem with the aide who has no insurance and was nervous about getting the shot. She says shed never been vaccinated which I am sure is not true but means she hasnt taken any as an adult. This is a brain cancer survivor who also was paralyzed for 3 years due to an accident and had major back surgery (a rod in place of her lower spine) to be able to walk again. So its not as if she hasnt had some dealings with doctors.

They did have to spend more time with me because my Cigna plan does pay for drugs but does not have a pharmacy plan (I have to pay and submit for reimbursement). They wanted a pharmacy card. They had to call Cigna, which struck me as absurd.

They went on tilt with my mother. They wanted her red white and blue card, as in a Medicare card. My mother is in a Medicare Advantage plan1 and carries only 2 cards, one its pharmacy card and one the everything else card. Local hospitals not in her network accept that card, as do the ambulance services.

The staff kept insisting they needed her Medicare card, which I am highly confident she has never needed. The Medicare site confirms that belief. In its very first paragraph on the page about Medicare cards:

When youre enrolled in Medicare, youll get your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail. If youre automatically enrolled, youll get your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail 3 months before your 65th birthday or your 25th month of getting disability benefits. Your Medicare card shows that you have Medicare health insurance. It shows whether you have Part A (listed as HOSPITAL), Part B (listed as MEDICAL), or both, and the date your coverage begins. If you have Original Medicare, youll use it to get your Medicare-covered services. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare health plan, in most cases, youll use your plans card to get your Medicare-covered services.

The Publix staff then had to call my mothers Medicare Advantage plan (oh, and said they needed the last four numbers of her SSN, which I was not happy to have to provide) to get her Medicare number. That took a while.

Mind you, 40% of Medicare insureds opt for Medicare Advantage.2 This cant have been the first time this has come up at Publix, but all the scrambling suggested otherwise.

So I am left wondering: was this snafu the result of poor data specification by the Feds, or poor implementation by Publix?

The pharmacy employees were friendly and did their best to put a good face on this situation. One staffer even wheeled my mother back to her car.

From what readers have said, in well run injection sites, the total throughput time, including observation, is about an hour. We had assumed, due to going at a slack time, that it might be an hour and half at worst.

Instead, due to this exercise taking so long, the aide had to rush back to the house to get my mother out of the car and settled (she had to leave a task for the next aide), since she had a paid gig right after her shift here.

I was the only one to suffer from side effects: some soreness at the injection site, which abated in a few hours (and might not have happened at all had I not done shoulder exercises day prior) and a bad case of chills due to sitting in a thin sleeveless shirt for nearly two hours under an air conditioner blast. I was shivering before I got the shot. No joke, it took me a couple of hours in bed in a house kept at 75 degrees with lots of blankets to get my hands and feet warmed up back up to body temperature.

Oh, and vaccine hesitancy is real. Our other aides are all certified nursing assistants. None has gotten a Covid vaccination, including the one who already had Covid.3 The latter is the most interested in getting it but has little confidence in the little guidance she has gotten as to how long to wait after her infection.

The other two are leery because they know people in their circles who have had bad reactions, both the had to stay at home for a couple of days variety (which for hourly workers is a very bad outcome) and some who were out of whack longer. None had heard of horror-story level side effects, but the severity and frequency of the ones they know about has led them to distrust official advice.

In keeping, my mother asked the pharmacy employee who took her to the car what she though about masks. She said, I want to keep them. I think its too soon to stop.

___

1 She and my father joined the HMO affiliated with the University of Alabama before he retired. This Medicare Advantage plan includes that HMO. For someone as old and feeble as she is, she spends remarkably little time with doctors and takes only one medication on a regular basis.

2 I hate to tell you but I can see why. One plan that covers Parts A and B, the gap insurance, plus usually Part D, is a hell of a lot more appealing than having to buy bits and pieces and needing accounting-level attention to detail to figure out if anything fell through the cracks.

3 She got her case in early January, and vaccine distribution in Alabama was very limited as of then. She has just started her own small home health care aide agency, so I suspect also she would have had difficulty in substantiating her status as a front line health care worker. So she cant really be faulted.
These turtle dogs are helping to save a threatened species from extinction Euronews

A Maryland candy company is cooking up chocolate covered cicadas CNN

The First Rule of Bite Club? Talk About It. Outside

De-Ratting Rat Island Brought Silent Ecosystem Back to Life Scientific American

Austeritys Hidden Purpose Yanis Varoufakis, Projecy Syndicate

Central Banks Face New Balancing Act With Their Huge Asset Piles Bloomberg

The Economy Is Booming. Why Dont Firms Believe It? Joe Weisenthal, Bloomberg

#COVID19

China?

Taiwans Sudden Unraveling Masks a Serious Climate Problem Bloomberg

Myanmar

The Koreas

Kimchi is Chinese? The Sino-Korean Struggle for Ontological Security The Blue Roof

India

Syraqistan

UK/EU

Feeling blue: drug dealers love of stilton leads to his arrest Guardian

New Cold War

Lack of irrigation water puts Chihuahua on brink of social and economic crisis Mexico News Daily

Biden Administration

Trump Legacy

Clinton Legacy

Health Care

Black Injustice Tipping Point

Imperial Collapse Watch

Southwest Airlines flight attendant loses two teeth after passenger assault NBC

Class Warfare

The wildfires are starting. Heated

Honeybees are accumulating airborne microplastics on their bodies National Geographic

How Inevitable Is the Concept of Numbers? Stephen Wolfram

Antidote du Jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
Yves here. Take your hats off to my former Communist home. New Yorks citizens beat Amazons effort to locate in Queens, which would quickly have rendered a remaining relatively low-rent, close proximity borough much less affordable. And now they are opposing a corporate Trojan horse masquerading as a pro-union measure. Guess its backers thought no one would read the small print. Or that deliveristas might be a force to be reckoned with, and win the support of the building workers union.. Oops.

By Josefa Velasquez and Claudia Irizarry Aponte. Originally published at THE CITY on May 25, 2021

A delivery worker takes a break in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, May 24, 2021. Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

The fate of a state proposal that would allow some app-based gig workers to join a union is in doubt after key players, including a collective of food delivery workers, came out against the measure Tuesday.

Los Deliveristas Unidos  a group of mainly immigrant food delivery couriers  and service workers union 32BJ SEIU announced they oppose the effort, which would grant workers some bargaining power but shop short of reclassifying them as employees entitled to full labor rights.

The delivery group declared itself opposed to any legislative proposal that is pre-negotiated without delivery workers input, and that directly impacts our industry, work conditions, and the well-being of our families, in a statement released late Tuesday morning.

Also coming out against the measure: the Transport Workers Union, after initially voicing its support.

A bill has been drafted and was expected to be introduced later this week by state Sen. Diane Savino (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn).

Because federal labor law does not allow workers who are not company employees to bargain a traditional union contract, the measure would create an alternative path under which a state labor panel would set rules covering gig workers.

As part of that arrangement, workers wouldnt be allowed to publicly protest or walk off the job.

Erodes Worker Power

But the draft bill language shows that the workers would concede certain rights from the get-go. Notably, unions would be forbidden to strike or demonstrate against an employer, under whats known as a labor peace agreement.

Another provision would bar local governments from creating a minimum wage for workers or the app industry, as well as forbidding any local taxes, fees or surcharges.

This bill isnt worth it for us, it erodes worker power, Sergio Ajche, a delivery worker and Los Deliveristas Unidos member, told THE CITY in Spanish.

I think its silly that these companies would try and sneak this behind our backs when were already organized at the grassroots, he added. Were very aware that our organizing  our protests, our marches, our movement  poses a threat to tech companies.

Sergio Ajche addresses the crowd of delivery workers at Foley Square on April 21.

Sergio Ajche addresses the crowd of delivery workers at Foley Square on April 21. Claudia Irizarry Aponte/THE CITY

The food workers, who call themselves deliveristas, are supported in their organizing by the Workers Justice Project.

What a lot of these companies dont understand is that they may have capital and economic power, but we have people power, Ajche said.

Savino told THE CITY via a spokesperson that the proposal represents a foundational plan for gig workers in the ride sharing and delivery economy, including the right to organize and bargain, workers compensation, and unemployment insurance.

No state allows localities to regulate those areas, and New York will not do that now, Savino said in a statement. The draft legislation is under discussion, and will continue to evolve with further input from affected individuals and entities until all parties are satisfied. Failing to pass anything means we leave here and leave 200,000 plus workers with nothing. No union, no workers compensation, no unemployment. Nothing. That is not an option.

Rolling Back Support

High-profile support from the Transport Workers Union also melted once the bills details emerged, after months of conversations between tech companies and the New York State AFL-CIO.

TWU President John Samuelsen said Tuesday that his union, an AFL-CIO member, would stand with the workers who oppose the measure. Samuelsen had been involved in discussions over the bill in recent weeks, but said he would defer to groups like Los Deliveristas Unidos.

If they dont want this particular bill, we will support them and work with them to craft a bill [that] satisfies the workers, Samuelsen told THE CITY.

After learning details of the draft bill late Friday, leadership of Los Deliveristas Unidos huddled over the weekend and again on Monday.

According to people familiar with the discussions, the workers were particularly concerned that the bill could restrict their ability to protest or walk out of their jobs, which they have already done at least three times in the last year, first last October and most recently in April.

During an interview with THE CITY on Monday, Samuelsen said that he could not support the draft legislation if workers arent able to demonstrate against the companies.

If it comes down to it and theres a stalemate at the bargaining table, workers have to be able to engage in  at least the threat of  collection action in order to move issues, Samuelsen said.

His latest remarks represent a shift from the unions initial support of the concept, which he described to THE CITY last week as an extremely advanced piece of legislation.

The New York State AFL-CIO stopped short of withdrawing its support of the bill. Our goal has always been to get gig workers rights and protections that they do not currently have, the organizations president, Mario Cilento, told THE CITY in a statement.

We will continue to work with our affiliates and the app-based workers to try to get this done. If there are other ideas, we are open to them, he said. No one ever said this would be easy, but this is all part of the normal legislative process.

Representatives from San Francisco-based tech company DoorDash, the dominant food app platform nationally, did not respond to requests for comment.

In a report to investors earlier this month, the company stated that any requirement to reclassify workers as employees would have an adverse impact on our business, financial conductions and results of operations.

Opponents of the bill argue it would undermine a proposal at the federal level called the PRO  or Protect the Right to Organize  Act, a sweeping reform of national labor law which seeks, among other things, to grant full employment rights to independent contractors nationwide.

Gaining Power

The bill took another blow as 32BJ came out in opposition Monday evening.

We believe that legislation that addresses gig economy and other misclassified workers should at minimum maintain gains made by workers at the local level, retain existing state protections, and allow localities the power to establish improved standards, said president Kyle Bragg in a statement. It should also afford workers a real voice and the ability to truly expand and strengthen their labor rights, benefits, and protections.

The building workers union  which was instrumental in winning city fast food workers an unprecedented $15 minimum wage six years ago and secured a $19 minimum for workers at Port Authority-run airports by 2023 three years ago  has been aiding the Deliveristas. The union is providing legal and legislative support to the delivery workers as they seek reforms in the City Council and in Albany.

Last month, City Council members introduced bills after months-long conversations with Los Deliveristas. Among the bills: measures to boost wages, ensure tips get to workers and to fine restaurants and bars that refuse to allow a delivery worker to use the restroom  charging $50 for the first offense and $100 for every subsequent violation.

In New York City, drivers for Uber, Lyft and other for-hire vehicle platforms secured a guaranteed minimum wage in 2018 and were also granted unemployment benefits, something usually afforded to employees but not independent contractors.

The proposal we have examined does not provide for those conditions and jeopardizes critical wins that workers have fought for over the years. What we have seen so far is not good for these workers in particular, or any working New Yorker, Bragg added.

Los Deliveristas Unidos protest in Times Square on April 21. Claudia Irizarry Aponte/THE CITY

The Taxi Workers Alliance, a collective representing taxi and app-based drivers, came out against the bill last week following an initial report in Bloomberg News that talks were in the works.

After seeing details, alliance executive director Bhairavi Desai reiterated the groups opposition.

The bill reads like Ubers fantasy novel  they get everything they want: ultimate deregulation, a phony union to give them cover, and workers at their mercy with no labor law or right to strike to build their power, Desai said in a statement.

Cash Cabs

Still in favor of Savinos bill is the Independent Drivers Guild, an affiliate of the International Association of Machinists funded by Uber that represents 80,000 New York City ride-hailing drivers.

The surcharge could mean a windfall for a gig-worker union. With hundreds of thousands of e-hail rides daily in the five boroughs, its worth potentially tens of thousands of dollars in income per day from ride-hail drivers in New York City alone.

In a statement, driver-organizer Tina Raveneau said that members cannot afford to wait another month, another year, or another legislative session to begin exercising the right to collective bargaining.

She added: While the legislation itself will not immediately gift us all of the changes and improvements we need, the power we will gain from having the right to bargain will give us the opportunity to negotiate for those changes and to win a better life for ourselves and our families.

Last week, the head of the group said the vast majority of their drivers want union representation.

Representatives for Uber and Lyft did not respond to requests for comment.

Under the draft proposal, the unions that would represent gig workers stand to gain handsomely.

They would add thousands of new members to their ranks while collecting 10 cents from consumers for every ride and delivery in New York as a representation fee, according to the draft proposal reviewed by THE CITY. Those fees would be separate from any membership dues that workers would agree upon.

The surcharge could mean a windfall for a gig-worker union. With hundreds of thousands of e-hail rides daily in the five boroughs, its worth potentially tens of thousands of dollars in income per day from ride-hail drivers in New York City alone.

Desai said that the surcharge turns unions into a customer-funded liberal charity instead of a means to build worker power.

She added: This bill needs to be shredded.

This story was originally published by THE CITY, an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to hard-hitting reporting that serves the people of New York.
(Natural News) What does it say about Associated Press reporters investigative skills that, for 15 years, they allegedly shared a building with Hamas and didnt know it?

(Article by Andrew Thornebrooke republished from WesternJournal.com)

That is the question raised by the New York Post in an editorial on Monday that addressed the APs purported ignorance.

The story is just part of the aftermath of an airstrike by the Israeli Defense Forces that destroyed the office building where the AP and Al-Jazeera were housed in Gaza. IDF issued a warning to the media in the building an hour before the strike so that everyone could safely evacuate the area.

The IDF maintained that the building housed a military intelligence operation.

The building contained civilian media offices, it said in a tweet on Saturday, which Hamas hides behind and deliberately uses as human shields.

After providing advance warning to civilians & time to evacuate, IDF fighter jets struck a multi-story building containing Hamas military intelligence assets.

The building contained civilian media offices, which Hamas hides behind and deliberately uses as human shields. pic.twitter.com/zeDjEquePD

 Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 15, 2021

Despite the IDFs explanation and its warning, the AP ran a story shortly after the strike that quoted Al-Jazeera acting director-general Mostefa Souag as calling the strike a war crime designed to silence the media.

The accusation was, of course, baseless, and offered one more piece of evidence of just how deranged the establishment media have become in their anti-Israel bias.

AP President and CEO Gary Pruitt said in a statement Thursday that his organization had no indication Hamas was in the building or active in the building. This is something we actively check to the best of our ability.

For its part, Israel shared evidence for its assertions with President Joe Biden, who evidently found it satisfactory enough to warrant the strike, according to The Jerusalem Post.

As such, the APs posture appears to be explained only by incompetence, dishonesty or both. Either way, it is not worthy of trust.

It is a fact that the New York Posts editorial board called out simply enough.

If its true that AP was so unaware  and the evidence suggests its unlikely  how can anyone trust its reporting in the region? the board asked.

Alas, the establishment medias tawdry affair with Hamas terrorism is anything but novel.

Former AP journalist Matti Friedman acknowledged as much in an article he wrote for The Atlantic in 2014 that detailed how the AP and other outlets regularly gave cover to Hamas terror and shifted blame to Israel.

During my time at the AP, we helped Hamas get this point across with a school of reporting that might be classified as Surprising Signs of Moderation (a direct precursor to the Muslim Brotherhood Is Actually Liberal school that enjoyed a brief vogue in Egypt), Friedman wrote.

Around the same time, I was informed by the bureaus senior editors that our Palestinian reporter in Gaza couldnt possibly provide critical coverage of Hamas because doing so would put him in danger, he said.

As Israel keeps up with its defense against the bloody atrocities of Hamas, it is perhaps not surprising that reporters on the ground in Gaza might be intimidated into silence by the terrorists with whom they shared a building.

What is not acceptable, however, is the continued peddling of anti-Jewish and pro-terror narratives that undermine security and the pursuit of truth everywhere.

The AP news story, which stated without evidence that Israel was targeting reporters to silence them, says nothing about what happened but a great deal about journalism, Friedman tweeted in response to the APs coverage of the strike.

The AP news story, which stated without evidence that Israel was targeting reporters to silence them, says nothing about what happened but a great deal about journalism. Its an enormous problem for sane people just trying to get a handle on complex and disturbing events.  Matti Friedman (@MattiFriedman) May 16, 2021

An enormous problem indeed, and one that bears remembering anytime one sees an AP story on the Middle East.

Unfortunately for everyone, the news organization appears intent on doubling down on its mission to undermine Israeli sovereignty.

In his statement, Pruitt said, The world will know less about what is happening in Gaza because of what happened today.

That claim was, of course, a falsehood.

The world knows less than it should about what is going on in Gaza because the AP refused to document the terrorists with whom it shared a building for more than a decade.

Or, as the New York Post editorial staff so eloquently put it, It seems that what AP doesnt know  and doesnt report  always favors Hamas over those the group terrorizes.

One can only wonder how long it will be until the establishment media report the facts as they are rather than how they would like them to be.

Read more at: WesternJournal.com and Journalism.news.
(Natural News) A catastrophic rat infestation is sweeping across eastern Australia in what some people describe as a plague of biblical proportions. Journalist Lucy Thackray shared on Twitter a clip of dead and live rats seemingly raining down on a farm in New South Wales.

The video was taken while a silo was being cleaned out. It featured dozens of dead and live rats falling along with the grains from a tube. Some of the critters managed to run off while the dead ones piled up on the ground.

Even if grains in silos, mice can get to it. Like Tyler Jones discovered in Tullamore when cleaning out the auger and it started raining mice #mouseplague #mice #australia pic.twitter.com/mWOHNWAMPv  Lucy Thackray (@LucyThack) May 12, 2021

The clip attracted hundreds of comments expressing concern about the infestation. One Twitter user wrote, I keep thinking the mouse plague footage cant get any worse but then it does. Another penned, Hear often about raining cats and dogs but never before raining mice. How horrible.

Religious website Israel365 News speculated that Australias rat problem was the latest plague sent by God after the locust plague in Africa and the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic. It noted that the nations rat problem resembled the Biblical plague that left the land of Egypt bereft of food.

Mouse plague destroys crops, appliances

New South Wales farmer Chris Kemp told Australias ABC News that the region had never experienced a mice plague as bad as this. He remarked that mice were everywhere, from fields to houses to sheds.

This is probably the worst I have seen, he said. When you mow your lawn, you get 50 or 100 mice running away from you.

An unexpected relief came from birds of prey such as falcons and magpies, which perched on power lines waiting for the mice to leave their hiding places, Kemp said. But the predatory birds were not enough to quell the rat infestation, as the farmer had to use gallons of rat bait every week to save his crops.

We had to bait all our cropping country just before harvest. The mice were starting to eat the grain and eat the pods on the canola, Kemp said.

Emma Henderson was also dealing with the plague in her home in the town of Merriwa. She said that mice made a nest around her oven and pulled the insulation to make themselves more comfortable, causing the appliance to overheat and trip.

I pulled the oven out with my son, and we found their little nest and a whole heap of insulation down the back of the wall, so I lost my oven, and the smell, oh the smell, she said. The mice also destroyed her freezer, juicer and air fryer, leaving her with a bill of more than 1,000 Australian dollars ($777). (Related: New York City is being forced to deploy an army of 10,000 cleanup workers in response to worsening problems with trash and rats.)

The growing mice population was the result of the rains that pummeled the region after a long period of drought, according to Thackray. She said that the drought killed the animals that preyed on the rats. So when it started raining, the rats flourished alongside the crops that fed the four-legged pests.

The journalist added that mice normally stop breeding early in the year, but the critters continued to multiply. A cold snap or rain might make things worse, she opined.

[By] the time you come to spring, which is when you really see them start multiplying their numbers, were worried about next year when were going to have an even bigger base to start from in terms of mouse population, Thackray said. Mice start breeding at six weeks of age and can give birth every 21 days after that, which means a pair of rats can give rise to 500 offspring in a season, according to ABC News.

On May 13, the states agriculture minister announced that the state would provide free bait to all primary producers and repay eligible households and small businesses for purchasing bait. The state would also fund research on how to effectively control the regions mice population to prevent another rat plague.

Follow Plague.info to learn more about the plagues affecting regions worldwide.

Sources include:

DailyStar.co.uk 1

Twitter.com

DailyStar.co.uk 2

ABC.net.au 1

TVNZ.co.nz

ABC.net.au 2
(Natural News) There is no chance of long-term survival for anyone who received a Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) injection, according to leading French virologist Luc Montagnier.

Everyone who is getting jabbed for the Chinese Virus will die, he reportedly stated during a recent interview, which you can watch below at Brighteon.com.

There is no hope and no possible treatment for those who have already been vaccinated, Montagnier stated plainly during the segment. We must be prepared to cremate the bodies.

After studying at length the ingredients contained in the injections and what they do, Montagnier came to the conclusion that every single person who gets the shot will eventually die from antibody-dependent enhancement, or ADE.

That is all that can be said, he added.

Montagnier is credited with being the first to discover HIV, by the way, having warned last spring that the Wuhan Flu contains artificially spliced DNA from the autoimmune-provoking virus. It now appears as though these same alterations can be found in Chinese Virus vaccines, which are priming peoples bodies for eventual sudden death.

Montagnier also stated last year that the presence of elements of HIV and germs of malaria in the genome of coronavirus is highly suspect and the characteristics of the virus could not have arisen naturally. It turns out he was right.

Wuhan Flu shots were designed to slow kill the masses through time-delayed death

It is one thing for the genetically modified (GMO) virus to be intentionally released, but a whole different thing for the medical establishment to then introduce an injection for it right in the middle of an alleged pandemic.

In Montagniers view, this approach is an unacceptable mistake, at best, because all it will do is spread even more variants of the Chinese Virus and kill more people  which appears to have been the plan all along.

We have Donald Trump and his Operation Warp Speed scheme to thank for this nightmare, by the way. While some of his diehard supporters still insist that Trump should not be blamed because he was simply misled by his cabinet concerning the nature of the injections, Trump himself is aggressively pushing them even to this day, despite the tens of thousands of known cases of injury and death.

Evidence continues to mount that Chinese Virus injections were designed to be a slow kill for many, meaning their detrimental impact takes a bit of time to manifest. For some, however, injury and death will come immediately, as we have seen in the headlines as of late.

All of this would explain the mad rush to vaccinate people at warp speed, using any ploy or coercion tactic necessary to reach the desired target. Once enough vaccinated people start dropping dead, the remaining unvaccinated will more than likely resist, which is why the Biden regime is moving quickly to get as many people injected as possibly, preferably before July 4.

The powers that be have your DNA from the swab tests in a database link with an artificial intelligence that will determine the best time for one to die, and it will be by a natural cause like stroke or heart attack, one commenter at Disclose.tv wrote about people who are not necessarily vaccinated but who have undergone a covid test.

A certain frequency will resonate with the target only by the mobility tower closest to your home. Skynet is not sending droids, but frequencies.

More of the latest news about the death and destruction being brought to bear by Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) injections can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

coe-llc.com

Disclose.tv

Brighteon.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) After Dr. Anthony Fauci was caught lying about NIH involvement in coronavirus gain-of-function research, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) revealed a government document called the Framework for Guiding Funding Decisions about Proposed Research Involving Enhanced Potential Pandemic Pathogens.

The 2017 HHS document reveals the US government is involved in funding and overseeing research to create, transfer, or use pandemic pathogens. The document reveals the existence of a review process and a regulatory framework to assess the safety and necessity of this controversial research. One of the goals of the framework is to provide researchers a pathway to subvert the 2014 moratorium on gain-of-function research. The criteria for lifting the moratorium are discussed further herein.

Several government agencies are involved in the review process of this unethical research. These agencies include the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in consultation with the Departments of HHS, Defense, Homeland Security, Agriculture, and Justice, generally acting through the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The HHS P3CO Framework ensures a multidisciplinary, department-level pre-funding review and evaluation of proposed research meeting the scope outlined herein to help inform funding agency decisions.

According to these revelations, the gain-of-function research funded by Dr. Fauci and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease that was carried out through Eco Health Alliance and the Wuhan Institute of Virology includes a long paper trail of safety reviews and oversight that was conducted through various government agencies. The documents need to be summoned to court, to reveal the process by which Dr. Fauci, Dr. Daszak, Dr. Barrick, and Dr. Shi Zheng-li subverted the moratorium on gain-of-function research, and to detail the stated purpose of their research. (Related: Theres nothing natural about SARS-CoV-2, and the circumstances surrounding the covid scandal reek of criminal intent.)

Loophole was developed through the HSS to subvert moratorium on gain-of-function research

Right away, the HSS document establishes that research involving potential pandemic pathogens (PPPs) is essential for protecting global health. A PPP is defined as a highly transmissible pathogen, capable of wide and uncontrollable spread among humans and likely to cause significant morbidity and/or mortality. The document reveals that such research may result in the development of an enhanced PPP. The document defines an enhanced PPP as resulting from the enhancement of the transmissibility and/or virulence of a pathogen. The document reveals that enhanced PPPs are NOT naturally occurring pathogens. The HHS admits that bioweapon research is real, that the US government knows about this research and oversees it, and admits the possibility that enhanced pandemic pathogens can escape containment.

HHS admits that biosafety and biosecurity risks are associated with this highly controversial research and these risks must be mitigated if the research is to go forward. This framework allows researchers to subvert the moratorium on gain-of-function virus research that was enacted on October 17, 2014. In the governments Recommended Policy Guidance for Departmental Development of Review Mechanisms for Potential Pandemic Pathogen Care and Oversight (P3CO), HSS reveals how to get around the moratorium:

Agencies that adopt a review mechanism consistent with the provisions specified below will have satisfied the requirements for lifting that agencys moratorium on certain gain-of-function research consistent with the October 17, 2014 statement U.S. Government Gain-of-Function Deliberative Process and Research Funding Pause on Selected Gain-of-Function Research Involving Influenza, MERS, and SARS Viruses.

Government permits enhanced pathogen research only to create surveillance tests and vaccines

HSS allows researchers to modify pathogens and define the pathogens according to the research activities they are engaged in. The document reveals that potential pandemic pathogens can be modified for enhanced transmissibility and or virulence, but only if the research is conducted for surveillance activities, sequencing, or vaccine development. If these conditions are met, then the PPPs would not be considered enhanced, no matter how virulent and lethal the pathogen was designed to be during the process of sequencing and vaccine development. Thats right, the government permits gain-of-function pathogen research to design tests and vaccine experiments that match the man-made viruses! The current LIVE testing and vaccine experiment unleashed on the world through various pharmaceutical companies is an extension of the gain-of-function research that involved manipulation of pathogens in the lab!

This government-approved experimentation is not complete until the majority of the worlds population is convinced to take the experimental inoculations that were designed based on gain-of-function coronavirus research that intentionally enhanced the transmissibility and lethality of pathogens. All the fatalities that are associated with covid-19 are the result of clandestine VACCINE research and the corresponding development of enhanced viruses.

Any entity involved in approving, funding and subverting moratoriums on this research should be held accountable for crimes against humanity. Enhanced pathogens, once released accidentally or intentionally, are a form of forced medical experimentation on human immune systems. This is a form of LIVE vaccination, and the results have proven deadly for a certain subset of the population who have underlying health conditions. The ongoing experimentation of humans through the actual inoculations has only perpetuated suffering and death, as these psychopathic criminals, co-conspirators and their propagandists declare they are saving you and the rest of the world from a naturally-occurring pandemic.

Sources include:

Phe.gov [PDF]

NIH.gov [PDF]

NaturalNews.com

CovidVaccineReactions.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Partisan propaganda outlet Politifact on Monday pulled a fact-check purportedly debunking the conspiracy theory that COVID-19 was created in a lab.

(Article by Chris Menahan republished from InformationLiberation.com)

The fact-check  which was used by Big Tech to justify censorship of conspiracy theorists all over social media  was titled, Tucker Carlson guest airs debunked conspiracy theory that COVID-19 was created in a lab and was rated Pants on fire!

It now carries the following correction:

Editors note, May 17, 2021: When this fact-check was first published in September 2020, PolitiFacts sources included researchers who asserted the SARS-CoV-2 virus could not have been manipulated. That assertion is now more widely disputed. For that reason, we are removing this fact-check from our database pending a more thorough review. Currently, we consider the claim to be unsupported by evidence and in dispute. The original fact-check in its entirety is preserved below for transparency and archival purposes. Read our May 2021 report for more on the origins of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Is Politifact going to get blacklisted by Google and banned from social media for publishing this misinformation?

Are they going to have their PayPal and bank accounts closed?

Of course not, instead theyre going to continue being artificially propped up by Google and shoved in everyones face for social engineering purposes.

Google rewrote all their search algorithms after literally crying about Trumps win in 2016 and hired a 10,000-strong army of flaggers to blacklist all independent media while boosting propaganda mills like CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post and phony fact-checkers like Politifact and Snopes.

Facebook at the same time partnered with a bunch of fact-checkers like Politifact to censor news articles the establishment doesnt want people reading that were going viral on the site.

Google these days is practically unusable as they censor absolutely everyone who tells the truth or in any way bucks the establishment. Even Google Images is now heavily censored.

Google users never asked for this and nearly everyone is complaining about it.

The only one praising this censorship is the Anti-Defamation League under CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, who earlier this year in the pages of the New York Times hailed the CEOs censoring the internet as the fourth branch of government and the glue thats trying to hold the country together.

Read more at: InformationLiberation.com and FactCheck.news.
On Monday evening, a massive and highly dangerous tornado struck near Selden, Kansas, injuring one person and causing extensive damage. Around 6:30 p.m., the twister hit. CDT, according to Sheridan County Emergency Management. Buildings, houses, silo, trees, semi-truck, and trains were all destroyed.

As it charged into northwestern Kansas, an extreme storm that had a history of stirring up tornadoes spawned the dangerous weather.

According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Bowers, the thunderstorm first developed southwest of Goodland, Kansas, around 3 p.m. CDT. It then tracked northeastward ahead of a frontal boundary, where it repeatedly dropped tornadoes for a few minutes at a time over the next few hours.

"This one supercell produced nearly a dozen tornado reports." Tree and power line disruption, as well as one injury, were reported at 6:26 p.m. CDT at Selden," Bowers said.

Related Article: For Millions of People, Memorial Day Weekend Could be Ruined by Bad Incoming Storm



Caught by Storm Chasers

Scott Peake, a storm chaser, had a good look at the tornado that hit Selden, Kansas. As Peake approached in a car, he caught video of the tornado rising and swirling. A huge sheet of metal can be seen floating over the road in front of him, courtesy of the twister.

CONVEX, a group of tornado chasers that captures data from within and around tornadoes, collected video from afar after an intercept probe was lowered into the storm's path. Crew members can be heard shouting, "Oh, no!" As the video progresses, they exclaim, "Oh my God!" and "It's reaching the area!" before scrambling to get farther away.

No Injuries

There were no major injuries recorded, but plenty of collateral damage, according to KSNW, the local NBC station. According to KSNW, the local sheriff reported that 38 properties received major damage, while 84 others received moderate damage.

"This town will be rebuilt," says the narrator. "According to KSNW, Sheridan County Fire Training Chief Steve Hirsch said. "Because of the people who live here, it would be just as powerful as it was before. They've survived droughts, and they've survived tornadoes, and they're going to survive this tornado," Hirsch said.

Spotty Heavy Storms

According to Meteorologist Mary Gilbert, rounds of spotty heavy storms will begin to rumble through parts of the Plains each day until at least Tuesday night.

Severe weather threats would largely change their attention away from Colorado and toward the east.

Downpours and violent storms are expected to form in a similar region from the southern Plains to parts of the upper Mississippi Valley on Tuesday afternoon and night.

Depending on how much cloud cover and rain remains from Monday night, there could be a significantly lower chance of extreme weather today. Regardless, storms may generate hail and destructive wind gusts, as well as torrential downpours, according to forecasters.

Also Read: What's Causing the Increase of Tropical Cyclones in the Arabian Sea?

For more climate and weather updates, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
(Natural News) Just 20 companies are responsible for 55 percent of single-use plastic items discarded worldwide, according to the Plastic Waste Makers Index. This is the first study to track the journey of single-use plastics, the most commonly discarded type of plastic, through the entire supply chain, beginning with the producers.

Published on May 18, the study named the companies that are at the forefront of the plastics supply chain. The study also revealed that the companies identified are supported by financial backers.

ExxonMobil, a Texas-based oil and gas company, topped the list, producing 5.9 million metric tonnes of waste. It was followed by Michigan-based Dow Chemical Company and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec). In all, 100 companies are responsible for 90 percent of global single-use plastic production.

Other big producers of single-use plastic identified in the study include Indorama Ventures, PetroChina, Alpek SA de CV, Saudi Aramco, LyondellBasell, Reliance Industries, Braskem, Borealis, Lotte Chemical, Total, Jiangsu Hailun Petrochemical, Far Eastern New Century and Formosa Plastics Corporation.

The study was published by the Minderoo Foundation, a philanthropic organization based in Australia. Experts from the London School of Economics and the Stockholm Environment Institute, among other institutes, contributed to the study.

20 companies produce 55 percent of global plastic waste

Single-use plastics, such as water bottles, straws and plastic bags, are made almost exclusively from fossil fuels. Because these plastics are some of the hardest items to recycle, they often end up creating global waste mountains in already overflowing landfills. These plastics can also be found polluting oceans.

The comprehensive analysis provides an unprecedented glimpse into the surprisingly small number of companies and their financial backers that generate more than half of the 130 million metric tonnes of plastics thrown away in 2019.

In particular, the analysis revealed that just 20 global banks are funding single-use plastic production. Overall, $30 billion of loans from these global banks, which include Barclays, HSBC and Bank of America, have supported single-use plastic production since 2011.

Furthermore, the study assessed the countries that contribute the most to the single-use plastic crisis based on per head of the population. Australia and the United States were found to produce the greatest amounts of single-use plastic items at more than 50 kilograms (kg) per person per year in 2019.

South Korea and the United Kingdom followed closely at 44 kg of single-use plastic waste per person. In China, the largest producer of single-use plastic by volume, the average person surprisingly produces only 18 kg of single-use plastic per year. India lags behind at only four kg of single-use plastic produced per year per person.

Plastic waste harms the environment

The plastic waste crisis grows every year, partly due to the growth in the supply of virgin polymers. These new plastics will end up as pollution in countries with poor waste management systems, the authors said. (Related: Plastic BAN List highlights the 9 top sources of plastic pollution.)

For decades, plastic producers worldwide have been allowed to operate with minimal regulation and transparency, worsening the plastic crisis. Plastic pollution is one of the greatest and most critical threats facing our planet, said Andrew Forrest, chairman of the Minderoo Foundation.

[We] simply cannot allow these producers of fossil fuel-derived plastics to continue as they have done without check, added Forrest. With oceans choking on plastic and plastic impacting human health, there should be swift and firm intervention from producers, financers and governments to break the cycle of inaction.

This intervention involves not making new plastics and using recycled plastic waste. It may also mean allocating more capital to the use of those recycled plastics and redesigning plastic so that it degrades, returning to its original molecules instead of breaking down into micro- or nanoplastics.

Follow Environ.news to learn more about the environmental impacts of plastic pollution.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

Minderoo.org

TheGuardian.com
(Natural News) The far-left cesspool known as Chicago is now under a new city guidance that forces restaurants to create designated unvaccinated seating areas, much like how black people used to have to sit at the back of the bus and use different drinking fountains than white people.

While the new program is still in its infancy stage, reports indicate that city leaders in Chicago are already requiring that restaurants only be allowed to reopen if they create special unvaccinated-only areas for people who refuse Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) injections.

These unvaccinated-only sections will have distanced tables, obstructive partitions, and other annoyances aimed at coercing the non-jabbed into giving up and obeying Joe Biden. The vaccinated-only sections, on the other hand, will have full unrestricted use of the restaurant.

We decided to divide, and youre free to come on this side, go to the bar  you can be pre-pandemic, announced Sam Sanchez, owner of Moes Cantina, about how vaccinated guests will be treated like royalty at his establishment.

Sanchez will be issuing special VIP neon bracelets to his vaccinated patrons, which will allow them exclusive access to the more desirable areas of his restaurant.

In order to obtain this neon bracelet, which comes in pink, diners will need to show proof of full vaccination. They will then be allowed to relax and enjoy a normal dining experience as if the plandemic had never even been announced and pushed by the media.

Just back to normal, Sanchez told local media about his compliance with Chicagos new rules.

Bars, nightclubs in Chicago will only be allowed to reopen if all guests are vaccinated

Sanchez was proud to reveal that the city had officially signed off on his establishment based on the new criteria. He will now be allowed to run his business in a more profitable way after a year of heavy restrictions.

I think this helps the businesses get back to not even a break even but close to a break even, he said.

As Chairman of the Illinois Restaurant Association, Sanchez acknowledged that many other local restaurants are confused about the new command from Chicagos city leaders that vaccinated patrons be given special treatment while unvaccinated people are treated like filthy vermin.

Theres always new guidance and theres a lot of miscommunication, he said.

To help people better understand this new double standard, the city of Chicago will be holding special webinars for business owners to explain how they should treat unvaccinated people like second-class citizens.

There are even more restrictive rules for late-night establishments like bars and nightclubs, which will only be allowed to reopen if all of their guests are vaccinated  no unvaccinated sections allowed.

The left really is working overtime to make life as miserable as possible for those who refuse Donald Trumps Operation Warp Speed injections for the Chinese Virus. Even though the jabs admittedly provide no protection against infection or spread, leftists are demanding that everyone get them or else not be allowed to live a normal life.

This is nothing short of medical fascism, which is ironic considering the left claims to be anti-fascist. Somehow my body, my choice went right out the window once Chinese Germs started getting media attention, and the only escape from this nightmare is to wait for these people to die from the third wave of the virus that is being spread through the vaccines.

As for Chicago businesses that do not serve food in a restaurant setting, the city says that owners are strongly advised to verify injection status before allowing customers or employees to take off the mask, but as of now this is not being enforced.

More related news about Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) tyranny can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

chicago.cbslocal.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) What if there was no such thing as Covid-19, and the US government simply told everyone that the flu is expected to spread more easily this year, so we are going to shut down all non-essential businesses, make everyone wear a mask at all times, and require experimental, unsafe vaccinations for anyone interested in traveling anywhere, ever again? Would you have believed it? Would you still believe it? Would you cooperate?

Guess what  Covid-19 is no worse than the flu, and youve all been duped. That is a scientific fact youre going to have to deal with, and were about to explain the simple reasons for why it happened, how it happened, how its still happening, and why more than 150 million Americans bit down hard on the bait, hook-line-and-sinker.

We dont have the Covid inoculations to prevent the transmission of Covid, we got Covid so that people would GET inoculated  Dr. Christiane Northrup

It was, is, and will always be about the vaccinations, but last year, it was about vaccinations AND a crooked election. To understand how 150 million Americans have already been hoodwinked and brainwashed into obedience by dirty vaccines and the removal of American freedoms, first we take a hard look at influenza statistics for the year before the Covid outbreak began.

For the year 2018 to 2019, flu activity greatly increased that November and remained at high levels through the following February. The American Flu can be any of about 12 to 15 varying strains, including that years initial predominant strain of Influenza A (H1N1pdm09). Flu cases in general were of moderate severity, with thousands of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza-associated deaths (note that term for later).

The beloved CDC documented more than 35 million cases of the flu that (fiscal) year, that starts with the beginning of the flu season in October (which conveniently for Big Pharma lasts through May). More than 16 million Americans checked in with a health care provider for their illness, and there were over half-a-million hospitalizations. Get ready for the death statistic. There were over 34,000 deaths from the flu. Now let that marinate in your brain for a minute.

Here comes the shocker. There were only 136 child deaths in the entire United States that were confirmed to be from influenza virus that year. Now we look at the China Flu, and we see why the panic, the threat, and the results are nearly IDENTICAL to the flu.

The CDC has turned every flu case into a Covid case, including all deaths

If youve been watching the amazing interviews the Health Ranger has conducted recently with top doctors and scientists, who learned all about vaccine research and virus research for decades (as linked in this article via Brighteon), you will gain a richer understanding of that which you thought you may have already understood.

First off, the death curve of Covid-19 is almost an exact replica of the death curve for the flu of recent years, which is auspiciously at zero right now. Zero. Coincidence? No, its not a coincidence.

This is exactly how they convinced everyone that Covid was spreading so fast and killing so many, besides counting suicides, auto wreck deaths, MRSA infections from superbugs in hospitals, and every single US flu death as a death from Covid. Get it? It was all scare mongering to get as many people vaccinated with these dirty vaccines that create prions and blood clots, and that are literally MORE dangerous than the virus. Much more dangerous.

In fact, we may have already reached the point where deaths from the Covid vaccine outnumber all deaths added up from all vaccines, ever since the early 1950s (Check VAERS).

Hyping the China flu into a pandemic

Then there are millions of faulty PCR tests that hyped up the pandemic. Understand that the PCR tests, as the Health Ranger explains, are only for the spike protein of Covid, which comes before the antibodies, and that shows positive for every FLU person. PCR tests are only a qualitative scan that tests for greater than zero. So that doesnt denote anything specific  that you have Covid, or had it, or are carrying it, or how much of it.

Bottom line, says the Health Ranger, is that it cant be determined whether a person is currently sick from just conducting a PCR test. So how is the plandemic spread worldwide, you may be asking? How did so many governments fall for the scam of the century? Answer: The false-positive PCR test range has been exploited by nearly every lab in the world for a pandemic cover story that not only stole the US presidential election, but may be about to steal a couple hundred million American lives via prion-creating vaccines.

Is it ironic and suspicious that Trump cheers on the vaccine industry so hard and this vaccine specifically, when he did not do this before Covid? When Trump was running for President, he warned Americans about not having children get so many vaccines so close together, because it leads to autism and other nervous system/brain disorders. Remember? So, does Trump know what we know now? Also, the Covid vaccines may be targeting women, and specifically their reproductive systems.

Check out a couple of the amazing interviews that shed light on all of this:

Interview on Brighteon: Dr. Christiane Northrup gives new details on covid vaccine shedding / transmission, especially among women.

Interview on Brighteon: Dr. Lee Merritt and Mike Adams ask: Are covid spike proteins being RELEASED onto cities?

We all must ask now, Why is the government lying to us about such simple things? The denial of the effectiveness of natural remedies and natural cures is all about pushing the vaccine. Get it? Indigenous medicine blows away Western medicine, but nobody is allowed to talk about it in the USA, much less recommend it, or you lose your license to practice medicine. Think about it: Masks dont work for Covid, and they would not have helped quell the spread of Small Pox either, or we would have used them to help dissipate and eradicate the disease.

Tune your internet frequency to Pandemic.news for updates on how to prepare and take care of your body and mind with superfoods, supplements and whole organic food right now and during the upcoming communist apocalypse.

Sources for this article include:

Pandemic.news

VaccineLiberationArmy.com

VAERS.hhs.gov

NaturalNews.com

CDC.gov/flu
(Natural News) A number of Democrat states have not repealed their indoor mask mandates despite new guidance on face coverings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that fully vaccinated Americans need not wear masks in indoor and outdoor settings. However, this has failed to convince some states led by Democrat governors to relax existing restrictions.

According to a May 13 CNBC report, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky confirmed that fully vaccinated individuals can eschew masks and physical distancing. Anyone who is fully vaccinated [against COVID-19] can participate in indoor and outdoor activities  without wearing a mask or physical distancing. If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic, she said.

Walensky, however, clarified that there are still some exemptions to this new guidance. Unvaccinated people should still wear masks as they remain at risk of contracting and falling ill from COVID-19. The CDC director added that those with compromised immune systems should speak with their doctor before going maskless.

The state of New Jersey is one of many that have not lifted indoor mask mandates. Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy announced on May 17 that he would repeal outdoor masks mandates on that day. However, New Jerseyans are still required to mask indoors. The majority of [the states residents] are still unvaccinated, and keeping this mandate in place in public settings protects you, your family, essential workers and our entire community, he remarked.

Murphy later defended his refusal to lift mask-wearing requirements indoors. He said: Dr. [Anthony] Fauci himself said  he thinks lifting indoor mask mandates at this time could lead to a rise in infections. The governor nevertheless commented that masks would no longer be required in indoor spaces in the not-so-distant future.

However, even Fauci himself has called to liberalize the restrictions so people can feel like theyre getting back to some normalcy. The director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) said: Pulling back restrictions on indoor masks is an important step in the right direction.

He added: You cant inhibit people from doing the things they want to do, which is one of the reasons they wanted to get vaccinated in the first place. But even though the NIAID director advocated for less stringent mask mandates, he still recommended children too young to be vaccinated to mask up.

On the other hand, many Republican governors followed the science and discontinued indoor mask mandates

Meanwhile, Republican states adhered to CDC guidelines and dropped their mask mandates altogether  with the state of West Virginia among them. A May 14 WBOY 12 report said that GOP Gov. Jim Justice would sign a new executive order modifying West Virginias statewide mask mandate. He said that in line with CDC guidance, fully vaccinated West Virginians need not wear face masks in most settings.

However, Justice emphasized that those who are not yet immunized against COVID-19 still need to mask up until June 20. He commented that people do not have a constitutional right to refuse to wear a mask and added that private businesses and schools can mandate people to wear one. Justice then challenged those against masks to get themselves inoculated if they do not like face coverings. (Related: Woke corporations ignore CDC; will still require customers to wear masks.)

But even before the CDC issued its latest guidelines on masks, Texas went ahead and dropped mask mandates altogether. Back in March of this year, GOP Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order repealing mask orders and allowing businesses in the Lone Star State to reopen at full capacity. The states Wuhan coronavirus positivity rate dropped as a result. (Related: Coronavirus cases continue to drop in Texas after lifting mask mandate and reopening businesses.)

A March 2 statement by Abbotts office said: We must now do more to restore livelihoods and normalcy for Texans by opening [the state] 100 percent. Make no mistake  COVID-19 has not disappeared. [But] it is clear from the recoveries, vaccinations, reduced hospitalizations and safe practices that Texans are using that state mandates are no longer needed.

While many lauded Abbotts move, Democrats slammed his decision to lift stringent mandates. California Gov. Gavin Newsom called the decision absolutely reckless in a tweet. Even President Joe Biden put in his two cents on the matter, equating Abbotts move to lift coronavirus restrictions to Neanderthal thinking.

Head over to Pandemic.news to read more news about COVID-19 mask guidelines issued by the CDC.

Sources include:

NationalReview.com

CNBC.com

6ABC.com

WBOY.com

TheNewAmerican.com

Gov.Texas.gov
(Natural News) Cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin and dogecoin, went through a roller coaster the past few weeks, with prices falling from previous highs. While the values of cryptocurrencies remain high, its raised fears about their stability.

The values of various cryptocurrencies fell over the past few weeks after Tesla CEO Elon Musk pulled the automakers support for bitcoin on environmental grounds. Prices dipped further when Musk appeared to hint that Tesla has sold its large bitcoin holdings. While Musk later denied this, by then, the price of bitcoin had already dropped.

Cryptocurrency values did recover slightly by the morning of Tuesday, May 18. Bitcoin, for example, was up by one percent that day but still down by almost 20 percent compared to the previous week. Other cryptocurrencies also experienced similar gains, with the market up by around 1.92 percent.

SEC warns that bitcoin, other cryptos, are highly speculative

The wild fluctuations of the crypto market are coming as regulators have intensified concern about the risk taken on by ordinary investors and the potential for misconduct in these largely anonymous digital payment systems.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) warned investors last week that bitcoin was a highly speculative investment. In its warning, the SEC pointed to bitcoins lack of regulation and potential for fraud and manipulation.

Investment in cryptocurrencies, which now number nearly 10,000, has been fueled by websites and apps, such as Robinhood and Coinbase, which allow investors to easily trade in them. Meanwhile, the stimulus checks that have been given out to Americans stuck at home during the pandemic have also provided many erstwhile crypto investors with money to burn.

Cryptocurrencies are attractive to many due to their decentralized nature. In most cases, theyre run on a global network of computers that are not under the control of a central bank or company. Record keeping is instead done on the user level, with transactions recorded on a public ledger without a middleman brokering the transaction.

But this decentralization also makes it attractive to criminal elements. For example, the recent ransomware attack that brought down the Colonial Pipeline, sparking gas shortages around the country last week, was paid off using bitcoin.

There is a tension of privacy versus a governments right to know, says Kenneth Rogoff, an economics professor at Harvard University. Rogoff noted that tax evasion and the financing of illicit activity are among the challenges that cryptocurrencies pose to governments.

This has been going on with cash forever, but cash is nothing compared to the potential for crypto, he adds.

Crypto values easily influenced by high profile investors, like Elon Musk

Part of what makes cryptocurrencies so volatile is how easy their values can swing based on the words and actions of a few large investors and personalities. The most notable of these is Teslas Musk.

During his Saturday Night Live appearance on May 8, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO called himself the Dogefather, appearing to disparage the cryptocurrency dogecoin. This caused the value of that crypto to tumble by more than 30 percent. (Related: Spike in value of meme crypto dogecoin raises bubble fears.)

That was followed up by another market-moving event from Musk. In a tweet, the Tesla CEO stated that the company would no longer accept bitcoin as payment, citing its high energy cost. This move caused bitcoin, currently the most valuable cryptocurrency, to plunge by around 10 percent, taking many others along with it. Prices fell further on Sunday, May 16 after Musk suggested on Twitter that Tesla was looking to sell or may have already sold its considerable bitcoin holdings.

There really is something unprecedented and amazing and almost magical about Elon Musks continuing ability and inclination to move the prices of Bitcoin and Dogecoin with his slightest whim, noted Bloomberg columnist Matt Levine.

In his column, Levine noted that Musk definitely had the power to move bitcoin and dogecoin prices whenever he feels like it.

He also points to cryptocurrencies lack of regulation, stating that Musk could simply buy large amounts of dogecoin and bitcoin before making their prices go up.

If he did do that, he probably would not have much in the way of disclosure obligations, at least not real-time disclosure obligations.

Its in light of these that regulators, such as those in the SEC, have made their warnings about cryptocurrencies.

Right now the exchanges trading in these crypto assets do not have a regulatory framework, either at the SEC or our sister agency, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, said SEC Chair Gary Gensler during a session of Congress where he made his first remarks on cryptocurrency regulation. Right now theres not a market regulator around these crypto exchanges. And thus theres really not protection against fraud or manipulation.

Other officials, including those abroad, have taken a less diplomatic approach.

Im going to say this very bluntly again, said Andrew Bailey, governor of the Bank of England. Buy them only if youre prepared to lose all your money.

Follow Risk.news for more stories about bitcoin, dogecoin and other cryptocurrencies.

Sources include:

News.Yahoo.com

Independent.co.uk

Twitter.com

Bloomberg.com
(Natural News) A shocking report out of the Paras HMRI hospital in Bihar, India gives a morbid glimpse of the deteriorating conditions inside the medical system there. A young woman claims her mother was gang-raped by three employees at the hospital and then intubated to keep her quiet.

According to the daughter, her mom walked into the hospital on her own and despite having symptoms, her health condition was satisfactory. Instead of being properly treated for her infection on May 15, the 45-year-old woman was sent to the ICU and gang raped on the hospital bed by three male employees. The woman found a way to tell her daughter what the hospital workers did to her between 6 pm of May 16 and 11am of May 17. The daughter immediately reached out to the womens wing of the Jan Adhikar Party (a political party) and reported the sexual assault. The ICU doctors at Paras HMRI allegedly put the victim on a ventilator to keep her from talking about the sexual assault. Four days later, on May 19, the 45-year-old woman passed away  the victim of a gruesome medical malpractice and wrongful death.

The daughter reported: They declared her dead. However, I suspect that the doctors intubated her because they wanted her not to record her statement before the police. This hospital should be shut down.

An investigation is currently underway, with Ramashankar Singh, the Station house officer at Shastrinagar police station leading the way. The National Commission for Women are also investigating and writing to the government of Bihar, with chairperson Rekha Sharma calling on police to investigate the matter. A post mortem investigation is underway to determine whether the mother was sexually assaulted. Duty Magistrate of Patna, ML Khan, said the womans body will be investigated for any evidence of foul play.

Efficacious treatments are withheld from covid patients worldwide, as mold infections plague the masked

The hospital listed the womans death as covid-19 even though the hospital killed the woman by refusing her treatment and thrusting her lungs onto a CPAP and then a ventilator. This is a problem that is taking place in hospitals around the world. Furthermore, mucormycosis infections are being listed as covid-19 deaths, as this black mold takes advantage of covid patients who have followed strict masking rules. The masks cultivate the conditions for this black mold. Mucormycosis infections have ballooned from twenty cases per year to several thousand cases after the mask mandate was imposed. Nevertheless, thousands more of these mask-induced respiratory infections get labeled as covid-19 cases because they share the same symptoms.

Instead of being treated with effective antivirals like ivermectin, licorice root, chicory, hibiscus, black cumin seed, and sweet wormwood extracts, patients are being cordoned off on ventilators and left to die. Patients could be given immune modulating vitamins like vitamin D, which prevents complications and deaths. Convalescent plasma can give the patient the antibodies they need to recover, too. Patients could be given hydroxychloroquine, quercetin, and zinc, which stops viral replication. Patients could be given oxygenating, nitric oxide-producing supplements (beet root), along with fruits and herbs that promote bronchodilation (pineapple juice, mullein, marshmallow root, lobelia, schisandra berry). Patients could be given nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory plant-based foods that bring down inflammation along the ACE2 receptors and endothelium cells of the cardiovascular system (pomegranate juice, Hawthorne berry, turmeric root). Instead, patients are isolated, medically raped, and maimed on ventilators.

Indias medical system in shambles after mass vaccination campaign, which quickly mutated coronavirus variants

Indias medical system is in shambles, especially after millions of experimental covid-19 vaccines were pumped into the arms of elderly, at-risk villagers who have fragile immune systems. Ever since the vaccine experiment was unleashed in India, hundreds of covid-19 variants have mutated into existence. These mutations are occurring more rapidly, and gaining new infectious traits, taking advantage of the malnourished, immune-compromised population subset. In January, the average daily death rate was contained under 100 people, but it has skyrocketed to over 4,000 deaths per day in April and May  ever since the vaccines were released. The medical system there is failing to treat patients with dignity, and is isolating patients from their family and advocates. This has given rise to abuse and nefarious activity. The depraved medical system is not equipped to properly medicate patients with efficacious antivirals and immune-modulators. Clueless doctors quickly turn to ventilators, which can destroy the patients lungs and further injure them with nosocomial infections.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

NaturalNews.com

VitaminD.News

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) In one of the most pathetic displays, actor and wrestler John Cena issued an apology to the Chinese people for mistakenly referring to Taiwan as a country:

(Article republished from TheRightScoop.com)

DAILY BEAST  John Cena issued a groveling apology to his fans in China after he called Taiwan a country during an interview for his new Fast & Furious movie F9. Earlier this month the former WWE star told a Taiwanese news outlet that the island would be the first country that can watch the new film. The video clip has since been taken down. While Taiwan views itself as a democratic, sovereign state after it broke away from China in 1949, the Peoples Republic of China believes otherwise, claiming Taiwan is a territory. It has vowed to eventually regain control there, even by force. So after decades of tension, Chinese nationals were outraged over Cenas remarks, especially because the 44-year-old is a beloved celebrity there, primarily through his career in the WWE. Threatening to boycott the new movie, which has already raked in $135.6 million in China, Cena addressed the backlash with his tail between his legs on the popular Chinese social media app Weibo on Tuesday. I made a mistake, Cena apologized profusely in Chinese, which he has studied for years. Now I have to say one thing which is very, very, very important: I love and respect China and Chinese people.

Heres the video, which is in Chinese:

John Cena apologized in Chinese on Sina Weibo after calling Taiwan a country during an interview promoting Fast & Furious 9 pic.twitter.com/dzRKIYgEzL  Joe Xu (@JoeXu) May 24, 2021

According to Joe Xu, this is what he said in the video: I made one mistake. I have to say something very, very, very important now. I love and respect China and Chinese people. Im very, very sorry about my mistake. I apologise, I apologise, Im very sorry.

Whats so pathetic about this is that Cena wasnt making an absolute affirmative statement that Taiwan is a country. Hes not activist fighting for Taiwan. No, he just made the comment in an offhand way when talking about who would get to see his film first. And for this, he grovels at the feet of the Chinese people. I thought he was supposed to be this big bad wrestler?

Hes just as bad as the NBA.

Read more at: TheRightScoop.com and Propaganda.news
(Natural News) The latest man on the street report by journalist and filmmaker Ami Horowitz exposes the anti-Semitism being promoted on American college campuses.

(Article by Kelen McBreen republished from InfoWars.com)

Horowitz hit the Portland State University campus posing as a volunteer raising money for American Friends For Hamas.

Were not your fathers terrorist organization, Horowitz told students at the liberal university. Weve kind of evolved beyond that. Its still kind of what we do, but weve sort of rebuilt and rebranded ourselves and you know, Hamas is where its at!

Were raising money to do what we do as Hamas. We want to fund operations against Israel and the type of attacks were talking about are cafes and schools and you know, soft targets, he explained.

Right, right, a student responded in agreement after Horowitz said, The suicide bomber is all weve got, its kind of like the poor mans F-15.

Ami described the pro-Hamas group as The next level BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions), adding, Were looking to wipe Israel off the map Were looking to destroy Israel.

One student admitted the college had just finished indoctrinating him to sympathize with Hamas, saying, I actually have been learning in this last school year about everything thats going on over there, so I like the sound of what youre doing, it sounds like the right thing to do.

Im totally against the Israeli genocide, another student answered.

In total, at least ten people donated to the murder of Israelis, adding up to at least $122.

Of course, the leftist scholars say they donated money in the name of peace and love, so its liberal.

According to Horowitz, Instagram deleted the video report from its platform on Tuesday.

Read more at: InfoWars.com
(Natural News) Outspoken host Tucker Carlson outlined Monday how the possibility of a lab leak causing the coronavirus outbreak was dismissed and lied about for over a year by those directing the pandemic response, and is only now emerging as a serious prospect because of the persistence of those who refused to be silenced.

(Article by Steve Watson republished from Summit.news)

Pretty much every sane person acknowledges at this point that the government of China likely caused the single worst man-made disaster in human history, Carlson noted, citing the release of a US intelligence document acknowledging that workers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology were hospitalised in November 2019.

The host noted that Anthony Fauci has admitted that he had no idea about the revelations, even though they were first brought to light in January, and rumours about the workers getting sick have been known for over a year.

Faucis own employers, the U.S. government, publicly released compelling evidence that the virus that he has devoted his life to fighting, did not come from food, but instead escaped from the very bio lab that Tony Fauci has sent American tax dollars to fund, Carlson announced.

Yet somehow Tony Fauci didnt know this Can we really believe that? No, of course, we cant, Carlson continued, adding right around the time those Chinese researchers became the worlds first COVID patients, the government of Thailand contacted the CDC and Tony Faucis office to say its intelligence service had picked up biological anomalies around the lab in Wuhan. In other words, there had been a leak.

Carlson continued several other allied foreign governments, including the governments of France and Australia, have gathered evidence showing the virus escaped from a Chinese lab. Yet Tony Fauci, who runs the whole thing, didnt know any of this? Come on. Of course he did.

Fauci has known from the beginning the virus may very well have come from that lab. Many people have known that. Fauci just lied about it for more than a year, Carlson urged.

Watch:

Carlson went on to explain how Faucis public statements regarding the outbreak and the Communist Chinese government are remarkable in this context.

Tony Fauci was perfectly aware that China may have created this virus, and he knew for a fact that the government of China was lying, covering its tracks, and pushing the world health organization to do the same, Carlson charged.

The host added that the most galling part of this is the fact that while Fauci and the health authorities lied, those few journalists and scientists who told the truth about what happened in Wuhan were punished for telling the truth.

They were attacked by CNN, censored by Facebook, denounced by their colleagues. They were destroyed in some cases. Wheres their apology? Whos paying into their reparations fund? No one of course., Carlson emphasised.

Carlson concluded by warning that The WHO, which followed Chinas instructions and told the world that COVID wasnt really transmissible by air, now has the full support of the Biden administration.

This is despite the fact American intelligence can prove that the WHO lied, and people died as a result of those lies. Even as of now, the U.S. government has not launched any broad and serious investigation into where the coronavirus came from. Carlson added.

In a separate Fox News broadcast Monday, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has continually spoken about the evidence of a lab leak, expressed his disgust at witnessing government scientists over the past year dismissing the possibility of COVID-19 originating from a lab when they surely must have seen the same information that I had seen.

That includes, certainly, Dr. Fauci as well, Pompeo noted:

Read more at: Summit.news
(Natural News) The science-based medicine skeptics having a fit over the fact that people are learning the truth about how Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines are shedding deadly spike proteins that trigger more disease.

In a post by Steven Novella, one of the know-it-alls over at Science-Based Medicine, he admits that Chinese Virus spike proteins can cause some of the harm of COVID-19 by themselves, which is important in our understanding of the disease.

While it was previously believed by science that a transmissible virus is what was causing people to get sick, the prevailing narrative seems to be shifting in favor of the virus spikes causing the real damage.

Novella describes these spikes as the business end of these viruses, giving them the ability to target, latch onto, and enter the cells that it infects. Spike mutations, he adds, are also what differentiates one virus variant from another.

He then cites a study suggesting that these spike proteins are capable of causing illness all on their own, even without an attached virus. This, he admits, is the reason why the Wuhan Flu is primarily a vascular disease that damages blood vessel walls.

While certainly not his intent, Novellas lengthy piece actually affirms the fact that Chinese Virus injections, which contain mRNA coding sequences for the spike proteins, are a contributor to disease whether the establishment wants to admit it or not.

This is proven by the experiments cited in Novellas linked study that involved empty protein shells containing spike proteins on the outside but no viral RNA inside. These spike-encrusted shells, or pseudoviruses, were injected into test mice intratracheally, resulting in prolific health damage.

Lung damage was apparent in animals receiving Pseu-Spike, revealed by thickening of the alveolar septa and increased infiltration of mononuclear cells, the study found. Control mice that received a mock virus with no spike proteins, on the other hand, showed no damage.

The study further found that the spike-encrusted shells bound themselves to the ACE2 receptors on cells, downregulated their function, and damaged the endothelium cells that line lung tissue and blood vessels.

The damage is apparently caused by effects on the mitochondria (energy producing organelles) in the cells  they change their shape and have reduced function, the study explains. They then reproduced these effects in vitro using a culture of lung endothelial cells exposed to the spike protein.

Covid is a vascular disease, not a respiratory illness

The study cited by Novella also clarifies that the Chinese Virus is a vascular disease as opposed to a respiratory illness as was long claimed by Anthony Fauci and other experts. This only further solidifies that the spike protein, rather than the virus, is what is harming people.

And again, if that spike protein is constantly being manufactured by mRNA technology post-injection, then peoples bodies are being bombarded with a synthetic poison that is causing damage to their lungs and vital organs while also potentially triggering strokes and deadly blood clots.

This is where the infamous third wave of the plandemic will come from once the injections have had time to run their course in the injected. Mass death will occur once the full scope of this depopulation agenda is realized.

Though Novella would certainly disagree with this assessment  the guys at sciencebasedmedicine.org have never met a vaccine they did not fully approve of, it turns out  his work and the study he cites directly correlates with the work of Nobel Prize winner Luc Montagnier and others who are warning the public that getting injected is a certifiable death sentence, even if it takes months or years to manifest.

As Novella admits, both the Pfizer and the Moderna injections produce the full-length spike protein. He also hints at the fact that these spike proteins could cause harm, though he claims that after hundreds of millions of doses given there have been no significant side effects.

The CovidVaccineReactions.com database would certainly disagree with Novellas assessment, but we will leave it to our readers to investigate that further to make their own determination.

Novella claims that the spike proteins produced by the mRNA injections are in a fixed state, which he says renders them unable to change their confirmation to bind to cells. Thus, he insists, they are safe and will not cause any harm to the injected.

We are already seeing that this is not the case, however, with hundreds of thousands of people reporting serious injuries post-injection. The jabs are clearly doing something to many people that would be categorized as significant side effects if only these skeptics were honest about it.

The fact remains that most of these skeptics live in a perpetual state of denial and cognitive dissonance concerning their golden calf of vaccination. No amount of evidence, even when presented by their own cherry-picked authoritative sources, will ever convince them that an injection could possibly be unsafe.

In his own conclusion, even after admitting that Wuhan Flu jabs produce the very spike proteins identified as causing vascular damage, Novella insists that it is very unlikely there are any surprises still in store with either of the mRNA vaccines, adding that the risk is vanishingly small, while the benefit is clear.

A year or two down the road will prove this hack to be a wise-in-his-own-eyes fool.

More of the latest news about how Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines are causing and spreading disease can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

Acrhive.fo

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com
Over the past year, corn prices have been rising up to more than 50%. In 2021 alone, the price per bushel has been soaring and closing in on highs not seen since 2012. And as corn prices go up, apparently so does the price for chicken and beef.

Just like in 2012, the reason for these rising corn prices is because of the drought. These periods of drought reduced soil moisture or groundwater and lead to crop damage. With this general water shortage, business is never really the same.

Drought as the Primary Trigger

Last November, AccuWeather experts warned that this year's crop would be adversely impacted by the dry weather. Drought as the primary trigger is affecting farmers in Brazil more than it is in the U.S.

The weather patterns in Brazil continue to trouble the corn crops while it is at its critical pollination phase. With temperatures rarely dropping below 20C (68F), the climate varies from hot and dry, to humid and sticky in the tropical rainforests of the Amazon jungle.

While droughts have affected different regions of Brazil in the recent years, these droughts specifically put corn crops in a difficult position because environmental conditions are favorable at all stages of growth. Corn silks have very high water content, meaning lack of moisture to these crops could stress out and delay the corn's growth.

So as corn prices go up, that could take protein prices with it. Prices for pork, chicken, beef will also rise up and these delays in supply make it difficult to rebuild, coming out of the pandemic. The impact of these certain changes will mostly affect the farmers; "Corn and soybean producers will have nothing to sell, and livestock producers will have very expensive inputs. Consumers can adjust because they eat a variety of foods. Cows don't." said James Dunn.

"It's not exactly the best outcome when foodservice is having to fight back from having been down," Isaac Olvera, lead food and agricultural economist with Arrowstream, said in an interview. "Higher menu prices are not what you want to see when you come online and have to convince consumers to come back."

Also read: Madagascar's Worst Drought in 40 Years Leaves 1 Million People on the Brink of Starvation

Corn and its many uses

While factors that lead to rise in corn prices are determined by the interaction of the supply and demand functions, The Wall Street Journal noted that "You're going to notice in the supermarket an increase over the next three to four months, I think, of 15, 20, 25%,".

People in the U.S. can be expected to pay more than the usual, as corn is a vital and key ingredient in making many products like corn oil, corn chips, Coca-Cola and even motor fuel. While many many cultures around the world have lived on corn, the U.S. is by far the world's largest producer and exporter of this vegetable. The stalks can also become animal food and the corn silks can be used for medicinal teas. It can even be turned into cosmetics, biodegradable packing materials or bio-based plastics. No wonder we grow so much of the stuff!





Also read: May 2021 Has Been 'Abnormally' Drier Than This Time Last Year - Here's Why
(Natural News) Todays Situation Update returns to our traditional format, which is a single full podcast covering a wide range of topics. We tested the multi-part format for two days, and after listening to reader feedback, the solution is now obvious: A single podcast with a description that includes time stamps for where each topic appears in the podcast. (Thank you to the fans who suggested this.)

So starting from tomorrow, the daily podcast will feature timestamps in the description, allowing you to jump to the section you want to hear or you can just play the entire podcast all the way through.

Todays podcast covers vaccine tourism where people from Mexico and even Taiwan  which is its own country, not a territory of China  are flocking to the United States to get free death shots that are misleadingly labeled vaccines. Many people in Taiwan, Mexico and other countries have been brainwashed into thinking Americas vaccines are somehow better, not realizing that even in America, the vaccines are engineered as depopulation weapons to exterminate the human race through infertility and spike protein deaths.

Thus, the very people who think theyre picking up freebies from America are about to find out theyre dead wrong. Literally.

At the same time, the CDC is bribing nine dating apps, using part of its $1 billion propaganda slush fund to push vaccine brainwashing onto the public. So now, dating apps are allowing vaccinated individuals to show special vaccine badges, as if someone being old, fat and saggy will suddenly be more attractive if theyre shedding spike protein. (Oooh, baby, that vaccine badge is so hot! Wanna bump and grind some spike protein?)

Japan is targeting the elderly with covid vaccines because they need to exterminate a few million of them in order to keep their own government solvent and end social benefits to the elderly. So theyre pushing hard to get covid bioweapons injected into everyone 65 and older.

Brain-dead Biden and war criminal Fauci have teamed up with a cringe-worthy transsexual glam model to push yet more covid vaccines, as if videos featuring creepy LGBT morons are somehow going to instantly make people love the idea of being injected with experimental vaccines. Then again, anyone dumb enough to think men can get pregnant and women have a penis is probably also dumb enough to take the vaccine death shot, too. So its only fitting. (Would a lipstick on a pig comment be out of line here?)

And in Canada, creepy vaccine predators are now ensnaring young children into getting vaccinated by offering them free ice cream. This is apparently allowed under Canadian law, which says parents have no role in parenting, and children are the property of the state. If you thought the ice cream trucks cruising down child-filled neighborhood streets were creepy, the government of Canada just upped the ante on child predators. Soon, Canadian government child predators will be chasing young kids down the street with a syringe in one hand and an ice cream scoop in the other, screaming, Its yummy! Dont you want some ice cream, little boy?

Theres much more in todays full Situation Update podcast, found at Brighteon.com:

Brighteon.com/10b12a1b-df34-4aa3-ae03-75f72eee75de

Catch each days new episode at:

https://www.brighteon.com/channels/hrreport
(Natural News) With the COVID-19 lab leak theory finally gaining mainstream legitimacy following recent reports from the Wall Street Journal, and an admission by Anthony Fauci that hes now open to the possibility, formerly smug establishment fact checkers are now scrambling to salvage their reputations after categorically dismissing a lab leak as a debunked conspiracy theory.

(Article by Tyler Durden republished from ZeroHedge.com)

Fact-checking, like virtually everything the corporate media does to feign superiority, is a total scam: just another way for them to smuggle their own ideologically-driven disinformation and conspiracy theories under a more elevated facade: https://t.co/qeFb5J8CP1  Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) May 19, 2021

The latest fact checker to bend the knee is the Washington Posts Glenn Kessler  who last year issued a snarky tweet to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in response to Cruz accusing WaPo of abandoning all pretenses of journalism to produce CCP propaganda in response to Kessler promoting a video suggesting that an accidental lab leak was doubtful.

We deal in facts, and viewers can judge for themselves, Kessler sniped at Cruz.

I fear @tedcruz missed the scientific animation in the video that shows how it is virtually impossible for this virus jump from the lab. Or the many interviews with actual scientists. We deal in facts, and viewers can judge for themselves. https://t.co/TprMnaHSZL  Glenn Kessler (@GlennKesslerWP) May 1, 2020

Fast forward one year, and Kessler is the proud owner of a highly ratiod tweet after being forced to eat crow over his fact checking with a new article entitled How the Wuhan lab-leak theory suddenly became credible.

Kesslers destroyed credibility did not go unnoticed:

It didnt suddenly become credible it was always credible. It literally always made the most sense. I understand the desired narrative media always wanted but didnt anyone think the most likely scenario was the virus magically originated feet from the lab that worked with it? https://t.co/XO4Y5OlKLf  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 25, 2021

You should probably revisit this one. pic.twitter.com/QpZu5eNAQT  Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) May 25, 2021

May 2020: UNLIKELY https://t.co/w2CjAtFzHG

May 2021: CREDIBLE

 Razor (@hale_razor) May 25, 2021

We DeAl In FaCtS!!!! pic.twitter.com/JMoYtaYGcI  Karen McLaren  (@Libercon2016) May 25, 2021

I like the line about "actual scientists". But now I'm curious how could it be "virtually impossible" for a virus to get out of a lab that studies viruses.  Greg Scott (@gregsandiego) May 25, 2021

Speaking on the issue of destroyed credibility over early Wuhan reporting and CCP apologists is retired New York Times science editor, Nicholas Wade, who slammed the MSM on Sunday for failing to investigate the origins of COVID-19.

According to Wade, the media failed to take off its political glasses and see beyond facts which are being obscured by the Chinese Communist Party.

I think we see a sustained Chinese propaganda effort at work, said Wade, who was a staff writer for the Science Times section of the NYT from 1982 to 2012, in an interview with Mark Levin on Life, Liberty & Levin.

But, you know, more than that, it was just the blindness, if I could put it that way, of our media  were too polarized to see scientific issues for their own sake without putting a political gloss on them, Wade continued. We dont know for sure: The origin of the virus is just weve got these two possible scenarios. But if you look at all the evidence and ask yourself, well, which scenario explains all these facts better on present evidence, it seems, to me at least, that the lab-escape hypothesis explains it a lot better.

But its a sort of complicated conclusion to arrive at, and I can only assume that the media was blindsided, they didnt do the work that was necessary.

Lets not mince words Wade, the Media opposed the lab leak theory because President Trump promoted it, and the CCP has its tentacles deeply embedded in American propagandists who breathlessly peddle their talking points.

Read more at: ZeroHedge.com and Journalism.news
(Natural News) The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is far from over despite high vaccination rates in some countries. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued the warning during a May 17 news conference. The pandemic is a long way far from over. It will not be over anywhere until its over anywhere, he said.

The head of the global health body acknowledged the very concerning COVID-19 situation in some countries worldwide. Even some places that have previously done very well at containing COVID-19 are seeing dramatic increases in cases, hospitalizations and deaths, Tedros said. He also elaborated on the idea of a huge disconnect during the news conference at the WHO headquarters in Geneva. In some countries with the highest vaccination rates, there appears to be a mindset that the pandemic is over  while others are experiencing huge waves of infection, the director-general commented.

He also referenced the current wave of COVID-19 infections in India that crippled the South Asian nations hospital system. Tedros mentioned during the briefing: New variants of concern, fragile health systems, reduced implementation of public health measures and supply shortages of oxygen, dexamethasone and vaccines are all compounding the current situation.

The WHO director-general continued that the organization has been responding to the surge of COVID-19 infections in India and other places. But Tedros noted that the WHO needs immediate funding due to high demand. He continued that any financial support will be used to sustain the global health bodys technical and operational support  most especially in countries hard-hit by the current COVID-19 wave.

In the same vein, Tedros exhorted people to adhere to public health measures. The WHO head touted maintaining physical distance from others, wearing face masks and preventing large gatherings as solutions to the rise in COVID-19 cases. He also emphasized the importance of genetic sequencing even when cases have dwindled in order to track Wuhan coronavirus variants of concern.

The pandemic is indeed far from if the communist-run WHO is going to keep pushing more bioweapons



Tedross remarks during the news conference came days after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidance. According to the public health agency, fully vaccinated Americans can opt not to wear masks both indoors and outdoors.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky elaborated on the new guidance. She remarked on May 13: Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities  without wearing a mask or physical distancing. The CDC director added that fully vaccinated people can start doing things  [they] stopped doing because of the pandemic.

However, Walensky remarked that unvaccinated people should still continue wearing face coverings. This is because they are still at risk of contracting or suffering from COVID-19. She also advised people with compromised immune systems to speak with their doctor before going maskless. (Related: Woke corporations ignore CDC; will still require customers to wear masks.)

Based on CDC guidelines, a huge amount of the worlds population would have to be vaccinated in order for masks to be removed. But shortages in vaccine supplies only contributed to the difficulty. Tedros pointed out the matter during the May 17 press briefing.

The WHO director general said: The surge in cases has compromised global vaccine supply and there is already a shortfall of 190 million doses to COVAX [COVID-19 Vaccine Access Initiative] by the end of June. COVAX enables poorer countries to obtain Wuhan coronavirus vaccine doses  and has delivered 65 million doses to 124 nations worldwide. However, the initiative depends on countries and manufacturers honoring their commitments.

Tedros also called on different vaccine manufacturers to commit to COVAX

The WHO head also took the opportunity to call on different vaccine makers to make more shots available to COVAX. We need doses right now and call on [vaccine manufacturers] to bring forward deliveries as soon as possible, he commented.

Tedros praised AstraZeneca for steadily increasing the speed and volume of its deliveries. He also said that Johnson & Johnson and COVAX are working on a deal for doses of its one-shot COVID-19 vaccine. While J&J is set to provide the doses in the second half of the year, it is still unknown as of writing when the doses will arrive.

Pfizer has also committed to providing 40 million vaccine doses to COVAX for 2021  with the majority to arrive at the second half of the year. Moderna also committed 500 million doses with COVAX, but majority of the doses was set to arrive at 2022. Tedros called on Moderna to deliver hundreds of millions of these doses sooner. (Related: WHO wants billions more for Covid-19 mass vaccination scheme.)

Aside from drug companies, the WHO director general also exhorted the Serum Institute of India to catch up on the doses it earlier committed to COVAX. He furthermore called other pharmaceutical firms to tie up with companies willing to lend their facilities in the production of more COVID-19 vaccine doses.

Head over to Pandemic.news for more stories about the ongoing Wuhan coronavirus pandemic.

Sources include:

CNBC.com 1

WHO.int

CNBC.com 2
(Natural News) Are Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines spreading those dreaded variants about which the mainstream media keeps fearmongering? You bet.

Nobel Prize winner Luc Montagnier, a French virologist and professor, says that the injections are triggering a phenomenon known as antibody-dependent enhancement, or ADE, that once fully activated will eventually kill everyone who gets reprogrammed by it.

Though most mainstream epidemiologists are ignoring this elephant in the room, Montagnier warns that the variants are a product of the injections, not some airborne mutation caused by people who are not vaccinated as the media is suggesting.

The true disease spreaders are those who received a Chinese Virus injection or two and who are now interacting with others at the grocery store, the library, the church sanctuary, and anywhere else they go about their business.

Montagnier made this bombshell admission during a recent interview with Pierre Barnerias of the French Hold-Up Media. It was translated into English by the United States-based RAIR Foundation.

As we reported last spring, Montagnier was one of the first to publicly warn that the Chinese Virus was not a natural phenomenon, and that it had actually been spliced with DNA from HIV to make it more dangerous.

Montagnier knows a lot about HIV, seeing as how he was also the first to discover it back in the day. Since then, he has come forward with some shocking revelations that go against the grain of what the media is reporting, but that ring far truer than anything the television talking-heads have to say about the matter.

Lancet study reveals that covid vaccines increase risk of HIV

It is simply impossible, Montagnier stated, that the Wuhan Flu developed HIV capabilities all on its own in nature or through bats at a wet market. The novel virus was clearly developed in a laboratory, which we now know was funded by none other than Americas leading fake doctor, Anthony Fauci.

A group of Indian scientists actually published a study on the HIV components that were inserted into the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19), only to have that study forcibly retracted by the powers that be for containing misinformation.

Another study published in The Lancet found that Chinese Virus injections actually increase the risk of acquiring HIV, which in turn increases the risk of testing positive for the Wuhan Flu.

The nation of Australia actually scrapped a Chinese Virus injection agreement after it was revealed that several participants in the vaccine trial tested positive for HIV post-injection.

All of this is why Montagnier declared the vaccine push an unacceptable mistake, which is actually a bit too kind seeing as how none of this is accidental. There is clearly a eugenics and depopulation agenda at play that will affect every person on the planet, including those who refuse the jab, recognizing it for what it truly is.

The history books will show that, because it is the vaccination that is creating the variants, Montagnier says.

There are antibodies created by the vaccine that force the virus to find another solution or die, he says. This is how the variants are created, as a production and result from the vaccination.

By the time most of the world figures this all out, it will already be far too late. People will more than likely be dropping dead in the streets from post-injection disease as they shed deadly spike proteins onto the unvaccinated, potentially causing them to also get sick and die.

I believe there is another reason as to why Covid-19 came into existence in Wuhan and thats from 5G because nothing is being said about 5G being the culprit, one commenter at Great Game India wrote. Its the only explanation that makes sense.

More related news about the Chinese Virus can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

GreatGameIndia.com

NaturalNews.com

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SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  New Mexico on Tuesday took its first major regulatory steps toward legal production of recreational marijuana, publishing lengthy proposed ground rules for cannabis businesses that outline future licensing fees, quality controls, audit requirements and criminal background checks for producers.

The state Regulation and Licensing Department announced the start of a public comment period that will culminate with a June 29 hearing as the agency asserts control over the recreational marijuana legalization effort. The proposal would allow larger marijuana crops per business  nearly three times the current 1,750 plant limit for medical cannabis growers.

Todays proposed rules dont mean the conversation is over," agency Superintendent Linda Trujillo said in a statement. "Through public comment, public hearings and ongoing conversations, we will continue to strengthen these rules to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the legalization bill last month. It authorized recreational marijuana sales no later than April 1, 2022.

The law beginning June 29 will allow people age 21 and over to possess up to 2 ounces (56 grams) of marijuana. By April 2022, people will be allowed to grow up to six plants at home, or 12 per household.

The state faces a Sept. 1 deadline to begin issuing licenses to marijuana producers. That should allow time for growers to scale up production so they can meet initial market demand.

The proposed rules would apply to large-scale cannabis producers, tiny marijuana microbusinesses and specialized growers of medical cannabis.

Applicants must provide proof they have valid water rights, describe any past criminal convictions and provide assurances that their businesses will operate at least 300 feet (91 meters) away from schools or daycare centers.

Regulators would have discretion over what constitutes a disqualifying criminal conviction. The proposed rules specifically cited fraud, deceit, embezzlement and drug trafficking.

Local governments would have the power to limit the locations of marijuana business and their hours of operation under zoning ordinances, though current medical marijuana dispensaries will not have to relocate.

The Albuquerque City Council already is considering a proposal to bar cannabis businesses from the historic city center, the Route 66 corridor and within 300 feet (94 meters) of areas zoned for residential or mixed use.

The proposed state regulations would increase the cap on the number of plants per producer to 4,500 under a tiered licensing system.

The largest producers that grow more than 3,500 mature plants at a time will pay a slightly higher annual per-plant fee of $22, versus $18 for lower-level industrial farms.

Production caps under the states medical marijuana program, founded in 2007, have been a constant source of legal challenges and criticism by patients who complain of high prices and limited supplies.

Regulators are seeking authority to intervene in the event of a medical marijuana shortage with a set-aside quota of up to 25% of crops, 10% of retail inventory and reduced licensing fees on medical pot plants. Under the new legalization law, taxes are waived on sales of limited quantities of medical marijuana, bringing the commodity in line with other medication.

Microbusinesses that grow up to 200 plants would fall under a separate fee and oversight arrangement.

The licensing requirements for pot producers represent only the first round of regulations for the industry as the state sets up the permit process for cannabis servers, licenses for cannabis-industry training programs and more by the start of 2022.

The agency talked with established medical marijuana producers to develop the regulatory framework for recreational marijuana producers, Trujillo said.
The last complete lunar eclipse occurred more than two years ago, but the drought would end on Wednesday with the advent of the "super flower blood moon."

Viewers in western North America and far southern South America and those in the Hawaiian Islands will be able to see the complete lunar eclipse in the early morning of May 26. On the evening of the 26th, observers in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia areas should search for it.

Lunar Eclipse

When Earth crosses between the sun and the moon, our planet's shadow darkens the lunar disk, causing a lunar eclipse. Owing to the way light scatters in our atmosphere, rather than becoming totally black, the eclipsed part of the moon will take on interesting shades, often resulting in a rich blood-red shade. Complete lunar eclipses are often referred to as "blood stars" because of this.

This eclipse occurs around the year's largest and fullest full moon, adding to the intrigue. The moon will be near apogee-its nearest point to Earth in its egg-shaped orbit-during the case. It would only look slightly higher in the atmosphere than normal, but this is enough to give it the nickname "supermoon." Because of a long-standing relationship of flowers blooming at this time of year in North America, the full moon in May is also known as the flower moon.

Viewing Eclipses

Lunar eclipses, though less dramatic than solar eclipses, are more egalitarian because they can be viewed from a much greater part of the globe. Only anyone within a small line on Earth's surface can see the sun totally blocked out by the moon during a total solar eclipse. On the other hand, a lunar eclipse involves watching the moon move into Earth's shadow, which can be seen from somewhere where the moon is above the horizon. Lunar eclipses often happen at a much slower rate, giving you plenty of time to take in the shifting presence of the moon as the eclipse continues.

The best part is that, unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are perfectly safe to see without special filters. You can use binoculars, a telescope, a telephoto lens, or only your eyes to enjoy the celestial display.

The unfortunate news is that the sun, Earth, and moon will not be precisely aligned during this eclipse. As a result, the moon would move through the edge of Earth's shadow rather than the middle. As a result, totality can last just 14 and a half minutes, well less than the estimated limit of nearly two hours.

Related Article: A Super Blood Moon Will Occur On May 26 And Here's What You Need To Know



Moon's Brightness

Depending on the conditions in Earth's atmosphere, the color of the eclipsed moon will change dramatically. The moon normally has a silvery tinge to it due to sunlight reflecting off its mottled gray base. The Earth bars direct sunlight from touching the moon during a lunar eclipse. However, sunlight will also be refracted by our atmosphere, and some of those rays can strike the moon, where they can be transmitted back to Earth.

Since red light has longer wavelengths, it travels through the atmosphere more quickly and therefore dominates during an eclipse-the same explanation that sunrises and sunsets look reddish. If a volcano erupts simultaneously, more lava and dust would be scattered in the atmosphere, making the eclipsed moon look darker in color.

During a lunar eclipse, an observer standing on the moon's near side will see a solar eclipse, with Earth looks like a black disc surrounded by a small orange or red ring-our atmosphere refracting the sun's sun rays.

Clear Starry Sky

Take a few minutes to observe the stars at totality. More stars and constellations may appear when the full moon's light dims, particularly if you're watching far away from city lights.

The moon will be in the southern zodiac constellation of Scorpio during the eclipse this month; watch for its brightest star, orange-red Antares, six and a half degrees to the left of the moon. That's a little more than the breadth of your first carried at arm's length or around a dozen times the moon's visible height. In the southeast, search for Jupiter, a bright planet, and Saturn, a much dimmer planet.

The most recent complete lunar eclipse occurred on January 21, 2019, while the most recent one visible from the continental United States was on July 27, 2018, nearly three years before. The next lunar eclipse will come even closer, with a partial lunar eclipse scheduled for November 19 that will be almost complete, with more than 97 percent of the moon's disk disappearing into Earth's shadow.

Related Article: More Astrological Events to Look Forward to in the 2nd Quarter of 2021

For more space related news, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Dr. Michael Schreck and his son, Aidan, are able to smile through their hardship because of the generosity of donations, prayers and well wishes from the school district and the public.


Walsingham Way provides new route for pilgrims Walsingham Way provides new route for pilgrims

A new waymarked walking route between Norwich and Walsingham is being launched to celebrate the tradition of pilgrimage.

Called the Walsingham Way, the new 37-mile path is inspired by a network of pilgrimage routes that once crossed the county as pilgrims from across Europe travelled to north Norfolks Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. Founded in 1061, it is thought to be the oldest shrine in the world dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.



The Bishop of Norwich, The Rt Revd Graham Usher, said: I walked the Walsingham Way last year at the end of the first lockdown. As I walked the lanes and fields of Norfolk there was an inner unwinding from the tensions of the pandemic. As I approached Walsingham, I was conscious that I was in step with countless others through history, singing with Mary that my spirit rejoices in God. I hope that many people will put on their walking shoes and set out. May this new pilgrim route help them find joy and hope.



The project to waymark the Walsingham Way has been made possible thanks to a partnership enabled by Norwich Cathedral and involving many different organisations and individuals.



The modern-day Walsingham Way route  which will take about three days to complete on foot - can be started from either Norwich Cathedral or the citys Roman Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist.



Walkers will be guided by signs featuring the new Walsingham Way logo of two linked Ws that together form the letter M. The M, which is adorned with a crown, is a tribute to the Blessed Virgin Mary to whom the Walsingham Shrine is dedicated.



Along the way, walkers will enjoy beautiful views of the Norfolk countryside, including the river valleys of the Wensum and Stiffkey, and pass by many of the countys villages and historic churches, before reaching Little Walsingham. Known as Englands Nazareth, the village is today home to both an Anglican and a Roman Catholic shrine as well as the ruins of the original priory church.



The project has been supported by funding from the European Union LEADER funding for rural economic development, the Diocese of Norwich, the John Jarrold Foundation, and Norfolk County Council, and by the considerable goodwill of volunteers, landowners and parish councils.



Volunteer groups along the route have also already started projects to welcome new pilgrimage visitors. At Great Ryburgh, for example, the church has established an area for campers and will offer hospitality to walkers.



More information about the Walsingham Way can be found at www.walsinghamway.blog



Pictured top is the launch of the Walsingham Way at Walsingham Abbey. Elizabeth Meath Baker, centre, with from left: Father Kevin Smith, Gail Mayhew, Revd Dr Peter Doll and Mgr Philip Moger. - Credit: Norwich Cathedral/Bill Smith.

Eldred Willey, 25/05/2021
Juniper Networks is releasing the latest version of its Apstra intent-based networking software that includes new monitoring features and configuration templates as well as better integration with VMwares NSX virtualization and security platform.

In January, Juniper bought Apstra and its Apstra Operating System (AOS), which was developed from the start to support IBN features. Once deployed, AOSnow just called Apstrakeeps a real-time repository of configuration, telemetry and validation information to ensure the network is doing what customers want it to do. Apstra also includes automation features to provide consistent network and security policies for workloads across physical and virtual infrastructures.

Apstras intent-based analytics performs regular network checks to safeguard configurations and is hardware agnostic so it can be integrated to work with products from Cisco, Arista, Dell, Microsoft, and Nvidia/Cumulus. Prior to its purchase, Apstra had a strong integration with Juniper networking products.

With the release of Apstra 4.0, Juniper has bolstered its IBN capabilities with new customizable and reusable network templates.

The idea is to make it easier for customers to add devices or workloads as they need to, and the Apstra system ensures they work across the entire network fabric without any problems and without the manual intervention required in the pastits really a leap-forward in IBN configuration, said Mansour Karam, founder and president of Apstra.

The operating system also support tags that label all manner of physical and logical network components to define where data should flow, apply policies or filter certain trafficall with the goal of validating that the customers intent is being carried out on the networkt, Karam said.

These details are also populated into Apstras central database and analytics system that lets customers manage the intended state of the network and alerts when anything deviates from expectations, Karam said.

Support for VMware NSX

Apstra 4.0 extends support for VMwares NSX Networking 3.0 environment to help manage virtual and physical networks, Karam said.

Overlay networks like VMware NSX-T help manage workloads, yet add another layer of complexity for administration and troubleshooting. The Apstra integration with NSX-T 3.0 assures interworking between the virtual and physical networks, Michael Bushong, vice president of data-center product management at Juniper, wrote in a blog.

For example, Apstra polls the NSX-T controller and is thereby aware of whats going on inside the NSX-T environment, enabling allocation of network resources, Bushong stated. Further, the Apstra software lets customers easily locate virtual machines within the fabric. Unified underlay and overlay views reduce troubleshooting headaches and speed mean time to innocence when application performance issues arise.

SONiC support

Apstra 4.0 also supports the open-source Software for Open Networking in the Cloud (SONiC) network operating system. The Linux-based NOS, developed and open-sourced by Microsoft, decouples network software from the underlying hardware and lets it run on switches and ASICs from multiple vendors while supporting a full suite of network features such as border gateway protocol (BGP), remote direct-memory access (RDMA), QoS, and other ethernet/IP technologies.

The idea is that network operators can get the same enterprise Apstra interface into their SONiC environments as they do with their enterprise system, Karam said. For example, SONiC doesnt have a traditional CLI interface for system control which can be a challengeApstra software eliminates that pain point, Karam said.

Apstra has been a strong proponent of SONiC and just last November added new SONiC features including support for ethernet VPN (EVPN) Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) including support for EVPN Route Types 2, 3, and 5, Data Center Interconnect (DCI), and L2 and L3 segmentation. DCI can link multiple data centers for resiliency, data backup, and disaster recovery.

Part of the Apstra 4.0 announcement also included the introduction of a new turnkey packaging option for the software and Juniper hardware. Customers can now order prepackaged Apstra software with Junipers QFX Series switches and SRX Series Services Gateways.

It can enable mid-sized organizations to can adopt Junipers approach to data center operations without undertaking big design projects or lengthy deployment programs, Bushong stated.

The scalable, optimized architecture lets teams confidently deploy what they need today with the flexibility to scale from small 4-switch footprints to deployments that support much larger deployments, regardless of the resource, Bushong stated. With Apstra managing the building blocks, new data centers can now be deployed within hoursnot daysusing Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) and a set of pre-validated blueprints.

SONiC is a growing market, and the 650 Group recently wrote in a report that the worldwide market for SONiC in data-center switching will exceed $4 billion by 2025.

Apstra 4.0 will be available by the end of June.
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
FORMER Chief Justice Luke Malaba is facing a contempt of court charge after he allegedly defied a High Court order which blocked extension of his term of office by five years.

Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum executive director Musa Kika on Tuesday filed an urgent chamber application after Malaba reportedly turned up for work on Monday despite the court order.

Kika pointed out that Elizabeth Gwaunza had been appointed acting Chief Justice, indicating that Malaba had ceased to hold the post until finalisation of the matter in court. Malabas term of office expired on May 15, 2021 when he turned 70.

Kika successfully challenged President Emmerson Mnangagwas attempt to extend Malabas tenure by five years in a landmark ruling by three High Court judges, Justices Happias Zhou, Edith Mushore and Jester Charewa.

In his latest urgent chamber application, through his lawyers Thabani Mpofu and Tendai Biti, Kika wants Malaba, cited as the first respondent, to pay $1 million fine for contempt of court or be sentenced to a wholly suspended six-month jail term at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison on condition that he stops serving as chief justice.

Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, acting Chief Justice Gwaunza and the Judicial Service Commission were also cited as respondents in the matter.

For the entire day on the 24th of May 2021, first respondent purported to exercise the function of the Chief Justice of Zimbabwe, Kika stated.

It did not bother him that the country has an Acting Chief Justice. He has since that day continued to present himself at work and to purport to exercise the functions of the chief justice.

Kika added that Malabas conduct put the Judiciary in disrepute and projected the image of a dysfunctional institution and country.

He said Ziyambis contemptuous public statement after the High Court ruling against the extension of Malabas tenure influenced Malaba to defy the court order, which precipitated a constitutional crisis.

First respondent was, therefore, clear at all times that a judgment that affected him had been issued, Kika said.

It had been read in the presence and hearing of his counsel. All the respondents proceeded on that understanding. In addition, it clearly feeds off the contemptuous statement issued by the second respondent (Ziyambi) and shows that the first respondent has been emboldened to commit this contempt by reason of second respondents own contempt.

Government appealed against the High Court ruling which ended Malabas tenure and the matter is still pending at the courts. Newsday
By PTI

MUMBAI: US-based helicopter transport services provider Blade's Indian subsidiary on Wednesday announced the launch of medical emergency services across the country, amid an increasing demand for air ambulance services in the wake of the pandemic.

The new services, Blade Care, are also open for regular air travel for people who want to travel inter-state, return to their hometowns or any other place they feel the safest, Blade India said in a statement.

For a seamless, medical evacuation and bed-to-bed transfer, the company has partnered with 'MyHealthcare', a speciality healthcare ecosystem, to manage all the medical requirements for patients on ground and with Blade being the air carrier service network.

This enables immediate medical assistance and makes for a hassle-free experience for families going through difficult times, the company said.

The new services offer a complete medevac (medical evacuation) ecosystem, using a network of ground ambulances for both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients.

They aims to bridge the accessibility concerns for those who are looking for such flight services, the company said.

The brand will arrange aero-medical charters for such patients with a team of certified doctors, paramedics and clinicians onboard, it said.

Considering the current situation, Blade will act as the one-stop shop for all charter needs by ensuring people do not spend a lot of time connecting with multiple parties for travel plans.

Every flier will also be assigned a dedicated relationship manager, providing assistance throughout, from booking their flight to ensuring they reach their destination safely, it stated.

Blade India Managing Director Amit Dutta said the current pandemic has resulted in a dire need for medicare facilities especially for those needing critical care.

"The company has been inundated with requests from families of patients looking to transport their loved ones to other cities offering the relevant medicare facilities.

" He said Blade India looks to alleviate the hassles and inconvenience faced by distressed families trying to locate a craft for the medical evacuation.

"To ensure a holistic experience, we have partnered with MyHealthcare.

" MyHealthcare founder and CEO Shyatto Raha said super-speciality and multi-speciality services are limited to the top metros today.

Critical patients in tier-1- and tier-2 cities need to travel to metros to receive the specialised care, which is time consuming, he added.

"Through the partnership, we will be able to manage a complete bed-to-bed transfer of our patients, in the shortest possible time," said Raha.

Medevacs will play a critical role in saving lives, ensuring they are in the best medical hands as quickly as possible.

COVID-19 has thrown up another challenge, whereby patients are unable to travel easily from one location to another, he said.

"Our partnership with Blade India will help enhance the medevac services for our patients, allowing us access to a wider network of air ambulances and helicopters," Raha added.

PTI IAS HRS hrs 05261657 NNNN
Bismah Malik By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: Rising instances of data breach at companies since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic have placed sensitive information including financial details of millions of Indians at risk. Indias top firms including Air India, Big Basket, Flipkart, Mobikwik, JusPay and Dominos, among others, have been targeted by hackers since last year. A majority of such firms, however, have either not informed the impacted users or denied occurrence of such attacks.

Experts say that lack of clarity on the cybersecurity regulations in India has also added to the laxity on part of the companies. According to a report by a US telecom firm Verizon, a firm may face losses to the tune of $21,659, due to a single data breach incident with 95 per cent of incidents falling between $826 and $653,587. In India, according to the MHA estimates, there was a 300 per cent increase in cyber attacks on companies in 2020 compared to 2019.

Internet security researcher Rajshekhar Rajaharia, who flagged the recent Dominos India data leak, told this publication that the hackers created a search engine wherein any Domino customer could easily verify if his/ her details were compromised. Most of these companies host the data on Amazon Web Servers where the breaches have taken place. And these could have been averted by simply deploying commands in AWS servers which could send timely alerts and signal a cyber attack. I know of 80 such breaches which have taken place on AWS servers of various firms, Rajaharia added.

While global companies have stipulated measures for enhanced cybersecurity amid work-from-home, Indian Inc is still lagging behind. Rajaharia added that the rural community, which embraced technology during the onset of pandemic last year, was at higher risk since a majority doesnt even know that their data is being compromised and sold online in the dark web. ...Hackers also use your precious credit card coins, by accessing your KYC details on platforms and spam you with calls for fraudulent activities. This has increased during the ongoing pandemic, he said.
Rajat Mohan By

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended life as we know it. It has now become the moral responsibility of corporates to come forward and contribute to rebuilding India in this hour of need.

Covid-19 related expenses that qualify as CSR spend under the Indian corporate law are as follows:

* Contribution to PM CARES FUND

* Contribution to State Disaster Management Authority to combat COVID 19

* Creation of health infrastructure for Covid care

* Establishment of medical oxygen generation and storage plants

* Manufacturing and supply of oxygen concentrators, ventilators, cylinders, and other medical equipment for countering Covid-19

* Setting up of a makeshift hospital or temporary Covid care facility

* Eradicating hunger, poverty and malnutrition, promoting healthcare including preventive healthcare and sanitation via also contribution to the Swach Bharat Kosh set-up by the Central Government for the promotion of sanitation and for making available safe drinking water

* Disaster management, including relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction activities

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs circular dated June 18, 2014 stated that items in Schedule VII are broad-based and may be interpreted liberally.

To encourage Covid spending by corporates, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has come up with various initiatives in order to allow expenditure made by the companies to be termed as CSR expenditure. However, there are still some areas that are ambiguous in nature.

Lets shed some light on them.

Does salary paid during lockdown qualify as CSR spend?

During the pandemic, a lot of people have lost their jobs leading to high unemployment. Also, where the jobs aren't lost, they are facing salary deductions. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has specifically stated that payment of salary or wages is a contractual obligation of the company. Similarly, payment of salary or wages to employees and workers even during the lockdown period is a moral obligation of the employers that will not qualify as permissible CSR expenditure.

However, to incentivise employers to retain their workforce at the same pay scale, the government may come up with special packages for select industries like tourism, aviation, etc. Payment of emoluments in these industries could be counted as CSR expenses. The government may build proper checks and balances around the same.

Donation of money to a trust or an NGO

The Companies Act has been amended to include a few entities to whom payments made will be categorized as a CSR expenditure. The entities include companies registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act, a registered public trust, a registered society, or any entity established under an Act of Parliament or State legislature. However, any donations made to unregistered NGOs or trusts will not be considered as a CSR activity under the legislation.

Thereby, it is suggested that before making any donation under CSR to a trust or an NGO, one needs to confirm its registrations under the various specified legislations.

Expenses incurred to provide free resources

As we know, the Companies Act obligates certain companies to spend money on CSR activities. Now with the introduction of new provisions, there was ambiguity on whether the company needs to spend the amount in cash or kind. There is no restriction on spending in cash or kind, but the prime importance is given to the word 'spend'.

The government clarified that any donation made by the company out of free company resources already held by them cannot be termed as a CSR expenditure. Actual spending is required for it to qualify as CSR expenditure.

Let's take an example to understand it better.

A company is donating clothes to poor people. The clothes were obtained free of cost by the company through some other means. Here, as the clothes have been obtained free of cost by the company, it cannot be termed a CSR expenditure under corporate laws.

However, if the company is incurring some incidental expenses on the distribution of clothes, it might claim this up to 5% of their total CSR expenditure.

The legislation allows manufacturing and supply of specified medical equipments as a CSR activity in the recent amendments. Thereby, if the supply of such products is made, it would be construed as a CSR activity.

Administrative expenditure

Under the amended rules, administrative expenses are only allowed to the extent of 5% of the total CSR expenditure of the company for the financial year.

Administrative overheads have been defined as expenses directly incurred by the company on 'general management and administration' of CSR functions in the company. Also, the expenses incurred by the company on designing, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of a particular Corporate Social Responsibility project will not be included as part of the administrative overheads but as a CSR expenditure.

Let's understand the issue with a few examples.

A company used its factory premises to build a temporary Covid care facility. During this period, it incurs overhead expenses like rent, electricity, water expenses, etc. Such payments fall in the nature of general management and administration.

A company can utilize up to 5% of the total expenditure in CSR (other than the overheads) as administrative expenses. Although 5% expenditure is allowed, authorities might still disagree on the fixed expenses as CSR expense as it is not a CSR specific expense but a regular business expense.

Salary paid to employees and directors on duty at the care facilities is also a contractual and statutory obligation. As the employees are dependent on the company for their day-to-day expenses, it becomes a moral responsibility as well. Thereby payment of such salaries too may not be construed as a CSR expenditure even when the salary is paid for the care facility.

The company hires new doctors, consultants and other medical staff in order to take care of the patients. If emoluments to these employees are being exclusively paid for the implementation and monitoring of the CSR project; it would be allowed as a CSR expenditure.

R&D spend on vaccines, medicines and medical equipment

Expenditures in the normal course of businesses are excluded from the scope of CSR activities.

However, any company engaged in research and development activity of new vaccine, drugs and medical devices in their normal course of business may undertake research and development activity of new vaccine, drugs and medical devices related to Covid-19 for financial years 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 provided such research is carried out in collaboration with any institute or organization mentioned in Schedule VII and separately disclosed in the Board's Report.

But now, research and development of vaccines, etc., have almost come to the completion stage, and not much expenditure will be incurred in FY 2021-22 and 2022-23. It is suggested that government should allow a weighted deduction for FY 2020-21 in order to benefit the companies already in business.

Many corporates have already risen to the occasion and are helping the country in these desperate times of need. Thereby, the amendments in the rules are a welcome move. This will allow the companies to invest in healthcare and other related areas while complying with corporate social responsibility requirements.

However, the government can be a little more liberal and permit the above activities as part of CSR. Government clarifications of all doubts on CSR spending will be a great initiative, and it can encourage many more corporates to join the movement.

Rajat Mohan is Senior Partner, AMRG & Associates
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The banking and the non-banking fraternity is not in favour of the new Reserve Bank norms on hiring statutory auditors mid-way in the financial year as it could throw up enormous operational challenges. Industry bodies are up in arms against the central bank diktat, which in its current form, requires mid-term resignation of auditors already appointed for this year and replace them with new firms.

A significant policy measure such as this should not be applied retrospectively and a reasonable transition period for better understanding, planning and compliance is needed, the CII said in its 13-page recommendation to the central bank, seeking deferment of the implementation of its auditor norms by at least two years.

A cool-off period of one year before the appointment (of auditors) for their independence is not practical to implement, the chamber has said. Also, the concept of joint audits should not be mandatory for NBFCs with assets of over Rs 15,000 crore. Industry body Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC) has already written to the RBI stating that the guidelines, which included a cooling period for the same auditor appointment, rotation, was inconsistent with the Companies Act, 2013.

Besides, the implementation of the guidelines would also put constraints on managements bandwidth

due to disruption caused of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, FIDC had argued in its letter. The industry body was against the joint audit system, and had said the limit on audit firms, at just 8, would put huge constraint on finding suitable auditors as there were several NBFCs having asset size more than Rs 1,000 crore.

RBI must appoint auditor

The CA Institute is keen that the appointment of statutory central auditors (SCAs) of public sector banks should be done by the Reserve Bank of India and not by the bank managements. This is one of its several suggestions on the RBIs April 27 circular.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: 103-year-old freedom fighter HS Doreswamy died here on Wednesday following a cardiac arrest.

In the first week of May, Doreswamy was admitted to Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research (SJICSR) in Bengaluru. He was discharged from the hospital in the second week of May, but was again readmitted due to post-Covid complications.

Speaking to The New Indian Express, a political activist who was close to Doreswamy, Ravikrishna Reddy, said he was in the hospital for the last 12 days. He still had Covid symptoms but his oxygen saturation was maintained and was always between 92 and 97. He was having food till Tuesday.

On Wednesday morning, he started having pain and doctors took him to the ICU where he passed away at 1.20 pm. Cardiologist Dr Manjunath who heads the hospital confirmed it was a cardiac arrest.

Born on April 10, 1918 at Harohalli near Bengaluru, Doreswamy lost his parents when he was five. His grandparents took care of him. After completing his BSc from Central College in Bengaluru, he taught science and mathematics at a high school in Bengaluru. He took part in the Quit India movement and was in jail for 14 months. Post imprisonment, he worked as a journalist.

After independence, he was into activism. He was even sent to jail when he wrote a letter to then PM Indira Gandhi during the Emergency. During the 1980s, he was involved in various movements for the rights of farmers, unorganised sector and other marginalised communities, and later became active in the India Against Corruption movement.

Later, he took part in many protests from the anti-land grabbing movement to the recent anti-CAA laws.

Many dignitaries paid their condolences following his death.
C Shivakumar By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: If you've just recovered from COVID-19 and find your teeth are mobile or eyes red, it will be beneficial to get checked for mucormycosis (black fungus), says Dr Shubhra Chauhan Aranmanai, Consultant Head and Neck Oncosurgeon at VS Hospital, Kilpauk and Billroth Hospital.

"The name 'black fungus' is a misnomer. The fungus is not black in colour. It is the bone impacted by the fungus that turns black or dies and needs to be removed before the fungus spreads beyond or to other parts of the body," says Dr Shubhra, who has operated upon three to four patients in Chennai recently.

Black fungus was not that prevalent during the first wave of the pandemic. The cases became prominent just when the second wave was gaining ground, says Dr Shubhra, who is also heading the Oral Oncology department in the Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital.

Uncontrolled diabetes, use of broad spectrum antibiotics, use of steroids and increased use of zinc supplements during the pandemic can result in a person suffering from the disease. She says black fungus or mucormycosis is not a new disease. "It was first described in 1885. It is an aggressive, uncommon infection caused by a saprophytic fungus family called Mucorales. It is spread by inhalation, ingestion of contaminated food or any injury caused by an instrument contaminated by the fungus," she says.

The cases in the state went up two months ago when the second wave of the pandemic started. Most of those affected by black fungus are post-COVID patients, which is a worrying sign, says Dr Shubhra.

ALSO READ: Experts teamed up to study black fungus cases: Tamil Nadu health minister

Initially, the first patient on whom Dr Shubhra performed surgery was an asymptomatic COVID patient who came with mobile teeth. "I had a doubt and asked the patient to undergo a test. He turned out to have COVID positive antibodies and had black fungus in the upper jaw bone," says the doctor. She says black fungus has a high spreading potential and if not treated in time can be fatal.

She says it can be found in the lungs, jaw bone, eye, nose, brain, skin or sometimes stomach. The patient should be alert if he has a mobile teeth, gum abscess, bone exposure especially in the upper jaw or black colour bone. The other symptoms include discharge from nose, stuffiness in nose, cold, numbness over cheeks and headache besides redness, swelling and watery eyes.

Dr Shubhra says the rise of the disease is due to reduced immunity in active and recovered COVID patients, uncontrolled diabetes, high use of steroids and increased use of antibiotics. "Once the patient visits the doctor with any of the symptoms, a clinical examination is required, including nasal endoscopy. If mucormycosis is suspected, the tissue or bone is sent for biopsy and fungal culture & sensitivity to confirm the diagnosis. CT scan or MRI scan is also required after confirming the diagnosis," she says.

She says to treat the disease, an interdisciplinary team approach is required depending on the part which is infected. It could be either head and neck surgeon, ENT surgeon, maxillofacial surgeon, opthalmologist or neurosurgeon and infectious disease specialist

In most cases, surgery is required by removal of the infected bone before the fungus could damage other parts along with antifungal medications. "The mortality rate is high once it reaches the brain. Early detection is important," says the head and neck oncosurgeon.

She says that medicines alone are unable to cure black fungus as they won't be able to reach the infected part. Since the bone involved is necrotic or dead with no blood vessels, the medicines administered will only reach the periphery of the lesion. Hence surgery is an integral part of the treatment, she says.

Dr Shubhra says this infection is an emergency and needs early assessment and treatment. Though the cases in Tamil Nadu are high, currently there is a low official count as it has become a notified disease only recently, she adds.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: A minor fire broke out in the duty doctor's room of the maternity ward on the second floor of the Government Kasturba Gandhi Hospital for Women and Children in Chennai on Wednesday night.

Nurses and other hospital staff quickly shifted the newborns and mothers to a safer place. Scenes from the Government Kasturba Gandhi Hospital for Women and Children in Chennai's Triplicane. @xpresstn pic.twitter.com/yP1V3wx6hr  The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 26, 2021

Police and fire department personnel said that new mothers and babies in the ward were quickly shifted to safety on the same floor and no casualties were reported. A senior police officer said that the fire was caused by a short circuit in the air-conditioner in the duty doctor's room.

On informing, fire tenders from a nearby station on Wallajah Road rushed to the spot and managed to extinguish the fire.

Minister PK Sekar Babu and Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni MLA Udayanidhi Stalin rushed to the spot and oversaw the operation. An investigation is on.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: A TV sting operation has resulted in the busting of a three-member gang involved in hoarding and blackmarketing Amphotericin B injections which is used to treat the black fungus disease. The accused were selling a single dose at an exorbitant price of Rs 64,000, said the police.

The main accused has been identified as Rafi (35), an engineering graduate. To earn quick bucks, he started blackmarketing the life-saving drug with his two associates Mohammad Dilshad, a school dropout, and Md Adnan, who worked at a pharmaceutical company.

According to police, on May 22, Rafi was seen talking to a TV reporter and he promised to provide her Amphotericin B at the rate of Rs 64,000 per vial and another medicine Liposomal at Rs 14,000 per vial.

"The TV reporter along with her team was doing a sting operation on blackmarketing. The accused claimed to the TV team that these medicines were being blackmarketed by the distributors," said DCP South East RP Meena.

The DCP said following the telecast of the report, the police formed a team and arrested the three accused. "On sustained interrogation, Rafi revealed that he was a volunteer in an NGO that used to refill oxygen cylinders. Rafi and his friend Dilshad used Adnan to procure the injections and sold it on high prices," said the senior police officer.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has handled a record number of flights ferrying COVID-19 relief materials from across the globe, which were distributed across the states in India, in a month.

Around 1,750 metric tonnes (MT) of relief material such as oxygen generating plants, oxygen generators, oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders, masks, ventilators, Remdesivir injections, hospital beds and other medicines Veklury and Tocilizumab arrived at the Delhi airport from more than 36 countries, including Canada, Ireland, Germany, France, Austria, Belgium, Russia, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Australia, Singapore, Mauritius, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, Doha, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Taiwan, Kuwait and UAE.

The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the GMR-led consortium operating the facility, set up a dedicated logistic facility - Jeevoday warehouse - for interim storage and effective distribution of the consignments.

According to DIAL officials, the airport handled 100 flights carrying COVID relief materials in 29 days during this second ware of pandemic. "Delhi Airport, India's largest hub airport for handling and distribution of COVID related aid, recorded the highest movements of Covid relief aid among all Indian airports, at a time when India needed medical equipment, etc," said an official.

It is the largest cargo hub airport of the South Asia region, with two integrated cargo terminals having an annual cargo handling capacity of 1.8 million MT that is scalable to 2.3 million MT. "Last year, during the two-month-long lockdown, the cargo facility was operational, successfully handling distribution of relief materials by participating in governments initiatives of 'Lifeline Udaan' and 'Krishi Udaan'. During this period, the airport handled some of the largest military and commercial aircraft, including Antonov-124, C-130 Globemasters, C 5, C 17, and IL 76 among other freighters," said a spokesperson of DIAL.


By PTI

NEW DELHI: The fall in count of daily COVID-19 cases and the shrinking positivity rate in Delhi can said to be the results of the lockdown imposed in the national capital to combat the pandemic, Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Wednesday.

Interacting with reporters, he also said, about 600 cases of black fungus or mucormycosis have been reported here till date, with over 200 being recorded alone on May 23.

"Yesterday, 1,568 cases were recorded with a positivity rate of 2.14 per cent. Today's bulletin will come soon and the two numbers have further fallen. This seems like a straight result of the lockdown," he said.

The minister said, the number of beds available, are also in large number now, and about one-third of the ICU beds are also vacant.

The lockdown in Delhi amid the ongoing second wave of the coronavirus pandemic was imposed on April 19, which the government has successively extended, and recently it was done till May 31.

Medical experts recently had attributed the lockdown as the main factor when the first dip in daily cases had been recorded in mid-May amid the second wave of the pandemic, while cautioning that "severity of cases was still the same as before".

Jain, when asked about the death of large number of doctors in the second wave, including in Delhi, said, any death is unfortunate, and about 10,000 lives have been lost due to Covid during the second wave here.

On black fungus cases, he said, on May 23 over 200 cases of mucormycosis were reported in a day, and then about 100 cases were recorded per day, so about 600 cases in total till date.

"Both private and government facilities are treating black fungus cases. But, issue is of injections needed for the patients. Each patients needs about six in a day. We had received 370 of these yesterday and then about 400. We appeal to the Centre again to augment its supply," he said.

On workers at crematoria and graveyard seeking frontline workers status, Jain said, "We will consider it".

Asked about reported closure of many mohalla clinics during the second wave of the pandemic, he said, "Barring 10-15 clinics, which were closed temporarily due to emergency reasons like duty doctors having got infected with Covid, all other facilities are working.

"Many mohalla clinics were under construction when the lockdown was imposed, so work got affected. But, our 450 mohalla clinics are functional otherwise," he said.

On shortage of Covid vaccine, Jain said, "We are being forced to go for global tenders, but companies not giving directly to us. They (Centre) are shifting responsibilities".
AN elderly woman from Hillside suburb in Bulawayo died mid-air on an Airlink flight number 4Z110 from Johannesburg to Bulawayo on Monday.

Mrs Jean Sicingiwe Khumalo who was in her sixties succumbed on the flight that landed at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport just before mid-day. A Chronicle news crew yesterday visited the familys residence where mourners are gathered.

Family spokesperson Mr Lazarus Khumalo said: We confirm her death. She was an elderly person and was a stroke patient for the past six years or so. That is all that we can say about her health. Besides that, there isnt much to say. We however request that our privacy be respected as we mourn.

Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe spokesperson Mrs Annajulia Hungwe said Mrs Khumalo died during the last minutes of the hour-long flight.

We had an unfortunate incident where a female passenger whom I cannot name because of ethical reasons died mid-air. Her death was confirmed upon landing at the airport. We will get reports from the airline, law enforcement and also health authorities on the incident which will answer questions over how the passenger died, said Mrs Hungwe.

She said health services were called to supervise the removal of the body in compliance with Covid-19 protocols.

Flight 4Z110 landed on schedule at the airport just before midday, and had been due to return to Johannesburg at 12.35PM. However, health authorities took time to remove the body and carry out cabin disinfection procedures on the Embraer E170LR until 2PM when the plane took off.

Covid-19 procedures were maintained at all costs. The passenger had a test certificate taken 48 hours before travelling showing that she was negative from the virus as required by Zimbabwean Covid-19 regulations, said Mrs Hungwe.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said police attended the scene.

We received a report of an incident where a female passenger at Airlink died mid-air and was confirmed dead when the plane landed. We are still investigating the cause of the death. Reports will be collected from the airline, and also health authorities into the incident, said Inspector Ncube. Chronicle
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: The police are enquiring about the late night wedding ceremony of a senior IPS officers son with the daughter of a business tycoon at a function hall under Kamatipura police station limits in the Old City late on Monday night, on the allegations that lockdown guidelines were violated during the ceremony.

Sources say that many VVIPs, bigwigs of the State administration and top police brass of Telangana, were in attendance at the event. In addition, since VVIPs and top police brass were attending the event, the entire police force from South Zone in the city was also present for bandobast. The police clarified as per the lockdown orders, weddings are allowed with 40 persons and no other permissions are required.

Gajarao Bhupal, DCP South Zone, said they are verifying if there were any lockdown protocol violations at the event and proceed accordingly.Meanwhile, social media platforms were flooded with posts about the event questioning police action.

MBT Leader Amjed Ullah Khan tweeted  Sir, Whats happening at Savera Function Hall, Chandulal Baradari.....? Why so much gathering allowed during lockdown....? Itar @ perfume factory owner Dubeys daughter marriage beside savera function hall in kamatipura ps limits with burning crackers violating #lockdown rules in old city, Mr @TelanganaDGP & @CPHydCity I am sure no action will be taken in this regard as law is for poor not for VIPs.

He alleged that he called up and sent messages to all offices from Inspector of Police, Kamatipura to Night Duty Officer, Hyderabad, but no one responded. During the ceremony, the groom allegedly arrived at the venue in a procession, during which crackers were bursting for a long time and loud music was being played, creating disturbance noise in the area, he added. Till the last reports came, police have not initiated any action against the organisers.
By ANI

WASHINGTON: After several abuse allegations, a new arrest warrant has been issued against musician Marilyn Manson for allegedly spitting on a camerawoman at a concert in New Hampshire, US.

According to TMZ, Manson is facing two counts of misdemeanor simple assault for the alleged encounter with a female videographer. A video has been going viral on social media that shows Manson spitting on a camera lens after sticking his face right in it.

The videographer's camera was feeding the big screens during the August 2019 concert at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, TMZ has learnt.

According to sources familiar with the case, the videographer is alleging some of Manson's saliva got on her, following which she went to cops.

The Police department sources told TMZ that the alleged victim suffered "no injuries, but Manson was charged because the spitting constitutes unprivileged physical contact."

Cops also claimed that "Manson, his agent and his legal team have known about the warrant for some time and despite that, no effort has been made by him to return to New Hampshire to answer the pending charges."

While on the other hand, Manson's representatives denied the same stating that they have been in contact with police ever since the warrant was issued back in October 2019.

On a related note, Manson has been dealing with separate legal issues in Los Angeles, involving sexual assault allegations from multiple women. However, he has not been charged with any crime in California.
By PTI

MUMBAI: Bollywood stars Varun Dhawan, Rajkummar Rao and Kriti Sanon have criticised a YouTuber for his racially abusive remarks towards Arunachal Pradesh MLA Ninong Ering.

Paras Singh, who goes by the name 'Paras Official' on his YouTube channel, had in a video posted on Sunday termed Congress MLA Ninong Ering a non-Indian and claimed the "state was a part of China", sparking furore among Arunchalees as well as people from other parts of the country.

Singh, who was arrested in Ludhiana on Tuesday, was apparently incensed with Ering after the Congress MLA wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking for a ban on the re-launch of PUBG Mobile India's new avatar Battlegrounds Mobile India.

Filmmaker Amar Kaushik, known for movies "Stree" and "Bala", was the first from film industry to criticise Singh for his remarks.

"Being ignorant about your country and its region is stupidity in itself, but when that ignorance is expressed in an offensive manner, it becomes toxic.

"We all need to call out and condemn such ignorance in one voice and make all idiots understand that IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE ANYMORE," he wrote on his Instagram Stories.

Dhawan and Sanon, who stars in Kaushik's upcoming movie "Bhediya", which was shot in Arunachal Pradesh, shared the filmmaker's post on their respective Instagram Stories.

"Having spent so much time in Arunachal Pradesh, it's time we educate ourselves and others about how wrong this is," Dhawan wrote.

Sanon said it is high time people start respecting every individual of the country with "equal respect".

"What's wrong with people!! It's high time we treat every individual and every region of our country with equal respect.

A Thank you for talking about this @amarkaushik," she wrote in her post.

Rao, who worked with Kaushik for 2018 horror comedy "Stree", simply shared the filmmaker's post.

"Totally Unacceptable," wrote "Pataal Lok" star Abhishek Banerjee on his Instagram account alongside Kaushik's post.

Singh had apologised for his remarks in yet another YouTube video on Monday.

Ludhiana Police, under close monitoring of Arunachal Police, arrested him after tracing his whereabouts.

He was also charged with inciting ill will and hatred towards the people of the northeastern state.
By Express News Service

If you have been watching the re-run of popular serials to keep yourself entertained during the lockdown, heres some news. Fresh episodes of a few serials will soon be aired. With the mantra that the show must go on, a handful of teleserial makers are rushing to Ramoji Films City to tape new content. In fact, the film studio has become a hub for Kannada soap operas with shooting of at least half a dozen Kannada television shows in progress at the location. Taking that first step was director and producer K S Ramji of Gagana Enterprises, who is currently spearheading three serials  Mangala Gowri Maduve, Geetha, and Naagini 2  for Colors Kannada.

I was the first to shift my serials out of Bengaluru. We have camped at one portion of Shantiniketan of Ramoji Film City, which is spread over 500 acres. Its like a town in itself. We are ensuring that no one besides the cast and crew enter the vicinity, he says, adding, Its a 20-25 member crew for each serial. We have all gone through Covid tests, and only after that have we come here. Some artistes were unavailable, so weve worked accordingly.

Meanwhile, the makers of Kannadathi landed in Hyderabad on Monday, while the team of Nammane Yuvarani and Hoomale will follow soon. Producer Prakash Jayaram, who is rolling the serial under Shri Jaimatha Combines, says, The lockdown has brought everything to a standstill, but at the same time there are artistes and technicians who need daily work to survive. Many of them were calling me to express their concern over repaying EMIs and managing day-to-day expenditure. Thats why we made this move, he says about the crew which flew to the location and will stay there for a fortnight.

After a 14-day shoot, the entire crew will be tested in everyones safety, he adds. For Ramji, the advantage is that he began shooting all his serials in Hyderabad, which has helped him keep the backdrop intact. I usually launch my serials in Hyderabad, and the first few episodes are shot here, says Ramji, who has taken a 100-member party to the shoot location. Prakash feels responsible for his team and hopes this his move will help many. This is like working in a bio bubble, he says, adding that this may not be a possibility for filmmakers, who require at least 200 people on sets.
By PTI

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla on Tuesday asked the Centre to ensure vaccination of class 12 students before taking a decision on holding board exams.

Delhi has made a similar suggestion to the Centre asking it to vaccinate children before they appear for the examinations.

"The union government should provide COVID vaccines to all states before taking a decision on examinations of class 12 students," said Singla in his feedback to Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', two days after a meeting was held to discuss the issue of pending class 12 board exams, which were postponed in view of the second wave of COVID-19.

According to Singla, there is a dire need to inoculate students and teachers against COVID-19 before conducting the exams as their health, safety and security are of utmost importance.

The minister said exams of only selected and essential subjects may be held in each discipline and question papers can be of lesser duration, an official release here.

He said due consideration may also be given to pre-board examinations and internal assessment.

There is every possibility that the students would be late in getting admission in higher educational institutions, he said.

The central government should issue directions to all universities and colleges to cope with the time loss of students, he said, adding higher education institutions should be asked to reduce the syllabus of the course which would decrease the pressure on students.

"Students taking admissions in higher education institutions after undergoing class 12 examinations would not be required to undergo all the semesters in the next course. For example, 8 semesters course may be reduced to 7 semesters which would help in reducing mental pressure on students and will also motivate them to perform with more confidence," Singla said.
By ANI

GURUGRAM: An 84-year-old man from Haryana has become the first person in India to be administered the Covid drug cocktail, which came into limelight after it was administered to former US President Donald Trump when he tested positive for the virus last year.

Mohabbat Singh, who was under treatment for the last five days at Gurugram's Medanta Hospital was on Tuesday given the drug over a 30 minute intravenous supply.

The cocktail of two fast acting antibodies-Casirivimab and Imdevimab is seen as a cutting-edge treatment that will provide protection to Covid-19 patients with mild and moderate symptoms before their condition deteriorates and they require hospitalization.

The first batch of the Roche antibody cocktail drug arrived in the country on Monday, according to an official announcement by Roche India and Cipla Limited.

ALSO READ: Roche's antibody Covid treatment cocktail launched in India at Rs 59,750 per dose

"If these antibodies are injected into a patient infected with the Covid-19 virus at an early stage when the virus is trying to multiply then it blocks the virus from entering the cells of the patient from where it derives nutrition to multiply. So by blocking the virus they are stopping the multiplication of the virus and finally the virus spikes. It is one of the blocking mechanisms that is working against the Covid-19 virus," Doctor Naresh Trehan, Chairman and MD of Medanta hospital told ANI.

Dr Tehran further said that the antibodies are also effective against the new variant B.1.617.2 and this has been verified in laboratories as well.

The antibody cocktail therapy is not recommended for patients who are hospitalized due to severe Covid-19, or those who require oxygen therapy due to Covid-19 or who require an increase in baseline oxygen flow rate due to Covid-19 and in patients on chronic oxygen therapy due to underlying non-Covid-19 related comorbidity.

"It has been tested and used extensively in the US and Europe and the experience shows that (it works) when given timely, that means the first seven days of viral replication stage or when the virus multiplies. So, by blocking it then you are reducing the severity of the disease in everybody, but also in those who had a severe infection because of comorbidities along with their age and also a high viral load. It has been found effective when given on time, the sooner you give it more effective it is," Dr Trehan said.

This FDA-approved therapy demonstrated good efficacy in Phase 1/2 and Phase 3 studies by reducing Covid-19 related hospitalization and death by 70 per cent. Approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), this single dose infusion-based treatment can be provided on an outpatient or daycare basis and marks a dramatic shift in Covid-19 care in India.

"We are glad to now have access to Monoclonal Antibody Therapy in India. This fast and effective treatment for COVID -19 will save patients at the highest risk from falling critically ill, getting hospitalized or possibly dying of complications from Covid-19. We look forward to serving our patients with this therapy and saving more lives," said Dr Naresh Trehan.

The doctor, however, said that patients are advised to check with their doctor if monoclonal antibody therapy may be beneficial to them in the treatment of their Covid-19 infection. (ANI)
Harpreet Bajwa By

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana government has said the Covid-19 vaccine wastage in the state has come down from 6 per cent, as per the data recently released by the Centre government, to 2-3 per cent.

The state health department said the vaccine wastage percentage was relatively higher in the data released by the Centre as there was a data mismatch and the districts have rectified it.

The state has, so far, administered a total of 53.72 lakh doses, with Gurugram reporting the highest at 6.34 lakh followed by Faridabad (5 lakh). Additional chief secretary (health) of the Haryana government Rajeev Arora said in a data recently released by the Centre government, Haryana had a 6 per cent wastage of Covieshield and 10.2 per cent wastage of Covaxin.

Thereafter, the officers of the health department immediately swung into action and identified that there was a data mismatch. He said the officers concerned corrected the data mismatch and subsequently, the wastage percentages dropped from 6 per cent for Covieshield to 3.1 per cent and 10.2 per cent of Covaxin to 2.4 per cent. Thus, the average wastage percentage is between 2 per cent to 3 per cent.

He elaborated that director of the National Health Mission, Haryana, Prabhjot Singh, along with the state immunisation team held two orientation programmes with all officers of the health department involved in vaccine administration of all districts through video-conferencing. Thereafter, the districts with high wastage were identified and separate consultation was given to them.

Arora said the districts which reported high vaccine wastage were Hisar, Palwal, Nuh, Kaithal, Rohtak and Bhiwani. Arora said 2,07,892 healthcare workers (HCWs) have been administered the first dose of vaccine and 1,33,828 HCWs have been administered the second dose of vaccine.
By PTI

RAIPUR: Rejecting the Centre's claim about high vaccine wastage, the Chhattisgarh government on Wednesday said the wastage of COVID-19 shots is below one per cent in the state, which has been performing well in all categories of the vaccination drive.

According to a release issued by the state public relations department, Chhattisgarh has grabbed the second spot in the country in vaccinating healthcare workers, while it is among the top performing states in inoculating frontline workers.

The release went on to negate a statement made by the Centre in a virtual meeting on May 21 about high vaccine wastage in Chhattisgarh.

"The fact is that the percentage of wastage of the vaccines funded by the Centre is 0.81, while in the direct state procurement category, it is 0.63 per cent," the release stated.

As per the release, principal secretary of the state's health department Dr Alok Shukla had conveyed the matter to the Centre's Health Secretary in a letter on May 21 and had requested him to update the data at their level, it said.

Shukla had informed the Centre that the state had received 68,40,210 vaccine doses from the Centre, of which, 61,67,632 shots were administered, while 55,608 were wasted, which is 0.81 per cent, the release stated.

Apart from this, the state government had received 7,97,110 doses for the 18-44 age category, of which 6,66,101 had been administered, while 5,039 shots were wasted, which comes to 0.63 per cent, it said.

The Union Health Ministry in a review meeting on the progress of the vaccination drive had stated that Chhattisgarh had reported 30.2 per cent vaccine wastage, which is higher than the national average of 6.3 per cent.

"All efforts are being made by the state government to make full use of the vaccines and minimise their wastage," the release added.

The state is at second place in the country in vaccinating citizens in the above the age of 45, while it is among top five states in inoculating people in the 18 to 44 age category, the statement said.

The figures clearly indicate that efficient management, proper adherence to the protocol and regular supervision have helped the state to utilise vaccines completely and keeping vaccine wastage minimal, it added.
By PTI

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena on Wednesday claimed the BJP, instead of tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, was working on how to improve its image and win the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections due next year after it "did not do so well" in the panchayat polls there.

An editorial in the Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said after failing to win the West Bengal Assembly polls, the BJP leadership has shifted focus to Uttar Pradesh.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a meeting to discuss 'Mission Uttar Pradesh'," the Marathi daily claimed.

"It seems as if all issues in the country are resolved and there is only one work left of declaring elections and contesting them holding massive rallies and roadshows to win polls," it said in taunting remarks.

No doubt, elections are important in parliamentary democracy, but are polls a priority in the present situation? the editorial asked.

"The BJP is working on how to improve its image and win the UP polls after it did not do so well in the panchayat polls there," it stated.

Earlier, there were demands that elections in Assam, West Bengal and other states be postponed or held in a single phase.

But, the polls in West Bengal were conducted in eight phases, because of which the coronavirus spread not just in WB, but the entire country, the editorial claimed.

It further claimed that COVID-19 management has collapsed completely in UP and the BJP is likely to face trouble in the Assembly polls there and the Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

"COVID-19 is a national calamity and it was bound to hit big states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra. The floating bodies in the Ganga river in UP brought tears in the eyes of the world," it said.

At present, the entire focus has to be on the COVID-19 pandemic, said the Sena, which shares power with the NCP and Congress in Maharashtra.

"Otherwise, the Ganga river will be a carrier of Hindu dead bodies and this is not good for the country's image," it added.
Sumi Sukanya Dutta By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: With mucormycosis or black fungus cases rising in India by an alarming 32% within a span of three days, the Centre on Wednesday announced that nearly 29,000 more vials of amphotericin B, a first line treatment for the fungal disease, are being allocated to states.

Experts however say that the limited supply of this key drug is greatly hampering the fight against this dreaded disease with 30-50% mortality, leading to higher deaths. Doctors across India are documenting an alarming rise of mucormycosis, mainly among patients with COVID-19 and those who have recently recovered.

As per the figures shared by the Centre, the country till Tuesday night had 11,717 hospitalised patients of this disease while on May 22 this number was 8,848.

The state wise data by the government also showed the maximum cases of the disease, which typically affects, nose, sinuses, eye, brain and lungs in some cases, are in Gujarat with 2859, followed by Maharashtra which has 2770.

Andhra Pradesh on the other hand has registered 768 cases so far while Madhya Pradesh has 752 cases and Telangana has 744 cases thus far.

In Delhi, while 620 cases have been recorded till now, according to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal the data shared by the Union government showed only 120 cases.

ALSO READ: Recovered from COVID-19 and have teeth issues? Check for black fungus, says expert

The Union health ministry has declared it a notifiable disease while 11 states have already declared it as an epidemic.

Many doctors say that the fungal infection may be triggered by the use of steroids, a life-saving treatment for severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients, and is also being seen in diabetics and those with previous history of compromised immunity.

However, black fungus patients without the background of COVID-19 or any other comorbidities are also landing up in hospitals, further deepening this medical mystery. This has led some clinicians to believe that there could be some other contributing factors too, causing more people to catch the infection, which are yet to be understood.

While amphotericinB injections are the drug of choice to treat the condition and up to 60-120 vials may be required for each patient, many patients also require urgent lifesaving surgeries to remove the infection from sinuses, eye orbit or brain.

An acute shortage of this injection over the last few weeks has meant some patients are struggling to recover even after undergoing surgeries.

Union chemical and fertilizer minister Sadananda Gowda on Wednesday announced that the additional 29,250 vials of amphotericin-B drug, are being allocated to states, which include 7,210 vials to Gujarat and 6,980 vials to Maharashtra as part of the 29,250 fresh allocations.

Several other states like Andhra Pradesh (1,930), Madhya Pradesh (1,910), Telangana (1,890), Uttar Pradesh (1,780), Rajasthan (1,250), Karnataka (1,220) and Haryana (1,110) have also received additional vials to treat the infection.

Previously, an additional 19,420 vials of this drug were allocated on May 24 and 23,680 vials of the drug were supplied across India on May 21.

The government last week had said that over 5 lakh vials of this medicine are going to be available by the end of this month through ramped up production and imports.

It also said it has issued licences to five more companies to manufacture the medicine and is in the process of importing 6.8 lakh vials in May and June. The import is part of all-round efforts to ramp up supply and availability of the medicine, stressed the Centre.
The deadly Covid-19 Indian variant that was detected in Kwekwe is being contained with no new cases recorded since confirmation of the first case last week.

Government activated its health emergency systems to diffuse the deadly  B.1. 617  first detected in India after genomic sequencing tests revealed that it is now in Zimbabwe.

Part of the measures put in place by the Government was a localised lockdown for Kwekwe district as well as isolation of suspected cases among other things.

This particular variant has presented the world with a huge test in what had appeared to be a virus in check and India has so far been the hardest hit.

Zimbabwe had up to now defied odds with a thorough and effective response to the pandemic, and the latest variant is now under control.

An expert in the Ministry of Health and Child Care who is part of the advisory team that advises Government on Covid-19, Dr Raiva Simbi urged calm as the variant is being contained.

There is no need to panic, people should adhere to the prescribed Covid-19 protocols and we will win this war, he said.

Like what the Vice President (Dr Constantino Chiwenga) said, we now have the capacity for genomic sequencing that is to detect which particular variants are in circulation in the country.

The B.1. 617 variant widely known as the Indian variant is under control in Zimbabwe, we are still carrying out some samples but available results show that we have managed to control the spread, said Dr Simbi.

Like I said the evidence we have is that the situation is under control because we do not have any new cases, the positivity rate has not increased.

The fear was that the variant will spread in the country, but the quick response by the Government to restrict movements in the area the virus was detected has helped in controlling the geographical spread of the virus.

But our advice remains that people should continue adhering to the prescribed protocols to avoid a spike in infections, he said.

Dr Simbi implored those who have not yet been vaccinated to be immunised and boost their chances of beating the virus if infected. He also advised those who have been vaccinated not to throw caution to the wind.

VP and Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Chiwenga is on record encouraging people to be vaccinated as well as not to lose their guard.

In his address at the ongoing 74th World Health Assembly, VP Chiwenga said health promotions and the activation of systems to confront Covid-19 helped the country to respond to the pandemic.

The countrys ability to respond to the pandemic has received international rave reviews with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and China  where the virus was first detected  all commending the Governments efforts. Herald
By PTI

RANCHI: Hitting out at the Centre, the Jharkhand government on Wednesday said it is wrong to project vaccine wastage proportion is as high as 37.3 per cent in the state whereas the fact remained that it is much below the national average and currently stands at 4.65 per cent.

The Jharkhand government retort comes a day after the centre said despite urging states repeatedly to keep vaccine wastage below 1 per cent, many states such as Jharkhand (37.3 pc) were reporting much higher wastage than the national average (6.3 pc).

The opposition BJP latched on the issue to attack JMM- Congress-RJD coalition government and sought to know as who is responsible for such a high wastage of vaccine in the state.

Chief minister Hemant Soren lashed out at the centre, saying how can one imagine that Jharkhand will allow its "suraksha kavach" (protective gear) to go waste? Asserting how can a state allow about lakh of doses go waste, Soren said it was explained to the centre that poor connectivity in forest areas and lack of network issues are behind slow updation of data.

"However, the centre seems hell-bent to project things in a poor light which is causing problem to poor states like Jharkhand. This is why the state had gone to the Supreme Court for allowing its platform for vaccination," Soren told PTI.

Jharkhand's nodal officer for COVID-19 vaccination A Dodde said, "It is wrong to project that the vaccine wastage percentage is as high as 37.3 per cent whereas it is 4.65 per cent, much below the national average of 6.3 percent.

"Jharkhand with its tough terrains, difficulties, geographical complexities and technical glitches has not been able to update data," he told PTI.

State Health minister Banna Gupta accused the centre of tarnishing the state's image on the basis of "false data and projections".

Dodde said the facts were explained to government of India officials in a meeting on Tuesday in which the centre advised states and UTs to plan for scaling up vaccination coverage through available stocks and anticipated supplies till the end of June.

The private hospitals were advised not to allow offline vaccine registration and all registration should be online.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan had held a review meeting through video conference with administrators from states and UTs on the progress of vaccination, modifications on CoWIN software that will provide more flexibility to vaccine administrators,along with the effective implementation of SOPs for containment and management of COVID (particularly in areas underserved by health infrastructure).

A detailed presentation on the progress of the countrywide vaccination drive was presented, with a focus on states and UTs that are lagging behind in providing coverage to the vulnerable population groups.

"Whereas states have been urged repeatedly to keep vaccine wastage below 1 per cent, many states such as Jharkhand (37.3 pc), Chhattisgarh (30.2 pc), Tamil Nadu (15.5 pc), Jammu and Kashmir (10.8 pc), Madhya Pradesh (10.7 pc) are reporting much higher wastage than the national average (6.3 pc)," Union Health Ministry had said.

The chief minister's office said the state government is fully focused on utilising its available vaccine doses in the most prudent manner possible ensuring minimal wastage.

"We hope to minimise it further with more focused vaccination awareness campaigns in deep forested and other rural areas of the state," it said.

Officials said total vaccines supplied to all districts is 48.63 lakh while total vaccines utilised is 40.12 lakh and the wastage percentage comes to 4.63 per cent.

The state said it has 6.56 lakh doses of vaccines available with it.

The vaccine wastage issue triggered a political row in Jharkhand.

State BJP President and MP Deepak Prakash launching a scathing attack on state government for "high wastage of vaccine" sought to know from the state government as to who was responsible for this - state or the centre.

Congress leader and state's health minister Banna Gupta said, "The central government is trying to malign the state with fake statistics. It is misleading the entire country with such fake data."

He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to have a look at the state's data.

Fearing exclusion of a large chunk of the tribal people in the ongoing vaccination drive against COVID-19 due to non- availability of smartphones among many of them and access to internet in remote areas, the Jharkhand government had earlier filed a plea with the Supreme Court for directions to use its own "more user-friendly" platform for registration.

The JHAR-WIN app, the officials said worked both online and offline and is backed up with a call centre to facilitate registration of low-digitally literate population group and can provide on the spot registration at vaccination centres, officials had said.

They said it was suited to a state with as high as about 27 per cent tribal population.
By PTI

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday said the state government should ramp up health infrastructure keeping in mind that there could be a third or even a fourth wave of coronavirus because people are not going to follow the rules regarding face mask, social distancing and sanitisation.

Observing that discipline enforced in China cannot be implemented in India, a division bench of Justices Bela Trivedi and Bhargav D Karia asked the Gujarat government to ramp up infrastructure for medical facilities to deal with any fresh wave of the pandemic.

The bench made the observations while hearing a suo motu PIL on the COVID-19 situation and other related issues in Gujarat.

It said ramping up of health facilities, especially in rural Gujarat, should be on a long-term basis and not on short-term to address just the ongoing second wave of the pandemic.

"What about this type of third or fourth wave? The third wave will be followed by the fourth wave, because the people of the state are not going to follow, to put on masks, to have social distancing or sanitise. Nobody in this country is going to do that, so every six month there will be a wave," the court observed.

"With this understanding you have to prepare yourself," the court told Advocate General Kamal Trivedi during the hearing of the PIL.

When Trivedi compared India to European nations and said seven advanced countries combined together have seen more casualties and suffering due to the pandemic, the court said the only country India can be compared with is China, which is" incomparable".

"You will have to compare only with China. It is incomparable. The discipline implemented there cannot be implemented here. Therefore, ramp up infrastructure for medical facilities," the court said.

Trivedi then remarked that "Somebody has rightly said that we have paid the price for democracy."

Responding to this, the HC observed, "In the name of democracy we cross all lines, everything is pardoned."

When Trivedi said India is a country "with a huge population," where policing in every nook and corner is difficult, Justice Karia observed, "Then prepare for infrastructure when the (COVID-19) waves come."

The bench asked the state government to elaborate on policy it has in place for long-term engagement of medical resources that could cater to the needs of the next three or five years when another wave of COVID-19 may strike.

Trivedi assured the court that the government will look into all these aspects.

The Advocate General said the government has been trying its best to ensure that discipline regarding social distancing, wearing face masks and sanitisation is maintained to curb the spread of coronavirus.
By PTI

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said the prohibitory orders in place under section 144 of the CrPC will continue to remain in force in the state despite the gradual unlocking of 'Corona Curfew' from June 1.

Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure bans assembly of five or more persons at one place.

In a bid to control the spread of the virus, the state government had imposed 'Corona Curfew' in several districts of the state, including Bhopal and Indore, till May 31.

In a televised address to the state in the evening, Chouhan said that despite the gradual unlocking from June 1, people and authorities need to take all the necessary precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

"If there is carelessness, infection will continue to rise. The third wave will break out when the number of cases go up. We need to prevent such a situation while starting the unlocking process from June 1," he said. The state government has chalked out a roadmap to prevent such a situation, he said.

"Holding programmes will continue to be banned. Attendance at marriages should be very thin and those who participate should be tested for COVID-19. We have to decide that to what extent markets should be opened," he said.

Chouhan said that shopkeepers and their customers should follow the COVID-19 protocols.

"For this, rules will be framed. Restrictions under section 144 of the CrPC will be enforced to avoid gathering of people," he said.

Despite unlocking, testing for COVID-19 will continue, he said.

Earlier, while reviewing the pandemic situation in the state, Chouhan said the positivity rate in 45 districts has reached below five per cent.

The state has reached the 19th place in the country as far as the infection count is concerned, he said.

Chouhan said the government has been trying to bring the infection count to zero in the state by May 31.

He said that the survey carried out under the Kill Corona' campaign in rural areas has been completed 100 per cent.

Earlier this week, the state government has allowed "restricted relaxations" in five districts- Jhabua, Alirajpur, Khandwa, Burhanpur and Bhind- starting from Monday.
Mayank Singh By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The preventive and response measures by the Armed Forces led to the evacuation of more than 800 people and no death was reported till Wednesday evening. The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) 'Yaas' made landfall about 20 km south of Balasore on the Odisha coast during the daytime on Wednesday.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in its statement said, The extensive pre-emptive measures undertaken by Indian Coast Guard towards the preventive and response measures on Eastern Seaboard and Andaman & Nicobar islands commencing as early as 19 May 2021 at the first indications of deteriorating weather by IMD, bore fruits as no loss of life or property at sea was reported.

As part of the cyclone preventive measures, ICG rescued about 100 people onboard its Air Cushion Vehicle (Hovercfaft) at Nayachara, West Bengal, and had already ensured the safe return of 265 fishing boats that were out at sea. Ships at anchorage off Odisha, and West Bengal coast had taken safe shelter and Single Point Mooring (SPM) operations were suspended.

"Nil reports of any damage or loss have been received from any merchant ship," the ICG added.

Three ICG ships were strategically positioned at sea for possible search and rescue missions close to Odisha and the West Bengal coast. ICG Disaster Relief Teams (DRT) were deployed at Digha and Contai in West Bengal for the assistance of more personnel with equipment were kept on standby.

Nearly seven hundred people rescued from floods in East Midnapore till the evening of Wednesday, Army informed. As a proactive measure, the Indian Army had pre-positioned 17 Rescue and Relief Columns for assistance to State Administrations of Odisha and West Bengal.

Keeping the predicted intensity Indian Navy static base INS Netaji Subhas was entrusted with the responsibility to spearhead relief effort at West Bengal in close coordination with the State Government of West Bengal.

Two Navy diving teams and five flood relief teams, comprising specialised Navy personnel with associated equipment and inflatable boats were deployed to the State, said the navy.

One diving and two flood relief teams each have been positioned at Digha and Frazerganj on May 23 and May 24 respectively. One flood relief team has been kept on standby at Diamond Harbour, for redeployment as necessary, at short notice.

These teams are equipped to undertake casualty evacuation of stranded/ marooned personal, road clearing/ tree cutting operations, and distribution of relief material, as would be required by the local District Administration.

Four Indian Navy Ships, loaded with HADR material, medical teams, and additional diving teams, would also closely follow the Cyclone and be available for rendering further assistance.

In addition, the Indian Navy is also positioning Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) material for about 500 people at its Depot Centre at Kolkata, for subsequent distribution if required, in the aftermath of the Cyclone.

Naval helicopters from onboard the IN Ships, Medium-Range Maritime Patrol aircraft at Visakhapatnam as well as Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft at Arrakkonam (Tamil Nadu) were also kept on standby for deployment at short notice for casualty evacuation, aerial survey and airdrop of relief material, based on requests from the State government, as required.

The Indian Air Force continued its assistance to NDRF to prepare for its effects. Towards this, a C-130 and two An-32 aircraft airlifted 102 passengers and 4.5 tons of cargo from Arakonnam to Kalaikunda. Another C-130 airlifted 62 passengers and 6.8 tons of cargo from Lilabari to Kolkata.

In addition, 2 IAF An-32 aircraft have been deployed for airlifting 41 passengers and 4 tons of cargo from Lilabari to Panagarh.
By PTI

PATNA: The Patna High Court has expressed displeasure over complaints of "brutality by police" while enforcing lockdown in Bihar and "maltreatment" of COVID-19 patients and their attendants at various health care centres.

An order to this effect was passed on Tuesday by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice S Kumar after the perusal of a report by a three- member experts' team which visited government and private hospitals, besides the COVID care centres, across the state.

"The state has adopted the policy of test, track and treat, but for an illiterate person in a village, dissemination of information has to be in a language he understands," the court pointed out.

"The government must develop a state-level protocol enabling a common person to understand the need to tackle the virus," it said.

The court noted with concern "purported illegality and brutality exhibited by the police in enforcing the lockdown" and directed authorities concerned to place a check on such measures.

Lockdown, enforced in the state on May 5, will continue to remain in place till June 1.

The court also said that "the issue of maltreatment of patients and attendants needs to be addressed immediately".

"The government, as also medical health institutions, public as well as private, must proactively take steps to disseminate information and put in place a grievance redressal mechanism, since this alone would instil confidence in the minds of the general public," the court ordered.

The bench further said it was in agreement with a suggestion made by P K Shahi, a former minister and ex- advocate general, for imparting "basic training to unskilled youth", who showed a willingness to serve at the dedicated COVID care centres.

The court stated that lack of skilled manpower for operating various equipment installed at ICUs and wards of the health centres was "a common issue that surfaced during the hearing".

The matter has been posted for further hearing on June 2.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: With the Centre-set deadline for the social media platforms to comply with its new rules ending on Tuesday, the digital and legal worlds were rife with speculations over the consequences of non-compliance. When contacted, Facebook said it would engage more with the Centre before eventually complying, while Twitter declined comment.

We aim to comply with the provisions of the IT rules and continue to discuss a few of the issues which need more engagement with the government. Pursuant to the IT Rules, we are working to implement operational processes and improve efficiencies. Facebook remains committed to peoples ability to freely and safely express themselves on our platform, said a Facebook spokesperson in response to an e-mail by this paper.

Koo, touted as Indias answer to Twitter, said it has identified colleagues from within the team to familiarise them with the systems. It said user safety and convenience was of utmost importance to have Indian social media players thriving in the country. The Centre had notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 in February. The social media intermediaries were given an additional window of three months to put the new rules in place.

The government had said there would be two kinds of intermediaries  social media intermediaries, and significant social media intermediaries. The significant social media intermediaries are expected to appoint a chief compliance officer, a nodal contact person for coordination with law enforcement agencies, and a resident grievance officer. All three are expected to be Indian residents. Intermediaries with more than 50 lakh registered users have been designated as significant social media intermediaries.

Medianama founder and digital rights activist Nikhil Pahwa said, The new provisions entail setting up of an entire system which may not be practical to implement at a notice of three months for global companies. This is also particularly dependent on the scale of the companies, and the number of consumers they have. Some of the provisions show a lack of understanding in how technology works. WhatsApp cannot be expected to rearchitect its global platform in three months.

Cyber law expert Pavan Duggal pointed out that non-compliance of the rules can lead to two legal consequences  intermediaries may lose their statutory exemption from legal liability under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the intermediaries and their top management are liable to be punished for various offences under the IT Act, 2000 and the IPC.

The Internet Freedom Foundation, an NGO that conducts advocacy on digital rights and liberties, said in a post that the most detrimental bit for citizens was the rule under which significant scial media intermediaries that are primarily in the nature of messaging services have to enable the traceability of the originator of messages. This can cause a chilling effect on speech in private conversations, it said.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday threw his weight behind the people of Lakshadweep as he accused the "ignorant bigots in power" of destroying the islands.

His statement came a day after the Congress demanded the immediate removal of Lakshadweep administrator Praful Patel, alleging he is not only destroying the peace and culture of the islands, but also "harassing" the people by imposing arbitrary restrictions.

"Lakshadweep is India's jewel in the ocean. The ignorant bigots in power are destroying it. I stand with the people of Lakshadweep," Rahul Gandhi tweeted on Wednesday.

The Congress has also alleged that the Administrator is allowing liquor on the islands, which is prohibited till now, and has brought in the Prevention of Anti-Social Activity (PASA) Act with the objective of harassing locals, besides taking away powers of panchayats and is carrying out demolitions under new provisions brought in by him.
By PTI

CHANDIGARH: A law which allows the authorities to recover compensation from violent protesters who cause damage to property has come into effect in Haryana.

Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said on Wednesday that the Act was notified by the state government earlier this month.

"With the implementation of the Act in the state, any damage done to people's shops, houses, government offices, vehicles, buses and other public property in guise of any movement will be recovered from the protesters," he said, as per an official statement.

Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya had given his assent to the Haryana Recovery of Damages to Property During Disturbance to Public Order Bill, 2021 last month after it was passed by the state Assembly in March.

The law allows the authorities to recover compensation for damage caused to both public and private properties.

When the bill was brought in the Assembly in March, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Home Minister Vij had denied the Congress' charge that the decision to bring it was linked to the farmers' agitation against the Centre's farm laws.

For adjudicating upon pleas for compensation for damage to properties, the new law provides for the government to set up claim tribunals in the state.

These tribunals will be headed by Haryana Superior Judicial Services officers, to be appointed in consultation with the chief justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The tribunals will determine the liability, assess the claims for compensation and decide the monetary value of damages, and on such determination, award suitable compensations.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday asked large social media platforms to immediately report their status of compliance with the new digital rules.

In a note to 'significant social media intermediaries', the IT Ministry said the additional due diligence required from such large digital platforms has come into effect from Wednesday.

The ministry has sought details and contact information of Chief Compliance Officer, Resident Grievance Officer and Nodal Contact Person who have been appointed by digital platforms under the new social media rules, as per the note seen by PTI.

"As you including your parent company or any other subsidiary, provide a variety of services in India some of which falls within the definition of SSMIs (significant social media intermediaries) in the context of the IT Act and the aforesaid Rules. Accordingly, as part of ascertaining the compliance to these Rules, you are requested to provide the following information," the ministry said.

Apart from details such as name of the app, website and service falling within the scope of significant social media intermediary, the ministry has sought details of the three key personnel, as well as the physical contact address of the platform in India.

ALSO READ | New IT rules allow message tracing without any judicial review: WhatsApp in Delhi HC petition

It has asked the platforms to report on their status of compliance with the new rules.

"If you are not considered as SSMI, please provide the reasons for the same including the registered users on each of the services provided by you. The Government reserves the right to seek any additional information, as may be permitted within these Rules and the IT Act," it said.

The ministry has asked large social media companies to confirm and share their response at the earliest "and preferably today itself".

The new rules require large social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp to follow additional due diligence, including the appointment of chief compliance officer, nodal contact person and resident grievance officer.

ALSO READ | Well within Parliament panel's mandate to seek clarification from Centre on 'manipulated media' issue: Tharoor

Non-compliance with rules would result in these social media companies losing their intermediary status that provides them exemptions and certain immunity from liabilities for any third-party information and data hosted by them.

In other words, they could be liable for criminal action in case of complaints.

The new rules require them to take down any content flagged by the authorities within 36 hours, and set up a robust mechanism to respond to complaints.

The new IT rules also require significant social media intermediaries -- providing services primarily in the nature of messaging -- to enable identification of the "first originator" of information that undermines sovereignty of India, security of the state, or public order.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: WhatsApp on Tuesday approached the Delhi High Court against the new rules announced by the Centre for digital media companies and said this will force them to break end-to-end encryption -- a move that infringes upon the right to privacy and free speech of hundreds of millions of WhatsApp users.

In its 234-page plea, the social media giant said the company does not believe traceability can be imposed in a way that cannot be spoofed or modified, leading to new ways for people to be framed for things they did not say or do.

The plea was moved a day after the deadline for social media companies to put in place new mechanisms to comply with the rules passed.

Whatsapp has challenged section 4 of Part II of the rules that were notified on February 25 which says that a significant social media intermediary providing services primarily in the nature of messaging shall enable the identification of the first originator of the information.

ALSO READ | India again tells WhatsApp to withdraw new privacy policy, firm says no accounts deleted yet

"Supreme Court has emphasised the importance of judicial review before the invasion of privacy occurs to guarantee against arbitrary action by the State (Puttaswamy judgment). The new IT Rules allow message tracing without any judicial review," the petition stated.

The company said it is committed to doing all it can to protect the privacy of peoples personal messages and that is why it is opposing traceability.

"Citizens will not speak freely for fear that their private communications will be traced and used against them. We are not aware of any country that requires intermediaries to do this," the plea stated adding that the harm that can be caused is dangerous and disproportionate.

The petition also cited the risk journalists and activists will be facing if the new IT rules will be adhered to and said, "Journalists could be at risk of retaliation for investigating issues that may be unpopular. Activists could be at risk for discussing certain rights and criticising politicians or policies. Clients and lawyers could become reluctant to share confidential information related to their case."
The presidents directive came on the heels of the Wall Street Journal reporting Sunday that three researchers at a lab in Chinas Wuhan province fell sick in November 2019 with symptoms consistent with both COVID-19 and common seasonal illness. The lab studies coronaviruses and other pathogens, and the newspaper reported that the U.S. intelligence community is scrutinizing the three researches falling ill as part of the inquiry into the origins of COVID-19.
By PTI

KOLKATA: Renowned Bengali writer and translator Enakshi Chatterjee passed away on Tuesday in a hospital in Delhi due to Covid-related complications, family sources said.

She was 86.

Born in 1934 to a family of renowned lawyers in Patna, Enakshi was the older of two siblings.

She graduated from Patna University, excelling in academics, extracurriculars and sport.

She was married to Dr Santimay Chatterjee, a nuclear physicist mentored by Meghnad Saha, following which she settled in Kolkata.

Enakshi was a prolific author in both Bengali and English in a variety of genres, including humour, popular science, poetry with more than 40 published works in science fiction alone.

Her favourite genre was childrens literature, for which she received the Bidyasagar Award.

She received the Rabindro Puroshkar for the book 'Poromanu Jigyasha' co-written with her husband.

She was also honoured with the Kalidas Nag Memorial Award for her lifetime achievement in literature.

Enakshi was a prominent translator of English and Bengali books, too, most notable among them being Sunil Gangopadhyays 'Purbo-Paschim' (East-West) into English and Vikram Seth's 'A Suitable Boy' into Bengali.

She was also involved in the development of Calcutta Doordarshan in its initial days, assisting with program development.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke over phone on Wednesday and discussed the positive outcomes of the recently concluded India-EU Leaders' Meeting.

India and the European Union (EU) had on May 8 announced their decision to resume negotiations for a balanced and comprehensive trade agreement after a gap of eight years and unveiled an ambitious connectivity partnership, during a virtual meeting between Prime Minister Modi and leaders of 27 member nations of the bloc.

During their telephonic conversation, the prime minister and the French president agreed that the announcements regarding resumption of negotiations for balanced and comprehensive free trade and investment agreements, and India-EU Connectivity Partnership were welcome steps, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement.

Modi thanked Macron for the assistance rendered by France to India's Covid response, it said.

The leaders discussed bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest, and expressed their satisfaction at the positive outcomes of the recently concluded India-EU Leaders' Meeting, the PMO said.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the depth and strength that the India-France Strategic Partnership has acquired in recent years and agreed to continue working closely together in the post-Covid era.

Prime Minister Modi also reiterated his invitation to President Macron to visit India as soon as conditions permit, the statement said.

The India-EU meeting, participated by leaders of EU member states as well as the top leadership of the EU, had also decided to launch negotiations on two other key agreements on investment protection and geographical indications.

The negotiations for the ambitious free trade agreement, launched in 2007, were suspended in 2013 amidst difference on crucial issues, including tariff rules and market access.

During that meeting earlier this month, Modi had also invited the EU to support a proposal by India and South Africa to waive patents on COVID-19 vaccines so that there can be equitable vaccine access for the entire world.

PTI ASK ANB ANB 05262202 NNNN
By PTI

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Urban Development and Housing Minister Shanti Dhariwal on Wednesday demanded the Centre that the outstanding GST compensation amount be released to the states at the earliest, and all COVID-19-related goods should be made tax-free.

Dhariwal was interacting with the finance ministers of six states in a virtual meeting held on Wednesday.

He said that the Centre should pay the outstanding GST compensation to the states at the earliest.

He also strongly supported the demand of the finance ministers of other states to urge the Centre to make all goods related to COVID-19 tax-free.

Dhariwal urged all finance ministers to remain united on all these issues and raise them vigorously in the proposed GST Council meeting on May 28 before Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

All the states agreed that the Centre should release GST compensation amount of their share to the states while respecting the spirit of cooperative federalism so as to make up for the revenue deficit due to the states due to COVID-19, a statement said.

The ministers also agreed to increase the additional lending limit to 5 per cent.

The meeting was attended by the finance ministers of six states - Amit Mitra (West Bengal), Manpreet Singh Badal (Punjab), Rameshwar Oraon (Jharkhand), T S Singh Deo (Chhattisgarh), K N Balagopal (Kerala) and Palanivel Thiagarajan (Tamil Nadu).

Mitra was the convener of the meeting.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a five-day visit to the US, on Tuesday met UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and underlined the importance of urgent and effective global vaccine solutions for the coronavirus pandemic.

A warm & comprehensive meeting with UN Secretary General @antonioguterres. Discussed the Covid challenge, underlining the importance of finding urgent & effective global vaccine solutions. Critical to ramp up the vaccine supply chain to ensure greater production & fairer distribution, Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting,

They also held discussions on Indias challenges in its neighbourhood and agreed on adequately protecting the gains of the last two decades in Afghanistan. Countering terrorism and radicalisation remain priorities for the region. Also, discussed recent developments in Myanmar. India values UNSGs leadership of the UN, especially in these challenging times. Conveyed our support for his candidature for a second term, the minister tweeted.

Climate change was discussed and Jaishankar said greater resources are essential for larger ambitions, while financing will determine seriousness and credibility. Highlighted Indias constructive role in UNSC and conveyed priorities of our Presidency in August. Maritime Security and Technology for Peacekeeping address the needs of the day. Welcomed SGs appreciation of Indias Peacekeeping operations including at Goma, DRC recently, Jaishankar said in a tweet.

Earlier in the day, the minister held discussions with Indias permanent representative to the UN, TS Tirumurti, and his deputy K Nagaraj Naidu, where he expressed confidence that India will continue to shape the big debates of our times. A productive strategy session with @ambtstirumurti and our UN team in New York @IndiaUNNewYork. Confident that India will continue to shape the big debates of our times, Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting.

After his meeting with Guterres, Jaishankar will travel to Washington DC to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The meeting is likely on May 28, as Blinken is on a trip to West Asia and will return on May 27. A State Department spokesperson said both leaders would discuss a wide range of issues, including Covid-19, efforts to strengthen Indo-Pacific cooperation through the Quad grouping, enhancing the UN and multilateral cooperation.
Rajesh Asnani By

Express News Service

JAIPUR: While the Indian citizens over 18 are being vaccinated as a defence against the Corona virus, The Pakistani Hindu migrants living in Rajasthan are being turned away from vaccine centers as they have no Aadhar cards. Now, the migrants have appealed to PM Modi to be inoculated based on their travel documents.

A large population of migrants are waiting for citizenship. The Adhar card is created when someone is a citizen of India. The displaced ask that when sages, saints, and homeless people are being vaccinated without an Aadhar card, then why not them?

Rajasthan's Jodhpur district is the biggest hub for Pakistani migrants in the country. There are about 21 colonies of Pakistani migrants in Jodhpur who are facing the rigors of the Corona pandemic.

Shyam Hirani is one such migrant who had come to Jodhpur from Pakistan's Sindh province in 2009. When he went with his five-member family to a vaccine center in Jodhpur, he was asked to go back.

"We have been living in Jodhpur for the last 12 years and have applied for Indian citizenship but we do not have Aadhar cards so we were not given the vaccines. The Corona second wave is killing so many people in Jodhpur and the lives of my family members are in danger if we do not get vaccinated", he said.

Tired of the religious persecution in Pakistan, hundreds of Pakistani Hindus had come to settle in India before the Thar Express was closed. These migrants are living not just in Jodhpur, but also in Jaisalmer and in many areas of the state. More than 30 thousand Pakistanis are living in Jodhpur, Jaipur, and Jaisalmer, who do not have a Aadhaar card.

Migrant activist, Ashok Suthar, says that 10 Pakistani Hindu migrants have died due to Corona-like symptoms and lack of medical facilities in Jodhpur, although many have recovered.

"Coronavirus is spreading rapidly in these areas and in 21 such ghettos 50 people have been found for the positive while 1500 people have an influenza-like illness but they have never had any medical investigation done", he said.

Hindu Singh Sodha, President of Lok Seemant Sangathan, an NGO working for their rights has written a letter to the Prime Minister asking for vaccination for the migrants.

"Pakistani migrants have travel documents. People have term visas and permission to stay. Inoculate with these documents. Nomads, saints, homeless, etc. are included in the notification of the Union Ministry of Health but this most vulnerable group is left out! " Hindu Singh Sodha, President of Lok Seemant Sanghthan urged.

Jodhpur is also the hometown of Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, and the state government has given reassurance to the migrants that they will be vaccinated. But the entire issue is linked with the Central Government as well.

In 2019 before the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Modi had conducted a huge rally in Barmer where he had promised to mitigate the problems of the Hindu migrants from Pakistan. After the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Act, the migrants hoped that they would get citizenship soon and their identity crisis would end, but the troubles in the corona period remain the way they were.
By PTI

MUMBAI: Mumbai Police has handed over the bodies of 52 crew members who died after barge P305 and tugboat Varprada sank off the Mumbai coast during cyclone Tauktae while 27 bodies are yet to be identified, an official said on Wednesday.

The Navy on Tuesday evening recovered another eight bodies near Alibag coast in neighbouring Raigad district, which were handed over to Mumbai Police and sent for autopsy, he said.

Earlier, the Navy had handed over the bodies of 71 victims to the city police who has registered an Accidental Death Report and is probing what led to the tragedy.

As many as 188 crew members from both the vessels were rescued by the Navy and Coast Guard.

Of total 79 recovered bodies, 52 were identified and handed over by the police to the family members, while 27 bodies were yet to be identified, the official said.

Police are taking help of forensic science laboratories to identify the bodies through DNA matching, he added.

P305 and Varprada -- both support vessels working for the state-run ONGC's offshore oilfields near Mumbai -- bore the brunt of cyclone Tauktae which made landfall on Gujarat coast on May 17.

The chief engineer of the barge P305 had alleged in his statement to the police that its captain did not take the cyclone warning seriously.

The police has so far recorded the statements of eight surviving crew members.
Sankar Ray By

Extremely optimistic sections among those concerned about the future of Indias official Marxist parties (better termed Leninist)such as the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India and variants of Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist)dream of their comeback. The reality is that Indian Leftist parties never regained their past dominance once their area of influence declined. Take the Praja Socialist Party, Samyukta Socialist Party, CPI and even the CPI(ML)s. The CPI(ML) Liberation is confined to pockets in Bihar. Going by past experience, the CPM is unlikely to regain even a quarter of its influence in West Bengal and Tripura in the foreseeable future.

My hypothesis is that the weakening of these Communist parties that evolved during the growing years of the Communist International is correlated to the increasing irrelevance of Comintern-backed parties, including the once powerful Parti Communiste Francais and Partito Comunista Italiano (PCI). Set up by the Russian Socialist Democratic Labour Party (Bolshevik), much later the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Comintern subordinated these affiliates (termed sections) . Even before the CPSUs dissolution (1990), the PCI transitioned from doctrinaire communism to democratic socialism between the 1970s and 1980s. The new party was named Partito Democratico della Sinistra (Democratic Party of the Left) and is affiliated to the Socialist International.

The CPIs existence was threatened even before CPSUs dissolutiona presentiment of the irrelevance of totalitarian communism. The CPM, which maintained an equidistance from the CPSU and Communist Party of China (after the Naxalbari uprising in 1967), identified itself more with nationalism than internationalism. But the Parliamentary influence of the two parties has been declining for nearly five decades. For instance, in the fourth Lok Sabha poll in 1967, the CPI got 23 seats (excluding S M Banerjee, elected as an independent candidate, supported by the party) and 5.11% of votes, and the CPM bagged 19 seats with a poll share of 4.28%. In the LS poll of 2019, the CPM and CPI won three and two seats respectively with corresponding poll shares of 1.75% and 0.58%.

Unbelievable as it seems today, in the first general elections (1951-52), the undivided CPI, together with the Peoples Democratic Front, bagged 24 Lok Sabha seats with a vote share of 4.59%. The Communists contested as PDF candidates in Hyderabad almost immediately after the armed rebellion in Telangana against the autocratic Nizam regime that was yet to lift the ban on the CPI.

The legendary Telangana hero Ravi Narayan Reddy defeated the Congress candidate by the highest margin of over 2,10,000 votes, in an election where less than 20 MPs got more than 2,00,000 votes. He polled over 3,00,000 votes, around 70,000 more than Jawaharlal Nehru, elected from Phulpur in UP. Reddys comrade Sunkam Achalu, bagging more than 2,50,000 votes, trounced the Congress candidate by a margin of over 1,85,000 votes.

But these CPs rejoiced in the cradle of Leninism, which has more dissimilarities than similarities with Marxian ideas. Their basis was a totalitarian state that Karl Marx or Frederick Engels never even hinted at. The vanguardist experiment scripted by Vladimir Lenin reflected a distorted perception of Marx, who seemed to have foreseen the possibility of such aberrations. Shortly after Franz Mehring, the first biographer of Marx, coined the word Marxism in 1881, Marx told two leading French socialists, Paul Lafargue (Marxs elder son-in-law) and Jules Guesde in chaste French, Ce quil y a de certain cest que moi, je ne suis pas Marxiste (If anything is certain, it is that I myself am not a Marxist). Marx was annoyed with the two as they kept mum when Marxs supporters in the International Workingmens Association (First International) were branded as Marxists; Marx felt irritated, more so due to the silent endorsement of the prefix Marxist by his adversaries at a session of the First International. Marx, who had a scientific background (having enunciated materialist dialectics, not the misconceived dialectical materialism), knew that there was nothing called Newtonism.

Lenins words, Marxism is omnipotent because it is true, reflects the vulgarisation of Marx. Marx scholars who insulate themselves from the aberrant Leninist school assert that incompleteness was a systemic nature of Marx, rejecting the prefix omnipotent or omniscient. After the Paris Commune of 1871, Marx wanted to rewrite most of his texts including Das Kapital, Communist Manifesto and The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte.

Let me pick a couple from the many important academic contributions negating Leninism. They were beholden to Marx, but many of them refused to be branded as Marxist. Norman Levine, in his Marxs Rebellion Against Lenin: The Disappearance of Marx in Lenin, laments that in Lenin, the writings of Marx suffered a tragic fate. Rather than speak of what Lenin knew of Marx, it is necessary to speak of what Lenin did not know of the writings of Marx. Destiny dictated that many of the most critical writings of Marx were not published until after Lenins death. He wrote from serious ignorance of Marxs opinions on these matters. The invisibility of Marx compelled Lenin to be dependent on the writings of Engels. Lenin perpetuated the myth that Marx and Engels spoke with one voice.

Take Paul Edward Gottfrieds The Strange Death of Marxism where he says: Today European CPs survive merely as adjuncts of larger concentrations of power on the Left. Whatever the chief cause for this development, whether a general rise in living standards, a disintegrating working-class solidarity or the demonstrated unattractiveness of Communist practice, Communist parties in Western Europe have lost their electoral appeal. Although they occasionally do stage comebacks ... this may be happening because of populations spooked by an overly abrupt transition to a free or quasi-free market economy.

Nonetheless, Marx and his theoretical formulations remain relevant, despite the fall of the Soviet Union, asserted Paresh Chattopadhyay, author of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels on Communism in the six-volume Oxford Handbook on the History of Communism, a year before the onset of the financial tsunami in 2008. The rising sales graph of Das Kapital thereafter proved Chattopadhyay right. In contrast, Lenins books are left dusty at book stands, let alone those by Stalin and even Mao.

The crisis of Marxism or Marxian studies surfaced in the late twentieth century. The fault doesnt lie in Marx, but in so-called Marxists and Marxist parties. The point is to discard the orthodox and vanguardist Marxism associated mainly with hierarchical or Comintern-subjugated Communist parties, most of which are in a semi-comatose state. The blame does not lie wholly in the Stalinisation of the USSR and its eventual collapse. The seeds were sown by Lenin and Len Trotsky when the RSDLP(B) was known as party of Lenin and Trotsky (Rosa Luxemburg).

The role of Lenins mentor, Georgi Plekhanov, and Trotsky in introducing Marx and some of his basic works to revolutionaries were fault lines therein. Unfortunately, it took nearly a century to detect them. Whether Marx and his theories would lead to installation of associated mode of production and association of free and de-alienated peoples is left to posterity, thanks to the strong logical foundations of Marx. But official Marxism deserves a decent burial.

Sankar Ray

(Kolkata-based journalist, mainly writing on Left politics)
N Sathiya Moorthy By

Reports on Portugal lighting up the nations iconic Pacos do Concelho building with the Tricolour, expressing solidarity over the second wave of Covid-19 in India, should be an eye-opener on how the world views us post-pandemic. Portugal is one of those European nations that do not find a frequent mention in the Indian mediabut this time round, they could not leave that nation out.

Likewise, Indias smaller neighbours like Bhutan, Nepal and adversarial Pakistan as well have risen to the occasion, offering whatever little help they could give their giant neighbour in its hour of unprecedented and unmitigated crisis. Between these two sections, there are big players like the UK, Germany, France, Russia and Singapore, who have all met Indias open-ended SOS with all the help that they could air-lift, almost without second thoughts.

Not long ago, a section of the nations social media had projected Indias Vaccine Maitri mission, of rushing out Covid assistance beginning with our smaller neighbours, as an opportune display of the nations capabilities coupled with intrinsic compassion, as if neither existed before the time of the current government. Now, Vaccine Maitri-II has shown that independent of capabilities, compassion at least is a two-way street. Nothing more, nothing less.

Positive spin: The problem with the present leadership is that it only wants to score debating points nearer home and win a few elections. Aided and abetted by the spin doctors, the governments supporters have believed in the unbelievable and want other Indians to do so. But that is not going to sell with the international community, who, after seven years of a laid-back assessment of Indias capabilities and ties, will be using a fine toothcomb to look at each and every one of Indias claimson domestic and geostrategic fronts.

The governments supporters had celebrated what the Centre named as Samudra Sethu and Vayu Sethu, the great Indian efforts to send all kinds of medical aid and assistance to other nations, to over a hundred countries, as Prime Minister Modi proudly claimedand rightly so. Today, the same sections are spinning another social media tale, on how India has launched Samudra Sethu-II and Vayu Sethu-II to bring large volumes of aid and assistance from nations across the world, as if it was inevitable and unavoidable, and done with seamless ease.

At the same time, the political opposition in the country too needs to remember how German leader Angela Merkel rapped us on the knuckles and said how Indias claims to be the worlds pharmacy owed it to European largesse. Like the US and the IT/ITES sector in particular, post-War Europe found comfort and solace in outsourcing medicines manufacture and many others to Third World nations like Indiakeeping their conscience also in the clear. And the Third World is where the world may keep India all over again, after our handling of the second wave.

Rising like a phoenix: If the world is rushing aid to India, it does not owe exclusively to the gory picture that their media have painted over our nations second wave. It owes also to their governments independent assessments that the Indian second wave could spread across their lands, too, though not many of them are saying it in the open. Leaving aside their having to turn to China and Russia for vaccines now, some neighbourhood nations have also identified their second wave as the Indian variant.

India now needs to rise like the proverbial phoenix, quick and fast, if the world has to accept the nations intrinsic worth as an emerging superpower. It needs to convince itself and the world that unlike the forgotten self-reliance agenda of an earlier generation of national leadership, Modis Atmanirbhar is not just a catchy slogan for his domestic audience. In doing so, our current leadership too needs to remember that if their post-Independence predecessor did not resort to chest-thumping, their fatalistic instincts had also told them that chest-beating could not be far away, after all!

N Sathiya Moorthy

Distinguished Fellow & Head-Chennai Initiative, Observer Research Foundation

(sathiyam54@nsathiyamoorthy.com)
Theres an embarrassing snarl that the Indian government should resolve with Cairn Energy as soon as possible. Cairn has been in the drivers seat ever since an international tribunal at the Hague last December ruled that the Indian government was in breach of the guarantee of fair and equitable treatment and awarded Cairn $1.2 billion in compensation. The dispute harks back to the company reorganising itself in preparation of an IPO in 2006-07. A tax demand was raised retrospectively, invoking a change in the Income Tax Act in 2012. Cairns case is that such retrospective demands are against international law, despite which the government seized its residual shares in Cairn India as well as a tax refund, amounting to approximately $1.4 billion.

We had reminded the government as early as mid-March in these columns not to allow the dispute to fester. However, festered it has, and Cairn has now filed a lawsuit in a US court in New York against Air India seeking to seize its assets. Cairn has said Air India is the alter ego of India and as a wholly-owned national carrier of the government, it is liable for payments due from the government. An appeal has been filed in the Hague against the tribunal order and the government is challenging the jurisdiction of the New York court too.

But Cairn is on the offensive, and has got courts in five countries, including the US and Britain, to recognise the Hague tribunal award. This means Indian assetsbanks, ships, etc.can be seized in multiple locations. At the centre of the dispute is retrospective taxationit is not permitted in international law and is in breach of the UK-India Bilateral Investment Treaty. Our own Supreme Court has ruled against it. Again, Indias international image is being damaged, with our government failing to honour an arbitration award of the Hague. We are on a weak legal wicket, and at best the seizure process can be delayed. In this context, the government should settle the Cairn compensation issue away from the glare of international opprobrium and with the least loss of face to both parties.
No one envies the Telangana Congress. Its fortunes have been on a downward spiral since 2014 and that has continued even after the 2018 Assembly elections. The hope of the Congress that its heavyweight K Jana Reddy will win the Nagarjuna Sagar bypoll and navigate the party through choppy waters proved to be a pipe dream. He lost the seat by a greater margin than in 2018.

The party lost the historic opportunity of coming to power in 2014, all because no one wanted to work and everyone tried to become the chief minister of Telangana, believing people would be left with no option but to elect the Congress as it had fulfilled their 60-year dream of a separate state. As a result, the party bit the dust in the polls. Since then, it has lost all elections, big and small. It won just two of the 150 divisions in the GHMC elections and finished third in the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation polls like it did in the Dubbaka Assembly by-election. The Congress headquarters Gandhi Bhavan looks lost and forlorn, inspiring little hope of a comeback among party workers.

After the great debacle in 2018, PCC chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy announced that he would step down from the post, but submitted his papers to the party high command only a few months ago. The party borrowed a few ounces of courage and decided to appoint former minister and MLC T Jeevan Reddy as PCC president and working president A Revanth Reddy as campaign committee chief. But even that did not come through, though an elaborate exercise preceded the decision, with the party developing cold feet once again citing Nagarjuna Sagar bypoll preparations. Party leaders seem to have lost interest due to the indecisiveness of high command and continued politicking with their usual pattern of media conferences and press releases without much work at the ground level. The partys slide in Telangana seems to be relentless and inexorable and with the high command not serious in bringing about any change of leadership, its fate is likely to be similar even in the 2023 Assembly polls.
I know that there are more than 200 of us and so if we really want to get at and understand what happened and what went wrong and how we can protect patients in the future, we need to understand as much as possible about how this was allowed to happen.
Kiran Balannanavar By

Express News Service

BALLARI: In a shocking development, seven pregnant women who were infected by COVID-19 have died in Ballari and Vijayanagara districts in the last two months. While the Ballari (undivided) administration was lauded for its efforts in ensuring safe deliveries last year, the second wave of the pandemic is giving health officials a tough time.

Since April 2021, 180 pregnant women in these two districts have tested positive for COVID-19. As the death rate among pregnant women is increasing, the district administration has laid down plans to minimise such fatalities.

ALSO READ: No one to care in Covid Care Centres in Karnataka hinterland

To begin with, additional health staff and special teams will be formed to look after pregnant COVID-19 patients in both Ballari and Vijayanagara districts. The administration will keep an eye on the health of pregnant women with COVID-19 and also those who are living in different parts of the districts. The local ASHA workers have been informed to conduct regular health check-ups of pregnant women and also children in some villages where the number of COVID cases is high.

District Health Officer Dr H L Janardhan said, The condition of most of the patients who died was weak. Some of them also panicked upon knowing that they tested positive for COVID-19. Hence to deal with the issue, we have now created a special ward at VIMS hospital and a similar facility at the government hospital in Hosapete.

The health teams are conducting COVID-19 tests in different parts of the district after cases started increasing in the rural belts of Ballari and Vijayanagara. Health officials are requesting people to get tested even if they have the slightest symptoms, especially pregnant women.
Chetana Belagere By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: The second wave of Covid-19 has not spared pregnant women -- while many miscarriages have been reported among women in their first and second trimester, deaths have also gone up considerably in Karnataka, say gynaecologists and obstetricians. Though data compilation is yet to happen, experts warn that the number of deaths, stillbirths and underweight babies is increasing, and needs immediate attention. They demand that the state government issue separate guidelines for the care and treatment of pregnant women and new mothers immediately.

The first wave was reassuring as we were trying to keep a keen eye on our patients, and nothing went wrong. We did find an increase in pre-term births and C-sections, and submitted our data to global studies, but the second wave is totally different, it has really frightened us, says Dr Hema Divakar, consultant, Divakars Speciality Hospital, and former president of Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI).

The second wave has forced gynaecologists to pay attention to everything that is not part of their speciality. They are looking at symptoms as pulmonologists and physicians would, to ensure they dont miss even tiny details while handling a pregnant patient. Most women are coming with infections in the 26-32 week range. It creeps up so insidiously that if we miss the clues and crucial time, and condition rapidly deteriorates, there is no coming back, she added.

Dr Suhasini Inamdar, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, said the second wave has been harsh towards pregnant women, with a spike in the number of cases. There are high chances of women having miscarriages, besides stillbirths (intrauterine fetal demise) which mostly happens in the late second trimester or advanced stages of pregnancy. Foetal death occurs when there is a sudden deterioration in their condition and oxygen saturation drops. Its best if pregnant women raise an alarm as soon as they experience Covid-like symptoms.

A worldwide study of 2,100 pregnant women, published recently in a science journal, said those who contracted Covid-19 during pregnancy are 20 times more likely to die than those who are not infected. Doctors say that when an entire family tests positive, and with the kind of spread in infection, pregnant women are obviously not spared. However, there are other challenges. A patient visits a gynaecologist, and OBGyns are not trained to check her as a physician would. If it is a cough, cold or fever, we dont look at oxygen saturation. Generally, we dont even prescribe medicines for cough and fever, said a senior gynaecologist from Vani Vilas Hosptial, where more than 200 babies have been delivered by Covid-positive women.

Bowrings Ghosha Hospital, reserved for Covid pregnant women, has seen two deaths in the past 20 days. Ballari district has seen seven deaths during the second wave, and more than 500 pregnant women have tested positive in Karnataka.Dr Sanjay Gururaj, paediatrician at Shanthi Hospital and Research Centre, says, This is probably not the right time to get pregnant. Physiologically, pregnancy is an immunosuppressed state, when a woman is more prone to infections.

A senior doctor at a PHC in Mandya, on condition of anonymity, said more pregnant women are coming in late, with acute respiratory distress syndrome, and lungs collapsing. This leads to ICU admissions. If they develop Covid in the last trimester, their diaphragm is already compressed, and oxygen support and ICU care are needed, she explained. Doctors say the government needs to link a paediatrician, physician or pulmonologist to the gynaecology department in private and government hospitals.

If youre pregnant

Follow social distancing rules, wear mask while stepping out

If family member is infected, stay isolated

Stay hydrated and mobile to reduce risk of blood clots

Attend all pregnancy scans, antenatal appointments unless asked not to come

Ensure you are in touch with physician, and treating doctors talk to each other on your condition

Look for hospital with Covid care and non-Covid care

If symptoms occur

Seek medical advice immediately

Monitor oxygen saturation levels regularly

Ensure every mild illness is reported, as condition can deteriorate suddenly

If treated early, most pregnant women experience mild or moderate symptoms

Risk factors

Mother can pass on Covid to baby, but babies usually do well

Risk assessment with doctor suggested before conception

IVF treatment said to be avoided during pandemic

RECENT CASES IN KTAKA

Pregnant PSI Shamili (24) died in Kolar

Woman tests positive, admitted to hospital in Chikkaballapur early last week

Seven deaths reported in Ballari, Vijayanagara districts during second wave

Two deaths at Bowring Hospitals Ghosha Hospital

Many pvt hospitals reporting deaths of pregnant women with Covid
By PTI

BENGALURU: Even as Karnataka is battling the second wave of COVID-19, speculations were rife on Wednesday that some moves were on within the ruling BJP for replacing Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa.

Some Ministers and MLAs, for the first time, openly admitted to such moves to exert pressure for unseating the Karnataka BJP strongman.

Several legislators considered close to the Chief Minister rallied around him questioning the need for such a change, and asserted that the 78-year-old veteran will complete the term and will even lead the party during the next polls two years away.

Citing certain decisions taken by the government, its handling of COVID crisis, alleged instances of corruption, a few legislators are said to be pushing for convening a legislature party meeting after June 7, the last day of the lockdown.

"I have got information about several (legislators) camping in Delhi, I have even got to know about meetings taking place at various places, even today. I have seen in the media that several Ministers are also part of it...it is true that such discussions are taking place," Revenue Minister R Ashoka said in response to a question.

"I have got to know about some (legislators) going to Delhi, it is hundred per cent true that developments are taking place...while some people are involved directly, some are indirectly involved. I'm seeing their statements in the media, but my priority is to stand with the people suffering due to Corona," he added.

However, Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan, Home Minister Basavaraj S Bommai, Housing Minister V Somanna, Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar, said they were unaware of any such developments and ruled out leadership change.

Ashwath Narayan, terming the talk about leadership change as "far from truth", said Yediyurappa is their Chief Minister and leader.

"We are all working under his leadership to control COVID, and there is no need to give importance to news about me being the possible replacement for CM post," he said.

To a question about some legislators lobbying for leadership change in Delhi, Narayan said he was not aware of it and has heard about it only through the media.

He also clarified that no legislature party meeting has been called on or after June 7, as is being speculated.

Bommai termed news about Chief Minister change and legislature party meeting being convened in June as "not official" and mere "speculations".

While Somanna said the Chief Minister's seat was not vacant and that Yediyurappa was strong in his position, Shettar, also a former CM, said no such discussions regarding leadership have taken place either at the state or central leadership level.

According to reports, Tourism Minister C P Yogeeshwara and BJP Hubballi-Dharwad (West) legislator Arvind Bellad are camping in Delhi and said to have been trying to seek appointment with BJP national leadership to express the feeling of some legislators against Yediyurappa's style of functioning and request them to rein in the Chief Minister.

Reports that some more legislators are likely to join them, have created a flutter in BJP circles.

Earlier this month the visit of Bommai and state BJP vice-president B Y Vijayendra, son of Yediyurappa, to the national capital and their meeting with national leadership had created a buzz around leadership change and discussions regarding possible replacement that would be to the liking of the Lingayat strongman.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Siddaramaiah, who had several times in the past claimed that Yediyurappa will be replaced, repeated it on Wednesday as he also claimed that whoever will become the Chief Minister next, will also be weak.

"Yediyurappa has failed, he is the worst Chief Minister ever we had in Karnataka. He is the most incompetent, weak and corrupt Chief Minister. Attempts have been going on for some time to replace him, it looks like that it has come to the final stage now...the number of people seeking his replacement has increased," he said.

Earlier too there have been intense speculation in some quarters that the BJP high command is mulling leadership change in Karnataka in the days to come considering Yediyurappa's advancing age.

Though the BJP had officially rejected outright such speculation in the past, it refuses to die down, with some within the party like senior MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal giving credence to it with his statements, setting repeated deadlines for Yediyurappa's exit.

Some MLAs, questioning as to what is Yediyurappa's "mistake" for him to be replaced now, said there was no need for any signature campaign in favour of the CM, as they claimed all MLAs are with him.

BJP MLA and CM's political secretary S R Vishwanath sserted that Yediyurappa will remain in the top post for the remaining term, and will lead the party to victory during the next election.

"Our national president and central leaders have ruled out change. Despite this, such speculation, whenever some our leaders go to Delhi, is unwarranted...even if some of our own leaders are dreaming to become Chief Minister they should drop it," he said.

Noting that it is under Yediyurappa's leadership the BJP got the mandate in Karnataka and also came to power, MLA Madal Virupakshappa said those whose names are being projected as probable CM candidates, cannot win elections without Yediyurappa.

"Those who cannot win on their own without Yediyurappa's name, how will they become CM. High command is aware that it is because of Yediyurappa that BJP has a government in south India today, and they don't want to lose it," he added.

Ruling out any activities in Delhi, Shankar Gowda Patil, who is state government's special representative to New Delhi, said, "It is true two legislators have gone to Delhi...ask why they have gone, check for yourself have they met any nation leaders, you will get to know."

Yediyurappa's style of functioning, governments decision to sell 3,667 acres of land to the JSW Group in Ballari district which the BJP had opposed while in opposition, handling of COVID crisis are said to be some of the issues based on which a few legislators have decided to approach the central leadership.

Also, some of them are said to be of the opinion that if a leadership change is planned, it has to happen now, as doing it too close to the election in 2023, will prove disadvantageous for the party, sources said.
By PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former bureaucrat KM Abraham has been appointed as the Chief Principal Secretary to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Abraham is currently the CEO of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Board (KIIFB), the development arm of the state government.

The new posting would be in addition to the existing charges, a Government Order said here on Tuesday.

Abraham had earlier retired as the Chief Secretary during the tenure of the previous Vijayan government before subsequently being appointed as KIIFB CEO.
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: At least eight office-bearers of the Lakshadweep BJP unit resigned from the party on Tuesday, in protest against administrator Praful Khoda Patels arbitrary actions that they fear will destroy the culture and peace of the Union Territory.

Also read: Centres pointsman in Lakshadweep in eye of storm, rouses furore among locals

Sources said more resignations will follow in the coming days as the efforts by the local unit to expose the anti-people activities of administration did not elicit any reply from the Central government.

The resignation of office-bearers is a big blow to the BJP leaders in Kerala including national vice-president AP Abdullakutty who is in charge of Lakshadweep and state president K Surendran. Both of them claimed that the issues in Dweep were created by Muslim organisations and the Left parties in Kerala for serving their vested agenda.

Abdullakutty even said that administrator Patel was trying to implement the development dream of Narendra Modi in Lakshadweep.

Those who submitted

Resignation on Tuesday to Abdullakutty include former state vice-president M C Muthukoya, treasurer B Shukkoor and BJYM former general secretary Mohammed Hashim.

Leaders decision after Modi failed to reply

The BJP Lakshadweep unit had written a letter to Modi on April 20, complaining against Patels action. The letter sought the Central governments intervention to withdraw the move to ban beef and decision to close schools. The leaders who signed the letter did not receive any reply. Meanwhile, the administration continued its actions against the local people.
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heavy rain lashed Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod on Tuesday under the influence of Cyclone Yaas. Low-lying areas in the capital were inundated following the rain. According to India Meteorological Department, Kasaragod received 9 cm rain during the 12 hours that ended on 8.30 pm on Tuesday followed by Thiruvananthapuram city with 7 cm. The Thampanoor KSRTC bus stand and railway station premises were flooded as heavy rain lashed the capital in the evening.

IMD has sounded yellow alert across the state except in Thrissur, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod, warning of isolated heavy showers on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the southwest Monsoon has advanced into some parts of Maldives-Comorin area and more parts of Southwest and Southeast Bay of Bengal on Tuesday.

Conditions are becoming favourable for the onset of Southwest Monsoon. As per IMD, the southwest monsoon will arrive in the state by May 31. Yaas is very likely to cross north Odisha-West Bengal coasts between Paradip and Sagar Island close to north of Dhamra and south of Balasore, at noon on Wednesday after it develops into a very severe cyclonic storm. As a result, the state is expected to get heavy showers.

ALSO WATCH | Cyclone Yaas makes landfall in Odisha; rough sea and heavy winds in West Bengal too
Rajesh Abraham By

Express News Service

KOCHI: Amid growing protests over sweeping new rules in Lakshadweep by new administrator Praful K Patel, the officials of industry bodies pointed out much before the new controversy, there has been a quiet move to shift freight transit from Beypore and Kochi ports to Mangaluru port.

Also read: Centres pointsman in Lakshadweep in eye of storm, rouses furore among locals

The Lakshadweep administration has been insisting that the islanders should not rely on Kerala ports such as Beypore and Kochi for freight transit, and look at Mangaluru for the purpose. The move came even before the new administrator took charge. In the wake of new developments, we cant see the move in isolation, said G Karthikeyan, president, Kerala Merchants Chamber of Commerce. He said some time ago, there was a labour-related issue at Willingdon Island, and the business community thought the move to promote Mangaluru port came following this.

Officials said the cattle for consumption of beef is mostly shipped from Beypore to Lakshadweep islands, which are mostly Muslim-dominated. However, the draft regulation states that no person shall directly or indirectly sell, keep, store, transport, offer or expose for sale or buy beef or beef products in any form. Further, vehicles transporting beef are liable to be confiscated. The penalty for slaughtering a cow is a minimum of 10 years in prison extending up to a life sentence and a fine of Rs 5 lakh. Those violating the beef ban will face a minimum jail term of seven years, as per the new rules.

Munshid Ali, member, Beypore Port Advisory Council, Calicut Chamber of Commerce, said Kerala is losing out in terms of tax revenues too as the business moves to Mangaluru. Our company supplies tyres to Lakshadweep. Now, we have to move our goods to Mangaluru, making our cost of operations higher. Effectively, what will happen is we will lose out as companies located near Mangaluru port will take our business. Kerala as a state will also lose the tax revenues, said Ali, who is a partner of Kozhikode-based Ceekey Tyres.

He said the Kerala government also should come forward to build better facilities at Beypore port for the passengers. For instance, right now, the passengers wait in a small shed-like structure for the ships at Beypore port. Similarly, they stand in the hot sun to take tickets. The state government should come forward to provide better facilities for the passengers, Ali said. Karthikeyan said most cargo from Kochi to Lakshadweep are vegetables and provisions.

CHENNITHALA URGES PREZ TO CALL BACK PATEL

TPuram: Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala wrote to the President of India seeking to recall the Lakshadweep administrator. Various actions taken by the Administrator will adversely affect the islands unique socio-cultural environment, Chennithala pointed out.

The actions taken by the Administrator will lead to total destruction of the islands unique characteristics. Theres an urgent need for the Union Government and the President to intervene and call him back, he said.

LEAGUE VOWS SUPPORT IF STATE GOVT INTERVENES

MALAPPURAM: Muslim League will organise protests to protect the rights of people of Lakshadweep, national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty said on Tuesday. He urged the state government to intervene. IUML will extend all support to the government if it takes measures to help the residents, he told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram. IUML acting state general secretary P M A Salam, in a press meet in Malappuram, said people of the island are being denied their fundamental rights.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Indian Coast Guard formations at Kochi, Chennai and Tuticorin are on alert after Sri Lankan authorities sought assistance to quell a fire that ignited on board MV X-Press Pearl, a container vessel anchored about nine nautical miles from Colombo port. The vessel is holding about 325 metric tons of fuel in its tanks, which is likely to pose an oil spill threat.

According to the Coast Guard, the vessel en route from Hazira to Colombo and loaded with 1486 containers carrying about 25 tons of hazardous nitric acid and other chemicals was manned by 25 crew including five Indians when the incident occurred. All the crew have been evacuated, the release added.

The fire occurred on board the vessel off Colombo port last Thursday (May 20). It was reported to be brought under control with the help of port authorities by Friday. However, on Tuesday, the fire re-ignited after an explosion on board, reportedly due to the collapse of a few of the containers due to rough weather. About 8-10 containers are reported to have fallen overboard post explosion and fire, the release added.

Sri Lankan authorities have sought Indian Coast Guard assistance towards fire fighting and for augmenting pollution response measures in light of the oil spill. Upon government directives, ICGS Vaibhav, an offshore patrol vessel with external foam fire fighting and pollution response capabilities on maritime patrol, was diverted for assistance. Another Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel Vajra with similar capabilities for fire fighting and pollution response has also been deployed from Tuticorin.

Meanwhile, Coast Guard formations at Kochi, Chennai and Tuticorin are on standby for immediate assistance towards pollution response. The Coast Guard is in continuous coordination and communication with Sri Lankan authorities for the operation. Further, Coast Guard aircraft are being brought to Tuticorin from Chennai and Kochi for aerial surveillance and pollution response, the release added.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday attacked the Centre over allocation of Covid 19 vaccine to States and said not only Tamil Nadu, but many States have faced constraints.

To tackle the situation, the government has gone in for global bids to procure vaccines. The vaccination drive will be conducted as a people's movement, Stalin told press reporters after launching a vaccination drive at Primary Health Centre, Nemam near Poonamalle in Thiruvallur district.

For the 18-44 age group people, 12.85 lakh vaccine doses have been received and 11.50 lakh doses are arriving and work is in full swing to vaccinate high-risk category people and workers of large industries. The government has invited global tender for procuring vaccines from foreign countries, said Stalin.

Referring to his visit to the Centre's HLL Biotech at Chengalpet, Stalin noted that the State has decided to manufacture vaccines in Tamil Nadu.

Since DMK assumed the office of government on an average 78,000 doses of vaccine administered a day as against the 61,000 doses since the drive commenced on January 16, Stalin said wastage of vaccine doses has brought down to one percent from six percent.

Presently, 1.64 lakh RT-PCR tests were conducted per day as against 1.15 lakh till May 7. The State has 267 testing facilities, added Stalin.

To a query on whether the lockdown will be extended, Stalin said the lockdown was implemented after eliciting opinions from the leaders of all parties to break the chain of spread.

We have witnessed the benefit of the lockdown but it is not up to the satisfaction, he said, adding that a decision on the lockdown extension will be taken after studying the gravity of the situation.

Commenting on the sudden spike in Covid cases in the Coimbatore region, Stalin said measures have been taken to control the transmission and also steps taken to increase the beds and oxygen facilities at hospitals.

On NEET for medical admission, MK Stalin said that the governments priority is to bring the Covid 19 under control.

After that, the government will take appropriate steps towards the national examination,.

Earlier, he visited the Inox plant where the medical oxygen is being manufactured and inaugurated a vaccination drive at Dalmier India Company.
SV Krishna Chaitanya By

Express News Service

CHENNAI:The southern bench of National Green Tribunal registered a suo motu case and issued notices to Tamil Nadu government, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), State forest department and others concerned over construction of metro rail phase-2 project, which proposes to pass through biodiversity rich Nanmangalam reserve forest.

Based on an article published in The New Indian Express last month, the bench comprising judicial member Justice K Ramakrishnan and expert member K Satyagopal directed Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) Chennai to submit a report as to whether any proposal pertaining to diversion of Nanmangalam reserve forest for construction of Chennai metro rail (non-forest purpose) was pending before the forest department. "If so, what is the stage and whether any permission has already been recommended or not. Also, we direct the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) to submit a report regarding steps taken by them and its stage of implementation," NGT bench said.

The tribunal directed the parties to file their independent statements and reports by June 29.

The Nanmangalam reserve forest, spanning around 320 hectares is located along the Tambaram-Velachery and predominantly a scrub jungle with rich flora and fauna. It is home to over 120 species of birds and 400 species of plants. The reserve forest's star attraction is the great horned owl or Indian Eagle Owl. Nanmangalam forest is the only site where this bird breeds in Chennai.

Under Phase-2, CMRL is taking up 118.9 km of metro rail network split into three corridors (C3, C4 and C5). C3 is 45.8 km (Madhavaram-SIPCOT), C4 is 26.1 km (Lighthouse-Poonamallee Bypass) and C5 is 47 km rail network (Madhavaram-Sholinganallur). The last corridor (C5) will be passing through Nanmangalam reserve forest, as per the documents available with Express.

In its defence, CMRL officials claim that most of the phase-2 alignment passes through existing roads wherever feasible Right of Way (ROW) is available. "However, as the alignment passes beyond Vellakal along Medavakkam Koot road, the ROW being very less (8 m to 9 m). It is not feasible to construct the piers of the corridor within the available ROW and the same was confirmed with highways after due discussions. No other government/private land available at this location. Thus, the only option available to CMRL is to run the alignment along the strip of land in the Nangamangalam forest area," CMRL said.

The total forest land required is 15,685.23 sq.m (1.569 hectares). CMRL officials said, since the route was decided based on several studies, no alternative alignment is available.

Several environmentalists have expressed concern saying Nanmangalam forest should be left alone as it is one of the last surviving green patches for Chennai.

M Yuvan, a naturalist affiliated with Madras Naturalists Society, said: "The Nanmangalam forest, other than being one of the last lung spaces in the city, is the only refuge and breeding area of the Indian Eagle Owl, a scheduled species. The large lake here acts as a water catchment and flood buffer for this part of South Chennai. It's a bird hotspot and they are extremely sensitive to noise pollution."
Border town witnesses China-Nepal friendship amid pandemic

Xinhua) 15:24, May 26, 2021

LHASA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Tsering Pema Lama is from a small Nepalese village near the China-Nepal border. He now manages two businesses in Gyirong County, the city of Shigatse, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

The 21-year-old spends most of his time in the shop selling Nepali products, and occasionally visits his restaurant when it is busy.

Lama moved to Gyirong in March 2020, when China was fighting the COVID-19 epidemic. He intended to take care of his family business as his parents had returned home for a holiday.

Over the past year, Lama, along with many other Nepalese people, has witnessed China's effective control of COVID-19, as well as the friendship between China and Nepal.

Lama underwent a two-week quarantine after entering China. The border port was closed soon after his arrival, and his parents remain unable to return.

"I feel safe here as only a few cases were logged recently in China," he said. In contrast, Nepal has been hit by a surge of new infections since April.

By Tuesday, there had been more than 520,000 confirmed cases in Nepal, with the single-day number of new cases on Tuesday surpassing 7,200. The virus has claimed 6,531 lives in Nepal, according to the World Health Organization. Since late April, most areas in Nepal have been taking strict measures to contain the outbreak, including travel bans.

Gyirong County has strengthened its border control to prevent possible imported cases. There are approximately 60 Nepalese nationals living and working in the county, and local authorities visit them regularly to learn about their needs and provide medical and other necessary services.

"I closely follow the pandemic situation in Nepal and hope that my parents will be as safe as I am," said Lama.

His parents first came to China about 20 years ago, peddling vegetables and Nepalese products. They opened a store in 2013 and, two years later, they opened their restaurant.

"I've been to Gyirong several times over the past two decades. I have many regular customers and friends here. Gyirong has become my second hometown," said Lama.

During peak tourist seasons, his two stores can bring in more than 10,000 yuan (1,554 U.S. dollars) per day, while business usually falls in the winter.

"There are fewer visitors this year due to the pandemic," he said.

Biru Tamang, 35, feels the same. He owns two stores in Gyirong.

Tamang's two children are still in Nepal and are cooped up under strict COVID-19 control measures. "I'm really worried about them and hope the pandemic will end soon," he said.

He is impressed by how China curbed its epidemic. "The measures are well implemented and everyone wears masks in public," said Tamang, adding that he believes these measures were important to containing the virus.

To help Nepal fight against COVID-19, the Gyirong port partially reopened in July last year to allow exports of daily necessities and COVID-19 control supplies to Nepal.

"The port has since delivered 20,000 tonnes of goods with a value of approximately 1.1 billion yuan to Nepal. The value of daily necessities and anti-COVID-19 materials delivered to Nepal has surpassed 3 million yuan during the period," said Dachun, Gyirong's deputy Party secretary.

Gyirong has received new requests for material assistance from Nepal as the latter is seeing a rising number of new cases. Local authorities are actively organizing donations.

"I hope COVID-19 will ebb soon in Nepal with the help from China, and that the border can be fully reopened," said Lama.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
The company said in a statement after the incident that it was conducting an investigation. But Amy Cooper says she was never contacted about an internal probe. The company would have performed a fair investigation were it not for Amy Coopers gender and race, she argues. Her personal and professional life have been destroyed, according to the suit.
Deepak Sathish By

Express News Service

COIMBATORE: Coimbatore has overtaken Chennai in terms of daily case count, but measures implemented by the district administration to prevent and contain the spread of Covid appear grossly inadequate.

Numbers game

On Wednesday, Coimbatore reported 4,268 new cases, more than even Chennai that reported 3561 cases. On Tuesday, Coimbatore had recorded 3,632 new cases while the state capital had reported 4041 cases. Sources said sample testing increased from only 10,000 earlier which was why the number of new cases was rising.

Worse yet to come?

Officials cannot afford to lose time as the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine has warned that the next 20 days would be crucial. District Collector S Nagarajan assured The New Indian Express that they will not lose focus. Explaining the action plan, Nagarajan said the focus is on testing, tracing, and treatment. He expressed hope that the Covid curve would flatten once the seven-day intense lockdown ends.

ALSO READ | Coimbatore mosque turned into counselling centre for Covid patients

The ground reality does not reflect the Collector's confidence. For instance, fever screening camps, which play an important role in diagnosing affected persons, are few and far between. A senior official in the city Corporation said that around 90 camps are being conducted at present.

Covid updates for May 26 in TN



29,717 Covid patients discharge- Total: 16,13,221



475 Covid patients died: Total: 21,815



New Cases in Chennai go down below 4,000 (3,561)



New cases across TN: 33,764



Active cases: 3,10,224



Samples tested:19,45,260@xpresstn @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/DaL7qIhAYe  T Muruganandham (@muruga_TNIE) May 26, 2021

"There are plans to increase the number but we do not have the manpower. Recruitment of workers is underway and once it is over, camps would be held in 120 locations in the city," the official said.

Disinfection drive

Commissioner of the city Corporation P Kumaravel Pandian said the civic body has intensified a drive to spray disinfectant across the city using mobile units. He added that streets which report over three cases are now being declared as containment zones. He said workers will be conducting door-to-door surveys to identify people with symptoms of Influenza-like-illness (ILI) and Covid-19.

Vaccination drive stutters

Vaccination, which is the key weapon in the battle against Covid, has hit a roadblock due to a short supply of stock. An official in-charge of the vaccination drive said they are yet to receive information on the next supply of stock.

Coimbatore North MLA Amman K Arjunan suggested that vaccination camps be held for all in primary health centres. "When people gather in one location, there are high chances of virus spreading. So, the number of vaccination camps must be increased," he said.

Coimbatore MP PR Natarajan said the state government must work on a war-footing to ramp up the beds with oxygen supply. "People must help break the chain by following guidelines such as wearing masks and maintaining social distance," Natarajan said.

Private hospitals rendered useless

Unlike in Chennai, private hospitals in Coimbatore are not in a position to hold vaccination camps as they have run out of vaccines. AK Ravikumar, state secretary of Indian Medical Association-Tamil Nadu chapter said private hospitals are facing difficulty over two things: oxygen supply and workforce.

Ravikumar said private hospitals which largely depend on oxygen cylinders are facing difficulties in refilling, and hence had to be very selective in admitting patients.

As for the workforce, he said, "Managing manpower is the biggest challenge and we cannot make staff work double shifts. We are also facing a lot of stress at this juncture, which we fear our life span would be reduced by five years." Following a representation, the district administration has extended help, he added.

Ravikumar said the private hospitals which are dependent on oxygen cylinders are encountering hardship during the refilling process. Due to this, they had to admit fewer patients for treatment.

To tide over the situation, Ravikumar said they have recently met the District Collector and submitted details of the daily oxygen requirement of the private hospitals.

"The district administration has assured it would take steps to meet these requirements. Similarly, the administration has also advised the hospitals to give an SOS call if there is any need," Ravikumar added.

With the district going into complete lockdown, he said the impact of the curfew could be observed only after 15 days.

ALSO SEE:
By PTI

CHENNAI: Taking a dig at north Indian residents here, Minister PK Sekar Babu on Wednesday said over the years, including the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, they have not voted for the DMK.

The party's elected representatives, however, have worked for them and would continue to do so as it considered them as "one among us," he said.

His remarks came in for strong criticism from the BJP and some social media users.

Babu, Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, said though he used to be asked as to why he worked for them as they did not vote for the DMK, his answer was that they too were sons of this soil, which was also the party's stand.

The work for the north Indian people by DMK is based on the principle that an elected representative, an MLA or the Chief Minister is common to all the people, irrespective of whether or not someone had voted in favour of a party that won polls, he said.

Several areas of north Chennai, particularly a number of localities falling under the Harbour Assembly constituency, is home to a large number of people, who are natives of mainly Rajasthan and a section of them, Gujarat.

Babu, a DMK district secretary (Chennai-East), was elected from Harbour seat.

The party's elected representatives, him and the Lok Sabha MP (Central Chennai) Dayanidhi Maran fully worked to guard the interests of residents, who are natives of north India in matters including constraints in building houses, he said.

"We have worked for you without expecting anything in return," Babu said addressing an event organised by Mahavir International Chennai Metro (MICM) here.

Despite the work through the years, be it the Lok Sabha polls of 2019 or the Assembly elections including 2021, most people from the community did not vote for the DMK, he said.

"We did not get remarkable number of votes from areas where you live in large numbers. It does not matter. Even if you have not voted for us, we will continue to work for you."

During his campaign for the April 6 Assembly polls, Babu said the party had fervently appealed to the community to vote in its favour though they had not done so in previous elections.

Still, the party was not chosen and citing an example, Babu said in a particular locality, the DMK got 50 votes and the BJP about 300.

If asked about their choice, the community members had maintained that their vote was for the DMK, he said.

Seeking to reject their claim, the Minister said in this age of Electronic Voting Machines, specific, area-wise data on the electorate's choice can be zeroed in, he said.

Such data for the 2021 polls revealed that they did not vote for DMK this time too, whose MLA and MP worked for them, he said in an obvious snide remark.

Despite them not voting for DMK, the party and its elected representatives would not ignore them, he said.

"We, the DMK are here to work for you," he said and quoted a couplet from Tamil classic 'Thirukkural' to buttress his point. The crux of the 'Inna Seitharai' couplet is good deeds for even those who have been bad and Babu said he would send a copy of the Hindi version of Thirukkural to them.

"We welcome good deeds, whoever does it," he said on the free food distribution, food bank initiative of MICM to help people affected by the pandemic.

"We don't consider you as people from outside. We consider you as from our state. We regard you as one among us," the Minister said and thanked the organisers of the event.

The Minister's remarks came in for severe criticism from a section of social media users.

BJP's national president of mahila morcha and MLA from Coimbatore-south, Vanathi Srinivasan tweeted, "The hatred spewed by Minister Sekar Babu against North Indians are condemnable and disturbing."

"To see elected officials discriminate Indians on the basis of their native roots is against every grain and soul of our constitution. Thiru.@mkstalin should take immediate action."

When votes for the Assembly polls were counted on May 2, in a number of rounds, BJP's Vinoj P Selvam was leading in Harbour constituency.

Selvam eventually finished runner-up and the Saffron party, an ally of the AIADMK secured 32,043 votes and DMK's Babu got 59,317 votes.
Pinto Deepak By

Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Applying for an e-pass from the Telangana police department for travel is getting increasingly difficult for many. The police are also rejecting several e-pass applications citing lack of supporting documents. This concern is not just prevalent in the rural areas, but also in the city, where people are finding it hard to even log into the website, as it is down more often than not. Officials managing the portal said that the website was slowing down due to heavy traffic, and claimed that this issue would be rectified soon.

Tollywood actor Nikhil Siddhartha was one of the many people who could not apply for the e-pass as the server was down. He was stopped by the police while he was on his way to deliver medicines to a patient at KIMS Hospital. Despite showing them the medicines and the prescription, the police did not let him go through.

Police conduct vehicle checks at Hafeezpet on

Tuesday | S Senbagapandiyan

The actor took to Twitter to express his dissatisfaction with the website. Was on the way to deliver Emergency Life saving Medicines from Uppal to Kims Minister road... In Spite of providing the Prescription and patient details.. was stopped and asked to Get an Epass. Tried 9 times but the server is down... I thought medical emergencies were allowed!!! [sic], he tweeted.

Meanwhile, SA Maqsood, a social activist from the city, said that not everyone could access the website for an e-pass. It is difficult for people from the working class, who may not know English, to access the website. This is especially a problem for many in the State, who know only Telugu and Urdu, and may not have smartphones or laptops with internet connectivity, he added. Maqsood wrote to the Chief Secretary and the DGP, urging them to issue passes at the police station-level or ward-level after due verification.

Officials, meanwhile, clarified that passes were being issued for all the services and categories mentioned in the GO formulated by the State government. Priority is given to applications with the earliest dates. People are applying for passes one month in advance. Such applications are processed at a later stage, they said.

Any application without a supporting document is rejected. However, in some cases, where people are travelling for final rites of their loved ones or even for weddings, they are allowed even without a pass after a spot inquiry, they said. They added that since the web application was temporary, it was being upgraded on a daily basis to add new features, due to which it is under maintenance for a very brief period of time everyday.

E-PASS TO VISITORS FROM OTHER STATES

The Telangana police have begun issuing e-pass to people from other States from Tuesday. As per previous orders, visitors had to avail passes from their respective States to travel to Telangana, said senior police officials. After analysing the situation, we have decided to include the facility of providing e-passes to people coming from other States, officials said

PRIORITY TO APPLICATIONS WITH EARLIEST DATES

From May 12 to May 25, the police department had issued 1,24,225 e-passes. At present, only 13,000 passes are active. The police department is also addressing e-pass-related grievances through various social media platforms. They say that any application is processed within a maximum time period of 90 minutes, and are prioritising applications with the earliest dates of travel
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: The State government has decided to take up special Covid- 19 vaccination drives for vendors of various markets and LPG delivery staff, who are seen as potential super spreaders of the virus. All LPG delivery staff, fair price shop dealers, workers at petrol pumps, auto rickshaw and cab drivers, vendors in Rythu Bazaars, vendors at fruit, vegetable and flower markets, and shopkeepers at kirana stores, liquor shops and non-vegetarian markets will be included in the drive.

Officials lack data on all super spreaders



At a review meeting at BRKR Bhavan on Tuesday, Finance Minister T Harish Rao and Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar deliberated on the logistics of such a drive. The issues regarding identification of such super spreaders were also discussed.

During the meeting, Harish suggested officials to take up the special vaccination drive formally on May 28. As per the directions of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, all the super spreaders would be vaccinated, the Minister said. However, the data pertaining to all the super spreaders was not immediately available. Sources said the Civil Supplies Department did not have details of Aadhaar numbers or mobile phone numbers of ration shop dealers.

However, Regional Transport Authority (RTA) officials said they had the data of autorickshaw drivers. Data on LPG delivery staff is also available. Armed with this data, the special vaccination drive may be launched formally on May 28 and vaccines could be administered to all the intended groups depending on the availability of the vaccine doses.Health and Family Welfare secretary SAM Rizvi, GHMC Commissioner Lokesh Kumar and other officials were present at the meeting.
By PTI

KATHMANDU: Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Wednesday appealed to her Indian and Chinese counterparts to help her country in getting uninterrupted supply of COVID-19 vaccines as it faces a huge shortage of the coronavirus shots, according to a media report.

President Bhandari wrote to her Indian counterpart President Ram Nath Kovind to help Nepal on the matter, The Himalayan Times reported.

She communicated to President Kovind via a diplomatic channel, requesting him to take initiative to provide the vaccines, it said.

President Bhandari also thanked India for providing vaccines under India's 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative and the COVAX facility.

On January 2, Nepal received one million doses from the Serum Institute of India (SII).

It has also received a total of 348,000 doses of Covishield vaccine under the COVAX facility on March 7.

Bhandari also held an hour-long telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

During the conversation, the president relayed to President Xi that Nepal is looking forward to purchasing China manufactured vaccines for its people.

She appealed to the Chinese government to make the vaccines available for procurement at the earliest possible.

So far, China has provided 800,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines in assistance to Nepal.

China has also committed to provide a million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Nepal under grant assistance.

The report said that the COVAX facility had suggested Nepal to find an alternative to Covishield vaccines due to the inability expressed by the Serum Institute of India to export vaccines amid a surge in demand for the same in the domestic market.

Earlier, COVAX had committed to providing the country with 1,920,000 doses of Covishield by May.

However, after the SII shared its concerns, COVAX has found it hard to supply Nepal with the remaining committed doses of vaccine, the report said.

Nepal on Wednesday reported 6,714 new cases of COVID-19, taking the country's total tally to 535,525.

The country has reported 6,700 COVID-19-related deaths so far.
By PTI

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani journalist, known for his criticism of the armed forces, has been attacked by unknown assailants outside his home in Islamabad, in another series of assaults on media persons.

Asad Ali Toor, who is also a YouTuber, was tied, gagged, severely beaten outside his residence in the upscale F-10 sector late on Tuesday night, according to police.

A video showed three men briskly walking away from the apartment building after thrashing Toor who was staggering and trying to recollect himself.

Another video showed Toor moving in a hospital with his shirt soaked in blood at his elbow but apparently out of danger.

Talking about the details of the incident in the clip, Toor said the attackers had asked him about the source of his funds.

He also revealed in a separate video that he was being threatened and was informed by a "well-wisher" of some attack after Eid.

Last year, a case was registered against Toor, a known critic of the armed forces.

But the Lahore High Court later absolved him of the charges.

No one has taken responsibility for the attack which came a month after journalist Absar Alam was shot and injured while he was walking in a park near his house in the capital.

In July last year, journalist Matiullah Jan was kidnapped from Islamabad and tortured for hours at some unknown location before being left near a lonely road to make it to his home in battered conditions.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry took note of the incident and ordered the Islamabad police chief to probe the matter.

But, so far no one has been traced in all the attacks, despite videos showing faces of the attackers and kidnappers.
By PTI

COLOMBO: Two Indian crew members, who were rescued from a container ship that caught fire off the coast of Sri Lanka last week, have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a media report on Wednesday.

All 25 crew members, including five Indians, of the container ship, MV 'X-PRESS PEARL', were rescued on Tuesday after a 'fire alarm' dispatch was sent.

Of the five Indians, two of them sustained injuries during the rescue operation and were hospitalised at the Colombo National Hospital.

The two Indians tested positive with COVID-19 after undergoing a rapid antigen test (RAT) at a private hospital, reported newspaper Daily Mirror on Wednesday.

The Indians have not yet been identified.

According to Johns Hopkins University, the coronavirus has claimed 1,269 lives in Sri Lanka so far, along with 169,900 confirmed cases.

ALSO WATCH:
By PTI

NEW YORK: US prosecutors in 2019 sought the electronic messages of two ex-Ukrainian government officials and a Ukrainian businessman as part of their probe of Rudy Giuliani's dealings in that country, a lawyer accidentally revealed in a court filing Tuesday.

The filing said federal prosecutors in New York had informed defense lawyers that the seized communications included an email account believed to belong to the former prosecutor general of Ukraine, Yuriy Lutsenko.

It said prosecutors accessed Lutsenko's account around the same time that investigators also got access to Giuliani's Apple iCloud account.

Lutsenko was a key figure in Giuliani's efforts to press Ukraine for an investigation into then-presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.

The two have both said in interviews that they met to discuss both the possibility of Ukraine launching an investigation of Hunter Biden's job with a Ukrainian gas company and Lutsenko's desire to meet with the U.S.attorney general to discuss efforts to recover looted national assets.

Lutsenko also spoke with Giuliani about his clashes with the U.S.ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, who the Trump administration later removed.

The filing said prosecutors had also seized an email account believed to belong to the former head of the Ukrainian Fiscal Service, Roman Nasirov, in December, 2019, and the iPhone and iPad of Ukrainian businessman Alexander Levin in February and March 2020.

The identities of the individuals were in a submission in Manhattan federal court filed by a lawyer representing Lev Parnas, an associate of Giuliani who was charged in 2019 with scheming to make illegal campaign contributions.

The names were redacted in the document but could be viewed when copied into a separate document.

CNN was the first to report the faulty redactions and the details on what the document contained.

The document also said prosecutors had obtained "historical and prospective cell site information" related to Giuliani and Washington lawyer Victoria Toensing, a former federal prosecutor and close ally of Giuliani and former President Donald Trump.

Her law firm has said she was informed that she is not a target of the investigation.

Prosecutors are examining Giuliani's ties to Ukraine and whether he violated a federal law that governs lobbying on behalf of foreign countries or entities.

No charges have been filed.

Giuliani has insisted that his activities in Ukraine were conducted on behalf of Trump, not any foreign entity or person.

Last week, prosecutors revealed they had seized 18 electronic devices during raids on Giuliani's home and his law firm several weeks ago and a cell phone from Toensing.

They also say they obtained email and Apple iCloud accounts of Giuliani and Toensing in 2019.

Prosecutors said investigators had successfully downloaded 11 devices belonging to Giuliani and returned them to him.

They said they need to obtain passcodes or unlock seven other devices belonging to Giuliani or employees of his business.

Lawyers for Giuliani have challenged last month's raids on the grounds that anything gathered from the 2019 search warrants was illegally obtained because investigators improperly intruded on private communications with the president during their secret inquiry.
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Whippany, NJ (07981)

Today

Cloudy. High 71F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low near 55F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
Shes accused of making two contraband deliveries in September. In one instance, Lewis got some contraband to an inmate by leaving it in a trash can, according to the indictment. In another, Lewis allegedly smuggled in 46 sheets of paper soaked with K2.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Police in Oman fired tear gas Wednesday at demonstrators in a flashpoint city amid unrest over the sultanate's floundering economy and mass layoffs.

It wasn't immediately clear what sparked the police action in Sohar, a city some 200 kilometers (125 miles) northwest of the capital, Muscat. Demonstrators had marched and collected around an overpass that has been a rallying point.

Activists posted videos online showing some demonstrators responding by throwing rocks after police fired the tear gas. They described the demonstrations as peaceful, though videos showed they had shut down a major thoroughfare in the city.

Hours later, the state-run Oman News Agency alleged that some protesters had been assaulting policemen, passers-by, drivers and blocking public and subsidiary roads in Sohar. It also accused protesters of attacking public and private property, while saying many others had urged fellow demonstrators to be peaceful.

The agency added that the Royal Oman Police had fulfilled its duty to maintain security, public order and the safety of citizens and residents, and not to disrupt their interests and freedoms," without elaborating on what that meant. The Royal Oman Police on Twitter denied anyone had been killed in the confrontation and urged the public not to circulate false news.

Demonstrations have struck in recent days across Oman, a nation on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula. Oman already faced economic trouble with tens of billions of dollars of outstanding debts and trouble finding enough work for its young people. Then came the coronavirus pandemic and repeated lockdowns that followed, further depressing growth in this nation of 4.5 million people.

Activists say some demonstrators had been arrested during the days of protests across the country, something not yet acknowledged by police. While Omans tightly controlled media did not initially cover the protests, newspapers and websites began showing images of the demonstrations and airing interviews with those aggrieved over the last day.

Sohar similarly saw unrest during the 2011 Arab Spring.
East Hartford Police / Contributed

EAST HARTFORD  Police have identified the man and woman who died after passing vehicles hit them in East Hartford Monday night.

They were 21-year-old Windsor resident Bianka Romero and 22-year-old East Hartford resident Marc Plaza, according to Lt. Josh Litwin. Both were brought to a hospital and pronounced dead, he said.
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The Netflix Defendants leveraged Professor Dershowitzs name to drive views of their mini-series and then proceeded to defame him with clever manipulation of facts. This makes a mockery of our First Amendment, victims rights, and the truth itself, his attorney Philip Byler said in a statement.
top story

Tuesday's vaccination updates: In Champaign County, active cases down by 20 overnight (to 220), hospitalizations drop to four (from eight)
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).
Wednesday's procession route

Following is the law enforcement procession route announced by Champaign police for after the funeral Wednesday:

 Procession will depart 555 W. Imboden Drive, Decatur.

 Get on I-72 E/US-51 N in Hickory Point Township from W. South Side Drive, IL-48 N and IL-121 N.

 Head north toward West Imboden Drive.

 Turn right toward West Imboden Drive.

 Turn left onto West Imboden Drive.

 Turn right onto U.S.-51 BUS N.

 Turn left onto West South Side Drive.

 Turn right toward IL-48 N/S Taylorville Road.

 Turn right onto IL-48 N/S Taylorville Rd and continue to follow IL-48 N.

 Pass by AutoZone Auto Parts.

 Use any lane to turn left onto IL-121 N/W Pershing Road and continue to follow IL-121 N.

 Turn right to merge onto I-72 E/US-51 N toward Champaign/Bloomington.

 Follow I-72 East to Bridge Street in Monticello Township. Take exit 164 from I-72 E (25.5 miles).

 Continue on Bridge Street. to West Center Street.

 Continue straight into Center Street.

 Turn left onto North State Street.

 Arrive at Monticello Township Cemetery.
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).
Following a funeral that started at 11 a.m. today in Decatur, a police procession for Champaign Officer Christopher Oberheim is on its way to Monticello, where he will be laid to rest.
B and D trains are sometimes rerouted through the A and C lines East River tunnel when tracks are taken out of service in other areas like the Manhattan Bridge. But with trains halted in both segments, the subways lettered lines turned into a bottleneck, gumming up service on yet more lines.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 93F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low 68F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
Toths Too

7079 Lake Share Blvd.

Mentor

440-856-1255

bit.ly/fb-tothstoo

Location: On the northeast corner of Lake Shore and Seminole Street in Mentor, west of Reynolds Road.

Type of restaurant: Bar and grill.

Hours: 11 a.m. to midnight daily.

Liquor and wine: Full bar.

Facilities for the handicapped: Yes.

Credit cards: All major.

Cuisine: Bar food.

Vegetarian: You could order a salad or loaded nachos without meat.

Special diets: Ask about dietary preferences.

Kid-friendliness: No kids menu, but family-friendly.

Outdoor dining: Yes.

Dress code: Casual.

Reservations: No.

Wi-Fi: Yes.

Online ordering: Through GrubHub.

Delivery: GrubHub.

Prices: Very reasonable  everything is in the $10 to $13 range.

Value: Excellent.

Ratings (of five):

Food: 4.5.

Atmosphere: 3.

Service: 5.
In a recent Facebook post by the Willoughby Police Department, light was shed on a variety of safety practices that may lessen the chances of 
Numbers are for vaccines that have been started. Currently those 12 and older are eligible to receive the vaccine.
The victim was sitting in his car, a black Mercedes, at Arthur Ave. and E. 178th St. in East Tremont when another car pulled up alongside around 6 p.m., said a law enforcement source.
One in five women experience pain during intercourse. The latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the bible of American psychiatrists, lists it under "genito-pelvic pain or penetration disorder." However, this type of pain is not purely psychological.

Provoked vestibulodynia is a condition experienced by approximately 8% of women in North America. It is characterized by severe pain at the vaginal opening during sexual intercourse or when inserting tampons. To reduce the burning sensation, many women apply lidocaine, an anesthetic cream.

A new study of 108 couples found cognitive-behaviural therapy (CBT) for couples to be more effective than lidocaine. The study was conducted by Sophie Bergeron, professor in the Psychology Department in the Faculty of Arts and Science at Universite de Montreal, director of the UdeM Sexual Health Laboratory and holder of the Canada Research Chair in Intimate Relationships and Sexual Wellbeing, and Natalie O. Rosen of Dalhousie University.

Marc Steben and Marie-Helene Mayrand of Universite de Montreal, Marie-Pier Vaillancourt-Morel of Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres, Serena Corsini-Munt of the University of Ottawa, and Isabelle Delisle also contributed to the study, which has just been published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

Unclear causation

The causes of provoked vestibulodynia have yet to be determined. There is a lengthy list of risk factors, including biomedical factors such as repeated infections causing inflammation in the vulvar area (cystitis, vaginal infections), the use of certain oral contraceptives, genetic predisposition, marital factors, and depression and anxiety.

Abnormalities in the pelvic floor muscles are also associated with provoked vestibulodynia, but it is not known whether they are a consequence of the pain or its cause. Similarly, it is unclear whether anxiety is a cause or a result, but it has been found that the higher the level of anxiety, the greater the pain.

Psychological intervention is recommended because once pain sets in, it has such a negative impact on sexuality and on the relationship that it becomes very important to break the vicious cycle of fear and avoidance," says Sophie Bergeron. "The pain often leads to loss of desire in women and frustration in both partners. This is a real problem; it's not imaginary." Sophie Bergeron, Professor in Psychology Department, Faculty of Arts and Science, Universite de Montreal

Few validated treatments

Couple therapy is commonly offered by psychologists and sexologists. In the case of provoked vestibulodynia, the partner plays a critical role and can help alleviate the problem or aggravate it. It is therefore every important to include the partner in the intervention. However, some interventions were not previously supported by evidence.

Now for the first time, a randomized clinical trial has compared the efficacy of couple CBT and lidocaine.

Therapy was found to be more effective than lidocaine application in reducing women's fear of pain, sexual distress and alarm, and in improving their sexual experience. After six months, the women were twice as satisfied with their sex lives and their partners three times as satisfied.

Nature of the sessions

The couples attended acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) sessions for 12 weeks.

"Acceptance means that instead of trying to get a person to change their thinking, we encourage them to accept it," Bergeron explains. "We practice cognitive defusion, a technique that creates a psychological distance between the person and his or her thoughts. At the beginning of the therapy, the women define themselves by their genito-pelvic pain. The therapy helps them reduce the hold those thoughts have over them. We also try to break the sexuality = pain association and replace it with new associations, such as sexuality = pleasure with my partner, intimacy with my partner."

The therapy also looks at sexual motivations. What is it about sexuality that is important to the couple? "We try to explore other aspects of sexuality that are pleasurable," she says. "In terms of behaviour, we can help them expand their repertoire of sexual activities that don't cause pain. Generally, it's vaginal penetration that's painful, so we try not to always focus on that."

Finally, the therapy works on the couple's emotional regulation. "When one partner reacts to a painful experience with anger or frustration, it only makes the problem worse. We help the couple manage their emotional relationship. We get the partner to be more empathetic to the woman's experience of pain and the woman to be more empathetic to her partner's frustration. We help them see themselves as a united team."

The importance of the partner in therapy

According to Sophie Bergeron, the partner's involvement "helps alleviate the woman's pain because she is no longer alone with her pain." Both partners report they understand the problem and the other's experience better, and they are relieved to be able to work together to improve the situation.

At the end of the therapy, couples report satisfaction with having reclaimed their sexuality in a non-threatening way by refocusing on pleasurable experiences rather than allowing the pain to take control. This treatment could well be effective for other types of genito-pelvic pain as well.
Thought Leaders Nazneen Damji Senior Policy Advisor for Gender Equality, HIV, and Health UN Women

In commemoration of the International Day of Action for Women's Health, we interviewed Nazneen Damji, from UN Women, about the health challenges women face in 2021.

Please could you introduce yourself and tell us about your role within UN Women?

I am the Senior Global Policy Advisor for Gender Equality, HIV, and Health at UN Women. With over 20 years of professional experience promoting womens rights and gender equality, I oversee UN Womens policy and programming efforts on gender equality dimensions of HIV and AIDS, as well as, womens health, including sexual and reproductive rights.

I have specific expertise on the socio-economic impact of HIV and AIDS on households and hold an MSc. in Economics (Gender and Development) from the London School of Economics.

The last year has impacted healthcare and the world in a way that no one was prepared for. What do you believe are some of the greatest challenges women face in 2021?

COVID-19 has exacerbated existing inequalities across all aspects of life for women and girls. Progress towards gender equality on most of the Sustainable Development Goals has been interrupted or is being reversed as a result of COVID-19: women and girls are facing acute hardships, including higher rates of poverty, increased care burdens, greater exposure to violence, and obstructed access to sexual and reproductive health services.

Discriminatory laws and social norms also persist. And with few women directing policy responses at the national and local levels, such issues are not being sufficiently prioritized and resourced. Immediate and sustained action is needed to stop the derailing of hard-won gains in gender equality and womens empowerment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put almost universal pressure on the gains in gender equality made since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the most progressive blueprint for advancing womens rights. Gender equality and womens empowerment are essential for health and well-being.

Gender, independently and intersecting with other determinants of health, including socioeconomic status, disability, ethnicity, geography, age, legal identity and migration status, sexual orientation, and gender identity, can influence access and coverage of essential health interventions, thereby directly affecting health outcomes. Gender relations are about social relations. They can determine hierarchies between groups based on norms and can contribute to unequal power relations. They operate across many dimensions of life and determine whether peoples needs are acknowledged, whether they have voice or control over their lives and health, and whether they can realize their rights.

As a power relation, gender influences: vulnerability to ill health, household decision-making and health-seeking behavior, access to and utilization of health services, the design and use of health products, commodities, and technology, the nature of the health labor force, the implications of health financing, what data is collected and how it is managed, and how health policies and programs are developed and implemented.

Conversely, there are numerous pathways by which greater gender equality and womens empowerment can lead to improvements in health and quality of life for women and their families. Women with greater agency are more likely to have fewer children, more likely to access health services and have control over health resources, and less likely to suffer domestic violence. Their children are more likely to survive, receive better childcare at home and receive health care when they need it.

Improved health for women can also help to strengthen their own agency and empowerment. Healthy women and girls are more able to actively participate in society and take collective action to advance their own interests, such as demanding rights-based, gender-responsive health services. Enabling environments for gender equality are also linked to positive health and broader societal outcomes.

It is clear that gender equality and womens empowerment are inextricably linked to positive health outcomes, thus it is necessary that existing gender biases in the social, cultural, institutional, legal, and economic structures are addressed. It is critical that women and girls are involved in the design and delivery of health services and are empowered to claim their rights to these services.

Gender Equality. Image Credit: Overearth/Shutterstock.com

The International Day of Action for Womens Health is celebrated every year and a large part of their message is surrounding womens sexual and reproductive rights, described as an indivisible and inalienable part of our human rights. With women all over the world being systematically violated, why is important to celebrate womens sexual and reproductive rights and their human right to make their own decision with their body?

Womens and girls bodily autonomy and decision-making around their health is central to achieving gender equality. The ability of women to control what happens to their own bodies is associated with the roles they are able to play in society, whether as a member of the family, the workforce, or the government.

Womens health is a fundamental right within which reproductive rights cannot be compartmentalized. The human rights of women include their right to have control over and decide freely and responsibly on matters related to their sexuality and individual agency, including sexual and reproductive health, free of coercion, discrimination, and violence.

Only 55% of women aged 15 to 49 who are married or in a union make their own decisions about sexual relations and the use of contraceptives and reproductive health services. This means almost half (45%) of women in that age group are not permitted to make their own SRHR decisions7.

Supporting women and girls bodily integrity includes addressing various points when they need information, services, skills, and opportunities to make choices about their own health. Empowering women and girls right to make informed choices is one of the most effective pathways to improve health outcomes as well as fulfill womens potential as agents of change.

UN Women is an energetic advocate of universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights and recognizes that women have the right to control and decide freely on matters concerning their sexuality.

Through the efforts of the Generation Equality Forum, UN Women, with the Governments of France and Mexico, and in partnership with civil society, and youth, has launched a Global Acceleration Plan for an Action Coalition on Bodily Autonomy and Sexual and Reproductive Rights, co-created by a multi-stakeholder partnership with governments, civil society, youth-led organizations, international organizations, philanthropies and the private sector to deliver transformational progress through four concrete actions: 1) Expand Comprehensive Sexuality Education; 2) Increase the availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality of comprehensive abortion and contraception services; 3) Increase SRHR Decision-Making & Bodily Autonomy; and 4) strengthen girls, womens and feminist organizations and networks to promote and protect bodily autonomy and SRHR.

These actions are critical as the world rebuilds after COVID19 and is a call for others to join in accelerating investments and implementation to support womens and girls rights.

HIV is a global health problem faced by women and it is most prevalent in young girls and adolescents aged 15-24. What are some of the factors that fuel this statistic and what resources and preventative measures can be carried out to help these women?

Women continue to bear the brunt of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Globally, there were more women living with HIV and they constituted nearly half of the new HIV infections in 2019.[1] Overall, new HIV infections among women continue to decline. Yet, the pace of the progress is slow and uneven  new HIV infections among women in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Middle East, and Latin America continue to climb. Adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa are particularly affected: around 4,500 adolescent girls and young women became infected with HIV every week in 2019.[2]

Unequal power dynamics and gender norms continue to put adolescent girls and young women at a greater risk of HIV and hamper their ability to mitigate the impact of the epidemic. 1 in 3 women, including young women, experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime,[3] increasing their risk of acquiring HIV by 50%.[4] AIDS remains one of the leading causes of death among women of reproductive age.[5] Discriminatory laws and practices, such as the age of consent laws, restrict young womens ability to access sexual and reproductive health and services. Only one-third of young women and girls have comprehensive HIV knowledge.[6]

Empowering young women and adolescent girls and guaranteeing their rights is imperative for their bodily autonomy, their ability to use the knowledge and skills to negotiate safer sex in order to protect themselves from HIV infection and mitigate its impact. We need to scale up effective interventions to increase HIV knowledge and transform gender norms and enhance girls access to services.

Removing discriminatory laws and practices that put adolescent girls and young women under heightened risk to HIV is key. Resolving the digital gender gap, especially in times of COVID-19, is a critical approach and essential to equalize access so that young women and girls can capitalize on all the benefits of the digital world and its innovations and access decent employment opportunities and professional growth.

Therefore, we are pleased to be working with our sister organizations  UNICEF, UNESCO, UNFPA, and UNAIDS  on the joint initiative Education Plus to ensure we can alter the course, and transform societies to enable the path for young women and girls to be free of HIV, empowered, educated, and economically secure.

HIV. Image Credit: AS photostudio/Shutterstock.com

Inspiring young women to become leaders is crucial to accelerating progress towards gender equality. How does UN Women work to inspire young leaders and what message would you give to young people and adults wanting to become leaders within their field?

Today's youth should not be dismissed as the leaders of tomorrow because many young women are already leading today. UN Women calls upon all partners to ensure that young women, particularly those living and affected by HIV, have a formal seat at the table and a safe space to raise their needs and priorities at all levels of where the decisions are made. UN Women also creates new and sustains existing informal and formal platforms for young womens meaningful engagement and we call upon tracking this engagement more consistently.

For example, in South Africa, young women living with HIV participated in and inputted the review of the existing legislation on violence against women and prepared policy recommendations to address the needs and priorities of women living with HIV and to include measures to prevent HIV for the survivors of sexual violence.

With UN Women support, young advocates engaged with the Minister of Justice and shared their proposals to the three bills: the Criminal Law and related crimes bill; the Domestic Violence amendment bill and the Victims Support Services bill. (see the related story 'In South Africa, young women leading HIV and violence prevention say mens involvement is key').

We also are mobilizing gender advocates across the movements of womens organizations, traditional and faith-based leaders, men and boys, youth organizations, change-makers, and others to amplify our collective strengths and build a stronger movement of young women leaders. And we are using innovative ways to mentor future leaders and mobilize them for change.

For example, UN Womens Engagement + Empowerment = Equality program in Malawi, Uganda, and Kenya, in just 9 months, mobilized over 1,000 young women champions, including 250 girls living with HIV. Young women were involved in the design and validation of national assessments on the status of HIV amongst adolescents and youth. They were reached through mentoring, capacity building, peer support, and outreach activities including using social media. (see 'End gender based violence and HIV to ensure equity').

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has taken up much of the worlds resources and attention over the last year and a half, making it incredibly important to recognize and raise awareness for other global issues and push society to pay attention to them. How has the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic impacted the work of UN Women?

At the outset of the pandemic, UN Womens Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka issued a call to action to ensure gender dimensions were considered in responses  including through sex-disaggregated data, social protection for women, addressing the shadow pandemic of violence against women, and girls, and ensuring national coordination mechanisms for health were considering gender equality dimensions.

UN Women issued a series of policy briefs on areas affected by the COVID-19 pandemic: economic fallout, the care economy, violence against women and girls, womens leadership, and humanitarian response.

Rapid gender assessment surveys with national and United Nations partners were undertaken by UN Women focused on the impacts of COVID-19 in several countries across the world. The results confirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic was exacerbating pre-existing gender inequalities and deepening gender-based discrimination and vulnerability. A COVID-19 and gender monitor on the UN Women data hub was created as well as a COVID-19 Global Gender Response Tracker with the United Nations Development Programme, and fact sheets with country examples, best practices, and gaps in the COVID-19 policy response were produced.

A global program was developed that framed UN Women pandemic response from the global to local levels: Gender-Responsive Prevention and Management of the COVID-19 Pandemic: from Emergency Response to Recovery and Resilience. This framework focuses on five key priorities: a) mitigate and reduce incidence and impact of gender-based violence, including domestic violence, to also prevent HIV and end violence against women living with HIV; b) ensure social protection and economic stimulus packages serve women and girls, including those affected by and living with HIV; c) support and practice the equal sharing of the burden of care among men and women, particularly in the context of HIV where women and girls bear the brunt of unpaid care work for family and community members living with HIV; d) support women and girls, particularly those living with HIV, to lead and participate in COVID-19 response planning and decision-making; and e) mainstream gender into national, regional and global efforts including through gender data and coordination mechanisms.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the dire need for a gender-responsive health ecosystem and the urgency to build back better and fairer, with womens needs, voices, and leadership at the heart of the recovery.

What do you believe a gender equal world would look like and are you hopeful that this will one day be achieved?

A gender-equal world is not possible without addressing inequalities which already exist. COVID-19 has exposed and accelerated existing gender inequalities and left millions of women and girls, particularly those who are most marginalized, behind.

The impact on women and girls has been severe and disproportionate  violence against women has increased significantly, and women and girls have experienced increasing rates of unpaid care work  women and girls have experienced on average three times as much of an increase in unpaid care work duties as men. Furthermore, women constitute a majority of the health and care workforce globally. As the world begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we must put gender equality at the heart of this process.

UN Womens Generation Equality Forum is a once in a generation opportunity to put gender equality at the forefront of our efforts to build back better and more equal, inviting interested partners to engage in multi-stakeholder coalitions focused on the areas of gender-based violence, economic justice and rights, bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), feminist action for climate justice, technology and innovation for gender equality, and feminist movements and leadership.

#ActForEqual - Join Generation Equality Play

How can people get involved and support the work of UN Women?

UN Women values its multi-stakeholder partnerships and initiatives and works with governments, multilateral organizations, civil society organizations, and other UN partner agencies to achieve the goal of achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The Generation Equality Forum is a global movement for gender equality, convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France. The Forum brings together governments, corporations, NGOs, youth-led groups, and Foundations to secure concrete, ambitious, and transformative commitments for gender equality. These are shaped by the Action Coalitions  global, innovative, multi-stakeholder partnerships across 6 thematic areas to accelerate a transformative agenda of generational change.

We invite all interested stakeholders  Governments, private sector entities, youth-led organizations  to join this critical moment for gender equality and pledge their engagement as an Action Coalition Commitment Maker.

The Generation Equality Forum Paris, taking place from 30 June - 2 July 2021, will be a major global inflection point for gender equality, where commitments, actions, and partnerships will drive lasting and transformative progress for women and girls. We invite you to spread the message across your networks and encourage partners to join us virtually at this landmark event in Paris.

Where can readers find more information?

UN Women: https://www.unwomen.org/en

UN Women Gender Equality and HIV/AIDS web-portal: http://genderandaids.unwomen.org

Generation Equality Campaign: https://forum.generationequality.org/

#ActForEqual (UN Women campaign): https://forum.generationequality.org/actforequal

Gender & Health Hub, of which UN Women is a partner: https://www.genderhealthhub.org/

COVID19 and Gender Monitor: https://data.unwomen.org/resources/covid-19-and-gender-monitor

Global Gender Policy Tracker: https://data.undp.org/gendertracker/

About UN Women

UN Women is the global champion for gender equality, working to develop and uphold standards and create an environment in which every woman and girl can exercise her human rights and live up to her full potential.

We are trusted partners for advocates and decision-makers from all walks of life, and a leader in the effort to achieve gender equality.

[6] UNAIDS 2020, Global AIDS Up-date.

[7] UNFPA 2020
Real-world data from Pasquale Stefanizzi of Aldo Moro University in Italy and colleagues confirm that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine effectively prevents COVID-19 infection.

Their results showed healthcare workers were 61.9% protected against SARS-CoV-2 infection 14 to 20 days after the first dose. Vaccine effectiveness jumped to 96% after the second dose.

These results may influence vaccination willingness among HCWs, as a vaccine that confers disease prevention can be regarded as a form of personal protective equipment. Moreover, a vaccine that prevents infection could dramatically limit the circulation of the virus in the hospital setting. Vaccination can therefore be perceived both as a means of self-protection and as an ethical obligation to guarantee the safety of others, especially high-risk hospital patients, concluded the researchers.

The study BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 vaccine effectiveness in the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection: a preliminary report was recently published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases.

How they did it

The study took place in Italys Bari Policlinico General University Hospital, with vaccinations available to healthcare workers starting on December 27, 2020.

At the time, COVID-19 vaccinations were not mandatory. Healthcare workers requested a vaccination through an online form with first and second-dose appointments made through the Hygiene Department.

Two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine were administered intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle, with injections spread out in a 21-day time period. The researchers followed up with healthcare workers who received all their shots between December 27, 2020, and January 31, 2021. Healthcare workers who had a history of COVID-19 infection were excluded from the study.

The research team followed up with healthcare workers one month after vaccination to record any vaccine side-effects or infections.

In total, there were 2,034 healthcare workers enrolled in the study. About 79% were vaccinated, and 21% were unvaccinated.

Regardless of vaccination status, all healthcare workers were required to continue using personal protective equipment. Healthcare workers also were screened for COVID-19 infection every 14 days  regardless of symptom presentation.

Vaccination provides better protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers recorded 121 COVID-19 infections after about 60 days of follow-up. In the unvaccinated group, 14 were asymptomatic, and 50 showed COVID-19 symptoms. The vaccinated group had about 17 healthcare workers who were asymptomatic and 37 symptomatic.

The likelihood of developing infection was higher in the unvaccinated group than in the vaccinated group.

Results showed the vaccine was 61.9% effective in preventing infection 14 to 20 days after the first dose. Effectiveness increased from 61.9% to 96% a week after the second dose.

There were no severe or long-term vaccine side effects reported in this study.

Given the usefulness of COVID-19 vaccines in protecting against severe disease, the researchers conclude that a change in policy mandating vaccination in healthcare workers is needed. For Italy, mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare workers involved in pandemic emergencies was executed on March 31, 2021.
As police in riot gear approached the demonstrators, Soren Stevenson raised his hands like scores of others and called out, "Hands up, don't shoot."

Suddenly, tear gas canisters and rubber bullets rained down.

The demonstrators had gathered for a sixth straight day to decry Minneapolis police officers use-of-force practices after the slaying of an unarmed Black man named George Floyd.

On May 31, 2020, the protesters were under fire.

Stevenson, a graduate student at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs, lost his left eye after an officer fired a plastic-tipped round at him  even though Minneapolis Police Department policy bans the use of those munitions against nonviolent people.

According to a federal court complaint that cites video of the incident and witness accounts, Stevenson was unarmed, had committed no crime, posed no threat and was not in a chaotic crowd.

It wasn't an isolated event. Dozens of people were seriously injured during the protests last summer, leading to lawsuits, promises of reform and calls to ban the use of rubber bullets for crowd control.

"This is a moment in time where we can totally change the way our Police Department operates," Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said when the City Council banned chokeholds soon after Floyds death. "We can quite literally lead the way in our nation enacting more police reform than any other city in the entire country, and we cannot fail."

Nearly a year later, there is scant evidence that Minneapolis has changed how its police officers use less-lethal weapons or strengthened its oversight. Instead, the city may be a study in stymied reform, unenforced policies and a lack of transparency.

The Minneapolis Police Department still has not given the public or the City Council a full accounting of how it responded to last summers demonstrations. The department has failed to disclose basic facts such as the number of protesters arrested or wounded.

No officers have been disciplined for their actions during the protests. The only discipline related to the protests was meted out to an officer who described the departments toxic culture in a GQ story, despite not being authorized to talk to the media.

"I'm appalled by the behavior of our police during the protests," City Council President Lisa Bender said. "For this to be the department in our city with the least amount of transparency is the opposite of what it should be."

From New York to Portland, an investigation by USA Today and KHN last year found that police violated their own crowd-control policies during protests over racial injustice and police brutality.

Michelle Gross, co-founder of the nonprofit Communities United Against Police Brutality, said she's seen no reform or accountability regarding Minneapolis officers conduct, including their use of rubber bullets. "I call it 'cop exceptionalism,'" she said. "They do what they want."

The Minneapolis City Council passed a resolution last month calling for an end to the use of rubber bullets, tear gas and other less-lethal rounds. It was merely a statement of values with no legal force.

Police Chief Medaria Arradondo rejected the resolution as unhelpful and uninformed, according to the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune, saying if officers cant use less-lethal weapons they would have only guns and batons to combat demonstrators who are here to strike harm and chaos and destroy our city.

Council member says police escalated tensions

Floyd was killed May 25, 2020, by police during an arrest that was captured on video and seen worldwide.

In a city raw from complaints of officer abuses, outrage exploded into street demonstrations. Police responded with riot squads armed with tear gas and less-lethal firearms that launch 40-millimeter projectiles tipped with hard foam or plastic, commonly called rubber bullets.

For six days and nights, some peaceful demonstrations escalated into arson, looting and chaos, making it difficult for outsiders to sort out whether protesters or police triggered violence.

Steve Fletcher and other City Council members contended officers inflamed crowds with tear gas and rubber bullets. "The community gathered Tuesday night to mourn and express their outrage, peacefully," he tweeted May 28 amid the violence.

"It was bad choices by Minneapolis police officers that escalated the situation to the point that it turned into a prolonged week of action," he said later, according to the Star Tribune.

Officers used about 5,200 less-lethal munitions over six days, according to records provided to USA Today.

Frey told USA Today that officers faced unprecedented conditions in which violent provocateurs mixed with peaceful protesters. Distinguishing between those two became increasingly difficult," he said.

At least 57 people were injured so severely by less-lethal projectiles that they required urgent care during protests in Minneapolis from May 26 to June 15, 2020, according to the University of Minnesota's medical school.

Of those, 23 were hit in the face or head. Ten were blinded or suffered severe eye trauma. Sixteen suffered traumatic brain injuries.

Minneapolis policy defines a less-lethal weapon as one that "does not have a reasonable likelihood of causing or creating a substantial risk of death or great bodily harm."

The policy says officers may use less-lethal weapons against individuals posing a threat but shall not deploy 40mm launchers for crowd management purposes." It says shots to the head or neck are potentially deadly and should be avoided.

The study concluded, "Projectiles are not appropriate for crowd control." Years ago, other researchers reached a similar conclusion. But the devices have been marketed for crowd control and, last summer, thats how police across the country used them.

Frey acknowledged seeing videos of officers shooting nonviolent civilians and journalists  sometimes appearing to target the head. Though such conduct is "unacceptable," he said, efforts to enforce policies have been thwarted by procedural requirements, union resistance and litigation.

Asked whether any Minneapolis officer has been disciplined for violating use-of-force policies during the protests, Frey said in April "quite a few cases" were under investigation, but he declined to say how many.

Mychal Vlatkovich, a spokesperson for Frey, said Saturday no discipline has been finalized, and the city cant comment on open investigations.

'We're getting hit'

Terry Hempfling, 39, an artist who was raised by activist parents, said protesting injustice is a patriotic duty.

On May 29, she and her friend Rachel Clark joined a crowd near the 3rd Precinct police station. Around 11:30 p.m., police ordered protesters to disperse. Hempfling said she and Clark walked away and were unlocking their bikes when tear gas swirled in the darkness. They were trapped between two lines of police.

Hempfling said she was disoriented, eyes and throat stinging, as Clark blurted out, "We're getting hit." They climbed a fence to escape but not before Hempfling was shot in the back, breast and leg, leaving an expansive bruise that is still discolored.

Hempfling and Clark, who was hit by three projectiles, are among hundreds of plaintiffs in an American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota lawsuit alleging Minneapolis and state police have "a custom or policy authorizing the deployment of crowd-control weapons and/or less-lethal munitions in an unconstitutional manner."

The ACLU complaint contends departmental restrictions on the use of rubber bullets are not enforced, so officers ignore them with impunity. At least a dozen other lawsuits contain similar allegations.

Stevenson, who seeks $55 million in damages plus court-ordered policing reforms, claims in his suit that a rubber bullet fired by a Minneapolis police officer fractured facial bones, ruptured an eye and caused brain damage. As blood streamed from the wound, at least a half-dozen officers allegedly did nothing to render aid  behavior his lawsuit says was not just a violation of policies but inhumane.

"MPD has allowed its officers to get away with policy and constitutional violations without fear of repercussion for decades," the complaint says.

Ethan Marks alleged he was at a demonstration May 28 with his mother when he was "shot in the eye with a tear gas canister from several feet away." It hit him so hard he was knocked out of his shoes.

Andrew Noel, an attorney who represents Stevenson and Marks, said police have yet to identify the officers who shot his clients, even though they tracked down suspected rioters with video and social media. "If you can locate those folks, you'd better be able to identify the officers involved," Noel said.

Hempfling said she has taken part in more than 100 demonstrations and thought she understood how to exercise her First Amendment rights safely.

"I left feeling like I had no clue what a police officer might do to me, regardless of whether I'm being peaceful," she said.

Attorneys for the city sought to dismiss the ACLU case based in part on a claim that officers faced a "rapidly evolving, violent, and dangerous situation" that required less-lethal force to repel and disperse unruly individuals."

A federal judge rejected the motion in March, ruling that plaintiffs plausibly allege city officials tacitly authorized police abuses or were indifferent to them.

ACLU attorney Isabella Salomao Nascimento said the Police Department remains in dire need of reform.

"We really hope this litigation will serve as a vehicle for that," she said. "This was an outrageous use of force."

Limited reforms

In early June 2020, Minnesota's Department of Human Rights filed an emergency action accusing the Minneapolis Police Department of discriminating against people of color.

The city promptly agreed to a restraining order. As part of that deal, the use of rubber bullets against demonstrators is prohibited unless authorized by the police chief or someone he designates.

Vlatkovich, the mayors spokesperson, said Arradondo authorized use of less-lethal weapons during demonstrations in August.

The court agreement included a provision requiring timely and transparent discipline for officers who violate use-of-force policies. Despite repeated requests from USA Today, neither police nor Frey identified any officer punished for misuse of less-lethal munitions.

Citizen complaints of misconduct and abuse by Minneapolis police nearly tripled during the second quarter of 2020, when the demonstrations took place, according to the Minneapolis Office of Police Conduct Review.

Gross, the community activist, said the data is almost meaningless because residents dont believe police officers are held accountable and seldom bother to report wrongdoing. She serves on an advisory council with the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training agency.

She said she witnessed an officer shoot a nonviolent protester in the face with a tear gas canister during last year's demonstrations, but there was no point in lodging a complaint.

A nurse by profession, Gross referred to the conduct review office as "the place where complaints go to die."

The city has an appointed Police Conduct Oversight Commission, described on the municipal website as an "independent body which assures police services are delivered in a lawful and nondiscriminatory manner." The commission conducts audits but has no power over citizen complaints, officer discipline or law enforcement policies.

An analysis by the Minnesota Reformer, a nonprofit news site, found that fewer than 3% of the commissions cases from 2013 to 2019 resulted in significant discipline of officers. It took an average of 18 months to resolve each case.

The news outlet concluded that the Minneapolis Police Department "is notoriously ineffective at removing bad cops from its ranks" due to a "pattern of mismanagement."

A City Council bid to reorganize the roughly 800-officer Police Department is caught in a power struggle. The council and activists are pressing to let voters decide whether the department should be replaced by a public safety agency under council control.

Frey opposes those efforts and insists he is changing police customs and rules from within.

For example, he said, one new policy says only SWAT units can use rubber bullets for crowd control. It makes an exception if no tactical squad is available.

Frey said he made "overture after overture" to City Council members, asking for suggestions on what to change without receiving any.

Bender, the council president, said she's seen no significant reforms under Frey's leadership. "There is public debate about the use of less-lethal force for crowd control," she said, "but no public decision-making. The mayor and chief make those decisions behind closed doors."

City wont say whether officers followed reporting policies

The Minneapolis Police Department's policy manual requires officers to file a report each time they discharge a less-lethal projectile. If someone is injured, an officer is required to notify a supervisor, which prompts an inquiry that must be documented.

It is unclear whether officers complied with those policies during May and June 2020. In response to a public records request from USA Today, the department supplied no records other than a spreadsheet summarizing how many munitions were discharged.

Frey said Arradondo compiled "a whole lot of data" about enforcement efforts during the protests. Asked in early April where that information has been disseminated, he said, "I am trying to get it right now, and we're expediting the requests."

Attorneys for shooting victims said the city has turned over few documents in response to their lawsuits, and it has secured protective orders to keep disclosures about police behavior out of public view. Among the records that Minneapolis lawyers want sealed: bodycam videos, internal investigative reports, misconduct reviews and personnel files.

Police agencies commonly seek independent reports that evaluate performance and tactics after major events. Minneapolis did not commission an after-action review of the George Floyd demonstrations until February.

In an email, city spokesperson Casper Hill said the review was delayed because there wasnt money in the budget. The $250,000 study will not be completed until later this year.

Police officers nationwide fired on protesters

A nationwide survey by the nonprofit Physicians for Human Rights counted 115 demonstrators who suffered head wounds from less-lethal projectiles during last summers demonstrations. That tally, based on news and social media reports, is believed to be a fraction of the total.

The organization concluded that rubber bullets "are not an appropriate weapon for crowd management" and recommended cities ban such use.

Minneapolis police were particularly aggressive, according to the study, firing more neck and head shots than officers in any other city except Los Angeles, which has roughly 10 times the population.

Though laws and regulations are important, policing experts stress that culture is crucial.

Mike Tusken, chief of police in Duluth and an executive board member with the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, said crowd control is difficult because civil disturbances are dynamic and theres no playbook on how to respond.

Though policies set a framework, Tusken said, proper decision-making requires a "culture of discipline" that emanates from training and leadership.

As he watched news across the country last summer, Tusken said, he saw some officers de-escalate tensions, even showing kindness to protesters. A small minority fired on nonviolent protesters.

"Why are they still in policing? Why are they not being held accountable?" Tusken asked. "I'm outraged to see it. The narrative becomes 'All cops: bad.'"

State Rep. John Thompson said the cycle never seems to end.

In 2016, a close friend, Philando Castile, was pulled over by an officer in a Minneapolis suburb and shot five times as his girlfriends 4-year-old daughter looked on. The officer was acquitted.

At Castile's memorial viewing, Thompson said, he vowed to change things. Four years later, as an elected official, he witnessed officers firing less-lethal projectiles at protesters outside the 3rd Precinct station.

"There were peaceful people there exercising their rights," Thompson said. "There's this big bang from a canister, and rubber bullets are flying everywhere."
Researchers in the United States have demonstrated the efficacy of Modernas coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine at protecting against the South African B.1.351 variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in non-human primates.

The non-human primate model has previously been crucial for guiding the development of vaccines that protect against COVID-19 in humans.

Robert Seder from the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, and colleagues report that two doses of Modernas mRNA-1273 vaccine significantly reduced viral replication in the upper and lower airways and limited inflammation in the lung, after the animals were challenged with the B.1.351 variant.

However, the vaccine dose and number of immunizations had a significant effect on the protective capacity observed.

Animals that were immunized with a single 30g dose showed no detectable neutralization activity against B.1.351, whereas two 100g doses generated effective immunity and quickly controlled viral replication in the upper and lower airways.

These data highlight the importance of a prime and boost regimen for optimizing neutralization antibody responses, particularly against B.1.351 and likely for any other variant of concern for which vaccine-induced neutralization is decreased, writes the team.

A pre-print version of the research paper is available on the bioRxiv* server, while the article undergoes peer review.

The concerns surrounding emerging variants

The Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine is a messenger RNA-based vaccine that encodes the full-length spike protein of the original Wuhan-Hu-1 strain of SARS-CoV-2. The spike protein is the main structure the virus uses to bind to and infect host cells and the primary target of neutralizing antibodies following infection or vaccination.

Vaccination with two 100g doses of mRNA-1273 was shown to be 94% effective at protecting against symptomatic COVID-19 when the Wuhan-Hu-1 and D614G variants were the dominant circulating strains.

However, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants that exhibit resistance to neutralization by sera from Wuhan-1 strain convalescent subjects or vaccinees has led to concerns about the effectiveness of vaccines against the variants.

To date, the most concerning variants contain mutations in the spike proteins receptor-binding domain (RBD) that are associated with increased transmissibility and resistance to neutralizing antibodies.

The B.1.351 variant is particularly worrying

Among these variants, which initially emerged in the UK (B.1.1.7), South Africa (B.1.351), Brazil (P.1 ), New 73 York (B.1.526), and California (B.1.427/B.1.429), the B.1.351 lineage contains the most concerning set of mutations.

We and others recently reported that sera from mRNA-1273-immunized human and non-human primates (NHPs) showed the greatest reduction of neutralization against B.1.351 compared to the B.1.1.7, P.1, and B.1.427/B.1.429 variants, says the team.

Furthermore, human efficacy trials of the mRNA-1273 vaccine have not yet been conducted in regions where B.1.351 is the dominant circulating variant.

What did the researchers do?

The design and development of COVID-19 vaccines has previously benefitted from clinically translatable results generated in studies of NHPs. The researchers, therefore, evaluated the impact of the mRNA-1273 vaccine on immunogenicity and protection against challenge with B.1.351 and D614G in this animal model.

NHPs were administered 30 or 100g of the vaccine as a prime-boost vaccine at 0 and 4 weeks, a single immunization of 30g at week 0, or no vaccine (control group).

What did the study find?

The team found there was a dose-dependent increase in Wuhan-1 and B.1.351 spike- and RBD-specific antibody titers and D614G and B.1.351 neutralization titers.

Importantly, while there were detectable levels of neutralizing antibodies against D614G following a single 30g dose of the vaccine, there were no detectable neutralizing antibodies against B.1.351.

By contrast, eight weeks after NHPs had received a second 100g dose of the vaccine, neutralizing antibody titers against both D614G and B.1.351 were detected.

Two days following challenge with B.1.351 challenge, viral single guide RNA (sgRNA) in bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) was undetectable in six of eight NHPs that received two 100g doses, and there was an approximate 2-log reduction in sgRNA among NHPs that received two 30g doses, compared with controls.

In nasal swabs, a 1-log10 reduction in viral sgRNA was observed among the animals that received two 100g doses and there were limited levels of inflammation and viral antigen in the lungs.

Immunization with two doses of mRNA-1273 achieves effective immunity

Immunization with two doses of mRNA-1273 achieves effective immunity that rapidly controls lower and upper airway viral replication against the B.1.351 variant in NHPs, says the team.

The researchers say the durability of the immune responses is likely related to the maintenance of serum antibodies and memory B cells that can rapidly respond to a new viral antigen.

Ongoing studies are assessing how additional boosting with spike antigens based on Wuhan-1 or variant strains will influence immunity and protection against B.1351 and other emerging variants in this model and in humans, says Seder and colleagues.

*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.
The National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) announced winners of the 2021 Salisbury Award Competition for Entrepreneurial Translational Research, selected from among eight semi-finalists after pitch presentations in front of a judging committee consisting of prominent cancer research scientists, clinicians, early-stage investors and business leaders.

The semi-finalists were determined earlier in the spring based upon applications from among academic laboratories or early-stage companies advancing promising experimental cancer therapeutic, diagnostic, detection and vaccine innovations.

The first prize winner of the Salisbury Award Competition is the cancer therapeutic innovation presented by Ronit Satchi-Fainaro, Ph.D., co-founder and chief scientific officer (CSO) of Israel-based TanoMed, and a professor at Tel Aviv University and director of its Cancer Biology Research Center.

Their technology trains host immunity in the tumor microenvironment against a specific member of the carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule family, CEACAM5, that plays a prominent role in gastrointestinal cancers.

The second prize winner is the innovation presented by Izabela Tworowska, Ph.D., co-founder and CSO of Houston-based RadioMedix, a company advancing a peptide receptor radionuclide experimental therapy that targets certain inoperable neuroendocrine tumors.

The third prize winner is an innovation presented by Maria Jose Alonso, Ph.D., founder of Spain-based Libera Bio, a company developing a novel delivery vector of whole monoclonal antibodies to intracellular cancer targets otherwise deemed "undruggable."

The innovation presented by Yoel Shiboleth, Ph.D., co-founder and chief executive officer of TargetGene Biotechnologies, an Israeli company, earned honorable mention. This technology is a unique gene-editing platform for the targeting of lung cancer and other diseases.

The Salisbury Award program was established in 2019 in honor of three family members whose shared vision and legacy have defined NFCR's mission and continue to guide the organization's commitment to funding "high-risk, high-impact and high-reward" cancer research. The Salisbury Award Competition is designed to identify and promote innovative discoveries made in the lab to be commercialized, with the ultimate goal of benefiting cancer patients. Innovations are assessed by the event's judging committee based on categories of feasibility, novelty and cancer patient impact.

The Salisbury Award Competition winner will have access to NFCR's extensive cancer research network in the U.S. and around the world. The eight semi-finalists also benefit from increased visibility and insightful follow-on feedback from the key opinion leaders who comprise the judging committee:

Chair Raju Kucherlapati, Ph.D., Paul C. Cabot Professor of Genetics and Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Webster Cavenee, Ph.D., Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Medicine, University of California San Diego

Pamela Garzone, Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer, Calibr at Scripps Research

Dimitra Georganopoulou, Ph.D., Innovation Faculty, MIT linQ CATALYST and Interim Chief Business Officer, MyGenome Rx

Brian Leyland-Jones, M.B., B.S., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer, AIM-HI Accelerator Fund

Will Liu, Ph.D., Partner, Eight Roads Ventures

Alfred Slanetz, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, Geneius Biotechnology

Thea Tlsty, Ph.D., Professor of Pathology, University of California San Francisco

Matt Tremblay, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer, Scripps Research

Hai Yan, M.D., Ph.D., Henry S. Friedman Distinguished Professor of Neuro-Oncology, Duke University School of Medicine

"The Salisbury Award Competition has significantly grown in its scope, impact and breadth of technologies since the program's creation only two years ago," said NFCR President and CEO Sujuan Ba, Ph.D. "The 2021 event featured an exceptional set of translational cancer research projects and innovations being developed by labs and start-ups--each of which holds much promise for real impact."

Translational research, at its core, is the critical juncture where promising laboratory findings can become clinically significant technologies. The Salisbury program has become well-respected and global in its reach--as is the cancer problem. This is underscored by three of the top four awarded oncology innovations this year--including the winner's--being invented outside the U.S." Dr. Webster Cavenee, Chair of Scientific Advisory Board, NFCR

"The Salisbury Award Competition has provided highly credible input and validation opportunities for the innovative and disruptive immunotherapeutic technology for gastrointestinal cancer which has been invented at Tel Aviv University and is being developed by TanoMed," expressed Prof. Satchi-Fainaro. "I am honored to represent our collaboration with Professor Helena Florindo from the University of Lisbon and commend the National Foundation for Cancer Research and the event's esteemed judging committee members for this platform that highlights and supports early-stage, cancer-fighting technologies that have the potential to help patients."
A new study has shown that effective opioid-sparing anesthesia with dexmedetomidine can be guided with NOL pain monitoring technology (Medasense, Israel). The study showed that the NOL monitor is able to detect the effect of dexmedetomidine on the patient's pain response and enable administration of less intraoperative opioids.

Patients undergoing anaesthesia for surgical procedures are traditionally treated with opioids (e.g., remifentanil) to manage intraoperative pain. But clinicians are progressively seeking to reduce opioid use by introducing multimodal analgesia, a technique that involves a combination of medications that often includes a central alpha agonist, such as dexmedetomidine.

This approach may offer pain relief, offset potentially adverse effects of individual drugs in larger doses and enable a reduction of opioid use during surgery. With this strategy, however, clinicians are not always able to predict whether the impact of the drug combination will be effective or excessive.

The current study addressed this challenge in multimodal analgesia and examined its effectiveness by monitoring pain response (nociception) levels in patients with the NOL monitoring system.

NOL monitoring is a non-invasive multi-sensor AI technology that provides a reliable index to objectively detect and quantify the patient's physiological response to painful stimuli during anaesthesia, when patients can't communicate. This index guides the clinical team in tailored pain medication for each patient. Earlier studies have shown that the NOL index outperforms other indexes for monitoring of pain response to surgical stimuli and that NOL-guided analgesia has resulted in reduced intraoperative opioid consumption as well as less pain after surgery.

Led by Dr. Sean Coeckelenbergh of Erasme University Hospital in Brussels, Belgium, the new randomised controlled study examined 58 patients undergoing NOL-guided analgesia. Patients were randomised to receive either placebo or low-dose dexmedetomidine and both groups received intraoperative antinociception with a target-controlled infusion of remifentanil guided by the NOL index.

The study, just published in the European Journal of Anaesthesiology, has shown that NOL can provide an objective reflection of dexmedetomidine's effects, helping the clinician in the decision-making process when applying multimodal pain relief, with the potential for significant opioid sparing during surgery.

Multimodal anaesthesia has benefits, but it is limited in that we often do not know the exact depth of anaesthesia and antinociception. The NOL index offers us a new way to quantify nociception when combining alpha agonists and opioids." Dr Sean Coeckelenbergh, Erasme University Hospital
Poor sleep impacts the risk of long-term cognitive decline in Hispanic/Latino middle aged and older adults differently than it does in non-Hispanic adults, according to research led by University of Miami Miller School of Medicine neurology faculty and the largest long-term study of U.S. Hispanic/Latinos to date.

During seven years of follow-up, Hispanics/Latinos were more likely to develop cognitive declines in processing speed, mental flexibility, and verbal memory, if they had sleep disordered breathing, such as obstructive sleep apnea, and long sleep duration of nine or more hours.

The risk was especially high in middle-aged adults without metabolic syndrome and women without obesity or metabolic syndrome according to the paper recently published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, the Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.

A surprising finding of this study of 5,500 U.S. Hispanic/Latino adults was that participants without obesity that had sleep apnea and long sleep duration had worse cognitive decline." Alberto Ramos, M.D., M.S.P.H., Study Senior Author and Associate Professor, Neurology

Ramos is also the research director of the Sleep Disorders Program.

"To some extent, this was like a natural experiment where we removed the effect that obesity has on cognition and saw 'the pure effect' of sleep difficulties, such as sleep apnea, and long sleep duration on cognitive health."

The work shows that the metabolic risk factors that predict neurocognitive decline in non-Hispanics are not generalizable to Hispanics, according to Sonya Kaur, Ph.D., instructor in the Division of Neuropsychology at the Miller School.

"In general, the relationship between sleep and cognition was not mediated by metabolic syndrome and obesity in Hispanics like it is in non-Hispanics," Dr. Kaur said. "For Hispanics, sleep seems to be a much stronger predictor than obesity and metabolic syndrome that are traditionally thought as predictors in terms of what causes cognitive decline in non-Hispanics."

This is important given that, compared to non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics/Latinos are at greater risk for metabolic syndrome and are at 4 times the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, according to Dr. Kaur.

The findings highlight the importance of a precision medicine approach in studying and treating Hispanic/Latino patients.

"In the big picture, these findings have implications for how we can personalize treatment of sleep disorders to more effectively lessen cognitive decline, prevent neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and preserve brain health," Dr. Ramos said.

The Miller School has long been a leader in identifying disorders and risk factors associated with dementia and Alzheimer's and Hispanic health.

"We are conducting ongoing research on the cognitive effects of migration factors and genetic risk factors in Hispanic patients, because there is evidence that genetic risk factors in non-Hispanic whites do not predict cognition decline in the same way as in Hispanics," Dr. Kaur said.

Previously, Dr. Ramos and colleagues published data showing a high prevalence of sleep disorders associated with neurocognitive dysfunction, including memory decline, in a diverse population of Hispanic/Latino participants.

"This study builds on our previous work," said Dr. Ramos, who recently was awarded a five-year $13 million grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to study "Sleep in Neurocognitive Aging and Alzheimer's Research."
Scientists from the University of Bath explore racemases and propose strategies for finding drugs that target these important enzymes.

The active site of alanine racemase, a key antibacterial target. Image Credit: University of Bath

Academics from the University of Bath explore racemases  an important type of enzyme that is linked to certain cancers and other life-threatening diseases while also being critical to cell function  in a paper published in the prestigious journal Chemical Society Reviews. The scientists also propose new strategies for finding drugs that neutralize these enzymes.

Many racemases and epimerases perform vital roles in human and animal cells, and in disease-causing organisms. They facilitate proper nerve function, the degradation of toxic substances, the formation of bacterial cell walls and the conversion of certain drugs into their active form (the best known conversion is seen with ibuprofen, which is taken as a mixture of isomers and converted in the liver to the active S-isomer). But while normal levels of racemase and epimerase function are generally beneficial, increased levels can be harmful. Because of this, there is considerable interest in developing drugs that impact these enzymes.

There have been promising outcomes in lab experiments where racemases (and related epimerases) have been targeted with experimental drug molecules. These molecules reduce the functional activity of racemases and have the potential to be developed into new treatments for a wide range of diseases, including prostate, breast and brain cancers; Alzheimers disease and other dementias; bacterial and viral infections; Chagas disease, and the complications of diabetes.

Notable successes in developing racemase-fighting molecules include the identification of D-cycloserine (a natural product discovered in 1954), which is used in the treatment of tuberculosis  a major global health threat.

Until now, there has been no general review of how drugs can be used to stop these potent enzymes from working. The new Bath paper explores all known strategies used to design or discover such drugs, including methods adopted to measure racemase function and by extension drug effectiveness. The paper also surveys recent advances in the development of drugs targeting specific enzymes, including alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase  an enzyme that is linked to prostate cancer, and which is the focus of the teams own research.

In addition, the Bath researchers set out to develop a coherent model of how racemases and epimerases perform their functions. Their hope is to use this model to design and develop more effective drugs.

What makes racemases and epimerases special is their ability to change the chirality of molecules  that is, the way in which groups in the molecules twist. Many biological molecules exhibit chirality, and the direction of a given molecules twists determines how it functions: mirror-image molecules with the exact same structure can behave very differently in biological systems. This mirror-image phenomenon is known as stereochemical isomerism, and the mirror-image molecules are the isomers.

In biological systems, one of the two stereochemical isomers predominates, but there are many examples where the less abundant isomer plays a specific, critical role in the cell. For example, the amino-acid L-serine is abundant in the proteins and the membranes of all cells, while its isomer D-serine has a specialized role in neurotransmission in humans and other higher animals. Racemases and epimerases catalyze the formation of the less abundant of the two isomers from the more abundant, and hence change the way in which the molecule twists. They perform their reactions using several different chemical strategies, but by far the most common is the removal of a proton from an activated carbon atom followed by delivery of a proton from the opposite side to quench the resulting intermediate.

As well as the role they play in human health, racemases and epimerases have important biotechnology applications in green and sustainable routes to chemicals with high economic value. These enzymes can be used to produce difficult-to-access stereochemical isomers of amino acids and other molecules that are important in the food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and fine chemicals industries.

For many years, the Bath team has worked on the -methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR)  an enzyme that is overactivated in prostate and other cancers. Research on this enzyme, and on finding compounds to stop it from working, has been funded by several organizations, including Prostate Cancer UK.

Dr Matthew Lloyd, lead author of the paper, said: Racemases and epimerases have traditionally been seen as niche enzymes, however their pivotal position within biological processes means they make excellent drug targets and can be exploited in the manufacture of important chemicals that have great economic value because they are used in the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and other industries.

Our systematic analysis of racemase enzymes, the reactions they catalyze and the ways in which they can be stopped from working reveal several common themes and suggest several new avenues of research. Thanks to our detailed review, we now have a much better theoretical understanding of how these enzymes work, and this knowledge is essential if these enzymes are to be effectively targeted by the new drugs being developed."

He added: Its also clear that there are several potential strategies to develop new drugs, such as fragment-based drug design and virtual screening, which are ripe for exploitation. We hope this paper will stimulate new research on these under-appreciated enzymes.

Simon Grieveson, head of research at Prostate Cancer UK, said: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and we desperately need better treatments. Thats why were committed to funding research like this which explores promising new ways of tackling the disease."

Through their detailed lab work, Dr Lloyd and his team have successfully found ways to target and suppress a key protein involved in prostate cancer growth. We look forward to seeing how this research progresses over the coming years and its role in the development of new treatments for men. Simon Grieveson, Head of research, Prostate Cancer UK

Co-authors of the paper include Drs Lloyd, Maksims Yevglevskis, Amit Nathubhai and Tim Woodman and Professor Mike Threadgill (Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology), and Professor Tony James (Department of Chemistry).
Jason Alicea was driving off the Brooklyn side of the bridge about 8:15 p.m. Tuesday when he ended up in the middle of about 30 bicyclists coming over the span marking the anniversary of Floyds death at the hands of Minneapolis police.
A new report summarizes the findings from a national survey of frontline health care workers during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that many reported unsafe working conditions and retaliation for voicing their concerns to employers.

The survey, launched in May 2020 by staff and student researchers at the George Washington University, provides a snapshot of the experiences of frontline health care workers providing care for millions of Americans during the pandemic.

This survey gives a voice to US health care workers who have been on the frontlines of COVID-19. Health care workers have valuable first-hand knowledge about this pandemic and this report offers recommendations that could help keep the U.S. on a steady course now and in the future." David Michaels, Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health and Former Administrator of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, George Washington University

There are more than 18 million health care workers in the U.S. and those on the frontlines of the pandemic have much to say about what should be done to prevent future exposures to the virus and other issues. The GW researchers developed an online survey to better understand the experiences of health care workers, including questions about working conditions and safety related concerns.

About 1,200 health care workers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia took the survey and the GW researchers analyzed the data collected during a two-month period from the beginning of May 2020 until the end of June 2020.

The following concerns were repeatedly mentioned in survey responses:

Frustration with unsafe working conditions, especially failed access to adequate personal protective equipment.

Instances of retaliation and at times bullying for voicing their safety concerns to employers.

Perceptions that employers prioritized hospital profits over worker safety and created an unhealthy work environment where workers felt devalued and threatened.

Many of the survey respondents were nurses and the majority worked in a hospital setting. For safety concerns, many health care workers mentioned the lack of personal protective equipment during the early days of the pandemic. Respondents also said they lived with the fear of losing their job if they voiced their concerns and they also expressed frustration with constantly changing employer and national guidelines.

The responses to the survey contain important insights that cannot be gleaned from statistics alone. Workers voiced a range of experiences during the first few months of pandemic, including those that were positive and others that were excruciating." Nathan L. McCray, Study Lead Author

McCray worked on the report while a research associate at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health.

For example, some workers reported that their employer had taken steps to provide them with the protective equipment they needed to stay safe while others described being devalued or treated as disposable. Still others said they were afraid of getting sick or bringing the virus home to vulnerable family members.

"This survey was anonymous and health care workers said they appreciated having a safe space to share their concerns," Brenda M. Trejo Rosas, a research associate and doctoral student at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health, as well as lead author, said. "Our report exposes the impact of power dynamics in the work environment."

The survey also asked frontline workers for solutions to some of the problems they described in the survey. Health care workers stressed the need for improved communication and worker protection policies based on scientific evidence.

They also recommended that the federal government step up and increase the national stockpile of personal protective equipment. Such a stockpile would help the nation better prepare for the next wave of this pandemic or a future pandemic, they said.

In addition, the health care workers who participated in the survey called for employers to treat them with respect and asked for labor rights such as time off, mental health care and zero tolerance for bullying or retaliation.
Resident memory T (TRM) cells are T cells (both CD4+ and CD8+) strategically residing in peripheral tissues to control mucosal infections and provide rapid and durable immunity locally against re-infection. The role of TRM cells is to protect against pathogen challenge for many tissues, including the lung and to limit re-infections locally.

Scientists hypothesize that these cells are probably required to limit SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) spread and COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). Because these cells are non-circulating, it is difficult to examine these cells in the blood as they move to the lung parenchyma.

In recent research by Judith Grau-Exposito et al., scientists identify circulating virus-specific T cell responses during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection with functional, migratory, and apoptotic patterns modulated by viral proteins and associated with clinical outcome.

In this study, published in the journal Nature Communications, the researchers found that 1) a balanced anti-inflammatory response is associated with a better outcome in a viral infection, and 2) persisting TRM cells are important for future protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The COVID-19 severity is associated predominantly with IFN, and IL-4 responses increased responses against the viral S peptides and apoptosis. However, non-hospitalized patients have increased IL-12p70 levels, degranulation in response to N peptides, and SARS-CoV-2-specific CCR7+ T cells secreting IL-10.

Even 10 months after initial infection, lung-TRM cells are frequently found in convalescent patients, despite the fact that contemporaneous blood does not reflect tissue-resident profiles.

Many questions on the protective immunity post-natural infection are unanswered by the research. It is important to identify specific immunological parameters that can predict disease control - these are the new biomarkers that help in medical decisions. Although neutralizing antibodies play a pivotal role in controlling infections, they diminish over time as has been demonstrated for other coronaviruses. Specific memory T cells are known to persist in SARS-recovered patients for up to 6 years post-infection.

This study looks at the role of TRM cells against SARS-CoV-2 infection. It addresses specific questions related to early control of SARS-CoV-2 infection mediated by cellular immunity and long-term protection: (1) the functional profile of antigen-specific T cells associated with disease control; (2) if apoptosis is involved in disease severity; (3) if antigen-specific T cell responses have the potential to migrate to the lung and eventually become TRM cells.

To this end, the researchers recruited clinically defined groups of patients, during the first wave of SARS-CoV-2 infection (spring 2020) at the Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona. The cohort included 46 patients in three groups characterized as individuals who were symptomatic non-hospitalized, individuals who corresponded to mild-hospitalized cases, and the rest who required severe hospitalization. One patient from the severe group succumbed to the disease.

In addition to conducting detailed phenotypic and functional analyses, the research team also assessed TRM cells in convalescent patients' lungs.

They analyzed the plasma and intracellular cytokine levels. The analyses indicated group-based differences: the dominance of IL-4 and IFN SARS-CoV-2-specific responses with disease severity and IL-10 to minor disease.

They also observed targeted protein-based differences depending on which T cell profiles are generated. This has clear implications in vaccine design.

Further, the researchers assessed the patterns of chemokine receptors (CCR7 and CXCR3) associated with SARS-CoV-2-infected patients to find out if some specific T cells were migrating to the infected tissues.

The researchers then quantified caspase 3, an apoptotic marker, in both antigen-specific and bystander T cells from the different subsets of the study groups. The observations indicated an increased activation-induced cell death associated with viral replication and disease severity affecting total T cells.

Importantly, the researchers confirmed that Ag-specific TRM responses are present in the lungs of convalescent patients - this highlights the establishment and persistence of lung-resident T cell immunity against SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. They showed that SARS-CoV-2-specific TRM persisted for 10 months after infection.

However, the researchers point out that in most cases, the antigen-specific TRM patterns, both in magnitude and profile, could not be identified in T cells from the blood.

"This study identifies unique features of the cellular immunological response against SARS-CoV-2 relevant to infection control and disease progression, which may be critical to informing vaccine assessment and development of new prototypes."

This study sheds information on the immunological parameters associated with disease control and patient prognosis that will eventually aid vaccine development and monitoring of vaccinated individuals towards the prediction of immune control.

"Our findings encourage next-generation vaccine designs to consider including viral proteins beyond the spike protein, in particular nucleocapsid peptides, which should broaden and balance the functional profile of memory T cells, resembling control of natural infection", the researchers conclude.
Donna M. Seifried, 78, passed away on Friday, June 11, 2021, at her home surrounded by family. She was a receptionist at Price Waterhouse Coopers, a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and a native of Salina, KS. She is survived by her husband William "Bill" Seifried of Jeffersonville, I
(Newser)  The Manhattan district attorney's investigation into the Trump Organization has entered a new phase that could lead to an indictment of the former president, insiders say. Sources tell the Washington Post that Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. has convened a special grand jury that may be asked to consider returning indictments against Donald Trump and other Trump Organization officials. The Post's sources say the panel, which will also consider other matters, will sit three days a week for six months. Vance has also used an investigative grand jury during his inquiry, which has looked into issues including Trump's tax dealings and his relationship with his lenders. The AP confirms the development, and Trump himself denounced it in a statement issued Tuesday evening.

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"This is a continuation of the greatest Witch Hunt in American history, Trump said, per the Hill. This is purely political, and an affront to the almost 75 million voters who supported me in the Presidential Election, and its being driven by highly partisan Democrat prosecutors. Sources tell the Post that the Vance investigation is also looking at the compensation received by top Trump Organization executives. Earlier this month, the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James said its probe of Trump's business empire had become a criminal investigation. James' investigators are working with Vance's office. "We have informed the Trump Organization that our investigation into the organization is no longer purely civil in nature. We are now actively investigating the Trump Organization in a criminal capacity, along with the Manhattan DA," a spokesman for James tells CNN. "We have no additional comment." (Read more Donald Trump stories.)
(Newser)  Lori Vallow and husband Chad Daybell have been indicted on murder charges in the deaths of Vallow's two children, whose bodies were found on Daybell's Idaho property almost a year ago. Vallow and Daybell were indicted on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and grand theft by deception in the deaths of 7-year-old Joshua "JJ" Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan, Fox reports. Daybell has also been charged with first-degree murderand Vallow with conspiracy to commit first-degree murderin the death of Tammy Daybell, Daybell's former wife. She was found dead weeks before Vallow and Daybell were married in Nov. 2019. Investigators say the children were last seen alive in September that year.

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Daybella former gravedigger who has published numerous "end times" booksand Vallow already faced felony charges related to the concealment and destruction of evidence. They are being held in separate county jails with bond set at $1 million each. Fremont County Prosecutor Lindsey Blake said Tuesday that local, state, and federal investigators had " worked tirelessly for nearly a year and a half" to gather evidence and due to COVID restrictions, had only recently been able to present it to a grand jury, NBC reports. Prosecutors did not disclose whether they will seek the death penalty. The Idaho Statesman-Journal notes that the charges were announced on what would have JJ's ninth birthday. (Read more Lori Vallow stories.)
The assault was the latest anti-Semitic incident reported in Brooklyn, where on Saturday four men rushed inside the Agudath Israel synagogue on 16th Ave. in Borough Park to escape the hate-filled taunts of several men in a car parked outside.
(Newser)  Princeton historian Sean Wilentz and politics professor Keith E. Whittington have both been critical of Nikole Hannah-Jones' 1619 Project. Wilentz even penned an article describing the project's "inaccuracies," including the creator's claim that the American Revolution was fought to protect slavery. But if you thought they'd be in support of the University of North Carolina's Board of Trustees refusing to offer tenure to the New York Times journalist upon appointment to the Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill's Hussman School of Journalism and Media, you were wrong. Writing at the Chronicle of Higher Education, the professors say the decision, following conservative backlash, is a "travesty" that "will do lasting damage to the reputation of higher education in North Carolina" and inspire similar tampering at universities across the country.

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They offer reasons faculty might have chosen not to offer Hannah-Jones tenure, including her "choice to sometimes dismiss and demean her critics instead of engaging with their arguments on the merits." But these "are matters for the faculty to consider," not the politically appointed Board of Trustees, they write. Indeed, "for the Board of Trustees to interfere unilaterally on blatantly political grounds is an attack on the integrity of the very institution it oversees." After all, the American Association of University Professors' Declaration of Principles stresses that faculty members must have "independence of thought" as they seek to educate the wider public. Otherwise, "public universities in red states and blue states alike would find themselves shrinking the acceptable range of scholarship and teaching" and "the mission of the university would be corrupted." Read the full piece here. (Read more Nikole Hannah-Jones stories.)
(Newser)  Marilyn Manson is a wanted man, for a gross alleged reason. New Hampshire's Gilford Police Department has an arrest warrant out for the rocker for an alleged assault at a concert in the state in August 2019, NBC News reports. Manson, who's been in the news quite a bit recently over accusations of sexual assault, is in this case accused of snot assault: A videographer who'd been hired to film the show claims Manson spit at her multiple times and then fired a "snot rocket" at her, according to sources who spoke to People. Police have not issued an official public statement on what exactly the allegations are.

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Manson's attorney calls the whole thing "ludicrous," saying, "It is no secret to anyone who has attended a Marilyn Manson concert that he likes to be provocative on stage, especially in front of a camera." The lawyer says the whole thing started after a venue videographer demanded $35,000 from Manson for "a small amount of spit" that landed on their arm. The attorney says Manson's team asked for proof and never heard back, then came the news of a warrant. He says the rocker will cooperate with authorities. (Read more Marilyn Manson stories.)
(Newser)  At just 2 years old, Kashe Quest has become the youngest member of American Mensa, Fox LA reports in an exclusive interview with the toddler and her mom. Sukhjit Athwal says she and Kashe's father started noticing from a young age that their daughter had an excellent memory, knowing the alphabet, numbers, and much more by the time she was around 17 months. She has since tackled such feats as knowing all 50 states by shape and location on a map, identifying elements on the periodic table, and more; she's also learning to read, speak Spanish, and do sign language.

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She's also, her mom says, a typical toddler: "We have negotiations, we have tantrums, we have everything and it's different because the way we communicate with her, it has to be different because she's able to understand just a little bit more," she says. She adds that she and Kashe's dad let their little girl lead the way, not forcing anything on her. Mensa requires applicants to take an approved IQ test and score in the top 2% of the general population; Kashe's IQ is 146. See the interview here. (Read more Mensa stories.)
(Newser)  Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday announced plans to reopen a key diplomatic outreach office to the Palestinians and pledged nearly $40 million in new aidreversing key policies of the Trump administration as he moved to bolster the embattled Palestinian government in the West Bank. On his first official visit to the region, Blinken met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders with the immediate aim of shoring up last week's ceasefire that ended 11 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. He vowed to rally international support for the effort while also promising to ensure that none of the aid would reach Hamas, the AP reports. Blinken repeatedly alluded to the underlying issues of the decades-old conflict and expressed empathy for both sides, but he showed little interest in launching another US push for lasting peace, perhaps because previous efforts by past administrations have all failed. Instead, he expressed hope for creating a better environment that might one day yield peace talks.

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Despite these modest aims, Blinken made clear that President Biden will pursue a more even-handed approach to the region than former President Trump, who sided overwhelmingly with Israel in virtually every area of disagreement with the Palestinians. As I told the president, Im here to underscore the commitment of the United States to rebuilding the relationship with the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people, a relationship built on mutual respect and also a shared conviction that Palestinians and Israelis alike deserve equal measures of security, freedom opportunity, and dignity, he said after a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank. In an act with great symbolic meaning, Blinken said the US would reopen its Jerusalem consulatean office that for years served as the de facto embassy to the Palestinians. Trump had downgraded its operations and placed them under his ambassador to Israel when he moved the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city in 2018.

(Read more Jerusalem stories.)
(Newser)  The theft of four gold bars from a shipment sent to Los Angeles International Airport could send two cargo handlers to prison for up to 15 years. South Los Angeles residents Marlon Moody, 38, and Brian Benson, 35, were arrested Tuesday by the FBI on charges of conspiracy and theft of interstate and foreign shipment after allegedly stealing four gold bars from a shipment of 2,000. The shipment, which arrived at LAX on a Singapore Airlines flight on April 22, 2020, en route from Australia to New York, had been arranged by a bank in Toronto, reports NBC News. Employees from a cargo company had secured the shipment outside the airport before a box of 25 gold bars was found to be missing, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California. Moody claimed to have found it near the airline's cargo warehouse the following day.

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Prosecutors say the employee of private cargo handling company Alliance Ground International took the box to a location where he removed four of the bars, each worth $56,000, per CBS Los Angeles. He was then picked up by coworker Benson. They allegedly exchanged text messages about the gold while other employees were riding in the same vehicle. Prosecutors say Moody later gave Benson one bar, buried two others in his backyard, and gave the fourth to a relative, telling them to exchange it for cash or a car. Other cargo handlers found the infiltrated box of 21 gold bars on April 23, prompting an investigation. Within two weeks, the FBI had recovered all four gold bars, including the one Benson allegedly stashed in a bedroom. Moody and Benson each face a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison if convicted as charged. (Read more Los Angeles International Airport stories.)
(Newser)  The girlfriend of Belarusian dissident journalist Roman Protasevich has also been detained after their Ryanair plane was forced down Sunday by Belarus on its way to Lithuania from Athens. Per Sky News, 23-year-old Sofia Sapega, a Russian national, has now emerged in a "confessional" video, apparently filmed at a Belarus detention center. The video uploaded Tuesday shows Sapega appearing to admit she'd been on the plane with Protasevich, and that she'd worked for a social media channel that gave up information on Belarusian government workers, which is illegal. "I am ... editor of Telegram channel Chernaya Kniga, which publishes private information about internal affairs officers," she said in the clip, after giving her full name, age, and nationality, per a Sky translation. CNN notes Belarus hasn't offered any evidence Sapega, who's reportedly being held in Belarus for at least two months, was tied to the Telegram channel.

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Protasevich, 26, a critic of Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, appeared in his own apparent confessional video the day prior, noting he was in good health and that he'd helped coordinate 2020 protests in Minsk, per Sky. Allies and family, however, say both Protasevich and Sapega appear to have given these supposed confessions under duress. "This is how Roman looks under physical and moral pressure," opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya tweeted Monday. Sapega's mother concurs, telling the BBC her daughter doesn't seem like herself in her video: "Even my friends called me and said ... this is an unusual manner for her. She sways, eyes in the sky, as if afraid of forgetting something." Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta reports that Sapega could face criminal charges, per Insider. Protasevich, meanwhile, fears he could face the death penalty. (Anyone who flies should be concerned about what Belarus did, one columnist writes.)
(Newser)  "Taiwan is the first country to watch Fast and Furious 9," John Cena told a Taiwanese broadcaster this month. In doing so, he unleashed the wrath of China, which has threatened to annex the self-governed island it views as its own territory. Cena sought to rectify that on Tuesday, following the film's $135.6 million weekend debut in China, per the Guardian. In a video message shared on Chinese social network Weibo, the actor and WWE wrestling champion speaks in Mandarinwhich he has been studying for yearstelling his 600,000 followers that he "made a mistake." "It's very, very, very, very, very, very important," the 44-year-old says, per NBC News. "I love and respect China and Chinese people. I'm very, very sorry for my mistake," he adds, without mentioning Taiwan.

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The apology itself sparked a debate, with more than 10,000 comments, per the Guardian. Some were understanding. "Foreigners don't necessarily know China's politics, just like we don't necessarily know their politics," one user wrote, per NBC. Others not so much. "It's the western political correctness. He wants Chinese people to forgive him but he also doesn't want to offend idiot Taiwan and the West," wrote another. Yet another user demanded Cena say "Taiwan is a part of China" in Mandarin, "otherwise we wont accept it." In 2018, China pressured international companies to refer to Taiwan as part of China while "threatening to block them for doing business in China if they failed to comply," per the BBC. More recently, the country has increased its military presence around the island. (More on that here.)
(Newser)  Beachgoers along the northern Sydney shoreline got quite a surprise Wednesday as they strolled along the sand. Per the Guardian, one eyewitness told a radio station it was around 2pm local time at Collaroy Beach, with "not a cloud in the sky," when an odd sight suddenly floated pasta small aircraft flying "really close and really low, losing altitude really fast." Seconds later, the plane "landed beautifully," not far from where visitors to the beach were walking, the witness notes. Inside the plane, per the AP and ABC Australia: the 20-something pilot, his wife (said to be in her late 20s or early 30s), and their 1-year-old son, all of whom were uninjured, according to police.

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Per the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the Tecnam P2008 light plane had been forced to make an emergency landing after the pilot reported having trouble with the plane's lone engine, less than an hour after taking off from Bankstown Airport. A New South Wales ambulance official tells ABC that, due to the cooler weather at this time of year, not as many people were on the beach as there could've been, and that because it was low tide, the plane had a firm place to land. "Otherwise it could have been quite [a] catastrophic landing in soft sand," he notes. "There may have been a different outcome." Recreational Aviation Australia, the island nation's governing agency on light planes, is investigating the incident. (Read more Australia stories.)
(Newser)  Five males, including three teenagers, have been arrested in the shooting of a Black Lives Matter activist in London. Sasha Johnson of the Taking the Initiative Party, described as Britain's first Black-led political party, has been fighting for her life in a hospital since she was shot in the head early Sunday. The 27-year-old was one of 30 people attending a party in a backyard in Peckham when four Black males opened fire, police said. Officers now say the Tuesday arrest of a 17-year-old on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and possession with intent to supply drugs led to a search of a home, where three men aged 18, 19, and 28, were arrested on suspicion of affray and drug dealing, per the BBC. A fifth man, 25, was arrested on suspicion of affray and failing to stop for police following a chase. All five are now held on suspicion of attempted murder.

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Met Detective Chief Inspector Richard Leonard says the "arrests show that progress is being made," per the Telegraph. "However, I would continue to appeal to those who may hold information about the events that led to Sasha receiving her horrific injuries, or about those responsible, to do the right thing and come forward and speak to police." The Taking the Initiative Party noted Johnson, an Oxford graduate and mother, was shot after receiving "numerous death threats as a result of her activism." But police say they believe she was an unintended victim of the violence, which left a man in his 20s with a superficial knife wound, per the Guardian. "Nothing has been brought to our attention that suggests Sasha was targeted," says Leonard. A prayer vigil has been set up near the hospital, where Johnson has undergone successful surgery, per the Telegraph. (Read more attempted murder stories.)
(Newser)  Google is moving deeper into the health care business. Under a multiyear deal with HCA Healthcare, a hospital chain, the companies' engineers will develop algorithms to help monitor patients, guide medical decisions, and increase efficiency. Google will store data generated by HCA's medical devices, as well as information from health records, the Wall Street Journal reports. The company has about 2,000 US sites. "Part of what we're building is a central nervous system to help interpret the various signals," says Jonathan Perlin, the company's chief medical officer. The companies hope to come up with algorithms that will, among other things, send an alert to clinicians' mobile devices when there's a change in a patient's condition.

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The advent of digital medical records has provided opportunity for tech companies, including Google. Data can be used to improve patient outcomes and discover new treatments, advocates say. "We want to push the boundaries of what the clinician can do in real time with data," a Google Cloud executive says. But deals like this one, including Google's agreement with Ascension, also have raised concerns about patient privacy. Perlin says Google and HCA will be vigilant about privacy, per the Hill. Identifying information will be removed from patient records before they go to Google, he says. (Read more Google stories.)
Medics rushed him to nearby New York-Presbyterian/Columbia but he could not be saved. His name was not immediately released.
(Newser)  "Shooter is down," the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office tweeted Wednesday morning after reports of a mass shooting at a rail yard in San Jose, Calif. Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office spokesman Deputy Russell Davis later confirmed that a gunman killed eight people at the Valley Transportation Authority facility, the AP reports. Authorities say the gunman, a VTA employee, took his own life, reports the San Jose Mercury News. Police say the dead and wounded include other VTA employees.

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The rail facility is next door to the county sheriff's department and across a freeway from the airport. The Mercury News reports that around 100 VTA workers were escorted from the sheriff's office to an auditorium across the street. "The whole crew is gone, the whole shift is gone," one worker told reporters. "Its horrible." Davis said a fire at a home 13 miles away from the rail yard was connected to the mass shooting and the bomb squad is now at the scene, reports CBS San Francisco. "We have received information that there are explosive devices that are located inside the building," he said. (Read more San Jose stories.)
(Newser)  General Motors is teaming up with Lockheed Martin to produce the ultimate off-road, self-driving, electric vehiclesfor the moon. The project announced Wednesday is still in the early stages and has yet to score any NASA money, the AP reports. But the goal is to design light yet rugged vehicles that will travel farther and faster than the lunar rovers that carried NASA's Apollo astronauts in the early 1970s, the companies said. "Mobility is really going to open up the moon for us," said Kirk Shireman, a former NASA manager who is now Lockheed Martin's vice president for lunar exploration. The rovers used by the Apollo 15, 16, and 17 moonwalkers ventured no more than 4 miles from their landers. GM also helped design those vehicles.

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NASA, which aims to return astronauts to the moon by 2024, last year put out a call for industry ideas on lunar rovers. The initial rovers will be designed to carry two astronauts at a time, company officials said. A brief video showed a large, open rover speeding over lunar slopes, with more headlights in the distance. By operating autonomously when needed, Shireman noted, the rovers can keep astronauts safely away from dangerous spots like the permanently shadowed craters at the moon's South Pole. Frozen water gathered from these dark corners could be used for drinking, growing plants, and creating rocket fuel. Autonomy could also improve efficiency, with astronauts focused on collecting rocks as a rover follows behind like a puppy, he said. The vehicle will be unpressurized, so riders will need to wear spacesuits at all times.

(Read more NASA stories.)
A "grim" new report has outlined just how badly New Zealand has fared against other countries when it comes to productivity.

On average we work 2.3 hours more a week than people in other OECD countries, and produce 20 percent less, according to the Productivity Commission's new report, Productivity by the Numbers.

The biggest driver of economic growth here in Aotearoa is simply just more people working, accounting for about half the rise in GDP over the last few decades.

In 1870, we had one of the highest per-capita economic outputs in the world, the report shows - but have since fallen well behind Australia, Canada, Ireland, Korea and the United States.

"We don't stack up very well," Productivity Commission chair Ganesh Nana told Newshub. "One of the key numbers that really is a little bit grim is we're working longer than everybody else, but producing less. That's not great."
Some vaccine side-effects don't get picked up in trials because they're so rare, not even 40,000 people is enough to trigger them. But what about 300 million?

The University of Auckland announced on Thursday it will lead the biggest vaccine monitoring study ever undertaken in the world, tracking all of the different COVID-19 vaccines as they're rolled out over the next three years.

"Never before have so many vaccines been developed and deployed so quickly, to meet so urgent a need," said vaccinologist Helen Petousis-Harris, director of the Vaccine Datalink and Research, which is a part of the Global Vaccine Data Network (GVDN).

Dr Petousis-Harris will lead the research at UniServices, a wholly owned not-for-profit subsidiary of the University of Auckland, helped along with nearly $8 million in funding from the US Centers for Disease Control.

"Though clinical trials provided the information needed to authorise vaccines for use across many countries, it is vital to continue monitoring after the vaccines are deployed. There are many new COVID-19 vaccines and it is therefore imperative that there be a global, centralised surveillance process to detect any very rare vaccine safety issues and to allow ongoing risk-benefit assessments."
Quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and Victoria remains suspended as the cluster in Melbourne's northern suburbs continues to grow.

As of Wednesday, 15 locally acquired cases have been detected in the city's north.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed that quarantine-free travel will be halted for a preliminary 72-hour period.

Dr Bloomfield told reporters he believes the response is "proportionate and appropriately precautionary" due to the evolving nature of the outbreak and the missing link in the epidemiological chain.

COVID-19 Response Minister said that as of now, no contingency plans have been made in the event the outbreak worsens and the pause is extended.

If the travel suspension were to continue, he said officials would provide more information regarding New Zealanders who are stranded in Victoria.

"At the moment it's just a pause," he reiterated.

Dr Bloomfield confirmed that health officials remain in close contact with their counterparts in Victoria and are keeping a "close eye" on the outbreak.

Officials have acknowledged the possibility that people from the Whittlesea local government area, the centre of Melbourne's outbreak, may have been exposed to the virus - and may now be in New Zealand, given the length of time between the first case on May 11 and the most recent infections.

It was established that the first case, who tested positive in Melbourne on May 11, had contracted the virus while completing his quarantine at a hotel in Adelaide, South Australia.

The ministry is now asking anyone who has been in the Whittlesea area to get tested at least five days after they were last there. They are also requested to stay in their accommodation until a negative result is returned - even if they do not have symptoms.



Anyone from the wider Melbourne area who develops symptoms while in New Zealand should ring Healthline on 0800 358 5453 and arrange a test.

Dr Bloomfield said it's important people remain up-to-date with the locations of interest, available on the Victoria Department of Health website, and urged anyone who has visited one of those areas to contact Healthline.

Those who have been in Melbourne since May 11 are asked to remain alert for symptoms and if in doubt, ring Healthline to organise a test. People must isolate until a negative result is returned.

Vaccination rollout

Minister Hipkins also provided an update on New Zealand's vaccination rollout. As of 12am this morning:

562,149 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have been administered

around 192,000 New Zealanders have received both doses, meaning they are fully protected against the virus

around 85,000 more doses have been administered compared to last week's figures

the rollout is 8 percent ahead of its projected figures.

Saliva testing

As of June, saliva testing will be made more regularly available in New Zealand's frontline facilities, Hipkins announced.

More than 1400 border workers can look forward to less invasive testing, he said, adding that the introduction of saliva testing will complement ongoing nasal swabbing - the 'gold standard' of testing.

He expressed his sincere thanks to frontline workers, some of whom have been tested with a nasal swab more than 100 times since the beginning of the pandemic.

Workers who are required to undergo a swab once a week will be able to incorporate saliva testing into their regime to reduce the frequency of nasal swabs, Hipkins continued.

Saliva testing will be introduced in a phased rollout, set to commence next month.

Frontline staff can choose to opt for saliva testing or stay with the existing testing regime.

Hipkins said the ministry is satisfied that saliva testing is being introduced "at the right time", but noted that officials are proceeding with caution to ensure the testing regime remains robust.

Like the nasal swabs, saliva tests will be processed by appropriately accredited labs.



"I hope saliva testing as an option will help to relieve some of the discomfort," he said.
Cancer patients should be sent to Australia if they cannot be treated here as the Waikato DHB continues to try and get back online after last week's cyber attack, National Party leader Judith Collins says.

Currently those scheduled for medical treatment are being sent to private hospitals in Tauranga and Wellington because the cyber attack has put radiotherapy equipment out of action. But spaces at those facilities are limited.

The DHB's hospital and community services director, Chris Lowry, had previously said clinical staff were worried about how to handle new referrals.

National Party leader Judith Collins told Morning Report everything should be done to treat patients, including sending them off to Australia to get treated.

Collins also said the Government was right not to pay a ransom to the cyber criminals.

"The moment you start paying you set yourself up for every other DHB and every other private organisation ending up being hacked and we've seen it earlier this year with NZX and other private organisations that were clearly under tremendous stress," she said.

"You've just got to hold firm. I think you get the cancer patients either treated in New Zealand or fly them to Australia just to get that done, and do not ever give in, otherwise the whole of the system becomes vulnerable."
On Wednesday the DHB provided an update, saying there is an "ongoing criminal investigation".

"We are aware that the media have received what appears to be personal and patient information from Waikato DHB information systems," it said.

"Waikato DHB are working closely with the National Cyber Security Centre, Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), the Privacy Commission and NZ Police to respond, remediate and recover from this incident."

Due to the complexity of the incident, chief executive Dr Kevin Snee says the situation is not going to be resolved quickly.

"Our staff are pulling together as a team and working collaboratively with our partners to restore services, but disruptions are to be expected as workarounds are put in place."

Cancer patients transferred around NZ

Waikato DHB says cancer patients are being transferred around the country for treatment while its IT systems are restored.

Dr Snee has previously said getting everything back online has taken longer than first expected and it could be weeks before services are restored back to normal.

In a statement on Wednesday, Waikato DHB's radiation oncology service said it is working with cancer care providers in the North Island to ensure patients continue receiving treatment.

"There is considerable pressure on the system at the moment, but staff at Waikato Hospital are working hard in unique circumstances to ensure patient safety and care remains at the forefront," radiation oncology clinical director Dr Cristian Hartopeneau said.

Seventy patients were on treatment at the time of the incident. Three patients have been transferred to Auckland DHB for urgent care, and 18 clinically prioritised patients have been seen at either the Kathleen Kilgour Centre in Tauranga or the Bowen Icon Cancer Centre in Wellington.

The rest are in the process of being seen either this week or the following week.

Waikato DHB adds New Zealand and Australia have a long-standing arrangement to transfer patients for treatment, but this is only a last resort.

"I also appreciate the support of our partners, which has been vital to ensure we can provide the people of the Waikato with confidence to access the health services they need," Dr Snee says.

"This is a criminal investigation and we have every confidence that it is being dealt with by NZ Police and cyber security experts. Care and safety of patients remains our highest priority, and we must concentrate on health services and supporting our staff to do their job."
Winter is biting a few days early in the south with temperatures plunging as low as -10C overnight.



Local forecaster Mackenzie Country Weather NZ says it's a "bone cold" morning in the Canterbury High Country. Many areas were well in the negatives on Wednesday morning; Fairlie being the coldest at -10C while Tekapo remained at -8C at 7am.

MetService meteorologist Ashlee Parkes says many other areas also fell well into the negatives.
"Oh thank goodness Aussie has seen what we do," tweeted another user.

"Ouch... this'll be interesting," said another.

In recent months, editorials in some international media - including a handful in Australia - have attempted to paint New Zealand as subservient to China and Aotearoa as prioritising the two countries' massive trade over speaking out against China's human rights abuses.

Many ignore the fact Ardern and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have repeatedly expressed concern with Beijing's interference in Hong Kong's judiciary, abuses of the Uighur people in Xinjiang and activities in the South China Sea.

Mahuta has previously done so with her Australian counterpart.

At the same time, Australia has been hit hard by trade tariffs imposed by Beijing in retaliation for it speaking up against human rights breaches and calling for an investigation into the origins of COVID-19.

In April, right-wing Australian television host Andrew Bolt accused New Zealand of "backstabbing" Australia by not signing up to a statement expressing concerns about a study into COVID-19.

"Your Government, your Prime Minister. Why are they letting Australia hang in the wind? Why are they not backing us up in this very serious confrontation with the Chinese dictatorship," Bolt questioned.

But last December, New Zealand did come to Australia's side when a senior Chinese official posted a digitally-altered image of an Australian soldier holding a knife to a child. Aotearoa directly expressed its concern about the image with China.

A sore point for some has been New Zealand's reluctance to join up to statements from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network, of which Aotearoa is a member, on China's human rights breaches.

In April, Mahuta said she was "uncomfortable" expanding the Five Eyes' remit to comment on issues relating to non-security matters and instead preferred to look for other "multilateral opportunities to express our interests".

That sparked a wave of criticism overseas, with some commentators erroneously saying New Zealand was leaving the Five Eyes and politicians claiming Aotearoa was ditching its traditional partners in favour of China.

Mahuta has since said New Zealand is committed to the Five Eyes but must maintain a mature relationship with China even when there are issues on which the two countries "do not, cannot and will not agree".

Asked directly on Newshub Nation last month whether New Zealand was prioritising cash and trade over humanity and ethics, Mahuta said we have to be respectful.

"New Zealand's relationship with China is significant in terms of exporting, and there are areas that we can't agree on, but we want to be respectful, consistent, and predictable in the way that we treat China," she said.

Earlier in May, the New Zealand Parliament declared that "severe human rights abuses" are underway in Xinjiang, a move which angered the Chinese side.

The declaration was, however, weaker than originally intended. It was initially worded to declare a genocide as occuring, but that was watered down after deliberations with the ruling Labour Party.

Mahuta, a Labour MP, said a designation of genocide is tied to international law and should come only after a "rigourous assessment" of evidence. She called on China to provide United Nations experts unfettered access to Xinjiang to assess the situation.
Ardern also spent time at university observing a 111 call centre, "sitting and listening as operators took call after call with people in the most difficult of circumstances", which taught her to listen, stay calm but also apply the "sense of urgency" required.

"I hadn't thought much about those hours in that call centre till recently, when I found myself observing countless frontline staff facing similar trauma and emergencies, and watched them take that very same approach - calm, considered, empathetic.

"And embedded amongst that communication is a really key element - information. In a crisis, people will not only be facing the issue at hand, but the sense of uncertainty that comes with it. Uncertainty is frightening.

"And information is a powerful antidote to that fear. The more information people have about a situation they're facing, the better equipped they are to respond."

It was that relaying of information that became so important during one of New Zealand's most significant crises, Ardern said.

"I can still remember the day that we introduced the alert level framework for COVID. There was a lot of nervousness that we were asking New Zealanders to do an extraordinary thing, with entirely new rules, in a very short time frame. But while it wasn't always perfect, the overall response was remarkable."

Ardern said at the time, the Government was still thinking about a 'flattening the curve' approach, but it soon became clear an elimination plan was the only way. Modelling at the time showed that if eradication failed, thousands could die.

The Government introduced the four-tiered alert level system on March 21 last year, and the country was immediately put in alert level 2. The border was closed to all but New Zealand citizens and permanent residents two days prior.

In what would soon become a regular occurrence, at a 1pm press conference on March 23 last year, Ardern announced that New Zealand had moved to alert level 3, and in 48 hours a strict alert level 4 lockdown would come into effect.

The country stayed in alert level 4 lockdown until April 27 - a month of self-isolation. The level 3 lockdown continued until May 13, when the country finally shifted to alert level 2.

"I still remember making our original alert level announcement. Everything moved so quickly. At the beginning of the week we were still talking about a model that had us 'flattening the curve'," Ardern said.

"In just a few days we had modelling that told us that wouldn't be sufficient, and we would need to use restrictions to save lives.

"But how could we communicate the idea that we would need to move in and out of a set of tools that included everything from gathering limits to standing at a certain distance apart from one another?"

Ardern said the Government used the same kind of framework for water level alerts or fire hazards.

"By Friday we had a draft, by Saturday we shared it with New Zealand, and a few days later we were in a total lockdown.

"I still remember making that announcement and walking from the Beehive to Premier House. The streets were dead. It was both eerie and incredible.

"I will never ever underestimate the power of sharing a problem with the nation, no matter how complex, and people's ability to use that information to respond. It was both profound and overwhelming."

Even after a year has passed, COVID-19 is still raging across the globe. It has claimed the lives of more than 3.4 million people, with some countries like India experiencing a massive wave of infections and deaths.

With a total of 26 COVID-related deaths in New Zealand, it's difficult to argue that our emergency management has lived up to the challenge.
I want to thank the person who stopped the train in time, but also the people around who called 911 and got him to the hospital in time so I could see him again, his mother said. Thank you to everyone who helped.
"What today's announcement means is that workers who have to be tested for COVID-19 once a week because of their important roles can now have saliva swabbing incorporated as part of that mandatory regime.

"As part of a phased rollout beginning in June, these workers can choose to be part of a regime of multiple saliva tests, and a single nasopharyngeal swab each fortnight.

"We're satisfied we're starting the introduction of saliva testing at the right time but will move with caution to ensure compliance with the Border Workforce Testing Register."

Hipkins said border workers have expressed discomfort at receiving a nasal swab once a week, and with the border workforce now being vaccinated, they feel more protected and less likely to get infected. But they are also less likely to be symptomatic if they do.

"The addition of more frequent saliva testing is designed to address this," Hipkins said.

"Expert advice is that will work well in detecting any cases in border workers when it's carried out at an increased frequency and appropriately complemented by nasopharyngeal swabs."

Asia Pacific Healthcare Group (APHG) won the tender for the contract, after approval from the Ministry of Health. It has been heavily involved in New Zealand's response to COVID-19, processing a third of all tests carried out in New Zealand to date.

The Government started offering saliva testing in January at quarantine facilities as a "precautionary measure" in the wake of more contagious variants of the coronavirus popping up in managed isolation facilities.

The Government soon came under fire from the Opposition over how long it was taking for saliva testing to be rolled out more widely in isolation facilities.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appeared frustrated during questioning from Opposition parties National and ACT in February at what she described as them "trying to have an argument" about its effectiveness.

"There's no defence of this on this side of the House about the use of saliva testing. Who would disagree with using something that isn't nearly as invasive or creates nearly as much barrier as what a nasal PCR test does?" Ardern said at the time.

"We view saliva testing favourably; anything that is easier for the workforce is something we'd like to see. However, we of course also rely on the advice of our officials, so we're very pleased that they are meeting with some of those who have been advocating for the use of saliva-based testing...

"We've already got it underway in rollouts in some of our facilities and I look forward to greater use of it across the board."
"If there are going to be delays, the Government should tell us. Right now it looks more like a surreptitious attempt to hide the fact our vaccination roll out is slow," Bishop said on Wednesday.

"The Government needs to come clean to New Zealanders about the state of our vaccine roll-out. Not quietly update its website and hope no one will notice."

Dr Bloomfield acknowledged the Ministry of Health could have been more transparent.

"I accept that it may not have been the best way to convey that information but what I can say is that was not trying to hide or obfuscate anything," he told reporters at a 1pm press conference.

"It's not a delay, we've just got more certainty about when the programme will scale up and when those groups will come online, proportionate to the vaccine supply."

Dr Bloomfield said the Ministry of Health was trying to provide more clarity.

"You've got to remember, when we gave these indicative times of when the vaccination programme would roll out to different groups, this was back in February and March when there was still a lot less certainty about the programme and also the vaccine deliveries."

The update was mentioned in ads distributed over the weekend, as depicted in the below image.
"We do not confirm or deny any security briefings that we do or don't receive. We just don't comment on them at all," Ardern told reporters, when asked to confirm if the two Chinese MPs retired over security concerns.

"I would just refer back to Raymond Huo's own reasons that he provided at the time that he resigned. When it comes to any other Member of Parliament, it's not for me to give their explanation for why they chose to leave."

Collins' office wouldn't confirm the allegations.

"We don't comment on the contents of security and intelligence briefings."

Huo was Labour's first Chinese-born MP, and was elected to Parliament in 2008. In a statement in July, he said he had already submitted his nomination form for re-election, but lockdown gave him time to consider his political career.

"For too long my family has been secondary and the recent lockdown provided an opportunity for me to reflect on my future," Huo said at the time.
It appears most New Zealanders will have to wait an extra few weeks for their COVID-19 vaccine, as supply problems push the rollout back until the end of July.

The Government insists it isn't a delay - but admitted to quietly updating the Ministry of Health website last week - to reflect a shift in time frame.

On Wednesday a ribbon was cut at Ngati Hine Health Trust, a new vaccination station in Northland.

It's hoped the station will help to cut down vaccine wait times in the area with up to 300 people able to get a jab there every day.

It was opened as there was concern the vaccine wasn't being rolled out to Whangarei's 3000 kaumatua and kuia quickly enough.

"Less than 15 percent of them will have received a vaccination so there's a lot of work to do," chief executive Geoff Milner said.

But there is even more work to be done to roll the vaccine out to the wider public. The Government is admitting the programme could slow right down.

COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says: "vaccine supply continues to be a challenge at the moment".
It came after National leader Judith Collins told The AM Show on Wednesday some schools and Government officials were being taught "how to feel guilty" about being white.

"I've also come across, just in the last few days, it being taught by outside consultants into some of our Government agencies, including people being workshopped for two days full of things like working out their white privilege and of their partners," Collins said.

"We're just finding out how widespread it is. But it's pretty clear that the Government in Wellington is undertaking this and this is the sort of nonsense that I think most New Zealanders are going to say 'what the hell is going on here?'"

Ardern didn't have a lot to say in response.

"The leader of the Opposition is obviously focused on other things. It's not something that we're teaching, and so my push back would be to say that because it's not core to what we are doing right now as a Government, it's not something that I've dwelt on."
J&J said product safety was its paramount concern and that the EMA had left it to EU member states to decide on vaccine use, taking into account how fast the virus was spreading and whether alternative vaccines were available.

"As the global pandemic continues to devastate communities around the world, we believe a single-shot, easily transportable COVID-19 vaccine with demonstrated protection against multiple variants can help protect the health and safety of people everywhere," the company said in a statement.

The woman died on May 21 after being admitted to hospital with severe thrombosis and platelet deficiency, the ministry's statement said.

She was vaccinated through her employer, outside of the official Belgian vaccination campaign.

Belgium has so far administered about 40,000 J&J shots, with 80 percent of those to people over 45 years old, the statement said.

The EMA said more than 1.34 million J&J doses had been administered within the EU.

J&J said on April 20 it would resume rolling out its COVID-19 vaccine in Europe with a warning on its label, after requesting countries, including Belgium, to pause its use amid concerns about possible links to rare blood clots.

J&J has said that no clear causal relationship has been established between the vaccine and the clots.

Last month, the EMA found a possible link between the vaccine and rare blood clotting issues in adults who received doses in the United States, but backed its overall benefits against any risks.

It looked into eight known cases of clotting in combination with low platelet counts in people who got the J&J shot in the United States. All people affected were below 60 years of age, and most were women.

The Janssen one-dose vaccine is primarily used in Belgium for home vaccination of the elderly and a number of vulnerable groups including the homeless and undocumented migrants.
There are six new previously unreported cases of COVID-19 in Victoria, the state's health authority has revealed - but no lockdown for now.

In a press conference on Wednesday morning, Victoria's Acting Premier James Merlino revealed there were 11 new local coronavirus cases - though five of them were already known about on Tuesday.

The ABC reports each of these cases has strong links to others within the cluster.

The announcement means there are now 15 active cases related to the cluster, with 24 infected people in the state overall.
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TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Health Minister Faeqa bint Said Al Saleh stressed the importance of enhancing world readiness to respond to pandemics to ensure all peoples safety.

The Minister was addressing a discussion session themed Ending this epidemic and preventing the following: Building a healthier, safer and equitable world together.

This was part of the 74th General Assembly of the World Health Organisation (WHO), being held in Geneva, Switzerland, remotely via videoconference. She stressed the necessity of harnessing all efforts to protect the health system especially from the consequences of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

She expressed the hope that the world will be able to defeat the virus and get out of the pandemic, with the help of safe and effective vaccines that have been developed to combat the virus and overcome this difficult phase.

She underlined Bahrains pro-active approach in combating the pandemic, by taking preemptive measures o the experience of the Kingdom of Bahrain, which was preemptive before the outbreak of the pandemic.

She highlighted the national efforts led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to overcome all challenges resulting from this health crisis.

She highlighted Bahrains health justice and equity in accessing all health services, including conducting examinations, receiving treatments, and providing vaccinations for free to various segments of society, including citizens and residents, without exception.
Much like Jake tried so hard to do over the course of more than 20 years, the State of Montana again attempted to silence my voice. At the very start they declared me a murderer, claimed I executed an innocent man in cold blood. They took my life, the lives of my loved ones, ripped it all apart with their horrible claims, and then tried to just walk away when they realized that they had no case, Bellesen said in a statement to the Daily Beast.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

With deep sadness, the Philippine Embassy has announced the death of its long-serving officer, Nabiyyil Jamjilani D. Yusup, on Monday. Yusup served as the Embassys interpreter-translator and liaison officer for almost 10 years.

His dedicated service and consistently effective performance of his duties contributed immensely to the achievement of the Embassys mission to provide efficient and timely service to the public.

His proficiency in the Arabic language and his professional yet friendly demeanour also helped build stronger relations between the Embassy and Bahrains government agencies, contributing greatly to the Embassys ability to advance Philippine-Bahrain relations.

Moreover, his passion to share the teachings of Islam enabled many to have a deeper understanding of his faith. The Filipino Community would like to extend its sincere condolences to the family of Yusup.
All we need to know about third vaccine booster shot to be rolled out in Bahrain

All we need to know about third vaccine booster shot to be rolled out in Bahrain

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) is still far from over so the Kingdom of Bahrain is intensifying mass vaccination efforts to ensure the safety of all.

Currently, six vaccines are authorised for emergency use in Bahrain, namely Sinopharm, Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZenecas Covishield, Johnson & Johnson, Sputnik V and Sputnik Light. Bahrain aims to vaccinate a total of 1.5 million residents, around 679,000 of them are expatriates and 712,000 Bahrainis.

It aims at vaccinating 5,000 people per day, to be maximised to 10,000. Currently, around 70 per cent of the eligible population have received at least one dose of a vaccine, according to National Taskforce for Combating Coronavirus member and infectious diseases expert Manaf Al Qahtani.

The task force has announced that the next phase will be administering a third booster dose within 12 months to those fully vaccinated or who have completed their two doses to stay protected against the original coronavirus strain and newly emerging variants. Bahrain is following in the footsteps of other vaccination programmes.

The UAE, Israel, UK and US are all preparing booster vaccination programmes or have already started giving third shots to some members of the population.

The Health Ministry is now calling on citizens and residents to register for and take the booster shots. A new vaccination schedule is being prepared, based on age groups and vulnerability to the virus.

For groups most at risk from the virus, Bahraini health authorities will administer the third dose six months after the second.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Avenues-Bahrain has announced the winners of the Shop and Win raffle draw competition, which was launched at the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Mariam Ali Alsalman won the grand prize  the all-new 2021 Porsche Macan. The Shop and Win competition included a weekly raffle draw where five winners were chosen during Ramadan to win BD1,000 in cash. The winners are Srinivas Vilasagaram, Noor AlShalil, Mounir Saleh, Kevin Jaramillo, and Nedhal Almoosawi.

Firas Barakat, Mall Director of The Avenues-Bahrain, said that the grand raffle draw competition received strong engagement from visitors keen to participate by shopping at The Avenues-Bahrain, indicating its success as it managed to gather visitors for over a month.

Barakat thanked The Avenues-Bahrains visitors for participating in the competition and congratulated all the lucky winners of the competition.

The Avenues-Bahrain provided shoppers with the opportunity to participate in the grand Shop and Win raffle draw competition by spending BD25 or more at any store at The Avenues-Bahrain from April 8 until May 17.
Scammers are continuing to take advantage of the pandemic, calling customers and demanding payment for outstanding power bills that dont exist.

A spokesman for Evergy, the largest electric provider in the St. Joseph area, said scam calls have spiked in recent days.

The caller is usually a live person posing as an average employee, notifying the customer of a past-due bill demanding immediate payment to avoid service disconnection, Andrew Baker, an Evergy spokesman, said. We want to tell people that these calls arent associated with Evergy.

Baker said the power company wont demand payment on the day of disconnection. Customers should be wary of callers who make such a claim.

In addition to demanding immediate payment, Baker said the scammers often ask for it in an odd way, such as cryptocurrency, prepaid cards or gift cards.

Evergy doesnt accept any of those forms of payment. Baker encourages customers to call Evergy directly to verify any requests.

Customers also should demand to see identification from anyone who knocks on their door claiming to be with the company.

Its always very immediate, they (the scammers) always want information up front, Baker said. If we have a natural disaster, scammers try to take advantage of those opportunities. Its a way they can take advantage of people.

Utilities United Against Scams, an organization formed by 146 utility companies, warns the most common scam is the threat of disconnection.

Even in the middle of a pandemic that is affecting everyone and causing economic hardship for many, we still are dealing with scammers who are preying on families and small businesses, Monica Martinez, executive director of Utilities United Against Scams, said in a news release.

Some 10,000 toll-free phone numbers have been reported by Utilities United Against Scams for scamming.

Scammers may also ask for money to cover the cost of a new meter or call a customer saying theres been a computer glitch and that they need to pay again.

Both Baker and the Utilities United Against Scams encourage customers who believe theyve been scammed to contact their local law enforcement agency or the Federal Trade Commission.
LIBERTY  Clay County's Prosecutor's Office charged Ashley Haygood, a 31-year-old woman from Kansas City, with parental kidnapping after 10-month-old Car'mani Colston-Miller was forcibly taken from his home in Liberty May 18, prompting an Amber alert.

Liberty police responded to the Westowne Apartment Complex before 6 p.m. May 18, to a report of the child being kidnapped from an apartment by suspects including the child's mother, Haygood; a black male reportedly known as "Twanty"; and an unknown Hispanic man. The suspects were reported to have fled the area in a white truck.

Haygood was taken into custody the same day. David Giron, a 24-year-old man from Kansas City who, according to court documents is Haygood's boyfriend, has been charged with kidnapping and assault in the case.

The Black male known as Twanty" remains at large.

After a bond reduction hearing this week, Haygood's bond was reduced by half and now is $50,000. Giron's bond remains $100,000. He is currently in Clay County Detention Center in Liberty in lieu of that bond.
SMITHVILLE  The regularly scheduled May meeting of Smithville Community in Action for Thursday, May 27, is canceled, according to organizers. That is the Smithville School District's last day of classes.

The next meeting will be from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 24 and will be a planning meeting. The group will review the strategic plan created last year, assess progress and then turn to looking at sustainability. Sustainability will be a means to continue to engage with volunteers and the community.

For answers to questions, contact Gini Fite at fiteg@smithville.k12.mo.us.
BRUSSELS (AP)  Belarus isolation deepened Tuesday as commercial jets avoided its airspace, the European Union worked up new sanctions, and officials expressed concern for the welfare of an opposition journalist who was arrested after being pulled off a plane that was diverted to Minsk in what the West called a state-sponsored hijacking.

The dramatic developments put a spotlight on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenkos iron-fisted rule and suppression of dissent  but it was not clear what effect more sanctions or other measures would have.

Additional sanctions? Will this be sufficient? I absolutely cant say today, said French President Emmanuel Macron. But, he added: The unacceptable character of what happened  justifies them.

After his detention, opposition journalist Raman Pratasevich was seen in a brief video clip on Belarusian state television late Monday, speaking rapidly to say that he was confessing to some of the charges authorities have leveled against him.

The spokesperson for the U.N.s human rights office, Rupert Colville, said Pratasevich's appearance likely was not voluntary and that he seemed to have bruising to his face, although it was difficult to tell from the video.

Asked about the video, German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed with Britains Prime Minister Boris Johnson that it was worrying and disturbing and makes the EU demand for his release all the more urgent.

And we will use all channels at our disposal to do this, she added.

The 26-year-old journalist and activist was arrested Sunday after Belarusian flight controllers ordered the Ryanair jetliner he was aboard to land, telling the crew that there was a bomb threat against the flight. A Belarusian fighter jet was scrambled to escort the plane to Minsk, just before it was to land in Vilnius, Lithuania, from Athens, Greece.

In an unusually swift response to the arrest and flight diversion, EU leaders agreed Monday to ban Belarusian airlines from using the airspace and airports of the 27-nation bloc and impose sanctions on officials linked to the diversion.

The measures of restricting flights in particular  are extremely biting on the Belarus system," Macron said.

The EU demanded Pratasevich's release and urged the International Civil Aviation Organization to investigate the diversion, while recommending European carriers avoid Belarus' airspace. Polish carrier LOT and Baltic airlines began bypassing the country, while Air France, KLM, Lufthansa and others said they will follow suit.

Belarus has defended its actions. Its Transport Ministry said Tuesday it has invited international aviation, U.S. and EU authorities to investigate the diversion.

In the wake of the brazen move, Belarus' first post-Soviet leader, Stanislav Shushkevich, urged the West to introduce even tougher sanctions.

Belarus has become a black hole of Europe with repressions reaching a catastrophic scale and its dictator scrambling fighter jets and threatening the entire world, Shushkevich told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. The West must understand that only increasing pressure and really tough sanctions could impact Lukashenko and limit repressions.

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc will introduce more sanctions targeting "businesses and economic entities that are financing this regime.

Added Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte: We know that in this country, the major state companies make the money. This is going to hit them and everything is targeted towards making them feel the sting..

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Lukashenko's action "is hard to beat in terms of perfidy.

The lives of more than 170 passengers were endangered here to arrest a journalist. Its a threefold attack -- an attack on the safety of air traffic, on press freedom and the European citizens on board, he said.

Lukashenko has faced unprecedented pressure at home with months of protests triggered by his reelection to a sixth term in an August 2020 vote that the opposition rejected as rigged. But he has only doubled down on repression, and more than 35,000 people have been arrested since the protests began, with thousands beaten.

Some say more sanctions will do little to alleviate the situation and will only push Belarus even closer to its main sponsor and ally, Russia, and reduce the influence of the EU and others.

Lukashenko will become an increasingly easy prey for the Kremlin, said Alexander Klaskouski, an independent Minsk-based political analyst. As a pariah country, Belarus will find it much more difficult to fend off the Kremlin demands for the introduction of a single currency, the deployment of air bases and access to lucrative Belarusian economic assets.

Even as the West condemned Belarus, the crackdown continued Tuesday. Pavel Seviarynets, the leader of the opposition Christian-Democratic Party, was sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of organizing mass riots.

Most leaders of Belarus political parties have been either jailed or forced to flee the country, said Ales Bialiatski, head of the Viasna human rights center. Belarus is facing an acute human rights crisis ... amid unprecedented political repressions.

Pratasevich, who left Belarus in 2019, has become a top foe of Lukashenko with a popular messaging app he ran playing a key role in helping organize the huge protests, and authorities have increasingly tried to limit his influence.

The Telegram apps Nexta channel that he co-founded has been labeled extremist by Belarusian authorities. Stsiapan Putsila, another co-founder of Nexta, told AP that he and his colleagues have received thousands of threats in the past to blow up their office in Warsaw.

Pratasevich had been charged in absentia with staging mass riots and fanning social hatred. Those carry a prison sentence of up to 15 years, and some fear Pratasevich could face more serious charges, including some that carry the death penalty.

Colville, the U.N. human rights official, said Pratasevichs appearance on Belarus state TV was not reassuring, given the apparent bruising to his face, and the strong likelihood that his appearance was not voluntary and his confession to serious crimes was forced.

Pratasevichs 23-year-old Russian girlfriend, Sofia Sapega, who also was removed from the flight and detained, spoke in a video from custody shown on state TV. In it, she said she had been working as the editor of a Telegram channel that revealed personal data about Belarus security officers amid the protests. Her lawyers had said earlier in the day that she has been jailed for two months, pending an investigation.

The main opposition candidate in the last election, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who left the country immediately after the vote under official pressure, said she urged the U.S. to move to suspend Belarus' membership in the ICAO and Interpol.

Tsikhanouskaya also pushed for the G-7 to invite a Belarusian opposition delegation to its summit in London next month and thanked Macron for supporting her bid. But Max Blain, a spokesman for the British prime minister, said "the invite list for G-7 is already set and wasn't aware of any request from Macron to invite the opposition.

The France-based media watchdog group Reporters Without Borders filed a complaint with the prosecutor generals office in Vilnius against Lukashenko and any other persons the investigation would identify as liable for instigating or committing the crime. It noted that under Lithuanian law, the use of force against a civilian aircraft to force it to change its route under the false pretext of a bomb threat constitutes the crime of hijacking.

___

Karmanau reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Associated Press writers Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow, Vanessa Gera in Warsaw, Poland, Frank Jordans in Berlin, Elaine Ganley in Paris, Jamey Keaten in Geneva, Samuel Petrequin and Lorne Cook in Brussels, Jill Lawless in London and Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen contributed.
Anti-China narrative does America more harm than good: media

Xinhua) 15:31, May 26, 2021

Photo taken on Jan. 12, 2019 shows the White House and a stop sign in Washington D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

The real threat to the United States is not from a rising China, but from its inability to meet the challenges of modern technology, Zhang Jun, director of the China Center for Economic Studies, a Shanghai-based think tank, wrote in the commentary.

SINGAPORE, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The United States should stop viewing China as a strategic rival, as it's an idea partly rooted in media-fueled ideological polarization and will do Americans far more harm than good, wrote a Tuesday commentary on Singapore-based Asian news network CNA.

The real threat to the United States is not from a rising China, but from its inability to meet the challenges of modern technology, Zhang Jun, director of the China Center for Economic Studies, a Shanghai-based think tank, wrote in the commentary.

A man walks on a road in Chinatown of San Francisco, the United States, May 6, 2021. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

The tech trend has fueled a growing preference for "personalized" information and eroded U.S. news organizations' traditional role in forming relatively neutral public opinions, making deep polarization of the country all but inevitable, he said.

This, together with U.S. politicians' new incentives to appeal to the ideological extremes, has been getting U.S.-China relations embroiled in the ire, and hampering leaders' ability to address urgent challenges, said Zhang.

What U.S. leaders should be focusing on is how to benefit from globalization and technological progress and manage the risks arising from the associated structural disruptions. To this end, effective cooperation with China will be helpful, he noted.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
The victims parents said that Sutherland cared for their daughter hundreds of times between 2012 and 2018, despite assurances from the state that only women would take care of her. Her family has also publicly questioned how the facility missed so many signs of pregnancy, including missed menstrual cycles.
OTTAWA, ON, May 25, 2021 /CNW/ - Canadians should have full confidence in their judicial system. Maintaining this confidence requires that there be an accountable, transparent and fiscally responsible process for the handling of complaints against federally appointed judges.

Today, on behalf of the Government of Canada, Senator Marc Gold introduced legislative amendments to the Judges Act that aim to strengthen the judicial complaints process that was originally established 50 years ago. While there have been updates to the process over the years, it is time to fully reform how complaints are dealt with.

The proposals would amend and streamline the process for more serious complaints, where removal from the bench could be an outcome. The current process is cumbersome, costly and can be prolonged for years. It needs to be updated in order to make the system less expensive and time-consuming.

These amendments would also address the current process' shortcomings by imposing mandatory sanctions on a judge when a complaint of misconduct is found to be justified, but to not be serious enough to warrant removal from office. Such sanctions would include counselling, continuing education and reprimands.

The Canadian Judicial Council (CJC) is responsible for administering the judicial conduct process. This legislation would require that the CJC include in its annual public report the number of complaints received and how they were resolved.

Public consultations conducted by the federal government in 2016 informed the work on developing these amendments, with the goal of enacting reforms while respecting the constitutional principle of judicial independence.

Quotes

"Canadians need to know that the judicial system is fair to all. Canadian society is changing and so are our expectations of judicial behaviour and accountability. While rare, complaints against judges that could result in removal from the bench should be dealt with in a more timely, cost-effective and fair manner. This bill aims to accomplish that. Also, for the first time, judges would be accountable for less serious  but nevertheless consequential  instances of misconduct. These proposed amendments grew out of the consultations held in 2016 and I am pleased to be able to put forward a revamped process that will increase Canadians' trust in the judicial system."

The Honourable David Lametti, P.C., Q.C., M.P.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Quick Facts

The Canadian Judicial Council (CJC), created in 1971, comprises all of Canada's federally appointed chief and associate chief justices, and independently investigates complaints of misconduct against federally appointed judges.

federally appointed chief and associate chief justices, and independently investigates complaints of misconduct against federally appointed judges. The CJC's process applies only to federally-appointed judges, which are the judges of the Supreme Court of Canada and federal courts, the provincial and territorial superior trial courts, and the provincial and territorial courts of appeal. The provinces and territories are responsible for reviewing the conduct of the judges of the lowest level of provincial/territorial trial court, which are provincially-appointed.

and federal courts, the provincial and territorial superior trial courts, and the provincial and territorial courts of appeal. The provinces and territories are responsible for reviewing the conduct of the judges of the lowest level of provincial/territorial trial court, which are provincially-appointed. Since its inception in 1971, the CJC completed inquiries into eight complaints considered serious enough that they could warrant removal from the bench; four of them did result in recommendations for removal. A ninth inquiry is currently under way.

The CJC would continue to preside over the proposed process, which would start with a three-person review panel deciding to either investigate a complaint of misconduct or, if the complaint is serious enough that it might warrant removal from the bench, refer it to a separate five-person hearing panel.

If appropriate, a three-person review panel made up of a CJC member, a judge and a layperson could impose such sanctions as public apologies or courses of continuing education.

If warranted, a five-person hearing panel, made up of two CJC members, a judge, a lawyer and a layperson could recommend removal from the bench to the Minister of Justice , after holding a public hearing.

, after holding a public hearing. Judges who face removal from the bench would have access to an appeal panel made up of three CJC members and two judges and, finally, to the Supreme Court of Canada , should the Court agree to hear the appeal. This would streamline the current process for court review of Council decisions, which involves judicial review by two additional levels of court, the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal, before a judge can ask the Supreme Court of Canada to hear their case.

, should the Court agree to hear the appeal. This would streamline the current process for court review of Council decisions, which involves judicial review by two additional levels of court, the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal, before a judge can ask the Supreme Court of to hear their case. The amendments would also provide for a funding mechanism for the new process.

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on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. Follow Minister Lametti on Twitter: @MinJusticeEn.

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SOURCE Department of Justice Canada

For further information: David Taylor, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Justice, 613-790-4940; Media Relations, Department of Justice Canada, 613-957-4207, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.justice.gc.ca


OTTAWA, ON, May 26, 2021 /CNW/ - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

During her visit to the Quebec Maple Syrup Producers Annual General Meeting, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honorable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced an investment of $1.76 million over the next two years (2021-2023) to support the export efforts of Quebec's maple industry. The funding, which is provided under the federal AgriMarketing program, will help implement advertising and promotional activities in Germany and the UK. A digital communications strategy will also be developed to target the Japanese market and will focus on consumer education and awareness through virtual activities.

The investment builds on a previous federal investment through the AgriMarketing Program, which helped Quebec Maple Syrup Producers successfully tap into these markets between 2018 and 2021.

Maple syrup is an iconic Canadian sweet treat that more of the world deserves to taste. Increasing consumer awareness of our delicious maple products will help grow key export markets and boost sales.

Quotes

"Quebec Maple Syrup Producers work meticulously to ensure that each batch is of the highest quality. Their work has made Quebec and Canada famous for our maple syrup. This federal support will allow them to continue to promote their maple products all around the world."

- The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"The considerable marketing efforts we have made over the past several years are paying off. In particular, our exports to Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan have been growing steadily since 2018. We are delighted that the government recognizes all our hard work and continues to support us in expanding the markets for maple products"

- Serge Beaulieu, President, Quebec Maple Syrup Producers

Quick Facts

The number of maple taps has tripled over the past 30 years, resulting in a much more accessible product on the world stage. Maple syrup production in 2019 increased by 34.8% compared to the 2018 harvest, reaching an all-time high in Canada of 13.2 million gallons. Of this production, Quebec alone accounted for 91.1%, or 12 million gallons, of the Canadian crop.

of 13.2 million gallons. Of this production, alone accounted for 91.1%, or 12 million gallons, of the Canadian crop. Quebec exports of maple products were valued at nearly $500 million in 2020 rising by almost 20% compared to 2019. Quebec exports to Germany , the UK, and Japan have grown by $20.7 million since 2018.

exports of maple products were valued at nearly in 2020 rising by almost 20% compared to 2019. exports to , the UK, and have grown by since 2018. The AgriMarketing Program supports industry-led promotional activities that differentiate Canadian products and producers, and leverage Canada's reputation for high quality and safe food. The Program also helps industry maintain domestic market.

reputation for high quality and safe food. The Program also helps industry maintain domestic market. Quebec Maple Syrup Producers represents 11,300 maple producers and 7,400 enterprises. Its mission is to promote the interests of Quebec maple producers and to develop the production and sales of Quebec maple products to their full potential, while respecting the principles of sustainable development.

Additional Links

Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)

Quebec Maple Syrup Producers

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

For further information: Contacts: Jean-Sebastien Comeau, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, [email protected], 343-549-2326; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972, [email protected]

Related Links

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OTTAWA, TRADITIONAL UNCEDED ALGONQUIN TERRITORY, ON, May 26, 2021 /CNW/ - The Minister of Indigenous Services, Marc Miller, issued the following statement today:

"Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) thanks the Office of the Auditor General of Canada for its report on Health Resources for Indigenous communities specific to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was issued on May 26.

Throughout the pandemic, First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities have demonstrated incredible leadership, strength and resilience in their responses to this global public health threat. To support them, and since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have worked hard to provide communities and Indigenous organizations with the support needed to protect against and manage the impacts of the virus.

Our top priority was and remains the health, safety and well-being of First Nations, Inuit and Metis individuals, families and communities.

We welcome the two recommendations set out in the report. We are pleased that the Auditor General's report notes that ISC leveraged its strong partnerships with First Nations, Inuit and Metis partners to act and adapt quickly to the emerging challenges of this unprecedented pandemic. As noted in the report, the department expanded access to its stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE) to address critical gaps in the provision of PPE during a period of global shortages. The report also notes that ISC made contract nurses and paramedics available to Indigenous communities and streamlined the process for hiring additional nurses while acknowledging the significant demand for scarce health human resources.

While the report focuses on direct operations on PPE and health human resources, there are many other ways in which the department provided support. We provided significant funding to First Nations, Inuit, Metis and urban Indigenous organizations to mobilize their own pandemic response teams, provide PPE supplies and implement many other public health and broader social measures to mitigate against COVID-19. The department also took immediate steps to avoid essential service interruptions in remote and isolated communities by standing up a contract for the delivery of dedicated air services to transport nurses from across Canada to remote and isolated communities. ISC also established new nurse and paramedic contracts that increased ISC's contracted workforce by 177 health care workers, who are available to provide COVID-19 surge support primarily to remote, isolated and semi-isolated First Nations communities.

While our commitment to timely assistance has not wavered throughout this difficult time, we have learned lessons that will inform the department's continued response efforts and better prepare us in the event of a future pandemic.

The country has been confronted with the need for investments in human resource capacity in the health sector. ISC will continue to collaborate with Indigenous partners and communities to address shortages, including working to find the right balance of health professional resources to support the needs of diverse communities. Indigenous-led health teams are key, as has been demonstrated by First Nations pandemic response teams, which is just one of many examples. To continue to address the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities beyond the pandemic, Budget 2021 invested $354 million over five years to increase the number of nurses and other medical professionals in remote and isolated First Nations communities.

In addition, ISC has committed to identifying and maintaining optimal amounts of PPE in the department's stockpile to address the needs of First Nations communities, but also to work with provincial, territorial and federal partners in identifying the ideal amount of PPE required to protect all Indigenous Peoples, regardless of where they live in Canada.

ISC values the important recommendations put forward in the report, and we are committed to continuing this important work, in full partnership with our Indigenous partners."

Stay connected

Join the conversation about Indigenous peoples in Canada:

Twitter: @GCIndigenous

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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: media may contact: 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

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Aniston has incorporated Vital Proteins into her daily routine since before 2016 and will look to her own experiences with collagen to help build greater awareness around its benefits and help consumers connect to the brand mission: finding wellness from within . "Collagen is the glue that holds everything together. I've always been an advocate for nourishing your wellness from within, which is why I started using Vital Proteins so many years ago," said Aniston. "Now to have the opportunity to be a part of the brand in a bigger way, as Chief Creative Officer, is very exciting to me."

"We're really excited to welcome Jen and her valued perspective to the Vital team," said Kurt Seidensticker, Founder and CEO of Vital Proteins. "We've all watched Jen live a life that prioritizes wellness from the inside-out, which she attributes in part to her belief in Vital Proteins, making this partnership so unique and, more importantly, authentic. We are teaming up together to inspire the world to live healthy, and more vibrant lives."

Vital Proteins will be launching a campaign starring Aniston in Canada this May, which will serve as a day-in-the-life look at how the actor incorporates Vital Proteins into her wellness journey. Directed by Josh and Xander, the campaign will appear across broadcast, social media and digital streaming.

Vital Proteins launched in Canada just over a year ago and already is the country's fastest growing brand in the rapidly emerging collagen category*. Canadians can scoop up Vital Proteins products at a range of national and local retailers in-store and online, making it more convenient than ever for Canadians to jumpstart their inner wellness.

Collagen is the body's most abundant protein. It's found in your hair, skin, nails, bones and joints. As we grow older, our body's natural collagen production begins to decline. Living a fuller, more vibrant life should be easy, which is why the company makes transparency about ethical sourcing, quality ingredients and clean labels a priority. Every Vital Proteins product is held to high standards, so Canadians can feel good about elevating their wellness routine with every scoop.

For more information on Vital Proteins, visit vitalproteins.ca, and for a sneak peek of the upcoming campaign featuring Jennifer Aniston, please click here.

About Vital Proteins

Vital Proteins was founded in 2013 by Kurt Seidensticker on the belief that whole food-based collagen nutrition is fundamental to maintaining overall health and longevity. In just six years, Vital Proteins has become the leading collagen brand in America, creating a movement that excites consumers to take control of their wellness journey. The variety of collagen products within the brand's portfolio span the supplement or Natural Health Product, vitamin, food, and beverage categories, offering an assortment of options for consumers everywhere. Vital Proteins products contain premium sources of proteins and nutrients made with the highest quality ingredients. Get the most out of every day with a new way to better living through collagen-based nutrition that promotes overall wellness from the inside out. For more information, please visit www.vitalproteins.ca .

*Source: Nielsen, Food, Drug, Mass, 12wks to February 27, 2021, $

SOURCE Vital Proteins

For further information: Riya Dhaliwal, Account Director, Strategic Objectives, [email protected], 416.366.7735 x0251

Related Links

http://www.vitalproteins.ca/


/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

VANCOUVER, BC, May 26, 2021 /CNW/ - Kuya Silver Corporation (CSE: KUYA) (OTCQB: KUYAF) (FSE: 6MR1) (the "Company" or "Kuya"), is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by Cormark Securities Inc. (collectively, the "Underwriters") pursuant to which the Underwriters shall purchase 4,211,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $1.90 per Unit, on a "bought deal" private placement basis, for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $8 million (the "Offering"). The Company has also granted the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the Units of the Offering on the same terms exercisable at any time up to the closing of the Offering.

Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each full warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one Common Share of the Company at an exercise price of $2.60 for a period of 24 months following the closing of the Offering.

Closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about June 16, 2021 and is subject to certain conditions, including regulatory approval, including that of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

The net proceeds of the Offering shall be used for development activities at the Bethania project and for general working capital purposes.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. 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 absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements.

About Kuya Silver Corporation

Kuya is a Canadian-based silver-focused mining company that owns the Bethania Project, which includes the Bethania mine, located in Central Peru. The Bethania mine was in production until 2016, toll-milling its ore at various other concentrate plants in the region, the Company's plan is to implement an expansion and construct a concentrate plant at site before restarting operations. The Bethania mine produced silver-lead and zinc concentrates from the run of mine material, until being placed on care and maintenance due to market conditions and lack of working capital.

www.kuyasilver.com

Reader Advisory

This news release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Kuya Silver Corp.

For further information: Kuya Silver Corporation, Telephone: (604) 398-4493, [email protected], www.kuyasilver.com
New charitable program will connect 320 stores and Club locations in large and small communities from coast to coast

MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 26, 2021 /CNW/ - M&M Food Market and BGC Canada (formerly Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada) have formed a national charitable partnership to help address the most pressing issues affecting children and families across the country. The partnership comes at a time when countless Canadians have been impacted by COVID-19 and need support more than ever. The organizations will work together on community engagement programs that will connect families with local Clubs, enabling them to access the support and services essential to relieving some of the pressures exacerbated by the pandemic.

Under the terms of the partnership, M&M Food Market and BGC Canada will oversee a series of consumer-facing events and fundraising activities. The two groups will participate in marketing and communications efforts and special joint initiatives that encourage the elimination of barriers facing youth while building skills that can help change their communities for the better. Additionally, M&M Food Market will offer their support to Unplug to Connect on Friday, June 4, 2021, an annual BGC Canada event that highlights the unique ways their Clubs connect with young people and families to promote wellness and self-care.

"Throughout our 40-year history, we've supported important causes that serve the communities where we live and work," said Andy O'Brien, CEO, M&M Food Market. "Partnering with BGC Canada just makes sense as our two organizations share similar values. We're excited to apply the full power of our entire network of stores and I'm looking forward to seeing our thousands of passionate staff, including Franchise Partners, Store Managers, Meal Advisors and head office team members, come together and make a real difference in the lives of Canadians."

Last spring, the two organizations joined forces when the pandemic lockdown increased the need for community-based food programs. In response, M&M Food Market provided $125,000 in gift cards for BGC Canada to distribute for families in their communities. The success of the effort led to further discussions about how to work together to make an even bigger impact.

"We're extremely happy to partner with M&M Food Market. Like BGC Canada, they have long-established roots in hundreds of communities across Canada and they understand what children and their families need," said Owen Charters, President & CEO, BGC Canada. "We have a strong Club presence and programming in many of the communities where M&M Food Market operates, which will allow us to work together to help young Canadians and their families in meaningful ways."

About M&M Food Market

Founded in 1980, M&M Food Market is Canada's leading retailer of frozen foods and has helped Canadians put delicious meals on the table by offering consumers easy-to-prepare, top quality foods and personalized customer service, all within a uniquely convenient shopping environment. Following the beginning of a significant rebranding effort in 2016  including the name change from M&M Meat Shops, a new store design, new products and packaging, a new website and newly trained Meal Advisors  M&M Food Market has been focussed on innovation across virtually every aspect of the business.

It is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, with locations in all ten provinces, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. M&M has been recognized as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies for 12 years in a row. M&M products include delicious and convenient options across virtually every food category including: appetizers, prepared meals, seafood, meats and poultry, vegetables, sides, bakery and desserts and come in formats ranging from individual portions to family-sized options.

About BGC Canada

For 120+ years, BGC Canada has been creating opportunities for millions of Canadian kids and teens. As Canada's largest child and youth serving charitable and community services organization, our Clubs open their doors to young people of all ages and their families at 775 locations nationwide. During out-of-school hours in small and large cities, and rural and Indigenous communities, our trained staff and volunteers provide programs and services that help young people realize positive outcomes in self-expression, academics, healthy living, physical activity, job readiness, mental health, social development, leadership, and more. Opportunity changes everything. Learn more at bgccan.com and follow us on social media @BGCCAN.

SOURCE M&M Food Market

For further information: Media contact: Jeri Brown, [email protected]
It was stupid. She knew what she was doing was wrong. Shes very fortunate that it didnt have a worse outcome for her or the animals. These are primates, Montisano told the El Paso Times, pointing to the animals canine teeth and the barriers zoo workers use when interacting with them.
VANCOUVER, BC, May 18, 2021 /CNW/ - Foran Mining Corporation (TSXV: FOM) (OTCQX: FMCXF) ("Foran" or the "Company") is delighted to announce that its 100% owned McIlvenna Bay project ("McIlvenna Bay" or "the Project") is now the world's first carbon neutral copper development project following the completion of carbon offset purchases to offset emissions from exploration activities undertaken at the Deposit over the past 10 years. A copy of the Company's GHG Inventory Report can be found on our website.

The total emissions for exploration over 10 years (2011-2020), including land use changes, fuel use for exploration and travel-related emissions, was 5,744.98 tonnes of CO2e and the emissions measurement was conducted in alignment with the ISO 14064-1 standard and GHG Protocol Corporate Standard.

The transaction will provide revenue for two offset projects: the Kariba Forest Protection project in Zimbabwe (verified to VCS/VERRA standard and a REDD+ project) and the NL Climate & Ecosystems Conservancy Project (verified under ISO-14064-2):

The offset projects were specifically chosen because they are verified to a high standard and incorporate Canadian and international projects.

Dan Myerson, Executive Chair of Foran, commented: "Mining is critical to the advancement of the global economy and our collective ambitions of decarbonisation; it is for this reason that we need to ensure that we are doing everything we can to produce the essential materials we need for a low carbon future (such as copper and zinc in our case) in the most responsible way possible.

Our actions taken to date - in offsetting the carbon emitted in the exploration phase, to ensure that the entire impact of the project from day one of development, through to operations, to eventual closure is carbon neutral  evidence our commitment to zero harm, not only because it is the right thing to do for the environment and people alike but also because there is a wealth of research that clearly demonstrates that sustainable, responsible businesses have greater corporate longevity and create superior returns for shareholders, stakeholders and society in the long term."

Pierre Lassonde said: "This is important because this might be a world first, it is certainly a first for mining, a first for copper and a first for me. I am delighted to see Dan and his team reach this important milestone. They are really taking mining in a new direction, leading by example, and showing what is possible for the future of the industry."

About Foran Mining

Foran Mining is a copper-zinc-gold-silver exploration and development company, and we are committed to supporting a greener future, empowering communities, and creating circular economies which create value for all our stakeholders, while also safeguarding the environment.

Our goal is to build the first mine in Canada designed to be carbon neutral from day one of production. We are in the feasibility stage of development for our flagship McIlvenna Bay project in eastern Saskatchewan.

McIlvenna Bay is a copper-zinc-gold-silver rich VMS deposit intended to be the centre of a new mining camp in a prolific district that has already been producing for 100 years. McIlvenna Bay sits just 65km from Flin Flon, Manitoba and is part of the world class Flin Flon Greenstone Belt that extends from Snow Lake, Manitoba, through Flin Flon to Foran's ground in eastern Saskatchewan, a distance of over 225km.

McIlvenna Bay is the largest undeveloped VMS deposit in the region. The Company filed a NI 43-101 Technical Report for the PFS on the McIlvenna Bay Deposit on SEDAR on April 28, 2020. Foran's copper-zinc VMS Bigstone Deposit is expected to serve as additional feed for the mill at McIlvenna Bay. The Company filed a NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Bigstone Deposit's first resource estimate on January 21, 2021.

Foran trades on the TSX.V under the symbol "FOM" and on the OTCQX under the symbol "FMCXF".

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Forward Looking Statements

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking information" (also referred to as "forward looking statements"), which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "hopes", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative 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. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things: complete the feasibility study in a timely manner, and the anticipated capital and operating costs, sustaining costs, net present value, internal rate of return, payback period, process capacity, average annual metal production, average process recoveries, anticipated mining and processing methods, proposed PFS production schedule and metal production profile, anticipated construction period, anticipated mine life, expected recoveries and grades, anticipated production rates, infrastructure, social and environmental impact studies, future financial or operating performance of the Company, subsidiaries and its projects, estimation of mineral resources, exploration results, opportunities for exploration, development and expansion of the McIlvenna Bay Project, its potential mineralization, achieve carbon neutral status from day one of production, the future price of metals, the realization of mineral reserve estimates, costs and timing of future exploration, the timing of the development of new deposits, requirements for additional capital, foreign exchange risk, government regulation of mining and exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims, insurance coverage and regulatory matters. In addition, these statements involve assumptions made with regard to the Company's ability to develop the McIlvenna Bay Project and to achieve the results outlined in the PFS, and the ability to raise capital to fund construction and development of the McIlvenna Bay Project.

These forward-looking statements and information reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include: our mineral reserve and resource estimates and the assumptions upon which they are based, including geotechnical and metallurgical characteristics of rock confirming to sampled results and metallurgical performance; tonnage of ore to be mined and processed; ore grades and recoveries; assumptions and discount rates being appropriately applied to the technical studies; success of the Company's projects, including the McIlvenna Bay Project; prices for zinc, copper, gold and silver remaining as estimated; currency exchange rates remaining as estimated; availability of funds for the Company's projects; capital decommissioning and reclamation estimates; mineral reserve and resource estimates and the assumptions upon which they are based; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); no labour-related disruptions; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled construction and production; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner; and the ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements and information include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the projected and actual effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus on the factors relevant to the business of the Corporation, including the effect on supply chains, labour market, currency and commodity prices and global and Canadian capital markets, fluctuations in zinc, copper, gold and silver prices; fluctuations in prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mining (including environmental accidents and hazards, industrial accidents, equipment breakdown, unusual or unexpected geological or structure formations, cave-ins, flooding and severe weather); inadequate insurance, or the inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards; our ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner; changes in laws, regulations and government practices in Canada, including environmental, export and import laws and regulations; legal restrictions relating to mining; risks relating to expropriation; increased competition in the mining industry for equipment and qualified personnel; the availability of additional capital; title matters and the additional risks identified in our filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com). 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, described or intended. Investors are cautioned against undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required by applicable securities regulations, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update the forward-looking information.

SOURCE Foran Mining Corporation

For further information: Dan Myerson, Executive Chairman, 409 Granville Street, Suite 904. Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C 1T2, Email: [email protected]; Media Contact: Phil Elwood, Email: [email protected]

Related Links

www.foranmining.com


The Centre's Trillion-Dollar Question Project Held over 50 Executive Interviews, Surveyed More Than 175 Business Leaders, and Ran Five Workshops to Discern How Canada Can Survive and Thrive Postvaccine

TORONTO, May 26, 2021 /CNW/ -- Today, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the BCG Centre for Canada's Future released new research that explores Canada's pandemic recovery as vaccines roll out, recommending priorities for businesses, governments, and other institutions to thrive as the crisis enters its next phase. The Trillion-Dollar Question: How Canada Can Survive and Thrive in the Postvaccine Normal found there are six critical actions for Canadian leaders to adopt to both deal with the pandemic's legacy and capture the unexpected opportunities it has created.

"We started by asking the question of how Canada could survive and thrive in the postvaccine normal," said Keith Halliday, director of BCG's Centre for Canada's Future. "We want to provide private and public sector leaders with a widely applicable playbook tackling the key postvaccine success factors that will enable them to succeed in a highly uncertain future environment."

The Trillion-Dollar Question included a comprehensive research program to gather perspectives from Canadian CEOs, senior executives, and other thought leaders on how Canada can survive and thrive in the postvaccine normal. The data from this outreach has been distilled into six priorities for the country over the next 18 to 36 months, including: talent, digital, post-COVID-19 life and work, climate and energy, social cohesion, and national resilience.

"With the vaccine rollout now underway, the question isn't if we will get through the current crisis, but what Canada will look like once the pandemic subsides," said Christine Wurzbacher, managing director and partner at BCG Montreal. "We now know whole-of-society collaboration is possible to achieve big things, and we must take actions that can secure a prosperous future for the next generation."

Six Critical Actions for Postpandemic Recovery

BCG's research identified six no-regrets moves that Canadian leaders can take based on key success factors, including redoubling efforts to advance high-priority pre-crisis initiatives and acting with equal conviction to build on the rapid adaptations made during the crisis.

Digitize like It's 2020. Organizations need to maintain the pace and scale of digitization exhibited at the start of the pandemic. This includes expanding the use of existing tools and investing in new areas such as digital supply chains and big data analytics.

Organizations need to maintain the pace and scale of digitization exhibited at the start of the pandemic. This includes expanding the use of existing tools and investing in new areas such as digital supply chains and big data analytics. Cut Carbon like It's COVID-19. Government, corporations, and households must decarbonize with the same urgency taken to flatten the curve, and take a similar whole-of-society approach. Government leadership will be key to creating an enabling environment for investment and facilitating a just transition for our energy workers.

Government, corporations, and households must decarbonize with the same urgency taken to flatten the curve, and take a similar whole-of-society approach. Government leadership will be key to creating an enabling environment for investment and facilitating a just transition for our energy workers. Unlock Talent with New Ways of Working. Leaders should take advantage of openness to the work-from-anywhere model to expand access to talent in Canada and abroad, and governments should double down on immigration. Together, we need to revamp our talent strategies for remote work to attract and retain talent, enhance productivity, and improve labor market participation.

Leaders should take advantage of openness to the work-from-anywhere model to expand access to talent in and abroad, and governments should double down on immigration. Together, we need to revamp our talent strategies for remote work to attract and retain talent, enhance productivity, and improve labor market participation. Adapt to the Post-COVID-19 Consumer. Companies and government agencies must adapt their product offerings and channel strategies to keep up with the shift to more time spent at home and online, as well as the imperative to leverage digital approaches and improve productivity across the retail sector.

Companies and government agencies must adapt their product offerings and channel strategies to keep up with the shift to more time spent at home and online, as well as the imperative to leverage digital approaches and improve productivity across the retail sector. Rise to Meet New Social Expectations. Social issues are making their way to board agendas, and communities increasingly expect corporations to take a stand. Businesses need to consider which fault lines are relevant to them and where they can make a positive impact, while government will also need to adapt social programs to support Canadians hardest hit by COVID-19.

Social issues are making their way to board agendas, and communities increasingly expect corporations to take a stand. Businesses need to consider which fault lines are relevant to them and where they can make a positive impact, while government will also need to adapt social programs to support Canadians hardest hit by COVID-19. Build Long-Term Resiliency Now. We must plan for the next crisis now. Critical steps include rethinking our supply chains for essential goods. We also need to invest in social and physical infrastructure, including our pandemic response capabilities. And, we need to manage our record-high household, corporate, provincial, and national debt.

These actions will have a profound impact on economic growth, which is critical to both sustaining our post-COVID-19 debt as well as funding the economic and social investments critical to thriving in the long run. BCG data shows an incremental increase in Canada's annual growth rate by just 1 percentage point can boost GDP by about $250 billion by 2030or $6,000 per Canadian. Achieving these goals will require collaboration across governments, corporate Canada, and other players.

To learn more about the recommendations of BCG's Centre for Canada's Future and read The Trillion-Dollar Question: How Canada Can Survive and Thrive in the Postvaccine Normal in its entirety, visit here.

To arrange an interview with one of the authors, please contact:

Eric Gregoire at +1 617 850 3783 or [email protected], or

Caroline Stelmach at +1 647-831-1434 or [email protected]

About Boston Consulting Group

Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities. BCG was the pioneer in business strategy when it was founded in 1963. Today, we work closely with clients to embrace a transformational approach aimed at benefiting all stakeholdersempowering organizations to grow, build sustainable competitive advantage, and drive positive societal impact.

Our diverse, global teams bring deep industry and functional expertise and a range of perspectives that question the status quo and spark change. BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge management consulting, technology and design, and corporate and digital ventures. We work in a uniquely collaborative model across the firm and throughout all levels of the client organization, fueled by the goal of helping our clients thrive and enabling them to make the world a better place.

About BCG's Centre for Canada's Future

BCG established the Centre for Canada's Future in 2017 to contribute to the national dialogue, and spark action on key economic issues. The Centre's mission is to be a catalyst for moving Canada forward, leveraging BCG's capabilities in collaboration with Canadian leaders from across the private and public sectors.

SOURCE Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

Related Links

www.bcg.com


A new report from the Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship (BII+E) explores trends in Canada's food retail industry, from the rapid rise of e-commerce to changing consumer habits  and their implications for grocery employers and essential workers in Ontario.

TORONTO, May 26, 2021 /CNW/ - The pandemic has driven significant change in Canada's $95.5 billion food retail sector, accelerating tech adoption and prompting major shifts in customer behaviour. It has also put a spotlight on aspects of food retail that many shoppers may have previously taken for granted. Empty store shelves have prompted a newfound appreciation for the everyday heroes who have kept our local grocery stores stocked and operating.

Shake-up in Aisle 21: Disruption, Change and Opportunity in Ontario's Grocery Sector, a new report from the Brookfield Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (BII+E) at Ryerson University, identifies trends impacting the future of Ontario's grocery sector through interviews with industry insiders, industry publications, and labour market and census data. Key trends explored in the report include:

The Accelerated Rise of E-commerce

Driving Loyalty with Data

Growth of Market Power + Consolidation

Moving Beyond Hyper-Efficient Supply Chains

The report also examines the implications of these and other changes for Ontario's grocery employers and workers. Shake-up in Aisle 21 is part of an ongoing Brookfield Institute project to identify job pathways for Canadian workers in industries being disrupted by new technologies. The Job Pathways in Food Retail project, in partnership with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), is funded by the Government of Ontario and JPMorgan Chase & Co.

The Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship (BII+E) is an independent, nonpartisan policy institute, housed at Ryerson University. We transform bold ideas into real-world solutions designed to help Canada navigate the complex forces and astounding possibilities of the innovation economy. brookfieldinstitute.ca

Ryerson University is Canada's leader in innovative, career-oriented education. Urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 44,600 students, including 2,600 master's and PhD students, 3,100 faculty and staff, and nearly 185,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit ryerson.ca.

SOURCE Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship

For further information: For media requests and to interview the report's project lead Kimberly Bowman or lead author Diana Rivera, please contact Lianne George at [email protected] Full report at brookfieldinstitute.ca.

Related Links

http://brookfieldinstitute.ca/


The Company filed for creditor protection and obtained an initial order under the CCAA on May 19, 2020 , which was further amended and restated today until September 28, 2021 .

The Company has elected to reduce the amount of the interim financing (DIP) entered into in connection with the CCAA process from $60.0 million to $30.0 million .

MONTREAL, May 25, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Reitmans (Canada) Limited ("Reitmans" or the "Company") provides a further update today following its filing on May 19, 2020 for creditor protection pursuant to the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (the "CCAA"). Since its initial filing, the Company obtained extensions of the Initial Order until May 28, 2021. Today, the Quebec Superior Court issued an extension of the stay of proceedings pursuant to the CCAA until September 28, 2021. The Company also announces that it has elected to reduce the amount of the interim financing (DIP) entered into in connection with the CCAA process from $60.0 million to $30.0 million.

Reitmans continues to make progress in the CCAA process with the assistance of Ernst & Young Inc., the Monitor appointed under the CCAA process, and expects to continue to make announcements as further material progress is made.

About Reitmans (Canada) Limited

The Company is a leading women's specialty apparel retailer with retail outlets throughout Canada. The Company operates 414 stores consisting of 245 Reitmans, 91 Penningtons and 78 RW&CO. The Company is a publicly traded company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: RET) (TSXV: RET-A). For more information, visit www.reitmanscanadalimited.com.

www.reitmanscanadalimited.com

SOURCE Reitmans (Canada) Limited

For further information: Media Contact: Katherine Chartrand, Director, Corporate Communications, Telephone: (514) 384-1140

Related Links

http://www.reitmans.ca


TORONTO, May 26, 2021 /CNW/ - The phasing out of federal small business subsidies for rent and wages is set to begin on July 3, while small businesses face fresh or renewed lock downs in much of the country, warns the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). CFIB is urging the federal government to extend its support programs at their current rates until the economy is fully reopened and Canadians are able to head back to indoor dining, services and activities as well as travel and events.

CFIB's latest Small Business Recovery Dashboard results show that:

Only 54 per cent of businesses are fully open (down from 56 per cent in April)

41 per cent are fully staffed (up from 40 per cent in April)

Just 31 per cent are making normal sales (up from 29 per cent in April)

"Small business recovery is at a virtual stand-still and we're already hearing from business owners who are alarmed about the planned subsidy reductions," said Corinne Pohlmann, Senior Vice-President of National Affairs at CFIB. "It's understandable that the government wants to phase out emergency relief programs eventually, but we're not there yet. Businesses need to know they can rely on federal support until they can get back to regular operations."

The federal support programs have been a lifeline for small firms  51 per cent are using the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA), 48 per cent the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and 29 per cent the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS). However, gaps in the programs are leaving thousands of businesses without any support. After the federal support programs, small firms are most likely to rely on credit cards (26 per cent) and personal savings (26 per cent) to cope financially with COVID-19.

Federal support needs to be expanded, not pulled back

Small businesses have accumulated an average of $163,000 in COVID-related debt since the start of the pandemic. While the programs are helpful, federal, provincial and other government subsidies are covering on average only 31 per cent of the small businesses' financial shortfall attributable to COVID-19.

CFIB is urging the federal government to continue supporting small businesses by:

Extending all of the federal support programs and keeping the subsidies at their current levels until the entire economy can reopen (including Canada's borders) and all small businesses can once again serve customers in person

borders) and all small businesses can once again serve customers in person Expanding the CEBA loan to $80,000 with a 50 per cent forgivable portion

with a 50 per cent forgivable portion Making part of the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) forgivable

Immediately allowing new businesses to access CEWS, CERS, CEBA and HASCAP

"Many business owners are in much worse shape now than they were in 2020, after more than a year of lockdowns and restrictions, which are still ongoing in parts of the country," concluded Pohlmann. "They are hanging on by a thread and face months if not years of recovery once the pandemic is over. Pulling back government support right when they need it most would be devastating."

Small business owners can sign CFIB's petition calling on the federal government to extend support programs and close critical gaps.

Source for CFIB data

Preliminary results for CFIB's Your Voice  May 2021 survey, online survey started May 6, 2021, n = 3,404. For comparison purposes, a probability sample with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of +/-1.7%, 19 times out of 20.

About CFIB

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 95,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.

SOURCE Canadian Federation of Independent Business

For further information: For media enquiries or interviews, please contact: Milena Stanoeva, CFIB, 647-464-2814, [email protected]

Related Links

www.cfib.ca


Always and Plan International Canada's Let's Talk Periods! report reveals that talking about menstruation is still taboo

TORONTO, May 26, 2021 /CNW/ - Periods are too often a source of shame, fear and embarrassment for young Canadians. New research from Always and Plan International Canada reveals that 83 per cent of young people in Canada (aged 13-21) say they have tried to hide the fact they are on their period and 50 per cent have lied about it. A shocking 58 per cent of young women have felt ashamed or embarrassed by their period.

These issues are not unique to Canada. Around the world, period stigma can cause people to refrain from normal, everyday activities such as sports, bathing and cooking. A lack of access to period products and sanitation facilities can affect their health and keep them from attending school and work or social events.

"The number of people who feel ashamed to talk about periods is staggering, but the issue worsens when you consider the impact of period poverty and stigma," says Lindsay Glassco, Plan International Canada's President & CEO. "If we cannot talk about periods because they are 'taboo', we fail to address serious issues around accessibility and affordability of menstrual products, as well as the knock-on impacts of girls missing out on education and inclusion in social and cultural activities."

Always and Plan International Canada believe that periods should not be a setback for anyone and are committed to combating these challenges in Canada and around the world. They do this by providing free menstrual health education to young people and community members, as well as enabling access to period products, and sparking conversations around periods to fight the stigma.

This Menstrual Hygiene Day, Always and Plan International Canada are calling on all Canadians to join in by learning more and talking more openly about periods. They're rallying people to share their personal period stories at plancanada.ca/LetsTalkPeriods. By doing so, everyone can help show the world that periods are a natural, healthy part of life  and something that should be talked about!

"For more than 35 years, Always has been committed to creating positive social norms around menstruation and helping young people have access to the period products they need to stay confident and continue all their day to day activities," said Geraldine Huse, President, P&G Canada. "This report further highlights the critical need to continue to tackle period stigma in Canada and ensure that everyone is equipped with the information needed to have period conversations. By talking openly about periods and advocating for period-friendly legislation, we can normalize what is in fact a normal part of life."

Key findings from the Let's Talk Periods! Report

The Let's Talk Periods! Report, based on quantitative national surveys of more than 3,000 Canadians and 30,000 people globally, showed that there is significant period stigma in Canada. Other findings include:

First periods: When young people get their first period, 39 per cent report feeling confused, 36 per cent are scared and 37 per cent do not feel prepared. This is reinforced by the fact that nearly 1 in 4 young people do not know why some people get periods and how to manage them.

Period shame: While period shame is more prevalent among young women in Canada (58 per cent of those aged 13-21), a high percentage of all age groups report having felt shame or embarrassment  44 per cent of those aged 44-56 and 41 per cent of those aged 57-70, for example.

Periods are seen as taboo: Canada ranks in the bottom half of countries surveyed in terms of society's support of talking opening about periods. Portugal tops the list, with 84 per cent of society being supportive of talking openly about menstruation, whilst Canada is tied with Romania at 66 per cent. In fact, Canadians are more comfortable talking openly about sex or politics (49 per cent), than periods (46 per cent).

Talking more openly helps: The research showed that in households where people talk openly about periods, young women feel more supported (62 per cent vs. 40 per cent), confident (26 per cent vs. 17 per cent) and less awkward (20 per cent vs. 59 per cent), than in households that do not talk openly about periods.

Raiha Shareef, a Plan International Canada Youth Ambassador, is helping drive change. "I was taught growing up that menstruation was shameful, disgusting, and dirty. I would always hide my pad or tampon in my pocket or up my sleeve. It was not until recently that I called myself out on this stigmatized practice. In order to bring justice to menstruators facing period poverty, or other period related issues, we must celebrate menstruation and bring periods into the narrative in a positive way."

About the Let's Talk Periods! report

The Let's Talk Periods! report is a culmination of three research studies fielded by independent research agencies, including Glocalities, an international research agency specialized in societal values. The three studies are: a global survey of 30,057 adults 18-70 (1,033 in Canada) conducted in January-February 2019, a Canadian survey of 1,027 Canadian adults 18-70 conducted in January-February 2020 and a survey of 1,095 young people in Canada ages 13-21 in May-June 2020.

Always has also just released a new report looking at period stigma globally, in partnership with WASH United. It can be found here.

About Always

Always , the world's leader in menstrual protection, offers a wide range of pads, wipes and liners designed to fit different body types, period flows and preferences. For over 35 years, Always has been empowering millions of girls globally through puberty and confidence education, providing products to those in need and tackling societal barriers to their confidence through the Always #LikeAGirl movement. Together, Always believes we can create a world where neither periods nor gender get in the way of young people reaching their full potential. This is part of Always and P&G's ongoing commitment to gender equality and is among the efforts to deliver 2,021 Acts of Good in 2021.

Visit www.always.com for more information.

About Plan International Canada

Plan International's work in menstrual health and hygiene is rooted in gender equality and evidence of the harmful impacts that not being able to manage one's period can have on girls, women and those who menstruate. Our work includes sharing information about periods, talking with community members, particularly men and boys and ensuring everyone understands the importance of access to menstrual products. We provide women and girls locally sourced menstrual hygiene products through several channels including schools and humanitarian programs, and we support local women and girls led entrepreneurship in producing period products.

Plan International Canada is a member of a global organization dedicated to advancing children's rights and equality for girls. Plan International has been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years and is now active in more than 75 countries.

Visit plancanada.ca for more information.

SOURCE Plan International Canada

For further information: Media Contacts: Amanda Panacci, Plan International Canada, [email protected]; Jessica Weingarten, Paradigm Public Relations, [email protected]; Joyce Law, Always (P&G), [email protected]

Related Links

www.plancanada.ca


VANCOUVER, BC, May 26, 2021 /CNW/ - Trevali Mining Corporation ("Trevali" or the "Company") (TSX: TV) (BVL: TV) (OTCQX: TREVF) (Frankfurt: 4TI) announces the appointment of David Schummer as Chief Operating Officer effective August 30th, 2021.

Dave is a proven executive leader of large-scale mining companies with three decades of mining experience working in the U.S., Canada, Peru, Indonesia, West Africa, and the Middle East, where he has held operational roles with increasing levels of responsibility throughout his career. Dave has held the role of Senior Vice President at Ma'aden Gold and Base Metals, Chief Operating Officer at Newgold and spent 22 years with Newmont Mining Corporation. While at Newmont, Dave progressively moved into more senior roles, ultimately becoming the Senior Vice President, Africa. Prior to his time in Africa, Dave was Newmont's Vice President of North American Operations, where he led a group of eight operating mines, including both open pit and underground operations, which collectively produced approximately two million ounces of gold annually. Dave holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in finance from Regis University in the United States.

Ricus Grimbeek, President & CEO of Trevali stated, "Dave's extensive global experience both as a corporate executive and a mine operator, with a focus on asset optimization and strong cost performance, will be a great asset to Trevali. His deep knowledge of mining processes and technology with decades of hands-on global mining experience and a progressive approach to mining placing a high priority on safety, sustainability and responsibility, is an excellent addition to the Trevali team. I am confident that Dave is the right Chief Operating Officer to focus on operational optimization to grow production and enhance value for all our stakeholders."

ABOUT TREVALI

Trevali is a global base-metals mining Company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. The bulk of Trevali's revenue is generated from base-metals mining at its four operational assets: the 90%-owned Perkoa Mine in Burkina Faso, the 90%-owned Rosh Pinah Mine in Namibia, the wholly-owned Caribou Mine in northern New Brunswick, Canada and the wholly-owned Santander Mine in Peru. In addition, Trevali owns the Halfmile and Stratmat Properties and the Restigouche Deposit in New Brunswick, Canada, and the past-producing Ruttan Mine in northern Manitoba, Canada. Trevali also owns an effective 44%- interest in the Gergarub Project in Namibia, as well as an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Heath Steele deposit located in New Brunswick, Canada.

The shares of Trevali are listed on the TSX (symbol TV), the OTCQX (symbol TREVF), the Lima Stock Exchange (symbol TV), and the Frankfurt Exchange (symbol 4TI). For further details on Trevali, readers are referred to the Company's website ( www.trevali.com ) and to Canadian regulatory filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com .

SOURCE Trevali Mining Corporation

For further information: Investor and Media Relations Contact: Ute Koessler, Investor Relations Manager, Email: [email protected], Phone: +1 (604) 336-2444
The recipients of these grants were given the news in March 2021 and their reactions were captured in a new WestJet/ITAC video, WestJet & ITAC: supporting Indigenous tourism in Canada . The Indigenous tourism businesses that received the grants will be spotlighted on WestJet's social channels and its newsroom over the next year.

"We are pleased to be able to support these Indigenous businesses as they work their way to recovery," said Angela Avery, WestJet Executive Vice President. "WestJet is a proud partner of ITAC, and is committed to advancing reconciliation by growing opportunities for indigenous entrepreneurs and sharing with the global travel industry the importance of Indigenous tourism, a unique, important and developing sector of Canadian tourism."

"WestJet has been an amazing partner for ITAC and a true advocate for Indigenous tourism in Canada, championing and collaborating on marketing campaigns, which provide much needed support to Indigenous tourism businesses during this difficult time," says Keith Henry, President and CEO of ITAC. "WestJet has effectively engaged with Indigenous tourism businesses and communities and fully understands the importance of reconciliation and the layered, but necessary, path to achieve it."

The WestJet/ITAC strategic national partnership is a three-year commitment that outlines how the airline will foster opportunities for Indigenous tourism by showcasing Indigenous People's culture and history while bringing global audiences to take part in Indigenous tourism experiences.

This summer, WestJet and ITAC are encouraging Canadians to support local tourism organizations, including local Indigenous tourism businesses from coast to coast to coast, while following all public health and safety guidelines. Destination Canada has stated that if Canadians shift two-thirds of their planned spend on international leisure travel towards domestic tourism, it will make up for the estimated $19 billion shortfall currently facing our visitor economy and will help sustain 150,000 jobs while accelerating recovery by one year.

"The situation facing the travel and tourism industry overall has been devastating," continued Avery. "We encourage Canadians to support Indigenous businesses in their communities and across the country when it is safe to do so."

Recipients of the 2020/2021 WestJet/ITAC grants:

Feast Cafe Bistro: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Moonstone Creation: Calgary, Alberta

Talaysay Tours: Vancouver, British Columbia

Moccasin Trails: Kamloops, British Columbia

Indigenous World Winery: Kelowna, British Columbia

North Star Adventures: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Aurora Village: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Indigenous Experiences: Gatineau, Quebec

Miqmak Catering Indigenous Kitchen: Roxboro, Quebec



For more information about the nine recipients, please visit: www.westjet.com/en-ca/best-of-travel/indigenous-travel.

For more information about indigenous experiences across the country: visit http://www.destinationindigenous.ca/

About the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is a national non-profit Indigenous tourism industry organization established in 2015. ITAC is the lead organization tasked with growing and promoting the Indigenous tourism industry across the country. Inspired by a vision for a thriving Indigenous tourism economy sharing authentic, memorable and enriching experiences, ITAC develops relationships with groups and regions with similar mandates to enable collective support, product development, promotion and marketing of authentic Indigenous tourism businesses in a respectful protocol.

For more information about Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, please visit: DestinationIndigenous.ca

Facebook.com/DestinationIndigenous

Twitter.com/CAN_Indigenous

Instagram.com/DestinationIndigenous

YouTube.com/DestinationIndigenous

About WestJet

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In an exclusive conversation with NewsX for its special series NewsX India A-List, Vikram Khurana, Chairman of the Toronto Business Development Centre talked about their beneficial initiative and shared his insights with us.

As India is fighting the biggest enemy the world has seen so far, the global community is doing its part vehemently. The Toronto Business Development Centre (TBDC) supported Indias fight with the Covid-19 by providing 5000 ventilators and other medical supplies. In an exclusive conversation with NewsX for its special series NewsX India A-List, Vikram Khurana, Chairman of the Toronto Business Development Centre talked about their beneficial initiative and shared his insights with us.

Talking about the initiative, Khurana said, These ventilators have been donated kindly by the province of Ontario and the province of Saskatchewan. The ventilators are made to survive on their own. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of global relations among the nations. The virus doesnt recognize any borders; it is evident that it moves freely, in the air. We cannot build any borders around this pandemic unless were able to build walls in the air, said Vikram Khurana on the importance of co-relation between the nations.

Vikram explained about the organization that facilitated the supply of ventilators in collaboration with Air Canada. TBDC is the oldest business incubator in Canada that support entrepreneurs with all their needs. While talking about giving rise to 9 Unicorns, Vikram said, Our current focus is on India. We think that there is a great amount of innovation and start-ups coming from India.

Vikram Khurana also threw light on their Start-up Visa Program, which is extremely helpful for young and new entrepreneurs. He continued, While there is a great discussion on brain drain, there is not as much discussion on business expansion. Start-ups that grow internationally become multi-national. To facilitate this, Canada started the Start-up Visa in 2013. It essentially allows entrepreneurs to move with their families, be closer to their markets, and access technology and sources easily. Currently, about 2500 entrepreneurs from all over the world migrate to Canada under this program.

Innovation does not go to sleep, and innovation is spurred when there is a challenge, said Khurana when asked about some innovations he saw during the pandemic by Indians. Khurana pointed out that one of the most considerable collateral damage of Covid-19 has been seniors citizens. He applauded several start-ups helping to solve the problem faced by senior citizens and start-ups to find vaccine sites by diverting and balancing traffic among those vaccine sites. He mentions the fact that most of the time, entrepreneurs executed these initiatives without concern of making money which is a very noble way of entrepreneurs giving back to society.

He talks about the collaboration with Air Canada, which made this initiative a success. Many people of the crew were Indians living in Canada for a while and have roots in India like Captain Rash Pal who piloted the aircraft that carried those ventilators along with many other supplies with great pride. Every member of the team took great pride and went above and beyond to make this happen, he said.

Talking about the world being caught flat-footed by the virus, Vikram said, There are a lot of lessons learned on the fly. He concluded the conversation by talking about having a front window view of great ideas coming from all around and the dominance of AI, Data Modelling, and Machine Learning in the area of innovation.
BJP leaders on social media with the hashtag #CongressToolkitExposed in which they accused Congress of spreading false, negative news had stirred up enough drama for the nation and political leaders to behold. Delhi Polices Special Cell summoned BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra and Congress leaders too.

BJP leaders on social media with the hashtag #CongressToolkitExposed in which they accused Congress of spreading false, negative news and stirring up discontent had stirred up enough drama for the nation and political leaders to behold. The Delhi Police Special Cell had sent notice to Twitter in connection with a probe over manipulated media tag used with some of the posts on an alleged Congress toolkit against Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.

Earlier on May 24, the Delhi Police had asked Twitter to share the information that it has in regard to the alleged toolkit and why it used the manipulated media tag used on tweets alleging a Congress Toolkit against the central government. It also carried out a search at the Twitter India offices in Lado Sarai, New Delhi and Gurgaon.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra had alleged that the toolkit has instructions for social media volunteers of Congress to call the new COVID-19 mutant as Indian strain or Modi strain against the World Health Organizations (WHO) instructions. Delhi Polices Special Cell has also served notices to Congress social media head Rohan Gupta and spokesperson M V Rajeev Gowda as part of its probe.

Also Read: Covid origin row: US prez Joe Biden backs #TheChinaProbe; China accuses US of propaganda

Among the Twitter handles listed by Surjewala include that of Union Ministers Giriraj Singh, Piyush Goyal, Smriti Irani, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Prahlad Joshi, Dharmendra Pradhan, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Thawarchand Gehlot, Harsh Vardhan, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
In a terrifying crime spree this month, 28-year-old Kevin Bennett went to several gentlemens clubs in the city and then followed female employees to their homes, authorities said. He stalked at least six victims and raped three of them, according to the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office.
US Congressman Gregory M Meeks has introduced new legislation named the "Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement" or EAGLE Act, that aims to counter the policy challenges posed by China. The bill addresses a wide range of issues.

US Congressman Gregory M Meeks has introduced new legislation named the Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement or EAGLE Act, that aims to counter the policy challenges posed by China. The bill addresses a wide range of issues, including increased investment to promote US manufacturing, trade, and re-engagement in international organisations. The bill calls for increased vehement US support for Taiwan and pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. The purpose of the act is to promoto international order which contributes to Global Peace.

A foreign house committee release stated that the act authorises an increase in US Department of State resources devoted to the Indo-Pacific and presents blueprints to enhance American engagement. Meeks said that the EAGLE Act was introduced with the aim to bolster an international order that has safeguarded American interests and contributed to the maintenance of global peace.

Peoples Republic of China (PCR) increasingly seeks to undermine that rules-based order and challenge Americas place in it. This act aims to leverage Americas true strengths and focus on the real challenges posed by the PRC. The act reinforces US commitment to engagement with partners and allies through bilateral and trilateral engagement as well as through the Quadrilateral Dialogue.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden on Wednesday ordered U.S. intelligence officials to redouble their efforts to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, including any possibility the trail might lead to a Chinese laboratory.

After months of minimizing that possibility as a fringe theory, the Biden administration is joining worldwide pressure for China to be more open about the outbreak, aiming to head off GOP complaints the president has not been tough enough as well as to use the opportunity to press China on alleged obstruction.

Biden asked U.S. intelligence agencies to report back within 90 days. He directed U.S. national laboratories to assist with the investigation and the intelligence community to prepare a list of specific queries for the Chinese government. He called on China to cooperate with international probes into the origins of the pandemic.

Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have promoted the theory that the virus emerged from a laboratory accident rather than naturally through human contact with an infected animal in Wuhan, China.

Biden in a statement said the majority of the intelligence community had coalesced around those two scenarios but do not believe there is sufficient information to assess one to be more likely than the other. He revealed that two agencies lean toward the animal link and one leans more toward the lab theory, "each with low or moderate confidence."

The United States will also keep working with like-minded partners around the world to press China to participate in a full, transparent, evidence-based international investigation and to provide access to all relevant data and evidence," said Biden.

His statement came after weeks of the administration endeavoring to avoid public discussion of the lab leak theory and privately suggesting it was farfetched.

In another sign of shifting attitudes, the Senate approved two Wuhan lab-related amendments without opposition, attaching them to a largely unrelated bill to increase U.S. investments in innovation.

One of the amendments, from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., would block U.S. funding of Chinese gain of function research on enhancing the severity or transmissibility of a virus. Paul has been critical of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious-disease expert, and aggressively questioned him at a recent Senate hearing over the work in China. The other amendment was from GOP Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa and it would prevent any funding to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Both were approved without roll call votes as part of the broader bill that is still under debate in the Senate.

As for the origin of pandemic, Fauci, a White House coronavirus adviser, said Wednesday that he and most others in the scientific community believe that the most likely scenario is that this was a natural occurrence, but no one knows that 100% for sure.

And since theres a lot of concern, a lot of speculation and since no one absolutely knows that, I believe we do need the kind of investigation where theres open transparency and all the information thats available, to be made available, to scrutinize, Fauci said at a Senate hearing.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that the White House supports a new World Health Organization investigation in China, but she added that an effective probe would require China finally stepping up and allowing access needed to determine the origins.

Biden still held out the possibility that a firm conclusion may never be reached, given the Chinese government's refusal to fully cooperate with international investigations.

The failure to get our inspectors on the ground in those early months will always hamper any investigation into the origin of COVID-19, he said.

The Chinese embassy in Washington, without mentioning the Biden order, accused unnamed political forces of being fixated on a blame game while ignoring the urgent need to combat the pandemic.

Smear campaign and blame shifting are making a comeback, and the conspiracy theory of lab leak is resurfacing, it said in a statement posted Wednesday on its website.

Administration officials continue to harbor strong doubts about the lab leak theory. Rather, they view Chinas refusal to cooperate in the investigation  particularly on something of such magnitude  as emblematic of other irresponsible actions on the world stage.

Privately, administration officials say the end result, if ever known, wont change anything, but note Chinas stonewalling is now on display for the world to see.

The State Department, which ended one Trump-era probe into the Chinese lab theory this spring, said it was continuing to cooperate with other government agencies and pressed China to cooperate with the world.

Chinas position that their part in this investigation is complete is disappointing and at odds with the rest of the international community that is working collaboratively across the board to bring an end to this pandemic and improve global health security," said spokesman Ned Price.

Research into the origins of the virus is critically important, said Arinjay Banerjee, a virologist at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization in Saskatchewan, Canada, because, If you dont know where it came from, how are you going to stop it from spreading it again?

The great probability is still that this virus came from a wildlife reservoir, he said, pointing to the fact that spillover events  when viruses jump from animals to humans  are common in nature, and that scientists already know of two similar beta coronaviruses that evolved in bats and caused epidemics when humans were infected, SARS1 and MERS. The evidence we so far have suggests that this virus came from wildlife, he said

However, the case is not completely closed. There are probabilities, and there are possibilities, said Banerjee. Because nobody has identified a virus thats 100% identical to SARS-CoV-2 in any animal, there is still room for researchers to ask about other possibilities.

Andy Slavitt, Biden's senior adviser for the coronavirus, said Tuesday that the world needs to get to the bottom ... whatever the answer may be."

We need a completely transparent process from China; we need the WHO to assist in that matter,"" Slavitt said. We dont feel like we have that now."

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AP writers Christina Larson, Matthew Lee, Lisa Mascaro and Ken Moritsugu contributed.
NEW HAVEN  A former Yale New Haven Hospital doctor was sentenced to 30 days in prison Wednesday for fraudulently writing dozens of oxycodone prescriptions.

The sentence came as Judge Jeffrey Meyer weighed Jennifer Farrells betrayal of her oath as a physician, her struggles with addiction and trauma and her history of good works that has been lauded across the globe.

Farrell, 38, wrote dozens of fraudulent prescriptions for multiple individuals between March 2018 and March 2019, according to prosecutors. She was a medical resident at YNHH in its Emergency Department from July 2017 until June 2019, according to prosecutors.

First Assistant Federal Defender Kelly Barrett said Farrell was driven by a trauma-influenced desire to help people, as well as a burgeoning addiction to the medication that helped her sleep and deal with the mental and physical scars she had incurred in life.

Farrell decided to become a doctor after her brother, 7 at the time, was in a sledding accident that left him broken and bleeding, Barrett said. Farrell, also a child at the time, had suggested going sledding; she witnessed the crash and sought help.

After studying medicine, she traveled the world helping people, dealing with traumatic events along the way, Barrett said.

Barrett said Farrell was kidnapped at gunpoint in Africa and held for 30 days; she was assaulted; she saw people, beyond the reach of help, die after an earthquake in Nepal; she was stalked by a relative.

She also demonstrated that, first and foremost, her passion was to help other people, Barrett said.

Among other things, she worked to create CriticalLink, an app and nonprofit effort that trains volunteer first responders in life-saving emergency medical skills and uses location-based mobile technology to notify and dispatch the closest volunteers to the scene of an accident to provide help to injured or ill individuals, as described and lauded by the U.S. State Department.

She also worked as a volunteer paramedic while studying at Tulane Medical School and taught first aid to medics in South Africa, according to The Guardian.

The pills, initially prescribed for a sepsis infection, then purchased on the dark web and received as part of the fraudulent scheme, helped ease Farrells post-traumatic stress disorder, which came with nightmares, panic attacks and a sense of disassociation that let her escape from her world of painful memories, Barrett said.

They let her sleep; they let her function when she became employed at Yale New Haven Hospital, especially after the death of her father, Barrett said.

Barrett said Farrell believed she was not violating the law, but instead helping others when she fraudulently prescribed oxycodone  their pain would be eased; they could have gotten the pills elsewhere; she was able to continue to do good as a doctor.

After her arrest, Farrell has not imbibed in illegal drugs, even after losing a pregnancy, Barrett said. She completed counseling.

Barrett asked for Farrell to be sentenced to time served or probation. Farrell had been punished already, Berrett said  she is now a convicted felon; shes lost her medical license; shes $500,000 in debt, without a way of making it up.

Barrett asked that her addiction be treated as a disease, not a character flaw.

You dont need to imprison her to deter her, said Barrett. What needs (to be done) is to treat the underlying trauma and addiction.

A number of people from Farrells past spoke on her behalf.

Fletch Leslie, her sixth-grade teacher, described a precocious and bright young girl, eager to help and please.

Karishma Shamaralch, a fellow doctor who worked with her in Bangladesh, and Mahfuz Anam, publisher of The Daily Star in Bangladesh, said Farrell had been willing to go whether others feared to tread in her efforts to provide medical care.

She seemed to personify some of the best human qualities we hope to achieve, said Anam. It is my ardent prayer she is given the chance to (again) help humanity.

Sheila Broderick, Farrells therapist, said Farrell had internalized her pain and trauma, incorporating it into her identity as a person.

Farrell believed if she suffered, sacrificed and helped enough, she might be worthy of common regard, like other people, Broderick said.

You can draw a straight line from Jens trauma to her addiction to her prescribing illegal prescriptions, said Broderick. She has a love for disenfranchised people in general, and I expect (even after this) she will be able to use her considerable skills for their benefit.

Farrell said she was not acting in accordance with her values when she prescribed the fraudulent scripts  it was a complete violation of her morals, both personally and professionally.

But, at the time, she convinced herself it was the right thing to do  a way of shepherding people through pain and addiction.

I told myself it wasnt hurting other people, and in my unwell, addicted mind, I believed it, said Farrell. I believed I was healing suffering, is what I thought. The math is not good, its a wrong way of thinking, but thats what I thought at the time.

Farrell said she was struggling deeply while working at Yale. As she came to work each day, she would ask God for the strength to make it through.

The hospital repeatedly offered mental health care and services, as she and Meyer noted through the proceedings. Farrell said she knew the possibility was there, but could not bring herself to take advantage of it.

Farrell said she would live the rest of her life hoping to do more good than she had done harm. The future is difficult to imagine, she said  she had dreamed of being a doctor since childhood  but she could do EMT work again, or work as a counselor.

I want to do good things again. I really want to do good things again, said Farrell. I want to  repair the damage that I now see, and it is ugly.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherry argued for a term of imprisonment, saying Farrell had betrayed her oath and responsibility as a doctor.

Cherry said Farrell was aware of the addictive power of the pills and cognizant that some of them were flowing onto the street and being sold.

She was a drug dealer, and even worse, she was a doctor, said Cherry.

She also noted Farrell had exploited a loophole in Yale New Havens record-keeping system and altered the medical records of those involved in the scheme, affecting their future care.

The harm, in my view, is much greater than societal harm, said Cherry. She really violated an oath that she took.

Meyer described two sides of Farrells life as he delivered the sentence.

On one hand, she had caused harm as a doctor, offering clearly, ethically, I think morally, illegal prescriptions, and lied about her motivations during the period, Meyer said.

Among other factors, Meyer noted that Farrell, caught by postal inspectors receiving packages from the dark web, had told them she had not ordered them and told a probation officer during the case that she had not known how to seek help, even though she was trained how to do so.

Meyer cast doubt on the idea that Farrell was unaware of the legal implications of her actions as well, given her education and training.

You knew what you were doing was illegal and its really remarkable to me that, even now, you would peddle this self-deluding story, said Meyer.

Meyer said he was not convinced of the idea that Farrell would never re-offend  she had demonstrated a willingness to engage in magical thinking considering her own actions and a pattern of manipulating the truth for her own ends, he said.

But, on the other hand, Farrell had clearly suffered significant trauma, which helped spur a fierce addiction to painkillers.

And, in her life, she had done tremendous good  it was rare to see someone of such talent, charisma and ability in the courtroom, Meyer said. People across the world had testified on her behalf.

That pattern would likely continue, although it had been altered, Meyers said.

Youre brilliant. Youre really, really bright, said Meyer. The tragedy isnt what could or may happen in a courtroom today. The tragedy is: society has lost you, lost you to your maximum potential.

Meyer sentenced Farrell to 30 days in prison. That time will be followed by three years of supervised release, to include 600 hours of community service, among other requirements.

The good Jennifer Farrell would be kind of a transformative person, said Meyer. And maybe still will be; could still well be.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  The Idaho Supreme Court has agreed to allow the state Legislature to intervene in two lawsuits that challenge the same restrictive voter initiative law, meaning taxpayers will pay for two separate legal teams in each case.

The state will be represented by the Idaho attorney generals office in both cases, and in addition, the Legislature will be represented by private attorneys led by William G. Myers III of the firm Holland & Hart, the Idaho Press reported.

State lawmakers approved an additional $4 million in taxpayer funding for the Legislative Legal Defense Fund, which is split between the House and Senate. The House portion this year had dropped to a zero balance. But the Idaho Press reported that public records show Myers is being paid $470 an hour. It is unclear how much the state has paid him so far.

However, officials said the attorney generals hourly rate for legal representation through the statewide cost-allocation system is about $58 an hour. If the office contracts with outside attorneys, its $88.

The money is separate from the state's Constitutional Defense Fund, which is used to pay attorney fees for lawsuits the state lost, officials said.

I think its important to realize that the Legislature is the body that passed the legislation, and therefore it has the greatest interest in it, Republican state Senate President Pro-Tem Chuck Winder said, adding that the attorney generals office will focus on different aspects of the law in its defense.

The law requires signatures from 6% of registered voters in each of the state's 35 legislative districts to qualify an initiative or referendum for the Idaho ballot. Currently, the law requires 6% from 18 districts.

Reclaim Idaho, one of the groups suing over the new initiative law, is arguing the change gives residents of a single legislative district veto power to prevent any future measures from qualifying for the ballot, eliminating the constitutional rights of everyone else. The group also opposed the Legislature's motion to intervene in the case.

The Attorney General is vigorously representing the respondents and defending the constitutionality of the statutes challenged here, Attorney Deborah Ferguson said. As a practical matter, the Legislature may be better served by having the Attorney General defend the statute.

A separate lawsuit challenging the same law was filed by Michael Gilmore, a retired former deputy Idaho attorney general, who filed his lawsuit as an individual, the Idaho Press reported.

Democratic state House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, an attorney, said it was frustrating" to see taxpayer dollars being used twice.

Winder defended the decision, saying Myers is highly qualified and it's worth the price as long as you win.

Myers is the former solicitor for the U.S. Department of Interior and has previously worked for the U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Justice.

___

This story has been updated to correct that in both cases, the Idaho Attorney Generals Office will represent the state and a private law firm will represent the Legislature.
John Warner served for 30 years in the U.S. Senate, much of it as chairman of the powerful Armed Services Committee, and as a centrist Republican he established himself at the center of American politics.

But before all that, Warner, who died Tuesday at 94, became famous as the sixth man to walk down the aisle with violet-eyed movie star Elizabeth Taylor.

The two met on a blind date in 1976 when the British ambassador asked Warner to escort Taylor to an embassy party honoring another Elizabeth, the Queen of England, who was visiting Washington. They married that December on Warner's farm near Middleburg, Virginia.

Well, I thought we would get married, live on the farm, raise horses, Taylor told Larry King on his show in 2001. ... And I thought it would be all very sort of farmish, and jobby, horsey, and I could have animals, and I would go out and brand the cattle.

But soon after they wed, Warner set his sights on an open U.S. Senate seat. And Taylor, a former Democrat, campaigned with her new husband, drawing huge crowds.

Its no question being married to Elizabeth Taylor increased interest in him, said Donald W. Huffman, who once led the state Republican Party. She traveled with him, and people turned out.

Years later, Taylor laughed at how she was told not to dress ostentatiously during the campaign.

I ended up in a tweed suit, she told Harpers Bazaar in 2006. Me. Little tweed suits. What I wont do for love.

When Warner got to the Senate in 1979, he was the butt of some jokes, including being immortalized as Sen. Elizabeth Taylor in the Doonesbury comic strip. And once he established himself as a senator, Taylor rarely got involved.

I dont think Ive ever been so alone in my life as when I was Mrs. Senator, and I dont blame my ex-husband, Taylor wrote in her 1987 book Elizabeth Takes Off. He never pretended to be anything but a man devoted to public service, and once that service began in earnest, I had to take a backseat to his constituency.

Unfamiliar in a supporting role, she said she felt worthless, eating and drinking with abandon. Her usual 120-pound figure ballooned to more than 180 pounds. But Taylor also credited Warner with helping her get on track with her weight loss -- making her hoist an 11 pound turkey to see how heavy it felt. The observation struck home, she said.

The two grew apart, though, and, after a 14-month separation, divorced in 1982.

I never took it as a personal rejection on Johns part, certainly not on a conscious level, Taylor wrote in her book. John wasnt doing anything more or less than what any other senator did. I just couldnt bear the intense loneliness, the lack of sharing with the person with whom I most wanted to share.

Warner, for his part, also blamed his work.

Elizabeth is one who loved to fully share life with her person, Warner told The Washington Post in 1984. You get into the Senate and lose control of the hours and the regularity, and you get tremendously involved in the pressures of that office. She opted for her own career and all of a sudden the fork in the road came.

A year after the divorce, Taylor entered the Betty Ford Center for treatment for drug and alcohol dependency.

Both eventually remarried, and they claimed long after their divorce that they were better friends as exes than as Mr. and Mrs. She later enlisted his help in getting more funds for AIDS research, a cause she took up after her friend Rock Hudson died of complications from the disease.

He knows he wasnt the love of my life. And I know I wasnt the love of his life, Taylor told The New York Times in 2002. But we loved each other. We got along wonderfully until he decided to be a politician. And then he married the Senate.

Warners former celebrity lifestyle became an issue in his 1996 campaign. His opponent, James Miller, portrayed him as an arrogant socialite. John Warner likes to run around in the fast lane with movie and media stars, Miller criticized.

But Warner, who after his divorce had dated Barbara Walters, answered only, I havent been in Hollywood in 20 years.

___

Former AP staffer Dena Potter was the principal writer of this story.
CHICAGO (AP)  The longtime chief of staff to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was indicted Wednesday for lying under oath to a federal grand jury investigating a bribery scheme involving Madigan and the state's largest electic utility, ComEd.

Timothy Mapes, 66, of Springfield, is charged with making false declarations before a grand jury and attempted obstruction of justice.

Mapes was one of Madigan's closest allies, serving beside the Chicago Democrat as clerk of the House and executive director of the Democratic Party of Illinois, which Madigan chaired. He abruptly quit all three posts in 2018 after a female staff member accused him of making lewd comments and brushing aside reports of harassment.

Mapes could not be immediately reached for comment on the new charges Wednesday. However, in an emailed statement his attorneys, Andrew Porter and Katie Hill, said Mapes testified truthfully in the grand jury.

The indictment handed up by a special grand jury in Chicago states Mapes was subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury on Feb. 12, and that he was granted immunity by prosecutors on March 24 to testify. Under the immunity agreement, no testimony or evidence Mapes provided could be used against him in a criminal case unless he committed perjury, gave a false statement or otherwise failed to comply with the immunity order.

Mapes testified before the grand jury on March 31, according to the indictment. Prosecutors wanted to question Mapes about dealings between Madigan and a consultant. Asked multiple times about the consultant acting on Madigan's behalf or carrying out work for the Chicago Democrat, Mapes denied knowledge of such a relationship.

In one exchange, Mapes was asked if he had reason to think the consultant was acting as an agent for Madigan, by doing work for him or carrying out assignments for him.

I'm not aware of any, Mapes replied, according to the indictment. Im not aware of that activity. Let's put it that way.

The indictment states Mapes made the statements even though he knew the consultant did work for Madigan and communicated messages on Madigan's behalf. It says Mapes himself sometimes acted an an intermediary between Madigan and the consultant.

Madigan was the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history before he resigned his seat in February amid the corruption probe. He served in the Illinois House for 50 years and was first elected speaker in 1983. He held the position for all but two years of his remaining time in office. He also served as chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, a post he also resigned in February.

Madigan was implicated in the bribery scheme involving Commonwealth Edison in July. ComEd admitted it secured jobs, often requiring little or no work, and contracts for his associates from 2011 to 2019 for favorable treatment in regulations. ComEd agreed in August to pay $200 million.

Madigan has not been charged in the probe, and he has described himself as the target of vicious attacks by people who sought to diminish my many achievements.

A spokeswoman for Madigan didnt immediately return a message Wednesday.

An independent investigation of harassment in Madigan's office found an atmosphere of bullying and intimidation and concluded Mapes had too much authority.

___

Associated Press reporters Sophia Tareen in Chicago and John O'Connor in Springfield contributed.
MIAMI (AP)  One of the worlds top electronic music festivals is returning to downtown Miami next year with the blessing of neighbors who have complained about the event in the past.

Organizers of the Ultra Music Festival announced Tuesday an agreement to settle tensions with the Downtown Neighbors Alliance, the Miami Herald reported. The association representing 13 downtown condominium towers will no longer seek to remove the event from Bayfront Park.

Ultra said in a statement it would address issues like construction schedules, park closures, noise monitoring and traffic management.

Festival organizers and residents found a balance between protecting local lifestyles and hosting large-scale music productions, Ultra spokesman Ray Martinez said. He suggested the event being canceled the past two years might have helped negotiations.

Maybe the COVID pause gave both sides an opportunity to kind of take a breath, if you will, and come to the table without the impending event looming over either side, Martinez said.

Downtown Neighbors Alliance President James Torres said in a statement that his group was pleased with the deal.

We believe that this agreement will allow Ultra and its neighbors to coexist and will highlight Downtown Miami as One Community for All, and a great place to live, work and play, Torres said.

Ultra had been hosted in downtown Miami for nearly two decades until 2018. After that year's event, city commissioners voted not to renew the festival's contract following complaints from residents. Ultra organizers moved the festival to Virginia Key in 2019, but logistical issues and sound complaints from new neighbors prompted organizers not to seek another year at that location.

Ultra was set to return to downtown Miami in March 2020, but a nationwide coronavirus lockdown going into effect just days before the festival forced its cancelation. The event was postponed for another year this past March, set to return in 2022.
LANSING, Mich. (AP)  Michigan lawmakers unveiled bipartisan bills Tuesday that would require updated use-of-force policies and make changes designed to hold police accountable for misconduct a year after the slaying of George Floyd in Minnesota.

The Senate legislation would, among other things, let a state agency revoke the license of an officer who has used excessive force causing death or serious injuries. The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards also would be required to develop guidelines for independent investigations of officer-involved deaths.

Each law enforcement agency would have to adopt a use-of-force policy that emphasizes de-escalation techniques unless they are not feasible, includes a continuum of proportional responses and requires an officer to exhaust all other alternatives before using deadly force.

Bills targeting police misconduct did not advance last year despite global protests and a racial reckoning in the wake of Floyd's murder at the hands of a white officer. But proponents expressed optimism, citing many months of bipartisan work.

We think it will actually not just help keep the community safe but also help keep officers safe, said Sen. Stephanie Chang, a Detroit Democrat who announced the package with Republican Sen. Roger Victory of Hudsonville. They are the ranking members of the GOP-controlled Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, which will begin hearings on the legislation.

It really speaks to a lot of the things that are needed to bring about some change around accountability and transparency, Chang said. While some agencies already have policies in place, we need to make it consistent across the state to hopefully prevent future injustices.

Other bills would restrict the use of chokeholds and no-knock warrants, and require law enforcement agencies to have written policies stating that officers have an affirmative duty to intervene to stop excessive force by fellow officers.

I believe we all have the shared goals of improving policing, community interactions and public perceptions while supporting the many courageous police officers who keep our families safe, Victory said in a statement.

Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has backed changes such as those outlined in the legislation, having called for similar bills last June.

I look forward to working with the Legislature and passing these policing and criminal justice reforms into law, she said in a statement that marked Floyd's death. She said while justice has been served in the case  a white officer was convicted last month of murdering the Black man  our march is far from over.

Earlier this month, Republicans who lead the House proposed an $80 million funding increase for law enforcement, including to help recruit and retain officers. Asked his openness to policy reforms, House Speaker Jason Wentworth, of Farwell, said Republicans were solely focused right now on supporting our men and women in uniform."

Incentives would include maximum $2,000 signing bonuses for new officers, up to $20,000 in tuition assistance to attend police academies and maximum $4,000 stipends during recruits training. Other funding would incentivize the use of body cameras and increase mental health support.

___

Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Nevadas governor marked the one-year anniversary of the killing of a Black man by police in Minnesota by signing new laws that let the state attorney general investigate allegations of law enforcement abuses and make it harder for police to obtain so-called no-knock warrants.

Gov. Steve Sisolak invoked the memory of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the March 2020 death of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman shot and killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky, in a statement saying Nevadans deserve to feel safe in their own homes and communities, and its critical that they trust that those charged with protecting them do so with integrity.

The bills he signed Tuesday were among his priorities still moving through the statehouse in the final full week of the legislative session. Among others, lawmakers have heard legislation this week that would create a state-based public health insurance option, expand access to voting and overhaul the unemployment insurance system.

Sisolak credited fellow Democratic state Attorney General Aaron Ford, a former state Senate majority leader, with pressing the Legislature for the police reform measures he signed Tuesday.

Both of these bills really stem from the killing of George Floyd and the other instances of police brutality that have sparked outrage and protests all over the country, said Ford, who convened a media event on the steps of his office in Carson City to mark the signings.

He termed the laws pathways for change.

The Nevada attorney general now has the power to investigate a governmental authority or person acting on behalf of the state who is accused of depriving a person of rights or privileges.

Ford noted the U.S. Department of Justice ceased conducting patterns and practices investigations in 2017. He said Nevada law now lets him initiate probes regardless of federal policy.

The warrant law requires police to explain to a judge the imminent public danger that requires an unannounced entry; to certify that the alleged felon is violent; and say why a less intrusive process isnt possible. Officers also have to reassess at the scene whether officers should announce their arrival.

As we have seen over recent years, no-knock warrants are becoming an increasing issue, with their use often resulting in injury or death, Ford said in a statement.

Officers who execute the warrants need to be trained in "tactical or dynamic entry techniques and, when possible, wear body cameras, according to the law.

___

Sam Metz, a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative, contributed reporting from Carson City. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Lauderdale County Sheriffs Office deputies and SWAT from Florence surrounded the home of Kyle Seeley shortly before 8 a.m. after he allegedly assaulted four members of his family, his adult brother and three children under 10, with a machete before hiding in an outbuilding behind the home, according to WAAY 31.
NEW HAVEN  Weeks after balking at the size of legal fees for a 2020 investigation into the alleged conduct of a school board member toward a school district employee, the district has reached a payment compromise with its outside counsel.

Tinley, Renehan & Dost still will get more than the amount the district agreed to pay last summer but less than the $24,917.50 billed for work completed.

The firm will get $19,872.50  $5,872.50 more than the not to exceed contract the district entered into with the Waterbury law firm.

Elia Alexiades, the city attorney who advises the school board on legal matters, said the bigger bill represented work not contemplated in the initial scope of the retention. That included appearances at a board meeting and a second opinion from the districts own law firm in addition to a 44-page report.

But after discussions and negotiations, Alexiades said the firm also agreed to not collect a second invoice that was part of the billing.

This is a situation that happens from time to time, Alexiades said. Usually before an invoice is rendered.

Alexiades said while most good settlements make everyone a little unhappy, this made a number of people more than a little unhappy, he said, since the board is paying more and the law firm, which offered a reduced rate to begin with, is not getting paid for all the work it did.

A message seeking comment was left with the law firm. It previously declined to comment on the issue.

Since the new total is below the $20,000 threshold that requires school board approval, Schools Superintendent Iline Tracey was able to authorize payment without school board approval. That did not stop the school board from debating the topic when given the opportunity at its May 24 board meeting, held via Zoom.

School board member Darnell Goldson called the whole matter an aberration that should never have happened the way it happened.

The outside firm was hired last July to investigate comments made by Goldson over the course of several meetings starting in March 2020 to Phillip Penn, the districts chief financial officer. The goal was to determine whether Goldsons comments allegedly constituted harassment, or violated any laws, provisions of the citys code of ethics or school board bylaws.

Penn filed a written harassment complaint about Goldsons comments.

Ultimately, the law firm alleged bylaws were violated but said the school board does not have a definition of harassment in its bylaws, making it impossible to draw a conclusion on that matter. The firm also suggested the board take steps to correct the record and get more training.

Board Member Edward Joyner called the situation unique.

A unicorn, Joyner said, suggesting an early warning system be put in place for when contract limitations are exceeded.

Goldson called the probe an insult and said he believed it was a political move against him.

This could have been over in a week, Goldson said.

Board Member Matt Wilcox said many things could have been done differently and that the toll on the district has been extensive.

Penn is leaving the school district after a year-and-a-half to take the chief financial officer job in Hartford.

The search for his replacement was set in motion by the board this week.
AP

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP)  A man accused of shooting and wounding a New Hampshire pastor and a bride at a wedding pleaded guilty in a separate case Wednesday to assaulting and seriously injuring his own lawyer, according to a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Dale Holloway, 38, who has been acting as his own attorney, faces a sentence of 7 1/2 to 15 years in prison, according to the agreement. He had faced a trial in June for allegedly assaulting the public defender assigned to represent him while they were meeting in jail. Holloway's sentencing was scheduled for Thursday.
EAST HAVEN  Three young people are facing multiple charges after a robbery last week in East Haven, according to police.

All three juveniles face charges of first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree larceny, two counts of conspiracy to commit second-degree larceny as well as interfering with an officer, and one faces additional charges, according to a release from police spokesperson Capt. Joseph Murgo.

Police went to an Xpress Fuel on Frontage Road May 20 in response to a reported robbery, police spokesperson Capt. Joseph Murgo wrote in a release.

When police got there, a person told them that her pocketbook was no longer in her vehicle after she finished pumping gas, and she had seen it on a passengers lap in a BMW, according to Murgo.

The female victim stated that she immediately opened up the rear driver side door and reached into the vehicle in an attempt to retrieve her purse but was punched while trying to do so, Murgo wrote. She also stated that another passenger attempted to pull her into the vehicle but let go once she started screaming.

Releasing the purse, the victim took out her phone to record the vehicle as it fled which captured the license plate of the vehicle, Murgo wrote. The vehicle had been stolen from Milford a few days prior on May 17, according to police.

Responding officers quickly saturated the area and located a BMW matching the provided description on I-95 southbound, according to Murgo. Due to the reckless operation of the BMW, officers did not pursue the vehicle and lost sight of it in the area of Long Wharf.

Following input from dispatch on the vehicles last known whereabouts, officials located the vehicle unoccupied with damage to it, Murgo wrote.

It was apparent that the vehicle was involved in an accident while exiting I-95 at exit 46, Murgo wrote.

Someone told police they saw the crash and that three people left the vehicle and headed towards Jordans Furniture, according to Murgo.

Police found three juvenile males, who were placed in custody, Murgo wrote.

One of the juvenile suspects was in possession of a handgun that was later determined to be stolen out of Ansonia in March of 2021, Murgo wrote. The female victims property was located in and around the unoccupied stolen BMW at the scene of the accident.

Each is set to appear at the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters in New Haven June 2, according to Murgo.
The Office of the Accountant General of the Federal has revealed that 4.2m looted by former Governor, James Ibori which was recently repatr...





The Office of the Accountant General of the Federal has revealed that 4.2m looted by former Governor, James Ibori which was recently repatriated from the United Kingdom is still being awaited.

It was reported that the Federal Government on Tuesday said that the 4.2m looted by former Governor, James Ibori recently repatriated from the United Kingdom has been returned to Delta State.

Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris, made the claim when he was grilled by the Reps committee on Assessment and Status of All Recovered Loots Movable and Immovable Assets from 2002 to 2020.

However, the Delta State Government in a statement released on Wednesday said it had not received any 4.2 million pounds returned by the United Kingdom from the Federal Government.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Delta State Governor, Olisa Ifejika also said the state was not in contact with the Federal Government, especially the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, on the issue.

Following the development, Henshaw Ogubike, OAGF Director (Information, Press and Public Relations) in a statement clarified that the money is still being awaited, after which the issues around it will be resolved before further action is taken.

According to the statement, no money has been returned to Delta State.

The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) wishes to put the records straight regarding the widely circulated media report on the 4.2m Ibori Loot.

The issue of the 4.2m Ibori Loot has not been properly resolved. The money is still being awaited, after which the issues around it will be resolved before further action is taken. For now, no money has been returned to Delta State.

This explanation is without prejudice to the proceedings at the public hearing that took place yesterday during which the AGF was only making general comments about recoveries relating to State Governments.

This is the true position as regards the 4.2m Ibori Loot, the statement said.
The former governor of Cross River State Donald Duke has returned to the Peoples Democratic Party. The Chairman of the Peoples Democ...

The former governor of Cross River State Donald Duke has returned to the Peoples Democratic Party.

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Caretaker Committee in Cross River State, Effiok Cobham, disclosed this on Wednesday at a press briefing in Calabar.

When asked to confirm the speculations that the former Governor had returned to the party, he said, Yes, he has registered.

This development follows the defection of Governor Ben Ayade to the All Progressives Congress on May 20.

Duke earlier defected from PDP to the Social Democratic Party, where he contested the 2019 presidential election.

He was a two-term governor of Cross River between 1999 and 2007.
About 140 people have been feared dead as a result of a boat mishap that occurred in Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State. It was lea...





About 140 people have been feared dead as a result of a boat mishap that occurred in Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

It was learnt that the incident occurred around 9 oclock on Wednesday.

It was gathered that the boat, which was carrying over 160 people, was en route Warra town in Kebbi State from Lokon Minna in Niger State when it capsized and sank into the River Niger.

Apart from overloading, the boat was said to be carrying bags of sand for gold miners.

The chairman of Ngaski LGA, Abdullahi Buhari Warra, told BBC Hausa Service that the accident was fatal and pitiful.

He said, As I am speaking to you now, there are many people in the river who are yet to be rescued.

The accident occurred between nine and 10 oclock this morning and all the passengers aboard the boat are in the river and there is no hope of getting them alive.

We have also learnt that there are eight people of the same family who are involved in the accident.

In fact, many people have died and nobody can precisely know their number.

We are only able to rescue only 22 people who have been rushed to the Warra General Hospital for medical attention.

We are also able to recover one corpse of an infant girl.

The chairman explained that the boat was overloaded, adding that, It was supposed to carry only 80 people but it carried 160 including bags of sand.
The Special Assistant to President Muhammdu Buhari on social media, Lauretta Onochie on Monday said that the Federal Government has not re...

The Special Assistant to President Muhammdu Buhari on social media, Lauretta Onochie on Monday said that the Federal Government has not returned the 4.2 million recovered from former Gov. James Ibori to Delta State.

The Federal Government on Tuesday said that the 4.2m looted by former Governor, James Ibori recently repatriated from the United Kingdom has been returned to Delta State.

Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris, made the claim when he was grilled by the Reps committee on Assessment and Status of All Recovered Loots Movable and Immovable Assets from 2002 to 2020.

The claim was contrary to the position of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), who had earlier stated that the state would not benefit from the recovered loot.

Malami had explained that Delta state was not captured in the agreements signed with the British Government, which was a precondition for the release of the money.

According to him, the recovered loot will be used to execute other projects.

However, Onochie in a Facebook post on Wednesday explained that Delta State did not receive the looted funds because Nigeria may lose the opportunity to receive more looted funds, if it breaks the agreement it signed with the British government.

She wrote, We know what we heard but we also know the facts. Let me remind us. Before we start admonishing, praising and decamping, lets pause for a minute and breathe in and out!

Was the recovered Ibori loot returned to the Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa-led Delta state government? No.

Now, let me remind us. The Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Mallami, the British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing and other relevant agencies held a press conference openly telling the world when the money would be returned, and the specific projects the money was approved for. Openly.

When it was delayed, the Attorney General informed Nigerians of the reason for the delay. When the loot arrived, Nigerians were informed too. The conditions under which the funds were repatriated, still stand. Again, no penny was paid to the Delta State government.

If we break the conditions for getting this chicken amount, how do we get the elephant amount that is still coming?

The British High Commissioner is also keeping an open eye on those projects.

I know what we all heard. But we also know the facts. Pres. Muhammadu Buhari runs an open government. The Attorney General is part of the open policy. Nothing hidden.

Nigerians would be the first to know if he decides to break an agreement made with Britain. I very much doubt it. Hes an Honourable man.God bless Nigeria.
Katsina State Police Command has arrested one Musa Shamsuddin, a Kogi indigene, for allegedly serving as a medical aid to the notorious band...





Katsina State Police Command has arrested one Musa Shamsuddin, a Kogi indigene, for allegedly serving as a medical aid to the notorious bandits terrorising Kankara axis in Katsina State.

The 25-year-old Kogi indigene reportedly who disappeared in December 2020 after the Kankara school boys kidnap saga but resurfaced recently is said to be fond of going to the forest perhaps to provide medical aid to bandits whose health condition may be deteriorating or to treat injuries sustained by bandits.

In his custody when he was arrested were several drugs which he allegedly used in treating the sick or injured bandits.

The spokesman Katsina State Police, Isah Gambo made this known while briefing newsmen yesterday at the state police headquarters.

A fake medical personnel, Musa Shamsuddin, M, aged 25yrs, an indigene of Kogi State but residing at Kankara was suspected of always going into the forest to treat sick and wounded bandits. In the course of investigation, some quantities of drugs were recovered in his possession. He was alleged to have disappeared from Kankara on the day in which Kankara school boys were abducted by bandits and later resurfaced. Investigation is ongoing. Isah Gambo said.

Recall that last week, the district head of Kankara LGA, also refered to as Sarkin Pawa, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal was dethroned by the Katsina Emirate Council for allegedly aiding and abetting banditry related crimes in his domain.
Zamfara government has secured the release of 53 victims who were kidnapped from the Bungudu local government area of the state last week. M...





Zamfara government has secured the release of 53 victims who were kidnapped from the Bungudu local government area of the state last week.

Malam Abubakar Dauran, the Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, disclosed this at a news conference in Gusau on Wednesday.

The victims were kidnapped from the Dangamji, Yarkatsina, Doka, Kwaftari, Fandahaki, and Maje communities of the Bungudu local government area.

Dauran said that the victims were released through the ongoing peace process without the payment of ransom.

A total of 53 persons who were kidnapped last week were released yesterday, Monday, by 10 pm through the efforts of the repentant bandits and support of the state police command, Dauran said.

He said that no ransom was paid before the release of the victims, adding that all of them were in good health and they had already reunited with their families.

He called on both the repentant and unrepentant bandits in the state to continue to comply with the ongoing peace process in the state aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability.

Dauran while commending the security agencies for their efforts in tackling insecurity in the state appealed to them to always ensure a proactive response to distress calls on security.

He also called on the local vigilance group, popularly known as Yansakai, to always be law-abiding.

It is necessary to call for more proactive measures from the security agencies considering the resurgence of banditry in the state, he added.









NAN
In this Thursday, April 15, 2021, file photo, Andrew Bostad, center, talks with his mother, Brandi Evans, and stepdad, Jimmy Evans, at their home in Bauxite, Ark. Andrew is one of hundreds of transgender youth in Arkansas who could have their hormone therapy cut off under a new state law banning gender confirming treatments for minors. On Tuesday, May 25, 2021, the American Civil Liberties Union asked a federal judge to strike down a new Arkansas law that made the state the first to ban gender confirming treatments or surgery for transgender youth. (Andrew DeMillo/AP)
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A second photo, of several people hitting a damaged vehicle, was captioned, Black Lives Matter riots Started in Minneapolis in may of 2020, according to KFSM. A third photo, of the aforementioned Capitol incident, was captioned, Trump supporters protest at the Capitol.
A visitation for Officer Jeremy Brinton is set for Tuesday, June 1 at Nogales High School. The public is welcome from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The next day, a Mass celebration will be held at NHS at 10 a.m.
Let the record show that Sherri Pierce has not gone crazy. Countless people have assumed she had lost her doubloons over the years, but confirmation of her sanity was there for all to see on page 2 of The Times-Picayune's Living section on March 30.

Published along with a baker's dozen of vintage photos of the gone-but-not-forgotten Schwegmann's grocery chain was a photo of the Schwegmann's Shopper's Bar, an in-store oasis that -- as crazy as it sounds to those too young to remember, or those not from New Orleans -- offered beer and liquor to shoppers (or, as more often seems to be the case, their parched spouses).

"It's nice to see someone else remember this after all these years of people looking at me like I was crazy," Pierce said, adding: "I have told the story of that bar so many times, and it is amazing how many people do not remember the bar."

Pierce, who grew up in Metairie, fondly remembers going shopping at the Schwegmann's store on Airline Highway with her grandparents when she was a child. While her grandmother got to work filling the cart, Pierce's grandfather would always make a bee-line for the Shopper's Bar.

"This is where most shoppers started their shopping," said Pierce, now 49. "My grandfather would meet up with his buddies while the ladies did the shopping, then they would meet us at the checkout when we were ready to leave."

She wasn't the only one to have her memory banks stirred by that photo. Kansas native Lance Hill remembers the prominent role the Schwegmann's bar played when his father visited him in New Orleans 35 years ago.

"His most moving experience was when I took him to Schwegmann's to shop for groceries," Hill said. "I told him we should get a couple of beers to lubricate grocery shopping. He was dumbfounded. Kansas was a dry state and liquor-by-the-drink was still illegal. As a working man who enjoyed a cold draft after a hot day's work, he thought legalizing beer and groceries made New Orleans the most enlightened place on Earth."

It was all part of a game-changing idea John Schwegmann got in 1949 to give New Orleans a self-serve grocery store, which wasn't a thing in the city until then. He would expand on that idea to make his stores a one-stop shop for pretty much anything a person could want, which is why Schwegmann's locations often also had a bank in them, a shoe-shine stand, a photography studio, a pharmacy -- and, among other things, a bar.

It's what locals -- prompted by the grocery chain's memorable ad jingle -- would refer to as "makin' groceries, Schwegmann's style."

It was also fairly popular.

In some places, the Shopper's Bar was merely a concession stand that also served beer. In other locations, though -- like the Gentilly, Airline and Harvey stores -- they were full-service bars, with all manner of liquor on hand for thirsty patrons.

Those patrons included shoppers, of course, but it also included employees like Richard Schneider, a 20-year employee of Schwegmann's who worked as a meat cutter at the chain's Harvey location.

"All of us would always stop in after work," Schneider remembered. "Sometimes for a little too long."

Many of the Schwegmann's bars would draw a steady stream of regulars. That included the Veterans Boulevard store, which didn't sell hard liquor but which sold beer at the snack bar, located in the front of the store near a string of counters offering cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other items. Over the years, the regulars there became known as "the beer bunch."

As part of a 1985 feature story in The Times-Picayune about the Veterans store's beer bunch, Assistant Manager Sebastian Blanda said he worked at about a half-dozen Schwegmann's locations in New Orleans and that they all had their own version.

"They're mostly folks who live in the neighborhood and see the snack bar as a community gathering place," Blanda said. "Most are retired. Some hold professional or service kinds of jobs that allow for a lengthy mid-morning or mid-afternoon break."

In addition to the camaraderie and the conversation, there was also the price. "Thirty cents for a Schwegmann's beer circa 1978 on Annunciation Street," Jeffrey Hannusch remembers.

Hannusch also remembers local cabdrivers hanging out at the Schwegmann's bar -- which really doesn't seem like a good idea. But things like that, some would argue, are what make New Orleans the one-of-a-kind place that it is.

"Met some great people in there," said Schneider, the former meat cutter. "Definitely a New Orleans tradition."
After 28 years, plans appear dead for a casino in Gulfports harbor.

The Gulfport Redevelopment Commission owns and manages city land, including four acres in the harbor. GRC had teamed up with two private property owners  MC Marine and Marine Life Ventures  to create an 11-acre site that twice won state approval for a casino and hotel.

But a saturated casino market and lack of interest from investors blew apart the casino deal they had put together, proposed developer Robert Lubin of Virginia recently told the Sun Herald.

MC Marine and Marine Life Ventures then bowed out of the 11-acre lease, and the Gulfport Redevelopment Commission (GRC) went its own way.

None of the three properties are large enough standing alone for a casino resort.

GRCs next move perplexed the two private property owners and essentially cut off any prospect for another casino, they say.

The GRCs four acres wound up in the hands of potential casino competitors Rick Carter and Terry Green, who own Island View Casino Resort less than a mile west of the harbor, land records show.

+2 The last strip club on the Mississippi Coast is being demolished. Take an inside look before it's gone. Whats been an eyesore for years on Veterans Avenue in Biloxi will soon be just a memory as the Lady Horseshoe strip club is demolished this week.

Were disappointed because the best and highest use of that land is a casino site, said David Jones, a Gulfport attorney and Marine Life officer. It was to everybodys advantage and to Gulfports advantage to create the jobs and tax base, and it doesnt seem like anything is going to come about at this point unless Island View pursues it.

GRC leased the property to Carter Green Investments without advertising for development proposals, something the agency had done in the past and a requirement of state law. In this case, GRC was not legally obligated to advertise because Robert Lubins company assigned its interest in the lease to Carter Green.

Both Lubins lease assignment and GRCs lease to Carter Green went into effect September 1, 2019, lease records show. Lubin originally secured the lease on the combined 11-acre parcel in early 2016 after submitting what GRC considered the best of three proposals, including one from Island View.

When Lubin gave up the lease, he told the Sun Herald, he recalls signing something, but he didnt have the paperwork in front of him and couldnt discuss it.

+5 This new boutique hotel in Ocean Springs has suites named after Hemingways 4 wives Imagine sleeping in the treetops, in a lavishly-decorated suite in downtown Ocean Springs, along Washington Avenue and its quaint shops and in

I think I left it and I really dont know what happened after that, Lubin said. I dont know who has the lease now. I had nothing to do with it.

WHAT ARE CASINO OWNERS PLANS?

Island View co-owner Rick Carter said a year of COVID-19 has left him with no immediate plans for the city property that he and Green are leasing. During the pandemic, the state shut down casinos for more than two months in the spring.

Carter said Carter Green Investments initially leased the property with the idea of developing a boutique hotel, but then he saw all the cars parked there during the citys annual Christmas lights show, where Island View is a sponsor. However, the Christmas lights show was in its fifth year when Carter Green leased the property.

The city land he is leasing sits south of Jones Park and west side of the U.S. Coast Guard station without the direct waterfront access of both the Marine Life and MC Marine property.

COVID-19 further stalled any development plans, Carter said.

+2 The last strip club on the Mississippi Coast is being demolished. Take an inside look before it's gone. Whats been an eyesore for years on Veterans Avenue in Biloxi will soon be just a memory as the Lady Horseshoe strip club is demolished this week.

When (the state) shut me down a year ago, Carter said, it got my attention and it scared me to death . . . We put everything on hold and just tried to weather the storm. Were back and doing well. In the future, we will do something there. Were just not sure when.

He doesnt foresee reassembling enough property for a second casino.

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I never say never, Carter said, But as of right now, this market can not afford another casino, in my opinion. All its going to do is cannibalize the other properties to be successful.

Carter Green Investments is leasing the property GRC holds for the city for $200,000 a year, or about $16,670 a month.

In addition to rent payments, the lease requires Carter Green to donate the equivalent of $200,000 a year each to the Mississippi Aquarium and the Christmas lights show over 10 years, which will amount to a total of $4 million.

The initial lease runs for 10 years with two renewal options that would extend the lease an additional 20 years. The lease does not call for Carter Green to submit development plans until renewal in 2029. GRC must approve those plans.

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL AWAITED

Gulfport has worked for decades to attract a casino to the harbor, with multiple developers, including Donald Trump, proposing plans.

GRC most recently took up the effort, but two casino development companies with long-term leases and site approval from the state have failed to find funding for their projects.

It just never worked out, GRC chair Carole Lynn Meadows said. Maybe that was the right thing, in the long run. Maybe we werent supposed to have a casino down there after all.

Meadows believes in the harbor propertys potential, especially with the addition of the Mississippi Aquarium across the highway and upcoming construction of an elevated bridge over U.S. 90 that will connect the harbor to the aquarium and downtown Gulfport.

Bids should go out by the end of the month for the bridge, which will accommodate pedestrians, bicycles, a tram and emergency vehicles. Project architect David Hardy said the bridge should be completed by the end of 2023.

Theres got to be somebody who has the vision that can pull all that together and make it a spectacular destination for families, she said. Its just there waiting for some really creative person to come along and say, Now this is what you need to add.

That will be the pop you really need. I get goosebumps just thinking were on the verge of making that whole area down there just absolutely a tourism destination.

TWO GULFPORT HARBOR PROPERTIES ON MARKET

Meanwhile, the owners of Marine Life Ventures and MC Marine have listed their properties for sale.

The vacant acreage sits on the harbors west side between the U.S. Coast Guard Station and Gulfport Yacht Club. Both properties have waterfront access and are popular fishing spots.

Mississippi South Realty has the 3.6-acre Marine Life property on the market for $3,950,000.

The 2.6-acre MC Marine property is listed for $4.5 million by Lenny Sawyer at NAI Sawyer Real Estate.

Walter Cliff Vick, who recently moved back to the Coast after working as a labor attorney near Washington, is an owner of the Marine Life property. His father, Walter Peasy Vick, co-founded the aquatic theme park in 1956 and Cliff Vick worked there, mostly during the summers while in college.

He had hoped to see a harbor casino replace Marine Life, destroyed in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina. Now that the partnership between the city and two private property owners has ended, thats no longer possible, he said.

Really, the only place in Gulfport where a casino could have been put up was our property, he said.

That could have been a huge source of income and jobs.

Were hoping that we can do something with the property. I have the closest lifetime affinity to that property. I grew up with it.
Five more defendants admitted Tuesday to participating in a scheme to smash vehicles into tractor trailers, then cash in on the insurance money with the help of local attorneys.

All five, who pled guilty in federal court to mail-fraud conspiracy charges, admitted to driving in from outside New Orleans to help pull off two vehicle crashes with big rigs in 2017. The accidents were led by a pair of local slammers, Roderick Hickman and Damian Labeaud, who executed the brazen scheme from behind the wheel.

Hickman and Labeaud have both pleaded guilty under separate indictments, part of a federal probe that so far has netted 33 defendants. Most have pleaded guilty.

Prosecutors claim local attorneys involved in the scheme knew that Labeaud and Hickman were staging accidents. One of those lawyers, Danny Patrick Keating, Jr., has been charged and appears set to plead guilty next month in federal court.

+3 New Orleans lawyer charged in staged accident scam resigns from Louisiana bar Danny Patrick Keating, Jr., the first New Orleans attorney to be indicted in a sprawling probe of staged traffic crashes into 18-wheelers, has

Pleading guilty Tuesday were Lois Russell, 61, Tanya Givens, 43, and Henry Randle, 64, all of Gibson; John Diggs, 60, of Thibodaux; and 25-year-old Dakota Diggs of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, according to interim U.S. Attorney Duane Evans office.

Russell, Givens and John Diggs admitted their involvement in a staged crash on March 27, 2017 after driving in from Gibson in Russells 2007 Mercury Mountaineer.

Hickman was the slammer, taking the wheel of the Mountaineer and driving the trio, along with another passenger named James Williams, into a 2017 Freightliner on Chef Menteur Highway, according to their written admissions.

Hickman jumped out after the crash, leaving Russell to claim she was the driver and file suit over the accident, along with Givens and Diggs. Those claims led to more than $270,000 in insurance payouts, Evans office said.

Meanwhile, Randle and Dakota Diggs admitted Tuesday to joining in the first of two staged accidents that Labeaud had planned for May 17, 2017.

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They traveled together from Terrebonne Parish along with a man named Ryan Wheaten, met up with Labeaud and got into a Ford F-150 pickup. Labeaud then drove around looking for a tractor trailer to collide with, Diggs admitted in the factual basis supporting her guilty plea.

+2 'Slammers,' 'spotters,' staged vehicle wrecks and a push to make the scheme a felony in Louisiana Plotting to crash vehicles for the insurance money would be its own felony in Louisiana under a bill backed by Insurance Commissioner Jim Done

They spotted a tractor trailer owned by Stevie Bs Trucking on Calliope Street.

Hold on, Labeaud said, while all passengers were awake, alert and braced for impact, Diggs statement reads.

After the impact, a trailing spotter, Mario Solomon, who was sentenced in January, waved down the big rig driver and blamed him.

Randle and Diggs received payments from attorneys as advances on settlement." Diggs said she was told to injure herself before chiropractic appointments.

Each of the five defendants who pleaded guilty on Tuesday face a maximum five-year prison sentence under federal law. U.S. District Judge Lance Africk has scheduled sentencing for Sept. 15.

A different slammer, Cornelius Garrison, was gunned down at his home in Gentilly days after being named in a federal indictment alleging a different set of staged crashes.
A 22-year-old Mandeville man pleaded guilty Monday to sexual battery on a child during a game of hide-and-seek and to raping a teenager following her high school graduation party, according to the 22nd Judicial District Attorney's office.

Richard Michael Deidrich was 17 in 2016 when he was accused of sexual battery of a 12-year-old girl in his home during a game of hide-and-seek. Investigators later uncovered other acts of sexual battery involving the same victim, according to a news release from the DA.

Last August, Deidrich was arrested again, this time accused of raping a teenager outside of her home after her graduation party.

Deidrich pleaded guilty before 22nd Judicial District Judge Vincent Lobello to two counts of sexual battery of a victim under 13 and one count of second-degree rape. Lobello sentenced him to 25 years without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.

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Deidrich's crimes became an issue in last year's race for district attorney when north shore District Attorney Warren Montgomery's challenger, Vincent Wynne, featured a video on his campaign website in which the girl's mother blamed the incumbent for not aggressively prosecuting Deidrich.

Montgomery countered that his office was prosecuting the case but said the slowdown came after a judge threw out Deidrich's confession, agreeing with Deidrich's defense that he lacked the mental capacity to understand his right to remain silent. The DA appealed that decision and won, but the defense appealed to the state Supreme Court, which ruled in November of 2019 that the confession couldn't be used.

Montgomery said that his office was pursuing the case despite the challenge of not being able to use the confession.
A 67-year-old man was injured Wednesday morning when he suffered a medical emergency while driving on River Road in St. Rose, barreled up and over the Mississippi River levee, and crashed into the water, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies and other passersby pulled the man from his sport utility vehicle, and he was taken to a hospital. His condition was not immediately available.

The crash occurred about 6:30 a.m. at the intersection of Oak Manor Lane and River Road (map). The man was driving a Lincoln Navigator on Oak Manor and lost control of the SUV when he experienced a "severe medical condition," the Sheriff's Office said.

The vehicle hit the stop sign on Oak Manor, crossed River Road and drove up the levee.

The SUV then went airborne over the levee, landing on the batture, the Sheriff's Office said. The vehicle plowed into the river, coming to a halt in shallow water.

Sheriff Greg Champagne commended the good Samaritans who stopped to help rescue the driver.
The day marked a major milestone for Sanai Butler.

The 17-year-old had just graduated with honors from Warren Easton Charter School, and her mother told her she could choose any restaurant she wanted for a big celebration.

Sanai picked Lula Restaurant Distillery on St. Charles Avenue, and a group of 28 relatives and friends, all Black, gathered to honor her and hear some big news: she would be heading to Talladega College in Alabama.

But what was supposed to be a joy-filled meal ended with the restaurant calling the police because a woman  identifying herself as the owners wife  didnt like the bikini top that Sanai was wearing, according to the family.

Officers ultimately didnt arrest anyone. But Sanais mother, La Shawn Butler, said the restaurants decision to involve the New Orleans Police Department was excessive and hurtful. "I feel it was racially motivated," she said.

The group had not been told of a dress code, and there didnt seem to be one posted in the restaurant, Butler said.

She also said the woman, who was White, approached Sanai in a bathroom, but should have approached adults at the table. Sanai and her mother, after viewing pictures online Wednesday, said the woman was Erin Bourgeois, wife of owner Jess Bourgeois. Lula's declined to comment on the Butlers' identification.

This is a child at the end of the day  if you had something to say about her outfit, you couldve approached me as her mother, Butler said.

A year ago, a Minneapolis store clerk called police on George Floyd because he suspected Floyd had given him a counterfeit $20 bill, setting the stage for what would become Floyds tragic killing at the hands of an officer who has since been convicted of murder. That is what made the event so scary, said Butler.

That couldve gone so many different ways, she said.

While the NOPD confirmed that it went to Lulas Tuesday to respond to a disturbance about a females attire, the restaurant issued a statement saying the call was made during a verbal altercation to ensure the safety of all patrons.

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The police were called after three disruptive, adult patrons engaged with another table of patrons, and one of the female owners of Lula, the statement said.

The restaurant apologized to the diners who were present, including any person who feels that Lula discriminated against them based on their attire or race.

We are working with our team, including management and ownership, to determine what should have been done differently and to ensure an enjoyable restaurant and dining environment for everyone, the statement said.

After racial profiling incident at Metairie cinema, AMC Theatres fires employees, donates tickets After a group of New Orleans women said they were humiliated during a Metairie showing of the movie Harriet earlier this month, they demande

La Shawn Butler on Wednesday provided a detailed account of the encounter, which she said occurred two hours after the group had arrived for their reservation.

When Sanai entered the restaurant, no one on the staff said anything about her outfit: a bikini top, matching leggings, a customized graduation stole and a mortarboard, Butler recounted. Her daughter put a jacket on inside at one point because she was cold, but she took it off for pictures and had not put it back on when she went to the restroom with her cousins.

According to Butler, it was in the restroom that a woman who said she was the wife of the owner told Sanai that she needed to put on another shirt because the top she was wearing was very inappropriate.

Sanai was visibly upset when she returned to the table and told her mother what happened, Butler said. The group was incensed.

After racial profiling incident at Metairie cinema, AMC Theatres fires employees, donates tickets After a group of New Orleans women said they were humiliated during a Metairie showing of the movie Harriet earlier this month, they demande

At one point, Butler said, the woman came up to the party and argued that she could say whatever she wanted because she was in her own restaurant. She eventually went off to the side, and two NOPD patrol cruisers pulled up. They left without taking action.

Butler said she felt the restaurant wouldve handled the matter differently if her group  which spent $2,000  wasnt entirely made up of Black people.

A newly hired Lula employee who asked to remain anonymous said she was so disgusted she quit Wednesday. She vouched for the Butlers' version of events, saying it seemed the cops were annoyed at the reason they'd been called out to the restaurant.

"It didn't have to get to that point," the employee said.

Sanai declined to be interviewed Wednesday but issued a statement saying her dinner at Lula was a horrible and sad experience.
Public transit officials are planning changes to bus and streetcar fares in New Orleans in a bid to boost ridership after months of decline due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Under changes that would take effect July 4 and last through the end of the year, the Regional Transit Authority would end its 25-cent fee for transfers between bus and streetcar routes. That means riders would pay the base fare of $1.25 to ride one route and could transfer to another for free as long as they complete the trips within a two-hour window.

The RTA would stop offering its three- and five-day transit passes, but would cut the price on its $55 monthly pass down to $45. The authority would also consolidate the separate passes it offers for ferries, buses and streetcars into a single pass, among other changes.

RTA officials said Wednesday that the proposed changes are meant to draw in more riders as the agency returns to full service and the city's economy fully reopens this summer.

"The pandemic really hit us hard," said Alex Wiggins, the agency's CEO, at a City Council transportation committee meeting Wednesday. "And that had a huge impact on our ability to provide mobility across the region... So bringing back ridership, that's actually what's driving our changes in fares."

The authority expects to hold a public hearing on the moves June 3; its governing board will consider them at a meeting later that month. If the changes are approved and embraced by riders over the next six months, the RTA could make them permanent in 2022. Officials didn't say what the cost of the fare reductions would be, instead estimating that increased ridership would offset the lower prices and the end to certain fees.

The agency could see a surplus of at least $678,000 through the rest of 2021 with the fare reductions and its full return to service, though most of that increase stems from bringing more routes back online.

+8 New Orleans bus, streetcar riders required to wear masks starting Friday, RTA says New Orleans' public transit system will require riders to wear masks before boarding buses and streetcars starting Friday in an effort to comb

At the pandemic's spring 2020 peak, the RTA's ridership was down 90% as many regular riders, fearful of catching coronavirus, completely avoided public transportation. The agency cut its operations by half.

Passenger fares, which typically generate about $18 million per year for the agency's $115 million operating budget, only totaled $7 million in 2020, according to agency figures. The vast majority of the RTA's revenue comes from sales taxes, which also took a significant hit last year as fewer visitors traveled to the city to make purchases.

But as vaccines are administered, COVID-19 cases fall and tourists return to the city, the RTA is trying to figure out how to lure passengers back to public transportation. A study of 15 public transit agencies of similar size and ridership in the U.S. found the agency's pricing for monthly passes and other products was higher than its peers, said Chase Haislip, its internal audit director.

In addition to the end of transfer fees and a lower monthly rate, the RTA is planning several other changes. A separate 25-cent fee for express routes would also be eliminated, meaning riders would only pay the base fare for those lines.

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+13 Will Sutton: Public transit amid coronavirus is challenging, scary but absolutely necessary for some Judy Stevens needs her job. Shes got a home, food and she can pay her bills  if she keeps her job.

Several new fare options are also being proposed, including new youth prices for anyone under 18. Kids and teens would be able to buy an $18 monthly pass, a $1 day pass and a 50-cent single ride.

Senior citizens would be offered an 80-cent day pass and a $14 monthly pass, in addition to the 40-cent single fare they pay currently.

The agency's three-day pass, meanwhile, has not sold well, so the RTA is cutting it along with its five-day pass. The agency is considering creating a weekend pass and a seven-day pass, the former aimed at tourists and the latter for workers whose schedules don't match up with a traditional five-day work week.

Public transit fares waived in New Orleans, Jefferson starting Sunday due to coronavirus concerns Public transit systems in New Orleans and Jefferson Parish are waiving fares for riders beginning Sunday due to continued coronavirus concerns

The RTA is also seeking to remedy a longstanding and annoying quirk of public transit travel in the city  the need to buy multiple passes to ride different types of vehicles.

That change alone would make it possible for an Algiers rider to catch a ferry across the Mississippi River and hop on a streetcar shortly after without needing to buy another fare, an idea that got a rave review from Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer.

Palmer said that with summer approaching, the youth passes would help students get to jobs, camps and other destinations. But she urged the RTA to find a way to bring back free public transit for school-age children, a service that was offered before Hurricane Katrina.

"Im not going to give up the dream yet," she said, citing studies that have shown that people who ride public transit as children end up becoming lifetime riders later on.

Wiggins agreed, but said a free pass would likely need to be subsidized by other agencies.

The fare changes are being proposed as the RTA is implementing major shifts to its transit routes under a system redesign approved earlier this year. Those shifts are meant to better connect riders to jobs, schools and other opportunities in Orleans and Jefferson parishes, and were created with regional job hubs in mind.

In studying rider preferences ahead of that change, the RTA found that riders preferred shorter commutes, even if those commutes meant multiple transfers. By cutting out extra transfer fees, the agency hopes to incentivize more people to use what is expected to be a faster system, Haislip said.

At present, the RTA has recaptured 68% of its pre-COVID-19 ridership, which was roughly 19 million rides per year. The agency is operating at about 80% of its capacity, and plans to return to 100% capacity June 20.
The cougar crashed through a glass window around 12:20 a.m. at the home in San Bruno, about 10 miles south of San Francisco, police said in a press release.
Attorneys for the Jefferson Parish School Board on Wednesday urged a federal judge to toss most of the claims in a civil rights lawsuit brought by the families of two students suspended last year after the students were seen handling BB guns in their homes during virtual lessons.

School system attorneys argued before U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown that the suit failed to show that the two students  Harvey fourth grader Ka'Mauri Harrison and Grand Isle sixth grader Tomie Brown  were denied due process when school administrators first recommended they be expelled, then reduced the punishments to suspensions.

The discipline of the two students during pandemic-driven remote classes early in the school year drew wide attention, including that of Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, who was in federal court in New Orleans Wednesday to support the families. Landry has intervened in the case and one of his assistants argued against a second motion under consideration in which the school system is asking the judge to side with their claim that the "Ka'Mauri Harrison Act," the law the Legislature adopted requiring school districts to create new virtual discipline policies, is unconstitutional.

Landry agreed the pandemic presented unforeseen challenges, but has been outspoken in his belief that the system's actions violated the Harrisons' Second Amendment rights.

"Citizens homes are their castles," he said. "We have to balance the need to educate the children with constitutional rights."

Some school system officials have bristled at Landry's criticism and in court papers have used the terms "grandstanding" and "smear tactics" in opposing his office's intervention in the suit.

Brown did not rule on any of the motions. But during the two-hour hearing, she asked pointed questions of both sides.

In particular, Brown questioned school system attorney Matt McCluer about whether the school administrators who handled the two cases had acted outside the "objectively reasonable" standard when they disciplined students for handling guns while the students were inside their own homes.

"A reasonable juror may question that," she said.

Ka'Mauri Harrison, who already has Jeff Landry on his side, gets support from ACLU in BB gun suit The American Civil Liberties Union has joined the legal fight in federal court over the fate of Ka'Mauri Harrison, a Harvey fourth grader who 

Brown also questioned McCluer about whether the parents had been adequately notified of the violations against the students or whether they should have been aware that a student handling even a toy or facsimile gun would incur a similar penalty to if they had brought one to school.

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The school system published rules on its website that made the clear, McCluer replied.

Brown continued her direct approach when Chelsea Cusimano, who represents the Harrison and Brown families, argued against dismissing the suits.

"Your facts have to be very specific," Brown admonished Cusimano. Later, she pressed Cusimano to clarify how the school system exacted retribution against the Harrisons for the exercise of their First Amendment rights when they took the case to the press, as their suit claims.

"It has to have a chilling effect," Brown said, noting that as Harrison's case moved through the system, the punishments decreased, from recommended expulsion to a six-day suspension to a three-day suspension.

"But it remained," Cusimano said. Cusimano said she believed that the punishment would have been removed had administrators and board members not been angered by media coverage they blamed on Cusimano and the Harrison family.

Brown appeared more sympathetic to arguments from Assistant Attorney General Scott St. John, who argued that the Jefferson Parish School Board had no standing to ask the judge to declare provisions of a new law unconstitutional.

"The School Board doesn't have (constitutional) rights" as a person does, he argued.

Brown seemed to concur, asking Eve Masinter, another attorney for the school system, "How do they have standing?"

Masinter said the system's was entitled to request the dismissal because parts of the new law were applied retroactively, which impacted the School Board.

Brown said she would allow the school system to file additional briefings if they were needed to clarify the point.
It began with a few dozen protesters shouting into traffic on North Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans, four days after George Floyd was killed last May under a police officers knee in Minnesota.

Hours later, a wave of rage over Floyds death and the policing of Black people in America began spilling across the state.

Thousands of protesters poured into the streets in Lafayette and hundreds more in Lake Charles, Shreveport and the state Capitol in Baton Rouge. Smaller groups took to the courthouse in Houma, the civic center in Monroe, a gritty corner in the West End of New Iberia.

In New Orleans the protests ran for weeks into the summer, including a clash on the Crescent City Connection in which police lobbed tear gas and fired projectiles.

The cry that echoed loudest at those protests was Floyds: I cant breathe.

The pent-up outrage that was unleashed over the Floyd killing one year ago remains, fueled most recently by Louisianas own horrific contribution: police body cam footage unearthed by the Associated Press last week showing Black motorist Ronald Greene dying in a brutal, long-hidden 2019 encounter with White Louisiana State Police troopers.

In death of Ronald Greene, State Police officer misled investigators, documents say NEW ORLEANS (AP)  In perhaps the strongest evidence yet of an attempted cover-up in the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene, the ranking Loui

How much Floyds death, or that of Greene, has altered attitudes in Louisiana over police accountability is uncertain -- though there are indications of a shift.

Lawmakers this week are debating a host of policing reforms, including tight limits on chokeholds and no-knock warrants. Advocates also are pushing for legislation to end the qualified immunity that shields misbehaving police officers from state lawsuits seeking damages.

The bills came out of a task force the Legislature set up a month after Floyds killing, as a debate over the use of excessive force by law enforcement roiled nationally.

This is really about being who we say we are as a country," said Judy Reese Morse, president and CEO of the Urban League of Louisiana. "Quite honestly, the proof is in the pudding, and the pudding just doesnt taste good right now.

A survey released in April by LSUs Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs found a wide gap between how Black and White respondents viewed racial discrimination in various contexts. But on one point the majority agreed: Black people are treated less fairly by police.

Ted Quant, a longtime civil rights activist in New Orleans, said the video of Floyds final moments provided evidence that couldnt be explained away.

People witnessed George Floyd being murdered. They could see it. And it couldnt be covered up, it couldnt be lied about, Quant said. I think it was an education for the people of America.

The nonprofit E Pluribus Unum, founded by former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, released its own survey this week. It found similar divisions across the Southern states.

While a large majority of Black respondents said Floyds killing and others prove there is a systemic problem, Whites have a tendency to want to say its a few bad apples, Landrieu said of the survey results.

Still, Landrieu pointed to a broader agreement for the notion that Floyd was wrongfully killed and that more reforms need to happen, as well as support for getting rid of total civil immunity for offending police officers.

"One of the things the public is demanding now, across racial and party lines, is transparency -- before you can get to accountability, Landrieu said. People do not think we have done enough. Everyone wants the police to treat people with great respect and great dignity. Thats a pretty high line of common ground.

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The former mayor ripped State Police for the stop that left Greene dead in Union Parish, along with the alleged coverup that followed.

The fact they sat on that for two years doesnt do anything but make people less trustworthy and ask more questions, he said.

The outcry over Floyds death prompted some agencies in the state to finally purchase body-worn cameras for their officers.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith and Gretna Police Chief Arthur Lawson both made the move in the past year.

Smith said his agency had researched body-worn cameras and sought grants to pay for them in the past, but with everything that was going on within our country, I decided, whatever the cost and whatever it took to find the funds I cant keep telling the public thats pushing for transparency and accountability I dont have the money.

Lawson said the city and parish teamed up to fund the program for Gretna police.

Naturally, the public outcry has been for this, Lawson said.

Nationally, Floyds death led to heavy interest in a program developed in cooperation with the New Orleans Police Department -- once known as one of the countrys most troubled.

Quant helped build the NOPDs Ethical Policing Is Courageous program in 2014. The program teaches bystander officers to step in when their fellow cops go astray. Its the kind of initiative that might have prompted Derek Chauvins fellow cops to take his knee off of Floyds neck, Quant believes.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson has seized on that program, and other changes instituted under the departments 2012 consent agreement with the federal government, as proof that the NOPD was spearheading change before Floyds death.

But last summers protests also crystallized a belief among many activists that police departments cant be fixed from within, and they must be abolished and refashioned entirely.

Those activists havent mounted large-scale protests in New Orleans for months, and these days Jackson Square is filled with tourists instead of demonstrators. Still, activists say the legacy of last summers upheaval lives on in quieter ways.

Jasmine Araujo, an organizer with the group Southern Solidarity who was on the streets in New Orleans on a daily basis last summer, said that many of the people galvanized by Floyds death have switched to "everyday organizing."

People may have been checked out to that, previous to the George Floyd protests, she said.

Rachel Pickens, executive director of the National Police Accountability Project, based in New Orleans, described small gains in policy changes since Floyds death.

There is momentum from last year, and while we hoped there would be huge reforms and transformation of policing, were not quite there yet, Pickens said. At this point body-worn cameras are the bare minimum. If you are a police officer, thats the ground floor for any reform.

Pickens called the publics attitude toward policing the first hurdle, saying its still hard to come to a place where everyone agrees theres a problem.

Greenes death and its long-hidden circumstances show that were nowhere near where we need to be for instances like that not to happen, she added. This is an everlasting fight with police reform and accountability. I just hope that next May 25, were still moving forward.
Amid the reflections over the anniversary of George Floyds murder at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, Louisiana is having its own George Floyd moment, reckoning with the videotaped death of a Black man who was cruelly restrained by police.

While Derek Chauvin has already been tried and convicted in Minnesota, to date nobody from the Louisiana State Police has been charged in the death of Ronald Greene after he failed to pull over while driving at excessive speed outside of Monroe a year earlier. We know that the apparent ringleader of the assault, Chris Hollingsworth, never will; he died in a single-car accident after learning that he would be fired for his role in the stop that ended with Greenes death.

But while theres still more to learn about the Greene case, the parallels to Floyds death while being arrested for passing a counterfeit bill are all over, and they shock the conscience.

They start with the initial, official dishonesty over what had happened. The press release about Floyds deadly encounter said that he resisted, was handcuffed, and appeared to be suffering medical distress, and that officers called for an ambulance. Nowhere does it mention what the world would soon see, Chauvins knee planted on Floyds neck as he begged for relief.

The Louisiana State Polices account of Greenes death, delivered to his family, said, amazingly enough, that hed died in a car accident, not while in custody.

Theres the abject brutality of how both men were treated.

Floyd told officers he couldnt breathe as Chauvin refused to budge.

Greene apologized and told State Police he was scared, yet he was stunned, dragged, punched and taunted with obscenities. While shackled, he seemingly struggled to get off his stomach into a position that would allow him to breathe, but was not allowed to.

Theres the sense that the cops at the scene felt theyd face no repercussions.

Chauvin and the other officers knew they were being filmed by the courageous members of the crowd.

The state troopers were wearing body cameras that would record their actions, but that didnt deter their monstrous behavior. And new reporting by Jim Mustian of The Associated Press found that Lt. John Clary, the senior officer on the scene during parts of the encounter, actually lied about the existence of footage from his camera. It was bound to come out eventually, but the fact that he thought he might get away with it suggests a staggering level of confidence in a culture of impunity. So far, he has faced no discipline.

And thats where the reckoning stands as of today. Thats what state police leaders, and Gov. John Bel Edwards, need to attack with everything theyve got if they want to rebuild public confidence.

To date, the response has fallen short of robust. State police, acting on the request of the Justice Department investigators looking into the case, withheld the footage from public view until last week, after Mustian obtained some of it. Only then did they make the full video account public.

And while Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Lamar Davis has talked of changing the culture, much work remains to be done to make sure that the state police better reflect the diversity of the community, that officers understand their obligation to step in if a colleague goes off the rails, and that coverups will be treated with zero tolerance.

To their credit, the police chief and others in Minneapolis stepped up at trial and said that there was no excuse for Chauvins treatment of George Floyd.

So far Davis and Edwards have said many of the right things and promised appropriate changes, but theyve mostly responded to press reports rather than getting ahead of them.

Just like in Floyds death, the world has now seen the video of Greenes deadly encounter with police. Here too, all eyes are on the people in charge.
Staff Writer

Reese Gorman covers elections, local politics and the COVID-19 pandemic for The Norman Transcript. He started as an intern in May of 2020 and transitioned into his current position as a staff writer in August of 2020.
Walter F. Huebner, age 93, renowned astrophysicist and lifelong traveler, passed away peacefully at his home in Norman, Oklahoma, on June 1, 2021, surrounded by family. No services at this time. View full obituary and share condolences online at www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com.
DuBois Central Catholic students will now be able to take advantage of dual enrollment opportunities at Lock Haven University, as part of the universitys Career Pathways program.

Students can enroll in a sequence of courses in business, criminal justice, health science and social work that will prepare them for transition into that major when they attend college.

The dual enrollment program allows students to be concurrently enrolled in both high school and college courses, either online or in the classroom.

Upon successfully completing coursework, students will earn college credits that can be applied to their LHU transcript, and if they decide to attend elsewhere, LHU credits are able to be transferred.

The Clearfield campus is thrilled to be collaborating with Dubois Central Catholic on this dual enrolment initiative, said Valerie Dixon, LHU Clearfield associate director.

Earning college credits while in high school is a valuable cost-saving opportunity that helps prepare students for the rigor of a college curriculum. DCC is a respected part of our community, and we are eager to work with their amazing students.

For more information on Lock Haven University Clearfield, or email clearfieldadmissions@Lockhaven.edu or call 814-768-3405.

LHU Clearfield offers nine undergraduate majors, including bachelor and associate degree programs.

LHU is a member of Pennsylvanias State System of Higher Education, the largest provider of higher education in the commonwealth.
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Every May, state legislators and other public officials are required to file reports detailing, among other items, whether they received pricey gifts, transportation, or hospitality from lobbyists, businesses, nonprofit groups, or others with a stake in government.

Some years, those reports have revealed lawmakers accepting everything from overseas trips to free entry to black-tie galas on someone elses dime.

But for many lawmakers, 2020 was a banner year for staying home  and eschewing people bearing gifts, at least according to their limited disclosure forms.

Public filings with the State Ethics Commission show that, with some exceptions, Pennsylvanias 253 lawmakers did not report receiving anything of great value last year as the pandemic raged, forcing lockdowns and restrictions on travel and in-person gatherings.

The few gifts of note came largely before the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in Pennsylvania in early March. Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R., Centre), for instance, reported receiving just over $8,500 to attend conferences, including $3,828 from the Pennsylvania Bar Association to go to its mid-year meeting in the Bahamas in late January.

Still, the push to ban elected officials from accepting gifts and other perks continues in the state legislature, despite the fact that past efforts have largely been met with indifference and near-total inaction.

Pennsylvania is in the minority of states with no limit on the size or number of gifts elected officials can accept  the only requirement is disclosure.

Even that has its limits: In their statements of financial interest filed with the State Ethics Commission each May, they need only disclose gifts worth $250 or more, and transportation and hospitality worth $650 or more.

Often, elected officials provide few details about a gift other than its worth and who paid for it  and sometimes, its hard to even discern that much from their reports.

Over the past decade, state lawmakers have introduced bills calling for various types of bans. Many times, the legislation didnt even get a hearing. A key state House committee did advance a measure to prohibit lawmakers from accepting cash and limit other types of gifts in 2019, but the full chamber never took a vote.

The gift-ban issue gained traction and urgency after a 2014 scandal that revealed some House members had accepted envelopes stuffed with cash from an undercover informant posing as a lobbyist for law enforcement.

Both chambers at the time clamored to change their rules to prohibit cash gifts, though that fervor dulled, and the issue got pushed to the legislative back-burner.

Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, signed an order when he took office in 2015 to ban members of the executive branch from accepting gifts and once again urged lawmakers to do the same as part of his 2021 budget plan.

Activists with MarchOnHarrisburg plan to put public pressure on Corman next month to bring a gift ban up for a vote. The grassroots group has pushed for a ban for years through some unusual means, including raining down dollars labeled bribe on lawmakers in the House chamber.

Rabbi Michael Pollack, executive director of MarchOnHarrisburg, said GOP leadership in the state House has committed to supporting a gift ban.

A spokesperson for House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R., Centre) did not directly address the question, but said by email the lawmaker has always been supportive of bringing more accountability and transparency to elected and other government officials. We are currently examining and reviewing various options to advance those goals legislatively this session.

In the state Senate, Majority Leader Kim Ward (R., Westmoreland) is a co-sponsor of a bill that would ban cash gifts and prevent lawmakers from taking anything of value from those seeking to influence official action.

That leaves Corman, Pollack said, who has faced scrutiny for his ties to lobbyists.

Jason Thompson, a spokesperson for Corman, did not respond to Spotlight PAs questions about whether the senator supports gift ban legislation. Thompson recently told the Capital-Star he could not comment on a gift ban but added Corman supported efforts to ban lawmakers from receiving gifts of cash and gift cards in years past.

For Pollack, the issue is simple: As long as legislators can accept cash and other gifts, they will be beholden to those with money and power. Those without means will remain unheard.

Ive never met anyone outside the state Capitol who thinks this is controversial, Pollack said.

Sarah Anne Hughes of Spotlight PA contributed to this report.

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.




Roof confirmed that he understood there was a high likelihood that he would be sentenced to death, and that the chance of being rescued was very small, Adams said. Roof was not making an irrational calculation that his best way to stay alive was to keep out the mental health mitigation evidence.
Loganton, Pa.  State police are investigating a suspected arson in Clinton County after a church camp building caught fire Tuesday morning.

The fire began shortly after 10 a.m. May 25 at Camp Blessing Tabernacle Church building at 73 Blessing Lane in Greene Township. Fire companies from Clinton, Centre, and Lycoming counties responded and extinguished the blaze shortly before 11:30 a.m., according to Clinton County Communications.

A wooden bench and numerous boxes of hymnals sustained significant fire damage, according to Trooper Nathan Birth of Pennsylvania State Police at Montoursville. The PSP fire marshal came to the scene to investigate and found that multiple boxes or hymnals were ignited by a hand-held source.

PSP is asking anyone with information to contact them at (570) 368-5700 and reference incident number PA2021-699376.
Williamsport, Pa. -- On May 25, 2021 at 10:17 p.m., Williamsport Bureau of Police units were emergency dispatched to the area of W. 4th St. and Campbell St. for the report of shots fired.

According to a WBP news release, officers learned from persons on scene that numerous shots were fired in the area southeast of the intersection.

One witness told NorthcentralPa.com that a person dressed in dark clothing across the street from the Shamrock "stood up and started shooting."

Officers also learned at least one bystander was grazed by gunfire but not injured.

Related reading: Shots fired on 700 block of West Fourth St.; police investigating

Multiple vehicles windows were shot out, and police canvassed the area for bullet casings.

Members of the Pennsylvania State Police Forensic Services Unit assisted Williamsport Bureau of Police with the collection of evidence from the scene.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is requested to contact Officer Christopher Salisbury at 570-327-7593 or csalisbury@cityofwilliamsport.org.
Muncy Valley -- Martha Ann "Marty" Jordan, 66, of Muncy Valley died Friday, May 21, 2021 at her home after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born October 8, 1954 in Williamsport, she was a daughter of the late Donald W. and Mary Kathryn (Hopkins) Young. She and her husband, George W. Jordan, celebrated 50 years of marriage on March 20, 2021.

Marty was a member of the Valley United Methodist Church, Muncy Valley, and a member of the Susquehanna Valley Quilt Guild. Marthas loving and caring nature was best shown in her amazing talents in cooking, crocheting, quilting, and many other craft abilities. Her desire to do for others was even more evident in her daily life. Martha was an excellent seamstress and quilter and over the years she quilted many quilts that she donated to hospitals, assisted care facilities, and to her church. She also crocheted hundreds of afghans for unwed mothers and baby blankets for newborns that were leaving the hospital. Georges Aunt Florence taught Martha how to handmake palm crosses and she made them by the dozens for several area churches for their Palm Sunday services. She made equal numbers of Covid masks for first responders. Not only was she talented at these crafts, but she also spent many hours teaching others at nursing homes, assisted care facilities, etc. You could also very often see Martha at local craft shows in the area.

Marthas grandchildren were truly the love of her life and she spent as much time with them as was humanly possible. She taught her grandchildren how to swim, taught them the beginning lessons of sewing, and taught them as many of her craft talents and lifes lessons as they were interested in learning. As was the case with her grandchildren, Marthas lifelong calling was to give to others, and to love others, much more than she could have ever received in return.

Many years ago, her husband George and his father John Jordan built a pond on their property. That pond and the picnic area there were Marthas piece of heaven on earth. She spent countless hours there, sometimes just enjoying the peace and serenity, many times just doing what was necessary to keep the area beautifully maintained, and many more times entertaining family and friends with fellowship and truly fantastic picnics.

Martha touched many lives during her lifetime. With Marthas passing, heaven has welcomed home one of the true angels from earth.

Surviving in addition to her husband are three sons, Jonathan (Denise) Jordan of Unityville, Jeremy Jordan of Muncy Valley, and Jacob (Shelly) Jordan of Muncy Valley; four sisters, Linda (Roger) Gordner of Millville, Victoria Duchman of Linden, Susan (Tom) Brittain of Muncy, and Angela (Philip) Maietta of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; three brothers, David W (Lisa) Young of Wyo., Richard E Young of Millville, and Phillip A Young of New Market, Md.; six grandchildren, Katy Reigel, Brooke Jordan, Paige Jordan, Kara Jordan, Mazee Jordan, and Cooper Jordan; and two great-granddaughters, Lyla Pittenger and Tyra Pittenger.

Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home, Hughesville.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.mccartythomas.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to St. Judes Childrens Hospital at www.stjude.org/donate or the charity of your choice.




Tillamook, OR (97141)

Today

Cloudy skies with periods of rain later in the day. High 69F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Rain. Low 59F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
Calhoun, GA (30701)

Today

Thunderstorms during the morning hours, then skies turning partly cloudy during the afternoon. High near 90F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 67F. Winds light and variable.
Four people were onboard the Sikorsky UH-60 on Tuesday when it plunged downward around 4 p.m. near Leesburg International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a news release. The search for survivors has so far turned up a single body, but responders have not yet found anyone else amid the debris, Leesburg Fire Rescue said in a Facebook post around 9 p.m.
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A nighttime inventory revealed that one box containing 25 bricks was missing. Investigators say Moody found that missing parcel near a cargo warehouse the next day and delivered to a nearby location, but not before removing a few bars for his own purposes. Other workers discovered the box contained only 21 bars.
WASHINGTON  Dan Crenshaw had to take a break from making skydiving videos as he continues to recover from surgery on what hes called his half a good eye. If you go above a thousand feet, your eye explodes, the Texas Republican said. Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL, is easily identifiable by his eye patch. Its a constant reminder of the roadside bomb blast in 2012 that destroyed his right ...
Rome, GA (30161)

Today

Isolated thunderstorms this morning. Skies will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High around 90F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low 68F. Winds light and variable.
Lynn Gendusa of Roswell is the author of Its All Write with Me! Essays from my heart. She can be reached at www.lynngendusa.com.
With a digital Watches & Wonders show in April in Geneva that everyone hailed as an honorable solution in the absence of a physical event (read the interviews of Laurent Dordet here and Frederic Grangie here), the much-heralded return of "real" face-to-face events is a sign of double optimism: the joy of meeting and doing business without a screen, and the sign that the public health crisis is in fact coming to an end.



Chronologically, let's salute the dynamism and impressive foresight of Carlos Alonso, publisher of the Tiempo de Relojes magazine and founder of the SIAR trade fair, whose professionalism and the relevance of the format offered have been unanimously acclaimed in the industry for years. Not only was he able to organize his 2020 edition last fall and enable the watchmakers present to make sales, but he is doubling down this year by setting up a summer SIAR, from mid-June. Independent watchmakers are flocking to it, while the usual edition in mid-October 2021 is also still to be held as planned. Caliente!

Carlos Alonso  SIAR 2015

This watch scene will be buzzing this fall, since in mid-October the Shanghai Watch Festival is also due to be held, organized by collector and entrepreneur Kelvin Sa, founder of the Shanghai Watch Gang club. This new, more institutional concept of his show, which previously took place in December in a fairly relaxed mode, is aimed at a wider audience, and is also slated to host the Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Geneve traveling exhibition. The latter is expected to stop off in India just before that. The highly popular and influential biennial Dubai Watch Week aims to bring the entire watchmaking community together again at the end of November, offering a clever mix of cultural panels, media presentations, booths open to the public and order taking by the powerful local retailer Seddiqi & Son, which initiated this major international event.

 Dubai Watch Week 2020

Switzerland in the front row Having made headlines last year by rising from the still smoldering ashes of the two major traditional Swiss exhibitions, the Geneva Watch Days are confirming they hit the spot by staging a strong comeback to the shores of Lake Geneva from August 30th to September 4th. Still directly organized by the founding brands behind the concept, joined by others won over by this entrepreneurial spirit and their independence, Geneva Watch Days will once again rely on a shared marquee open to the public and individual presentation areas spread throughout the boutiques and suites of the surrounding hotels.

Geneva Watch Days founding brands' CEOs  Geneva Watch Days

During the same period in Neuchatel, the Imagination exhibition intends to bring together watch industry exhibitors, as well as jewellers and manufacturers of writing instruments, from September 1st to 6th.



The Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Geneve is celebrating its 20th anniversary, as is its media partner, the WorldTempus website, and will be exhibiting in Geneva at the end of October for the first time all the Aiguille dOr Grand Prix awards since 2001, in addition to the 84 watches nominated for 2021. The prize-giving ceremony will take place on November 4th at the Theatre du Leman  with a 1,200-strong audience this time?



Two days later, the Only Watch biennial will complete its world tour (after kicking off at the Monaco Yacht Show September 22nd) with an auction held by Christie's Geneva. Everyone still remembers the record result of the 2019 sale (CHF 38.5 million donated in full to research), and no one is surprised that this ninth edition is attracting over 55 brands. Its exceptional founder Luc Pettavino was indeed honored with the GPHG Special Jury Prize in 2019.
Wine said in a statement Tuesday that an exhaustive collaborative investigation determined that officers were authorized to discharge their firearms in defense of human life, including their own, when they reasonably believed, based on the facts and circumstances, that Mr. McAtee posed an immediate threat of death or serious injury to them or to another person.
This is happening to us as human beings, Goldberg said. So when we say this, its important that everybody just go, Oh damn. Damn. Yeah ok I get it, I hear what youre saying. Thats all people really need. And if you hear what were saying and you see what were going through and you realize that once theyre done doing this to me, youre next, maybe we can all help to bring the change.
Horizon Bank's Fresh Start Checking has received accreditation from the Cities for Financial Empowerment organization. The accreditation serves as a recommendation for community nonprofits to refer unbanked community members to the checking account.

The Michigan City-based bank's Fresh Start account has no minimum balance requirement, unlimited check writing, federal deposit insurance and a cost of $5 a month.

It was found to meet national standards that were crafted with the help of consumer advocates, civic leaders and nonprofits.

The goal of the national Bank On initiative is to help people, particularly of lower socioeconomic status, gain access to safe and affordable financial products and services. Bank On national account standards are meant for community service coalitions and nonprofits to use to identify bank or credit union accounts they can refer clients to.

Bank accounts that meet the Bank On National Account Standards are now available at 28,000 branches in all 50 states.

Millions of customers nationwide have opened Bank On-certified accounts, with about 75% of them new to the financial institutions.
Downtown Hammond The U.S. Federal Courthouse for the Northern District of Indiana is shown in Hammond.

SOUTH BEND  Gary T. Bell will be the next clerk of court for the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Indiana.

Bell has been serving as acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Indiana and will begin working for the District Court on June 14, according to a news release. He will become clerk of court on July 1 to fill the vacancy from Clerk Robert Trgovich's impending retirement.

After joining the U.S. Attorney's Office in 1999, Bell was the first assistant United States attorney and criminal chief before being appointed to his current role. Prior to joining the office, he was a litigation associate at Spangler, Jennings, & Dougherty, PC.

"Gary Bell has been an exceptional trial attorney handling complex criminal cases in the Northern District of Indiana for over 20 years," Chief Judge DeGuilio said in the release. "He has in recent years assumed increasing responsibility for the supervision and management of the U.S. Attorneys Office, culminating in his becoming the acting U.S. attorney."
TIPPECANOE COUNTY  A Chicago man accused of fleeing an attempted traffic stop Tuesday ended up veering off the road and running into a nearby woods, where he was placed under arrest, police say.

James Brown, 31, faces several felony charges stemming from the pursuit, including drug possession and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

Brown led Indiana State Police troopers on a chase across Interstate 65 through Lafayette after a trooper tried to stop him on suspicion of speeding, a release from the Indiana State Police Lafayette District states.

The trooper was patrolling the interstate Tuesday afternoon when Brown sped past in a 1995 red Dodge Intrepid, police allege.

As the trooper attempted a stop, Brown exited I-65 northbound onto Ind. 25, went through a roundabout, then continued north on Old State Road 25.

Brown then led the trooper into Carroll County to the north, then turned around to go south onto Ind. 25 again, back into Tippecanoe County, police said.

He eventually lost control of the vehicle at a roundabout and ran off the road. At that point, he got out of the car and ran into the woods on the west side of the road, police said.
It seemed quite clear, however, that this would not be the last mass shooting this month, or even this week. The U.S. has seen an average of two mass shooting a day this month, with at least 62 such incidents confirmed since May 1, according to the GVAs data.
CROWN POINT  Lake County prosecutors agreed Wednesday to dismiss charges against a Chicago police officer accused of hitting a gaming agent if she stays out of trouble with the law for the next year.

Sgt. Lori Cooper, 34, entered into a pretrial diversion agreement, which requires her to successfully complete a substance abuse program.

If Cooper holds up her end of the deal, Lake County prosecutors will drop her charges in May 2022.

Cooper told Judge Salvador Vasquez she was before him because of "bad choices, bad company, drinking in excess and acting in an irrational manner."

According to court records, a Hammond police officer was working off duty as security Oct. 30 at the Horseshoe Casino when he was asked to respond to a bathroom because a casino employee "may have been battered by an intoxicated female patron."

When he arrived, the employee was not injured and did not want to see criminal charges against Cooper.

However, Cooper and a friend, who both appeared intoxicated, were told several times to leave the premises, records state.
CROWN POINT  A Lake Criminal Court judge granted a joint request Tuesday to reschedule a trial for a man accused of beating a woman to death and dumping her body in an Illinois forest preserve in 2019.

James E. McGhee, 40, of Hammond, had been scheduled to stand trial starting June 1.

Judge Diane Boswell reset McGhee's trial for the weeks of Oct. 18 and 25.

McGhee is charged with murder in the August 2019 homicide of 27-year-old Sidne-Nichole Buchanan, of Gary.

Defense attorney Michael Woods said Lake County Deputy Prosecutor Infinity Westberg agreed to a joint request to continue the trial after they discovered the defense did not have a copy of an FBI report analyzing cellphone location data in the case. The situation was the result of an oversight, Woods said.

Woods said the report is more than 70 pages long and he would not have enough time to analyze or consult with his own expert about it before a June trial.

McGhee's cellphone location data also is the subject of a motion to suppress filed by the defense.

Woods said authorities obtained the data in a warrantless search.
MERRILLVILLE  A woman who was reported missing in March and who was possibly involved in a police pursuit was found dead Tuesday.

The body of 32-year-old Steffani Sanders was found in the 9300 block of Colorado Street, the Lake County coroner's office said. The coroner's office was dispatched to the scene at 2 p.m. Tuesday, and Sanders was pronounced dead at 2:45 p.m.

The manner and cause of death were listed as pending by the coroner's office.

Authorities began searching for Sanders in mid-March after a police pursuit.

Police responded on March 13 at 11:37 p.m. to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the 1300 block of 86th Place in Merrillville. When officers tried to make contact with the reported vehicle, it sped off from the scene and police gave chase, Merrillville Assistant Police Chief Kosta Nuses previously told The Times.

The vehicle eventually left the roadway and tried to lose pursuing officers through a field. The vehicle later stopped and a foot pursuit commenced. K-9 units and drone technology helped police arrest a male, Nuses had said.

The man indicated a passenger was with him in the vehicle, but no other person was located that night, Nuses had said.
Yet a surveillance video shows her and son, Connor Kerner, discussing the rental at the business and listening to instructions on how to use the winch to load a vehicle on the trailer, police said.

King also pounced on testimony Tuesday from Porter County Sheriff Sgt. Detective Brian Dziedzinski that he and prosecutors had discussed the possibility of charging Roxann Kerner before her son's trial.

Roxann Kerner, 47, of Chesterton, faces felony counts of obstruction of justice and perjury, and misdemeanor false informing, court records show.

Porter Superior Court Judge Mike Fish gave the defense 45 days to file their argument and prosecutors 15 days after that to respond.

An Aug. 13 hearing was scheduled.

A jury found Connor Kerner, 20, guilty in October on two counts of murder, two counts of murder in perpetration of a robbery, two counts of attempted robbery and one count of arson. He was sentenced in December to 179 years behind bars in the same courtroom where his mother's case is pending.

His co-defendant, John Silva II, 20, of Hamlet, will go to trial next week on two counts each of murder and robbery resulting in serious bodily injury in Grill and Lanham's deaths.
CROWN POINT  A deputy prosecutor told Lake Criminal Court jurors Tuesday they would hear this week about how a defendant fought with his cousin during a family party in 2019, followed the cousin to another location and shot him "execution style."

Shaun A. Whitelow, 32, of Hammond, is accused of killing his 30-year-old cousin Darvell L. Smith early Nov. 3, 2019, as Smith sat in his parked car in the 2300 block of White Oak Avenue in the Robertsdale neighborhood.

Whitelow's attorney, Randy Godshalk, said Whitelow is presumed innocent and he thinks prosecutors interpreted the evidence the wrong way.

"Once you listen and and observe, you will agree with me and know what I've known since last year: that Shaun is not guilty," Godshalk said.

Lake County Deputy Prosecutor Judith Massa told jurors they would see videos from a family birthday party in the 6700 block of New Jersey Avenue in Hammond, where Whitelow and Smith fought after Whitelow pushed down Smith's sister during an argument involving her male friend.

Witnesses were expected to testify that after the fight ended and things cooled down, Whitelow went back inside the house and confronted Smith in front of Smith's children, Massa said.
CROWN POINT  A Lake Criminal Court judge recently sentenced a Highland woman to 15 years in prison for shooting her ex-boyfriend to death last year in a Gary alley.

Erin N. Sowa, 24, gave up a claim of self-defense when she pleaded guilty in April to voluntary manslaughter, Judge Salvador Vasquez said.

The judge sentenced Sowa to the maximum term under her plea agreement.

Sowa shot Anthony Syler, 27, of Gary, in the head "in sudden heat" April 8, 2020, in an alley east of the 700 block of Cleveland Street.

Sowa's attorney, Patrick Young, said Sowa decided to take the state's plea offer rather than go to trial and risk being convicted of murder, which carries a 45- to 65-year sentence.

Young began to argue Sowa had been in an abusive relationship with Syler.

He presented photos of a knife wound Syler inflicted on himself during a confrontation between Syler and Sowa that led to Syler's death.

Lake County Deputy Prosecutor Tara Villarreal objected to Young's statements, saying they weren't relevant because Young presented no evidence to support them.
More than a quarter of the Republicans serving in the 100-member Indiana House are asking Gov. Eric Holcomb to stop Indiana University from requiring all students, faculty and staff be immunized against COVID-19 prior to the start of the fall semester.

Nineteen of the 71 House Republicans, including state Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville, sent a letter to the Republican governor Tuesday requesting Holcomb use his executive authority to prohibit Indiana public universities from mandating vaccines that only are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use on an emergency basis, including the three COVID-19 vaccines.

"Enforcing a mandate that students and faculty accept a vaccine that does not have full FDA approval is unconscionable," the letter says. "Students' classes will be dropped, others will be ostracized from IU, and employees will be terminated per this new policy."

The letter was spearheaded by state Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, and follows similar requests by state Rep. John Jacob, R-Indianapolis, and state Rep. Curt Nisly, R-Milford, asking IU officials to reconsider the COVID-19 vaccination policy announced Friday.
Days after the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was approved for kids as young as 12, the Porter County Health Department held vaccine clinics at various area schools.

In early May, the health department asked local schools if they would be interested in holding vaccination clinics for students ages 12 to 18  if the vaccine was approved for use in people younger than 16.

Shortly after, on May 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved use of the Pfizer vaccine for anyone over the age of 12.

"The collaboration between the schools and the health department throughout the course of the pandemic has been instrumental in keeping COVID cases in our schools to a minimum," Porter County Health Officer Dr. Maria Stamp said.

"We are hopeful and excited that we are able to continue our collaboration by providing vaccines to students."

Sheila Paul, food program director for the Porter County Health Department, said the department encourages anyone who is eligible to be vaccinated.
Products created there will go to Dominos locations in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio.

Construction could start in September, and it will take about one year to finish the facility.

The new jobs that will be created there include full-time warehouse, production and driver positions, and Dominos will start filling positions in 2022. Information about those positions will be available at jobs.dominos.com when they are available.

Dominos is receiving state and local incentives for the project.

The company has been offered up to $2 million in conditional tax credits from the Indiana Economic Development Corp. as well as up to $100,000 in conditional training grants based on job creation plans.

Tax abatement also is being sought for the development, and the Town Council on Tuesday granted initial approval for it. The abatement request is expected to be finalized in June.

Council President Rick Bella was among those excited about the supply chain center coming to town.
Today is Monday, May 24, 2021. Let's get caught up.

These headlines are in the news this morning: Shootings at a N.J. house party and a S.C. concert left 3 dead and 2 dozen injured over the weekend; Drake, Pink, The Weeknd steal Billboards show; and Phil Mickelson becomes the oldest major champion at 50.

Read on for these stories, other top headlines, celebrity birthdays and more.

TOP STORIES

3 killed, 2 dozen injured in 2 weekend shootings in US

A family house party in South Jersey turned into a crime scene where at least two people were fatally shot and 12 others were wounded, state police said.

Authorities arrived at the house in Fairfield Township, about an hour outside of Philadelphia, late Saturday night. A resident who runs a local anti-violence organization said he was called out to assist families at the 90s-themed party. John Fuqua, of Life Worth Living, said guests who attended the party were of all ages.
Before they leave, one of them tells me not to say anything about what had happened, that they knew Iris and they know my daughter, he testified. That if I said something, they will take care of them.
A lawsuit by the Governor against legislators to invalidate a law enacted over the Governors veto amounts to a demand for a super veto via the judiciary, the attorney generals court filing said. It is no small thing for one branch of government to drag another branch of government to account before the third branch of government. No constitutional provision secures to officials of any branch such extraordinary power.

Holcombs lawyers argued last week that Rokita was making absurd arguments that he alone has the legal authority to represent the state in court and can decide whether the new law is constitutional.

John Trimble, Holcombs lead lawyer with the Indianapolis firm Lewis Wagner, referred questions Tuesday to the governors office, which didnt immediately reply to a request for comment.

The governor and some legal experts maintain the state constitution doesn't allow the new process under which legislative leaders could call the General Assembly into what it calls an emergency session. The governors lawsuit argues that the Legislature is usurping a power given exclusively to the governor under the state constitution to call lawmakers into a special session.
"It was happiness that I found him  that I could give the family closure  but then ... spotting his body ... it hit me hard. I wasn't ready for it. But that's what I came here to do," Smith said.

It's hard to fathom such a loss. A tragedy that took place in the blink of an eye.

Let us hope, however, in our grief, we keep Kyrin's spirit close to our hearts.

The search for a little boy with an angelic face and kind eyes helped bring this community together.

In the absolute worst of times, it brought out the best of the Region.

Volunteers from all corners of Lake County and beyond flocked to the shores of the Little Calumet River.

They weren't divided by their differences.

They didn't bicker or squabble over petty matters.

They were united in the hope of finding Kyrin.

Hammond police Lt. Steven Kellogg told The Times last week that he received numerous calls from parents of autistic children. Kyrin was autistic, and those parents told Kellogg they wanted to help.
Mark York, an actor best known for playing a character on the NBC sitcom The Office who, like him, was a paraplegic, died on May 19 in Dayton, Ohio. He was 55.

His death, in a hospital, was confirmed by the Montgomery County coroners office. Mr. Yorks family said in an obituary that he died after a brief and unexpected illness.

Mr. York appeared in four episodes of The Office, from 2006 to 2009, as Billy Merchant, the property manager of the office park where Dunder Mifflin, the fictional paper company at the center of the series, made its home. His character was introduced in the second season when Michael Scott, the bumbling branch manager played by Steve Carell, brought him to the office for a cringe-inducing meeting on disability awareness.

In that scene, Billy gamely answers Michaels clueless questions about his use of a wheelchair. But when Michael tries to equate it with burning his foot on a George Foreman grill, Billy interrupts: You know what, Michael? Let me stop you right there  and leave.
The Associated Press has started a review of its social media policy after more than 150 staff members publicly condemned the firing of a young journalist for violating that policy.

In a memo to its global newsrooms on Monday, The A.P.s top editors said they had heard the concerns from many journalists over the weekend and were committed to expanding the conversation taking place about A.P.s approach to social media.

The news agency faced a backlash after Emily Wilder, a 22-year-old news associate who had joined the company in Arizona, was dismissed on May 19, three weeks after she was hired.

Ms. Wilder, who graduated from Stanford University in 2020 and had worked at The Arizona Republic, said in a statement on Friday that she had been the subject of a campaign by Stanford College Republicans, whose social media posts drew attention to her pro-Palestine activism at the university. She added that her editors had reassured her she would not be fired for her past advocacy work.
One lawyer, Michael Rosas, argued that his client should be released.

Hes trying to change his life, Mr. Rosas told the judge. This is something that happened two years ago. Hes presumed innocent.

In denying bail, the magistrate judge, James B. Clark III, noted the seriousness of the charges.

Peoples homes are their castles, Judge Clark said, and when homes are invaded by burglars I cant conceive of too many things that are more troubling, more invasive.

After identifying homes owned by people of Asian descent, the men would surveil the property and enter when they thought no one was home, often using ladders to climb through unlocked second-story windows, prosecutors said.

The device used to track vehicles to some of the homes that the defendants burglarized was created from magnets and cellular telephones, according to the criminal complaint.

Three of the men charged were arrested during burglaries in process in Old Bridge, N.J., and Hazlet, N.J., the authorities said.

In at least two incidents, the homes were not empty when intruders entered.

In December 2018, an Asian resident of a home in Kenilworth, N.J., fought with a male intruder, who dropped a walkie-talkie that the authorities said contained traces of DNA that helped lead to the arrests.

Investigators interviewed a participant in the burglary ring who told them that the thieves would search the internet for Indian and Chinese restaurants. Their owners were targeted, according to the complaint, because it was believed that the victims kept large sums of currency and jewelry in their residences.
A Kentucky prosecutor said on Tuesday that he would not pursue criminal charges against National Guard members involved in a shooting that killed the popular owner of a Louisville barbecue stand last June as officials sought to enforce a curfew imposed after protests against police violence.

Thomas B. Wine, the Jefferson County commonwealths attorney, said in a statement that the two Louisville Metro Police Department officers and two Kentucky National Guard members were justified in firing a total of 19 shots during the encounter because they were responding to gunfire from the victim, David McAtee.

Mr. McAtee had fired two rounds after a Louisville police officer fired several pepper balls where the victims niece was standing, at the entrance to his shop, YaYas BBQ, Mr. Wine said.

Mr. McAtee was struck once in the chest and died moments later. Bullet fragments recovered from his body were determined to have been fired by one of the two National Guard members, but it was unclear which one, Mr. Wine said.
WASHINGTON  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel took a moment on Tuesday to thank the Biden administration for its support during his countrys 11-day conflict with Hamas in Gaza  and then abruptly changed the subject, and his tone.

We discussed many regional issues, but none is greater than Iran, Mr. Netanyahu said, standing with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken after their meeting in Jerusalem. He pointedly added that he hoped the United States would not rejoin the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, because we believe that that deal paves the way for Iran to have an arsenal of nuclear weapons with international legitimacy.

The Israeli leaders remarks lent a sour note to his welcome of Mr. Blinken. And it undoubtedly echoed a few thousand miles away in Vienna, where a fifth round of negotiations aimed at bringing the United States and Iran back into compliance with the nuclear agreement, a top priority of Mr. Bidens, opened on Tuesday.

As Mr. Netanyahus remarks made clear, the Gaza conflict appears to have earned Mr. Biden good will with the Israeli leader, and his public. But the prospect of a U.S. return to the nuclear deal threatens to generate new strains between Washington and Jerusalem on a subject that poisoned relations between President Barack Obama and Mr. Netanyahu.
Mr. McCarthy, who declined to strip Ms. Greene of her committee assignments for anti-Semitic and violent statements she made before she was elected, has remained loath to punish her since she came to Washington, in part for fear of elevating her platform and also to avoid alienating voters enthralled by her conspiratorial brand of politics.

In an interview with a conservative television host last week, Ms. Greene compared Speaker Nancy Pelosis insistence that lawmakers get vaccinated before removing the Houses mask mandate to how Jews were put in trains and taken to gas chambers in Nazi Germany.

In the past week, Ms. Greene has continued to equate universities barring unvaccinated students from attending classes in person to the Holocaust and referred to four progressive congresswomen  all women of color, two of whom are Muslim  as the jihad squad, equating their vocal critiques of Israels government and support for Palestinian rights to anti-Semitism and backing for Hamas.

Republicans on Tuesday quickly tried to shift attention from Ms. Greenes comments to Democrats, whom they have tried to paint as insufficiently supportive of Israel, introducing resolutions in the House and Senate condemning anti-Semitism. But their job was made harder by the congresswoman, who refused to apologize for her comments and insisted that she had never compared mask mandates specifically to the Holocaust  only the discrimination against Jews in the early Nazi years.

The condemnations by Republican leaders came after a rebuke from the Republican Jewish Coalition, a prominent organization whose political action committee contributes generously to the party. Matt Brooks, the executive director, called Ms. Greene an embarrassment to yourself and the G.O.P.

Please educate yourself so that you can realize how absolutely wrong and inappropriate it is to compare proof of vaccination with the 6million Jews who were exterminated by Nazis, he wrote on Twitter in response to one of Ms. Greenes broadsides.

Still, in a reflection of how eager Republicans were to shift the unwelcome spotlight to Democrats, Mr. Brooks  who recently pinned a message on his Twitter feed imploring voters to remember in November that there is only ONE pro-Israel party  said in an interview that party leaders had responded appropriately to Ms. Greenes comments.
WASHINGTON  With bipartisan negotiations faltering, President Biden and Senate Democrats are facing difficult decisions about how to salvage their hopes of enacting a major new infrastructure package this year, and waning time to decide whether to continue pursuing compromise with Republicans or try to act on their own.

Senate Republicans who have been negotiating with the White House said on Tuesday that they would produce a counterproposal to Mr. Bidens latest $1.7 trillion offer, promising a plan by Thursday that could amount to $1 trillion in public works spending over eight years. But it is unclear whether the two sides can reach common ground, and a group of centrist senators in both parties were quietly discussing a backup option should the talks stall.

At the same time, many Democrats have grown wary of the prospect of a bipartisan deal as Republicans have continued to push to scale back Mr. Bidens original $2.3 trillion proposal to a fraction of its size, while rejecting his calls to raise taxes on high earners and corporations to pay for the package.

Several Democrats are eager for party leaders to abandon the effort to win over Republicans and instead try to use the fast-track budget reconciliation process to muscle through Mr. Bidens $4 trillion economic plan for both a sweeping infrastructure investment and an expansion of child care, education and work force support with a simple majority.
More than 12.6 million United States households adopted animals from March to December of last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, helping to propel an increase in visits and revenue to veterinary offices.

That heightened demand has drawn investors and others to the market for veterinary services. Landlords who might have spurned tenants associated with unpleasant odors and noise are more amenable to leasing to the clinics after a year when the vets paid their rent while other businesses fell behind. And architecture firms that specialize in the design of vet space are busier than ever.

Tech-savvy start-ups are promising a reinvention of the experience, with phone apps, round-the-clock telemedicine and boutique storefronts with refreshments (for pet owners).

The pet care business is riding a growth spurt: Morgan Stanley projected that it would be a $275 billion industry in 2030, up from $100 billion in 2019, with vet care the fastest-growing segment over the next decade.
Almost as soon as Officer Timothy Loehmann arrived on the scene with his 46-year-old partner, Frank Garmback, he exited the police cruiser and opened fire on Rice, who had only been playing with a pellet gun at the time. The shooting was later ruled justified and Loehmann got to keep his job until 2017, when he was fired for an unrelated matter.
PARIS  The huge Opera Bastille was strangely quiet, the clatter of the musicians settling in to the orchestra pit echoing in the nearly empty theater. It was April 1, two days after the scheduled opening night of Roland Petits Notre-Dame de Paris, the first of two Paris Opera Ballet programs commemorating the 10th anniversary of Petits death. But a new lockdown in France obliged the company to cancel all its shows. The performance that I saw was being filmed, watched by a handful of journalists and Paris Opera employees. (It will be broadcast later in the summer.)

I was curious about Notre-Dame, a work that Petit (1924-2011) created for the Paris Opera in 1965. The company performs it intermittently, but I had never seen it. Like most ballet-lovers living outside of France, I knew little of Petits large oeuvre apart from the two works that made him famous: Carmen (1949) and Le Jeune Homme et la Mort (1946), which got a particular boost when Mikhail Baryshnikov performed it in the opening scene of the 1985 movie, White Nights.

Those two pieces, along with Les Rendez-Vous (1945), make up the second Paris Opera program, which will open (pandemic permitting) on May 30, giving Parisian audiences a sampler of Petits greatest hits.
On Sept. 1, des Cars will replace the museums leader of eight years, Jean-Luc Martinez, who had waged an intense media campaign to stay on for a new five-year term.

The two museum directors could not be more different. Both studied art history at the Ecole du Louvre, the museums prestigious school. But the Louvre has traditionally been run by upper-class art historians, and Martinez, a trained archaeologist with little expertise in painting, was the son of a postman from a working-class suburb of Paris. Des Cars, a specialist in 19th- and early-20th-century painting, is descended from a French noble family of writers.

Des Cars will take over the museum  which belongs to the French state and has an annual budget of about 240 million euros (or $291 million) and more than 2,000 employees  at a difficult time. The pandemic has put a brake on international tourism, which accounted for 70 percent of its visitors. Before it hit last year, the Louvre was getting about 10 million annual visitors, making it the most visited museum in the world.

This very long lockdown and closure of museums has been very painful, des Cars said. What I fear most is that there will be a temptation for people to close in on themselves, that people will be so insecure they will be afraid of the outside. I want to open the windows and open the doors and make connections so that people will see there is a whole wild world to discover.

Des Carss confidence stems in part from the role she played as scientific director of the development of Louvre Abu Dhabi, a museum in the United Arab Emirates that leases the Louvres brand and which opened in 2017.
The episode titles in Friends were distinctively generic: The One Where Ross and Rachel Take a Break, The One With the Monkey. The template said a few things about the show. This was a comedy that would never take itself seriously; it was not going to name an episode Ozymandias. Its titles assumed that you would forget them. It understood how fans watched TV and how they talked about it.

Friends: The Reunion, the sweet, shaggy special arriving on HBO Max on Thursday, makes another thing about the titles clear: Theyre pre-nostalgized. Theyre written the way you would try to remember the episodes, retrospectively, years later  say, at a reunion.

And when I say you, I include the actors who starred in them. Do you remember the one where you guys were throwing a ball back and forth? Jennifer Aniston asks her old colleagues. (It was, in fact, called The One With the Ball.) Later, Matt LeBlanc recalls being in his kitchen and seeing a rerun of the one with the leather pants. (Actually, The One With All the Resolutions.)

The Friends stars are, give or take a few zillion dollars and magazine covers, just like us. They just want to remember. And this reunion is a remember-that machine. Central Perk, Smelly Cat, We were on a break; check, check and check.
Among white Tulsans, Ellsworth encountered a mix of shame and defiance. Photographs and official records had disappeared. Someone had even cut out relevant parts of The Tulsa Tribune before the newspaper was committed to microfilm. Black Tulsans, too, had their own reasons not to revisit what happened. What they had lived through was horrific  Ellsworth himself has likened it to an American Kristallnacht. Many of those who had survived didnt want to burden their children with such trauma.

He did find some Black survivors who wanted to talk  but not to him, at least not at first. In the mid-1970s, Ellsworth introduced himself to W.D. Williams, who was a 16-year-old high school student in 1921. Williams had been waiting for decades to tell his life story, but Ellsworth knew that he sure as hell hadnt been waiting to tell it to someone like him: a young Reed College student who hadnt written a book or even an article yet, and had grown up on the same side of town that, 54 years earlier, the people who had tried to murder him, his mother and his father had come from.

The Ground Breaking is filled with moments like these  candid and self-aware, undergirded by Ellsworths earnest efforts to get at this history, and to get it right. Where the history of the massacre wasnt obscured, he found it distorted, deformed by conspiracy theories or attempts to both-sides it. Part of what makes this book so riveting is Ellsworths skillful narration, his impeccable sense for when to reveal a piece of information and when to hold something back. During his research he seized on any numbers that were available. He found one particularly rich source in medical statistics compiled by Maurice Willows, who arrived in Tulsa in 1921 to lead the first coordinated response by the American Red Cross to a man-made disaster.

In his report, Willows listed the number of hospital admissions and the number of people requiring urgent care. But he didnt include the number of dead, and he explained why: Figures are omitted for the reason that NO ONE KNOWS. A century later, Ellsworth says, that is still the case.

The Ground Breaking makes for sobering reading; but it also sheds light, and some of it is hopeful. Ellsworth makes clear that Oklahoma is decidedly not a model of racial reconciliation  it was the only state where not a single county voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, and where all of those counties voted twice for Donald Trump. Yet with last years exhumation of those graves, its also where Tulsas Republican mayor has committed to doing something that Ellsworth calls unprecedented: deliberately setting out to locate the remains of those murdered by racist violence. The history of homegrown bigotry and selective amnesia might be very old, but this, Ellsworth writes, was something new.
For 27 years, Bill Gates has entrusted the management of his enormous wealth and the endowment of his giant foundation to a single man: Michael Larson.

Mr. Larson has invested the Microsoft co-founders money in farmland, hotels, stocks, bonds, even a bowling alley. Thanks in part to Mr. Larson and the soaring value of Microsofts shares, Mr. Gatess fortune has gone from less than $10 billion to about $130 billion.

But Mr. Larson, 61, also engaged in a pattern of workplace misconduct at Mr. Gatess money-management firm, Cascade Investment, according to 10 former employees as well as others familiar with the firm.

He openly judged female employees on their attractiveness, showed colleagues nude photos of women on the internet and on several occasions made sexually inappropriate comments. He made a racist remark to a Black employee. He bullied others. When an employee said she was leaving Cascade, Mr. Larson retaliated by trying to hurt the stock price of the company she planned to join.
Big investment firms have generally taken a cautious and gradual approach when pushing companies to change. The huge mutual funds that track stock indexes have to invest in big oil companies because they are included in indexes. And some investors have been reluctant to interfere too much in how businesses are run. But as climate change has become more of a threat, investment firms recognize that savers may not want their money invested in companies that profit from fossil fuels. Some analysts believe the largest investment firms will now be more likely to intervene.

This signals a new era for the role of corporations in climate change and a new era for corporate governance, said Erik Gordon, a University of Michigan business professor.

Engine No. 1 and its allies had argued that Exxons stance on climate change and the oil and gas business was not just bad for the planet but that it would hurt the companys profits in the future as governments required businesses to reduce and eventually eliminate emissions of greenhouse gases. And the majority of the companys shareholders appeared to at least partly agree with that position.

This isnt really about ideology, its about economics, Chris James, founder of Engine No. 1, said in an interview. And economics is what has driven the adoption of some of the alternative fuel sources versus fossil fuels. We want there to be an acceptance of change.

Corporate boards oversee and advise management on big decisions. Though outnumbered, the new Engine No. 1 directors have an important foothold in Exxons boardroom and can try to influence the companys strategy, particularly when it comes to reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.

Liz Gordon, executive director of corporate governance at the New York State Common Retirement Fund, which holds about eight million Exxon shares, said that her office had engaged with Exxon for years on climate. But the engagements have really been frustrating, she said. That makes todays vote a historic breakthrough that sends a clear message to Exxon that it needs to change the way it does business, she added.
OREFIELD, Pa.  From his office in an old barn on a turkey farm, David Jaindl watches a towering flat-screen TV with video feeds from the hatchery to the processing room, where the birds are butchered. Mr. Jaindl is a third-generation farmer in Pennsylvanias Lehigh Valley. His turkeys are sold at Whole Foods and served at the White House on Thanksgiving.

But there is more to Mr. Jaindls business than turkeys. For decades, he has been involved in developing land into offices, medical facilities and subdivisions, as the area in and around the Lehigh Valley has evolved from its agricultural and manufacturing roots to also become a health care and higher education hub.

Now Mr. Jaindl is taking part in a new shift. Huge warehouses are sprouting up like mushrooms along local highways, on country roads and in farm fields. The boom is being driven, in large part, by the astonishing growth of Amazon and other e-commerce retailers and the areas proximity to New York City, the nations largest concentration of online shoppers, roughly 80 miles away.

They are certainly good for our area, said Mr. Jaindl, who is developing land for several new warehouses. They add a nice tax base and good employment.
PARIS  The mysterious London public relations agency sent its pitch simultaneously to social media influencers in France and Germany: Claim that Pfizers Covid-19 vaccine is deadly and that regulators and the mainstream media are covering it up, the message read, and earn thousands of euros in easy money in exchange.

The claim is false. The purported agency, Fazze, has a website and describes itself as an influencer marketing platform connecting bloggers and advertisers. But when some of the influencers tried to find out who was running Fazze, the ephemeral trail appeared to lead to Russia.

Unbelievable. The address of the London agency that contacted me is bogus, Leo Grasset, a popular French health and science YouTuber with more than one million followers, wrote on Twitter Monday. All the employees have weird LinkedIn profiles  which have been missing since this morning. Everyone has worked in Russia before.

Mirko Drotschmann, a German health commentator with 1.5 million YouTube subscribers, said in a tweet that the P.R. agency had asked if he wanted to be part of an information campaign about Pfizer deaths in exchange for money. After doing some research, he concluded: Agency headquarters: London. Residence of the CEO: Moscow.
Later that summer, my boss told me in an evaluation, You have the best Spanish skills on our team, but sometimes youre so focused on getting the grammar right that it stops you from actually speaking. I was willing to work and work and work, but in exchange, I wanted the completed product to look like the picture in my mind. I needed it to.

Plato strove for a perfection so uncompromising that he admitted it couldnt exist in reality. Its a beautiful dream.

I came to philosophy for Plato, but I stayed for Aristotle.

Aristotle was practical. His ideas were less perfect, but more possible. One example: He suggested an adjustment of ones standards for exactness, depending on the discipline (math allows for more precision than, say, ethics). No one can make everything equally perfect.

Im working on remembering that. My mother helped immensely with this lesson.

There comes a point in every jigsaw puzzle we solve together when my mom gets annoyed. She says something like, There are so few pieces left. We should be able to figure out where they go by now.

I tease her. This is supposed to be fun! Drink your wine.

She also, always, predicts that pieces are missing. Her suspicion veers into conviction, though its too soon to know if shes right. Too many pieces need placing. The gap-fillers might still hide in the pile. I wish she would relax. No one will live or die by this slowly assembled, cardboard close-up of a penguin.
A federal bankruptcy judge in New York indicated Wednesday that he would permit Purdue Pharmas proposal to remake itself as a nonprofit company to be put to a vote by thousands of plaintiffs, who have sued to compel the maker of OxyContin to help pay for the terrible costs of the opioid epidemic.

The restructuring plan is at the centerpiece of an intensely negotiated blueprint for a collective settlement with more than 600,000 claimants who contend that for two decades the company falsely and aggressively marketed its prescription opioid OxyContin as a nonaddictive painkiller, and as a result contributed to hundreds of thousands of opioid-related overdoses and deaths.

Besides protecting the company from further legal action over opioids, the plan includes a blanket release from civil lawsuits for Purdues owners, members of the billionaire Sackler family.

The issue of the Sacklers liability has been perhaps the most contentious in the proceedings, ever since Purdue filed for bankruptcy protection in 2019, seeking a shield against rapidly accruing lawsuits. The individual Sacklers, members of one of the wealthiest families in the United States, did not seek bankruptcy protection, but they argue that they should be covered by the same release from all present and future lawsuits that their company would be given if the plan is confirmed.
The fundamental flaw is a constitutional barrier, he said. Because the fundamental flaw is, it cant enforce anything, its non-binding. Its essentially advisory. If the legislature takes the position that its findings are not binding because there is no outside agency that has any authority for any sanction.
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Joshua Rashaad McFadden was trying to leave.

Mr. McFadden, 30, a freelance photographer, was covering protests last month in Brooklyn Center, Minn., for The New York Times after Daunte Wright, an unarmed Black man, had been fatally shot by a police officer during a traffic stop. Mr. McFadden had just spent an exhausting night dodging tear gas and pepper spray. Now, he just wanted to go home.

About 15 police officers stood in his way.

As he was trying to exit the area, the officers surrounded the car he was in with another photographer, he said, first beating on the windows with batons and then entering the car and striking his legs and camera lens. They did not believe him when he said he was a journalist. It was only after the other photographer  white, he noted  vouched for his credentials that they let him go.

The other photographer was able to have a discussion without the yelling or the beating, Mr. McFadden, who is Black, said, but the police continued to scrutinize me, and it seemed like they were going to hold me back and not allow me to go. Mr. McFadden said he was shaken up but OK.
Mr. Yangs entry into the New York political scene was turbulent.

He sparked controversy for spending parts of the pandemic with his wife, Evelyn, and their two young sons at their home in New Paltz (Can you imagine trying to have two kids on virtual school in a two-bedroom apartment? he asked, in a remark that was widely seen as tone-deaf.). He acknowledged he had never voted for mayor before.

And he incensed some New Yorkers with a range of atypical views, from suggesting a casino on Governors Island, which is not legal, to his signaling that he would take a hands-off approach toward Hasidic yeshivas, which have faced intense criticism over the failure of some to provide a basic secular education.

Yet for months, Mr. Yang has maintained a lead in most of the sparse public polling that is available, and he is among the strongest fund-raisers in the Democratic field, raising $1.4 million in the last two months alone. There is a palpable sense of enthusiasm  or at least a measure of being star-struck  among many voters who meet him.

And he has a ready answer when asked about his dearth of government experience. He says he will surround himself with experts in city operations, like Kathryn Garcia, the former sanitation commissioner and one of his competitors, whom he has said he would like to make a deputy mayor. (Ms. Garcia has dismissed those remarks as sexist and said that she has no interest in serving as his No. 2.)

Were New Yorkers to elect Mr. Yang, they would be taking a bet on a leader whose personal magnetism is known, but whose ability to manage a 300,000-person bureaucracy with a nearly $100 billion budget is not.

He has never overseen a unionized work force, though he noted that he regularly interacted with members of a health care union when he worked at a health care company years ago.

Before running for mayor, he acknowledged, he had almost certainly never visited one of the citys public housing developments, which together are home to half a million people.
Across the city, New Yorkers on Tuesday marked the anniversary of the murder of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis. His killing set off a wave of protests across the nation, including several weeks of rallies attended by thousands in New York.

Heres a look at how the city remembered Mr. Floyd:

Taking a knee in Harlem

Attendees at a memorial in Harlem, organized by the Rev. Al Sharptons National Action Network, knelt for nine minutes and 29 seconds, the length of time the Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, held his knee on Mr. Floyds neck. The room largely fell into silence.

A conviction of Chauvin is not enough, Mr. Sharpton said. We must have legislation that defines and refines what police excessive force is all about.

A series of protests and demonstrations

Protesters including Shaun Donovan, a Democrat who is running for mayor, had their hands bound with zip ties by the police near the Holland Tunnel. The group blocked the tunnels entrance for at least 15 minutes early Tuesday, decrying police misconduct and saying the push for change spurred by Mr. Floyds killing needed to continue.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York on Wednesday added to the growing list of perks and incentives offered to those getting vaccinated against the coronavirus. He announced that any state resident between the ages of 12 and 17 who gets a first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine starting on Thursday would be entered into a raffle to win a full-ride scholarship to a New York public university.

The incentive was designed to spur vaccinations among young people. Many younger people only became eligible recently, and the Pfizer vaccine was not made available to 12- to-15-year olds until earlier this month. Moderna said on Tuesday that its vaccine, which is authorized only for use in adults, was powerfully effective in 12- to 17-year-olds, and that it planned to apply for authorization in June.

Still, Mr. Cuomo said overall vaccinations in the state had declined considerably in recent weeks, and young people may feel that they have not been considered a priority age group for vaccination.

It is an incentive for students, he said. Youre planning on going to college. You are wondering about how youre going to pay for it.
Scalpels, razor blades, cellphones and synthetic marijuana are all banned behind bars in New York Citys jails.

But seven correction officers and two other correction employees were smuggling these and other contraband inside, federal prosecutors in Manhattan said on Wednesday, giving them to prisoners in exchange for thousands of dollars in bribes.

One officer, prosecutors said, took more than $6,000 to covertly bring items into the Manhattan Detention Complex, a facility known as the Tombs. Another defendant, a counselor, accepted over $40,000 to bring contraband into the Otis Bantum Correctional Center on Rikers Island.

And in October, Robert Balducci, an officer at Otis Bantum Correctional Center, smuggled or attempted to smuggle in razor blades and other contraband for two inmates in exchange for cash payments from their associates, according to one of nine indictments unsealed on Wednesday in Federal District Court in Manhattan.
At one level, it is a dispute over ground rules. Can a professor quote literature or historic documents that use taboo words? What rights should be granted to a person accused of sexual harassment? Are there issues or subjects that should not be explored in an academic setting?

On another level, though, it is a conflict over practical politics. Do specific policies governing speech and sexual behavior win or lose voter support? Are there policies that attract criticism from the opposition party that will stick? Are certain policies so controversial that they divert attention from the oppositions liabilities?

In an article in March, Why Attacking Cancel Culture And Woke People Is Becoming the G.O.P.s New Political Strategy, Perry Bacon Jr., formerly a senior writer at FiveThirtyEight and now a Washington Post columnist, described the ways that policies the Democratic left argued for provided political opportunities to the Republican Party:

First and perhaps most important, focusing on cancel culture and woke people is a fairly easy strategy for the G.O.P. to execute, because in many ways its just a repackaging of the partys long-standing backlash approach. For decades, Republicans have used somewhat vague terms (dog whistles) to tap into and foment resentment against traditionally marginalized groups like Black Americans who are pushing for more rights and freedoms. This resentment is then used to woo voters (mostly white) wary of cultural, demographic and racial change.

Among the reasons Republicans will continue to adopt an anti-woke posture, Bacon writes, is that it

gives conservative activists and Republican officials a way to excuse extreme behavior in the past and potentially rationalize such behavior in the future. Republicans are trying to recast the removal of Trumps accounts from Facebook and Twitter as a narrative of liberal tech companies silencing a prominent conservative, instead of those platforms punishing Trump for using them to incite violence and encourage overturning the election results.

Insofar as Republicans suppress Democratic votes, Bacon continued,

or try to overturn election results in future elections, as seems entirely possible, the party is likely to justify that behavior in part by suggesting the Democrats are just too extreme and woke to be allowed to control the government. The argument would be that Democrats would eliminate police departments and allow crime to surge if they have more power, so they must be stopped at all costs. Polls suggest a huge bloc of G.O.P. voters is already open to such apocalyptic rhetoric.

Bacons views are widely shared among Democratic Party strategists, whether or not they will say so publicly. And Bacon is hardly alone.

In a piece in New York magazine, Is Anti-Wokeness the New Ideology of the Republican Party? Ed Kilgore makes the case that for Republicans

Casting a really wide range of ideas and policies as too woke and anyone who is critical of them as being canceled by out-of-control liberals is becoming an important strategy and tool on the right  in fact, this cancel culture/woke discourse could become the organizing idea of the post-Trump-presidency Republican Party.

This approach is particularly attractive to conservative politicians and strategists, Kilgore continued, because

It allows them and their supporters to pose as innocent victims of persecution rather than as aggressive culture warriors seeking to defend their privileges and reverse social change.

Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist at N.Y.U., argued in an email that the policies the Democratic Partys left wing is pushing are an anchor weighing down the partys prospects:

Wokeness is kryptonite for the Democrats. Most people hate it, other than the progressive activists. If you just look at Americans policy preferences, Dems should be winning big majorities. But we have strong negative partisanship, and when people are faced with a party that seems to want to defund the police and rename schools, rather than open them, all while crime is rising and kids welfare is falling, the left flank of the party is just so easy for Republicans to run against.

In much gentler terms, Barack Obama has voiced analogous concerns. This idea of purity and youre never compromised and youre always politically woke and all that stuff, you should get over that quickly, Obama famously declared in October 2019:

The world is messy. There are ambiguities. People who do really good stuff have flaws. People who you are fighting may love their kids and share certain things with you.

James Carville, the top strategist for Bill Clintons 1992 presidential campaign, was succinct in his assessment. He recently told Sean Illing, a writer at Vox:

Wokeness is a problem and everyone knows it. Its hard to talk to anybody today  and I talk to lots of people in the Democratic Party  who doesnt say this. But they dont want to say it out loud.

Why not? Illing asked.

Because theyll get clobbered.

Carvilles answer provides insight into the question of whether, if the left wing of the Democratic Party is backing many policies that are unacceptable to a majority of voters and if some of those policies appear to violate constitutional protections of free speech and the rights of the accused, why hasnt there been more pushback in both politics and academia?

I asked Jonathan Rauch, a senior fellow at Brookings and the author of the new book The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth, about the lack of pushback, and he suggested a series of factors:

The younger generation (wrongly) perceives free speech as hazardous to minority rights.

The purist side has had more passion, focus and organization than the pluralist side.

Universities are consumeristic these days and very image-conscious, and so they have trouble withstanding pressure from their customers, e.g., activist students.

The use of social pressure to manipulate opinion is a powerful and sophisticated form of information warfare. Anyone can be dogpiled in minutes for any reason, or no reason.

Activists have figured out that they can have disproportionate influence by claiming to be physically endangered and psychologically traumatized by speech that offends them.

Randall Kennedy, a law professor at Harvard and the author of the forthcoming book Say It Loud! On Race, Law, History and Culture, cited in an email a similar set of reasons for the deficient response to threats against freedom of thought, expression and learning emanating from the left.

His list:

Woke folk making wrongful demands march under the banner of EQUALITY which is a powerful and attractive emblem, especially in this George Floyd/Covid-19 moment when the scandalous inequities of our society are so heartbreakingly evident. On the campuses, many of the most vocal woke folk are students whom teachers and administrators want to mollify, comfort and impress. Many teachers and administrators seek desperately to be liked by students.

At the same time, Kennedy continued, many of the people demanding the diminution of what he sees as essential freedoms have learned how to package their insistence in effective ways. They have learned, Kennedy wrote, to deploy skillfully the language of hurt  as in I dont care what the speakers intentions were, what the speaker said has hurt my feelings and ought therefore to be prohibited.
To the Editor:

Re The First Time the World Stopped and Noticed (front page, May 26):

As the nation observes the first anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, we recognize that he is a historic figure whose hideous death was not in vain.

The video of his killing that was repeatedly seen throughout the world was a damning indictment of the worst in policing and demonstrated that a country with great values and ideals has not yet reached its goal of equality. We also recognize how many similar deaths have taken place without accompanying video, killings that have been whitewashed by law enforcement officers who provided false accounts of a suspects cause of death.

Although justice was served in this one notorious case, minority drivers must still be wary of being stopped by the police, some of whom seem to believe that a person who steps out of line or resists arrest is subject to on-the-spot execution.

There is great symbolism in President Biden hosting the grieving family of Mr. Floyd at the White House  which we know would not have taken place in the prior administration.
The day before Mr. Protasevichs arrest, Arina Malinovskaya, a journalist at a Poland-based news channel that focuses on Belarus, Belsat, fled the country fearing for her safety. Soon after, she received a phone call from a relative who was being held by the authorities until she returned and surrendered. She refused, and the police are now threatening to arrest more of her loved ones. Mr. Lukashenkos crackdown, under which at least 34,000 people have been arrested since August, is no longer confined to Belaruss borders.

Nor is its significance. Whats happening is not just about the rights of journalists in one country; its also about the criminalization of a free press in parts of the world where it is the most vital  and about the obligation of the international community to stand up to leaders who intimidate and silence journalists. It would be calamitous if the pressure campaign on Mr. Lukashenko  targeted sanctions, boycotts and condemnation  were to fade away.

In Russia, reporters, activists and ordinary citizens are watching the news with a sinking feeling, wondering how many months itll take before our country catches up with Belarusian levels of repression. Whats happening there could easily soon happen to us.

Things seem well on their way. This year, in response to the protests set off by the return of Aleksei Navalny to Russia in January and in advance of parliamentary elections in September, the Kremlin has stepped up its repression of independent media and organizations.

On April 23, Meduza, an independent news outlet where I work as the investigations editor, was declared a foreign agent by the Russias Ministry of Justice. The result was an almost total collapse of our business model. The Russian law requires foreign agent media to preface each message on its website and social media with a legal disclaimer, which few of our advertisers  including major international corporations and even Russian state-owned companies  were prepared to see plastered all over their promotional materials. We had to severely cut back on our operations. Our long-term survival is questionable.
Bidens A.T.F. Nominee Faces Senate Panel and Questions on Gun Control David Chipman, a two-decade veteran of the A.T.F. who serves as an adviser to a major gun control group, faced fierce criticism from Republicans during his confirmation hearing.

Bidens pick to lead A.T.F. faces fierce opposition at his confirmation hearing. Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:39 - 0:00 transcript Bidens A.T.F. Pick Reiterates Support for AR-15 Restrictions David Chipman, President Bidens nominee to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, announced his support for a proposed ban on AR-15-style rifles during his Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday. The leadership positions I held at A.T.F. grounded me in what it will take to improve bureau operations and morale. Ive supervised agents in the field multiple times. I use that experience to develop new approaches to combat homicides committed with firearms impacting communities across the United States. While at A.T.F. headquarters during the Bush administration, I was responsible for all A.T.F. field policies and procedures. I later oversaw all firearms programs and foreign offices for the entire bureau. These experiences, hard won over the course of decades, will serve as my guide if Im confirmed to lead the A.T.F. The bureau has excelled at investigating crimes since the days of Eliot Ness. My leadership mission will be to sharpen A.T.F.s focus while striving to prevent more violent crimes from occurring in the first place. The AR-15 is one of, if not the most popular rifle in America. Its not a machine gun, its a rifle. Your public position is that you want to ban AR-15s, is that correct? With respect to the AR-15, I support a ban as has been presented in a Senate bill and supported by the president. The AR-15 is a gun I was issued on A.T.F. SWAT team. And its a particularly lethal weapon, and regulating it as other particularly lethal weapons, I have advocated for. As A.T.F. director, if Im confirmed, I would simply enforce the laws on the books. And right now, there is no such ban on those guns. David Chipman, President Bidens nominee to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, announced his support for a proposed ban on AR-15-style rifles during his Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday. Credit Credit... Al Drago for The New York Times David Chipman, President Bidens pick to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, faced withering Republican criticism during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday over his history of scathing comments about gun ownership. Mr. Chipman, a two-decade veteran of the A.T.F. who has advised gun control groups, was chosen in part because of his willingness to bluntly confront an industry that has handcuffed the agency, which enforces gun laws. But his comments  including an interview last year in which he jokingly likened the frenzied buying of guns during the coronavirus pandemic to a zombie apocalypse  were the subject of repeated questions by Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Many see putting a committed gun control proponent like David Chipman in charge of A.T.F. is like putting a tobacco executive in charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, or antifa in charge of the Portland Police Department, said Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa and the ranking member of the committee. As the hearing got underway, news alerts of a fatal shooting in San Jose, Calif., began pinging on lawmakers phones. It is not lost on me that there is another mass shooting, said Senator Amy Klobuchar, Democrat of Minnesota. The National Rifle Association has mounted a coordinated campaign against Mr. Chipmans nomination, citing his promises to regulate semiautomatic weapons and his support of universal background checks. The organization has effectively exercised veto power over the appointment of stable leadership at the A.T.F., blocking several potential directors, including a conservative police union official tapped by President Donald J. Trump. The gun lobby has also led a decades-long campaign to hobble the A.T.F. by fighting funding increases and efforts to modernize its paper-based system of tracking firearms. Republicans said Mr. Chipmans penchant for provocation made him an unacceptable choice, hoping to scuttle his nomination just as a history of inflammatory Twitter posts doomed the nomination of Neera Tanden, Mr. Bidens first choice to run his budget office. Senator Mike Lee, Republican of Utah, grilled Mr. Chipman for saying in jest in an interview last year that some first-time gun buyers were preparing for end times scenarios and zombie apocalypses. Mr. Chipman, who appeared to try to avoid a back-and-forth with Republicans, said those remarks had been self-deprecating. He also deflected questions about his advocacy of progressive policy by saying that he viewed himself as a cop. A few minutes later, after Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, criticized him for calling for restrictions on AR-15-style rifles, Mr. Chipman thanked the senator for offering me a Dr Pepper during a private meeting the day before. Mr. Biden chose Mr. Chipman after a lobbying campaign by gun safety organizations, led by former Representative Gabrielle Giffords. In recent years, Mr. Chipman has worked with groups run by Ms. Giffords and Michael R. Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City, who also pressed for his selection. The White House was initially reluctant to nominate someone who would provoke such intense opposition, but Mr. Biden decided that he needed to take a chance after the mass killings in Atlanta and Boulder, White House officials said. White House officials believe that Mr. Chipman has just enough votes  50 to 52, by their estimate  to overcome near-unanimous opposition by Republicans. Two critical Democrats, Senators Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, have told Democratic leaders that they are likely to vote for him, provided the hearings go well. Two Republicans, Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Patrick J. Toomey of Pennsylvania, have not ruled out supporting him.

President Biden calls for U.S. intelligence agencies to investigate the origins of the virus. Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:27 - 0:00 transcript U.S. to Redouble Efforts Into Coronavirus Origin Investigation The Biden administration announced that it has called on intelligence agencies to redouble their efforts to investigate the origins of the coronavirus pandemic in China as a way to prevent future pandemics. Today, the president asked the intelligence community to redouble their efforts to collect and analyze information that could bring us closer to a definitive conclusion, and to report back to him in 90 days. Back in early 2020, the president called for the C.D.C. to get access to China to learn about the virus so we could fight it more effectively. Getting to the bottom of the origin of this pandemic will help us understand how to prepare for the next pandemic, and the next one. As we have done throughout our Covid response, we have been committed to a whole of government effort to ensure were doing everything to both understand and end this pandemic, and to prevent future pandemics. This is why the president is asking the U.S. intelligence community, in cooperation with other elements of our government, to redouble efforts to collect and analyze information that could bring the world closer to a definitive conclusion on the origin of the virus and deliver a report to him again in 90 days. And we will continue to press China to participate in a full, transparent, evidence-based international investigation with the needed access to get to the bottom of a virus thats taken more than three million lives across the globe. The Biden administration announced that it has called on intelligence agencies to redouble their efforts to investigate the origins of the coronavirus pandemic in China as a way to prevent future pandemics. Credit Credit... Ng Han Guan/Associated Press President Biden ordered U.S. intelligence agencies on Wednesday to investigate the origins of the coronavirus, indicating that his administration takes seriously the possibility that the deadly virus was accidentally leaked from a lab, in addition to the prevailing theory that it was transmitted by an animal to humans outside a lab. In a statement, Mr. Biden made it clear that the C.I.A. and other intelligence agencies had not yet reached a consensus on how the virus, which prompted a pandemic and has killed almost 600,000 Americans, originated in China. He directed them to report back to him in 90 days. I have now asked the intelligence community to redouble their efforts to collect and analyze information that could bring us closer to a definitive conclusion, the president said. Mr. Bidens statement, his most public and expansive yet on the question of how the virus spread to humans, came as top health officials renewed their appeals this week for a more rigorous inquiry. And it followed mounting criticism of a report from an international team of experts convened by the World Health Organization that largely dismissed the possibility that the virus had accidentally escaped from a Chinese laboratory called the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Deep uncertainty remains about the origins of a virus that spread to every part of the globe over 17 months. The assessments of scientists are largely unchanged: Many believe that a so-called natural spillover from animal to human remains the most plausible explanation. While U.S. intelligence agencies have collected some new evidence, the additional information is not enough to allow them to draw definitive conclusions about long-simmering theories regarding the lab in the city of Wuhan, the center of the outbreak. But the presidents carefully worded directive underscored a new surge in interest about the lab, which President Donald J. Trump and some of his top aides repeatedly blamed for the pandemic. Some scientists attributed the renewed focus on the lab to Mr. Trumps departure from the White House  and being less identified with the theory  while others said it reflected the deep frustrations with the recent W.H.O. report that was co-written by Chinese scientists. Michael D. Shear, Julian E. Barnes, Carl Zimmer and

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Biden is said to be planning to nominate Burns and Garcetti for ambassadorships. R. Nicholas Burns in 2017. A former ambassador to NATO, he is said to be President Bidens pick for ambassador to China. Credit... Saul Loeb/Agence France-Presse  Getty Images President Biden plans to announce that he has selected R. Nicholas Burns, a veteran Foreign Service officer and a former ambassador to NATO, as his ambassador to China, and Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles as his ambassador to India, according to two people familiar with the process. Mr. Biden has also selected Thomas R. Nides, a vice chairman at Morgan Stanley who served as a deputy secretary of state under President Barack Obama, to serve as the ambassador to Israel, those people said. Rahm Emanuel, the former mayor of Chicago and Mr. Obamas chief of staff, who developed a close relationship with Mr. Biden when he was vice president, has been selected to serve as ambassador to Japan, the people said. And Ken Salazar, a former senator from Colorado and the interior secretary in the Obama administration, is said to have been chosen as the ambassador to Mexico. Mr. Biden has been reviewing lists of names for some of the crucial jobs for months and was deeply interested and involved in the selection process, administration officials said. And many of the nominees for coveted ambassadorships were offered the positions weeks or months ago. But the administration has delayed announcing the picks for several reasons. Instead of revealing the names one at a time, officials are planning to unveil a diverse slate of nominees, people involved in the process said. The administration is hoping to go beyond racial and gender diversity and focus on signaling to career Foreign Service officials that they are valued by whittling down the number of posts given to campaign donors. Another cause for delay is that many of the people who were selected are still completing time-consuming background checks and financial reviews as part of the rigorous vetting process. The Biden administration had initially hoped to move its first slate of nominees by mid-April, an official said. A White House official on Wednesday declined to comment on the timing and said that none of the names were final until the administration made an official announcement. Others in the running for key positions include Cindy McCain  the widow of Senator John McCain of Arizona  who is said to be Mr. Bidens pick to serve as ambassador to the U.N. World Food Program, and Mark Gitenstein, a former ambassador to Romania and a close friend of Mr. Bidens, who is said to be in consideration for ambassador to the European Union. Mr. Biden is also considering nominating Mark Brzezinski, who served as ambassador to Sweden during the Obama administration, as his ambassador to Poland, according to people familiar with the process. Mr. Brzezinski is the brother of Mika Brzezinski, a host of MSNBCs Morning Joe, and the son of Zbigniew Brzezinski, who served as national security adviser under President Jimmy Carter.

A filibuster fight is looming in the Senate. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the minority leader and an experienced practitioner of the filibuster, believes Republicans have the votes to protect the tactic. Credit... Al Drago for The New York Times With a showdown coming over the creation of an independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol assault, Democrats are bumping up against the limits of what they can accomplish in the evenly divided Senate without changes to the filibuster rules. Republicans who see the commission as a threat to their midterm election hopes are poised to use the filibuster to block the inquiry as early as Thursday, underscoring the power of a Senate minority determined to kill legislation even if it is popular and has bipartisan support. It is the sort of clash lawmakers have been anticipating since January, when it was clear that it would be nearly impossible for Democrats to enact President Bidens agenda unless they could do away with the 60-vote threshold for advancing legislation over the objections of any senator. With Memorial Day looming as an informal deadline for legislative progress, Senate Democrats have made no move to take up a sweeping voting rights bill, gun safety legislation, expansions of labor and L.G.B.T.Q. rights, a measure to overhaul policing, or legalization for millions of undocumented immigrants. Those bills have all passed the Democratic-led House. Activists want to see action on them soon, before what could be a short window of Democratic control of Congress and the White House comes to an end. The next two months are going to be absolutely critical, said Eli Zupnick, a spokesman for the anti-filibuster group Fix Our Senate. We are going to find out whether Democrats are going to defend the filibuster or take the steps to defend our democracy.

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Karine Jean-Pierre takes her turn at the White House podium. Karine Jean-Pierre, the principal deputy press secretary, held her first televised briefing on Wednesday. Credit... Doug Mills/The New York Times Karine Jean-Pierre, the principal deputy press secretary for the White House, held a televised briefing for the first time on Wednesday, a baptism-by-fire moment that came shortly after a mass shooting and a request from President Biden that U.S. intelligence officials delve deeper into the origins of the coronavirus. In her first outing, Ms. Jean-Pierre was immediately pushed for specifics about why Mr. Biden had ordered a 90-day review of the latest analysis on the virus, including whether it emerged from human contact with an infected animal or from a laboratory accident. She offered none. Right now were just going to focus on the presidents announcement on the 90-day investigation, Ms. Jean-Pierre said when asked what would happen if Chinese officials refused to cooperate with investigations. We will have more to share after the 90 days, she said when asked whether the results of the investigation would be made public. Ms. Jean-Pierre showed little interest in getting ahead of the president or the administration, a tactic that is frustrating to reporters but drew praise from members of the administration, including Ron Klain, the White House chief of staff. History made (and a job well done), he wrote on Twitter. Ms. Jean-Pierre was the first Black woman in decades to address journalists on behalf of the president in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room. (Judy Smith, a deputy press secretary for President George H.W. Bush, was the first Black spokeswoman to do so in 1991.) Her appearance at the podium on Wednesday was seen both internally and externally as an audition for the White House press secretary job. Jen Psaki, the current press secretary, recently said that she intended to leave the post after about a year. A former State Department spokeswoman, Ms. Psaki came to the job more battle-tested  and more familiar to the Washington press corps  than Ms. Jean-Pierre, who has worked on Democratic campaigns and as the chief public affairs officer at the liberal group MoveOn. Ms. Jean-Pierre, 43, is not the heir apparent to replace Ms. Psaki; other names put forth include Symone D. Sanders, the vice presidents press secretary, and Ned Price, the State Department spokesman. But Ms. Jean-Pierre has had frequent contact with the White House press corps in recent months. To get better acclimated to a White House where top officials tend to obsess over discipline in messaging, Ms. Jean-Pierre has delivered occasional news briefings aboard Air Force One, which is lower stakes than live television. She is almost always in the room when Ms. Psaki holds briefings, which has allowed her to familiarize herself with reporters. And the two are friendly: Before the door to the briefing room opens, they often do a dance to shake off their nerves, Ms. Psaki said in an interview with The Times in January. Ms. Jean-Pierre has made missteps along the way. When the White House rushed to publish an edited transcript this month, she mistakenly told reporters aboard Air Force One that the administration supported Ukraines interest in joining NATO. But at other times, she has impressed members of Mr. Bidens inner circle, including when she kept cool while speaking to reporters minutes after the president tripped twice while boarding his plane. Its very windy, she told reporters. I almost fell coming up the steps myself. Ms. Jean-Pierre was asked on Wednesday what it meant to her to be the second Black woman in decades to deliver a formal briefing. Its a real honor to be standing here today. I appreciate the historic nature, I really do, she said. But I believe that being behind this podium, being in this room, being in this building, is not about one person. Its about what we do on behalf of the American people.

Bidens ties to Israel face a stiff test as Iran talks loom. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, right, and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met in Jerusalem on Tuesday. Credit... Pool photo by Menahem Kahana Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel took a moment on Tuesday to thank the Biden administration for its support during his countrys 11-day conflict with Hamas in Gaza  and then abruptly changed the subject, and his tone. We discussed many regional issues, but none is greater than Iran, Mr. Netanyahu said, standing with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken after their meeting in Jerusalem. He pointedly added that he hoped the United States would not rejoin the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, because we believe that that deal paves the way for Iran to have an arsenal of nuclear weapons with international legitimacy. The Israeli leaders remarks lent a sour note to his welcome of Mr. Blinken. And it undoubtedly echoed in Vienna, where a fifth round of negotiations aimed at bringing the United States and Iran back into compliance with the nuclear agreement, a top priority of President Bidens, opened on Tuesday. The Gaza conflict appears to have earned Mr. Biden good will with Mr. Netanyahu and the Israeli public. But the prospect of a U.S. return to the nuclear deal threatens to generate new strains between Washington and Jerusalem on a subject that poisoned relations between President Barack Obama and Mr. Netanyahu. The big drama looms, and that is the Iran nuclear deal, said Jonathan Schanzer, a Middle East expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. I think both Biden and Netanyahu realize that whatever discomfort both sides may have felt throughout this current conflict, it is small fries compared to the political friction that is looming. Compounding the trouble is the conflict in Gaza, which has created anger in Israel and among Republicans in Congress over Irans ties to Palestinian militants. Most analysts say Iran played no active role in this months rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza, even though Tehran openly cheered them on.

Wall Street chiefs are grilled before the Senate. Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:49 - 0:00 transcript Wall Street Chiefs Testify Before Senate Executives of major banks testified to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs with an emphasis on financial instability and inequality during the coronavirus pandemic. The purpose of todays hearing is to show Americans their government is finally looking out for them, that we understand this economic system has betrayed millions of workers, that it holds our country back. Heres what we want to hear from you today. What are you and the companies you run going to do, not just say, but actually do to change? We want to hear what concrete actions youll take to change the incentives on Wall Street to reward work instead of just rewarding wealth, to pay for and work to undo the damage that Wall Street has done and continues to do to communities of color. But I am concerned about increasing pressure on banks to embrace wokeism and appease the far-lefts attacks on capitalism. And I worry that continuing down this path could lead to distorted credit allocation, activists seeking to make political change through the financial system instead of through the democratic process. The origins of this global crisis, unlike the last one, this is a public health crisis with severe economic consequences. And through this pandemic, Citi has shown were a very different bank than the one that entered the financial crisis more than a decade ago. Were smaller, were safer, were stronger and were far less complex. And we have had the financial resources to support our clients and communities through this crisis. Were able to help our clients and ultimately, the U.S. economy through the worst economic shock in recent history, while at the same time increasing investments in support of our teammates and our communities. For our clients, that included financial assistance for our business-as-usual work, and also helping to deliver the timely federal relief programs. We at Bank of America believe in capitalism, and its the best way to solve the challenges that are facing society. We operate by delivering great returns for our shareholders and delivering for society. We call that responsible growth. Executives of major banks testified to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs with an emphasis on financial instability and inequality during the coronavirus pandemic. Credit Credit... Anna Moneymaker for The New York Times The chief executives of the six biggest American lenders testified before the Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday, the first time the committee has summoned all the top bankers since the financial crisis of 2008. (They will also appear at the House Committee on Financial Services on Thursday, for the first time since 2019.) At the Senate hearing, Sherrod Brown, Democrat of Ohio and the committees chairman, pressed the bank chiefs on a range of subjects, sending them a list of questions on topics including the riskiness of their assets, the diversity of their work forces, actions on climate change, pledges on racial equity and more. It made for a disjointed hearing as senators veered from issue to issue, trying to catch the chief executives off guard or unprepared. Their prepared testimonies addressed the committees questions in varying depth and detail, while all making the case that their institutions had become healthier, safer and more law-abiding since 2008. Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase turned in a nine-page paper urging business, government and society to address inequities and unleash the extraordinary vibrancy of the American economy.

Jane Fraser of Citigroup prepared 11 pages (and a three-page addendum with data and tables) that noted her banks approach to cryptocurrencies, saying that it was focusing resources and efforts to understand changes in the digital asset space.

James Gorman of Morgan Stanley assembled a 20-page report with few frills that included a short introduction and responses to each question in order.

Charles Scharf of Wells Fargo and David Solomon of Goldman Sachs each submitted 15 pages heavy on environmental, social and governance issues.

Brian Moynihan of Bank of America had the most to say, with 32 pages that devoted a lot of space to the banks responsible growth principles. We embrace our dual responsibility to drive both profits and purpose, he wrote.

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This personal reflection is part of a series called The Big Ideas, in which writers respond to a single question: What do we believe? You can read more essays by visiting The Big Ideas series page.

One of the baffling things that happened when my family arrived in the United States in 1960 was having to find a term for ourselves. No one seemed to know where the Dominican Republic was. Back then there werent that many Dominicans in the United States  the dictatorship made it difficult to emigrate. So when my family was asked where we were from, we couldnt just say, Were Dominican, you know, like Sammy Sosa or Alex Rodriguez. Our classmates often mistook our country for the other Caribbean nation of Dominica. Oh, you lucky dog! We went there for spring break! At least Dominica was in the same neighborhood of islands.

The hyphenated nationality (Dominican-American, Chinese-American, even African-American) hadnt yet been invented. If we had to check a box, the sorry options we were given (Negro, Eskimo, etc.) didnt include us. We were vaguely of Spanish origin, which was better than the more deprecating slurs of the playground: spic, wetback, greaser.

I was born in Nueva York, but my parents returned to their homeland when I was a month old. They immigrated again when I was 10. I was American, but not American. I was an immigrant but not really. From the get-go, my identity wasnt easy to untangle. I didnt know how to talk about who I was, but I knew what made me uncomfortable. The two models of Spanish origin in popular culture were Miss Chiquita Banana and Ricky Ricardo  one, an over-the-top Latina bombshell touting her wares, both her bananas and her curvaceous self, and the other the butt of jokes, who brought on an outpouring of canned laughter whenever he opened his mouth. (Needless to say, I did not love I Love Lucy.) The whole idea that I could be in charge of the nuances and complexities of my identity never occurred to me. All I knew were the either/ors.
When George Floyd was murdered in Minnesota over a $20 bill one year ago today it stunned our senses and demeaned our decency, said Gov. Cuomo. It was a spark that ignited over 400 years of kindling  the injustice of our justice system, the inherent racism and pervasive discrimination that date back to before this nation was even forged. The violation, the pain, the hypocrisy cannot be overstated, and the frustration and anger that flowed afterward was indisputably justified.
LONDON  Russia is increasingly pressuring Google, Twitter and Facebook to fall in line with Kremlin internet crackdown orders or risk restrictions inside the country, as more governments around the world challenge the companies principles on online freedom.

Russias internet regulator, Roskomnadzor, recently ramped up its demands for the Silicon Valley companies to remove online content that it deems illegal or restore pro-Kremlin material that had been blocked. The warnings have come at least weekly since services from Facebook, Twitter and Google were used as tools for anti-Kremlin protests in January. If the companies do not comply, the regulator has said, they face fines or access to their products may be throttled.

The latest clashes flared up this week, when Roskomnadzor told Google on Monday to block thousands of unspecified pieces of illegal content or it would slow access to the companys services. On Tuesday, a Russian court fined Google 6 million rubles, or about $81,000, for not taking down another piece of content.
When Tiberghien first envisioned Moliere in the Park, everything fell into place with surprising ease.

She contacted Itai Shoffman, who runs the LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park  home to a skating rink in winter and a water park in summer  and he said yes to producing plays there. Belcon agreed to be the executive producer, and Jerome Barth, who had helped run Bryant Park and the High Line, joined her board of directors.

So everybody said yes, but I had no money, recalled Tiberghien, who is married to the playwright Stephen Belber. I had to learn to write a grant proposal on the fly.

With foundation support from the likes of Bloomberg Philanthropies and the de Groot Foundation, Moliere in the Park kicked off with readings of The Misanthrope at LeFrak Center in the spring of 2019 and The School for Wives at the parks Picnic House that fall. For 2020, the company prepped a full production of The Misanthrope, to be directed by Tiberghien, followed by a reading of another play.

Then, of course, came the pandemic.

We hadnt spent anything yet so we didnt lose money, Tiberghien said. We didnt have a huge staff so we were not forced to pay people, or to lay them off.

Like most of the theater world, Moliere in the Park migrated to Zoom. With the lower cost of online productions, the company put on three shows in fairly quick succession  The Misanthrope, Tartuffe and School for Wives  attracting such notable talent as Tonya Pinkins, Samira Wiley, Stew and Raul Esparza.
Hotel flexibility will vary, so read the fine print

By now, most of the large American-run chains have reverted to their pre-Covid cancellation policies for reservations made before a certain date (that has come and gone), and for travel through a certain date (that has come and gone). But some companies are still being flexible: Hilton has always had generous cancellation policies, and Four Seasons has been consistently easy about changes and cancellations during the pandemic.

Travel-industry insiders also have noticed flexibility among independent hoteliers.

Weve felt that small, family-run luxury properties are actually more nimble than some of the big hotel chains, said Louisa Gehring, the owner of Gehring Travel, an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso luxury travel agency. Rather than lay off all their employees or point to an overarching corporate cancellation policy, theyve had flexibility to keep the teams on, work with clients on a case-by-case basis and really step up to the plate.

Policies vary by property, she added, but even some of the more rigid ones now include exceptions for Covid.

One thing to watch for is the credits-versus-refunds flash point: Even in cases when a hotel wont swallow a deposit or prepayment outright, will you get a cash refund or will you be asked to rebook? Last year, Greece and Italy both passed laws allowing hotels and other travel companies to issue credits, rather than cash refunds, for canceled bookings. Although vaccines, the eagerness to travel and pandemic fatigue may make the idea of a credit less odious than it seemed last spring, always ask about policy specifics, including blackout and expiration dates.

Realize that Paris wont look exactly like the Paris you remember

The Palace of Versailles is open and President Emmanuel Macron is sipping espresso outside Parisian cafes, but nightclubs will remain closed even after Frances countrywide curfew ends in June. At restaurants and bars in Madrid, groups are capped at four people inside and six people outside. Germany and the Netherlands remain closed to American tourists.

Clearly, we will not come back to normal straight away, and travelers will have to be conscious of health measures and respect rules at the destination, said Eduardo Santander, the executive director of the European Travel Commission, a Brussels-based nonprofit that represents the national tourism boards across the continent. We all  destinations, businesses and guests  cannot let the guard down too soon both for our own health and for the safety of people around.

In short, any trip to Europe this summer will come down to managing expectations.

Save the must check all the boxes trip to Europe for a bit later, once all new protocol kinks have smoothed out, Ms. Gehring said. But you may still have an unforgettable experience regardless.
In contrast with much of the rest of the world, American admissions officers have a lot of discretion. Relying on elements like the essay gives them leeway to judge merit away from close scrutiny. The history of the so-called holistic approach  looking at the whole applicant and not just academic metrics  has not always been encouraging.

As Jerome Karabel wrote in his book The Chosen, relying on nonacademic characteristics had its origins in policies starting in the 1920s that aimed to limit the number of Jews admitted to elite universities. More recently, the discretion and opacity in admissions have been seen by some as harming high-scoring Asian students by penalizing them based on character or fit.

Despite this, the holistic approach seems here to stay. I do think that its very possible that in this first full year of test-optional being widespread, there very well could be more emphasis in some applications on the soft factors, with the essay being one of them, along with recommendations and extracurriculars, said Robin Miller, a consultant at the admissions counseling firm IvyWise who formerly worked in admissions at Georgetown and Vanderbilt.

Colleges may want to pursue egalitarian goals, but they have other aims, too. They need to meet tuition revenue targets, and some colleges face a more dire financial situation because of the pandemic.

Analysis of data on recruiting visits by colleges has shown that richer, whiter high schools tend to receive more visits. The persistence of legacy admissions at some elite colleges  many of which have more students from the top 1 percent of income than the bottom 40 percent  shows that though social mobility may be a goal, it can conflict with pleasing potential donors and attracting sufficient numbers of students who dont need financial aid.

Shifting away from standardized tests closes down some avenues for class bias like test prep (even though research finds prep has only a modest effect on test scores), but leaves many others.

Standout extracurricular activities might be accessible only to the wealthy. Or they can even be faked entirely, as in the infamous Operation Varsity Blues scandal.
A brick shattering a window of a kosher pizzeria on Manhattans Upper East Side. Jewish diners outside a sushi restaurant in Los Angeles attacked by men shouting anti-Semitic threats. Vandalism at synagogues in Arizona, Illinois and New York.

In Salt Lake City, a man scratched a swastika into the front door of an Orthodox synagogue in the early morning hours of May 16. This was the kind of thing that would never happen in Salt Lake City, said Rabbi Avremi Zippel, whose parents founded Chabad Lubavitch of Utah almost 30 years ago. But its on the rise around the country.

The synagogue has fortified its already substantial security measures in response. Its ridiculous, its insane that this is how we have to view houses of worship in the United States in 2021, Rabbi Zippel said, describing fortified access points, visible guards and lighting and security camera systems. But we will do it.

The past several weeks have seen an outbreak of anti-Semitic threats and violence across the United States, stoking fear among Jews in small towns and major cities. During the two weeks of clashes in Israel and Gaza this month, the Anti-Defamation League collected 222 reports of anti-Semitic harassment, vandalism and violence in the United States, compared with 127 over the previous two weeks.
After the state of Ohio announced with great fanfare that residents who got at least one shot of a coronavirus vaccine would be eligible to win a hefty $1 million, Jack Pepper saw something remarkable happen at his sleepy rural vaccination clinic.

For the first time in a while, there was a line at the door. Officials, who had been strategizing about how they might give away extra doses, were suddenly operating at full capacity.

I think we did close to 400 people in four hours, said Mr. Pepper, the administrator for the health department in Athens County, a county of about 65,000 in southeastern Ohio. Anywhere I go, people are joking with me, Hey, when am I going to win my million dollars?

Anticipation approached a peak as the Ohio lottery campaign  deemed Vax-a-Million (including a cheeky bandage on the X)  announced its first winner on television on Wednesday night. Abbigail Bugenske of Silverton, Ohio, near Cincinnati, won the first $1 million prize.
A county in South Carolina agreed on Tuesday to pay $10 million to the family of a Black man who died in January after sheriffs deputies used pepper spray and Tasers on him in a jail cell as he told them, I cant breathe, officials said.

In a unanimous vote, the Charleston County Council approved the settlement in the death of Jamal Sutherland, 31, who had been taken from a mental health facility to the county jail at the time.

His death on Jan. 5 has drawn protests and comparisons to the killing of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis.

The settlement came as many Americans paused on Tuesday to remember Mr. Floyd one year after his death, which became a catalyst for a nationwide reckoning on police brutality and systemic racism.
During her own three-year, self-imposed residency, she created pieces like 63 Objects Taken From My Sons Mouth, All Scissors in the House Made Safer and The Distance I Can Be From My Son, a film that measured  like, literally, with a tape measure  how far away he could stray from her before she felt an uncontrollable compulsion to run after him.

ARIM, which is open source and free to all, now has more than 1,200 residents. We are all claiming motherhood as a space of creativity and inspiration, Ms. Clayton said, rather than one that stops you doing what you want to do. Though it is similar in some aspects to a traditional residency, ARIM does not come with funding of any kind.

Despite more visibility around motherhood, most residencies still do not accommodate people with caregiving responsibilities, says Ms. Gravina, the founder of Procreate Project, which is based in Britain.

Entrenched structures in the art world, she says, are built around the very narrow idea we have of an artist  a single male who is not encumbered by familial or domestic obligations. It is quite problematic, she said.

Ms. Gravina, as well as others, are pushing to make the art world more inclusive. Among other things, this includes changing the days and times of events, because they traditionally occur in the 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. window when were putting kids to bed, and making events child-friendly without it meaning that the quality of the exhibition is any lower than any other exhibition.

This summer, Ms. Gravinas Procreate Project plans to open Mother House, a 21-seat art studio with integrated child care that she hopes will serve as a prototype for others to replicate. She says the space will give women the infrastructure, support and community needed to continue making art in the early years of motherhood. We can change the fact that theres a huge gap in their CV, she said, explaining that the lull in productivity during motherhood is often what keeps galleries from supporting women, and yet the lack of productivity is often the result of insufficient child care options.

But child care wont solve everything. Ms. Gravina says the stigma that surrounds motherhood continues to be an issue. Just having children, she said, in the eye of a lot of galleries and institutions, equals some kind of lack of quality all of a sudden.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has been without a director for 13 of the last 15 years.

Thats because 2006 was the year when Congress passed a law, pushed by gun rights advocates, requiring the agencys director to be confirmed by a majority in the Senate. Since then, only the Obama administration has successfully confirmed an A.T.F. director: It did so in dramatic fashion in 2013, with one Democratic senator flying in overnight to help overcome a filibuster.

President Biden is trying to become the second president since 2006 to fill the position.

And his nominee to run the agency, David Chipman, a two-decade A.T.F. veteran, stands a good chance: The Democrats two most consistently centrist senators, Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin, have signaled theyre likely to support his nomination  and that may well be enough to get him confirmed, even if Republicans are united in opposition, as the filibuster is no longer an option on presidential appointees.

It would be a boon to a growing Democratic movement advocating more effective gun safety regulation  and a blow to the National Rifle Association, which has consistently sought to kneecap the A.T.F.
Adams layered the appeal onto a law-and-order platform that he has made central to his campaign. The former NYPD captain presents himself as the best candidate in the crowded Democratic primary to make the city safer as uneasiness grows around subway crime and rising rates of gun violence.
President Biden tapped David Chipman to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in part because the two-decade bureau veteran has few qualms about taking on the gun lobby in blunt, confrontational and unapologetic terms.

On Wednesday, Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee seized on Mr. Chipmans scathing comments  including an interview in which he likened the frenzied buying of weapons during the pandemic to zombie apocalypses  in hopes of sinking his nomination.

Many see that putting a committed gun control proponent, like David Chipman, in charge of A.T.F. is like putting a tobacco executive in charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, or antifa in charge of the Portland police department, Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, the top Republican on the panel, said during Mr. Chipmans confirmation hearing.

The selection of Mr. Chipman to lead the federal agency tasked with enforcing the nations gun laws and regulations is no run-of-the-mill personnel move, as the amped-up rhetoric of Mr. Grassley and other conservatives vividly illustrated.
Karine Jean-Pierre, the principal deputy press secretary for the White House, held a televised briefing for the first time on Wednesday, a baptism-by-fire moment that came shortly after a mass shooting and a request from President Biden that U.S. intelligence officials delve deeper into the origins of the coronavirus.

In her first outing, Ms. Jean-Pierre was immediately pushed for specifics about why Mr. Biden had ordered a 90-day review of the latest analysis on the virus, including whether it emerged from human contact with an infected animal or from a laboratory accident.

She offered none.

Right now were just going to focus on the presidents announcement on the 90-day investigation, Ms. Jean-Pierre said when asked what would happen if Chinese officials refused to cooperate with investigations.

We will have more to share after the 90 days, she said when asked whether the results of the investigation would be made public.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court, confronting the consequences of its ruling last year that much of eastern Oklahoma falls within an Indian reservation, said on Wednesday that it would temporarily block a decision from an Oklahoma court that threw out a state conviction of a death row inmate. The state court had said the Supreme Courts ruling required the move.

The courts three liberal members  Justices Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan  dissented from the Supreme Courts order, which gave no reasons and said it would remain in force while the court considered whether to hear the states appeal.

But the order suggested that the court might reconsider or narrow its 5-to-4 decision last year in McGirt v. Oklahoma, which said that a vast chunk of Oklahoma, including much of Tulsa, the states second-biggest city, was made up of Indian reservations. The decision barred prosecutions of Native Americans on those lands by state or local law enforcement, saying they must instead face justice in federal or tribal courts.

The decision featured an unusual coalition, with Justice Neil M. Gorsuch joining the courts four-member liberal bloc, which included the three dissenters on Wednesday and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died in September.
He later told reporters that eight people had been killed. Late Wednesday, officials announced the death of a ninth victim at a nearby hospital.

Senior California law enforcement officials identified the gunman as Samuel James Cassidy, 57, a maintenance worker who had been with the transportation authority for at least a decade. His body was found at the scene, and the authorities said it appeared that he had killed himself as deputies rushed into the rail yard from their headquarters next door.

Three semiautomatic handguns and 32 high-capacity magazines, which each held a dozen nine-millimeter rounds, were found at the scene, said Deputy Cian Jackson, a spokesman for the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office.

He was very deliberate, very fast, Laurie Smith, the sheriff of Santa Clara County, said in an interview Thursday morning on NBCs Today. He knew where employees would be.

The authorities said on Thursday that they were still seeking a motive for the shooting.

During a search of Mr. Cassidys bags when he was stopped by Customs and Border Protection officials in August 2016 as he returned from the Philippines, officials found writings expressing hatred for the agency he worked for, according to an official who described a message that was circulated within the Homeland Security Department after the shooting. A statement from the sheriffs office said the gunman had been a highly disgruntled V.T.A. employee for many years.
Famine is now knocking on the door of Ethiopias Tigray region, where a civil war that erupted last year has drastically cut the food supply and prevented relief workers from helping the hungry, the top U.N. humanitarian official has warned.

In a confidential note to the United Nations Security Council, the official, Mark Lowcock, the under secretary general for humanitarian affairs, said sections of Tigray, a region of more than five million people, are now one step from famine  in part because the government has obstructed aid shipments.

The note, seen by The New York Times, was submitted Tuesday under a Security Council resolution requiring such notification when conflicts cause famine and widespread food insecurity.

These circumstances now arise in the Tigray region of Northern Ethiopia, Mr. Lowcock said in the note. While below-average rain, locusts and the Covid-19 pandemic have all contributed to food scarcity, he said, the scale of the food crisis Tigray faces today is a clear result of the conflict and the behavior of the parties.
This article was produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Centers Rainforest Investigations Network.

RIO DE JANEIRO  Facing strong international condemnation over the destruction of the Amazon, President Jair Bolsonaros government came up with a strategy: It offered companies the chance to adopt a patch of rainforest.

But the plan  which invites companies to contribute money to help preserve the forest  has been marred by disorganization and met with skepticism by critics, who see it as an effort to green wash the Bolsonaro administrations poor record on the environment.

It also hasnt found many takers.

The program was announced in February, as the Biden administration made clear that it expected Brazil to reverse some of the forest loss and dismantling of environmental protections that marked Mr. Bolsonaros first two years in office.
Truth is that senior ministers, senior officials, senior advisers like me fell disastrously short of the standards that the public has a right to expect of its government in a crisis like this. When the public needed us most, the government failed. And Id like to say to all the families of those who died unnecessarily how sorry I am for the mistakes that were made and for my own mistakes at that. In any sensible, rational government, it is completely crazy that I should have been in such a senior position. In my personal opinion. Its completely crackers that someone like me should have been in there, just the same as its crackers that Boris Johnson was in there, and that the choice of the last election was Jeremy Corbyn. I think theres a great misunderstanding people have that because it nearly killed him, therefore he must have taken it seriously. But in fact, after the first lockdown, his view was, he was cross with me and others into what he regarded as basically pushing him into the first lockdown. His argument after that happened was literally, quote, I should have been the mayor of Jaws and kept the beaches open. By the 31st of October our relations were essentially already finished. The fact that his girlfriend also wanted rid of me was relevant, but not the heart, the heart of the problem. The heart of the problem was, fundamentally, I regarded him as unfit for the job. And I was trying to create a structure around him to try and stop what I thought were extremely bad decisions and push other things through against his wishes. And he had the view that he was prime minister and I should just be doing as he wanted me to. And thats obviously not sustainable for very long.
MOSCOW  He may be the Kremlins closest ally, but his loyalty remains in doubt.

When Aleksandr G. Lukashenko, the eccentric and brutal leader of Belarus, forced down a European passenger jet on Sunday to arrest a dissident, he ushered in a new and even more brittle phase in one of the post-Soviet regions most convoluted and consequential relationships: the one between Mr. Lukashenko and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.

The two are increasingly leaning on each other in the face of conflict with the West, but they have sharply diverging interests. Mr. Lukashenko, who has ruled for 26 years, relies on his iron grip on his country to assure his survival. Mr. Putin wants to expand Russian influence in Belarus, undermining Mr. Lukashenkos authority in the process.

Now, with a summit meeting with President Biden looming in June, Mr. Putin faces a choice over how much political capital to expend to continue supporting Mr. Lukashenko, whose commandeering of the Ryanair plane has complicated the Kremlins efforts to smooth relations with the West. Russian officials and pro-Kremlin news outlets have taken Mr. Lukashenkos side in the furor, but Mr. Lukashenkos leading Belarusian opponents believe that the Kremlins support is only skin deep.

In the Russian Foreign Ministry, in the Kremlin, I think that people cant stand Lukashenko, Franak Viacorka, a senior adviser to the exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, said in a telephone interview. But at the same time, since theres not anyone more pro-Russian, they prefer to keep Lukashenko for now.
The forced landing of a commercial flight on Sunday, seen by several countries as a state hijacking, has put Belarus and its strongman president, Alexander G. Lukashenko, in a new global spotlight.

It came less than a year after Belarusians were met with a violent police crackdown when they protested the results of an election that many Western governments derided as a sham.

The Ryanair flight from Athens to Vilnius, Lithuania, was diverted to Minsk using the ruse of a bomb threat, according to Western governments, with the goal of detaining Roman Protasevich, a 26-year-old dissident journalist. In a video released by the government, he confessed to taking part in organizing mass unrest last year, but friends say the confession was made under duress.
AMMAN, Jordan  A fragile cease-fire remains intact, but the work to rebuild after the short but deadly war between Israel and Hamas has just begun, the top American diplomat said Wednesday at the close of a Middle East trip intended to keep simmering tensions from erupting anew.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said he was returning to Washington from the brief but urgent visit with new promises to help fund a massive humanitarian and reconstruction effort in the Gaza Strip, pockets of which were decimated during 11 days of hostilities between Hamas, the militant group that controls the area, and Israel.

Following meetings with the leaders of Egypt and Jordan  two Arab neighbors of Israel that have influence with Palestinians in Israel and in the occupied West Bank  Mr. Blinken said he would reach out to other nations in the region to ensure we all contribute to recovery, stability, and the reduction of tensions.
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Just minutes after the war between Israel and Hamas broke out, a 5-year-old boy named Baraa al-Gharabli was killed in Jabaliya, Gaza.

A 16-year-old, Mustafa Obaid, was killed in the same strike, on the evening of May 10.

Around the same time, four cousins  Yazan al-Masri, 2, Marwan al-Masri, 6, Rahaf al-Masri, 10, and Ibrahim al-Masri, 11  were killed in Beit Hanoun, Gaza. It was devastating, said Mukhlis al-Masri, a cousin. The pain for our family is indescribable.

They Were Only Children

Hussein Hamad, 11

Ibrahim Hassanain, 16

Muhammad Suleiman, 15

Hamza Ali, 12

Mina Sharir, 2, and Lina Sharir, 15, sisters

Nearly all of the children killed were Palestinian.

Gaza is crowded and its population skews young, with about half under age 18. So when Israeli warplanes hit homes and residential neighborhoods, the number of children at risk is extraordinary. Sometimes nearly entire households disappear with a single blast.

Israel blames Hamas for the high civilian death toll in Gaza because the group fires rockets and conducts military operations from civilian areas. Israels critics cite the death toll as evidence that Israels strikes were indiscriminate and disproportionate.

Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza Strip, on May 15. Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times

Children are the most vulnerable.

In Gaza, they grow up amid widespread poverty and high unemployment, and cannot freely travel in or out of the territory because of the blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt. They also live under the constant threat of war. An average 15-year-old would have lived through four major Israeli offensives. Nearly everyone in Gaza knows someone who has been killed in the fighting.

When I think about the children who died, said Ola Abu Hasaballah, a child psychologist in Gaza, I also think about the ones who survive, those who were pulled out of the rubble and lost a limb, or those who will go to school and see their friend is missing.

In the Arab village of Dahmash in central Israel, when the sirens wailed around 3 a.m. on May 12, Nadine Awad, 16, and her father ran outside for cover, said her uncle, Ismail Arafat. But a rocket fired by militants in Gaza slammed into the ground next to their home, killing both of them. Nadine was a top student, her academic adviser, Sirin Slameh, said. She spoke English proficiently, taught herself how to play the piano and participated in Jewish-Arab coexistence programs, Ms. Slameh said. The week before, she had scored a 97 on a math exam, a subject she had struggled with. She was very close to her father, Mr. Arafat said, and would follow him everywhere. The sad part is she followed him outside when the sirens blared, he said, and now she has followed him to the grave.

Zaid Talbani, 4, and Miriam Talbani, 2, siblings

Hala Rifi, 13

Bashar Samour, 17

The funeral of Mina Sharir, 2. Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times

While most of the children were Palestinians killed by Israeli airstrikes, there are exceptions.

At least two of the children killed in Gaza  Baraa al-Gharabli and Mustafa Obaid  may have been killed when Palestinian militants fired a rocket at Israel that fell short, according to an initial investigation by Defense for Children International-Palestine.

And one of the children killed in Israel, Nadine Awad, was Palestinian.

The rockets dont differentiate between Arabs and Jews, said Ismail Arafat, her uncle.

Once the war started, Ido Avigal, 5, was so anxious that he did not want to sleep, shower or eat alone, said Shani Avigal, his mother. When sirens started blaring in Sderot, Israel, he huddled with his family in a fortified safe room at his aunts home. But when a rocket hit a nearby building, shrapnel punctured the thick glass of the safe room, tearing into his stomach and killing him. Ms. Avigal said her son was caring and loving, and had recently told his classmates that not all Arabs are bad. I said they all dont want to kill us, he told his mother. I eventually convinced them.

The same day, May 12, Hamada al-Emour, 13, went with his cousin, Ammar al-Emour, 10, to get haircuts at a barber shop  a tradition among many Palestinians before the festival that follows the end of Ramadan. They were nearly back home in Khan Younis when an Israeli airstrike killed them both, said Atiya al-Emour, Hamadas father, who said he witnessed his sons death. I wish I didnt see what happened to him, said Mr. al-Emour. It was awful.

Mahmoud Tolbeh, 12, was an excellent student, his father, Hamed Tolbeh, said. He liked the sciences and dreamed of becoming a mechanical engineer. He was helpful around the house, making eggs and sandwiches for his siblings, tea and coffee for guests, cleaning the house and picking up groceries. He was the backbone of our family, Mr. Tolbeh said. We could rely on him for anything. On the last night of Ramadan, he went to help a cousin at his barber shop. Mahmoud was steps from the shops entrance, his father said, when shrapnel from an Israeli airstrike hit his head and neck. He died two days later. His sister Nagham cradled his body. He had a bright future, Mr. Tolbeh said. But it was buried with him in the grave.

Nagham Tolbeh mourned over the body of her brother, Mahmoud. Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times

Yahya Khalifa, 13, enjoyed riding his bike, had memorized several chapters of the Quran and hoped to one day visit the Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. He was an innocent and sweet boy, his father, Mazen Khalifa, said. He went out to run a quick errand, promising to pick up yogurt and ice cream for the family, his father said, and was killed in an Israeli airstrike.

Four brothers: Amir Tanani, 6, Ahmad Tanani, 2, Ismail Tanani, 7, and Adham Tanani, 4 (not pictured).

The identities of the children killed, their photographs and the circumstances of their deaths came from their parents and other relatives, teachers and schools in Gaza and Israel, international rights organizations, Palestinian officials, social media, and news organizations in Gaza and Israel. Most of the details were corroborated by multiple sources.

Khaled Qanou, 17

Ahmad al-Hawajri, 14

The Israeli military says that it takes rigorous precautions to prevent civilian deaths. It says a major part of its bombing campaign was aimed at Hamass underground tunnel network, a military facility that runs underneath civilian neighborhoods.

Many people in Gaza, however, say that the number of civilians killed proves that whatever precautions Israel may be taking are tragically insufficient.

People think there has to be some rationale, said Raji Sourani, director of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza, but the bottom line is they want to inflict pain and suffering.

The mother and brother of Yahya Khalifa, 13. Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times

The low toll on the Israeli side also reflected an imbalance in defensive capabilities.

Hamas and other militant groups fired more than 4,000 rockets at Israeli towns and cities, also indiscriminately. But most were intercepted by Israels Iron Dome air defense system, which Israeli officials said stopped about 90 percent of the rockets. And many Israelis have safe rooms in their homes.

In Gaza, most people have no access to safe rooms or shelters. Many people seek refuge in the United Nations schools, but they too have been bombed, reinforcing a feeling that anyone could be killed anywhere.

Even in Israel, Arab citizens dont always have equal access to bomb shelters. Ms. Awad, who was killed by a rocket from Gaza, lived in an Arab village with no bomb shelter.

Lina Issa, 13

Fawziya Abu Faris, 17, woke up early every morning in Umm al-Nasr, a Bedouin community in northern Gaza, to milk her familys sheep and make fresh cheese and yogurt, said her father, Nasser Abu Faris.

Muhammad Abu Dayyeh, 9 months

Hoor al-Zamli, 2

Ibrahim al-Rantisi, 6 months

It was shortly after midnight in Beit Lahia, Gaza, and the three terrified children were huddled in their mothers arms. Muhammad-Zain al-Attar, 9 months, sat in the middle, his sister, Amira al-Attar, 6, and brother, Islam al-Attar, 8, on either side. The first strike hit the entrance of their ground floor apartment, trapping the family and making it impossible to flee, the father, Muhammad al-Attar, said. The second, moments later, brought the three story building down. Mr. al-Attar dug himself out of the rubble and survived. His wife and children were crushed under a concrete pillar, their bodies found still together.

Abdullah Jouda, 12

Mental health experts and independent organizations who work with children in Gaza say they commonly suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic fear and anxiety. Those feelings can produce debilitating nightmares and self-destructive or aggressive behavior.

A Palestinian boy next to the remains of his home in Gaza City. Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times

Gaza is already a very violent and terrorizing experience for children because they are under constant military rule, said Karl Schembri, a spokesman for the Norwegian Refugee Council, which runs a psychotherapy and education program for children in Gaza. Eleven of the children the group works with were killed this month, all of them in their homes.

They were getting assistance and care to try and put behind them their nightmares and their trauma, Mr. Schembri said. Now they are buried with their dreams and their nightmares.

Butheina Obaid, 6

Suheib al-Hadidi, 12, lived with his parents and four brothers in the crowded Shati refugee camp in Gaza City. He was fascinated by birds, which had a freedom he could only imagine. He owned a cockatiel, trained it to sit on his shoulder and envisioned a future as a breeder, his cousin, Abdullah al-Hadidi, said. His brother, Yahya al-Hadidi, 10, was a shy boy who liked riding his bike and playing with cats, Mr. al-Hadidi said. Osama al-Hadidi, 5, was considered one of the most stylish members of his family. He changed clothes frequently and took pains to perfect his looks, Mr. al-Hadidi said. He would shower and change his clothes every two hours. Abdurrahman al-Hadidi, 7, studied English, dreamed of traveling to Turkey and liked playing with remote-control cars, his father, Muhammad al-Hadidi, said. The four brothers were asleep at their uncle and aunts home, Muhammad al-Hadidi said, when an Israeli bomb ripped through the ceiling, killing them, their mother, their aunt and four cousins.

Yamen Abu Hatab, 5, Bilal Abu Hatab, 9, Miriam Abu Hatab, 7, and Yousef Abu Hatab, 10

Palestinians carrying the bodies of children from the Abu Hatab family who were killed in an Israeli airstrike. Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times

Mohammad Bhar, 17

The al-Qawlaq family owned two adjacent apartment buildings on Al Wahda Street, a main thoroughfare in Gaza City. At around 1 a.m. on May 16, Israeli strikes reduced both buildings to rubble, killing more than 20 members of the extended family, including eight children: Yara al-Qawlaq, 9, Hala al-Qawlaq, 12, Rula al-Qawlaq, 5, Zaid al-Qawlaq, 8, Qusai al-Qawlaq, 6 months, Adam al-Qawlaq, 3, Ahmad al-Qawlaq, 15, and Hana al-Qawlaq, 14 (not pictured). Its unimaginable, said Waseem al-Qawlaq, who survived. Its beyond torture.

Searching for victims from the al-Qawlaq family. Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times

Dima al-Ifranji, 15, far left, was the oldest child and the apple of her fathers eye. She was one of the top students in her class, spoke English and French, and dreamed of studying medicine, her father, Rami al-Ifranji, said. She was brilliant, he said. She was a master of foreign languages. Her brother, Yazan al-Ifranji, 13, was a bright child, often the first to answer questions in class, Mr. al-Ifranji said. He liked playing soccer and listening to music, and hoped to become a computer engineer. Mira al-Ifranji, 11, imagined a future as a dentist. And Amir al-Ifranji, 9, was a polite child with a vibrant smile who loved playing soccer and video games on his phone. An Israeli airstrike on May 16 killed all four children and their mother.

It was late at night and even though the feast celebrating the end of Ramadan was over, Dana Ishkontana, 9, and Lana Ishkontana, 5, wanted to dress up in their new holiday outfits. Their uncle, Raed Ishkontana, snapped pictures on his phone while their two brothers, Yahya Ishkontana, 4, and Zain Ishkontana, 2, watched, Mr. Ishkontana recalled. Then he stepped out to get snacks for the family, chocolate candy bars and potato chips. The four children and their mother were killed in an Israeli airstrike, he said. I wish I never left, he said.

Raed Ishkontana, who survived an airstrike, mourning the loss of his wife and four children. Hosam Salem for The New York Times

Her father called her Galaxy. Tala Abu Elouf, 13, he thought, had skin the color of a Galaxy chocolate bar. She was quick with a joke and her father, Dr. Ayman Abu Elouf, adored her, said Alaa Abu Elouf, her cousin. Her brother, Tawfiq Abu Elouf, 17, was a serious student, intensely prepping for the standardized tests Palestinians take in their senior year of high school, Mr. Abu Elouf said. Brother, sister, mother and father were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Al Wahda Street in Gaza City on May 16, Mr. Abu Elouf said.

Yousef al-Baz, 13

Rafeef Abu Dayer, 10, liked to draw. She had sketched one of the high-rise buildings that an Israeli airstrike destroyed in Gaza City two days earlier and had started to color in her drawing when her mother called her for lunch. You can go back to drawing after you eat, her mother said. The girl sat down for lunch with 13 relatives in a private residential garden. Minutes later, Israel attacked a building nearby, an uncle said. Shrapnel and rubble struck Rafeef. She and another uncle were killed.

The drawing Rafeef Abu Dayer, 10, was working on before she was killed. Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times

Nagham Salha, 2
The Dutch province of Utrecht is home to a bizarre-looking lake that seems to have been carved up with a giant knife, which sounds preposterous, but is actually fairly accurate.

Vinkeveense Plassen (Lakes of Vinkeveen) consists of a large body of water and bizarre strip-like sand-islands dotted with houses, wooden peers and trees. Its the shape of these long strips of land stretching far into the water that first catches your attention, especially when seeing the lake from above. They dont look like any lake islands Ive ever seen, but then again, this is no ordinary lake. Vinkeveense Plassen may be a popular vacation area today, but it started out as as peat extracting site, and those long strips of land were used to dry the peat on.

Photo: cavite/Wikipedia

Sphagnum peat has always been a valuable resource in the Netherlands, and between 1857 and 1975, Vinkeveense has been one of Utrecht main sources. From March to June, the sphagnum peat was dredged and left to dry on elongated islands. At the end of September, the completely dry peat was transported in baskets al over the Netherlands.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vinkeveense Plassen (@vinkeveense_plassen)

With petroleum becoming the worlds most popular fuel, peat extraction at Vinkeveense Plassen was stopped in the mid 1970s. Sand was brought from the Noordplas to reinforce the land strips on the lake, and also create land barriers to protect the shallow land masses.

Today, 80 percent of the land strips in Vinkeveense Plassen is owned by private individuals. Some own permanent homes here, others simply vacation here or rent their properties out to others. Unfortunately, many of the structures built here in the last four decades are illegal, and this has become a controversial topic in the Netherlands. Some of the locals are complaining about illegal homes being built and people disregarding community rules, like high speed boat racing on the lake.

Despite its issues, theres no denying the unique beauty and appeal of Vinkeveense Plassen.

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Sheila Cort

Taft Communications promotes Sheila Cort to senior director and focus area lead for Tafts work in diversity, equity and inclusion communications. Since joining the firm full-time in 2016, Cort has managed or co-managed several key clients and played a key role in Taft ClearPoint, the firms leadership communications practice. Before coming to Taft, she was VP, corporate communications at Jackson Hewitt. Taft clients deeply value her talent in leadership communications as she deftly helps leaders more effectively articulate their purpose and share how they are creating a positive impact on their organizations, and the world as a whole, said Taft CEO Ted Deutsch.

Meredith Topalanchik

G&S Business Communications

G&S Business Communications appoints Meredith Topalanchik as managing director of its New York office, effective June 1. Current New York MD Anne Green will assume the agency-wide role of principal and managing director, business consulting. Topalanchik was previously a senior vice president at the firm. She was previously an executive vice president at CooperKatz & Company, which was acquired by G&S in 2018. In her new post, she will be responsible for the Manhattan offices operations, growth and talent development. "Meredith brings a clear set of proven strengths and experience to the NY MD role. This, coupled with her strong relationships with staff, will be vital as we enter our hybrid return-to-office model, said G&S president and CEO Luke Lambert.

Claire Dailey

FLM Harvest hires Claire Dailey as VP-PR, leading the agencys growing team of PR professionals while also serving as the senior PR strategist for clients. Dailey most recently served as PR account director at Periscope, and previously held PR leadership roles with Broadhead and Bader Rutter. In her new post, she will draw on her agribusiness subject matter expertise to support clients across the agriculture, food and rural lifestyle markets. She not only has a deep grounding in PR, but shes spent her career serving clients in our sweet spot of agriculture and food marketing and has a style that makes her a natural leader for our team as well as clients, said FLM Harvest president and CEO Laurie Fleck.

Karina Vangani

Arch Street Communications promotes Karina Vangani to director of civic planning, a new position at the firm. Vangani was previously a senior account executive, working with such clients as the Federal Highway Administration's Public Roads magazine, New York State Department of Transportation's Statewide Transportation Plan and the Battery Park City Authority's coastal resiliency project. "Karina's expertise, knowledge and commitment provide extraordinary value to our clients and internal team," said agency founder and CEO Nora Madonick.
Gov. Ron DeSantis

Floridas showboating governor Ron DeSantis is among reasons why trust in Americas political system is on the rocks.

DeSantis signed legislation into law on May 24 that would fine companies such as Twitter and Facebook if they decide to permanently ban political candidates (e.g., Donald Trump) from their platforms.

He claimed to be protecting Sunshine Staters against those "Silicon Valley elites," who have the power to keep the lies and falsehoods spewed by people like Trump from poisoning their sites.

Since when did a US government entity gain the right to control speech on private websites?

The lame-brained law is a gross violation of the First Amendment rights of social media companies to decide how to run their own businesses.

Whats next for DeSantis?

Will he impose fines on the Miami Herald, Sun-Sentinel, Palm Beach Post, Tallahassee Democrat or Mar-a Lago Bugle if they fail to cover his pet issues or preferred candidates.

How is Ron going to get around Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which grants liability protection for web platforms?

The gross hypocrisy of DeSantis move is evident as his law exempts companies from the fines in the event that they own Walt Disney World or Universal Studios Florida, a property of Comcast.

The courts will strike down DeSantis power grab but he did curry favor among the MAGA crowd.

And thats what it really is all about.

Perception hacking is an emerging problem in social media, according to Facebooks Threat Report: The State of Influence Operations released May 26.

Mark Zuckerbergs firm describes perception hacking as rather than running actual on-platform campaigns or compromising election systems, they are attempting to garner influence by fostering the perception that they are everywhere, playing on peoples fear of widespread deception itself.

Facebook found that in the waning hours of the 2018 midterm elections, the Russian Internet Research Agency claimed they were running thousands of fake accounts to sway the vote across the US. It was a Big Lie.

The IRA even created a website with an election countdown clock, which tracked the progress of the fake accounts.

Facebook conducted an investigation in conjunction with other tech companies and law enforcement authorities and found only a handful of accounts set up by the IRA.

The effort was all about creating the perception of influence.

The Report also tackled the weaponization of uncertainty in which influencer operations elevate conflicting voices and drive division throughout the world around major crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, critical elections, and civic protests.

The good news, according to Facebook: Authentic voices typically outweigh inauthentic attempts to manipulate public debate.

The bad news: authentic voices are harder to find in todays highly-partisan and polarized America in which any individual willing to speak out against the party line is shunned and branded as a traitor.

Hello, Liz Cheney.

Good luck in your re-election campaign.
Offaly companies are being encouraged to start planning for a green future as part of a government fund and action plan.

Recently launched by the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar, and the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, the Climate Enterprise Action Fund includes three supports that companies supported by Enterprise Ireland can access to assist on their sustainability journey.

These are:

- Climate Action Voucher  a 1,800 grant to engage consultants to develop plans in areas such as resource efficiency and renewable energy.

- GreenStart  up to 5,000 to measure carbon footprint and identify actions to reduce emissions and operate more sustainably.

- GreenPlus  grant funding of up to 50% to develop a multi-annual climate change plan aligned to international standards and frameworks.

Michael Brougham, Regional Director for the Midlands and Mid-East at Enterprise Ireland said, Ireland has an ambitious target to reduce emissions by more than 51% by the end of the decade. The enterprise sector accounts for 13% of Irelands emissions so it has an important role to play in this national strategy.

Reducing emissions and adopting more sustainable production practices is a smart business strategy. Increasingly consumers are placing a premium on environmentally sustainable products and services. Responding positively to this growing demand is important for consumer-facing businesses.

Likewise, businesses that provide products or services to larger companies are now being required to show transparent environmental credentials and alignment with international standards. Inclusion in this supply chain will increasingly rely on a commitment to our emerging low-carbon, sustainable economy.

Applications to the Climate Enterprise Action Fund will close on 31 August 2021 so I would strongly encourage companies to visit www.globalambition.ie/climateaction for more information.

Enterprise Ireland is also holding a series of webinars to outline the benefits of making sustainability central to business strategy and how to avail of Enterprise Ireland green supports.

The first webinar, which will focus on the food and beverage sector, will take place on Tuesday, 1 June at 10am.

Speakers include Rosaleen Hyde of Ballymaloe Foods, Louise Brennan of OBrien Fine Foods, Padraig Mallon of Kerry Group, Owen Keogh of Lidl Ireland and Deirdre Ryan, Director of Origin Green at Bord Bia.

The webinar will highlight the progress that leading food companies have achieved in reducing emissions and adopting more sustainable processes. It will also focus on how transparent environmental credentials are increasingly important in supply chains.

Other webinars taking place during the month of June will focus on the manufacturing and construction sectors, and digital technologies, fintech, BPO and consumer services.

To register for the webinar on the food and beverage sector, go to www.globalambition.ie/webinar-climate-enterprise-action-fund-food/.
Edenderrys Internet of Things project has been shortlisted for a new national award designed to celebrate the digital achievements of local towns and communities across Ireland.

The .IE Digital Town Awards, established by .IE, the company that manages and maintains Irelands country domain name, were launched earlier this year to honour local town projects and people that have demonstrated how digital projects have contributed to enhancements or digital improvements in areas such as health, tourism, education, public services, employment opportunities, citizen empowerment, and social entrepreneurship.

Shortlisted projects cover the full spectrum of those who are early in their digital journey right up to very sophisticated projects and all are in with the chance of winning one of 14 awards and a share of the 100,000 total prize fund.

Eleven of the awards will be given directly to individual town projects, with a further three special awards recognising a Digital Changemaker, Digital Rising Star, and a Digital Hero.

Following a competitive selection process by an independent judging panel, the wide-ranging list of shortlisted towns includes projects in sustainability, automation, cultural diversity, social inclusion, and promoting local business.

The overall winners will be announced at the inaugural virtual Awards Ceremony which will take place on 10 June.

Commenting on the announcement, Oonagh McCutcheon, Corporate Communications Manager at .IE said:

What is evident from the projects that were submitted for this years awards is that towns up and down the country have an extraordinary sense of resourcefulness and spirit. Those shortlisted in todays announcement have demonstrated impressive digital improvements and enhancements in their local town, and the .IE Digital Town awards aims to shine a light on these efforts.
Offaly children have raised money for their twin school in Kenya.

For many years the school community at Ballyboy National School has been inspired by the work of Irish missionaries to help the poor in East Africa.

As part of the schools Millennium Pledge, Ballyboy NS decided to work with the families and children of Ewuaso in Kenya towards building a brighter and better future.

The school management of both schools got together to unite the schools.

Fr. John Fortune IC, Sr. Camillius (RIP) & Ruth (Principal of Baraka Kindergarten) were all onsite in Ewuaso ensuring since the establishment of the partnership between the two schools that all proceeds raised by the community are going entirely to bettering the lives of the children and families in their community.

Since the beginning, the children, parents and staff of Ballyboy have taken every opportunity to co-operate with their twin school.

The Principal of Ballyboy NS, Helen Callaghan, told the Tribune that it's been a journey packed full of fun, love, care and our very best intentions.

The Ballyboy school community have been involved in organising numerous fund-raising activities, including a talent show, cookbook, bag packing, carol singing, the annual Enterprise Day and many others over the years to support the community of Ewuaso.

The funds raised since the Millennium, said Ms Callaghan, have supported the community's development and the teaching & learning in Baraka Kindergarten in Ewuaso.

We have also been able to extend our support by assisting with the development of a Womens Refuge for young girls fleeing from FGM and becoming child brides.

Each Christmas the children of Ballyboy have been sending gifts to their friends in Ewuaso. Most recently the school community of Ballyboy came together to donate funds to develop a playground on the grounds of the school in Ewuaso, an amenity to be enjoyed by all of the children in the surrounding areas for years to come.

We were delighted, said Helen, to receive the photographs from Principal Ruth showing the beautiful equipment being installed.

Ruth is the Principal of Baraka Kindergarten and she sent a message with the photographs which said, "Hey! Dear Teachers and Students. This is our new outdoor play equipment in Ewuaso, Thanks to everybody in Ballyboy for making this happen."

The ability to recognise an opportunity when it arises is available to us all, said Helen, but in the distractions of everyday life many opportunities are lost.

In Ballyboy NS we continue to grasp our opportunity to support our sister parish in Ewuaso each year, a partnership whose benefits are felt on two continents.

Ewuaso parish is near Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. The parish is located to the north-west of the city. The crime rate in Nairobi is high but in rural areas like Ewuaso it is much lower. However, people are very poor in rural Kenya and need all the assistance they can get. There is a very strong sense of community which is a normal way of things in poor areas.

The parish is also a small trading town. It opened in 2004 and covers 40 miles of the bush northwest of Nairobi, where zebra graze along with the cattle herded by the still very traditional Maasai tribe. It is young and growing, just like the Catholic Church in Kenya.

Missionaries first came to East Africa in the late 1800s, and the first four dioceses in Kenya were established in 1953. Today there are 26 dioceses in Kenya, and about 33 percent of the country is Catholic.
Transition Year students in the Sacred Heart School in Tullamore are once again taking to the sewing machines in their return to the international high-end fashion competition, Junk Kouture.

As the name suggests, the competition challenges students to envisage a couture fashion piece made from everyday junk.

The finished product will then be displayed on a global platform to showcase the talents of young local budding designers and artists.

Rubbish in the form of cow tags, old IKEA bags, recycled electrical wire, mop heads, recycled leather handbags as well as butcher twine is twisted, cut, glued, dyed, and sewn in novel yet technical ways to make the modern dresses, headpieces, and shoes.

This year, the students entry will be milking it for all its worth as they create an udderly unique take on junk fashion with their cow-themed design. Tag You're It is the name of one of the dresses up for consideration for this years judges.

The Tag Youre It team is made up of students Hannah Carey, Tiffany Ravenhill, and Audrey Bennet and although the dress, which is constructed from recycled cow tags, is destined for the stage, there is another reason for its creation.

The dress has been inspired by the students collaboration with the Tullamore Lions Clubs Hooves 4 Hospice project which aims to increase awareness and funding for a level three hospice in the midlands.

The reason for this, Audrey says, is because, The midland region of counties Laois, Longford, Offaly, and Westmeath, is now the only area in Ireland which does not have a level three regional hospice.

She continues, Members of the midlands community who need full time specialised end-of-life care, have no choice but to travel to Dublin, Limerick or Galway which is an additional burden on family members who must travel long distances to visit their loved ones.

Art teacher Ms McCormack says, This has been a great achievement for our students. She adds that Learning through a pandemic has been a learning curve for everyone but it is a credit to our students in the way in which they have learned to adapt.

The Art department is pleased to see the links students are making in the community as Mr Corley notes, Its great to see how Art is being used to make links in the local area while also raising awareness for a very deserving cause.

The Transition Year students at the Sacred Heart Schools students are eager to play their part with The Lions Club, who have undertaken a target of 1 million for their Hooves 4 Hospice fundraising drive.

The fundraiser invites farmers to donate an animal to the project. When the animal is sold, the proceeds are lodged to the Hooves 4 Hospice account. To date, Hooves 4 Hospice have 468 animals committed to the project, meaning the fundraiser is halfway to its target. Each donated animal is tagged with a unique Hooves 4 Hospice ear tag, just like the ones used in the Sacred Heart Schools Tag Youre It dress.

More information on the Junk Kouture competition and the Hooves 4 Hospice fundraiser can be found on the Sacred Heart Schools social media pages and the Hooves 4 Hospice website.
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Let me say this clearly: the job of the mayor is to make sure every New Yorker can live safely. No one should live in fear of violence  of any kind, said Stringer, a Democrat whos considered more progressive than others in the mayoral field. Some of my opponents want to pretend that police have no role in addressing our public safety problems, and others want to pretend the police are our only solution. But we cant solve these problems with one arm tied behind our back. We need solutions that think bigger, dig deeper and act smarter.
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Alyssa Milano encourages people to get their COVID-19 vaccine: 'Keep the people that you love safe'
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MADISON COUNTY

Sherriffs Office reminds motorists to 'Click it or Ticket'
Crafting joy with colour, Bulgari relentlessly travels across the globe to find the most vibrant gemstones and combine them with creative freedom, fantasy and unfettered vivacity into its legendary High Jewellery creations.



The Maisons history is littered with exciting explorations and great adventurers, starting with its found er Sotirios Voulgaris who left Greece to find his fortune in Rome, up to its Jewellery Creative Director and gem hunter Lucia Silvestri who traverses the world to discover Earths most precious secret corners.

Tourmaline Paraiba  Bulgari

Embarking on an unprecedented, fascinating journey, the master of gems introduces the first chapter of its Colour Journeys, a series of capsule collections revealing the magical universe encased into Bulgaris prized stones and passion for vibrant colours. A story this time starting between Brazil and Mozambique, where one of natures most rare treasures can be found: the Paraiba tourmaline.

The rarest Aqua Green

After depriving the world of its beauty far too long, the Paraiba tourmaline revealed its secret in the late 80s in a mine in Paraiba, Brazil, bringing its inimitable never-before-seen colour to light. As the Rising Phoenix of gems, the Paraiba is an emblem of perfection and rebirth, having travelled from the heart of the Earth to illuminate the worlds most exclusive jewellery creations with its inimitable green-blue.

Tourmaline Paraiba  Bulgari

With its sea green colour, which resembles no other, this stone possesses an intense, glowing magical hue conjuring a Mediterranean Eden of overwhelming lushness and eclecticism : indeed, the gem owes its one-of-a-kind aqua green colour to the presence of copper and manganese, which give off dazzling reflections even when there is a feeble light.



Within a very short time this treasure of nature has become a true sensation: it is said that only one Paraiba tourmaline is found for every 10.000 diamonds, making it one of the most desired stones in the world.



Richly inspired by its aquatic and liquid nuances, today Bulgari dedicates an entire Colour Journey to its legendary hues, bringing the gems innate freshness and joyful spirit to the world through unexpected chromatic combinations, Italian design and unmatched craftsmanship. Colour is once more the life force propelling Bulgari High Jewellery forward into eternal modernity.

Paraiba the Bulgari way

Fascinated by its eccentric beauty and inimitable colour, Bulgari glorifies the precious Paraiba in a special High Jewellery collection made of 17 one-of-a-kind creations, unleashing the multiple facets of this rare tourmaline variety.

Tourmaline Paraiba  Bulgari

With its intensively individual approach to gem colour, cut, shape and light, Bulgari combines the light blue stones in a very independent way, with Roman flair and sensuality, and a cultivated eye for beauty that reveal the secrets of each gem.



Precious swirls take centre stage in a jewellery set playing on the striking combination between Paraiba and pink tourmalines, enlightened by diamonds.



The 7 cushion Paraiba gems, totalizing 36.81 carats, shine with an unconventionally soft point of colour that perfectly matches the delicacy of pink. A shade that is neither too strong nor too light, bringing to life the aquatic-green soul of these stones: each with slightly different nuances, yet perfectly harmonized together.



A true challenge in terms of craftsmanship, the jewels conjure the idea of a continuous gold ribbon connecting the gems with a fluid, unbroken line: a delicate yet captivating design, celebrating modern femininity in all its facets, while the charming colour contrast expresses joy thr ough the exuberant language of gemstones.

Tourmaline Paraiba  Bulgari

Right at the intersection between the sky, the sea and the plant kingdom, the second jewellery set shades from the deep blue of tanzanites to the lushest green of emeralds, through the crystalline hues of aquamarine and the light blue touch of Paraibas iconic hue. Softness and vibrancy, faceted and smooth cuts, the intensity of the sea and lightness of the sky: a combination of colours, textures and emotions that conjures the ones of a Mediterranean landscape.



Rarities among rarities, two showstopping rings are crafted around two exceptional Paraiba tourmalines weighing respectively unbelievable 5.60 and 3.35 carats: true wonders of nature, considering that it is almost impossible to find this natural gem in a weight exceeding the two carats. In the first ring, the lagoon colour Paraiba and the emerald respectively enhance each other's qualities, playing a unique symphony of greens, while in the second one, the pink sapphires and am ethysts unleash the feminine character of the central Paraiba gem. The rings design flaunts Bulgaris iconic sense of volume, while diamond accents infuse with timeless aesthetic these exceptional pieces. Whimsical ear rings, rich in fantasy and exuberance, complete the collection with their vibrant and colourful gemstone cascades.
With the Senate evenly split, 10 Republicans would likely have to back the measure to pass it. Only a handful of GOP senators say they will vote for the commission, which GOP leaders say will distract attention from their campaign to retake Congress in next years midterm elections.
Matt Carpenter has been appointed as the new superintendent of schools for the Oneida City School District starting July 19, 2021.
Better Than the Hospital: Pandemic Boosts Care for Serious Illnesses at Home
Roman Dmitriyevich Protasevich, or Raman Dzmitryjevic Pratasevic, is a Belarusian journalist and activist. He was the former editor-in-chief of the Telegram channel Nexta, as well as the chief editor of the Telegram channel "Belarus of the Brain". On 23 May 2021, Protasevich was detained by the Belarusian government after his commercial flight was intercepted in Belarusian airspace by a Belarusian fighter jet and directed to land in Minsk.
The development signals that the Manhattan district attorneys office was moving toward seeking charges as a result of its two-year probe of the ex-president.
The prospect of a US return to the nuclear deal threatens to generate new strains between Washington and Jerusalem.
NSW residents have been encouraged to reconsider travel to Melbourne after the citys coronavirus cluster grew to 15 cases on Wednesday.
"Taiwan was close to sealing the deal with the German plant, but because of China`s intervention, we still can`t sign the..

Zee News 27 May 2021
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Actor and professional wrestler John Cena has apologized to fans in China after he called Taiwan a country in a promotional interview for his upcoming film and became the latest celebrity to face the fury of Chinese nationalists.



In a short video posted Tuesday on Chinese social media site Weibo, Cena did not refer to Taiwan or go into much detail about the incident, which occurred earlier this month when he was doing a promotion for Fast & Furious 9 with Taiwanese media.



In one interview, I made a mistake, he said in heavily accented Mandarin Chinese. I need to say now that this is very, very, very, very, very important. I love and respect China and the Chinese people. Im very, very sorry. As for my mistake, I really apologize for it."



In his interview with TVBS, a Taiwanese cable channel, Cena was also speaking in Mandarin when he said Taiwan would be the first country to be able to see the film. That led to an uproar in China, which considers the self-governing democracy its own territory to be taken back by force if necessary.



It was unclear if Cenas apology worked, as many comments on Chinese social media in response to his video were negative. Likewise, Cena was also facing scorn back in the United States, where Sen. Tom Cotton called the apology pathetic and others lashed out at him on social media as a coward.



Global companies and celebrities seeking to maintain access to the lucrative Chinese market have to tread a fine line on many issues as online nationalistic outrage can spark boycotts.



China has increasingly pressured foreign firms over their statements on Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Tibet, the South China Sea and other issues Beijing considers sensitive.



Airlines and other multinational companies have been pushed...
In 2019, a Roman artist named Alessia Barbow glued her own image of Christ that she had painted onto the side of a bridge near The Vatican in Rome. A year after she publicly displayed her creation, the Vatican decided to use the image for their 2020 Easter postage stamp prompting outrage from the artist without her consent.
George Floyd's daughter led a chant of "say his name" outside the White House, a year after the 46-year-old man was murdered by a police officer.
Biden defended the deicision to not impose sanctions on the German-Russian pipeline project. Washington is seeking better relations with Berlin after ties were frayed under former President Donald Trump.
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The Belarusian opposition leader told Euronews that Lukashenko made a 'huge mistake' by diverting a flight to arrest a journalist because it renewed international scrutiny into the regime.
Euronews English 26 May 2021

An expert has questioned Dominic Cummings' reliability as a witness after his blistering attack on the UK government's handling of..
Sky News 26 May 2021

US President Joe Biden has asked intelligence officers to "redouble" their efforts to find out the true origin of the COVID-19..
Joe Biden says US intelligence agencies are unsure whether it was transferred from an animal or whether it leaked from a lab.
Euronews English 29 May 2021

"There is always someone who causes problems for us," Lukashenko told Putin.
California drivers who want to try and blame their cars for bad driving now have the proper paperwork.



The California Highway Patrol (CHP), the law enforcement agency on all California highways and roads, has rolled out a revised version of its traffic crash report. As of this week, the form was updated to include the...
The boat involved was a wooden boat which was old and very weak but these people would not listen when we sensitized them to reduce the number of passengers they carry in their boats, Yusuf Birma, a Nigerian waterways manager, told AFP.
Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., a member of the House Appropriations Committee, is concerned the Biden administration may be paying more attention to the influx of migrants coming over the Southern border than its own people.
Vice President Kamala Harris should consult members of Congress as she continues discussions with Mexican and Central American officials on the "root causes" of migration, a Republican lawmaker urged this week.
Italian prosecutors and police on Tuesday cheered the capture in Brazil of a leading mafia boss who has skirted justice in Italy for nearly 30 years. Rocco Morabito, number two on the Italian interior ministrys most dangerous fugitives list, was arrested Monday in northeast Brazil. His capture came almost two years after his audacious escape []
"... Our prosecutors are politicized, and I will just have to keep on fighting like I have been for the last five years!" Trump said.
Mike Lindell said a Republican Governors Association (RGA) official told him he wasn't allowed at RGA events. He claims he had an invite.
Eurasia Review 27 May 2021

n the modern history all armed conflicts have been settled in one way or another after some years, but the Palestinian issue has..
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sealed their return to their former university town by enjoying a quiet romantic meal  until word got out.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have paid tribute to the late Duke of Edinburgh by arriving for a drive-in cinema date in one of his beloved Land Rovers.
The crowds that gathered in Minneapolis and elsewhere reflected on what has changed, and what has not, in America since Mr. Floyd was murdered by a police officer.
Eurasia Review 23 May 2021

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday it is not clear whether Iran will comply with restrictions on its nuclear..
That her opponents bend over backward to portray her as a retrograde law-and-order type is more a comment on how unreasonably far left the field tilts than it is on Weinstein. Several seem to be running to be chief public defender, boasting about having never prosecuted a criminal case. Tahanie Aboushi and Eliza Orlins are passionate about striving for justice, but police and prosecutors are not the primary breakers of the peace. Those are the criminals, who, yes, do actually rape and rob and murder and shoot New Yorkers. Aboushi, Orlins and their ideological ally, Dan Quart, of whom the less said the better, should not be DA.
CBS 5 SF KPIX 27 May 2021

The Santa Clara County Coroners Office has identified the eight victims who were killed by a gunman in Wednesdays mass..
The authorities in Santa Clara County, Calif., said that nine people were dead, including the gunman, and others were injured at a shooting at a transportation facility.
CBS 13 Sacramento 26 May 2021

Passengers on the flight from Sacramento to San Diego heard arguing between the flight attendant at the passenger, but weren't..
The Wrap 27 May 2021

Well, add Stephen Colbert to the fairly robust list of people who think John Cenas apology to China was a bad look, because..
Former president Jacob Zuma has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him, including corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering.
Trevor Reed, a former US Marine, was detained in August 2019 after being accused of assaulting police officers in Moscow.
SBS 28 May 2021

Mr Putin warmly greeted his Belarusian counterpart and agreed with him the outcry over the plane and arrest of an opposition..
UCX empowers Virtual Channel users with a new solution to consolidate channel sales Chicago, Illinois - 25 May 2021: UCX, the digital solutions company, today announced the Shopify integration, an empowering new solution for anyone looking to consolidate online channel sales. The Shopify integration also provides a new way for vendors to streamline their reseller management workflow. The integration enables vendors to expedite order fulfillment by synchronizing orders and product stock 
Oskaloosa, IA (52577)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High 88F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

A mostly clear sky. Low near 60F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
But a combination of negligence on the part of agencies, the couples decision to keep their children out of school and their regular moves from state to state meant that no one was being diligent about monitoring this family. Lack of communication among states on issues of child abuse is definitely a problem, but even when parents stay put, it is clear that too many agencies continue to leave children in dangerous situations. Though there will always be a problem of detecting child abuse and neglect behind closed doors  a problem exacerbated by the pandemic, when children were not being seen by teachers, doctors or other adults  we should also be focused on how we use the information we do have. Honoring the memory of Zymere Perkins merits nothing less.
AGENCY [mdash]MaryAnn Wanner, 75, of Agency, died at 4:45 a.m. June 9, 2021 at Ridgewood Specialty Care. She was born February 18, 1946 in Lake City, IA to Lubbert and Erma DeVries. She married Martin Joseph Wanner and he preceded her in death on March 18, 2021. MaryAnn had worked as a beaut
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NEW DELHI (AP)  Heavy rain and a high tide lashed parts of eastern India and neighboring Bangladesh on Wednesday as a cyclone pushed ashore in an area where more than 1.1 million people were evacuated during a devastating coronavirus outbreak. At least six people were reported dead.

Cyclone Yaas had already caused two deaths and damaged homes as heavy rain pounded Odisha and West Bengal states before it made landfall in the late morning.

Another person died in a house collapse in West Bengal state on Wednesday, said the state's top elected official, Mamata Banerjee. The Press Trust of India news agency said two people were killed when they were hit by uprooted trees and another person died in a house collapse in Odisha state. There was no official confirmation of the report.

The very severe cyclonic storm packed sustained winds of 130-140 kilometers (up to 87 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 155 kph (97 mph) when it made landfall, the India Meteorological Department said. With the storm now almost fully on land, winds were expected to weaken.

In Bangladesh, thousands of people in 200 villages were marooned as their homes, shops and farms were flooded by tidal surges.

In southern Patuakhali district, more than 20 villages in Rangabali went underwater after two river embankments were washed away, said Mashfaqur Rahman, the areas top administrator. He said at least 15,000 people had taken refuge in cyclone shelters.

In India, television images showed knee-deep water flooding the beachfront and other areas of Digha, a resort town in West Bengal. Wind gusts whipped palm trees back and forth, and water overflowed several river banks.

West Bengal states top elected official, Mamata Banerjee, told reporters that 20,000 mud huts and temporary shelters for the poor have been damaged along the coast.

On Tuesday, a tornado snapped electricity lines that electrocuted two people and damaged 40 houses, Banerjee said.

More than 17 centimeters (6.5 inches) of rain have fallen in the Chandabali and Paradip regions of Odisha state since Tuesday, the meteorological department said. Tidal waves of up to 4 meters (13 feet) were forecast.

Kolkata and Bhubaneshwar airports were shut and train services canceled. Fishing trawlers and boats were told to take shelter.

The cyclone, coming amid a coronavirus surge, complicates Indias efforts to deal with both after another storm, Cyclone Tauktae, hit Indias west coast last week and killed more than 140 people.

Odishas chief minister, Naveen Patnaik, appealed to people in shelters to wear double masks and maintain social distancing. We have to face both the challenges simultaneously, Patnaik said.

Thousands of emergency personnel have been deployed to help with evacuations and rescue operations, said S.N. Pradhan, director of Indias National Disaster Response Force. The air force and navy were also on standby.

A year ago, the most powerful cyclone in more than a decade hit eastern India and killed nearly 100 people.

We havent been able to fix the damage to our home from the last cyclone. Now another cyclone is coming, how will we stay here? said Samitri, who uses only one name.

Some of the deadliest tropical cyclones on record have occurred in the Bay of Bengal. A 1999 super cyclone killed around 10,000 people and devastated large parts of Odisha. Due to improved forecasts and better relief coordination, the death toll from Cyclone Phailin, an equally intense storm in 2013, was less than 50, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

___

Alam reported from Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Sunday, May 30

On this date in 1864, a group of residents along Granite Creek met and established the town of Prescott, named after historian William Hickling Prescott.

On this date in 1910, President William Howard Taft signed Proclamation 1043, establishing Rainbow Bridge National Monument.

On this date in 1910, Richard Gird, partner of Ed and Al Schiefflin in the founding of Tombstone, and known in later years as the father of the California beet sugar industry, died.

On this date in 1935, the Governors of Arizona and Utah met at Boulder City to unveil a memorial plaque dedicated to the 89 men killed during construction of Boulder Dam.

Monday, May 31

On this date in 1910, the Maricopa Reservation was quarantined because of an outbreak of whooping cough and measles.

On this date in 1923, Pipe Spring, a Mormon settlement, fort and site of the first telegraph station in Arizona territory, was made a national monument.

On this date in 1929, Lady Mary Heath, British aviatrix, stopped in Yuma during her aerial tour of the United States.

Tuesday, June 1

On this date in 1868, the eighth and final treaty between the Navajo Nation and the United States was concluded at Ft. Sumner, New Mexico. This treaty included the establishment of the present Navajo Indian Reservation.

On this date in 1906, the mule drawn street car made its last run to the gates of the University of Arizona beside the electric car which had gone into operation five days before.

On this date in 1910, fire destroyed the stable of the Pioneer Transfer Co. in Phoenix. Four horses were burned to death.

Wednesday, June 2

On this date in 1913, Miss Sarah Greenway, sister of John C. Greenway, lit a fire in the new Calumet & Arizona smelter at Douglas. A big community celebration marked the dedication of what was then the largest and most modern smelter in the United States.

On this date in 1930, radio station KTAR brought the first national broadcast network to Arizona through its affiliation with NBC.

On this date in 1935, three carloads of dynamite were set off to open the New Cornelia mine site at Ajo and 400,000 tons of rock were dislodged.

On this date in 1976, a bomb exploded beneath the car of Arizona Republic reporter Don Bolles in a parking lot of a Phoenix hotel. Bolles died 11 days later.

Thursday, June 3

On this date in 1901, Richard McCormick, first Territorial Secretary and second Territorial Governor of Arizona, died.

On this date in 1913, stockholders of the African Land and Irrigation Company decided to construct a two-story building in Tucson as headquarters for the organization of Southern Arizona Negroes.

On this date in 1936, a convict at Florence State Prison attempted to escape and elude prison bloodhounds by swimming 16 miles through irrigation canals to Picacho Lake, towing his lunch in a gallon milk pail.

On this day in 1996, record temperatures were reported in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff and Wilcox. The mercury in Phoenix hit 111, just one degree hotter than the record for June 3, which was set in 1987 and tied in 1990. The temperature at Tucson International Airport reached 107 degrees, tying a 1990 record. Flagstaff hit 86 degrees, matching a record set in 1988, and in Wilcox, the mercury rose to 102 degrees, the hottest for a June 3 since 1956.

Friday, June 4

On this date in 1871, General George Crook assumed command of the Department of Arizona.

On this date in 1879, public disapproval halted the scheduled first drawing of the Territorial Lottery. Proceeds were intended to support public schools, but the idea was scrapped before any drawings were held.

On this date in 1928, several thousand dollars in loss occurred at Elgin, Ariz. , when the hotel there was destroyed by fire.

Saturday, June 5

On this date in 1871, Armijo, one of the principal chiefs of the Navajo Nation died.

On this date in 1928, bids were opened for the construction of the North Rim Road of the Grand Canyon.

On this date in 1928, Northern Arizona State Teachers College at Flagstaff graduated the largest class in its history as President Grady Gammage presented 81 certificates.

On this date in 1996, Winslows temperature hit 100 degrees, breaking the record of 96 for the day set back in 1957.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  A Dutch court on Wednesday ordered Royal Dutch Shell to cut its carbon emissions by net 45% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels in a landmark case brought by climate activism groups, which hailed the decision as a victory for the planet.

The Hague District Court ruled that the Anglo-Dutch energy giant has a duty of care to reduce emissions and that its current reduction plans were not concrete enough.

The decision could set a precedent for similar cases against polluting multinationals around the world. Activists gathered outside the courtroom erupted into cheers as the decision was read out loud.

The climate won today, said Roger Cox, a lawyer for the Dutch arm of Friends of the Earth, which was one of the organizations behind the case.

This ruling will change the world. Worldwide, people are in the starting blocks to take legal action against oil companies following our example, Cox added.

The Hague court did not say how Royal Dutch Shell should achieve the ordered cutback, saying the energy giant's parent company has complete freedom in how it meets its reduction obligation and in shaping the Shell groups corporate policy.

In a written reaction, Shell said it expects to appeal the "disappointing court decision.

The company said it is already investing billions of dollars in low-carbon energy, including electric vehicle charging, hydrogen, renewables and biofuels. We want to grow demand for these products and scale up our new energy businesses even more quickly.

At a hearing in December, Shell lawyer Dennis Horeman said a ruling against the company could create a situation in which countless parties can hold each other accountable for their role in that (energy) transition through the courts and give judges a central role in an active and delicate political process.

Shell says it has set an ambition to be a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050, or sooner.

The court said in an English language summary of its ruling that Shell was not currently in breach of its obligation to reduce emissions, as the environmental groups had argued, because the parent company was tightening its emissions policy.

But it ruled that Shell's policy is not concrete, has many caveats and is based on monitoring social developments rather than the companys own responsibility for achieving a CO2 reduction.

Therefore, the court has ordered RDS to reduce the emissions of the Shell group, its suppliers and its customers by net 45%, as compared to 2019 levels, by the end of 2030, through the corporate policy of the Shell group.

A group of seven environmental and human rights organizations and some 17,000 Dutch citizens filed the case in 2018, calling on the court to order Shell to cut emissions in line with the global goals set out in the Paris climate agreement. That equates to Shell cutting emissions 45% by 2030.

The court ruled on the claims by six of the groups.

The case in the Netherlands is the latest in a string of legal challenges filed around the world by climate activists seeking action to rein in emissions, but it is believed to be the first targeting a multinational company.

One of the first successful climate cases also was in the Netherlands, where the Supreme Court two years ago upheld a 2015 ruling requiring the government to cut emissions at least 25% by the end of 2020 from benchmark 1990 levels.

In February, a Paris court ruled that the French government had failed to take sufficient action to fight climate change in a case brought by four nongovernmental organizations. Last month, Germanys top court said the federal government must set clear goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions after 2030.

Donald Pols, director of Friends of the Earth Netherlands, called the ruling in The Hague, a monumental victory for our planet, for our children and a big leap towards a livable future for everyone."

___

Follow APs climate coverage at https://apnews.com/Climate
The John Alden Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution held its first in-person meeting since September at Plymouth Park.

After brief business and a sack lunch picnic, DAR members welcomed Scott McFarland and his wife, Tesha. Scott is from Gladwin County and is employed as an iron worker with Iron Workers Local 25. Several months ago, Scott and his wife were asleep when they heard a loud crash. A car had jumped a ditch and hit a tree in his yard. Scott went out to investigate while Tesha called 911. The car was in flames and a young boy was trying to get out of a window. Scott ran to the vehicle and pulled him out, taking him to safety near the house. He could hear another boy yelling for help. Scott found he was stuck in his seat belt. In releasing the seat belt, Scotts hands were burnt as he rescued the second boy. Unfortunately, the adults did not survive.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday pardoned an eye doctor who said he began growing marijuana to help his dying wife reduce her use of opioids.

Dr. Paul Ezell, 65, of Delaware County outside Philadelphia, served six months in jail in 2014 and lost his ability to practice medicine after pleading guilty to a felony drug charge.

Ezell has said he began growing marijuana to help his wife reduce her use of prescription opioids. After her death, Ezell was in the process of dismantling his basement operation when a tipster spotted clippings in the trash and turned him in to police. Haverford Township police raided Ezells home and confiscated 28 marijuana plants in various stages of growth.

Ezell, a board-certified ophthalmologist, pleaded guilty less than two years before Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana.

Heres a doctor of 30 years who had not so much as a speeding ticket, and then his whole life is ruined for giving his wife medicine thats now legal in Pennsylvania, said Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who chairs the state Board of Pardons and who is a fervent advocate for legalizing marijuana for recreational use.

The pardon could allow Ezell to return to medicine, according to the lieutenant governors office, which made the announcement.

Email and phone messages were sent to Ezell seeking comment.

Next month, the pardons board will hear the case of Ezells daughter, Victoria Ezell, a nurse who pleaded guilty, served probation and also lost her license because of the marijuana case.
Midland County is contributing to the statewide effort to redraw political districts in Michigan.

On Tuesday at the Great Hall Banquet and Convention Center, an advisory commission held its fifth public hearing event to receive citizen feedback and proposals on redistricting the political districts in Michigan.

With Michigan voters passing Proposal Two in 2018, the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission was born. Proposal Two was a ballot initiative which empowered citizens, not legislators, to redraw political districts.

The 13 commissioners are responsible for drawing political lines for 13 U.S. House, 38 State Senate and 110 State House districts.

The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission will hold a total of 16 public hearings to gather community feedback on the states redistricting process.

Were on a listening tour, Commissioner M.C. Rothhorn said. That is our primary objective. Through listening, what we hope to do is build trust and help people understand. This is the first time, its an unfamiliar process. Normally, this stuff is done behind closed doors, so I think its unusual for people to feel like their voice can or should be heard.

Seventy-five people signed up to provide public comments in front of the commission Tuesday evening.

Sanford resident Amanda Oster attended the event to provide remarks to the commission. She voiced her support for the village to remain in U.S. House District 4.

When the initial flooding took place, Oster said her family evacuated from their home. In her comment, she said emergency agencies like those in Sanford, Edenville and Midland should remain in the same district in order to continue to provide emergency services in these communities.

Theres no reason to change it. All it would be doing is making things harder on pretty much everybody, Oster said.

Midland resident Erica Pina said her family moved back to the Midland area from Washington, D.C., to raise her kids. She left a public comment online supporting keeping the political boundaries the same.

She said she supports grouping rural mid-Michigan and northern Michigan communities in the same district.

Thats the whole reason I left a big-city life, Pina said. I want the boundaries to stay with similar counties to keep education and everything else the same.

The mandated public hearings must be completed before the Michigan commission draws the new political district lines.

Commission Executive Director Sue Hammersmith said the commission has committed to a fair and open process by holding additional events to increase public participation.

The final public hearing is in Grand Rapids on July 1.

Afterward, Hammersmith said the commission will be waiting for the 2020 Census results to finalize the political district maps for the 2022 primary and general elections.

She said the commission expects those results by Sept. 30.

The commission is continuing its tour at the next hearing in Lansing on Thursday, May 27.

Residents across the state can submit public comments online at michigan.gov/MICRC or by phone at 1-833-968-3729.
The most important and only reason this went so far is that he loves and adores his children, and (he) is very happy with the outcome, one source said. Relieved is an understatement.
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Andrew Mullin.

Monday, May 24, 2021

11:01 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Greendale Township location for reports of a mattress in the roadway. Deputies patrolled the area but were unable to locate the mattress.

10:48 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Porter Township residence regarding a 13-year-old juvenile reporting he was afraid of his 44-year-old uncle disciplining him because he was kicked out of the school today. The 13-year-old juvenile was turned over to his 64-year-old mother.

10:24 p.m.  Officers responded to a second offense of driving under a suspended license on Commerce Drive.

10:07 p.m.  Two Mills Township residents stayed after hours at a Jerome Township park and were locked inside. A deputy attempted to unlock the gate for them but was unsuccessful. They called for a ride to pick them up and were advised that they would have to wait until the following day to get their truck.

7:58 p.m.  A deputy responded to a Lee Township residence for a 67-year-old Lee Township female who reported there was a vicious goose on her property with several ducks. The deputy located the 39-year-old Lee Township male who owned the animals and he brought them back home. The male was advised to keep the goose and ducks secured on his property.

5:56 p.m.  Officers responded to a road hazard on West U.S. 10, near the Waldo Avenue overpass.

2:53 p.m.  While on patrol, deputy located a 9-year-old girl sitting under a tree by the side of the roadway in Jerome Township. Deputy spoke with the child and discovered she missed getting on the bus this morning. She had hidden at the house while her mom was at work. The child came out to the end of the driveway to wait for the bus so that her family thought she got off the bus at the end of the day. Deputy called and spoke with her mother and informed her of the situation. The child was taken home and turned over to her 17-year-old brother who was there and did not realize she did not get on the bus.

1:59 p.m.  A deputy cited a 20-year-old Mills Township male for driving without insurance, after a traffic stop in Larkin Township. A report will be forwarded to the Midland Prosecuting Attorneys Office.

11:22 a.m.  Animal Control Deputy dispatched to a home in Coleman regarding a family cat exposed to a bat. Bat was picked up and will be submitted to the Michigan Department of Health for rabies testing. An isolation notice was issued to the owner of the cat.

9:57 p.m.  A 54-year-old female in Larkin Township contacted the Midland County Sheriff's Office because she received IRS paperwork concerning a fraudulent unemployment claim. The deputy filed an informational report and provided the lady with the State of Michigan Unemployment Investigative Division contact information. She was also instructed on other fraud prevention techniques.

9:04 a.m.  Animal Control Deputy was dispatched to a home in the city of Midland reference possible exposure to a bat found in the home. The bat was picked up and will be submitted to the Michigan Department of Health for rabies testing.

1:10 a.m.  A deputy made a traffic stop on a 19-year-old Saginaw male for speeding. The male was cited for driving while unlicensed and for the speeding violation. A report was completed and forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorneys Office for review.

12:13 a.m.  Officers responded to an OWI crash in the area of James Savage Road and Rockwell Drive.
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Andrew Mullin.

May 25, 2021:

11:22 p.m.  Deputies initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle at a Lincoln Township location for an equipment violation. Upon contacting the driver, deputies discovered the vehicle did not have insurance. The vehicle was impounded, and the driver was cited for the offense. A report was forwarded to the prosecuting attorneys office.

10:40 p.m.  Officers responded to an OWI in the area of North Saginaw Road and West Sugnet Street.

9:50 p.m.  Officers were on the lookout for a reckless driver in the area of Isabella Street and Sandow Road.

9:17 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Larkin Township residence regarding yelling. Deputies contacted the residents. The 47-year-old mother was upset and was disciplining the child for throwing away his homework assignment and lying to her. There were no assaults.

8:02 p.m.  Officers responded to a domestic verbal situation on North Saginaw Road.

7:52 p.m.  A deputy made contact with a 19-year-old Lee Township male who reported that he received information that his 24-year-old Midland brother falsely gave the caller's name to police during a traffic stop and wanted the Sheriff's Office aware. The deputy investigated the issue and it was unfounded. There was no record of the brother being stopped in Midland County.

7:36 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Geneva Township residence for a death investigation involving a 60-year-old Geneva Township female. The death appeared to be natural and no foul play was suspected. The body was released to the funeral home.

5:23 p.m.  Officers responded to a domestic assault on North Saginaw Road.

4:39 p.m.  A 40-year-old Ingersoll Township female reported that her 18-year-old son drove off and said he was not coming back. Deputies spoke with the male on the phone, and he advised that he is not suicidal and was just trying to clear his head. The male was later located in northern Michigan by his father, who advised Central Dispatch that his son was all right.

3:59 p.m.  A 51-year-old Ypsilanti male reported his neighbor, a 37-year-old Edenville male, was blocking his easement. B were advised to handle it through court.

3:50 p.m.  A deputy spoke with a 60-year-old Lee Township male regarding a littering complaint. There are currently no suspects.

2:44 p.m.  A deputy was dispatched to a Jasper Township residence regarding a disorderly 19-year-old male. His 46-year-old father stated that his son was upset because his cell phone was not working correctly. The deputy arrived on scene and spoke with the father who stated that his son was now calm since he took his medication. The deputy spoke with the 19-year-old male who said that he was calm now and was upset earlier because his cell phone was running slow. The 19-year-old male refused any medical treatment.

12:47 p.m.  A deputy was dispatched to a Village of Sanford business regarding what appeared to be an assault taking place in the parking lot. The 60-year-old female caller stated that it appeared that a male was attempting to push a female passenger out of their black pickup truck as it was parked in their parking lot. After the female refused to get out of the truck, the truck left the parking lot westbound on Saginaw Road with both subjects inside. The deputy later found the black pickup truck parked a few blocks down the road and spoke with both 20-year-old subjects. There was no assault.

11:46 a.m.  Officers responded to a verbal situation at Kentwood Drive.

11:36 a.m.  A 34-year-old Geneva Township female called because her uncle had been harassing her. He would call her in the middle of the night intoxicated. He wants her to move out of her house so he can move in. The female was advised to apply for a personal protection order.

10:34 a.m.  Deputies responded to an Ingersoll Township residence regarding a suspicious situation. The complainant, a 41-year-old Ingersoll Township female, reported that she was afraid of her boyfriend and had questions regarding the eviction process. The female advised deputies that she did not want her boyfriend contacted and was planning on evicting him.

10:24 a.m.  A deputy observed a naked child running around in a driveway with no cars in the driveway and no supervision. The child was outside for a couple of minutes while the deputy was on the traffic stop. The deputy contacted the child and knocked for a couple of times before the 30-year-old mother came to the door. The mother was getting ready for a shower and the 2-year-old had left the house while she was in the bathroom. The deputy suggested secure locks on the door out of the childs reach.

10:10 a.m.  A 20-year-old Lee Township male was issued a citation for no insurance and no license after a traffic stop in Lee Township.

8:03 a.m.  The Midland County Sheriffs Office Detective Bureau received a referral from the department of health and human services suggesting alcohol and marijuana usage by a 16-year-old boy and possible abuse in the past by a family member. The parent of the child was contacted and stated that the boy was currently on probation and attending outpatient therapy and that there was no need for a law enforcement investigation.

4:01 a.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Lincoln Twp. business regarding a domestic assault that occurred at a Village of Sanford address. A 33-year-old female advised that she was assaulted by her 51-year-old live-in boyfriend. The victim walked away and called 911. She had minor injuries and refused EMS. The male was located and arrested for domestic assault. He was transported to the Midland County Jail without incident, where he was lodged.
Paducah, KY (42003)

Today

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 94F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms before midnight. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
Anthony, once dubbed the worlds most-hated mom, was charged with first degree murder in 2008, after Caylees skeletal remains were found tucked inside a laundry bag in woods not far from their home. Following a six-week trial in 2011, Anthony was acquitted on the more serious charges but also found guilty of four misdemeanor counts.
An informal memorial service for George Alvin Kerschner, 74 of Palestine will be held Friday, June 11, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Bailey & Foster Chapel. Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey & Foster Funeral Home. Please feel free to come and go as you please. To view online
Accra, Ghana (PANA)  The unprecedented economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, together with global school closures and inadequate government assistance, is pushing children into exploitative and dangerous child labour, Human Rights Watch and Friends of the Nation said on Wednesday in a report released ahead of the World Day against Child Labour on 12 June
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Members of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) on Wednesday started a virtual session to deliberate on the proposed constitutional basis for the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for 24 December
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA)  The Nigerian Army on Wednesday said its troops under Operation Hadi Kai bust a Boko Haram logistics stockpile in Kurkareta town, Yobe State, northeast of the country
New York, US (PANA) - A summit involving leaders of Somalias political factions is underway in Mogadishu, a welcome relief after months of escalating tension, the senior UN official in the country told the Security Council on Tuesday, expressing hope that a consensus on electoral plans will be announced imminently
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA ) - Peace talks between the government of the Sudan and the main rebel Sudan Peoples liberation movement started in Juba, capital of South Sudan, with the government sending the largest delegation ever to attend the opening session on Wednesday
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - The United States on Wednesday condemned the detention of the leaders of the civilian interim government in Mali and called for their immediate and unconditional release
DANVERS  Despite gradually applying less fertilizer across his farm over the past five to 10 years, Jason Lay has yielded larger returns on his corn and soybeans.

Farming for about 17 years in the Danvers, Carlock and Yuton area, Lay, 47, now works in about 0.8 pounds of nitrogen per bushel of corn. That compares with the past common rule to apply about 1.2 pounds of nitrogen per bushel of corn.

We continue to evolve and get a lot smarter about various methods of application," Lay said.

The reason for Lay's conscientiousness circles around a statewide push, called the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, to reduce the amount of fertilizer  especially nitrogen and phosphorus  that infiltrate regional watersheds, touch local drinking water sources and eventually settle in larger bodies of water, such as the Gulf of Mexico.

The voluntary NLRS aims to decrease the state's nitrate-nitrogen load by 15% and its phosphorus load by 25% by 2025, with a final goal of lowering both nutrients in Illinois waterways by 45%.

But a 2019 report on the strategy largely found that it isn't working, with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency estimating that between 2015 and 2019, nitrogen and phosphorus loads swelled respectively by 13 and 37% over baseline figures.

Another report, detailing figures from 2019 and 2020, is due to be released later this year.

Until then, Lee Enterprises reporters from across Central Illinois have been in corn and soybean fields, at municipal water plants and in government offices discussing with farmers, experts and policymakers the state's progress in meeting the goals of the NLRS.

The results of those conversations, contextualized by what's at stake, will be featured in a three-part series published over the following days. Part one spotlights Central Illinois farmers, part two focuses on local municipalities and part three addresses policy evolving in Springfield that would dovetail the strategy.

The findings highlight the ongoing push and pull of one the state's most substantial economic drivers  and is the subject of continuing conversations from farm fields to the Statehouse in Springfield.

Old fertilizing strategies

The cycle of fertilizer application has long been influenced by soil conditions, climate patterns and crop science. It's also gotten more efficient.

Todd Easton, president of Terrydale Farms in Charleston, said farmers have been getting out of the habit of applying dry phosphorus and other fertilizer right after the fall harvest. Instead, they are applying in the spring just before planting so there's less time for the fertilizer to potentially wash away with storm water.

Lake Land College Agronomy Instructor and Farm Manager Mark Niemerg said farmers also closely watch their timetables, meaning they're "putting nitrogen on more in the spring and less in the fall."

More accurate nitrogen rates, said Dan Schaefer, director of nutrient stewardship at the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association, have also evolved over time.

Schaefer and teams of scientists conduct on-farm research trials to maintain an online nitrogen rate calculator that farmers can use to determine the best economic return to nitrogen application ratio.

"In Illinois, we probably have the most accurate nitrogen rate year to year," Schaefer said. "But it wasn't that way 10, 15 years ago  it was quite a bit of guessing."

That guessing largely led to farmers over-applying fertilizer, meaning the excess wasn't used by their crops and was washed away with storm events. It also meant farmers were losing money.

"By using a correct rate, you don't leave a lot of nitrogen in the soil to leach away," Schaefer said, adding that fertilizing is a constant battle to supply plants and soil with enough nutrients so that they grow faster, but don't have a surplus.

New fertilizing technology

Maintaining that balance has gotten easier with evolving technology and implements, like variable rate application equipment, that allow farmers to place fertilizer exactly where its needed rather than spread it more broadly.

Lay said that with newer methods, each plant is now essentially given a prescription for fertilizer rather than receiving a flat rate across the field.

A pretty crude example, in years past we wouldve just had a piece of machinery that you plug in a rate and you get pretty close (to how much it needs), Lay said. Thats not the case anymore. Today, it is precision ag technology, so you literally are putting on exactly what you want, where you want it and how you want it.

Most farmers use a program called Climate Fieldview, which uses GPS to pinpoint each plant. It can show exactly how much fertilizer every plant received, effectively building their prescription. On the flip side, Lay said, it can then take the prescription and facilitate how to apply what he tells it to apply.

Now, we can use what is already out there and not put too much more on there, Easton said.

An even newer concept developed in about the past three years, called green secret technology, Lay said, can sense the nitrogen levels plant by plant as the machine moves throughout the field, and it makes decisions on the go to determine how much fertilizer to drop on each plant. If it reads that a plants nitrogen level is full, then it wont apply any.

Lay said probably the next big explosion in agriculture advancement is in biotechnology.

He started working with one company last year that offers a product that is placed in the ground with the fertile seed, and it ends up in the plant with the ability to fixate its own nitrogen.

Another advance is coated nitrogen pellets that slow release in farm fields, said Niemerg, the Lake Land College instructor.

"It releases more nitrogen as we go through the year, which prevents loss," Niemerg said.

Schaefer, with the IFCA, said some seed companies have even developed certain crop varieties with "more healthy root systems" that "today are much better at taking up nutrients than the hybrids of 15, 20 years ago."

Taking up more nutrients after they're laid down, Schaefer explained, means there's less left in the soil.

"Nitrogen is a nutrient that just doesn't store in the soil very well," Schaefer said. "It's gonna leach. But if you can use a lot of it up in the first place, or if you can use what's left over in the soil, then you're in good shape."

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Planting to reduce runoff

To use up those leftover nitrates so they don't move out of the soil toward water sources, Lay and Easton plant cover crops like cereal rye after the fall harvest. Other common cover crops include oats, radishes and wheat.

Planting cover crops after the corn harvest and ahead of soybean planting allows them to "scavenge" for any nitrates left in the field, Schaefer said.

Farmers also employ strip till, a method of creating rows of tilled and non-tilled soil in fields to reduce erosion.

In addition, Easton, a board member with the Coles County Soil & Water Conservation District, said farmers have been using grassy filter strips along storm water drainage routes to pull nutrients into the ground.

He said his farmland now is buffered by approximately 200 acres of filter strips, including bromegrass and switchgrass, that provide wildlife habitat, too.

All of those methods, many of which the state has advocated for through the NLRS, aim to reduce the runoff of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers into local water systems.

Easton during a recent interview at his farm northwest of Charleston said farmers for years have been proactive about trying to keep fertilizer on their land, and out of creeks and rivers.

"We are trying to get ahead of the curve," Easton said.

Shifting attitudes

Awareness of downstream effects has gained traction in recent years, and so too has familiarity with the NLRS.

In a 2017 survey of 30 McLean County corn and soybean farmers, conducted by Illinois State University assistant professor of agribusiness Maria Boerngen, only 14 farmers said they were familiar with the NLRS.

Twenty-five farmers in the study said "they were concerned about the economic and environmental impacts of nutrient loss," but only "19 farmers reported making changes in their production practices due to nutrient loss concerns."

Boerngen in a recent interview said she has since conducted a larger survey of 762 corn growers across the state. The full results of the 2018 survey are set to be published soon.

Of the responses, Boerngen said, almost 80% of farmers were concerned about nutrient loss, two-thirds were familiar with the nutrient loss reduction strategy and almost 80% reported they "had already made changes to their farming operation in response to concerns about nutrient loss."

There was largely no variation between farmers who rent their land and farmers who own their land, Boerngen said, which "really indicates again, that these issues are really taking hold in the farming community, and can help them meet those goals of the strategy."

Boerngen's survey did reveal a minor split between older and younger farmers. The latter group, she said, were more likely to be concerned about regulation and to have made changes in their farming operations.

"When we're talking about nitrogen runoff, this group (corn growers) seems to be very plugged into these issues, and seems to be, you know, of their own volition doing something about it," Boerngen said.

Regulation vs. voluntary

Farmers acting on their own is especially important to the success of the NLRS because the strategy is voluntary, Boerngen said. Were it to become a mandate, she expects farmers would comply.

"Farmers know, of course, the health of their soil is everything, right? If their soil health fails, then it's going to be awfully hard to continue farming for a living and leaving a legacy to their families," Boerngen said.

"And so I think that what we're finding is that importance of voluntarily complying, making these changes is certainly something that is understood and appreciated and acknowledged and accepted."

Schaefer said he thinks a mandatory NLRS would likely result in negative consequences, whereby some farmers might attempt to skirt regulations or at least be less motivated to think about conservation.

"It's always better to educate and work with people on a change in practice than to shove it down their throat," Schaefer said.

Niemerg said costly "regulations are a big fear" for farmers. He said while looking out for new regulations, they take their own steps to ensure their farm operations can make a profit or at least break even while protecting the environment.

"I don't think people realize the extent that farmers try to protect the environment. Most of them are very conscientious about what is going on downstream and they are trying to protect that," said Niemerg said.

Mark Hines, who farms about 1,600 acres southeast of Bloomington, agrees with Lay and Easton about farmers becoming more aware and proactive at preventing runoff.

At the end of the day its all about your return on your investment, Hines said. Were all trying to make the most money per acre that we can and putting an excess of anything on there that you dont need is generally not wise.

Hines, however, said the goals will be very difficult to attain without mandatory controls.

Weve definitely seen improvements, Hines said. But whether theyre going to get to the goals is maybe a little bit in doubt.

Boerngen said she's optimistic about the strategy, and the farming community is "taking the right steps to try to get closer to what those goals look like."

Schaefer agreed, adding that food producers have a "civic and social obligation" to "future generations" to improve water quality and reduce nutrient loss in the soil.

"We're doing that, we're moving closer. Probably not as fast as people think we should, but we're moving toward the goals," Schaefer said. "We have to keep talking about it, and keep it front of people. When you're talking about water quality and social conservation, it's not a fool's errand."

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Half of Cook Countys six suburban mass vaccination locations will close permanently on Thursday, officials said as the waning need for a centralized rollout has given way to a new strategy of meeting hard-to-reach residents where they are.

The Tinley Park, South Holland and River Grove mass vaccination centers will be consolidating into the remaining locations Thursday, according to a Wednesday Cook County Health news release. That means residents seeking a mass vaccination site in the suburbs must go to Forest Park, Des Plaines or Matteson for an inoculation shot, either with an appointment or walk-in.

The downscaling mirrors that of the city of Chicago, where the largest mass vaccination site, the United Center, is expected to close next month and more city-run sites will follow suit, public health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said Tuesday. In both Cook County and Chicago, officials say the move marks a turn toward hyperlocal vaccination campaigns that will target residents who remain too hesitant or busy to get a vaccine.

It is critical that we continue to meet people where they are, either geographically or psychologically, to get them vaccinated, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said in a written statement. This means going into neighborhoods and working with community-based organizations to ensure that everyone has access to the vaccine and that we can address the issues that cause people to be hesitant.

Cook Countys six mass vaccination sites began late January with the Tinley Park site. Since then, five more locations have cropped up to give out a total 578,222 doses as of Sunday. Des Plaines had the most shots given out at 165,126, then it was Tinley Park at 135,510, Forest Park at 123,667, South Holland at 71,346, River Grove at 60,239 and Matteson at 22,334, though the last site opened the latest on April 14.

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All sites have seen demand for vaccines plummet, however, with River Grove falling the most at an 87.5% drop from its peak doses given in one day versus the doses given Sunday. Tinley Park also saw a substantial loss of interest, with an 81% difference between its peak daily doses and its Sunday doses.

A racial breakdown of people vaccinated at all Cook County Health locations, including but not limited to mass vaccination sites, shows 51% of individuals who got the shot at those places were white, while 19% were Latino, 13.9% were Black and 5.9% were Asian. Another 9.5% had an unknown race.

County data show that disparities remain in the suburbs. Thirty-eight percent of white residents and 50% of Asians have been fully vaccinated versus 25% of Black residents and 24% of Latinos, according to the county public health department. When adjusting for people who have at least one dose, the figures are: 47% of white residents, 67% of Asians, 33% of Black residents and 36% of Latinos. About 42.9% of suburban Cook County residents are fully vaccinated, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

To combat the inequalities, county officials in March identified 32 communities, mostly in the south and west suburbs, that face heightened poverty and barriers to health care, among other risk factors for COVID-19. Those areas have been blanketed with mobile and pop-up clinics, fixed vaccination sites, homebound appointments and media campaigns. A map of all events can be found on the My Shot Cook County website.

Chicago too is in a blitz of pop-up events, vaccine incentives and home visits, which Arwady said Tuesday is a natural progression after large-scale sites such as the United Center have served their use. But that means a greater challenge awaits public health officials.

We always knew at some point, as we got closer and more of the community got vaccinated, that we would need to shift our operations, Cook County Health CEO Israel Rocha said in a phone interview. The demands of the community is what drives our response.  By shifting these resources, were going to be able to create more pop up sites and priority (points of dispensing) throughout the community.

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Matthew has told those around him that he is sober, and there is no need to worry, the source tells the paper about the 51-year-old actor who gained notoriety for his portrayal of Chandler Bing on the NBC sitcom from 1994 to 2004.
BLOOMINGTON  With an additional 28 COVID-19 cases confirmed in the past day, McLean County's overall test positivity rate ticked up slightly to 2.6%, according to new data from the McLean County Health Department.

MCHD said there have now been 18,326 cases since the onset of the pandemic last year.

Still, the county's active caseload dropped again this week, falling by five from 187 to 182 in the past day.

That means 160 people are reported as isolating at home and 22 county residents are reported to be COVID patients  a six-patient drop from Tuesday.

Local hospitals also saw a slight reduction in the number of COVID patients: Between Carle BroMenn and OSF St. Joseph medical centers, there were 16 such patients reported.

MCHD said just 17% of all beds were available between both hospitals, with 83% reported as filled. Intensive care unit bed capacity was reported at 81% filled.

One additional death was reported Wednesday. A woman in her 60s was the latest fatality reported by MCHD, bringing the total to 228 in the past year.

Vaccine update

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MCHD said it's encouraging those who are unvaccinated to get their shots in time to be fully vaccinated by July 4.

A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their second shot of a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) or two weeks after receiving the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

People who receive a first dose of Pfizer or Moderna on or before Friday, May 28, could be fully vaccinated by the July 4 weekend, as long as they receive their second dose within the recommended 21-day interval.

Those who receive a single-dose J&J vaccine by June 18 will also be fully vaccinated by the July 4 holiday weekend.

So far, nearly 145,000 vaccines have been administered in the county to date, according to data from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The percentage of fully-vaccinated people in McLean County continues to hover around 39%, trailing the state's rate of 49%.

Reflecting the rate of vaccinated students  and updated state and federal guidance  some area colleges have updated their mask-wearing and social distancing policies.

On Wednesday, Lincoln College was among the latest to say that vaccinated students can largely go mask-free on campus, with the exceptions of the Lincoln College Health Services Office and on-campus transportation.

That mirrors changes announced on May 19 from Illinois State University, but differs from that of Illinois Wesleyan University which, as of May 18, still had a policy requiring masks in all indoor locations.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.  A former McLean County Unit 5 teacher from Forsyth pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges involving sexual violence against a minor in Nashville, Tennessee.

Jonathon Hovey, 49, of Forsyth, Illinois, entered the pleas to one count of rape and one count of sexual battery by an authority figure when he appeared in Davidson County, Tennessee, court.

I believe in him very much based on what has happened in this area in the past, Hoveys attorney, David King, told The Pantagraph. Based on the outcome in Illinois, I expect a similar result down here in Tennessee.

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Hovey taught first grade at Glenn Elementary in Normal until he was arrested by Normal police in August 2019 and accused of sexually assaulting two students. The state schools superintendent suspended his teaching license in October 2019.

Hovey pleaded not guilty to those six charges  two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse  before they were dismissed in September 2020.

King said he expects Hovey to maintain his not guilty plea throughout the case.

Contact Kelsey Watznauer at (309) 820-3254. Follow her on Twitter: @kwatznauer.

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Senate Democrats confirmed Kristen Clarke on Tuesday as the first Black woman to lead the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights division, a historic step on the anniversary of George Floyd's killing and after a vitriolic campaign by Republicans over her stance on policing.

The vote was 51-48 with Sen. Susan Collins as the only Republican voting for her confirmation. Clarke's confirmation breaks barriers in a department that was established in 1957.

A first-generation American whose parents immigrated from Jamaica, Clarke earned degrees from Harvard University and Columbia University School of Law. Her legal career began at the Justice Department, which has allowed her to travel across the country into communities like Tensas Parish, Louisiana, and Clarksdale, Mississippi, she said at her confirmation hearing in April.

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"Our nation is a healthier place when we respect the rights of all communities. In every role I've held, I have worked for and with people of all backgrounds  regardless of race, national origin, religion and disability status," Clarke wrote. "I've listened deeply to all sides of debates, regardless of political affiliation. There is no substitute to listening and learning in this work, and I pledge to you that I will bring that to the role if confirmed."

She has served for the past five years as the president of the nonprofit Lawyers' Committee, which focuses on social justice.

After her nomination, Republicans resurfaced controversial moments going back as far as her undergraduate years at Harvard, where she co-authored an article that compared the genetics of Blacks and whites and as the leader of Harvard's Black Students' Association where she invited an anti-Semitic author for a speaking engagement.

Clarke confronted both situations over 25 years ago, apologizing for giving the author a platform and explaining after the article published that she did not share those views. But after right-wing news outlets resurfaced the article to denounce her nomination, she has met with several Jewish organizations and reiterated to the Union of Reform Judaism that "she erred" in her decisions.

"Kristen has not only the skill set, but the temperament to handle all of that, she just let it slide off. This is someone who, even before the nomination, she received hate mail for suing the Proud Boys before the insurrection," Damon Hewitt, the executive director and acting president of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, told CNN.

After Clarke interned with the Justice Department in 1999, she turned down a position at a private law firm to work in public service, Hewitt said. Over Clarke's 20-year career, she did three stints with federal civil rights teams and was an assistant counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, all while raising her son.

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CAIRO (AP)  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up a two-day Mideast mission on Wednesday, winning valuable diplomatic support and hundreds of millions of dollars of pledges from Arab allies as he moved to shore up the cease-fire that ended an 11-day war between Israel and the Gaza Strip's militant Hamas rulers.

But the mission made little headway in resolving the deeper issues at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the tensions in the contested holy city of Jerusalem that played a key role in the latest war.

After two days of talks with Israeli, Palestinian and Arab allies, Blinken acknowledged that any resumption of peace talks remained far off. In the meantime, he said he had made progress toward the more modest goals of cementing the cease-fire and rebuilding hard-hit Gaza.

We see the ceasefire, not as an end, but as a beginning, something to build on, Blinken told reporters in the Jordanian capital of Amman, where he met King Abdullah II.

He said the first priority was to meet the immediate needs of Gaza's 2 million people and then aim to create better conditions in which we can try to move forward.

Earlier, he was in Egypt for talks with President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. The visits came a day after intensive talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

Blinken has vowed to rally international support to rebuild hard-hit Gaza while promising to make sure that none of the aid reaches Hamas. He also is trying to bolster Hamas' rival, the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority.

In a boost to those efforts, the energy-rich Gulf country of Qatar pledged $500 million to postwar reconstruction in Gaza. Qatar often serves as a mediator between Israel and Hamas and it has contributed hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to support past cease-fires.

In Cairo, Blinken met with el-Sissi for nearly two hours. Meeting with American diplomatic staff afterwards, he described Egypt as a real and effective partner that helped end the Gaza war.

El-Sissi spoke to President Joe Biden last week before and after the ceasefire was announced, and his government has also pledged $500 milllion in assistance to Gaza.

I think we both believe strongly that Palestinians and Israelis deserve equally to, to live in safety and security to enjoy equal measures of freedom, opportunity and dignity. And were working on that together, Blinken said.

El-Sissi said the latest round of violence showed the urgency of resuming direct negotiations. In a statement, he called for active American engagement to bring Israel and the Palestinians back to the negotiating table.

Jordan's king echoed that call, noting the pivotal role of the United States in pushing for the re-launch of series and effective negotiations. Abdullah, who serves as custodian of Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, also warned against provocative Israeli violations in the holy city.

Both Egypt and Jordan are key U.S. allies that have peace agreements with Israel and frequently serve as mediators between Israel and the Palestinians. Egypt maintains ties with Hamas, but also enforces a tight blockade on Gaza, along with Israel, with a shared goal of preventing the Islamic group from arming.

The stop in Cairo, along with Bidens phone talks with el-Sissi, signal a closer relationship between the countries after a cooler beginning, when the U.S. expressed concern over el-Sissis human rights record.

The Gaza reconstruction effort will be an important test. The 11-day war killed more than 250 people, mostly Palestinians, and caused heavy destruction in the impoverished coastal territory. Preliminary estimates have put the damage in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

One of the U.S. goals is to ensure that any assistance be kept out of the hands of Hamas, which opposes Israels right to exist and which Israel and the U.S. consider a terrorist group.

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In Gaza, Hamas leader Yehiyeh Sinwar told journalists Wednesday that the group welcomed reconstruction aid, as long as it did not come from Israel, and had no objections to international oversight.

"I emphasize our commitment in Hamas that we will not take a single penny earmarked for rebuilding or humanitarian issues, he said.

Sinwar, who has close ties with the group's armed wing, said Hamas receives ample military assistance from outside sources  led by Israel's archenemy, Iran. When I said we do not take money destined for aid, this is because we have comfortable sources of funds covering our activities, he said.

He also lashed out at Blinken for trying to strengthen the Palestinian Authority at Hamas' expense. They are trying to add more fuel to the fire of Palestinian division, Sinwar said.

Blinken said Tuesday the U.S. is trying to bolster the rival government of President Mahmoud Abbas, whose forces were ousted from Gaza by Hamas in 2007.

Abbas Palestinian Authority now administers autonomous areas in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Abbas has been largely sidelined by recent events, is deeply unpopular at home and has little influence in Gaza.

Abbas hopes to establish an independent state in all of the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem  areas captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. The Biden administration, along with most of the international community, supports a two-state solution as the best way for resolving the conflict.

In a gesture to the Palestinians, Blinken on Tuesday announced plans to reopen a diplomatic office in Jerusalem that oversees outreach to the Palestinians. He also pledged nearly $40 million in additional aid to the Palestinians.

In all, the Biden administration has pledged some $360 million to the Palestinians, restoring badly needed aid that the Trump administration had cut off.

The truce that ended the Gaza war on Friday has so far held, but it did not address any of the deeper issues plaguing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Those challenges include a hawkish Israeli leadership that seems unwilling to make major concessions, Palestinian divisions, years of mistrust and deeply rooted tensions surrounding Jerusalem and its holy sites.

The war was triggered by weeks of clashes in Jerusalem between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters in and around the Al-Aqsa Mosque, built on a hilltop compound revered by Jews and Muslims that has seen several outbreaks of Israeli-Palestinian violence over the years. The protests were directed at Israels policing of the area during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers.

The truce remains tenuous since tensions are still high in Jerusalem and the fate of the Palestinian families is not yet resolved.

In his remarks after his meeting with Blinken on Tuesday, Netanyahu hardly mentioned the Palestinians, warning of a very powerful response if Hamas breaks the cease-fire while expressing support for economic development in the West Bank.

As he closed his trip, Blinken said repairing Gaza would take cooperation from all of the key players.

It's really incumbent on on all sides to, again, avoid taking steps that could potentially reignite this cycle of violence, he said.



Federman reported from Jerusalem.



Federman reported from Jerusalem.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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You didnt see what you thought you saw.

You got it wrong, you misunderstood. Your memory is playing tricks.

But who can blame you? It was so long ago. Were talking way back on Jan 6.

Thats four whole months. Thats a third of a year. Who can remember back that far? Goodness, what kind of stuff did people wear? What were the big hit movies? Did they even have movies back then? Boy, those were the days. We were all so young.

Insurrection? Was there really an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol? Broken windows? Confederate flags? Defecation in the hallways? Assaulting police? Raising nooses and chants of murder?

Are you sure about that? Is that really what you saw? They say memory is the first thing to go, remember? Werent the so-called insurrectionists really just tourists filing peaceably through the halls of government, pausing occasionally to take pictures and admire the statuary?

Sure they were. If you dont believe it, ask Rep. Andrew Clyde. If you didnt know the TV footage was a video from January the 6th, he said recently, youd actually think it was a normal tourist visit.

And hes not the only one. Rep. Louie Gohmert said the people who entered the Capitol were peaceful Americans.

Rep. Paul Gosar called them peaceful patriots.

Tucker Carlson said they were solid Americans.

Sen. Ron Johnson described them as people that love this country.

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If you cant trust guys like that, who can you trust?

So what is all this noise about forming a congressional commission to investigate? Do we really need that? Theres nothing to see here. Isnt it time we moved on? Or if youre determined to have an inquiry, how about Benghazi? We havent done that lately, and were so close to proving that Hillary Clinton personally murdered the U.S. ambassador. We could also investigate the massive fraud of the 2020 election. Or the way liberals canceled Dr. Seuss and neutered Mr. Potato Head.

But as to Jan. 6, what is there to say? Nothing happened, and theres no reason to investigate it. Its not like we Republicans are scared of an investigation, you understand. Its not like we think that would tie us to what happened in January. Not that anything happened, but if it had, wed have had nothing to do with it. Were not scared. Do we look scared? How can you be scared when nothing happened?

For some mysterious reason, people keep insisting it was more than nothing.

Last week, a group of Capitol Police officers sent an anonymous letter to news media complaining that some of us have downplayed the events of Jan. 6. Youd think officers were beaten with pipes and bats. Youd think they were sprayed with bear spray. Youd think 140 of them were injured, that one lost the tip of a finger, some sustained brain injuries, one lost an eye.

Youd think we didnt really believe that Blue Lives Matter.

Dont be fooled by what you think you heard, saw and remember. Dont be fooled by what you think you know.

Life becomes much simpler once you learn to only hear, see and remember the things you choose, the things that dont challenge you, that help you put the world into tidy little boxes. The truth is what you need it to be, and the truth here is that a bunch of patriots had a swell time touring the Capitol. You didnt see anything else because there was nothing else to see. And if you think you did, you didnt.

That's why we should stop all this talk about an investigation, OK? Lets move on. Not that were scared.

Do we seem scared to you?

Leonard Pitts Jr. is a columnist for the Miami Herald. Email lpitts@miamiherald.com.

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Following the global debut of the groundbreaking documentary series, The Me You Cant See: A Path Forward, Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry reunite with advisors and participants for a thought-provoking, wide-ranging conversation about mental health and emotional well-being, and where we go from here. As the subjects offer further insight into their stories, experts share their guidance for continuing the global conversation.

A town hall conversation hosted by co-creators and executive producers Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry, will premier this Friday on Apple TV+ for free.

Apple released the Addendum of Advisory Board Members of the The Me You Cant See docuseries as follows:

The Me You Cant See was created in partnership with an advisory board of mental health professionals and experts across a variety of specialties.

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, California surgeon general and founder of Center for Youth Wellness*

Dr. Joanne Cacciatore, founder of MISS Foundation and Selah Carefarm*

Ken Duckworth, MD and chief medical officer, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)*

Dr. Vikram Patel, co-founder of Sangath and professor of Global Health, Harvard Medical School*

Dr. Bruce Perry, senior fellow of ChildTrauma Academy*

Sue Baker, OBE and global director of Time To Change

Alain de Botton, FRSL and founder of The School of Life

Dr. Pamela Collins, director of Global Mental Health, University of Washington

Dr. Jacqui Dyer, MBE, director of Black Thrive Global and president of the Mental Health Foundation

Dr. Dainius Puras, professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Public Mental Health at Vilnius University

Scott L. Rauch, MD, president, psychiatrist in chief, Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Chair of Psychiatry at McLean Hospital

Jo Robinson, associate professor and head of Suicide Prevention Research at Orygen

Shaun Robinson, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand

Dr. Victor Schwartz, clinical associate professor of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine

For more on this, read Apple's full press release here.

Archive: Apple TV News
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has encouraged exporters to remain committed to the national regulation that required the repatriation of export proceeds for the development of the country.



Mr Eric Kwaku Hammond, the Assistant Director of the Banking Department, BoG, who was speaking at an Exporters forum in Accra on Thursday, said despite the existence of the Foreign Exchange Act, 2006 (Act 725) and other legislation, Ghana was still losing billions of dollars because some exporters failed to repatriate their export proceeds as required by the law.



Unfortunately, the law does not grant the BoG the power to prosecute defaulters (those who fail to repatriate these funds), so the Bank only refer them to the appropriate authorities for redress, he stated.



Mr Hammond said repatriating export proceeds into the country was very crucial for building a strong national currency reserve and stabilising the Ghana Cedi to become resilient to other foreign currencies, thereby ensuring macro-economic stability.



We need to build our export currency reserves to get enough money to pay for our exports. We need surplus resources, he said.



The Forum, which was organised by the Ghana Shippers Authority, brought together exporters, transport companies and regulatory agencies, including the Bank of Ghana, Ghana Standards Authority and the National Insurance Commission.



It was to discuss issues about their operations and also dialogue on how best to address the challenges faced in successfully transporting products to destination countries.



Mr Hammond explained that due to the important role that such export funding played in enhancing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country, the Letters of Commitment (LOC), which was a simple word-based Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, was introduced in 2016 by the BoG, to guide exporters in the processes of repatriating their proceeds.



He explained that although exporters had at least 60 days after the sale of their products to repatriate funding after which the system would block the account of an exporter, the BoG often allowed some flexibility in enforcing the regulation.



Mr Hammond encouraged all exporters to contact Ghana Link Limited, which hosted the platform, to apply for enlistment.



Dr Charles Kuranchie, the Chief Scientific Officer of the Standard Directorate, Ghana Standard Authority (GSA), educated exporters on the need to ensure the standard and quality packaging for their export products.

He cautioned that there could be negative consequences to the quality of products if they compromised on quality packaging leading to losses of investments.



Dr Kuranchie advised exporters to select packages based on considerations, including the weight and type of product, shelf life, as well as temperature, and also ensure proper labeling to guide handlers in taking caution.



Mr Teye Kitcher, AfCFTA, spoke about the pursuant of the Single Africa Transport Market (SATM), aimed at connecting the continent to other markets globally, through an unhindered transporting system, eliminating what pertained currently, where airline operations were limited to some countries.



He gave some of the benefits of the SATM as opened connectivity of airlines from and to countries globally, reduction in taxes, reduced airline fares and enhanced services due to competition, creation of free-market trading, enhanced tourism, employment opportunities and economic development.



Mr Charlse Ansong Dankyi, the Senior Manager, Supervision Department at the National Insurance Commission (NIC), underscored the importance of insuring goods in transit to safeguard investment against accidents.



The exporters during a panel discussion complained about the LOC impeding their swift operations and cited other challenges such as getting cargo transport for their products and the high cost of transportation, which must be reduced.



The panelists encouraged the tightening of partnership and collaboration with the various institutions to help address all concerns of exporters and other systemic challenges for effective operations.

Source: GNA









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The African Union Development Agency NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) and its strategic partner Ecobank Group (ecobank.com) on the development of the 100,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Initiative, are set to launch the financing component on 27th May 2021.



AUDA-NEPAD launched the 100,000 MSMEs Programme to accelerate African economic transformation, provide the needed skills, and build resilience against the economic shock triggered by the global pandemic.



The 100 000 MSMEs initiative seeks to build the capacity of 1,000,000 enterprises in Africa through entrepreneurial and business training to improve access to finance and new markets while establishing networks for support and incubation to bolster their success.



Across the globe, MSMEs are the biggest and the best engine of innovation, social transformation and economic development and growth. AUDA-NEPAD is deeply convinced that Africa structural transformation will be driven by youth and women-led businesses and innovations, said Amine Iddris Adoum AUDA-NEPAD, Director of Programme Delivery & Coordination Directorate.



AUDA-NEPAD and the Ecobank Group announced their collaboration in May 2020 and agreed to tackle three main pillars in supporting MSMEs in coming out of the devastating economic impact of COVID-19: namely, MSME Academy, MSME Finance and MSME Marketplace.



The MSME Academy was launched in August 2020 in 8 countries. Both institutions will now proceed to launch the MSME Finance pillar in the same countries, namely Chad, Cote dIvoire, Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Togo.



A total sum of $ 2.0million will be extended in the form of working capital to beneficiaries who meet the set criteria across the eight (8) countries in this first phase, Amine Iddris Aduom stated.



After an unprecedented year in 2020, the impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt across African economies with an increased and urgent need to support MSMEs Businesses which are the backbone of our economies. As a financial institution, we reaffirm our commitment to support the 100,000 MSMEs initiative. Following the successful launch of the MSME Academy, we are now going ahead with the financing component. We look forward to celebrating the businesses who will successfully go through this training program and who will meet the criteria for financial support said Josephine Anan-Ankomah, Ecobank Group Executive Commercial Banking.



Objectives of the 100,000 MSME Finance



 Expand the reach of the 100,000 MSMEs initiative to youth across the continent and enable linkages into the wider entrepreneurship ecosystem that benefit the youth after training;



 Generate relevant data on MSMEs to enhance evidence-based policy recommendations to AU decision bodies as well as facilitate engagement with ecosystem partners such as financiers and links to trade and markets; and,



 Enable bottom-up engagement with youth and women entrepreneurs to ensure that youth and gender development policies benefit from their voice and participation as citizens of the continent.





MSMEs can now register here https://ecobank.com/gh/commercial-banking/msmefinancing. Registrations close on 21 May 2021.

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com









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I mean, Ive been talking about anti-Semitism on this show for 25 freaking years, Behar retorted. Dont tell me what Im supposed to be saying, Meghan, okay? You do your thing, we do ours.
Brazil's Federal Police on Monday arrested Rocco Morabito, a fugitive Italian drug lord with ties to the powerful 'Ndrangheta criminal gang, underlining the growing importance of Brazil in the Europe-bound cocaine trade.



Morabito was arrested in a hotel room in the northeastern coastal city of Joao Pessoa, along with two other foreigners, Brazil's Justice Ministry said in a statement. One of the foreigners was another Italian fugitive it said, without giving further information.



In a separate statement, the Federal Police said that Morabito had been arrested in Uruguay in 2017, after 22 years on the run from Italian justice. He escaped from jail in Uruguay in 2019, when Brazilian authorities began investigating him.



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The Member of Parliment for Sissala West Constituency, Hon. Mohammed Adams Sukparu has made a generous donation to the Hilla Limann Senior High School following a rain storm that destroyed some buildings and displaced a number of students. The donation worth over GHS 9,000 was made on 24th day of May, 2021 at a brief ceremony in the school.



On 23rd May, the town of Gwollu was hit hard by a rainstorm that destroyed several properties. The Hilla Liman SHS was not spared as students dormitories were ripped off, causing the destruction of books, food items and displacing a number of the students. Some classrooms, the administration block and other buildings in the school including staff bungalows were severely affected.



The Honorable MP had to cut short his Thank You Tour of the constituency at Fielmuo on Sunday to see firsthand the devastation the storm caused. After going through the campus and seeing the level of destruction, he was touched and decided to give a helping hand out of his meagre resources.



Addressing the students during the donation, Hon. Sukparu Adams noted that the kind gesture was an emergency measure to minimize the hardship and suffering of the students.



Some of the items donated included; two large bags of Gari, two large bags of sugar, twenty cartons of soap, eleven cartens (2,080 pieces) of Exercise books, one thousand (1,000) pieces of pens, and five cartons (120 boxes) of sanitary pads .



The District Director of Education who recieved the items on behalf of the school thanked the MP for putting his constituents especially students first. The items were handed over to the Assistant Headmistress of the school.



The students who were present were full of joy and expressed gratitude to the Hon Sukparu Adams by singing his praises amidst dancing.



The Member of Parliament after handing over the items, gave a word of advice to the students by asking them to take their studies seriously. He also remarked that at all material times, he would collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure the success of the school.



He then made a passionate appeal to all stakeholders to come to the aid of the school in these trying times.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Presbyterian College of Education at Agogo in the Asante Akyem North District of Asante Region, over the weekend held its 13th Congregation for 2020 graduates who have successfully undertaken a 3-year Diploma in Basic Education programme under the Institute of Education, University of Education, Winneba.



Present at the graduation ceremony were dignitaries from all spheres of life.



They included members of the Governing Council of the College chaired by Prof. Kwasi Adarkwa, former Vice Chanecellor, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Right Reverend Professor Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, Rev Dr. Anokye Nkansah, Asante Akyem Presbytery Chairperson of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Hon. Andy Appia-Kubi, Principals of sister Colleges of Education among other prominent members.



Rev. Dr. Mrs. Grace Sintim-Adasi, Principal of the College congratulated the graduates for the feat chalked. She also used the opportunity to thank members of the Governing Council, former leaders and staff of the College for their selfless service.



She mentioned some of the challenges the school is facing at the moment which included deplorable roads on the campus and the lack of generator to light up the school during power outages. She said fixing the roads would not only be of great benefit to the college but the community at large.



The Principal mentioned that the College is currently running a four-year Bachelor of Education Program (B-Ed) to replace the three-year Diploma in Education Program.



She said the College is affiliated to the University of Education Winneba for institutional support in curriculum and capacity building.



Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev Prof. Joaseph Obiri Yeboah Mante addressing the graduating students said the Church established schools to provide holistic education for the people by training the heart, the head and the hand.



He said when you enter any Presbyterian school, it expected that you will be academically good, which is the head, you devote your heart to God to change your inner person, and also trained you to acquire some vocation which is the hand.



He congratulated the graduands on their performance and advised them to continue to work hard in the field of work to fit the image of the school.



Graduating students



In all, 317 students graduated with Diploma in Basic Education. They formed the last batch of diploma students because the colleges of education have now been upgraded into degree awarding intuitions.



Sixteen students obtained First Class honours, 71 had Second Class (Upper Division), 112 were awarded second (Class lower) while 85 and 33 had third class and pass respectively.



End

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Volta Regional branch of the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists has observed with disbelief, the unhealthy labour issues festering at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).



A statement issued on Tuesday, and signed by Mr Keneth Owusu Agyemang, the Volta Regional Chairman of the Association, expressed utmost discomfort towards the imposition of Medical Doctors (Laboratory Physicians) on the Medical Laboratory Scientists at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.



The statement alleged that "the imposition of the Medical Doctors on the Medical Laboratory Scientists at KATH is in direct contravention of the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies (HRPB) Act 857, is something we find worrying".



The statement said the act has been done with the ulterior motive of taking over the headship of the laboratories in KATH and Ghana as a whole.



"We solidarise with our colleagues at KATH some of the membership in the region are highly disgruntled and disconcerted, since Medical Laboratory Scientist in the Volta region and the nation as a whole have become an endangered species on the verge of extinction, the statement alleged.



The statement said the provision of Laboratory Services and by extension, quality healthcare in the Volta region hangs precariously in a balance, as some members are threatening to advise themselves by close of Wednesday, May 26, should the policy remain.

Source: GNA









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The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, has issued a final warning to political elites and other persons who abuse sirens and strobe lights in the country.



He said after July, persons who do not fall within the qualified category will not be spared when they violate the law.



Per regulation 74 of the Road Traffic Regulations of 2012 (L.I. 2180), the law lists the following as the categories of entities permitted to install and use sirens:



They include a government vehicle used for official purposes by the Head of State, a Police vehicle, a motor vehicle used by the Fire Service and a motor vehicle used as an ambulance by a hospital or clinic.



Others are a motor vehicle used by other recognized government security agencies and a bullion vehicle registered by the Licensing Authority.



The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso Central who was speaking in a one-on-one interview on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo' said, "we're giving notice, up to the end of July, everybody in Accra who uses siren; it is in their own interest to remove it . . . after July, we will enforce the laws".



Modalities



After July, persons who want to use sirens, "apply to the minister of interior to use the sirens then it will go to the national security and then an accredited company will be chosen to fix the siren. So if you use the siren without that approval letter or statement, you will be dealt with"



He warned that no one, whether a government official, Member of Parliament, or dignitary, will be exempt from the directives.





Listen to him in the video below





The Greater Accra Minister has initiated a programme dubbed 'Accra must work' which is meant to end the unauthorized usage of a siren as well as change the outlook of the city.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) is mobilizing resources to resettle some 104 displaced persons at Onyinanumfo in the Ahafo-Ano South-West District of the Ashanti Region.



The affected residents, currently putting up in make-shift abodes in the community, were displaced when their houses got burnt after a fuel tanker caught fire in an accident on Monday, May 24.



Mr. Kwabena Nsenkyire, the Regional Coordinator of NADMO, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA), that majority of those affected had since been provided with mattresses and other relief items.



Three people, including a two-year-old boy, perished when the speeding fuel tanker, reportedly carrying diesel from Kumasi, which was to be off-loaded at Tepa, caught fire after hitting a parked sprinter bus on reaching a sharp curve at the said community.



The incident resulted in the injury of the five occupants of the bus, and had since been sent to the hospital for treatment, while the body of the deceased had also been deposited at the morgue for autopsy.



Divisional Officer (DO) III, Desmond Ackah, the Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire service (GNFS), had told the GNA, that the driver in-charge of the tanker, identified only as Mohammed, and his mate, were burnt to death.



The intensity of the inferno, he said, was such that the GNFS had to call for additional fire tenders from the nearby districts and the Ahafo Region in order to bring the situation under control.



Mr Simon Boateng, the District NADMO Coordinator, in an interview, said the two-year-old boy, identified as Agya Owusu, was taking a nap in one of the houses at the farming community when the incident occurred.



Most of the houses, caught in the spreading fire, were demolished by the inferno, forcing the terrified residents to run for their lives, he told the GNA.

Source: GNA









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Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey says the Minister of Energy, Matthew Opoku Prempeh will soon resolve the street lights problem in Ghana.



The Minister, in an interview on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme Tuesday morning, was asked by host Kwami Sefa Kayi about what he is doing to fix the street lights in the Capital City.



In his response, he stated that one major cause of the street light problem is the photocells to the bulbs which, he disclosed, don't last long.



He revealed that, during the elections last year, he fixed over 1000 street lights in Accra but after four months, about half of them have stopped functioning because of the malfunctioning photocells.



He, however, believed the Energy Minister is working around the clock to address these challenges.



"I believe we have an indefatigable Minister in the person of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly called Napo, who is a listening and grass root MP and Minister. I know he's working; let's be patient and watch him."





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Mali's president and prime minister have been ousted by the officer who led last year's coup and became vice-president of an interim government.



Col Assimi Goita says President Bah Ndaw and PM Moctar Ouane failed in their duties and were seeking to sabotage the country's transition.



They were arrested hours after a government reshuffle which saw two senior army officers replaced.



Col Goita says elections will still go ahead next year as planned.



But he ignored pleas from the UN chief, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), the EU and the US that the president and prime minister be released without any preconditions.



The two men have been held at a military camp outside the capital, Bamako, since they were arrested on Monday evening.



What caused the crisis?



Col Goita says he was not consulted about the cabinet reshuffle, in which he says he should have been named vice-president.



After last year's coup, the junta leader had sought to lead the interim government, which is overseeing an 18-month transition to civilian rule. However, the regional body Ecowas, which mediated the transition deal, insisted on a civilian leader.



Yet Col Goita clearly remains the real power broker in the unstable West African nation.



His removal of Ibrahim Boubacar Keita as president last year was generally celebrated. It followed weeks of anti-government protests over rising insecurity, alleged corruption and a failing economy.



But the slow pace of change over the last nine months has been causing tensions. An ongoing strike by the main union is in its second week and threatens to cripple the economy.



The interim government agreed to appoint a new, more broadly based cabinet in the face of these problems and the threat of renewed protests.



Col Goita is not the only person to be upset by the reshuffle - the opposition group behind the protests last year, M5 RFP, was also infuriated that it was not rewarded with any ministerial positions.

Source: BBC









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said Africa must intensify efforts to retrieve all looted artifacts and cultural treasures housed in museums in countries that stole them from the continent.

He said those countries were making money out of the stolen treasures, for which reason they must be retrieved for the benefit of the people of Africa, adding: Whatever the obstacles, we must get them back.





President Akufo-Addo said this when he addressed the Fourth Ordinary Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament in Johannesburg, South Africa, last Monday.



It was on the theme: Year of arts, culture and heritage: Levers for building the Africa we want.



Museum



The President said he had cut the sod for the construction of a Pan-African World Heritage Museum near Winneba in the Central Region to house artifacts and cultural objects from all parts of Pan-Africa.





He said when the museum eventually opened its doors to the world, it would be a major contributor to Africas ability to imbibe the deep consciousness of the ideals and goals of Pan-Africanism.



President Akufo-Addo said while Africans were proud of their history, culture and arts, they must also recognise the forces of change and modernisation that were knocking insistently on their doors.



He said modernisation was different from Westernisation, adding that experiences of the Asian Tigers had shown that nations could modernise in their own way  borrowing from outside, while maintaining the essentials of their culture.





He cited the example of Japan, which he said though was a successful modern nation, was not Westernised.



Strong Parliament





According to President Akufo-Addo, Parliament played a critical role in exercising checks and balances on the Executive arm of government and also acting as the voice of the people.



He, therefore, said it would be of great benefit to the continent when the capacity of the peoples representatives were built to ensure accountability in all aspects of national life, especially governance.



Describing himself as a strong believer in the work of Parliament, the President said strengthening the August House would also enhance the prospects of continental integration.



On the COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions, President Akufo-Addo said the pandemic had brought to the fore the need for Africa to hasten the process of regional and continental integration, since acting together would boost its capacity to succeed.



It is obvious that we need one another, and more so in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. We must encourage South Africa, Rwanda, Senegal, Ghana, and others to develop the capacity to produce our own vaccines, he added.



He said with such a capacity, Africa could effectively deal with future pandemics and not depend on foreign supplies and benevolence for the protection of its peoples.









Source: graphiconline.com









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The government has started a review of all the tax exemption regimes and incentive structures to ensure that the country gets the right value for such packages granted to businesses, the Head of the Tax Policy Unit at the Ministry of Finance (MoF), Mr Daniel Nuer, has said.



He explained that the review, which focused on areas such as exemptions for industries, strategic investors and imports, was to help the government identify the necessary adjustments that needed to be adopted into the Tax Exemption Bill currently before Parliament.



We are reviewing all the incentive structures to remove those that have outlived their usefulness in the tax regime, Mr Nuer said at the second quarter 2021 CEOs Breakfast Meeting organised by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) in Accra yesterday.



Breakfast meeting



The meeting was on the theme: Understanding Ghanas taxes and exemptions regime towards increasing investor confidence in the business environment.



It created the platform for both local and foreign investors, captains of industries, members of the business community, as well as policy makers, to discuss and understand issues related to Ghanas taxes and exemptions regime.



Some of personalities at the meeting were the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GIPC, Mr Yofi Grant; the Head of Competence Centre Private Sector Development and Projects at the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Ghana (AHK Ghana), Ms Stefanie Simon; the Head of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), Mr Emmanuel Arku; the Principal Revenue Officer of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr Lawrence Hotsonyame, and the Manager of Project Evaluation at the Petroleum Commission, Mr Ebenezer Harmah.



Review process



As part of the review process, Mr Nuer said, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) was expected to furnish the Ministry of Finance with some selected strategic sectors to benefit from the new regime.



Some of the strategic sectors being considered to benefit from the new regime are automobile, pharmaceuticals and housing and construction, he said.



He noted that the bill would provide an appropriate and well-structured framework for Ghanas exemption regime.



Although we are not done with the review, the relay of the bill to Parliament will feature some few adjustments, including exemptions for industry, strategic investors and imports, Mr Nuer added.



Abuses in the system while the GIPC recognised the importance of tax exemptions to businesses, it also realised that there had been abuse in the system, which needed to be corrected.



This understanding provided by the MoF, therefore, brings clarity to the misconceptions people have about the countrys tax exemption regime. For us at the GIPC, this has become a pertinent issue because our AfCFTA Care Unit is inundated with issues related to tax exemptions by business people, he said.



Mr Grant said while the centre recognised the importance of exemptions, it also noticed that there had been a lot of abuse in the system, even though it was not more than five per cent.



Shift to tax expenditure



The GIPC CEO indicated that through tax reforms and a new direction in tax administration, the government had been able to move from tax exemptions to tax expenditure.



That, he said, enabled it to use taxes in more constructive ways for the benefit of all.



I believe and I am sure most of the businesses have expressed the same belief that this new regime will work better than the previous one. We do recognise that most investors want some form of incentive, but global literature will tell you that it is not incentives that bring investors to a country but rather the market, he said.



Support one another



Ms Simon urged the business community in Ghana to support one another in order to help improve the countrys business environment.



As businesses, we do not want to depend on government agencies alone; we think we can support one another in the areas of data and information sharing to create a better environment for all, she added.





Source: graphiconline.com









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I was willing to drink, I was willing to take drugs, willing to try and do the things that made me feel less like I was feeling, he said. I would probably drink a weeks worth in one day on a Friday or a Saturday night and I would find myself drinking not because I was enjoying it but because I was trying to mask something.
Almost two years after the inauguration of a new municipal hospital in the Ketu North Municipality in the Volta Region, the facility is yet to be put into use.



The hospital at Weta, near Dzodze, was commenced in 2018 and inaugurated in October 2020, but currently has only some workers of the contractor, VAMED Engineering, occupying the infrastructure.



Its various components, including an out-patients department, emergency unit with a waiting ambulance, a laboratory, a rehabilitation centre, an obstetric and neonatal unit, a surgical ward, general bed ward, and a mortuary, are fully furnished.



It also has an administration block, staff changing facility, kitchen and laundry unit, a waste management unit, and a seven-unit two-bedroom staff accommodation.



The outer and inner perimeters are fitted with fire hydrants, backup power generators and some six solar systems.



Various logistics in the spaces, however, have started collecting dust.



Completed work



In an interview, the Site Engineer, Mr Michael Adu Adjei, said "everything is complete. There's nothing more to be done".



He said they had been waiting for the past seven months to hand over the facility to the appropriate authorities, and said he could not explain why the hospital had not been operationalised.



You will have to speak to the authorities in Accra for any explanation. We have finished with our work, and you can see all the equipment are in place, he said.



Meanwhile, some residents of Weta, Dekpor, Dzodze and surrounding areas have appealed for the hospital to be put into use to deliver better health services to the people in the municipality.



They noted also that the hospital could offer employment for persons qualified to work at the facility, thereby reducing the unemployment figures in the area.



Distant services



One of the residents, Mr Setor Adam, said the people of Weta had to travel long distances to seek health care at the St Anthony Catholic Hospital at Dzodze or travel to Abor for same, and had, therefore, looked forward to the opening of the new hospital upon its inauguration.



We have been waiting to see doctors and nurses to start working here, but nothing is happening, he lamented.



Indeed, the 25 minutes drive from Weta to Dzodze was an unpleasant experience, as narrated by another resident, Mr Aglidi Sewornu, about how he managed to hold on to life on the dusty, pothole-riddled road to seek medical help at Dzodze.



His wife, then pregnant with their first child, also endured the contoured road when she was in labour to deliver the baby, he said.



Mr Sewornu said the experiences forced them to seek a home delivery method for their second child.



An officer of the Ghana Health Service, who pleaded anonymity, said the continued closure of the facility had to do with financial clearance for staff.



There has not been financial clearance to post people into the hospital, the officer said.









Source: graphiconline.com









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A statesman, Mr Kwame Pianim, has called for a conducive environment that allows citizens to express their feelings on issues affecting them, without fear of intimidation.



He told the Daily Graphic in an interview that freedom of expression in all forms was pertinent to a successful democracy, and that Ghanas decision to chart that path meant that state organs must strive to promote its existence, instead of stifling it.



He said democracy was not only about a change in political administration every four years but the participation of the citizenry in the governance process through discourse and other forms of expression.



Consequently, Mr Pianim called on state institutions and people in official positions to desist from using their power to make it difficult for people to express themselves, as that was alien to the tenets of democracy and a drawback to national development.



He, however, noted that freedom of expression must be exercised in a civil, tolerant and constructive manner and aimed at galvanising the nations energies for accelerated development.



Context



The business executive was speaking to the paper on recent developments that border on the freedom of expression, including allegations that people find it difficult to express themselves on national issues, the perceived rise in corruption and the emergence of a social activism on the theme: FixTHEcountry.



Mr Pianim said while he could not verify the authenticity of such concerns, he was of the belief that freedom of expression in whatever form must be protected.



He said it took courage for people to express their opinions, for which reason, those who were fond of doing that should be encouraged, not discouraged.



Right to protest



Beyond freedom of expression being a right to citizens, the former Chairman of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) said it was an avenue for people to express their concerns in a manner that could defuse tension and set an agenda for national discourse.



We should not give conditions for people to speak or a pretext for people to demonstrate. It is better for all of us, as Ghanaians, to have people on our streets demonstrating peacefully than to have them bottle up their concerns.



And no policeman should think that he or she is doing the President or the powers that be any favour by frustrating people who want to demonstrate on our streets; he or she is not, he said.



The alternative to people being frustrated in their desire to go onto the streets to protest is to take arms and go onto the streets for guerilla warfare, and we do not want that in Ghana, he added.



Listen to learn



Mr Pianim encouraged Ghanaians, especially political leaders, to nurture the habit of listening to learn, instead of listening to criticise



He said the increased criticisms on the airwaves made it difficult for many experienced people to express themselves for fear of being insulted.



Some of us have developed a thick skin and so we do not mind, but our friends and families mind and that is the challenge we have, he said.



Patience



Touching on the concerns of the FixTHEcountry campaigners, the veteran economist said they must exercise patience in their demand for development.



He said it was too early in the day to demand marked development from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who was still in the process of constituting his government for the second term.



President Akufo-Addo should be given time to run his government as he wants and to select the people he wants to help him, he said.



He also called on Ghanaians to give of their best in their respective areas to help grow the country.



If you want this country to glow, let everybody light up a small candle in his or her little corner and the whole country will bloom, he said, stating that Ghana could not grow if the citizenry continued to engage in practices which they criticised in public.



Using bribery and corruption and the accumulation of ill-wealth as examples, Mr Pianim said although people criticised corruption, they were fond of giving bribe in private to facilitate their personal gains.









Source: graphiconline.com









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Jacob Zuma, the former South African president, has pleaded not guilty in a corruption trial involving a $5bn (3bn) arms deal from the 1990s.



He is facing 18 counts of racketeering, corruption, fraud, tax evasion and money laundering.



Mr Zuma blames political enemies in the governing African National Congress (ANC) party for his legal troubles.



The arms deal involved buying new fighter jets, helicopters, submarines and warships.



But questions emerged about the deal months after it was signed, with some critics saying the government should have spent the money on fighting poverty.



Mr Zuma was South Africa's president from 2009 until 2018 when he was forced to resign after a vote of no confidence.



On Wednesday crowds gathered outside the courthouse in Pietermaritzburg city in KwaZulu-Natal province to cheer on Mr Zuma, who still enjoys some popular support.



Inside the court, the 79-year-old politician looked frail and spoke quietly as he declared "not guilty," after the charges were read, reports Andrew Harding, the BBC's Africa correspondent.



The former president's defence team called for the removal of state prosecutor Billy Downer, on the grounds that he had "no title to prosecute".



But the presiding judge ruled that the matter would be dealt with on 19 July.

Source: BBC









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The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has urged member states of the African Union to institute complimentary measures for the successful implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)



The AU-backed AfCTFTA, with its headquarters in Ghana, is aimed at boosting and accelerating intra-African trade and strengthening Africa's trading position in the global market.



Addressing a virtual UPSA Law School's 1st African Trade Roundtable on Wednesday May 25, Vice President Bawumia highlighted the immense benefits the AfCFTA would bring to the African continent, but was quick to remind participants that the benefits would not be realised without the full commitment of African states.



"No one needs a lecture on the immense benefits of continental free trade in goods and services and the movement of persons on the continent. The ultimate shared benefits are in boosting trade and industry, in job creation and increasing incomes, and in boosting the standards of living of our people," Dr. Bawumia said.



"But, the promised benefits of the AfCFTA would not be fully realised unless African Union member states buttress the Agreements implementation with complementary measures."



Having called on AU member states to show commitment and support the initiative, Dr. Bawumia then raised five key issues he said African states must address to aid the successful implementation of the AfCFTA.



"First, member states who are yet to sign and ratify the Agreement should be encouraged to do so for at least two reasons: to increase the size of the market and the volume of trade under the AfCFTA; and to fast track the regional integration process to achieve the Africa We Want," he said.



"Second, to ensure the full AfCFTA trading by all State Parties, the technical components of the AfCFTA such as Rules of Origin, Schedules of Concessions for Trade in Goods and Schedules of Specific Commitments for Trade in Services should be finalised."



"Third, we wish to encourage the State Parties which are yet to submit their Tariff Liberalisation Schedules (Market Access Offers) and Schedules of Specific Commitments for Trade in Services to the AfCFTA Secretariat to do so."



"Fourth, is the need for Trade Remedies: To protect against unanticipated trade surges, State Parties should have recourse to trade remedies such as anti-dumping duties, and countervailing duties. Member States need these to ensure that domestic industries can be protected, where necessary. Also needed is an effective monitoring and evaluation mechanism for the implementation of the trade remedies."



"Fifth is Dispute Settlement Mechanism. For State Parties to have full confidence in the implementation of the AfCFTA, a robust dispute settlement mechanism from the Protocol on Rules and Procedures for Settlement of Disputes must be put in place within the shortest possible time."



THE ROLE OF ACADEMIA



Dr. Bawumia noted that while African governments take steps to address the issues he has raised and develop complementary measures, the academic community also "has a major role to play in the successful implementation of AfCFTA through research and analysis of the issues arising out of the free trade initiative."



"It is essential for academia to collaborate with policy makers, the business community, development partners and other relevant stakeholders to provide useful strategies and policies to tackling the impediments and harnessing the benefits of the AfCFTA," Dr. Bawumia stressed.



Dr. Bawumia further stressed that AfCFTA is a potential "game-changer for Africa", stating that its successful implementation will "significantly enhance prospects for achieving the African Regional Integration."



He therefore, called on all other stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society, development partners and the general public to "double their efforts and accelerate the implementation of both the AfCFTA for the sake and benefit of current and future generations."



On the part of Ghana, Dr. Bawumia reiterated the government's commitment towards the successful implementation of the AfCFTA.



"The Government of Ghana is resolved and unwavering in its commitment to the operationalization of the AfCFTA Secretariat in Ghana and to accelerate industrial transformation for inclusive economic growth and development."

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Joberg Ghana Ltd, a wholly-owned Ghanaian construction and real estates developing company are to begin the construction of an ultra-modern Law Village near the university of Ghana business school in Accra. The new law school will replace the Ghana law school campus at Makola in the crowded city center of Accra.



President Nana Akufo Addo cut sod Wednesday, May 26 2021 for the beginning of work on the project which idea was conceived way back in 2009. He pledged the full support of his government to facilitate the speedy construction of the project.



The Director of the Ghana law school Mr Kwasi Prempeh-Eck edged the contractors of the project to stick to the timelines of the project that is to be completed in a year from now.



CEO of Joberg Ghana Ltd Joseph Magmus Marteye is the Contractor of the Ghana Law Village. He assured reporters and Ghanaians that his company has a track record of delivering quality work within the stipulated timelines and will not disappoint in terms of its deadlines.



Joseph Magmus Marteye cited Jobergs previous work with the ministry of education, GRA, and ministry of health as evidence of his speedy and quality work and promised to deliver similar quality and timely work for the law Village.



The construction of the Law Village is under the auspices of the General Legal Council (GLC) through the Ghana law school as part of its medium to long-term plan to expand the infrastructure for legal education in Ghana.



When completed, the Law Village will occupy a 5-acre parcel of the university of Ghana land.



The Law Village will also address the challenges posed by the current dilapidated facilities and traffic congestion at the main law school campus at Makola in the central business district of Accra.



The completed Law Village will also have A state of the art 1,300-seater multipurpose conference hall accessible to the general public (2) Lecture halls with teleconferencing facilities ( 2) 500-seater lecture theatres  (15) Lecture rooms of 40-seater capacity each (2) 50 seater mini-conference rooms (designed as flexible spaces to hold ADR sessions)  A modern law library complex with traditional and electronic archiving facilities (2) Moot court accommodating 25-30 people  Sick bay  Student lounges  SRC Centre to include offices, common room and copy centre  Bookshop  50-unit office facility for faculty and administration with other open offices, server, and archives rooms, kitchenettes/pantries, washrooms, photocopy/printing room, store rooms etc.  50-seater restaurant  Internet cafe points and (20) wireless hotspots for 30 persons each (2) on-site banking facilities  50- Room Executive hostel  Offices and conference room for General Legal Council  Reading rooms  General stores for the Law School.





















Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Three people, including a two-year old boy, perished when a speeding fuel tanker was involved in an accident at Onyinanumfo in the Ahafo-Ano South-West District of the Ashanti Region, on Monday, May 24.



The tanker, said to be carrying diesel from Kumasi, which was to be off-loaded at Tepa, reportedly caught fire after hitting a parked sprinter bus on reaching a sharp curve in that community.



Desmond Ackah, the Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire service (GNFS), told the Ghana News Agency (GNA), that the driver in-charge of the tanker, identified only as Mohammed, and his mate, were burnt to death.



The three bodies had since been deposited at the morgue for autopsy, he confirmed.



Divisional Officer III Ackah said the five occupants of the bus, which was smashed by the tanker were also receiving treatment at the hospital.



About 10 houses, caught in the inferno were also razed.



Meanwhile, the Regional Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Mr. Kwabena Nsenkyire, in interview with the GNA, said the Organization had sent some personnel to the affected community to assess the situation after being alerted to the incident at about 1700 hours.



They are mobilising relief items and finding makeshift homes for those rendered homeless.

Source: GNA









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Mensah Thompson, the executive director of the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), has laughed off at the road promises made by the sector minister over the weekend, describing them as cocktail of promises.



The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, said 6,000 out of 11,000 kilometres of road are to be completed under the governments second Year of Roads programme.



Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Sunday 23 May 2021, Amoako-Atta said that the 6,000 kilometres of road to be completed fall under critical, cocoa, town roads and asphalt overlay programmes and the Sinohydro Master Project Support Facility.



Speaking on The Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday 26 May, Thompson said Amoako-Atta was only rehashing issues of roads that have been there since this government was given power.



I had to put off my TV set during his [Amoako-Atta] press conference because the cocktail of propaganda was too much. He seems not to be taking his credibility seriously.



After so much borrowing, we have not seen any roads, gutters, nothing! What we have been asking for is that, where is the money? On record you have shown that you [roads minister] cannot do anything this governments achievement in the road sector is in the presidents hometown and that of the ministers, the ASEPA boss claimed.





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.

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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Twifo Atti Morkwa in the Central Region, Mr David T Vondee, has pleaded not guilty to an alleged $2.4m land fraud.



It is the case of the prosecution that the MP took the money from a businessman with the agreement to sell him twenty acres of land at Frafraha in the Adentan Municipality, when he (MP) had no title to the land.



The MP pleaded not guilty to two counts of defrauding by false pretense and money laundering when he appeared before the Accra High Court today.



Following a bail application by his lawyer, Mr Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, the court admitted the MP to bail in the sum of GH2 million, with two sureties, both to be justified.



Hearing continues on June 30, this year for case management.









Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, says he holds no grudges against Sammy Gyamfi, the Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).



He told Evans Mensah, host of JoyNews PM Express on Monday, that he is unfazed by the harsh criticism and allegations leveled against his Minority-led Caucus.



I have been National Youth Organiser of the party. I just didnt become a Minority Leader. I have been MP for Tamale South, a seat I hold strongly and dear, and I will continue to preserve and protect it for the NDC even if I decide to whistle out in the foreseen future.



I bear no grudge in my heart against any person, and I dont go to bed [with grudges]Youve heard people talk a lot about Harunathere have been some abuses and insultsmine is that time is a better and fairer judge, the Tamale South MP said.



Early this year, Sammy Gyamfi accused the Speaker and Minority MPs of brazenly defying the partys leadership and betrayed the collective good for their selfish interest, during the approval of President Akufo-Addos ministerial nominees.



Responding to that, Mr Iddrisu said, internal party wrangling and internal adversities should not affect the provision of leadership, and I am determined to provide whatever leadership I can.



The Minority Leader said that he considered attempts by some individuals to impugn his integrity for failing to ensure that some of the nominees the NDC party proposed not to be approved are carried out.



The Tamale South MP admitted that the Minority Caucus fell short of the expectations of, especially NDC loyalists but not the law in the approval of the ministerial nominees.



What I appreciated in my engagement with the grassroots party members which is one of the lessons that I have learned as Minority Leader is to tell you in the face, Haruna what we expected you to do even if you are losing; lose in honour and dignity.



When you have 137, and you go and get any number below that for the NDC followers, that is disappointing. It means that you are not able to hold together. I take responsibility for that, he indicated.



He further stated that history will be kind to him, at least for proposing and getting Alban Bagbin as Speaker in an evenly divided Parliament.



Mr Iddrisu, however, said the NDC Caucus is Parliament is united and focused on holding President Akufo-Addo to account to the people of Ghana.











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.

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Chief Executive Officer of the State Transport Corporation (STC), Nana Akomea, has challenged Member of Parliament(MP) for North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and any person who claims there are kingpins involved in galamsey, hence making the fight a difficult one, to name and shame the kingpins.



Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is of a strong view that the government's fight against galamsey will amount to nothing unless the kingpins are arrested.



To him, till "one galamsey overlord, one real architect, an actual financier is arrested and prosecuted", burning the excavators belonging to illegal miners will yield no results.



"How come not even one architect behind this galamsey operation has been arrested? To start a galamsey operation, you need millions of Ghana cedis and so the real perpetrators are not those small boys or the youth who are risking their lives," he said in an interview on Peace FM's morning show ''Kokrokoo''.



"Instead of arresting these guys, we should make them an offer for them to lead us to the real kingpins; if we follow the chain, it will lead us to the barons. Unless we get the real perpetrators, we will always come back to square one," he added.



The King of the Ashanti Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II also shared a similar view when the Lands and Natural Resources Minister and his entourage paid a courtesy call on him in Kumasi, Ashanti Region.



He told the gathering that about 30% of them are either involved or knows those involved in galamsey.



Making submissions on Tuesday's edition of 'Kokrokoo' programme, Nana Akomea asked those making such claims to mention the names of the kingpins.



''Everybody talks about kingpins but no one is mentioning specific names . . . So, if we don't have a name, how then can we punish the person?'', he questioned.



"If you know a name or have evidence of a leader involved in galamsey, this is the time to reveal it because we have pledged not to protect any person," he charged.







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Photo taken on Oct. 27, 2020 shows the replica of a boat, now referred to as the Red Boat, on which the founders of the Communist Party of China convened a historic meeting in 1921, on Nanhu Lake in Jiaxing, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) As the Communist Party of China (CPC) marks its centenary in 2021, the Party is looking back on its history and recounting past glory. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has on multiple occasions shared stories from the history of the CPC that shine a light on the integrity and hardworking spirit of outstanding Party members. CADRE RECOGNIZED AS ROLE MODEL OF INTEGRITY Lankao, a county in central China's Henan Province that was once stricken by poverty, is known throughout the nation, largely because of Jiao Yulu, an official who worked there in the 1960s and died of illness on duty at the age of 42. The late Lankao Party chief devoted his life to promoting local development by leading people to combat sandstorms, saline-alkali land and floods, known as the "three disasters" that plagued the county at the time. Jiao has inspired generations of Chinese with his hard work, plain living and moral integrity. Xi visited Lankao in March and May 2014. Addressing local officials, Xi urged them to strive to become outstanding Party members and officials by following Jiao as a role model of integrity. Jiao lived a frugal life, repeatedly mending his clothes, hats, shoes, and socks to prolong their use, and "was always the first to bear hardships and the last to enjoy comforts," Xi said. "He strictly abode by Party discipline and rules and never used his power to seek benefits for himself or his relatives," Xi highlighted. SOLDIER REMEMBERED AS ICON OF ALTRUISM Fushun, a city in northeast China's Liaoning Province, is where Lei Feng -- the late Chinese icon of altruism, served and was buried. Lei joined the People's Liberation Army in 1960 and was known for devoting almost all of his spare time and money to selflessly helping others. "If you were a water drop, would you like to provide any moisture for the fields; If you were a ray of sunshine, would you like to light up a portion of the dark; If you were a grain of rice, would you like to feed a life?" read a diary of Lei's. In 1962, Lei died in an accident when he helped a fellow soldier direct a truck. He was only 22. A year later, Chairman Mao Zedong called on the entire nation to follow Lei's example. Lei's legacy lives on. In 2018, during an inspection to Fushun, Xi visited Lei's memorial and laid a flower basket before his tomb. Commemorating this Chinese icon of altruism, Xi stressed the need to pass on the Lei Feng spirit from generation to generation. "We will be invincible" if each and every Chinese person, CPC member and CPC organization can practice the Lei Feng spirit and become "a shining cog which never rusts" in their own roles, Xi said. QUARTERMASTER WHO SACRIFICED HIS LIFE The past 100 years since the CPC's founding has seen a great number of outstanding CPC members. While some of them are household names like Jiao and Lei, there are also many others who are lesser known or even nameless but whose stories have been faithfully retold and remembered over the years. Integrity and self-discipline have always been essential requirements for CPC members, especially those holding public office. Xi once cited a story that took place during the Central Red Army's epic Long March in the 1930s. While scaling a snowy mountain, a soldier was found frozen to death, clad in thin worn clothes. The commander sent for the officer in charge of supplies, demanding to know why cotton-padded coats had failed to reach the soldier. People told the commander through tears that the late soldier was none other than the quartermaster himself. He who had all the quilts and uniforms at his disposal chose to die of cold rather than warm himself first. "What a noble state of mind!" Xi said. "It is the devotion of thousands upon thousands of Chinese progressives with similar political consciousness that has helped the CPC win one arduous battle after another," Xi added. Enditem


There are certain jokes that for sure have not aged well, but I think thats the nature of comedy, he commented when assessing how humor has evolved over time. Jokes are not things that necessarily are built to last.
Senior Political Science Lecturer, Dr. Kwame Asah Asante, has charged Chiefs in mining areas not to permit any person to do galamsey in their communities.



There is an ongoing operation by a joint military team comprising Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Navy and Ghana Air Force dubbed "Operation Halt" targeting the persons in mining communities and destroying their equipment.



Currently, over 200 changfang machines and excavators have been destoryed.



Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme, Dr. Asah Asante supported the government's fight against galamsey but believed it will be successful when the Chiefs effectively play their role.



Dr. Asah Asante noted that if the Chiefs don't give their lands out, there will be no galamsey.



He therefore urged the Chiefs to be bold and do the right thing.

"The Chiefs must stamp their feet and let's know the lands indeed belong to them. So, they shouldn't permit any bad thing to happen on their lands and if they are involved too, they should desist from it immediately," he said.



Dr. Asah Asante also called on President Nana Akufo-Addo not to relent on his fight saying "say it. Do it. If they will vote against, let them".







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds will be holding their wedding in July 2022. The Sun reported that the couple have sent save-the-date cards to family and friends for an event on Saturday July 30 of next year.



Though the paper said details of where they will marry remained a secret, the prime ministers Buckinghamshire residence, Chequers, is tipped to host the wedding. Another possible venue is said to be the Port Lympne safari park in Kent, as Symonds works for the conservation charity. Johnson, 55, and Symonds, 33, were the first unmarried couple to live in Downing Street, moving there in July 2019, and he reportedly proposed on holiday on the Caribbean Island of Mustique.



If the wedding goes on as planned, Johnson will be the second British prime minister ever to marry while in office, following Robert Jenkinson in 1822.



The couple have lately been hit by a scandal over the costly redecoration of their Downing Street flat, which is being probed over allegations that contributions by a Tory party donor were not declared fully.



Johnson has been married twice before. He had four children with his previous wife, lawyer Marina Wheeler, before they split in 2018. The couple only finalised their divorce last November. The Prime Minister also reportedly has a daughter born as the result of an affair.













Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Ghanaian rapper, music executive and nightclub owner, Desmond Blackmore simply known as D-Black has boldly put on record that the slay queens he hangs out or works with are not marriage materials and would not want to date or marry any of them.



Sharing what puts him off and what captures his interest and attention in a woman, D-Black told Graphic Showbiz in an interview that longs or artificial nails are a no for him.



D-Black said, That is the perception out there and it is a wrong one, we do not marry slay queens. Take me for instance, when I meet a woman, the first thing I look at is her nails, I dont like artificial nails or long nails, it turns me off. I mean if your nails are long and you finish eating, who is going to wash your plate for you?



When it comes to hair, I love it short or natural, I dont fall for all those colourful hair. When I see a lady like that, it gives me an impression that you are not serious. The mother of my children doesnt even own a single wig. You will wear high heels, where are you going with it or what do you want to achieve with it? Simplicity is my thing.



When asked what turns him on about a woman, he said, I love career driven, intelligent and passion driven ones.



The Enjoyment Minister rapper revealed that most ladies are deceived by the things they see on social media and forget their values. Because you see us in music videos having fun with such ladies, you think that is what we are into, no.



The lady in that video is a model and she is doing her job, I am also doing my job by looking happy in the video, it doesnt mean she is my type of woman. It is like the truth is right before these ladies but they allow social media pressure get to them and they do not see it.



Look at Stonebwoy, he is married to a dentist, Reggie Rockstone to a doctor; look at the lady Sarkodie is married to, she is not a slay queen, Okyeame Kwame is not married to a slay queen, someone like Shatta Wale at a point was with Michy who is a home girl, so it will be wrong for anyone to put us into such a box.



That notwithstanding, D-Black said his statements did not mean that others dont like slay queens. I believe there is somebody for everyone, maybe there are some men or artistes who like such women and would want to marry them.

Source: Eugene Osafo-Nkansah/Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The BMO Bank of Montreal logo is seen on the BMO Nova Centre, housing their Atlantic Canadian headquarters and support services, in Halifax on Tuesday, April 2, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
People are shown at the Bill Durnan Arena COVID-19 vaccination site in Montreal, Saturday, May 22, 2021. For the first time since mid-September, Quebec is reporting fewer than 400 new daily COVID-19 cases for the second day in a row. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
I dont like her show or her gossipy sharp tongue, but when she said embrace yourself in the video, it was more real and convincing than when those idols say it because we all know what she went through in her life this is a good match, on person told the publication on Wednesday.
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The NFU has warned the Government to be mindful of the impact of free trade agreements with global agricultural powerhouses on UK farmers, as it seeks views ahead of trade talks with Canada and Mexico.

NFU chief EU exit and international trade adviser Gail Soutar said that both markets offer opportunities for UK farmers to export their high-quality produce, with Canada already an important market for UK dairy producers.

Canada and Mexico are also among the 10 largest agricultural exporters in the world, sitting alongside the likes of Brazil, the USA and Australia, Ms Soutar pointed commented .

The government must therefore be particularly mindful of the cumulative impact negotiating free trade agreements with these global agricultural powerhouses will have on our farmers here in the UK. This is particularly relevant given reports that Australian exporters will be offered tariff-free, quota-free access to the UK market, putting severe pressure on domestic producers.

Canada and Mexico both represent important markets for UK agri-food goods.

In 2019 the UK exported c1,800t of cheese to Canada worth 14.1m, primarily high-value premium or specialist cheeses, making this an important market for the UK dairy sector.

Growing wealth in Mexico, as well as an increased focus on healthy and niche products, means there is strong potential for further growth for UK agri-food products, including dairy, fresh fruits and poultry products.

The NFU said it is vital that negotiators ensure the UKs high domestic production standards are protected in any future FTA with Canada or Mexico, and that these deals will not allow the import of goods produced to standards that are not legal here. This includes maintaining the ban on beef produced using hormone growth promotants.

It urged the Government to be conscious of the cumulative impacts of trade deals on British agriculture, particularly with the expectation that deals with Australia and New Zealand could be agreed in mid-2021.

With the UKs ambition to join the CPTPP also a factor here, negotiators must ensure that these separate negotiations do not allow duplicate access for Canada and Mexico, or back door access for countries we have not secured an FTA with, such as America (should it wish to rejoin CPTPP, or via USMCA), the NFU added.

The NFU would like to hear opinions from members on trade deals with Canada and Mexico, more info here.

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Caio Pessagno Clinches WPT500 Knockout Title ($102,704)

May 26, 2021 Matthew Pitt

Caio Pessagno is the 2021 WPT Online Series WPT500 Knockout champion! The talented Brazilian came out on top of a 2,054-strong field to claim a prize worth $102,704 with bounties included.

WPT #08 WPT500 Knockout Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize Bounties Total prize 1 Caio Pessagno Brazil $62,240 $40,464 $102,704 2 Manfred Hermann Austria $62,135 $25,480 $87,615 3 Yulian Bogdanov Bulgaria $40,019 $15,788 $55,807 4 Diogo Coelho Malta $26,321 $11,073 $37,394 5 Sebastian Hoyes Villegas Mexico $17,816 $4,091 $21,908 6 Michiel Brummelhuis Netherlands $13,540 $6,121 $19,662 7 Charles La Boissonniere Canada $9,796 $3,972 $13,769 8 Fabiano Kovalski Brazil $7,771 $3,323 $11,095 9 Jerry Wong Canada $6,064 $1,828 $7,892

The final table kicked off at 7:05 p.m. BST on May 26 with nine players in the hunt for the title. Little did the finalists know at the restart that Lady Luck was not a fan of strong hands, the cruel mistress would crack some powerhouse holdings.

Jerry Wong was the first player to discover this. Charles La Boissonniere opened with a raise to 5,400,000 at the 1,250,000/2,500,000/315,000a level, chip leader Yulian Bogdanov three-bet to 15,125,000, only for Wong to four-bet jam for 33,011,309. Only Bogdanov called. It was the very strong for Wong, but the for Bogdanov. The kings held, and the final table lost its first player.

Simon Mattsson Wins WPT Online Series Event #23: $10,300 WPT High Roller

Kovalski Runs Kings Into Aces

Fabiano Kovalski suffered a similar fate in that he found a super-strong hand that looked almost certain to double his stack. Kovalski got his chips into the middle with only to run straight into the of Pessagno. The five community cards provided no drama, and Kovalski bowed out.

Aces were then cracked to reduce the player count further. La Boissonniere got his stack into the middle of the felt with with the board reading . Manfred Hermann held and spiked the flush-completing on the river.

The of Michiel Brummelhuis proved no match for the of Bogdanov soon after La Boissonniere's demise. Brummelhuis three-bet Bogdanov's preflop raise before open-shoving for 76,869,147 into a 63,480,000 pot on the flop. Bogdanov called with his two pair, which held as the turn and river bricked.

Kings No Good For Villegas

Amazingly, the run of big hands being useless continued when Mexico-based Sebastian Hoyos Villegas found in the hole. Villegas was down a shade over ten big blinds when he looked down at kings. He jammed all-in from under the gun, and Bogdanov called from the big blind with . Bogdanov flopped two pair as the five community cards fell .

Connor Drinan Leads 78 Advancing From WPT Online Series Main Event Day 1A

Fourth place went to Diogo Coelho who could not crack the nines of Hermann. Hermann raised 2.5 times the big blind with and called when Coelho ripped it in for 20 big blinds from the big blind with . Hermann flopped a set on the board.

Heads-up was set when Hermann's pair of nines held in a major coinflip. Pessagno opened the preflop betting with , Bogdanov three-bet with before calling off the rest of his stack when Hermann four-bet jammed with . Bogdanov had a plethora of outs on the turn of the board but none of them came in.

Pessagno went into the one-on-one battle with Hermann holding a 604,049,738 to 418,864,613 chip lead, and he never fell behind. The final hand saw Hermann raise to 17,600,000 with , and Pessagno call from the big blind with . Pessagno check-called a 11,160,000 continuation bet on the flop, and a 44,000,000 bet on the turn. Pessagno expertly checked again on the river, leading to Hermann committing all but five of his chips as a bluff. Those chips and the final pot of the evening went to Pessagno when he raised all-in.
Vamos! Volkmann Victorious in the Super MILLION$

May 26, 2021 Matthew Pitt

Bruno Volkmann has joined a small group of elite poker tournaments who have won the GGPoker Super MILLION$ more than once.

Brazilian Volkmann first won this tournament in September 2020 and now adds a second title, and an additional $319,830, after taking down the May 25, 2021 edition.

Super MILLION$ Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Bruno Volkmann Brazil $319,830 2 Elio Fox Mexico $253,440 3 David Coleman Canada $200,831 4 Sam Greenwood Canada $159,142 5 Antonio Mirotta Austria $126,107 6 Michael Addamo Canada $99,930 7 Joao Vieira Luxembourg $79,186 8 Joakim Andersson Malta $62,749 9 Zhuang Ruan Japan $49,723

This weeks Super MILLION$ final table was a story of impressive comebacks. Volkmann sat down in fifth-place with a 27 big blind stack before marching onto victory. Equally, if not more, impressive was the comeback of Elio Fox. The two-time WSOP bracelet winner returned to the action with a meagre 8.5 big blind stack yet navigated his way to a runner-up finish worth $253,440.

While Volkmann and Fox are obviously delighted with how their tournament progressed, Japans Zhuang Ruan will be disappointed. Ruan sat down with a 42.8 big blind stack, enough for fourth place at the restart. However, they were the first player out of the door.

Fox raised to 120,000 at the 25,000/50,000/6,000a level with what turned out to be ace-king. Ruan three-bet to 265,000 with pocket kings, only for Fox to jam all-in. Ruan called off the 760,179 chips he had behind and busted courtesy of two aces on the flop.

Ian "potamophobia" Matakis Among Four Recent WSOP Circuit Ring Winners at GGPoker

The dangerous Joakim Andersson was the next player to bow out, doing so when he raised to 467,358, which left him only 150,000 behind. Fox called before betting enough to set Andersson all-in on a seven-high draw-heavy flop, and was called. Fox showed pocket jacks, Anderson king-queen, and Andersson never caught up.

A short-stacked Joao Vieira, a regular at Super MILLION$ final table, crashed out in seventh. Vieira opened to 275,000 leaving himself only 70,702 behind, doing so with ace-king. The action folded around to Fox in the big blind, where he woke up with pocket tens. Fox set Vieira all-in, and was called. A queen-high board was not was Vieira needed and he busted in seventh.

Three-time Super MILLION$ champion Michael Addamo was eliminated in sixth place and won the tournaments last five-figure prize, although the $99,930 he collected was near as damn it $100,000.

Rudolph and O'Dwyer Seal Sunday Victories at GGPoker

Addamo came unstuck against Fox, who opened to 140,000 at the 30,000/60,000/7,500a level. Addamo defended his big blind with queen-four despite it leaving him with only 3.5 big blinds behind. That micro stack went into the middle on an all-diamond nine-high flop, Addamo holding the four of diamonds. Fox called with king-jack, with no diamonds, and won the hand when the turn and river bricked.

Fifth place and $126,107 went to Antonio Mirotta one hand after Addamo busted. Sam Greenwood raised to 132,000 with queen-eight offsuit, Fox responded with a three-bet to 589,000 with pocket kings from the small blind, and Mirotta four-bet jammed for 2,146,888 with a pair of tens in the hole. Greenwood instantly mucked, but Fox called equally as fast. No help arrived for those tens and Mirotta headed for the exits.

The final four became three when Greenwood fell by the wayside. Greenwood was second in chips with 85 big blinds but was still the next player out of the door. He lost a few large pots but that did not stop Greenwood from being one of the most active takes at the table. His final hand saw Volkmann min-raise to 240,000 under the gun with king-jack and Greenwood defend his big blind with ten-seven of diamonds. Greenwood initially checked the arrival of the flop, which fell deuce, deuce, seven. Volkmann continued with a 150,000 bet, Greenwood check-raised to 420,000, and Volkmann called. The turn was a king and Greenwood check-raised all-in for 900,162 after Volkmann tested the waters with a 120,000 bet. Volkmann called, the river was a blank, and Greenwood crashed out.

David Coleman did not last too much longer; his elimination sent the tournament heads-up. Coleman got his stack in with pocket sixes against Foxs ace-eight, and lost due to an eight on the river.

That hand gave Fox a 10,836,288 to 5,363,712 chip advantage over Volkmann, but he could not get the job done. Deals are not permitted in the Super MILLION$, but Fox and Volkmann agreed to one privately away from the tables. This resulted in the pair open-shoving their hands, essentially flipping for the title of champion.

Volkmann doubled his stack in the first of those flips, and secured the title with second of those flips, his ace-five beating Foxs dominated king-five.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster on Tuesday said the state is primed for cybersecurity investments and leadership, citing powerful relationships between universities, business communities, the Savannah River National Laboratory and Fort Gordon, the Armys cyber center of excellence in neighboring Georgia.

We are, probably, ahead of most other places in the structure, the kind of infrastructure and brainpower, that we need to put this together, the Republican governor said at a virtual conference hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

I think, he continued, South Carolina is positioned to be enormously competitive.

McMaster and the University of South Carolina earlier this year announced an in-depth review of the states cyber capabilities and climate  an early step toward dominance in the increasingly important field.

Were really on the edge of something that is just fantastic and probably couldnt have been dreamed of 10 years ago, McMaster said at the time. But here we are now, were right at the front.

The statewide evaluation is ongoing, the governor said Tuesday.

The draw of cyber is hard to miss in and around Aiken County; cyber pursuits are underway at the Energy Departments Savannah River National Lab, for example, and a pair of multimillion-dollar installations, the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative and the DreamPort cybersecurity complex, is expected to radically alter the USC Aiken skyline and teaching environment.

Cyber  a smorgasbord of offensive and defensive military operations and computer networks and resiliency, among other things  has certainly enhanced the region, Economic Development Partnership President and CEO Will Williams said at the same Tuesday conference. And, he added, we continue to work closely on both sides of the river so that we can make this area a circle of success, rather than a semicircle of success.

McMaster expressed similar sentiments, at one point Tuesday describing Aiken as well positioned.

It is just all coming our way so well that theres nothing to change, the governor added. Weve just got to take advantage of it, to be aware of it.
People are always like, Did you go to rehab? Barker told Mens Health in an interview published Monday. And I [say], No, I was in a plane crash. That was my rehab. Lose three of your friends and almost die? That was my wake-up call. If I wasnt in a crash, I would have probably never quit.
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Aiken County Sheriffs Office deputies on Tuesday shot an armed man in Ridge Spring, authorities said, an incident now under investigation by the S.C. Law Enforcement Division.

Aiken County Sheriff Michael Hunt requested the SLED review, according to information provided by Capt. Eric Abdullah.

Deputies on Tuesday night responded to 4002 Columbia Highway North for a disturbance and a report of a person armed with a gun, according to a Wednesday morning statement from the Sheriffs Office.

When police arrived, they were confronted by a Black male, armed with a handgun, the Sheriffs Office said. While deputies gave verbal commands to drop the weapon, the suspect pointed his weapon towards deputies, who responded by firing their weapons at the suspect.

The man was shot once in the torso. He was brought to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to SLED. No one else was hurt.

Neither the Sheriffs Office nor state police disclosed the name or age of the man shot. The ongoing investigation means no other information about the case will be disclosed by SLED at this time, the agency said in a statement.

Tuesdays incident was the 17th shooting involving police in South Carolina in 2021.

Check back with the Aiken Standard for the latest information.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden on Wednesday asked U.S. intelligence officials to "redouble" their efforts to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the unlikely possibility that the origins of the virus trace to Chinese lab.

After months of minimizing the possibility as a fringe theory, the Biden administration is responding both to domestic and geopolitical concerns about putting pressure on China to be transparent about the outbreak.

Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have promoted the theory that the virus emerged from a laboratory accident, rather than naturally through human contact with an infected animal.

Biden in a statement said the majority of the intelligence community had "coalesced" around those two likely scenarios but "do not believe there is sufficient information to assess one to be more likely than the other." He revealed that two of the 18 intelligence agencies lean toward the animal link and "one leans more toward" the lab theory, adding, "each with low or moderate confidence."

Biden directed U.S. national laboratories to assist with the investigation and called on China to cooperate with international probes into the origins of the pandemic.

"The United States will also keep working with like-minded partners around the world to press China to participate in a full, transparent, evidence-based international investigation and to provide access to all relevant data and evidence," he said.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that the White House supports a new World Health Organization investigation in China, but added it "would require China finally stepping up and allowing access needed to determine the origins."

Biden, for his part, held out the possibility that a firm conclusion may never be known, given the Chinese government's refusal to fully cooperate with international investigations.

"The failure to get our inspectors on the ground in those early months will always hamper any investigation into the origin of COVID-19," he added.
Moncks Corner, SC (29461)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High near 85F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
A large commercial property in the heart of Charleston's tourism district cannot be developed as a hotel under a legal settlement between the owner and a local historic preservation group.

The Carroll Building at East Bay and North Market streets was put up for sale in 2019, and, not long after, the city received a request for a 50-room hotel at the site.

Historic Charleston Foundation, which has held a conservation easement on the property since 1984, was opposed to the idea of using the building as a tourist lodging, citing the high concentration of guest rooms in the City Market area.

The nonprofit sued the owner, Carroll Building LLC, in late 2019, arguing that, under federal tax law, its easement gave it the right to reject the hotel request. The owner disagreed.

They recently reached a settlement and signed off on an amendment to Historic Charleston's easement that specifies how the site, which once housed the Art Institute of Charleston, can be used in the future. Office, retail, restaurant and residential uses are OK, according to the document, which is dated April 30 and was filed this month with the Charleston County Register of Deeds.

But "in no event" can any part of the property be used as an inn, hotel, bed and breakfast or motel, according to the amendment. Also, the owner can't enter into lease agreements with a length of 29 or fewer consecutive days. No "form of transient occupancy" is allowed.

Winslow Hastie, president of Historic Charleston, said the settlement was important because it has "ramifications" for his group's easement program and it prevents a hotel from opening in an area that already has seen an "unprecedented proliferation" of tourist accommodations.

"This was a positive outcome for us," Hastie said.

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An attorney who represented the building owner in the dispute could not be reached for comment.

The easement is somewhat unusual in that only part of the property is historic, but the terms of the legal document apply to the entire site, Hastie said, which could have caused some of the confusion.

A portion of the existing brick building was built in the early 1900s by Thomas W. Carroll, who ran a fish business and icehouse. It was expanded in the 1980s to include a contemporary office addition.

The Carroll Building easement is also one of Historic Charleston's earliest, Hastie said, so some of the language was vague and in need of updating. The settlement was an "opportunity to clarify the easement, so that, moving forward, there would be no confusion," he said.

Hastie said the now-resolved dispute sends a message that his organization takes its roughly 400 easement agreements seriously.

He added that the most profitable use for a piece of downtown Charleston real estate "is not necessarily what's best for the community."

Historic Charleston has been a vocal critic of the concentration of hotels that have cropped up on the peninsula. Hastie served on a task force that strengthened Charleston's accommodations ordinance by adding language designed to protect a mix of uses downtown.

City Council adopted the new guidelines in October 2019.

Many downtown hotels that were approved before that date are still in the planning stages or nearly completed. The 50-room Loutrel, for example, will open on State Street this year, steps away from the City Market.
Calling the allegations "plainly erroneous" and without merit, a federal judge has dismissed a high school teacher's claims that creators of the popular "Outer Banks" television series filmed in the Charleston area stole the plot from his self-published novel about pirate treasure.

Georgia U.S. District Judge Timothy Batten Sr. said in a May 25 ruling that there are no copyrightable similarities between Kevin Wooten's book about middle school-age students hunting for Blackbeard's hidden treasure chest and the Netflix series about family strife and class conflicts among teenagers looking for hidden treasure in Outer Banks, N.C.

Batten dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning it is permanently barred from further court action because he found no evidence to support the claims.

"Many of Wooten's purported similarities either do not exist or are 'random similarities' that could be found in very dissimilar works," Batten wrote in his order.

Jonas Pate, one of the creators of the Netflix show, declined to comment on the ruling. An attorney representing Wooten did not respond to a request for comment.

Wooten had alleged there were dozens of similarities between his book "Pennywise: The Hunt for Blackbeards Treasure!" and "Outer Banks," but Batten focused on a few examples to show how much of a stretch the copyright violation claims were.

For example, Wooten said both works had plot lines centering on an avian theme. In his novel, the protagonists discover a clue hidden in the wing of a bird statue at a mausoleum. In "Outer Banks," one of the character's nicknames is Bird and a clue pointing to a treasure was addressed to him.

"The fact that the word 'bird' is present in both narratives is entirely innocuous and of no significance in an infringement analysis," Batten wrote.

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In another example, Wooten said a statement made by one of his novel's characters that people following in a boat might be "some kind of threat to national security" was similar to an "Outer Banks" character telling his girlfriend his whereabouts are "a matter of national security" when she asks where he's been.

Wooten wrote that the plots of both works differ significantly, the protagonists share few similarities and while both are set on the shores of North Carolina, "that broad similarity is not subject to copyright protection."

"Outer Banks" was the most popular series on Netflix following its debut last year and it received a Peoples Choice award for most binge-worthy show. It has been renewed for a second season.

Netflix chose to film the series in the Charleston area instead of in North Carolina because of the Tar Heel States anti-LGBTQ legislation passed in 2016.

Among the Lowcountry locations used in filming the Netflix series were Shem Creek and the Old Village in Mount Pleasant, parts of James Island and Johns Island, McClellanville, Kiawah Island, Charleston Harbor and the Morris Island Lighthouse.

The film crew, consisting of mostly Wilmington- and Charleston-based workers, also traveled to Beaufort and shot night beach scenes at Hunting Island.

Wooten says he has sold hundreds of copies of his book, both in digital and paperback formats, in shops and through online retailers like Amazon.
A new restaurant will take over the space on Johns Island that another dining establishment passed up when the pandemic struck last year.

Blu Oyster, a sushi and seafood concept by restaurateur Rick Agius, plans to move into the space in Live Oak Square on Maybank Highway where Neighborhood Dining Group originally planned to relocate its former downtown Charleston Mexican-inspired venue Minero.

The restaurant group abandoned the relocation and recently decided to buy the Fat Hen site down the street and open a new Minero by late summer.

Agius, owner of Black Sheep Hospitality, which includes Smoky Oak Taproom, Garage 75 and Tattooed Senorita, all on James Island, as well as Zeppelin Pizza on Johns Island, hopes to open the 4,800-square-foot restaurant by late August or September.

"They are working on it now," he said. "The walls are up for the plumbing."

The venue will seat 100 inside and another 50 outside.

"I've been lickin' my chops to go to Johns Island for five to 10 years," Agius said. "I was trying to get (the site) before Minero got it, but I fell asleep on it. We got a chance to get it, and I got it back."

The new restaurant will employ 50 or 60 people if the workers can be found.

Agius hopes the labor shortage will be worked out by then, especially with unemployment benefits running out at the end of June, under order of Gov. Henry McMaster, for those sidelined by the pandemic in South Carolina.

Agius currently has about 120 employees at his four restaurants.

"I need 200," he said.

Blu Oyster's plans bring the shopping center to almost being completely leased, according to the commercial real estate arm of The Beach Co. of Charleston, which represented the landlord, Crowne Partners Inc.

The 32,285-square-foot center includes first-floor tenants Roper St. Francis Primary Care, The Woodruff wine bar, Cabana Burgers & Shakes, Tollis Trattoria, Kiss Cafe, Charleston Gents Barbering and Harlow hair salon. Second-story tenants include Holy City Orthodontics and Cypress Family Dental.

The 10-acre development includes retail and office space in six buildings in front of Crowne at Live Oak Square, a 282-unit upscale apartment complex.

One second-floor office space remains available.

IOPizza

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A slice of Italy is coming to Wild Dunes Resort. Coastal Crust is set to join the dining lineup at the newly renovated Sweetgrass Plaza, formerly the Village Plaza, next to the newly completed 153-room Sweetgrass Inn.

The Isle of Palms seaside getaway said the restaurant will be open May 29, over Memorial Day weekend.

In addition to wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas made from scratch, Coastal Crust offers antipasto, pasta dishes, sandwiches and desserts and is equipped with a full bar. Hours are 4-9 p.m. Monday-Wednesday; 11 a.m-9 p.m. Thursday and Sunday; and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The IOP location is the fourth for Coastal Crust, which operates its original restaurant on Simmons Street in Mount Pleasant and two others on James Island and in Greenville.

What's cooking?

A Lowcountry Asian restaurant is adding a third venue in the Charleston area.

Bon Banh Mi recently leased 1,562 square feet at 3064 Proprietors Place in northern Mount Pleasant, according to the commercial real estate firms Belk|Lucy and Charleston Restaurant Properties. It's expected to open in early 2022.

Bon Banh Mi operates another East Cooper location at 1440 Ben Sawyer Blvd. as well as a downtown Charleston restaurant at 162 Spring St.

Book it

That Big Book Sale is returning after being canceled last year because of the pandemic.

The 39th annual event, sponsored by Charleston Friends of the Library, will run May 28-30 at the Omar Shrine Auditorium at 176 Patriots Point Road in Mount Pleasant.

More than 60,000 books of all categories will be on sale, starting at $1. Under COVID-19 safety protocols, the event will support Charleston County Public Library.

Food trucks will be on site throughout the weekend, and a special appearance from the library's mascot Owlbert is expected 1-3 p.m. May 28.

Hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. May 28, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 29, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 30.

Admission is free, and items will be half price on May 30. Checks, cash and credit cards will be accepted for payment.
The Burnt Out Beaver: What Are You Waiting For?
COLUMBIA  Peter McCoy has some ideas about how to turn Santee Cooper around.

The Charleston Republican, lawyer and former state lawmaker wants to rebuild trust with the embattled utilitys customers and keep electric rates low for the 2 million South Carolinians who rely on its power, even after Santee Coopers court-mandated rate freeze ends in 2024.

Fresh off a year-long stint as U.S. Attorney for South Carolina, McCoy also wants to introduce more natural gas and solar energy into Santee Coopers power generation mix and continue the agencys record of helping with economic development projects across the Palmetto State.

McCoy lay out those priorities for the first time May 26 as a panel of legislators began to screen him for confirmation as Santee Coopers next board chairman, a part-time gig that pays $24,000 a year.

McCoy is Gov. Henry McMasters pick for the job. But he faces at least two more screening hearings and then a full vote by the state Senate before he can take over the Moncks Corner-based electric and water utility.

McCoys appointment comes as at a critical time. Santee Cooper just survived a long and expensive political campaign to sell the state-owned utility.

But the agency still seeking to move past the $9 billion nuclear fiasco, nearly four years after it abruptly abandoned the decade-long expansion of the V.C. Summer nuclear power plant in Fairfield County.

The failed project, widely considered the worst business collapse in state history, will cost South Carolina power customers billions of dollars on their power bills in the coming decades. It also shook state leaders faith in the 87-year-old agency, faith that must be restored, McCoy testified Wednesday.

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Its so important to re-establish trust, not only with our partners in the state, the electric cooperatives  but also to build back that trust with the Legislature, which I think has been broken, McCoy said. Being able to patch that, being able to move forward is of utmost importance.

On Wednesday, legislators on the State Regulation of Public Utilities Review Committee, a panel that handles energy issues in South Carolina, raised no major issues with McCoys qualifications for the job. And given McCoys sterling reputation with his former colleagues in the Legislature, thats a good sign top lawmakers dont plan to block McCoys confirmation.

But lawmakers did ask McCoy about his previous roles investigating Santee Cooper and the failed V.C. Summer project.

McCoy was chairman of the special House committee that questioned utility leaders and regulators about why the project failed. He then led the U.S. Attorneys Office for South Carolina as it investigated the project and charged two executives from S.C. Electric and Gas Co., Santee Coopers partner on V.C. Summer, with defrauding ratepayers.

McCoy said those experiences made him more familiar with Santee Coopers operations and utility matters in South Carolina. But he declined to say what he learned about Santee Cooper during his time as as the top federal prosecutor in the state, noting that the V.C. Summer criminal investigation remains ongoing.

The panel's chairman, state Sen. Luke Rankin, also asked McCoy whether he could remain independent of McMaster. The governor picked McCoy to lead Santee Cooper but has long tried to persuade lawmakers to sell the utility, the Myrtle Beach Republican noted.

McCoy replied that he doesn't expect any political pressure from McMaster. He said he sat down with the governor before his appointment and made clear he needed to do the job free of outside interference.

He accepted that immediately," McCoy said.

Later Wednesday afternoon, top legislators from the S.C. House and Senate met to resolve their differences on a major proposal that would restructure Santee Cooper, replacing the entire board and giving the agency more oversight by state lawmakers and utility regulators. The group met for an hour but couldn't come to a compromise. They agreed to meet again June 1.
It started eight years ago with a $212,000 car loan.

It ended with a lengthy stint behind bars for a Mount Pleasant man described as a free-spending serial fraudster.

Cameron Banks, 36, who also went by Reggie Staggers and Roy Hamilton, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for his latest crime spree, acting U.S. Attorney for South Carolina Rhett DeHart announced May 25.

Prosecutors traced his web of financial schemes to 2013, when he submitted a bogus loan application to buy a luxury Bentley sedan for $212,034.

The following year, Banks went to work for a Pawleys Island dentist. He then stole his employer's identity and submitted falsified forms on behalf of patients in 2014 to obtain at least $114,000 in financing, which led to his original 2017 indictment.

"While the funds were supposed to be used for dental procedures, few people received any dental work," DeHart's office said. "Banks transferred most of the funds into his personal bank accounts for his own use."

Then, from 2015 to 2018, he sent falsified information to the U.S. Department of Transportation while applying to operate a fleet of commercial vehicles.

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Investigators learned that Banks, who was free on bond, had been running a Ponzi-like truck-leasing scheme that took in about $287,000 from at least 32 victims, many of whom "experienced substantial financial hardship after investing their life savings," DeHart's office said.

"Under the lease agreements, Banks would provide the truck, the driver, and the insurance, and in exchange, investors were promised a majority of the profits. In reality, Banks spent the investment funds on personal expenses, including car leases, jewelry and travel."

The government said Banks began stealing personal identities and submitting fake documents "at a young age" in the Georgetown area when he went by Reggie Staggers, his birth name, leading to a "lifetime of undeterred forgery, theft and deception."

His previously had been convicted for forgery, tax evasion and other crimes, DeHart's office said.

Banks is a serial fraudster who has already demonstrated, not once but repeatedly, that he will not obey conditions of court-ordered supervision and that he will continue to commit fraud crimes," prosecutors said in court filings in 2019. "This is not merely argument. It is indisputable based on his conduct.

Banks was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge David Norton to 108 month, followed by three years in a supervised release program.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Transportation, the S.C. Law Enforcement Division, and the S.C. Department of Revenue.
Though not the main subjects of her tour, guide Lee Ann Bain felt Archibald and Francis Grimke were more than deserving of recognition in their own right.

The nephews of abolitionists Angelina and Sarah Grimke, Archibald and Francis were born into enslavement on a plantation outside Charleston and lived drastically different lives from their White relatives. The brothers, like their aunts, went on to advocate for African Americans' rights.

While the Grimke sisters have, in recent years, been recognized more by their home city of Charleston, Archibald and Francis remain lesser-known. Bain, a Charleston tour guide with a route devoted entirely to Grimke history, is working to change that. For the last few years, she's has been working to get a historical marker placed to honor the brothers.

At this point, she's close.

Take the Tour Charleston tour guide Lee Ann Bain will offer her Original Grimke Sisters Tour on May 29 and 30, with all proceeds going to the funding of a historical marker to Archibald and Francis Grimke, the nephews of abolitionists Angelina and Sarah Grimke. Reservations can be made at grimkesisterstour.com. Direct donations to the marker can also be made via Bain's Facebook fundraiser.

The necessary city and state approvals have all been secured, and the wording for the marker has been finalized. So has the marker's placement: a spot on Coming Street that's close to the place where the brothers grew up and not far from the former site of the Morris Street School, which they briefly attended.

What's left is the last chunk of fundraising, Bain said, and she's planning to use the Grimke walking tour to hit her goal as early as the upcoming holiday weekend.

On May 29 and 30, Bain will offer her official Grimke sisters tour, with all proceeds going directly to the marker, she said.

The two-hour and 15-minute route most closely follows the stories of Angelina and Sarah, but it also traces those of Archibald, Francis and John Grimke.

Angelina and Sarah were born into a White, wealthy, slave-owning family. They grew to despise the institution of slavery and turned their backs on their home, becoming the first widely known White female abolitionists. They moved to the North, spoke out against slavery and tried to appeal to other White Southern women to embrace the cause. They also advocated for women's rights.

For years the sisters weren't aware of Archibald, Francis and John's existence, Bain said.

The brothers' father and enslaver was Angelina and Sarah's brother, Henry Grimke. Their mother, Nancy Weston, was also enslaved by Henry.

Before his death, Henry transferred ownership of Nancy and their sons to his son from his first marriage, Montague, who was supposed to let them live among the free Black community, per Henrys wishes. After Henrys death, Nancy lived with her sons in a home near Coming Street thats no longer standing.

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Initially, Montague kept his word but later forced Archibald and Francis to work in his home. The brothers remained enslaved until 1865.

After the end of the Civil War, the brothers attended the Morris Street School, later the Simonton School, which was the first public school for African American youth in Charleston.

From there, they moved north to attend Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. Their youngest brother, John, eventually joined them but decided to return home to Charleston without finishing his schooling.

Archibald and Francis stayed, and they continued their educations at Harvard Law School and Princeton Seminary, respectively.

Archibald went on to become a lawyer, a consul to the Dominican Republic and a NAACP leader. Francis was a Presbyterian minister and one of 60 signers of a call to start the NAACP that led to the founding of the civil rights organization.

Up north, Archibald and Francis met and formed a relationship with their abolitionist aunts. Angelina's children didn't really take up the cause of pushing for the rights of African Americans, Bain said.

"It's the nephews who are the ones who take that next step," Bain said. "They were that next generation that was really at the front line, fighting for rights."

And while they're important to the Grimke sisters' story, Archibald and Francis have stories that merit their own place in Charleston's historical landscape  one that will soon be represented physically.

The historical marker to their aunts Angelina and Sarah is still relatively new. It was erected in 2015 on East Bay Street, outside the home where their family lived. The year prior, a bestselling novel by author Sue Monk Kidd, "The Invention of Wings," introduced scores of readers to the sisters. The protagonist is based on Sarah.

Kidd's book is what led to the creation of the walking tour that Bain offers.

There's so much about Archibald and Francis's stories that couldn't make it into the tour, so Bain said she's hopeful a marker will make passersby curious to look further into their lives and their work.

"So many people don't know about them," she said. "I just want them to know."
Darius Rucker, of Hootie and the Blowfish and solo country music career fame, will play a show in the Charleston area next month.

Rucker has a concert slated at The Windjammer on Isle of Palms that will be exclusive to an audience of health care workers.

The Isle of Palms City Council on May 25 unanimously voted to approve the city-sanctioned concert that will take place at 6 p.m. June 9 on The Windjammer's outdoor sunset stage.

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Scottie Frier, talent buyer at the beach venue, confirmed with The Post and Courier the show was a go.

"Darius has done so much for this city and this is just another example of his generosity," Frier said.

Though the show will not be open to the general public, 1,000 tickets will be distributed to hospital workers and a few lucky radio contest winners.

Rucker, along with his bandmates have granted more than $3.1 million through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation since its inception 20 years ago. The foundation was established to help charities devoted to public education in South Carolina.

Hootie & the Blowfish also traditionally plays an annual "Homegrown" concert at the Volvo Car Stadium on Daniel Island to help raise awareness of the needs of schools in the local community. Audience members are usually asked to bring school supplies to donate.

The Grammy Award-winning band didn't play the traditional show in 2019 due to their new album release and accompanying tour. Nor did they play in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There has not yet been an announcement if the concert will be back in 2021.

Rucker was recently named Southern Living's "2021 Southerner of the Year" and presented at the 56th annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
COLUMBIA  Three weeks after a Richland Two school bus was hijacked at gunpoint, district officials are recommending updated safety plans that would include bus evacuation drills.

The board for suburban northeast Columbia schools took no action on the changes at its May 25 board meeting  the first since the May 6 hijacking. But board members are expected to review the proposal and vote on it in June.

Really, this policy as originally written focuses heavily on fire and how fire is handled, said Will Anderson, the districts chief operations officer.

A more robust version of the districts policy would drill students, faculty and staff on other vulnerabilities such as active shooters, severe weather and spot checks of surveillance systems and other safety equipment.

The school bus involved in the hijacking was equipped with high-definition color cameras as the result of a $381 million voter-approved bond referendum in 2018. Officials said $7.5 million of that was set aside to modernize the districts fleet.

I think its important for the public to know thats been put to use already, board Chairman James Manning said May 25.

District leaders said the revisions werent in direct response to the hijacking but came based on suggestions from the S.C. School Boards Association.

A Fort Jackson trainee commandeered a bus en route to Forest Lake Elementary that was carrying 18 students.

Authorities identified the man as 23-year-old Jovan Collazo. He faces more than two dozen charges, including 19 counts of kidnapping.

Fort Jackson Commanding Brig. Gen. Milford H. Beagle Jr. said the trainee  in his third week of basic training  did not have ammunition in his weapon and seemed to be trying to make his way back home.

Collazo, who remains in custody at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, requested a preliminary hearing, but no date has been set yet, according to court documents. Preliminary hearings are used by judges to determine whether there is enough evidence for a defendant to stand trial.
In Charleston and beyond, theater lovers have all been waiting with bated breath for the rousing return of in-person, live theater.

That is truly, deeply, madly happening on Spoleto Festival USA's opening weekend, with the mounting of "The Woman in Black" at Festival Hall (formerly Memminger Auditorium).

But be forewarned: As the lights dim and the play commences, the suspense has only just begun.

Billed as "a ghost play," Stephen Mallatratt's adaptation of the 1983 horror novel by Susan Hill has gripped audiences for decades, enjoying a formidable 30-year run on London's West End. (A production also made it to Spoleto Festival USA in 1996 by way of the Gate Theatre.)

The American leg has looked primed for a healthy run, too. Starting in January 2020, its premiere at New York City's edgy, atmospheric McKittrick Hotel was off and running, garnering a smashing review from The New York Times that helped send its houses chugging along.

That is, it did for a commensurately slim six weeks.

"We had a fantastic run until COVID forced it to end," said Tim Smith, producer and general manager of Pemberley Productions, which is responsible for the American run of the play.

But there's this: The waiting pattern for the New York return presented a plum opportunity for an engagement at Spoleto, where the production will share its first performance since the pandemic. In the silver lining lane, the show's small cast makes it particularly suitable for managing current touring logistics.

"It's kind of built that it can go from one venue to another with some ease," Smith said.

But here's the rub.

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Even with its small cast and efficient running time, "The Woman in Black" is far from slight on its power to terrify. It's known to be every bit as much of a nail-biter as some slickly produced Hollywood cinematic extravaganza.

Smith credits the phenomenal fear factor to Mallatratt's ingenious adaptation of the author's noirish tale. Centered on a lawyer seeking to exorcize a family curse with the help of a young actor, the play is constructed in a way that subtly builds suspense. As such, the audience members find themselves having no clue when or where in the performance space the next dreadful deed will present itself.

It turns out Smith has a great deal of emotional investment in this particular adaptation. He first came upon the play in 1989 at age 17, when it was running at the Fortune Theatre in London.

At the time, the teenager wanted to be in the Royal Air Force. When Smith walked out of the show, he determined that he wanted instead to do that for a living.

"I went in not realizing that just two guys, some words, some lights and sound can whisk you away. It just really blew me away," he said.

Blown mind withstanding, Smith doubted he would actually get to work on the show, which was by then very established in London. When the American opportunity presented itself, he leaped, and he's been working on making it happen for the past five years.

There is suspense for Smith, too, who is curious to see whether the Festival Hall setup, with its spaced-out, socially distant seating pods, will add to the scariness.

Is it a bit spookier to have all that space around you, so audience members are slightly more exposed?

"I'm fascinated as to how that will play out. I don't know how that will go, so I will watch with interest," Smith said.

Suspense, it is clear, is already ratcheting up, with more to come from undisclosed origins in "The Woman in Black."
Two food scholars with ties to South Carolina helped bring historical Lowcountry cooking to a pair of critically acclaimed programs airing on streaming services this May.

BJ Dennis, a chef born and raised in Charleston whose locally sourced cooking pays homage to his Gullah Geechee heritage, concocted the food for a feast scene in "The Underground Railroad."

The Amazon Prime series that debuted May 14 is based on the novel of the same name by Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead. The fictional story with factual elements is about people attempting to escape slavery in the South during the early 1800s.

The show's production team invited Dennis to contribute to two scenes, but the rain date for shooting one of them conflicted with his schedule. He ended up cooking for a hog feast scene set in Indiana, but filmed in Savannah.

Dennis said he had to make sure everything was relevant to the time and place, from cooking the pig on wood saplings to featuring vegetables which would have been used during that time of year.

"It does show the influences of the Lowcountry that spread" across the country, he said. "Particularly rice came about in this region because of marooned and escaped enslaved people who brought (it) with them."

Dennis said he spent five days on set, each with a 5:30 a.m. roll call. In addition to cooking the food on-site, he advised actors on how to interact with that food on camera.

"Scenes were stopped for myself and my team to hop in and brush up dishes," he said. "I learned so much about food styling and props. It was truly amazing being on a big budget movie set."

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Dennis said it's an experience he hopes to have again one day.

African American writer, culinary historian and educator Michael Twitty  creator of the Southern Discomfort Tour that pieced together Southern enslaved people's food traditions and culinary heritage  will be featured on "High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America."

The Netflix docuseries that premiered May 26 is hosted by chef and writer Stephen Satterfield and traces Black food from Africa to Texas. Twitty's okra soup, prepared at Magnolia Plantation, is featured on the show.

Twitty describes the dish as "the elemental holy trinity of okra, tomatoes and onions, with a little of this and that." He said it ultimately draws on the okra stews traditional to Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria but refracted through the lens and limitations of South Carolina rice plantations.

"It's one of those dishes whose origins are unmistakable and apparent yet flexible to the possibilities of different parts of the Americas like the Lowcountry," said Twitty.

Twitty said he hopes the program not only reveals the diversity and breadth of African American foodways but also how many young tradition bearers are embracing and keeping alive their culinary heritage.
Never underestimate the power of symbols.

That is a lesson that artist and activist John Sims took to heart more than 20 years ago when he was swept up in the protests that ultimately pushed the Confederate battle flag flying on the dome of the South Carolina Statehouse to a monument in front of the building.

While some seek to defend the flag as a symbol of heritage, more and more Americans have come to acknowledge that the flag also has served as a cultural marker perpetuating the notion of white supremacy. Indeed, the original authorization to fly the battle flag on top of our states capitol building in 1962 was largely a governmental gesture in opposition to the movement in support of full civil rights for African American citizens.

Only in 2015, in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of nine congregants at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, was the flag finally removed from the Statehouse grounds. But its influential symbolism continues to resonate to this day. How does one grapple with the emotion-laden potency of an object that once served as a banner of bloodshed and segregation?

The answer, as John Sims so aptly demonstrates in his current exhibition at the 701 Center for Contemporary Art, is to transform the symbol itself so that it takes on other, potentially redeeming levels of meaning. The central installation in the current show, a work that Sims himself describes as a trilogy of sorts, serves as a roadmap to the evolution of his own psychic and creative grappling with the legacy of the saltire or Southern cross as used on various Confederate flags.

The first step is to bring the hateful symbol to justice, and Sims has done just that by erecting in the center of the gallery a large scaffold and hanging from the crossbeam the five principal versions of the Confederate flag. He made the platform out of untreated wood, large enough to stand upon, and the nooses are similarly big, thus enhancing the power of this gesture and perhaps reminding the visitor that lynching has been the frequent manifestation of racial terrorism in this country.

To the left are five black urns, each meant to serve as receptacles for the now executed banners.

On the far wall, between the tall windows, is the third part of this creative masterwork: Afrocentric versions of the Confederate flags national, naval, battle  substituting the original colors with the Pan-African red, black and green.

How does one cope with an abusive symbol? The answer here: Resurrect the symbol in your own image.

The term for this process is appropriation, and the Sims exhibition, cleverly entitled AfroDixia: A Righteous Confiscation, provides many evocative examples of the artists masterful manipulation of Confederate symbology, some visual and some audio.

Among the latter is the artists AfroDixie Remixes, for which a listening party has been organized at the center on June 17. In what will eventually be showcased as a double album, Sims has taken the song Dixie, which served as the de facto Confederate national anthem, and recorded it in 14 Black music idioms from calypso to jazz to blues to hip hop. This reconceptualization of the song once popular in minstrel shows featuring blackface performers gives a whole new resonance to such lines as I wish I was in the land of cotton, old times there are not forgotten.

As Sims himself asserts, The African American experience is central to any notion of the Southern landscape. What the artist has done with these remixes and with the remainder of his personal canon now on display is to rewrite the cultural narrative with the heretofore ignored or distorted components given center stage.

A number of public programs are scheduled in the next few weeks as an appropriate accompaniment to this thought-provoking exhibition. On June 3, the center will host a screening of the film A Meltdown in Dixie with commentary from filmmaker Emily Harrold. This award-winning documentary, financially supported by South Carolina Humanities, revisits the heated dispute over the flying of the Confederate battle flag in an ice cream shop parking lot in Orangeburg in 2015.

Among the other multimedia forays of the multi-talented Sims will also be a June 10 table reading of his play entitled The Proper Way to Hang a Confederate Flag.

AfroDixia and its accompanying programs offer regional residents a chance to sample the work of a significant artist grappling with our nations enduring struggle for racial equity.

AfroDixia: A Righteous Confiscation

Through June 25. 701 Center for Contemporary Art. 701 Whaley St. 701cca.org.
MURRELLS INLET  Thanks to two stone benches, a plaque and a handful of rose bushes on Indigo Club Drive between Canterbury and Riceland courts, residents and anyone else who drives through the Indigo Creek neighborhood will remember its beloved neighborhood watch officer.

The morning of May 26, more than 50 residents of Indigo Creek gathered to see the unveiling of a memorial dedicated to the late Horry County Police Cpl. Mike Ambrosino.

Ambrosino died in August of COVID-19, and loved his job of patrolling Indigo Creek, his wife Tracey Ambrosino said. With tears in her eyes, Tracey said the memorial is a blessing during a bad time for her and her two sons.

"I wish that he knew how well he was loved, I mean I'm sure he knew, but I wish he knew," she said, adding that her and her husband were considering moving into the neighborhood before his passing.

Indigo Creek's Home Owners Association President Linda Powell said because it owns the streets in the neighborhoods, it hires police to come and do patrols itself. Ambrosino spent the last eight years in Indigo Creek, Powell said, watching for speeders and rolling his window down to talk to residents daily, so it only felt fitting to honor him on the main road into the neighborhood.

"Everybody knew him, he could stop and talk to them and everyone just respected him so much, he was such a sincere guy," Powell said.

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Horry County Police Chief Joseph Hill spoke to residents during the unveiling about how happy he is to see support of local law enforcement in the area. He loved hearing stories from residents about their relationship with Ambrosino, he said, and that those relationships are what patrolling is all about.

"Mike was a cop's cop, but he also felt like he needed to be part of the community, and this appreciation and dedication to Mike is emotional ... but it's just a testament to who Mike was and what Mike leaves behind," Hill said.

Indigo Creek resident Dave Leperi had a special relationship with Mike, he said. His son, David Leperi, has always dreamt of being a police officer, and was an honorary police officer in North Carolina when the family lived there. When they moved to South Carolina, though, Dave wondered how he'd keep his son's dream alive.

That is when they met Mike, and he took David, who has Downs Syndrome, on patrol watches with him and invested time in him. Mike didn't have to do that, Dave said, but as a father of a son with special needs himself, Mike just understood, Dave thinks.

"All of us in Indigo Creek certainly remember Mike as a great police officer, no doubt, but more importantly, a respectful, loving, caring person with the biggest heart in the whole wide world," Dave said. "And obviously when you do things like including David in the community, and as a friend, that's the bottom line."
GEORGETOWN  In a 3-3 vote May 25, Georgetown County Council voted against rezoning land owned by Tidelands Health off of North Fraser Street and Wedgefield Road to allow for multifamily housing.

This vote overturned council's previous second reading vote May 11 in support of the rezoning. Ordinances must have a majority vote for it to be approved  because the rezoning vote was tied, it did not have a majority and therefore failed.

Last county council meeting May 11, one councilmember, Everett Carolina, recused himself from the vote. This time around, though, Carolina voted against it, and rather chairman and Wedgefield-district representative Louis Morant recused himself because of criticism over his wife's involvement with Tidelands Health's volunteer board of trustees.

Morant told council and residents in attendance May 25 that with these concerns in mind, he spoke with the South Carolina Ethics Commission and requested an informal opinion on whether or not there was a conflict of interest.

Morant told council the commission's opinion was that there was, in fact, a conflict of interest, but Morant told the Post and Courier Myrtle Beach May 21 his wife, Marthena Morant, became a trustee before Tidelands bought the property and would see no gain from the sale of the land.

Despite this, Louis Morant told council and residents May 25 he felt recusing himself was the best decision.

"If the public seems to think that there's a conflict, then obviously I don't want to (give) any false impression," Morant said.

Blue Line Development and FourSix Housing originally proposed building a 90-unit affordable housing development on the land if the rezoning was approved. More than 100 residents of Wedgefield Plantation clapped when the rezoning was voted against, as they fought the county for the last month and a half against it.

Partner with FourSix Housing Tony Cates said, though, shooting down this development will make it harder for the county to attract affordable housing developers like him moving forward.

"In one vote, (council) have made a statement for all affordable housing developers who have the potential to come to Georgetown that they're not interested," Cates said.

The proposed apartments would have been restricted to families with low income  a family of four, for example, could have made no more than $38,700 a year if they wanted to live there, based on median household income in the county.

Cates said rent at the development would have been between $400 and $975 monthly, depending on the income of the residents and how many bedrooms were in a unit.

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Wedgefield residents, though, said building affordable housing outside its gates would cause a medley of problems, including a dip in property values and increased traffic flow. Between 100 and 150 residents showed up each time to both county council meetings and April's planning commission meeting to show their lack of support for the development.

Councilman Bob Anderson voted against the approval both May 25 and May 11 because of tax issues.

"What I have a problem with is the state and federal government using social engineering to tell me how to use your tax dollars and my tax dollars and doing what they want us to build where they want us to build it," Anderson said.

Anderson also refused to call the plan affordable housing, though paying anything less than $1,200 per month on rent is considered affordable in Georgetown based on the most recent census data.

"It's going to be occupied by people that can't afford to pay all their rent, and that's not quite affordable housing," Anderson said.

The abstaining vote in the May 11 council meeting, Councilman Carolina, said there are other areas besides this that the county needs to consider for an affordable housing development.

Other plots in the county, though, have not been considered and will not be considered, Cates said, because they would be unlikely to qualify for state housing funding.

Cates said Foursix and BlueLine were interested in the spot outside Wedgefield because it fit into a census tract that the state housing authority identified as the areas in greatest need of affordable housing.

Once the vote happened and most of the Wedgefield residents in attendance left the meeting, several residents condemned council for the vote. Marilyn Hemingway, CEO of the Gullah-Geechee Chamber of Commerce, told council that because it gave into racist ideas of what kinds of people would be living in the proposed development, the county lost a chance at having much needed affordable housing in it.

"You all ought to be ashamed of yourselves," Hemingway said.
Its very simple. Do you pass the test or not? If you dont pass the test you take it again, and again, and again until you get it right, Murray said. Hopefully, youre going to do one test cruise and youre good to go. Six months ago, Id have said maybe three times, and now Im saying maybe once. I think the ball is moving in the right direction.
MOUNT PLEASANT  Two weeks after the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine became available to children as young as 12, Charleston County's middle schools are starting to get their shots.

Charleston County School District nurses vaccinated over 500 people with the help of providers from the Medical University of South Carolina on May 25. The event, at Laing Middle School of Science and Technology on Bulrush Basket Lane, was the first of seven hosted by the district.

The Food and Drug Administration authorized the Pfizer vaccine for use in children ages 12 to 15 on May 10. Prior to that, the district held a number of vaccine days for students as young as 16.

So far, the district has vaccinated around 700 students age 16 and older, said Ellen Nitz, director of nursing services at the district.

For our middle school sites, were going to really exceed that number because were allowing parents to also attend, Nitz said.

The vaccine is completely voluntary for students at the district but requires parental consent. Students can sign up through an online portal sent out by their principal.

Nitz said the goal is to serve the wider community.

When you have a healthy home, youre going to have a healthier student, she said. And a healthy student learns better.

While district nurses are the ones administering the vaccines, MUSC supplied the doses and helped the district coordinate the event.

Dr. Allison Eckard, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the hospital, said the vaccines are especially important now that masks are optional in schools.

Eckard said parents with vaccinated children should not be concerned about exposure to the virus in school.

If you are sitting next to someone who has been unvaccinated and has COVID, your risk of getting it and dying from it is very, very low, she said.

The district's remaining first-dose vaccine events are at the following times:

3-6 p.m. May 27 at Haut Gap Middle School, 1861 Bohicket Road on Johns Island

4-7 p.m. May 28 at Northwoods Middle School, 7763 Northside Drive in North Charleston

4-7 p.m. June 1 at Simmons-Pinckney Middle School, 244 President St. in Charleston

4-7 p.m. June 2 at Morningside Middle School, 1999 Singley Lane in North Charleston

2:30-5:30 p.m. June 3 at Baptist Hill Middle School, 5117 Baptist Hill Road in Hollywood

Those who attend the first-dose events will be automatically scheduled for a second dose in two weeks. Nitz said the district will add as many vaccine drives as needed.

Statewide numbers

New cases reported: 133 confirmed, 152 probable.

Total cases in S.C.: 490,923 confirmed, 100,939 probable.

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Percent positive: 4.4 percent.

New deaths reported: 2 confirmed, 1 probable.

Total deaths in S.C.: 8,552 confirmed, 1,156 probable.

Percent of ICU beds filled: 69 percent.

How S.C. ranks

South Carolina ranks 42nd in the nation regarding the number of vaccines administered per 100,000 people as of May 25, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Hardest-hit areas

In the total number of newly confirmed cases, Lexington County (14), Berkeley County (14) and Aiken County (13) saw the highest totals.

What about tri-county?

Charleston County had nine new cases on May 26, while Berkeley County had 13 and Dorchester County had four.

Deaths

One of the deaths from COVID-19 confirmed May 26 was in a patient age 35 to 64, and one was a patient age 65 or older.

Hospitalizations

Of the 283 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of May 26, 72 were in the ICU and 40 were using ventilators.

What do experts say?

Dr. Brannon Traxler, director of public health for the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, said indoor gatherings still pose serious risks for people who haven't been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

In particular, she said many churches have returned to their usual services, which poses a risk to unvaccinated attendees.

"While attending a large indoor church service is safe for people who are fully vaccinated. It is one of the most unsafe activities for people who have not yet gotten their vaccines," Traxler said. "The ideal scenario would be for everyone to get vaccinated before returning to worship."

Mary Katherine Wildeman contributed to this report.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Isolated thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. High 83F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
A half-dozen towns and cities along the South Carolina coast have suddenly learned they'll collectively receive $67.9 million less than they first expected from the federal government's latest COVID relief package.

In some cases, ambitious plans were already being developed for the windfall of federal dollars in the so-named American Rescue Plan to address flooding, improve roads and reward front-line workers with bonuses.

But some towns and cities are getting less than a quarter of the money they anticipated.

The funds are part of $130.2 billion in federal aid to counties and local governments. The problem is early estimates of the amounts proved wildly inaccurate for Bluffton, Conway, Mount Pleasant, Myrtle Beach, North Charleston and North Myrtle Beach.

In fact, all of the estimates for 17 metropolitan communities in South Carolina proved wrong, but in most cases the difference was less than 15 percent. Some cities received more than expected. The six that received far less than expected were all towns and cities that were switched from one pool of funding to another between release of the first estimates from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform and the final numbers issued from the Treasury Department.

The National League of Cities and the Municipal Association of South Carolina, which each shared the original estimates, said they are still trying to get details about the final calculations. Scott Slatton at MASC said they "have so far been frustrated in getting answers.

Mount Pleasant and Bluffton saw nearly 80 percent reductions  a $26.8 million decrease in Mount Pleasant's case.

North Myrtle Beach saw more than two-thirds of its expected money vanish; Conway, more than half, and Myrtle Beach 39 percent.

North Charleston was first told to expect over $43 million and will instead get $24.3 million. Mayor Keith Summey said the good news is they weren't counting on it.

Whenever the federal government says they are sending something, I dont count it until its here," he said. I understand that the people that announced we were getting $43 million were not the people who eventually made the decisions."

The six municipalities with dramatic changes were among 142 nationwide that were treated as "non-metropolitan cities" in the original estimates, but were not when the Treasury Department calculated the final amounts. That reclassification changed both the pool of money the municipalities would be drawing from and the funding formula to one that considers poverty, population, the age of housing and other factors.

Towns and cities are counted as "metropolitan" if they have at least 50,000 residents or are principal cities in their metropolitan areas, under the Treasury Department rules. So, the designated Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach metropolitan statistical area makes all three of those cities count as metropolitan, despite their size.

As non-metropolitan areas, they would have received a population-based share of the $435 million South Carolina is expected to receive for smaller towns and cities known as "non-entitlement" communities. North Charleston and Mount Pleasant, the state's third- and fourth-largest cities, would have particularly benefitted, if that had proved true.

Instead, Mount Pleasant will receive less money than Sumter, and less than half as much as Spartanburg.

"It's not over yet," said Eric DeMoura, Mount Pleasant's administrator. "We're hoping the state will make us whole, or at least help."

"I've been on the phone with other communities, trying to develop a coalition," he said. The mayor has a letter in to the governor requesting a make-whole provision. Myrtle Beach is doing the same thing."

DeMoura noted that in North Carolina, the governor's budget for American Rescue Plan funding calls for giving $24 million of the state's share to the towns of Apex and Huntersville, to match the original estimates of what those towns would receive.

DeMoura said Mount Pleasant had hoped to use the federal money to address expensive flooding problems and road projects.

South Carolina's metropolitan governments have already received half of the federal money they will receive, with the rest to come in about a year. Smaller communities are awaiting final numbers from the Treasury Department.

Myrtle Beach  which expected to get $13 million and is instead getting $7.9 million  did not spend the projected money but did make plans. One plan the city expects to honor despite the lower funding is to give front-line workers and city employees who worked throughout the pandemic a bonus.

Spokesman Mark Kruea said a one-time 3 percent bonus would use up to $1.8 million of the American Rescue Plan funding. The rest, he said, will help the city get back on its feet financially.

"Our goal with this money is to try to recover the ground that we lost over the last 15 months to put the city in a position so that when the next disaster or emergency comes along, we're able to withstand it as we were the last time," he said.

City Manager Jonathan Fox Simons said Myrtle Beach is grateful for the money, as they never had it in the first place  but the question of why still lingers.

When you get told and see what you're supposed to get  and then it completely flips on you without any explanation, youve got to ask why, Simons said.

North Myrtle Beach Finance Director Randy Wright said he's also trying to make sense of what happened.

"I went back and looked at all the different municipalities that got money and I have no rhyme or reason of any of them," Wright said.

Though the money is less than expected, Wright said North Myrtle Beach did not spend any of the money and is grateful for the $1.9 million, although it's less than a third of the original estimate.

Conway Administrator Adam Emrick said the city would have preferred the $9.7 million initially estimated to the less than $4.4 million, and like other municipalities Conway is looking for answers.

"We are hoping that additional monies are forthcoming and absent that, hopeful for a better explanation for the difference, Emrick said.
Charleston City Council decided not to pass an ordinance that would have created a curfew along King Street for anyone who is 16 years old or younger.

The city's elected leaders, however, did initially approve a law May 25 that will force food carts and other mobile vendors along the popular strip district to close by 1 a.m.

Both measures were recommended by the city's Public Safety Committee late last week in an attempt to put an end to a recent streak of violence along King Street, one of Charleston's hottest tourism destinations.

The curfew would have applied to the central business district  from Line Street to Broad Street and most of the properties between Meeting and St. Philip streets. It also includes the area around the City Market.

The curfew, which would have prevented teenagers from walking or driving downtown after midnight without parental supervision, was set aside by city leaders partly because of concerns over how it would be implemented.

Councilman William Dudley Gregorie, who represents part of the peninsula, said the proposed curfew raised questions about how the police would prevent officers from targeting certain groups, such as young Black men and women.

As a result of some pushback from the community, Charleston Police Chief Luther Reynolds said at the council meeting that he was unsure a curfew was the best solution to solving the violence along King Street.

"It's been very divisive," Reynolds said. "And I think it should just be taken off the table."

City Council deferred to the police chief on that point and set aside the idea for the curfew for now.

Even so, the council members decided that something needed to be be done to try to address the recent spate of violence in downtown Charleston. Their solution is to require several popular food carts that cater to people leaving bars and clubs to close by 1 a.m., before the bars and clubs shut down for the night.

Mayor John Tecklenburg and most of the council agreed that measure was needed to stop people from lingering on King Street after the bars and restaurants close.

Councilman Peter Shahid, chairman of the Public Safety Committee, called the late-night environment on King Street "toxic." And he cautioned other council members against allowing King Street to become more like Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

The city also recently changed the traffic patterns, parking rules and police presence on the busy corridor in an attempt increase public safety during the weekends.

"We are trying to change the atmosphere on King Street," said Shahid, who represents part of West Ashley.

Councilman Mike Seekings, who represents the tip of the Charleston peninsula, said it would be generous to describe upper King Street as a party atmosphere in the early morning hours on Saturday and Sunday.

"We have a problem up there, and our police department is asking us to help manage it," Seekings said in advocating for the ordinance on the food trucks. "If they are asking for this, we have an obligation to give it to them now."

Councilwoman Marie Delcioppo, who represents Daniel Island and a small part of the peninsula, agreed that all businesses need to close earlier to King Street so people don't linger after the bars close.

"If a brick-and-mortar business has to close at a certain time, then a mobile one should to," she said.

While the measure passed easily, several council members did have questions about how effective an earlier closing time for food vendors would be.

Gregorie asked whether it would address the real underlying reasons why a bloody brawl broke out on King Street earlier this month and left several people hospitalized with stab wounds and gunshot wounds.

"Perhaps, we need to take even more drastic measures," Gregorie said.

Reynolds admitted that cutting back on the operating hours of food carts won't eliminate the violence on its own, but he said it could help his police officers.

"We have big problems and its much more significant than a street vendor," Reynolds said. "But we can try to solve it one thing at a time."

The restrictions on the food carts and other mobile vendors needs to pass two more votes on council before it will go into effect.
Amy Sutherland clutched a microphone as she stood in a plaza outside the Charleston County courthouse, speaking about her son and her ongoing quest for justice.

Family, activists and Charleston-area officials stood by her in the afternoon heat and listened as her powerful voice cracked from grief. On Jan. 5, her son Jamal Sutherland died in custody at the county jail after deputies used pepper spray, Tasers and physical force against him after he didn't leave his cell for a bond hearing.

Nearly five months later, those deputies have been fired and the family received a $10 million settlement from the county.

But for Amy Sutherland and many others, the work is far from over.

"There are people that should have been accountable from the day my son was murdered," she said on May 26. "These people stayed on their jobs. They worked while my family couldnt go to work. ... Theres no doubt he was murdered. We should not be wondering what were going to charge them with, but when were gonna charge them. They should have been charged the day he died."

It will be up to 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson whether to file charges against Lindsay Fickett and Brian Houle, the two former deputies implicated in Jamal Sutherland's death.

The 31-year-old man was taken to the jail by North Charleston police after a fight the night of Jan. 4 at Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health, a mental-health facility where he was being treated for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Sutherland and another patient were arrested after a fight, accused of third-degree assault and battery and taken to the jail.

Graphic video released earlier this month showed Fickett and Houle use pepper spray, Tasers and physical force to try to extract Sutherland from his cell after he refused to attend bond court for the low-level misdemeanor charge.

The deputies held him prone on the cell floor, in handcuffs, and placed a spit hood over his head.

Sutherland could be heard on video yelling, "I cant breathe."

By the time they pulled him into a restraint chair, he was visibly limp and unresponsive.

Jail medical staff, and later paramedics, performed CPR but Sutherland never regained consciousness. He was declared dead around 10:30 a.m. Jan. 5 at the jail.

Amy Sutherland and others present at the May 26 rally said they're upset the investigation has drawn on for so long without action to hold the deputies accountable.

Though Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano fired Fickett and Houle, activists have only ratcheted up calls for criminal charges in the case.

Wilson, meanwhile, has said it would be irresponsible of her to pursue a case unless she feels she can prove the former deputies' guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

"In order for the state to hold someone criminally responsible for anothers death, the state must prove unlawful conduct was the proximate cause of death," she said in a prior statement.

According to Wilson, too many questions about how Sutherland died remain unanswered. She's retained experts she hopes will help shed light on the exact circumstances that contributed to his death  key factors that will determine what, if any, charges are filed.

Until those questions are answered, however, the solicitor was adamant.

"No well-meaning person wants any prosecution to proceed without a thorough and complete investigation and analysis," Wilson said, in a statement issued on May 17. "It would be unprofessional, unethical, and irresponsible to advance a prosecution without all the pertinent evidence."

Post and Courier reporters visited the solicitor's office after the May 26 rally and asked for comment. Staff did not offer any.

The previous night, Charleston County Council voted to approve a $10 million settlement for Sutherland's family.

At the rally, Amy Sutherland said she was thankful but overcome with guilt.

"The money was fine but the memory of my son  when it was awarded, I felt like I did something wrong," she said. "I'm grateful for those that voted but it should have never been. I shouldn't have to get an award because you killed my child."

Others at the rally joined Sutherland in speaking out against the victimization of Black men by law enforcement.

Vickie and Michael McCree, whose son Ariane was killed by Chester police in 2019, spoke of their grief in an emotional plea for justice.

"They didn't have to kill my child," Vickie McCree said. "They could have gave him a chance but they killed him like he was a dog. It hurts me to my heart."

Like the Sutherlands, the McCrees said they're disturbed and upset because the officers involved in their son's death are walking free as if nothing happened.

"For him to get his life cut short like this, it bothers me; to know people can do this and have no remorse and go on day to day like things like this don't ever happen," Michael McCree said. "You have to make the change now. If you're not willing to make the change, try to do something to give us some kind of justice, something to show that you are thinking about these families."

S.C. Rep. Wendell Gilliard, D-Charleston, urged perseverance.

"To the mothers, no matter how many times racism raises its ugly head, we must march on," he said.

Gilliard noted the day before the rally, May 25, was the one-year anniversary of George Floyds killing by police in Minneapolis. The six-year anniversary of the Emanuel AME Church shooting is approaching in June, he said.

"As I was standing over there, I was reminiscing in my mind as I saw beautiful Black mothers pouring their souls out," he said. "And I asked myself, how many times Lord, how many times does this have to repeat itself, because justice is not being served in the greatest country in the world."

James Johnson, of the Racial Justice Network S.C., called out the State Law Enforcement Division, Wilson and local law enforcement for breaking promises of transparency.

"We want an answer today," Johnson said. "I want you guys to stop murdering our children."

Johnson said he was not confident Wilson would press charges against the detention deputies.
The American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina launched a free smartphone application that allows users to record civilian encounters with police and government.

The app, Mobile Justice, was released on May 25, the anniversary of George Floyds killing by then-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

Users can report any abuse and record videos that directly enter the ACLUs database through the app, Frank Knaack, executive director of the South Carolina ACLU, said on May 25. This prevents the potential for the video to be deleted after it is recorded, Knaack said.

We cannot equate this app with justice, Knaack said. This app is an opportunity for accountability as we work toward true justice.

The app also provides legal rights information to its users, which can empower community members to assert their rights, Knaack said.

The ACLUs app comes after South Carolina implemented a 2015 law requiring police body cameras. Despite the bills passage, police agencies arent required to equip officers with the cameras until theyre fully funded.

The accountability of the George Floyd case came because someone was there, Knaack said. A community member was there to record that act of violence.

James Johnson, national president of the Racial Justice Network, said civilian footage helped make police officers actions transparent.

Law enforcement has to understand that policing is changing, and it is changing because of technology, Johnson said. This app is sending a strong message to the law enforcement.

Johnson said he felt a lack of law enforcement accountability was apparent in Charleston.

This app gives accountability," Johnson said. "Hopefully it helps law enforcement change its ways."

Mobile Justice is available for download on the App Store and Google Play. It is available in English and Spanish.
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 state sent both firms cease-and-desist letters earlier in 2019 after they sold the outlawed magazines to an undercover state investigator, Grewal said at the time. New Jersey banned sales of magazines of more than 10 rounds, down from 15, in 2018.
Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations.
In the first two and a half years after Santee Cooper pulled the plug on the overbudget, over-deadline nuclear reactors it was building with the now-defunct SCE&G, the only solution the Legislature showed much interest in was selling the state-owned utility. That turned out not to be much of a solution, and there was never much appetite for it.

Finally, 15 months ago, as problems mounted with NextEra Energys purchase bid and Santee Cooper reached a settlement in a lawsuit that had threatened its very existence, House leaders started talking about reform.

In an op-ed in The Post and Courier, House Speaker Jay Lucas announced a plan to renegotiate the NextEra bid while also undertaking the immediate, substantial and total reform of the Santee Cooper corporate structure and operations.

Maybe he really was holding out hope for a sale, but it was easy to see that coupling as a negotiating ploy to get the Senate to come to the table on reform. If so, it was a brilliant move.

On Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Lucas, two other House leaders and three Senate leaders will meet in Columbia to try to reach a compromise on competing reform plans.

Actually, competing is a bit of an overstatement, because the two measures are much more alike than different. Both the House- and the Senate-passed versions of H.3194 give independent state regulators the authority to sign off on some of the Santee Cooper boards decisions; require more transparency; and give ratepayers a chance to complain about rate hikes. Both hang their hats on requiring Public Service Commission approval of the utilitys long-term energy plans, which determine how the utility can spend money, which should be the main driver of customers' utility bills.

Some details differ, but Ways and Means Chairman Murrell Smith told the House earlier this month that no matter how the details are worked out, the result would be accountability, transparency and oversight that the utility hasnt had in years.

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The other thing the bills have in common is the important things they dont do: Neither version restores the power the governor had until 2005 to hold board members accountable for their decisions by removing them for any reason, although language in the House bill does increase the limited reasons he could fire them. And neither prohibits Santee Cooper from continuing to write restrictions in its bond issues that make it financially prohibitive to let the Public Service Commission regulate rates in the future.

In fact, the only significant difference is that the House plan creates a legislative panel to vet any bids that might one day come in from anybody who wants to purchase Santee Cooper. Mr. Smith said the provision would ensure that theres a public process instead of behind-the-scenes negotiations if another offer ever emerges.

The committee probably wouldnt do any harm. It would shortcut the regular legislative process if a new bid is received, but that strikes us as an attempt to bind a future Legislature, which likely would run into constitutional problems. No, the problem with the committee is that the Senate is opposed to it. And not just a handful of Santee Coopers friends in the Senate; senators voted by an overwhelming 36-8 not to take new bids.

We consider at-will removal of board members the most straightforward way to ensure better decisions by the board, and PSC regulation the most straightforward way to keep rates under control. But we recognize that the rest of the reforms in the legislation will be a tremendous improvement.

House members should recognize the same thing. Their work has pushed the Senate to agree to significant reforms. Rather than holding out so they can say they kept the possibility of a sale alive, they need to declare victory and go home.
A May 24 letter writer stated that the right to bear arms was meant for the people, without the governments permission, to go about armed, concealed or otherwise if they chose to or not.

The 5-4 majority opinion, written by Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on June 26, 2006, noted in District of Columbia v. Heller that the right to keep and bear arms is subject to regulation, such as concealed weapons prohibitions, limits on the rights of felons and the mentally ill, laws forbidding the carrying of weapons in certain locations, laws imposing conditions on commercial sales, and prohibitions on carrying of dangerous and unusual weapons. It stated that this was not an exhaustive list of the regulatory measures that would be presumptively permissible under the Second Amendment.

A recent editorial by The Post and Courier stated that those limitations were upheld numerous times.

IRVING ROSENFELD

Simpkins Street

James Island

School letter right

Kudos to the well-written letter on Saturday from a senior at Charleston County School of the Arts.

The last paragraph says it all: It is important to help those who are struggling in regular schools, but condemning institutions that seek to help our most brilliant students is not the way to do so.

RON WEST

Surrey Avenue

Summerville

Curfew a bad idea

Charleston City Council thinks that because a large gathering of young people turned violent and some of the people may have been under 16 we really need a curfew for all people under 16.

Have elected officials not seen examples recently where police interactions with unarmed people turned out badly?

Do they really think we need to make new laws so that police are intruding on the suspicion that they may be under 16?

We are overburdened with laws. Do we really need to start harassing young people who may, or may not, be under 16 because of one fight that, incidentally, was not started by people under 16?

Do officials even know if anyone in the fight was under 16? And isnt it already illegal to attack and stab people?

Why bother the multitudes of young people not attacking and stabbing people? Why make their being on city streets illegal after a certain time of night?

This is surely one of the most unneeded laws City Council has ever proposed. And it will cause even more unfortunate interactions between police and the population.

Will they be handcuffing and wrestling with recalcitrant youths who may think they are free Americans and should not be bothered by police on the street?

Will they be shocking them with stun guns or taking their cigarettes?

This is a bad idea.

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This is a bad idea.

GLORIA B. JENKINS

Stonewood Drive

Charleston

Critical race theory

It would be naive to assume that the thrust of critical race theory is a new ideology, as it is merely Marxism recast as a means to undermine our republic, insinuating the whole of our social order is a product of racism and must end through the process of reorientation in K-12, federal and state governments and corporate America.

No longer a class struggle, it is now disguised as equity-based, culturally responsible teaching and inclusive language that is the soft sell, but it has at its heart ominous intentions.

Fully understood, it would be found to be lacking in any reason, illogical and hardly anti-racist, to make such conclusions by the evidence.

One could imagine Martin Luther King Jr. would be confounded to see we have abandoned his quest for a just society and the dream as he envisioned it 58 years ago.

GARY FREDERICKS

Harbor Point Court

Summerville

Stop drug costs act

As South Carolina and the rest of America begin to reopen from the coronavirus pandemic, I am grateful for the research and innovation from our pharmaceutical companies that created vaccines that not only work but that are allowing us to return to some sense of normalcy.

When we first entered a lockdown state in early 2020, I dont think any of us anticipated the months of uncertainty ahead. In all of my 68 years, the anxiety, fear and worry that COVID-19 created was unimaginable.

My daughters and their families live within a few miles of my home, but for most of the past year, we were angst-ridden over whether it was safe to visit with one another.

Finally, after months of quiet holidays and drive-by visits, we can all safely celebrate life again together.

Having received my two Pfizer shots, I look forward to attending my granddaughters dance recitals and reading to my grandson at his school.

These memories and get-togethers and the return to pre-COVID normal would not have happened if not for the scientists and researchers, and the persistent focus on delivering a successful vaccine to the public. We all owe a great debt of gratitude and thanks to Americas innovative pharmaceutical companies.

And that means protecting them against future roadblocks to innovation like H.R.3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act.

Our legislators cannot pass such a bill, especially at a critical time like now.

ROBERT NELSON

Bristol Terrace

Mount Pleasant
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
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Ramping up a new grant program takes more time than any of us would like, the statement said. Our goal is to get funds in the hands of those in need as quickly as possible. In a county as large and culturally diverse as Broward, there are additional challenges of establishing and communicating processes and procedures in a variety of languages. Broward County has those steps in place now, and our first payments are going out this week.
The last load of raw milk left the ranch outside Montana State Prison on Dec. 27, drying up a decades-long run for the prisons work program that was clipped by a shift in a single companys global commerce policy.

Last year Darigold, the product brand for a dairy cooperative headquartered in Seattle, canceled its 30-year contract with the prison, forcing the state's prison work program, Montana Correctional Enterprises, to scale down its dairy operation from 350 head to about 70, enough to produce milk to self-sustain the Department of Correction's facilities around the state.

Inmate Tyler Kortan shuts the door to a calf barn Lawmakers in April approved a $1 million Inmate Tyler Kortan walks back to a tractor In 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Last year Darigold, the product brand for a dairy cooperative Inmate Ronald Hill mucks out cattle pens Inmate Billy Carter works at making vanilla ice cream Holstein cows at the dairy operation at Montana State Prison. Inmate Mark McGuire feeds a small group The prison work program sold off about 270 cows Inmate Mark McGuire fills a grain bucket Holstein cows at the dairy operation at Montana State Prison. Prison inmate Mark McGuire pets a dairy cow Dave Miller, dairy operation manager Inmate Tyler Kortan rakes out fresh bedding Holstein cows at the dairy operation at Montana State Prison. Inmates working the agriculture jobs stay in dorms With the reduced dairy operation, MCE will now develop Inmate Mark McGuire talks with a small group
EDUCATION

Delaware County Community College receives national recognition

Delaware County Community College named a Center of Excellence in Education and Training for the U.S. Maritime industry
Janet Colliton, Esq. is a Certified Elder Law Attorney and limits her practice to elder law, retirement, life care, special needs, and estate planning and administration with offices at 790 East Market St., Suite. 250, West Chester, PA 19382, 610-436-6674 , colliton@collitonlaw.com. She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and, with Jeffrey Jones, CSA, co-founder of Life Transition Services, LLC, a service for families with long term care needs. Tune in to Radio Station WCHE 1520 A Plan Ahead on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. with Ron Ehman, Real Estate Ron, Broker, Next Home Signature Real Estate.
Minnesota federal district court Judge Patrick Schiltz has ordered an investigation of apparent leaks of grand jury information to the New York Times and the Star Tribune. I posted his five-page order here yesterday. The subject is serious. Moreover, knowing Judge Schiltz, I think he will treat it with the seriousness his order suggests it deserves.

The Star Tribune published Rochelle Olsons May 21 story on the order without more. It is a story in which the Star Tribune itself is a player. Reporter Andy Mannixs source for the underlying story is highly likely guilty of serious professional misconduct, though one would have no idea from Mannixs April 29 story.

The lack of follow-up is understandable insofar as the Star Tribune is a protagonist and an understanding of its performance places it in a light that is not altogether flattering. One might want more, but more will not be forthcoming on its initiative. I intend to focus my own attention on it in notes for which I can find an occasion.

Olsons story quotes Star Tribune managing editor Suki Dardarian: I have no comment on the courts actions, but I will say that the Star Tribune stands resolutely behind its pledge not to reveal the identities of anonymous sources. Thats it. I wrote Dardarian on Monday afternoon:

Dear Ms. Dardarian: I write for the site Power Line and have been covering the Chauvin prosecution and related cases. I have written a lot about the fair trial issues. I was struck by the jaunty tone of Andy Mannixs April 29 story that is part of the investigation undertaken by Judge Schiltz. News of the planned indictment reported in Mannixs story relied on one unnamed source (a source said) with no affiliation even hinted. No reason for protecting the sources anonymity was given in the story. Judge Schiltzs show-cause order asserts that Mannixs story provides reason to believe that matter[s] occurring before the grand jury were disclosed in violation of Fed. R. Crim. P. 6(e). But for Judge Schiltzs show-cause order, your readers would have no idea of the professional misconduct and possible contempt of court underlying the leak. Your quoted statement in Rochelle Olsons story relates solely to the Star Tribunes commitment to protect its sources. The interests protected by grand jury secrecy bear in part on the rights of third parties that Mannixs Star Tribune story arguably compromised. The federal civil rights indictment was bound to become public in short order in any event. I wonder what public purpose the story served and how your editorial policies take them into account. I intend to write about this tomorrow. I would appreciate any comment you may have for public consumption. Thank you for your courtesies.

I may be mistaken in my comments and I can think of several appropriate responses Dardarian might have made to my inquiry. As anticipated, however, I have received no response from Dardarian.

I also wrote Tasha Zerna, the spokesman for the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota. I asked her if she had a statement on Judge Schiltzs order. Unlike Dardarian, she responded. She wrote:

Hi Scott,

Thanks for your email. I will decline to comment on the order.

Regards,

Tasha

I would have expected at least a statement of intended cooperation, but I appreciate the response.
By a vote of 51-48, the Senate confirmed Kristen Clarke for the position of Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. (Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana didnt vote.) The Senate confirmed Clarke for the nations top civil rights job despite her past history of anti-Semitism and Black supremacism, her very recent support for defunding the police, her current support for racial discrimination in hiring, and her dishonest testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The first observation I want to make about Clarkes confirmation relates to timing. At this stage of his presidency, Donald Trump hadnt even nominated anyone to head the Civil Rights Division.

Furthermore, after Trump finally nominated Eric Dreiband, it took about a year and a half to confirm him. This despite the fact that, numerically, the Senate was more firmly in control of Republicans during that period than it is in control of Democrats now.

The lesson? Democrats are intensely focused on pushing their divisive and potentially ruinous racial agenda. Republicans have been asleep at the switch.

My second observation is that, although Clarke and her ideological double Vanita Gupta both were only able to win one Republican vote, the identity of the renegade Republican changed. Gupta received Sen. Lisa Murkowskis vote. Clarke didnt, but picked up Sen. Susan Collins vote. Collins had voted against Gupta.

Its difficult to discern major differences between Clarke and Gupta. Both are equally radical, equally determined to undermine law enforcement (the current wave of violent crime, notwithstanding), and equally committed to broadening the racial spoils system.

Both, I believe, criticized Senators for their willingness to confirm Donald Trumps nominees to judgeships and key administration jobs. Both were vicious in their attacks on some of these nominees.

Gupta doesnt have Clarkes history of blatant and overt anti-Semitism; nor did Gupta ever argue that Blacks are superior to Whites. (Both agreed during the Trump administration that nominees should be held accountable for the views they expressed when in college). This fact makes Collins votes particularly hard for me to understand.

The other discernible difference is that Clarke is Black and Gupta is of Asian descent. That, of course, shouldnt matter at all.

I wont speculate as to how these considerations, and possibly others, led Murkowski to vote for Gupta but against Clarke, and Collins to vote in the reverse. In the end, it didnt matter because Sen. Joe Manchin gave both the vote they needed. Gupta and Clarke would have been confirmed regardless of how Murkowski and Collins voted.

However, the Democrats hold on the Senate is so tenuous that the death of one Senate Dem in a state with a Republican governor would give the GOP a majority. Thus, its not idle to wonder where Murkowski and Collins were coming from with these two votes.

It may be futile, though.

Ill conclude with this observation. Had Clarkes nomination been rejected, the post would very likely have been filled by someone equally radical. However, that nominee probably would have been less vicious and less dishonest than Gupta, and presumably wouldnt have a history of anti-Semitism and Black supremacism. Thus, its unfortunate that Clarke was confirmed.

The upside of the fight over Clarkes confirmation is that, finally, Republicans no longer seem to be asleep at the switch when it comes to countering the Democrats radical agenda on race (Murkowski and Collins aside). And it may be that Justice Department policies under Gupta-Clarke will produce a strong backlash that awakens even some non-Republicans.
You want to say that there is progress because of what we saw as far as the [Floyd] trial and what the outcome was, but because there are so many more instances that just happen to keep happening, it doesnt seem like were gaining any ground, Breeden said. We take one step forward and then we take 25 steps back, and its like well never get to a point where justice can actually be served.
A year after George Floyds death the APs Philip Crowther reported live from Minneapoliss George Floyd Square when a shootout befitting a war zone broke out. The AP reports in its one year after story (omitted from the APs Morning Wire email):

Associated Press video from 38th Street and Chicago Avenue  informally known as George Floyd Square  showed people running for cover as shots rang out. Police said a man, who they believe was injured in the shooting, went to a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound. Police said he was in critical condition but was expected to survive. There were no immediate arrests. Philip Crowther, a reporter working for AP Global Media Services, which provides live video coverage, reported hearing as many as 30 gunshots about a block from the intersection. Crowther said a storefront window appeared to have been broken by gunshots. Very quickly things got back to normal, Crowther said. People here who spend a significant amount of time, the organizers, were running around asking, Does anyone need a medic?

The AP video was dated May 25 and posted with this caption: ++GRAPHIC LANGUAGE++ Bystanders at the Minneapolis intersection where George Floyd died duck for cover as gunshots rang out nearby. No immediate injuries were reported. An Associated Press journalist reported hearing as many as 30 gunshots.

Minneapoliss Star Tribune appears to have no story of its own on this moment that perfectly symbolizes Minneapoliss descent into savagery, stupidity, and silence over the past year. The Star Tribune offers the AP story here. USA Today has this update:

A caller reported a suspects vehicle left the area at a high rate of speed, police said in a statement. An individual with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound was being treated at a local hospital, according to police. This is an evolving incident, police spokesperson John Elder said. No further information is available at this time.

George Floyd Square, not coincidentally, is an autonomous zone. Law enforcement is not on hand. George Floyd Square is in the hands of thugs and bullies.

The Minneapolis mayor and police chief promised that regular order would be restored once the verdict in the Chauvin case was handed down. From the Governor and Attorney General to the mayor and city council, its Democrats all the way down. George Floyd Square and environs have yet to be retaken.

This is a huge local story that tells you everything you need to know about the current state of Minneapolis. One reason for the current state of Minneapolis is the complicity of the local media led by the Star Tribune. Here is the Star Tribune home page this morning. Everything is beautiful (in its own way).

One turns to the Wall Street Journal for Heather Mac Donalds preview of events at George Floyd Square in the truth blast A Year After George Floyds Murder, Its Open Season in Minneapolis.
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Taiwanese health authorities on Wednesday turned down an apparent offer by China to sell BioNTech vaccines to city and county governments.

Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) Chief, Chen Shih-chung, said that any vaccines had to be imported through certified agents, vetted for efficacy, quality and safety, and distributed by Taiwans central government.

Mr Chen, who is also minister of health and welfare, did not categorically reject the possibility, but made it clear that Taiwan was not interested in vaccines from China.

He has been asked repeatedly about the possibility of importing vaccines from China since Nantou County Mayor Lin Ming-chen asked for authorisation this week to procure BNT vaccines from Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical, the East Asia sales agent for BioNtech.

Mr Lin claims Beijings Taiwan Affairs Office agreed to the sale of 300,000 doses for about 897,000 dollars.

The CECC chief observed that Beijing has not permitted the BNT vaccine to be sold or used within the Peoples Republic of China.

Mr Chen confirmed that Taiwan, which recorded a total of 6,091 confirmed cases with 46 fatalities on Wednesday, will receive 2 million doses of vaccine in June and another 10 million by the end of August.

The Democratic Progressive Party legislator, Lo Chih-cheng, told dpa that the involvement of the official Taiwan Affairs Office shows that Beijing is politicising the supply of vaccines.

(NAN)
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Journalists in Turkey are fearing further restrictions on their work, as the government tightened the rules on issuing accreditation.

The new regulations would further promote arbitrariness, Erol Oenderoglu from Reporters Without Borders told dpa on Wednesday.

Revised rules for granting press accreditation were published in Turkeys Official Gazette earlier, with the government vowing to take action against propaganda for terrorism and violence.

According to the new regulations, journalists are barred from doing anything that casts a shadow on the reputation of the profession and damages its honour.

In addition, no content should be published that would make the fight against any kind of crime ineffective.

The new regulations are to be monitored by a commission, which could withdraw accreditations if necessary.

In my opinion, the new rules are easily applicable to any kind of critical reporting, said Sueleyman Irvan, professor for new media and journalism at Istanbuls Ueskuedar University.

The Disk Basin-Is union criticised the provision as proof that all journalists critical of the government were now unwanted.

In Turkey, press accreditations are granted by an authority subordinate to the president.

With the new rules, the government is reacting to a court ruling from April, in which the judges criticised the arbitrary power of the issuing agency and demanded a revision of the regulations.

The rules for accreditation had previously been changed in 2018, with the result that many journalists were unable to renew their press cards, Irvan said.

According to Oenderoglu, 1,238 accreditations have been annulled in Turkey over the past two years, and in 1,372 cases, an extension was denied.

(NAN)
The Nigerian military says it is investigating claims that the Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau is dead. His death has not been independently confirmed. It is also not the first time a claim like this has been made. The reports have nevertheless raised questions about who has the upper hand in the region  Boko Haram or the breakaway Islamic State West Africa Province. Adejuwon Soyinka, The Conversations West Africa regional editor, asked Folahanmi Aina, an expert on Boko Haram and security in the Lake Chad Basin region, to analyse the security situation.

What do you make of recent developments?

Abubakar Shekau took over Boko Haram after the death of its founder Mohammed Yusuf in 2009. In that role he has been responsible for a brutal reign of terror in Nigerias north east region as well as states of the Lake Chad region which make up part of the Sahel region.

From various accounts he was also brutal in the way he retained control over his foot soldiers. Many became displeased with his style. This led to the creation in 2016 of the jihadi groups breakaway faction Islamic State of West African Province.

Tensions have remained high between the two groups. Both have sought to spread their political ideology across the region in a contest to win hearts and minds.

Islamic State West Africa Province appears to have been gaining ground in recent months. Some reports suggest it has taken control of Sambisa forest in the north east region of Nigeria.

The forest, once marked out as a game reserve by the colonial government, covers about 60,000km across the north east and extends to some parts of Kano state, the commercial hub of northern Nigeria.

The Shekau-led Boko Harams area of dominance has predominantly been Nigerias north east region while Islamic State West Africa Province has since consolidated its hold on the Lake Chad Basin region. Taking control of the forest would mark a major coup for the Islamic State West Africa Province. Sambisa Forest is strategically important because its close to Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno, as well as Konduga and Barma.

The jihadist groups in West Africa, such as Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, with about 2,000 fighters, are closely allied to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which is also known as Daesh. Another is the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. Affiliates of both ISIS and Al-Qaeda are known to be working closely together in West Africa. ISIS is widely believed to have emerged out of Al-Qaeda, following the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Its ideology was largely shaped by Abu Musab Al-Zarqari, a Jordanian jihadist, whose goal was to foment a civil war between Sunnis and Shites as well as to create a caliphate.

The groups leadership  known as the ISIS Core  has since sought to expand beyond the Middle East following the killing of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in late 2019 by US commandos in Syria. It welcomed allegiance to it in 2016 by the Islamic State West Africa Province, which basically formalised its presence in West Africa and the Sahel.

Boko Haram on the other hand has mostly sought to consolidate its hold on northern Nigeria by seeking to implement something similar, in the order of the Usman Dan Fodio-led Sokoto Caliphate, in the Kanuri homelands of the former Kanem-Borno Empire.

The relationship between the three is in their inherent goal to disrupt the idea of the modern nation state, which they view as a Western construct, while attempting to replace it with a caliphate.

Islamic State West Africa Province appears to be consolidating its dominance in the region, providing it with tactical and operational advantage. This could imply a more consolidated ISIS presence and the spread of its influence in the Sambisa Forest area and the Lake Chad Basin region.

It also opens the door to the potential for new collaborations with other violent extremist organisations across the Sahel, who share the same ideological leanings.

The Nigerian military has been trying to flush out Boko Haram from Sambisa Forest for the past 12 years. Its a useful stronghold because the dense forest makes it possible to evade reconnaissance and aerial bombardments by the Nigerian Air Force.

Islamic State West Africa Provinces hold on the area could potentially prolong the war on insurgency. It could, for example, enable it to set up new training camps. This would help it in two ways: it could provide extensive training for its recruits within Nigeria, as against Libya where a significant number of fighters receive training. It could also potentially attract more foreign terrorist fighters into Nigeria.

Lastly, controlling the forest would mean that Islamic State West Africa Province would be poised to inflict further terror on Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states across north east Nigeria. It is also likely to attempt attacks on the southern part of the country, while reinvigorating its attacks on the states in the Lake Chad Basin region.

How worried should countries in the region be?

They have a lot more to be worried about now.

Any advances by the Islamic State West Africa Province will earn it further endorsement from ISIS Core. In turn, this would offer better access to funding and more sophisticated weaponry.

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Since ISIS Core was dismantled in the Middle East, its remnants have sought a new haven. The Islamic State West Africa Provinces hold of Sambisa Forest would be a major boost.

The implications are that countries in the region face a long battle ahead.

One possible scenario is a more aggressive and sustained reign of terror across the region by Islamic State West Africa Province.

Its unclear exactly how Boko Haram will react if indeed Islamic State West Africa Province has taken over the forest. One possible course of action is that it seeks new alliances that would give it access to the growing network of armed bandits.

The broader consequence for the region is that countries might have to intensify military campaigns. An emphasis on militarising their efforts to counter insurgency efforts would come at the expense of a multi-layered approach that makes room for addressing root causes.

What should Nigeria and other countries be doing?

Governments need to continue doing all they can to shape public opinion to dissuade potential recruits from joining the ranks of the insurgency groups.

In the case of Nigeria, it needs to come up with a tailored strategy that prioritises human intelligence by using local assets in the north east region to infiltrate and sabotage the Islamic State West Africa Province from within.

A target group for this would be disgruntled elements within the senior ranks of Boko Haram.

Lastly, the threat to stability, peace and security across the region will persist unless governments address poverty, inequality, unemployment, state fragility and climate-induced tension.
Between January 2019 and May 18, 2021, a total of 30 oil companies in Nigeria spilt 41,216 barrels of crude, data published by NOSDRA, a government-run satellite tracker, showed.

This is equivalent to 6.5 million litres of oil (at 159 litres to a barrel). The spills occurred in 846 cases of oil spillages in less than three years.

These companies drill for oil in the Niger Delta region of the country and pay production entitlements, taxes, royalties and other remittances to the Nigerian government.

Shell Petroleum Development Company (331), the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (196), Heritage Energy Operational Service Limited (40) are responsible for about 70 per cent of these cases.

The data changes quickly as new spills are reported, NOSDRA said. The quoted figure is as of May 18. NOSDRA only has records of the company-by-company breakdown for the past three years.

Seven of the companies accounted for over 90 per cent of the barrels of oil lost to the spills (37,245), which are blamed for environmental degradation and economic sabotage in the oil-producing communities.

They include Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Eroton Exploration and Production Limited (Eroton E&P), ND Western (NDWEST), Heritage Energy Operational Service Limited (Heritage), Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), and the National Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of Nigerian public oil company, NNPC.

Energy giant Shell alone accounted for over 40 per cent of the total. In 331 incidents the company recorded in three years, 17,476 barrels (2.8 million litres) of oil were spilled.

The company is Nigerias largest Shell company jointly owned by NNPC (55 per cent share), SPDC (30 per cent), Total E&P Nigeria Ltd (10 per cent) and the ENI subsidiary Agip Oil Company Limited (5 per cent). It is Nigerias biggest oil producer, accounting for around 40 per cent of the nations total crude and condensate output capacity of 2.2 million barrels per day.

The Eroton E&P spilled 8,537 barrels worth of oil (1.4 million litres); NDWEST, 3,412 barrels (542,508 litres); Heritage, 3,400 (540,000 litres); NAOC, 3,224 (512,616 litres); NPDC, 1,196 (190,164 litres).

At the foot the log of the companies that reported spills are Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPN), Addax Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited (ADDAX), Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (ESSO), Guarantee Petroleum Limited, PPMC (NPSC), Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO).

Oil companies Incidents Barrels reported spilt Addax Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited (ADDAX) 2 0 Aiteo Exploration and Production (Aiteo E&P) 9 2,827 Chevron Nigeria Limited (CHEVRON) 32 36 Enageed Resource Limited (ERL) 8 53 Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (ESSO) 4 0 Eroton Exploration & Production Limited (Eroton E&P) 34 8,537 First Hydrocarbon Nigeria (FIRST) 30 235 Guarantee Petroleum Limited 1 0 Guaranteed Petroleum Limited 1 8 Heritage Energy Operational Service Limited (Heritage) 40 3,400 Infravision LTD COMPANY 1 38 KAMLIK NIGERIA LIMITED 1 3 Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPN) 27 1 Midwestern Oil & Gas Corporation (Midwestern) 10 143 Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) 196 3,224 ND Western (NDWEST) 26 3,412 National Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) 13 1,196 Neconde Energy Limited (Neconde) 3 28 OVH Energy Marketing Limited 1 101 Pan Ocean Oil Corporation Nigeria Limited (POOCN) 6 20 Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) 6 100 PPMC (NPSC) 3 0 PPMC(NPSC) 2 0 Platform Petroleum Limited (Platform) 9 12 Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) 1 0 Seplat Petroleum Development Company Limited (SEPLAT) 34 137 Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) 331 17,476 Sahara Energy Fields Limited (Sahara) 1 8 SPDC 1 105 Total Exploration and Production (TOTAL) 11 77 Total Upstream Nigeria (TUPNI) 2 40  = 846 41,216

Of the aforementioned companies, only Shell and Agip are among companies that hold some of the highest oil reserves and operating assets in the country. Together with Chevron, Mobil, Elf and Texaco, all six hold 98 per cent of the oil assets.

An earlier analysis by PREMIUM TIMES had shown that of the over 40,000 barrels of oil that were spilt since 2019, about 77 per cent occurred in only three oil-producing states: Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers. States like Abia, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Lagos, Kaduna and Ondo and others accounted for the remaining spillages.

The Port Harcourt-based executive director of We the People, a non-profit organisation, Ken Henshaw, believes that spillages are underreported because they sometimes occur simultaneously in many sites at a time.

Causes of oil spills

A breakdown of the causes of spillage by NOSDRA showed that more than 74 per cent (628 incidents) of the cases were as a result of sabotage and theft.

Causes Incidents Barrels reported spilled N/A 8 1 Corrosion (cor) 81 571.14 Equipment failure (eqf) 64 2,257.52 Operational/maintenance error (ome) 30 146.16 Others 15 109.52 Oher: mys 7 8.65 Sabotage/theft (sab) 628 38,119.25 Yet to determine (ytd) 13 3  = 846 41,216

Corrosion caused about 10 per cent of the cases (81).

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Corrosion is caused by the extensive network of pipelines between the small-sized oilfields in the Niger Delta which are not helped by their outdated specification, poor maintenance and over usage.

Equipment failure was responsible for about seven per cent of the spills (64) and operational or maintenance error made up for around 3 per cent (30).

Last week, Shell cited sabotage, crude thefts as well as litigations with host communities as the reasons it is considering offloading the last of its Nigerian onshore assets in a move to rein back risks involved in operating in the Niger Delta.

With 90 per cent of its revenue earned from oil, Shells potential divestment could deal a fresh blow to the Nigerian governments fiscal plan as it rebalances from the oil crash of 2020. This explains why the government is racing to broker some concessions.

Usually, oil companies whose facilities are breached are to take responsibility for the oil spill clean-up. However, in cases of equipment faults and operational errors, the companies are required to pay compensation to the affected local communities.

These clauses have often led to clashes between the host communities and the companies, one that has bred unending suspicion and mutual distrust over the years, and makes some spillage underreported or even underestimated.

Majority of the oil spills go unreported because the responsible authorities (DPR) do not have all the logistics. Instead, the oil companies provide the logistics and expertise, Mr Henshaw said.

There is no way they would indict themselves. Thats why they record it as sabotage. Their remediation exercises are extremely shabby. Sometimes they put white sand to cover the spill sites.

He noted that it was wrong to blame the entire host community for a crime carried out by individuals. The communities are blamed because they have no voice, he said.

He added that the real oil theft is happening at the terminals, on the sea, in connivance with the security operatives, foreign expatriates and politicians. There is no way refined oil gets to the jetty onshore without passing through checkpoints.

The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, spokesperson, Paul Osuh, did not respond to calls for comment.

Implications of loss

With Shell mulling divestment from the countrys oil scene, it could have a big impact on the Nigerias oil output, according to energy industry watcher S&P Global Platts.

Also, an estimate says Nigeria has lost five to ten per cent of its mangrove ecosystems to either settlement or oil spills.

Mr Henshaw explained that farming and fishing, major sources of income in the Niger Delta, are greatly affected as aquatic lives like periwinkles, crabs and the soil are depleted.

This is why when you look at unemployment in Nigeria, the Niger Delta region has always been among the highest. Thats to say that their sources of income have been affected, he said.

Imo, Adamawa, Cross River, Yobe, Akwa Ibom and Rivers are the states with the highest unemployed population. Only Adamawa and Yobe among these states are not in the Niger Delta.

When the oil spills, you cannot sell farm produce. When you squeeze yam sometimes, you see oil dripping from it.

The spillage, apart from shrinking plants and aquatic lives through contamination of groundwater, soils and drinking water, imposes a huge financial strain on the country.

On one hand, oil that could have generated revenue is lost and the other, outlay that could have been used for other infrastructural benefits are used to maintain vandalised pipelines, for instance.

From January 2019 to January this year, Nigeria spent N15 billion to repair vandalised pipelines alone, lNNPCs monthly financial reports showed. Within the same period, the company spent a total of N59.1 billion on the repair and management of the pipelines

This is not unexpected as this newspaper had found: a total of 1,161 pipeline points were vandalised across Nigeria between January 2019 and September 2020. between October 2018 and October 2019, the toll was 2,181.

The total spilt oil (41,216 barrels) is worth over $2.9 million (about N1.2 billion). Again, as this newspaper earlier established, this is enough to build three classrooms of four blocks and drill three gigantic solar-powered boreholes in 12 states.

(Support for this report was provided by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) through its Natural Resource and Extractives Programme).
The 4.2 million recovered from the former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, has been paid to the Delta State Government, the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, said on Tuesday.

The fund, which the federal government recently received from the United Kingdom, is part of the proceeds of crime seized from the ex-governor.

Mr Idris stated this while appearing before the committee investigating the status of recovered loot.

He stated that all recovered funds that belong to the respective states are paid directly to the states.

Some recoveries are for state governments, I know there was a time recovery were made on behalf of Plateau State, there was one for Bayelsa, even Delta, such recoveries go to those states, he stated.

Adejoro Adeogun (APC, Ogun), the chairman of the committee, asked Mr Idris specifically if the Ibori loot was paid to Delta State. He (Idris) answered in the affirmative.

It was paid to the state, it was paid to Delta State. Any recovery that is arising from any state, goes to that state. State governors will not even allow it to fly, they will take the federal government to court. We pay them their money, Mr Idris said.

Contradiction

However, this contradicts the earlier position of the federal government.

The Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, had said the money will be used by the federal government to fund three ongoing projects; namely, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Abuja-Kano road and Second Niger Bridge.

The agreement to return the money to Nigeria was done under the auspices of the U.K.-Nigeria Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Mr Malami signed on behalf of Nigeria, while British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing, signed on behalf of the U.K.

Controversy

The issue of how the recovered fund will be expended when finally returned to Nigeria has been a matter of intense battle between the federal government and Delta State.

The federal government, through the AGF, has said the fund would be ploughed into the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Abuja-Kano Road and the Second Niger Bridge, which he said would boost economic growth and help alleviate poverty.

But the Delta State Government had demanded the return of the money to the state adding that it should be left to decide how to spend the funds since its people were the victims of the looting.

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.

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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.
Deputies responded at about 11:20 p.m. at the Royal Place Apartments complex on Belco Drive near Evans High School, where Andre Lanard Perry was found wounded by several gunshot wounds, Von Bargen said.
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Exactly eight days after the last fatality was recorded, four Nigerians were reported to have died of the dangerous coronavirus disease on Tuesday.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported this on its official Twitter handle Tuesday night, adding that 37 new cases were recorded in five states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The new cases have increased the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 166,098 with the new figure of fatalities standing at 2,071.

Statistics

Lagos again took the lead in the number of the new cases with 29 and it is followed by Akwa Ibom with three cases. The Federal Capital Territory(FCT) recorded two while Gombe, Kaduna and Kano recorded one case each.

The data also shows that 156,528 have been successfully treated and discharged after testing negative to the virus.

With a population of about 200 million, Nigeria has only conducted over two million tests and has so far vaccinated 1,929,237 million people with the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.

At least, 440,000 healthcare workers have also received their first dose of the vaccine in Nigeria, according to the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib.

Implication of new statistics

The announcement of the new deaths is coming barely two days after the government declared 90 travellers as health hazards, calling on Nigerians to beware of them and help to seek their whereabouts.

A statement issued on Sunday night by the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 and signed by its chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said the identified individuals failed to observe the newly instituted mandatory protocols recently put in place against the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the statement, the list, which contains a total of 27 Indians and 63 Nigerians, arrived Nigeria through the Muritala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

Health experts are of the view that Nigerians should be conscious of the fact that the danger posed by the pandemic still lurks around in the country.

They advised Nigeria not to lower her guards while also advising the people to take responsibility for their actions by observing necessary precautionary measures.
Some financial transactions under the former acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, on Wednesday, resurfaced at the ongoing House of Representatives probe into recovered loots.

These transactions were unearthed when the current boss of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, appeared before the ad hoc committee investigating the status of recovered loots.

Mr Bawa had earlier claimed that EFCC was a fully-budgeted entity.

We dont receive a single kobo from the recovery account, he said.

A member of the committee, Darlington Nwakocha (PDP, Abia), flagged a transaction from 2017, showing that EFCC transfer N3 million to an entity, the Africa Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities.

I heard him saying they dont pay money to third parties from the recovery account. I can see this particular transfer on the 16th of April, 2017, to Africa Association of Anti-corruption Authorities which is to the tune of three-point something million, Mr Darlington said.

Mr Bawa responded he has only been on the job for less than 100 days.

Mr Chairman, as you are aware, I am less than 100 days in office. Even our accounting officer is less than 90 days in office. I cant comment on what I dont know about. I will have to refresh my memory on that to comment.

Other suspicious transactions

Other transactions were also flagged by the committee. Some of the transactions involved transfers to and from the EFCC account.

Mr Bawa responded, I dont know, maybe administrative exigencies must have warranted the management of that time to do one or two things. What I can assure you is that when we come back, we will look into them.

The Chairman of the Committee, Adejoro Adeogun (APC, Oyo), asked Mr Bawa if he was implying that his predecessor used administrative exigencies to dip hands into an account he is not supposed to?

The EFCC chairman responded that he will need to check his records to see if there are memos to explain the transactions.

There must be a memo that can maybe explain this. I am seeing some payments here, like election monitoring.

Earlier, the committee queried some transactions from 2017 and 2018, that resulted in over N11 million missing.

Although, Mr Bawa tried to downplay those transactions as a one-off, he later added that the transactions happened in 2017 and 2018.

Early exit

Immediately after the questions on the suspicious transactions were raised, Mr Bawa pleaded with the committee that he has a serious meeting on national security to attend.

His request to leave early was questioned by the chairman of the committee.

Are you implying that what we are doing here is not serious? Monday, you were asked to show up, you did not. Now, you want to go. Perhaps you have a genuine reason, but your language is not good, Mr Adeogun said.

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Magus suspension

Mr Magu was suspended and arrested in July 2020, on allegations filed against him by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Mr Malami had in a series of letters to the president accused Mr Magu of diverting billions of naira of recovered funds, as well as failing to act timeously on a presidential directive to investigate the controversial $9.6 billion P&ID British firm that secured a gas contract in Nigeria.

A Judicial Commission of Enquiry under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act (Cap T21, LFN, 2004), was set up by President Muhamadu Buhari to investigate the activities of the EFCC from May 2015 to May 2020.

The panel, headed by Mr Ayo Salami, former president of the appeal court, investigated Mr Magu.

However, the panel and the presidency are yet to disclose the details of the report.

Mr Bawa was confirmed as substantive chairman of the EFCC in February by the Senate.

His confirmation followed his nomination by Mr Buhari. The appointment was hailed by many as historic, particularly due to his age and being the first chairman not from the Nigeria Police Force.

However, he also faced an allegation of selling recovered properties while heading the EFCCs Port Harcourt office. The issue came up during his confirmation hearing, but he denied it.
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Malian transitional President, Bah Ndaw, and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane who were ousted in a coup on Monday have resigned, AFP reported a top junta aide and an international diplomat to have said.

The duo resigned during mediation efforts Wednesday, two days after the military arrested them and a day after they were stripped of their positions.

Messrs Ndaw and Ouane were on the verge of returning Mali to civil rule after the military struck the West African country in a coup in August.

Using weeks of demonstrations over perceived government corruption and handling of the ravaging insurgency as cover, young military officers led by Assimi Goita, a colonel at the time, had ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

The president would later resign, despite international calls on the military to hand power back to the civilians.

The putschists buckled to international pressure to set up an interim government that was to oversee a transition to civil rule by next March.

Yet, the junta held key positions in the government much to the consternation of opposition leaders and many citizens. Mr Goita made himself the deputy president.

But nine months into the transition process, Mr Goita and his army of soldiers struck again.

This followed a cabinet reshuffle that had two military officers replaced amidst lingering labour strikes in the landlocked country.

The junta took the president, the prime minister and the defence minister into custody in a military base in Kati just outside the capital, Bamako, relieving them of their duties.

A special advisor to Mr Goita, Baba Cisse, accused the leaders in a live broadcast of sabotage in the transition quest of the country, promising an election by 2022.

Being the vice president in the transitional government, Mr Goita said he should have been consulted before the cabinet shakeup reshuffle.

AFP said that a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) mediation mission has confirmed the presidents resignation to it.

The arrest of the leaders had drawn international demands for their release and threats of sanctions as mediators travelled to the poor Sahel country to broker their release.

Mr Cisse said negotiations were underway for their release and the formation of a new government in the poor Sahel country, AFP reported, adding that the leaders resigned before the mediator.
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Armed bandits killed 22 people including a village head in separate attacks on Sunday and Tuesday in Rabah and Sabon Birni local government areas of Sokoto State.

The victims include 21 members of a vigilante group who were killed in Yartsakuwa village of Rabah local council during a shootout with the bandits on Sunday. The village head of Sabon Birni, identified as Umar Sanda, was killed in the Tuesday attack.

The bandits, on Tuesday, reportedly blocked the SabonBirni-Shinkafi highway, robbed local merchants of millions of naira and rustled many cows.

The governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, who visited one of the attacked communities, on Monday, confirmed that 21 persons were killed in Rabah council.

He sympathised with the residents and families of the deceased vigilantes and pledged to restructure vigilante groups in the state.

In a statement, by his media aide, Muhammad Bello, the governor said: We are going to restructure and reposition the vigilante groups in Sokoto State. We are going to make sure that we provide them with motorcycles and communications gadgets.

The governor said this would enable the vigilante members to communicate with security agencies effectively and to provide basic information and guidance to the security agencies.

Also, the governor said his administration will also provide allowances to the vigilante members for the sacrifices they are making towards providing security to their localities, the state and the country.

ALSO READ: 10 bandits killed in Zamfara

The 21 victims of the recent onslaught were among the vigilantes recognised by the security agencies in the state, Governor Tambuwal pledged that the state government will advance a token of gifts and cash assistance to the families of the victims to ameliorate their sufferings, he said.

Attacks by armed bandits have become rampant in many states in North-west and North-central Nigeria, including Kaduna, Katsina, Niger and Zamfara. Fewer attacks have occurred in Sokoto compared to those other states.

The attacks, involving killings and kidnappings, have continued despite the increased deployment of security officials to the affected states.
The 74th World Health Assembly (WHA) kicked off this week with a resounding warning from world leaders on the inherent consequences of an unequal distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

Lack of access to vaccines in the developing world and low-income nations would not only increase health inequalities and insecurities but would hinder progress already made in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, they say.

In his opening remarks Monday at the commencement of this years gathering which is holding virtually, the World Health Organisation (WHO) chief, Tedros Ghebreyesus, chided wealthy countries in what he described as a scandalous inequity in COVID-19 vaccines.

He said the development is prolonging the coronavirus pandemic, adding that 10 countries account for 75 per cent of the vaccine doses that have so far been administered.

There is no diplomatic way to say it: a small group of countries that make and buy the majority of the worlds vaccines control the fate of the rest of the world, Mr Ghebreyesus said calling on the agencys member states to ensure that at least 10 per cent of the population of every country is fully vaccinated by September and for at least 30 per cent to be vaccinated by December.

Countries that vaccinate low-risk groups now do it at the expense of health workers and high-risk groups in other countries, said the WHO chief.

Paying tribute to the sacrifices made by healthcare workers around the world working to protect patients from COVID-19, he said the worlds health and care workers have stood in the breach between life and death for nearly 18 months. He said they have saved countless lives and fought for others who, despite their best efforts, slipped away.

COVID-19 health security

During the 2020 Health Assembly, countries demanded that the WHO initiate an independent review of how the COVID-19 crisis unfolded, so it could draw lessons for the future.

Ending the pandemic and building resilient health security is at the front burner this year, including discussions around inequalities in vaccine distribution.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel supported the idea of a global health threat council. She urged leaders to provide the WHO with lasting financial and personal support.

We have been talking about this for years, but now it is all the more important to act, she said.

At the main event on Tuesday, the Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee (IOAC) for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme delivered a report on the shortfalls in health security.

In a statement signed by its head, Felicity Harvey, the IOAC said the COVID-19 crisis has exposed failings in pandemic preparedness and response, and a shortfall in health security and equality across the world.

The statement further noted: But at the same time, there have been numerous examples of global solidarity and collaboration, together with remarkable progress in research and development. Despite the challenges faced, the report concludes that WHO has maintained, and indeed strengthened, its leadership position in the global response throughout the pandemic.

The WHO Secretariat should support member states to fully implement all the public health measures, and strengthen surveillance, monitoring and testing efforts, in the light of the new variants of the virus; the international community should address supply chain constraints to ensure the equitable distribution of COVAX doses and should guarantee investment, with a view to reducing the socioeconomic impacts of the global pandemic.

United response

The first lesson we can learn from this #COVD19 pandemic is that we can only succeed together. No country alone will save itself and will save the others. Every citizen around the world has understood that this pandemic is a global one, Emmanuel Macron, the French president said in his opening remark at the event.

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa also shared a similar thought. This pandemic has made us more aware of our strengths & our vulnerabilities. It has also demonstrated how interconnected we are and how dependent we are on each other for our health as well as our wellbeing.

United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, said the world is at war with the virus and need the logic and urgency of a war economy, to boost the capacity of our weapons.

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Pointing out some grim statistics, the UN chief said more than 3.4 million people had died and some 500 million jobs have been lost since the virus started spreading.

Further spikes and surges could claim hundreds of thousands of lives, and slow the global economic recovery, he said.

Mr Guterres noted that COVID-19 cannot be beaten by one country at a time.

The most vulnerable are suffering most, and I fear this is far from over, Mr Guterres said. Sadly, unless we act now, we face a situation in which rich countries vaccinate the majority of their people and open their economies, while the virus continues to cause deep suffering by circling and mutating in the poorest countries.

The WHA, the decision-making body of the WHO, is held annually and attended by delegations from all 194 WHO member states.

The main functions of the WHA are to determine the direction the organisation will focus on in a one-year cycle and discuss the budget.

This years event which kicked off virtually on Monday will continue until June 1.
A former vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2019, Peter Obi, has said that political restructuring of Nigeria will boost the nations economy and end insecurity.

Mr Obi said this on Tuesday at the fourth Adada Public Lecture organised by the Association of Nsukka Professors (ANP) at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

He said with restructuring, governors would look inward to make their states productive, while state, local and community police would be set up to tackle criminality within their areas.

It is unfortunate that some governors believe in going to Abuja monthly to get federal allocation from proceeds of oil.

They have forgotten the price of oil in the international market has depreciated and will continue to depreciate.

No developed country in the world depends on crude oil but they invest in their children, agriculture and encourage small and medium enterprises by giving out soft loans and other incentives.

There is urgent need to restructure the country for the economy to grow to a desired level, said Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State.

He advised Nigerians to stop misleading others that restructuring is a deliberate plan to divide the country.

Rather, it should be seen as a move to build the ailing economy and restore adequate security in the country, he said.

Mr Obi further said that restructuring would also help to ensure adequate funding of primary and post-primary schools as well as higher institutions.

We should invest in our childrens education, which is greater than any price of crude oil in the international market.

Restructuring the country will bring out the comparative advantage of every state and our natural resources that are lying waste will be fully harnessed to boost the state economy, he said.

He said restructuring would also enable states to make robust investment in agriculture, achieve food security and create more employment opportunities.

In the 1960s and 1970s, agriculture was the major foreign exchange earner for the country.

In the North, we had groundnut pyramids, in the West we had cocoa and the East had palm oil and Nigeria was among the best economies in the world.

Today, the Netherlands as a country uses its exports from agricultural products and flowers to get billions of dollars in foreign exchange to sustain its economy, he said.

Mr Obi thanked ANP for finding him worthy to deliver the lecture with the topic, Restructuring, Security Challenges and Development.

He urged professors and lecturers in the country to use their wealth of knowledge to convince Nigerians on the urgent need to restructure the country.

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In his remark, Chinyeaka Ohaa, the chairman of the occasion, described the lecture topic as timely and could not have come at a better time than now the country is going through serious security challenges.

The topic of the lecture is not only apt but offers (an) opportunity to speak directly on problems of insecurity, weak economic base, fragile democracy, dependence on oil, corruption and unemployment, among others.

I commend ANP for organising this lecture and urge it to explore all areas of life necessary for growth and development of the country, Mr Ohaa said.

Charles Igwe, the vice chancellor of UNN, thanked the ANP for organising the lecture.

What ANP has done today is laudable because, as professors, the society is looking up to you all to provide ideas that will solve their problems.

I commend you all for choosing UNN as venue for the occasion and bringing Nigerias finest astute businessman and technocrat in the person of Obi as the guest lecturer, he said.

Earlier, the President of the association, Osy Okanya, a professor, said the group provides the platform for an intellectual discourse on various contextual issues that challenge society and the economy.

In consonance with the mandate and strategic focus of ANP, the fourth Adada lecture topic has been carefully chosen and could not have been more apt, given the heightened fragility of the country.

The lecture today offers a profound opportunity for Nigerians of all hues as it is being delivered by a Nigerian, who has seen Nigeria inside-out and has always provided the best prescriptions on all national issues, Mr Okanya said.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Chuka Utazi, a senator representing Enugu North District, and Cosmas Ugwueze, the chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area, were among the dignitaries at the lecture.
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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State has called on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to make judicious use of the 4.2 million recovered from former governor James Ibori, for the good of the people of the state.

The partys spokesperson, Sylvester Imonina, made the call in a statement on Tuesday in Asaba.

For the sake of our dear state, we call on the State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, not to allow this economic lifeline (monies) to go the way of the past.

The people of the state want to see positive changes in their lives, Mr Imonina said.

He urged the governor to be transparent in handling the recovered money and other monies accruing to the state.

As a matter of fact, we urge the governor to tie this money to specific projects in the state.

This will in no small measure bring joy to the people whenever they see the projects this money is used for, he said.

He, however, said the people still feared that the returned money would likely be re-looted by those in government.

To allay this fear, the PDP led-government should be patriotic in its acts of governance.

The APC noted that in view of the happenings in the state, the yearnings of people should not be brushed aside.

On the other hand, the party calls on all citizens to be alert and ask questions with follow-up actions on how what belongs to the state is expended by the Okowa led-government, the APC spokesperson said.

The Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, said on Tuesday that the 4.2 million recovered from Mr Ibori has been paid to the Delta State government.

The fund, which the federal government recently received from the United Kingdom, is part of the proceeds of crime seized from the former governor.

(NAN)
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President Muhammadu Buhari is currently hosting the Prime Minister of the Libyan Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Dbeibeh and members of his entourage arrived at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa at about 10.05 a.m., and were received by President Buhari.

Others who joined the president at the forecourt of the villa included cabinet members as well as some presidential aides.

NAN gathered that the two leaders are expected to deliberate on bilateral issues meant to benefit and enhance the economies of both countries.

NAN also leant that Mr Dbeibeh would use the opportunity of the meeting with the Nigerian leader to console him and the people of Nigeria over the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru and ten other military officers last Friday.

The visiting Libyan leader had on May 25 participated in the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

(NAN)
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday called on the international community to support a peaceful transition from military to democratic government in Chad.

He made this known at a summit put together to discuss recent developments in Chad after the death of President Idris Deby last April.

At the summit, Mr Buhari called on: development partners and countries particularly France, the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and Russia; the United Nations, the African Union and the European Union, as well as other friendly and partner nations to support the transition framework put in place by Chads Transition Military Council led by General Mahamat Idris Deby.

The need to support the Chadian government to effectively carry out its planned 18-month transition is sacrosanct, Mr Buhari said.

Details of the extraordinary summit were contained in a statement by Mr Buharis spokesperson, Femi Adesina.

The Chadian military successfully executed a coup last April following the death of Mr Deby who ruled for 30 years.

It dissolved the Chadian parliament, suspended the constitution and named Mr Idris son, Mahamat Kaka, interim president of the country.

Mr Kaka, a major-general in the Chadian army, now leads a military council for an 18 months transition period.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how President Buhari and other world leaders refused to condemn the coup. Mr Buhari has, however, maintained that Nigeria will assist Chad to stabilise and return to constitutional order.

The full statement by Mr Adesina is reproduced below.

PRESIDENT BUHARI CALLS ON INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT PEACEFUL TRANSITION IN CHAD

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja called on the international community to support Chad to conclude the transition from military to democratic government in a peaceful manner within the set time of 18 months.

President Buhari spoke at the opening of the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) convened to discuss the recent developments in Chad after President Idris Deby Itno died on the frontline while defending the territorial integrity of his country.

The Nigerian leader, who declared the one-day summit open in his capacity as the Chair of leaders of LCBC member-countries, rallied development partners and countries particularly France, the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and Russia; the United Nations, the African Union and the European Union, as well as other friendly and partner nations to support the transition framework put in place by Chads Transition Military Council led by General Mahamat Idris Deby.

The need to support the Chadian government to effectively carry out its planned 18-month transition is sacrosanct.

However, it must be stated that the sanctity of the Chadian constitution as the supreme guiding document defining the social contract in the country must be respected.

The transition period should be civilian-led, with requisite powers given to the constitutionally mandated organs of government saddled with the responsibility of administering the country, President Buhari said.

At the in-person meeting attended by the Presidents of Central African Republic, Niger, Chad, Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya and a representative of the President of Cameroon, President Buhari said the death of President Deby Itno had direct implications for the continued peace and stability of Chad as a nation, the Lake Chad region and the wider Sahel Region.

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Our region is faced with difficult, several challenges that need the support and engagement of all to overcome.

While transnational crimes and rebellion cutting across our region continue to evolve in scope, the attendant conflicts also continue to retain their distinct form of inflicting untold hardship and difficulty on the lives of our citizens.

The threats by the Chadian rebel groups, who are clamouring to overthrow the government, must be viewed with all the seriousness they deserve because the consequences of a destabilized Chad to the sub-region cannot be imagined.

The flow of refugees and displaced persons from the country, unrestrained flow of arms, drugs and other harmful substances into Lake Chad and Sahel Regions, which are already challenged by terrorists seeking to establish parallel systems, would further compound the security and stability of our areas and neighbouring countries.

It is, therefore, our collective duty and in honour of the memory of the men and women that have died in search of peace in the region, to rise in unison as leaders of the region to ensure that peace, stability and security are not disrupted in Chad and in the entire region.

These challenges, which are fuelled by an interplay of poverty and the loss of sustainable means of livelihood due to climate change, have been further exacerbated by the direct consequence of complete breakdown of law and order in Libya.

The Libyan conflict has increased fragility in our region with debilitating security implications across the Lake Chad and the larger Sahel Region, typified by increased circulation of illicit arms and ammunition, narcotic substances as well as a refugee crisis that continues to threaten the security of the region, he said.

Urging fellow leaders not to relent in their efforts and allow the enemies of the region to succeed in their quest to destabilize the area, President Buhari said:

We must reinvigorate our collective will and commitment towards eradicating terrorism and entrenching democratic rule and good governance in Chad and in our region.

We must remain focussed and true to ensuring sustainable development of the region.

President Buhari also used the occasion to commend the untiring efforts of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, the Multinational Joint Task Force, member countries National Armed Forces and Security and Intelligence Agencies who daily strive to ensure the complete restoration of peace and stability in the region.

He pledged that officers, some of whom have paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty for the survival of the region, will never be forgotten.

We are committed to ensuring that the ideals of restoring peace, stability and viability of the Lake Chad Region to its glorious state to which some of you have paid the ultimate price, is achieved, he declared.

On the request of President Buhari and in recognition of the immense and sterling contributions of the late President of Chad to peace and stability in the region, the Summit observed a minute silence for the departed leader.

Eulogising the Marshal of Chad, President Buhari described the late President as a committed African leader and statesman who stood for peace and stability of the Lake Chad Region, the Sahel and the African continent in general.

His passion, commitment and zeal to the cause of the Lake Chad and African unity would be greatly missed, he said.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President
Joseph Daniel Harrison, 43, of Melbourne, was sentenced to spend a little more than a year in prison after pleading guilty in February 2021 to the conspiracy, the Department of Justice reported.
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The Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, has been given 48 hours by federal lawmakers reconcile discrepancies in his records on recovered looted funds.

Mr Idris reappeared before the ad hoc House of Representatives investigating the status of recovered looted funds.

The accountant-general, while appearing before committee on Tuesday, could not reconcile the discrepancies between his records and official bank statement obtained from the CBN by the committee.

For instance, there was a discrepancy of about 5 million that Mr Idris was unable to clarify. The sum was flagged by Edun Oladapo (APC, Ogun).

Due to the inability of Mr Idris to clarify the discrepancies, Mr Oladipo moved a motion for him to the summoned to face the entire House.

Looking at the presentation of the accountant general today viz a viz the request of this committee before him that he should give us adequate records of recovered, expended with the notion of records emanating from his office  5m not being included  I like to move that the accountant general is concealing information from this committee and therefore should cause him to appear before the whole house of representatives, he said.

The motion was later stepped down at the behest of Wole Oke (PDP, Osun), who urged his colleagues to give Mr Idris more time to reconcile his records.

Records dont lie, 5m cannot disappear anyhow, we can trace. Why dont we give the accountant general an opportunity to update his record, Mr Oke said.

Mr Idris concurred with the option of coming back.

He was asked to come back on Thursday.
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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of sponsoring the systematic attacks on INEC facilities in some parts of the country.

The main opposition party alleged that the ruling party was doing so to frustrate the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

But APC has denied the allegation, saying it would not destroy an institution that brought it to power.

The allegation by the PDP came while reacting to Sundays attacks on INECs facilities in Imo, Enugu and Anambra States.

Not less than 10 facilities of the commission across six states in the southern region of the country have been attacked by unknown arsonists in the last 24 days.

The PDP, in a statement by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the attacks on INEC offices were aimed at causing an emergency situation by the APC to cover up its six years of democratic and economic inconsistencies.

It is despicable that having realised that it has no place in the 2023 election, given its abysmal failure in governance, APC leaders are seeking to set our country ablaze and truncate our hard-earned democracy, the main opposition alleged.

The PDP invites Nigerians to note the failure of the APC and its leaders to forcefully condemn this clear assault on our frontline institution of democracy. This is also as the APC administration has failed to take decisive steps to protect INEC facilities from assailants.

Our party wants the APC to know that May 29, 2023 date is sacrosanct for it to leave office, free our nation from its stranglehold and fizzle out from our political firmament, the PDP said.

The party called on security agencies to place leaders of the ruling party on watch list and enjoined Nigerians to pray so that our nation survives the next two years under the vindictive, insensitive, incompetent, treasury looting, divisive and violent APC and its administration.

We cant destroy institution that brought us to power  APC

However, the APC, in reaction to the allegation, denied any involvement in the spate of attacks launched on the INEC facilities.

It claimed it was the PDP that was responsible for the attacks.

The ruling party said it was ridiculous to destroy an institution that paved its way to power in 2015.

READ ALSO: INEC says attacks on facilities threaten Anambra gov poll

The APC cannot be at home and burn its house. A winner cannot destroy the process that brought it to success.

From the 2015 to 2019 elections, Nigerians spoke clearly through their votes for the APC by mandating us to rescue the country from the PDPs 16-year misadventure. The PDP should address itself to the reality that it stands rejected by the electorates. Its undemocratic plan is ill-fated and will fail woefully, the APC interim national secretary, John Akpanudoedehe, said.

Mr Akpanudoedehe also accused the PDP of sponsoring media attacks to discredit President Muhammadu Buhari
The Nigerian government should immediately begin the implementation of the All Progressives Congress Committee on Restructuring which, among others, recommends state policing and devolution of powers, the Nigerian Press Organisation has said.

At the end of their meeting on May 21, the body, which comprises the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Nigeria Union Of Journalists (NUJ), said the continued delay to implement the report after its approval by the APC in line with the manifesto for which the party sold itself to win the 2015 election is self-defeating.

We hold that its implementation will curb the galloping rate of criminality, reduce tension across the country, and reset the button of development.

The APC committee, also known as the El-Rufai Committee (Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna chaired the committee), was set up in August 2017 to articulate the partys position on true federalism.

The report also recommended independent candidacy during elections, referendum on national issues, and for public holidays to be moved to the concurrent list.

Read the full statement below:

STATE OF THE NATION

The Nigerian Press Organisation, comprising of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Nigeria Union Of Journalists (NUJ); after their meeting on Friday May 21, 2021 on the State of the Nation make the following deposition:

Nigeria has been embroiled lately in profound socio-economic, political and security challenges that threaten its very existence as reflected in ethnic divisions and separatist agitations in the country, with growing fears that an implosion is imminent.

Today, criminality  kidnapping for ransom, banditry, arson, killings  defines the everyday reality for a good number of our citizens.

At the centre of all these are:

*High Cost of Governance;

*Devolution of Powers/Restructuring;

* Petroleum Subsidy Removal; and

* Accumulation of Foreign Debt, among others.

We, leaders of the media and major stakeholders in the Nigeria Project, given the responsibility imposed on us by Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, state as follows :

* That we believe in the oneness of Nigeria and that its population of about 200 million people, if resources are well managed, have innumerable advantages  both in economic and soft power, and that this should not be sacrificed on the altar of ethnic or tribal chauvinism.

* That one of the triggers for the current socio-political, economic, and security challenges in the country is high cost of governance, reflected in the outrageous allowances and flamboyant lifestyles of our political leaders. These leaders, rather erroneously, misconstrue public service for primitive accummulation of wealth, instead of its being a platform for galvanising development and satisfying the collective aspiration of our people for quality life in a safe and secure enviroment. One of the consequences of this ostentatious lifestyle is the new craze among a growing number of youths that the end justifies the means in their quest for easy wealth.

*That in a Federal system of government, particularly in a country like Nigeria which is diverse in ethnicity, culture, and religion, an overbearing centre is counter productive to the development of the centre itself and the component units. To leave the Federal Government with 68 items under the Exclusive Legislative List, including policing, is a recipe for unending destructive tension in the struggle for advantage among the federating units. It explains why our country is seemingly overwhelmed by non-state actors engaged in criminality and separatist agitations.

Given the above, we call on the Federal Government to:

1. Immediately take steps at devolving powers to the component units by implementing the El Rufai Committee Report, which among others, recommends State Policing, in addition to other far reaching adjustments to the structure of governance. The continued delay to implement the report after its recommendations have been approved by all the organs of the ruling All Progressives Party, in line with the manifesto for which the party sold itself to win the 2015 election is self-defeating. We hold that its implementation will curb the galloping rate of criminality, reduce tension across the country, and reset the botton of development.

2. Implement the Orosanye Report, which provides a veritable road map for arresting the unsustainable high cost of governance. A reduced cost of gevernance will free substantial funds to fight insecurity, provide social safety nets for the generality of the people, fund developmental projects, and stem the current penchant for external and local borrowing by government.

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3. Put pressure on the National Assembly to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill, (PIB), which has gone into our history as the longest bill to ever go through legislative processes. It is of common knowledge that the petroleum industry has been long overdue for an overhaul and the passage of the bill will be a major boost. That the bill has stayed this long in the National Assembly militates against improved corporate governance in the oil sector.

4. There is a need to avoid the debt overhang inherent in excessive borrowing. We are aware that borrowing is good so long as such loans are deployed to funding enduring development projects, within the GDP ratio. However, the current borrowing in the face of the slide in the value of the countrys number one revenue earner-oil remains worrisome.

5. We appeal to politicians and state actors to minimise their inflammatory rhetoric in order to reduce tension and ease the growing sense of fear among the people.

Signed

Kabiru A. Yusuf

PRESIDENT

NEWSPAPER PROPRIETORS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (NPAN)

& PRESIDENT

NIGERIAN PRESS ORGANISATION (NPO)

Mustapha Isa

PRESIDENT

NIGERIAN GUILD OF EDITORS (NGE)

Chris Isiguzo

PRESIDENT

NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ)

MAY 25, 2021
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The Delta State Government says it has yet to receive the 4.2 million Ibori loot from the federal government.

The money, stolen by former Delta governor James Ibori, was recently returned to the Nigerian government by the UK government which seized it from the former governor.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, said Tuesday that the money had been returned to the Delta State Government.

However, the spokesperson to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Olisa Ifeajika, told journalists in Asaba Wednesday that the state government was yet to receive the funds.

Mr Ifeajika also sent a statement to PREMIUM TIMES reiterating the stance.

Read his full statement below.

Delta State Government on Wednesday said it had not received from the Federal Government the 4.2 million pounds returned by the United Kingdom.

It said that although the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, had disclosed on Tuesday before the House of Representatives Committee on Recovered Assets, in Abuja, that the funds had been released to the state, the money had not arrived in its coffers.

The government, however, said in a statement by Olisa Ifeajika, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, in Asaba, that it was in contact with the Federal Government, especially the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, on the issue.

It expressed appreciation for the disposition of the Federal Government in releasing the funds to the state, and assured that it would acknowledge receipt of the funds when it arrives.

The government also assured the Federal Government and Deltans that the funds would, in tandem with Governor Ifeanyi Okowas administrations hallmark, be judiciously deployed especially in the completion of projects it had earlier intimated the Presidency about.
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President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday hosted Mohammed Younis Menfi, Chairman, Presidential Council of Libya, stressing that a stable or unstable Libya has implications for countries in the Lake Chad Basin area, including Nigeria.

Republics of Chad, and Niger, have extensive borders with Libya, and they are our immediate neighbours. Whatever affects them affects us. The stability or instability of Libya will directly affect us, President Buhari said.

He stressed that the security of Nigeria was the number one priority to him, noting that unless a country or institution is secured, theres no way you can efficiently manage it.

President Buhari said he was happy that the Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya could personally attend the Summit of Lake Chad Basin Commission held in Abuja on Tuesday, to discuss the situation in Chad, and the implications for security in neighbouring countries.

READ ALSO: in Chad

Mr Menfi said Libya was fast-evolving, and we now have one government, active on the ground. We are expelling the mercenaries, and unifying the instructions.

He said democratic elections would be held in due course, adding that the historical relationship between his country and Nigeria in the areas of oil and agriculture meant that one country could not ignore the other.

We aspire for joint cooperation, and reactivation of previous agreements, Mr Menfi said.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)
The licence for the controversial Nigerian offshore OPL 245 oil block has expired, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.

According to civil society campaigners Global Witness, Eni confirmed the development in response to questions at their 2021 annual general meeting.

The organisation added on Wednesday that the expiry of the licence returns control of the oil field to the Nigerian government.

The OPL 245, estimated to hold 482 million barrels of economically recoverable oil, expired on May 11th, ten years after Shell and Eni paid $1.3 billion for the license in a deal trailed by criminal investigations and trials.

Back Story

The Malabu scandal involved the transfer of about $1.1 billion by Shell and ENI through the Nigerian government to accounts controlled by a former Nigerian petroleum minister, Dan Etete.

From accounts controlled by Mr Etete, about half the money ($520 million) went to accounts of companies controlled by Aliyu Abubakar, popularly known in Nigeria as the owner of AA oil

Anti-corruption investigators and activists suspect he fronted for top officials of the Goodluck Jonathan administration as well of officials of Shell and ENI.

The transaction was authorised in 2011 by Mr Jonathan through some of his cabinet ministers and the money was payment for OPL 245, one of Nigerias richest oil blocks.

The oil resources of the OPL 245 license have remained undeveloped since the controversies began.

Eni initiated international arbitration proceedings against Nigeria in September, alleging the government has breached its obligations by refusing to let the firm develop the license, which has now expired this May.

Expiry

Despite the expiry of the license, Global Witness says the field has been booked as an asset in Eni companys accounts for 2020.

However, it added that the company acknowledges that this may need to be re-assessed when preparing the next financial information.

In March 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari rejected Enis request that Nigeria convert the licence to a fresh oil mining license, arguing that no further correspondence would be considered until criminal and civil court proceedings in Milan and London related to the 2011 deal had been concluded.

Anti-corruption campaigners HEDA, Re:Common, Corner House and Global Witness have applauded the stance taken by President Buhari.

Lanre Saraju, Chairman of HEDA, said the rule of law demands that no-one should be above the law.

Shell and Enis deal for this license was deeply flawed, Mr Suraj said.

It would have been totally egregious to convert the license while the companies are still on trial for corruption in Nigeria and proceedings in Milan may not be concluded. Now that the license has expired, Shell and Eni should accept that they have lost the field.

In March, PREMIUM TIMES reported how an Italian court declared Shell, Eni and their managers acquitted in the Malabu scandal.

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They were all acquitted by the court in a trial that saw officials of the oil giants battle to prove their innocence. Several former executives of the companies were also cleared of wrongdoing, including Malcolm Brinded and Paolo Scaroni.
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Nigerian actress, Ifey Onwuemene, is dead.

Her colleague, Gloria Anozie-Young, announced Tuesday that she died after battling endometrial cancer.

Ms Onwuemene is popular for her role in the 1990s hit television series Everyday People, where she starred alongside Sam Loco Efe (late), Carol King, Nobert Young, Seun Soremi and others.

The actress had undergone eight sessions of chemotherapy and spent more than N10 million on treatment before she died, her colleague said.

Ifey Onwuene was diagnosed with endometrial cancer, her womb was removed but she has been battling the ailment for many years now. In 2019, even after 8 sessions of chemotherapy, the doctors told her she had reached stage 4.

However, we are not sure if she was given the wrong diagnosis or being treated with the wrong chemo, because she still felt pains on her upper abdomen and her tummy bloated.

She had to go for draining every two weeks at a cost of 280,000 Naira but only 3litres of liquid can be removed at a time so that her heart is not affected, she said

PREMIUM TIMES, in 2020, reported that the actress needed financial support for cancer treatment.
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Over 100 persons have been reported killed and many others rendered homeless in an attack on Saturday by suspected herders in Katsina Ala local government area of Benue State.

The Chairman of Katsina Ala LGA, Alfred Atera, who earlier spoke to Punch newspaper, said the herders attacked four wards in his area, Yoyo, Utang, Mbatyu/mberev and Mbayongo.

More than 100 people at different places have been killed since the attack on Saturday, Mr Atera told Punch.

The attackers have developed a strategy; they are not attacking one place. If they attack in Kwando now, the next thing you hear is that they are attacking Yoyo and at the same time, they are attacking Utange.

However, Mkaryima Ulega, an indigene of Mbayongo, who is now taking refuge in an IDP camp in Tor Donga, said 114 people, including children were killed in different attacks.

It is a problem between Fulani herdsmen and the people. On Sunday (May 23), they (the herders) entered the community called Mbayongo around 7 oclock in the evening and they ended around 30 clock in the morning. They killed about 76 people and most of the houses were set ablaze.

And they also entered another community again (at the same time) from different axes. The other side they killed about 38.

Other villages sacked are Gawa, Adamu, Tacha Jima, PREMIUM TIMES gathered.

According to Mr Ulega, after the attack, people were running from different places but had no place to stay.

He also accused the security operatives of insulting those running helter-skelter after the attack.

They told people to go and defend themselves.

Mr Ulega said the majority of those displaced are now camped somewhere around Tor Donga.

Up till now, people are there. As the place don full now, na Tor Donga (IDP camp) people dey rush come, he added.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the police in Benue, Catherine Anene and Governor Samuel Ortoms media aide, Terver Akase, said they did not have any information on the attacks when PREMIUM TIMES reached out to them.

However, Mr Ortom, has again urged the people to defend themselves against killer herders.

He said this during an interdenominational church service organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the Chapel of Grace in Government House, Makurdi, the state capital.

Ill no longer announce the deaths of those killed by Fulani herdsmen; rise up and defend yourselves with weapons not prohibited by law, bows and arrows, spears, knives, and similar ones, Mr Ortom said on Sunday.
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The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has signed a contract with its partners on oil mining lease OML 118 to expand the Bonga oilfield and unlock a $10 billion investment in the countrys deepwater resources.

S&P Global Platts, which provides benchmark prices for commodity markets around the world, reported this on Wednesday.

OML 118 contains Bonga, Nigerias first deepwater oil field which can produce 225,000 barrels per day of crude oil and 150 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.

It said Shell had previously said it would develop the Bonga Southwest project across three phases with a total potential yield of 3.2 billion barrels.

The report quoted NNPC as saying that the OML license for the block partners Shell, Total, Exxon Mobil and Eni were renewed for another 20 years and five agreements including settlements on a tax dispute and production sharing contracts were finalised.

Over $10 billion of investment would be unlocked in an expansion program on the Bonga field as a result of the settlement of the disputes, the S&P Global Platts report quoted Mele Kyari, NNPC group managing director as saying in a statement.

This is an indication of a renewed confidence between NNPC and its partners between the Nigerian government and the investing communities.

The deal would yield over $780 million in immediate revenues to the federal government and would also free the parties from over $9 billion in contingent liabilities, Mr Kyari said.

The report also quoted Osagie Osunbor, the country chair of Shells Nigerian Operation as saying,  this renewal will do a lot to improve the relationship between Nigeria and Shell as the disputes had affected trust and investment.

In 2019, Shell had gone ahead to invite bids from international contractors to build a new 150,000 barrels per day floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) platform for Bonga Southwest.

The process was halted when Nigeria said it was reviewing the PSC agreement binding on the field, according to energy industry watcher &P Global Platts.

According to the report in 2019, Nigeria increased taxes on its deepwater oil production which was not welcomed by many international companies.

Shell, meanwhile, is currently working on divesting from Nigerias onshore oil asset as it pushes for a future of investment in renewable and cleaner energy.
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Many people, including children and women, are feared dead after a boat in which they were travelling capsized in Kebbi State on Wednesday.

Witnesses said the people numbering about 160 were travelling from Niger State to neighbouring Wara community in Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State where the boat capsized.

The police spokesperson in Kebbi, Nafiu Abubakar, told PREMIUM TIMES that the police commissioner has dispatched the police marine team to the area on a rescue mission.

Mr Abubakar said, the rescue operation is ongoing and details of the unfortunate incident will be communicated later.

The chairperson of Ngaski LGA, Abdullahi Buhari, who visited the area, told BBC Hausa Service that over 160 people were on board the boat.

A survivor said there were many children and women who were yet to be rescued. Eight members of a family from Zamfara state are among those missing, a source said.

More details later
Academician and Experts Sodality of Anhui Province and Anhui Scientists and Entrepreneurs Association held an activity to mourn Yuan Longping, father of hybrid rice and Wu Mengchao, founder of hepatobiliary surgery in China, in Hefei, Anhui province, on Monday.



More than 100 people took part in the activity. They stood in silent tribute, bowed and laid bouquets of flowers in front of the portraits of the two late academicians.

In his speech, Dai Jianhua, Party chief of the two organizations, enumerated the great achievements of the two academicians and encouraged people to carry forward scientists' spirit, be realistic and pragmatic and forge ahead in a down-to-earth manner. (By Yang Zixuan)




Detective Robert Rettig, a spokesman for the department, said had Kessler expressed that she thought her life was in danger or if there were previous incidents of domestic violence, police would have responded immediately. He said the detective who was assigned the case was off Friday and by calling Kessler first thing Monday, that was a good turn-around time for the agency.
The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has restated his support for the restructuring of Nigeria through the amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

He said he supports moves to devolve powers from the federal government to the states and allow the states to control their mineral resources and run their own police and courts up to the appellate level.

Mr El-Rufai stated this on Wednesday in Kaduna in his opening remarks at the public hearing for the North-west on the review of the constitution.

In 2018, the All Progressives Congress (APC) committee on restructuring led by Mr El-Rufai had been saddled with exploring the nature of true federalism as promised by the APC during its 2015 electioneering campaign. The committee was to study the reports of the various national conferences, especially that of 2014 and come up with recommendations on restructuring the country.

The committee then had engaged 8,014 persons across the country and came up with 24 issues which Nigerians indicated interest on. Out of the 24 issues raised, they made 12 important recommendations based on the opinions of Nigerians.

Calls for restructuring have heightened in recent months especially as the nation grapples with numerous soci0-political and economic challenges.

On Wednesday, the governor said he stands by the recommendations made by the committee in its report submitted in 2018.

He said an amendment of the constitution has become imperative in the light of the political tension in the country.

There is a fierce urgency to the need to make necessary and significant adjustments to the legal framework for governing our country. We have no other option but to make pragmatic choices, rooted in a binding national consensus, on the best structure to secure this country, promote its progress and development and advance the welfare and prosperity of our people.

As a nation, we are facing one of our most trying times. We have profound social problems. Our economy is struggling. Across the country, citizens harbour widespread fears and anxiety about their security. Insecurity has created a febrile atmosphere, worsened by a barrage of extreme rhetoric, ethnic profiling, and fake news that seeks to exploit the distress, pains and misery of our people to further separatist and divisive ends.

He also said political leaders have a duty to help overcome these fears and replace them with the mutual confidence to build anew.

The public hearings on the constitution review are being conducted by the Senate across the country as of on Wednesday and Thursday.

The hearings in the North-west zone are being held in Kaduna and Sokoto

Read full text of Mr El-Rufais address below:

PROTOCOLS

1. It is my delight and honor to welcome you all to Kaduna for the public hearing on the review of the Constitution. There is a fierce urgency to the need to make necessary and significant adjustments to the legal framework for governing our country. We have no other option but to make pragmatic choices, rooted in a binding national consensus, on the best structure to secure this country, promote its progress and development and advance the welfare and prosperity of our people.

2. As a nation, we are facing one of our most trying times. We have profound social problems. Our economy is struggling. Across the country, citizens harbor widespread fears and anxiety about their security. Insecurity has created a febrile atmosphere, worsened by a barrage of extreme rhetoric, ethnic profiling, and fake news that seeks to exploit the distress, pains and misery of our people to further separatist and divisive ends.

3. Political leaders have a duty to help overcome these fears and replace them with the mutual confidence to build anew. Rather than wallow in strife and division, we can mobilize our people, across the diversity of Nigeria, in a joint endeavor for peace, progress and prosperity. It is in our hands to build Nigeria as a strong country that is secure enough to protect all who live in it, progressive enough to promote equal opportunity and common citizenship, and flexible enough to empower sub-nationals.

4. We need consensus on constitutional and political arrangements that prioritize security, democracy and progress. This should include agreement on:

a. Commitment to the rule of law and quick dispensation of justice.

b. Common citizenship, respect for diversity and protection of citizenship rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

c. Meritocracy and equal opportunity for all citizens without discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, religion, gender or circumstances of birth.

d. Prioritization of human development, particularly free basic education and healthcare for all.

e. Devolution of powers to States and Local Governments to attain true federalism, engender competition between sub-nationals, and focus the Federal Government to effectively deliver on matters of national defence, security, foreign policy and macroeconomic management.

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5. As I have stated repeatedly, we need to put the substance of federalism into our country, beyond bearing the name of a federation. To attain true federalism is to empower the sub-nationals. I had the privilege of chairing the APC Committee on True Federalism. We proposed significant devolution of powers between the national government and the 36 States in our recommendations, including the transfer of ten items from the Exclusive to the Concurrent List, so that they fall under the control of the states and the Federal Government.

6. I will elaborate on the key recommendations of our Committee, as contained in the report we submitted in January 2018 and which is available online, and already formally presented to the National Assembly.

7. The views I am expressing in these remarks are mine as a citizen and not that of the Kaduna State Government, other Governors or citizens of our State. Kaduna State is submitting its official memorandum, while other stakeholders will appear before you for their own contributions.

8. I regard devolution of powers as a pragmatic imperative because the current structure overburdens the Federal Government with too many responsibilities which it cannot efficiently handle. Therefore, the APC Committee on True Federalism proposed that the following items should be shared responsibilities, rather exclusive to the Federal Government:

a. Police

b. Oil and Gas (other than offshore in the Continental Shelf and Extended Economic Zone)

c. Mines and Minerals (other than offshore in the Continental Shelf and Extended Economic Zone)

d. Railways

e. Prisons

f. Fingerprint and criminal identification records

g. Stamp Duties

h. Registration of Business Names

i. Food, Drugs and Poisons (other than Narcotics)

j. National Minimum Wage

9. I will dwell on a few of the issues in our Committees report that I believe are critical to the countrys immediate needs.

10. First is the question of our security arrangements. The reality of our security situation today requires that Nigeria must strengthen its military and security agencies. This includes decentralizing the police to enable the states to exercise effective control in securing their residents and communities. The challenges of these times conclusively demonstrate that centralized policing arrangements are grossly inaccurate. We need to have Federal, State and Community Police, with each granted sufficient powers to make them effective in securing the areas assigned to them and cooperating closely with each other. Nigeria has many ungoverned spaces and increasingly brazen criminal elements. Our security agencies need a surge in numbers, equipment, and technology, as well as structure.

11. Those expressing concerns about the ability of the states to bear the cost of policing should realize that apart from the payment of salaries by the Federal Government, most of the operational and capital costs of the Nigeria Police are borne by State and Local Governments. These include vehicles, fuel, construction of police stations, provision of communications equipment and overheads. The fear of abuse of State Police by sub-national governments is misplaced for at least two reasons  the levels of insecurity across the country and the near helplessness of the Police makes addressing the need to put more police officers on the ground a greater priority than any other thing. Furthermore, a constitutional or statutory framework can be enacted to ensure federal intervention in egregious cases of abuse of police power by State Governors.

12. In addition to transferring Policing to the Concurrent List, there is the need to alter the Constitution to remove the existence of, and any reference, to the Police Service Commission. This Commission, which is one of the innovations of the 1999 Constitution, is an unnecessary cog in the wheel of policing in Nigeria. The power to hire and fire police officers should revert fully and totally to the Inspector General of Police, under the supervision of the National Police Council, as envisaged by the Constitution.

13. Secondly, it is time to vest control of mineral resources, including oil and gas and solid minerals, in the states, which will in turn pay royalties and taxes to the Federation Account. States already control land within their territories, courtesy of the Land Use Act, which is incorporated into the Constitution by reference. One of the reasons why mining has not quite taken off in our country is because of the dichotomy and total disconnect between the federal institution that issues licenses for mining and the state agencies that ultimately control not only the land and title thereto, but any approval to undertake any development on the land.

14. Thirdly, we need to restore to the states powers to establish, staff and run their own judiciary up to appellate level. It is an anomaly to have a National Judicial Council appointing high court judges for states. This should be the responsibility of State Judicial Councils. The remit of the National Judicial Council should be limited to the federal high and appellate courts. The constitutional amendment should clarify that the states can establish courts to exercise jurisdiction at first instance, or on appeal on matters for which the states can make laws. In essence, I am suggesting that judges of State High Courts, Sharia Courts of Appeal and Customary Courts of Appeal should be nominated by the State Judicial Council, subject to confirmation by the House of Assembly.

15. States should also be enabled to establish State Courts of Appeal, similar to what we used to have at the regional level under the 1963 Republican Constitution. The State Court of Appeal will entertain appeals from State High Courts, Customary and Sharia Courts of Appeal, on matters on which the State House of Assembly is empowered by the Constitution to make laws. This arrangement will make our judicial processes faster, encourage competition, deepen our jurisprudence and restore citizens trust. It will also significantly reduce the burden on the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

16. Fourthly, the Constitution should empower each state to decide the model of democratic local government that best suits it. Nigeria is a federation of the 36 states and the Federal Government. Listing the 774 Local Governments in the Constitution and trying to establish for them direct relations with the Federal Government violates the spirit of federalism. Each state should decide how many local governments it can efficiently run and fund for better governance and delivery of public goods. Each state should decide what typology of local governance fits its historical, cultural and administrative circumstances, but the resulting framework must be democratic, with periodic elections at no longer than four year intervals.

17. Adopting this proposal means that the revenue allocation formula will specify what proportion of federation transfers is for the local governments, and the State House of Assembly will legislate the vertical and horizontal formulae for sharing between them under the supervision and control of the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission. No state government shall be allowed under any guise to take control of local government funds, and the Constitution should entrench safeguards and sanctions, including withholding state funds due from the Federation Account in the event of any reported diversions, impoundment or misappropriation.

18. Fifthly, some of our Committees recommendations are clear, not controversial and simply conform with common sense. For instance, why should the Federal Government be enabled by the Constitution to fix a national minimum wage that it can afford but most of the states have been unable to implement? For the records, Kaduna State is the first government to pay the national minimum wage approved in 2019, with consequential adjustments of up to 66% for most state civil servants. Our compliance with this national law makes it easier for us to say what I am about to say. It is a truism that the cost of living varies widely across the nation so a federal minimum wage cannot fit all. A minimum wage is certainly desirable to protect citizens from exploitation, but it should be on the Concurrent List due to variations in cost of living and ability to pay. This alteration will enable the Federal Government to legislate a minimum wage for federal employees and those that reside and work in the FCT, while for instance, Zamfara State legislates a minimum wage different from tax-endowed Lagos State or oil-rich Rivers State, as examples.

19. Finally, transferring items like railways and prisons to the Concurrent List offers opportunities for both State and Federal Governments to collaborate concurrently to ensure we have light rail systems in our towns and cities, and many more prisons in the states to reduce the current congestion in our federal correctional facilities. Many Nigerians are not old enough to know that most of the correctional facilities of the Federal Government today were built by the regional governments and native authorities of pre- and post-independent Nigeria. They were taken over by military fiat after the tragic events of 1966.

20. In addition to some of the alterations to the Constitution listed above, our Committee also identified legislative interventions that the National Assembly can more easily undertake to achieve the goal of a truly balanced, equitable and fair federal structure. We also drafted bills to alter the Constitution and amend or repeal existing legislations to achieve the overall objective of true federalism. I am pleased to observe that some of the draft bills incorporated in our report  notably on state police and the minimum wage have been reviewed, updated and improved by several members of the National Assembly and are at the Second Reading stage of legislative action. This is commendable.

21. Let me conclude, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Senators, Honourable Members, Ladies and Gentlemen with one or two caveats. I am of the strong conviction that we need to devolve powers in our country to rebalance our federation for better governance. But I do not share the view that restructuring or devolution is a silver bullet that will solve all our problems overnight, given the gravity of our multi-pronged challenges. Adjustments to our Constitution will not solve all our problems as a nation. However, it will help us solve some immediate problems, and provide a platform for future leaders to resolve the medium- and longer-term issues. The limitations imposed by the current structure are obvious and we should all be eager to overcome them.

22. Let me also assure our distinguished and honorable members of the National Assembly that on virtually all issues listed above, there is a groundswell of consensus among many elected officials. Our Committee had membership including about ten governors, some of whom are now in the Senate. As Governors, we are also acutely aware that unless we support devolution from federal to state to local governments, with adequate safeguards that guarantee the functioning of our democracy, our country will continue to be a nation of potential instead of attaining the greatness, prosperity and progress that our human, material and endowments promise our citizens.

23. On this note, it is my singular honor and privilege to declare open the North-West Zonal Public Hearing on the review of the Constitution open. Once again, I welcome you all to Kaduna and wish you fruitful deliberations as we reposition our country for greatness.

Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Thank you for listening. God Bless you all.

Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, OFR

Governor of Kaduna State

May 26, 2021
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The Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has been accused of preventing the recovery of $60 billion in the United States.

Tosin Ojaomo, the special prosecutor to the defunct Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Property, made this allegation on Wednesday at the investigative hearing into the status of the recovered loots.

Mr Ojaoma also served as lawyer to Ibrahim Magu, the ex-acting boss of the EFCC. He represented Mr Magu before the Ayo Salami panel, which investigated the former EFCC boss.

Hearing

Speaking at the hearing, Mr Ojaomo, who did not tender any document to corroborate his statement, accused Mr Malami of preventing Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Property from recovering the said funds.

Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Property was headed by Okoi Obono-Obla, who is facing prosecution over corruption.

The panel was dissolved by President Muhamadu Buhari in 2019.

Ojaomos allegations

According to Mr Ojaomo, the $60 billion was stolen through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and domiciled in Texas, United States of America.

He stated that Mr Malami frustrated the effort of the panel to process the recovery of the money.

There was an intelligence given to the panel that the sum of $60 billion belonging to the Nigerian government is currently being domiciled at Texas in the United States of America which the panel has started working on, sir. All this has been taken over by the attorney-general of the federation.

The panel also got a foreign intelligence from the United States of America that a certain amount of money which was stolen from Nigeria through the NNPC to be precise was currently domiciled at Texas is the sum of $60 billion which the panel was about to recover.

Mr Ojaomo also accused the state-owned oil company of domiciling $223 million at Polaris Bank as an operation account.

Another interesting one is also a certain account which is domiciled at a Polaris bank where the sum of $223 million was kept under the guise of NNPC operations account. This account was not linked to the TSA, it was just a stand-alone account, he said.

Adejoro Adeogun (APC, Ondo), the chairman of the committee, allowed Mr Ojaomo to continue with his claims despite suggestions by some members of the committee that the lawyer should provide evidence.

The lawyer alleged that the panel got an information that the auditor-general withdrew the sum of 10 billion from the account of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)  5 billion in two tranches. So when the panel invited the auditor-general because what the panel does is  when you are to be investigated, the panel gives you a form  asset declaration form  this panel is the criminal aspect of the Code of Conduct Bureau. So when this asset form was sent to the auditor-general he refused to fill the form. He wrote several letters that he is not subject to the directive, that his office is an independent office known by the constitution.

He was later stopped by the chairman of the committee and asked to avail the committee of all the needed documents to back his claims

Mr Adeogun also announced that the committee will write to invite Mr Malami over the allegations.

The AGF had appeared before the committee on Tuesday.
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Buba Galadima, a former ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, has denied his affiliation with any of Nigerias two dominant political parties.

Mr Galadima, at a webinar tagged Intra-Party Democracy in Nigeria: Challenges and Solution, said he has ceased being a member of either the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the countrys main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

At the webinar organised by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), he presented himself as the National Chairman of the breakaway of the APC called Reformed All Progressives Congress (rAPC) adding that the rAPC is coming back to take Nigerias political space by storm.

I want to make the biggest correction, I am not, I am not a member of the PDP. I am not. I am the national chairman of the breakaway rAPC and I remain so, Mr Galadima clarified.

I want the nation to know that very soon, Nigeria will hear from us in the political environment with a big bang.

The rAPC broke away at the peak of the crisis which rocked the APC in 2018, accusing Mr Buhari-led government of underperformance and inability to live up to its promises for good governance three years after winning the first election.

Mr Galadima, a former National Secretary of defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), was one of the signatories to the merger that birthed the APC.

In his contribution as one of the four panelists at the Wednesday webinar designed to interrogate Nigerias intra-party democracy since 1999, Mr Buharis former ally said the countrys politicians, himself inclusive, had failed to learn lessons on the subject.

He, alongside three other panelists, agreed that Nigerias intra-party democracy remains crawling as money politics and candidate imposition had continued to rule political parties rather than true democratic tenets.

One could have thought that internal party democracy would be our watchword. If you cannot do justice to members of your party, how do you expect God to do justice to you. We must access the issues of electoral reform in Nigeria. It is only the people that have the right to choose who will represent them, Mr Galadima said.

While he condemned the lack of internal democracy within the ruling APC and the PDP, other members of the panelists said minor parties in the country are also guilty of similar deficiencies.

Ezenwa Nwagwu of the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), raised the need to end this trend which he argued was ushered into the system by President Olusegun Obasanjo after the country returned to democratic governance in 1999.

We need to find a way to disrupt this inglorious decisions. If people dont own these political parties they cannot be stakeholders, he said.

In her assessment of the parties since the country return to democracy, the Director of Centre for Democracy (CDD), Idayat Hassan, posited that Nigerias political parties have undermined their function as a school of democracy.

At the event sponsored by the European Union, the panelists advocated more open democratic system within individual party as well as more coordinated approaches from Nigerias electoral body, INEC.
Veteran lawyer, Afe Babalola, has described as a waste of time and energy, the planned review of the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly.

He said instead, the National Assembly should move for a national conference where issues bedeviling the nation could be identified, discussed and resolved through a roundtable talk.

According to him, there is no way the National Assembly can amend the 1999 Constitution to cure the inherent defects, if the fraud in the system is not first got rid of.

Mr Babalola, who is also the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, spoke in Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday.

His submission is coming a day after the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, told members of the Senate Committee of the Review of the Constitution that a national dialogue was the way forward.

Mr Akeredolu, who was not necessarily opposed to the exercise, said the clamour of the majority of the people for a national dialogue should be given a chance.

The National Assembly had started its zonal public hearings where inputs are gleaned from the various constituencies to form the basis for legislative action on the document.

Mr Babalola said the Constitution in practice is defective and needed to be reworked, having been bequeathed to the people by the military.

Against the background of the massive demand by Nigerians, home and abroad, for a true federal constitution made by the people and for the people, the National Assembly is calling for Public Hearing in the countrys six Geo-political Zones for peoples inputs on any issue of interest to enable the National Assembly to amend the 1999 constitution, he said.

It is common knowledge that the 1999 Constitution was made by the Military which in its wisdom claimed that it was made by the people.

Secondly, it is impossible, by way of amendment, to take away the military system of government under the 1999 Constitution or the power and control of public funds by the President.

Or can we, by way of amendment, change the Judicial powers of the President under the 1999 Constitution?

The root cause of our problems, which has brought Nigeria to the brink of extinction, is the 1999 Constitution foisted on it by the Military when it was exiting the reign of governance in 1999.

The fact remains that you cannot amend a Coconut tree which has no branches to become and Iroko tree which has branches. It is a well-known fact that everything about the 1999 constitution is wound round the Presidential system of government.

Why then is the National Assembly afraid of calling a National Constitutional Conference to fashion out a new true federal constitution and come up with a Parliamentary system of government like we had in 1963.

Alternatively, since amendment in law includes substitution for an existing document, why is it that the National Assembly cannot call for a Public Hearing on the substitution of the 1999 Constitution for the 1963 Constitution which was made with the consent of the people?.

The proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution, whichever way you look at it, is a futile exercise. We all know that previous sessions of National Assembly had made laws to convene National Conference.

I, therefore, advise that the current National Assembly should call for a National Conference to discuss and make a new true federal constitution which will provide for a Parliamentary system of government.

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The lawyer had earlier volunteered to host and bankroll a national dialogue that would aggregate the views if well meaning Nigerians on how to resolve the myriad of problems facing the country.

The lawmakers conducting the zonal public hearing in the zone arrived in Akure on Tuesday for the exercise.
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As long as Taiwan remains excluded from meaningfully participating in international organisations such as the WHO, the world cannot leverage Taiwans considerable strengths in medicine, manufacturing, and technology for the greater good Taiwan is ready to help us defeat this terrible pandemic. We should let Taiwan help.

Taiwan was incredibly effective in managing the COVID-19 pandemic and the world has an opportunity to learn from that experience at the May 25-June 1 World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva. If only inviting Taiwan was that easy. Taiwan, unfortunately, has been blocked from participating in critical international efforts to control the spread of diseases, denied access to important platforms to share its knowledge and expertise, and the 24 million people living on the island are cut off from global health security initiatives. This undermines public health in Nigeria, just as it does in the United States, Taiwan, and around the world. We can all do the right thing and support Taiwans participation in international organisations, where their contributions would help solve pressing issues, such as alleviating the COVID pandemic.

The WHA convenes senior health officials and leading health experts from around the world. It is instrumental to coordinating international efforts to improve the health of all people. Indeed, the motto of the WHO is Health for All. Taiwan participated in the WHA as an observer between 2009 and 2016, but today finds itself shut out due to political pressure from the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). Beijings actions to prevent Taiwans participation in the WHA leave the world, the World Health Organisation, and Nigeria worse off.

The world has much to learn from Taiwan at the World Health Assembly. Taiwans response to the recent pandemic, led by President Tsai Ing-wen, is rightly lauded as among the worlds most coordinated, transparent, and effective. Even before registering the first confirmed COVID-19 case on January 21, 2020, Taiwan activated its Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) to facilitate inter-ministerial cooperation in prevention and monitoring measures. By late February, the CECC had published a list of 124 action items, which included ramping up mask production through public-private partnerships.

Taiwan managed to avoid an outbreak by relying on transparency and implementing testing, strict border controls, mandatory quarantine guidelines, and advanced digital technologies for tracking potential infections. Taiwan threaded the needle between protecting public health and promoting a healthy economy, becoming Asias fastest-growing economy in 2020.

In March 2020, President Tsai announced that Taiwan was willing to contribute capabilities to better protect human health around the world. Soon after, the island committed to providing 10 million masks to more than a dozen nations, including the United States.

Taiwan not only successfully protected its population, it also sought to support the global population hit hard by the pandemic. In March 2020, President Tsai announced that Taiwan was willing to contribute capabilities to better protect human health around the world. Soon after, the island committed to providing 10 million masks to more than a dozen nations, including the United States. Nigeria has received over a 100,000 masks from this effort.

Taiwan continues to pursue innovative avenues of pandemic support. In April, it launched a travel bubble with diplomatic partner Palau. As a result, Taiwanese travelers are arriving in droves and providing much-needed revenue to the tourism-dependent Pacific Island nation.

As long as Taiwan remains excluded from meaningfully participating in international organisations such as the WHO, the world cannot leverage Taiwans considerable strengths in medicine, manufacturing, and technology for the greater good.

Taiwan is ready to help us defeat this terrible pandemic. We should let Taiwan help.

Mary Beth Leonard is the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria.
It would be a priority misplacement to embolden miscreants and destroy the collective zeal in the pursuit of guaranteeing Nigerias upgrade from a food importing country to a food-producing nation for the benefit of the economy.

Despite being Africas highest producer of rice, Nigeria spent an average of $4.2 billion on the importation of the commodity in 2018. This statistic, in relation to the size of the foreign exchange revenue of the country that it was taking, formed the basis for which rice importation was banned subsequently.

The ban on importation was also motivated by the quest for the revival of the nations economy, which is mainly agrarian. However, the laudable strategy did not stop the smuggling of foreign rice into the country by wayward local and foreign merchants, especially from the neighbouring countries of Niger, Cameroon and Benin Republic, which are not producers of rice but exporters of the commodity.

The smuggling of rice into Nigeria has impeded the positive strides being made by both the private sector and the various government investments in the rice sub-sector, to increase local production capacity.

Bearing the brunt of this misdeed has been the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). Each time the menace arises, the NCS is presumed to have acted in cahoots with lawbreaking individuals, to bring in the prohibited commodity without any scrutiny.

However, on Tuesday May 4, the Senate Committee On Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition ordered the NCS to return the foreign rice it had confiscated from the shops of traders in Ibadan, alleging that the officers who carried out the raid, had erred by descending on the market.

This directive led the Rice Processors Association Nigeria (RIPAN), represented by its Director-General, Andy Ekwelem, to call upon the Senate at a press conference to revisit their resolution on the matter.

Indeed, we are shocked at the fact that now that the Nigeria Customs Service has decided to do its duties creditably well and wield the big stick against rice smugglers, they are being antagonised and reprimanded by no other organ of government than the Nigerian Senate, Ekwelem said.

their argument appears as not tenable because the same Act, under section 147(1), states that when there are reasonable grounds to suspect that anything liable to forfeiture under the Customs and Excise laws is in existence, any officer, without prejudice, can, without a warrant, enter a building or any place at any time, and search, seize, detain, remove any such thing.

Although it seems like the Senate has no concern for the plight of local rice farmers, rice processors, and the Nigerian economy at large, there are few factors that could give grounds to their order.

One of them is the supply deficit of rice across the country. Rice, as we know, is a staple food in Nigeria, which is consumed across all the geopolitical zones of the country and the socio-economic classes. Yet, KPMG Nigeria has revealed that only about 57 per cent of the 6.7 million metric tons of rice consumed by Nigerians yearly is locally produced. If the population totally depends on the domestic supply of rice, the country could be vulnerable to chronic food shortages, which will skyrocket the price of the commodity way beyond affordability.

Meanwhile, during the press briefing by RIPAN, some journalists pointed out that foreign rice is cheaper in the markets, in comparison to the locally-produced ones. While imported rice sells within the range of N21,000 to N23,000 per 50kg bag, the domestically produced ones sell within the range of N28,000 to N30,000 for the same quantity, despite being home-grown. They also observed that rice produced in Nigeria is of a much lower quality.

In its response, the RIPAN spokesperson pointed out that some of the challenges in the sector were due to the fact that the processing of rice, from the harvested paddy to tabe-ready edible rice, entails parboiling the raw rice, drying and milling it before it is then destoned, which is an important and distinct feature of its production. The equipment for carrying out this latter stage of the processing cannot be afforded by the small scale processors, who make up 80 per cent of the local rice producers.

On the raiding of the traders shops, the members of the Senate committee argued that the NCS breached the Customs and Excise Managements Act (CEMA), which empowers the agency to only impound smuggled goods within a 40-kilometre radius to the countrys borders.

However, their argument appears as not tenable because the same Act, under section 147(1), states that when there are reasonable grounds to suspect that anything liable to forfeiture under the Customs and Excise laws is in existence, any officer, without prejudice, can, without a warrant, enter a building or any place at any time, and search, seize, detain, remove any such thing.

The interference of the Senate committee in the operations of the Nigerian Customs Service, in response to a moral dilemma, is in every respect ill-judged.

 if this persists, it can lead to the crash of the entire rice processing and milling sub-sector that employs between thirteen to fifteen million Nigerians, which will lead to the loss of jobs in a country where the labour market is not favourable.

Primarily, it compels one to believe that the Committee is just giving backing to smugglers and economic saboteurs at the expense of the efforts of Customs officers.

Likewise, it also disregards the hard work of the multitude of large scale farmers, rice processors, and individuals, who are investing in paddy aggregation and agro-input dealerships for the betterment of domestically produced rice.

And if this persists, it can lead to the crash of the entire rice processing and milling sub-sector that employs between thirteen to fifteen million Nigerians, which will lead to the loss of jobs in a country where the labour market is not favourable.

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The progress of the local rice production industry in Nigeria is inhibited by several factors like high transportation costs, low mechanisation of rice farms, and the scarcity of labor due to alternative and more remunerative off-farm employment opportunities.

Similarly, other factors include rural-urban migration, high cost of land preparation, and the broad use of genetically inferior varieties that exhibit low productivity.

For this reason, the Federal Government has expended millions to grow local capacity in the rice sub-sector. Nigerias Agricultural Credit Scheme (ACSS), Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme, and many other initiatives are the governments efforts to fund Nigerians who want to grow their own paddies to ensure food security, the conservation of foreign exchange and the diversification of the national economy.

It would be a priority misplacement to embolden miscreants and destroy the collective zeal in the pursuit of guaranteeing Nigerias upgrade from a food importing country to a food-producing nation for the benefit of the economy.

Zubaida Baba Ibrahim writes from Wuye District, Abuja. Email: Zubaida71@live.com
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Lagos, Nigeria. 26th of May, 2021.  In the recently released Africas Best Brands 2021, TECNO ranked for five consecutive years among the TOP 6 brands on the African continent, marking another prestigious recognition of the brands leadership in Africa.

Established in 2011, the Brand Africa 100: Africas Best Brands rankings is the most authoritative survey and analysis on brands and underlying businesses in Africa, based on a study by Geopoll across 28 countries spanning all the five economic regions and analysis and ranking by Kantar and Brand Leadership. Collectively they account for over 80% of the population and over 80% of the GDP of Africa. The 2021 survey was conducted between March and April 2021 and yielded over 80,000 brand mentions and over 3,500 unique brands.

Since its entry into the African market, TECNOs operations have been customer focused. Year in year out, they have ensured that their offerings are tailored to meet the needs of Africans.

Speaking to this at a virtual event organised by Brand Africa, Vincent Uzoegbu, Public Communications Manager, TECNO said; From the first day of our business, TECNO made a strategic decision to focus exclusively on Africa, and when we first entered Africa, our core strategy was to focus on sub-Saharan Africa, where mobile phone penetration was still very low and largely ignored by global mobile phone manufacturers. The aim was to bring a mobile phone that would suit African consumers and improve the lives of as many people in Africa as possible by bridging the digital gap through technology and innovation.

TECNO has worked tirelessly all these years to do just that. With the brands Phantom, Camon, Spark and Pova smartphone series, TECNO has been able to set numerous records that define its success and popularity on the continent, evident of its dogged resolve to present Africa with the best of technology and innovation. When TECNO launched dual SIM cards in Africa, there had been nothing of the kind before then. TECNO was also the first to develop long-lasting batteries that lasted 3 days to combat the epileptic power supply in places like Nigeria. The brand was also the first to bring camera solutions on their smartphones that suited the predominant African dark skin.

After more than a decade of commitment and consistency, the rewards are finally falling in. Earlier in the year, Counterpoint Research ranked TECNO as Africas number one smartphone brand in 2020, stating that TECNO made its breakthroughs in mobile photography technology and continued investment in the market throughout the pandemic despite a challenging year. And now, with Brand Africas new rankings, TECNO has once again come out tops, becoming a leading player in mid to high-end mobile brand segments in Africa.

Attai Oguche, Marketing Manager TECNO Nigeria said; Were very honoured to be listed again amongst Africas Best Brands ranking this year and to be part of the key contributors to the development of African business. Shouldering African consumers trust and great support, we will keep the momentum to continuously unlock our best of contemporary products and technologies for consumers across Africa and inspire them to pursue a better life via mobile technology innovations.

About TECNO

TECNO Mobile is a smartphone brand from TRANSSION Holdings. With Stop at Nothing as its brand essence, TECNO is committed to unlocking the best contemporary technologies for progressive individuals across global emerging markets, giving them elegantly designed products that inspires consumers to uncover a world of possibilities. TECNO understands the needs of consumers from different markets and provides them with localized innovations which is demonstrated through their mastery of serving consumers who are young at heart and never-ending pursuit for excellence. TECNOs portfolio spans across smartphones, smart wearables and devices made for consumers in over 60 emerging markets across the world. TECNO is also the Official Partner of Manchester City, Premier League Champions 2020-21. For more information, please visit: www.tecno-mobile.com.
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No fewer than 11 suspected vandals were arrested at various locations in Nigerias South-east for allegedly vandalising electricity equipment belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).

The spokesperson for the electricity company, Emeka Ezeh, disclosed this in a statement in Enugu on Tuesday.

Mr Ezeh said the activities of vandals were frustrating the genuine intention of the company to continuously improve power supply in the zone.

He lamented that the situation left electricity customers inconvenienced for weeks and the company losing revenue while expending millions of naira replacing vandalised items.

Just recently, a combined team of youths and vigilance team from Omoba, Isiala-Ngwa South, Abia arrested Ekene Ekwueme while attempting to evacuate large quantities of vandalised aluminium conductive into his vehicle.

Ebuka Eze, a native of Ugwuaji in Enugu South council area was arrested by youths from Area `E New Owerri, Imo, while carting away, in a wheelbarrow, cables he confirmed to have vandalised from East High School area, New Owerri.

The items recovered include two meters 35mm, 25m 4-core armoured cable and an iron saw.

Amechi-Amofia-Ezangbo vigilance group in Abakaliki, Ebonyi, arrested four suspected vandals for vandalising a distribution substation.

Items recovered from them included armoured cable and the tricycle used in carting away the vandalised items.

In Ojoto, Anambra; Ifeanyi Ugwu was arrested by the Ezema Ojoto Vigilance Team while vandalising 300KVA Aniawonwa distribution sub-station in Ojoto.

Items recovered from him included two completely loose bare conductives, down droppers, three pieces of feeder pillar copper bars, spanners and a knife.

At Nkono village, Ekwulobia in Anambra, Chukwuemeka Okoli was arrested by Ekwulobia Vigilante while vandalising a 2.5KVA sub-station at Isuofia Road, Ekwulobia, Anambra.

More so, Uchenna Ncheta, Chinedu Eze and Chuks Michael were arrested by members of Akwa-Ukwu Vigilance Group from Nnewi, Anambra, while attempting to vandalise Akwa-Ukwu 2,300KVA distribution sub-station.

It was also gathered that the trio masterminded the attack of Ibollo 500KVA sub-station at Oraifite, Anambra, sometime in March this year, he said.

The spokesperson said that all suspects were handed over to the respective police divisions in those areas, along with the items recovered, for proper investigation and possible prosecution.

He lauded the efforts of the various vigilance groups and youths of communities in apprehending the vandals.

(NAN)
The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has insisted that a national dialogue is the way to go in ensuring a lasting solution to the myriads of constitutional problems facing the country.

He gave the charge on Tuesday in Akure as the Senate commenced zonal hearings on the review of the 1999 Constitution.

Mr Akeredolu said the people were desirous of a national dialogue to chart a new course for the nation, saying it was a crucial step for the continued existence of the country.

He was hosting members of the review committee led by the Deputy Senate majority leader and senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Ajayi Borrofice.

Other Members of the committee who were present were Biodun Olujimi, Nicholas Tofowomo, Olubunmi Adetumbi and Opeyemi Bamidele.

The committee holds a public hearing on the review of the 1999 constitution at the International Centre for Culture and Event (DOME), Akure on Wednesday.

Mr Akeredolu noted that the people had lost confidence in the system due to the fact that a number of issues had been left to fester for too long.

He, however, restated his commitment to the unity of the nation, noting that the issues of insecurity and true federalism had affected many things in the county, including the trust of the people.

I kept making a case anytime I have the opportunity. My circumstance cannot make me believe in secession, he said.

My wife is from the SouthEast. My Sons married from other regions outside (the) Southwest.

But strong points have been made. Everybody wants to see fairness, federalism. Those are the areas. Is this how to run a federal government? Is it an inclusive one? How do we have fair representation? People are worried.

This constitution review, your efforts, I pray it should be accepted. Our people believe that there must be dialogue. People are saying we want national dialogue. How we convoke it, I dont know. I believe those are issues we must look at.

Mr Akeredolu, who said the people are already on the edge, added that the issues of farmers, herders clash could not be wished away in the course of the public hearing.

It is not easy to wish herders/farmers clash away. Our people are on the edge. What are we saying about (the) police? Are we stressing multi-level policing? Are we talking about state police? I believe opportunities are there for us in this country, he added.

Earlier, Mr Borrofice described the constitution review as a crucial exercise, especially at a time the nation is confronted with many issues.

He identified the issues of ethnic nationalism and restructuring, which are at the front burner, as part of the reasons the exercise becomes important at this time.

Although Mr Boroffice and the governor had been opposed to each other since the latters first term in office, the lawmaker seized the opportunity to praise the governors leadership of the state.

We are aware of what you are doing in the state. We know what it means to run a state when the funds are not there, said Mr Boroffice.

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We are happy that you are using what you have to deliver for the people. Dont expect everybody to praise you.

He said the committee was committed and determined to carry out the review of the constitution.
It does, indeed, feel as if the pandemic is lifting  that life is returning to normal. Or at least to a new normal, whatever that is. Im not counting my chickens just yet. Overseas, COVID-19 is ravaging India and other countries. Quarantine restrictions remain in place in this country or that country. Viruses are among natures trickiest little contraptions, and this one  like all others  is conspiring to navigate its way around the best efforts of Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J. So far, the vaccines seem to be barring the doors quite effectively, but only time will tell.
President Andrzej Duda has assured the Georgian people that Poland will continue to be their reliable ally and promote Georgia's EU and NATO accession.

See also: Address by the President of the Republic of Poland at Freedom Square in Tbilisi President attended Georgia's Independence Day ceremonies on Wednesday.

"Our unity and solidarity must stand against any imperial march," Andrzej Duda said, referring to Russia's assertive stance in the region.

"I'd like to reiterate it loud here that there is enough room in the united Europe and Nato to accommodate our friends from Eastern Europe, to accommodate Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova," the Polish president continued.

Poland has been advocating for further expansion of both the EU and Nato for years.

(PAP)
Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi updated the City Council on the Van Born corridor project during its May 25 meeting, and explained the next steps that will occur.

Bazzi said he has attended several project meetings since he was appointed mayor four months ago, and said that during the most recent meeting two weeks ago, he and city officials brainstormed with Taylor officials and engineers from Wade Trim to develop an ordinance both cities would adopt.

Dearborn Heights and Taylor are working together on the project as Van Born runs through both cities.

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The first thing we have to do is incorporate an ordinance for the Van Born corridor, Bazzi said. There were a few communities that were looked at for their best practices, so we are benchmarking for the best ordinance.

He said a draft copy of an ordinance was reviewed, item by item, for two-and-a-half hours at their last meeting.

Bazzi said change recommendations were made, and said Ordinance Director Ali Dib and Department of Public Works Director John Selmi participated in the process, as did city of Taylor building and DPW representatives.

Wade Trim was the mediator, going through the process, Bazzi said. So, they do have a proposed ordinance, but it still needs a little bit of tweaking,. So, before we do anything, we have to make sure that it is done, then we will bring it to your attention, and once it is approved, we go through all the iterations and make sure it is approved by both councils, in Taylor and Dearborn Heights.

City Councilman Dave Abdallah urged Bazzi to keep the process moving forward and not let it become mired by bureaucracy.

Bazzi said the three meetings he has attended have been productive and significant information was shared, which he sees as a positive development.

Phase One is to try to get the ordinance done, and Taylor is very excited about the project, he said. We are excited, and the TIFA folks are also excited.

TIFA, the Tax Increment Financing Authority, is a method Michigan communities may use to finance projects, such as commercial development and neighborhood revitalization, by capturing the year-to-year growth in property values and reinvesting it in public facilities within the TIF district.

Abdallah asked when residents can expect to see visual change within the corridor.

Bazzi reiterated that the lengthy step of completing the ordinance, which will impact businesses in the corridor, must be completed before anything else can be done, but he feels the changes will attract new businesses to the area.

I am hoping once we get it done, then any future businesses that come to the area will be excited when they see what we have to present, he said. A lot of investors will want to come to Van Born.

Bazzi said Phase Two of the Van Born corridor project is to see what funding will be needed and to determine which projects within the corridor the council wants to pursue.

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Dib said the redevelopment of the corridor will be gradual, and the city isnt going to demolish anything.

Once the ordinances are adopted by the communities, we are going to gradually move into the new standards, he said. The project is called Van Born Overlay, so, we are going to specify things like landscaping, setbacks, things of that nature, and they are going to be gradual, as buildings are renovated or new businesses come in, you are going to see the new standards apply.

Dib said once the ordinance is adopted, the changes will be very visible.

So, we are going to bring back an ordinance to you for approval, and Taylor will do the same thing, he said. Once that is adopted, youll start seeing results immediately.

Dib said renovations will be subject to the new conditions, new businesses will need to follow the new ordinance to obtain approvals, and design reviews will also take the new ordinance into account.

He said if the ordinance were to be adopted two months from now, then it will go to both cities' building departments, and anytime a permit is pulled for renovation or new construction along the Van Born corridor, the new standards will apply immediately.

Vehicle doors disappear in Dearborn Heights All four doors of a white 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited were reported stolen May 12 by a 22-year-old woman living in the 24500 block of Hass St

+2 Wyandotte art fair canceled for second consecutive year due to pandemic While many outdoor events are returning to Downriver communities this summer, the Wyandotte Street Art Fair will not be one of them.

Chrysler 300S impounded after driver ticketed in Dearborn Officers observed a Red Chrysler 300S driving erratically in the area of Michigan Avenue and Schaefer at about 9 p.m. May 18, and initiated a 
The Dearborn Public Library will host a virtual program about the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) at 7 p.m. June 2 and is inviting the public to learn how to provide important input into the states political future.

Michigan voters in 2018 approved the creation of the MICRC, whose mission is to lead Michigan's redistricting process to assure Congressional, State Senate, and State House district lines are drawn fairly in a citizen-led, transparent process, meeting Constitutional mandates.

The June 2 first Zoom presentation is being conducted in anticipation of the MICRC hosting an open meeting at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center on Thursday, June 3. The June 2 presentation will feature MICRC Commission Vice Chair Rebecca Szetala.

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During the June 2 program, Szetala will detail how the Commission will work and how residents can help design which areas of the map will best represent them through their input to the Commission.

To register for this free program, please visit the Library website at www.dearbornlibrary.org and click on the Events Calendar and Registration Link. Those registering will receive a Zoom meeting link.

Follow the Dearborn Public Library on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to learn about other upcoming programs and virtual events.

Source: City of Dearborn

+2 Wayne County Commission Youth Council concludes inaugural season The Wayne County Commission Youth Council concluded its first year of operation by drafting a resolution on student mental health care that wa

Wayne County residents are approaching 60 percent level for COVID-19 vaccinations Just under 60 percent of all eligible Wayne County residents have now received at least one vaccination against COVID-19, county health strate

Warrant request out for Dearborn man who stomped parakeet in fit of rage in pet shop The owner of Critters Pet Shop in Allen Park said calls are coming in from New York to Los Angeles and people want an answer to one main quest
Fathers Day weekend will be a return to normal after missing many events last year due to COVID-19 shutdowns.

Locally, that'll be shown by the return of Motor Muster to Greenfield Village on June 19-20.

Jim Johnson, director of Greenfield Village and curator of structures and landscapes, said this will be one of the largest car shows in the state, and while restrictions and guidelines keep changing, the one thing that is positive is that the show will be going on.

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Were pretty excited, he said. We couldnt do it last year.

The event has been going on for more than 25 years, and features hundreds of vehicles. Automobiles of any variety that fit the theme are included, from pickup trucks to hursts to motorcycles and more.

Johnson said all of the vehicles, this year from 1933 to 1978, are privately owned.

In a typical year, more than 750 vehicles will be included in the weekend. While that number is expected to be down this year, Johnson said most of the show traditions will continue, including the pass-in-review parades and car show.

From the lean Depression-era 30s and the American homefront during World War II to the futuristic 50s, revolutionary 60s and bicentennial 70s, show visitors can get a unique perspective on American culture through the lens of what people drove. Every automobile, from luxury vehicles to gritty muscle cars, has been carefully chosen to guide visitors through a unique story of American drive.

Saturday night will include the cover band Classic Gold playing a concert with hits from rock and pop music of the 1970s.

Johnson said people can mingle, from a safe distance, with hundreds of car owners ready to show off the talent that goes into preserving and restoring these living connections to the past. Listen in as experts share the history and insights at pass-in-review parades.

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New in 2021: Racing

This years feature celebrates the opening of The Henry Fords new exhibition, Driven to Win: Racing in America presented by General Motors, with a spotlight on auto racing. Americans love speed and spectacle. Whether its open-wheel competition at Indianapolis, super stock duels at the drag strip, or a 25-lap feature at the local dirt oval, racing stirs excitement and sells cars.

Automakers tout their victories and give their production cars racing-inspired names. Pontiac had the Bonneville, the LeMans and the Trans Am. Studebaker and Dodge both used Daytona, while Ford claimed Talladega. Chevrolet topped everyone, naming its entire brand for Swiss-American racing driver Louis Chevrolet.

Motor Muster is free for members of The Greenfield Village or Henry Ford Museum. All others pay between $21 and $28 for admission.

+3 Rotary Club of Dearborn Heights honors police, fire and late mayor with Paul Harris Fellow honors Two first responders and the late Mayor Dan Paletko were among those honored for their service to the community by The Rotary Club of Dearborn

+5 First responders receive parade of thanks from staffers at Beaumont Hospital, Taylor First responders who are used to driving up to Beaumont Hospital, Taylor, when an emergency arises were there Thursday evening for a much light-hearted reason  to receive some appreciation from hospital staff.

Storm door shattered on Dearborn house Police were called to the 7800 block of Appoline May 13 for a report of an attempted breaking and entering.
Now that COVID-19 cases are declining and the majority of Minnesotans have received vaccinations, what activities are you most looking forward to resuming this summer?

You voted:
PLATTSBURGH [mdash] Anthony Tarricone, 94, of Plattsburgh, passed away Monday in his home with his loving wife by his side and under the care of hospice. He was born in Yonkers on Aug. 13, 1926, the son of George and Nancy Tarricone. He graduated Horton High School in Yonkers. He also gradua
Adult learners are referred to as nontraditional students, but they have been a considerable presence in institutions of higher education for years. In 2007, about 38 percent of all higher education students were age 25 or older. These seven million American adults were attending classes to switch careers, retrain or simply expand their horizons because they did not have the opportunity to attend college after high school. The workforce was already shifting around us before the pandemic hit. Now more than ever, we must find creative ways to give our residents opportunities to evolve with it.
The Prince William 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.
VIENNA, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexogen, company of RNA Experts, is honored to announce that it has earned ISO 9001:2015 certification from TUV Austria CERT GmbH for its quality management system, encompassing the research, development and production of RNA analysis solutions, and the provision of bioinformatics solutions and services for RNA analysis.

ISO 9001:2015 is a globally recognized quality management standard developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). In order to earn this certification, the company must fulfill certain requirements, proving the ability to consistently provide high quality products and services that meet customer expectations and needs. The Quality Management System is the accumulation of all the processes, values, and resources, that are oriented on two goals  customer satisfaction and organizational efficiency.

"The ISO 9001 certification is an amazing step for Lexogen," says Stephane Barges, Chief Executive Officer at Lexogen. "Our whole team, at Lexogen, is striving to always improve and deliver the best products, services and support to our customers. This certification rewards the efforts we are making to ensure the highest level of quality and highlights our determination to continuously nurture innovation and develop premium quality RNA analysis solutions. We are happy and proud to have reached this milestone and we look forward to further serving and contributing to the success of our customers!".

About Lexogen

Established in 2007, Lexogen is a leading company in transcriptomics, next-generation sequencing, and RNA analysis. The mission of the Lexogen team is to empower their customers with innovative top quality RNA analysis solutions and support, in order to improve health and well-being for everyone and our planet. Lexogen is the leader in 3' RNA sequencing, a technology proven for its efficiency, its robustness, and its sensitivity. Lexogen's portfolio includes innovative kits for true single-cell as well as bulk RNA Sequencing, RNA purification and ribosomal RNA depletion, spike-in RNA variant controls, and metabolic RNA labeling. Lexogen also provides first-class, fully integrated RNA analysis services from experimental design to analytical reporting.

Lexogen is a privately held company, headquartered in Vienna, Austria with a subsidiary in New Hampshire, USA.

To learn more, visit www.lexogen.com and follow @lexogen.

Contact person:

Amra Dedic

Marketing Specialist

Tel.: +43 660 69 66 045

Email: amra.dedic@lexogen.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472869/Lexogen_logo_Logo.jpg

Related Links

http://www.lexogen.com



SOURCE Lexogen
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

Related Links

http://www.csglobalpartners.com



SOURCE CS Global Partners
MUMBAI, India, May 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Larsen & Toubro Infotech (BSE: 540005), (NSE: LTI), a global technology consulting and digital solutions company, has launched ServiceNow based Operational Technology Management solution for the manufacturing industry. The solution aims to address the latent demand of the industry to have digital workflows for Operational Transformation (OT) Service Management.

The solution leverages LTI's tech and domain expertise along with digital workflow enabling capabilities of ServiceNow, to deliver a scalable and secure solution for manufacturing operations using the Now Platform. This will help manufacturers embrace the concept of OT Management, in addition to IT Service Management (ITSM) practices. The solution also secures critical infrastructure from potential external threats and attacks, by helping ensure the foundational elements of OT cybersecurity.

With insights from this solution, manufacturers can derive business benefits such as assured systems availability and rapid resolution of issues through a common service data model for manufacturing operations. Key features of the solution include:

OT Visibility: Enabling digital view of all OT assets along with location, configuration and health

OT Service Management: Improved response time to OT service requests

OT Security and Governance: Reduction in risk and improved compliance

Nachiket Deshpande, Chief Operating Officer, LTI, said, "At LTI, we firmly believes there are exponential opportunities in the convergence of physical and digital worlds. This shift is accelerated by demands of the new economy that largely operates in a virtual mode, enabled by cloud. We are confident that this pioneering solution developed in partnership with ServiceNow will transform operations management for manufacturers worldwide."

Binoy Gosalia, Global Head of Industry Partnerships at ServiceNow, said, "LTI's expertise in Factory Floor and Enterprise Operations Management combined with ServiceNow's continued innovation across the Now Platform helps ensure that OT Management addresses all of the current needs for manufacturers. Our combined collaboration will improve overall visibility, response times and security across the entire manufacturing value chain."

LTI is an elite partner of ServiceNow with implementations across Fortune 500 companies and expertise across ITSM, ITOM, ITBM, HRM, CSM, IRM, SecOps, and platform management services. In its recent report, Information Services Group (ISG) has named LTI a Leader in ServiceNow Ecosystem Partners across all services in their 2021 ISG Provider LensTM report for the US.

About LTI:

LTI (NSE: LTI) is a global technology consulting and digital solutions Company helping more than 400 clients succeed in a converging world. With operations in 31 countries, we go the extra mile for our clients and accelerate their digital transformation with LTI's Mosaic platform enabling their mobile, social, analytics, IoT and cloud journeys. Founded in 1997 as a subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro Limited, our unique heritage gives us unparalleled real-world expertise to solve the most complex challenges of enterprises across all industries. Each day, our team of more than 35,000 LTItes enable our clients to improve the effectiveness of their business and technology operations and deliver value to their customers, employees and shareholders. Follow us at @LTI_Global

Connect with LTI :

Read our News and Blogs

Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn

Like us on Facebook

ServiceNow, the ServiceNow logo, Now, Now Platform, and other ServiceNow marks are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of ServiceNow, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other company names, product names, and logos may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

SOURCE LTI
MEXICO CITY, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Aeromexico, S.A.B. de C.V. ("Aeromexico" or the "Company") (BMV: AEROMEX) has taken knowledge of the decision by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States to downgrade Mexico to a Category 2 air safety rating as a result of a review carried out of the Federal Civil Aviation Agency of the Mexican Government.

The conclusions of the United States authority referred to the capacity of the Mexican State to comply with international standards on air safety, established by the International Civil Aviation Organization. (ICAO).

The decision implies that the Company, can continue to operate, without restriction, the flights it currently has to and from the United States. While Category 2 is maintained Aeromexico will not be able to add additional routes or frequencies, register new aircraft that can fly in United States airspace and adjustments will have to be made to existing codeshares with airlines from the United States.

It is important to specify that the decision was directed towards Mexico's civil aviation authority and not the Mexican airlines. Aeromexico continues to maintain the highest international safety standards and will continue its operations to the United States under the following considerations:

Current flights to and from the United States will not be affected or restricted.

will not be affected or restricted. All tickets, reservations, electronic vouchers, Premier Points and benefits and loyalty program benefits will remain valid.

Customers will be able to continue buying tickets to and from the United States through all existing channels.

Aeromexico will make all its expertise and experience available to the Mexican authorities to collaborate in their responsibility to recover Category 1 for Mexico as soon as possible in order to reduce the effects on Mexican airlines.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of the Company and its management with respect to its performance, business and future events. We use words such as "believe," "anticipate," "plan," "expect,", "intend," "target," "estimate," "project," "predict," "forecast," "guideline," "should" and other similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, but they are not the only way we identify such statements. Such statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in this release. The Company is under no obligation and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Grupo Aeromexico Grupo Aeromexico, S.A.B. de C.V. is a holding company whose subsidiaries are engaged in commercial aviation in Mexico and the promotion of passenger loyalty programs. Aeromexico, Mexico's global airline, has its main operations center in Terminal 2 of the Mexico City International Airport. Its destination network has reach in Mexico, the United States, Canada, Central America, South America, Asia and Europe. The Group's current operating fleet includes Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft, as well as the latest generation Embraer 190. Aeromexico is a founding partner of SkyTeam, an alliance that celebrates 20 years and offers connectivity in more than 170 countries, through the 19 partner airlines. Aeromexico created and implemented a Health and Hygiene Management System (SGSH) to protect its clients and collaborators at all stages of its operation.

www.aeromexico.com www.skyteam.com

SOURCE Grupo Aeromexico S.A.B. de C.V.
RAIPUR, India, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Stratview Research announces the launch of a new research report on Aerospace Thermoplastics Market By Aircraft Type (Commercial Aircraft, Regional Aircraft, General Aviation, Helicopter, Military Aircraft, and UAV), By Resin Type (High-Performance Thermoplastics {PPS, PEEK Family, PASU family, PEI, HPPA, and others}, Engineering Thermoplastics {PA, PC, and Others}, and Standard Thermoplastics {PP, PS, and Others}), By Application Type (Exteriors, Interiors, Assembly Components, and Others), By Form Type (Reinforced and Unreinforced), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World), Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2021-2026.

This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today's aerospace thermoplastics market realities and future possibilities for the forecast period 2021 to 2026. The report segments and analyzes the market in the most comprehensive manner to provide a panoramic view of the market. The strategic report also studies and analyzes the impact of COVID-19 on the market and provides a detailed overview of the possible market recoveries in the long run. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for market participants as well as investors in the identification of low-hanging fruits available as well as formulate growth strategies.

Aerospace Thermoplastics Market: Highlights

The aerospace thermoplastics market consecutively registered growth over the three years between 2015 to 2018. In 2019, the market registered a pause in its growth, mainly due to the grounding of B737 max after two fatal crashes, and delays in the market entries of upcoming aircraft programs such as B777x. The industry stakeholders were anticipating the year 2020 as an impressive year. However, the rapid spread of COVID-19 entirely changed the market dynamics. The pandemic has devastated the entire supply chain of the airline business with a massive drop in air travel, not only reducing the airlines' revenue but also enduring an additional cost of maintaining their grounded aircraft fleets. As per the latest estimates of IATA, the airline industry is recording a possible loss of 65.9% in RPKs in 2020 from 2019.

Based on the results of primary interviews coupled with past recovery trends of previous downturns caused by recession and pandemics (Great Recession, SARS, and MERS) suggests that the market for aerospace thermoplastics will mark an overall tick-shaped recovery with a deeper curve than previous downturns. The market participants are still optimistic about the long-term market outlook with a plethora of opportunities across regions. An expected recovery in the GDP to revitalize the positive waves, huge order backlogs by Airbus and Boeing, B737 Max's approval from FAA and other bodies, and expected entries of COMAC C919 and Irkut MC-21, to assist the prompt recovery of the aerospace thermoplastics market. Other demand boosters are market entries of new aircraft and large aircraft fleet size, helping the market to reach approximately US$ 0.3 billion in 2026.

Today, thermoplastics have earned a substantial position in all the end-use industries including the aerospace industry. Although the aerospace industry represents a diminutive share of less than 1% in terms of volume of the total thermoplastics market, it has been efficacious in gaining enough buzz in the market, propelled by its eye-catching growth rate. It is undeniably one of the fastest-growing markets among all end-use industries.

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In 2020, all the platform types recorded severe declines except spacecraft in the wake of the pandemic. Among all platform types, commercial aircraft, regional aircraft, and general aviation are the biggest victims of the pandemic. Military aircraft to record a relatively low decline in the year 2020.

Despite logging a massive decline in 2020, the commercial aircraft segment is likely to maintain its dominance in the market during the forecast period. Both Boeing and Airbus have huge order backlogs of 11,179 aircraft (Airbus: 7,163 and Boeing: 4,106) as of January 2021 and as per the new Boeing outlook suggesting that deliveries of 43,110 new aircraft during 2020-2039, are likely to resuscitate the demand for thermoplastics in the commercial aircraft segment in the long term.

Based on the resin type, the market is segmented as high-performance thermoplastics (HPTPs), engineered thermoplastics, and standard thermoplastics. HPTPs are further segmented into PPS, PAEK Family, PASU Family, PEI, HPPAs, and Others. Similarly, engineering thermoplastics are further segmented into PC, PA, and others and standard thermoplastics into PP, PS, and others. In terms of value, HPTPs are likely to remain the most dominant and the fastest-recovering segment in the post-pandemic market developments. HPTPs are gaining traction in the aerospace industry because of their better temperature stability, excellent chemical resistance, and higher mechanical properties. Among HTTPs, PPS is likely to maintain its supremacy in the market with an excellent CAGR during the forecast period.

Among all end-use application segments, interiors are likely to remain one of the most dominant segments, whereas assembly components to be the fastest-growing end-use type in the market over the next five years. In interiors, all three sets of thermoplastics (HPTPs, engineering, and standard) are used; however, their usage and applications are subjected to various parameters including strength, toughness, cost, etc. For instance, engineered thermoplastics and standard thermoplastics are preferred in low load-bearing applications, such as dashboards, and cabinets, whereas HPTPs are preferred in parts requiring higher dimensional stability with excellent FST performance.

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The market is registering significant changes in regional dynamics in the post-COVID scenario. All regions to mark significant declines in aerospace thermoplastics' demand in 2020. Despite severely hit by the pandemic, North America is projected to remain the largest market during the forecast period. The USA is anticipated to remain not only the largest market in North America but also in the world throughout the study period (2015-2026), owing to the presence of major aircraft OEMs, tier players, raw material suppliers, and part fabricators.

Europe and Asia-Pacific are the other major markets and are also likely to experience hefty declines in the demand for thermoplastics in the aerospace industry in 2020. Asia-Pacific is anticipated to log the quickest recovery in the market during the forecast period. The upcoming commercial aircraft program (C919), opening of assembly plants in China by Boeing and Airbus, and an ongoing shift in assembly plants of OEMs in the region are likely to create a healthy long-term demand for aerospace thermoplastics in the region.

The supply chain of this market comprises raw material suppliers, aerospace thermoplastic manufacturers, compounders, prepreggers, tier players, aircraft and engine OEMs, airlines, and MRO companies. Key players in the market are:

Solvay S.A.

Victrex plc

BASF SE

China Lumena New Materials Corporation

DIC Corporation

SABIC

Toray Industries, Inc.

Evonik Industries AG

Arkema S.A.

Advancements in materials, mergers & acquisitions, and collaborations with OEMs for the joint development of aerospace thermoplastics are some of the strategies adopted by the major players to gain a competitive edge in the market.

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights on the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:

Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.

Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.

Market trend and forecast analysis.

Market segment trend and forecast.

Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc.

Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.

Emerging trends.

Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.

Key success factors.

This report studies the aerospace thermoplastics market and has segmented the market in five ways, keeping in mind the interest of all the stakeholders across the value chain. Following are the five ways in which the market is segmented:

Aerospace Thermoplastics Market, By Aircraft Type

Commercial Aircraft (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Regional Aircraft (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

General Aviation (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Helicopter (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Military Aircraft (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

UAV (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Aerospace Thermoplastics Market, By Resin Type

High-Performance Thermoplastics (HPTPs): Regional and Resin-Type Analysis

Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW



Resin Type Analysis: PPS, PAEK Family, PASU Family, PEI, HPPAs, and Others

Engineering Thermoplastics: Regional and Resin-Type Analysis

Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW



Resin Type Analysis: PA, PC, and Others

Standard Thermoplastics: Regional and Resin-Type Analysis

Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW



Resin Type Analysis: PP, PS, and Others

Aerospace Thermoplastics Market, By Application Type

Exteriors (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Interiors (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Assembly Components (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Others (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Aerospace Thermoplastics Market, By Form Type

Reinforced Thermoplastics (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Unreinforced Thermoplastics (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Aerospace Thermoplastics Market, By Region

North America (Country Analysis: The USA , Canada , and Mexico )

Europe (Country Analysis: France , Germany , the UK, Spain , Russia , and Rest of Europe )

Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan , China , India , and Rest of Asia-Pacific )

Rest of the World (Sub-Regional Analysis: Latin America , the Middle East , and Others)

Stratview Research has several high value market reports in the composites industry. Please refer to the following link to browse through our reports:

https://www.stratviewresearch.com/market-reports/Advanced-Materials.html

About Stratview Research

Stratview Research is a global market intelligence firm providing wide range of services including syndicated market reports, custom research and sourcing intelligence across industries, such as Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Automotive & Mass Transportation, Consumer Goods, Construction & Equipment, Electronics and Semiconductors, Energy & Utility, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Oil & Gas.

We have a strong team of industry veterans and analysts with an extensive experience in executing custom research projects for mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies, in the areas of Market Assessment, Opportunity Screening, Competitive Intelligence, Due Diligence, Target Screening, Market Entry Strategy, Go to Market Strategy, and Voice of Customer studies.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CRB, an international leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, construction and consulting solutions to the food and beverage and life sciences industries, today announced that Alan Jones has joined the company as its new Vice President of Business Development. Jones  who has deep experience in establishing long-term client relationships across design, construction, manufacturing and other industries  will report to Lance Nordbak, CRB's Chief Operating Officer for Regional Operations.

The appointment marks Jones' homecoming at CRB, where he served from 2003-2010 as Director of Business Development. During that tenure, he helped scale up the company's then-new construction management division in the southeastern United States, expanding the scope of his role to oversee three business units in design and another in construction management.

Jones returns to CRB from Duke Energy, where he served as Director of Business Recruitment, leading a team of managers across multiple electric-intensive industry sectors; data centers, automotive/battery, aerospace and defense, life sciences, food and beverage, advanced manufacturing, and logistics.

"Alan will be responsible for helping deliver high client value as well as profitable and sustainable business growth in all of CRB's markets," Nordbak said. "Every organization served by Alan has seen significant growth under his leadership  including our own  and we are excited to bring him back to CRB."

Said Jones: "CRB's preeminent teams of designers and constructors use cutting-edge technology and collaboration tools to meet and exceed client expectations. Our integrated delivery approach  led by our flagship ONEsolution offering  takes projects from conception to commission at a high quality, on time and on schedule. I'm excited to join CRB's talented professionals in consistently delivering value to clients."

About CRB:

CRB is a leading provider of sustainable engineering, architecture, construction and consulting solutions to the food and beverage and life sciences industries. Our more than 1,400 employees provide world-class solutions that drive success and positive change for our clients, our people and our communities. CRB is a privately held company with a rich history of serving clients throughout the world, consistently striving for the highest standard of technical knowledge, creativity and execution.

MEDIA CONTACT INFORMATION:

Chris Clark: 816-200-5234

SOURCE CRB

Related Links

http://www.crbusa.com


"Sustainability isn't just something we practice; it is part of who we are as a company and as global citizens," said Jonathan Thomas, American Century president and chief executive officer. "With an ownership structure that directs over 40% of its profits to fund medical research, we attract employees motivated to make a difference and develop investment teams who make Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria a fundamental part of their analysis. Matt and Patricia's appointments as leaders of our corporate sustainability efforts and our new sustainable investment council, respectively, demonstrate our commitment to evolving and growing in this important area."

Matt Oldroyd, Head of Corporate Sustainability

In his new role, Oldroyd will champion sustainability initiatives that support the firm's brand and culture by working with leaders across the firm in human resources, legal, distribution and marketing, facilities, and in concert with American Century's diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I) committee, sustainable investment council and ESG and investment stewardship team. He will support American Century's goals to be a responsible corporate citizen, with direct financial impact on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #3 (good health and well-being).

"Corporate sustainability and ESG investing are fast-evolving topics around the globe; Matt will be responsible for understanding the external environment and funneling insights back into our firm," Thomas said.

In addition to his new responsibilities, Oldroyd manages a team of client portfolio managers who represent portfolio management in communicating investment strategies and results to the firm's clients and investors. He also is a member of American Century's expanded management committee and its investment leadership team who provides governance to ESG initiatives for the firm. Previously, he has held roles as client portfolio manager for global value strategies and as relationship manager for institutional clients. Before joining American Century Investments in 2000, Oldroyd was at J.P. Morgan in asset management. He has worked in the investment industry since 1994. Oldroyd earned a bachelor's degree in international studies and German from American University and spent a year on post-graduate scholarship at the University of Cologne in Germany. He is a CFA charterholder, holds the CAIA designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CAIA Association.

Patricia Ribeiro, Chair of Sustainable Investment Council

As council chair, Ribeiro will lead a select group of portfolio managers who represent all the firm's investment disciplines. The council provides a platform to bring client insights back into the investment organization to accelerate the teams' progress in sustainable investing. It will also partner with American Century's dedicated ESG and investment stewardship team to further leverage its expertise, augment training and enhance investment capabilities.

"Patricia is recognized by clients around the world as a leader in both ESG and impact investing," said Zhang. "She brings credibility and authenticity to our ESG investing practices, coupled with significant industry experience."

Sustainable investing remains a strategic focus and firmwide commitment, according to Zhang. "We continue to add resources and adapt processes to optimally support this initiative," he said. "Establishing the council, comprised of investment practitioners, is the next step in this evolution. We believe our portfolio managers are in the best position to engage with clients on their evolving ESG needs and objectives, understand the practical application of sustainable investing and drive best practices throughout their teams. We anticipate continuing to grow and add talent around sustainable investing."

Ribeiro joined American Century Investments in 2006 and has nearly 30 years of investment experience. As senior portfolio manager, she leads a seven-member team overseeing both ESG-integrated and impact strategies focused on emerging markets. Ribeiro is a member of American Century's expanded management committee and its DE&I committee. Prior to joining the firm, she was an independent consultant for Medley Global Advisors, LLC, in New York and Black Arrow Capital Management, LLC, in Greenwich, Conn. Prior to that, she was head of Latin American research at Citigroup Asset Management, a team she created and managed as part of the firm's global research group. She also served as head of Latin American equity research for J.P. Morgan Investment Management. She has worked in the financial industry since 1984. Ribeiro holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Rutgers University.

For more information on American Century's sustainability practices and ways it makes an impact through how it manages money, develops its workforce and lifts its communities, you can read its Corporate Responsibility Report.

About American Century Investments

American Century Investments is a leading global asset manager focused on delivering investment results and building long-term client relationships while supporting research that can improve human health and save lives. Founded in 1958, American Century Investments' 1,400 employees serve financial professionals, institutions, corporations and individual investors from offices in New York; London; Frankfurt; Hong Kong; Sydney; Mountain View, Calif.; and Kansas City, Mo. Jonathan S. Thomas is president and chief executive officer, and Victor Zhang serves as chief investment officer. Delivering investment results to clients enables American Century Investments to distribute over 40 percent of its dividends to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, a 500-person, non-profit basic biomedical research organization. The Institute owns more than 40 percent of American Century Investments and has received dividend payments of $1.7 billion since 2000. For more information about American Century Investments, visit www.americancentury.com.

A strategy or emphasis on environmental, social and governance factors ("ESG") may limit the investment opportunities available to a portfolio. Therefore, the portfolio may underperform or perform differently than other portfolios that do not have an ESG investment focus. A portfolio's ESG investment focus may also result in the portfolio investing in securities or industry sectors that perform differently or maintain a different risk profile than the market generally or compared to underlying holdings that are not screened for ESG standards.

Sustainability focuses on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. There are many different approaches to Sustainability, with motives varying from positive societal impact, to wanting to achieve competitive financial results, or both. Methods of sustainable investing include active share ownership, integration of ESG factors, thematic investing, impact investing and exclusion, among others.

*Assets under supervision as of 5/24/21.

2021 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

Contact: Laura Kouri

(816) 516-7729

SOURCE American Century Investments

Related Links

http://www.americancentury.com


LOS ANGELES, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- American Jewish University (AJU) announced today that it has engaged Huron Consulting Group (Huron) in its exploratory process for a strategic partner at its Sunny & Isadore Familian Campus in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles. Through an intentional process developed in collaboration with Huron, AJU will consider a wide range of potential partners and models in which currently underutilized segments of the campus will be shared with a strategic partner that aligns with AJU in mission and values.

Widely recognized for its deep expertise in higher education, Huron works with institutions to proactively think about strategic alliances and helps leaders assess strategic options, develop action plans, and execute mergers, acquisitions, and other alliances.

A wide range of institutions will be considered as part of the process, including universities, schools, and nonprofit organizations. The parcel of landlocated at 15600 Mulholland Drive Los Angeles, CA 90077is in the heart of Los Angeles near other higher education institutions, including the University of California, Los Angeles. The review will not include the Brandeis-Bardin Campus in Simi Valley, home of the renowned Brandeis Collegiate Institute and the much-loved Camp Alonim.

"Since its founding, American Jewish University has continuously evolved to meet the needs of the Jewish community. In that tradition, we have made a range of strategic decisions this year to effectively position our institution for the future," said AJU President Dr. Jeffrey Herbst. "As we continue our work to advance Jewish wisdom and elevate Jewish living, we are exploring whether we could better allocate resources to serve our mission and growing digital capabilities. We are grateful to Huron for lending their expertise in our search for a strategic partner that aligns with our educational mission and will enhance the vibrancy of AJU's Familian Campus."

Institutions interested in learning more about this opportunity can contact Adrian Breitfeld, Vice President for Finance and Administration, at [email protected].

About AJU: American Jewish University (AJU) is a thriving center of Jewish resources and talent that serves the Jewish community of the twenty-first century. A portal for Jewish belonging, AJU equips students, faculty, campers, and learners of all ages with the tools to create the ideas, build the structures, and develop the programs to advance Jewish wisdom and elevate Jewish living. For more information, visit www.aju.edu.

SOURCE American Jewish University

Related Links

www.aju.edu


Florida leads the nation in death row exonerations, Ayala said. And it should be something that is not racially disparate [in its use]. So when I think about the decision on the death penalty, it truly represents the things that I did right.
LAS VEGAS, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Australis Capital Inc. (CSE: AUSA) (OTC: AUSAF) today provided the following corporate update:

Ground-Breaking University of Alberta Study, Co-Led by AUSA CSO Dr. Jason Dyck, Confirms Opioid Sparing Effects of Medical Cannabis.

Australis Chief Science Officer Dr. Jason Dyck, the co-lead author on a peer reviewed article, is pleased to share the ground-breaking study conducted by the University of Alberta. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of medical cannabis authorization on opioid use between 2013 and 2018 in Alberta, Canada. A strong correlation was found between reduced opioid use (by heavy consumers) and the adoption of medical cannabis in pain management regimes.

The study was conducted in Canada on the largest global population of federally legal medical cannabis patients. These medically prescribed patients were tracked comparing medical cannabis use with opioid use. The importance of this study is that it strengthens the evidence that use of medical cannabis for pain management may represent an alternative to opioid medication. The results from the study are anticipated to provide the rapidly growing number of physicians willing to consider prescribing cannabis with much needed information about alternatives to pain management plans.

Dr. Dyck commented, "The findings of this study are profound in that they provide more information to physicians who are seeking to help patients reduce their dependency on opioids for pain management. This work may assist with helping clinicians combat the opioid crisis that is ongoing in our society."

Terry Booth, CEO commented, "AUSA is proud to have Dr. Jason Dyck as our Chief Science Officer. This study supports what we have thought for many years, and in my opinion proves that cannabis is a safe alternative to opioids."

The full article can be found here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33933061/

Hanoz Kapadia Appointed Chairman of the Board

The Company today announced that Mr. Hanoz Kapadia has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors for AUSA.

Dr. Jason Dyck, Chairman of the Company's Compensation and Nominating Committee, stated, "Further strengthening our governance through the appointment of one of our independent directors as Chair was a straightforward decision. We are pleased Hanoz has accepted this new role."

Mr. Kapadia added, "I am honored to take on this position with the Company that in just the past few months has closed multiple excellent acquisitions, executed a successful corporate reset, and replaced senior management. The Company, without a doubt, has accelerated its entry into the U.S. cannabis sector and is leading the way in terms of innovation and execution. I look forward to working with Terry, the Board and the AUSA team as we take the Company to the next level and continue building towards the Company becoming a top tier MSO."

Mr. Kapadia has been the managing Partner at Kapadia & Associates, a high net-worth accounting and advisory firm, since 2003. Mr. Kapadia is an experienced entrepreneur, with over 23 years of experience advising on regulatory, tax and finance matters in public, private, and non-profit enterprises. Mr. Kapadia served as the Chair of Finance and Governance at Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation, Chair of the By-law review committee and has also previously served as interim Chairman of the Board of Directors at Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation. Mr. Kapadia serves on the board at AI  LP, a firm focused on early-stage technology startups, is currently the Chair of the advisory board at Huex Labs, a leading artificial intelligence company and is a former member of the board at Optimal Research Corporation, a medical research company. Mr. Kapadia holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo and a Masters of Accounting from the University of Waterloo.

ALPS Continues to Lead

Helping the university of Alberta to Attract the Best and Brightest in the Horticulture Industry

AUSA's majority owned subsidiary ALPS has completed an agreement with the University of Alberta ("UofA") to provide a business case and feasibility study to establish a state-of-the-art R&D greenhouse to be used by the Faculty of Agricultural, Life Environmental Sciences. Objective of the project is for the UofA to establish a leading agricultural infrastructure focused on innovation to help attract the best and brightest horticulture students who will lead the industry in the years to come.

ALPS have an exceptional track record in establishing industry-leading facilities that incorporate the latest innovations, while always taking economic realities and client-specific objectives into consideration.

Joel Fuzat, VP of Innovation at ALPS, stated, "We are excited about this project and look forward to applying the findings from this study, contingent on the go-ahead from the UofA, to help create and envision the future of agriculture and strengthen Canada's leadership in this global sector."

Middle East - APIS Maintenance Contract

ALPS has signed an APIS Maintenance contract with an agricultural innovator in the Middle East for one of their facilities. APIS is an Internet-of-Things style solution that monitors equipment status across a number of mission critical facility operations, such as environment management, harvest time optimization, delivering quality outputs, essentially dialing in crops of any type for our clients' best-in-class results. APIS also is a central repository of knowledge and scheduling tools, facilitating and streamlining maintenance operations. By creating streamlined standard operating protocols as well as pro-actively signaling the need for preventative maintenance, a facility's operations are significantly de-risked while financial efficiencies increase.

Thomas Larssen, President of ALPS, commented, "We continue to see good traction for our APIS offering. The return on investment from deploying our APIS computer managed maintenance system is unsurpassed in our sector, truly reflecting the future for industrial greenhouse management. We have a close relationship with our partners in the Middle East and anticipate being able to make further announcement of new and exciting projects in this region in the very near future."

GT  Continued Execution

Expanded Operations

In its release of April 29, 2021, the Company announced GT had entered into a management agreement with a Nevada based cultivator and producer of premium cannabis products, whereby GT will operate the partner's cultivation facility, with products sold under the GT and Mr. Natural brands. GT is pleased to report it has now taken over operation of the facility. Harvest under GT's auspices have begun, which will result in an expansion of the volume of GT branded products available in Nevada dispensaries. In addition, GT and AUSA are consulting on the engineering and expansion of its partner's indoor facility, further increasing capacity and expanding GT product availability.

Land Sale

The Company has now also completed the sale of land held in North Las Vegas as part of the unwinding of the original asset purchase, which was replaced with the previously reported acquisition of all of GT. The sale of the land strengthened AUSA's working capital by approximately $2 million.

Expanding Retail Penetration

GT has signed an agreement with leading Nevada retail brand Thrive Cannabis Marketplace ("Thrive") for its products to be carried by the chain. Currently operating four dispensaries in Nevada, Thrive is anticipated to grow to eight locations before year-end.

Dr. Duke Fu, AUSA COO, commented, "Having been able to complete this agreement with Thrive is a reflection of the quality and popularity of our products. With our expanded capacity, which we anticipate growing further as we complete additional production partnerships, we are now able to continue growing with the market and expand our position as a high-quality partner to leading retailers, such as Thrive."

Terry Booth, CEO, Expands Ownership Interest

As part of the ALPS transaction, AUSA had taken on an outstanding liability ALPS had with Mr. Booth. In consideration of the $747,115 loan liability, Mr. Booth has agreed to accept settlement in shares. This equates to an additional 2,716,782 common shares in AUSA.

"I strongly believe that AUSA is one of the best investment opportunities in the cannabis industry today. I am very happy to settle this consideration for shares rather than cash. AUSA is incredibly well positioned to play a major role in the US cannabis space as we continue to execute on our unique expansion strategy. With ALPS and GT firing on all cylinders, we continue to grow while lining up numerous opportunities to enter the Eastern United States and other jurisdictions that suit our strategy and vision. The entire AUSA Team are passionate, professional, persistent and poised to execute. I am proud to be a part of the go forward with AUSA."

About AUSA

AUSA is at its roots a community and culture-based cannabis company, originally founded by Steve Dobler and Terry Booth, the founders of Aurora Cannabis Inc. After the completion of a dissident shareholder battle that ended with convincing shareholder approval, Terry Booth, former Aurora CEO, who had to step away from AUSA upon spin off, re-joined AUSA as CEO on March 9, 2021. Since then, the company has reset the direction of AUSA and in just 3 months closed multiple accretive transactions, improved legacy contracts, established a world class Executive Team, and resolved previous executive and board exits. AUSA is looking forward to becoming a profitable Multiple State Operator in the medical and adult usage cannabis sectors.

Also, in the same 3-month time frame, AUSA with its acquisition of ALPS has entered the global Sustainable Controlled Environment Agriculture Industry, a rapidly growing segment of the global horticulture market. ALPS provides customized designs along with multiple services that allow operators to maximize yield and quality while minimizing inputs and resources, including labor. ALPS at present is active in cannabis and traditional horticulture projects across the globe, including the U.S.A., the E.U., Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, the Middle East, South East Asia and Canada. Total Capex committed by ALPS' clients since Aurora divested its interest just 12 short months ago during the covid crisis, stands at approximately $1 billion, with a rapidly growing business development pipeline approaching $4 billion in total Capex to be spent by potential clients over the next 24 months.

AUSA's business assets include: a 51% ownership interest in ALPS, a milestone weighted deal with an option to acquire the remaining 49% of ALPS - AUSA and Green Therapeutics, an award-winning MSO, have finalized and agreed to all terms with respect to AUSA's 100% acquisition (subject to regulatory state licensing approvals). AUSA also owns land assets in Bellingham, Washington - as well as the iconic West Coast brand Mr. Natural. AUSA furthermore has investments in Body and Mind Inc., a U.S. MSO, Quality Green, a Canadian licensed producer and Cocoon, a company changing the dispensary customer user experience through self-service kiosks The Company also has executed a term sheet for a JV partnership with U.S. and Canada based 3 Rivers Biotech for plant tissue culture, genetics clean-up and micro propagation.

AUSA cannabis assets and ALPS cannabis projects are presently located in Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma, and California with many other deals in other states presently being evaluated and negotiated.

The Company's common shares trade on the CSE under the symbol "AUSA" and on the OTCQB under the symbol "AUSAF".

"Terry Booth"

________________________________

Terry Booth

Chief Executive Officer

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein is forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information in relation to: the ability of ALPS to convert its pipeline into contracts; the impact of the changes to U.S. federal and state statutory developments with respect to the cannabis industry and the opportunities this may present for the Company; and the Company's current liquidity. This forward-looking information reflects the Company's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to the Company and on assumptions the Company believes are reasonable. These assumptions include but are not limited to the ability of the Company to successfully satisfy the conditions to closing the proposed transaction; the ability of the Company to successfully execute on its plans for the Company and GT; legal changes relating to the cannabis industry proceeding as anticipated.

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. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; general capital market conditions and market prices for securities; the actual results of the Company's future operations; competition; changes in legislation affecting the Company; the timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals; risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic including various recommendations, orders and measures of governmental authorities to try to limit the pandemic, including travel restrictions, border closures, non-essential business closures, service disruptions, quarantines, self-isolations, shelters-in-place and social distancing, disruptions to markets, economic activity, financing, supply chains and sales channels, and a deterioration of general economic conditions that could limit the Company's ability to obtain external financing.

A description of additional risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in the Company's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. 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. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. 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 information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. However, the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law.

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

SOURCE Australis Capital Inc.

Related Links

www.ausa-corp.com


Through DoorDash Drive, Bed Bath & Beyond and buybuy BABY websites will expand same day delivery to over 3,000 additional zip codes across the country. With the added coverage, Same Day Delivery is now available in nearly all store locations and allows customers the convenience to shop an array of different delivery options. Customers can utilize the service by going to bedbathandbeyond.com and buybuybaby.com and selecting the option for Same Day Delivery at checkout. Once the order is placed, a Dasher will pick up the items at the local store and deliver them to the customer's home via contactless delivery. Customers are also now able to place an order just hours before closing and still receive it the same day and track packages live.

Rafeh Masood, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer said, "We are thrilled to continue strengthening our Same Day Delivery services through this partnership with DoorDash. What's also exciting about this partnership is that we are extending order cutoff times from 1 p.m. to up to 6 p.m. local time based on store hours and customers can receive real-time updates on their order status via text, giving them real-time visibility to when their order will arrive to them. We're executing on our strategy to being an omni-always retailer to provide customers with the convenience of Buy-Online-Pickup-In-Store, contactless Curbside Pickup, and multiple Same Day Delivery options through existing partnerships with Shipt, Instacart and now DoorDash. We will continue to provide our customers with innovative omnichannel avenues to shop with us."

Christopher Payne, Chief Operating Officer at DoorDash said, Amidst the pandemic we accelerated our momentum into new categories to address consumers heightened needs for household essentials, allowing them to get the items they needed most delivered on the same day to their doorstep. We are excited to partner with leading retailer Bed Bath & Beyond to expand their reach and offer their vast selection of products to more customers in more markets across the U.S. with the ease and convenience of store-to-door delivery powered by DoorDash Drive.

Bed Bath & Beyond continues to move ahead in its transformational journey by helping customers to realize the potential in every room, introducing new and exciting brands, tools, and services to inspire customers to "Home, Happier." The Same Day Delivery partnership with DoorDash follows a successful launch in Canada last month, which was accelerated in response to pandemic-induced lockdowns in Ontario.

About Bed Bath & Beyond

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") is an omnichannel retailer that makes it easy for its customers to feel at home. The Company sells a wide assortment of merchandise in the Home, Baby, Beauty and Wellness segments. Additionally, the Company is a partner in a joint venture that operates retail stores in Mexico under the name Bed Bath & Beyond.

Bed Bath & Beyond operates websites at bedbathandbeyond.com, bedbathandbeyond.ca, buybuybaby.com, buybuybaby.ca, facevalues.com and decorist.com.

About buybuy BABY

buybuy BABY is the largest specialty baby retailer in North America that empowers parents with the information and products they need to confidently prepare for, navigate, and celebrate a joy-filled life with baby. The company sells a wide assortment of baby essentials and nursery furnishings that transitions from infant to toddler. The company is a subsidiary of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.

About DoorDash

DoorDash is a technology company that connects consumers with their favourite local and national businesses in more than 4,000 cities and all 50 states across the United States, Canada, and Australia. Founded in 2013, DoorDash enables local businesses to address consumers' expectations of ease and immediacy and thrive in today's convenience economy. By building the last-mile logistics infrastructure for local commerce, DoorDash is bringing communities closer, one doorstep at a time.

SOURCE Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.
This news release contains forward-looking statements. For a description of the related risk factors and assumptions, please see the section entitled "Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" later in this news release.

A first for Canadian telecom, public offering supports Bell's commitment to lead in environmental, social and governance standards

MONTREAL, May 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Bell Canada today announced the public offering in Canada of Cdn $500 million aggregate principal amount of MTN Debentures pursuant to its medium term notes (MTN) program. The Cdn $500 million 2.20% MTN Debentures, Series M-56, will be dated May 28, 2021, will mature on May 29, 2028, and will be issued at a price of Cdn $99.877 per $100 principal amount for a yield to maturity of 2.219%. The MTN Debentures will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by BCE Inc.

The issue of the Series M-56 MTN Debentures will be Bell's first Sustainability Bond offering and mark a major milestone in BCE's new Sustainable Financing Framework announced April 29, 2021. Under the Framework, Bell will provide ongoing reporting and transparency to investors and other stakeholders, including annual updates on allocation and impact metrics until an amount equal to the net proceeds of a sustainable financing are fully allocated to eligible green and/or social projects.

This Sustainability Bond offering supports Bell's commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership and our goal to advance how Canadians connect with each other and the world. Bell intends to use an amount equal to the net proceeds from this offering to finance or re-finance, in whole or in part, new and/or existing green and social eligible investments as set out in the Framework.

A first for the Canadian telecommunications industry, Bell's Sustainability Bond builds on Bell's status as the first North American communications company to achieve ISO 50001 certification for energy management and Bell's plan to be carbon neutral across its operations in 2025 . Bell is consistently ranked as one of Canada's greenest employers and most sustainable operators.

Sustainalytics, a global leader in providing ESG research and analysis, issued a second party opinion confirming that the Framework aligns with the International Capital Markets Association's Green and Social Bond Principles and Sustainability Bond Guidelines, along with the Loan Market Association's and the Loan Syndications and Trading Association's Green Loan Principles. A copy of BCE's Sustainable Financing Framework, the second party opinion from Sustainalytics and further information on our sustainability strategy can be found at BCE.ca .

The Series M-56 MTN Debentures are being publicly offered in all provinces of Canada through a syndicate of agents. Closing of the offering of these MTN Debentures is expected to occur on May 28, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor will there be any sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The Series M-56 MTN Debentures have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (U.S. Securities Act), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act).

The Series M-56 MTN Debentures are being issued pursuant to a short form base shelf prospectus dated November 16, 2020 and a prospectus supplement dated March 11, 2021. Bell will file a pricing supplement relating to this issue with the securities regulatory authorities in all provinces of Canada.

About Bell

The Bell team builds world-leading broadband wireless and fibre networks, provides innovative mobile, TV, Internet and business communications services and delivers the most compelling content with premier television, radio, out of home and digital media brands. With a goal to advance how Canadians connect with each other and the world, Bell serves more than 22 million consumer and business customer connections across every province and territory. Founded in Montreal in 1880, Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX,NYSE: BCE). To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca .

Bell supports the social and economic prosperity of our communities with a commitment to the highest environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. We measure our progress in increasing environmental sustainability, achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace, leading data governance and protection, and building stronger and healthier communities. This includes confronting the challenge of mental illness with the Bell Let's Talk initiative, which drives mental health awareness and action with programs like the annual Bell Let's Talk Day and Bell funding for community care, research and workplace programs nationwide all year round.

Media inquiries:

Marie-Eve Francoeur

514-391-5263

[email protected]

@Bell_News

Investor inquiries:

Richard Bengian

514-786-8219

[email protected]

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements relating to the expected timing and completion of the proposed sale of MTN Debentures, the intended use of an amount equal to the net proceeds of such sale, certain ESG objectives and other statements that are not historical facts. All such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions of applicable Canadian securities laws and of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, by their very nature, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on several assumptions, both general and specific, which give rise to the possibility that actual results or events could differ materially from our expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and we caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release describe our expectations at the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forwardlooking statements contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are provided herein for the purpose of giving information about the proposed offering referred to above. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The timing and completion of the abovementioned proposed sale of the MTN Debentures is subject to customary closing terms and other risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the proposed sale of the MTN Debentures will occur, or that it will occur at the expected time indicated in this news release.

SOURCE Bell Canada

Related Links

www.bell.ca


OAKLAND, Calif., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Shield of California today announced the nonprofit health plan's innovative collaboration with Gemini Health has resulted in more than $20 million in drug cost savings in the initiative's first two years.

The collaboration between the nonprofit health plan and the San Francisco Bay Area technology company provides patient-specific benefit, formulary, and cost information on prescription drugs to prescribers at multiple points-of-care, including patient-doctor visits. The goal is to empower prescribers with real-time information about medications and any lower cost options so that they can discuss with their patients and collaborate to reduce drug costs.

"Blue Shield of California seeks innovations that provide personalized health care options and to improve affordability for our members, and our collaboration with Gemini Health does exactly that through drug cost transparency for providers when they are evaluating and prescribing medications  when it matters most," said Alison Lum, vice president of pharmacy at Blue Shield of California. "We are also expanding this initiative to include pharmacists and other health care providers in our network as we reimagine how health care is delivered for all Californians."

The initial focus to provide physicians with real-time prescription information and comparable lower cost alternatives through their electronic health record systems has resulted in strong provider adoption. Currently, more than 77,000 prescribers across California have access to this service, including some of the state's largest medical groups  UCSF Medical Center, Hill Physicians Medical Group and Providence Medical Foundation.

"It has been gratifying to hear from physicians and pharmacists alike how these services simplify and empower their work by identifying patient-specific, cost-savings opportunities," said Ed Fotsch, CEO of Gemini Health. "The technology also allows medical professionals to consolidate their work into easy-to-use interactive digital applications, integrated into their workflows to reduce administrative burden and focus on what they are passionate about  caring for their patients."



The services are now available to pharmacists so that they can also have the same real-time information as physicians to address medication management needs with patients, facilitating greater collaboration between providers and pharmacists. Raymond Chan, chief medical officer of EPIC Health Plan Inc. said, "The Blue Shield service helps to efficiently analyze a patient's current medications. We can then interact with our physician colleagues and provide them with specific opportunities to lower costs for our patients. In addition, the detailed reporting makes it easier to measure the impact of our work and follow up on new opportunities."



The majority of Blue Shield's network providers groups employing pharmacists are using Gemini Health's patented Drug Savings Reports service, and more are expected to enroll by the end of the year. These pharmacists now have access to patient-specific medication reports delivered through a secure portal where pharmacists can also document their activities related to existing medication taken by their patients. Experience to date has demonstrated that up to 40% of patient's existing medications have a lower cost equivalent alternative.



"Seeing drug and lower cost alternatives at prescribing, at each patient encounter and on demand by our pharmacists allows us to use the technologies across the continuum of care to lower drug costs for our patients and their families," said Christa Ellsworth, PharmD, Managed Care Pharmacists at Providence Medical Foundation in Anaheim, Calif.



Blue Shield's collaboration with Gemini Health is another example of the health plan's Health Reimagined effort, an ambitious vision to transform health care for individuals, families, and communities throughout California.

About Blue Shield of California

Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. Blue Shield of California is a tax paying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with over 4.5 million members, over 7,500 employees and more than $21 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid, and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $150 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last four years to have an impact on California communities.

For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com.

Or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

CONTACT: Jonna Constantine

Blue Shield of California

510-607-2359

[email protected]

SOURCE Blue Shield of California
LAS VEGAS, May 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) (the "Company") today announced that it has priced its previously announced offering of senior notes due 2031 (the "notes"). The aggregate principal amount of notes to be issued in the offering is $900 million. The size of the offering was increased from the previously announced $750 million aggregate principal amount. The notes will bear interest at a rate of 4.750% per annum, payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing September 15, 2021. The notes will mature on June 15, 2031. The notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by certain of the Company's current and future domestic restricted subsidiaries. The closing of the offering is expected to occur on June 8, 2021, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

The Company intends to use a portion of the proceeds from the offering to finance the redemption of all of its outstanding 6.375% senior notes due 2026. Concurrent with the offering, the Company also intends to redeem all of its outstanding 6.000% senior notes due 2026 using a combination of proceeds from the offering and cash on hand. The Company also plans to use a combination of proceeds from the offering and borrowings under its revolving credit facility to pay the redemption premiums, accrued and unpaid interest, fees (including the initial purchasers' fees), expenses and commissions related to this offering and the redemptions. Nothing in this press release should be construed as an offer to purchase, notice of redemption or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any of the outstanding 6.375% Notes and/or any of the 6.000% Notes, and the closing of this offering is not conditioned on the issuance of a redemption notice relating to, or the consummation of such redemptions of, the 6.375% Notes and/or the 6.000% Notes. However, the redemptions of the 6.375% Notes and the 6.000% Notes are expected to be conditioned on the consummation of this offering.

The notes are being offered and sold to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in the United States in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The notes being offered have not been registered under the Securities Act, or applicable state securities laws or blue sky laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or available exemptions from such registration requirements. This announcement shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the notes.

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. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding our expectations, hopes or intentions regarding the future. These forward looking statements can often be identified by their use of words such as "will", "might", "predict", "continue", "forecast", "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "outlook", "could", "would", "target", "project", "intend", "plan", "seek", "estimate", "pursue", "should", "may" and "assume", or the negative thereof, as well as variations of such words and similar expressions referring to the future, and may include (without limitation) statements regarding the terms and conditions and timing of the notes offering. Forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in any such statement. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include (without limitation) the possibility that the notes offering will not be consummated at the expected time, on the expected terms, or at all; and the Company's financial performance. Additional factors are discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and in the Company's other current and periodic reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements in this document are made based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

SOURCE Boyd Gaming Corporation

Related Links

http://www.boydgaming.com


WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Businessolver, a leader in SaaS-based benefits technology, today announced its transition to a remote-first employment model, allowing employees the continued freedom to work from any geographic or physical location and widening its potential talent pool across the United States. Under the model, Businessolver employees will continue to have the technical and personnel support to continue working remotely as they have over the last year, or leverage the company's worksites according to their personal comfort or professional needs. The initiative, which the company calls Workspace Anywhere, is a data-driven approach born of Businessolver's own informal employee surveys and its research-backed 2021 State of Workplace Empathy Studyboth of which show that flexibility regarding work location correlates to high employee engagement, productivity, and satisfaction with their employer.

"Last year, after taking stock of what the data and health professionals were telling us, our widely in-person, brick-and-mortar workforce became 100% remote to keep our employees safe and our business operations sustainable," said Jon Shanahan, Businessolver CEO and President. "This year, we're again following the data in creating Workspace Anywhere, our initiative to keep our Solvers engaged and productive, and allow us to add new Solvers to our ranks who have our shared commitment to high performance and client delightwithout the constraints of shared geography. With this initiative, we will no longer require an in-office force, but rather encourage employees to choose the workspace that is the right fit for them."

After taking just three days in March 2020 to shutter its eight offices nationwide and shift operations to the homes of its more than 1,200 employees, Businessolver added two metrics related to remote work to its weekly Employee Pulse Survey. The brief survey asks Solvers to rate the extent to which they are engaged in their work, given feedback from their leader, and feel connected to the company's mission and vision. Within a month of shifting to remote work, Employee Pulse scores increased by roughly 10% and continued rising throughout 2020, according to Businessolver. The organization also notes that attrition rates were 4.5% lower in 2020 than in the previous year, and that being able to recruit top talent from anywhere in the U.S. allowed the company to focus more broadly on candidate diversity, skill, and culture fit.

Additionally, productivity did not suffer from this fully remote workforce. In fact, Businessolver saw some of its highest audit scores in looking at quality and consistency within work completed.

"As an organization committed to the Baldrige framework, we report out weekly on 'critical to quality' scores that assess our ability to meet deadlines and deliver a kind, consistent, and quality experience for our clients and their employees," said Shanahan. "Those weekly audits did not change with the move to remote work, yet our numbers improved reaching our highest level of consistent scores since launching the Baldridge framework in 2016, proof that quality of work was not affected by the shift to a virtual workforce."

Further, according to Businessolver's 2021 State Workplace Empathy Study, satisfaction with remote work extends beyond its own workforce. The annual study, now in its sixth year, surveys a statistically significant sample of U.S. employees, HR professionals, and CEOs to yield trends and perceptions around empathy at work. Specifically, this year's data shows:

93% of employees say the ability to work remotely is a sign of employer empathy.

89% of employees who had the option to work remotely report satisfaction with their employer, 15 percentage points higher than those who did not have the option.

66% of employees say they are more productive working remotely, and that the quality of their work has improved.

Even among employees who don't believe it would be possible to work remotely, 82% still see the option to work remotely as a sign of employer empathy.

"As a leader, I know this road has not been easy and the future is still uncertain," Shanahan noted in the study's executive summary. "However, I am confident that no matter what twists in the road we meet, empathy can propel us safely around the curves. In that spirit, and in acting on what the data is telling us, we've taken [steps] at Businessolver to create a more empathetic workplace for our employees."

Find career opportunities at businessolver.com/careers.

About Businessolver

Since 1998, Businessolver has delivered market-changing benefits administration technology supported by an intrinsic responsiveness to client needs. It creates client programs that maximize benefit program investment, minimize risk exposure, and engage employees with easy-to-use solutions and communication tools to assist them in making wise and cost-efficient benefit selections. Founded by HR professionals, Businessolver's unwavering service-oriented culture and secure SaaS platform provide measurable success in its mission to provide complete client delight. Learn more at businessolver.com.

Media Contact

Grant Stoker, Edelman (on behalf of Businessolver)

[email protected]

SOURCE Businessolver

Related Links

edelman.com


BISMARCK, N.D., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CCRM Fertility, a global pioneer in fertility treatment, research and science, today announced the expansion of its services to Bismarck, N.D., as part of CCRM Fertility Minneapolis. The new the satellite office is located at 1000 E. Rosser Avenue in Bismarck, N.D. 58501, within Mid Dakota Clinic's Center for Women.

Under the leadership of Dr. Stephanie Dahl, who is board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, the Bismarck location will offer a range of fertility services, including new patient consultations and regroups, daily ultrasounds, and blood work monitoring. Additionally, the new office will offer convenient, telehealth appointments as well as the CCRM One Day Work-UpSM, which enables patients to undergo most fertility tests in a single appointment.

Dr. Dahl has a deep background in fertility care, underscored by years of research and advocacy within the field. She is commonly published within notable industry peer-reviewed journals and serves as an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine. She is based in the CCRM Minneapolis clinic and will make regular visits to provide in-person care in the Bismarck office.

"As we widen the footprint of our Minneapolis-area network, we are pleased to offer our industry leading approach to fertility care to families in Greater Bismarck," said Jon Pardew, president and CEO of CCRM. "We will continue to deliver on our promise to custom-tailor treatments for our patients to help ensure the best possible outcomes."

Founded in 1987, CCRM Fertility provides families the fastest path to the healthiest baby, offering access to a national network of award-winning physicians, a full suite of fertility services, innovative technology and cutting-edge labs. Its world-class fertility specialists invented techniques and protocols that are widely practiced in the industry today, including comprehensive chromosome screening (CCS) and in vitro culture of human embryos to the blastocyst stage.

CCRM Fertility Minneapolis' satellite office in Bismarck will be open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for routine monitoring appointments. Dr. Dahl will be available for in-person appointments from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on a select day of each month. To schedule an appointment, please call (952) 225-1630.

For more information about CCRM Fertility, visit www.ccrmivf.com.

About CCRM Fertility

Founded by Dr. William Schoolcraft in 1987, CCRM (Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine) Fertility is the nation's leader in fertility care and research. CCRM Fertility specializes in the most advanced fertility treatments, with deep expertise in in vitro fertilization (IVF), fertility assessment, fertility preservation, genetic testing, third party reproduction and egg donation. Unlike many other fertility clinics that outsource their specialists and testing needs, CCRM Fertility leverages its own data, as well as a dedicated team of in-house reproductive endocrinologists, embryologists and geneticists in order to deliver industry-leading outcomes. CCRM Fertility operates 11 fertility centers (including 25 offices) throughout North America, serving prospective parents in major metropolitan areas, including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Houston, New York, Northern Virginia, Minneapolis, Orange County, San Francisco Bay Area, and Toronto. For more information, visit www.ccrmivf.com , become a fan on Facebook , or follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

SOURCE CCRM

Related Links

https://www.ccrmivf.com


ATLANTA, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Salad Chick, the nation's only Southern-inspired , fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, announced today the opening of its newest restaurant in Paducah, Kentucky. Following the brand's opening in Crestview Hills just last year, the Paducah restaurant joins a mix of corporate and franchise-owned Chicken Salad Chicks throughout Kentucky, making it the fourth restaurant in the state with an additional company-owned store slated for Hopkinsville later this year. Located at 2670 New Holt Road, Chicken Salad Chick Paducah will celebrate its grand opening on Wednesday, June 9 and will offer free chicken salad for a year to the first 100 guests. Those awarded will be properly distanced and will receive a designated return time upon arrival to spread out the number of guests at the restaurant throughout the day.

Chicken Salad Chick is closely following Kentucky state and local guidelines for COVID-19 procedures and will open the Paducah restaurant with social distancing measures in place. All employees will be wearing masks, as well as practicing proper handwashing and food safety protocol, and all guests will be encouraged to wear masks until seated for dining. The Paducah restaurant will feature a drive-thru and patio seating for added convenience.

During grand opening week, guests will experience the Southern hospitality that Chicken Salad Chick is known for, with giveaways and specials that include:

Wednesday, June 9  Free Chicken Salad for a Year  The first 100 guests will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for an entire year, with one of those lucky guests randomly selected to win one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week.* Guests can arrive starting at 7am for grand opening day only.

  The first 100 guests will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for an entire year, with one of those lucky guests randomly selected to win one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week.* Guests can arrive starting at for grand opening day only. Thursday, June 10  The first 100 guests to purchase The Chick will receive a free Chick Special redeemable on their next visit.

 The first 100 guests to purchase The Chick will receive a free Chick Special redeemable on their next visit. Friday, June 11  The first 100 guests to make a purchase will receive a free Chick koozie.

 The first 100 guests to make a purchase will receive a free Chick koozie. Saturday, June 12  The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick tumbler.

The Paducah restaurant is owned and operated by first-time Chicken Salad Chick franchise owners Tony and Katie Englert of TKAB Chick, LLC. The couple was first introduced to the brand back in 2015 while on a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida and quickly made it a tradition to visit the restaurant on each returning trip. After learning about Stacy Brown's founder story and falling for the brand's mission to spread joy, enrich lives, and serve others, the Englerts were inspired even further to pull from Tony's 20+ years of restaurant management experience and invest in their own future. Now, the couple is ready to take on their first business venture serving their friends, family, and neighbors back home in Paducah, Kentucky.

"Since the first moment we tried a Chicken Salad Chick meal, Tony and I were hooked on the concept and saw a unique quality in the brand's culture that we wanted to be a part of. We both grew up in Kentucky and knew there was an opportunity to blend our talents in restaurant management and serve others in our hometown that would crave the brand's flavorful menu items," said Katie Englert. "Paducah is a community full of wonderful people who align perfectly with the Chick mentality and we're thrilled to make all new Chick fans out of our neighbors."

Chicken Salad Chick in Paducah will be open Monday  Saturday from 10:00a.m. to 8:00p.m. For more information, visit http://www.chickensaladchick.com . Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and trends.

*Guests should arrive starting at 7am to get checked in, while maintaining social distancing. The first 100 guests will be assigned a number and designated return time between 9:45-11:15am. Upon return, guests will make a purchase of "The Chick" or anything of greater value and enter a code on the CravingCredits app to officially secure your spot. If you are late, or miss return time, your spot will be awarded to next in-line. Guests must be 16 years or older, redemption begins 6/14/21.

For more information on giveaways and specials, visit facebook.com/ChickenSaladChickPaducahKY.

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 the 2021 Entrepreneur Franchise 500, Franchise Times' Fast & Serious for the second consecutive year, Fast Casual.com 's top Movers and Shakers from 2018 to 2021, 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:

Ashley Bennett

Fish Consulting

954-893-9150

[email protected]

SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick

Related Links

http://www.chickensaladchick.com


DUBLIN, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "China Vehicle Inspection Industry Report, 2020-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

China's car ownership showed the CAGR of 12.9% during 2012-2019 and it is estimated to reach 272.13 million units in 2020 with a year-on-year spike of 7.2%, invigorating the motor vehicle inspection market and with a demanding on higher motor vehicle inspection capabilities.



In recent years, regulatory authorities including the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Environmental Protection have intensified their efforts for vehicle inspection, fueling a boom in the Chinese vehicle inspection market. In 2019, China's vehicle inspection market size was estimated at RMB38.05 billion with a year-on-year spurt of 17.6%, of which vehicle inspection systems and vehicle inspection services contributed RMB4.743 billion and RMB33.31 billion respectively, surging by 24.5% and 16.7% on an annualized basis. The substantial growth of vehicle inspection systems was largely bolstered by product renewal thanks to the implementation of new standards.



China's vehicle inspection is in the early stage of intelligence and networking, lagging behind developed countries in terms of technology and configuration. As of 2019, there had been more than 13,000 vehicle inspection stations across China, namely every 10,000 vehicles could be served by only 0.5 inspection station, far lower than the average of 2 or more in Japan, the United States and Europe. This indicates huge development potentials in China.

As estimated, the number of vehicle inspection stations in China will maintain a growth rate of about 9% between 2020 and 2026, expectedly registering 25,000 by 2026. Thus, the new vehicle inspection stations will demand vehicle inspection equipment worth RMB3.6 billion.



With the tightening of industry supervision and the intensification of market competition, Chinese vehicle inspection equipment and system market has become ever more concentrated. Shenzhen Anche Technologies, Launch Tech, Shijiazhuang Huayan Traffic Technology, Foshan Nanhua Instruments and Chengdu Chengbao Development have high market shares, strong R&D capabilities, and wide business coverage.



In 2019, Shenzhen Anche Technologies, Launch Tech, Nanhua Instruments and Shijiazhuang Huayan Traffic Technology seized 59.5% shares of Chinese vehicle inspection system market together. Especially, Shenzhen Anche Technologies and Nanhua Instruments quickly evolved into the industry's leaders, with their revenue soaring by 287.0% and 82.4% year-on-year respectively.



The motor vehicle inspection service industry features geographical limitations, and the competitors can be bifurcated into state-owned enterprises and private ones, among which the former is superior in comprehensive strength, equipment and technology, but a number of third-party inspection agencies have emerged with the advancement of the vehicle inspection industry, and private vehicle inspection companies have been seizing more market share by unique competitive edges.



In 2018, Shenzhen Anche Technologies entered the motor vehicle inspection service market by acquiring 70% stake of XingChe Motor Vehicle Inspection. In September 2019, Duolun Technology established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Jiangsu Duolun Vehicle Inspection Industry Holding Co., Ltd., with a registered capital of RMB300 million, marking the company's official foray into the motor vehicle inspection industry. With the stricter requirements of new standards on inspection services as well as the involvement of private capital, the competition in Chinese vehicle inspection service market will, undoubtedly, prick up.



Chinese vehicle inspection market will continue to expand, and it is expected to worth RMB72.05 billion by 2026 under the drive of vehicle ownership growth, longer vehicle usage time, the growing number of vehicle inspection agencies, the continuous expansion of applied fields, and the upgrading of emission standards.



China Vehicle Inspection Industry Report, 2020-2026 focuses on the following:

Vehicle inspection, including definition, classification, industry chain, laws and policies;

Automobile industry, including output, sales volume and ownership;

Vehicle inspection market, including overseas market overview, status quo, market size, competition pattern, and development trend;

Analysis on vehicle inspection system suppliers and vehicle inspection service providers.

Key Topics Covered:



1 Vehicle Inspection

1.1 Definition

1.2 Classification

1.2.1 Offline Inspection of New Car

1.2.2 In-service Vehicle Inspection

1.3 Industry Chain

1.4 Laws and Policies

1.4.1 Motor Vehicle Inspection Equipment & System Regulators and Service Supervisors

1.4.2 Laws and Regulations

1.4.3 Industrial Policies



2 Automobile Industry

2.1 Output

2.2 Sales

2.3 Ownership



3 Vehicle Inspection Market

3.1 Overseas Market

3.1.1 Status Quo

3.1.2 Competitive Landscape

3.2 Status Quo

3.2.1 The Number of Inspection Stations Has Grown Exponentially but with a Low Ratio

3.2.2 Motor Vehicle Inspection Pricing Is Relaxed

3.2.3 Industry Regulation System towards Cyberization

3.2.4 Technology Gap with Foreign Countries

3.2.5 Decentralized Industry Structure, Low Service and Operation Levels

3.2.6 Status Quo of Used Vehicle Inspection

3.3 Market Size

3.3.1 Market Segments

3.3.2 Forecast

3.3.3 Demand of Vehicle Inspection Stations

3.4 Competitive Landscape

3.5 Development Trend



4 Vehicle Inspection System Providers

4.1 Launch Tech

4.2 Nanhua Instruments

4.3 Shenzhen Anche Technologies

4.4 Shijiazhuang Huayan Traffic Technology

4.5 Chengdu Chengbao Development

4.6 Bosch Diagnostics

4.7 Zhejiang Jiangxi Automobile Inspection Equipment

4.8 Cosber

4.9 Qingdao Hongsheng Automobile Testing Equipment

4.10 Chengdu Iyasaka Technology Development

4.11 J-Blue Tech

4.12 Winowe Technology



5 Vehicle Inspection Service Agencies

5.1 China Automotive Engineering Research Institute Co., Ltd. (CAERI)

5.2 Guangdong Automotive Test Center Co., Ltd. (GATC)

5.3 Shanghai Motor Vehicle Inspection Certification & Tech Innovation Center Co., Ltd. (SMVIC)

5.4 Xiangyang Da An Automobile Test Center

5.5 Hangzhou Automobile General Performance Testing Center Co., Ltd.

5.6 Anhui Xiayang Motor Vehicle Inspection Co., Ltd.

5.7 Jiangsu Jiecheng Motor Vehicle Inspection Co., Ltd.

5.8 Tangshan Jingdong Grand Health

5.9 Duolun Technology

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/eias00

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


NANJING, China, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Suning.com (002024.SZ), China's leading smart retail service provider and a Fortune Global 500 company owned by Suning Group, held a livestream gala on various online platforms today to kick off its all new shopping festival - "Suning 61 Festival", in an effort to explore e-commerce retail innovations with Chinese pop culture elements, and call for a healthy and happy consumption trend.

Recent years in China, "618" has become another important online promotion node apart from "double eleven". Usually "618 shopping festival" starts from June 1st, which is also Children's Day. As a leading retail services provider, Suning has always committed to promoting healthy and happy consumption. This year, Suning launched its "61 Festival" on Children's Day to allow more customers to join the new consumption trend.

Innovated live stream brings fun to online shopping

On the evening of May 26, Suning held a live stream debate featuring top debaters from the popular variety show I can I BB. The debate discussed social topics that are widely concerned by consumers, aiming to bring human touch to consumption and build emotional connections with consumers.

During the show, debaters revealed the promotional information activities of Suning, delivering messages to customers as well as bringing fun to the online shopping process.

From May 31 to June 1, Suning.com will hold the "Top 100 Stars Livestream Night" to invite celebrities to join the livestream shopping. It is expected that more than 1000 popular items from 100+ brands will be open for sale online during the livestream. Suning will also build personalized consumption scenarios during the livestream to create a fresh shopping experience for customers.

Customized blind box to create "empathic consumption''

Blind box is an element that cannot be ignored in current Chinese pop culture. Suning unveiled the "1 Yuan Blind Box" promotion campaign during the "61 shopping festival", allowing participants to pay only 1 Yuan to get a blind box, which might contain products like Switch, Dyson, Lego.

As of 9:30 p.m of May 26, Suning sold over 100,000 blind boxes in total.

"Suning 61 Festival" helps adults find the childlike innocence through empathetic consumption with activities of creative programs and discount promotions. The company believes that shopping sprees are not a healthy way to relieve pressure. What really resolves anxiety is the improvement of mood, that is why Suning created the "Suning 61 Festival ".

The "empathic consumption" exploration reflects Suning's commitment to create personalized consumption scenarios through specific nodes to meet consumers' various demands. Suning will continue to create more similar festivals to customize consumption activities for different consumer groups during "618 shopping festival".

SOURCE Suning Group
West First Street's Infinity Fitness received a $10,000 grant from the city of Oswegos COVID-19 Revival Grant Program. Above, Mayor Billy Barlow and city officials present the check to Infinity owner Leslie Berkley.
PHILADELPHIA, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- City & State , the premier multi-media news firm that dedicates its coverage to Pennsylvania's state and local government, political and advocacy news, is back in Pennsylvania and launching its must-read list of Pennsylvania's Power 100 most influential elected officials, labor unions, advocacy groups, political consultants, lobbyists, media personalities and business leaders. City & State PA will host a Virtual Event on June 17th, 2021 to celebrate this illustrious list, with opening remarks from Governor Tom Wolf and Mayor Jim Kenney.

What type of a political influencer event would it be without a debate? Whether it's the coffee, the made-to-order sandwiches or the fried chicken, everyone has their favorite. Are you a Sheetz or a Wawa fan? Bring your loyalty card and your opinion in the Sheetz vs. Wawa "debate" between Lt. Governor John Fetterman (Sheetz) and Congressman Brendan Boyle (Wawa). Are you Team Wawa or Team Sheetz?

EVENT DETAILS:



What:

Inaugural City & State Pennsylvania Power 100 Event

To learn more about the Power List and the criteria used, please visit www.cityandstatepa.com

When:

Thursday, June 17, 2021

5:30pm - 7:00pm

Who:

Governor Tom Wolf; State of Pennsylvania

Mayor Jim Kenney; City of Philadelphia

Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman; State of Pennsylvania

Congressman Brendan F. Boyle; U.S. House Representative PA-02 District

Where:

Virtual - Via Zoom

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TLu0h6hGS2a0YSK8Xntwcg?mc_cid=edb705283a&mc_eid=45486adbed

About City & State:

The premier media organization dedicated to covering New York and Pennsylvania's local and state politics, policy, and personalities. Its in-depth, non-partisan coverage serves city leaders every day as a trusted guide to the issues impacting New York and Pennsylvania. City & State offers round-the-clock coverage through award-winning commentary and analysis, weekly publications, daily e-briefs, events, and podcast interviews.

SOURCE City & State
"Darla and Auro join DDB at such a pivotal time for the New York office," says North America CEO Justin Thomas-Copeland. "These leaders have the pedigree to continue the work of marketers like Bill Bernbach and Phyllis Robinson where they had their start, in New York City. Darla is a deeply respected Executive leader who has helped build iconic global brands through award-winning creativity. Auro's strategic expertise spans design thinking, technology and data to build business and brands through progressive creativity and purposeful experiences. Combined they will form an unstoppable force. These leaders will bring a fusion of progressive and connected thinking, creativity and world class making to grow our clients' business. This will revolutionize the office. We're so excited to have them."

Darla Price joins DDB New York with over two decades experience running iconic brands across technology, CPG, retail, beauty and B2B, both domestically and internationally. Most recently President of 215 McCann, Price has spent the last 7 years in executive roles at McCann New York. Price is a creative-first leader who brings growth and big brand experience to her role, in addition to her background as an Executive Coach and DE&I champion. Her approach to culture-driving creativity has resulted in award-winning success for tech giants like Microsoft. Price's style is a fusion of ideas and a barrier breaking energy that drives growth for both the client and agency.

"I was drawn to DDB because of what the agency is famous for  creativity," says Price. "Creativity has the ability to unlock new consumer connections, deeper brand engagement, and bring forward unexpected solutions to drive growth for our clients. The new energy and capabilities at DDB New York will allow us to build what we see as the agency model of the future, while staying true to the high-caliber creative the business was founded on. I'm honored to be a part of such a great legacy."

Auro Trini Castelli joins DDB New York as Chief Strategy Officer and will report to Price on all strategic functions for the office's clients, playing an instrumental role in fortifying DDB New York's strategy, digital & design capabilities. He joins from agency Elephant where he oversaw strategic development for offices in the US and internationally. Trini Castelli brings over two decades of design and marketing experience in both Europe and North America to his role. He has worked for some of the world's most iconic B2B and B2C brands including Apple, Beats by Dre, Goldman Sachs, HP, Morgan Stanley and OREO across a vast range of markets, categories and disciplines.

Says Trini Castelli: "Teaming up with Darla, Justin and all the incredibly talented people at the agency will make DDB New York an unstoppable force in our industry. I am looking forward to constantly redefine what creativity means and demonstrate the value that it will bring to our clients, to their stakeholders, and to all of society."

Both leaders join DDB New York during a time of change, having recently left its iconic offices at 437 Madison Avenue for a building in New York's Financial District. Both DDB New York and DDB Worldwide are headquartered at 195 Broadway. DDB Worldwide has also shifted its approach to business with an evolved brand positioning entitled 'Unexpected Works.' The positioning was presented to DDB's global workforce with the agency's first virtual conference and announced with an unexpected billboard. The agency's history of tapping into the unexpected dates back to the iconic Volkswagen 'Lemon' campaign, an advertisement with a history firmly planted in New York.

DDB North America brings both creativity, connection and growth to the forefront of its business approach with these two key hires in New York.

"Auro and Darla are a force of nature and will inspire a new chapter in DDB New York's legacy," says Thomas-Copeland. "We are excited to have such creatively minded and connected leaders shake up our flagship office. It's an exciting time to be at DDB."

ABOUT DDB

DDB Worldwide (www.ddb.com) is one of the world's largest and most influential advertising and marketing networks. DDB has been named Agency of the Year numerous times by the Cannes International Festival of Creativity and the industry's leading advertising publications and awards shows. The WARC has listed DDB as one of the Top 3 Global Networks for 12 of the last 15 years. The agency's clients include Volkswagen, McDonald's, Unilever, Mars, Johnson & Johnson, and the U.S. Army, among others.

Founded in 1949, DDB is part of the Omnicom Group (NYSE) and consists of more than 200 offices in over 90 countries with its flagship office in New York, NY.

ABOUT OMNICOM

Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE  OMC) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

Media Contact: Xavier Totor, [email protected]

SOURCE DDB North America
FREMONT, Calif., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Durabook, the global rugged mobile solutions brand owned by Twinhead International Corporation, provides a much-needed in-vehicle solution for public safety with its recently revamped powerful, semi-rugged S14I laptop that integrates with Precision Mounting Technologies (PMT), a subsidiary of Gamber-Johnson, vehicle docks. The unit's advanced design and innovation provide these agencies with best-in-class computing power, incredible storage capability, maximum connectivity, and enhanced security.

Durabook is providing a much-needed in-vehicle solution for public safety professionals with its powerful semi-rugged S14I laptop that integrates Precision Mounting Technologies (PMT), a subsidiary of Gamber-Johnson, vehicle docks.

The S14I in-vehicle laptop is the computing solution that public safety professionals on the front lines can rely on  engineered to improve efficiency in the field with paperless documentation, real-time reporting, applications, communications, mapping, and more. The S14I delivers the features today's professionals' need, along with instant access to the department's network, databases, and the real-time intelligence needed to keep communities safe.

"We are committed to the men and women in law enforcement, fire, and EMS who put their lives on the line for us each and every day," declared Twinhead CEO Fred Kao. "The Durabook S14I laptop with a vehicle dock is built rugged, provides high reliability and high performance, and is a value-driven total solution assuring these modern warriors of the ultimate mobile computing experience. We are proud to make it available to them now and pledge to do so for years to come."

Most Rugged Computer in Its Class

Built with a robust mechanical design and rigorously tested components, the Durabook S14I has the distinction of being the most rugged laptop in its class. Expanding the definition of semi-rugged computing, it boasts an impressive 4' drop rating, exceeding the semi-rugged class and other standards.

It meets the MIL-STD-810H drop test, which measures the durability of equipment during load/unloading and transportation. The S14I is also the first in its class to offer an ingress protection rating of 53 (IP53), making it suitable for use in locations where rain or dust may be a regular occurrence. The device has an operational range of -4F - 140F allowing for use in a wide range of environments.

Cost-Effective, Total Solution

The Durabook S14I features an Intel Tiger Lake 11th-generation platform, using Intel's 10nm processor technology. It comes with the all-new Intel Iris Xe graphics, which delivers transformational GPU and integrated graphics offering amazing HD video capabilities. For intensive graphic computing, it can be upgraded to an optional standalone NVIDIA GeForce GTX1050.

The unit is equipped with the latest NVMe PCIe SSD solution, providing up to 1TB of storage, while its PCIe offers speeds 6x faster than SATA III. The S14I can accommodate two additional internal SSD SATA III drives to maximize onboard storage.

High Reliability, High Performance

With a combination of Wi-Fi 6 AX201 and Bluetooth V5.1, the Durabook S14I delivers ultra-high speed data-transmitting capability, ensuring that all information is instantly synchronized and sent back to the data center. Adding ultra-long battery life of 10 hours and battery swap capability to its mobile form factor, the S14I enables non-stop operation outside of the office.

Clarity is a must in public safety and the S14I provides it with a large 14" Full HD 1080p display and proprietary DynaVue technology. The brightness enhanced up to 1,000 nits and special light-filtering technology provide a high contrast ratio, eliminating reflection. Its 10-point capacitive multi-touch panel with four touch modes (glove, stylus, water, finger) optimizes the unit for virtually any application.

The Durabook Reseller Program

Interested in becoming a Durabook reseller? There are programs to choose from to meet any company's needs. Visit Become an Authorized DURABOOK Partner Today for more details.

Availability

The complete bundle of the upgraded Durabook S14I semi-rugged laptop and PMT vehicle dock has an MSRP of $3,739. For more details, visit https://www.durabook.com/us/products/S14I-laptop/. For sales inquiries, please contact [email protected].

ABOUT DURABOOK

Durabook is the core brand of Twinhead International Corporation in Taiwan, a world-renowned manufacturer of rugged mobile solutions for more than 30 years. All Durabook devices are designed, manufactured, and tested to the highest standards to ensure maximum quality and reliability. Committed to engineering and service excellence, Durabook products have been widely adopted by government and enterprise customers including oil and gas, utilities, field service, military, and public safety for more than a decade. For more information, visit www.durabook.com.

PR Contact:

Rita Lee

Copernio

714-891-3660

[email protected]

All products/services and trademarks mentioned in this release are the properties of their respective companies.

 2021 Twinhead International Corp. All rights reserved.

Related Files

PR_Durabook_S14I and PMT for Public Safety_05262021.pdf

Related Images

durabook-s14i-semi-rugged-laptop.jpg

Durabook S14I Semi-Rugged Laptop with In-Vehicle Dock for Public Safety Professionals

Durabook is providing a much-needed in-vehicle solution for public safety professionals with its powerful semi-rugged S14I laptop that integrates Precision Mounting Technologies (PMT), a subsidiary of Gamber-Johnson, vehicle docks.

SOURCE Durabook Americas, Inc.
TORRANCE, Calif., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc. (OTC: EMMA), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company and leader in the treatment of sickle cell disease, announced today that its application for Marketing Authorization (MA) for Endari in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been accepted by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). The SFDA's MA review and approval process typically takes 12 to 18 months. Endari, Emmaus' prescription grade L-glutamine oral powder, is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for treating sickle cell disease in adult and pediatric patients five years of age and older.

It is estimated that up to 1.4% of the total population of 35 million in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have sickle cell disease. During the SFDA's MA review and approval process, Endari will be available to sickle cell disease patients on an early access basis to address an unmet medical need. Emmaus estimates that there are approximately 225,000 sickle cell disease patients that are reachable and could potentially be treated with Endari throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

"This submission and acceptance of our marketing authorization application by the Saudi Food & Drug Authority is another significant step in our progress and commitment to serve sickle cell disease patients in the MENA region," said Yutaka Niihara, M.D., M.P.H., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Emmaus.

George Sekulich, Senior Vice President of Global Commercialization of Emmaus, added, "We look forward to continue building and enhancing our relationships with the hematologists and patient advocacy groups in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Emmaus is also working with clinicians on providing Endari on a named-patient basis in the Kingdom and the wider MENA region."

About Emmaus Life Sciences

Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc. is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development, marketing and sale of innovative treatments and therapies, including those in the rare and orphan disease categories. For more information, please visit www.emmausmedical.com.

About Endari (prescription grade L-glutamine oral powder)

Indication - Endari is indicated to reduce the acute complications of sickle cell disease in adult and pediatric patients five years of age and older.

Important Safety Information

The most common adverse reactions (incidence >10 percent) in clinical studies were constipation, nausea, headache, abdominal pain, cough, pain in extremities, back pain, and chest pain.

Adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation included one case each of hypersplenism, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, burning sensation, and hot flash.

The safety and efficacy of Endari in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease younger than five years of age has not been established.

For more information, please see full Prescribing Information of Endari at: www.ENDARIrx.com/PI.

About Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder characterized by the production of an altered form of hemoglobin which polymerizes and becomes fibrous, causing red blood cells to become rigid and change form so that they appear sickle shaped instead of soft and rounded. Patients with sickle cell disease suffer from debilitating episodes of sickle cell crises, which occur when the rigid, adhesive and inflexible red blood cells occlude blood vessels. Sickle cell crises cause excruciating pain as a result of insufficient oxygen being delivered to tissue, referred to as tissue ischemia, and inflammation. These events may lead to organ damage, stroke, pulmonary complications, skin ulceration, infection and a variety of other adverse outcomes. Sickle cell disease is a significant unmet medical need, affecting approximately one hundred thousand patients in the U.S. and millions worldwide, the majority of which are of African descent. An estimated 1-in-365 African American children are born with sickle cell disease.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including statements regarding early access and possible marketing approval of Endari in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties which change over time, including uncertainties related to the future sales of Endari in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the MENA region and other factors previously disclosed in the company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and actual results may differ materially. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Emmaus assumes no duty to update them, except as may be required by law.

SOURCE Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.emmausmedical.com


TEL AVIV, Israel, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- First International Bank of Israel (TASE: FIBI) one of Israel's major banking groups, today announced its results for the first quarter of 2021, ending March 31, 2021.

Financial Highlights of the First Quarter 2021:

Net earnings of NIS 287 million ;

; Return on equity 13.0%;

Growth of 1.5% in net credit to the public in the first quarter;

The Bank continued to strengthen its operations in the capital markets and in investment consultation leading to growth of 5.7% in the customer assets portfolio (deposits and securities);

Volume of loan repayment deferrals due to the Corona crisis is in a sharp decline: ratio of deferred debts to total credit was 0.5% as compared to 1.9% at the end of 2020;

The Bank maintains its security cushions against credit losses, created during the Corona period;

Continued efficiency improvements: Efficiency ratio improved to 60.4%;

Ratio of Tier I equity to risk components  11.55%;

Profitability

First quarter 2021 net earnings of the First International Bank Group amounted to NIS 287 million, as compared to NIS 171 million in the corresponding quarter last year, a growth of 67.8%. Return on equity reached 13%, in comparison to 8.2% in the corresponding period of last year.

Growth and efficiency

The total income of the Bank grew by 6% in the first quarter of the year, compared the corresponding period of last year.

Net interest income totaled NIS 670 million, an increase of 1.8%, as compared to the corresponding quarter of last year, driven by growth in the volume of operations. The total financing income amounted to NIS 721 million, an increase of 10.1%, as compared to the corresponding quarter of last year and was due to the increase in gains on investment in securities, and an increase in the volume of operations.

The growth in the Group's operations was also evident within the balance sheet data: net credit to the public at the end of the first quarter of 2021 was NIS 92.3 billion, representing an increase of 1.5% in the quarter and 2.8% in the past year. The growth was characterized by a continued diversity of credit. This was evident in the corporate business sector, which increased by 2.5% in the quarter; middle market businesses, which increased by 1.8%; housing loans, which increased by 2.6%; and the household sector, which increased by 1.7%.

The Bank continued to strengthen its operations in the capital markets and investment consulting. The customer assets portfolio (deposits and securities) amounted to NIS 560 billion, an increase of 5.6% in the quarter and 38.2% in the past year. Deposits from the public increased by 3.5% in the quarter and 15.5% in the past year. The balance as of March 31, 2021, was NIS 146.6 billion.

The First International Bank continued to improve efficiencies in accordance with its strategic plan. The efficiency ratio improved to 60.4% in the first quarter of 2021, as compared to 61.8% for 2020.

Financial stability

The upward trend in the capital attributable to the shareholders of the Bank continued and in the quarter increased by 3.7% (or NIS 337 million) to NIS 9,478 million. The Tier I equity ratio increased to 11.55%, versus the required regulatory ratio of 8.28%.

Credit losses

Income in respect of credit losses in the first quarter of the year amounted to NIS 9 million, as compared to expenses in the amount of NIS 157 million in the corresponding period of last year. Income in respect of credit losses, recorded in the first three months of the year was due to a decrease in the collective provision, mostly because of improvements in macro-economic indices as well as in indicators representing the level of risk inherent in the Bank's credit portfolio as related to the Corona crisis.

In total during 2020, the Bank set aside provisions amounting to NIS 436 million due to the Corona, of which a total of only NIS 9 million has been released, as stated previously.

The Bank maintained its ratio of the balance of provision for credit losses to total credit to the public. The rate of the provision for credit losses to the total balance of credit to the public was 1.44% at the end of the quarter, as compared to 1.48% at the end of 2020, a ratio which reflects the maintenance of security cushions created during the Corona period.

The volume of debt repayments that had been deferred due to the Corona crisis showed a sharp downward trend, an indication of the quality of the credit portfolio and the quality of the Bank's borrowers. The ratio of deferred debts to total credit to the public at the end of March 2021 amounted to 0.5%, as compared to 1.9% as at the end of December 2020.

Management Comment

Ms. Smadar Barber-Tsadik CEO of the First International Bank Group commented that, "Our financial results for the first quarter of the year are the result of the continued strategic moves we have made focusing on growth, efficiency and innovation."

"The Bank continued to introduce digital innovations into its operations, a field in which we made an additional leap forward during the Corona year, with the aim of providing optimal service to our customers. In the reported quarter, the Bank entered the world of digital wallets with the introduction of FibiPay  an electronic wallet for customers of the First International Bank with Android cell phones, as well as with ApplePay  Apple's wallet for iPhones owners.

"During the first quarter, the State of Israel began showing the first signs of recovery from the Corona pandemic due to the successful vaccination process, which also had a positive impact on the results of the First International Bank. Notwithstanding, the Bank strictly maintains its security cushions for credit losses, in view of the uncertainty, the high unemployment rates in Israel, the impact of the security situation as well as the pandemic situation which remains in large parts of the world. As a vital institution, throughout the crisis we maintained continued service, while at the same time adapting our solutions and services offered to customers, and offering assistance to private and business customers by staying loan repayments and granting loans through State funds. As of the end of the quarter, the volume of loan repayment deferrals showed a sharp downward trend, indicating the quality of our credit portfolio and that of our borrowers, as well as pointing to the recovery of the local economy."

Condensed principal financial information and principal execution indices















Principal financial ratios

For the three months ended

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ended



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2020

2020











in % Execution indices











Return on equity attributed to shareholders of the Bank(1) 13.0% 8.2% 8.6% Return on average assets(1) 0.68% 0.49% 0.49% Ratio of equity capital tier 1 11.55% 10.28% 11.18% Leverage ratio 5.31% 5.52% 5.29% Liquidity coverage ratio 140% 130% 150% Ratio of total income to average assets(1) 2.6% 3.0% 2.7% Ratio of interest income, net to average assets (1) 1.6% 1.9% 1.7% Ratio of fees to average assets (1) 0.9% 1.1% 0.9% Efficiency ratio 60.4% 62.2% 61.8%







Credit quality indices





Ratio of provision for credit losses to credit to the public 1.35% 1.15% 1.38% Ratio of impaired debts or in arrears of 90 days or more to credit to the public 0.88% 1.07% 0.86% Ratio of provision for credit losses to total impaired credit to the public 204% 146% 221% Ratio of net write-offs to average total credit to the public (1) 0.03% 0.15% 0.10% Ratio of expenses (income) for credit losses to average total credit to the public (1) (0.04%) 0.71% 0.52%











Principal data from the statement of income

For the three months ended



2021

2020







NIS million Net profit attributed to shareholders of the Bank

287

171 Interest Income, net 670 658 Expenses (income) from credit losses (9) 157 Total non-Interest income 416 366 Of which: Fees 361 368 Total operating and other expenses 656 637 Of which: Salaries and related expenses 398 379 Dismissals expenses 3 2 Primary net profit per share of NIS 0.05 par value (NIS) 2.86 1.70















Principal data from the balance sheet









As of



31.3.21

31.3.20

31.12.20











NIS million Total assets

172,475

149,531

167,778 of which: Cash and deposits with banks 59,471 41,933 57,802 Securities 14,705 10,824 13,105 Credit to the public, net 92,321 90,028 90,970 Total liabilities 162,590 140,624 158,243 of which: Deposits from the public 146,600 126,977 141,677 Deposits from banks 3,326 1,129 2,992 Bonds and subordinated capital notes 3,716 3,754 4,394 Capital attributed to the shareholders of the Bank 9,478 8,542

9,141















Additional data





As of



31.3.21

31.3.20

31.12.20 Share price (0.01 NIS)

9,313

8,676

8,514 Dividend per share (0.01 NIS) - 125 125



(1) Annualized.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(NIS million)



















For the three months

ended March 31

For the year

ended

December 31



2021

2020

2020

(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) Interest Income 729 715 2,878 Interest Expenses 59 57 241 Interest Income, net 670 658 2,637 Expenses (income) from credit losses (9) 157 464 Net Interest Income after expenses from credit losses 679 501 2,173 Non- Interest Income





Non-Interest Financing income (expenses) 51 (3) 148 Fees 361 368 1,371 Other income 4 1 4 Total non- Interest income 416 366 1,523 Operating and other expenses





Salaries and related expenses 398 379 1,532 Maintenance and depreciation of premises and equipment 85 86 344 Amortizations and impairment of intangible assets 26 24 96 Other expenses 147 148 597 Total operating and other expenses 656 637 2,569 Profit before taxes 439 230 1,127 Provision for taxes on profit 153 48 368 Profit after taxes 286 182 759 The bank's share in profit (loss) of equity-basis investee, after taxes 13 (2) 29 Net profit:





Before attribution to noncontrolling interests 299 180 788 Attributed to noncontrolling interests (12) (9) (38) Attributed to shareholders of the Bank 287 171 750











NIS Primary profit per share attributed to the shareholders of the Bank











Net profit per share of NIS 0.05 par value 2.86 1.70 7.48

The notes to the financial statements are an integral part thereof.

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(NIS million)



















For the three months

ended March 31

For the year ended

December 31

2021

2020

2020

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

(audited) Net profit before attribution to noncontrolling interests

299

180

788 Net profit attributed to noncontrolling interests (12) (9) (38) Net profit attributed to the shareholders of the Bank 287 171 750 Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes:





Adjustments of available for sale bonds to fair value, net 11 (247) (4) Adjustments of liabilities in respect of employee benefits(1) 66 139 (74) Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes 77 (108) (78) Related tax effect (26) 36 26 Other comprehensive income (loss) before attribution to noncontrolling interests, after taxes 51 (72) (52) Less other comprehensive income attributed to noncontrolling interests 1 - - Other comprehensive income (loss) attributed to the shareholders of the Bank, after taxes 50 (72) (52) Comprehensive income before attribution to noncontrolling interests 350 108 736 Comprehensive income attributed to noncontrolling interests (13) (9) (38) Comprehensive income attributed to the shareholders of the Bank 337 99 698

(1) Mostly reflects adjustments in respect of actuarial assessments as of the end of the period regarding defined benefits pension plans, of amounts recorded in the past in other comprehensive income.

The notes to the financial statements are an integral part thereof.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(NIS million)



















31.3.21

31.3.20

31.12.20

(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) Assets





Cash and deposits with banks 59,471 41,933 57,802 Securities 14,705 10,824 13,105 Securities which were borrowed 244 82 11 Credit to the public 93,581 91,075 92,247 Provision for Credit losses (1,260) (1,047) (1,277) Credit to the public, net 92,321 90,028 90,970 Credit to the government 659 1,114 656 Investments in investee company 648 603 636 Premises and equipment 954 989 965 Intangible assets 265 246 272 Assets in respect of derivative instruments 1,603 2,551 1,897 Other assets(2) 1,605 1,161 1,464 Total assets 172,475 149,531 167,778 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity





Deposits from the public 146,600 126,977 141,677 Deposits from banks 3,326 1,129 2,992 Deposits from the Government 694 553 459 Bonds and subordinated capital notes 3,716 3,754 4,394 Liabilities in respect of derivative instruments 1,554 2,586 2,314 Other liabilities(1)(3) 6,700 5,625 6,407 Total liabilities 162,590 140,624 158,243 Capital attributed to the shareholders of the Bank 9,478 8,542 9,141 Noncontrolling interests 407 365 394 Total equity 9,885 8,907 9,535 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 172,475 149,531 167,778

(1) Of which: provision for credit losses in respect of off-balance sheet credit instruments in the amount of NIS 88 million and NIS 64 million and NIS 86 million at 31.3.21, 31.3.20 and 31.12.20, respectively.

(2) Of which: other assets measured at fair value in the amount of NIS 375 million and NIS 78 million and NIS 247 million at 31.3.21, 31.3.20 and 31.12.20, respectively.

(3) Of which: other liabilities measured at fair value in the amount of NIS 375 million and NIS 111 million and NIS 258 million at 31.3.21, 31.3.20 and 31.12.20, respectively.

The notes to the financial statements are an integral part thereof.

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(NIS million)































For the three months ended March 31, 2021 (unaudited)



Share

capital and

premium (1)

Accumulated

other

comprehensive

income (loss)

Retained earnings (2)

Total

Non-

controlling interests

Total equity Balance as at December 31, 2020 (audited) 927 (183) 8,397 9,141 394 9,535 Net profit for the period - - 287 287 12 299 Other comprehensive income, net after tax effect - 50 - 50 1 51 Balance as at March 31, 2021 927 (133) 8,684 9,478 407 9,885





























For the three months ended March 31, 2020 (unaudited)



Share

capital and premium (1)

Accumulated

other

comprehensive loss

Retained earnings (2)

Total

Non-

controlling interests

Total equity Balance as at December 31, 2019 (audited) 927 (131) 7,772 8,568 356 8,924 Net profit for the period - - 171 171 9 180 Dividend - - (125) (125) - (125) Other comprehensive loss, net after tax effect - (72) - (72) - (72) Balance as at March 31, 2020 927 (203) 7,818 8,542 365 8,907





























For the year ended December 31, 2020 (audited)



Share

capital and premium (1)

Accumulated

other comprehensive

loss

Retained earnings (2)

Total

Non-

controlling interests

Total equity Balance as at December 31, 2019 927 (131) 7,772 8,568 356 8,924 Net profit for the year - - 750 750 38 788 Dividend - - (125) (125) - (125) Other comprehensive loss, after tax effect - (52) - (52) - (52) Balance as at December 31, 2020 927 (183) 8,397 9,141 394 9,535

(1) Including share premium of NIS 313 million (as from 1992 onwards).

(2) Including an amount of NIS 2,391 million which cannot be distributed as dividend.

The notes to the financial statements are an integral part thereof.

Contacts:

Dafna Zucker

First International Bank of Israel e-mail: [email protected]

Tel: +972-3-519-6224

Ehud Helft

GK Investor & Public Relations e-mail: [email protected]

Tel: +1-646-201-924

SOURCE First International Bank of Israel
ATLANTA, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Franklin Junction, an innovative foodservice e-commerce solutions platform that matches underutilized kitchens with proven restaurant brands for incremental revenue opportunities, announced today its partnership alongside EAT, one of MENA's most recognized food conglomerates. The partnership will now enable existing kitchens in MENA to become a Franklin Junction Host Kitchen and restaurant brands based in the MENA region or United States to develop an international presence using the partnership as a conduit for growth. As a result, Host Kitchen or brand partners in either region will be able to optimize their assets while driving revenue through delivery channels.

Backed by a 22-year history, EATs' portfolio consists of 26 concepts operating in more than 66 locations around the world. EAT will offer Franklin Junction customers access to its EAT Kitchen platform, which is the brand's built-for-delivery virtual kitchen service. EAT Kitchen will open Franklin Junction's geographical presence across Jordan, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Bahrain, and Egypt.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with EAT seeing as they are such a prominent operator with over two decades of success in foodservice. At Franklin Junction, we create custom solutions for our clients by repositioning their existing assets to generate new and additional revenue in the booming food delivery channel. Now, with EAT, our brand partners will be able to test markets, products, and menu items with an all new audience throughout MENA and vice versa, without ever having to physically build a brick-and-mortar presence," said Rishi Nigam, CEO of Franklin Junction. "The rapid growth and increased adoption of food delivery is revolutionizing the way foodservice concepts expand to new markets and we are honored to be at the forefront of that innovation by building an international presence for our customers."

The Franklin Junction Host Kitchen model offers ultimate flexibility and can be used within a wide range of businesses, including restaurants, hotels, grocery and convenience stores, as well as non-traditional retail locations such as airports, convention centers, universities, and sporting venues.

"We are excited to partner up with Franklin Junction in our efforts to build a global platform for brands to expand beyond their local market. We like to work with partners that believe in the power of collaboration and teamwork, Franklin Junction is a fine embodiment of that. EAT works hard on enabling the virtual food brands ecosystem at large and believes that this partnership will enable and impact the growth of many brands in the virtual space and within our network," stated Omar Tabbaa, Founder and CEO of EAT.

To find out more about Franklin Junction, follow https://www.franklinjunction.com.

About Franklin Junction

Franklin Junction is a digital platform that allows kitchens to optimize excess infrastructure capacity by serving as a "Host Kitchen." Hosts are matched with a thoughtfully curated roster of proven restaurant brands, allowing the Hosts to increase revenue, while providing hosted brands a platform to expand geographic reach without capital expenditure. Franklin Junction's proprietary technology includes aggregated order management, revenue reconciliation, and data-driven digital marketing strategies to maintain sustained profits for clients. For more information, visit https://www.franklinjunction.com.

About EAT

EAT is a pioneer in Food Innovation and Technology. Bringing to the world the most exciting restaurant experiences, cloud kitchen brands, multi-brand franchise concepts, as well as a community focused food delivery application. EAT is customer obsessed and partnership driven. To find out more about EAT, visit https://theeatkitchen.com.

Contact:

Shana Rosenthal

Fish Consulting

954-893-9150

[email protected]

SOURCE Franklin Junction
ATLANTA, May 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- FullStory , the leader in digital experience intelligence, today announced new additions to its leadership as it continues to position itself for rapid global expansion. FullStory's new leaders bring proven expertise in scaling global sales, marketing and talent operations at key stages of growth, and will work to cement FullStory as the preeminent partner for digital insights and analytics that drive more perfect digital products and experiences.

More than 3,100 customers in 60 countries currently use FullStory to understand, measure and improve the digital experience, and the company is on pace to add more than 100 new employees in 2021 to support client success. FullStory serves more customers than its top three nearest competitors combined, and has been named to the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 for the past two years running. The company was also recently honored by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of the fastest growing companies in the region.

"Data shows that 81% of consumers plan to maintain or increase their online usage, even as the pandemic recedes," said FullStory CEO Scott Voigt. "We're seeing explosive growth across industries as global brands turn to FullStory to compete and win based on an actionable understanding of the how and why behind their customer behavior. Our new leaders intimately understand how to grow and scale SaaS businesses, and their knowledge and talent will help us continue to capitalize on the market opportunity ahead of us."

FullStory's new appointments include:

Ryan Barretto serves as an independent board member to FullStory. A seasoned executive with a track record of driving rapid sales growth, Barretto shepherded social media management leader Sprout Social from start-up through IPO and currently serves as the company's President. Prior to Sprout Social, Barretto spent ten years with Salesforce.com in a variety of sales leadership roles as they scaled from $180M to more than $7B in annual sales.

"FullStory has everything in place to define and lead a new category: an innovative technology company with a product users love that addresses an urgent customer need, leading to explosive demand," said Barretto. "Not only does the company benefit from a passionate community of users as it rapidly moves upmarket, but they've maintained an incredibly high hiring bar that's truly rooted in their company valueseven while growing at a blazing pace."

Kirsten Newbold-Knipp is CMO of FullStory and has nearly 20 years of experience in technology marketing, sales and product from companies like HubSpot, BigCommerce and Intel. She brings a full spectrum of SaaS experience at companies of all sizes and stages to accelerate FullStory's go-to-market strategy. She also served as a Research VP at Gartner, where she counseled Fortune 500 companies on marketing strategy and execution.

Jim Miller was named FullStory's VP of recruitment after spending more than 15 years in global talent and recruiting at Google. Most recently there, he served as Global Head of Online Talent Channels and Head of Emerging Products Staffing Channels. As FullStory expands hiring across the U.S. and globally , Miller will help ensure the company continues to acquire top talent while keeping a strong commitment to FullStory's unique culture and an emphasis on watchwords: empathy, clarity and bionics.

About FullStory

FullStory's digital experience intelligence platform enables businesses to continuously improve their digital customer experience across sites and apps. The platform proactively surfaces actionable insights from billions of data points, helping thousands of companies, including Fortune 100 companies and the world's most innovative consumer brands, make evidence-based digital improvements that reduce costs and reclaim revenue. The company is headquartered in Atlanta and privately held with backing from Kleiner Perkins, GV (formerly Google Ventures), Stripes, Dell Technologies Capital and Salesforce Ventures. For more information, visit fullstory.com.

SOURCE FullStory

Related Links

https://www.fullstory.com


PASADENA, Calif., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The 16th Annual Gamma Zeta Boule Foundation L.A.M.P. Mentor Program Scholarship Celebration will be held on Saturday, May 29th, 2021 from 11:30 AM  1:00 PM, in a VIRTUAL environment. At this event, eight African American male high school graduating seniors will be celebrated and awarded scholarships to assist in their college matriculation. This year history was made as three seniors were named Boule Scholars, the country's highest level of distinction awarded by the oldest Black Greek-lettered fraternal organization, Sigma Pi Phi (The Boule). Jacobs Engineering Group (international technical professional services firm), City First-Broadway Bank (the nation's largest Black-led bank), and Fox Rothschild LLP (national full service law firm) highlight the notable underwriting sponsors of this year's Scholarship Celebration.

L.A.M.P. stands for Leadership, Achievement, Management and Professionalism and was designed for the purposes of developing the leadership potential in African American high school males in the Greater San Gabriel Valley community. Founded in 2004, the mission of the L.A.M.P. Mentor Program is to prepare these adolescent males for a world of inclusion, while promoting leadership, personal development, community service, political / civic engagement, and decision-making expertise. L.A.M.P. Mentees also receive exposure to historical and contemporary cultural issues, self- empowerment strategies, and advanced relationship development skills, all of which equip them to navigate the dynamics they will encounter in their quest for excellence.

The L.A.M.P. Mentor Program meets at least one Saturday a month (from August to May) for a series of mentoring workshops at locations from the greater Pasadena area to the Inland Empire and Los Angeles. During the pandemic, the Program has met virtually and continues mentee engagement with successful African American business, professional and government leaders. It has also continued to deploy its ground-breaking experiential skill development curriculum through impactful workshops featuring soft skills in etiquette, journal writing and self-reflection, as well as skills development in public speaking / presentations, networking, interviewing, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, financial aid for college, critical thinking, and introductions to business and professional careers.

As one of the most innovative mentoring programs in the country, the L.A.M.P. Mentor Program seeks to create pathways to success for African American young men by focusing on the principles of brotherhood, education, enlightenment, empowerment, encouragement, and professional development. To that end, L.A.M.P. transforms the lives of mentees by expanding their possibility set, and prepares them for a leadership role in the community, the nation, and the world. Since inception, 100% of L.A.M.P. Mentees who completed the program enrolled in a college or university and received a scholarship. "L.A.M.P. is committed to providing transformative experiential exposure to adolescent African American males. By doing so we believe we are doing our part to prepare them for a world of tomorrow, today, and further empowering these young dreamers to become achievers", Gamma Zeta Boule Foundation President, Ramsey Jay, Jr.

You may learn more about the Gamma Zeta Boule Foundation and the L.A.M.P. Mentor program at www.gzbfoundation.org and to consider supporting L.A.M.P. through a scholarship or sponsorship donation at www.gzbfoundation.org/donate. You are also invited to attend the Scholarship Celebration on May 29th by registering here. If you have questions or desire more information, please contact Ramsey Jay, Jr., President, [email protected] or Gilbert Holmes, Program Coordinator, [email protected], or [email protected].

SOURCE Gamma Zeta Boule Foundation, Inc.

Related Links

www.gzbfoundation.org


Todd Combs, CEO at GEICO, said: "GEICO customers know us for our speed of service and value. Tractable's artificial intelligence solution delivers both, helping us review estimates more quickly and accurately, getting our customers back on the road faster."

Alex Dalyac, Founder & CEO of Tractable, said: "We are honored to be chosen by GEICO, one of America's largest insurers. We are committed to accelerating accident recovery with AI. Through this partnership, our AI will make a positive difference to millions of lives."

After an accident, the process from filing an insurance claim through to settlement can be lengthy. Tractable believes a key driver of the time it takes to repair a vehicle is the ability for the insurer and the repairer to quickly review and agree on the repair operations. Tractable seeks to shorten that time with its AI.

Tractable's AI processes over $2 billion a year in vehicle repairs and purchases, serving over 20 of the world's top insurers, such as Tokio Marine and Mitsui Sumitomo, the largest auto insurers in Japan; Covea, the largest auto insurer in France; and Admiral Seguros, the Spanish entity of Admiral Group.

About Tractable:

Tractable develops artificial intelligence systems for accident and disaster recovery. Its AI solutions process over $2bn a year in vehicle repairs and purchases, and have been deployed by over 20 of the world's top insurers across Europe, North America and Asia, helping millions of households recover from accidents faster.

About GEICO:

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company), the second-largest auto insurer in the U.S., was founded in 1936 and insures more than 28 million vehicles in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. A member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies, GEICO employs more than 43,000 associates countrywide. GEICO constantly strives to make lives better by protecting people against unexpected events while saving them money and providing an outstanding customer experience. Along with personal auto insurance, commercial auto and personal umbrella coverages are also available. Homeowners , renters , condo , flood , identity theft , term life , and more coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Visit geico.com for a quote or to learn more.

SOURCE Tractable

Related Links

https://tractable.ai


SAN FRANCISCO, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement is being issued by Girard Sharp LLP and Blau & Malmfeldt regarding The Parking REIT Securities Litigation:

ARTHUR MAGOWSKI, as custodian

of his IRA, on behalf of himself and all

others similarly situated, Plaintiff, v. THE PARKING REIT, INC., et al., Defendants. IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR BALTIMORE CITY Case No. 24-C-19-003125 LEAD CASE

SUMMARY NOTICE OF PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF CLASS AND DERIVATIVE ACTION

TO: ALL COMMON STOCKHOLDERS OF THE PARKING REIT, INC. ("TPR" OR "COMPANY") WHO HAVE HELD CLASS SHARES AT ANY TIME SINCE MARCH 29, 2019 (THE "SETTLEMENT CLASS").

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Parties to the above-captioned consolidated action ("Action") have reached a Settlement, and that the Court has preliminarily approved the Settlement and conditionally certified a settlement class comprised of TPR stockholders holding TPR common shares that were issued and outstanding as of March 29, 2019 ("Class Shares") at any time from and including March 29, 2019 until and including the date of Final Court Approval of the Settlement ("Settlement Class"). The Settlement, the complete terms and conditions of which are set forth in the Stipulation and Agreement of Compromise, Settlement and Release ("Stipulation"), fully and completely releases the claims of the Settlement Class and the derivative claims on behalf of TPR asserted in the Action. The Settlement also encompasses the claims asserted in a related action pending in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada and captioned SIPDA Revocable Trust, by Trenton J. Warner, Director, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated v. The Parking REIT, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-00428.

The Settlement provides for a cash payment of $2,500,000 or, if after payment of all covered amounts and reserving for projected covered amounts, including attorneys' fees, expenses and costs, the remaining amount of coverage under certain TPR Insurance Policies as of the Payment Date, whichever amount is greater, to a trust account ("Settlement Trust Account"), and contribution of 175,000 shares of TPR common stock to the Settlement Trust Account which shares shall be purchased by a third-party investor ("Bombe Affiliate CU") for a total purchase amount of $2,056,250.00 which shall become part of the settlement funds ("Settlement Funds"). The Settlement Funds shall be reduced by costs, fees, and expenses for administration of the Settlement, the cost of providing notice to Settlement Class Members, any award of attorneys' fees and expenses to Plaintiffs' Counsel, and contribution awards to Plaintiffs ("Net Settlement Funds"). In addition, the Settlement provides for cancellation of 400,000 shares of TPR common stock scheduled to be issued to TPR's former Advisor and contemplates a tender offer by Bombe Affiliate CU for the purchase of up to 900,506 shares, approximately 15% of TPR common shares outstanding after the consummation of certain transactions involving TPR and Bombe Affiliate CU, the consummation of which is a condition precedent for implementation of the Settlement.

YOU ARE HEREBY FURTHER NOTIFIED THAT a hearing will be held on July 16, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time before the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland to consider whether the Settlement Class should be finally certified, and whether the Settlement and Plaintiffs' application for attorneys' fees, expense reimbursement, and contribution awards should be finally approved as fair, reasonable, and adequate and in the best interests of the Settlement Class and of TPR with regard to the derivative claims asserted on its behalf. The hearing will be conducted by remote electronic means using Zoom; there will be no in-person hearing in the courthouse. The details and link for joining this hearing by Zoom will be posted two weeks before the hearing date of July 16, 2021 on the Settlement Administrator's website (www.theparkingreitsettlement.com) and on the corporate website of TPR under the Investor Relations section (www.theparkingreit.com/investor-relations/).

IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE SETTLEMENT CLASS, YOUR RIGHTS WILL BE AFFECTED. If the Settlement becomes Final, members of the Settlement Class ("Settlement Class Members") will have released claims as against the Defendants; Settlement Class Members do not have the right to opt out or exclude themselves from the Settlement. Any objections to the proposed Settlement and/or Plaintiffs' application for attorneys' fees, reimbursement of expenses and contribution awards MUST be filed with the Court no later than July 2, 2021 in accordance with the instructions provided in the Long-Form Notice.

IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE SETTLEMENT CLASS, YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO SHARE IN THE NET SETTLEMENT FUNDS.

The plan of allocation provides for prorated, per share distributions of the Net Settlement Funds to Settlement Class Members holding TPR common shares as of the Effective Date of the Settlement. No distribution will be made unless and until the Settlement is approved by the Court and becomes Final. There is no claims process in connection with the Settlement. Eligible Settlement Class Members need not take any action in order to receive distributions pursuant to the plan of allocation.

THIS NOTICE IS ONLY A SUMMARY. IT DOES NOT DESCRIBE ALL THE DETAILS OF THE STIPULATION AND THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT. The Long-Form Notice and the Stipulation are available on the Settlement Administrator's website (www.theparkingreitsettlement.com), the Investor Relations section of the Company's website (www.theparkingreit.com/investor-relatons/), the Securities and Exchange Commission's website through the EDGAR database where TPR filed a Form 8-K on April 26, 2021 attaching the Long-Form Notice as an exhibit, or by contacting Interim Settlement Class Counsel: Paul D. Malmfeldt, Blau & Malmfeldt, 566 West Adams Street, Suite 600, Chicago, IL 60661, Phone: (312) 443-1600, Email: [email protected]; or Adam Polk, Girard Sharp LLP, 601 California Street, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94108, Phone: (415) 981-4800, Email: [email protected].

PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE COURT OR COURT CLERK FOR INFORMATION.

Form and substance approved by Court Order dated April 20, 2021.

SOURCE Girard Sharp LLP
Raymond Newton, 62, is seen above in his mugshot provided by the Oswego County District Attorneys office.
"Mapping on the Casados North zone has paid off with the intercept of multiple kilos in hole 38," said Brad Langille, President and CEO. "We will continue to explore the Casados North zone as new discoveries like this will be favourable for our upcoming Los Ricos North maiden resource to be released later this year."

Table 1: Drill Hole Intersections

Hole ID Area From To Length1 Au Ag AuEq2 AgEq2



(m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) LRGCS-21-027 Casados Vein 1 124.0 153.9 29.9 0.25 70.5 1.19 89.5

including 124.0 137.1 13.1 0.44 121.4 2.06 154.2

Casados Vein 2 170.0 185.5 15.5 0.27 67.5 1.17 87.9

including 176.2 182.5 6.3 0.55 118.0 2.12 159.2 LRGCS-21-029 Casados Vein Multi 66.9 101.3 34.4 0.17 67.2 1.06 79.7

Casados Vein 1 81.2 88.5 7.3 0.12 32.6 0.56 41.7

Casados Vein 2 96.0 101.3 5.3 0.65 305.0 4.72 353.8

including 99.7 100.5 0.8 2.45 1,155.4 17.86 1,339.2 LRGCS-21-030 Casados Vein 1 13.4 17.6 4.3 0.27 56.7 1.03 76.9

and 33.4 37.3 3.9 0.13 128.8 1.85 138.5

including 35.4 36.3 0.9 0.45 473.3 6.76 507.0

Casados Vein 2 61.4 69.6 8.2 0.35 69.0 1.27 95.4 LRGCS-21-031 Casados Vein 1 11.4 20.6 9.2 0.24 108.8 1.69 126.5

including 18.1 20.0 1.9 0.61 442.0 6.50 487.7

Casados Vein 2 56.7 60.4 3.7 0.20 79.1 1.26 94.3 LRGCS-21-032 Casados Vein Multi 209.5 270.0 60.5 0.21 44.4 0.80 60.4

Casados Vein 1 209.5 232.9 23.4 0.13 65.4 1.00 75.2

including 218.3 220.4 2.1 0.57 322.0 4.87 365.0

Casados Vein 2 235.4 270.0 34.6 0.28 33.3 0.72 54.2

including 268.3 270.0 1.8 0.72 173.6 3.04 227.9 LRGCS-21-033 Casados Vein 3 37.8 38.6 0.8 1.02 58.1 1.79 134.6

Casados Vein 1 149.7 154.5 4.8 0.28 72.1 1.24 93.1 LRGCS-21-035 Casados Vein 3 10.3 11.5 1.2 0.51 201.9 3.20 240.2

Casados Vein Multi 87.9 148.0 54.1 0.37 92.1 1.60 119.6

Casados Vein 1 99.0 127.5 28.5 0.43 100.5 1.77 132.7

including 116.9 118.7 1.8 2.09 418.5 7.67 575.1

Casados Vein 2 134.0 148.0 14.0 0.46 134.2 2.25 168.6

including 135.0 140.4 5.3 1.04 304.5 5.10 382.3 LRGCS-21-036 Casados Vein 1 33.4 49.7 16.3 0.17 48.6 0.82 61.5

including 43.7 45.8 2.1 0.68 143.0 2.59 194.3 LRGCS-21-038 Casados  North zone 40.1 42.7 2.6 2.93 609.7 11.06 829.6

including 41.0 41.8 0.8 10.00 2,085.4 37.81 2,835.4

Casados Vein 1 235.5 239.2 3.7 0.22 94.2 1.48 110.8

including 238.5 239.2 0.7 0.67 323.5 4.98 374.6

1. Not true width 2. AqEq converted using a silver to gold ratio of 75:1 at recoveries of 100%. 3. Multi values include combined results from both Casados Vein 1 and Casados Vein 2. 4. Holes LRGCS-21-028 and LRGCS-21-037 are still pending assay results. 5. Hole LRGS-21-034 is excluded due to insignificant mineralization.

The Casados Veins strike nearly E-W, dips 45o to the north and is hosted in andesitic tuffs and is exposed on surface for about 400 metres along strike. In the 7 metres of old stope that is above the water level at the Casados mine, the vein shows as a zone of quartz stringers about a meter wide, but at other places it is more than 2 metres wide. A zone of silicification up to 50 metres wide envelopes the vein and this resistant outcrop forms a steep ridge along the strike of the vein, particularly on the north or hanging wall side.

Casados North

A series of low sulphidation epithermal quartz veins have been mapped over an area of 800m x 400m extending on a NNW trend from the area of the Casados mine. The veins are exposed in a dozen historical shallow workings and chip sampling has returned high silver and gold values. Drill hole LRGCS-21-038, targeted to test below the Casados mine workings, has intersected one of these new veins close to surface. See Figure 5 for a map.

Table 2: Drill Hole Locations

Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Length LRGCS-21-027 583510 2337792 670.0 180 -70 258.0 LRGCS-21-029 583551 2337766 707.0 180 -45 159.0 LRGCS-21-030 583721 2337711 693.0 180 -45 162.3 LRGCS-21-031 583694 2337715 709.0 180 -45 352.0 LRGCS-21-032 583482 2337851 709.0 180 -70 352.5 LRGCS-21-033 583441 2337848 738.0 180 -45 159.0 LRGCS-21-034 583737 2337731 708.0 180 -45 254.4 LRGCS-21-035 583526 2337785 673.0 180 -45 203.0 LRGCS-21-036 583667 2337710 703.0 180 -45 203.5 LRGCS-21-038 583510 2337856 695.0 180 -70 313.5

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 SGS Laboratory in Durango, Mexico. SGS 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 GE_FAA515) and over limits greater than 10 grams per tonne are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code GO_FAU333). Silver and multi-element analysis is completed using total digestion (Code 1F2 Total Digestion ICP) and Fire Assay Code GE_AAS42E). Over limits greater than 100 grams per tonne silver are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code GO_FAG333).

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/


WASHINGTON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at a virtual webinar the Economic Policy Institute unveiled a groundbreaking study that shows the overwhelming positive economic impact of the Section 232 aluminum tariffs. Tom Conway, International President of the United Steelworkers union (USW), Jesse Gary, Chairman of the APAA and James Powell, Casthouse Manager of Century's Hawesville smelter, were joined by Robert E. Scott, Senior Economist and Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Research at the Economic Policy Institute and Adam S. Hersh, EPI visiting economist, to unveil this research, which shows that the aluminum tariffs are creating thousands of new U.S. jobs while helping America rebuild.

This new report finds that measures imposed in 2018 under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 have allowed U.S. aluminum output and employment to rebound, saving an essential American industry. In addition, these measures have had a negligible impact on consumers of aluminum products while jobs and investments in aluminum have increased dramatically.

"Chronic global aluminum overcapacity risks the U.S. industry's ability to maintain operations, grow, and invest in areas essential to national security and broader economic welfare," said Robert E. Scott, EPI Senior Economist and Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Research, and co-author of the report. "Maintaining the Section 232 aluminum import measures remains critical to stabilizing and expanding U.S. aluminum production."

"The Section 232 program is allowing the American primary aluminum industry to regain its strength against global overproduction while creating thousands of good-paying direct and indirect aluminum jobs," says Jesse Gary, Chairman of the American Primary Aluminum Association. "This study highlights the incredible impact the Section 232 tariff program has had on our industry that is essential for our country's national defense and our nation's future. If we want to Build Back Better, support American workers, and protect this critical industry, we must keep the Section 232 program in place."

"USW members experienced first-hand the devastation global overcapacity inflicted on their communities, as facilities across the domestic aluminum industry succumbed to unfair trade," said USW International President Tom Conway. "As the EPI's report clearly demonstrates, Section 232 measures provided much-needed relief. As we look to preserve our fragile economic recovery, it's essential that we maintain the tariffs so that domestic producers can continue to invest in expanding their facilities and adding jobs."

"Domestic aluminum production is essential for national defense and critical to the broader economy," said Adam S. Hersh, EPI visiting economist, and co-author of the report. "The Biden-Harris administration should continue and strengthen aluminum import restraints until it can achieve a permanent, multilateral solution to the chronic problem of excess global aluminum production capacity."

About the American Primary Aluminum Association:

The American Primary Aluminum Association advances the interests of America's primary aluminum industry and its workers through the Aluminum Now campaign. APAA is registered and incorporated in Washington, DC and operates as a non-profit trade association. For more, please visit: www.aluminumnow.org

SOURCE American Primary Aluminum Association

Related Links

http://www.aluminumnow.org


In conjunction with the event, Hyundai is donating $50,000 to Folds of Honor to provide scholarships to spouses and children of America's fallen and disabled service members.

"We're proud to have been a part of the National Salute to America's Heroes since its debut in 2017," said Angela Zepeda, CMO, Hyundai Motor America. "All of us at Hyundai share the greatest respect and appreciation for the contributions of those who have served our country. This partnership continues Hyundai's long-term commitment to supporting the U.S. Military and paying tribute to our service men and women who are America's bravest heroes."

"There is no better time than Memorial Day weekend to pay tribute to our military, first responders, and those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our freedom," said Mickey Markoff, Executive Producer of the National Salute to America's Heroes. "We are so appreciative to Hyundai for their continued support to our Air & Sea Show and their commitment to honoring those who protect the country they serve."

National Salute to America's Heroes Event Details

The National Salute to America's Heroes is anchored by the Hyundai Air & Sea Show, The Greatest Show Above the Earth. The Hyundai Air & Sea Show showcases the skills of brave men and women, the state-of-the-art technology, and the equipment from all five branches of the United States Military and first responder organizations. This event also features offshore dynamic sea events, military recruiting exhibits, an Action Zone, and more, all on the beautiful shores of Miami Beach.

Experiential activations are centered at Lummus Park, spanning more than four city blocks on Ocean Drive. The Hyundai Hangar, located between 12th and 13th Street, will feature a collaborative chalkboard memorial wall for messages to family and friends who have served, along with other interactive activities and themed giveaways. Hyundai will also communicate its built in the U.S. story and display specially wrapped Hyundai vehicles honoring each branch of the U.S. Armed Services.

Hyundai's Military Support

Hyundai's Veteran Employment Transition program actively recruits military veterans for Hyundai dealership parts and service positions. The success of this program and others have led to Hyundai being named one of the Best of the Best Top Veteran-Friendly Companies by U.S. Veterans Magazine (for the eighth time in the last nine years), a 2021 Military Friendly Employer from VIQTORY (an honor Hyundai has received eight times) and a 2021 VETS Indexes Recognized Employer.

Hyundai also offers a $500 incentive to military and first responders on all its vehicles. For additional details, please visit Hyundai Military Program and Hyundai First Responders Program.

National Salute to America's Heroes

The National Salute to America's Heroes presented by Hyundai is a nation-wide two-day celebration held on Miami Beach, Florida featuring the Hyundai Air & Sea Show presented by Hyundai, and Salute 365 initiative. Held on Memorial Day Weekend, the National Salute to America's Heroes presented by Hyundai focuses on honoring and paying tribute to the military and first responders who protect the freedoms of all Americans. National Salute to America's Heroes' mission is to bring back the true meaning and spirit of Memorial Day weekend and pay tribute to all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our freedom. For more information, please visit www.USAsalute.com.

Hyundai Motor America

At Hyundai Motor America, we believe everyone deserves better. From the way we design and build our cars to the way we treat the people who drive them, making things better is at the heart of everything we do. Hyundai's technology-rich product lineup of cars, SUVs and alternative-powered electric and fuel cell vehicles is backed by Hyundai Assuranceour promise to create a better experience for customers. Hyundai vehicles are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide and nearly half of those sold in the U.S. are built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Hyundai Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea.

Please visit our media website at www.HyundaiNews.com

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America

Related Links

www.hyundainews.com


DUBLIN, May 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Cassava Starch Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global cassava starch market reached a production volume of 8.8 Million Tons in 2020. Cassava starch, or tapioca, is procured from cassava roots through the process of washing and pulping. It is rich in iron, folate, manganese, carbohydrates and calcium. In comparison with its alternatives, cassava is a relatively cheap raw material containing a high concentration of starch. Moreover, cassava starch offers numerous advantages such as neutral taste, high level of purity and excellent thickening characteristics. It also has a high paste clarity, freeze-thaw stability and paste viscosity. Owing to this, cassava starch finds applications in diverse industries like food, beverage, fuel, textile, sweeteners and paper. Looking forward, the publisher expects the global cassava starch market to exhibit moderate growth during the next five years.



Being a rich source of carbohydrates, cassava starch is used as a major ingredient in a number of food products. The global food industry is currently growing at a rapid pace due to urbanization, expanding working population and rising household incomes, especially in the emerging nations like India and China. This is has led to an increase in the demand for ready-to-eat food products which has stimulated the growth of the cassava starch industry.



Earlier, the usage of cassava starch was largely confined to food applications, however, owing to its easy availability, it is also being utilized for non-food applications like manufacturing pharmaceuticals, adhesives, papers, etc. Growth in these end-use industries is providing a thrust to the market growth.



In the textile industry, cassava starch is used for sizing, finishing and printing due to its flexibility, resistance to abrasion and the ability to form a bond with the fiber. In finishing, cassava starch is utilized to cover blemishes or defects and provide a finishing look to the end product. Increasing westernization is fueling the growth of the textile industry, in turn, boosting the cassava starch market.



The growing health consciousness along with the rising cases of diabetes have stimulated the demand for artificial sweeteners across the globe. The increasing demand for these sweeteners is expected to drive the cassava starch market in the coming years.



Competitive Landscape:



The competitive landscape of the cassava starch industry is fragmented in nature due to the presence of numerous small and large players.

Some of the leading players operating in the market are:

TCS Tapioca

Eiamehang Tapioca

Sunrise International

PT Buda Starch & Sweetener

& Sweetener SPAC Tapioca

This report provides a deep insight into the global cassava starch industry covering all its essential aspects. This ranges from macro overview of the market to micro details of the industry performance, recent trends, key market drivers and challenges, SWOT analysis, Porter's five forces analysis, value chain analysis, etc. The report also provides a comprehensive analysis for setting up a cassava starch manufacturing plant. The study analyses the processing and manufacturing requirements, project cost, project funding, project economics, expected returns on investment, profit margins, etc. This report is a must-read for entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, consultants, business strategists, and all those who have any kind of stake or are planning to foray into the cassava starch industry in any manner.



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global cassava starch market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What are the key regions in the global cassava starch market?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global cassva starch market?

What are the key end-use segments in the global cassava starch market?

What are the price trends of cassava starch?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the global cassava starch market?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the global cassava starch market?

What is the structure of the global cassava starch industry and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the global cassava starch market?

What are the profit margins in the global cassava starch market?

What are the key requirements for setting up a cassava starch manufacturing plant?

How is cassava starch manufactured?

What are the various unit operations involved in a cassava starch manufacturing plant?

What is the total size of land required for setting up a cassava starch manufacturing plant?

What are the machinery requirements for setting up a cassava starch manufacturing plant?

What are the raw material requirements for setting up a cassava starch manufacturing plant?

What are the packaging requirements for cassava starch?

What are the transportation requirements for cassava starch?

What are the utility requirements for setting up a cassava starch manufacturing plant?

What are the manpower requirements for setting up a cassava starch manufacturing plant?

What are the infrastructure costs for setting up a cassava starch manufacturing plant?

What are the capital costs for setting up a cassava starch manufacturing plant?

What are the operating costs for setting up a cassava starch manufacturing plant?

What will be the income and expenditures for a cassava starch manufacturing plant?

What is the time required to break-even?

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology

2.1 Objectives of the Study

2.2 Stakeholders

2.3 Data Sources

2.3.1 Primary Sources

2.3.2 Secondary Sources

2.4 Market Estimation

2.4.1 Bottom-Up Approach

2.4.2 Top-Down Approach

2.5 Forecasting Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Cassava Industry

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Market Breakup by Region

5.4 Market Breakup by End-Use

5.5 Market Forecast



6 Global Starch Industry

6.1 Market Overview

6.2 Market Performance

6.3 Market Breakup by Region

6.4 Market Breakup by Feedstock

6.4.1 Corn

6.4.2 Wheat

6.4.3 Cassava

6.4.4 Others

6.5 Market Breakup by End-Use

6.6 Market Forecast



7 Global Cassava Starch Industry

7.1 Market Overview

7.2 Market Performance

7.2.1 Volume Trends

7.2.2 Value Trends

7.3 Price Trends

7.4 Impact of COVID-19

7.5 Market Breakup by Region

7.6 Market Breakup by End-Use

7.7 Market Forecast

7.8 SWOT Analysis

7.8.1 Overview

7.8.2 Strengths

7.8.3 Weaknesses

7.8.4 Opportunities

7.8.5 Threats

7.9 Value Chain Analysis

7.9.1 Raw Material Suppliers

7.9.2 Processors

7.9.3 Distributors

7.9.4 Exporters

7.9.5 End-Users

7.10 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

7.10.1 Overview

7.10.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers

7.10.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

7.10.4 Degree of Competition

7.10.5 Threat of New Entrants

7.10.6 Threat of Substitutes

7.11 Key Market Drivers and Success Factors



8 Performance of Key Regions

8.1 Production

8.1.1 Asia

8.1.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.1.2 Market Forecast

8.1.2 Africa

8.1.2.1 Market Trends

8.1.2.2 Market Forecast

8.1.3 Latin America

8.1.3.1 Market Trends

8.1.3.2 Market Forecast

8.1.4 Others

8.1.4.1 Market Trends

8.1.4.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Consumption

8.2.1 China

8.2.1.1 Market Trends

8.2.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2.2 Indonesia

8.2.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2.2 Market Forecast

8.2.3 Malaysia

8.2.3.1 Market Trends

8.2.3.2 Market Forecast

8.2.4 Japan

8.2.4.1 Market Trends

8.2.4.2 Market Forecast

8.2.5 Philippines

8.2.5.1 Market Trends

8.2.5.2 Market Forecast

8.2.6 Others

8.2.6.1 Market Trends

8.2.6.2 Market Forecast



9 Market by End-Use

9.1 Sweeteners

9.1.1 Market Trends

9.1.2 Market Forecast

9.2 MSG/Lysine

9.2.1 Market Trends

9.2.2 Market Forecast

9.3 Food Industries

9.3.1 Market Trends

9.3.2 Market Forecast

9.4 Paper Industries

9.4.1 Market Trends

9.4.2 Market Forecast

9.5 Modified Starch

9.5.1 Market Trends

9.5.2 Market Forecast

9.6 Sago Pearl

9.6.1 Market Trends

9.6.2 Market Forecast

9.7 Textile

9.7.1 Market Trends

9.7.2 Market Forecast

9.8 Others

9.8.1 Market Trends

9.8.2 Market Forecast



10 Competitive Landscape



11 Cassava Starch Manufacturing Process

11.1 Product Overview

11.2 Detailed Process Flow

11.3 Various Types of Unit Operations Involved

11.4 Mass Balance and Raw Material Requirements



12 Project Details, Requirements and Costs Involved

12.1 Land Requirements and Expenditures

12.2 Construction Requirements and Expenditures

12.3 Plant Machinery

12.4 Raw Material Requirements and Expenditures

12.5 Packaging Requirements and Expenditures

12.6 Transportation Requirements and Expenditures

12.7 Utility Requirements and Expenditures

12.8 Manpower Requirements and Expenditures

12.9 Other Capital Investments



13 Loans and Financial Assistance



14 Project Economics

14.1 Capital Cost of the Project

14.2 Techno-Economic Parameters

14.3 Product Pricing and Margins Across Various Levels of the Supply Chain

14.4 Taxation and Depreciation

14.5 Income Projections

14.6 Expenditure Projections

14.7 Financial Analysis

14.8 Profit Analysis



15 Key Player Profiles

15.1 TCS Tapioca

15.2 Eiamehang Tapioca

15.3 Sunrise International

15.4 PT Buda Starch & Sweetener

15.5 SPAC Tapioca

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/25cc6h

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


PHILADELPHIA, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Integrated Ventures Inc. (OTCQB: INTV), ("Company") is pleased to announce a purchase order with NGD Systems, Inc, for custom designed Chia 2U Mining Server.

In addition, the Company has acquired 8 HP ProLiant DL380/G8/2.2 GHZ servers, designed to increase plotting storage capacity.

INTV is currently mining the following cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Etherium, Litecoin and Zcash. The Chia network is powered by energy efficient blockchain with less damage to the environment. The Chia coin will be the fifth type of cryptocurrency to be mined by INTV.

To create or "farm" Chia (symbol: XCH), miners aka farmers must install Chia's software that creates cryptographic data known as "plots" to the hard drive. The blockchain broadcasts a problem for each new block, approximately every 18 seconds  with the likelihood of farmer winning the block being determined by the availability of unused computational storage capacity.

Specifications for the sample Chia Mining Server:

BRAND/TYPE: 2U Server By Dell

CPU: Duel-socket Intel Based AMD EPYC

DRAM: 128gb (16 x 8TB/pre-plotted and pre-tested NVMe SSDs)

$PLOTS INCLUDED: 800

CONCURRENT PLOT CAPABILITY: 64

> About Chia Network:

Chia was created by BitTorrent inventor Bram Cohen. It was developed through a powerful, easy-to-audit and secured new intelligent transaction programming language called Chialisp. Chia uses a proof of space and time (POST) consensus algorithm. Users can use the remaining hard disk space in the storage device for transactional verification with relatively lower computing power and electricity consumption, rendering Chia a higher green and environmentally friendly blockchain technology. Chia's main network went live on March 19. As of 05/20/2021, Chia (Symbol: XCH) is listed on the Huobi and OKEx exchanges and has been trading in the range of $550.00 - $1,800.00.

Blockchain startup "Chia Network" has raised $61 million in a funding round, which included investment from top venture capital firms Andreesen Horowitz and Richmond Global Ventures. The decentralized smart contract platform was valued at around $500 million in the funding round, according to an anonymous source cited by Bloomberg. The funding round was also backed by the CEO and co-founder of Angel List Naval Ravikant, Breyer Capital, and True Ventures.

> About NGD Systems, Inc:

Founded in 2013 with headquarters in Irvine, Calif., NGD Systems has focused its breakthrough technology will fundamentally change the IT Industry by bringing compute to storage in ways never implemented before. NGD Systems enables infrastructure success and growth by delivering the industry's most innovative Computational Storage NVMe SSDs in the largest capacity and most power-efficient storage products available. NGD Systems' Computational Storage products enable compute at the edge without moving data from storage devices, overcoming challenges that current system architectures cannot solve. NGD Systems' breakthrough technology is ideal for hyperscale environments, edge computing, and AI/data analytic applications. For more information, please visit https://www.ngdsystems.com.

> About Integrated Ventures,Inc:

Corporatly structured as a Technology Portfolio Holdings Company, INTV is focused on Blockchain Technology and Cryptocurrency Mining. For more details, please visit the Company's website: www.integratedventuresinc.com .

Safe Harbor Statement:

The information posted in this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of1995. You can identify these statements by use of the words "may," "will," "should," "plans," "explores," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "project," "intend," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, and various other factors beyond the company's control.

[email protected], 215-613-1111

SOURCE Integrated Ventures Inc.
VANCOUVER, BC, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (the "Company") - (TSX: ITH) (NYSE: THM) announces the results from its 2021 Annual General and Special Meeting of shareholders held in Fairbanks, AK, USA on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 ("Meeting").

At the Meeting, the Company's shareholders elected the following individuals as directors of the Company, with all receiving a majority of the votes cast, as follows:

Director Votes For Votes Withheld Anton Drescher 122,696,294 (89.60%) 14,234,312 (10.40%) Karl Hanneman 136,626,271 (99.78%) 304,335 (0.22%) Stuart Harshaw 133,597,206 (97.57%) 3,333,400 (2.43%) Marcelo Kim 136,624,723 (99.78%) 302,883 (0.22%) Stephen Lang 133,627,606 (97.59%) 3,303,000 (2.41%) Christopher Papagianis 136,626,352 (99.78%) 304,254 (0.22%) Thomas Weng 136,623,265 (99.78%) 307,341 (0.22%)

The shareholders re-appointed the current auditors, Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Accountants, as auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021 and authorized the directors to fix their remuneration.

The shareholders approved an amendment to the Company's Notice of Articles (90.64% majority) and an amendment and restatement of the Company's Articles (88.91% majority).

The shareholders approved, on an advisory non-binding basis ("Say on Pay"), the compensation paid to the Company's executive officers (91.52% majority). The shareholders re-approved the 2017 Deferred Share Unit Incentive Plan (97.12% majority) and re-approved the 2006 Incentive Stock Option Plan (89.87% majority).

The detailed proxy voting on all resolutions submitted to the shareholders at the Meeting is contained in the "Report of Voting Results" for the Meeting which will be available under the Company's profile on SEDAR and on the Company's website or upon request by contacting the Company at 1-855-428-2825.

About International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.

International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. controls 100% of the Livengood Gold Project located along the paved Elliott Highway, 70 miles north of Fairbanks, Alaska.

On behalf of

International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.

(signed) Karl L. Hanneman

Chief Executive Officer

This news release is not, and is not to be construed in any way as, an offer to buy or sell securities in the United States.

SOURCE International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.

Related Links

http://www.towerhillmines.com


Founded in 2015, IntoCare is a high-tech company focusing on the manufacturing and commercialization of innovative surgical instruments. The company is committed to becoming one of the most innovative and dynamic surgical instrument companies in China. With its precise and profound insights into clinical demands, IntoCare has been persistently innovating in surgical product development. The company name "IntoCare" derives from "Insight and Innovation to Caring".

IntoCare is the first company globally that has launched a full range of intelligent powered stapling solutions. It is believed that its technical advantages in the powered stapling segment enable it to compete with Johnson & Johnson and Medtronic, the two medical device titans.

IntoCare's founding team, R&D and technical teams have a strong background and extensive industry experience in well-known multinational companies. Since its inception in 2015, IntoCare started building three major product lines and a seven-year product plan. Over the past years, the company reached the below milestones:

In October 2018 , IntoCare Medical obtained ISO13485 certification;

, IntoCare Medical obtained ISO13485 certification; In March 2020 , all products in IntoCare Powered Stapling Platform received the CE certificate;

, all products in IntoCare Powered Stapling Platform received the CE certificate; In September 2020 , IntoCare received the Class III registration and production certificate for Powered Circular Stapler from China's NMPA;

, IntoCare received the Class III registration and production certificate for Powered Circular Stapler from NMPA; In May 2021 , IntoCare received the Class III registration and production certificate for Powered Endoscopic Linear Cutting Stapler from NMPA.

The completion of these milestones marks the launch of IntoCare Powered Stapling Solution in China and globally. The solution allows intelligent interaction between different types of staplers, bringing general GI, colorectal, and thoracic surgery marching into an intelligent and power-platformed era. It also marks China's stapler system has entered an era of intelligent powered control, contributing to the transformation towards a more intelligent medical devices industry.

Staplers, as surgical instruments, are widely used in surgical operations. According to the report "2021-2026 Stapler Industry Supply and Demand Survey and Investment Opportunity Strategic Research Report" by Beijing Puhua Youce Information Consulting Co., Ltd., China's stapler market size has increased from 4.827 billion RMB in 2015 to 9.479 billion RMB in 2019, with a compound growth rate of 18%. It is predicted that China's stapler market demand will reach 19.058 billion RMB by 2024, with a compound growth rate of 15%(2019  2024).

IntoCare continues to carry out technological innovation and product research and development. As of May 2021, IntoCare had applied for 277 patents, 117 of which had been authorized patents. Nearly 60% of the patent applications are for invention patents.

With its strong R&D capabilities and the recognition of various regulatory certifications, IntoCare's products have been marketed and sold worldwide, covering major markets including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, among others. The products have been highly recognized in top-ranking hospitals in China and have won multiple provincial procurement bids.

Ms. Zhang Hui, CEO of IntoCare, said, "Since its inception, IntoCare has always been committed to helping doctors better serve patients in China and globally with excellent and innovative products. In the past six years, IntoCare, with its 'Made-in-China' products, has reversed the world's impression of Chinese surgical products. At present, the company's self-developed Powered Stapling Platform has been at the forefront of the world and has been unanimously recognized by the industry. In the future, IntoCare will continue to uphold the 'insight into demand' spirit and 'self-development and innovation' creeds, and provide more products with intelligence, safety, efficacy and efficiency to serve the doctors and patients, and become a leading world-class enterprise."

Mr. William Hu, Managing Partner of Qiming Venture Partners, said: "Qiming Venture Partners started investing in IntoCare at an early stage. We have witnessed IntoCare's efforts and achievements in the powered stapling segment. IntoCare Powered Stapling Platform is now in a leading position on a global scale. We are excited to see that Chinese medtech companies can build products that can rival global titans in product design. We believe that powered staplers will become an increasingly popular option for surgical doctors and gradually earn the mainstream position. IntoCare has established a structured R&D platform and commercialization plan and has begun international expansion. We look forward to seeing more successes with the company."

Mr. Li Huaijie, senior partner of Oriza, said: "IntoCare's founding team has an in-depth understanding of the powered stapler. Product development is expected to address a large market and benefits patients both in China and globally. IntoCare's craftsmanship enables it to build innovative products. We firmly believe that the company has the potential to become a leader in this field. Oriza and its GP, Qiming Venture Partners, jointly invested in this funding round, which is another successful practice of Oriza's concept of 'an outstanding fund management team in the spirit of discovering, support and companionship'. It is also another support in the investment of Oriza 's GP fund. I hope this cooperation will further enrich Oriza investment ecology. We will leverage our advantages in capital and industrial resources to provide continuous support for IntoCare."

About Qiming Venture Partners

Qiming Venture Partners was established in 2006 and has successively set up offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Suzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Seattle, Boston and San Francisco Bay Area. At present, Qiming Venture Partners manages nine US dollar funds and six RMB funds, with total management assets of US$5.9 billion. Since its establishment, it has focused on investing in outstanding companies in the early and growth stages of the industries such as TMT and Healthcare. Up to now, Qiming Venture Partners has invested in more than 380 fast-growing innovative companies, of which more than 130 are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Taiwan OTC, Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange. More than 40 companies have become industry-recognized Unicorns and super Unicorns.

About Oriza

Oriza is China's first market-oriented professional fund-of-fund management team, managing China's largest venture capital FOFs, with a fund under management exceeding RMB 25 billion, and a radiation asset scale expected to exceed RMB 150 billion, participating in 124 funds of 71 fund management teams, covering more than 2,600 companies. Oriza is committed to playing the pivotal role of FOFs in industrial development and resource aggregation, relying on a deep understanding and judgment of the industry, and focusing on the long-term development dividends of medical and health, as well as industrial upgrading and innovation opportunities driven by intelligence and digitalization. Oriza took the lead in establishing a complete fund of fund investment and management system in the industry, and created China's first real management team community. Oriza has been awarded the "Top 10 Funds in the Chinese Market" and "China's Best Venture Capital Government Guidance Fund" issued by the China Association of Limited Partners, Zero2IPO, China Investment Group, 21st Century Business Herald and other institutions for many years. ", "China's Best Limited Partner TOP10", "Best FOF (RMB) Management Institution" and other awards.

About YuanBio Venture Capital

YuanBio Venture Capital is an investment institution focusing on the early and growth stage of the medical and healthcare field, based in BIOBAY, and business covering across China and the world. At present, the total RMB and USD funds under management are nearly 6 billion RMB. They have completed investments in more than 100 high-quality projects, mainly involving the creation of new drugs, innovative medical devices, diagnostics and precision medicine, and medical services. They have achieved substantial investment returns, and many It was selected as one of the top 10 venture capital funds in China's medical and health field, and the most active medical and health investment institution in China. Through focus and abundant industry resources, YuanBio Venture Capital is determined to develop into one of the most successful medical and pharmaceutical venture capital funds in China.

SOURCE Intocare Medical Technology
MILWAUKEE, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, and the City of La Crosse have launched the next phase of the city's sustainability initiative. Building on the significant progress made through their initial sustainability investments, this next phase will deliver solar photovoltaic (PV) and energy efficiency installations throughout city fire stations, at community libraries and within several city parks as well as LED upgrades to the city's street lighting. The initial phases, begun in 2019, included infrastructure updates and the addition of solar arrays throughout four community facilities. The improvements will generate $7.98 million in total savings and reduce energy consumption by 35 percent in those buildings.

"We set ambitious sustainability goals to support our community for generations to come. I'm proud to see the incredible progress we have been able to make working with Johnson Controls over the past three years," said City of La Crosse mayor, Mitch Reynolds. "These updates will not only reduce the city's environmental impact and achieve cost efficiency, but they will also attract more people and businesses to La Crosse by making a more comfortable and vibrant place to live and work, without costing taxpayers a dime. We've built great momentum through our initial phases, and as we begin the new one, this is only the beginning of our city's commitment to a greener future."

New phase extends energy and cost efficiency gains, expands investment in solar array

In the initial phase, Johnson Controls installed four 100-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays at City Hall, the La Crosse Center, the main public library and the Municipal Service Center. Solar technologies convert sunlight into electrical energy and this energy will be used to create city-owned clean energy resources. In the new phase, JCI will install three additional PV arrays at two fire stations and Copeland Park. It will also upgrade street lighting with LED lighting and implement additional energy saving solutions at several city facilities and parks. The new phase is expected to generate an additional $3.2 million in total cost savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 900 metric tons over 15 years.

"We are proud to partner with the City of La Crosse and help them reach their carbon neutrality pledge without raising taxes. We're excited to continue to implement the power of Johnson Controls OpenBlue technologies to build on what we have achieved," said Mark Reinbold, vice president and general manager, Performance Infrastructure for Johnson Controls. "Since 2019, our team has worked collaboratively with the City of La Crosse to implement a stellar sustainability, resiliency and renewable energy program. We look forward to continued partnership to make their vision for a green community a reality."

No new taxes

All three phases are made possible through a performance contract, a modern funding approach that transfers the risk to Johnson Controls by using operational energy cost savings over time to help fund the improvements. In total, over $9 million in investments will be made without diverting from the city's capital budget. In addition to the performance contract the City of La Crosse leveraged locally available grants totalling over $360,000. These resources, such as Wisconsin's Focus on Energy and Xcel Energy credits and incentives, are helping the City of La Crosse start investing in sustainability for generations to come.

Selected for its distinguished experience in energy efficiency, financing capabilities and performance guarantees, Johnson Controls is providing long-term comprehensive energy services, including the design, construction, integration and administration of renewable energy and energy efficiency systems.

To learn more about how Johnson Controls helps create sustainable communities, click here. For more about the City of La Crosse, visit https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/

About Johnson Controls:

At Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.

With a history of more than 135 years of innovation, Johnson Controls delivers the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through its comprehensive digital offering OpenBlue. With a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largest portfolio of building technology, software as well as service solutions with some of the most trusted names in the industry. For more information, visit www.johnsoncontrols.com or follow us @johnsoncontrols on Twitter.

SOURCE Johnson Controls International plc

Related Links

http://www.johnsoncontrols.com


21RDD024: 5.72m at 90.56 g/t Au incl. 3.89m at 132.57 g/t Au

21RDD029B: 3.64m at 6.37 g/t Au incl. 0.32m at 60.80 g/t Au

21RDD031: 2.70m at 15.87 g/t Au incl. 1.08m at 38.27 g/t Au

21RDD037: 25.33m at 6.29 g/t Au incl. 0.51m at 48.90 g/t Au and incl . 4.59m at 22.06 g/t Au

21RDD038: 9.20m at 3.78 g/t Au incl. 2.80m at 9.81 g/t Au

Figure 3. Table of Results

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Residual Au (g/t) 21RDD024

47.39 57.64 10.25 0.74 0.61 0.40 Incl. 47.39 48.00 0.61 5.98 4.50



82.07 87.79 5.72 90.56 109.95 1.26 Incl. 82.47 86.36 3.89 132.57 161.01

21RDD025

88.37 93.95 5.58 1.02 1.84



129.80 137.45 7.65 1.34 2.00 0.72 Incl. 133.10 133.44 0.34 14.50 19.20

21RDD026

165.69 179.20 13.51 0.35 0.26

21RDD027

56.90 60.00 3.10 0.71 0.70 0.35 Incl. 57.24 57.54 0.30 4.08 3.40

21RDD028

9.18 10.00 0.82 3.26 2.05

21RDD029_B

178.75 182.39 3.64 6.37 6.64 1.12 Incl. 181.30 181.62 0.32 60.80 59.10

21RDD030

9.60 16.08 6.48 0.90 0.28 0.33 Incl. 9.60 10.21 0.61 6.37 1.80



78.40 84.90 6.50 0.64 0.68



88.37 91.36 2.99 5.75 4.51 3.85 Incl. 90.56 91.36 0.80 10.94 6.82

21RDD031

13.76 16.46 2.70 15.87 18.84 0.94 Incl. 15.08 16.16 1.08 38.27 46.07

21RDD031_A

13.70 16.44 2.74 4.36 3.01 2.16 Incl. 14.76 15.60 0.84 9.33 5.75



62.36 70.54 8.18 1.08 0.34 0.95 Incl. 64.31 64.61 0.30 4.53 0.80



173.06 187.61 14.55 0.89 1.01

21RDD032

93.19 96.38 3.19 1.47 0.42 0.91 Inlc. 96.00 96.38 0.38 5.65 2.00



153.90 158.77 4.87 3.80 3.29 0.34 Incl. 157.90 158.77 0.87 19.70 16.80



168.00 174.54 6.54 1.84 1.65 1.59 Incl. 169.00 170.00 1.00 3.21 2.60

21RDD033

258.83 267.64 8.81 1.93 1.09 1.33 Incl. 265.00 265.94 0.94 7.00 4.29



316.93 322.77 5.84 0.95 1.02

21RDD034

215.00 227.64 12.64 0.49 0.65

21RDD036

142.44 143.40 0.96 7.10 4.38 1.07 Incl. 142.74 143.08 0.34 18.10 11.10

21RDD037

132.00 157.33 25.33 6.29 7.59 1.64 Incl. 142.55 143.06 0.51 48.90 53.90

And Incl. 147.98 152.57 4.59 22.06 29.08

21RDD038

68.80 78.00 9.20 3.78 4.10 1.14 Incl. 69.40 72.20 2.80 9.81 9.74



Discussion of Results

The holes reported within this release were following up on mineralization encountered during the initial drill programs in early 2020 which resulted in the discovery of the Regnault gold system (see press release date July 29, 2020). 14 of the reported 15 drill holes intersected notable mineralization, including 21RDD024, which intersected 5.72m at 90.56 g/t Au, as well as 21RDD037, a 250 meter step-out to the west of 21RDD024, which intersected 25.33m at 6.29 g/t Au. The gold mineralization is associated with shear zones transecting the multiphase Regnault intrusive complex, as well as along contacts between intrusive and volcanic rocks. Disseminated pyrite associated with biotite-calcite  silica alteration occurs as broad zones of weak disseminations within the intrusive rocks, to strong mineralization (locally 3-10% pyrite, along with trace chalcopyrite-galena-molybdenite and occasional visible gold) within quartz-carbonate veins and alteration halos related to shear zones. An additional 15 drill holes from this latest drill program, which focused on near to regional targets within the Regnault trend, will be reported once all remaining assays have been received and compiled.

The company's understanding of the Regnault gold system, namely the orientation of mineralized structures has developed significantly throughout this latest round of drilling. The R1 vein corridor which was intercepted on the initial discovery program (20RDD007: 29.08m at 8.49 g/t Au incl. 11.13m at 18.43 g/t Au) is now defined as a shear hosted, laminated quartz-carbonate-pyrite vein system hosted within the intrusive complex, striking in a general east-west direction and dipping steeply to the north. Step-outs from this program have delineated an approximate strike of 550 meters along the R1 structure, which remains open to the east, west, and down dip. True widths along this structure are not currently well defined with the amount of drilling to completed to date. The upcoming summer drill program, which will include up to 20,000 meters of drilling, will be designed to systematically infill and step-out further along this vein corridor, both horizontally and vertically, as well as target additional gold-bearing structures throughout the Regnault trend.

Continued exploration drilling at Regnault since early 2020 has indicated a robust gold system hosting high-grade mineralization along multiple structures within a growing footprint, which is now approximately two kilometers by 500 meters. The Company, along with its joint venture partner, Sumitomo Metal Mining, looks forward to the continued advancement of this discovery through the upcoming 2021 summer drill program.

Zach Flood, CEO of Kenorland Minerals, states, "We are very excited by the latest drill results at Regnault. This discovery continues to deliver high-grade gold intercepts, indicating the robust nature of the system. Most importantly, our understanding of the orientation of these gold-bearing structures has evolved greatly throughout this latest round of drilling. Going forward, this will allow us to expand on known mineralization and target additional gold bearing structures within the Regnault trend. We are very excited to ramp up our exploration efforts into the next phase beginning in July, which will include up to 20,000 meters of additional diamond drilling."

Figure 4. Drill Collar Table

Hole ID Easting (NAD83) Northing (NAD83) Elevation (m) Depth (m) Dip Azimuth 21RDD024 519437 5620758 376 138 -52 122 21RDD025 519386 5620789 376 201 -49 122 21RDD026 519526 5621015 376 210 -45 339 21RDD027 519252 5620877 376 219 -50 302 21RDD028 519484 5620956 376 111 -45 302 21RDD029 519495 5620853 376 13.6 -45 140 21RDD029_A 519495.3 5620852.7 376 21 -45 140 21RDD029_B 519495.5 5620852.4 376 246 -45 140 21RDD030 519700 5620800 376 165 -48 128 21RDD031 519798 5621223 376 43.66 -52 310 21RDD031_A 519797.7 5621223.3 376 252 -52 310 21RDD032 519574 5620855 376 222 -47 142 21RDD033 519353 5620898 376 339 -45 122 21RDD034 519570 5620912 376 237 -45 302 21RDD035 519397 5620699 376 152 -45 122 21RDD036 519263 5620584 376 297 -48 122 21RDD037 519319 5620678 376 372 -45 295 21RDD038 519345 5620780 376 248 -45 142

Sumitomo Completes Earn-in, Joint Venture is Formed

Following completion of this recent drill program, Sumitomo Metal Mining has now exercised its option to acquire an 80% interest in the Project by completing an additional C$4 million of expenditures within a one year period of acquiring its initial 65% interest in the Project. Going forward, the project will be held under Joint Venture between Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. (80%) and Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (20%). Exploration will be go funded on a pro-rata basis.

Qualified Person

Mr. Jan Wozniewski, B. Sc., P. Geo., OGQ (#2239) is the "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.

About the Frotet Project

Kenorland The Frotet Project was first identified by Kenorland in 2017 after completing a regional prospectivity study over the Abitibi and Frotet-Evans Greenstone Belts of Quebec. The initial 55,921 ha property was acquired through map staking in March, 2017 and optioned to Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. ("SMMCL"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. in April, 2018. Two years of property-wide systematic till sampling led to a maiden drill program in 2020 which resulted in a significant grassroots discovery at the prospect now named Regnault. The project is currently under Joint Venture agreement between SMMCL and Kenorland Minerals Ltd., with interests being held at 80% and 20% respectively. Under the Joint Venture, exploration is funded pro-rata. Any party which does not contribute and is diluted below a 10% interest, converts its interest to an 2% uncapped net smelter royalty.

About Kenorland Minerals

Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSX.V KLD) is a mineral exploration Company incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia and based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Kenorland's focus is early to advanced stage exploration in North America. The Company currently holds three projects where work is being completed under an earn-in agreement from third parties. The Frotet and Chicobi Projects, which are both located in Quebec, Canada, are optioned to Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. and the Chebistuan Project, also located in Quebec, is optioned to Newmont Corporation. The Company also owns 100% of the advanced stage Tanacross porphyry Cu-Au project as well as an option to earn up to 70% from Newmont Corporation on the Healy Project, both located in Alaska, USA.

Further information can be found on the Company's website www.kenorlandminerals.com

Kenorland Minerals Ltd.

Zach Flood

President and CEO

Tel: +1 604 363 1779

[email protected];

Kenorland Minerals Ltd.

Francis MacDonald

Executive Vice President

Tel: +1 778 322 8705

[email protected]

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

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. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects', "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing these forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon the information currently available to management as of the date hereof, actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance 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, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, 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.

SOURCE Kenorland Minerals Ltd.
BOSTON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kyros Law Offices is representing several families with children that have been injured by the recently recalled Peloton Tread+ treadmills. Peloton recalled the treadmills in May after it was reported that numerous children were injured by their popular Tread+ treadmills, including at least one death.

Families with children that were injured by a Peloton treadmill are urged to contact our law firm immediately to protect their rights. Visit our Peloton Lawsuit website or call 1-800-934-2921 to speak to someone about your case.

After the death of a six-year-old child, as well as at least 29 other reports of injuries from Peloton treadmills, Peloton has announced the recall of Peloton Tread+ treadmill products. This comes after the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission told people with children and pets to stop using the Tread+ model. Consumer advocates have welcome the recall of the treadmills, although some say the move could have come sooner.

Families with children that were injured by a Peloton treadmill are urged to contact our law firm immediately to protect their rights. Visit our Peloton Tread+ Lawsuit website or call 1-800-934-2921 to speak to someone about your case.

Receive alerts about potential class action lawsuits that may affect you by visiting the Class Action Lawsuit Center website .

Kyros Law specializes in a wide range of complex litigation, mass torts, and corporate governance matters, including the representation of whistleblowers, shareholders and consumers in securities fraud, false claims act and class actions. Our lawyers have been responsible for recovering hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients throughout the United States, Africa, Asia and Europe. Visit our website to learn more about our firm.

SOURCE Kyros Law

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Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The World Health Organization (WHO) asserted Tuesday that relaxing measures prematurely had contributed to a surge seen through 2020 and the first quarter of 2021
DURHAM, N.C., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Validic , provider of the industry's premier platform and solutions to orchestrate personal health data, today announced that former Humana executive Marc Willard has joined Validic's Board of Directors. Willard's background includes three decades of experience founding healthcare technology companies and leading digital transformation for health plans and health systems. Willard's appointment informs how Validic is further developing its strategy and offerings for the next wave of leading health insurers and systems.

In his most recent role, Willard was responsible for leading Humana's digital health innovation and partnerships, including consumer engagement, digital solutions for providers, virtual care delivery and remote patient monitoring. Previously, he founded an interoperability and health information exchange company later sold to Humana. As well, Willard founded a Humana subsidiary focused on population health and wellness technologies for value-based care organizations.

"I am proud to be joining Drew and the world-class team at Validic," said Willard. "In my experience, health plans that use digital health data and tools at scale are driving considerable growth in member retention and member satisfaction. First-hand, I can tell you Validic is a strong partner for value-based care organizations and health plans aiming to grow investments and outcomes with digital health and virtual care. I look forward to continuing my work in digital transformation with the Validic team, helping healthcare further unify and enhance the member experience."

Validic, with its integrable and scalable digital health solutions, is serving the industry's growing need for technology that offers best-in-class user experiences and machine learning capabilities. Supporting seven of the 10 largest U.S. insurers and some of the most prominent integrated delivery networks (IDNs), Validic has helped leading payer and value-based care organizations launch, grow and scale their condition management, population health and personalized wellness programs. The company now powers the largest centralized remote patient monitoring program in the country and supports over 5M active connected lives .

"We are excited to have Marc join the Validic team bringing his deep expertise from healthcare and technology to our Board. As an accomplished tech founder and seasoned healthcare executive, he offers a unique perspective on the evolving roles and needs of payers and providers," said Drew Schiller, CEO of Validic. "Marc's appointment to our Board solidifies our investment in and commitment to this space and value-based care initiatives."

"For nearly a decade, Validic has demonstrated leadership in scale with a platform-first approach to wellness, pop health, and condition management programs. Going forward, we will continue to create and offer solutions that drive further value and improved outcomes for our clients and their members," said Schiller.

Willard and Validic have previously collaborated as part of Validic's support on Humana's Go365 wellness and rewards program . Willard and Schiller also served together on the Consumer Technology Association's Health Division Board, a committee that Schiller now chairs. During their time on the committee, the two helped define standards for the industry around virtual care, activity and physiological data, consumer health and home-use medical devices, and more.

About Marc Willard

Marc Willard is an accomplished technology entrepreneur, senior executive and business leader, with over three decades of experience establishing and leading venture-backed companies and holding senior roles in public organizations. With a keen focus on digital transformation and technology, Marc has solved complex problems across the early consumer and commercial digital imaging segment, the ".com" early internet collaboration and e-procurement space and was a pioneer at the dawn of digital health in the USA healthcare industry.

In 1989, Marc founded his first company, ColourPass Ltd, a European leader in digital imaging. He successfully sold ColourPass in 1997 to San Jose based RasterGraphix Inc. In 2006, he founded Certify Data Systems Inc, a leader in provider-based health information exchange and interoperability. He sold Certify to Humana, Inc. in 2012.

In 2014, Marc founded Transcend Insights Inc (TI), a well-funded and new subsidiary of Humana, focused on developing cloud-first population health and wellness technologies to manage value-based care providers and members. In 2019, after successfully scaling TI, he accepted the role of Senior Vice President of Product & Experience, joining Humana's senior leadership team.

Today, Marc serves as an operating advisor at Nautic, sits on the Consumer Technology Association's Health Division Board and regularly presents at the World Congress, World Economic Forum, HIMSS and CES.

About Validic

Since 2010, Validic has helped healthcare organizations access and operationalize personal health data for virtual engagement and remote monitoring programs. Validic's scalable, secure solutions help improve operational efficiency and health outcomes by delivering data from hundreds of home health devices seamlessly into existing clinical workflows, such as the Electronic Health Record (EHR) or patient application. With Validic's newest product launch, the company offers a standalone web-application for remote patient monitoring and a member-facing mobile application that require no integration.

Providing solutions for healthcare organizations globally, such as Kaiser Permanente, Partners Healthcare, Cleveland Clinic, Humana, and more, Validic has amassed an industry-leading reputation for superior, seamless technology and best-in-class support. Most recently, Validic was awarded the Customer Value Leadership Award in Remote Patient Monitoring from Frost & Sullivan and the Best Overall Connected Health Solution from MedTech Breakthrough. The Validic solution is HIPAA-compliant, HITRUST CSF Certified, and ISO-27001 certified for Information Security Management.

Learn more about Validic at https://validic.com/ and follow Validic on Twitter at @validic.

Contact:

Ash Needham

VP, Corporate Affairs

Validic, Inc.

[email protected]

919-423-0233

SOURCE Validic

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CLEVELAND and BOSTON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MPE Partners ("MPE"), a Cleveland- and Boston-based private equity firm, is pleased to announce that Constantine Elefter is rejoining the firm as a Principal. Constantine previously served as an Associate at Morgenthaler and as a Senior Associate at MPE Partners from 2010 to 2013, prior to matriculating to Duke University's Fuqua School of Business.

While at MPE and Morgenthaler, Constantine worked on several legacy Morgenthaler investments including Avtron, Enginetics Aerospace, and Satellite Logistics Group. Following his graduation from The Fuqua School of Business, Constantine was a Vice President at Norwest Equity Partners and a Principal at The Riverside Company. Constantine started his career at Wachovia Securities (now Wells Fargo Securities). He holds a B.S. in Business Administration with Honors from The Ohio State University and an M.B.A. as a Fuqua Scholar from Duke's Fuqua School of Business.

Peter Taft, Partner at MPE, said, "We are excited to welcome Constantine back to the MPE team. We have been impressed with his career experiences and professional development since he graduated from our Associate program, and we look forward to working with him as a senior investment professional."

Karen Tuleta, Partner at MPE, added, "Constantine's approach to private equity investing and his success with lower middle market companies align extremely well with our Midwestern presence and investment strategy. Constantine will be based out of the firm's Cleveland office. We look forward to adding other investment team members to both our Cleveland and Boston offices."



About MPE Partners

MPE Partners ("MPE") seeks to be the preferred partner for entrepreneur- and family-owned companies. Based in Cleveland, OH, and Boston, MA, MPE invests in profitable, lower middle market companies with transaction values up to $250 million. MPE has two primary target investment areas: high-value manufacturing and commercial & industrial services. For more information, please visit www.mpepartners.com.

SOURCE MPE Partners

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MENLO PARK, Calif., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nomura-SRI Innovation Center (NSIC) , an emerging innovation center dedicated to accelerating the adoption of Silicon Valley's disruptive technology innovation process into corporate Japan, today announced the appointment of its Managing Director, Chris Cowart, and Deputy Director, Pam Deziel.

The Nomura-SRI Innovation Center (NSIC), an emerging innovation center dedicated to accelerating the adoption of Silicon Valley's disruptive technology innovation process into corporate Japan, today announced the appointment of its Managing Director, Chris Cowart, and Deputy Director, Pam Deziel.

"We are thrilled to welcome Chris and Pam to our NSIC team. With over 50 years of combined experience at groups including IDEO, Apple, Adobe and Google's X-Factory, they bring extensive knowledge and expertise to the NSIC leadership team," said Manish Kothari, President of SRI International. "I am confident that their deep expertise in executing innovation combined with SRI's inherent technology capability and techno-pragmatic approach will enable NSIC to help our corporate partners navigate the rapid pace of technological change and innovation that is part of the world we live in."

Chris Cowart is an accomplished C-suite executive and venture partner with over 25 years of experience, including fourteen years at the design and innovation consulting firm IDEO , where he pioneered the human-factors and user-research disciplines in the design industry, launching many "first of their categories" products for the company. His most recent role was as Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer of Treasure8.

Pam Deziel, an experienced senior-level executive, has more than 25 years of product management experience in innovative high-tech companies including Adobe Systems, Motorola and Apple. In addition to her role as Director of Product Management for SRI International's Product Realization Group, Deziel will also serve as Deputy Director of NSIC.

Cowart and Deziel will be responsible for managing operations, creating program content, forming partnerships and working with NSIC member companies.

"We are excited to partner with SRI International to bring innovation to corporate Japan," said Hajime Ikeda, head of Future Innovation Company of Nomura Holdings Inc. "The NSIC program has been designed with significant input from Japanese companies and their needs for innovation. The center and its programs affirm our commitment to facilitating corporate innovation for our clients in Japan by supporting their engagement with Silicon Valley."

With its newly appointed executive team and a focus on strategic partnerships with Japanese corporate customers, NSIC is positioned for strong growth in 2021. For those interested in partnership or joining the membership waitlist, please visit https://www.sri.com/nsic/ .

About SRI International:

SRI International creates world-changing solutions making people safer, healthier and more productive. SRI, a research center headquartered in Menlo Park, California, works primarily in advanced technology and systems, biosciences, computing and education. SRI brings its innovations to the marketplace through technology licensing, spin-off ventures and new product solutions.

About Nomura:

Nomura is a global financial services group with an integrated network spanning over 30 countries. By connecting markets East & West, Nomura services the needs of individuals, institutions, corporates and governments through its three business divisions: Retail, Wholesale (Global Markets and Investment Banking), and Investment Management. Founded in 1925, the firm is built on a tradition of disciplined entrepreneurship, serving clients with creative solutions and considered thought leadership. For further information about Nomura, visit www.nomura.com.

Nicole Boyd

Firecracker PR

(888) 317-4687, ext. 702

[email protected]

SOURCE SRI International
GREEN OAKS, Calif., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NorthShore Care Supply, the leading direct-to-consumer brand of high absorbency incontinence products in the U.S., knows how to keep customers coming back and build repeat business. By listening to feedback, and demonstrating an earnest commitment to its mission, NorthShore has established itself as a leader in empowering individuals to manage incontinence through high-quality absorbent products and caring support; an important piece of their success is the trust that customers place in NorthShore products and supplies. Listening to the consumer, speaking their language and effectively marketing to them are just a few of the steps that NorthShore takes to keep loyal customers happy.

NorthShore Care Supply

According to Adam Greenberg, president and founder of NorthShore and board-certified Patient Advocate, "Everyone should be able to enjoy their daily lives without having to worry about leaks. By offering style, comfort, and reliable protection, we're able to provide an ideal solution that works with individuals to fit their lives and empower them to leave their homes and do things with friends and families."

NorthShore goes to great lengths to understand consumer behavior and act on that information. By understanding the consumer and personalizing their shopping experience, the team can better understand the difficulties, challenges, and frustrations that a consumer is experiencing. NorthShore products include tab-style briefs/adult diapers, protective underwear/pull-ons and incontinence pads that are strong; NorthShore products are up to 3 times stronger and offer more protection than leading store brands.

By providing excellent customer service along with a high-quality product line that is constantly being improved through customer feedback, NorthShore has successfully established itself as a leader, advocate, and resource for those managing incontinence. NorthShore not only offers its customers high-quality, high-absorbency incontinence products, but they are also offering consumers peace of mind.

"Tracking consumer behavior, buying habits and product trends are all great and effective ways to deliver a more relevant customer experience, but it's important to incorporate empathy as a part of that process," adds Greenberg.

NorthShore is committed to helping individuals live full lives by providing premium products and expert recommendations with compassion and understanding. For information about NorthShore or its products, call (800) 563-0161 or visit NorthShore.com.

About NorthShore Care Supply

Founded in 2002, NorthShore Care Supply provides peace of mind to families managing with moderate to severe incontinence through life-changing absorbent products. The company is committed to #EndHealthStigma as we help 80 million Americans managing some form of bladder or bowel incontinence live their life to the fullest. Our featured NorthShore brand is the leading premium adult diaper brand in the U.S. and is available at NorthShore.com or 800-563-0161. Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook @NorthShoreCareSupply, Twitter @NorthShoreCare, and on Instagram @NorthShoreCare.

NorthShore Care Supply Media Contact:

Vicki Wolpoff

847-777-8265

[email protected]

www.NorthShore.com

Related Images

adam-greenberg-with-northshore.jpg

Adam Greenberg with NorthShore Care Supply Warehouse Cart

SOURCE NorthShore Care Supply
LONDON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix Copper Ltd (AIM: PXC) (OTCQX: PXCLF), the AIM quoted USA focused base and precious metals emerging producer and exploration company, is pleased to announce that it's entered into an earn-in agreement (the "Agreement") with First Cobalt Idaho, the wholly owned subsidiary of Toronto-based First Cobalt Corporation (TSX.V: FCC,OTCQX: FTSSF), in respect of the Company's Redcastle cobalt property on the Idaho Cobalt Belt.

The Agreement, divided into three phases across a five-year period, will see First Cobalt spend a minimum of US$3,000,000 in exploration and related work at Redcastle, as well as fund a NI 43-101 compliant Preliminary Economic Assessment for the property. Following completion of Phases 1 and 2, First Cobalt will earn a 75% ownership of Redcastle and will enter into a JV agreement with Phoenix wherein both parties will share the capital expenditure for the development of Redcastle in accordance with their respective ownership interests.

To view the full details of the Agreement refer to the announcement dated 24 May 2021: https://phoenixcopperlimited.com/documents/News/Earn-in%20Agreement%20with%20First%20Cobalt%20Idaho%20on%20the%20Redcastle%20Cobalt%20Property.pdf

Ryan McDermott, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"We are delighted to be partnering with First Cobalt. Redcastle, with its 600-acres of unpatented mining claims, shares a common border with First Cobalt's Iron Creek property which hosts indicated cobalt and copper resources of 2.37 million tonnes.

"First Cobalt is well-positioned to carry out exploration at Redcastle with the expertise, staffing, and infrastructure, which includes mining and processing capacity for the Redcastle ore, already in place locally. Additionally, First Cobalt owns the only cobalt refinery in North America which will receive cobalt from the Idaho operations. The refinery will employ a low carbon footprint hydrometallurgical process and will provide battery grade refined cobalt sulfate suitable for the EV market.

"This Agreement, and the progress currently being made at our Empire Mine, is supported by a strong macroeconomic environment for the materials required for the sustainable energy transition. The U.S. Administration has proposed an infrastructure bill that supports the domestic production of base metals required for global electrification and clean energy initiatives.

"I look forward to working with First Cobalt in the development of Idaho based cobalt and copper resources."

For further information please visit https://phoenixcopperlimited.com or contact:

Phoenix Copper Limited Ryan McDermott Dennis Thomas Richard Wilkins Tel: +1 208 954 7039 Tel: +44 7827 290 849 Tel: +44 7590 216 657

SOURCE Phoenix Copper Limited
- The new entity will primarily support the aerospace & defense industry in the United States

CINCINNATI, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- QuEST Global, a global product engineering and lifecycle services company, announced the launch of its subsidiary, QuEST Defense Systems & Solutions (QDSS). Based out of Cincinnati, Ohio, QDSS will primarily focus on supporting the aerospace & defense industry in the United States and will operate independently in accordance with the US industrial security rules and a Special Security Agreement (SSA) with the US Government. The company will partner with several strategic players in the defense industry, helping them solve industry challenges by accelerating product design & development, supporting efficient production and supply chains, and providing product lifecycle solutions.

To support its customers in aerospace and defense, QDSS is planning to hire more than 1000 engineers in the next five years. The new entity's core competencies cuts across the product life cycle and include design, high-fidelity engineering analysis in the areas of computational fluid dynamics, heat transfer analysis, and structural finite element analysis, software/firmware development and verification, supply chain, operations, and manufacturing engineering, Engineering Process Services (EPS), and aftermarket and sustainment engineering. In addition, the QDSS team brings a strong presence in digital technologies, including software application development, data analytics, cybersecurity, and implementation of the digital thread into the engineering process.

Built upon the legacy of more than two decades of expertise in providing product engineering services, QuEST Defense aims at becoming the trusted thinking partner for its customers by evaluating and delivering results that exceed customer expectations. Through long-lasting strategic partnerships and higher value solutions, QuEST is committed to supporting its customers and helping them maximize value for their contract spending.

"QDSS will bring to the defense industry the same focus on engineering excellence and efficiency that QuEST Global's commercial customers enjoy. Our customers will benefit from reduced costs and on-time performance that would translate into improved cost, schedule, and performance in the systems delivered to our ultimate consumers - America's fighting forces," said Page Hoeper, Board Chairman  QuEST Defense Services and Solution.

Steve Gerber, President, and CEO of QuEST Defense, said, "With the launch of our US-based defense enterprise, we aim to continue providing our product engineering expertise to organizations in the aerospace and defense sector. Through our deep domain knowledge in the aerospace and defense industry, as well as our speed and flexibility in addressing difficult technical problems, QDSS is uniquely positioned to support our customers in the US Defense sector."

Ajit Prabhu, Chairman & CEO, QuEST Global, said, "Over the past two decades, we have been at the forefront of the convergence of Mechanical, Electronics, Software, and Digital Engineering Innovations. As a trusted thinking partner to our customers, we have been enabling them to get more done with their available engineering budget and help them focus on executing core processes to develop next-generation products. With the launch of QuEST Defense Systems and Solutions, our US-based subsidiary, we will be able to partner with the US government contractors in the Defense sector and apply our proven track record and strong expertise to help them solve their engineering problems."

About QuEST Global

For more than 20 years, QuEST Global has been a trusted global product engineering and lifecycle services partner to many of the world's most recognized companies in the Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Energy, Hi-Tech, Medical Devices, Rail, and Semiconductor industries. With a presence in 13 countries, 56 global delivery centers, and 11,250+ personnel, QuEST Global is at the forefront of the convergence of the mechanical, electronics, software, and digital engineering innovations to engineer solutions for a safer, cleaner, and sustainable world. QuEST Global's deep domain knowledge and digital expertise help its clients accelerate product development and innovation cycles, create alternate revenue streams, enhance consumer experience and make manufacturing processes and operations more efficient.

SOURCE QuEST Global
SEOUL, South Korea, May 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung Display's OLED panels for laptop has achieved UL's GREENGUARD Gold Certification for low chemical emissions for their components for the first time in the industry.

Global safety science leader UL certified that Samsung Display's nine laptop OLED panels, ranging from 13.3-inch to 16-inch, met the GREENGUARD Gold Certification standard, UL 2819 GREENGUARD Standard for Electronic Equipment. The panels were featured in Samsung's latest Galaxy Book Pro and Galaxy Book Pro 360.

Samsung Display Achieves Greenguard Certification Samsung Display Achieves Greenguard Certification

GREENGUARD Gold certification is awarded to products including electronic and medical equipment that meet its volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particle emission standards.

As the pandemic sees the demands for electronic devices including latops soaring, Samsung Display released the low chemical emissions laptop OLED panels which minimized the use of plastic substrate sheets, which can be a main source of VOC emissions.

Among the LCD components, the backlight can be a major origin of VOCs for its use of multiple plastic substrate sheets. According to tests conducted by the company and UL, Samsung's OLED panels reduced the emission of VOCs to about half of LCD's emission, thanks to its self-illuminating structure which does not use the backlight.

"Low-chemical-emitting equipment is an important criterion for users when choosing IT devices," Doug Lockard, vice president and general manager of UL's retail and consumer products division said. "We congratulate Samsung Display for the achievement of their first GREENGUARD Certification for their Samsung OLED for laptops, and for taking a meaningful step in their pursuit of more sustainable products."

Samsung Display says people look for eco-friendly products as they spend a lot more time indoors during the pandemic. The company adds it is happy to provide safer and healthier products with industry-first GREENGUARD certification to consumers.

Samsung Display's OLED panels were also certified by SGS as Eye Care Display by reducing blue light emission by up to 6.5 percent, which is the lowest in the industry. The new technology that adjusts the wavelength of blue light from OLED reduces the portion of the harmful blue light from its entire light spectrum.

About Samsung Display

Samsung Display Co., Ltd. is a global leader in the display panel market, with OLED and LCD technologies and products. Samsung Display has seven production facilities and five branch sales offices worldwide. The company specializes in high-quality displays for consumer, mobile, IT and industrial usage, including those featuring OLED (organic light emitting diode) and LCD technologies. As a total solution provider, Samsung Display strives to advance the future with next-generation technologies featuring ultra-thin, energy-efficient, flexible, and transparent displays. For more information, please visit www.samsungdisplay.com or http://global.samsungdisplay.com/

Media Contact

Jihyun (Jessica) Kim

Samsung Display Communication Team

[email protected]

SOURCE Samsung Display

Related Links

http://www.samsungdisplay.com


SAINT PAUL, Minn., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation and Scholarship America, the nation's largest private scholarship provider, today announced the Frontline Families Scholarship Fund. The newly created program will provide educational assistance to the surviving family members of the more than 3,600 frontline healthcare workers and volunteers in the United States who lost their lives in the fight against COVID-19. This scholarship program is one of the initiatives supported by the Frontline Families Fund developed by the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation in partnership with world-renowned epidemiologist Dr. Michael Osterholm. In addition to scholarships, money raised will go to the Brave of Heart Fund to provide relief grants to affected families.

Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation Logo

"COVID-19 has taken a major toll on our frontline healthcare workers and has created a disproportionate burden on Black, Indigenous and People of Color," said Osterholm. "Through the Frontline Families Scholarship Fund, we can all help make a difference for the families whose loved ones served on the frontline during the pandemic and were lost due to COVID-19."

Scholarship America will administer the national program, providing scholarships for post-secondary education. The Frontline Families Scholarship Program is not competitive. All eligible applicants will receive awards, but need to apply by June 10 at 3:00 pm CST for educational assistance for college in 2021.

"We are proud of the outpouring of community support across the country," said Jeremy Wells, senior vice president of philanthropic services at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. "More than 3,600 donors across all 50 states and beyond have responded to donate to the Frontline Families Fund to help bring us near our goal of $2 million. Many donations have been less than $100. This is a truly grassroots effort to give back to the families of frontline workers, and all donations will help us make this a sustainable scholarship."

Online fundraising for the Frontline Families Fund continues and has raised more than $1.9 million so far. To donate, click here.

"Scholarship America is honored to play a part in helping to further the education of these students who have been impacted by the pandemic so dramatically, especially those in underserved communities," said Robert C. Ballard, president and CEO of Scholarship America. "Our intention is to make this a renewable program, supporting students until graduation. Since these students have lost a parent or guardian, a scholarship program like this will help support their college path for success all the way to graduation and on to achieving their dreams."

Scholarship Eligibility

Applicants need to:

Be children of frontline healthcare workers or volunteers who worked in medical facilities and lost their lives to COVID-19.

Be high school seniors, graduates or current college undergraduates.

Plan to enroll in full-time or part-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year.

Students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements and funds are available. To learn more about the Frontline Families Fund and apply, visit https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/frontlinefamilies/.

About Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation

The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation believes in the best of Minnesota and the power of its communities. With roots in Saint Paul and partners across the state, it is Minnesota's largest community foundation and the partner of choice for thousands of donors, nonprofits and community organizations. The Foundation aspires to create an equitable, just and vibrant Minnesota where all communities and people thrive by inspiring generosity, advocating for equity, and investing in community-led solutions. Visit: spmcf.org

About Scholarship America

Scholarship America is a non-profit organization that helps students fulfill their college dreams. Since 1958, Scholarship America has distributed over $4.5 billion to more than 2.8 million students. The organization works with partners to lower barriers to a college education and give students the support needed to succeed. Learn more at scholarshipamerica.org.

Contact:

Joan Cronson

952.830.7308

[email protected]

SOURCE Scholarship America

Related Links

http://scholarshipamerica.org


KRAKOW, Poland, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Selvita (WSE: SLV) - one of the largest preclinical contract research organizations in Europe, reported today EUR 15.5 million of consolidated revenues in Q1 2021, which constitutes a 128% increase compared to the value reported a year ago. Selvita Group's EBITDA result and net profit amounted to, respectively, EUR 3.9 million, and EUR 2.2 million, comparing to EUR 1.7 million and EUR 0.8 million, for a corresponding period last year. It was the first reporting period where the results include the Croatian company Fidelta acquired from Galapagos.

Strong growth fueled by Fidelta's consolidation along with organic growth

Commercial revenues relating to services executed both in Poland and Croatia, increased by 144%, reaching the value of EUR 13.5 million. Commercial revenues in Services executed in Poland amounted to EUR 7.0 million, showing a 26% increase, as compared to EUR 5.8 million achieved in the corresponding period of 2020.

Selvita's Bioinformatics segment  Ardigen S.A., continues its dynamic growth after the record-breaking 2020. Ardigen's commercial revenues increased by 117% y/y and amounted to EUR 1.4 million. EBITDA amounted to EUR 0.4 million, showing a 226% y/y increase and a 26.3% margin.

In Q1 2021, Selvita dynamically developed its international sales. Revenues from services from the most significant market, i.e., the United States, increased by 58% y/y and already constitute 33% of the revenues from the Services executed in Poland. Increasing customer recognition related to the high quality of services and expertise, strengthen Selvita's position on the largest global biotechnology markets and results in further contracts.

After the breakthrough events of 2020, 2021 has also started in a very promising and positive way. From the very beginning of the year, we have been working together with Fidelta to strengthen the position of Selvita Group among global CRO companies. I am delighted with the good financial results achieved by our Croatian company. Business activities executed in Poland also experienced dynamic growth, both in the laboratory services and bioinformatics areas. We are optimistic about the subsequent quarters of 2021 - comments Bogusaw Sieczkowski, Chief Executive Officer at Selvita.

Selvita Group's backlog for 2021 currently amounts to EUR 43.5 million, showing an increase of 108%, as compared to compared to EUR 21.8 million in the corresponding period of 2020.

On the path for further development

Selvita Group has been consistently fulfilling the assumptions of the Development Strategy for 2020-2023 which assumed further organic growth supported with acquisitions.

After the acquisition of Fidelta, the Group's revenues in Q1 2021 have more than doubled as compared to the previous year. This is the joint result of solid financial results of the Croatian company and the increased scale of operations of the companies based in Poland. It clearly shows that the Group can continue its dynamic development thanks to acquisitions, along with a consistent organic growth.

Selvita is becoming more recognizable and is strengthening its position not only among customers but also on the capital market. On March 19, 2021, the company was included in the mWIG40 index, a group of 40 leading mid-cap companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. This has contributed to expansion of the investor base for whom Selvita may be an interesting investment asset.

On March 16, Selvita was named the Stock Company of the Year 2020 in a competition organized by Puls Biznesu, one of the largest business daily publication in Poland. In addition to the main ranking, capital market professionals awarded Selvita in the categories: "The Management Board Competencies" and "Development Perspectives."

Significant milestones before the report date

One of the key elements of the development strategy is securing its own research space. In April 2021, Selvita has obtained a building permit for the construction of a 4,000 m2 Selvita Research Center in Krakow and raised the funding for the investment, which includes a EUR 9.3 million grant and a bank loan.

In May 2021, the Extraordinary General Shareholders Meeting of the Company, by resolution, adopted a non-diluting incentive program based on the existing shares of its main shareholder, Pawe Przewiezlikowski. The program will cover all employees of Selvita, which distinguishes it from among the existing incentive programs ever announced by Warsaw Stock Exchange stock listed companies. In Selvita's opinion, the program is a very strong foundation for its further long-term development and an increase in shareholder value.

About Selvita [SLV]



Selvita is a preclinical Contract Research Organization providing multidisciplinary support in resolving the unique challenges of research within area of drug discovery, regulatory studies, as well as research and development.

Selvita is a major shareholder in Ardigen  a bioinformatics company harnessing advanced Artificial Intelligence methods for novel precision medicine.

In January 2021, Selvita acquired 100% of shares in Fidelta d.o.o., substantially expanding its scope of drug discovery services in infectious diseases, inflammation, and fibrosis and building a competitive advantage in areas such as DMPK, in vivo pharmacology, and toxicology.

Selvita was established in 2007 and currently employs almost 800 professionals, of which over 40% hold a Ph.D. title. Selvita is headquartered in Krakow, Poland, with a second research site in Poznan, Poland, while Fidelta is located in Zagreb, Croatia. Selvita's international offices are located in Cambridge, MA, and San Francisco Bay Area, in the U.S., as well as in Cambridge, UK.

Selvita is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE: SLV). For more information, please see www.selvita.com.

SOURCE Selvita
HOUSTON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Equilon Enterprises LLC d/b/a Shell Oil Products US, Shell Oil Company and Shell Chemical LP, subsidiaries of Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell), have reached an agreement for the sale of the Mobile Chemical LP Refinery in Mobile, AL, to Vertex Energy Operating LLC (Vertex Energy). Vertex Energy is a U.S. owned, Texas-based specialty refiner of alternative feedstocks and marketer of high purity petroleum products.

The divestment is part of Shell's strategy to reduce its global refinery footprint to core sites integrated with the company's trading hubs, chemicals plants and marketing businesses. These high-value Energy and Chemicals parks will produce more low-carbon fuels and specialty chemicals for our customers.

"The sale of the Mobile refinery shows that we are making good progress delivering on our manufacturing strategy," said Robin Mooldijk, Shell's EVP for Manufacturing. "We're becoming better positioned to deliver resilient returns and meet the increasingly diverse needs of our customers."

The agreement covers the sale of the Mobile refinery and associated co-located logistics infrastructure, including product racks, an associated dock, and the Blakeley Island Terminal. The consideration for this transaction is $75 million in cash plus the value of the hydrocarbon inventory. This transaction is expected to close in Q4 2021, subject to regulatory approvals.

Shell is grateful to the Mobile community for the collaboration and support over the past two decades.

Notes to Editors

The Mobile refinery, 100% Shell owned, is located near the U.S. Gulf Coast, at the north end of Mobile Bay in Alabama . The refinery is designed to process approximately 90,000 barrels per day of crude oil and products that include LPG, diesel fuel, jet fuel and gasoline. It also produces low-sulfur VGO/Heavy Olefin Feed and Benzene. It has the optionality to run as a stand-alone refinery, produce base oils or chemicals feedstock.

refinery, 100% Shell owned, is located near the U.S. Gulf Coast, at the north end of Mobile Bay in . The refinery is designed to process approximately 90,000 barrels per day of crude oil and products that include LPG, diesel fuel, jet fuel and gasoline. It also produces low-sulfur VGO/Heavy Olefin Feed and Benzene. It has the optionality to run as a stand-alone refinery, produce base oils or chemicals feedstock. The hydrocarbon inventory will be valued at closing based on actual volumes and prevailing market prices. The current value of the hydrocarbon inventory would range from $65 to $85 million assuming current market prices and historic inventory volumes under normal operating conditions.

to assuming current market prices and historic inventory volumes under normal operating conditions. As part of this deal, Shell and Vertex Energy will have crude supply and product offtake agreements to support Shell's customers in the region.

As this deal progresses towards closing, our Goal Zero safety program will remain our utmost priority while also providing focused support and care for our employees throughout this time of change.

All employees providing dedicated support to the Mobile Refinery will be offered employment with Vertex Energy.

Cautionary Note

The companies in which Royal Dutch Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this press release "Shell", "Shell Group" and "Group" are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" are also used to refer to Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. ''Subsidiaries'', "Shell subsidiaries" and "Shell companies" as used in this press release refer to entities over which Royal Dutch Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. Entities and unincorporated arrangements over which Shell has joint control are generally referred to as "joint ventures" and "joint operations", respectively. Entities over which Shell has significant influence but neither control nor joint control are referred to as "associates". The term "Shell interest" is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

This press release contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Royal Dutch Shell to market risks and statements expressing management's expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "aim", "ambition", ''anticipate'', ''believe'', ''could'', ''estimate'', ''expect'', ''goals'', ''intend'', ''may'', ''objectives'', ''outlook'', ''plan'', ''probably'', ''project'', ''risks'', "schedule", ''seek'', ''should'', ''target'', ''will'' and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Royal Dutch Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this press release , including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell's products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; (m) risks associated with the impact of pandemics, such as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak; and (n) changes in trading conditions. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Royal Dutch Shell's Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020 (available at www.shell.com/investor and www.sec.gov). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward-looking statements contained in this press release and should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, May 26, 2021. Neither Royal Dutch Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this press release that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov.

SOURCE Shell

Related Links

http://www.shell.com


Cape Town, South Africa (PANA)  Almost 20 years after former President Jacob Zuma was linked to a corrupt multi-million dollar arms procurement scandal, he has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him
DENVER, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SM Energy Company (the "Company") (NYSE: SM) will be participating in the following upcoming investor conferences. An investor presentation will be posted to the Company's website at ir.sm-energy.com before market open on June 2, 2021.

June 2, 2021  Wells Fargo Energy Conference. President and Chief Executive Officer Herb Vogel will meet with investors in one-on-one settings. This event will not be webcast.





 Wells Fargo Energy Conference. President and Chief Executive Officer will meet with investors in one-on-one settings. This event will not be webcast. June 8, 2021  RBC Capital Markets Global Energy, Power & Infrastructure Conference. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Wade Pursell will present at 3:20 p.m. Eastern time and will also meet with investors in one-on-one settings. The presentation will be webcast, accessible from the Company's website, and available for replay for a limited period.





 RBC Capital Markets Global Energy, Power & Infrastructure Conference. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer will present at and will also meet with investors in one-on-one settings. The presentation will be webcast, accessible from the Company's website, and available for replay for a limited period. June 9, 2021  Stifel Virtual Cross Sector Insight Conference. President and Chief Executive Officer Herb Vogel will present at 3:20 p.m. Eastern time and will also meet with investors in one-on-one settings. The presentation will be webcast, accessible from the Company's website, and available for replay for a limited period.





 Stifel Virtual Cross Sector Insight Conference. President and Chief Executive Officer will present at and will also meet with investors in one-on-one settings. The presentation will be webcast, accessible from the Company's website, and available for replay for a limited period. June 10, 2021  Bank of America Energy Credit Conference. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Wade Pursell will present at 10:15 a.m. Eastern time and will also meet with investors in one-on-one settings. The presentation will be webcast, accessible from the Company's website, and available for replay for a limited period.





 Bank of America Energy Credit Conference. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer will present at and will also meet with investors in one-on-one settings. The presentation will be webcast, accessible from the Company's website, and available for replay for a limited period. June 23, 2021  J.P. Morgan Energy, Power & Renewables Conference. President and Chief Executive Officer Herb Vogel will present at 12:10 p.m. Eastern time and will also meet with investors in one-on-one settings. The presentation will be webcast, accessible from the Company's website, and available for replay for a limited time.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

SM Energy Company is an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of crude oil, natural gas, and NGLs in the state of Texas. SM Energy routinely posts important information about the Company on its website. For more information about SM Energy, please visit its website at www.sm-energy.com.

SM ENERGY INVESTOR CONTACT

Jennifer Martin Samuels, [email protected], 303-864-2507

Jeremy Kline, [email protected], 303-863-4313

SOURCE SM Energy Company

Related Links

http://www.sm-energy.com


SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartRent , a provider of smart home automation for property owners, managers, developers, homebuilders and residents, today announced it has launched an exclusive integration with map visualization technology leader Engrain , to optimize SmartRent's new parking management solution, Alloy Parking.

Through cutting-edge technology, Alloy Parking centralizes parking management into a single dashboard to alleviate the cumbersome parking issues faced by multifamily communities while offering an opportunity to increase revenue. Parking sensors identify and track vehicles on-site and provide real-time occupancy data, violation alerts and trend reporting. The exclusive integration with Engrain's interactive parking map further empower property managers to validate and enforce parking as well as better manage resident and guest parking.

"We are incredibly excited about the ability of Engrain's map visualization technology to amplify multiple SmartRent solutions, and enable our clients to enhance both the resident and prospect experience," said Mitch Karren, Chief Product Officer of SmartRent. "The context of location is an important element, and significantly improves parking management capabilities. We're honored to partner with a progressive company like Engrain to take this product to the next level."

Integrating Engrain into Alloy Parking was a natural progression for the companies after the successful integration of Engrain's interactive SightMap platform into SmartRent's self-guided touring solution.

Prospects can pinpoint their precise location within a community, as well as locate their targeted homes, amenities and property features. Prospects can click on an amenity marker to view amenity images or gain additional information about the space. Maps are viewable by floor, and can pinpoint the prospect's position on the map. It also provides oversight of prospect activity while on unaccompanied tours.

"SmartRent is at the forefront of smart home technology and property technology solutions, and it is a privilege to partner with them and elevate their products with our map as a service data visualization software," said Brent Steiner, Founder and CEO of Engrain. "Touring via technology is a leasing practice that is here to stay, and this integration represents the cutting edge of that movement and an important step in the continued evolution of multifamily."

About SmartRent

Founded in 2017, SmartRent is an enterprise smart home automation platform company for property managers and renters. The SmartRent solution is designed to provide property managers with seamless visibility and control over all their assets while delivering additional revenue opportunities through all-in-one home control offerings for residents. For more information, please visit smartrent.com.

About Engrain

Engrain's mission is to fundamentally transform the way people find, lease and manage property. A recognized leader in next-generation interactive touring technology and map-based data visualization software, Engrain's advanced integrations and technical flexibility offer solutions for any multifamily technology stack. Clients use Engrain products to engage prospects and residents, analyze and improve operating performance and increase NOI through operational efficiency. The company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. For more information, visit engrain.com.

SOURCE SmartRent

Related Links

www.smartrent.com


KNOXVILLE, Tenn., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- An emerging pet-wellness franchise is quickly taking the nation by storm, as PetWellClinic  a veterinary clinic providing walk-in pet care  will soon bring its comprehensive, convenient and affordable service offerings to dogs and cats in the New York City, New Hampshire, Colorado and Washington, D.C. areas.

PetWellClinic, headquartered in Knoxville and with five open clinics already in that area, is a one-of-a-kind veterinary clinic that provides walk-in preventative care and treatment of minor issues and ailments. Its business model is truly unique to the pet-care and veterinary space, and as a result, it's creating surging interest among franchise prospects from all over the United States.

"What we are doing with PetWellClinic is making pet care accessible and affordable," said Dr. Sam Meisler, founder and CEO. "We want to be known as the family practitioner for pets: a convenient, one-stop-shop for basically anything your pets might need throughout their lifetime. A walk-in, pet-care option like this is completely new to the franchise space, and we are seeing incredible interest from candidates everywhere who want to be a part of our brand."

"Given the industry we operate in and the unique systems we have in place, we really do have something special here that more and more entrepreneurs want to be a part of."

GROWING AT AN IMPRESSIVE RATE

Recently, PetWellClinic announced an area-development agreement for Washington, D.C., which will bring 25 clinics to that designated market area (DMA).

Under the ownership of franchisees Dave Ballow and Liz Overmann, experienced entrepreneurs and multi-unit Orangetheory franchisees, PetWellClinic will soon carve out a sizeable footprint in D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia thanks to this deal.

Additionally, PetWellClinic has finalized two more area-development agreements in major markets  one that will bring six clinics to New York City, and another that will result in 12 clinics in the Colorado DMA. The franchise also just accepted a deal for three future units in New Hampshire.

"In our position, we get an opportunity to evaluate many concepts, but Dr. Meisler and his team at PetWellClinic caught our attention immediately," said Ballow, a franchise developer with a keen eye for sound investment opportunities. "PetWellClinic is redefining how consumers experience medical care for their pets and have been doing so for over 10 years."

A DIFFERENT KIND OF PET CLINIC

As Ballow mentioned, PetWellClinic may be new to the franchise realm, but Dr. Meisler and his team have spent the last decade building this business into the uber-successful one it is today.

One aspect fueling such success is PetWellClinic's proprietary veterinary software, which Dr. Meisler himself designed and implemented. This unique, cloud-based software program makes life much easier on owners and veterinarians, handling areas like client registration and making all records reportable and viewable from anywhere.

Another way in which PetWellClinic is making lives easier on veterinarians is a reimagined work environment  one that breaks the mold of the typical, overworked cycle for vets.

As a veterinarian himself, Dr. Meisler has ensured from day one a healthy work-life balance among PetWellClinic's workforce. Shifts are limited to eight hours a day, vets start at 11 AM, workloads are structured so vets only have to focus on key areas and they never deal with complex, high-risk surgeries.

The result is a workplace environment unlike many veterinary clinics and hospitals out there.

"With pet ownership on the rise, more and more people need a convenient and affordable option to take their dogs and cats for preventive care and minor-ailment services," said Dr. Meisler. "We are in a great position to serve today and tomorrow's generation of pet owners, and the opportunities for franchisee prospects are endless. We can't wait to begin helping more pets across the country with likeminded entrepreneurs."

ABOUT PETWELLCLINIC

PetWellClinic is a walk-in veterinary clinic, providing excellent preventative, wellness, and sick care for dogs and cats on an on-demand basis. There is no need for an appointment because PetWellClinic's technology, design, and operational systems provide customers with a modern-day experience in an antiquated industry.

PetWellClinic recently began franchising after the success of its company-owned operations in Knoxville, Tennessee, and already has 80 units in development since August of 2020.

For more information on PetWellClinic franchise opportunities, please visit www.petwellfranchise.com or contact Joe Sexton at [email protected].

PetWellClinic has partnered with Oakscale, to lead franchise development efforts for the brand. For more information on Oakscale, please visit www.oakscale.com.

SOURCE PetWell Franchisor, LLC.

Related Links

https://www.petwellfranchise.com


"SORBOS straws were one of several initiatives we took in 2020 to show our commitment to an innovative, fun guest experience, and it paid off through a successful LTO," said Karen Anderson, Vice President of Marketing Strategy at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC. "We feel confident these lime-flavored straws will bring the same success in this summertime promotion."

"With sustainability becoming increasingly popular across the foodservice industry, standard straw alternatives such as SORBOS flavored edible straws are a welcome solution," explained Nick Dionne, Vice President of Green Nature Marketing. "Additionally, SORBOS is emerging as a great alternative to paper straws, with the ability to stay rigid for up to 40 minutes in cold and frozen drinks, while adding to the experience of the beverage in a way that paper cannot."

About Green Nature Marketing

Green Nature Marketing is a nationwide foodservice broker connecting sustainable food, beverage, and packaging brands with foodservice operators and distributors. Their brand portfolio includes top-tier organic, fair trade, allergy friendly, and plant-based manufacturers. Visit greennaturemktg.com for more information.

About SORBOS

SORBOS offers a fully biodegradable, sustainable, and flavored edible solution to single-use plastic straws. With a mission to reduce single-use plastics, SORBOS promotes eco-tasting: everyday environmentalism by way of small gestures that make a strong impact. SORBOS straws are produced and packed in Barcelona Spain, by SORBO M.J.V. SL. Visit wearesorbos.com for more information.

About Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a national fast-casual cafe concept inspiring a healthier lifestyle with more than 950 locations nationwide. Serving better-for-you smoothies, wraps, sandwiches, and flatbreads, Tropical Smoothie Cafe also offers upgraded app technology and enhanced mobile ordering capabilities to further elevate the digital and dine-in cafe experience and emphasize the brand's focus on convenience. The rapidly growing franchise has received numerous accolades including rankings in QSR's 10 Best Franchise Deals, Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and Forbes' Best Franchises, as well as Franchise Times' Top 200+. In 2020, the brand was recognized amongst NRN's 10 Fastest-Growing Restaurant Chains, Franchise Business Review's Top 50 Multi-Unit Franchises and Best Multi-Unit Franchises, and Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Charles Watson was recognized as one of NRN's Most Influential CEOs.



Media inquiries should be directed to Audrey Weis, Marketing Manager, Green Nature Marketing, at [email protected]

SOURCE Green Nature Marketing

Related Links

https://greennaturemktg.com/


MINNEAPOLIS, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vireo Health International, Inc. ("Vireo" or the "Company") (CSE: VREO; OTCQX: VREOF), the leading physician-led, science-focused multi-state cannabis company, today announced its support for Governor Walz signing into law the expansion of Minnesota's medical cannabis program to include smokable cannabis flower.

The below statements are attributable to Vireo Health's Chairman and CEO, Kyle Kingsley, MD. Dr. Kingsley was an emergency room physician who left the ER to start one of Minnesota's first medical cannabis companies.

"This advancement marks a major milestone for Minnesota and begins the next chapter for the state's medical cannabis program. Adding smokable cannabis flower to the state's cannabis program will drastically improve the accessibility and affordability for both new and existing cannabis patients.

We applaud Governor Walz and legislators from both parties for acting on this important endeavor to do what we believe is best for Minnesota patients. Over time, the addition of cannabis flower to the medical program will cut costs for many of the tens of thousands of Minnesotans across the state who currently use cannabis to treat serious medical conditions. It will also encourage the participation of many new patients who previously were shut out of the program due to costs or lack of product diversity.

As a physician, I believe that this advancement will also help protect public health and safety by driving patients who previously could not afford the state's program away from illicit markets. The high costs of the medical program previously led to many patients using unsafe and untested cannabis products, including flower, purchased from the illicit market without the guidance or support of healthcare practitioners. Now Minnesotans can more easily access medical cannabis dispensed by licensed pharmacists and be monitored on our state prescription monitoring program.

Furthermore, we believe cannabis is a safer, less addictive alternative for the treatment of chronic or intractable pain. Therefore, the addition of smokable cannabis flower could further help to reduce the irrevocable damage caused by the opioid epidemic. In 2019, opioid overdoses hit a tragic record high with 428 confirmed deaths of Minnesotans. In that same year, zero died from a cannabis overdose."

About Vireo Health International, Inc.

Vireo Health International, Inc. is a physician-led cannabis company focused on bringing the best of technology, science, and engineering to the cannabis industry. Vireo manufactures proprietary, branded cannabis products in environmentally friendly facilities, state-of-the-art cultivation sites and distributes its products through its growing network of Green Goods and other retail locations and third-party dispensaries. Vireo's team of more than 400 employees, led by scientists, engineers, and cultivation experts, is focused on efficiency and the creation of best-in-class products, while driving scientific innovation within the cannabis industry and developing meaningful intellectual property. Today, Vireo is licensed to grow, process, and/or distribute cannabis in eight markets and operates 16 dispensaries nationwide. For more information about Vireo Health, please visit www.vireohealth.com.

Contact Information

Media Inquiries:

Albe Zakes

Vice President, Corporate Communications

[email protected]

(267) 2221-4800

Investor Inquiries:

Sam Gibbons

Vice President, Investor Relations

[email protected]

(612) 314-8995

SOURCE Vireo Health International, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.vireohealth.com


JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Are states leading the way to eliminate income taxes?

Consider the following:

TexasIn a November 2019 election, 76% of Texas voters approved the constitutional amendment to prohibit Texas from imposing any income tax.

election, 76% of voters approved the constitutional amendment to prohibit from imposing any income tax. TennesseeEnded its state income tax on January 1, 2021 .

. IllinoisDuring the November 2020 election, voters rejected a graduated income tax.

election, voters rejected a graduated income tax. WashingtonDuring the November 2020 election, voters rejected any income tax.

election, voters rejected any income tax. AlabamaA representative has filed The Economic Freedom Act to Abolish State Income and Sales Taxes and Replace with "Fair Tax," a consumption tax on goods and services.

GeorgiaA representative has filed a bill called Georgians Freedom from the Destructive Income-TAX-System.

MinnesotaA representative has filed an initiative to eliminate the income and business taxes and replace its sales tax with a retail consumption tax.

NebraskaA representative has filed a bill to eliminate its income and property taxes.

New York , Mississippi and West Virginia Since the 2020 election, these states have initiated efforts to end state income taxes.

"Voters are demonstrating their preference for retail consumption taxes that are simple, transparent, and fair," said John Grafer, member of the board of directors of Americans For Fair Taxation .

High income tax states like California and New York are losing population. All 7 of the House seats lost in the 2020 census were lost by states with an income tax, and states without an income tax gained 3 of the seats. U-haul recently reported record high one-way trailer rentals going to Texas and Florida.

Taxpayers appear to be displeased with income taxes at the national level as well. The Internal Revenue Service reported that tax evasion now exceeds $1 trillion per year and that it needs to expand its budget to $13.2 billion, a 10.4% increase.

Mr. Grafer continued, "The national solution to the oppressive income/payroll tax system is the FAIRtax Act of 2021, which, as HR 25, is now in the House Ways & Means Committee."

Link to YouTube video of What is the FAIRtax

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nf94VztLME

Learn more about the FAIRtax Act of 2021, HR 25, view the videos, contribute and join the all-volunteer organization at Fairtax.org.

Florida Fair Tax Educational Association is a 501(c) (3) to inform and educate the citizens on alternatives to the current system of federal taxation based on the following principles: fairness, simplicity, transparency, pro-economic growth and revenue neutrality.

Florida Fair Tax Educational Association

PO Box 23346

Jacksonville, FL 32241

www.fairtax.org

www.flfairtax.org

www.fairtaxguys.com

Facebook.com/fairtax

FAIRtax video at https://fairtax.org/videos/how-the-fairtax-works

Paid for by Florida Fair Tax Educational Association 



Contacts:

Americans for Fair Taxation

Steve Hayes, President, and Randy Fischer, Marketing, 800-FAIRTAX and

[email protected]

Florida Fair Tax Educational Association

Paul Livingston, President, [email protected]

SOURCE Florida FAIRtax Educational Association
WASHINGTON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- After a year of social distancing, Americans are optimistic about summer travel, with 51 percent of consumers stating that they are going to travel as much or more than in pre-Covid times. This is one of the key findings from "Consumer Insights and Intent: Q2 2021 Summer Travel," the latest research report from the Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA), the national trade association for the entire out of home (OOH) and DOOH media ecosystem, conducted by The Harris Poll. In fact, more than half (56%) are expecting to travel 201+ miles across the U.S.  with 42 percent of Americans who will vacation this summer planning to take a full two weeks or more off for travel. While the car is still viewed as the safest mode of transportation during the pandemic (95%), Americans are growing significantly more comfortable with other forms of transportation: planes (59%), trains (56%), ride share (50%), and subway (38%) compared to last Spring.

The survey also confirms that these trends are in sync with consumers' renewed appreciation for being outside  especially among urbanites in larger cities (1M+). Since January, there has been a 4-point increase in big city dwellers stating that they are noticing OOH more now than before the pandemic began.

In addition, more than half (51%) of these urbanites say that they will be going out of town for a concert, sporting event, or theatre show this summer. Out of home advertising has a significant opportunity to influence these big city consumers, since they are likely to become aware of concerts (44%) and sporting events (37%) from OOH.

The research also shows that OOH is driving Americans online to seek more information about advertisers: half of consumers (49%) say they have used an online search to lookup information about an advertiser from OOH. Plus, a third say that they have been prompted by OOH advertising to engage in additional activities on their smartphones, and the same say that out of home ads have inspired them to access digital coupons or promo codes. The percentage who are motivated by OOH ads to search online is even higher among consumers living in heavily populated cities (60%).

"After the challenges of lockdown, it's great to see that consumers are embracing the prospect of travel and planning to be out-and-about this summer," said Anna Bager, President and CEO, OAAA. "This research confirms that Americans are beginning to move beyond the pandemic  and that OOH has the power to influence their summer activities."

"With 'revenge spending' building up and Americans hoping to let loose this summer, OOH will play a critical role," said John Gerzema, CEO, The Harris Poll. "Americans are excited about travel and summer fun. Pair that with increases in awareness of OOH advertising from big city consumers and strong traction with other audiences too, and you have a significant opportunity for OOH."

"Consumer Insights and Intent: Q2 2021 Summer Travel" was sponsored by The Foundation for Outdoor Advertising Research and Education (FOARE), a 501 (c) (3) not for profit, charitable organization. It was released as part of the Future Proof: OOH Media Conference from the OAAA and Geopath.

To review the findings, go to www.oaaa.org/HarrisPollConsumerInsights

Methodology

The Harris Poll conducted the online survey from April 16  19, 2021, with a representative sample of 1000 U.S. Adults 18+. Data is weighted to reflect the U.S. general public across age, gender, race/ethnicity, region, income, household size, and employment.

About the OAAA

The Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA) is the national trade association for the entire out of home (OOH) advertising industry. OAAA represents more than 800 members, including leading media companies, advertisers, agencies, ad-tech providers, and suppliers which comprise over 90 percent of the industry. OOH media includes billboards, street furniture, transit, place-based media, and digital formats (DOOH) across every sector of the channel. OAAA is the unifying voice for the industry, the authoritative thought leader, and the passionate advocate for advancing OOH advertising in the United States. The legislative unit of OAAA advocates for the responsible growth of OOH with federal, state, and local government. OAAA-member media companies generously donate over $500 million in public service advertising annually. Founded in 1891, OAAA is headquartered in Washington, DC with offices in New York City. For more information, please visit oaaa.org.

About The Harris Poll

The Harris Poll is one of the longest-running surveys in the U.S. tracking public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963 that is now part of Harris Insights & Analytics, a global consulting and market research firm that delivers social intelligence for transformational times. We work with clients in three primary areas; building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. Our mission is to provide insights and advisory to help leaders make the best decisions possible. For more information, please visit www.theharrispoll.com.

SOURCE Out of Home Advertising Association

Related Links

https://oaaa.org/default.aspx


LOS ANGELES, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sure , an insurance technology company, today announced an exclusive partnership with Common , the leading residential brand that designs and manages multifamily apartments. The partnership marks a significant milestone in the evolution of customer-friendly digital experiences by enabling Common residents across the US to purchase renters insurance at the time of lease signing within Common's existing platform.

Prior to this exclusive partnership, Common worked with multiple insurance partners, including Sure, to enable customers to purchase renters insurance in 10+ cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Common has more than doubled in the last year; with 5,500 residents currently under management and an additional 20,000 units under development, finding a single partner capable of facilitating all of their needs in a seamless tenant onboarding experience became essential. Sure, a licensed insurance agency in all U.S. states and the District of Columbia, provides renters policies backed by leading insurance carriers in all 50 states and a renters insurance API that enables Common to streamline the purchase process for tenants  making Sure the ideal partner.

"Our mission at Common is to make city living easier for the renter and providing a seamless rental insurance experience is an essential part of this," says Common VP of Operations Eric Rodriguez. "We're excited to announce our exclusive partnership with Sure and offer all Common residents one simple solution for their insurance needs."

By making renters insurance available at the time of lease signing, Common and Sure are simplifying the rental process for tenants, enabling them to choose coverage limits that meet their needs as customers while also ensuring the coverage adheres to Common's insurance requirements. Since integrating with Sure's renters insurance API, 67% of new Common tenants choose to purchase renters insurance during onboarding, proving the value of a one-stop-shop user experience.

"This partnership matches customer-centric workflows with best-in-class insurance products to make it easier than ever for Common tenants to purchase renters insurance," says Sure Co-founder and CEO Wayne Slavin. "Building atop Sure's flexible API technology enables Common to deliver solutions that add real value to the customer experience while ensuring tenant compliance with insurance requirements."

To view a video of the tenant experience in Common's platform and download a case study detailing this partnership and the value it brings to tenants, visit https://info.sureapp.com/renters-insurance-built-on-sure.

About Sure

Sure, an insurance technology company, powers digital insurance programs for the world's most recognized brands and carriers. Its enterprise SaaS infrastructure and cohesive ecosystem of APIs enable new insurance program launches and modernization in one place. The Sure Platform accelerates digital transformation and embedded insurance distribution resulting in the industry's most innovative insurance programs.



Founded in 2015, the company is headquartered in Santa Monica, California.



About Common

Common is the leading residential brand and operating platform that designs, leases, and manages multifamily properties that appeal to today's renters. Through smart design and tech-enabled property management, Common delivers exceptional experiences across ten cities and over 5,500 members in coliving, microunit, and traditional apartments. They are the preferred choice for both residents looking for a stress-free and all-inclusive living environment from a trusted brand, and for real estate owners seeking reliable, above-market returns. The Common platform also includes workforce housing management brand Noah and family-first urban designer and operator Kin. With over 20,000 units signed and under development and over $110 million in venture capital investment, Common is expanding into 22 cities across the world. To work with us, visit our partners page or follow us on Instagram at @common.living .

Content and associated insurance products are provided by Sure HIIS Insurance Services, LLC ("Sure"), a licensed seller of insurance. Products and services may not be available in all US states. The above does not in any way constitute an endorsement or referral by Common of Sure's products or services.

Contact

Brenna Schaefer

[email protected]

SOURCE Sure

Related Links

www.sureapp.com


With a little help from TikTok content-creating queen Flossybaby , SweetTARTS is calling on fans to show off their very own TikToks celebrating their love for the chewy SweeTARTS candies. Now through June 7, sweet tooths can enter for a chance to win an exclusive first look at a future Chewy SweeTARTS innovation, an honorary "CEO of Chewy SweeTARTS" title and a year's supply of the new and improved Chewy SweeTARTS candies.

Deliciously Craveable Chewy SweeTARTS Candies Get a Massive Update

Now on store shelves nationwide, Chewy SweeTARTS is reintroducing three multi-sensory, colorful products to its portfolio  all of which are BOTH delightfully sweet and delicately tart candies:

SweeTARTS Mini Chewy: Tiny in size but big on taste, SweeTARTS Mini Chewy deliver the classic SweeTARTS flavor in a mouth-watering sensation that's now equal parts sweeter and tangier.

Tiny in size but big on taste, SweeTARTS Mini Chewy deliver the classic SweeTARTS flavor in a mouth-watering sensation that's now equal parts sweeter and tangier. SweeTARTS Chewy Extreme Sours: Pucker up! SweeTARTS Chewy Sours turns up the tart with candies that are powerfully sour and finish with a touch of sweet, now with a bolder, thrill-seeking flavor.

Pucker up! SweeTARTS Chewy Sours turns up the tart with candies that are powerfully sour and finish with a touch of sweet, now with a bolder, thrill-seeking flavor. SweeTARTS Giant Chewy: Giant Chewy SweeTARTS take the amazing, sweet and tart flavor combination of Original SweeTARTS to the next level with supersized, over-the-top fun, now with an improved chewy candy texture.

"At SweeTARTS, we love making candies that are as vibrant and bold as our consumers who enjoy eating them," said Ashley Incarnato, Marketing Director for the SweeTARTS brand at Ferrara. "Our chewy candies are fan-favorites, embracing the duality of our product that is BOTH sweet and tart. When we saw an opportunity to bring an even bolder, fruitier candy to the market, we jumped at the chance to be classic AND fresh with this Chewy SweeTARTS relaunch. We can't wait for our fans to try the new line-up, and who knows, maybe even come aboard as the #CEOofChewySweeTARTS!"

Help SweeTARTS Find the New #CEOofChewySweeTARTS on TikTok

In light of Chewy SweeTARTS' makeover, the search is on for a CEO with the fresh creds to match. And SweeTARTS is getting a little help from someone who knows a thing or two about freshness, TikTok star Flossybaby.

Now through June 7, Flossybaby and SweeTARTS are inviting fans to make a TikTok using the hashtags #CEOofChewySweeTARTS and #Sweepstakes to celebrate the chewy treats and demonstrate exactly why they deserve to take the reigns as the honorary CEO of Chewy SweeTARTS. Content will be selected at random  with favorite entries re-posted to the SweeTARTS TikTok page. The winner, who will also score an entire year's supply of Chewy SweeTARTS, will be announced in mid-June. For official sweepstakes rules, please visit: https://bit.ly/3bCIQUK.

Chewy SweeTARTS are available now at mass grocery, drug and convenience stores nationwide, as well as online through e-commerce partners. To find a retailer near you, and to learn more about the SweeTARTS product portfolio, visit www.sweetartscandy.com and follow @SweeTARTSCandy on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.

About SweeTARTS

First introduced in 1963, SweeTARTS has grown into a fan-favorite candy brand known for its electrifying flavor combination of delightfully sweet and delicately tart. Available in an array of colorful candy creations, the SweeTARTS product portfolio includes Original SweeTARTS, SweeTARTS Ropes, SweeTARTS Rope Bites, SweeTARTS Chewy, and several seasonal favorites.

About Ferrara

Ferrara, a company related to The Ferrero Group, is an emerging powerhouse in the North American confections and sweet snacking categories. A passionate team of nearly 6,000 employees works together to share delight in every bite through leading brands that have shaped the industry for more than 100 years. Our diverse portfolio of nearly 35 brands includes SweeTARTS, Trolli, Brach's, Black Forest and NERDS, along with iconic favorites like Lemonhead, Red Hots and Now and Later. Ferrara also manages the Keebler and Famous Amos businesses for The Ferrero Group. Headquartered in Chicago, Ferrara has an operational network of 20 locations in North America that includes manufacturing, distribution and R&D facilities. Learn more at www.ferrarausa.com.

Media Contacts:

Courtney Pischke, Ferrara

[email protected]

Hannah Gettleman, Golin

[email protected]

SOURCE Ferrara

Related Links

http://www.ferrarausa.com


AUSTIN, Texas, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Talroo, an award-winning job and hiring event advertising platform, has released an informative new infographic about why businesses are struggling to hire, the top things job seekers are looking for, and what employers can do to attract more candidates.

The economy has entered a recovery period, brought on by increased vaccination levels and pent-up demand from consumers who have spent the past year at home. However, many businesses can't keep up with this growing demand because of a recent inability to hire. Whether it's because of childcare concerns, increased unemployment benefits, or safety issues, there just isn't enough interest in these open positions to get them filled. There are many job seekers out there looking for work  but there seems to be an economic mismatch in the current market. Employers can still reach candidates, but they'll need to adapt to what is important to the current job seeker.

"Employers and consumers alike are finally seeing real recovery after a long year," said Talroo CEO Thad Price. "It's understandable, though, that it's going to be a challenge to hire people back. Many of the people who were laid off last year have found other work. We've seen some great efforts from employers to get creative with finding new talent, from cash offers for interviews, to sign-on bonuses, to higher starting wages. It's an unprecedented time in the economy, but there are still plenty of workers out there for companies who need to hire."

The infographic combines research and internal survey data of over 1,000 job seekers to determine the top reasons people aren't accepting jobs (with household factors like childcare being crucial) and what they are looking for in their current search (with flexibility nearly as important as pay). It also details the impact of unemployment benefits and stimulus payments on the urgency of people's job search, the effectiveness of sign-on bonuses, and how the trend of rising wages will affect companies' search for top talent.

To learn more about the effects of Covid on the recovering economy, how job seekers behave across different industries, or how Insights data can help you plan your 2021 hiring strategy, email us at [email protected].

About Talroo

Talroo is a data-driven job and hiring event advertising platform that helps businesses reach the candidates they need to make hires. Through AI, unique talent audiences, and a pay-for-performance model, Talroo enables companies to find their ideal candidates and reduce cost-per-hire. Talroo has earned a spot on the Inc. 500/5000 list of fastest-growing companies for six consecutive years. To learn how Talroo can help your organization hire better, visit talroo.com.

SOURCE Talroo

Related Links

https://www.talroo.com/


Welcome back pirates! As you make your return to campus The East Carolinian has created a forum that centers around topics within the community where readers can express their experiences and concerns. With the new guidelines set in place by East Carolina University do you feel as these precautions will keep you safe?

Survey
CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MyWorkChoice, the app-enabled workforce solution that makes flexibility work for companies and W-2 employees, is bringing their innovative model to the state of Indiana, putting jobs in the palm of the hands of hourly workers who require flexibility to meet the reality of a post-pandemic world.

"When you offer hourly workers flexibility and choice, given today's demands and unpredictable childcare and school schedules, you've just created the workforce of the future," says Tana Greene, co-founder and CEO of MyWorkChoice, the first-to-market solution that bridges the gap between technology, human resource management, and hourly staffing needs.

Ulta Beauty in Greenwood, Ind., Chewy in Clayton, Ind. and Dormakaba in Indianapolis, Ind., are few of the corporations that rely on MyWorkChoice to successfully fill their labor needs. Interested workers are encouraged to apply here .

MyWorkChoice builds a community of workers who select desired shifts from a smartphone app and then manages the turnkey process. "Our workforce can be notified in a matter of minutes," says Greene. "For example, we can send out a notice of a new shift on our app and within minutes a group of trained W-2 workers can be processed and ready to get to work."

MyWorkChoice

MyWorkChoice is focused on helping forward-thinking companies build the workforce of the future. Through a flexible scheduling platform and proprietary app and community of W-2 employee, we bridge the gap between hourly workers who seek flexibility and employers who demand a dependable workforce. For more information contact [email protected] or visit myworkchoice.com.

SOURCE MyWorkChoice

Related Links

http://myworkchoice.com


DUBLIN, Calif., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TriNet, a leading provider of comprehensive human resources for small and medium-size businesses (SMBs), today announced changes to its board of directors. Myrna Sotowho is a seasoned cybersecurity executive, board leader, governance fellow, venture capital investor and advisorwill be joining the TriNet board effective May 27, 2021. Additionally, Shawn Guertin will be leaving the board on May 27 as he moves into his new position as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for CVSHealth.

"Myrna brings a wonderful breadth and depth of knowledge, skills and experience to TriNet. She has a remarkable success record as a board member and executive leader, first-hand knowledge of many of the struggles growing businesses face and is an expert technology advisor. She is a fantastic advocate for the small and medium-size businesses we serve and a great resource for TriNet leadership," said TriNet President and CEO Burton M. Goldfield.



Soto has more than 30 years of experience in management, advisory and board of director roles for both major corporations and small companies in the tourism, financial and technology industries. She is passionate about security, strategy and helping accelerate business success.



In addition to TriNet, Soto currently serves on the board of directors for Michigan-based utility company Consumers Energy/ CMS Energy, Spirit Airlines, Popular Inc. (which operates under the names Banco Popular and Popular Bank) and is a Board Advisor to an on-demand mental health company Ginger. Her experience also includes leadership and advisory roles with Comcast Corp., MGM Resorts International, Royal Caribbean Cruises, American Express and Norwegian Cruise Lines, among others.



"I am dedicated to helping companies realize their full potential and now, more than ever, small and medium-size businesses need our support to reach that potential," said Soto. "TriNet's mission is to power business success through extraordinary HR, and I am excited to work alongside them, my fellow board members, and the entire TriNet team to help these businesses succeed."



Soto earned a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science from Nova Southeastern University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida International University. She also holds a master certificate in project management and information technology management from The George Washington University School of Business.

Goldfield added, "Shawn's healthcare leadership experience has been a tremendous asset to TriNet, our colleagues and our customers, but we couldn't be happier for him and wish him the best of luck."

About TriNet

TriNet (NYSE: TNET) provides small and medium size businesses (SMBs) with full-service HR solutions tailored by industry. To free SMBs from HR complexities, TriNet offers access to human capital expertise, benefits, risk mitigation and compliance, payroll and real-time technology. From Main Street to Wall Street, TriNet empowers SMBs to focus on what matters mostgrowing their business. TriNet, incredible starts here. For more information, visit TriNet.com or follow us on Twitter.

TriNet and the TriNet logo are registered trademarks of TriNet. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE TriNet Group, Inc.
DUBLIN, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Nitrogen Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Nitrogen Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery to 2030 provides the strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the global nitrogen market as it emerges from the COVID-19 shut down.



Major players in the nitrogen market are Air Liquide, Linde Group, Praxair Inc., Air Products and Chemicals, Messer Group, Southern Industrial Gas Berhad, Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation, Gulf Cryo, Emirates Industrial Gases Co. LLC and nexAir.



The global nitrogen market is expected to grow from $27.35 billion in 2020 to $28.61 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%.

The growth is mainly due to the companies rearranging their operations and recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges.

The market is expected to reach $33.17 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 4%.



The growing food and beverages industry contribute to the growth of the nitrogen market. Nitrogen gas is widely used in food and beverages industry for packaging of food items. Nitrogen gas eliminates the oxygen contact with the food item, preventing the oxidation of food thus, increasing its shelf life. This prevents food spoilage and helps in maintaining its quality.



Industrial gas companies are increasingly using pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology as a cost-effective and highly efficient method to produce nitrogen. PSA systems operate on the principle of adsorption. They consist of adsorption vessels packed with carbon molecular sieves (CMS) which are capable of adsorbing carbon dioxide and residual moisture.

At high pressures, CMS selectively adsorbs oxygen, thus allowing nitrogen to pass through at the desired purity level. Onsite generation of nitrogen using PSA systems is more cost-effective than traditional cryogenic distillation or stored liquid nitrogen. PSAs can economically produce nitrogen at flow rates from less than 5,000 scfh to greater than 60,000 scfh, and at purities from 95% to 99.9995%.

Mahler AGS, a German manufacturer of on-site gas generation plants, is using PSA systems for low-cost production of nitrogen. Major industrial gas companies such as Linde, Air Products, Air Liquide, and Praxair are using PSA systems to enhance nitrogen production.



In October 2018, The Linde Group and Praxair, Inc. merged to create a combined entity with a market capitalization of $90 billion. As part of the agreement, Praxair shareholders will receive one share of Linde plc for each Praxair share. Linde AG shareholders will receive 1.54 shares of Linde plc for each Linde AG share tendered.

This merger is expected to further consolidate the nitrogen market by creating a global leader in terms of both sales and geographic footprint. Praxair has a strong presence in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, whereas Linde has a strong presence in Europe and Asia.

The merged company is expected to be a leader in each of these four regions, thus leaving only three companies to compete in the industrial gas market on a global basis. Linde AG is a Brazil-based producer and supplier of industrial, process and specialty gases. Paxair is a US-based atmospheric, process, and specialty gases, and surface coatings producer.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary



2. Nitrogen Market Characteristics



3. Nitrogen Market Trends and Strategies



4. Impact of COVID-19 on Nitrogen



5. Nitrogen Market Size and Growth

5.1. Global Nitrogen Historic Market, 2015-2020, $ Billion

5.1.1. Drivers of the Market

5.1.2. Restraints on the Market

5.2. Global Nitrogen Forecast Market, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

5.2.1. Drivers of the Market

5.2.2. Restraints on the Market



6. Nitrogen Market Segmentation

6.1. Global Nitrogen Market, Segmentation by Product Type, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Compressed Gas

Liquid Nitrogen

6.2. Global Nitrogen Market, Segmentation by End Use Industry, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Petrochemical

Oil & Gas

Metal Manufacturing & Fabrication

Food & Beverage

Electronics

Pharmaceutical & Healthcare

Chemical

Others

6.3. Global Nitrogen Market, Segmentation by Application, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Commercial Use

Industrial Use

Science and Research

7. Nitrogen Market Regional and Country Analysis

7.1. Global Nitrogen Market, Split by Region, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

7.2. Global Nitrogen Market, Split by Country, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Companies Mentioned

Air Liquide

Linde Group

Praxair Inc.

Air Products and Chemicals

Messer Group

Southern Industrial Gas Berhad

Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation

Gulf Cryo

Emirates Industrial Gases Co. LLC

nexAir

CanAir Nitrogen

Chengdu Taiyu Industrial Gases

Universal Industrial Gases

Yingde Gases Group Company

Aspen Air Corp.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wuu42a

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


PITTSBURGH, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pittsburgh-based personal injury practice Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. is celebrating the selection of four of its qualified attorneys for inclusion in either 2021 Super Lawyers or Rising Stars.

Each year, Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters company, only lists 5% of all mid- to late-career attorneys in the United States in its Super Lawyers register. Likewise, only 2.5% of all early career U.S. attorneys are honored in Rising Stars. For both these lists, selectees must pass a rigorous review process in which they are examined on "12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement," including:

Verdicts and settlements achieved

Representative clients

Pro bono work and other community efforts

work and other community efforts Scholarly lectures, writings, and other contributions

Special certifications and licenses

Experience and education/employment background

Attorneys are only considered eligible candidates for this review if they are nominated for the register or if the Super Lawyers Research Team identifies them as a potential listee. After nomination/identification and the initial 12-category review, candidates are examined before a Blue Ribbon Panel composed of top-rated attorneys who are each highly qualified in their area of legal practice.

In the 2021 edition, Super Lawyers and Rising Stars listed Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. attorneys for their work in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as follows:

Robert F. Daley (Super Lawyers 2014-2021; Rising Stars 2005-2006)

(Super Lawyers 2014-2021; Rising Stars 2005-2006) Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff



Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff



Class Action/Mass Torts: Plaintiff

Adrian J. DeGori (Rising Stars 2020-2021)

(Rising Stars 2020-2021) Social Security Disability

Scott M. Simon (Rising Stars 2015-2021)

(Rising Stars 2015-2021) Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Health Care



Civil Rights



Civil Litigation: Plaintiff



Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff

Elizabeth A. Chiappetta (Rising Stars 2013-2021)

(Rising Stars 2013-2021) Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff

Due to these attorneys' exemplary legal representation and commitment to the pursuit of justice for their clients, they have each been honored previously, per the dates accompanying their names. This is a major accomplishment attainable only through the recognition of peers and past clients; thus, it is certainly worth celebrating.

If you are seeking legal representation in a personal injury matter -- such as those involving an auto accident, prescription drugs, workers' compensation, social security disability, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, or other forms of negligence -- Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. will advocate for you.

Serving Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. is a Pittsburgh-based plaintiff's firm. Its trial lawyers have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for clients who have suffered catastrophic injury, as well as for the bereaved families of those lost in preventable accidents. To schedule a free consultation with an acclaimed legal professional, visit Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. online at peircelaw.com. More information about Super Lawyers and Rising Stars can be found at superlawyers.com.

SOURCE Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C.

Related Links

https://www.peircelaw.com


PHILADELPHIA, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Please see below for links to each of the Aberdeen Standard Investments U.S. closed-end monthly factsheets including performance and portfolio composition as of April 30, 2021.

Equity Funds

Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc. ("IAF") Factsheet

Aberdeen Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, Inc. ("AEF") Factsheet

Aberdeen Global Dynamic Dividend Fund ("AGD") Factsheet

Aberdeen Japan Equity Fund, Inc. ("JEQ") Factsheet

Aberdeen Standard Global Infrastructure Income Fund ("ASGI") Factsheet

Aberdeen Total Dynamic Dividend Fund ("AOD") Factsheet

The India Fund, Inc. ("IFN") Factsheet

Fixed Income Funds

Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. ("FAX") Factsheet

Aberdeen Global Income Fund, Inc. ("FCO") Factsheet

Aberdeen Income Credit Strategies Fund ("ACP") Factsheet

Property Funds

Aberdeen Global Premier Properties Fund ("AWP") Factsheet

Important Information

In the United States, Aberdeen Standard Investments is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: Aberdeen Standard Investments Inc., Aberdeen Asset Managers Ltd., Aberdeen Standard Investments Australia Ltd., Aberdeen Standard Investments (Asia) Ltd., Aberdeen Capital Management, LLC, Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Advisors LLC and Aberdeen Standard Alternative Funds Limited.

Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. The Fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Aberdeen Standard Investments Inc.
INDIANAPOLIS, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Agrilytics announces Benjamin Crockett as Strategy and Business Development Director. Crockett brings his expertise in working directly with growers and his business acumen to Advanced Agrilytics, where he will be working closely with the leadership team.

"Ben is a fantastic addition to the already strong team at Advanced Agrilytics!" Kay Kuenker, Advanced Agrilytics CEO states. "His agricultural business experience coupled with his drive to always provide value to growers are key ingredients to our success. His servant-style of leadership, strategic thinking, and outstanding interpersonal skills will enable him immediately to become an integral, influencing member of the team. We're delighted to have him on board!"

Crockett previously worked for Farmland Reserves Inc., managing and acquiring farmland across the Midwest. Prior to working at Farmland Reserves Inc., Crockett worked at Corteva in both commercial and supply-chain roles, and he also has experience in procurement and international trade.

"As I've connected with the best growers in the region, I've consistently seen a need to further execute on the promise of precision agriculture coupled with the demand from growers to have boots on the ground 'advisors who are an integral part of the farm operation' who are augmented with cutting edge software and digital tools," Crockett explains. "Many growers I respect and admire are already customers of Advanced Agrilytics, and their feedback has been incredibly positive."

Crockett graduated with a degree in Economics from Brigham Young University in Utah and an MBA from Purdue University. He and his wife Allison and their six children reside in Boone County, Indiana, where they raise beef cattle.

About Advanced Agrilytics

Advanced Agrilytics is an agronomic tech company that provides farmers with actionable, customized strategies to deliver sustainable outcomes at the sub-acre level. The team's hands-on approach combines field specific data with agronomic research to meet farmers at the cross-section of technology and a personal agronomist.

For further information, please see www.advancedagrilytics.com.

SOURCE Advanced Agrilytics

Related Links

https://www.advancedagrilytics.com/


TEMECULA, Calif., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Advanced Institute for Plastic Surgery announced today that the City of Temecula had granted it a permit to build a large 54kW solar carport, with construction expected to begin this Summer. The Advanced Institute's building will become a carbon-neutral, net-zero energy building as a result of this addition.

As a net-zero energy building, the Advanced Institute for Plastic Surgery will be producing more energy than it uses with the excess clean energy sent to the power grid for general consumption. The Advanced Institute for Plastic Surgery will become one of the only plastic surgery offices and surgery centers nationwide to become carbon neutral.

A spokesperson for the Advanced Institute for Plastic Surgery, Dr. Yoonah Kim, said today, "Not only do we care about the beauty of our patients, we also care deeply about the beauty of our community and our environment." The installation of the solar array carport is the Advance Institute for Plastic Surgery's contribution to making Temecula a cleaner, more environmentally friendly space.

Solar array carports are structures designed to provide protection for cars from harsh elements, including the sun. Savings are made in construction costs as there is no need to build a base for the solar panels. Rather than affixing the panels to the roof of the carport, in a solar array carport, the panels themselves make up the roof. Although there are some variations, based on annual averages for Southern California and because solar carports can be oriented and tilted more precisely, solar array carports generally produce about 90-watts of usable alternate current energy per square foot of solar panel per day.

California is the largest solar market in the US, with more than 31,2889 MW of solar installed across the state, equating to a $71.2 billion investment that generates enough power for 8,402,678 average-size homes. Currently, solar generates just over 20% of the energy needed in the state today; however, this figure is expected to increase over the coming years.

The US generates 97.2 GW of solar energy annually, which is sufficient to supply 18 million average-sized homes; however, this equates to just 3% of the US total power market. Currently, 250,000 Americans are employed in this field. In May 2019, the US surpassed two million commercial solar array installations. It took 40 years for the US to achieve one million installations and just three years to reach two million as more commercial operators look to install the technology. The three million mark will be hit in 2021, with the four million mark expected soon after in 2023.

The Advanced Institute for Plastic Surgery has been a distinguished center of excellence. Having established in the Temecula & Murrieta area in 2004, they have grown to become a premier plastic surgery destination. In 2018, the Advanced Institute for Plastic Surgery transformed the former Hooters Restaurant building into a full-service plastic surgery office along with a fully accredited surgery center.

The Advanced Institute for Plastic Surgery is home to three board certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Yoonah Kim, Dr. Andy Wongworawat, and Dr. Zachary Flip. They specialize in cosmetic plastic surgery of the breast, body, and face. All three doctors have undergone extensive training and are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The Advanced Institute also has a medical spa business, Bloom Spa, that performs services such as Botox, Juvederm, Kybella, Coolsculpt, and laser hair removal.

The Advanced Institute for Plastic Surgery is located at 27345 Jefferson Avenue, Temecula, California.

For more information on The Advanced Institute for Plastic Surgery visit www.aiplasticsurgery.com.

Media Contact:

Mari Smith

951-699-9201

[email protected]

SOURCE Advanced Institute for Plastic Surgery

Related Links

http://www.aiplasticsurgery.com


WASHINGTON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Alion Science and Technology has been awarded an $87 million task order with a 60-month period of performance provide technical analysis for Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Deputy Commander for Surface Warfare (SEA 21). Serco, Inc. will serve as a primary subcontractor on this contract. SEA 21 requires forward thinking, innovative, and cohesive technical research and analyses grounded in systems theory to best support the directorate's responsibility to satisfy both current and future throughput needs for the U.S. Navy Fleet. Alion was awarded this contract under the Department of Defense Information Analysis Center's (DoD IAC) multiple-award contract (MAC) vehicle. These DoD IAC MAC task orders are awarded by the U.S. Air Force's 774th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron to develop and create new knowledge for the enhancement of the DTIC repository and the Research and Development (R&D) and Science & Technology (S&T) community.

"The Alion/Serco team has an exceptional understanding of the SEA21 program and the Integrated Data Environment (IDE) requirements. With the knowledge and experience this team brings, we are able to develop new tools and solutions that are specifically designed to increase efficiencies and drive process improvements," said Glenn Goodman, Alion's Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Live, Virtual and Constructive Solutions Group. "Alion will continue to provide uninterrupted technical services to NAVSEA 21 to support Navy ship maintenance and modernization for in-service ships throughout their lifecycle for continued warfighting capability to the Fleet."

Under this task order, Alion will provide SEA 21 with research-based technological analysis and deliverables for its weapon, HM&E, logistic, and service delivery systems onboard surface non-nuclear naval vessels to include combatant and non-combatant ships. This analysis will enable Navy and Marine Corps warfighters to appropriately plan and integrate optimal technologies into emerging and fielded warfighting assets ensuring mission relevancy throughout each ship's service life. Specific research and analysis domains shall include system engineering; integration of systems and platforms; analysis, test, and evaluation; certification of weapon systems and subsystems; safety; configuration management; logistics; and technology insertion into complex Naval warfare environments. Issues being addressed are primarily related to Hull, Mechanical, and Electrical systems but may include Command and Control systems. (e.g. Steering Gear, Switchboards, Machinery Control Systems, Bridge and Navigation systems, and Deck equipment. Ship Classes include DDG, CG, LPD, LSD, MCM, etc.).

ABOUT DOD IAC PROGRAM

The DoD IAC program operates as a part of Defense Technical Information Center and provides technical data management and research support for DoD and federal government users. Established in the 1940s, the IAC program serves the DoD Science & Technology (S&T) and acquisition communities driving innovation and technological developments by enhancing collaboration through integrated scientific and technical information development and dissemination for the DoD and broader S&T community.

ABOUT ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Solving some of our nation's most complex national security challenges, Alion works side-by-side with our Defense and Intelligence communities as we design and deliver advanced engineering solutions to meet current and future demands. We go beyond the superficial and dive deep into the root of the engineering complexities and bring innovation to reality. With global industry expertise in Big Data, Analytics, and Cyber Security; Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning; Live, Virtual, and Constructive Solutions; Electronic Warfare and C5ISR; and Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing, Alion delivers mission success where and when it matters most. To learn more, visit www.alionscience.com.

Disclaimer. "This material is based upon work supported by the DoD Information Analysis Center Program Management Office (DoD IAC PMO), sponsored by the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC)under Contract No. FA807518D0002."



Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited. "Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the 774th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron (774 ESS)."

SOURCE Alion Science and Technology Corporation

Related Links

http://www.alionscience.com


"We know from World Economic Forum data that women globally are nearly a century away from closing the gender gap to achieve parity. We are committed to changing this in many ways globally by building Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) stations so girls can go to schools and study within the All Hands and Hearts community. This affords girls a powerful professional development opportunity to keep closing that gap," said Petra Nemcova, co-founder of All Hands and Hearts, philanthropist, supermodel, entrepreneur and mother.

Further widely-cited research from Our World in Data points to men earning more than women, women being underrepresented in senior positions and women being overrepresented in low-paying jobs observed across the world.

Nemcova added, "Our unique partnership with Oxford is a wonderful opportunity for All Hands and Hearts to support female members of our global community."

"I'm so honored to join the Said Business School's Women's Leadership Development Programme. I feel very fortunate for this opportunity to develop my own strategic skills as a leader, tools I can use to mentor and encourage future leaders and amplify other female voices," said Michelle Walters, a volunteer from the All Hands and Hearts Leogane Recovery program in Haiti. "The lack of women in leadership positions inhibits productivity and performance in workplaces and has individual and larger socioeconomic impacts. I know that by working together, we can tackle current barriers and address this seemingly intractable global issue."

About The University of Oxford

Oxford University has been placed number one in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for the fifth year running, and at the heart of this success is our groundbreaking research and innovation. Oxford is world-famous for research excellence and home to some of the most talented people from across the globe. Our work helps the lives of millions, solving real-world problems through a huge network of partnerships and collaborations. The breadth and interdisciplinary nature of our research sparks imaginative and inventive insights and solutions.

About All Hands and Hearts

All Hands and Hearts is a volunteer-powered nonprofit that effectively and efficiently addresses the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by natural disasters around the globe. By listening to local people, and deploying our direct-impact model, we are able to rebuild safe, resilient schools, homes and other community infrastructure. Learn more: allhandsandhearts.org.

Media Contact: Jen Tucholski [email protected]

SOURCE All Hands and Hearts

Related Links

https://www.allhandsandhearts.org


"Charlotte Motor Speedway is a such a great venue to highlight the partnership between LongHorn Steakhouse and Alsco Uniforms," said Ben Fox, director of sales and marketing for Alsco. "Alsco Uniforms provides service to hundreds of LongHorn Steakhouses around the country with uniforms, linen and floor mats, so having them partner with us on this race was a no-brainer. It's a perfect opportunity to provide our partners some brand visibility as more guests begin to dine out again."

The Alsco Uniforms 300 Fueled by LongHorn Steakhouse will see the stars of the NASCAR Xfinity Series battle it out over Memorial Day weekend. The race takes place the day before one of the crown jewels of NASCAR, the Coca-Cola 600. There is much anticipation for the race weekend as Charlotte Motor Speedway prepares to welcome even more fans back to the iconic superspeedway.



"All of us at LongHorn Steakhouse are thrilled to be part of an exciting weekend and to cheer on one of our own as they start the race," said Monika Saxena, executive vice president of marketing for LongHorn Steakhouse. "With several restaurants in the Charlotte area, many of our guests and team members look forward to this event every year, and we're grateful to our partners at Alsco Uniforms for inviting us to be part of the action."



Alsco and LongHorn also are excited to present Christopher Foote, managing partner of LongHorn Steakhouse in Salisbury, N.C., as the grand marshal for the Alsco Uniforms 300 Fueled by LongHorn Steakhouse at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Foote has been part of the LongHorn team since 2005 and is passionate about serving legendary steaks. Before he entered the restaurant industry, he served in the Army as an engineer officer for more than 11 years.



In addition, Alsco has announced Christopher Hefner, director of operations for LongHorn Steakhouse, as the race's honorary starter. Hefner began his career with LongHorn more than 20 years ago as an hourly team member and progressed into management. He became director of operations in 2018 and oversees 12 restaurants in the Charlotte area.



Alsco's partnership with Charlotte Motor Speedway began in May 2018. Last year's race, run without fans in attendance, saw NASCAR star Kyle Busch in virtual victory lane. Throughout the years, Busch has taken home three Alsco Xfinity Series trophies. Other notable winners of the CMS Xfinity Series race since the partnership began with Alsco include Brad Keselowski in 2018 and Tyler Reddick in 2019.



The Alsco Uniforms 300 Fueled by LongHorn Steakhouse is one of four NXS entitlements for Alsco in 2021, all at Speedway Motorsports facilities. In addition to the May race, Alsco Uniforms sponsors events at affiliate tracks Texas Motor Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Alsco also provides sponsorship at the NASCAR team level with Richard Childress Racing with drivers Myatt Snider and Tyler Reddick (winner of the 2019 Alsco 300 at CMS) and Kaulig Racing with driver Jeb Burton.



The Alsco Uniforms 300 Fueled by LongHorn Steakhouse is a part of a NASCAR weekend that also includes the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, May 30, and the Camping World Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200 on Friday, May 28. The Alsco Uniforms 300 Fueled by LongHorn Steakhouse will be broadcast live on FS1.



About Alsco

Alsco is a fifth-generation family-owned and -operated uniform company founded in 1889 and recognized by the prestigious Hohenstein Institute for having invented the uniform rental industry. Celebrating over 130 years of business, Alsco provides uniform laundry services and other products that keep businesses clean and safe for all kinds of customers in the healthcare, automotive, industrial and hospitality industries. With more than 180 locations and 20,000 employees, Alsco provides laundry rental services to over 355,000 customers in 14 countries, which makes Alsco Uniforms the largest uniform company in the world. Visit http://www.alsco.com to learn more about how Alsco Uniforms is the industry's best kept secret.



About LongHorn Steakhouse

LongHorn Steakhouse is all about quality, serving fresh, never frozen steaks that are boldly seasoned with proprietary blends and expertly grilled by certified Grill Masters. LongHorn has more than 530 restaurants across 41 states and is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others in the community. As part of this commitment, LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants have donated nearly 25 million pounds of food to local nonprofit organizations across the country. For more information and to find a location near you, visit www.LongHornSteakhouse.com. Fans can like or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.



SOURCE Alsco

Related Links

http://www.alsco.com


ActiveClean combines Amerlux's commercial-grade LED lighting engineering with the UV-free, antimicrobial lighting technologies of Vyv, a leading health tech company that recently announced independent testing that demonstrates its 405-nanometer (nm) lighting capabilities are effective against non-enveloped viruses, which are the most difficult to kill.*

"ActiveClean is an attractive and valuable asset for companies looking to welcome hesitant workers back to the office, classroom and an assortment of other workplaces," said Chuck Campagna, President and CEO of Amerlux. "Unlike UV light, the particular wavelength of visible light produced by ActiveClean meets domestic and international standards for continual and unlimited use around people. We are excited to join the front lines in the continued fight to combat viruses, bacteria and other illnesses with this unprecedented LED lighting technology."

"Vyv has found an ideal partner in Amerlux to bring a new kind of clean to the architectural and design world," said Colleen Costello, CEO & Co-founder, Vyv. "As a trusted thought leader, Amerlux is perfectly positioned to help bring antimicrobial lighting innovations to the lighting and architectural design community."

Utilizing a spectrum composed of visible light, ActiveClean works around the clock to fight off microorganisms by inhibiting their growth and ultimately destroying these microbes. The proprietary technology is ideal for high-traffic public areas where people congregate, such as bathrooms, conference rooms, collaboration spaces, kitchenettes, classrooms and doctor's exam rooms. Various independent third-party studies have shown a reduction of more than 90% in surface contamination from ActiveClean across these settings when used continually.

Most recently, a separate third-party study demonstrated efficacy results using ranges of light in the 400-420nm range on inactivating enveloped viruses such as influenza A and SARS-CoV-2.

Currently available in Amerlux's Linea and Gruv LED family of luminaires, ActiveClean offers two modes for providing robust, antimicrobial cleaning around the clock:

Single mode, which utilizes White Antimicrobial+Light to provide continuous antimicrobial activity and crisp, comfortable white task and ambient lighting in 3000K or 4000K with 80 CRI during standard working hours.

Dual mode, which pairs White Antimicrobial+Light with violet Enhanced Antimicrobial Light, the latter of which combines a unique blend of precisely tuned colors to deliver extra antimicrobial dosage in a single LED light diode for enhanced cleaning when spaces are vacant. Dual mode is only available in fixtures with an aperture size of 2.5" or greater.

For more information about the company's lighting solutions, call Amerlux at 973.850.4342.

About Amerlux

Amerlux creates bold lighting solutions that add warmth and brilliance to the world. The design-and-manufacture company builds long-term relationships with architects, facility managers and lighting designers by taking every complex problem personally. Its award-winning portfolio includes innovative interior and exterior lighting products that deliver striking aesthetics and rich performance through advanced engineering. Amerlux is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Electronics. For more information, please visit Amerlux.com or call 973.850.4342.

About Vyv

Vyv is a health tech company that has created a new kind of continuous cleaning protection. Vyv, formerly Vital Vio, offers proprietary continuous-use, non-UV antimicrobial light technology for homes, public places, and industry. Unlike hazardous UV light, Vyv meets international standards for continual and unrestricted use around people, animals, and plants. Today, Vyv LED light technology delivers a unique approach to creating environments that are inhospitable to the growth of bacteria, fungi, yeast, mold and mildew. As overhead lighting, Vyv can be found in food and pharmaceutical manufacturing, healthcare facilities, travel, transit and hospitality, retail, commercial and public buildings, and many other places. Vyv technology is also embedded inside commercial and consumer products and applications  shower lights that stop mold growth, behind cleaner elevator buttons and in many other diverse and creative spaces. For more information, visit vyv.tech.

*Testing on a non-enveloped virus (MS2 bacteriophage) showed a 99.985% reduction in controlled laboratory testing in six hours on hard surfaces. MRSA and E. coli showed 90%+ reduction in controlled laboratory testing in 24 hours on hard surfaces. Results may vary depending on the amount of light that is reaching the surfaces in the space where the product is installed and the length of time of exposure. Use of Vyv antimicrobial light is not intended to replace manual cleaning.

SOURCE Amerlux

Related Links

http://www.cmasolutions.com


"Running is not only a fantastic way to stay in great cardiovascular shape, but one of the best ways to strengthen our muscles and bone mass," noted Dr. Ken Redcross, Purity Products high-level advisor and product formulator. "However, the constant force versus walking creates more weighted impact to the knees and other joints, which may result in pain. We want to support the healthy efforts of runners and joggers with FLEXURON, which is like an oil can for the tinman, keeping our body's hinges lubricated, fluid, vital, and resilient."

Available online for $24.95, FLEXURON sets a new standard for joint comfort by combining 3 powerful ingredients in one small soft gel capsule, including:

Phospholipid-Rich Krill Oil: Krill Oil is a great source of Omega-3, which was shown to support normal joint comfort. The Omega-3 in FLEXURON  's Krill Oil is delivered as phospholipids, which carry the EPA & DHA components of Omega-3 directly into your cells, promoting absorption.

Krill Oil is a great source of Omega-3, which was shown to support normal joint comfort. The Omega-3 in FLEXURON 's Krill Oil is delivered as phospholipids, which carry the EPA & DHA components of Omega-3 directly into your cells, promoting absorption. Natural Astaxanthin: Astaxanthin is a versatile and effective antioxidant. The molecular structure of Astaxanthin gives it an exceptional ability to help mitigate oxidative stress in cells and tissues.

Astaxanthin is a versatile and effective antioxidant. The molecular structure of Astaxanthin gives it an exceptional ability to help mitigate oxidative stress in cells and tissues. Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid: FLEXURON contains Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid (sodium hyaluronate), a biological component of your body's connective tissue. Hyaluronic Acid serves as a building block for healthy joints and skin. This gel-like substance is the joint matrix's "shock absorber," making it a key component of healthy joint tissue.

For more information, go to: https://shop.purityproducts.com/

ABOUT Purity Products

With over 200 cutting-edge formulations serving well over one million customers, Purity Products stands at the intersection of science and innovation. Founded by Jahn Levin, President and CEO, in 1993, Purity Products bring the highest quality products manufactured using the strictest standards for safety and potency. The company has a special department that monitors and tests all products and procedures and holds supply partners to the same set principles and standards.

Contact: Jamie Yale, [email protected]

SOURCE Purity Products

Related Links

http://www.purityproducts.com


PRINCETON, N.J., May 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AST, the member-driven cooperative and leading provider of proactive patent defense solutions, has announced the upcoming launch of IP3 2021 (Industry Patent Purchase Program). IP3 connects patent sellers with AST's Member companies who span across multiple industries. These include companies such as ASSA ABLOY, Avaya, Cisco, Dolby, Facebook, Google, Honda, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, Philips, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Slack, Snap, Sony, Spotify, Twitter, Uber and Verizon, among others. This exposure to some of the world's largest leaders in technology provides sellers the opportunity to market their patents in the secondary market to a much broader audience than what they could find on their own. This is the sixth year that AST has offered this program with the goal of simplifying sellers' access to the secondary market by eliminating some of the common hassles that may accompany this process. IP3 has been carefully designed as a collaborative patent buying platform where the seller determines a fixed price and there is an established fixed term which results in a streamlined process.

This year's program will solicit patents for sale at a fixed price from an extensive group of technology areas. These 16 categories that can be found below have been arranged by priority of what we would like to see:

Advertising & Content Distribution

Cloud Computing & Web Services

Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML)

Augmented (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR)

Internet of Things (IoT) & Smart Home

Blockchain & Financial Services

Retail & E-commerce

Health Tech & Healthcare IT

Medical Devices & Imaging

Automotive/ Mobility

Wireless & Telecommunication

Location-Based Services (LBS) & Navigation

Computer Software & Hardware

Semiconductor Manufacturing & Equipment

Industrial & Manufacturing

LED Lighting & Optoelectronics

Last year's IP3 program received a record number of submissions from 365 sellers and closed 29 deals amid budget constraints and other challenges caused by Covid-19. IP3 2020 attracted strong interest from both patent sellers and Member companies which included Cisco, Facebook, Google, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, Snap, Twitter, Uber, and Verizon, among others, spending $2.85 million to acquire 31 patent families. AST launched IP3 in 2016 based on Google's 2015 patent purchase program because AST was well-suited to offer an industry wide program that would foster a collaborative environment among companies. The technology categories will remain the same as last year.

Also continuing in 2021, the portfolios are listed on a non-exclusive basis until the final phase of IP3 2021. This means that patent sellers may continue to market their offerings during the IP3 program. But if a seller's offering is still available during the last 8 days of the program, they must sell to IP3 if their price is met.

"This is our sixth IP3 program and it has been exciting to see the growth each year with new sellers, increased submissions, and more interest among AST Members. These fixed priced, fixed term programs offer a lot of advantages for both sellers and buyers and we look forward to another successful program," said Russell W. Binns, Jr., CEO of AST. "Last year our Members were pleased with the variety of submissions that we had received due to having more than half of the submissions being first-time submissions which drove Member participation in a difficult year. We are looking to continue that trend this year and hope to see many new and high-quality patents during our June submission window."

Binns added: "We often hear from our Members that having the opportunity to participate in programs like IP3 provides a unique opportunity to take advantage of group thinking and the wisdom of the crowd when it comes to purchasing patents, and makes for an efficient, productive buying experience. Because of this, we continue to evolve the IP3 program according to Member and seller feedback. We want to be certain that we are providing an easy, fast and efficient process that benefits both our Members' businesses and the patent seller community."

How to Submit Patents for Sale

Patent sellers and brokers are welcome to submit their patents for sale at a price they set via the AST IP3 portal: www.ast.com/IP3 from June 21 through July 2, 2021. AST will consider submissions in the technology areas outlined above for this installment of IP3. Sellers need only identify the patent family and fixed price at which they are willing to transact. Each submission should contain only related assets, and a preference will be made for single family submissions or related families.

AST's preference is to review new patent portfolios, although sellers who already submitted their patents to AST's Standard program, where the price is negotiable, can also participate in IP3 2021 by transferring their submission. For additional information on how to transfer the submissions, contact us at [email protected].

At the end of the submission period, AST and its Members will review all the submissions and let the submitters know whether there is interest in a purchase by September 27, 2021, if not sooner. AST will also let submitters know whether there is no interest in a purchase through IP3 as soon as possible, and no later than September 27, 2021. Once AST contacts sellers about purchasing their patents, there will be additional diligence which will enable transaction closure in short order. It is anticipated that all transactions and payments will be completed by the end of 2021. From the time patents are submitted to September 19, submitters must let us know if their offering is sold and no longer available or encumbered. After September 20, submitters must sell to IP3 if their price is met and they are notified of an intent to purchase by September 27, 2021.

To obtain more detailed information about IP3 2021, please visit ast.com/IP3. All pertinent IP3 documents, such as the applicable patent assignment agreement and terms and conditions can be downloaded here. Participating sellers are encouraged to consult with an attorney prior to their submission to fully understand the terms and conditions of this program. Throughout this process, AST reserves the right not to transact for any reason.

About AST

AST was founded in 2007 by four global high-tech companies as a member-driven cooperative to mitigate patent risk and to operate with no profit motive. AST serves the world's most innovative and recognized technology companies through the cost-sharing acquisition of patent rights; provides access to the most comprehensive database of patents offered in the secondary market; offers Quarterly Market Insights reporting; and facilitates a community for IP thought leaders to interact and form business relationships.

AST's Members include over 40 top global companies from a wide range of industries including ASSA ABLOY, Avaya, Cisco, Dolby, Facebook, Google, Honda, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, Philips, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Slack, SNAP, Sony, Spotify, Twitter, Uber and Verizon. For more information on AST, please visit http://www.ast.com.

Related Images

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AST

SOURCE AST - Allied Security Trust
MEXICO CITY, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: ASR; BMV: ASUR) ("ASUR" or the "Company") ASUR, a leading international airport group with operations in Mexico, the U.S. and Colombia, per request of the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission ("CNBV") today announced that the U.S. Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) has downgraded the Mexican Government to Category 1 from Category 2.

Click here to read the FAA Announcement.

About ASUR

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. (ASUR) is a leading international airport operator with a portfolio of concessions to operate, maintain and develop 16 airports in the Americas. This comprises nine airports in southeast Mexico, including Cancun Airport, the most important tourist destination in Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America, and six airports in northern Colombia, including Medellin international airport (Rio Negro), the second busiest in Colombia. ASUR is also a 60% JV partner in Aerostar Airport Holdings, LLC, operator of the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport serving the capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan. San Juan's Airport is the island's primary gateway for international and mainland-US destinations and was the first, and currently the only major airport in the US to have successfully completed a publicprivate partnership under the FAA Pilot Program. Headquartered in Mexico, ASUR is listed both on the Mexican Bolsa, where it trades under the symbol ASUR, and on the NYSE in the U.S., where it trades under the symbol ASR. One ADS represents ten (10) series B shares. For more information, visit www.asur.com.mx

SOURCE Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V.

Related Links

http://www.asur.com.mx


NEW YORK, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Atento S.A. (NYSE: ATTO), one of the five largest providers of customer relationship and business process outsourcing (CRM/BPO) services worldwide based on revenues, and leader in Latin America, announces the launch of its Virtual Hub, the first command center aimed at optimizing operations in telecommuting models. During the first stage and employing state-of-the-art technology, the hub will allow for the management of more than eighty thousand working-at-home agents (WAHA) supporting companies across several industries.

The Virtual Hub was designed to respond to new customer demands as an add-on solution for the [email protected] solution. This remote working model allowed Atento to switch over half of its workforce to telecommute during the pandemic, guaranteeing the continuity of operations in a flexible and agile way. As a result, the remote model has boosted productivity to 75.3%, up by 1.3 percentage points compared to January 2020, raising at the same time the employees' satisfaction levels.

"Atento Virtual Hub is another step we are taking into transforming CX. Our clients will now have a single centralized point where they will be able to manage all remote operations of the team as a whole, from agent recruiting and training to campaign development, everything under strict security protocols managed on an agile way with a global approach", said Carlos Lopez-Abadia, Atento's CEO.

The solution, which is based on cloud technology, offers high flexibility, is not limited to a specific location and can be adapted to the client's operational needs in minimal time. In addition, any company, regardless of the sector, can have a hub directly connected with offices worldwide, thus achieving global operational management.

Agent recruitment and hiring processes, for example, will be fully coordinated online from the virtual hub location through advanced technology and real-time operational management that includes supervision, monitoring, and reporting for the various campaigns.

Prioritizing safety

Cybersecurity has become a high priority for businesses, and even more critical with the remote work model, as data breaches from cyberattacks can cause significant damages to businesses. This aspect is one of the biggest concerns for security managers at companies, who see external attacks, malware and accidental email information leaks as the principal vulnerabilities to be reinforced in any organization.

With this in mind, Atento's Virtual Hub will have biometric recognition, two-factor authentication, secure connection via VPN, information security controls, among other protocols, to guarantee data protection. In addition to virtual security, the hub will feature high levels and physical security protocols such as facial recognition for entrance and operational alarm screens.

Atento's Virtual Hub was launched during a face-to-face and virtual corporate event, which included managers and customers from several countries. In the event, the Company revealed that Mexico was chosen as the first country to offer this new management model.

About Atento

Atento is one of the world's top five providers of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing (CRM/BPO) services and a leader in Latin America. Atento is also a leading provider of NEARshoring CRM/BPO services for companies operating in the United States. Since 1999, the company has developed its business model in 13 countries and has a presence in Spain and a workforce of 150,000 employees. Atento has more than 400 customers to which it provides a wide range of CRM/BPO services through multiple channels. Its clients are leading multinational companies in sectors such as technology, new digital enterprises, telecommunications, finance, healthcare, consumer consumption and public administration, among others. Atento shares are traded under the symbol ATTO on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2019, Atento was recognized by Great Place to Work as one of the 25 Best Multinationals to Work in the World and as one of the 25 Best Multinationals to work in Latin America. For more information www.atento.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "intends," "continue" or similar terminology. These statements reflect only Atento's current expectations and are not guarantees of future performance or results. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic, and governments' extraordinary measures to limit the spread of the virus, are disrupting the global economy and Atento's industry, and consequently adversely affecting the Company's business, results of operation and cash flows and, as conditions are recent, uncertain and changing rapidly, it is difficult to predict the full extent of the impact that the pandemic will have. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, competition in Atento's highly competitive industries; increases in the cost of voice and data services or significant interruptions in these services; Atento's ability to keep pace with its clients' needs for rapid technological change and systems availability; the continued deployment and adoption of emerging technologies; the loss, financial difficulties or bankruptcy of any key clients; the effects of global economic trends on the businesses of Atento's clients; the non-exclusive nature of Atento's client contracts and the absence of revenue commitments; security and privacy breaches of the systems Atento uses to protect personal data; the cost of pending and future litigation; the cost of defending Atento against intellectual property infringement claims; extensive regulation affecting many of Atento's businesses; Atento's ability to protect its proprietary information or technology; service interruptions to Atento's data and operation centers; Atento's ability to retain key personnel and attract a sufficient number of qualified employees; increases in labor costs and turnover rates; the political, economic and other conditions in the countries where Atento operates; changes in foreign exchange rates; Atento's ability to complete future acquisitions and integrate or achieve the objectives of its recent and future acquisitions; future impairments of our substantial goodwill, intangible assets, or other long-lived assets; and Atento's ability to recover consumer receivables on behalf of its clients. In addition, Atento is subject to risks related to its level of indebtedness. Such risks include Atento's ability to generate sufficient cash to service its indebtedness and fund its other liquidity needs; Atento's ability to comply with covenants contained in its debt instruments; the ability to obtain additional financing; the incurrence of significant additional indebtedness by Atento and its subsidiaries; and the ability of Atento's lenders to fulfill their lending commitments. Atento is also subject to other risk factors described in documents filed by the comp any with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which the statements were made. Atento undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Atento S.A.

Related Links

http://www.atento.com


DUBLIN, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Australia Data Center Market - Investment Analysis and Growth Opportunities 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Australia Data Center Market Size Will Witness Investments Of USD 40 Million By 2026



Greenfield development is increasing with both global and local data center providers acquiring land for data center development for expanding existing facilities and new facilities. For instance, Digital Realty acquired 16.2 hectares of land in Sydney.

The Australia data center market has a strong presence of infrastructure vendors, who offer installation and commissioning services such as Everett Smith, CRS, Stowe Australia, Thycon, Paramount Airconditioning, and more.



Key Highlights of The Report:

In 2020, around 75% of the Australia data center market share was contributed by 7 major service providers in the region.

data center market share was contributed by 7 major service providers in the region. Sydney is expected to have around 8 upcoming facilities in Australia during the forecast period.

is expected to have around 8 upcoming facilities in during the forecast period. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Australian cloud service market has grown by over 15% rendering around USD 10 billion in revenue.

in revenue. In April 2020 , Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) acquired an 88% stake in AirTrunk valued at around USD 2 billion .

, Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) acquired an 88% stake in AirTrunk valued at around . Cities such as Perth and Brisbane will see investments from wholesale colocation providers during the forecast period. While Sydney , Canberra , and Melbourne attracted major investments from wholesale colocation providers, as of 2020.

and will see investments from wholesale colocation providers during the forecast period. While , , and attracted major investments from wholesale colocation providers, as of 2020. Digital transformation, cloud adoption, and investment in IoT technology to be big drivers in the Australia data center market landscape.

Australia Data Center Market Insights

There are over 100+ colocation facilities in the region.

Sydney leads the market with the presence of over 30 facilities and the occupancy rate stands at over 85% of installed capacity across Sydney and Melbourne .

leads the market with the presence of over 30 facilities and the occupancy rate stands at over 85% of installed capacity across and . In 2020, due to COVID-19, there was an average revenue growth between 16% to 18% for all providers in the region.

In 2019, the Australian Government has signed an agreement with Microsoft to provide cloud-based services to the 98 government agencies, aiming to transform into a digital government by 2025.

Organizations from different industry verticals such as healthcare, agriculture, asset management, facility management, and more are investing in IoT technology to improve productivity internally and for customers and attracting significant data center investments to the country.

Australia has the presence of big data support service providers, including IBM, AWS, Dell, Google, Microsoft, and a few emerging local vendors such as Contexti, EngineRoom.io, and YellowFi.

Australia Data Center Market Vendor Landscape



The Australia data center market has a presence of several IT infrastructure providers, construction contractors, support infrastructure providers, and investors. The region witnessed the entry of new players, such as Edge Data Centres, in the edge data center space, which will be investing in edge facilities across New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. For instance, DCI Data Centers is a wholesale data center provider operating in Australia. They are involved in constructing the SYD02 facility which is expected to be operational by 2022.



IT Infrastructure Providers

Arista Networks

Atos

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

IBM

Juniper Networks

Lenovo

NetApp

Construction Service Providers

AECOM

AREA3

Aurecon Group

Benmax

Bouygues Construction (A W Edwards)

DEM

FDC Construction & Fitout Pty Ltd

Greenbox Architecture

HDR ( Hurley Palmer Flatt )

) Hutchinson Builders

ICON

ISG

John Holland Group

Linesight

Nilsen

Paramount Airconditioning

Parratech

Stowe Australia

Taylor Group Construction

Support Infrastructure Providers

ABB

Caterpillar

Condair Group

Cummins

Delta Electronics

Eaton

Everett Smith & Co

& Co HITEC Power Protection

IoTDC

Legrand

Piller Power Systems

Rittal

Rolls-Royce Power Systems

Schneider Electric

STULZ

Thycon

Vertiv Group

Data Center Investors

AirTrunk Operating

Canberra Data Centres

DC Two

DCI Data Centers

Digital Realty

Edge Data Centres

Equinix

Fujitsu

Iseek

Keppel DC REIT

Macquarie Telecom Group

NEXTDC

The report segments data center investment by the following areas:



Market Segmentation by Infrastructure Type

IT Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

Market Segmentation by IT Infrastructure

Server

Storage

Network

Market Segmentation by Electrical Infrastructure

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

Generators

Transfer Switches and Switchgears

Rack PDUs

Other Electrical Infrastructure

Market Segmentation by Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

Rack Cabinets

Other Mechanical Infrastructure

Market Segmentation by General Construction

Building Development

Installation and Commissioning Services

Building Design

Physical Security

DCIM

Market Segmentation by Tier Segments

Tier I & Tier II

Tier III

Tier IV

Market Segmentation by Geography

Sydney

Melbourne

Other Cities

Why Should You Buy This Research?

Market size is available in terms of area, power capacity, investment, and colocation revenue.

An assessment of the Australia data center investment in the market by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators

data center investment in the market by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators Data center investments in terms of area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across cities in the country

A detailed study of the existing Australian data center market landscape, an in-depth industry analysis, and insightful predictions about the Australia data center market size during the forecast period

data center market size during the forecast period Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party facilities in Australia

Facilities Covered (Existing): 106

Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 15

Coverage: 11 Cities

Existing vs Upcoming (Data Center Area)

Existing vs Upcoming (IT Load Capacity)

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

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

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Frequently Asked Questions-

What are the major trends in the market?

Development of next-generation telematics protocol is one of the major trends in the market.

At what rate is the market projected to grow?

Growing at a CAGR of almost 3%, the incremental growth of the market is anticipated to be 5.22 million units.

Who are the top players in the market?

Aptiv Plc, Continental AG, DENSO Corp., Quectel Wireless Solutions Co. Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH, STMicroelectronics NV, Telit Communications Plc, Texas Instruments Inc., Thales Group, and u-blox Holding AG are some of the major market participants.

What are the key market drivers and challenges?

Increasing number of accidents is one of the major factors driving the market. However, the low return on investment for OEMs while establishing standalone eCall system infrastructure restraints the market growth.

How big is the Europe market?

The Europe region will contribute 67% of market growth.

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Motor Racing Telematics Market by Application and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024: The motor racing telematics market size has the potential to grow by 20.92 thousand units during 2020-2024, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate during the forecast period. To get extensive research insights: Download Our Exclusive Sample Report

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The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Aptiv Plc, Continental AG, DENSO Corp., Quectel Wireless Solutions Co. Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH, STMicroelectronics NV, Telit Communications Plc, Texas Instruments Inc., Thales Group, and u-blox Holding AG are some of the major market participants. The increasing number of accidents will offer immense growth opportunities.

In a bid to help players strengthen their market foothold, this automotive eCall market forecast report provides a detailed analysis of the leading market vendors. The report also empowers industry honchos with information on the competitive landscape and insights into the different product offerings offered by various companies.

Technavio's custom research reports offer detailed insights on the impact of COVID-19 at an industry level, a regional level, and subsequent supply chain operations. This customized report will also help clients keep up with new product launches in direct & indirect COVID-19 related markets, upcoming vaccines and pipeline analysis, and significant developments in vendor operations and government regulations.

Automotive eCall Market 2021-2025: Segmentation

Automotive eCall Market is segmented as below:

Technology

Standard Installation



TPS Installation

Geography

Europe



North America



APAC



South America



MEA

To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR44924

Automotive eCall Market 2021-2025: Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. The automotive eCall market report covers the following areas:

Automotive eCall Market Size

Automotive eCall Market Trends

Automotive eCall Market Analysis

This study identifies the development of next-generation telematics protocol as one of the prime reasons driving the Automotive eCall Market growth during the next few years.

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Automotive eCall Market 2021-2025: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025

Detailed information on factors that will assist automotive eCall market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the automotive eCall market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the automotive eCall market across Europe , North America , APAC, South America , and MEA

, , APAC, , and MEA Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of automotive eCall market vendors

Table of Contents:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2020

Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025

Five Forces Analysis

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 Technology

Market segments

Comparison by Technology

Standard installation - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

TPS installation - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Market opportunity by Technology

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Overview

Vendor landscape

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

Aptiv Plc

Continental AG

DENSO Corp.

Quectel Wireless Solutions Co. Ltd.

Robert Bosch GmbH

STMicroelectronics NV

Telit Communications Plc

Texas Instruments Inc.

Thales Group

u-blox Holding AG

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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/automotive-ecall-market-industry-analysis

SOURCE Technavio
PHILADELPHIA, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. (NYSE: AXTA) today announced the appointment of Jacqueline Scanlan as Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, effective June 14, 2021.



"I am thrilled to welcome Jackie to Axalta and our leadership team," said Robert Bryant, Chief Executive Officer at Axalta. "She will play a pivotal role as we look to continue to build our organization and culture to support our aggressive growth plans. Jackie is a business-focused leader with expertise in building world-class human resource organizations and in developing high-performing, engaged workforces. She will help us continue to attract, retain, and develop the best people to drive performance at Axalta."



Scanlan joins Axalta from Haemonetics, a publicly traded global medical technology company, where she served as Senior Vice President, Global Human Resources, leading the company's integrated HR strategy worldwide, including culture and employee engagement, talent management, compensation and benefits, HR operations, and communications. Previously, she served in roles of increasing responsibility at Novo Nordisk, Campbell Soup Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Accenture. Scanlan earned her B.A. in Political Science from St. Joseph's University and her M.A. in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania.

"I look forward to joining Axalta and leveraging the Human Resources function as a strategic partner to the business to drive growth and further unlock the potential of Axalta's talented teams," said Scanlan.

Scanlan is assuming the role previously held by Senior Vice President Lynne Sprinkle, who will be leaving the Company in June. "I want to thank Lynne for her dedication and many accomplishments over these past years, including the strong and dedicated HR team that she has built," said Bryant.

About Axalta Coating Systems

Axalta is a global leader in the coatings industry, providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable coatings solutions. From light vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish applications to electric motors, building facades and other industrial applications, our coatings are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enhance durability. With more than 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, the global team at Axalta continues to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in over 130 countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and technology. For more information, visit axalta.com and follow us @axalta on Twitter.





Axalta Coating Systems 2001 Market Street Suite 3600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 USA Media Contact Michael Lane P +1.610-358-6388 [email protected] www.axalta.com

SOURCE Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.

Related Links

http://www.axalta.com


DALLAS, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Once again, Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP (BAL) has earned the title of the #1 most diverse law firm in the United States. For the second year in a row, the trailblazing immigration firm landed the #1 spot on The American Lawyer's 2021 Diversity Scorecard, the industry's preeminent ranking of racial diversity in the legal field. BAL ranked #1 out of 220 firms nationwide.

"We are pleased to continue to lead the industry on this critical issue at such a pivotal time," said Jeremy Fudge, the firm's Managing Partner. "At BAL, we have always understood that our strength as an organization comes from our diversity. We empower every individual to contribute their unique perspectives to the conversation and to our shared mission to make a positive difference."

While most law firms continue to lag behind on racial diversity, BAL topped the Diversity Score at 74.7  the second-place firm was 5.6 points lower. The Diversity Score is calculated by adding the percentage of minority attorneys and percentage of minority partners. Half of BAL's 175 attorneys (49.7%) and one in four BAL Partners (25%) are racial minorities. Additionally, BAL scored #1 for having the highest percentage of minority equity partners (28.6%) and for having the highest percentage of Asian-American attorneys (26.9%). BAL is also among the top five law firms in the country for the highest percentage of Latinx attorneys (16%).

"We are a truly vibrant and multicultural workplace, and we have been intentional about putting in place a host of programs to ensure that we remain diverse and inclusive," said Rob Caballero, a Partner who oversees the firm's Austin, Houston and New York offices. "We continue to learn from each other and celebrate the diversity of our communities to best serve our clients, who are from all corners of the world."

Last year, the firm launched dozens of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives that have helped facilitate cross-cultural connections and open discussions about topics such as Black Lives Matter and the rise in hate crimes against the AAPI community. The Diversity Scorecard also ranks BAL among the top 10 firms in the country with the most minority partners. The Diversity Scorecard is based on the average number of full-time minority attorneysAsian-American, Black, Latinx or Hispanic, Native American and self-described multiracial attorneysat Am Law 200 and National Law Journal 250 law firms.

"As a multiracial attorney who has seen the firm's diversity flourish through the years, I'm so proud that BAL's outstanding diversity and inclusion efforts are being recognized nationally, and that we are leading the way for other law firms," said Petra Tang, a Partner in the firm's San Francisco office.

About Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP (BAL)

BAL, one of the world's most recognized corporate immigration law firms, is the Best Lawyers "Law Firm of the Year" in U.S. Immigration Law for 2019, the Most Diverse Law Firm in America (2020) and the Best Law Firm for Women (2019 and 2020). BAL's Cobalt digital immigration services platform won the 2020 CODiE Award for Best Legal Tech Product and the prestigious CIO100 award for Innovation Use of Intelligent Automation in Immigration Services. BAL is singularly focused on meeting the immigration challenges of corporate clients around the world in ways that make immigration more strategic and enable clients to be more successful. Established in 1980, BAL has consistently provided immigration expertise, top-notch information security and leading technology innovation. The firm entered into a strategic alliance with Deloitte UK to create the world's first global immigration service delivery model. BAL and its leaders are highly ranked in every major legal publication, including Best Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, and Who's Who Legal. See website for details: https://www.balglobal.com/.

SOURCE Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP

Related Links

https://www.balglobal.com


ATLANTA, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BioIQ, an analytics-driven population health and testing platform company for top employers, health plans, and government agencies, was recently announced as a 2021 Georgia Fast 40 program honoree by the Atlanta National Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth. The annual program recognizes the top 40 fastest growing, for profit, middle market companies headquartered in the state of Georgia. Honorees are selected based on growth performance factors.

2021 Georgia Fast 40 applicants were required to submit three years of revenue and employment data, which was validated by Cherry Bekaert LLP. Qualified applicants were then evaluated and interviewed by an ACG Selection Committee tasked with choosing the final 40 honorees. BioIQ was recognized for achieving record revenue growth from 2018 to 2020, with significant gains attributable to the company's work bringing cutting-edge diagnostic solutions into its at-home, mobile, retail, and worksite health testing and vaccination ecosystem for employers, health plans, and government entities.

"The commitment of the BioIQ team and our scalable technology platform enabled us to quickly respond to support traditional client population health needs as well as challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic," said BioIQ Founder, President, and COO Justin Bellante. "We remain focused on our mission to bring improved access and convenience to population health programs and we thank the Association for Corporate Growth for recognizing our efforts to modernize and disrupt the diagnostic health testing industry."

"These companies represent more than 6,600 new jobs and nearly 2.4 billion dollars in revenue growth over the last three years," said Michelle Galvani, chairperson of the Georgia Fast 40 Awards and Executive Managing Director with Wildmor Advisors. "In speaking with many of the CEOs, the supportive business environment and accessibility of capital are contributors to growth. By far the biggest challenge is tightness of the labor market. We are proud to honor these companies."

ACG Atlanta will present awards at the Georgia Fast 40 celebration at the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead on June 24, 2021. To view the full list of 2021 Georgia Fast 40 honorees, visit https://www.acg.org/atlanta/events/georgia-fast-40-awards-celebration/2021-honorees.

To learn more about BioIQ's innovative technology platform for health screening, testing, and vaccination programs for employers, health plans, and government entities, visit www.bioiq.com.

About BioIQ

BioIQ is modernizing the diagnostic testing industry through a national network of labs and customized solutions that support payors, employers, and consumers. By aggregating testing solutions, optimizing lab capacity, and integrating testing with customers' needs and strategies, BioIQ ensures resilience and reliability so that employers and payors can protect workforces and members. With its first-of-its-kind health connectivity platform, BioIQ is uniquely positioned at the convergence of population health and the consumerization and retailization of healthcare to drive the shift to value-based care for payers and employers. Since 2005, BioIQ has launched thousands of successful health testing programs serving millions of participants. For more information, visit www.bioiq.com.

About ACG Atlanta

ACG's Global Network comprises more than 100,000 middle market professionals from corporations, private equity, finance, and professional service firms representing Fortune 500, Fortune1000, FTSE 100, and mid-market companies in 59 chapters in North America and Europe. Founded in 1974, ACG Atlanta is one of the oldest and most active chapters, providing the area's executives and professionals a unique forum for exchanging ideas and experiences concerning organic and acquisitive growth. Programs include M&A South (formerly the Atlanta ACG Capital Connection, The Georgia Fast 40 Honoree Awards and Celebration, a Wine Tasting Reception, a Deal of the Year event as well as an active Women's Forum and Young Professionals group.

BioIQ Contact:

Judson Phillips

VP Marketing

805-504-8586 x 7

[email protected]

SOURCE BioIQ

Related Links

https://www.bioiq.com


South Africa: Digital Vibes contract "irregular, fruitless and wasteful"

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize says a contract awarded to Digital Vibes communications company was "irregular" and that disciplinary action against all those implicated is underway.

The matter relates to the R150 million COVID-19 and National Health Insurance communications service contract scored by Digital Vibes.

Mkhizes former personal assistant, Naadhira Mitha and Tahera Mather, who worked with him when he was Treasurer-General at the ANCs Luthuli House, run the company.

Addressing media on the ongoing probe into the contract with his department, Mkhize confirmed that the investigation found that the process of appointing Digital Vibes was irregular.

The irregularity findings range from the inconsistencies in the bid committees to lack of disclosure of conflict of interest, Mkhize said on Wednesday.

The investigators have also uncovered that an amount of about R37 million paid to Digital Vibes constitutes fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

According to Mkhize, the service provider received requests for work from the National Department of Health (NDoH) before their contract was expanded to include COVID-19 communication, which resulted in a financial commitment of some R35 million that NDoH ended up paying.

The investigators, therefore, concluded that any amount which was paid to Digital Vibes for any work done in relation to COVID-19 communication before the approval of the expansion to include COVID-19 work was irregular, as the expenditure was incurred in contravention of Treasury regulations.

As a result, Mkhize said the total of R150 002 607 that was paid to the company by NDoH between 29 January 2020 and February 2021 was irregular and should be reported by the stipulations of the Public Finance Management Act.

The Minister said the Health Director-General has since formally reported this to National Treasury.

I can also confirm that the process of consequence management, which is taking disciplinary action against all implicated individuals, is also underway.

He confirmed that the legal process to recover funds has also commenced.

The investigations

Mkhize, during Wednesdays virtual media briefing, disclosed how the investigation unfolded.

Health Director-General, Dr Sandile Buthelezi, received the final Auditor-General (AG) report, together with a management report, in December last year.

In the report, the AG believes that the department was being overcharged for services that could have been provided more economically by other service providers.

The auditors then recommended that the department interrogate the rates charged by Digital Vibes and benchmark them against other service providers.

From the outset, I wish to publicly state that the outrage, anger, questions, comments, expression of disappointment and disgust by members of the public with what has been reported in the media regarding this Digital Vibes contract is well justified, said Mkhize.

According to the Minister, this is when he requested the Director-General to hand over this investigation to internal audit and appoint a firm of investigators to scrutinise all the documents related to this contract.

The probe also looked into the Ministers role in these administrative processes and interviewed various officials in this regard.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU), as per the Presidential proclamation regarding all COVID-19 allegations of corruption, also looked into the matter. The department has also hired the Ngubane Tax Assurance Advisory Firm.

Reports

Mkhize confirmed that the Director-General received the forensic investigation initiated by the department on Friday last week, while the final report was issued on Monday.

Both the SIU and the President were given the final report on Tuesday.

This is because when this matter came up and my name was linked to it, I had a duty to report to the President as my superior and had undertaken to keep him appraised, the Minister said.

Mkhize said he was aware of the narrative that the contract was awarded to his associates and that he may have used his influence.

However, the Minister said he does not regard Mitha and Mather as his personal friends.

They are certainly my comrades. I have worked with them in the ordinary course of my political or official duties and this is not unusual.

Meanwhile, he said his programmes are coordinated directly by his office and department and that all public addresses were prepared and drafted by himself and ministry officials.

There were no speeches which were ever prepared by a service provider and all core content was developed by the Department of Health officials.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-05-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The photo shows workers loading parsley to be sold to neighboring provinces into a truck at a family farm in Suixi County of Huaibei City, May 22. In recent years, Suixi County has been steadily developing the vegetable industry through promoting efficient farming with distinctive local features. It seeks to increase local farmers' income by gradually optimizing vegetable varieties, standardizing production process, expanding planting bases, adopting market-oriented sales strategies, and systematizing cooperations.
Trading for the first six weeks of the new financial year has been ahead of the same period in 2019 and of guidance

Marks & Spencer Group PLC ( ) said that trading for the first six weeks of the new financial year has been ahead of the same period two years ago and of guidance, though it posted a full-year loss.

Store sales in the Food business showed strong growth although hospitality and franchise remain adversely affected, with Clothing & Home sales growing since reopening and online remaining robust. International sales continue to be impacted by ongoing restrictions, particularly in India.

The FTSE 250 group said this performance is encouraging but it is unclear how the recovery will develop and if consumer activity will sustain in Clothing & Home.

Online sales in the partnership with ( ) are also expected to normalise as people spend less time at home and dont feel the need to buy online anymore.

Brexit remains also a headwind for its high costs, mostly due to admin on exports of food, particularly to the island of Ireland. This includes additional supply chain costs at Motherwell and Faversham depots, as well as costs of a digital track and trace platform, additional variable cost per tray, veterinary certification, and costs of change. Potential tariffs relate to duty on exports of Clothing & Home and elements of the Food catalogue into the EU.

COVID-19 costs are expected to dwindle down, offsetting an increase in base pay rates, costs related to transformation and higher variable costs such as online fulfilment.

In the medium term, M&S said it is positioned to expand further in convenience, build sales through larger renewed stores and progressively improve profitability, while Ocado will increase capacity by 50%.

The grocer is also targeting over 40% of Clothing & Home revenue online in three years, with an overall operating margin ahead of 2019/20 levels.

In the year to 27 March, revenue was down by a tenth to 8.9bn, with Food up 1% and Clothing & Home down 31%.

The group bagged a net profit of 78mln from the Ocado joint venture, though it swung to a 202mln loss before tax from a 67mln profit a year ago.

Net debt was 3.5bn from 3.9bn in 2020 and a dividend was not declared.

Peel Hunt raised the target price from 120p to 150p and noted that the work done on pricing perception in the food segment is delivering results.

"To say all the challenges are over would be a gross misstatement. The picture for Clothing & Home remains very tricky," analysts at Hargreaves Lansdown noted.

"The work being done to streamline the store estate and drag more of the business online must be applauded, but its too early to call if these gargantuan efforts have simply come too late. A restructuring effort this intense comes with huge risk, and theres a chance the profit and cash outflows that come with it stretch further into the future than M&S is planning for.

Shares rose 4% to 162.92p on Wednesday morning.

--Adds analyst comment, shares--
MADRID, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bit2Me , the Spanish cryptocurrency platform, has just launched Bit2Me Trade, the first high-frequency cryptocurrency trading platform developed by a Spanish exchange. Bit2me Trade is a tool aimed at investors and traders interested in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, born to provide high liquidity with a minimum spread on trades.

Bit2Me launches this new functionality in beta mode for the Bitcoin EUR Market. However, the service will be expanded in the coming months with new pairs to include major cryptocurrencies.

The platform can manage hundreds of millions of euros 24/7, and it contains a configurable panel with more than 100 indicators of technical analysis or statistics of the last 24 hours, among other features.

Bit2Me Trade is integrated into the Bit2Me service Suite  which includes more than 50 cryptocurrencies  so any registered user can access it without having to create a new account and trade in the market through this tool, as well as manage their cryptocurrencies and euros from Bit2Me Wallet.

Growing Interest in Bitcoin

According to a study published by Glassnode, only 22 % of existing bitcoins are currently in circulation on the real market, which portends a great future for Cryptocurrency, due to its scarcity.

Moreover, according to Google Trends, Google's Search Trends tool, queries about bitcoin have increased fourfold in the last year. Bit2Me has reflected this adoption trend with a growth of almost 400 % in user registration.

One of Bit2Me Trade's main features is its customer service system, available by phone, chat, or email in nine languages. "There is nothing more stressful than having a doubt or an incident and not being able to phone anyone, so we thought it would be interesting to offer this possibility," says Andrei Manuel, COO and founder of Bit2Me.

The Suite of crypto products has a virtual Academy where users can train and learn to understand and make their own decisions. In addition to this service, Bit2Me already offers more than 20 solutions for all types of users, from beginners to experts, investors, or institutions. Bit2Me does not provide tax, financial, or any other type of advice, but rather provides users with the tools they need to take full control.

Leif Ferreira, CEO of Bit2Me, points out that "with Bit2Me Wallet we respond to the needs of the most inexperienced clients, and with OTC we offer large operations to institutions. Now, with Bit2Me Trade, we address professional users and traders, thus closing the circle".

About Bit2Me

Bit2Me is an industry-leading platform in the cryptocurrency sector in Spain whose service Suite incorporates more than 20 solutions to buy, manage and sell cryptocurrencies and euros in one place, simply and safely. Bit2Me has private clients, professionals, and companies in many countries around the world and has managed transactions worth more than 1 billion since it was created in 2015. Also, its Suite has more than fifty virtual currencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, Ripple, Dogecoin, or Polkadot.

In January this year, FORBES magazine selected Bit2Me as one of the companies in Spain that will drive change in 2021. Since its creation in 2015, the company has received numerous awards in the financial sector, such as Global Winner of the international competition sponsored by Visa; Best Spanish Startup 2015 by CaixaBank; Best Business Model by Deloitte; and has also been invited by the European Commission to present and discuss Bitcoin and Blockchain technology on multiple occasions.

One of Bit2Me's first initiatives after its creation was the launch of Bit2Me Academy, which trains more than 1.7 million students every year. Bit2Me Academy is the largest cryptocurrency training portal in Spanish today, with more than 400 free articles, certified courses, and videos for those interested in learning about the birth, functioning, and evolution of cryptocurrencies and blockchain.

* Bit2Me Trade is not an investment service, nor is it supervised by any financial authority. Cryptocurrencies are not financial instruments or currencies under current legislation.

SOURCE Bit2Me
OTTAWA, Ontario, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Brane Capital, a leading North American cryptocurrency custodian, announced today that Jerome Dwight, the company's president, will participate in the Global Digital Asset and Cryptocurrency Association's (Global DCA) Crypto Connection 2021 Conference. The conference's speakers include prominent crypto investors Mark Cuban and Mark Novogratz.

Prior to joining Brane in February 2021, Dwight served as CEO for Bank of New York Mellon's Canadian operations, and as Global Market Head at RBC, as well as extensive leadership experience in fintech. He recently delivered a keynote at the 2021 Canadian Fintech Summit on the implications of blockchain and crypto for the financial services sector.

"Brane has rapidly established itself as a leader in digital asset custody by combining cutting-edge technology, a robust risk management framework, and a regulatory-first approach driven by our experienced leadership team," said Dwight. "Industry participation and collaboration is essential to instilling confidence and credibility in the blockchain ecosystem, and we're pleased to support Global DCA's efforts to advance those objectives."

Global DCA's Crypto Connection 2021 conference is focused on the rapid institutional adoption of cryptocurrency and digital assets. Dwight will be featured on a panel on servicing of digital assets on Tuesday, June 8th at 3:00 pm EDT.

Participants can register to access the panel discussion and conference at: https://bit.ly/2QOIcMG

For more information:

Adam Miron

Interim-CEO & Chairman

Brane Capital

613-986-2422

[email protected]

https://brane.capital/

Founded in 2017, Brane is a blockchain innovation company. Brane helps organizations understand and unlock the power of the blockchain and digital assets. Brane Vault, its digital asset custody service, is ISO 27001 certified  first in the world with cryptocurrency in scope, ISO 27017 certified, and NIST Tier 4  the first company in Canada, in any industry, to receive such certification. Brane Vault offers advanced proprietary technology and processes with numerous provisional patents and is fully insured against theft and crime.

SOURCE Brane Capital

Related Links

https://brane.capital


NEW YORK, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Hashrate Group ("SHG") is an open platform where prominent miners contribute their Bitcoin hashrate to form the foundation of DeFi innovations. Today, SHG announced that it has entered into a tentative investment term sheet with a local partner based in Tblisi, Georgia to acquire and operate a cryptocurrency mining facility in a Free Industrial Zone ("the Tblisi FIZ Site"). Pursuant to the tentative term sheet, SHG will invest the equivalent of USD 3.10 million to jointly acquire and operate the Tblisi FIZ Site with an expected capacity of 29 MW.

About Standard Hashrate Group

SHG is an open platform where prominent miners contribute their Bitcoin hashrate for DeFi innovations. With SHG's successful launch of Bitcoin Standard Hashrate Token ("BTCST") on Binance Launchpool, SHG has cemented its place as the leader in creating and operating hashrate assets. Investment in global mining facilities, such as the Tblisi FIZ Site, further demonstrates SHG's commitment to hashrate stability.

"Tblisi, Georgia has long been the host city of some of the largest cryptocurrency mining summits, where industry leaders discuss innovative ideas that help shape the industry. We believe the Tblisi FIZ Site's welcoming policies and stable regulations on cryptocurrency mining will make the hashrate foundation of BTCST even more robust," said Alex Zhao, CEO of SHG.

About BTCST

BTCST is the benchmark asset protocol to bring Bitcoin hashrate to DeFi. With BTCST's implementation of Tau (), a protocol to synthesize proof-of-work blockchain assets, BTCST has formed the base for Assets, which is a new generation of synthetic assets exhibiting superior price pegs.

For more information, check out: https://btcst.finance.

SOURCE Standard Hashrate Group
NEW YORK, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CaaStle , the leading B2B rental technology platform in the U.S., today launched a game-changing technology solution for retail brands looking to participate in the circular economy. BORROW - a new button that allows retail brands to offer a transactional rental experience that is fully integrated into the e-commerce website will be debuted by leading contemporary brand Rebecca Minkoff, with other contemporary brands following this summer. Rebecca Minkoff, known for its digital innovation, is the first brand to launch BORROW on their e-commerce website which is available now at RebeccaMinkoff.com .

CaaStle Introduces BORROW, A New Service for Retailers to Integrate Rental into their Own E-Commerce and partners with Rebecca Minkoff for Launch.

"The BORROW program is an important innovation for our partners in the Access Economy," said CaaStle founder and CEO Christine Hunsicker. "Integrating BORROW directly into brands' ecommerce sites enables consumers - especially aspirational consumers - to easily discover and wear their clothing. BORROW provides another powerful way for CaaStle to help brands acquire new customers, monetize inventory, and increase profitability of their e-commerce business."

Powered by CaaStle, Rebecca Minkoff's new rental experience leverages the BORROW program to provide customers with the ultimate control and flexibility. BORROW allows customers to wear items as many times as they like during the rental period with the option to buy at any time. At the end of the prepaid period, they can either return the items or continue with a daily fee to extend the rental. Daily fees are applied as a discount to the buy price. If paid daily fees equal the buy price, the consumer will own the item with no penalties, ever.

"We are excited to be the first brand to market with this functionality, and to offer our customer options to try new styles. Innovation is a large part of our business, and something that our customer expects from Rebecca Minkoff. We're giving her more sustainable, cost effective options from the brand with the launch of the BORROW button," said designer Rebecca Minkoff.

Uri Minkoff, co-founder and CEO at Rebecca Minkoff added, "We've been looking to work with CaaStle and bring rental to our customers. The BORROW program makes sense for our apparel business as it allows us to offer more consumers the opportunity to experience our clothing directly from our e-commerce site while staying within our native environment."

CaaStle's longtime partner Vince, an early adopter of the access economy with its own subscription rental service Vince Unfold , will launch BORROW across their men's and women's apparel in the coming weeks. In addition, Rebecca Taylor will introduce BORROW for its women's assortment this summer.

A leader in the circular retail economy, CaaStle also powers subscription-based rental services for major retailers in the U.S. including Banana Republic, Express, Destination Maternity, Rebecca Taylor, Vince, and Walmart's ELOQUII brand, and Moss Bros. and L.K. Bennett in the United Kingdom.

Similar to CaaStle's Clothing as a Service (CaaS) program, a retailer participating in the BORROW program owns the customer experience while CaaStle handles the technology, reverse logistics, shipping and cleaning. CaaStle's BORROW program enables retailers to quickly offer a fully integrated rental experience that can be implemented in a matter of weeks.



About CaaStle

CaaStle is an innovative B2B technology and services company that enables apparel retailers and brands to offer their own rental experience directly to customers. CaaStle pioneered the subscription rental model in 2012 with its owned and operated brand Gwynnie Bee and now makes its proprietary technology, reverse logistics systems and infrastructure available as an end-to-end solution, known as CaaS ("Clothing as a Service"). The company's white-label approach has created a new economy for retail allowing brands to fully own the relationship with their customers, while CaaStle manages all operations, technology, and logistics on their behalf. Named one of Fast Company's 2020 Most Innovative Companies, CaaStle is proving that rental is an essential and lucrative component of a brand's strategy for success. For more information, visit CaaStle.com .

About Rebecca Minkoff

An industry leader in accessible luxury handbags, accessories, and apparel, Rebecca Minkoff's playful and subtly edgy designs integrate the elements of bohemian femininity with a little bit of rock 'n' roll. Rich leathers and suedes, bohemian-inspired prints, effortless silhouettes, and signature hardware details embody a woman is who is both carefree and edgy. Since launching in 2001, the brand has established itself as a destination where functionality, modern femininity, and the current cultural moment converge. Today, Rebecca Minkoff is a global brand with a wide range of apparel, handbags, footwear, jewelry and accessories products.

Embodying 21st century femininity in all its multidimensionality, Rebecca Minkoff encourages her audience to confidently own the many roles they occupy and their many moods and feelings. The collection spans handbags, ready-to-wear, footwear, jewelry, eyewear, luggage, and fragrance. Through products, content, conversations and experiences, Rebecca Minkoff is dedicated to creating the modern cultural and business narrative of togetherness and a shared success. She continues to push boundaries, lead the industry, and galvanize communities of women by promoting confidence, fearlessness and authenticity.

Media Contacts:

CaaStle

Jaime Cassavechia

(646) 701-7041

[email protected]

Rebecca Minkoff

Melissa Rich

[email protected]

SOURCE CaaStle
Natural Ovens' 12 count Keto-friendly Hot Dog buns are available at select Costco locations, and 8 count packs can be found starting June 1st in the bread aisle or on the deli ledge (depending on the retailer) at select Wisconsin and Chicagoland retailers, including Jewel-Osco, Mariano's, Pick 'N Save, and Woodman's. Keto-friendly fans can order the new hot dog buns fresh via online grocers, and the entire Natural Ovens product line can be found at www.naturalovens.com .

"We've heard from retailers that Keto sales don't show signs of slowing down, and customers are looking for keto-friendly options to complement their favorite summer meals, like hot dogs and other grilled favorites." said Tim Lotesto, senior director, national retail key accounts for Alpha Baking. "Natural Ovens Keto-friendly hot dog buns provide carb conscious consumers with a way to enjoy classic summertime meals, without having to worry about net carbs. In short, these buns rise to the carb-conscious and taste challenge."

The Keto-friendly hot dog buns feature 26 grams of carbs and 25 grams of fiber per serving and are made without any artificial sweeteners or flavors.

Natural Ovens provides premium baked goods to restaurants, retailers, foodservice providers, and direct to consumers across the Midwest. For Natural Ovens Keto-friendly hot dog recipes or more information, visit https://www.naturalovens.com/recipes/keto-friendly.

Chicago-based Alpha Baking Company, Inc. provides premium baked goods to restaurants, food service outlets, retailers and consumers under the S. Rosen's, MaryAnn Baking, and Natural Ovens brands. In 2020, Alpha Baking baked more than 265 million pounds of bread products and donated to area charities tackling hunger and food insecurity. The company employs more than 1,800 people in six baking facilities throughout the Midwest. For more information, visit www.alphabaking.com .

SOURCE Natural Ovens Bakery

Related Links

http://www.naturalovens.com


WASHINGTON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, Unite Here Local 11 sent a letter to Congress establishing the union's "firm opposition to the 'Save Hotel Jobs Act,'" decrying it as a "federal handout" to the hospitality industry.

The bill which was introduced by a Democratic Senator and has the support of the Unite Here Internationalwould "provide new grants and tax credits to help pay hotel employees, bring back laid-off workers, and ensure safe workplaces." Apparently, this is not a policy Local 11 can get behind.

Specifically, the bill's grant program "requires grantees give laid-off hotel workers recall rights to ensure that those who lost their hotel jobs due to the pandemic can go back to work." It also includes a "payroll tax credit for 50 percent of costs associated with the purchase of personal protective equipment, technology designed to reduce the impact of the pandemic, increased testing for employees, and enhanced cleaning protocols."

Still, according to a press release , it appears Local 11 opposes hotels receiving any sort of financial assistance on principleeven if it could help its own members get back to work. Union co-president Kurt Petersen went so far as to call the bill a "slap in the face to the hundreds of thousands of room attendants, cooks, dishwashers, and hotel workers who lost lives and livelihoods because of the pandemic."

But the president of Unite Here International endorsed the legislation, saying, "[t]he Save Hotel Jobs Act will provide important assistance in bringing back good hospitality jobs and making sure that workers who were laid off during the pandemic are recalled back to work."

In addition to criticizing the Save Hotel Jobs Act, Local 11 called on Congress to fix "the Paycheck Protection Program so there is genuine transparency and accountability." But the union's own front groups received almost $900k in PPP loans during the pandemic, while some of its favorite hotel targets did not.

Charlyce Bozzello, communications director at the Center for Union Facts, released this statement:

"It's remarkable that the union would rail against much-needed financial help for hotels, while admitting in the same press release that 75% of its members in the hospitality industry remain unemployed. But it shouldn't come as a surprise. This is the same union that continued to pressure out-of-work members to pay union dues during the pandemic."

In fact, a mailer Eyes on 11 sent out in Southern California this week highlights some of Local 11's worst pandemic moments. That includes its decision to lay off 40 percent of its own staff, while the union's leaders avoided pay cuts, and Local 11's fight to keep hotels closed even while it sent members to canvass for political campaigns in-person.

SOURCE Center for Union Facts
LONDON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunil Kumar of the DataFlow Group has been named in the 2021 Business Worldwide Magazine CEO Awards. The innovative head was the outright winner in his category, 'Best CEO in the Global Risk Services Industry'.

The aim of the CEO Awards is to identify and honour the most respected C-level executives across the globe from a variety of different sectors. Unlike many other businesses awards that focus on the overall success of a company, the spotlight here is instead on the success of individuals who make those corporations tick executives such as CEOs, Managing Directors, Directors and senior-level management. The intention is to give worthy individuals the recognition they deserve, whilst using their example to inspire other companies and business leaders to achieve similar success.

Innovation, strategic growth and marketplace expertise has enabled the DataFlow Group to strengthen its foothold within the professional verification space. Sunil Kumar has led the company through rapid growth, despite a tempestuous economic environment.

Established in 2006, the company specialises in background screening compliance, upholding its vision of 'Protecting Communities' by providing the highest quality employment risk management services to governments, governmental bodies, licensing authorities and regulators worldwide. Its strength lies within offering the highest standard of verification, continually evolving the range of services on offer.

The term 'verification' means different things to different companies. For some, it's a cursory glance over a degree certificate, but The DataFlow Group offers the most superior level of verification, known as Primary Source Verification (PSV). The process offers the highest level of accuracy available when verifying the authenticity of any document, by going directly to the source that issued it for authentication.

In parallel to a long-standing presence and high-quality services, Sunil has built teams in strategic global locations to best serve the company's many clients. Today it boasts working relationships with over 100,000 education institutions, employers and issuing authorities from over 200 countries and territories. This global reach, alongside the continual innovation and evolution of The DataFlow Group's suite of products and services, places Sunil and his team in the strongest possible position to uncover fraudulent credentials.

Speaking to Business Worldwide Magazine, Sunil explained the key to his success: "Overall, it's really a multitude of keys which work together to unlock the ongoing success we have experienced in various industries and geographies. These include embracing and promoting an analytical approach towards business, being at the forefront of trends within our industry and building a strong team that is integral to the future success of the company. For myself, and for other aspiring CEOs, a problem-solving attitude towards eliminating anything that causes bottlenecks in processes is essential. If you have the ability to streamline your offering as much as possible and work out how you can really help and add value to clients, this is a huge success factor."

To find out more about the DataFlow Group's suite of services visit https://corp.dataflowgroup.com

An article on the company can be found on the Business Worldwide Magazine website: https://www.bwmonline.com/2021/05/09/the-dataflow-group-safeguarding-communities-worldwide/

Further information about the Business Worldwide Magazine Awards can be found at https://www.bwmonline.com/awards/

About Business Worldwide Magazine

Business Worldwide Magazine is the leading source of business and dealmaker intelligence throughout the world. Our quarterly magazine and online news portal enables an established audience of corporate dealmakers to track the latest news, stories and developments affecting the international markets, corporate finance, business strategy and changes in legislation. This readership includes of CEO/CFO - Banks, Corporate Lawyers and Venture Capital/Private Equity Companies to name a few.

Contact

David Jones

Awards Department

E: [email protected]

SOURCE Business Worldwide Magazine
CHICAGO, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Conagra Brands (NYSE: CAG) announced today new partnerships with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the nation's largest organization exclusively representing the Black college community, and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), one of the nation's leading nonprofit organizations supporting higher education, to support Black and Brown students. The partnerships will help ensure students receive equitable access to quality higher education opportunities and reinforce Conagra's commitment to supporting the communities where its employees live and work.

Conagra will make donations to each organization to fund several college scholarships. Additional resources will be provided to each institution to support scholarship recipients as they navigate internships and other services that prepare them for their future careers. Conagra employees will also actively engage with scholarship recipients to provide unique professional development opportunities that strengthen career prospects for students' post-college, including resume building assistance, job interview preparation, and additional workplace readiness experiences.

"Conagra is committed to advocating for Black and Brown students in their educational pursuits. A significant barrier to higher education remains its cost. Our partnerships with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Hispanic Scholarship Fund will help overcome that barrier to ensure equity and education go hand-in-hand," said Henry Jones, Senior Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Conagra Brands. "By providing diverse students with not only the financial resources, but also with skills and experiences to succeed in their chosen career, we will play a role cultivating our next generation of leaders."

Key components of Conagra's comprehensive diversity and inclusion strategy include building a strong entry-level pipeline; providing development opportunities for underrepresented groups internal and external; and committing to develop and advance talent in order to increase the amount of racial, ethnic and gender diversity and representation within the company. This scholarship initiative will help ensure Black and Brown talent are supported in their pursuit for academic excellence and as they enter today's workforce.

"We are delighted to have the support of Conagra Brands," said Betsy Burton-Strunk, Vice President of Development at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. "Our commitment to increasing the pipeline and pathways for young Black talent is directly aligned with their dedication to making a difference in the Black community through higher education. We are grateful for their direct support of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund."

"We at HSF are pleased to have Conagra Brands as a partner, who shares our belief that scholarships and support services can make the crucial difference for talented youth to complete a bachelor's degree and ultimately launch careers in fields that matters to our society and our world," said Fidel A. Vargas, President & CEO at the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. "Conagra's contribution will help our scholars achieve their full potential."

To learn more about Conagra's commitments to diversity and inclusion, see the company's 2020 Citizenship Report. For more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply for scholarships, please visit tmcf.org and hsf.net.

About Conagra Brands

Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), headquartered in Chicago, is one of North America's leading branded food companies. Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit, Conagra Brands combines a rich heritage of making great food with a sharpened focus on innovation. The company's portfolio is evolving to satisfy people's changing food preferences. Conagra's iconic brands, such as Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Healthy Choice, Marie Callender's, Reddi-wip, and Slim Jim, as well as emerging brands, including Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP, Duke's, Earth Balance, Gardein, and Frontera, offer choices for every occasion. For more information, visit www.ConagraBrands.com.

About the Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation's largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member-schools include the publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions, enrolling nearly 80% of all students attending black colleges and universities. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher education space. The organization is also the source of top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs.

TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit: www.tmcf.org.

About the Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Founded in 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) empowers students and parents with the knowledge and resources to successfully complete a higher education, while providing support services and scholarships to as many exceptional students, Scholars, and Alumni as possible. HSF strives to make college education a top priority for every family across the nation, mobilizing communities to proactively advance that goaleach individual, over a lifetime, in every way they can. HSF also seeks to give its Scholars all the tools they need to do well in their course work, graduate, enter, and excel in a profession, help lead our nation going forward, and mentor the generations to come. As one of the nation's leading nonprofit organizations supporting higher education, HSF has awarded over $650 million in scholarships and provides a broad range of programs and support services for students, parents, HSF Scholars, and HSF Alumni. For more information about HSF, please visit HSF.net.

For more information, please contact:

MEDIA:

Tim Wrona

312-549-5400

[email protected]

SOURCE Conagra Brands, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.conagrafoods.com


HOUSTON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Corporate Care, one of the nation's largest interior specialty building maintenance and restoration companies, announced a new partnership with Inspirotec, Inc. to introduce AirAnswers, an innovative air sampling device that monitors commercial indoor air quality and verifies airborne health and safety protocols. Corporate Care's expertise in cleaning, remediation, and data reporting strategies, merged with the AirAnswers groundbreaking technology, will deliver businesses and customers greater peace of mind while dining, shopping, going to school or returning to work.

AirAnswers is the only commercially available air sampling device that uses the same rocket-based science as NASA. AirAnswers has the capability to collect ultrafine, biological particles in the air and can detect airborne allergens, molds, and bacteria, in addition to viruses, such as coronavirus, in indoor environments. This revolutionary combination of sampling and detection has been tested and validated in collaboration with leading American universities and published in peer-reviewed scientific literature.

"We are excited to add AirAnswers as a strategic expansion of our CleanMeasures Program, which monitors and records the continual effectiveness of our clients' enhanced cleaning and disinfecting programs. Our partnership enables us to provide a full spectrum of indoor diagnostics from air quality to surface cleaning, remediation, protection and data analytics -- essentially, ceiling-to-floor coverage and reporting," said Michael Bono, CEO of Corporate Care.

About Corporate Care

Established in 1984, Corporate Care consistently delivers the highest quality maintenance programs and restoration services designed to preserve, protect, and extend the wellness and useful life of flooring, furniture, wall and ceiling acoustic fabrics, metal, stone, and glass architectural finishes at their clients' facilities throughout the United States and Canada.

Corporate Care service offerings include: CleanMeasures Program -- a proprietary IT platform that provides third-party validation measuring the effectiveness of hygiene intervention programs; CARE Barrier Guard, which provides up to 90 days of continual antimicrobial surface protection; and CAREFORCE Emergency Response Services for immediate attention to flood or decontamination needs. Corporate Care can remediate COVID-19 exposure areas for re-occupancy in 12 hours or less, providing peace of mind and confidence for customers, their employees, and visitors.

Through Corporate Care's compliance with manufacturer maintenance requirements, the use of environmentally safe certified products, and affiliations with industry-leading organizations, it stays well-informed of the latest technology and innovations. All Corporate Care technicians are trained and IICRC certified at its own Corporate Care University and they have one of the lowest turnover rates in the commercial maintenance industry. Corporate Care ensures the best value, sustainability, and results in the industry. To learn more about Corporate Care services, environmental standards, and certifications, visit www.corporatecare.com.

About Inspirotec, Inc.

Based in North Chicago, Illinois, Inspirotec, Inc. is the only company providing airborne biological matter detection through indoor air quality companies and experts. Inspirotec's AirAnswers highly sensitive patented technology collects and measures biological agents in the air, including viruses and specifically, SARS-CoV-2, allergens, molds, and bacteria down to 0.1 microns. Inspirotec has an extensive portfolio of patents*, ISO certifications and publications in peer-reviewed literature. Airanswers.com.

Corporate Care

3530 W TC Jester Blvd., Houston, TX 77018-5047

[email protected]

713-692-6300 phone | 713-583-9835 fax

*US patents: 9360402, 8038944, 9216421, 9481904, 9618431, 10835891.

SOURCE Corporate Care
"After a well thought out and executed succession plan, we are pleased to have found the best individual to assume leadership of this world-class technology and customer experience services organization," said Sanjay Chakrabarty, Chairman of CSS Corp's Board of Directors and Managing Partner of Capital Square Partners, a Singapore based private equity fund manager and majority shareholder of the company. "In his current role as the COO and in his prior role as the company's Chief Revenue Officer, Sunil has architected unprecedented revenue momentum and pipeline for the company. We are confident that he will be able to build upon this foundation and take the organization to the next level. Sunil's strong business acumen and industry knowledge deeply connects with CSS Corp's clientele and operations, and his leadership qualities make him best suited to lead CSS Corp successfully into the future."

"We are extremely thankful to Manish Tandon, CEO for his contributions to CSS Corp. Under his dynamic leadership, CSS Corp made a successful turnaround over the past four and a half years and grew at 25% in the latest financial year ending 31-Mar-2021. Manish used innovation and technology as the underpinning of the turnaround strategy and created CSS Labs which is recognized as an innovator in this space. He also built a world class management team and established strong data driven processes leading to industry leading profitability and scalability of the business.

"I'm honored and grateful to the board for the opportunity to lead this exceptional organization of passionate, customer-centric and talented professionals," said Sunil Mittal. "We are redefining traditional services through our unique intersection of industry-leading proprietary solutions, resilient operations, and innovative business engagement models. We are well-positioned to continue our growth momentum with our compelling value propositions. I'm excited about this opportunity and look forward to collaborate closely with our clients and employees."

Mittal has had an illustrious career of over 22 years in the technology services industry. He spent 18 years at Infosys across multiple geographies, managing large client accounts, incubating new business capabilities, and building C-level relationships. He joined CSS Corp over four and a half years back and managed global sales, marketing, presales, and account management. Recently, he took over as Chief Operating Officer where he assumed the responsibility of global client delivery and IT, in addition to his existing portfolio. He serves on several association boards, including the Partner Advisory Board of the Technology Services Industry Association, and is a member of the Forbes Business Council. He currently resides in Dallas, Texas.

Manish Tandon expressed his confidence in the board's choice. "Sunil is a remarkable leader who has been one of the chief architects of our success over the years at CSS Corp. I'm very happy with how the organization has turned around and is well positioned for growth under his leadership. I carry with me, the goodwill and best wishes of almost 9,000 employees and the board. It has been a very rewarding journey for me and all stakeholders with CSS Corp over the last 5 years, and I wish Sunil the very best. "

About Capital Square Partners

Capital Square Partners ("CSP") is a private equity fund manager based in Singapore, and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). CSP advises funds investing across growth capital and buyouts supporting high performance management teams to build leading digital businesses. With deep sector expertise across technology, media and telecommunications, business services, healthcare, and consumer sectors, CSP has supported management teams to scale businesses across multiple geographies and create transformational value. Additional information on CSP can be found at http://www.capitalsquarepartners.com

About CSS Corp

CSS Corp is a global customer experience and technology services provider, disrupting the industry with a unique intersection of industry-leading proprietary solutions, resilient operations, and innovative business engagement models. The company is a digital transformation partner of choice for its clients, which include the world's top innovators across industries, from mid-market players to large enterprises. Its diverse team of over 9,000 customer-centric thinkers, collaborators, and co-creators across 18 global locations, is passionate about helping clients succeed through intelligent automation-led outcomes. The company has overcome macroeconomic headwinds to become the industry's fastest growing and most awarded company in its revenue range. To know more, please visit https://www.csscorp.com.

Follow CSS Corp on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE CSS Corp Pvt Ltd

Related Links

https://www.csscorp.com/


Cornish Metals looks well positioned to capitalise on rising tin prices

Mining in Cornwall is a matter of history, isnt it? A thing of the past?

Not if you talk to Richard , CEO of ( )( ). Williams is from a Welsh mining family that goes back generations, and has worked all over the world in the industry.

At first he was skeptical about the idea too.

But ( )(NYSE:OR) had asked him in 2015 to identify advanced tin and tungsten projects, with a long term view to finding projects that would pay a royalty to Osisko.

And in one sense, there isnt a tin project in the world thats more advanced than South Crofty in Cornwall, which up until 1998 had a virtually unbroken 400-year record of tin mining.

We looked at various opportunities, says Williams, but what really stood out was this opportunity in Cornwall which included South Crofty.

Williams was, he says, struck by the scale of the old mine at South Crofty, which comprises 26 former producing copper and tin mines, and the potential opportunity. But he was still cautious.

Before I went there I thought theres no way youre going to re-open a mine in Cornwall, he says.

Cornwall used to be one of the great mining hubs of the world, and in the nineteenth century, in times of lower local commodity prices, sent miners all over the world to start up nascent industries wherever they ended up.

Its a place of mining museums now, and mining generally is out of favour. Or is it?

Certainly, in much of the mainstream media, rather than recognize the importance of mining to modern society, it is frowned upon. But to the locals in Cornwall the issue is more nuanced. For a start, theyve got mining in their heritage, and like many areas with a history of mining, theres a familiarity which mitigates the more hostile attitudes.

Then theres the practical side of things. According to Williams, a re-start at South Crofty would create 275 direct, highly-skilled and well-paying jobs, and each of those jobs is likely to generate a further three-to-five others out in the wider local economy. Given that Cornwall is one of the most deprived areas not just in the UK but in Europe, this is not small beer.

Furthermore, the mine and the plant are both already permitted, with the mining licence valid for 50 years and the permit for the plant stipulating that construction must be completed within 60 years.

All of a sudden the barriers to a re-start have dropped away, and all that remains is a cold-hearted assessment of the economics.

In that regard, there are a couple of moving parts. First off, it seems pretty clear now that a new commodities boom is underway, and tin is already proving to be a significant beneficiary  the tin price has risen to USD30,000 per tonne, an increase of more than a 100% from a year ago. A report from MIT released a couple of years ago highlighted how tin is likely to experience a bigger boost in demand than almost any other commodity as the world continues to go green and electronics become more and more sophisticated.

So, the tin price is on the move, and Cornish Metals is beginning to think about getting South Crofty back into production. The biggest initial challenge will be getting all the water thats accumulated in the mine over the twenty-odd years since it shut down out.

That in itself will require a significant capital outlay, reckoned currently at around 15mln, and up to two years to complete In preparation for this exercise, the company has completed all water trails, secured Environment Agency permits for the exercise, bought the pumps and pipes, and laid the groundworks for the new water treatment plant.

Once the mine is dewatered, Cornish Metals will have a relatively clear run.

The question that remains is: how much money will it make? Well, back in 2017, when Cornish Metals put together its initial economic study for the project, a tin price of US$10 per pound was used. The price now is around US$15 per pound, 50% higher, and thats likely to have a hugely significant impact on any updated modelling.

South Crofty grades can run very high, as a recent intercept of 2.5 metres at 10% tin shows. A back-of-the-envelope calculation gives ore at that grade a value of over US$3,300 per tonne. Putting it another way, the value of those tin grades would equate to around two ounces of gold per tonne of rock in a gold mine.

Its grades like that which allowed South Crofty to keep going for thirteen years after the tin price collapsed in 1985. And its grades like that which make it a compelling proposition now. As it stands theres over 44,000 tonnes of contained tin in the inferred and indicated category in the lower mine, complemented by a smaller polymetallic resource in the upper mine.

Using that lower US$10 tin price, Cornish Metals reckoned the internal rate of return of the project back in 2017 at 23.5% on a relatively modest capital outlay of US$118mln. Perhaps the key number in that study, though, was the estimated all-in sustaining cash cost per pound of tin produced. That rang in at a modest US$4.44 per pound. When set against the current ebullient tin price, its no wonder that Williams is talking about the possibility of funding the next stage of South Croftys development.

Its a tremendous project, he says. South Crofty is really iconic in the eyes of most Cornish people. It should be a mine, and we will do everything we can to see it happen.
Returned to profitability for the first time since the onset of COVID-19

Total gross margin rate improved over the rate from the first quarter of fiscal 2019

Athleisure comparable sales in the U.S. Retail segment were up 92% in the first quarter of fiscal 2021

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Designer Brands Inc. (NYSE: DBI) (the "Company" and "Designer Brands"), one of North America's largest designers, producers and retailers of footwear and accessories, announced financial results for the three months ended May 1, 2021, compared to the three months ended May 2, 2020.

Roger Rawlins, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Designer Brands is off to a strong start in fiscal 2021, highlighted by our return to profitability for the first time since the onset of COVID-19 and a positive comparable sales increase of 52% for the first quarter. Our success was driven by green shoots in areas of the business that had been previously affected by the pandemic, synergies from our vertical capabilities coming to life, which allowed us to capitalize on positive trends faster than ever before, and our assortment strategy focused on athleisure, kids and seasonal products.

"We remain focused on leveraging the flexibility of our business model, pivoting our assortment to athleisure to better match the purchasing habits of our customers, enhancing our digital capabilities, and strategically managing costs. Looking forward, we are optimistic that the positive trends will continue as the market recovers."

First Quarter Results

Net sales increased 45.6% to $703.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to the same period last year.

in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to the same period last year. Comparable sales increased 52.2% for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 versus the 42.3% decrease for the same period last year.

Gross profit increased to $216.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 versus a gross loss of $26.5 million last year, and gross margin as a percentage of net sales was 30.7% as compared to negative 5.5% last year and 29.7% for the first quarter of fiscal 2019.

in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 versus a gross loss of last year, and gross margin as a percentage of net sales was 30.7% as compared to negative 5.5% last year and 29.7% for the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Reported net income in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 was $17.0 million , or $0.22 per diluted share, including net benefits of $0.10 per diluted share from adjusted items, primarily the change in the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.

, or per diluted share, including net benefits of per diluted share from adjusted items, primarily the change in the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets. Adjusted net income in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 was $9.5 million , or $0.12 per diluted share.

Liquidity Highlights

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $49.3 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to $250.9 million for the same period last year, with $289.9 million available for borrowings under our senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility ("ABL Revolver"). Debt totaled $337.4 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to $393.0 million debt outstanding for the same period last year.

at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to for the same period last year, with available for borrowings under our senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility ("ABL Revolver"). Debt totaled at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to debt outstanding for the same period last year. The Company ended the quarter with inventories of $540.1 million compared to $533.6 million for the same period last year. Due to strong inventory controls, the Company ended the quarter with total units on hand down 25% as compared to the same period last year.

Store Openings and Closings

During the first quarter of fiscal 2021, we opened two stores and closed five in the U.S., resulting in a total of 516 U.S. stores. In Canada, we opened two stores with one closure resulting in a total of 145 Canadian stores.

Webcast and Conference Call

The Company is hosting a conference call today at 4:30 pm Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial 1-888-317-6003, or the international dial in, 1-412-317-6061, and reference conference ID number 7184143 approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the call. The conference call will also be broadcast live over the internet and can be accessed through the following link:

https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1213/41070

For those unable to listen to the live webcast, an archived version will be available via the same website address until June 9, 2021. A replay of the teleconference will be available by dialing the following numbers:

U.S.: 1-877-344-7529

Canada: 1-855-669-9658

International: 1-412-317-0088

Passcode: 10155781

About Designer Brands

Designer Brands is one of North America's largest designers, producers and retailers of footwear and accessories. The Company operates a portfolio of retail concepts in nearly 700 locations under the DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Company and Shoe Warehouse banners. The Company designs and produces footwear and accessories through Camuto Group, a leading manufacturer selling in more than 5,400 stores worldwide. Camuto Group owns licensing rights for the Jessica Simpson footwear business and footwear and handbag licenses for Lucky Brand. In partnership with a joint venture with Authentic Brands Group, the Company also owns a stake in Vince Camuto, Louise et Cie, and others. More information can be found at www.designerbrands.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Certain statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words such as "outlook," "could," "believes," "expects," "potential," "continues," "may," "will," "should," "would," "seeks," "approximately," "predicts," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates," or the negative version of those words or other comparable words. These statements are based on the Company's current expectations and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks and uncertainty related to the continued outbreak of the coronavirus ("COVID-19"), any future COVID-19 resurgence, and any other adverse public health developments; risks related to losses or disruptions associated with our distribution systems, including our distribution and fulfillment centers and our stores, whether as a result of COVID-19, reliance on third-party providers, cyber-related attacks, or otherwise; our ability to protect the health and safety of our associates and our customers, which may be affected by current or future government regulations related to stay-at-home orders and orders related to the operation of non-essential businesses; risks related to our international operations, including international trade, our reliance on foreign sources for merchandise, exposure to political, economic, operational, compliance and other risks, and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; maintaining strong relationships with our vendors, manufacturers, licensors, and retailer customers; our ability to anticipate and respond to fashion trends, consumer preferences and changing customer expectations; risks related to restrictions on our ABL Revolver and senior secured term loan that could limit our ability to fund operations; our reliance on our loyalty programs and marketing to drive traffic, sales and customer loyalty; failure to retain our key executives or attract qualified new personnel; risks related to the loss or disruption of our information systems and data and our ability to prevent or mitigate breaches of our information security and the compromise of sensitive and confidential data; our ability to comply with privacy laws and regulations, as well as other legal obligations; our ability to protect our reputation and to maintain the brands we license; uncertain general economic, political and social conditions and the related impacts to consumer discretionary spending; our competitiveness with respect to style, price, brand availability and customer service; our ability to provide customers cost-effective shopping platforms; and uncertainty related to future legislation, regulatory reform, policy changes, or interpretive guidance on existing legislation. Risks and other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations are described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2021, and risk factors identified in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the time when made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements included in this press release to reflect any future events or circumstances.

DESIGNER BRANDS INC.

SEGMENT RESULTS

(unaudited)



Net Sales

Three months ended

Change (dollars in thousands) May 1, 2021

May 2, 2020

Amount

% Segment net sales:













U.S. Retail $ 620,658



$ 377,073



$ 243,585



64.6 % Canada Retail 40,604



29,329



11,275



38.4 % Brand Portfolio 57,427



82,113



(24,686)



(30.1) % Other 



13,623



(13,623)



(100.0) % Total segment net sales 718,689



502,138



216,551



43.1 % Elimination of intersegment net sales (15,534)



(19,355)



3,821



(19.7) % Consolidated net sales $ 703,155



$ 482,783



$ 220,372



45.6 %

Comparable Sales

Three months ended

May 1, 2021

May 2, 2020 Comparable sales:





U.S. Retail segment 56.3 %

(42.4) % Canada Retail segment 10.0 %

(32.4) % Brand Portfolio segment - direct-to-consumer channel 6.8 %

92.8 % Other NA



(62.0) % Total comparable sales 52.2 %

(42.3) %

NA - Not applicable

Store Count

May 1, 2021

May 2, 2020 U.S. Retail segment - DSW stores 516



521

Canada Retail segment:





The Shoe Company / Shoe Warehouse stores 118



118

DSW stores 27



27



145



145

Total number of stores 661



666





Gross Profit (Loss)

Three months ended





May 1, 2021

May 2, 2020



(dollars in thousands) Amount

% of

Segment

Net Sales

Amount

% of

Segment

Net Sales

Change Segment gross profit (loss):

















U.S. Retail $ 193,113



31.1 %

$ (32,970)



(8.7) %

$ 226,083

Canada Retail 10,835



26.7 %

(2,311)



(7.9) %

$ 13,146

Brand Portfolio 11,926



20.8 %

13,904



16.9 %

$ (1,978)

Other 



 %

(5,428)



(39.8) %

$ 5,428



215,874







(26,805)









Elimination of intersegment gross profit 237







345









Gross profit (loss) $ 216,111



30.7 %

$ (26,460)



(5.5) %

$ 242,571



Intersegment Eliminations

Three months ended (in thousands) May 1, 2021

May 2, 2020 Elimination of intersegment activity:





Net sales recognized by Brand Portfolio segment $ (15,534)



$ (19,355)

Cost of sales:





Cost of sales recognized by Brand Portfolio segment 10,935



12,134

Recognition of intersegment gross profit for inventory previously purchased that was subsequently sold to external customers during the current period 4,836



7,566

Gross profit $ 237



$ 345



DESIGNER BRANDS INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited and in thousands, except per share amounts)



Three months ended

May 1, 2021

May 2, 2020 Net sales $ 703,155



$ 482,783

Cost of sales (487,044)



(509,243)

Gross profit (loss) 216,111



(26,460)

Operating expenses (200,814)



(187,221)

Income from equity investment 1,708



2,270

Impairment charges 



(112,547)

Operating profit (loss) 17,005



(323,958)

Interest expense, net (8,814)



(2,158)

Non-operating income (expenses), net 806



(87)

Income (loss) before income taxes 8,997



(326,203)

Income tax benefit 8,029



110,345

Net income (loss) $ 17,026



$ (215,858)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ 0.22



$ (3.00)

Weighted average diluted shares 76,976



71,914



DESIGNER BRANDS INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited and in thousands)



May 1, 2021

January 30, 2021

May 2, 2020 Assets









Cash and cash equivalents $ 49,301



$ 59,581



$ 250,874

Receivables, net 213,447



196,049



81,953

Inventories 540,088



473,183



533,638

Prepaid expenses and other current assets 60,461



51,772



82,742

Total current assets 863,297



780,585



949,207

Property and equipment, net 284,823



296,469



359,841

Operating lease assets 686,704



700,481



799,482

Goodwill 93,655



93,655



93,655

Intangible assets, net 16,131



15,635



13,908

Deferred tax assets 







139,269

Equity investment 57,012



58,598



57,538

Other assets 30,843



31,172



24,941

Total assets $ 2,032,465



$ 1,976,595



$ 2,437,841

Liabilities and shareholders' equity









Accounts payable $ 341,819



$ 245,071



$ 283,054

Accrued expenses 195,237



200,326



231,359

Current maturities of long-term debt 62,500



62,500





Current operating lease liabilities 200,666



244,786



218,313

Total current liabilities 800,222



752,683



732,726

Long-term debt 274,887



272,319



393,000

Non-current operating lease liabilities 663,018



677,735



788,704

Other non-current liabilities 31,526



30,841



25,305

Total liabilities 1,769,653



1,733,578



1,939,735

Total shareholders' equity 262,812



243,017



498,106

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 2,032,465



$ 1,976,595



$ 2,437,841



DESIGNER BRANDS INC. NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS (unaudited and in thousands, except per share amounts)





Three months ended

May 1, 2021

May 2, 2020 Operating expenses $ (200,814)



$ (187,221)

Non-GAAP Adjustments-





Integration and restructuring expenses 1,742



1,748

Adjusted operating expenses $ (199,072)



$ (185,473)

Operating profit (loss) $ 17,005



$ (323,958)

Non-GAAP Adjustments:





Integration and restructuring expenses 1,742



1,748

Impairment charges 



112,547

Total non-GAAP Adjustments 1,742



114,295

Adjusted operating profit (loss) $ 18,747



$ (209,663)

Net income (loss) $ 17,026



$ (215,858)

Non-GAAP adjustments:





Integration and restructuring expenses 1,742



1,748

Impairment charges 



112,547

Foreign currency transaction losses (gains) (806)



400

Total non-GAAP Adjustments before tax effect 936



114,695

Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments (308)



(29,138)

Valuation allowance change on deferred tax assets (8,182)





Total adjustments, after tax (7,554)



85,557

Adjusted net income (loss) $ 9,472



$ (130,301)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ 0.22



$ (3.00)

Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share $ 0.12



$ (1.81)



Non-GAAP Measures

To supplement amounts presented in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"), the Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, including (1) adjusted operating expenses, (2) adjusted operating profit (loss), (3) adjusted net income (loss), and (4) adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share. The unaudited reconciliation of adjusted results should not be construed as an alternative to the reported results determined in accordance with GAAP. These financial measures are not based on any standardized methodology and are not necessarily comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company believes these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to both management and investors to increase comparability to prior periods by adjusting for certain items that may not be indicative of core operating measures and to better identify trends in our business. The adjusted financial results are used by management to, and allow investors to, evaluate the operating performance of the Company on a comparable basis, when reviewed in conjunction with the Company's GAAP statements. These amounts are not determined in accordance with GAAP and therefore should not be used exclusively in evaluating the Company's business and operations.

Revised Non-GAAP Measures

Beginning with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company revised its determination of adjusted financial results by eliminating the immaterial adjustments related to COVID-19 incremental costs (credits), net, and amortization of intangible assets. These revisions align with how management currently evaluates the performance of the business. The Company has recast its first quarter of fiscal 2020 non-GAAP financial measures to conform to the revised presentation as set forth in the table above.

SOURCE Designer Brands Inc.
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Destaco , part of Dover (NYSE: DOV), has introduced the RFM/RCM Series, a new family of pivot units. These products have been designed with adjustable opening angles that offer greater application flexibility with a compact size that reduces space requirements. The units can be installed both horizontally and vertically and are air-powered, which allows them to move large components, such as those used in welding and assembly applications.

"The new RFM/RCM Series air-powered pivot units feature an integrated patented locking system, adjustable opening angles and a compact design, saving time and enhancing flexibility during operations," said Christian Schubert, Global Product Manager at Destaco. "Its cutting-edge sensor system also ensures greater part-placement accuracy."

The new pivot units are available in four sizes and have the same cylinder length, which are designed to accommodate tight installations. They also include a patented integrated locking mechanism that is designed to safely stop work processes and help ensure a secure, reliable locking process.

To learn more about any of Destaco's high-performance automation, workholding or remote-handling solutions, please visit destaco.com or call (888) DESTACO (888-337-8226).

About Destaco:

Destaco, a Dover Corporation company, is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance automation, workholding and remote-handling solutions. The company serves customers in a variety of end-markets, including the automotive, life sciences, consumer packaged goods, aerospace, industrial and nuclear sectors.

Built on a legacy of more than 100 years, Destaco offers a comprehensive portfolio of products designed to engineer precise movement, placement and control solutions that drive productivity and uptime for manufacturers around the world. The Destaco family of products consists of industry-leading brands such as Destaco Manual Clamps, Power Clamps, and End Effectors; Camco and Ferguson Indexers; Robohand Grippers; and CRL Manipulators and Transfer Ports.

Destaco is based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.A. The company has more than 800 employees with 13 locations, in 9 countries, across the Americas, Europe and Asia.

About Dover:

Dover is a diversified global manufacturer and solutions provider with annual revenue of approximately $7 billion. We deliver innovative equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services through five operating segments: Engineered Products, Fueling Solutions, Imaging & Identification, Pumps & Process Solutions and Refrigeration & Food Equipment. Dover combines global scale, operational agility, world-class engineering capability and customer intimacy to lead the markets we serve. Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for over 60 years, our team of approximately 24,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what's possible. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional information is available at dovercorporation.com.

Destaco Contact:

Kristen Fairbrother

(248) 836-6674

[email protected]

Dover Media Contact:

Adrian Sakowicz, VP, Communications

(630) 743-5039

[email protected]

Dover Investor Contact:

Andrey Galiuk, VP, Corporate Development and Investor Relations

(630) 743-5131

[email protected]

SOURCE Dover

Related Links

http://www.dovercorporation.com


CENTENNIAL, Colo., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DHI Group, Inc. (NYSE: DHX) today announced that it will be participating in the Summer Solstice Best Ideas from the Buy Side Conference. Art Zeile, Chief Executive Officer, and Kevin Bostick, Chief Financial Officer, will be presenting Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 1:30PM ET and will be hosting one-on-one meetings with institutional investors and analysts throughout the event.

A webcast of the presentation will be available on the DHI Group investor relations website at https://dhigroupinc.com/investors. An audio recording of the presentation will be archived and available following the event.

About DHI Group, Inc.

DHI Group, Inc (NYSE: DHX) is a provider of software products, online tools and services to deliver career marketplaces to candidates and employers globally. DHI's three brands Dice, ClearanceJobs and eFinancialCareers  enable recruiters and hiring managers to efficiently search, match and connect with highly skilled technologists in specialized fields, particularly technology, those with active government security clearances and in financial services. Professionals find ideal employment opportunities, relevant job advice and personalized data to best manage their whole technologist life. For 30 years, we have leveraged the latest technology to foster career connections in multiple markets including North America, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific region. Find out more at www.dhigroupinc.com.

Investor Contact

MKR Investor Relations Inc.

Todd Kehrli

310-625-4462

[email protected]

Media Contact

Rachel Ceccarelli

VP of Engagement

212-448-8288

[email protected]

SOURCE DHI Group, Inc.

Related Links

https://dhigroupinc.com


CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Expanding its rapidly growing clean-energy portfolio, Duke Energy has begun construction on the 22.6-MW Speedway Solar power plant in Cabarrus County.

The project will be owned and operated by Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions, a new commercial brand that includes Duke Energy Renewables. The project was selected as part of the competitive bidding process established by 2017's landmark solar legislation in North Carolina.

The power plant will contain about 77,000 Jinko bifacial modules with single-axis tracking. The plant will be located on 185 acres in Midland, N.C.  near the corner of Wallace Road and Bethel Avenue Extension. The facility will power the equivalent of 5,000 homes. It is targeting commercial operation by the end of 2021.

"Duke Energy is making an aggressive push to expand renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions and achieve a net-zero carbon goal for 2050," said Stephen De May, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. "An expansion of solar power will be a key element of that effort."

Under North Carolina's Competitive Procurement for Renewable Energy, proposed projects must be built where there is a need for energy capacity on the Duke Energy system in North Carolina or South Carolina. The bids can come from any company, including Duke Energy, and can be in the form of power purchase agreements (PPA), utility self-developed facilities or utility asset acquisitions.

"We're pleased to be able to add more clean energy resources to the state. This facility will not only address the increasing clean energy needs of our communities but will also deliver significant economic benefits to Cabarrus County," said Chris Fallon, president of Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions.

During peak construction, Speedway Solar will employ about 70 workers. Along with indirect economic benefits that accompany solar project development, such as increased local spending in the service and construction industries, Speedway Solar will also have a positive economic impact on the local community by providing local tax revenues to the county and local school districts, as well as meaningful payments to the participating landowners.

Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions also supports the communities where its facilities and team members are based through the efforts of the Duke Energy Foundation, which awarded a $5,000 grant to the Cabarrus County Education Foundation to increase internet connectivity for students in Midland and Mt. Pleasant, N.C.

The facility's design, procurement of inverters, balance of plant systems and construction of the project will be performed by Swinerton. The solar power generated by Speedway Solar will be delivered through a 20-year power purchase agreement.

A leader in renewable energy

Duke Energy maintains more than 3,700 MW of solar power on its energy grid in North Carolina, which could power about 700,000 homes and businesses at peak output. The company also operates more than 40 solar facilities in the state. North Carolina currently ranks No. 3 in the nation for overall solar power. With nuclear, hydro and renewable energy, more than half of North Carolina's energy mix is carbon-free.

As one of the nation's top renewable energy providers, Duke Energy's plans to double its enterprise wide renewable portfolio from 8 gigawatts (GW) of capacity to 16 GW by the end of 2025.

Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions

Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions is a nonregulated commercial brand of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK)  a Fortune 150 company and one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S.  headquartered in Charlotte, N.C.

Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions is a leader in sustainable energy, helping large enterprises reduce power costs, lower emissions and increase resiliency. The team provides wind, solar, resilient backup power and managed energy services to over 1,000 projects across the U.S., with a total electric capacity of more than 5,100 megawatts of nonregulated renewable energy. Visit Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions and follow on LinkedIn and YouTube for more information.

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 percent 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. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements.

This document includes 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 based on management's beliefs and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by terms and phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "estimate," "expect," "continue," "should," "could," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "will," "potential," "forecast," "target," "outlook," "guidance," and similar expressions. Various factors may cause actual results to be materially different than the suggested outcomes within forward-looking statements; accordingly, there is no assurance that such results will be realized. These risks and uncertainties are identified and discussed in Duke Energy's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events described in the forward-looking statements might not occur or might occur to a different extent or at a different time than Duke Energy has described. Duke Energy expressly disclaims an obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact: Randy Wheeless

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

Twitter: @DE_RandyW

SOURCE Duke Energy

Related Links

http://www.duke-energy.com


MIAMI, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Edenor, the largest energy distribution company in Argentina, has selected OverIT as their new cloud provider for scheduling, optimization, and mobility, to transition from their existing on-premise platform ClickSoftware , now part of Salesforce.

By using Geocall Cloud Offering, Edenor is planning to:

Optimize the work and schedules for over 4,000 technicians Reduce travel costs by approximately 30% Improve first-time fix rates by 25% Respond to emergent work 5 times faster Leverage subject matter experts using a real-time collaboration platform in the field Deliver advanced safety and work procedures via mobile devices

Geocall's flexibility and user-friendly interface also make it ideal for handling unforeseen tasks that happen in technical or commercial operations and provides access to guided procedures.

Ultimately, Geocall was chosen due to its market-leading GIS integration capabilities for 2D and 3D asset-intensive monitoring, combined with "zero-touch" Augmented Reality remote collaboration to support Edenor with their innovative field execution.

Luis Lenkiewicz, Edenor CIO, said, "Edenor is in a clear transformation path to the Cloud; thus, the Field Service selection process needed to be extremely thorough. OverIT was selected due to its robust SaaS platform, superior expertise, and knowledge in the field, and mostly their many industry references for Utilities and specifically for electricity distribution worldwide. OverIT is, without a doubt, the leader in this space."

"Edenor's selection of OverIT's SaaS offering to replace existing on-premise ClickSoftware p l atform is a testament of OverIT's unique capabilities and opportunity to support complex use cases in the Utility industry. We expect most customers that find themselves in the same situation as Edenor will migrate to OverIT in the next 12-24 months", said Alejandro Nestares, SVP and GM OverIT Americas.

Edenor is the largest electricity distribution company in Argentina, with 4,776 employees. On December 31st, 2020, Edenor had the highest number of customers in the country, which amounts to over three million, and their energy purchases represent 20% of the country's overall energy demand in 2020.

Backed by US capital with development headquarters in Italy and main US offices in Boston and Miami, OverIT is a multinational company with more than 20 years of international and cross-industry experience in Field Service Management. The firm is recognized by premier global advisory and consulting organizations as a leading vendor in FSM and AR industries.

www.overit.us

Marketing Contact: Carly Kroll | [email protected] | +1.847.867.2232

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1248583/OverIT_Logo.jpg

SOURCE OverIT
BOSTON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Edenred Benefits, the leading corporate mobility provider in the United States, has partnered with BusUp, a global commuter shuttle management service provider, to help corporate clients offer a safer, more convenient, and sustainable commute shuttle service as offices re-open across the country. By integrating BusUp onto its Commuter App this summer, Edenred Benefits will offer employers several commuter solutions. Those options include BusUp's Demand Responsive Shuttle Programs and Shared Shuttle Programs, reducing client mobility costs by up to 40%.

Commuters are turning to shuttle providers for a safe and comfortable commute as many plan their return. Tweet this Employees can use their phone to access many of the features that BusUp offers.

Employers will access a back-end platform that hosts several features, including cost optimization, route management or sharing, selling empty seats, real-time data analytics, and more. Employees can make bookings and payments, view their shuttle routes on a map, track their bus location in real-time, check-in on board with contactless boarding pass technology, and enjoy a 24/7 Customer Care Service.

Ed Fleischmann, CEO at Edenred Benefits says, "We're excited to partner with BusUp to provide improved shuttle service options to our corporate clients and to their employees. Adding shuttle service helps our customers who may not have enough parking for their staff or live too far from public transportation. Combining technology, efficiency, savings, and sustainability, shuttle service is one more commute option our customers have access to."

Numerous Edenred Benefits customers have already shown their interest in incorporating new commuting options into their portfolio of benefits in the coming months. There is positive impact for those workers who remain apprehensive about commuting in enclosed spaces.

This new partnership is for Edenred Benefits the opportunity to diversify its existing marketplace of traditional commuter options and integrate with innovative corporate shuttle service providers like BusUp. When employees commute by a BusUp shuttle, for example, it removes 33 cars off the road, allowing 72% less carbon emission compared with car usage.

The integration with Edenred Benefits is also a significant step forward for BusUp, which recently closed a $6 million funding round with Proeza Ventures and Autotech Ventures to extend its market leadership in the United States.

"This partnership will help several companies return back to the office. Both employers and employees will have a better understanding on the impact of commuting in both, quality of life and productivity of their employees, as well as their financial and sustainability goals," says Rui Stoffel, CEO at BusUp.

About BusUp



BusUp is the #1 commuter bus management platform in the European Union (serving large corporations such as Roche, Siemens, Cognizant, Nestle, DXC Technologies, Louis Vuitton, DHL, etc.). It has recently expanded to the United States. Its innovative shared transportation platform works alongside corporations, universities, and schools to manage bus commuting programs for its employees and students. Since its inception, BusUp has partnered with more than 150 operators and attended more than 100 clients, exceeding 500,000 passengers worldwide.

For more information: www.busup.com

Edenred is a leading digital platform for services and payments and the everyday companion for people at work, connecting over 50 million users and 2 million partner merchants in 46 countries via more than 850,000 corporate clients.

Edenred offers specific-purpose payment solutions for food (such as meal benefits), mobility (such as multi-energy, maintenance, toll, parking and commuter solutions), incentives (such as gift cards, employee engagement platforms) and corporate payments (such as virtual cards). These solutions enhance user's well-being and purchasing power, improve companies' attractiveness and efficiency, and vitalize the employment market and the local economy. They also foster access to healthier food, more environmentally friendly products and softer mobility.

Edenred's 10,000 employees are committed to making the world of work a connected ecosystem that is safer, more efficient and more user-friendly every day.

In 2020, thanks to its global technology assets, the Group managed close to 30 billion in business volume, primarily carried out via mobile applications, online platforms and cards.

Edenred is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange and included in the following indices: CAC Next 20, FTSE4Good and MSCI Europe.

The logos and other trademarks mentioned and featured in this press release are registered trademarks of Edenred S.A., its subsidiaries or third parties. They may not be used for commercial purposes without prior written consent from their owners.

SOURCE Edenred Benefits

Related Links

https://www.edenred.com/en


Founded in 2014 by Marian Leitner-Waldman and David Waldman, partners in life and in business, Archer Roose was built on shared passions and values: lively conversations, craftsmanship and a belief that we must all do our part to build a better world. Since its inception, the brand has pushed boundaries within the wine industry in creating world class wines in formats to fit a modern lifestyle.

"We are thrilled to have Elizabeth Banks join us as we enter into the next chapter of the Archer Roose story," said Marian Leitner-Waldman, Co-Founder & CEO of Archer Roose. "Archer Roose was founded on authentic relationships and pride in craftsmanship. Elizabeth embodies both of those values and we are honored to have her as our new partner and all that she brings to the table: creativity, fresh perspectives and a shared mission of shaping the world for the better."

"As I got to know Marian, I realized that she and I share an ethos. She's created something that resonated with me and what I value, which is conversation, connection, craftsmanship, and quality," said Elizabeth Banks.

As a new major investor and owner in the company, Elizabeth Banks will add strategic value to the creative development for the company, on both brand and product side.

"To me, wine is another form of storytelling," explained Banks. "I have always loved wine but wanted to make it more accessible and build a brand that would resonate with women. When I realized that Marian's gambit was to put really good wine into cans, I thought about my own life and all the incredible shared moments with family and friends - a beach day, a ski trip - and how it would be great to pull a Sauvignon Blanc out of a cooler for a change."

"Elizabeth's engagement and authenticity paired with the strength of the management team at Archer Roose make this a particularly compelling partnership," added United Talent Agency's (UTA) Jake Solomon, an Executive in the company's Ventures department, which brokered the deal on behalf of Elizabeth Banks. "The alternative format wine category is a young and growing market and we believe that brands like Archer Roose have a unique opportunity to help define that category."

Archer Roose and Elizabeth Banks will bring their new relationship to life through a series of videos on how the partnership began, and how it has progressed which will launch at the end of May 2021 on Archer Roose's social channels and the brand's website. They will continue to share content through their own social media channels throughout the month.

To view "Creating Our Own Table: Elizabeth Banks x Archer Roose" videos and ongoing partnership, follow @ArcherRooseWines and @ ElizabethBanks on Instagram and on archeroose.com .

About Archer Roose

Archer Roose takes pride in the craftsmanship of our wine. We return to the foundation of wine as it was - garnering relationships with the winemaking community, preserving terroir, and sourcing the highest quality wine with the highest quality grapes. But we also shape the foundation of wine as it should be - with mindfulness to the planet and to the lifestyles of those who drink them. We create the new tradition, fitting Archer Roose wines into the modern lifestyle for the modern drinker.

For more information, please visit www.archerroose.com and check out our Instagram and Facebook .

About Elizabeth Banks

Actress, producer, writer and director Elizabeth Banks is known for roles in both comedy and drama, as well as film and television. Her work includes stand-out performances in projects including The Hunger Games franchise, Love & Mercy, The LEGO Movie and Mrs. America. She is also a three-time Emmy nominee for her recurring roles in 30 Rock and Modern Family. On the production side, Banks made her directorial debut in 2015 with Pitch Perfect 2, and produced the Pitch Perfect franchise through her production company Brownstone Productions, along with her husband Max Handleman. Brownstone Productions' slate includes multiple film, television and digital collaborations across various networks and studios, including the critically-acclaimed comedy Shrill on Hulu, starring SNL's Aidy Bryant. Banks is currently filming the women's rights drama Call Jane, alongside Sigourney Weaver and directed by Phyllis Nagy, and can also be seen hosting the hit ABC reboot of Press Your Luck, which will kick off its third season later this month.

Press Contacts

Archer Roose:

Taylor Foxman

[email protected]

609-432-2237

Elizabeth Banks:

Jessica Kolstad

[email protected]

Rosy Baker

[email protected]

SOURCE Archer Roose
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SOURCE BizVibe

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SAN FRANCISCO, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Trial lawyers from Dallas-based Fears Nachawati Law Firm praised a federal judge's ruling today that rejected a settlement from Bayer AG that would have limited future lawsuits from cancer victims exposed to the weed killer Roundup.

Fears Nachawati represents thousands of cancer victims in lawsuits against Bayer. Firm co-founder Majed Nachawati said the ruling from U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria sends an important message to Bayer AG (OTCMKTS: BAYRY) and a different group of plaintiffs' lawyers who crafted the flawed and unfair settlement involving Roundup. The herbicide was developed by Monsanto, which was acquired by Bayer in 2018.

"Because of today's order from Judge Chhabria, justice for present and future cancer victims prevailed. We applaud Judge Chhabria for soundly rejecting Bayer, Monsanto and [plaintiffs' lawyer] Cabraser's Faustian bargain," Mr. Nachawati said.

"The result of this monumental decision is that thousands of current and future cancer victims will be able to proceed to trial individually and be judged by a jury of fellow Americans based on the facts and evidence. Bayer and Monsanto will now face massive exposure for placing profits over safety. We look forward to trial on behalf of every cancer victim we represent," Mr. Nachawati said.

Fears Nachawati represents more than 4,000 people who have developed non-Hodgkins lymphoma after exposure to Roundup, and the firm has been a vocal critic of the proposed settlement.

Judge Chhabria pointedly criticized the settlement framework, which sought to allow Monsanto to continue selling Roundup without a warning label. At the same time, it would restrict future cancer victims from seeking punitive damages in lawsuits, a provision the judge called "clearly unreasonable."

"The settlement proposal from these attorneys would accomplish a lot for Monsanto  It would accomplish far less for the Roundup users who have not been diagnosed with [non-Hodgkins lymphoma]  and not nearly as much as the attorneys pushing this deal contend," Judge Chhambria wrote in the order.

The multidistrict litigation (MDL) is In re: Bayer Roundup Products Liability Litigation, case number 3:16-md-02741, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Dallas-based Fears | Nachawati Law Firm represents individuals in mass tort litigation, businesses and governmental entities in contingent litigation and individual victims in complex personal injury litigation. The largest and most diverse products liability law firm in the nation, Fears | Nachawati was ranked No. 1 nationally in product liability filings in federal court over the last three years. For more information, visit https://www.fnlawfirm.com.

Media Contact:

Robert Tharp

214-420-6011

[email protected]

SOURCE Fears Nachawati Law Firm

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JACKSON, Ohio., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - American Manufacturers of PPE have certainly not seen a homegrown prioritization for national production, but that did not stop rural company Phoenix Quality Manufacturing ("PQM") in their persistence of bringing surgical masks with FDA authorization to market.

The proud announcement from PQM that it has secured a place on the FDA's Appendix A allows their PQM LibertyAir Surgical Masks to be used in healthcare settings by healthcare professionals. It is an essential milestone in the company's efforts to help alleviate domestic PPE supply issues brought about by the Covid-19 crisis.

This critical validation from the FDA opens access for the U.S. healthcare sector, including front-line workers, to reliable American manufactured masks where they need them most.

PQM has come a long way in a short time, but even that wasn't fast enough. With the principles of "America First," the company was always aiming to address shortages for healthcare workers in the line of fire. PQM production lines started in November 2020. Slow approval of American medical-grade masks meant foreign products have still been heavily relied on across the country.

With the global COVID cases growing at alarming rates, having reached eight straight weeks of increasing cases, it remains clear that the worldwide vaccination programs can't keep up with the spread of the virus, and masks are still an integral part of combatting it.

When taking this rate in conjunction with disruptions in the global supply chain, from shipping container delays in Asia to the recent blockage issues in the Suez, it has shown that more than ever, there is a need for reliable domestic solutions. With no exceptions, this is true for any product, including medical-grade masks, that are critical to the health of Americans.

PQM is one of the companies that answered the call, creating close to 40 jobs at its Beaver Pike Facility in under six months of production. With four months of back and forth working with the FDA to be authorized under the EUA for use in healthcare settings by medical professionals, the company is ready to support U.S. providers with Grade 3 surgical masks made in the USA, now and for the future.

According to Seth Stockmeister, PQM's Executive V.P. of Operations. "The best argument that we can make for reshoring efforts is that a domestic supply chain ensures high quality, American-made masks and respirators that are FDA or NIOSH approved and are available for immediate shipment to customers coast to coast. PQM can finally expand offerings to healthcare, where these products have the highest need. We have taken the first step, and now we need the support of the government more than ever, to ensure that small manufacturers like us have the longevity we need, to not only keep those that we have employed but also to grow."

SOURCE Phoenix Quality MFG LLC
ExxonMobil's shareholder meeting is set to be heated as an activist group is pushing to appoint four climate-oriented board members

Its a big day in the oil sector as Royal Dutch Shell PLC (LON:RDSB) is due to receive the verdict on a landmark hearing, while ExxonMobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM) and Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) are holding AGMs.

Shell has been brought to court by seven activist groups, including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth Netherlands, to challenge its climate strategy.

Its the first time environmentalists are forcing corporate change through a lawsuit, Reuters reported.

The case was filed in 2019 on behalf of more than 17,000 Dutch citizens on the basis that the oiler is threatening human rights by investing in fossil fuels.

They demand the FTSE 100 group cuts CO2 emissions by 45% over this decade, which is much higher than the 20% set by the company.

Shell, which has set a net-zero goal by 2050, came under fire at its AGM last week after 11% of shareholders voted against its plan to decarbonise operations.

A third of investors voted in favour of a resolution put forward by activist group Follow This, which called the firm to set inspirational targets to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Chevron, #Shell & #Exxon are all facing relatively new lines of attack from campaigners & shareholders. The "3 big tests" have potential to "change the status quo" in the #FossilFuel industry, said @MikeCoffin, senior analyst at Carbon Tracker https://t.co/Gn3VFUF6uH #ExxonAGM  Carbon Tracker (@CarbonBubble) May 26, 2021

Meanwhile, ExxonMobil and Chevron are hosting their shareholder meetings today which arent set to be a walk in the park.

ExxonMobil, the largest oiler in the US, has been criticised for taking little action to make its activities greener.

Investors have been demanding a net-zero pledge by 2050, although chief executive Darren Woods has previously said companies doing so have no real plans to meet their goals.

Tech investor Chris Jamess Engine No. 1 has been lobbying other shareholders to back its four climate-oriented board nominees, the Wall Street Journal reported, in a war culminating on Wednesday.

In fact, if any of these appointments go ahead, Woods may have trouble implementing the current fossil fuel-focused strategy.

Chevrons AGM is set to be much less heated, however shareholders are due to vote on remuneration packages after disappointing quarterly results, where earnings dropped to US$1.3bn from US$3.6bn last year.

Shell dipped 1% to 1,306.91p while ExxonMobil and Chevron were flat at US$58.12 and US$103.94 on Wednesday.
GSB Gold Standard and Josip Heit acquire historic German newspapers.

HAMBURG-NORD, Germany, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GSB Gold Standard, based in Hamburg, Germany, announces the strategic acquisition of three historic newspaper brands, along with their registered trademarks, in an effort to strengthen and expand their GSMedia Division and promote GSB's G999 Blockchain technology: Berliner Tageeszeitung, Berliner Tageblatt, and Deutsche Tageszeitung.

GSB Gold Standard G999, GStelecom, GSmedia, GSB Gold Standard : Josip Heit takes over German media group with brands: BERLINER TAGESZEITUNG, Deutsche Tageszeitung and Berliner Tageblatt

By acquiring these historic newspapers, GSB Gold Standard Group and Josip Heit as Chairman of the Board is confident of growing the German media company, which is comparable to some of the largest media organisations in the United States. The recently acquired newspapers were some of the most influential and well-known in Germany during the time of publication, with two of them having origins dating back to the 19th century.

Berliner Tageeszeitung - Founded in 1945

Berliner Tageblatt - Founded in 1872

Deutsche Tageszeitung - Founded in 1894

With a self-proclaimed obsession for technological innovation, Heit hopes to take these influential and historic names and transform them for the 21st century to be more modern, and in line with his pioneering spirit and entrepreneurial vision.

Heit follows a line of other business magnates like John W. Henry, owner of Liverpool FC, who in 2013, purchased the Boston Globe for $70 million, and former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, who purchased the Washington Post for $250 million the same year.

About GSB Gold Standard Corporation AG (GSB)

GSB's innovative software solutions, such as G999 and GStelecom, among others, create transparency and can be used equally by customers worldwide.

Current products such as the GStelecom app for both Apple and Android can be downloaded here:

Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=block.chain.chat

Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/tt/app/gstelecom-by-g999-blockchain/id1547577247

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G999, GStelecom, GSmedia, GSB Gold Standard : Josip Heit takes over German media group with brands:

G999, GStelecom, GSmedia, GSB Gold Standard : Josip Heit takes over German media group with brands: BERLINER TAGESZEITUNG, Deutsche Tageszeitung and Berliner Tageblatt

Related Video

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SOURCE GSB Gold Standard
This is the perfect time for Qlarion and GCOM to merge. The acquisition coincides with a seismic shift in the role technology has played to deliver services during a time of unparalleled crisis, precipitated by COVID-19. GCOM's leadership understands that data is the critical next step to help governments make the best decisions for their constituents. Qlarion's comprehensive enterprise data analytics services and track record with state and local government make it a powerful addition to GCOM's suite of solutions.

"Liberating data will enable governments, at all levels, to make more informed decisions, creating better outcomes for their constituents," said Kamal Bherwani, CEO of GCOM. "Qlarion's analytics will amplify GCOM's mission to support our government partners to improve population well-being, promote equity, and drive economic growth."

Qlarion provides its customers with on the ground, real-time feedback, giving unprecedented visibility across government services and decision making. Qlarion designed the Commonwealth of Virginia's Framework for Addiction Analysis and Community Transformation (FAACT), a cross-agency data-sharing initiative that helps communities in the Commonwealth combat opioid addiction. In 2020, FAACT was expanded as a key part of Virginia's response to COVID-19 and was recently awarded a Best-In-Class GCN Innovation Award and a NASCIO State IT Recognition Award.

"We believe in the power of data to help transform government services and we are looking forward to having a broader reach as we join forces with GCOM," said Jake Bittner, President and CEO of Qlarion. "Both GCOM and Qlarion are committed to creating real, tangible value for our customers and we're excited to continue our pursuit of this shared goal."

In addition to serving as GCOM's data analytics arm, Qlarion's data analytics experts will work closely with GCOM's product team to inject analytics into the company's existing SaaS products, allowing customers to better quantify and understand the effect of their policies and programs.

GCOM's technology platforms are deployed across 22 states. The Qlarion acquisition supercharges GCOM's ability to support its state and local government clients by embedding analytics into its offerings to provide better visibility into the program outcomes. GCOM currently helps to support 2.7M mothers, infants, and children as part of the WIC program, and we are excited to offer additional insights to our partners to improve nutrition security for women and children.

Qlarion will continue to be operated by its existing management team as a separate business unit and maintain offices in Reston and Richmond, Virginia. Its customers will be served by the same team of data analytics professionals.

About GCOM:

GCOM delivers innovative solutions to state and local governments nationwide, with a focus on systems in health and human services, justice and public safety, licensing and regulatory markets. Combining the resources and capabilities of a large systems integrator with the agility and accessibility of a tight-knit and nimble team, GCOM offers state and local government leading-edge, scalable solutions to enhance operational performance and improve the constituent experience.

About Qlarion

Qlarion is a government innovation firm that develops data and analytics solutions for the public sector. Qlarion's solutions are designed to help its customers make better business decisions, enhance constituent engagement, reduce costs, and improve efficiency by using business intelligence and analytics to effectively manage, access, and understand information. Using its Imagine innovation framework, Qlarion works with clients to identify high-value use cases, design and implement data and analytics solutions, and establish Centers of Excellence that create lasting impact. To learn more, visit www.qlarion.com or follow on LinkedIn.

About Sagewind Capital LLC:

Sagewind Capital LLC is a New York-based middle-market private equity firm. Sagewind seeks to partner with exceptional management teams and focuses on significant capital appreciation by helping businesses grow organically and through strategic acquisitions. Since inception, Sagewind has made eight investments across several industries, including government services, aerospace & defense, software, information technology, healthcare and business services. The firm is focused on long-term capital appreciation and has the flexibility to own businesses for extended periods. For more information please visit www.sagewindcapital.com

SOURCE GCOM
NEW YORK, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GenNx360 Capital Partners ("GenNx360") today announced that its portfolio company, Precision Aviation Group, Inc. ("PAG"), has made its fourth acquisition since GenNx360's investment through the purchase of Keystone Turbine Services (KTS). This transaction represents the latest step in an aggressive expansion strategy by GenNx360 for PAG. In 2018, GenNx360 took a controlling interest in PAG, a leading provider of products and value-added services to the worldwide aerospace and defense industry. Coatesville, PA-based KTS specializes in providing complete OEM-approved aftermarket maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for operators of the Rolls-Royce M250 series of gas turbine engines, along with related Honeywell and Triumph accessories plus component, spare parts, and field service support.

David Mast, President and CEO of PAG stated, "We are excited about adding KTS to the Precision Aviation Group of Companies. The addition of KTS increases PAG's repair stations to 12 worldwide, and further diversifies its MRO capabilities by expanding its services into the Rolls-Royce M250 engine. Like PAG, KTS has a history of delivering exceptional customer service, industry-leading products, and cost-effective repair solutions for its customers. Through its strategically located repair stations, the combined organizations will now be better equipped to provide Rolls-Royce M250 operators additional support."

Daphne Dufresne, the GenNx360 Managing Partner who led the transaction said, "I am pleased to assist PAG on its continued positive growth trajectory. We're excited about the opportunities that exist to expand PAG's market share and this partnership will provide significant benefits to our customers. The latest acquisition is a testament to the strength of PAG's management team."

About GenNx360 Capital Partners

GenNx360 Capital Partners is a private equity firm focused on acquiring middle market business services and industrial companies. We invest in companies with proven and sustainable business models in expanding industries with the objective of implementing the required operating changes to deliver cost efficiencies, accelerate growth, and generate strong financial returns. Target industries include industrial machinery and components, logistics and supply chain solutions, industrial and environmental services, food and agricultural products and services, infrastructure equipment and services, specialty chemicals, packaging, and aerospace and defense. GenNx360 was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in New York City. http://www.gennx360.com.

About Precision Aviation Group

Precision Aviation Group (PAG) is a leading provider of products and value-added services to the worldwide aerospace and defense industry. With 14 Locations, 12 Repair Stations and 450,000-square-feet of sales and service facilities in the United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore and Brazil, PAG uses its distinct business units and customer-focused business model to serve aviation customers through two business functions -- Aviation Supply Chain and its trademarked Inventory Supported Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (ISMRO). PAG provides MRO and Supply Chain Solutions for Fixed and Rotary-wing aircraft. PAG subsidiaries have MRO capabilities on over 25,000 products, including accessories, avionics, dynamic components, fuel accessories, hydraulics, instruments, starter/generators, and wheels/brakes. www.precisionaviationgroup.com.

Contact:

Carmen Rojas

Director of Investor Relations

1-212-257-6772

[email protected]

SOURCE GenNx360 Capital Partners

Related Links

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LEXINGTON, Ky., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Gladiator Law Marketing is proud to announce that it has received the 2021 Webby Award for the design of a website: https://www.sexualharassment-california.com. The site was created for Gilleon Law Firm, whose San Diego attorneys are committed to protecting the interests of survivors of sexual harassment and abuse.

In addition to this prestigious Webby award, Gladiator won the People's Voice Award for web and mobile sites that are law-firm-related.

There are different types of media recognized by Webby annual awards. In addition to websites, they include videos, apps, social, games and podcasts. In any category, there are only two awards: the Webby and the People's Voice. This year, both awards for law firm websites went to the Gladiator-designed site.

The New York Times describes the Webby as "the Internet's highest honor." The Webby Award is voted on by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Determination is based on several criteria, including design, innovation, content, technology, interactivity, copywriting and ease of use.

The People's Voice Award is voted on by millions of internet fans around the world. The large base of voting stems from the growing popularity of the Webby Awards.

More than 13,000 entries vied for this year's Webby awards. Among other winners are the Oprah's Book Club podcast, the [AR]T Museum app, and special achievement awards for Ava Duveray, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Yara Shahidi.

There is a history of winning at Gladiator. The team has won previous awards in Web Development from the Web Marketing Association (WMA), including the WMA award for Legal Standard of Excellence.

Gilleon Law Firm's website designer, Lisa Vaughn, created the award-winning design, which was achieved through close collaboration with the firm to reflect their skills, values, and outreach efforts to the public. She captured the public awareness of the "Me Too" movement to show how Gilleon Law Firm protects the rights of survivors of sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace.

Winners of the Webby are asked to provide five words to reflect their work. Gladiator captures the intent of the site through its statement: "Your words make real change."

Vaughn, who is also the founding owner and president of Gladiator Law Marketing, said that custom-crafted designs and continued innovation are central to the agency's winning web design approach.

"Since each firm has its own focus and unique brand, we design websites that reach and appeal to potential clients accordingly. We have found that custom design results in attracting clients and bringing in more business than a template-based law firm website. While this requires investing significantly more time in partnership with the firm to ensure a customized design, the extra effort pays off."

Vaughn noted that while other agencies are more concerned about cutting corners -- reducing their investment and maximizing customer investment -- that approach costs the client more and results in a lower-quality product.

The constant evolution of the web presents many challenges for marketers, but Vaughn believes that with those challenges come opportunities and the impetus to continually reimagine the possibilities that good web design and writing can bring.

"Changes in the Google search algorithm and mobile design are some recent trends that have shaped our design approach," Vaughn said. "And we're already thinking about how 5G networks are transforming available design technologies."

Gladiator Law Marketing approaches web design with five key objectives: clearly identifying the law firm, telling that law firm's story, establishing its credibility, connecting with visitors to the site, and compelling those visitors to act. Visit the agency's website to learn more about Gladiator Law Marketing's web design for law firms.

Gladiator Law Marketing boasts more than 50 years of combined experienced from its team of professional marketers. It works with law firms across the U.S. to create custom-crafted, results-oriented websites. To contact Gladiator Law Marketing, call 888.683.3212.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com

SOURCE Gladiator Law Marketing
DUBLIN, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Insurance Agencies Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Major players in the insurance agencies market are McGriff Insurance Services, Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC, Aon PLC, Brown & Brown Insurance Inc., and HUB International Ltd.



The global insurance agencies market is expected to grow from $109.91 billion in 2020 to $111.98 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.9%.

The growth is mainly due to the companies rearranging their operations and recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges.

The market is expected to reach $135 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 4.8%.



Introduction to technology-enabled services and platforms is a leading trend in the insurance agencies market. Insurance and technology companies are assisting insurance agencies by developing technology-enabled services and platforms for enhancing smooth customer experience and versatility.

For instance, in 2019, Nationwide and Bold Penguin partnered to launch the commercial digital storefront, to deliver an easy-to-use single-entry software that allows agents to reach the best markets in record time, and in July 2020 the companies are now validating an independent agent-facing commercial insurance quoting and sales platform. Furthermore, in April 2020, Aureus Analytics, an artificial intelligence technology company, partnered with HawkSoft to help independent insurance agents understand better how well their agency serves the insured.



The insurance agencies market covered in this report is segmented by insurance into life insurance; property & casualty insurance; health & medical insurance; others. It is also segmented by mode into online; offline and by end user into corporate; individual.



In March 2020, USI Insurance Services, a USA based consulting and insurance brokerage firm with expertise in risk management, employee benefit, and retirement plan consulting has acquired Full Service Insurance Agency, Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is expected to expand USI Insurance Services' commercial, employee benefit, and personal risk expertise into Tennessee. Full Service Insurance, Inc., is a US-based insurance agency, concentrating on commercial insurance, employee benefits, and risk solutions for businesses and individuals.



Increased awareness about the benefits of insurance coverage is expected to drive the insurance agencies market. The pandemic has alerted the public and made them aware of the uncertainty, which led them towards opting for insurance to protect their and their families' lives. For instance, according to the Max Bupa survey on the difference of mindset of people before and after the COVID-19 onset, during pre-COVID times the percentage of buyers and planners for comprehensive plans was 32% and 41%, respectively.

The demand for insurance plans has seen a significant increase over the last few months, with the percentage of buyers and people intending to buy rising to 55% and 60%. The insurance agencies help the people in obtaining the best insurance policy as per their need and budget. Hence, a higher awareness rate among the public on the benefits of insurance coverage aids in the growth of the insurance agencies market.



Change in consumers' behavior of approaching the insurance providers directly for availing insurance policies instead of insurance agencies is expected to hinder the market growth. Customers feel empowered to forego agents and brokers as most of the insurance providers are providing online services.

Moreover, online term plans offered by life insurance companies are comparatively 20-30% cheaper than offline ones. Thus, changing customer-approach towards insurance agencies eliminates the involvement of agencies and brokers in the process of insurance purchase, which in turn is restricting the growth of the insurance agencies market.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary



2. Insurance Agencies Market Characteristics



3. Insurance Agencies Market Trends and Strategies



4. Impact of COVID-19 on Insurance Agencies



5. Insurance Agencies Market Size and Growth

5.1. Global Insurance Agencies Historic Market, 2015-2020, $ Billion

5.1.1. Drivers of the Market

5.1.2. Restraints on the Market

5.2. Global Insurance Agencies Forecast Market, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

5.2.1. Drivers of the Market

5.2.2. Restraints on the Market



6. Insurance Agencies Market Segmentation

6.1. Global Insurance Agencies Market, Segmentation by Insurance, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Life Insurance

Property & Casualty Insurance

Health & Medical Insurance

Others

6.2. Global Insurance Agencies Market, Segmentation by Mode, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Online

Offline

6.3. Global Insurance Agencies Market, Segmentation by End User, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Corporate

Individual

7. Insurance Agencies Market Regional and Country Analysis

7.1. Global Insurance Agencies Market, Split by Region, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

7.2. Global Insurance Agencies Market, Split by Country, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Companies Mentioned

McGriff Insurance Services

Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC

Aon PLC

Brown & Brown Insurance Inc.

HUB International Ltd.

USI Insurance Services

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8hosc4

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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

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SOURCE Research and Markets

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KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Thoma Bravo, a leading private equity investment firm focused on the software and technology-enabled services sector, today announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Greenphire, the global leader in financial lifecycle management software for clinical trials, from The Riverside Company. The deal, which is subject to customary regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the second quarter of this year. Jim Murphy, CEO of Greenphire, will continue to lead the company along with the existing management team in King of Prussia, PA. Financial details were not disclosed for the pending transaction.

Founded in 2008, Greenphire enables pharmaceutical industry leaders worldwide to run more efficient and successful clinical trials. The company's end-to-end solutions optimize clinical trial performance by streamlining payment and logistical workflows from sponsors and contract research organizations (CROs) to sites and patients in more than 70 countries. Greenphire has earned the position of trusted partner for a broad array of clients including the majority of the top 30 pharmaceutical companies and top 10 CROs as well as leading investigative research sites. Using the company's flexible SaaS solution suite, sponsors, CROs and research sites are able to support trials of any design and complexity while accommodating regional workflow preferences and nuanced regulatory requirements.

"Our acquisition by Thoma Bravo is further validation of our strategy and the unique value we provide our clients, particularly as pharmaceutical companies and CROs accelerate trends towards participant centricity in their clinical trials," said Jim Murphy, CEO of Greenphire. "We have continued to set the standard for financial workflow automation and patient convenience in clinical trials on a global scale and look forward to building on our growth and success during this new chapter with Thoma Bravo."

"The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of clinical trial technology solutions which enable greater research site effectiveness and better participant support," said Hudson Smith, a Partner at Thoma Bravo. "Greenphire is well-positioned to expand its client base and continue to execute on its growth strategy."

"Through our investment and expertise in healthcare IT, we will help drive faster innovation, broaden the company's products and solutions and further expand the company's global client base," said AJ Jangalapalli, a Principal at Thoma Bravo. "We look forward to working with this market-leading franchise, Jim and the company's high-quality management team to build on Greenphire's already remarkable success."

Jefferies LLC and AGC Partners are serving as financial advisor to Greenphire and Jones Day is serving as legal counsel. William Blair is serving as financial advisor to Thoma Bravo and Kirkland & Ellis, LLP is serving as legal counsel.

About Greenphire

Greenphire is the leader in global clinical trial financial process automation. Greenphire's best-in-class solutions optimize clinical trial performance by streamlining payment and logistical workflows from sponsors and CROs to sites and patients. Greenphire's EnvisiX, eClinicalGPS, ClinCard and ConneX solutions easily handle any type of trial design and complexity, resulting in more accurate and compliant payments and simplified travel globally for both sites and patients. The choice of industry leaders worldwide, Greenphire provides better performance and better data, resulting in better trials. Learn more at greenphire.com.

About Thoma Bravo

Thoma Bravo is one of the largest private equity firms in the world, with more than $78 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2021. The firm invests in growth-oriented, innovative companies operating in the software and technology sectors. Leveraging the firm's deep sector expertise and proven strategic and operational capabilities, Thoma Bravo collaborates with its portfolio companies to implement operating best practices, drive growth initiatives and make accretive acquisitions intended to accelerate revenue and earnings. Over the past 20 years, the firm has acquired more than 300 companies representing over $85 billion in enterprise value. The firm has offices in Chicago, Miami and San Francisco. For more information, visit thomabravo.com.

Media Contacts

Greenphire

Amy Sitnick

[email protected]

215-609-4315

Alyson Kuritz

Zer0 to 5ive for Greenphire

[email protected]

(908) 892-7149

Thoma Bravo

Megan Frank

[email protected]

212-731-4778

Finsbury Glover Hering

Andrew Johnson

[email protected]

646-805-2000

SOURCE Greenphire

Related Links

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VENTURA, Calif., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In a recent article by NBC titled, "In California's recall, Democrats would rather not have a backup plan," Alex Seitz-Wald explained that Democrats have no backup option on the ballot this fall and prefer not having an alternate to Newsom. However, a group of Democrats in Southern California have recently backed a new democratic candidate for Governor: Meet Kevin Paffrath, who announced his bid for governor on May 17 and has been featured in Fox News, KFI 640, Fox Business, AM 600, The Daily Caller, The Daily Mail, Kennedy Saves America, KUSI, Fox40, KTLA, and Inside California Politics within a week of announcing his candidacy. He has also raised substantial donations from over 1700 donors with a significantly higher-than-normal, per-person donation.

Meet Kevin Paffrath For Governor

California Democrats are seeking a real leader who can fix the State's tangible issues. This recall election is not a Republican recall, it is a referendum on Gavin Newsom's poor performance. Paffrath will declare 4 State of Emergencies on his first day in office:

State of Emergency: ending homelessness within 60 days by deploying the National Guard.

ending homelessness within 60 days by deploying the National Guard. State of Emergency: Housing Crisis: State to takeover ALL building and safety/development for expediting building permits IMMEDIATELY.

Housing Crisis: State to takeover ALL building and safety/development for expediting building permits IMMEDIATELY. State of Emergency: Creating Future Schools to immediately provide a free path to financial, vocational, high school, and college education in ONE platform by 18, debt free.

Creating Future Schools to immediately provide a free path to financial, vocational, high school, and college education in ONE platform by 18, debt free. State of Emergency: Transportation: immediately authorizing and requiring private proposals for tunnels, variable toll-roads, mass transit, roads, and ending high-speed-rail funding.

Meet Kevin Paffrath has a 20-part plan to fix California, including:

No state-income tax for the first $250,000 : effectively an instant pay raise for workers and investors, which will be offset with a comprehensive carbon-footprint plan. Legalizing in-person and online gambling, taxing revenues. Reforming the DMV & issuing virtual IDs. Reforming our courts by increasing small-claims limits to $100,000 and creating

a new small-claims, BAR-style license. Reforming the police through community policing.

Media contact: [email protected] Full 20-part plan: www.meetkevin.com

Related Files

Democratic Replacement Press Release.pdf

Related Images

image1.jpg

SOURCE Meet Kevin Paffrath For Governor
AUSTIN, Texas, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hollywood veteran Dane Hanson has opened a new company in Austin that specializes in brand connections through comedy. Think 1/2 agency, 1/2 comedic consultant, 100% brilliant. While laughter as a value exchange is not new, Keaton Wilder's difference lies in the company's vision is to make comedy accessible to any type of business. This is perfectly captured in their most recent commercial, a funny B2B ad, We Hired a Karen.

A production still from keaton Wilder's new commercial

As a small business itself, Keaton Wilder is excited to partner with companies of all sizes. From commercial ideation to social media management, there are countless avenues to add humor to a customer's brand narrative.

Hanson sees his experience as being directly relevant to his business goals. He was the Head Writer of "Punchline" on Fox, and all-total, he produced almost 200 television episodes. He starred in more than 60 national television commercials. Hanson is best-known for his video, "Lie Detector", which has gone viral on every social media platform.

As for being yet another person who moved from California to Texas in 2020, Hanson apologizes and promises not to change anything.

Contact Keaton Wilder at:

www.keatonwilder.com

www.instagram.com/keaton.wilder

email: [email protected]

phone: (512) 522-7350

Related Images

keaton-wilder-we-hired-a-karen.png

Keaton Wilder - We Hired a Karen

A production still from keaton Wilder's new commercial

SOURCE Keaton Wilder
CLEARWATER, Fla., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HRTG) ("Heritage" or the "Company"), a super-regional property and casualty insurance holding company, announced today that it placed its 2021-2022 catastrophe reinsurance program for its statutory insurance subsidiaries, including Heritage Property Casualty Insurance Company (HPCIC), Narragansett Bay Insurance Company (NBIC) and Zephyr Insurance Company (ZIC).

2021-2022 catastrophe reinsurance program key points:

Total cost to Heritage of approximately $312 million , accounting for 28% of March 31, 2021 premiums-in-force.

, accounting for 28% of premiums-in-force. First event reinsurance tower exhaustion point of $1.4 billion and total limit of $2.5 billion in the southeast.

and total limit of in the southeast. $640 million of private market layers automatically reinstate, all of which are prepaid and included in the cost above.

of private market layers automatically reinstate, all of which are prepaid and included in the cost above. First event loss retention in the southeast and Hawaii of $32.0 million and $20.7 million in the northeast.

of and in the northeast. Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund participation of 90%.

Ernie Garateix, Heritage's CEO, said, "We completed our 2021-2022 catastrophe reinsurance program meaningfully earlier this year, which is a testament to our strong reinsurance partner relationships, diversified book of business and solid reserving track record. Compared to last year, we prepaid reinstatement premiums for all layers with a reinstatement available and substantially eliminated co-participations in the reinsurance tower above our regional retentions. Overall, we have a stronger program with fewer moving parts. We are grateful to our reinsurance partners for their support."

Financial information, including material announcements about Heritage, is routinely posted on investors.heritagepci.com.

About Heritage

Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. is a super-regional property and casualty insurance holding company. Through its insurance subsidiaries and a large network of experienced agents, the Company writes over $1.1 billion of gross personal and commercial residential premium across its multi-state footprint.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those discussed herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "would," "estimate," "or "continue" or the other negative variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include management's expectations regarding the 2021-2022 catastrophe reinsurance program. The risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ from those expressed or implied herein include, the matters described from time to time by the Company in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2021. The Company undertakes no obligations to update, change or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, additional or subsequent developments or otherwise.

Investor Contact:

Arash Soleimani, CFA, CPA

Executive Vice President

727.871.0206

[email protected]

SOURCE Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc.

Related Links

investors.heritagepci.com


Theresa Pham and Leo Bienati started their family business, Holy Kombucha, in 2011. Their small business soared and received national demand from major retailers. Consumers couldn't get enough Holy Kombucha! In 2019, their world was turned upside down upon Theresa's son's suicide, and their business took a backseat to their suffering as they grieved alongside their children in 2019 and 2020. With time and faith, Theresa and Leo transformed their pain to a renewed purpose- to advocate for mental health awareness and teen suicide prevention. Their redemption journey is redefining the company's mission to deliver delicious beverages with a meaningful purpose.

"The tragic loss of my son redefined "success" for Holy Kombucha. We were reborn into roles that focused beyond typical corporate initiatives," says Theresa. "Success is now measured in how many lives we can save. Partnering with Hope Squad will ensure we achieve our goal."

As the national partner of Hope Squad, Holy Kombucha will raise awareness with Hope Squad through "Theresa's Message: A Mother's Help," speaking to parents, schools, and administrators on the importance of this successful program to spread hope and love to at-risk kids.

"We are beyond grateful for the opportunity to partner with Hope Squad with the help of our new investment partner, Cloister Holdings, enabling us to make this long-term financial commitment and helping us grow our business across our existing product lines and our exciting new innovations in the market," says Theresa.

Hope Squad members are trained to be aware of their peers and watch for warning signs. They are taught to show empathy to their peers, listen without judgment, and reduce stigma regarding help-seeking behavior and mental illness.

"In our first meeting with Holy Kombucha, I was extremely excited for the opportunity to work with such passionate individuals," says Dr. Gregory A. Hudnall, founder and CEO of Hope Squad. "Their mission to promote holistic well-being will help break down the stigmas associated with mental health and will strengthen communities across the country. We are so inspired by Theresa and Leo's commitment to ending teen suicide and we are very fortunate that Holy Kombucha is Hope Squad's first corporate national partner."

For more information visit https://hopesquad.com and https://holykombucha.com .

About Holy Kombucha:

Holy Kombucha provides healthy beverages to stores nationwide including Whole Foods, Albertsons, Costco, Central Market, Natural Grocers, The Fresh Market and many more. Holy provides three distinct beverage product lines including Holy Kombucha, Holy Tepache, and Ritual Yaupon Tea.

SOURCE Holy Kombucha

Related Links

https://hopesquad.com


The independent technology Group, today announced an unaudited trading update for its financial year ended 30 April 2021 and outlook for the current financial year. Trading performance for the year ended 30 April 2021 is in line with expectations. Net funds stronger than expected at c.2m (30 April 2020: net debt of 4.7m; 31 October 2020: net debt of 6.1m).

26 May 2021

@HybridanLLP

*A corporate client of Hybridan LLP

Dish of the day

Pharma C Investments (AQSE:PCIL) has listed as a SPAC on the Access Segment of the AQSE Growth Market. It is specifically seeking to take advantage of the dynamic regulatory environment surrounding legal Medicinal Cannabis. Successful 1m fundraising at 0.7p per share.



Off the menu

has left AIM following a recommended acquisition.

Whats cooking in the IPO kitchen?

UK SPAC (formerly Mountfield Group and now an AIM Rule 15 Shell) has applied for admission to the AQSE Growth Market. The Company recently raised 3.1m in a placing, giving the Company flexibility in pursuing a reverse take-over transaction. The Directors of the Company are currently in the process of identifying and assessing reverse takeover opportunities with a particular focus on the European medicinal cannabis sector. The Directors are working closely with specialists in this industry in order to evaluate opportunities. Due 3 June.

TECC Capital plc is a SPAC applying to be listed on the Access Segment of the AQSE Growth Market with the intention to identify and acquire a suitable business opportunity or opportunities and undertake an acquisition or merger or a series of acquisitions or mergers. The focus will be investing in businesses which are developing and/or supporting the application of technology in innovative sectors such as: artificial intelligence and machine learning; telematics; life sciences (including medicinal cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD) wellness); cyber security; and eCommerce (including big data and the internet of things (IOT). Due 3 June

MADE, a digitally native lifestyle brand in home has announced its intention to IPO onto the Premium Listing Segment of the LSE. MADE's mission is to make high-end designer furniture and homeware products accessible to everyone. Their gross sales, net revenue and Adjusted EBITDA were 109.5m, 82.4m and 1.8m, respectively, for the three months ended 31 March 2021 and 315m, 247m and (5.1m), respectively, for the year ended 31 December 2020. The Offer would comprise a primary offer to raise proceeds to further develop growth in existing markets, improve service through reduction of lead-times offered to customers, scale its homeware range and give the Group increased working capital flexibility. MADE would seek to raise approximately 100m of primary proceeds.

The Artisanal Spirits Company to join AIM. It is the holding company of the Group, whose principal operating subsidiary, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Limited ("SMWS") trades under the Group's flagship brand The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. SMWS is the leading curator and provider of premium single cask Scotch malt whisky and other spirits for sale primarily online to a discerning global membership. SMWS has a presence in over 30 international markets. Offer TBA. Due 4 June

Therapeutics announces intention to Float on AIM. The revenue generating biopharmaceutical company that is targeting improving patient care by bringing innovative medicines to market through the enhancement of existing therapeutic products using its innovative proprietary formulation technology platform, Arestat. Admission is expected to occur in early June 2021. Deal details TBC.

expected intention to float on the London Stock Exchange. Marex have a broad service offering, primarily across energy, commodity and financial markets through its Market Making, Commercial Hedging, Price Discovery and Data & Advisory businesses, and has strong positions across its core energy and commodities markets, executing around 35m trades and clearing over 175m contracts in 2020. Headquartered in London, the Group was formed in 2011 and currently has 19 offices worldwide with around 1,000 employees and more than 12,000 clients across Europe, Asia and America. In the year ended 31 December 2020, the Group's net revenue increased by 17.7% from $352.2m to $414.7m, and adjusted operating profit before tax increased by 15.2% from $53.4m to $61.5m. Should Marex proceed with an IPO, the current expectation is that the shares would be admitted to the Premium Listing Segment of the LSE and the offer would comprise of an offer of existing shares to be sold by certain existing shareholders of the Company.

Trellus Health which is commercialising a scientifically validated, resilience-based, connected health solution for chronic condition management to float on AIM. Expected to raise gross proceeds of approximately 25m. Due 28 May.

Elcogen Group has announced its intention to IPO on AIM. They are a manufacturer of ceramic anode-supported, low temperature solid oxide cell technology. Elcogen has two core product lines, ElcoCell and ElcoStack. Both product lines are used by customers to integrate into their own end products or systems either for distributed power generation (fuel cells), green hydrogen production (electrolysers) or syngas production (co-electrolysis). The Group operates in Estonia and Finland with headquarters in Tallinn, Estonia. Company financials and deal details TBC. Expected admission date early June 2021.

Pioneer Media Holdings Inc to join the Access Segment AQSE Growth Market. The Company is an investment company focused on the eSports and mobile gaming industries, and all business sectors related thereto. No funds being raised. Due 29 May.

Clarify Pharma, an investment vehicle specialising in biotech and life sciences companies seeking to prove the safety and efficacy of psychedelic-based substances, announced its intention to apply for admission of its Ordinary Shares to trading on the Access Segment of the AQSE Growth Market. The flotation is expected to value Clarify Pharma at approximately 10.5m. The Company plans to raise approximately 5m.

Aquila Energy Efficiency Trust to admit its shares on the Main Market (Premium). Seeking raise of up to 150m. The Company will seek to generate attractive returns for Shareholders, principally in the form of income distributions by investing in a diversified portfolio of Energy Efficiency Investments. Due 2 June.

Taylor Maritime Investments to join the Main Market (Premium). The Company is an internally managed investment company with an Executive Team led by Edward Buttery. The Executive Team has to date worked closely together for the Commercial Manager, Taylor Maritime. Established in 2014 by Edward Buttery, Taylor Maritime is a privately owned ship-owning and management business with a seasoned team that includes the founders of dry bulk shipping company Pacific Basin Shipping (listed in Hong Kong 2343.HK) and gas shipping company BW Epic Kosan (formerly Epic Shipping) (listed in Oslo BWEK:NO). Taylor Maritime's team of experienced industry professionals is based in Hong Kong and London. Taylor Maritime's principals have been some of the most active buyers of Handysize and Supramax dry bulk ships having made over US$1.3b of asset purchases and sales since 1987. Seeking a $250m raise. Due 27 May 2021.

Belluscura to join AIM. The designer and manufacturer of FDA cleared, lightweight and portable oxygen concentrators to raise 15m, with an expected pre-money market capitalisation of 35-40m. Due late May.

Voyager Life, the health and wellness company established to supply high-quality Cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp seed oil products, announces the Company's intention to seek admission to trading on the Access Segment AQSE Growth Market. Admission is expected to occur before the end of June 2021. Voyager was incorporated in November 2020 as a health and wellness business focused on CBD and hemp seed oil products. The Company's directors believe that a significant opportunity exists in the CBD market due to the forecast growth and ongoing regulatory changes.

Thor Explorations (TSXV:THX) seeking a secondary listing on AIM. The Company is targeting Admission during Q2 21. Segun Lawson, President & CEO, stated: Thor Explorations has advanced significantly, in both project development and capitalisation since the acquisition of Segilola in 2016. This year, the Company is well positioned to achieve two major milestones with the commencement of gold production at Segilola in Nigeria and a maiden resource at Douta in Senegal, as well as continuing to progress our highly prospective Nigerian exploration portfolio on the Ilesha Schist belt.

Imperial X (AQSE:IMPP) to join the Main Market (Standard). It is also proposed that on Admission to the Official List, the Company will change its name to Cloudbreak Discovery Plc. With effect from Admission, Imperial X will hold equity positions and royalties in a variety of projects in the natural resources sector across multiple jurisdictions, primarily in the Americas and Africa. The Company is proposing to raise up to 1.5m by way of placing of new Ordinary Shares to support further prospect acquisitions. Due 3 June



Banquet Buffet

Alba Mineral Resources 0.26p 16.5m ( )

First set of assay results on bulk sample concentrates produced at the Company's pilot processing plant at the Clogau-St David's Gold Mine have been received by the Company from an accredited independent laboratory. Concentrates produced from Jack Williams Lode and floor material from Tyn-Y-Cornel area returned notable grades of 20.4 to 165.5 g/t. Concentrates produced from two other bulk sample locations returned lower-grade results, grade variability expected due to bulk sample locations (in previously worked-out areas) and inherent nature of Clogau vein system (irregular gold dissemination). The further bulk samples due to be taken this year will be from new, unworked veins, with prospects for higher-grade mineralisation. Pilot processing plant performing well in terms of ability to extract and concentrate coarse gold. Tailings values returned negligible gold grades indicating that plant operating with high efficiency. Underground and surface drilling progressing well.

248.5p 261m ( )

As an anticipated element of Augean's ongoing dispute with HMRC, a landfill tax assessment, which has already been provided for, has been issued by HMRC to Augean. The assessment is for Augean South Limited for the final period from June 2018 to May 2019, for a total quantum of 1.5m (1.6m including interest.) Practices within the Group were changed in May 2019, to prevent further potential assessments, despite the Group's continuing view that HMRC's assessments were incorrect. This Assessment had been provided within the Group's final results for the year ended 31 December 2020. There will therefore be no impact on guidance going forward or on the Group's profit as a result of the receipt of the Assessment. The Assessment will be paid forthwith in order to prevent further accrual of interest. The Group will appeal this Assessment at the forthcoming tax tribunal. The Group continues to believe, based on legal advice, that it has paid the correct amount of landfill tax and that HMRC's assessments are incorrect. HMRC continues to consider whether penalties may be appropriate and there may be other final assessments for other time periods for Augean North Limited.

Cohort 633p 259.9m ( )

The independent technology Group, today announced an unaudited trading update for its financial year ended 30 April 2021 and outlook for the current financial year. Trading performance for the year ended 30 April 2021 is in line with expectations. Net funds stronger than expected at c.2m (30 April 2020: net debt of 4.7m; 31 October 2020: net debt of 6.1m). Record order intake of around 210m (2020: 124.4m). Closing order book of c.240m (30 April 2020: 183.3m). The closing order book underpins 100m (63%) of the market revenue expectations for the year ended 30 April 2022 (2020: 83m, 60%). Acquisition of ELAC completed in the year represented a significant expansion, adding a profitable and growing sixth stand-alone business to the Cohort Group. While the Board's expectations for revenue growth for the current financial year are unchanged, given the expected mix of revenues and resulting margin impact, profit growth is expected to slow.

Crossword Cybersecurity* 42p 24.2m ( )

Crossword has acquired Verifiable Credentials Limited - the provider of Identiproof which is a central technology in applications for the issuing of digital certificates and documents that cannot be forged or transferred. Identiproof will become Crosswords third product, joining Rizikon and Nixer in the portfolio, as a cryptography based cyber security product. Crossword has agreed to pay a total consideration of up to 2.75m - 100k upfront cash with the remaining paid in shares dependent on certain commercial milestones.

CyanConnode 8.1p 15.1m ( )

The specialist in Narrowband Radio Frequency Smart Mesh Networks, has signed a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Intellismart, (Intellismart Infrastructure Private Limited), a joint venture company formed by EESL, (Energy Efficiency Services Limited), and NIIF, (National Investment and Infrastructure Fund). Intellismart is a Meter Asset Provider which deploys smart meters by funding CAPEX, which it then recovers through an OPEX model. Intellismart is focusing on expediting the deployment of 250 million smart meters across India and it can operate at scale by leveraging the expertise and capital of EESL and NIIF. Under the MOU, CyanConnode and Intellismart will work on existing EESL and Intellismart projects as well as new ones, in India and international markets.

Judges Scientific 5,980p 377.1m ( )

The group focused on acquiring and developing companies in the scientific instrument sector, has entered into new banking facilities with plc which replace its existing banking arrangements with the Bank, which were for an aggregate amount of 35m. This new Facility will provide greater acquisition financing capacity, both in terms of higher frequency and/or larger deals, in support of the Group's buy and build strategy. The Facility is for an aggregate 60m consisting of a 19m term loan, a committed 35m revolving credit facility plus a 6m accordion facility, which can be drawn at the discretion of the Bank. The Facility replaces the Group's previous facilities of which 19m remained drawn. The Facility has a five year term ("Borrowing Term") with covenants and interest consistent with the previous bank facilities.

Netcall 68.5p 102m ( )

The provider of intelligent automation and customer engagement software, is today launching a new Liberty platform solution, Tenant Hub, tailored to address the specific needs of the housing sector. Like other industries, the housing sector is implementing digital transformation initiatives to streamline operations and improve increasingly complex customer interactions. The importance of these initiatives is further amplified by an expected surge in housing demand as a result of the lock-down placing the housing sector under increasing pressure. Powered by Netcall's Liberty platform, Tenant Hub is a housing specific suite of solutions centred on Liberty Create low-code capabilities, with self-service and integration to Liberty's omnichannel contact centre solutions. The result for tenants is improved online access to vital services, including rent statements and repair services, as well as more choice when it comes to engaging, including via Twitter and Facebook Messenger.

Revolution Bars 23.75p 29.7m ( )

The UK operator of 66 premium bars, trading under the Revolution and Revolucion de Cuba brands, announced the results of its Bookbuild launched yesterday. Subject to, inter alia, the necessary resolutions being passed at the General Meeting which is to be held on 14 June 2021, in aggregate, 105,001,866 New Ordinary Shares are to be issued pursuant to the Firm Placing and the Placing and Open Offer, at an Issue Price of 20 pence per New Ordinary Share, raising gross proceeds of approximately 21m (approximately 19.9m net of expenses).

SDI Group 183.5p 180.6m ( )

The Group focused on the design and manufacture of scientific and technology products for use in digital imaging and sensing and control applications updated on trading for the year ended 30 April 2021. Following the Company's February Trading Update, March and April sales and order intake have been robust across all of our businesses, evidencing a further and welcome return towards normality in our served markets. Subject to any audit adjustments, we now expect to report Revenue of approximately 35.3m and Adjusted Profit Before Tax of approximately 7.4m, both of which are higher than those provided in our 10 February 2021 Trading Update. We have not changed our expectations for our current financial year ending 30 April 2022 compared with the update provided on 10 February 2021 (Sales > 42.0m, Adjusted PBT > 8.7m).

Telit Comms 228p 305m ( )

Telit announced the launch of commercial operations of its new mobile core network, Telit NExT, enabling new and enhanced turnkey services that give enterprises, IoT service providers and other users access to over 600 + 2G, 3G and 4G networks in 190 countries. The new IoT conceived core network is a key element in the expansion of Telit's cloud & connectivity offering and the latest example of Telit's commitment to providing the entire ecosystem with services and solutions that enable seamless, flexible, reliable connectivity.

Head Chef

Derren Nathan

0203 764 2344

derren.nathan@hybridan.com

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OMAHA, Neb., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of our men and women who have served in the nation's military, Home Instead, the world's leading provider of in-home care services for older adults, has announced the creation of a new annual franchisee incentive program for veterans.

Under the new program, Mission to Service, Home Instead will waive its franchise fees for two eligible veterans, a $59,000 value per franchise. Applications for the franchise incentives will open May 27, 2021 and remain open until November 1, 2021. Details on how to apply are at this link.

"With this new incentive program, Home Instead continues its efforts to give back to those who have served in the nation's armed forces, providing rewarding franchise careers that enable them to continue their personal mission of service to their communities," said Jeff Huber, CEO of Home Instead. "May is National Military Appreciation Month and is also the Month of the Military Caregiver  it's an ideal time to honor veterans for their military service."

Home Instead, which was recently recognized by Franchise Business Review as a Top Franchise for Veterans, piloted the new incentive program last fall, awarding a franchise fee waiver to veteran Catrice Morris, a senior human resources sergeant from the U.S. Army. Morris, who has served in the U.S. and Iraq, opened a Home Instead franchise in Smithfield, North Carolina, and is currently providing care to older adults in her community. Her inspiration convinced Home Instead this career initiative would be a great offering for other entrepreneurial-spirited veterans

"My military career has provided me the opportunity to give back to my country, and I have found that continuing that service commitment with Home Instead is very rewarding," said Morris. "I am excited about the opportunity this program has created to help me start my own business and serve seniors in the Smithfield community."

To be eligible for the Mission to Service incentive program, veteran applicants must be willing to relocate to a market where a Home Instead franchise is available. Candidates should possess a track record of success as people managers and leaders. Successful candidates will also have a servant's heart with a desire to build a business that gives back to the communities it serves.

In addition to the new Mission to Service program, Home Instead offers opportunities to veterans for franchise ownership through the VetFran program, a voluntary effort of International Franchise Association (IFA) member companies to encourage franchise ownership by offering financial incentives to honorably discharged veterans. Home Instead is proud to be a 5-star franchisor of the VetFran community, offering a 20% discount off of the initial franchise fee to qualified military persons who are approved and start a franchise from the ground up. Additional information about VetFran incentives are available here.

ABOUT HOME INSTEAD

Founded in 1994 in Omaha, Nebraska, the Home Instead franchise network provides personalized care, support and education to enhance the lives of aging adults and their families. Today, the network is the world's leading provider of in-home care services for older adults, with more than 1,200 independently owned and operated franchises that provide more than 90 million hours of care annually throughout the United States and 14 other countries. Local Home Instead offices employ approximately 90,000 CAREGiversSM worldwide who provide basic support services that enable older adults to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. Home Instead franchise owners partner with clients and their family members to help meet varied individual needs. Services span the care continuum  from providing personal care to specialized Alzheimer's care and hospice support. Also available are family caregiver education and support resources. Visit HomeInstead.com . Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter .

SOURCE Home Instead

Related Links

http://HomeInstead.com


DALLAS, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As a champion for health equity, the American Heart Association, the leading global voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, is enlisting the power of social entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and individual change agents to create innovative business models and concepts designed to drive health equity, sustainability, and community transformation. The Association made several recent announcements on initiatives from its EmPOWERED to Serve platform, which focuses on improving health outcomes and reducing the gap in health equity among under-resourced and multicultural communities.

Mathew Knowles Brahma Sharma, M.D., a cardiologist and Chair of American Heart Association AAPI liaison committee for Cardiovascular Disease and Sudden Death Prevention

EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator now accepting applications through July 16

On May 3, the Association began accepting applications to its fifth EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator. Community-based social entrepreneurs and nonprofits who are working to solve issues related to the social determinants of health across the country are encouraged to apply now through July 16, 2021. Previous participants have introduced innovative approaches to bridging gaps in access to healthcare, healthy food, stable housing and STEM education. Small business owners and organizations from historically under-represented communities are encouraged to apply for a chance to participate in the eight-week accelerator. Participants will attend the national virtual finale event on October 21, 2021 and have a chance to receive up to $65,000 in grant funding. More information and the application can be found at empoweredtoserve.org/apply.

EmPOWERED to Serve roundtables ask men to Live Fierce and Stand for All this summer

In addition, this summer EmPOWERED to Serve roundtables, which convene national leaders to bring focus to critical issues faced by historically disadvantaged communities, will focus on men. EmPOWERED Men's Health-Live Fierce, Stand for All roundtables are designed to inspire robust dialogue about the effects of structural racism on the health of men of color  specifically mental and cardiovascular health. These events will also stand as a call to action to affect change for people of color by creating more accessible, equitable solutions across the country. In June in observance of Father's Day, we invite men of color to Take a Stand for Your Mental & Physical Health and learn strategies for wellbeing in the face of the social injustices that can also adversely impact health. This event will take place on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 5 p.m. PDT/7 p.m. CDT/8 p.m. EDT. The roundtable will be moderated by Brahma Sharma, M.D., a cardiologist and Chair of American Heart Association AAPI liaison committee for Cardiovascular Disease and Sudden Death Prevention. Panelists will include:

Mathew Knowles , a record executive, talent manager and businessman

, a record executive, talent manager and businessman Ana Sierra , Ph.D., a licensed mental health professional

, Ph.D., a licensed mental health professional Ngoc Vuong , EmPOWERED to Serve scholar

July is National Black Family Month and EmPOWERED to Serve will highlight the role of the Black man in the health of Black families and communities during a livestreamed roundtable, Live Fierce. Stand for All. On Tuesday, July 27, 2021, the discussion will focus on the importance of prioritizing health, knowing your numbers, fun family fitness routines and how to make everyday chores, like cooking, a family affair.

The EmPOWERED to Serve roundtables are free and open to the public. Anyone interested in attending the virtual events can register on the EmPOWERED to Serve website.

Building a diverse pipeline of STEM professionals with EmPOWERED to Serve Scholars

On May 19, the Association held a ceremony to recognize the 2020 class of EmPOWERED to Serve Scholars. The initiative annually awards grants to students focused on health impact empowering them to become agents of change in their communities. This opportunity is open to first-year college students, sophomores and juniors who are actively addressing social determinants of health such as food insecurity, safe housing, job opportunities and access to health care.

The 2021 EmPOWERED to Serve application period will open in August 2021.Please visit the EmPOWERED to Serve Scholars site for more information.

Through the EmPOWERED to Serve platform, the American Heart Association has educated thousands about health disparities and recently announced plans to invest more than $230 million over the next four years to support targeted initiatives and programs. EmPOWERED to Serve will continue leading additional efforts to drive systemic public health change focused on removing barriers to equitable health for everyone, everywhere.

Additional Resources

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public's health, and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries:

Tiffaney D. Hunter, [email protected], 214-775-0807 ext. 700

Kayla Tucker Adams, [email protected], 214-775-0807 ext. 702

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org

SOURCE American Heart Association

Related Links

https://www.heart.org


PASADENA, Calif. and CAERPHILLY, South Wales, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Innova Medical Group, the world's largest provider of rapid antigen tests, has announced an initial investment in South Wales to start producing millions of COVID lateral flow tests per day in the UK, with additional investments to follow later this year to further expand production capacity.

Through a partnership with Sharp Packaging, part of UDG Healthcare PLC, and a global leader in contract packaging and clinical services, Innova's investment will add approximately 300 new jobs across South Wales. The investment will see the delivery of the initial packaging machinery at the Rhymney facility at the end of June, with production expected to begin in early July.

"Innova understands the importance of speed in the fight against the pandemic and strategic contract manufacturing allows us to start local production quickly," said Daniel Elliott, President and CEO of Innova Medical Group. "By domestically sourcing as much of the processes as possible, we are confident this partnership with Sharp will deliver value to our UK customers. We look forward to the launch of Innova's lateral flow test production in Wales and to expanding that into other markets and regions across the UK."

The Rhymney operation will be one of the largest facilities of its kind and the first to produce Innova's lateral flow tests in the United Kingdom. Innova expects the production capacity from the Welsh facility will fill a significant amount of the central government's future demand.

"We are delighted to collaborate with Innova to support the manufacturing of its COVID-19 lateral flow test kits, right here in the UK where they'll be used," said Ian Morgan, General Manager, Sharp UK. "This important partnership not only allows us to expand our facility by a third but will add nearly 300 new jobs, providing much needed opportunities for our local community."

Vaughan Gething, Economy Minister of Wales said: "Wales welcomes Innova's investment and the hundreds of new job opportunities it creates, boosting the local economy and further enhancing Wales' reputation in the life sciences sector."

Gerald Jones MP, Member of Parliament for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, added: "Rhymney and the surrounding communities are a great place to establish a business and I look forward to Innova and Sharp being a key part of our community for many more years to come."

NOTES TO EDITORS

ABOUT INNOVA MEDICAL GROUP, INC:

Innova Medical Group, Inc. delivers better global health outcomes with its deep expertise in testing, unique offerings in diagnostic medical devices and services that help tackle some of the world's most challenging healthcare problems. Innova specializes in innovative screening, testing and diagnostics for cancer, heart disease, arterial calcification, stroke and virus detection focused on infectious disease. In response to the global pandemic, Innova developed an end-to-end ecosystem of rapid diagnostic and screening tests, along with digital reporting and tracing applications to help organizations manage the COVID-19 crisis. For more information, please visit: www.innovamedgroup.com

ABOUT SHARP PACKAGING SERVICES:

Sharp Packaging Services, a division of UDG Healthcare PLC, is a global leader in contract packaging and clinical services. Operating from state-of-the-art facilities across the US and Europe, Sharp has built an international reputation for delivering cost-effective blister packaging, bottling, pouches and stick packs, compliance packaging, formulation and manufacturing services, label design and printing. Sharp is also a world leader in 'Track and Trace' serialisation services. More info on www.sharpservices.com

SOURCE Innova Medical Group, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.innovamedgroup.com


Enterprises will go through the Response, Recovery, and Renew phases.

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With the continuing spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic, organizations across the globe are gradually flattening their recessionary curve by leveraging technology. Many businesses will go through response, recovery, and renew phases. Building business resilience and enabling agility will aid organizations to move forward in their journey out of the COVID-19 crisis towards the Next Normal.

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Aerospace Insurance Market by End-user, Insurance Type, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The aerospace insurance market will decline by USD 44.12 million during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of (0.29) %. To get extensive research insights: Download Our Exclusive Sample Report

Travel Insurance Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The travel insurance market has the potential to grow by USD 12.61 billion during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 8.60%. To get extensive research insights: Download Our Exclusive Sample Report

Major Three Insurance Software Market Participants:

Accenture Plc

Accenture Plc operates its business from North America, Europe, and Growth Markets. This company offers insurance software such as Accenture Life Insurance & Annuity Platform (ALIP).

Applied Systems Inc.

This company offers insurance software such as Applied Wealth Track, Applied Wealth Mobile, and Applied iFactFind.

Axxis Systems SA

This company offers insurance software such as SIS.Net 10.

If you purchase a report that is updated in the next 60 days, we will send you the new edition and data extract FREE! Get report snapshot here to get detailed market share analysis of market participants during COVID-19 lockdown:

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Insurance Software Market 2021-2025: Segmentation

Insurance software market is segmented as below:

Deployment

On-premise



Cloud-based

Geography

North America



APAC



Europe



MEA



South America



The insurance software market is driven by the increased use of insurance in emergent countries. In addition, uncertain catastrophic events leading to an increased need for insurance are expected to trigger the insurance software market toward witnessing a CAGR of about 8% during the forecast period.

Get more insights about the global trends impacting the future of insurance software market, Request Free Sample @ https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR44333

Market Drivers

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Market Trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendors covered

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Competitive scenario

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Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Report: https://www.technavio.com/report/insurance-software-market-industry-analysis

SOURCE Technavio
ATLANTA, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: IVR) announced today that it plans to make a public offering of 37.5 million shares of its common stock. The Company will grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 5.625 million shares of common stock. The underwriters may offer the shares of common stock from time to time to purchasers directly or through agents, or through brokers in brokerage transactions on the NYSE, or in the over-the-counter market, or to dealers in negotiated transactions or in a combination of such methods of sale, at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to pay for the previously announced redemption of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company's 7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share, and to use any remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, repayment of maturing obligations, capital expenditures and working capital.

Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, BofA Securities, JMP Securities LLC and JonesTrading Institutional Services LLC are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

The Company is conducting the offering pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-3ASR dated February 27, 2019 (Commission File No. 333-229917). The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus that will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Before you invest, you should read the prospectus supplement, prospectus and other documents the Company has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Company and this offering. These documents will be available for free on EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus may also be obtained by contacting:

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

Attn: Prospectus Department

6933 Louis Stephens Drive

Morrisville, North Carolina 27560

By phone: 1-800-221-1037

By e-mail: [email protected]

This announcement shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc.

Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. is a real estate investment trust that primarily focuses on investing in, financing and managing mortgage-backed securities and other mortgage-related assets. Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. is externally managed and advised by Invesco Advisers, Inc., a registered investment adviser and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Invesco Ltd., a leading independent global investment management firm.

Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include statements and information that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. securities laws as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements include information about the size of the offering described above, the Company's ability to complete such offering on desirable terms, or at all, and the use of the net proceeds therefrom, as well as any other statements other than statements of historical fact. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "continue," "intend," "project," "forecast" or similar expressions and future or conditional verbs such as "will," "may," "could," "should," and "would," and any other statement that necessarily depends on future events, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements may contain such words.

The forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs, assumptions and expectations of the Company's future performance, taking into account all information currently available. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to the Company. For example, the pricing and closing of the offering described above are subject to market conditions and closing conditions customary in transactions of this type and may be delayed or may not occur at all. In addition, the net proceeds of the offering may not be used as indicated. Some of the other factors are described in the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings, including the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on May 5, 2021, which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, under the headings "Risk Factors," "Forward-Looking Statements," "Business" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," as applicable.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible to predict those events or how they may affect the Company. Except as required by law, the Company is not obligated to, and does not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Relations Contact: Jack Bateman, 404-439-3323

SOURCE Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc.
Inspired by the bold, contemporary wine style of Ecco Domani, Jeremy Scott  who created his own namesake fashion brand in the '90s  embarked on a creative process to blend his own signature artistic aesthetic with that of the wine brand. Synonymous with irreverent, statement-making fashion, Scott often pays tribute to '90s pop culture trends in his collections.

"There is a natural affinity between Ecco Domani and my own fashion label as both first rose to prominence in the '90s," said Jeremy Scott. "Playing with the bold shapes, abstract graphics, and neon colors that influenced '90s pop culture is a cheeky nod to Ecco Domani's 25th anniversary. With this original label design, I wanted to bring forth that nostalgia in a truly modern way as a reminder that standing out is always in style."

The Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio collaboration with Jeremy Scott is the latest in a series of partnerships spanning seven years with past design luminaries who have used the iconic bottle as a creative canvas to create uniquely fashion-forward, limited-edition labels.

"Much like Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio itself, Jeremy Scott's eye-catching label design encourages our fans to make a statement, and to have fun doing so," says Heather Austin, Director of Marketing for Ecco Domani. "We're excited to partner with Jeremy for our 25th anniversary limited-edition label and hope consumers everywhere look forward to making a confident and fashionable statement this summer."

Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio is made from expressive grapes grown in the scenic delle Venezie region of Northern Italy. With light citrus and delicate floral aromas, notes of tropical fruit, and a crisp, refreshing finish, the wine is perfect for enjoying with a variety of foods like sushi, light pasta dishes and pizza, or simply on its own.

The exclusive label by Jeremy Scott for Ecco Domani will be available for a limited-time nationwide starting in June 2021 for $11.99. For more information about the collaboration and to find a retailer near you, visit www.eccodomani.com or follow Ecco Domani on Instagram @eccodomaniwine.

ABOUT ECCO DOMANI

Ecco Domani translates to "Here's tomorrow" in Italian, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to crafting authentic Italian wines. Hailing from the renowned Italian regions of Tre Venezie (Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia), Ecco Domani wines embody the stylish, contemporary side of Northern Italy. A perfect partner to a wide range of foods, Ecco Domani wines offer bright fruit flavors and a fresh, approachable style, making them a go-to choice for savvy hosts who want to celebrate the everyday. Beyond the wine glass, Ecco Domani promotes a strong commitment to style and self-expression that comes to life every summer as unique label art from top designers on our Pinot Grigio bottle. Over the years, top designers such as Zac Posen, Stacey Bendet, Bobby Berk, and Brandon Maxwell have used the iconic bottle as their creative canvas to create fashion-forward, limited-edition labels.

For more information about Ecco Domani as well as entertaining tips and original recipes, please visit us online at:

www.eccodomani.com

Facebook.com/eccodomani

Instagram.com/eccodomaniwine

ABOUT JEREMY SCOTT

JEREMY SCOTT is an American designer who is the Creative Director of both his namesake label and the Italian fashion house Moschino. He is known for his signature designs of kitsch, pop, camp, neon, sparkle, fearlessness and incisive humor. Scott is a celebrity favorite and has dressed an extensive list of A-listers. This roster includes: Cardi B, A$AP Rocky, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Kacey Musgraves, Madonna, Maluma, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Zendaya and many more. He has been recognized in a number of multimedia projects and publications, including a 2014 Rizzoli monograph and a documentary titled The People's Designer (a nickname coined by the press that has stuck), which was released in theaters and on Netflix.

For more information about Jeremy Scott, please visit us online at:

www.jeremyscott.com

@itsjeremyscott

@jeremyscott

*IRI, Total US MULO, 52W Ending 1-24-21, Premium+ Pinot Grigio by UPC, Volume Sales.

Media Contacts:

Chelsea Berardicurti

[email protected]



Rachel Blom

[email protected]

SOURCE Ecco Domani

Related Links

http://www.eccodomani.com


For every bottle of Josh Cellars Reserve Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon sold, $1 will be donated to the National Volunteer Firefighter Council (NVFC) or other local firefighter charities including CalFire Benevolent Foundation, Boston Fire Department Relief Fund, the FDNY Foundation and the Professional Firefighters Association of South Florida. In all, Josh Cellars is committing more than $250,000 in donations to benefit thousands of firefighters across the country.

"Growing up, our home was across the street from the firehouse and my dad Josh was a volunteer firefighter," explained Joseph Carr, founder of Josh Cellars. "I learned from a very young age that firefighters are true heroes, and I'm honored to be able to make such a significant donation to these heroes, recognizing not only their service, but also their selflessness."

A brand rooted in gratitude, Josh Cellars was created by Joseph Carr as a tribute to his dad, Josh. To honor his dad's legacy, Joseph Carr and the Josh Cellars brand consistently support causes and communities that were important to Josh Carr  from military and veteran organizations, to out of work restaurant workers and healthcare providers. Over the past three years, Josh Cellars has donated over $780,000 to charity groups across the country, through direct donations and proceeds from the annual release of the Josh Cellars Reserve Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon. This year's donation to firefighter organizations will bring the brand's total charitable contributions from the time of its founding to over $1 million.

"The National Volunteer Fire Council relies on donations from individuals and companies like Josh Cellars to help us provide support and resources for the volunteer firefighters who serve their communities every day," said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. "We thank Josh Cellars for their continued commitment to those who answer the call and risk everything to protect their communities."

In addition to the donations from this year's limited-edition wine, Josh Cellars will also express thanks at select firehouses by hosting lunches for these local heroes alongside chefs Barbara Lynch in Boston and JJ Johnson in New York.

Sourced from prestigious vineyards in California's Lodi region, Josh Cellars Reserve Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon (MSRP $19.99) is a premium, full-bodied selection with rich flavors of blueberry and blackberry, layered with notes of espresso and toasted vanilla. This wine pairs well with summer grilling favorites, including meats like brisket with sweet barbecue sauces or rubs, and sides like potato salad with bacon.

Josh Cellars Reserve Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon is available at retailers nationwide. Visit www.joshcellars.com/store-locator/ to find this wine at a store near you.

*Source: IRI week ending 4/18/21

About Josh Cellars

Josh Cellars was founded by Joseph Carr, a sommelier and vintner. Josh Cellars offers bold, complex and approachable wines for drinking with family and friends. Sourced from vineyards across California and Italy, Josh Cellars offers 11 varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Rose, Legacy Red Blend, Pinot Gris, Prosecco, Prosecco Rose and Pinot Grigio. Josh Cellars also offers a more premium Reserve tier of wines, which includes North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast Chardonnay and Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon. Josh Cellars wines are available at retailers nationwide: www.joshcellars.com

About Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits

Initially called W.J. Deutsch & Sons Ltd., the company was founded in 1981 by Chairman Bill Deutsch to market quality wines produced by prestigious families from major wine regions of the world. In 2009, it announced the expansion of the award-winning company to include a spirits portfolio. Today the company is renowned for its brand-building prowess and its ability to meet the needs of the modern consumer. Bill's son Peter Deutsch is CEO; thus, two generations of the Deutsch family work side by side in their continuous quest to build strong brands and relationships throughout the wine and spirits industry.

The portfolio includes award-winning wines from Australia: [ yellow tail ], [ yellow tail ] Bubbles; [ yellow tail ] Pure Bright; California: Bellacosa; Girard Winery, Joseph Carr, Josh Cellars, Josh Cellars Reserve, Layer Cake; The Calling; France: Andre Lurton, Cave de Lugny, Fleurs de Prairie, Hob Nob Vineyards, Sauvion et Fils; Italy: Barone Fini, Villa Pozzi; New Zealand: The Crossings; Portugal: Quinta Do Vale Meao; Argentina: Clos de los Siete; and award-winning spirits: Redemption Whiskey, Bib & Tucker Bourbon, Masterson's Rye, Luksusowa Vodka and Gray Whale Gin. www.deutschfamily.com

About the National Volunteer Fire Council

The NVFC, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, is the only organization created solely to support volunteer firefighters, EMS providers, and rescue personnel. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides critical resources, programs, education, and advocacy for first responders across the nation.

Media Contact

R\West: Carly Andersen, [email protected]

SOURCE Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits

Related Links

http://www.joshcellars.com


JERUSALEM and HOUSTON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- KAHR, a clinical-stage cancer immunotherapy company developing novel bi-functional fusion proteins, and Cancer Focus Fund, LP, a unique venture capital fund established in collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anderson) to provide funding and clinical expertise to advance promising cancer therapies, today announced that Cancer Focus Fund is investing $5 million to finance a clinical trial of KAHR's lead anti-CD47 candidate, DSP107, in blood cancers.

The Cancer Focus Fund investment will support a Phase 1/2 clinical study assessing KAHR's first-in-class CD47x41BB targeting agent in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and T-cell lymphoproliferative diseases. Cancer Focus Fund is receiving a combination of equity and future payments from KAHR based on DSP107 achieving certain milestones.

"KAHR's multi-functional immuno-recruitment fusion proteins exemplify the innovative approach to cancer we seek to support," said Ross Barrett, a founder and Managing Partner of Cancer Focus Fund. "DSP107 uniquely delivers a multilayered attack by binding cancer cells and T-cells to produce a targeted synergistic effect, combining immune checkpoint inhibition with selective T-cell activation. It has demonstrated encouraging activity in preclinical models, and we welcome the opportunity to support its clinical assessment in blood cancers."

"We are honored to collaborate with Cancer Focus Fund, which has invested in KAHR and through its partnership with MD Anderson, contributed expertise in the planning of this Phase 1/2 clinical trial," said Yaron Pereg, PhD, CEO of KAHR. "This marks our second clinical study for DSP107, which is currently being investigated in a Phase 1/2 trial as monotherapy and in combination with Roche's PD-L1-blocking checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab (Tecentriq) in solid tumors. We look forward to expanding the clinical development program for our lead product and initiating this study in hematological malignancies in collaboration with MD Anderson."

The study will be conducted at MD Anderson under the direction of Naval Daver, MD, Associate Professor in the Department of Leukemia. The two-part open label, dose escalation and expansion study is expected to enroll up to 112 patients. The first part will evaluate the safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of DSP107 as monotherapy and in combination with azacytidine in patients with relapsed/refractory AML, MDS or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). In the second part, the trial will assess the efficacy of DSP107 as monotherapy and in combination with azacytidine or with azacytidine plus venetoclax in patients with previously untreated AML or MDS, and in patients with relapsed/refractory MDS, CMML and T-cell lymphoproliferative diseases.

About DSP107

DSP107 is a first-in-class CD47x41BB targeting compound that simultaneously targets cancer cells, weakens their innate defenses and activates an effective, local response of both innate and adaptive immunity. DSP107 targets CD47-overexpressing tumors, simultaneously blocking macrophage inhibitory signals and delivering an immune costimulatory signal to tumor antigen-specific, activated T-cells. CD47 is overexpressed on many cancer cells and binds SIRP on immune phagocytic cells to produce a "don't eat me" signal. DSP107 binds CD47 on cancer cells, blocking interaction with SIRP and thus, blocking the "don't eat me signal". Simultaneously, DSP107 binds 41BB on T-cells, stimulating their activation. These activities lead to targeted immune activation through both macrophage and T-cell mediated tumor destruction.

About KAHR

KAHR is developing the next generation of immuno-oncology drug candidates for the treatment of multiple types of cancer. The Company's lead product, DSP107, is a first-in-class CD47x41BB targeting compound that simultaneously targets cancer cells, weakens their innate defenses and activates an effective, local response of both innate and adaptive immunity. KAHR's technology platform is based on multi-functional immuno-recruitment proteins (MIRP) that utilize overexpression of checkpoint antigens on cancer cells to selectively target and bind to the tumor. MIRPs bridge cancer cells to immune cells to produce a targeted synergistic effect by combining immune checkpoint inhibition with localized immune cell activation, unmasking cancer cell camouflage to enable innate immune response, while recruiting the adaptive immune system to bind and selectively kill the cancer cells. Investors in the Company include Flerie Invest AB, Oriella Limited a Consensus Business Group Limited subsidiary, Hadassit Bio Holdings, Pavilion Capital, Mirae Asset, Korean Investment Partners and DSC Investments. For more information, please visit kahrbio.com/.

About Cancer Focus Fund

The Cancer Focus Fund LP is a unique investment fund established in collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The fund provides investment support to advance promising cancer therapies that are close to being tested in humans, as well as the clinical trial expertise and infrastructure of MD Anderson and strategic partners Ochsner Health System Precision Cancer Therapies Program New Orleans and the LSU Feist Weiller Cancer Center Shreveport. The fund's objective is to leverage this unique combination to provide investors with superior risk-adjusted returns. Along with the fund's partner at MD Anderson, the Cancer Focus Fund provides both capital and translational research expertise with the goal of accelerating the development of novel cancer therapies that result in better outcomes for patients while generating returns for investors.

Disclosures

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center's relationship with Cancer Focus Fund, and all research conducted at MD Anderson related to Cancer Focus Fund, has been identified as an institutional financial conflict of interest by MD Anderson's Institutional Conflict of Interest Committee and therefore is managed under an Institutional Conflict of Interest Management and Monitoring Plan.

Contacts:









KAHR Cancer Focus Fund MD Anderson





Investors: Corporate:

Alan Lada Ross Barrett

SOLEBURY TROUT Managing Partner

+1-856-313-8206 [email protected]







Media:



Tsipi Haitovsky Barbara Lindheim Clayton Boldt Global Media Liaison BLL Partners for Public Relations KAHR Cancer Focus Fund MD Anderson +972-52-598-9892 +1 917 355-9234 +1 713 792-9518 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]







SOURCE Cancer Focus Fund and KAHR

Related Links

http://kahrbio.com/


The contract includes the supply of commissioning gas from September 1, 2021, to the end of 2021 and will commence on January 1, 2022.

The contract is valued at around $22 million over the 15-year period.

( ) has signed a 15-year contract for the supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) for the companys Wickepin Kaolin Project with Mid-West LNG Pty Ltd, (MWLNG) a group company of Clean Energy Fuels Australia (CEFA).

The supply of LNG will be used to fire the rotary kiln at Wickepin that dries the kaolin ore, which is the first step in the companys proprietary K99 dry processing method.

Investors have responded positively with shares up more than 9% in early trade to 20.2 cents.

This contract, which includes the supply of commissioning gas from September 1, 2021, to the end of 2021, will commence on January 1, 2022, and will run for 15 years with reviews at year 5 and year 10, and provides for two options to extend for a further five years respectively.

It is valued at around $22 million over the 15-year period and provides for the storage and re-vapourisation infrastructure, including delivery of LNG by a virtual pipeline.

Agreement vital to project development

WA Kaolin CEO Andrew Sorensen said: We are thrilled to have entered into a 15-year contract with CEFA, one of WAs leading energy solution providers.

As we continue to progress our Stage 1 work program towards our target to be producing by year-end 2021, it is vital for our development program that we lock in such important long term supplier agreements like this.

The Stage 1 work program at Wickepin continues on track and within budget and I look forward to providing the market with a further update of progression from onsite shortly.

Mount Magnet LNG Hub

CEFA provides integrated solutions developing small scale LNG infrastructure assets for remote mining operations and communities within Australia and is investing in new production plants and associated LNG infrastructure to provide a lower emissions fuel to the rural regions of Australia.

Through Mid-West LNG Pty Ltd, CEFA is building a new LNG plant in Mount Magnet, around 600 kilometres north of Wickepin, and WAK will be the second customer supplied from this new facility.

The Mount Magnet LNG Hub is expected to become a $100 million investment when the site is completely built out with the ability to supply in excess of 500 tonnes per day of LNG.
OAKLAND, Calif., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Koya Medical , a healthcare company focused on developing breakthrough treatments for lymphedema and venous diseases, announced today that it has received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for its active compression therapy system Dayspring for the treatment of lymphedema and venous diseases that impact lymphatic flow in lower extremities. The company also announced the appointments of three veteran executives to its leadership team to support commercialization: Rick Biro, Head of Sales; Liesl Oldstone, Head of Market Access and Clinical Affairs; and Damian Rippole, Chief Financial Officer.

New Indication for Lymphedema in Lower Extremities, Representing 80% of the Lymphedema Market

Patients treated with Dayspring receive standard of care active compression therapy with a mobility-enabling wearable device designed with real life demands in mind. The Dayspring system includes a low-profile active garment made of soft, breathable mesh using Koya's proprietary Flexframe technology; a smart, rechargeable, hand-held controller that can be worn on a lanyard; and a mobile app that allows users or their clinicians to program custom treatment options. Koya previously received FDA clearance for Dayspring for upper extremities in June 2020.

An estimated 20 million Americans live with lymphedema, a progressive, incurable condition where a buildup of protein rich fluid causes painful swelling in the arm, leg and/or other regions of the body.1

"Lymphedema can be physically and emotionally debilitating for patients, so a daily treatment option that enables mobility and allows them to receive treatment while continuing their daily life activities is a significant breakthrough," said Andy Doraiswamy, Ph.D., Koya founder, President and CEO. "We are excited about this new indication and milestone, as well as the addition of three new esteemed executive leaders. Rick, Liesl and Damian bring a wealth of highly relevant experience building successful medical technology companies and will be invaluable in supporting Koya as it transforms lymphatic and vein care by providing access to our innovative products to patients all over the world."

Appointments of Additional Executive Leaders to Propel Commercialization Plans

As Head of Sales, Rick Biro will be responsible for building and executing Koya's go-to-market sales strategy. He joins Koya after serving as Area Sales Director, Central US at PolarityTE where he was part of the commercial leadership team during the company's most expansive growth period. Prior to joining PolarityTE, Rick spent more than 15 years in the lymphedema and wound care space where he held a number of leadership positions with Wright Therapy Products, BSN Medical and Galaxy Medical Products.

As Head of Market Access and Clinical Affairs, Liesl Oldstone will work to articulate the clinical value of the company's highly differentiated product and minimize barriers for patients to access. Her leadership in market access, health economics and reimbursement has spanned more than two decades in both pharma and the medical device industry for industry-leading companies including ResMed, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Covidien (now Medtronic), Cordis (formerly J&J) and Eli Lilly & Company.

Damian Rippole is a strategic and operationally-focused CFO who brings more than 20 years of financial leadership experience in both private and public medical technology companies. Damian was most recently CFO at Ebb Therapeutics (acquired in a private transaction funded by leading global investment firm KKR), maker of an innovative FDA-cleared device for treating insomnia. Prior to that, Damian was Corporate Controller for Respironics, a global leader in the sleep and respiratory markets that was acquired by Philips for $5 billion in 2008. Following the acquisition, Damian led the global finance integration of Respironics into Philips and served as the group Controller for Philips Home Healthcare Solutions business.

About Lymphedema

An estimated 20 million Americans live with lymphedema, a progressive, incurable condition where a buildup of protein rich fluid causes painful swelling in the arm, leg and/or other regions of the body.2 For most, lymphedema requires lifelong maintenance and various levels of therapy to control swelling and pain. Lymphedema is commonly caused by cancer and treatment for cancer due to damage of the lymph system from the tumor itself, radiation treatment or the surgical removal of lymph nodes.

About the DayspringTM System

The Dayspring system is the first wearable and mobility-enabled compression system designed with real life in mind. It is the first and only compression therapy option designed to enable movement, mobility and personalized care that is unavailable with traditional compression therapy. The Dayspring system includes a low-profile active garment made of soft, breathable mesh using Koya's proprietary Flexframe technology; a smart, rechargeable, hand-held controller that can be worn on a lanyard; and a mobile app that allows users or their clinicians to program custom treatment options.

Dayspring is FDA 510(k) cleared to treat lymphedema and other similar conditions that impact lymphatic flow in upper and lower extremities. Koya is currently in a limited pilot launch of Dayspring for upper extremities.

About Koya Medical

Koya Medical is a transformative healthcare company developing breakthrough treatments for lymphedema and venous diseases to increase movement, mobility and personalized care that is unavailable with traditional compression therapy. The privately held company was founded in 2018 with the mission to transform lymphatic and vein care through innovative patient-centric platforms. For company or product inquiry, contact [email protected] . Learn more at koyamedical.com or follow the company on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/koyamedical/ .

1 Dean, S. M., Valenti, E., Hock, K., Leffler, J., Compston, A., & Abraham, W. T. (2020). The clinical characteristics of lower extremity lymphedema in 440 patients. Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders, 8(5), 851859. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvsv.2019.11.014

2 Dean, S. M., Valenti, E., Hock, K., Leffler, J., Compston, A., & Abraham, W. T. (2020). The clinical characteristics of lower extremity lymphedema in 440 patients. Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders, 8(5), 851859. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvsv.2019.11.014

Media Contact:

Jenna Kane

Health+Commerce

[email protected]

480.388.9587

SOURCE Koya Medical

Related Links

https://www.koyamedical.com/


FRESNO, Calif., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Leah Turner ("Turner"), a former package handler at FedEx's Fresno, California location, is claiming that she was denied reasonable accommodation for a back injury, injured further as a result, and ultimately fired. In her complaint, filed on March 24, 2021 in Fresno County Superior Court, Ms. Turner claims that she informed her manager of her back injury when she was hired on September 20, 2020 and requested reasonable accommodations at that time.

Ms. Turner further alleges that her manager did not work with her to develop a reasonable accommodation program but, instead, simply told her to "only work with small packages." Despite this, Ms. Turner was then expected to lift items weighing as much as 50 pounds, according to the lawsuit. On one such occasion, Ms. Turner blew out her hip and fell to the floor after attempting to lift such a package, the lawsuit claims.

According to Ms. Turner's lawsuit, she then went to the hospital and was given a doctor's note excusing her from work for two days and attempted to work with another manager to, once again, try and get accommodations in light of her injuries. Nonetheless, Ms. Turner's lawsuit claims, her manager demanded that she continue to work without accommodation. The pain became unbearable, and Ms. Turner was finally put on rest.

As a result, Ms. Turner's lawsuit alleges she went home to rest, and soon after, Fedex fired her because of her disability and attempts to be accommodated.

Ms. Thurman is represented by attorneys Kyle Todd, Esq. of Kyle Todd, P.C., and Preston Lim, Esq. of Lim Law Group. Requests for comment can be directed to Mr. Todd at (323) 208-9171.

SOURCE Kyle Todd, PC

Related Links

https://www.kyletodd.com


RUEIL-MALMAISON, France, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Infor, the industry cloud company, today announced that the famous French luxury leather goods manufacturer Lancel has chosen to implement Infor CloudSuite Fashion, an ERP solution dedicated specifically to the fashion, textile and luxury industries, as part of a project to migrate and streamline its IT systems.

Learn more about Infor CloudSuite Fashion: https://www.infor.com/industries/fashion

The Lancel family business was founded in Paris in 1876. Specializing in the manufacture and sale of accessories related to the use of tobacco, which was becoming increasingly popular among women, the company naturally made its first leather goods, namely bags, to store these accessories. For nearly a century, Lancel continually innovated and filed numerous patents that allowed the brand to become a part of the French luxury goods industry and then, in the 1980s, an international brand. Integrated into the prestigious Swiss group Richemont in 1997, it was finally acquired in 2018 by the Italian group Piquadro.

As part of this latest acquisition, the challenge of migrating Lancel's IT infrastructure out of the Richemont network prompted the new CIO to completely rethink the existing model, which was heterogeneous and had changed little since 2011. "I joined Lancel at the end of 2019 with the mission, in 24 months, to migrate the legacy systems  three ERPs: Infor M3, Cegid Y2 and SAP  out of the Richemont Group's infrastructure and networks," says Michael Joncour, CIO at Lancel. "This was an organic, precise and perilous mission, especially in the middle of the COVID-19 period, which had a strong impact on the project."

The urgency of the situation led the CIO to capitalize on one of the existing solutions. An in-depth study of the Infor M3 ERP solution found that, although it had been installed in 2011, it was very functionally rich and it met the manufacturer's business requirements. The plan was to upgrade this robust system dedicated to the fashion and luxury goods industry, and it was only natural that Lancel chose the latest multi-tenant cloud SaaS option in order to migrate and upgrade Infor M3 to Infor CloudSuite Fashion as quickly as possible, without creating any disruption in current processes.

"The functional fit of the solution and its numerous standards dedicated to our industry; the prestigious customer references  in particular Zadig&Voltaire; the lack of time and the team available and the support provided by Infor's partner, CGI, which mastered the solution and the Lancel environment, all weighed heavily in the balance when choosing Infor," Joncour confirmed. "We decided to streamline the environment using the latest version of Infor CloudSuite Fashion, which runs in the AWS cloud, and added the Infor Birst BI tool for analytics and kept our Cegid Y2 tool interfaced with the Infor solution."

Today, the project is on track with the schedule as envisioned before the pandemic began. "The project started in March 2021 and the objective is to have migrated all of Lancel's infrastructure and data by December 31, 2021," said Olivier Scheidegger, director of consulting services at CGI, who is working with Lancel and the Infor teams on the project. "The choice of the cloud in this context is particularly astute in that it offers agility and a speed of deployment that is unmatched by traditional installations."

For Infor, the project validates the vertical industry approach and investments made in the cloud with AWS. "The popularity of our Infor CloudSuite Fashion solution with prestigious fashion brands in France and internationally is now more than ever a reality," said Philippe Maillet, Infor SMB & channel sales director in France. "With this project, carried out jointly with Lancel and our partner CGI, we are once again demonstrating our ability to rapidly transform a heterogeneous legacy environment into a homogeneous infrastructure for digital that centralizes both application solutions and data. In less than one year, despite the pandemic, Lancel will be able to benefit from a dedicated, centralized and secure business solution. In addition, it will be able to continually benefit from the regular updates to its CloudSuite Fashion solution thanks to its open architecture and interface it with other applications, in particular with a PLM solution, as it plans to do."

About Lancel

Lancel, a French leather goods company, was founded in 1876. A family-owned group, it has taken care, since its origins, to give Parisian life a mischievous and innovative air at the same time, the timeless seal of what appears to the world as the "French touch." Integrated into the prestigious Swiss group Richemont in 1997, it was bought in 2018 by the Italian group Piquadro. Today, Lancel continues to embrace its era by following a long tradition whose common thread, as feminine as it is Parisian, can only be translated as "French Legerete." For more information: www.lancel.com/fr_en/

About CGI

Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 77,000 consultants and other professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. CGI Fiscal 2020 reported revenue is C$12.16 billion. CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at www.cgi.com

About Infor

Infor is a global leader in business cloud software specialized by industry. Providing mission-critical enterprise applications to 67,000 customers in more than 175 countries, Infor software is designed to deliver more value and less risk, with more sustainable operational advantages. We empower our 17,000 employees to leverage their deep industry expertise and use data-driven insights to create, learn and adapt quickly to solve emerging business and industry challenges. Infor is committed to providing our customers with modern tools to transform their business and accelerate their own path to innovation. To learn more, please visit www.infor.com .

For more information

Richard Moore

Infor PR EMEA

[email protected]

+447976111243

SOURCE Infor

Related Links

www.infor.com


DUBLIN, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Livestock Monitoring Market with COVID-19 Impact Analysis by Offering, Livestock Type, Application (Milk Harvesting, Feeding, Breeding, Behavior Monitoring & Control), Farm Size, Application, Geography - Global Forecast to 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The overall livestock monitoring market is expected to grow from USD 1.4 billion in 2021 to USD 2.3 billion by 2026; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% during 2021-2026.

Key factors fueling this market's growth include livestock monitoring and disease detection; increasing adoption of IoT and AI by dairy farmers; and substantial cost-saving associated with livestock monitoring management industry.

Growing population of cattle with increasing dairy farms and increasing adoption of livestock monitoring technology in developing countries create a strong demand for livestock monitoring in the midst of COVID-19.

However, high technological cost and limited technical knowledge and skills of farmers restrains the market growth.

"Behavior Monitoring & Control application to hold largest share of livestock monitoring market by 2026"

The livestock monitoring market for behavior monitoring & control application is expected to hold the largest share during the forecast period, mainly due to the increasing adoption of hardware devices such as sensors, RFID tags & readers, and livestock RFID active collars for early detection of disease in livestock, management of herd, and identification and tracking of livestock.

Increasing awareness among owners regarding livestock monitoring technology along with the increasing popularity of software solutions for animal behavior and health monitoring is fueling market for this application.

"Europe to be largest market for livestock monitoring by 2026"

Europe is expected to hold the largest share of the livestock monitoring market during the forecast period. Europe is expected to offer a huge platform for potential growth of the livestock monitoring market. The already existing infrastructure of modern telecommunication offers great potential for the growth of the livestock monitoring market in Europe.

Major Players Profiled:

GEA Farm Technologies ( Germany )

) DeLaval ( Sweden )

) Afimilk Ltd. ( Israel )

) BouMatic, LLC (US)

Merck Animal Health (US)

Dairymaster Ltd. ( Ireland )

) Lely International NV ( Netherlands )

) Fancom BV ( Netherlands )

) Fullwood Packo Ltd. (UK)

Nedap NV ( Netherlands )

Key Topics Covered:

1 Introduction

2 Research Methodology

3 Executive Summary

4 Premium Insights

5 Market Overview

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Market Dynamics

5.2.1 Drivers

5.2.1.1 Growing Focus on Livestock Monitoring and Disease Detection

5.2.1.2 Increasing Adoption of Advanced Technologies Such as IoT and AI by Dairy Farmers

5.2.1.3 Substantial Cost-Saving Achieved Through Adoption of Advanced Livestock Monitoring Products

5.2.2 Restraints

5.2.2.1 High Cost of Livestock Monitoring Solutions

5.2.2.2 Limited Skillsets and Technology Understanding Among Farmers

5.2.3 Opportunities

5.2.3.1 Rise in Number of Dairy Farms and Cattle Population

5.2.3.2 Increasing Adoption of Livestock Monitoring Technology in Developing Countries

5.2.4 Challenges

5.2.4.1 Stringent Regulations and Trade Barriers

5.2.4.2 Environmental Concerns and Global Warming

5.3 Value Chain Analysis

5.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5.5 Average Selling Price Analysis

5.6 Trade Analysis

5.6.1 Import Scenario of Live Animals

5.6.2 Export Scenario of Live Animals

5.7 Revenue Shift & New Revenue Pockets for Livestock Monitoring Market

5.8 Livestock Monitoring Ecosystem

5.9 Case Study Analysis

5.9.1 Ghana: Ranchers Remotely Monitoring Their Livestock Using Solutions Provided by Latium

5.9.2 Costa View Farms Improved Breeding Rate in Dairy Cows by Adopting Livestock Monitoring Solution Offered by Allflex (Us)

5.9.3 Connecterra's (Netherlands) AI-Based Solution Improving Farm Productivity in Individual Farm in US

5.10 Patent Analysis

5.10.1 Patent Registrations, 2017-2020

5.10.2 Livestock Monitoring: Patent Analysis

5.10.2.1 Methodology

5.10.2.2 Document Type

5.10.2.3 Insight

5.10.2.4 Allflex (Us)

5.11 Technology Trends

5.11.1 Key Technologies

5.11.1.1 Implementation of AI and Blockchain

5.11.2 Adjacent Technologies

5.11.2.1 Body Conditioning Scoring (BCS) Systems

5.11.2.2 Agriculture Drone

5.12 Tariff and Regulations

5.12.1 Tariffs

5.12.2 Negative Impact of Tariffs on Livestock Market

5.13 Government Regulations and Standards

5.13.1 Government Regulations

5.13.2 Standards

5.13.2.1 International Organization for Standardization (Iso)

5.13.2.2 International Electronics Symposium (Ies)

Companies Mentioned

Afimilk Ltd.

Boumatic, LLC

Cowmanager B.V.

Dairymaster Ltd.

Delaval

Fancom Bv (Subsidiary of CTB International Corp.)

Fullwood Packo Ltd.

Gallagher Group Limited

GAO Rfid Inc.

GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft

HID Global Corporation

Hokofarm-Group Bv

Icerobotics Ltd.

Infovet

Lely International Nv

Merck & Co. Inc. (Merck Animal Health)

Nedap NV

Quantified AG

Sensaphone

Sum-It Computer Systems, Ltd.

Valley Agriculture Software (Vas)

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

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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

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U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

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SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

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NASA's Artemis program is sending humans back to the Moon where they will explore and conduct scientific experiments using a variety of rovers. NASA sought industry approaches to develop a Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) that will enable astronauts to explore the lunar surface farther than ever before. The LTV is the first of many types of surface mobility vehicles needed for NASA's Artemis program.

To support NASA's mission, the two industry leaders will develop a unique vehicle with innovative capabilities, drawing on their unparalleled engineering, performance, technology and reliability legacies. The result may allow astronauts to explore the lunar surface in unprecedented fashion and support discovery in places where humans have never gone before.

Lockheed Martin will lead the team by leveraging its more than 50-year-history of working with NASA on deep-space human and robotic spacecraft, such as NASA's Orion exploration-class spaceship for Artemis and numerous Mars and planetary spacecraft.

"This alliance brings together powerhouse innovation from both companies to make a transformative class of vehicles," said Rick Ambrose, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Space. "Surface mobility is critical to enable and sustain long-term exploration of the lunar surface. These next-generation rovers will dramatically extend the range of astronauts as they perform high-priority science investigation on the Moon that will ultimately impact humanity's understanding of our place in the solar system."

GM is a leader in battery-electric technologies and propulsion systems that are central to its multi-brand, multi-segment electric vehicle strategy, positioning the company for an all-electric future. Additionally, GM will use autonomous technology to facilitate safer and more efficient operations on the Moon.

"General Motors made history by applying advanced technologies and engineering to support the Lunar Rover Vehicle that the Apollo 15 astronauts drove on the Moon," said Alan Wexler, senior vice president of Innovation and Growth at General Motors. "Working together with Lockheed Martin and their deep-space exploration expertise, we plan to support American astronauts on the Moon once again."

GM has a proven history of supporting NASA and working within the space industry. The company manufactured, tested and integrated the inertial guidance and navigation systems for the entire Apollo Moon program, including Apollo 11 and the first human landing in 1969. GM also helped develop the electric Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), including the chassis and wheels for the LRV that was used on Apollo's 15-17 missions.

Unlike the Apollo rovers that only traveled 4.7 miles (7.6 kilometers) from the landing site, the next-generation lunar vehicles are being designed to traverse significantly farther distances to support the first excursions of the Moon's south pole, where it is cold and dark with more rugged terrain.

Autonomous, self-driving systems will allow the rovers to prepare for human landings, provide commercial payload services, and enhance the range and utility of scientific payloads and experiments.

Lockheed Martin brings unparalleled experience and capabilities in deep-space exploration. It has built spacecraft and systems that have gone to every planet, been on every NASA mission to Mars including building 11 of the agency's Mars spacecraft, and played major roles on the space shuttle program and International Space Station power systems.

Announcement press conference replay: https://youtu.be/TpXz6QAAJWE

Rover animation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5869l2cKLZw

Feature story: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/news/features/2021/lunar-terrain-vehicle.html

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

Please follow @LMNews on Twitter for the latest announcements and news across the corporation.

About General Motors

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which powers everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including GM Defense LLC, which delivers integrated vehicles, power and propulsion, autonomy, mobility and security solutions to global aerospace, defense and security markets, can be found at https://www.gm.com and https://www.gmdefensellc.com.

SOURCE Lockheed Martin; GM Defense

Related Links

http://www.lockheedmartin.com


NEW ORLEANS, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Two former Louisiana agricultural workers suffering from Parkinson's disease have filed historic lawsuits against the manufacturers of the herbicide paraquat. The plaintiffs, including a former LSU AgCenter extension agent, worked in the state's ag industry, and were exposed to the toxic chemical for years.

In 2020, a peer-reviewed study by three LSU researchers found a clear correlation between Parkinson's disease and the use of paraquat in rural areas of Louisiana.

The lawsuits, filed May 25th by the New Orleans firms of Herman, Herman & Katz, LLC and the Sangisetty Law Firm and the Los Angeles firm of Arias, Sanguinetti, Wang, Torrijos, allege that Chevron USA, Inc. and Syngeta AG failed to warn of the risk of contracting Parkinson's disease from chronic, low-dose exposure to its herbicide. Punitive damages are also sought for alleged deceptive and unlawful marketing practices.

The Paraquat Link to Parkinson's

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the brain that primarily affects the body's motor system. There is currently no cure or treatment to stop or reverse its progression.

Paraquat was introduced into the U.S. in the 1960s and marketed as a safe and effective method of controlling vegetation. It has regained popularity as vegetation has become resistant to other herbicides.

Agricultural workers may be exposed by inhalation through the nose or mouth or absorption through the skin. It may take years for the effects of exposure to show up.



In 2019, legislation was proposed to ban paraquat in the U.S., but the bill died in Congress.

Will Nationwide Cases Be Consolidated?

The recently filed lawsuits may soon be consolidated as multidistrict litigation (MDL) with other paraquat cases nationwide. A judicial panel will meet in Washington May 27 to hear arguments about whether the cases should be transferred to a single judge for pre-trial proceedings.

Stephen J. Herman, co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs in the MDL following the BP Oil Spill, sees the consolidation of paraquat cases as a leveling tool for victims of the herbicide. "An MDL allows--indeed requires--the best lawyers from around the country to pool their knowledge, experience and financial resources, so that the farmer in Ruston can go toe-to-toe with a company like Chevron," Herman said. "With our track record in these cases and decades-long relationships with the nations' leading firms, Herman, Herman & Katz is uniquely positioned to fight for our ag workers."

For more information, attorney interviews contact:

Joseph E. "Jed" Cain

Herman, Herman & Katz, L.L.C.

504-581-4892 (telephone)

SOURCE Herman, Herman, Katz & Cotlar, L.L.P.
SEOUL, South Korea, May 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mezzion Pharma Co., Ltd. (140410.KQ) is pleased to announce today that it has received notice from the FDA that its NDA submitted on March 26, 2021 for the use of udenafil to treat SVHD patients who have undergone Fontan palliation is sufficiently complete to permit a substantive review (the "FDA Notice").

In the FDA Notice, the FDA advised that there were no filing review issues identified. Thus, the FDA review cycle has started with an expected NDA approval date of March 26, 2022. The FDA also advised in the FDA Notice that the FDA is not currently planning to hold an advisory committee meeting to discuss Mezzion's NDA.

The FDA had previously granted Mezzion's request to designate udenafil for treatment of single ventricle congenital heart disease as a drug for a Rare Pediatric Disease.

To encourage the development of drugs to treat rare pediatric diseases, the US established a priority review voucher (PRV) program under which the FDA awards a PRV to a drug sponsor (manufacturer) upon approval of that sponsor's drug for the treatment of a rare pediatric disease.

Mezzion fully expects that, upon FDA approval of its NDA for the treatment of SVHD patients, a rare pediatric disease, it will be awarded a PRV, at which time the PRV will be fully redeemable and/or transferrable.

Mezzion looks forward to the FDA review process and to bringing a novel pharmacotherapeutic option to this rare pediatric disease population.

About the Fontan Procedure and Subsequent Expectations

The Fontan procedure is a surgical intervention that allows for the survival of children born with congenital heart disease characterized by only a single functional pumping chamber. This procedure consists of re-configuring the circulation to allow the single ventricle to pump blood to the body while connecting the great veins directly to the arteries that bring blood to the lungs. In this "Fontan circulation" the blood returning from the body bypasses the heart and travels to the lungs without the assistance of a dedicated right ventricle pumping chamber. The goal of the Fontan procedure is to separate the systemic and pulmonary circulations and to improve oxygen levels by redirecting venous blood directly to the lungs.

While the Fontan procedure creates a stable circulation, the risk of hospitalization and cardiac death rises significantly in the second and third decades after Fontan completion, a risk that is associated with a decline in exercise capacity. The Fontan circulation is also associated with non-cardiac complications such as protein-losing enteropathy, plastic bronchitis, and liver failure, all of which can be attributed to a chronic elevation in central venous pressure and a chronically reduced cardiac output. For all of these reasons, a 35 year-old patient who has gone through Fontan palliation has the approximate life expectancy of a 75 year old with normal cardiac physiology.

Mezzion Pharma Co., Ltd.

Mezzion Pharma Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Korea. Mezzion and its wholly owned subsidiary, Mezzion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., have administrative offices in Deerfield, Illinois and Boca Raton, Florida. Mezzion Pharma is an innovation-driven pharmaceutical company that is focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel therapeutics in the field of rare pediatric diseases. Mezzion Pharma is a publicly-listed pharmaceutical company in Korea on the Korean stock exchange under (140410:KOSDAQ).

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: Mezzion Pharma's expectations regarding the potential benefits of udenafil; Mezzion Pharma's expectations regarding the anticipated timing of any future clinical trials; Mezzion Pharma's expectations on regulatory submissions for marketing approval of udenafil for the treatment of patients that have undergone the Fontan operation, to improve exercise capacity in the United States, including the timing of these submissions; and Mezzion Pharma's expectations regarding the potential commercial launch of udenafil, including the timing of a potential approval of udenafil. Risks and uncertainties that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: the expectation that Mezzion Pharma will need additional funds to finance its operations; Mezzion Pharma's or any of its collaborative partners' ability to initiate and/or complete clinical trials; the unpredictability of the regulatory process; the possibility that Mezzion Pharma's or any of its clinical trials will not be successful; Mezzion Pharma's dependence on the success of udenafil; Mezzion Pharma's reliance on third parties for the manufacture of Mezzion Pharma's udenafil and udenafil tablets; possible regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; and Mezzion Pharma's ability to attract and retain senior management personnel.

These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in Mezzion Pharma's most recent filings with the Statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act: with the exception of the historical information contained in this release, the matters described herein contain forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties that may individually or mutually impact the matters herein described, including but not limited to FDA review and approval, product development and acceptance, manufacturing, competition, and/or other factors, which are outside the control of Mezzion Pharma. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Mezzion undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

Contact :

Dr. James Yeager, Deerfield, Illinois, USA, Tel: +1-847-2122679

Email: [email protected]

Mr. S.I. Noh, Seoul, Korea, Tel: +82 2 560 8000

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Mezzion Pharma Co. Ltd.
"Tapping into two decades' experience of developing and manufacturing high-quality lipids, we designed a proprietary process to bring our new SAFC synthetic cholesterol product to market nearly a year early," said Andrew Bulpin, head of Process Solutions at MilliporeSigma. "With the introduction of our new SAFC synthetic cholesterol product, we have increased our capacity by 50 times, helping biomanufacturers bring lifesaving therapies to patients faster."

MilliporeSigma manufactures lipids in Schaffhausen, Switzerland; Darmstadt, Germany; and St. Louis, Missouri, USA. While there are animal-derived and synthetic versions of cholesterol available on the market, MilliporeSigma's synthetic cholesterol product offers high purity, scalability, and consistent quality.

This neutral lipid, used in commercially marketed products, is more than 99 percent pure; offers high batch-to-batch consistency and is scalable under commercial GMP. MilliporeSigma is one of a few companies in the world able to produce the quantities needed for lipid nanoparticle manufacturing and meet the quality requirements for mRNA therapeutics.

The launch of this new product follows the company's acquisition of AmpTec, a Hamburg, Germany, based mRNA contract development and manufacturing organization. By combining AmpTec's PCR-based mRNA technology with MilliporeSigma's extensive expertise in lipids manufacturing, MilliporeSigma can provide a truly integrated offering across the mRNA value chain. MilliporeSigma has more than 20 years of experience developing and manufacturing high-quality lipids, following GMP processes. The company provides regulatory support through all phases of clinical development and commercialization, as well as deep analytical expertise.

MilliporeSigma is collaborating with more than 50 companies to support their efforts in the development and production of Covid-19 vaccines and treatments, providing custom lipids, as well as other critical raw materials, processing equipment and services used in mRNA drugs and vaccines manufacturing. Beginning February 2021, the company announced the extension of its strategic partnership with BioNTech to significantly accelerate the supply of urgently needed lipids and increase the quantities to be delivered toward the end of 2021. The lipids will be used for the production of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine.

The company recently announced the addition of a single-use assembly production unit at its Life Science Center in Molsheim, France. The company also recently announced expansion projects in Darmstadt, Germany; Cork, Ireland; Buchs, Switzerland; Carlsbad, California; Madison, Wisconsin; Jaffrey, New Hampshire; and Danvers, Massachusetts. At the latter site, MilliporeSigma is working to double the local single-use production capacity by the end of 2021. These expansions are part of an ambitious, multi-year program to increase the industrial capacity and MilliporeSigma's capabilities to support growing global demand for lifesaving medications and to make significant contributions to public health.

Follow MilliporeSigma on Twitter @MilliporeSigma, on Facebook @MilliporeSigma and on LinkedIn.

All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany news releases are distributed by email at the same time they become available on the EMD Group website. In case you are a resident of the U.S. or Canada please go to www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register again for your online subscription of this service as our newly introduced geo-targeting requires new links in the email. You may later change your selection or discontinue this service.

About the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, has more than 23,000 employees and 59 manufacturing sites worldwide, with a portfolio of more than 300,000 products focused on scientific discovery, biomanufacturing and testing services. Matthias Heinzel is the CEO of MilliporeSigma and a member of the Executive Board of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, 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 KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany generated sales of  17.5 billion in 66 countries.

The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark "Merck" internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma in life science, and EMD Electronics. Since its founding 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company's technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. For more information about Merck, KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, visit www.emdgroup.com.

SOURCE MilliporeSigma

Related Links

https://www.emdmillipore.com


The company plans to integrate Scancam technology into its proprietary platform SenDISA to provide further value to new and existing retail customers.

Scancams anti-fuel theft solution is designed to prevent drive-offs from motorists at service stations and thereby protect the revenue of fuel retailers.

( ) ( ) has entered into a share purchase agreement for the acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital in Scancam Industries Pty Ltd, Australias leading provider of AI anti-theft solutions to fuel retailers.

The acquisition provides SenSen with a strong foundation to grow into the retail industry as Scancams award-winning AI technology prevents drive-offs at service stations, thereby addressing a major problem for fuel retailers in Australia.

SenSen will acquire 100% of the issued share capital of Scancam for:

Upfront consideration: A$6.5 million (A$1 million cash plus A$5.5 million in ordinary shares in SenSen subject to shareholder approval); and

Deferred consideration: Of up to a maximum of about A$4.1 million, should the audited ARR of the Scancam business reach A$3 million within a 24-month period post the completion date  payable in cash or ordinary shares in SenSen at the election of the SenSen Board.

Integrating Scancam technology

This acquisition follows the companys acquisition of SNAP Networks Surveillance with SenSen integrating SNAP technology into its platform  SenDISA - to develop a ground-breaking new product line called SenTRACK which is the worlds first completely automated person-tracking solution across an entire surveillance network.

The combination of Scancam technology to track vehicles of interest and SenTRACK to track people of interest is expected to deliver the worlds first AI data fusion solution to prevent theft in all retail environments, not just fuel retailers.

SenSen chief executive officer Dr Subhash Challa said: This is an important strategic acquisition for SenSen, a move that not only aligns to our ARR generating growth plans for FY22 and beyond, but also provides a strong foundation and impetus to move into the broader retail business vertical.

SenSen is looking forward to welcoming the Scancam team into our group and expanding revenue-earning offerings for Scancams high-quality customer base.

Further, by integrating Scancam technology into SenSens proprietary platform SenDISA, we can provide further value to new and existing retail customers.

Increasing revenue growth

Although Scancam developed this solution to address a serious problem that is costing the fuel retail industry approximately A$59 million per annum across Australia alone, SenSens grand vision is to use this as a springboard to launch product enhancements and variants to solve broader retail theft problems.

Retail crime in Australia is a A$9 billion problem, according to the National Retail Association (NRA) and globally is estimated to cost the industry about US$60 billion annually.

SenSen is particularly excited about this large market and how solutions powered by the companies combined technologies could help offer a highly effective solution to prevent retail theft globally.

Dr Challa said: Our scalable digital AI architecture is a SaaS solution.

Our ingenuity provides new and existing customers with a zero-capex solution  removing what was a barrier to entry for some retailers  and solving a problem that was once thought technically impossible.

As we acquire more service stations across the country on our network, this will enhance margins for SenSen, further increasing revenue growth.

We are excited about the potential this integration holds to further accelerate annual recurring revenues whilst enhancing the margins of our solutions.

Acquisition supports growth strategy

A key strategic driver for the acquisition is Scancams strong alignment with SenSens growth strategy by augmenting ARR from the adjacent industry verticals like fuel retail with a strong ARR growth profile.

For FY21, Scancam unaudited EBITDA is break-even to moderate profitability with unaudited revenues of ~A$2.3 million, including Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of ~A$0.7 million, with a growing ARR profile.

SenSen is confident the acquisition will provide strong growth opportunities within the Australian fuel retail sector that offers organic growth opportunities to expand the anti-fuel theft technology into ~6,500 service stations from the current ~250 service stations served by Scancam.

The company has longstanding clients across Australia in Western Australia, Queensland, as well as a growing presence in NSW, Victoria and the Northern Territory.

Scancams blue-chip fuel retail clients include BP, Ampol (Caltex), Chevron, Euro Garages (formerly Woolworths Caltex) as well as the Western Australia Police Force.

SenSen shares have been as much as 10.4% higher intra-day to A$0.16.
WASHINGTON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- At a pivotal time for racial justice in America, a new interactive art installation will tour the country seeking to inspire "Hope for a New America". Acclaimed Ghanaian artist Kwame Akoto-Bamfo will unveil his latest work, a powerful and thought-provoking interactive sculpture titled Blank Slate: Hope for a New America, during a summer tour of major cities across the South and Midwest. Traveling on a flatbed truck, the mobile art installation aims to engage Americans in a conversation on hope and healing, including an interactive "Blank Slate" component. Visitors will be encouraged to share their opinions in real time on the fight for racial justice, and their words will be displayed anonymously onto the slate. For more information on the monument, tour dates and events, please visit www.blankslatemonument.com.

In tribute to African-American history and the ongoing fight for racial justice, acclaimed Ghanaian artist Kwame Akoto-Bamfo will unveil his latest work, a powerful and thought-provoking interactive sculpture titled Blank Slate: Hope for a New America, during a summer tour of major cities across the South and Midwest that seeks to inspire hope and healing.

Created as a bold counterpoint and challenge to the more than 1,800 Confederate monuments and symbols still on display in public spaces across the U.S., Akoto-Bamfo's mission behind the statue and tour is to use art to forward the racial and social justice movements, help inspire the healing of the nation, and elevate the voices of the silenced and oppressed by giving people a platform to let themselves be heard.

The statue will be unveiled in Louisville, Kentucky on June 2nd, and travel to locations including Chicago, Selma, Birmingham, and more. In each city, the statue will be available to the public for several days for observation, reflection, and participation in the conversation through the interactive Blank Slate screen. The tour will also include events with local elected officials, activists, arts & cultural figures, and local students, including a series of town halls. The town halls will create an open dialogue among community members on different aspects of racial injustice: community safety, health disparities, voting rights, the criminal legal system, education, and more.

Each city on the tour has its own historical and painful legacy of racial injustice. Akoto-Bamfo, best known for his outdoor "Nkyinkyim Installation" sculpture dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Transatlantic slave trade displayed at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, created the Blank Slate statue to challenge the overwhelming prevalence of this legacy by raising awareness of the entrenched issues in each city and inspire a dialogue for a more hopeful future. The statue is unapologetic in its representation of American history in the midst of today's racial crisis and is a visual representation of the evolution of the African American experience and struggle from the millions of enslaved men and women who were crucial to the foundation of the U.S., to the Black soldiers who died fighting in the Civil War, to the more recent lives of George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, Breonna Taylor, Duante Wright, and innumerable others.

The Blank Slate statue features four figures that symbolize the generational struggles in the African American experience: a slave ancestor, a lynched union soldier martyr, a struggling mother activist, and a baby representing the next generation.

Whereas Confederate heroes are typically depicted standing atop "pedestals of privilege", the figures in Blank Slate are standing on top of the only thing they haveeach other a powerful representation of how only through generations of determined cooperation can the underprivileged elevate each other enough to have a voice to speak truth to power.

The monument culminates in an interactive protest sign held by the mother figure at the top, a literal blank slate symbolizing the unwritten future of hope and healing, that will serve to amplify the voices of the public and share their thoughts and hopes to the world in real time. Through a dedicated WiFi system, the public can share on the screen their ideas and hopes for creating positive change in this country. The blank slate will be integrated with a #BlankSlateHope social campaign.

"Blank is the slate that we write on, but we see through. I sculpt yes, but the statement is not my own. The statement is for the people, the African American people, the black people, and people who want to speak up against the tradition of injustice. That is why the slate is left blank," Kwame Akoto-Bamfo shares about his vision for Blank Slate.

The Blank Slate statue will remain on display in Birmingham, Alabama until March 2022 when it is moved to a permanent location, determined by a multi-city bidding process.

For more information, visit www.blankslatemonument.com.

SOURCE Blank Slate Monument

Related Links

http://www.blankslatemonument.com


WASHINGTON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Out of Home Advertising Association of America ( OAAA ), the national trade association for the entire out of home (OOH) and DOOH media ecosystem, today released OpenDirect 1.5.1, an update to the specification that will allow OOH media companies to offer premium inventory though an automated workflow. Providing the benefits of programmatic, the spec provides a standard way for OOH publishers to make their inventory available in any OpenDirect-compliant interface where agencies and advertisers can reserve and purchase inventory.

In addition to making premium guaranteed inventory available to more buyers, adoption of OpenDirect 1.5.1 will open the doorway to controlled access and improved tracking of inventory across systems. It will also provide early visibility reporting and potentially reducing discrepancies down the road.

"Making OOH easier to buy is one of our primary goals  and this updated spec delivers," said Christina Radigan, Chief Marketing Officer, OAAA. "Establishing a consistent, reliable means for speeding the buying and selling of premium inventory will make a meaningful difference to our members and the advertisers they serve. Adoption will expedite transactions, reduce friction, and benefit the marketplace."

"Currently the exchange of excel documents between vendors and agencies is how inventory and availability is shared," said Ian Dallimore, Vice President of Digital Growth and General Manager of Programmatic, Lamar Advertising, and co-chair of the OAAA subcommittee that developed the spec updates. "By transitioning to automation, we are ensuring a timely more transparent workflow."

Additional contributors included Clear Channel, JCDecaux, Kinetic, Ocean Outdoor, Talon Outdoor, Posterscope and the World Out of Home Organization, among others. The trade organization also aligned with the IAB Technology Lab's OpenDirect Working Group.

To view the OpenDirect 1.5.1 specification, please visit www.oaaa.org/OpenDirect

About the OAAA

The Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA) is the national trade association for the entire out of home (OOH) advertising industry. OAAA represents more than 800 members, including leading media companies, advertisers, agencies, ad-tech providers, and suppliers which comprise over 90 percent of the industry. OOH media includes billboards, street furniture, transit, place-based media, and digital formats (DOOH) across every sector of the channel. OAAA is the unifying voice for the industry, the authoritative thought leader, and the passionate advocate for advancing OOH advertising in the United States. The legislative unit of OAAA advocates for the responsible growth of OOH with federal, state, and local government. OAAA-member media companies generously donate over $500 million in public service advertising annually. Founded in 1891, OAAA is headquartered in Washington, DC with offices in New York City. For more information, please visit oaaa.org.

SOURCE Out of Home Advertising Association

Related Links

https://oaaa.org/default.aspx


SAN FRANCISCO and LONDON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Contentstack , the leading Content Experience Platform (CXP), today announced a partnership with OneAffiniti, a provider of through-channel marketing solutions for the world's largest technology brands and their 3,500 channel partners. As part of the partnership, OneAffiniti has integrated Contentstack into its proprietary Through-Channel Marketing Automation (TCMA) platform to accelerate international growth.

The multi-language capabilities of Contentstack include fast, simple integration with translation software. This will augment OneAffiniti's ability to reach beyond the traditional, English-speaking markets of North America, the UK and Australia. This empowers brands to support their channel partners and drive revenue and global growth into new markets across Europe, LATAM and APAC.

OneAffiniti creates more than 400 pieces of new content per month, spanning email, social media, videos, infographics, and eBooks. Consequently, Contentstack was chosen based on its functionality and ability to deliver multilingual content, while also improving workflow and scalability.

Contentstack was also chosen because of the ease of integration with the OneAffiniti proprietary platform. This will make substantial time savings and ensure faster time to market for their clients, no matter what the language.

"Managing large amounts of relevant and timely content in multiple media channels and languages across regions is a huge challenge," said Simon Hjorth, COO, OneAffiniti. "Contentstack is a great solution because it allowed us to easily integrate a best of breed CMS infrastructure into our own technology platform to continue delivering one-click simplicity to drive partner marketing success for global brands and their channel partners."

"This is a great example of how an Agile CMS with a headless architecture can deliver for a business at scale," said Matthew Baier, COO, Contentstack. "Issues such as local languages and consistency throughout regions can be handled easily, and the added benefits of the time savings that arise with automation make a compelling business case for the technology when businesses need to adapt to growth."

Follow Contentstack

Blog: https://www.contentstack.com/blog

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/contentstack

Twitter: @Contentstack

About Contentstack

Contentstack   the pioneering Agile Content Management System (CMS)  empowers marketers and developers to collaborate around content like never before. Together, they can orchestrate superior customer journeys and deliver dynamic digital experiences across channels, audiences, brands and regions. Companies such as Chase, Express, Holiday Inn, Icelandair, Mattel, McDonald's, Mitsubishi, Riot Games, Sephora and Shell trust Contentstack to power their most critical content experiences. Famous for its Care Without Compromise, Contentstack has the industry's highest customer satisfaction. As a founder of the MACH Alliance, Contentstack advocates for open and composable technology that is Microservices-based, API-first, Cloud-native, and Headless. Learn more at www.contentstack.com .

About OneAffiniti

Servicing more than 3,500 channel partners globally, OneAffiniti offers a service-enabled technology platform to create customized, scalable through-channel marketing programs, amplifying growth for brands such as Lenovo, HP, HPE, Dell, Cisco and Microsoft  and their channel partners reaching more than 4 million decision makers each month. Founded in 2008 in Sydney, Australia with offices in Austin, TX, London and Manila. www.oneaffiniti.com

Media contact:

Crawford Warnock

Firstname Communications

07834 356 314

[email protected]

SOURCE Contentstack
COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the CDC, Illness accounts for over half of all absenteeism in the USA, with lost productivity costs of $84B in 2019, before COVID-19 was a factor. Seeking to address the obvious need, PaydayPERX today announced rollout of their Flu Shot Program, with the capacity to deliver a flu shot program to any employer in the continental US. Employers will receive vouchers or if they have over 100 people onsite at any one location, an onsite flu shot clinic provided by a pharmacy retailer in their local area. PaydayPERX tested the program in 2020 with over 5,000 employers reached, resulting in an estimated 320,000 employee immunizations across the US facilitated by employers in 2020 as part of the PaydayPERX program.

In this program, HR executives elect to receive flu shot vouchers, or if they meet minimum company size requirements, can schedule a pharmacy clinician to deliver immunizations on-premise. Public or private sector companies of any size in the continental US can elect to receive PDF vouchers to distribute to their organization, to be used to receive a flu immunization at a participating local pharmacy at no cost to the employee.

"Businesses across the United States have the opportunity to supply flu shots to their people without any of the hassle," says Dori Wile, Senior Vice President at PaydayPERX. "Normally, either spend a lot of effort connecting with a pharmacy retailer and working out a program, or they bunker down and hope for the best next flu season. PaydayPERX bridges the gap between the pharmacy and the businesses within a few miles, which is good for the businesses and the retailer. We take care of all the heavy lifting, so that HR directors can just check the box and move on."

Companies interested in participating in the PaydayPERX flu shot program can find out more at https://www.paydayperx.co/partners.

ABOUT PAYDAYPERX

Founded in 2002, PaydayPERX is the industry leader in at-work marketing. Specializing in connecting national brands with highly targeted customers inside the workplace, PaydayPERX places national brand messaging inside corporate borders, and delivers great perks to employees on payday  and every day. Find out more at http://www.paydayperx.com.

CONTACT:

Monica L. Bower  VP Marketing & Technology

PaydayPERX

[email protected]

614-471-2435 x 15

SOURCE PaydayPERX

Related Links

http://www.paydayperx.com


John Mottola, a twenty-year veteran of the financial service and investment banking sectors, will lead Perrone's operations and advance corporate financial initiatives. John is considered a subject matter expert in the areas of compliance risk oversight and corporate merger and acquisition strategies. With both a law degree and MBA, he has performed enterprise-wide regulatory source reviews, risk assessments/analysis, policies/procedures, and enhanced regulatory compliance initiatives. Throughout his career, John has built strong partnerships to collaborate effectively across business, operational, legal, and other enterprise compliance risk partners and regulatory authorities to position organizations for growth. His background includes corporate valuations, debt settlement, and equity market transactions for various mutual fund complexes. Mottola comes to Perrone Robotics from Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Compliance  Enterprise Regulations as vice president, compliance senior manager.

Max DePiro, PhD., an entrepreneur and autonomous vehicle innovator, will lead Perrone Robotics' engineering team. In his role, DePiro will focus on customer delivery mechanisms, product commercialization, and enhanced development of AV systems. In addition, DePiro will be responsible for scaling the production of Perrone Robotics' autonomous vehicle (AV) TONY (TO Navigate You) retrofit kit to meet increased market demands from the commercial, governmental, residential, fleet, and logistics sectors. DePiro's background includes platform development, cloud-based software applications, and image processing methods for automated inspection. Prior to Perrone Robotics, Max led a series of ventures in the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) technology space. For over five years, he managed projects for commercial, defense, and academic deployments at NASA Langley Research Center. DePiro's early career experience spans Department of Defense research and embedded PC solutions for advertising, gaming, and defense applications.

Colleen Hahn, in her role as vice president of marketing and communications, will be responsible for solidifying the company's position as a leader in the autonomous vehicle sector and helping to establish the Perrone brand as the "autonomous vehicle technology of choice" for transit and transportation customers who want reliable, performance-driven AV technology solutions. Hahn has significant expertise in branding new market verticals, positioning emerging technology into established sectors, and creating pathways for reliable, safe, disruptive technology to enter risk-averse markets. Hahn will lead integrated marketing and communications initiatives to support Perrone's sales team and accelerate growth opportunities across market verticals. In addition, she will manage Perrone Robotics' strategic partner programs, product marketing, and customer service pathway models. Hahn comes to Perrone Robotics with a background as a chief marketing officer overseeing sales, communications, and marketing.

The team joins Founder/CEO Paul Perrone, Chief Counsel Mike Raschid, VP of Projects Don Perrone, and a group of dedicated employees committed to developing safe, innovative AV technology for the mobility of people and things.

"As Perrone Robotics continues its expansion, we are thrilled to add this diverse leadership team to help us drive growth across our target market verticals and strategically identify new market opportunities," stated Paul Perrone, Perrone Robotics, Inc., founder, and chief executive officer. "We have tremendous opportunity to help customers increase operational efficiencies across their transportation and transit value chain through cost-effective, reliable AV technology that is built around our safety certifiable framework. The team's in-depth product knowledge and strong experience across industry will help us realize our strategic vision, increase sales exponentially and deliver exceptional customer service."

Over the past few months, Perrone Robotics has hired and promoted new professionals both in-office and work-from-home positions across the country. The company is on a path to hire over sixty positions by the close of 2021.

Perrone Robotics recently received a $10 million investment from Capstone Holdings, Inc. ( release information ). In 2019, the Company delivered the first fully autonomous vehicle deployment on public roads for the public in Virginia. The program was operated over the summer months and into the Fall of 2019 wherein no interventions were required. The project was conducted in collaboration with Albemarle County and drove fully autonomously (with a safety monitor) on public roads in Crozet, navigating vehicle, bike, and pedestrian traffic through intersections and roundabouts.

Perrone Robotics has been revenue-generating for over eighteen years and has experienced significant growth recently, delivering AV solutions for municipalities, universities, commercial and warehouse deployments.

About Perrone Robotics, Inc.

Perrone is a leading provider of fully autonomous vehicle systems. The company delivers mobility excellence via TONY (short for "TO Navigate You"), a vehicle independent retrofit kit for use in the autonomous transit of people and goods in geo-fenced and localized operations. TONY embeds inside any vehicle for any job to provide a complete "artificial driver" solution that brings full autonomy in a safety certifiable framework. Proven, piloted and in commercial production, Perrone autonomous systems help commercial, municipal, and governmental customers increase transportation efficiencies, enhance safety, and accelerate zero-emission electric vehicle deployment. The company also offers a portfolio of existing turnkey autonomous shuttles and vehicles pre-integrated with the TONY retrofit kit. Learn more @ www.perronerobotics.com or follow us @perronerobotics.

Media Inquiries:

Colleen Hahn

Perrone Robotics, Inc.

Vice President Marketing and Communications

1.703.851.6944 mobile

[email protected] email

SOURCE Perrone Robotics Inc

Related Links

http://www.perronerobotics.com


The proposed acquisition of a controlling 70% interest in the ZG Group will transform the company from a graphite explorer and developer into one of the few ASX-listed graphite producers.

The halt will be in place until the start of normal trading on May 28 or until an announcement is released to the market.

( ) (FRA:R8L) has been granted a trading halt with an update pending in relation to the acquisition of the Zavalievsky graphite business in Ukraine.

In its request to the ASX for the halt, the company said it was also in relation to "working capital funding".

The trading halt will be in place until the start of normal ASX trading on Friday, May 28, or until an announcement is released to the market.

European graphite acquisition to become producer

Volt completed due diligence for the acquisition of a 70% interest in the Zavalievsky Group of Companies (ZG Group) on May 14.

If it proceeds, this acquisition will result in the transformation of Volt into a graphite producer from ZG Group's operations in Ukraine.

Due diligence on the following areas of the Zavalievsky business has been completed and accepted by the Volt board and management:

Financial and Tax  Ukraine;

Legal and Commercial  AVELLUM;

Technical (processing, engineering, capital projects, organisation)  Bilfinger Tebodin Ukraine; and

Technical (geology, mining, environment) - Wardell Armstrong International.

The company has formally advised the vendors that the due diligence enquiries have been satisfactorily completed.
MBE-Certified SDI Presence Poised for Major Growth, Extending Impact on Minority Business Communities Nationwide Tweet this

As a minority-owned business, SDI actively incorporates diversity throughout its operations, including minority workforce internship and apprentice programs and managing its own MBE partner network, with which SDI spent over $24M in 2020. The firm employs over 260 business and technology professional and an additional 100 affiliated MBE partner colleagues, and has offices in Chicago, Los Angeles and Sacramento. SDI has been repeatedly recognized as a "Best Place to Work" by the Chicago Tribune, Crain's Business and Built in Chicago.

"In SDI, we see an outstanding IT services business that is answering the call for greater diversity in critical IT service providers," said Brian St. Jean, an Abry Partner. "We are excited to support the SDI Presence team in accelerating their efforts to replicate their service model and build out their MBE network in the public and private sectors nationwide. With their tremendous reputation, experienced management team, and powerful culture, SDI is the right platform for our strategic support in its next phase of growth in the IT infrastructure and managed services space."

"This investment acknowledges both SDI's business model, and Abry's unique appreciation of the immense potential of minority firms of scale in today's business climate," said David A. Gupta, Founder and CEO of SDI. "We are thrilled to be part of the Abry portfolio of companies, and we look forward to working with Abry as we capitalize on the significant growth opportunities ahead."

About SDI Presence LLC (www.sdipresence.com)

SDI Presence LLC is an IT consultancy and managed services provider (MSP) that leverages its strong team presence to advance our clients to a secure digital enterprise. With a 25-year corporate resume, SDI delivers strategic managed services, IT consulting, and hybrid infrastructure solutions to optimize our clients' technology environments. SDI is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), with a portfolio of clients that includes some of the nation's largest airports, utilities, commercial real estate portfolios, and government agencies. Connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

About Abry Partners (www.abry.com)

Abry is one of the most experienced and successful sector-focused private equity investment firms in North America. Since its founding in 1989, the firm has completed over $82 billion of leveraged transactions and other private equity or preferred equity placements. Currently, the firm manages over $5.0 billion of capital across their active funds.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Dawn Nash Pfeiffer

SDI Presence LLC

Chief Markets Officer

312.580.7516

[email protected]

SOURCE SDI Presence LLC

Related Links

https://www.sdipresence.com/


SOFIA, Bulgaria, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SoftGroup, the best-in-class end-to-end traceability technology provider in the CEE region, today announced stepping into a partnership with MK Software to provide pharmaceutical companies in the Benelux region with high-quality serialization and aggregation software and hardware solutions, covering all levels.

"For pharmaceutical companies complying with the rising number of requirements worldwide, SoftGroup not only provides them with a global compliance system that ensures compliance-related business processes between their partners but an agile solution that can be easily adapt to the continuous changes and evolution of traceability regulations by leveraging existing integrations done with previous markets," said Mr. Anatoli Gochkov, Sales Manager, SoftGroup. "Furthermore, our partnership with MK Software will allow SoftGroup to understand better the needs and specifics of the Benelux market with local subject matter expertise and resources in the native Dutch language, creating the best possible experience for our customers while ensuring European quality support."

"Our partnership with SoftGroup will allow pharmaceutical companies to leverage MK Software' expertise and the comprehensive, yet easy to manage, global compliance solution of SoftGroup, to successfully meet traceability regulations as well as the next step for providing supply chain visibility - implementation of aggregation," said Michel van Koningsbrugge, Owner of MK Software - an independent specialist in business intelligence and application development that helps organizations to become smarter by connecting the used digital systems.

To learn more about SoftGroup's SaTT solutions and see how SoftGroup provides pharmaceutical companies with outstanding flexibility and the possibility for customization while eliminating the uncertainty of high costs and time-extensive implementations, please visit https://www.softgroup.eu/ or contact MK Software representative's ([email protected]).

About SoftGroup

SoftGroup is a software company that provides end-to-end traceability technology to the pharmaceutical industry worldwide. Our solutions cover all levels of the Track & Trace process, including aggregation processes in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

SoftGroup is a Certified Gateway Provider and Trusted partner of the European Medicine Verification Organization (EMVO) and Bulgarian Medicine Verification Organization (BgMVO) and a trusted partner of GS1 Healthcare.

SoftGroup is a recipient of several prestigious awards for quality and innovation in the CEE region, applying cutting-edge technologies to ensure its customers with the most agile solutions up to their serialization and aggregation needs.

About MK Software

MK Software is an independent specialist in business intelligence and application development with over fifteen years of experience. The company has extensive expertise in various sectors such as pharma, healthcare, retail, financial services, and HR.

MK2 Software also provides user friendly and cost effective FMD verification software for the National Medicines Verification System (NMVS) in the Netherlands.

Furthermore, MK2 Software has obtained the certificates with regard to Information Security (ISO 27001:2017) and Information Security in Healthcare (NEN 7510-1:2017) in 2020. With these certifications MK2 Software meets all requirements regarding information security in general and in healthcare.

To learn more about the pharma solutions offered by MK2 Software please visit https://www.mk2software.nl.

SOURCE SoftGroup

Related Links

https://www.mk2software.nl


DALLAS, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today introduced the Colleen C. Barrett Institute for Cultural Excellence & Customer Service (CCB Institute), a website honoring Colleen C. Barrett and her incredible passion for nurturing a vibrant corporate Culture.

As the Company celebrates its 50-year history, the CCB Institute honors Southwest Airlines' President Emeritus, Colleen Barrett, and establishes a center where individuals and organizations can learn about the tenets of Southwest's legendary Culture, Leadership, and Hospitality. The CCB Institute provides practical resources to help others learn from her remarkable example, and offers inspiration for individuals and organizations to make long-lasting, positive impacts in our organizations and our world.

It's no secret that much of the success of Southwest centers on its People-first Culture. A concept often admired around the world, but rarely replicated. Colleen is a driving force and credited for developing Southwest's Legendary Customer Service, which became the gold standard not only for airlines but also for many customer-facing companies. She was famous for writing letters back to Customers and for sending heartfelt notes to Employees when she saw something that impressed her.

"Colleen has always valued Employees like Family, which is the Heart and soul of our Culture today at Southwest," said Whitney Eichinger, Managing Director Culture & Engagement. "The CCB Institute provides a home for the practical application of her core valuesliving by The Golden Rule with a Servant's Heart, Warrior Spirit, and a Fun-LUVing Attitudewhile sharing stories, memories, and examples of how that ethos shaped Southwest into the airline of today."

Prior to joining Southwest in 1978, Colleen worked for several years as an Executive Assistant to Southwest Founder, Herb Kelleher, at his law firm. Colleen oversaw management, leadership, and budget responsibilities for a variety of areas/groups. She was a member of the airline's Executive Planning Committee, Southwest's Executive Planning Committee, and chaired numerous special Teams, task forces, and committees relating to Internal and External Southwest Customers. Colleen also became the first woman president in the airline industry when she assumed the role in 2001. Her influence on the unique Culture of Southwest since the very beginning is indelible, and she is beloved by the Southwest Family.

In addition to revealing more about Colleen's life, career path, and trailblazing actions, the CCB Institute serves up a wealth of resources including books, videos, articles, and podcasts from and about Colleen, Southwest, and other Company Leaders. Grounded in her wisdom, the site reflects and offers insight into several programs she created which are cornerstones in Southwest's Culture and recognition programs today. There are also many heart-warming stories from Employees on how she has personally influenced their lives. Moving forward, the CCB Institute will continue to add resources such as an email newsletter and educational events.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

In its 50th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 56,000 Employees to a Customer base that topped 130 million Passengers in 2019. Southwest has a robust network of point-to-point service with a strong presence across top leisure and business markets. In peak travel seasons during 2019, Southwest operated more than 4,000 weekday departures among a network of 101 destinations in the United States and 10 additional countries. In 2020, the carrier added service to Hilo, Hawaii; Cozumel, Mexico; Miami; Palm Springs, Calif.; Steamboat Springs; and Montrose (Telluride/Crested Butte), Colo. Thus far in 2021, Southwest has initiated service to Chicago (O'Hare) and Sarasota/ Bradenton, both on Feb. 14; Savannah/Hilton Head and Colorado Springs, Colo., both on March 11; Houston (Bush) and Santa Barbara, Calif., both on April 12; Fresno, Calif., on April 25; Destin/Fort Walton Beach on May 6; as well as Myrtle Beach S.C., on May 23; and will begin service to Bozeman, Mont., on May 27; Jackson, Miss., on June 6; and Eugene, Ore., on Aug. 29. The Company also has announced an intention to initiate new service to Bellingham, Wash., later this year.

The carrier issued its Southwest Promise in May 2020 to highlight new and round-the-clock efforts to support its Customers and Employees well-being and comfort. Among the changes are enhanced cleaning efforts at airports and onboard aircraft, along with a federal mandate requiring every person to wear a mask at all times throughout each flight. Additional details about the Southwest Promise are available at Southwest.com/Promise.

Southwest coined Transfarency to describe its purposed philosophy of treating Customers honestly and fairly, and low fares actually staying low. Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free to everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply, some carriers offer free checked bags on select routes or in qualified circumstances). Southwest does not charge change fees, though fare differences might apply.

Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. Learn more about how the carrier gives back to communities across the world by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.

Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest.com or by phone at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.

Related Links

http://www.southwest.com


NEW YORK, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Global Market Intelligence today introduced its power purchase agreements dataset, titled Electric Quarterly Reports (EQR). EQR provides detailed data on power transactions throughout the U.S. combining insights sourced from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and S&P Global Market Intelligence's proprietary and extensive companies and power plant database. The new EQR data enables market participants to streamline their research and data on energy buyers and sellers, including assessing the pricing trends of clean energy from a transactional perspective.

Available on S&P Global Market Intelligence's flagship desktop platform, these new insights provide details on bulk power transactions and outlines the parties involved, deal prices and duration of the contracts including terms, volumes, rates and location. Market participants will be able to perform analysis on investment opportunities, evaluate price differences between regions and determine the need to build new assets.

"EQR provides our clients with broader new insights into how energy revenues and renewable power purchase agreement pricing are flowing through the country," said Yash Pandey, Senior Director of Commodities at S&P Global Market Intelligence. "As the market is continually looking for new data to aid in their evaluation and assessment of the energy markets, EQR enables a unique perspective into how these transactions are trending and help our clients make informed decisions."

In addition, the new EQR dataset will allow users to:

Assess trends of clean energy transactions to gain a better understanding of pricing from various types of energy generation over time and across regions.

Conduct due diligence on contracts, transactions, and counterparty risk on target utilities and plants for M&A, strategic partnerships, and synergies.

Forecast and benchmark the potential revenue of power plants for strategic planning and peer benchmarking for investment opportunities.

Track potential revenue lost due to contract expiration or plant retirements on a year-over-year basis.

Explore and examine active contracts based on the number and volume of transactions for indicators on contract renewal and expiration.

S&P Global Market Intelligence's overall energy solutions includes the recently introduced Renewable Energy Credit Pricing and Hourly Price Profiles datasets as part of its Power Forecast Insights.

For more information about S&P Global Market Intelligence's energy solutions, please visit here.

About S&P Global Market Intelligence

At S&P Global Market Intelligence, we understand the importance of accurate, deep and insightful information. We integrate financial and industry data, research and news into tools that help track performance, generate alpha, identify investment ideas, perform valuations and assess credit risk. Investment professionals, government agencies, corporations and universities around the world use this essential intelligence to make business and financial decisions with conviction.

S&P Global Market Intelligence is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), the world's foremost provider of credit ratings, benchmarks and analytics in the global capital and commodity markets, offering ESG solutions, deep data and insights on critical business factors. S&P Global has been providing essential intelligence that unlocks opportunity, fosters growth and accelerates progress for more than 160 years. For more information, visit www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence.

Media Contact

Amanda Oey

S&P Global Market Intelligence

+1 212-438-1904

[email protected]

SOURCE S&P Global Market Intelligence

Related Links

http://www.spglobal.com


New Capabilities In Starburst Enterprise Empower Data Teams to Modify Data Directly in Delta Lake, Adds New Connectors for Customer 360 Analytics, and Now Supports AWS GovCloud

BOSTON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Starburst , the analytics anywhere company, today announced the availability of the latest version of Starburst Enterprise at the Data + AI Summit . The new release provides Starburst customers with net new capabilities alongside more advanced connectivity, improved performance, and more robust security. Among the net new capabilities, Starburst's Delta Lake Connector now includes support for Data Manipulation Language (DML) to empower data analysts, platform admins, and engineers with Delta Lake write capability. By allowing companies to read and write to Delta Lake, Starburst can help with your path to a Lakehouse architecture.

"Managing a data lake is often time-consuming and can become an operational nightmare. Updating existing data in the traditional lake is difficult to do correctly and nearly impossible to do efficiently. This makes it difficult for data scientists and analysts to harness the power of their data," said Matt Fuller, VP, Product and co-founder of Starburst Data. "The added DML feature to our Delta Lake Connector simplifies data management and accelerates data team productivity on their path to a Lakehouse architecture."

In addition to new Delta Lake write capabilities, this release of Starburst Enterprise includes these new offerings:

Added support for AWS GovCloud . Federal, state and local government and educational institutions require specialized systems approved for high security use cases, and can now leverage Starburst Enterprise in the GovCloud.

. Federal, state and local government and educational institutions require specialized systems approved for high security use cases, and can now leverage Starburst Enterprise in the GovCloud. New connectors for Salesforce and IBM Netezza , to help companies that aspire to achieve a complete Customer 360 view. In particular, the Salesforce connector will help companies connect critical customer interaction data to other systems, enabling a better understanding of the customer journey, allowing marketers to personalize customer experiences & sales teams to meet demand. This is all done without having to copy or replicate data outside of Salesforce.

and , to help companies that aspire to achieve a complete Customer 360 view. In particular, the Salesforce connector will help companies connect critical customer interaction data to other systems, enabling a better understanding of the customer journey, allowing marketers to personalize customer experiences & sales teams to meet demand. This is all done without having to copy or replicate data outside of Salesforce. A new user interface, Starburst Insights , which provides a holistic view of a customer's cluster environment and query history. Starburst Insights also provides an integrated SQL Integrated Development Environment (IDE), referred to as Worksheets, to allow users to explore data and run queries without requiring any external tools.

, which provides a holistic view of a customer's cluster environment and query history. Starburst Insights also provides an integrated SQL Integrated Development Environment (IDE), referred to as Worksheets, to allow users to explore data and run queries without requiring any external tools. A new enhancement, Starburst Cached Views, adds caching capabilities across different data sources that are transparent to the end user. For example, data from a relational database may be cached on S3. The end user will still issue the same query to the relational source and Starburst will redirect to read from the relational table to the cache in S3. Starburst Cached Views allows customers to incrementally update new rows of data, without needing to do a full refresh.

Starburst has also doubled down on connectivity, performance, and security with many significant feature updates including:

Improved connectors: In addition to Delta Lake Connector improvements, various enhancements were made to the Starburst Teradata, Snowflake, Hive, Kafka, and Elasticsearch Connectors.

In addition to Delta Lake Connector improvements, various enhancements were made to the Starburst Teradata, Snowflake, Hive, Kafka, and Elasticsearch Connectors. Improved performance: Starburst has continued to improve performance by adding caching and pushdown functionality to processing queries, or parts of queries, into the connected data source, resulting in faster queries, and reduced network traffic or load on remote data sources.

Starburst has continued to improve performance by adding caching and pushdown functionality to processing queries, or parts of queries, into the connected data source, resulting in faster queries, and reduced network traffic or load on remote data sources. Improved security: In addition to AWS GovCloud support, additional authentication methods, such as OIDC, have been added to various connectors, including Kafka, Snowflake, SQL Server, and Synapse.

For more information, register for Starburst Enterprise's Q2 (LTS 356-e) Release Webinar on Thursday, June 17th.

About Starburst

Starburst unlocks the value of data by making it fast and easy to access anywhere. Starburst queries data across any database, making it instantly actionable for data-driven organizations. With Starburst, teams can lower the total cost of their infrastructure and analytics investments, prevent vendor lock-in, and use the existing tools that work for their business.

For more information, press only:

Jill Creelman

Inkhouse

[email protected]

781-966-4100

SOURCE Starburst Data

Related Links

https://www.starburst.io/


AdoptAClassroom.org is a 501 (c)(3) organization that provides a platform to fund K-12 teachers and schools across the country, so they can purchase the supplies, materials, and tools needed to help their students learn and succeed. Together with participating Subaru retailers, the partnership will supply classrooms across the country with the school supplies vital to enhancing education for students nationwide.

"At Subaru, we are committed to ensuring that students have the resources they need to not only learn, but to bring the subjects to life, fostering real interest and intellectual growth in each young individual," said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Subaru of America, Inc. "We're excited to work with AdoptAClassroom.org to make learning more accessible for all children and get them on the path to success."

Inadequate classroom resources threaten the success of schools. In fact, 92 percent of classrooms have students whose families cannot afford to purchase any school supplies for their children. Research indicates that use of hands-on learning materials in the classroom has a direct and positive impact on student achievement and future success in school and in life. Through the partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, Subaru and its retailers will help schools nationwide secure the resources they deserve to succeed in school.

"We're so grateful for our new partner, Subaru, and for their dedication to helping us advance equity in education," said Ann Pifer, executive director of AdoptAClassroom.org. "It's been such a challenging year for K-12 schools. Our partnership with Subaru comes at a time when educators can use more support than ever before to make sure their students thrive."

For information about Subaru Loves Learning and to find out more about the partners that Subaru supports, visit http://www.subaru.com/loves-learning.

About AdoptAClassroom.org

We are a national, award-winning nonprofit that provides the most flexible and accountable funding for PreK-12 teachers and schools throughout the U.S. Our proprietary, easy-to-use education fundraising platform helps teachers, principals, and administrators give every child the tools they deserve to succeed in school. Since 1998, we have raised $50 million and supported 5.5 million students. As a 501(c)(3) organization, we hold a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a platinum rating of transparency from GuideStar. For more information, or to make a donation, please visit www.adoptaclassroom.org.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA has donated more than $200 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged more than 63,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do.

For additional information visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Diane Anton

Subaru of America, Inc.

(856) 488-5093

[email protected]

Alex Aberman

AdoptAClassroom.org

(612) 741-4646

[email protected]

SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.subaru.com


WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunbelt Business Brokers of South Florida is pleased to announce a transaction between Tomasello Pest Control and Arrow Exterminators.

John Mitchell of Sunbelt Business Brokers of South Florida, brokered the sale of Tomasello Pest Control , with offices in West Palm Beach, Florida to Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators . This merger strengthens Arrow's presence in West Palm Beach and enables Arrow to service more residential and commercial customers along the coast from Jupiter to Boynton Beach, Florida.

"Tomasello's history mirrors that of Arrow Exterminators, with both being family companies," Chuck Doll, Tomasello's President, said in a news release. "When it came time to find a company to acquire our family business, it was an easy decision to select Arrow. The sale of a business is always difficult for company owners. You want the acquiring company to take care of your employees like family. In the era of investment bankers and quick deals, finding a purchaser who has your employee's best interest in mind is very difficult. Tomasello vetted 32 potential buyers, and no other company gave us the confidence that they would treat our employees as their own."

John Mitchell of Sunbelt added, "For the Sunbelt team, understanding the long history of Tomasello and the unique presence that Tomasello has built up in South Florida over the last 93 years was key to finding the right buyer. We believe the team at Arrow is the perfect match."

About Sunbelt Business Brokers of South Florida

For over 20 years, Sunbelt Business Brokers of South Florida has proven itself as one of the top business sales firms in Florida. Sunbelt has distinguished itself with the outstanding quality and professionalism of its business intermediaries and dedication to its clients' success. Sunbelt has all the tools available to confidentially transact businesses with annual sales ranging from $500,000 to $20,000,000. With offices in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale, Sunbelt focuses on buyers and sellers in South Florida but services clients throughout the state.

About Arrow Exterminators

Family-owned and -operated since 1964, Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators boasts a modern fleet of more than 2,300 vehicles, 138 service centers and 2,600 team members, with revenues exceeding $285 million. In 2020, it was named the No. 1 Top Workplace in Atlanta by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Contact Information:

Sunbelt Business Brokers of South Florida

561-994-5300

[email protected]

www.sunbeltsfl.com





SOURCE Sunbelt Business Brokers of South Florida

Related Links

http://www.sunbeltsfl.com


Introduced by Senator Mike Flood, the legislation creates a new state banking charter for digital asset depository institutions. The charter is the first of its kind to be shaped around consumers and connecting them to decentralized finance (DeFi) in a safe and regulated manner.

"At its heart, this new charter represents an alternative type of bank that does not have the right to loan your money to somebody else," says Telcoin CEO Paul Neuner. "Institutions under this new charter will use blockchain technology to empower users to self-custody digital assets and put their money to work for their own benefit."

The effort was engineered by Telcoin advisor Mark Quandahl, the former Director of the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. "This new charter is about leveling the playing field and letting technology determine access to capital," said Quandahl. "It can be a much better deal for under-served segments of society who feel left out by the current banking system."

The legislation aims to turn Nebraska into a major hub for digital asset companies and those interested in innovative new financial products and services based on blockchain technology. "This new charter sends the right message that Nebraska is open for business in this exciting new space," said Senator Flood. "I am excited to welcome Telcoin to Norfolk, Nebraska."

Follow Telcoin for more information and to be the first to hear updates about Telcoin's plans for Nebraska and the US market.

Website: www.telco.in

Twitter: @telcoin_team



Telegram: t.me/telcoincommunity

SOURCE Telcoin Pte. Ltd.

Related Links

https://www.telco.in


TORONTO, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Claymore Inc. brought to market the SkilSure product specializing in solutions for continuing professional development, competency-based training, e-Portfolios, e-Learning, apprentice tracking and quizzing/testing.

Tequity advised Pluribus Technologies, Claymore Inc. and SkilSure Limited on their recently completed transaction

Richard Adair, CEO of Pluribus said, "This represents our third acquisition in the eLearning space as we continue to execute on a roll-up strategy within that vertical. Claymore Inc. deepens our expertise in the regulated healthcare segment of the Canadian market by supporting professional associations of pharmacists, nurses, dental hygienists, and other extended healthcare providers. We are also excited to enter the U.K. market where Claymore's SkilSure solution provides competency testing and assessment software to support apprenticeship programs."

SkilSure is the pre-eminent online solution for planning, mentoring, and supporting development; tracking development progress against competence requirements; building and maintaining e-portfolios to support accomplishment; and allowing controlled access to review, appraise and comment on evidence of accomplishment.

QuizBase, a web enabled testing application, can be provided standalone or as an integral part of the SkilSure competency management package. It has been designed to write test results directly to the SkilSure e-portfolio database. QuizBase is a state-of-the-art e-assessment tool.

"We are pleased to be a part of the Pluribus group of companies. Their capabilities will enhance Claymore's offerings in the UK and Canada," said Terry Ogle, President of Claymore Inc. "This move strengthens Claymore and SkilSure and future-proofs their technologies."

Alex MacKay, Managing Partner at Tequity stated "Pluribus is making great strides in building out its eLearning division. It was a great pleasure working with Richard and Terry's teams to conclude this marriage."

About Claymore Inc.

Claymore Inc, founded in 1989, provides customized professional development and competence assurance software and services. With more than 500,000 users across North America and the United Kingdom, Claymore Inc has vast experience in tracking the progress of job-specific competency-based training. Services include automated training needs analyses, continuing professional development solutions, online testing, mentoring solutions, e-learning and competence tracking and verification systems and e-portfolio systems. For more information visit www.claymore.ca and www.skilsure.com

About Pluribus Technologies Inc.

Pluribus Technologies Inc. specializes in acquiring small, profitable software companies from owners and investors that are seeking a succession plan. Pluribus helps entrepreneurs exit their businesses by providing them with a liquidity event when there are often few other reasonable options. The management team of former owner-operators builds upon the legacy created with loyal customers and employees, taking businesses to the next level of success. For more information visit www.pluribus.com

About Tequity Advisors

Tequity Advisors assists Enterprise B2B SaaS, Cloud, and IT companies with business growth and exit strategies. Our mission is simple: Achieve the best outcome for our clients. With decades of combined experience as executives, consultants, and owners of software and technology companies, we leverage our deep industry knowledge across tech ecosystems and our relationships with strategic, growth-focused buyers around the globe to drive successful M&A transactions. For more information, visit www.tequityadvisors.com

Media Contact:

Diane Horton, Managing Partner

Tequity Advisors

[email protected]

+1 416.483.9400

SOURCE Tequity

Related Links

http://www.tequityadvisors.com


Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers Ltd (ASX:KPT) is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers MD demonstrates confidence in company with on-market purchase

Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers Ltd (ASX:KPT) managing director Keith Lamb has demonstrated his confidence in the company's strategy with the purchase of shares in an on-market transaction.

On May 24 Lamb acquired 5,000 shares at $1.15 per share in a direct interest, increasing the total number of securities held to 20,000 shares.



Reject takeover offer

The company's directors last week unanimously recommended that shareholders reject an on-market takeover offer from Samuel Terry Absolute Return Active Fund (STAM).

STAM already holds 26.26% of KPT and has offered to acquire all KPT shares at a price of $1.05 cash per share.

KPT chairman Paul McKenzie said the directors had recommended shareholders reject the offer for the following reasons:
The health of the climate, along with the importance of engaging with sustainability have become increasingly fixed in the public consciousness and are now rallying calls from a hyper-aware consumer base, aimed at current organisations and businesses  demanding action and optimisation in equal measure. The companies that do not heed such calls risk being left behind in a sustainable transition. However, the leading businesses of the world are responding to the current situation and pressure for change in an innovative manner, seeing serious challenges as incredible opportunities.

50 Sustainability and Climate Leaders engages with the movers and shakers that are helping to drive the spheres of business and society towards a sustainable and optimal future. Such leading groups are being showcased for their actions, such as developing the world's first electric fire fighting apparatus, engaging with sustainable transformation within the food sector, optimising the wood panel industry, assisting in the transformation to a sustainable global economy and enabling more with less in terms of resource optimisation. In addition, this campaign highlights companies that are excelling when it comes to developing sustainable luxury, achieving climate neutrality, and driving the sustainable growth of regions like Africa.

This campaign makes effective use of short and bespoke documentary films to highlight the visionary measures that are being put in place to ensure the sustainable nature of tomorrow's industries. TBD Media Group's global reach offers a prime opportunity for communication on a worldwide scale.

Paolo Zanini, CEO of TBD Media Group, says, "The world of tomorrow will be a sustainable one. The leaders making sure we will have a strong and climate friendly future are, through their trailblazing actions, the ones to watch. Our role is to make sure they enter into the global conversation and tell us how they are changing the world."

Companies featured in this launch:

Chopard, AUDI AG, Standard Bank Group , Rosenbauer America, Tetra Pak , Georg Fischer , Moody's , Siempelkamp Group , QI Group, ROSSMANN, Oerlikon Group , ZEISS.

About 50 Sustainability and Climate Leaders:

The 50 Sustainability and Climate Leaders project is the response from the International Business Community which demonstrates the desire, the leadership, and the will to take effective action in the fight against Climate Change. Businesses that wish to get involved should contact [email protected] .

About TBD Media Group:

TBD Media Group is an international, purpose-driven, media developer that helps companies, organisations and governments tell their brand stories in a human and direct way. Learn more at https://www.tbdmediagroup.com/ .

Media Contact:

Jenna-Leigh Soobramoney

Head of Marketing

TBD Media Group

[email protected]

Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1518904/50_Leaders.mp4

SOURCE TBD Media Group
SELBYVILLE, Del., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on the Global Market Insights Inc. report, the global Vinyl Ester Market was valued at $1,092.7 million in 2020 and is slated to exceed $1.7 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 6.7% from 2021 to 2027. The report provides a thorough analysis of the main investment avenues, major winning strategies, drivers and opportunities, wavering industry trends, market estimations as well as size, and competitive scenarios.

Global Market Insights Inc.

The product demand for FGD & precipitators was valued at USD 110 million in 2020 and is likely to reach USD 175 million by 2027, with a CAGR of 7% during the forecast period. Increasing environmental awareness and regulations across the globe are anticipated to drive the FGD (flue gas desulfurization) systems demand over the forecast period. Vinyl ester linings are used in FGD for protection from corrosion.

Request a Sample Report: https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2992

Brominated fire retardant accounted for over a 15% share in 2020 and is anticipated to reach USD 275 million by 2027 with a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period. Brominated fire retardant vinyl esters are developed for application where corrosion resistance and heat resistance with ideal fire retardancy are required at the same time.

Latin America generated a revenue of USD 55 million in 2020. Economic development in the region may in the future open new growth avenues for the leisure boating market, which, in turn, will provide significant opportunities for vinyl esters in the marine sector. The rise in trades between Latin America and the Far East could propel the marine trade in the region.

The Middle East/Africa vinyl ester market is forecast to reach USD 72 million by 2027. The major countries in the leisure boating activities in this region include South Africa, the GCC countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar. Growth in the leisure boating market will further propel the vinyl ester market growth for marine applications by 2027.

Ongoing investments in large-scale infrastructure and building projects will provide significant opportunities for vinyl esters in the region. Development of the downstream petrochemical industry by the Middle East government will propel the vinyl ester market over the forecast timeframe.

Request for a customization of this report: https://www.gminsights.com/roc/2992

Key manufacturers operating in the vinyl ester industry include Ashland, Inc.; Swancor Holding; ALIANCYS AG; Polynt-Reichhold Group; Hexion; DIC Corporation; Interplastic Corporation; AkzoNobel; Nivitex Fibreglass and Resins; SIR INDUSTRIALE S.p.A.; and Scott Bader Company Ltd.

Related Reports:

Erdosteine Market - Business Strategies and Revenue Impact Analysis, 2027

Ethoxylates Market - Future Business Strategies and Revenue Impact Analysis, 2027

About Global Market Insights Inc.

Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider. Offering syndicated and custom research reports, growth consulting, and business intelligence services, Global Market Insights Inc. aims to help clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data that aid in strategic decision-making.

GMIPulse, our business analytics platform, offers an online, interactive option of exploring our proprietary industry research data in an easy-to-use and dynamic manner. Clients get to explore market intelligence across 11 top-level categories and hundreds of industry segments within them, covering regional, company level, and cross-sectional statistics that make our offering a stand-out for decision-makers.

Contact Us:

Arun Hegde

Corporate Sales, USA

Global Market Insights, Inc.

Phone: 1-302-846-7766

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Vinyl Ester Market Statistics - 2027

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NEW YORK, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wing , a network of community and coworking spaces designed for women, announced today that its New York City spaces have fully reopened and it has brought on new executive leadership to provide strategic advice on matters related to the company's policies and programs. As restaurants reopen and companies switch to a hybrid work model or plan to go fully remote, The Wing remains a space dedicated to helping women work, grow and connect. The pandemic has disproportionately impacted women in the workforce and McKinsey and Lean In found there has been an increase in layoffs for women compared to men, and is growing even worse for women of color.

Joining the Board of Directors alongside executive chairwoman, Sheila Lirio Marcelo is Robbin Mitchell, a Partner and Managing Director at Boston Consulting Group. Mitchell brings two decades of experience in retail and fashion, where she most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer of Club Monaco. She will join Marcelo to accelerate The Wing's national and international expansion plans and further its mission of creating workspaces that work for women. The Wing has fully opened its Soho, Bryant Park and Flatiron locations with plans to begin programming and reopen nationally in the coming weeks.

"Our New York locations are now open and we're looking towards the future of continuing to reopen our spaces nationally and launch in new cities, and as part of us moving forward, I am excited to expand our board and launch our Advisory Board," said Sheila Lirio Marcelo. "Robbin Mitchell brings a wealth of experience in retail and operations and will be a crucial asset to us as The Wing continues to focus on creating a diverse and inclusive space for its members and staff. I am thrilled to have a number of new incredible women join our leadership team, and advisory board to help us do that."

"I couldn't be more excited to join The Wing's board of directors with a focus on retail and operations, where I will be providing support to The Wing on scaling operations and regrowing its retail and partnerships in the spaces for members to take advantage of," said Robbin Mitchell, The Wing's Board of Directors. "It has been a very challenging time for women -- especially women in the workforce -- so the need to think creatively and thoughtfully about work and workspaces is more critical than ever."

The Wing also launched a new Advisory Board to provide the leadership team with essential guidance on operations and diversity as the company reopens its spaces. The Board will work closely with The Wing's Board of Directors and management team to provide objective opinions, feedback and ideas related to the company's policies, programs and events. Members will also identify areas of improvement and inclusion inside the company and in its spaces. The founding members of the Advisory Board bring a diverse set of skills, input and knowledge and include:

Donna Byrd , Founder and CEO of BlueButterfly

, Founder and CEO of BlueButterfly Luvvie Ajayi Jones, speaker, author, and digital strategist. She is the author of New York Times bestsellers Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual and I'm Judging You: The Do-Better Manual.

bestsellers and Hitha Palepu , CEO of Rhoshan Pharmaceuticals and investor. She is an entrepreneur, investor, and author. Her second book, We're Speaking: The Life Lessons of Kamala Harris , will be published this fall.

"Being an Advisory Board member at The Wing means being instrumental in building truly inclusive spaces to work, collaborate and grow. This is an opportunity to be a part of progress, accountability and change," said Luvvie Ajayi Jones.

As New York City and other cities continue to reopen by adhering to the CDC guidelines fully, The Wing is poised to be a space that is made for the future of work. If interested, sign up to join The Wing's membership and receive updates here.

About The Wing

The Wing is a growing community of professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders from across the globe, who find sanctuary and productivity at our beautiful, shared workspaces, meaningful connections through our networking opportunities, career growth through our job platform and perhaps most importantly, support and camaraderie through sharing strategies and resources. The Wing's vision is to create the space for our members to thrive and improve their lives by helping them pursue their ambition, grow their careers and forge meaningful connections that last a lifetime.

For The Wing media inquiries: [email protected]

About Robbin Mitchell

Robbin Mitchell is a Partner and Managing Director at the Boston Consulting Group ("BCG"), a global management consulting firm, since June 2016. From 2011 to 2015, she served as Chief Operating Officer of Club Monaco, a subsidiary of Ralph Lauren Corporation, a luxury and apparel company. Before that, Mitchell held several executive management positions at Ralph Lauren for ten years, including Senior Vice President, Chief of Staff, Senior Vice President Global Business Process Integration and Supply Chain Management, and Vice President Wholesale Polo Brand. Before joining Ralph Lauren, Mitchell held various senior executive roles in strategy and operations at Tommy Hilfiger and GFT USA, a designer apparel manufacturer and distributor. Prior to her industry operating roles, Mitchell spent nine years working in the consulting and investment banking industries specializing in the retail and apparel sectors including at McKinsey & Co, BCG, and Lehman Brothers.

SOURCE The Wing

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DUBLIN, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Aircraft Pumps Market by Type (Hydraulic Pumps, Fuel Pumps, Lube and Scavenge Pumps, Water and Waste Water Pumps, Air Conditioning and Cooling Pumps), Pressure, End Use (OEM, Aftermarket), Technology, Aircraft Type and Region - Forecast to 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global aircraft pumps market size is projected to grow from USD 3.3 billion in 2021 to USD 4.5 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2021 to 2026.

The market is driven by various factors, such as an increase in aircraft renewals and the need for more flexible and light aircraft with improved, lightweight systems and compact pumping systems.

Fuel pumps: The largest segment of the aircraft pumps market, by type.

The fuel pump segment is expected to be the largest market by value. The growth of the fuel pump segment of the aircraft pumps market can be attributed to the increase in aircraft renewals as a short-term goal for the commercial aircraft industry In the near term, the COVID-19 shock has shifted the focus to replacement after a decade of a growth bias. The current downturn is expected to lead to the replacement of many older airplanes.

Above 3,000 psi: The fastest-growing segment of the aircraft pumps market, by pressure.

Based on pressure, the above 3,000 psi segment is projected to be the highest CAGR rate for the aircraft pumps market during the forecast period. The growth of the above 3,000 psi segment of the aircraft pumps market can be attributed to the low-weight, high-pressure hydraulic pumps enabling a weight reduction of the aircraft, especially for military applications.

Electric motor driven: The fastest-growing segment of the aircraft pumps market, by technology.

Based on the technology, the electric motor driven segment is projected to be the highest CAGR rate for the aircraft pumps market during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to various applications of electric motor driven pumps. Auxiliary boost fuel pumps, hydraulic systems in different aircraft types, water and wastewater systems, and air conditioning and cooling systems can all be driven with an electric motor.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: The fastest-growing segment of the aircraft pumps market, by aircraft type.

Based on the aircraft type, the unmanned aerial vehicles segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR rate for the aircraft pumps market during the forecast period. UAVs are commonly termed drones and are mostly known for their wide usage in various military missions such as border surveillance. They are also used for mapping, surveying, and determining weather conditions of a specific area. Certain remotely piloted UAVs are designed to operate as loitering munition for defense forces.

OEM: The fastest-growing segment of the aircraft pumps market, by end-use.

Based on the end-use, the OEM segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR rate for the aircraft pumps market during the forecast period. OEMs are responsible for the installation of pumps in an aircraft during the assembly stage and are then made available for delivery to aircraft manufacturers. Over the years, there has been a significant rise in the demand for different aircraft types across regions. According to Airbus, it delivered 863 commercial aircraft to 99 customers in 2019.

North America: The largest contributing region in the aircraft pumps market.

North America is projected to be the largest regional share of the aircraft pumps market during the forecast period. The key factor responsible for North America, leading the aircraft pumps market owing to the rapid growth of the technologically advanced pumps in the region. In North America, the rise in aircraft orders and supplies is encouraging manufacturers of aircraft pumps to increase their sales year on year. The increasing demand for commercial aircraft and the presence of some of the leading players operating in the market, such as Parker-Hannifin Corporation (US), Woodward, Inc. (US), and Crane Co. (US), and Collins Aerospace (US), are expected to drive the aircraft pumps market in North America. These players are focusing on R&D to increase their product lines and using technologically advanced systems, subsystems, and other components for manufacturing aircraft pumps.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Introduction

2 Research Methodology

3 Executive Summary

4 Premium Insights

5 Market Overview

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Market Dynamics

5.2.1 Drivers

5.2.1.1 Increase in Aircraft Renewals and Deliveries

5.2.1.2 Need for More Flexible and Light Aircraft with Improved Light-Weighted Systems and Compact Pumping Systems

5.2.1.3 Increase in UAVs and Hybrid VTOLs

5.2.2 Restraints

5.2.2.1 High Cost of MRO Services

5.2.3 Opportunities

5.2.3.1 Newer Technologies in Pumps and Pumping Systems to Enhance Pumping Efficiencies

5.2.4 Challenges

5.2.4.1 Legal and Regulatory Barriers

5.2.4.2 Impact of COVID 19 and Decrease in Aircraft Deliveries and Backlogs

5.3 Operational Data

5.4 Ranges and Scenarios

5.5 Technology Analysis

5.5.1 Digital Displacement Pump in Hydraulic Systems

5.5.2 Emergence of Adaptive Engines

5.5.3 Use of Low Corrosive Steels in Pumps

5.6 Aircraft Pumps Market Ecosystem

5.6.1 Prominent Companies

5.6.2 Private and Small Enterprises

5.6.3 End-users

5.7 Disruption Impacting Customer's Business

5.7.1 Revenue Shift and & New Revenue Pockets for Aircraft Pumps Market

5.8 Supply Chain Analysis

5.9 Case Study Analysis: Aircraft Pumps Market

5.10 Trade Data Analysis

5.11 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5.12 Average Selling Price

5.13 Volume Data

5.14 Tariff and Regulatory Landscape

6 Industry Trends

7 Aircraft Pumps Market, by Type

8 Aircraft Pumps Market, by Pressure

9 Aircraft Pumps Market, by Technology

10 Aircraft Pumps Market, by Aircraft Type

11 Aircraft Pumps Market, by End-Use

12 Regional Analysis

13 Competitive Landscape

14 Company Profiles

14.1 Key Players

14.1.1 Safran

14.1.2 Eaton Corporation plc

14.1.3 Parker-Hannifin Corporation

14.1.4 Woodward, Inc.

14.1.5 Crane Co.

14.1.6 Honeywell International, Inc.

14.1.7 Triumph Group, Inc.

14.1.8 Itt, Inc.

14.1.9 Diehl Stiftung & Co. Kg

14.1.10 Ametek, Inc.

14.1.11 Collins Aerospace

14.1.12 Aerocontrolex

14.1.13 Rapco, Inc.

14.1.14 Cef Industries, Inc.

14.1.15 Cascon Inc.

14.1.16 Weldon Pump LLC

14.1.17 Hfe International, LLC

14.1.18 Flygas Engineering

14.1.19 Flight Works Inc.

14.1.20 Tempest Plus

14.1.21 Andair Ltd.

14.1.22 Technodinamika

14.1.23 Crissair, Inc.

14.1.24 Allen Aircraft Products, Inc.

14.1.25 Cj Aviation Inc.

15 Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/d6j21h



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The new Thunderbird Global Innovation Center is located on the first floor of Gate Avenue at DIFC, in the heart of Dubai's flourishing international business district. Known as a leading world-class business and innovation destination, Gate Avenue at DIFC provides the most powerful innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region.

Thunderbird Global Innovation Center will capitalize on DIFC's unmatched location and network to catalyze and accelerate start-ups and existing firms while providing world-class international business, leadership and management training, including delivery of graduate degree programs. Thunderbird Executive Education will deliver elite hybrid learning programs (in-person plus remote) for organizations and individuals. Innovators and entrepreneurs will have opportunities to design, test and refine their ideas working alongside top educators, business leaders, financial experts and thousands of other trailblazers from DIFC's vast and diverse ecosystem. Additionally, having a presence in this highly sought-after location will bolster regional recruiting and serve as a connection point for members of Thunderbird and ASU's global alumni networks.

Thunderbird's Director General and Dean, Sanjeev Khagram , commented: "Our new home in Dubai's financial nerve center will allow Thunderbird and ASU to do what we do bestspark innovation and build collaborative knowledge networks across sectors and disciplinesin one of the business world's key locations. With the expertise of our partners at DIFC, Thunderbird will use this perfect location as a launchpad to drive regional transformation and export cutting-edge management mastery around planet Earth. We're expanding our worldwide network of Thunderbird Centers of Excellence in major commercial hubs like Dubai, and this beautiful space within Gate Avenue at DIFC will leverage the latest technology to link up with our offices in other cities as well as our new state-of-the-art Thunderbird Global Headquarters in Phoenix, opening this fall as part of our 75th Anniversary celebrations. Being here now means our school and university will play an instrumental role in taking business innovations in Dubai to new heights as the Fourth Industrial Revolution accelerates."

About Thunderbird School of Global Management

Thunderbird School of Global Management is a unit of the Arizona State University Enterprise. For 75 years, Thunderbird has been the vanguard of global management and leadership education, creating inclusive and sustainable prosperity worldwide by educating future-ready global leaders capable of tackling the world's most significant challenges. Thunderbird's Master of Global Management was ranked #1 in the world for 2019 by the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education. ASU is ranked No. 1 "Most Innovative School" in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for six years in succession. Thunderbird Executive Education has been ranked in the top 10 internationally for decades. Learn more: https://thunderbird.asu.edu

About ASU

Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University, creating an institution committed to access, excellence, and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social, and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it.

CONTACT:

Jonathan Ward  Thunderbird Media Relations

[email protected]

+1 480.490.9773

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SOURCE Thunderbird School of Global Management

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Acquisitions include Bay Elevator in Northern Ontario and Toronto -based Direct Elevator and True Canadian Elevator Maintenance Company.

and -based Direct Elevator and True Canadian Elevator Maintenance Company. More than 100 employees as well as key leadership will join TK Elevator Canada.

The acquisitions reinforce the commitment TK Elevator is making to its customers in Ontario and throughout Canada , which includes expanding the ITS Centre in Scarborough .

TORONTO, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TK Elevator Canada has acquired three companies that specialize in elevator modernization, service and repair in Ontario  Bay Elevator, Direct Elevator and True Canadian Elevator Maintenance Company. More than 100 employees from the three companies will join TK Elevator Canada, the leading vertical transportation company in Canada.

Leadership from the three companies, including Kyle Bourque from Bay Elevator, Mike Devine and Dave Hueson from Direct Elevator as well as Rob Wagner from True Canadian Elevator will join TK Elevator.

"Our commitment to providing the highest level of service is unparalleled in our industry and is a key reason TK Elevator is the most trusted elevator company in Canada. That commitment includes evaluating key partnerships and acquisitions that make our organization stronger," says Blaine Coupal, President and CEO, TK Elevator Canada. "Bay Elevator, Direct Elevator and True Canadian share our commitment to top-notch service and modernization solutions, and the leadership from these three companies  along with their experienced workforce  will add depth to our current organization as well as strengthen our support for our new and existing customers."

Last year, TK Elevator Canada addressed a key service challenge by transforming its Engineering Center in Scarborough into the International Technical Services Centre in order to expand its ability to maintain and service competitor units. The only facility of its kind in Canada, which TK Elevator Canada invested millions in upgrading, was originally home to new installation and modernization engineering, Canadian board repair, elevator simulators, a customer showroom and a parts warehouse when it opened nearly three years ago.

Now, the revamped ITS Centre enhances those services by adding frontline field engineering phone and onsite support, specialized support services, additional technical training and documentation, diagnostic and specialty tools, board and drive repair, as well as new product support and collaboration. ITS will also provide the same services for competitors' elevators and escalators.

Also, in 2020, TK Elevator expanded its service and modernization footprint in Winnipeg when it purchased Winnipeg Elevator Group.

Across North America, TK Elevator has been acquiring key service partners and companies as part of its strategic approach to enhancing its service portfolio and personnel. That includes a variety of U.S. acquisitions, including Albany Elevator in 2021, Braun ThyssenKrupp in 2020, and O'Keefe Elevator and Nashville Machine Elevator in 2019.

"Our recent acquisitions in North America and the upgrades made to the ITS Centre reinforce the significant commitment we are making to our customers to provide the highest level of service possible," says Kevin Lavallee, President and CEO, TK Elevator North America and Australia. "The future is very bright for TK Elevator in North America, and we will continue to explore ways we can continue to lead the elevator industry into a safer tomorrow."

To learn more, go to https://www.tkelevator.com/ca-en/

PRESS CONTACT

Dennis Van Milligen

Manager, Public Relations

TK Elevator North America

P +1 312 525 3190

[email protected]

www.tkelevator.com/us

COMPANY BLOG

www.urban-hub.com

ABOUT US

TK Elevator (formerly: thyssenkrupp Elevator)

With customers in over 100 countries served by 50,000 employees, TK Elevator achieved sales of around 8 billion in the fiscal year 2019/2020. Over 1,000 locations around the world provide an extensive network that guarantees closeness to customers. Over the past decades, TK Elevator has established itself as one of the world's leading elevator companies and became independent since its sale by thyssenkrupp AG in August 2020. The company's most important business line is the service business represented by over 24,000 service technicians. The product portfolio covers commodity elevators for residential and commercial buildings to cutting-edge, highly customized solutions for state-of-the-art skyscrapers. In addition, it also consists of escalators and moving walks, passenger boarding bridges, stair and platform lifts. Integrated cloud-based service solutions, such as the MAX platform, are gaining in importance. With these digital offerings, there are no limits to urban mobility anymore. TKE  move beyond.

SOURCE TK Elevator
NEW YORK, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TrialSpark Inc., a tech-enabled drug development company dedicated to improving the speed, quality, and innovation of clinical trials, announced a collaboration today with global biopharmaceutical company Sanofi. Together, the companies will execute clinical research studies in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, and the third leading cause of death worldwide.

TrialSpark uses a technology centric approach to accelerate patient recruitment and enrollment, while improving retention, across research programs. The company drives patient enrollment at best in class professional research sites by establishing direct relationships with community physicians and private practices, which increases patient and physician access to research. While sites have traditionally been responsible for recruitment independently from overall trial operations, TrialSpark takes a holistic approach to supporting all three trial components: professional sites, community physicians, and trial participants. This innovative "hub-and-spoke" approach, combined with its industry-leading digital patient recruitment services, integrated clinical technology platform, and comprehensive trial management results in significantly faster startup, faster enrollment, and faster topline data for research studies.

In addition to boosting speed and efficiency of a clinical trial, this "hub-and-spoke" model can also help recruit the target patient population for any given study. A disproportionate percentage of patients diagnosed with COPD identify as Black or Hispanic, yet very few patients historically enrolled in clinical studies are from these communities (1). In an effort to improve representation in clinical trials, TrialSpark is deploying this "hub-and-spoke" strategy to engage patients that the industry has historically struggled to reach. TrialSpark is equipping physicians in traditionally underserved communities with the tools to facilitate enrollment of their patients into high-quality, safe, and reputable clinical research settings - giving a wider swath of patients the possibility to access life-changing therapeutics.

"Over the past years, executing clinical trials for primary care indications in the US has been challenging. We're excited to work with TrialSpark to bring increased efficiency to clinical trials and to bring studies to underserved patient populations. The way they run clinical trials will actually improve patient diversity and access to therapeutics, and the fact that they hold themselves contractually accountable to this work really sets them apart in the industry" - Terttu Haring, Global Head of Clinical Innovation at Sanofi.

"The commitment to clinical trial innovation at Sanofi is second to none. Our teams are excited to collaborate and create novel solutions together that drive faster trial execution and engage a more diverse set of patients" - Joe Zaccaria, Business Development Director at TrialSpark.

If you are interested in learning more about the Sanofi / TrialSpark collaboration or collaborating with the team at TrialSpark, please direct your inquiries to [email protected] .

About TrialSpark

TrialSpark is a technology-driven drug development company that runs end-to-end clinical trials, focused on bringing new treatments to patients faster and more efficiently. TrialSpark has built a technology platform that optimizes all aspects of a clinical trial, enabling faster trial completion, higher data quality, and a more efficient experience for all stakeholders. In addition to supporting the execution of trials for other companies, TrialSpark also in-licenses and co-develops drug programs through in-house development, joint ventures, and NewCos. TrialSpark is backed by leading investors such as Michael Moritz, John Doerr, Sam Altman, Sequoia Capital, Thrive Capital, Casdin Capital, and Section 32.

Source: 1) BMC Med Res Methodol. 2019; 19: 39. Published online 2019 Feb 21. doi: 10.1186/s12874-019-0679-y

SOURCE TrialSpark

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WASHINGTON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Trilateral Commission launches The Trilateral Task Force on Global Capitalism in Transition to examine the future of capitalism in the context of major global trends, such as climate change, digitization, and growing nationalism. With its diversity of views and global reach, the Trilateral Commission is ideally positioned to explore these dynamics.

Jean-Claude Trichet, the European chair of the Trilateral Commission, notes, "Capitalism is at a turning point. To consolidate their past successes in producing wealth, market economies must now take fully into account externalities that are putting into question sustainability in many domains - in particular climate change, health, economic and financial stability, and social inclusion."

The task force will consider how different varieties of capitalism in North America, Europe, and Asia have both contributed to these global challenges and shaped the ability of the countries in these regions to address them. The task force will make recommendations about how the economic system could be modified, if needed, to better ensure advanced economies and democracies can respond adequately to climate change, digitization, and surging nationalism. The work of the task force will culminate in the publication of a landmark report in 2022, but will be marked by smaller outputs along the way.

"Until now, the foreign policy community has been on the sidelines of the debate about the future of capitalism, when in fact the outcome of this debate has real implications for how the international community addresses climate change and other global risks," said Meghan L. O'Sullivan, North American Chair of the Trilateral Commission. "The three co-chairs of this task force and its members bring incredible intellectual capacity to this issue, promising new thinking that shapes the way policymakers approach our biggest challenges."

The Task Force will be co-chaired by Carl Bildt, WHO Special Envoy for the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator and former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Sweden; Kelly Grier, U.S. Chair and Managing Partner, Americas Managing Partner, Ernst &Young; and Takeshi Niinami, CEO of Suntory Holdings and senior economic advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan. Thirty distinguished business leaders, policymakers, and academics from North America, Europe and Asia are part of the group. A full list of task force members is provided here. The Task Force will meet roughly once a month through January 2022.

"As the world addresses global dynamics such as climate change, digitization and social inequality, it's imperative that leaders from all sectors and regions come together to shape the policies that will determine our shared future," said Kelly Grier, EY US Chair and Managing Partner and Americas Managing Partner. "The task force will explore our economic systems' potential to be a force for transformation and put forth recommendations that reflect a global collective wisdom."

"I am truly honored and excited to be a part of such a uniquely diverse task force to discuss important aspects of the future of capitalism," said Takeshi Niinami, one of the task force's co-chairs. "Asia has been underrepresented in many of these discussions, especially in the area of sustainability, and I look forward to strengthening the region's influence through this Task Force's initiatives."

Contact: Cassandra Favart,

Coordinator for the North America Trilateral Commission

[email protected]

Related Files

Trilateral Commission launches the Trilateral Task Force on Global Capitalism in Transition.pdf



SOURCE Trilateral Commission
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Udacity, the online learning platform powering the careers of the future, today announced the creation of the AWS Machine Learning Scholarship Program in conjunction with Amazon Web Services (AWS). The goal for this program is to remove barriers to skills training in machine learning, and to cultivate the next generation of Machine Learning (ML) leaders from underrepresented backgrounds, including Women, Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and People of Color. Enrollment in the free AWS Machine Learning Foundations course begins today. 425 top students from the course will be selected to receive a full scholarship for the entire AWS Machine Learning Engineer Nanodegree program based on the results of a test open to all who complete the free course.

"AWS strives to help level the playing field for women and people of color, who have been underrepresented in the tech industry for far too long. We are thrilled to collaborate with Udacity to make this sort of technical training more widely available and accessible," said LaDavia Drane, global head of Inclusion, Diversity & Equity at AWS. "We look forward to seeing the incredible innovations in machine learning that are sure to come from this initiative."

Machine learning is poised to transform virtually every industry, however, there are currently not enough trained ML developers to meet this demand, and far fewer from backgrounds which are underrepresented in tech. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2025, 97 million new roles may emerge that are more adapted to the future of work as ML Developers and Practitioners.1 Still, globally, only 26% of AI professionals are female, while 78% are male.2 The AWS Machine Learning Foundations course is designed for those with little to no ML experience to begin achieving crucial skills needed in the coming years.

Through its We Power Tech Program, AWS collaborates with professional organizations that are leading initiatives to increase the diversity of talent in technical roles, including organizations like Girls In Tech and the National Society of Black Engineers. These organizations are teaming up to help amplify the reach of the 2021 scholarship program among their members and in the community.

Launched in 2019, The AWS Machine Learning Foundations course has been updated with several new modules, including an introduction to Reinforcement Learning (RL) with AWS DeepRacer, generative AI with AWS DeepComposer, and computer vision with AWS DeepLens. Students will also have the opportunity to further advance skills with the AWS DeepRacer League. In addition, the AWS Machine Learning Engineer Nanodegree, one of Udacity's most popular courses, includes updated content covering advanced machine learning techniques and algorithms, and expert led tutorials on how to quickly build, train, and deploy ML models in the cloud and at the edge with Amazon SageMaker, a fully managed ML service for data scientists and developers.

"Our collaboration with AWS has already seen thousands of learners start their machine learning journey, and this year's scholarship program promises to help many more begin achieving the essentials," said Gabe Dalporto, CEO of Udacity. "As we look to the future, it's more critical than ever to work with leaders in the space to provide cutting-edge courses that easily spark new career opportunities for students."

"The AWS Machine Learning Nanodegree Program enabled me to learn and achieve valuable machine learning skills at my own pace with interactive modules that made learning fun and effective," said Juv Chan, AWS ML Hero and AWS Machine Learning Nanodegree Program Alumni. "Carving out time to learn machine learning can be very hard, especially under the demanding schedules that software engineers work from. The flexibility offered by Udacity Nanodegrees lets me learn new skills on a timetable that works for me."

For more information about the AWS ML Scholarship Program, please visit here .

About Udacity

Udacity is a global, online training platform powering digital transformation and accelerated time-to-market initiatives for Fortune 500 and Global 2000 enterprises. Udacity programs provide industry-created practitioner skills through a series of "Nanodegree" programs consisting of online courses and real-world projects in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, autonomous systems, and cloud computing, among other disciplines. Udacity collaborates with expert instructors and over 200 global industry partners including AT&T, Google, Facebook, Mercedes-Benz, and NVIDIA to power technical education. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., the private company has operations in the United Kingdom, Egypt, Germany, India, and the United Arab Emirates. Udacity has raised $163 million in funding to date from investors including Bertelsmann, Andreessen Horowitz, Charles River Ventures, and Drive Capital. For more information, please visit www.udacity.com .

Media Contacts

Consort Partners for Udacity

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1 Per The Future of Jobs Report 2020 by the World Economic Forum

2 Per The Global Gender Gap Report 2020 by the World Economic Forum

SOURCE Udacity

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RICHMOND, Va., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- George C. Freeman, III, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV), announced today that the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of seventy-eight cents ($0.78) per share on the common shares of the Company, payable August 2, 2021, to common shareholders of record at the close of business on July 12, 2021. This increase indicates an annualized rate of $3.12 per common share and a yield of approximately 5% based on the $59.06 closing price on May 25, 2021.

Mr. Freeman noted, "Universal has raised its common dividend every year since 1971. Today's 51st consecutive annual dividend increase dividend increase is in line with our capital allocation strategy and our commitment to deliver shareholder value."

The Board of Directors set the date of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders as Tuesday, August 3, 2021. It will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the Company's headquarters building. The Board of Directors set the record date for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders as June 8, 2021.

Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV), headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is a global business-to-business agri-products supplier to consumer product manufacturers, operating in over 30 countries on five continents, that sources and processes leaf tobacco and plant-based ingredients. Tobacco has been the Company's principal focus since its founding in 1918, and Universal is the leading global leaf tobacco supplier. Through the Company's plant-based ingredients platform, it provides a variety of value-added manufacturing processes to produce high-quality, specialty vegetable- and fruit-based ingredients for the food and beverage end markets. Universal has been finding innovative solutions to serve its customers and meet their agri-product needs for more than 100 years. The Company's revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, were $1.9 billion. Visit www.universalcorp.com for more information on Universal Corporation and the latest Company news.

SOURCE Universal Corporation

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The results included 20 metres grading 4.21 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, including 11 metres grading 6.91 g/t gold, and 17.30 metres grading 2.48 g/t gold

The Canadian gold exploration company is focussed on the Ngayu Greenstone Gold Belt in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

( ) ( ) (FRA:LO51) reported significant assay results from its drilling program at the Imbo Project, at the Ngayu Greenstone Gold Belt in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Canadian gold exploration company revealed that borehole LADD013 drilled at its flagship Adumbi deposit, intersected 20 metres grading 4.21 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (including 11 metres grading 6.91 g/t Au), 17.30 metres grading 2.48 g/t gold (including 8.20 metres grading 4.71 g/t Au), and 7.04 metres grading 2.68 g/t gold.

In addition, the company said borehole LADD013 had an "inclination of minus 72 degrees and azimuth of 218 degrees at the start of the hole" and regular measurements of inclination and azimuth were taken at 30-metre intervals down the hole. Borehole LADD013 intersected the mineralization at a depth of approximately 65 metres below the open pit shell, noted the company.

READ: Loncor Resources lifts inferred open pit resource at Adumbi deposit by 44%

In a statement, Loncor President Peter Cowley said: Borehole LADD013 was targeting the northwest edge of the mineralization but encountered a better than expected thickness of the banded ironstone package as well as grades due to the increased higher grade zones of replacement rock drilled.

This suggests a shallower northwest plunge to the mineralization than the previously indicated sub vertical plunge at depth. Our focus now is to outline substantial underground resources at depth below the 3.15-million-ounce inferred resource pit shell where higher grades are being intersected.

According to Loncor, gold mineralization at Adumbi is associated with a thick package (up to a maximum of 130 metres) of interbedded banded ironstone formation and quartz carbonate and chlorite schist with higher grade sections being found in a strongly altered siliceous unit termed Replaced Rock where structural alteration has completely destroyed the primary host lithological fabric.

The objective of the current drilling program at Adumbi is to outline additional mineral resources to the current inferred mineral resource of 3.46-million-ounces of gold on Loncors 84.68%-owned Imbo Project. It contains the Adumbi, Kitenge and Manzako deposits with total inferred mineral resources of 43 million tonnes grading 2.51 g/t Au.

Barrick JV update

Loncor received exploration reports from its joint venture (JV) partner Barrick Gold, who is managing and funding the JV which covers 2,000 square kilometres (km) of the Ngayu Archean Greenstone Belt. The JV doesnt include Loncors Imbo Project.

Barrick commenced a scout drilling program on a number of target prospects in the Ngayu, as well as continued to delineate additional priority targets for follow-up drilling, said the company. High priority targets were developed at Yambenda/Yasua, Mokepa and Mongaliema with scout drilling completed at Yambenda/Yasua and Mokepa.

At Yambenda, four drill sections tested a 3.6-km portion of the 9.5 km long anomalous soil corridor. The best drill intercepts included 14 metres grading 0.85 g/t Au in YBDD0001, 49 metres grading 0.52 g/t Au and 14.5 metres grading 1.38 g/t Au in YBDD0002 and 35.05 metres at 0.60 g/t Au in YBDD0006.

At Mokepa, six scout holes were drilled with the best holes assaying 19 metres grading 1.04 g/t Au in borehole ADDD0001, and 46.7 metres grading 1.32 g/t Au in hole ADDD0002.

At Mongaliema, pitting was undertaken to the southwest of the trench which graded 32 metres grading 1.37 g/t Au. Further work is warranted from the results received to date at Mongaliema, said the company.

Loncor said it will assess the results of the Barrick JV to determine if exploration by Loncor on the JV ground is warranted. In particular, the Mongaliema target, which is only seven km from Loncors Makapela deposit.

Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive
SAN FRANCISCO, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Blockchain domain name provider Unstoppable Domains today announced it will support Covid relief in India through the sale of the premium domain name "India.crypto."

The India.crypto domain name alongside original digital artwork will be auctioned off as an NFT on OpenSea from May 27, 2021 at 9 AM Pacific Time until June 1, 2021 at 9 AM Pacific Time. Full proceeds will be donated to India Crypto Relief , a community fund delivering relief during the ongoing Covid crisis in India. Sales of other select premium domain names have ranged from $10,000 to $100,000.

"The crypto community has really stepped up in recent weeks to support relief efforts during the Covid crisis in India, and we wanted to do our part to help," said Matthew Gould, Co-Founder and CEO of Unstoppable Domains. "With India.crypto up for auction, whoever bids the highest will have the ability to launch a decentralized website with full ownership and control, while knowing their funds have contributed to crucial ongoing efforts in India."

The India.crypto domain name NFT will be auctioned off together with bespoke NFT artwork by Amrit Pal Singh , a Delhi-based 3D illustrator, art director, and visual artist. To participate in the auction, please sign up for an account on Unstoppable Domains and OpenSea prior to May 27. The auction will go live May 27 at 9 AM Pacific Time on OpenSea .

Launched in 2018, Unstoppable Domains provides .crypto and other top-level domain names to users with no renewal fees. When a user claims a domain, it is minted as an NFT on the Ethereum blockchain, granting the user full ownership and control. These .crypto domain names can point to content hosted on the Web, IPFS, or to cryptocurrency addresses, making it easy to send and receive over 70 different cryptocurrencies across 40+ cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges, including Coinbase Wallet, Litewallet, OKEx and MyEtherWallet.

Today, more than 817,000 domain names have been registered through Unstoppable Domains. To learn more, please visit www.unstoppabledomains.com .

About Unstoppable Domains

Launched in 2018, Unstoppable Domains is a blockchain domain name provider and gateway to the decentralized web. Unstoppable Domains allows anyone to purchase a decentralized domain name that is minted as an NFT on the Ethereum blockchain, giving the owner full ownership and control. Domain names can be used for payments across 40+ wallets and exchanges. The company is backed by Draper Associates and Boost VC, and supported by grants from the Ethereum Foundation and Zilliqa Foundation. To learn more, follow Unstoppable Domains on Twitter , and join the conversation on Telegram .

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Unstoppable Domains

Related Links

http://www.unstoppabledomains.com


The Challis Gold Project is just 75 kilometers southwest of Salmon, Idaho, in the Challis volcanics. The Challis Gold Project is a low-sulfidation, gold/silver epithermal vein and stockwork deposit, localized by intersecting northwest and northeast trending shear structures in a window of sedimentary rocks exposed through the Challis volcanics. The PoO will outline U.S. Gold Corp.'s planned potential exploration activities and future potential drill programs for its Challis Gold Project in accordance with current local, state, and federal regulations, permits, and regulatory guidance.

Ken Coleman, U.S. Gold Corp.'s Chief Geologist, states: "The Challis Gold Project was last mined in the late 1920s, when miners focused underground on veins grading better than 1 ounce/ton gold. Since that time, several other companies, including Newmont, have worked on the project. There are several opportunities at Challis, including further exploration of cobalt-copper showings on the project and developing a better structural picture of low-strip-ratio existing gold resources with upside expansion potential. Challis has an historic (not-current) NI 43-101 geological report showing a 313,825 ounce gold inferred mineral resource at a grade of 1.22 grams per ton. Our whole team believes that with additional exploration, Challis has the potential to become a significant resource. We look forward to getting our PoO approval so we can begin designing and implementing future explorations plans."

U.S. Gold Corp. has contracted with EM Strategies of Reno, Nevada, to complete the permitting process started by a predecessor company for a PoO for drilling in the historic resource area. A timeline for completion of the PoO is not yet clear, but as soon as the PoO is approved, the Company will provide further updates on its planned exploration activities.

Surface exploration activities at Challis this summer will include detailed geologic mapping and rock sampling, with a focus on defining the structural controls and depositional sites of gold in the Johny's Point resource area and its extensions. In addition, further mapping and sampling along a copper-cobalt showing identified in fall 2020 will be completed. The Blackbird district includes other copper-cobalt-gold deposits, including the Idaho Cobalt project of Jervois Mining located 11 km north of Challis Gold.

Based upon results from fall 2020, limited follow-up soil sampling will be completed as soon as access is gained to the project. Local information suggests full access will be gained in the next few weeks. Concurrently, a ground magnetics survey will be completed over the entire claim block. Geologic mapping completed this year will aid interpretation of geophysical results, with the goal of all activities to culminate in developing better geologic controls on known mineralization and developing new drill targets.

U.S. Gold Corp. has received initial interest in the Challis Gold Project from a variety of industry participants. The Company has set up an internal data room with detailed technical information that interested parties can access after signing a confidentiality agreement. As soon as access is possible throughout the project, further due diligence site visits will be conducted. Potential joint ventures and opportunities will continually be assessed by senior management and the board to try to maximize the exploration potential of this project.

About U.S. Gold Corp.

U.S. Gold Corp. is a publicly traded, U.S. focused gold exploration and development company. U.S. Gold Corp. has a portfolio of exploration properties. Copper King, now the CK Gold Project, is located in Southeast Wyoming and has a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) technical report, which was completed by Mine Development Associates available on the US. Gold Corp. website. Keystone and Maggie Creek are exploration properties on the Cortez and Carlin Trends in Nevada. The Challis Gold Project is located in Idaho. For more information about U.S. Gold Corp., please visit www.usgoldcorp.gold

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "forecast," "estimated," and "intend," among others. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the proposed Plan of Operations, upcoming surface exploration activities and the possibility of advancing discussions regarding a potential future joint venture or similar arrangement. These forward-looking statements are based on U.S. Gold Corp.'s current expectations, and actual results could differ materially from such statements. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks arising from: the prevailing market conditions for metal prices and mining industry cost inputs, environmental and regulatory risks, risks faced by junior companies generally engaged in exploration activities, whether U.S. Gold Corp. will be able to raise sufficient capital to implement future exploration programs, COVID-19 uncertainties, and other factors described in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be reviewed at www.sec.gov. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and assumptions about future events. While management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory, and other risks, contingencies, and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control. The Company makes no representation or warranty that the information contained herein is complete and accurate and we have no duty to correct or update any information contained herein.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors Regarding Estimates of Mineral Resources

This press release uses the term "mineral resources" which is defined in NI 43-101. We advise U.S. investors that this term is not recognized under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Industry Guide 7. Accordingly, the disclosures regarding mineralization in this news release may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by the Company in the reports it files with the SEC. The estimation of measured resources and indicated resources involves greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic feasibility than the estimation of proven and probable reserves. The estimation of inferred resources involves far greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic viability than the estimation of other categories of resources. US investors are cautioned not to assume that any or all of mineral resource described herein are economically or legally mineable or that these mineral resources will ever be converted into mineral reserves. In addition, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant "reserves" as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit amounts. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 10-K and other SEC filings.

The mineral estimate described herein is based upon an historical NI 43-101 report that does not include updated assumptions based on current market factors. It should not be relied upon as an estimate of the current expected mineral potential of the property.

For additional information, please contact:

U.S. Gold Corp. Investor Relations:

+1 800 557 4550

[email protected]

www.usgoldcorp.gold

SOURCE U.S. Gold Corp.

Related Links

http://www.usgoldcorp.gold


HAMILTON, Bermuda, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Valaris Limited (NYSE: VAL) ("Valaris" or the "Company") announced today that it has published a new investor presentation. This presentation can be found on the Investors page of the Company's website.

Valaris uses its website to disclose material and non-material information to investors, customers, employees and others interested in the Company. To receive regular updates on Valaris news or SEC filings, please sign-up for Email Alerts on the company's website.

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.

Investor & Media Contact:



Darin Gibbins

Vice President - Investor Relations and Treasurer

+1-713-979-4623

SOURCE Valaris Limited

Related Links

http://www.valaris.com


GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The VeriBlock Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the development and adoption of VeriBlock's Proof-of-Proof ("PoP") security technology, today announced a new initiative to secure Dogecoin using Bitcoin.

VeriBlock

VeriBlock developers are currently working on integrating Proof-of-Proof into the Dogecoin codebase, and they plan to present an open-source beta to the Dogecoin community soon for testing and feedback. The team will also perform a public "51% attack" on the PoP-enabled version of Dogecoin to showcase how their technology protects blockchains from the same attacks, which have been used to steal over $30M by targeting high-profile projects including Ethereum Classic, Bitcoin Gold, and other projects with multi-billion-dollar marketcaps.

"Bitcoin has been under public fire recently for the large carbon footprint of its Proof-of-Work mining protocol," explains VeriBlock Co-Founder and Chief Technical Officer Maxwell Sanchez. "VeriBlock reuses Bitcoin's mining power to secure the world's blockchains, amortizing the per-transaction environmental cost to levels far below what legacy financial systems provide while enabling Bitcoin to easily meet the requirements demanded by many Fortune 500 companies interested in blockchain technology. As Bitcoin becomes better utilized through technologies like Proof-of-Proof, it has the potential to become the world's most efficient and secure financial platform while providing solutions that transcend finance to fight police corruption, enforce digital property rights, and more. We hope that our work can help to realize Bitcoin's potential as the security backbone for the digital ecosystem of tomorrow."

"Dogecoin already utilizes a shared security model by merge-mining with Litecoin, making it a perfect candidate for VeriBlock's security inheritance technology," Sanchez noted. "Merge-mining has several critical security issues and decoupling Dogecoin from Litecoin will significantly benefit the security profile of both projects while making Bitcoin eco-friendly."

VeriBlock's technology enables any blockchain to inherit Bitcoin's security in an entirely Decentralized, Trustless, Transparent, and Permissionless ("DTTP") manner, adhering to the same core attributes which make Bitcoin the world's most powerful digital data integrity solution.

While some projects in the blockchain ecosystem utilize Proof-of-Stake ("PoS"), Proof-of-Capacity ("PoC"), and other alternative security protocols in their quest for perceived efficiency improvements, the VeriBlock team argues that these solutions are fundamentally opposed to the decentralized ethos that Bitcoin was founded upon. "Without a Proof-of-Work component, PoS and PoC are fundamentally insecure and is more analogous to the traditional finance world where financial institutions can hold funds hostage and blackball transactions at whim," Sanchez said. "These alternative security protocols don't solve the same problems or provide the same benefits of Bitcoin's Proof-of-Work, so comparing their 'efficiency' to Bitcoin is a non-starter. However, using a technology like Proof-of-Proof backstops these weakly-subjective security protocols with a Proof-of-Work component, making them viable."

The VeriBlock team plans to continue developing technologies that leverage Bitcoin to provide creative solutions to improve the security of financial, law enforcement, and intellectual property infrastructure.

About the VeriBlock Foundation

The VeriBlock Foundation is a Cayman Islands nonprofit committed to increasing awareness and adoption of the VeriBlock Blockchain and its Proof-of-Proof security protocol. VeriBlock inherits security from Bitcoin in a completely Decentralized, Trustless, Transparent, and Permissionless ("DTTP") manner, following the same attributes that made Bitcoin great, and allows any other blockchain to reinforce their existing security with the full Proof-of-Work power of Bitcoin in the same manner.

Media Contact

Alexis Quintal

[email protected]

Related Images

veriblock.png

VeriBlock

SOURCE VeriBlock
"VeriFLY is committed to establishing digital interfaces to global sources of verifiable clinical information, including proof of vaccines, as they become available," said Daon CEO Tom Grissen. "To ensure the equitable inclusion of all travelers in meeting their current COVID-19 requirements, VeriFLY is immediately offering the ability to upload vaccination cards as part of their secure digital health credentials to ensure a digital divide does not exacerbate health inequities."

The VeriFLY app continues to grow in popularity around the world. Now with more than 800,000 active users departing from more than 60 countries on six continents, VeriFLY provides clear information in one place that customers and governments can trust. It enables customers to complete all travel requirements in one simple app while securing data and safeguarding confidential information.

"We are gratified that travelers and event attendees around the world have turned to VeriFLY to assist in their life journeys as we begin to see a return to normalcy," Grissen added. "The VeriFLY app will help not only with air travel, but also at conventions, sporting events and concerts. We envision a world where your VeriFLY digital wallet will provide access to the places you and your family want to visit. And the ability to accept a vaccine health credential will accelerate opportunities to resume activities we've all dearly missed."

American Airlines  the first airline to offer VeriFLY to its customers  will provide travelers the option to use the VeriFLY app to securely upload their vaccine documentation for travel to El Salvador, Guatemala and the Bahamas. Travelers can simply upload a photo of both sides of their COVID-19 vaccine record into the app. The VeriFLY team will review that all documentation meets the destination requirements.

Julie Rath, Vice President of Customer Experience at American Airlines, added that VeriFLY gives customers peace of mind that they can meet their destination's travel requirements and save them significant time at the airport. As countries reopen to those who have been vaccinated, American Airlines will be ready with VeriFLY to help their customers travel with confidence.

Grissen noted that Daon has trained professionals that can analyze vaccination cards prior to a customer arriving at the airport, giving them a streamlined travel experience.

"Daon's design team is using digital comparative analysis in combination with human review to help guard against the use of fraudulent documents," Grissen added. "As more and more travelers upload vaccination cards and test results our algorithms will only get more accurate and effective. We believe we can train our algorithms to help combat fraud at scale, however, the ultimate goal should be for government and other parties to come together and create sources of verifiable credentials. As an industry leader for more than 20 years, we feel Daon can play a role in bringing these parties together."

ABOUT VERIFLY

VeriFLY is developed and managed by the biometric authentication and identity assurance solutions provider, Daon. VeriFLY offers travelers a secure and simple way to confirm their destination's COVID-19 requirements. After creating a secure profile on the VeriFLY app, Daon verifies that the customer's data matches a country's requirements and displays a simple pass or fail message. This simple message streamlines the check-in and documentation verification process at the airport before departure. The app also provides travelers with reminders when their travel window is coming to a close or once their credential has expired. Learn more by visiting www.daon.com/verifly.

HOW DO TRAVELERS USE VERIFLY?

After creating a secure profile on your mobile device, the VeriFLY app will prompt you to confirm the details of your trip, including a) flight information, and b) a vaccine health credential and/or negative COVID-19 test that fulfills your travel destination's requirements. As you verify each required element for travel, the app verifies that your test matches your destination's requirements and displays a simple pass or fail message. A traveler will thus have confidence that they meet the destination's COVID-19 requirements before they leave their homes. This simple message will also help streamline the check-in and documentation verification process at the airport before your departure. The message also provides you with reminders when your travel window is coming to a close or once your credential has expired.

ABOUT DAON

Daon, www.daon.com , is an innovator in developing and deploying biometric authentication and identity assurance solutions worldwide. Daon has pioneered methods for securely and conveniently combining biometric and identity capabilities across multiple channels with large-scale deployments that span payments verification, digital banking, wealth, insurance, telcos, and securing borders and seamless travel. Daon's IdentityX platform provides an inclusive, trusted digital security experience, enabling the creation, authentication and recovery of a user's identity and allowing businesses to conduct transactions with any consumer through any medium with total confidence. Get to know us on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .

Media Contact

Steve Aaron

President, SRA Communications

(717) 554-8614

[email protected]

Daon Contact

George Skaff

SVP of Marketing, Daon

[email protected]

SOURCE VeriFLY by Daon

Related Links

http://www.daon.com


DALLAS, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- VIP Global Magazine (https://www.vipglobalmagazine.com/) officially announced its 50 Most Influential Women in Business, ranging from CEOs, media personalities and activists, to actresses, authors, and start-ups to watch. VIP Global, a Black-owned family business media disruptor, is the brainchild of marketing expert Pasha Carter, voted one of Dallas' Most Powerful Women. VIP Global features actionable advice and quality content that provides the tools for entrepreneurs and business owner subscribers.

The Carter Family, Owners of VIP Global Magazine Volume 2 Issue

"Before leaving home, I believe every child should learn the skills it takes to build a million-dollar business and develop the heart to make positive change in the world," said Pasha Carter, Owner and Editor-in-Chief of VIP Global. "And that's why it is so important we acknowledge these powerful female business leaders now  especially for girls. Each woman featured here serves as a fantastic role model, helping to shape the dreams of a whole generation of young people. That's one of the main reasons why I launched a business media outlet: to offer tips and strategies for entrepreneurs, while simultaneously providing a platform for our children to learn exactly how to excel in their areas of interest. This is an important tool to help prepare our children to become successful adults."

VIP Global Magazine: The Fifty Most Influential Women in Business



1. Zoe Saldana

2. Carrie Underwood

3. Karrueche Tran

4. Priyanka Chopra Jonas

5. Tia Mowry

6. Issa Rae

7. Jordyn Woods

8. Ayesha Curry

9. Telishia Berry

10. Dr. Shekina Farr Moore

11. Dr. Ashley Little

12. Dr. Jessica Mosley

13. Pam Perry

14. Cheryl Polote Williamson

15. Minister LaTicia Nicole Beatty

16. Dr. Cheryl Wood

17. Kimberly Buchanan

18. Kim Bullock-Hennix

19. Kearn Crockett Cherry

20. Jessica De Serre Boissonneault

21. Vee Escarment

22. Tonya Fairly

23. Jannelle Forbes

24. Shmeka Gibson

25. Jennifer Gilchrest

26. Dr. Stacie NC Grant

27. Morgan Hardman

28. Dr. Jennifer Harris

29. Derricka Harwell

30. Chelsea Jennings

31. Yolanda Jerry

32. Dr. Missy Johnson

33. Erica Lane

34. Hope LeNoir

35. Dr. Bridget Leonard

36. Nadia Monsano

37. Cheryl Neal

38. Charcora Palmer

39. Jewandra Rawls-Ingram

40. Pauleanna Reid

41. L.A. Roberts

42. Nicole Roberts Jones

43. Tajuana Ross

44. Lenika Scott

45. Tonya Scott

46. Felicia Shanken

47. Mya Smith-Edmonds

48. Sherie Thomas

49. Sonia White

50. Dee Bowden

After launching in January of 2021, VIP Global Magazine secured a thriving social media following that continues to grow, while the magazine itself has already recorded thousands of downloads. VIP Global Magazine will continue to connect, collaborate, and celebrate with other entrepreneurs, working towards its goal as the #1 resource for the entrepreneurial family.

For the latest information on new articles, features, and other VIP Global Magazine content, follow them on social media: Facebook, Instagram.

About VIP Global

Developed by globally recognized speaker, influencer, and top marketing and branding expert, Pasha Carter, VIP Global is a business media outlet that brings entrepreneurial resources to the forefront of digital media  educating the business leaders of today and tomorrow. With curated content from aspiring creators and entrepreneurs, VIP Global provides advice, tips, and actionable information on developing small businesses into industry-leading global empires. Learn more at: www.VIPGlobalMagazine.com.

Media Contact:

Pasha Carter, Editor-in-chief

312-399-3970

[email protected]

www.vipglobalmagazine.com

SOURCE VIP Global Magazine

Related Links

http://www.vipglobalmagazine.com


The acquisition builds upon WebMD's leadership in empowering consumers and patients with best-in-class condition and disease focused content and resources to help them take action for their health. The acquisition also leverages WebMD's broad reach and engagement with health-seeking communities through a targeted platform that addresses one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in the U.S.

Based in New York, ADDitude is the leading source of ADHD information and resources, consulted more than 75 million times annually for trusted, evidence-based information from leading medical experts. ADDitude features a rich set of features, news, and interactive tools, including ADDitude symptom tests; information for parents, adults, HCPs and educators; an ADHD Experts Program of webinars, videos, and podcasts; an "Ask the Expert" column; a professional resource directory; and a quarterly magazine.

"ADDitude and WebMD share a core mission to empower patients with a digital health information platform that can improve and enhance their lives," said WebMD and Internet Brands CEO Bob Brisco. "With the acquisition, WebMD can leverage its reach and scale to support the work of ADDitude, accelerate engagement with this growing patient population, and increase opportunities for customers that serve patients with ADHD."

"We are excited to join forces with WebMD to accelerate our commitment to people living with ADHD," said Susan Caughman, Founder and CEO, ADDitude. "More than 6 million U.S. children and nearly 3 million adults are known to have ADHD, and the incidence is growing annually. With WebMD, we can broaden our impact and touch even more patients, caregivers and professionals with trusted information and innovative resources."

Terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed.

About WebMD Health Corp.

WebMD Health Corp., an Internet Brands Company, is a leading provider of health information services, serving patients, physicians, health care professionals, employers, and health plans through our public and private online portals, mobile platforms, and health-focused publications. The WebMD Health Network includes WebMD Health, Medscape, Jobson Healthcare Information, MediQuality, Frontline, QxMD, Vitals Consumer Services, MedicineNet, eMedicineHealth, RxList, OnHealth, Medscape Education, and other owned WebMD sites. WebMD, Medscape, CME Circle, Medpulse, eMedicine, MedicineNet, theheart.org, and RxList are among the trademarks of WebMD Health Corp. or its subsidiaries.

About Internet Brands

Internet Brands is a fully integrated online media and software services organization focused on four high-value vertical categories: Health, Automotive, Legal, and Home/Travel. The company's award-winning consumer websites are a leader in their categories and serve more than 250 million monthly visitors, while a full range of web presence offerings has established deep, long-term relationships with SMB and enterprise clients. Internet Brands' powerful, proprietary operating platform provides the flexibility and scalability to fuel the company's continued growth. Internet Brands is a portfolio company of KKR and Temasek.

About ADDitude

Since 1998, millions of caregivers, adults, and professionals have trusted ADDitude's expert guidance and compassionate strategies for living well with ADHD and its comorbid conditions. ADDitude's mission is to empower its readers by providing accurate, timely information from leading medical and mental health experts, and to support and champion them by sharing empathy and inspiration from others living with ADHD.

SOURCE WebMD
RICHMOND, Va., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, West Cary Group, a full-service, minority-owned marketing, advertising and technology firm headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, was recognized as one of the best places to work in the Richmond region. The announcement came during a special 2021 Top Workplaces program virtual ceremony hosted by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. This honor comes on the heels of agency President and CEO Moses Foster's induction into the Greater Richmond Business Hall of Fame last week.

"Since our founding in 2007, our firm has fiercely held to the belief that bringing together a collection of talented people with different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences would deliver better outcomes," said Moses Foster, West Cary Group President and CEO. "Fourteen years later, we still believe in creating an inclusive space where every team member feels valued so we can deliver the best contributions  both to our clients and our community. This recognition validates how we've built our company."

The Richmond Times-Dispatch collaborated with Pennsylvania-based employee research firm Energage to recognize and celebrate the winners of the publication's eighth annual Top Workplaces program. This year, they received anonymous survey responses from about 16,000 employees providing sentiment ratings on various aspects of workplace life, spanning from management, leadership, benefits and pay to community involvement and promoting diversity. Employers that scored the highest locally  and exceeded national benchmarks  made the list. This was West Cary Group's first entry in the small business category and its first win.

"This is a particularly exciting honor for West Cary Group, especially given the challenges of the past year," said Senior Director of Human Resources Monica Dodd. "We had to make pivots, but we never stopped delivering data-driven strategies that drive ROI for our clients. In spite of working remotely, we found new ways to connect. Together, we even launched social justice initiatives to help support the Richmond community. And we're thrilled to say that we've now grown our team to the largest size ever in our company's history. We're excited about writing the next chapter of our story."

About West Cary Group

West Cary Group is a full-service, minority-owned advertising and marketing communications agency founded in 2007 by Moses Foster. The firm specializes in merging award-winning creative with rigorous data analysis to create marketing campaigns with truly measurable outcomes. West Cary Group's capabilities include digital advertising and media, mobile application design and development, web design and development, brand marketing and advertising, and direct response marketing.

SOURCE West Cary Group
LOS ANGELES, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- White collar criminal defense law firm Kaplan Marino announced today that Chambers USA has named Founding Partner Nina Marino as a leader in Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations in its 2021 rankings.

The ranking, released last week, states that Marino has cultivated an excellent reputation in the market for her skillful representation of senior executives in white-collar criminal litigation. Client comments include, "Nina is fantastic." "She is very effective, and she is able to find a way to get her clients out of trouble."

Chambers USA annual rankings are compiled through client interviews, peer reviews, and independent research. The rankings reflect criteria considered most valued by clients, including legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness, diligence, and value.

Marino, a California Certified Criminal Law Specialist, has spent more than 30 years exclusively focused on white collar and complex criminal litigation on both a national and international level. Marino regularly represents individuals in matters involving allegations of all aspects of fraud and represents both foreign nationals and U.S. citizens in matters involving extradition and related Interpol notices.

A prominent member of the criminal defense bar, Marino was recognized for more than 25 years of professional excellence as the recipient of the American Bar Association (ABA)'s 'Charles English Award', the highest national award for work in the field of criminal justice. Marino holds several leadership roles in the Criminal Justice Section of the ABA, including Vice Chair at Large of the Criminal Justice Section Council, Co-Executive Director of Continuing Legal Education, and founder of the Women in White-Collar Subcommittee. In addition, Marino served as the Appointed Chair of the Ninth Circuit Lawyer Representatives for the Central District of California.

A frequent media commentator, author and speaker, Nina has steered the conversation at numerous national and international conferences on white-collar crime and fraud. She is asked to speak on topics ranging from international criminal investigations and public corruption to unconscious bias in expert testimony and regulatory issues related to virtual currencies.

Marino's excellence in complex matters has earned her many professional recognitions, most recently 'Top White-Collar Lawyer' by the Daily Journal and 'Leader in Law' by the Los Angeles Business Journal. She was honored with the 'Managing Partner Award' at the Women Influence & Power in Law Awards in 2020 and has been named to the US News and World Report 'Best Lawyers in America' since 2019.

About Kaplan Marino

The attorneys of Kaplan Marino are known in California and globally as leaders in the field of criminal defense. By providing creative solutions and drawing on our decades of experience, we give clients the high-quality representation they deserve. For more information, please visit https://kaplanmarino.com/.

SOURCE Kaplan Marino

Related Links

https://kaplanmarino.com/


Executing Our Strategic Business Plan Ahead of Schedule

VANCOUVER, BC, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Wildpack Beverage Inc (TSXV: CANS) ("Wildpack" or the "Company") announces that it has entered into three non-binding letters of intent with acquisition targets (each a "Target" and together, the "Targets").

The Targets are strategically located in key geographical regions identified by Wildpack as critical to both its near-term customer needs and long-term network requirements, being the South-East, North-Central and South-Central United States.

The key financial and operational metrics of the Targets align with the Company's growth strategy to acquire privately-owned quality assets on an accretive basis.

Wildpack has commenced operational, legal and financial due diligence on the Targets with a view of progressing to negotiation of definitive agreements following its completion.

Mitch Barnard, CEO commented "Due to our teams extensive acquisition experience, we have developed a streamlined approach to assessing opportunities and moving them through the various stages of our M&A process. We are making quick work of executing our strategic business plan. Fast but thoughtful growth is key to taking advantage of the massive market opportunity in front of us. We believe that these additions will position Wildpack as a dominant US provider of middle market beverage manufacturing services and packaging products, further solidifying us in our market niche as an earnings-driven enterprise with excellent 'blue sky' growth potential."

Charles Zadlo, COO said "These acquisitions are expected to represent an approximately 25% increase in total throughput capacity, a doubling of our geographic footprint (3 to 6 locations), and healthy synergies from a capabilities and SG&A perspective."

WILDPACK BEVERAGE INC.

Per: "Mitch Barnard"

Mitch Barnard

Chief Executive Officer and Director

About Wildpack

Wildpack is engaged in beverage manufacturing and packaging, operating in the middle market by providing can filling and decorating services to brands throughout the United States. Wildpack currently operates indirectly through its subsidiaries and out of facilities in Baltimore, Maryland, Sacramento, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Wildpack commenced trading on May 19, 2021 on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "CANS.V".

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including, without limitation: our statements related to the Company's the completion of the acquisition of the Targets and their expected impact on the operations and results of the Company. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, and contingencies. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "may", "should", "will", "could", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "anticipate", "expect", "believe" or "continue", or the negative thereof or similar variations. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Wildpack's statements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and conditions, many of which are outside of Wildpack's control, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding the Transaction, including: that Wildpack's assumptions in making forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect; that Wildpack may not complete the acquisition of any of the Targets for reasons both within and outside its control; that even if the acquisitions are completed, the Company may not be able to integrate the Targets into its business operations as anticipated; adverse market conditions; risks inherent in the beverage manufacturing and packaging sector in general; that future results may vary from historical results; and competition in the markets where Wildpack operates. Except as required by securities law, Wildpack does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise.

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

SOURCE Wildpack Beverage Inc.
( ) CEO Rick MacPherson tells Proactive the group is 'extremely pleased' with a US District Court Magistrate Judge for the District of Delaware's decision to issue a Report and Recommendation that pending patent litigation which begun in 2019 should be allowed to move forward against 16 key refined coal process defendants.

MacPherson says the group is in 'great shape moving forward' and looks forward to scheduling a trial date.
This geospatial data is collected at USAF installations worldwide for multiple applications depending on needs. Tweet this

Fox said the USAF GeoBase Program collects airborne imagery at USAF installations on a three- to five-year cycle to achieve up-to-date geospatial data for the Common Installation Picture.

"This comprehensive, digitally accessible CIP data supports each installation, accurately and efficiently managing its built and natural infrastructure," Fox said. "Instead of roaming the installation in a truck, Air Force staff can access precise, quantifiable and defensible data from the office for multiple applications. Everything on the base can be checked and verified with this imagery."

Applications for these data include but are not limited to planimetric updates, construction management, flood analyses, emergency response and evacuation, national security, utility mapping, modeling and simulation, and flight safety. The data also are used to conduct installation inventory and site compliance, like ensuring buildings have ramps that meet Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.

Woolpert and teaming partner Kodiak Mapping Inc., a local Alaskan aerial survey firm, will collect high-resolution, four-band RGB/NIR imagery and linear-mode lidar data. Woolpert will establish accurate, three-dimensional coordinates for photogrammetric ground control survey in support. The imagery and data collected will be immediately processed, and an ISO 9001:2015 quality control review will be conducted. Woolpert also will provide training classes and materials on-site, as desired.

Woolpert Geospatial Specialist Dana Dwyer-Torres said prior to the USAF Installation Imagery and Lidar Program, each USAF installation had to purchase its own imagery. Some relied on satellite imagery alone, which does not provide the required precision and accuracy.

"It was difficult for them each to understand the accuracies needed, and some would pay way too much for the imagery they received," Dwyer-Torres said. "This program is a great value for the Air Force. As the technology is getting better, the datasets are getting better. In the early stages of the program, we were providing lidar data at 2 points per square meter, however we are now providing lidar data at 8ppsm or better, depending on data needs. This increase in lidar density has enhanced the installation's ability to support its mission through improved data feature extraction, elevation modeling, 3D building modeling and 1-foot contour generation. The workflow is streamlined, and the products continue to advance."

Fox lauded Air Force GeoBase Program Manager Scott Ensign and the AFCEC Geospatial Integration Office for starting this program and for supporting the USAF, as well as other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

"This data goes into a repository at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's GRiD, helping other U.S. Department of Defense organizations, including the Army and Navy," Fox said. "GeoBase provides consistent data that can be compared across installations, and it supports specific requests at each installation depending on requirements and needs. The AFCEC and AFSOC had the foresight and acumen to pursue and implement a strategic, cost-effective solution, which continually benefits the nation on both a micro and macro level."

Woolpert has been under contract in support of GeoBase for much of the program's 20 years. The firm currently has more than 80 staff members who support GeoBase worldwide.

About Woolpert

Woolpert is the premier architecture, engineering, geospatial (AEG) and strategic consulting firm, with a vision to become one of the best companies in the world. We innovate within and across markets to effectively serve public, private and government clients worldwide. Woolpert is an ENR Top 150 Global Design Firm, recently earned its fifth-straight Great Place to Work certification and actively nurtures a culture of growth, inclusion, diversity and respect. Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, Woolpert has been America's fastest-growing AEG firm since 2015. The firm has over 1,100 employees and 42 offices in three countries. For more, visit woolpert.com.

Media contact: Woolpert PR Manager Jill Kelley; 937-531-1258, [email protected]

SOURCE Woolpert

Related Links

http://www.woolpert.com


WASHINGTON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

WHAT

NAFSA's All-virtual 2021 Annual Conference and Expo, Designing Our Shared Future, is the most diverse and comprehensive global event attended by professionals from across the field. The conference features plenary speakers who will bring global expertise to a particular subject vital to building a more globally engaged citizenry and a more peaceful world. Learn more at https://www.nafsa.org/conferences/nafsa-2021.

WHEN

Tuesday, June 1  Friday June 4, 2021

WHERE

Online at https://www.nafsa.org/conferences/nafsa-2021

2021 PLENARY KEYNOTE SPEAKERS | Below is the list of keynote speakersfind out more about these plenary speakers at https://www.nafsa.org/conferences/nafsa-2021/nafsa-2021-plenary-speakers.

Nicholas Kristof , acclaimed author, journalist, and human rights advocate.

acclaimed author, journalist, and human rights advocate. Jackie Joyner-Kersee , Olympic Gold Medalist, children's healthcare advocate and author

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS | Below is a sampling of sessions more can be found at https://www.nafsa.org/conferences/nafsa-2021/nafsa-2021-program

NAFSA's Latin America and the Caribbean Forum , held Wednesday, June 2 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. , will explore issues related to international education in Latin America and the Caribbean as well as effective strategies to engage in the region.

, held from , will explore issues related to international education in and the as well as effective strategies to engage in the region. The Transformation Toward Digital Collaboration and the Future of Learning session, on Wednesday, June 2 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. will explore how technology and partnerships strengthen higher education as well as the interconnectedness of technology and internationalization with online delivery on the virtual campus.

session, on from will explore how technology and partnerships strengthen higher education as well as the interconnectedness of technology and internationalization with online delivery on the virtual campus. Environmental Changes, Sustainability and Global Issues will be discussed during a session on Tuesday, June 2 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The NAFSA: Association of International Educators 20202021 Senior Fellows represent thought leader voices from around the world on trends in international higher education, climate change, and sustainability. This session provides each Senior Fellow an opportunity to discuss this topic from their respective area of expertise and world region.

will be discussed during a session on from The NAFSA: Association of International Educators 20202021 Senior Fellows represent thought leader voices from around the world on trends in international higher education, climate change, and sustainability. This session provides each Senior Fellow an opportunity to discuss this topic from their respective area of expertise and world region. The session Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP): Current Issues session on Tuesday, June 2 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. addresses issues practitioners face regarding current regulatory, policy, and practice inconsistencies that affect the advising of students in F and M immigration status from the perspective of experienced NAFSA leaders

session on from addresses issues practitioners face regarding current regulatory, policy, and practice inconsistencies that affect the advising of students in F and M immigration status from the perspective of experienced NAFSA leaders At the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs: Current Issues session, held Thursday, June 3 from 9 a.m.to 10 a.m. , learn more about the policies and procedures employed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in admitting international students and scholars into the United States , including current trends and anticipated developments for the year ahead. Officials from CBP have been invited to participate.

session, held from , learn more about the policies and procedures employed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in admitting international students and scholars into , including current trends and anticipated developments for the year ahead. Officials from CBP have been invited to participate. The presentation Policymaking in International Education: The View from Washington deconstructs the federal policy climate for international education and exchange and the impact of recent political activity on programs of concern to international educators, including election results, funding in a tight budget climate, immigration reform, and congressional and administration actions affecting study abroad and cultural exchange.

deconstructs the federal policy climate for international education and exchange and the impact of recent political activity on programs of concern to international educators, including election results, funding in a tight budget climate, immigration reform, and congressional and administration actions affecting study abroad and cultural exchange. Saul Flores will present The Walk of the Immigrants on Thursday, June 3 at 6 p.m. Saul spent three months walking, hitchhiking, and sleeping on the ground and in hiding places, from Ecuador to North Carolina . He walked 5,328 miles through ten countries and nine border crossings to document how grueling and dangerous the journey of immigrants to the United States can be and to raise money for an elementary school in Mexico . In this presentation he will discuss the hardships and hope associated with the immigrant experience.

Saul spent three months walking, hitchhiking, and sleeping on the ground and in hiding places, from to . He walked 5,328 miles through ten countries and nine border crossings to document how grueling and dangerous the journey of immigrants to can be and to raise money for an elementary school in . In this presentation he will discuss the hardships and hope associated with the immigrant experience. The Virtual International Education Expo Hall will feature exhibitors representing hundreds of organizations from around the world, including colleges and universities, study abroad and Intensive-English programs, embassies, government agencies and more. Visit our exhibitors at https://www.nafsa.org/conferences/nafsa-2021/nafsa-2021-expo

NAFSA MEDIA PASS

Advance online registration for the media is now open. Reporters wishing to cover the conference are encouraged to contact Matt Ruffner at [email protected] or Rebecca Morgan at [email protected]

About NAFSA

With more than 10,000 members, NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the world's largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education. Visit us www.nafsa.org/press. To learn more about our advocacy efforts on behalf of international education, visit www.ConnectingOurWorld.org and @ConnectOurWorld on Twitter.

NAFSA: Association of International Educators

SOURCE NAFSA: Association of International Educators

Related Links

www.nafsa.org


SHENZHEN, China, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- X Financial (NYSE: XYF) (the "Company" or "we"), a leading technology-driven personal finance company in China, today announced that Shenzhen Xiaoying Technology Co., Ltd. ("Shenzhen Xiaoying"), a VIE of the Company, has received a letter from the Local Financial Regulatory Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality on May 12, 2021, stating the approval of the business qualification of Shenzhen Xiaoying Microcredit Co., Ltd. ("Xiaoying Microcredit") which is an entity to be established for the purpose of operating microcredit business.

In the next few months, Xiaoying Microcredit will go through its business registration formalities with the Market and Quality Supervision Department of Shenzhen Municipality according to the relevant regulations. Xiaoying Microcredit will officially commence operation after obtaining its business license.

The business scope of Xiaoying Microcredit includes specialization in microcredit business, online microcredit business as approved by relevant governmental departments (prohibition of fundraising from the public), intermediary services including, among others, financing consultation and financial advisor services relating to the loan business.

Shenzhen Xiaoying is the first company of its kind to successfully transform from a P2P business and obtain the national online microcredit business operating license. Obtaining such a license marks a big milestone forward for the Company's journey towards licensed operation and regulatory compliance.

About X Financial

X Financial (NYSE: XYF) (the "Company") is a leading online personal finance company in China. The Company is committed to connecting borrowers on its platform with its institutional funding partners. With its proprietary big data-driven technology, the Company has established strategic partnerships with financial institutions across multiple areas of its business operations, enabling it to facilitate loans to prime borrowers under a robust risk assessment and control system.

For more information, please visit: http://ir.xiaoyinggroup.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "potential," "continue," "ongoing," "targets," "guidance" and similar statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "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. Any statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements that involve factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, but not limited to the following: the Company's goals and strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the credit industry, and marketplace lending in particular, in China; the demand for and market acceptance of its marketplace's products and services; its ability to attract and retain borrowers and investors on its marketplace; its relationships with its strategic cooperation partners; competition in its industry; and relevant government policies and regulations relating to the corporate structure, business and industry. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this announcement is current as of the date of this announcement, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For more information, please contact:

X Financial

Mr. Frank Fuya Zheng

E-mail: [email protected]

Christensen

In China

Mr. Eric Yuan

Phone: +86-10-5900-1548

E-mail: [email protected]

In US

Ms. Linda Bergkamp

Phone: +1-480-614-3004

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE X Financial

Related Links

www.xiaoyinggroup.com


The joint venture agreement is prepared and will be signed upon receiving Guinean government approval.

As exploration progresses, additional gold mineralisation has been discovered and the Kouri inventory is expected to grow.

( ) has agreed to extend the date for satisfaction of the conditions precedent in the acquisition of two additional gold permits in Guinea, Damissa Koura and Kankan West to July 26, 2021.

This follows the execution of a letter agreement by Golden Rim to acquire up to a 75% interest in the extra two gold permits in Guinea on January 27.

The acquisition of the Damissa Koura permit expands Golden Rims advanced Kada Gold Project, where Golden Rim is earning up to 75% interest, to around 300 square kilometres.

As with the Kada permit, Newmont conducted reverse circulation (RC) and aircore drilling at Damissa Koura, discovering additional broad zones of deep oxide gold mineralisation.

The Kankan West permit, 60 kilometres south of Kada, is directly west of s ( ) Kankan permit, where a gold-in-soil anomaly over 7 kilometres has been outlined.

Subject to Guinean approval

Acquisition of the Damissa Koura and Kankan West permits are subject to receiving Guinean government approval and the execution of a joint venture agreement, after which time, Golden Rim plans to commence its field exploration.

Guinean government approval is expected to be received shortly.

The joint venture agreement is prepared and will be signed upon receiving Guinean government approval.
The Port Operating Agreement contemplates exporting lithium concentrate and DSO and cements a key part of Cores low-cost logistics chain from mine to port.

This Port Operating Agreement follows a non-binding Heads of Agreement signed in early 2017 with Darwin Port Authority.

( ) (OTCMKTS:CXOXF) has executed a five-year operating agreement with Darwin Port Operations Pty Ltd (DPO) for the export of lithium products produced at Finniss Lithium Project near Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia.

In early 2017, Core entered into a non-binding Heads of Agreement with DPO and this has progressed into a Port Operating Agreement (POA) with the companys wholly-owned subsidiary Lithium Developments (Grants NT) Pty Ltd.

Strong fit for Cores requirements

The POA will allow Lithium Developments to access and use the DPO facilities to export Core's lithium products and contemplates direct shipping ore (DSO) and spodumene concentrate.

Access to the DPO facilities includes a truck unloading dump facility, the ship loader feed conveyor to convey product to the ship loader and access to the ship loader with berths capable of accommodating vessels up to Panamax size.

As such the DPO facilities are a strong fit for Cores requirements.

Targeting end of 2022 for exports

Managing director Stephen Biggins said: Access to key infrastructure like Darwin Port and the capital city of Darwin in northern Australia enables Core to build one of the most capital efficient and cost competitive hard-rock lithium projects in the world.

With a successful FID expected in coming months, Core is aiming to commence export of high quality lithium concentrate from Darwin Port by the end of next year.

The ability to use the existing DPO facilities, combined with the short haulage distance on existing sealed roads suitable for trucking means Core has minimal capital costs and low operating costs for its logistics chain from mine to port.

Costs anticipated by Core to use the DPO facilities are consistent with Cores estimated all in logistics costs that are among the lowest among Australian hard rock lithium miners and developers.

Shares were 6.67% higher to A$0.24 today and Core's market capitalisation sits at approximately A$264.2 million.
Lucknow, May 26 : There was mayhem at a wedding in the outskirts of Uttar Pradesh capital when armed miscreants reached the wedding venue and opened fire on a man, triggering panic and stampede at the function.

The incident took place in Para area on Tuesday evening.

Mohammed Zakir Ali, 52, had gone with his family to attend the wedding in the Pink City area of Para.

As soon as Zakir stepped out from the venue, the attackers opened fire at him.

Guests rushed out causing a stampede in which several persons, including children, suffered injuries.

Police recovered three live cartridges and three bullet shells but the attackers managed to flee.

The police spokesman said that investigations were on and the wedding footage was also being scanned.

Zakir and other injured persons have been admitted to a nearby hospital.
New Delhi, May 26 : Taking the privacy war to the court, Facebook-owned WhatsApp has sued the Indian government, saying that user privacy is in its DNA and the company will not share the information related to the "first originator of information" with any government including India.

Reliable sources told IANS on Wednesday that the messaging giant has filed the case against the Indian government in Delhi High Court, as the deadline to comply with the new IT (intermediary) rules 2021 meant for big social media platforms in India ended on Tuesday.

WhatsApp said that new rules infringe on users' privacy.

The company was yet to make its lawsuit official but according to it, from day one, "we built WhatsApp to help you stay in touch with friends, share vital information during natural disasters, reconnect with separated families, or seek a better life".

"Some of your most personal moments are shared with WhatsApp, which is why we built end-to-end encryption into our app. When end-to-end encrypted, your messages, photos, videos, voice messages, documents, and calls are secured from falling into the wrong hands," according to WhatsApp.

WhatsApp has also gone ahead with implementing its controversial user privacy policy from May 15, clearing stating that "we will maintain this approach until at least the forthcoming PDP (personal data protection) law comes into effect".

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had asked the social media platform to abide by the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 by May 25, or face strict action.

The MeitY had announced its draft new IT (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules for social media platforms on February 25.

As per the new rules, the social media platforms will have to remove offending content within 36 hours after a government directive or a legal order.

The new rules mandate that the intermediaries, including social media intermediaries, must establish a grievance redressal mechanism for receiving/resolving complaints from the users or victims.

On the user privacy policy, the Facebook-owned platform with over 400 million users in the country has defended its position, saying that it continues to engage with the government to resolve the issue.

WhatsApp said it has sent a reply to the notice by MeitY after the ministry directed the Facebook-owned platform to withdraw its controversial user privacy policy.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Lucknow, May 26 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will interact with the newly-elected gram pradhans virtually on Friday.

The gram panchayats will hold their first meeting on Thursday, to mark the start of functioning of rural local bodies.

The pradhans, who took the oath on Tuesday, will get connected with the Chief Minister who is expected to touch upon the importance of rural local bodies in driving development at the grass roots, said a government spokesman.

Additional Chief Secretary, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, Manoj Kumar Singh, in a letter sent to all the District Magistrates, said that the Chief Minister will also hold conversation with selected few gram pradhans.

The District Magistrates have been asked to facilitate the gram pradhans by allowing them access to NIC centres in their respective districts.

The department of Panchayati Raj has also asked its officers to accompany gram pradhans when they come for interaction with Yogi.

Meanwhile, sources said, that the Chief Minister would also ask the gram pradhans to help in the vaccination drive in their respective areas and encourage people to take the jab in order to prevent spread of Covid.
May 26 : Priyanka Chopra Jonas has been featured on Vogue Australia. Taking to her Instagram profile, The White Tiger actress shared a bunch of pictures, giving a glimpse of her stunning photoshoot.

Donning a white Channel dress with a thin black border and plunging neckline, the diva looked gorgeous as ever. To style her look, the Sky is Pink actress opted for sleek straight hair and neutral makeup. The actor captioned the post as, "Vogue Australia, June 2021."

Reacting to her post, several celebs took to the comments section and complimented her. Actor Sonam Kapoor, who is currently in London, wrote, "Love it." Dia Mirza said, "Stunning," while Mindy Kaling posted a fire emoji.

Vogue Australias Instagram page shared the cover and wrote, "The actor, entrepreneur and goodwill ambassador is aware of the power her international platforms haveshe has been using them to spark conversations around the things that matter. Spending the past few weeks speaking directly to her 63 million Instagram followers about Indias devastating spike in Covid-19 infections, Chopra Jonas has now raised more than $1 million for much-needed medical resources through her fundraiser with GiveIndia. Simply put, no one is safe until we are all safe, she stresses. As a global community, we have to be willing to step in and help where we can... That is my belief."

Along with the cover picture, Priyanka also shared a couple of images from the photoshoot, dressed in monochrome figure-hugging ensembles. In one image, the fashion icon can be seen in a black slip dress that accentuated her svelte frame. The sultry dress featured encrusted straps and plunging neckline. Priyanka shared another look, wearing a white outfit that featured a cut-out detailing at the back. She completed her look with dramatic smokey eyes and chic hairdo, parted at the centre.

The actor spoke to the magazine about her recent COVID-19 relief work and also revealed her best-kept secrets about good hair days, her marriage and planning an epic wedding.

Meanwhile, on the professional front, Chopra Jonas is currently working on the spy series Citadel. Backed by the Russo Brothers of Avengers: Endgame fame, the project also stars Richard Madden. Priyanka has completed shooting for Text for You. The global icon will also be seen in an Indian wedding comedy with Mindy Kaling, which is also being co-produce by her. The actress also has Matrix 4 and a film based on the life of Maa Anand Sheela in her kitty.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Lucknow, May 26 : Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has toured all 18 divisions in Uttar Pradesh and reviewed Covid management in 40 out of the 75 districts.

According to a government spokesman, the chief minister, who had tested Covid positive on April 14 and was in home quarantine till April 30, began touring the state to review the Covid situation.

During his visits, he went to Covid command centres, hospitals and villages where he interacted with the local people and took their feedback about the arrangements made for Covid treatment. He also held meetings with officials, doctors and elected representatives. The chief minister met monitoring committees and interacted with people in containment zones.

"During his divisional reviews, the chief minister praised the efforts of health workers, police officials, ASHA and anganwadi workers and encouraged them to continue working for the welfare of people," said the spokesperson.

Even while he was in home quarantine, the chief minister held virtual meetings almost every day and interacted with officials and experts on the Covid situation. He monitored efforts being made to strengthen the medical infrastructure in the state and prepare for the third wave of the pandemic.

"As soon as he tested negative, he went to inaugurate the temporary Covid hospital at Awadh Shilp Gram, built by DRDO, in Lucknow," the spokesperson said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
China will ban the use of disposable plastic packaging bags, tableware and straws on domestic flights starting next year, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said Wednesday.

Airports with an annual throughput of at least 2 million passengers will also stop providing such products next year, and the ban will be extended to all airports and international passenger flights in 2023, the administration said.

The ban was part of a five-year plan released by the administration to control plastic pollution. By 2025, the consumption of disposable non-degradable plastic in the civil aviation industry will decline sharply from the 2020 level, according to the plan.

Airlines in the country have already started the green transition, with some companies replacing disposable plastic tableware with recyclable ones and piloting on-board garbage sorting.




Mobilum is a licensed plug-and-play fiat-to-crypto gateway and payment processing technology solution for exchanges, wallets, brokers, liquidity providers and cryptocurrency businesses

Mobilum guarantees zero chargebacks, the highest acceptance rates, and the lowest transaction fees in the industry, at 2.99%

( ) ( ) ( ) has signed a definitive share purchase agreement to acquire a 100% interest in fintech start-up Mobilum OU for C$16 million, the company announced.

Mobilum is a licensed plug-and-play fiat-to-crypto gateway and payment processing technology solution for exchanges, wallets, brokers, liquidity providers and cryptocurrency businesses. Its on-ramp and off-ramp solution enables integration for businesses with users who buy and sell cryptocurrencies with credit and debit cards.

"TechX is very excited about acquiring Mobilum's innovative technology, which is creating a bridge between the fiat and crypto space to speed up the mass adoption of cryptocurrency worldwide," TechX CEO Peter Green said in a statement. "The rise in decentralized finance applications is growing rapidly and we expect to soon be a key player in this ever-growing market."

Mobilum also guarantees zero chargebacks, the highest acceptance rates, and the lowest transaction fees in the industry, at 2.99%, the company said. Its daily processing volume ranges from C$100,000 to C$250,000 in transactions for cryptocurrency exchanges that include KuCoin, the sixth-largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world. Because it supports more than 200 cryptocurrencies and more than 80 fiat currencies, Mobilum's payment gateway services are accessible to over 8 million global users.

"With very few exchanges offering credit card processing, we've seen an exponential increase in demand from exchanges and cryptocurrency businesses to utilize our on-ramp solution," Mobilum CEO Wojtek Kaszycki said. "The recent crypto correction has actually increased our processing volume because investors want to get in on the price dips. By merging with TechX, Mobilum will be able to increase its liquidity, giving us the ability to process millions of dollars in transactions per month."

In addition to the payment processing technology, TechX will gain access to Mobilum's Xcard digital wallet technology platform, the company said, which is expected to launch in the third quarter. The technology will allow users to buy and sell more than 237 cryptocurrencies and earn interest of up to 16% APY by staking them, among other features.

"We're excited to be launching a superior interest-bearing cryptocurrency wallet with the marketing power of TechX behind us," Kaszycki added. "With the growth and complexity of DeFi (decentralized finance) yield farming, our wallet will make it simple for any beginner to get into DeFi. I feel that our digital wallet could become a superior premium offering dominated by companies like ( ) (OTC:VYGVF) (FRA:UCD2) and the Network.

The user bases and the assets under management within interest-bearing cryptocurrency wallets have exponentially grown over the past year into the multi-billions of dollars. People around the globe are just not satisfied with banks paying out interest under 0.50% anymore. Unbanking is going to become the new norm."

Kaszycki will remain the CEO of Mobilum, the company said. Between 1996 and 2001, Kaszycki managed the first e-commerce agency in Poland, AGS NewMedia and created the first e-commerce portal in Poland Empik.com (Polish Amazon). He is also the founder and chairman of BTC Studios, a publicly-traded video gaming company on the Warsaw stock exchange.

Under the terms of the deal, the shareholders of Mobilum will receive more than 26.6 million common shares at a deemed value of $0.60 per share.

Contact Andrew Kessel at andrew.kessel@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @andrew_kessel
Thiruvananthapuram, May 26 : Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan has raised doubts over the number of Covid deaths being reported everyday by the Kerala Government.

He noted in his Facebook post that the Kerala government time and again has claimed that the number of Covid deaths in the state is the least when compared to the rest of the country.

"But it has come to a stage that the figures read out by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in his daily press meet do not tally with the figures brought out by the doctors at the Medical College hospital, in the state capital. According to them on May 12 at their hospital there were 70 Covid deaths. But that day according to the official figures in the capital district, the number of Covid deaths was 14 and in the state it was 95," says the Union Minister.

Muraleedharan asks, one wishes to know what happened to the 56 dead here.

"These doctors point out that there was no space to keep the dead bodies at the mortuary, here. Wish to know why it happened. All wish to know who is lying, is it the government or the doctors?" asked Muraleedharan.

He said that there is a general talk about the Covid death figures of the state and it has also been pointed out by many that the obituary reports in newspapers has also increased.

The Kerala government should ensure that things are done in the proper manner and should not do anything to play to the gallery, he said.

"Putting out 'wrong' figures will be counterproductive, as the people here might get a feel, that everything in the state is fine. What's more significant is that the media, here so far has not taken up the wrong reporting of deaths, while similar happenings in North India are being reported in the front pages here," said Muraleedharan and expected that the new Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan will take this up in the assembly.

Incidentally all along the number of Covid deaths that was reported in the state hovered around the daily average of 30 to 35, but it started to rise since the start of May and crossed the 100 mark and on Monday 196 deaths were reported, while on Tuesday it stood at 177.

Moreover Vijayan for the first time last week had expressed caution that in the coming weeks the number of deaths is likely to go up further.

Till Wednesday, according to the official figures the total number of Covid deaths in the state stands at 7,731 and this is what Muraleedharan has expressed doubts on it.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Chennai, May 26 : The Pattali Makkal Katchi's (PMK) Youth Wing leader and Rajya Sabha Member Anbumani Ramadoss on Wednesday said the response for Tamil Nadu's global tender for Covid-19 vaccine seems to be nil.

He also said the M.K. Stalin government should take over HLL Biotech Ltd's Integrated Vaccine Complex located near here and start manufacturing vaccines there.

In a statement issued here former Union Health Minister Ramadoss said it has been 10 days since Tamil Nadu had issued a global tender to sourcing Covid-19 vaccine.

"It seems no company has come forward offering its vaccine," Ramadoss said.

Looking at the response received for global tenders issued by states like Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra, it may not be possible for Tamil Nadu to source Covid-19 vaccine from the global market, Ramadoss added.

Referring to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin's recent visit to HLL Biotech's Integrated Vaccine Complex, Ramadoss said unless the complex is taken over by the state government no good would happen for the state.

Ramadoss said Stalin's statement urging the central government to start manufacturing vaccines at HLL Biotech's facility is a belated one.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Damascus, May 26 : Syria's polling stations opened on Wednesday across government-held areas in a Presidential election which is expected to give incumbent Bashar al-Assad a fourth term in office.

Syrian television showed long of queues of people at polling stations, which opened at 7:00 am (local time), DPA reported.

"We are proud to come and take part in this election as it is our national duty," a woman told Syrian television in Aleppo, the second largest city in Syria.

The broadcaster showed people dancing and waving Syrian flags as well as pictures of al-Assad infront polling stations in various areas in Damascus and Sweida, in south-western Syria.

More than 18 million Syrians are eligible to vote in and outside the country, Interior Minister Mohammed al Rahmoun said on Tuesday, adding that a total of 12,102 polling stations were set up.

Al-Assad, 55, is expected to win a fourth seven-year term in office in Wednesday's vote, which the opposition has dismissed as a sham.

Syria's Supreme Constitutional Court has approved three candidates to run in the presidential race, including al-Assad.

The two others are Abdullah Salloum, a former minister, and Mahmoud Marai, an opposition figure opposition tolerated by the regime and living in Damascus.

On the eve of the vote, the secretary of state of the United States, the foreign secretary of Britain and the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and Italy issued a joint statement condemning the "fraudulent election." The five nations said they "support the voices of all Syrians, including civil society organizations and the Syrian opposition, who have condemned the electoral process as illegitimate."
May 26 : Salman Khan took to his instagram account on Tuesday to congratulate Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the crown prince of Dubai on the birth of his new born twins.

He shared a picture of him with his twins and wrote,"Congratulations Sheikh Hamdan on your new born twins. Wish them all the love, health, happiness and respect.

Sheikh Hamdan posted a picture of him with his new born babies on 21 May on his social media account. Prior to Salman Khan, even actor Sanjay Dutt also congratulated him on this good news.

The actor who is known for his big heart has been helping the country fight the pandemic. He recently procured 500 oxygen concentrators for Covid-19 patients along with congress MLA Baba Siddiqui and his son Zeeshan Siddiqui. Prior to that, he had distributed 5000 meal packets to frontline workers in Mumbai.

On the workfront, his latest movie 'Radhe:Your Most Wanted Bhai' failed to create magic amongst the audience. It is one of the lowest rated films of Bhai on IMDb. He will next be seen in Mahesh Manjrekar's 'Antim:The Final Truth' which is an action thriller. It is inspired by Pravin Tarde's 2018 successful Marathi film 'Mulshi Pattern'. It features Aayush Sharma in the lead role. He will be seen essaying the role of a gangster and Salman Khan as a Sikh Police officer.

He will also be seen in a cameo role in SRK's 'Pathan'.
Kolkata, May 26 : Bangladesh has decided to buy 15 million doses of China's Sinopharm anti-Covid vaccines in sheer desperation to continue its immunisation programme, but a top official of the country's health ministry said India-made AstraZeneca vaccines is their preferred choice.

"We had to look for Chinese and Russian alternatives only after we failed to get the vaccines from Pune's Serum Institute. We realise the grim situation in India and Serum's current inability to deliver on its promised supplies," said the top health ministry official, but on the condition of anonymity because he was not officially authorised to brief the media.

He told IANS that Bangladesh government was "only too eager" to offer joint production facilities to Serum Institute in partnership with 'whichever Bangladesh company it chose to produce the vaccine with.' "My Minister is prepared to directly negotiate this deal with Serum bosses like Poonawalla. We would love to have Serum set up production in Bangladesh ,we are totally flexible on terms and we are sure a good bit of these vaccines can be exported after our huge demand is met because prices will be competetive than those made in India," said the top health ministry official.

He said India and Bangladesh together can make South Asia the pharmacy of the world.

India has gifted Bangladesh three million SII manufactured vaccines free and supplied another 7 million on payment before being trimped by the massive Covid surge at home.

China stepped in immediately to provide free supplies after fuming over rejection of its vaccines last year.

On Tuesday, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said that Bangladesh will buy 15 million doses of Sinopharm vaccines from China and the first consignment may arrive in June.

He said that there have been positive discussions between the two countries and a deal is almost final. The total consignment will arrive in three phases - five millions in each month of June, July and August.

Delhi is trying to get the US supply atleast 3 million doses of vaccine to Bangladesh and 7 million doses to India to tide over the immediate crisis on both countries .

When asked why his ministry was sitting on a Bharat Biotech proposal to co-produce anti-Covid vaccines, the Bangladesh health ministry official said : " We are waiting for WHO to recognise their vaccine." Bharat Biotech has said it expects WHO recognition by July.

The official said his ministry has only authorised three non-disclosure agreements with Incepta Pharma, Popular Pharma and One Pharma of Bangladesh to co-produce Russian and Chinese vaccines.

"But no co-production deals have been inked," he said, adding we " keenly expect Serum Institute to co-produce in Bangladesh." Bangladesh watcher Sukhoranjan Dasgupta told IANS: "Serum should seize the Bangladesh offer because it will be win win for both countries. " " With a production base in Bangladesh and later West Bengal, SII can service not only the whole of Eastern South Asia but also export to East and Southeast Asia. Poonawalla should read the geo-economic call in the Bangladesh offer."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Hyderabad, May 26 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday greeted people on the occasion of Gautam Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima.

The chief minister said in a statement that the path shown by Buddha is relevant even today for the mankind to progress.

The Telangana society's human values, non-violent way of life with peace and patience has their roots in Buddhism heritage. He said the rare historical treasures that are coming out of Budharamas like Phanigiri had shown that Buddhism flourished in Telangana region especially in the Godavari and Krishna river belt.

KCR, as the chief minister is popularly known as, said the Budha Vanam project is fast becoming a major international centre in Nagarjuna Sagar.

He said that the government is making all efforts to revive and renovate all the Buddhist heritage Centres in the state and put them on the World Buddhism Map.

The CM said only through people's welfare and progress that one would pay real tribute to Lord Buddha and the government is working in that direction.
New Delhi, May 26 : Vidhi by Save The Loom, is a collection of saris made for female lawyers, whose strict dress code reflects how professional India still needs to become more female friendly.

Claire Huxtable ('The Cosby Show'), Helen Gamble ('The Practice') and 'Ally McBeal', were just some of television's fictional legal women who were my style icons growing up. It was about more than their sharp sense of style; it was the fact they were fearless and stood out in a man's world.

While their wardrobes were full of colour, in India, all lawyers are restricted to wearing black, white and grey. It's a monochrome uniform that has pretty much been around since the days of the British Raj. The coat that lawyers need to wear over their own clothes, can mean wearing a sari feels cumbersome, especially in the Indian climate conditions. The history of the 'Black Coat' dates back to 1327 when King Edward III stipulated costumes for judges based on the "Dress Code" for attending the "Royal Court".

But this never stopped Justice KK Usha, the first Malayali female judge of the Kerala High Court and subsequently its Chief Justice from becoming a champion of women's rights throughout her career. She passed away at the age of 81 in October 2020. She wore her woven saris with her signature red bindi. "Vidhi by Save the Loom" is a range of saris made in handloom cotton for lawyers-- Justice Usha inspired and initiated the idea.

These soft saris, fall perfectly without starching; they have a feel of fashion but look very professional. They are woven to ensure that female lawyers look cool as they battle it out in the courtroom. It took much time and research for these pieces to be designed and launched on May 4, 2021, which is the 116th birth anniversary of Justice Anna Chandy, the first female advocate in India.

"Save The Loom" is a social impact agency that has been working with weavers of Kerala ever since the floods of 2018 and was the brainchild of journalist and former consultant to the Fashion Design Council of India, Ramesh Menon. This collection may be designed for lawyers, but women with an appreciation for handlooms may want to add one of these saris to their collection. Menon tells more about this range of handloom saris: Q:I believe Justice KK Usha was the inspiration-she seems to have a trademark style with her large red bindi and silk saris.

A: She had a motherly charm and energy, a vibrant and gracious personality, someone who spoke for women rights and for the underprivileged. Justice Usha during her long career and travels found a great love for crafts and handlooms and handed over many of those narratives to us during the many meetings. We unfortunately lost her last year in October, and Vidhi -- our line of sarees and textiles was born as a tribute to her legacy and community work done by her in over six decades.

Q:How has the response been from lawyers? A:We spent a good six months last year talking to women lawyers across the country and analysed their feedback to develop a line. Once the first lot of designs were woven, we went to lawyers of all age groups -- the seniors who revere the saree, and the young who have never woven, took their feedback, and incorporated that as well. The dress code is sacrosanct, even though there is a large debate on its relevance in its current form which has been a hand over from the British era.

Q:Do you expect female lawyers from all regions of India to buy Vidhi? A:We have ventured into a space that can provide regular work to weavers, not just within Kerala but elsewhere too. We are a small unit and are not geared to cater to a larger demand. We are hopeful that Vidhi can set out as a trend and the artisan community elsewhere can take off from there.

Q:Would this sari work well for women in other professions too? A: The premiere cotton sarees and fabric in yardage are not restricted to a profession, but rather it's a 'court appropriate attire' if I may bracket it so . Anyone who loves to wear sarees or wishes to acquire the yardage will find it a luxury product. A continuity line with the same aesthetics but in 'colour' variants are in the pipeline as we have been receiving demands on that front as well.

The writer Sujata Assomull is an IANSlife columnist. Assomull is the author "100 Iconic Bollywood Costumes" and was the Founding Editor In Chief of Harper's Bazaar, India.

(IANSlife Features can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)
Mumbai, May 26 : Actor Roshni Kapoor feels social media can never tell you much about how a person actually is.

"You can't gauge how a person is in real life, their traits, skills or struggles just via social media posts. Judging people on social media is a wrong approach," she told IANS.

However, she adds that social media has helped her make a name for herself.

"Social media helped me build my brand value, connect with my fans and reach out to different businesses online. It has helped me to grow in multiple dimensions and given me the flexibility to work round the clock," she says.

Roshni makes her debut in a film titled "The Rage", which also stars Adnan Khan and is produced by Mohammed Nagaman Lateef.
Beijing, May 26 : Elon Musk-owned EV maker Tesla has announced a new data centre in China to keep data collected from vehicles in the country locally.

The news comes after the government banned Tesla cars from more locations over data collection concerns.

"We have established a data center in China to achieve data storage localisation and will continue to add more local data centers," Tesla announced via its official Weibo account.

"All data generated from the sales of vehicles in the Chinese mainland market will be stored in China," it said on Tuesday.

Earlier this year, Electrek reported on Tesla facing some challenges in China regarding its data collection from the cameras in its vehicles.

The People's Liberation Army, China's military, issued a notice banning Tesla owners from parking their vehicles on bases and in housing complexes, the report said.

The concerns appeared to be related to Tesla's use of cameras all around its vehicles and where the data is going.

Musk even commented on the story by stating the obvious: "Tesla is not using its vehicles' cameras to spy on China," but it didn't seem to alleviate the concerns as even more government entities reportedly told employees not to park their Tesla vehicles on government property.

Following those situations, Tesla announced last month that it will store all data collected in China locally.

-- Syndicated from IANS
Hyderabad, May 26 : Health authorities in Telangana administered Covid vaccine to over 75,000 beneficiaries on Tuesday, the first day of resumption of inoculation after a gap of 10 days.

The vaccination resumed with focus on those due for second dose. A total of 71,365 people were given the second dose by 9 p.m. Tuesday. They included 68,971 people aged 45 years and above.

A total of 797 healthcare workers and 1,597 front line workers also received the second dose.

Director of public health Dr G. Srinivasa Rao said on Wednesday that 3,950 people were also given the second dose. They included 3,836 beneficiaries above 45 years. The remaining were healthcare workers and front line workers.

With this, Telangana has administered 56,68,690 doses. They included 12,08,397 beneficiaries who have received the second dose.

For a second consecutive day on Wednesday, long queues of people were see at vaccination centres in Hyderabad, Warangal, Karimnagar and other places in the state.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had on Monday directed the officials to start the second dose vaccination programme.

The health authorities had on May 15 suspended vaccination in view of inadequate stocks and non-receipt of fresh stocks from Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Early this month, they had stopped vaccination for new beneficiaries among 45 above group and have been focusing only on second dose.

The state has also not taken up vaccination for those above 18 years of age due to lack of sufficient supplies from the Centre.

However, on Tuesday the state government allowed private hospitals designated as Private Covid Vaccination Centres (PCVCs) to give the Covid vaccine to people aged 18-44 years.

Private hospitals designed as PCVCs in the state will carry out Covid vaccination in the hospitals. They can also carry out Covid vaccination in workplaces or on requests made by institutions/companies/gated communities etc.

However, the individuals will have to register on CoWin portal. The PCVCs will have to follow Covid vaccination guidelines.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Lithoquest Resources (CVE: LDI) CEO Bruce Counts joined Steve Darling from Proactive to share news the company has entered into an agreement with Landore Resources to acquire a 100% interest in two gold projects in northwest Ontario.

Counts telling Proactive more about the Miminiska Gold Project Keezhik Gold Project. He also talks about the work that was done previously and what he expects to happen on the project this year.
New Delhi, May 26 : The International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the World Bank organised a two-day strategic inception workshop on 'One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG)' wherein all the implementation partners came together and presented their roadmap for OSOWOG.

OSOWOG will be implemented in three phases - 'Phase I Pre-feasibility analysis' will include individual Countries' assessment, Demand Supply Scenario Projections, RE resource potential assessment and scenario assessment for net zero by 2050; Phase II will focus on key points indicating at political process to choose pilot projects, timeline in terms of commissioning the interlinks and lastly Phase III will be towards setting up the institutional framework including draft policy and regulatory papers.

In his keynote address, Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said, "I am glad that ISA has been involved in the project because it brings in, not only the expertise, but also an international perspective that the deal requires. Honourable Prime Minister of India's vision is before us and we should do everything possible to realize that vision. In fact, political leadership from other countries have also expressed faith in our vision of a solar grid interconnected with RE across countries." Addressing the virtual workshop, Ajay Mathur, Director General- International Solar Alliance said, "The advantage of interconnecting regional grids to each other provides a huge opportunity in terms of availability of the solar electricity, especially at times in a place where solar electricity is not available from other regional grid where solar electricity is available." Under the vision and ideation of the Government of India, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the programme support agency, ISA is the nodal implementing agency & the World Bank is the strategic advisory and funding agency for the OSOWOG Initiative. They have a critical role to play in synergising over 140 countries, across the Far-East and the Far-West regions, to build consensus, launch energy policy imperatives and set up the framework for such a large-scale global cooperation. Other implementing partners include a Consortium led by Electricite de France to conduct the pre-feasibility study for OSOWOG, State Bank of India as the contracting agency and EY as the knowledge partner for this initiative.

--IANS sn/ash

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Lucknow, May 26 : Bye-elections to five assembly seats that fell vacant following deaths of BJP legislators in the second Corona wave, are unlikely to be held.

According to an election official, "Section 151A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 mandates the Election Commission to fill the casual vacancies in the Houses of Parliament and State Legislatures through bye-elections within six months from the date of occurrence of the vacancy, provided that the remainder of the term of a member in relation to a vacancy is one year or more." The remaining term of the state assembly is now less than one year.

The five BJP MLAs who passed away after contracting Covid include Ramesh Chandra Diwakar (Aurraiya), Suresh Chandra Srivastava (Lucknow-west), Kesar Singh (Bareilly), Dal Bahadur Kori (Rae Bareli) and Vijay Kashyap (Muzaffarnagar).

A sixth assembly seat headed for bypoll is Suar in Rampur, following disqualification of SP legislator Abdullah Azam, son of senior SP leader Azam Khan on charges of discrepancy in declaration of his date of birth.

The matter has been pending in court even though Vidhan Sabha records show the seat is vacant.

Official sources in UP Assembly said that Speaker Hriday Narayan Dixit would soon inform the Election Commission about the six vacant seats.

As a rule, election must be held in a vacant seat within six months. This means that bye-elections will have to be held by November (if the Speaker notifies the EC this month) - less than four months before the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections next year.
Panaji, May 26 : Shoddy police investigation right from the word go and the failure of the prosecution to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt led to the acquittal of former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal Additional District and Sessions judge North Goa Kshama Joshi said in her 500 page plus judgement.

The order, which was pronounced on May 21 has granted Tejpal "benefit of doubt" and acquitted him of all charges levelled against under sections 376 (rape), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement) 354A (sexual harassment) and 354B (criminal assault), of the Indian Penal Code.

A full copy of the judgement which was made available in the public domain on Wednesday has indicted the Crime Branch of the Goa Police for conducting a shoddy probe into the seven and a half year old case in which Tejpal was accused by a junior colleague of alleged rape in the elevator of Grand Hyatt, a five star resort in North Goa in November 2013.

A perusal of the lengthy judgement reveals that the Crime Branch may have erred in the first step of the investigation itself, by letting the complainant, in this case then police inspector Sunita Sawant -- who filed the complaint on behalf of the state -- investigate the high-profile case.

"PW 70 has admitted that she did not move any proposal before her superiors that she being the complainant the investigation should be handed over to some other officer, and claimed that her superiors directed her to investigate the offence. However, she admitted that her diaries do not reveal that she had any discussion with her superiors about the investigation being handed over to some other police officer, she being the complainant in the case,"the judgement states.

"PW70 has stated that PI Sudiksha Naik was the only lady police inspector besides her who was attached to the Crime Branch at the time of the registration of the present offence.

The above evidence of PW70 therefore clearly shows despite the availability of another lady police inspector of the Crime Branch, the investigating officer and her superiors malafidely retained the investigation with PW70 who was the complainant," it further says.

Joshi's judgement also makes an indictment of the overall investigation by the police into key elements of the case.

"The investigation officer (IO) has committed omissions and commissions while conducting the investigation in the present case, wherein the IO has done no investigation on crucial and vital aspects of the present case," the judgement states.

The judgement has also detailed a list of omissions during the police investigation, which includes not providing footage of the first floor of the hotel to the Court.

"The investigating officer in the present case, although has collected the CCTV footage of the ground, first and second floor, but the footage of the first floor cannot be found for the perusal of the court which is a material lapse by the investigating officer," the order said.

The police investigation was also hauled up for allowing glaring inconsistencies in the statement of the victim, which contradict the CCTV footage, which the judge has described as the "most neutral evidence" in the case.

"The IO did not compare the statements made by the prosecutrix in her statement dated November 26, 2013 with the CCTV footage, which constitutes the most neutral evidence in the case. The IO did not find it necessary or relevant or important to refer to the CCTV footage while recording the statement of the prosecutrix despite already having viewed the CCTV footage and being aware that there were glaring contradictions between the footage and the account of the prosecutrix," the judgement says.

The order also says that the contradictions in the CCTV footage on November 7 and 8 -- the victim had claimed that Tejpal sexually assaulted her in the elevator of the resort twice on the two stated days, "are often so glaring that the exact opposite of what the prosecutrix is claiming actually happens on screen yet, the IO did not even question the prosecutrix on the same".

The order has also pointed to changes in the file size of two soft copies of the testimony of the victim and remarks that the "IO did not find out why there was a difference in the file size between the (two testimonies) which signals changes, edits, or improvements between the two versions".

Pointing out to other procedural lapses, the judgement also says that the investigating officer did not play the audio of the recorded conversations between the prosecutrix and Shoma Chaudhury, then a director and top editorial official at Tehelka, recorded via the victim's phone .

"The phone was not checked by IO to verify whether said recordings are available on the phone or not. The IO did not verify whether the phone contains the app 'automatic call recorder'. The IO did not seal the DVD which contained the voice recordings of PW45 Shoma Chaudhury which was handed over to the IO by the prosecutrix, the judgement also states.
Mumbai, May 26 : As the second wave of the pandemic engulfs the entire nation, Larsen & Toubro has given special emphasis to the safety and care of its employees and their family members affected by the Coronavirus.

The company has gone all out in offering its employees an additional insurance cover exclusive for COVID-19. This Optional Insurance Cover is a communicable disease cover for Covid-19 with an insured sum of Rs 35 lakh per employee for a policy period of 12 months.

The policy provides a Lump sum payment of 100 per cent sum insured (i.e. Rs 35 Lakh) in the event of death of an employee arising out of COVID-19. Any COVID death, whether in hospital or whilst at home quarantine/institutional or hotel quarantine is payable under the medical policy.

This is in addition to the Group Term Life Insurance Policy which has a coverage of Rs 50 to 60 lakh applicable to the employees.

S.N. Subrahmanyan, CEO & MD, Larsen & Toubro, "This is one of the most challenging phases of the pandemic that we are witnessing. The second wave has hit us hard and has hit us fast. It is in times like these that we have to stand by our family. Each and every employee is part of the L&T family and we will leave no stone unturned in helping our employees and their families affected by the pandemic." "We have collectively taken this decision to provide some relief to our employees which will hugely reduce the burden and stress of those affected, at least financially. There is no replacement for a loss of life, however with these Insurance Covers we aim to at least provide the much needed support and help to the families of our employees in case the need arises." To mitigate the financial impact and help employees with additional Insurance coverage, the Company has also negotiated an Optional Top Up Medical Hospitalisation coverage plan for Life Threatening Diseases (LTD) which includes Covid related hospitalisation. All employees and their families are covered through the optional Top Up Medical Hospitalisation Scheme for a period of 365 days or till the date of separation of the employee, whichever is earlier. The Top Up amount ranges from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 12 lakh. This regular medical insurance cover can also be utilised by the employees for COVID-19 hospitalisation.

The company has also offered medical assistance of up to Rs 6.25 lakh per year for Covid affected employees. This benefit is also applicable for Spouses and Children of deceased employees.

Besides, support for education for children of employees who died while in service is being provided to children between the age group of 3 years to 25 years.

The company is also offering support towards vocational training and education to help in rehabilitating spouse of deceased employees or of fully incapacitated employees to make them employable is also being provided.

About 75 per cent of the Course Fee with a limit of Rs 1 Lakh per financial year will be reimbursed for the duration of the course not exceeding three years, a company statement said.

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Lucknow, May 26 : Arun Dwiwedi, brother of UP minister for basic education Satish Dwiwedi, has resigned from the post of assistant professor in the Siddhartha University in Siddhartha Nagar.

Dwiwedi resigned from his post on Wednesday citing 'personal reasons' and vice chancellor Dr Surendra Dubey said he had accepted the same.

The resignation is seen as an attempt to quell the furore over the issue.

It may be recalled that a controversy had erupted over the appointment of Arun Dwiwedi as assistant professor in the Siddhartha University.

Arun had been appointed as assistant professor in the psychology department from the (EWS) economically weaker section) quota.

According to reports, there were two posts of assistant professor for the subject of Psychology.

While Dr Harendra Sharma has been appointed from the OBC quota, Dr Arun Kumar Dwiwedi has been appointed in EWS (Economically Weaker General Candidate) category.

Interestingly, Vice-Chancellor Surendra Dubey's term was coming to an end on May 21, but the government has extended his term a day earlier on May 20, until the appointment of the regular vice-chancellor.

Dr. Arun Dwiwedi was given the appointment letter by the Registrar of Siddharth University last week.

Vice chancellor Dr Surendra Dubey said that they had received about 150 applications from which 10 were shortlisted on basis of merit.

"The ten candidates were called for interview and Arun Dwiwedi ranked second. We were not aware of his relationship with the minister," the vice chancellor had told reporters.

UP minister Satish Dwiwedi had denied exerting any influence for his brother's appointment and had said that his brother lived independently.

Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had alleged in her Facebook post that while thousands of teachers are waiting for their jobs, the state education minister had found 'opportunity in adversity' and managed a job for his brother.

She termed the incident as a joke on the poor and weaker sections of society Priyanka also asked if chief minister Yogi Adityanath would take cognisance of the matter and take action.
New Delhi, May 26 : Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on Wednesday slammed the government saying that the new IT rules instead of seeking accountability have chosen to control social media platforms by bypassing all privacy norms of individuals, violating the basic Right to Privacy enshrined in India's constitutional commitments to its citizens.

Chaturvedi said that she hopes the courts will take a "nuanced and balanced call" on this issue.

Speaking to IANS, Chaturvedi, who is a Rajya Sabha member, said "Every country is bound to create its law mechanism to ensure accountability of platforms." She said that over the years we have seen how these platforms have become tools for propaganda, fake news and manipulated narrative without being answerable to the authorities.

"These platforms adhere to norms set by regions like EU, Australia, Singapore. US even summoned Mark Zuckerberg in publicly broadcasted questioning to understand their role in election outcomes. WhatsApp has been breaching all privacy norms of Indian citizens while looking at India as a market to profiteer," she said.

"However, the new IT rules instead of seeking accountability has chosen to control these platforms by bypassing all privacy norms of individuals, violating the basic Right to Privacy enshrined in India's constitutional commitments to its citizens. Hope the courts will take a nuanced and balanced call on this issue," the Shiv Sena leader added.

Her remarks came after Facebook-owned WhatsApp on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against the Indian government in the Delhi High Court, saying that user privacy is in its DNA and requiring messaging apps to "trace" chats undermines people's right to privacy.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had asked social media platforms to abide by the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 by May 25, or face strict action.

The tussle between Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook and the Union government has reached its nadir, with cops raiding Twitter offices during the pandemic earlier this week over the ToolKit controversy.

WhatsApp has gone to the court as the deadline to comply with the new IT (intermediary) rules meant for big social media platforms in India ended on Tuesday.

WhatsApp said the new rules infringe on users' privacy.

WhatsApp has also gone ahead with implementing its controversial user privacy policy from May 15, stating that "we will maintain this approach until at least the forthcoming PDP (personal data protection) law comes into effect".
Chennai, May 26 : Farmers in Central Tamil Nadu districts including Trichy held protests, raising black flags atop their homes in solidarity with the protesting farmers of North India who are demanding the repeal of the controversial farm laws.

The protest was staged in response to a call by the Samyuktha Kisan Morcha to observe May 26 as black day marking six months of the farmers protest and agitations against the controversial farm laws of the central government.

Cadres of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and leaders and cadres of various other organisations like the Tamil Maanila Vivasaya Thozhilalar Sangam hoisted black flags on top of their homes in Thanjavur, Trichy and other districts in the central region of the state.

P. Ayyakkannu, President, Desiya Thennidiya Nadigal Innaippu Vivasaiygal Sangam told IANS, " We are expressing solidarity with the agitating farmers of North India. We are observing May 26 as black day and have raised black flags on top of our homes and we have staged a protest march. We want the central government to repeal the anti-farmer laws with immediate effect." Earlier, the cadres and leaders of Desiya Thennidiya Nadigal Innaippu Vivasayigal Sangam staged a protest by squatting on the Karur by-pass road in Trichy.
New Delhi, May 26 : The Common Services Centers of the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology has partnered with PayPal to offer immediate Covid relief facilities and drive awareness campaigns regarding prevention and care against the Covid-19 pandemic in rural India.

PayPal will support the CSC Academy, CSR wing of CSC, in setting up PSA oxygen plants in five hospitals in four States - one each in Bengaluru (Karnataka), Chennai (TN) and Jaunpur (UP) and two in Patna (Bihar). These plants will be fully automated, designed to work unattended with minimum start-up time to generate oxygen with the desired purity within minutes.

Mobile vans, sponsored by PayPal, will create awareness and provide services like antigen testing, registration for vaccination, basic Covid medicine kits and essential provisions in Karnataka, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh.

The Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) of CSC will manage these vans and help those without a smartphone to register for vaccination. They will also provide antigen testing and basic COVID-19 care medicine kits. The vans will also be equipped with oxygen cylinders to be used in emergency and give citizens access to tele-medicine consultation with doctors through CSC. Besides this, the vans will be equipped with cash withdrawal facility through DigiPay and supply essential provisions to citizens through CSC Grameen eStore at their doorstep.

PayPal will also support CSC Academy in training 50,000 VLEs, including 40,000 women VLEs, as Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) Ambassadors to raise awareness about preventive measures against COVID-19.

Nath Parameshwaran, Director, Corporate Affairs, PayPal India said, "PayPal firmly stands with the Indian Government to help them in their efforts towards fighting this pandemic. We have been working closely with Meity & CSC on several initiatives over the years. We have now extended this partnership to promote COVID appropriate behaviour, availability of medical facilities and expansion of the vaccination drive across Tier II cities. One of the key highlights of this partnership is to assist citizens with no access to smartphones to register and avail the vaccine through CSC's village level entrepreneur network. The vaccination expansion will play a critical role in helping India fight the pandemic." Guru Bhat, VP, Customer Success Platform, PayPal said, "We have partnered with CSC SPV and CSC Academy to provide medical facilities, drive awareness about preventive methods, and inculcate COVID appropriate behaviour amongst the rural population. Our partnership will broaden the reach of the awareness drive and help provide necessary support to those impacted by the crisis." Elaborating on the partnership, MD, CSC SPV, Dinesh Tyagi said, "This partnership with PayPal will enable a deeper outreach in rural areas with immediate COVID relief measures like antigen testing, registration for vaccination, access to medicine kits, cash withdrawal and supply of essential provisions at their doorsteps. It will also help us sustain a COVID Appropriate Behaviour awareness campaign in rural communities to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus. CSC telemedicine platform can support citizens in getting advice from doctors to deal with this pandemic. Even after testing negative, Covid patients can get support through telemedicine." The Common Services Centers is one of the flagship programmes under the Digital India Programme. CSCs offer assisted access to essential government and public utility services, social welfare schemes, financial services, education and skill development courses, apart from a host of B2C services.There are 4 lakh plus CSCs functioning across the country as delivery points of government and public services for the rural population in rural, semi-urban and urban areas.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Thiruvananthapuram, May 26 : A local court on Wednesday send Malayalam actor Unni Dev to 14 days judicial custody for abetment to his wife's suicide.

Unni Dev, the son of late actor Rajan P. Dev, was arrested on Tuesday after his wife Priyanka ended her life on May 12 by hanging her herself at her home in Vattapara, near here.

Unni Dev, who has acted in a few Malayalam films, has confessed to "causing duress to his wife", according to the police.

The Nedumangad police team arrived at his home in Ernakulam district on Tuesday and took him into custody after ensuring that he was Covid negative. He was brought to the state capital, where the case was registered.

The late actor's wife has also been named as an accused but as she is still recovering from Covid she will be taken into custody for questioning later.

The Vattapara Police station had registered a case of unnatural death. They said that a day before her death, she had registered a complaint of domestic abuse.

Later her brother also filed a petition pointing at the abuse she had suffered at Unni's house.

The local police had begun their probe but it got stuck after Unni tested Covid positive.

Unni's father Dev was a hugely popular film actor. He passed away in 2009 after having acted in over 200 films.

Unni and Priyanka had a love marriage in 2019. Priyanka was working in a private school as a physical education teacher after her marriage.

According to her relatives, initially the marriage was going fine. However, after a while issues began cropping up and of late things had turned ugly and she decided to return to her home and the next day she ended her life.

The relatives of the deceased allege that she was suffering and they claim to have visuals of the same. Unni's family is yet to speak on the issue.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Islamabad, May 26 : After the Pentagon official claimed that Pakistan has allowed the US to use its airspace and ground routes as part of its Afghanistan campaign, a debate is underway in Islamabad regarding giving such an access to the US.

Pakistan officials have also categorically denied the claim made by Pentagon, pushing US to rethink its Afghan approach as its troops prepare to leave the country by September 11, this year.

In Pakistan, allowing access to airspace and ground routes to the US would be a costly mistake as it would have serious repercussions on Pakistan's national security.

Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, Pakistan foreign office spokesperson, said in a statement on Monday: "There was no US military or air base in Pakistan, nor was any such proposal envisaged," adding that any speculation on the topic was "baseless, irresponsible and should be avoided".

Since 2001, Pakistan and the US have had a framework of cooperation for Air Lines of Communication and Ground Lines of Communication, but "no new agreement has been made in this regard", the statement added.

The pentagon claim was also echoed in the Upper House, the Senate of Pakistan, where a member submitted a call for attention notice, calling on the house to discuss the Pentagon claim.

"This would be a grave and serious violation of the Parliament of Pakistan's unanimously adopted terms of engagement for American/foreign forces adopted on April 12, 2021," read the notice submitted by Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed.

Syed contested that the decision to give US forces airspace and access to airbases and ground routes would be contrary to the national security interests of Pakistan as he said "Pakistani people experienced the worst blowback from our previous entanglement after 9/11, and people of Pakistan would resolutely resist the encroachment of their sovereignty under any pretext".

Experts say that Pakistan cannot afford to become party with the US again as it would increase hostility against Pakistan in Afghanistan and would have major negative impact on Pakistan's relations with the Taliban.

US recently revealed that even though it would withdraw from Afghanistan, some troops would remain stationed in nearby neighbouring countries, adding that US was in consultation with several Central Asian neighbours of Afghanistan to survey where it can reposition troops to prevent landlocked Afghanistan from becoming a militant hub once again.

Pakistan is a key role player in the ongoing Afghan peace process and is also among the prime beneficiaries of challenges, if normalcy is not restored in Afghanistan after the US withdrawal.

Experts also highlight that any deal with the US would have a negative impact on Pakistan's relations with China, especially on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

China would not like any physical US presence in Pakistan as it would affect their interests and the CPEC project.
Inc CEO John Clark tells Proactive the privately-held biopharmaceutical company will look to raise $9M through a Regulation A+ offering, where the group will offer up to 3,500,000 shares of its common stock at $2.00 per share.

Clark says the San Diego, California-based group intends to use a portion of its net proceeds to develop and commercialize its recently licensed technology to treat the coronavirus using nanoparticles, UV light and chest x-rays.
New Delhi, May 26 : South Korean tech giant Samsung on Wednesday announced that it is importing one million innovative Low Dead Space (LDS) syringes to support India's Covid vaccination drive.

This is part of the company's Covid-19 Support programme for the country.

"Over the past few weeks, Samsung has focused on providing support to governments with oxygen concentrators and oxygen cylinders and financial grants to purchase more of this equipment, as this was the need of the hour," Partha Ghosh, Vice President and Head of CSR, Samsung India, said in a statement.

"Now, as our country focuses on vaccinating the population, we are supporting this effort with innovative LDS syringes that will help reduce vaccine wastage and vaccinate more people with the same amount of vaccine," Ghosh added.

LDS syringes minimise the amount of drug left in the syringes after an injection, reducing vaccine wastage, and thereby enabling 20 per cent more people to get the dose with the same amount of vaccine.

LDS syringes, airlifted from South Korea, have been delivered to Uttar Pradesh -- 325,000 each to the district administrations in Lucknow and Noida -- while 350,000 LDS syringes will soon be handed over to the Greater Chennai Corporation in Tamil Nadu.

These syringes will be deployed at Covid vaccination centers in the districts.

This innovative syringe has been introduced for usage in a few markets including the US to optimise vaccination.

Samsung has pledged $5 million (Rs 37 crore) as its contribution to India's fight against Covid-19, providing donations to central and state governments and boosting the healthcare sector with essential medical equipment for hospitals, as part of its citizenship initiatives.

Samsung's contribution includes $2 million worth of medical supplies, including 100 oxygen concentrators, 3,000 oxygen cylinders and one million LDS syringes.
New Delhi, May 26 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the economic impact left by Covid-19 is huge and our planet will not be the same after the pandemic.

Delivering his keynote address on the occasion of Vesak Global Celebrations on Buddha Purnima through video conference, the Prime Minister said there have been many noteworthy improvements as well over the last year like having a better understanding of the pandemic, which strengthens our strategy to fight it and having the vaccine, which is absolutely important to save lives and defeat the virus.

The Prime Minister thanked the first responders, frontline healthcare workers, doctors, nurses and volunteers for selflessly risking their lives to serve others in need everyday. He expressed condolences to those who have suffered and lost their near and dear ones.

"A year later, Covid-19 pandemic has still not left us and several nations, including India, have experienced a second wave." He remarked that this once in a lifetime pandemic has brought tragedy and suffering to the doorstep of many and has impacted every nation.

The Prime Minister said while fighting Covid-19, one must not lose sight of the other challenges faced by humanity like climate change.

Modi said that the reckless lifestyles of the present generation are threatening the future generations and resolved not to let our planet remain wounded. He reminded of Lord Buddha's emphasis on a way of life where respect for Mother Nature is paramount.

The Prime Minister announced that India is among the few large economies to be on track to achieve its Paris targets. "For India, sustainable living is not only about the right words but also about the right actions." He appealed to the world leaders to come together in the fight against forces trying to spread hate, terror and mindless violence.

Remarking that the life of Gautama Buddha was about peace, harmony and co-existence, the Prime Minister said there are still forces today whose existence depends on spreading hate, terror and mindless violence.

"Such forces do not believe in liberal democratic principles," the PM said and gave a call for all those who believe in humanity to come together and defeat terror and radicalisation. "Lord Buddha's teachings and the importance given to social justice can become a global unifying force." Members of the Mahasangha, the Prime Ministers of Nepal and Sri Lanka, Union Ministers Prahlad Singh and Kiren Rijiju, Secretary General of International Buddhist Confederation, Venerable Doctor Dhammapiya were also at the event.

The Prime Minister said Vesak is a day to celebrate the life of Lord Buddha and to reflect on the noble ideals and sacrifices he made for the betterment of our planet.

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
Mumbai, May 26 : Sonakshi Sinha on Wednesday reacted to speculations that Instagram and Twitter could be banned, saying the last post one shares has to be a selfie.

In her new Instagram picture, the actress gives a half turn at the camera with her hair stylishly falling on one side of her face. She wears a black vest for a casual impact, and reveals a hint of a smile.

"If it's gonna be the last post... has to be a selfie," she wrote.

The deadline passed for big social media platforms Twitter, Facebook and others to enforce measures that the Centre has mandated in new guidelines.

On the work front, Sonakshi will be seen in "Bulbul Tarang", which will have a digital release. She also has the film "Bhuj: The Pride Of India" lined up where she will be seen alongside actors Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt and Nora Fatehi.

Besides this, the actress is gearing up for her web series debut with "Fallen", where she plays a cop.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Chennai, May 26 : Taiwan's National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) has donated 10 oxygen concentrators to the SRM Medical college hospital in Chennai.

The university in a press statement said that the oxygen concentrators were handed over to the hospital on Tuesday.

NTHU said that the gesture is part of the "Love from NTHU Taiwan" campaign.

Funds for the oxygen concentrators were raised through contributions from the NTHU Alumni association and the Institute's Centre for India Studies.

The statement said that the SRM Institute of Science and Technology is a strategic partner of NTHU and a dedicated Taiwan Education centre is established in the SRM university campus.

The university said that the donation was the result of the concern of the people of Taiwan for India and that it chose the SRM Institute of Science and Technology as it has been one of the most important partners of NTHU.

The SRM Institute has more than 20 academic partnerships with NTHU and the Taiwan education centre at SRM Institute is the only centre in the country to offer Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language certification exam.
New York, May 26 : As many as 45 per cent of patients hospitalised for Covid-19 experienced a significant functional decline after being discharged, a team of researchers has found.

Of survivors who experienced a functional decline, 80 per cent were referred for additional therapy after being discharged. Nearly 20 per cent of all patients lost so much ability that they were not able to live independently after their release, indicates the study.

"Rehabilitation needs were common for these patients," said lead author Alecia K. Daunter from the University of Michigan.

"They survived, but these people left the hospital in worse physical condition than they started. If they needed outpatient therapy or are now walking with a cane, something happened that impacted their discharge plan," Daunter added.

For the study, published in PM&R: The Journal of Injury, Function and Rehabilitation, the team reviewed charts of nearly 300 adult patients hospitalised for Covid-19 at Michigan Medicine during the first wave between March and April 2020.

They analysed patients' discharge locations, therapy needs at the time of release, and if they needed durable medical equipment or other services.

"These patients may have needed to move to a subacute facility, or they might have needed to move in with a family member, but they were not able to go home," Daunter said.

The study period occurred in the pandemic's infancy, as health care providers sought best practices to minimise exposures and manage patient overflow.

As a result, 40 per cent of patients never had a rehabilitation evaluation while hospitalised. That likely means, Daunter explains, that the number of patients losing ability is underreported.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Islamabad, May 26 : Three unidentified masked men assaulted journalist Asad Toor at his home here, Geo News reported.

Toor was later shifted to the hospital. The Islamabad police is investigating the incident.

Closed-circuit television camera footage obtained by Geo News shows the suspects fleeing after assaulting the journalist. In the video, three suspects wearing masks can be seen leaving Toor's apartment.

The video also showed an injured Toor walking out of the apartment with his hands and feet tied, calling for help.

Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry took notice of the incident and instructed the Islamabad SSP to investigate the attack.

Attorney-General Khalid Javed Khan spoke to Geo News about the attack on Toor, saying that the federal capital is not a forest.

"We are bringing a bill for the protection of journalists. Such incidents are intolerable," he said.

He said the issue has been discussed with the home secretary and Islamabad IG.

"Anyone involved in violence against journalists should be punished," Khan said.

The attack on journalist Asad Toor is reprehensible, said PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb.

She said the government should ensure security for journalists instead of giving lectures on protection of journalists.

The government has failed to bring the accused to justice, Aurangzeb said.

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz and PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto, too, condemned the attack on Toor.
Chandigarh, May 26 : Farmers protesting against the Centre's three farm laws across Punjab and Haryana on Wednesday observed as a 'Black Day' to mark six months of the agitation.

At most of the places, both in rural and urban areas, farmers staged protests against the controversial farm laws. They put up black flags atop their houses and burnt effigies of Central government leaders.

In a Bhiwani village in Haryana, farmers burnt the effigy of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have been protesting since November last year on Delhi borders against the agricultural laws.

Heavy police presence could be seen at various places in Haryana and Punjab to maintain law and other in view of the protests.

There was no report of any untoward incident from anywhere in the states.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), a former ally of the BJP, participated in the protest.

"As the Kisan Andolan completes six months today, I again urge the Centre to deal compassionately with farmers and repeal the black laws," said SAD President Sukhbir Badal, who hoisted a black flag atop his residence in his native village Badal in Punjab's Bathinda district.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Mumbai, May 26 : An unexpected sighting of a majestic Himalayan Griffon Vulture, also called 'King Vulture', in the lush green Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra has thrilled bird-lovers in the state and the country.

More so, after it emerged that the bird sighted soaring in the skies was actually the once rescued on December 28, 2020, and spending over a month at the Malabar Awareness & Rescue Centre for Wildlife (MARC) in Kerala's Kannur.

"This King Vulture was spotted going for food in the Jungli Jaigad Fort area of Sahyadri on May 9 morning and forest guard Santosh Chalke managed to click it in flight," ornithologist and honorary Wildlife Warden Rohan Bhate told IANS.

Chalke provided the vulture's photos to Bhate for further studies which revealed an orange tag on its right wing which was affixed by MARC scientific and migratory studies before it was released in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary on January 31.

After its release, the King Vulture was spotted only once on February 28, feasting over a carcass in Kerala with many other vultures, as per a MARC report, and followed by the latest sighting in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve a fortnight ago.

Later, the team of Bhate, Chalke, and others kept a vigil for over a week, but it was not seen again.

"This spells good tidings.... It is a juvenile bird, around 1 year old, was rescued by a team of birdlovers including R. Roshnath and C. Sashikumar of MARC. Its sighting is an indicator that the rescue effort was successful and it had adapted again in the wild," Deputy Director, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and Principal Scientist of its Vulture Breeding Programme, Dr Vibhu Prakash told IANS in Mumbai.

Himalayan Griffon Vultures are usually found in Tibet, Mongolia, southwest China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, southern Europe besides the arid regions of north and northwest parts of India.

Bhate said that the huge and magnificent bird stands around 125 cms tall, with a gigantic wingspan of around 3 metres (8-9 feet), average weight of male-female 8-10 kgs, with white feathers on the head, buff coloured on the back, with dark brown-black tail-feathers and a black bill.

As with all vultures, it is a scavenger and relishes rotting meat, builds its nest high on cliffs or ridges and is a poor breeder with the female laying one egg a year a majority of the eggs or chicks fall prey to other predators, though the survivors can live beyond 40 years, added Dr Prakash.

To a question, Dr Prakash said that this vulture might live in the vicinity till Winter 2021-2022 before it would fly back to its regular environs north of the Himalayan range or eastern Europe, as this species can fly thousands of kms during migration.

Roshnath and Sashikumar's report said that the King Vultures recorded sightings have been barely two-three in south India in the past 30 years, while Bhate spotted one in Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, which is part of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at q.najmi@ians.in)
Gandhinagar, May 26 : The Gujarat government on Wednesday constituted a task force to bring uniformity in the treatment and protocols for the notified epidemic of mucormycosis in Gujarat. Also the health department released a study which said that more than 50 percent of mucormycosis patients recovered without the need for steroids to fight the fungal infection.

Following the central government's advisory, the Gujarat government has notified mucormycosis or black fungus as an epidemic. More than half of the patients of mucormycosis in the country are from Gujarat.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Wednesday constituted an eleven member task force to bring uniformity in the treatment and protocols for the fungus.

The task force comprises of Dr Girish Parmar, the additional director and the Dean of Ahmedabad government dental college, Dr Kamlesh Upadhyay, Medicine, BJ Medical college, Ahmedabad, Dr Bela Prajapati, ENT, BJ Medical college, Dr Hansa Thakkar, opthalmologist, M&J Institute of Opthalmology, Dr Ashwin Vasava, Medicine, Surat government Medical college, Dr Anand Chaudhary, ENT, Surat government Medical college, Dr BI Goswami, Medicine, MP Shah, Jamnagar Medical college, Dr Sejal Mistri, ENT, PDU Medical college, Rajkot, Dr Neeti Sheth, opthalmologist, PDU Medical College, Rajkot, Dr Susheel Jha, ENT and Dr Neelesh V Parekh, opthalmologist, both from government medical college, Bhavnagar.

Meanwhile, based on the mucormycosis patients treated in the government hospitals of the state, the health department has come out with a report on the basis of which it is claimed that more than fifty percent (50.5%) patients did not require the use of steroids. Also, 66.5 patients did not require oxygen in getting treated.

It was also observed that 59 percent patients consisted of diabetes patients, 27.1 percent patients were immuno compromised and 15.2 percent were having co-morbidity.

It was also observed that 67.1 percent of patients were male while only 32.9 percent were female. Less than one percent (0.5) consisted of patients below 18 years age, 28.4 percent were 18 to 45 years age, the maximum patients of mucormycosis were 45 to 60 years at 46.3 percent and 24.9 percent consisted of more than sixty year old patients.
Kolkata, May 26 : Even as 'very severe cyclone Yaas weakened and moved west-southwest towards Jharkhand with reduced intensity on Wednesday, it left a trail of destruction in Odisha and adjacent West Bengal during the consequent two hours following its landfall in Dhamra, 20 km south of Balasore in Odisha.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that at least one crore people have been affected by the cyclone in the state, which also damaged nearly three lakh houses.

"At least one crore people have been affected and three lakh houses have been damaged in West Bengal due to the rough weather conditions arising out of cyclone Yaas. One person died after he had gone out fishing. It was a case of accident," Banerjee said during a press conference on Wednesday.

"Though more than three lakh houses have been damaged, we have been successful in minimising human casualty. So far, we have been able to evacuate 15,04,506 people from East Midnapore and South 24 Parganas districts.

"As many villages have been inundated due to the high tide and torrential rain, the process of evacuation is still on and the rescue teams, including the NDRF, SDRF and army, are working together to rescue the people from the flooded areas," the Chief Minister added.

Thanking everybody, including the rescue operation teams, the power restoration teams, the army and the people in general for their whole-hearted cooperation, the Chief Minister said, "There has been extensive damage to agriculture and I will soon be undertaking an aerial survey of the affected areas in East Midnapore, South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas districts. We will be conducting field surveys to get a final estimate... It will take us at least 72 hours to get a clearer idea." Banerjee said that more than 134 embankments have been completely destroyed which will have to be repaired immediately, adding that the state government has already started relief operations, and food packets and tarpaulins are being distributed in different relief camps.

"There are 4,000 cyclone centres in the state and we have also taken some schools to accommodate people. The state has disbursed relief material worth Rs 10 crore for the purpose," she said.

"Taking lessons from Amphan, the state government developed a unified command that integrated all the departments which worked under a single guideline. More than three lakh people, including two lakh policemen and 74,000 state government employees and officials, were involved in the relief and rescue operations," Chief Secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the landfall process of Cyclone Yaas is complete now. It further said that it will gradually weaken into a severe cyclonic storm in the next three hours, and into a cyclonic storm during the subsequent six hours.

Cyclone Yaas, which began its landfall on Wednesday morning near the Dhamra port in Odisha, has completed the process, the IMD said.
US Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas): I understand from whats been testified to the Forest Service and the BLM [Bureau of Land Management], you want very much to work on the issue of climate change. We know theres been significant solar flare activity, and so  is there anything that the National Forest Service or BLM can do to change the course of the moons orbit, or the Earths orbit around the sun? Obviously that would have profound effects on our climate.

Jennifer Eberlein, associate deputy chief for the National Forest System, responded that she would have to follow up with you on that one, after a brief pause.

Gohmert: Well, if you figure out a way that you in the Forest Service can make that change, Id like to know.
Bengaluru, May 26 : After winning over the battle against dreaded Coronavirus a fortnight ago, eminent Gandhian and freedom fighter H.S. Doreswamy, passed away at the ripe age of 103 due to cardiac arrest on Wednesday.

Doreswamy had contracted Covid on May 8 and was admitted to Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research (SJICSR) in Bengaluru and was discharged on May 13 but on May 14, was re-admitted due to post-Covid complications after he complained of severe weakness and fatigue. "Here he breathed his last," his close confidante, Ravi Krishna Reddy told reporters.

Harohalli Srinivasaiah Doreswamy was born on April 10, 1918. An activist and a journalist, he was a freedom fighter during the Indian independence movement.

While his initial involvement with the freedom movement was radical in nature, he came under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi later. He organised protests and strikes in the erstwhile kingdom of Mysore against the British rule and participated in the Quit India movement. He was jailed for 14 months in 1943-1944.

He ran the publication house of Sahitya Mandira and the Indian nationalist newspaper Pauravani during the British Raj and the period afterwards.

Even in his ripe age, he was a regular face of several pro-people agitations.

Doreswamy was 96 years old when he led a month long sit-in agitation by floating the Anti-Land Grabbing Struggle Committee in 2014, which achieved a considerable success, when the state government in 2014 headed by then Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, was forced to agree to their demands in-principle.

Despite his advancing years, Doreswamy never shied away from fighting the battles he deemed worthy. He had joined a protest against the government's controversial plan to build a steel flyover in Bengaluru. He was 98 years old when this agitation was launched.

This frail old man, even at the age of 102 years, was leading agitations in Bengaluru against the union government's controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act, National Register of Citizens and National Population Register CAA-NRC-NPR in the past few months till March last year, since the Covid first wave swept the state. Then he announced that he will continue to protest for a few days every month until 2024.

For his untiring spirit of activism noted writer Ramachandra Guha had described him as the 'conscience keeper of Karnataka'.

Through his activism Doreswamy had earned a lot of praise, but had drawn ire from BJP leaders and they mostly described him as 'fake Gandhian' and 'fake freedom fighter' for his unsparing comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP's ideologues.

In February 2021, following the detention and arrest of the climate activist Disha Ravi from Bengaluru, Doreswamy shared a message of support for the young activist and asked her "to stay strong".

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New Delhi, May 26 : IPS officer Subodh Kumar Jaiswal on Wednesday took charge as the new Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

He took charge a day after his name was cleared for the top post of the country's premiere investigative agency.

On Tuesday, in an order, the Department of Personnel and Training said: "The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has, based on the panel recommended by the Committee, approved the appointment of Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, IPS, (Maharashtra 1985) as Director, CBI for a period of two years from the date of assumption of the charge of the office or until further orders whichever is earlier." Jaiswal was appointed as CBI Director a day after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-headed committee including Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana and Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury discussed the names of the candidates for the new CBI chief.

Before joining as the new director of CBI, Jaiswal was the Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force.

He has also served as Mahrashtra's Director General of Police and had a stint in India's external intelligence agency, R&AW.

The CBI had got an acting Director in the form of Praveen Sinha after the term of R.K. Shukla ended on February 3 this year.

CBI spokesperson RC Joshi said that Jaiswal holds a Bachelor's Degree in English (Honours), Economics and Political Science and Masters in Business Administration.

He said that Jaiswal has served in his cadre holding various positions including SP (Gadchiroli, Aurangabad and Osmanabad), DIG, Incharge Special Investigation Team (SIT), Additional CP, Anti Terrorism Squad, Mumbai; Additional CP, Central Range, Mumbai; IGP Amravati Range and Commissioner of Police, Brihan Mumbai. He was DGP, Maharashtra for nearly two years from February, 2019 before joining the post of DG, CISF.

Jaiswal has served in Close Protection Teams of the Prime Minister during his six year tenure with Special Protection Group as AIG and DIG.

He has also served in Cabinet Secretariat (Government of India) in various capacities for 10 years from June, 2008 to 2018.

Jaiswal has vast experience in various fields like counter-terrorism (left wing extremism), handling VVIP security etc, he said.

Joshi said that Jaiswal is recipient of President Police Medal for Distinguished Services in 2009, Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Services in 2001, Internal Security Medal (government of India), Special Service Medal (government of Maharashtra) and Asadharan Suraksha Seva Praman Patra (ASSPP).

He said that after taking charge as Director of the CBI, Jaiswal was briefed by senior officers of CBI.
Chennai, May 26 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday said that his government is looking at activating the vaccine plant of HLL Biotech Ltd located in Chengalpattu district.

Talking to reporters, Stalin said he had inspected the integrated vaccine complex of HLL Biotech and found that it was "disabled" The Tamil Nadu government will take action to start production at the factory, he said, adding that discussions are on towards this and the state government will urge the Centre on this count.

HLL Biotech has invited bids from interested parties to run the integrated vaccine complex.

Recently a group of noted personalities including retired High Court judges, bureaucrats and others had urged the Tamil Nadu government to take over the plant and start production of Covid-19 vaccine.

On Wednesday, Rajya Sabha member and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss had urged Tamil Nadu government to take over the vaccine plant and start vaccine production there.
Chennai, May 26 : Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday flagged off vehicles carrying 1,400 oxygen cylinders and regulators to 18 districts across the state. Industries minister Thangam Thenarasu, Rural Industries minister T.M. Anbarasan, Sriperumbadur MP, T.R. Balu and Chief secretary V. Irai Anbu and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

The oxygen cylinders and regulators imported from Singapore would be sent to Cuddalore (100), Sivaganga (100), Tiruvannamalai (100), Dharmapuri (75), Dindigul (75), Kallakurichi (75), Kanniyakumari (75), Karur (75), Nagapattinam (75), Namakkal (75), Ramanathapuram (75), Theni (75), The Nilgris (75), Tiruppatur (75), Tiruvarur(75), Villupuram (75), Virudhanagar (75) and Ranipet (50).

An official release from the state government said that the government has issued orders for sourcing 1,915 oxygen cylinders, 2,380 oxygen regulators, 3,250 medical oxygen flowmeters, 5,000 oxygen concentrators and 800 filled cylinders at a cost of Rs 40.71 crore. A total of 515 oxygen cylinders, 1,780 oxygen regulators and 250 medical oxygen flowmeters have been imported till date.

The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd (SIPCOT) has also procured flowmetres with humidifiers, copper pipes, outlets and manifolds from local suppliers. An amount of Rs 4.33 crore was spent for this, a release from the government said. This is to convert ordinary beds in government hospitals into those with oxygen supply and 1,000 beds in government hospitals in Chennai have been equipped with oxygen supply.

SIPCOT has also sourced 2,000 cylinders from industrial units located in SIPCOT industrial parks and supplied them to various districts of Tamil Nadu after filling them with oxygen.
Kathmandu, May 26 : Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari has written a letter to her India counterpart Ram Nath Kovid, seeking Covid vaccine doses from the neighbouring country.

The special request has been made at the President's level to ensure the supply of Covid vaccines from India, sources in the Nepal President's office told IANS, adding that around one million people are waiting for their second shot of Covishied vaccine and their inoculation time is approaching fast.

Earlier, one million doses of Covishield were gifted by India, while Nepal purchased another two million doses at discounted rates. Out of these two million doses, the Serum Institute of India, which produces Covishiled, released one million doses to Nepal, but it has not sent the remaining one million doses which Nepal had procured from the institute at discounted rates.

"We need one million jabs from India as one million people, mostly the elderly and frontline workers who had received their first dose, are waiting for the second shot," a senior Nepal government official told IANS.

Nepal has already paid Serum Institute of India for this one million jabs. Those in the second batch who received Covishiled have to get their second shots by the first week of June, as per the new guidelines.

As per the guidelines, individuals should get their second jab 12 to 16 weeks after receiving the first shot.

Nepal has also written separate diplomatic notes to India's Ministry of External Affairs and SII to provide the one million doses, as people are waiting for them.

While expressing grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in India due to Covid-19, President Bhandari also offered to fight against the pandemic jointly with her India counterpart.

Bhandari also thanked Ram Nath Kovind for providing two million Covid vaccines to Nepal earlier, saying that only vaccines can take control of the pandemic.

The President also sought additional vaccines from India, Tika Dhakal, a communication expert at the President's office, said.

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New Delhi, May 26 : The prestigious Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced 2021 test has been postponed in view of the coronavirus situation in the country.

Since the JEE Mains examination could not be held at the scheduled time (May 24-28), so the JEE Advanced examination, which was going to be held on July 3, has also been postponed, the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur announced.

The Union Education Ministry had decided to conduct the JEE Mains examination four times in the current year.

Candidates can appear in all four examinations of which their best test scores will be considered for appearing for the JEE Advanced exam. However, only two of the four sessions of JEE Mains examination have been conducted till now.

National Testing Agency's Senior Examination Director, Sadhana Parashar, said the first session of the JEE Mains examination was held in February this year and more than 6,20,000 students appeared. The second session was held in March with more than 5,56,000 students appearing.

The third session of the JEE Mains examination was scheduled to be held from April 27 to 30, but had to be postponed in view of the second wave of pandemic. In the sane way, the fourth session to be held on May 24-28 was also postponed.

According to the Education Ministry, students will be informed 15 days in advance before the test is conducted.

The results of the JEE Main Exam Session 2 which were held in March have been already declared. These exams were conducted in 12 foreign cities and 334 Indian cities.

Due to the second wave of Covid-19, the Union Education Ministry had decided to postpone all offline examinations scheduled in the month of May.

This decision will be applicable to all central higher educational institutions across the country. Such higher educational institutions, which receive financial aid from the government, will also have to postpone these too.

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Mumbai, May 26 : Sunny Leone has revealed her most favourite emojis, in an Instagram post on Wednesday.

In a video clip she has uploaded, Sunny brings alive her favourite emojis by acting them out before the camera.

"What's your fav emoji? Remix with me and tell me!!" she wrote as caption.

Sunny is currently in Kerala shooting the upcoming psychological thriller film "Shero". The film is directed by Sreejith Vijayan and is scheduled to be released in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Malayalam.

She is also all set to make her digital debut with the web series "Anamika", helmed by Vikram Bhatt.
New Delhi, May 26 : The deadly Cyclone Tauktae had made landfall in Gujarat on May 17. This cyclone has been recorded as the fifth strongest ever to emanate froc sm the Arabian Sea in recent years.

State and local authorities were pressed into action to rehabilitate the affected people, and they are continuing with the process tirelessly.

Last Monday onwards, the Indian Navy was called upon to deploy its ships, aircraft and personnel to alleviate the seemingly grim situation.

Over the previous week, it deployed eight of its frontline ships, in addition to numerous aircraft and ashore support staff. These brought with them specialised competencies, making a remarkable difference to the situation as the story unfolded.

While a lot has been reported about the sequence of events that unfolded following the cyclon, ranging from the capsising of Barge P-305 and Tug Varaprada and urgent assistance provided to Barge GAL Constructor, Barge Support Station 3, Great Ship Aditi, and Drill Ship Sagar Bhushan, the actual difficulty surrounding the entire operation, and the professionalism that went into making a success of it, can only be grasped when one hears the Navy's side of the story.

Vice Admiral M.S. Pawar, the Deputy Chief of Navy, said, "Some phases [of the operation] were undertaken on pitch dark nights with very heavy seas causing violent motion of the ship, requiring precise navigation and deft ship-handling skills to pick up the survivors safely. It was not easy, but our boys did their best. Our divers continue to search for survivors." Some phases of the rescue operation witnessed wind speeds of 70-120 kmph, waves as high as 6-8 metres, and very low visibility. All these factors hampered the operation of critical equipment such as radars and helicopters and posed a significant threat to the safety of the ships and the crew onboard.

Anyone who has been on a ship in the high seas will be aware of the rolling and pitching that a ship experiences during storms.

Amid these conditions, the Navy crew carried out all their primary and extraneous duties: Lowering rescue boats, maintaining anti-collision look-outs, tending to survivors, ensuring the optimum performance of ships machinery, and much more.

Adding to this, the prospect of searching for and rescuing survivors amid open seas, at times at night, indicates the tip of the iceberg of challenges.

In one of the operations, a Naval Seaking helicopter rescued 35 crew members from the Barge GAL Constructor in the Arabian Sea.

"Conducting evacuation operations in such weather is fraught with danger. One has to maintain the stability of a rock while hovering in torrential winds. But we were prepared," said one of the Naval pilots who commandeered these helicopters.

Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Director General of Naval Operations, said, "Undertaking search and rescue efforts in such cyclonic weather conditions, characterised by high wind speed, tall waves and low visibility, is a challenging task that requires experienced and well-trained crew, platforms that are capable of operating in heavy seas, and surgical coordination between all stakeholders." Fortunately, the Naval personnel and platforms ticked all these check boxes.

It is learned that the entire operation was a comprehensive, coordinated effort between the ships, helicopters, maritime reconnaissance aircraft, and shore authorities.

Across geographies, inputs were relayed, data analysed, orders issued, and decisions taken, which were then seamlessly relayed back to the ships.

"It is like a big net that we are all part of," said one of the senior officials at the Naval Headquarters.

However, even with cutting-edge technology on their side, compelling challenges were not far away. For instance, locating adrift personnel in the middle of the sea is like looking for a pin in a haystack.

Likewise, the now ubiquitous photograph of a Navy helicopter seen hovering, while its air crew divers winched-up a survivor amid torrential winds was fraught with danger, and required extraordinary nimbleness on part of the pilot, the air crew diver and medical staff on board the helicopter.

On May 22, the Navy deployed INS Makar and INS Tarasa to aid in the recovery of bodies. These vessels are fitted with specialised equipment to detect debris of sunken vessels. The ships were also carrying two specialised diving teams to recover the bodies of personnel who are still missing.

"Diving operations in high seas during turbulent weather is immensely challenging and comes with life-threatening risks. The diver has to descend in near-zero visibility, navigate narrow entry points of a sunken barge, the interiors of which are unfamiliar, search for and retrieve bloated bodies, and be careful throughout this time of oxygen pressure and safety of his equipment from being damaged by unseen protrusions in the hull," said one of the senior diving officials at the Naval Headquarters.

As the situation stands, a total of 188 survivors have been rescued and 70 bodies recovered. Diving operations for the wreck of Brge P-305 and Tug Varaprada have been successful in locating the wreck and intensive search operations are going on to recover any bodies still trapped inside.

The previous week threw a litany of challenges for the nation. Even as Naval divers search for survivors or their bodies, adrift personnel, capsised barges, and frantic calls for help constituted the minutiae of unimaginable suffering.

Amid all this, the Indian Navy and its personnel -- navigators, pilots, divers, doctors and many others -- did what they do best -- keeping their heads down, fighting adversity and lending a nurturing hand to let stranded Indian citizens know that everything will be alright.

(Sumit Kumar Singh can be reached at sumit.k@ians.in)
New Delhi, May 26 : Amid the spread of 'black', 'white' and 'yellow' fungus in Covid-recovered patients, health experts on Wednesday said that multiple factors are playing a role and the high intake of zinc supplements in the pandemic may also be one of the key factors, but more research is needed on this.

Zinc is thought to accumulate iron in the body which can create a breeding ground for mucormycosis, a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes.

Mucor growth in a human body depends on multiple host factors. Last year, doctors had seen mucor patients, but the number was less as number of Covid patients was less.

"This year, the number of Covid patients is high, virulence of Covid is more and steroids have been used indiscriminately, so several factors are playing a role in the spread of black fungus," Dr Aparna Mahajan, Consultant-ENT, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, told IANS.

Mucormycosis has been there in India for decades. Rhinoorbitocerebral mucormycosis is the most common and has been managed by ENT surgeons since several decades.

"But it used to present itself very rarely and in immunocompromised patients like diabetics or cancer patients or transplant recipients, etc. Due to Covid, it has reached the masses," Mahajan said.

The country has recorded 11,717 cases of black fungus to date with Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana reporting highest number of cases.

According to Dr Dinesh V. Kamath, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Manipal Hospitals Malleshwaram, there is no direct link between zinc and mucormycosis, a fungal infection seen primarily in people who have uncontrolled diabetes, increased usage of steroids, and situations where they are immunocompromised.

"As of now, there was no direct link between zinc and mucormycosis. But mucormycosis has been a very rare disease till about past one year. After this pandemic, especially in the second wave, we are seeing a greater number of mycormycosis cases," Kamath said.

There were some possibilities like increased steam inhalation may cause mucormycosis, or people who are on high supplements of zinc may be one of the factors for the increased incidence.

"That is how there is a link now that there may be a cause of high zinc intake for mucormycosis, however it certainly requires more studies to prove this," Kamath told IANS.

Due to the fear of Covid, patients started taking zinc and iron supplements on their own.

"My final say would be not to use zinc as the blanket treatment to all the patients and definitely not as a prevention. Only patients who are diagnosed with Covid can consider it, and zinc as a supplement can be given for a short period, and then stopped once they recover from the illness," Kamath added.

Mucormycosis has a multi-factorial reasons which have seen increased incidence, particularly in the second wave in the past few weeks.

"Both the public and the doctors should be more aware to see that they don't use steroids inappropriately and should ensure that diabetes is under good control," experts advised.

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Chennai, May 26 : Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan has said that the Tamil Nadu government must conduct a detailed investigation into the sexual harassment allegations levelled against a Chennai school.

The Makkal Needhi Maiam president said that parents must supervise children when they are taking online classes and must listen to them when they raise issues.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday Haasan said that the complaint that the school did not address the issue even after it was flagged earlier, reduces people's faith in the system.

He said,"Following this, allegations in a few other schools have also come to light and the government must form an investigation team and conduct a detailed investigation on a war footing." Haasan said that there is an attempt to turn this into a caste issue and added that this was for short term political gains. "If we don't focus on the crime and the perpetrator of the crime there is a possibility that it would become advantageous to those who commit the crime. No matter which caste he belongs to, the perpetrator must be punished and as an informed society we must ensure that justice is done." It may be noted that a teacher of a well known CBSE school of Chennai was arrested Tuesday following a complaint after allegations of sexual harassment of girl students surfaced against him on social media.

A police statement said that the commerce- ccountancy teacher had sexually harassed girls by sending lewd messages.

The police statement also said that a girl student of the same school was sexually harassed a few years ago by the same teacher and parents had complained to school authorities against the teacher for sending obscene messages.

The teacher is already arrested and remanded to judicial custody and is lodged in the Puzhal central prison under the Protection of Children From Sexual offences (POCSO) act.
Dharamsala, May 26 : Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) President Lobsang Sangay, who held the post for two consecutive terms that ended on Wednesday, said "his role ends but his resolve to fight for the Tibetan cause will continue and will remain strong forever".

"I was born a freedom fighter and I will die a freedom fighter," Sangay said in his farewell address.

"In the past few weeks, so many people and organisations from different countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, Italy, Japan, South Africa, and India, have graciously held farewell events to thank me for my 10 years of service. Now, it is my turn to say thank you," he said.

Former Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-exile and experienced administrator Penpa Tsering will be the next President of government-in-exile, and is going to be sworn in an official ceremony at the CTA headquarters here on Thursday.

Thanking his fellow Tibetans for their unwavering support and prayers, Sangay said: "You gave me the opportunity to fulfill my late father's last words, which were to be of service to our root guru, His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, and to work for the cause of our occupied nation." "When I reflect on my life, I am overwhelmed with a profound sense of gratitude to His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. No part of the journey that took a child from a tiny refugee community in Darjeeling and led him eventually to assume the title of the first-ever Sikyong (President) would have been remotely possible without the efforts, wisdom, and great vision of His Holiness," he added.

Sangay also said: "Over the last decade or so, we have witnessed China's increasing power, and an escalating belligerence in refusing to engage in any discussion about human rights and democracy.

"From my official visits as the Sikyong, I have experienced firsthand the effects of the Chinese government's pressure on governments across the world to distance themselves from the CTA, which China accuses as being a 'splittist' organisation." He cited the enormous pressure exerted by the Chinese government resulted in last minute cancellations of his meetings or downgrading the contact to lower-ranking officials.

"Finally, during the last months of my term, I was able to visit the US State Department and the White House as the Sikyong of the CTA, and as the legitimate representative of the Tibetan people. These developments, along with the passage of the Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020 by the US Congress, mark a new turn in the relationship between the US and the CTA. I hope our relations with other countries take a similar turn." Sangay also said he was committed to ensuring the smooth transition of power to President-elect Tsering. "It is the responsibility of every Tibetan to support him in his global advocacy efforts for Tibet and the Tibetan people. I wish the incoming Sikyong and his Kashag all the best." Expressing gratitude to India, he said: "The story of the Tibetan freedom struggle is incomplete without acknowledging India, our closest friend." About his future plans, Sangay, 52, said he said he would now be spending more time with his family, especially with his daughter, and learning how to beat "her at our new favourite online game".
Hyderabad, May 26 : Medical services in government-run hospitals in Telangana were affected as junior doctors on Wednesday launched an indefinite strike to press for their demands while Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao appealed to them to immediately call off their protest.

Junior doctors began boycotting Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 elective duties at government teaching and allied hospitals across the state from Wednesday.

Alleging that there is no response to their demands from the government, they threatened to boycott even emergency duties from Thursday.

The Telangana Junior Doctors' Association (TJUDA) is demanding ex-gratia for the families of those who died in the line of duty. According to them, 34 doctors have lost their lives to Covid while discharging their duties.

The striking doctors are also demanding allotment of beds and free Covid treatment for health care workers and their families at the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS).

The association is also demanding implementation of hike in stipends, pending from January 2020 and payment of 10 per cent incentive.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has appealed to junior doctors to immediately call off the strike and return to the duty. He said going on strike during the pandemic is not proper.

Rao, who held a meeting with officials on Covid situation, said that the government is ready to address justified demands of the junior doctors.

While junior doctors were free to raise their demands and discuss them with the government, there was no justification for going on strike on every issue and causing inconvenience to people, and that too during Covid-19 pandemic.

"If the junior doctors' demands are justified, the government has no objection to solving them. They can bring those demands to the government and get them solved. But it is not proper to abstain from duties now and then under the pretext of strike without even understanding the time and situation and causing inconvenience to people time and again. Moreover, going on strike under the present emergency situation caused by corona... no one will appreciate, not even the people," he said.

The Medical and Health Department officials brought to the notice of the Chief Minister that junior doctors are getting high stipend compared to other states. Rao enquired about the demands made by the junior doctors. The officials briefed him about the demands and he instructed that they be solved.

The Chief Minister decided to increase the honorarium paid to the senior resident doctors by 15 per cent. The same honorarium will be extended to the medical students who are engaged in Covid duties after their three years of medical course.

He instructed that better medical facilities should be provided to junior doctors and their family members at the NIMS. He directed the officials concerned to take measures so that the ex-gratia amount being extended as per the guidelines should be handed over immediately as per the junior doctors' demand.

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New Delhi, May 26 : The Delhi Congress has demanded that the Delhi Government immediately establish vaccination centres for pregnant and lactating women as the Central Government had made changes in the guidelines on May 19 to include these two categories of women for inoculation.

Amrita Dhawan, Delhi women Congress President addressing a press conference on Wednesday said, "Mumbai has started vaccination of pregnant and lactating women without registration, and Delhi should do likewise to boost immunity of such women." She said that with Delhi running short of vaccines, and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal not making earnest efforts to buy vaccines directly from the Indian/foreign companies on time, it is unlikely that these special category of women would get their vaccine shots any time soon, as there is a severe vaccine crunch now.

Dhawan said that with the next wave of the Covid-19 pandemic likely to hit children hard, the Delhi Government should set up Covid Care Centres and make proper arrangements in the paediatric wards of hospitals.

Meanwhile the Chandni Chowk District Congress distributed cooked food, fruits, masks, sanitizers to the poor and needy people as part of the Congress's kitchen programme at Nigambodh Ghat.

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New Delhi, May 26 : With WhatsApp filing a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court stating that requiring messaging apps to "trace" chats undermines people's right to privacy, even as the deadline to comply with the new IT (intermediary) rules, 2021, for big social media platforms in India ended on Tuesday, legal experts say the new measures should not be seen as a "blanket web" for getting information of all originators of all messages sent by all users.

Supreme Court advocate Pavan Duggal said the issue of traceability of electronic records being raised has to be seen in a holistic perspective.

"The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 are not creating a mother blanket web for getting information of all originators of all messages sent by all users. On the contrary, it is only specifically looking at specified cases where in certain specified circumstances, some information pertaining to identification of origin of all electronic records can be obtained," he said.

Advocate Khushbu Jain, founder Ark Legal, said there has been persistent spread of fake news, and rampant abuse of social media to share morphed images of women and contents related to revenge porn have often threatened the dignity of women.

"Privacy is good faith principle - not to be applied to criminals. Right to privacy cannot be an impediment to fair investigation - the world over. WhatsApp cannot maintain double standards: Taking stand of privacy infringement is itself contradictory to their own provision mentioned in their own privacy policy. The new rules establishes the required fine balance between the rights of individuals, mediated by these supranational business interests, and simultaneously preventing state overreach, while preserving incentives for innovation, which is the real-life blood of the Internet," Jain added.

In July 2019, V. Kamakoti, a professor at IIT Madras, had told the Madras High Court that it is technically possible to add an original identification tag to messages on WhatsApp even with encryption. He added that there is a possibility, if WhatsApp were to introduce a change in its product design, which could include the phone number of the originator whenever a message is forwarded. He further added that being a privacy-entity of WhatsApp does not carry much weight, when users are able to freely forward messages to anyone without consent.

According to Supreme Court advocate Virag Gupta, this matter of first originator of a message, is already under consideration before Supreme Court, where WhatsApp is a party. He added that on request of social media companies, the top court, in its order on January 30, 2020, directed for transfer of the Madras High Court matter and other similar proceedings to itself.

"A new challenge to Rule 4(2) before the Delhi High Court may be delaying tactics to avoid the compliance with other aspects of IT rules, which talk about appointment of grievance and other officers in India. Despite judicial challenge to limited aspect of rules, WhatsApp and other significant social media companies are duty bound to comply with new IT Rules within stipulated time period," said Gupta.

However, Tanmay Singh, associate litigation counsel at the Internet Freedom Foundation, said: "Enabling a traceability option by any means, even if it is not by directly breaking end-to-end encryption, will seriously undermine the very purpose of end-to-end encryption, which is to promote and strengthen user privacy and encourage the freedom of speech. This will threaten the constitutional fundamental rights of millions of users of social media in India." (Sumit Saxena can contacted at sumit.s@ians.in)
New Delhi, May 26 : Amid shortage of Covid vaccines across the country, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday continued to blame the BJP-led Central government for the situation.

In a fresh attack on the Narendra Modi government, he said if people in the country were vaccinated on time, the impact of the second wave of the pandemic could have been less and so many people would not have had to die.

Addressing a digital press conference, Kejriwal said: "We have already delayed our vaccination drive for six months as several countries had started inoculating their citizens at a mass level. We committed a big mistake. Rather than inoculating our own people, we started sending doses to other countries." The Centre should have vaccinated all people on war footing, he said. "We could have started this in December itself. But we didn't," he added.

Kejriwal argued that the Centre should have ordered vaccines from abroad when the second wave started in March, while alleging that states were told to make arrangements by themselves.

"From the past two months, every state is trying to arrange vaccines but, none of them has been able to procure an extra single shot of the vaccine from manufacturers, excluding those which have been given by the Centre. States also floated global tenders to buy vaccines on their own, but they all failed," he noted.

He appealed to Prime Minister Modi to procure vaccines from all across the world and distribute them to the states as manufacturing firms have refused to sell to states directly, saying that they would talk to the Centre only.

"We (state governments) will fulfill every responsibility alloted by you (PM Modi). But how can we do something which is not under our purview. Centre has to fulfill its own responsibilities. You (Centre) provide vaccine doses as per the requirement of the states, we will inoculate our people," Kejriwal said.
Sri Lanka seeks India's help to contain merchant vessel fire Image Source: IANS News

Sri Lanka seeks India's help to contain merchant vessel fire Image Source: IANS News

Sri Lanka seeks India's help to contain merchant vessel fire Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, May 26 : Sri Lanka has sought help from India to contain the major fire onboard container vessel MV X-Press Pearl off Colombo.

As per the directives of the government of India in response to the request of Sri Lankan authorities, Indian Coast Guard swiftly deployed its assets to provide immediate assistance.

While Indian Coast Guard ship Vaibhav on maritime patrol was diverted immediately to reach the scene of the incident, ICG ship Vajra was despatched from Tuticorin and arrived at the scene in the wee hours of Wednesday.

Presently, both the ships are fighting the intense fire onboard the container vessel using external fire fighting system, braving the odds of rough weather.

ICG ship Samudra Prahari, a specialised Pollution Response (PR) vessel, has also been despatched in PR configuration to augment the firefighting efforts and respond to oil spill, if occurrs.

"ICG Dornier aircraft has undertaken air reconnaissance of the area," Indian Coast Guard said.

Nil oil spill has been reported so far.

The distressed vessel MV X-Press Pearl was carrying 1,486 containers with nitric acid and other hazardous IMDG code chemicals.

The extreme fire, damage to the containers and prevailing inclement weather has caused the vessel to tilt to starboard, resulting in falling of containers overboard. Concerted joint efforts are in progress by two ICG ships and four tugs of Sri Lankan authorities to douse the fire.

In addition, ICG formations at Kochi, Chennai and Tuticorin are on standby for immediate assistance towards Pollution Response.

Continuous coordination is being maintained with the Sri Lankan Coast Guard and other Sri Lankan authorities for augmenting the overall response operations towards containing the fire onboard MV X-Press Pearl.
Hyderabad, May 26 : Telangana's Industry and Information Technology Minister K.T. Rama Rao on Wednesday rued that while Hyderabad is the vaccine hub of the world, it has no vaccines to inoculate people against Covid-19.

"While Hyderabad is the vaccine hub of the world, vaccine manufacturer for the world, it is unfortunate that we don't have vaccines for our own people," he said while inaugurating a Covid care centre in Cyberabad, the information technology district.

"If we are given enough vaccines, our government has capability to administer one million doses per day. We can cover the entire state in 45 days. It's unfortunate that demand supply equation is quite bad in the country. The demand is quite high while supply is meagre and everything is governed by the Centre," said Rama Rao, who is son of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

KTR, as Rama Rao is popularly known, hoped that the situation will improve. He said it was individual opinion that the Centre should reach out to Pfizer, Moderna, Sinovac and other vaccine manufacturers in the world who can give India the required number of vaccines in shortest possible time.

"I am also told that there are vaccines which are lying idle elsewhere in the world, in Canada, Denmark and the US. There are vaccines which are pending approval and there are vaccines already approved and which are lying idle elsewhere without consumption and without demand," he said.

He wanted the Centre to step up its efforts allow more vaccine manufacturers to enter the country so that demand supply gap is covered Pointing out that Punjab and several state governments have been told by vaccine manufacturers that they don't want to deal directly with the states, he hoped that the Centre will take states into confidence and understand their requirements. He said each state can't have its vaccine strategy. "After all, it is one country and we have to work in sync," he said.

The minister said the potential super spreaders and vulnerable sections among people have to be identified and vaccinated. He said the states and the Centre will have to prepare themselves and work together to tackle the next way and that they can't work in isolation.

Stating that vaccination is the solution, KTR said the state government was in touch with the Centre to get more doses.

The minister, who heads the state Task Force for procurement of vaccines, said the state government has also called tenders for one crore vaccines.

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New Delhi, May 26 : The Union Ministry of Electronics and IT has written to the social media platforms, directing them to respond on their compliance to the new digital rules as soon as possible, "preferably today".

In its notice to the social media players, the ministry said: "If you are considered as SSMI (significant social media intermediaries), please provide the reasons for the same, including the registered users on each of the services provided by you." Along with the compliance status on the new rules, the ministry has also sought the details of the chief compliance officer, nodal contact person, resident grievance officer, including their respective contact details and physical contact address in India.

"Please confirm and share your response ASAP and preferably today itself," said the notice.

The timeline given by the Centre to different social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter etc. to comply with the 'Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Ethics Code) Rules, 2021' ended on Tuesday.
Guwahati, May 26 : The BJP government in Assam on Wednesday constituted a new Bodoland Department for the all-round and speedy development of the tribal-dominated Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) in western Assam, officials said.

An official said that the Assam cabinet -- in its meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma -- has constituted the separate Bodoland Department for all-round and speedy development of the BTR, comprising the four districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri.

The official said that the various aspects of the Bodoland, bordering Bhutan and West Bengal, were until now looked after by the Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Classes Department.

After the signing of the Bodo peace accord with the Central government on January 27, 2020 in New Delhi in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, terror activities have largely been tamed in the BTR.

In all, 1,615 cadres of four factions of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) had laid down their huge cache of arms and ammunition on January 30 last year after the signing of the accord. The creation of the Bodoland Department was a part of the commitments in the Bodo peace accord.

According to the official, Wednesday's meeting of the council of ministers has also decided to set up the Bodoland Administrative Staff College at Kokrajhar and it would start functioning soon.

In the March-April assembly elections, out of the 12 seats in the BTR, the Bharatiya Janata Party and its new ally United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) had secured two and six seats respectively while the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) bagged four seats.
New Delhi, May 26 : The GST Council will meet for the first time this year on May 28, through video conferencing.

The meeting coming in the backdrop of fresh and a more deadly Covid wave sweeping the country, is expected to announce a few Covid relief measures particularly in relation to duty relief on essential Coronavirus supplies and other compliance matters.

It may also announce few measures to correct the inverted duty while discuss the compensation cess dues arising in 2021-22 due to a possible shortfall in cess collections.

Two other important items including lowering of GST rates for two wheelers and bringing natural gas into the indirect tax fold may also be included in the agenda for discussion.

Sources said certain states like Punjab have sought GST duty cut on essential medical supplies meant for Covid treatment. The council may accordingly discuss some of the measures like reducing GST or exempting from duty Coronavirus related items like hand sanitisers, face masks, gloves, PPE Kits, temperature scanners, oximeters, certain Covid medicines and ventilators among others.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) on gloves, mask and other key COVID-19 medical supplies generally falls under the 12% and the 18% GST slabs. However the lowest rate of 5% is applicable to GST on PPE. While ambulance services is exempt from GST, procurement of ambulance vehicle attracts 28 per cent GST.

It is worth noting that the Centre has already exempted from customs duty and IGST, medical grade oxygen, PPE kits, oxygen concentrators, oxygen cannisters, filling systems, storage tanks, ventilators, compressors, along with other similar items. The duty exemption is expected to boost availability of these items as well as make them cheaper.

Now the ball is in GST Council's court to decide if such medical items is being procured and supplied locally, whether the GST exemption or cuts should also be extended accordingly.

The GST Council has not met since October last year when the panel of finance ministers discussed GST compensation and the borrowing formula offered by the Centre towards compensating states for GST shortfall.

The 43rd meeting of the council is expected to again discuss the compensation issue for current year but sources said it may also take few steps to correct inverted duty structure without pursuing any increase in GST rates or move towards converging GST to three rate structure.

Sources also said that the council may at the next meeting also take up two other important items including lowering of GST rates for two wheelers and bringing natural gas into the indirect tax fold.

A top source in the finance ministry said that inverted duty correction, GST cut on two wheelers and inclusion of natural gas into GST fold are on the agenda and hopefully the council will offer some solution that is in the best interest of all stakeholders.

Correction of inverted duty structure, especially in sectors such as fertilizer, steel utensils, solar modules, tractors, tyres, electrical transformers, pharma, textile, fabric, railway locomotives among other goods is required.

Inverted duty refers to tax rates on inputs being higher than those levied on finished products. This results in higher input credit claims by goods besides several administrative and compliance issues.

Currently, while duty on imported tyre is 10 per cent its inputs ie rubber attracts 20 per cent duty. Similarly, solar modules do not attract any duty while its components attract 5-10 per cent duty.

Similarly, the council may also consider lowering of GST rate of 28 per cent on two wheelers to give a boost to its sales affected during the pandemic.

The Council has in principle agreed to include five petroleum products under GST but has so far deferred its actual inclusion into the indirect as states fear big loss of revenue. But now, the government is considering bringing natural gas under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime to begin with as it would be difficult to bring the entire oil and gas sector immediately under it.

--IANS sn/ash

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Srinagar, May 26 : A village Sarpanch was arrested on Wednesday in J&K's Anantnag district for taking Rs 1.10 lakh from two families for getting their kin released from police custody.

Police said in Anantnag on Wednesday, "A Sarpanch was arrested today for cheating two families after he took Rs 1.10 lakh from them for securing the release of two persons detained by police for questioning in a militancy related case".

Police said two persons from Kokarnag area of Anantnag district were called for questioning to establish their involvement or innocence in a militancy related incident.

"Their families approached Sarpanch Nisar Ahmad Khan to secure their release.

"Sustained questioning of the two arrested persons established their innocence and they were allowed to go home.

"In the meantime the families paid Rs 1.10 lakhs to Sarpanch Nisar Ahmad Khan who also approached police for meeting a senior police officer in this connection.

"The Sarpanch was told on phone that there was no need of meeting any police officer because if found innocent the duo would be released immediately.

"The Sarpanch has been booked for cheating and the money he took from the families has been recovered. It will be paid to the families after legal formalities are completed", police said.
Kathmandu, May 26 : China on Wednesday announced to provide an additional one million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal under a grant assistance policy.

In a telephonic conversation with Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China would provide an additional one million vaccine doses to Nepal under grant assistance, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, announced on twitter.

Earlier in April, China had donated 8,00,000 Covid vaccine doses developed by Sinopharm to Nepal.

President Bhandari held an almost hour-long telephonic conversation with the Chinese President on Wednesday.

During the conversation, Bhandari requested Xi Jinping that Nepal is looking forward to purchasing vaccines manufactured in China for the people of the Himalayan country.

She also made an appeal to the Chinese government to make the vaccines available for procurement at the earliest.

While appreciating Xi Jinping's public announcement that anti-Covid vaccines should be global public goods, President Bhandari also thanked China for providing Nepal with 8,00,000 doses of vaccine earlier, Nepal's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The President of Nepal also requested the Chinese government to facilitate the procurement of Covid vaccines from China, the statement added.

Acknowledging the difficulties Nepal has been facing due to the second wave of the pandemic, Xi Jinping expressed full support of his government to Nepal in its fight against Covid-19.

The Chinese President also assured that Nepal will remain a priority for China in vaccine support and cooperation.

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Chennai, May 26 : Tamil Nadu minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board and Member of Assembly from Harbour constituency, PK Sekar Babu has landed himself in a soup over his remarks that claimed north Indians were getting richer in Tamil Nadu owing to Dravidian politics and were still voting for the BJP.

Babu, DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran and DMK MLA I Paranathaman were invited to inaugurate a food bank event organised by the Mahavir International Chennai Metro where the minister spoke against those who did not vote for the DMK and labelled them as BJP supporters.

The minister in his speech said,"I have been living in this area for the past forty years and have seen the growth of the North Indians. You are economically empowered now due to Dravidian politics and the [Dravidian parties] uplifted your standards of living and not the BJP." He further said, "Under some illusion you have been continuously supporting that [BJP] party. Even our parliament member, Dayanidhi Maran would ask as to why I am struggling for you as you don't vote for us. But I would say that they also belong to this land and as a legislative assembly member it is my duty to be neutral for everyone." Babu also claimed the community did not support the DMK in previous elections and said that even in the 2021 elections, the DMK had got only 50 votes in certain pockets while the BJP got 300 votes in the same areas.

He added, "When I ask the people here as to why they ignore our party, despite our efforts to uplift their livelihood ,they say they voted for us which I know that they were lying. We now have EVMs which record the number of votes in each area. It is fine, even if you ignore us, we won't ignore you." The BJP has come out strongly against the minister and said that he was threatening those who have not voted for the DMK. Mahila Morcha National President and Coimbatore South MLA, Vanathi Srinivasan told IANS, "This is unfortunate. The minister should not have made such a statement. Elected representatives discriminating against people on the basis of their roots is against the very fundamentals of our constitution."
Gurugram, May 26 : To stop black marketing of Amphotericin-B injections across Haryana, the state government has issued guidelines to distribute the same to the needy patients for the treatment of black fungus (Mucomycosis) infection.

According to the guidelines, all Covid hospitals needing the injection will have to send their demands via an email to the expert committee at PGIMS Rohtak.

Revealing more inputs, the spokesperson for the Gurugram administration said that Amphotericin-B injections will be distributed only through the expert committee. This injection will not be found at the drugstores or the market, he said.

"The dedicated Covid hospitals in Gurugram will have to send their requirements to the expert committee to receive the injections. The application should be in the proforma prescribed by the health department, which requires the signature of the treating physician and the medical superintendent of the institute will counter the same.

"In this proforma, the physician treating the patient will fill the patient's condition and his lab test reports with appropriate information to justify the use of the injection as per the approved treatment protocol of the government of India and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)," the spokesperson said.

The guidelines also stated that this injection will be given to the private hospitals at actual cost, while all government institutions will get it for free.

All government and private medical colleges will receive the injections from PGIMS Rohtak through each district's civil surgeon, the spokesperson added.

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Mumbai, May 26 : Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar on Wednesday shot off a lengthy letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, taking umbrage at the series of decisions by recently-appointed Administrator of Lakshadweep Islands Praful K. Patel since he took over in December 2020.

Drawing the PM's attention to the issues raised by Lakshadweep Lok Sabha MP Mohammed Faizal, Pawar expressed apprehensions that the new policies of the Administrator could disrupt the native community's way of life and demanded that these should be rescinded.

Patel, a former Gujarat Home Minister, first shot into the limelight after the Mohan Delkar, the Lok Sabha MP of Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu, committed suicide in a Mumbai hotel on February 22 and the Maharashtra police had booked the UT Administrator in March.

Discussing various points raised by Faizal in his five-page letter, Pawar started with the new SOPs on Covid-19, which have served to catapult cases on the islands which were insulated from the scourge till January.

He also flagged the new liquor policy on the dry islands, noting that the only UT which has banned sale or consumption of alcohol is now allowing bars in government-owned hotels in Kavaratti, Kadamath and Minicoy isles besides the shocking decision of allowing liquor on passenger ships in the guise of promoting tourism.

The NCP chief said the Administrator has brought in a stringent Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act to the area which has had the lowest crime rate in the country and it infringes upon the constitutional rights of the people on the isles.

Pawar highlighted the instances of sackings on the island with the new Administrator's acts pertaining to the Tourism Department, sports, aanganwadis, marine protection watchers, demolishing fishing sheds, shutting dairy farms to bring in private players, and on revising government tender guidelines which had made it difficult for locals to participate in the tendering processes, and will ultimately lead to further unemployment.

He also came down on the series of measures of the Administrator by amendments to the constitution of Panchayats, cooperative societies, etc without consultation with the people or their elected representatives, Pandaram land rights, permitting mining, quarrying and building big roads in the name of development leaving the possibility for exploitation by corporates, takeover of lands of ST, besides endangering the local sensitive ecology.

The NCP leader highlighted how the notification for selection of Group B non-gazetted and Group C in all-India levels will reduce the chances of locals getting government jobs, and the "unscientific development plan" which calls for widening of link roads or building new hospitals by demolishing homes or shops for "unnecessary" development by causing distress to locals, etc.

He urged the PM and Shah to re-examine the new Administrator's orders and direct that the "unreasonable and unwarranted" ones are rolled back, as requested by the local MP.
New Delhi, May 26 : The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has said that 17,831 oxygen concentrators; 18,111 oxygen cylinders, 19 oxygen generation plants, 13,489 ventilators/ BiPAP, 6.9 lakh Remdesivir vials, 12L Favipiravir tablets were sent to the States and UTs from April 27 to May 25 .

The Government has been receiving international cooperation in COVID-19 medical supplies and equipment since April 27, 2021 from different countries/organisations. These are being promptly delivered to the States and UTs.

Consignments received on May 24/25 from Wolfsburg (Germany), Kuwait (Indian Community and Red Crescent Society), British Oxygen Co. (UK), USISPF, CII India Business Forum (South Africa), World in Harmony NGO (Spain) and Embassy of India (Madrid) include 76 oxygen concentrators, 1810 cylinders, 40 ventilators and BiPap.

The Union Health Ministry is monitoring this on a regular basis. A dedicated Coordination Cell has been created in the Ministry to coordinate the receipt and allocation of foreign COVID relief material.

This Cell started functioning from April 26. A Standard Operating Procedure has been framed and implemented by the Health Ministry since May 2.

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Hyderabad, May 26 : Rebel YSRCP MP K. Raghurama Krishnam Raju was discharged from Army Hospital, Secunderabad here on Wednesday.

After the discharge, he drove straight to airport and left for New Delhi, where got himself admitted at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

The Supreme Court had on May 21 granted bail to Raju, a week after he was arrested by the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for sedition.

The Lok Sabha member, however, had remained in Army Hospital for treatment.

Raju was arrested by CID from his residence in Hyderabad on May 14 for allegedly acting in a way detrimental to the prestige of the state government. He was taken to Guntur.

The MP alleged that he was tortured in custody. Photos of welts on his feet had gone viral on social media.

Andhra Pradesh's ruling party YSRCP, however, said an examination by a team of doctors from Guntur Government Hospital had revealed he had a pre-existing medical condition that caused the reddening of his feet and legs.

Raju, a member of Lok Sabha from Narsapuram, later moved to the Supreme Court, which on May 17 ordered that he be transferred to the Army Hospital at Secunderabad for medical examination and hospitalisation.

The Supreme Court while granting bail to Raju had observed that considering the injuries reported by the Army Hospital, there is a possibility that he was ill-treated while in custody.

While granting the bail, the apex court directed Raju to cooperate with police and present himself when called for interrogation.

Raju was arrested weeks after he filed a petition in CBI special court to cancel the bail granted to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, in a disproportionate assets case.
Chennai, May 26 : Senior DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister, S. Duraimurugan, has said that the state will not allow Karnataka to build a dam across the Cuvery river at Makedatu, which is near the inter-state border.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, the minister said that the state government would consult legal counsels on this matter and take appropriate action.

"Tamil Nadu will never allow the construction of Mekedatu dam planned by the Karnataka government across the Cauvery river," Duraimurugan said.

The minister said that the state government had filed a petition in the Supreme Court in November 2018, seeking a stay on the permission granted by the Central Water Commission to the Karnataka government to go ahead and prepare a detailed project report (DPR).

It may be recalled that the south India bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) had taken suo moto cognizance in the matter on the basis of news reports, alleging that some steps were being taken and that materials had been collected near the project area.

The NGT has constituted a four-member committee involving the Union Environment Ministry, Cauvery Water Management Authority, Cauvery Neeravi Nigam Limited and the Forest Department of Karnataka government to conduct an inspection of the concerned area and submit a factual report and an action taken report, if any violations are found.

The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, government of Karnataka, will be the nodal agency for coordination and providing the necessary logistics.

The NGT has issued a notice communicating its decision to the Union Environment Ministry, Department of Water Resources, Central Water Commission, Cauvery Water Management Authority and the chief secretaries of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, among others.

The NGT has directed the panel to submit its report on or before July 5.

"If the project is to be implemented without conducting any environmental assessment study and without obtaining necessary clearance if any required, then it will be an unauthorised act affecting the environment," the tribunal said.
Patna, May 26 : Eighteen persons, including two ward councillors and husbands of four women ward councillors, were arrested in Bihar's Bhojpur district on Wednesday evening for participating in a "liquor party", police said.

A team, led by Bhojpur's Superintendent of Police Rakesh Kumar Dubey, raided the house of ward number 31's councillor Himanshu Sinha, in Bhalihipur area under town police station in district headquarters Arrah, and made the arrests.

"We have seized six bottles of Indian-made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), eight empty IMFL bottles, and arms and ammunition including a rifle, 73 live rifle cartridges, 60 live pistol cartridges, 15 mobile phones and Rs 7.5 lakh cash during the raid," he said.

Sinha, his brother Kunal Sinha, councillor of ward no 4 Akhilesh Prasad, and Baiju Yadav, Sanjay Gupta, Sailandra Kumar Sinha and Om Prakash (all husbands of woman ward councillors) were arrested, along with Shadab Ahmed, Afroj Alam, Danish, Anil Kumar, Suraj Kumar, Raj Kumar Yadav, Ranjan Kumar, Ajay Kumar, Prabhu Dayal, and Dilip Rajak.

"We conducted the raid at Sinha's house after a local informer gave us a tip-off about the party. We have booked them under various sections of the Bihar Liquor Prevention Act, the Epidemic Disease Act, and Arms Act against them in town police station," Dubey said.

The ward councillors, on the other hand, claimed that they were assembled at Sinha's house for a meeting on corona crisis in the district.
New Delhi, May 26 : Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated Vedanta BALCOs Covid Field Hospital in a virtual ceremony on Wednesday along with Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta Resources, Abhijit Pati, CEO and Director, Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO), and other dignitaries.

BALCO, Vedanta Group's Chhattisgarh-based subsidiary, has marshalled all the resources to establish this Covid hospital within the perimeter of its landmark Balco Medical Centre (cancer hospital), in the shortest possible time.

The air-conditioned field hospital, which has 90 beds equipped with oxygen support and 10 with ventilator support, will be managed by the Balco Medical Centre. An expert team of doctors, specialists, and medical/paramedic staff will continuously man the facility.

Appreciating Vedanta's endeavours and support to the state government, Baghel said, "I am thankful to Anil Agarwal and the Vedanta Group for swiftly setting up and operationalising this state-of-the-art field hospital in Raipur. This initiative reflects the Anil Agarwal Foundation's resolve to serve the community. As state government, we are doing everything possible to help the people, and support from corporates like Vedanta will definitely strengthen our efforts to provide intensive care and timely treatment to the critical patients.

"The Vedanta Cares Field Hospital will benefit our urban as well as rural populace. The people and the state of Chhattisgarh are grateful for their efforts. With our continuous efforts in the state, Covid-19 has been controlled to a great extent, but I take this opportunity to reiterate that we must continue to exercise extreme caution and follow all the necessary protocols to keep ourselves, our friends and families safe." Speaking about Vedanta Group's commitment to bolster the Central and state governments' efforts in battling the pandemic, Agarwal said, "The pandemic has disrupted millions of lives and livelihoods across the country, and I am deeply anguished to see the plight of our citizens. The Vedanta Group stands in solidarity with the nation and has pledged its support to the central and state governments in providing proper care to those affected by the disease.

"Our state-of-the-art Covid Field Hospital in Chhattisgarh will aid the state government's efforts to provide much-needed care to the critically ailing patients. Parallelly, we will continue to work with the state and support the local district administrations to keep the communities safe as we strive to overcome the multiple waves of the pandemic." Abhijit Pati, CEO and Director, BALCO, said, "We have been working closely with the Chhattisgarh state government and Korba district administration since the outbreak of Covid-19 in the region. The health and wellbeing of our communities have always been our foremost priority, and we have ramped up all measures to keep them safe.

"We have augmented our Covid care facilities, accelerated vaccination drive and intensified community awareness on Covid appropriate behaviour, at and beyond our operations. The field hospital is one of the many initiatives taken by the Vedanta Group to ensure that the citizens have access to advanced medical treatment for Covid. This facility will definitely strengthen the efforts of the state government in combating Covid-19." Venkata Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of Balco Medical Centre, said, "There are many things we must do to fight the pandemic, but a big part of this effort must be towards ramping up the healthcare facilities available in our country.

"This Covid Field Hospital will bolster our efforts and better equip us to serve the people of Chhattisgarh. The Balco Medical Centre is also grateful to Chairman Anil Agarwal for entrusting us with the operation of this state-of-the-art facility." The Vedanta Cares Field Hospital project is an initiative of Anil Agarwal Foundation. Apart from Delhi-NCR, field hospitals are being set up in Rajasthan, Karnataka, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu.

Besides setting up the 10 'field hospitals' with 1,000 beds for Covid patients across India, Vedanta is also working on a war footing to help upgrade the medical infrastructure in the country to fight the second wave of the pandemic.

Towards this, and for providing need-based support to the Central and state governments and local communities, Vedanta has pledged Rs 150 crore to help the country in its fight against the rapidly spreading second wave of Covid-19.

This is over and above the Rs 201 crore that was spent by the Vedanta group last year. This included a contribution to Covid Relief Fund and Vedanta's commitment of catering to three specific areas -livelihood of daily wage workers across the nation, preventive health care and support to all its employees and contract partners across its plant locations.

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Sentence of Russian actor Efremov appealed in cassation

 Moskva city news agency, Kirill Zykov

10:59 26/05/2021

MOSCOW, May 26 (RAPSI)  Defense for Mikhail Efremov filed a cassation appeal demanding to overturn an appeals instances ruling imposing a 7.5-year prison sentence on the actor, the press service of Moscows Presnensky District Court told RAPSI on Wednesday.

Lawyers Petr Kharkhorin and Roman Filippov seek to return the matter to an appeals court for reconsideration.

In October 2020, the Moscow City Court reduced jail sentence of Efremov by 6 months, from 8 to 7.5 years. The actor was found guilty of driving under influence (DUI) resulting in vehicular homicide.

As established by the court, on the evening of June 8, Efremov driving his car crossed into the oncoming lane in central Moscow and collided with a delivery service vehicle. He was arrested on the scene. Alcohol and drugs were reportedly found in his blood. Victim Sergey Zakharov was taken to hospital where he died early in the morning of June 9.

Efremov pleaded guilty in the case.




New Delhi, May 26 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Wednesday that it has attached properties worth Rs 1.67 crore of Seemakurthy Narasimha Rao, Managing Partner of Sri Sai Krishna Rice Industry, in connection with its probe into a money laundering case.

An ED official said that the agency has attached immovable properties worth Rs 1.67 crore of Rao under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in a cheating case.

The official said that the financial probe agency had registered a case under PMLA based on the FIR and charge-sheet filed by the Telangana Police against Rao for cheating the Andhra Pradesh State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (APSCSCL), now Telangana State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (TSCSCL), to the tune of Rs 1.95 crore by not supplying the required quantity of rice/paddy to FCI/APSCSCL.

He said that during probe, it was found that Rao had fraudulently diverted the sale proceeds of boiled rice or paddy by selling it in the open market, generating proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs 1.95 crore in cash.

"Subsequently, Rao used a part of the said amount -- Rs 90 lakh -- to square off the loan taken from the State Bank of Hyderabad, Aswaraopeta (now SBI) and siphoned off the remaining proceeds of crime for the benefit of himself and his family members," the official said.

He said the investigation under PMLA identified the proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs 1.67 crore in the form of three immovable properties of Rao, and the ED has attached the same.
Mumbai, May 26 : Actor Siddhanth Kapoor plans to have an online poker game to raise money for Covid relief. He says he is looking to associate with an institution where the money can go directly to the relief of the victims.

"I hope we can defeat this virus and it's not one man's battle. The entire community has to come together. This is a hard time. Poker high does online gaming and we are looking to have a fundraiser. We are looking to associate with an institution where the money can go directly to the relief of the victims," Siddhanth, brother of actress Shraddha Kapoor, said.

The actor added: "I request everyone with a lot of earnestness and grief to please follow all protocols and stay indoors as much as possible. It's not a time to be here and there and be casual about the deadly covid. Hope we all cross the line safe." Speaking about his work, Siddhanth will next be seen in the Amitabh Bachchan-Emraan Hashmi starrer "Chehre". The film was supposed to release in April but has been pushed back owing to lockdown. A new release date for the mystery thriller is yet to be announced.

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New Delhi, May 26 : Citing reports in international media, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday accused the Central government of suppressing the data on Covid related deaths in the country.

"We will never know the true number of COVID related deaths as the government has worked harder on suppressing this data than they did fighting the pandemic," Priyanka Gandhi tweeted.

"Numbers don't lie... GOI does," tweeted her brother Rahul Gandhi.

As per the latest data released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday, India's overall tally of Covid-19 cases stands at 2,71,57,795 with 24,95,591 active cases and 3,11,388 deaths.

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Patna, May 26 : Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) chief Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav on Wednesday urged chiefs of prominent parties to conduct a "corona census" to find out actual figures of deaths in the second wave of the Covid pandemic.

Citing an NYT report claimed that 42 lakh people died due to corona in the second wave but respective state and Central governments are saying only 3 lakh deaths, he, in series of tweets, said that there will be "huge consequences" if wrong data is presented by various governments.

"We cannot secure the social and financial aspect of victims who lost their loved ones in the second wave of pandemic. The political parties of the country should conduct Corona census in the country to find out actual number of deaths," he said.

Though he tagged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M.K. Stalin, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav, BSP supremo Mayawati, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, Janata Dal-S leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, and CPI-MLL chief Dipankar Bhattacharya, he left out RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United chief Nitish Kumar and any BJP leader.

Accusing various state governments of hiding the numbers "in a bid to save their image and failures", and "snatching shrouds from the dead bodies buried on the banks of the rivers", he said: "We would not expect much from them". He also demanded states and Centre should compensate the deceased's relatives with Rs 4 lakh immediately and also look after their rehabilitation.

Pappu Yadav earned a name helping common people in Bihar during the second wave, and came into the limelight for "exposing the wrongdoings" of public representatives and hospitals in Bihar, including finding over three dozen ambulances parked in the premises of BJP's Saran MP, Rajiv Pratap Rudy. Following this, he was arrested in a three-decade-old kidnapping case.
Phnom Penh, May 26 : Trade volume between Cambodia and China was valued at 3 billion US dollars in the first four months of 2021, up 19.7 per cent over the same period last year, according to a Cambodian Ministry of Commerce's report on Wednesday.

Cambodia's export to China reached 424 million dollars during the January-April period this year, up 42 per cent, while its import from China was 2.58 billion dollars, up 16.7 per cent, the report said.

Main items the Southeast Asian nation exported to China are milled rice, banana, dry rubber, cassava, fishery and apparels, as it imported from China mostly garment raw materials, machinery, vehicles, foodstuffs, electronics, medicines and cosmetics, among others, Xinhua reported.

Early this month, the kingdom began to export its fresh mangoes directly to China for the first time after the General Administration of Customs of China certified the first 37 mango orchards and five packaging plants to export Cambodian fresh mangoes to China.

Cambodian Ministry of Commerce's undersecretary of state and spokesman Penn Sovicheat said the export of Cambodian fresh mangoes to China marked a significant breakthrough in gaining access to a huge market for Cambodian fresh fruits.

"The opportunity given by Chinese market will help to promote a larger trade volume and strengthen stronger relationship between the two countries under the recently-signed Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement," he told Xinhua.

Cambodia remains a sustainable source of agricultural products to the Chinese market, Sovicheat said, adding that the kingdom is ready to provide quality products such as fruits, rice and other agricultural food stuffs to meet the Chinese market's demand.
Jerusalem, May 26 : Yehya al-Sinwar, the head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, rejected reconstruction plans that aim to edge out the Islamist group that rules the coastal enclave in favour of the Palestinian Authority (PA) headed by President Mahmoud Abbas.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged his country's help in rebuilding Gaza on Tuesday, but stressed that the aid must not benefit Hamas,DPA reported.

Israel is said to be concerned that any aid deliveries to the blockaded coastal territory could be misused to arm Islamist Hamas, as happened after the last Gaza war in 2014.

The idea is instead to work with the PA, reducing the risk of abuse and strengthening the authority vis-a-vis Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organization by the US as well as the European Union.

Al-Sinwar told reporters in Gaza on Wednesday that Blinken's remarks were aimed at widening the divide between Hamas and the PA. "We will never fall for this trick and lash out at each other," he said.

Abbas' moderate Fatah party has clashed with Hamas for years; Hamas drove Fatah out of Gaza in 2007, and the latter has since ruled only in parts of the West Bank that are not administered by Israel.

Blinken is in the region to help cement the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that has held since coming into effect early Friday.

It ended more than a week of Palestinian rocket fire and Israeli air strikes that left more than 250 people dead in Gaza and 13 in Israel.

Blinken held talks in Cairo with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi later on Wednesday, and hailed the Egyptian efforts to reach and stabilize the ceasefire.

At the meeting, al-Sissi also emphasized the importance of working to restart long-stalled direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians "with effective US engagement," an Egyptian official said.
Hyderabad, May 26 : Telangana's Information Technology Minister K.T. Rama Rao on Wednesday inaugurated a full-fledged 100-bed Covid care centre to deal with mild to moderate cases at Madhapur here.

The centre, called Project Ashray, is equipped with six-bedded bridge ICU facility. It was launched on May 3 as a 50-bed facility and subsequently scaled up to 100 beds.

Rama Rao appreciated the Cyberabad Police, Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC), a unique collaborative body between IT industry, police and the government and the United Way of Hyderabad, an international network of local non-profit fundraising affiliates, HYSEA, Nasscom, TiE, Grace Cancer Foundation for all their efforts.

He noted that United Way of Hyderabad mobilised medical supplies worth Rs 80 crore, through the IT industry, during the first wave last year, and in the second wave, it is supporting by way of mobilising funds for 100-bed Project Ashray.

This facility, is meant for Covid patients of mild to moderate symptoms, and is free of cost.

The minister said 38 patients are currently undergoing the treatment here. The treatment, stay and food is provided free. The facility is scalable to 150 beds.

He called for collective efforts to combat Covid. "We must stand united in this battle and fight it together to win." Ramesh Kaza of United Way of Hyderabad said that the Project Ashray is no way different from regular hospitals. The industry associations have come together to set up this facility in a record time of five days. "We must discourage patients going straight from home to ICU. The bridge ICU many not be comparable to ICUs in full fledged hospitals, but this will help our patients being shifted to the hospitals. This is the project of collective effort," he said.

Project Ashray is co-anchored by SCSC and United Way of Hyderabad. United Way of Hyderabad is the charity partner and handling funding through CSR contributions from corporates. This centre is set up in collaboration with HYSEA, Nasscom, TiE-Hyderabad, T-SIG, AMCHAM, Grace Cancer Foundation.

This Bridge ICU which is inaugurated has six ventilators - 3 invasive and 3 non-invasive. More than 160 patients have been treated successfully since its launch on May 3.

The entire treatment is free of cost for those who have Aarogya Sri or Aarogya Bhadhratha card. Others have to pay for some special medicine. It has the round the clock availability of intensivists, pulmonologists, and physicians in addition to adequate nursing staff.

More than 50 nurses, and 20 doctors are at the service of the centre. The early Covid patients who wish to utilise the facility may call on 08045811138 to seek more details and admission.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guwahati, May 27 : The Assam government will implement the "Guardian Ministers" system by allocating each of the 13 ministers two to three districts for supervision of all aspects, including policy decisions and schemes, officials said on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma appointed the Guardian Ministers for balanced, speedy and sustainable developments of all 34 districts.

An official of the Assam's Chief Minister's Office said that the ministers would be responsible for the implementation of state and Central government schemes in the district and would resolve issues pertaining to them.

"The Guardian Minister would supervise the government's policy decisions, administrative reforms, and other welfare schemes for the public. The Guardian Minister of the district concerned would see how quickly the people can get the benefit of the government's schemes and projects," the official said.

Apart from mandatory visits, these Ministers would frequently visit the assigned districts especially during emergency situations. The Guardian Minister would also suggest policy decisions, if required, for the welfare and development of the district to the government and the matter would be considered by the state cabinet.

They would also recommend awards for best practices in the district. "They will prepare a 'Vision Document' for the district in consultation with the district administration and other line departments. They would also prepare a plan for infrastructural development in the district. These ministers would study the resources available in the district and submit a plan to provide employment to unemployed youths in the district. They will recommend district specific matters where Budget provision is required," the official added.

Of the 13 ministers, eight ministers including the lone woman minister Ajanta Neog were allocated three districts each while five other ministers assigned two districts each.
Bengaluru, May 27 : Concerned over rising cases of 'black fungus' amid the pandemic's second wave, Karnataka is framing a new discharge policy to curb the infection in patients recovering from Covid, state Health Minister K. Sudhakar said on Wednesday.

"Under the new policy, patients recovering from Covid will be tested for the fungus infection and subjected to an MRI scan before discharging then from the hospital," he told reporters after meeting health experts.

Of 95 fungal infection cases under treatment at the Bengaluru medical college, 75 have uncontrolled diabetes or took steroids during treatment for Covid.

"The new policy will recommend giving steroids to Covid patients from the second week than in the first week of their admission to hospital," said Sudhakar.

The Health Department has instructed all district hospitals to have a post-Covid ward where recovered patients can be kept under observation before discharging them.

"A week after discharge, patients should take a test in case they feel infected by the fungus and consult doctors. The hospital will also call them to check their health condition. If infected, they will be called to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment," Sudhakar said.

According to preliminary reports, black fungus or mucormycosis cases are being reported in taluka hospitals and some cases from those under home isolation.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
San Francisco, May 27 : Nine people including the suspect were dead and several others injured in a mass shooting early Wednesday morning at a Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail yard in San Jose, US state California, and the gunman was an unidentified VTA employee, the Xinhua news agency reported.
Ex-State Duma lawmaker gets 3 years in jail for attempted fraud

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

14:38 26/05/2021

MOSCOW, May 26 (RAPSI)  Moscows Presnensky District Court on Wednesday sentenced ex-lawmaker of the lower house of Russias parliament Denis Volchek to 3 years in penal colony for attempted fraud, the courts spokesperson Lela Kokaya told RAPSI.

The defendant earlier signed a plea deal with investigators therefore the case was heard under a special procedure without examination of evidence and interrogation of witnesses.

The court found that businessman Zurab Pliyev and Volchek tried to make a Moscow entrepreneur pay them 300,000 euros and wrist watch worth over 7 million rubles ($95,000) promising him to put an end to his criminal prosecution. Pliyev also pled guilty.




ServiceRocket, a leader in tech-enabled services, announces the launch of Attendance Taker for Classroom, a powerful yet simple-to-use add-on for Google Classroom. Designed to help teachers simplify the process of taking and reporting remote attendance and engagement, Attendance Taker for Classroom delivers reliable data and safeguards the privacy of student information.

The COVID pandemic has led to the rapid acceleration of remote learning. Over 100 million teachers, administrators and students have turned to Google Classrooman easy-to-use, free service that facilitates remote learning. As its usage grows, so has the need to reduce the complexity of attendance taking.

We understand that accurate attendance tracking has far-reaching implications for everything from student success to funding. Solving this headache and ensuring schools and districts have reliable data were driving factors in our development of this app, stated Peter Marquez, Chief Customer Officer, ServiceRocket.

With Attendance Taker for Classrooms seamless automation, scheduling happens with one click. Teachers can use Google Meet or simply paste any URLa class, an online study session, a YouTube video, an assignmentinto Google Calendar and Attendance Taker handles everything needed to track that class or event.

Because it is integrated with Google Classroom data, class lists are auto-filled, and drop down lists make it easy to select a few students or the entire class by clicking Invite All. When the student signs into the class, their account is validated with Google Classroom and attendance is automatically recorded.

ServiceRocket is committed to tech-enabling the work of teachers, making teaching and administration easier, while protecting students personally identifiable information. The information submitted to Attendance Taker for Classroom is always encrypted for safety and used exclusively for generating attendance reportsand nothing more. Already in use by more than 480,000 people, Attendance Taker for Classroom has received Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and California Student Privacy certifications, and is listed in both the National Student Data Protection Consortium (SPDC) Resource Directory and with the Massachusetts Student Privacy Alliance (MSPA). Additionally, ServiceRocket fully supports Europes General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

We congratulate Attendance Taker for Classroom on earning the iKeepSafe FERPA and California Student Privacy Certifications! This process clearly shows their dedication to safeguarding student data, said iKeepSafe President Amber Lindsay. Schools can feel confident that it meets iKeepSafes high standards of data privacy protection.
24 Hour Relay Challenge I wanted to provide a support group for African American and Latino males who were not achieving their true potential.

The Ever Forward Club, the nonprofit organization that is building character and changing lives, is proud to announce the 17th Annual 24-Hour Challenge. This 24 hour virtual fundraising event will take place May 29 through May 30, 2021, starting at 10 a.m. PST.

The 24-Hour Challenge is adapted from their typical fundraising relay, which is a Memorial Day tradition in the Bay area. This community event brings together people of all ages and abilities to have fun and raise money for The Ever Forward Club. This year, they have partnered with other organizations including; Soul Shoppe, Bay Area Mural Project and E3.

This is the major fundraising project that benefits student programs to help motivate students to achieve their goals and improve their communities, and it also shows them that they can have fun without drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, said a spokesperson for the 24 Challenge Relay. This year we are going live and raising money for 24 hours to support the #MillionMaskMovement

The 24-Hour Challenge will be streamed live on YouTube. Donations are welcome through Tiltify. From 10 am until noon, the Ever Forward Club will celebrate 17 years with testimonials, trivia, and tele-fun. The 24 community challenges will begin at noon.

The 24-Challenge Relay will begin with a community challenge. Other challenges will include brain teasers, art and creative prompts, cooking, fitness, watersports, and silly fun. There will be 24 challenges that you can do alone or with a team.

Ashanti Branch founded the Ever Forward Club in 2004. Raised by a single mother on welfare in Oakland, Branch took the road less traveled to move past his situation. After studying civil engineering at California PolytechnicSan Luis Obispo and working as a construction project manager, Branch realized his true passion while tutoring struggling students on the side. After changing careers, Branch started The Ever Forward Club in his first year as a teacher.

I wanted to provide a support group for African American and Latino males who were not achieving their true potential." Since then, The Ever Forward Club has grown to serve both young men and women and has become a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The Ever Forward Club has helped 100 percent of its members graduate high school, and 93 percent of them have gone on to attend college, Branch said.

The Ever Forward Club takes a fourfold approach to developing community. They focus on academic development by providing support, advisors, and biweekly progress reports. They focus on community development through team-building and emphasizing the importance of public service both at school and in their neighborhoods. They focus on personal development through goal-setting workshops, mentorships, and emotional learning. Finally, they focus on family development through family potlucks, parent focus groups, and parent service projects.

For more information about The Ever Forward Club, visit everforwardclub.org. For more information about the 24-Hour Challenge, follow the event on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @everforwardclub. To register for the 24 Challenge, visit https://everforwardclub.org/24-hour-relay-challenge-2021.
Acker, the worlds largest wine auction house, announced today the unveiling of an unparalleled offering at auction on June 9th and 10th, dubbed The Trinity Collection. This US$10 million sale brings together the cellars of three of the houses top clients for what is being touted as the auction of the year and Ackers largest auction of 2021 to date. While featuring the worlds finest wines in typical fashion, the selection of wines from the Domaine de la Romanee Conti stand above the crowd, expected to achieve close to $3M in total sales. In addition, this auction is being touted as the most important collection of mature Champagne ever to come to auction, featuring 877 bottles, 323 magnums, 10 Jeroboams, 2 Methuselahs and 30 half-bottles of Champagne dating back to the legendary 1911 vintage.

Richard Juhlin, the worlds foremost Champagne expert and founder of The Champagne Club, has introduced the exquisite Champagne selection offered by the worlds greatest Champagne collector in the auction catalog. Mr. Juhlin previously worked alongside Acker in 2011, lending his expertise to an auction of 19th century Champagne bottles salvaged from a shipwreck in the Baltic Sea, which broke the world record at the time for the most expensive bottle of Champagne ever sold. All of the older bottlings from the featured Champagne seller in this newly released catalog have undergone rigorous authentication, and many of these offerings rarely come to market. Highlights include 128 bottles of Salon dating back to 1928, 36 bottles of Pol Roger back to 1921, 214 various formats from Louis Roederer back to 1928, 114 of Dom Perignon and Moet & Chandon dating back to 1911, and 280 of Krug dating back to 1943.

This is a breathtaking selection of bottles, exclaimed Acker Chairman, John Kapon. I have personally witnessed the care and passion that went into building the three cellars that comprise the Trinity Collection, and it fills me with tremendous pride to present this extraordinary catalog to the public. The amount of top DRC wines is staggering. A significant effort was put into vetting this historic Champagne selection, and any bottles deemed to have suboptimal color or conditions were removed. The bottles offered in this sale are truly the cream of this collection. To offer such depth and breadth of Salon, Krug, Bollinger, Louis Roederer, Pol Roger and Pommery back to the 1920s, and Moet & Chandon back to the 1910s, is truly a rare privilege for myself as an auctioneer. Champagne lovers around the world are hereby put on notice. Few auctions like this occur in ones lifetime, and I hope buyers the world-over take note of this exemplary selection of wines from three of the worlds greatest living collectors!

The entirety of The Trinity Collection may be viewed on AckerLive, Ackers proprietary bidding platform, and will live-stream on Wednesday and Thursday, June 9th & 10th at 6:30pm ET.

The auction season continues for Acker with another live online auction in Hong Kong on May 28th and 29th and returns to Delaware on June 9th and 10th. Acker is currently accepting wines for its summer and fall live online auctions, with weekly web auctions closing every week. For more information, email info@ackerwines.com.

About Acker

Established in 1820, Acker is the oldest wine shop in America and the worlds largest fine and rare wine auction house. Since its first auction in 1998, the house has garnered worldwide recognition and has expanded globally with offices in Hong Kong, London, Tokyo and more. Acker offers a vast array of services, including cellar consultations, a deep retail inventory of fine and rare wine for immediate sale, first class wine education amenities, and fine and rare wine auctions.
We are working with a dynamic, dedicated network with a heart for people and a desire to help everyday Alabamians have a voice and the right to vote in a fair and open election process. said Sheila D. Tyson, Convener, Friends of the West End.

The Alabama Election Protection Network (AEPN) is launching various campaigns this summer to dramatically increase available election resources, voting tools, and fair districting awareness in communities across Alabama.

Founded in 2020 by a collective of multi-racial, nonprofit organizations in Alabama, AEPN sets its mission to advocate and inform the public about voting rights, fair elections, and upholding the core values of democracy. As the only grassroots collective with the core focus of election protection and fair representation in Alabama, AEPN works to ensure an honest and accountable government that serves the public interest. AEPNs core mission is to promote voting rights, fair and accountable elected representation for all, and to encourage and assist Alabamians to have a voice in the electoral and governance process.

During the 2020 election cycle, AEPN assisted more than 2.5 million Alabamians with voter registration, access to polling locations, and information on voting. With nearly 62% of registered voters participating in last year's presidential election, Alabama saw record numbers of voters both at the polls and via the absentee voting process.

In 2021, AEPN will launch its fair district initiative, Our Districts, Our Alabama, focused on ensuring a fair and accurate process for drawing district boundaries that puts communities first and not the needs of elected officials. The initiative includes training and joint in-state partnerships to educate communities and leaders about the importance of how district lines are drawn and to provide resources to organizations and individuals interested in having their voice heard. AEPN hopes to demystify the redistricting process and make it accessible to everyday Alabamians.

The Ordinary People Society Founder, Pastor Kenneth Glasgow states It blesses me to see this united, multi-racial front come together after so many years of advocating. I thank God for this team, and the skills and experience of the work that we all bring to the table.

We are working with a dynamic, dedicated network with a heart for people and a desire to help everyday Alabamians have a voice and the right to vote in a fair and open election process. said Sheila D. Tyson, Convener, Friends of the West End.

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About Alabama Election Protection Network

The Alabama Election Protection Network provides Alabamians with comprehensive information and assistance at all stages of voting, from registration to absentee and early voting, to casting a vote at the polls to overcoming obstacles to participation.

Want to partner with us on our mission? Contact: melissa@voteprotection.org

For volunteering opportunities, please visit voteprotection.org/volunteer
The Aquiline Agile Manufacturing Pod (AMP) can house 1-3 workers, tools, a suite of advanced, interconnected test electronic components, and micro-manufactured assemblies and products. The Aquiline Agile Manufacturing Pod (AMP) allows anyone to manufacture drones at home and achieve financial independence. We are redefining manufacturing and assembling goods in a post-COVID world, said Barry Alexander, Founder and CEO of Aquiline Drones.

President Biden recently announced the use of drones to inspect the countrys roads, bridges, and utilities as part of his sweeping infrastructure plan. Two innovative tech organizations have partnered to meet the need for Made in the USA drones and put all Americans back to work through at-home, commercial drone production. Aquiline Drones (AD), a comprehensive commercial drone manufacturer and cloud solutions provider and MakerspaceCT, a non-profit tech incubator for entrepreneurs, businesses, schools and the community, are launching the innovative Aquiline Agile Manufacturing Pod (AMP), the latest addition to the world of Industry 4.0.

The demand for millions of American-manufactured drones is dire, said Barry Alexander, Founder and CEO of Aquiline Drones. Using foreign manufactured drones to inspect our nation's critical infrastructure, exposes it to potential cybersecurity breaches.

Alexander explains that AMP was conceptualized by AD to de-centralize manufacturing, emulate work environments, and most importantly, deploy job opportunities directly to American households.

In our new on-demand economy, agile workspaces are becoming a necessity to combat the struggle of work-life balance currently impacting approximately 29% of Americans, adds Alexander. Instead of a one-time, back-to-work payout, it makes more sense for the government to invest $15,000 in equipment that will generate a long-term, high-yielding revenue stream for individuals and businesses alike. AD will soon be accepting pre-orders online through its info@aquilinedrones.com portal.

Akin to the companys established Flight to the Future (http://www.flighttothefuture.com) online drone pilot training and small business ownership program, AMP is yet another career option that gives customers tremendous value over the cost of starting a small business in a burgeoning industry.

Specifically, AD is partnering with MakerspaceCT to bolster capacity in prototyping, sourcing materials for building the AMP and distributing it nationwide. As a global leader in the drone industry, a worldwide distribution model is currently in the works.

"The modular AMP system facilitates deployment of manufacturing to those working remotely and redefines the workforce as we know it today," said Devra Sisitsky, Executive Director of MakerspaceCT. "These palletized and scalable units are designed for shipping to community centers, schools, empty warehouses, people's homes, and apartments.

The standard assembly plan is easy to follow, and the mini manufactory becomes a new work center in less than one day. Units can house 1-3 workers, tools, a suite of advanced interconnected assembled test electronic components, and micro-manufactured assemblies and products. For larger installations, the modules can be expanded and connected to create an integrated system of uniformity and artificial intelligence (AI) control of deployed streamlined manufacturing.

Whats more, AD's AMP is truly agile - it can become a permanent installation or re-packaged and moved to another location, ready to employ the next round of manufacturing talent.

"This revolutionary system allows access to new manufacturing talent, bringing the work center to people wherever they reside - in cities, suburbs, or rural areas," said Mark Colbert, Chief Operating Officer at MakerspaceCT. "It breaks down the barriers of travel and accessibility - including support for workers with special needs - and allows financial sustainability for those who want a solid, work-from-home, employment solution in the micro-manufacturing sector.

Through an AI system, laborers can now perform specific tasks in one day rather than weeks. Inventory, quality control, and shipping are streamlined through this AI system. Further, a certified AD technician ensures the successful installation with each AMP in its setting.

AMP truly breaks down any barriers of inclusivity, gender, race, and disability as anyone can now manufacture at home and achieve financial independence, said Alexander. We are redefining manufacturing and assembling goods in a post-COVID world.

About Aquiline Drones

Aquiline Drones is the leading American drone company founded by highly experienced aviators, systems engineers, and IT gurus. With a customer-centric model, US-based manufacturing, and world-class MRO services, the company offers innovative ways of using drones in commercial activities.

Supported by a dedicated UAV cloud, autonomous drone operations with real-time control, and dynamic on-field decision-making capabilities, Aquiline Drones' full-spectrum of technological solutions provide increased applicability across countless industries and environments by delivering real-time data insights. Aerospace-compliant processes for software, hardware manufacturing, and systems integration, along with best-in-class mission capabilities, are being planned and designed. The company continues to forge relationships with federal, state, and private organizations, developing and collaboratively launching new drone applications. Visit http://www.AquilineDrones.com for more information.

About MakerspaceCT

MakerspaceCT is a 501(c)3 community workshop and skills development center located in downtown Hartford, Connecticut. With 25,000 square feet of commercial space, it has become a focal point for collaboration by businesses and individuals and driving workforce in Connecticuts flourishing innovation ecosystem. For more information, visit http://www.makerspaceCT.com.

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In the 21st century manufacturing environment ... Industry 4.0 technologies, and efficient access to digital product data is essential to meeting the level of precision that is required in the cutting tool industry today ...

ARCH Cutting Tools today announced the availability of the companys complete portfolio of its trusted KEO solid round brand and its full indexable portfolio under the Ultra-Dex brand through MachiningCloud.

MachiningCloud is an independent provider of product data content from the worlds leading suppliers. The organization provides instant access to the most current data, delivered right to the desktops of the customers of those suppliers.

In the 21st century manufacturing environment, companies are embracing Industry 4.0 technologies, and efficient access to digital product data is essential to meeting the level of precision that is required in the cutting tool industry today, said Bill Orris, ARCH Cutting Tools Senior Director  Product Development and Custom Solutions.

MachiningCloud will now export tooling data of KEO and Ultra-Dex products directly to our customers CAD/CAM, ERP and other shop environment digital platforms, fast-tracking solid modeling, simulations, and bridging the gap between physical cutting tools and digital software. Ultimately, ARCH Cutting Tools will continue to make it easy to choose, easy to use for our customers  he added.

ARCH Cutting Tools understands its customers and is continually looking for ways to support their efficiency and productivity. This move to MachiningCloud follows the launch of its first fully integrated master catalog, titled The Collection, holding the companys complete standard cutting tool portfolio in January and the launch of its Centralized Distribution Center (CDC), in Southeast Michigan, in late 2020.

An integrated master catalog, an innovative CDC, and now easy, efficient access to KEO and Ultra-Dex product data  all examples of why ARCH Cutting Tools is confident in telling the manufacturing industry that it is: The Complete Tool Making Authority

About ARCH Cutting Tools

ARCH Cutting Tools is the recognized world leader in high-performance solid round and indexable cutting tools. With manufacturing facilities located throughout the United States, the companys engineering and machining facilities are dedicated to the betterment of precision machined parts, products, tools, and related supply chain processes. ARCH Cutting Tools combines the expertise of leading American manufacturing professionals and expanding technologies to serve the medical, aerospace and defense, and industrial markets.
Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellows The work being done by these young scientists represents important, innovative research that will help introduce new methods, processes and instrumentation to the scientific community. - Dr. Anne Hultgren

The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation announced today its 2021 class of Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellows in Chemical Sciences, individuals who underscore the Foundations mission of supporting basic research in the chemical sciences and chemical instrumentation. They were selected after a three-part review led by a panel of scientific experts.

The Foundation will award more than $3.7 million in funding over the next three years for 13 exceptional research fellows from 10 universities:

Chemical Instrumentation Development



Lesli Mark, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison

Tom Osborn Popp, Ph.D., Rutgers University

Chemical Sciences

Robert Alberstein, Ph.D., University of California, San Francisco

Kurtis Carsch, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley

Colin Gould, Ph.D., Princeton University

Jason Khoury, Ph.D., Princeton University

Alexa Kuenstler, Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder

Joshua Laffoon, Ph.D., University of Michigan

Elizabeth McLoughlin, Ph.D., Princeton University

Julie Rorrer, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Robert Warburton, Ph.D., Yale University

Lilia Xie, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley

Chung-Jui Yu, Ph.D., University of California, San Diego

The work being done by these young scientists represents important, innovative research that will help introduce new methods, processes and instrumentation to the scientific community, shared Dr. Anne Hultgren, Executive Director of the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. Were proud to congratulate each member of the 2021 class of Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellows and to provide support as they transition to independent research careers.

The Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellowship provides salary and research support to postdoctoral scholars with the highest potential for success in an independent academic career in the chemical sciences, and to assist in their moves from mentored yet independent researchers to tenure-track positions. Funds for 2021 awardees will be issued this summer and extend over a period of up to three years.

About the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation

Located in Irvine, California, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation supports researchers and nonprofit research institutions in making the next generation of breakthroughs in chemistry and the life sciences. Founded in 1978 by 20th century scientific instrumentation pioneer Dr. Arnold O. Beckman, the Foundation supports United States institutions and young scientists whose creative, high-risk, and interdisciplinary research will lead to innovations and new tools and methods for scientific discovery. For more information, visit http://www.beckman-foundation.org.
Vesla (Bemis) Hoeschen This is a significant moment in our companys history. Vesla is a strong leader  for the Company, the community, and the Bemis family

Bemis Manufacturing Company, a leading toilet seat manufacturer, announces that Vesla (Bemis) Hoeschen will serve as the next chairperson of the Board of Directors, effective May 24, 2021.

Hoeschen first joined Bemis in 1992 and served in a number of roles throughout the Company. She has remained close to the organization, most recently serving as an advisor to, and as a member of, the Board of Directors. She represents the fourth generation of Bemis family members serving in leadership roles for the Wisconsin-based producer of proprietary and custom injection-molded plastic products.

This is a significant moment in our companys history, said President and CEO Jeff Lonigro. Vesla is a strong leader  for the Company, the community, and the Bemis family  and she embodies the hard work, innovation, and strong values that have propelled the Company forward for four generations. We are thrilled that she will help shape the Companys future, continuing the entrepreneurial spirit and legacy of Richard and Peter Bemis, their father F.K. Bemis, and Bemiss founder, Albert Bemis.

Hoeschen assumes the role her father, Richard A. Bemis, held for many years. I am inspired by his long and successful tenure as chairman of the board and have always admired his and Peters commitment to the company, its employees, its customers, and the community, she said. Bemis was founded 120 years ago in Sheboygan Falls and has grown into an incredibly robust and diverse global enterprise. I am excited about the future of the Company and I am confident that it will continue to thrive for generations to come.

Hoeschen earned a bachelors degree from Northwestern University and an Executive MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
BottleHub, the worlds first reusable water bottle kiosk and fill station, is now taking applications for distributorships in select US markets. Designed to help schools and businesses move away from single-use plastic bottles, the machines vend popular brands of reusable bottles. Customers can then fill them using the adjacent reverse osmosis water station. The growth of reusable water bottles has been meteoric and so were hoping to provide customers with a popular product in a convenient, yet socially responsible way, says BottleHub CEO, James Trotter.

Some 50 billion plastic water bottles are consumed annually, and less than 25% end up in the recycle bin. From polluting landfills and oceans to disrupting fragile ecosystems, plastics will be one of the biggest challenges the world will face this century. Amazingly, its estimated that by 2050 there could even be more plastic in the sea than fish. With the ever-growing threat of single-use plastic waste, we see a big need for BottleHub placements in locations all over the US to encourage drinking from reusable bottles and help lower the carbon footprints of schools and businesses, emphasized Trotter. Places like the San Francisco International Airport, NYU and the entire California State University System have all recently banned plastic water bottles.

The project began last summer as a way to combat the closure of drinking fountains during COVID. We were prototyping a contact-free drinking solution with UV-technology and thought, why not go one step further? Trotter says. The updated kiosk now vends empty reusable bottles that are then filled via the germ-killing water fill station. Safety continues to be key for us. Everything is contactless for the new normal including the payment area.

When you purchase a BottleHub Kiosk, a portion of proceeds are donated to 1% for the Planet where the funds will go to organizations whose mission is to end single-use plastic bottle usage around the world. BottleHub Kiosks require little maintenance and no employees giving owners flexibility and little overhead costs. Limited distributorships are currently available in select markets and can be placed at local universities, malls, hospitals, workplaces, and more.

Interested entrepreneurs, investors as well as locations whod like information on BottleHub are encouraged to visit BottleHub.com for more.
"The Boucher Express Sales Purchase process allows customers to experience the car shopping and buying experience online."

Frank Boucher Volkswagen of Janesville is making it easier than ever to buy or lease a Volkswagen vehicle. The Boucher Express Sales Purchase process allows customers to experience the car shopping and buying experience online. The process can be completed in seven easy steps.

Interested parties first need to take a look at the current Volkswagen or used inventory online. Questions can be sent via an online contact form or by calling the dealership. Next, the customer is encouraged to test drive the vehicle. This can be done in the store or the dealership will send the vehicle directly to the customers home. All vehicles are sanitized before and after the test drive.

Once the customer has selected a vehicle to buy or lease, the vehicle currently owned by the customer can receive an appraisal. An estimate can be found by utilizing the Value Your Trade tool on the Frank Boucher Volkswagen of Janesville website. A price guarantee can be completed by scheduling an at-home visit with a sales manager or by visiting the dealership.

A credit application will be needed from those that are planning to request financing. This dealership has over 25 lenders to choose from. A pre-approval for financing can be completed online by visiting the Request Financing page on the Frank Boucher Volkswagen of Janesville website. The customer will then have the chance to review pricing and payment options with a sales manager. This can happen via email, text, Facetime, or standard phone call.

The sixth step is when the customer reviews additional protection and customizations for the vehicle. This could include the vehicle appearance, accessory upgrades and protection plans. These can be discussed with the personal Boucher finance and insurance manager.

The last step in this process is to schedule the vehicles delivery. The customer can either have the vehicle delivered to a home address or the vehicle can be picked up at Frank Boucher Volkswagen of Janesville. At this time the driver will also complete a product review, receive a new vehicle orientation and e-sign all final documents. The vehicle will be sanitized thoroughly prior to delivery.

More information can be found on the Frank Boucher Volkswagen of Janesville website, https://www.janesvillevw.com/. This dealership can be reached by calling 855-890-2064. Frank Boucher Volkswagen of Janesville is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The online inventory page is available 24/7.
Expert examination ordered in case over establishment of memorial estate at Cape Okhta

 RAPSI, Natalia Vaneyeva

16:39 26/05/2021

ST. PETERSBURG, May 26 (RAPSI, Mikhail Telekhov)  A St. Petersburg court has ordered a historical, cultural, and archaeological evaluation by a commission of experts to be carried out in a case opened in relation to a group claim against inaction of the Russian Culture Ministry as to creation of a stand-alone museum reserve at Cape Okhta, the United press service of St. Petersburg courts informs RAPSI.

This decision the Kuybyshevsky District Court of St. Petersburg took by joining two lawsuits. The first one was filed by human rights activists on the grounds of the failure to meet an order of the President of the Russian Federation as to the creation of a museum reserve on the territory of Cape Okhta. The second claim was submitted by experts representing city archaeology community: academicians, employees of the Anthropology and Ethnography Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the State Hermitage, the Research Institute of Cultural and Natural Heritage, the Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the library of the Academy of Sciences. They seek the court to decide that inaction of authorities as to the failure to put the location of the fragments of the ancient Landskrona fortress on the list list of cultural heritage sites, the statement reads.

The Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Government of St. Petersburg and the Committee for State Control, Use and Protection of Monuments of St. Petersburg are named as defendants in the case.

The expert commission appointed by the court must answer several questions by July 12. Experts have been instructed to find out whether the designated area is included in the territory of the Nyenskans cultural heritage site, whether archaeological excavations have been fully completed, what are the exact boundaries of the site, what is the degree of preservation of the cultural heritage, whether there is a threat of its loss and in what form access to the site is possible.

The consolidated claim has been somewhat adjusted, so the claimants not only seek that the court found the inaction of the defendants as to the aforesaid issue, but also that the failure to act on the part of the Committee for State Control, Use and Protection of Monuments of St. Petersburg as to the putting of the Landskrona ruins on the list of cultural heritage sites was contrary to the law and the Committee was obliged to take the respective decision.

As follows from the materials of the case, those involved are planning to create not an independent museum reserve, as indicated in the instruction of the President of the Russian Federation, but an archaeological museum on the basis of the Museum of the History of St. Petersburg, which will include not the entire Cape Okhta, but only its already designated as historical part. In addition, the claim alleges that the Ministry of Culture has failed to submit its official proposals to the office of the President by the date set.

As shown by archaeological excavations of the 1990-2000s, the Okhta Cape territory has been used by humans from about 4070 BC. The fist settlement there was established in the early Middle Ages, first by Novgorodians, and then by the Swedes. In Soviet times, there was an industrial zone. In 2006, a plot in this territory was acquired by Gazprom, which planned to build a 396-meter-high Okhta Center social and business complex on it. But the project caused a wide public outcry so its implementation was canceled, and a skyscraper with a height of 462 meters was erected in the Lakhta area.

Prior to the appeal of human rights activists to the President of the Russian Federation, Gazprom planned to build a modern low-rise multifunctional complex with a landscape park and public space for citizens and tourists at Okhta Cape.
Philip Crowther turns as his report is interrupted by the first of 30 gun shots at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis "SHOOTING INTERRUPTS LIVE FLOYD ANNIVERSARY REPORT

This material is distributed by MediaLinks TV, LLC on behalf of CCTV. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.

CGTN America releases SHOOTING INTERRUPTS LIVE FLOYD ANNIVERSARY TV REPORT.

The latest twist in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd led to some terrifying moments on live TV this morning. During a live report for CGTN, AP reporter Philip Crowther was interrupted by dozens of gun shots at a place that has become something of a shrine in Minneapolis.

Our Mandarin reporter Liu Xiaoqian was also near the George Floyd memorial site when 30 shots rang out. Police say at least one person was injured leading some to worry about possible trouble later in the day.

CGTN America has been on the scene from the day of George Floyds death. His choking death under the knee of police officer Derek Chauvin led to worldwide protests, calls for US police reform and eventually the conviction of Chauvin.

Whatever happens next CGTN America will be there to cover tonights vigils and moment of silence and whatever comes next. We will also continue to cover the issue of Guns in our Armed in America series.

Click here for more about all SHOOTING INTERRUPTS LIVE FLOYD ANNIVERSARY REPORT and to view the report:

https://newsus.cgtn.com/news/2021-05-26/Gunshots-heard-near-George-Floyd-Square-one-year-after-his-murder-10yTlIr0cAE/index.html.
With this new funding, Clear Labs can focus on continuing to innovate our capabilities so that we can deliver the early warning system, enhanced real-time genomic surveillance of the pathogen(s) and in-depth variant tracking that the public and private health communities need.

Clear Labs, provider of the only fully automated, next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform for turnkey diagnostics, has secured $60 million in Series C funding. The financing was co-led by new investors Counterpoint Global (Morgan Stanley) and funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., with significant participation by existing investors including Redmile Group, Menlo Ventures, Wing Ventures, GV, HBM Genomics, Khosla Ventures, Felicis Ventures, and Dafgard.

The oversubscribed round of financing will help broaden availability of Clear Labs solutions to help public health organizations, reference labs, hospitals, and epidemiologists more easily identify and trace all strains of pathogens, like SARS-CoV-2. As the virus continues to mutate and several variants of SARS-CoV-2 have intensified the spread, the World Health Organization (WHO) is now classifying B1.617 SARS-CoV-2, which was first detected in India, as a variant of concern and said the variant is more transmissible.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a light on the critical and immediate need for more comprehensive pathogen screening and surveillance said Sasan Amini, co-founder and CEO of Clear Labs. With this new funding, Clear Labs can focus on continuing to innovate our capabilities so that we can deliver the early warning system, enhanced real-time genomic surveillance of the pathogen(s) and in-depth variant tracking that the public and private health communities need. This pandemic will not be the last, but with advancements in our use of fully automated genomic sequencing and our ability to scale more rapidly, we are confident Clear Labs can help better manage pathogens and improve future outcomes.

With its rapid WGS workflow solution, Clear Dx Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), Clear Labs determines the complete RNA sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 genome in less than 24-hours and as a result, Clear Dx WGS can more easily determine the nature of virus transmission by differentiating viral strains, and monitoring mutations, which can lead to variants. The Clear Dx SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostic Assay (EUA-approved) allows labs to simultaneously perform diagnostic screening and genomic surveillance for the same price as a traditional PCR screening test.

The Clear Labs platform enabled us to quickly and easily identify the UK SARS-CoV-2 variant in Nevada this January, said Dr. Mark W. Pandori, Director, Nevada State Public Health Laboratory. By tapping into the power of Clear Labs approach to sequencing, our researchers and lab staff can focus on critical analysis of pathogens and therefore, can make a bigger difference in the understanding and management of infectious diseases, like COVID-19.

Clear Labs brings novel genetic sequencing techniques to the food quality industry and the companys efforts to expand into human infectious disease testing addresses a critical need in the market, said Krishna Yeshwant, Managing Partner at GV. The teams deep technical expertise, combined with the strength of its next-generation sequencing platform, will drive positive outcomes as we look to new ways to combat food-borne pathogens and infectious disease.

In addition to its diagnostic solutions, Clear Labs is widely recognized as the pioneer in food safety for listeria and salmonella detection. The Clear Safety platform leverages the power of its automated and intelligent next-generation sequencing platform to substitute PCR, culturing, and antigen-based tests to validate whether a pathogen is present or absent.

For more information, visit https://www.clearlabs.com/.

About Clear Labs

Clear Labs harnesses the power of next-generation sequencing (NGS) to simplify complex diagnostics for clinical and applied markets. By creating the only fully-automated platform that brings together DNA sequencing, robotics and cloud-based analytics, Clear Labs democratizes genomics applications to deliver increased clarity. Clear Labs turnkey platform accelerates outcomes and improves accuracy - from food-borne pathogens to infectious diseases, including SARS-CoV-2. With a novel approach, Clear Labs is helping the world better understand, track and mitigate tomorrows novel pathogens.
Leonard A. Sloane, a Shareholder and Chairman of the Firms Litigation and Personal Injury Department, practices auto accidents, medical malpractice, and personal injury law. He has been selected to Super Lawyers each consecutive year since 2004. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Leonard earned his Juris Doctor from Villanova University. Len is Past President of the Delaware County Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Association for Justice and a member of the Pennsylvania and Chester County Bar Association. He is also a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which is limited to attorneys who made million and multi-million dollar recoveries for their clients, and is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell. He is also a Vietnam Veteran.

Guy F. Matthews, an attorney, has been chosen to Super Lawyers each consecutive year since 2009. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and focuses on estate planning and wills and estates matters, which involves the administration of complex estates, including postmortem planning, and estate tax audits. Guy earned his Juris Doctor from Temple University School of Law, obtained his Master of Laws in Taxation from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, and received the C.L.U. and Chartered Financial Consultant designation from the American College. He has been previously peer rated for high professional achievement by Martindale-Hubbell and was named a Top Tax Attorney by Main Line Today.

Jonathan E. Becker, an attorney, has been selected to Super Lawyers each consecutive year since 2011. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. He earned his Juris Doctor from the Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit College of Law and his Master of Laws in Taxation from Georgetown University School of Law. Jonathan is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, the District of Columbia, Tax Court, and the U.S. Supreme Court and assists clients with estate planning, estate and trust administration, complex trust, and tax issues. He has been previously recognized as a Top Attorney in Pennsylvania for Estate Planning and Probate by Philadelphia Magazine and as a Top Tax Attorney by Main Line Today.

Joseph E. Lastowka, Jr., an attorney, has been selected to Super Lawyers each consecutive year since 2008. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. He focuses on estate planning, probate, and trust litigation matters. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania. Joseph is a member of the American Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and the Delaware County Bar Association. He is also an elected fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Joseph has been included in Best Lawyers in America for estate planning, trusts, and estates, and was featured nationally for the first court decision forcing the Internal Revenue Service to pay a taxpayers legal fees.

David E. Auerbach, head of the firms family law department, has been chosen to Super Lawyers each consecutive year since 2004. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania. He is also a member of the Delaware County Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association. David established his career in general litigation before transitioning into family law. He is a frequent lecturer, having spoken to audiences throughout Pennsylvania about family law, including the Divorce Code of 1990 and its amendments. He was also previously recognized as a Top Lawyer in Divorce and Family by Main Line Today.

Craig B. Huffman, an attorney, has been selected to Super Lawyers each consecutive year since 2013. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. He specializes in family law and Orphans Court litigation. Craig earned his Juris Doctor from Widener University Delaware Law School and is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Delaware County Bar Association, the Delaware County Bar Association Orphans Court Rules Committee, and the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Craig has earned numerous awards throughout his career for his work in family law, including the Eric D. Turner Award for elevating the standards of matrimonial law, the Nicholas D. Vadino, Jr. Memorial Award for significant contributions by a young lawyer to the organized bar, and the Pennsylvania Bar Association Pro Bono Service Award. He has also been previously recognized has a Top Lawyer in Divorce and Family by Main Line Today.

Michael J. Davey, who was recently named partner of Eckell Sparks, has been selected to Rising Stars each consecutive year since 2012. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. He heads the firms employment law and discrimination practice. Michael earned his Juris Doctor from Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law and is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the New Jersey Bar Association, the Delaware County Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, the American Association for Justice, and the Delaware County Trial Lawyers Association. Aside from being selected to Rising Stars, Michael has a 10.0 attorney rating by AVVO.

Matthew J. Bilker, who was recently named partner of Eckell Sparks, has been selected to Rising Stars each consecutive year since 2019. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. He practices personal injury litigation, general civil litigation, and municipal law. Matthew earned his law degree from Widener University Delaware Law School, where he served as the Business Editor on the Editorial Board of the Widener Law Review and was an active member of the Moe Levine Honor Society for Trial Advocacy. He is currently admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Delaware County Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, the Dade County Bar Association (DCBA) Young Lawyers Section-Executive Board, and the Guy G. deFuria Chapter of the American Inns of Court. Matthew has also conducted Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminars for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and the Delaware County Bar Association.

Christopher M. Brown, an attorney, has been selected to Rising Stars each consecutive year since 2019. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. He currently represents clients in business formation and development, estate planning, administration, and litigation. He earned his Juris Doctor from the Widener University Delaware Law School and is admitted to practice in the Pennsylvania Trial Courts, the Pennsylvania Appellate Courts, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Christopher is an active member of the Delaware County Bar Association in the Young Lawyers Section, as well as the Pennsylvania Bar Association. He is also an arbitrator in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas and the Editor of the Delaware County Legal Journal.

Melanie E. Tunaitis, an associate in the family law department, has been selected to Rising Stars each consecutive year since 2019. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. She earned her Juris Doctor from Widener University Delaware Law School and is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania. After passing the bar, Melanie tried her first case just days later. She has also been previously recognized as a Top Lawyer in Divorce and Family by Main Line Today.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys.

The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country. Super Lawyers Magazines also feature editorial profiles of attorneys who embody excellence in the practice of law. For more information about Super Lawyers, visit SuperLawyers.com.

The legal team at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. are willing to help clients with their legal concerns. Visit eckellsparks.com or call 610-565-3701 today to get started. Located in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, the firm serves clients throughout Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.
The pandemic was a catalyst for data and analytics infrastructure modernization in order to enable digital trials with increased patient participation and advance the industry, said Raj Indupuri, CEO and Co-founder of eClinical Solutions.

eClinical Solutions LLC, a global provider of cloud-based enterprise software and software-driven clinical data services that accelerate digital clinical initiatives, today announced that their thought leaders will be participating in a variety of industry events this spring to discuss the impact of data on future clinical trials. As data sources increase due to the demands for decentralized and patient-centric trials, sponsors and CROs are experiencing longer timelines for clinical data review, management and analyses. Building on eClinicals recent white paper, Opportunities to Accelerate Decentralized and Digital Trials, and their expertise in clinical data strategy, thought leaders will be discussing modern clinical data platforms to power automation, advanced analytics and AI enabled insights. With many life sciences organizations adopting the elluminate clinical data platform, the industry is recognizing the need for robust data architectures to power clinical trials in a post-Covid environment.

The pandemic was a catalyst for data and analytics infrastructure modernization in order to enable digital trials with increased patient participation and advance the industry, said Raj Indupuri, CEO and Co-founder of eClinical Solutions. As leaders in digital clinical technology, we want to share our clients successes with implementing technology like elluminate to centralize data and provide a foundation for decentralized and patient-centric trial approaches. These events are an excellent opportunity to share thought leadership among industry and were excited to participate in these discussions.

Arenas eClinical & Clinical Data Management Innovation Virtual Conference will take place on June 2. Designed for data and analytics leaders, the event will focus on aligning data strategy with digital transformation, leveraging data analytics, and using data for growth. At the event, eClinical Solutions Chief Marketing Officer Sheila Rocchio will present Digital Strategies to Power #NoGoingBack, and share how leaders in life sciences are speeding their digital data initiatives with a holistic approach.

Denise Shortino, Senior Director of Biostatistics, Programming and Data Management at Urovant, will join Demi Niforos, VP, Biostatistics and Statistical Programming for eClinical Solutions at a webinar on June 10. In Streamlining Study Submissions for Success, the presenters will discuss the successful Urovant Gemtesa (Vibegron) FDA submission and the eClinical/Urovant collaboration on the final Integrated Summary of Safety (ISS) deliverable.

At PHUSE US Connect 2021, a premier clinical data science conference from June 14-18, eClinical leaders will present five sessions - one in the live agenda and four on-demand.

At PHUSE Session SI09 Monday, June 14 at 1:30 ET, Nathan Johnson, Director, Data Engineering, will offer a new approach to specification development that improves efficiency during the critical clinical trial data processing phase in Accelerating Beyond Excel: Mapping Specifications in an Intelligent Web-based GUI."

In PHUSE on-demand session CM04, From Digital Data to Decision Intelligence: Infrastructure and Algorithms Powering Automation in RBM and Data Review, Raj Indupuri will show how a robust infrastructure combined with AI can automate manual data processes and monitoring.

Rob Musterer, Vice President, Product Management, will discuss data strategy importance and components in PHUSE on-demand session DS09, Standards and Governed Data in the Clinical Data Pipeline.

Director of Biostatistics and Statistical Programming Derek Coombs will share case studies to illustrate how data visualizations enable real-time data exploration and enhance efficiencies for DSMB review in PHUSE on-demand session DV14, Visualizations to Support DSMB Monitoring.

Finally, in on-demand PHUSE session SD10, Senior Director of Data Strategies Dawn Kaminski will present eClinicals platform demonstration, Transforming Clinical Data Chaos with elluminate, and show how elluminate enables clinical data centralization and visibility, traceability, standardization and analysis.

On Wednesday, June 30 at the DIA 2021 Global Annual Meeting, Raj Indupuri will chair the session, Converge and Conquer: The Overlapping Roles of Data Management, Operations, Monitoring and More, and What it Means for Industry. This panel will feature Susan Bornstein, MPH, Senior Director, Data Monitoring/Management at Pfizer, Nate Bennett, PhD, Global Head Biostatistics and Programming, Rare Disease at UCB, and Michal Rucinski, Principal Clinical Data Manager at MSD, Poland, to discuss the evolution and intersection of roles and how this is informing the need for new workflows and skills in clinical development.

For more information on eClinicals upcoming events and webinars please visit: https://www.eclinicalsol.com/events.

About eClinical Solutions

eClinical Solutions helps life sciences organizations around the world accelerate their digital clinical initiatives. Our intelligent clinical data platform and data services give our clients real-time, self-service access to all their data from one centralized location; plus advanced analytics that help them make smarter, faster business decisions. Find out more at eclinicalsol.com.
Entrepreneur Magazine: "The founder and CEO of ZiphyCare shares how her digital health company is bringing physicians to patients' homes with the help of state-of-the-art technologies."

Entrepreneur Interviews ZiphyCare Founder and CEO

Dr. Rada Sumareva; Innovative HealthTech Start-Up Also Featured in Crains New York Health Pulse

Bringing physicians to patients' homes with the help of state-of-the-art technologies. - Entrepreneur

Innovative at-home in-person Telemedicine service ZiphyCare is on a mission to bring quality healthcare for all. Entrepreneur Magazine spoke with the HealthTech start-ups Founder and CEO Dr. Rada Sumareva.

Read the conversation and watch an expanded video version, here:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/video/370882

ZiphyCare is proud to continue its collaboration with the New York City Mayors Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV). ENDGBVs Training Team provided tailored training on topics across the spectrum of gender-based violence to assist with ZiphyCares on-site staff and their ability to identify and respond appropriately to signs of intimate partner violence (IPV). Crains New York recently featured the news in their Health Pulse column.

Entrepreneur Magazine  Excerpt:

How This Health Tech Entrepreneur Aims to Bring Quality Healthcare to Patients' Homes;

The founder and CEO of ZiphyCare shares how her digital health company is bringing physicians to patients' homes with the help of state-of-the-art technologies.

Dr. Rada Sumareva is on a mission to bring quality healthcare to the country's most vulnerable communities. As a healthcare provider, entrepreneur, philanthropist and advocate, she works around the clock to bring her innovative solutions to help those in need. She sat down with Jessica Abo to discuss how her latest venture, ZiphyCare, aims to bring physicians to patients' homes through technology. Currently, ZiphyCare is operating in New York and New Jersey with graduate expansion plans to Florida in the next few months.

More About ZiphyCare:

ZiphyCare is a B2B health tech company, whose mission is to bring quality healthcare to those most in need, by overcoming pervasive barriers to healthcare delivery. Our model is patient-centric, targeting cost, access and quality. A team of Medical industry professionals, technologists and digital health experts have developed proprietary software and patented technology to bridge the gaps between patients, primary and specialty care, and Payers. Our focus is on healthcare value - Access, care management/coordination, member compliance/adherence, and closing quality care gaps. ZiphyCare employs leading edge technology to bring these capabilities into the home and areas remote from typical brick and mortar facilities.

ZiphyCare provides a remote examination experience that approximates a doctor-present exam more closely than any other telemedicine offering currently on the market, because it allows physicians not only to see and hear patients remotely, but also to conduct in-depth screenings and exams using hospital-grade, FDA-registered diagnostic equipment deployed by trained onsite care coordinators (OCCs) acting as the physicians hands at the patient location. The Ziphy toolbox communications link enables split-screen viewing, so that the physician has a full view and audio of the patient at all times, while simultaneously viewing real-time video of patients diagnostic images and information transmitted by the OCC using the toolbox. Exam information is securely stored for future diagnostic or therapeutic use and can be exported for data study related symptomatology and spread. Visit http://www.ziphycare.com

WEBSITE: http://www.ziphycare.com

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ziphycare/

INSTAGRAM: @ziphycare

For more information about ZiphyCare, or to set an interview with the Founders, contact sethcohenpr@earthlink.net, http://www.sethcohenpr.com
Fern, the female tortoise found on Fernandina Island in 2019. To avoid the same tragic fate as Lonesome George  the last Pinta Giant Tortoise who died in 2012  an urgent expedition to Fernandina Island will be launched by GNPD and Galapagos Conservancy to find a mate and save the species.

Scientists at Yale University have confirmed genetic similarity between a lone female Giant Tortoise recently discovered on Fernandina Island and the Fernandina Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis phantasticus), last reported 112 years ago and long considered lost forever. The female Giant Tortoise was found during a 2019 joint expedition of the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) and Galapagos Conservancy. To avoid the same tragic fate as Lonesome George  the last Pinta Giant Tortoise who died in 2012  an urgent expedition to Fernandina Island will be launched by GNPD and Galapagos Conservancy to find a mate and save the species.

At the time of discovery, the GNPD and Galapagos Conservancy team was confident that the female Giant Tortoise was the lost Fernandina Giant Tortoise. However, to verify their assumption, a blood sample was sent to geneticists at Yale, where a team led by Dr. Gisella Caccone sought to uncover the genetic origin of the female tortoise and determine how closely it matched the only other tortoise ever found on Fernandina Island, a now-deceased large male found in 1906.

Nicknamed Fern by her discoverers, genetic analysis has now confirmed that she is related to the Chelonoidis phantasticus tortoise species native to the island. These findings verify what researchers at Galapagos Conservancy and GNPD had long hoped for.

One of the greatest mysteries in Galapagos has been the Fernandina Island Giant Tortoise. Rediscovering this lost species may have occurred just in the nick of time to save it. We now urgently need to complete the search of the island to find other tortoises, said Dr. James Gibbs, Vice President of Science and Conservation for the Galapagos Conservancy and tortoise expert at the State University of New York.

We desperately want to avoid the fate of Lonesome George, said Danny Rueda Cordova, Director of the Galapagos National Park Directorate. My team from the Park and Galapagos Conservancy are planning a series of major expeditions to return to Fernandina Island to search for additional tortoises beginning this September.

Fernandina Islands landscape is dominated by an active volcano that makes expeditions very challenging. If a male tortoise is located on the volcanic terrain, he will be united with the lone female at the Galapagos National Parks Giant Tortoise Breeding Center in Santa Cruz. Scientists would then oversee breeding efforts, rear any young safely in captivity, and eventually return them to safe habitats on their native island of Fernandina.

Prior to the 2019 discovery, only one specimen of the Fernandina Giant Tortoise had ever been found  a male collected during the California Academy of Sciences expedition in 1905-06. While populations of Giant Tortoises were decimated throughout the Galapagos archipelago in the 19th century due to exploitation by whalers and buccaneers, the Fernandina Giant Tortoise species was believed to be extinct due to volcanic eruptions in past centuries. The current population of Giant Tortoises throughout the Islands is only 10-15% of its historical numbers, estimated between 200,000-300,000 individuals.

But there is hope. Park rangers have found signs (tracks and scat) of at least two other tortoises on Fernandina Volcano during the searches that resulted in the discovery of the lone female. Galapagos Conservancy has launched an urgent appeal at galapagos.org/savethefernandinatortoise to raise funds to undertake the expedition to find these and perhaps other tortoises to save this species from the brink of extinction.



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About Galapagos Conservancy: For more than 35 years, Galapagos Conservancy has helped protect the unique biodiversity and ecosystems of Galapagos by supporting research, conservation, outreach, and building a sustainable society. Galapagos Conservancy is the only US-based organization focused exclusively on protecting the Galapagos archipelago. The Galapagos Conservancy and the Galapagos National Park Directorate work together on the Giant Tortoise Restoration Initiative -- a collaborative effort to restore tortoise populations to their historical distribution and numbers across Galapagos.

Images for Media Use: Unrestricted use with credits to Galapagos Conservancy and photographer(s) listed in each image. View album.

U.S. Contact:

Marc Ford, Galapagos Conservancy

marc@galapagos.org

703-383-0077
Fairleigh Dickinson University has named Jason Amore as Senior Vice President for University Advancement, effective August 1, 2021. We are very excited to welcome Jason Amore to FDU, said President Christopher Capuano. He has an outstanding record of success and brings to FDU a strong passion and contagious enthusiasm for supporting students through philanthropy."

Fairleigh Dickinson University has named Jason Amore as Senior Vice President for University Advancement, effective August 1, announced University President Christopher A. Capuano.

Amore has more than 20 years of higher education experience, highlighted by the development of a billion-dollar capital campaign at the University of Louisville; the cultivation and closing of more than $230 million in philanthropic giving; significant major gift, estate, corporate and foundation giving experience; and the management of annual giving programs.

We are very excited to welcome Jason Amore to FDU, said Capuano. He has an outstanding record of success and comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of development and fundraising. He also brings to FDU a strong passion and contagious enthusiasm for supporting students through philanthropy. I am certain that he will continue the Universitys momentum and provide the leadership necessary to successfully complete our historic $125 million campaign and raise philanthropy at FDU to yet another level.

At Alfred University, where he has served since 2017, Amore has more than doubled the annual rate of philanthropic giving; secured $36 million in major gifts; led the planning of a $200 million campaign, which is more than halfway toward its goal while still in the silent phase; established alumni advisory councils that support academic programs and leadership advisory councils for alumni in key markets; and reinvigorated Alfreds reunion, homecoming and hall of fame programs, increasing attendance by 200 percent.

He previously served at the University of Rochester (as Associate Vice President of Advancement for Arts, Sciences, Engineering and Regional Programming); at the University of Louisville (as Associate Vice President of Development, Executive Director of Development for the University of Louisvilles Belknap Campus, and Director of Major Gifts for the Universitys J.B. Speed School of Engineering); at the Rochester Institute of Technology (as Director of Development for the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences); and at the State University of New York at Geneseo (as Director of Annual Giving).

Amore holds a Master of Professional Studies and a Bachelor of Arts, both from Alfred University.

About Fairleigh Dickinson University

Fairleigh Dickinson University offers over100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including doctoral programs in pharmacy, nursing practice, clinical psychology and school psychology; and an AACSB-accredited business school. Degree programs are offered on two New Jersey campuses and at two international campuses: Wroxton College, in Oxfordshire in England, and the Vancouver Campus, in British Columbia, Canada. For more information, visit FDU.edu.


Debra A. Jensen, a managing partner, has been selected to Super Lawyers in 2005, 2008 to 2010, 2014, and each consecutive year since 2019. As a Fellow in Temple Universitys Academy of Advocacy, she is committed to restoring dignity and security to people who have been hurt through no fault of their own. Debra has achieved significant results for clients in the areas of medical malpractice, personal injury, and products liability. In 2019, the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania appointed Debra as a Hearing Committee Member. She joins a group of distinguished attorneys who serve an important role in the governance and discipline of Pennsylvania attorneys.

Richard M. Jurewicz, a senior partner, has been selected to Super Lawyers each consecutive year since 2004. Richard focuses his practice on catastrophic products liability, construction accidents, and automobile accident cases. He is recognized by all as an extremely skilled trial attorney who tenaciously represents his clients rights. A member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Richard has achieved more than 38 multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, totaling over $225 million dollars. Richard is co-founder and past President of Kids Chance of Pennsylvania, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides scholarships to children.

Arthur L. Bugay, a partner, has been selected to Super Lawyers each consecutive year since 2010. He focuses on personal injury, products liability, negligent security, and employment law. He is professionally and personally committed to defending the rights of those who suffer due to the negligence or misconduct of others. He is known as a strong advocate for disabled and injured children, as well as the elderly, the latter focusing on nursing home negligence. He provides volunteer services for the Legal Clinic for the Disabled, and is an active volunteer for the indigent, receiving an outstanding service award for his efforts from the Consumer Bankruptcy Assistance Project.

Norman J. Weinstein, of counsel at Galfand Berger LLP, has been selected to Super Lawyers each consecutive year since 2005. He practices Workers Compensation and Social Security law. Norman has received honors from the City of Philadelphia for his dedication to advocating on behalf of injured workers. He has also devoted time to many pro bono projects, including the Support Center for Child Advocates and the Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program. He is past Co-Chair of the Workers Compensation Section of the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association and past President of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society.

Gabriela Raful, a senior partner, has been selected to Rising Stars for the first time. She focuses on representing injured clients in the areas of Workers Compensation, personal injury, products liability, and Social Security disability. She is fluent in Spanish and provides highly qualified legal services to Hispanic clients in their native language. Gabriela was elected as Vice President of the Berks County Bar Association for 2021; she is the first minority attorney elected to this position. She is also a member of the Monitoring and Evaluation Team of the Language Access Advisory Group for the United Judicial System of Pennsylvania.

Bradley Smith, a junior partner, has been selected to Rising Stars each consecutive year since 2018. He is dedicated to advocating on behalf of injured workers, consumers, and victims of negligence. Since joining Galfand Berger LLP, Bradley has worked with his fellow attorneys to recover over $25 million for clients. He has won multiple awards for his writing and publications regarding the rights of injured workers, serving as Editor-in-Chief for the Pennsylvania Bar Associations Civil Litigation Newsletter. Bradley previously won first place in the College of Workers' Compensation Lawyers' national writing competition with an article on the gig economy.

From personal injury to Workers Compensation, the legal team at Galfand Berger LLP has been advocating for injured clients for decades. With offices in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Reading, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the firm serves clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including Allentown and Harrisburg. For more information, visit https://www.galfandberger.com/ or call 800-222-8792 for a free consultation today.
Understanding how homes and neighborhoods can increase personal wellness is key to GWIs mission of empowering wellness worldwide.

The nonprofit Global Wellness Institute (GWI), the leading research and educational resource for the global wellness industry, welcomes a new Initiative to its fold: Wellness Communities & Real Estate. Joining 30+ industry-specific collaborative groups hosted by GWI to further the international conversation about wellness in its many and varied forms, this Initiative serves to further the insights found in GWIs 2018 landmark Build Well to Live Well research, the first-ever in-depth study on the booming wellness communities and real estate sector. That research valued the market at $134 billion in 2017 and predicted 6% YOY growth through 2022 ($180 billion), a number that researchers anticipate will be higher thanks to the new laser-focus on health and wellness in every aspect of our post-pandemic lives.

The Initiative, which aims to quantify how both health and quality of life can be optimized by intentionally creating built environments that are proactively designed to support the holistic health of those who live, work, play and learn there, is co-chaired by two leaders in wellness communities and real estate: Helen Foster and Teri Slavik-Tsuyuki.

Foster runs Foster Strategy, which counts notable wellness community developers in the US as clients, including Willow Valley Communities, a 55+ senior living community in Pennsylvania and Rancho Mission Viejo, a southern California-based wellness community of 3,500 homes and growing. While Slavik-Tsuyuki is one of the architects behind the America At Home Study, which surveyed US consumer sentiment about design, health and wellness in homes and communities as a result of the pandemic and was named one of the most influential women in homebuilding by BUILDER Magazine. As founder of tst ink, Slavik-Tsuyuki works with community developers, homebuilders and entrepreneurs to create innovative spaces that allow people to live their best lives.

As neighborhoods and communities became more central to our daily lives during COVIDand will likely continue to be where we spend most of our timemore of us are aware that health and wellness outcomes are a direct result of the environments where we live, work and play, said Co-Chairs Foster and Slavik-Tsuyuki. Understanding how homes and neighborhoods can increase personal wellness is key to GWIs mission of empowering wellness worldwide.

The Wellness Communities & Real Estate Initiatives key goals include:



Uncovering best practices, innovators and resources in the development and operations of wellness communities and real estate worldwide

Defining outcomes that have the greatest potential to impact individual wellness

Building a measurable framework that can be applied to codify wellness communities worldwide

Wellness communities and real estate have long been a wellness sector of significant growth and opportunity, but COVID-19 has accelerated the need for these types of developments, said GWI Chair and CEO Susie Ellis. Were thrilled that both Helen and Teri have taken on this work and are excited by the team they have put together and the goals they have set for this crucially important Initiative.

The Initiative has attracted experts in wellness communities and real estate. The full list can be seen here.

About the Global Wellness Institute: The Global Wellness Institute (GWI), a nonprofit 501(c)(3), is considered the leading global research and educational resource for the global wellness industry and is known for introducing major industry initiatives and regional events that bring together leaders to chart the future. GWI positively impacts global health and wellness by educating public institutions, businesses and individuals on how they can work to prevent disease, reduce stress, and enhance the overall quality of life. Its mission is to empower wellness worldwide.
Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP welcomes Of Counsel Jennifer Suzanne Kukla to its Real Estate Practice in the Dallas office. Jennifer joins the firm from Winstead PC.

We have grown a remarkable real estate team here in Dallas, which is further enhanced with the addition of Jennifer, said Joseph F. Coniglio, managing shareholder of the firms Dallas office. Jennifers high caliber talent will continue to strengthen our ability to meet clients needs for complex commercial real estate finance transactions.

This past year has been an invigorating time for real estate, Kukla said. With my transition to Greenberg Traurig, I look forward to utilizing the firms global platform to deliver top-level work to clients.

Kukla represents investment banks, commercial banks, life insurance companies, funds and other institutional lenders in virtually all aspects of complex commercial real estate finance transactions, including permanent, bridge, mezzanine, and the origination of commercial mortgage loans intended for securitization or other sale in the secondary market (CMBS) secured by all asset classes. She has experience handling multiborrower, multiproperty, and multistate financings, tenants-in-common borrowing structures, affordable housing, cash management, subordinate debt and ground leases.

Kukla received her J.D. from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and a B.S. from the University of Florida. She is a member of the Dallas Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Finance Council, and Mortgage Bankers Association.

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP  Texas: Texas is important to Greenberg Traurig, LLP and part of its history. With approximately 130 Texas lawyers in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, Greenberg Traurig has deep roots in the Texas business, legal, and governmental communities. Greenberg Traurig Texas works with clients to address their interdisciplinary legal needs across the state utilizing the firms global platform. The Texas attorneys are experienced in industries key to the states future, including: aviation, chemicals, construction, education, energy and natural resources, financial institutions, health care, hedge funds, hospitality, infrastructure, insurance, media, medical devices, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, real estate, retail, sports, technology and software, telecommunications, transportation, and video games and esports.

About Greenberg Traurig's Real Estate Practice: The Greenberg Traurig Real Estate Practice is a cornerstone of the firm and recognized leader in the industry. The firms real estate attorneys deliver diversified and comprehensive counsel for property acquisition and investment, development, management and leasing, financing, restructuring, and disposition of all asset classes of real estate. The team draws upon the knowledge and experience of more than 400 real estate lawyers from around the world, serving clients from key markets in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The groups clientele includes a broad range of property developers, lenders, investment managers, private equity funds, REITs, and private owners. The firms real estate team advises clients on a variety of matters across a broad spectrum of commercial, recreational, and residential real estate, including structured equity and debt and the hybrids.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
It is an honor to join the ADL in its vigilance against hate in our society, Pratt said.

A. Michael Pratt, a shareholder in Greenberg Traurig, LLPs Philadelphia office, has been elected to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) of Philadelphias Board of Directors. In this role, he will support the ADLs efforts as a leading anti-hate organization.

It is an honor to join the ADL in its vigilance against hate in our society, Pratt said. As someone long committed to these efforts, I look forward to working alongside like-minded colleagues from across the region supporting and augmenting this vital organizations programs to educate and create awareness about the many issues affecting equity and inclusion for all, in the United States and beyond.

Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of anti-Semitism and bigotry, the ADLs timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. Today, the ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education and fighting hate online, the ADLs ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate, according to its website.

Pratt is an accomplished litigator, who concentrates his practice on complex commercial, financial, and product liability disputes, having tried cases in state and federal courts, representing financial institutions, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, and governmental institutions, among others.

In his bar association and civic lives, Pratt has helped lead a variety of organizations in a range of activities. He served as the 81st chancellor of the 15,000 member Philadelphia Bar Association and accepted a gubernatorial appointment to serve as a commissioner on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, including serving as vice chairman for four of his six years on the commission.

Other previous leadership posts include serving as chair of the board of trustees of Community Legal Services, Inc., and chair of the American Bar Associations Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, and president of the Barristers Association of Philadelphia, Inc., a local affiliate of the National Bar Association. He is a longtime member of the Washington and Jefferson College Board of Trustees, where he currently serves as secretary. Pratt frequently speaks before professional and community groups, contributing to advancing scholarship within the legal community and Philadelphia public life through authored articles and book chapters.

About Greenberg Traurig Philadelphia: Founded in 1997, Greenberg Traurigs Philadelphia office is home to some 50 attorneys whose practices include Real Estate, Public Finance, Litigation, Labor & Employment, Environmental, Government Law & Policy, Restructuring & Bankruptcy, White Collar Defense & Special Investigations, Corporate & Securities, Intellectual Property, Immigration & Compliance, Investment Regulation, and Tax. The Philadelphia office represents clients in the manufacturing, health care, real estate, energy, financial, and insurance industries, state and local governments, professional service, and energy firms and individuals.

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT), has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com
Hippo, the home insurance group that created a new standard of care and protection for homeowners, today announced a new integration with Cape Analytics, which uses deep learning and geospatial imagery to provide real-time property intelligence. The integration advances Hippos automated property analysis capabilities to more narrowly target property characteristics and tailor policies accordingly using its own machine learning algorithms.

Hippo has modernized the home insurance process using advanced technology to identify and address homeowner issues proactively. Through its work with trusted analytics sources to build deeper layers of insights, Hippo continues to enhance its underwriting and ongoing risk management and mitigation insights to provide premier home protection. CAPEs geospatial property analytics, powered by machine learning and computer vision, layers into Hippos proprietary policy management system to expedite the onboarding flow for new leads while increasing the accuracy of policy coverage and premiums specifically tailored to a unique property.

CAPEs integration will be instrumental in driving deeper property intelligence, which in turn proactively protects our customers and seamlessly intrigues the most accurate information into the onboarding flow for potential customers, said Aviad Pinkovezky, Chief Product Officer, Hippo. With Cape, we acutely define the characteristics of a property and its surrounding area with a degree of accuracy that hasnt existed before in home insurance to help our customers take important steps to protect their home.

CAPE identifies valuable property characteristics such as a roofs condition, yard debris, solar panels, overhanging trees, swimming pools and more with faster speed and accuracy than traditional third-party data sources. This intelligence will support further automation of Hippos underwriting process and even enhance its renewal capabilities, replacing the need for in-person inspections. As a result, Hippo customers receive a streamlined home insurance experience with tailored policy coverage year after year.

This level of property intelligence from CAPE will be used to help Hippo Insurance Services narrow in on homeowner risks that are commonly associated with catastrophic losses in areas prone to wildfires, high winds, and hail. Because geospatial analytics capture property changes continuously, Hippo can proactively reach out to customers earlier to help make recommendations to mitigate potential issues, such as clearing surrounding brush or trimming overhanging tree limbs, or updating their policy coverage.

"We're thrilled to be integrating with Hippo, an established technology partner providing meaningful protection for homeowners, " said Ryan Kottenstette, CEO and Cofounder, CAPE Analytics. "The impact our team has made to establish and advance geospatial analytics in insurance helps provide companies like Hippo with accurate property intelligence and action-oriented insights that can truly drive change and help keep their customers protected."

For more information, visit http://www.hippo.com and http://www.capeanalytics.com.

About Hippo

Hippo Insurance Services offers a different kind of home insurance, built from the ground up to provide a new standard of care and protection for homeowners. Our goal is to make homes safer and better protected so customers spend less time worrying about the burdens of homeownership and more time enjoying their homes and the life within. Harnessing real-time data, smart home technology, and a growing suite of home services, we are creating the first integrated home protection platform. Hippo is headquartered in Palo Alto, California with offices in Austin and Dallas, Texas and insurance products available to more than 70 percent of U.S. homeowners in 35 states. Hippo Insurance Services is a licensed property casualty insurance agent with products underwritten by various insurance companies. For more information, including licensing information, visit http://www.hippo.com.

About CAPE Analytics

CAPE Analytics provides instant property intelligence for buildings across the United States and Canada. CAPE enables residential and commercial property stakeholders to access valuable property attributes instantly, with the accuracy and detail that typically requires an on-site inspection, but with unparalleled immediacy and coverage. Founded in 2014, CAPE Analytics is backed by leading venture capital firms and insurers, and is comprised of machine learning, data infrastructure, and property risk experts.
With the expansion of HomeLight Trade-In and HomeLight Cash Offer into Texas, thousands of top agents can apply to have access to these revolutionary products enabling them to provide their clients with real estate transactions that are simple, certain, and satisfying.  Drew Uher, HomeLight CEO

HomeLight, the real estate technology platform transforming the home buying and selling process for the top real estate agents and their clients, announced today that it is expanding its financial offerings, HomeLight Trade-In and HomeLight Cash Offer, to top real estate agents, homebuyers, and sellers across Texas. The expansion is fueled by a $100 million credit facility from Credit Suisse, one of the worlds leading financial service providers.

The launch of these financial offerings comes at a crucial time for top agents and their clients, as record-setting inventory shortages continue to fuel steep growth in home values and intense bidding wars for homebuyers and sellers in Texas and across the United States. HomeLight Trade-In and HomeLight Cash Offer enable top agents to make real estate transactions possible for countless individuals who otherwise wouldnt be able to compete by using traditional financing in todays competitive real estate market.

HomeLight Cash Offer gives top agents and their clients the ability to make an all-cash offer on their next home, even if they need a mortgage. HomeLight Home Loans verifies the clients income and assets to determine purchasing power, and once the client and their agent find a home, HomeLight makes an all-cash offer on the clients behalf and holds the home until the client secures financing. As soon as the clients loan closes, HomeLight sells the home to the client at the purchase price, plus a small program fee.

HomeLight Trade-In solves another important issue that agents and homeowners face: the ability to buy and sell at the same time, while still capturing the full market value of their home. HomeLight purchases the individuals home  typically for 90% of the homes expected value  which frees up their equity when they need it before going through a full listing process. HomeLight then lists and sells the home on the market with the agent. If the home sells for more than HomeLights purchase price, the company pays the client the difference, less a small program fee.

By unlocking contingency-free transactions, both products have been effective in particularly competitive markets. Based on transactions closed since December 2019, HomeLight Trade-In homes have sold for 5% above valuation, closed 5x faster, and helped clients save 3.5% on the purchase price of their new home compared to the traditional method of listing on the market. Offers powered by HomeLight Cash Offer, meanwhile, have saved home buyers up to 4.4% compared to offers with a loan. Now, top agents across Texas can use HomeLight Trade-In and HomeLight Cash Offer to accelerate their commission and deliver an exceptional experience to their clients.

At HomeLight, we are deeply committed to providing the best agents in the U.S. with the most innovative solutions to compete and win in todays real estate landscape, said Drew Uher, CEO and Founder of HomeLight. With the expansion of HomeLight Trade-In and HomeLight Cash Offer into Texas, thousands of top agents can apply to have access to these revolutionary products enabling them to provide their clients with real estate transactions that are simple, certain, and satisfying.

Since launch, HomeLight Trade-In and Cash Offer have experienced 800% growth.

Agents interested in working with HomeLight to bring HomeLight Trade-In and HomeLight Cash Offer to their clients should visit: http://www.homelight.com/agents.

About HomeLight

HomeLight is building the future of real estate  today. Our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying for all.

The best real estate agents rely on HomeLight's platform to deliver better outcomes to homebuyers and sellers during every step of the real estate journey, whether that's enabling an all-cash offer, unlocking liquidity of their existing home to buy a new one, or creating certainty through a modern closing process. Each year, HomeLight facilitates billions of dollars of residential real estate business on its platform for thousands of agents.

Founded in 2012, HomeLight is a privately held company with offices in Scottsdale, San Francisco, New York, and Seattle, with backing from prominent investors including Zeev Ventures, Menlo Ventures, Group 11, Crosslink Capital, Bullpen Capital, Montage Ventures, Citi Ventures, Google Ventures, and others.

For additional information and images: homelight.com/press.

Contact:

Annie Dreshfield

Director of Strategic Communications, HomeLight

annie@homelight.com
Ian C. Ballon and Amy L. Kramer, Intellectual Property & Technology shareholders at global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, will speak at the 19th Annual Rocky Mountain Intellectual Property and Technology Law Institute, taking place virtually June 3-4. Greenberg Traurig is also a sponsor of the event.

The IP Institute is the premier forum for bringing together intellectual property professionals from across the U.S. and beyond. The event will feature industry experts providing updates on IP fundamentals, including patent law, Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), trademark/Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), copyright, licensing, trade secrets, data privacy and security, and internet litigation.

On June 3 at 10:05 a.m. MDT, Kramer will present the trademarks and copyrights breakout session, What is your Intent? Bona Fide Intent to Use. The session will focus on best practices related to intent-to-use trademark applications including determining when intent is bona fide and practice pointers related to filing, assigning, and challenging ITU applications.

On June 4 at 2:40 p.m. MDT, Ballon will present the program, 2021 Internet Law Update. The session will discuss new developments in data privacy and cybersecurity class action litigation; data portability, screen scraping, and AI; and what companies can and should do to avoid or defeat California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) claims.

Ballon is co-chair of Greenberg Traurigs Global Intellectual Property & Technology Practice and represents internet and mobile companies in the defense of cybersecurity, AdTech and data privacy class action litigation and in other IP and technology suits. He is the author of West's best-selling 5-volume treatise, E-Commerce & Internet Law: Treatise with Forms 2d Edition (Thomson West, http://www.ianballon.net/), which includes numerous chapters on data privacy and cybersecurity. Ballon also serves as executive director of Stanford University Law Schools Center for the Digital Economy and chairs Practicing Law Institute (PLI)'s annual Advanced Defending Data Privacy, Security Breach and Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) Class Action Litigation conference.

Kramer advises clients on the protection of their intellectual property rights and establishing effective domestic and international brand management best practices. She oversees every aspect of the brand management lifecycle  mark selection, trademark prosecution, trademark use/exploitation, licensing, and enforcement/oppositions. Kramer also has experience in a broad range of litigation relating to intellectual property, contracts, business disputes, and regulatory matters.

About Greenberg Traurigs Data, Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice: Greenberg Traurigs Data, Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice is composed of a multidisciplinary group of attorneys and professionals located throughout the world. GTs team of dedicated data protection attorneys have experience working hand in hand with organizations of all sizes to develop practical strategies and provide strategic advice on virtually all aspects of data protection including CCPA, GDPR and other compliance issues; data use, transfer and licensing issues; data breaches and regulatory investigations; and defending putative data privacy and cybersecurity breach class action suits.

About Greenberg Traurigs Intellectual Property & Technology Practice: With more than 200 intellectual property attorneys and agents in the United States, Asia, and Europe, Greenberg Traurig provides a broad range of patent, trademark and copyright protection and strategic counseling. Greenberg Traurig was named Law Firm of the Year for Trademark Law and a National Tier 1 Law Firm for IP Litigation, Patent Law and Litigation, Copyright Law, and Technology Law by U.S. News and Best Lawyers, 2020 Best Law Firms."

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com
Eric is a visionary, and this recognition from The Software Report proves his leadership and expertise in driving innovation that helps address growing market concerns around cybersecurity,

iboss, the leading SASE cloud security provider, announced today that its Chief Product Officer, Eric Cornelius, was named to the Top 25 Software Product Executives of 2021 list by The Software Report. The list includes accomplished individuals driving software innovation, improved user experience, and the genesis of company revenue growth and continuity. Eric was recognized for his proven ability to drive innovation in response to evolving market demands.

The Software Reports Top 25 Software Product Executives of 2021 list includes executives who lead high performing teams that are developing products that streamline operations, facilitate communication, interpret data, and enhance overall corporate performance. Nominees were evaluated across a number of categories including product track record, breadth of capabilities, leadership and promoting a positive working environment among other factors. The Software Report also evaluated company competitiveness within the broader software industry and how the individual compared to the most exceptional executives

Eric is a visionary, and this recognition from The Software Report proves his leadership and expertise in driving innovation that helps address growing market concerns around cybersecurity, said Paul Martini, CEO of iboss. Earlier this month, iboss announced availability of an industry-first unlimited license package to help make every organizations SASE journey as simple as possible. Eric was a crucial stakeholder in this launch. It is ibosss mission to help organizations ensure secure connectivity to any cloud application from any location, which is needed to stay productive. With unlimited users, unlimited devices and unlimited platform capabilities, organizations can benefit from allowing users to work remotely while connecting directly to cloud applications with all of the connectivity and security features within the iboss SASE Cloud Platform in place.

Eric Cornelius has nearly two decades of experience in the cybersecurity and computer science fields. As the Chief Product Officer at iboss, he oversees the strategy and development of ibosss leading Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) cloud platform. Prior to iboss, he was the Chief Product Architect at Blackberry, where he helped ensure the enterprise software company remained on the cutting edge of security innovation. He also served as Chief Technology Officer for Cylance, where he was instrumental in scaling the firm before its acquisition. Additionally, he also spent several years in critical security roles with the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Army.

iboss has built the largest global containerized SASE cybersecurity cloud footprint. The iboss SASE cloud platform secures over 150 billion requests a day. iboss reduces the need for and dependency on VPN to provide secure connectivity, which is typically a bottleneck for users needing to access cloud applications. Additionally, iboss also eliminates the need for traditional network security appliances, allowing organizations to secure network traffic from anywhere to protect against malware and data loss. iboss is leveraged by some of the largest organizations in the world to ensure uninterrupted secure access to all business applications while users work from home.

View The Software Reports Top 25 Software Product Executive of 2021 here: https://www.thesoftwarereport.com/the-top-25-software-product-executives-of-2021/.

About iboss

iboss is a cloud security company that provides organizations and their employees fast and secure access to the Internet on any device, from any location, in the cloud. iboss has built the largest global containerized SASE cybersecurity cloud footprint. The iboss SASE cloud platform provides network security as a service, delivered in the cloud, as a complete SaaS offering. This eliminates the need for traditional network security appliances, such as firewalls and web gateway proxies, which are ineffective at protecting a cloud-first and mobile world. Leveraging a purpose-built cloud architecture backed by 230+ issued and pending patents and more than 100 points of presence globally, iboss processes over 150 billion transactions daily, blocking nearly 4 billion malware threats per day. More than 4,000 global enterprises trust the iboss SASE cloud platform to support their workforce, including a large number of Fortune 50 companies. To learn more, visit https://www.iboss.com/.

About the Software Report

The Software Report is a leading source for market research and insights, corporate activity, product information, executive news and business happenings related to the software sector. Based in New York City, the firm is run by a seasoned team of editors, writers and media professionals highly knowledgeable on software and the various companies, executives and investors that make up the sector. http://www.thesoftwarereport.com.
Joe earned his Juris Doctor from Widener University Delaware Law School and is admitted to practice in the State of Delaware, the U.S. Supreme Court, and other U.S. federal courts. He focuses on representing injured individuals in personal injury and worker injury claims. He is a member of the American and Delaware State Bar Associations, the American Association for Justice, the Delaware Trial Lawyers Association, the Workers Injury Law & Advocacy Group and the American Board of Trial Advocates. He is a Past President of the Delaware Trial Lawyers Association. He is a former member of the State of Delaware Workers Compensation Health Care Advisory Panel, serving as the Panels Chair, as well the State of Delaware Workers Compensation Task Force. He is the Injured Workers Representative on the State of Delaware Workers Compensation Oversight Panel and is currently serving as the Panels Chair. He is also the Vice Chair of the Delaware Superior Court Civil Rules Committee.

Aside from being selected to Super Lawyers, Joseph has received prestigious awards, such as a 10 Year Volunteer Service award for the Office of the Child Advocate in Delaware, an Outstanding Service Award from the Delaware Trial Lawyers Association and a Delaware State Bar Association Workers Compensation Section Distinguished Service Award. He has also been previously named a Top Lawyer by Delaware Today Magazine.

For help with a legal matter, the legal team at Rhoades & Morrow can help. Call 302-427-9500 or visit https://www.rhoadeslegal.com/ today to schedule a free consultation. Located in Wilmington, Bear, and Milford, Delaware, the firm serves clients throughout the state.
As the world emerges from a global pandemic, the pace of digital transformation and IT modernization is accelerating, which is why its so critical that we partner with the right companies to meet market demand, said Ron Cameron, CEO, KnowledgeLake.

KnowledgeLake, a leading provider of intelligent document processing solutions, today announced that it has added four new partners to its rapidly expanding channel partner network. The growth of KnowledgeLakes channel program was a significant contributor to the companys record revenues in 2020, which grew 90 percent year-over-year.

As the world emerges from a global pandemic, the pace of digital transformation and IT modernization is accelerating, which is why its so critical that we partner with the right companies to meet market demand, said Ron Cameron, CEO, KnowledgeLake. Were looking forward to working with our new partners to help them solve the content and process management challenges many of their prospects and customers face, while also helping them to expand their customer portfolio and bottom line."

The new partners bring expertise in their respective markets along with a commitment to maximizing their clients investment In Microsoft solutions:



With expertise in telecom, healthcare, financial services and insurance, Advantage Point Solutions (APS) is a professional services organization that provides a wide range of IT contract staffing and project solutions. The KnowledgeLake partnership will enable APS to automate and streamline its clients repetitive back-office document processes.

Covenant Technology Partners, a Microsoft Gold Partner, has been helping organizations successfully deploy Microsoft solutions since 2004. KnowledgeLakes tight integration with Microsoft SharePoint will allow Covenant to provide industry-leading, end-to-end document management and process automation to their clients in industries that include manufacturing, finance, construction, and retail.

First Digital is a South Africa-based IT consulting company specializing in business process management, application development, cloud, and more. The firm will leverage its KnowledgeLake partnership to digitize its clients paper and unstructured digital content for effective storage, retrieval, and use in workflow automation.

With multiple locations across the U.S., Sparkhound is a leading digital solutions firm providing cloud services, custom applications, advanced analytics, and managed enterprise services. The partnership with KnowledgeLake will empower SparkHound to better serve its customers by increasing operational efficiency and decreasing their dependance on paper processes.

For more information on the KnowledgeLake platform and how to join the companys growing partner program, visit: https://www.knowledgelake.com/partners/

About KnowledgeLake

KnowledgeLake is a worldwide leader in intelligent capture and process automation. KnowledgeLake is the only end-to-end, fully cloud-native solution for document processing, enabling organizations to capture, process and manage their content in a single platform. The company combines intelligent document capture and robotic process automation (RPA) to increase productivity. Two million users worldwide employ KnowledgeLake to work faster and more efficiently. For more information, visit knowledgelake.com.
Lake Charles Toyota details its window tinting services.

Drivers who wish to get the windows of their car tinted in Louisiana are encouraged to visit Lake Charles Toyota in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The team at Lake Charles Toyota prides itself in providing professional customer service and high-quality work.

Window tinting is one of the most popular modifications at Lake Charles Toyota due to how tinted windows give vehicles a sporty and unique look. Many drivers also enjoy tinted windows due to the added privacy while driving. Additionally, tinted windows can reduce the amount of heat inside the vehicle as the tint blocks some of the light entering the cabin, making it an appealing choice for drivers in Louisiana.

Lake Charles Toyota uses DigiCut DigiTint Window Tint products for their window tinting services. This includes Nano Black Premium IR Window Film and Carbon Enhanced Window Film. Film is laser cut from the vehicles VIN for the most accurate measurements and precise fit no matter the make or model. Customers that get their windows tinted at Lake Charles Toyota will also receive a lifetime No Fault Warranty with their tinted windows.

Individuals interested in learning more about the dealerships window tinting services can do so by visiting its webpage covering the service. Those that would like to explore the services Lake Charles Toyota provides in closer detail are encouraged to visit its website at http://www.lakecharlestoyota.com. Customers can dial 337-419-2993 to contact the Lake Charles Toyota service team by phone to schedule their appointment and inquire about pricing. Drivers in the area who would like to visit Lake Charles Toyota can find the dealership at 3905 Gerstner Memorial Drive in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
The Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS Science Scholarship has revealed its finalist for this year  congratulations to Lorena Ukanwa! Lorena is an aspiring student who just graduated from a post-baccalaureate program in the University at Buffalo in New York! She was recently sent an acceptance letter to the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and will attend the school during the fall term of 2021! She is working towards a career in psychiatry and has had a dream of becoming a doctor since she was eight years old! Her aunt served as a major role model for her. For Lorena, her aunt was her first encounter with a Black, female doctor. Ever since, Lorena has aspired to become a doctor herself and help her community just as she had seen her aunt do so. Being of mixed Black and Latina heritage herself, Lorena loves the idea of being able to follow in her aunts footsteps.

Lorena understands and promotes the importance of representation in the healthcare field. Because of her mentality alone, she can help other young aspiring students reach for their dreams. Lorenas main passion is based off her desire to help and serve others, aiming her focus to a diverse patient population. She is very motivated to help better the mental and behavioral health outcomes for disadvantaged communities.

Lorena will start her term at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry during the fall term and continue pursuing her psychiatry career. She knows the work will not be cut out for her and she will face some difficult days, but she is confident that her optimistic attitude, her determination, and her resilience will help her overcome the challenges. As a medical student and a future practicing physician, challenges are inevitable, but her strength will help her become a wonderful physician someday.

The entire staff at the office of Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS wants to congratulate Lorena and want to wish her all the best of luck as she enters the medical field. They know she has the fire needed to excel in a career as such and she will do just great!

A separate congratulation also goes out to all the other students who had sent in their applications for the Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS Science Scholarship. Every student showed a different, remarkable achievement and skill that the scholarship committee appreciated. All the students studying during this years scholarship program were faced with more difficulty because of the pandemic, and everyone admires their hard work and work ethic throughout all the challenges. Dr. Kezian is proud of each and every scholarship applicant and hopes they too are proud of their own accomplishments.

For anyone that is interested in the opportunity to participate in the scholarship program, Dr. Kezian will reopen the program this coming November for potential applicants. Each year, Dr. Kezian donates $1,200 to a deserving scholarship applicant to help them with their financial expenses.

The program was first released during the 2016-2017 school year and has been successful each year since then! Dr. Arthur A. Kezian was once a student himself majoring in science and pursuing his dream of becoming a dentist. He knows about the financial stress that can be placed on students and that is why he created the scholarship program, to give back and help students just like him.

Dr. Kezian is a cosmetic dentist in Larchmont focusing on all aspects of dentistry including cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry, white fillings, porcelain crowns, dental veneers, root canal therapy, TMJ pain, emergency dentistry, teeth whitening, teeth cleaning, and surgical extractions. For more information about the scholarship program or about the office of Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS, please visit his website at http://www.drkezian.com

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS

443 N. Larchmont Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90004

(323) 467-2777

http://www.drkezian.com
Rocket Spread Our work shows how creating good in the world can start by creating good within a company -- Andy Dutlinger, LRXD Creative Director

Westerra Credit Union hired LRXD, the health and happiness agency, to develop a creative way to introduce their 300+ employees to its new mission, vision and values. Rather than developing another whiz-bang Powerpoint or PDF, LRXDs creative and strategy teams went old-school, creating and publishing a physical book, titled The Why and the Way: A Guide to Working at Westerra. This is not just your basic book, but rather, LRXD created an interactive, hands-on Pop-Up book.

It's clear from the first page of The Why and the Way that this isn't your typical employee handbook  all corporate expectations are out the window. The content itself was written and designed to exist on and off the page, providing members with real-life ways to bring the new company culture to life, like including a pop-out mirror as a reminder to "Be You." Fold-outs, connect-the-dots and other interactive devices were employed to get the Westerra team eager to absorb this new company ethos. To get there, LRXD wanted to create a fun metaphor or interactive element for each of the Westerra Ways to Be," such as an eye die cut for "our vision" and a rocket for their "mission. "

"A big part of having our people fully embrace our purpose and values is presenting them in a way that resonates with them, states Westerra CMO, Wade Paschall. Weve all been living in the virtual world of Zoom calls and digital downloads for so long and when LRXD came to us with the pop-up book idea, we knew we were on to something. The Why and The Way is a tangible touchstone for our employees to connect with our beliefs and understand who we are as a company.

Westerras goal of sharing a guide for their culture that employees would not only accept, but embrace, is in line with many of LRXDs corporate goals as well. It's true to our health and happiness philosophy, states LRXDs Creative Director, Andy Dutlinger. Our work shows how creating good in the world can start by creating good within a company -- which extends into their brand, their products, and into people's lives.

LRXD collaborated with Westerra to make sure that they were aligned with all elements of the brand vision. They interviewed employees to learn about their approach in order to write examples that were true to the brand. Each "Way to Be" section has a few field scenarios of how to apply the new values on the job.

Ashley Rutstein, LRXDs Associate Creative Director shares that we had lots of different sources of inspiration. We looked at a lot of zines, which have really cool ways of breaking the format of a traditional book. We also brought in some fun optical illusions and cut outs that were inspired by children's books  we wanted to make it playful. Lets put it this way: we had lots of fun working on this project.

LRXD worked with local Colorado printer D&K Printing to produce The Why and the Way. Production includes seven special effects pages including elastic band, pull-outs, pull-ups, detachable mirror, transparent page and a pocket-full page. The book is 57 pages long. The dimensions are 8 x 8

About LRXD

LRXD is the Original Health & Happiness Agency. For over 50 years, they have worked with the leading and emerging global brands in the health, mental wellness, organic & plant-based food & beverage, restaurant, sustainability and social impact spaces.
In order to effectively promote Party history education, the municipal fire department of Hefei recently organized its members to visit the Museum of the Jiangbei Headquarters of the New Fourth Army as well as the famous general Li Kenong's former residence. In the Museum of Jiangbei Headquarters of the New Fourth Army, the firefighters visited the memorial to the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the exhibition hall of "red history". In Li Kenong's former residence, which is now a base of "red education", participants watched the exhibition about the general's renowned lifetime achievements. During the event, all Party members reviewed the admission oath to the Party together in front of the oath wall. (Translated by Li Yuxin)
We are thrilled that MK falls right in line with our preferred partners and integrations and look forward to working together, championing the success of community banking.

MK Decision (MK), a California-based FinTech company, launched its partnership for digital account opening with IBT Apps, a core processor and mobile banking provider for over 40 community banks.

Part of IBT Apps value proposition is working with technology partners that share the same passion to help community banks flourish by providing innovative solutions at an affordable price. We are thrilled that MK falls right in line with our preferred partners and integrations and look forward to working together, championing the success of community banking, says Mark Dittman, Chief Executive Officer at IBT Apps.

The power of MKs digital account origination platform fills a critical need for community banks looking to grow and expand their portfolio in the next normal. Dittman adds, Not only will this product give banks the competitive edge they need to level the playing field, but it can also be integrated with our i2Core platform, which provides a seamless backend experience for the banks staffand is able to be delivered in as little as six months, a 25 to 50 percent increase on ROA, compared to most core providers.

Together, MK and IBT Apps are changing the deposit account landscape. Community banks utilizing IBT Apps digital banking services can simplify the onboarding process by having users log in to their mobile banking app and open a new account with MKs mobile-first Checkout. MK is reducing application processing time by 50 percent with real-time identity verification, dynamically generated account agreements, and faster account funding. Once approved, bankers can leverage CoreConnect to send applications directly to their IBT Apps core for automated account creation.

IBT Apps recognized MK as a grassroots movement. Motivated by the common mission of strengthening local economies, we launched our partnership to support the communities our customers serve, said MKs Chief Executive Officer, Har Rai Khalsa. Through this partnership, MK and IBT Apps will deliver digital account opening to community banks across the nation.

About MK Decision

MK Decision's mission is to help community financial institutions thrive by receiving more deposits and more loans. With a commitment to strengthen local economies, MKs platform gives community banks and credit unions a competitive advantage through intuitive customer experiences and streamlined banker workflows. The MK platform supports a variety of financial products including deposit accounts, credit cards, and consumer, commercial, small business, and indirect loans. So far, MK has helped over 250 community financial institutions acquire customers online. MK was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

About IBT Apps

IBT Apps is an empowering core partner to community banks nationwide, offering end-to-end core and digital banking solutions that meet the demands of todays banking customers.

Developed with an open API integration, their adaptable i2Suite banking system is equipped with a comprehensive suite of products that streamlines operations, controls cost, and mitigates risk. Learn what it feels like to transform your bank using one total solution, while promoting revenue growth and improving your customers experience.
MSIV is rallying the Marin + Sonoma community behind entrepreneurs working to build the next great North Bay company

Marin Sonoma Impact Ventures (MSIV) today announced the formal launch of its efforts to bolster the North Bays entrepreneurial ecosystem and help Marin + Sonoma startups become the next great North Bay company.

The North Bay is such an incredible community and home to so many talented people, yet we suffer from low levels of job creation, an aging population, and growing inequality, said Zachary Kushel, Founder and Managing Partner of Marin Sonoma Impact Ventures. MSIV is a social enterprise combatting these challenges by harnessing the intellectual and financial capital so prevalent in our community to boost entrepreneurs building high-growth local startups, said Kushel.

MSIVs vision is to ensure North Bay prosperity for the decades ahead, continued Kushel. The COVID reset provides us with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine our economic future. With the reopening now upon us, we must make long-term community investments in diversified sectors to insulate the North Bay economy from stagnation and the growing ravages of climate change, he finished.

MSIV is leaning in to support Marin + Sonoma entrepreneurs in the following ways:



Founder Network  At launch, 59 active Founder/CEOs of early-stage Marin + Sonoma startups have joined this peer group that ensures no local founders are on an island.

Executive Network  At launch, 30 local C-level executives from a diverse set of sectors and functions have signed on to mentor the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Access to Capital  MSIV is actively making introductions to help ease the early-stage financing process for the regions most promising startups.

Thought Leadership  MSIV is publishing original research on the startup community and highlighting the work of local founders through its Founder Interview series.

Entrepreneur-in-Residence  MSIV is hosting Mill Valleys Carolyn McGourty Supple, a national leader in advancing the culture in Americas newsrooms, as its first EIR.

MSIV recently published first-of-its-kind research into the robust yet underappreciated North Bay startup footprint. This research has shown that, last decade:



More quality startups formed in Marin + Sonoma than half of U.S. states on an absolute basis  per capita, Marin + Sonoma outranked 48 of 50 U.S. states (link)

11 local startup companies exited for $100 million or more (link)

Local startups attracted institutional capital from 23 U.S. states and 20 countries (link)

Marin + Sonoma startups were 3x-4x undercapitalized relative to Silicon Valley (link)

Despite this rich footprint, prior to MSIV, if you were a local entrepreneur with a grand vision aiming to build the next Amys Kitchen, Autodesk, or BioMarin, there was no organization across the public, non-profit, or private sectors making it their mission to help you succeed, said San Anselmos Craig Nelson, a longtime North Bay business leader and MSIV Advisor. MSIV is changing that and will usher in a new era of thoughtful economic growth and prosperity for this community, continued Nelson.

MSIV is harnessing the entrepreneurial spirit so prevalent across Sonoma + Marin to better support those men and women launching their own high-growth businesses, said Sonomas Beth Stelluto Dunaier, an active social enterprise investor and MSIV Advisor. If we can unite behind those local leaders looking to build their businesses embedded in our community, the future of our entire community will be that much brighter, continued Stelluto Dunaier.

MSIV is collaborating closely with the greater North Bay business community and working with four Community Partners, which includes the Sonoma State University School of Business and Economics, the Marin Economic Forum, Dominican Universitys Barowsky School of Business, and the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce.
Network Funding, LP announced that it has promoted Jesse Sadowski and Chris Sandahl to Regional Managers, based out of the Dallas and Houston markets, respectively.

In their new roles as Regional Managers, Sadowski and Sandahl will be responsible for growth and support of the company by identifying, recruiting, and developing high-performing mortgage originators who share the values of Network Funding.

Sadowski has 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry, joining Network Funding to open a Branch in 2013. Since joining the business, he has received the Presidents Club Award, the highest honor within Network Funding, for six consecutive years.

Jesse has shown himself as exceptional leader within Network Funding, said Network Funding Vice President of Sales Richard Jefferson. His values and work ethic align with our organization and we are confident he will help our organization continue down its path of success in his new role as Regional Manager.

Sadowski resides in Dallas and enjoys the great outdoors and camping in his recreational vehicle (RV).

Sandahl has more than 20 years experience in the mortgage industry, most recently as a Branch Manager within Network Funding. When he joined Network Funding in 2017 with a team of four, they funded a total of $25 million. By last year, Sandahl had grown the team to 20 employees and funded more than $160 million.

Chris has exponentially grown his business during his tenure at Network Funding said Network Funding Vice President of Sales Richard Jefferson. In his new role as Regional Manager, we believe he will use his experience to help our organization grow and serve more clients.

Sandahl is a native Houstonian and enjoys spending time with all animals, but especially dogs.

About Network Funding

Network Funding, LP, NMLS #2297, is a private residential mortgage lending company that operates branches across the country. Since it was founded in 1998, Network Funding has financed more than 132,500 homes at more than $25.5 billion, making the American Dream a reality for its customers. Network Fundings core values include integrity, reliability and simplicity and it is on a mission to empower its customers through educating and equipping them for the home-buying process. To learn more about Network Funding, visit http://www.nflp.com or for career opportunities, visit join.nflp.com.
A unique fulfillment center has been launched in California by Sellvia Company. Now online store owners can reach much more profits from their businesses and gain their American customers loyalty through providing an outstanding shopping experience that includes the fastest order delivery in the industry.

The United States has always been the most promising and desirable audience for businesses worldwide, with the American market volume expected to reach $563,388 million by 2025 (according to Statista). Thats why most online entrepreneurs prefer targeting their ecommerce stores at US buyers.

Sellvia has addressed the main pain point of ecommerce: long delivery times of inventory from Asia and Europe to North American customers. The company launched its own warehouse and fulfillment center in Irvine, California, to get their merchants orders shipped across the US within just 1-3 business days.

Whats more, Sellvia offers its merchants only the proven bestsellers thoroughly tested and filtered by its marketing experts. Online store owners can resell these items with unprecedented profit margins (due to low purchase prices). Every item goes with a quality product page optimized for high conversions and can be imported to a merchants storefront in just one click.

Sellvia keeps all these products in physical stock in their Californian fulfillment center and takes full responsibility for order processing  from packaging to shipping.

Key benefits of Sellvia:



1-3 business days shipping across the US

Winning products handpicked by experts

Top-quality product pages including visuals

Low prices allowing maximum profit margins

Lifelong marketing support (coming soon)

Weve been running dozens of dropshipping stores ourselves for years  and learning tricks and strategies along the way for every product niche we deal with. Besides, weve spent over a decade developing cutting-edge ecommerce software that makes running online stores a breeze and helps them bring in great income.  says Ilya Dolgikh, CEO & Co-founder of Sellvia Company. As a result of our time in the industry, we have also found the solution for swift shipping across the US, which definitely raises customer satisfaction. We want to make it possible for everyone to grow their ecommerce businesses with the best products and 5-star services  and it starts with Sellvia.

Now online business owners have a chance to test a Sellvia subscription and see for themselves how much it can do for their venture success.

About Sellvia Company

Sellvia is an ecommerce supplier based in the US (Irvine, California) and created by a team of entrepreneurs and software developers. The teams joint expertise in ecommerce helps provide its merchants with unrivaled business opportunities, and their customers with a seamless and rewarding shopping experience. Visit sellvia.com website to learn more about the company and its products.
I think many people today are struggling with demons from their past and for many of the characters in this book this holds true, but for one, these demons come to light and have devastating effects on others.

Heartbroken over her failed marriage, Libba Spencer meets a small town entrepreneur and together they strive to find healing, hope, and love in Soul to Soul: A Muirfield Manor Romance (published by Archway Publishing). The novel is Lynette Sandlins first foray into publishing her own writing and the beginning of her planned Muirfield Manor Romance series.

On the day her husband leaves her after being married for the past six years, Libba Spencer meets one of the towns most prominent bachelors, Cailin Wade. Immediately Cailin takes interest in her. Shortly thereafter, they enter into a relationship and encounter unexpected dangers. If they can survive through this adversity, they may eventually both heal their souls and find true love.

I think many people today are struggling with demons from their past and for many of the characters in this book this holds true, but for one, these demons come to light and have devastating effects on others, Sandlin says. My hope is that my readers see that everyone faces hardship at some point in time, but with a strong network of good friends and people who care, you can get through almost anything.

Soul to Soul is available for purchase online at the Archway link above, from Barnes & Noble and on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Muirfield-Manor-Romance/dp/1480899941.

Soul to Soul

By Lynette Sandlin

Hardcover | 5.5 x 8.5 in | 292 pages | ISBN 9781480899957

Softcover | 5.5 x 8.5 in | 292 pages | ISBN 9781480899940

E-Book | 292 pages | ISBN 9781480899933

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Lynette Sandlin is an author of contemporary romance whose work is inspired by a collection of personal life experiences sprinkled with stories accumulated throughout the years. Her debut novel, Soul to Soul, is the first book in the Muirfield Manor Romance series. Sandlin is a certified professional services marketer, a member of the North Carolina Writers Network, and a graduate of the University of Mount Olive. She loves to travel, hike, cook, and write when not busy being a wife, mother, and full-time pursuit strategist. Sandlin lives in North Carolina with her husband, two cats, and a dog.

Simon & Schuster, a company with nearly ninety years of publishing experience, has teamed up with Author Solutions, LLC, the worldwide leader in self-publishing, to create Archway Publishing. With unique resources to support books of all kind, Archway Publishing offers a specialized approach to help every author reach his or her desired audience. For more information, visit archwaypublishing.com or call 844-669-3957.
Together at the NextGen Chamber we will help usher in the new roaring 20s and build an inclusive economy for all. That inclusive, diverse economy must be created from the bottom up and we do that by igniting the spirit of entrepreneurship to create new businesses.

The NextGen Chamber of Commerce (NextGen Chamber) is excited to welcome Eddie Monroy as its new Executive Director. Monroy joins the NextGen Chamber team with years of experience championing small businesses, next generation business leadership and activism on issues affecting the immigrant community.

We are beyond thrilled to have Eddie lead our organization. The NextGen Chamber team and the young entrepreneurship community will benefit immeasurably from his skills and expertise, said Aram Nadjarian, Chair of the NextGen Chamber Board of Directors. Eddies track record and reputation speak for themselves, and he is the type of proven leader our organization is lucky to have as America seeks to transform its economy coming out of Covid-19. We cannot wait for the change that will occur under Eddie as he shapes our organizations efforts and reach into one of the nations most integral parts of the business community.

Prior to joining the NextGen Chamber, Monroy was elected President of the Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in New York State where he formed strategic partnerships at the local and national level. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he was appointed to the Westchester County Government Covid-19 Task Force to help create equitable solutions for re-opening efforts.

Im honored to join the NextGen Chamber of Commerce as Executive Director and ready to shape forward progress for our generation which has been weighed down by financial and social setbacks, said Monroy. Together at the NextGen Chamber we will help usher in the new roaring 20s and build an inclusive economy for all. That inclusive, diverse economy must be created from the bottom up and we do that by igniting the spirit of entrepreneurship to create new businesses. We must all do our part as business leaders and entrepreneurs to strive towards a better future that reflects the values of America.

As a child of immigrant parents who were TPS (Temporary Protected Status) permit holders from Honduras, Monroy has been an advocate for navigating complex issues such as immigration, law and policy. Monroy has served as an ambassador to Alianza Americas, TPS Alliance, and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce advocating for TPS and DACA in the media and on Capitol Hill.

A first-generation American, Monroy is a proud graduate of the State University of New York system, receiving both his bachelors degree in management and his MBA from SUNY-New Paltz.

The NextGen Chamber looks forward to having Monroy on board to help steward the organization to a bigger and brighter future led by the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs.

WATCH EDDIES INTRO VIDEO

READ MORE ABOUT EDDIE

# # #

The NextGen Chamber of Commerce is Americas first business organization supporting our emerging entrepreneurs and business leaders under the age of 40. We want to turn the tide in favor of a new generation that has been tasked with carrying Americas economy through the 21st century. We pursue this mission by advocating for policy solutions, supporting diversity in entrepreneurship, and advancing voices to enable a new generation of business leadership to promote better capitalism.
Overture Life will automate and robotize the embryology lab, improving IVF and egg freezing success rates and lowering costs, thereby democratizing access to fertility

Overture Life, the IVF process automation startup, today announced a $15M in a Series B round bringing its fundraising total to $37M as it continues to attract investments in its mission to democratize in-vitro fertilization.

Octopus Ventures, a top life sciences investor based in the UK, led the Series B round in the biotech company. GV also participated in the round, in its first Spain-based investment. Additional investment was received from existing investors such as Khosla Ventures, Felicis Ventures, and Marc Benioff, who are all early backers of the company.

Biotechnology is by nature a sector in constant growth due to the nonstop influx of innovations that improve peoples quality of life. When applied to health and, concretely, fertility, these developments make biotech one of the most promising fields in science and in society as a whole. This explains the interest we are seeing from investors who usually work with other sectors but aim to broaden their exposure, remarks Luke Hakes, Partner at Octopus Ventures.

Overture Life strives to democratize processes in assisted reproduction to make them more accessible, simplify techniques, and optimize use of resources. Overture currently employs 60 multidisciplinary specialists across the fields of software, microfluidics, robotics, embryology, and reproductive medicine. This round will enable the biotech company to increase its operations in Europe and the US and begin commercialization of its first products.

The company is developing medical devices and novel embryo testing methodologies that will automate all stages of the IVF process, lowering costs and increasing throughput for IVF practitioners. The devices are being developed in its facilities located in Madrid and Barcelona. Overture Life expects to have their first devices available by the end of the current year.

Overture Life will automate and robotize the embryology lab, improving IVF and egg freezing success rates and lowering costs, thereby democratizing access to fertility, explains Martin Varsavsky, Overture Lifes CEO, It is a significant validation of our vision and of our technical progress that investors such as Octopus and GV are joining us in our mission.

About Overture Life Inc.

Overture Life strives to democratize processes in assisted reproduction to make them more accessible, simplify techniques, and optimize use of resources. Overture has a staff of 60 specialists in reproductive biomedicine and is present in Europe and the U.S.

https://www.overture.life/

About Octopus Ventures

Octopus Ventures, part of the Octopus Group, is built to specialise in the four areas they believe will change the world for the better: health, money, deep tech and consumer. The firm has backed the founding teams of more than 100 companies including Zoopla, Secret Escapes, graze.com, tails.com, Swiftkey, Elvie, Depop, Sofar Sounds, Big Health, Bought By Many, ByMiles, OLIO and Cazoo. Portfolio companies have gone on to join forces with the worlds largest businesses including Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Twitter. With 1.3 billion under management and investing over 100m a year, Octopus Ventures is one of the largest and most active venture investors in Europe. Their typical investment is from 1 million for Seed to 10 million for Series B and can continue to fund the companies we back right through to IPO. We are based in London and New York with a network that spans from San Francisco to China. The companies we back become a part of this network, with access to a formidable resource of experience and expertise.

Press Contacts:

Overture Life Kerry Petrocelli: Kerry@victorypublicrelations.com / (631)-258-1555
Everyday we work with nonprofits who are providing critical supportive services to those in need, and we are grateful to Cathryn and Partners for HOME for being such a strong voice for individuals who have fallen on hard times and need a second chance.

PadSplit, an affordable housing marketplace that helps lower-income individuals achieve financial independence, and Partners for HOME, a nonprofit created by the City of Atlanta to lead a coordinated response to ending homelessness in the City, are today announcing that they have now housed 88 individuals through their partnership. Most recently, PadSplit worked with Partners for HOME to rapidly house more than 75 individuals who were displaced from a temporary, non-congregate hotel.

The past year has been an extremely hard one for the underhoused and those who experience homelessness, said Cathryn Marchman, Partners for HOME chief executive officer. We have moved as quickly as possible to secure housing for our clients, to keep them safe and help stem the spread of COVID-19 amongst the community. Time and again, we have called on PadSplit to assist with our efforts  sometimes on a moments notice  and they have stepped up to the challenge to help those when they need it most.

Through PadSplits partnership initiative, nonprofits, businesses, and agencies may reserve entire homes or a dedicated number of rooms to serve their clients, as a way to quickly identify available housing opportunities and save on housing placement costs. In addition to Partners for HOME, PadSplit currently works with the Salvation Army, Atlanta Public Schools, HousingPlus Inc, Project Community Connections, Inc. (PCCI), Giving Kitchen, Fulton Countys Pre-Arrest Diversion, Gwinnett Housing Authority, Hope ATL, First Step Staffing, Christ180, Mercy Care, Womens Resource Center, and Anthem Healthkeepers Plus.

PadSplit fundamentally believes that people who serve our communities also deserve an opportunity to live in them, said Atticus LeBlanc, PadSplits founder and CEO. Everyday we work with nonprofits who are providing critical supportive services to those in need, and we are grateful to Cathryn and Partners for HOME for being such a strong voice for individuals who have fallen on hard times and need a second chance.

Founded in 2017, PadSplits marketplace provides shared housing  with private, furnished bedrooms, and fixed utility costs as well as access to 24/7 telehealth services, credit building and job matching. PadSplit members average $25,000 in annual income and report $420 in monthly savings between housing, utility, and transportation costs. Each PadSplit home must meet specific design guidelines designed to exceed HUD standards, while members must pass a criminal background check and screening process to qualify.

As a result of PadSplits model and through critical partnerships with nonprofits like Partners for HOME, the company estimates that its able to keep hundreds of individuals from experiencing homelessness. Eighty-five percent of PadSplit members have been able to improve their credit scores, with many being able to purchase their own vehicles, move into their own apartments, start their own companies, and even buy their own homes and rent them out as PadSplits.

For nonprofits or businesses who want to learn more about PadSplits placement services, please visit our partnerships page.

About PadSplit

PadSplit is a mission-driven company that helps to solve the affordable housing crisis, one room at a time. Through its shared-housing model, the company aligns incentives between cities, nonprofits, and property owners to spur cost-effective housing creation without public subsidy, all while providing safe and affordable housing for working class individuals. PadSplit was founded by an affordable housing advocate and is advised by a team of nationally recognized housing leaders and investors including Enterprise Community Partners, the UC Berkeley Terner Center for Housing Innovation, Kapor, Impact Engine, and the Citi Impact Fund amongst others. Headquartered in Atlanta, PadSplit operates in several cities throughout the United States, including Atlanta, Houston, Richmond, Tampa and Indianapolis. For more information about the company or how to become a member or property owner, visit https://PadSplit.com.

About Partners for HOME

Since 2014, Partners for HOME has brought together government, nonprofit, business and community stakeholders to make homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring in the City of Atlanta. As the primary support vehicle for the Atlanta Continuum of Care (CoC), Partners for HOME leads a coordinated crisis response and approach that effects systemic change in addressing issues of one of the Citys most vulnerable populations. Learn more at partnersforhome.org.
Pendry Chicago Ribbon Cutting We are pleased to cement Pendry Hotels & Resorts presence in the Midwest with the opening of our latest hotel in one of Chicagos most recognizable landmark buildings, said Alan J. Fuerstman, founder, chairman and CEO, Montage International.

Pendry Hotels & Resorts today announced the opening of Pendry Chicago. Located in the heart of the Loop neighborhood, Pendry Chicago is a reimagination of the iconic 1920s-era Carbide & Carbon Building, a true American Art Deco landmark. Pendry Chicago delivers 364 newly redesigned guestrooms and suites; completely renovated and reinvigorated public spaces including the hotels signature modern French brasserie and cafe, Venteux; the intimate Bar Pendry; The Billiard Gallery, and a summer rooftop bar, set 24 stories above Michigan Avenue to debut June 25 as Chateau Carbide, a day-to-night experience delivering the lifestyle of the Cote d'Azur with a very Chicago spin. The hotel offers 13,000 square feet of diverse meetings and event space, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a curated art collection featuring works from both world-renowned and local Chicago artists.

We are pleased to cement Pendry Hotels & Resorts presence in the Midwest with the opening of our latest hotel in one of Chicagos most recognizable landmark buildings, said Alan J. Fuerstman, founder, chairman and CEO, Montage International. An embodiment of Chicagos past, present, and future, we look forward to joining this incredibly vibrant city.

Located near a dynamic collection of cultural attractions, corporate headquarters, and alongside Chicagos famed River Walk and the Magnificent Mile, Pendry Chicago is the ideal home base to explore the city. The Burnham Brothers-designed Carbide & Carbon Building, famed for its unique Champagne bottle design is composed of luxurious polished black granite, green and gold Terracotta with bronze trim, topped off with an ornate cap of 24-karat gold leaf.

Steeped in history and anchored in style, the complete reimagination of the buildings public spaces was led by Alessandro Munge and the award-winning design collective, Studio Munge. In a bold signature statement, a dynamic black-and-white striped floor leads arriving guests to the luminescent reception parlor, adorned with works by Amsterdam based artist, Arnout Meijer. The artwork features an ongoing exploration of perception and light, elegantly and playfully contrasting the classic details of the lobby that pays homage to both the past and present.

Reimagining this landmark building was an opportunity and an honor we approached with excitement and care. We are pleased to bring contemporary art and design, creative spaces and new dining experiences to the city, said Michael Fuerstman, co-founder and creative director, Pendry Hotels & Resorts.

Bringing a sense of Southern California style to Chicago, the hotel also partnered with Los Angeles based, fashion designer, Heidi Merrick, who designed custom women's uniforms for Front Desk and Bar Pendry associates. The hotels bespoke uniform pieces combine the best of Heidi Merricks signature silhouettes, along with pieces that provide a glimpse into future collections. Merrick, the daughter of world-renowned surfboard shaper Al Merrick, has also created a custom SRF Pendry sweatshirt for Pendry Hotels & Resorts inspired by her SRF Collection, available to purchase at http://www.shoppendry.com. The partnership with Merrick is the second in this collaborative series, following the opening of Pendry West Hollywood earlier this year.

Pendry Chicago is home to the following dining, wellness, and lifestyle concepts:

Venteux  Located on the ground floor of Pendry Chicago, this new French brasserie, cafe and shellfish bar by restaurant and nightlife pioneer, Andy Masi and Clique Hospitality is helmed by Executive Chef-Partner Donald Young, Chicagos youngest Michelin-starred talent. The stylish and modern 4,000 square-foot restaurant, designed by award-winning Studio Munge brings a breath of French air to Chicagos iconic Magnificent Mile serving classic French cuisine with a contemporary twist.

Bar Pendry  An intimate gathering place for early cocktail hours through late nightcaps, Bar Pendry is a celebration of the classic Chicago bar. Entered through heavy drapery, the dark and moody space is anchored with a curated art collection, and a lavish double-sided fireplace perfect for those seeking an inventive menu of classic and signature cocktails and light bites.

Chateau Carbide  A space never-before-accessible to locals, Pendry Chicago brings to life the 24th floor of one of Chicagos most celebrated buildings with Chateau Carbide, a summer pop-up opening June 25 featuring Whispering Angel rose. Guests and locals are invited to relax and relish in the lifestyle of the Cote d'Azur. By day, soak up the sun on striped loungers and enjoy a picnic-style menu and curated wine list. By night, the indoor-outdoor space becomes Chicagos newest nightlife destination for DJs, bottle service and city views.

The Billiard Gallery  Chicagos new hideaway for artists and pool players alike, The Billiard Gallery is tucked away adjacent to the hotels lobby and restaurant, with street side views of Michigan Avenue. The Gallery showcases a rotating collection of artworks and is the perfect place for seasonal pop-ups and private events.

Weddings, Meetings & Events  Diverse in size and style, Pendry Chicago offers 13,000 square feet of special event space catering to parties from 10 to 500. From Michigan Terrace with floor-to-ceiling windows and a 40-foot outdoor veranda with views onto its namesake avenue, to the Ballroom, an impressive Art Deco-inspired space featuring a large window that can seat gatherings up to 500, weddings and special events are made memorable here with ample natural light. For meetings and more intimate events, Pendry Chicago offers multiple gallery rooms and salons featuring divisible space and creative menus from the Pendry Chicago culinary team.

Fitness & Wellness  Equipped with a state-of-the-art fitness center including multiple Peloton bikes, Pendry Chicago has also partnered with State Bicycle Co. to offer custom Pendry Chicago bicycles to allow guests to immerse themselves in the city, on two wheelswith exploration of the Chicago River Walk, Millenium Park and nearby attractions. Guests are invited to grab a picnic basket and embark on a proper Chicago adventure. Select guestrooms also feature Tonal Mirrors for on-demand, in-room fitness.

For more information about Pendry Chicago, please visit http://www.pendry.com/chicago/ or follow @pendrychicago.

Images of Pendry Chicago are available for download and use here. (Password: ZVVjV8n5P39H)

About Pendry Chicago

Pendry Chicago is a creative rebirth of the Burnham Brothers iconic, bold and playful Art Deco Carbide & Carbon building that has cemented itself as a Chicago landmark. Steeped in history and anchored in style, the modern-day luxury hotel is located in Chicagos Loop neighborhood, amid a dynamic collection of cultural attractions, robust offices and corporate headquarters, and distinct restaurants and shops. Its central location and proximity to other famed Chicago neighborhoods makes it the ideal launching pad to explore the city. The reimagined 1929 landmark features 364 redesigned guestrooms and suites, and public spaces thoughtfully designed by Alessandro Munges Studio Munge including a signature restaurant and bar concept overseen by Andy Masi, and his Clique Hospitality group. In addition, the hotel features a lobby bar and lounge, a spectacular rooftop terrace, 13,000 square feet of meetings and event space, curated fitness and wellness programming, and an extensive art collection. Pendry Chicago is both a restoration and a reinvigoration of a Chicago architectural marvel. Pendry Chicago is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. For more information, follow @pendrychicago or visit http://www.pendry.com/chicago/.

About Pendry Hotels & Resorts

Pendry Hotels & Resorts is a new luxury hospitality brand from Montage International. Pendry combines inspired design with a celebration of culture and authentic service tailored to todays cultured world traveler. Founders Alan J. Fuerstman and Michael Fuerstmans well-seasoned experience in the hospitality industry serves as the foundation for the brand. Each property is injected with a unique perspective on contemporary style, and an emphasis on the arts and local community in the city it calls home. The portfolio of hotels includes Pendry San Diego, Sagamore Pendry Baltimore, Pendry West Hollywood and Pendry Chicago. Opening later this year, Pendry Manhattan West and Pendry Park City. Opening in 2022 are Pendry Natirar and Pendry Washington D.C.  The Wharf. Opening in 2023 is Pendry La Quinta. Pendry Hotels & Resorts is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. For more information on Pendry Hotels & Resorts, follow @pendryhotels or visit http://www.pendry.com.

Media Contacts:

Pendry Hotels & Resorts Brand Contact:

Kacey Bruno, Vice President, Communications, (949) 715-6117

kacey.bruno@montage.com

Pendry Chicago Media Contact:

Sara Baumann, Marketing & PR Manager, (619) 518-2398

sara.baumann@pendry.com

Pendry Hotels & Resorts Media Contact:

Marrissa Mallory, JPR, (619) 255-7069

mmallory@jpublicrelations.com
Phishing Attacks Up 47% in Q1 Phishing continues to grow in sophistication and frequency, said John LaCour, Founder and CTO of PhishLabs. Ecommerce and cryptocurrency platforms are being targeted more aggressively while social media and financial services continue to experience high attack volumes.

PhishLabs, the leading provider of Digital Risk Protection solutions, today released their Q1 Threat Trends & Intelligence Report. PhishLabs analyzed and mitigated hundreds of thousands of attacks targeting enterprise brands and employees in the first quarter of 2021. The report uses data from those attacks to determine key trends shaping the threat landscape.

The PhishLabs Q1 2021 Threat Trends & Intelligence Report is available to download at https://info.phishlabs.com/q1-2021-threat-trends-intelligence-report.

Phishing continues to grow in sophistication and frequency, said John LaCour, Founder and CTO of PhishLabs. Ecommerce and cryptocurrency platforms are being targeted more aggressively while social media and financial services continue to experience high attack volumes.

Key findings of the Q1 Threat Trends & Intelligence Report include:



Phishing site volume outpaced Q1 of 2020 by 47 percent

62 percent of phishing sites abused free online services and tools

82.7 percent of phishing attacks used SSL certificates

ZLoader accounted for 62 percent of malware delivered by phishing emails

44.5 percent of credential theft attacks reported by corporate email users targeted Office 365 account credentials

In addition to the findings above, PhishLabs observed significant growth in attacks targeting cryptocurrency accounts. This increase may be attributed to the sector's rapid rise in popularity. The large potential payouts and perceived low risk from stealing cryptocurrency may also factor into the increase.

Furthermore, accounts commonly used for Single Sign On (SSO) were heavily targeted in Q1. Forty percent of phishing sites targeted social media, webmail, and other accounts that are often used to login to unrelated services. Once compromised, these accounts can be used to access other accounts that trust them.

PhishLabs Founder and CTO John LaCour will discuss key findings from the report on May 26 at 2PM ET. Attend the webinar live or watch on-demand at https://www.phishlabs.com/webinars/details/?commid=486428

About PhishLabs

PhishLabs is a cyber threat intelligence company that protects against brand, account takeover, and data leakage threats. Founded in 2008, we deliver curated threat intelligence and complete threat mitigation across the digital risk landscape. The worlds leading brands and companies rely on PhishLabs to find and remediate external threats wherever they live.
Tony T Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Orangeburg, SC "George Chaconas and Courtney Bernhard worked hard to identify the type of opportunity I was looking for and also provided excellent communication during the process. I am looking forward to working together on future deals. - Tony Thomas

Performance Brokerage Services, the leading dealership brokerage firm, is pleased to announce the sale of Plaza Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Orangeburg, South Carolina from Joseph Nolette to Tony Thomas.

Over the last 5 years, Performance Brokerage Services has represented for sale over 200 automotive dealerships making it the highest volume automotive dealership brokerage firm in North America. George C. Chaconas, the exclusive advisor for this transaction and the Southeast Partner for Performance Brokerage Services commented, Attorney Mark Ornstein at Bass Sox Mercer referred me to Mr. Joseph Nolette to help sell his dealership in Orangeburg, South Carolina so that he could focus on his Florida dealerships. It was an honor and privilege representing Mr. Nolette. Buddy Irby, the CFO and Operations Manager, was instrumental and an integral part in facilitating the transaction. I want to thank Joe and Buddy very much for the opportunity to be of service. Best wishes.

Tony Thomas began his career in the automotive business over 20 years ago. His experience is with most domestic and import brands and spans a broad range of positions within the dealership. He has made notable accomplishments in turning production around, having one of the best sales efficiencies in the nation when he was a partner at Hyundai of Silsbee. Tonys passion for the industry has not gone unnoticed. A colleague of his, Lekeitha R. Morris, Ph.D., stated, I have known Tony over 30 years in several roles. Over the years, I have found Tony to demonstrate exceptional organizational skills and unprecedented time management skills. I have witnessed him completely change the trajectory of dealerships.

It takes many hands throughout the buy-sell process. Tony was guided by industry professional, Tim Devine of RBD Consulting, along with his counsel, Scott Franck of Johnson Deluca Kurisky & Gould, P.C. that got him to the finish line.

Thomas commented, I would like to thank and highly recommend Performance Brokerage Services for helping with this acquisition. George Chaconas and Courtney Bernhard worked hard to identify the type of opportunity I was looking for and also provided excellent communication during the process. I am looking forward to working together on future deals. Tony has also been a pillar in the community where he lived and was actively involved with the Houston area Boys and Girls Club of America mentoring program. Tony started his own foundation in 2011, named Tony T Foundation for at risk youth in the community. Courtney Bernhard of Performance Brokerage Services stated, I had the pleasure of working with Tony throughout the process and meeting him and his wife at the closing. I have no doubt that he will bring tremendous energy and guidance to an already great staff at his new dealership.

The dealership will remain at its current location at 2801 St. Matthews Road. in Orangeburg, South Carolina under the new name, Tony T Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Orangeburg.

The attorney for the buyer was Scott Franck of Johnson Deluca Kurisky & Gould, P.C.

The attorney for the seller was Greg Studemeyer of Studemeyer Law Firm.

The transaction was funded by LiveOak Bank, Jason Lumpkin, SVP  Dealer Services.

About Performance Brokerage Services

Performance Brokerage Services, Inc. is the nations highest volume dealership brokerage firm, specializing in intermediary services to buyers and sellers of automotive, motorcycle, commercial truck, RV and equipment dealerships.

Performance Brokerage Services offers a unique approach by providing complimentary dealership assessments, no upfront fees, no reimbursement of costs and is paid a success fee only after the transaction closes.

Clients benefit from utilizing an extensive network of industry related accountants, attorneys, hundreds of registered buyers and longstanding relationships with most of the auto and powersport manufacturers.

With corporate offices in Irvine, California, and 5 regional offices in Utah, Florida, Texas, Virginia and New Jersey, Performance Brokerage Services provides its clients national exposure with local representation.

After 25 years, 700 transactions and with a 90% closing rate, the companys reputation is unmatched and governed by the utmost ethical conduct, integrity and transparency.

For more information about the services offered by Performance Brokerage Services, visit https://performancebrokerageservices.com.
Prevent Blindness to host the 10th annual Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health National Summit on July 14-15, 2021, as an interactive virtual event. At Prevent Blindness, we are proud to celebrate our tenth consecutive year of bringing together the nations top leaders in public health, vision and eyecare, science and advocacy through our Focus on Eye Health National Summit, said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness.

Prevent Blindness, the nations oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization, will host the 10th annual Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health National Summit, on July 14-15, 2021. As with last year, the summit will be held as an interactive virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This years Summit will include a variety of presentations related to the theme, "Our Changing Vision.

During the two-day event, attendees are encouraged to visit the virtual exhibit hall and booths of event sponsors. Opportunities to chat and network with fellow attendees and presenters will also be available. All are invited to visit the social media lounge, and follow on Twitter at #eyesummit.

The agenda will celebrate the key vision advancements that have occurred during the 10 years that the Summit has convened, and look ahead to leading advancements, policies, and social issues that will shape how we approach eye health for the coming decade. Expected attendees include patient advocates, vision researchers, clinicians, foundations, community-based and advocacy organizations, national vision and eye health organizations, vision companies, government agencies, and legislative staff.

The summit will kick-off on July 14, with Michael F. Chiang, M.D., director of the National Eye Institute (NEI) at the National Institutes of Health delivering the opening keynote address. Dr. Chiangs remarks will address the key advancements in research, policies and social issues along with NEIs strategic objectives related to advancing vision and eye health.

On July 15, Amy Dixon, paralympic athlete and president of Glaucoma Eyes International, will serve as a keynote speaker, sharing her personal story of triumph over obstacles and the importance of engaging the patient to reach the goal of a better health outcome. And, Ross C. Brownson, PhD, Lipstein Distinguished Professor of Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis, will serve as the closing keynote speaker, presenting The Role of Public Health in Advancing Eye Health.

Additional presentations at the Focus on Eye Health National Summit on July 14 will include:

Oculomics: Ocular Biomarkers of Disease



Siegfried Karl Wagner, BMBCh, MA, MRCP, FRCOphth, University College London and Moorfields Eye Hospital

Steven M. Silverstein, PhD, University of Rochester Medical Center

Vision Impairment and Blindness in the U.S.: New National, State, and County-level Prevalence Data



Elizabeth Lundeen, PhD, MPH, Vision Health Initiative, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

David B. Rein, PhD, MPA, NORC at the University of Chicago

The Intersection of Vision Impairment and Mental Health



Robin Casten, PhD, Thomas Jefferson University

Also on July 15, a variety of moderated discussions will be held, including those on Myopia: A Global Health Challenge, Inequities in Vision Population Health Research, Barriers to Care in the COVID-era, Social Determinants of Vision and Health as it Relates to Learning, Emerging Telehealth and Artificial Intelligence Policy, and much more.

During the event, Prevent Blindness will formally present the 2021 Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health to R.V. Paul Chan, MD, MSc, MBA, FACS, Professor and Head, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, the John H. Panton, MD Professor of Ophthalmology, Director, Pediatric Retina and ROP Service at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health recognizes an individual, team, or organization that has made significant contributions to the advancement of public health related to vision and eye health at the community, state, national, and/or international level.

Additionally, the second annual Rising Visionary Award will be presented to Ms. Shervonne Poleon, Vision Science Graduate Program student, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The Rising Visionary Award is given annually to an optometry student or resident, ophthalmology resident, primary health care, nursing, or other health professional student or resident in the United States who has the best essay based on the 2021 Focus on Eye Health National Summit theme.

To date, Genentech, Horizon Therapeutics, and PhRMA are serving as Platinum Sponsors of the 2021 Focus on Eye Health National Summit. Gold sponsors include Alcon, Biogen, the Center for Vision and Population Health at Prevent Blindness, the EyeSight Foundation of Alabama, the National Center for Childrens Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness, Regeneron, and the Seva Foundation.

Silver sponsors include Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR), American Optometric Association, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), American Society of Retina Specialists, BrightFocus Foundation, CooperVision, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, National Industries for the Blind, National Keratoconus Foundation, PAN Foundation, Research to Prevent Blindness, and Vision 2020 USA.

At Prevent Blindness, we are proud to celebrate our tenth consecutive year of bringing together the nations top leaders in public health, vision and eyecare, science and advocacy through our Focus on Eye Health National Summit, said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. By expanding the Summit to a two-day event, we are committed to providing the most informative and engaging presentations and discussions to continue to move our sight-saving mission forward.

To register or for more information about the 2021 Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health National Summit and sponsorship opportunities, please visit preventblindness.org/eyesummit or contact Nita Sinha, director of Public Health, at npatelsinha@preventblindness.org.

About Prevent Blindness

Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, visit us at preventblindness.org, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Martha Melendez and Steve Stark, Aspire Group with Engel & Volkers Melbourne Beachside The best of Florida living is often associated with being on the beach. Engel & Volkers has an unmatched reach to showcase these types of unique properties to wealthy clients across the globe who are seeking their dream Florida lifestyle.

Engel & Volkers Florida today announced the record-breaking listing of 281 S Atlantic Ave. by Engel & Volkers Melbourne Beachsides Aspire Group, Martha Melendez and Steve Stark. Offered at $4,699,982, the listing is the most expensive single-family home for sale in Cocoa Beach and third-highest in Brevard County.

We have an extensive marketing strategy for this listing said Steve Stark, Co-lead of the Aspire Group with Engel & Volkers Melbourne Beachside. Its a great opportunity for us to showcase the power of the Engel & Volkers global network. One thing that struck us as very unique about the property is number of different environments created herefrom the stately home office beside the front entrance, to the third-floor loft, the pool, game and theater room, the fanciful tree house, to the beachfront hot tub...an endless list of ways for future owners to use and enjoy.

Located in Cocoa Beach, this home features a private backyard oasis in the form of 120-feet of beachfront. At 7,000 square feet, this expansive mansion boasts a plethora of luxurious amenities including six bedrooms, six bathrooms, interior and exterior surround sound, smartphone controlled Honeywell security system, wine cellar, three-car garage, a pool, jacuzzi, and an outdoor fireplace. At the heart of this masterfully proportioned home sits a voluminous living room with three sitting areas that are elevated by a three-story ceiling centered around a massive fireplace made entirely of coral. Additional structures on the property include an unattached art studio and a finished tree house with a loft, bathroom, and deck overlooking the ocean.

281 S Atlantic Ave. was once owned by Allen Harold "Al" Neuharth, an American businessman who founded USA Today. The home is located next to what was once Neuharths famous Pumpkin Center, which tragically burned down in 2016.

We are excited for the opportunity to showcase this beautiful home, said Marcie Bolt, License Partner of Engel & Volkers Melbourne Central and Engel & Volkers Melbourne Beachside. As the premier luxury brokerage in Brevard County we will leverage our brand's global network to find the buyer. The current market in Brevard is similar to what is going on around the country; we are getting multiple offers and most properties are selling for higher than list price.

The home's $4.69-million listing price is substantially higher than the typical value of homes in Cocoa Beach, which typically sits at $365,650. Home values have gone up more than 9-percent over the past year in Cocoa Beach, and similar trends have been observed county wide. 281 S Atlantic Ave. is the most expensive single-family home for sale in Cocoa Beach, and third-highest in Brevard County; surpassed by that of 10880 S Tropical Trl. for $5,000,000 and 4645 S Tropical Trl. for $5,695,000. 281 S Atlantic Ave was previously listed for sale by agents with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, Regency Realty Services, and One Sotheby's International since 2019, though no sale has taken place.

The best of Florida living is often associated with being on the beach, said Peter Giese, Chief Growth Officer at Engel & Volkers Florida. Engel & Volkers has an unmatched reach to showcase these types of unique properties to wealthy clients across the globe who are seeking their dream Florida lifestyle. Martha and Steve have once again demonstrated a proficiency for acquiring premium listings to represent in their market.

Cocoa Beach is one of the most popular vacation spots in all of Florida due to its affordability and prime location; its the closest beach to Orlando and nearby the states fastest growing port, Port Canaveral, where you can embark from world class cruise ships to exotic destinations. In the heart of Floridas Space Coast, Cocoa Beach is rich with history and excitement from premier facilities such as Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Space exploration isnt the only draw to the area though, as Cocoa Beach offers prime surf breaks that attract locals and tourists alike; its also home to Cocoa Beach Ron Jon Surf Shop, the world's largest surf shop at 52,000-square-feet.

###

Press contact:

Linzee Werkmeister, Junior Vice President, Marketing & Franchise Support

Email: Linzee.Werkmeister(at)evrealestate.com

Tel: (239) 348-9000

About Engel & Volkers:

Engel & Volkers is a global luxury real estate brand. Founded in Hamburg, Germany in 1977, Engel & Volkers draws on its rich European history to deliver a fresh approach to luxury real estate in the Americas with a focus on creating a personalized client experience at every stage of the home buying or selling process for today's savvy homeowner. Engel & Volkers currently operates approximately 225 shop locations with 4,500 real estate advisors in the Americas, contributing to the brand's global network of over 13,500 real estate professionals in more than 30 countries, offering both private and institutional clients a professionally tailored range of luxury services, including real estate, yachting and aviation. Committed to exceptional service, Engel & Volkers supports its advisors with an array of premium quality business services; marketing programs and platforms; as well as access to its global network of real estate professionals, property listings and market data. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated. For more information, visit http://www.evrealestate.com.

About Engel & Volkers Florida:

Engel & Volkers Florida is the Master License Partner of the global luxury real estate brand Engel & Volkers in the state of Florida. Recognized for uniquely recruiting, training and equipping some of the top professionals in the real estate industry, Engel & Volkers Floridas exclusive franchise model positions its license partners at the top of the premium market to gain market share and support their bottom line. The company represents franchise locations in: 30A Beaches, Amelia Island, Belleair, Boca Raton, Bonita Springs-Estero, Cape Coral, Clermont, Delray Beach, Destin, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers Downtown, Gainesville, Hollywood Beach, Islamorada, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Jupiter, Madeira Beach, Marco Island, Melbourne Beachside, Melbourne Central, Melbourne Downtown, Miami Coconut Grove, Neptune Beach, Olde Naples, Orlando, Orlando Downtown, Orlando-Winter Park, Palm Beach, Palm Coast, Sarasota, South Tampa, St. Augustine, St. Pete, St. Pete Beach, Stuart, Venice Downtown, Wellington, and Windermere.

Engel & Volkers Florida is continuing to strategically strengthen and expand its presence in premium real estate markets across the state of Florida. If you would like to know more about the Engel & Volkers brand or how to join its global networkwhich is known for demonstrating competence, exclusivity and passion, feel free to call our corporate office, located at 633 Tamiami Trl N, Suite 201, Naples, FL 34102 USA. Tel: +1 239-348-9000.

For more information about Engel & Volkers Florida, please visit http://www.florida.evrealestate.com
We are excited and honored to participate in the EULAR 2021 Virtual Congress and share how a patients work in advocacy helped build a powerhouse research program.

The Relapsing Polychondritis Foundation announced that a poster abstract about the founding and launch of the Penn RP Program (Philadelphia, PA) has been accepted for presentation by the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) 2021 Virtual Congress to be held on June 2-5, 2021, in Paris, France.

The poster will highlight how continued attendance at conferences and relationship-building with clinicians, researchers, patients, and advocates galvanized the establishment of a research initiative and partnership between the University of Pennsylvania RP Program and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) sponsored Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium (VCRC).

We are excited and honored to participate in the EULAR 2021 Virtual Congress and share how a patients work in advocacy helped build a powerhouse research program. To be able to continue sharing information about relapsing polychondritis with those in the rheumatology field while highlighting our efforts to bridge knowledge gaps and overcome challenges in patient diagnosis and care is a tremendous opportunity, said David Bammert, Director and President of the RP Foundation. We look forward to fostering friendships and learning more about other innovative research initiatives through this prominent forum.

Details of the abstract and poster presentation are as follows:

Title: Launching a New Relapsing Polychondritis (RP) Program

Authors: Nancy Linn, Michael J. Linn, David Bammert, David DeRosa

Abstract Number: POS1498-PARE

Presentation Type: E-poster

Date: Available for browsing on June 3, 2021 through July 5, 2021.

More information about the EULAR 2021 Virtual Congress can be found here.

For more information about relapsing polychondritis, the RP Foundation, and the Race for RP, please visit https://www.polychondritis.org and https://raceforrp.org/. For all general and media inquiries, please contact David Bammert at (906) 869-3962 or dbammert@polychondritis.org.

About the Relapsing Polychondritis Foundation Inc.: The Relapsing Polychondritis Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which strives to raise awareness and educate the public, as well as represent its patients to the global medical community and support medical research toward a cure. For more information about the RP Foundation, please visit the foundations website.

About Race for RP: Race for RP is a non-profit organization that supports research, awareness programs, and care, for those affected by relapsing polychondritis and related diseases. RP is a painful, debilitating, and sometimes fatal autoimmune disease in which the immune system misfires, turning on the patients cartilage. For more information about Race for RP, please visit the organizations website.

Media Contacts:

Company Name: Relapsing Polychondritis Foundation

Name: David Bammert

Phone: (906) 869-3962

Email Address: dbammert@polychondritis.org

Website: https://www.polychondritis.org
Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global After evaluation of suppliers and buyers concerns around the continued uncertainties caused by the on-going COVID-19 situation worldwide, it became evident that 2021 would still be too soon to host an international event...

Today, Diversified Communications, organizer of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global announced that the 28th edition of the event will now take place 26-28 April 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. The event had been postponed from its original date of 27-29 April 2021 to 7-9 September 2021.

Keeping our customers best interest in mind is our top priority, said Liz Plizga, Group Vice President, Diversified Communications. After evaluation of suppliers and buyers concerns around the continued uncertainties caused by the on-going COVID-19 situation worldwide, it became evident that 2021 would still be too soon to host an international event that would provide the global experience the seafood community would find valuable.

Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global is the worlds largest and most diverse seafood trade event bringing together more than 29,000 industry professionals from around the globe. More than 158 countries are represented at the event and each countrys complex COVID-19 regulations and governmental restrictions make it impossible to hold a large-scale global event in September 2021.

We are committed to Barcelona, added Plizga. We will continue working with Fira de Barcelona and the city to ensure we can host a valuable in-person event that will bring back, at the Gran Via venue in 2022, the international representation that makes Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global the global seafood marketplace and the largest seafood trade event in the world.

We have already received contracts for the 2022 edition and strong participation interest from all sectors of the global seafood industry. We look forward to having the most successful first edition in the beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain, said Wynter Courmont, Event Director, Diversified Communications.

Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global brings all the key players (suppliers, buyers, government, distributors, industrial and services) in the seafood sector from everywhere in the world. Seafood Expo Global features seafood suppliers showcasing their newest seafood products - fresh, frozen, canned, value-added, processed and packaged  to global seafood buyers including supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, catering services, importers, distributors, seafood markets and other retail and foodservice companies. Seafood Processing Global highlights every aspect of seafood processing, including packaging materials and equipment, refrigeration and freezing equipment and supplies, primary processing equipment, secondary processing equipment, hygiene control and sanitation and quality assurance services.

The event organizers focus is to provide business continuity and continue to serve the needs of their customers. Until the 2022 edition in Barcelona, we will be exploring online event opportunities to connect suppliers and buyers together and keep the seafood community informed on the latest topics in the industry, commented Courmont.

For more information about Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, visit: http://www.seafoodexpo.com/global.

About Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global

Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global form the worlds largest seafood trade event. Thousands of buyers and suppliers from around the world attend the annual, three-day exposition to meet, network and conduct business. Attending buyers represent importers, exporters, wholesalers, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, and other retail and foodservice companies. Exhibiting suppliers offer the newest seafood products, processing and packaging equipment, and services available in the seafood market. SeafoodSource.com is the expositions official media. The exposition is produced by Diversified Communications, the international leader in seafood-industry expositions and media. http://www.seafoodexpo.com/global

About Diversified Communications

Diversified Communications is a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities and digital and print publications. As producers of these market-leading products Diversified Communications connects, educates and strengthens business communities in over 15 industries including: food and beverage, healthcare, natural and organic, business management and technology. The companys global seafood portfolio of expositions and media includes Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, Seafood Expo Asia and SeafoodSource.com. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit: http://www.divcom.com

Media Contact:

Christine Pedersen

Marketing Director

Diversified Communications

cpedersen@divcom.com
Siddhartha Kadia is a highly accomplished and esteemed scientist and biotechnology business leader with a stellar track record of success, said Slone Partners CEO Leslie Loveless.

Slone Partners, a nationwide executive search firm for life sciences, biotechnology, and diagnostics companies, has announced the placement of Siddhartha Kadia on the Board of Directors at IsoPlexis, a biotechnology company specializing in functional single-cell proteomics.

Dr. Kadia brings more than 20 years of experience to his Board position, having served in leadership positions in the technology, life sciences, and healthcare industries. He previously served as President of the Life Sciences division at Life Technologies, where he was responsible for worldwide P&L of a $2B portfolio for the company, which included some of the most differentiated technologies in the industry. He also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of EAG Laboratories, a global leader for scientific testing and materials analysis, and Corporate Vice President at Invitrogen, where he served as part of the Executive Management Team.

Siddhartha Kadia is a highly accomplished and esteemed scientist and biotechnology business leader with a stellar track record of success, said Slone Partners CEO Leslie Loveless. His extensive knowledge and experience will be tremendous additions to the IsoPlexis Board and great support for the company's leadership team.

Dr. Kadia is a significant addition to our Board of Directors, said Sean Mackay, CEO, and Co-Founder of IsoPlexis. As we expand globally, his industry and academic networks and international experience in key global markets will be invaluable to our growing company.

Dr. Kadia earned his Master's Degree from Rutgers University and his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. He serves on the Board of Overseers for Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla and on the Commercial Advisory Board of the NSF Engineering Research Center for Cell Manufacturing Technologies (CMaT). He also serves as Director on several public and private company boards, including NuVasive, ALS Limited, Applied Technical Services (ATS), and BioSkryb Genomics.

ABOUT SLONE PARTNERS

Slone Partners delivers the leaders who build amazing and diverse life sciences organizations  People Are Our Science. Founded in 2000, Slone Partners specializes in delivering world-class C-suite leadership, executive, and upper management talent to the most promising and established biotech, diagnostics, research tools, healthcare, precision medicine, CRO, and laboratory services companies. With coast-to-coast presence in the most active healthcare industry hubs of Boston, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, Austin, Research Triangle Park NC, and Washington DC, Slone Partners uniquely and precisely provides an array of executive search and advisory services, including diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy, to innovative life sciences companies. To learn more about Slone Partners value proposition and processes, visit http://www.slonepartners.com or call 888.784.3422.

ABOUT ISOPLEXIS

IsoPlexis is a life science technology company building solutions to accelerate the development of curative medicines and personalized therapeutics. Our award-winning single-cell proteomics systems reveal unique biological activity in small subsets of cells, allowing researchers to connect more directly to in vivo biology and develop more precise and personalized therapies. Our integrated systems, named top innovation or design by the Scientist Magazine, Fierce, BIG Innovation, Red Dot & multiple others, are used globally to advance the field of single-cell biology into new 'omic possibilities, as our customers generate solutions to overcome the challenges of complex diseases and therapeutics. Our products have been adopted by researchers around the world, including the top 15 global pharmaceutical companies and by 45% of comprehensive cancer centers in the US. To learn more, visit https://isoplexis.com/.


Meeting with the Glasgow and Malawi teams The effect that the FemEng African initiatives have had on STEM education over the past few years is really impressive.

Over the past few years, Star Refrigeration has supported an international collaborative engineering project developed by FemEng  a student-led network aimed at linking together women in the School of Engineering at the University of Glasgow.

The group has a number of objectives including outreach work with schools, networking events with industry professionals, social activities and international collaborations. The project aims to encourage more young people in Malawi into a career in STEM and in particular, inspiring young women to apply to university. It follows the highly successful FemEng in Rwanda project ran by the group from 2016-2019 which saw an over 100% increase in the number of applications to courses at the University of Rwanda.

The FemEng team will be working virtually alongside a team of volunteers from Malawi University of Science and Technology to develop and deliver STEM workshops to school girls in the surrounding area throughout August 2021. The planned workshops will include techniques in mechanical, biomedical, product design, chemical, civil and other engineering disciplines.

The main topics planned for these include Make your own cardboard car, Make your own wind turbine, Make your own cardboard prosthetic hand and a Design and Build style workshop. Each workshop will provide further information on each engineering discipline, worksheets and interactive presentations and a discrimination and diversity workshop.

Star Refrigeration will be supporting the FemEng project for the fifth year. The companys sponsorship will be used to provide a laptop for the Malawi University of Science and Technology team, clean drinking water, lunch and snacks for the school children taking part, as well as the material supplies needed for the workshops.

Catriona Wall, a team member of the FemEng group at the University of Glasgow says The idea for the project came from the highly successful FemEng in Rwanda which ran from 2016-2019 and managed to visit over 3600 children from all over the country.

FemEng in Malawi is again a completely student run project which relies on the support of sponsors to make the project possible. Therefore, we are so grateful to Star Refrigeration for helping to make this project possible.

Dr Andy Pearson, Star Refrigeration Group Managing Director said, We are delighted to be supporting FemEng in Malawi as part of our commitment to making engineering accessible to children and specifically to inspire young girls into further education, in particular STEM subjects. The effect that the FemEng African initiatives have had on STEM education over the past few years is really impressive. We congratulate the student engineers on the hard work they have put into deigning the project and we wish them the best of success in August.

FemEng in Malawi relies on the support of sponsors to make the project a reality. The group continues to welcome sponsorships to help fund the initiative on two levels  financially and through the provision of workshop materials. Current sponsors of the project include Tunnocks, Renishaw and Robertson.

For more information on the FemEng in Malawi project and to get in touch with the team, visit the FemEng website https://femenginmalawi.wixsite.com/uofg or twitter @UofGFemEng
The Partnership has been fortunate to help support our Downtown Frederick business community during a time of incredible stress and hardship, said Kara Norman, Partnership Executive Director.

Each year, the Partnership administers a Business Performance Survey to gain insights into the downtown economy, providing a unique opportunity to gauge the health and wellbeing of the Downtown Frederick business community and the effectiveness of the Partnership. The survey is broken into sections that collect data on retail demographics, business revenue, retail hours of operation, rental rates, overall satisfaction, economic outlook and Partnership performance.

2020 was an extraordinary and difficult year and, as expected, Downtown Frederick saw significant negative impacts in revenue performance and operating capacity for downtown businesses. However, the statistics also point to positive signs for Downtown Fredericks recovery  with 56% of respondents feeling that the overall economic climate for businesses like theirs in the coming year would be very good or good. An overwhelming majority of respondents say they would recommend Downtown Frederick to other retailers, with 92% rating Downtown Frederick as an 8 or higher on a 10 point scale

Despite the challenges experienced this past year, 36% of the businesses reported having sufficient funds to cover 1-2 of months of operations and 34% reported having sufficient funds to cover 3 or more months of operations  which is stronger than average for Maryland small businesses in the January 2021 timeframe when the survey was administered. Additionally, when combining first and second time Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applicants (the Partnerships survey includes only first time applicants due to the 2020 calendar year focus), the PPP application rate among respondents is 30% higher than the Maryland average.

Related to Partnerships work, 82% of businesses rated the Partnerships performance as a 9 or higher on a 10 point scale in 2020 as compared to 81% in 2019. For 2020, 70% of businesses rated the Partnerships performance as a 10 (excellent) as compared to 45% in 2019.

The Partnership has been fortunate to help support our Downtown Frederick business community during a time of incredible stress and hardship, said Kara Norman, Partnership Executive Director. As a staff, we are incredibly impressed with the efforts of our business community to adapt so quickly and to continue to persevere.

View the complete 2020 Downtown Frederick Business Performance Survey at downtownfrederick.org/wp-content/uploads/2020-Downtown-Frederick-Business-Performance-Survey-Results-Report.pdf

Downtown Frederick Partnership works to enhance, promote and preserve the vitality and livability of Downtown Frederick, a national Main Street community.
Susanna Song of High Wire Networks Featured on CRNs 2021 Women of the Channel List Were excited that Susanna has been recognized by CRN. Her initiative has been critical to growing channel sales of our Overwatch Managed Security services by expanding High Wires brand awareness and recognition and engagement in the IT channel partner community.

Spectrum Global Solutions Inc. (the Company or Spectrum) (OTCQB: SGSI), announced today that High Wire Networks Inc. (High Wire), a leading global technology systems integrator and managed cybersecurity solutions provider, announced today that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Susanna Song, Vice President of Communications and Marketing at High Wire Networks, to the prestigious Women of the Channel list for 2021.

Each year CRNs list recognizes the unique strengths, vision and achievements of female leaders in the IT channel. The women honored on the 2021 list pushed forward with comprehensive business plans, marketing initiatives and other innovative ideas to support their partners and customers, helping them through the uncertainty brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic. CRN celebrates these exceptional women for their leadership, dedication and channel advocacy.

Susanna Song joined High Wire in 2018 after 15 years as an Emmy-award winning television journalist in the Chicago market. She is instrumental in the go-to-market strategy for High Wires global tech field services and Overwatch Managed Security services, which are sold exclusive with the indirect sales channel. Song currently oversees all channel marketing and communications. In 2020, Song launched Overwatch University, a free course in cybersecurity for High Wires network of 15,000 field techs, MSPs and VARs to learn about cybersecurity and reskill during the pandemic.

Were excited that Susanna has been recognized by CRN, said Mark Porter, CEO at High Wire Networks. Her initiative has been critical to growing channel sales of our Overwatch Managed Security services by expanding High Wires brand awareness and recognition and engagement in the IT channel partner community.

The 2021 Women of the Channel list will be featured in CRN Magazine on May 10 and online at http://www.CRN.com/WOTC.

CRNs 2021 Women of the Channel list acknowledges accomplished, influential women whose dedication, hard work, and leadership accelerate channel growth, said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. We are proud to honor them for their many accomplishments and look forward to their continued contributions to the IT channel.

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. http://www.thechannelcompany.com

Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

 2021. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

About Spectrum Global Solutions

Spectrum Global Solutions Inc. operates through its subsidiaries ADEX Corp., Tropical Communications Inc. and AW Solutions Puerto Rico LLC. The Company is a leading provider of telecommunications engineering and infrastructure services across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Caribbean. For more information about the Company and its technologies visit the Companys public filings at http://www.SEC.gov or the Companys website at https://SpectrumGlobalSolutions.com/

About High Wire Networks

For 20 years, High Wire Networks has been a trusted partner to VARs, MSPs, distributors, integrators, manufacturers, and telecom providers by enabling them to minimize overhead while extending delivery capabilities around the world. Our flexible workforce delivers vendor-agnostic technical field, professional and security services in more than 180 countries. Our services include design, installation, configuration, and support for unified communications, wired and wireless networks, cabling and infrastructure, and electrical systems. Our new Overwatch Managed Security Platform-as-a-Service enables our partners to deliver comprehensive cybersecurity thats easy to sell and easy to buy for an affordable subscription. We also offer a variety of on-demand, rapid-response solutions with service levels ranging from two hours to the next business day for onsite break-fix and remote technical support. With High Wire Networks, partners Get Work Done. Learn more at http://www.highwirenetworks.com

Forward-Looking Statements:

The above news release contains forward-looking statements. The statements contained in this document that are not statements of historical fact, including but not limited to, statements identified by the use of terms such as anticipate, appear, believe, could, estimate, expect, hope, indicate, intend, likely, may, might, plan, potential, project, seek, should, will, would, and other variations or negative expressions of these terms, including statements related to expected market trends and the Companys performance, are all forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on assumptions that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information, and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performances and are subject to a wide range of external factors, uncertainties, business risks, and other risks identified in filings made by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in the companys expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any statement is based except as required by applicable law and regulations.
We started 2021 with a sizeable backlog of new offices to open, demonstrating strong demand for our brand, said Dan Shapero, president and COO of TeamLogic, Inc. Our continued growth during the COVID-19 pandemic is a testament to the will and determination of our entrepreneurial franchisees.

TeamLogic IT Increases Nationwide Expansion as MSP Market Said to Enter Golden Age in the Next Decade Information technology company among fastest-growing franchises nationwide.

TeamLogic IT, a leading managed services provider (MSP), has had network office growth of 65% from 2017 to 2020, and network revenue increased by 101%. Today, TeamLogic IT has 229 locations across the country, and despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the company opened 28 offices in 2020 alone.

We started 2021 with a sizeable backlog of new offices to open, demonstrating strong demand for our brand, said Dan Shapero, president and COO of TeamLogic, Inc. Our continued growth during the COVID-19 pandemic is a testament to the will and determination of our entrepreneurial franchisees.

TeamLogic IT has expanded into the following cities in 2021:



Nashville, TN

Salt Lake City, UT

Jacksonville, FL

Kent and SeaTac, WA

Summerlin, NV

Mamaroneck, NY

Spokane, WA

Brownsville, TX

Pleasant Grove, UT

Centennial, CO

Clayton, MO

Clearwater, FL

According to William Blairs MSP Market: Entering the Golden Age, it is believed that the confluence of customer demand for MSP services and substantial capital being brought to bear in the space will result in a golden age for the MSP market in the next decade.

TeamLogic IT serves the technology needs of companies of all sizes, and is uniquely focused on proactive, preventative and responsive IT delivered with the highest commitment to quality customer service. The organization focuses on business first, then technology, so that its end-to-end solution fits the needs of any organization.

TeamLogic IT ranked in Entrepreneur magazines Franchise 500, has been recognized as the Channel Futures 2020 MSP of the Year and made the 2020 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The company was named a recession proof business by Franchise Business Review and continues to be attractive to entrepreneurs looking to start their own business even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

About TeamLogic IT

TeamLogic IT is a national provider of technology solutions that businesses rely on for best-in-class managed IT services. Local offices provide companies of all sizes with the IT support they need to minimize downtime and improve productivity. Services include proactive cybersecurity protection, cloud computing, backup and disaster recovery and business continuity. With more than 225 independently owned and operated locations across North America, TeamLogic IT fills the void in the marketplace for a trusted technology advisor.

The TeamLogic IT franchise opportunity appeals to entrepreneurial executives with experience in technology, business and sales management. Interested parties are encouraged to visit http://www.teamlogicfranchising.com.

Contact: Denise Denton, Vice President, Marketing (ddenton@teamlogicit.com) at 949-582-6300, or Dan Shapero, President (dshapero@teamlogicit.com) or visit http://www.TeamLogicIT.com, or http://www.teamlogicfranchising.com.

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A local court on Wednesday send Malayalam actor Unni Dev to 14 days judicial custody for abetment to his wife's suicide.

Unni Dev, the son of late actor Rajan P. Dev, was arrested on Tuesday after his wife Priyanka ended her life on May 12 by hanging her herself at her home in Vattapara, near here.

Unni Dev, who has acted in a few Malayalam films, has confessed to "causing duress to his wife", according to the police.

The Nedumangad police team arrived at his home in Ernakulam district on Tuesday and took him into custody after ensuring that he was Covid negative. He was brought to the state capital, where the case was registered.

The late actor's wife has also been named as an accused but as she is still recovering from Covid she will be taken into custody for questioning later.

The Vattapara Police station had registered a case of unnatural death. They said that a day before her death, she had registered a complaint of domestic abuse.

Later her brother also filed a petition pointing at the abuse she had suffered at Unni's house.

The local police had begun their probe but it got stuck after Unni tested Covid positive.

Unni's father Dev was a hugely popular film actor. He passed away in 2009 after having acted in over 200 films.

Unni and Priyanka had a love marriage in 2019. Priyanka was working in a private school as a physical education teacher after her marriage.

According to her relatives, initially the marriage was going fine. However, after a while issues began cropping up and of late things had turned ugly and she decided to return to her home and the next day she ended her life.

The relatives of the deceased allege that she was suffering and they claim to have visuals of the same. Unni's family is yet to speak on the issue.
Protecting your most important assets around the globe, 24/7

From coast to coast, and around the world, a dangerous and drastic surge in antisemitism is apparent. This rise in antisemitism is attributed to and exacerbated by the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. As the violence between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, its effects are felt by Jewish individuals and communities in big cities and small towns alike.

Relentless acts of harassment, vandalism, and violence against the Jewish community are widespread. An outpouring of online abuse (i.e., hate speech, slurs) are festering, predominantly across social media platforms and channels. An analysis of Twitter by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in the days following the onset of the conflict, found nearly 20,000 tweets with variations of the phrase, Hitler was right.

According to ADL, this inflammatory rhetoric has consequences: attacks in real life on real people targeted for no other reason than they are Jewish. These senseless acts of violence have materialized overseas, throughout the West Coast, down south, and everywhere in between. Nevertheless, rising levels of antisemitism are perhaps most alarming across the Tri-State Area, that is, spiraling in New York, and climbing in New Jersey.

Across New York City, members of the Jewish community suffer random and brutal attacks that at times have resulted in injury and/or hospitalization. Numerous synagogues citywide have also been targets of destruction ranging from broken windows and broken doors, in some instances shattered by hurled rocks, to burned Israeli flags flying on the property.

In North Jersey, where Jewish American and Arab communities are prevalent, recent Pro-Palestine demonstration activity in Paterson drew thousands of individuals on two separate occasions. Additional protest activity in Jersey City sought to block the sale of weapons to Israel in wake of the ongoing violence. Moreover, the political divide in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has widened along party lines in New Jersey, further complicating the crisis. While a plethora of state and federal elected officials have vocalized support for Israel in times of conflict, as of late, several other officials are harshly criticizing Israel and the United States alliance with them.

In wake of an explosion of violence and targeted attacks against the Jewish community, out of an abundance of caution, The K Street Group strongly encourages synagogues and other places of worship to contact Chief Operating Officer, Bob Aromando to evaluate additional security options available.

The K Street Group provides armed security professionals, K9 explosive detection services, social media intelligence analysis, marked police-like patrol vehicles, and CCTV.

Contact: baromando@kstreetassociates.org or by telephone, 908-200-7344, X 312.
Visang Education

Visang Education, a global education company, is strengthening its EdTech platform-based business model to expand its overseas sales channels.

Starting with a young learners English program exported to China in February 2017, Visang has signed export contracts of approximately 36,000,000 USD in countries in Asia, the Middle East, and South America.

This was made possible by AllviA, a next-generation EdTech platform built through high expertise in both education and IT, and its creation of a student-centered class. Inspired by the need to depart from the one-sided teacher-focused approach and to improve content quality, AllviA is helping to create a more creative classroom environment.

As of spring 2021, Visang has developed AllviA and exported Wings (English for young learners), ELiF (elementary school English), Math Alive (elementary school mathematics), and KLaSS (Korean-language content) to China, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Qatar, UAE, and Egypt.

For Math Alive, which was initially conceived for foreign markets, an export contract was signed with a Vietnamese education company during the development phase. This was made possible thanks to AllviAs contributions to improving mathematical thinking through customized problem solving based on metacognition and AI technologies.

The instructional material for Math Alive was developed in English and structured to meet American academic achievement guidelines called Common Core State Standards (CCSS).

Recently, a strategic business alliance was established with the U.S.-based MetaMetrics allowing us to apply Lexiles, which measure English language reading ability and text on the same scale, to the elementary English program, ELiF, and the self-directed English-learning program, englisheye."

Visang's unique EdTech technology and high-quality content received favorable reviews at world-class awards ceremonies.

Visang participated in the BETT Show 2021, the world's largest educational technology exhibition, which was held online from January 20 to 22. Visang was nominated as a BETT Award finalist in recognition for englisheye, a self-directed English learning program for elementary and secondary schools. The final results will be announced at the awards ceremony in the UK on July 1.

This year, Visang plans to introduce a global secondary school learning solution combining middle school-level English and math content with a distance education service optimized for online learning.

Along with the current offerings, a global subscription learning service that allows educational institutions around the world to easily install and use Visang's EdTech products through the cloud-based AllviA platform is also being developed with the aim of launch in the second half of the year.

Head of Overseas Strategic Business Division at Visang Education, Hur Woo Kun said, This year, the company will participate in global education exhibitions held online and offline in Germany, Dubai, Singapore, UK, Japan, China, etc. to promote its EdTech products to more countries and to enter their local markets.

##

[Press release inquiries]

Ha Yi Kyu, Overseas Strategic Business Division Core CP, Visang Education global@Visang.com

Kwon Hyuk Joo, Visang Education Brand Core (PR) CP kwonhj@Visang.com

please visit: https://global.visang.com/
Following a year of significant change in the commercial real estate industry, including increased awareness of the link between indoor environment and occupant health and wellness, Riverside Investment & Development (Riverside) and Cohesion are working together to create a solution. They are offering the next frontier for technological innovation through building infrastructure that ensures the cleanest air and provides occupants transparency via continuous monitoring to help keep them safe. This is critical not only for the future of commercial real estate, but especially as millions return back to their offices beginning in the near term.

A year into this pandemic, building occupants are significantly more informed as to how the air they breathe and the surfaces they touch impact their health, said Thru Shivakumar, Cohesions chief executive officer and co-founder. At the outset of the pandemic, Riverside came to us with the goal to not only create the most forward-thinking Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) program possible, but also provide a level of transparency that far surpasses the norm. They really care about their building occupants and wanted to be on the leading edge of what defines health and safety in a world permanently changed by Covid.

As concerns about IAQ hit the mainstream after COVID-19, building owners, operators and managers are doing anything they can to prove that their spaces are safe, healthy and ready to welcome back their employees. Thankfully, Cohesion, a Chicago-based tech startup, is helping landlords solve their challenges with software that integrates smart controls systems into a single, intelligent, data-driven platform. The innovative technology allows landlords to monitor, control and automatically improve the air quality throughout their properties.

Based on performance requirements developed by Riverside for the developers award-winning 54-story, 1.2 million square foot office building located at 150 N Riverside Plaza, Cohesion created an air-quality control program combining state-of-the art sensor deployment, app and internet-based display interfaces, and the necessary AI-enabled software to allow command-and-control integration with the building automation systems. This groundbreaking system allowed engineering consultants ESD, Riverside, and Cohesion to jointly win the CoreNet 2020 Innovation Award for Property Management Technology and launch Vayu by Cohesion.

At Riverside, our top priority is the health and safety of our tenants, said Anthony Scacco, Chief Operating Officer of Riverside Investment & Development. When we conceptualized the air quality program we wanted to deliver to our tenants, Cohesion was the ideal partner, given their prior success delivering customized enhancements to the occupant experience. Together, weve executed the most forward-thinking program we could conceive of, one which sets a new standard of optimized indoor air quality to both deliver and promote a greater sense of wellness and productivity for all building occupants.

Riversides goal was for the team to complete the necessary software and hardware integrations and beta test this air quality control program at 150 N Riverside within a compressed 4-month period, then immediately deploy the technology to the rest of its 4.3 million square foot portfolio. This includes Riversides 56-story 110 N Wacker Drive/Bank of America Tower and the soon-to-be completed 51-story 320 S Canal/BMO Tower building. Now, this solution is available for any commercial real estate building looking to provide its tenants with the gold standard in health and safety.

Designed to integrate an array of building automation systems, tenant communications and touchless access-point data into a single platform, Cohesions software provides management teams with a better understanding of how their building is functioning. In turn, this improves tenant satisfaction, saves on operating costs and, perhaps most importantly, automates fresh air delivery based on air quality attributes. Cohesions Intelligent Building Platform connects to the buildings existing automation and controls systems to monitor multiple air quality components, including but not limited to carbon dioxide, VOCs, airborne particulates, and outdoor fresh air supply rates, and the platform is able to automatically adjust to the buildings HVAC system to keep the air optimized for healthy conditions. Deployment of Cohesions system also enables properties to gain points toward their WELL Building Certification.

Evolving workplace strategies are going to disrupt how and when tenants utilize space. The demand for cleaner, healthier buildings from tenants is on the rise, Shivakumar said. There is an expectation that building owners should understand their spaces in ways they never had to before, and Riverside is leading the way in that regard. They know they have to understand the data first and we present an easy way for them to do that.

About Cohesion

Founded in 2018, Cohesion helps commercial buildings better integrate a variety of systems into a scalable SaaS platform. It empowers real estate owners to maximize asset and portfolio value with all building systems, workflows and people seamlessly connected in one intelligent building platform. The integration provides one unified access platform for building operators to control and improve building health and security, tenant experience and smart building operations, as well as automation. Cohesions platform provides the most actionable insights in the market, enabling owners to reduce costs, enhance tenant experiences and increase operational transparency.

About Riverside Investment & Development

Riverside Investment & Development is a Chicago-based, vertically integrated real estate company founded in 2011. Since launching its first development in 2014, Riverside has become the most active office developer in the Midwest. The Riverside team has broad experience across asset types, geographic locations and partnership structures.


Even as a child scribbling imagined stories in blank books, Anthony Doerr told PW fiction reviews editor David Varno in an interview at the U.S. Book Show on Wednesday, he knew books were preciousand that one day he would write one. So he did, and not just one: Doerr's new novel, Cloud Cuckoo Land (Scribner, Sept.), follows his 2014 Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel, All the Light We Cannot See, and numerous short stories that have garnered literary awards by the dozens.

All Doerr's works are driven by the same desire to be transported out of my boring Caucasian body and into other lives and other minds and other eras, he said. What I fell in love with originally as a child is what I still love to do most. Its world-building, sentence by sentence, using these really inexpensive materials, these little black marks on a white page, to try to transport and immerse a reader, and myself, into another place. It is still just total magic to me.

But his process as a writer is not a matter of magic. Speaking from his home in Boise, Idaho, Doerr gleefully describes his delight diving for years into libraries and internet archives for telling details, citing as an example the color of the sky over Constantinople during the Ottoman invasion in 1453. During the conversation, Doerr held up a codexa book of ancient manuscriptsand a book of translated fragments of ancient Greek novels he keeps on hand for information, inspiration, and proof. Books, he said, outlive death.

Ive wanted all my career to try to write a book with a book inside of a book that is somehow a tribute to books, Doerr told Varnoand Cloud Cuckoo Land is that tribute. Described by Varno as a deeply affecting epic of a long lost book from ancient Greece, the novel weaves together past and future, with characters ranging from two children in 15th-century Constantinople to a teenage eco-terrorist in contemporary Idaho to an 22nd-century astronaut hurtling through space toward a new homeland for humanity.

Throughout the book, Doerr interspersed 24 one-page fragments of a novel-within-a-novel, Antonius Diogenes's Cloud Cuckoo Land. Each generation encounters and protects the book, Doerr explained, so that the next generation might also get to experience that same magic.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Explore Interactive, a Purdue University-related startup that markets augmented reality-powered, gamified learning sets to help students in grades 3-5 understand science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), has entered an agreement with PASCO Scientific Inc. to distribute the award-winning MindLabs product around the globe.

MindLabs, which was named by Forbes in 2020 as the STEM product with the best hands-on and AR integration, will be sold in English-language markets as part of the PASCO Blueprint packages for summer and year-long learning enrichment in the sciences. The Blueprint packages are especially of interest for schools and districts with access to ESSERIII educational grant funding within the American Rescue Plan. They are available online.

Amanda Thompson, CEO of Explore Interactive, said PASCO Scientific is the perfect partner for global distribution of the MindLabs science learning product.

"As an established leader and global innovator of educational STEM products, PASCO Scientific is the perfect partner," she said. "Together, we envision a future where high-quality digital interactions, like our MindLabs AR, are integrated with hands-on STEM experiences to maximize student learning outcomes. PASCO's global network of educators will accelerate the adoption of MindLabs worldwide, enabling us to nurture young learners everywhere."

Richard Briscoe, president and CEO of PASCO Scientific, said MindLabs is a strong addition to the company's catalog of educational products to accelerate students interests and abilities in the sciences.

"As a growing innovator in science education, MindLabs' creative approach is a game-changer for young learners. The integration of augmented reality into hands-on science creates a new dynamic that makes it easier for younger students to explore complex concepts, like electricity and circuits, through play," Briscoe said. "Through our partnership with MindLabs, we hope to encourage early excitement around science in students around the world while helping them develop foundational literacy in science and STEM concepts."

Thompson and her team conducted educational studies with researchers at the INSPIRE Research Institute for Pre-College Engineering at Purdue under SBIR funding from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and matching funds from Elevate Ventures.

Explore Interactive has received support and guidance from the Purdue Foundry, an entrepreneurship and commercialization hub housed in the Convergence Center for Innovation and Collaboration in Purdue's Discovery Park District, adjacent to the Purdue campus.

About Purdue Research Foundation

The Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University. Established in 1930, the foundation accepts gifts; administers trusts; funds scholarships and grants; acquires property; protects Purdue's intellectual property; and promotes entrepreneurial activities on behalf of Purdue. The foundation manages the Purdue Foundry, Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization, Purdue Research Park, Purdue Technology Centers and University Development Office. In 2020, the IPWatchdog Institute ranked Purdue third nationally in startup creation and in the top 20 for patents. The foundation received the 2019 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Award for Place from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. For more information about involvement and investment opportunities in startups based on a Purdue innovation, contact the Purdue Foundry at foundry@prf.org.

Writer: Steve Martin, sgmartin@prf.org

Sources: Amanda Thompson

Richard Briscoe
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Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday asked the government about the shortage of vaccines in the country in her series of "jimmedar Kaun" (who is responsible) posts.

She has asked three specific questions from the government on her Facebook page -- "when the Prime Minister is saying that they were ready with the plan of vaccination, then why did the government only order 1.60 crore vaccines and why did the government export vaccines at the cost of Indians, and when India is the largest manufacturer of the vaccine, why did it have to import?"

She said these are the questions which people of India are asking from the government.

She said, last year the Prime Minister from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day said that India is ready with the vaccination plan. "Initially, the earlier success of vaccine made impression that it will be done in good way. As Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru established vaccine unit in 1948 in Chennai and gave a path to vaccination program in the country. India has been successful in vaccination against polio and small pox."

"But the bitter reality is that what was expected a smooth program became a tool of publicity for the Prime Minister and after being the largest manufacturer, India is reduced to an importer for a population of 130 crore. Only 11 per cent got the first dose and 3 per cent both the doses."

When all the countries were placing orders for vaccines, the PM did not place for us and even exported 6.5 crore vaccines.

Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday had announced that she will begin "Jimmedar Kaun" (Who is responsible) series on the issue of pandemic. She has sought feedback and suggestions from the people.

In her Facebook post, she had said that during second wave of pandemic, when country was devastated and the people were struggling for medicines, beds and oxygen, the government was in mute mode.
Show organisers have confined that the 2021edition will take place from 3-6 December at its traditional home of the RAI in Amsterdam as part of a hybrid format. In addition to onsite in Amsterdam, IBC says that its 250,000-strong community will also be able to engage through the IBC Digital platform that was used in the virtual-only event a year ago. IBC believes that the combination will deliver new opportunities for exhibitors, speakers and show attendees to share information and experiences.The announcement to have an on-site event in December follows a decision at IBC Partnership Board and is said to be driven by IBC criteria for a safe and valuable event with tangible benefits for all participants. The organisers say that they made their call supported by feedback from exhibitor and visitor surveys, and vaccine roll-out progress.Following a period of industry consultation, the IBC Partnership Board has agreed that December is the best date in terms of safety and industry readiness to engage. Our conclusion is based on the results of the recent IBC exhibitor and visitor surveys and macro evidence of Europe opening up for business, said IBC chief executive Michael Crimp. We really value the feedback and candid input of our community  we have always been by the industry, for the industry, and this ethos continues to guide our daily decision-making process.
The new facility is designed to allow firms to deploy IT infrastructure of any configuration and capacity in a few minutes. By integrating the cloud with the company's content delivery network, located in more than 100 points of presence around the world, its response time is up to 30 ms.All data processing is carried out in the Netherlands where the new site adds to other G-Core Labs public clouds in Luxembourg, Ashburn (USA), Singapore, Moscow and Khabarovsk. In total, the company plans to open over 20 additional points of cloud presence on all continents of the world in the near future. And having spent the previous year building up a global content delivery network (CDN) to support applications such as broadcast and streaming video, G-Core Labs unveiled a dedicated streaming platform of its own in October 2020. G-Core Labs cloud services run on Intel Xeon Gold 6152, 6252 and 5220 processors, have up to 1 TB of RAM, as well as SSD and HDD with triple replication. As part of the IaaS model, the G-Core Labs solution provides the functionality of virtual machines, not limited in capacity, boasting the options of fast and seamless automatic scaling, load balancer, system backup and data disaster recovery."Europe is traditionally one of the main priorities of G-Core Labs, most of the company's clients are located here, commented Vsevolod Vayner, G-Core Labs head of cloud platforms. In this regard, in addition to the public cloud region in Luxembourg, we are also opening a powerful cloud cluster in Amsterdam, one of the most important economic centres of the Old World, for the convenience of our users. And by the end of the year, the cloud will be launched in Germany.
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'Chaos Walking' is a New World for Daisy Ridley, Tom Holland
The logo on the door of Officer of Centro Hispano at the offices on 5th Street in Reading Thursday morning November 19, 2020.
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Brewed with Sheetz Bros. strawberry and banana puree, this milkshake IPA is a light and fruity beer with a kiss of hop to balance the strawberry sweetness.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker Nishikant Dubey has sought Shashi Tharoors removal as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology chairperson for allegedly using the panel to further his political agenda. He made the demand in a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla over Tharoors comments about the issue of tagging tweets of BJP leaders related the Congresss alleged toolkit to defame the government as manipulated media.

In his letter to the Speaker, Dubey has sought action against Tharoor for his cantankerous, inane and rogue behaviour which is tarnishing the image of Parliament as well as the Government of India.

Dubeys main charge against Tharoor is that he referred to the B.1.617 variant of Covid as the Indian variant even though the World Health Organisation has said there is no such strain and the government has written to all social media platforms to remove such mentions.

Nishikant Dubey accused Shashi Tharoor of using the committee as an extension of the Congress. He added Tharoor is more concerned about his party and Congress leader Rahul Gandhis agenda than the nation. Recently, on the Twitter toolkit controversy, he is asking for explanations from the Ministry of Information and Technology [IT] when Twitters action is against this nations IT law, Dubey said.
When Joe Biden makes his first international trip as President to the G7 Leaders Summit in the English resort town of Carbis Bay next month, he and the leaders of the worlds other industrialized democracies will be asked to tackle an agenda focused on how the world should build back better from coronavirus and create a greener, more prosperous future  a global riff on Bidens framing of Americas post-Covid economic recovery.

President Biden and his counterparts at the G7 summit, who will include not only the traditional attendees from Canada, the UK, Europe, and Japan but also representatives from Australia, India, South Korea, and South Africa, already know that building back better entails forward-thinking investments which go beyond the physical infrastructure of the 20th century and equip their countries to embrace the new technologies of the 21st.

One of the more ambitious planks of Bidens $2 trillion infrastructure package is his announcement of a plan to invest $100 billion towards solving Americas urgent digital infrastructure needs, to bridge the digital divides that are contributing to growing economic inequality across the United States. The European Union has made similar commitments with its own NextGenerationEU package, requiring that at least 20% of the 750 billion ($904 billion) it will soon be doling out to member states in grants and loans go towards digital investment.

Of course, Joe Biden is not the first American president to speak to the digital divide; he is the fifth, going back to the Clinton administration. Nor is he the first to understand how unsecured digital infrastructure can be targeted by malicious actors, be they foreign governments or cybercriminals. The events of the last year, however, have put these digital issues at the top of Bidens list of priorities  and those of the G7 summit.

On both sides of the Atlantic, the overnight shift to teleworking and virtual learning revealed exactly which communities have been left behind by the uneven progress of the digital economy, while major cybersecurity incidents like SolarWinds and the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack have spotlighted how much damage even a small group of hackers can do to the US and global economies. As such, this years G7 represents a unique opportunity for Joe Biden and his counterparts to build on the rapid progress made in digitalization during the Covid-19 crisis, turning that momentum into equitable transitions to robust digital economies over the years and decades to come.

Presuming he can get his $100 billion digital plan through Congress, Biden should be in a position to set the terms of that global discussion. As a new report from the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation puts into concrete terms, delivering reliable, affordable broadband Internet access to the tens of millions of Americans who currently lack it would unleash some of the most significant gains from infrastructure investment seen in decades, all while the economic returns from spending on physical infrastructures like roads and highways have declined markedly since the 1970s.

Per Accentures most recent findings, 5G telecommunications networks will add $1.5 trillion to US GDP, and either create or transform as many as 16 million jobs. Bidens European counterparts have made the same calculus regarding 5G, as have many lower- and middle-income countries whose economies have been hard-hit by the pandemic. According to a studypublished by the European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) this past February, the deployment of 5G across the EU is the indispensable lynchpin for a generation of new industries and innovation in sectors like transportation, healthcare, and agriculture, in addition to delivering hundreds of billions of Euros in economic benefits.

Before the President can aspire to lead the global digital transformation, however, he must secure bipartisan support for his approach to an issue that impacts every state and every community in the country. As the administrations engagement with local officials and leaders on both sides of the aisle has shown, building the digital infrastructure the US economy desperately needs is a policy priority that goes beyond partisan dividing lines, even if the political balance in Washington sometimes appears to suggest otherwise. As John Giles, the Republican mayor of Mesa, Arizona, recently told Politico: I am in favor of the expanded definition of infrastructure. We all have lessons weve learned from the pandemic... we all have the aha moment of the digital divide.

In addition to being a bipartisan domestic issue, the imperative of harnessing the full potential of the next generation of digital infrastructure  and leveraging that potential to address global socioeconomic and environmental challenges  transcends national borders and represents a matter of urgency for each of the leaders who will be gathering in Carbis Bay next month. Just as the United States needs to make sure all Americans enjoy access to broadband and 5G mobile connections that will power work, school, and commerce in the 2020s, Americas democratic partners and allies in Canada, Europe, and Asia must also make the digital investments that will allow them to keep up with a rapidly digitalizing global economy.
Summer still is weeks away, but already we have a winner in the fierce competition for the coveted title of Dumbest New York Times opinion column of 2021. The envelope please and the winner is Why Charles Koch Wins When Our Energy System Breaks Down, by someone named Christopher Leonard. One really does have to read this column to grasp  actually, to marvel at  the inanity of Leonards argument, which can be summarized as follows.

Our fossil-fuel infrastructure  pipelines in particular, and refineries as well  is increasingly unreliable and dominated by a very small group of very profitable companies.

The Colonial Pipeline shut down in 2016, and again this month due to a cyberattack, but the five companies that own Colonial profit handsomely off its operations and earn outsize profits in the face of the bottlenecks and supply squeezes caused by shutdowns.

The 2016 shutdown didnt seem to hurt the owners earnings in that afterward Colonial boosted its annual dividends  at least in part because of the Trump administrations 2017 tax cuts.

The growth in Colonials investments in updating and protecting the pipeline have been modest, while dividend payments have risen sharply.

Charles Koch has profited for years off similar energy bottlenecks in the upper Midwest because of such infrastructure investments as the Pine Bend refinery, which owes its profitability to its location in the middle of a broken fuel market. Koch buys cheap crude in a market oversupplied with Canadian crude oil, after which Koch then sells its finished fuel into an undersupplied gasoline market in the upper Midwest.

Regulatory hurdles have paved the way for these profits for decades. The Clean Air Act made it nearly impossible for competitors to open a refinery near Pine

Bend to increase competitive pressures.

Bend to increase competitive pressures. Regulatory fights benefit big refiners that can afford expensive legal experts and lobbyists: Koch benefits from regulatory stasis and dysfunction.

Where to begin? Leonard does not tell us what he means in his assertion that U.S. pipelines are increasingly unreliable  it is easy to infer that he has no idea  but if we define reliability as the annual number of adverse pipeline incidents, there has been no trend since 2002, even as pipeline mileage increased almost 63 percent between 2004 and 2019.

Leonard then tells us that the owners of Colonial profit handsomely when the pipeline is operating, and also when it is shut down. Huh? That is absurd: The pipeline generates revenue only when it is moving product; if it is not operational it is not generating revenue. And about that increase in the dividend: Apart from Leonards confusion about whether it is due to the 2016 shutdown or to the 2017 tax cut, he apparently has no concept of the factors addressed by corporate managers as they determine the appropriate dividend. In particular, a dividend change is driven by the evaluation of the after-tax return to shareholders from retaining more financial capital within the firm compared with that from distributing more to the shareholders. An increase in the dividend suggests that the latter has increased relative to the former, presumably in this case because of the nuances of the 2017 tax bill. Were the Kochs responsible for that?

And about that oversupplied (whatever that means) midwestern market for Canadian crude oil: The midwestern refinery market would be far less oversupplied had the Keystone XL pipeline been approved at long last, delivering heavy Canadian crude oil to the Gulf coast refineries designed to refine it. Did Charles Koch urge the Biden administration to reject the pipeline? Has Leonard criticized that decision? I can find no record of any such stance on his part.

And then there is Leonards assertion that the gasoline market in the upper Midwest is undersupplied (whatever that means). The Energy Information Administration divides the U.S. gasoline market into five regions (PADDs). As of May 24, Gulf Coast gasoline prices were the lowest, followed by the Midwest, and then (in ascending order) the East Coast, the Rocky Mountain states, and the West Coast, the last of which had the highest prices even excluding California. What is Leonard talking about?

The comedy highlight of Leonards column is the assertion that it is the Clean Air Act, regulatory obstacles to new pipeline investment, and general regulatory stasis and dysfunction that have yielded the outsize profits enjoyed by the Kochs. Leonard seems actually to believe this: Just by letting the broken market limp along, Koch Industries reaps extraordinary profits from a broken system. So the Kochs are vastly more powerful than anyone could imagine, responsible for the regulatorymorass, for the ideological leftist political opposition to fossil infrastructure, for NIMBYism, and for allowing the broken market to limp along. Just as the pipeline owners win whether the pipelines are operating or not, Leonard clearly believes that they earn outsize profits whether the regulatory environment is light or dysfunctional. Who knew?

The utter stupidity of Leonards argument is illustrated by his assertion toward the end of the column that new wind farms or solar installations could open up a whole new energy market. Somehow, I was led to believe that Leonards argument was about pipelines and refineries and gasoline prices, and the ability of the Kochs to earn large profits no matter what. But no: An endorsement of unconventional electricity, expensive and environmentally destructive, just had to be shoehorned in as an exercise in virtue-signaling par excellence despite the reality that it has nothing to do with Leonards silly central argument. Or does he want to argue that more wind farms will reduce gasoline prices in the Midwest?

And so we arrive at the larger reality illustrated by the Leonard column. Misguided, illogical, and at odds with the facts, it is of a piece with the broad opposition of the environmental left to energy infrastructure generally, and pipeline investments in particular. Utter incoherence is the inevitable result of that ideological opposition to fossil fuels, one impervious to facts and analytic rigor, and dependent upon arguments fundamentally inconsistent. That opposition is anti-human at its core because it implies opposition to investment in human capital  education, training, health care, etc.  and the improved human wellbeing that has the effect of increasing the demand for energy and its infrastructure. Forget the Kochs; they are a bogeyman and red herring the mere mention of which is intended to elicit a Pavlovian reaction from the enlightened invitees to the right cocktail parties. The real bogeymen are the New York Times opinion editors who found such drivel fit to print, a measure of the intellectual depths to which they have sunk.
This week, The Wall Street Journal reported that three researchers from the Chinese Wuhan Institute of Virology were hospitalized in November 2019 with "symptoms consistent with both Covid-19 and common seasonal illness." That report followed hard on a series of investigative pieces from journalists such as Nicholas Wade and Donald McNeil, formerly of The New York Times, who revived the media-dismissed theory that the institute had generated COVID-19 in a laboratory and then accidentally allowed it to leak. "The argument that it could have leaked out of the Wuhan Institute of Virology or a sister lab in Wuhan has become considerably stronger," McNeil wrote. "And China's lack of candor is disturbing."

It now seems highly credible that COVID-19 originated inside a Chinese state laboratory -- and that China knew about it as early as November. In mid-January, the World Health Organization reported, based on Chinese information, that "Preliminary investigations conducted by the Chinese authorities have found no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission of the novel #coronavirus." China censured its own Dr. Li Wenliang for attempting to spread the news of COVID-19's danger. It took until the end of January for China to lock down Wuhan.

We'll never know the answers to those questions, because the same WHO that covered for China in the early days of the pandemic is responsible for investigating Chinese malfeasance today. And President Biden's administration seems happy to keep it that way. Asked about whether America would lead an independent investigation into COVID-19's Chinese origins, White House press secretary Jen Psaki stated, "We have repeatedly called for the WHO to support an expert-driven evaluation of the pandemic's origins that is free from interference and politicization."

Meanwhile, this week, actor John Cena apologized to the Chinese government. Cena, who stars in the upcoming "F9," was being interviewed by a Taiwanese television station and committed the grave offense of stating that "Taiwan is the first country that can watch" the movie. China, of course, sees Taiwan as an outlying territory of China and denies Taiwanese sovereignty. So, Cena, whose film has already grossed over $100 million in China, quickly issued an apology in Mandarin, saying: "I made a mistake. Now I have to say one thing which is very, very, very important: I love and respect China and the Chinese people."

The common thread here is a Western unwillingness to face down China's authoritarian regime. For some on the left, challenging China means standing up for Western values like democracy and human rights -- and this, in turn, raises questions about America's own commitment to those principles. For some in corporate America, capitalism hasn't opened China but made the West more dependent on mercantilist Beijing.

"We're in competition with China and other countries to win the 21st century," Biden said in his recent quasi-State of the Union address. "We're at a great inflection point in history." China's possible unwitting release of COVID-19 and its fully documented cover-up is a unique opportunity to recalibrate the West's relationship with China. But there seems to be little taste for that necessary recalibration from a wavering Europe and United States.

Meanwhile, China isn't wavering. China grows increasingly aggressive: through its Belt-and-Road Initiative, its militaristic advances in the South China Sea and its international ties with European countries happy to make concessions. China doesn't have to defeat the United States. All it has to do is outlast us. And right now, thanks to an ugly combination of hesitancy, cowardice and corruption, China seems well-positioned to do so.

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James Carville has a saying that in Washington they like to run you to the top of the flag pole so they can release the rope and watch you go splat. Its a tough town.

I know. For 33 years Ive worked on creating and delivering messages through television ads and now digital ones for Democratic candidates across the country, and for 33 years I have been in awe of the ability of Dr. Frank Luntz to counter-message.

Luntz understands the nuances of language and how a slightly different word or even an emphasis or a pause can make an idea blossom or be weaponized. For example, writing that someone said something is different from writing that they claimed it to be so. Gun control is a pervasive term, gun safety laws isnt. Partial birth abortion has a darker tone than late-term abortion. My firm has often tested word suggestions that Luntz has floated, and they inordinately work.

The work he did for then-Speaker Newt Gingrich on the Contract With America was masterful and ahead of its time. Yet Luntz is under fire from Trumpsters, up to and including the likes of Tucker Carlson, for speaking the truth about election probabilities.

A social scientist cant eschew facts and data and retain relevance or a reputation. Luntz knows that. He wouldnt risk his business and legacy on shenanigans. Being attacked by those who label Jan. 6 insurrectionists as tourists is survivable, but now former Luntz staffers are anonymously airing grievances with no proof, which is wrong, cowardly and dangerous to his firm.

These anonymous arrows claim Luntzs work is a scam. Anyone experienced in the science of political research would quickly recognize Luntz is a master of conducting focus groups and pushing people to enunciate clearly what they are thinking, and then he delves into why they think as they do. Luntz conducts a great many focus groups available for general viewing and I often watch.

Former Luntz employee Chris Ingram is the one assailant openly trashing and trafficking on Luntzs name, which has taken his otherwise regional voice national for what is likely 15 minutes. Though he admits to having not spoken with his onetime boss in two decades, he weighs in on how Luntz recruits focus group participants and runs his business. Luntzs vetting of potential focus group participants helps ensure an unbiased group. General Motors, Disney, Federal Express and 30 Fortune 100 companies have seemingly all been duped, according to Ingram and Carlson.

Ingram claims Luntz puts his finger on the scale by selecting participants who espouse the viewpoint clients will find most favorable. And the attackers go so far as to say Luntz lives well. He damned well should. Hes one of a few at the top of a political industry that is awash in money.

Luntz has never been married. He has no children. He doesnt drink. He once told me he works anytime he is awake because thats what he likes doing. Well, guess what, if one spends twice the time working as others, he/she will likely find success. Ive worked for many driven politicians and work in an industry where our job is not just what we do but who we are. Thats because there is no other way to contend with the hours and stress when toiling in national level campaigns. Ive watched countless staffers come and go through political consulting firms and Capitol Hill because the kitchen was too hot. Thats fine -- move on, but dont whine about the demands of the job you couldnt do perfectly, on time and without complaint.

Ive been involved in helping shape hundreds of polls and can speak first-hand that the top pollsters will not under any circumstance preordain the findings. There is no use paying for a poll if the results are not real and actionable.

So now a smear campaign is underway, in part because Frank Luntz rightfully noted that Donald Trump would be a weak candidate in 2024. It doesnt take a rocket surgeon to recognize Trump is the biggest losing president in almost 100 years, as the House, Senate and presidency were lost under his tutelage. Luntzs noting of that has the far right working to cancel him.

Democrats should hope the Trump wing of the GOP does Luntz in. And Republicans would be fools to do it.
The fathers of Yale University, founded more than three centuries ago, chose as their motto Lux et Veritas  Light and Truth. Well, it looks like the Lux just went out at Yale. And Veritas? Well come back to that later.

It seems that the Yale Corporation has just learned what successful communist regimes have always known: free speech and free elections are dangerous to the establishment.

In recent years, the board of this venerable institution has been governed largely by . . . Yale University. Typically, Yale handpicks its slate of candidates. However, a token exception in the rules has permitted alumni to petition the university to nominate a candidate for the slate. Its a rigorous process, requiring so many alumni signatures  more than 4,000 this round  that few made it onto the ballot.

In the 2021 elections, such a candidate was Victor Ashe, Class of 1967. Ashe, a former mayor of Knoxville, Tennessee, and ambassador to Poland, is something of a conservative  and, horrors, a known donor to Republican political campaigns. He was supported by alumni committed not only to him but also to fielding independent candidates in future years. Ambassador Ashe managed to win enough support to make it onto the official slate.

No mean achievement  and apparently enough to panic Yales leadership. The ink (or the electronic signal) was hardly dry on the ballots when the board of trustees announced that it would change the rules governing board elections and close what will be known ever after as the Ashe Loophole. No longer may the mass of alumni  many harboring dangerous conspiracy theories and a bizarre allegiance to American history as it occurred  have even the semblance of a voice in the selection of their representatives. Too much anarchy!

In place of this archaic system  one Yale graduate, one vote  the corporation has adopted a more streamlined and controversy-free system. It will review candidates for election slates and select those representing the best interests of Yale, which thinking men and women will recognize is synonymous with the interests of the Yale Corporation. Having made this selection, Yale will present its candidates to the alumni at large and let the alumni go through the motions of voting. We predict the corporation candidates will win by overwhelming majorities.

No more cliffhangers. We will have a welcome return to soothing predictability.

As for Veritas, we have been informed that Ambassador Ashe lost the recent election. However, despite requests, the Yale Corporation has failed thus far to release all the details of the vote totals. Inquiring minds might wonder. But of course that would be conspiracy theory.



Mr. Childs is a member of the Yale Class of 1965.
Joe Biden practically skipped onstage, then grabbed the hand of Chris Cuomo and pulled the CNN host in so close their faces almost touched. It was Ash Wednesday, the holy day that marks the beginning of the Lenten calendar and reminds Christian believers they come from dust and to dust they will return. Neither wore a mask.

No one did in February 2020.

Coronavirus was still novel back then, and little was known about the strange respiratory virus except that the Chinese government was both terrified of it and more secretive than usual. COVID-19 was becoming a political issue at the exact moment Biden was betting his political life on the South Carolina primary.

When eventually asked about the virus during the televised town hall, Biden said then-President Trump should get on the same page as the scientists. And he predictably condemned Republican for cutting funding to the National Institutes for Health. But before Cuomo moved on to an audience question about gun control, Biden said something that was little noted at the time.

The last point I'd make, he said, apologizing for letting his answers run long, were I president now, I would not be taking China's word for it. Instead, he would insist that China allow our scientists in to make a hard determination of how it started, where it's from, how far along it is.

The first coronavirus death in the United States was recorded three days later. More than a year after that, Biden is president and half the country is fully vaccinated. But his skepticism of China, his administration insists, has not changed. The White House even says its open to the hypothesis that the pandemic began with a science experiment gone wrong.

The World Health Organization would be the body that would be overseeing a transparent, independent phase two investigation, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said when asked about calls to investigate the origins of the virus amid renewed scrutiny of the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Thats something we have strongly supported, Psaki continued, adding that an investigation would require the cooperation of the Chinese government, but it would be led by an international body.

Senate Republicans also want to know how the pandemic thats killed 3.5 million people worldwide started. They just dont want the World Health Organization involved. That body, five Republican members of the upper chamber tell RealClearPolitics, squandered its own credibility long ago.

The Biden administration should demand answers from China instead of ceding that responsibility to an international organization thats been covering for China from the start, Arkansas Tom Cotton said, arguing that the WHO, under the watchful eye of the Chinese Communist Party, dismissed the lab-leak hypothesis in February. It cannot, he concluded, be trusted.

Cotton was one of the first to suggest that the coronavirus was connected to research gone wrong at the Wuhan National Biosafety Laboratory. He made that claim before the first U.S. fatality, and he was roundly dismissed by many in the media for spreading a conspiracy theory. But new reporting in the Wall Street Journal reveals that U.S. intelligence agencies are examining reports that researchers from that virology lab were seriously ill a month before the first case of COVID-19 was reported.

This is at odds with an earlier 313-page report by the WHO in February. Researchers left Wuhan concluding that it was extremely unlikely that the virus emerged from the lab, adding that the matter did not merit further studies. Only four pages of that report, critics note, addressed that origin possibility.

According to Sen. Marco Rubio, that was just more evidence that the WHO has lost its credibility and should not lead any investigation into the origins of COVID-19.

The China hawk told RCP that the Chinese Communist Party continues to obstruct a serious, forensic investigation into the origins of COVID-19 without penalty or consequence and he argued that, rather than passing responsibility to a failed international organization, the U.S. needs to lead the charge demanding Beijing open its books, grant access to personnel, facilities, and more.

We need to know what happened to prevent the next pandemic, Rubio concluded. This should not be seen as political.

Even though Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of WHO, admits that the organizations initial investigation was not extensive enough, Republicans say the group has blown its credibility. They point to the early days of the pandemic when WHO was quick to praise China or frame its handling of the crisis in favorable terms.

They note how the organization downplayed the spread of the virus during the early days, declined to call the situation an emergency even after the disease found its way out of China and into neighboring Japan, and went out of its way to condemn international travel restrictions on those leaving the country.

Because of this strategy and [if] it werent for China, the number of cases outside China would have been very much higher, Tedros said in February 2020. An investigation by RealClearPolitics later found that Tedros, who previously served as Ethiopias foreign minister, courted $13.6 billion in Chinese investment in that African nation.

When asked about Tedros and the credibility of the organization he leads, Dr. Anthony Fauci told RCP in March 2020 that obviously over the years, anyone who says that the WHO has not had problems has not been watching the WHO. But I think that under his leadership, theyve done very well. He has been all over this. The Trump White House announced that the U.S. would leave the WHO in May of that year, citing the organizations ties to China.

Biden rejoined it in his first hour in office, and his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, later praised its mission in a lengthy February statement as having never been more important. However, the White House has not shied away from publicly calling for the WHO to do better. Re-engaging the WHO, Sullivan warned, also means holding it to the highest standards.

"We have deep concerns about the way in which the early findings of the COVID-19 investigation were communicated and questions about the process used to reach them," Sullivan said. "It is imperative that this report be independent, with expert findings free from intervention or alteration by the Chinese government."

The organization is too far gone to expect any kind of objective analysis, argued Sen. Ted Cruz. Given its history of helping China cover up the origins and extent of COVID-19, the Texas Republican considers the WHO a wholly owned subsidiary of the CCP. He told RCP that trusting them with this investigation would be laughable if it werent so obscene and reckless.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn is of the same opinion. The Tennessee Republican, who sent the White House a letter this week pressing the administration to address lingering concerns about the validity of the WHOs investigation into the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic, told RCP that an investigation is needed, just not one conducted by the Beijing-controlled World Health Organization.

The debate over the WHO comes as Washington witnesses rare bipartisanship over the threat presented by China. Led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the Senate voted Monday to advance a slate of reforms dubbed the Endless Frontier Act and aimed at countering Chinese economic and geopolitical ambitions. Biden, meanwhile, has consistently warned about the threat of the communist nation.

I predict to you, the president told reporters during his first press conference, that your children or grandchildren are going to be doing their doctoral thesis on the issue of who succeeded: autocracy or democracy. And since then, Biden has made that competition between the United States and China a hallmark of his domestic agenda. Congress must pass his infrastructure package, he has repeatedly warned, because China is eating our lunch.

The increased scrutiny of the communist nation is a welcome development among Republicans, but entrusting the WHO to oversee a second investigation into how the pandemic began remains too much.

The Chinese Communist Party lied to the world about COVID-19 and, with the help of the WHO, allowed it to spread into a global pandemic, Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley told RCP. If the Biden administration is serious, he said of the intelligence reports the WSJ first exposed, it should declassify what it knows about the Wuhan lab and Beijings attempts to cover up the origin of the pandemic.
Successfully clawing our way back from the COVID-19 pandemic can only happen if and when our political leaders understand some risks are worth taking. That we cannot guarantee in advance that a given action wont have negative consequences doesnt mean the action is reckless, much less wrong.

From the beginning, discussions about what should be done have had as much, if not more, to do with politics as science. I am not referencing those at either end of the extremes. Instead, this a simple acknowledgment that the level of risk acceptable to most Republican leaders is higher than is the case for most Democrats. We should not allow how matters are viewed by the majority of the mainstream media to dictate what is allowed. Instead, we should do as we have been lectured to do from the start  listen to the experts, follow the science, let the data decide.

When Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced his state was ending the requirement to wear masks and that Texas was open for business, the president of the United States described this as Neanderthal thinking. When the results showed it was a safe and sound decision, the critics argued to wait a couple of weeks. Well, we are way past that timeframe, and Texas is doing just fine, thank you.

Meanwhile, blue state leaders have been reluctant to ease mitigation measures. The very same people who insisted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should have its every utterance followed without question now are torturing logic and reason to keep mask mandates in place.

In my home state of New York, who can forget the power struggle between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio as to which one had the most authority to tell their subjects what was acceptable? As if the only given was that we were too stupid to do the right thing without their wisdom to guide us.

The leaders so reluctant to ease up on restrictions are hung up on the reality that risk will never be zero. But we live with risk every day. Taking measured risks such as driving on a highway provides benefits that outweigh that risk, so we do it.

When we knew so little about COVID, surrendering a large number of our personal freedoms seemed justified in the interests of public safety. Resistance did occur, but those complying were in the overwhelming majority. The time has come for those who put a premium on freedom and personal responsibility to stand up against those who would impose a true nanny state on us. It is also time to tell individuals who want their every need and concern handled by the government that we are not having it, and we arent going to keep paying for it.

American businesses are having trouble finding workers to fill jobs. In many cases, the reason is simple: The enhanced unemployment benefits (not subject to taxation) are enough in the minds of many to just stay home. Millions of Americans were thrown out of work because of COVID. Supporting them made sense. Now, it makes every bit as much sense to do what it takes for those who are able to seek work.

When Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida said his state would be putting an end to enhanced unemployment benefits, the predictable howls from the left were quick and loud. President Biden somehow rationalized the dismal jobs numbers from last month as being a good sign. No liberal seems to believe there is any need to do anything other than print more money.

Many years ago, Ronald Reagan once observed that for Republicans, every day was July 4th (Independence Day), while for Democrats, every day was April 15 (Tax Day). Drunk with power, Democrats seem fixated on behaving as though all the money belongs to the government, and they will let us know how much allowance we will get.

This is a great and good country. We cannot continue to be so if nothing can be done unless it is 100% without risk or likelihood of some negative outcomes.

Its time to buck up and get back to our way of life.
Good morning, its Wednesday, May 26, 2021. On this date in 1864, in the brief and fraught respite between the gruesome battles at Spotsylvania Courthouse and Cold Harbor, Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation making Montana a U.S. territory. Statehood would come 25 years earlier.

In the ensuing decades, Montana has stamped itself as a special place in our national consciousness, celebrated in songs, novels, and movies as the last best place, a Lincoln-esque description coined in 1983 by naturalist Douglas H. Chadwick.

Ive been to Montana many times, fished its rivers and streams, patronized its saloons, hiked its mountains, broke bread in that state with old friends and new. But I loved the place before I ever set foot in it, mainly because of its writers.

Movie fans (and followers of this newsletter) are familiar with the opening sentence in A River Runs Through It, by Montana native Norman Maclean. In our family, he wrote, there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing.

Equally evocative are some of the first few lines of This House of Sky, Ivan Doigs autobiographical account of his own Montana childhood:

Soon before daybreak on my sixth birthday, my mothers breathing wheezed more raggedly than ever, then quieted. And then stopped.

The remembering begins out of that new silence. Through the time since, I reached back along my fathers telling and around the urgings which would have me face about and forget, to feel into these oldest shadows for the first sudden edge of it all.

It starts, early in the mountain summer, far back among the high spilling slopes of the Bridger Range of southwestern Montana. The single sound is hidden water -- the south fork of Sixteenmile Creek diving down its willow-masked gulch. The stream flees north through this secret and people-less land, until, under the dark fur flanks of Hatfield Mountain, a bow of meadow makes the riffled water curl wide to the west.

And with that, Id point you to our front page, which aggregates, as it does each day, an array of columns and stories spanning the political spectrum. We also offer a complement of original material from RCP reporters and contributors, including the following:

* * *

Senate Republicans to Biden: Dont Trust WHO. Phil Wegmann has the story on calls for the U.S., not the World Health Organization, to lead a new investigation into Chinas role in the origin of the coronavirus.

How Zuckerbergs Millions Funded the Lefts Work With 2020 Vote Officials. Drawing on hundreds of public records requests, Steve Miller reports for RealClearInvestigations how 2020 vote officials nationwide worked with a progressive group funded by Facebook's founder to create ballots, target voters and develop cure letters for faulty votes.

The True Lesson of Jan. 6. Jason Garshfield writes that the assault on the Capitol must be examined in light of the violence in U.S. cities nationwide following the death of George Floyd.

In Defense of Frank Luntz. Dane Strother calls the embattled pollster a master of conducting focus groups and pushing people to enunciate clearly what they are thinking, and then delving into why they think as they do.

Taking Risks Does Not Equal Being Reckless. Jessica Curtis explains why its time to buck up and get back to our way of life.

Dont Sabotage the Military Justice System. At RealClearDefense, Thomas Spoehr finds fault with legislation that would remove military commanders authority to refer charges to trial and instead vest military lawyers with that responsibility.

The Fantasy Assumptions Behind the IEAs Roadmap to Net-Zero. At RealClearEnergy, Robert Bryce writes that the agency envisions a world where there is no shortage of money, land, or commodities like copper, cobalt, and lithium.

Repeal Durbin Amendment to Benefit Consumers. At RealClearPolicy, B. Dan Berger asserts that the Durbin Debit Interchange Amendment is a failed attempt at price fixing.

* * *

Carl M. Cannon

Washington Bureau chief, RealClearPolitics

@CarlCannon (Twitter)

ccannon@realclearpolitics.com
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the economic impact left by Covid-19 is huge and our planet will not be the same after the pandemic.

Delivering his keynote address on the occasion of Vesak Global Celebrations on Buddha Purnima through video conference, the Prime Minister said there have been many noteworthy improvements as well over the last year like having a better understanding of the pandemic, which strengthens our strategy to fight it and having the vaccine, which is absolutely important to save lives and defeat the virus.

The Prime Minister thanked the first responders, frontline healthcare workers, doctors, nurses and volunteers for selflessly risking their lives to serve others in need everyday. He expressed condolences to those who have suffered and lost their near and dear ones.

"A year later, Covid-19 pandemic has still not left us and several nations, including India, have experienced a second wave." He remarked that this once in a lifetime pandemic has brought tragedy and suffering to the doorstep of many and has impacted every nation.

The Prime Minister said while fighting Covid-19, one must not lose sight of the other challenges faced by humanity like climate change.

Modi said that the reckless lifestyles of the present generation are threatening the future generations and resolved not to let our planet remain wounded. He reminded of Lord Buddha's emphasis on a way of life where respect for Mother Nature is paramount.

The Prime Minister announced that India is among the few large economies to be on track to achieve its Paris targets. "For India, sustainable living is not only about the right words but also about the right actions."

He appealed to the world leaders to come together in the fight against forces trying to spread hate, terror and mindless violence.

Remarking that the life of Gautama Buddha was about peace, harmony and co-existence, the Prime Minister said there are still forces today whose existence depends on spreading hate, terror and mindless violence.

"Such forces do not believe in liberal democratic principles," the PM said and gave a call for all those who believe in humanity to come together and defeat terror and radicalisation. "Lord Buddha's teachings and the importance given to social justice can become a global unifying force."

Members of the Mahasangha, the Prime Ministers of Nepal and Sri Lanka, Union Ministers Prahlad Singh and Kiren Rijiju, Secretary General of International Buddhist Confederation, Venerable Doctor Dhammapiya were also at the event.

The Prime Minister said Vesak is a day to celebrate the life of Lord Buddha and to reflect on the noble ideals and sacrifices he made for the betterment of our planet.
Traverse City, MI (49684)

Today

Cloudy early with scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High around 80F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 59F. Winds light and variable.
CHEBOYGAN  An offer by a downstate attorney, associated with former Trump campaign attorney and kraken conspiracy theorist Sidney Powell, to pay for experts to review a northern Michigan countys election results, has been met with skepticism.

This is important enough that Im not out splitting firewood, said John Petkus, a local man who told Cheboygan County Board members hed been an election worker, and found the process to be free and fair after observing in 19 precincts as a poll challenger.

All of this conversation that is being done across the country, across the world, as someone mentioned earlier, has the exact goal of undermining the faith in our election, Petkus said. Id also like to point out, it is very true that this commission has no authority to authorize an audit.

2020 local election coverage The Record-Eagle's coverage of 2020 local elections and related issues:

Detroit attorney Stefanie Lambert, who is associated with Powell in previously-filed election-related lawsuits filed in U.S. District Court, discussed her pro bono offer at a May 13 meeting of the boards recently-formed election information subcommittee, where she said she was working with another downstate attorney, Matthew DePerno of Portage.

Lambert referenced familiar theories of vote flipping and foreign interference, though offered no evidence beyond reports and videos previously circulated and refuted by experts.

DePerno represented Bill Bailey of Central Lake Township, in a lawsuit accusing Antrim County of voter fraud, which 13th Circuit Court Judge Kevin Elsenheimer dismissed May 18.

We think it is important that all of these local jurisdictions look at their election equipment, Lambert said. If we continue to allow third parties to interfere with our election, we dont have a free country. Right?

Yet it was the services of a private third-party forensic team which Lambert offered to Cheboygan County officials at no cost, during the subcommittee meeting.

This team, she said, would take images of the countys Dominion Voting Systems election equipment and issue a report  a description that resembles the process a judge allowed in Antrim County.

The resulting report by Dallas-based Allied Security Operations Group was widely debunked by state and U.S. election experts.

Lambert did not name ASOG as the forensic team she could provide to Cheboygan County, but did reference the work of several people on the expert witness list DePerno filed with the court in the Antrim County case.

One of these, Doug Logan of Cyber Ninjas, is overseeing an audit of more than 2 million ballots cast in Maricopa County, Arizona.

The audit has since drawn criticism from state and national officials.

On Thursday Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said in a letter to Maricopa officials, the sanctity of that countys voting machines had been compromised, making them unusable for future elections.

In the letter Hobbs cited security concerns resulting after public officials lost chain of custody of ballots to third party auditors.

Steve Delongchamp, of Election Source, a Dominion subcontractor with an office in Grand Rapids, shared his concerns the same could happen in Cheboygan County, should the machines be turned over to a third party.

Delongchamp said both Election Source and Dominion would welcome an audit, if the firm chosen was accredited by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

The EAC is an independent bipartisan commission that certifies voting systems, accredits testing laboratories and collects and shares information on how U.S. elections are administered, according to the commissions website.

That means someone that knows what theyre doing, going into these machines, and someone that can be trusted not to do anything nefarious, Delongchamp said, briefly detailing factual errors inherent in rumors surrounding the 2020 election.

For example, the Dominion equipment used in Antrim and Cheboygan counties did not have modems, were not connected to the internet and did not communicate with Germany or China, as has been alleged.

While I appreciate Stefanies opinion, it is opinion and in some aspects she is just flat out wrong, Delongchamp said.

A small number of commenters at the Cheboygan County Board meeting Tuesday, also referenced rumors and conspiracy theories which had called into question the results of the 2020 election.

Such as, that a data file containing the Maricopa County voter role was deleted (it wasnt), that votes were flipped in Antrim County (they werent) and that both countys machines were connected to the internet (they werent).

In one example, Beth Richardson said she had a feeling foreign people had accessed U.S. voter rolls and shed heard 500,000 cellphones were hacked Nov. 4 and the personal information they contained was shared.

Most commenters, however, called the offer by Lambert a red herring and expressed concern that should commissioners chose to allow her experts access, officials were risking not only the countys reputation, but also the budget, should Dominion choose to sue.

Dominion has filed defamation lawsuits against Powell, another former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani and Trump supporter and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell.

A man who identified himself as Stephen Hatt, from Indian River, offered commissioners a line of wisdom from a former Republican leader.

The late, great Sam Rayburn, long-time Republican house chair and speaker, famously said one thing I remember well, Hatt said. He said, and I quote, It takes a carpenter to build a barn but any jacka  can kick it down. Ill leave that thought with you.

Commissioners took no action on Lamberts offer.

Subcommittee members previously discussed bringing either a resolution or a proposal to the full board, so a vote on whether to accept the offer could be forthcoming at a future meeting.

The county board has a planning session Thursday and the full board meets June 8. Both meetings begin at 9:30 a.m. and attendance information is available on the countys website, cheboygancounty.net.
The Union Ministry of Electronics and IT has written to the social media platforms, directing them to respond on their compliance to the new digital rules as soon as possible, "preferably today".

In its notice to the social media players, the ministry said: "If you are considered as SSMI (significant social media intermediaries), please provide the reasons for the same, including the registered users on each of the services provided by you."

Along with the compliance status on the new rules, the ministry has also sought the details of the chief compliance officer, nodal contact person, resident grievance officer, including their respective contact details and physical contact address in India.

"Please confirm and share your response ASAP and preferably today itself," said the notice.
Greenville, NC (27833)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High 79F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/26/2021 -- An investigation on behalf of current long-term investors in shares of Atos SE (OTC: AEXAY) was announced over potential breaches of fiduciary duties by certain officers and directors at Atos SE.



Investors who purchased shares of Atos SE (OTC: AEXAY) have certain options and should contact the Shareholders Foundation at mail@shareholdersfoundation.com or call +1(858) 779 - 1554.



The investigation by a law firm concerns whether certain Atos SE directors breached their fiduciary duties and caused damage to the company and its shareholders.



France based Atos SE provides digital transformation solutions and services worldwide. Atos SE declined from over $11.58 billion in 2019 to over $11.18 billion in 2020, and that its Net Income declined from over $3.39 billion in 2019 to $550 million in 2020.



On April 1, 2021, Atos SE issued a press release revealing that its auditors issued a "qualified opinion . . . as to two US legal entities representing 11% of 2020 consolidated revenue that require additional diligences." Specifically, the auditors identified "internal weaknesses over financial reporting process and revenue recognition in accordance with IFRS 15 leading to several accounting errors, as well as risk of override of controls in this respect." The Company stated that it had hired external firms to conduct an investigation and that, due to those procedures, the auditors had not been able to obtain sufficient evidence that the Company's financial statements were free of material misstatements within the necessary timeframe.



Shares of Atos SE (OTC: AEXAY) declined from $18.67 per share on January 4, 2021, to as low $13.05 per share on April 5, 2021.



Those who purchased shares of Atos SE (OTC: AEXAY) have certain options and should contact the Shareholders Foundation.



Contact:

Shareholders Foundation, Inc.

Michael Daniels

3111 Camino Del Rio North - Suite 423

92108 San Diego

Phone: +1-(858)-779-1554

Fax: +1-(858)-605-5739

mail@shareholdersfoundation.com



About Shareholders Foundation, Inc.

The Shareholders Foundation, Inc. is a professional portfolio monitoring and settlement claim filing service, , which does research related to shareholder issues and informs investors of securities class actions, settlements, judgments, and other legal related news to the stock/financial market. Shareholders Foundation, Inc. is in contact with a large number of shareholders and offers help, support, and assistance for every shareholder. The Shareholders Foundation, Inc. is not a law firm. Referenced cases, investigation, and/or settlements are not filed/reached and/or related to Shareholders Foundation. The information is provided as a public service. It is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon.
Two police officers were transported to the hospital after suffering medical emergencies while conducting a search of a vehicle that was impounded at the Hinsdale Police Department. Hinsdale police Chief Charles Rataj told the Reformer the two officers have been medically cleared to return to duty.
General Assignment Reporter

Chris Mays is a general assignment reporter for the Brattleboro Reformer. He has been with New England Newspapers Inc. since 2012.
On June 11th, 2021, Billie Jean Swanigan Bates, born on August 17th, 1938, received her God's reward and her spirit was guided to her new heavenly home from the Bowers Hospice House in Beckley, WV. All those that knew Billie will remember her Christian faith, her kindness, her compassion and
Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/26/2021 -- The latest released Automotive Battery Parts and Accessories market research of 289 pages suggests that the industry has made modest progress in tech-driven transformation since 2017. Many organizations have yet to scale their end use applications beyond pilots and proofs-of-concept. Yet, there is a group of manufacturers in Automotive Battery Parts and Accessories Market that are making significant progress in driving use cases at scale. Characteristics of this group offers an insight into best practice in shaping the Global Automotive Battery Parts and Accessories Market. Some of the players profiled in research coverage are ANDERSON POWER PRODUCTS, ARMSTRONG INDUSTRIAL HAND TOOLS, ASSOCIATED EQUIP, AW DIRECT, BATTERY DOCTOR, BATTERY TENDER, BAYCO, BOSCH, BUSSMANN, BUYERS PRODUCTS, CALIFORNIA IMMOBILIZER, DSR PROSERIES, ECO-MAX, FEDERAL SIGNAL, FLAMING RIVER, FUSION, GEARWRENCH, GENERAL ELECTRIC, GRAINGER APPROVED, GROTE, LUBRIMATIC, MAX, NOVA, PHOENIX, POWER FIRST, PROTO, PSE AMBER(1), QUICK CABLE, RESCUE & RIVERSIDE MFG..



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LITCHFIELD  Connecticut Junior Republic's 19th annual scholarship dinner will be held June 10 at La Bella Vista in Waterbury.

This event raises money for scholarships for worthy CJR students .The school recently received a $10,000 challenge pledge, that will match any increased or new gifts and sponsorships, according to a statement.

All gifts and sponsorships will help CJR raise funds to provide college and technical school scholarships for 24 students associated with CJRs program sites across Connecticut, with locations in Bristol, Danbury, East Hartford , Litchfield, Middletown/Meriden, New Britain, Torrington, Waterbury, Waterford/New London, Winchester and Winsted/The Gilbert School.

To support the educational endeavors of our students and help CJR meet the $10,000 challenge opportunity, go to www.ctjuniorrepublic.org/

The deadline for ticket reservations is May 28. The dinner runs from 6:30-8 p.m., with dinner served promptly at 6:30 p.m. To reserve tickets, go to the website above.

Since its founding in 1904, the Connecticut Junior Republic has helped thousands of young people go on to lead productive and fulfilled lives by providing the care, treatment and educational services necessary for growth and change to occur, according to its website.

The Junior Republics continuum of care has never been more comprehensive, accessible or needed than it is today, according to the site. Assistance is provided on a daily basis through an array of residential, education, community and home-based services in 11 locations across Connecticut. Behavioral and mental health services are also provided through Wellness Centers in seven of these locations.
LITCHFIELD  There are many ways to help people in need, and the pandemic has provided plenty of opportunities to do it  volunteering, organizing food and clothing drives and helping families apply for financial aid. Others sign up for a payroll deduction, which is collected by local agencies such as United Way.

According to a SmartAsset analysis of IRS data, Litchfield County residents were among those in Connecticut who have donated the most money in 2020.

To find the most generous places, we looked at two factors in each county: how much money people donate as a percentage of their net income, and the proportion of people who made charitable donations, according to SmartAsset.

According to SmartAsset, which used tax return data for its study, the top county was Fairfield County, with residents donating 2.15 percent of their income, and 19.68 percent itemized their contributions, ranking 65.66 on the studys Most Generous Places index.

Second was Middlesex County, which donated 0.84 percent of income, with 12.60 percent itemizing contributions. Middlesex ranked 38.40 on the Most Generous Places index.

Litchfield County placed third, with residents donating 1.19 percent of their annual income to a charity, and 10.33 percent of those itemizing their contributions on their tax returns. Litchfield County ranked 34.83 on the Most Generous Places list.

Additional information on the study and methodology can be found at https://smartasset.com/retirement/financial-advisor#Connecticut.

United Way of Northwest Connecticut, which serves Litchfield County with an array of services for families, individuals and nonprofits, collects some of its donations through payroll deductions, asking employees to pledge a certain amount of money each year. Executive Director Owen Quinn and his staff present their appeals through local employers, who then give their workers the opportunity to sign up to make the donations out of their paychecks.

People can also sign up independently at www.northwestunitedway.org. Pledges range from Good Neighbor, at $364 a year or $1 a day; Everyday Hero, at $499 a year; Emerging Leader, between $500 and $999; Leaders Circle, $1,000 to $1,199 a year; and Silver, Gold and Platinum donors, from $1,200 up to $9,999. People also can make memorial donations to honor someone, or give money to a specific program, such as Food for Your Neighbors or Warm the Children.

Other charitable groups use funds for investment and grant programs.

Nicole Carson Easely, vice president of communications and digital media at the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, held two major campaigns in 2020 in response to the pandemic. These were two campaigns we dont normally have, Easely said. The Rapid Response Fund had a lot of gifts come in from donors, and they immediately went to the community for people in immediate needs, for basic needs grants.

So many people were really hard hit, she said. The money went right out, for PPE needs  shields, sanitizer, masks. ... None of the nonprofits could do business as usual, so rather than (waiting for funding from a normal cycle of grants), we did that, and were really able to quickly get the money into that response fund.

Organizations like Friendly Hands Food Bank, for example, depend solely on donations. Many of the food banks were seeing 50 percent more need in their community and needed more food, masks, shields, and had extra expenses, Easely said. We were able to respond to that.

Last summer, the foundation held NW Corner Gives, a crowdfunding event, from June 15-July 31, for COVID-19 relief. That was very successful, Easely said. We had about 50 organizations that wanted to participate. We set a campaign goal, and raised money for PPE, arts groups funding for online programming; there were all sorts of different needs.

It was amazing how people came together, she said. People really responded. Our existing donors really wanted to help, and people who hadnt given to the foundation before could see the need in the community, so they wanted to help, too.

According to Easely, gifts made to the Northwest CT Community Foundation in 2020 totaled more than $4 million, an increase of more than 50 percent from 2019. Grants made to nonprofits in 2020 from Northwest CT Community Foundation funds totaled $3.7 million, and scholarships in 2020 from the foundation totaled $175,675.

Under normal circumstances, the foundation has application cycles for grants, for which nonprofits can apply each year. The foundation manages many funds, established in a deceased persons will, or set up in memory of a person by a family or organization.

Very often we receive bequests, and (the person) will leave in their will a certain percentage of their estate, in their name, Easely said. Some are set up by living donors, and others are made by estate planning. Its more long term; people make gifts and the money is invested, then paid out as grants.

Bequests are also set up for scholarship funds, in the same way. We take applications for the scholarships from January to April, and all the materials have be in by April 1. We have an evaluation committee to go through the applications and the awards go out in June, Easley said.
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP)  If he's not airborne, there's a good chance you will find 97-year-old John Billings at his home airport in Luray, Virginia.

A recent heart attack prevents him, for now, from piloting solo, but he still routinely flies his Cessna four-seater when a co-pilot can join him. A lifetime of flying, going back to his days as a 21-year-old bomber pilot in Italy and then flying secret missions with the Office of Strategic Services, the forerunner to the CIA, is recounted in Special Duties Pilot, an autobiography scheduled for release next month by Pen and Sword Books.

It was just something that somehow just got burnt into me as a little child, he said of his love of flying. On his third birthday his dad took him for an airplane ride at a local airfield in Hingham, Massachusetts. In reality it only lasted maybe 15 or 20 minutes, but to a 3-year-old, it felt like the whole afternoon and it burned a hole in me, and that was it.

So in June 1942, when Billings enlisted in the Army as an 18-year-old, he asked if he could enroll in aviation training. Not only did he have an active interest, he also readily admitted that he wanted to avoid an infantry unit; he'd heard what infantry combat was like and didn't think he had the stomach for it.

The recruiter assured him that aviation would be an option, a reassurance he now recognizes as happy talk. Still he was fortunate enough to be selected, and began his aviation training in 1943.

He'd flown 14 bomber missions when in November 1944 he was told he'd been reassigned to the 885th Heavy Special Bombardment Squadron in Brindisi, Italy. He then learned the squadron was essentially a cover for the OSS.

Instead of dropping bombs on enemy territory, he was now dropping spies.

He said he actually preferred the OSS flights and considered them safer than the bombing runs, where he was required to fly in tight formation. The OSS flights afforded him a little more flexibility, and more opportunity to improvise.

There was no greater need to improvise than on his most storied mission: Operation Greenup, on which the movie Inglorious Basterds is loosely based. Billings flew OSS agents behind enemy lines into the Austrian Alps to gain intelligence in the mountain region that served as one of the last Nazi redoubts.

Royal Air Forces turned down the flight, saying it was too dangerous. Billings volunteered. Winds exceeding 200 mph pushed the plane on a 6,000-foot (1,829-meter) descent in 20 seconds. But Billings leveled the plane, and zigzagged back up a narrow Alpine valley to the drop site.

The OSS agents on the Greenup mission accomplished, among other things, the peaceful surrender of Innsbruck in early May 1945.

Billings is one of perhaps a handful of living OSS agents remaining, said Charles Pinck, president of the Falls Church-based OSS Society.

OSS founder General William Donovan said OSS personnel performed some of the bravest acts of the war. Thats a perfect description of John Billings," Pinck said.

John Billings is the prototype of an American aviator, said retired Air Force Gen. Norton Schwartz, who hosted an online conversation with Billings, sponsored by The OSS Society, ahead of the release of Billings' autobiography.

In his book, it's clear that flying of any sort is Billings' passion. He served for decades after the war as a pilot with TWA and Eastern Airlines. In retirement, he flies volunteers as a medical transport pilot with AngelFlight, missions he says are as rewarding to him as those he flew in World War II.

He said he felt compelled to finally write the book because a lot of people, including my wife, had been nagging me to do it.

More than that, though, it gave him a chance to tell the stories he loves to tell.

When I get started talking about flying, I find it hard to stop, he said.

___

An earlier version of this story misspelled Brindisi, Italy.
We would love for you to join us to share your memories of Daryl with family and friends. Daryls full obituary can be view at http://www.myersmortuary.com/ A celebration of life will be held from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on 2021-06-27 at Fraternal Order of Eagles , 2140 N Lebanon St, Lebanon, IN 4
POTTSVILLE  With considerably more on his rap sheet than his time sheet, James M. Browning will add to the former, as a Schuylkill County judge sentenced him Tuesday to spend at least five years behind state prison bars for drug-related activity in July 2020 in Pottsville.

There doesnt appear to be any remorse, Judge Charles M. Miller said just before sentencing Browning, 47, of Pottsville, to serve five to 10 years in a state correctional institution.

Miller also sentenced Browning to pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $239 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Harrisburg along with submitting a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

The defendant does have a significant prior record, Miller said.

At the end of a two-day trial over which Miller presided, a jury on April 9 found Browning guilty of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Jurors found him not guilty of possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Pottsville police charged Browning with possessing a salable amount of methamphetamine, along with cocaine and paraphernalia, on July 18, 2020, in the city.

First Assistant District Attorney Michael J. Stine successfully asked Miller to impose the sentence he did on Browning, saying that nothing else has seemed to work. He noted that the defendant has burglary, rape and drug charges in his criminal record, which dates back to 1994.

This is an individual who doesnt appear to have learned his lesson, Stine said.

Even Assistant Public Defender Andrea L. Thompson, Brownings lawyer, asked Miller to impose a state prison sentence, although she asked for one of only 3 to seven years.

Miller noted that Brownings employment history was sparse, with only one job lasting a few months. He also noted that Brownings family is in New York, where he committed his other crimes, while he is in Pottsville.

(Hes) carrying on the drug trade in Schuylkill County, Miller said in explaining his sentence. These crimes are of a serious nature. There seems to be an indifference to the effect on Schuylkill County.

Browning already is an inmate at the county prison, and Miller conducted Tuesdays hearing by videoconference.
HARRISBURG  After refusing to release details about wasted coronavirus vaccine, citing a decades old disease prevention law, the Wolf administration has reversed course and made public how many doses have been discarded by providers and why.

The data shows just 0.18% of more than 10 million doses given to hospitals, pharmacies and other providers through May 21 were not used.

Of the 18,644 discarded doses, providers reported spoilage as the cause in more than 37% of cases. Spoiled vaccines typically include those that have expired or those that were not stored at the correct temperature due to conditions like equipment failure, state health officials said.

The new data claims a state prison in Schuylkill County spoiled the most doses  2,695  out of the 624 providers listed. But when contacted by Spotlight PA, a spokesperson for the Department of Corrections said there had not been any spoilage at the facility, SCI-Mahanoy.

The information was submitted prematurely and the Corrections Department is working to amend the Health Departments report, said the spokesperson, Maria Bivens.

The confusion stems from an April 5 issue with a backup generator, causing a refrigerator storing vaccines to lose power for several hours, Bivens said. A report was submitted to the Health Department; however, Johnson & Johnson, the vaccine manufacturer, reviewed the incident and determined that the vaccines were viable.

Valley Pharmacy, an independent pharmacy in Sugarloaf Township, Luzerne County, spoiled 1,130 doses, the second-highest number listed in the report.

Owner Sandip Patel said he had been asking the state for doses since February when demand was high and many of the pharmacys customers were eager to get the vaccine. But the pharmacy didnt receive its first shipment of vaccines until May 2, he said.

Since then, the pharmacy has administered what it could  about 200 doses  but hasnt had enough demand to administer the more than 1,100 Pfizer doses it received, Patel said.

The pharmacy wasnt penalized for spoiling the vaccines, but Patel said he has stopped ordering them. Sending it in smaller quantities might make it more manageable for sites experiencing decreased demand, he said.

Most of the people already had either received the vaccine or didnt need it anymore, or they refused it, he said.

The release of the data comes two months after the state Department of Health initially denied Spotlight PAs public records request for the information, citing a 1955 law the Wolf administration has used throughout the pandemic to obscure the finer details of its response.

The Disease Prevention and Control Law gives the state wide authority to keep information related to contagious diseases, including details that could identify individuals, confidential. But it has been used more broadly over the past year to withhold all kinds of information.

Like the wasted vaccines, state health officials initially cited the law in refusing to release the number of COVID-19 tests the state was conducting and the number of cases in specific nursing homes. After criticism, the Wolf administration reversed course in both instances.

On its website, the Department of Health reported another 6,731 doses were wasted for reasons listed as other, and 4,002 doses were wasted because a vial was opened but not administered.

The rest were wasted because of a broken vial or syringe (686 doses), a vaccine was drawn but not administered (263) or doses were lost or unaccounted for (13). Wasted doses differ from spoiled ones because they come from an open vial.

Among the providers that have wasted or spoiled the most doses: the Allegheny County Health Department. It spoiled 636 Pfizer doses allocated to county vaccination sites over three separate days  April 21, April 24 and May 9  after officials started to thaw vaccines but then experienced a sudden and unexpected drop in filled appointments, said Chris Togneri, department spokesman.

That drop coincided with expanding vaccine eligibility to all Pennsylvania residents 16 and older.

Over a three-week period, our vaccination appointments went from 100% full to 50% full to 25% full, Togneri said.
FRACKVILLE  A New York man cited by the Girardville Borough code enforcement officer was given 30 days to show he is moving forward in making repairs to the commercial building he purchased almost three years ago.

Joseph Maucailla, of 2144 Niagra St., 1st Floor, Buffalo, appeared Tuesday before Senior Magisterial District Thomas H. Xavios to answer to three summary citations for violations of the boroughs Property Maintenance Code regarding the building he bought at 132 W. Main St. on Aug. 31, 2018.

The three-story building was once the home of Heckerts Bakery and later Paynes Florists, according to Frank Zangari Jr., assistant code enforcement officer.

William Killian III, code enforcement officer, testified that the ongoing problems with Maucailla began on or around Aug. 27, 2019, when a complaint was received about the deteriorating condition of the building. Maucailla was sent a notice that he was in violation of the Property Maintenance Code regarding dangerous structures and given the opportunity to begin repairs or demolition.

Killian said the building continued to deteriorate with no effort made to address the violations, prompting him to issue the citations on Dec. 30, 2020. On the citations, Killian listed the offense date as one for Aug. 27, 2019, and two for Aug. 29, 2019.

We tried to work with the owner with no results, he told Xavios.

Killian said that since the building has been deemed commercial, Maucailla needs to obtain a Uniform Construction Code permit that requires plans or blueprints from a Pennsylvania-certified engineer or architect before moving forward.

Although Maucailla presented plans to the borough to apply for the UCC permit, he drew up the plans, not a state-certified engineer, the code officer said.

In the case of the 132 W. Market St. property, Killian told the court the UCC permit is a requirement because the building appears to have severe structural issues.

Zangari said he has talked to Maucailla as well regarding the property and explained to him the process to make the structure usable.

I spoke to him; he is very courteous and professional, Zangari said. We have had good conversations.

But despite those conversations, Zangari said no efforts were made on the part of Maucailla.

Maucailla said he was born in Peru and educated in Nicaragua, where he studied engineering, and that he purchases, renovates and resells buildings.

You flip buildings, right, Xavios asked Maucailla, to which he replied yes.

Maucailla said he purchased the building from a private owner and in 2020 began making repairs to the roof. He said he tried to contact Killian several times to obtain a building permit but never received a response.

I cannot get a permit from the borough, he said. They gave me the runaround.

Zangari again said that he spoke to Maucailla on several occasions and explained in detail to him the process he needs to get building permits, starting with the UCC permit.

I told him there was a procedure we have to follow for commercial buildings, Zangari said.

After hearing testimony, Xavios told Maucailla what needs to be done to move forward, starting with obtaining the proper permits.

The first step, he told the man, was to get the engineering or architectural plans to be presented for the UCC permit and once that permit is issued, obtain the required permissions from the borough.

Xavios recommended that Maucailla go to Girardville Borough Hall after the hearing and start the documents.

I would like to see you start this now instead of going home, the judge said. Maucailla said that is what he planned.

The judge also said he would hold off on fining Maucailla for the three citations issued by Killian, instead giving the man 30 days to return to the court and show that he is holding up his end of the bargain in moving forward.

I want the money to go into these properties not the court, he said. I dont want to fine you; work and get it up to snuff.

Before leaving the courtroom Maucailla, told the judge he wants to get everything in place and start getting the building ready for eventual occupancy.

Im so eager to fix my property, he said.
Madagascar is an iconic animated film that hit the theatres in the year 2005. The film is loved for its hilarious dialogues which are considered iconic even today. If you are a fan of the film, you are sure to remember the unique animal characters from the movie which leave a deep impact on the minds of the viewers. To celebrate 16 years of Madagascar, here is a fun quiz that will help you relive the classic animated film.

Madagascar quiz based on plot and characters

1. Who was partially stuck in a box when they landed in Madagascar?

Melman

Marty

Alex

Rico

2. Alright boys, funs over, who said this?

Marty

Skipper

Gloria

Julien

3. Where does Marty celebrate his birthday?

New York Zoo

Central Park Zoo

Circus Zoo

Modern Zoo

4. What was better than steak according to Alex?

Pork

Sushi

Veggies

Pigeon

5. Who read the Kenya related notice for the penguins?

Brad

Julien

Marty

Phil

6. How did Rico open a tricky lock?

Stone Key

Without a key

Ice key

Diamond key

7. Who says, Just smile and wave, boys?

Rico the Penguin

Skipper the Penguin

Kowalski the Penguin

None of the above

8. Alex digs through the beech to save which character?

Marty

Gloria

Melman

Rico

9. Why does Julien the Lemur look for someone to sacrifice?

For fire

To combat heat

For food

For water

10. I love laughing, who said this?

King Julien Lemur

Alex

Stevie

Marty

11. Who breaks cargo in the beach scene?

Alex

Gloria

A random man

Skipper

12. Who was given the charge when King Julien left?

Gloria

Skipper

Stevie

Adam

13. Which famous personality dubbed for Melman?

Chis Rock

Matt LeBlanc

David Schwimmer

Ben Affleck

14. What did the penguins use as a shovel?

Plastic spoons

Small shovels

Coconut shells

Forks

15. Whatever happened to the separation of the classes, who has this dialogue in Madagascar?

Stevie

Marty

Adam

King Julien

Answer Key

1. Melman

Melman the giraffe had his long head stuck in a cargo box when the main characters were washed ashore. Alex tries his best to get Melman out, only to fail miserably.

2. Gloria

This was Glorias first line when she meets Alex and Melman at the shore. Her natural sass and style give the dialogue a special effect.

3. Central Park Zoo

Marty the Zebra celebrates his tenth birthday at the Central Park Zoo. This is also the opening sequence of the film Madagascar.

4. Sushi

Alex is offered a plate full of Sushi by Skipper the Penguin when they learn that the Lion is starving for food. He loves the dish and also states that it is better than steak.

5. Phil

Phil reads the Kenya notice outside the cage where the Penguins have been locked up. He conveys his message through sign language which is further translated by his friend, helping the penguins escape.

6. Ice key

As the Penguins try to escape the cage, Rico makes a key out of an ice piece which he spits out from his mouth. The penguins tactfully escape the ship, right after.

7. Skipper the Penguin

This is one of the most famous dialogues from the film Madagascar. These words were said by Skipper the Penguin while he asks his team to keep calm and act normal.

8. Melman

When Melman is stuck in the cargo, Alex tries everything to get him out. He even digs through the sand as the cargo falls on his head in one of the scenes.

9. For water

King Julien XIII does not shy away from lying to his people regarding the water crisis. He states that a sacrifice to the water Gods could fix things which is not the case, in reality.

10. King Julien

King Julien says this when he is chilling with a few Lemurs at the first-class lounge. He watches a comedy movie while enjoying his meal and drinks, making him realize that he loves to laugh.

11. Gloria

Gloria accidentally breaks the cargo box which traps Melman. It also saved the giraffe from a lot of inconveniences as Alex comes up with a few unsafe, quirky ways to deal with the situation.

12. Stevie

When King Julien decides to leave with Alex and Co., he leaves Stevie in charge, just for the sake of it. He makes it clear that the well-being of his people is the last thing on his list.

13. David Schwimmer

David Schwimmer was one of the famous personalities on the dubbing panel of the film. He leant his voice for the character Melman, which goes down as one of the most iconic characters of the film.

14. Plastic spoons

As the Penguins try to escape a fountain amidst a crowd, they are seen using plastic spoons as shovels, to dig through the ground. Skipper also asks them to collect a few popsicle sticks as they can be handy as well.

15. King Julien XIII

The King says this dialogue when he tries to send Melman out of the first-class lounge. It shows his snobbish attitude which is given a hilarious twist through his unique tone.

IMAGE: PEACOCK KINDS YOUTUBE

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Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Limited today announced its results for the full year ended 31 March 2021. Operating revenue was $1.97 billion, up 56% or 61% in constant currency. Net profit after tax was $524 million, up 82% over the previous financial year, or 94% in constant currency.

Managing Director and CEO Lewis Gradon said, It has been an extraordinary year and we want to thank healthcare professionals for giving their all to care for patients, often under the most difficult conditions. We also want to acknowledge the people of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare for their commitment to delivering for our customers, and the partners and families of our employees for the invaluable contribution they have made.

To recognise the incredible contributions of our people, the Board has approved a profit-sharing bonus totalling $29 million for the 2021 financial year to be paid to everyone who has worked with us for a qualifying period. The company has also committed $20 million to establish the Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Foundation during the 2021 financial year. The Foundations charitable purposes include supporting and funding health research and programmes that improve access to healthcare, supporting environmental protection initiatives and promoting awareness of opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The value of our total donations for the year, including product donations, was $26 million, said Gradon.

Dividend

The companys directors have approved a final dividend of 22.0 cents per share, an increase of 42% on the final dividend last year. This brings the total dividend for the year to 38.0 cents per share, an increase of 38%. The final dividend, carrying full New Zealand imputation credit, will be paid on 7 July 2021 with a record date of 25 June 2021.

No guidance provided for the 2022 financial year

With the ongoing uncertainties of vaccinations, lockdowns, COVID-19 variants, localised waves and return to stable hospitalisation rates around the world, the company is not providing guidance for the 2022 financial year.

We expect our Hospital and Homecare revenue for FY22 to be impacted by the number of COVID-19 related hospitalisations around the world, said Gradon.

Please see the links below for details

FY21 Results Announcement

Results in Brief

Annual Report 2021

Investor Presentation 2021

NZX Results Announcement

NZX Distribution Notice

Source: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Limited

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Mark Ruffalo has issued an apology after using the word genocide for Israel amid the recent clash with Palestine. The Hollywood actor expressed his regret for the statement, calling it inflammatory and disrespectful. He also stated that it was time to avoid hyperbole.

Mark Ruffalo apologises for comment on Israel-Palestine comment

Mark Ruffalo stated that he had reflected and wanted to apologise for his posts. The Avengers star termed the posts during 'the recent Israel/Hamas fighting as not accurate and that it was being used to justify anti-semitism.'

I have reflected & wanted to apologize for posts during the recent Israel/Hamas fighting that suggested Israel is committing genocide. Its not accurate, its inflammatory, disrespectful & is being used to justify antisemitism here & abroad. Now is the time to avoid hyperbole.  Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) May 25, 2021

Ruffalo had on May 11 shared a news report, stating that 1500 Palestinians faced expulsion and about 200 protestors being injured and also highlighted the deaths of children.

1500 Palestinians face expulsion in #Jerusalem. 200 protesters have been injured. 9 children have been killed. Sanctions on South Africa helped free its black people - its time for sanctions on Israel to free Palestinians. Join the call. #SheikhJarrah https://t.co/f9R6LYljez  Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) May 11, 2021

The 11-day war between Israel and Hamas led to the deaths of 250 persons, mostly Palestinians, apart from tremendous destruction in the impoverished coastal region. The Israel bombardment of Gaza also caused injuries to over 1900 people and the list also includes 66 children.

The ceasefire was announced by both parties, effective from Friday. Meanwhile, authorities were conducting an assessment of the damage caused due to th 11-day war. The people of the Gaza region were cleaning up stores and other establishments and the displaced families were returning home.

The bombardment led to damage to 53 school, 6 hospitals, 11 primary healthcare centres, and the central COVID-testing laboratory. The electricity supply has been reduced by 45 per cent as five of the ten power stations were damaged.

As per United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), there was the destruction of 258 buildings with homes and businesses and that 770 homes were not habitable anymore.

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Vishal Singh had recently flown to Cape Town, South Africa to begin filming Khatron Ke Khiladi 11. He along with the rest of the shows star cast have been sharing their pictures on social media ever since. In his recent Instagram post, Vishal has shared a couple of clicks with his fellow contestant Varun Sood, as the two posed beside each other on the beach. He also penned a short note in the caption, which soon received a warm response from Varun, as well as excited reactions from the fans.

Vishal Singh poses beside Varun Sood on the beach

Vishal Singh appears to have made acquaintances with Khatron Ke Khiladi 11 co-star Varun Sood, as the actors gave each other company on the beaches of Cape Town. Vishal has posted a couple of pictures of the two from the beach, with both of them flaunting their ripped physiques in one of the pictures. Another picture has captured a candid moment as the actors sat and enjoyed the waves. Vishal wrote in the caption, Mitti Se Jude, to which Varun promptly responded in the comments by calling him his elder brother.

IMAGE: VISHAL ADITYA SINGH'S INSTAGRAM COMMENTS

The post also received a reaction from another contestant of the show, Sana Makbul, who asked them both to Turn around. His fans took no time in sending their compliments to both the actors and praised their bromance. Some of them were also seen cheering for them to win the title of the show. A few days back, Vishal had also shared another picture with Varun featuring Sana which was also taken on the beach, as the trio posed next to each other. Vishal left a note in the caption which reads, Sunny side up.

Some of the other Khatron Ke Khiladi 11 contestants include Arjun Bijlani, Shweta Tiwari, Divyanka Tripathi among others. The ongoing season is being hosted by filmmaker Rohit Shetty, who has also hosted some of the previous seasons of the show. Previously, Khatron Ke Khiladi has seen various celebrities including Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra and Arjun Kapoor as the hosts in the past. The show will be airing on Colors TV.

IMAGE: VISHAL ADITYA SINGH'S INSTAGRAM

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Cyclone Yaas Live Updates: Landfall Process Begins, Cyclone 50 Km Away From Balasore

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Mehul Choksi In Cuba A Real Possibility? Antigua & Barbuda Police Seek Interpol's Help

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Dr Fauci Urges WHO To Commence 'next Phase Of Investigation' Into Coronavirus' Origin

As questions rise over Coronavirus' (COVID-19) origin, US chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci on Tuesday, backed the 'next phase of investigation' by the World Health organization (WHO) into the origins of the virus. Speaking to reporters, Dr. Fauci said that he was not '100% sure of the origin' and it was imperative to look and investigate. US has urged China & WHO for a transparent process stating that there was a need to 'get to bottom' of it.

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WhatsApp Moves Delhi HC Against New IT Rules, 'traceability' Provision Under Challenge

In a huge development, WhatsApp moved the Delhi High Court challenging the Centre's recent rules for social media intermediaries that call for the traceability of messages. The Facebook-owned messaging platform reportedly filed the petition on May 25, which was the last day to comply with the guidelines. Invoking the Supreme Court's verdict in the 2017 Justice K S Puttaswamy (Retd.) vs Union Of India case, it has argued that the traceability provision is against the fundamental right to privacy.

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'Huge Disaster For Country': Top Medical Experts Condemn Farmers' Rally Amid COVID-19

Top medical experts spoke to Republic TV on Tuesday strongly discouraging the citizens of India from holding or engaging in any event that could turn out to be a super-spreader of COVID-19 in the country. Dr Shashank Joshi, member of COVID task force in Maharashtra, Dr. Subhash Salunkhe, COVID-19 State Government Advisor and Former Director of Health Services (Maharashtra), and Dr. Sanjeev Bagai, Senior Pediatrician and Chairman of the Nephron Clinic were a part of the discussion.

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As India continues to ramp up indigenous production of anti-Coronavirus jabs, vaccine giant Pfizer recently offered their COVID-19 vaccine to India. Now, Pfizer has told Indian authorities that its jab has shown "high effectiveness" against the SARS-CoV-2 variant prevalent in India and on people of Indian ethnicity or nationality, while it is suitable for everyone aged 12 years or above and can be stored for a month at 2-8 degrees, sources said on Wednesday. The 2-8 degrees storage is a gamechanger as previously the vaccine was said to only be storable at a much lower temperature that's colder than most standard refrigerators and cold storage can provide.

Pfizer, which is ready to offer 5 crore doses to India between July and October this year and has sought certain relaxations including indemnification, has held a series of interactions with the Indian government authorities recently including one this week, during which it shared the most recent data points regarding efficacy trials and approvals for its vaccine in various countries and by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

"The current situation in India, and across the world, is not business as usual and we must not respond to it with processes as usual too," a source quoted Pfizer as having communicated to the Indian government reported by PTI.

Another source privy to the discussions said that following recent meetings between the Indian government and Pfizer's Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla, they have agreed to jointly work on three key issues to accelerate approval for the company's COVID-19 vaccine in India, namely procurement through a central government pathway; indemnity and liability; and the regulatory requirement for post-approval bridging studies.

Pfizer assures the government of its vaccine efficacy on COVID variants

As per the PTI report, Pfizer vaccine has undergone significant development over the last six months which includes improvement in storage conditions at 2-8 degrees for over one month (31 days) at the site of vaccination. "Recent data points confirm the high effectiveness of BNT612b2 2-dose regimen against SARS-CoV-2 variants, and among individuals of Indian ethnicity," Pfizer has said.

Providing data, it said UK's Public Health England (PHE) has reported high vaccine effectiveness (87.9 percent) against the B.1.617.2 variant, most reported in India, in an observational study (concluded on May 22, 2021). It further said 26 percent of study participants overall were of "Indian or British Indian" ethnicity, and also included Bangladeshi (1.4 percent), Pakistani (5.9 percent), and any other Asian background (5.7 percent), indicating that the observed vaccine effectiveness applies to these groups as well. Also, the data from Qatar's nationwide immunization program demonstrated high vaccine effectiveness - 89 percent against B.1.1.7 variant (first detected in the UK) and 75 percent against B.1.351 variant (first detected in South Africa).

It said 24 percent of study participants were of Indian nationality (more than 6,000), and others included Nepalese (6-12 percent), Bangladeshi (4-11 percent), Sri Lankan (3-4 percent), Pakistani (4-6 percent), indicating that the observed vaccine effectiveness applies to these groups as well.

Pfizer has urged the Government of India to rely upon WHO's testing pathways of reliance on testing certificates from country of origin instead of mandating local testing and batch release stating will also help fast track vaccine introduction and prevent vaccine wastage.

Pfizer suitable for children of 12 years and more

Pfizer has also shared the most recent data on BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine -- the phase 3 clinical trial showing vaccine efficacy six months after the second dose from the pivotal registration trial, as also for variants in vitro neutralization, clinically efficacy data, and real-world vaccine effectiveness against emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2. The data shared with Indian authorities also includes "real-world evidence of BNT162b2 vaccine effectiveness and safety from national immunization programs".

The shared data points include trials showing nearly 95 percent effectiveness against COVID-19, 100 percent efficacy against severe disease, and also 100 percent vaccine efficacy in 12-15-year-old adolescents.

Pfizer Offers 5cr COVID Vaccine doses To India With T&Cs

With states getting no response even after floating global tenders for COVID-19 vaccine procurement, top American pharma companies Pfizer and Moderna have offered their respective COVID-19 vaccines to India even as the country continues to ramp up indigenous production of anti-Coronavirus jabs. As per PTI sources, Pfizer is ready to offer 5 crore COVID-19 vaccine shots this year, however, it has set a pre-condition. Pfizer has sought significant regulatory relaxations in India including indemnification, sources say.

It is important to note that Pfizer had earlier withdrawn its Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) application in India after the Centre had sought additional information regarding its COVID-19 vaccine. However, with the Centre now enlisting all COVID-19 vaccines approved in the UK, USA, Japan, and by the WHO for a fast-track approval in India, the doors for Pfizer could be opened up soon. The Pfizer vaccine has shown the efficacy of 95% at preventing symptomatic COVID infection after two doses and appears to be equally protective across all age groups and against all variants of the virus so far.

(Image Credits: PTI/AP)

(Story Inputs: PTI)
As the number of Black Fungus (Mucormycosis) cases continue to increase in India, Zydus Cadila and Taiwan-based speciality pharmaceutical firm TLC on Wednesday said that they have signed a pact to market Liposomal Amphotericin B. It is a critical drug, which is used to treat Mucormycosis. Zydus Cadila in a statement said that the companies have announced the signing of an agreement to commercialise AmphoTLC (Amphotericin B Liposome for Injection 50mg) in India.

Zydus Cadila said, "Under the terms of the agreement, TLC will manufacture and supply AmphoTLC on a non-exclusive basis to Zydus, and Zydus will commercialise the drug in India."

Black Fungus: Zydus Cadila & Taiwan's TLC ink pact

While stating that India is facing an acute shortage of the drug to treat Black Fungus, Cadila Healthcare MD Sharvil Patel said that the company is making Liposomal Amphotericin B available in India on an immediate basis. The need of the hour is to tackle this life-threatening infection with a safe and effective therapy, he added.

TLC President George Yeh said, "...we will be delivering the first batch of AmphoTLC to India to help assuage the urgent need for one of the safest and most effective antifungal drugs very soon."

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization has approved the new drug application (NDA) of TLC for Amphotericin B Liposome for Injection 50mg for immediate importation as per approved usage and indication, Zydus Cadila said. With Black Fungus cases rising in India in recent days, AmphoTLC will address the country's acute Liposomal Amphotericin B shortage, it added.

Mucormycosis is a serious fungal infection, also known as black fungus, and COVID-19 associated mucormycosis is life-threatening, the statement said. AmphoTLC is a Liposomal Amphotericin B injection indicated for severe systemic fungal infections such as mucormycosis, it added. Shares of Cadila Healthcare, the listed entity of Zydus Group, were trading at Rs 626.45 per scrip on BSE, up 0.64 per cent from the previous close.

(Image: Unsplash, PTI-Representative)
BJP MP Subramanian Swamy wrote to President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday opposing Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin's plea seeking the release of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination convicts. In his letter, Swamy questioned whether Stalin was of the opinion that the life of a former PM was only worth a certain number of years of imprisonment undergone by the convicts. Citing various judgments of the Supreme Court, he stressed that a life sentence implies imprisonment for life and cannot be remitted for this "anti-national assassination".

He recalled that the late PM had sent the Indian Peace Keeping Force to Sri Lanka to save the Tamils of the neighbouring country from "genocide". Swamy added, "Post this (India-Sri Lanka) treaty, the internationally notified terrorist, i.e, the LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran (who claimed to be a Marxist), thus had to face the democratically elected Tamil leaders of repute, and suffer isolation and irrelevance, thus determined and conspired for Shri Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, after the elections held in Tamil areas of Jaffna and Batticaloa in the north east, elected a Tamil Chief Minister (Sri Vardarajan Perumal). LTTE just became a renegade in the eyes of the world and Tamils everywhere in particular".

The ex-Union Minister also drew attention to the report of the Justice Varma Commission which examined the security aspects of the arrangements for Gandhi's public meeting in Sriperumbudur. Lamenting that successive governments have ignored the recommendations of this panel, he claimed that it held the key to decide whether a particular political party "deliberately" sabotaged the full security arrangements made by the state government. Moreover, Swamy expressed shock at Congress president Sonia Gandhi for seeking clemency for the conspirators of her husband's assassination.

Here is Swamy's letter to President Kovind:

My Letter to the Rashtrapati opposing Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin's plea to set free from jail the conspirators of Rajiv Gandhi assassination. pic.twitter.com/uhusPJo6Bl  Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) May 25, 2021

Stalin appeals to President

On May 21, 1991, former PM Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by an LTTE suicide bomber when he was towards the dais for addressing an election rally for the Lok Sabha polls. Convicted in the case, A G Perarivalan, Nalini, her husband Murugan, T. Suthendraraja, Jayakumar, Robert Payas, and P Ravichandran are serving a life term. Highlighting that they have been undergoing the "agony" of imprisonment for over three decades, MK Stalin added that the erstwhile TN government had recommended to the Governor for the remission of their life sentence on September 9, 2018.

However, he pointed out that the Governor decided that the President is the competent authority to decide on the remission of these 7 persons. Referring to the SC's recent verdict on decongesting prisons amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he stated that there had already been an inordinate delay in the consideration of their remission pleas. Therefore, he requested President Kovind to accept the 2018 recommendation of the TN government and direct the immediate release of the convicts.
A picture of Earth was recently shared on social media which has not only confused netizens but it had also startled the astronaut who captured it. European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet has captured the picture of the blue planet from the International Space Station. When the ESA astronaut looked out of the window from ISS, he was unable to differentiate between Mars and Earth. While sharing the pictures on his Instagram account he wrote, "No cloud in sight and the red and ochre colours stretching to the horizon." Surprised to see the pictures, netizens amazed took to the comments section to share their opinion.

Astronaut confused between Earth and Mars

Pesquet on his Instagram account wrote that he took the image while he was aboard the International Space Station orbiting the Earth. He in the post details that this was how he imagined NASA's perseverance rover to mars would have seen Mars when it landed on the red planet. The pictures shared by the astronaut depict a reddish and orange coloured landscape and a deep indentation at the centre that is similar to Red planet. Pesquet is part of the SpaceX Crew-2 mission that arrived at the International Space Station in April. Take a look at the post.

While appreciating the human achievement of going to Mars, he gave shout out to NASA teams that flew a helicopter on Mars and also the French teams that recorded the flight with audio. In his post, he also lauded China National Space Administration that landed its Zhurong rover on Mars. He further detailed ESA's ExoMars TGO mission that is orbiting Mars and the ExoMars rover which is set for launch next year.

Since being shared on Instagram, the pictures have garnered more than 187000 likes and several reactions from netizens. People amazed by the pictures took to the comments section to express views about magnificent pictures. One user comment, "Incredible." Another user wrote, "WoW!!!". Check out some user reactions.

IMAGE: ThomasPesquet/Instagram
Belarusian state TV has aired brief interviews of alleged passengers of the Ryanair flight dramatically diverted to Minsk who disembarked in Belarus' capital.

The FR4978 flight heading from Athens to Vilnius was carrying an opposition Belarusian journalist Raman Pratasevich who was detained after the plane diverted and landed in Minsk, sparking an international outcry.

It's alleged that the 26-year-old Pratasevich, who ran a popular messaging app that played a key role in helping organize massive protests in the country, was at risk of being tortured while in custody.

Along with the journalist and his girlfriend, three passengers didn't continue their journey to Vilnius, which raised questions in international media and amongst opposition circles in Belarus.

Footage broadcast on Belarusian state TV channels and provided by the Belarus Interior Minister allegedly shows the passengers being interviewed by local authorities.

The three were identified as Iason Zisis, Aleksandra Stabredova and Sergey Kulakov.

The AP cannot verify the conditions under which the video was shot, nor whether what they say is true.

The other 121 travelers were kept at Minsk airport for four hours until their luggage and documents were checked and then flew to Vilnius.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
A Dutch court holding the trial of three Russians and a Ukrainian charged in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 held a site visit to a hangar where the wreckage of the Boeing 777 is stored.

The huge case is the first prosecution of suspects in the downing of flight MH17 by a Buk missile fired on July 17, 2014, from territory in eastern Ukraine that was under control of pro-Russia rebels.

All 298 passengers and crew on the Amsterdam-Kuala Lumpur flight were killed when the missile shattered it in midair.

The council chamber of the District Court of The Hague is made up of different judges to those who are involved in the trial.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Punjab National Bank scam accused and fugitive Mehul Choksi who was missing for three days from Antigua and Barbuda has been apprehended in Dominica. Following this development, Republic Media Network can confirm that Mehul Choksi's wife has also received information to this effect, while his lawyer Vijay Aggarwal also told ANI. "I have spoken to his family, and they are happy and relieved that his whereabouts are now known. Efforts are being made to speak to him so that one can know the clear picture of how he was taken to Dominica."

Mehul Choksi purportedly went "missing" after going out for dinner in Antigua island on May 23 and could not be traced even though his vehicle was traced in the Jolly Harbour later. As per The Observer, Mehul Choksi was traced to his current location in Dominica three days after he went missing. The fugitive diamantaire was nabbed by law enforcement personnel following the yellow notice alert that was issued. As per the Antigua Observer, the police in Dominica are making arrangements to hand him over to the Antigua police.

#LIVE | I believe local people in Antigua would prefer Mehul Choksi is extradited to India to face charges but he has challenged the govt's move. But this may give the govt leeway: Shermain Bique, Antigua Observer https://t.co/rGQJsiKgt2 pic.twitter.com/Q77e8m9eTN  Republic (@republic) May 26, 2021

On May 25, Tuesday, a police officer from Johnson Point police station (the precinct near Choksi's home in Antigua and Barbuda) told Republic TV that a missing complaint had been filed by his family. Speaking exclusively to Republic TV's Executive Editor Niranjan Narayanaswamy, an officer from the Johnson Point Police Station said that the statement of Mehul Choksi's wife had been recorded after she lodged the missing person's complaint and that there were no details of whether the fugitive diamond merchant had fled to Cuba, which was also a theory that was poured water on by no less than the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, who spoke LIVE with Republic as he has numerous times over the issue of Mehul Choksi, whom his government is trying to extradite to India.

Mehul Choksi faces possibility of extradition to India

The PNB scam accused is under the scanner of both the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate. Along with his nephew Nirav Modi, he allegedly siphoned off Rs 13,500 crore of public money from the Punjab National Bank (PNB), using letters of undertaking. Owner of the Gitanjali group, a retail jewellery company, Choksi secured the citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in November 2017 under the aegis of the Citizenship by Investment Programme and fled to the island nation in the first week of January 2018.

India formally sought Choksi's extradition in August 2018 underlining the principle of reciprocity, the principle of dual criminality, and the United Nations Convention against Corruption to which both countries are signatories. In 2019, Antigua and Barbuda PM Gaston Browne said that Mehul Choksi will be revoked and will be extradited to India once all his legal options are exhausted. The current legal status of the fugitive diamantaire is shrouded in mystery as Aggarwal has stressed that the PNB scam accused remains a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda.
By Xu Shiwei

NATO has adopted various measures to build up momentum for the upcoming 2021 Brussels Summit on June 14 recently. NATO has high expectations for this summit, but the results may not be satisfactory due to multiple factors.

Since the meetings of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in March, the Secretary-General of NATO and other alliance leaders have communicated with the leaders of the US on the preparations for the Brussels Summit many times, and introduced the contents of the summit during the Bucharest Nine (B9) summit and the Delphi Economic Forum to coordinate positions through the internal briefing.

At the same time, NATO continues to carry out foreign exchanges in an attempt to win more support. NATO and the European Union exchanged views on military maneuvering and Afghanistan on May 6. On May 10, NATO and Austria signed an agreement to establish a liaison office in Vienna, creating conditions for NATO's exchanges with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe(OSCE) and other international organizations.

It is reported that NATO will focus on the following topics during the summit:

First, the shift of strategy. In the NATO 2030 report, while continuing to list Russia as a major military threat, NATO puts forward for the first time that it should pay attention to the opportunities and challenges brought about by the rise of major powers in the Asia-Pacific region. This indicates that NATO has begun to turn to the Asia-Pacific and gone global. It is bound to strengthen the consensus within its alliance further through this summit and lay the foundation for the next strategic shift.

Second, the reinforcement of solidarity. At present, there are constant conflicts and internal strife among NATO member states, and thus it is urgent to maintain internal unity by establishing a common enemy. The summit will exaggerate "threats and challenges from multiple directions" so that member states will temporarily put aside their differences.

Third, the increase of military spending. At present, only a few NATO member states have military spending that reaches 2 percent of GDP. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg repeatedly recommended member states increase their military spending. This summit will discuss topics related to the schedule of NATO modernization and will inevitably involve an increase in military spending.

Although NATO has high expectations for the Brussels Summit, due to multiple factors, the results may not be satisfactory.

First, the decline of the US makes the US unreliable. The COVID-19 pandemic highlights that the US is constantly declining, and the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan shows that the US military is also shrinking. It is difficult to predict how much Europe can rely on the US.

Second, it is challenging to eliminate internal conflicts within NATO. There are structural contradictions with complex historical backgrounds among NATO member states. For example, the recent fishing rights dispute in the Jersey island between the UK and France and the Turkey-Greece territorial disputes are basically impossible to eliminate.

In addition, the different interests of member states make it difficult for NATO to achieve coordination. For example, NATO intends to rely on the US to provide collective security while the US plans to use NATO as a tool to realize its global strategy. NATO lists Russia as a major military threat while countries such as Germany and Italy are highly dependent on Russian oil and gas resources. Turkey also frequently purchases a Russian-made weapons system.
Rakon today announced strong improvements in revenue and earnings for the year to 31 March 2021, as sustained demand from the global telecommunications sector for its industry-leading frequency control and timing solutions helped to offset the significant disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Revenue for the year to 31 March 2021 rose 8% to $128.3 million from $119.0 million a year earlier. Gross margin improvements and careful cost management drove a 59% increase in underlying EBITDA to $23.5 million (2020: $14.8m), ahead of the companys guidance of $20-22 million. Net profit after tax rose 142% to $9.6 million from $4.0 million in the same period a year ago.

Rakon Chair Bruce Irvine said the companys FY2021 performance was a testament to the capability, resilience and commitment of Rakons global team, and the agility and responsiveness of the business.

It has been a particularly challenging year. Rakons strong performance through these challenges reflects the sustained demand for its industry-leading products and builds on the solid operating improvements made in recent years.

Managing Director Brent Robinson said: This result has been achieved despite the considerable disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic, and it demonstrates our position as the supplier of choice in high-reliability connectivity solutions. We have captured market growth opportunities in Telecommunications, Datacentres and NewSpace, as well as responding to an unexpected and substantial opportunity that arose from global chip shortages resulting from the factory fire at Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) in Japan in October 2020.

Rakon maintains a dividend policy that it will pay a dividend of up to 50% of the after tax profit if considered fiscally prudent.

Mr Robinson said the company would continue to maintain a conservative balance sheet as it manages ongoing uncertainties and risks, and looks to consolidate its improved performance and reserves in FY2022.

Accordingly, Directors have determined not to declare a dividend for the period to 31 March 2021.

Outlook

Looking ahead, the company expects solid revenue growth in FY2022, driven by significant orders stemming from current global TCXO shortages and continued expansion in the 5G, datacentre and NewSpace segments.

Rakon also has funding lines in place to support future growth opportunities and as a buffer for adverse events.

Mr Robinson said the uplift due to the global TCXO shortages is expected to be sustained with deliveries scheduled through FY2022 and FY2023. Supply is anticipated to normalise beyond that period, however Rakon is confident it will retain a good share of this market as customers diversify their supplier base for continuity of supply.

Rakon confirms its Underlying EBITDA guidance range of $27-32 million for the year to 31 March 2022.

Please see the links below for details

Rakon Results Announcement FY2021

Rakon FY2021 Results Announcement Commentary

Rakon FY2021 Financial Statements

Source: Rakon Limited

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The son of Hamas founder Hassan Yousef urged Israel to take down Hamas militants despite the announcement of a ceasefire in the Israel- Palestine conflict between the forces in the Gaza Strip on Friday, May 21. Hassan's son, Mosab Hassan Yousef urged the Israeli forces to Hamas leaders for assassination.

In fact, Mosab Hassan Yousef deduced that killing Hamas leaders could teach the terror organisation a long-lasting lesson. Unrest sparked in July 2019 when another Hassan's son (youngest) Suheib Hassan Yousef in an interview with Israeli TV, denounced the deeds of Hamas militants and referred to it as a terrorist cartel which caused huge anger among Hamas members who described him as a traitor while other Hamas militants affiliated zones claimed that he was working with the Israeli Mossad (the national intelligence agency of Israel) which he completely denies.

Assassinating Hamas leadership will not destroy Hamas, but it will teach them a lesson and hold them accountable, Mosab Hassan Yousef told The Post in a phone interview. Next time, before you get civilians on both sides involved in a bloodbath, you need to think 1,000 times. This is my personal suggestion.

'The Green Prince'

Mosab Yousef was born in the West Bank city of Ramallah. He was conditioned by Hamas founder Hassan Yousef to be a figurehead in the war-torn country. In 1997, Mosab secretly collaborated with Israels internal security service, Shin Bet. Considered one of the most valuable intelligence assets, he came to be known as The Green Prince owing to his prominent family background.

Mosab Yousef claims to have followed the regional developments minutely and attributed the latest round of violence to Hamas itself. The property feud in East Jerusalems Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood "the ostensible trigger of the current unrest  was just a pretext," he said. He did not hesitate to inform that top Hamas leader like his father likely professed and practised violence in underground bunkers and use the demise of their own people to score propaganda points.

Hundreds of children have paid the price. These type of people cannot get away with what they did. They should not feel safe for a day, he said. Hamas hates Israel more than they love their own children.

Mosab Yousef turned toward Christianity and even associated with political asylum in the United States. He is a US citizen since 2018 and currently lives in California.

Another brother, Suheib Yousef, exited Hamas in 2019, informing Israeli media that he was fed up with violence and labelled the group a racist terrorist organization that is dangerous for the Palestinian people.

Tensions are afloat as cease-fires in the past between Israel and Hamas have proven fragile. Hamas and Israel have engaged in the ugliest forms of conflict since the Palestinian group was founded in the 1980s. Recent military and forces exchanged were on the account of Hamas firing a barrage of rockets at Jerusalem retaliating to police raids pertaining to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, located in the Old City of Jerusalem which is also the third holiest Islam sites along with the scheduled evictions of several Palestinians from their homes.

Even with temporary suspension of the gruesome exchanges, the underlying causes of the conflict remain. Land rights feud in Jerusalem and the West Bank, while religious tensions in the Old City of Jerusalem and the absence of a peaceful resolution to the conflicts. The Gaza Strip concludes a disconcerting blockade by Israel and Palestine.
Pakistans Foreign Minister Shah Mahmoud Qureshi, on May 25, said that the country would not provide its military bases to the US for future counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan. Speaking in the Senate, he also ruled out the possibility of Islamabad allowing America to conduct Kinetic drone operations against militants in Afghanistan. His comments came amidst reports of Pakistan authorities allegedly negotiating a new arrangement with Washington to facilitate future US counterterrorism operations after it withdraws its troops from the war-torn nation.

Let this house and the Pakistani nation be a witness to my testimony that under [Prime Minister] Imran Khan there will be no American base built on Pakistani soil. Forget about the past, he told the upper house of the parliament. The government of Pakistan has categorically said that we will not allow kinetic use of drones nor are we interested in the surveillance of your drones. Thats a very clear-cut policy of this government, Qureshi added.

Responding to the concern of a senator, Qureshi further asserted that it was because Pakistan still feared that the vacuum created by the American troop pullout could bring the decade of 1990s back where Taliban insurgence was on the rise. "Because what we were fearing and we still fear and are concerned that a vacuum created in Afghanistan can drag or suck the country back into the decade of 1990s, he said.

No air operations

In addition to Qureshi, Mian Raza Rabbani, ex-chairman Senate, also said that Pakistan should not allow the United States the use of its air and ground facilities for action in Afghanistan. This came in contradiction to an earlier given statement by a Pentagon official, who blatantly confirmed that Pakistan had given a green signal to the US military to use its airspace. Pakistan, at present, hosts Saudi Arabian personnel under an agreement inked back in 1982. Last month, US President Joe Biden announced a withdrawal of all US troops from Afghanistan by September 11, ending a 20 year-long episode of trial and turbulence. The decision was reiterated by NATO, a collision force with the majority of soldiers belonging to Germany.

(With inputs from ANI)

Image: AP
Nowhere is Malaysia's worsening coronavirus surge more apparent than in the cemeteries around the capital as the surging infections and deaths spiked again Wednesday.

With a record 7,478 new cases reported in the last 24 hours, pushing the country's tally to 533,367, Malaysia has seen a five-fold increase since the start of the year.

Deaths have spiked to more than 2,300 with latest numbers yet to be reported Wednesday.

The toll is visible at cemeteries such as Nirvana Memorial, a Buddhist, Taoist and Christian cemetery in Semenyih.

Health director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah warned that the country has to "prepare for the worst."

The government has resisted calls for a full lockdown  fearing economic catastrophe  but has shut all schools, prohibited dining in restaurants and banned social activities and inter-state travel.

Business and shopping restrictions were increased Tuesday and public transport has been halved.

Malaysia has given nearly 2.5 million of its 33 million people at least one dose of vaccine.

But the virus is still spreading rapidly, with clusters growing from the variants originating in South Africa and India.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
In a breaking development, fugitive Antigua-based former diamantaire Mehul Choksi, who had been absconding since Sunday, is reportedly in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Dominica, as per The Observer. Mehul Choksi purportedly went "missing" after going out for dinner in Antigua island on May 23 and could not be traced even though his vehicle was traced in the Jolly Harbour later. As per The Observer, Mehul Choksi has been traced to his current location in Dominica three days after he went missing, where was nabbed by law enforcement personnel following the yellow notice alert that was issued for the fugitive. As per the Antigua newsroom, the police in Dominica are making arrangements to hand him over to the Antigua police.

#LIVE We got info an hour ago that Mehul Choksi who is wanted in Antigua & Barbuda, and India, was arrested in Dominica last night, in the countryside. The regional islands have been on the lookout after the Yellow Notice: Shermain Bique, Antigua Observer https://t.co/RZHKU3wOei pic.twitter.com/nm9OQ9FvXg  Republic (@republic) May 26, 2021

Earlier on Tuesday, a police officer from Johnson Point police station (the precinct near where Choksi has a home) told Republic TV on Tuesday that a missing complaint had been filed by his family. Speaking exclusively to Republic TV's Executive Editor Niranjan Narayanaswamy, an officer from the Johnson Point Police Station said that the statement of Mehul Choksi's wife had been recorded after she lodged the missing persons complaint and that there were no details of whether the fugitive diamond merchant had fled to Cuba. Noting that precise information about Mehul Choksi was still unknown to the Police, the Antiguan cop told Republic that his car was spotted in the Jolly Harbour area at a distance from his residence. Speaking to Republic TV, Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Gaston Browne had also assured that all efforts were being made to locate Choksi and that he would be extradited once all his appeals ran out.

Mehul Choksi faces the prospect of extradition

Mehul Choksi is under the scanner of both the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate. Along with his nephew Nirav Modi, he allegedly siphoned off Rs 13,500 crore of public money from the Punjab National Bank (PNB), using letters of undertaking. Owner of the Gitanjali group, a retail jewellery company, Choksi secured the citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in November 2017 under the aegis of the Citizenship by Investment Programme and fled to the island nation in the first week of January 2018.

India formally sought Choksi's extradition in August 2018 underlining the principle of reciprocity, the principle of dual criminality, and the United Nations Convention against Corruption to which both countries are signatories. In 2019, Antigua and Barbuda PM Gaston Browne said that Mehul Choksi will be revoked and will be extradited to India once all his legal options are exhausted. The current legal status of the fugitive diamantaire is shrouded in mystery as Aggarwal has stressed that the PNB scam accused remains a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda.
In an important move to trace fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, the Antigua and Barbuda Police has filed a missing person notice with Interpol so that a Yellow Notice can be circulated. A Yellow Notice is a global police alert for a missing person which is published for victims of parental abductions, kidnappings, or unexplained disappearances. This assumes significance as Caribbean news outlet Associate Times claimed that Choksi fled to Cuba owing to the fear of being extradited to India, a claim denied by his lawyer Vijay Aggarwal.

The PNB scam accused purportedly went "missing" after going out for dinner in Antigua island on May 23 and could not be traced even though his vehicle was traced in the Jolly Harbour later. As per the latest statement issued by the police of the island nation, it weighed in on the increased search efforts. The police once again appealed to anyone knowing the whereabouts of Choksi to contact the Johnson Point Police Station or the Criminal Investigations Department.

"Several close relatives and associates of Choksi were interviewed to gather as much information as possible as to his sudden disappearance. As an added component to the ongoing investigations, the Police Administration has reached out to both local and regional law enforcement counterparts for assistance on this matter. Additionally, the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda (RPFAB) has filed a missing person notice with The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) for a Yellow Notice to be circulated," the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda said in a statement.

India pushes for Mehul Choksi's extradition

Mehul Choksi is under the scanner of both the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate. Along with his nephew Nirav Modi, he has been accused of allegedly siphoning off Rs 13,500 crore of public money from the Punjab National Bank (PNB), using letters of undertaking. Owner of the Gitanjali group, a retail jewellery company, Choksi secured the citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in November 2017 under the aegis of the Citizenship by Investment Programme and fled to the island nation in the first week of January 2018.

India formally sought Choksi's extradition in August 2018 underlining the principle of reciprocity, the principle of dual criminality, and the United Nations Convention against Corruption to which both countries are signatories. In 2019, Antigua and Barbuda PM Gaston Browne was quoted as saying that the citizenship of Mehul Choksi will be revoked and will be extradited to India once all his legal options are exhausted. The current legal status of the fugitive diamantaire is shrouded in mystery as Aggarwal has stressed that the PNB scam accused remains a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda.
The leader of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said Tuesday that any violations of Jerusalem and the sites holy to Muslims and Christians could lead to a regional war.

Speaking for the first time after the cease-fire following the 11-day war between Hamas and Israel, Hassan Nasrallah said the conflict proved that no one could sit idle when Israel attacked the holy sites or tried to undermine Palestinian rights to the city.

Nasrallah described the conflict as a great victory for Hamas that paralyzed the Israeli state.

The conflict was triggered by weeks of clashes in Jerusalem between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters in and around the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a site revered by Jews and Muslims that has seen several outbreaks of Israeli-Palestinian violence over the years.

The protests were directed at Israel's policing of the area during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers.

Nasrallah was speaking on the 21st anniversary of Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon after a protracted war, characterized by roadside bombs and sniper attacks.

Hezbollah's shadow loomed large during Israel and Hamas' two-week battle in Gaza, with the possibility it could unleash its arsenal of missiles - far more powerful than Hamas' - in support of the Palestinians.

But the Iran-backed group remained on the sidelines.

Daily protests, including members of Hezbollah and Palestinians in Lebanon, rallied along the frontier with Israel in solidarity with Gaza during the 11 days.

One Hezbollah member was killed when Israeli troops opened fire to push back demonstrators who tried to break through the volatile frontier.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
The political situation in Nepal took a new turn on Monday after the opposition alliance moved the Supreme Court challenging the President's decision to dissolve the Lower House. On Saturday morning, Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari had dissolved the House of Representatives and announced that mid-term polls will be held on November 12 and 19. This decision was taken after she rejected the claims of both Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli and opposition leader Sher Bahadur Deuba for government formation.

While Oli claimed that he had the support of 153 lawmakers including members of the Janata Samajbadi Party, Nepali Congress president Deuba submitted signatures of 149 parliamentarians comprising 27 members of the CPN-UML rival faction led by Madhav Kumar Nepal. The petition in the apex court was signed by 146 members of the Lower House including 61 from Nepali Congress, 49 from CPN-Maoist Centre, 23 from the Madhav Nepal faction of CPN-UML and 12 of Janata Samajbadi Party. They also demanded the appointment of Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba as the Prime Minister.

Political crisis in Nepal

With 121 seats, CPN-UML is the largest party in the 275-member House of Representatives. On the other hand, the Nepali Congress, the CPN-Maoist Center of ex-PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal also known as 'Prachanda'and the Janata Samajbadi Party have 63, 49 and 34 seats respectively. The rivalry between the Oli and Madhav Kumar Nepal camps in the CPN-UML camps escalated to the extent that the Nepal President dissolved the Parliament on December 10, 2020, and set the ball for fresh elections.

While the country's Supreme Court reinstated the Parliament in February, the Nepal PM escalated the feud by suspending Nepal and other senior leaders close to him for 6 months. Amidst the turmoil within the ruling party, Oli finally decided to seek a vote of confidence on May 10. However, he was dealt another blow as the CPN-Maoist Center withdrew its support, reducing the government to a minority. Thereafter, he lost the confidence motion after securing just 93 votes in the session attended by 232 lawmakers.

Although Oli was back at the helm of affairs owing to the opposition's inability to garner numbers for government formation, he received a setback on May 20 as his candidate for a seat in Nepal's Upper House- Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa lost to a candidate fielded by the CPN-UML rival faction. Moreover, the nation's SC issued an interim order restraining 7 members of the Cabinet from discharging their ministerial responsibilities. Defecting to the PM's party from the CPN-Maoist Center, they had been disqualified from Parliament. This compelled him to not seek a vote of confidence in the House of Representatives.
As Nepal reels under the second wave of the pandemic, President Bidhya Devi Bhandari has requested Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind for access to COVID-19 vaccines. President Bhandari wrote to President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday, requesting him to help Nepal with the supply of Made in India vaccines.

"It has been communicated through diplomatic channels with Indian President requesting access to locally developed and manufactured anti-COVID vaccine. President Bhandari also thanked India for its assistance till date to fight the pandemic and measures to control it," Tika Dhakal, Communication expert to Nepali President said.

As per the official, the Nepali President also requested her counterpart to help the country with interrupted supplies of previously ordered COVISHIELD vaccines. She also thanked India for providing jabs under India's Vaccine Maitri initiative and the COVAX facility.

On Jan 2, Nepal had received one million doses from the Serum Institute of India and also a total of 348,000 doses under the COVAX facility on March 7.

Nepal asks China for vaccines

The Nepali President also had a telephonic conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping seeking Coronavirus vaccines, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed. The Chinese President reportedly committed one million doses of the anti-COVID vaccine on a grant basis.

"During the conversation, the Chinese President announced that China will provide additional 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Nepal as grant assistance. President Xi also assured that Nepal will remain on a priority of China in vaccine support and cooperation," release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

Nepal to date has recorded a total of 5,35,525 COVID-19 cases with 411603 recoveries and 6,845 fatalities. On Wednesday, Nepal recorded as many as 6,714 infections while 6,716 patients recovered and got discharged.

The health ministry also recorded 145 deaths related to COVID-19 on the same day. There are currently 101,777 active cases across the country. Of them, 108,620 are in home isolation, 8,457 are in institutional isolation, 1,671 in ICUs and 434 on ventilators.

(With inputs from agency)
A monthslong investigation into allegations that leaders of an Illinois-based Army Reserve unit mishandled sexual assault complaints has ended with the reprimand of 12 soldiers and unknown disciplinary actions against three civilian employees, Army Reserve officials said.

The Army launched a review of the 416th Theater Engineer Command in January 2020 at the request of Illinois Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth . The senators cited an Associated Press story about allegations of improper internal investigations into sexual assault complaints within the unit and retaliation against a whistleblower.

Maj. Gen. Gregory Mosser , the U.S. Army Reserve Command's deputy commanding general, said Monday that the investigation revealed numerous shortfalls and found various individuals and units improperly handled sexual assault and harassment reports.

Sexual harassment and assault breaks the bonds of trust and unit cohesion at every level, Mosser said. As such, we will continue to promote awareness and foster a culture and environment where victims feel safe to come forward. We are committing to eradicating sexual harassment and assault from our ranks.

Seven officers were reprimanded and five other soldiers were given counseling statements, he said. Action to address findings involving three civilian employees is pending, he added. He declined to name any of the soldiers or civilians, explain their violations or what discipline the civilians might face.

The Army Reserve suspended the 416th's commander , Maj. Gen. Miyako Schanely, last summer as the investigation was proceeding. Mosser refused to answer questions about her status. The Armys Office of Public Affairs noted in a news release Tuesday that Army leadership took action against the 416ths commanding general but didnt say if that person was Schanely or what that action was.

The 416th, based in the Chicago suburb of Darien, provides technical and engineering support for U.S. military forces and serves as the headquarters for nearly 11,000 soldiers in 26 states west of the Mississippi River.

Amy Braley Franck, a civilian sexual assault victim advocate with the 416th, has alleged that commanders launched internal investigations into at least two sexual assault cases, one in 2018 and another in 2019. Federal law and Department of Defense policy require that commanders refer sexual assault complaints to criminal investigators in their respective branches to avoid biased investigations. Commanders who don't follow the proper channels can face reprimand, removal from command or a court martial.

Braley Franck also alleged that the 416th went months without holding a sexual assault management meeting, even though the DOD requires such meetings monthly and unit commanders placed a woman on the firing range with someone she had accused of sexually harassing her, causing her to fear for her life.

Braley Frank's commanders suspended her in November 2019 in what she believes was retaliation for alerting Army criminal investigators to the internal probes.

The Wisconsin National Guards top commander, Adj. Gen. Donald Dunbar, resigned in December 2019 after a federal review found he ran internal sexual assault investigations rather than forward complaints to the National Guard Bureau.

The reprimands and counseling statements the Army Reserve handed down against the 12 soldiers in the 416th don't carry a reduction in rank, pay cuts or a loss of benefits.

Rachel VanLandingham, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel who teaches national security law at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, said generals could decide to remove a reprimand from a soldiers file if their behavior improves, or use it to justify tougher punishment if problems continue. They also could place the reprimand in the soldiers permanent human resources file, which could hurt an officers chances at promotion, she said.

She described counseling statements as a tiny slap on the wrist and called them practically meaningless.

Mosser acknowledged to reporters that the Reserve's hiring process for its sexual assault victim support programs aren't very rapid and sometimes civilian positions end up remaining vacant for longer than commanders like.

___

Follow Todd Richmond on Twitter at https://twitter.com/trichmond1

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Attorneys for a man on trial for the 2018 slaying of a University of Iowa student called the victim's boyfriend to the stand again Tuesday and worked to raise suspicion on him.

Cristhian Bahena Rivera is accused of fatally stabbing 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts while she ran through her hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa, and hiding her body in a cornfield in July 2018.

Tibbetts' boyfriend, Dalton Jack, had testified for the prosecution last week and testified again Tuesday about their up-and-down relationship.

Jack was confronted with phone records showing he only called Tibbetts once in the days after she vanished, with Snapchat messages about his affair with another woman and with questions about his temper.

Police say they cleared Jack as a suspect after establishing he was out of town for work when Tibbetts went missing on July 18, 2018.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
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Calling it a 'big deal' US President Joe Biden on Wednesday informed that half of America's adult population has been vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

As of today, 50% of American adults are fully vaccinated.



Thats a big deal, folks.  President Biden (@POTUS) May 25, 2021

The update from the President comes a month after the country was criticized for hoarding vaccines while several countries are in dire need. After sharp criticism, US had announced to send 60 million doses of AstraZeneca Vaccine. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data has called the vaccination drive improvement as an important development with vaccines first authorized in December.

White House senior COVID-19 adviser Andy Slavitt at a press briefing on Tuesday called it a 'major milestone in country's vaccination efforts,' reported ANI.

Now, with another week left in May, half of all US adults are fully vaccinated.  Andy Slavitt (@aslavitt46) May 25, 2021

A report published in The Hill also praised the Biden administration by mentioning that nothing but 1% of the population was vaccinated before President Joe Biden took the charge. The report further added that this makes Joe Biden one step closer to his goal of getting 70 per cent of adults to have at least one vaccine dose by the fourth of July. For now, 61.6 per cent of American adults, or almost 159 million people, have reached this spot.

Aftermath of vaccination

As 50% of the American population has been vaccinated then it means these people in US are allowed to walk without masks in most indoor and outdoor facilities under CDC guidelines. However, those who are not vaccinated with both doses are advised to follow COVID-19 restrictions.

US COVID-19 vaccination drive

The country gave approval to vaccines- Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna first in December 2020 while Donald Trump was still the President. In its initial drive of vaccination, US prioritized certain groups of adults including health care workers and elderly people. Later in February, the country received its third vaccine after emergency approval was granted to Johnson & Johnson.

COVID-19 cases in US

Before reaching the success level of low COVID-19 cases and ramped up vaccination drive, US too had faced a storm of coronavirus cases. In its latest tally, the country recorded 26,000 fresh cases and from the past few days, it is reporting 570 Covid deaths per day. Meanwhile, India is also expecting the COVID-19 vaccine- Moderna to launch a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in India next year.

(Inputs from ANI)
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Rights groups say the verdict is a violation of Yuong So Das freedom of expression.

A court in western Cambodias Pailin province has sentenced a schoolteacher to one year in prison for incitement after he criticized a monument to Cambodian-Vietnamese ties, prompting condemnation from rights groups who said the verdict violates his freedom of expression.

According to an April 9 ruling by the Pailin Provincial Courts presiding judge Huy Nyhour, which was made public on Monday, Yuong So Da was tried and found guilty in absentia of incitement to commit a felony according to Article 495 of Cambodias penal code.

The verdict cited a comment Yuong So Da posted to Facebook in September 2020, which implied that the Cambodian-Vietnamese Friendship Monument in the former Khmer Rouge stronghold of Pailin symbolized Cambodias increasing subservience to Vietnam.

Now Cambodia has a [Cambodia-Vietnam] monument in nearly every province and soon the country will have two flags to raise, the Facebook comment said.

Yuong So Da, who has been living in hiding for the past six months, called the court verdict unjust and unacceptable in an interview with RFAs Khmer Service on Tuesday.

This matter is related to my freedom of expression, and I am a person who likes to speak the truth, he said, speaking from an undisclosed location.

I didnt think the authorities would seek to arrest to me and that the court would try me. I am a teacher and an authorwhy are they making problems for me?

Yuong So Da said he is considering appealing the court ruling, which he must do by mid-July.

The Cambodian-Vietnamese Friendship Monument in Cambodia's Pailin province, in an undated photo. RFA Centuries of animosity

Animosity between Vietnam and Cambodia goes back centuries, but was heightened by the Vietnamese war that ousted Cambodias Khmer Rouge regime in 1979 and paved the way for long-ruling prime minister Hun Sens ascension to power.

Accusations over the demarcation of the border between Vietnam and Cambodia have become a prominent feature in Cambodian politics as Hun Sens opponents have attempted to paint the strong man as a tool of the Vietnamese.

Union leader Rong Chhun was officially charged with incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest under Article 495 and jailed at Prey Sar Prison in Phnom Penh on Aug. 1, 2020, a day after his arrest for claiming the government has allowed Vietnam to encroach on farmland along their shared border. His arrest prompted near daily protests in the capital Phnom Penh.

Ying Mengly, Battambang provincial coordinator for Cambodian rights group Adhoc, told RFA that posting comments on Facebook is an exercise in freedom of expression recognized by the constitution and called the verdict against Yuong So Da a serious threat to the countrys rule of law.

I would like the court to drop the charges against the teacher, he said. He is just an individual. How were his comments considered incitement?

The state has many media outlets that can inform people [about the monument]. The government and courts need to open up and allow [criticism].

While Yuong So Da is in hiding, he has used Facebook to ask that people to look after his parents, who he claims are facing pressure from authorities. On Tuesday, he posted a comment requesting donations of rice, pens and books in the event that he is jailed.

Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Teachers blame growing political inference in schools and a city-wide clampdown on public criticism of the government.

Primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong are facing a steady exodus of students in the wake of a draconian national security law that has ushered in a city-wide crackdown on public criticism of the authorities, according to a major teachers' union.

According to a recent poll of 180 schools by the city's Professional Teachers' Union (PTU), hundreds of pupils look set to leave schools in Hong Kong by the summer vacation.

More than half of schools said more than 10 of their students were leaving, while four schools noted an exodus of more than 50 students during this semester.

PTU head Fung Wai-wah said many parents are emigrating overseas amid safety concerns, as a newly established force of national security police have been arresting people for peaceful political activities deemed harmful to Hong Kong.

In January, 47 pro-democracy activists and former opposition lawmakers were arrested on suspicion of "subversion" under the national security law, for taking part in a democratic primary election that was designed to maximize the number of opposition seats in the Legislative Council (LegCo).

Chief executive Carrie Lam responded by postponing the LegCo elections until December 2021, prompting the mass resignation of the rest of the opposition camp.

The government has also imposed requirements on the city's schools to "educate" students about the national security law, and to monitor students and teachers alike for any sign of dissent in or outside the classroom.

"Decisions in education are now being made based on the whim of the ... government, rather than on professional considerations," Fung said. "Subjects and teaching materials are being changed all the time, there is interference with the assessment process."

"Teachers can lose their teaching license if someone complains about their professional conduct, so they are under huge political pressure," he said.

"The [government] needs to work much harder to reassure parents."

PTU vice president Ip Kin-yuen said some students are even being taken out of school in the middle of the academic year.

'A lot of headache'

"The people leaving are evenly distributed across different age groups, so it is really affecting the structure of schools, and causing a lot of headache for management," Ip said.

Fung called on the authorities to dial back their interference in the day-to-day running of schools, and to start treating teachers with more respect, if they want to regain parents' trust.

"The government is actually turning a blind eye to the issue, by denying that there is a problem," Fung said. "They have to take this more seriously ... and take constructive steps to try to remedy the situation."

Between 13,100 to 16,300 Hong Kong holders of British National Overseas (BNO) passports and their families look set to emigrate to the U.K. under a fast-track program extended by the U.K. government in response to the national security law.

Meanwhile, a new visa program for people wanting to settle in Canada has attracted some 6,000 applications since its launch in February 2021, Bloomberg reported.

Applications to police for certificates of no criminal record, a prerequisite for some emigration programs, reached 11,700 in the first four months of this year.

Statistics from Hong Kong's education bureau showed that the number of primary and secondary school students fell by 19,379 compared with the same time last year, while 5,285 students had recently left private schools during the same period.

Many want to leave

Educator Dion Chen, who is currently chairman of Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council, said its schools were also losing students at a rapid rate.

"It's not just about the national security law, but also about the overall situation in Hong Kong over the past couple of years," Chen said.

"Large numbers of people want to emigrate ... and they have a much bigger incentive now that certain countries have relaxed the immigration rules for people from Hong Kong," he said.

Yeung Tze-chun, a former Liberal Studies teacher, said direct subsidy schools have been harder hit, as families are more likely to have the financial resources to leave.

He said the exodus from Hong Kong's schools could prompt competition and poaching of students among elite schools in the city.

"I can only see the situation getting worse in future," Yeung told RFA.



Reported by Gigi Lee for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
U.S.-based electric carmaker Tesla has bowed to pressure from Beijing and announced it will move Chinese user data to a new center in China, sparking concerns that the move will set a precedent for other tech companies when dealing with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).



The company said in a Weibo post Tuesday it would expand its network of data centers and store all data generated by the cars it sells in China within the country's borders, according to Reuters news agency.



Tesla currently makes Model 3 sedans and Model Y SUVs in China, which is home the world's largest automobile market and the second-biggest market for Tesla.



The move comes amid a flurry of concern that Tesla vehicles could pose a threat to China's national security.



Staff at some Chinese government offices have been told not to park their Tesla cars inside government compounds amid fears that the vehicle cameras could be used to spy, Reuters quoted two people familiar with the matter as saying.



Tesla vice president Grace Tao, along with executives at search giant Baidu and sales portal Alibaba, took part in talks at a CCP-sponsored think-tank on data security last week.



Tseng Yi-shuo, cybersecurity chief at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research on the democratic island of Taiwan, said recent state media reporting had tried to frame data security as linked to user privacy, but that the new regulations would also achieve surveillance aims for the government.



"China has a habit of controlling and monitoring its citizens' every move," Tseng said. "[A lot of] foreign businesspeople, foreign residents and even foreign officials in China use Tesla electric vehicles."



"Now their data will also be stored in a data center in China," he said. "That's something that those who manage foreign personnel in China must take into account."



Financial commentator Si Ling said Tesla vehicles collect a rich array of data from GPS, cameras, voiceprints and censors as owners drive around.



"All of this is collected and sorted through by the Chinese authorities," Si said. "There is basically no data security for those users."



Si said Tesla had set an alarming precedent.



"It doesn't matter how much Chinese consumers like foreign products ... Behind Chinese consumers is the Chinese government, a powerful and totalitarian regime," he said.



"This is a wake-up call to other foreign companies."



Si said it will normalize demands on foreign investors that they hand over core technology and data to the CCP as the price of doing business in China.



"Unless the Chinese government controls [the data], these companies are going to struggle to thrive or even survive in China," he said.



In 2018, search giant Google was lambasted by rights groups over reports it was developing a version of its search app that complied with CCP censorship and other requirements.



In 2005, Chinese journalist Shi Tao, who circulated a government order to suppress media commemorations of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, was jailed for 10 years after Yahoo handed over his e-mail records to the authorities.



Google left China in 2010 after a showdown with China's ruling Communist Party over internet censorship, and currently redirects Chinese language users from the mainland to a search site run from its Hong Kong-based servers.



Reported by Gao Feng for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Monitoring will be strengthened in contested waters where Manila has complained about incursions by hundreds of Chinese ships, the Coast Guard says.

Admiral George Ursabia, chief of the Philippine Coast Guard, greets a boy during a visit to Pag-asa Island in the South China Sea, May 25, 2021.

The Philippine Coast Guard said Wednesday that it planned to upgrade its station on Pag-asa (Thitu), an island in the South China Sea, to improve monitoring in contested waters where Manila has complained about incursions by hundreds of Chinese ships.

Adm. George Ursabia Jr., the head of the coast guard (PCG), visited Pag-asa on Tuesday as part of a move by Manila to assert sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, a section of the South China Sea that falls within the countrys exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Theres a plan to further improve the PCG station in Pag-asa for monitoring purposes, especially for maritime safety and search and rescue, Commodore Armando Balilo told reporters on Wednesday. Its also for our fishermen.

In addition, officials are discussing potentially using El Nido, a popular tourist site in the western Philippines Palawan Islands, which face the South China Sea, as a hub for operations to monitor activities in the maritime region, said Balilo, a PCG spokesman.

The coast guards announcement came after Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the Philippine military chief, said earlier this month that the armed forces planned to transform Pag-asa, which is located in the Spratly chain, into a logistics hub and that he would ask President Rodrigo Duterte for funds for it.

The facility would be equipped with high-resolution and night-capable cameras to monitor activities in those waters, Bloomberg news agency quoted Sobejana as saying.

In April, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs began filing daily protests against Chinese incursions into its territories within the West Philippine Sea after more than 200 ships had been spotted. The government also accused China of swarming ships near Pag-asa, which is known internationally as Thitu Island.

In a report issued on Monday, U.S.-based Simularity noted that about 120 Chinese ships were spotted in the Philippine EEZ as of May 18.

They are primarily located on the Philippine side of Tizard Bank, Simularity said in the posting on its website. Tizard Bank is in the northwestern region of the Spratly Islands.

Simularity said its software automatically analyzes geospatial imagery and data to automatically find and classify unusual changes.

Beijing has allowed its fishermen, backed by militias, to fish in areas considered to be in the EEZs of other claimants. Earlier this month, Philippine officials rejected an annual fishing ban imposed by China, and which runs through Aug. 16.

Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea region as its own while the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan have their own territorial claims. Indonesia does not regard itself as party to maritime disputes in the sea, but Beijing claims historic rights to parts of the waterway that overlap Indonesias EEZ.

School supplies

During his Tuesday visit, Ursabia distributed school supplies to children at a school built in 2012, according to the coast guard.

Balilo said the trip was meant to ensure that coast-guard personnel assigned to the countrys remote areas were in high spirits and to echo President Dutertes policy of protecting the safety and well-being of our fishermen and coastal communities in all parts of the country, including the WPS [West Philippine Sea].

Last week, Duterte vowed that contested waters would be patrolled.

Our vessels will continue to patrol relevant areas to firmly assert what is ours, Duterte said in a statement at the time. The Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will be where they need to be.

Since taking office in July 2016, Duterte has issued conflicting statements on the South China Sea while his critics have called him too soft on China. Lately, he has thanked Beijing for its help in sending COVID-19 vaccines to Manila amid a supply crunch.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.
At least 30,000 people have fled fighting in Demoso and Loikaw since the weekend, aid groups say.

A PDF member fires at government troops during an operation to capture the Moebye Police Station in southern Shan states Phekone township, May 23, 2021.

At least five military troops and two members of a local militia were killed during intense fighting in Myanmars Kayah state on Tuesday that destroyed a government tank, left residents critically injured, and added to tens of thousands of people displaced by violence since the weekend.

The clashes erupted as members of the Peoples Defense Force (PDF) militiamostly armed with homemade weaponsstormed a police station in Kayahs Demoso township before dawn, prompting troops to respond with heavy arms.

A tank from nearby Ngwedaung was destroyed by the PDF slightly south of that township after being deployed by the military to help defend the Demoso Police Station, a militia member told RFAs Myanmar Service.

Around 100 troops accompanied by two tanks were sent as reinforcements to Demoso this morning after our forces stormed the police station, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.

Some of our men, together with some of the armed ethnic fighters from near Ngwedaung intercepted them. Five of their soldiers were killed in the clash and two of our men gave up their lives to destroy one of the tanks. Three PDF members are still missing.

The PDF member said that three men who fled Ngwedaung during the fighting in that area were killed and several injured. The military was unable to seize the Demoso Police Station, he said, despite its lopsided advantage in men and firepower.

RFA was not able to independently verify the number of casualties resulting from Tuesdays fighting.

Tens of thousands have fled A destroyed building in Demawso township. PDF

According to a resident of Demoso, at least eight civilians were critically injured after a military based in nearby Loikaw township fired artillery on the area.

I saw two houses destroyed by the shells, said to be from 120-millimeter guns, she said.

People in Demoso dont know where to go. I think the fighting will now spread to Loikaw. Here, eight people have been seriously wounded.

RFA was unable to reach Deputy Information Minister of the Military Council General Zaw Min Tun for comment on Tuesdays clashes.

Fighting between the militarywhich seized control of Myanmars democratically elected government in a Feb. 1 coupand the PDF erupted on May 22 in Demoso's Dawt Ngan Kha village, and aid groups estimate that some 30,000 people have been displaced by the violence over the past four days.

They are made up of the entire population of Demoso and about half of the population of Loikaw, said one aid worker from Demoso.

All the elderly, young women and children of Demoso have fled their homes. There are currently at least 30,000 refugees. Some are staying with their relatives. Some do not have food and shelter. We started building the tents just two days ago.

Tuesdays clashes come a day after the PDF joined with armed ethnic groups to capture the Moebye Police Station in southern Shan states Phekone township, which borders Loikaw.

The Kayah people, a mostly Buddhist subgroup of the Karenni, are the majority of the 285,000 people of Kayah state, which borders northeastern Thailand.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing presents a plaque to the Mandalay Myoma Culture Troupe during the opening ceremony of Yadanarbon Hall in Mandalay, May 17, 2021. RFA Widespread backlash

In a suburb Myanmars largest city, Yangon, a parcel bomb at a wedding ceremony killed three people, including the bride, a witness said.

The bomb was among the gifts at the wedding ceremony held in an apartment Thingangyun Township.

"I heard a loud bang. Two brothers from that house were said to be informants for USDP party and the 969 Movement, the witness said, referring to the military proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party and a Buddhist nationalist group, both junta supporters.

Now three are dead. The bride lost one arm in the blast and died at the hospital. Many people were injured, added the witness.

The military has faced substantial opposition to its seizure of power, which it has attempted to justify through allegations of widespread voter fraud in the countrys November 2020 general election. So far, it has failed to produce evidence to back up the claims, and troops have killed at least 700 civilians in a series of bloody crackdowns on largescale anti-coup protests across the nation.

In one example of how unpopular the regime has become, the renowned Mandalay Myoma Culture Troupethe countrys longest-running classical orchestrahas faced intense criticism after it played for Senior General Min Aung Hlaing during the May 17 opening ceremony of Yadanarbon Hall in Mandalay, presided over by the military leaders son.

Only around two-thirds of the musicians and one vocalist agreed to join the ceremony, after several refused the invitation, but members of its executive committee acknowledged that the performance had caused the 96-year-old troupe to lose the support of the city. Members of the public have called on the orchestras management to resign and apologize for their actions.

Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Revenue from sales will be used by Myanmar's military rulers to buy weapons instead of meeting people's needs, rights groups say.

Human Rights Watch on Tuesday joined a chorus of NGOs calling for Thailands state-owned oil and gas firm to not expand business ties with Myanmars junta while the Burmese military carries on with a bloody post-coup crackdown on protesters.

The Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) has been involved in oil and gas exploration in the neighboring country for more than three decades and has paid billions of dollars in fees, taxes, royalties, and revenues, New York-based HRW said in a statement.

But with production declining in recent years, the company has ramped up its midstream and downstream investments in the country, with the stated goal of becoming the top Myanmar provider of petroleum products, it said.

By expanding business ties with the Myanmar military as it carries out a bloody crackdown, the Thai state-owned PTT has shown little regard for the lives and freedom of Myanmars people, said Shayna Bauchner, an Asia researcher for the watchdog group. PTTs leadership should respect international sanctions and cut ties with the junta to avoid being complicit in its crimes.

More than 820 people have been killed and more than 4,300 arrested, charged or sentenced in Myanmar since the military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyis democratically elected government on Feb. 1, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a Thai NGO.

Joining HRW are 76 NGOs calling themselves The Extraterritorial Obligation Watch Coalition (ETOs Watch). On May 20, the NGOs signed an open letter calling for PTT and its subsidiary, the Petroleum Authority of Thailand Exploration and Production Co. Ltd. (PTTEP), to refrain from paying the Myanmar government for natural gas.

[T]here is no guarantee that revenues from PTT, as a contract purchaser, will be used for real civilian affairs to benefit the people of Myanmar, the letter said.

It noted that in 2017 and 2018 PTT paid more than U.S. $615 million (19.2 billion baht) to Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise, adding that gas revenues are expected to contribute up to 50 percent of Myanmars foreign revenues, with at least half of that coming from PTT. Those revenues are critical to the survival of the coup promoters.

HRW said PTT, under a 2019 joint venture, was paying the military conglomerate Myanmar Economic Corp. (MEC) nearly $1 million (31.3 million baht) in annual rent for the construction of a fuel terminal on land seized from farmers.

The United States, United Kingdom, European Union, and Canada have sanctioned MEC and the other military conglomerate, Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL), for their role in generating vast revenues that help fund the militarys abuses and enshrine its impunity, HRW said.

When contacted by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, Thai government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri and Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Thanee Saengrat deferred to PTT for comment on the NGOs statements. PTT, meanwhile, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

Thailand has its own long history of coups. Last Saturday marked the seventh anniversary of a military coup that overthrow the elected government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The army chief who led that coup, Prayuth Chan-o-cha, remains in power as prime minister.

ETOs Watch coordinator Teerachai Sanjaroenkijthaworn said his groups main request to PTT was not that the firm stop sending money  but that it ensured that payments did not go directly to the Burmese junta.

The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) made a similar request previously to ensure that these revenues are not used for weapons for the Myanmar army, Teerachai told BenarNews on Tuesday, referring to a Burmese government in exile representing National League for Democracy lawmakers.

He said CRPH had sent its own letter to foreign investors in Myanmar asking them to deposit proceeds that would normally go to the junta into a protected account.

The Thai company should pay attention to the NGOs, said Salai Bawi, a political scientist at Chiang Mai University.

If PTT accepts and stops paying real money, that will have a huge impact on the Myanmar army because the military will lose a tremendous amount of income, he told BenarNews. That means a decrease in weapons to suppress the people.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.
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Only one or two students enroll in some schools, while in others a teacher shortage prevents reopening.

A teacher and students wearing face shields and masks attend a class by keeping social distancing at a high school in Yangon, Myanmar Tuesday, July 21, 2020, about six months before the military took control of the country on Feb. 1, 2021.

Myanmars students are largely ignoring orders from the military junta to enroll for the new school year, with only about 10 percent signing up in some places and just a week remaining before classes begin, sources in Myanmar told RFA.

The junta has called for schools to reopen as they do every year on June 1, but the students are staying home in protest over the military coup that ousted the countrys democratically elected government almost four months ago.

A member of the Basic Education Workers Union in Yangon, the commercial center and largest city, said there were few takers when the enrollment period began on Monday.

Only one or two students came for enrollment at some schools. A few dozen came to some of the other schools, the teacher told RFAs Myanmar Service.

The military is trying hard to force the schools to reopen, but a large number of teachers have been dismissed and it would be very difficult to reopen with just the teachers they have left, said the source, who requested anonymity for security reasons.

It would be worse especially in Hlaingthaya township, where the teacher-student ratio is very low. I think the schools will reopen in name only, the source said.

A teacher from South Okkalapa township told RFA she did not join the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) -- broad walkout of teachers, doctors, civil servants and other professionals -- because of financial difficulties.

I saw only three or four students come to the school to enroll. Weve been watching and thats all we saw. The security of the school is provided by ward administrators and soldiers are patrolling the surrounding areas, said the teacher, who declined to be named.

She said the school normally has 200 students, and the three who showed up were not wearing their white-and-green school uniforms.

Parents are reluctant to send their kids to school because they are unsure of the education their children will receive with the junta in control.

A resident from Mandalay, Myanmars second largest city, told RFA she could not send her two brothers to school during a military dictatorship.

I did not enroll them. I have a younger brother who is in the 10th grade and another younger brother in the 6th grade. I have decided not to enroll them. I heard that parents are being pressured, she said.

To avoid being pressured, I sent my parents, brothers and sisters to the village. Doctors and teachers have even been violently arrested and imprisoned. At a time when teachers are being violently assaulted and arrested, their education brings nothing good."

The Mandalay resident said almost no students had enrolled in schools in Chanmya Tharzi township where she resides.

In the south-central Bago regions Bago township, only 10 percent of students had enrolled in the townships 300 schools.

So far, only the children from the military families have enrolled. As of 11 a.m. today, there were only two or three students enrolled in some of the high schools, a member of the Bago Teachers Union told RFA Tuesday.

Because so many of the townships teachers have joined the CDM, around 10 of its schools cannot open at all.

Sources told RFA that schools in several townships in the Sagaing region are in a similar situation.

RFA contacted the Ministry of Education in Naypyidaw to find out more about the admissions process but an official directed calls to the Basic Education Department, which did not reply.

Teachers have been under constant pressure since March and this month, more than 120,000 teachers who had joined the CDM movement were laid off across the country.

A high school teacher involved in the CDM movement said schools would not be able to reopen if the teachers are still not working, as many schools were already understaffed before the coup.

This is all talk about school reopening. How are they going to do it? the high school teacher said.

Even when the children want to go, their parents have to allow them. And even if their parents let them go, there must be teachers at the schools. Right now, there are very few parents who will even let their children go to school, so theres no way they can reopen, said the teacher.

UN agencies like UNESCO and UNICEF and Save the Children in a joint statement on May 20 said the junta had fired over 120,000 experienced schoolteachers and this had exacerbated the situation caused by school closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. They warned that more than 12 million children across the country could lose their access to education.

Zaw Wai Soe, Education Minister for the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) made up of lawmakers deposed by the coup, told RFA that they are preparing a federal education system.

"I dont think education under the junta will succeed. There will be no education under the military council, said Zaw Wai Soe.

They took power in 1962 and ruled the country. It is so obvious where our education is now. Everyone knows how low our education levels have gone down compared to the rest of the world, he said.

We are now working on an immediate education planand will announce it in about a fortnight, he said, adding that the emergency education plan would include an Ethnic Education Organization to serve the multi-ethnic society.

Earlier this month, RFA published an interview with Deputy Education Minister Sai Khaing Myo Tun, who said that the NUG had been in contact with many of the teachers in the CDM to formulate an education plan so that none of Myanmars students would miss school during military rule. The NUG also planned to find a way to pay salaries of teachers who were fired by the junta for their CDM involvement.

Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
The agreement was forced on Tibet by China, which threatened all-out war if Tibetan negotiators didn't bow to Beijing's demands.

A banner praising the Chinese Communist Party hangs from the front of the Jokhang Temple in Tibet's regional capital Lhasa in an undated photo.

A controversial 17-Point Agreement between China and Tibet leading to Beijings takeover of the independent Himalayan country was signed by Tibet in 1951 under duress, and was quickly followed by violations of its terms by China, rights groups and experts said on the 70th anniversary of the documents signing.

Writing in a government White Paper released on May 21, two days before the 70th anniversary of the documents May 23, 1951 signing, China said the agreement had freed Tibet to move forward on a bright road of unity, progress and development with all the other ethnic groups of China.

However, language used in the agreement makes clear that Tibet was a self-governing region with its own government, army, culture, and traditions, Chung Tseringa lecturer in Tibetan language at the Australian National Universitytold RFAs Tibetan Service in an interview.

Among the 55 minority ethnic regions in China, Tibet is the only one with which the Chinese government has made such an agreement. And we have to consider that this makes Tibet unique and distinct, Tsering said.

If we look at the 17-Point Agreement in detail, one can see that Tibet is shown to have the features of a proper country with its own government, political and religious leader, distinct social and cultural norms, military, and language, Tsering said.

And now, when one looks at this agreement even after 70 years, these facts are even more clear, he said.

The agreement was forced upon Tibet by China, which had defeated Tibetan forces in the eastern part of the country and was threatening full-scale war in the rest if a delegation sent by the Tibetan government to negotiate in Beijing did not bow to Chinese demands, experts say.

And China later showed no inclination to honor its own part of the agreement, including pledges not to interfere with the functioning of Tibets government or with the status and role of Tibets ruler and spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, said Jigme Yeshe, an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Calcutta.

They immediately set out to inflict unbelievable atrocities upon the Tibetan people in order to hasten their occupation of Tibet and destruction of Tibets unique identity, Yeshe said.

This was forced upon the Tibetan government by Communist China, agreed Tsangtuk Topla, a professor at the College for Higher Tibetan Studies in Sarnath, India, adding that China refers to the 17-Point Agreement now to justify its occupation of Tibet and also to gain moral and international legitimacy for its claims on Tibet.

But China quickly broke its promises to respect and protect the religious beliefs, customs and habits of the Tibetan people, Topla said. And therefore, His Holiness the Dalai Lama refuted the agreement in Tezpur in India in 1959, in a statement made to the international community.

Broken promises

Chinas policies and behavior in Tibet today show how far Beijing has moved from the promises it made 70 years ago, Washington-based International Campaign for Tibet said in a May 21 statement marking the anniversary of the documents signing.

In the seven decades since the agreement, the Chinese government has unilaterally instituted increasingly hardline policies that undermine Tibetan culture and religion [and] deny freedom of expression to the Tibetan people, ICT said.

It has also downgraded the use of the Tibetan language and claimed Tibets natural and economic resources for the use of the Chinese state while flooding the region with growing numbers of Chinese migrants, the rights group said.

China has denied the history of Tibetan independence, ICT said, and misrepresents the Middle Way policy approach of the exiled Dalai Lama, who now accepts Tibets status as a part of China while urging greater cultural and religious freedom, including strengthened language rights, for Tibetans living under Beijings rule.

The Dalai Lamas position of seeking genuine autonomy for all Tibetans within the framework of the Peoples Republic of China has not only been presented by his envoys to the Chinese government, but also subsequently made public," ICT said.

China cannot fool the international community about the Dalai Lama and his commitment to resolve the Tibetan problem through a mutually satisfactory solution."

Attempt to intimidate

Chinese authorities are now tightening security measures in Tibet as China approaches another landmark date, the 100th anniversary in July of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party, London-based Free Tibet said in a May 25 statement.

The moves are likely an attempt to intimidate Tibetans away from protesting the occupation of their country during the planned celebrations, the rights group said, adding that Tibetan monks and nuns at Central Tibets Dorje Drak monastery were recently forced to sign banners supporting Communist Party policies.

Hundreds of others in monasteries in Tibets regional capital Lhasa have been tested on their knowledge of Chinese communism and laws, Free Tibet said, while at the end of April preparations for the coming centenary included the forced production of calligraphy celebrating the Chinese government and propaganda.

In a statement, John JonesCampaigns and Research Manager at Free Tibetsaid world leaders should no longer put trade before Tibetan lives and stand idly by while Tibet is slowly wiped off the map.

Beijings repression and efforts to block the truth about Tibet will grow exponentially worse when the worlds eyes are on China for the 2022 Winter Olympics, Jones said.

If countries want to avoid whitewashing these abuses then they should change their plans to send athletes to Beijing next year, and boycott the Chinese Communist Partys Winter Games.

Calls for an Olympics boycott have risen this year, with critics citing not only Tibet, but also the mass incarceration of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in adjacent Xinjiang and the deepening repression of Hong Kong since Beijings imposition of a harsh national security law in mid-2020.

The Dalai Lama and thousands of his followers fled into exile in India and other countries around the world following a failed 1959 national uprising against Chinas rule.

Chinese authorities maintain a tight grip on the region, restricting Tibetans political activities and peaceful expression of cultural and religious identity, and subjecting Tibetans to persecution, torture, imprisonment, and extrajudicial killings.

Reported by RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Tenzin Dickyi. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Independent journalist Le Van Dung had used Facebook to transmit information on social issues such as land disputes and corruption.

Police in Vietnams capital Hanoi tried on Tuesday to arrest an independent journalist charged with reporting on corruption and other issues deemed politically sensitive by authorities, but missed him at home, taking away a laptop computer and two mobile phones instead.

Le Van Dung, also known as Le Dung Vovaowner of the online CHTV news channelwas not at home when officers from the Hanoi Police Departments Investigation Agency arrived at around 1:30 p.m., Dungs wife Bui Thi Hue told RFA on Wednesday.

Around 20 officers came to our house and read a warrant to search our home and to charge and temporarily detain my husband Le Van Dung in accordance with Article 117 [of Vietnams Criminal Code], she said.

Article 117 of Vietnams Penal Code imposes penalties for creating, storing, and disseminating information, documents, items and publications opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and is frequently used by authorities to stifle peaceful critics of the countrys one-party communist state.

Dung was away from home when the police arrived and is now temporarily safe, Hue said, adding that officers searching the house found nothing belonging to her husband, but left with a laptop computer and two mobile phones of her own.

Hue said that she had not touched or looked at the warrant that was read to her and had to stand back from the officers because of COVID concerns.

They documented their search, but I didnt sign the document, and therefore they didnt leave me with any papers, she added.

Dungs CHTV channel has used Facebooks live-broadcast feature to transmit information on social issues such as land disputes and corruption, and to give ordinary citizens a chance to discuss matters of concern, drawing the attention of law enforcement and security agencies.

'Useful and good'

Writing on his Facebook page on May 25, Dung said he had received repeated calls since January to report to local authorities for questioning concerning a denunciation filed against him by the governments Cybersecurity Department, alleging he had created videos with anti-State content.

Half of the 12 videos used by police investigators to accuse him showed signs of outside editing, though, Dung said.

I think that Ive done is useful and good for other people and for our country. We need to join hands and work to create a better society, Dung said, writing on his Facebook page. What I have done is in line with my responsibilities as a citizen.

I understand that by telling the truth, my family and I may suffer. But I will always do this, even if I am imprisoned for doing what my conscience tells me to do, he said.

With Vietnams media all following Communist Party orders, the only sources of independently-reported information are bloggers and independent journalists, who are being subjected to ever-harsher forms of persecution, the press freedoms watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says in its 2021 Press Freedoms Index.

Measures taken against them now include assaults by plainclothes police, RSF said in its report, which placed Vietnam at 175 out of 180 countries surveyed worldwide, a ranking unchanged from last year.

To justify jailing them, the Party resorts to the criminal codes, especially three articles under which activities aimed at overthrowing the government, anti-state propaganda and abusing the rights to freedom and democracy to threaten the interests of the state are punishable by long prison terms, the rights group said.

Vietnams already low tolerance of dissent deteriorated sharply last year with a spate of arrests of independent journalists, publishers, and Facebook personalities as authorities continued to stifle critics in the run-up to the ruling Communist Party Congress in January. But arrests continue in 2021.

Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Anna Vu. Written in English by Richard Finney.
NOVGOROD, Russia -- A wedding reception was scheduled for the Hotel Rossia in central Novgorod on the evening of May 22, but guests arrived to find police blocking the door.

The young couple's first step into the future had become collateral damage in the Russian government's increasingly ruthless war on dissent ahead of elections to the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, later this year.

In two neighboring banquet rooms at the hotel, a gathering of independent local lawmakers from 30 Russian regions was just getting under way, with the aim of coordinating tactics for the ballot. Organizers were still welcoming participants when officers entered the venue and declared the event in violation of local pandemic restrictions that, among other things, restricted gatherings to 30 people.

"We were wearing masks," said Sergei Vlasov, a participant at the conference in Novgorod, a city between Moscow and St. Petersburg. "There were 25 people in the room. We sat on separated chairs. We were observing all protocols. In the police report, they wrote that there were 31 people there, although cameras were rolling when they did the head count: there were 25 of us."

"The police were carrying out a political order," he said.

Conference organizer and former Moscow district-council member Yulia Galyamina, who was sentenced on May 24 to seven days of jail time over the event, said in court that the number of people in the hall exceeded 30 only after the police forced their way in. Fellow event organizer Aleksandr Bondarchuk, a local lawmaker from the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District in Russia's Far North, was sentenced to 80 hours of community service and a 5,000-ruble ($68) fine, while St. Petersburg district lawmaker Vitaly Bovar was fined 3,000 rubles ($41) for disobeying a police officer.

For Galyamina, who has emerged as a leading figure in the democratic opposition after gaining a district-council seat in Moscow in 2017 and being barred from running for the Moscow City Duma in 2019, the administrative conviction in Novgorod could be particularly consequential. In December 2020, she was given a two-year suspended prison term for participating in protests the previous year, and the new court ruling could potentially result in her being sent to serve that sentence behind bars.

The raid on the Novgorod Zemsky Congress -- named after a 1904 gathering of representatives of all classes of Russian society that petitioned the tsar for basic political and civil liberties -- echoed a similar crackdown on a gathering of independent local officials in Moscow on March 13. In that incident, police detained nearly 200 people from 56 regions who had gathered to strategize about the State Duma elections, which are due to be held by September 19. Galyamina was among those detained during that crackdown as well.

A poll by the independent Levada Center released in March found that just 27 percent of Russians plan to vote for the ruling United Russia party in the upcoming elections. Another Levada poll earlier this month found the party's popularity even lower in Moscow, where 15 percent would vote for it.

As the elections approach, Russia's authorities have undertaken a sweeping crackdown on organized political opposition. In addition to the two raids on conferences of independent lawmakers, they have forced the shutdown of the regional offices of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, and a court in February ordered Navalny to serve 2 1/2 years in prison on charges supporters say were politically motivated.

On May 26, the Duma passed legislation aimed at making it more difficult for opposition figures to participate in the Duma elections, and the government has cracked down hard on social-media commentary and independent journalism through its controversial anti-extremism and "foreign agent" laws.

More quietly, United Russia officials in many regions have, using what those targeted call flimsy pretexts, been pushing to strip independent lawmakers of their mandates. On May 18, St. Petersburg district-council member Yuly Lebedev lost his council seat over purported discrepancies in his asset declaration that he denies.

"I think that 2019 was a disaster for United Russia," Lebedev told RFE/RL. "Young, independent people aged 35 to 45 with some knowledge started running in elections. Young people were elected who began to disrupt the life of the executive branch, which was not willing to change anything or to accept any accountability."

In comments to the daily Nezavisimaya gazeta following the events in Novgorod, Moscow-based political analyst Konstantin Kalachev said that "the message to society is simple: no gatherings of more than two people, don't get involved in opposition or political activity, and any unsanctioned activity is going to be stopped."

"True, this strikes a blow against the propaganda that the elections will be competitive and legitimate," he added, "but for the authorities the main thing is to preserve the foundations of the existing political system."

Novgorod region Governor Andrei Nikitin issued the new pandemic restriction limiting private gatherings to fewer than 30 people on May 18, despite the fact that the city of some 250,000 people was registering only about 10 new COVID-19 infections per day and had seen no significant spike in recent weeks. Zemsky Congress organizers knew the order targeted their event and issued a statement saying it "was clearly political in nature."

When Galyamina arrived from Moscow during the day on May 21, police met her train and tried to give her a written warning not to violate the governor's new restriction -- a warning that she refused to accept.

For their part, the congress sent police a letter urging them not to exceed their authority by carrying out politically motivated instructions.

The organizers, however, took the order into account, hastily organizing a second conference room in order to split up the attendees and ordering journalists to remain outside the venue.

In her statement in court on May 24, Galyamina added one criticism to her complaint that the police had fabricated the alleged violations of the governor's pandemic restrictions.

"Why did they have to break up the wedding celebration?" she asked the judge.

Written by Robert Coalson based on reporting from Novgorod by Aleksei Sabelsky of Current Time. Katerina Klepikovskaya and Matvei Nikolayev of the North.Realities desk of RFE/RL's Russian Service also contributed to this report from Novgorod
Azerbaijan and neighboring Armenia have blamed each other for a border shoot-out that Yerevan says claimed the life of one of its soldiers amid renewed tensions between the two South Caucasus neighbors after last year's war over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The Armenian Defense Ministry said the serviceman was killed on May 25 as a result of a shoot-out that followed the opening of fire by Azerbaijani troops" in Armenia's Gegharkunik district. It said the situation was now "calm" after the skirmish.

Conversely, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry accused Armenian forces of firing across the border at its troops.

Azerbaijani forces did not return fire and there were no casualties, the Azerbaijani ministry said in a statement.

The clashes erupted months after the two South Caucasus neighbors ended a six-week war over Nagorno-Karabakh. The conflict, which claimed some 6,000 lives, ended in November 2020 with a Moscow-brokered cease-fire that saw Armenia ceding swaths of territory that ethnic Armenians had controlled for decades.

Earlier this month, Armenia accused Azerbaijani troops of crossing several kilometers into its Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces and trying to stake a claim to territory. Azerbaijan insisted 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.

Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but has been controlled by ethnic Armenians since the early 1990s.
Just after 12:30 p.m. local time on May 23, flying at an altitude of around 12,000 meters, Ryanair's Vilnius-bound flight FR4978 from Athens crossed into Belarusian airspace and made contact with air traffic controllers in the capital, Minsk.



"For your information, we have information from special services that you have bomb on board and it can be activated over Vilnius," the Minsk controller says.



"Ok," the pilot responds, "could you repeat the message?"



"I say again we have information from special services that you have bomb on board," the controller responds. "That bomb can be activated over Vilnius."



Nearly 16 minutes later, the pilot informs the Minsk controllers: "We are declaring an emergency MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY Our intentions would be to divert to Minsk airport."



The conversation, detailed in an uncorroborated and incomplete transcript released by Belarusian officials, is a key piece of evidence in the evolving mystery surrounding Flight 4978, whose journey included an escort by a Belarusian Air Force fighter jet.



When the plane landed in Minsk, Belarusian authorities found no bomb. But they detained a Belarusian opposition journalist, Raman Pratasevich, and his Russian girlfriend, Sofia Sapega, both of whom have been jailed and could face years in prison on charges that supporters and Western governments say are politically motivated. Several hours later, the plane resumed its journey to the Lithuanian capital.

Multiple countries and agencies are conducting investigations now. Lithuania and Poland have criminal probes open, and the UN aviation authority is looking into it. The European Union and several Western governments are considering new sanctions against Belarus and Alyaksandr Lukashenka, the long-ruling strongman who has cracked down violently on protests after claiming victory in an August 2020 election opponents say was blatantly rigged.

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Several EU members have called the diversion of the commercial flight between two EU countries a "state hijacking" aimed to deliver Pratasevich, the former editor-in-chief of a Telegram channel that has documented the protests and crackdown, into Lukashenka's hands. Others have accused Belarus of "piracy." Ryanair's chief executive called it "state-sponsored hijacking."

Lukashenka's government has sought to use the transcript to bolster its own narrative, with the Transport Ministry portraying it as proof that the Ryanair pilots were "not pressured, threatened, or coerced."



But what exactly happened in the 16 minutes between the time the crew was first notified of an alleged bomb threat and the decision to declare an emergency and divert to Minsk? What went on during a two-minute gap in the transcript immediately preceding that declaration? And what about the contradiction between the Belarusian claims that the pilots made the decision and the exchange in the transcript, in which the pilots repeatedly ask about the source of the information they were getting and air traffic controllers appear to all but order the plane to divert?



And why was a Belarusian MiG fighter jet scrambled -- on Lukashenka's direct orders, according to his press service -- to meet the Ryanair plane and escort it to Minsk?

The transcripts got holes in it so big that you could drive an airplane through it, said John Cox, a retired commercial airline pilot who now runs an aviation safety consulting business in Washington, D.C.



"It reads like something written by someone who has a limited bit of knowledge, someone who has some kernels or facts and was trying to interweave it with things that may not be factual," he told RFE/RL.



E-Mail Threat?



For the moment, the only public insight into what transpired in the cockpit of the Boeing 737-800, and what led to the decision to divert to Minsk, comes from the uncorroborated transcript. Belarusian state TV has released what it says are recordings of the conversation between pilots and Minsk air traffic control, but those have not been independently verified and the accompanying translated subtitles were erroneous.



Flight tracking data shows that Flight 4978 was close to the Lithuanian border, and approximately 10-15 minutes away from the Vilnius airport, when it made a U-turn and eventually headed toward Minsk, which was much further away.



Lithuanian officials, who reportedly also have possession of data from the plane's flight recorders, have not released radio recordings or transcripts. Vilnius airport officials did not respond to multiple calls and e-mails from RFE/RL.



Ryanair, meanwhile, has also not released any recordings or transcripts. Asked by RFE/RL to do so, the company replied: "Ryanair is fully cooperating with EU safety and security agencies & NATO and we cannot comment further for security reasons."



The Ryanair jet was about 2 1/2 hours into its journey from Athens to Vilnius when it crossed from Ukraine into airspace overseen by Belarusian civilian radars.

After initial greetings, the air traffic controllers informed the pilots of a possible bomb on board the flight.



At 12:33 p.m. (9:33 a.m. GMT), according to the transcript, the pilot asked the controller to identify the source of the threat and was told it "was received by airport security from security services."



The pilot asked whether it was airport security in Vilnius or Athens.



The controller did not specify, saying only: "This e-mail was shared to several airports."



Athens airport authorities directed queries to the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority, which did not immediately respond to e-mails from RFE/RL.



Belarusian officials later made further claims about the alleged bomb threat, saying the e-mail was sent in English via an encrypted e-mail service, purportedly by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.



Hamas angrily denied the assertion.



Lina Beisiene, a spokeswoman for the Lithuanian airports, told the Baltic News Service on May 23 that Lithuanian officials had been notified that the plane's diversion was prompted by a conflict between passengers and the flight crew.



However, she said, Lithuania received no information about a bomb threat or other details from Belarus.

On May 26, the Daily Beast and the Dossier Center, a news organization funded by exiled Russian former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, published a screenshot of what they said was the e-mail purportedly sent to Belarusian aviation officials.

The screenshot showed that the alleged e-mail called for Israel to cease fire in the Gaza Strip, despite the fact that a cease-fire had taken effect two days before the flight. The screenshot also showed that the e-mail was sent 24 minutes after the Ryanair pilots were informed of the bomb threat by air traffic controllers.

'This Is Our Recommendation'



At 12:41 p.m., the pilot inquires for at least the second time about the recommendation for the plane to land in Minsk instead of Vilnius.



"This recommendation to divert to Minsk, where did it come from? Company?" the pilot asked. "Did it come from departure airport authorities or arrival airport authorities?"



According to the transcript, the controller replied, "This is our recommendation."

Those exchanges clashed with remarks by Belarusian authorities on May 24 -- after the incident but before the transcript's release emphasizing the purported role of the Ryanair crew.



On May 24, transport official Artsyom Sikorski said the decision to land in Minsk had been made independently by the pilots and that the jet still could have flown on. Major General Ihar Holub, the head of the Belarusian Air Force, also asserted that the pilots took the decision to divert on their own.



On May 26, the head of Lithuania's Criminal Police Bureau, Rolandas Kiskis, told reporters, "The decision was made by the captain of the liner after consulting with Ryanair management."



According to the transcript, at 12:45 p.m., after receiving notification from the controller that the "code is red" -- indicating a serious threat -- the Ryanair pilot then says he will hold the jet's current position. Two minutes later, the pilot declares "MAYDAY" -- an emergency -- and says the "intentions would be to divert to Minsk airport." The aircraft lands at 1:15 p.m.

Cox, the aviation safety consultant, cast doubt on the assertion that the Minsk air traffic controllers would be allowed to recommend that the plane land in the Belarusian capital.



"I've never heard controllers make a recommendation like that. We recommend you come to Minsk? That's not your call. That's not your call," the retired pilot said.



"Here's the other thing that's very, very odd: if you're going to divert your plane, because of an interception or a bomb threat, for them to say 'Mayday, Mayday, Mayday'? Thats not something I would expect, it would be very uncharacteristic for a professional pilot to say," Cox said.



The Russia Factor



At the time the passenger jet made its U-turn, it was much closer to the Vilnius airport than it was to Minsk. Flight tracking data show the plane was also at a higher altitude than most airliners are when they approach Vilnius.



Among the other unanswered questions: When and why the Belarusian Air Force MiG-29 was scrambled to meet the passenger plane. There is no mention of the fighter jet in the transcript.



Holub told reporters that the warplane was sent to escort Flight 4789 only after it turned to fly towards the Belarusian capital.

But Cox said it was strange the transcript would make no mention of the presence of a fighter jet. Moreover, he asked, why would a military commander send a fighter jet in proximity to a passenger jet where a bomb was purportedly about to explode?



"If youre the captain, and you saw a MiG pull up alongside, isnt it likely youd say something about it?" he asked. "And why would you put a MiG-29 up in there in the first place, when theres a bomb on board? What are they going to do? Watch it explode?"



In a speech before lawmakers on May 26, Lukashenka added further confusion to the narrative, saying he could have ordered the plane to be shot down, since it was flying near Belarus's nuclear power plant. He also called the incident a "planned provocation" and claimed that the threat was e-mailed from Switzerland.

The Swiss Foreign Ministry said on May 27 that "Swiss authorities have no knowledge of a bomb threat on the Ryanair Athens-Vilnius flight."



Also missing from the transcript, and from Belarusian public statements, was any indication of communications with Russian military or civilian officials.

Given how closely integrated Belarus's military and intelligence agencies are with Russian counterparts, scrambling a fighter jet to participate in a forced diversion of a civilian passenger plane would likely involve notification of Russian counterparts, experts say.



Many observers have raised the possibility that Russian President Vladimir Putin's government, which has supported Lukashenka amid the continuing crackdown and appears to be using it to seek further sway over Minsk, may have given its consent for the diversion of the flight.



Asked about the incident, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on May 26 that Russia has "no grounds not to trust" the Belarusian account -- a statement that seemed to fit in with the tenor of ties between Minsk and Moscow and their tense relations with the West.



The United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization said Belarus may have violated a longstanding treaty known as the Chicago Convention, which has governed international air travel since the 1940s.



The Ryanair jet finally landed in Vilnius at 9:25 p.m. -- more than seven hours after its scheduled arrival.
Who is Sofia Sapega, the woman detained along with Belarusian blogger and political activist Raman Pratasevich after their Ryanair passenger jet was forced to land in Minsk? A video has appeared showing a purported confession from her that is believed to have been coerced. A similar video of Pratasevich has also surfaced. A friend of Pratasevich says Sapega is just a student and not involved in politics.
Iranian President Hassan Rohani has announced a four-month ban on all cryptocurrency mining in response to unplanned power cuts that have hit major Iranian cities.



In televised remarks on May 26, Rohani said cryptocurrency activities and mining cryptocurrencies must stop" across Iran until September 22.



Iranian officials have repeatedly blamed unlicensed cryptocurrency miners for using vast amounts of electricity -- draining the power grid and raising air pollution levels in many cities.



The operations are an enormous energy drain because they use banks of high-powered computers to try to unlock complex numerical puzzles related to international financial transactions.



When successful, cryptocurrency miners create units of so-called digital coins that can be traded globally without the scrutiny and restrictions of traditional financial markets.



Facing tough U.S. economic sanctions, Iran in August 2019 eased restrictions on cryptocurrencies to circumvent the traditional financial markets it is blocked from using.

As a result, cryptocurrencies like bitcoin that are legally mined in Iran can now be used to finance imports from other countries.



Meanwhile, Iran's subsidized energy has made power-sucking mining operations cheaper there than in other countries.



Iranian authorities admit that this has caused thousands of "illegal" cryptocurrency farms to sprout up.



Rohani said on May 26 that "illegal" cryptocurrency miners who have access to subsidized power are now consuming up to seven times more power than those with permits for legal cryptocurrency operations.

Iran introduced rolling blackouts on May 23 to reduce pressure on the national power grid.



National electricity company spokesman Mostafa Rajabi Mashhadi said on May 22 that licensed cryptocurrency miners have already voluntarily shut down their operations to ease the burden.



On May 25, Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian issued an apology to Iranians for "shortcomings and pressures" that have resulted in unexpected blackouts.



Ardakanian said Iran's power grid was overburdened because a drought has reduced hydropower generation while unexpectedly warm weather has raised demand for air conditioning.

With reporting by AFP
Authorities at Kyrgyzstan's main international airport have barred dozens of Tajik citizens flying from neighboring Tajikistan from entering the country in an incident likely to further sour relations between the two Central Asian neighbors whose disputed border witnessed last month its worst fighting in the past three decades.

The flight, operated by Tajikistans carrier Somon Air, flew back to the capital, Dushanbe, early on May 26 with the 177 Tajik nationals who had been denied entry by the Kyrgyz Border Service at Bishkeks Manas airport due to a temporary closure of the border for citizens of Tajikistan.

The 177 Tajiks were stranded at the airport for four hours before being sent back to Tajikistan, while nine citizens of other countries were allowed to stay in the Kyrgyz capital after the aircraft landed at Manas late on May 25.

The Tajik Foreign Ministrys press service told RFE/RL that the ministry had not received any information from Kyrgyzstan that it would not accept the Dushanbe-Bishkek flight.

Abubakr Shodiev, the Tajik consul in Bishkek, said he tried to solve the problem through negotiations with the Kyrgyz authorities, but he was told that the Somon Air plane should return to Tajikistan.

About 100 other Tajik citizens who have flown in from different cities of Russia or are in transit are currently stuck in the transit zone of the Bishkek airport.

Some of them told RFE/RL they hadnt been informed about the closure of the borders of Kyrgyzstan for citizens of Tajikistan ahead of their flights.

On May 24, the State Border Service of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan said that there were "temporary" entry and exit restrictions for individuals and goods from Tajikistan as of May 21.

The statement said the restrictions applied to five land checkpoints located on the border between the two countries, but did not say anything about air traffic.

The incident comes weeks after border clashes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan that saw border troops open fire on each other and left dozens of people dead and dozens of homes destroyed.

Kyrgyzstan reported 36 deaths from the violence in late April, mostly civilians.

Tajik officials said 19 of its citizens died in the clashes.
Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has approved the third and final reading of a bill that would ban supporters and members of "extremist" organizations from being elected to any post, a move making it virtually impossible for anyone connected to jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny from gaining public office.

Under the draft bill approved on May 26, leaders and founders of organizations declared extremist or terrorist by Russian courts will be banned from running for elective posts for a period of five years.

Other members of employees of such organizations will face a three-year ban.

The legislation still requires the approval of parliaments upper chamber, the Federation Council, as well as President Vladimir Putin's signature.

The measure appears to be a thinly veiled attempt at neutralizing Navalnys Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), which Russian authorities are seeking to have declared extremist ahead of parliamentary elections in September.

Vladimir Putins regime aims to fully purge vocal critics from the civic space, Natalia Zviagina, the Moscow director for Amnesty International, said during the legislative process.

The main target of this latest, particularly brazen attack is the movement led by Aleksei Navalny.... Having unjustly imprisoned its archfoe, the Kremlin is now targeting all those who had the nerve to support him, Zviagina said.

The FBK has already been declared a foreign agent, a punitive designation under a separate law.

The law appears to be retroactively applicable since it only involves restricting a person's rights, legal analysts say.

The ruling United Russia party is facing polls showing its support at some of the lowest levels ever.

Navalny's regional headquarters have been instrumental in implementing a Smart Voting strategy -- a project designed to promote candidates who are most likely to defeat those from United Russia in various elections.

Navalny, Putins most-vocal critic, is currently serving a prison sentence on embezzlement charges that he says were trumped up because of his political activity.

The 44-year-old has been in custody since January when he returned to Russia following weeks of medical treatment in Germany for a nerve-agent poisoning in August 2020 that he says was carried out by operatives of the Federal Security Service (FSB) at the behest of Putin. The Kremlin has denied any role in the poisoning.

Since his jailing, the Kremlin has stepped up its campaign against Navalny and his associates, many of whom have fled the country in fear of being arrested.
Homestead, FL (33030)

Today

Thunderstorms likely in the morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 88F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low 74F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Europe's aviation regulator has urged all airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace for safety reasons as the countrys authoritarian leader, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, defended his decision to use the military to help force the diversion of a civilian aircraft traveling between EU members Greece and Lithuania to land in the capital, Minsk, where authorities immediately arrested a journalist and his girlfriend.

Amid international condemnation over the incident that some world leaders called a "state hijacking," the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said on May 26 it was advising EU airlines, as well as non-EU carriers flying to or from the bloc, to avoid Belarusian airways except in emergencies.

The announcement came as Lukashenka told lawmakers in Minsk that he "acted lawfully" to protect people as Belarusian authorities had received a bomb scare from Switzerland, which proved to be a false alarm.

After a wave of pro-democracy protests and Western sanctions following a disputed presidential election in August 2020, the diversion of the Ryanair plane has renewed pressure on Lukashenka, with Western leaders demanding the release of journalist Raman Pratasevich and his girlfriend, Sofia Sapega.

The EU had already begun to cut air links with the increasingly isolated Eastern European nation even before the EASA warning on May 26.

Airlines such as Air France, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines have already begun rerouting flights to avoid Belarusian airspace, and Latvia on May 26 became the latest European country to announce it wont authorize any departing or arriving flights that cross Belarusian airspace. The Transport Ministry said it had also banned Belarusian airlines from entering Latvian airspace.

"The circumstances surrounding this action cast serious doubts on the respect shown by Belarus for international civil aviation rules," the EASA said in a safety bulletin.

"The actions undertaken by Belarus amounted to an increased safety risk for the [Ryanair] flight and put into question the ability of Belarus to provide safe air navigation services."

On May 26, a Belarusian passenger plane flying from Minsk to Barcelona turned back after Poland said it may not be able to enter French airspace.



Belarusian state carrier Belavia flight 2869 from Minsk had been scheduled to land in Barcelona on May 26 in the afternoon.



"This pilot received information from us that the French airspace was blocked ... and he may have a problem with entering," Polish Air Navigation Services Agency spokesman Pawel Lukasiewicz said by telephone.



Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesman Anatol Hlaz called the move "air piracy."

Meanwhile, the North Atlantic Council, NATO's principal political decision-making body, says it supports calls for an urgent independent investigation into Belaruss forced diversion of the Ryanair passenger jet.

"This unacceptable act seriously violated the norms governing civil aviation and endangered the lives of the passengers and crew," the allies said in a statement on May 26.



Besides calling for a probe into the matter, including by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the North Atlantic Council backed "measures taken by Allies individually and collectively in response to this incident."



It also urged Belarus to "immediately and unconditionally" release Pratasevich and Sapega, calling the journalist's arrest "an affront to the principles of political dissent and freedom of the press."



"NATO Allies call on Belarus to respect fundamental human rights and freedoms, and to abide by the rules-based international order," the statement said.

The UN Security Council is set to meet behind closed doors later on May 26, but diplomats were quoted as saying it was unlikely council members would agree on a collective statement because of Russias unwavering support for Lukashenka.

Authorities in both Belarus and Russia have dismissed the outrage over the May 23 incident, saying Minsk had acted within the law when the plane was diverted.

Lukashenka, who has ruled Belarus since 1994 and has been dubbed "Europe's last dictator," lashed out at the West, accusing it of crossing "many red lines" with its reaction to the incident, and warned that Belarus was on the brink of an "icy war" with its enemies trying to undermine his rule.

"As we predicted, our ill-wishers at home and abroad have changed their methods of attacking the state. They have crossed many red lines and crossed boundaries of common sense and human morality," Lukashenka said as he addressed members of parliament.

'Concerning Confession'

The 26-year-old Pratasevich is facing charges of being behind civil disturbances, an offense punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

He was a key administrator of the Telegram channel, Nexta-Live, which has been covering the protests that broke out in Belarus following last years presidential election.

A video released on May 24 showed Pratasevich "confessing" to having organized anti-government demonstrations.

European leaders, suspecting that the comments were made under duress, called the video "concerning," while exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya said the footage showed Pratasevich had been tortured.

Belarusian officials did not immediately comment on the torture allegations but have consistently denied abusing detainees even though rights groups have documented hundreds of cases of what they describe as abuse and forced confessions during the sometimes violent crackdown on pro-democracy opponents of Lukashenka since the disputed election.

Sapega, a 23-year-old Russian citizen, was studying for a master's degree at the European State University in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Belarusian authorities remanded her in pretrial detention for two months after being charged with a criminal offense, her lawyer said on May 25.

In another video circulated by pro-government Telegram channels, Sapega said she was an editor of an opposition Telegram channel, the Black Book Of Belarus, which publishes personal information about security officials who help Lukashenka stay in power.

Sapega looked uncomfortable and spoke quickly while delivering the comments, prompting opposition officials to again say the statements appear forced.

Amid the controversy, EU leaders continue to look to the bloc's officials to draw up unspecified new sanctions against Minsk and to work out a way to ban Belarusian airlines from the bloc's skies.

If all such measures are fully implemented, Belarus would be almost completely isolated from air travel with flights reaching it only by passing over its eastern border with Russia.

Crisis In Belarus Read our coverage as Belarusians continue to demand the resignation of Alyaksandr Lukashenka amid a brutal crackdown on protesters. The West refuses to recognize him as the country's legitimate leader after an August 9 election considered fraudulent.

The government of EU member Latvia on May 26 announced it had banned Belarusian airlines from entering its airspace and told all aircraft landing or taking off from its airports to avoid Belarusian airspace.

The EU, United States, Canada, and other Western countries have already imposed sanctions against the regime of Lukashenka.

The Belarusian opposition and the West say the August presidential election was fraudulent and dont recognize the result. The opposition says Tsikhanouskaya was the true winner of the vote.

In a joint statement on May 26, Tsikhanouskaya, the Coordinating Council that was set up by opposition leaders following a disputed presidential election last year, and other pro-democracy groups said that they are united in assessing that Belarus has become a black spot on the world map as a result of the reckless actions of the illegitimate regime."

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and Current Time
Rahmatillo Zoirov, the leader of Tajikistan's opposition Social Democratic Party for more than two decades, has stepped down citing lingering health issues stemming from an attack he suffered last year.



"My health has been wrong for a few years," the 64-year-old lawyer told RFE/RLs Tajik Service on May 26.



"Last September, I was severely beaten. The pain in my legs has not disappeared since then. So I wrote a letter to the Political Council asking that the conference not take place and release me. I have to be treated. "



One of the few opposition figures still remaining in Tajikistan, Zoirov was assaulted in September in an incident he describes as politically motivated.

He was also attacked in November 2017 by a couple who called him a traitor as one of them beat him with a metal pipe.



Although his party is officially registered in Tajikistan, it has never been represented in parliament.



President Emomali Rahmon has been criticized by international human rights groups for years over his disregard for religious freedoms, civil society, and political pluralism in the tightly controlled former Soviet republic.
Ukraine has decried the lack of progress in NATO's "open-door" policy to Ukrainian membership and said it could not comprehend why it wasn't invited to the bloc's summit next month.



NATO meets on June 14 in Brussels in a push to improve transatlantic ties under U.S. President Joe Biden amid growing tensions with Russia.



"We understand the desire of the allies to hold a closed summit ... but we do not understand how it is possible not to invite Ukraine," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on May 26.



President Volodymyr Zelenskiy earlier this month called on NATO to beef up its presence in the Black Sea region and asked Washington to back Kyiv's bid for a NATO membership action plan at the summit.

Zelenskiy's plea came as Russia earlier this year deployed more than 100,000 troops near the border with Ukraine and in occupied Crimea -- the biggest mobilization since Moscow seized the Ukrainian peninsula in March 2014 and war broke out in eastern Ukraine.



The buildup prompted alarm in Western capitals over Moscow's intentions amid an uptick in fighting between Ukrainian government forces and Kremlin-backed separatists in the country's east. The conflict has killed more than 13,000 people since April 2014.



Speaking at a joint news conference with Helga Schmid, the secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe who was visiting the Ukrainian capital, Kuleba said Kyiv was grateful to NATO for its "constant confirmation of the open-door policy," but added that not a single step had been taken to implement it.



At a 2008 summit in Bucharest, NATO said that Ukraine could potentially become a member in the future.

"When we in Ukraine are accused of too slow reforms, what can we say about the adoption and implementation of the decisions of the alliance, which have been covered with dust for 13 years?" Kuleba said.



U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price recently restated the U.S. policy of supporting an "open door" to NATO for countries meeting "the standard for membership".



But Ukraine still must "implement the ... reforms necessary to build a more stable, democratic, prosperous and free country," Price said.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP
BUCYRUS  The Memorial Day event in Bucyrus will be enhanced in the citys bicentennial year.

The activity is organized by the Veterans Memorial Society, which partners with the Bucyrus Bicentennial Commission this year. A parade will start at 9:30 a.m. on May 31 at Washington Square, going south on Sandusky and Oakwood Avenues and arriving the Oakwood Cemetery.

Bicentennial coordinator Kelli Patterson said a ceremony will take place at the columbarium next to the main entrance of the cemetery. The ceremony includes a wreath-laying by Bucyrus Mayor Jeff Reser. The mayor will also read a list of those killed in action in World War II in honor of the fallen soldiers.

At noon, the Bicentennial Commission will hold a Veterans Cemetery Walk, a collaboration with the Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce. Patterson said 11 veterans that have passed away will be commemorated. Their descendants will portray their lives for the participants.

Transportation is provided for those who cant walk around in the cemetery, Patterson said. Carnations will be available for people to lay on graves.

The Bicentennial Commission also works with local catering business Katering Kountry Style to provide veterans a free lunch. Patterson said veterans are encouraged to pick up a voucher at local American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars or American Veterans between now and Monday to get the free meal on Memorial Day.

The commission will pass out a lapel pin to all veterans on that day, Patterson said.

We're just trying to make our veterans feel special because they've given up so much for us, she said.

The event organizers encourage people to bring a chair or blanket to watch the parade and the ceremony at the Oakwood Cemetery. Parking will be available on the corner of Oakwood and Kaler Avenues, the north side of the cemetery.

A Memorial Day parade in Galion will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday, according to the city. The parade will start at the main square in downtown and head east on Harding Way. It turns north onto Fairview Avenue and ends at the Fairview Cemetery, following by a ceremony.

A parade in Crestline organized by VFW Post 2920 will start at 10 a.m. on Monday, according to the organization. It will start at the veterans memorial in front of the Crestline City Hall and head to the Greenlawn Cemetery.
MANSFIELD  The LEAP program provides instruction and related services to students from individual school districts who require a more specialized educational setting than is available in the public school.

LEAP has 8 total locations servicing much of northern Ohio, including one at Crestview Local Schools. Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center is proud to announce the opening of a new location in Mansfield at the ESC. The classrooms will be operational in time for the start of the 2021/2022 school year.

We are really excited for this partnership with Mid-Ohio ESC," George Linberger, LEAP Director and President, said. "We had been in discussions for some time before COVID, but in the past six months, we finally got to take concrete steps forward to obtaining this space with Mid-Ohio and offering our services to even more students.

LEAP helps students both from general education and those assessed to have Learning or Developmental Disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injury, Pervasive Developmental Disorders (i.e., Asperger's Syndrome, higher functioning Autism), ADHD, Oppositional/Defiant Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, all Personality Disorders and many others not listed.

They provide students, their families, as well as the placing school districts effective, innovative, and evidence-based alternative education and psychoeducational services. They work to provide hope and motivation to emotionally and behaviorally challenged children grades K through 12 to reach their maximum potential academically, emotionally, and socially.

Kathleen Frazier is the program director for the Crestview branch and will additionally be serving in the same role for the new Mid-Ohio branch.

We are so glad for the chance to open up the doors closer to kids that really need the assistance. For some of the students in Mid-Ohios districts, the distance was just too far from Crestview to be a feasible option. Being in Mansfield and closer to those students means we can be a better branch of support that will make it easier to carry the lessons learned into their everyday lives.

Frazier said she hopes that through word of mouth and results seen from students returning to their home districts they will be seen as more than just alternative placement for a student.

There is a great need for mental health care right now, and we want people to know we work with all students, including general education students, when they have social and emotional problems. Its our goal to turn them into productive students when they come back.

Staffing this new branch will be a mixture of LEAP veterans and some new staff, although all have prior teaching experience. The Mid-Ohio branch will be able to support roughly 48 students, 12 students in each of four classrooms.

Every student receives full academic services, as regulated by the State of Ohio, including up-to-date curriculum for all age and grade levels, based on adopted State Standards & Proficiency expectations. There is also short-term and crisis counseling for students, as needed, as well as, daily psychoeducational groups, with topics including conflict-resolution skills training, emotion management, self-care and hygiene maintenance, self-esteem enhancement, social skills development, financial budgeting/planning, relationship maintenance, how to ask for help, accepting consequences, etc.

Having the LEAP program as a resource for our students in Mid-Ohio ESC member districts gives us all a valuable tool for when a students needs are more specialized than their home district can accommodate, said Kevin D. Kimmel, Superintendent of Mid-Ohio ESC. Plus, this new location in Mansfield will ensure all Mid-Ohio districts have equal access without the obstacle of distance.
MANSFIELD -- The end of the conversation Tuesday evening marked just the beginning of the planning process for millions of dollars coming to north central Ohio from the American Rescue Plan.

That was the clear message at the end of an hour-long, wide-ranging online discussion of more than 120 local elected officials, community leaders and residents participating in an event arranged by the Richland County Foundation, Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development and Source Media properties.

(Watch the entire online community discussion here).

The session was headlined by guidance from Alison Goebel, executive director of the Greater Ohio Policy Center, who encouraged local leaders and residents to "be as strategic as possible" with the funds, which total about $85 million flowing into Richland, Ashland, Knox and Crawford counties in the next two years.

"By that I mean make sure investments work together toward community goals rather than being piecemeal or scattershot," Goebel said. "Achieving this means understanding community goals and developing and implementing a plan with specific projects that work together to meet the goals."

The City of Mansfield, for example, will receive $22 million and Richland County will receive another $23.5 million. Ashland, Knox and Crawford counties will receive $39.5 million combined.

Half the funds will be distributed in the next several weeks, with the second half coming a year from now.

Communities have until 2024 to encumber the funds, which must be spent by the end of 2026, following guidelines established by the U.S. Treasury department.

Jodie Perry, president and CEO of the chamber, said the group hopes to work with the GOPC in future discussions to help create a wide-ranging plan for ARP funds, and other available federal and state money, in the same way the Mansfield Rising downtown reinvestment plan was developed.

Namely, though local involvement, input and discussion, a process that began with a 25-minute question-and-answer session during the online meeting.

"This is really generational money," Perry told the online group, which included mayors, city council members and county commissioners from across the four-county region. "It's a great opportunity ... probably more opportunity than I have ever seen in my career."

During her presentation, Goebel suggested two groupings for projects. She suggested 15 to 20 percent of the funds should be used early for stabilizing local communities while the bulk of the money should be reserved for future investment.

"When we at GOPC think about stabilizing, we mean reimbursing yourself for unexpected costs or revenue shifting you had to do to adequately respond to the pandemic," she said. "Stabilizing also means keeping programs going that help residents and the local government from becoming vulnerable again.

"By investment, we mean this is the time to move on projects and initiatives that you know can have lasting impact in the community, but haven't had the funds to implement," said Goebel, who earned a doctorate degree in anthropology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

"I can only imagine how many pitches local government (officials) have already seen. (But) if they are not in line with the community's priorities, maybe it should be deferred."

The key in deciding what investments to make, she said, can be found in local conversations and plans that were already taking place.

"Priorities will drive strategic-decision making," Goebel said. "When evaluating potential projects or programs, ask whether they will help achieve the community priority faster by building on each other and in service of reaching a clearly defined goal."

With the GOPC since 2010, she strongly suggested the planning process should involve a wide range of perspectives, including businesses, nonprofits and residents.

Goebel said people of color must have a part in the planning process.

"Key representatives of the Black, Hispanic, and Asian communities should be present in these conversations and given the space to provide their perspectives," Goebel said.

"These communities have been hit hard by COVID and may see opportunities and challenges to economic and health recovery that aren't immediately apparent to white participants."

The GOPC leader, who lived in Mansfield periodically from 2005 to 2009 while conducting long-term qualitative research on social relationships in a small-city setting, said communication with the entire community is essential once plans are made.

"Residents may grumble. They may not think these are the right priorities. But everyone will know what the priorities are," she said. "Communicating priorities is about bringing transparency to the decision-making process."

Among those asking questions or commenting were Mansfield City Council President David Falquette, Richland County Commissioner Cliff Mears, Catholic Charities Regional Director Rebecca Owens, Richland County Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Jotika Shetty, Richland County Treasurer Bart Hamilton and North End Community Improvement Collaborative Executive Director Deanna West-Torrence and Downtown Mansfield Inc. CEO Jennifer Gerberick Kime.

Perry, joined in leading the conversation by RCF President Brady Groves and Source Media President Jay Allred, said organizers would be following up with participants in the next couple of weeks.

"We all want to take advantage of the opportunities to move our communities forward," she said. "I believe we are well-positioned to take advantage since we already all work so well together."
Richmond, KY (40475)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable.
Switzerland's radio hams meet with OFCOM Switzerland's national amateur radio society USKA met with the communications regulator OFCOM on April 20, 2021, to discuss issues of concern to radio amateurs such as interference and 70 MHz operation



The subjects covered were:

1. Conversion from licensing to the reporting procedure in accordance with the new Telecommunications Act FMG

2. Costs in connection with changes to information in existing repeater systems

3. Tests for the certificate of proficiency for amateur radio

4. Presence of OFCOM at Hamfest 2021

5. Interference from VDSL and G.fast

6. Interference from solar panel systems

7. Interference from PLC devices

8. Interference from water vitalizers

9. Interference from railway safety systems (Euroloop)

10. Approval of new repeater frequencies

11. 4 m / 70MHz band



Regarding exams the meeting summary says OFCOM will immediately resume the examinations in Biel. The first 60 candidates have already received another exam date.



Probably in the course of 2022 OFCOM will change to conducting the exams using electronic media (PC or tablet). In the medium term it is planned to update the examination questions and the USKA will be involved.



OFCOM say they are ready to examine use of the 70 MHz band, such as that now possible in Germany. The USKA was requested to specify the type of operatiom desired.



Meeting summary

https://www.uska.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Zusammenfassung-BAKOM-Sitzung-2021-04-22.pdf



USKA https://tinyurl.com/IARU-Switzerland
Issue:

Despite objections from Ripons Historic Preservation Commission, it appears that Ripon Colleges Merriman House will come down this summer.

In a letter to an alumnus of the Phi Kappa Pi fraternity, which was obtained by the Commonwealth, Ripon College President Zach Messitte confirmed that the college plans to raze the building.

Merriman House will be taken down in the summer of 2021, Messitte wrote to the alumnus. This decision was not made lightly or without consideration of the strong connection many Phi Kappa Pi alumni have to the house.

He confirmed that plan to the Commonwealth Tuesday, noting there isnt a precise timeline for the project.

Although the citys Historic Preservation Commission doesnt have jurisdiction over the Ripon College campus, it sent a letter to the Commonwealth expressing its desire to find a way to save the building.

Merriman house is and represents a unique style of architecture and materials important to our city, the commission said. Its size, scale and colonial architecture, along with being one of a very few limestone mansion-like buildings in our community, make it worthy of preserving in our region of the state of Wisconsin.

Background:

For many years, the Merriman House, 470 Congress St., had been home to the Phi Kappa Pi fraternity  better known as Merriman  until the fall of 2010 when the fraternity was relocated to a traditional dorm.

The move was framed as necessary due to deteriorating conditions in Merriman House that posed risks for its inhabitants.

Last month, after Ripon College filed paperwork to raze the building, Messitte said the college did not have a definitive plan for the Merriman House and was in the very early stages of coming up with a plan for the property.

The building has not been occupied for over a decade, and its in really poor condition, he said. Over the course of the last few years, the college has worked with some alumni and with others to try and figure out what to do with the building.

Messittee said Tuesday that he isnt sure why the Merriman House wasnt maintained over the years as it was unsafe for students before he became Ripon College president.

I dont know the specific reason why it fell into that level [of disrepair]; I just dont know, he said.

Status:

Ripon College will be razing the building, after spending several years exploring ways to restore the property with Merriman alumni, Messitte told the Commonwealth Tuesday.

He said the building is in rough shape as it has asbestos issues and does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

The college even hired an architect to provide possible renderings of what a remodeled Merriman House could look like several years ago, Messitte added.

The building, from the architectural renderings, really needed to be completely renovated, he said. It wasnt just a fix up, this was a significant renovation that had a significant cost.

Messitte said Ripon College began trying to fundraise for the project, but it was clear that the college would need donors to contribute up to six figures to fund the renovations.

We had some initial success and raised a bit of money, but nowhere near enough to be able to renovate it, he said. I spent months and countless numbers of hours, crisscrossing the country making the case to people.

Historic Preservation Commission chairman Ald. John Splitt said last week Tuesday he doesnt want to see the building demolished and hopes it can be restored, similar to other buildings in Ripon.

Its part of our duty to express unhappiness that theyre going to be taking down a historic building, he said.

In its letter to the Commonwealth, the Historic Preservation Commission pitched several ideas for ways the building could be saved. Those ideas include turning it into a living space for educators, converting it into office spaces or study spaces and selling it to a private entity.

Certainly the Merriman House, Hall, and former fraternity building can be repurposed and reused for the benefit of the college or members of our community, the letter read. During the 1960s and 1970s, Ripon lost many of our architectural and historic gems including municipal, residential, and college student housing buildings.

Messitte says he appreciates the commission for caring about the property and its role in the community, but Ripon College has exhausted all of its options for the property.

At the end of the day, the status quo is a deteriorating, unsafe building, he said. Unless someone is going to step up with a viable solution that both helps the institution and the community, its just sort of well intentioned words. And I appreciate that, but what Im looking for here are solutions.

Whats next?

The Merriman House will be razed this summer, beginning with asbestos remediation.

We dont have a definitive plan yet as to what comes next, Messitte told the Commonwealth. But were willing to work with people who have an interest in that space.

In Messittes letter to the alumnus, he said that, in working with Merriman leadership to convert the house into an alumni center and a central location for academic support services, Ripon College reconnected with alumni who had been disengaged for years.

I will continue to rely on that sense of renewed collaboration as the college works with Merriman student leadership and alumni in planning for a commemorative installation on the grounds of the Merriman House next fall, he penned.

Is there an issue you want us to update?

If youre wondering about something that was in the news but doesnt have a resolution, send your idea to:

Email: news@riponpress.com.

Phone: 920-748-3017

Mail: 303 Watson St., PO Box 262, Ripon, WI 54971
Written By

Joe Schulz served as the reporter of the Green Laker in 2019 and 2020, before being hired as a reporter for the Commonwealth in October 2020. He is from Oshkosh and graduated from UW-Oshkosh in December with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

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Management at The Oaks Course is dedicated to growing the game of golf. One segment of the population that is a focus is junior golf. The Oaks regularly hosts junior events where young players can develop the future of the game and have fun. On Friday, June 11, The Oaks hosted a US Kids Golf Click for more.
Rocky Mount, NC (27804)

Today

Cloudy this morning with showers during the afternoon. High 78F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
Gaborone (Botswana) 26 May 2021 (SPS)- Botswanas Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Lemogang Kwape, called on African countries to continue to speak with one voice to support and stand in solidarity with the people of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, in his Africa Day statement broadcast through various media channels Yesterday.

Dr Kwape noted that the principles of self-determination, freedom, and political independence were and still are the cornerstones of the Union and key components for development, amplifying the call for the political emancipation of the Western Sahara through relevant regional and international bodies.

He considered that Africa Day celebrations present a special opportunity for us not only to celebrate our landmark achievements but to also reflect on our future prospects, regretting that today we still have some countries on the Continent that have not attained their political independence and self-determination such as Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).

We, therefore, need to continue to speak with one voice to support and stand in solidarity with the people of Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic and call for their political emancipation through the African Union, the United Nations, and other relevant bodies, the Minister noted.

It should be recalled that Botswana never missed the opportunity to support Western Saharas legitimate fight for self-determination and freedom from the occupying forces of Morocco, using every given opportunity, whether at the SADC, AU or United Nations General Assembly, to voice this support.

President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi has clearly condemned Moroccos illegal occupation of Western Sahara in his speech before the African Unions 14th Extraordinary Summit on Silencing the Guns last year.

Chairperson, I am confident that we all know that the dream of the Africa We Want will remain just a dream as long as the people of Western Sahara have not attained their full independence and self-determination. Botswana wishes to reiterate her unwavering support for the liberation of Western Sahara, President Masisi emphasised.

He indicated that Botswana condemns in the strongest terms the recent attacks on peaceful Saharawi demonstrators in their own country, which has led to the current renewed armed conflict between Western Sahara and Morocco.

He further stressed that Africans can never enjoy real peace and security in Africa when a fellow member of the African Union continues to endure long years of suffering, turmoil and oppression at the behest of another Member State. We will continue to call on the international community to redouble the efforts to right the wrong that continue torment the peace-loving Saharawi people. (SPS)

090/500/60 (SPS)
Rutland, VT (05701)

Today

Rain ending this morning. Breaks of sun in the afternoon. High 76F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low near 55F. Winds light and variable.
Danvers, MA (01923)

Today

Rain ending this morning. Breaks of sun in the afternoon. High 72F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 57F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Carlsbads City Council waded into the national sanctuary state issue Monday evening, voting 4-1 to back the federal governments lawsuit against California.

They also agreed the city should file a legal brief when appropriate in support of the federal action against the states Senate Bill 54, which prohibits local law enforcement officials from investigating arrestees immigration status or reporting that status to federal authorities.

The weighing in on this is purely political, and its divisive, said Councilwoman Cori Schumacher, who voted against the motion.

However, the other four council members emphasized the need for public safety, and said that law enforcement officers need all the tools they can get.

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Our laws are becoming more difficult to enforce, said Mayor Matt Hall. It takes many agencies working together to keep us safe.

A handful of other local jurisdictions have taken a position on the state law, which limits what state and local law enforcement officials from investigating arrestees immigration status or reporting it to federal authorities. Federal officials have said the law pre-empts their authority.

So far three cities  National City, Chula Vista and San Diego  have stepped up to support the state law, while two jurisdictions  Escondido and San Diego County  have voted to oppose it.

More than 70 people spoke at the crowded April 4 meeting where the Escondido City Council agreed to file an amicus brief in support of the federal lawsuit.

The issue has led to heated meetings across the county.

The Carlsbad session was calm and lightly attended, though some of the speakers were passionate.

Almost 20 people addressed the council at a special single-issue meeting held at the citys Faraday Administration Center, and a majority of them supported the states sanctuary law. Councilman Keith Blackburn placed the subject on the agenda, saying the city should take a position on Senate Bill 54 because so many residents have asked about it.

Resident Brian Connor said the federal lawsuit is founded on racism and raw tribalism.

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I think its deplorable, Connor said. We have in power now a federal government which is out of control, and I urge you to resist.

Carlsbad has a low crime rate, he said, and immigrants are not a significant factor in the crimes that are committed.

Others urged the council to show compassion, and said the federal government is only adding to the fear and uncertainty already in the community.

Do not make news for intolerance and bigotry, resident Linda Breen told the council. I dont think that is good for our city.

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Glenn Bernard, a retired Marine and former teacher, urged the city to support the federal government, and compared sanctuary cities to the South in the Civil War.

I cannot see the difference between a sanctuary state and a secessionist state, Bernard said.

California is one of seven states in the U.S. that have declared themselves sanctuary states, according to the National Center for Immigration Studies.

President Trump has said he intends to block federal public safety funding for cities and states with sanctuary policies, though so far federal judges have prohibited that action.

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philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com

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Sanford, NC (27330)

Today

Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. High around 80F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
It was a case of not in my backyard syndrome

The burning ship at the centre of an environmental catastrophe off Sri Lanka was denied access at two ports, Splash, one of the known website for maritime news has reported.

Fire has ravaged the entire length of the three-month-old, 2,700 teu X-Press Pearl with its owner now accepting a constructive total loss is inevitable.

The ship, which caught fire while at anchorage off Colombo last Thursday, suffered an explosion yesterday, necessitating the swift evacuation of the crew. General Average has been declared on the X-Press Feeders ship, which was carrying around 25 tons of acid among the 1,486 containers onboard.

Debris from the burning containership has washed ashore and locals have been warned not to touch any of it as it could be contaminated with harmful chemicals.

The full story of how the ship came to meet its likely fiery end in Sri Lanka has overtones of previous ship catastrophes such as the 2002 Prestige tanker incident and will likely fan the flames in the ongoing places of refuge debate.

Speaking with Splash today from Singapore, Tim Hartnoll, the executive chairman of X-Press Feeders, said that poor packaging was responsible for the acid leak, which the crew had detected while in the Arabian Sea thousands of kilometres away from Sri Lanka. On detecting the leak, the ships captain then contacted two ports  Hazira on the west coast of India and Hamad in Qatar  requesting to offload the containers in question. The requests were denied and the ship, which was delivered from a yard in China this February, made its way to Sri Lanka.

It was a case of not in my backyard syndrome, Hartnoll said.

While salvage teams  assisted by Sri Lankan and Indian military forces  fight to minimise damage, acid and fuel is thought to have spilled into the sea, and the ships owner is anticipating the London P&I Club-insured vessel will be declared a total loss.

The biggest threat to container shipping is fire onboard on ships, Hartnoll said.

A separate source at the company commented: This disaster could have been prevented had those ports done their duty and taken in the cargo rather than endangering the crew and the ship.

A report from maritime insurer Gard last November warned a fire involving containerised cargo now happens once every two weeks on average.

Gards report outlined three main reasons for the fires seen historically. Ranked first is self-heating charcoal. Ranked second is chemicals incorrectly packaged and/or declared with batteries listed as the third biggest cause of fires in containers at sea.
The annual Memorial Day Click It or Ticket campaign is underway in an effort to make drivers aware of seat belt safety, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation.

The Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies will be taking note whether a driver and passengers are safely buckled in their seats, a DOT release said.

In 2020, more than 500 people died in vehicle accidents because they were not wearing a seat belt or secured in child safety seats, the release said.

We have seen significant drops in our seat belt usage rate all across the state, so we have a lot of work to do to get the participation rate back up again, Mark Ezzell, director of the Governors Highway Safety Program, said in the release.

In the past two years, the statewide usage rate for seat belts has dropped from 91.3% in 2018 to 87.1% last year, the DOT said.

When the Click It or Ticket campaign was launched in 1993, about 64% of North Carolinas drivers were using seat belts, the release said.

The Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies will be manning checkpoints at different locations throughout North Carolina through June 6.

State law says all vehicle passengers must be properly restrained, including those in the back seat. Children under age 8 and weighing less than 80 pounds must be restrained in an approved child safety or booster seat.

Violations are punishable by up to $180 in fines. If a passenger under 16 is in the vehicle and not properly restrained, the driver faces a $266 fine, the release said.

Seat belts and child safety seats save lives, Eric Boyette, secretary of the DOT, said in the release. We know that not wearing a seat belt can be the worst decision youll ever make.
Unfortunately, Costco is closed on Memorial Day. So if you need to pick up some burgers for your backyard barbecue on the 31st, you wont be able to head to your favorite warehouse store.

But luckily Costco is still having a big Memorial Day sale to celebrate the holiday. Members can save on everything from apparel to mattresses to appliances. To help you put together your shopping list, weve rounded up some of the best deals below.

Mattresses

If your mattress is feeling old and lumpy, now is a great time to replace it thanks to Costcos great Memorial Day deals. A bunch of mattresses are on sale including the Thomasville Gel Rest Split King Mattress. Currently you can save a whopping $1,200 on it.

Its made of medium latex foam and has an adjustable base so you can sleep with your head propped up. If you dont need the adjustable base, the regular Thomasville Gel Rest King Memory Foam Mattress is also marked down $400.

Not a fan of memory foam? You can save up to $800 on the Brentwood Home Magnolia Hybrid Mattress depending on which size you order. Its a comfortable medium-firm mattress that has layers of cotton, wool, and latex plus supportive springs.

These discounts are valid until June 4th, but only while supplies last. So if you want one of these mattresses, dont delay.

Appliances

If you want to upgrade your outdated appliances with smart, energy-efficient ones, youre in luck. Costco is offering fantastic deals on appliances in honor of Memorial Day.

Right now you can get a discount of up to $1,000 on the LG Mega Capacity Washer and matching Electric SteamDryer. The LG WiFi Enabled Front Load Washer and Dryer pair is also discounted up to $600 depending on which color you get.

In the market for a new refrigerator? You can get $400 off a Samsung French Door Refrigerator or $170 off a large Whirlpool Side-by-Side while supplies last.

And if you buy certain appliances with your Costco Anywhere Visa, youll receive a Costco gift card worth between $100 and $500. The Whirlpool Side-by-Side Fridge, for example, comes with a $100 gift card, bringing your total savings up to $270.

Apparel

Now that the weather is warming up, youre probably in the market for some new summer clothes. Costco is offering discounts on popular brands like Calvin Klein, Orvis, Columbia, Adidas, and Skechers. You can check out everything thats on sale by heading to Costcos website.

If you make your purchases online, you may also qualify for additional savings. Costco is offering an extra $20 off when you buy five qualifying items and $50 off when you purchase ten eligible pieces of clothing or pairs of shoes. So now is the time to stock up on all the sundresses and swimsuits youll need for summer.

Gift Cards and Coupon Codes

If all those savings werent enough, Costco is also offering select members $50 off their online purchase of $500 or more until Memorial Day.

You may have already gotten the coupon in your inbox. But if you havent yet, you can contact customer service and ask if you qualify for the deal. If you do, theyll be able to send you the discount code so you can take advantage of this great deal.

If youre not a member of Costco yet, theyre also offering a promotion for new customers. When you sign up for an Executive Membership, youll get a Costco gift card worth $20. If you go for the Gold Star Membership, youll get a gift card worth $10.

So what are you waiting for? Go join Costco so you can take advantage of all of these awesome Memorial Day deals!

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Elon Musk isn't going to stop tweeting about how humans can migrate from Earth to Mars. For a long time, Elon Musk has spoken about his intentions to send humans to Mars, and it appears that his plans aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has always been outspoken about his efforts to send humans to Mars and set a deadline for it.

Elon Musk, who had previously discussed "colonizing Mars," revealed that he intends to establish his own rules on the red planet in November of last year.

He moved his Mars agenda even farther with two tweets late Thursday. Science Times previously reported that Musk wanted to make humankind a multiplanet species. The other tweet wanted more than science support; he also required public support.

Public support for life on Mars is critical to making it happen  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 6, 2021

Many experts, on the other hand, caution that deep-space exploration poses so many unanswered questions. From overcoming cosmic rays and dust storms to producing oxygen and water, here are some of the toughest challenges:

Too Distant

The Apollo astronauts were able to travel to the moon in a matter of days, but a journey to Mars would take six to nine months. Because of their elliptical orbits, the distance between Mars and Earth varies between 35 million miles and 249 million miles. There is only a narrow window open where the two are perfectly aligned for space flight. This complicates logistics considerably.

Alice Gorman, an associate professor at Flinders University in Adelaide and a member of the Space Industry Association of Australia's advisory council, said there's still the possibility of rescue, provisioning, or delivery from Earth or a midway space station with lunar exploration. "That's not going to be the case for Mars," she told Bloomberg.

Solar Flares As Killers

A long flight will subject people to one of the most dangerous aspects of space travel: solar flares. NASA said flares are the most powerful explosions in the solar system, equal to 100 million hydrogen bombs. The Earth's magnetic field will protect astronauts in orbit, but a deep-space traveler exposed to such radiation will only have a few days to live.

ALSO READ: Solar Flares, Geomagnetic Storms Coming? Sunspots May Cause Power Disruptions, Radio Problems on Earth





Lewis Dartnell, a professor and specialist in astrobiology in the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Westminster in London, said in the same Bloomberg article that it's "a very gruesome way" to die.

Dust Storms, Radiations

Radiation isn't just a problem on the way. Since Mars' atmosphere is much thinner than Earth's and it lacks a global magnetic shield, Space.com said humans on the planet's surface will be vulnerable to solar and cosmic radiation. Furthermore, the surface is dusty. Nilton Renno, an astrobiology professor at the University of Michigan, said major storms will produce dust clouds that blot out the Sun.

Renno explained that it's like midnight on the surface of Mars for two months during such a storm. "If you are there with solar panels for power, you very likely don't survive. You don't have enough energy to keep things warm enough," Renno said in the same Bloomberg report.

Food, Water, Oxygen

According to Modern Farmer, Matt Damon's stranded astronaut in the 2015 Hollywood blockbuster "The Martian" grew potatoes by fertilizing the planet's soil with his own feces. Bloomberg said Associate professor Elisabeth Hausrath of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, has more ambitious agricultural aspirations. NASA has been funding her research into growing snow algae, a type found in the Nevada desert and other high-altitude, low-nutrient ecosystems on Earth, in Mars-like conditions for the past year and a half.

Scientists must still figure out if humans would be able to provide enough water to live on Mars. There is some subsurface ice on Mars that may be water reservoirs. A potential Mars mission will need to chart its distribution using radar.

Going Home

Humans going to Mars will need to ride a spaceship back to Earth until anyone signs up for a one-way flight. The largest technical challenge for would-be Mars explorers, Michalski told Bloomberg, is figuring out how to get fuel to propel the spaceship back into orbit.

Optimists hope that scientists will solve these issues sooner or later.

RELATED ARTICLE: Elon Musk: Humanity Needs to Get to Mars "Now" to Become Multiplanetary

Check out more news and information on Elon Musk in Science Times.
Royal Caribbean Group is the first company to have its port and local health agreements approved and move onto test cruises. Test cruises must carry at least 10% of the total passenger capacity permitted by the ports it will visit, made up by volunteer passengers 18 years old or older who agree to be tested for COVID-19 and have their test results recorded after the cruise.
Residents in the area who experienced a disruption of water service are advised to bring their water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before drinking, brushing their teeth or cooking with it.
Nearly four months after a coup in Myanmar triggered a prolonged period of violence and upheaval in the country, the Biden administration has designated Myanmar nationals for Temporary Protected Status, allowing many in the U.S. to be shielded from deportation and obtain work permits.

The registration period is set from May 25 to Nov. 22. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that about 1,600 Burmese nationals "continuously residing" in the U.S. since March 11 now can obtain protected status.

"Due to the military coup and security forces' brutal violence against civilians, the people of Burma are suffering a complex and deteriorating humanitarian crisis in many parts of the country," DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. The decision about Myanmar, also known as Burma, came after a "thorough review of this dire situation," Mayorkas added.

The United Nations has denounced Myanmar's military leaders, known as the State Administrative Council, who seized power in a coup in February and since then have launched an intensive crackdown against pro-democracy demonstrators.
McBean was not a criminal, she said. He shouldnt have died like one. Someone has to pay. ... Its about the lying and trying to make my son out to be a horrible person. That is what I am upset about. We want the world to realize who he was  a productive person who was cut down before his time. Nobody knew him until he was killed.
At a bond hearing Tuesday, the prosecutor alleged Fleming had also made threats to kill, but did not elaborate. Flemings public defender requested a mental health screening for his client, saying that Fleming was very confused as far as what is going on.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Actor and professional wrestler John Cena has apologized to fans in China after he called Taiwan a country in a promotional interview for his upcoming film and became the latest celebrity to face the fury of Chinese nationalists.

In a short video posted Tuesday on Chinese social media site Weibo, Cena did not refer to Taiwan or go into much detail about the incident, which occurred earlier this month when he was doing a promotion for Fast & Furious 9 with Taiwanese media.

In one interview, I made a mistake, he said in heavily accented Mandarin Chinese. I need to say now that this is very, very, very, very, very important. I love and respect China and the Chinese people. Im very, very sorry. As for my mistake, I really apologize for it."

In his interview with TVBS, a Taiwanese cable channel, Cena was also speaking in Mandarin when he said Taiwan would be the first country to be able to see the film. That led to an uproar in China, which considers the self-governing democracy its own territory to be taken back by force if necessary.

It was unclear if Cenas apology worked, as many comments on Chinese social media in response to his video were negative. Likewise, Cena was also facing scorn back in the United States, where Sen. Tom Cotton called the apology pathetic and others lashed out at him on social media as a coward.

Global companies and celebrities seeking to maintain access to the lucrative Chinese market have to tread a fine line on many issues as online nationalistic outrage can spark boycotts.

China has increasingly pressured foreign firms over their statements on Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Tibet, the South China Sea and other issues Beijing considers sensitive.

Airlines and other multinational companies have been pushed to refer to Taiwan as a part of China on their websites or risk damage to their business in China.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV cut ties with the NBA for a year in response to a tweet by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey backing pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, even though the post was quickly deleted.

News about Chloe Zhao, a Chinese director, winning an Oscar was censored in April after old interviews surfaced where she said that she grew up in a place where there were lies everywhere.

Brands including Swedish retailer H&M, Adidas and Nike have been targeted for consumer boycotts after state media criticized them for expressing concern about reports of forced labor in China's western region of Xinjiang.

Meanwhile, Fast & Furious 9  the latest in the Hollywood franchise  appeared to be doing well in China despite the uproar. The film has taken in $155 million at the box office in China since it opened on May 21, according to local media reports.
As Hawaii sees more visitors headed its way, Maui is contemplating more fees and limits for travelers, said Maui Mayor Mike Victorino.

The mayor made the comments in conversation with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser in a Facebook Live session last Wednesday.

Maui could see new beach and parking fees for visitors, as well as extending a current limit on commercial activities on Sundays to other days, such as Saturdays. A reservation system could also be put in place for some areas.

We will charge our visitors that come in, and limit the number of people that come in every day. [Well] have a day off for clean-up...maintaining the properties, maintaining the resources is very important, Victorino said.

The mayor said it was critical for places to be able to close entirely so they are not being taxed beyond their means.

Residents would be exempt from fees. Fees for our residents would be always exempt from using our beaches; whereas visitors who are here for just a short time. They dont have to pay real property tax, they dont pay a lot of the fees that our residents pay, Victorino pointed out. They would share a little cost in maintaining our environment and our resources. So the burdens going to be on the visitor  not our residents.

The proposal would bring an already existing system in eastern Maui to other regions, including south and west Maui.

A reservation system for Waianapanapa National Park, near the end of the Hana Highway in east Maui, began in March, with non-Hawaii residents required to purchase entrance and parking reservations to enter the park.

The entrance fee is $5 per person, with children 3 and younger free, and the parking fee $10 for non-commercial vehicles. For commercial vehicles, such as those in tours, it can range between $25 to $90 depending on the number of passengers. Hawaii residents, on the other hand, can enter and park for free with a valid ID, and some parking spaces are designated for resident use.

The system came into place to protect the popular park from the perils of overtourism, an issue that Maui, like the rest of Hawaii, has been struggling with.

The pandemic offered a long reprieve, but last weekend alone saw approximately 98,000 visitors arrive to the island state, with 27,874 of those visitors arriving in Maui, according to the state's travel dashboard. That means that visitation numbers are rapidly approaching pre-pandemic levels.

Managing tourism is a multi-faceted approach, Victorino noted. Were going to make sure that our visitors come in, have a wonderful time, but not tax our resources, and that our residents are protected and that they are healthy.
There are no recipes for tacos in the upcoming Mexican cookbook from Seattle-based stylist and media producer Andrea Pons.

I didnt mean to, says Pons of the slight to her countrys most famous dish, but when she realized, she didnt mind. Anything can be a taco, she explains. Its more of a tool than a dish.

The attitude fits well for a cookbook created with a purpose. Last June, Pons received notice that she was about to be deported, and now, a year later, having gained American citizenship, she is combining her longtime passion project with her new privilege and aiming to bestow the same legal status on her parents. The stunning "Mamacita: Celebrating Life as a Mexican Immigrant" is now available for pre-order and starts shipping mid-June, with all of the profits funding Ponss parents bid for citizenship.

The book shines with images styled by Pons  who works professionally as a food stylist for big brands like Starbucks and local restaurants like Musang  and shot by her photographer friends and colleagues. It features more than 60 recipes from Ponss family, passed down through generations of women and often unique to Leon, Guanajuato, the central Mexico city where she grew up. Dishes like the chiles rellenos her mother made every year for her birthday, the orange bundt cakes her grandmother sold to support her six children as a young widow, and the regional specialty torta guacamaya, the macaw sandwich, named in honor of the colorful bird resembled by the bolillo roll stuffed with crunchy chicharrones, avocado, salsa, and pico de gallo.

Pons draws on her family as the source of her cookbook content, but they also form the inspiration to create it. After getting married at age 20, she ended up divorced and lonely three years later, with no connection between my heart and what I was eating, she says. She began cooking as a way to heal, trying to recreate the recipes she remembered from growing up in Mexico, before her family immigrated when she was 10 years old.

Courtesy of Andrea Pons

When we first moved, there was a lot of fear on me and my sister, she says. They told people they were Mexican-Italian because she had an Italian ancestor, in an attempt to feel safer in the new country, to avoid discrimination. Cooking just for herself for the first time became a way to push back against the lies she had to tell, building back the bridges to her heritage and the country she had left more than a decade before. In doing so, she fell on the idea of creating a cookbook to immortalize those recipes. Her grandmother, the source of many of those recipes, has Alzheimers, and Pons considered it a way of never forgetting her, never forgetting Mexico, never forgetting her childhood there.

Originally, it had no objective beyond her own rehabilitation, and so, as with many passion projects, life happened, and Pons got distracted. She moved to a new apartment, got a new job, and stopped working on it. Then, faced with deportation last June, she returned to the book with renewed purpose.

Both of Ponss grandmothers are still alive, living in Mexico, but are no longer physically able to travel. Yet, because of her familys immigration status, nobody has been back to see them in the 16 years since immigrating. People got a taste of that with the pandemic, she notes, of that desperation to be near loved ones, the sadness of not seeing her grandfather before he died, her mom unable to attend her sisters funeral. My parents chose me and my sister over the family, she says of the sacrifices they made to bring her here. When she received citizenship in November, she suddenly saw, in the cookbook, a way to return that gift and sacrifice her parents had made.

Her citizenship came as something of a surprise. Pons applied for a standard removal of restrictions on her green card, but hadnt heard back from the government in more than two years. The response she eventually received, in June 2020, denied her request and informed her she was up for deportation. In a panic, she called an immigration lawyer, spending the summer  and all her savings  worrying and fighting the order, assuming she had years of limbo in front of her. But then in November, out of nowhere, the USCIS invited her to take a citizenship test. She and her lawyer went in, she took the test, and left two hours later, citizenship certificate in hand. Neither of them knew how it happened or why the government changed its mind. But she was suddenly the first member of her family to be an American citizen.

Courtesy of Andrea Pons

It wasnt just me accomplishing this, she says, but something her whole family had done, and it meant that she would be able to open the same doors for her parents. But in the same breath that she acknowledges her own privilege in having had the savings to pay the $10,000 in costs and lawyer fees to become a citizen, she explains that neither she nor her parents had another $20,000 to get them through the same process.

It gave a breath of new life to my cookbook, she says of the then-floundering project. It made the cookbook a journey of intentionality. While she couldnt support her parents financially, she could use the book as a fundraiser for their legal fees. To be an immigrant is scary, she says. This is an opportunity not just to help my parents, but to share our story to give them courage. Her parents spent so much time living in fear of discrimination, afraid of flying, of going near the border, and the book is her path to change that, a tool to keep her family safe.

Courtesy of Andrea Pons

She also hopes it can create more visibility around the hidden process of immigration. As the only immigrant in her friend group, the trek to citizenship felt isolating, and she found hearing other peoples stories helped her through. I want to inspire people to share stories, she says. Like tacos, she sees the book as a tool, adaptable to many situations  to give her parents safety and comfort, other immigrants the courage to speak their truth, and everyone else the joy of creating delicious heirloom regional recipes of Guanajuato.
Leisure travel is on the rise thanks to vaccination confidence, and airlines are responding with increased routing and enhanced services. This weeks travel news includes a new nonstop to Cincinnati and an increase in international service.

Keep reading to discover the latest airline news for the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Alaska Airlines debuts service between Seattle and Cincinnati

Alaska has introduced daily nonstop service between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).

For years weve heard from flyers and our corporate clients that theyd like Seattles hometown carrier to connect Cincinnati with the Puget Sound region, said Alaska's Vice President of Network and Alliances Brett Catlin.

We couldnt be more excited to rollout our newest Midwest destination, Catlin said. Cincinnati is Alaskas 95th nonstop destination from its Seattle hub and the first time the airline has a regularly scheduled service to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

skaman306/Getty Images

American Airlines app verifies vaccination

American Airlines is working with mobile health partner Daon and its VeriFLY app to assist passengers with verifying vaccination requirements prior to flying. This new option is initially applicable for travel to The Bahamas, El Salvador and Guatemala.

VeriFLY gives customers peace of mind that they can meet their destinations travel requirements and save significant time at the airport, said Julie Rath vice president of customer experience at American. As countries reopen to those who have been vaccinated, we are ready with VeriFLY to help our customers travel with confidence.

AA customers flying to The Bahamas, El Salvador and Guatemala can upload an image of both sides of their COVID-19 vaccine record into the app. The VeriFLY team will then review and verify a guests documentation meets their destination requirements.

NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Delta increases international flights

As entry restrictions lift for international destinations, Delta is increasing its routes with service to Italy, Greece, Croatia and Iceland.

Delta is operating COVID-tested flights through JFK to Milan, Rome and Venice. Daily flights to Athens resume May 28, while new service to Dubrovnik begins in July. The airline is also offering flights to Icelands Keflavik International Airport with hub connections through New Yorks JFK, Boston and Minneapolis.

As the first European country to reopen to U.S. tourists, weve seen increased demand for travel to Iceland this summer versus 2019, said Amy Martin managing director  international network planning for Delta Airlines.
QAYARA, Iraq (AP)  Nearly a dozen buses carrying 100 Iraqi families who lived in a sprawling Syrian camp for supporters and families of Islamic State militants returned to Iraq on Tuesday, where public opinion is divided about their return.

The families include women, children and men, according to Syrian Kurdish and Iraqi officials familiar with the repatriation plans.

Iraqi security officials in Ninevah confirmed the buses had entered the province and would be going to Jadah camp, near the town of Qayara. The officials declined to be named because the repatriation has not yet been made public.

The buses were accompanied by a huge convoy of Iraqi security forces, including the army, the federal police and the Popular Mobilization Forces.

The families have been living in al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria since early 2019 following the military defeat of the extremist group in which it lost the last territory it held.

The repatriation is one of the issues discussed between Iraqi and U.S. officials and has been delayed before amid opposition from Iraqi officials out of security concerns.

Al-Hol camp is home to nearly 70,000 people  most of them women and children  who were displaced by the military offensive of the U.S.-led coalition against IS. Nearly half of those living in the sprawling camp were Iraqis, facing dire living and security conditions.

About 10,000 foreigners are housed in a secure annex in the camp, and many remain die-hard supporters of IS.

This has made repatriation of the Iraqis and many of the foreigners a contentious issue. Despite calls from the Kurdish-led administration in northeastern Syria for repatriation, many countries have declined to take their nationals back. That's either because they have no legal recourse for how to handle former Islamic State members or out of fear of their continued link with the militant group.

Aid groups have described dire conditions in the camp, where killings have been on the rise. They are believed to be carried out by IS supporters as punishment for perceived enemies or violators of the militant groups policies.

Syrian Kurdish officials have struggled to keep the camp under control.

Tuesdays transfer has been months in the making with many failed previous attempts. Rejection by officials and residents in Ninevah province, where the Jadah camp is located, has been the principal cause for delays.

This decision will impact the community, people are very afraid, said Saadoun al-Zaal, an activist living in the nearby town of Qayara, less than a kilometer (mile) from the camp. There have been no assurances from the local or central governments, not even from the local administration of this district.

The camp (Jadah) is unfit because security is absent, he added. Danger will surround al-Qayara.

In Iraq, the transfer is handled by the National Security Agency, not the Ministry for Migration, because of the returnees' IS affiliation.

Plans were forged to bring the 100 families to Jadah camp in the first week of May but were derailed after local authorities and the Ninevah Joint Operations Command, which includes an array of security forces in the province, protested.

Yazidis also protested the return of the families, saying they would pass through their territories in Sinjar and remain in close proximity, raising fears among the traumatized community that is still missing over 6,000 of their people.

An Iraqi official said the objection was primarily because the Jadah camp, home to nearly 8,000 residents, was not equipped to absorb newcomers and was too close to a military base in Qayara. Another objection was that the returnees were from another province, Anbar.

Local authorities in Ninevah asked why should we host these sensitive families who might cause us problems, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Locals feared retaliatory killings and other security threats against the families.

The transfer was postponed until Tuesday to give the government time to find an alternative solution. It was not clear what, if any, arrangements have been made to placate local concerns.

Last February, tribal leaders in the rural areas of Zummar and Rabia in Ninevah blocked entry to a newly established camp, referred to as Amala, built primarily to house al-Hol families. The camp, which is 90% complete, according to Ninevah Gov. Najm al-Jibouri, lies vacant.

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Kullab reported from Baghdad. Associated Press writer Sarah El Deeb contributed from Beirut.
Mayor Michelle Gomez voted no. This job is for us to be doing, not for us to be passing it off to someone else, she said. I dont see the need to expand it to more than one [assistant]. Were not the county; We have a smaller footprint.
In a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press, former star auto executive Carlos Ghosn shared his frustrations surrounding his stunning downfall and delved into his legal troubles in Japan, France and the Netherlands, his brazen escape from Japan and his new life trapped in Lebanon.

Here are five key takeaways from the encounter:

CLEARING HIS NAME

Ghosn says he is ready to be questioned by French investigative judges in Beirut next week. He is anxious to tell his side of the story and sees it as an opportunity to go on the record for the first time since his arrest in November 2018. The investigators intend to question him about payments he made as the head of Renault SA and other probes of alleged financial misconduct, and could hand him preliminary charges. The voluntary meetings are expected to take place at the Justice Palace in Beirut over a period of one week. Ghosn says he has prepared thoroughly with his lawyers and intends to submit supporting documents.

COLLATERAL DAMAGE

In the interview, Ghosn strongly defended former Nissan executive Greg Kelly, who was arrested with him and is now standing trial in Japan on charges of under-reporting Ghosns compensation. He described him, as well as two Americans who allegedly helped him escape and are now in a Japanese jail awaiting trial, as collateral damage in what he insists was an organized plot against him. Ghosn said he was not responsible for that. Kelly is obviously innocent, Ghosn said.

DUTCH DEFEAT

Ghosn said he will appeal a Dutch courts decision ordering him to repay nearly 5 million euros ($6 million) in salary he received from an Amsterdam-based joint venture between Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. in 2018. The ruling came in a case in which Ghosn sought to have his 2018 sacking from Nissan-Mitsubishi B.V. overturned and demanded 15 million euros ($16.5 million) in compensation. Ghosn said he was shocked by the courts judgment which he said was made on a technicality. Obviously its an upset, Ghosn said.

THE ESCAPE

Ghosn recalled details of his Hollywood-style dramatic escape in late 2019 from Japan to Lebanon. He told the AP how the details of the plan were hatched, including choosing to execute it in December less people were likely to recognize him under a hat and heavy clothes and when a lot of people would be travelling in and out. It was very bold, but because it was bold, I thought it may be successful, he said. Ghosn refused to confirm that he escaped from Japan in a musical instrument box, saying he didnt want to say anything that could be used against people accused of assisting in his escape.

LIFE IN LEBANON

Ghosn said he is adapting to the reality of life in Lebanon, where he grew up and is regarded as a hero, and says he feels safe and free here. He says he spends his days poring over documents with lawyers preparing legal defense, teaching at a university, helping start-ups and working on his books and documentaries. It is a slower pace than the one he was used to, with the advantage of having time to enjoy coffee with his wife and talking extensively with his children. His new reality includes being stuck in a deeply unstable country in the grips of an unprecedented economic crisis and a banking collapse. He says he spent six months repairing his Beirut home after it was damaged in the massive explosion at Beirut port last summer.
CHICAGO (AP)  Family members of a 13-year-old boy who was fatally shot by a Chicago police officer announced plans Wednesday to build a home in rural Wisconsin where at-risk boys could go to escape the dangers of the city streets.

Adam Toledo's mother stood in front of a mural of her son that was recently painted in the Little Village neighborhood where he was killed on March 29. She lamented that while she could not be with her son Wednesday on what would have been his 14th birthday, she might be able to help save others like him.

What I really want is to have Adam back, and we can't do that, Betty Toledo wrote in a speech that was read by someone else because she was too emotional to speak. We can try to help other families protect their sons from the temptations that took Adam into the street that night, the night he was killed.

The family also alluded to the depiction of Adam's life that has been part of the narrative since shortly after his death when Mayor Lori Lightfoot seemed to suggest that the boy was involved with gangs.

Gangs are preying on our most vulnerable, corrupting these young minds with promises of familia and lucre, she said during a press conference in which she demanded the police find out how the boy got the gun that police say he was carrying until just before he was shot.

The shooting garnered national attention and brought new scrutiny to the Chicago Police Department's use-of-force policy, particularly after the release of the video that shows the boy wasn't holding a gun the instant he was shot. On Wednesday, the department announced it was implementing a new policy that significantly limits when officers are authorized to chase suspects on foot.

But it was the boy's short life that Toledo's family and others focused on Wednesday. While Lightfoot and others have suggested that the boy was drawn to gangs, the family also wanted it known that he was a curious little boy who lived to play with his younger brother, loved animals, made jokes and told his mother not to worry.

He was a little kid, he made one mistake, and everyone is just judging him and assuming things from the last few moments and minutes of his life, said Esmeralda Toledo, the boy's 24-year-old sister. Nobody, she said, is deserving the way he died or the bad, negative things being said about him.

The family's attorney, Joel Hirschhorn, said that Wednesday's announcement had to be delayed a short time because the artist and the family wanted to paint over what some cowardly, evil person had scrawled on the mural.

Hirschhorn said donations have already come in, and he has signed a contract to buy about 71 acres in Potosi in southwestern Wisconsin, including a small barn, a facility boys can sleep in, and land to grow crops and raise livestock. Modeled after Boys Farm in South Carolina, Hirschhorn said the plan is to take these marginalized, at-risk young boys out of danger, where gangs and guns and violence pervades and put them into a safe environment where they can learn about farming and work as a team.

Authorities have said that a gun detection alerted police to a spot where a gun had been fired several times. When they arrived, an officer spotted the boy and the man they later said had fired the weapon, and chased them.

They said Toledo, who had apparently been given the gun by the man after he fired it, ran into an alley. Body camera video showed a portion of the foot chase, and the instant when Officer Eric Stillman shot Toledo in the chest less than a second after he either dropped or tossed the gun aside.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), which reviews police shootings, is continuing its investigation. On Wednesday, spokesman Ephraim Eaddy said he could not comment on the investigation and that no recommendation about Stillman has been made. Stillman was placed on desk duty and in what Eaddy said was an unusual move, the board recommended that the time Stillman remain on desk duty be extended 30 days.
PARIS (AP)  France will impose a mandatory quarantine on visitors from Britain to prevent the spread of a worrying virus variant first detected in India, the French government said Wednesday.

Government spokesman Gabriel Attal said the new measure will be similar to limits imposed in Germany on people traveling from the U.K.

France is going to take similar measures and so put in place obligatory isolation for people who come from the United Kingdom," he said.

He didn't say when the quarantine will be introduced. He said more information would be released shortly.

From Sunday, Germany started requiring people arriving from the U.K. to go into quarantine for 14 days. The decision responded to the spread in Britain of the Indian variant.

Under Germany's tighter rules, airlines and others are also only be able to transport German citizens and residents from Britain.

The possibility of tighter French restrictions for British visitors was first raised Sunday by Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

The minister suggested that Britain could be put in a health category of its own, somewhere in between the strictest measures that France is imposing on visitors from India and 15 other countries, and more relaxed requirements being readied for visitors from the European Union and some other countries.

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Follow all of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic, https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
BEIRUT (AP)  The leader of Lebanons militant group Hezbollah said Tuesday any violations of Jerusalem and the sites holy to Muslims and Christians would lead to a regional war.

Speaking for the first time since the cease-fire ending the 11-day war between Hamas and Israel, Hassan Nasrallah said Gazas militant groups have proved that no one can sit idle when Israel attacks the holy sites or tries to undermine the Palestinians' right to the city.

Even from besieged Gaza and with limited capabilities and home-made rockets, Hamas and other groups responded to what he called Israeli violations and attacks outside of territory it controlled, Nasrallah said. He described it as a great victory that paralyzed the Israeli state.

The war was triggered by weeks of clashes in Jerusalem between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters in and around the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a site revered by Jews and Muslims.

The site has seen several outbreaks of violence between Israelis and Palestinians over the years. The protests were directed at Israels policing of the area during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers

The Israelis must understand that breaching the holy city and al-Aqsa mosque and sanctuaries wont stop at Gaza resistance, Nasrallah said during his 100-minute speech.

Nasrallah was speaking on the 21st anniversary of Israels withdrawal from southern Lebanon after a protracted war, characterized by roadside bombs and sniper attacks.

Hezbollahs shadow loomed large during Israel and Hamas 11-day battle in Gaza, with the possibility it could unleash its arsenal of missiles  far more powerful than Hamas  in support of the Palestinians. But the Iran-backed group remained on the sidelines.

Daily protests, including by members of Hezbollah and Palestinians in Lebanon, took place along the frontier with Israel in solidarity with Gaza. One Hezbollah member was killed when Israel opened fire to push back against protesters who tried to break through the volatile frontier.

Nasrallah added: Jerusalem means a regional war. All the resistance movements cannot stand by and watch this happening if the holy city is in real, grave danger.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  The new president-elect of Californias largest state employee union said Tuesday that the influential organization wont back Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsoms effort to fend off a likely recall election this fall.

Richard Louis Brown said anger over union contract concessions last year during what proved to be an illusionary $54 billion state budget deficit helped fuel his victory over longtime Service Employees International Union Local 1000 President Yvonne Walker.

Brown said that anger extends to Newsom.

He is going to need support from public sector unions to help him fight his recall, Brown said in an interview with The Associated Press. "When I become president of Local 1000, he can look for somebody else to support him. He will not get any help from us. Hes on his own.

Brown's proposals will still have to win support from the union's board of directors, given the turnabout from its reliably Democratic stances. He will take the post June 30.

While Newsom has said he expects to restore last year's pay cuts topping 9% with the new fiscal year starting July 1, he would never have agreed to that if he wasnt under the threat of recall, Brown said.

Newsom won election in 2018 with union support, then in Brown's view turned on organized labor to help close the projected budget gap by demanding the equivalent of two days' wages or furloughs each month during the pandemic when people were hurting and living paycheck to paycheck.

Thats why I said were going to run his ass out of office, Brown said.

That projected gap has since turned into a record revenue surplus in the revised budget Newsom presented to lawmakers earlier this month.

Newsom campaign spokesman Nathan Click did not immediately comment Tuesday.

More broadly, Brown said he'll ask the unions 96,000 members to create a strike fund to be used in future contract negotiations and to separate from the Service Employees International Union that he said eats up more than half of members' union dues.

Bob Schoonover, president of SEIU California, said in a statement that the umbrella organization of union locals with 700,000 overall members is firmly opposed to the destructive, costly and distracting recall.

Brown also pledged to cut union dues in half and create more transparency in union affairs as he tries to build back union membership. He promised to focus solely on protecting union jobs and negotiating state labor contracts.

When Newsom asked unions to accept wage cuts to help with the state's projected pandemic-induced deficit, we agreed to just give up our money, under the leadership of Yvonne Walker. I can guarantee that will never happen with me.

He promised to end the union's political involvement generally, a step he said is needed to draw support from state employees across the political spectrum.

With its heavy involvement supporting Democratic candidates, youre alienating half your union, he said. "You cant unify your union if youre involved in politics.

Under Walker's leadership since 2008, the local was a thorn in the side of the state's last Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, but it negotiated pandemic-driven austerity moves last year with Newsom.

Results posted online Monday show Brown with more than 33% of the vote to Walker's 27% among five candidates for the three-year term. Although the union has 96,000 members, just 7,880 voted.

The union represents workers in nine of the state's 21 bargaining units, from librarians to nurses, office workers to technicians.

Brown is an analyst with the state treasurers office who started his state employment in 2009 handling unemployment claims at the Employment Development Department. He ran against Walker twice previously.

I think overall the union will be fine, Walker said in a telephone interview. I think Ive had a good run, Im proud of the work that Ive done. I got to build leaders and change peoples lives. ... Ive left a strong foundation for whoever came behind me, a strong union.

Under Walker, the union did its best to bedevil Schwarzenegger during a 2008 budget impasse with the Legislature. Its members, wearing their purple T-shirts, once staged a 6:30 a.m. wakeup call demonstration outside the Capitol-area hotel he occupied when he was in Sacramento, protesting his plan to temporarily reduce workers' pay to the federal minimum wage.

A year later, it overwhelmingly authorized a strike vote to lobby for ratification of its contract during the state's fiscal crisis caused by the Great Recession.

With Walker at the helm, the union also called for a strike in 2016 during negotiations with Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown. He went to court to block it before the two sides came to an agreement.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  State Sen. Chris Larson, of Milwaukee, joined an already crowded field of Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, launching his candidacy Wednesday with a promise to fight the bullies in Washington and Wall Street.

Larson, in a video announcing his candidacy, voiced his support for liberal Democratic policy proposals including Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and increasing taxes on the wealthy and large corporations.

As your neighbor, Im asking you to join me in standing up to the bullies in Washington and Wall Street, so we can write the next chapter of our American history together, Larson said.

Johnson has not said yet whether he will seek a third term in 2022. His spokeswoman did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Larson's candidacy.

Wisconsin Republican Party spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Larson had accomplished next to nothing as a state senator.

He fits right in with the rest of the Democrat field," she said in a statement.

Larson was first elected to the state Senate in 2010 after spending three years on the Milwaukee County board. He was one of 14 Democratic state senators who fled the state in 2011 in an ultimately failed attempt to stop then-Gov. Scott Walkers law essentially ending collective bargaining rights for most public workers known as Act 10.

Larson served as minority leader of Senate Democrats for the 2013 legislative session. He lost bids for Milwaukee County executive in 2016 and 2020.

Other Democrats already in the Senate race are Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson; Alex Lasry, who is on leave from his job as an executive with the Milwaukee Bucks; state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski; and Wausau radiologist Gillian Battino.

Milwaukee political activist Steven Olikara has also formed an exploratory committee to examine a run as a Democrat. Olikara is the founder and former chief executive of Millennial Action Project, a nonprofit devoted to helping young leaders bridge the partisan divide between Republicans and Democrats.

Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes is also considering a run.
Seeley Lake Elementary School Board

SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Elementary School Board unanimously approved a canvass of the election results for the general fund levy during its regular meeting Monday, May 17. During the meeting the Board also approved the schools 2021 Summer Lunch program, new hires and talked about updates to the School Improvement Plan.

Superintendent Josh Gibbs said the levy passed but by a very narrow margin. A total of 990 ballots were submitted, 887 of which were accepted. Of those 887 votes, 452 were in favor while 418 were opposed. The remaining 17 votes did not vote on this issue. The turnout for this election was nearly 54%.

The Board voted to certify the election by acclamation of Kyle Marx for School District 34.

During the Board reorganization, Board members unanimously voted to retain Kyle Marx, Doc Welter and Heather Mincey in their respective positions of chair, vice chair and district clerk.

For the schools 2021 Summer Lunch Program, administrators sent out a survey in which they received responses from 62 kids that showed interest in receiving lunch boxes over the summer. This program would be federally funded and at no cost to participants 18 and under. Children that are visiting are also eligible to receive a complimentary lunch as long as the school is informed by a certain date.

During his report, Gibbs provided updates on the School Improvement Plan. The School Improvement Team finished their curriculum inventory and developed a list of subject areas they are looking to improve. They identified science and social studies as requiring reformation especially for the younger grade levels. Writing was also mentioned in the analysis. Their technology inventory has been pushed back until at least June.

Gibbs said they have not had any new COVID-19 cases since the school rescinded their mask mandate May 5.

Gibbs also announced the beginning of their Summer Outdoor Adventure Club which will run three days a week June 22- Aug. 19. Students will participate in an art camp and will take lessons intended to enhance their reading and math skills.

SLEs summer school program will run July 19-Aug. 11. Classes will run two hours a day on Mondays and Wednesdays although Gibbs said they may consider expanding them. The school building will be open in the summer from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

The Board voted to postpone policy updates for their 3000 series to a later meeting due to the bulk of the material.

The Board voted unanimously to hire teachers Brian Murakami for fifth grade and Alexis Higareda for fourth grade. Both are currently waiting to have their backgrounds cleared.

The Board unanimously approved the following:

 All of the 2021-2022 classified and administrative contracts including Laura Devins as the transitional kindergarten teacher for next year. While she was approved, Karmen Braulik submitted her two week resignation.

 The hiring of Summer Outdoor Adventure Club helpers Eric Lorentz, Laura Devins and Shelby Holmes.

 A 2021-2022 health insurance renewal with Montana Unified School Trust (MUST).

 Appointing Gibbs as the schools 2021-2022 County Transportation Committee. Trustee Gary Wayne abstained to avoid a conflict of interest since he works for Conley Transportation.

 The 2021-2022 Seeley Lake/Swan Valley contract.

 The 2022 election contract with Missoula County.

The next meeting will take place in the school gym at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 21.
The war was triggered by weeks of clashes in Jerusalem between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters in and around the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a site revered by Jews and Muslims that has seen several outbreaks of Israeli-Palestinian violence over the years. The protests were directed at Israels policing of the area during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers.
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A shooting Wednesday morning at a light-rail yard near downtown San Jose left 10 people dead, including the gunman.

The gunman, a Valley Transportation Authority employee, appears to have left no note, no explanation for why he shot nine coworkers, but investigators have found a common theme among his past: He hated his workplace. He had been accused by an ex-girlfriend of raping and abusing her, often during violent mood swings, court records show.

Stolen from us: These were the victims of the San Jose mass shooting

Latest updates:

2:17 p.m.: Sheriffs Office recovers thousands of rounds of ammunition and a dozen firearms: The Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office said investigators discovered multiple cans of gasoline, suspected Molotov cocktails, a dozen firearms and about 22,000 rounds of ammunition after a search of the gunmans house. It appears the Cassidy also coordinated the destruction of his home, the Sheriffs Office said. Based on the evidence, it is clear that this was a planned event and the suspect was prepared to use his firearms to take as many lives as he possibly could, the Sheriffs Office said in a statement. Investigators also searched the VTA rail yard and found no explosives.

1:45 pm. Arson team has concluded investigation at killers home: Erica Ray, public information officer of the San Jose Fire Department, said Friday that the investigation is ongoing into the fire at VTA killer Samuel Cassidys San Jose home on Angmar Court. Arson investigators are trying to determine how the fire was started and whether it was an intentional distraction tactic to pull first responders away from the shooting. I can not speculate on whether this was a distraction, Ray said. She said the home was now secured and the neighborhood safe.

1:35 p.m. Murder suspect was a hoarder, officials say: The reason it took investigators three days to determine if VTA killer Samuel Cassidys San Jose home on Angmar Court was safe was that he was living in a type of hoarder type of situation which further hampered the efforts of fire and police officers in collecting evidence, moving freely through the residence itself, according to San Jose Police Special Operations Captain Steve Lagorio. The additional items that were found in the house took quite a bit of time to maneuver and render safely.

1:35 p.m. Suspicious device found at suspects home was inert: A San Jose police bomb unit and members of the fire department safely deactivated a suspicious device that was found in the home of VTA killer Samuel Cassidys San Jose home on Angmar Court, Special Operations Captain Steve Lagorio said in a press briefing. After closer review and rendering it safe they discovered, in fact, it was inert and comprised of wires and batteries. The item was found in the attic area of the home that caught fire at the same time of the mass shooting. The goal of Fridays investigation of the home was to make sure the entire residence is rendered safe so neighbors could return to their residences, Lagorio said.

Now Playing: Video: San Francisco Chronicle

12:45 p.m. Explosives found at killers San Jose home: San Jose Polices bomb squad said on Friday that they found a small amount of explosives of a final sweep of gunman Samuel Cassidys San Jose home on Angmar Court, which is located about 8 miles from where he carried out the mass killing at the Valley Transportation Authority railyard on Wednesday. Cassidy had left devices to detonate at the home at the same time he was carrying out the shooting. Television crew cameras on the scene showed a gasoline canister being carried away by officials Friday morning. Simultaneously, investigators were 3D mapping the crime scene at the VTA maintenance yard, according to Craig Fair of the FBI, to better track how the shooting unfolded.

11 a.m. GoFundMe accounts set up to support victims families: A handful of fundraising sites have been established to support the families of the victims of Wednesdays mass killing at the Valley Transportation Authority maintenance yard. The victims, many of them longtime employees of the transit agency, were identified as Paul Delacruz Megia, 42; Taptejdeep Singh, 36; Adrian Balleza, 29; Jose Dejesus Hernandez, 35; Timothy Michael Romo, 49; Michael Joseph Rudometkin, 40; Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, 63, Lars Kepler Lane, 63; and Alex Ward Fritch, 49.The fundraisers that have been verified by GoFundMe, ensuring all funds on the page will go to the individuals and families affected by the San Jose shooting, include:

Paul Delacruz Megia - Help The Megia FamilySupport His Childrens Future ($11,665 raised of $25,000 goal): Tragically Paul DelaCruz Megia was taken from his family too early on May 26th. He was a father, husband, son, brother, uncle and friend to many. If anyone knows Paul he was a hardworking family man who was very caring and always saw the positive in life.

Alex Fritch - Celebrate the life of Alex Fritch ($39,435 raised of $50,000 goal): Alex Fritch was full of life. He loved his Tiki crawls, dirt bikes, Star Wars, being with his wife Terra, and loving life with his family He was known to be an optimistic man, passionate man, a dreamer who loved his family with all his heart, Please help us raise money for his memorial and to celebrate his life!

Lars Kepler Lane - Lars Kep Lane Memorial Fund ($5,760 raised of $25,000 goal): To know Lars Lane is to love him. He was the first to help his neighbor, his family and anyone that knew him. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, Uncle, brother, brother in law and loved his family fiercely. ...We are asking for help with burial and funeral costs for Vicki, Lars widow.

Adrian Balleza - In Loving Memory of Adrian Balleza ($30,320 raised of $15,000 goal): Truly there are no words to express the magnitude of this on us. Adrian was a loving father, an amazing husband, son, Tio, and much more. He still had so much to give. Our hearts are not ready to say goodbye but we know Adrian is truly in a better place and will be going to watch over his family. Timothy

Now Playing: Video: San Francisco Chronicle Staff

Michael Romo - Tim Romo Memorial and Family Relief ($26,421 raised of $25,000 goal): No one was prepared for his life to be taken away so early and unexpectedly. Tim was only 49 years old. He leaves behind his lovely wife Annette, children Tristan, Ana, Scott, Jordan, and Audrey, and two beautiful grandchildren Theodore and Adalynn. We want to give him the memorial he deserves and say our last goodbyes.

9:06 a.m.: Authorities to conduct final sweep of gunmans home: Authorities with San Jose Polices bomb squad are planning to perform one last sweep of gunman Samuel Cassidys San Jose home to ensure they leave the property completely rendered safe, San Jose Police Department spokesman Officer Steve Aponte said Friday. Apote said officials are not planning on detonating any devices in Cassidys home on the 1100 block of Angmar Court on Friday, correcting a local news report published Friday morning.

Updates from Thursday, May 27

9:30 p.m. Gunman faced hearing after racist remarks toward coworkers, according to report: Gunman Samuel Cassidy was scheduled for a hearing at work on the day of the attack for allegedly making racist remarks to his coworkers, according to NBC Bay Areas Investigative Unit. Cassidy had recent complaints filed against him for making inappropriate racial remarks to coworkers while on the job, according to the report. NBC described it as a skelly hearing required in the case of termination, demotion, suspension, or reduction in pay.

8 p.m. Sheriffs Department releases video of VTA gunman: Surveillance footage released Thursday evening shows suspect Samuel Cassidy walking through the VTA light rail yard between two buildings where the shooting occurred on the morning of the shooting. The Santa Clara Sheriffs Department, which posted the video, noted that the timestamp in the video is not accurate to the current time incident.

5 p.m. Sheriffs Department says VTA gunman was highly disgruntled: A memo released by the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Department on Thursday afternoon said that authorities are still searching for a motive in yesterdays shooting that left nine Valley Transportation Authority employees dead at a maintenance yard in San Jose, but described suspect Samuel Cassidy as a highly disgruntled VTA employee for many years, which may have contributed to him targeting his fellow workers. Authorities do not yet know whether Cassidy, 57, worked regularly with any of the victims. While public records show Cassidy faced nothing more serious than a traffic ticket in 2019, an ex-girlfriend described him in court documents filed in 2009 as volatile and violent, with major mood swings because of bipolar disorder that became worse when he drank heavily. Documents show he had worked at the transit authority since at least 2012. A vigil for the victims is planned for Thursday evening in San Jose.

2:45 p.m. People just dont snap says FBI investigator: As investigators work to piece together a motive behind Samuel Cassidys mass killing of nine coworkers at his Valley Transportation Authority workplace on Wednesday, FBI Special Agent Craig D. Fair said they are searching for missed clues that could have signaled the rampage. Generally people just dont snap. Theres a mobilization phase. Theres a ramp-up, to the point where they actualize their plans, Fair said in an interview with The Chronicle. But during that ramp-up phase, theres leakage. Theyre projecting something, and its overt and is visible to the public, family and friends, educators, law enforcement and/or mental health officials. Thats the case with nearly all of these folks. A Department of Homeland Security memo said customs officers found Cassidy carried a book with notes on how he hated the Valley Transportation Authority when he was detained after a 2016 trip to the Philippines, according to a Biden administration who spoke to the Associated Press. The memo said he had books about terrorism and fear and manifestos but when he was asked whether he had issues with people at work he said no. The agency said Cassidy had a minor criminal history and cited a 1983 incident where he was arrested in San Jose and charged with misdemeanor obstruction/resisting a peace officer.

2:30 p.m. Suspects house caught on fire several times: The home of VTA gunman Samuel Cassidy, which is located about 8 miles from the San Jose railyard where Wednesdays mass shooting took place, caught on fire on and off throughout the day, according to FBI Special Agent Craig D. Fair. Firefighters entered and had to retreat for fear there was explosive material, he said. We do know there was ammunition in the home. However, they still have to do forensic fire analysis. The second floor collapsed, and that is frustrating the collection at the house. He said the investigation will be complicated: It is a long, tedious process.

2:30 p.m. VTA has surveillance footage of shooting: The Valley Transportation Authority facility where Wednesdays mass shooting took place has footage of the attack, according to Craig D. Fair, the FBI special agent in charge of the investigation. We are assessing the crime scene and still in the very early stages, he told The Chronicle on Thursday. He said gunman Samuel Cassidy carried out the murders over several areas in the facility. We want to learn from that assessment the flow of events as he moved between building A and building B. However, the crime scene is not just those two buildings. Its actually five distinct areas.

1:45 p.m. FBI Northern California confirms Samuel Cassidy is suspect: Craig Fair of FBI Northern California confirmed on Thursday that Samuel Cassidy is the man under investigation for killing nine coworkers at the VTA railyard in San Jose on Wednesday, before turning the gun on himself.

1:25 p.m. Shooter was previously questioned by federal officials over hatred of workplace: U.S. Customs officers previously detained Samuel Cassidy, the man suspected of killing nine coworkers at the Valley Transportation Authority railyard in San Jose on Wednesday, over a professed hatred of his workplace, according to a Department of Homeland Security memo obtained by the Wall Street Journal. Cassidy was in possession of books about terrorism and fear and manifestosas well as a black memo book filled with lots of notes about how he hates the VTA, according to the memo that says he was detained by Customs and Border Protection in 2016 after a trip to the Philippines. Cassidy had worked at the VTA since 2012, according to public records.

12:56 pm: San Jose firefighters setting up hose outside house: San Jose firefighters were setting up a hose and connecting it to a hydrant near VTA shooting suspect Samuel Cassidys house on Angmar court. Moments earlier they brought a number of tarps into the house.

12:53 p.m. Union officials still not commenting on VTA shooting: Officials with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265, which represents most of the VTAs 2,000-plus employees, have not publicly commented on Wednesdays mass shooting The union posted a one-word tweet Wednesday morning from its Twitter account: PRAY. Some members had gathered at the unions Campbell headquarters early Thursday afternoon. An ATU Local 265 official at the Campbell office declined to be interviewed by a Chronicle reporter.

12:50 p.m. Increased activity at Cassidys house: In the past hour or so, a San Jose Fire Department hazardous incident response team truck, a fire engine and a Santa Clara County EMS/paramedics unit have arrived on Angmar Court, where investigators are searching Samuel Cassidys house. Dozens of officers including federal FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents are involved in the search.

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12:45 p.m. Suspects pistols appeared legal, high-capacity magazines did not, sheriff says: The 9 mm handguns the gunman used in the attack Wednesday that killed nine employees at the VTA railyard in San Jose appear to be legal, Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said Thursday, though his 11 high-capacity magazines  each with 12 rounds  are prohibited in California. Authorities do not yet know how he obtained the weaponry. Additionally, the sheriff said bomb-sniffing dogs found precursor things for explosives in his locker but no bombs, but a lot more was found at his home. Smith did not detail the materials found.

12:45 p.m. It took deputies 6 minutes to find gunman: It took deputies six minutes from the first 911 calls to find the gunman on the third floor of one of the buildings at the Valley Transportation Authority railyard on Wednesday, Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said in an interview with the Associated Press. While there are no cameras inside the railyards two buildings, Smith said footage captured him moving from one location to the next. The Sheriffs Office is next door to the railyard.

Now Playing: Video: Josie Lepe, Jim Gensheimer

12:15 Family member says shooting victim was stolen from us: Megan Staker moved to San Francisco from Des Moines in 2018 with her boyfriend Soheil Alaghmandan. He took her home to meet his parents, Abdolvahab Alaghmandan and Firoozeh Davallou, at their Castro Valley home. Right away Abdi, as Alaghmandan was known, became like a second father to me, Staker said by phone. He brought so much joy and laughter to our lives. Alaghmandan, 63, worked for 20 years as a substation manager for the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority. He was one of the nine victims in Wednesdays VTA railyard shooting in San Jose. He was stolen from us, Staker said. Our hearts are broken forever.

12 p.m. Shooting suspect had three semiautomatic handguns and additional ammunition: Detectives collected three semiautomatic handguns from the scene at the Valley Transportation Authority where an employee shot and killed nine colleagues Wednesday morning before turning a gun on himself, Santa Clara Sheriffs spokesman Deputy Russell Davis said Thursday. Earlier in the day, the Sheriffs Office had reported two handguns were found. The suspect also had 11 magazines, each holding a dozen 9-millimeter rounds, Davis said. Authorities still had not confirmed the identity of the shooter as of noon Thursday. Davis said they were still working to notify his family.

12 p.m. There have been 232 mass shootings in the U.S. this year: The mass shooting at the Valley Transportation Authority railyard in San Jose on Wednesday marked the nations 232nd incidence of a mass shooting in the United States, according to data collected by the Gun Violence Archive. The independent research and data collection organization defines any shootings with more than four victims who are injured, not including the perpetrator, to be a mass shooting. The San Jose shooting is also the 15th mass killing event in the nation this year, which is classified as more than four people murdered.

11:25 a.m. VTA officials share stories of the fallen: VTA officials who worked alongside the nine victims of Wednesdays shooting gathered at the agencys sprawling North San Jose headquarters Thursday morning to recount a long day of grief and gut-wrenching conversations with families. They remembered how several of the fallen had started their VTA careers as trainees or junior mechanics, working up their way up the ranks. Naunihal Singh shared an office with Paul Megia, who was among those slain Wednesday. Megia, an assistant superintendent who started training as a bus driver in 2002, always tried to make a challenging job fun for his employees, Singh said. Whatever happened yesterday, he said, it shows the character of these guys how they tried to save others while going through that chaotic situation.

11:15 a.m. Im not going to shoot you, gunman said, firing 39 shots: Samuel Cassidy, the man suspected of killing nine co-workers at a Valley Transportation Authority railyard in San Jose on Wednesday, fired 39 shots and appeared to target some of the victims, Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith told The Associated Press on Thursday. Smith said the shooter told at least one person: Im not going to shoot you. He then shot other people with two semiautomatic handguns. More than 100 people were in the facility at the time. Im not sure well ever actually find the real motive, but well piece it together as much as we can from witnesses, the sheriff said.

10:55 a.m. Active shooter training saved livesat VTA facility: Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez said employees at the Valley Transportation Authority railyard in San Jose where Wednesdays mass killing took place recently underwent active shooter training by the Sheriffs Office. They really are confident that saved lives, in terms of teaching people how to hide, how to engage, Chavez said. Police said gunman Samuel Cassidy shot nine coworkers to death before killing himself. The Sheriffs Office is next door to the railyard, which serves the county of more than 1 million people in the heart of Silicon Valley. Authorities did not discuss a potential motive behind the rampage.

10:45 a.m. CalTrain will offer free service to victims vigil: San Jose City Council member Dev Davis said CalTrain will offer free transportation to a vigil scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at San Joses City Hall Plaza for the victims of the mass shooting at the Valley Transportation Authority railyard. This is a sad day. We have been visited by a terrible tragedy; senseless and horrible, said Davis. The people who work for VTA have dedicated themselves to public service... because of their service, their pain is our pain.

10:20 a.m. I felt immensely helpless, says VTA general manager: Evelynn Tran, acting general manager of the Valley Transporation Authority, said on Thursday that while employees are trained to deal with an active shooter situation, they are not equipped to handle the aftermath. I saw that aftermath. I saw the immense pain in the faces of the families, Tran said, holding back tears while describing her visit to the family reunification center following the mass shooting Wednesday at the San Jose railyard. I felt immensely helpless.

10:15 a.m. Officials gather to pay tribute to shooting victims: Santa Clara County legislators came together at a press briefing on Thursday morning to honor the nine victims of the mass killing at the Valley Transporation Authority railyard in San Jose on Wednesday. Today is a day to honor those individuals and their families, said Glenn Hendricks, head of the VTA Board of Directors, who led the congregation in a moment of silence after reading the victims names. Hendricks, who was visibly shaken during the briefing, also shared a haiku he wrote. All the families are in pain. We are here to help. I want all our families to know, we are all grieving together, he said.

9:30 a.m. Railyard locker had bomb-making materials, sheriff says: A locker at the San Jose VTA railyard believed to be that of alleged gunman Samuel Cassidy contained materials for bombs, detonator cords, the precursors to an explosive, Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said Thursday. Officials also were investigating a fire that broke out at the suspects two-story home shortly before the shooting. The alleged gunman probably set some kind of a device to go off at a certain time probably to coincide with the shooting, Smith said.

Now Playing: Video: San Francisco Chronicle

9:30 a.m. Video captures gunman leaving home: Footage from a neighbors security camera shows Samuel Cassidy, the alleged gunman who killed nine people at the Valley Transportation railyard in San Jose on Wednesday morning, casually leaving his home at 5:39 a.m. with a large black duffel bag that he loaded into a white Ford F-150 pickup truck.

9:30 a.m. Ex-wife says Cassidy had talked of killing co-workers: VTA mass-shooting suspect Samuel Cassidy had talked about killing people at work more than a decade ago, his ex-wife told the Associated Press. I never believed him, and it never happened. Until now, Cecilia Nelms told The Associated Press following the attack at the VTA light-rail facility on Wednesday.

9:15 a.m. San Jose mayor renews gun control battle, says Congress needs to step up: San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo is putting out a new call for gun reform, a day after the mass shooting at the VTA railyard in his city that left 10 people dead. This really is an epidemic which none of us are safe, he said Thursday morning to CNNs Kate Bolduan. We have to do more to combat gun violence. Certainly, Congress needs to step up. And I dont pretend that any law is going to stop mass shootings in a country with 300 million guns. But we all need to do more, starting with me. Liccardo is once again pushing a proposal requiring gun owners in the nations 10th largest city to carry liability insurance to cover taxpayer costs associated with firearm violence, an idea he introduced in 2019. Were all going to be trying everything we can possibly do to try to contain gun violence in our own cities. And until we see Congress stepping up, youre going to see us all pushing very hard.

8:40 a.m. All victims accounted for in San Jose shooting, authorities say: The Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office said the death toll of the mass killing at the Valley Transportation Authority railyard in San Jose on Wednesday stands at 10, including nine victims and the gunman who died of a self-inflicted wound. There are no other people injured in the shooting that are hospitalized, no one with non-life-threatening injuries, spokesman Russell Davis said on Thursday morning. The only person who was taken to the hospital was the person who died Wednesday night. The victims, many of them longtime employees of the transit agency, were identified by the Santa Clara County Coroners Office Wednesday night as Paul Delacruz Megia, 42; Taptejdeep Singh, 36; Adrian Balleza, 29; Jose Dejesus Hernandez, 35; Timothy Michael Romo, 49; Michael Joseph Rudometkin, 40; Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, 63, Lars Kepler Lane, 63; and Alex Ward Fritch, 49, who died Wednesday night at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.

8:10 a.m. Deputies confronted gunman to end rampage: Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said during a Thursday morning briefing that authorities faced off with Samuel Cassidy, the alleged gunman who killed nine people at the Valley Transportation railyard in San Jose on Wednesday morning, shortly before he took his own life. I know that our deputies and the officers that responded while the shooting was still happening are heroes, she said. They went in, the confronted the suspect and when they confronted the suspect he took his own life. I believe the officers and the deputies saved lives.

8:05 a.m. Gunman picked his targets, according to an eyewitness: Samuel Cassidy, the Valley Transportation Authority maintenance worker suspected of carrying out Thursdays mass killing, deliberately picked his victims, according to an eyewitness on the scene. I do know that he had a specific agenda and was targeting certain people. He walked by other people. He let other people live as he gunned down other people, Kirk Bertolet, an employee at the VTA, said in an interview with KGO. It was several bursts. Was a series of shots and then another series of shots. Bertolet said he attempted to save some of his co-workers. I saw a couple of people as I walked in, and then I just saw a mass of bodies. I went to check to see if anybody was alive if I could do anything for anybody, and watched people take their last breath.

8 a.m. VTA employees went through active shooter training: The employees at the site of the Valley Transportation Authority railyard in San Jose had received active shooter training prior to Wednesdays mass killing, according to Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith. We provide law enforcement services to VTA, and we, our team had actually trained all VTA employees what to do in an active shooter and had done an exercise specifically in that building with VTA employees, Smith told KGO. They were told to run, to hide, or to engage the suspect. I dont know what they did. We may have some heroes also with VTA, some of them may have lost their lives, but I think that they reacted as they should have.

6:52 a.m. VTA posts tribute to victims: Nearly 24 hours after nine Valley Transportation Authority employees were shot to death at the VTAs light-rail yard in San Jose, the transit agency listed their names on Twitter, preceded by heart emojis, and the message: Words will never fill the void that will be felt by the loss of our VTA family members.

6:35 a.m. VTA light rail service remains closed: Valley Transportation Authority light rail services will remain closed until further notice, spokeswoman Brandi Childress said Thursday morning. Bus bridges have been put in place. Riders are encouraged to travel by regular VTA bus routes or call customer service at 408-321-2300 for a trip plan.

6:30 a.m. All victims identified, Sheriffs Office says: All nine victims fatally shot Wednesday at the Valley Transportation railyard in San Jose have been identified and removed from the scene, the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office said Thursday morning. The suspect, Samuel James Cassidy, was the 10th to die when he shot himself, authorities said.

6 a.m. Alleged VTA gunman had two semiautomatic weapons, sheriff says: Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said Thursday morning that Samuel James Cassidy, the alleged gunman who killed nine people at the Valley Transportation railyard in San Jose on Wednesday morning, had two semiautomatic pistols and 11 magazines of handgun ammunition. When authorities confronted Cassidy after the shooting, he killed himself, she said. Smith said the guns were found in the area where he took his life. She said the weapons appear to be the type that would be legal in California, though authorities said they were working to determine whether any modifications had been made. The sheriff added that detectives are reviewing Cassidys emails and texts to try to determine a motive, and that so far, Cassidy had left no written documents found that Im aware of.

Updates from Wednesday, May 26:

11:16 p.m. Another victim identified  9 total, plus shooter: Santa Clara Countys medical examiner-coroner said Wednesday night that a 10th person has died after Wednesdays shooting at the Valley Transportation Authority yard in San Jose. Alex Ward Fritch, 49, had been wounded by the gunfire and died Wednesday night at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, officials said. Fritch is the ninth victim of the gunman, who then became the 10th to die when he turned the gun on himself, according to authorities.

9:47 p.m. Victim gave his life trying to warn others: The agonizing day-long wait Wedneday brought the news the Singh family dreaded: Their loved one, Taptejdeep Singh, 36, father of two toddlers, husband of Harmanpreet Kaur, was among the VTA shooting victims. Everyone is in shock; we cant believe hes gone, said Singhs uncle, Sukhwant Dhillon, joining other family members at his nephews Union City home. Coworkers told the family Singh had left the safety of his office to warn others about the shooter. He met the gunman in a stairwell and perished. He always thought about others; he always wanted to help, said Dhillon. Singh migrated with his parents, older sister and younger brother, from Amritsar in Punjab, India in 2005. Pursuing a nursing degree, he graduated from Cal State East Bay. He had worked at the VTA for eight or nine years, Dhillon said: He lost his life saving others.

9:20 p.m. A family vacation plan upended: VTA power foreman Tim Romo of Tracy had been planning a vacation with his wife to visit their son, before he was gunned down in Wednesdays mass shooting, his neighbor Keith Baldwin said. Baldwin went to downtown San Jose to look for his neighbor Wednesday after the shooting while Romos family drove in from Tracy. I was hoping to see him walking through here, Baldwin said. That would never happen. Romo, 49, had worked at VTA for over 22 years, according to his LinkedIn profile, and was a lineman electrician at Bay County Electric in San Jose before that, and was also an Air Force veteran. He was a very friendly man, always ready to help you out, said his Tracy neighbor Nancy Martin.

9 p.m. Shooting victim stood up for everyones rights: San Jose Council member Raul Peralez said his long time great friend Michael Rudometkin, 40, was among the VTA mass shooting victims. My dad and I were just planning another golf day reunion with Mikey, and now that will never happen again, Peralez wrote on Facebook Wednesday. Hundreds of condolence comments filled the bottom of the post. My (heart) is broken. I still dont want to believe this. ... Mikey was all around the greatest guy, wrote one commenter. He was such an amazing and loving person!!! I still remember the first time I met him in 5th grade! wrote another. Rudometkin was a longtime VTA employee from Santa Cruz, said his cousin Christina Gonzalez. She told KCRA News her cousin loved his job and just always stood up for everyones rights and he was just a very good person.

8:52 p.m. Congressman describes images I will never forget with families: Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Fremont, visited families of Wednesdays VTA mass-shooting as they gathered at a Red Cross facility in San Jose: Its just heartbreaking, to see families there in total grief. Images I will never forget. People learning that someone they love is not coming back. He said he wished other lawmakers could witness the total devastation that this has on a community and on families  to motivate us to finally do something about getting serious on gun violence.

8:06 p.m. Call center available to support San Jose community: People in San Jose needing support in the aftermath of Wednesdays tragedy at the VTA transit yard can call the Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services call center, 1-800-704-0900, option 2. The center can connected them with services. People also can call the Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 1-855-278-4204 or text RENEW to 741741, officials said. Text services are available in English.

7:39 p.m. Coroner does not provide presumed shooters name: The list of eight victims of the VTA mass shooting released by the coroner Wednesday did not appear to include the name of the ninth: the suspected shooter who authorities said turned the gun on himself with a fatal shot. Multiple news outlets have identified the person as Samuel J. Cassidy, who records show lived in the San Jose house that was aflame as the shooting attack occurred at the transit yard.

7:34 p.m. Coroner releases IDs of victims: The medical examiner-coroner of Santa Clara County on Wednesday evening identified the VTA employees who died in the mass shooting in San Jose: Paul Delacruz Megia, 42; Taptejdeep Singh, 36; Adrian Balleza, 29; Jose Dejesus Hernandez III, 35; Timothy Michael Romo; 49; Michael Joseph Rudometkin, 40; Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, 63; and Lars Kepler Lane, 63. The coroner did not release cities of residence or other details.

7:01 p.m. Gun violence is a public health crisis. Learn why: On Thursdays episode of the Fifth & Mission podcast, Abene Clayton, a Bay Area writer who covers gun violence for the Guardian, tells host Cecilia Lei that such violence is a national crisis. Its a public health crisis, she says, and one that mass shootings are just a sliver of. You can listen to a preview of Thursdays show here:

5:47 p.m. Ex-wife of man reported to be shooter says he was quiet: The ex-wife of the man identified in multiple news accounts as the dead suspect Wednesday in the horrific San Jose mass shooting said he was a very quiet person without any real friends. When he was in a good mood, he was a great guy. ... But when he was upset, it was bad, said Cecilia Nelms, who was married to Samuel Cassidy for a decade. She said she divorced him when she started to feel uncomfortable about his temper. But she was shocked that to hear his name connected to the VTA mass shooting. He could be mad and probably mean, but I never thought he would do this, she said. Read more here.

5:22 p.m. Schumer pledges vote on guns bill: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., pledged Wednesday evening that the Senate would vote on legislation to curtail gun violence. In an Instagram Live with Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Fremont, he said there are perfections that need to be made in gun purchase background checks, and Democrats are getting the final details together for a vote. This has been a terrible day for the folks in your district, Schumer told Khanna. Another one of these horrible, awful mass shootings that we see all too often.  Its just atrocious. Khanna said his constituents dont understand why we cant get common sense background checks so that people who have a history of domestic violence, like this individual did, dont get guns.

5:14 p.m. Newsom vows to curb gun violence, lowers flags: Gov. Gavin Newsoms office tweeted Wednesday: We are resolved to bring meaning to todays tragic moment in San Jose with real action to curb gun violence. We must address the root causes of these devastating acts at every level of government. The state flags at the Capitol were flown at half-staff in honor of the eight shooting victims at the VTA railyard in San Jose. The ninth was the alleged shooter who officials said turned a gun on himself.

5 p.m. Pelosi personally devastated by San Jose shooting: A statement from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco, following the deadly shooting at the VTA railyard, said: All Americans join the San Jose community in sadness and shock over todays horrific mass shooting. As a Californian, I am personally devastated. Our prayers are with the loved ones of the victims, and our gratitude is with the first responders for their heroic actions. She added that inaction is not an option and said it is imperative to pass gun violence prevention bills. Today and in the days to come, the nation stands with the San Jose community, Pelosi added.

4:54 p.m. Inaction on gun violence springs eternal, The Chronicle editorializes: Democrats control the White House and Capitol Hill, the National Rifle Association is broke and discredited, and the grim rhythm of American mass shootings has resumed after an all too brief pandemic lull. Congress inaction on the violence, however, springs eternal, The Chronicles editorial board writes. Wednesdays shooting at the VTA rail yard in San Jose was just the latest in a horrific string of gunfire slaughters, the editors write. Read more here.

4:30 p.m. Vigils planned for victims: Two San Jose community groups have announced vigils in honor of the eight VTA victims of Wednesdays shooting. The grassroots non-profit People Acting in Community Together said it would host an interfaith prayer service at 2nd and St. James streets at 6 p.m. Civil rights group Human Empowerment (through) Radical Optimism plans a vigil at City Hall at 6 p.m.

4:17 p.m. Im still alive.: VTA drivers already expected a big day on Wednesday because transit was allowed to increase occupancy as pandemic restrictions ease. Then sirens and police cars speeding down North First Street not long after the start of the 6 a.m. shift alerted the drivers that something was off. One said his phone started going crazy with calls and texts from family and friends. Another longtime driver saw the shooting news as he got ready for work that morning. Im still alive, he said as he hopped off for a break on his San Jose route.

3:40 p.m. Weapon used was not a ghost gun, says D.A.: The suspect in the mass killing at the VTA maintenance yard in San Jose did not use a ghost gun, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen told a press briefing Wednesday afternoon. The reference was to the untraceable weapons San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo has actively campaigned against. Rosen declined to name the suspected gunman who killed eight co-workers and then turned the gun on himself. Multiple news organizations have identified him as VTA worker Samuel Cassidy. I dont want to bring more publicity to the person who did this by saying the persons name, Rosen said. Because I dont want to give more recognition to someone like this.

3:30 p.m. A terrible wait: Relatives and friends of people who worked at a Valley Transportation Authority rail yard in San Jose where a worker killed eight people Wednesday gathered there, at a sheriffs office and at a family assistance center, waiting to learn if their loved ones were among the dead. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said the investigation could take days. Law enforcement personnel are moving very slowly and very carefully in multiple scenes right now to try to put the pieces together to understand exactly what happened, he said. Read the full story.

3:15 p.m. Victims knew shooter well, says mayor: San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said during a press briefing that he had spoken to three of the families of victims in Wednesdays mass killing at the VTA railyard. Its clear the victims and all the colleagues knew the shooter well, he said. Eight VTA workers have been confirmed fatally shot by the suspect, who authorities say also killed himself. The victims, whom Liccardo described as essential workers, have not yet been identified.

3:10 p.m. Six victims still inside VTA building: Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said six of the eight victims of the VTA railyard shooting are still inside the San Jose building. Smith, in an interview with KTVU, said the victims will be identified and removed from the building by the coroners office.

2:55 p.m. Ex-girlfriend of person news outlets say is suspect alleged rape and violent, alcohol-fueled mood swings: The ex-girlfriend of the man named by multiple news organizations as the suspected shooter in Wednesdays VTA deadly attack, detailed several instances of alleged sexual assault in a court document filed in March 2009. The document was filed in response to a domestic violence restraining order that Samuel Cassidy, 57, had filed earlier that month. She said the pair had dated on and off for about a year. She alleged Cassidy had major mood swings as a result of bipolar disorder, which worsened when he drank large amounts of alcohol. Read the full story.

2:42 p.m. Victims assistance center opened: The Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office has opened a victims assistance center to help people whose loved ones were hurt or killed in Wednesdays shooting at the VTA yard in San Jose. The center will be at the Red Cross blood donation center, 2731 N. First St. People can receive assistance with everythign from housing and child care to emotional support, food and financial assistance. District Attorney Jeff Rosen said support will be provided to those brought in to help law enforcement identify the deceased. He said the response plan to help victim families was developed after the 2019 Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting. There are hundreds of people that have been affected by this and everybody is in the early stages of shock and grief, he said.

2:40 p.m. Santa Clara County DA leading investigation into the firearms: Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said his office is investigating any firearms linked to the suspected shooter at Wednesdays shooting at the Valley Transportation Authority facility in San Jose. Rosen declined to provide details about what firearms had so far been found at the shooting scene, only saying there were multiple weapons collected as evidence. Investigators are trying to uncover how the shooter acquired the weapons and whether law enforcement had received any reports about him that may have foreshadowed the violence.

2:30 p.m. Biden will order flags to fly at half-staff: To honor the victims of the mass killing at the VTA railyard in San Jose , President Biden will order flags to be flown at half-staff. We are still awaiting many of the details of this latest mass shooting, but there are some things we know for sure. There are at least eight families who will never be whole again, Biden said in a statement. There are children, parents, and spouses who are waiting to hear whether someone they love is ever going to come home. There are union brothers and sisters  good, honest, hardworking people  who are mourning their own.

2:25 p.m. Newsom praises heroism of first responders at San Jose shooting site: Gov. Gavin Newsom praised the sheriffs deputies who responded to the VTA active shooting scene in San Jose on Wednesday morning, saying their actions helped limit the number of casualties. Youre going to learn over the next number of days and weeks about the heroism of the San Jose police who saved lives; the deputy sheriffs who quite literally ran moments after, seconds after hearing about this incident, without any consideration for their own lives, and did an extraordinary job to save other peoples lives, Newsom said at a press briefing Wednesday afternoon. Newsom said he had met with some of the victims families and offered the city of San Jose and Santa Clara County support from the state. He voiced frustration with the pandemic of gun violence. A gunman killed three people before killing himself at a popular garlic festival in Gilroy in July 2019. It wasnt that long ago I was standing out here talking about the tragic loss of two children, one in a mothers arms at the Gilroy Festival, here in this community.

2:15 p.m. Shooting investigation could take several days: It could take several days to examine the crime scenes related to the San Jose mass killing that took the lives of at least eight victims before the gunman turned a weapon on himself, agents from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives told a press briefing Wednesday. The investigation will include the Valley Transportation Authoritys maintenance lot, administrative buildings and the suspects home, which is located about eight miles from the facility, where he is said to have worked.

2:04 p.m. Our hearts are broken, says San Jose mayor: Mayor Sam Liccardo lamented the shooting deaths at the VTA railyard, telling a Wednesday afternoon briefing, our hearts are broken. Authorities confirmed eight people were shot dead, with multiple major injuries across two buildings at the facility, where 40 people had been inside. Liccardo added, These are members of our community. These are members of our families. The suspected gunman, identified by multiple news accounts as Samuel Cassidy, a 57-year-old VTA maintenance worker, died of a self-inflicted wound, for a total of nine deaths in all.

2:01 p.m. VTA light rail service likely halted for days: Glen Hendricks, chairman of the Valley Transportation Authority Board of Directors said Wednesday that the transit agencys light-rail system, which suspended service at noon, will likely remain out of service for days. VTA is running a limited number of extra buses to carry passengers along the light-rail lines.

1:55 p.m. What the hells going on in the United States of America?: Gov. Gavin Newsom, at a press briefing in San Jose after the VTA railyard mass shooting, expressed frustration over ongoing gun violence in the United States. Theres a sameness to this and I think a numbness that were all feeling, he said. It begs the damn question: What the hells going on in the United States of America? When the hell will we put down our arms? What the hells wrong with us?

1:45 p.m. Authorities did not exchange gunfire with suspect: The gunman who killed at least eight people at a VTA railyard in San Jose on Wednesday took his own life, according to Santa Clara County Sheriffs Deputy Russell Davis. He said the suspect, 57-year-old Sam Cassidy, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound before any engagement with law enforcement could occur.

1:38 p.m. Dog smelled explosives: A bomb squad from the San Jose sheriffs office was continuing to inspect all of the VTA shooting site Wednesday after a trained dog smelled explosive device material, said sheriffs spokesman Russell Davis. It will take a long time to render the scene safe, he said. A bomb robot is clearing the scene room by room. The incident could have been a lot worse, he added.

1:35 p.m. Why its impossible to predict mass shootings like San Jose: Sheldon Jacobson, professor of computer science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, writes that the tragedy unfolding in San Jose shows that Americas propensity towards gun violence has not changed after a year of COVID-19 induced lockdowns.

1:32 p.m. Harris expresses condolences: Vice President Kamala Harris, an East Bay native, told reporters at a White House event that she has family who live in San Jose, and expressed her condolences over the shooting. Its absolutely tragic, she said. My prayers and thoughts are with all of those families affected.

1:30 p.m. San Jose shooting is 15th mass killing in U.S. so far this year: Eighty-six people have died in mass killings across the nation this year, compared with 106 for all of 2020, according to a database compiled by The Associated Press and Northeastern University that tracks every mass killing over the last 15 years. The San Jose attack is the 15th mass killing so far in 2021, and the sixth in a public place  all of them shootings. The database defines mass killings as four people dead, not including the shooter, meaning the overall toll of gun violence is much higher when adding in smaller incidents.

1:10 p.m. Authorities clear area around suspects house: Police, FBI and ATF agents are expanding the perimeter around the San Jose shooting suspects house after ammunition was found inside. At the site of the shooting at the VTA railyard, which is about 9 miles away from the home, robots were conducting a search for explosives.

12:55 p.m. SMART authority general manager offers condolences, assistance to VTA: Farhad Mansourian, general manager of Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit, released the following statement about the VTA shooting: On behalf of the SMART Board of Directors and all SMART staff, we express our sincere condolences to the employees and their families at VTA. All Bay Area transit providers work together to make the Bay Area a better place to live and work. Our SMART family is prepared to assist VTA, its employees and their families, in any way possible. We stand united with you as we all mourn this tragic loss.

12:45 p.m. San Jose mayor pushed for gun control measures following 2019 mass shooting: San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, after three peole were filled at the 2019 Gilroy Garlic Festival, proposed in 2019 to make San Jose the nations first city to require gun owners to carry liability insurance. We will not halt gun violence in San Jose, but we will stop paying for it, Liccardo said in an interview at the time. His pursuit of that ordinance was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, but San Jose joined three other cities in a lawsuit against the federal government last August to stop the proliferation of ghost guns, the weapon of choice for traffickers, abusers, and extremists, Liccardo said.

12:35 p.m. Shooting a terrible, terrible tragedy says county supervisor: Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez praised Valley Transportation Authority employees for their service following the mass shooting at the agencys railyard in San Jose. These folks were heroes during COVID 19. The buses never stopped running. VTA didnt stop running. They just kept at work, and now were really calling on them to be heroes a second time to survive such a terrible, terrible tragedy, Chavez said. Sheriffs spokesman Deputy Russell Davis said the attack resulted in multiple major injuries and the victims included VTA employees. At least eight people were killed. Authorities did not release any of the victims names. Davis said he did not know the type of weapon used.

12:29 p.m. Feinstein decries gun culture: California Sen. Dianne Feinstein told reporters on Capitol Hill today that the shooting is evidence of a problematic gun culture in the U.S. Weve become a nation preoccupied with guns, and its a bad thing, because they are more misused than used properly, if there is a proper way to use a weapon to kill somebody, she said. But the innocent people are what I feel for.

12:20 Head of Homeland Security offers thoughts, prayers to families of victims: Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas offered condolences to the families of the victims of the mass shooting at the VTA railyard in San Jose on Wednesday ahead of a Senate panel meeting. I do want to express our thoughts and prayers for the families and loved ones of the victims of the mass shooting, as the chairman to which you refer in your opening remarks, the tragedies that occurred in the northern part of California earlier today, Mayorkas said. The Department of Homeland Security is confronting serious complex and dynamic threats to the security of our nation on a daily basis.

12:18 p.m. VTA shooting is the deadliest in Bay Area since 1993 rampage in S.F.: The mass shooting at a VTA railyard in San Jose on Wednesday, where at least nine people died, including the gunman, is the deadliest in the Bay Area since a shooting at 101 California St. in San Francisco on July 1, 1993. That shooting spree lasted four minutes and covered three different floors in the building, also leaving eight people dead and along with the killer, Gian Luigi Ferri, who was also found dead on a stairway with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. A motive was never determined for the massacre.

12:18 p.m. San Jose railyard gunman identified as VTA employee: The suspect in the mass shooting at the VTA railyard in San Jose has been identified as Samuel J. Cassidy, according to multiple published reports. Cassidy, 57, worked as a substation maintainer at the facility, and made $110,383 in 2019, according to Transparent California. A fire broke out at his home on Angmar Ct., which is about 9 miles away from the control center, before he opened gunfire at a union meeting at 6:34 a.m. He had two family law cases for alleged domestic violence and divorce. He reportedly killed himself after taking the lives of at least eight other people at the scene.

12:15 p.m. Biden has been briefed: A White House official told The Chronicle that President Biden has been briefed on the shooting. Earlier, the deputy press secretary said the White House was monitoring the situation and in touch with local officials.

11:50 a.m. One of the fires police are investigating is at suspects house: One of the fires that firefighters responded to early Wednesday is at the home of the reported shooter, who worked for the VTA, records show. Multiple published reports said the shooter was Samuel James Cassidy.

11:38 a.m. San Jose council member says his friend who works for VTA was at facility during shooting: San Jose City Council member Raul Peralez said his friend, who is a VTA light-rail train mechanic, was at the VTA facility at the time of the shooting. The mans condition was not immediately known, and Peralez told The Chronicle that his friends wife was on her way to get more information.

11:38 a.m. Oakland mayor offers support for San Jose victims: Mayor Libby Schaaf expressed her support for San Jose, our sister city in the South Bay, and said the city has sent officers to support and assist with logistics as the investigation unfolds.

11:35 a.m. S.F. mayor offers condolences to San Jose victims: San Francisco Mayor London Breed on Wednesday morning tweeted, Horrific news coming out of San Jose. Ive reached out to Mayor Liccardo to offer my support and condolences. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.

11:30 a.m. Rep. Eshoo comments on tragedy: Palo Alto Rep. Anna Eshoo released a statement expressing her thoughts for the victims. Tragedy has struck in our region with eight lives reported lost from the mass shooting at the VTA in San Jose, and an unknown number of wounded, Eshoo said. My prayers are with the families and my gratitude goes to all the first responders.

11:30 a.m. Berkeley mayor expresses support for San Jose victims: Jesse Arreguin, the mayor of the city of Berkeley, said on Twitter, My heart goes out to the people of #SanJose and the victims and families of the senseless #VTAShooting. It is imperative that action is taken to address gun violence or else the cycle of mass shootings will continue. Enough is enough.

11:20 a.m. Police entered VTA building while shooter was active: Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said during a press briefing on Wednesday that police officers entered the VTA control center while the mass shooting was still happening. We appreciate San Jose PD was with us immediately going into the building, Smith said. Our teams showed exemplary behavior  what theyre trained to do  as shots were still being fired. Our teams with San Jose PD were entering the building while shots were still going off. We attempted rescues; its uncertain where that is right now. The shooting occurred at the VTA maintenance yard, which is located next door to the sheriffs headquarters.

11:10 a.m. Low says gun violence a constant threat in American life: California Assemblymember Evan Low said the shooting near his legislative district shows the status quo on gun laws must change if Americans want a safe and just society. The threat of gun violence is a constant threat in American life  one that we have become so accustomed to that active-shooter exercises are taught in schools and workplaces with the same frequency as fire, the Campbell Democrat tweeted.

11:10 a.m. Shooting investigation on hold until explosives cleared: Authorities will not be able to collect evidence to investigate the mass shooting at the VTA railyard in San Jose until the site has been cleared of explosives, said Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Deputy Russell Davis. Its going to take some time for us just to go in there and render the area safe so we can have investigators going on scene to determine  collect evidence and gather all the information that we can at this point, he said. A bomb squad is in the control center building, trying to clear out every room and every crevice of that building and ensure that the public safety is rest assured if we open up that building later on in the near future, Davis said. Its going to take some time for us just to go in there and render the area safe so we can have investigators going on scene to determine  collect evidence and gather all the information that we can at this point.

11 a.m. Explosive devices found at VTA control center: Officials said several explosive devices were found inside a building at the Valley Transportation Authority control center in San Jose following Wednesday mornings mass shooting that claimed the lives of eight victims and the suspected gunman. Santa Clara County Sheriffs PIO Deputy Russell Davis said a bomb squad is on the scene and there is no present danger to the community. The FBA is on the scene as well. We have deployed investigators, our Evidence Response Team and Victim Specialists, the agency said in a tweet.

10:57 a.m. Shooting suspect was a VTA employee: Santa Clara County Sheriffs Deputy Russell Davis confirmed the suspect of the mass shooting at the Valley Transportation Authority railyard in San Jose on Wednesday was an employee of the VTA.

10:55 a.m. 8 victims confirmed in VTA shooting: At least 8 victims were killed in the shooting at the VTA control center in San Jose, according to Santa Clara County Sheriffs PIO Deputy Russell Davis. This is every mayors worst nightmare, Mayor Sam Liccardo said in an interview with KGO. The suspect is confirmed deceased.

10:50 a.m. National transit union shocked by San Jose railyard shooting: The Amalgamated Transit Union issued a statement on the mass shooting at the VTA railyard on Wednesday saying it is shocked and deeply saddened by the news. Our hearts and prayers are with our sisters, brothers, and their families at Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265, said ATU International President John A. Costa. We are working to provide support and assistance to the victims families, and everyone impacted by this tragic event.

10:45 a.m. White House monitoring situation: The White House is monitoring the shooting this morning, principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at the daily news briefing, though she did not say whether President Biden personally has been briefed. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, she said. We will continue to stay in close contact with (local officials) and offer any assistance as needed. We still dont know all of the details but whats clear, as the president has said, is that we are suffering from an epidemic of gun violence in this country both in mass shootings and in the lives that are being taken in daily gun violence that doesnt make national headlines.

10:45 a.m. Shooting involves multiple crime scenes, authorities say: San Jose Fire spokesperson Erica Ray said officials are investigating multiple crime scenes linked to the shooting at the VTA light rail yard on Wednesday morning and that fire and law enforcement are still inside on scene trying to figure everything out.

10:40 a.m. Shooter killed himself, according to multiple sources: The shooting at the VTA railyard facility in San Jose is being treated as a recovery activity and not an active shooter situation, according to sources familiar with the subject. Authorities confirmed to CBS San Francisco that the suspected shooter killed himself on the scene. It is still uncertain how many people were killed or injured in total in the shooting that started around 6:30 a.m.

10:28 a.m. Burning house in San Jose belongs to VTA employee: FBI agents and the San Jose Fire Department are at the scene of a house fire in San Jose that belongs to a VTA employee who may be the suspect in the railyard shooting, according to local media reports. Authorities said the house caught fire before the shooting began.

10:27 a.m. Type O blood needed for San Jose shooting victims: The Stanford Blood Center is seeking donors with type O blood to help victims who have been taken to Santa Clara Hospital. We need to help replenish the supply, said a spokeswoman.

10:25 a.m. Two victims transported to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center: Authorities in San Jose said that at least two male victims of the shooting at the VTA railyard in San Jose on Wednesday were transported to the hospital. One was pronounced deceased on arrival and another was listed in critical condition, according to Joy Alexiou, spokeswoman for the Santa Clara Valley Health System.

10:16 a.m. Khanna calls shooting heartbreaking, praises public servants: Fremont Rep. Ro Khanna told MSNBC that he is devastated by the shooting near his congressional district, and praised the employees of the VTA. I was sick to my stomach seeing this happen at the VTA, Khanna said. These are public servants, they help our public transportation, not just in San Jose but in all the surrounding cities in Silicon Valley, run and operate. And they do so not with high pay, they do so everyday with diligence. And it is just heartbreaking. He said that these mass shootings happen too often, and after the initial fact-finding, at some point we as a country need to figure out how we deal with this.

10:20 a.m.: Family and friends anxiously await news: Long lines of VTA personnel trickled out of the Santa Clara County sheriffs office late Wednesday morning. At nearby public buildings, friends and family members endured a long, tense wait for loved ones who they had been unable to contact since the shooting. Keith Baldwin was the first one to get to downtown San Jose to look for his neighbor Tim Romo. Baldwin worked nearby, but Romos family had to drive an hour and a half from their home in Tracy while they waited for any news on the VTA supervisor.We were just talking last night, Baldwin said, when Romo and his wife were planning a family vacation to visit their son. I was hoping to see him walking though here.

10:15 a.m. Mayor vows to ensure this never happens again: San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said during a Wednesday press briefing that he will work to ensure that the horrific tragedy of the VTA railyard shooting Wednesday never happens again in our city. He said he would offer more details on the shooting later today. I will be back in communication with you to talk about what we have been working on over the last year and a half and what we intend to do in the weeks to come to ensure we never see a horrific tragedy like this again in San Jose, Liccardo said. He added, I am heartened to see the response of the (VTA) family coming together to help their co-workers. We are going to do everything we can to support the families of those who have lost their loved ones.

10:15 a.m. VTA chair confirms the shooting happened in the yard: Glenn Hendricks, the chairperson of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority board of directors, confirmed today that the Valley Transit Authority shooting Wednesday happened outside in the railyard and not inside a building. One piece of information the event did happen on the VTA light rail yard but not in the operations control center. It did happen on the yard, Hendricks said during a press briefing. Light rail service will be suspended at noon. As I said VTA is a family. People in the organization know everyone. This is a terrible tragedy, and well do everything we can to help people get through this, he said.

10:10 a.m. Newsom in close contact with San Jose authorities: Gov. Gavin Newsom said he is aware of the shooting Wednesday at the Valley Transit Authority railyard in San Jose and receiving updates from authorities in the region. We are in close contact with local law enforcement and monitoring this situation closely, the governor said on Twitter.

10:10 a.m. A horrific day for our city, says San Jose Mayor: Sam Liccardo called the deadly shooting at the VTA railyard on Wednesday a horrific day for our city. The mayor added, Our heart pains for the families and the co-workers because we know that so many are feeling deeply this loss of their loved ones and their friends. Now is a moment for us to collect ourselves, to understand what happened, to mourn and to help those who have suffered to heal. Licardo added that, We are in a very dark moment.

10 a.m. VTA light rail service suspended following shooting: The Valley Transit Authority has suspended rail service following the mass shooting at its San Jose railyard. Rep. Zoe Lofgren urged residents to avoid the area where the shooting took place: I am following the tragic shooting at the VTA yard in San Jose & urge everyone to avoid the area, as requested by the @SCCoSheriff, she said on Twitter.

9:55 a.m. San Jose Police Chief sends condolences to victims families: Anthony Mata offered support to the families of the shooting victims on Wednesday. Our sincerest condolences and prayers to the victims families and our communities during this tragic incident. Thank you to all the brave and courageous first responders, he said on Twitter.

Vanessa Arredondo is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vanessa.arredondo@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @v_anana
Lars Stenman/Getty Image

Police arrested an Oakland man Tuesday in the fatal shooting of a 12-year-old girl two weeks ago in Antioch.

Antioch police and officers from the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force took Michael Dwyane Fritz, 19, into custody around 3 p.m., according to a statement released by Antioch police. Fritz was hiding in a house on the 2300 block of 85th Avenue in Oakland when he was arrested, the statement said.
At nearly the same time that a Valley Transportation Authority employee went on a deadly shooting rampage at a maintenance yard in San Jose early Wednesday, firefighters responded to two nearby fires  one of them at the home of the reported shooter, who worked for the transit agency, records show.

Multiple published reports said the shooter was Samuel James Cassidy, whose home less than 10 miles from the scene burned Wednesday morning. He allegedly killed eight people before turning the gun on himself.

San Jose firefighters responded to a structure fire on the 1800 block of Smith Avenue at a plywood and lumber business at about 6:29 a.m., five minutes before the first call for a shooting at the VTA light-rail yard about 5 miles away at 101 West Younger Ave.

The blaze reached two alarms before the Fire Department tweeted that it was under control at 8:59 a.m.

Fire started outside and spread to nearby commercial building, the department said in a tweet. Destroyed non-residential out building in nearby mobile home park. No injuries to civilians or firefighters.

At 6:36 a.m., two minutes after the first gunshots were reported to police at the maintenance yard, firefighters responded to a house fire on the 1100 block of Angmar Court in San Jose.

The house, about eight miles away from the maintenance yard and a couple miles from the lumber business, is a single-family residence. That fire also reached two alarms and was knocked down at 7:27 a.m., the department reported.

There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians and the cause is under investigation, the department tweeted.

Now Playing: Video: San Francisco Chronicle

Public records show the home on Angmar Court was owned by Samuel J. Cassidy, and that he worked at the VTA. Cassidy was a substation maintainer for VTA and made $110,383 in 2019, according to Transparent California. Those records indicate he worked at least a decade at the transit agency.

Following the shooting, officials said, several explosive devices were found inside a VTA building. Deputy Russell Davis, a spokesman for the Santa Clara Sheriffs Department, said a bomb squad was on scene, along with the FBI, and there was no danger to the community.

Check back for updates.

Matthias Gafni is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: matthias.gafni@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mgafni
Several communities and hundreds of vineyards in Californias Wine Country are being cut off from their water supply because theres not enough water to go around.

State regulators on Wednesday ordered nearly 1,000 water rights holders in the Russian River watershed to stop drawing supplies from the basins many rivers and creeks, the latest turn in Californias deepening drought.

The order means many small water agencies and scores of growers in Sonoma and Mendocino counties will have to fall back on stored water or other sources, if they have it, or go without water entirely. State officials say the restrictions will not apply when human health and safety are at risk, though the exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis and are yet to be issued.

At best, municipal suppliers will be allowed to continue diverting at least some water while agricultural users will not.

The water in the Russian River basin nourishes communities from Marin County to north of Ukiah, as well as the regions vast wine industry, known for its production of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, among others.

The curtailment order by the State Water Resources Control Board is the first widespread restriction of water rights since past decades five-year drought. Its an extraordinary move that regulators rarely use.

The order applies to anyone in the upper Russian River basin whose water rights were obtained after 1914, or about 930 rights holders. For those with rights after Jan. 28, 1949, the curtailments are effective immediately while for everyone else, the curtailments take effect June 1.

Californias water rights system gives those with older rights, as well as those with land next to a waterway, priority when rivers and creeks dont have enough flow for everyone. The state water board is responsible for determining when surface supplies run low  and how many junior water rights holders need to be curtailed to reserve water for the senior rights holders.

We need to implement the water rights system to protect supplies in case of another dry winter, which could transform the Russian River into a series of disconnected pools and restrict the availability of drinking water in the area, said Erik Ekdahl, deputy director for the State Water Boards Division of Water Rights.

Much of the flow in the Russian River is controlled by dam operators at Lake Mendocino, who make releases from the large reservoir north of Ukiah to keep water in the river. Water board officials said that without restricting water rights holders, the reservoir would have to release greater amounts of water to maintain river flows, leaving the reservoir at risk of drying up.

At the end of April, Lake Mendocino was at 43% of capacity.

Sonoma and Mendocino counties were the first in the state to be given a drought emergency declaration by Gov. Gavin Newsom, in April, which, among other things, helps expedite curtailment orders.

Those who continue taking water in spite of the orders could face fines of up to $1,000 per day.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander
This is a time of global climate awareness, commitment and action. In the United States, that has spurred a long-overdue assessment and pause on new oil-drilling leases on federal lands and in federal offshore waters, which together account for 25% of U.S. carbon emissions. At the same time, scientists, fishermen and coastal communities know the oceans are bearing the brunt of climate change and past exploitation. As the U.S. and its neighbors learned the hard way from British Petroleums Deepwater Horizon catastrophe, damage from offshore drilling does not respect boundaries and borders. Lawmakers in the U.S. from both parties know that offshore drilling threatens our shared waters and have expressed opposition and deep concern about offshore drilling in the Bahamas.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors plans to call for a special election tied to the likely recall vote of Gov. Gavin Newsom later this year so that voters can pick the next city attorney as soon as possible.

The supervisors unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday affirming their intent to call for the special election. Some supervisors wanted to call for the election after a recent political shakeup may soon leave the influential city attorney post open  although they may not have time to get the citys top lawyer on the ballot. The election could also include ballot measures, as well as a vote on the assessor-recorder after Mayor London Breed appointed Joaquin Torres to the post earlier this year.

Last month, Breed announced she would nominate longtime City Attorney Dennis Herrera as the head of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission after its former chief was ousted for alleged corruption last year. If Herrera is approved for the SFPUC post, Breed will soon be able to appoint his replacement and that person will continue to oversee the ongoing investigation into City Hall corruption.

Some members of the Board of Supervisors questioned the optics of the mayor appointing the next leader of the investigation.

We cant even have the appearance of backroom dealing and slick changing of positions, Supervisor Hillary Ronen said. To regain and maintain the publics trust in local government, no matter who the mayor appoints to be the city attorney, very quickly afterwards, the public will choose who that permanent person is. That person will not be beholden to the mayor, but will answer to the voters.

Herrera and Breed told The Chronicle last month that the integrity of the investigation would remain, regardless of who is appointed city attorney.

I welcome the opportunity for the voters to always make the best decision on what they believe should happen in any case, Breed said Tuesday.

She pointed out the board didnt complain when she appointed Mano Raju for public defender to replace the late Jeff Adachi, saying they pick and choose their battles as it relates to who they think should be brought to the voters, or not.

Breeds appointment to replace Herrera would only have to run this year if theyre chosen more than 120 days before the election. She said Tuesday she has not discussed that appointment process because her focus is on making sure Herrera becomes the next head of the Public Utilities Commission.

The commission still needs to formally interview Herrera and accept his nomination. Then he needs to officially step down from his current role. That process will likely still take a few weeks. Meanwhile, the recall election will likely take place during the fall or winter, although its unclear exactly when.

Ronen said she wanted to send a message to the mayor and commission to speed up the appointment  although she admitted during Tuesdays meeting that it probably wont work.

Supervisor Connie Chan said she looked forward to a special election to give the voters an opportunity to make that call as soon as possible. Chan said she had great respect for Herrera, but questioned the timing of the appointment.

If the timing does not line up for the voters to weigh in on the city attorney position during the recall election, Herreras replacement will then have to run during the June 2022 midterm election. But if the commission does not approve Herreras nomination, he will remain city attorney until the end of his term.

Breed said Tuesday a lot of people had reached out to her to express interest in the city attorney position, but she declined to say who.

Several names have been floated as her potential selection, including Assemblyman David Chiu. Meanwhile, David Campos, chief of staff for the district attorney, former progressive supervisor and Ronens predecessor, told The Chronicle last month that he would certainly consider running for the position.

When asked Tuesday if he was interested in the city attorney position, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman said its a great job, adding, its the mayors choice.

Regardless of what happens, Herrera told The Chronicle last month that its unlikely he would run for re-election in 2023.

Mallory Moench is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mallorymoench
A group of public housing tenants at Plaza East Apartments sued the property owner and management on Tuesday over pests; mold and mildew; inadequate heat broken plumbing, electrical wiring and appliances; and lack of security.

The lawsuit was filed in San Francisco Superior Court by 18 tenants in the 193-unit apartment complex against developer McCormack Baron Salazar, its affiliated management company McCormack Baron Management, and property owner Plaza East Associates. The lawsuit alleges management violated civil and health and safety codes. The suit alleges tenants made numerous complaints about uninhabitable and dangerous conditions that posed severe health and safety hazards which management either ignored or made insufficient repairs to address.

I cant take too much more, said plaintiff Linda Thomas, breaking down crying Tuesday. She said she has requested repairs for a broken window, burned kitchen fan and a ceiling bulge from sewage for years, leaving chaos that has upset her non-verbal autistic son.

Were supposed to have a nice place to stay, she said.

Mayor London Breed grew up in the 1950s-era complex, headquartered at 1300 Buchanan St., which was rebuilt in 2001. At that time, Plaza East Associates L.P, a limited partnership with two general partners  one an affiliate of the San Francisco Housing Authority and the other an affiliate of St. Louis-based affordable housing developer McCormack Baron Salazar  took ownership.

Adhi Nagraj, McCormack Baron Salazars senior vice president for development in the Bay Area, said Tuesday the company needed time to review the complaint before commenting. Nagraj earlier this month attributed deferred maintenance to chronic federal underfunding, which made work orders more reactive instead of proactive.

Management and the San Francisco Housing Authority both acknowledged during a hearing last month that issues needed to be addressed. The city is pumping $2.7 million into the site, most going to immediate repair work that started a couple of weeks ago.

Tonia Lediju, the housing authoritys chief executive officer, said the agency did not have a comment on the legal matter. She said the agency continues to work closely with McCormack Baron Salazar to ensure habitability concerns are met over the next six to nine months. A local company  John Stewart Management  will take over management in June.

The city is seeking community suggestions on revitalizing the property, potentially rebuilding it into mixed-income housing with new federal financing.

Tenant Dennis Williams, whos part of the lawsuit, said he hopes the legal action will out management, and give hope, motivation and strength to others that are facing these same circumstances.

Im happy because it was a long road to get there, said Williams, noting the difficulty of getting legal representation. How could a Black community fall into such disarray in a Black mayors home buildings?

He said he would have liked to include the city in the lawsuit as well, but doing so was too complicated.

Not all tenants agree with the lawsuit. Martha Hollins, president of the Plaza East Resident Council, didnt support legal action, which she said was pursued without approval of the association.

I dont understand why people are entertaining the fact that they need to sue the people, because they are doing the work as fast as they possibly can, Hollins said. These are people, as far as Im concerned, that dont keep up with their unit. These are people that to me are trying to just get money.

Tenants who signed on to the lawsuit said they hope the legal action will result in change. After being featured in an article in The Chronicle earlier this month, Thomas said she got a call from management asking what could be fixed in her apartment. She told them they should already know, since she said shes raised issues multiple times before.

Thats just salt in the wound, she said.

Tenants are represented by attorneys Joshua C. Ezrin and Conor Granahan.

Mallory Moench is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mallorymoench
Good morning, Bay Area. Its Wednesday, May 26, and Cal could have more students from California by design over the next decade. Heres what you need to know to start your day.

A 20-year crusade to build affordable housing in downtown Livermore won a unanimous victory Tuesday when the city council approved a development that had divided the city and fueled accusations of racism and elitism. One council member was 13 years old when the project was first proposed.

The unanimous 5-0 vote will allow nonprofit Eden Housing to construct 130 affordable homes on a parcel fronting Stockmens Park.

J.K. Dineen reports on how the project finally came to a vote.

Coronavirus Updates

Jessica Christian / The Chronicle

Marin County may be better prepared than any other place in California for the states June 15 reopening.

In three weeks, more than 75% of the countys total population will be fully vaccinated, health officials say  thats even taking into account children under 12 who arent authorized for the shots yet. Marin has among the lowest rates of new coronavirus infections in the country, and on Thursday, the county reported its first COVID-19 fatality in more than a month.

But Dr. Matt Willis, the county health officer, remains wary of lifting nearly all public health restrictions on June 15. When everything from churches to grocery stores returns to full capacity and most people stop wearing masks indoors, he worries the virus will find those at risk.

Erin Allday reports on how reopening standards are ultimately left up to each county  and why some of them are unsure theyll follow the states lead.

 SFUSD confirms schools will return 5 full days in the fall, probably with masks.

 Rents in these 3 big Bay Area cities are all up for the first time in the pandemic.

 California's coronavirus positive test rate hits new low. What does that mean for reopening?

 Mayor Breed proposes big investment to bring downtown San Francisco back to life and making parklets a permanent part of the citys future.

 S.F. proposal would excuse rent for businesses shut in pandemic. Landlords won't be happy.

Around the Bay

Nathan Gilbert

 No, they weren't flying saucers: Here's what caused lenticular clouds in the Bay Area.

 Extremely rare photos: Rediscovered photos offer rare look at Compton's Cafeteria, site of historic queer riot in San Francisco.

 Isolated incident: Sustainable Bay Area meat darling Belcampo admits to mislabeling meat at a Southern California location.

 Potentially powering more than 1 million homes: Biden officials, Newsom designate two areas off California coast for wind turbine development.

 Making room for more CA residents: California legislators propose to limit out-of-state students at Berkeley, other UC campuses.

 Black Lives Matter: S.F., Oakland remember George Floyd with paint and political pressure.

Top Wineries

Gabrielle Lurie / Special to The Chronicle

Napa Valley gets a lot of flak for being too touristy and too flashy, a Disneyland for adults, according to its critics.

Its true that this Bay Area region has become glitzier in recent years, and the cost of spending a weekend here has undoubtedly risen, with many wineries tasting fees stretching over $50 or even $100.

But anyone who levels the Disneyland charge clearly hasnt seen how dynamic, varied and charming todays Napa really is. You just have to know where to look  and wine critic Esther Mobley is sharing her picks for the best wineries of Napa right now.

Bay Briefing is written by Taylor Kate Brown, Anna Buchmann and Kellie Hwang and sent to readers email inboxes on weekday mornings. Sign up for the newsletter here, and contact the writers at taylor.brown@sfchronicle.com, anna.buchmann@sfchronicle.com, and kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed warned Tuesday that she would go to the voters to make the citys shared spaces program permanent if the Board of Supervisors fails to act quickly to pass her legislation that would allow more than 2,000 mostly small businesses to indefinitely use sidewalk and parking spaces to bolster their businesses.

The mayors warning came a day after the Board of Supervisors delayed a decision on the mayors proposed shared space permitting program, a group of regulations that would codify and make permanent a process for allowing businesses to operate on public spaces outside their establishments.

I put out a plan to make our shared spaces program permanent thats supposed to be making its way through the Board of Supervisors, said Breed. But the board has messed with the wrong mayor, when they tried to butcher my legislation and water it down and make it even more difficult and complicated so now businesses continue to struggle and have difficulty doing business in San Francisco, thats when I take a different sort of action.

She said that she would put the matter on the ballot if they want to continue down that path.

On Monday, the Board of Supervisor Land Use and Transportation Committee delayed voting on the program for two weeks with supervisors Aaron Peskin and Dean Preston asking for answers to questions around public access, accessibility for disabled people and other issues. Committee chairwoman Myrna Melgar said she is hopeful those questions can be answered by the next meeting.

I am confident that giving two weeks to answer questions and concerns from senior and disability advocates, which they asked for, is the right thing to do, said Melgar. This is an important decision and it is not unusual to take a little time and answer all questions.

Peskin called the mayors threat pretty silly.

We all support the legislation and are making appropriate, responsible tweaks, he said.

Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

Like cities around the country San Francisco rushed to save thousands of small businesses when the pandemic hit, allowing them to put tables outside and take over parking spots with wooden booths that would allow them to continue to operate when inside dining was banned.

Sine then San Francisco has approved 2,281 shared spaces. Of these 1,009 combine sidewalk and parking lane dining, 638 are parking lane dining only and 671 are sidewalk only. There are also businesses that took over space to use for carryout orders.

Robin Abad Ocubillo, director of the citys shared spaces program, said the city has had to improvise through the pandemic as San Francisco businesses struggle to stay open amid ever-changing health orders.

The point was to help small business survive and avoid permanent closure, he said

While only two other cities lost more small businesses during the pandemic, the devastation would have been much worse had the parklet program not been implemented, he said. A survey of businesses with parklets found that the outdoor spaces generated an average of $82,000 in the first quarter of 2021.

Rachel Herbert, who owns Dolores Park Cafe and two other cafes, said the shared space program has been a lifeline. I think shared spaces is really important for the vibrancy of businesses in San Francisco and something that had my businesses viable, she said.

Golden Gate Restaurant Association President Laurie Thomas said that every parklet that is allowed to stay open results in several jobs. We need clarity, she said. Making this permanent will help bring back the tourists and spending money we need to bring back the economy.

Tiffany Chung, who owns Blackbird and the Detour in the Upper Market Street, said that owners, saddled with extensive debt, are reluctant to invest in parklets while the rules are still up in the air. It costs thousands of dollars, that we already dont have, to build out a parklet, she said. We are reluctant to invest money if the shared spaces are not here to stay.

At the committee meeting Monday Supervisor Dean Preston said that the shared space should be extended to give businesses more time to recover but that it should not be indefinite. He said making the shared spaces permanent would represent a pretty fundamental shift in how we present these spaces.

This does effectively eliminate the public parklet, said Preston. Why not have the longer -term plan be a return to spaces that can be fully accessed by the public?

Peskin, who represents the restaurant-heavy North Beach, said he likes the parklets. Im actually a large proponent of this effort but Id like to get it right and iron out the bumps before we make it permanent, he said.

J.K. Dineen is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jdineen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfjkdineen

Staff writer Trisha Thadani contributed to this report
On one warm August evening in 1966, a group of queer people fought back against police harassment at a diner in San Franciscos Tenderloin neighborhood. A police officer, the story goes, messed with the wrong queen as she sipped her 10-cent cup of coffee, so she threw the coffee in his face and a melee broke out  protesters shattered windows, lit a newsstand on fire and destroyed a police car that night.

This riot  the Gene Comptons Cafeteria Riot, so named after the diner on the corner of Turk and Taylor streets  predated the famous 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, but the event was largely lost to history. It wasnt until historian Susan Stryker rediscovered the riot and in 2005 released, along with Victor Silverman, a documentary on the subject that the moment of history began to re-enter the public imagination. Its taken years, but now Comptons is often cited alongside Stonewall as a defining moment in LGBTQ history.

Still, one piece has been conspicuously missing from the historical record, says Randy Shaw, a longtime Tenderloin housing activist and neighborhood history aficionado: a clear photo of the exterior of the building as it existed back then, complete with its Comptons Cafeteria signage. I spent years looking for a photo outside of Comptons, Shaw says.

There are other photographs of the place, of people sipping coffee in the diner or a group of femme people walking through the doors, but a muddy, nighttime film still of the exterior was about it for getting a sense of what the outside of the diner really looked like.

Or at least that was the case up until very recently, when five images of the diner surfaced on Facebook. The photographs, shot by writer and photographer Clay Geerdes, are being published for the first time.

This gives us the real setting of the riot, says Shaw, the founder of the Tenderloin Museum. I saw this, and I thought this is absolutely amazing. I just thought this just restores a lost bit of critical history.

In the photographs, dated 1970, two fire trucks are parked outside the diner; they appear to be responding to a fire at the Hyland Hotel next door. A crowd has assembled to watch the firefighters work. (Stryker noted, over emails, that the images appear to document a suspicious fire at a time when the Hyland Hotel was trying to change its profile/clientele by ousting trans residents.)

Though the fire was Geerdes focus, Comptons Cafeteria is visible off to the side. In some images, the big glass windows that wrapped around the cafe  this was a place you went to be seen  are visible.

Finding the photos was a matter of happenstance. Geerdes died in 1997, and his wife followed a few years later, leaving the bulk of his photographic archive in the hands of his longtime friend David Miller. Geerdes shot anything and everything, Miller said. But in years past, theres been renewed interest in photographs he took of queer icons, including the Cockettes, Divine and Sylvester.

Clay Geerdes 1970

Lately, Miller has been going through the archive, scanning images and sharing them on the Facebook group San Francisco Remembered. Hed never heard of the Comptons riot, but thought somebody might enjoy the photographs.

Somebody on there caught it and contacted me and asked if there were more pictures, he says. I didnt know the significance of it and apparently Clay didnt either. I almost didnt post that photo  it was a fluke. Im glad I did.

One of the images will be added to the walls of the Tenderloin Museum, along with other black-and-white images of the neighborhoods rich history. Shaw thinks that in the years to come, it might show up elsewhere, too.

This picture will be in all the history books, in the GLBT history books, he said. This will be the photo, because there hasnt been one.

Ryan Kost is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rkost@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @RyanKost
One year after George Floyd died under a police officers knee and galvanized a modern civil rights movement across the country, Bay Area residents remembered the murdered Minnesota father in different ways.

In San Francisco, a city that is redirecting millions from its police force, people repainted a message in the street. In Oakland, a city that is reconsidering a goal to cut its police budget in half, activists continued pressuring City Hall to follow through.

The separate events underscored the enduring impact of Floyds death, which sparked international protests and a broad reconsideration of policing in America. But they also highlighted variations in the political response  even within a relatively small geographic area.

Approximately two dozen people, some carrying cans of bright yellow paint and rollers, assembled near San Franciscos Fulton Street on Tuesday morning. Their goal was to repaint the three-block mural spelling out Black Lives Matter that runs a length of Fulton between Webster and Octavia streets. It can be seen from City Hall.

Organizers said they expected 200 people to contribute throughout the course of the day to the community art project, which was originally stenciled into the street last June by groups including the African American Art & Culture Complex.

Students Carl Alls, 13, and Marcus Hickman, 8, were among those who turned out early to add a fresh coat of paint. They arrived with their teacher, Michael White, a program lead at Collective Impact, an educational nonprofit.

My teacher wanted me to come out here and, turns out, its pretty fun, said Hickman, who helped put paint tape on the letters. Black Lives Matter  its a powerful sentence, but it makes me think about the violence we face.

According to an analysis by Mapping Police Violence, a research and advocacy group, Black Americans are nearly three times as likely as white Americans to be killed by the police despite making up 17% of the countrys population. In the year since Floyd was killed, more than 1,000 deaths have been caused by police, the group says.

The Washington Posts police shootings database shows that officers have fatally shot 50 people in California this year. In the 30 cases where the race of the decedent was identified, 11 were Hispanic, 10 were white and nine were Black. (The database relies on media coverage and does not account for police killings that dont involve an officers gun.)

Unless structural and systemic ways racism persists is dismantled, were up against something huge, said Rachel Wolfe-Goldsmith, the creative director of the Bay Area Mural Program, which led the repainting effort. Its going to take many generations to undo all of that at the rate were going.

In February, San Francisco unveiled its plan to redirect $120 million from the Police Department, or 7% of its budget, over two years to address decades of structural inequities experienced by African American residents.

Andre Jones, executive director of the Bay Area Mural Program, said more needs to change.

Weve seen some changes, but not enough, he told The Chronicle. Were still losing lives every day.

Gently swaying to music playing in the background, Jones emphasized the power of community organizing and the importance of finding joy in times of immense pain.

We want to be painting happy scenes, not fists of struggle all the time, he said. But until Black people arent disproportionately impacted by police violence, this is what our art will have to depict.

In Oakland, dozens of residents and activists gathered on the corner of Broadway and 15th Street to honor the one-year anniversary of Floyds death and continue pressuring City Hall to redistribute roughly $150 million  about half  of the Police Departments budget, a promise that some city leaders voluntarily made during the height of last summers civil unrest.

Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle

A group of Bay Area activists called on City Council members to reject Mayor Libby Schaafs proposed budget, which includes nearly $700 million over two years, or 18% of the overall budget, for the Police Department.

In what felt like a slap in the face to Black people, (Mayor} Libby Schaaf released a tone-deaf budget that did not move resources away from police and into community but actually gave them more money, Cat Brooks, executive director of the Anti Police-Terror Project, told the crowd.

George Galvis, co-founder and executive director of Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice, said many activists have been asked what has changed in the year since Floyds death of May 25, 2020.

Unfortunately the answers Not a whole lot, Galvis said. Police aint (stopped) killing us.

According to a Chronicle analysis, officers have killed at least 12 people in the Bay Area this year.

Addie Kitchen, the grandmother of Steven Taylor, a Black man who was fatally shot by a San Leandro police officer in a Walmart last year, said during the Oakland event that she wants to see tougher accountability for police officers. She described the conviction of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who killed Floyd, as a pebble in the ocean.

It doesnt make a ripple, she added.

Shwanika Narayan and Jessica Flores are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: Shwanika.Narayan@sfchronicle.com, Jessica.Flores@sfchronicle.com; Twitter: @shwanika, @jesssmflores
The Valley Transportation Authority employee suspected of fatally shooting nine coworkers Wednesday morning before turning the gun on himself had been accused by an ex-girlfriend of raping and abusing her, often during violent mood swings, court records show.

Samuel James Cassidy, 57, dated the woman after an earlier divorce. His ex-wife told The Chronicle he would constantly complain about co-workers getting easier assignments at the VTAs maintenance yard, where the shooting occurred. She said she was relieved when their marriage ended in 2004, because his temper had become explosive.

Court records and interviews paint a picture that is familiar in the U.S., according to experts and studies: a white male mass-shooting suspect with a history of domestic violence toward women.

In a harrowing sworn declaration in March 2009, the ex-girlfriend, who was 45 at the time, described a volatile on-and-off relationship with Cassidy that lasted about a year and ended on that Valentines Day when she refused to engage in anal sex with him.

Cassidy said he would travel to Monterey with his then-girlfriend, where she had booked a getaway for the pair, but only if she acquiesced to his sexual desires, the woman wrote. The Chronicle is not naming the woman because she is an alleged victim of sexual assault.

Police said Cassidy came to the transit agencys maintenance yard in San Jose before 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday and shot to death eight coworkers, while wounding several others, before killing himself. Authorities did not discuss a potential motive behind the rampage.

Investigators were also probing whether Cassidy set fire to his own home before heading off to the maintenance yard less than 10 miles away.

The ex-girlfriend filed the court declaration in response to a domestic violence restraining order that Cassidy had filed earlier that month. She denied Cassidys accusations against her and alleged he had major mood swings as a result of bipolar disorder, which worsened when he drank large amounts of alcohol.

He also played several mind games which he seems to enjoy, she said.

In court documents, the woman detailed multiple sexual assaults. Several times during the relationship he became intoxicated, enraged and forced himself on me sexually, she wrote.

During those episodes, she said, he would hold her arms to her side and force his weight on her. Cassidy was 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, while the woman said she was 5-foot-4 and 120 pounds.

Cassidy tried to force anal intercourse on her several times, she wrote. She would fight him off, and he would later apologize and promise to never do it again, she said. She recounted another such incident in September 2008, when she said he pushed her on a bed and forced her to have sex with him.

Cassidys alleged history fits within a broader pattern. An analysis by Bloomberg News last June found that between 2014 and 2019, nearly 60% of shooting incidents with four or more people killed involved an aggressor who had a history of, or was in the act of committing, domestic violence.

The strong association between firearms, domestic violence ... and additional victimization suggests that prioritization of measures to decrease access to firearms to perpetrators of domestic violence may also reduce the incidence of mass shootings, Georgetown University psychiatry professor Liza H. Gold wrote in March 2020 in a commentary for the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law.

Chronicle composite

In February 2009, another woman began living in Cassidys home, the ex-girlfriend said. Cassidy would become enraged when she would ask to meet this other person or ask what the extent of their relationship was, the woman alleged.

She also said in the court declaration that Cassidy stole tools and equipment from current and former employers.

Emails between Cassidy and the ex-girlfriend indicated they had a contentious relationship, with Cassidy voicing displeasure over the womans friends  who disliked him.

I know your friends are very mad at me and think badly of me, he wrote in a December 2008 email. In that same email, he wrote about feeling depressed over everything.

In the emails, the woman called him a f game player and trouble maker, and said, all my girlfriends think you treat me like s.

In Cassidys initial request for a restraining order which was granted  he asked a judge to protect him, a female roommate and his parents from the woman. He wrote of previous police visits to his house over an argument between the pair. He also accused the woman of surveilling him, vandalizing property and threatening to contact his employer to get him fired.

In 2004, Cassidy had divorced Cecilia Nelms, a dental assistant, citing irreconcilable differences. In divorce papers, Cassidy described himself as a electro-mechanic who was hired by VTA in 2001. He had an associates degree and was grossing $5,750 a month at the time.

In an interview with The Chronicle, Nelms, now 64, said she heard news of the shooting Wednesday morning while having a cup of coffee at her home in Santa Cruz.

I just thought, Hmm. That looks familiar. My ex used to work there, Nelms said.

She was shocked to learn that her husband of 10 years, a very quiet person who never wanted to talk to neighbors, would commit a mass shooting.

He didnt have friends that I could say (were) friends, friends, Nelms said. When he was in a good mood, he was a great guy. But when he was upset, it was bad.

During their marriage, little things would bother him, she said, like when her family would visit. His temper intensified. Hed vent about coworkers getting plum assignments.

I would listen but hardly ever ask any questions because I didnt know these people, she said, adding that questioning him would make him upset.

I dont understand it, and I cant find my own answer why he did this, she said. Because he could be mad and probably mean, but I never thought he would do this.

Authorities investigating the shooting did not immediately provide information about the gun or guns used in the shooting, and there was no indication that Cassidy was not eligible to buy or possess a firearm.

California has several protective order laws that make people ineligible for gun ownership, requiring them to give up their weapons and preventing them from legally buying new ones. Perpetrators of domestic violence or workplace harassment, and patients who undergo involuntary mental health evaluations, are among those subject to restrictions.

A more recent law allows police, immediate family members, roommates, employers, co-workers and school officials to seek the removal of firearms from someone they believe poses a danger to themselves or others.

Because the law does not require threats targeting a specific individual, advocates regard the gun violence restraining order, as it is known, as a key tool to prevent potential mass shootings, as well as suicides and other types of firearm deaths. California was one of the first states in the country to adopt this type of gun seizure law, though many law enforcement agencies have been slow to use it.

Santa Clara County Superior Court court records, though, indicate that Cassidy was not subject to any protective order that would have prohibited him from owning guns.

Julia Weber, implementation director for the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, said that raises questions about whether there were warning signs people should have followed up on  or if they even knew the options available to them.

How do we ensure that people who know about threats take them seriously and pursue the protective gun safety policies in California that are designed to reduce risk? she said. If we dont have the information, its that much more difficult to prevent this type of violence.

Matthias Gafni, Susie Neilson, Jessica Flores and Alexei Koseff are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: matthias.gafni@sfchronicle.com, susie.neilson@sfchronicle.com, jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com alexei.koseff@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mgafni @susieneilson @jesssmflores @akoseff
As San Francisco reawakens from its 14-month slumber, much of what we loved has disappeared. Add one more gut-punch to the list: The comforting presence of the Gubbio Project at St. Boniface Catholic Church in the Tenderloin.

For the past 17 years, the nonprofit has welcomed homeless people inside to lie down on the old wooden pews and drift off to sacred sleep. The surrounding neighborhood may be hellish for them, but inside, under the soaring stained glass windows and a gleaming pipe organ, the undisturbed hours of rest proved heavenly.

The Gubbio Project has always represented the best of San Francisco. Real care. Real compassion. Real help. No endless policy squabbles about homeless people  just an immediate, judgment-free place for them in a city that says its compassionate, but kicks people out of many shelters early in the morning and maintains few daytime drop-in centers.

But, now the Gubbio Project itself is facing a crisis that it might not survive. It nearly shuttered during the pandemic due to dwindling funds and health restrictions, which made running the program impossible. It laid off all its staff. It moved its supplies out of the church. Its previous director returned home to Canada.

Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

This prompted St. Boniface to tell the Gubbio Project in a letter in March that it is looking for other avenues to minister to the homeless population and would not host the nonprofit after the pandemic.

I am devastated, said the nonprofits new director, Lydia Bransten. Its so devastating when you hear, We dont want you back.

Brian Trawick, the parish manager at St. Boniface Church, told me the Gubbio Project seemed to go kaput during the pandemic so the church opted to partner with St. Anthonys down the street to figure out a way to provide sacred sleep and a more robust offering of services for the homeless people who use it. But its unclear when the sleeping program will resume and who will oversee it, Trawick said.

Asked whether the Gubbio Project could move back in, Trawick said he wasnt sure.

We wish them all the best, he said.

In a, well, Hail Mary effort, Bransten, a previous member of the Gubbio Projects board, agreed to become its new director instead of folding it up altogether. She has enough money in the nonprofits coffers to survive six months and a gracious host in St. John the Evangelist, an Episcopal church in the Mission. That church has served as a smaller offshoot of the Gubbio Project since 2015 and is now its last hope.

For now, the nonprofit is serving coffee and treats to homeless people from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every weekday in the St. Johns courtyard. It plans to resume the sleeping program June 1 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Initially, it will host just 30 sleepers with the hopes of expanding to 75. St. Boniface could hold 110 sleepers, but often hosted more with people sleeping on the floor.

On a visit to St. Johns the other day, several people sat in the courtyard sipping coffee, eating cake, chatting or just soaking in the sunshine and quiet.

The church has always been welcoming. In the 1980s, it painted its doors red, a Christian symbol of sanctuary, and hosted refugees fleeing the civil war in El Salvador. When gay men began dying of AIDS in the 1980s and 1990s, the church welcomed them, too  and some of their ashes were scattered in the courtyard.

Marlene Vasquez, 62, has visited St. Johns regularly since the Gubbio Project started there six years ago. She has a spot in a Single Room Occupancy hotel in the Mission, but hates spending time there. Its loud and chaotic, and her room is tiny, with just space for a bed.

I love it here, she said, beaming. Its peaceful. The people are very nice.

Juana Gruber, 69, said shes been homeless in San Francisco since moving from Mexico three years ago  sometimes sleeping at friends or relatives homes, but also sleeping on the street. She said she noticed people sitting in the courtyard recently and asked, Can I come? The answer, as it always is, was yes.

Its precious. For me, its paradise, she said of the church and courtyard.

She didnt even know shed be able to nap inside next week. She hugged herself, smiled and said, Ill sleep better here. That will be like a dream to sleep in a church.

But St. Johns has no pews. Parishioners sit in chairs during services, and the Gubbio Project is raising funds for cots. It also needs donations to support Branstens goal of professionalizing the staff, paying six people with training in homeless and mental health services to work full-time and receive health care benefits. It can also use volunteers and donations of clean socks, blankets, sweatpants, T-shirts and hygiene products.

San Franciscans, lets save this lovely, important program. Lets help the Gubbio Project not just squeak by, but thrive. If you wish to donate, visit thegubbioproject.org. Or visit fundrazr.com and search for The Gubbio Project.

With so much uncertainty regarding San Franciscos reopening and what that means for the more than 2,000 homeless people living in hotels and safe sleeping sites  not to mention all those left on the streets  preserving proven nonprofits that help them is essential. Weve lost so much already.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Heather Knight appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Email: hknight@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hknightsf Instagram: @heatherknightsf
HONG KONG (AP)  Hong Kongs legislature on Thursday resumed a debate to change electoral laws that would drastically reduce the publics ability to vote for lawmakers and increase the number of pro-Beijing lawmakers making decisions for the city.

Once approved, the amendments mean the citys national security department will check the backgrounds of potential candidates for public office and a new committee will be set up to ensure those candidates are patriotic.

The number of seats in Hong Kong's legislature will be expanded to 90, with 40 of them elected by a largely pro-Beijing election committee. The number of legislators elected directly by Hong Kong voters will be cut to 20, from the previous 35.

Debate is scheduled before the legislature votes on the bill, but little to no opposition is expected.

Lawmakers began debating the bill on Wednesday and it is expected to pass Thursday.

The body's members are largely pro-Beijing after opposition lawmakers resigned en masse last year in protest over the ousting of four deemed to be insufficiently loyal to Beijing.

The changes to Hong Kong's elections come as Beijing further tightens control over the semi-autonomous city that saw months of anti-government protest and political strife in 2019.

Authorities have arrested and charged most of the citys outspoken pro-democracy advocates, such as Joshua Wong, who was a student leader of 2014 protests, as well as media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who founded the Apple Daily newspaper.

Chinas rubber-stamp parliament in March endorsed changes to the citys electoral system, which then led to Hong Kong's proposals.

They are the latest in a string of moves to ensure people elected to office or serving the city are loyal to Beijing. An amendment the legislature approved earlier this month requiring the citys over 400 district councilors  who mainly deal with municipal matters  to take an oath pledging their loyalty to Hong Kong and to upholding its mini-constitution.

The oath was previously required only of legislators and government officials such as the chief executive.
SACRAMENTO  California students have never had a tougher time getting accepted to UC Berkeley and other popular University of California campuses, but state senators are pushing a proposal that could make their path a bit easier.

The plan would cut enrollment of out-of-state and international students in the UC system by half over a decade, an effort designed to make room for more California students.

Legislators have, for years, battled with UC about the growing portion of freshman students admitted from outside the state. But a record budget surplus has given lawmakers more leverage to negotiate this year.

Under the Senates proposal, the portion of nonresident first-year students accepted would be reduced over time, starting in 2022, until it reaches 10% by the 2033-2034 school year  down from 19% of freshmen admitted statewide this past academic year.

Assembly Member Phil Ting, a San Francisco Democrat who has long pushed to limit UCs acceptance of nonresident students, said the university must remember its core mission is to educate aspiring undergraduates who already live here.

Its hurting a lot of hard-working California high school graduates, he said. For many Californians, if their kids dont get into UC, they dont get one of the biggest state tax benefits for middle-class families.

The portion of out-of-state students in the UC system has soared over the past decade. This past academic year, more than 25% of incoming freshman at UC Berkeley, Los Angeles and San Diego were nonresidents.

But the Senates proposal faces fierce opposition from UC officials, who say universities need the higher tuition paid by out-of-state students to cover the systems growing operating costs. Students from California pay $14,312 annually in tuition and fees to attend UC Berkeley, while those from outside the state pay $44,066.

Seija Virtanen, UCs associate director over state budget negotiations, told a panel of senators during a hearing this month that reducing the portion of nonresident students would give the university system less money to fall back on.

Its another cushion for the university to ensure that we can maintain quality in difficult financial times, she said. Instead of removing a group of students, the university requests that the Legislature instead provide funds to enroll more California undergraduates.

Virtanen said the supplemental tuition paid by nonresident students covers about 14% of the UC systems core campus operations.

The senators proposal, expected to be voted on by the Budget Committee next week, is part of their Build Back Boldly budget plan and includes funding to backfill tuition the UC system would lose by having fewer out-of-state students.

Their plan would require $775 million in additional UC funding over a decade, to offset the lost tuition and increase enrollment of California students.

Sen. John Laird, a Santa Cruz Democrat who chairs the Budget Subcommittee on Education, has advocated for the cap. He said he constantly receives phone calls from upset parents whose children cannot get into UC Berkeley or other coveted schools.

Laird said he agrees with UC officials whove argued theres an academic value to having a mix of in- and out-of-state students, but the picture is imbalanced when so many resident students cannot get in.

Theres no argument about the value of out-of-state students, he said. Its a question of there being enough spaces for in-state students and enough spaces at some of the most popular campuses.

Legislators said past attempts to limit nonresident enrollment have fallen short. In 2017, the UC regents approved a policy to cap out-of-state enrollment at 18% for five of its campuses, and set the cap at 2017-2018 levels for UC Berkeley and three other campuses with higher portions of nonresidents.

Dustin Gardiner is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dustin.gardiner@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dustingardiner
The Justice Department has written requirements that determine the process when federal authorities wish to pursue federal charges after, or in addition to, state criminal cases arising from the same facts. The overwhelming justification for bringing whats often labelled a successive or dual prosecution is that the federal interests in holding wrongdoers accountable have not been adequately vindicated  that there is unfinished business in the matter. For example, if a violent hate crime is undercharged by local prosecutors or the case resulted in minimal punishment at the state level, DOJ  not bound by double jeopardy because the federal and state governments are separate sovereigns  can bring a separate case if it can prove a federal crime. In order to do so, however, federal prosecutors must seek high-level approval in the Justice Department. And to do that, they have to establish why its necessary and appropriate to bring a new case based on an incident already addressed by the state.
Mayor London Breed proposed a $9.5 million investment for downtown San Francisco Tuesday to attract workers and tourists back to an area devastated by the pandemic lockdowns.

The goal of Breeds Downtown Recovery Plan  part of a budget proposal that shell unveil June 1  is to make downtown San Francisco feel welcoming again.

Downtown is the economic engine of San Francisco, Breed said at a Tuesday press conference in Union Square. Its so important that as we begin to reopen, that we are reimagining what downtown can be. We have to make it a safe place for people who live and work here.

The investments come on the eve of the state reopening June 15 and as some office workers return to downtown high-rises.

Breed is also proposing an expansion of so-called community ambassadors in neighborhoods like Union Square, Financial District, Fishermans Wharf and Chinatown. The unarmed ambassadors walk through the neighborhoods and offer people general assistance, and report hazards or emergencies. The idea is to create a welcoming atmosphere for returning office workers, residents, and tourists in the downtown area and support the reopening of storefront businesses, the statement said.

The mayor said this plan complements her recently proposed Mid-Market Vibrancy and Safety Plan, which would pour $5 million from the city budget and $3 million from UC Hastings College of the Law into deploying police teams on foot, motorcycles, bicycles and horseback to patrol the long-troubled area. An ambassador would also be deployed on every block to engage with the public.

Breed is also proposing spending $1 million to spruce up Hallidie Plaza at the Powell Street BART station, including more cleaning, adding landscaping and furniture, and boosting food and beverage options for visitors and commuters.

Her proposal includes $1 million to create SFWednesdays, which would be an ongoing series of events in downtown San Francisco beginning in July. The events would range from small lunchtime gatherings to larger performances by local artists in downtown areas, like Hallidie Plaza and Yerba Buena Park.

Karin Flood, executive director of the Union Square Business Improvement District, said these proposals will help San Francisco turn to recovery and renewal.

We have missed you all, we have missed the residents, weve missed the visitors and the workers here in Union Square, she said. But we know that they will come back.

The mayor will unveil her entire budget proposal to the Board of Supervisors June 1. The board must then consider and approve her proposals before she signs a final spending plan in August.

Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani
A group of Gov. Gavin Newsoms supporters have ended their last-ditch effort to derail the recall before the secretary of state certifies the campaign.

Theyre no longer asking people who signed recall petitions to remove their names. The deadline to do so is June 8.

The effort, dubbed Stop the Steal as a snarky nod to Donald Trumps false contention that voter fraud cost him the presidency, was legal but fraught with problems from the start. Newsoms political strategist Ace Smith called the practice imponderable.

Part of the reason for its imponderability was the difficulty in identifying people who had signed recall petitions. State law gives people 30 business days after recall petitions are turned in to let their local election officials know theyd like to remove their names. But state law also forbids anyone but election officials from knowing signers names or identifying details.

One of the groups founders, former East Bay state senator Don Perata, conceded that it would be difficult to uncover the names of signers without winning a court challenge.

We knew that if we couldnt get our hands on those things then we wouldnt have a shot, Perata said. Plus, he said, we fell short of money.

Perata said his organization, which is separate from and unaffiliated with Newsoms campaign, owes about $30,000 to lawyers and printers for preliminary work. He said it received a minimal amount of donations.

Perata said he didnt know how many people removed their signatures.

He also feared that a court fight would delay the start of the recall, which is likely to be held around November. Some of Newsoms supporters, including state Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, have proposed that the Legislature fast-track the recall.

Best opportunity to beat this reckless recall of @GavinNewsom is to have an early election, Glazer tweeted last week. He has rebounded well with vaccines and budget. His biggest threats are the unknowns: virus variant, fires, school reopening. No reason to delay and give opposition any more running room.

The Secretary of States Office reported last month that organizers had submitted 1,626,042 valid signatures from California voters to recall Newsom, about 130,000 more than they need to qualify for the ballot.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
Johanna Geron/AP

LONDON (AP)  European Union officials unveiled plans Wednesday to beef up the bloc's code of practice on online disinformation, with the aim of preventing digital ad companies from profiting off of fake news.

EU officials said they were strengthening the three-year-old voluntary code to make it more effective at fighting the false information flooding tech platforms.
AKSU, China (AP)  A backlash against reports of forced labor and other abuses of the largely Muslim Uyghur ethnic group in Xinjiang is taking a toll on China's cotton industry, but it's unclear if the pressure will compel the government or companies to change their ways.

Li Qiang, general manager of the Huafu Fashion yarn factory in Xinjiang, told reporters that even though the company lost money in 2020 for the first time in its 27-year history, it bounced back by shifting to domestic orders.

This is now in the past, Li said. Weve turned things around in the first quarter of this year.

Li blamed a sharp fall in foreign orders, as customers including Adidas and H&M cut ties, on fake news" in a 2019 Wall Street Journal story that said brand name apparel makers and food companies were entangled in Chinas campaign to forcibly assimilate its Muslim population. Huafu also cited U.S. sanctions and the coronavirus pandemic.

In a crackdown since 2017 after a series of militant attacks, the Chinese government has detained a million or more people in Xinjiang, a major cotton-producing region in Chinas northwest that is home to the Uyghurs and other ethnic groups. Critics also accuse it of torture, forced sterilization and cultural and religious suppression.

Apart from cotton, much of the worlds polysilicon for photovoltaic cells comes from Xinjiang. The U.S. is now weighing sanctions over the alleged use of forced labor in the production of solar panels.

Xinjiang officials deny the charges and brush off Western criticism. They recently took about a dozen foreign journalists to the sprawling Huafu complex in Aksu city, where 780,000 spindles churn out 100,000 tons of colored yarn annually for sportswear and other items.

The company said in a preliminary estimate last month that it earned 120 million-150 million yuan (about $20 million) in the first three months of this year, after a 405 million yuan ($63 million) loss in 2020 as sales fell 10 percent.

Evidence of forced labor comes from people who have left China and government documents, but it is difficult to prove definitively at specific factories since human rights experts and others are unable to investigate freely. Diplomats and journalists traveling independently to Xinjiang are followed, and most residents, wary of getting in trouble, are unwilling to talk critically.

The government doesnt want information flowing out of the region and theyve done a good job of making that difficult, said Scott Nova, the executive director of the Worker Rights Consortium in Washington.

An ethnic Kazakh woman from Xinjiang who fled to Kazakhstan said she was forced to work for a week sewing uniforms in a factory in 2018 after spending almost a year in detention.

Dina Nurdybai ran a clothing business with 30 employees before she was detained. She said the factory work was not voluntary. She was released after authorities realized she was not on a list of long-term detainees.

If they say they are taking you to a factory, you say yes, " she said. If you dont go, theyll say you have problematic thoughts and persecute you.

Others also have said they or their relatives were coerced to work in factories.

The government says such testimonies are fabrications. One worker, Paziliya Tursan, said above the hum of spindles at Huafu that reports of forced labor are nonsense. As officials listened in, she said people at the factory stick together like pomegranate seeds, echoing a metaphor used by President Xi Jinping to describe ethnic unity in China.

The U.S. decided last year that the evidence was strong enough to ban imports of clothing, cotton, hair products and computer parts from about a half dozen companies. In January, it expanded the ban to all cotton and tomato products from Xinjiang, which produces processed foods such as tomato paste and about one-fifth of the world's cotton.

U.S. customs denied a request this month from Japanese retailer Uniqlo to release a shipment of men's shirts that had been stopped at a southern California port under the sanctions.

Guixiang, a Communist Party spokesperson in Xinjiang, said companies may lose customers in the short run but eventually become stronger as they and their employees work harder and find new markets. In some sense, the stress can be transformed into a driving force for the companies, he said.

China has a huge domestic market and demand is growing in Southeast Asia, the Mideast, Africa and Eastern Europe, said Peng Bo, a senior vice president at Founder CIFCO Futures, a financial derivatives firm in Beijing. Chinese manufacturers also have gained market share as the pandemic hobbled competitors in other countries.

Though the international market is important to domestic brands, it is not irreplaceable, particularly the European and American markets, he said.

On top of import bans, the U.S. Commerce Department has blocked the sale of U.S. technology and parts to more than two dozen companies linked to human rights abuses in Xinjiang, including Huafu. That adds to pressure to stop dealing with the company.

Technology companies have also been targeted. Commerce added Nanchang O-Film Tech, whose customers have included Apple and Lenovo, to the blacklist last July. The company has employed Uyghur workers brought to Nanchang from Xinjiang, some 3,000 kilometers (1,900 miles) away, under restrictive conditions.

Its parent OFILM Group said it lost 1.9 billion yuan ($300 million) last year because overseas customers dropped contracts. It did not say which customers.

The forced labor allegations extended to cotton picking late last year with a BBC story and a report by U.S.-based researcher Adrian Zenz. His study, based largely on publicly-available Chinese government documents, found strong indications of coercion and concluded that it must be assumed that any cotton from Xinjiang may involve coercive labor, with the likelihood of coercion being very high.

China accused Zenz and the British public broadcaster of anti-China bias. Foreign journalists were taken to a 40-hectare (100-acre) cotton field that was being planted by machine, and officials said mechanization has eliminated the need for most workers.

Picking cotton is more difficult than planting it, though, and where it is mechanized in Xinjiang, it often depends on American technology in the form of John Deere machines. Deere said in a statement that U.S. sanctions have affected its business but declined to provide specifics.

The government says 70% of harvesting is mechanized, but that varies from place to place. Use of machine picking is more common in the north. In southern Xinjiang plots tend to be smaller and more scattered, with 53% of total acreage harvested by machine in 2020, up from 35% in 2019, according to the government. It acknowledged that farmers still plant and harvest by hand in many places.

Nova of the Workers Rights Consortium said companies should not buy from Xinjiang because of the substantial risk of forced labor at any factory and the inability to conduct a proper inspection.

A Uyghur worker cannot speak freely and candidly about forced labor, particularly if they are a victim of forced labor, he said. And so when youve got a combination of risk and the inability to manage that risk via labor rights due diligence, the only responsible approach . . . is not to source from that particular place.

___

Si Chen in Shanghai contributed.
LATEST May 28, 7 a.m. Samuel J. Cassidy, the gunman in the San Jose shooting, was reportedly facing punishment after making racist remarks to his co-workers at the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority (VTA).

Both KPIX and NBC Bay Area are reporting that Cassidy faced a disciplinary hearing over his comments on the day of the shooting.

An update provided by the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office on Thursday also revealed that he has been a highly disgruntled VTA employee for many years, which may have contributed to why he targeted VTA employees.

A prior report stated that Cassidy sought out specific employees during the shooting. NBC Bay Area reported that Cassidy told one worker, Im not going to shoot you, before targeting others.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that Cassidy was the subject of a Customs and Border Protection investigation in which officials found a book detailing his hatred of his workplace as well as books on terrorism.

May 27, 11 a.m. During a Thursday morning press conference held by the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority, themes of family, community and solidarity consistently popped up.

The VTA is offering extended grief counseling for all employees and their families. Two separate funds have been set up by Working Partnerships USA and the ATU (Amalgamated Transit Union) Disaster Relief Fund. All proceeds will go to their families, said Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez. A vigil is planned for 6 p.m. at San Jose City Hall.

"We are all grieving together and we want to do everything we possibly can to support each other," said Glenn Hendricks, the VTA chairman who has emerged as a leader for employees and the community.

Naunihal Singh, a VTA transportation superintendent, told personal stories of working with three of those killed, whom he supervised.

Words are not enough to justify the pain we are all going through, he said, talking about the graciousness of Paul Megia and selflessness of Taptej Singh, two of those killed in yesterday's shooting.

It shows the character of these guys, how they tried to help others while going through a tragic situation, Singh added. Im going through a lot of confused emotions, Im angry, Im sad, Im lost for words.

A VTA maintenance manager, George Sandoval, spoke about why exactly familial bonds are forged among VTA employees.

"Many of these folks worked here for 20, 30 years, and we do become a family," he said. "When you work in a small group  theres a bond that occurs."

But in addition to monetary support and presence at the vigil, San Jose City Councilmember Dev Davis encouraged kindness and compassion among VTA riders in the coming weeks.

Please remember to demonstrate kindness and compassion to the men and women who keep it running  as they deal with their own pain, she said. Let us ensure that they do not have to suffer alone.

Hendricks concluded his words with a haiku: Our friends will be missed/Serving riders makes us smile/Nine will inspire us.

May 27, 6:30 a.m. The death toll of the mass shooting at the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority has risen to ten, after a victim hospitalized in critical condition after the shooting was pronounced dead late Wednesday.

He has been identified as Alex Fritch, 49, and is among the victims, many of whom were VTA workers, identified by the county coroner.

The other victims were identified Wednesday as Paul Delacruz Megia, 42; Taptejdeep Singh, 36; Adrian Balleza, 29; Jose Dejesus Hernandez, 35; Timothy Michael Romo, 49; Michael Joseph Rudometkin, 40; Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, 63, and Lars Kepler Lane, 63. The gunman, Samuel J. Cassidy, also died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. There were no other injuries.

Laurie Smith, the Santa Clara County Sheriff, told the Today Show and other media outlets that the suspected gunman, Samuel Cassidy, possessed two semi-automatic handguns with 11 magazines and stored explosive materials in his locker.

The VTA is shutting down rail service until further notice, and will be replaced with bus bridges.

May 26, 2:15 p.m. At least eight people, all employees, are dead following a shooting in downtown San Jose at the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority (VTA) rail yard, officials said Wednesday. The shooter died from a self-inflicted gun wound, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office confirmed.

Multiple news outlets have identified the alleged shooter as Samuel J. Cassidy, a 57-year-old "substation maintainer" for the VTA. Officials have not disclosed his identity but confirmed the shooter was a VTA employee. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office spokesman Deputy Russell Davis said during an afternoon press conference that deputies did not exchange gunfire with the shooter.

The Department of Homeland Security, which first told multiple Bay Area outlets that at least 7 were deceased, declined to comment to SFGATE.

Noah Berger/AP

An investigation is still underway, led by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, at the rail yard at 101 W. Younger Ave. The building, a storage hub for VTA light rail trains and a control center for the rail service, is near the sheriff's office, the city police headquarters and the National Guard office. Law enforcement are asking the public to avoid the area. Bomb squads are currently in the area following reports of explosives in the building.

A separate house fire on Angmar Court in San Jose that took place at 6:30 a.m. is likely linked to the shooting, said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. The FBI is currently on site at the home.

VTA light rail service has been suspended for the remainder of the day, said VTA chairman Glenn Hendricks, but will be replaced by bus service. He added that the shooting did not take place in the VTA's control center.

AMY OSBORNE/AFP via Getty Images

The San Jose Police Department and the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office were both on the scene just after 7 a.m. The shooting took place at about 6:30 a.m., when multiple calls were made to 911 of shots fired, Davis said. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office said that the shooter was down just after 8:10 a.m.

KTVU is reporting that the shooting took place at a union meeting at the VTA rail yard. At least 80 people were in the building when the shooting began, KPIX reported. In addition to the deaths, Davis said there were multiple injuries, although the number and severity of those injuries is unclear at this time.

Multiple agencies staged a rescue operation that extricated victims, Davis said. The remaining VTA employees in the building have since been evacuated.

Google Maps/Screenshot

"We are in a very dark moment, but I am heartened to see the response of the VTA family coming together to help their co-workers. We're going to do everything we can to support the families of those who have lost their loved ones," Liccardo said in a press briefing.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom expressed his anger at the repetition of gun violence in America. "It just feels like it happens over and over and over again," he said. "It begs the question: 'What the hell is going on in the United States of America? What are we doing wrong?'"

"Ive reached out to Mayor Liccardo to offer my support and condolences," tweeted San Francisco Mayor London Breed. "Our thoughts are with the victims and their families."

California Attorney General Rob Bonta mourned the loss, saying his "heart goes out to the families" affected. "Gun violence is America's disease," he wrote on Twitter.

The sheriff's office is holding family reunification efforts at 70 W. Hedding St. in the Isaac Newton room, and family and friends can also call (408) 299-2311.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for more updates.
A painfully awkward sexual encounter. An impromptu road trip. A tested friendship. No, the outlines of Natalie Morales' Plan B" aren't revolutionary. This is the tried and true framework of the high-school comedy. But teen comedies, almost as a rule, are made by their leads. And with Kuhoo Verma and Victoria Moroles, Plan B is overwhelmingly a winner.

Morales' film seems destined to be compared to Olivia Wilde's Booksmart," which arrived in theaters almost exactly two years ago. Both are helmed with a veteran filmmaker's sense of timing by actors-turned-first-time-directors. (Morales has been a familiar face in film and TV for the past 15 years.) Both feature a pair of breakthrough performances. And both bring a funny, feminist spin to a traditionally boyish and often boorish movie genre.

But it surprised me watching Plan B just how much it's its own thing. It has a comic rhythm and perspective of its own. And while most teen comedies have gone for packed movie theaters, Plan B"  more scruffily indie, more all-the-way R-rated  is only streaming. (It debuts Friday on Hulu.) So it's fitting that the characters of Plan B offer us a new phrase in the streaming lexicon that can sit alongside Netflix and chill: Disney-plus and thrust.

Verma, who had a small role in The Big Sick, stars as Sunny, the high-achieving, low-self-esteem daughter of demanding Indian American parents. Her best friend Lupe (Moroles, from MTV's Teen Wolf" and the Disney Channel's Liv and Maddie) is more self-possessed than most adults. But her brash style and two-tone hair are regularly ridiculed by her more conservative father. Both Sunny and Lupe are outsiders in small-town South Dakota, where their ethnicities are only foggily understood. Mostly, they shrug it off. When one boy, intending a compliment, tells Verma she's got that whole Princess Jasmine thing going, she sheepishly notes that it's the wrong ethnic group, but it's kind of the closest princess we've got so I'll take it.

The sharp-witted script, by Prathi Srinivasan and Joshua Levy, is best in the movie's first half, set largely around high school and, as the genre's laws decree, at a party thrown by Sunny when her parents are away. If you think you've seen enough Sex Ed scenes by now, you'll want to make an exception for one with Rachel Dratch as an in-over-her-head teacher, helpless when her students take a car metaphor for virginity and run with it. The party scene, too, has its tropes (a poorly concocted punch) and its unique touches. Sunny, feeling spurned by her crush (played by Michael Provost), ends up in the bathroom instead with Kyle (Mason Cook), a sincere kid into both magic and Jesus  and to Sunny about the most regrettable person in South Dakota to lose her virginity to.

The next morning, panic sets in and Sunny needs a morning-after pill. Yet when Lupe (speaking for the too-ashamed Sunny) asks the pharmacist (Jay Chandrasekhar, the comedy director-actor of Super Troopers), he declines on the basis of the state's conscience clause," which gives pharmacists a right of refusal due to religious beliefs.

Here, Plan B doesn't turn sober, by any means. There are still scenes to come involving a drug-dealer's pierced penis, an accidental dose of speed and a stolen car. But the film's inherent set up is, like the comic equivalent to Never Rarely Sometimes Always, a poignant commentary on the hurdles to abortion. Sunny and Lupe drive Sunny's mom's Honda minivan to a Planned Parenthood in Rapid City, a three-hour trip that turns longer and more surreal than most Dakota drives. Here, Plan B sometimes drifts off course, but all of their adventures are a reminder why the typical conquests of the teen comedy are more complicated for young women.

But Plan B never turns didactic. Pointed as the message of Plan B is, nothing supersedes just letting these two characters  traditionally bit players at best in high-school comedies  be themselves. They're a pair of the most authentic 17-year-olds lately seen at the movies, something owed very definitely to two stars in the making in Verma and Moroles. Verma, is remarkably natural and soulful, while the so, so good Moroles swaggers through the film as a creature all her own. She'll even convince you that Christian trap music can rock.

Plan B, a Hulu release, isn't rated by the Motion Picture Association of America but contains language and sexual material that would suggest an R rating. Running time: 108 minutes. Three stars out of four.

___

Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP
Any English person visiting San Francisco will hear its name muttered in conversation before too long.

Have you heard about that pub over the Golden Gate Bridge? They have proper pints and shepherds pie.

But the mention of Americans trying to build something authentically British is normally met with eyerolls by us snooty Brits. Ive been to the Dickens Fair in Cow Palace, where kids run around and stare at old-timey Victorian sex workers as bearded fellows slap their thighs and sing sea shanties  it does not bring back memories of home. I also used to visit You Say Tomato, the now-shuttered British grocery store on California Street, where you could pay $20 for a sad Lincolnshire sausage.

But The Pelican Inn was supposedly different, a real taste of Blighty; there were even rumors that the place was moved brick by brick across the oceans from ye olde country. So when I first caught wind of it I made plans to visit, but those plans were a little unusual.

Every full moon, a lunar-lit hike is informally organized along the Marin Headlands, and it ends at the fabled pub. One night we drove over the bridge, parked at Tennessee Valley and embarked on the trail as the moon rose over the tide.

The walk is magical, from the cliff tops down to Pirates Cove beach and back up, bathed in moonlight shining off the waters under the Golden Gate Bridge. And while its foggy and muddy, its worth it for the reward  a pint of Old Speckled Hen and a Guinness beef stew at the Pelican. (Though the hike back, three sheets to the wind with a bellyful of stew, is not fun.)

When I arrived at the Pelican (named after Sir Francis Drakes galleon that visited Marin in 1570s, later renamed The Golden Hind) at the end of that hike, I was happy to find that the rumors of a bona fide British pub just 10 miles north of San Francisco were true, and then some, and Ive been back countless times since.

Though built in 1979, the Tudor-style white storybook building surrounded by a lush green lawn looks like it could be standing in Shakespearean times. And the inside is even more magical  horse brasses dot the walls around a roaring fireplace. Patrons eat hearty stuffed quail by the fire as flutes and lutes fill the air.

But is it really more legit than Harry Potter World?

All the wood, all the tables, all the cushions, all the drapes  everything in here was shipped from England, Scotland or Ireland, hotel manager Amaya Cotton tells me over a pint of Pelican Inn Pale Ale (the Old Speckled Hen barrel was tapped out).

I inspect the lordly dark wood 12-foot banquet table next to us. Is that table English?

Scottish! she corrects me. We may not be in Britain, but everything in here is from there.

Andrew Chamings

So how did this Old World treasure end up under the shadow of Mount Tamalpais, steps from Muir Beach and the redwood groves of Muir Woods?

Its all thanks to a very ambitious man named Charles Felix, who toiled over the construction of the place with a friend over a year in 1978.

He was from a long line of Vikings. He traced his lineage back and found that most of his ancestors were tavern innkeepers in the U.K. And he decided he wanted to do that, but he also wanted to move to Marin, Cotton says.

I was somewhat relieved to find that the architect of this place was from the U.K., and not the brainchild of a New World anglophile. Oh, he was very very English, Cotton says. He moved his wife and four kids here and got to work. This land was really in the middle of nowhere back then, but he knew exactly how it should look. 

Andrew Chamings

It turns out that the reason the Pelican Inn appears so British is because it is. The aged beams holding the steep roof up and even the floors were shipped across the Atlantic. The floors are from a century-old barn, thats why we ask the cyclists to take their cleats off when they come in, Cotton says. The bar is from a pirate ship recovered from an English harbor. (I wanted to know which ship, but unfortunately many of the secrets of the artifacts origins died with Felix, who passed in 2016.)

One of the most curious things in the tavern is the fireplace, where the Christian motto Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. There was no one there, mysteriously adorns the mantle. I dont think Charles Felix even knew the origin of that, he just liked it, Cotton laughs.

If you climb into the giant hearth you can see a dark, somewhat creepy, hole in the roof by the chimney.

Oh, thats the priest hole, Cotton tells me. Watch your head.

A priest hole was a man-sized crevice built into the walls or ceilings of Catholic homes in England in the 16th century, when priests were being hunted down and persecuted by Queen Elizabeth I. A place to hide your priest when the Protestant queens guards came knocking at the door.

While this likely wasnt a concern in 1980s California, the attention to detail is pretty impressive.

Andrew Chamings

Felix lived in the Pelican with his family and ran the pub and hotel for 12 years before selling to Edward and Susan Cunningham, who own it to this day. The new owners didnt change a thing  It was perfect just the way it was, Cotton says.

(The couple also owns other storied sites around the world, including Culloden House in Scotland, which Bonnie Prince Charlie called home in the unsuccessful Highlander revolt against the British in 1746.)

During the pandemic last year, the Pelican was shuttered from March to June but never faced permanent closure. It was always just waiting it out, Cotton says.

When outdoor dining was allowed again, the pub became one of the few places in the bay where people could feel a semblance of normalcy outside of parklets.

This writers family spent many afternoons in the darkest days of the pandemic on Muir Beach and hiking back to scarf down fish and chips on the lawn. That dish is the inns most popular item, according to Cotton, but she prefers the mussels. Liver and onions are also surprisingly popular, and as any Brit will tell you, the real national dish is curry, and the Pelican offers a spicy Madras among the more traditional English fare.

If anywhere is going to debunk the myth that English cuisine is subpar, its here. And critics agree: My favorite place in the world is the Pelican Inn, wrote former S.F. Chronicle food editor Paolo Lucchesi in 2018.

Outside of the food and history, the inn is also known as a cozy romantic getaway.

Were a huge venue for weddings. The ceremony is sometimes on the lawn or on the patio, Cotton says. And then theyll party inside and rent out all the rooms.

Andrew Chamings

The Pelicans romantic lure leads to those cozy bedrooms atop the pub. Climbing the narrow stairs into them feels like walking into a different era  brass lion door knockers, four poster beds, low ceilings, ornate drapes and portraits of monarchs adorn the walls.

Cotton showed me the bed posts covered in carvings displaying the initials of lovebirds and honeymooners shacked up in the hotel. I encourage it, it gives the room character, Cotton says. My guests love it.

Id recommend a visit to the Pelican to anyone, not just expats in San Francisco missing home. And while you can park next to the pub, the beef Wellington is worth a 2-mile moonlit hike through the sand, although Id recommend getting an Uber back.

The Pelican Inn's hotel is now open for bookings, and the restaurant is open from noon  8 p.m., daily.
Blair Heagerty/SFGATE

For nearly two decades, San Francisco punk bar Lucky 13 defied the odds. Since the year 2002, the bar existed with the threat of being razed for condos hanging over its head. But time and time again, development plans fizzled out, and the historic, grungy watering hole lived to pour beers another day.

"This SF bar just won't die," read an SFGATE headline in late 2019.
NEW YORK (AP)  Eric Carle, the beloved childrens author and illustrator whose classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other works gave millions of kids some of their earliest and most cherished literary memories, has died at age 91.

Carle's family says he died Sunday at his summer studio in Northampton, Massachusetts, with family members at his side. The family's announcement was issued by Penguin Young Readers.

Heaven just got more colorful, Peter H. Reynolds, author and illustrator of The Dot, wrote in tribute on Twitter. Carle, he said, made his mark, splashing bravely and inspiring those around him to do the same.

Through books like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Do You Want to Be My Friend? and From Head to Toe, Carle introduced universal themes in simple words and bright colors.

The unknown often brings fear with it, he once observed. In my books I try to counteract this fear, to replace it with a positive message. I believe that children are naturally creative and eager to learn. I want to show them that learning is really both fascinating and fun.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, published in 1969, was welcomed by parents and delighted kids with its story of the metamorphosis of a green and red caterpillar to a proudly multi-colored butterfly.

Originally conceived as a book about a bookworm  called A Week with Willi the Worm  the hero, who eats through 26 different foods, was changed to a caterpillar on the advice of his editor. It has sold some 40 million copies and has been translated into 60 languages, spawned stuffed animal caterpillars and has been turned into a stage play.

I remember that as a child, I always felt I would never grow up and be big and articulate and intelligent, Carle told The New York Times in 1994. `Caterpillar is a book of hope: you, too, can grow up and grow wings.

Politicians like George W. Bush and Hillary Clinton were known to read the book to children on the campaign trail. The American Academy of Pediatrics sent more than 17,000 pediatricians special copies of the book, along with growth charts and parent handouts on healthy eating. Fellow writer and illustrator Ted Dewan called the book one of the pillars of childrens culture. Its almost talking about how great the Beatles were. Its beyond reproach, he said.

Carle wrote and-or illustrated more than 75 books, sometimes partnering with Bill Martin Jr. or other authors, but most with Carle working alone. One of his last books was 2015s The Nonsense Show, which centered on a parade of flying fish, cat-taming mice and circus animals.

To have spent some time with Eric Carle was the closest thing one could get to hanging out with the actual Santa Claus. His books and his advocacy for the arts will continue to ripple through time. But we in the childrens book community will miss him terribly, National Book Award finalist Jarrett J. Krosoczka wrote on Twitter.

Born to German immigrant parents in Syracuse, New York, Carle and his family returned to Germany  Nazi Germany, at the time - when he was 6. Under the Nazis, modern, expressionistic and abstract art was banned and only realistic and naturalistic art was permitted.

When Carle was 12 or 13, a high school art teacher would change his life by inviting him to his home, where he secretly showed his expressionist art, including Franz Marcs Blue Horse.

I was used to pretty paintings with a mountain in the background. Although I was shocked, I always carried that day in my heart, Carle told NPR in 2011. As an illustrator, he said he chose to portray animals in unconventional colors to show his young readers that in art, there is no wrong color. He thanked Marc in the pages of The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse.

His signature illustration technique was done by piecing pictures together chiefly from tissue paper that he had painted with various colors and textures. It sounds corny, but I think I connect with the child in me, and I think others do, too, he told The Associated Press in 2003.

His father introduced him to the wonders of the living creatures that he would later immortalize in his books. When I was a small child, as far back as I can remember, he would take me by the hand and we would go out in nature, he told The New York Times in 1994. And he would show me worms and bugs and bees and ants and explain their lives to me. It was a very loving relationship.

The theme of kids mastering the world was tackled in other tales of critters with very big predicaments: The Very Busy Spider, The Very Quiet Cricket, The Very Lonely Firefly and Friends. The love of family was explored in such books as Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me, 1986; and Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? from 2000.

After graduating from a leading German art school, he returned to the United States in 1952. He worked as a graphic designer in the promotion department of The New York Times before switching to advertising.

It was Martin who spotted Carles talents and brought him into the publishing field. Carle was working as an art director for an advertising agency at the time; Martin had just written Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and needed an illustrator.

While waiting for a dentist appointment, I came across an ad he had done that featured a Maine lobster, Martin, who died in 2004, told the AP in 2003. The art was so striking that I knew instantly that I had found my artist!

The book, which introduces colors and animals to young readers, came out in 1967 and became a perennial bestseller. Their other joint works were 1991s Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? and 2003s Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?

In 2002, Carle and his late wife, Barbara Carle, founded The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Based in Amherst, Massachusetts, the nonprofit, 40,000-square-foot arts center is a showcase for picture book illustrations from around the world. He received lifetime achievement awards from the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Library Association.

He is survived by a son and a daughter.

____

AP National Writer Hillel Italie contributed to this story.
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP)  Three people were killed and a fourth person was wounded in a shooting Wednesday morning suspected to have come from a domestic dispute at an apartment complex in Arlington, authorities said.

In a statement, the Arlington Police Department said it believes the shooter is among the three found dead in an apartment Wednesday morning, though they have not determined which of them fired the fatal shots.
Growing up, my mother often told me, Once a task you have begun, never rest until its done. Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all. Since the death of Rep. Alcee Hastings in April, nearly a dozen people have declared their intentions to fill the shoes of a man who can never be replaced, myself included. Many have selected the not at all option by simply walking away from the voters they promised to represent, leaving the vulnerable communities they serve to fend for themselves against the wiles of a craven governor.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  The North Carolina House unanimously approved legislation on Wednesday that aims to spend $750 million in federal coronavirus relief funds to install high-speed internet in rural and remote areas lacking it.

The legislation would set aside $350 million in discretionary American Rescue Plan funds earmarked for North Carolina to expand a relatively new state broadband installation matching funds program with internet providers and electric cooperatives.
MADRID (AP)  The leader of the Western Sahara independence movement at the heart of a diplomatic spat between Spain and Morocco will appear before an investigating judge in Spain on June 1, representatives of the Polisario Front in the country said Wednesday.

Brahim Ghali heads the Polisario Front and the self-declared Sahrawi Democratic Arab Republic based in refugee camps in western Algeria. He has been recovering from COVID-19 in a Spanish hospital, where he checked in under a false identity after arriving in the country with an Algerian diplomatic passport.

His presence has irked Rabat, which annexed the Western Sahara in the 1970s, and has been tied to the sudden arrival of more than 8,000 migrants  many of them unaccompanied children  to a Spanish enclave in northern Africa that shares a border with Morocco.

The Moroccan government has said that it won't reinstate its ambassador to Madrid if Ghali leaves Spain with the same secrecy used for his arrival in mid-April and without answering for genocide allegations and other possible crimes that anti-Polisario groups accuse him of.

Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said that Ghali will leave Spain when his health allows.

Ghali will leave Spain when hes out of danger, when the reason for him being in our country is no longer valid  that is, a critical medical situation, she told reporters Wednesday.

She declined to comment on her contacts with Moroccan authorities, saying diplomacy requires discretion.

A Polisario official, who wasn't authorized to be named in media reports, said that Ghali would abide by a National Court summons to testify on June 1 in a show of trust of the Polisario Front in justice.

Investigating Judge Santiago Pedraz has rejected petitions by the plaintiffs, including an association of Sahrawi rights aligned with Moroccan interests, to have Ghali arrested. He is also giving Ghali the opportunity to testify via videoconference from Logrono, the northern city where the 71-year old has been hospitalized.

Ghali had declined to sign a court summons delivered to him in mid-May, according to a police affidavit seen by The Associated Press.
PHOENIX (AP)  Contentious division among Republican lawmakers about a state budget deal negotiated between GOP Gov. Doug Ducey and majority Republican legislative leaders is in the forefront as the Arizona House delayed a scheduled Wednesday debate.

Numerous Republican members of the House and Senate have expressed disdain for the deal. Some are opposed because of spending they say goes against their conservative fiscal beliefs, while others are concerned that a massive tax cut could hurt cities or undermine the state's finances.

The added spending, which includes nearly $160 million for roads alone and pay raises for many state workers, brought some GOP members on board. But it was clear Wednesday that Republicans, who hold just one-vote majorities in both chambers and lack any Democratic support for the $12.8 billion spending plan, did not have enough support.

Early Wednesday evening, the spokesman for Arizona House Republicans, Andrew Wilder, confirmed debate on the budget would not happen until at least Thursday, after hours of delays. Two hours later, Senate President Karen Fann announced that the House planned to adjourn until sometime after the Memorial Day weekend, possibly as late as June 10.

Fann, however, told members she plans to debate and hopefully pass the budget out of the Senate on Thursday.

That may be ambitious, since at least two Senate Republicans have concerns with the deal Fann, House Speaker Rusty Bowers and GOP Gov. Doug Ducey have agreed upon.

It's pretty dang clear we dont have the votes, Sen. T.J. Shope of Coolidge, a Republican who backs the plan, said Wednesday morning. I dont know at what point we pull the plug."

Another Republican, Sen. Paul Boyer of Glendale, said he was concerned about the huge tax cut and several other provisions in the plan.

It's really a long-term concern for the state of Arizona, Boyer said on KJZZ radio Wednesday morning. What does that do if and when we have an economic crisis? Are we prepared for it, especially if we're cutting a third of our income to our state.

Boyer told The Associated Press in a text message early Wednesday afternoon that he had just left negotiations with the governors office on city funding, a main point of contention for some lawmakers. He said no deal was in place. Separately, GOP Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita has said she thinks the budget spends too much money,

A group that represents cities and towns is pushing for changes to address what it says will be a $280 million-a-year hit to tax revenue its members get as a share of the state income tax. Several Republicans say they cant back the plan unless those concerns are addressed. The League of Arizona Cities and Towns is requesting an increase in the 15% share of income tax cities now receive.

Republican Rep. Jake Hoffman, a freshman from Queen Creek, is opposed to some of the spending in the plan. He voted against all 11 budget bills in the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday. He said he's looking forward to changes that will secure his and other like-minded GOP members' votes. And GOP Rep. David Cook of Globe has numerous concerns he said Tuesday that leadership and Ducey have not addressed.

The opposition from Republicans puts Fann and Bowers in difficult positions, because trying to woo one side could easily lose votes on the other. And some of those members who agreed to the massive tax cut, which works out to $1.9 billion once it is fully in place in three years, could fall off the plan if spending on projects like roads, universities and other priorities is cut to appease the fiscal hawks.

Democrats are solidly opposed to the tax cuts, saying the state still has too many needs to slash revenue.

The proposed cuts include $1.5 billion to eliminate the state's graduated income tax rate and replace it with a flat 2.5% rate for all income levels  a cut of more than 25% of all income tax revenue. Also included is a provision that uses general fund revenue to shield the wealthy from a new 3.5% tax surcharge voters approved in November to fund education. That will cost about $400 million a year and leave high earners paying just 4.5% total tax instead of 8%.. Other tax provisions include a small increase in a child tax credit and a cut in business property tax rates.

There are certain things that brought people on to that budget  that made them OK with voting for the flat tax  that are the very things that other people are opposed to in the spending part, Shope said.

___

This story has been corrected to show that Rep. Jake Hoffman represents Queen Creek, not Apache Junction.
PHOENIX (AP)  Arizona Republicans are pushing to create criminal penalties for election workers and volunteers who deviate from procedures and to give prosecutors all mail ballots rejected for signature problems.

Those provisions are part of a sweeping elections measure debated in the House on Tuesday ahead of a possible vote in the coming days as lawmakers rush to end the legislative session.

Democrats and voting rights advocates said the threat of criminal penalties will create a chilling effect on election workers and voters. The measure is advancing as Republican-controlled states push to enact more restrictive voting laws following former President Donald Trump's 2020 loss. Trump and many of his staunch supporters have pushed unfounded allegations that the election was marred by fraud.

Arizonans should be able to vote and make our voices heard without being subject to harassment, intimidation and criminal scrutiny, a coalition of liberal groups and voting rights advocacy organizations wrote in a statement, which also called the bill a real threat to Arizonas ability to conduct free and fair elections going forward.

The measure adopts a series of election changes pushed by Sen. Kelly Townsend, a Republican from Mesa. Republicans say they will bolster confidence in elections.

Some of the provisions appear to respond to conspiracy theories about the election, including a requirement that election data be stored in the United States. The measure also requires voters be offered a receipt for their ballot, imposes new restrictions on physical security of counting facilities and limits internet connectivity.

Democrats say some of the requirements are unworkable. They worry election workers will get bogged down writing ballot receipts, leading to longer lines at polling places.

But critics are especially concerned about the threat of criminal investigation or charges.

The measure, SB1241, would require county election officials to give to state or local prosecutors mail ballots that get rejected because the signature doesnt match the one on file. Democrats say that will have an especially big impact on older voters, those with health conditions or disabilities that limit their motor skills, and younger voters who havent yet solidified their signature.

Voters with rejected signatures have until five days after the election to fix the issue. Ballots left unresolved at the end of that period would have to go to prosecutors.

There is no good reason to be handing over these ballots and materials to the attorney general just because the voter wasnt able to get in contact with the county recorder in time, said Rep. Athena Salman, a Tempe Democrat. Even if they did nothing wrong, facing questioning from prosecutors would be intimidating for voters, she said.

Salman said she is also concerned about ballot secrecy, noting ballots and envelopes identifying the voter would be handed over to the offices of elected prosecutors whose own races may be on the ballot.

Out of about 1.9 million early ballots in November, Maricopa County was unable to resolve signature problems on 587 of them. Those ballots were not counted, along with another 1,455 that were returned without a signature.

The measure would also make it a misdemeanor to connect voting machines to the internet or to deviate from other election procedures.

Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, said criminal penalties would only come into play for intentional violations of the law.

Arizona has been at the forefront of efforts by Trump supporters to cast doubt on the 2020 election. Republicans in the state Senate took control of ballots, equipment and data from Arizona's largest county and hired a Trump supporter who has promoted election conspiracies to run an unprecedented partisan audit of the results.

President Joe Biden was only the second Democrat since World War II to win Arizona, a narrow victory powered by voters in Maricopa County, which includes the Phoenix area and 60% of Arizona's 2020 voters.

___

Associated Press writer Bob Christie contributed.
BOSTON (AP)  A memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King planned for the Boston Common has received unanimous approval from a city panel, allowing construction to start, the group behind the memorial said Wednesday.

The 20-foot-high (6-meter-high) bronze sculpture called The Embrace" will be one of the countrys largest memorials dedicated to racial equity when installation is complete in October 2022, the privately-funded King Boston organization said in a statement.

It was fitting that approval Tuesday from the Boston Landmarks Commission came on the one-year anniversary of George Floyds death, organization Executive Director Imari Paris Jeffries said.

Boston has the opportunity post-pandemic to continue and differentiate itself from the rest of the country by being one of the most welcoming, friendly, forward-looking cities in America," he said. On the anniversary of the death of George Floyd and the national racial reckoning that followed, the approval of The Embrace goes a long way in helping do just that.

The civil rights leader and his wife first met in Boston in the early 1950s, when he was a doctoral student in theology at Boston University and she was studying at the New England Conservatory of Music.

The $9.5 million sculpture consisting of four intertwined arms was inspired by a photo of the Kings embracing when MLK learned he had won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

It will be installed on the Boston Common not far from where King led a rally and march in 1965.

Because the Common is considered a landmark, the project needed the approval of the commission.

The sculpture was designed by Hank Willis Thomas and MASS Design Group and was selected out of 126 proposals. It will be made offsite and brought to Boston next year.

The organization is also raising money to build an economic justice center in the city's historically Black neighborhood where MLK preached.
BEIRUT (AP)  Former auto magnate Carlos Ghosn expects to get hit with at least one preliminary charge after French investigators travel to Beirut next week to question him over suspicions of financial misconduct. But he insists he's done nothing wrong and hopes their investigations are eventually dropped.

Lavish parties in Versailles, questionable payments to an Omani car dealer, suspected tax evasion  these are the subjects of multiple investigations in France involving Ghosn's actions as the head of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi car alliance. They were opened amid new scrutiny of Ghosn after his shocking 2018 arrest in Japan.

In an interview with The Associated Press, he said he's hoping that he has a better chance of defending himself in France than in Japan, which he fled in a brazen getaway in 2019.

I have much more confidence in the French legal system than in the Japanese system, he said Tuesday.

Still, he said he has no illusions that the cases would be immediately dropped.

It would be a miracle if I werent handed preliminary charges on at least one count," he said. "But ... in the end, a judge will decide whats true. My goal is to provide explanations, lay my documents on the table, let the investigating judges determine whether there is a case of misconduct or not and let justice follow its course.

In an unusual move, French investigating magistrates are going to question Ghosn for several days starting Monday in Beirut, where he is being given sanctuary by Lebanese authorities. Ghosn grew up in Lebanon and has Lebanese citizenship, and Lebanon won't extradite him.

He hasn't yet been charged with anything in France, but could be given preliminary charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering, misuse of company assets, or aggravated breach of trust.

Ghosn says he asked for the voluntary hearing.

If Id wanted to lie low, I could have laid low ... I want to say things that maybe the investigative judges havent had the chance to hear because, up until now, theyve had a biased source of information," he said. "Im hoping that with my explanations and the documents that we have, we can influence the process.

He dismissed separate accusations of tax evasion that have seen millions of euros of French assets frozen, saying that he was fully transparent with French authorities when he moved his tax residency to the Netherlands in 2012. He questioned why French authorities started investigating this decision only after his arrest.

The Japan arrest triggered scrutiny of Ghosns activities at France-based Renault, in which the French government has a 15% stake.

Ghosn claims that Nissan is trying to use the French investigations to punish Ghosn.

When I escaped, they say, OK you know, were going to let the French finish our job. ... So they passed all the dossier to the French.

In one case, Frances national financial prosecutors office is trying to determine who is at fault for alleged violations at Renault between 2009 and 2020. That includes suspicious financial flows between Renault and a car dealership in Oman, SBA, according to prosecutors. That probe is also targeting 11 million euros of travel and other costs paid by Renault-Nissans Netherlands-based holding company RNBV but suspected to have been for Ghosns personal use.

Ghosn says there was no wrongdoing.

In another probe, investigators in the Paris suburb of Nanterre are examining money spent on two parties at the nearby Chateau of Versailles. Ghosn denies they were personal affairs, though one happened to fall on his 60th birthday.

There was no birthday cake. There were no songs. There were no presents for me," he said.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  For Vanessa Gregson, the four-lane highway that borders the beach along San Francisco's Pacific Ocean is now an automobile-free sanctuary where she can blissfully ride her bicycle and enjoy the quiet.

You hear the beach. You hear the waves, said Gregson. You feel like youre in nature, and youre in San Francisco.

Like cities from Paris to New York that shut roads to motorists when the coronavirus hit, environmentally friendly San Francisco closed miles of streets to automobiles so people could exercise and socialize safely.

Now, pedestrian advocates want to keep some of San Francisco's most prominent streets off-limits, like the main road into Golden Gate Park. Others are pushing back, saying they need to drive to work, drop off kids and get around.

The debate has been marked by dueling rallies and strident arguments over safety and climate change in the densely packed city. On social media, customers threatened to boycott a bakery whose owner expressed support for reopening the main oceanside thoroughfare known as the Great Highway to cars; others came to her defense.

Shamann Walton, president of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors, was mocked for likening the closure of John F. Kennedy Drive in Golden Gate Park to the Jim Crow South, including by fellow African Americans who call his accusations of segregation silly. Walton says he worries that closing the street and its free parking will affect low-income families that cant easily bike or take transit to the park.

For Tim Boyle, who lives near the four-lane beachside highway, life has been anything but peaceful. Unable to use the main road, massive delivery trucks, gangs of motor bikes and impatient drivers now hurtle through his once-sleepy neighborhood.

Boyle, whose son has cerebral palsy, says taking out their wheelchair-equipped van has become a nightmare. Essentially Im stopping traffic on any given day, four to 10 cars backed up on each side just so I can pull my own car into my driveway," he said.

San Francisco officials started turning streets into pedestrian-friendly promenades in April 2020 after the mayor declared an emergency. Officials closed more than 45 miles (72 kilometers) of neighborhood corridors and are studying which ones could be permanent.

They also sealed off a 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) portion of JFK Drive, the main thoroughfare through Golden Gate Park, which sees more than 24 million visitors a year, and a 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) stretch of the Great Highway  now renamed by some as the Great Walkway  that carried more than 18,000 vehicles a day before the pandemic.

San Franciscos streets are scheduled to reopen 120 days after Mayor London Breed lifts the COVID-19 emergency declaration, which could come next month. Various agencies are navigating the public debate before deciding whether to fully reopen the Great Highway and JFK Drive, open them in part or keep them closed to vehicles. The Board of Supervisors will have the final say, said Tamara Aparton, a city parks spokeswoman.

Seattle and New York are also among U.S. cities looking to make temporary auto-free streets permanent. In Europe, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced plans to ban most vehicular through-traffic in the city's center, with exceptions for public transit, delivery trucks and residents.

Pedestrian advocates say there are options to ensure that people who can't easily bike or walk can still visit Golden Gate Park, including designated drop-off sites and programs for low-income families. They also want more so-called street calming measures to slow traffic and improve safety on affected neighborhood roads.

San Francisco is no stranger to shedding auto infrastructure for green spaces. Leaders chose not to replace the Embarcadero freeway after it was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, replacing it with a boulevard that now doubles as a popular tourist destination.

Despite the testy debate, most people are probably in the silent middle, wanting both open space and clear transportation routes, said Connie Chan, a supervisor whose district is affected by the closures along the beach and in Golden Gate Park. They just want to be able to go where they need to go, and not be stuck in traffic," she said.

Katharine Lusk, co-director of the Boston University Initiative on Cities, said more than 90% of 130 U.S. mayors in 38 states surveyed last summer reported they created more space for outdoor dining by using parking spots or closing streets. Nearly half closed some streets to through-traffic; a smaller portion shut streets entirely to autos. While only 6% said they plan to make those changes permanent, Lusk wonders if that might change with rising demand.

On a recent sunny weekday, a few dozen people organized by Walk San Francisco toasted the one-year anniversary of the street closure in Golden Gate Park. Charles Oppenheimer said his daughter Olivia, 11, once feared riding through the third most-visited city park in the United States.

There's cars double-parked and rage drivers through the park, honking at kids, and now that it's shut down, it's so much better, he said.

Near the west end of Golden Gate Park, more than 100 people gathered before blockades on the highway earlier this month, waving signs calling to reopen the road. Passing drivers honked in support as a musician blew tunes on a bright pink sousaphone.

The highway runs two lanes each way, with sandy beach and the Pacific Ocean on one side and a protected pedestrian path edged by succulents on the other. A parallel two-lane street has homes on one side, many with placards pleading to Open the Great Highway.

Since the neighboring streets began absorbing displaced traffic, Judi Gorski has documented numerous crashes. The car fumes, speeding, noise and near-wrecks make her feel trapped in her home of four decades, where she says the traffic goes on all night long.

For photographer Steve Rhodes, who walked one recent day along the nearly empty Great Highway after visiting the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, it is liberating to have the space to move around.

"The intersections with the cars are just a nightmare," he said. There should be more streets closed and it's going to have to happen, because people are going to have to rely less on cars.
The European Certificate of Succession is a fairly new certificate that can be requested for international inheritance procedures in the European Union. It can apply to successions of persons who die with assets in another country of the EU from the 17th of August 2015.

The European Certificate of Succession is a public document of voluntary nature. In some specific cases can save the heir inheritance costs as he will be able to bypass the Spanish inheritance deeds. Likewise, the Certificate avoids translation costs in comparison to the normal national Declaration of Law.

On the other hand, the possibility to use this certificate applies only in few cases and even if so, there are still some economical and practical downsides. This is why it is important to speak to a lawyer specialized in international inheritances first before applying for this notary document in your home country. Also, the regulation of the European Certificate Succession of is not valid for citizens of the United Kingdom, Ireland or Denmark.

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When does the inheritance procedure for Spanish assets become international?

A Spanish inheritance procedure for assets located on Spanish grounds -like real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, etc.- is characterized as international once:

- a deceased was officially resident in a country outside of Spain (and -in case he was of Spanish nationality- had no last will appointing the Spanish law to apply)

- or when the deceased was resident in Spain but appointed the inheritance law of his nationality (passport) to apply through a last will. Signing a Spanish of foreign last will appointing your national law mostly is very recommendable. The reason for this is that the Spanish law is very limited and you are largely forced to leave to your children. This automatically means that cant leave your house, properties and assets completely to your heir of choice, like your spouse or partner.

In these cases in which foreign inheritance law applies, the Spanish authorities need to have official written proof from the foreign notary about who the legal heirs for the Spanish assets are according to that foreign law.

Difference between Certificate of Succession and Declaration of Law (or Probate)

Form european certificate of succession

An inheritance procedure is normally done by applying for the national Declaration of Law (or for the U.K. a Probate document) from the foreign notary. Where the Probate for the British is a bit simpler document, both the new Certificate of Succession as the normal Declaration of Law contain all essential information regarding the inheritance. These are details of the deceased, information about the last will, applicable inheritance law, details of the heir and the assets allocated to the legal heir.

The difference is that the Certificate of Succession is a standard English fill-out format, where the Declaration of Law is an individual text in the national language according to the individual model of that notary. In contrary to the Declaration of Law, the Certificate of Succession is an acknowledged European standard and therefore it needs no legal translation nor an Apostille of The Hague.

The benefits of the European Certificate of Succession

So, the first benefit for using this certificate is that that the legal heir can save costs for the legal translation and Apostille of The Hague. The most important advantage however would be that -in theory and only certain cases- the Spanish assets can be transferred into the new name without signing the Spanish inheritance deeds at the Spanish notary. This of course saves legal costs. If the diseased has assets in various countries, it might even save several translations.

Are there any downsides in using this international standard?

Yes, unfortunately there are disadvantages to the European Certificate of Succession in relation to avoiding the inheritance deeds costs in Spain. These are to be taken seriously into account.

1. Valid in very few cases

First of all, it only is valid in few cases, which you can read in the next paragraph. Also, as we already have written earlier, its not valid for inheritances for diseased of British, Irish or Danish nationality.

2. Certificate of Succession is more expensive than Declaration of Law

Secondly, although you might save money on the translation and Apostille, your national notary for several reasons might charge more for this international document then for the normal Declaration of Law.

3. Still a lot of documents needed for Spanish inheritance at Land Registry or bank

Thirdly, although you can save the costs of the Spanish inheritance deeds, youll still need to provide quite some official documents in Spain to for example the Land Registry or bank. The required documents are:

- International Death Certificate

- Last will or testament (if signed outside of Spain, then a legal translation and Apostille is required)

- A certificate from the Spanish Last Will registry (Registro de Ultimas Voluntades), as is also standard in normal international inheritances.

- Notary document requesting the inscription of the property in the Land Registry in the name of the heir. It needs to be signed by the sole heir. This document can be done by a notary in their own country (in which case it will need a legal translation and Apostille of The Hague). However, it can also be done in Spain.

- Proof of the tax office that the Spanish inheritance tax declaration has been approved (depending on the situation either by the central Tax Administration in Madrid or the regional tax office), of course within the obliged time limit. This also is required for null payments.

4. No guarantee for exceptance, now or in the future

However, the most important downside or disadvantage of using the European Certificate of Succession in Spain is that you dont have any guarantee that you can avoid signing the Spanish inheritance deeds for the distribution of the assets. The authorities always have the right to request the notary Deeds after all at the moment of the name changes, but also from these or other authorities in the future.

In case you are allowed to, should you apply for the European Certificate of Succession?

These disadvantage points for our law firm -specialized in international inheritances- are the reason to advice our clients not use the European Certificate of Succession for cases with real estate (house, apartment, etc) thinking you can save the costs for signing the Spanish inheritance deeds. Of course, the document can still be used, for example if the inheritance only concerns a bank account.

In all cases we advise you to check the costs of the Declaration of Law including the legal translation and Apostille in comparison to the certificate that might be more expensive after all.

In all cases we advise you to check the costs of the Declaration of Law including the legal translation and Apostille in comparison to the certificate that might be more expensive after all.

In which cases can the legal heir avoid signing the Spanish inheritance deeds?

In those cases in which an heir wants to inscribe a property in his name in the Land Registry (Registro de la Propiedad) with only the European Certificate of Law, the international inheritance case needs to comply with the following requirements:

- Only one heir

- No other interested parties, with the right to a reserved share (like or example the legal childrens part under Dutch or Belgian inheritance law)

- No curator or authorized person to conduct the inheritance process

- Only for European inheritance procedures, except for British, Danish and Irish

Important: What about the valuation of the properties and the Spanish inheritance tax declaration?

If you do want to use the European Certificate of Succession without signing the Spanish inheritance deeds we have one very important advice: The official value off all inherited assets needs to be included in the certificate. For a Spanish bank account this is done through a bank certificate but for real estate property justifying the value is more complicated. We advise you to speak with your lawyer to avoid any problem with the Spanish inheritance tax declaration, even if the tax payment itself would be zero.

The inheritance value of a property is also very important in a future sale as the Capital Gain Tax will be calculated over the difference between the declared amount in the inheritance and the sales deeds. This of course can make a huge difference in your sales costs.

Specialized lawyer for international inheritances in Andalusia, Spain

There are relatively a lot of European inheritances in Spain, such as Andalucia, Malaga and in particular on the Costa del Sol. The reason for this of course is that there are many foreigners, both resident and non-resident in this area, own houses and other properties or assets. Also, the fact that the wave of Northern-European senior baby-boomers have come to live to a high age contributes to an increased amount of succession procedures over the last years.

If you need to arrange an international inheritance for assets located in Andalusia, please dont hesitate to contact C&D Solicitors in Torrox, Malaga, of legal, fiscal and economical advice for the most efficient procedure.
CHICAGO (AP)  An iconic Chicago road could be getting a new name in honor of a Black man who is recognized as a key settler of the city.

The city council on Wednesday was expected to consider renaming Lake Shore Drive for Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, but the move was delayed by some aldermen.
GOLDSBORO, N.C. (AP)  A 3-year-old child was killed in a collision stemming from a police chase involving a reckless driver, according to the N.C. State Highway Patrol.

Authorities received a call about a reckless driver around 11 a.m. on Tuesday before the driver hit a car and a truck stopped at an intersection on U.S. Highway 70 in Goldsboro, WRAL reported, citing the patrol. The truck was then pushed into the back of a tractor-trailer that was also at the intersection, the patrol said.
Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Social distancing measures used to help fight COVID-19 hit certain businesses and occupations especially hard. Nonessential occupations that require a high degree of face-to-face interactionsuch as cosmetologists, bartenders, and athletic trainershave been the most vulnerable throughout the pandemic, with large swaths of workers in these fields facing reduced hours or unemployment.

On the other hand, essential workers in occupations with high levels of physical contactfor example, healthcare and logistics workershave not experienced the same job losses, but have had to grapple with increased risk of exposure to the virus. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Occupation Information Network (O*NET), more than half of U.S. jobs require very close (near touching) or moderately close (at arms length) contact with others while at work. And while much of the economy has gone virtual, new data from the BLS shows that only about 20% of workers are currently teleworking because of the pandemic.

Despite an increasing number of industries transitioning online, jobs that depend on close proximity to others are generally not suitable for teleworking. Over 86% of healthcare practitioners and health care support workers are required to be in close contact with others. While telehealth services have increased dramatically during the pandemic, most healthcare workers have no other option but to work in an in-person setting. Other occupational groups requiring similar levels of close contact include food preparation and serving, personal care, and protective service. At the opposite end of the spectrum, less than a quarter of workers in legal, computer, math, business, finance, architecture and engineering occupations work in close contact.

The share of workers in contact-intensive occupations varies geographically due to local industry makeup. To find the areas with the most contact-intensive occupations, researchers at Filterbuy analyzed the latest data from the BLS and O*NET to create a composite index based on the share of employment in different occupations and O*NETs occupation-specific physical proximity scores. Researchers also calculated the percentage of workers in very close or moderately close contact with others, the percentage of workers in healthcare occupations, the percentage of workers in food preparation and serving jobs, and the median annual wage.

At the state level, Mississippi and South Carolina rank highest according to the composite index. About 60% of workers in Mississippi and 58% in South Carolina work in very close or moderately close contact with others. In general, states with higher concentrations of healthcare workers or higher concentrations of food preparation and serving jobs score highly on the index.

At the local level, similar patterns also hold true. To find the metropolitan areas with the most contact-intensive occupations, Filterbuy used the same methodology, but only included locations with at least 100,000 people. Additionally, metro areas were grouped into the following cohorts based on population size:

Small metros: 100,000349,999

Midsize metros: 350,000999,999

Large metros: 1,000,000 or more

Here are the metros with the most contact-intensive occupations.

Large Metros With the Most Contact-Intensive Occupations

Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

15. Birmingham-Hoover, AL

Composite index: 91.7

91.7 Percentage of workers in very close contact with others: 22.0%

22.0% Percentage of workers in moderately close contact with others: 35.1%

35.1% Percentage of workers in healthcare occupations: 11.6%

11.6% Percentage of workers in food preparation and serving related: 8.3%

8.3% Median annual wage: $39,530

Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

14. Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

Composite index: 92.3

92.3 Percentage of workers in very close contact with others: 20.8%

20.8% Percentage of workers in moderately close contact with others: 34.2%

34.2% Percentage of workers in healthcare occupations: 10.0%

10.0% Percentage of workers in food preparation and serving related: 8.4%

8.4% Median annual wage: $41,660

Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

13. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA

Composite index: 92.3

92.3 Percentage of workers in very close contact with others: 22.5%

22.5% Percentage of workers in moderately close contact with others: 32.1%

32.1% Percentage of workers in healthcare occupations: 12.8%

12.8% Percentage of workers in food preparation and serving related: 6.2%

6.2% Median annual wage: $52,020

Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

12. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Composite index: 93.1

93.1 Percentage of workers in very close contact with others: 20.9%

20.9% Percentage of workers in moderately close contact with others: 33.5%

33.5% Percentage of workers in healthcare occupations: 10.8%

10.8% Percentage of workers in food preparation and serving related: 7.1%

7.1% Median annual wage: $44,840

Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

11. Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI

Composite index: 93.1

93.1 Percentage of workers in very close contact with others: 22.6%

22.6% Percentage of workers in moderately close contact with others: 33.1%

33.1% Percentage of workers in healthcare occupations: 13.4%

13.4% Percentage of workers in food preparation and serving related: 6.6%

6.6% Median annual wage: $43,380

Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

10. St. Louis, MO-IL

Composite index: 93.4

93.4 Percentage of workers in very close contact with others: 22.2%

22.2% Percentage of workers in moderately close contact with others: 33.3%

33.3% Percentage of workers in healthcare occupations: 12.0%

12.0% Percentage of workers in food preparation and serving related: 8.4%

8.4% Median annual wage: $42,060

Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

9. Oklahoma City, OK

Composite index: 93.7

93.7 Percentage of workers in very close contact with others: 21.8%

21.8% Percentage of workers in moderately close contact with others: 34.9%

34.9% Percentage of workers in healthcare occupations: 10.4%

10.4% Percentage of workers in food preparation and serving related: 10.0%

10.0% Median annual wage: $39,080

Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

8. Cleveland-Elyria, OH

Composite index: 93.8

93.8 Percentage of workers in very close contact with others: 21.9%

21.9% Percentage of workers in moderately close contact with others: 33.8%

33.8% Percentage of workers in healthcare occupations: 11.9%

11.9% Percentage of workers in food preparation and serving related: 7.4%

7.4% Median annual wage: $42,740

Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

7. Providence-Warwick, RI-MA

Composite index: 94.0

94.0 Percentage of workers in very close contact with others: 22.8%

22.8% Percentage of workers in moderately close contact with others: 34.5%

34.5% Percentage of workers in healthcare occupations: 12.2%

12.2% Percentage of workers in food preparation and serving related: 8.6%

8.6% Median annual wage: $46,000

Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

6. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Composite index: 94.4

94.4 Percentage of workers in very close contact with others: 23.1%

23.1% Percentage of workers in moderately close contact with others: 36.6%

36.6% Percentage of workers in healthcare occupations: 11.2%

11.2% Percentage of workers in food preparation and serving related: 9.0%

9.0% Median annual wage: $39,630

Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

5. San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX

Composite index: 94.7

94.7 Percentage of workers in very close contact with others: 23.3%

23.3% Percentage of workers in moderately close contact with others: 35.0%

35.0% Percentage of workers in healthcare occupations: 11.6%

11.6% Percentage of workers in food preparation and serving related: 10.0%

10.0% Median annual wage: $37,920

Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

4. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Composite index: 94.8

94.8 Percentage of workers in very close contact with others: 22.7%

22.7% Percentage of workers in moderately close contact with others: 32.6%

32.6% Percentage of workers in healthcare occupations: 13.5%

13.5% Percentage of workers in food preparation and serving related: 6.9%

6.9% Median annual wage: $46,500



Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

3. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV

Composite index: 96.9

96.9 Percentage of workers in very close contact with others: 23.3%

23.3% Percentage of workers in moderately close contact with others: 37.9%

37.9% Percentage of workers in healthcare occupations: 8.7%

8.7% Percentage of workers in food preparation and serving related: 12.7%

12.7% Median annual wage: $37,690

Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

2. Pittsburgh, PA

Composite index: 97.1

97.1 Percentage of workers in very close contact with others: 23.2%

23.2% Percentage of workers in moderately close contact with others: 33.2%

33.2% Percentage of workers in healthcare occupations: 13.6%

13.6% Percentage of workers in food preparation and serving related: 7.7%

7.7% Median annual wage: $43,200

Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

1. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL

Composite index: 97.1

97.1 Percentage of workers in very close contact with others: 21.4%

21.4% Percentage of workers in moderately close contact with others: 35.2%

35.2% Percentage of workers in healthcare occupations: 9.6%

9.6% Percentage of workers in food preparation and serving related: 8.7%

8.7% Median annual wage: $38,690

Detailed Findings & Methodology

The metropolitan areas with the most contact-intensive occupations are scattered across the U.S. and include areas with large hospitals and places with sizable restaurant industries. The Miami metro area, home to the large Jackson Memorial Hospital, ranks first among large metros with the most contact-intensive occupations. In the Las Vegas metro area, which depends heavily on the hospitality industry, over 61% of workers work in very close or moderately close contact with others. In comparison, 55.9% of workers nationally fall into this category.

The small and midsize metros with the most contact-intensive occupations include a number of tourist destinations and tend to have high shares of workers in food and hospitality. Median annual wages vary in these metros, ranging from $26,000 to $46,000. The national median annual wage is about $42,000.

To find the metropolitan areas with the most contact-intensive occupations, researchers at Filterbuy analyzed the latest data from the Occupation Information Network (O*NET) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2020 Occupational Employment Survey. Researchers ranked metros according to a composite index measuring the level of employment in contact-intensive jobs. Specifically, employment shares by occupation were multiplied by O*NETs physical proximity scores, which measure to what extent a job requires the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people. These values were then summed and used to create the composite index.

Researchers also calculated the percentage of workers in very close contact with others (near touching), the percentage of workers in moderately close contact with others (at arms length), the percentage of workers in healthcare occupations, the percentage of workers in food preparation and serving related occupations, and the median annual wage. Out of all occupations, healthcare and food preparation occupations have the highest percentage of workers who work in moderately or very close contact with others.

To improve relevance, only metropolitan areas with at least 100,000 people were included in the analysis. Additionally, metro areas were grouped into the following cohorts based on population size:

Small metros: 100,000349,999

Midsize metros: 350,000999,999

Large metros: 1,000,000 or more

This article was first published on LatticePublishing.com.
DENVER (AP)  A Colorado bill would provide free contraceptives and reproductive care to people living in the U.S. illegally.

The legislation, heard by the House Health and Insurance committee Wednesday, aims to create a reproductive health care program within the state health department to provide contraceptives, management of birth control products or devices and counseling to people who do not qualify for Medicaid because of their citizenship or immigration status.

Democratic Rep. Yadira Caraveo, one of the bills sponsors, cited medical studies that show access to contraception leads to declines in maternal and infant mortality and higher graduation rates among young women.

By helping them plan pregnancies and achieve goals like graduation or higher education, more Coloradans will be able to make informed, healthy choices and avoid the cycle of poverty, Caraveo said.

Oregon and Washington already have similar programs, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization for sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The bill also allows for Medicaid recipients to obtain 12 months of birth control at once, a service that some private insurance companies currently provide, Caraveo said.

Across the U.S., 38% of Latinas are uninsured and a quarter of them live in poverty, according to the bill. In Colorado, Latinx have the highest uninsured rate at 27% of the population.

In the U.S., 45% of all pregnancies are unintended and approximately half are among people who were not using contraception. For Hispanic women, 50% of pregnancies are unintended and Latina youth experience pregnancy at roughly twice the rate of their white counterparts, according to the bill.

Karla Gonzales Garcia, policy director for Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights which helped craft the bill, said access to reproductive care is about justice just as much as health and that the bill ensures Colorado does not leave anyone behind simply based on a piece of paper."

Immigration status nor income should determine who gets to care for themselves and their families, who gets to decide when they become parents and build a family or who is denied care and support, she said.

The bill's fiscal note estimates that around 27,000 people are eligible for the program and will enroll, which could avoid 200 unintended pregnancies each year and may save the state an average of $10,765 per pregnancy.

Irene Jaw, a nurse practitioner in Douglas County, who testified in support, noted that birth control availability is important because its also used for complex health issues like pelvic pain, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, abnormal uterine bleeding and endometriosis.

Research from the Guttmacher Institute suggests that immigrant women are less likely than U.S.-born women to receive preventive services such as Pap smears to detect and prevent cervical cancer and screening or vaccinations for hepatitis B, an infection that can be life threatening for infants.

Jaw, who also worked as a sexual assault nurse examiner said shes witnesses the emotional burden on sexual assault survivors who do not have sufficient access to contraceptives.

Access to emergency contraception is important for survivors to prevent pregnancy and regain control over their lives and their own bodies by deciding if and when they would like to have children, she added.

Republican Rep. Mark Baisley said he couldnt support the bill in the interest of his constituents.

The money to pay for such things doesnt just come from the state. It doesnt just come from government. It comes from the people who are taxed to pay for that, he said.

The Colorado Cathodic Conference opposes the bill because of the church's views on birth control.

Contraception is contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church and therefore we oppose a bill that increases taxpayer funding to promote its use," spokesperson Mark Hass said.

The bill passed the committee on an 8-4 vote with all present Republicans opposed. It will go to the House Appropriations next.

___

Nieberg 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.
DENVER (AP)  A bill that would require insurers, hospitals and other healthcare providers to offer a standard health insurance plan to individuals and small businesses and reduce premiums in coming years has passed the state Senate.

Colorado Politics reports Wednesday that the bill passed by a 19-16 vote, with Democratic Sen. Rachel Zenzinger joining all Republicans in voting no. It goes to the House, which had passed an earlier version, for adoption of Senate amendments.
JOHANNESBURG (AP)  Former South African President Jacob Zuma accepted more than 700 bribes over the course of a decade before he was president, including cash payments from French arms company Thales, prosecutors alleged on the first day of Zuma's corruption trial on Wednesday.

Zuma, the president of Africa's most developed economy from 2009 until he was forced out amid other graft scandals in 2018, was charged with multiple counts of corruption, as well as racketeering, fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering. He pleaded not guilty to all counts and claimed the trial was politically motivated.

The 79-year-old Zuma, who wore a blue suit, red tie, and a face mask in court, also filed papers asking for the chief prosecutor to be removed from the case, claiming he was biased. The judge said he would consider Zumas application.

Zuma could be jailed for 25 years if convicted.

After the trial was adjourned until July 19, Zuma addressed hundreds of his supporters outside the courthouse.

I have never taken anything from anyone. I have done nothing wrong, he said.

The corruption charges relate to the time before Zuma was head of state but a political figure on the rise, and include the period when he was deputy president of South Africa from 1999 to 2005.

Prosecutors alleged he received bribes from various sources, not just Thales, between 1995 and 2005. During those years, he progressed from provincial politician to deputy president of the ruling African National Congress party, and then deputy president of the country.

Thales is also facing charges at the trial and pleaded not guilty to racketeering and money laundering. Together, Zuma and Thales face 18 charges. The trial was postponed until July 19.

Prosecutors said Zuma and Thales were involved in what was effectively an organized criminal enterprise between 1995 and 2001. Zuma agreed to accept annual payments of around $40,000 from Thales, prosecutors alleged, in return for him providing political protection and ensuring there was no investigation into a major arms deal Thales secured with the South African government. The deal was signed in 1999 while clouded by allegations of graft.

Zuma was first formally implicated by prosecutors over the deal in 2005 and fired as deputy president as a result. The charges were dropped and reinstated numerous times over the next 13 years amid allegations of political interference. Meanwhile, Zuma revived his political career to become South African president just four years after being fired as deputy president.

The charges were reinstated by the National Prosecuting Authority in 2018 and Zuma finally answered to them Wednesday in a courthouse in the eastern city of Pietermaritzburg, 16 years after he was first linked to the case.

In the indictment, prosecutors provided a list of 791 payments made either directly to Zumas bank accounts or to others for services on behalf of Zuma between October 1995 and June 2005. The money came from companies connected to Zuma's former financial advisor, who was convicted of corruption in 2005. The advisor is accused of soliciting bribes for Zuma from Thales and being the go-between, but also of bribing Zuma for his own business interests.

Some of the payments were for as little as $7 and others for as much as $28,000. They were listed in bank records as Zuma family costs," "Zuma children education" and Zuma household costs, among other descriptions, prosecutors said. They totaled nearly $300,000. It was unclear if those payments included any of the alleged bribes from Thales.

Zuma, who faces separate allegations of graft while he was president at an ongoing inquiry, has often characterized accusations of corruption against him as politically motivated. He even claimed in his papers seeking the removal of chief trial prosecutor Billy Downer that South African prosecution officials had colluded with foreign intelligence agencies over the years to frame him.

While it appears none of Zuma's alleged involvement in graft while president will form part of this trial, he is already facing allegations at the separate judicial inquiry that he oversaw massive levels of corruption while president. Zuma has refused to testify at that inquiry despite an order to do so, leading the judge in charge to ask a court to send him to jail for two years for contempt of court.

___

Imray reported from Cape Town, South Africa.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  Lawyers helping the New York Assembly investigate whether Gov. Andrew Cuomo should be impeached have interviewed five more people over the past month, a lawmaker overseeing the probe said Wednesday.

Speaking at a legislative meeting, Assembly Judiciary Committee Chair Charles Lavine said lawyers have spoken with attorneys for about 75 people and entities for the investigation. Lavine, a Democrat, spoke for roughly five minutes on an audio stream of the meeting, before the committee went into closed-door executive session.

That's a small increase from April 21, when Lavine said investigators had spoke with attorneys for about 70 people and four government agencies.

The Democratic governor is now facing multiple wide-ranging probes over allegations ranging from groping a current female aide to trying to boost his public image by refusing to disclose how many nursing home residents died of COVID-19 for months.

The Judiciary Committee has released few details about its ongoing investigation, launched in mid-March. Its unknown when the probe will wrap up or if it will hold public hearings.

Thus far, Davis Polk has reviewed tens of thousands of pages of documents, Lavine said Wednesday, referring to the Manhattan law firm assisting with the committee's probe. The documents include email and text correspondence, photographs, personnel records, training materials and policies.

Critics, including state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, a Democrat, have argued the probe is being dragged out to buy time for the governor.

Lavine defended the $250,000 initial budget for the probe Wednesday, and said its been expected that the probe will end costing more.

Meanwhile, investigators have received about 290 tips  including 165 emails and 125 voicemails  submitted to the Assembly's hotline. That's also up from late April, when Lavine said investigators received more than 200 tips.

The Assembly's probe is focused on whether there are grounds to impeach Cuomo over four main issues: sexual harassment and groping allegations lodged against the Democrat by current and former aides, the administrations efforts to withhold a full count of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes, the governors use of aides to help write his book on pandemic leadership that garnered him $5 million and his administrations handling of safety concerns about the Mario Cuomo Bridge.

Lavine has said investigators are also examining whether the governor helped family members get special access to coronavirus tests last spring.

The governor has rebuffed calls for his resignation from a majority of state Democratic lawmakers, including several who have since appeared with Cuomo in public.

State Attorney General Letitia James is separately investigating the sexual harassment allegations against Cuomo.

Cuomo faces accusations ranging from groping under a womans shirt and planting unwanted kisses to asking current and former employees unwelcome personal questions about sex and dating.

Cuomo has denied touching any women inappropriately. He has maintained that he never sexually harassed anyone and said he's made remarks that were misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation.

New York state regulations say sexual harassment includes unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature  from flirtation to sexual jokes  that creates an offensive work environment, regardless of a perpetrators intent.

James has expanded her probe to include Cuomo's book deal, as well as allegations that a former Cuomo aide who oversaw the state's vaccine rollout pressured county leaders to support Cuomo.

Separately, federal prosecutors are scrutinizing the Cuomo administration's handling of COVID-19 nursing home data.

The governor has defended his administrations decision to wait until early this year to release how many nursing home residents died of COVID-19 at hospitals, arguing that state health officials needed to verify that data. The Associated Press first requested those figures in March 2020.

The Wall Street Journal reported that federal prosecutors are now investigating whether members of Cuomos inner circle got rushed access to COVID-19 testing last spring.
Last June, Idaho police announced the tragic end to a long search: the remains of 7-year-old Joshua Jaxon "J.J." Vallow and his big sister, 17-year-old Tylee Ryan, had been found on an Idaho property belonging to Chad Daybell, their mother's new husband.

In the months after they vanished in September 2019, their mother, Lori Vallow, had absconded to Hawaii with Daybell - an author of apocalyptic novels with ties to an alleged doomsday group - and refused to cooperate with police.

Now, just shy of a year after the bodies were found, an Idaho grand jury has indicted Vallow, 47, on murder charges in connection with her children's deaths. Daybell, 52, also faces murder charges in the children's deaths and the suspicious death of his ex-wife.

The indictment is the latest twist in the sordid relationship between Vallow and Daybell, which has made international headlines as details of their ties to fringe doomsday beliefs and several suspicious deaths has become public over the last two years.

Fremont County Prosecutor Lindsey Blake said the indictment came almost a year after the remains were found because of delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

"I want to assure everyone that despite the delays, we have been working diligently to pursue justice for the victims in this case, to ensure we have the evidence required to prove the facts beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law," Blake said at a news conference Tuesday.

Vallow's troubling tale began in July 2019, with the sudden death of her ex-husband, Charles Vallow, in Chandler, Ariz.

The Vallows had been estranged since January 2019 and Charles was suing for full custody of their son J.J. On July 11, 2019, Lori Vallow told police she and Charles got into a domestic dispute that grew physical. She said they tussled, and then her estranged husband grabbed a bat and began shouting at her. Her brother, Alex Cox, was also at the home during the fight and he shot Charles, killing him. Cox was never charged in his death and died in December 2019 of undisclosed causes.

In early September, Vallow moved from Arizona to Rexburg, Idaho, with her brother and her two children, according to a grand jury indictment reported by East Idaho News. There she likely connected with Daybell because of their similar religious beliefs.

Her late husband had told a divorce court that Lori Vallow believed she was a god sent to earth to prepare people for the second-coming of Jesus. She allegedly believed the end-of-days was due in mid-2020, KSAZ reported. Daybell, meanwhile, had written and self-published several apocalyptic novels. The pair appeared together on podcasts aimed at "helping to prepare the people of this Earth for the second coming of Jesus Christ."

Daybell's ex-wife, Tammy Daybell, also died in late 2019. Family members found the 49-year-old woman's body in her home on Oct. 19, 2019, and officials initially deemed the death natural. But Daybell's suspicious actions in the following weeks prompted police to reopen the investigation.

Then in September 2019, J.J. and Tylee suddenly stopped showing up to school and relatives reported that they had not seen or heard from the children.

Vallow never raised alarms when the children went missing. When extended family members told police that they had not seen or heard from J.J. for far too long, Vallow reassured authorities that the kids were staying with a family friend in Arizona. Police quickly learned that the story was a lie, but when they came back to Idaho to question Vallow again, she was gone. She had flown to Hawaii to marry Daybell.

In February 2020, Vallow was arrested in Hawaii on two counts of felony desertion of a child and several misdemeanors. Daybell was also arrested in June 2020 and charged with conspiracy to commit alteration, destruction or concealment of evidence.

Now, authorities say the couple conspired with Vallow's brother, Cox, to commit three murders, resulting in the deaths of Tammy Daybell, J.J. Vallow and Tylee Ryan.

According to investigators, Daybell and Vallow "espouse[d] religious beliefs for the purpose of encouraging and/or justifying the homicide of" Tylee and J.J. They also exchanged texts that claimed Daybell's ex-wife, Tammy, had been possessed by a spirit named "Viola."

In addition to murder, Daybell and Vallow face charges for insurance fraud and social security fraud after allegedly continuing to cash social security checks meant for the children. Shortly before his ex-wife's death, Daybell also signed paperwork to max out her life insurance policy, according to the indictment.

The indictment does not detail how police believe the murders took place.

Daybell and Vallow are scheduled to have their first virtual court appearance on Wednesday in Fremont County, Idaho.

Attorneys for Daybell and Vallow did not immediately return a request for comment, but the couple has denied wrongdoing in the past.
GALLOWAY, N.J. (AP)  A New Jersey vice principal who threw beer at a group of people who were filming his wife's rant against a transgender woman's use of a women's restroom, and the people who got hit with the beer are accusing each other of harassment.

A municipal court judge in Galloway Township is scheduled on Thursday to examine the case of Michael Smurro, vice principal of Neptune Middle School in Monmouth County, as well as those he accuses of harassing him and his wife, Lisa.

Video filmed by patrons at an outdoor restaurant April 24 in Galloway shows him tossing a cup of beer at a table of people when he and his wife realized they were being recorded.

In an email to The Associated Press days after the incident, Smurro apologized for his actions, and said he should have just walked away from the situation. He did not respond to a message seeking comment Wednesday.

Gina Brunner, administrator of Galloway's municipal court, said Smurro filed harassment complaints against Debra and Robert Harris, and Elaine Nelson, whose hometowns were not immediately available.

Those people have also filed harassment charges against Smurro; all the claims will be the subject of a hearing on Thursday, Brunner said.

A complaint filed by two other people who say they were hit by the beer thrown by Smurro, Carolyn DiPietro and Christopher Benino, was rejected after Municipal Court Judge Howard Freed determined there was not probable cause to sustain the charge.

This case is about standing up against bigotry, bullying and violence, said attorney David Shanies, who represents the Harrises, DiPietro and Benino. My clients rejected transphobic hate speech, and in response, Michael Smurro doused them in beer, challenged them to a fight and filed false and frivolous criminal charges against them. My clients are not intimidated and they will hold Michael Smurro fully accountable for his actions.

The footage from the outdoor restaurant shows Lisa Smurro complaining at length about a person she said was a transgender woman using the womens bathroom. New Jersey law prohibits discrimination based on gender identify and permits people to use public restrooms that correspond to their gender identity.

The footage shows that when the couple became aware someone was filming, they got up and walked over. Lisa Smurro continued to complain and a woman at the table replied: Please take your hate elsewhere.

Michael Smurro then tossed the contents of a cup of beer at occupants of the table.

Here you go, pal, he says on the video. There you go.

Michael Smurro then takes several steps back and, gesturing toward himself, says, Now you can come out. Im right here, before the couple walks away.

The Neptune school district said it has taken swift and serious action in the case, but says it cannot reveal what it was for legal reasons. Superintendent Tami Crader did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

The Galloway police department said Wednesday it had not brought charges in the case.

___

Follow Wayne Parry at http://twitter.com/WayneParryAC
The president of the Junta de Andalucia, Juanma Moreno, has asked the UK's Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, to mediate with his government to allow tourists to travel to Spain this summer without restrictions.

Currently, visitors who return to the UK from a Spanish destination are obliged to quarantine as Spain is on the UK's amber travel list.

Next month the United Kingdom is due to review the list of countries on the green, amber and red travel lists.

Moreno requested the help of Elliott on Tuesday, 25 May, during his visit to the Palacio de San Telmo, the seat of the Andalusian government, in Seville.

Moreno updated Elliott of the progress of the regions vaccination plan and the forecasts that by the end of June almost 75 per cent of the population in Andalucia will be immunised, with all of those over 40 years old having had at least one dose.

Moreno stressed that Andalucia "is fully prepared to open up tourism with the maximum guarantees for everyone," and called on the ambassador to help get the message across to the British government.

It is estimated that more than three million Britons visit Andalucia each year and around 110,000 reside in the region.
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (AP)  Two farmers with ties to anti-government activist Ammon Bundy have purchased land by a shut-off irrigation canal in Oregon that would normally deliver water to a massive federal irrigation project along the California-Oregon border and have set up a protest encampment there, Jefferson Public Radio reports.

The move comes after federal regulators shut off all water deliveries from the projects main A Canal due to extreme drought and the need to balance the water demands of farmers with threatened and endangered fish species in the Upper Klamath Lake and Klamath River.

The last time water was substantially cut off to farmers, in 2001, demonstrators forced open the canals head gates three times before federal marshals arrived and stayed all summer. They also held a bucket brigade that attracted national media attention and stirred calls by some in the Republican Party for a re-examination of the Endangered Species Act.

The two men who purchased the land near the canal, Dan Nielsen and Grant Knoll, have set up an information center at the site along with local members of the Oregon chapter of People's Rights Network, a group founded by Bundy last year, the radio station reported.

The group first organized in Idaho in response to COVID-19 mask rules and other government-mandated safety regulations and has grown in its scope. Bundy, who was acquitted for his role in a 42-day armed standoff with the U.S. government in 2016 at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Oregon, is also running for Idaho governor in 2022.

Nielsen and Knoll are both landowners who receive irrigation water from the project. Knoll is also a member of the Klamath Irrigation District board of directors, which oversees a majority of Klamath Project land.

Nielsen told JPR he and Knoll decided to buy the property so they have a place to gather where they cant be run off by the federal government.

The only thing separating us from the headgates is a chain link fence, Nielsen said, adding that he's in regular contact with Bundy. Its good access, all right.

Ben DuVal, president of the Klamath Water Users Association and a farmer in Tulelake, California, told the station that he's aware of the water crisis info center but worries the encampment at the head gates could cause problems.

I dont want anybody to do anything stupid or  you know, cause a problem, a civil problem," he told JPR. "Thats just not going to be productive in the long-run. But, people also have a right to protest.

A demonstration is planned for Thursday.
DETROIT (AP)  The city of Detroit has received a $30 million federal grant that will help implement a plan to bring more affordable housing to one of its older neighborhoods.

The funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development was announced Wednesday by Mayor Mike Duggan.

Detroit is one of five cities selected for the Choice Neighborhoods grant program. The $30 million will be supported by more than $1 billion in commitments from grant partners, according to the city.

The Greater Corktown neighborhood is just outside downtown. It now is in line to see more than $200 million invested in 840 new units of housing expected to be completed over the next six years. Just over 500 units will be set aside as affordable housing.

This is the city we are trying to build, where longtime Detroiters know they wont be pushed out by development and where residents of all income levels can live side by side in quality housing in any neighborhood in the city, Duggan said.

The redevelopment plan includes razing 87 townhome-style units built in 1985 on one site and rebuilding them in phases. Current residents would have the option to remain in the newly built units or given priority to move into another property in Corktown. Their current rents would be continued based on their income, the city said.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Justice Department announced criminal charges Wednesday against more than a dozen people from Florida to California in a series of Medicare scams that exploited coronavirus fears to bill tens of millions of dollars in bogus claims.

A common hook involved a pandemic variant of identity theft: Fraudsters allegedly offered COVID-19 tests to get the Medicare numbers of unsuspecting patients, and then used that information to bill for lucrative but unneeded genetic tests that can cost thousands of dollars.

These schemes, we constantly see them evolve to another level, said Chris Schrank, assistant inspector general for investigations with the Department of Health and Human Services. At a time when most American pulled together ... a small percentage of individuals have decided to steal from programs valuable to those who are most in need.

The law enforcement actions involved the Justice Department's criminal division, the FBI, seven U.S. attorney's offices in six states, as well as the HHS inspector general's office and other agencies. Bogus billings exceeded $140 million before the schemes were blocked. Attorney General Merrick Garland recently announced the establishment of a special task force to pursue pandemic-related fraud across all government programs, not just health care.

Wednesday's charges look back to the early months of the pandemic, when there was a high demand for COVID tests still in short supply. Also, Medicare had loosened its restrictive policies on telemedicine consultations, to keep older patients out of medical offices where the virus might spread. And the government had begun pumping out billions in special provider relief payments to help hospitals and doctors' offices remain solvent. Scam artists, big and small, allegedly took advantage of all those situations.

Lately the schemes have shifted, and many that are popping up involve fake vaccination cards bearing a likeness of the official HHS logo, Schrank said.

Among those charged:

__Michael Stein and Leonel Palatnik of Palm Beach County, Florida, who were charged in connection with a $73 million conspiracy to defraud the government and pay and receive kickbacks. Stein owns a consulting company. Palatnik owns a Texas company that in turn owned and operated testing labs in Dallas and elsewhere. Federal prosecutors alleged the conspiracy involved offering telehealth clinicians access to Medicare recipients for whom they could bill consultations. In exchange, the clinicians would allegedly refer patients to labs owned by Palatnik's company for costly and unneeded genetic tests for cancer and heart problems.

__ Dr. Alexander Baldonado of Queens, New York, who authorities alleged got access to Medicare recipients at an event that advertised virus testing. Baldonado is accused of using the patients' Medicare information to order unneeded genetic tests for cancer. The Justice Department said about $2 million was billed to Medicare as a result.

__ Petros Hannesyan of Burbank, California, owner of a Los Angeles home health agency. He is accused of stealing more than $200,000 from government programs by spending provider relief payments and disaster loans for his own uses. The money was supposed to go for patient care and to support small businesses struggling with pandemic disruptions.

It was unclear whether the people charged had attorneys who could comment on their behalf.

Related to the fraud investigations, Medicare was taking action against some 50 clinicians involved in an assortment of schemes.

Fraud against government health care programs is a pervasive problem that costs taxpayers tens of billions of dollars a year. The true extent is unknown.

Experts say part of the problem is that Medicare is required to pay medical bills promptly, which means money often goes out before potential frauds get flagged. Investigators call that pay and chase.

In recent years, Medicare has tried to adapt techniques used by credit card companies to head off fraud. Law enforcement coordination has grown, with strike forces of federal prosecutors and agents, along with state counterparts, specializing in health care investigations.

Wednesday's charges come a little more than a week after Attorney General Garland ordered the establishment of a special task force dedicated to countering COVID-19 fraud broadly. The task force was designed to bring together the Justice Departments resources with other government agencies against pandemic-related fraud, Garland said in a memo to senior department officials.

The department has brought several cases in recent months focusing on COVID-19 fraud, including one earlier this month against eight people in New York City accused of running a scheme to obtain millions in unemployment insurance benefits that were founded through pandemic assistance programs.

The new task force, being led by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, will look for trends and examine past enforcement actions, in addition to bolstering efforts to investigate and prosecute criminals both in the U.S. and internationally.

The multiple health care fraud schemes charged today describe theft from American taxpayers through the exploitation of the national emergency, Monaco said. We are determined to hold those who exploit such programs accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

___

AP writer Michael Balsamo contributed to this report.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  Both public entities and private employers would be prohibited from requiring vaccinations and workers could not be fired as a result of refusing, under GOP legislation pending in an Ohio House committee.

The bill before the House Health Committee also strengthens the notices that schools must provide parents about exemptions they can seek against having their children vaccinated. The legislation would also repeal a state law requiring college students to disclose whether theyve been vaccinated against hepatitis B and meningococcal meningitis.
SANAA, Yemen (AP)  An aid worker suffered mortal wounds when he was apparently caught in crossfire earlier this week in southern Yemen, an international charity said Wednesday.

The shooting took place Monday at a checkpoint when a vehicle carrying two workers for the humanitarian group Oxfam was travelling to the port city of Aden, the group said.

The workers and their driver, all Yemeni nationals, were wounded and taken to a hospital. One of the workers, Fathi al-Zurigi, died Tuesday, Oxfam said.

The shooting circumstances were unclear, but the group said there was no reason to believe its workers were targeted.

The other worker was discharged Wednesday while the driver was still in an intensive care unit, but his condition was stable, it said.

It is a heart-wrenching sadness to lose a colleague, particularly in such terrible circumstances, said Gabriela Bucher, Oxfams executive director. Humanitarian workers across the world, like Fathi, risk their own lives every day.

Humanitarian providers have faced numerous risks in war-torn Yemen, where millions of people depend on aid for survival.

Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war war since 2014, when Houthi rebels swept across much of the north and seized the capital, Sanaa, forcing the government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi into exile. A Saudi-led coalition entered the war the following year on the side of Hadi's government

The stalemated war has created the worlds worst humanitarian crisis.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Four environmental organizations on Wednesday asked the Tennessee Valley Authority's internal watchdog to investigate whether the nation's largest public utility misused ratepayer money for lobbying and litigation that fought federal environmental regulations.

The request to the TVA's Office of Inspector General comes after the Energy and Policy Institute, an activist group, released more than 500 pages of records it obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. The documents prove TVA's dues to the now-disbanded Utility Air Regulatory Group were used for unauthorized activities, the group said. They point to expense reports showing most of UARG's money went to a law firm. In lawsuits, the UARG frequently argued against tighter air pollution and climate regulations.

TVA CEO Jeff Lyash told Congress in a 2019 letter that the utility had contributed $7.3 million to the Utility Air Regulatory Group since 2001. Lyash said the funds were not used to lobby or sue on behalf of TVA, which would require explicit board approval. Instead, TVA used its membership in the regulatory group "to help understand, plan for, and comply with highly technical and complex regulations developed" under the Clean Air Act, Lyash wrote.

The environmental groups seeking a review of the relationship point to documents from the UARGs Nonattainment Committee, which was co-chaired by Don Houston, a TVA senior manager. In that role, he approved billing hours and invoices from Hunton Andrews Kurth, a Washington, D.C., law firm that worked for the group, documents show.

Expense reports for the years 2015 through July 2018 show the committee spent nearly $3.5 million on legal fees and expenses and only about $48,000 on technical expenses. While TVA may not have put its name on lobbying efforts and lawsuits, it was paying for them, the environmental groups allege.

TVA did not directly respond to the new allegations but said in a written statement that contacting the OIG or any other TVA oversight groups is an appropriate avenue for any member of the public to raise potential concerns.

The statement added: Although TVA supported the decision to disband the Utility Air Regulatory Group (UARG) in May 2019, our customers have directly benefited from the research and technical expertise gained from UARG participation, including significantly reduced air emissions and cleaner energy.

A spokesperson for the inspector general's office, Terri Beatty, declined to comment on the letter, which also calls for a review of any TVA involvement in other trade groups, including the Utility Solid Waste Activities Group, the Utility Water Act Group, the Clean Air Act Monitoring Service and the Climate Legal Group.

TVA should not be suing the federal government over existing laws and regulations, especially when they are part of the federal government, said Daniel Tait, chief operating officer of Energy Alabama, one of the nonprofits requesting the review. Even if they were a private utility, these are bedrock environmental regulations that protect public health.

The environmental groups  which also include the Center for Biological Diversity, Appalachian Voices and Southern Alliance for Clean Energy  sent a similar request to the inspector general's office in 2019. Tait said they do not know whether the watchdog agency has acted on their previous request, but with the new request they have more evidence of problems they merely suspected two years ago.

The Tennessee Valley Authority provides power to nearly 10 million people in parts of seven Southern states and is the countrys third largest electricity generator.
HONOLULU (AP)  Hawaii's Council on Revenues on Tuesday sharply increased its tax revenue forecast for the state to reflect rebounding spending by residents and a growing number of tourists visiting the islands more than a year after the coronavirus pandemic first hit the state.

General fund tax revenue for the fiscal year ending June 30 should rise 5% compared to the previous 12 months, up from a 2.5% decline the council estimated at its last meeting in March.

But revenue is still expected to come in below pre-pandemic levels.

Hawaii law requires lawmakers and the governor to base their budgets on the councils predictions.

Carl Bonham, a University of Hawaii economist on the panel, said May is going to be a good month for revenue, as will June.

He pointed out general excise tax revenues were relatively strong so far this month compared to pre-pandemic May 2019 figures, even though hotel tax revenues remain much lower because fewer tourists are in the state.

That tells you that local residents are out spending like mad, Bonham said said during the council's regular quarterly meeting, which was streamed on Zoom.

It has been a volatile year for Hawaii tax revenue since a quarantine imposed on travelers prompted a near-complete shutdown of the tourism industry and tight operating restrictions crippled restaurants and retailers.

First, general fund revenue dropped 6.3% in the fiscal year ended June 2020. Early on in the pandemic, the council forecast revenue would sink another 12% in the fiscal year ending next month.

But by two months ago, the council's outlook improved to just a 2.5% drop thanks to several rounds of federal relief spending, supplemental unemployment benefits and a modest revival of tourism after the state began allowing travelers to bypass quarantine if they tested negative for COVID-19.

Federal spending helped plug the hole left by the depleted tax revenue, allowing lawmakers to pass a balanced budget last month without having to drastically cut spending on social programs, furlough teachers or raise taxes.

For the next fiscal year ending in June 2022, the council estimated general fund tax revenues will increase 3% though they acknowledged uncertainty over whether the economic recovery would gain enough steam for the economy to grow while federal relief spending tapers off.
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP)  Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine is reminding Vermonters who got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to make sure they get their second dose.

It really is key to your health. Getting both doses gives you the highest level of protection from COVID-19, he said Tuesday during the governor's twice-weekly virus briefing, adding that the full vaccine also offers better protection against virus variants.

We know that these are still circulating. We know that the vaccine is doing a great job with them and we need to keep doing everything we can to keep them at bay. This means getting as many Vermonters fully vaccinated as we can, he said.

About 76.9% of the eligible population in Vermont has had at least one dose and 88.8% of people ages 65 and older are fully vaccinated, according to Mike Pieciak, commissioner of the Department of Financial Regulation, who has been following the COVID-19 trends for Vermont.

In other pandemic-related news:

PARADE CANCELED

The small city of Vergennes has canceled the Memorial Day parade it's been hosting since 1946 for a second year in a row.

City officials told WCAX-TV that the states recent guidelines for such gatherings came out too late for the city to plan the event.

Theres a lot of planning involved. It takes months and months to get everybody in gear for it. And so its just really too early," Julie Basol, the marketing and development coordinator for the Vergennes Partnership, told the news station. Even though theres no parade, theres still a lot of spirit here in the little city.

Other events are returning this summer, city leaders said. They include band concerts on Monday nights, a farmers market on Thursday afternoons and a midsummer sidewalk sale.

THE NUMBERS

Vermont reported 26 new confirmed COVID-19 cases Wednesday, for a statewide total of more than 24,160 since the pandemic began.

Eleven people were hospitalized with two in intensive care, according to the Health Department.

The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Vermont did not increase over the past two weeks, going from 59.29 new cases per day on May 10 to 27.29 new cases per day Monday.

The Associated Press is using data collected by Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering to measure outbreak caseloads and deaths across the United States.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)  Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan vetoed two bills supported by immigration advocates on Wednesday, including a measure that would prohibit local jails from entering into agreements with federal authorities on immigration-related detentions.

The bill bans local jails from being paid by the federal government to detain people on immigration matters in Maryland. The other measure the Republican vetoed would require state employees to deny inspection of records or use of facial recognition technology by any federal agency seeking to enforce immigration law unless provided with a valid warrant.

As I have stated throughout my time in office, I remain steadfast in my opposition to any legislative or regulatory efforts that would hinder cooperation with federal law enforcement and make Maryland a sanctuary state, Hogan said in his veto message.

The General Assembly, which is controlled by Democrats, passed both measures with more than the three-fifths vote needed to override the vetoes when they are next in session.

Del. Eric Luedtke, the Maryland House majority leader, said the governor was doubling down on a broken immigration system.

Look, for all that Larry Hogan likes to criticize Donald Trump, you cant find a lot of distance between them on their rhetoric about immigration," Luedtke, a Democrat from Montgomery County in the suburbs of the nation's capital, said.

Hogan also vetoed a bill that would repeal a requirement that parole for an inmate serving a life sentence must be approved by the governor. The measure puts the decision in the control of a parole commission.

Hogan wrote that while he agrees that people serving life sentences with possibility of parole deserve to be meaningfully considered for parole, he recognizes that each of the crimes that these individuals committed includes a victim and a family that had their lives forever altered by the actions of another.

I have an obligation to ensure the safety of all Marylanders, and including the governor in the parole process provides an important check on the Maryland Parole Commission, especially since the individuals who are sent to me for consideration have committed truly horrendous crimes, including first degree murder, rape, and sexual assault, Hogan wrote.

The measure passed with enough votes for a veto override.

The governor also vetoed a bill that would decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia for personal use. Hogan described it as a dangerous bill that completely erases the illegality of certain controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia by legalizing the delivery, sale, manufacturing, and possession of these dangerous and damaging items.

This is an ill-advised policy change that does nothing to remove drug dealers from our streets or reduce opioid-related fatalities, and instead encourages the use and possession of paraphernalia associated with drug use, Hogan wrote.

The bill passed the Senate 28-19, one vote short of the 29 votes needed to override the veto in the Senate.
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ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  Vaccinated kids aged 12 to 17 will have a chance to win a full ride to public universities and colleges in New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday.

The governor said the state will raffle off 50 scholarships, which would cover four years of tuition, room and board, books and supplies.

New York will hold weekly drawings on Wednesdays to randomly select 10 winners. Parents or guardians can enter children who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine since May 12.

Schools across the country are using mascots, food trucks and prize giveaways to try to get kids vaccinated before school lets out for the summer.

Cuomo said children who get vaccinated earlier will have the best chance at winning. It's unclear when applications for the lottery will open up, but people can sign up for notifications on a state website.

If you get the vaccine earlier, youll have more chances to win because youll be in the first-week pool, the second-week pool, the third-week pool, the fourth-week pool, et cetera," Cuomo said at a Wednesday press conference.

It's the state's latest push to get more people vaccinated at a time when state health officials say many eager New Yorkers have likely already gotten inoculated.

Since Monday, New York has been offering scratch tickets for a $5 million lottery for people who get vaccinated at ten of roughly 30 state-run vaccination sites. That pilot program runs through Friday.

New York administered 788,145 doses in the seven days through Tuesday. Thats down from just over 1 million in the seven days ending Tuesday, May 11.

About 45% of New York's 20 million residents are fully vaccinated, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, compared to the national average of 39.5%.

Few minors have been fully vaccinated so far: about 8.7% of people aged 12 to 17, according to state health data shared by Cuomo. That's compared with 37.5% of young adults below the age of 25, about half of people aged 35-54 and 69.5% of those over 75.
Bikas Das/AP

MADRID (AP)  Amartya Kumar Sen, an Indian economist and philosopher who studied the causes of famines, will be recognized with this year's Princess of Asturias award in the social sciences category, the Spanish foundation behind the prizes announced Wednesday.

The 87-year-old Sen has devoted his career to studying poverty and theories of human development. His 1981 essay on Entitlement and Deprivation famously proved that the greatest famines in history took place when food was available but some groups couldn't access it.
LONDON - Several European influencers say they have been offered money to use their social media presence to discourage their millions of followers from receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine by a suspicious agency that French officials reportedly believe could be linked to Russia.

According to the influencers, they were approached online and asked to tell their large followings that the Pfizer vaccine is dangerous and has sparked more deaths than the one developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been plausibly linked to extremely rare but in some cases fatal blood clots. European and U.S. regulators have not linked the Pfizer vaccine to any such side effects.

Taking to Twitter earlier this week, French YouTuber Leo Grasset - also known as DirtyBiology - said that he had received a "strange" proposal and attached screenshots of the request, which asked him to falsely tell followers that "the mainstream media ignores" the fact that the vaccine has been linked to a high death toll. The messages informed Grasset that the agency had a "colossal budget" and that if he wanted to work with the company he would have to hide sponsorship details from viewers.

"I received a partnership proposal which consists of damaging the Pfizer vaccine on video," he said, as he warned social media users that influential personalities were being targeted by conspirators who wanted to sow seeds of vaccine skepticism.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine  produced by a German and an American company  is by far the most frequently administered coronavirus vaccine in France to date.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that the disinformation effort had triggered an investigation by French counterintelligence authorities, to examine whether the effort was orchestrated by the Russian government.

The French Defense and Health ministries did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

French Health Minister Olivier Veran said in an interview on Tuesday: "I do not know where it comes from, I do not know if it comes from France or from abroad."

The self proclaimed public relations agency behind the offer goes by the name of Fazze and originally claimed to be based in London - although no record shows it as registered there. On its website, the agency describes itself as an "influencer marketing platform" but does not offer any further contact details. Its Instagram account is private, a change which was recently made - according to the Guardian.

Grasset later told his Twitter followers that those who had claimed to be employed at the company all had links to Russia, writing that the professional profiles of those in question had since vanished from LinkedIn.

Veran, France's health minister, slammed the effort on Tuesday, calling it "dangerous" and "irresponsible." Some influencers had been offered up to $2,450 to publish the posts, according to French media outlets.

The incident has raised concerns over more targeted disinformation campaigns, as vaccinations are finally gaining momentum in Europe and the focus of authorities may soon shift from meeting demand for vaccine shots to convincing holdouts.

France was among the world's most vaccine-skeptical nations when coronavirus vaccines were rolled out late last year. At the time, about 60 percent of the French were not inclined to get vaccinated, an Ipsos survey showed.

Hoping to counter skepticism, France's government has implemented its vaccination campaign more carefully than other countries, insisting on time-consuming pre-vaccination consultations and a cautious interpretation of vaccine manufacturers' guidelines.

The return to a degree of normalcy in countries that quickly vaccinated their population, including Israel, has shifted the public debate in France in recent months. France has now partially vaccinated over 34% of its population, which puts it ahead of some other European countries that had lower rates of vaccine skepticism earlier this year.

But France may remain more vulnerable to targeted disinformation campaigns than some of its neighboring countries. Officials are concerned that the country's vaccination campaign may slow down earlier than elsewhere, as the number of new cases continues to go down and the urgency of the pandemic is somewhat fading from the public debate.

Speaking to The Washington Post earlier this year, members of France's pro-vaccine group Les Vaxxeuses said the government has also been too slow at actively countering online disinformation campaigns. Anti-vaccine videos have been viewed millions of times on French social media over the past year.

Meanwhile, the absence of an early and effective online governmental information campaign to dispel doubts meant that "the space was empty, there was no scientific discussion," a member of the group said earlier this year, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Other influencers including German journalist Mirko Drotschmann, who has almost 1.5 million subscribers on YouTube, and artist Sami Ouladitto said they were also targeted with requests to discredit the Pfizer vaccine.

Earlier this month, Drotschmann tweeted that he had been approached online and asked to join an online "information campaign," with organizers inviting him to share supposedly leaked documents about deaths after Pfizer-BioNTech vaccinations. Drotschmann told his followers that the CEO of the company appeared to be based in Moscow, but he did not name the company or individuals who had contacted him.

Though it is being used in multiple countries, Russia's Sputnik V vaccine has yet to receive approval from the European Union's medicines agency, which officials say is due to a lack of adequate information. Last month, Brazil's Health Regulatory Agency rejected the vaccine, listing significant safety concerns which include a lack of quality control and an absence of details regarding the jab's side effects.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was willing to give Brazil additional data if required.

- - -

Noack reported from Paris.
JERUSALEM (AP)  Israeli police said Wednesday that an officer involved in shooting a Palestinian teen in the courtyard of her east Jerusalem home last week has been suspended pending an investigation.

Jana Kiswani, 16, said she was standing just outside the front gate of her home in the flashpoint neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah when a police officer ordered her, her brother and father to go into their house. Kiswani said she was shot in the back with a rubber-coated bullet. She was hospitalized with a broken vertebra.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  After the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted classrooms, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey faces a decision whether to delay next year's high-stakes requirement to hold back third-graders who aren't reading on grade level.

Ivey has through Thursday to sign legislation by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, a Democrat from Birmingham, that would push back the promotion requirement from the 2021-22 school year to the 2023-24 school year. If she does not sign the bill, the legislation will die by what is known as a pocket veto.

Ivey spokeswoman Gina Maiola said the bill is under review. The governors office is getting lobbied both by people asking her to approve the delay and others seeking a veto of the bill.

Supporters of a delay argue it will be unfair to force the requirement on students who were out of the traditional classroom for long stretches during the pandemic. But opponents argue it will be a disservice to students to delay the promotion requirement  a part of a broader state program to boost literacy  or that the state should wait until latest test scores are available to decide.

The Alabama Education Association, the state lobby representing public school employees, said teachers have called and emailed asking Ivey to sign the bill and approve the delay. The group said many Alabama teachers have not received the training required under the 2019 law.

"Students also need more time to make up for learning loss. It is not feasible to implement the law as it currently stands while students and educators are trying to recover from this unprecedented school year, the AEA said in a statement on the legislation.

Republican Rep. Terri Collins of Decatur, who sponsored the original measure in 2019, said she is hopeful Ivey will veto the bill. Collins has said lawmakers should wait and see the latest test scores before deciding if a delay is needed.

"To continue moving forward is the best thing for the children," Collins said. The Republican representative said lawmaker will have have plenty of time to approve a delay in the 2022 legislative session if the test scores show large numbers of children might be held back.

Collins said she met with the governor Tuesday.

Alabama lawmakers in 2019 approved several initiatives to try to boost reading scores. It included that beginning in the 2021-22 school year, third graders would be required to meet reading benchmarks before moving to the fourth grade. Students would have to make a minimum score on a reading assessment or demonstrate mastery of all third-grade state reading standards as evidenced by a student reading portfolio.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)  Police in Kansas City, Kansas, are investigating a double shooting that left one man dead and another man critically injured.

The shooting happened around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in a residential area a couple of blocks north of Silver City Park, police said. Police were called to the area by a person who reported hearing gunshots, and arriving officers found two men outside a home suffering from gunshot wounds.
MOSCOW (AP)  The Kremlin sought Wednesday to temper expectations for next month's summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden but noted the meeting's importance amid soaring tensions between their countries.

Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned against anticipating a reset after the June 16 summit in Geneva, emphasizing that differences between Moscow and Washington run too deep.

It's obvious that the negative potential that has accumulated in our bilateral relations has some inertia, Peskov said during a conference call with reporters. So it's hard to expect that it would be possible to reach understanding on deep disagreements during just one first meeting.

Russia's ties with the United States and its allies have sunk to post-Cold War lows over Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimea, its' support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine, Moscow's interference with elections, hacking attacks and other irritants. The Kremlin has denied wrongdoing and denounced Western sanctions as an attempt to constrain Russia's development.

I would caution against having excessive expectations regarding results of the meeting, but proceed from the assumption that the event is very important in practical terms, Peskov said. It would be wrong to downplay the importance of the meeting.

The summit in Geneva will wrap up Bidens first international trip as president, following his visit to Britain for a meeting of Group of Seven leaders and a NATO summit in Brussels.

The agenda is expected to include arms control, the situation in Ukraine, this weeks forced diversion of a Lithuania-bound flight by Russian-ally Belarus, efforts by both nations to stem the coronavirus pandemic and more.

The White House also is setting low expectations for the meeting, making it clear the Geneva summit isnt likely to yield any major breakthroughs.

The Biden administration has repeatedly said it is seeking a stable and predictable relationship with Moscow. At the same time, it has called out Putin on allegations that the Russians interfered in last years U.S. presidential election and that the Kremlin was behind the massive SolarWinds hacking campaign that targeted at least nine U.S. agencies.
President Moon Jae-in will host an international summit on climate change next week.

The P4G Summit will be held virtually on May 30 and 31. It will be the first multilateral meeting related to the environment that Korea has hosted. Some 60 heads of state and international organizations are expected to take part, including U.S. President Joe Biden.

P4G stands for Partnering for Green Growth and Global Goals 2030. The summit was supposed to be held in Korea last year, but was postponed due to the coronavirus epidemic.

Joining global efforts to respond to climate change, Seoul has unveiled its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Cheong Wa Dae expressed hope that the P4G Summit will serve as a stepping stone to a successful UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November.

Ahead of the summit, Moon will talk separately with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Denmark hosted the inaugural summit in 2018. The two leaders are expected to share views on how to make the summit a success and discuss ways to strengthen their decade-old strategic partnership.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards on Tuesday denounced the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene as regrettable," criticizing the state troopers who repeatedly stunned, choked and punched the Black motorist, and also chiding officers who stood by but failed to intervene.

I wouldn't have been disturbed had I thought it was professional, had I thought those officers had performed as they should  they did not, Edwards told reporters at the state Capitol in Baton Rouge, offering his most extensive remarks yet on the controversy.

They don't represent what we aspire to in the state of Louisiana, at the Louisiana State Police, especially once Mr. Greene was not just in custody but was restrained, he added of the troopers involved. "They were not professional. They did not conduct themselves as a law enforcement officer should, and quite frankly Im disappointed in officers who were on the scene who didnt intervene as well. That evidences a lack of professionalism also.

The Democratic governor's remarks came nearly a week after The Associated Press began publishing previously unreleased body-camera footage that showed troopers converging on Greenes car outside Monroe, Louisiana, after a high-speed chase, repeatedly jolting the 49-year-old unarmed man with stun guns, putting him in a chokehold, punching him in the head and dragging him by his ankle shackles.

It is regrettable, it is unfortunate, Edwards said, adding we have implemented a number of changes with the goal of making sure this does not happen again.

Col. Lamar Davis, the state police superintendent, said last week the agency had limited the use of chokeholds and stun guns and installed new leadership in the Monroe area after Greene's death.

For months, Edwards refused repeated requests to release the footage of the May 2019 arrest, saying it would be detrimental to an ongoing federal civil rights investigation into Greene's death. Im simply not going to sit here and characterize the video for you, the governor said in October when it was shown privately to Greene's family.

But in an about-face and under mounting public pressure, the governor on Friday said he strongly supported the state police's decision to release all of the body camera footage in Greene's arrest, even as state and federal investigations continue.

One of the videos, a 30-minute clip, came from the body camera of Lt. John Clary, a supervisor who for two years denied having any footage of the arrest, according to internal state police records obtained by the AP.

Clary has not faced discipline in the case. The trooper seen on video dragging Greene by his ankle shackles, Kory York, was suspended without pay for 50 hours. Another trooper who jolted Greene with a stun gun, Dakota DeMoss, faces termination after his arrest in a separate police pursuit last year in which he and two other troopers allegedly used excessive force.

Chris Hollingsworth, a trooper seen striking and repeatedly stunning Greene in the footage, was recorded after Greenes arrest saying that he beat the ever-living f--- out of the man. Hollingsworth died in a single-vehicle highway crash last year just hours after he learned he would be fired for his role in the Greene case.

Clary's video shows troopers ordering the heavyset, 49-year-old Greene to remain facedown on the ground with his hands and feet restrained for more than nine minutes  a tactic use-of-force experts criticized as dangerous and likely to have restricted his breathing.

The previously concealed video, which has since been turned over to the FBI, is among several anomalies in the law enforcement response to Greenes death. Troopers initially told Greenes family he died in a car crash, and later the state police issued a brief statement acknowledging there was a struggle with officers and that Greene died on the way to the hospital. There was no mention made of any use of force by troopers.

___

Associated Press writer Melinda Deslatte contributed reporting from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Two leading congressional Democrats issued a call Wednesday for ideas on a public option health insurance plan, a campaign promise of President Joe Biden's that faces long odds politically.

The wide-ranging request from Sen. Patty Murray of Washington and Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey asks basic questions such as who should be eligible to enroll in a new federal health plan, how the benefits would be designed and what payments should look like for hospitals, doctors, drug companies and other medical providers.

We believe bold steps are necessary in order to achieve universal coverage and lower health care costs, Murray and Pallone wrote in a four-page letter addressed to all interested parties. As we work to craft legislation, our priority is to establish a federally administered public option that provides quality, affordable health coverage throughout the United States.

A new public health plan modeled on Medicare has been a longstanding goal for liberals, who tried mightily to include it in the Obama-era Affordable Care Act but ultimately fell short. Biden and other Democratic candidates resurrected the idea in the 2020 presidential campaign, envisioning an alternative that would provide lower-cost comprehensive coverage to a broad cross-section of Americans.

But insurers and hospitals are opposed, and other key sectors of the health care industry are wary. Critics call the public option a step toward a government-run plan for all, which could open Democrats to GOP accusations of socialism at a time when they have a tenuous hold on their majorities in Congress.

The American Hospital Association said Wednesday it is against a public option plan because inadequate reimbursement rates could threaten access to care for patients. Hospitals are major employers in many local communities.

We continue to urge Congress and the administration to work to improve the programs that already exist in an effort to ensure that everyone is enrolled in some form of comprehensive coverage, said a statement from Rick Pollack, the group's president.

The Biden White House has been largely silent on the public option since he took office, focusing mainly on improving affordability and expanding coverage under the Affordable Care Act. About 10% of Americans remain uninsured.

The move by Murray and Pallone is a serious attempt to take the idea of a public option from a bumper sticker to workable legislation, said analyst Larry Levitt of the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation.

There are a host of difficult issues to address ... but the biggest by far is determining how much doctors, hospitals, and drug companies get paid, Levitt added. A public option has the potential to reduce prices and make health care more affordable, but the further it goes in that direction, the bigger the blowback will be from the health care industry.

Doctors and hospitals were key allies of Democrats in their successful fight to preserve Obamacare during the Donald Trump years.

Pallone and Murray have influential roles in the health care debate. He chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid, health insurance, and the drug industry. She chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. But leaders of other key committee would also have to get involved. A lot of work remains to craft public option legislation and unify Democrats around it.

Murray and Pallone asked for responses to their call for ideas by July 31.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  House Speaker Clay Schexnayder ousted his education committee chairman Wednesday, after Rep. Ray Garofalo repeatedly bucked the speaker's wishes in a simmering Republican intraparty feud that began with a bill about how to teach racism in schools.

Schexnayder announced his decision in a statement, hours after Garofalo sought to chair the House Education Committee hed been asked to temporarily abandon. But this time, Schexnayder yanked Garofalo from the leadership job permanently.

It is our duty to continually prioritize the needs of our state over and above the needs or desires of any one individual. With this in mind and with careful consideration, I have decided to remove Rep. Ray Garofalo as the chairman," Schexnayder, from Gonzales, said in his first public comments about the dispute.

Rep. Mark Wright, the Covington Republican who has been vice chairman of the committee, will serve as chairman for the rest of session.

Schexnayder cited Garofalo's "refusal to mitigate the ongoing situation."

With very little time left in this legislative session, it is vital for the House, as a body, to do its job and stay focused on the goal at hand  to deliver for the people of the state, Schexnayder said.

The disagreement stems from Garofalos decision to move ahead with a bill that seeks to put limits on classroom discussions about racism. The proposal sparked weeks of racial tensions in the House and has worsened fractures among Republicans.

Last week, Garofalo, of St. Bernard Parish, said he was removed as education committee chairman. But the Houses second-ranking Republican, Rep. Tanner Magee, said Garofalo was only asked to temporarily step down from the chairmanship for the rest of the legislative session, not for the full term.

Since then, Schexnayder hadn't filed any paperwork to remove Garofalo as chairman, so Garofalo decided to chair Wednesdays hearing. But he said Schexnayder disagreed. Most committee members didn't show up, and the full agenda was scrapped.

Garofalo said Schexnayder told him Wednesday morning before the hearing: If you go up there, Im going to have you removed from the building or I'm going to cancel the meeting." Garofalo waited 45 minutes for enough committee members to show up to vote on bills but had to jettison the meeting when it became clear lawmakers weren't arriving.

It's ridiculous, Garofalo said. I get the politics. But dont make me a chairman in name only.

The Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, which helped Schexnayder obtain the speakers job, had called for Garofalos ejection from the chairmans job in late April and had been withholding support for a tax overhaul sought by Schexnayder and other legislative leaders. With Garofalo apparently sidelined last week, the tax measures won bipartisan support.

Black lawmakers were upset with Garofalos legislation aimed at blocking the teaching of critical race theory, an examination of the ways in which race and racism have influenced politics, culture, government systems and laws.

The bill  similar to measures proposed by Republican lawmakers in numerous states  remains stalled in committee. It would prohibit teaching in public schools or colleges that either the United States or Louisiana is systematically racist or sexist, and forbid giving students or employees information that promotes divisive concepts.

Lawmakers said Schexnayder asked Garofalo not to push ahead with the bill, but Garofalo held an hourslong hearing anyway, in which he referenced the good of slavery. Since then, Garofalo has doubled down on defending the legislation, and state Republican Party leaders have rallied to his cause.

The comments about slavery came in an exchange with New Orleans Republican Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, who asked Garofalo to explain how the measure would work practically in a classroom.

If youre having a discussion on whatever the case may be, on slavery, then you can talk about everything having to do with slavery: the good, the bad, the ugly, Garofalo said.

Hilferty interrupted him: Theres no good to slavery, though.

Garofalo quickly replied: Youre right. I didnt mean to imply that. And I dont believe that.

But after the Black Caucus sought Garofalos ouster as chairman, Garofalo refused to apologize for the statements. Magee has said Garofalo is trying to position himself as martyr and refuses to work collaboratively with Schexnayder.

___

Follow Melinda Deslatte on Twitter at http://twitter.com/melindadeslatte.
COVINGTON, La. (AP)  A 22-year-old Louisiana man has pleaded guilty to raping a teenager after her high school graduation party and to the sexual battery of a 12-year-old at his house.

District Attorney Warren Montgomery said in a news release Tuesday that Richard Michael Deidrich of Mandeville pleaded guilty Monday to one count of second-degree rape and two counts of sexual battery of a victim less than 13 years old.
AUBURN, Maine (AP)  The bicentennial parade that will celebrate 200 years of Maine statehood will finally take place in August after a long delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Maine Bicentennial Commission said Tuesday the State of Maine Bicentennial Parade Presented by Poland Spring will take place on Aug. 21 in downtown Auburn and Lewiston. The event was originally slated for spring 2020. The delay means Maine will actually be 201 years old during the event.

Event planners "are very excited that the pandemic response has progressed to point that will now allow us to share the excitement of this event with people throughout Maine, said the bicentennial commission chair, Democratic Sen. William Diamond.

The parade is among numerous bicentennial events that were postponed by the coronavirus pandemic. The commission said more details about the plans for the event will be released when the parade date nears.

In other pandemic news in Maine:

THE NUMBERS

More than 70% of Maine residents who are eligible for the coronavirus vaccine have had at least one shot, Democratic Gov. Janet Mills said Tuesday. That means the state has far surpassed President Joe Biden's goal of getting 70% of American adults a shot by July 4, she said.

We are getting shots into arms at a nation-leading pace, seeing our case counts trend downward, and getting back to normal, Mills said.

The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Maine did not increase over the past two weeks, going from 278.14 new cases per day on May 10 to 146.43 new cases per day on May 24. The seven-day rolling average of daily deaths in Maine has risen over the past two weeks from 1.00 deaths per day on May 10 to 2.71 deaths per day on May 24.

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 reported on Wednesday that 825 people have died of coronavirus in the state since the start of the pandemic. The state has also been the site of more than 67,000 cases of the virus.

Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said the number of daily deaths is not trending up at a rate that is alarming to public health authorities. He added that the number of daily deaths is still very low.

It's still deeply saddening and we mourn the loss of those individuals, he said.

___

CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

The Childrens Museum & Theatre of Maine in Portland plans to open to the public in its new location on June 24.

The museum closed at its old location on Free Street at the start of the coronavirus pandemic and then announced in October that it would not reopen that location. It will now be located at a new 30,000-square-foot facility at Thompsons Point.

The museum said in a statement that when it reopens it will do so with protocols in place to keep visitors safe, including: timed ticketing, reduced building capacity, social distancing, enhanced cleaning, and mandatory mask wearing of all visitors five years old and up.
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP)  A Wisconsin man convicted of killing his wife who went missing in 2013 and whose body has never been found was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without parole.

James Prokopovitz, 75, was charged in 2019 with murder and three other counts on accusations he killed his wife, Victoria. He was the last person known to have to seen her on April 25, 2013. Her purse, cell phone and ID were all found at her home in Pittsfield, about 15 miles northwest of Green Bay.
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP)  A man has been sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for attempting to smuggle ammunition from the United States into Mexico, according to federal prosecutors in Tucson.

They said 42-year-old Jorge Armando Lopez-Espinoza, a Mexican national, received a 46-month prison term.

Prosecutors said that in May 2020, Lopez-Espinoza conspired with others to smuggle 8,000 rounds of ammunition in his tractor trailer from Nogales, Arizona, to Mexico.

Law enforcement agents were able to intercept the shipments of ammunition before Lopez-Espinoza acquired them.

Lopez-Espinoza picked up the boxes he believed contained the 8,000 rounds, hid them in his tractor trailer and attempted to enter Mexico through the Nogales Port of Entry.

Prosecutors said Lopez-Espinoza later admitted he expected to be paid for the smuggling and had previously smuggled ammunition into Mexico in exchange for money.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)  Minnesota housing officials are urging state legislators to proceed carefully in negotiating an end to a moratorium on rental property evictions.

While other coronavirus restrictions are being lifted, lawmakers have failed to reach a compromise on ending the eviction moratorium.

Housing commissioner Jennifer Ho said the anxiety of both owners and renters is real.

Why would the Legislature want to inflict unnecessary harm that creates a chaotic environment when were all tired from what weve been through with the pandemic and the economy?" Ho asked.

Because of COVID-19, landlords dealing with unpaid rent, loud parties, police calls and threatening behavior haven't been able to evict tenants because of the moratorium, Minnesota Public Radio News reported.

We have people that are behaving badly in our properties and we need to bring some relief to their neighbors who have put up with their nonsense for far too long, said Cecil Smith, president of the Minnesota Multi Housing Association.

Democrats want landlords to hold off on most evictions for financial reasons for a year after the moratorium lifts. And then provide at least 30 days notice before canceling a lease or moving to evict a person for failing to pay rent or otherwise breaking a lease.

Gov. Tim Walz wants legislators to reach an agreement instead of him rescinding the moratorium order.

Ive said from the beginning: I dont think you can let this instantly sunset, Walz said. Ive said if we can reach a compromise in the House and Senate, we will certainly sign what they come up with.
Lane Turner/AP

BOSTON (AP)  The Speaker of the Massachusetts House apologized for a comment he made about fearing his car would get stolen during a visit to the city's South End, which one person criticized as insulting.

Democrat Ron Mariano, 74, made the comment Tuesday at an event held by current state representative and mayoral candidate Jon Santiago in the city's South End. Several other lawmakers from outside the city also attended.
BECKLEY, W.Va. (AP)  A West Virginia city that borders New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is asking for federal funding to build a welcome center and city park, officials said.

The proposed recreation development would secure Beckleys place as a gateway city to the New River Gorge, Mayor Rob Rappold announced Monday, according to The Register-Herald.
Blackshear, GA (31516)

Today

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP)  Michigan Medicine, the health care arm of the University of Michigan, is giving a $1,500 bonus to each of its employees as a recognition of their work during the pandemic, officials said Wednesday.

Incredible teamwork was demonstrated by our caregivers, as well as our educators and researchers who all continued to support our mission, said Dr. Marschall Runge, chief executive of Michigan Medicine and dean of the medical school.
MyPillow founder Mike Lindell was thrown out of the Republican Governors Association's spring conference this week after he showed up to the event in Nashville and vowed to confront GOP governors about his false claims surrounding the 2020 presidential election.

Lindell is a prominent ally of Donald Trump who has championed the former president's claims of election fraud. Lindell told Politico, and confirmed to The Washington Post, that a conference coordinator told him that despite being credentialed, he was prohibited from attending any of the official RGA events during the three-day session. In an interview with The Post, Lindell said he was denied transportation to a Tuesday evening dinner at the official residence of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, R.

"These events are for RGA members, and Mike Lindell is not currently an RGA member," an RGA official told Politico.

The move to ban Lindell from the conference came after the pro-Trump pillow magnate promised to challenge Republican Govs. Brian Kemp of Georgia and Doug Ducey of Arizona, the chair of the organization, about the election results in their states - both won by President Joe Biden.

"I don't know how you sleep well at night, Doug, on something like that, and Kemp's even worse," Lindell said of the governors to Stephen Bannon, an ex-adviser to Trump, on his radio show Tuesday. "I don't understand people who are like that, so I just want to understand where they're coming from. I just want to know why."

Lindell told The Post on Wednesday that he was informed by an RGA official that he was prohibited from attending the dinner shortly before his shuttle was scheduled to leave.

"He said: 'I got bad news. I just got a call and you're uninvited,' " Lindell recalled. "I said, 'Why?' He said, 'It has something to do with Brian Kemp and Doug Ducey.' "

Representatives with the Republican Governors Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment early Wednesday.

Lindell has seen his national profile rise since publicly aligning himself with Trump last year and later pushing some of the wildest election-related accusations without evidence. He was sued in February for $1.3 billion by the election technology company Dominion Voting Systems over "false and conspiratorial" claims that the firm somehow rigged the 2020 election against Trump.

The lawsuits filed against Trump's lawyers and several right-wing media outlets have brought about awkward broadcast moments involving Lindell as he's continued to support baseless election claims. Newsmax attempted to stop Lindell from making claims about Dominion during an interview, and a host even read a legal disclaimer while talking over the pillow executive. When Lindell refused to stop spouting election misinformation, the anchor later walked off the set in frustration.

Moments before One America News aired a documentary from Lindell that he claimed offered "absolute proof" of election fraud, the cable news network ran a disclaimer detailing how the claims made in the film "are not intended to be taken or interpreted by the viewer as established facts."

He's recently focused his attention on Maricopa County, Ariz., where the Republican-led state Senate took custody of all the nearly 2.1 million ballots in the state's most populous county for an audit that's been denounced by local GOP leaders as a "sham" and a "con." Lindell described Arizona as "ground zero" at the Conservative Political Action Conference this year.

He repeated those baseless claims Tuesday to Bannon, the conservative provocateur who had his fraud case formally dismissed by a federal judge this week after months of haggling over how the court system should handle his pardon from Trump.

Lindell had reportedly attended RGA's winter meeting in 2020 as a guest of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell. Some of those in attendance at that event had even encouraged Lindell to run for office, he told The Post, which came as Trump was nudging one of his most vocal allies to do the same.

"They all did. Everybody encouraged me," he said to Politico at the time. "There was a lot of encouragement."
NATCHEZ, Miss. (AP)  The trial of a Mississippi woman charged with the 2019 murder of her boyfriend has been postponed indefinitely while the court finds a new prosecutor.

Jessica Aldridge was scheduled to go to trial on May 17, but the Natchez Democrat reports that Sixth Judicial District Judge Lillie Sanders recused the office of District Attorney Shameca Collins.

Sanders approved the motion for a new prosecutor from Aldridges lawyer Cynthia Stewart, who said her client spoke about the case with Paul Sullivan before he became Collins assistant district attorney.

Collins said Sullivan denied the exchange, according to the newspaper.

Aldridge, 33, was arrested in the fatal shooting of her boyfriend Joseph Cupit in March 2019. She told investigators the couple got into an argument and Cupit had choked her.

She was released on a $100,000 bond in April 2020 after becoming pregnant with the child of another inmate at the Adams County Jail.

According to a court order, Aldridge has to stay at home, wear an electronic monitoring device and pay the devices monthly service fee. No one can visit her and she cant use social media, the internet or phone, the order said.

Her attorney also filed a motion to change the venue of the trial due to the amount of news media attention the case has gotten. Sanders told the Natchez Democrat that she hadnt heard the motion as of Monday because a new prosecutor was not yet assigned.

The courts intention is to try this case by the end of the year, the judge said.
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP)  Twelve more people have died in Cambodia from drinking cheap adulterated rice wine, a perennial problem especially in rural areas, officials said.

The Health Ministry said the victims died in two additional deadly incidents after a drinking session at a May 10 funeral in Kandal province took the lives of 12 other people.

A court in Kandal has charged 13 people  two producers and 11 vendors  in connection with that incident. They are accused of violating a law against misleading representation leading to death or disability, which is punishable by two to five years imprisonment.

Two people in a nearby village who had not attended the funeral died from drinking tainted wine this past Sunday and 10 others died in a village in the southern province of Kampot, the ministry said in a statement Tuesday. Fifty-six others were sickened but are recovering.

After tests from Kampot showed the deaths were caused by toxic wine, officials went to the affected village and barred further production and consumption of the product.

Rice wine is typically made in small batches in homes in the countryside and is popular at events such as weddings, funerals and village festivals. Alcohol is sometimes added to boost the drinks potency, but if it is not distilled properly it can contain toxic levels of methanol, which can cause blindness or death.

The ministry says that samples of the tainted wine contained excessive methanol.

Tests showed that the victims did not have COVID-19, which has surged recently in Cambodia, it said.

It advised local officials to monitor production of rice wine to make sure it is made safely without the addition of methanol.
LENEXA, Kan. (AP)  The man shot and killed during a shootout with police officers in a Kansas City suburb was from Tennessee, police said Wednesday.

Darren Dejuan Chandler, 34, of the Nashville metropolitan area, was killed early Tuesday at the Extended Stay America hotel in Lenexa, Kansas, said police spokesman Master Police Officer Danny Chavez.
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP)  The Navajo Nation on Tuesday reported six new confirmed COVID-19 cases and one additional death.

Tribal health officials said the latest figures pushed the total number of cases since the pandemic began more than a year ago to 30,785 on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)  A Nebraska county that was ordered to pay a $28.1 million legal judgment for sending six innocent people to prison will get $4 million from the state to help pay it off.

Gov. Pete Ricketts signed off on the payment on Tuesday, despite raising objections to a 2019 measure that allowed Gage County to impose a half-cent sales tax without voter approval to pay some of the debt. County supervisors have already raised their property tax levy to the maximum allowed under state law to help cover the cost.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)  Nebraska lawmakers approved formal guidelines Wednesday for the redrawing of political boundaries, a process that will shape the state's legislative and congressional districts for the next decade.

The 30-16 vote was largely on party lines, with Republicans supporting the guidelines, even though Nebraska's Legislature is ostensibly nonpartisan.
The leaders of the Nevada Republican Party are facing an internal revolt after an avowed Proud Boys member said he was invited with friends to cast the deciding votes last month in the censure of a state official who concluded that the 2020 election in the state was not tainted by fraud.

In the past week, the Nevada Senate GOP caucus and the chairmen of the two largest Republican county organizations have called for an audit of an April state party vote to uncover who cast ballots as seated party members and proxies for a resolution against Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske, a Republican.

The Republican state chairman Michael McDonald, a close ally of former president Donald Trump, has so far declined to release those details, other Republican officials said.

"We need to find out who attended, who paid for them to attend, and what impact they had on this censuring of Barbara," state Sen. Carrie Buck, a Republican, said in an interview. If the claims of the self-described Proud Boys member are true, she said "of course the current leadership of the state [party] should resign."

The conflict is the latest flash point in the tumult playing out within the Republican Party nationwide, as officials rush to prove their allegiance to Trump and his election falsehoods.

In the District of Columbia, House Republicans this month voted to expel Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming from her leadership post after she continued to condemn Trump's rhetoric. And communities across the country are grappling with demands by local residents to review and audit the 2020 vote.

The three-page censure approved by the Nevada GOP claimed, among other things, that Cegavske disregarded "her oath of office by failing to investigate election fraud." The April 10 vote passed by a margin of 126 to 112, according to the Associated Press.

In fact, an investigation by Cegavske, the only statewide elected Republican, found there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the state, which President Biden won by more than 2 percentage points. And a number of judges - including the Nevada Supreme Court - rejected an appeal from Trump's campaign to overturn the state's election results.

"My job is to carry out the duties of my office as enacted by the Nevada Legislature, not carry water for the state GOP or put my thumb on the scale of democracy," Cegavske said in a statement after she was censured.

The furor over the censure vote comes as local GOP officials in Nevada said they have been alarmed by recent attempts by people espousing extremist views to get involved in the party - including at least one man who has said he is a member of the Proud Boys.

Members of the all-male, far-right group have a history of violence, often clashing in fistfights with left-wing street protesters. More than two dozen alleged members or supporters of the Proud Boys have been charged with committing crimes connected to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and the Canadian government recently labeled the chapter there a terrorist entity, leading it to dissolve.

In Las Vegas, the clash over the party's future has pitted the new band of activists against elected Clark County GOP officials, who said they have already banned seven people from participating in local functions because of racist and antisemitic material they said was distributed on the messaging app Telegram in a channel connected to a group called Keep Nevada Open.

The situation has grown increasingly tense in recent days. The county party canceled a regularly scheduled meeting this week after members of the same group of activists issued online calls to protest the event under the banner "STOP THE RINO STEAL," a phrase that combined slogans of the pro-Trump "Stop the Steal" movement with an acronym for "Republican in Name Only."

At a news conference Monday, Clark County GOP vice chair Stephen Silberkraus said the local party made the decision after far-right activists affiliated with Keep Nevada Open "indicated their intent to blockade and disrupt our meeting."

He said the party has reported a number of online attacks and threats to law enforcement, adding: "Our management team has decided that the risk to our members outweighs the value of this meeting."

Activists affiliated with Keep Nevada Open, who did not respond to requests for comment, have said that they do not condone hate or violence.

The activists came together last year online, though Facebook and Telegram groups, to protest covid-19 restrictions and support Trump's 2020 reelection campaign, according to one of the organizers, Matthew Anthony Yankley, who goes by the name Matt Anthony.

A self-described night club promoter, he said on a recent podcast that he is a member of the Proud Boys, which he said was not violent or racist.

Anthony also said one of the online groups that he helps to run, Fight for Nevada, has been urged by the "heads of" the state Republican Party to help in political efforts, including at the recent statewide party meeting, where the secretary of state was censured.

"We got about 30 people to actually go up to Carson City, which ended up being the deciding votes to censure," Anthony said on the "Johnny Bru Show" podcast on May 16. "Our votes absolutely made the difference in censuring."

Anthony did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

David Sajdak, the chair of the Clark County Republican Party, said in an interview that he had been assured by state party leaders at the Carson City event that his organization had approved all the members from his county who were seated to vote.

Sajdak said he was concerned to see Anthony and one of his colleagues, Rodolfo "Rudy" Clai, seated separately from the county organizations at the state party meeting. He said he now fears state leaders allowed other people to have voting rights, and then allowed Anthony and his friends to offer proxy votes on their behalf at the event.

Clai did not respond to requests for comment. After the Clark County meeting was canceled this week, Clai posted a message on his Facebook page saying that he and his allies do not "condone or call for violence."

Later, he added, "Another great day WINNING over the lying cheating Rinos in Clark County."

The Clark County GOP has taken the position that if any state party officials were found to let in members of the Proud Boys into the party, they should resign.

"My concern is that every other county in the state was allowed to check in their own people for the county, and our people were not allowed to check in our own people," Sajdak said. "We just feel it is a little ironic that the organization that is calling out the secretary of state over voter integrity is not showing voter integrity itself."

Sajdak's concerns are shared by the chairman of the Washoe County Republican Party, Michael Kadenacy, who represents Reno-area Republicans. Washoe and Clark counties represented 245 of the 390 eligible votes at the April meeting, Sajdak said.

Kadenacy said that normally the county party is responsible for keeping track of proxy votes for their members, and that the audit would find out if that happened in April.

"Washoe is not interested in a having a food fight," Kadenacy said. "We are interested in having a party that runs itself correctly and within our statutes and bylaws."

A spokeswoman for McDonald, the state party chairman, did not respond to specific questions about Anthony's statements or Sajdak's complaints.

In an unsigned statement, the party accused Sajdak of spreading "slanderous lies," and said it was false that McDonald "personally and improperly" seated additional members at the event.

The party's statement said Clark County was permitted to seat additional members for the vote. Sajdak confirmed that, but said it was irrelevant to the question of whether other people were permitted to participate in the censure vote.

McDonald, who has long had a tense relationship with the Clark County leaders, has been outspoken about his personal relationship with Trump. He has also been critical of efforts by other party members to exclude activists from the party for controversial views.

"What I don't like is that I have people in my party saying, 'Oh no, we are going to select who can come and who can't,' " McDonald said at a recent Las Vegas event for a group called the Republican Chamber of Commerce, which was captured in a video posted on Facebook. "My tent - everybody's invited. My party - everybody's invited."

Both Kadenacy and Sajdak declined to say whether they still had confidence in the McDonald's leadership.

The Clark County party compiled an extensive file of offensive images and posts that officials said came from the Telegram account connected to Keep Nevada Open, a group Anthony helps run, according to a bio on his website. The file included antisemitic memes, with quotes from German leader Adolf Hitler and his propagandist Joseph Goebbels, posts describing the United States as a "white nation" and videos praising the Nazi regime, party officials said.

"When I signed up, I signed up to talk about policy issues," Sajdak said. "I never thought I would have to defend against racist zealots and Nazis."

In an interview last week with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, which first reported on Sajdak's concerns, Anthony told the paper that he was unaware of the antisemitic content shared by members of the online groups he has helped manage, and said he had banned the person responsible.

"I condemn any type of hate," Anthony told the Review-Journal. He said the county party leaders had decided to "play dirty" because Anthony and his allies have enough people to vote in a new slate of leadership later this year.

Anthony and Clai have publicly urged conservative activists to embrace more aggressive types of confrontation. They have also spoken with nostalgia about the days when Las Vegas was controlled by organized crime figures. Anthony was convicted in 2012 of felony drug possession in Michigan, where there remains an outstanding bench warrant for his arrest after he did not continue requirements of his probation, according to Michigan court records.

"Most of the average people out here are starving for some kind of old-school tactics that used to go down in this city," Anthony said in an episode of his eponymous YouTube show. "Because that's what we need right now. We need toughness. We don't need keyboard warriors."

Clai has started a Las Vegas consulting group with Anthony called the Know-All Team, according to a website for the group. On it, Clai describes himself as a fixer who used to work in Chicago for "the goodfellas, the deal makers, politicians, mobsters." After a health scare, the website says, he decided to change his ways and "use my old school mobster knowledge and experience and apply it to everyday life . . . DOING GOOD!"

Clai has said his group would help return Las Vegas to its earlier glory days, when organized crime was a force in the city.

"Early Vegas had Meyer Lansky and 'Lucky' Luciano, and everybody. And they had Murder Inc. That was the beginning of Vegas," Clai said on the YouTube video, adding: "Now we are at a new beginning in Vegas. We are going to start, and we got the Know-All Team behind us."

- - -

The Washington Post's Alice Crites and Amy Gardner contributed to this report.
RENO, Nev. (AP)  Northern Nevada Rep. Mark Amodei has said he is still weighing whether to run for governor and did not have a timeline for when he might make a decision.

The six-term Republican congressman said he was not in a rush to determine if he would run against Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak in 2022 and that he was not concerned about two Republicans who have already launched campaigns in the race, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported Monday.
LOS LUNAS, N.M. (AP)  The Los Lunas school board has been suspended by the New Mexico Public Education Department over allegations that multiple board members violated ethical standards and procurement and public access laws.

State officials made the announcement Wednesday, saying that it first warned the board about violations in November and that training for board members followed in January and February.

Despite those efforts, the agency said certain unnamed board members persisted in engaging in improper conduct.

Education Secretary Ryan Stewart, in a letter to the board, said members are entrusted by voters to act in the best interest of the students and have a responsibility to be effective stewards of public resources.

The conduct of certain Los Lunas school board members is antithetical to these standards and has impeded the ability of the board as a whole to act as expected, Stewart wrote. This conduct has created a sense of instability and ethical impropriety negatively impacting all aspects of the districts operations and severely impairing the educational process in the district.

Board member Frank Otero said an email to The Associated Press that he wanted to assure people he was not among those accused of wrongdoing.

I was first elected in 2007 and have always conducted business in an honest and professional manner. It seems that I am being suspended for failing to have the votes to carry a majority, he said.

The other members did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

Los Lunas Superintendent Arsenio Romero said he couldnt comment on the allegations but said in a letter to staff that he planned to work with Stewart to ensure that the school district complies with all orders and actions by the state agency.

The school board is an integral part of the success of a school district and its student outcomes. It is important that everyone is held to the highest standards, Romero said in the letter.

With the suspension, the board members are not allowed to contact school staff or use school equipment or facilities and they cannot use the boards attorney to represent them.

The Public Education Department said it has credible evidence that one or more board members knowingly misrepresented information in public meetings, violated the state public records law by not producing records as required and bypassed procurement procedures by demanding contracts for goods and services be awarded to certain vendors.

Other claims include falsifying allegations about financial misconduct, interfering with personnel matters and demanding that family members be hired.

State officials said the information about the violations also was sent to state police and the state auditor's office.
LA VISTA, Neb. (AP)  Officials in eastern Nebraska have suspended the search of a lake and recreational area in their effort to find an 11-year-old autistic boy missing for more than a week.

Police, sheriff's deputies, FBI agents and others have combed the Walnut Creek Recreation Area over recent days and even lowered the parks lake by several feet in the search for 11-year-old Ryan Larsen, La Vista Police Chief Bob Lausten said. The intensive search of the area was launched after several search dogs indicated they had picked up a scent that could have been from Ryan.
ISLAMABAD (AP)  A journalist who is critical of Pakistan's powerful military and intelligence agencies was severely beaten by three unidentified men in an attack at his apartment in Islamabad, the journalist and colleagues said Wednesday.

Asad Ali Toor, who works for the Aaj News Pakistani TV channel, told police in a statement the attackers claimed they were intelligence agents.

He said they tied his hands and feet with cloth and one of them hit him with a pistol. Toor said the assailants asked about his source of income and forced him to chant slogans in favor of the army.

Apart from his work for the TV channel, Toor runs his own YouTube channel.

Last month, Toor claimed he received threats over his journalistic work.

There was no immediate response from the military, which was likely to issue a statement to distance itself from the assault. However, Pakistans minister for human rights, Shireen Mazari, condemned the attack on Toor. She took to Twitter, saying information minister Fawad Chaudhry was in contact with the police.

In a statement, the main representative body for journalists the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, denounced the attack on Toor. It said the cowardly act of beating and harassing an independent journalist" showed the anxiety of anti-media agents bent on denying freedom of the press and free speech and expression in the country.

It demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the attack.

Amnesty International also took to Twitter, expressing its concern over the attack on Toor and urging Pakistani authorities to take urgent steps to provide journalists with greater protection, following years of spiralling threats, intimidation and attacks against media workers in Pakistan."

Although Pakistans government insists it supports freedom of speech, journalists and press freedom advocates often accuse Pakistans military and its agencies of harassing and attacking journalists.
SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP)  Pacific Gas & Electric is getting hit with a nearly $150 million bill for neglect that caused Northern California wildfires during the past two years and mismanagement of blackouts designed to prevent the utility's crumbling power grid from causing more damage.

The one-two punch was delivered Wednesday. California power regulators are fining PG&E $106 million for its mishandling of power outages in 2019. The utility also reached $43.4 million in settlements with government agencies in three counties ravaged by wildfires ignited by its equipment during 2019 and last year.

That is just the latest financial fallout from years of perilous behavior affecting some of the 16 million people who rely on PG&E in a sprawling service territory. When the utility's fraying equipment or inability to properly trim trees around its power lines hasn't been wreaking havoc in the form of wildfires, PG&E has been exasperating customers with botched blackouts that have at times lasted several days during hot and windy conditions.

A series of power outages imposed during the autumn 2019 went so awry that California's Public Utilities Commission quickly opened an investigation into PG&E's conduct. An Associated Press investigation later determined t hat only a handful of PG&E's emergency personnel had received training in the disaster response playbook that California has used for a generation before those 2019 blackouts.

In an 89-page decision outlining the reasons for its fine, regulators blasted PG&E for a overwhelmed website that couldn't handle incoming traffic from customers wondering whether they would have power, as well its failure to give adequate advance warning of the blackouts to about 50,000 customers.

Although PG&E is being fined $106 million, the utility won't be paying that much now. That's because it is being credited for $86 million that it had already been ordered to refund to customers affected during the lengthy 2019 outages.

The decision imposing the fine will become effective in 30 days barring an appeal or a request for review.

In a statement, PG&E acknowledged its handling of the 2019 outages fell short of what our customers expect and deserve" while highlighting improvements it has made since then to reduce the scope and duration of blackouts that are expected to periodically occur for at least for at least several more years while PG&E tries to improve its grid.

We will continue to make additional improvements to support our customers, while working to keep them safe," PG&E said.

The $43.4 million in settlements will cover some of the costs incurred by 10 government agencies during the Kincade Fire that destroyed more than 100 homes in Sonoma County during October 2019 and the Zogg Fire that killed four people in Shasta County last September. Some of the money will also go to Tehama County, where the Zogg Fire also raged.

The payments won't wipe PG&E's slate entirely clean.

The San Francisco company is still facing 33 criminal charges of inadvertently injuring six firefighters and endangering public health in Sonoma County for the Kincade Fire  accusations that PG&E denies. The state also forwarded a March report blaming the Zogg Fire on PG&E to the Shasta County District Attorney's office to determine if criminal charges may be warranted there.

PG&E's neglect has had even more catastrophic consequences, most notably during 2017 and 2018 when a series of wildfires blamed on its equipment burned down more than 28,000 buildings and killed more than 100 people.

The devastation prompted PG&E to spend 17 months in bankruptcy court, where it negotiated a $13.5 billion settlement with wildfire victims. It also resulted in the company pleading guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter in Butte County, where the town of Paradise was wiped out by the Camp Fire in 2018.

After emerging from bankruptcy protection last summer, PG&E hired a new chief executive, Patricia Patti Poppe, to oversee its efforts to imits grid during a process expected to last for most of this decade and, in this case, clean up some of its past messes.

When I joined PG&E earlier this year, I said that I wanted to make it right and make it safe for our customers and communities," Poppe said.

Even so, PG&E continues to be haunted by its conduct before Poppe started her job in January.

California power regulators last month rebuked PG&E for ongoing neglect of its power lines last year. And the utility is scheduled to appear next week before a federal judge weighing whether its role in the Kincade Fire violated its probation terms for a criminal conviction that came down after its natural gas lines below up a suburban neighborhood south of San Francisco in 2010.
A small plane that was connected with a flight school crashed near an airport in eastern Tennessee on Tuesday, killing the pilot, authorities said.

The body of 35-year-old Vasile Ghelan, of Knoxville, was found at the crash scene, Cumberland County Sheriffs Office Sgt. Gary Howard said in a statement. Ghelan was the only person on board.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP)  Police in West Virginia are looking for a 3-month-old girl who was reported missing by child protective services, authorities said.

West Virginia Child Protective Services reported Angel Nichole Overstreet missing Monday after checking with her father regarding custody issues stemming from Kentucky, Huntington Police said in a statement.

The father told them he had turned the baby over to workers with the agency approximately two weeks earlier, police said. Authorities say investigators have not been able to substantiate a custody exchange and can't confirm the girl's whereabouts since May 8.

Police asked for the public's help to find the child, who is described as white with blue eyes, dark hair and a strawberry-shaped mark on the back of her neck.

Police said they are working with child protective services in West Virginia and Kentucky to find the girl.

At this time we have no specific evidence of foul play but we are very concerned for the safety of Angel Nichole Overstreet, Huntington Police Chief Ray Cornwell said at a news conference Wednesday.

Cornwell said that the father, Shannon Patrick Overstreet, was arrested Monday on unrelated outstanding warrants. He was being held on $110,000 bond at the Western Regional Jail.

Search warrants have been executed for the home of Overstreet's mother and his vehicle as well as several digital devices, Cornwell said. Police also are working with Kentucky authorities on a search warrant for a property that Overstreet owns in Olive Hill.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)  Two crowds gathered in Portland to mark the anniversary of the murder of George Floyd  one peacefully singing and chanting and carrying signs, while the other gathered downtown, prepared for conflict, police said Wednesday. Five people were ultimately arrested after the downtown crowd lit fires, broke windows and threw objects at officers.

The downtown crowd included people wearing helmets and carrying gas masks, backpacks and tote bags. Some pushed a dumpster against the Multnomah County Justice Center and lit it on fire, while many others held umbrellas up to obscure their actions, and people chanted to burn the building down, the police statement said.
PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga. (AP)  Authorities attempting to serve a warrant to a murder suspect in Georgia found the man dead inside his apartment, police said.

Deputies believed Aaron Woods could have been barricaded in a Peachtree Corners apartment on Tuesday and called for support from SWAT officers, according to a statement from the Gwinnett County Police Department.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  Virginia State Police are looking into the report of a gunshot heard just before a crash that killed four people and injured three more early Wednesday on Interstate 95 in Henrico County.

The crash happened before 2 a.m. at the Route 301 overpass, police said in a news release.
KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C. (AP)  After a cleaning service found a loaded pistol in the room of an Outer Banks beach house where children typically stay, police are urging vacationers to keep track of their guns and safely lock them when theyre not being used.

Rebecca Lancaster, who owns Island Time Property Solutions, told The Virginian-Pilot that a Glock handgun was found in a drawer at a rental in Kill Devil Hills last week. A family with children moved in this week after the room  which had toys in a closet and bunkbeds  was used by adults the week before.

If the cleaners had not seen it, that could have been tragic, Lancaster told the newspaper.

Shes a registered gun owner and supports gun rights but said this is such a big issue and people dont see it, how deadly it could be, even as an accident.

The gun that Lancaster turned in was the third one left at a beach rental that week, according to Kill Devil Hills police. The cleaning service owner said she has heard of other house cleaners finding guns that were left behind.

The Dare County Sheriffs Office gets a call about once a week regarding a gun found at a rental property, Lt. Doug Oberbeck told the newspaper. A boy found one hidden under a mattress last summer and brought it to his father, who turned it in to the sheriff.

Willo Kelly, executive director of the Outer Banks Association of Realtors, said shes heard of people finding guns taped to the underside of toilet tanks.

Youve got to check all the places, she said.

Vacationers typically check out of rentals on Saturday mornings and crews clean the houses before the next group arrives hours later.

Packing can sometimes be rushed to leave on time, but Kill Devil Hills Capt. John Towler said guns should be treated with more importance than other belongings so they dont get left behind.

Your gun should be as primary in your mind as your keys and wallet or purse when you are leaving your rental or hotel, he told The Virginian-Pilot in an email.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP)  Kentucky will reopen its prisons to visitors starting next month as the COVID-19 vaccination rate has risen among inmates, Gov. Andy Beshear said.

Visitations will resume the week of June 20 at Department of Corrections and Juvenile Justice facilities, the governor announced Tuesday.

More than 75% of adult inmates in state custody have been vaccinated, he said. The state halted in-person visits more than a year ago in response to the pandemic.

Visitors must be vaccinated and will be expected to wear a mask and practice social distancing, the governor said. Each inmate will be allowed two visitors at a time.

Remember, this is a setting where if there is a COVID outbreak we have seen that it can be devastating, how quickly it can be spread, Beshear said.

Several virus outbreaks were reported at Kentucky prisons and jails during the pandemic.

The new visitation guidelines don't apply to county jails.

On Wednesday, the state reported 440 new coronavirus cases, including 78 cases involving Kentuckians 18 and younger. There were 19 more virus-related deaths, including three discovered from the states audit of deaths from prior months. Kentuckys virus-related deaths since the pandemic began reached at least 6,744.

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Find APs full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic.
RENO, Nev. (AP)  A Reno man has pleaded guilty to possessing and selling hundreds of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing the powerful and dangerous synthetic opioid fentanyl, Nevada's top federal prosecutor said Wednesday.

Octavio Mendoza Jr., 24, faces a sentence of at least five years in prison, under a plea agreement that avoided trial.
CHICAGO (AP)  A 16-year-old boy shot in the head and pronounced dead before being resuscitated was among four teens shot in an apartment on Chicago's south side early Wednesday, police said.

The boy, two 17-year-olds and a 19-year-old were inside an apartment in the Englewood neighborhood when someone got into an argument and opened fire about 1 a.m., Chicago police said.
MOSCOW (AP)  The lower house of Russia's parliament on Wednesday endorsed a bill that prevents people affiliated with groups considered extremist from running for office, part of authorities' efforts to sideline associates of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny ahead of parliamentary elections later this year.

After the State Duma approved the bill in the final third reading, it will now need to be vetted by the upper house and signed by President Vladimir Putin to become law.

Lawmakers have fast-tracked the bill while a Moscow court has considered a request by prosecutors to designate Navalnys Foundation for Fighting Corruption and his regional offices as extremist groups.

Navalny and his allies have denounced the proceedings as part of Kremlin efforts to muzzle dissent ahead of Septembers parliamentary election. Several of Navalny's associates have declared their intention to run in the polls.

Leonid Volkov, Navalnys chief strategist, tweeted that the bill clearly shows that the Kremlin is panicky about the forthcoming election.

Navalny, who is Putins most determined political foe, was arrested in January upon returning from Germany, where he spent five months recovering from a nerve agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin  accusations that Russian officials reject. In February, Navalny received a 2 1/2-year prison sentence for violating the terms of a suspended sentence from a 2014 embezzlement conviction that he dismissed as politically motivated.

Navalny has relied on his offices across Russia to promote and implement his Smart Voting strategy  a project to support any candidates who are most likely to defeat those from the Kremlins dominant United Russia party in various elections.

If the court designates Navalny's organization as extremist and the new bill becomes law as expected, it would bar members of Navalny's organizations and his allies from running for parliament in September's election. It would also blacklist even those who donated funds to Navalny's groups and shared their materials.
When San Francisco banned flavored tobacco products in 2018  including fruity Juul pods and menthol cigarettes  the move was seen as a win for public health.

New data, however, reveals that the law may have actually increased the amount of San Francisco teens getting hooked on old-fashioned cigarettes, reports Gizmodo.

The ban, which was backed by the American Heart Association (and unsuccessfully fought by big tobacco), passed in June 2018 and was intended to make tobacco products less appealing to children and young adults after concerns grew that companies such as Juul were marketing to teens with sweet, colorful flavors, such as mango, creme, fruit and cucumber pods.

But now some experts are raising concerns about a counterproductive effect, with a new study revealing that some teens who would have only ever vaped are switching to the potentially more harmful tobacco cigarettes of old. (While e-cigarettes do not contain carcinogenic tobacco, studies have found that other harmful toxins inhaled while vaping may increase other risks, such as seizures and lung injury, reports the American Heart Association.)

The report, published this week by the Journal of the American Medical Association  a peer-reviewed medical journal  reveals that San Francisco high school students' cigarette smoking habit more than doubled after the ban, when compared to other major cities.

In the study, Yale researcher Abigail Friedman revealed that the chances of a high school students smoking in San Francisco raised to 6.2% after the ban, while dropping to around 2.8% across other cities such as New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.

The American Heart Association, however, says that the survey may be premature in its findings.

"[The JAMA study] likely arrived at some premature conclusions that do not accurately reflect full implementation of the health code," American Heart Association Bay Area Board Member John Maa told SFGATE via email. "Though passed by voters in June 2018, SFs flavor restriction was not implemented until April 2019 ... Therefore, a survey of SF high school students conducted in the spring of 2019 would not have captured full implementation of the policy change."

In 2019 a Marin County woman died due to complications related to vaping, marking the first death recorded in the San Francisco Bay Area associated with e-cigarette use. San Francisco has since banned the sale of all e-cigarettes in the city, the only American city to do so though five states and hundreds of localities have implemented a similar ban on flavored tobacco and smoking products.

Friedman cautioned that the results of the study may not be the same across other cities looking to institute similar bans, but told Gizmodo, In promoting regulations to reduce youth vaping, policymakers need to be careful not to create incentives that increase conventional cigarette use.
SEATTLE (AP)  Seattles interim police chief has demoted the assistant chief who was in charge when riot-gear clad officers fired tear gas blast balls into a crowd of demonstrators on Capitol Hill in June after an officers tug of war with a protester over an umbrella.

Interim Chief Adrian Diazs decision means the assistant chief who was the incident commander will be returned to a captains rank, the Seattle Times reported. Diazs decision was laid out in a letter Wednesday to City Councilmember Lisa Herbold and posted on the departments website. The assistant chief was not named.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  A Florida sheriff's department has agreed to pay $2.5 million to the mother of a man who was fatally shot by a deputy in 2013 while carrying an air rifle that looked like a more powerful weapon, court records show.

The Broward Sheriff's Office deputy, Peter Peraza, was charged with manslaughter in the killing of 33-year-old Jermaine McBean, who was Black. Peraza is Hispanic.

A Broward judge, however, agreed that even as a law enforcement officer, Peraza could claim he felt threatened under Florida's stand your ground self-defense law, which gives immunity from prosecution to people who use deadly force to protect themselves or others if they feel at risk of great bodily harm or death. That ruling was eventually upheld by the Florida Supreme Court over opposition from the sheriff's office.

Witnesses said McBean drew attention by openly carrying the air rifle he had just purchased at a pawn shop along a busy street. Deputies were called and confronted McBean outside his Oakland Park apartment complex, which included a pool filled with children.

Peraza said that as deputies shouted for McBean to drop the air rifle, McBean whirled around as if preparing to fire at them. Peraza then shot and killed McBean.

McBean's mother, Jennifer Young, said earlier that her son was not a criminal and did not deserve to die the way he did.

Someone has to pay, Young told the Fort Lauderdale SunSentinel. "It's about the lying and trying to make my son out to be a horrible person. That is what I am upset about.

Peraza's attorney, Eric Schwartzreich, said the case was and still is a tragedy.

Deputy Peraza's legacy will be that police officers will have the same protections under the stand your ground law as all other defendants in the justice system," he said.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP)  A fire on a container ship carrying chemicals raged off Sri Lanka for a sixth day Wednesday and India sent vessels to help douse the blaze, officials said.

Five tugboats are fighting the fire, aided by a Sri Lankan navy ship anchored nearby. The fire has spread to the quarterdeck where the ships bridge is located, navy spokesman Indika de Silva said.

Crewmembers, salvage workers and firefighters evacuated the ship Tuesday after an explosion. Several containers also tumbled into the sea.

Aerial photos released by Sri Lankas air force on Tuesday showed the vessel engulfed in flames and thick smoke. High winds intensified the blaze, Silva said.

The ship is now poised with a starboard list (leaning to the right) due to the rough seas caused by the prevailing bad weather," the navy said in a statement.

Some of the fallen containers are believed to have sunk, it said, while cautioning fishing boats to avoid the area.

India has deployed three ships, one tugboat and a Dornier aircraft to help firefighting and pollution control on the request of Sri Lankan authorities, the Indian Embassy in Sri Lanka said. The first vessel arrived in the capital Colombo on Tuesday night.

The MV X-Press Pearl was anchored about 9.5 nautical miles (18 kilometers) northwest of Colombo and waiting to enter its port when the fire began six days ago.

The navy believes the fire was caused by chemicals being transported on the Singapore-flagged ship. The ship was carrying 1,486 containers, including 25 tons of nitric acid and other chemicals that were loaded at the port of Hazira, India, on May 15.

The vessels 25-member crew includes Philippine, Chinese, Indian and Russian nationals.

X-Press Feeders, which owns and operates the ship, confirmed the crew was safe and said it would work closely with Sri Lankan authorities and emergency services to extinguish the blaze and save the vessel and its cargo.

It said specialized firefighting equipment arrived from Europe and would also join the salvaging operations.
FLORENCE, Ala. (AP)  An Alabama man accused of attacking his three children and brother with a machete held police at bay for more than three hours Wednesday before officers arrested him to end the standoff.

Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton said Kyle Seeley, 34, seriously injured the four at a home and then barricaded himself inside a nearby building, news outlets reported. The victims, including three children younger than 10, were taken to hospitals for treatment of cuts, he said. None of the injuries appeared life-threatening.
LANSING, Mich. (AP)  Nearly 100 more people died in traffic crashes in Michigan last year than in 2019, according to preliminary data released by the state police.

The state police Criminal Justice Information Center said Wednesday that 1,083 people were killed in 2020, compared to 985 in 2019. The number of deaths last year also were the most since 1,084 people were killed in crashes in 2007.
CAIRO (AP)  Sudans transitional government and the main rebel group kicked off a new round of peace talks Wednesday, officials said, the latest effort to end a decades-long conflict in the East African country.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir is hosting the talks between the Sudanese government and the Sudan Popular Liberation Movement  North, led by Abdel-Aziz al-Hilu.

Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, head of the ruling sovereign council, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and al-Hilu were attending a ceremonial meeting. Afterward, delegations from the government and the rebel group were to continue their closed deliberations in Juba, South Sudan's capital, according to the prime ministers office.

The talks come less than two months after the government and the al-Hilu movement signed a declaration of principles detailing a roadmap for the talks.

Al-Hilus movement is Sudans single largest rebel group and is active in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan provinces, where it controls significant chunks of territory.

Sudans transitional government has been engaging in peace talks with rebel groups over the past two years. It's looking to stabilize the country and help its fragile path to democracy survive following the militarys overthrow of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir in April 2019.

In 2020, Sudans transitional authorities and another rebel alliance signed a peace deal.

Al-Hilus group participated in negotiations leading up to that agreement but did not sign the final deal. It called for a secular state with no role for religion in lawmaking, the disbanding of all of al-Bashirs militias and the re-vamping of the countrys military. Al-Hilus group says if its demands arent met, it will call for self-determination in areas it controls.

Another major rebel group, the Sudan Liberation Movement-Army, led by Abdel-Wahid Nour, rejects the transitional government and has not taken part in talks.

Sudanese rebels for years fought al-Bashirs loyalists in Darfur but also in the southern provinces of Blue Nile and South Kordofan. The fighting has often fallen along religious and ethnic lines.
PHOENIX (AP)  A suspect has been arrested in two fatal stabbings last year in Phoenix, according to authorities.

Phoenix police said 48-year-old Major McKenzie was taken into custody Tuesday on suspicion of two counts of second-degree murder. Hes jailed on a $2.5 million bond.
ANTIOCH, Calif. (AP)  A suspect has been arrested in the killing of a 12-year-old San Francisco Bay Area girl, authorities said.

The Antioch Police Department said in a statement late Tuesday that deputy U.S. marshals on a fugitive task force arrested Michael Dwayne Fritz at a house in Oakland.
LEBANON, Ohio (AP)  A southwest Ohio city became the first in the state Tuesday to enact a measure outlawing abortion and declaring itself a sanctuary city for the unborn, setting itself up for a likely legal challenge by opponents who call the ban unconstitutional.

The vote by Lebanon City Council was unanimous  after one member quit in protest. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that that member, Krista Wyatt, said she could no longer associate her name with the body as a respectable, decent human being.
GENEVA (AP)  A Swiss air force fighter jet crashed during a training fight in the Alps on Wednesday, the Defense Department said. The pilot was able to eject safely and was unhurt.

The Tiger F-5 jet crashed in the Melchsee-Frutt area in the central Swiss Alps, the department said on Twitter.
ISLAMABAD (AP)  The Taliban on Wednesday warned the departing U.S. military against setting up bases in the region, and Pakistan vowed no American bases will be allowed on its territory.

Pakistan also said drone strikes from Pakistani territory were also a non-starter.

The statements come amid speculation the United States, as it withdraws the last of its 2,500-3,500 soldiers from Afghanistan, will want a nearby locale from which to launch strikes against militant targets.

The warning also comes during stepped-up efforts to jump-start stalled peace talks between the government and the Taliban, possibly in Turkey.

Both Pakistan and the Middle Eastern State of Qatar have been pressing the Taliban to attend talks in Turkey. U.N.-sponsored talks were to have been held last month in Turkey but the Taliban refused to take part.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday told Pakistan's Senate the country would not allow American bases on its territory.

Forget the past, but I want to tell the Pakistanis that no U.S. base will be allowed by Prime Minister Imran Khan so long he is in power, he said.

After the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Pakistan opened four air bases to the U.S.-led coalition to aid in its efforts in Afghanistan to hunt down the al-Qaida perpetrators of the attacks and unseat the Taliban rulers who had given them safe haven.

In his April speech announcing an end to America's forever war, President Joe Biden said Washington would hold the Taliban and the government to its commitments to ensure Afghanistan could not again be used as a staging arena to attack the American homeland or its allies.

We will not take our eye off the terrorist threat, said Biden. We will reorganize our counterterrorism capabilities and the substantial assets in the region to prevent re-emergence of terrorist threat to our homeland over the horizon."

The U.S., along with about 7,000 NATO forces will leave Afghanistan by Sept. 11 at the latest. In a statement earlier this week, the U.S. Central Command said it had completed about 25% of its withdrawal. The logistics of withdrawing are tremendous and according to the CENTCOM statement departing troops have already packed military equipment on to 160 C-17 cargo aircraft and shipped them back to America.

Besides airlifting its supplies, the United States is also moving equipment out of Afghanistan through Central Asia and Pakistan.

In their statement, the Taliban warned against neighboring countries allowing its territory to be used as a staging area for America.

God forbid such a step is taken, it will be a great historic mistake and disgrace, its shame will go in history, said the statement. As we have repeatedly assured others our soil will not be used against anyones security, we urge others not to use its soil and airspace against our country.

___

Associated Press writer Tameem Akhgar in Kabul, Afghanistan contributed to this report.
EL PASO, Texas (AP)  The El Paso Zoo plans to press charges against a woman who was caught on video trying to feed spider monkeys after climbing into their enclosure.

The exhibit is enclosed by a low fence, allowing for great visibility for visitors, and has a moat as an added barrier because spider monkeys cant swim and are afraid of the water, according to the El Paso Times.

Unfortunately, this may change all that because of this one ladys unfortunate actions, said Zoo director Joe Montisano.

Zoo staff found out about the trespass through a social media video that shows the woman attempting to feed two monkeys underneath a waterfall over the weekend. The zoo did not name the woman or detail the charges they plan to bring against her.

Shes very fortunate that it didnt have a worse outcome for her or the animals, Montisano said. These are primates. They are strong; they have canine teeth. They can scratch. We dont interact with them on the daily. And we dont interact with them without a barrier in between us.

Rob Lovett, of Lovett Law Firm, said Monday that the woman had been an employee of the law firm, but that she was terminated immediately.

The firm has always been a strong supporter of animals and advocacy. We absolutely do not condone this irresponsible and reckless behavior. We support the El Paso Zoo and our thoughts go out to the spider monkeys, Libby and Sunday, and we hope they recover from this traumatic experience, said Lovett.

Montisano said they will talk to the District Attorney about pressing charges.

This young lady decided to hop a fence, climb through some bushes, drop down into a four-feet deep moat, walk across the moat and then try to feed the spider monkeys, Montisano said.

We cant let this behavior go unpunished, he said.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  California's high-speed rail project lost a top leader this week without a replacement on tap, injecting fresh uncertainty into a project constantly in flux.

Joe Hedges, the project's chief operating officer, left his job Monday, said rail spokesman Melissa Figueroa. She gave no details on his departure, saying the agency doesn't discuss personnel matters. Hedges couldn't be reached for comment.

His departure came the same day that rail board Chairman Tom Richards announced the conclusion of an investigation into personnel matters and allegations of fraud, though he said no fraud was found. The board formed a special committee in response to anonymous complaints about business practices and personnel, he said in brief remarks after the committee's closed meeting ended. The committee began meeting in February, according to meeting notices.

The committee hired outside lawyers and a forensic accounting firm, Richards said. The board recommended communications and document processing changes to make sure the authoritys activities are accurately recorded, he said.

A state employee anonymously complained about Hedges' business decisions in a December letter to the rail board, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Figueroa, the rail spokeswoman, declined to say if Hedges was the target of the investigation and whether his departure was related.

Hedges joined the project in 2018 under appointment from then-Gov. Jerry Brown. He came from the Washington State Department of Transportation, where he oversaw a $3 billion tunneling project in Seattle.

California's rail project is far more ambitious and expensive. Voters in 2008 approved nearly $10 billion in bond money to build a high-speed rail line connecting Los Angeles and San Francisco to be up and running by 2020. In the years since, the project has been plagued by cost overruns and delays. Now officials hope to have trains running on a segment through the Central Valley by the end of this decade, more than 20 years after voters first backed the project.

Hedges was responsible for the projects construction and engineering elements, including keeping them on schedule and within budget. He worked closely with Brian Kelly, the project's chief executive officer, who also took that job in 2018. During their tenures, new Gov. Gavin Newsom shifted the project's focus to the Central Valley and former President Donald Trump's administration attempted to revoke federal funding. Costs kept climbing, and in February officials asked for yet another extension on part of the project.

Newsom has the power to appoint Hedges' replacement. He was hired with a $337,000 salary, one of the highest in state government.

For now, Kelly will make necessary personnel moves internally to ensure continued progress on construction in the Central Valley," Figueroa said.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The U.N. special envoy for Syria said Wednesday its a tragic irony that ordinary Syrians are facing immense and growing humanitarian suffering at this time of relative calm in the more than 10-year conflict.

Geir Pedersen pointed to economic destitution, a pandemic, displacement, detention and abduction -- all while violent conflict, terrorism and human rights abuses continue in the country.

He told the U.N. Security Council that these issues demand our attention and a political process in Syria, as called for by key powers in 2012 and endorsed by the council in 2015. But that peace effort remains stalled.

While the military situation is relatively calm in some areas, Pedersen said, recurring signs of a hot conflict are abundant.

He cited spikes in violence in several areas, with shelling by both sides, airstrikes including some by Israel, and more attacks attributed to the Islamic State extremist group.

On the economic front, Pedersen said, the Syrian pound has stabilized somewhat but the price of essential goods and transportation costs are increasingly outside of the grasp of many Syrians. And in many areas, basic services including water, electricity and health remain compromised, he said.

In short, we see the same suffering and the same pattern of events and dynamics month on month -- a pattern which I fear is slowly inching Syrians towards an even deeper abyss, he said.

U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock stressed the dire water situation, saying reduced water levels in the Euphrates river which started in January reached a critical point this month.

Engineers operating the Tishreen dam in northeastern Aleppo governorate warned last week that it would completely shut down if water levels dont increase, he said.

Lowcock said the Tabqa dam, which lies downstream in ar-Raqqa governorate, has been an emergency backup, but water levels there are now 80 percent depleted.

Nearly 5.5 million people in Syria rely on the Euphrates and its subsidiaries for drinking water, he said.

He stressed that about 200 water stations that pump, treat and deliver water cant function without electricity from the Tishreen and Tabqa dams.

In addition to the water stations, Lowcock warned that some 3 million people would lose electricity if the dams shut down along with hospitals and other vital infrastructure in northeast Syria.

Preventing a shutdown requires dams in Turkey, which has also been experiencing water shortages, to release more water, he said.

Lowcock urged all parties to find a solution, noting reports in recent days that the amount of water released downstream has increased  which demonstrates that a solution can be found.

Both Pedersen and Lowcock stressed the importance of keeping the crossing from Turkey to Syria's northwest open for an additional 12 months. Its Security Council mandate expires in just over six weeks, and at Russia's insistence, cross-border aid in recent years has been cut back to just this single crossing.

Lowcock warned that if this crossing isn't reauthorized, food deliveries for 1.4 million people every month, millions of medical treatments, nutrition for tens of thousands of children and mothers and education supplies for tens of thousands of students will stop.

Pedersen said cross-border aid remains essential to save lives."
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP)  A six-term U.S. House member who represents a district that sprawls across eastern and southeastern Ohio has ruled out joining the Republican U.S. Senate primary race.

Rep. Bill Johnson, 66, told the Vindicator newspaper for a report Wednesday that he was concerned about the fund-raising that would be needed for the 2022 GOP primary for the seat that Republican Sen. Rob Portman is leaving.
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP)  Police in Waterloo have identified a man killed in a shooting over the weekend.

Davonta Sellers, 27, of Waterloo, died from his injuries in the early Sunday morning shooting downtown, police said.

Officers were called to the area where several bars are located just after midnight, police said. Arriving officers heard gunfire and saw several people running from the scene before finding Sellers on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound.

Sellers was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died. Police had not announced any arrests in the shooting by midday Wednesday and have not released details on what may have led to the shooting.
PATTERSON, La. (AP)  At least seven people were injured when a wild well in a coastal Louisiana marsh caught fire while they were trying to control it, news outlets report.

The owners said Wednesday that the fire was out within two hours after it started Tuesday, and the flow of gas was minimal.

Additional well control personnel are on the scene to develop a plan to secure and plug the well and protect the environment, Texas Petroleum Investment Co. of Houston said in a brief statement emailed by a public relations company.

The abandoned natural gas well blew out Sunday while a crew was trying to plug it, the company said. It said the fire started while contractors were trying to get the well under control.

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources confirmed that Wild Well Control of Houston personnel were on site Tuesday when the well exploded into flame, KLFY-TV reported.

Wild Well Control did not immediately respond to a call requesting comment.

Four people were evacuated for treatment, Texas Petroleum Investment said.

Sabrina Williams, regional director of communications for Ochsner Health  Bayou Region, told the station she knew of seven people injured at the platform, including three who drove themselves to a hospital.

The well is about 18 miles (29 kilometers) south of Patterson, which in turn is nearly 55 miles (88 kilometers) south of Baton Rouge.
FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP)  A Massachusetts woman who caused a car crash that killed a married couple in their 70s has been found not guilty by a judge who determined she lacked criminal responsibility because of her mental state.

Sheri Anne Vazquez, 35, was found not guilty Tuesday after a two-day trial in Fall River Superior Court, The Enterprise of Brockton reported.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP)  A southwest Missouri woman pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor Wednesday for a 2019 crash that caused the death of an 11-year-old girl.

Mikaila Koch, 19, admitted to careless and imprudent driving before the crash on Highway 65 in Springfield that killed Izabella Lightner and injured another person.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Yemeni officials demanded answers Wednesday after an Associated Press report highlighted a mysterious air base being built on a Yemeni island in one of the world's crucial maritime chokepoints.

A lawmaker asked Yemen's internationally recognized government if the United Arab Emirates built the facility as data in the AP report links the UAE to the construction.

Another official openly criticized the UAE for undermining the government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. A Saudi-led coalition fought on the government's behalf when it entered Yemen's long war in 2015 against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels now holding its capital.

The UAE, home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, has not responded to repeated requests for comment regarding the base and offered no immediate reaction Wednesday to the officials' comments.

The runway on Mayun Island allows whoever controls it to project power into the strait and easily launch airstrikes into mainland Yemen, convulsed by a yearslong bloody war. It also provides a base for any operations into the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and nearby East Africa.

Satellite images from Planet Labs Inc. obtained by the AP showed dump trucks and graders building a 1.85 kilometer (6,070-foot) runway on the island on April 11. By May 18, that work appeared complete, with three hangars constructed on a tarmac just south of the runway. Images from Tuesday showed vehicles parked at the base's newly built hangars.

A runway of that length can accommodate attack, surveillance and transport aircraft. An earlier effort begun toward the end of 2016 and later abandoned had workers try to build an even-larger runway over 3 kilometers (9,800 feet) long, which would allow for the heaviest bombers. That earlier effort also saw ships linked to the UAE take part in the construction.

Military officials with Yemens internationally recognized government, which the Saudi-led coalition has backed since 2015, say the UAE is building the runway. The officials, speaking earlier to the AP on condition of anonymity as they didnt have authorization to brief journalists, say Emirati ships transported military weapons, equipment and troops to Mayun Island in recent weeks.

The military officials said recent tension between the UAE and Hadi came in part from an Emirati demand for his government to sign a 20-year lease agreement for Mayun Island, also known as Perim Island. Emirati officials have not acknowledged any disagreement and said they were withdrawing from the war in 2019.

Hadi's government has been critical of the UAE, especially for backing southern separatist groups during its military campaign in Yemen. The separatists have gotten into shootouts with forces loyal to the internationally recognized government, forcing the Saudis to intervene several times. An Emirati airstrike on behalf of the separatists also killed at least 30 troops backing Hadi in 2019. The UAE has backed other militias in the war as well.

Yemeni lawmaker Ali al-Mamari wrote a letter to the government demanding more details.

There is information suggesting that the UAE is building a military base in the Mayun island without the knowledge of the member states," al-Mamari wrote. Is the government familiar with what is happening on the island? And what measures has it taken?

Another lawmaker, Ali Ashal, similarly asked for more information after facing what he described as silence after earlier raising concerns about the UAE's presence in Yemen.

Mohammed Qaisan, an undersecretary to Yemen's Information Ministry with the internationally recognized government, tweeted that the UAE had tampered with Mayun Island. He also criticized the Emirates for its continuous support for the illegally armed militias in liberated areas," referring to the southern separatists.

This requires a firm stance from the government as silence on this made it pursue this and gave the Houthi militia an opportunity to undermine the legitimacy of the Yemeni government, Qaisan wrote.

___

Associated Press writers Ahmed al-Haj in Sanaa, Yemen, and Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report.
After a shooting in downtown San Jose at the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority (VTA) rail yard left eight people dead Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered an on-site speech in which he railed against gun violence and called for additional gun control measures.

"There's a numbness I imagine some of us are feeling about this because there's a sameness to this," Newsom said. "Anywhere, USA. It feels like this happens over, and over, and over again. Rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat."

Newsom then discussed previous shootings in Gilroy, San Bernardino and Santa Barbara before calling for further action.

"It begs the damn question: What the hell's going on in the United States of America?" he said. "What the hell's wrong with us? And when are we going to come to grips with this? When are we going to put down our arms, literally and figuratively? Our politics, stale rhetoric, finger-pointing, all the hand-wringing and consternation that produces nothing except more fury and more frustration, more scenes like this repeated over, and over, and over again."

The governor did specifically outline what additional measures he would seek to take. California enforces some of the most restrictive gun laws in the country, including comprehensive background checks, waiting periods and ammunition restrictions.

At the time of Newsom's speech, little was made public about the weapon or the suspect in the shooting.

"It's time to deal with the endemic before this pandemic of gun violence," Newsom said. "The pre-existing condition that was somehow sort of pushed aside last year, but now has reared its ugly head again this year. And wake up to this reality and take a little damn responsibility all of us, to move a little bit more and a little bit better this time, and move beyond the platitudes and the usual rhetoric that tends to mark not just these moments but the aftermath of these moments. As all of you go away and this fades out of view, then we rinse and repeat someplace else in this country."

You can follow SFGATE's full coverage of the shooting here.
San Francisco loves a good mural. But in the case of the artwork on the side of the SF LGBT Center, the city can just as easily hate a good mural.

The saga of the purple wall located at Octavia and Market Street has become one of the most controversial public art issues in recent memory. The wall remained empty for more than 100 years, until the street artist known as fnnch, responsible for the honey bear art around San Francisco, approached the LGBT Center with an idea for a mural commemorating the 50th year of Pride in 2020.

Fnnchs popularity has led to him raising $293,00 for charity during 2020, according to statements given to the California News Times. Fifty percent of the sales from many of his bear paintings go to associated charities, so for each $600 Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence painting you see in a window for instance, the organization received $300. He said in a statement on Instagram that $20,000 was raised specifically for the LGBT Center. But the ubiquity of his artwork led to a citywide backlash, and his San Francisco transplant status resulted in accusations of gentrification. The issue was amplified when a confrontational video hit social media of fnnch repainting the LGBT Center mural after it was vandalized. In the video, he claimed to be an immigrant, stating he was from Missouri.

Now, a week before Pride gets underway, the mural has been replaced with a new piece of artwork by queer artists Juan Manuel Carmona and Simon Malvaez, whose artwork has been featured at El Rio, Blondies and next to the Painted Ladies. The new artwork came about through a connection by one of the citys most legendary drag queens, Juanita MORE!, who introduced the two artists to the LGBT Center. They expressed interest in painting the wall with a collection of queer historical icons and local leaders, and conceived not only a piece of visual art, but an educational series on the figures pictured that will run throughout the year.

We decided to take the colors of the progressive pride flag and turn each color into a character that for the both of us means something important inside our queer history, says Malvaez.

Mariah Tiffany/ Special to SFGATE

We chose characters that were champions in the city. We wanted to have locals that have done something for the community and for San Francisco specifically, says Carmona, who cites living legends like Sister Roma and Honey Mahogany, and of course MORE!, plus historical figures like Harvey Milk and Frida Kahlo.

Malvaez grew up in Tijuana then spent time in Mexico City before moving to San Francisco three years ago. Carmona was born in Texas, then lived in Central Mexico before moving to San Francisco about 10 years ago, working in a bar in the Castro while attending art school. Their biggest influences come from the rich tradition of political art in Mexico.

Mariah Tiffany/ Special to SFGATE

As a team, I would say our biggest influences are Mexican muralism. It might sound a little cliche, but the style that Frida Kahlo was doing, and Diego Rivera and [David Alfaro] Siqueiros, and how they were portraying their reality and being political with their art. I think were doing similar things on todays society, and who we are and who we represent, says Malvaez.

Were queer Latino artists in San Francisco. If we wanted to define what our style is, its the exploration between the LGBT communities. All of our murals have some of rainbows, or a drag queen, or some sort of representations of these communities that were a part of. And our intersection with our Latino heritage, says Carmona.

Their immigrant identity informs the new art, and also their reaction to the viral video of fnnch defending the previous mural.

I am an immigrant, so for me, I took it a little more personal. As someone who has experienced immigration, I feel like it was disappointing, says Malvaez.

We dont have anything against the previous artist. Its very unfortunate what happened, but its also an opportunity to have more eyes on us, and have a wider audience to deliver a message of love and of queer heroes, says Carmona.

Mariah Tiffany/ Special to SFGATE

Fnnch appears to not harbor any ill will regarding the replacement of his artwork. In an email to SFGATE, he shared that he spent time with Carmona and Malvaez recently, before he knew theyd be painting the mural. They are both wonderful people, and I am a fan of them and their art. I look forward to seeing their mural on the SF LGBT Center. I am honored to have played a part in kicking off this rotational mural program, he wrote. He also addressed the controversy in an Instagram post.

As for the future of Carmona and Malvaezs work, they hope that their emphasis on community figures will keep it from facing the same vandalism that the honey bears did. But in addition to a visual reminder of the citys queer history, the mural will hopefully serve as an educational tool.

The mural is the first step of this project. Its bigger than that. The center is going to keep posting about these characters that we decided to celebrate, but we also invite the people who see these murals to show us their own queer icons and influences, says Malvaez.

To celebrate that during Pride, its important for us to make people see that theyre not alone. I think part of the centers identity is this sanctuary where you can actually be free and be who you are. We hope this mural invokes that in people. We have heroes, too, were not alone, says Carmona.
As we head into Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of the summer travel season, one thing is clear: the pent up demand is very, very real. Las Vegas, which just last week announced it would end all pandemic-related restrictions on June 1, isnt wasting any time.

As SFGATE has recently reported, hotel prices are up significantly for the most sought-after destinations (Hawaii, Florida, anywhere with a beach) while many cities remain a relative bargain compared to pre-pandemic times. One big city bucking the trend is Las Vegas  over the last six months, from December 2020 to May 2021, average hotel prices in Las Vegas have risen from $134 to $179, according to hotel search site Trivago.coms Hotel Price Index.

Chris Sattlberger/Getty Images/Tetra images RF

What's the city's COVID-19 situation?

The citys reopening is owed, in large part, to a notably successful campaign by the citys tourism industry, which has been using a wide range of carrots (strip club vaccinations, anyone?) and sticks to encourage the citys hospitality and service staff to get vaccinated. The casinos, in particular, have some of the highest employee vaccination rates in the city.

Considering tourism is estimated to contribute some $57.6 billion to the citys economy (in 2018, the last year for which data is available), according to the Convention and Visitors Authority, its no wonder the casinos have made such a concerted, and effective, effort. And it has paid off.



The Cosmopolitan, which had its own inoculation site, distributed $1 million in cash bonuses to reward its workforce for a high vaccination rate  which stands at 84 percent, the company told the Washington Post.

B. Tanaka/Getty Images

Whats open?

By all accounts, the City of Second Chances is looking a lot like its pre-pandemic self. May is always the citys busiest month and, with gaming floors open at 100 percent capacity (and no social distancing) at many resort-casinos  including MGMs Bellagio, Mandalay Bay The Mirage, New York-New York, Luxor, Excalibur and ARIA resorts  the Strip is starting to look a lot like the buzzing, bustling adult playground you know and maybe even love.

The monorail is even starting back up on May 27, with trains arriving every 4 to 8 minutes at each of its seven stations: the MGM Grand, Ballys/Paris Las Vegas, Flamingo/Caesars Palace, Harrahs/Linq, Las Vegas Convention Center, Westgate/Convention Center, and the Sahara, reports the Las Vegas Sun.

Blaine Harrington III/Getty Images

The triumphant return of the Vegas buffet

Clark County allowed buffets to reopen beginning on May 1 when it relaxed rules for other staples of Vegas life like tattoo parlors and dance floors. The MGM Grands buffet is reopening May 26 at 7 a.m., for the first time since March 2020.

The biggest buffet news, reported breathlessly by Eater Las Vegas, is about Caesars Palace's Bacchanal Buffet, which underwent a $2.4 million renovation in order to reopen earlier this month.

The 25,000-square-foot, 600-seat Bacchanal Buffet reopened with throngs of crowds waiting to explore the nine open, interactive kitchens, with many dishes already individually prepared, shared, or plated in real-time by staff from behind the counters, reports Eaters Susan Stapleton. At $64.99 per person, its not for everyone. It is, however, a culinary spectacle befitting its hometown.

New to the Strip

For the first time since 2010, Sin Citys famed stretch is welcoming a new arrival next month. The Resorts World Las Vegas is scheduled to open on June 24, according to Travel & Leisure. The complex is made up of three separate hotels: the 1,774-room Las Vegas Hilton, the 1,496-room Conrad Las Vegas and the Crockfords Las Vegas, with 236 rooms and suites.

The 88-acre property will have 40 different restaurants and bars, a 5,000-capacity concert venue, some 70,000 square feet of retail space, a 100,000-square-foot boutique mega club, a Bali-inspired day club, and a five-and-a-half-acre pool area with Vegass largest pool deck.
Sharon, PA (16146)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 62F. Winds light and variable.
Not many football coaches can say that theyre coached alongside their son. Even fewer yet can call themselves a Hall-of-Famer.
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After a successful inning in Kollywood, Atlee wanted to go to Bollywood but is still waiting for Shah Rukh Khan's green signal to start the film.

There was multiple news on the director starting the film anytime soon but nothing is yet concrete. The buzz was that SRK asked him to change the script and then the pandemic caused further delay.
New Delhi: "Truth remains unafraid," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday after the Delhi Police sent a notice to Twitter India in connection with the probe into a complaint about the alleged 'COVID toolkit'.

After two police teams descended on Twitter's offices in Delhi and Gurgaon, the Congress on Monday had alleged that the "cowardly raid" on the microblogging site's offices by the Delhi Police "exposes lame duck attempts" to hide a "fraudulent toolkit" by Bharatiya Janata Party leaders.



Using the hashtag 'Toolkit', Gandhi tweeted, "Truth remains unafraid."

The Delhi Police's Special Cell on Monday sent a notice to Twitter India in connection with the probe into a complaint about the alleged 'COVID toolkit', asking it to share information based on which it had classified a related tweet by BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra as "manipulated media", officials said.

The BJP had accused the Congress of creating a 'toolkit' that seeks to tarnish the image of the country and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the handling of the COVID pandemic.

However, the Congress denied the allegation and claimed that the BJP is propagating a fake 'toolkit' to defame it.

Last week, Twitter labelled as "manipulated media" a tweet by Patra on the alleged 'toolkit'.

Twitter says it "may label Tweets that include media (videos, audio, and images) that have been deceptively altered or fabricated".
"This King Vulture was spotted going for food in the Jungli Jaigad Fort area of Sahyadri on May 9 morning and forest guard Santosh Chalke managed to click it in flight," ornithologist and honorary Wildlife Warden Rohan Bhate told IANS.

More so, after it emerged that the bird sighted soaring in the skies was actually the once rescued on December 28, 2020, and spending over a month at the Malabar Awareness & Rescue Centre for Wildlife (MARC) in Kerala's Kannur.

Chalke provided the vulture's photos to Bhate for further studies which revealed an orange tag on its right wing which was affixed by MARC scientific and migratory studies before it was released in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary on January 31.

After its release, the King Vulture was spotted only once on February 28, feasting over a carcass in Kerala with many other vultures, as per a MARC report, and followed by the latest sighting in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve a fortnight ago.

Later, the team of Bhate, Chalke, and others kept a vigil for over a week, but it was not seen again.

"This spells good tidings.... It is a juvenile bird, around 1 year old, was rescued by a team of birdlovers including R. Roshnath and C. Sashikumar of MARC. Its sighting is an indicator that the rescue effort was successful and it had adapted again in the wild," Deputy Director, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and Principal Scientist of its Vulture Breeding Programme, Dr Vibhu Prakash told IANS in Mumbai.

Himalayan Griffon Vultures are usually found in Tibet, Mongolia, southwest China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, southern Europe besides the arid regions of north and northwest parts of India.

Bhate said that the huge and magnificent bird stands around 125 cms tall, with a gigantic wingspan of around 3 metres (8-9 feet), average weight of male-female 8-10 kgs, with white feathers on the head, buff coloured on the back, with dark brown-black tail-feathers and a black bill.

As with all vultures, it is a scavenger and relishes rotting meat, builds its nest high on cliffs or ridges and is a poor breeder with the female laying one egg a year a majority of the eggs or chicks fall prey to other predators, though the survivors can live beyond 40 years, added Dr Prakash.

To a question, Dr Prakash said that this vulture might live in the vicinity till Winter 2021-2022 before it would fly back to its regular environs north of the Himalayan range or eastern Europe, as this species can fly thousands of kms during migration.

Roshnath and Sashikumar's report said that the King Vultures recorded sightings have been barely two-three in south India in the past 30 years, while Bhate spotted one in Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, which is part of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at q.najmi@ians.in)

--IANS

qn/vd




By Mariam Mokhtar



The chairman of Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, is anxious about receiving his second coronavirus vaccination, as was seen in the press conference (PC) of 25 May, so it would be pointless to shower him with serious questions about yesterday's LRT crash.

This probably factored in his staff's thinking, because according to him, they did not immediately notify him about the accident, but delayed the information.

They are probably aware, that Tajuddin has more important matters on his mind, and as he admitted, he had to make various preparations for his coronavirus vaccination the following day.

He should be praised for his dedication to duty, by hosting this PC despite the prospect of the traumatic coronavirus medical procedure.

Moreover, Tajuddin also made it clear that it would have been futile for him to visit the crash site, despite being the chairman of Prasarana, the company which owns and operates Malaysia's urban rail network.

He said that the Transport minister, Wee Ka Siong had already been to the site, as had the Prasarana chief executive Norila Noah. In other words, his presence would have been unnecessary.

One can understand Tajuddin's anxiety for his own health, which showed in his engagement with reporters. He was incoherent, when asked specific questions. He tried to make jokes about the accident, was patronizing, condescending, accusatory, defensive and showed his contempt when asked if he would resign.

His "nerves" and erratic behavior, are symptomatic of a condition called "White Coat Syndrome" (WCS).

Nevertheless, minister Wee said that preliminary investigations, by the Land Public Transport Agency, had showed that the driver of the empty train 'TR40' had been negligent. He said that the train should not have reversed, on a collision course with 'TR81', but should have moved south towards Dang Wangi station.

To blame the driver of TR40 is grossly unfair. Digital trains are computer controlled. Each train has its own in-built computer system. In the LRT incident, there appears to be a system failure of the highest order. The driver is not entirely to blame.

Wee confirmed that the train failed to operate automatically as the Vehicle On-Board Controller (VOBC) stopped functioning. Isn't this a tell-tale sign?

He also said that TR81 remained static at KLCC station, before it resumed and moved automatically towards Kampung Baru station, after it received a signal that TR40 had left.

TR40 may have left the station but it was on a collision course with TR81. Was the control center unable to detect in which direction TR40 was heading? What happened to the warning and failsafe devices on each train?

Digital trains use the latest technology and the movement of each train is closely monitored by a computer. The train's position is visible on a screen at control center (headquarters).

So what happened to all the safety mechanisms? Something went seriously wrong, and to blame it solely on the driver would be irresponsible.

Modern railway and train signals have been revolutionized, since the olden days, when flag waving guards would signal to the driver that it was safe to proceed and the points were changed by a railwayman in a signal box.

Today, trains have their own highway code. The train line is divided into sections, or blocks, and only one train is allowed to move within each block.

Train signals are relayed by a small electrical current between the tracks and trains. Each pulse identifies the train's position within the block. Axel counters count the rotations of the wheels.

The exact speed and position of each train is relayed to the control center, where the central computer system can calculate how close to each other the trains can travel safely. This information is sent back to the train so that it can move accordingly. A train is only allowed to enter a section, if these computer calculations say it is safe.

If the line ahead is occupied, the train will reduce speed, and will not be allowed entry into that section.

The trains have an extra failsafe device which prevents trains from traveling in opposite directions, whilst on the same track. So what happened to this protective device yesterday? Was it disabled or overridden? Why and on whose instruction?

What happened to the technical experts at the control center? They failed to observe what was going on in the tunnel beneath KLCC. Were they asleep on the job, like the air traffic controllers who lost contact with MH370?

The LRT incident suggests a combination of failures and not just negligence. Will the Cabinet dare to acknowledge these mistakes, and demand that heads roll?

So, was the crash due to human error, reduced funding for rail networks, or system and organizational failure, or all of the above?

Source:

1. New Straits Times: Passengers injured as LRT trains collide along Kelana Jaya line

2. Malaysiakini: Defiant Tajuddin savaged after 'first thing in the morning' response to LRT crash

3. Medical Opinion Asia: What you should know about white coat syndrome



4. New Straits Times: Kelana Jaya line collision: Driver of empty train went the wrong way



5. Malaysiakini: 'Negligent' driver drove LRT in the wrong direction - transport minister



6. New Straits Times: Ten seconds to disaster: LRT passenger recounts horror crash

7. ABC: Driverless trains are being embraced around the world  but what could go wrong?

(Mariam Mokhtar is a Freelance Writer.)
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PROTECT, CONNECT, AND STRENGTHEN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!

Learn more about the LMCR Project HERE and join us on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at the Rutgers Community Center at 200 Madison St. from 6:30  8:30 p.m. This meeting will focus on the waterfront from Montgomery Street to the Brooklyn Bridge.

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Obese pigs in China are being blamed for worsening a sudden rout in the countrys pork prices.

Farmers have been fattening hogs since late last year to almost double their normal weight -- roughly the size of a pygmy hippo or a female polar bear -- in the hope the animals will generate higher returns should prices rebound.

Many farmers had fattened their pigs in anticipation of a recovery in pork prices. Credit:AP

Cao Tao, a pig trader in the northwestern province of Shaanxi, said many of the swine hes buying weigh more than 200 kilograms, compared with their usual size of around 125 kilograms. Some farmers are holding onto their larger pigs on hopes of a price rebound, he said.

Instead, Chinese wholesale pork prices have plunged more than 40 per cent since mid-January amid sluggish demand, increased imports and panic selling by farmers after fresh outbreaks of African swine fever. Muyuan Foods, the countrys biggest pig breeder, said this week its expecting a continued drop in domestic hog prices, with the slump not bottoming out until next year or even 2023.
FINAL ACCOUNT 

M, 90 minutes, Classic in Melbourne, Ritz in Sydney

Luke Holland died of cancer in June last year, aged 71, after a long career in British documentary. For the final 12 years of his life, he pursued one project  to find and interview the so-called last generation of people who were witnesses to, and participants in, the Nazi years in Germany.

Final Account took British filmmaker Luke Holland 12 years to complete. Credit:

He did more than 300 interviews, mostly in Germany and Austria, which have now been preserved as an archive. That in itself is remarkable, given how reluctant some were to talk about their role.

Final Account is made from a fraction of what he got  perhaps not more than a dozen or so interviews  but its a monumental achievement, an implacable and revealing record of the corruption of a generation. It begins with a quote from Primo Levi, that there are monsters in the world but they are few; more dangerous are those ordinary individuals who go along.
Max Mosley, the former president of the Federation Internationale de lAutomobile (FIA), who has died aged 81, was a driving force behind the global success of Formula One; his position began to look precarious when, at the end of March 2008, the News of the World published a double-page spread, with video on its website, showing him as an active participant in a sado-masochistic orgy with five prostitutes.

Max Mosley arrives at the High Court in London for legal action against the News of the World newspaper for breaching his privacy. Credit:Reuters

Mosley became head of Formula Ones ruling body in 1993 after unseating its French president, Jean-Marie Balestre, and went on to steer the sport through several crises, starting with the deaths of the Brazilian world champion Ayrton Senna and German driver Roland Ratzenberger in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix (which led to calls for Formula One to improve its safety record or face outside intervention), to refereeing the 2007 spying scandal involving the McLaren team.

He spearheaded measures to improve the safety of the sport, including a reduction in the power of engines and improved protection of drivers, and presided over investment in new circuits and purpose-built Grand Prix venues such as Shanghai.

A charming, affable man and an adept political operator, Mosley led the negotiations with Tony Blair in 1997 that preceded the Labour governments decision to postpone the imposition of a ban on tobacco advertising on Formula One, a decision that led to the new prime minister being forced into an embarrassing public apology when it emerged that his party had accepted a 1 million donation from Mosleys close ally, Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone months earlier.
A young couple spent 13 hours trapped in an ocean cave, waist-deep in freezing cold water and repeatedly smashed into rocks by the rising tide, only to be found by rescuers because of a social media post in the moments before a freak wave crashed onto them on the edge of a cliff.

Jack Teerman, 24, and his girlfriend Shanaye Hunter, 21, set off at 1.30pm on Tuesday for lunch and to look at the water at Catherine Hill Bay in NSWs Lake Macquarie region. It was about 20 degrees.

The couple spent the night in an ocean cave at Catherine Hill Bay. Credit:Fire and Rescue NSW Lambton

We had only been there for a few minutes, Mr Teerman said. Shanaye was sending a Snapchat of the water and was near the edge.

He said a freak wave swept her off her feet and she fell into the water between the cliff and rocks.
NSW Parliament will be forced to debate whether slut shaming, toxic masculinity and rape culture should be taught in the states sex education curriculum after an official petition started by former Sydney student Chanel Contos was signed by 20,000 people.

Ms Contos ePetition, which was launched with bipartisan support in March, sought to bring Parliaments attention to the shocking number of past and present school students who have come forward to share their stories of sexual harassment and assault at high school.

Ms Contos petition reached the requisite number of signatures to trigger a parliamentary debate on Wednesday afternoon. Credit:Liliana Zaharia

It reached the requisite number of signatories to trigger a parliamentary debate on Wednesday afternoon, one day after the state government vowed to overhaul sexual assault laws and introduce an affirmative consent model. The new laws will require a person to show they took active steps to find out if a person consented to sex.

As part of Tuesdays announcement, Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said curriculum and teaching resources would be updated to reflect the changes in law.
Anyone arriving in NSW who leaves Victoria after 4pm on Thursday will be required to follow the lockdown restrictions enforced in the southern state from midnight.

Victorias acting Premier James Merlino on Thursday announced a seven-day circuit breaker lockdown from midnight with five reasons for people in Victoria to leave home: care and caregiving, exercise, to work, to buy groceries or to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has asked anyone who has travelled from Victoria and is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to get tested and isolate. Credit:Sam Mooy

Ahead of the Victorian press conference, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said a lockdown there would make things safer for NSW. Victorias coronavirus cluster has grown to 26 cases.

If Melburnians cant move around, or Victorians cant move around, well then theyre not going to be able to get on a plane or in a car, she told 2GB. So a lockdown is a lockdown. It actually means people cant leave.
A Queensland woman is facing serious charges after allegedly getting almost $1.1 million in fraudulent loans, insurance and brokerage and commission fees from Macquarie Bank.

Charleen Henegan, 58, is accused of committing the offences through a Brisbane car yard business and allegedly forged a tax agent letter, according to court documents.

Macquarie Leasing Pty Ltd allegedly lost $1,096,150 through Charleen Henegans fraudulent applications. Credit:Tamara Voninski

The alleged offending took place over eight months between September 1, 2018 and May 30, 2019. Ms Henegan is charged with two counts of fraud and two counts of document forgery.

According to court documents, Ms Henegan got $982,345 in fraudulent loans and insurance as well as $113,805 in fraudulent brokerage/commission fees from Macquarie Leasing Pty Ltd.
The federal government is broadly supportive of a Victorian proposal to build an alternative quarantine facility in Melbournes north but has warned that the state governments desired construction deadline of the end of this year is overly ambitious.

Acting Premier James Merlino said on Wednesday that he was expecting a response from the federal government on an alternative quarantine facility very shortly as he and senior Labor MPs in Canberra demanded more urgency from the Morrison government on the countrys quarantine system.

The quarantine facility in Mickleham would be based on the Howard Springs facility in the Northern Territory.

The calls came as the South Australian government finalised its inquiry into how a Melbourne man was infected with COVID-19 in an Adelaide hotel  the case that has been genomically linked to Victorias developing outbreak.

South Australian Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said the review found that the man probably caught COVID-19 in the Playford Hotel through aerosol transmission likely to have occurred on two occasions when food was delivered to residents in the hotel.
Two decades ago after I had implemented the Victorian governments Youth Substance Abuse Service, then opposition leader Steve Bracks asked for my thoughts on the merits and location of a potential safe injecting facility. I asked him how many facilities he was considering. He said five, an acknowledgment of the widespread damage being done by the heroin epidemic at the time.

The epidemic may be gone, but managing dangerous drug use remains a challenging health issue for the Victorian government. Behind all the emotion in the injecting room debate, there is a simple truth about Melbournes only operating facility in North Richmond  it works. It saves lives. Ambulance responses to drug overdoses are down. So is public injecting.

Melbourne councillors have voted to support a safe-injecting room in the CBD. Credit:Joe Armao

There are three points to be made about injecting rooms: more is less, location matters and the health benefits are undeniable.

In other countries, safe injecting rooms are an unremarkable part of the urban landscape. They are operated quietly and discreetly. With almost 120,000 visits in the first 18 months, the Richmond injecting room is one of the busiest in the world, serving around 4000 regular clients. This isnt something we should be proud of. We need more of these facilities so that a single suburb isnt carrying the whole load.
Thousands of Victorians have rushed to get their coronavirus vaccines as a growing cluster of cases threatens to plunge Melburnians into lockdown again.

Concern that the outbreak in Melbournes north, which has spread to 15 people, has already outrun health authorities has also prompted a top infectious diseases expert to call on Australias immunisation advisory group to consider shortening the gap between AstraZeneca doses, to ensure people are fully protected from COVID-19 variants quicker.

Coolaroo GP John Hodgson has been indundated with vaccine bookings. Credit:Joe Armao

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation recommends three months between doses to maximise protection from the virus, but the University of Sydneys Professor Robert Booy said this should be reduced to two months.

Serious consideration should be made to bring the second dose forward, he said. AstraZeneca against the Indian variant may be only 33 per cent effective after only one dose. Second-dose protection is much higher, 60 per cent plus, and thats just for infection. For severe disease its likely to be 90-plus.
The Australian Taxation Office is warning the nations 4.2 million small businesses to expect more policing of tax returns this year following a reprieve at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking at a Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand event on Wednesday, ATO deputy commissioner of small business Deborah Jenkins said the watchdog was focused on an estimated $11.1 billion a year in net tax from small businesses that analysis shows should be paid. This extra sum between what is paid in tax and what the ATO estimates should be paid is known as the tax gap.

Deputy ATO commissioner Deborah Jenkins. Credit:Wolter Peeters

She said the ATO would be carefully monitoring third party data over the next few months to track $390 billion in contract income, scrutinising loss claims and temporary full expensing measures, and ensuring private and business activities are accounted for separately in tax return claims. However, she acknowledged some companies were still finding it tough during the pandemic and those who do their best to report accurately would be managed with empathy and understanding.

Weve all heard of the dual-speed economy. In my view, the current environment is more of a multi-speed economy. Some businesses are recovering well, and others continue to struggle. Some havent seen much change at all, Ms Jenkins said.
Hyundai and LG Energy Solution will build an electric-car battery plant in Indonesia together.

According to industry insiders on Tuesday, the two companies will invest some US$1.2 billion in a battery plant with an annual capacity of 10 GWh worth of batteries or enough for 125,000 high-powered electric vehicles in Karawang, an industrial city near Jakarta.

The plant is expected to begin operation in late 2023. Indonesian Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia told local reporters that construction will begin soon and the batteries manufactured there will be used in Hyundai's EVs.

Hyundai is also building an auto plant with an annual capacity of 250,000 cars in the Kota Deltamas industrial complex in Bekasi near Karawang. It currently produces internal combustion engine cars but will also start making EVs next year.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Luhut Pandjaitan arrived in Seoul on Monday, where he met with Hyundai chairman Chung Eui-sun and LG Energy Solution president Kim Jong-hyun.

Indonesia has plentiful resources of lithium, the core material for batteries.


Will the NSW governments new Parklands for People white paper for a proposed new Greater Sydney Parklands agency create a visionary new sustainable super-agency or a sprawling and ungovernable mess?

Almost a year ago, a new Greater Sydney Parklands was announced but not legislated. Instead, it was created administratively and by appointing the same eight trustees to all three independent parklands trusts, Centennial Parklands (Centennial, Moore and Queens parks), Parramatta Park and Western Sydney Parklands. Other significant parks, Callan Park and Fernhill Estate, were transferred into this new ad-hoc structure, unbeknown to the local communities.

Centennial Parklands, among the treasures to come under the governance of a proposed single board. Credit:James Alcock

This week Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes quietly released the white paper, its purpose to formalise this year-old, department-cobbled structure by way of new legislation to be introduced into NSW Parliament later this year.

Contained in the vague paper is a new idea that: Through the use of surplus government-owned land that is not suitable to be used as parkland, there is an opportunity for GSP to create off- park business hubs. These lands can become the funding engine for all of the parklands, owned by GSP Trust and providing a source of long-term, sustainable funding for the Parklands Estate.
This countrys track record of pushing kids as young as 10 through the school-to-prison pipeline is a national disgrace, he said. Aboriginal children account for almost 65 per cent of young people behind bars around Australia, and its high time we changed that. Children need to be kept out of the justice system for as long as possible. Locking them up at such a young age makes them more likely to reoffend, often violently, putting the community at risk. Greens justice spokesman Tim Read says the Victorian government can lead the way on reform. Credit:Eddie Jim Mr Battin was the oppositions spokesman for youth justice, crime prevention and victim support until March, when he moved to the backbench following an unsuccessful tilt at the Liberals leadership. His stance on raising the age could put him on a collision course with the party after shadow attorney-general Edward ODonohue last week said the opposition would be very cautious in considering the issue. The Age last week revealed the Andrews government was under mounting internal pressure to raise the age, amid growing evidence about the detrimental effects of incarceration on the development of childrens brains.

Loading The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child benchmarked 14 years as the absolute minimum age for criminal responsibility. It cited evidence in the fields of child development and neuroscience, which indicated that maturity and the capacity for abstract reasoning is still evolving in children aged 12 to 13 because their frontal cortex  the area of the brain involved in criminal offending  is still developing. Mr Battin said in his seven years as a police officer he never knew a person to walk past a 10-year-old and say, you should be in jail. That shouldnt sit well with anyone. If youre 10, 11, 12, 13, you should be treated differently. Mr Atkinson, an upper house Liberal MP, told Parliament in February he supported raising the age of criminal responsibility, and he urged attorneys-general across the country to expedite the national review, describing it as long-overdue reform.

From my point of view, its extraordinary we can have a 10-year-old who can be sent to prison when clearly they dont have the emotional intelligence or the necessary comprehension of their actions, he told The Age. The issue has been kicked around at a national level for a considerable period of time, and I cant see why the attorneys-general cannot come to a conclusion and change this really draconian situation. I think it does need a national approach. Mr Wakeling said he supported calls to raise the age but he was grappling with how to deal with children under 14 who committed serious crimes such as murder and rape. In a general sense, I can understand the need to increase the age for the purposes of trying to stop kids going into jail who dont need to be there, he said. Ive got no problem trying to do that ... for crimes that are petty. Im just grappling with the whole issue of serious crimes, and how we deal with those children.
Nurses from across WA hospitals have finally given voice to frustrations at systemic issues they say they have been raising for years, warning these problems have not gone away.

About 1000 nurses, doctors and other medical staff gathered outside Perth Childrens Hospital on Tuesday in an emotional rally to call on the government to improve its response to resources, understaffing and burnout issues at Perth hospitals.

Nurses and doctors protest ourside Perth Childrens Hospital on May 25. Credit:Hamish Hastie

The rally was a crescendo of tensions that have been building between staff, unions, hospital executives and the government since the death of seven-year-old Aishwarya Aswath on April 3.

PCH registered nurse Mary, whose surname is not used to protect her job, said she and her colleagues were angry at the hospitals move to refer those involved in Aishwaryas care that night to the national health regulator, when the problems were broader.
Taipei: Taiwan has directly accused China for the first time of blocking a deal with Pfizer-BioNTech for COVID-19 vaccines, in an escalating war of words after Beijing offered the German-made mRNA shots to the island via a Chinese company.

Taiwan has millions of vaccine doses on order from AstraZeneca and Moderna, but has received only slightly more than 700,000 to date, and has only been able to vaccinate about 1 per cent of its population as coronavirus cases surge.

Only one per cent of the Taiwanese have been vaccinated. Credit:Bloomberg

There were 633 new domestic COVID-19 cases reported on Wednesday, including 331 cases added to the totals for previous days as Taiwan continues to readjust its infection numbers following delays in reporting positive tests.

While Taiwan has previously said it had been unable to sign a final contract with Pfizer-BioNTech, it had only implied that Chinese pressure was to blame.
London: Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi says Western sanctions imposed over human rights violations made the superpower feel bullied by European imperialists as he told a German audience they knew what genocide looks like.

A senior Member of the European Parliament, German Reinhard Buetikofer, angrily hit back saying that using the holocaust as a diplomatic football was a reckless new low in Chinas wolf-warrior diplomacy.

Britain, Canada and the European Union imposed sanctions against Chinese officials in March over what the United States says is genocide perpetrated against Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang.

Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi, pictured in March in Ankara, said the sanctions made Chinese people think of when they were bullied by European imperialists in the past. Credit:Turkish Foreign Ministry.

China immediately retaliated by imposing sanctions on several British MPs and MEPs who belong to the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China.
Paris: The mysterious London public relations agency sent its pitch simultaneously to social media influencers in France and Germany: claim that Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine is deadly and that regulators and the mainstream media are covering it up, the message read, and earn thousands of euros in easy money in exchange.

The claim is false. The purported agency, Fazze, has a website and describes itself as an influencer marketing platform connecting bloggers and advertisers. But when some of the influencers tried to find out who was running Fazze, the ephemeral trail appeared to lead to Russia.

Unbelievable. The address of the London agency that contacted me is bogus, Leo Grasset, a popular French health and science YouTuber with more than 1 million followers, wrote on Twitter on Monday. All the employees have weird LinkedIn profiles  which have been missing since this morning. Everyone has worked in Russia before.

Mirko Drotschmann, a German health commentator with 1.5 million YouTube subscribers, said in a tweet that the PR agency had asked if he wanted to be part of an information campaign about Pfizer deaths in exchange for money. After doing some research, he concluded, Agency headquarters: London. Residence of the CEO: Moscow.
Washington: The family of George Floyd met privately with President Joe Biden and pressed congressional leaders to strike a deal on a massive policing package one year after police killed Floyd on a south Minneapolis street.

Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris gathered with the Floyd family on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) for about an hour on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) afternoon. Underlying the emotional day, however, was the inability of Congress to meet the presidents deadline to advance police reform legislation by the anniversary of Floyds death.

Lawyer Benjamin Crump, front centre, along with Gianna Floyd, daughter of George Floyd, and her mother Roxie Washington, and others talk with reporters after meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House. Credit:AP

If you can make federal laws to protect the bird which is the bald eagle, you can make federal laws to protect people of colour, Philonise Floyd, Georges brother, told reporters after the meeting.

He described Biden as a genuine guy, and said the family was thankful. But he also made clear they want to see police reform legislation named after George Floyd signed into law.
New York: New York prosecutors have convened a special grand jury to consider evidence in a criminal investigation into former president Donald Trumps business dealings.

The development signals that the Manhattan district attorneys office was moving toward seeking charges as a result of its two-year investigation, which included a lengthy legal battle to obtain Trumps tax records.

The person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they werent authorised to speak publicly. The news was first reported by The Washington Post.

Then-president Donald Trump in 2020. His legal troubles have followed him beyond the White House. Credit:AP

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance jnr is conducting a wide-ranging investigation into a variety of matters such as hush-money payments paid to women on Trumps behalf, property valuations and employee compensation.
Some of those who have returned to New Zealand will leave again as soon as the pandemic ends. Such was the lure last year of a coronavirus-free summer spent at crowded beaches and festivals that the government imposed quarantine fees starting at more than $2500 on New Zealanders intending to make only short visits. Lamia Imam, a New Zealander, and her American husband, Cody Sandel, had always planned to return to New Zealand, but their move was hastened by the pandemic in the United States. Credit:Cornell Tukiri/The New York Times And among those who intend to stay long term, many are clear-eyed about the challenges. Financially, its a terrible decision for us to return to New Zealand because we were much better off in the US from a wages and housing perspective, said Lamia Imam, 36, who returned in March from Austin, Texas, with her American husband. They had always planned to return to New Zealand, Imam said. Their move was hastened not only by the pandemic but also by the presidency of Donald Trump and the United States unresolved systemic racism, highlighted by last summers Black Lives Matter protests.

Spending time overseas has long been a rite of passage for young New Zealanders like Imam. A large number  including, in her youth, Ardern  stay abroad only as long as visas or funds allow. Loading But thousands of New Zealanders migrate overseas each year with little intention of returning, at least before starting a family or retiring. The country typically posts a net loss of thousands or tens of thousands of citizens each year, with its overall population growth fuelled by migrants. The pandemic has brought a stark reversal. In 2020, New Zealand posted a yearly net gain of thousands of citizens for the first time since the 1970s, the countrys statistics bureau said. Modelling by the bureau projects that 23,000 of the New Zealanders who returned home from living abroad during the year ending in March 2021 will stay for at least 12 months. By contrast, 7,800 citizens moved overseas.

The Ardern government has announced no specific measures aimed at retaining citizens who return. But it is using its border shutdown as a moment to reset its immigration priorities, saying last week that it would loosen controls for wealthy investors while curtailing temporary visas for the migrants the country has long relied on as citizens moved away. When the pandemic first struck, Moody and her husband were determined to remain in Princeton, she said. She was undergoing in vitro fertilisation, and her husband was applying to American medical schools. Moody, who worked for the World Bank and the consulting firm Deloitte during her time abroad, said it was important that she not feel like Im trapped, career-wise or physically or psychologically. If she returned to New Zealand, she said, I was scared I would lose that outward-looking global connection. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video

But as the pandemic dragged on, the couples reasons for staying in the United States dwindled, and early this year they moved back to Auckland. They are so certain they will remain, despite the lower wages and less affordable housing, that Moodys husband has begun the lengthy process of training as a doctor locally. Wages in her field are about 20 per cent lower in New Zealand than in the United States, Moody said, so she has kept her job as the global head of leadership for the strategy firm OneLeap, headquartered in London. She is among many newly returned New Zealanders who hope to retain their overseas salaries for as long as they can. Time zone differences mean workdays in New Zealand and the United States or Europe scarcely overlap. Those working remotely are relying on a new willingness from their multinational employers to consider making flexible work arrangements permanent. For people returning to New Zealand in hope of finding work in the public sector, as Imam had planned, salaries are constrained. The government announced this month that wage increases would be prohibited for the next three years for those earning more than $71,000 and tightly restricted for those earning above $43,000. The prospect of accepting such low pay, said Moody, who was a public servant before she left New Zealand, was rough.
In 2018, a new board was inducted by the Netherlands Red Cross and is being headed by the Interim President Ms. Nadia Chirlias. Red Cross St. Maarten has lost over 70% of their active volunteers due to the departure of former Branch Manager Nadjeska Gumbs. Likewise there have been 2 branch managers, 1 interim branch manager, 3 resignations and 1 managerial staff contract discontinued during an unfinished program. 2 board members have also resigned this year. The Interim Branch manager is working 20 hours per week with no staff.

The Netherlands Red Cross is constantly being informed about the mismanagement and is aware of the undermining that is taking place with the volunteers via emails from the volunteers.

Various promises have been made to the volunteers whether it is financial or non-financial. In fact during a General Assembly, the interim president stated that volunteers will receive a reward this year from the Netherlands, however cannot disclose said reward without proper documentation. In another Assembly, when asked about the reward, the interim president said the statement was never said.

During the last General Assembly in February 2021, volunteers voted to re-assess the work that has been supposedly finished due to poor results at the Belvedere Senior Home. Furthermore, an explanation was requested to elaborate on the tender/bidding process of said project. How much did the building cost, what repairs were done, was there a public bid, if not why? All things considered, no explanation has been made or assessments imparted. As the home dwellers made it clear that the repairs were mostly cosmetic such as painting and not focusing on improving their indoor living space.

Nadia Chirlias interim president and Reanda Brandy treasurer have never made it clear on the following questions to us volunteers.

The Red Cross is known for accepting and distributing second-hand items for the most vulnerable, but the coordination of this action is degrading. Garments are just simply sorted and given out. As indicated by the Red Cross , items of clothing should be arranged, washed, and disseminated. This type of stuff started happening in 2021.

On the other hand, Red Cross St. Maarten is not prepared for this years hurricane season. There is no disaster preparedness or response plan, or proper First-Aid trained and documented volunteers.

Not publicly answering these questions is to fail at providing the public and us the volunteers with accountability and transparency. I would like clear answers to the questions with no fallacies by June 30th, 2021. Failing to do so will prove the fact that the board of Sint Maarten Red Cross and The Netherlands Red Cross has no sense of Accountability and Transparency.

1. What are the core social projects and hurricane/disaster plans for us as volunteers to take part in?

2. When will the operational development project start, as this project focus is to develop the Sint Maarten Red Cross in the area of First Aid, Disaster Preparedness and Response amongst other essential facets of the Sint Maarten Red Cross?

3. When will Sint Maarten Red Cross carry out an external independent Audit of its financials, programs, procedures and protocols as only then improvements can be made?

4. When will the board of Sint Maarten accept the request of the volunteers to commence the General Assembly?

Sint Maarten Red Cross Statues Points

1. First of all there is no Board structure. There are only 3 persons that comprise an interim Board. The Board must comprise of 5 natural persons(Article 9: 1)

Board members are appointed by the General Assembly (Article 9:2)



2. No attempt has been made to fill the vacancies of the Board as (Article 11:5).

And the General Assembly meeting must designate the persons for the temporary Board.



3. Members registered can request a meeting of a General Assembly which the temporary Board must comply with (Article 16:2)

Ms. Chirlias was never voted in as president by any assembly and remains as an interim President in order for one to claim this position it must be done in accordance with the statutes.



4. Amendments to the Statutes can only be done in consultation with the General Assembly (Article 23)



5. Members annual subscription is determined by the General Assembly of members on the proposal of the board (Article 8:2).



6. According to the Volunteers Agreement you become a member of the RC when you sign the Volunteers Agreement.

So, you can't choose which one you want to be because you are both.



7.If a volunteer is exempted from voting during a General Assembly he/she will be able to vote as a member of the RC.

The Volunteer Agreement states clearly in Art. 1.d. that the Volunteer also becomes a member of the Red Cross Sint Maarten as from the date of this Agreement!

Art.13 .d . The agreement also ends if the Volunteer is no longer a member of the Red Cross. This is the result of the Volunteer cancelling his/her membership or if the Red Cross terminates it.

Carla Jonkers and Marion van der Reijden, what are you waiting for? Are you waiting for the Sint Maarten Red Cross to be completely nonfunctional? We the volunteers are one of the most important lifelines of the movement.

This is what the Red Cross say that they stand for: 7 Fundamental Principles,

Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality.
FCCA Cruise Conference to Return to Puerto Rico

Miramar, FL:--- Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) is pleased to share that the FCCA Cruise Conference  the only official cruise conference representing the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central and South America  will return to San Juan, Puerto Rico next year. Taking place from June 1-3, 2022, the event will feature a reworked recipe with a concentration of one-on-one meetings and expanded networking opportunities with high-level executives from FCCA Member Lines, which represent more than 90 percent of the global ocean cruising capacity.



We, along with our Member Line executives and partners around the region, are ecstatic to return to Puerto Rico for the FCCA Cruise Conference in 2022, said Michele Paige, President, FCCA. This return displays the long-standing relationship we have had with the destination and the ability to constantly grow together, which is truly what the event is all about, so this will be the perfect place and time to gather our partners to develop mutual understanding and success.



The Government of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company are proud to welcome back the Annual FCCA Conference & Tradeshow to our Convention District in San Juan, Puerto Rico, said the executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, Carlos Santiago Mercado. As one of the first destinations in the world to implement a health & safety program specifically designed for the tourism industry, the Island is well prepared to host international events and conventions such as this one. Next year's meeting is especially important and noteworthy as it will provide both an excellent opportunity to discuss strategic plans to strengthen global cruise industry operations, and the ideal forum to forge public and private sector collaborative alliances after the unprecedented impact of the global pandemic on the travel and tourism industry.



All-Conference participants will have access to workshops led by cruise executives and successful stakeholders, along with opportunities to meet with cruise executives during networking functions throughout the event.



These networking opportunities, as well as one-on-one meetings, will benefit from an expanded focus through the FCCA Cruise Conferences new format being established this year, while building on the past successes of the event in Puerto Rico in 2016, 2018, and 2019, including the record attendance of Member Lines presidents and above, as well as the most meetings ever in 2019.



Additionally, Puerto Rico will have increased chances to showcase some of the best to see, eat and hear in the destination for cruise guests, along with what it offers cruise ships for provisioning and homeporting, which has led it to be one of the key players in the global cruise industry.
PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Vaccination Management Team (VMT), is appealing for volunteers to assist in the vaccination outreach campaign.

The VMT wants to emphasize that the current mass vaccination campaign will end on July 31st. Persons only have seven weeks left to come for their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. With the current increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, it is critical that the community gets vaccinated.

The VMT is looking for the following persons to assist with registration drives, community canvassing, and Vaccination Pop-Ups. Interested persons can email the VMT Outreach Manager: Malaika Richards at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The VMT is urgently looking for volunteers who speak Spanish and/or Creole, but it's not a requirement. A stipend will also be offered to all volunteers.

The VMT recognizes that some still have questions or concerns regarding vaccination. For this reason, the VMT continues to offer information sessions to organizations, clubs, churches, and businesses, and you can apply by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The VMT also plans a community approach with community canvassing and neighborhood vaccination Pop-Ups, and therefore motivated "boots on the ground" willing to contribute to the vaccination campaign on Sint Maarten is urgently needed for these projects.

The countrys current level of protection against the COVID-19 virus and variants is not sufficient to protect the community. The number of active cases is rising, and we've sadly experienced our first COVID-19 related death of 2021. We're likely to see more active cases, more hospitalizations, more restrictions, and eventually a curfew and another lockdown if this trend continues.

This was the case on the ABC (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) islands. As the infection numbers there rose, several persons passed away daily. Hospitals exceeded their capacity, which meant that regular healthcare could not be provided. There was a lockdown and curfew, which put an enormous strain on the local (tourism) economy, and travel restrictions were reinstated.

Sint Maarten has the tools available for free until the end of July 2021 to prevent this scenario. We only need to do it, and we cannot afford to wait any longer. We are stronger together, so become a part of the solution and sign yourself up to help with the last two months of the COVID-19 mass vaccination campaign.

Sint Maarten Protected Together.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs and Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion traveled to the Netherlands yesterday, May 25, 2021, to rectify the non-payment of the fifth tranche of liquidity support. State Secretary of Interior and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops continues to illegally withhold the payment of liquidity support, already approved for payment on April 23, in the Kingdom Council of Ministers meeting.

Prime Minister Jacobs stated, State Secretary Knops is not honoring the rules of engagement. Although having expressed such to him in a meeting held last week, Wednesday, May 19, during his visit to Sint Maarten, he has insisted on continuing with these actions to the detriment of the very people he claims he is concerned about. The State Secretarys actions are counterproductive as they put the vital processes of government at risk. As a result, we must question his motives.

As Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs, I have been left with no choice but to escalate this issue to the Kingdom Council of Ministers (RMR). The goal is that the rule of law; a pillar of Dutch good governance and democracy, will prevail, and not the very prominent democratic deficit in the RMR. This is another example of why the dispute regulation law is very much needed, she continued.

On June 1, Prime Minister Jacobs will be present in the plenary debate for the handling of the dispute regulation law in the First Chamber of the Parliament of the Netherlands. She will ensure that the current and past challenges experienced by Sint Maarten as a result of the democratic deficit and unequitable treatment of the countries within the Kingdom in the Dutch Caribbean are highlighted through Minister Plenipotentiary Rene Violenus, who will speak on behalf of the government of Sint Maarten. Additionally, Prime Minister Jacobs will be meeting with other key stakeholders to ensure that Sint Maarten's position is known and heard.

Prime Minister Jacobs is determined to see this process through and will do all that needs to be done to ensure at the very least that there is equitable treatment for the people of Sint Maarten.
~ For the love of Carnival, vaccinate! ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) on Wednesday endorsed the governments Island-wide vaccination awareness campaign The Drive to 85%, SXM race to normalcy. The initiative of Minister of Public Health Omar Ottley, the objective of the campaign is to encourage at least 85% of the community to go out and get vaccinated, in efforts to achieve herd immunity.

President of the SCDF Alston Lourens and Minister Ottley met briefly on Wednesday at which time Lourens assured the Minister that the foundation will do everything it can and use its entire platform to raise awareness and push the vaccination drive.

Lourens explained that achieving herd immunity is important for the country and by extension St. Maarten Carnival. He said the foundation is resiliently planning Carnival 2022 and this means being able to fete in an environment where the island is back to some sense of normalcy. The Minister, himself a Carnival lover, expressed his appreciation to the SCDF for offering to assist in the campaign.

Herd immunity is good for us all, it is good for booth holders, troupe leaders, band leaders, calypsonians and it is most definitely great for Jouvert. We commend the Minister for this initiative to get the country back to normal sooner rather than later. We will use our social media platforms to promote the drive and get people to go vaccinate as eager as they want to have Carnival. If folks get vaccinated there are limited risks. Fully vaccinated people among fully vaccinated people wont result in a further spread,  Lourens said.

Many persons have been enquiring about activities that are possible economic boosters; such as music festivals and Carnival, however, such events can only be considered if we achieve an 85% vaccination rate.

The campaign consists of a series with local entertainers and video producers, who will focus on the many issues that we face daily due to COVID-19. The series will inform the public on what we must do to achieve some sense of normalcy.

Minister Ottley is encouraging the community, to go out and get vaccinated.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Committee of Constitutional Affairs and Decolonization (CCAD) of Parliament will meet on May 27, 2021.

The Committee meeting, which was adjourned on April 15, 2021, and postponed on May 25, 2021, will be reconvened on Thursday at 14.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. Representatives of Sint Maarten Anti-poverty Platform and Sint Maarten Consumers Coalition will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:

Discussion on the concerns regarding human rights and inequality in the relationship between St. Maarten and the Netherlands (IS/171/2020-2021 dated November 16, 2020)

This meeting was requested by MP R. Brison, MP O.E.C. Ottley, MP S. M. Bijlani and MP G.S. Heyliger-Marten.

Due to measures taken to mitigate the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the House of Parliament is only allowing persons with an appointment to enter the Parliament building.

The parliamentary session will be carried live on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 115, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and Parliaments Facebook page: Parliament of Sint Maarten
Stakes are High as Danish Software Company Works to Earn State-Financed Growth Boost

Odense, Denmark, May 26, 2021  Financial trouble was looming on the horizon when the Danish software company Morningscore went over its budgets for 2021.

 We had been growing at a fast and healthy rate since the foundation in early 2018, and things were going really well. But we couldn\-\-t keep up the pace in 2020, so we were faced with a whole new financial reality, explains the founder and CEO of Morningscore, Karsten Madsen.

At a crossroads

Despite a doubling of the customer base from 200 to 400 customers and a tripling of the monthly recurring revenue in 2020, a challenging year had left Morningscore at a crossroads.

Budgets simply didn\-\-t leave enough room to keep growing at the planned pace, so additional funding was essential to avoid redundancies.

So Karsten Madsen and his business partner Mads Himstedt, COO of Morningscore, applied for a growth loan of 3 million DKK (roughly 500,000 USD) from the Danish state\-\-s investment fund, Vkstfonden.

And they got it.

Stakes are high

Morningscore is required to meet certain goals to get the full amount of the state-financed growth loan. And they need the full amount of 3 million DKK to be able fulfill the ambitious growth plan that won them the financial boost in the first place.

So stakes are high at Morningscore, but the CEO remains optimistic:

 Competition is fierce for SEO software, but Morningscore brings something new to the table that sets our tool apart from others. We use game elements in our tool to make it fun working with SEO, and when the work is fun, it\-\-s also easier to do, explains Karsten Madsen.

Makes work fun

And the fun about Morningscore is not just part of the tool itself. It\-\-s also part of Morningscore\-\-s company culture, and according to the CEO, the fun work environment fuels the team members in working hard to meet the goal.

 When we announced the good news to the team and told them about the growth loan and the ambitious goal we have to meet, I also made sure we all aim for the goal that\-\-s more important than anything else: We must have fun while we\-\-re working. Otherwise, what\-\-s the fun in that? ends Karsten Madsen.
TUDOR GOLD initiates diamond drilling on the goldstorm deposit at Treaty Creek, Northwestern B.C.

Posted by Publisher Internet

Tudor Gold Corp. (TSXV: TUD) (Frankfurt: TUC) (the \Company\ or \Tudor Gold\  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/tudor-gold-corp/) is pleased to announce the commencement of the 2021 exploration program at their flagship property, Treaty Creek, located in the heart of the Golden Triangle of Northwestern British Columbia. Diamond drilling has begun on the Goldstorm Deposit, which is on-trend from Seabridge Gold?s KSM Project located five kilometers to the southwest. The first two drills have arrived and have begun drilling the 30,000 meter, fully funded, Phase l exploration program. Six drills will be used for this deposit delineation and property exploration program.

Tudor Gold?s Vice President of Exploration and Project Development, Ken Konkin, P.Geo., states: ?Crews have been on site for several weeks preparing our drill camp and our lower exploration camp to receive our first two drill teams. This season had a remarkably deeper snowpack than that of previous years. Our crews took advantage of the high snow level and excellent weather conditions during April and May to transport heavy equipment and drilling supplies to our site utilizing the South Treaty Glacier route. Avalanche technicians safely guided the convoy of equipment over the pass that connects to the Pretium Resources? Knipple Glacier ice road.

The priority of our exploration program this year is to define the limits of the Goldstorm Deposit, as it currently remains open to expansion in all directions and at depth. Furthermore, we will attempt to convert as much of the 7.9 million ounces of gold equivalent (AuEq) Inferred Resources to the Measured and Indicated Resource categories that currently total 19.41 million ounces of AuEq. In addition to drilling at Goldstorm (GS), we will also continue our drilling at Perfect Storm (PSZ) and other targets, including the Eureka Zone (EZ). Approximately 90% of the planned drilling will be undertaken at Goldstorm while two 300-meter southwestern step-out holes are initially planned for Perfect Storm, and one hole at Eureka. We expect to add two more drills in the following week?

Tudor Gold Corp and our associated service companies have taken extreme measures to maintain the highest professional standards while working within COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Only essential personnel are permitted to enter the camp and staging areas. Of those workers who are at the project site and staging site, we have strict daily monitoring of the workers temperatures and general health conditions. We have a certified paramedic at the staging area to examine all in-coming and out-going workers of all Tudor personnel and all service providers.

Walter Storm, President and CEO, stated: ?We are all very pleased to see the safe start-up of the 2021 exploration program thanks to the hard work and dedication of our crews. I would also like to thank our good neighbours along our southern boundary; we very much appreciate the management and staff at Pretium Resources for their assistance and permission to transport vital heavy equipment and drill supplies to our site from their Brucejack Mine access road.? Last year we completed our most successful exploration season at Treaty Creek, which provided the results for our Initial Mineral Resource Estimate.? Our goal this year is to complete the drilling of the Goldstorm Deposit to hopefully expand and finalize the Mineral Resource Estimate. With this, we can then proceed with a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for 2022. We also have several high-level targets to explore at Treaty Creek, with the goal of identifying the nature and grade of gold distribution within the Perfect Storm and Eureka targets.?

Qualified Person

The Qualified Person for this news release for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 is the Company?s Vice President Project Development, Ken Konkin, P.Geo. He has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this news release.

About Tudor Gold

TUDOR GOLD Corp. is a precious and base metals exploration and development company with properties in British Columbia?s Golden Triangle (Canada), an area that hosts producing and past-producing mines and several large deposits that are approaching potential development. The 17,913 hectare Treaty Creek project (in which TUDOR GOLD has a 60% interest) borders Seabridge Gold Inc.?s KSM property to the southwest and borders Pretium Resources Inc.?s Brucejack property to the southeast. In April, 2021 Tudor published their 43-101 technical report, ?Technical Report and Initial Mineral Resource Estimate of the Treaty Creek Gold Property, Keena Mining Division, British Columbia Canada? dated March 1, 2021 on the Company?s Sedar profile. The Company also has a 100% interest in the CROWN Project and a 100% interest in the Eskay North project, all located in the Golden Triangle area.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TUDOR GOLD CORP.

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

This news release contains ?forward-looking information? within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. ?Forward-looking information? includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including the completion and anticipated results of planned exploration activities. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as ?plans?, ?expects?, ?is expected?, ?budget?, ?scheduled?, ?estimates?, ?forecasts?, ?intends?, ?anticipates?, or ?believes? or the negative connotation thereof 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? or the negative connation thereof.

Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the Company?s planned exploration activities will be completed in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company?s plans or expectations include risks relating to the actual results of current exploration activities, fluctuating gold prices, possibility of equipment breakdowns and delays, exploration cost overruns, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by 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 forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

The Company 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 otherwise required by applicable securities legislation.
Discovery Intersects 1,043 g/t AgEq Over 4.1 m and 1,736 g/t AgEq Over 1.2 m in Vein Drilling at Cordero

Posted by Publisher Internet

Discovery Silver Corp. (TSX-V: DSV, OTCQX: DSVSF) (?Discovery? or the ?Company?  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/discovery-metals-corp/) is pleased to announce results from 12 diamond drill holes targeting the Josefina and Todos Santos high-grade vein trends at its flagship Cordero project (?Cordero? or ?the Project?) located in Chihuahua State, Mexico. Multiple vein trends with a combined strike extent of more than 5 km flank the higher-grade bulk-tonnage domain at Cordero; the Josefina and Todos Santos vein trends currently represent approximately 3 km of this strike extent.

Highlight intercepts include:

Josefina Vein

1 m averaging 1,043 g/t AgEq1 from 304.5 m (520 g/t Ag, 0.11 g/t Au, 3.0% Pb and 9.8% Zn) within 41.5 m averaging 237 g/t AgEq1 (97 g/t Ag, 0.04 g/t Au, 1.0% Pb and 2.5% Zn) in hole C21-421

3 m averaging 1,041 g/t AgEq1 from 402.8 m (495 g/t Ag, 0.17 g/t Au, 5.6% Pb and 8.0% Zn) in hole C21-421

2 m averaging 1,736 g/t AgEq1 from 164.9 m (997 g/t Ag, 0.25 g/t Au, 8.9% Pb and 9.7% Zn) within 22.4 m averaging 322 g/t AgEq1 (156 g/t Ag, 0.10 g/t Au, 1.7% Pb and 2.3% Zn) in hole C21-431

Todos Santos Vein

2 m averaging 403 g/t AgEq1 from 157.5 m (163 g/t Ag, 0.17 g/t Au, 2.8% Pb and 3.1% Zn) in hole C20-404

0 m averaging 589 g/t AgEq1 from 258.1 m (160 g/t Ag, 0.39 g/t Au, 3.8% Pb and 6.4% Zn) in hole C21-409

1 m averaging 558 g/t AgEq1 from 73.3 m (160 g/t Ag, 0.27 g/t Au, 3.3% Pb and 6.3% Zn) in hole C21-418

Taj Singh, President and CEO, states: ?Our vein drilling at Josefina continues to deliver bonanza grade intercepts. Several of the high-grade veins were within broader zones of disseminated mineralization that returned highlight intercepts of 41.5 m averaging 237 g/t AgEq, 22.4 m averaging 322 g/t AgEq and 36.4 m averaging 124 g/t AgEq. This increases our confidence that the higher-grade bulk tonnage domain will expand to the east to incorporate sections of the Josefina vein trend.

We also continue to expand the drill-confirmed strike extent at Todos Santos. Step out holes 250 m to the southwest and 250 m to the northeast from our previous drilling were successful in intercepting high-grade vein mineralization. We will continue to systematically test Todos Santos at depth and along strike as part of our ongoing Phase 2 drill program.?

JOSEFINA VEIN:

The Josefina vein trend consists of two principal southwest-trending subparallel veins with an interpreted strike extent of approximately 1.5 km. The four holes in this release were successful in confirming continuity of bonanza grade mineralization along the central part of the vein trend. High-grade veins were intercepted within broader zones of mineralization in all four holes pointing to the bulk-tonnage potential in this part of the deposit.? ?

The veins along the Josefina trend dip steeply to the northwest and mineralization typically consists of semi-massive galena, sphalerite and pyrite. Drilling has confirmed the depth continuity of veins at Josefina to approximately 370 m below surface. The vein trend is open at depth below this and along strike in both directions.

Drill hole locations and current vein interpretations are shown in Figure 1 (see links below) and detailed drill highlights of the holes from this release at Josefina are provided in the table below. The true width of the veins is estimated to be approximately 70% of the drilled width.

TODOS SANTOS VEIN:

The Todos Santos vein trend, consisting of the Main Vein and Footwall Vein, has an interpreted southwest strike extent of at least 1.5 km and depth extent of at least 400 m based on historic underground workings and drilling. Drilling in the southwest of the Main Vein was successful in extending the drill-confirmed strike extent by 250 m with C21-418 returning 2.1 m averaging 558 g/t AgEq1. Drilling also confirmed the strike extent of the Footwall Vein extends to the northeast well beyond the previous PEA pit limit with C21-409 returning 1.0 m averaging 589 g/t AgEq1. The Todos Santos vein trend remains open along strike in both directions beyond these holes and at depth.

High-grade mineralization in both the Main Vein and Footwall Vein is typically associated with quartz-carbonate veins that dip steeply to the northwest. Mineralization typically consists of galena, sphalerite and pyrite.? Drill hole locations and current vein interpretations are shown in Figure 1 (see links below) and detailed drill highlights of the holes drilled at Todos Santos from this release are provided in the table below. The true width of the veins is estimated to be approximately 70% of the drilled width.

DRILL PROGRAM UPDATE:

Phase 1 drilling:? The Company?s Phase 1 drill program concluded at the end of April. The data from the 75,000 m of drilling (178 holes) completed in this program will be used to support the resource update (3Q 2021) which the PEA (4Q 2021) will be based on.

Phase 2 drilling:? The Company has completed 5,000 m (13 holes) as part of its Phase 2 drill program which will be ongoing through the remainder of the year. Phase 2 drilling will be focused on three key areas: (1) upgrading inferred resources for inclusion in a prefeasibility study; (2) resource expansion of bulk-tonnage mineralization; and (3) testing of the width, grade and continuity of the extensive high-grade vein systems that transect the deposit. There are currently four drill rigs operating on site.

SUPPORTING MATERIALS:

Supporting maps and sections, drill hole locations and full assay results can be found at the following link:

https://discoverysilver.com/site/assets/files/5680/2021-05-26-dsv-nrsa.pdf

A PDF of this release with supporting maps and sections included as appendices can be found at the following link:

https://discoverysilver.com/site/assets/files/5680/2021-05-26-dsv-nr.pdf

About Discovery

Discovery?s flagship project is its 100%-owned Cordero project, one of the few silver projects globally that offers margin, size and scaleability. Cordero is located close to infrastructure in a prolific mining belt in Chihuahua State, Mexico, and is supported by an industry leading balance sheet with over C$90 million available for aggressive exploration, resource expansion and future development. Discovery was a recipient of the 2020 TSX Venture 50 award and the 2021 OTCQX Best 50 award.

Sample analysis and QA/QC Program

The true width of the veins is estimated to be approximately 70% of the drilled width. Assays are uncut except where indicated. All core assays are from HQ drill core unless stated otherwise. Drill core is logged and sampled in a secure core storage facility located at the project site 40km north of the city of Parral. Core samples from the program are cut in half, using a diamond cutting saw, and are sent to ALS Geochemistry-Mexico for preparation in Chihuahua City, Mexico, and subsequently pulps are sent to ALS Vancouver, Canada, which is an accredited mineral analysis laboratory, for analysis. All samples are prepared using a method whereby the entire sample is crushed to 70% passing -2mm, a split of 250g is taken and pulverized to better than 85% passing 75 microns. Samples are analyzed for gold using standard Fire Assay-AAS techniques (Au-AA24) from a 50g pulp.? Over limits are analyzed by fire assay and gravimetric finish. Samples are also analyzed using thirty three-element inductively coupled plasma method (?ME-ICP61?). Over limit sample values are re-assayed for: (1) values of zinc > 1%; (2) values of lead > 1%; and (3) values of silver > 100 g/t. Samples are re-assayed using the ME-OG62 (high-grade material ICP-AES) analytical package. For values of silver greater than 1,500 g/t, samples are re-assayed using the Ag-CON01 analytical method, a standard 30 g fire assay with gravimetric finish. Certified standards and blanks are routinely inserted into all sample shipments to ensure integrity of the assay process. Selected samples are chosen for duplicate assay from the coarse reject and pulps of the original sample. No QAQC issues were noted with the results reported herein.

Qualified Person

Gernot Wober, P.Geo, VP Exploration, Discovery Silver Corp., is the Company\-\-s designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (?NI 43-101?) and has reviewed and validated that the information contained in this news release is accurate.

TECHNICAL NOTES & FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

The most recent technical report for the Cordero Project is the 2018 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) authored by M3 Engineering and Technology Corp and includes the most recent resource estimate, completed by Independent Mining Consultants, Inc. It is available on Discovery?s website and on SEDAR under Levon Resources Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Discovery. The PEA assumes metallurgical recoveries of 89% for Ag, 84% for Pb, 72% for Zn and 40% for Au.

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

This news release is not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

This news release does 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 which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ?1933 Act?) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. All statements within this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although Discovery 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 described in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements include fluctuations in market prices, including metal prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. There can be no assurance that the Private Placement will close on the announced terms. Discovery does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable laws.
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Somerset, KY (42501)

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Secure access control is helping to shape the post-pandemic world

With the continued rolling back of COVID restrictions in the UK, there is a palpable sense of relief. A mixture of mass vaccinations, widespread testing, and track and tracing of the infection is helping to enable a healthy bounce back for businesses  with secure access control taking an important role in facilitating this. However, rather than just being a reaction to the wake of the pandemic, there is every sign that the economy, and consequently the security sector as well, are both rebuilding and reshaping for the long-term new normal. Prioritising Safety Already deemed an essential service even during the first wave of the pandemic, the security industry has of course taken a vital role in protecting people and property throughout the crisis. Now that venues in the UK are starting to reopen again, our services are key to occupancy management and ensuring that disease transmission is limited as far as possible. Access control is also key in reassuring people that their safety is a priority. Making the upgrade Its all been about choosing the most suitable components and technology that already existed with a few tweaks Businesses and organisations have a duty of care to their employees and the safety of visitors  so controlling access, employing lateral flow testing, and deploying suitable Track & Trace mechanisms are all key components. I think those outside our industry are surprised to learn that most of the technology being deployed and used hasnt just magically developed since COVID appeared  its all been about choosing the most suitable components and technology that already existed albeit with a few development tweaks or adjustments for the situation at hand. This includes using or installing facial recognition readers rather than using fingerprint or contact tokens, it is swapping to automatic request to exit sensors instead of buttons; it is using powered secure doors rather than having people all grab the same handle. Using mobile credentials is also a key technology choice  why not use the highly secure, easy to manage, cost-effective, and of course contact-free benefits of this approach? Touchless solutions We have seen a clear shift in organisations looking to protect their staff and visitors. For instance, we have a big utility customer in Southeast Asia that has just replaced close to 200 sites using fingerprint readers with an additional facial recognition capability. We have also seen a big rise in demand for touchless request to exit sensors and Bluetooth Low Energy Readers for use with smartphone authentication. Working together Integration of security systems is of course nothing new, but in the post-pandemic or endemic age, it has perhaps never been more important. Installations need to be simple, straightforward, and rapid to help maintain safe distancing but also to ensure systems can be deployed as soon as they are needed. The world is changing and developing rapidly and there is simply no place for systems that dont work with others or cause the end-user considerable cost and inconvenience to upgrade. This flexible delivery of security solutions perfectly matches the evolving and increasing demands of the market. Its clear that end-users want systems that work well and can easily integrate with their existing systems  not only security but all the other business components which work in unison with each other over a shared network. Great opportunities ahead The recent work-from-home trend is also clearly changing the way organisations and businesses interact with the built environment. Lots of companies are downsizing, offices are being split up, there is lots of revitalisation and reuse of existing office space  all of which creates considerable opportunities for security providers. UK inflation more than doubled in April 2021 with unemployment figures dropping and the Pound rising in value There are also, in the UK at least, clear signs that the construction industry is rapidly growing again -with a forecast of 8% rebound and growth this year. UK inflation more than doubled in April 2021 with unemployment figures dropping and the Pound rising in value  all positive signs for UK-based security providers. Undoubtedly the highly successful UK vaccination rollout has helped considerably, but there are signs that the Eurozone looks set to improve considerably over the next few months as well. Using integrated access control Undoubtedly the pandemic has made security markets around the world more aware of the benefits of integrated access control in managing the needs of the new normal COVID endemic environment. For example, as a business, we have always had keen interest from the UK healthcare sector, but over the last 12 months, we have seen a big growth in previously modest international markets including Morocco, Kuwait, Bahrain, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand  all of which are very keen to adopt improved access control solutions. Learning the lessons Nobody would deny the last year or so has been unprecedentedly tough on everyone, as a society we have had to make huge changes and sacrifices. Governments, organisations, and businesses all need to be better prepared in the future, to understand the things that went wrong and those that were successful. However, there is a world beyond the immediate pandemic and its effects. Flexible working practices and the changes these will have to the way we live and work will undoubtedly present great opportunities for the security sector in helping the world evolve. The pandemic has been a wake-up call for many organisations with regards to their duty of care to employees  particularly when it comes to mental health and providing a sensible work/life balance. Where we work and the safety of these facilities has received far more scrutiny than before. Flexible security systems Integrated security solutions have a vital role to play in not only protecting the safety of people during the post-lockdown return to work but also in the evolution of the built environment and move towards smart cities - which inevitably will now need to consider greater flexibility in securing home working spaces rather than just traditional places of work. Importantly, powerful access control and integrated security systems need to be flexible to the uncertainties ahead. The COVID pandemic has shown that nothing can be considered certain, except the need for greater flexibility and resilience in the way we operate our professional and personal interactions.
Enterprise, AL (36331)

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Alex Larsen brings a deep background in music and with marching bands that will assist him when he steps on the field to lead the Smoky Mountain Marching Mustangs beginning this fall. He will also direct symphonic band.
After last year's unrest, some businesses rebuilt. But many have not recovered
Phil Heim of Medford, husband of Gail, is the father of four adult children, a son-in-law, hope-to-be daughter-in-law, and grandpa to four grandchildren.
Geneva, May 26, 2021 (SPS)- The Frente POLISARIO has denounced the appalling spate of Moroccos racist acts and serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law against civilians, activists, lawyers and journalists in occupied Western Sahara.

In a letter sent to its representation to the United Nations (UN) and international organizations in Geneva (Switzerland), Frente POLISARIO has denounced the deployment of occupation forces since 13 November in El Guerguerat and its assault against Sahrawi civilians that demonstrate peacefully against Moroccos violations of human rights and the illegal exploitation of natural resources in occupied territories, flouting the ceasefire agreement.

Frente POLISARIO rejects Moroccos attempts to impose the fait accompli policy on Western Sahara and to legitimize its occupation through the committees of the Moroccan National Council for Human Rights (CICR) or the Red Crescent, calling the International Red Crescent Committee (IRCC) to strengthen cooperation with POLISARIO to better protect the victims from violations.

Recalling that the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) is a founding member of the African Union (AU), Frente POLISARIO "strongly resented" the signing by a group of African states of a communique read by the Moroccan delegation before the Human Rights Council on 25 February 2021, to support the alleged Moroccan sovereignty over the occupied Western Sahara, in contradiction with the international legal status and the numerous decisions of the UN General Assembly and the Security Council, in addition to the violations of the principles mentioned in Article 4 of the AU Constitutive Act, said the source.

In addition, Frente POLISARIO has expressed to the UN Human Rights Council "its deep concern" over the refusal by the Moroccan authorities to implement the recommendations of the Anti-Torture Committee (ATC), November 2016, in favor of the Sahrawi activist, Naama Asfari detained since 2010.SPS

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Algiers, 26 May 2021 (SPS) - African peoples and the whole world commemorate "World Africa Day" on Tuesday, coinciding with the anniversary of the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) (African Union currently) in very exceptional circumstances marked by a new dynamic and the great impetus which benefited the Sahrawi cause, the last colony in Africa.

Each year, the topics discussed during this event shed light on the efforts of African countries aimed at achieving the strategic objectives of the African Union (AU), namely decolonization, the settlement of armed conflicts and the preservation of the peace.

This World Africa Day cannot be celebrated without mentioning the situation in Western Sahara, a founding state and an active member of the AU, whose territories are being violated by a neighboring African state which, by signing the constitutive act of the AU, had undertaken to respect the sovereignty and the borders of its States, but it did not respect its commitments. SPS

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A union that aims to represent McDonalds workers at highway service plazas in Connecticut has called a one-day strike starting Thursday morning, with rallies planned for an Interstate 95 rest stop in Branford and outside the state Capitol in Hartford.

In a press release, Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union accuses two McDonalds franchisees with union busting actions that 32BJ SEIU claims has resulted in workers being harassed as they consider union representation, and failing to follow through with promises of hazard pay boosts for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

SEIU did not state immediately how many restaurants will be affected and the number of employees who will walk off the job. A spokesperson said the union expects an overwhelming number.

The strike arrives on the doorstep of a Memorial Day weekend that could be a busy one on roadways, as pandemic restrictions ease with infection rates remaining low.

The union is calling for Gov. Ned Lamont to pressure the restaurant operators to not interfere with union organization efforts. The restaurants are operated by Michell Enterprises with an office in Windsor Locks and Golden Hawk LLC based in Shelton. The service plazas are managed by an entity called Project Service LLC based in New Haven, under a contract with the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

One of the main demands that we have is that McDonalds stop its union-busting on state-owned property  thats within the governors power, said Rochelle Palache, vice president of 32BJ SEIU, in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

The union has filed complaints against Golden Hawk and Michell Enterprises with the National Labor Relations Board. 32BJ SEIU mainly represents commercial building maintenance and service workers.

Hearst Connecticut Media efforts were not immediately successful on Wednesday to reach the companies owners George Michell and Roger Facey.

According to the union, Sen. Julie Kushner, D-Danbury, and Sen. Jorge Cabrera, D-17, committed to joining McDonalds workers at the noon demonstration in Hartford, which under the organization of the Recovery for All Coalition will include other essential  workers such as supermarket employees, health care workers and educators. Activists are asking Lamont to tap funds from the Biden administrations American Rescue Plan to pad pay for essential workers.

State Rep. David Michel, D-Stamford, plans to join the Branford rally at 7 a.m. at the northbound service plaza of I-95.

Palache said that the union has had little success in the past getting McDonalds corporate office to support union organizing, noting as well what was a protracted campaign to raise the companys minimum wage to $15 an hour.

In late April, McDonalds executives said business continues to boom for the companys franchisees, with record operating earnings in the first quarter of this year. Joe Erlinger, president of McDonalds, cited a recent trip he took that included stops at restaurants in Massachusetts and Maine.

You can feel the energy and excitement  our franchisees and importantly, their restaurant teams are focused on keeping our crew and customers safe, Erlinger said on a conference call. I think you can ... argue that the stimulus checks are now wearing off generally, but were seeing continued momentum in our business.

Includes prior reporting by Sandra Diamond Fox.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
STAMFORD  Theres no building proposal, no blueprints, and no hard-and-fast plan.

But in the face of new development, some South End residents Monday asked a simple question to the zoning board members: what does this actually mean for us?

Though Manhattan-based Hogg Holdings did not propose a new building during its time before the board during the evening meeting, a handful of neighbors pushed back against its request to rezone a block of Pacific Street. The proposal tees up some of the parcels, which cover the block between Henry and Ludlow streets, for a new building, if everything goes as planned.

I know things have to change, and some of us do not like change, said the Rev. Dr. Dawn Snell in response to the proposal. But were in the midst of everything being changed with another building that would impede our lifestyle.

Hogg Holdings is poised to purchase a number of sites on the block, including the historic South End Firehouse, the New Hope Church and a parking lot. Hogg also plans to buy 171 Henry St.  a two-family house abutting the main properties. The developer wants to rezone all the properties, including the back sliver of the Henry Street lot, and bring it into the Village Commercial district.

Any future development plans would leave the Henry Street home  along with the firehouse and neighboring Tabernacle of Grace Church  completely untouched, according to planner Ray Mazzeo, of Stamfords Redniss & Mead land surveyors.

When they talk about what project could be developed there, its not something that theyre proposing. Its just something thats possible, Board Chairman David Stein reminded the Zoom audience. Though no structure has been proposed, Hogg is likely to construct a new building where the parking lot and New Hope Church sit currently, added Mazzeo.

If the zoning board approves the parcels rezoning, the developer could build up to five stories of apartments in a building about 50 feet tall, as per the districts regulations. But if the zoning board grants a historic preservation development bonus in the future, there is a chance the company could build up to seven stories, though the top level would only be a partial floor. Hogg could transfer the preservation bonuses if the board accepts a text change the developer proposed with guidance from the citys Land Use Bureau.

Everything has been changed in this community like crazy, said Snell, who lives at 175 Henry St. And of course, as you know, I dont need to re-emphasize or reiterate the things that have occurred and people that have left. But I, along with others, are fighting against another building because it will impede our lifestyle. It will impede our sunlight, and then we will have people looking down at us in the backyard. ... We wouldnt have the freedom that we used to.

Snell was not alone in her concerns about future development. Other South End neighbors, including some fixtures of land use discussions in Stamford, stood in solidarity with the reverend as she expressed concerns about where the project could go.

Its going to be kind of unfair to have a building right next to our side yard if its going to be five to seven stories, Neighborhood Housing Services Director Nydia Brown told the board. The housing nonprofit owns 692 Pacific St., one of the properties adjacent to the potential development. Thats gonna block out sunlight (and) air to our property, and I just want to make sure that is being looked at.

Thanks to a recent change made by the board, the abutting property owners get a reprieve from the likely density. High-density lots near lower density lots must abide by the latters side or rear yard requirements. For Snell and Brown, that could mean their properties gets more space from a future neighbor.

Land Use Bureau Chief Ralph Blessing posed an example.

In the (Village Commercial) district, there is no side yard requirement, Blessing said. But in the (Residential Multi-Family district), there is a side yard requirement of, I believe, 15 feet. Along the zoning boundary, the building in the VC would also have to set be set back 15 feet.

Other community members wondered why Hogg Holdings wants to rezone the parcel before putting a building proposal before the zoning board.

Why do you want to change it if youre not planning to do anything with it? asked West Side resident Cynthia Bowser. It would be better to change it when the time comes when you have a project that the community can then consult with the developers about.

Mazzeo told the Advocate that, for the developer, the choice is about minimizing risk. Projects frequently require layers upon layers of municipal and state approvals on top of site designs and civil civil designs.

What the regulation change does and what the zone change does is implement good planning practices and implement the goals of the Master Plan, he said. So, its a good thing to do whether you have a plan or not.

Simply put: development costs a lot of money, and putting forth a building proposal doesnt mean it will get approved. Companies like Hogg Holdings want to minimize that risk, no matter what the zoning board decides.

The board continued discussion on the possible Pacific Street project until its next meeting on June 7. The meeting is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m.

veronica.delvalle@hearstmediact.com
SEATTLE (AP)  People in Washington state can now get a COVID vaccination on the ferry.

The state Department of Transportation and Peninsula Community Health Services are offering shots aboard the Seattle-Bremerton ferry runs from Tuesday until Thursday.
The pandemic has taken a special toll on the states working women.

A new report based on data from October 2020 to February 2021 found that more than 68 percent of Connecticut women said their ability to work  or return to work  had been impaired by the COVID-19 pandemic. For working women with children at home, that number jumped to 83 percent.

Listed as factors affecting their work life was having children at home, lack of childcare, home-school responsibilities and other work around the home, according to the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women in Connecticuts report The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Connecticuts Women.

Because mothers bear a disproportionate share of the home responsibilities, said Tina Courpas, the executive director of the PCSW, solving childcare is really something that would significantly help (working) women, both in their ability to do their double shift and to progress in their careers.

The information was discussed during a commission-held forum this week on COVID-19s impact on childcare and early education.

According to the report, almost a third of working women with young and school-aged children said they saw a $250 to $500 decrease in total monthly income during the pandemic; nearly 20 percent reported a drop of between $500 to $750 per month.

More than 20 percent said their ability to be promoted or progress in their careers was negatively impacted.

When asked what single factor would most support Connecticut womens economic security, the largest share of respondents in the report cited support for balancing work and childcare responsibilities.

We want to get this right and get parents the supports they need, said Commissioner Beth Bye of the Office of Early Education. COVID pulled the rug out from under parents in many ways, so they didnt have the supports they needed.

Among several statewide reforms in the works is a $50 million childcare set-aside for parents in workforce development.

A lot of people, their jobs went away  and we do have open jobs in Connecticut, so theres a need to retrain, said Bye. Weve always been one of the most punitive states when it comes to how can you qualify for (government-subsidized) childcare. This opens up to thousands of families the opportunity to access childcare while theyre doing workforce development.

Bye described the childcare set-aside initiative, which is supported by temporary federal dollars, as a trial run; state agencies can see its effect on household income, tax revenue and the needs of families if theyre gainfully employed.

If we see big impacts that bring in or save money other ways, thats something we can make the case to continue, she said.

Bye said she is seeking both family and early childhood staff input for insight.

One of the biggest things Im hoping happens right now is that parent voice and parent need drive system reform, she said. Lets build a system thats responsive to family need and is responsive to workforce need.

The Office of Early Childhood recently launched a parent-led advisory group which will take applications through the end of June.

Supporting parents also means improving access to  and the quality and sustainability of  Connecticuts web of private and public childcare options. Bye said that involves providing assistance to early care and education small businesses.

She cited a survey that showed 50 percent of childcare providers put business expenses on their personal credit cards or accounts to stay open during the pandemic. She said that if providers receive proper assistance with their bottom lines, they could increase the caliber of their programs.

Commissioner Vannessa Dorantes said the Department of Children and Families has also been laser-focused on supporting children by including families in that conversation.

We decided right from the beginning that the approach to keeping children safe is to support their families and to build on parental capacity, she said. For the most part, what weve learned is children and families are super resilient when given the resources to meet those basic needs.

During the pandemic, the Department of Children and Families set up a COVID-19 mailbox, where more than 27,000 unique individuals contacted the department, DCF reported.

That was people coming to us  unsolicited  from across the state just to get information, said Dorantes.

Through the mailbox, families could access information on childcare, housing, food insecurity and activities related to child and family well-being, Dorantes said.

As well as the families do, thats as well as the kids do, said Bye.

Absolutely, Dorantes said. As we look to recover from the pandemic, we look to make things better than they were before, as opposed to back to normal. Because normal wasnt good for everyone.
STAMFORD  Putting together a middle school student-written musical is a challenge in any normal year, but especially in the middle of a pandemic.

All of this has been surreal and I had many times where I thought, Oh my god, Am I going to be able to pull this off? said Dawn Greco, a Turn of River Middle School eighth grade language arts teacher in charge of the production.

Greco and the students did pull it off, creating a 90-minute show called Unmuted, which will be presented virtually to the Turn of River community Wednesday night.

Every other year, Turn of River puts on an original production written by students, who are dubbed Soul Writers. The full-length musicals are based on the students experiences in middle school.

When it came time to writing the show this year, it was impossible to avoid the pandemic and its effects on the students.

Having students being able to find their voice and share their voice has always been really important to me, Greco said. I think this year more than ever the students needed an outlet to share their experiences.

The challenge was creating a show that wasnt just about the darkness and despair of the pandemic. Real-life events such as the storming of the Capitol only led to students feeling even more down about the world they were growing up in, Greco said.

One student said, I just cant believe the world that weve been given, said Greco, who directed, produced, and co-wrote Unmuted.

The student then said to Greco, No offense, but your generation kind of messed things up for us.

That moment, and others, seemed to spur the group of 13 Soul Writers to research young people who were making a difference in the world.

Environmental activist Greta Thunberg, education and womens rights activist Malala Yousafzai, and poet Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, all appear in the show, played by the students.

The musical follows the journey of main character Olivia, who wants to change the world, but is discouraged by the pandemic and the current environment.

In the 90-minute musical, which includes about 30 students, Olivia ends up meeting Gorman, Thunberg and Yousafzai through Zoom.

The title of the show is a reference not just to the act of enabling audio during virtual meetings, but also of the students expressing themselves. Scenes in the play are titled Mr. Gs Class Goes Remote, and Quarantine Blues.

The show has already been filmed, after hours and hours of production, Greco said. Everything, including auditions, rehearsals, and filming, were done virtually, with students in their homes.

In the program for the show, Greco wrote about the experience working on the musical this year with the students.

When you started to express your desire for a better world, I knew this would not be just another middle school show about bullying or school drama, she wrote.

Paul Ferris, a 12-year-old seventh grade student, plays the goofy Mr. G, a social studies teacher who leads virtual classroom scenes during the show.

During the pandemic I felt really deprived of theater, and that was one of my favorite things, he said. It just felt good to get to do more creative things like that.

Eight grader Daria DiMattia, 14, said the students used the play as a way to channel their anger over the past year.

2020 brought a lot of anger for us students because we were put into this horrible situation, she said.

She plays Thunberg, who DiMattia said she adores.

Every day you wake up and something was on the news that was ground-breakingly horrifying, she said.

Joa Field, 12, a seventh grade student, plays two roles: a newscaster and a student named Jayson, who is affected by watching the news.

I feel definitely with the vaccines coming, everything has been a lot more positive now, Field said.

He said some of his positive outlook now comes from the fact that he stopped watching a lot of news.

Seventh grade student Serafim Mitskevitch, 12, said his favorite part of the production was spending time with his friends, which he was able to do, even remotely.

I didnt think it was going to be as fun as it was, said Mitskevitch, who plays a boy named Rudy who hates school.

Eighth grader Maya Shapiro, 13, doesnt appear in the play, but is one of the writers of Unmuted.

Without giving too much away, Shapiro said one concept plays a big part in the story.

Soul power has a big role in the play, she said.

Inspired in part by the Black Lives Matter movement, the musical is a hopeful one.

During a presentation to Turn of River students, the writers shared their hopes for the play in a written statement.

Our final hope for this show is that everyone can follow in Olivias footsteps and find their light as well, it read. We hope that our show inspires others to dream big and fight for their goals.

ignacio.laguarda@stamfordadvocate.com
GENEVA (AP)  Member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation are calling on the U.N. Human Rights Council to set up a permanent commission to report on human rights violations in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.

The move comes in the wake of the latest surge in violence in the Israel-Palestinians conflict. If passed, it would mark an unprecedented level of scrutiny authorized by the U.N.s top human rights body.

The proposal, formally presented late Tuesday, comes ahead of a special session of the Geneva-based council on Thursday to address the grave human rights situation in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem. The meeting was sought by Pakistan, as the OIC's coordinator.

The session at the 47-member-state rights body paves the way for a daylong debate over the recent deadly violence between Israelis and Palestinians in the Mideast conflict that has raged for decades.

A vote on the draft resolution was likely at the end of Thursday's session, which will be largely virtual. U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet was set to address the meeting in person.

The draft resolution calls on the council to urgently establish an ongoing independent, international commission of inquiry appointed by the council president to investigate violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in Israel and Palestinian areas.

The commission would also investigate all underlying root causes of recurrent tensions, instability and protraction of conflict including discrimination and repression, the text said.

A commission of inquiry is the highest level of scrutiny that the council can authorize. Another COI, for example, has been regularly reporting on Syria's war nearly since its inception a decade ago  partially in hopes of collecting evidence that could be used in court one day.

Council spokesman Rolando Gomez said passage of the draft resolution would mark the first time that a commission of inquiry received a continuing mandate.

Israel  backed at times by the United States  accuses the council of anti-Israel bias and has generally refused to cooperate with its investigators. Israel's ambassador, Meirav Eilon Shahar, has called on member states to oppose Thursdays meeting.

The special session is the 30th at the council, and the ninth on the issue of the Occupied Palestinian Territories alone  the last was in May 2018. The councils most recent special session, on Myanmar, was held in February.

The United States, under President Donald Trump, quit the council in mid-2018  partially over his administrations allegations that the council has an anti-Israel bias. President Joe Biden has returned the U.S. to participation, and the U.S. plans to seek a seat next year.
Im the new opinion editor at the Hearst Connecticut Media Group, and I need a favor: Tell me how you feel about this state, please? In 25 words or less?

Tell us how you feel about Connecticut, in 25 words or less. Send to opinion@hearstmediact.com

Like this line from longtime Simpsons writer Mike Reiss, who grew up in Bristol. He told the New London Day:

Connecticut is a very, very nice and wonderful place, with nothing interesting about it whatsoever ... No noticeable landmark comes to mind.

Or this lovely line by Amanda M. Salzano, who recently moved here from New York City:

Since our move, my dog asks to go out for walks instead of hiding whenever I bring out his leash.

For a while, it was fashionable to hate on Connecticut. But now were enjoying a lovefest as New Yorkers like Amanda rediscover were magical.

Do you love CT, or would you rather leave it? Tell us why you love or hate or tolerate Connecticut, in 25 words or less. Let us know at opinion@hearstmediact.com. See More Collapse

You dont have to fall into the love or hate camp. I fall in the Connecticut drives me crazy but makes me proud category. I gripe about it to my husband and brag about it to my sister in California.

My all-time favorite line about this state, by the way, comes from Becca Cummings, who lives in West Hartford. This was responding to a Reddit question asking, If each of the 50 states were a person at a bar, what are they doing and what are they drinking?:

Connecticut is a rich white woman sipping a martini and silently judging all the other states. Or a woman of color.

Exactly what are we looking for?

We want to know what you say when an out-of-state friend asks, So, how do you like Connecticut?

Your words dont have to be brilliant or witty or profound. We are looking for tiny observations about this Land of Steady Habits, how it rocks, stinks, bores you or makes you happy.

Like this other observation from a speech that Mike Reiss gave:

This is a weird state. And the proof of that is we have more Simpsons writers from Connecticut than anywhere else.

Its OK to scold those who hate Connecticut. Theres room for you in this party. Take a look at this from-the-heart comment from our columnist Jim Cameron in a piece he wrote a few years ago:

To those who hate living in Connecticut so much, I extend an invitation: Please leave. Enjoy your low-tax destination. And dont forget to pay those highway tolls as you drive down I-95.

Yes, that was more than 25 words, but he would have shortened it if wed asked.

If you just moved in, we want to hear what surprises you about your new home. Whats nice and whats not?

Or if you just left Connecticut, how come?

When you send your witticisms, profundities or just thoughts to opinion@hearstmediact.com, please remember to include your full name, hometown and a phone number in case we have questions. I promise not to share your contact info or use it for marketing purposes.

What would be my tiny ode to our fair state? What would be my bumper sticker?

Connecticut: Because it makes everybody else jealous.

Carolyn Lumsden is opinion editor for Hearst Connecticut Media.

CLARIFICATION: This column was updated Wednesday morning to clarify that a quote by Becca Cummings originally came from Reddit and was responding to the question, If each of the 50 states were a person at a bar, what are they doing and what are they drinking?
Hazleton, PA (18201)

Today

Cloudy this morning. A few showers developing during the afternoon. High 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Cloudy with showers. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Published: 26 May 2021

Number of passengers at Finnish airports multiplied in April 2021

According to Statistics Finland, altogether 154,783 passengers flew through Finnish airports in April 2021, which was 512 per cent more than twelve months earlier. The exceptionally high relative growth in passenger numbers is due to the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic one year ago which temporarily closed air traffic altogether. There were 114,360 passengers at Helsinki Airport and a total of 40,423 passengers at other domestic airports. Helsinki Airport accounted for 74 per cent of all passengers at domestic airports.

Number of passengers at Finnish airports by month in 2019 to 2021

In April 2021, the number of passengers at Helsinki Airport increased by 433 per cent and the combined number of passengers at other domestic airports grew by 968 per cent compared to April 2020. Despite the high growth rates, the number of air traffic passengers was still around 90 per cent lower than in April 2019.

Of the passengers 50 per cent came from international flights and 50 per cent from domestic flights. The share of passengers on international flights was 66 per cent at Helsinki Airport and three per cent in total at other domestic airports.

In April 2021, air freight and mail transport totalled 10,252 tonnes, which was 31 per cent more than one year earlier. In total, 99.7 per cent of the tonnes passed through Helsinki Airport and 99 per cent were transported in traffic between Finland and foreign countries. Altogether 5,344 tonnes of the transported volume of goods were outgoing and 4,908 tonnes were incoming.

Source: Transport and Tourism, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Jukka Tuominen 029 551 3635, Sami Lahtinen 029 551 3207, jukka.tuominen@stat.fi

Head of Department in charge: Hannele Orjala

Publication in pdf-format (162.6 kB)

Updated 26.05.2021

Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Air transport [e-publication].

ISSN=2670-1847. April 2021. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 12.6.2021].

Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/ilma/2021/04/ilma_2021_04_2021-05-26_tie_001_en.html
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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, is taking part on Wednesday and Thursday, in the informal meeting of the heads of diplomacy from the member states of the European Union (the Gymnich format), which is taking place in Lisbon, within the Portuguese Presidency of of the Council of the European Union, agerpres reports.

According to a press release sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) to AGERRPES, the agenda features the prolonged conflicts from the Eastern Vicinity (a topic introduced at Romania's proposal), the EU-Africa relations and the strategic vision of the EU for the Indo-Pacific region. Furthermore, the European ministers will have an informal luncheon, with Jordanian Hashemite Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi as their guest.

The debates regarding the prolonged conflicts in the Eastern Vicinity is held at Romania's initiative, as a result of the letter addressed by Minister Bogdan Aurescu, supported by 10 counterparts from EU member states - Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, in November last year, to the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.."It is for the first time when such a topic is included on the CAE agenda, at Romania's initiative. The European ministers will evaluate the action lines which could be decided and applied in order to increase the EU commitment and its efficiency, namely the concrete tools that can be used by the EU in order to solve prolonged/frozen conflicts, from the extended area of the Black Sea region. Minister Bogdan Aurescu will highlight that these conflicts represent a major threat to the stability and the security of the immediate vicinity of the Union, but also for the European continent and Euro-Atlantic security as a whole, so that the EU needs to get involved more and more efficiently in sustainably solving these issues, with the larger objective of consolidating the resilience of the partners in the Eastern Partnership. In this sense, Bogdan Aurescu will present a series of concrete proposals to enable an integrated and coherent approach to solving these conflicts, in accordance with international law and in close coordination with all relevant actors (OSCE, UN, like-minded international partners, especially the USA)," the press release specifies.According to MAE, discussions regarding the EU-Africa relations will target the stage of the relationship and the perspectives of organizing the 6th Summit with the African Union, planned for next year's first semester, as well as ways of deepening the political and economical partnership, based on joint interests, values and actions. Minister Bogdan Aurescu will express support for these objectives, based on the EU strategy regarding the diversification of cooperation with Africa since March 2020 and will emphasize aspects related to the security of the continent, economic and commercial cooperation, the support given for combating the consequences generated by COVID-19 pandemic, but also for consolidating interpersonal contacts.During the meeting there will be debates on the EU's strategic vision for the Indo-Pacific region. On April 19, the Council Conclusions on the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific were adopted. According to MAE, the talks will focus on an exchange of views in the perspective of joint communication of the High Representative and the European Commission on the topic of cooperation within the Indo-Pacific region, scheduled for publication in September 2021. Minister Aurescu will support the consolidation of the political dimension of the EU approach and will show that Romania is interested in contributing in its implementation in areas such as digital connectivity, especially cybersecurity, and the promotion of democracy and the strengthening of the rule of law, including from the perspective that our country is currently holding the Presidency of the Community of Democracies, MAE specifies.On the occasion of the informal luncheon, whose guest will by the Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, there will be an exchange of views on recent developments in the Middle East, and also talks regarding the state of EU-Jordan relations. On this occasion, the Romanian Minister will reiterate our country's support for the aspirations of the Hashemite Kingdom of having tighter relations with the EU and will highlight the development opportunities of the EU - Jordan relations, offered by the New Agenda of the EU for the Mediterranean region.
Four migrants from Afghanistan and Syria have been caught trying to illegally cross the border to Hungary, three of them walking in the area of Nadlac Town.

The border policemen from Nadlac noticed the group of three people near the border line.

"As the three did not justify their presence in the border area, they were transported to the Border Police Sector for investigation. During the preliminary checks, the police established that the persons in question were from Afghanistan, aged between 16 and 19 years old, being asylum seekers in Romania," the Arad Border Police informed on Wednesday.Also, the Bihor border policemen from Bors found a migrant hidden in a TIR driven by a Bulgarian, who was transporting, according to the documents accompanying the goods, metal structures on the route Turkey-Poland. There was a Syrian citizen hidden in the trailer.In both cases, the border police is conducting investigations.
The Social Democratic Party (PSD) delivered Romania from the IMF loans, and the current the National Liberal Party - Save Romania Union - Party of Liberty, Unity and Solidarity Alliance (PNL - USR PLUS) Government will bring them back to the country, PSD leadeer Marcel Ciolacu said on Wednesday, adding that the government is using the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) to justify "austerity and future agreement with the IMF".

"Mr. Citu, this time you had nowhere to run. Outside, farmers are waiting for you to tell them why agriculture receives zero euros through the PNRR. (...) It is a great shame that the Prime Minister of Romania must be forced to come to Parliament to present a plan that will influence Romania for the next 5 years. (...) Until the last moment you wanted to hide from the Romanians the truth behind the PNRR and not even today have you made public the plan for all Romanians. (...) Do you even know what you are backing in this plan, honorable PNL Members of Parliament? Mr. Orban [PNL chairman], have you seen this plan? (...) Mr. Barna [Deputy Prime Minister and Co-chairman of the USR PLUS alliance], how many relatives do you have on the waiting list for the PNRR projects? Everything the PSD has asked of you was transparency, decentralization and concrete support for Romanian companies. (...) PSD delivered Romania from the IMF loans, and the current PNL - USR PLUS Government will bring them back to the country. You are using the PNRR to justify your austerity and future agreement with the IMF. This is where you will get," Ciolacu said in Parliament's plenary session.

He added that none of the austerity measures promoted by the Government will receive the PSD vote in Parliament, agerpres reports.The Senate and the Chamber of Deputies convened on Wednesday, in a joint session, for the presentation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and for the ratification of the EURATOM Treaty.
In the week of May 17 - 23, 2021, 31.8pct of all COVID-19 cases were recorded in Bucharest, Cluj, Prahova, Bihor and Alba, informs the National Institute of Public Health (INSP).

According to the weekly monitoring report, 31.5pct of all deaths were recorded in Bucharest, Prahova, Bihor, Cluj, Neamt.

Since the beginning of the pandemic and until now, 1 in 77 of all COVID cases has been recorded with the medical staff.85.8pct of all deaths were in people over 60, and 57.7pct of deaths were in men, according to the INSP.Also, 94.9pct of people who died of COVID had at least one associated comorbidity.
Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNNR) is a "highly balanced" one that will cover all important segments, from transport to health, from education to environment, from local public administration units to research and digital transformation, according to Deputy Prime Minister Kelemen Hunor, who says that Romania might officially submit the plan to the European Commission next week on Monday.

"First of all, from the very beginning, we in the coalition said that we will come to Parliament before ratification, so it's not that Brussels has insisted or anyone has insisted; that has been our talk since January, but we wanted to have something to come before Parliament with. Tomorrow [Wednesday] there will be a debate, as requested by the Social Democratic Party (PSD), from 13:00hrs, the prime minister will unveil the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), after which there is room for debate and then a vote will follow not on PNRR, but on the ratification of the treaty. We have to ratify it tomorrow; that is an important thing, before it appears in the Official Journal by June 1. If all the EU member states ratify by May 31, then we can already take out the loan on July 1, which is important, because there are already countries waiting for funding under similar plans," Kelemen told TVR 1 public broadcaster on Tuesday when asked about the latest development in the drawing up of the PNRR.

He voiced hope that, following the discussions, everyone is clear that the PNRR is "a good project.""It is a plan that must be endorsed by everyone, which needs some reforms as well, because we are talking about two components: grants and loans. For each member state there is an expectation, there are criteria for each state, what reforms must be done, because it is still taxpayers' money and you have to make some reforms that can support the economy in the medium and long term if you invest in certain sectors. And there are some expectations about the green component and digital transformation. There have been many, many discussions since January that will last until tomorrow, the day after tomorrow and until Monday, when Romania officially submits it, because so far this plan has not been officially submitted, it was not a very urgent matter, because we established from the beginning that we will submit it in May," said Kelemen.The deputy prime minister underscored that, from the point of view of the ruling coalition, the PNRR is a "highly balanced plan that will cover all important segments, from transport to health, from education to environment, from local public administration units to research and digital transformation.""All components are highly balanced. I even proposed in an extremely careful way, for example, everything that is at the Ministry of Development or in the province of the Ministry of Development, I said let us go for something when it is not decided politically, each local public administration unit, county seats, cities, towns, have at their disposal a certain amount and can choose from various projects they want to finance, for example urban mobility. For transport, they identify exactly the motorways, the railway segment where investment will be poured into throughout 2026. (...) We have insisted and fought a lot for infrastructure and they have accepted and there will be a lot of money for the road and railway infrastructure; but here, too, we have to see one thing: you have to go with mature projects, with already made projects, because otherwise there is no way you can sign the contracts until next year and carry through these projects by 2026," he underscored.Kelemen added that as far as agriculture is concerned, there was only one unresolved issue, the one related to irrigation."So we have to secure funding for irrigation from the national budget or possibly from another programme, that was the only thing, let's say, where barriers could not be overcome," Kelemen said.He mentioned that there will also be components on the environment side, including funding for small towns of under 2,000 inhabitants.He added that, in his opinion, the first batch of money under the PNRR, and reimbursements, would be made in 2022."It depends a lot on us. If we submit it on May 31, let's say that in two months the project is evaluated, the project is approved, which means in July discussions start to sign the contracts that have to be signed by the end of the year or by early next year. Of course, immediately after that happens, the money comes in, if the projects are ok (...). I do not want to say that this year money will come under the PNRR, nor do I rule out getting funds by the end of the year for certain projects that are ready, that are mature enough (...) but I would rather say early 2022," said Kelemen.
Prime Minister Florin Citu stated on Wednesday that in the negotiations with the representatives of the European Commission he pointed out the fact that Romania needs the entire sum of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), 29.2 billion euro, "in order to develop, to burn stages," stages which "have been delayed in the past 30 years."

"As regards the total amount, 29.2 billion, it is another thing that I said firmly to those in the European Commission, that I care for deeply. Romania needs the entire amount to develop, to burn stages, stages that have been delayed in the past 30 years. We need this money so that we can catch up to other developed countries and that's my role. I guarantee you all that we will do this with the aid of this PNRR," said Citu in the joint plenary session of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, where he presented the PNRR.

He emphasized that the government guarantees, through this programme, that investments "will go to all corners of Romania"."It's another objective of the PNRR. All areas of Romania will benefit from these investments, not only certain areas. And what we've done until now was recognized not only by the European Commission, and you know very well, and the Standard&Poors agency who revised the rating, the perspective from negative to stable," Citu also said.To implement this plan, the head of the Government emphasized, investors are needed, mainly Romanian companies, agerpres reports."Moreover, Romania needs investors. All investors. We will be able to implement this PNRR with investors, with companies, mainly Romanian ones. That's why we need to eliminate from the public space all these threats or false scenarios, 'we won't get sum X, we won't get sum Y.' We will get this entire amount. We will use it, and Romanian companies and other investors are those who will implement this programme that will lead to the development of Romania in the coming period. This programme is my guarantee to Romanians that we will significantly reduce the gaps between us and developed countries," said Citu.
The Bucharest Police under the coordination of Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT), are executing today 17 search warrants and 16 arrest warrants, in Bucharest City and the counties of Ilfov and Prahova in a criminal case related to the commission of forming an organised criminal group, blackmail and abuse of office, agerpres reports.

Police sources told AGERPRES that the searches are taking place at people known to be part of the Camataru Clan.

According to a Bucharest Police press statement, since late 2020 the activity of an organised criminal group has been documented, whose members would have committed blackmail crimes, consisting in collecting debt from various business operators up to 500,000 euros, through the use of threats and violence.The people will be taken for hearings to the DIICOT headquarters.The investigations are being continued by DIICOT and the Bucharest Police. Conducting the operation are police officers from the Violent Crime Rings Service, with support from the Criminal Investigation Service and the Special Intervention Brigade of the Romanian Gendarmerie.
The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) was elaborated at the level of the EU following the economic crisis provoked by the COVID pandemic, a different plan, because, besides the investment component, it includes reforms assumed by each country, said, on Wednesday, in Parliament, Prime Minister Florin Citu.

"I saw in the public space many erroneous interpretations, some of them artificially maintained in an intentional manner, but Romanians must know that it is a programme which is different from what we had now from public spending. It's a programme that appeared in a difficult moment, the entire global economy was going through a period of crisis, the largest crisis in the past hundred years, and it's a plan that appeared as a response to this crisis. The leaders of Europe looked and saw how the EU economy reacted, each individual country, to this shock which was the pandemic, which for many EU countries continues, and came with this investment plan. It's a different plan because, besides investments, which all EU countries need, targeted investments for recovery and resilience, this plan comes with this side of reform and this is the part which is different to what we had to now," said Florin Citu in a joint session of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, where he is presenting the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

The Prime Minister added that the plan was approved by all political parties both in the European Commission, as well as in the European Parliament, agerpres reports."A part of reform that each government assumes transparently, and the plan in this form, with the two components, for reform and for investment, which are connected. You can't make reform without investment and investment without reform, it was approved by all the parties in the European Commission, by all the representatives - even by socialists, and by the right wing and also in the European Parliament. So, that was not a matter of discussion, it's a plan approved at the European level that we are implementing in Romania," said Citu.He added that there are several things that differ from what happened up to now with the absorption of European funds."A very important criteria: all investments that we make through this programme must be finalized by 2026, which means that they are mature projects (...) and if we don't finalize them, we lose the money," Citu emphasized.
The Special Telecommunications Service (STS) successfully completed today together with the EU technical working group the gateway on-boarding test for the generation of EU COVID-19 digital certificates, STS announced.

"The IT system developed by STS facilitates the generation of EU COVID digital certificates, the transmission of security elements that allow verification, their centralization in the EU gateway and the validation of QR codes by the other EU member states," STS said in a release.

According to the timetable established at European level, Romania and Latvia jointly performed the interconnection test with the EU gateway that centralizes and manages the member countries' public keys required for the verification of digital signatures, Agerpres informs.

"To implement the EU digital certificates in Romania, STS has developed the communications infrastructure and the IT system that allow interconnection with the European gateway. During the test, the DSC public key was uploaded to the EU gateway for centralization. The EU digital certificates issued by Romania will be signed with the private key," the release mentions.

The EU digital certificate contains essential identification data - name and surname, date of birth, issuing member state, medical data concerning the category for which the document is issued, as well as a unique identifier of the certificate.

After the IT system is implemented in Romania, the data to be included in the EU digital certificates will be transferred automatically from the National Electronic Covid Vaccination Register - for vaccinated people, and from the Corona Forms application for people who underwent a negative test in the last 72 hours, or for those who recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection, the cited source states.

"Certificates will be issued in digital format, with the possibility of being displayed on the smartphone, but they are also printable. They will include a QR code that will contain a digital signature, so that upon reading the code, the authenticity, integrity and validity of the document can be verified. The digital signature belongs to the issuer, so that citizens will not need a digital signature. EU digital certificates are free of charge and will facilitate travel in the European space without pandemic restrictions, and without impeding on the freedom of movement," STS said.

The next step is the completion of the secure portal from which the citizens will be able to download their EU digital certificates and running the IT system's internal performance and security tests.

"According to the European timetable, EU digital certificates will be implemented in early July. STS experts will ensure the implementation, from a technical point of view, of the IT system in accordance with the EU schedule," the cited source said.
There were a lot of people in the academic community that were disappointed with the decision-making in 2018, said Andrew Thostenson, a pesticide specialist for North Dakota State Universitys extension service. That raised some level of cynicism with EPA. Its like, Why should I bother providing you with this stuff if youre not going to follow through?

And the EPA was under a lot of pressure to re-approve dicamba in 2020, Thostenson added, noting that the decision was issued in the week before the presidential election.

Now hes bracing for legal challenges to mount.

If youre in the ag industry or if you find these products useful, its not a good thing, said Thostenson.

Farmers and seed dealers  who said they could not speak openly, given their business ties to dicamba products  agreed that the new details about the 2018 decision cast more murkiness on the future availability of the chemical. Although farmers are already committed to their planting decisions for 2021, in future growing seasons they may be more tempted to explore alternatives that face less risk of getting pulled from the market in a drawn-out tug-of-war.
The company has said that decades of studies have shown that Roundup and glyphosate are safe for human use. Bayer did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the judges decision.

Bayer has been criticized by consumer advocates for fighting efforts to add a warning label to Roundup or pull it from the herbicide market, which it dominates along with other glyphosate products.

Chhabria had suggested a warning label might provide a way to prevent future lawsuits, which are based on the theory that Bayer failed to warn consumers of Roundups link to cancer.

Bayer has called the class-action settlement proposal one of the building blocks to provide closure on the Roundup litigation.

Leslie Brueckner, an attorney with Public Justice, which objected to the proposal, called the ruling important for public health and said the risk of substantial punitive damages might force Bayer to change.

Chhabrias ruling meant the company faced continued lawsuits, she said.

So as long as Roundup stays on the market, Bayer will continue to be sued by Roundup victims who get NHL, said Brueckner. That means no closure.
China's Foreign Ministry warned South Korea and the U.S. against "playing with fire" after the two allies mentioned the security of Taiwan in a joint statement following their summit last week. "We urge relevant countries to be cautious about their words and actions on Taiwan," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in Beijing. Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong immediately cowered in terror and blurted that the joint statement was "theoretical and in principle." When Beijing protested against the reference to "freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea," the vice foreign minister joined in desperately trying to assuage China by saying the words had also been "general" in nature. The minister of trade, industry and energy then jumped in to clarify that the U.S. and South Korea promising to step up cooperation in the development of semiconductors, rechargeable batteries and 5G technology did not mean to exclude any specific country, meaning China, which is of course exactly the country the allies do wish to diversify their supply chain from. In other words, no sooner had South Korea pledged to mend its alliance with the U.S. than it is apologizing abjectly for everything it said or did to China.

The U.S. has completely scrapped any restrictions on South Korea's missiles, paving the way for the country to develop long-range missiles just like its rather more belligerent neighbors China and North Korea. But a pro-government news outlet immediately wondered if that would not perhaps irk China and the vice foreign minister replied, "We never had China in mind" when discussing scrapping the restrictions. Yet China does aim missiles at South Korea, so why should Seoul not consider them? And the country's economy can benefit enormously from cooperating with the U.S. in cutting-edge technology, green energy and communication security, so why is the government busy telling China that it has nothing to worry about? It also suggested that Beijing would appreciate that the word "China" was not mentioned in the joint statement. The Chinese ambassador to South Korea quite rightly said, "We know that was aimed at China," telling the government to stop making up lame excuses.

Bullying at home and groveling abroad is the Moon Jae-in administration's established modus operandi. It practically ceded military sovereignty to Beijing by agreeing to the "three no's" after the stationing here of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery from the U.S. (no further THAAD deployment, no participation in the U.S.-led missile defense network and no establishment of a formal trilateral military bloc with the US and Japan). When Beijing flexes its muscle in the South China Sea and oppresses the Uighur minority, President Moon Jae-in hides under a table. When he talked with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the phone early this year, he said awe-struck, "China's influence is growing stronger every day."

In Washington, he promptly toppled over the other way and promised support for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad, the U.S,-led informal anti-China alliance. Washington is watching to see if Moon will keep his promises, because the bilateral alliance will fall apart without trust. South Korea will end up looking ridiculous if it tells both the U.S. and China what they want to hear and can be trusted by neither. Many of the agreements reached with the U.S. are vital to South Korea's national interest. There is no reason to make excuses to China.


Escaping the grifter lifestyle, Estella snags her dream job as a design assistant for fashion impresario the Baroness (Emma Thompson). Their relationship is similar to Cruella and Anita in 101 Dalmatians, and if you were wondering what they were going to do with that 2 hour, 14 minute run time, the screenwriters have managed to stuff most of Phantom Thread into the second act. While toiling for the Baroness, Estella takes on a Clark Kent lifestyle, moonlighting as the punky provocateur Cruella as a way to prank her boss. Riding around on a garbage truck in a ball gown, the police claim vandalism, while the tabloids eat her up, but one cant help but wonder if fashion stunts can make a true villain.

Cruella torments the Baroness by constantly upstaging her, but the truth is that Thompson snatches the entire film right out from under Stone. The second she steps on screen in winged eyeliner and form-fitting couture as the deliciously devilish Baroness, its game-set-match between the Emmas. Though sneeringly charming and perfectly delightful, Stone never stood a chance.
It was a crazy turn of events, he says. One day I was flying out to Las Vegas. I had never really left Missouri, Arkansas or Illinois before. I had never been on a plane until the first time they flew me out to LA for the initial casting.

The producers liked what they saw, and soon Garvey was in Las Vegas, cooking and filming in a complex that is part television studio, part professional kitchen, part restaurant  the contestants have to cook for guests  and part dormitory.

Youre on 24/7. You have to be on and ready to go all the time, he says. Its like (the reality show) Big Brother  youre constantly being watched. All the two-way mirrors. You know youre being watched, but youre trying to be candid.

The contestants are broken into two teams, men vs. women, and the key for each team is communication. The cooks must let one another know what they are doing at all times so the teams dishes can come out properly cooked at the right times.

Then again, $250,000 is at stake, along with the opportunity to work in a high position in a restaurant in the Gordon Ramsay empire. And only one person wins.
In the first three seasons of In Treatment, Gabriel Byrne played the psychotherapist. When he questioned his own abilities, his Dr. Paul Weston sought help from his own therapist.

In the fourth season, Adubas Taylor struggles with issues in her own life.

In reimagining In Treatment for a fourth season, Schuur says she and the other producers wanted to honor the original American version but also update it for the times. The show is an adaptation of an Israeli series.

We have an opportunity to say some very important things about our particular time, Schuur says. We have racial justice movements and the #MeToo movement happening. We talk about toxic masculinity and addiction. We cover a lot of topics all set in the present day.

Executive producer Josh Allen thought a new take could show who gets access to therapy and how it can be de-stigmatized.

I come from a family of people who needed therapy and didnt know they needed therapy, he says. Theres such a stigma attached to it, especially in communities of color, so it felt important to put that on television.
CHICAGO  Tim Mapes, the former chief of staff to former Speaker Michael Madigan, was indicted Wednesday on charges of lying to a federal grand jury investigating allegations of bribery by Commonwealth Edison.

Mapes, who was ousted by Madigan three years ago amid a sexual harassment scandal, was charged with one count each of perjury and obstruction of justice. An arraignment date had not yet been set.

The charges allege Mapes repeatedly lied to the grand jury during an appearance on March 31 when asked about Madigans relationship with his longtime confidante Michael McClain, who has been charged with orchestrating the bribery scheme on behalf of ComEd to win Madigans assistance with state legislation.

Mapes lied to the panel even though hed been granted immunity from prosecution by the U.S. Attorneys Office and was told by the Chief U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer that he must testify truthfully or possibly face criminal charges for perjury, according to the indictment.

The charges against Mapes marked the latest in a still-active investigation that also threatens to ensnare Madigan, who was the nations longest-serving state House leader before stepping down in January as pressure from the investigation was mounting.
WASHINGTON COUNTY  A former Potosi police officer was sentenced this week to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty in March to statutory rape charges as part of a plea agreement.

Quntazi Jones, 32, appeared in Washington County on Monday for a formal sentencing hearing. He had initially been charged in 2018 with four counts of statutory rape and three counts of statutory sodomy.

A plea deal was reached on March 15, and Jones entered guilty pleas on two counts of statutory rape. The remaining five counts were dismissed as part of the agreement.

Circuit Judge Wendy Wexler Horn accepted the prosecutions sentencing recommendation and handed down a seven-year sentence for one count of rape, and a three-year term for the other. Jones will serve the sentences consecutively.

The charges stemmed from allegations that Jones had a relationship with an underage girl.

Local authorities in October 2018 requested the Missouri Highway Patrol investigate Jones' relationship with a 16-year-old, according to a probable cause statement.

The teen admitted to having sex with Jones more than 20 times and said their first encounter was in April 2017, when she was 14.
In July 2020, the MEC found reasonable grounds that Mackey had violated the law and referred its report to the county prosecutor.

In a letter to the MEC, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Scott Fox said the office was closing the case.

It is the decision of the office that upon a full and fair presentation of the evidence, it is unlikely twelve jurors could be persuaded beyond a reasonable doubt upon the guilt of Mr. Mackey, Fox wrote.

In addition, he said the statute of limitations on a misdemeanor has now passed.

Mackey, who has represented House District 87 since 2018, downplayed the incident.

Obviously, its a political hit, Mackey said.

But, he said the incident has made him more careful about conducting political activities as an elected official.

You learn from the missteps or miscalculations you make, Mackey said.
CLAYTON  St. Louis County police leaders on Wednesday approved the expansion of ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology to Glasgow Village, funded by the St. Louis Police Foundation.

The St. Louis County Board of Police Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a $318,000 donation from the foundation. The money will fund a two-year contract with ShotSpotter to cover the approximately 1 square mile of Glasgow Village. The area has about 5,000 residents, according to the U.S. census.

ShotSpotter is a California-based company that uses microphones to identify gunshots and triangulate the location of gunfire. The audio files are reviewed by ShotSpotter staff before they send an alert to officers who are dispatched to the location.

County police have had a contract with ShotSpotter since 2017. The program launched in Castle Point and was expanded in 2019 to cover Spanish Lake, both near Glasgow Village in North County.

Last year, there were 6,526 ShotSpotter activations in the county.

The police foundation also provided about $140,000 in funding last year to expand ShotSpotter in the city of St. Louis. The money extended ShotSpotter coverage by 1.85 square miles for one year.
The measure gained final approval Tuesday with six out of seven votes and no discussion from the council. Councilman Ernie Trakas, R-6th District, was absent from the meeting.

The council meeting Tuesday was expected to be the legislative bodys last regular session by web conference, since the COVID-19 pandemic forced government meetings online in late March 2020.

The council plans to resume its regular meetings next week in the council chambers at 41 South Central Avenue in Clayton, under long-discussed plans by Council Chair Rita Days, D-1st District, and Harder, vice chair. The officials have said that meetings should resume in-person, as COVID-19 cases declined and more people are vaccinated.

Masks and social distancing will be required, under guidance from public health officials.

The council has also updated technology in the chambers to allow people to connect to the meetings virtually at home. Members of the public who cant find space in the chambers can watch proceedings on television screens recently installed just outside the room.

Over the past year, the council allowed members of the public to submit, from midnight to 5 p.m. each Tuesday, written statements up to 400 words to provide public access to meetings.
More rumors floated down the Mississippi River. Leyba expanded the local militia and ordered up the small garrison from Ste. Genevieve.

On May 25, 1780, St. Louisans celebrated the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi by relaxing in the common fields, picnicking on wild strawberries. British officers and their warrior allies watched the frolic from nearby woods and figured their stealth had held.

Shortly after noon the next day, the British force of perhaps 600 caught a few farmers outside the line before its screaming charge from the north was stopped cold by heavy musket fire from the trenches and steady blasts from five cannon in the tower. Stunned by the defenders readiness, the warriors never reached the trenches and, after a few more half-hearted feints, retreated. The Americans in Cahokia brushed off a smaller attack.

Prudently, Leyba kept his force of 300 from charging after the warriors, who returned upriver in a hurry.

Accounts of casualties vary wildly. The British claimed to have killed 68 in and near St. Louis. Leyba reported 21 killed and 25 taken away as prisoners. Later research suggests only six were buried in the St. Louis churchyard, although others were buried in the outlying countryside.
DUTCH DEFEAT

Ghosn said he will appeal a Dutch courts decision ordering him to repay nearly 5 million euros ($6 million) in salary he received from an Amsterdam-based joint venture between Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. in 2018. The ruling came in a case in which Ghosn sought to have his 2018 sacking from Nissan-Mitsubishi B.V. overturned and demanded 15 million euros ($16.5 million) in compensation. Ghosn said he was shocked by the courts judgment which he said was made on a technicality. Obviously its an upset, Ghosn said.

THE ESCAPE

Ghosn recalled details of his Hollywood-style dramatic escape in late 2019 from Japan to Lebanon. He told the AP how the details of the plan were hatched, including choosing to execute it in December less people were likely to recognize him under a hat and heavy clothes and when a lot of people would be travelling in and out. It was very bold, but because it was bold, I thought it may be successful, he said. Ghosn refused to confirm that he escaped from Japan in a musical instrument box, saying he didnt want to say anything that could be used against people accused of assisting in his escape.

LIFE IN LEBANON

Ghosn said he is adapting to the reality of life in Lebanon, where he grew up and is regarded as a hero, and says he feels safe and free here. He says he spends his days poring over documents with lawyers preparing legal defense, teaching at a university, helping start-ups and working on his books and documentaries. It is a slower pace than the one he was used to, with the advantage of having time to enjoy coffee with his wife and talking extensively with his children. His new reality includes being stuck in a deeply unstable country in the grips of an unprecedented economic crisis and a banking collapse. He says he spent six months repairing his Beirut home after it was damaged in the massive explosion at Beirut port last summer.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Some majority Republicans vowed to deal with the concerns of cities and towns while saying they supported the tax cuts.

There is a lot of good in this package, said GOP Rep. Joanne Osborne of Goodyear. For me to be a yes on the floor the answer for the cities has to be addressed.

Republicans who crafted the new income tax proposal defended it and said that cities will do better because of the growth they contend will come from the proposed 2.5% flat tax the proposal contains. The proposal was hammered out between Republicans who lead the House and Senate and GOP Gov. Doug Ducey. It eliminates the state's four tax brackets and even affects the current bottom rate of 2.59%.

"What we're looking at is a pretty hefty budget surplus, and on top of that all projections are pretty rosy at this point and will continue to be for quite some time," Rep. Ben Toma, the Peoria Republican who led negotiations on the tax cut proposal. He pushed back on polling showing opposition to the cuts, noting other polls show it has backing.

If we're actually going to look at a poll that's real and balanced and neutral, Arizona supports this and understands what the benefit is in the long term, Toma said.
Israelis complained in the weeks following Bidens inauguration in January that he was slow to name his envoy and to reach out to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Some Israeli officials worried that the relative early silence forecast a chillier relationship between the two close allies after former President Donald Trumps warm embrace.

Biden, who spoke to Netanyahu for the first time about four weeks after his swearing in, had put off his first call with Netanyahu, in part, because he first wanted to speak with key European allies as he weighed his steps on reviving the Iran nuclear deal hatched during the Obama administration and shelved by the Trump White House. Netanyahu strongly opposes the deal.

But the official said that the Biden administrations diplomatic efforts with Israel even before this month's fighting had been complicated by Israels own chaotic politics in the leadup to the fourth round of elections there in March.

Nides launched his Washington career in 1986 working for Rep. Tony Coelho, the Democratic majority whip. He also worked for Democratic House Speaker Tom Foley early in his career. During the Clinton administration, he served as chief of staff to the United States Trade Representative Mickey Kantor. Barack Obama nominated him in 2010 to serve as deputy secretary of state for management and resources.
The massive effort to create a pep-rally atmosphere comes only weeks after the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine was approved for younger adolescents ages 12 to 15. Administrators want to get as many shots in students arms as possible and hope it will pave the way to return to regular classes in the fall.

So far, about 14% of the nations 15 million kids ages 12 to 15 have received their first shot, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among 7.5 million teens ages 16 to 17, that number goes up to 34%, and about 22% have had both shots, according to the latest figures released Monday. The doses are scheduled about three weeks apart.



TOKYO  Tokyo officials were quick to deny a U.S. warning for Americans to avoid traveling to Japan will have an impact on Olympians.

Japan is determined to hold the postponed Tokyo Olympics, scheduled to open on July 23. The U.S. cited a surge in coronavirus cases in Japan. Most metro areas in Japan are under a state of emergency .
I have spoken well before the pipeline cyber attack that ransomware is one of the greatest cyber security threats that we face in the United States," Mayorkas said.

There are more than 2.7 million miles of pipeline transporting oil, other liquids and natural gas around the U.S. Members of Congress have expressed concern about the potential risk to this network, which has grown in recent years with increasing reliance on computerized systems and electronic data that are vulnerable to cyber attacks and intrusion.

The extent of the risk became apparent when Colonial Pipeline was targeted in a ransomware attack that prompted the company to shut down a system that delivers about 45% of the gasoline consumed on the East Coast. The halt to fuel supplies for nearly a week led to panic-buying and shortages at gas stations from Washington, D.C., to Florida.

The company, based in Alpharetta, Georgia, later disclosed it paid a ransom of $4.4 million to retrieve access to its data from the gang of hackers who broke into its computer systems.

The FBI has linked the ransomware to a Russian-speaking criminal syndicate known as DarkSide. President Joe Biden has said the administration has strong reason to believe the criminals are living in Russia.
Canadian National plans to set up a voting trust that would acquire Kansas City Southern and hold the railroad during the Surface Transportation Board's lengthy review of the overall deal. Last week, regulators rejected CN's initial plan for that voting trust because at that point the railroads hadn't submitted a detailed copy of their merger agreement, but the STB said it would take a cautious approach to approving the plan. The board also questioned whether the level of debt Canadian National plans to take on to buy Kansas City Southern would undermine the financial stability of the railroad.

We believe our early commitment to eliminating the minimal rail overlap and to laying out the case for a CN-KCS combination should allow the STB to approve our voting trust, Ruest said.

CN tried to address regulators' concerns in its latest application. Ruest said he believes CN will be able to meet the board's standard and demonstrate that its acquisition serves the public interest. He also said CN would remain in a strong financial position because it has suspended stock repurchases and plans to pay down debt quickly if it's allowed to acquire Kansas City Southern.

Ruest said Canadian National would be able to address any other concerns about the deal later in the review process after the voting trust is approved.
That was poverty beyond poverty in Mississippi back then, Elsbach said.

Wanting to sharpen her teaching skills, Elsbach traveled in 1968 to a workshop in Chicago. And it was there that her calling had a head-on collision with careerism.

I said I wanted to go back to Mississippi and people (within the Ursulines) said Id be better off doing something else, something better for my career, she said.

Disappointed at that time by the advice, Elsbach now thanks those people for helping her decide to leave the order and come to St. Louis  where she had no job and knew a grand total of one person.

My goodness, I was so sheltered. But I knew I needed to do life, she said.

So Elsbach got a job as a Kelly Girl, a temporary office worker. For housing, she slept on the couch of a woman she had briefly met at the Chicago workshop.

But after a night or two, that girl called me at work and told me her landlord said I had to leave or wed both get kicked out, she said.

This abrupt setback had Elsbach in tears as she filed paperwork at her job.

And thats when the goodness of St. Louis started, she said.
Kelly has stressed his role was to ensure payments to Ghosn were legal.

Ghosn backed that view in the AP interview. That is significant because Ghosns voice has been absent in Kellys trial, though the defense team has had prosecutors records of their interrogations of Ghosn read aloud in the courtroom, a rare procedure in a Japanese trial.

Nothing was decided. It was only brainstorming. And frankly to the end, nothing was decided, Ghosn said in the interview this week.

There was nothing illegal in this. This is the object of the trial of Greg Kelly.

Ghosn, a superstar executive at Nissan Motor Co. for two decades, voluntarily took a pay cut of about 1 billion yen ($10 million) per year, roughly halving his income beginning in 2010.

Kelly has emphasized that one of the main aims of the discussions about Ghosn's compensation was to ensure he would not leave Nissan for a rival company. At the time of his arrest, Ghosn was chairman of the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance.
One officer sat in his squad car as revelers surrounded it. Women twerked in the headlights. The officer, unable to move, radioed for help. Suddenly, several revelers jumped on the hood of the car and stomped on the windshield. Three men jumped on the cars roof, causing it to slightly cave in. Someone opened a side door. At that point, more squad cars arrived, and the crown dispersed quickly.

This is typical of the type of lawlessness thats been going on downtown to some degree for years, said Les Sterman, a resident and activist who has long complained of City Halls neglect of downtown. He cites a lack of consequences for lawbreakers, and its true: A free-for-all atmosphere prevails whenever police are absent, including late-night drag racing and motorcycle-gang rampages.

Even Jones seemed to be appalled. Let me be clear: You can go out and have a good time without all this nonsense. If we are committed to building a stronger city, we need to show some courtesy and respect, she said of the Sunday morning revelers. She later ordered beefed-up security details for downtown over the Memorial Day weekend.
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.
In China the government is openly cracking down on anyone who takes pictures of military equipment or operations and posts them on the Internet. Several Chinese websites that regularly post such photos have been warned or suspended. Web sites suspended no longer work and users are presented with a government mandated message explaining why the site was suspended or shut down. The next step will be prosecutions for espionage or aiding the enemy. The pictures are still being taken, and will eventually make their way to the Internet via foreigners who obtain the photos offline. This is not the first time China has sought to deal with this problem and now they are being blunt about how foreign intelligence agencies obtain useful information via such photos.

For a long time one of the best sources of information on Chinese warship construction or new aircraft and military vehicles has been the Internet. Thousands of Chinese military buffs living close to major shipyards, air bases, army facilities and training areas have provided a steady supply of photos on the web. The Chinese government tried to prevent this but eventually concluded that cracking down on enthusiastic and Internet savvy Chinese fans of the military was not a wise move. A lot of important secrets are still preserved by building parts of ships in a shed and a lot of the most valuable military secrets are with equipment installed inside the ship or behind a wall. New aircraft and military vehicles are built in factories, not in the open like ships. Until now the government allowed all (with a few exceptions) of these photos to appear. No more. China now believes that the wide variety of fanboy photos and videos posted on the Internet are a major source of information of new developments in the Chinese military. This issue has been brought up before and this time the paranoid faction has won and the hammer is coming down on amateur propagandists for the military.

In the past there were incidents of China being upset at how the progress of warship construction were being revealed on the web and trying to hide that progress and revealing details of new ships. For example, in 2015 a new aircraft carrier was under construction in northeast China (Dalian). The mystery ship had all the hallmarks of a carrier. At the time the only unknown was whether this large (over 50,000 ton) vessel would have an angled flight deck. If not, it could be an amphibious ship using helicopters or an improved version of Chinas first carrier. As construction proceeded all these questions would be answered unofficially because Chinese civilians in the area were eagerly taking photos with cell phone cameras and posting them to the Internet. In 2015 what was visible was just one section of the ship and it was unclear how many of these sections there would be and how long the ship is. Although Chinese intelligence officials had ordered the construction of a 22-meter (71 foot) wall around parts of the Dalian naval base to prevent people from taking pictures of what was going on there, this did not halt the appearance of photos taken by Chinese amateur naval enthusiasts. That was because some of the new commercial construction in the area resulted in an unexpectedly tall apartment building going up near the base. The military got new laws passed to restrict the height of new buildings put up near military bases. Getting existing buildings torn down or modified (as in North Korea) was too difficult because some of the building owners were powerful local communist officials. So up went the wall and the flood of photos kept coming anyway.

There is something else behind this paranoia about forbidden photographs. Since 2014 the quality and capabilities of high-end Chinese, South Korean and American cell phone cameras have rapidly advanced. The quality of photos posted, especially from China, has gotten much better and show even more detail. This is a global problem and militaries everywhere have had to find ways to limit troop use of cellphones to take photos in combat zones. Another problem was the location capabilities of these phones, which enables foreigners to locate the presence of troops, especially in combat zones. China has similar problems but refuses to discuss it openly. Chinese actions are quite visible, especially when it involves censorship of what Chinese can put on the Internet.
The upgraded platform experience eases decision making for CISOs and demonstrates the positive impact of security teams on lowering cyber exposure

PARIS & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CybelAngel, a global leader in digital risk protection, today announces the launch of its brand new platform experience, designed around the three fundamentals of cybersecurity  focus, prioritize and impact. The new features enable CISOs and their teams to respond to threats faster and gather valuable data from exposure over time.

The new platform has been developed specifically to overcome daily challenges faced by CISOs. Prioritization is a crucial element of a security teams role as they must continually understand which tasks require immediate attention. The platforms home page shows events in order of urgency, whether it be responding to new incidents, or following up on reports pending remediation. The system cuts down the time taken by 50% to manually sift through tasks and allows for greater focus on protecting the companys assets.

Harvesting data on an organizations exposure to cyberthreats is key to understanding how best to protect a business. CybelAngels platform provides visibility for teams to monitor their exposure daily and over longer periods of time. The results are displayed on the platforms dashboard, reporting each incident, its severity and how many occurred in each month.

Given the pace at which situations and teams can change, the platform allows managers to control their access management and coverage easily with a selection of features including, keyword management, user group management and user management.

The platform facilitates the direct and secure communication between a customer and their dedicated CybelAngel analyst, where all information is protected by the platforms OAuth 2.0 authentication. The team will receive an email notification when there is a new message on the platform to allow for a quick and easy response.

Stevan Keraudy, CTO & co-founder at CybelAngel comments: Our customers trust and complete satisfaction is everything we strive for, and were confident that this new platform experience will truly aid each individual business in their cybersecurity journey. It has been designed to be more intuitive and collaborative so that CISOs and their teams can focus their energies on protecting their companies from malicious attacks, without having to waste time navigating through their systems. The cyberthreat landscape is constantly evolving, and so we must evolve with it.

Follow CybelAngel for the latest details on research, events and other news.

About CybelAngel

CybelAngel is the world-leading digital risk protection platform that detects and resolves external threats before these wreak havoc. Because more data is being shared, processed or stored outside the firewall on cloud services, open databases and connected devices, the digital risk to enterprises has never been greater. Organizations worldwide rely on CybelAngel to discover, monitor and resolve external threats across all layers of the Internet, keeping their critical assets, brand and reputation secure. To learn more, visit CybelAngel.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005085/en/

Media Contact:

Carrie VanBuskirk

W2 Communications

CybelAngel@w2comm.com

571-247-1133

Source: CybelAngel
(Corrects Brent's settlement price increase in second paragraph to 22 cents, not 16 cents)

By Laura Sanicola

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices settled higher on Wednesday as a drop in U.S. crude stockpiles reinforced expectations of improving demand ahead of the peak summer driving season, offsetting worries that a possible return of Iranian supply would cause a glut.

Brent settled up 22 cents, or 0.3%, to $68.87 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude settled up 14 cents, or 0.2%, at $66.21 a barrel.

Both benchmarks pared losses after government data showed U.S. crude stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, storage hub fell last week to the lowest since March 2020. Refiners ramped up utilization rates to pre-pandemic levels. [EIA/S]

Gasoline product supplied rose to 9.5 million barrels per day, a proxy for demand, while distillate demand was also higher. Gasoline consumption generally rises beginning around U.S. Memorial Day, which is May 31 this year, when people take to the roads.

Prices found some support from lifting of coronavirus curbs.

"An urge to 'hit the roads' in heading out on vacations that were precluded by the pandemic last year will be supporting the gasoline market," said Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch and Associates in Galena, Illinois.

But market players were also closely watching developments in Iranian-U.S. nuclear talks which could lead to lifting sanctions on Iran's energy industry and releasing Iranian oil on the market.

"Prices should remain supported over the summer with the only thing keeping oil from price increases being the potential return of Iranian oil," said Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates in Houston, Texas.

Iran's government spokesman Ali Rabiei said he was optimistic Tehran would reach an agreement soon, although Iran's top negotiator said serious issues remained.

Analysts have said Iran could provide additional supply of about 1 million to 2 million bpd if a deal is struck.

Iran and global powers have held talks in Vienna since April to work out steps Tehran must take on nuclear activities and Washington should take on sanctions to return to full compliance with the pact Iran reached with world powers in 2015.

Russia said the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, a group known as OPEC+, should consider a possible increase in Iranian output when assessing further steps.

OPEC+ is bringing back 2.1 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil production through July, easing cuts to 5.8 million bpd. Their next meeting is set for June 1.

(Additional reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin in London, Yuka Obayashi in Tokyo; Editing by Marguerita Choy, Emelia Sithole-Matarise and David Gregorio)
VAUGHAN, Ontario, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lumon North America has become known as a leading producer in balcony glazing, recently celebrating its 10-year journey in the North American market. During its short history on the continent, Lumon has left its mark as a trailblazer in the industry. This worldwide pandemic has made people rethink the purpose and usability of their own home. Especially for condominium residents, balcony glazing has enabled a safe outdoor oasis during this time, says CEO Olli Vanska. We even speak of post COVID design, where the importance of maximizing use of outside spaces is highlighted, he continues. Lumon glazing is a perfect solution for this. The enclosures enable for usage of the balcony throughout the year, and simultaneously benefit the resident or condo dweller with lower energy costs as well as a decreased need for maintenance.

As a result of the increased demand, Lumon North America has decided in major investments on its production operations, taking responsibility of its own supply chain. Notable investments of millions of dollars help to ensure a high-quality product as well as accurate delivery times. We are able to schedule more precisely closer to our customers' request date, as we have better control over the glass fabrication, Production and Supply Chain Manager Patrick Rafacz notes.

Naturally, the growth can be seen in the employee base also. Significant efforts in recruitment are being made to prepare for great growth, and each employee is a contributor in Lumons success story. Customer satisfaction is an important gage in measuring success, and we are doing our everything to ensure a good customer experience, Olli explains. This is why we need skilled and motivated employees, who share a goal with the company to reach new levels, he reflects. Patrick agrees: Additional staffing also provides growth to the community, which in itself is significant, he says. The recently established strategy at Lumon North America also holds aims for growth in condominium sales within the United States. These new investments motivate employees on the future of Lumon North America, portraying growth and stability within the company. As production grows, it is key to foster employee development. That is to say, building a blueprint that offers a pathway to employee success as well as company success. This is a key component to building the future, Patrick concludes.

For more information, please contact:

Olli Vanska, CEO, Lumon Canada Inc.Email: olli.vanska@lumon.com

Alternatively, you can call the toll-free number of our headquarters at: 1-877-707-7427

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3f3eb398-9585-417f-b0d9-b8ed5bffe14c

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2d0a764b-3a14-4906-a8d6-aaf64225ac10

Production employee using highly developed glass cutting machinery Investment in machinery and robotics improves production flow for higher productivity at Lumon North America Production and Supply Chain Manager Patrick Rafacz with CEO Olli Vanska As pictured from left to right at Lumon North America's production facility

Source: Lumon Canada Inc.
SAN JOSE, Calif., May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cogniac Corporation (Cogniac), a San Jose, California-based provider of enterprise-class Artificial Intelligence (AI) image and video analysis, and global compact equipment manufacturer Doosan Bobcat North America (Doosan Bobcat) today announced they will co-present on the Lab to Live stage at the 2021 CogX Festival.

The annual, global leadership summit and festival of AI and transformational technology will be held in Kings Cross, London, as well as virtually on June 14-16, 2021. This years theme is focused on addressing the question, How do we get the next 10 years right?

Cogniac CEO Chuck Myers will lead the conversation, Superhuman vision meets superhuman strength: applying AI visual processing to industrial kitting, which includes Dr. Amy Wang, vice president of Systems at Cogniac and Joel Honeyman, vice president of global Innovation at Doosan Bobcat. The discussion will focus on the technology partnership announced earlier this year, as well as the unique challenges to Doosan Bobcats industrial kitting inspection process and how the Cogniac AI Visual Intelligence Platform seeks to address their needs.

Presentation information:

Date: Monday, June 14, 2021

Time: 5:00 PM British Summer Time (BST), 9:00 am Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

The panel information can be found here.

Topic: Superhuman vision meets superhuman strength: applying AI visual processing to industrial kitting

Description: Provide insights into how Cogniacs innovative AI platform keeps watch and catches potential errors in real time at Doosan Bobcats warehouse to streamline the assembly line, reduce financial and human risk to ensure manufacturing precision and speed at scale. About CogX Festival

The CogX Festival is the worlds largest gathering of CEOs, entrepreneurs, academics, artists, activists and policy makers working to realize the biggest transformational opportunities of our time and how we address the challenges along the way. For more information, visit CogX.live

About Cogniac Corporation

Cogniac offers the most advanced enterprise Visual Intelligence Platform. Cogniac enables businesses to realize superhuman levels of accuracy and efficiency in complex environments, from manufacturing to industrial, government to marine. Cogniacs technology maximizes the value of the newest and most abundant form of data  visual data. By deploying Convolutional Neural Networks and Hyper Parameter Optimization, Cogniacs platform achieves process performance optimization with very little technical knowledge required from human subject matter experts. For more information, visit Cogniac.ai

About Doosan Bobcat North America

Doosan Bobcat North America, headquartered in West Fargo, North Dakota, is a leading global manufacturer of construction, agriculture, landscaping and grounds maintenance equipment, attachments and services. The company is committed to empowering people to accomplish more. Doosan Bobcat North America is home to world-renowned brands, including Bobcat compact equipment, Doosan portable power products, Ryan and Steiner grounds maintenance equipment and Geith attachments. Doosan Bobcat North America is a tradename of Clark Equipment Company.About Bobcat Company

Bobcat Company is a worldwide leader in the manufacturing and distribution of compact equipment. Headquartered in West Fargo, North Dakota, Bobcat offers a complete line of compact equipment including: skid-steer, mini track and compact track loaders; excavators; VersaHANDLER telescopic tool carriers; utility vehicles; Toolcat utility work machines; compact tractors; small articulated loaders; zero-turn mowers; attachments and implements. As a global brand with a worldwide network of dealers and distributors, Bobcat is the industrys original innovator, beginning in 1958 with the first compact machine and predecessor to the skid-steer loader. Bobcat continues to lead the industry by offering quality product solutions and technologies to empower people to accomplish more. For more information, visit Bobcat.com

Cogniac Press Contact: Jordan Schmidt Gateway Group Jordan@gatewayir.com +1 (949) 574-3860

Doosan Bobcat North America PR Contact: Adrienne Olson Sr. Manager Public Relations and Corporate Communication adrienne.olson@doosan.com +1 (701) 371-5579

Source: Cogniac Corporation
NEW YORK, May 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized stockholder rights law firm, has launched an investigation into whether the board members of Kansas City Southern (NYSE: KSU) (KCS) breached their fiduciary duties or violated the federal securities laws in connection with the companys acquisition by Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE: CNI) (CN).



Click here to learn more and participate in the action.

On May 21, 2021, KCS announced that it had signed an agreement to be acquired by CN for approximately $33.6 billion. Pursuant to the merger agreement, KCS stockholders will receive $200 in cash and 1.129 shares of CN common stock for each share of KCS common stock owned. The deal is scheduled to close in the second half of 2022.

Bragar Eagel & Squire is concerned that KCSs board of directors oversaw an unfair process and ultimately agreed to an inadequate merger agreement. Accordingly, the firm is investigating all relevant aspects of the deal and is committed to securing the best result possible for KCSs stockholders.

If you own shares of KCS and are concerned about the proposed merger, or you are interested in learning more about the investigation or your legal rights and remedies, please contact Melissa Fortunato or Alexandra Raymond by email at investigations@bespc.com or telephone at (646) 860-9157, or by filling out this contact form. There is no cost or obligation to you.

About Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.:

Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm with offices in New York and California. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in commercial, securities, derivative, and other complex litigation in state and federal courts across the country. For more information about the firm, please visit www.bespc.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
In the Phase 3 LIBERTY 1 and LIBERTY 2 studies, MYFEMBREE demonstrated 72.1% and 71.2% response rates in menstrual blood loss (MBL) at Week 24, with MBL reductions of 82.0% and 84.3% from baseline

Myovant and Pfizer will jointly commercialize MYFEMBREE, with product availability expected in June

Myovant to host conference call and webcast on Friday, May 28, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time / 5:30 a.m. Pacific Time

BASEL, Switzerland and NEW YORK, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Myovant Sciences (NYSE: MYOV) and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved MYFEMBREE (relugolix 40 mg, estradiol 1 mg, and norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg), the first once-daily treatment for the management of heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids in premenopausal women, with a treatment duration of up to 24 months. The approval is supported by efficacy and safety data from the Phase 3 LIBERTY 1 and LIBERTY 2 studies, which were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Under the terms of their previously announced collaboration, Myovant and Pfizer will jointly commercialize MYFEMBREE in the U.S. MYFEMBREE is expected to be available in June 2021.

Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on the image or link below:

With MYFEMBREE, we can offer women with uterine fibroids a non-invasive treatment that provides clinically meaningful symptom relief for heavy menstrual bleeding with one pill, once-a-day, said Ayman Al-Hendy, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, and LIBERTY Program Steering Committee Member. The FDA approval of MYFEMBREE represents a significant milestone in expanding treatment options for uterine fibroids, a chronic and debilitating disease for many women in the U.S.

Uterine fibroids affect millions of women in the U.S. and account for over 250,000 hysterectomies each year, with heavy menstrual bleeding being one of the most bothersome symptoms, said David Marek, Chief Executive Officer of Myovant Sciences, Inc. The approval of MYFEMBREE represents the second FDA product approval for Myovant in less than one year. This is an important step forward as we seek to redefine care for women and for men, not only through new medicines but through continued collaboration with the community.

MYFEMBREEs approval is a testament to the shared commitment between Myovant and Pfizer to support women living with uterine fibroids, said Nick Lagunowich, Global President, Internal Medicine at Pfizer. We are excited to offer this new treatment option which will help provide much needed symptom relief with the convenience of an oral, once-daily tablet.

The Phase 3 LIBERTY studies each met the primary endpoint, with 72.1% and 71.2% of women in the MYFEMBREE groups achieving the responder criteria compared with 16.8% and 14.7% of women in the placebo groups at Week 24, respectively (both p

Myovant and Pfizer are committed to supporting women in the U.S. who are prescribed MYFEMBREE throughout their treatment journeys. The MYFEMBREE Support Program provides services, including insurance benefits checks, prior authorization support, co-pay support for commercially insured patients, and patient assistance for qualifying uninsured patients. Program terms and conditions apply. For more information and additional resources, please contact 833-MYFEMBREE (833-693-3627), 8 a.m.8 p.m. Eastern Time, MondayFriday.

Myovant Conference Call and WebcastMyovant will hold a conference call on Friday, May 28, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time / 5:30 a.m. Pacific Time to discuss the FDA approval of MYFEMBREE. Investors and the general public may access a live webcast of the call by visiting the investor relations page of Myovants website at investors.myovant.com. Investors and analysts may also participate in the conference call by dialing 1-800-532-3746 in the U.S. or +1-470-495-9166 from outside the U.S. A replay of the webcast will be archived on Myovants investor relations website.

About Uterine FibroidsUterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors that develop in or on the muscular walls of the uterus and are among the most common reproductive tract tumors in women. In addition to an individual's genetic predisposition, estrogens are well known to play an important role in the regulation of fibroid growth.

Although uterine fibroids are benign tumors, they can cause debilitating symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding (frequently resulting in anemia and fatigue), pain (including painful periods, abdominal pain, painful intercourse, backache), increased abdominal girth and bloating, urinary frequency or retention, constipation, pregnancy loss, and, in some cases, infertility. These symptoms can also lead to loss of productivity at work, limitations in normal activities of daily living, and social embarrassment.

An estimated five million women in the U.S. suffer from symptoms of uterine fibroids, and an estimated three million women are inadequately treated by current medical therapy and require further treatment.

About MYFEMBREEMYFEMBREE (relugolix 40 mg, estradiol 1 mg, and norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg) is the first once-daily treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids in premenopausal women approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, with a treatment duration of up to 24 months. MYFEMBREE contains relugolix, which reduces the amount of estrogen (and other hormones) produced by ovaries, estradiol (an estrogen) which may reduce the risk of bone loss, and norethindrone acetate (a progestin) which is necessary when women with a uterus (womb) take estrogen.

For full prescribing information including Boxed Warning and patient information, please click here.

Indications and Usage

MYFEMBREE is indicated for the management of heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) in premenopausal women. Limitations of Use: Use of MYFEMBREE should be limited to 24 months due to the risk of continued bone loss which may not be reversible.

Important Safety Information

BOXED WARNING: THROMBOEMBOLIC DISORDERS AND VASCULAR EVENTS

Estrogen and progestin combination products, including MYFEMBREE, increase the risk of thrombotic or thromboembolic disorders including pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, stroke and myocardial infarction, especially in women at increased risk for these events.

MYFEMBREE is contraindicated in women with current or a history of thrombotic or thromboembolic disorders and in women at increased risk for these events, including women over 35 years of age who smoke or women with uncontrolled hypertension.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

MYFEMBREE is contraindicated in women with any of the following: high risk of arterial, venous thrombotic, or thromboembolic disorder; pregnancy; known osteoporosis; current or history of breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive malignancies; known hepatic impairment or disease; undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding; known hypersensitivity to components of MYFEMBREE.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Thromboembolic Disorders: Discontinue immediately if an arterial or venous thrombotic, cardiovascular, or cerebrovascular event occurs or is suspected. Discontinue at least 4 to 6 weeks before surgery associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism, or during periods of prolonged immobilization, if feasible. Discontinue immediately if there is sudden unexplained partial or complete loss of vision, proptosis, diplopia, papilledema, or retinal vascular lesions and evaluate for retinal vein thrombosis as these have been reported with estrogens and progestins.

Bone Loss: MYFEMBREE may cause a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) in some patients, which may be greater with increasing duration of use and may not be completely reversible after stopping treatment. Consider the benefits and risks in patients with a history of low trauma fracture or risk factors for osteoporosis or bone loss, including medications that may decrease BMD. Assessment of BMD by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is recommended at baseline and periodically thereafter. Consider discontinuing MYFEMBREE if the risk of bone loss exceeds the potential benefit.

Hormone-Sensitive Malignancies: Discontinue MYFEMBREE if a hormone-sensitive malignancy is diagnosed. Surveillance measures in accordance with standard of care, such as breast examinations and mammography are recommended. Use of estrogen alone or estrogen plus progestin has resulted in abnormal mammograms requiring further evaluation.

Depression, Mood Disorders, and Suicidal Ideation: Promptly evaluate patients with mood changes and depressive symptoms including shortly after initiating treatment, to determine whether the risks of continued therapy outweigh the benefits. Patients with new or worsening depression, anxiety, or other mood changes should be referred to a mental health professional, as appropriate. Advise patients to seek immediate medical attention for suicidal ideation and behavior and reevaluate the benefits and risks of continuing MYFEMBREE.

Hepatic Impairment and Transaminase Elevations: Steroid hormones may be poorly metabolized in these patients. Instruct women to promptly seek medical attention for symptoms or signs that may reflect liver injury, such as jaundice or right upper abdominal pain. Acute liver test abnormalities may necessitate the discontinuation of MYFEMBREE use until the liver tests return to normal and MYFEMBREE causation has been excluded.

Gallbladder Disease or History of Cholestatic Jaundice: Discontinue MYFEMBREE if signs or symptoms of gallbladder disease or jaundice occur. For women with a history of cholestatic jaundice associated with past estrogen use or with pregnancy, assess the risk-benefit of continuing therapy. Studies among estrogen users suggest a small increased relative risk of developing gallbladder disease.

Elevated Blood Pressure: For women with well-controlled hypertension, monitor blood pressure and stop MYFEMBREE if blood pressure rises significantly.

Change in Menstrual Bleeding Pattern and Reduced Ability to Recognize Pregnancy: Advise women to use non-hormonal contraception during treatment and for one week after discontinuing MYFEMBREE. Avoid concomitant use of hormonal contraceptives. MYFEMBREE may delay the ability to recognize pregnancy because it alters menstrual bleeding. Perform testing if pregnancy is suspected and discontinue MYFEMBREE if pregnancy is confirmed.

Risk of Early Pregnancy Loss: MYFEMBREE can cause early pregnancy loss. Exclude pregnancy before initiating and advise women to use effective non-hormonal contraception.

Uterine Fibroid Prolapse or Expulsion: Advise women with known or suspected submucosal uterine fibroids about the possibility of uterine fibroid prolapse or expulsion and instruct them to contact their physician if severe bleeding and/or cramping occurs.

Alopecia: Alopecia, hair loss, and hair thinning were reported in phase 3 trials with MYFEMBREE. Consider discontinuing MYFEMBREE if hair loss becomes a concern. Whether the hair loss is reversible is unknown.

Effects on Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism: More frequent monitoring in MYFEMBREE-treated women with prediabetes and diabetes may be necessary. MYFEMBREE may decrease glucose tolerance and result in increased blood glucose concentrations. Monitor lipid levels and consider discontinuing if hypercholesterolemia or hypertriglyceridemia worsens. In women with pre-existing hypertriglyceridemia, estrogen therapy may be associated with elevations in triglycerides levels leading to pancreatitis. Use of MYFEMBREE is associated with increases in total cholesterol and LDL-C.

Effect on Other Laboratory Results: Patients with hypothyroidism and hypoadrenalism may require higher doses of thyroid hormone or cortisol replacement therapy. Use of estrogen and progestin combinations may raise serum concentrations of binding proteins (e.g., thyroid-binding globulin, corticosteroid-binding globulin), which may reduce free thyroid or corticosteroid hormone levels. Use of estrogen and progestin may also affect the levels of sex hormone-binding globulin, and coagulation factors.

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immediately discontinue MYFEMBREE if a hypersensitivity reaction occurs.

ADVERSE REACTIONSMost common adverse reactions for MYFEMBREE (incidence 3% and greater than placebo) were hot flush/hyperhidrosis/night sweats, abnormal uterine bleeding, alopecia, and decreased libido. These are not all the possible side effects of MYFEMBREE.

DRUG INTERACTIONSP-gp Inhibitors: Avoid use of MYFEMBREE with oral P-gp inhibitors. If use is unavoidable, take MYFEMBREE first, separate dosing by at least 6 hours, and monitor patients for adverse reactions.

Combined P-gp and Strong CYP3A Inducers: Avoid use of MYFEMBREE with combined P-gp and strong CYP3A inducers.

LACTATIONAdvise women not to breastfeed while taking MYFEMBREE.

About Myovant Sciences Myovant Sciences aspires to redefine care for women and for men through purpose-driven science, empowering medicines, and transformative advocacy. Founded in 2016, we have two FDA-approved products. ORGOVYX (relugolix) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2020 as the first and only oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist for the treatment of adult patients with advanced prostate cancer, and relugolix is also under regulatory review in Europe for men with advanced prostate cancer. MYFEMBREE (relugolix 40 mg, estradiol 1 mg, and norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg) was approved in the U.S. in 2021 as the first once-daily treatment for the management of heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids in premenopausal women. Relugolix combination tablet (relugolix 40 mg, estradiol 1 mg, and norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg) is under regulatory review in Europe for women with uterine fibroids, has completed Phase 3 registration-enabling studies for women with endometriosis, and is being assessed for contraceptive efficacy in healthy women ages 18-35 years who are at risk for pregnancy. We are also developing MVT-602, an oligopeptide kisspeptin-1 receptor agonist, which has completed a Phase 2a study for female infertility as part of assisted reproduction. Sumitovant Biopharma, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., is our majority shareholder. For more information, please visit our website at www.myovant.com. Follow @Myovant on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Pfizer: Breakthroughs That Change Patients Lives At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 170 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.Pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on www.Pfizer.com and follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer.

Myovant Sciences Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this press release, forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, all statements reflecting Myovant Sciences expectations, including: statements regarding Myovants aspiration to redefine care for women and for men; Myovants expectations regarding the potential benefits of MYFEMBREE; Myovants expectations regarding the potential commercial launch of MYFEMBREE by Myovant and Pfizer in the United States; Myovants expectation that MYFEMBREE will become available in June 2021; the plan to offer a MYFEMBREE support program for patients; and the features of such program.

Myovant Sciences forward-looking statements are based on managements current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors known and unknown that could cause actual results and the timing of certain events to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including unforeseen circumstances or other disruptions to normal business operations arising from or related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Myovant Sciences cannot assure you that the events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could materially affect Myovant Sciences operations and future prospects or which could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, but are not limited to the risks and uncertainties listed in Myovant Sciences filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including under the heading Risk Factors in Myovant Sciences Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on May 11, 2021, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time. These risks are not exhaustive. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Myovant Sciences management to predict all risk factors, nor can Myovant Sciences assess the impact of all factors on its 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 statements. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this press release, which speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, Myovant Sciences undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

Pfizer Disclosure NoticeThe information contained in this release is as of May 26, 2021. Pfizer assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this release as the result of new information or future events or developments.

This release contains forward-looking information about MYFEMBREE (relugolix 40 mg, estradiol 1 mg, and norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg) for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids in premenopausal women, and a collaboration between Pfizer and Myovant Sciences to develop and commercialize relugolix in advanced prostate cancer and womens health, including their potential benefits, that involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, uncertainties regarding the commercial success of MYFEMBREE; the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including the ability to meet anticipated clinical endpoints, commencement and/or completion dates for clinical trials, regulatory submission dates, regulatory approval dates and/or launch dates, as well as the possibility of unfavorable new clinical data and further analyses of existing clinical data; the risk that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments by regulatory authorities; whether regulatory authorities will be satisfied with the design of and results from the clinical studies; whether and when applications for MYFEMBREE may be filed in any other jurisdictions for any potential indications for MYFEMBREE; whether and when regulatory authorities in any other jurisdictions may approve any such applications for MYFEMBREE that may be pending or filed, which will depend on myriad factors, including making a determination as to whether the products benefits outweigh its known risks and determination of the products efficacy and, if approved, whether MYFEMBREE will be commercially successful; decisions by regulatory authorities impacting labeling, manufacturing processes, safety and/or other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of MYFEMBREE; whether our collaboration with Myovant Sciences will be successful; uncertainties regarding the impact of COVID-19 on Pfizers business, operations and financial results; and competitive developments.

A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Pfizers Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q, including in the sections thereof captioned Risk Factors and Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results, as well as in its subsequent reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov and www.pfizer.com.

Myovant Sciences ContactsRyan Crowe, Investors+1 (650) 781-9106investors@myovant.com

Albert Liao, Media+1 (650) 410-3055media@myovant.com

Pfizer ContactsMedia Relations Steve Danehy+1 (212) 733-1538PfizerMediaRelations@pfizer.com

Investor Relations Chuck Triano +1 (212) 733-3901 Charles.E.Triano@Pfizer.com

Source: Myovant Sciences, Inc.
Staten Island, NY, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In observance of Memorial Day, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation is providing twenty military families with mortgage-free homes, honoring those who sacrificed life and limb for our freedom.

The 20 homes are located in eleven states spanning the country:

Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Peltzer - Nampa, ID

Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jesse Anderson - Boise, ID

Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 George Geoffrey Laubhan - Boise, ID

Navy Chief Petty Officer Adam Foti - Moyock, NC

Army Staff Sergeant Kyu Chay - Fayetteville, NC

Army Staff Sergeant Jacob Hess - Fayetteville, NC

Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher Allgaier - Fayetteville, NC

Army Sergeant 1st Class Shawn McCloskey - Fayetteville, NC

Army Sergeant 1st Class Keith Callahan - Fayetteville, NC

Air Force Reserve Master Sergeant Scott Blais - East Longmeadow, MA

Army Sergeant 1st Class Matthew McClintock - Tacoma, WA

Army Private First Class Buddy W. McLain - Peru, ME

Marine Corps Sergeant Jose Luis Joey Saenz III - San Antonio, TX

Army Staff Sergeant John Perry

Army Private First Class Michael Pridham - Mount Washington, KY

Army Specialist Jordan Schumann - Port St. Lucie, FL

Navy Security Forces Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Oscar Temores - Hanford, CA

Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Ryan Michael Connolly Clarksville, TN

Army Staff Sergeant Vincent Marketta

Marine Corps Sergeant Aaron Alonso - Newton, NJ

During a private ceremony at the U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, five Gold Star families were presented with documents confirming that the mortgage held on their homes have been paid in full.

"It is because of Tunnel to Towers and everyone that has supported this foundation that I can happily say that the stress of providing a safe place to put my children to sleep each night has completely vanished," said Jessica Hess, who lost her husband Staff Sergeant Jacob Hess in 2019.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher Allgaiers helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan on May 30, 2007. He left behind his wife Jennifer Allgaier and their three daughters.

Thanks to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Jennifer now owns her home. We dont feel forgotten, we feel like somebody cares about us. It just opens up so many things for me that I didnt think would be possible before, Jennifer said.

In Idaho, Tunnel to Towers paid off the mortgages on the homes of three National Guardsmen who were killed when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed southeast of Boise in February.

"After my husbands untimely death, I worried that I would need to sell our family home or that I would have to work many hours to afford the mortgage, taking me away from our girls when they need me most, said Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Peltzers wife Heidi Leben. She added, Having our mortgage paid off by Tunnel To Towers has solved these concerns...It feels great to know that I can stay and raise my daughters in this home that my husband and I purchased together.

The Tunnel to Towers Gold Star Family Home Program honors the legacy of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country by paying off the mortgage or providing the surviving spouses and young children with mortgage-free homes.

Memorial Day is a day to acknowledge those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. This Memorial Day, when you are enjoying your day off, maybe seeing friends or family for the first time, I ask you to take a minute to think of those families who will never see their loved ones again. These heroes gave up their lives for our freedom and we will give the families they left behind a place where they can live free of the financial burden of a mortgage, said Tunnel to Towers Chairman & CEO Frank Siller.

This year, as the Foundation marks the twentieth anniversary of the September 11th attacks and the Foundations inception, it has set an ambitious goal of delivering 120 mortgage-free homes by the end of the year.

Go to T2T.org to join us on our mission to support American heroes and their families by donating just $11 per month.

About the Tunnel to Towers Foundation

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is dedicated to honoring the sacrifice of FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller, who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001. For 20 years the Foundation has supported our nations first responders, veterans, and their families by providing these heroes and the families they leave behind with mortgage-free homes. For more about the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and its commitment to DO GOOD, please visit tunnel2towers.org.

Follow Tunnel to Towers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @Tunnel2Towers.

Attachments

Trevor Tamsen Tunnel To Towers Foundation 916-524-0941 Trevor.Tamsen@tunnel2towers.org

Source: Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation
Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research pillar of Abu Dhabis Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has announced that its Cryptography Research Centre (CRC) has partnered with several international universities.

The Cryptography Research Centre signed partnership agreements with Ruhr-University Bochum (Germany), Radboud University (The Netherlands), Khalifa University (UAE), University of Milan (Italy), Polytechnic University of Turin (Italy), and Federal University of Santa Catarina (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina) (Brazil). CRC had earlier this year announced that it had partnered with Yale University (USA). CRC has also co-authored a Springer Publishing book on Hardware Architectures for Post Quantum Digital Signature Schemes with New York University (USA).

The collaborations follow a series of innovation announcements at TII since the first Advanced Technology Research Council board meeting in August 2020.

Speaking on the partnership announcements, Dr Najwa Aaraj, Chief Researcher at Cryptography Research Centre, said: We look forward to working with peers from our global academic partners. Our researchers at the Cryptographic Research Centre work on advanced cryptographic algorithms and constructions. Together we will be conducting disruptive research and advancing breakthroughs across the field of cryptography and its sub-disciplines. We are confident that this research will lead to significant residual benefits for society.

The partnership with Ruhr-University Bochum aims to design and implement privacy-preserving cloud computing and secure data processing schemes while the partnership with Radboud University will target lightweight cryptography and aims to develop software and hardware secure implementations.

The research partnership with Khalifa University will focus on designing an enhanced TESLA protocol for the internet of things (IoT), while the second project aims to design a secure field programmable gate array involving reconfigurable post-quantum cryptography schemes and machine learning models. Furthermore, the collaboration with University of Milan focuses on the analysis of algebraic models of HMAC-SHA-1 and on the design of automated tools. Meanwhile, the partnership with Polytechnic University of Turin will target the cryptanalysis of ARX ciphers from different points of view.

The partnership with Federal University of Santa Catarina (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC), in Florianopolis, Brazil, focuses on the study of hybrid protocol, covering key establishment and digital signature, considering the combination of currently used algorithms and post-quantum algorithms.

The partnership with Yale University, announced by TII in January, targets the intersection of post-quantum cryptography and hardware implementations, as well as a second project which studies of the robustness, explainability and optimised hardware design of Spiking Neural Networks, as part of TIIs interest in advancing the field of neuromorphic computing.

Based in Abu Dhabi, Technology Innovation Institute is a pioneering global research and development centre that focuses on applied research and new-age technology capabilities.

The Institute has seven initial dedicated research centres in cryptography, quantum, autonomous robotics, advanced materials, digital security, directed energy and secure systems. By working with exceptional talent, universities, research institutions and industry partners from all over the world, the Institute connects an intellectual community and contributes to building an R&D ecosystem in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. The Institute reinforces Abu Dhabi and the UAEs status as a global hub for innovation and contributes to the broader development of its knowledge-based economy.-- TradeArabia News Service
MENLO PARK, Calif., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nomura-SRI Innovation Center (NSIC), an emerging innovation center dedicated to accelerating the adoption of Silicon Valley's disruptive technology innovation process into corporate Japan, today announced the appointment of its Managing Director, Chris Cowart, and Deputy Director, Pam Deziel.

"We are thrilled to welcome Chris and Pam to our NSIC team. With over 50 years of combined experience at groups including IDEO, Apple, Adobe and Google's X-Factory, they bring extensive knowledge and expertise to the NSIC leadership team," said Manish Kothari, President of SRI International. "I am confident that their deep expertise in executing innovation combined with SRI's inherent technology capability and techno-pragmatic approach will enable NSIC to help our corporate partners navigate the rapid pace of technological change and innovation that is part of the world we live in."

Chris Cowart is an accomplished C-suite executive and venture partner with over 25 years of experience, including fourteen years at the design and innovation consulting firm IDEO, where he pioneered the human-factors and user-research disciplines in the design industry, launching many "first of their categories" products for the company. His most recent role was as Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer of Treasure8.

Pam Deziel, an experienced senior-level executive, has more than 25 years of product management experience in innovative high-tech companies including Adobe Systems, Motorola and Apple. In addition to her role as Director of Product Management for SRI International's Product Realization Group, Deziel will also serve as Deputy Director of NSIC.

Cowart and Deziel will be responsible for managing operations, creating program content, forming partnerships and working with NSIC member companies.

"We are excited to partner with SRI International to bring innovation to corporate Japan," said Hajime Ikeda, head of Future Innovation Company of Nomura Holdings Inc. "The NSIC program has been designed with significant input from Japanese companies and their needs for innovation. The center and its programs affirm our commitment to facilitating corporate innovation for our clients in Japan by supporting their engagement with Silicon Valley."

With its newly appointed executive team and a focus on strategic partnerships with Japanese corporate customers, NSIC is positioned for strong growth in 2021. For those interested in partnership or joining the membership waitlist, please visit https://www.sri.com/nsic/.

About SRI International:SRI International creates world-changing solutions making people safer, healthier and more productive. SRI, a research center headquartered in Menlo Park, California, works primarily in advanced technology and systems, biosciences, computing and education. SRI brings its innovations to the marketplace through technology licensing, spin-off ventures and new product solutions.

About Nomura:Nomura is a global financial services group with an integrated network spanning over 30 countries. By connecting markets East & West, Nomura services the needs of individuals, institutions, corporates and governments through its three business divisions: Retail, Wholesale (Global Markets and Investment Banking), and Investment Management. Founded in 1925, the firm is built on a tradition of disciplined entrepreneurship, serving clients with creative solutions and considered thought leadership. For further information about Nomura, visit www.nomura.com.

Nicole BoydFirecracker PR(888) 317-4687, ext. 702310784@email4pr.com

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CINCINNATI and WASHINGTON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PatientPoint and the Lupus Foundation of America today announced a new initiative that will bring lupus education and support resources to the offices of nearly 7,000 primary care physicians and rheumatologists nationwide. As part of the new initiative launching during Lupus Awareness Month, PatientPoint will feature Lupus Foundation of America content on its digital waiting room screens, exam room touchscreens and professional information program in healthcare practices across the country.

Lupus is a complex, unpredictable autoimmune disease affecting an estimated 1.5 million Americans and at least 5 million people worldwide. Though lupus can develop in anyone, the vast majority of people living with lupus are women, and most people with lupus develop the disease between the ages of 15-44. Lupus disproportionately impacts women of colorAfrican American, Hispanic/Latina, Asian, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander. People with lupus can experience significant symptoms that affect many parts of the body including internal organs such as the kidneys, heart and lungs. Many suffer from extreme fatigue, joint pain, cardiovascular disease and disfiguring rashes. For others, there may be no visible symptoms.

"More than half of Americans have never heard of or know little or nothing about lupus, underscoring the urgent need to raise awareness of this often invisible and devastating disease," said Stevan W. Gibson, president and CEO, Lupus Foundation of America. "Through our collaboration with PatientPoint we can drive increased awareness and understanding of lupus among patients and healthcare providers, sparking critical conversations that can help shorten the time to diagnosis and improve quality of life for those living with the disease."

The new PatientPoint-Lupus Foundation of America awareness and education initiative introduces patients to lupus in the waiting room and provides more detailed information, assessment tools and other supportive content on lupus in the exam room. The initiative also promotes a toolkit of resources on living with lupus available in English, Spanish and Chinese designed for healthcare professionals to share with patients.

"PatientPoint and the Lupus Foundation of America share the common goal of educating, empowering and supporting patients, and that shines through our partnership," said PatientPoint Executive Vice President of Content & Creative Kate Merz. "We're honored to work together to share meaningful lupus content across the care journey to raise lupus awareness and make lupus visible."

About PatientPointPatientPoint is the trusted partner for tech-enabled patient engagement solutions that enhance the patient experience across the entire care journey. Our solutions create more effective doctor-patient interactions and deliver high value for patients, providers and healthcare sponsors. Through our 150k unique healthcare provider relationships, PatientPoint's solutions impact roughly 750 million patient visits each year, further advancing our mission of making every doctor-patient engagement better. Learn more at patientpoint.com.

About the Lupus Foundation of AmericaThe Lupus Foundation of America is the national force devoted to solving the mystery of lupus, one of the world's cruelest, most unpredictable and devastating diseases, while giving caring support to those who suffer from its brutal impact. Through a comprehensive program of research, education, and advocacy, we lead the fight to improve the quality of life for all people affected by lupus. Learn more about the Lupus Foundation of America at lupus.org.

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SOURCE PatientPoint
CHICAGO, May 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BCS Financial announces that Wendell Ferguson has joined the company as Vice President, Information Technology, effective May 10. BCS provides innovative, easy-to-use insurance and financial services products for Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans and commercial carriers.

In this role, Ferguson will provide strategic and operational leadership and direction in the development, implementation, and maintenance of information technology and system functions. He is also responsible for leading and managing the IT team while partnering with business stakeholders to drive strategic initiatives and meet the organizations' goals. Ferguson will report to the President & CEO.

"Technology is a key driver of our business," said Peter Costello, President & CEO, BCS Financial. "I look forward to having Wendell on our team to help us meet both short-term and long-term technology goals that will enable the business to deliver upon our mission and purpose."

Prior to joining BCS, Ferguson served as IT Director at Blue Shield of California (BSCA), where he led the Data and Analytics Strategy and Operations, Production Support, Tools and Data Reconciliation teams. During his 10 years at BSCA, he's led other IT teams and also held the position as AVP of Business Systems, at Blue Shield Promise, a Medicaid carrier that was acquired by BSCA.

Ferguson holds a BS in Computer Science from California State University and an MS in Divinity from Berkeley School of Theology.

About BCS Financial CorporationBCS Financial Corporation has more than 70 years of experience delivering a wide range of insurance and financial solutions for Blue Cross and Blue Shield organizations nationwide. Through its subsidiaries, BCS Insurance Company and 4 Ever Life Insurance Company, BCS is licensed in all 50 states and is rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best. BCS Financial is headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. Learn more at bcsf.com.

For more information, please contact Nathan Post at 630.472.7860.

Related Imagesbcs-financial.jpg BCS Financial BCS Financial

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SAN ANTONIO, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Woolpert has been selected to provide geospatial data acquisition and production services, as well as related training, in Alaska in support of the U.S. Air Force's Combat Support Geospatial Information and Services (GeoBase) Program. GeoBase is an Enterprise Program operating at Installations and contingency locations worldwide. It is led from Joint Base San Antonio under the direction of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center.

This geospatial data is collected at USAF installations worldwide for multiple applications depending on needs.

Woolpert was awarded this one-year task order to collect lidar data and high-resolution orthoimagery at USAF installations in Alaska, where Woolpert has been collecting geospatial data for the last four years. Woolpert Vice President Greg Fox, the program director for the GeoBase Installation Imagery Program, said these nine Alaska sites are among the 36 that Woolpert will collect worldwide this year under the program. The firm has a fleet of more than two dozen manned and unmanned aircraft and owns and operates more than 50 sensors and systems. Since 2016, Woolpert has collected more than 39,000 square kilometers of airborne imagery and lidar data at 190 USAF sites in 15 countries on five continents. That's the equivalent of Massachusetts and Connecticut combined.

Fox said the USAF GeoBase Program collects airborne imagery at USAF installations on a three- to five-year cycle to achieve up-to-date geospatial data for the Common Installation Picture.

"This comprehensive, digitally accessible CIP data supports each installation, accurately and efficiently managing its built and natural infrastructure," Fox said. "Instead of roaming the installation in a truck, Air Force staff can access precise, quantifiable and defensible data from the office for multiple applications. Everything on the base can be checked and verified with this imagery."

Applications for these data include but are not limited to planimetric updates, construction management, flood analyses, emergency response and evacuation, national security, utility mapping, modeling and simulation, and flight safety. The data also are used to conduct installation inventory and site compliance, like ensuring buildings have ramps that meet Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.

Woolpert and teaming partner Kodiak Mapping Inc., a local Alaskan aerial survey firm, will collect high-resolution, four-band RGB/NIR imagery and linear-mode lidar data. Woolpert will establish accurate, three-dimensional coordinates for photogrammetric ground control survey in support. The imagery and data collected will be immediately processed, and an ISO 9001:2015 quality control review will be conducted. Woolpert also will provide training classes and materials on-site, as desired.

Woolpert Geospatial Specialist Dana Dwyer-Torres said prior to the USAF Installation Imagery and Lidar Program, each USAF installation had to purchase its own imagery. Some relied on satellite imagery alone, which does not provide the required precision and accuracy.

"It was difficult for them each to understand the accuracies needed, and some would pay way too much for the imagery they received," Dwyer-Torres said. "This program is a great value for the Air Force. As the technology is getting better, the datasets are getting better. In the early stages of the program, we were providing lidar data at 2 points per square meter, however we are now providing lidar data at 8ppsm or better, depending on data needs. This increase in lidar density has enhanced the installation's ability to support its mission through improved data feature extraction, elevation modeling, 3D building modeling and 1-foot contour generation. The workflow is streamlined, and the products continue to advance."

Fox lauded Air Force GeoBase Program Manager Scott Ensign and the AFCEC Geospatial Integration Office for starting this program and for supporting the USAF, as well as other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

"This data goes into a repository at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's GRiD, helping other U.S. Department of Defense organizations, including the Army and Navy," Fox said. "GeoBase provides consistent data that can be compared across installations, and it supports specific requests at each installation depending on requirements and needs. The AFCEC and AFSOC had the foresight and acumen to pursue and implement a strategic, cost-effective solution, which continually benefits the nation on both a micro and macro level."

Woolpert has been under contract in support of GeoBase for much of the program's 20 years. The firm currently has more than 80 staff members who support GeoBase worldwide.

About Woolpert Woolpert is the premier architecture, engineering, geospatial (AEG) and strategic consulting firm, with a vision to become one of the best companies in the world. We innovate within and across markets to effectively serve public, private and government clients worldwide. Woolpert is an ENR Top 150 Global Design Firm, recently earned its fifth-straight Great Place to Work certification and actively nurtures a culture of growth, inclusion, diversity and respect. Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, Woolpert has been America's fastest-growing AEG firm since 2015. The firm has over 1,100 employees and 42 offices in three countries. For more, visit woolpert.com.

Media contact: Woolpert PR Manager Jill Kelley; 937-531-1258, jill.kelley@woolpert.com

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SOURCE Woolpert
Sgt. Tavarius Hampton, who was stationed at Fort Campbell, was shot and killed during an incident in Birmingham, Ala. on May 17, 2021. (Family photo)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Tribune News Service)  A man shot to death last week in South East Lake fired first so no criminal charges will be filed in his slaying, authorities said.

Birmingham police Tuesday said they presented the findings of their investigation to the Jefferson County District Attorneys Office, which deemed the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Tavarius Hampton justifiable.

The shooting happened at 12:27 p.m. Monday, May 17. 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.

Mauldin said the investigation showed Hampton was seen leaving a bag on the porch of a residence when he was approached by the occupants of the home. Police have not said 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.

Hampton was U.S. Army sergeant stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, but his family lives in Birmingham. On the morning following Hamptons death, before authorities had released his identity, his family had posted on Facebook that he had been missing since Sunday.

He was the father of two children, ages 1 and 2. Those closest to him described him as a great husband, a great father, a hard worker and a provider who took care of everyone around him. They dont understand what happened that day.

Of Birminghams 47 homicides this year, four have now been ruled justifiable and therefore arent deemed criminal.

2021 Advance Local Media LLC.

Visit al.com.

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The main gate at the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base on June 16, 2006, in Oceanside, Calif. ( Sandy Huffaker, The Los Angeles Times/TNS )

SANTA ANA, Calif. (Tribune News Service)  A 28-year-old Reconnaissance Marine accused of stealing ammunition from an armory on Camp Pendleton will go to court-martial, military officials said on Tuesday, May 25.

Sgt. Gunnar Naughton has been referred to a general court-martial with a trial date set for July 1 at Camp Pendleton, said 2nd Lt. Kyle McGuire, spokesman for the 1st Marine Division.

Naughton, with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, was charged with six counts of larceny and military property-related offenses involving missing ammunition in early April. The charges followed an Article 32 fact-finding hearing held on March 19 at the Western Judicial Circuit Court.

In a list of articles under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice released by the 1st Marine Division, Naughton is accused of being found in possession of thousands of rounds of military ammunition, two military grenades and a smoke grenade, which Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigators said were found at his home off-base in Fallbrook. He is also accused of deleting evidence on Signal, a secure messaging app, and WhatsApp and attempting to discard the ammunition in a ravine in Fallbrook.

He is charged with dereliction in performing his duties, obstructing justice and violations of the Uniformed Code. He remains in the brig at Camp Pendleton.

According to military records, Naughton, of Kansas, started as a recruit at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in January 2015. In May 2015, he went to training at US Army Training Center, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

From September 2015 to November 2019, he trained as part of a Chemical Biological Incident Response Force in Indian Head, Maryland. There he trained as a chemical, radiological and nuclear specialist. He joined the elite 1st Reconnaissance Battalion at Camp Pendleton in November 2019.

___

(c)2021 The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Visit The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.) at www.ocregister.com

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North Carolina law enforcement officials have charged two Camp Lejeune Marines with assault for allegedly striking a tent at a campground with a truck, injuring two campers including another Marine.

Lance Cpls. Jonathan Chicas and Alfredo Morales were both arrested Saturday and charged with assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury after striking the campers in the Croatan National Forest and fleeing in their pickup truck, said Maj. David McFadyen of the Craven County Sheriffs Office. The Marines remained in the Craven County jail on Wednesday and could face additional charges, McFadyen said.

Investigators believe the incident was unintentional, he added.

Nonetheless, both victims were left with serious injuries that required hospitalization. McFadyen said the victims were another Marine and a civilian woman. The woman was released from the hospital Tuesday, but the Marine remains hospitalized with serious injuries, and [he] may be confined to a wheelchair for some period, McFadyen said.

Morales was identified as the trucks driver and Chicas was a passenger, according to a news report from WCTI News in New Bern, N.C. The station reported Camp Lejeune authorities detained the suspects and turned them over to the Craven County Sheriffs Office after identifying Morales truck.

Marine officials are aware of the incident, and are supporting law enforcement officials in the investigations, said Capt. Robert Vachon, a spokesman for the Camp Lejeune-based 2nd Marine Logistics Group. Vachon declined further comment on the incident, referring questions to law enforcement.

Morales, 21, and Chicas, 25, are both motor vehicle operators assigned to the Camp Lejeunes 2nd Transportation Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, according to service records provided by the Corps. Morales is from Stockbridge, Mich., and Chicas is from Riverside, Calif., according to the records.

In an interview Tuesday with WCTI, the female victim Sara Rojas said she did not know how much longer her boyfriend, Justin York, would be hospitalized. She said he suffered a broken pelvis and ribs in the incident that left him covered in blood.

Rojas said she did not understand how the driver could leave the scene after striking their tent, where they were asleep.

He [the driver] didnt even acknowledge me or Justin. So, I thought, am I dead? Why cant he see me? Why doesnt he care? she told the TV station. It was just so much pain.

dickstein.corey@stripes.com

Twitter: @CDicksteinDC
Buy Photo Medal of Honor recipient Ed Too Tall Freeman, front center, Hal Moore, front left, and Joe Galloway lead a group of Ia Drang battle survivors during a 2005 ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington in 2005. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

Every headstone in cemeteries across our nation and around the globe tells a story.

The letters etched upon those stones are the names of mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, daughters and sons. Far too many lived short lives  fighting and dying for the peace, freedom and opportunities we enjoy as Americans.

Whenever I walk through the sacred grounds of our national cemeteries, I pause and read the names aloud, my way of ensuring I never forget the ultimate sacrifice these patriots gave in defense of freedom.

On Memorial Day, my wish is that all Americans take the time to remember the sacrifices of these heroes by saying their names aloud. Saying the names of these men and women keeps their memory alive  the memory of their service, commitment, dedication and love of country. It reminds their families that we continue to stand with them.

My most humbling career experiences have been the privilege of meeting our men and women serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, visiting and seeing firsthand the resilience of those wounded and recovering, and sharing my deep condolences and grief with military families when their loved ones came home in a flag-draped casket.

They arent just names. They are our families and friends, our neighbors and fellow citizens. These men and women have so many stories of bravery and valor to tell.

Wood National Cemetery in Milwaukee is the final resting place of four Civil War Medal of Honor recipients, Buffalo Soldiers, and Michelle Witmer, the first woman from the Wisconsin National Guard killed in war in 60 years. She served in Iraq with her sisters, Charity and Rachel.

Army Pvt. David Bennes Barkley is buried in San Antonio. He earned the Medal of Honor in World War I after he volunteered to cross a river to observe enemy positions and drowned on the return trip.

Air Force Lt. Col. Ellison Onizuka, killed in the Challenger space shuttle explosion, is buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

In 2006, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Alfred Hill, who was missing in action for 62 years, finally returned home and was laid to rest at the Fort Sill National Cemetery in Oklahoma. He and eight crewmembers were onboard a B-24 bomber that disappeared on a mission during World War II.

Those who read the book We Were Soldiers Once  and Young (by Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway) or saw the movie will recognize the name of Medal of Honor recipient Army Capt. Ed Too Tall Freeman, buried in the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. A helicopter pilot who volunteered to fly food and supplies to soldiers fighting in Vietnams Ia Drang Valley under heavy enemy fire, Capt. Freemans bravery allowed hundreds to return home to their families.

And theres Jesse LeRoy Brown, who earned the Distinguished Flying Cross  the first Black naval officer to complete the Navys basic flight training program and the first Black naval officer killed in the Korean War. He was killed trying to save Marines trapped at the Chosin Reservoir. His body was never recovered, and his family was left without a grave to honor and remember him.

The Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial is the final resting place for 7,861 servicemen who died liberating Italy from the Nazis.

Many more heroes from all our wars rest in hallowed grounds around the world.

We cant lose sight of what Memorial Day means for our nation and families who continue to grieve the loss of a soldier, sailor, airman, Marine or Coast Guardsman. For these Americans, Memorial Day may not be a day of celebration. It may be a deeply personal and somber day. Remember them in your prayers and recognize that we are free because of their sacrifices.

President Joe Biden told me that my job as Department of Veterans Affairs secretary is to fight like hell for veterans. He also said that there is no more sacred duty than to care for our nations vets who have given us so much.

As our caring colleagues in the National Cemetery Administration maintain their solemn mission to watch over those no longer with us, we know many more veterans came home with wounds both visible and invisible. My promise is that all of us in VA will selflessly serve those men and women who served and sacrificed so much for all of us.

Today, and always, I remember our fallen heroes and say their names. I ask you to join me in saying their names in honor, reflection and recognition of a grateful nation.

Denis McDonough is secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.

2021 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
HONOLULU (Tribune News Service)  In the days after approximately 1,000 gallons of jet fuel leaked from a pipe at the Navy's Red Hill underground fuel farm on May 6, soil vapor levels indicating fuel contamination spiked well above averages, according to data released by the Hawaii Department of Health on Monday. The elevated soil vapor levels are raising concerns that not all of the leaked fuel was recovered, as the Navy has suggested.

Indeed, Health Department officials that the soil vapor data, which at the time they were declining to release publicly, indicated fuel had entered the subsurface.

"The Navy's claim is pure shibai," said Hawaii Sierra Club attorney David Kimo Frankel in a press release on the soil vapor data. "The Navy's own data proves that its leak was not properly contained. The leak migrated from the facility and reached the subsurface. The Navy cannot be trusted with our groundwater."

In response, a Navy spokeswoman said that the soil vapor data is likely inaccurate and is "undergoing validation."

The Navy uses the soil vapor monitoring system to detect possible fuel leaks. The data released by the Health Department on Monday shows petroleum vapors below seven of the tanks in the vicinity of the spill ranged from 170 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) to 1, 184 ppbv in late April. Readings taken in the days after the spill show levels far above that around many of the tanks. Vapor levels reached a high of 232, 667 ppbv below one of the tanks  a level that is more than 1, 000 times its average prior to the spill.

Missing from the data are soil vapor readings in the days immediately following the May 6 fuel leak. Readings aren't listed for some of the tanks until May 10. For tanks 17, 18 and 20, the tanks closest to the leak, soil vapor data isn't listed until May 13, a week after the spill.

The readings are recorded by the Navy and provided to the Health Department, which along with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, regulates the facility.

The Navy said that cleanup procedures following the leak prevented its contractor from immediately taking readings and that it believes the elevated readings in later days were due to contamination.

The monitoring tubes "were likely contaminated by water washdown and cleanup performed after the release, " Navy spokeswoman Lydia Robertson said by email. "The tubes needed to be cleaned of debris and soil, and we believe the elevated numbers are due to sampling port contamination during fuel cleanup."

The Red Hill facility, which contains 20 underground fuel tanks, each big enough to envelop Aloha Tower in downtown Honolulu, has been the subject of ongoing concerns from the public, regulators and environmentalists since the Navy reported that 27, 000 gallons of fuel leaked from one of its tanks in 2014. Subsequent reporting, based on the Navy's own documents, revealed that there have been dozens of leaks at the aging World War II-era facility. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply, whose mission is to keep Oahu's drinking water safe, has raised alarms that leaks from the facility, which sits over an aquifer, threatens a major source of drinking water for the island.

This latest leak has energized calls for the Navy to relocate the facility.

"This latest data demonstrates that the Navy is unable to deliver on its promises to protect our water from their fuel, " said Hawaii Sierra Club Director Marti Townsend in a press release. "Any amount of fuel leaked into the environment is too much  especially when it is so close to our drinking water. There is only one reasonable course of action: immediately retire the decaying Red Hill facility and relocate the fuel to modern tanks far away from our drinking water supply. Continuing as we are now is absolutely insane."

Robertson said that the Navy is "committed to a thorough and accurate investigation, " of the spill and is working with regulators to comply with additional testing and reporting requirements.

She reiterated prior statements by the Navy that the "containment system at Red Hill's lower tunnel worked as intended to capture fuel from the release."

(c)2021 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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PwC and Microsoft are putting into effect their global alliance to accelerate digital transformation and cloud adoption in Qatar.

The collaboration offers combined business insights and latest technology to help businesses across sectors increase their performance and resilience in pursuit of their digital transformation ambitions.

Bassam Hajhamad, Country Senior Partner and Consulting Leader at PwC Qatar, added: As a leading Microsoft global partner with over 200 certified experts in the region, PwC leverages the power of Microsoft Azure, Dynamics 365 and Microsoft 365 to unlock potentials and use data to enable business transformation and solve our clients most important problems. This partnership results in a unique opportunity for the government, public and private entities and enterprises in Qatar to embark on their digital transformation journey with a trusted leader providing strategy-to-execution advisory services coupled with a familiar and easy-to-use technology and tool set from Microsoft.

The extended partnership further boosts business capabilities and contributes towards innovation by providing enterprises with access to scalable, highly available and resilient cloud services, while maintaining data residency, security and compliance needs. This also supports critical sectors including government and the public sector, energy, education, healthcare, real estate, recreation, and others.

For her part, Lana Khalaf, Country Manager, Microsoft Qatar, said: The strategic partnership between Microsoft and PwC will empower the digital transformation of organisations in Qatar. Through this alliance, organisations will harness the core competencies of both companies, PWCs strategy and consultancy expertise coupled with Microsofts best in class cloud technology in Data & AI, business applications and low code/ no code development tools.

She added: Our alliance of going to the market together aligns with our commitment to support decision makers and industry leaders in Qatar to amplify sustainable business growth and digital resiliency.

PwC and Microsoft have jointly engaged in several strategic national initiatives, leveraging PwCs unique omni-channel accelerators focused on service digitisation and process automation. This joint offering ensures that customers are able to leverage PwCs industry focused solutions built on top of Microsofts Azure Cloud infrastructure.

As the country continues its journey towards becoming a knowledge and innovation hub, the PwC and Microsoft partnership in Qatar will continue to drive economic growth, upskill the workforce and provide a foundation for the Country in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Microsoft has established plans to deliver the intelligent and trusted Microsoft Cloud services from a new cloud datacenter region in Qatar with Microsoft Azure, and Office 365, Dynamics 365 and Power Platform.

Microsofts cloud spans 60+ announced cloud regions across the globe with Azure available in 140 countries and delivers a comprehensive set of enterprise-grade cloud computing services for developers and businesses of all sizes to create new customer experiences, transform their business and operations and accelerate the pace of innovation.-- TradeArabia News Service
Ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet train during an exercise in the sea in April 2021. Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a meeting in Brussels, May 25, 2021, that Russia continues to restrict navigation in the Black Sea, including near the Kerch Strait, which has been a flashpoint for Russian and Ukrainian warships. (Russian Defense Ministry)

NATO has warned that Russia is continuing with a pattern of aggressive behavior toward Ukraine by stationing large forces near their border and restricting navigation in the Black Sea.

Earlier this year, Russia deployed more than 100,000 troops to the border region, raising concerns in the West that Moscow intended to invade its neighbor with whom it has been at odds since the seizure in 2014 of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula.

While Russia has pulled back some troops, tens of thousands remain in and around Ukraine, as well as significant amounts of weapons, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday during a visit to the alliances Brussels headquarters by Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.

Moscow continues to back eastern Ukrainian separatists in a war that the United Nations estimates has claimed thousands of lives.

In April, Moscow announced that it was pulling back its forces from the Ukrainian border, claiming they had been conducting routine exercises. But it remains unclear how many troops and gear were left behind during the withdrawal.

Stoltenberg said Russia continues to restrict navigation in the Black Sea, including near the Kerch Strait, which has been a flashpoint between Russian and Ukrainian warships in recent years.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas talk to reporters after a meeting in Brussels, May 25, 2021. Stoltenberg said Russia is continuing with a ''pattern of aggressive behavior'' toward Ukraine. (NATO)

Moscow announced last month it will block all foreign naval vessels from transiting the strait until October, saying it would be conducting land and sea exercises in the area.

The decision was immediately denounced by Washington and Kyiv. Ukraine described it as an escalation of Russias efforts to destabilize the nation because it would prevent access to its ports in the Sea of Azov, which is connected to the Black Sea through the Kerch Strait.

Stoltenberg said NATO would continue to support its partners in the region, saying the Russian moves were part of a pattern of aggressive actions, which raise serious concerns.

The two leaders also sharply criticized the detention Sunday of an opposition journalist from Belarus who was pulled off a Ryanair jet that was diverted to Minsk, in what Western leaders have called a case of state-sponsored hijacking.

news@stripes.com
Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan announces the launch of a $2 million lottery to encourage more people to get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus on May 20, 2021. (Ovetta Wiggins/The Washington Post)

When Michael Aretz learned Maryland was launching a lottery to encourage people to get their coronavirus vaccinations, he felt frustrated, and a little hopeless.

Aretz, a recovering gambling addict, had not placed a bet in nearly two years. But because he was vaccinated, he was set to be automatically entered into the lottery, which he considered a gamble  and which he worried could lead to a relapse.

I am appreciative that the government is trying to do something promoting people getting vaccinated, said Aretz, a 58-year-old construction engineer. At the same time, they are putting folks into an awkward position.  One thing leads to another and the next thing I know, I am in Atlantic City.

Desperate to get more Americans vaccinated as demand wanes across the country, states are increasingly turning to what they know motivates people: the possibility of big cash prizes. The White House on Tuesday praised vaccine lotteries, with President Joe Bidens senior COVID-19 adviser noting that the launch of Ohios program seems to have led to a surge of people getting their shots.

But people who struggle with gambling addictions or have problematic gambling habits say some states are not doing enough to consider how the incentive programs will impact people like them.

For many problem gamblers, it is not just about the money, but the psychological impact of placing a bet, said Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling. Being entered unwillingly into a vaccine lottery could activate the same parts of the brain that light up when people are gambling, prompting recovering addicts to head back to the casino or other problematic behaviors.

When a state government actively promotes gambling, that creates a mixed message for vulnerable citizens, Whyte said. The state has to own that too. He said an estimated 2 percent of adults in the United States struggle with gambling addictions.

After learning about Marylands lottery, Aretz, who lives in Severn, spent a day trying to contact state officials about removing his name from the daily drawings. He found himself wishing he had postponed getting vaccinated so he could have avoided the situation altogether  the exact opposite of what the state intended.

Eventually, Aretz reached Carole Gentry, the managing director of communications for Maryland Lottery and Gaming, who forwarded his name to the state health department and asked that he be removed from the drawings. Gentry, who is helping with Marylands VaxCash program, said she has done the same for others who have reached out and will continue to do so.

Its imperfect, and I get that its imperfect, Gentry said, adding that it was the best system the state could come up with to encourage as many people as possible to get vaccinated and also protect their privacy. At its core, the promotion is really a very good one.

Marylands drawings, which began Tuesday, will award $40,000 to a different winner every day until July 3; on July 4, a grand prize winner will be selected to receive $400,000.

In announcing the program last week, Republican Gov. Larry Hogan said anyone above the age of 18 who has received at least one shot of the vaccine at a nonfederal facility in Maryland would be automatically entered, with no registration required. Entry is very simple  Get your shot for a shot to win, Hogan said.

Officials later clarified that the 438 people who have signed up for Marylands voluntary lottery exclusion list  a state-run list that allows problem gamblers to make themselves ineligible to receive lottery winnings  will be excluded from winning. That caveat is mentioned on the lotterys website.

The 2,463 people who are on Marylands voluntary casino exclusion list, which is separate, are not excluded from the vaccine lottery and are able to win, Gentry said  adding that anyone who does not want to accept the prize money can turn it down.

In Ohio, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine announced earlier this month that anyone over the age of 18 who had received at least one shot of the vaccine would be entered into that states lottery, much like Marylands system. But after internal meetings, DeWines team shifted course, requiring vaccinated residents to opt in to be eligible for prizes.

That decision was partly because of concern about problem gamblers, said DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney, and partly because officials thought it would be easier to confirm vaccination statuses and contact winners if residents who wanted to participate filled out waivers.

If people dont want to be in, they dont have to be, Tierney said in an interview, adding that the success of the Vax-a-Million program  which offers five $1 million prizes and five college scholarships - has exceeded expectations.

DeWine announced Monday that the state has seen vaccinations among 16- and 17-year-olds jump 94% since the lottery was announced. The 20-49 age group was up 55%, and 18- to-19-year-olds were up 46%. The first winners of the Ohio lottery will be announced Wednesday evening.

In New York, anyone who gets vaccinated at certain state-run sites this week can receive a lottery scratch ticket that could come with prizes ranging from $20 to $5 million. The effort is one of a variety of incentives New York is trying, including offering passes to state parks and free MetroCards, said Jennifer Givner, a spokeswoman for Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo. This is all about choice, she said.

Choice is exactly what a woman in southern Maryland felt deprived of when she learned last week about her states lottery. The 54-year-old, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of privacy concerns, stopped gambling less than a month ago.

The night after she heard about Marylands program, she said, she had so much anxiety she was not able to sleep, worried about what she would do if she were a winner.

I was like, Who am I? Am I the kind of person who could turn down a check?  she said. I realized I am the kind of person who would cash it.

Another Maryland resident named Jon, who has not placed a bet since September 2019, said he wondered when he heard about the lottery whether he would have to change the date from which he marks his sobriety in Gamblers Anonymous.

Its a gray area, said the 61-year-old, who spoke on the condition he be identified only by his middle name to protect his privacy. What do I do if I win? . . . I dont even want to be there.

Jon, who is fully vaccinated, said he supports the goal of getting as many people vaccinated as possible. But he does not understand why it needs to involve betting  or why it isnt easier for those who do not want to partake to opt out.

Neither he, the woman from Southern Maryland nor Aretz is on the states voluntary lottery exclusion list, so their names are not automatically taken out of contention.

Whyte, the executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, said there is a long history of tying lotteries to good causes. Because of the deadly nature of COVID-19 and the importance of getting people vaccinated, this is a case in which he said there is a net social benefit.

His recommendation to local governments is to consider how best to protect problem gamblers, including making the lotteries opt-in and offering public resources for those seeking help.

And he said it is important for governments that move forward with vaccine lotteries to to think about unintended consequences  including wreaking havoc with the lives of people who in the past have gambled themselves into financial ruin.

Are you robbing Peter to pay Paul? he asked.
The Americans lodging complaints against coronavirus vaccine mandates are a diverse lot  a sheriffs deputy in North Carolina, nursing home employees in Wisconsin and students at the largest university in New Jersey.

But their resistance is woven together by a common thread: the involvement of a law firm closely tied to the anti-vaccine movement.

Attorneys from Siri & Glimstad  a New York firm that has done millions of dollars of legal work for one of the nations foremost anti-vaccination groups  are co-counsel in a case against the Durham County Sheriffs Office. Theyve sent warning letters to officials in Rock County, Wis., as well as to the president of Rutgers University and other schools.

The legal salvos show that a groundswell against compulsory immunization is being coordinated, at least in part, from a law office on Park Avenue in midtown Manhattan. And they offer a window into a wide-ranging and well-resourced effort to contest vaccine requirements in workplaces and other settings critical to the countrys reopening  a dispute with sweeping implications for public health, state authority and individual rights.

The message is, Maybe you should reconsider because you dont want to end up in court,  said Dorit Rubinstein Reiss, a professor at the University of Californias Hastings College of the Law. I think that works.

The Informed Consent Action Network, a Texas-based nonprofit group founded by former daytime television producer Del Bigtree that campaigns against requiring vaccines based on unsubstantiated or debunked claims about their dangers, has advertised Siri & Glimstads services and sought plaintiffs for challenges to mandates.

If you or anyone you know is being required by an employer or school to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, ICAN is offering to support legal action on your behalf to challenge the requirement, reads an advertisement on a blog run by Childrens Health Defense, a group founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that spreads what Kennedys family members say is anti-vaccine misinformation.

Even before the pandemic, legal services were core to these advocacy efforts. The nearly $1.3 million paid by ICAN to Siri & Glimstad in 2019  the most recent year for which a tax filing is publicly available  was the nonprofits single largest reported expenditure.

At stake in this latest contest is whether hospitals, law enforcement agencies and others can require employees to take a vaccine that was made available in an expedited process permitted during a public health emergency  and, likewise, whether schools may require the shots for students, faculty and staff members in the same way many require familiar vaccines for measles and chickenpox. There is little case law on the matter, with only one vaccine, for anthrax exposure, previously cleared in a similar way.

Employers are expected to cite the expansive evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of the coronavirus vaccines, as well as the extraordinary health risks created by the current emergency, said Kerry Scanlon, a former Department of Justice official who oversees labor and employment litigation at Chicago-based law firm McDermott Will & Emery.

Scanlon believes employers are in a strong position to defend compulsory vaccination, but he said many might shy away from it simply to avoid costly litigation.

ICAN is already claiming victory, thanks to the work of a legal team led by Siri & Glimstads managing partner, Aaron Siri. Employers and schools that previously required the COVID-19 vaccine have dropped those requirements, the group declares in its ad on the Childrens Health Defense blog. This includes an employer that did so on the heels of ICANs legal team challenging its mandate in court.

Neither Siri nor his co-counsel in the North Carolina case, Elizabeth Brehm, responded to emailed questions. Bigtree did not respond to telephone messages. Kennedy said his organization is working with firms all over the country to challenge vaccine mandates and estimated that he receives many hundreds of inquiries each week about potential litigation.

In legal filings and letters to employers and universities, attorneys from Siri & Glimstad focus on the expedited process known as an emergency use authorization used to clear the shots during a public health emergency. Mandating a vaccine cleared that way, they argue in a complaint filed against the Durham County Sheriffs Department, is illegal and unenforceable.

Their arguments go further. Pointing to the principle of informed consent, a tenet of medical ethics addressing human experimentation enshrined in the Nuremberg Code after World War II, their letter to the president of Rutgers University contends a mandate under these circumstances violates not just federal law, but also international laws, civil and individual rights, and public policy. Failure to rescind a requirement in Rock County, Wis., the firm informed officials there, will result in legal action being filed against you.

Govern yourself accordingly, the Feb. 2 letter advised.

- - -

No reference to these communications with Rock County appears in a Feb. 23 opinion column written by Siri for Stat, the health-focused news website.

The headline asserted, Federal law prohibits employers and others from requiring vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine distributed under an EUA. The piece picked up significant traffic, according to the social media-analysis tool CrowdTangle, gaining more than 100,000 interactions on Facebook, meaning likes, comments and shares. It drew attention across a wide range of anti-vaccine groups, as well in forums devoted to conspiracy theories, including ones about 5G and the death toll from COVID-19, CrowdTangle showed.

Framed as a legal overview offered for the benefit of employers, schools and other organizations grappling with whether to require COVID-19 vaccination, the piece warned of costly and time-consuming litigation.

Left unsaid was the fact that Siri and a law partner were representing a Wisconsin nursing home employee objecting to one such requirement. The piece also did not note significant disagreement over what the law allows.

The fact sheet issued by the Food and Drug Administration for coronavirus vaccine recipients and caregivers says it is your choice to receive or not receive the shots. The language echoes a provision of federal law governing the emergency authorization of medicines that stipulates people must be informed of the option to accept or refuse the product, but also of the consequences, if any, of refusing.

Michelle Mello, a professor of law and medicine at Stanford University, said its not clear whether the statute was meant to address making the shots compulsory for work or school.

An employer cant hold you down to get the shots against your will, said experts in health and employment law, but some believe a permissible consequence of refusal to vaccinate could, in some circumstances, be losing your job. In December, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said employers requiring the vaccine would comply with federal disability law and anti-discrimination statutes so long as they make exceptions for an individuals disability or religious beliefs.

Still, most employers have avoided mandates. There are notable exceptions, including many universities, several hospitals and Delta Air Lines, which said this month that new employees must be vaccinated.

Employers will have more confidence about requiring vaccination, some experts said, once the products gain the FDAs full approval, which U.S. pharmaceutical firm Pfizer and its German partner, BioNTech, are seeking for their coronavirus vaccine. A decision from regulators could come as soon as the fall, and other coronavirus vaccine makers are expected to apply for full approval soon.

Likewise, Kennedy said full approval will make the legal opposition to mandates more difficult. Youd need to go to the Supreme Court and get a reversal of Jacobson,  he said, referring to the 1905 Supreme Court decision that found states could force residents to be inoculated against smallpox or pay a fine.

Others said the hurdle created by the emergency use authorization, or EUA, is more rhetorical than legal. The FDA required as much for this EUA as it requires for full approval, said Dan Troy, a former chief counsel to the agency.

But the issue has never been tested, Mello said. Even legal scholars disagree about how to read these regulations, she said. Theres a great deal of uncertainty.

- - -

One of Siri & Glimstads earliest challenges was brought against a county-owned skilled-nursing facility that has served the southern Wisconsin community for more than 160 years.

The 128-bed Rock Haven nursing home had 15 cases of the coronavirus and two deaths, said Rock County Administrator Josh Smith, prompting leaders to require staff vaccinations. A memorandum issued shortly before Christmas noted that failure to comply would result in the employee being laid off, not eligible to return until vaccinated.

Of nearly 200 workers, 16 are on layoff status, Smith said.

Representing a Rock Haven employee, Brehm, one of the firms New York attorneys, wrote to county officials that they were deliberately taking away each employees statutorily guaranteed right to decide for him or herself whether to accept or refuse administration of the COVID-19 vaccines.

The Feb. 2 letter arrived on the same day as another from a Wisconsin law firm. It is our firm belief that ... Rock Countys perhaps well-intentioned but heavy-handed policy concerning mandatory vaccination of county employees violates ... constitutional rights, wrote Michael Anderson of MJA Law, located near Madison.

The following week, Brehm wrote again on behalf of the same client, while noting 15 additional employees represented separately by Anderson. We hereby demand that Rock Haven withdraw its COVID-19 vaccine mandate forthwith since requiring an unlicensed and unapproved product violates federal law and, likely, numerous state laws, she wrote, this time with Siri also signing the letter.

Anderson, the local attorney, said he spoke four to six weeks ago with representatives from Siri & Glimstad about the possibility of working together. A collaboration, he said, would allow the New York attorneys to practice law in Wisconsin on a temporary basis without being formally admitted to the state bar.

This New York firm  I believe they were interested in cases like this around the country, he said in an interview. Going forward, if there is litigation, they may or may not be involved. I dont know.

In the meantime, however, Anderson went ahead with a claim against the county earlier this month, demanding $50,000 in lost wages and other benefits for 11 employees of the nursing home.

About a week later, the county showed signs of backing down. Its health services committee voted 4-1 on May 12 to recommend that officials revoke the requirement at the nursing home and reinstate employees who refused the shots. The full county board will consider the recommendation on Thursday.

A formal collaboration is underway in North Carolina, where Siri & Glimstad attorneys are co-counsel in a case brought last month in federal court against the Durham County Sheriffs Department. The local attorney participating in the case, Jeff Dobson, declined to comment. The plaintiff in the case, Christopher Neve, directed questions to Siri & Glimstad.

After Neve refused to disclose his vaccination status in March, the sheriff confiscated his badge, gun and bulletproof vest and placed him on administrative leave, according to the complaint. He was fired later that month, the complaint alleges.

Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead declined to be interviewed but said in a statement, Requiring the vaccine not only protects employees from COVID-19, but also provides for the protection of anyone who lives in, works in, or visits Durham County.

The arguments set forth in the North Carolina complaint mirror those outlined in letters from Siri, both sent on April 22, to the presidents of Rutgers and Princeton University.

ICAN has received numerous inquiries from its members regarding this mandate, including students attending your university, and has asked that we send you the following notice, reads the letter to Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway. It urged him to reconsider the requirement that students be vaccinated before arriving on campus this fall.

A university spokeswoman, Dory Devlin, said the policy stands. Like the hundreds of public and private universities who have followed our lead, we are entirely confident in our legal and ethical position with respect to mandating vaccines in the fight against the global pandemic, she said in an email to The Washington Post.

Princeton, too, was unmoved by the letter. We conducted a careful review and are confident in our legal position, said Ayana Gibbs, a university spokeswoman.

- - -

This month, ICAN updated its notice seeking plaintiffs for possible litigation, saying it is no longer accepting cases for legal action.

Some legal experts suggested the group may be pulling back because it has accomplished what it set out to do. Its attorneys have made their mark on the early legal contest over vaccine mandates, through commentary as well as legal communications and filings, said Reiss, the University of California professor. She noted that other lawsuits filed against coronavirus vaccine mandates follow very closely Siris piece in Stat.

Attorney-client privilege makes the extent of the role played by ICANs legal team difficult to determine, said James Hodge, director of the Center for Public Health Law and Policy at Arizona State Universitys Sandra Day OConnor College of Law.

Theyre peddling specific legal arguments designed to attract anti-vaxxers and others who might be willing to listen, Hodge said.

ICANs legal team remains active on other vaccine-related fronts. Earlier this month, Siri & Glimstad filed a complaint on ICANs behalf asking a federal court to order Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to remove the finding that vaccines do not cause autism from all communication with the public.

A suit last year against Facebook and YouTube said these platforms had terminated or greatly restricted ICANs activities - and offered a window into the groups communications strategy. At stake was the groups ability to reach billions of potential viewers, said the complaint, filed by Siri and Brehm, along with a California attorney, in federal court in California.

Asking the court to dismiss the complaint, Facebook and YouTube said they had acted against ICAN because it was spreading harmful misinformation about COVID-19 that could exacerbate the ongoing public health crisis.

Stripped of other platforms to press its case against vaccines, experts said, the group is turning increasingly to the courts.

Its a chance to put your imprint on an early area of law that hasnt been litigated before, Reiss said. And to do it in a context that fits your beliefs.

U.S. Navy Boatswains Mate Seaman Recruit Daylon Burgess, right, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), receives the COVID-19 vaccine from Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class David Bautista, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), in the mess decks aboard the ship, in Newport News, Va., May 25, 2021. (Crayton Agnew/U.S. Navy)
The American flag flies at the Memorial Plaza at the Flight 93 National Memorial with the Wall of Names in the distance. A nonprofit has launched a campaign to develop Patriot Park, a tribute to service members who have given their lives during the global war on terrorism, within the park's boundaries. (National Park Service)

STOYSTOWN, Pa. (Tribune News Service)  The spot where United Flight 93 crashed on Sept. 11, 2001, has grown to become a $58 million memorial to the 40 men and women credited with fighting back against their hijackers that day.

An effort is underway nearby to honor the thousands who have continued that fight for the nearly 20 years since.

A Somerset County-based nonprofit has launched a campaign to raise $35,000 to begin developing Patriot Park, which members envision as a heartfelt tribute to the hundreds of thousands who have served during the "global war on terrorism" and the 7,036 men and women who have given their lives during that 20-year span.

The park would be located across Route 30 from the Flight 93 National Memorial's entrance, as shown in an artist's rendering, within the national park's boundaries.

"We're looking at this as a place to tell their stories  not just the more than 7,000 who died, but also the millions who have served  the people who gave up their lives at home or were called into duty while they were in college to fight for their country," foundation President Randy Musser told The Tribune-Democrat on Tuesday.

Musser, a local engineer, created the Patriot Park Foundation nearly four years ago.

The foundation's 10-member board includes retired service members and a Gold Star Mother, Kathy Walker, whose son died in Iraq, Musser said.

Musser's son-in-law served in Afghanistan.

He was among 2.7 million individuals who served in Iraq and Afghanistan's ever-changing war zones since 2001, according to a Brown University report.

Many returned for multiple tours, spanning years of clashes with Al-Qaeda, the Afghan-based Taliban movement and other extremist militant groups during what became America's longest war.

As time passes, Musser said he fears the sacrifices made by so many young armed services members in the wake of the 9/11 attacks could be forgotten.

"I think we owe them a debt of gratitude," he said. "Their stories should live on."

The Route 30 park would be developed for that purpose, he said.

It will feature a monument that includes a statue of a kneeling soldier and a brick walkway lined with the names of those killed overseas. Displays alongside the plaza will honor those who served, educate the public about their actions and inspire a new generation, the foundation's patriotparkfoundation.org website shows.

The group's fundraiser kickoff aims to get the project's first phase underway. It would create a parking area, a field of 7,000 flags and storyboards to educate visitors about Iraq and Afghanistan war heroes and future plans for the park, Musser said.

The group is aiming to raise $35,000 over the next several weeks to get started.

In-kind donations from area businesses, including parking lot stone from PBS Coals and preliminary site preparation by Jenner Township-based Berkey Excavating, have already been pledged, Musser added.

"Our focus this year is to have something there for people to stop and learn more about what we are working to accomplish," Musser said. "And what better place than the site where the sacred ground where we first started fighting back."

A fund has been established through the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies to manage the donations received for the project.

Musser said he's hopeful residents across the region  and nation  will step forward to lend support.

"We're just getting started," he said.

Frances Thompson praised the effort Tuesday.

Reminders of her son, Pfc. Nils G. Thompson, still fill her family's pastoral Confluence-area farm 16 years after his death, she said.

But Thompson said she was more than willing to share stories about her son's life, including his final moments patrolling the area surrounding an Iraqi police station in Mosul in 2005, with Musser's foundation.

A sniper's bullet took his life just one day after he turned 19 years old, she said.

"He was a godly boy, and all his life he wanted to be in the Army," Thompson said. "We were lucky to have him."

And Somerset County will be lucky to have a memorial to those who gave their lives for their nation during those difficult days, she said.

"What they're doing," she said, "I think it's wonderful."

(c)2021 The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.)

Visit The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.) at www.tribune-democrat.com

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WASHINGTON  Veterans with any of 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers from their exposure to toxins during overseas conflicts would receive a fast track to disability benefits under a House bill unveiled Wednesday.

Members of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs introduced the bill, titled the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021, during an event in front of the Capitol building. Its designed to ease the process for veterans to gain access to Department of Veterans Affairs health care and benefits.

Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., the chairman of the committee, said the legislation was the culmination of years of work and was based on 15 bills from Republican and Democratic lawmakers.

This comprehensive package covers every aspect of toxic exposures, Takano said. Its a long time coming.

The bill is similar in many ways to a Senate bill introduced by Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., on Tuesday. Like Testers bill, Takanos would automatically grant eligibility for VA health care to about 3.5 million veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and reform the VAs current process of handling claims of toxic exposure.

Like the Senate version, the House bill includes older veterans, too. The bill calls for presumptive benefits for Vietnam War veterans who have developed hypertension because of exposure to chemical herbicides, as well as veterans who served in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia and were potentially exposed to herbicides. It also includes veterans who participated in toxic cleanup activities in Enewetak Atoll or Palomares, Spain.

One key difference between the bills is the number of conditions the bills propose adding to the VAs presumptive list. A veteran with a condition on the presumptive list receives a fast track to disability compensation by lowering the amount of proof they must provide to receive benefits.

While the Senate bill adds 11 respiratory illnesses and cancers to the list, the House is seeking to add 23. Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., a medical doctor, said lawmakers looked at scientific literature and case studies to find and compile the list of illnesses that couldve been caused by service members exposure to burn pits.

Throughout the 1990s and the post-9/11 wars, the military used open-air pits to burn garbage, jet fuel, paint, medical waste, plastics and more. Veterans diagnosed with cancer, respiratory issues and lung disease at young ages have blamed exposure to the toxic fumes. They have sought VA benefits and health care, but the department has contended that there isnt sufficient evidence to support their claims.

Our government does not hesitate to send our young, healthy men and women to fight the wars they determine are needed, Ruiz said. They come back and  though they are alive  they are delayed casualties of war due to their exposure to terrible substances that can cause respiratory illnesses, cancers and autoimmune diseases years later.

Tester and Takano are anticipating pushback from some lawmakers because of the cost of the bills. The costs remained unknown Wednesday, but its likely significant.

Takano said the main challenge is getting a Senate majority to approve the addition of conditions to the VAs presumptive list.

The question to me is, will the Senate be bold and include presumptions? Takano said.

Comedian Jon Stewart, an advocate for veterans suffering from the effects of burn pits, spoke at Wednesdays event and criticized the possibility that some of the conditions could be dropped from the bill during House and Senate negotiations.

It cant be about number-crunching and, Jeez, I dont know if we can add head and neck cancers because thats going to add another $100 million  no more, Stewart said. We cant let up.

Lawmakers in the House and Senate have said they want to get a bill passed through Congress by the end of the year. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee was set to discuss the Senate version Wednesday afternoon and decide whether to advance it to the Senate floor.

Wentling.nikki@stripes.com

Twitter: @nikkiwentling

Buy Photo House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano, D-Calif., questions VA Secretary Robert Wilkie during a hearing in February, 2020. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

Nikki Wentling
BELFAST, Maine (Tribune News Service)  Belfast mason Dan Ladd didn't think twice about volunteering his time to fix a century-old concrete monument on the east side of Belfast that will be rededicated this week to prisoners of war and those who are missing in action.

That's because his father, a radio gunner in the Army Air Corps in World War II, spent a year and a half in a German POW camp after his B-17 was shot out of the sky.

In 1945, as the war was winding down, Tech Sergeant John Henry Ladd was liberated by the United States Army. After more than a year of hunger and privation, the 21-year-old came home bone thin  but he came home.

Not every veteran taken prisoner or who went missing during wartime was as lucky, Ladd knows. That's why it feels good for him to know that officials from the Randall-Collins Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3108 in Belfast are working to make sure that they won't be forgotten, either.

"I just thought it was nice to give something back to the community," the 68-year-old stonemason said. "And, of course, there's the link to my dad."

His father was a farm kid who knew about tough times. John Henry Ladd slept in the unheated upstairs of the farmhouse even during the coldest Maine winter nights, the kind where ice blooms on the inside of the windows. He grew up as an outdoorsman, and loved spending time outside.

"That whole family was tough," Dan Ladd said. "I think that helped him prevail."

Final mission

In late November 1943, John Henry Ladd, a 19-year-old with an infectious smile, was on a bombing raid over Bremen, Germany, with his Army Air Force squadron. The city was home to ball bearing factories, which made it a target for Allied forces. But on that mission, his B-17 was itself targeted by German aircraft.

He watched as enemy fire began to rip holes in the plane. A fire started in the wing, and the pilot hit the bail out alarm and ordered the crew to leave. John Henry Ladd reached for his parachute and glanced out the window where he saw a German plane shooting at them. He grabbed his own gun to shoot back.

"I am scared as hell," he wrote later.

But the onslaught appeared to drive the other plane away, and for a while it seemed the pilot would be able to get the wounded B-17 back to England and safety. But over Emden, Germany, it was hit again. This time, the pilot said they all had to bail out as soon as they could.

John Henry Ladd jumped out of the plane, then pulled the ripcord of his parachute, which didn't open at first. Then he yanked at it again, hard, and it opened.

"It hits me in the face like Joe Lewis," he wrote.

He looked up to see that the smoldering B-17 was heading right for him. Afraid for his life, John Henry Ladd scrambled to maneuver his parachute out of the path of the plane. Then he had a rough landing.

"I clap my heels together and shoot through the top of a pine tree. The top breaks off," he wrote. "I fall about 20 feet and hit the ground and the treetop comes on top of me."

The young airman thought he might have landed in the middle of a quiet Army camp. He hid his parachute, covering it with moss, then took cover in a brush pile and waited while a couple of guards walked by him. Before he could make his escape, a man and a bunch of adolescent boys, which he figured had to be Hitler Youth, appeared.

"Most of them go by," he wrote. "There must be 20 of them. One darn kid in the rear rank is looking all around and sees me. They got me!"

Caught and imprisoned

John Henry Ladd ended up in a prisoner of war camp called Stalag 17B, just outside of Krems, Austria. It was one of the most notorious German camps, and served as the inspiration for both the 1953 movie "Stalag 17" and the long-running sitcom "Hogan's Heroes."

He was one of roughly 4,000 American airmen who were kept in barracks built for just 240 men. There wasn't nearly enough food or fuel in the overcrowded space. In neighboring compounds, there were more than 25,000 Allied prisoners from France, Britain, Russia and other countries.

"The Germans were very respectful to Americans, but they treated the Russians like dirt," Dan Ladd said.

The Red Cross kept the American prisoners supplied with cigarettes, toilet paper and coffee  but if there was food sent to them, it didn't make it into their hands.

"He said the cigarettes were handy," Dan Ladd said. "They could use them to trade with the Russians and the Germans."

Because of the Geneva Convention, prisoners couldn't be forced to work at the camp. So the Germans kept meticulous records of labor the American prisoners had done, and the money that would be owed them one day.

Meanwhile, just like in "Hogan's Heroes," the prisoners were always trying to escape.

"They were always digging tunnels," Dan Ladd said. "Someone was always building a radio with spoons and wire, so they could listen to BBC news and share the news with others."

John Henry Ladd and his parents were able to write heavily redacted letters to each other. They would sometimes take months to arrive.

"If you don't hear much, don't worry," the young prisoner wrote his folks back home in Maine. "The mail's pretty slow, I guess."

Toward the end of the war, the Germans began to move the prisoners out of the camps and away from the Russian front. They marched, always hoping they would be able to forage scraps of food. Then, one day, John Henry Ladd and the others woke up to find the German officers had gone. Then the American soldiers showed up, and the prisoners began the long journey home.

"It took a while," Dan Ladd said, adding that the airmen needed careful refeeding and medical treatment first. "You see pictures of those guys coming out of camps. They looked skeletal."

Once he was home, John Henry Ladd picked up the dropped threads of his life. He tried various occupations, including running a woodlot and a short-lived stint building a chicken house and raising chickens. Then he went to work at the post office, where he became a longtime employee. He married and had four children, and didn't talk much about the war.

"I'm sure it affected him," Dan Ladd said. "These guys, a lot of them came home with PTSD."

POW/MIA monument

Remembering stories like this, and veterans such as John Henry Ladd, is important to Jim Roberts, the operations manager at the Belfast VFW post. Soon, the old concrete monument will have a POW/MIA Chair of Honor next to it, and a plaque that explains that the unoccupied chair is in honor of those who are still prisoners of war and missing in action.

The monument originally had been part of the Armistice Bridge, which now serves as the footbridge over the Passagassawakeag River. When the bridge was built in 1921, the monument sported a bronze memorial plaque that listed the names of all the Waldo County men who died in World War I.

When the bridge was rebuilt in 2006, the old monument  damaged, dirty, graffiti-covered, its plaque stolen decades before  was moved to the eastern end of the footbridge. Eight years ago, city officials brought it to its current location at the intersection of Route 1 and Footbridge Road.

But it just sat there. This spring, Roberts began talking to city officials about his goal of putting up a POW/MIA memorial in Belfast when someone suggested that the old concrete memorial off Route 1 would be a good place for it.

"I thought it was a great spot," Roberts said.

First, it needed a little work. Charlie and Hilu Smith of Smith's Memorials in Searsport came and power washed the memorial, leaving it fresh and clean. Then Ladd repaired it. Others will help plant a flower bed around it, and work on getting a bench placed there, too.

"Everyone's been very, very supportive," Roberts said. "It's amazing."

An American flag will be raised at the new POW/MIA monument at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the intersection of Route 1 and Footbridge Road in Belfast. The public is asked to park in the lot on the other side of Route 1.

(c)2021 the Bangor Daily News (Bangor, Maine)

Visit the Bangor Daily News (Bangor, Maine) at www.bangordailynews.com

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FILE - In this May 23, 2021 file photo, President Joe Biden smiles as he walks from Marine One upon arrival on the Ellipse at the White House, in Washington. President Biden will visit Tulsa next week to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1921 massacre that claimed up to hundreds of lives. The White House said Tuesday, May 25, 2021, that Biden will visit the city on June 1. His appearance follows a series of events that include a keynote speech from Stacey Abrams and concert from John Legend.
Mathew Z. Rosiere, 37, of Fond du Lac, unexpectedly passed away on Friday, June 4, 2021. He was born on May 18, 1984, in Pawnee, OK, the son of Michael Z. Rosiere and Sandra K. Kennedy. While he was in high school, he was active in football and wrestling. Mathew loved hard rock music, played
CrediMax, a pioneering credit card issuer and acquirer in Bahrain, has announced a partnership deal with Thai Mart providing innovative payment solution to its loyal customers.

Located in the heart of Diyar Al Muharraq, Thai Mart is a key shopping mall featuring over 130 stores and variety of food and beverage (F&B) outlets.

The agreement comes as part of CrediMaxs core value to provide quality services and unique card payment experience to its customers, remarked its CEO Ahmed A. Seyadi after signing the deal with Thai Mart Owner/Director Akavut Tangsilikusonwong (Tony).

Cardholders will also be able to enjoy exclusive offers and promotions when using their CrediMax cards to pay at participating outlets at Thai Mart, he added.

The signing ceremony, held at CrediMax HQ, was also attended by its senior officials Khalid Shwaiter and Mohammed Mutaleb.-TradeArabia News Service
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.
Chorus has opened its fourth key data centre, called EdgeCentre in Otumoetai, Tauranga.

This signals a significant investment in the Bay of Plenty region, allowing businesses a cost effective and flexible solution to easily scale their existing networks.

The data centre is the largest Chorus has built to date, with 20 equipment racks.

Chorus is predicting significant demand in the area.

Re-purposed from former phone exchanges, Chorus EdgeCentre is a distributed data centre model, and the Otumoetai site joins three other sites across New Zealand in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

The new Otumoetai site allows local businesses to connect to the heart of the largest ultra-fast fibre network in New Zealand, making it a perfect fit for businesses using private, hybrid or cloud solutions.

"Significant growth in the cloud and associated applications, plus rapidly increasing demands for high powered computing is driving the need for a safe and reliable environment for data processing equipment," says Will Dodson, Product Manager  Colocation from Chorus.

"Demand in the Bay of Plenty for this type of service is strong, so opening an EdgeCentre in Otumoetai is a significant step in allowing local businesses to tap in to the heart of the fibre network."

EdgeCentre enables retail service providers and enterprises to benefit from:

-Ultra-low latency and reduced data transport requirements resulting in lower costs.

-Efficiencies in terms of temperature, power, cooling and other environmental controls Redundant cooling and power systems mean that even in the event of a serious fault EdgeCentre continues to provide service.

-Flexibility and scale allowing users to easily scale from one rack unit to 100 full racks A one stop shop for connectivity needs in the region.

Mike Stevenson from Trustpower, says being able to tap directly into the fast fibre network through Otumoetai has further improved services for customers.

"Trustpower already uses Chorus three other EdgeCentres, so to connect in to Otumoetai allows Customers in the Bay of Plenty region to have the lowest latency, highest bandwitch connectivity to CDN resources that can now be located directly adjacent to where their Internet connections terminate.

"This is a model that Trustpower has been deploying throughout New Zealand with the help of the Chorus EdgeCentre product."

"Theres a range of detailed benefits these data centres offer, but what they ultimately provide is stronger connectivity and greater possibilities for Tauranga businesses," says Will.

"It provides more options for secure network configurations and data storage capabilities and the ability to explore the full potential of hybrid cloud based innovation.

"Plus be more productive and profitable in the process."

Will says Trustpower is a foundation client and they are getting more and more interest each week from local businesses in Tauranga and from the wider Bay of Plenty region.

He encourages local businesses that require significant IT infrastructure, such as the District Health Board, City Council, and the many companies involved in logistics such as the Port of Tauranga, to find out more about how they can utilise EdgeCentres to lower costs and increase productivity.

All of the existing EdgeCentre sites have potential for expansion plus Chorus has an extensive property portfolio of more than 600 exchange buildings across New Zealand, offering the potential to deliver more datacentre sites in the future.
A civics and citizenship curriculum should be cemented in New Zealand schools because knowledge Kiwi students are entitled to is being left to chance, says a leading academic.

It follows the Ministry of Educations publication last July of a Civics and Citizenship Education Teaching and Learning Guide, as part of the School Leavers Toolkit.

The guide is optional, which means schools do not have to teach it.

Victoria University of Wellington senior lecturer Dr Bronwyn Wood says she has no idea whether schools have taken up the guide, which was released a year after other components of the toolkit, that included financial literacy and how to apply for a job.

According to the guide, civics education develops students' knowledge of their rights and duties as New Zealand citizens, and of civic processes, such as how laws are made, how voting works and how to deal with government agencies.

Citizenship education develops active citizens, including how to listen respectfully to the views of others and how to effect change.

The guide says Aotearoa has a robust democracy but its resilience should not be taken for granted.

Victoria University of Wellington senior lecturer Dr Bronwyn Wood wants civics and citizenship education cemented in New Zealand schools. Photo: Supplied.

In 2019 a digital survey by Seed Waikato, a charity for young Waikato people, found two in five respondents aged between 15 and 34 didnt know how to cast a vote in the 2019 local body elections, and eight out of 10 felt disconnected from their council.

Wood says while it doesnt need to be compulsory, civics and citizenship education is a necessary part of schooling.

What it does is encourage development of critical thinking skills about society, how we form governments, human rights, and how young people can participate themselves as citizens.

They have a role to play and a responsibility for the social issues they encounter.

Wood, who was consulted in the development of the guide, says it was buried, came out later than planned with little fanfare and even now was hard to find. Where the resource now fitted within the curriculum was confusing, she says.

The Ministry of Education says the $5.2 million budgeted for the School Leavers Toolkit across 2018 and 2019 enabled the design of two websites, one for school leavers and one for teachers, which included the civics and citizenship guide.

Deputy secretary Ellen MacGregor-Reid says the student website has 69,000 users accessing it since it was launched in 2019.

The guide had 2000 users access it since being launched last June, and MacGregor-Reid says they are likely social studies teachers and those figures are expected.

The Social Sciences area of the New Zealand Curriculum allows schools to develop their students knowledge and skills to participate in, and contribute to, political processes, she says.

These can include student councils or providing practical opportunities to help familiarise students with civic processes including voting.

Schools have the flexibility to design their own curriculum, under the guidance of the national framework, including decisions about teaching civics and citizenship.

The social sciences curriculum is currently undergoing a refresh, prompted by a new history curriculum with a stronger focus on matauranga Maori, with the first draft due in October.

This includes processes to consider whether important learning, like civics and citizenship, can be better supported.

Secondary Principals Association of New Zealand president and Onehunga High School principal Deidre Shea says she's not sure how many of the countrys 350 secondary schools were using the civics and citizenship guide.

She said schools offered education in a variety of ways and the School Leavers Toolkit overall was well known among teachers.

Massey University senior lecturer Andy Asquith wants compulsory civics and citizenships education in schools.

He says students learning the topic will talk about it at home with whanau.

A lot of kids come from families that are disengaged. The hope is if they start to question whats going on that it will get people thinking differently.

Not all advocates of civics and citizenship education want it to be compulsory.

Aotearoa Social Studies Educators Network national facilitator and former teacher Dr Maria Perreau said there was a misconception that it was not being taught because it was not compulsory. The guide highlighted the fact it was being done through social studies, she said.

This just makes it a little more robust. I wouldnt like to see it become something thats dry and disengaging for young people.

Longitudinal research showed the only type of education that had a long-term impact was when students gained active experience in working on issues  and particularly on issues that mattered to them such as climate strike action.

The New Zealand Political Studies Association also did not want students learning about civics and citizenship without authentic experience of what it meant to be actively involved in the process.

University of Canterbury associate professor Bronwyn Hayward is among those against rote learning, saying it may in fact discourage political engagement. Photo / Supplied.

NZPSA chairperson and University of Canterbury associate professor Bronwyn Hayward says rote learning didnt mean students would understand how to live respectfully across different political and ethnic divides, the kind of things you need as a citizen.

Classroom analysis shows that when you just teach people rote facts you actually make what we call the participation gap bigger, because it makes politics a big thing you have to learn rather than something thats part of everyday life, Hayward says.

So it has a countereffect. It actually suppresses Maori, Pacific and youth engagement in politics. What you really want to do is get people engaged actively in politics."

The NZPSA previously presented a discussion paper to Parliament on ways to support and strengthen democracy.

The report says all advanced democracies faced challenges including declining electoral participation, growing inequality, eroding trust in the media, the legacy of colonisation, environmental degradation and fears about international political interference.

It made three recommendations including to review the implementation of the national curriculum specifically around citizenship to identify civic empowerment gaps and implement strategies to address these, including professional development for teachers.

It says strategic planning and investment in active citizenship learning could enhance democratic resilience.

Minister for Local Government Nanaia Mahuta says she's pleased to see last years roll out of the new civics education resources to help Year 7 to 13 students build citizenship skills and to encourage a lifelong habit of democratic participation.

I am optimistic that we will see the fruits of this mahi in years to come.
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Lawton, OK (73501)

Today

Thunderstorms, some strong during the morning hours, then skies turning partly cloudy during the afternoon. Hot and humid. High around 95F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 72F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
UW Academic Affairs, Graduate Council Select 2021 Graduate Award Recipients

The University of Wyomings Office of Academic Affairs and the Graduate Council have selected the 2021 winners of graduate student and mentor awards for outstanding teaching and research.

The Distinguished Graduate Faculty Mentor Award recognizes outstanding faculty commitment to graduate student mentoring. The John P. Ellbogen Outstanding Graduate Assistant Teaching Awards go to graduate teaching assistants to honor their excellence in teaching. The Outstanding Masters Thesis Award recognizes a graduate student for an exemplary masters thesis. And, the Outstanding Dissertation Award is granted to a graduate student for an exemplary doctoral dissertation. Each award carries a stipend.

The 2021 award winners are:

Distinguished Graduate Faculty Mentor Award: Professor Bryan Shader, Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Bryan is an amazing teacher. He is known for delivering very high-quality courses for first- and second-year graduate students. These courses benefit most of the students in our graduate program. During most of Bryans career, there have been several graduate students studying under his supervision at the same time, says Jason Williford, a professor and head of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Two students obtained their Ph.D.s in 2020 under his supervision, one of whom now has a postdoctoral position at Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea, and the other is teaching for Redeemer University in Canada. His current student is expected to graduate in 2021. This reflects Bryans efficient way of mentoring by recruiting a group of three to four students who enter the program in the same period, so they have opportunities to grow together as a team.

John P. Ellbogen Outstanding Graduate Assistant Teaching Awards:

-- William Bowers, Salt Lake City, Utah, Department of Botany

Will has complemented this graduate teaching experience with several professional development activities to enhance his teaching and mentoring skills, such as participation in UWs Learning Actively Mentoring Program (LAMP) -- a substantial investment of time and energy, says Naomi Ward, a professor and head of the Department of Botany. His mentoring of undergraduates has included the UW McNair Scholars Program, while his experience with high school students has involved mentoring for the Wyoming EPSCoR Summer Research Apprenticeship Program and serving as an academic workshop host for the Native American Summer Institute. Thus, Will has not only contributed substantially to UWs teaching mission at all levels, but also actively pursued opportunities to improve his teaching and mentoring skills with diverse student populations, and his understanding of best pedagogical practices.

-- Dana Liebelson, Bozeman, Mont., Department of Visual and Literary Arts, and Creative Writing Program

Liebelson has tapped her apparently limitless initiative and enthusiasm to figure out some way, somehow, to have a constructive impact on Wyoming students -- all while publishing in The Atlantic and Elle on the side. And, in each of these engagements, Liebelson has proven herself a teacher of admirable talents and of exemplary generosity -- a dedicated writer/scholar expecting a great deal from herself and others, while working overtime to create a compassionate academic environment in which students feel heard, respected, appreciated and encouraged, says Andrew Fitch, an associate professor of visual and literary arts. In a creative writing program with many well-credentialed and high-performing teachers, our grad students frequently win awards and have gone on to successful academic careers in top pedagogy-focused Ph.D. programs. Liebelson still stands alone as an exceptional nominee for this award.

-- Bailey Patterson, Casper, Department of Communication and Journalism

Of course, it is impossible to ignore the fact that Bailey, like all college instructors, had to adjust and adapt her teaching midspring 2020 semester when the pandemic began. Her teaching evaluations did not seem to skip a beat in terms of reports of her high-quality instruction, says Kristen Landreville, an associate professor in the Department of Communication and Journalism. In addition to her success in the classroom, her nominating teaching supervisor, Justin Stewart, discusses how Bailey played an instrumental role in developing the asynchronous public speaking course delivered in the 2020-21 academic year. This work shows her dedication to her teaching, leadership among her peers and initiative to implement best teaching practices during a stressful and isolating pandemic. I am confident that our public speaking students have all benefited from Baileys leadership, innovation and hard work.

-- Laverl Zach Williamson, Mountain View, Department of Psychology

In talking with Zach, I know that he has a strong commitment to a teaching career. He has not forgotten the opportunity he received at the local community college that launched his academic career. He is, in fact, applying to a faculty position there so that he can give back to the next generation of students, says Sean McCrea, a professor and head of the Department of Psychology. Zach has a tremendous record of supporting the success of his students, particularly first-generation college students and those who may need a little extra help. He puts a great deal of thought into course organization and student engagement. It is not surprising, then, that his students love his courses.

-- Alyssa Young, Atlanta, Ga., Department of English

Here is where the truly exceptional nature of Alyssas work as a graduate assistant becomes evident. In English 1010, she had a predesigned curriculum and standard major assignments; in English 2005, she had to design and develop the course herself, wrote Kelly Kinney, an associate professor and head of the Department of English, and Nancy Small, an assistant professor of English, in their nomination letter. She did have experienced faculty to consult, but the reality was that everything -- from choosing texts to designing assignments to building her WyoCourse shell to developing strategies for teaching via Zoom -- would fall on her shoulders. Alyssa did not buckle under the pressure. Instead, she wisely and methodically proceeded to make careful decisions, put in dozens of hours of work and developed what would prove to be a highly successful course.

Outstanding Masters Thesis Award: Miranda Zamora-Williams, Ruidoso, N.M., Division of Kinesiology and Health, Feasibility of Heat Acclimation in Wildland Firefighters.

Mirandas project, with her as the principal investigator and Assistant Professor Evan Johnson as the supervisor, was funded competitively by an external funding source in the category of pilot research. This means that the independent proposal that she developed was strong enough to be awarded while competing against established doctoral-level researchers, says Derek Smith, an associate professor and director of the Division of Kinesiology and Health. For our department, and I would surmise many other UW departments, this is extremely rare, is a testament to the work Miranda put in prior to study initiation, and reflects the atypical and outstanding body of work that Miranda achieved.

Outstanding Dissertation Award: Rachael Budowle, Laramie, Department of Anthropology, Growing Social-Ecological Community Resilience: Culturally Specific Mechanisms in Two Wyoming Participatory Food Systems Projects.

A typical dissertation in anthropology includes three chapters of original research, each being a publishable manuscript, along with thematic introductory and concluding chapters. Dr. Budowles dissertation certainly meets that standard. Most dissertations will explore a fairly narrow question and make one or two novel contributions to anthropology, says Todd Surovell, a professor and head of the Department of Anthropology. Dr. Budowles dissertation breaks new ground in several important ways. It not only fleshes out existing theoretical constructs, but also develops new ones. Her methodological innovations are significant as well. Finally, her dissertation research is not only an academic exercise but, importantly, it is improving lives for communities in Wyoming struggling with chronic health issues, health disparities, food sovereignty issues and historical traumas.
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You think its bad now! It hasnt even started! After Gov. Greg Abbott signs this bill, which will not take effect till September, certain peo
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Re: Renault-Nissan dragged to court by its employees, over Covid-19 protocols Just because party A drags party B to a court does not make party B (the defendent) guilty any more than it makes party A (the plaintiff) innocent. It only means party A filed a case for a disagreement. Let the facts come out.



First how many workers indeed did fall ill or sadly died? Were the right protocols issued? were reasonable efforts made to implement them ? Did the workers follow them or was our classic chalta hai attitude at play here. All these need to be studied before passing judgement. Maybe Renault-Nissan's management is more at fault. Maybe the unions and worker indiscipline is more to blame. Right now all bets are up in the air.



Further is the union using this to settle scores with the management on past disagreements where the union could not have its way?



In dealing with unions off and on since the early 1980s the only thing I can be sure of is that in any union-management disagreement/court case there are at least a dozen wheels within wheels within wheels.
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Re: Air India hit by massive data breach | How much do such breaches bother you?



Also, since the breach has gobbled all the data since 2011, its most likely that old credit/ debit card data is as good as e-scrap. This is because most such cards would have been renewed by now. The five year renewals followed by most of the issuers of such cards could then be a risk for valid cards wef 2016 onwards, that are valid till some date in 2021. But without the CVV/CVC numbers these card details are again more or less useless, unless the hacker contacts some gullible card holder asking for the CVV/CVC to gain access for swindling. Card holders need to be on the watch out.



The Air India note says that :-



Quote:

"name, date of birth, contact information, passport information, ticket information, Star Alliance and Air India Frequent Flyer data (but no passwords data were affected) as well as credit card data. However, in the last type of data CVV/CVC numbers are not held by our data processor."

My ticketing for Air India travel during this period was done through an agent who could have shared my name, date of birth, mobile number and perhaps office address. Hence since there was no direct dealing, I would feel safe. Also I did'nt travel abroad by Air India during this data breach period and I also don't have any frequent flyer membership with the two airlines. As such my mobile is used to getting spam messages, but lately I have blocked many of them through True Caller.Also, since the breach has gobbled all the data since 2011, its most likely that old credit/ debit card data is as good as e-scrap. This is because most such cards would have been renewed by now. The five year renewals followed by most of the issuers of such cards could then be a risk for valid cards wef 2016 onwards, that are valid till some date in 2021. But without the CVV/CVC numbers these card details are again more or less useless, unless the hacker contacts some gullible card holder asking for the CVV/CVC to gain access for swindling. Card holders need to be on the watch out.The Air India note says that :-Though Air India doesnt say that debit card data has been also breached alongwith the credit card data, but that could be an oversight by the airlines, as its most likely that the debit card data could have also been breached. But again without the CVV/CVC numbers the data is more or less useless. We also do not know about those who used net banking to pay the airlines, as nothing of that sort is mentioned.
Sridhar Ramaswamy has stated that he is on the verge of creating "Neeva," an ad-free search engine that would be purely based on a subscription feature to better optimize a web browser search. Prior to this, Ramaswamy was a top executive in Google, particularly in the Google Ads division, before parting ways with said company.

The CEO of Neeva has learned a lot from Google, including that the ups and downs of the company's search engine, which is currently the largest and most used browser in the world. Despite the many competitors and years in the industry, Google remains king of internet search but mainly relies on search ads for generating funds and revenue.

While that method is effective and useful because of its free feature and powerful process in technology, Google's search ads are said to be a thing of the past, especially as people are willing to pay and get premium. This is what Neeva wants and aims to change, which has now been pooling up its resources to debut the world's first subscription-based search engine.

Read Also: Google I/O 2021 Summary: What We Got and We Didn't Get This Year

Sridhar Ramaswamy: Everything You Need to Know

"Who exactly is Sridhar Ramaswamy?" is a question recently commonly asked due to Neeva's prominence when it was announced to be a venture the former Google executive will be taking on. Apart from being the CEO of the "next-generation" search engine and former Google Search Ads boss, there is a lot more to the tech mogul.

Ramaswamy has had a colorful career on his record, but it is not yet near conclussion or ending, as the now CEO will aim to debut the search engine of the next-generation.

The engineering graduate from India Institute of Technology (IIT Madras) also has a PhD from one of the US's most prominent Ivy League school, Brown University.

Career Track

The data operator and engineer has had tie-ins with companies including Bell Labs, Bell Communications Research, E.piphany, and Lucent Technologies. All of these were prior to his role in Google, which he have stayed for a long span of his career, finally achieiving a Senior Vice President (SVP) role in the Ads & Commerce division.

In 2018, Ramaswamy joined Greylock as a venture partner, focusing on featuring new startups in the world of technology, aiming to debut new products and helping it gain backing from the industry.

In the venture capital firm, Ramaswamy has also brought his brainchild of "Neeva" which aims to bring the new breed of search engine.

Sridhar Ramaswamy: Neeva is The Future

As previously stated by Ramaswamy, Neeva and subscription search engines are the future, as it would focus more on bringing people what they asked for, without all the ads to join.

The need for subscription is important, especially as it aims to generate revenue from other sources and stop a search engine's reliance to advertisements, unlike Google.

Related Article: Neeva: Ad-Free Search Engine Startup Comes from Sridhar Ramaswamy, an Ex-Google Ads Boss Aiming for Better Quality

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Google Maps is expected to release new updates that will fix one of the most annoying glitches on Android Auto. As of the moment, Android Auto fans are turning to use Google's navigation maps.

However, they claimed that it is far worse since the current Google Maps no longer show the route they prefer taking.

Various Android users complained that although their Google Maps app runs properly at first, they will soon face an incorrect route display bug that makes their trip a lot more annoying. Because of this glitch on their Android Auto, people said that they are forced to rely on the audio provided by Google Maps.

Since this is a serious matter, which could lead to an accident if the users don't listen properly to Google Maps' voice instructions, the giant search engine decided to work on some updates that will fix the current issue.

Google Maps' Upcoming Fixes

According to Auto Evolution's latest report, Android Auto users no longer need to rely on audio instructions since the search engine giant will soon release some fixes to remove this bug.

Also Read: Google Maps Mixes Words of Location Names Because of a New Bug: Here's How to Fix It

Nevertheless, the giant tech firm hasn't confirmed the exact release date of the upcoming Google Maps updates. Although this is the case, the Android Auto team reassured the users that they were able to find the main reason behind the route glitch.

On the other hand, the developers also suggested that Android Auto fans should install the latest version of Google Maps if they are still encountering the routing bug.

"Thanks for all your feedback reports. The Geo team has addressed this issue.," said an anonymous Google Community Specialist. "We recommend updating the Google Maps app and Android Auto app to the latest version and let us know if the issue still persists."

Will Google Maps Drive Mode Arrive?

Aside from route glitch fix, Google also announced that it will soon release Google Maps' new Driving Mode. However, some rumors claimed that the giant tech company is slowing down the feature's international rollout again.

This means that only a few selected users will have the chance to have Driving Mode's "Early Access" version.

On the other hand, Next Pit reported that Google confirmed that the new feature is only available in one language, which is English.

Related Article: Google Maps Encourages Android Users by Replacing the Usual Search Pin with Search for COVID-19 Vaccine

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An online petition against Instagram for Kids got more than 180,000 signatures in an ongoing outcry urging Facebook to stop its plans for the platform.

Instagram for Kids Ban

The signatures come from three petitions from nonprofit and grassroots organizations, including the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, SumOfUs, and a joint effort led by the Juggernaut Project.

The groups collectively claim that a version of Instagram, the photo and video-sharing app with more than 1 billion users, is unsuitable for children under 13 years old, according to USA Today.

The groups said on May 25 that they plan to submit the petitions, which started in early April, to Facebook ahead of the company's annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday, May 26.

Also Read: 'Instagram Protects Children:' App Bans Minors, Created New App for Kids Alone

In a statement, the Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood's executive director Josh Golin said that the group will not allow Instagram to use young children as pawns in its war with TikTok to market share.

Golin said that teens and adults on Instagram struggle with the never-ending focus on appearance, the relentless fear of missing out, promotion of influencer culture, and the pressure to collect likes. He added that Instagram for young children is among the greediest, most tone-deaf, and wrong-headed ideas ever to emerge from Silicon Valley.

In response, a Facebook spokesperson said that they have just started exploring a version of Instagram for Kids.

They agree that any experience that they develop must prioritize the safety and privacy of children, and they will consult with experts in child development, child safety, and mental health, and privacy advocates.

In addition, they will not show any ads in any Instagram experience that they develop for people who are under the age of 13.

Facebook's Stance on Instagram for Kids

Two months ago, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed his plans for an Instagram for Kids and that it is still in its very early stages. He talked about it during a Congressional hearing on misinformation.

Currently, Instagram does not allow children under 13 to use the platform,

The petitions come as a mounting effort to stop a potential Instagram for Kids that is gaining momentum. The signatures also arrived more than two weeks after 44 U.S attorneys general sent a letter urging Zuckerberg to abandon an Instagram for Kids, as per CNBC.

The letter comes after a similar one for nearly 100 global experts and child advocates also led by the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and other groups demanding Zuckerberg to not follow through with plans for his new Instagram initiative.

Furthermore, the petition organizers stated that if widespread opposition does not convince Facebook to cancel its plans for Instagram for Kids, it would be further evidence that the company considers itself unaccountable to policymakers and the public, and needs to be broken up through antitrust enforcement.

The advocacy groups also cited a recent study conducted by the nonprofit organization called THORN. The study found out that 16% of children who are using Instagram had an online sexual interaction on the platform, which was tie with Snapchat with the highest rate among any platform that was included in the study.

Related Article: Groups Call Out Facebook to Drop 'Image-obsessed' Instagram Plans for Children

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 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
NVIDIA seemed to be on top of certain issues that owners of 4K 120Hz displays have been experiencing recently, so they decided to act.

According to PCGamer, the recently released hotfix driver 466.47 from NVIDIA is intended to fix certain bugs that occur when connecting certain devices to 4K 120Hz displays. If you own a 4K monitor or a 4K TV with the aforementioned refresh rate, then this fix is for you.

The latest NVIDIA hotfix comes after multiple users complained of trouble connecting their gaming PCs and next-gen consoles to certain 4K 120Hz displays. With the advent of high resolution, high refresh rate gaming this generation, it makes sense that display problems would be fairly common.

Among these issues apparently included the 4K 120Hz setting not showing up in the NVIDIA control panel for RTX 20 and GTX 16 series GPU owners. Aside from that, there was also an issue wherein launching certain VR games would cause the system to freeze, if the system itself was connected to a 4K 120Hz panel.

However, there is a catch if you want to download the hotfix: you can't download it on the main driver page, so you'll need to visit the actual hotfix page to get it.

Read also: NVIDIA Will Soon Kill Driver Support for the 600, 700 Series; Can You Still Upgrade in Time?

NVIDIA Hotfix Release On Par With The Times

To say that the latest NVIDIA hotfix is perfect for the time is an understatement, because a 4K monitor or a 4K TV are both a little bit accessible now to more people. As such, the gaming industry is taking advantage of the boom in the sale of 4K panels, especially those with high refresh rates.

The current ninth generation of gaming is focusing a lot on high resolutions and refresh rates. Not only do the current-gen consoles (PS5 and Xbox Series X) have the ability to render games in 4K 120Hz, but also a handful of lower-end NVIDIA cards in the GTX 16 series. And these are the cards that are being targeted by the hotfix.

While GTX 16 series GPUs aren't really too powerful in terms of the sheer horsepower that 4K 120Hz requires, they can still play games at 4K.

Just take a look at this YouTube video, which shows how capable the GTX 1660 Super is at 4K. Compared to previous generation GPUs of the 1660's classification, which couldn't even sniff 1440p, this is an amazing result.

Not bad for what's supposed to be an entry-level GPU, right?

You may not be able to take advantage of the full refresh rate of a 4K 120Hz panel with a graphics card like this, but the option to go 4K is still a great thing to have.

VR Still Getting Attention

As for VR? Well, you should note that NVIDIA seems to be relegating resources to shore it up again after it fizzled out a bit from its 2016-2017 heyday. Recently, Team Green announced that it is bringing DLSS to three VR games, and it's worth noting that DLSS is only available to RTX series graphics cards.

It's highly likely that a few users already experienced issues with their systems crashing when launching certain VR titles at 4K 120Hz. As such, the latest hotfix came at a perfect time.

Related: Samsung Q80 QLED Vs. LG UN8500 75-inch: 4K GAMING TV Battle

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A WCO Regional Workshop on Preferential Rules of Origin for African French Speaking Least Developing Countries (LDCs), funded by India Customs Cooperation Fund, was held in virtual format from 17 to 19 May 2021. The objective of this Workshop was to promote the WCO Guide on Preferential Rules of Origin for LDCs. This Guide was developed to assist LDCs to benefit to the maximum extent possible from the WTO Nairobi Ministerial Decision on Preferential Rules of Origin for LDCs.

Twelve Customs officials participated actively in the discussions throughout the Workshop, which was facilitated by an expert from the WCO Secretariat and a pre-accredited expert from the region.

During the Workshop, the experts presented the general concept of preferential rules of origin and the WCO Guidelines on certification and verification of origin, providing practical information on how to correctly apply preferential rules of origin. Furthermore, they gave detailed explanations on the various elements of the Nairobi Decision, including useful guidance from a Customs perspective.

The discussion highlighted, among other issues, that the correct understanding and application of preferential rules of origin is key to better implementation and utilisation of the free trade arrangements. This can be achieved by building more expertise in origin matters, through training and by enhancing stakeholders engagement, as well as by improving and upgrading training and information materials. The participants also expressed the need to implement the guidelines included in the Nairobi Decision in order to review the preference-granting countries rules of origin. Finally, many participants noted their willingness to raise awareness about the importance of correct understanding of preferential rules of origin in their national Customs administrations.
Bose is the latest high-profile victim of a ransomware attack. The hackers accessed the company employees' personal information.

After hackers have infiltrated the systems of United States health care providers, Colonial Pipeline, and Washington D.C Police, it now targeted the audio equipment manufacturer, Bose.

The Colonial Pipeline attack has withered the gas supply in some Eastern U.S. locations for a few days. The D.C. Police incident, on the other hand, has exposed overly sensitive data of their officers.

Now, Bose admitted to also be attacked by a ransomware group, the company confirmed to BleepingComputer. Despite the security breach, the audio company said that they did not succumb to the request of the attackers for a ransom.

"We recovered and secured our systems quickly with the support of third-party cybersecurity experts." Joanne Berthiaume, Bose Media Relations Director said to the media outlet.

The company first knew about the attack on March 7, but the attack occurred on April 29, Engadget reported. However, it was only admitted to the public by Bose on May 24.

Bose also affirmed that the attack did not affect their operations. In addition, the company also disclosed that only a few employees were affected by the cyberattack. Nevertheless, it did not disclose exact numbers.

Bose Employees' Personal Information

In response to the said attack, Bose immediately notified affected employees. The attackers were able to access spreadsheets administered by the human resources. And, within the sheets are data from both present and former employees of the company.

Bleeping Computer also said in the same report that the exposed pieces of information are the employees' names, compensation information, Social Security Numbers, and other employment-related data.

Moreover, Bose noted that the hackers have accessed "a limited set of folders." However, the company has not confirmed if there were stolen files.

Until now, the company, is still looking for the personal information of its employees on the Dark Web through the help of experts it has hired. And, as of writing, Bose has not found any signs of it yet.

Read Also: Apple Resolves Three Zero-Day Vulnerabilities Mainly From XCSSET Malware --Two of Them Are From Apple TV 4K, HD Devices

Enhancing Security

In response, Bose vows to enhance its malware protection in its system. Also, the company changed all passwords and access keys for its accounts.

The audio company resourced experts to restore the attacked systems, including forensic experts to figure out the extent of the attack.

Related Article: Colonial Pipeline Resumes Operation After Ransomware Hack, Says Fuel Supply Will Take Days to Return to Normal

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Dogecoin ($DOGE) has been a long-standing cryptocurrency. Still, in recent events, it seemed like Elon Musk has been "marketing" the cryptocurrency and helping them with his tweets that directly affect its valuation. In his May 25 tweet, Musk explains how he helps Dogecoin, and it is now what most people think, especially as he does this without the expense of his leadership at his companies.

Elon Musk and Dogecoin's relationship seem vague; as it was seen in their history, it was initially known that the public was only pushing Musk to tweet about the meme cryptocurrency. Additionally, most of his initial tweets were only euphemisms or symbolisms to Doge like "to the moon!" and other phrases, which somehow resemble SpaceX tweets.

Earlier this year, Musk has been under the investigation of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for his tweets that talked about or meant something about Dogecoin.

This only shows how much the CEO has a lot of influence over the public and market, as his tweets can move a cryptocurrency to fame or chaos.

Read Also: Tesla Roadster: Elon Musk Confirms 0-60 mph in 1.1s with SpaceX Thruster Package, Like a 'Hardcore Roller Coaster'

Dogecoin Marketing: Is Elon Musk Doing It?

Elon Musk is known as the "PR Person" of Tesla," SpaceX, and most of his subsidiary companies as it is his "job as CEO," which he initially addressed when a suggestion pushes him to get a team.

In the case of Dogecoin, a Twitter user said that Musk is treating the cryptocurrency "like one of his companies" and even went to say that the CEO is "actively marketing" Doge.

Please note Dogecoin has no formal organization & no one reports to me, so my ability to take action is limited  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 25, 2021

Elon Musk has been called by the Twitter user "Doge CEO," and in response, the eccentric CEO (@elonmusk) said that he only does this because Dogecoin has "no formal organization." This statement was a clarification that he is not affiliated with Dogecoin whatsoever, and despite what he is doing, his "ability to take action is limited."

Is Elon Musk a Massive Influence on Dogecoin?

Elon Musk has always been a massive influence on social media, and the public will either follow whatever he says or celebrate the mentioned companies coming from him. One example was his suggestion to use Signal Messenger over WhatsApp due to Facebook's privacy issues that led to its boycott.

Currently, Dogecoin is still at rank number six (6) via Coin Market Cap and is valued at $0.34, with a market cap of $45 billion. While the cryptocurrency is maintaining it, it still is a downward trend which the coin is experiencing, but as per recent tweets of Elon Musk, it might turn out to be good for Doge's future.

Related Article: Elon Musk Invites People to Develop 'Dogecoin' on GitHub, Reddit-Cryptocurrency Mining Commits to Renewable

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Tesla seems to be headed to its new objective after removing the radar of Model 3 and Model Y vehicles through the "Tesla Vision" transition that took effect as of Tuesday, May 25.

The features of the EVs have been impressive and worthwhile for car lovers. However, there are still downsides that have yet to be addressed by the automaker. The company, in connection to this adoption, has issued a warning that the autopilot features will have some limitations that users should consider--at first.

Now that the car manufacturer has stopped depending on the front-facing radar, computer vision will take over the Full Self-Driving technology that became the talk of the town over the last few months.

Tesla Decides to Remove the Radar o Model Y and Model 3 EVs

According to a CNBC report, Tesla will now be ditching the radar set-up in exchange for the camera-based system to slot new autopilot features in the Model 3 and Model Y across North America. The transition called "Tesla Vision" will immediately be added by the company. Tesla will begin shipping cars with no radars this month in the target NA market.

Besides the camera vision, the Tesla EVs will have neural net processing which will be incorporated with the Full-Self Driving, autopilot, and other features that cover the safety of the electric vehicles.

For those buyers who have pre-ordered before May, you will be tapped right away about the recent changes in the Tesla Vision so stay put on your Tesla accounts before the delivery schedule of your orders.

Read Also: Tesla Launches Software Update for Powerwall, Virtual Power Plant and Energy Plan--Here's the Complete Release Notes

Tesla Has a Warning for the Tesla Vision's Limitations

While the latest update sounds like a huge modification, the autopilot feature, Autosteer, will be subjected to some limitations for its Full Self-Driving package.

Last month, CEO Elon Musk teased that the upcoming FSD Beta v.9.0 would blow everyone's mind. However, it could mean two things: it would surprise us with its outstanding upgrades or limitations.

Going back to Autosteer, Tesla said that the driver can reach up to 75 mph, its maximum speed. Moreover, the Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance and the Smart Summon (if the person chooses to equip it) would be disabled by default upon the delivery.

Tesla is always obsessed with the recently-launched software updates that always surpass its traditional counterparts. Maybe what has arrived this week could be a big boost to others' experience. Over several wireless updates, Tesla will be adding Tesla Vision. Depending on the order configuration, the FSD and Autopilot features could be activated as early as now before the car reaches its home.

The early access program paved the way for the company's FSD program to give birth to the most present-day development. After calling it "mind-blowing," Musk said that their cars are now prepared for a higher level of the autonomous driving system--Level 5 Autonomy at the end of 2021.

The businessman added besides Model Y and Model 3, the Model S and Model X will be having a Tesla Vision. However, he has not yet confirmed the exact date of the transition, Electrek reported.

Related Article: Tesla Cybertruck Records 1 Million Reservations, But EV Pickup Nowhere Near Release Date

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US media liked to debate the COVID-19 origins, especially as there were people who were discredited and de-platformed for their belief and theories that it came from a bio-lab from Wuhan, China. Initially, it was said that it came from animals to humans, but discussions now are leaning into the possibility of a "Wuhan Lab Leak" theory.

The global pandemic's virus which caused the world to go on lockdown and stay at home for more than a year now, still has its origins unexplained and filled with theories that people believe on their own.

The mainstream media is yet to conclude on someone to "blame" or point fingers to, especially as researchers, academics, and experts have yet traced its origin, whether it came from animals or not.

Last year, there were two people who believed that the COVID-19 virus came from a biological lab in Wuhan, China. They were none other than the immunologist turned whistleblower, Dr. Li-Meng Yan, and former POTUS Donald Trump. Both personalities were banned from their social media platforms, as they have been categorized to spread misinformation about the matter.

Read Also: Dr. Li-Meng Yan: COVID-19 Vaccines Won't Come Immediately for Highly Mutative Virus

Donald Trump Says 'I Was Right' on COVID-19 Wuhan Suspicions

While the reason for Donald Trump's de-platforming is more than the Wuhan COVID-19 manmade theory, this is still one of the reasons why the former president was criticized by the US media and other personalities. As for the true reason for Trump's ban on Facebook and Twitter, it is because of his misuse of the platform with opinionated beliefs.

"From the Desk of Donald J. Trump," a.k.a. Trump's Social Media (blog), has published a post from the former president, saying that "I was right," about the COVID-19 Wuhan Lab Origins theory. While it still was not proven to be manmade or from a wet market, it still borders on Wuhan, China to be the source of the virus.

Where is Dr. Li-Meng Yan Now?

On the other hand, another believer and professional who stood by "Wuhan's COVID-19 manmade virus" theory were Dr. Li-Meng Yan, who is now gaining prominence again for her beliefs regarding this matter.

Several people have discredited Dr. Yan's theory and papers she initially posted on Twitter, before being removed from the platform because of disinformation. Currently, the whereabouts of Dr. Li-Meng Yan are unknown, as she remains under the radar in fear for her life, especially with the controversial claims.

Recently, Dr. Yan appeared on a Hindi newscast where she reacted to the beliefs of the media that claims that Wuhan is the source of the virus.

Related Article: Facebook Insiders Claim Platform Will Control Posts, Especially Those Promoting Vaccine Hesitancy



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China Fast Reactor 600 are two reactors in the making that will be used in 2023 and 2026. The so-called nuclear reactors, CFR-600 (China Fast Reactor 600) will be occupying the Changbiao island. However, the future source of energy has sparked a controversy among international audiences, making them worry about the situation.

What is China Fast Reactor 600?

According to Al Jazeera, the potential reactors that China would erect in the upcoming years are under the "breeder" type of reactor. This means that these plants will have more fuel generation than their actual usage. Scientists all over the world said that it would pose harm to humanity, since nuclear plants are known to be built to produce nuclear weapons. China seems to be preparing for the development of its tools through plutonium-producing reactors.

Note that the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom were using breeder reactors. Now, these countries have diverted their attention to avoiding the nuclear reactor program for this type.

According to Bloomberg, the diplomat of China has visited Russia for "strategic talks." The plans for the project building of nuclear reactors in China were tackled during the discussion. What China has in its mind is not up for us anymore, but we could assume that it is now strengthening its nuclear warfare equipment.

Read Also: China's New Stealth Bomber Can Strike a Target Thousands of Kilometers Away, But It Is Still Under Development

However, China is headstrong that its CFR-600 will be leading the charge in the next few years. Moreover, the reactor is cooled by sodium instead of the usual water as the cooling agent. Since the liquid sodium provides more temperature stability and less interactivity than the traditional content.

In addition, the fast neutrons in the fast reactors contain more natural energy compared to their thermal counterparts. The good thing is the fast reactors do not demand the presence of a medium to be activated.

The mixed oxide (MOX), a uranium-plutonium-made fuel, is also inside the CFR-600. The design of the reactors is made possible through the China Experimental Fast Reactor (CEFR). The project commenced in 2003, and China will now resume the building of the reactors carrying 600 MWe along with 1,500 MWt of energy.

What Made the Experts Worry Over China's Nuclear Reactors?

According to Popular Mechanics' report on Tuesday, May 25, the presence of tons of uranium has left the scientists worried, in addition to the colossal amount of money spent on the uranium fuel.

From the new Nonproliferation Policy Education Center (NPEC) paper, the nuclear reactors are equivalent to China's 1,270 warheads that could be made by 2030. The fact that this thing exists to surprise us is a thrilling reality that could whip a whole region in one drop of a missile. As a result, two representatives from NPEC issued a report to the Chinese government about the possible impact of these nuclear reactors.

Related Article: China's New Missile Silos Allegedly Capable of Launching Its Most Powerful ICBMs

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AMD gets mixed in on the recent leak involving its EPYC chip that will be getting a new 3D die stacking technology feature. According to the GPU leakers, the company is now embracing a group of new-age processors that will be centered on the Milan-X series variant.

AMD Rumors Circling EPYC Milan-X Processor

According to the latest report of Tom's Hardware on Wednesday, May 26, Patrick Schur and ExecutableFix tweeted that AMD is now getting a headstart on its preparation for the release of its new data center processors.

We can recall that the Santa Clara-based semiconductor maker first teased their forthcoming chip will be creating waves through its X3D Chip Packaging Technology. During the Financial Analyst Day last year, fans have been craving AMD's updates about the hybrid feature that the next chips will receive.

Milan-X aka Milan-X(3D). Genesis IO-die with stacked chiplets



I love lasagna  https://t.co/O2FrGxyd8P  ExecutableFix (@ExecuFix) May 25, 2021

The X3D feature will make use of the 3D die stacking and 2.5D packaging. To put it simply, the 3D stacking will allow the chip to "stack" several dies on top of one another. They will be included inside the multi-chip modules (MCM) of AMD.

Two years ago, Intel surprised CPU fans with its Foveros 3D stacking technology which provides high-speed communication among the chips. The X3D stacking could be the answer to AMD to Intel's Embedded Multi-Die Interconnect Bridge (EMDIB).

Read Also: [RUMOR] AMD Zen 4 EPYC CPU Specs Revealed: 96-Core Processor Will Offer 192 Threads and MORE!

While we assume that the company is now sure to launch the 3D stacking feature, the leaks revealed that it would arrive in Milan-X CPU. The said chip appears to be similar to the EPYC 7003 since it also has Zen 3 cores which make it a perfect candidate for the new trademark.

According to ExecutableFix, the Genesis IO-die will be the basis for the Milan-X which covers the Zen 3 EPYC I/O die set up inside.

Even though AMD mentioned something about X3D's higher bandwidth for 10X, the Milan-X has yet to unlock other important characteristics during the presentation. The chipmaker remains silent about its "future" plans for the stack technology.

ExecutableFix lays out his assumption that AMD will be piling the chiplets up. However, it could not happen to the core complex dies (CCDs) if we consider the requirement of its cooling.

More About What Milan-X Could Possess

As the Computex 2021 nears, the suspicion that AMD EPYC Milan-X will adopt the dies could be the other way around since it will potentially come out as a stacking memory.

Moreover, the Financial Analyst Day 2020 exhibit presented a 2x2 layout of AMD along with four stacked dies placed above the huge interposer aided with four interlinked small chips.

AMD is working on a new CPU (codename Milan-X) that will use stacked dies.   Patrick Schur (@patrickschur_) May 25, 2021

The leakers predicted that the dies will be the four chiplets. The addition of the HBM memory could also spell some nice improvement for the EPYC chip. This will suit its function of carrying out many tasks that are all bandwidth-sensitive, Extreme Tech reported.

AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su calls the X3D processor the "future." Although the news about the Milan-X chip is far from being heard, we could expect some great news in the upcoming annual event in Taipei.

Related Article: EPYC Performance: AMD's Leaked Roadmap for Server CPUs Teases A 96-CORE MONSTER

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Apple Watch has recently collaborated with Telus Health for the launch of the fall detection monitoring for the wearable product. On Tuesday, May 25, the personal emergency response services (PERS) provider in Canada has brought the feature for the Canadians who will be needing emergency support in times of falling.

Telus Unveils New Emergency Response Feature for Apple Watch

There are times that you could not call anyone when you fall unconscious. For that matter, a companion could likely give you a helping hand to give you a first-hand emergency solution. Now with the fresh feature that Telus delivers to the Apple wearable, the Fall Detection API will make things easier for the individuals who are in a dire situation.

It's even much better with its 24/7 monitoring service thanks to the LivingWell Companion of Telus Health. Who would have thought that wrist equipment could provide a more proactive function which is necessary for emergency purposes?

For those Canadians who have trouble with their health, this monitoring system will alleviate your feeling en route to your guaranteed safety, 9to5Mac reported.

Through the advancement in technology that Apple has created, it will only require the users to wear the Apple Watch for this feature. Those who want to independently live will now enjoy the newest solution that they could use.

Read Also: Apple Watch Smartwatch-Based Monitoring System Can Track Illness Signs Among Parkinson Patients

"Supporting Canada's vulnerable population that is at risk of falling or having a medical issue is fundamental at TELUS Health as we strive to deliver innovative technologies that put patients first. Through collaborating with Apple, we're proud to be the first in Canada to transform how personal emergency response is experienced," Telus' VP for Consumer Health, Juggy Sihota said in a report by Patently Apple.

What Happens When a User Takes a Hard Fall?

The fall detection feature also comes with an ability to share location through the Apple Watch. In case the user suffers from a hard fall, the information will be immediately relayed to the National Central Monitoring Station of Telus Health.

After a few moments, an emergency confirmation will come which will be led by the trained operators. The customer will be contacted upon the incident and the contacts of the involved individual will be alerted about what happened to the fall victim.

The National Institute of Aging has released the latest study together with Telus Health. According to the findings, Canadians who are over 55 years old want to stick with their independent lifestyle. However, one in three of them says that they could not deal with emergencies when they are alone.

Those who have the Apple Watch Series 4 up to its latest version, can avail of the service for $30 per month. If you are only new to the Telus Health Companion service plan, you can afford it for $54 per month on your Apple Watch which you will run on your mobile device. This will help you save up to $120 on Apple Watch.

For those who have an iPhone 6s or a later version, you can purchase the post-paid Telus plan given that you have installed the most up-to-date iOS version.

For more information about this feature, click here.

Related Article: Apple Watch Series 7 Leaks: Flat-Edged Design, New Colors are Coming This Fall-Is it Coming?

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 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Microsoft is currently warning Android smartphone users to be more careful when installing unknown apps. However, the tech giant company confirmed that these malicious apps are not published in the official Google Play Store.

Instead, they are currently offered by online forums and third-party websites. Microsoft's security team confirmed that these apps contain new ransomware called AndroidOS/MaILocker.B.

The giant manufacturer explained that this new ransomware activates when the user presses their smartphone's Home button. If this is true, this means that the hackers and other cybercriminals behind the new computer virus can easily breach your device with a simple action.

Microsoft's Warning About the New Ransomware

According to the National Cybersecurity News Today's latest report, Microsoft claimed that when the user installs one of the malicious apps, it will allow the new AndroidOS/MalLocker.B Ransomware to breach their device.

After that, the new computer virus will soon take over your device's screen. This will prevent the users from dismissing the ransom notes.

Also Read: Microsoft Outlook Bug Brings 'Email Visibility' Problems to Users:Here's How to Solve this Issue

Aside from this, Microsoft's security team also explained that the new ransomware will pretend to be a local law enforcement message. The text will specifically tell the users that they committed a crime and need to pay a fine.

As of the moment, this method is one of the most popular hacking techniques used by various hackers and online attackers. It also allows them to steal their victims' money easily since the local enforcement message looks legitimate.

Furthermore, Microsoft also explained that the new ransomware will abuse your smartphone's call notification. This will allow the hackers to show a window that covers their victims' entire screens.

Right now, various ransomware is being developed, such as the latest Conti ransomware, to attack many users. They are currently effective since most transactions, and other activities involving money are done online.

Normal Ransomware Demands Thousands of Dollars on Average

The World Economic Forum reported that the new ransomware now demands around $170,000 on an average basis. This just shows how efficient new computer viruses become these days.

Because of this, various organizations and tech companies are also creating and developing different security features and preventive methods to combat new malware and ransomware.

For more news updates about the new Android ransomware and other computer viruses, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: ATTN: Beware of This New Malware Scheme: Microsoft Says New STRRAT Virus Uses Compromised Emails

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Written by: Griffin Davis

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Lenovo is up to par with other brands when it comes to tablet manufacturing. With the likes of Apple and Samsung that are in front to take over the industry, the Chinese tech giant is ready to advance for another showdown with the latest YOGA Pad Pro.

Despite the resemblance that it shares with the screen from the Nintendo Switch console, the recently-released tablet will absolutely become one of the preferences of users when considering a portable display at home. Its portability is admirable since it could hang up on the wall despite its large size.

Lenovo YOGA Pad Pro is not your ordinary tablet, and the following features will prove that it is highly competitive against its counterpart electronic devices.

Lenovo YOGA Pad Pro Features Are Out of This World

According to GSM Arena's report on Tuesday, May 25, the electronics company has been developing several notebooks with average sizes. However, the problem that is spotted in the process is their portability that will not give a lot of benefit to the users. The large displays in the devices appear to be a waste of space for the users.

Lenovo has acted quickly to address the issue by releasing the Yoga Pad Pro which boasts a 13-inch 2K screen. Instead of sticking to the traditional display appearance, Lenovo has added a useful USB-C port that can be used for data transfer, video output, and charging. For video input, it has a micro HDMI port.

In any case, one could think that this tablet is actually a make-shift Android tablet. In fact, Lenovo has creatively developed a dual-screen for it which we usually see in some Nintendo Switch displays in the case of a TV dock.

Read Also: Unannounced 12-Inch Lenovo 'Yoga Tablet' Listed On Amazon For $299.99

The Lenovo YOGA Pad Pro has its own distinction compared to the standard Android tablet. It packs some serious features of having a Snapdragon 870 chip followed by a 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage and 8GB RAM.

Moreover, its ultra-wide 2K resolution has become more helpful thanks to its Dolby Vision and HDR10 support in addition to the Quad JBL speakers support.

For those who have previously bought the past Yoga models, you can discern its sleek design together with its tubular edge. The Yoga Pad Pro also has a stand in the form of a rotating handle, which can also function as a hook if the user wants to suspend it on the walls.

How Much is Lenovo YOGA Pad Pro?

According to Slash Gear's latest report on Wednesday, May 26, you can purchase the new tablet for 3,299 RMB or $515. However, at the moment, there is no official announcement yet when we could buy it outside China.

Additionally, the Pad Pro has an Active Pen stylus support which can be bought for a separate price. For those who are fond of digital drawing, it's guaranteed that this tablet will serve as a good canvas for your artwork.

Visit the Lenovo store for more details for this product.

Related Article: [Look] Lenovo Yoga X Tablet Can Be Used as a Portable HDMI Monitor: Nintendo Switch Compatible!

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Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Google Street View's first-ever electric vehicle (EV) is a Jaguar with tons of air quality sensors. The vehicle will not merely map out the streets in Dublin, Ireland; it will also determine if humans could breathe freely without worry.

It is not the first time that Google is concerned with measuring the breathability of the air. The initiative was started in July 2015, using the sensors of Aclima. However, it is the first time that the company will be using an EV, according to The Verge. It would ensure that the vehicle will not contribute to deteriorating the air quality as it assesses it.

More precisely, the Jaguar I-Pace will measure the carbon dioxide emissions and nitrogen dioxide, along with other particles in the streets of Dublin. In turn, Google will be sharing its data with Dublin City Council.

"Google and Dublin City Council hope access to this data will help scientists, researchers and policymakers as they study air quality, as well as encourage people to make small but informed daily changes to help improve it," the American tech giant told 9to5Google.

Google Street View EV

The Jaguar I-Pace is the first-ever all-electric vehicle of the company. The said EV was first sold in 2018 at the tune of $70,000. It could drive up to 246 miles on a full charge, but an update in 2019 has increased it by 12 miles, The Verge said in the same report.

In addition, it has been deemed as the rival of the Tesla Model X.

The Google Street View version of the I-Pace will carry a roof mounting for the mapping camera. The sides of the white car will be branded as "Street View on Google Maps."

Also, a message to the public placed on the EV's doors will read: "In addition to capturing 360 imagery, this electric car is measuring stere-level air quality. Visit g.co/earth/airquality and dublincityairandnoise.ie to learn more. "

The EV is set to map and measure the air in Dublin for a whole year.

Read Also: Google Street May Have Accidentally Reveal Unwanted Things Inside Your House But There's A Way To Blur The Image

Google and Jaguar

It is not the first time that Google and Jaguar meet. Waymo, a company under the Google umbrella, is also using the same I-Pace EVs for its self-driving ride-hailing service in 2020. In total, it has ordered 20,000 SUVs from the car company.

However, unlike Street View's white-colored Jaguar, it looks sleeker in Waymo as it is painted black.

Related Article: 'Hold For Me' Is Your New Automatic Secretary: Google's New AI Will Notify You When Its Time to Get the Phone

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Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected Thursday to approve moving the only aircraft carrier based in the Asia-Pacific region to the Middle East, two defense officials told VOA.

The rare movement of the USS Ronald Reagan, which is based in Yokosuka, Japan, and usually deploys around the Pacific, would support the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, according to the officials.

The deployment of the USS Ronald Reagan will likely mean the U.S. won't have an aircraft carrier based in the region, at least for part of the carrier's deployment. But Britains HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier strike group, which is hosting hundreds of U.S. Marines and 10 of the Marine Corps' F-35 fighter jets, is currently en route to the Pacific region.

According to USNI News, this will be the first time the Japan-based strike group and air wing will operate in the Middle East since 2003, when the USS Kitty Hawk, now a decommissioned carrier, deployed to the Persian Gulf to provide air support for the war in Iraq.

The Pentagon has frequently said it is placing greater focus on the Indo-Pacific region in accordance with the 2018 National Defense Strategy, which made near-peer competition with China and Russia its top priority.
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The United States (US) officially removes Xiaomi from the trading blacklist and "Communist Chinese military company" (CCMC) designation on Tuesday, May 25. The Chinese phone maker has been put in such a label on January 14, and, in response, the company sued the country to denounce it.

However, in a positive turn of events for the Chinese giant, Americans are again allowed to invest in Xiaomi as the U.S. backtracks its decision during the Trump administration.

On Wednesday, May 26, the Chinese tech manufacturer announced on Twitter that the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has finally ordered the Department of Defense to remove the company from the "CCMC" designation.

It would mean that the U.S. will be lifting the trading blacklist as well.

Xiaomi first hinted that its lawsuit against the U.S. is concluding on May 12. It has been bared that both parties have agreed to allow Americans to invest in its company again. During that time, however, the court has still yet to make its final decision.

Now, on the other hand, it seemed like Xiaomi won against the U.S. It is expected that the shares of the said company will gain the 9.5% that it lost in January due to the ban, GizChina reports.

Xiaomi's Growth Despite the Blacklist

"The Company is grateful for the trust and support of its global users, partners, employees and shareholders," Lei Jun, CEO of Xiaomi, said in a statement via The Verge.

Xiaomi also assured that it will continue in producing tech products and services at an affordable price. The company also shares its vision of creating a "better life" using its technology.

Despite the blacklist, the MI 11 line of the China giant has already sold 3 million units worldwide, GSMArena reported.

And still, Xiaomi remains to be the third-largest phone maker in the world, at least if shipments were concerned. In Europe alone, the company has been placed at the number two spot in terms of market share. As a result, Apple moved to the third spot.

Read Also: Xiaomi Redmi First Gaming Phone to Have Samsung's Flat AMOLED Panel: Best Gaming Phones 2021

US Military Blacklist

The U.S. Department of Defense blacklisted Xiaomi and other eight Chinese companies from American investments in January 2021. It claimed that the tagged companies are working together with the Chinese military. Thus, calling them "Communist Chinese military company."

Xiaomi, however, insisted that they are not influenced or owned by the Chinese military. With that, the company filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, in March, to prove it.

Related Article: Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro Notches Triple-Mic Active Noise Cancellation, Qualcomm Chip, 28-Hour Battery Life, and MORE

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Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Apple is equipping its next-gen iPhone 13 with a brand-new chip that the company says will bring improved power efficiency and overall performance. And now, it seems like the chip has entered mass production--or so insiders claim.

WCCFTech reported that the Apple A15 Bionic chip, which is based on an improved 5nm manufacturing node called N5P, is now entering mass production at the semiconductor fabs of TSMC. This is happening despite the widespread chip shortage, though it seems like sources are confident that Apple will have their chip orders in time for the release of the iPhone 13.

This information comes after it was revealed by industry leakers that production on the new Apple chips would start ahead of the original schedule, as reported by MacRumors.

It's a good thing, too, that other news outlets are breaking this out, since the original report is posted in a paywalled website called DigiTimes.

If these rumors are true, then Apple looks like it's on track for the alleged official announcement of the iPhone 13 this coming September, which is coming relatively early compared to the delayed (and troubled) launch of the iPhone 12.

Read also: Apple: iPhone 13 Mini to Be the Last 'Mini' Says Kuo- Camera Leaks Show Up in 3D Render of New Device

Apple A15 Bionic: What's So Good About It?

The A15 Bionic looks like a great step up from the previous-generation A14, and Apple isn't shying away from making this known. While both chips are the first of their caliber to be made using the 5nm process, the A15 Bionic is expected to feature an increased IPC.

What this means for non-technical people is that with the "enhanced" 5nm manufacturing process, TSMC and Apple can cram even more transistors into a much smaller space. The result will be increased performance and better power efficiency, which is basically what happens with desktop CPUs.

There are no official specs yet for the A15, but compared to the A14, fans can expect it to perform better, and deliver a truly next-gen experience with the iPhone 13.

A few estimates put the chip at a level of performance far greater than any modern Android phone.

MacWorld reports that the theoretical performance of the A15 Bionic could result in a Geekbench 5 single-core score of over 1800 points. Compared to the Snapdragon 888 in most high-end Android phones, it's not even halfway close.

What's The News on the iPhone 13, Then?

Initial leaks involving the iPhone 13 were mostly met with disappointment, with a lot of fans claiming that it barely offers an upgrade to previous-generation handsets. Some even claim that it's basically just an iPhone 12 with a fresh coat of paint, and almost nothing else.

But perhaps they might be wrong.

With an early delivery of the A15 chips, Apple is more or less guaranteed to stick to its original launch timeline. This could mean that come the official announcement later this year, more stocks would be available for people to purchase. This is already better than their previous performance with the iPhone 12.

Related: iPhone 13 Base Model Shows Latest Apple Product Will Have a Diagonal Rear Camera

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Written by RJ Pierce

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Iran is banning power-hogging cryptocurrency mining immediately as the demand for electricity in the country reaches its peak. The move will help avoid blackouts in major cities, which could disrupt lives and businesses.

President Hassan Rouhana announced on the state-run television channel that crypto mining will be halted immediately, and it will last until September 22, Bloomberg reported.

Crypto Minning Majority is Not Licensed

During the same announcement, President Rouhana claimed that 85% of crypto mining in Iran is not licensed. As such, authorities have been locating the illegal miners. The country even had to hire spies to carry out the war against unauthorized mining.

Bloomberg adds that such a move by Iran could force the licensed miners to, instead, join illegal miners to continue with their operations.

Crypto miners have flocked to Iran, which mostly came from China, due to the power rate subsidy that the government provides. The cheap electricity could then produce digital money at a lower cost.

Read Also: 355 New Cryptocurrency ATMs Launched Throughout the US: Crypto Machines Massively Spreading

Crypto Mining and Electricity-Use

The flood of Crypto miners in Iran, unfortunately, has caused a bigger problem.

According to a report by Reuters, about 4.5% of Bitcoin across the world is being mined in Iran. It has been replacing the negative effects of the U.S. sanction to the country, as the mining puts it hundreds of millions of dollars in return.

A study by Elliptic said that mining in Iran brought a whopping $1 billion to the country. That amount of revenue answers to the U.S. economic ban, which prohibits imports of Iran oil.

In terms of power consumption, however, it's not good news for Iran. The state-run power company revealed that to mine crypto alone, it needs a whopping 600 MW of electricity, Reuters said in the same report.

Consequently, it has been bringing blackouts to the major cities of Iran, according to the power minister of Iran, Reza Ardakanian. However, mining is not the only culprit. The widespread drought brought upon by the dry season has also shut down the hydroelectricity plants in the country.

Bill Gates warned in March that Bitcoin consumes too much electricity, to the extent that is bigger than most countries.

In response, Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, ceased accepting Bitcoin in his company in April. The price of the said crypto has since slumped sharply.

Related Article: New Cryptocurrency Encourages Miners to Shift Dependency From Graphic Cards to Solid-State Drives

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Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Pixabay/Free-Photos) Google Career Certificate

Google Career Certificates is launched in the UK after Google and the Department of Work and Pensions or DWP teamed up to create an initiative to help citizens grow their digital skills.

Google Career Certificates Launched in the UK

This partnership and Career Certificate program was announced in a dedicated Google blog post with some information shared on just what the program entails and how people can get started honing their online and digital skills.

Google will offer career-focused courses in four key areas including Data Analyst, IT Support, Project Manager, and UX Designer roles, according to 9to5Google.

The tech giant is currently working with the Department for Work and Pensions to offer 9,500 scholarships throughout the UK, 500 of which will be offered directly through Camden Council, while 9,000 will be provided nationwide.

Also Read: Nokia 7 Plus Launching Soon In The UK, Bundling Free Google Home Mini

That is not all, as Google is also providing funding to the Prince's Trust and INCO Academy to ensure that 1,500 young people from various communities are able to obtain a Career Certificate.

To support the need to learn these new skills, Google is distributing 9,500 Google Career Certificate scholarships in the UK, through government partnership with the DWP and Camden Council.

Google is also providing grant funding to The Prince's Trust and INCO Academy through Google to make sure that an additional 1,500 young people from underrepresented and disadvantaged communities across the UK can take advantage of the training opportunity.

No prior experience or qualifications are needed to apply in the online courses, with the ability to fit the learning around your schedule.

Each course is estimated to take around six months to complete, with Google issuing an endorsed Career Certificate for completion. For more information and details on the application process visit the dedicated Google Career Certificates site.

What You Need to Know About Google Career Certificates

The Google Career Certificate courses generally take three to six months to complete. Users set their own pace, so the time it takes to finish varies.

The certificates for IT support, IT automation, UX design, data analytics, and project management are offered on Coursera for $39 a month each, according to US News.

So, that means that a six-month course is $234. Scholarships are available. There is no charge for the Associate Android Developer Certification training. However, the certification exams costs $149 per attempt.

The courses are taught by Google employees.

Google's approach uses gamified learning by providing an interactive approach to covering the material, says Julia Pollak, a labor economist with ZipRecruiter. Pollak stated that it is a much better online learning experience than a classroom lecture through Zoom.

The Google Project Management Professional Certificate is for those who want to plan, organize, and run projects. This incudes such jobs as project manager, program manager, scrum master, and project analyst.

Skills include estimating time and budgets, managing stakeholders, and identifying and managing risks.

While professional certification is not needed for project managers, it can demonstrate your knowledge in the field. Those who complete the certificate qualify to receive credit toward credentials like the Project Management Institute's Certified Associate in Project Management certification, at a lower price.

Related Article: COVID-19: The U.K. Gives Apple-Google App Access to Over 66 Million British Men

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Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Dexter J. Singleton will direct Playhouse on Parks next main production, Kill Move Paradise. It will be performed in Bushnell Park from June 20 to 25, with a streaming option to follow.
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Two Crashes on I-24 Block Wednesday Traffic

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - Traffic on westbound Interstate 24 was backed up for the majority of Wednesday's workday after two separate crashes.The first crash happened about 11:30 am near exit 3, involving a semi and a passenger vehicle. The investigation and clean-up of the scene ended about three hours later, but another crash was reported near mile marker 10. This crash also involved a semi and one of more other vehicles, forcing westbound lanes to close again. The westbound on-ramp at the exit 11 interchange was also closed.The scene of the second accident was cleared about 5 pm.
Sugar cane sways in the wind from the outer rain bands of Hurricane Delta on Friday, October 9, 2020 in Lower St. Mary Parish, La..
For a second time in less than five years, high, slow-draining floodwater in the Bluff Swamp will force Ascension Parish workers to cut a drainage path through Alligator Bayou Road, shutting it potentially for weeks longer.

Parish officials announced Wednesday that crews plan to cut the drainage route where the road crosses over Fish Bayou either Friday or Saturday. The path will allow more water to drain from the Bluff Swamp and greater Spanish Lake area.

Homes in the huge, bowl-shaped basin of roughly 17,000 acres are either flooded or surrounded by high water, which is draining slowly through a handful of existing floodgates and portable pumps recently installed by Ascension crews.

+29 Slow-draining Spanish Lake, Bluff Swamp leave residents stranded; AquaDams stand tall in court Nearly a week after heavy rain doused the Baton Rouge region, houses remained surrounded by flood water on Monday and stood as islands in the 

Ascension and Iberville officials took a similar course in the aftermath of the August 2016 flood, cutting Alligator Bayou and Manchac roads to allow the swamp basin to drain more quickly. The area flooded because water draining from East Baton Rouge Parish and backed up water downstream poured over a levee road into the basin.

Ascension officials on Wednesday could not say how long Alligator Bayou Road, which is already closed to due the pumping operations, will remain shut due to drainage path soon to be cut through it.

"I wouldn't expect that road to be open any time soon," said John Connelly, a parish spokesman.

In 2016, the closure lasted for a few months and drew complaints from people who live in the area and use it for access to Interstate 10.

Also on Wednesday morning, Iberville Parish officials reopened their floodgate at Alligator Bayou, further increasing drainage from the basin into Bayou Manchac, Ascension officials said.

The gate can't be opened until water is low enough in Bayou Manchac to prevent bayou water from flowing back into the swamp basin.

In 2016, an estimated 17 billion gallons of water flowed over the road and into the swamp basin until the high water could be stopped with large sandbags and other measures.

In the latest incident, only some water got over the road before Iberville Parish was able to install inflatable AquaDams on the road, Iberville officials have said. The dams extend into Ascension Parish.

Alligator Bayou and Manchac roads, which are actually the same two-lane road with different names, rest on a levee along Manchac's southern bank that holds back most of the high water in the basin.

+4 Ascension considers new plan to dredge historic, scenic Bayou Manchac GONZALES  Armed with new data from the August flood, Ascension Parish officials are going to revisit an old idea to dredge Bayou Manchac with

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The latest bout of high water stems from heavy rains that caused severe flash flooding in Baton Rouge and Ascension parishes last week and the subsequent drainage from those areas -- where rain approached 14 inches in a short span -- into the Bayou Manchac area.

The area has gradually become a runoff site for fast-growing parts of Ascension, East Baton Rouge and Iberville parishes but has a limited and congested path for all that drainage water to exit toward the Amite River, the ultimate runoff outlet for much the Baton Rouge region.

With U.S. Army Corps of Engineers funding, East Baton Rouge officials are also planning a major clearing of creeks and bayous that dump runoff into Manchac and the Amite.

Though the plans have raised worries in downstream parishes, like Ascension, the Corps of Engineers has said analyses show the work won't worsen flooding.

+3 Corps: Bayou, creek upgrades in Baton Rouge won't worsen Amite flooding; Ascension still opposed The mouth of the Amite River at Lake Maurepas is the main drain for the big bathtub called the Amite River Basin.

Even before the mid-May storm, residents of the Ridge Road area inside Ascension's Bluff Swamp had aired worries about rising water in the swamp basin from earlier rains in April, council members have said in public meetings.

In the statement Wednesday, Ascension Parish officials said that workers would monitor weather forecasts and have Public Works crews station at the site of the road cut to fill it and block water flow if Bayou Manchac again rises to 14 feet. At that height, water in the bayou would start to flow back into the swamp basin.

Well before floods in Spanish Lake and Bluff Swamp, Ascension, Iberville eyed important fix For more than a decade, officials in Ascension and Iberville parishes have sought ways to speed the flow of water in and out of the Spanish La

Parish official said they currently have set up and are running six pumps at Alligator Bayou Road, four 24-inch tractor pumps and two 30-inch axle driven pumps. Two additional 30-inch pumps were expected to arrive later on Wednesday.

Since the 2016 flood, Iberville has completed an expansion of its floodgate where Alligator Bayou joins Bayou Manchac.

On May 19, Ascension Parish officials approved the construction bid for two new floodgates where Fish Bayou joins Bayou Manchac just downstream from Iberville's gate. The parish already as a floodgate at nearby Frog Bayou and Manchac.

Officials in both parishes have seen having larger floodgates as a way to speed up drainage of the basin, but permitting for the gates took a significant amount of time.
Plastic-making giant Shintech Louisiana can skip paying Iberville Parish nearly $110 million in local taxes after a majority of council members approved a sizable tax break for the company.

The parish council on Tuesday OKd the industrial tax exemption by an 11-2 vote that drew opposition from some residents who say they worry about worsening air pollution in the area.

The tax forgiveness will support three Shintech projects and expansions throughout the parish totaling nearly $1.3 billion.

Among them: a roughly $107 million exemption to upgrade Shintechs Plaquemine plant, which will support some 2,400 temporary construction jobs and 30 direct jobs through 2023, according to the application for the industrial tax exemption program known as ITEP.

The other two projects near White Castle will support several hundred jobs and create about 140 temporary construction jobs.

Shintech, the U.S. subsidiary of the worlds largest polyvinyl chloride resin producer, will still pay about 20% of local, school and other taxes over the next 20 years, giving the parish a roughly $170 million boost.

Council members Raheem T. Pierce, of Plaquemine, and Shalanda Allen, of White Castle, voted against the request.

+2 Shintech to invest $1.3 billion for Louisiana expansion; here's how many jobs it will create Shintech Louisiana LLC plans to invest another $1.3 billion to expand its manufacturing sites in Iberville and West Baton Rouge parishes.

But the expansions have also been met by staunch opposition from environmental groups and residents whove raised questions about health risks posed by air emissions.

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At its current size, Shintechs Plaquemine plant is one of the state's largest emitters of vinyl chloride pollution emissions on average, according to an analysis by environmental group Healthy Gulf. When inhaled, exposure can result in liver damage and increase cancer risks.

The facility is also the states only emitter of vinyl bromide, which is likely cancer-causing and can lead to liver harm, environmentalists said while calling to revoke the companys permits.

In addition to those concerns, some residents also criticized the tax break for siphoning dollars away from public services.

I dont like giving tax breaks for international companies, Plaquemine resident Luke Avants said. They treat us like a Third World country."

Shintech already spent $1.4 billion for its new chlor alkali, vinyl chloride and ethane cracker manufacturing facility, which began construction in 2018 and is near completion.

The latest expansion would be the companys fourth since 2008.

Shintech expansion follows agreements to pay $356K to settle Louisiana, federal violations The Jan. 26 announcement by state and company officials of a $1.3 billion Shintech plastics expansion in Plaquemine came just eight weeks afte

Staff writer Kristen Mosbrucker also contributed to this report.

Editor's note: A previous version of this story misstated the name of a chemical that Shintech's Plaquemine plant emits. The plant is one of the state's largest emitters of vinyl chloride.
Comer Calls For Investigation of COVID Origin

By West Kentucky Star Staff

WESTERN KENTUCKY - During an appearance on the Greg Dunker Show Tuesday, Congressman James Comer called for an investigation into the origins of COVID-19.According to Comer, recent credible intelligence indicates that employees at the Wuhan Institute of Virology suffered from COVID-19-like symptoms before the world was aware of the virus.He said the information has left many conservatives questioning China's role in the creation of the virus."This is a big deal. This cost many Americans their lives, and it cost our economy trillions and trillions of dollars. If China is responsible for this, and they lied about this, and the world health organization tried to cover this up for China, then all these people need to be held accountable," he said.The possibility that it was created in the Wuhan lab has left Comer with a lot of questions."That lab was a deal where pharmaceutical companies invested in research and development to come up with vaccines." He continued, "So were they trying to create a virus so they could come up with a vaccine to cure it, or were they trying to create some type of terrorism there?"Comer said China should allow the United States and allies to send medical teams to the Wuhan lab to inspect and question people."We need to hold China accountable. This is code red, and I think there needs to be an international team in there," he said. "There's enough evidence now to warrant a full-scale investigation. This is a bad situation, and I'm afraid it's going to get worse."Comer and Congressman Steve Scalise have called for a full committee hearing on the issue. Comer encouraged the public to contact their legislators and demand that Congress hold public hearings on the matter.You can listen to the entire interview below.
The owner of a Baton Rouge clinical laboratory is accused of committing health care fraud to the tune of about $15 million dollars, defrauding the federal government and paying and receiving illegal kickbacks, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.

Malena Lepetich, 38, the owner of MedLogic, LLC., is accused of:

Asking for and getting kickbacks for referrals for medically unnecessary testing of urine specimens

Offering to pay kickbacks for referrals of specimens for COVID and respiratory pathogen testing

Causing the submission of over $10 million in claims for expensive respiratory testing that wasn't medically necessary to Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana.

The case is being prosecuted by Justin M. Woodward of the Gulf Coast Strike Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Craig of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Louisiana.

Baton Rouge court pulls people off the street to serve jury duty  and yes, that's legal Rebecca Smith was walking downtown to work just before 8 a.m. Wednesday and noticed a crowd of people outside Starbucks  along with two East 

The U.S. Department of Justice announced the charges Wednesday against Lepetich along with 11 newly-charged defendants and three defendants facing additional charges. The allegations cover seven different federal districts and all involve some sort of health care fraud, totaling over $143 million in false billings.

"Medical providers have been the unsung heroes for the American public throughout the [COVID] pandemic," FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a news release. "It's disheartening that some have abused their authorities and committed COVID-19 related fraud against trusting citizens."
For years, the East Baton Rouge Parish school system, home to more than 40,000 students and close to 6,000 employees, has had just one person handling its communications and public relations duties.

That person, Taylor Gast, has announced that, after three years with the school system, she is leaving for the Baton Rouge marketing firm JCW Creative to become its new director of strategy. While excited about her new job, she said she has regrets.

This has been one of the biggest blessings of my life, Gast said. Its bittersweet to leave because Ive just made lifelong friendships.

Replacing Gast in Central Office are not one, but three people  two already on board and one still to be hired. Overall, the Communications Department is increasing from four to seven people.

Baton Rouge schools won't start in July; superintendent proposes more traditional calendar East Baton Rouge Parish Superintendent Sito Narcisse is setting aside a proposal to move up the start date of the new school year by about two

The expansion is part of new Superintendent Sito Narcisses effort to turn around public perceptions of the school district and reverse historic declines in enrollment. Communications is an area where, by his own admission, Narcisse has struggled  most notably with a recent proposal to start the next school year early, which he ended up retreating from amid widespread criticism.

Gasts direct replacement is the newly hired Letrece Griffin. Griffin, who most recently worked as a marketing and communications specialist for Knock Knock Childrens Museum in Baton Rouge, will become the school systems new director of communications and public relations.

Under the reorganization, though, Griffin will not lead the communications department, as Gast and her predecessors have. That now falls to another recent Narcisse hire, Alex Deiro Stubbs.

Stubbs came on board in February and was recently promoted to chief of communications and public relations. Before coming to the school system, Stubbs spent seven years working for the charter-school-friendly education advocacy group, Stand For Children. Before that, she worked for four years as a local TV reporter in Illinois and in Baton Rouge.

Education reform advocate and literacy specialist join team of new Baton Rouge schools leader A charter school-friendly education reform advocate and a former elementary school literacy director are the latest newcomers to the growing l

The third person who will take on some of Gasts old duties is a new public information officer. Its a job that has been vacant for years, but which Narcisse has decided to fill.

Griffin actually applied for and won that position, only to be immediately promoted when Gast announced last week she was leaving. Griffin said she shes ready and sees the hand of fate in her promotion.

It was almost just kismet, she said.

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Now, the public information position, vacant once again, will be readvertised.

A native of Baton Rouge, Griffin said she has many personal connections to the school system, including her brother and sister-in-law who are educators and nieces who attend its schools. Griffin said shes excited about where the district is headed and wants to help it reach its potential.

I feel like its on the verge of having just great opportunities, she said.

Griffin worked for Knock Knock from April 2018 to October 2020, but was laid off due to cutbacks at the museum during the pandemic. Previous marketing jobs including almost two years as marketing manager for the Belle of Baton Rouge. She also runs her own marketing firm.

Gast said she was impressed with Griffins broad experience.

When I met with Letrece, I thought, This was meant to be, said Gast.

During her tenure, Gast led the overhaul of the district website, published an annual school guide, launched a monthly newsletter, organized a media marketing campaign, upgraded online enrollment options and oversaw information outreach during the pandemic.

Even so, theres demand for much more.

In an audit of the Gasts department completed in March, local marketing professional Clay Young said the school system needs to expand its current offerings, incorporating more video as well as more outreach to those who speak other languages, or have impaired vision or hearing. Nevertheless, Young had strong praise for Gast, just that she needed more help.

Taylor has done a hell of a job, Young told the School Board.

Gast said shes sought throughout to persuade people to give the school system a second look.

You need to come in, come through the doors, find out what youre missing, because if you have a preconceived notion about who we are, I want to change that, she said.
When Buddy Roemer ran for governor in 1987, he declared in a powerful TV ad that he loved the state so much that he was willing to make some people angry.

Roemer rocketed from last to win that race but, having made a lot of people mad, lost his re-election in 1991 and lost another governors race four years later.

Along the way, however, he won enough friends and admirers that a line of them waiting to pay their respects stretched continuously for 90 minutes Tuesday out of the worship center at Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge to the churchs main lobby.

Its like a family reunion, said Mary Durusau, executive director of the Old State Capitol, as she surveyed all of the others standing in line.

+4 'You da man!' A reporter remembers former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer One day before the primary election in the 1995 governors race, I handed Buddy Roemer a cell phone on a whim and asked if he would speak to m

Charles Elson Buddy Roemer III died on May 17 of complications from diabetes. He was 77 and was best known for having served as governor from 1988-92 and as a congressman from 1981-88.

His wood casket stood at the front of the church. A State Trooper with a bowed head stood alongside.

The burial service will take place in Shreveport on Thursday.

Gray-haired veterans of Roemers administration came to Tuesdays visitation and funeral in Baton Rouge, as did current and former elected officials and others who had gotten to know Roemer during his long political and business career. Gov. John Bel Edwards was there, and so was former Gov. Bobby Jindal, former House Speaker and Senate President John Alario and former U.S. Sen. David Vitter.

There were lots of smiles, and laughter, as old friends recalled their favorite stories about Roemer.

U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, who got his start in politics as a legal counsel to the governor, remembered how Roemer needed the vote of a single senator to achieve a major goal, passage of legislation to unify the various university oversight boards into a single entity.

+5 Buddy Roemer's death prompts memories, reactions : 'He leaves a great legacy' Charles Elson "Buddy" Roemer III died on Monday in Baton Rouge. A businessman from northwest Louisiana, Roemer served four terms in Congress b

Kennedy said he met with the senator, who offered to trade his vote in return for an infrastructure project in his district that state transportation officials did not want.

Roemer told Kennedy that he couldnt support it.

I said just lie to the senator, Kennedy told Roemer. They do it to us all the time. The ends justify the means.

Roemer still said no and never won approval for the single higher education board.

Leon Tarver II remembered how Roemer and his family in Bossier Parish shocked the political establishment by supporting him, a Black man, against Joe Waggonner, a White incumbent running for re-election to Congress in 1968.

Tarver lost the race but became part of Roemers extended political family and served as his secretary of Revenue.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon recalled how Roemer managed his 1998 U.S. Senate campaign against Sen. John Breaux.

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Every morning wed talk, and at some point, hed always say, You da man, Donelon!

+17 Buddy Roemer, reform governor who switched parties and lost re-election bid, dies at 77 Buddy Roemer, who rode a message of reform in the 1987 governors race to vault over three challengers and slay the dragon  scandal-torn th

Dennis Stine, who served as commissioner of administration under Roemer, his top appointed position, said he expected as a matter of course that a governor at some point would ask him to do something questionable.

But never once did I receive a request to do anything morally or ethically wrong, Stine said. I was honored to serve him. He was a man of great virtue, honesty and integrity.

Sharon Weston Broome, the mayor-president of East Baton Rouge Parish, said she often ran into Roemer at Barnes & Noble, where he liked to hang out.

Wed always have a conversation, she said.

Caroline Roemer, Roemers oldest child, referred to his love of books in her eulogy during the nearly two-hour funeral service.

He would always say a reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, she said. My dad has lived a million lives from the reading hes done and the traveling hes done.

Caroline Roemer paid tribute to her fathers third wife, Scarlett, and his two previous wives, Patti and Cookie, her mother.

My dad made mistakes, Caroline said. But he picked out three incredible women to be his wives, at different times. The crowd laughed.

Caroline noted that Cookie and Patti helped Roemer in his campaigns after the divorces and celebrated his birthdays in later years.

They loved him very much. He was too hard sometimes to be married to, but it speaks volumes about who he was, Caroline said.

"I'm proud to be his son," said his oldest son, Chas, during his eulogy.

Jay Dardenne, who is Edwards commissioner of administration, remembered the excitement of the 1987 race when he attended a Roemer fundraiser at the Country Club of Louisiana late in the campaign.

There was a fever pitch for Buddy, Dardenne said, adding, It was incredibly impressive. He was willing to speak truth to power.

Randy Roach, a former mayor of Lake Charles who was a state representative during Roemers years as governor, said he still remembers Roemers fervor.

He was very passionate about what he believed, Roach said. Buddy Roemer was all about making Louisiana a better place for her people.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, whose father chaired the Republican Party when Roemer became a Republican in 1991, said he found Roemer inspiring even he didnt always get along with his dad.

Jindal was inspired as a Baton Rouge High School student to serve the state some in some way by Roemers memorable 1987 campaign.

He showed we could have honest government, Jindal said. He also dared Louisiana to dream big, and he would always challenge you to do more.
A bill that would divide the East Baton Rouge Parish parks and recreation system into three separate districts breezed through the state Senate on a 28-6 vote Tuesday.

The proposal, Senate Bill 205, would carve out Central and Zachary from BREC, creating new park systems there and setting up separate commissions to oversee them. Each would have their own superintendent.

The measure next faces action in the House, and an uncertain future. It is expected to trigger opposition from some Baton Rouge-area lawmakers and possibly the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus.

However, it is sponsored by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Bodi White, R-Central, and some legislators are leery of challenging White because of concerns that doing so could doom their own proposals that need state dollars.

White said BREC is a bloated, bureaucratic-laden office with roughly 1,000 employees, and he said Central and Zachary residents would benefit from having more control over their parks.

Unfortunately, we are a big parish, White said in closing comments to the Senate. We dont all agree. We dont all agree on schools. We dont agree on parks. We dont agree on taxing districts. That comes with being a parish.

Sponsor confident BREC breakup bill will pass Senate; mayor opposed The sponsor of a bill that would divide the parks and recreation system for East Baton Rouge Parish said Thursday he is confident his proposal

BREC oversees 182 parks and other attractions, and it is overseen by a nine-member commission, including six named by the parish Metro Council. The parks system is funded largely by property taxes.

Sen. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, led the opposition and was the lone senator to debate the issue. Barrow pleaded with White to give BREC Superintendent Corey Wilson, who took the job in 2019, one year to address Whites concerns.

The superintendent inherited what he has, she told colleagues. He has committed to work with all of us on some of the (issues) that are probably systemic."

I think we can work toward an amicable, plausible resolution, she added. That is what I am asking. I have asked Sen. White almost every day: Can we give the superintendent at least a year to work closely with him?

White said he has met with Wilson numerous times and his bill is not aimed at the superintendent.

I appreciate his work, White said. But at some point year after year, I get tired of depending on someone else for my children and grandchildren, he said, a reference to quality recreation opportunities.

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Barrow also questioned the legality of the legislation since BREC is a political subdivision of the state.

BREC isn't serving Zachary, Central well, lawmaker says; bill to break up parks system advances A bill by a Senate leader that would divide the parks and recreation system for East Baton Rouge Parish and create new ones in Zachary and Cen

Barrows senatorial district includes parts of Zachary, which she tried to remove from the bill so those residents would remain in BREC. Her amendment failed 10-25.

White noted that Zachary Mayor David Amrhein backed the bill when he appeared before the Senate Local and Municipal Affairs Committee last week.

Whites original bill would have created a new parks system for the proposed city of St. George, too, but that portion of the plan was removed in committee.

Wilson said last week that removing St. George, which is in the southeastern part of East Baton Rouge Parish, would trim the revenue loss for BREC from $17 million to $4.5 million.

Voters in 2019 approved a ballot measure to make St. George a city, which opponents are trying to nullify through a lawsuit.

+3 BREC targeted for breakup; bill would set up new districts in St. George, Zachary and Central In a proposal that sparked immediate controversy, a state Senate leader and others have filed a bill that would divide the parks and recreatio

The BREC bill is opposed by parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, who said it would disrupt an award-winning parks system and create needless government.

Voting to break up BREC (28): President Cortez, Sens Abraham, Bernard, Cathey, Cloud, Connick, Fields, Foil, Henry, Hensgens, Hewitt, Johns, Lambert, McMath, Milligan, F. Mills, R. Mills, Mizell, Morris, Peacock, Pope, Reese, Smith, Talbot, Tarver, Ward, White and Womack.

Voting against SB205 (6): Sens , Barrow, Boudreaux, Bouie, Jackson, Peterson and Price.

Not voting (4): Sens Allain, Fesi, Harris and Luneau.
The chairman of the House Education Committee was formally removed from his post Wednesday night, ending a monthlong controversy ignited by a comment about slavery that sparked divisions along racial and political lines.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales, said he is removing Rep. Ray Garofalo, R-Chalmette, because of how Garofalo handled the aftermath of controversy over his bill, not because of what he called an inadvertent comment about slavery during a hearing on April 27.

Schexnayder said in a brief interview Garofalo had multiple chances to defuse the controversy after the hearing. "This decision comes after Rep. Garofalo's refusal to mitigate the ongoing situation," the speaker said.

"We are on the verge of passing monumental legislation to benefit the hard-working families of this state such as fundamental reforms to our complex tax code, infrastructure, health care and education," Schexnayder said. "With very little time left in this legislative session it is vital for the House, as a body, to do its job and stay focused on the goal at hand  to deliver for the people of the state."

The speaker said Rep. Mark Wright, R-Covington, vice chairman of the committee, will preside when the panel meets Thursday at 8:30 a.m., but no decision will be made immediately on a permanent replacement.

The controversy began during a hearing on Garofalos bill last month that he said would prevent college professors from teaching divisive concepts, including the view that Louisiana and the United States are inherently racist.

At one point Garofalo said, even with his measure, college classrooms were free to air discussions on controversial topics, including the good, the bad, the ugly of slavery.

The lawmaker quickly corrected himself on any suggestion of good surrounding slavery. But the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus and Gov. John Bel Edwards said he should be replaced as chairman for multiple reasons.

Meanwhile, GOP allies rallied to Garofalos side and said his bid to curb college professors promoting their own political ideologies under the guise of instruction deserved attention.

Garofalo said last week he was dismissed as chairman after he refused a directive by Schexnayder that he be suspended as panel leader for the rest of the session, which ends on June 10.

House leaders disagreed, and they noted that Garofalo was still listed as leader of the committee on the Legislatures website and that no formal paperwork needed to remove a chairman had been executed.

But the issue came to a head Wednesday morning when Garofalo told Schexnayder that, since he was still being called chairman of the education panel, he planned to preside at the committees scheduled meeting Wednesday at 9 a.m.

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Garofalo said Schexnayder told him that, if Garofalo tried to preside over the meeting, the speaker would have him removed from the State Capitol or the gathering would be canceled.

"He said 'Don't go to the meeting,'  Garofalo said of Schexnayder. "He said, 'If you start the meeting, we are going to have you removed from the building or I am going to cancel the meeting.' I don't know what happened."

Aside from Garofalo, only one other panel member showed up, and the meeting adjourned 50 minutes after it was supposed to start.

"It is our duty to continually prioritize the needs of our state over and above the needs or desires of any one individual," Schexnayder said. "No one person is bigger than the process."

Among the nine bills that were set to be heard was a Senate-passed measure  Senate Bill 60  that would allow athletes at LSU and other schools to profit from their name and image.

House chairman removed from position after comment on 'the good' of slavery; speaker disputes Chalmette Rep. Ray Garofalo, whose comment about slavery ignited anger among some of his colleagues, said Tuesday he has been ousted as chairm

The latest episode took place on St. Bernard Parish day at the State Capitol, an annual event that features seafood for lawmakers and others put on by officials that Garofalo represents.

The political fallout from the April hearing on Garofalo's bill has roiled the committee ever since.

Comment on 'the good' of slavery still 'lingering' over House education committee The House Education Committee, one of the key panels in the Louisiana Legislature, is beset by bickering, tension and fallout over a bitter de

Garofalo said Schexnayder at one point outlined which bills Garofalo would preside over and which Wright would be in the chair for.

Senators for days have expressed concern about the fate of their bills amid controversy in the House Education Committee.

Sen. Franklin Foil, R-Baton Rouge, who is the sponsor of a Senate-passed bill that would pave the way for video cameras in some special education classes, appeared at the House hearing before leaving when it was apparent his proposal would not be voted on. Backers of Foil's bill who were in the committee room left with no action on the measure, and a bizarre ending to the planned hearing.

Garofalo has said his bill that sparked the topic was a legitimate subject and that action is needed to prevent college professors from advancing their own political ideologies to impressionable students.
Letters: Without a look back at old cases under Jim Crow law, where is justice?
Responding to the May 26 letter, "Cautiously optimistic," we are in agreement that deadly force by police officers should not be used unless i
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Man Charged with Stealing Vehicles in Marshall Co.

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MARSHALL COUNTY - An Owensboro man was arrested in Marshall County Tuesday on theft charges.

A deputy with the Marshall County Sheriffs Office found an unoccupied vehicle parked on the side of the road on U.S. 68 in Draffenville. While checking the registration plates, the deputy learned that the vehicle was reported stolen out of Davies County.

Later that day, another deputy was dispatched to a business in Draffenville for a report of a stolen vehicle. The investigation led deputies to believe that the same person had stolen both vehicles.

At approximately 7:30 pm, the owner of one of the stolen vehicles called Marshall County 911 and said he had located his vehicle traveling through Draffenville and was following it. A Kentucky State Park Ranger spotted the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop.

Deputies arrested the driver, Nicholas Littlefield of Owensboro, on two counts of receiving stolen property under $10,000. He was lodged in the Marshall County Detention Center.
Australias largest private hospital group Ramsay Health Care is poised to become one of the UKs leading operators with a network of 73 hospitals after a planned $1.8 billion takeover of British healthcare company Spire.

Ramsay Health Care revealed late on Wednesday that it had made an all-cash offer to acquire 100 per cent of Spire Healthcare, which operates 39 hospitals and day clinics across England, Wales and Scotland. Ramsay has offered to buy all shares at 240 pence each  a price tag of 1 billion. The deal puts Spires total value at $3.7 billion.

Ramsay Health Care's Craig McNally. Credit:Cole Bennetts

Ramsay chief executive Craig McNally told investors and analysts the company had been watching Spire for a decade and was now willing to bet big on the company in hopes of creating a more diverse healthcare network in the United Kingdom.

We have been interested in Spire for the last 10 years and the planets have finally aligned at a time when there has never been a greater need for quality healthcare operators that can deliver outstanding patient outcomes in the UK market, he said.
The Sydney defamation barrister at the centre of a court bid to stop her from acting for federal Liberal minister Christian Porter in his defamation proceedings against the ABC was warned by a colleague not to take the brief, the Federal Court has heard.

Jo Dyer, a friend of the woman who accused Mr Porter of rape, is seeking a Federal Court order to restrain prominent defamation silk Sue Chrysanthou, SC, from acting for Mr Porter in his defamation proceedings against the ABC because of an alleged conflict of interest. An urgent three-day hearing started on Monday.

Sue Chrysanthou, SC, (left) outside the Federal Court on Wednesday. Credit:Kate Geraghty

The court has heard Ms Chrysanthou gave free advice to Ms Dyer, who is expected to be a witness for the ABC, on November 20 last year and on January 27 and 28 about an article in The Australian newspaper. The article was published in November after Ms Dyer appeared in a Four Corners broadcast about Mr Porter and others.

The rape allegation, strenuously denied by Mr Porter, was not aired as part of that broadcast.
Most of that time the jet, with 116 passengers, circled Sydney. Sydney police last night found the yellow rented Hertz Volkswagen van, used to pick up the money, about half-a-mile from Qantas House. The slightly built man who drove the van was in his late twenties. He had long brown hair, horn-rimmed spectacles and a false beard. It is not known if the driver is the Mr. Brown who wrote the ransom notes and telephoned Qantas officials with directions on how the ransom was to be paid. We were literally in the ransom gangs hands, a Qantas spokesperson said last night.

Loading Soon after the cash was handed over, a man telephoned Captain Ritchie to say there was no bomb on the plane. The plane landed safely about one hour after the cash was handed over. The drama began at noon yesterday with a telephone call to the Department of Civil Aviation in Sydney. A man said a bomb had been planted in a locker at the international terminal at Sydney airport.

Commonwealth police raced to the locker and found a gelignite bomb with a barometric ticker system designed to detonate the bomb at 20,000 feet altitude. With the bomb were three notes: one for Captain Ritchie, one for Commonwealth Police, and one explaining how the bomb worked. The note to Capt. Ritchie said that a similar device was on board Qantas flight 755 bound for London by way of Hong Kong. The note said information on the location of the bomb would be given on the payment of $500,000. The jet already was on its way to Hong Kong.

Qantas alerted the 707 captain (Capt. W. G. Selwyn) immediately. The jet, flying over the outback in the north-west of NSW, was told to fly to Brisbane. At Brisbane airport, full emergency procedures were adopted for the planes arrival. But Qantas considered Sydneys emergency facilities were superior to Brisbane and decided to bring the plane back to Sydney. Authorities immediately swung into action in an all-out bid to protect the passengers and crew.

Eight navy ships sped to Botany Bay near the airport and airport crash facilities were bolstered by 17 ambulances and 12 fire brigades. Qantas established a direct radio link with the plane while working desperately to raise the $500,000 ransom money. In mid-air, as hours ticked by and fuel supplies dwindled, the planes crew searched frantically for the bomb. The plane could not land because the ransom gangs warning that the bomb would explode if the plane dropped below 20,000 ft. Qantas officials had to rely on a frail telephone link with Mr. Brown throughout the afternoon.

With only an hour of fuel left in the plane, the hoaxers set the handover terms for the money. At 5.45 the Qantas general manager, alone and unescorted, waited with two innocuous blue suitcases at the entrance of the Qantas building in Elizabeth Street. Capt. Ritchie loaded the two suitcases and the $500,000 in a yellow Hertz hire van which pulled in at the kerb. He waved keys The driver waved a bunch of keys in a prearranged identification signal and Captain Ritchie loaded the money in through the vans side door.

Half an hour later, at 6.10, Qantas received Mr. Browns final call, made to tell them there was no bomb on board the plane. The plane touched down safely at 6.45 p.m. to a massive greeting by pressmen and onlookers. The two key Qantas figures in the drama were Captain Ritchie and his deputy general manager (Captain P. W. Howson). Captain Ritchie was not at Qantas when the first Brown call came and Captain Howson stepped in and represented himself as Captain Ritchie on the telephone. Captain Howson took the four calls which led to the rendezvous and ransom handover.

A dozen Qantas senior executives worked frantically to get the cash ready. We had to treat it as a serious matter  proceed on the assumption that the threat was real. We thought it might have been a hoax, but we were not prepared to take the risk, a spokesman said. The Qantas executives wrote a cheque for $500,000 on the Reserve Bank and picked the money up in the two blue suitcases. The few senior executives in the know watched helplessly as Captain Ritchie handed over the money over. The ransomers had warned that the plane would be left to explode if any of their detailed plans were not followed to the letter.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned that Melbournes local COVID-19 cases were a wake-up call that the virus can still spread in the community and a reminder of why people need to come forward to be vaccinated.

NSW residents were encouraged to postpone non-urgent travel to Melbourne after the citys coronavirus cluster grew to 15 cases on Wednesday.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian at the Sydney Olympic Park mass vaccination hub on Wednesday. Credit:Janie Barrett

That could happen in any state in Australia, she said of Melbournes local cases, adding that the country was still in very initial stages of its vaccine rollout.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said he appreciated some people would need to travel interstate for essential business but it might be wise and it might be precautionary for people in NSW to not travel to Victoria and particularly Greater Melbourne for the time being.
NSW Farmers fear the mouse plague devastating regional communities may wipe $1 billion off the value of winter crops, warning the crisis could span two years.

The associations vice president Xavier Martin blamed the NSW government for the escalating crisis.

Coonamble broadacre farmer Allan Inglis cleaning out his mouse traps. Credit:Dean Sewell

We have a plague because the government did nothing, they said it was just a problem, he said.

Its turned into something that knocks the heck out of our state economy when were trying to recover from COVID.
Experts are warning Queensland could face days of rolling blackouts if the states power grid can not be stabilised in the wake of the fire at the Callide Power Station.

The cause of the fire at the power station in central Queensland was still being investigated on Wednesday, however the plants operator, CS Energy, confirmed one of the four turbines caught fire, so the plant was shut down and evacuated.

Once Callide shut down, a number of other power stations - Gladstone, Stanwell and Yarwun - were taken offline, meaning a loss of 2300 megawatts to the overall grid.

That resulted in more than 400,000 customers across the state losing power, however far from a failure, USQ power and energy systems expert Andreas Helwig said that was the system working as intended to protect itself.
Two new technology clusters have been activated in Queensland to help foster the states burgeoning hydrogen industry, including a $100,000 boost from the Queensland government.

The industry hubs will be based at Gladstone and Toowoomba, and are expected to work in co-operation with a cluster already established in Brisbane, known as H2Q.

Toowoomba and Gladstone will be the latest technology clusters to drive the hydrogen industry. Credit:Matthew Absalom-Wong

The Queensland government partnered with National Energy Resources Australia to establish the clusters as part of a nationwide push to drive development of the hydrogen industry.

NERAs national cluster development manager Leigh Kennedy said bringing the Gladstone and Toowoomba hubs online meant they could build on the energy industries already in those regions.
One senior federal government source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that the states contact tracing system could reach capacity within days if the number of sites continued to grow at the current rate. Several federal and state government sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss private briefings, told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald that health officials had told both governments that contact tracers were able to quickly contact venues and identify primary close contacts. That assurance initially gave both state and federal health authorities the confidence not to recommend further restrictions or lockdown measures. After Mr Merlino spoke with Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday afternoon, the Commonwealth promised additional support for Victoria, which will include an extra 130,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses over the next six weeks to help protect residents against the current outbreak.

The federal government has offered an extra 40,000 doses this week, and 15,000 more doses a week for the next six weeks. The growing Victorian outbreak drove record numbers of Melburnians to mass vaccination hubs across the city on Wednesday and as fears of another lockdown spread there were reports that panic-buying of toilet paper had once again stripped supermarket aisles bare. Tuka Tahir prepares a jab at the Melbourne Showgrounds vaccine hub on Wednesday. Credit:Eddie Jim A Woolworths spokesperson said the supermarket chain was monitoring demand closely. As always, we ask customers to be mindful of others in their community and buy only what they need, they said. A number of sites across Melbournes north have been closed for cleaning, with many linked to the outbreak but not yet listed among a growing list of exposure sites.

They include shops in Barkly Square, Brunswick, where centre management posted a notice saying a person affected by COVID-19 had visited a pharmacy, Kmart and Woolworths on Saturday. On Wednesday evening the Health Department revealed that a positive case attended the Essendon versus North Melbourne game at Marvel Stadium on Sunday. The governments official exposure list now includes the MCG, a RMIT university building in Carlton, bars in Prahran and South Yarra, and a pub and hair salon in country Victoria. The outbreak also appeared to be spreading across the state, with a 200-spectator sporting event on Saturday in the Victoria-NSW border town of Cohuna identified as an exposure site after a case linked to the Melbourne cluster visited. Exposure sites were also listed in and around Bendigo.

Loading Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said on Wednesday that cases were likely to continue to emerge. All the cases so far are related to the northern suburbs outbreak, except for the linking case to the South Australian quarantine case. Genomic testing has confirmed a connection between a Wollert man and the 15 coronavirus cases, but so far it is not known how that transmission occurred. The only missing link is the link to the Wollert case from the South Australian hotel quarantine, Professor Sutton said. All other cases, all of our 15 cases in this cluster, are linked. On Wednesday afternoon the South Australian government released a report into how the man from Wollert caught COVID-19 in hotel quarantine.

South Australian Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said the review found that he was most probably infected in the Playford Hotel through aerosol transmission when food was delivered to residents in the facility. There were two occasions on a particular day where hed opened his door to get food that had been delivered and then within a fairly short space of time, she said. On Wednesday afternoon, South Australia, where the latest outbreak originated, announced it would shut its border to Victoria from 6pm. NSW residents are being urged to postpone non-urgent travel to Melbourne, with NSW Health issuing a public health alert for Greater Melbourne and Bendigo.

On Wednesday night, NSW Health advised people from a sports club in the NSW Riverina town of Tooleybuc who attended an event at Cohuna in Victoria on Saturday to self-isolate. The event had been attended by a person who was a confirmed COVID-19 case. Queensland has closed their borders to more than 200,000 Melburnians in the City of Whittlesea. Tasmania has declared Whittlesea a high-risk area and Victorians arriving in Western Australia need to be tested and isolate until they receive a negative result. Federal MPs and senators from Victoria considering returning home this weekend have been told to consider staying in Canberra over concerns that ACT entry conditions may change without notice. In federal Parliament, Labors deputy leader Richard Marles attacked the Morrison governments vaccination program, saying it had been too slow to protect Australians. This country is dangerously exposed, Mr Marles said.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt, though, in question time said 104,000 people were vaccinated across the country on Tuesday. Australia has just had a record vaccination day, he said. More Australians are being vaccinated every day. Dozens of eligible people were queuing outside the Showgrounds vaccination hub in Ascot Vale on Wednesday as the centre prepared to give out more than 850 jabs in one day. The nurse in charge of the hub, Allison Lamb said the spike in coronavirus cases was motivating people. The community thought they could put it off and have waited with a false sense of security and [are] now realising another outbreak could happen at any time. Ms Lamb said the mass vaccination hub was still operating at a fraction of its capacity; the centre can immunise about 2200 Victorians a day.

The number of vaccine doses spiked in the wake of Melbournes latest outbreak with official figures showing that the number of doses delivered via the state government rose from 8269 on Monday to 15,858 on Tuesday. Despite this, doctors in Melbournes northern suburbs warned on Wednesday that consistently high vaccine hesitancy had put people living in the area at heightened risk of COVID-19, with GPs concerned public health messages about the importance of being vaccinated were still failing to reach culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Mr Merlino repeated his pleas for Victorians to get vaccinated. Acting Premier James Merlino said vaccines and alternative quarantine were Australias route out of the pandemic. Credit:Justin McManus There are millions of people eligible already right now. And as I said yesterday, dont wait for tomorrow. Dont wait for next week. If you are eligible, call the hotline and get vaccinated, he said.

Mr Merlino said the government was hoping to expand vaccine eligibility for Victorians, and that they were working through the details of what that looks like. Loading Also on Wednesday, the AFL began contacting Victorian clubs to order them into a COVID supplementary program. Players, coaches and club staffers will only be allowed to leave home for food shopping, caregiving, exercise and work. Teams will still be able to train together, but meeting sizes will be significantly reduced. The league regulations come as the AFL tries to mitigate the risk of any staff member contracting COVID-19.
2 Million Kentuckians Now Vaccinated

By West Kentucky Star Staff

FRANKFORT - On Tuesday, Governor Andy Beshear announced that over 2 million Kentuckians had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine."When you look at this, it is just a miracle," said Gov. Beshear. "Fifteen months after the first case of COVID-19 in Kentucky, not only do we have effective vaccines, but we have 2 million people vaccinated. It's really exciting."Beshear said Moderna has announced its vaccine is 100 percent effective in a study of adolescents ages 12 to 17. The company plans to ask the FDA to expand the emergency use of its vaccine for this age group next month. If approved, it would be the second vaccine available for this age group.Beshear reported 580 new cases and four new deaths Monday.Kentucky's positivity rate stands at 2.52 percent.You can see Beshear's update below.
Weve had our share of scary situations in Victoria since the devastating COVID-19 second wave in 2020, but its fair to say the situation we are now facing is the most concerning since then. The detection of a number of cases over the past few days, linked to the case who brought the virus from Adelaide, has ended almost three months of no community transmission.

The next 24 hours is a critical period to understand exactly what we are dealing with, and to make vital decisions about our response. What we do know is that we have to prepare for more cases being detected over the coming days, and in addition to the limited restrictions that have been introduced, we must prepare for the possible reintroduction of the type of restrictions we thought were long behind us.

A quiet Melbourne CBD on Wednesday as Melburnians brace for stricter COVID-19 restrictions. Credit:Wayne Taylor

In examining what we know about this cluster there is no sugar-coating the fact there are a number of elements that would be very concerning to authorities. Firstly, we still have not identified the epidemiological link between this cluster and the case who brought the virus into Melbourne from Adelaide. Whenever links between cases are not fully understood there is always the risk there are undetected chains of transmission, which makes controlling spread more difficult.

Secondly, although there is some reassurance that all of the identified cases in this cluster have been linked to each other, we do know we have had infectious individuals in the community for some time before this cluster was identified. This, along with the growing number of exposure sites and the type of exposure sites that are being identified, including a number of shopping centres and the MCG, is another worrying aspect of this situation and increases the likelihood that the number of cases will grow substantially over the coming days.
Thanks so much for joining us today as we covered the state being sent into lockdown yet again because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We appreciate the support from so many readers and all your comments and interactions.

These blogs require input from scores of our staff, often while also working on website or print duties.

We will be back again early tomorrow morning with another free COVID-19 live blog so please join us then.

Before I go, here is a quick rundown of the major events from today.

Seven-day circuit breaker - Victoria goes into lockdown

Exodus from Melbourne as lockown looms

Vaccine could go to under-40s if outbreak continues

What are the restrictions this lockdown?

Lockdown Q&A - we try to answer your lockdown questions.

Thanks again for joining us. We will see you again early tomorrow morning and Ill be on the AFL Friday footy blog tomorrow, but I hope to see you all again on the COVID-19 blog this weekend.

Bye for now.
A cocky young sexual predator with a predilection for fire-lighting and animal cruelty has been let loose to groom female victims in government-run residential care homes in Perth.

West Australian children up to the age of 17 are sent to live in residential group homes staffed by Department of Communities workers when theres no foster home available for them. Child protection workers have described the homes as new-age orphanages.

The Department of Child Protection knew the teenager was previously accused of sexually assaulting a young person before being placed in a DCP home with a sexual assault victim. Credit:Facebook

In a five-year period, Paul, whose name has been changed here for legal reasons, was charged with at least 10 rape offences, including two counts of attempted penetration of a child under 13.

He was convicted of those two charges in 2015 and was a known reportable offender before the government placed him in a residential group home in Perths east with other children, some of whom were already victims of sexual assault and rape.
Mining magnate Clive Palmer could back former Liberal member Craig Kelly in a defamation claim against Facebook and may help finance his campaign at the next federal election.

The pair emerged from a meeting in Parliament House on Wednesday to signal their closer ties as the outspoken federal MP tries to overcome Facebooks decision that he has spread misinformation about COVID-19.

Independent Craig Kelly has spoken to Clive Palmer about helping him fund a defamation claim against Facebook. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer/Getty Images

Mr Palmer has not made a commitment to pay for Mr Kellys campaign but it will be discussed as a way to help the now-independent MP hold the seat of Hughes in south-west Sydney.

Thats something to discuss down the road, Mr Kelly said.
Moscow: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Wednesday a journalist pulled off a plane that landed in Minsk had been plotting a bloody rebellion, and accused the West of waging a hybrid war against him.

In his defiant remarks, his first in public since he ordered a warplane to intercept a Ryanair flight between EU members Greece and Lithuania, he showed no hint of backing down from confrontation with countries that accuse him of air piracy.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko addresses the Parliament in Minsk, Belarus. Credit:Sergei Shelega/BelTA Pool Photo via AP

As we predicted, our ill-wishers from outside the country and from inside the country changed their methods of attack on the state, Lukashenko, 66, told parliament. They have crossed many red lines and have abandoned common sense and human morals.

Belarus has already been subject to EU and US sanctions since Lukashenko cracked down on pro-democracy protests after a disputed election last year. But his decision to intercept an international airliner flying through his countrys airspace and arrest a 26-year-old dissident journalist has brought a new level of condemnation and vows of far more serious action.
Washington: Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took a moment to thank the Biden administration for its support during his countrys 11-day conflict with Hamas in Gaza  and then abruptly changed the subject and his tone.

We discussed many regional issues, but none is greater than Iran, Netanyahu said on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST), standing with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken after their meeting in Jerusalem. He pointedly added that he hoped the United States would not rejoin the 2015 Iran nuclear deal because we believe that that deal paves the way for Iran to have an arsenal of nuclear weapons with international legitimacy.

The Israeli leaders remarks lent a sour note to his welcome of Blinken. And it undoubtedly echoed a few thousand miles away in Vienna, where a fifth round of negotiations opened, aimed at bringing the United States and Iran back into compliance with the nuclear agreement, a top priority of Bidens.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is opposed to a return to the Us-Iran nuclear pact. Credit:AP

As Netanyahus remarks made clear, the Gaza conflict appears to have earned Biden good will with the Israeli leader and his public. But the prospect of a US return to the nuclear deal threatens to generate new strains between Washington and Jerusalem on a subject that poisoned relations between President Barack Obama and Netanyahu.
Washington: President Joe Biden has asked US intelligence officials to redouble their efforts to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the possibility that the origins of the virus trace to a Chinese lab.

After months of minimising the possibility as a fringe theory, the Biden administration is responding both to domestic and geopolitical concerns about putting pressure on China to be transparent about the outbreak.

US President Joe Biden has called for the report to be delivered within 90 days. Credit:AP

Republicans, including former president Donald Trump, have promoted the theory that the virus emerged from a laboratory accident, rather than naturally through human contact with an infected animal.

Biden in a statement said the majority of the intelligence community had coalesced around those two likely scenarios but do not believe there is sufficient information to assess one to be more likely than the other. He revealed that two of the 18 intelligence agencies lean toward the animal link and one leans more toward the lab theory, adding, each with low or moderate confidence.
Prison Visits to Resume Next Month in Kentucky

By The Associated Press

FRANKFORT - Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky will reopen its prisons to visitors starting next month as the COVID-19 vaccination rate has risen among inmates.Visitations will resume the week of June 20 at Department of Corrections and Juvenile Justice facilities.The governor said Tuesday that more than 75% of adult inmates in state custody have been vaccinated.The state halted in-person visits more than a year ago in response to the pandemic.Visitors must be vaccinated and will be expected to wear a mask and practice social distancing.Each inmate will be allowed two visitors at a time.
Colorado metal worker says union he no longer belongs to trying to collect $21,000 in lost dues
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.
An assortment of firearms are seen for sale at Capitol City Arms Supply in Springfield in 2013.
Up for debate:

Live legislation tracker

Check out the latest developments on bills pending before state lawmakers in four key topics.
Clarksville Woman Killed in Houseboat Explosion

By West Kentucky Star Staff

CLARKSVILLE - A woman was killed and her husband was injured when their houseboat exploded on the Cumberland River near Clarksville on Sunday.The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency reported that the explosion happened shortly after the 38-foot houseboat refueled near the Montgomery County Conservation Club.Officials said 56-year-old David Berggren, and 49-year-old Cristal Berggren, were thrown into the water by the explosion and were rescued by a passing boater.Cristal Berggren was transported to Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville, where she later died.David Berggren is still hospitalized.
Workers toil on a project to replace old water lines under Main Street as part of work to update water and sewer systems as well as prepare the road for the expansion of a street car line in Kansas City, Mo. Wednesday, March 30, 2021. Looking beyond the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, President Joe Biden and lawmakers are laying the groundwork for another of his top legislative priorities with a long-sought boost to the nation's roads, bridges and other infrastructure that could meet GOP resistance to a hefty price tag.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg smiles as he shakes hands with European Commissioner for Values and Transparency Vera Jourova prior to a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels, Monday, Feb. 17, 2020.
In this May 2, 2021, file photo, Stephanie Birman, right, a Seattle Sounders season ticket holder, wears a Sounders mask, jersey and earrings as she gets the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic in a concourse at Lumen Field prior to an MLS soccer match between the Sounders and the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Local politicians renew calls for safety measures to reduce speeding in Ruabon

Two local politicians have renewed calls for safety measures to reduce speeding in Ruabon.

Clwyd South Member of the Senedd Ken Skates and local councillor Dana Davies have raised the issue on several previous occasions  and say more must be done to improve safety in the village.

Mr Skates said: Speeding in Ruabon was raised a number of times on the doorstep during the recent election campaign, and I have already been contacted by constituents since being re-elected who want decisive action taken. This has been going on for years.

Cllr Davies said: There is a play area just off the main road through the village, and as we get closer to the summer holidays parents will obviously be worried because of the speed some drivers are doing on a regular basis. I





ts also a real issue for people trying to pull out onto the main road from the direction of the Pont Adam estate because of vehicles racing round the corner.

We have asked Wrexham Council to consider a range of traffic-calming measures before now, and its clear this issue still needs addressing.

Mr Skates has written to Wrexham Council and North Wales Police to call for coordinated action.

He said: When weve contacted police about this issue previously, they have responded positively and weve seen increased speed checks and enforcement action.

Those courses of action, however, are temporary. People want to see something permanent in place. Something has to be done.

Other areas of concern highlighted by residents include Albert Grove and New Hall Road.

After working with Aldi to stop boy racers congregating in the supermarket car park late at night, Mr Skates and Cllr Davies have also been pushing for a resolution to traffic noise issues highlighted by residents of the nearby Parklands Estate.

Go Safe teams have also monitored the short carriageway between the Ruabon roundabout and the A483 slip road.

Cllr Davies added: I will press for further speed checks which could support a fresh request to Wrexham Council for restrictions on the stretch, and our local police team is instigating vehicle checks to ensure vehicle noise emission compliance.
Voters wait in line Nov. 3, 2020, outside a pavilion at Center Street Park shortly before the polling site opened on Election Day in Milwaukee.
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New Castle, IN (47362)

Today

Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 92F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds light and variable.
Managing agent sought to run new 6.7m health and wellbeing facility in Wrexham

A managing agent is being sought to run a new 6.7m health and wellbeing facility being created in Wrexham.

Work to transform the towns Crown Buildings has been ongoing since last year.

Changes to the ground floor of the local authoritys offices on Chester Street are designed so residents can access a number of services under the same roof, including health and social care.

The project is being delivered jointly by Wrexham Council, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and AVOW (Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham) with the help of funding from the Welsh Government.





The organisations involved are now seeking a managing agent to oversee the day to day running of the facility.

In a contract notice posted on the Sell2Wales procurement website, the council said: The community health and wellbeing facility is a new multi-agency facility developed within the newly refurbished Crown Buildings, with an aim to provide integrated community, health, social care and third sector services in a safe environment with accessible facilities, for all ages and abilities, which compliments existing service provision.

The intention is for the facility to managed and run on a day-to-day basis by a managing agent, overseen by a steering group comprising representatives from BCUHB, WCBC and AVOW.

The managing agent shall support the delivery of the Welsh Governments A Healthier Wales strategy, working co-productively with established partners and stakeholders and developing relationships with new ones, not least Wrexhams vast third sector networks and providers.

The overall value of the contract is 1m over five years with 200,000 allocated in the first year.

Interested parties have been given until the end of June to put bids forward.

Concerns were previously raised over the rising cost of refurbishing the building after they went up by 1m to pay for the removal of asbestos and the addition of solar panels.

The upper floors of the facility will be used as a base for social care staff and the councils education department.

By Liam Randall  BBC Local Democracy Reporter
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RENSSELAER - Mary Ellen Murin, of Rensselaer, formerly of West Oneonta, passed away on Thursday, June 10, 2021. She was 88 years old. Mary Ellen was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She graduated from Linden High School, Linden, New Jersey in 1950. She attended Trenton State Teachers College i
Mark SimonsonWilbur Davis cuts a ribbon on June 16, 2006, for one of several new cabins opened at the Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park in Westford. Betty is shown at his left. The cabins were among improvements made to the land, opened as a park in 2001.
Wrexham-based Moneypenny ranked third in the UK for Best Business services

One of Wrexhams largest companies has been ranked third in the UK Best Business services category and sixth place in the Welsh Region of the Best Companies survey 2021.

Moneypenny, the leading outsourced communications company has been ranked third in the UK Best Business services Best Companies survey 2021 and in sixth place in the top Best Companies to work for in Wales.

The company, which has over 1,000 employees globally and headquarters in Wrexham, achieved outstanding scores in the annual survey, gaining a prestigious three-star rating which is only given to extraordinary companies.

It also ranked 17th place nationally in the Large Companies category (200-1,999 employees).





Over the last 12 months Moneypenny went to great lengths to maintain the health, happiness and wellbeing of its staff, including offering a whole library of wellbeing, health and communication tools, from weekly mindfulness and daily yoga classes, to dog walking and vouchers for virtual pizzas.

The company also set up a special cluck and collect Christmas bot and provided a free turkey, ham or nut roast for staff as a Christmas thank you for effectively having Moneypenny in their homes during the pandemic.

Joanna Swash, Group CEO at Moneypenny, said: Employee engagement has always been central to Moneypenny and has been critically important for us in coping with the pandemic and in building back better post-pandemic.

This is a fantastic result and it is proof of the faith our staff have in us, but its important to remember that we wouldnt be the company we are today without their hard work and dedication.

Jonathan Austin, CEO & Founder of Best Companies, said: Earning a place on a list as one of the UKs Best Companies to Work For is an accolade like no other.

It recognises commitment to employees and demonstrates that you see workplace engagement as a vital part of your organisations success.

I would like to congratulate Moneypenny on their achievement. Best Companies have been producing the Accreditation standard since 2006 to acknowledge excellence in the workplace.

Organisations like Moneypenny have continued to focus on their employees and have been rewarded with an engaged workforce who tell us that this is a best company to work for.
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.

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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.
It feels like we've been waiting FOREVER for Lorde to release new music, and some massive clues have just been dropped hinting that the wait could nearly be over.

Lorde has been really quiet since dropping her critically acclaimed album 'Melodrama' back in 2017. Apart from a couple of emails to fans here and there and an Instagram story encouraging NZ fans to vote, she's been fairly out of the public eye.

However, she's recently been announced on Barcelona's Primavera Festival's line-up, alongside artists such as Dua Lipa, Megan Thee Stallion, Kehlani, and hundreds more.

The real clue that's getting fans excited is a line written on the festival's website, which states,

Lorde, who will emerge from her retirement with her third album after her unforgettable visit in 2018

Suuuurely that's confirmation that her album will be dropped before the festival, which is happening in June next year.

Lorde's fans have gone wild since this speculation, check out some of the reactions below!
The Warehouse stores will no longer sell fireworks, after research showed over half of their customer base supported the move.

The Warehouse chief product officer Tania Benyon said the sale of fireworks no longer held true to the companys values.

Like any of our product ranges, we assess them and we make changes accordingly, she said in a statement.

Feedback from our customers shows that while many are supportive of public fireworks displays to mark specials events across the year, Guy Fawkes has become less of an occasion, and there are clear concerns about people letting off fireworks at home.

Of the customers who were unsupportive of fireworks, 27% were concerned about the safety of animals and 16% said their concerns were for environmental reasons.

Animal rights activists and organisations have applauded the decision, citing it as great news for animals.

The sale of fireworks has long been disputed and in August 2020, the parliamentary governance and administration select committee declined to recommend an outright ban on the sale of fireworks for private usage, despite calls for new restrictions from Auckland council, police, the fire service, vets, animal welfare groups and 28,000 petitioners.

Were stoked to see The Warehouse taking steps to help protect the safety of our furry friends and our environment by stopping the sales of fireworks in their stores.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-25 17:28:01|Editor: huaxia

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VIENNA, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Monday that a temporary arrangement reached with Iran in February that allows the agency to continue with necessary verification and monitoring activities will be extended for one month, expiring on June 24.

Apart from the extension, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told reporters that the agency and Iran have agreed that information collected by the technical equipment at different locations in Tehran is going to be saved and will continue to be under the custody of the agency.

Iran stopped the implementation of the voluntary measures as envisaged in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, on Feb. 23.

On Feb. 21, the IAEA said that it had reached a temporary bilateral technical understanding with Iran, under which the IAEA could continue with its necessary verification and monitoring activities for up to three months.

Grossi said Monday that this understanding was "even more important now" because a number of things have been happening in Iran since February, in terms of the activities there that have increased "qualitatively and quantitatively."

Grossi clarified to reporters that the information collected has not been handed over yet, but he also stressed that the agency is not practically "flying blind" since they know what equipment is there and have their own calculations and estimations of what is going on.

"This is not ideal. This is like an emergency device that we came up with in order for us to continue having these monitoring activities," Grossi said.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Live Q&A: Trump May Launch Social Network Soon; Florida Law Against Political Censorship

Former President Donald Trump said that he is weighing several options for having a public platform. He said hes deciding on whether to move to an existing platform or whether to establish a new platform of his own. And in other news, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new law into place that will fine social media platforms for censoring politicians and political candidates and that will force more transparency on censorship policies. In this live Q&A with Crossroads host Joshua Philipp, well discuss these stories and others, as well as answer questions from the audience.

Were being heavily censored by Big Tech. Our solution? Create our own independent platform free of censorship.

Join us today on EpochTV. Weve got a country to save: http://epochtv.com/Crossroads
The Pentagon logo behind the podium in the briefing room at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on Jan. 8, 2020. (Al Drago/Reuters)

30 Republicans Urge Pentagon Chief to Fight Back Against Left-Wing Extremism in US Military

Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) led a group of 30 House Republicans in urging Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to fight back against creeping left-wing extremism in the U.S. military.

Rosendale and his GOP colleagues said in a May 25 letter to Austin that theyre concerned about the growing trend of left-wing extremism and politicization in our armed forces, while citing several examples in support of their position that the nonpartisan legacy of the U.S. military is now in jeopardy.

The lawmakers expressed concern about the firing of a Space Force commander over his remarks that diversity and inclusion training in the military was rooted in critical race theory, which is rooted in Marxism; about West Point training that they said was anti-police and racist; and about the appointment and subsequent reassignment of the first chief diversity and inclusion officer in the U.S. Special Operations Command after the surfacing of his vast trove of far-left social media posts, including one that compared former President Donald Trump to Hitler.

The Republicans also objected to some of the efforts of Bishop Garrison, a top adviser to Austin, who in April was appointed to head the militarys newly established Countering Extremism Working Group, a body tasked with defining more specifically what constitutes extremist behavior, among other objectives.

Under the guise of reviewing extremism within the ranks of the Department of Defense, it appears that political actors such as Bishop Garrison  have been given broad freedom to both catechize and root out servicemembers who will not affirm far-left doctrines, the lawmakers stated.

While the lawmakers didnt provide more specifics on Garrisons work, a report from The Intercept, citing internal Pentagon documents, claimed that Garrison was designing a social media screening program that would continuously monitor members of the military for concerning behaviors.

Pentagon officials didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment on the letter.

John Kirby, the Pentagons press secretary, denied the existence of such a program, telling reporters in Virginia last week that theres no pilot program run by Mr. Garrison or the extremist working group to examine social media.

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, Kirby said.

Kirby did acknowledge Pentagon efforts predating the extremist working group that look at the social media footprint when we are considering recruits as they come in, as part of routine screening of candidates, which he said was just good common sense.

In announcing actions to counter extremism in the military 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, the Pentagon said, adding that the group 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.

In February, the Pentagon chief ordered a 60-day stand-down by all units to address the loosely defined problem of extremism in the ranks of the military.

Days after that announcement, former U.S. Navy Lt Cmdr. Steven Rogers told NTD that Austins order was unprecedented, unnecessary, and a dangerous road that leads to communist China.

This to me, is dangerous, it looks like a political litmus test, and its a road that you would only find in communist China or in the former Soviet Union, Rogers said.

Earlier in May, Republican lawmakers announced a bill to combat critical race theory in U.S. military training programs.

Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.) said at the time that critical race theory is a divisive ideology that threatens to poison the American psyche.

The roots of this ideology are unmistakable. Just as Karl Marx advocated a social critical ethic of societal classismoppressor versus oppressedthis is neo-Marxist ideology, cultural Marxism masquerading as history and designed to mislead, he said.
39-Year-Old British Fashion Model Dies After Getting COVID-19 Shot in Cyprus

A UK-born model experienced a blood clot and passed away after getting the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Paphos, Cyprus, said a health official on Monday.

According to CyprusMail, Stephanie Dubois, 39, underwent a serious thrombotic episode after getting the shot, which has been suspended or restricted in over 20 countries due to possible side effects.

Health officials at the main state hospital in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, stated that Dubois didnt have any underlying health conditions.

The Greek media reported that she had a brain hemorrhage and went into a coma, and finally drew her last breath on Saturday.

A post on Stephanie Duboiss Facebook page. (Stephanie Dubois/Facebook)

She had her first shot on May 6 and was hospitalized eight days later.

Cypriot health service spokesperson Charalambos Charilaou announced that the European Medicines Agency would investigate her death.

So I had the vaccination today! I hate needles, today was no exception . . . And now I feel horrendous . . . pizza and bed for me, Dubois posted on May 6.

Her condition then worsened with involuntary convulsions and difficulty breathing normally.

Woke up feeling fine and then within an hour I had fully body shakes, all my joints seized and I was struggling to breathe and was cold to the bone with a persistent headache and dizziness, Dubois wrote on May 14. I was convinced Id come down with Covid!

A photo of Stephanie Duboiss arm. (Stephanie Dubois/Facebook)

I have had my bloods [sic] done and there is definitely something off as my white blood cell count is high, but they dont know what it is causing it. The doctors here are great and will be checking in with me on Sunday to see how I am doing.

She further remarked: Maybe Im having a prolonged reaction to my Covid jab last week, or maybe those side effects affected my immune system and Ive caught something else In the process.

I am completely drained, no energy and my whole body hurts with sore and weak joints but it is better than it was this morning. This morning really scared me to be honest, the weakened model then wrote, expressing her thanks for all the kind comments people wrote on her page.

A post on Stephanie Duboiss Facebook page. (Stephanie Dubois/Facebook)

The UK drugmaker has been trying to get approval in the United States pending an FDA review, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters last month.

The Epoch Times reached out to AstraZeneca for comment.

Around the same time that Dubois got her first jab, the Cyprus government announced a controversial new measure that would reopen businesses and return some liberties to the island nations citizens by introducing a Coronapass system.

The Coronapass implies proof of COVID-19 negativity within the past 3 days, vaccination three weeks prior, or having been infected with the virus within the past six months.
(L) Damage to a business inflicted by rioters. (R) Two of those arrested during the rioting, Elizabeth Hall and Jacob Myers, are pictured in mugshots. (Portland Police Bureau; Multnomah County Sheriff's Office)

5 Arrested in Portland During Riot on Anniversary of Floyds Death

Five people were arrested overnight in Portland, Oregon after a riot broke out on the anniversary of George Floyds death.

The quintet was part of a crowd who set a fire in a dumpster next to the Justice Center, a building that houses a jail and law enforcement offices, while chanting Burn the building down, according to a Portland Police Bureau incident summary and photographs and video footage from the scene.

Others in the crowd hurled frozen water bottles and eggs at police officers and some threw metal spikes into the road.

The mob later marched to City Hall, breaking windows and scrawling far-left slogans across the facade. The mob was incited by some people, police said.

Because of the continued criminal actions, police declared a riot and warned people to disperse or face arrest or crowd control tactics.

The crowd kept moving through the city, damaging property at businesses and breaking more windows, including at a steakhouse where people were eating inside.

Slowly, as the number of people in the crowd became smaller and smaller, they began to spread out, fight among themselves and light occasional trash can fires. People within the crowd were overheard saying the night was a success, police said.

Those arrested were identified as Elizabeth Hall, 30, Emery Hall, 30, Rhiannon Millar-Griffin, 23, Jacob Myers, 22, and Jarrid Huber, 21. They faced charges including criminal mischief, riot, and arson.

Jarrid Huber and Emery Hall are seen in mugshots. (Multnomah County Sheriffs Office)

The crowd on Tuesday night was largely dressed in garb favored by Antifa, the far-left, anarcho-communist network that advocates for the abolition of police and has frequently targeted Portland Mayor and Police Commissioner Ted Wheeler.

Wheeler has in recent months turned against the rioters, describing them as anarchists who are bent on destruction and calling for community members to help unmask them so they can be arrested and prosecuted.

Portland has dealt with unrest for about a year, starting with the death of Floyd in Minneapolis. Rioters set fire to the Justice Center in the spring of 2020 before turning their sights on the U.S. courthouse downtown, triggering the deployment of federal officers. Nightly clashes between the rioters and officers played out for weeks until the feds withdrew, letting a combined city-state force respond to unrest.

Riots have continued taking place on a regular basis.

Antifa members promoted the gathering that turned into a riot on Tuesday, according to Andy Ngo, an editor for The Post Millennial who is an expert on the group. One poster promoting the gathering called for people to bloc up, a reference to wearing all-black clothing with faces obscured and to be ready to carry out destruction.

Millar-Griffin was arrested during a riot in August 2020 on disorderly conduct and law enforcement interference charges.

Huber has described himself on social media as an independent reporter. He has previously shared a meme calling for the resignation of Wheeler.
Australian Exports Records Historic High Despite Beijings Economic Coercion

Australian exports reached a historic high of $36 billion (US$28 billion) in April on the back of skyrocketing iron ore prices.

Preliminary monthly trade data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) also reveals that Australias trade goods surplus rose to $10.1 billion (US$7.9 billion), the third-highest on record.

Exports remained steady, increasing $12.6 million in April, but imports fell $1.9 billion, adding to the already strong surplus recorded in March 2021, ABS Head of International Statistics Andrew Tomadini said. The continued strength of metalliferous ores has contributed to total exports for April 2021 reaching a record-high $36 billion.

Metalliferous ore exports, which includes iron ore, increased by 1 percent from March, reaching a historic high of $16.5 billion.

ANZ head of Australian economics David Plank expects the gross domestic product to have more mild movements in the March quarter than the previous quarters, which recorded big rises after restrictions began to ease.

If we do get a figure some way above 1 per cent, subject to revisions, then we will be able to say GDP has recovered to pre-COVID levels. Thats certainly our expectation, Plank told The Australian Financial Review.

Other notable shifts include an 8 percent increase in coal, a 31 percent increase in petroleum, and a 55 percent increase in medicinal and pharmaceutical products.

Indian demand for Australian coal has also steadily increased since mid-2020, rising by 167 percent during April.

Australian exports by country. (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021)

Despite Beijings ongoing economic coercion campaign, goods exports to China increase by 4 percent on the back of gold and iron ore exports.

Iron ore prices hit as high as $230 per tonne, but it has since begun falling as China diversifies away from Australia by turning to African mines. According to Commonwealth Securities, iron ore has fluctuated up to $191.65 per tonne today.

Industries hit by trade sanctions, such as coal, wine, barley, beef, and many more, have largely recovered as they have scrambled to diversify their export destinations.

Wine exports were also able to recover by turning to European and American markets after its Chinese demand fell by 96 percent.

For the moment, Beijings bark is worse than its bite, Lowy Institute economist Roland Rajah told the Financial Times.

Exports to China have collapsed in the areas hit by sanctions, but most of this lost trade seems to have found other markets.

Meanwhile, Australian imports dropped, with the highest falls from the United States and the United Kingdom. However, the highest import drop for the past 12 months is from Japan, followed by Malaysia then Germany.
An Afghan National Army soldier stands guard at a checkpoint near the Bagram base north of Kabul, Afghanistan on April 8, 2020. (Rahmat Gul/AP Photo)

Australian Kabul Embassy to Close Amid Violence in Afghanistan

Australia will shut its Kabul embassy on May 28 following the withdrawal of international troops from Afghanistan and increased violence in the country over the past month.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the change on Tuesday, stating that it does not lessen Australias commitment to Afghanistan or its people.

The departure of the international forces and hence Australian forces from Afghanistan over the next few months brings with it an increasingly uncertain security environment where the government has been advised that security arrangements could not be provided to support our ongoing diplomatic presence, Morrison said.

He said Australia remained committed to its bilateral relationship with Afghanistan and would continue to support the stability and development of Afghanistan in concert with other nations.

The Australian embassy, which first opened in 2006, would reopen at a later date when the environment is safer, but until then, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials will visit Afghanistan from other residential posts in the region.

Opposition Foreign Affairs spokesperson Penny Wong has called on the government to explain its decision and consider alternative options like co-locating a diplomatic presence with another like-minded nation.

She noted the importance of Australias support of Afghanistan through its diplomatic presence, cooperation on development, and people-to-people links.

The Morrison government should explain how it will now meet these commitments, she said.

We are also disappointed that after 20 years of the successive Australian military, diplomatic and development engagement in Afghanistan, there was no bipartisan consultation on this important decision.

Australia will withdraw troops and diplomatic staff from Afghanistan at the end of May 2021. Australian soldier prepares for training in Afghanistan, Aug. 1, 2007. (Ian Hitchcock / Stringer/Getty Images)

The closure has caused consternation among some of Australias Middle East experts.

University of Western Australia Adjunct Professor Amin Saikal, author of two books about Afghanistan, including The Spectre of Afghanistan, lamented the move.

Australia to close its embassy in Kabul in 3 days, he wrote on Twitter. Other Western embassies may follow suit. This further erodes confidence in the U.S. & allied promise that they will stand by the people of Afghanistan after troop withdrawal under the US-Taliban peace agreementall tragic.

Australia to close its embassy in Kabul in 3 days. Other Western embassies may follow suit. This further erodes confidence in the US & allied promise that they will stand by the people of Afghanistan after troop withdrawal under the US-Taliban peace agreement  all tragic.  Amin Saikal (@AminSaikal) May 25, 2021

ANU Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies senior lecturer Kirill Nourzhanov told The Epoch Times in an email that Australias move signalled Afghanistan fatigue in the West.

He said that despite Australia only having a small footprint in Afghanistan the withdrawal would send a clear message to the National Unity Government (NUG) it will have to survive with less external support in the near future.

Nourzhanov, who co-authored The Spectre of Afghanistan, said that regions bordering the troubled state were also preparing for a deteriorating security situation along the border.

In Central Asia, theres a universal expectation of a deteriorating security situation on the border with Afghanistan. Frontline states (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan) are feverishly bolstering their defence perimeters, he said.

This concern is also filtering into the larger players in the region, namely Russia, which is shoring up its military bases in the region.

They are engaging with Russia, in particular, both on the bilateral bases (increased arms transfers) and within the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO). The Russian 201st military base in Tajikistan is being reinforced to provide additional support to national armed forces in case of a military crisis, Nourzhanov explained.
This combination of pictures created on May 26, 2021 shows recent portraits of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (L) and Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping (R). (Paul Kane, Jason Lee-Pool/Getty Images

Australian PM Countering Beijing Hostility, Not Stoking Tensions: Former HK Lawmaker

A former Hong Kong lawmaker and a Chinese democracy activist say accusations that the Australian government has inflamed tensions with Beijing are incorrect. Instead, the activist has commended the Morrison government for taking effective measures to counter the Chinese regimes aggressive posturing.

Former Hong Kong lawmaker Ted Hui made his comments following remarks by national Labors foreign affairs spokesperson, Senator Penny Wong, who said that Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his cabinet were encouraging anxiety around possible conflict with Beijing over Taiwan.

But Hui, who is currently in Australia after fleeing Hong Kong for his own safety, told The Epoch Times that the Morrison government has rightly pointed out the threat Beijing poses to the Indo-Pacific region.

Being an insider, who has been persecuted by the Chinese regime, [I believe] the chance of China starting a war or conflict in the region is imminent and should not be underestimated, he said.

Hui called on Canberra to take [the threat of Beijing] seriously, not loosely, and take precautions.

He pointed to Beijings aggression towards Hong Kong, Taiwan, Xinjiang as an indicator that the Chinese regime shows no sign of stopping.

Former Hong Kong legislator Ted Hui attended a protest outside the new Chinese consulate in Adelaide, Australia on March 30, 2021. (Tracy Li/The Epoch Times)

Hui has been a member of Hong Kongs legislature since 2016 but resigned in November last year following the disqualification of four pro-democracy legislators from the body.

He left Hong Kong in December and is hoping to galvanise international support against the CCPs takeover of the city, and to develop a safety net for fleeing Hong Kongers. Hui himself has experienced police brutality and was evicted from the citys legislative body after protesting a law banning insults aimed at the CCP anthem.

The Labor senator made her remarks regarding Morrison at a book launch for journalist Peter Hartchers Red Zone: Chinas Challenge.

She acknowledged the threat of the CCP, saying its recent aggressions in the region and the South China Sea demonstrated it was focused on its own survival in the face of global pressure from like-minded liberal democratic nations.

Wong said that the U.S. Biden-Harris administration was sticking to a policy of strategic ambiguity to maintain the status quo around the Taiwan Strait.

On what basis, therefore, is the Australian government sprinting ahead of that longstanding U.S. position? she said.

A supplied photograph of an Australian Army M1A1 Abrams tank firing at targets during Exercise Chong Ju at Puckapunyal training area, Victoria, Australia on May 17, 2018. (AAP Image/Supplied by Australian Department of Defence)

The shadow foreign affairs minister was referring to comments by Defence Minister Peter Dutton, who said conflict over Taiwan could not be discounted.

Days later, Home Affairs Secretary Mike Pezzullo issued a stern warning for Australia to be strong and prepared while warning that the drums of war were beating in the region.

Wong claimed recent discussion around China was frenzied, afraid, and lacking context.

This has been made so much worseby a prime minister who is only interested in any issue to the extent it offers him the political value, she said.

Meanwhile, Chin Jin, chair of the Federation for Democratic China, said that Beijing and Chinese leader Xi Jinping were the ones beating the drums of war and were wholly responsible for increased tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Australias warnings about possible war in Taiwan were a cautious response to reality, which may also have a deterrent effect on the CCP militarys adventurism, he told The Epoch Times.

Instead of addressing the real danger and threat of war from Beijing, and criticising Secretary Pezzullo and Defence Minister Dutton, it shows a lack of a true understanding of China and the CCP, he added.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (L) and Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton look on during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on March 15, 2021. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

Chin also commended the government for its handling of Australia-China ties, particularly while it weathered a year-long economic coercion campaign in response to calls for an investigation into the origins of COVID-19.

I have observed the governments under Hawke-Keating, Howard, Rudd-Gillard, Abbot, Turnbull, and now Morrison, he said. The Morrison governments policy and tactics for responding to Beijing and Xi is the most appropriate and effective.

The West has always harboured unrealistic illusions and misconceptions about Beijing, and Australia has also followed suit for a long time, he added.

But since Morrison took office, his governments response to Beijing has been the most effective in my opinion, he said. He insists on conservatism, Australian values and principles, and understands the true nature of the CCP behind its veil.
President Joe Biden answers questions from members of the press before departing from the White House in Washington on May 25, 2021. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Biden Defends Lifting Sanctions Against Key Pipeline for Russian Gas

President Joe Biden has defended his administrations decision to lift sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which would carry natural gas from Russia to Germany and Europe.

The president said that although he opposed the project from the beginning, the pipeline is now nearly finished.

To go ahead and impose sanctions now would, I think, be counterproductive in terms of our European relations. They know how strongly I feel, Biden told reporters outside the White House on May 25.

In late 2019, Congress and the Trump administration sanctioned a number of entities tied to the construction of the $10.5 billion pipeline. The sanctions were part of the National Defense Authorization Act, which stated the goal was to minimize the ability of Russia to use Nord Stream 2 as a tool of coercion and political leverage and to stop Russia from shifting energy exports from Ukraine to other countries. Russia vowed to continue the project at the time.

Earlier this month, the Biden administration waived the sanctions against Nord Stream 2 AG and its CEO, Matthias Warniga known ally of Russian President Vladimir Putinwhich were levied due to the company overseeing the construction of the project. In announcing the waiver of the sanctions, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the company had engaged in sanctionable activity.

News of the waiver drew criticism from both sides of the aisle.

I am opposed to the decision by the Biden Administration to waive sanctions on NS2 AG and Matthias Warnig, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) said in a statement on May 19.

I urge the administration to rip off the Band-Aid, lift these waivers and move forward with the congressionally mandated sanctions. 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 todays decision will advance U.S. efforts to counter Russian aggression in Europe.

Sen. Jim Risch (R-Wis.) said the waivers will be a gift to Putin that will only weaken the United States leverage in the lead up to the impending Biden-Putin summit.

The Biden administration previously came under fire when a report on the pipeline released in February failed to name a number of entities tied to the pipelines construction, which would have been sanctioned as a result. The administration instead sanctioned ships that had already been sanctioned under President Donald Trump.

Zachary Stieber and Isabel Van Brugen contributed to this report.
President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the U.S. economy in the East Room at the White House, on May 10, 2021. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

Biden: Some US Intel Members Believe COVID-19 Came From Chinese Laboratory Accident

President Joe Biden said on May 26 that the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) believes there are two likely scenarios that may have caused the CCP virus outbreak in China, noting that a significant number of officials believe the virus was spread due to a laboratory accident.

His statement, released by the White House, comes amid officials saying they dont believe the virus developed naturallycontradicting the official narrative of the Chinese Communist Party, which has said the virus was spread through a wet market in Wuhan, Hubei Province, in late 2019. In recent days, a growing number of officials, including U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases chief Anthony Fauci, have suggested that the virus didnt develop naturally.

After I became President, in March, I had my National Security Advisor task the Intelligence Community to prepare a report on their most up-to-date analysis of the origins of COVID-19, including whether it emerged from human contact with an infected animal or from a laboratory accident, Biden said, adding that he wanted intelligence agents to redouble their efforts in finding the origin of the virus.

As of today, the U.S. Intelligence Community has coalesced around two likely scenarios but has not reached a definitive conclusion on this question, the president stated. Here is their current position: while two elements in the IC leans toward the former scenario and one leans more toward the lattereach with low or moderate confidencethe majority of elements do not believe there is sufficient information to assess one to be more likely than the other.

The P4 laboratory (L) on the campus of the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan in Chinas central Hubei Province on May 27, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden said he wanted the ICthe group of separate United States government intelligence agencies and subordinate organizationsto produce a report in 90 days regarding the viruss origins.

Since the start of the pandemic, a number of Republican lawmakers as well as former President Donald Trump have suggested that the virus may have been developed in and escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), a top-security laboratory located just miles from the aforementioned wet market. A team of investigators, led by the World Health Organization (WHO), attempted to research the viruss origins in China, though many have noted that CCP officials were present throughout the WHOs efforts, and critics have said the regime played a significant role in the investigation.

During the onset of the pandemic, the Chinese regime was accused of engaging in a coverup of the viruss origins and silencing doctors, officials, and scientists who tried to speak out.

There is overwhelming circumstantial evidence  to support a lab leak as the origination of COVID-19, a May 19 report from Republicans, led by Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), the ranking House Intelligence member, said. By contrast, little circumstantial evidence has emerged to support the PRCs [Peoples Republic of China] claim that COVID-19 was a natural occurrence, having jumped from some other species to humans.

The former head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Dr. Robert Redfield, a virologist, also told CNN earlier this year that the virus likely escaped from the lab, noting: Its not unusual for respiratory pathogens that are being worked on in a laboratory to infect a laboratory worker.

The CCP has denied that the viruss origin is linked to the WIV and has frequently said that the virus was transmitted to humans from an animal host, although its not clear what animal the country is claiming it was from.

Correction: The Province Wuhan is located in has been corrected. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
A screenshot of the website of Binance.US showing the price chart of Binance Coin (BNB), on May 25, 2021. (Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Binance Coin Loses Third Place in Cryptocurrency Ranking Amid US, German Investigations

News Analysis

The Binance Coin recently dropped out of the top three in cryptocurrency market ranking as Binance, the worlds largest crypto asset trading platform, is being investigated by U.S. and German authorities.

As of May 25, the Binance Coin (BNB) ranked fourth in market value at $50.8 billion, dropping from $90.5 billion, its market value on May 17 when it ranked third.

Bloomberg reported this month that Binance is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and the IRS for issues related to money laundering and tax offenses. This is the third time in the past two months that the company has been investigated internationally.

In March, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) began an investigation into whether Binance had violated U.S. regulations by allowing U.S. traders to purchase digital asset derivative products. Binance is still not registered with the CFTC and is not qualified to provide crypto derivative services to U.S. residents. Crypto derivatives include products such as crypto contracts, options, and security tokens.

On April 28, the German Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) issued a notice stating that the stock tokens launched by Binance may have violated European securities regulations because it used the services of a German broker. The regulator said that Binance failed to publish a prospectus document, which constitutes a criminal offense, according to Top Coin Token.

As part of BaFins enforcement action, Binance is required to remove its tokens from the German market this month, otherwise it would pay a fine of up to $6 million, or 3 percent of annual revenue. Binance would also be held responsible for any losses incurred by investors in its stock tokens.

Binance appealed against BaFins decision, but the regulator has rejected the appeal.

In response to these investigations, Binance tweeted on May 13, We take our legal obligations very seriously and engage with regulators and law enforcement in a collaborative fashion.

The company has recently hired some heavyweights to tackle regulatory compliance issues, and to improve public relations.

On March 11, Binance announced it has appointed Maxwell Baucus, a former U.S. Senator and ambassador to China, as its policy and government-relations adviser.

On April 11, Binance hired Brian Brooks, former Acting Comptroller of the Currency, as CEO of Binance.US. Brooks was previously the chief legal officer of Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency trading platform in the United States.

Brooks said his top priorities at Binance.US include making it a a robust competitor to Coinbase and to strengthen its regulatory compliance.

According to a 2020 report by blockchain analysis company Chainalysis, in 2019, $2.8 billion in Bitcoin was moved from criminal entities to exchangesover 50 percent went to Binance and Huobi, which is another Chinese trading platform.

A man looks at ATM machines (L and R) for digital currency Bitcoin in Hong Kong on Dec. 18, 2017. (ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Leaving China to Evade Regulations

Binance was founded in July 2017 in Shanghai, China, by Chinese-Canadian Changpeng Zhao (aka CZ). It grew rapidly in the Chinese market using Chinese capital, and became the worlds largest cryptocurrency trading platform in January 2018.

Only two months after its founding, and only one week before the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began to tighten control and clamp down on the cryptocurrency industry in September 2017, Binance shut down its China operations and moved its staff and servers to Japan, and has spent the last two years primarily in the United States, one of the worlds largest cryptocurrency markets.

Registered in the Cayman Islands, Binance currently has no corporate headquarters and only an office in Singapore.

In 2019, it partnered with BAM Trade Services in the United States and established Binance.US in San Francisco. BAM is registered with the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) as a Money Service Business (MSB) and can engage in cryptocurrency business.

In an interview with Forbes China in April, Changpeng Zhao said Binance.US has so far obtained Money Transmitter Licensing in 37 U.S. states and can achieve compliance in each state, as well as engage in fiat currency trading and cryptocurrency business. But the company is only licensed in 32 states, according to its website.

Risky Business: Binances High Leverage

Binance is believed to offer trading in about 300 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as a variety of derivatives services. Currently, the derivatives trading listed on its website includes five major types of services, including contracts, futures, options, and leveraged tokens.

Binance also offers Bitcoin perpetual coin margined futures and USDT futures contracts, allowing leverage as high as 125 times the value of the contracts. These are highly risky derivatives, which are prohibited from being offered to U.S. residents under relevant U.S. regulations.

The United States is perhaps the most heavily regulated country in the world for cryptocurrencies and their derivatives, with four agencies jointly regulating the market: the SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission), the OCC (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency), the FinCEN, and the CFTC.

Binance is primarily regulated by two agencies: the CFTC, which oversees the trading of futures contracts on commodities such as Bitcoin; and FinCEN, which requires issuers of perpetual coins, cryptocurrency exchanges or wallets to comply with U.S. anti-money laundering regulations.

Binance has not applied to the CFTC for a cryptocurrency derivatives license. Currently, only a few exchanges in the United States have been granted such a license, including the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, which trades Bitcoin derivatives, and LedgerX, which trades cryptocurrency options. It takes about five to six years to obtain a license from CFTC.

A construction worker walks past bitcoin mining at Bitfarms in Saint Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada, on March 19, 2018.  Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency and worldwide payment system. It is the first decentralized digital currency, as the system works based on the blockchain technology without a central bank or single administrator. (LARS HAGBERG/AFP via Getty Images)

Finding a Short Cut in the Gray Zone

According to Chinese media 163.com, choosing a market that is not regulated or partially regulated is a short cut for the rapid growth of Binance. After the CCP introduced regulations in September 2017, Binance moved its operations to Japan.

In the following six months, while Chinas major cryptocurrency exchanges were shut down due to market regulations, Binance took the opportunity to add 10 million users and generated $350 million in profits, quickly becoming the worlds top cryptocurrency exchange.

In March this year, amid the CFTCs investigation, Changpeng Zhao responded that the company strictly adheres to U.S. regulations and has strong controls in place to prevent customers from money laundering.

But he also admitted that even though Binance was blocking U.S. access, U.S. users did find viable ways to bypass the block.

Data shows that more than 40 percent of Binances trading volume comes from the U.S. market.

According to The Block, there was nothing to stop U.S. residents from using Binances services. A user just had to click Im not [American] to set up an account on binance.com and trade directly on Binances website without any barriers, the report said.

Although Binance publicly announced that it would stop providing services to U.S. residents from September 2019, the trading platform was in fact still allowing access to U.S. users until October 2020, The Block reported. It wasnt until November 2020 that Binance officially notified U.S. resident users that they must complete their withdrawals within 90 days.

In 2019, Chainalysis traced $2.8 billion in Bitcoin that was transferred from criminal entities to exchanges, and over 50 percent went to Binance and Huobi. The Chainalysis report also suggested that OTC (Over The Counter) brokers could be driving the illicit activities.

Chainalysis assembled a list of corrupt OTC brokers, and called them Rogue 100.

70 of the OTC brokers in the Rogue 100 are in the group of Huobi accounts receiving Bitcoin from illicit sources.  We think its extremely likely that some percentage of the other highly-active Binance and Huobi accounts taking in illicit funds also belong to corrupt OTC brokers weve yet to identify, the report said.

OTC transactions are considered the most likely means of cryptocurrency trading to be used to launder money or transfer property across borders.

The report said that while its difficult to estimate what percentage of all cryptocurrency was sent from criminal wallets to OTC brokers, its analysis shows that OTC brokers who carry out a significant percentage of all Bitcoin transactions were receiving illicit funds, and behaving in ways that suggest a desire to hide the nature of their transactions.

The report said that OTC brokers typically have much lower KYC [Know Your Customer] requirements than the exchanges they operate on. Many of them take advantage of this laxity and help criminals launder and cash out funds, usually first by exchanging Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies into Tether as a stable intermediary currency before they presumably cash out into fiat. 

Kaiko, an institutional grade digital assets market data provider, estimates that OTC trading can contribute to the majority of all cryptocurrency trading volume. As of May 25, the total crypto market volume over the last 24 hours is $201.50 billion.

Binances banking partner Crypto Capital is also not regulated. Two people, allegedly linked to Crypto Capital, were charged with money laundering in April 2019.

In October 2019, Crypto Capital president Ivan Manuel Molina Lee was arrested in connection to money laundering charges.

Playing Tai Chi With the US

An in-depth investigative report by Forbes last October revealed that Binance.US conceived of an elaborate corporate structure designed to intentionally deceive regulators and surreptitiously profit from crypto investors in the United States.

Forbes obtained a 2018 internal document from Binance.US, which outlined a strategic plan for an unnamed company, dubbed the Tai Chi entity, to set up operations in the United States, distracting U.S. regulators by pretending to be interested in compliance and then transferring revenue to the parent company Binance in the form of licensing fees, etc.

All the while, potential customers would be taught how to evade geographic restrictions while technological work-arounds were put in place, the report stated.

Forbes said the leaked document is currently circulating among law firms, accounting firms, and others associated with Binance, and believes that the FBI and the IRS may have initiated an investigation.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-25 17:44:24|Editor: huaxia

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Trips, noodles and his own band with a group of Chinese friends... Australian scholar Rod Campbell described his days in China as among the "happiest" in his life.

Campbell then entered the Melbourne University to study geography and went to China in 2000 for a study trip. Two years later, he visited again, doing a project about grain-growing and the management of the Yellow River.

He also traveled a lot during the three years, talking with farmers in counties, and went to see the murals in Dunhuang (a city in Gansu Province, famous for the Mogao Grottoes, a world cultural heritage site). He even went to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where he had a good time.

His personal experience gave him the reason to question some reports of Western media.

"I still have some friends in Xinjiang who I talk to on WeChat sometimes. I had a great time there. I think some of the studies that get quoted, I think, are pretty misleading," said Campbell.

During his visits, he also witnessed the changes in China.

The scholar said he was sad to see the relationship between China and Australia come to this stage.

It is his wish that the two countries could work on areas of mutual interest, such as agricultural research and climate policy.

"There's still a lot of mutual interest, a lot of mutual respect between people at those levels," said Campbell.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Minister Benny Gantz move to take their seats before their meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Jerusalem on May 25, 2021. (Alex Brandon/Pool via Reuters)

Blinken Announces US Aid to Gaza and Pledges to Reopen Jerusalem Consulate

Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged on a Middle East mission on Tuesday that Washington would provide new aid to help rebuild Gaza as part of efforts to bolster a ceasefire between the Hamas terrorist group and Israel.

Hoping to reverse a move taken by former President Donald Trump that angered Palestinians, Blinken said the United States would advance the process of reopening its Jerusalem consulate that had served as its diplomatic channel to the Palestinians.

Speaking alongside Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Blinken said the United States would provide an additional $75 million in development and economic aid to the Palestinians in 2021, $5.5 million in immediate disaster relief for Gaza, and $32 million to the UN Palestinian aid agency based there.

We know that to prevent a return to violence we have to use the space created to address a larger set of underlying issues and challenges, he said. And that begins with tackling the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza and starting to rebuild.

Blinken reiterated that Washington intended to ensure that Hamas, which it regards as a terrorist organization, did not benefit from the humanitarian aida potentially difficult task in an enclave over which it has a strong grip.

He said if aid were distributed correctly it could actually undermine Hamas as the group thrives on despair, on misery, on desperation, on a lack of opportunity.

At a press conference later in the day, Blinken also warned against actions by Israel or the Palestinians that risk inciting tensions or ultimately undermine the two-state solution to which he said the Biden Administration was still committed.

Such actions, he said, included Israeli settlement activity in the territory Palestinians seek for a state, possible Israeli evictions of Palestinians from East Jerusalem, and incitement to militant violence on the Palestinian side.

The ceasefire, brokered by Egypt and coordinated with the United States, began on Friday after 11 days of the worst fighting between Palestinian militants and Israel in years.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken shake hands as they hold a joint news conference in Jerusalem on May 25, 2021. (Menahem Kahana/Pool via Reuters)

Hundreds of Israeli airstrikes killed at least 254 people in Gaza and injured over 1,900, Palestinian medics said, and destroyed or damaged buildings across the tiny coastal enclave.

The Israeli military put Israels death toll at 13, with hundreds injured as rocket salvoes by Hamas and other Palestinian militants in Gaza caused panic and sent people as far away as Tel Aviv rushing into shelters.

Blinkin Meets Israeli, Palestinian Leaders

Blinken began his regional visit in Jerusalem, where he held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli leader, speaking to reporters with the top U.S. diplomat at his side, threatened a very powerful response if Hamas renewed cross-border rocket strikes.

Blinken will be in the region through Thursday, and will also travel to Egypt and Jordan.

In tandem with his visit, Israel allowed fuel, medicine, and food earmarked for Gazas private sector to enter the territory for the first time since the hostilities erupted on May 10.

Blinken said reopening the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem would be an important way for our country to engage with and provide support to the Palestinian people. He declined to provide a timeline for the reopening.

The Trump administration merged the consulate with the U.S. Embassy in Israel in 2019, two years after recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital and moving the embassy there from Tel Aviv.

Those moves broke with long-standing U.S. policy and infuriated Palestinians, who seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.

Israel deems all of Jerusalem, including the eastern sector it captured in the 1967 Middle East War, as its undivided capital.

Biden has no plans to reverse the embassy relocation but has acted in the early months of his presidency to repair relations with Palestinians. In April, Biden restored hundreds of millions of dollars in Palestinian aid cut by Trump.

Abbas Lauds Biden Administration Stance

Speaking alongside Blinken, Abbas thanked the Biden administration for its commitment to the two-state solution (and maintaining) the status quo on the Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary), a Jerusalem compound holy to Muslims and Jews that contains the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, in the West Bank city of Ramallah on May 25, 2021. (Majdi Mohammed/Pool via Reuters)

Abbas also voiced gratitude for what he called American support for the preservation of (Palestinian) residents of  Sheikh Jarrah, an East Jerusalem neighborhood where potential evictions of Palestinian families helped spark the Israel-Gaza fighting.

The Palestinian residents of Sheikh Jarrah have faced the possibility of eviction for around 30 years because they live on land purchased by two Jewish communities in 1876 during the Ottoman Empire. The legal battle is being waged between the Palestinian residents and a company called Nahalat Shimon, which owns the rights to the property.

Israel is in political flux after four inconclusive elections in two years, and the Palestinians are divided by enmity between Hamas and Abbas.

Leaders on both sides will need to chart a better course, Blinken said, starting by making real improvements in the lives of people in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank.

In Gaza, Palestinian officials estimated reconstruction costs at tens of millions of dollars. Israel has blockaded the territory since 2007. Egypt also maintains restrictions on its border with Gaza. Both countries cite security concerns for the measures.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves as he steps off his plane upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, in Cairo, Egypt, on May 26, 2021. (Alex Brandon/Pool/AP Photo)

Blinken Meets Egypts Sisi as US Seeks to Secure Gaza Ceasefire

CAIROU.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met top officials in Cairo on Wednesday during a Middle East tour aimed at shoring up a ceasefire that ended the worst fighting in years between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group in Gaza.

Egypt has longstanding relations with both sides in the conflict and played a key role in brokering the Gaza ceasefire after 11 days of violence, in coordination with the United States.

In a brief visit, Blinken met President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, and intelligence head Abbas Kamel at the presidential palace.

The United States and Egypt are working together to let Israelis and Palestinians live in safety and security, Blinken said addressing U.S. embassy staff in Cairo.

And weve had in Egypt a real and effective partner in dealing with the violence, bringing it to a close, relatively quickly. And now, working closely together build something positive, he said.

Blinken arrived in Egypt after stops in Jerusalem and Ramallah and is due to visit Jordan. On Tuesday, he pledged that the United States would provide new aid to help rebuild the Gaza Strip, including $5.5 million in disaster relief and nearly $33 million for the UN Palestinian aid agency there.

He also said the United States intended to ensure that Hamas, which controls Gaza and is listed by Washington as a terrorist organization, did not benefit from humanitarian aid.

Yehya Al-Sinwar, the Hamas chief in Gaza, said the group welcomed Arab and international efforts to rebuild the enclave.

We will ease and facilitate the task for everyone and we will make sure that the process will be transparent and fair and we will make sure that no penny goes to Hamas or Qassam [the Hamas armed wing], Sinwar told a news conference.

We have satisfactory sources of money for Hamas and Qassam. A major part of it from Iran and part in donations from Arabs, Muslims, and liberals of the world who are sympathetic to our people and their rights, he added.

Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza and has security contacts with Hamas, is likely to have a role in channeling aid, a senior U.S. State Department official said earlier.

During the fighting, Egypt opened the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and its Sinai Peninsula in order to provide medical aid and evacuate the wounded.

It also sent a security delegation to Israel and Gaza to reinforce the ceasefire after it came into effect on Friday.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (C) and his wife Asma (R) cast their votes at a polling station in Douma, near Damascus, Syria, on May 26, 2021. (Louai Beshara/AFP via Getty Images)

Canada Denounces Syrias Controversial Presidential Election

Canada denounced Syrias presidential election, held on Wednesday, which is expected to guarantee President Bashar al-Assads fourth consecutive seven-year term in office.

Global Affairs Canada issued a statement calling for a free and fair election in Syria, and also condemning the Assad regime for human rights violations.

Free and fair elections will not be possible until an inclusive constitution is drafted that can form the basis of a credible pathway towards a political settlement or transition, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 (UNSCR 2254), Global Affairs Canada said on Wednesday.

As is made clear by UNSCR 2254, free and fair elections must allow for UN monitoring and for all Syrians, including refugees and internally displaced persons, to participate, without fear of persecution.

Global Affairs also called for an election that includes the meaningful participation of women and the absence of all intimidation tactics.

Assad has been in power since 2000, succeeding his father Hafez, who had ruled the country for 30 years.

This years election comes amid a battered Syrian economy, which results from the decade-long civil war, Western sanctions, political corruption, and the financial crisis in Lebanon, Syrias main link with the outside world.

However, Assad still faces little contestation from his two opponentsMahmoud Ahmad Marie, the former secretary-general of small opposition party National Front for the Liberation of Syria, and Abdullah Salloum Abdullah, a member of the Socialist Unionists Party.

Syrias Interior Minister Mohammad Rahmoun said 12,102 polling stations were set up across the Syrian governorates. He said there are more than 18 million eligible voters in Syria and abroad. Syrians living abroad voted last week.

Assad and his wife, Asma, cast their ballots at a polling station in the Damascus city of Douma, a rebel stronghold during the Syria Civil War, which began in 2011 in the wake of the Arab Spring-inspired protests against the Assad family.

The Syrian Army recaptured Douma in 2018, following the controversial usage of chemical weapons. According to a human rights group, the decade-long conflicts have left over half a million dead, and roughly 13 million civilians displaced.

These elections do not signify the end of the Syrian peoples struggle, Global Affairs stated.

Canada encourages the international community to refuse any normalization of relations with the Assad regime, which refuses to engage meaningfully in the negotiation of a political solution and continues terrorizing its electorate with chemical weapons, arbitrary detention, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture.

With files from The Canadian Press
Canadas Chance to Capitalize on Quantum Leadership

Enhanced cybersecurity currently one of the most useful applications of quantum technology

News Analysis

Quantum computing can help guard against ever-increasing cyberattacks, and with Canada having had some commercial success using this technology, its application to digital security is a natural pillar for the countrys quantum economic development strategy, says one of the countrys top researchers in the field.

Canada can become a global leader in quantum technology, but it has to meet the challenge and not again fail to realize its potential by falling into age-old traps, says Michele Mosca, director of Quantum-Safe Canada and co-founder of the Institute of Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo.

Its sort of [like] going into the late 80s, 90s, and not really knowing computers and the Internet are going to meet your business. And just taking a wait-and-see approach is very risky, Mosca told The Epoch Times.

He advocates applying quantum computing to making our digital systems more resilient against hacks, and by doing so understanding the benefits that this technology has to offer. Then when quantum computing becomes more prevalent, Canada will be more prepared for adoption since it would have taken the preliminary steps, he said.

Now that things are becoming more connected, were just more vulnerable to cyberattacks, Mosca added.

The government launched a national quantum strategy in its April 19 budget, with a proposal to provide $360 million over seven years.

The strategy will amplify Canadas significant strength in quantum research; grow our quantum-ready technologies, companies, and talent; and solidify Canadas global leadership in this area, according to the government.

Structural Challenge

Canada has the ingredients to create plenty of prosperity for its citizensa wealth of natural resources, talent being churned out of universities, and a stable political environmentmany observers have said. But business analysts and innovation experts have discussed how, for various reasons, Canada has not fully capitalized on these advantages to scale up companies and industries in critical areas such as tech, rare earth minerals, and vaccines.

With respect to quantum, a major problem identified by Mosca is the structural challenge of not successfully integrating economic development with research as is done in some other parts of the world.

He provided the United Kingdom and European Union as examples of jurisdictions where government funding can, in essence, be funnelled directly to companies, whereas in Canada, research grants are meant for academic institutions.

We [need to] make some serious progress on overcoming these obstacles to translating our research investments, and our great potential into economic prosperity and security for Canada, Mosca said.

A criticism of the governments prior policies for spurring innovation has been their top-down nature or their approach of picking winners. Also interprovincial trade barriers and other obstacles have sometimes made it more difficult to work with Canadian companies as opposed to multinational ones.

At the very least, lets do what works abroad and try to create a level playing field  even more subtle instruments [that are] impactful and proactive  like an aggressive proof-of-concept program, he said.

That doesnt mean winners cant emerge, [but] its got to be meritocratic.

While acknowledging the governments notable efforts thus far, Mosca said there are various ways to incentivize Canadian customers and government-regulated sectors. Government departments in critical sectors could even be required to be quantum-ready, he added, noting that theres certainly some procurement challenges to be overcome.

Promising Future

Countries like the United States, China, and Russia have recognized the power of quantum computing, which can be billions of times faster than the speed of todays supercomputers, and are racing to develop this technology.

We can align our economic development needs with our cybersecurity procurement. Its really a no-brainer for us to do that, Mosca said, adding that these solutions could then be exported around the world for tremendous economic benefit to Canada.

Four policy measures are commonly deployed within national quantum strategies, according to the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR). These are establishing centres of excellence or innovation hubs, making targeted calls for proposals or competitions, providing direct funding for special projects of national significance, and providing government investment or venture capital for startups.

By 2040, when quantum technology is expected to reach 50 percent adoption, it was estimated quantum could grow into a $142.4 billion industry and sustain 229,000 jobs, according to a May 17 white paper published by IBM, citing a 2017 economic analysis conducted for the National Research Council of Canada.

Canada is one of the worlds leading nations in quantum research, ranking fifth in the G7 in total expenditure on quantum science and first on a per capita basis, according to IBM.

Canadas critical mass of expertise makes it a hotbed of R&D in quantum, AI, and other emerging technologies. But we will need to train, attract, and retain many more quantum-proficient skilled workers in the coming years in order to meet demand, said IBM Canada president Claude Guay in a blog.

More details on the national quantum strategy are to come in the next few months, but for now the feds are establishing a secretariat at the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development to coordinate national strategy.
Chicago Mayor Seeks to Retain Key Policing Powers In Civilian Oversight Plan

CHICAGOChicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday unveiled her version of a civilian police oversight plan that allows her to retain the key powers of picking the police chief, negotiating contracts with police unions, and deciding on police policy disputes.

For about four years, mayors in Chicago have been pressured by activist groups to give key policing powers to elected civilians. Lightfoot herself was once such an advocate, having chaired the Police Accountability Task Force under former Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

But her stance on the issue took a sharp turn since she became mayor two years ago. Her talks with activist groups have broken down numerous times. Amid a new push by activists, she made it clear yet again that she is not giving those powers away.

Public safety is one of the most critical responsibilities of any mayor, me and anybody who comes after me, Lightfoot said at a Monday press conference about why she must pick the police chief. Because the buck stops with me, I will ultimately, as a mayor and as any other subsequent mayor, be making that decision.

Her plan calls for the formation of a seven-person civilian police oversight commission. Each member would be nominated by elected representatives from the citys 22 police districts. The mayor has the final say on the makeup of the commission.

In hiring the citys police chief, the commission would vet all the candidates and present three options to the mayor, who would pick one candidate for approval by the city council. The same process will be followed for the hiring of the chief administrator of the Civilian Police Oversight Office and Chicago Police Board members.

The commission can review and provide input on the policing policies but will not have the final word on any policy disputes. It can also recommend changes to the Chicago Police Departments annual budget.

Lightfoots plan came after Chicagos two major police reform activist coalitions pushed their civilian police oversight plan in the city council early this year.

One of the coalitionsGrassroots Alliance for Police Accountability (GAPA)joined forces with Lightfoot last year but broke from her after she refused to cede power over police policy disputes. GAPA just reached a compromise plan with another progressive coalition, the Civilian Police Accountability Council.

Their combined plan gives an 11-member civilian commission the key powers of hiring and firing the police superintendent, negotiating police contracts, and setting CPDs budget. The groups ask Chicagoans to vote on these proposed changes on the 2022 primary ballot.

Even if Chicagoans reject these changes at the voting booth, the plan says, the commission still has the final say on disputes over police policies unless two-thirds of the City Council decides otherwise.

The two competing plans will be considered by the Committee of Public Safety. One of them is expected to advance to the City Council for a final vote in June. The chairman of Committee of Public Safety, alderman Chris Taliaferro, is a longtime ally of Lightfoot, having halted a vote last March on a previous oversight plan that deprived Lightfoot of the power to decide on police policy disputes.

The movement to seek more civilian powers over policing in Chicago started about four years ago under Mayor Rahm Emanuel after the release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video. The video showed police officer Jason Van Dyke shoot McDonald, a teenager, 16 times after the latter refused to put down a knife. Van Dyke was indicted by a grand jury on six counts of first-degree murder.
Rev. Johnnie Moore speaks onstage at The Simon Wiesenthal Center's 2017 National Tribute Dinner at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on April 5, 2017. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Beijing Blacklists Former US Official After US Sanctions Chinese Official For Persecuting Falun Gong

The Beijing regime has added a former U.S. religious official to its sanctions list in response to the United States sanctioning of a Chinese official for his involvement in persecuting followers of Falun Gong.

Johnnie Moore, a two-time commissioner of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), and his family members will be barred from visiting mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said a May 26 press conference.

Moore, who has advocated on behalf of suppressed religious groups in China, said it was an honor to be sanctioned by the Chinese Communist Party.

The CCP [Chinese Communist Party] doesnt understand the difference between the truth and a lie but heres some truth we know: they are weaker than they want us to believe that they are, he wrote in a statement on Twitter. We will not hand our world to the CCP to victimize the innocent as they please.

The new sanction from China followed the State Departments decision to punish Yu Hui, who formerly headed the Chengdu citys branch of the 610 Office, an extra-legal task force embedded in institutions all over China to implement the persecution of Falun Gong.

Falun Gong, which teaches the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, along with slow-moving exercises, had an estimated following of 70 million to 100 million by 1999, before the regime subjected adherents to sweeping persecution.

The 2020 U.S. religious freedom report, which was released the same day the United States sanctioned Yu, cited more than 6,600 arrests and almost 8,600 instances of harassment of adherents across China in 2020.

The State Department and USCIRF didnt immediately return requests by The Epoch Times for comment.

Levi Browde, executive director of the New York-based Falun Dafa Information Center, noted how throughout the 1990s, the CCP applauded Falun Gongs health benefits and moral contributions in many public proclamations, only to reverse itself after the practice became immensely popular.

Practitioners of the spiritual discipline Falun Gong hold a parade in New York to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and to protest the ongoing persecution of the group by the Chinese Communist Party in China, on May 13, 2021. (Larry Dai/The Epoch Times)

For over 20 years, the CCP has sought to eliminate Falun Gong through arbitrary detention, torture, and widespread organ harvesting, so its no surprise the CCP would make significant efforts to change the conversation from human rights abuses to the character of Falun Gong, he told The Epoch Times.

But its all just a smokescreen to hide the terrible atrocities they have committed to peaceful, innocent people.

Browde noted the irony behind the regimes efforts to malign the spiritual practice.

Its always been tragically ironic that the CCP, which controls peoples lives, terrorizes them with persecution, and relentlessly brainwashes them, makes clumsy attempts to label Falun Gong, which is a Buddhist-based spiritual practice with no membership and is free to learn, an evil cult, he said. There is no bigger cult in the world than the Chinese Communist Party.

According to the latest data from Minghui, a website set up in the United States to document the persecution, at least 504 people have been sentenced to jail this year through April.

Shi Shaoping, a 50-year-old Falun Gong practitioner who graduated with a masters degree from Chinas top science academy, the state-run Chinese Academy of Sciences, was recently handed a nine-year jail term for his belief. He previously served a 10-year sentence for talking to people about the persecution.
China Has a Problem With New Working Hands and Minds

Commentary

The Middle Kingdoms population is aging. It has fewer young people to replace the retiring older generation, the one that manned the machinery of Chinas huge advances since Deng Xiaoping abandoned Mao Zedongs economic model. This demographic challenge presents Chinas economy with a huge challenge. The problem is one of Beijings own making. It was after all Deng who promulgated the one-child policy that has so limited the supply of young workers. At this point, however, it matters less what caused the problem than that one exists. A shortage of young workers will tend to slow the pace of economic growth and development, and steal much of the dynamism that has thus far characterized Chinese economics.

While Beijing is no doubt aware of this matter, it is strangely absent in many otherwise insightful and detailed western commentaries on and analyses of developing Sino-American relations. It is not that the facts are hidden, but these analyses, perhaps because most of these writers have primarily diplomatic, military, and political instead of economic backgrounds, too often proceed on the assumption that Chinas economy will somehow remain unaffected, retain much of its former dynamism, and continue to confront the world with an all-but-unstoppable economic juggernaut.

Perhaps, if China succeeds in its Belt and Road Initiative these assumptions will remain realistic. Likelihoods, however, demand that these analyses, wherever they begin, need to take account of this huge change coming in China, how it will limit that otherwise remarkable economy, and by implication how it will affect Beijings capabilities in the years to come, whether economic, political, or diplomatic, as well as military.

In this undated photo, laborers walk through the Gwadar Port in Pakistan, a multi-billion dollar infrastructure project that China has invested in as part of its Belt and Road Initiative. (Amelie Herenstein/AFP/Getty Images)

Todays developing demographic pressures are radically different from those China enjoyed during the period of its remarkable development. Back in 1979, when Deng abandoned Maos failed economic model (and incidentally promulgated the one-child policy) China had an abundance of labor resources.

The part of the population available for workconventionally designated as those between the ages of 15 and 64amounted to some 90 percent of the adult population. With nine ready for work for every dependent retiree, China had an easy time meeting the demands of industrialization and development. Compare this to the situation in the United States at the time, which had barely five people of working age for every dependent retiree. But the one-child policy undermined this strength. It brought Chinas birth rate below replacement to a mere 1.6 children on average in each womans lifetime, according to United Nations demographers. By the mid-1990s, the flow of young people into the workforce began to slow and in this century has fallen short of the numbers retiring. Chinas workforce is actually shrinking, both absolutely and relative to the numbers of dependent retirees.

Though Beijing has recently relaxed the one-child policy, it will take 15 to 20 years before any new births can have an impact on the workforce, and besides preliminary data indicates that the fertility rate has failed to rise. Accordingly, U.N. demographers estimate that by 2040, absolute numbers in the countrys working population will have declined 10 percent from todays level, while its population of dependent retirees will have increased some 50 percent. The economy will have barely three workers for each dependent retiree. That is little different from Japan. Those three workers will have to produce enough for their own needs, those of their other dependents, and one-third of a retirees support. China will have little productive surplus for future investments much less the grand projects that have drawn so much attention in the past. The economy will have lost much of its dynamism and flexibility.

Unlike aging western economies, China cannot count on immigration to mitigate this impact. Few are clamoring to get into China, and even if people were, the countrys existing population is so large that the flow would have to surpass all precedents to make a difference. In any case, it is not happening.

Chinese migrant workers arrive to board a train at Shanghai station before returning to their home towns for the Chinese New Year holiday, in Shanghai, China, on Feb. 8, 2007. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images)

Of course, labor power is not the whole story. Technological advances, especially artificial intelligence (AI), and the productivity increases it will bring will allow a more efficient use of Chinas available human resources. No doubt China will make strides in these areas, but the aging demographics will also limit the economys abilities to innovate.

Demographers, using patent data and statistics on Nobel Prize winners, have determined that people in the 30 to 40 age cohort provide the bulk of societys inventiveness. Cross country studies show that this fact holds in all cultures and economic systems. This age cohort in China is set to shrink over the next 20 years from 43 percent of the workforce to 37 percent. This relative loss may do less damage to Chinas centrally planned economy than it would to a more open Western economy that depends on competition for innovation, but it is nonetheless hardly a positive for Chinas economy going forward.

On the financial side of the equation, the need to care for the elderly will impose additional restraints on Chinas economic outlook. With fully 25 percent of the adult population over 64 years of age in 2040, China will qualify as what demographers quaintly call a super-aged population, more extreme than even Japan presently. Since at last count, less than 65 percent of Chinese workers have any kind of pension plan, much of the burden of supporting this huge population of retirees will fall on Beijings shoulders or on those of the provincial and local governments, which in China amounts to the same thing. These huge financial demands will absorb tremendous amounts of government resources. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that already Beijings unfunded pension obligations amount to 100 percent of the countrys gross domestic product (GDP). Unless Beijings decision makers act quickly, which they seem to have no inclination to do, that burden will only grow.

Against this backdrop, Beijing may well see the Belt and Road Initiative as a way to mitigate the demographic effects. If before the demographic pressures become intense, this initiative allows China to amass the ownership and control of foreign facilities, the country will have acquired a partial substitute for what it will lose in its domestic economic capabilities. Presently, China mostly uses its own labor to construct and run projects in the Belt and Road, but in time it could, much as the British Empire did, use native labor, reserving for its own citizens management roles. Perhaps, as also happened with the British Empire, the arrangement would garner for China a loyalty among a group of natives that supersedes that groups loyalty to the local or national authority.

None of this says that China will disappear as a major power or that its economy will cease growing. It does say, however, that contrary to many of todays media discussions and analyses of Sino-American relations, Chinas economic growth rate will slow appreciably going forward, as will its pace of development and innovation.

Beijing will be less able than in the past to wow observers with grand investment schemes. Circumstances will also impose on Beijings military and space ambitions, though these are inexpensive in both financial and economic terms compared with either broad-based development or future pension demands. China will begin to resemble Japan in crucial ways, except that Japan got rich before it aged, whereas China, still not rich, will age first.

Milton Ezrati is a contributing editor at The National Interest, an affiliate of the Center for the Study of Human Capital at the University at Buffalo (SUNY), and chief economist for Vested, the New York-based communications firm. His latest book is Thirty Tomorrows: The Next Three Decades of Globalization, Demographics, and How We Will Live.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at an event put on by the Thornton Fire Department in Thornton, Colo., on March 6, 2021. (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)

Colorado Announces $1 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Lottery

Colorado on Tuesday became the latest state to roll out a lottery program to encourage residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Five randomly selected Coloradans above the age of 18 who have received at least one dose of the vaccine by the end of June will be selected to win $1 million each, Gov. Jared Polis announced.

One winner will be chosen at random every week beginning June 4, Polis said, noting that to be eligible for the first drawing, people must have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by June 1.

The last drawing will be held on July 7, and Coloradans must receive their shot by June 30 to qualify for that particular week.

The lottery is being conducted in partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and names will be selected from records contained in the Colorado Immunization Information System. It will be funded by existing federal pandemic relief funds.

If you have been delaying plans to get vaccinated or are still on the fence, now is the time to swing big. It could transform your life, the governor said in a statement. Buy a new home. Take that vacation. Take six months off. Do whatever you like. $1 million goes a long way.

Younger Coloradans will also have the chance to participate in a scholarship program, Polis said.

The announcement comes after the COVID-19 vaccination rate in the state of Ohio surged after Gov. Mike DeWine said that five residents will win $1 million each as a monetary incentive for getting inoculated.

DeWine also announced a separate incentive for younger Ohio residents, which will see five vaccinated 12- to 17-year-old students receive full four-year scholarships to attend Ohio public universities, including tuition, room, board, and books.

Such incentive programs come as demand for COVID-19 vaccines in the stateand nationwidehas dwindled, in part following an 11-day pause in administering the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot, as federal health authorities investigated reports of potentially dangerous blood clots.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on April 24 recommended that the distribution of the vaccine continue but with warnings.

New York and Maryland on May 20 also announced that they will be rolling out similar vaccine incentive programs.

The Biden administration meanwhile is figuring out new ways to motivate more people to get vaccinated. The White House on May 11 said that people traveling to get their shots will get free or discounted ride shares.

Companies have also started offering incentives as part of an effort to encourage Americans to get vaccinated. For example, Krispy Kreme stores are offering one free glazed doughnut for people who show that they have had one or two shots of any COVID-19 vaccine.
Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa appears in a Boulder County District courtroom in Boulder, Colo., on May 25, 2021. (Matthew Jonas/Boulder Daily Camera via AP, Pool)

Colorado Shooting Suspect Makes Second Court Appearance

DENVERA 22-year old man accused of fatally shooting 10 people in March at a Colorado supermarket made his second court appearance Tuesday and a judge scheduled a September hearing to review evidence in the case.

The hearing for suspect Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa lasted about two minutes and did not include any substantive discussion about the case, including his defense teams claim the Alissa suffers from an unspecified mental illness.

At Alissas first hearing the week of the March 22 attack in Boulder, defense attorney Kathryn Herold said the defense legal team needed two or three months to evaluate his mental illness and evidence collected by investigators before proceeding. She did not provide more specific details about his mental health at that time.

Police work on the scene outside of a King Soopers grocery store where a shooting took place in Boulder, Colo., on March 22, 2021. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo)

The courtroom was closed to the public because of coronavirus public health safety restrictions, with video of the proceedings aired online.

Photos from the lone media photographer allowed inside showed Alissa wearing an orange-and-white jail uniform and a white mask. He said nothing during the hearing as he sat by himself in the courtrooms jury box, a few feet from his attorneys.

Alissa is accused of killing nine shoppers and workers inside and outside the store and one of the first three police officers who entered the store.

Alissa has also been charged with attempted first-degree murder for allegedly firing at 26 other people, including 11 law enforcement officers. He is also accused of unlawfully possessing 10 high-capacity ammunition magazines, devices banned in Colorado after previous mass shootings.

Investigators have not released a possible motive for the attack. District Attorney Michael Dougherty has said there was no indication that Alissa, who was from the nearby suburb of Arvada, had ever visited the supermarket before.

Epoch Times staff contributed to this report
Chen Yinghua is unlawfully detained at the Nanjing Detention Center in China in July 2013 for refusing to give up her faith in Falun Gong. (Courtesy of Chen Yinghua)

Communism Has Infiltrated America and the World, Warns a Persecuted Chinese Refugee

A Chinese woman who fled overseas in late 2019 has endured a life many in the West would find unfathomable.

Unlawfully incarcerated and tortured in Chinese prisons for her faith, she describes her experience as hell. In fact, countless like her have suffered far worse at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and Chen Yinghua, 49, having escaped to North America, calls herself one of the lucky ones.

Coming from a totalitarian state where differing views are suppressed or canceled, Chen is noticing similarities emerging in North America. Speaking to The Epoch Times from her new home in Calgary, Canada, Chen said she hopes the world will soon wake up to communisms true goal: to rule all humanity and eventually destroy it.

I want to share my real-life experience with those who still have illusions about communism due to ignorance; with those who are numb and indifferent to the CCPs destruction of Hong Kong, the United States, and even the world; and with those foreign agents who, due to their personal vested interests, are willfully lured in by the CCP to be its accomplice in the destruction of human society, she said.

I believe this is Gods will, to tell the truth about communism and about those who have been persecuted by it. This is saving humanity.

Westerners are starting to experience the evilness of the leftist push. The CCP has subtly infiltrated all key areas of American and Canadian societies for decades. If you dont flatly reject the CCP, people will soon lose their free will.  Chen Yinghua, originally from China

Chen Yinghua, 49, speaks with an Epoch Times reporter in her new home in Calgary, Canada, in May 2021. (Michael Wing/The Epoch Times)

In China, Chen was a peace-loving model citizen until her views diverged from those of the communist regime, which put her on its blacklist as a state enemy.

She was a college graduate who later worked for her husbands electrical repair company, and she and her husband had a son together. At the time, they felt that things such as political suppression and torture were just shadowy rumors unrelated to them. But that changed in the year 2000, when she began practicing Falun Gong.

An ancient spiritual discipline rooted in traditional Chinese culture, incorporating teachings based on the core principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance, Falun Gong is a form of qigong that involves five meditative exercises for cultivating body and mind. Its currently practiced by an estimated 100 million people around the world.

The officially atheist CCPunder which divergent thoughts are regarded as a threat to its iron-fist rulehas been violently persecuting Falun Gong since July 1999, arresting, torturing, and killing untold numbers of adherents.

Chen says her experience of being persecuted for practicing her faith should sound a warning for everyone about what may be about to unfold in the West and particularly in the United States.

Socialism and communism are a scam, she said. Socialist changes could happen at any time, and the kindhearted American and Canadian people will lose their most precious thingfree will.

What kind of future does socialism bring to a country and its people? China and the Chinese people provide a lesson. The current state of the Chinese people is the future of those who want to take the socialist road. Youll see that if you take a step back, communism takes a step forward, and sooner or later you have nowhere to go.

Westerners are starting to experience the evilness of the leftist push. We have experienced this already in China. The CCP has subtly infiltrated all key areas of American and Canadian society for decades.

A photo of Chen Yinghua during a four-year sentence in the Detention Center of Shijiazhuang prison, in Hebei Province, where she suffered wounds on her face during multiple violent force-feeding sessions. (Courtesy of Minghui.org)

Ancient Spirituality Meets Communism

Chen said her mother, Jinling, was the first in her family to practice Falun Gong, starting in 1998, before the persecution. That was also the year Chens elder brother emigrated to Canada.

A month after my mom started practicing, all her illnesses were suddenly cured. She had recovered, Chen said. My mom then recommended it to me. I was 27 years old at the time.

In 1999, Chens father-in-law, who was a Party secretary at an oil company, cautioned her before the onset of the persecution. He told me the spiritual system my mom was practicing would soon be suppressed, she said.

Shortly thereafter, state media and television began broadcasting propaganda reports during prime time to turn public opinion against Falun Gong. The Chinese mainstream society, brainwashed after generations of suppression, was soon on board with the state-run narrative about the practice.

A file photo from 1998 shows Falun Gong practitioners meditating publicly in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China, before the CCP launched its brutal campaign to persecute the spiritual group in 1999. (Courtesy of Minghui.org)

The communist regime said civil servants were prohibited from practicing; they would be fired and wouldnt have a place to earn a living. For those who had been sentenced, they would also be fired from their job, she said.

The CCP doesnt care about your life after that. Some were taken to the brainwashing centers to be transformed. If they dont transform, they have no place to survive.

Once youre affected by the CCPs tyranny, youll quickly lose your family, your job, and all your relatives. No matter how high your social class is, you might become a prisoner at any time, and you may even be killed.

The Crime of Belief

Chen said she was arrested for the first time in 2003 for the crime of distributing Falun Gong informational materials, such as CDs and brochures counteracting the CCPs slanderous propaganda. She said no warrant is needed for police to enter a practitioners home, nor are charges needed to detain thempossession of Falun Gong materials is the key evidence, which can lead to multi-year prison sentences.

They have no formalities. The police first arrest a person, then collect the so-called evidence, she said. These supposed pieces of evidence are like a rubber band that can expand or shrink to fit what they want to do with you. If they want to expand it, theyll expand it. If they want to hide it, theyll hide it. If they want to release it, theyll release it. When they say its a political case, its even more serious than petty crimes. If they say theres nothing wrong, then everythings fine.

Actually, the arrest process is also a looting process. The police usually confiscate money while making an arrest. The higher-ups want evidence, while the ones in the lower ranks want your valuables.

Chen said her crime was that her thinking differed from the CCPs. While in a detention center, a policeman told her: Youre different from the other criminals. They did commit a crime. But for you, its just that your thinking was different from ours.

She was tortured in prison before being released. Her second arrest was in 2013.

The police put a black sack over my head, she recalled. I dont know if they were worried that I would be recognized or that I would recognize them. When they stuffed me into a vehicle, I shouted.

She was taken to Nanjing Detention Center, where she was again tormented before being released. Her third arrest, in 2014, led to a four-year prison term at Hebei Womens Prison No. 13, in Shijiazhuang city, Hebei Province.

Being imprisoned for four years made me experience darkness like never before, even though I resisted the persecution as much as I could, she said.

During her multiple arrests, she said, large volumes of blood and DNA samples were taken from her. Such biometric sampling is uniform for Falun Gong and other religious detainees. According to the U.S. State Departments China 2020 Human Rights Report, an NGO noted in a report that this procedure could indicate evidence of illicit organ trafficking.

The prisons, detention centers, and labor camps unlawfully holding Falun Gong adherents and other prisoners of faith aim to reeducate or transform them, with force and coercion, to extract a guarantee to stop practicing.

A painting depicts the tiger bench, an infamous torture method commonly used to persecute Falun Gong adherents. The torture inflicts severe, prolonged pain that can make a victim lose consciousness. (Courtesy of Minghui.org)

During her detention, Chen went on a hunger strike to protest her unlawful arrest. As a result, she was force-fed several times, with each session lasting two to three hours. She was also torturously tied to a tiger bench and had tubes rammed through her nose, causing considerable bleeding and vomiting.

Other routine tortures included depriving her of sleep, not allowing her to use the bathroom or wash, coercing criminal inmates to choke her unconscious or beat her head against a wall, and more.

None of the torture could change me, she said. What really destroyed my will was the officials making things difficult for other prisoners who sympathized with me. Someone was reprimanded and punished by many supervising policemen for sending me two lucky clovers to try to comfort me.

The time finally came when Chen heard beatings from the corridor outside her cell, and under the pleading of other prisoners, she caved and signed a statement saying she would give up her faithan act she describes as a form of spiritual death.

At that moment, I really felt that a part of me was dying, she said. My mind was very slow to react, and I started to look like a walking corpse. I felt like the current world was a living hell, with its existence rooted in the varying degrees of ignorance of and submission to communism.

Without her faith, she said, life was meaningless and worthless. Moreover, she was forced to endlessly repeat her condemnation of Falun Gong, reasserting her guarantee in daily reeducation sessions.

After four years of hell, Chen was released.

Freedom at Last

Chen was extremely lucky in that her relatives, including her mother and young son, had made it overseas and reached out to officials in the United States and Canada to bring political pressure to bear on the prison where she was incarcerated.

Such international exposure would embarrass the CCP on the global stage, so its likely that prison authorities dared not kill her or harvest her organs, nor harm her too severely, for fear of being held accountable. The vast majority of prisoners of faith, however, lack such international support and suffer horrors beyond imagination.

Chen Yinghuas mother, Huang Jinling, held a press conference on April 14, 2014, for the first time in front of the Chinese Consulate in Canada in order to rescue her, calling, Help my daughter. At that time, Chen had been on a hunger strike for 32 days in prison and was dying. (Wu Weilin/The Epoch Times)

After her release, Chen obtained a visa and traveled to Canada in 2019, where she eventually became a refugee. On the flight, she suddenly experienced what it meant to be truly free.

Upon reuniting with her family in Canada, her son didnt recognize her, as so many years had passed, and Chen saw that her own mother had aged prematurely.

Chen sent some photos back to practitioners in China, and they replied: Youre free now. We really envy you.

Chen Yinghua condemns the CCPs persecution of Falun Gong in front of the Chinese Consulate in Calgary, Canada, on July 17, 2020. (Courtesy of Minghui.org)

The persecution is vast in scale, and Chens account exposes but a fraction of it. The persecution at large remains obscured by CCP censorship and those willing to toe the party line.

Warning the world from her home in Calgary, Chen said: Living in Canada, you can feel that this is a place for humans to live in. In China, its not a place for humans to live in. That place is hell. There are people in that place too, but they dont dare to say theyre humans because there are beasts waiting on the sides. This is how evil it is.

If people are not able to take action to resist and push back against the CCP, what the Chinese people are facing today will be everyone elses tomorrow.

Jocelyn Neo and Arshdeep Sarao contributed to this report.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-25 21:33:38|Editor: huaxia

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Demonstrators take part in a protest sparked by the death of George Floyd across the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, the United States, June 13, 2020. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

The death of Floyd is tragic. Yet perhaps a bigger tragedy for the United States is doing little substantial or turning a blind eye when knowing perfectly where the problems are.



The United States has no time to waste but to summon a real moment of racial reckoning.



by Xinhua writer Chen Chen

BEIJING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- It has been a year since African American George Floyd lost his life to police brutality, whose death sparked what many called a moment of "racial reckoning" inside the United States.

However, after all the tears dropped, blood shed, and protests launched, it is hardly surprising that not many meaningful changes have taken place.

Across the country, more "I-can't-breathe" cases are happening; police reforms are deadlocked in Congress; and politicians of both parties are scrambling to turn Floyd's tragic death into ammunition for partisan attacks.

Why systemic racial discrimination is so hard to tackle in the United States?

A demonstrator is arrested during a protest over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the United States, May 31, 2020. (Photo by Angus Alexander/Xinhua)

For starters, the issue of race is deeply rooted in the DNA of the United States. Racial problem existed long before the United States gained its independence from Britain. In some sense, the history of America is a history of racial oppression.

Even after centuries of struggle, disparities in access to quality education, health care and job opportunities between whites and non-whites in America continue to widen. The fact that the communities of color have been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic offers just a glimpse into the miserable life of ethnic Americans.

The rise of white supremacy in recent years flashes a bigger red alert as it has been encouraging hate, triggering violence, and eroding precious common grounds for necessary race reforms.

People gather near the White House reacting to the trial verdict that former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts in Washington, D.C., the Untied States, April 20, 2021. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

While it might be easy to just blame the racial problem for being too chronical and too complicated to confront, America's politicians should be held most accountable for failing to make much-needed changes possible.

Nowadays, U.S. politicians have been more used to staging political shows than taking truly sensible actions against the root cause of racial discrimination. They invest their time and energy in making hollow promises to their voters. To appeal to their political base, some even tried to manipulate racial divide and pander to extremists.

Apart from politicians' selfishness, America's ever polarizing political climate is chipping away the motivation and courage of those in power to cross partisan divide, and reach any grand bargain on racial problems. The stalled police reform bill is an explicit proof.

A woman raises her arms as riot police fire tear gas during a protest outside the 5th Police Precinct in Minneapolis, the United States, on May 30, 2020. (Photo by Angus Alexander/Xinhua)

The death of Floyd is tragic. Yet perhaps a bigger tragedy for the United States is doing little substantial or turning a blind eye when knowing perfectly where the problems are.

In a nation where census shows non-Hispanic whites are expected to be a minority in about 25 years, its racial challenge could become more acute if left unattended.

The United States has no time to waste but to summon a real moment of racial reckoning. 
A file photo of an empty classroom in El Segundo High School in Los Angeles on July 30, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Costa Mesa School Targeted by Vandals

Smashed windows and busted computers were among the damage vandals dealt on a Costa Mesa, California, elementary school.

Staff arrived at Whittier Elementary School on May 24 to find windows that appeared to have been smashed with fire extinguishers and graffiti spray-painted on walls. Carpets were damaged and furniture was toppled over.

This incident was reported to the Costa Mesa Police Department, who is conducting an investigation, Newport-Mesa Unified School District spokesperson Annette Franco told The Epoch Times.

Our district quickly began assessing the damage and conducting repairs immediately upon learning of the incident yesterday morning. Some classrooms were relocated to alternate classrooms and indoor spaces, as repairs were being made.

Whittier Elementary School in Costa Mesa was damaged by vandals. (Submitted photo)

The damage is believed to have happened over the weekend of May 21.

This is saddening to see, and we appreciate the professionalism and dedication of our teachers and staff to quickly pivot and continue student learning with the least disruption possible, Franco said. We very much appreciate the police departments support in addressing this matter and conducting an investigation.

Costa Mesa police wouldnt confirm whether the vandalism was caught on camera.

The Costa Mesa Police Department responded on Monday morning to take a report and this is now an active investigation, department spokesperson Roxi Fyad told The Epoch Times in an email. In order to protect the investigation, we havent released specifics.

The incident occurred the same weekend that nearly 150 people were arrested in Huntington Beach after hundreds of unruly people gathered for a birthday party. Police said they couldnt speculate as to whether the two events were related.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko delivers a speech during a meeting with parliamentarians, members of the Constitutional Commission and representatives of public administration bodies, in Minsk, Belarus, on May 26, 2021. (Maxim Guchek/BelTA/Handout via Reuters)

Defiant Belarus Leader Accuses West of Waging Hybrid War

MOSCOWBelarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Wednesday a journalist pulled off a plane that was forced down in Minsk had been plotting a bloody rebellion and accused the West of waging a hybrid war against him.

In his defiant remarks, his first in public since he ordered a warplane to intercept a Ryanair flight between EU members Greece and Lithuania, he showed no hint of backing down from a confrontation with countries that accuse him of air piracy.

As we predicted, our ill-wishers from outside the country and from inside the country changed their methods of attack on the state, Lukashenko, 66, told the parliament. They have crossed many red lines and have abandoned common sense and human morals.

Belarus has already been subject to EU and U.S. sanctions since Lukashenko cracked down on pro-democracy protests after a disputed election last year. But his decision to intercept an international airliner flying through his countrys air space and arrest a 26-year-old dissident journalist has brought a new level of condemnation and vows of far more serious action.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko delivers a speech during a meeting with parliamentarians, members of the Constitutional Commission, and representatives of public administration bodies, in Minsk, Belarus, on May 26, 2021. (Maxim Guchek/BelTA/Handout via Reuters)

The journalist, Roman Protasevich, whose social media feed from exile had been one of the last remaining independent sources of news about Belarus, was shown on state TV on Monday confessing to organizing demonstrations. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the footage distressing and Belarus opposition figures said it was proof he had been tortured.

Late on Tuesday, state TV broadcast a similar confession video of Sophia Sapega, a 23-year-old student arrested with Protasevich.

Belarus denies it mistreats detainees. Rights groups have documented what they say are hundreds of cases of abuse and forced confessions since last year.

Flights Re-routed

Europes aviation regulator issued a bulletin on Wednesday urging all airlines to avoid Belarus airspace for safety reasons, saying the forced diversion of the Ryanair flight had put in question its ability to provide safe skies.

The circumstances surrounding this action cast serious doubts on the respect shown by Belarus for international civil aviation rules, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency said.

Western governments have told their airlines to re-route flights to avoid Belaruss airspace and have announced plans to ban Belarusian planes. The EU says other unspecified sanctions are also in the works.

Lukashenko promised to respond harshly to any sanctions. His prime minister said the country could ban some imports and restrict transit in response, without giving details.

Land-locked Belarus is located between its ally Russia and the EU. Some Russian oil and gas flows through it. Last year, it retaliated for sanctions by limiting some oil export traffic through a port in EU-member Lithuania.

In his remarks to parliament, Lukashenko said street protests were no longer possible in Belarus, perhaps signaling a further crackdown on opponents. Most known opposition figures are now in jail or exile.

In power since 1994, Lukashenko faced mass protests throughout the second half of last year after he was declared the winner of a presidential election that his opponents said was rigged. The protests finally lost momentum after a months-long crackdown during which thousands of people were arrested.

Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said on Wednesday the opposition was preparing a new phase of active anti-government protests.

Theres nothing more to wait for  we have to stop the terror once and for all, Tsikhanouskaya said in a statement on social media.

Attempts to Isolate Belarus

The United States and European leaders are seeking ways to increase the isolation of Lukashenko, who has shrugged off previous rounds of Western sanctions, which mostly consist of placing officials on blacklists. The West is also wary of upsetting Moscow, which regards Belarus as a strategically important buffer.

The White House said President Joe Biden would discuss the incident with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit next month. It added that Washington did not believe Moscow had played any role in the incident.

Belarusian authorities on Tuesday released a transcript of a conversation between the Ryanair plane and an air traffic controller. In it, the controller tells the pilot of a bomb threat and advises him to land in Minsk. The pilot repeatedly questions the source of the information before ultimately agreeing to declare an emergency and divert the plane.

The transcript, which Reuters could not independently verify, differed from excerpts previously released by Belarus state TV, which had reported that the pilot had asked to land in Minsk, rather than that the controller had advised him to do so.

By Tom Balmforth and Maria Kiselyova
Protesters march past LAPD officers during a demonstration over the death of George Floyd, in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 6, 2020. (Kyle Grillot/AFP via Getty Images)

Defund Police Unions, Not the Police

Commentary

As a relatively new state senator, I did my best to work across the aisle.

One example is my assisting Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) in February 2016 when I coauthored one of his more ambitious bills. It was Senate Bill 1286, which addressed police officers and their records of misconduct. If approved, this legislation would have required that personnel records and records relating to complaints against peace officers and custodial officers to be [made] available for public inspection pursuant to the California Public Records Act.

The bill passed through the Senate Public Safety Committee with five votes; the two Republican members did not vote for the bill. At the time, Steven Greenhut of the Orange County Register opined in favor of SB 1286.

Greenhut wrote: Because of a 2006 state Supreme Court decision, Californians have had virtually no access to information about police officers who may have engaged in pattern of misbehaviors or who have been involved in multiple shootings. In Copley Press v. Superior Court, the San Diego Union-Tribune sought access to the disciplinary hearing of a San Diego deputy sheriff who appealed his termination.

The far-reaching ruling blocked the publics access to information that previously was available and that remains widely accessible in most other states. A 2010 report by the Investigative Fund found that 25 of 27 Fresno police officers who were involved in repeated shootings remained on the force. The Copley decision meant the public had no right to learn who they were. That can allow bad officers to fester within a department.

The bill was forwarded to the Senate Appropriations Committee, where controversial bills are put on suspense and never see the light of day again. It is like getting a veto before even getting the chance to have a senate floor debate. And this was the outcome with SB 1286.

One can correctly assume that all the public safety unions and associations in California put significant pressure on Sen. Ricardo Lara, the then-chair of appropriations, to kill the bill. They wanted personnel files to be kept confidential. He accommodated that demand.

No wonder Greenhut observed: Perhaps the nation wouldnt be facing so much turmoil over police use-of-force issues if there were fewer union prerogatives and more accountability.

Two years later, Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) would ask me to coauthor a similar bill.

It also passed through the Senate Public Safety Committee, this time receiving two votes in opposition by the Republican members. It would go to Senate Appropriations and this time be forwarded on, despite the two Republican members voting in opposition.

It then was passed on the senate floor with 25 votes, with me being the only Republican to support the bill. It would pass with the same votes on concurrence to accept amendments made by the assembly and barely passed on the Assembly Floor, with 44 votes. It was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on September 30, 2018.

Why was I the independent Republican? Because eight years on the Orange County Board of Supervisors was an eye-opening experience. There were some 30 lawsuits against the sheriffs department when I took office.

I learned about the code of silence.

I had to deal with the tragic death of John Derek Chamberlain, leading to my creating the Office of Independent Review to monitor the Sheriffs Department and its employees when acts of misconduct were perpetrated.

What has this transparency law, SB 1421, wrought? According to one recent account, Troves of misconduct cases emerge from recordsIncidents include a deputy romancing a woman while on duty, jailer pummeling an inmate.

The public employee unions for public safety employees did not want the public to see the underbelly of what occurs when police officers and deputy sheriffs leave the reservation. The nonsense was kept confidential from the general public.

No more.

The good news is that bad behavior by police officers and deputy sheriffs should rapidly decrease. This is good for those who protect and serve us every day at the risk of losing their own lives. It is also good for taxpayers, who should not be subsidizing and unknowingly condoning inappropriate behavior.

Why do we have an occasional rogue officer? With their unions keeping bad behavior secret, they previously could get away with literally anything. And, with these same unions using misinformation and misleading and false claims in political mailers, it enables police officers to lie as well.

Recently, it was reported that two California state prison guards lied about an inmate who had been decapitated by his cellmate, stating that he was alive when they performed their inspections. This behavior must stop.

We need to give our police and county sheriffs departments all the tools to run pristine and honorable forces. Giving them a tool to address bad apples was long overdue. SB 1421 will increase the publics trust in those who wear the badge to protect us.

On the anniversary of the tragic George Floyd asphyxiation, let us do our best to encourage excellence in policing. This is not the time to defund police, but it would not hurt to defund police unions, as they have been a negative influence on those they represent.

John Moorlach is a former Orange County Supervisor who most recently served as a state senator. He previously spent 12 years as Orange Countys Treasurer-Tax Collector, and led the county out of bankruptcy.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A sign reminds voters they need photo ID to vote on Election Day at a polling station at Hillsboro Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 6, 2018. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Democrats and Republicans Spar Over State Voter ID Laws

WASHINGTONOn Monday, the House Subcommittee on Elections heard expert testimony on voter ID requirements while the Senate Rules Committee had a heated exchange about S.1., the For the Peoples Act of 2021, meant to federalize elections and end laws Democrats say suppress votes, like voter ID.

Republicans want to ensure that every eligible person who wants to vote is able to cast a vote, then we make sure that every lawful ballot is counted, according to state law, said Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Elections, Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.).

We want to make sure that its easy to vote and hard to cheat. The far left has been working overtime to mischaracterize new voting laws across the United States, the lefts characterization of voter laws like those recently passed in Georgia, in other states, continued Steil.

The Chair of the Subcommittee on Elections, Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) argued that strict voter ID requirements prevent minorities from voting and the laws being introduced by state legislatures will lead to voter suppression in minority communities.

Voter ID laws have been shown to disproportionately burden minority voters, he said.

Butterfields committee heard from a panel of experts on voter ID requirements and voter turnout in brown and black communities, where some experts argued that strict voter ID requirements, like requiring a drivers license or other photo ID prevent minority citizens from casting their vote.

My professional opinion is that voter ID laws disproportionately reduce minority voter turnout and increase the gap between the voices of minorities and that of white Americans in American democracy, said Nazita Lajevardi professor, Michigan State University who studies the impact of voter identification laws on minority voter turnout.

Another witness at Mondays hearing was Harmeet Dhillon, founding partner of the Dhillon Law Group, who told the panel that voter ID laws are favored by the majority of Americans and instill confidence in election results.

Democrats think these voters are utterly incapable of obtaining an ID to vote. As an American, and an immigrant, and a woman of color, I find that assumption offensive. For example, Georgia voters overwhelmingly favored requiring voter ID when voting absentee thats 74 percent of Georgia voters in favor of voter ID compared to a mere 22 percent who opposed, Dhillon told the House panel.

A number of 2021 polls support Dhillons point and show that Americans strongly disagree with a ban on voter ID, as an Associated Press poll found that 72 percent of respondents support it. Likewise, an Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll found 74 percent of Georgians support voter ID.

Getting more specific, the Rasmussen Reports found in a poll done in March that wide margins of minority voters support voter ID as well: 69 percent of African Americans and 82 percent of other nonwhite minorities.

Meanwhile, the Senate Rules Committee had a heated debate about S.1., a sweeping election reform package meant to nationalize elections, which Democrats argue is to counter state legislatures attempts to suppress the votes of minorities but Republican see as an overreach by Congress in an attempt by Democrats to grab power.

The House passed H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2021 in March and the Senate will be voting on the Senate version of the bill in the coming weeks. Included in S.1. are dozens of measures, among them is a provision that would take away voter ID requirements.

Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) had harsh words about S.1.

One of the goals of S.1. will be a federal takeover of the election process. In my view, that would be an unmitigated disaster for our democracy. Todays hearing will shed light on some of the destructive elements contained in this legislation, said Blunt.

S.1. would ban state voter ID laws: states would no longer be allowed to require ID for voting and would be forced to accept signed statements from individuals claiming to verify who they say they are.

Senate Democrats see taking away voter ID requirements as making voting easier and more democratic.

The chair of the committee, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Mo.) said S.1. would strengthen democracy by making voting easier, getting big money out of politics and strengthening ethics rules.
Deputy Ministers Defend Delays in Renewal of Aging Navy, Coast Guard Ships

The federal government is behind schedule in delivering new ships for the Navy and Coast Guard, resulting in serious cost overrun and increased potential risks of vessel shortage.

A report put forth by Auditor General Karen Hogan in February revealed that the National Shipbuilding Strategy has significantly delayed the delivery of many federal ships, increasing the risks of old combat and non-combat vessels being retired before new ones are replenished.

Bill Matthews, deputy minister of the Public Services and Procurement Department and chair to the interdepartmental committee in charge of overseeing the strategy, blamed the delays on overly optimistic forecasts of delivery schedules during the House of Commons Public Accounts committee on Tuesday.

The initial schedules way back [then] were indeed not realistic, Matthews said. As time marched on, people realize that those initial schedules just werent going to hold, and there were adjustments made.

Matthews noted that the outbreak of COVID-19 has also posed challenges to the project, an argument supported by the assistant auditor general and other deputy ministers who testified to the committee, despite the audit period concluding prior to the pandemic.

We cannot yet know the full impacts of COVID on shipbuilding timelines, Deputy Minister of the Defence Department Jody Thomas said. Until we are over the pandemic, we will not have a complete and accurate picture of what the full impact has been, including anticipated delays on major procurement.

Delays in delivering new ships can be very costly. According to Hogans report, the delays have resulted in an additional $111 million for building the Canadian surface combatant vessels alone. Indirect costs of labour could also add between $39.8 to $101.5 million.

The Navy and Coast Guard are taking measures to extend the lives of their existing ships while waiting for new vessels to arrive. But Matthews says vessels life extension will still bring about substantial and incremental maintenance costs as the ships get older.

In 2012, the Procurement Department entered into agreement with two Canadian shipyards, Vancouver Shipyard and Irving Shipbuilding, to build up to 28 vessels. Following a competitive process, the government announced in 2019 that Chantier Davie was pre-qualified as the third shipyard to build polar icebreakers for the Coast Guard.

Officials defended the delay in finalizing Davies selection as the third shipyard, saying the governments decision was to ensure the requirements set out in the National Shipbuilding Strategy were met. Matthews added that the selection process is underway, and will hopefully conclude in coming months.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada Deputy Minister Timothy Sargent also defended the federal governments decision to build two polar icebreakers instead of just one, saying that two vessels are needed in emergency situations.
The P4 laboratory building at the Wuhan Institute of Virology is shown in Wuhan, China, on May 13, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

Dr. Fauci Makes the Case for Investigation of Wuhan Lab

US-funded lab conducted dangerous gain-of-function research

Commentary

Dr. Anthony Fauci recently told reporters he is not convinced that COVID-19 developed naturally. Then on Monday, the chief White House medical advisor contended it was highly likely that the virus occurred naturally before spreading from animal to human. In similar style on March 28, Fauci told Margaret Brennan of CBS News that there is no evidence that suggests the virus was created in a laboratory. These baffling reversals should come as no surprise.

Anthony Fauci earned a medical degree in 1966, when the government was drafting physicians for military hospitals in Vietnam. To avoid that duty, Dr. Fauci hired on with the federal National Institutes of Health, in what he conceded was a cushy job.

Faucis bio shows no advanced degrees in molecular biology or biochemistry, so strictly speaking he is not a virologist. Even so, Fauci became head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in 1984.

As Michael Fumento showed in The Myth of Heterosexual AIDS, Fauci was wrong that AIDS would ravage the American population on a wide scale. UC Berkeley molecular biologist Peter Duesberg, author of Inventing the AIDS Virus, encountered Fauci as the government spokesman for AIDS thought control.

The longtime NIAID boss is now the government mouthpiece for pandemic thought control, contending that there is no evidence that the novel coronavirus was engineered in a laboratory. In reality, the evidence has been steadily mounting, and it points to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), which received shipments of deadly pathogens from a lab in Canada.

The pathogens shipped to China by Dr. Xiangguo Qiu included Ebola Makona, Mayinga, Kikwit, Ivory Coast, Bundibugyo, Sudan Boniface, Sudan Gulu, MA-Ebov, GP-Ebov, GP-Sudan, Henra, Nipah Malaysia, and Nipah Bangladesh. These would be useful in gain-of-function research, which according to the Office of Science Policy of the National Institutes of Health, can enhance the pathogenicity or transmissibility of potential pandemic pathogens (PPPs) and raise biosafety and biosecurity concerns.

In 2012, Fauci raised safety concerns about this research, which the NIH banned in 2014 but revived in 2017. The NIAID boss authorized grants to the Wuhan lab, where gain-of-function research could be conducted in secret, with no accountability to Americans.

Fauci is uncritical of Communist China and a big fan of World Health Organization boss Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, a non-physician and major apologist of China. Fauci now claims to welcome an investigation of Chinas role in the pandemic. As they turn the light on the WIV, investigators would be wise to focus on the role of Dr. Fauci.

The NIAID boss, in government for 53 years, is currently the highest paid bureaucrat in the entire federal government. With a salary of $417,608, Fauci is paid more than the president of the United States but never has to face the voters. By his own account, the longtime bureaucrat likes wielding that kind of unchecked power.

With all due modesty, I think Im pretty effective, Fauci told Norah ODonnell of CBS in a July 15, 2020 interview with InStyle. I certainly am energetic. And I think everybody thinks Im doing more than an outstanding job. In light of Dr. Faucis evasions and reversals, everybody might not think so. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) recently proposed the FIRED Act, Fauci Incompetence Requires Early Dismissal.

In a House Appropriations Committee hearing on Tuesday, Fauci defended modest collaboration with Chinese scientists in Wuhan on the study of bat coronaviruses, while contending that NIAID did not allocate money for gain-of-function research. The NIAID director did not specify what kind of research had in fact taken place.

Investigators should make public all NIH and NIAID communications with the Wuhan Institute of Virology and any intermediary agencies, public or private. Did the NIH, CDC, WIV, and WHO agree on messaging? Why did the CDCs vaunted Epidemic Intelligence Service fail to stop COVID-19 from arriving in America?

What did Dr. Anthony Fauci know about the Wuhan lab? When did he know it, and what did he do about it? The American people, who have suffered so much, have a right to know.

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.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 11, 2021. (Greg Nash/Pool/Getty Images)

Fauci Says It Would Have Been a Dereliction of Our Duty Not to Work With China on Coronavirus Research

Infectious diseases expert Dr. Anthony Fauci on Tuesday defended the flow of funds from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China for bat coronavirus research, saying it would have been almost a dereliction of our duty for the NIH not to collaborate with Chinese scientists to study how the pathogen might jump from animals to humans.

Fauci made the remarks in testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health & Human Services, with the discussion touching on the as-yet-undetermined origin of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, the pathogen that causes the disease COVID-19.

At issue is around $600,000 of the some $3.7 million in overall NIH funding provided to EcoHealth Alliance that was channeled to the Wuhan Institute of Virology to research coronaviruses in bats in 2014. Fauci defended collaboration with the Wuhan facility, pointing to an earlier coronavirus outbreak with a confirmed bat origin as justification.

Why do research in collaboration with our Chinese colleagues? Well, the underlying reason for that is that we had a big scare with SARS-CoV-1 back in 2002, 2003, where that particular virus unquestionably went from a bat to an intermediate host to start an epidemic and a pandemic that resulted in 8,000 cases and close to 800 deaths, Fauci said. It wouldve been almost a dereliction of our duty if we didnt study this, and the only way you can study these things is, youve gotta go where the action is, he added.

I often say, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, you dont want to study bats in Fairfax County, Virginia, to find out what the animal-human interface is that might lead to a jumping of species, Fauci continued. So we had a modest collaboration with very respectable Chinese scientists who were world experts on coronavirus, and we did that through a sub-grant from a larger grant to EcoHealth. The sub-grant was about $600,000 over a period of five years. So it was a modest amount. And the purpose of it was to study the animal-human interface, to do surveillance, and to determine if these bat viruses were even capable of transmitting infection to humans, he added.

The Wuhan facility, which is home Chinas only P4 labthe highest level of biosafetyhas been in the spotlight amid concerns that the CCP virus may have originated there rather than by making a natural jump from bats to humans.

Republican members of the House Intelligence Committee argued in a May 19 report (pdf) that it is more likely the virus escaped from the lab.

There is overwhelming circumstantial evidence  to support a lab leak as the origination of COVID-19, stated the report, which was led by Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), the ranking member on the committee. By contrast, little circumstantial evidence has emerged to support the PRCs [Peoples Republic of China] claim that COVID-19 was a natural occurrence, having jumped from some other species to humans.

COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP virus, first appeared in Chinas central city of Wuhan in late 2019, when a cluster of cases was allegedly linked to a local wet market. But more than a year later, the origins of the virus remain unknown.

The Chinese regime has denied that the viruss origin was linked to the Wuhan lab and has pushed a natural zoonotic hypothesisthat the virus was transmitted to humans from an animal host. However, Beijing has so far failed to identify the original animal species that allegedly passed the virus on to humans.

A staff member wearing a face shield walks through a bus station in Wuhan in central Chinas Hubei province on April 30, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

A report from the World Health Organization (WHO) published in March said that the CCP virus likely spread to people via an unknown animal, but WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the mission to study the origins of the virus did not adequately analyze other theories.

As far as WHO is concerned, all hypotheses remain on the table  We have not yet found the source of the virus, Ghebreyesus said.

The reports conclusion was largely based on the WHOs investigative efforts in January and February this year. Critics noted that the Chinese communist regime had a significant role in their investigation and accused them of engaging in a cover-up.

Earlier this month, Fauci said that he is not convinced that the virus developed naturally, and called for a deeper probe into its origins.

On the same day, when asked by a doctor during a Senate hearing about whether its possible that the virus arose from a lab accident in Wuhan, Fauci responded, That possibility certainly exists.

I am totally in favor of a full investigation of whether that could have happened, he said.

It comes as the United States on Tuesday urged the WHO to launch a fresh probe into the source of the CCP virus, highlighting the need for it to be transparent.

Phase 2 of the COVID origins study must be launched with terms of reference that are transparent, science-based, and give international experts the independence to fully assess the source of the virus and the early days of the outbreak, said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, in remarks to the 74th World Health Assembly, a virtual event.

More than a dozen nations, including the United States and the European Union, have raised concerns about the phase one WHO study into the origins of the virus, pointing to the reports significant delay and Chinas refusal to share crucial raw data.

Lily Zhou contributed to this report.
A nurse adminsters the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine to patient William "Bill" Shakespeare (L), 81, at University Hospital in Coventry, England, on Dec. 8, 2020. (Jacob King/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

First Man in World to Receive Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Publicly Dies of Unrelated Illness

The first man to get publicly vaccinated for COVID-19 in the world died of an unrelated illness about six months after receiving the jab, according to multiple reports.

William Shakespeare died of a stroke on May 20, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust told the BBC.

The 81-year-old man died at the same medical center in Coventry where he remained as a patient. He received both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech jab in early December, shortly after 91-year-old Margaret Keenan, the first woman who got the shot.

His wife said in a tribute to her husband he was so grateful and hugely proud to being offered to become one of the first persons in the world to be given the vaccine.

Bill was so grateful for being offered the opportunity to become one of the first people in the world to be given the vaccine, she said. It was something he was hugely proud ofhe loved seeing the media coverage and the positive difference he was able to make to the lives of so many.

Shakespeare leaves behind his wife of 53 years, two sons, as well as his grandchildren.

He had a passion for photography and was also very talented with it, his wife said. He also regularly attended gigs to take photos of the musicians for his love of Jazz music and passion to help people in any way possible.

The UK is also entitled to offering an 82-year-old man to become the first person in the world to receive the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly referred to as the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19.

Brian Pinker, 82, receives the Oxford University/AstraZeneca CCP virus vaccine from nurse Sam Foster at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, England, on Jan. 4, 2021. (Steve Parsons/Pool via Reuters)

I am so pleased to be getting the COVID vaccine today and really proud that it is one that was invented in Oxford, said Brian Pinker, a kidney dialysis patient who received the jab in early January.

The first Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine inoculations came just under a month since the UK also became the first country in the world to commence the rollout of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

Trevor Cowlett, an 88-year-old music teacher, was reportedly the second person in the world, bar those who have received it in clinical trials, to get the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab, and Andrew Pollard, the head of the Oxford Vaccine Group and its chief investigator, was the third.

Epoch Times reporter Mary Clark contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Sasha Johnson (C) of the Black Lives Matter movement attends a protest at Hyde Park in London on June 13, 2020. (Alberto Pezzali/AP Photo)

Five Arrested in Connection With Shooting of Black Lives Matter Activist Sasha Johnson

Five men were arrested in connection to the shooting of Black Lives Matter activist Sasha Johnson, who was shot in the head during the early morning hours in London on Sunday.

Londons Metropolitan Police said officers arrested a 17-year-old man on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and on drug possession charges. After the man was arrested, police were taken to an address in Peckham, where three menages 18, 19, and 28were arrested on drug offenses.

A fifth man, aged 25, was arrested on Tuesday evening after a police chase in Peckham, the Metropolitan Police said.

The five suspects were charged on suspicion of attempted murder and were being held without bond, according to the department.

The news release did not say why the five were arrested in connection to Johnsons shooting.

While the investigation remains in its early stages, these arrests show that progress is being made. However, I would continue to appeal to those who may hold information about the events that led to Sasha receiving her horrific injuries, or about those responsible, to do the right thing and come forward and speak to police, Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector Richard Leonard said.

The Metropolitan Police appeared to dispute claims from activists that Johnson was the victim of a targeted attack because of her Black Lives Matter affiliation and political viewpoints.

At this early stage work continues to establish a motive but there is nothing to suggest that Sasha was the subject of a targeted attack, it said. At this time, police are also not aware of any reports of threats made against her prior to the incident.

The Metropolitan Police, in an earlier update, said officers were searching for four black males who were dressed in dark-colored clothing who discharged the firearm during the shooting incident.

Reports have said that Johnson still remains in critical condition at a South London hospital.

Johnsons left-wing Taking the Initiative Party wrote earlier this week that she had received numerous death threats as a result of her activism.

Black Lives Matter activist Imarn Ayton, described as a friend of Johnson, told ITV that its likely that she was shot in an incident that was more related to rival gangs in the area.

I do believe that it was a party and there was some type of dispute between two individuals or two gangs, and it was wrong place, wrong time, Ayton noted, adding that she doesnt believe [Johnson] was the intended victim.
U.S. Senate Arms Services Committee chairman John Warner (R-VA) speaks about secret military payments to Iraqi newspapers during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Dec. 2, 2005. (Yuri Gripas/Reuters)

Former Virginia Republican Senator John Warner Dies at 94

WASHINGTONFormer Sen. John Warner of Virginia has died of heart failure. He was 94.

Warner died late on Tuesday, with his wife and daughter at his side, his chief of staff Susan Magill said in an email to family and friends, according to a Politico report on Wednesday. The Washington Post said he died in Alexandria, Virginia.

The country has lost a great patriot. Senator John Warner was a hero in the military, a respected leader in the Senate and an inspiration to all with his joy for life, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in a statement.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) ordered flags on the Senate side of the U.S. Capitol lowered to half-staff to honor Warner, a spokesman said.

Former U.S. Sen. John Warner of Virginia speaks to the Virginia House of Delegates at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., on Jan. 18, 2012. (Steve Helber/AP Photo)

Warner served in the Senate for five terms from 1979 to 2009.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said his fellow Republican had been one of this bodys foremost voices on national defense.

Warner, who enlisted in the Navy during World War II at the age of 17, also served in the Marine Corps in Korea. He was secretary of the Navy from 1972-74 in President Richard Nixons administration.

He was the sixth husband of actress Elizabeth Taylor.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-25 23:25:52|Editor: huaxia

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A spokesperson of China's Xinjiang strongly condemned and rejected the so-called "Uygur tribunal" which attempts to hold a "hearing" on claims of "genocide" in the region.

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The P4 laboratory (L) on the campus of the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, on May 27, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

From Conspiracy to Racism: Sifting Through Disinformation and Labelling in Virus Origin Discussions

News Analysis

Until very recently, any suggestion of the possibility that a lab leak led to the COVID-19 pandemic would be struck down by many media outlets as a conspiracy theory.

After increased calls for more investigation into the origin of the virus, a game-changer came on May 26 when U.S. President Joe Biden issued a statement saying the U.S. Intelligence Community is divided on whether the virus emerged from a natural source or a lab accident, and there is still no definitive conclusion.

The alternative to the natural origin hypothesis received more mainstream recognition after 18 prominent scientists, among them a member of Ontarios COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, published a letter in Science magazine on May 14, saying that the lab incident theory shouldnt be ignored and that investigation into the viruss origin should continue.

A sign of the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, on April 24, 2020. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

The idea gained steam in mid-February after WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus contradicted his own agencys report on the origin of the virus. The report ruled that a lab origin was extremely unlikely, while Tedros said that further investigation was needed. WHOs investigation was marred by a lack of transparency from Beijing and the reported China ties of some of the investigators.

The month of May saw more reversals of the earlier trend to dismiss the lab origin theory, with Anthony Fauci, head of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, saying on May 11 that he is now not convinced that the virus developed naturally. His comments were in response to a question by a staff member of fact-checking website PolitiFact.

A few days later, PolitiFact quietly retracted a fact check it published in September 2020 in which it labelled as inaccurate and a debunked conspiracy theory the claim by a Hong Kong virologist at the time that COVID-19 originated in a lab. In May 2020, Fauci had dismissed the lab leak theory in a National Geographic interview, saying the evidence strongly suggests a natural origin.

On May 24, Vox amended an editors note on a March 2020 article that claimed the lab leak theory had been debunked, stating in its update that scientific consensus has shifted.

Screenshot of a Twitter post by the New York Times on Feb. 3, 2021.

In the latest developments, the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said on May 25 that there should be a new transparent study into the virus origin, and the UK government said on May 24 that the WHO should explore all possible theories on origins of the virus.

Previously, 14 countries, including Canada and the United States, had raised concerns about WHOs study into the virus origin, asking for a transparent and independent analysis and evaluation in a March 30 statement. The former head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Robert Redfield, a virologist, said on March 26 that he believes the virus originated from a Chinese lab.

Citing a previously undisclosed U.S. intelligence report, a Wall Street Journal article published on May 23 reported that three researchers from Chinas Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) sought hospital care with COVID-like symptoms in November 2019about a month before the appearance of patient zero identified by the Chinese communist regime.

Screenshot of a Twitter post by CNN on Feb. 4, 2021.

This revelation matches the contents of a fact sheet released by the U.S. State Department in the final days of the Trump administration, which said several WIV researchers became sick in the fall of 2019 with symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

Beijing was quick to dismiss the State Departments claims in January as conspiracy theories, calling the fact sheet a lie sheet.

But communist China was hardly the only one to revert to conspiracy labelling throughout the pandemic. The New York Times, in a Feb. 3 Twitter post linking to its article on the WHO teams visit to the WIV at the time, wrote, [The WIVs] lab has been the focus of unfounded conspiracy theories promoted by the Trump administration about the pandemics origins. An article by CNN on the same day read, A team of World Health Organization investigators in Wuhan are visiting a laboratory Wednesday that has been the focus of conspiracies and speculation about the origin of the coronavirus pandemic.

Parliamentary Discussions

Conspiracy labelling and demands for an end to any questioning of the viruss origin even extended to discussions in Canadas Parliament.

This occurred during a Canada-China parliamentary committee meeting on May 10, at which MPs sought to get answers from administrators of the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Winnipeg as to why scientists Xiangguo Qiu and her husband Keding Cheng and several Chinese students were escorted out of the lab in 2019.

The NML is a facility rated at Level 4, the highest level of biosafety, equipped to work with the most deadly human and animal infectious diseases. Its Canadas only Level 4 lab.

At the meeting, Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong tried to establish context about the MPs need for more details. He told the committee that Beijing has blocked investigations into the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also pointed out that the NML had sent samples of deadly Ebola and Henipah viruses to China just eight months before a global pandemic ostensibly began in the same city, and that Qiu had travelled several times to the Wuhan National Biosafety Laboratory, which is part of the WIV. Chong added that Qiu and Cheng came under investigation by Canadian authorities and were eventually fired for policy breaches.

Conservative MP Michael Chong rises during Question Period in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Nov. 19, 2020. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

The NMLs administrators would not provide details on why the scientists were fired from the lab, citing privacy obligations, and Chong noted the similarity between their refusal to answer questions and the barriers faced by investigators seeking information on the viruss origins in China.

The parallel between these two situations is appalling. We live in a parliamentary democracy and we are facing the same impediments to our investigations as investigators are facing as they attempt to discover the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic in China, he said.

During points of order, Liberal MPs said Chong was alluding to conspiracies and objected to his statements connecting the virus origin issue with the investigations into the Winnipeg lab. One Liberal MP said Chong was borrowing from some of the wildest theories on Facebook and other social media to make a point.

Refuting the conspiracy labelling, Chong quoted a line from Eurasia Group president Ian Bremmer, whom he said is anything but a conspiracy theorist.

Chinas unwillingness to co-operate with the World Health Organization in investigating the coronaviruss origins has made it impossible to substantiate how the disease came into existence, thereby obscuring the scientific response. Indeed, despite all the claims of conspiracy, the theory that COVID actually was inadvertently released from a Wuhan biolab remains both plausible and deeply concerning, Chong quoted Bremmer as saying.

Despite Canadian parliamentarians efforts to seek answers, the NMLs administrators have continued their refusal to provide them with details on why the scientists were dismissed from Canadas only Level 4 virology facility.

Influential Paper

One of the most influential documents early in the virus outbreak that shaped the discussion on the origin of the virus was a statement published by a group of scientists in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet on Feb. 19, 2020. Titled Statement in support of the scientists, public health professionals, and medical professionals of China combatting COVID-19, it stated: We stand together to strongly condemn conspiracy theories suggesting that COVID-19 does not have a natural origin.

The non-profit investigative research group U.S. Right to Know (USRTK) said in a November 2020 post that, according to documents it obtained under public record requests, the scientist who wrote the first draft of the statement was Peter Daszak, head of New York-based EcoHealth Alliance. USRTK said it was employees of Daszaks organizationwhich has channelled U.S. government funding for coronavirus research at the Wuhan Institute of Virologywho organized the statement.

Peter Daszak, a member of the World Health Organization team investigating the origins of COVID-19, speaks to media upon arriving at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan in Chinas central Hubei province on Feb. 3, 2021. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

However, the statement published in The Lancet says, We declare no competing interests.

Daszak lacks credibility because The Lancet letter of Feb. 19 that he drafted and organized falsely claimed no conflict of interest, China scholar Anders Corr, publisher of Journal of Political Risk and an Epoch Times contributor, said in an email.

In fact, Daszaks organization helped fund research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. That research was of coronaviruses.

Daszak was also part of the WHO team that conducted a fact-finding mission into the origin of the virus in China earlier this year. And he was among the WHO experts who sparked controversy due to their ties to China. In addition to channelling U.S. National Institute of Health money to WIV, his organization received Chinese Communist Party (CCP) money, he said in a conference in 2018 at a conference sponsored by a Chinese state media.

Daszak didnt respond to a request for comment from The Epoch Times.

Meanwhile, author and science journalist Nicholas Wade says that if the virus had indeed escaped from research he funded, Dr. Daszak would be potentially culpable. Wade made this statement in a lengthy article published in the respected science journal Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, in which he established the reasons why the lab leak theory cant be dismissed.

Poor Science

Wade for many years was a staff member of The New York Times and the prestigious science journals Nature and Science. He said that another document influential in shaping the discourse on the viruss origin and dismissing the lab leak theory was a March 17 letter by several scientists published in the journal Nature Medicine. The letter presents the authors reasoning for ruling out any alternative to a natural origin.

Disputing the reasoning in the letter, Wade says the claims are a case of poor science.

The Epoch Times contacted Kristian G. Andersen, the lead author of the Nature Medicine letter, but didnt hear back.

Wade writes that the letters in The Lancet and Nature were political rather than scientific.

The statements were designed to have a political effect, not to present the scientific facts, he said in an email.

Among the reasons that a natural origin for the virus hasnt yet been confirmed is that scientists still havent found evidence of the viruss initial animal-to-human infection.

Chinese virologist Shi Zhengli is seen inside the P4 laboratory in Wuhan, capital of Chinas Hubei Province, on Feb. 23, 2017. (Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images)

The intermediary host species of SARS1 was identified within four months of the epidemics outbreak, and the host of MERS within nine months. Yet some 15 months after the SARS2 [SARS-CoV-2, which causes the COVDI-19 disease] pandemic began, and after a presumably intensive search, Chinese researchers had failed to find either the original bat population, or the intermediate species to which SARS2 might have jumped, or any serological evidence that any Chinese population, including that of Wuhan, had ever been exposed to the virus prior to December 2019, Wades article says.

Wade says part of the problem causing many media to be quick in dismissing any theory besides a natural occurrence is that, unlike political reporters, science reporters arent fully vigilant of their sources motives.

Another reason, he adds, is the migration of much of the media toward the left of the political spectrum.

Because President Trump said the virus had escaped from a Wuhan lab, editors gave the idea little credence, Wade said.

Data Access Denied

Many scientists and China scholars have repeatedly called on Beijing to allow proper investigation into the origin of the virus, which would help put an end to the divisive speculation.

But Corr says the regime has been able to steer the narrative on the origin by denying access to basic data.

Our investigators and forensic virologists have not had full access to the data that is available in China. What they see is too often what the CCP wants them to see, he says.

Security personnel stand guard outside the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan as members of the World Health Organization (WHO) team investigating the origins of COVID-19 make a visit to the institute in Wuhan, China, on Feb. 3, 2021. (Hector Retamal /AFP via Getty Images)

So when our investigators walk away from an investigation in China saying most of the evidence indicates against the lab leak hypothesis, and therefore the lab leak hypothesis is likely untrue, they are not using good scientific methodology.

Marcus Kolga, a senior fellow with the Ottawa-based Macdonald-Laurier Institute and a disinformation expert, says regimes like those in China and Russia have departments with thousands of people dedicated to the creation and amplification of disinformation.

It is certainly in the Chinese Communist Partys interest to promote any narrative that casts doubt on the origin of the virus, Kolga told The Epoch Times.

If the virus did originate somewhere other than a wet market or elsewhere, Im sure that the Chinese Communist Party will amplify any sort of narratives that would put that in doubt.

He adds that early in the virus outbreak the Chinese regime hid information about the virus and didnt take appropriate action to stop the spread.

Had they acted earlier, we could have saved millions of lives.

Racist Accusations a Political Tactic

Another way the regime has influenced the conversation on the pandemic, Kolga says, is labelling any criticism of its conduct on the pandemic as racist.

According to Kolga, the CCP learned this tactic from the Soviet Union, which labelled anyone who was a critic of it as a fascist or neo-Nazi.

These regimes understand that we are very sensitive to accusations of racism because of the diversity and the broad tolerance we have in this country. And then they engage in the use of such labels and such accusations in order to discredit any criticism of those regimes, he says.

London, Ont.-based bar owner Alex Petro was the subject of scorn by multiple media reports and local politicians over a sign he put up at his bar that referred to the virus as the China virus. The criticism didnt subside even after he clarified that his sign was to criticize the Chinese communist regime, which oppresses the Chinese people, and that he loves the people of China.

This attempt to cast as racist any criticism of China for its handling of the virus outbreak has appeared in social media advertisements by Chinese state media seen by millions.

There have also been efforts by Chinese officials to pin the blame for the virus on specific countries, including a claim by foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian that the virus originated in the United States and was brought to Wuhan by the U.S. Army. The U.S. State Department summoned the U.S. ambassador over the incident.

Screenshot of a Twitter post by Chinese state media Xinhua on March 16, 2020.

A recent report by the Brussels-based International Federation of Journalists said that Beijing has used its global media infrastructure to seed positive narratives about China in national media, as well as mobilizing more novel tactics such as disinformation.

Corr says that besides the CCPs efforts, racism labels are also a result of communist and socialist influence in the West.

Communist influence more generallysome of which has become organic to Western societies and some of which shades into democratic forms of socialismhas allied electorally with identity politics to become hyper-critical of race, gender, sexuality, post-colonial, and class issues, he says.

Doing Proper Fact-Checking

Kolga says that all groups in Western societies, including both the extreme left and extreme right, are targets of disinformation, with regimes such as those in China and Russia promoting conspiracy theories to targeted groups in order to polarize society and cause confusion. This could also result in pushing legitimate voices under the same labelling in order to discredit valid arguments.

The established advice for countering disinformation is to check reliable sources and to avoid solely relying on information on social media, where China and Russia are among countries known to be conducting major disinformation campaigns.

But when many established media get influenced by disinformation, the issue becomes more challenging.

Kolga recommends that journalists do proper fact-checking of all claims and also be informed about the background of the experts they speak to.

Check their background, and where theyre connected with, he says.

With reporting by Isabel Van Brugen, Frank Fang, and Zachary Stieber.

Editors note: This article was updated to add a statement from U.S. President Joe Biden.
Hajdu Evades Answering Why Chinese Military Scientist Had Access to Canadas Highest-Security Infectious Disease Lab

Health Minister Patty Hajdu refused to answer why a Chinese military scientist was given access to work at Canadas highest-security infectious-disease lab during Question Period at the House of Commons Tuesday.

How on earth did a Chinese military scientist get access to the governments lab in Winnipeg, a level 4 facility equipped to handle the worlds deadliest viruses, and why are Canadian government scientists collaborating with Chinas military scientists on deadly viruses? Conservative MP Michael Chong asked Hajdu, referring to the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML).

This question gives me an opportunity to thank the incredible hardworking researchers and scientists at the National Microbiology Lab who have been there for Canadians from the beginning of the emergence of COVID-19 and before, Hajdu replied.

Chong then told Hajdu to come clean and tell Canadians and this House what actually happened.

Those two researchers are no longer with the Public Health Agency of Canada. I cannot comment further, she said.

The Globe and Mail reported on May 20 that seven scientists in the special pathogens unit at NML had collaborated with Chinese military researchers in the research of infectious diseases such as Ebola, Lassa fever, and Rift Valley fever. Both sides conducted experiments and co-authored six studies in which their findings were published between early 2016 and early 2020.

Among the Chinese researchers, Feihu Yan, from the Peoples Liberation Armys Academy of Military Medical Sciences, was granted security clearance to work at the Winnipeg lab for a period of time. In all of the six papers, Yan is credited as the co-author, while in two of them, he is listed as being affiliated with NML and the military medical academy.

Over at the NML, the Globe reported on May 12 the reason why Chinese scientist Xianguo Qiu and her biologist husband, Keding Cheng, and some of Qius students from China were escorted from the Winnipeg lab and stripped of their security access in July 2019 is because the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) urged the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to do so on national security grounds.

The CSIS was concerned about the nature of information that Qiu had passed to Chinas Wuhan Institute of Virology, particularly the people she had spoken to in China and the intellectual property that she might have given to the Chinese regime, reported the Globe and Mail. Qiu had made at least five visits to China between 2017 and 2018, including one trip to train Chinese scientists and technicians at a newly certified Level 4 lab. In March 2019, Qiu shipped the Ebola and Henipah viruses to the Wuhan lab.

But the PHAC has maintained that the couples removal from the lab had nothing to do with the virus shipment. In February, the PHAC confirmed they were fired from NML in January, but didnt elaborate further.

In response, the Commons Committee on Canada-China Relations summoned PHAC president Iain Stewart in March to disclose the reasons behind the removal. He refused to provide the details. Stewart was summoned again in May to explain why unredacted documents related to the deadly virus transfer were not provided upon request by the committee, he replied it would breach the Privacy Act.
Homeland Security Chief Plans Significant Changes to ICE as Deportations, Arrests Plunge

The head of the Department of Homeland Secretary (DHS) is planning to make major adjustments to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the agencys arm in charge of immigration enforcement.

Alejandro Mayorkas, the DHS chief, said hes in the midst of a review of ICE and expects to make significant changes when hes done.

What those changes will be, I am wrestling with right now, quite frankly, Mayorkas told The Washington Post.

Under the Biden administration, illegal border crossings have skyrocketed, hitting over 177,000 in April. Tens of thousands of other illegal immigrants evade capture by Border Patrol agents each month. At the same time, the number of deportations carried out by ICE has hit a record low. Officers deported fewer than 3,000 illegal aliens in April.

Biden altered or abolished key Trump-era immigration rules, including ending the Remain in Mexico program that saw asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for their claims to be heard. ICE officers, meanwhile, were told in February not to deport aliens convicted of crimes such as assault, fraud, and drug-based crimes. The softer approach to enforcement has sparked more foreigners to try to make it into America and stay, earning criticism from the union of Border Patrol officers.

An ICE spokesperson told The Epoch Times previously that the agency is concentrating its limited resources on threats to national security, border security, and public safety.

This has allowed ICE to focus on the quality of enforcement actions and how they further the security and safety of our communities rather than the simple quantity of arrests and removals, the spokesperson said.

The Biden administration has chosen to keep ICE for now, despite calls from some Democrats to abolish the agency. But Mayorkas plans to alter its mission significantly.

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent checks automobiles for contraband in San Ysidro, Calif., on Oct. 2, 2019. (Sandy Huffaker/AFP via Getty Images)

I really am focused on it becoming a premier national security and law enforcement agency, he told the Post. I really want to elevate all of the other work [ICE] does and also ensure that its civil immigration work is well-focused in the service of the national security and public safety mission.

According to the Post, ICEs 6,000 officers are averaging one arrest every two months.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, mentioned the figure while questioning Mayorkas in Washington during a hearing on May 26.

Mayorkas replied: I am not familiar with the data that suggests that the ICE officer, the relevant ICE officer, conducts one arrest every two months.

I dont have the data, but I will provide it to this committee. I will say that the preliminary data that I have received does suggest that we are apprehending more serious criminals, more serious public safety threats than previously was the case, and that is what smart and effective enforcement is all about.

Samuel Allegri contributed to this report.
How to Make 3-ingredient Sabayon

If youre looking for a new companion for your summer berries, search no further than sabayon.

An Italian import adopted by the French, sabayon is a delicate, frothy custard, made with just three ingredients: egg yolks, sugar, and wine. Rapidly whisked together over a bain-marie, the mixture transforms into an airy sauce. Light and subtly sweet, its a great dairy-free alternative to whipped cream, perfect for spooning over juicy seasonal fruits.

The original Italian zabaionesometimes spelled zabaglioneis made with Marsala, a brandy-fortified wine15 to 20 percent ABVproduced in the city of Marsala in Sicily. Though reports vary, the recipe is said to date back to the 15th century, when it was enjoyed all throughout Northern Italy. The story goes that it was Catherine de Medicis chefs who imported zabaione to the royal court of France, when she married King Henry II and became queen in 1547.

French sabayon traditionally swaps the Marsala for a classic white wine10 to 15 percent ABVbe it dry, sweet, or even sparkling, like Champagne. Its thus slightly less boozy, a little airier, and subtler in flavor.

In modern France, sabayon can refer to either a savory or sweet custard. The savory version, made with white wine, egg yolks, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt, is often used as a frothy sauce to accompany delicate scallops or oysters.

This French classic can sound intimidating to make at homebut it shouldnt be. After all, its a one-bowl recipe that only requires three ingredients and 10 minutes of your time. Just be sure to select a proper wine, set up a bain-marie, and get ready for some whisking action.

Choose the Wine

Unlike most savory recipes, in which the type of white wine you choose really matters, a dessert sabayon welcomes any type of white wine. Just know that the sweeter the wine is, the more rich and concentrated flavor the sabayon will produce.

Sweet wines such as riesling, muscat, or an ice wine will make for a richer-tasting sabayon, perfect for topping fresh berries. Dry wines, such sauvignon blanc or muscadet, and sparkling winesincluding Champagnewill make for a lighter and less-sweet sabayon, better suited for topping a slice of cake or ice cream in lieu of whipped cream.

Add Gentle Heat

A bain-marie is essentially the French way to describe a double-boiler heating method. This method consists of bringing an inch or two of water to a simmer in a saucepan, and resting a heatproof bowl containing the ingredients to be heated on top of the saucepan without touching the surface of the water. This method applies gentle and constant heat, without burning or boiling any liquids.

In the case of a sabayon, this gentle heat ensures that the sauce warms up and thickens slowly but surely while you whisk itinstead of heating the egg yolks too quickly, which could end in scrambled eggs.

Whisk, Whisk, Whisk

Whisking is pretty much the only instruction here. You can use an electric hand mixer or go the manual routeas long as youre prepared for a workout.

The white wine and sugar are whisked together first, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Then youll add the egg yolks and set your heatproof bowl over the bain-marie. Continue whisking, always making sure the water underneath remains at a simmer and never touches the base of the mixing bowl, and watch as the sauce expands and becomes delightfully foamy.

Once the sabayon has doubled in size and is thick and frothy, its ready. If you have a candy thermometer, check that the temperature of the sauce reaches 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

2 Ways to Serve

There are two ways of serving a sabayon: fresh or broiled. For the first, simply spoon the warm sabayon sauce on top of your fresh fruits, and voila!

For the broiled version, make sure you place your fruits into an oven-safe serving vessel first. Then, spoon a few tablespoons of the sabayon on top, followed by a sprinkle of icing sugar. Place the vessel under the broiler or use a kitchen torch until the top is lightly golden and caramelized. The sabayon will puff up slightly with the heat and deflate as it cools.

Strawberries With Sabayon

Sabayon is meant to be served warm, which means you can only make it just before serving. To streamline the process, make sure you have all your ingredients measured out in front of you before you start.

Taking the extra step to macerate the strawberries in sugar beforehand will draw out their juices and tenderize them, as well as make for sweeter bites. The macerated strawberries can be prepared and stored in the fridge a few hours in advance.

Once you get familiar with this basic recipe, get creative with the fruits! Fresh, seasonal berries are perfect, but so are other fleshy fruits such as peaches, apricots, kiwi, mangoes, or papaya. Sabayon is also wonderful dolloped onto a slice of cake or scoop of ice cream, or simply served on its own in a cup, with a ladyfinger or two for dipping.

Serves 6

1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered

1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided

6 large egg yolks, at room temperature

2/3 cup white wine (dry, sweet, or sparkling)

In a bowl, toss the strawberries with 1 tablespoon of the sugar and chill for at least one hour.

In a large heatproof bowl, whisk together the wine and sugar for about 2 minutes, until the sugar has completely dissolved and no crystals remain.

Whisk together the wine and sugar.

In a saucepan, bring an inch or two of water to a simmer. Rest the bowl snugly on top. The base of the bowl should not be touching the simmering water.

Add the egg yolks to the bowl and whisk until the mixture starts to expand and become frothy. Continue whiskingalways making sure the water underneath remains at a simmer and never touches the base of the mixing bowluntil the mixture has doubled in size and is thick enough to easily scoop in big spoonfuls. If you have a candy thermometer, check that the temperature of the sauce has reached 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

Add the egg yolks.

Whisk until the mixture has doubled in size, and is thick enough to easily scoop in big spoonfuls.

Place strawberries into individual serving cups and top each cup with about 2/3 cup of warm sabayon. Enjoy immediately.

Place strawberries into individual serving cups.

Top each cup with warm sabayon.

Audrey Le Goff is a French food writer, photographer, and creator of the food blog Pardon Your French, where she shares recipes and stories from her beloved home country, France. She is the author of the cookbook Rustic French Cooking Made Easy (2019). She currently lives in Niagara, Canada. Follow her on Instagram @pardonyourfrench
How Zuckerberg Millions Paid for Progressives to Work With 2020 Vote Officials Nationwide

In the months leading up to Novembers election, voting officials in major cities and counties worked with a progressive group funded by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and its allies to create ballots, strategically target voters and develop cure letters in situations where mail-in ballots were in danger of being tossed out.

The Center for Tech and Civic Life, or CTCL, provided millions of dollars in private funding for the elections that came from a $350 million donation from Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan. The CTCL gave COVID-19 response grants of varying amounts to 2,500 municipalities in 49 states.

In exchange for the money, elections divisions agreed to conduct their elections according to conditions set out by the CTCL, which is led by former members of the New Organizing Institute, a training center for progressive groups and Democratic campaigns.

A CTCL partner, the Center for Civic Design, helped design absentee ballot forms and instructions, crafted voter registration letters for felons and tested automatic voter registration systems in several states, working alongside progressive activist groups in Michigan and directly with elections offices in Georgia and Utah.

Still other groups with a progressive leaning, including the Main Street Alliance, The Elections Group and the National Vote at Home Institute, provided support for some elections offices.

A giant digital sign is seen at Facebooks corporate headquarters campus in Menlo Park, Calif., on Oct. 23, 2019. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images)

Facebook, with the CTCL, was also part of the effort, providing a guide and webinar for election officials on how to engage voters. Included were directions to report voter interference to Facebook authorities. The company also provided designated employees in six regions of the U.S. to handle questions. Together, the groups strategically targeted voters and waged a voter assistance campaign aimed at low-income and minority residents who typically shun election participation, helping Democratic candidates win key spots all over the U.S.

The little-explored roles of CTCL and other such groups emerged in emails and other records obtained by RealClearInvestigations and public documents secured by conservative litigants and groups, including the Foundation for Government Accountability, which has filed more than 800 public records requests with elections offices accepting the grants.

Previously, the Zuckerberg-funded effort has been described in generally positive terms, notably when NPR reported in December on How Private Money From Facebooks CEO Saved The 2020 Electionin the face of the coronavirus pandemic, President Trumps doubts about the legitimacy of the process and Congress neglect.

Conservatives take a more critical view of the effort. This private funding has never been done before, said Hayden Dublois, a researcher at the Foundation of Government Accountability. We hear about dark money and corporations buying ads, but never have we seen hundreds of millions of private dollars going into the conducting of elections. And states didnt have any laws on the books to stop it.

Numerous Trump supporters contend that the 2020 presidential election was rigged or even stolen but have produced little concrete evidence to prove it. But their suspicions arent likely to be dispelled by the efforts of the private progressive groups, however legal.

They are among other notable instances of monied interests underwriting public governance and affairs for political ends. In 2018, RCI reported that a New York University School of Law program funded by billionaire Michael Bloomberg had placed environmentally minded lawyers in the offices of Democratic state attorneys general to challenge Trump administration policies. And examples of private efforts to steer cash-strapped public education are numerous, from the Koch charities on the right to more recent race-conscious programs on the left emphasizing the legacy and centrality of white racism in society.

A box of ballots to be sorted is pictured in a US Postal Service box on Election Day at the King County Elections office in Renton, Wash., on Nov. 3, 2020. (Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images)

Zuckerberg did not respond to an emailed request from RCI for comment. In a post-election interview, he praised Facebooks security work during the election and singled out its policing of misinformation. He noted working with polling officials to watch for information that might lead to voter suppression and said Facebook had strengthened its enforcement against militias and conspiracy networks like Q-Anon.

Facebook has banned Trump from its platform and has delisted individualsmany of them conservativesfor espousing views about the election that it insists are misinformation.

Curing Absentee Ballots

According to court documents filed by the Thomas More Society, a conservative law firm, the Zuckerberg-funded CTCL allowed elections departments to use grant money to buy vehicles to transport voter navigators. The group filed unsuccessful lawsuits in several states before the election, contending the private funding created unconstitutional public-private partnerships. Several other suits remain active.

The election department in Green Bay, Wis., promised as part of its CTCL grant of $1 million that it would employ the vote navigators to assist voters, potentially at their front doors, to answer questions  and witnessing absentee ballot signatures, according to documents filed in legal complaints in Wisconsin by Erick Kaardal, a Minneapolis-based lawyer who has worked on the Thomas More Society lawsuits.

Erick G. Kaardal, attorney. (Courtesy Erick G. Kaardal)

Caleb Jeffreys, one of at least two voter navigators in Green Bay, described his duties as including curing absentee ballots. Jeffreys, now a city employee in Green Bay according to his LinkedIn profile, did not respond to an interview request.

Tiana Epps-Johnson, founder of CTCL; Whitney May, director of government services for CTCL; and Hillary Hall, senior adviser to state and local election officials for the National Vote at Home Institute, did not respond to interview requests.

Navigators in Green Bay were also part of voter registration efforts, emails show. They worked closely with a local nonprofit group, which requested that public employees work on voter registration events. At least two city employees attended with equipment to conduct voter registration and help people apply for an absentee ballot.

Agents from CTCL trained poll workers in Georgia and paid for other individuals to count and tabulate ballots in Wisconsin, which was won by President Trump in 2016 and President Biden won in November by 20,000 votes.

Emails show that Michael Spitzer-Rubenstein, a fellow with the National Vote at Home Institute, directed Green Bay city employees in gathering and counting absentee ballots on Election Day, and that he was granted access by the city to secured areas and served as an on-site contact for the department on election night.

Rubenstein, who did not respond to a call seeking an interview, also provided help in curing ballots that were turned in without the appropriate information, including a signature or address.

Dozens of states require voting clerks to inform voters if their ballot has been filled out incorrectly, giving the voter a chance to fix the ballot and have it accepted. In Wisconsin, that practice is encouraged but not mandatory, under the reasoning that it can drain manpower from other tasks.

But with the grant money provided by CTCL, additional manpower made the time-consuming task feasible, freeing up money for more voter recruitment and outreach.

A sign pointing in the direction of a ballot drop box in Lansing, Mich., on Nov. 3, 2020. (Seth Herald/AFP via Getty Images)

In Lansing, Mich., the elections department used its $443,000 grant to buy more absentee ballot drop boxes and mail absentee ballot applications to every registered voter.

In Georgia, the grants were used to expand curbside voting and conduct the necessary voter outreach  to promote absentee voting and encourage higher percentages of our electors to vote absentee, according to a grant application.

Documents Inspected by RealClearInvestigations Also Showed:

In Lowndes County, Ga., CTCL grant money was used to pay $15,000 in attorney fees through June. A county elections official told RCI that the money was paid to lawyers handling public records requests stemming from the elections, a process that she expects will last into the summer.

CTCL was very lenient regarding what we could spend the money on, Deb Cox, Lowndes County elections supervisor, said. They put virtually no restrictions on it as long as it relates to the election.

Mahoning County, Ohio, spent $3,500 on a student to monitor Twitter and Facebook and report any bad actors that may want to disrupt our operations, one local official stated in its grant report. Grant money was also spent to produce a training video for elections workers.

Election officials in Lorain County, Ohio, paid an $8,100 Verizon bill and spent $24,000 on a van at a local car dealership. The van was used to transport equipment between a warehouse and the elections department, an elections official told RCI.

In Boone County, Mo., the elections department used $3,000 of the COVID grant to make a rap video and buy radio spots. We did a rap video to appeal to younger, first-time voters, Brianna Lennon, Boone County clerk, said. We wanted to keep it popular in a format that would have the most appeal to young voters.

Elections departments received millions of extra dollars in federal aid in 2020, including $400 million in CARES Act funding and $425 million in federal Help America Vote Act grants.

Despite the influx of public money, elections departments across the U.S. were hamstrung because of the pandemic, said Ben Hovland, a Trump appointee to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, which administers grants to the states.

Hovland Praised the CTCL for Providing the Money to Run Elections.

This was a very unique set of circumstances, and what you heard from election officials was that this [private] money was going for the basics of trying to help people vote, keeping people safe, postagereally the basics, Hovland said.

He was unaware of the spending on rap videos, trucks, lawyers, vote navigators and phone bills with the private money.

That runs contradictory to what Ive heard from most election officials, he said. But every jurisdiction runs their election differently, and each has its own way to spend money, so I cant speak to any of that. It wasnt federal funds. It wasnt taxpayer money.

As to the need for the money, not all jurisdictions that received a CTCL grant used it. The elections office in Miami-Dade County, Fla., received $2.4 million from CTCL, but did not spend it immediately, instead receiving a six-month extension to use the money. Several other municipalities did not spend the entirety of their grants and have received extensions.

Boosting Democratic Turnout

Vote margins in many of the areas receiving CTCL funding showed increased Democratic voter turnout, part of a strategy to boost the margins enough in Democrat-friendly areas to overcome Republican margins.

A Law Enforcement Officer temperature screens voters as they wait in line to cast their ballots at the St. Louis County Board of Elections in St. Ann, Mo., on Nov. 3, 2020. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)

President Trump took the reliably Republican state of Missouri in 2020, but President Biden increased the Democratic presidential vote and won Boone County by 7,000 votes. Hillary Clinton had a 5,000-vote margin in 2016.

In Webb County, Texas, which received $2.8 million from CTCL, voter registrations increased by 10,000 over 2016. The new recruits in the South Texas county voted for President Biden by a two-to-one margin.

In Fairfax County, Va., which received $1.4 million in CTCL funding, Democrats increased voter turnout by 65,458 compared with a 10,564 increase by Republicans in 2020 versus 2016. The state, which trends Democratic, went to Biden.

While seven states have passed legislation this year prohibiting or limiting elections departments from accepting private funding, far more allow it and it will certainly continue, said Kaardal, the Minneapolis-based lawyer.

Kaardal contends the plan by these operatives, working in league with some election officials, was to increase the absentee ballot turnout among demographic groups that favored their candidates and to offset the margins by Republicans, typically in areas outside cities.

It was a pay-to-play scheme, where in exchange for taking this money, the CTCL gets to tell them how to run the election, he said. And it will happen again in 2022.

In Texas, U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant III, an Obama appointee, ruled in favor of the private funding with a stance that was typical among the judiciary in various federal districts and states.

Ultimately, plaintiffs complain that people with different political views will lawfully exercise their fundamental right to vote, Mazzant ruled. That is not a harm. That is democracy.

Its a democracy embraced by elections officials across the U.S. who called the 2020 elections the most secure ever.

Paul Adams, elections supervisor in Ohios Lorain County, is eager to accept more private grant money after his department received $435,000 for the fall election.

If anything like this came along in the future, I would certainly apply, Adams said. Hes convinced the CTCL is a nonpartisan group trying to make voting safe and easy, and cant understand why some states are trying to halt private money in public elections.

I dont think its the grants these people are mad about, Adams said. Its more a matter of where they came from.

This article was written by Steve Miller for RealClearInvestigations
Former President Donald Trump addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held in the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 28, 2021. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

I Believe Hell Run: Buzz Grows Around Trump 2024 Presidential Bid

Several Republicans, including two lawmakers, have predicted that former President Donald Trump will indeed make another bid for the presidency in 2024.

When asked during a Fox News interview about Trumps prospects on May 25, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said that every time he has spoken to Trump, the former commander-in-chief says that he wants to run.

He plans to run, I think, but he hasnt fully committed that yet. But I certainly hope he does, because no president has done more of what he said he would do than President Trump, Jordan said. Best president I think weve ever had. Keeping his word, doing what he said, doing what he was elected to do.

Jordan said that Trump is the kind of individual we need in the White House because he would put Americas interests first and standing strong for the principles that matter.

Mark Meadows, a former Republican congressman and Trumps former chief of staff, agreed with Jordans assessment.

Heres what I will say is, the American people want him to run. I believe hell run. And at the end of the day, its a time for choosing, and the American people will choose Donald Trump, Meadows said on Fox News.

Trump hasnt publicly indicated whether he would definitively run for president. In a recent interview, Trump suggested that he wouldnt make an announcement until after the 2022 midterm elections. After leaving office in January, he told news outlets that he wanted to help Republicans retake the House and Senate.

In my discussions with him, he said his priority is to ensure that we win the House and get the Senate backand I know hes working hard, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif) told Newsmax, noting that some polls have shown that Trump would still have a significant amount of GOP voter support if he were to make another bid for the White House.

Its a long time to 2024, and I think the key will be for us to field really solid candidates across the board and drive home election victories, Nunes said. And then if that happens, I think Donald Trump would be well-positioned to run in 2024.

Trump is planning to unveil a new social media website, according to a May 25 statement posted on his From the Desk of Donald Trump website, which also accused certain news outlets of falsely reporting on the traffic going to the site.

It is merely a way of communicating until I decide on what the future will be for the choice or establishment of a platform, he said of his Desk site.

Of a possible social media platform, Trump said, It will happen soon, which would come months after his accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and other tech platforms were suspended following the Jan. 6 Capitol incident.
Cristhian Bahena Rivera listens to court proceedings during his trial, in the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport, Iowa, on May 25, 2021. (Kelsey Kremer/Pool/The Des Moines Register via AP)

Mollie Tibbettss Murder Suspect Blames Mystery Men for Her Slaying

IOWA CITY, IowaThe man on trial for the 2018 abduction and stabbing death of a University of Iowa student testified in his own defense Wednesday and claimed for the first time that two masked men were responsible for the crime but forced him to take part.

In a surprise development, the defense called Cristhian Bahena Rivera to the witness stand at his first-degree murder trial. He admitted that his black car was the one seen on surveillance video circling Mollie Tibbetts while she was jogging in Brooklyn, Iowa, on July 18, 2018. He also acknowledged that she ended up in his cars trunk and that he hid her body in a cornfield.

But the farm worker presented a far different narrative about what happened than investigators and prosecutors have alleged, denying that he was responsible for stabbing her to death.

Cristhian Bahena Rivera listens in the courtroom at the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport, Iowa, on May 19, 2021. (Jim Slosiarek/Pool/The Gazette via AP)

Bahena Rivera said two armed men who were wearing black and had their faces covered by stocking caps showed up at his trailer after he got done showering that evening. The men directed him to get in his car and drive, and they passed Tibbetts as she ran several times before directing him to stop, he said.

Bahena Rivera, 26, said a man with a knife got out of the car and walked down the rural road. The man was gone for about 10 minutes as the second man in the back seat of the car grew nervous, saying, Come on, Jack, he claimed.

The defendant said he didnt know the mens identities, but his lawyers have tried to raise suspicions about Tibbettss boyfriend, Dalton Jack, who had an up-and-down relationship with her. Police said they cleared Jack as a suspect after establishing he was out of town for work that day.

Bahena Rivera said the men loaded Tibbetts body into his trunk, directed him to drive several miles to a rural area, to turn off the car, wait a few minutes, and leave. They said they knew his ex-girlfriend and young daughter, and that they would harm them if he ever told anyone what happened, he said.

Defense attorney Chad Frese (R) hands Dalton Jack, Mollie Tibbettss boyfriend, a phone record to review as Jack testifies for a second time during Cristhian Bahena Riveras trial, in the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport, Iowa, on May 25, 2021. (Kelsey Kremer/Pool/The Des Moines Register via AP)

Bahena Rivera said the men took off on foot down the road and he never saw them again. He said he opened the trunk a few minutes later and found Tibbettss body, which he said was heavy as he carried it to the cornfield.

He said he covered her body with corn stalks because I didnt want her to be too exposed to the sun, and that he then left and never planned to discuss what had happened again.

Bahena Rivera acknowledged that he wasnt truthful when detectives questioned him about Tibbittss disappearance in August 2018, when he said he had approached Tibbetts as she ran, fought with her after she threatened to call police, and then blacked out.

He said he agreed to lead investigators to Tibbettss body that day because he was tired and wanted the interrogation to end. And he said investigators had urged him to put myself in the familys position and to think of how he would feel if his daughter was missing.

This undated photo released by the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation shows Mollie Tibbetts, a University of Iowa student who was reported missing from her hometown in the eastern Iowa city of Brooklyn, on July 19, 2018. (Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation/AP)

Bahena Rivera recounted growing up in southern Mexico and illegally coming to the United States after he turned 17, crossing a river into Texas on an inflatable raft with about 10 other people. He immediately went to live in Iowa, where his fathers brothers had settled, and got a job within days milking cows at a dairy farm, he said.

Bahena Rivera said he had never had contact with law enforcement until investigators looking into Tibbettss disappearance showed up at his workplace in August 2018.

Most legal experts didnt expect Bahena Rivera to testify, and his defense gave no indication that he would. His lawyer Chad Frese said during jury selection that he had a dilemma and was torn on whether to call his client as a witness. He said that if Bahena Rivera didnt testify, it would look like he had something to hide, but that if he did, he might be seen as trying to save himself.

The trial, which started last week, is being held at the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport. Bahena Rivera faces life in prison if hes convicted.

By Ryan J. Foley
Judge Dismisses Indictment Against Ex-Trump Adviser Bannon, Cites Pardon

NEW YORKSteve Bannon, the onetime top strategist for former President Donald Trump and recipient of a presidential pardon, on Tuesday won dismissal of an indictment that accused him of defrauding donors to a fund to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres in Manhattan said that a dismissal was the proper course in light of the pardon, which Bannon received in the final hours of Trumps presidency.

Prosecutors had argued that instead of dismissing the indictment, the judge should merely dismiss Bannon as one of the four defendants. The defendants had been charged in connection with an alleged siphoning of hundreds of thousands of dollars from the $25 million We Build the Wall crowdfunding campaign.

Judge Torres said the pardon was valid, and that even if Bannon did not formally admit guilt the issuance of a pardon may carry an imputation of guilt; acceptance a confession of it.

The office of U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss in Manhattan declined to comment.

Bannon was thrilled with the indictments dismissal, his lawyer Robert Costello said after speaking with him.

She certainly got the result right, Costello said, referring to the judge. A pardon doesnt rewrite history. But in this case, were dealing with a person who is presumed innocent by the Constitution of the United States and whose plea was not guilty, and nothing changes that history either.

It was not immediately clear how the dismissal will affect Bannons co-defendants.

The defendants include Brian Kolfage, an Air Force veteran and triple amputee who led the We Build the Wall campaign.

There is nothing I have to say about the situation, Kolfages lawyer Harvey Steinberg said in an interview. It is completely out of our hands, and within the Executive Branchs discretion.

By Jonathan Stempel and Karen Freifeld
Judge Puts DA Unions Case Against Gascon on Hold Pending Appeal

LOS ANGELESA judge who in February ruled mostly in favor of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys for Los Angeles County in a petition brought against District Attorney George Gascon over a series of new directives he handed down after taking office last December put the case on hold May 25 while the countys top prosecutor appeals.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant issued a preliminary injunction in favor of the union on Feb. 8, finding that Gascon cannot order his prosecutors to ignore laws that the union says protect the public, including three-strike allegations and sentencing enhancements.

The case was back before the judge to set a date for a trial on whether the injunction should be made permanent. But after discussing Gascons appeal with the lawyers, Chalfant accepted the agreement made by lawyers on both sides that the case should not move forward until the appeal is decided.

The court hereby stays the case in its entirety, Chalfants clerk wrote in a minute order.

The union contends that the directiveshanded down the day that Gascon was sworn into office Dec. 7violate state law.

But lawyer Robert E. Dugdale, on behalf of Gascon and the district attorneys office, said the judge did not put a stop to Gascons policy prohibiting deputy district attorneys from filing most sentencing enhancements in new cases.

Gascon has drawn criticism from some crime victims and prosecutors over the directives and is facing a potential recall effort. Organizers announced last week that signature-gathering has been approved for the recall effort.

The city councils of at least 14 of Los Angeles Countys 88 cities have passed votes of no confidence against Gascon, including Beverly Hills, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Diamond Bar, Santa Clarita and Lancaster.
A general view shows the stage during a walk-through before a Democratic presidential debate sponsored by CNN and Facebook at Wynn Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nev. on Oct. 13, 2015. (AleThe CNN logo is seen at the Wynn Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nev., in a file photograph. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Judge Rejects CNNs Motion to Dismiss Dershowitz Defamation Lawsuit

A federal judge rejected a motion made by CNN this week to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by Harvard University law professor Alan Dershowitz.

CNN presented an abridged version of remarks made by Dershowitz to the Senate during former President Donald Trumps first impeachment trial, which is not accurate, to the extent that it omitted a crucial qualification: that an illegal motive for a quid pro quo would be corrupt, U.S. District Judge Raag Singhal, a Trump nominee, wrote in his 22-page ruling.

At issue is a Jan. 29, 2020, broadcast on CNN which featured hosts employed by the network, as well as panel guestsincluding other CNN employeesdiscussing arguments made that day during Trumps impeachment trial.

While Dershowitz spoke for more than five minutes to answer a question from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on whether quid pro quo arrangements are used often in foreign policy, CNN focused on a single sentence from his answer before claiming that the law professor was arguing that a president could do anything, including illegal acts, if he believed his re-election was in the public interest.

But Dershowitz stated in another portion of the answer that the only thing that would make a quid pro quo unlawful is if the quo were somehow illegal.

CNN attempted to falsely paint Professor Dershowitz as a constitutional scholar and intellectual who had lost his mind, Dershowitz stated in his $300 million defamation lawsuit.

In its motion to dismiss, lawyers for CNN stated that Dershowitzs disagreement with CNN about the meaning the words he spoke on the Senate floor is just the type of political debate involving matters of profound national importance that is central to the American values of self-governance; it is not grounds for a defamation lawsuit.

The lawyers further said CNNs reporting was protected because it was pertaining to a government proceeding, that CNN cannot be held liable for reportingverbatimwhat Dershowitz actually said to Congress, and that the remarks made by CNN employees are non-actionable because they were opinions based on testimony from the impeachment proceedings.

Dershowitz panned the motion as an attempt to skip a trial, arguing the broadcaster is essentially making a pitch for this Court to be the jury and decide the case on the merits right away.

Alan Dershowitz, an attorney for then-President Donald Trump, answers a question during the impeachment trial against Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 29, 2020. (Senate Television via AP)

The case boils down to CNN and its paid commentators falsely telling an audience of millions of people that Dershowitz went before the Senate and told members that an American President can commit crimes and be immune from impeachment so long as the president believed his reelection was in the public interest while he was committing the crimes, he wrote in a reply to the motion.

The complaint alleges that CNN and all of the commentators knowingly lied when they said this and that they knew they were lying when they said it. If the evidence proves plaintiffs allegation, then each commentator committed unlawful defamation and CNN is both vicariously and primarily liable for damages. It really is that simple, Dershowitz said.

Singhal sided with the plaintiff.

Because CNNs abridged version of Dershowitzs remarks omitted a crucial qualification, its commentators statements are not based upon a fair and accurate summary of Dershowitz statement to the Senate, Singhal said.

The networks claim of protection by fair privilege is null because it didnt correctly portray the official proceedings, according to the judge, who wrote that the CNN broadcasts didnt meet the standard of presenting a fair and accurate report of the source documents.

Additionally, the remarks put forth by CNN employees werent pure opinion, Singhal said, citing an appellate court ruling that found the distinction that comments can sometimes be a mixture of opinion and fact and, in this case, could be reasonably construed as defamatory.

At this stage, the Court concludes that Dershowitz Complaint meets the plausibility standard for alleging a false statement of fact, the judge said, before noting that CNN played Dershowitzs entire statement earlier in the day.

Attorneys for Dershowitz and CNN didnt respond to requests for comment.

A joint scheduling report in the case is due by June 21. Dershowitz is seeking a jury trial.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-25 23:47:59|Editor: huaxia

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JINAN, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan on Tuesday called for more support for retired military personnel and veterans with disabilities and illnesses during an inspection to east China's Shandong Province.

Sun, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited veteran communities, a veteran service center, and a hospital for veterans during the inspection.

She called for close coordination among various departments of the military and civilian sectors to improve medical services for veterans.

Sun also stressed leveraging veterans' role in telling revolutionary stories to society. Enditem
Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 11, 2021. (congress.gov via Getty Images)

Key House Democrat Supports Committee Probe of CCP Virus Origins

Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) said on May 26 that she supports an investigation into the origins of the CCP virusalso known as the novel coronavirusby the oversight panel of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

I think its very important that we investigate, especially if the virus escaped from some lab somewhere because that, of course, has implications for international health, DeGette, who chairs the subcommittee, said in response to comments by Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas).

Whatever we can do, I dont think China is ever going to turn over documents to the committee, but were going to do whatever investigation that is appropriate.

The Colorado Democrat said she has spoken about such an investigation with the ranking Republican on the subcommittee for oversight, Rep. Morgan Griffin of Virginia. Burgess, who is a medical doctor, also sits on the oversight panel.

The Texas Republican had just noted that this is a novel disease, and the scientists were sometimes embarrassed because what they had said at the beginning wasnt what they ended up saying several weeks or months later.

I can think of no other area where that has been more pronounced than in where did this virus originate, and the stories we are hearing now are not comporting with the stories we heard early on regarding how the virus first developed in China.

The official explanation of the Chinese government is that the virus originated in an open-air meat market in Wuhan, China, from bats brought in from another region of the country and sold there for human consumption.

The World Health Organization (WHO) originally accepted the Chinese regimes explanation, but more recently has conceded that a lab leak cant be definitively ruled out.

Critics have contended almost from the first day of the U.S. lockdowns last year that theres evidence the disease may have been leaked, accidentally or otherwise, from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIR).

The WIR is closely linked with the Beijing regime, which is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The lab also does much research in cooperation with and for the Chinese military.

DeGettes comment followed a statement made public earlier in the day by President Joe Biden, who said he has directed U.S. intelligence to conduct a second investigation of the available evidence on the origins issue.

I have now asked the Intelligence Community to redouble their efforts to collect and analyze information that could bring us closer to a definitive conclusion, and to report back to me in 90 days, Biden said in the statement released by the White House.

As part of that report, I have asked for areas of further inquiry that may be required, including specific questions for China. I have also asked that this effort include work by our National Labs and other agencies of our government to augment the Intelligence Communitys efforts. And I have asked the Intelligence Community to keep Congress fully apprised of its work.

Earlier work by the intelligence community produced no definitive conclusion, with some agencies leaning toward supporting the official Chinese explanation and others to the possibility of a lab leak.

The majority of elements do not believe there is sufficient information to assess one to be more likely than the other, Biden said.

The United States will also keep working with like-minded partners around the world to press China to participate in a full, transparent, evidence-based international investigation and to provide access to all relevant data and evidence.

Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-Wash.), the ranking Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, told The Epoch Times on May 26 that the committee will continue to lead and urge the Biden administration and the U.S. government to investigate, hold China accountable, and get information in the public domain for answers on how the COVID-19 pandemic started.

We welcome and are encouraged by the bipartisan support within the Committee to investigate if COVID-19 originated in a laboratory accident. We cant leave any stone unturned, she said.

Congressional correspondent Mark Tapscott may be contacted at mark.tapscott@epochtimes.nyc
Lack of Reliable Energy Forces NSW Aluminium Smelter to Power Down

In the last month, power shortages caused by a lack of dispatchable energy have forced New South Wales (NSW) Tomago Aluminium smelter to halt operations on several occasions.

The smelter is one of Australasias largest, contributing $1.5 (US$1.2) billion per year to the Australian economy and producing 25 percent of Australias primary aluminium.

Tomago was forced to power down several times after a lack of energy capacity saw prices skyrocket and, according to Australian Energy Market Operator data, reached a peak of over $7,650 (US$5,940) per megawatt hour so far this month.

This is a staggering 18,000 percent increase over the median price of around $42. Tomago chief executive Matt Howell told The Daily Telegraph that they were forced to repeatedly power down because they couldnt afford the price.

Australian National Energy Market spot prices per megawatt-hour for New South Wales in the current month of May. (Daniel Khmelev, The Epoch Times)

Howell attributed the spiking energy prices to a lack of reliable supply when the grid relied heavily on renewable energy.

No one disputes the energy system should transition to more cleaner sources; we are actively pursuing renewables like wind, solar and hydro, Howell said. But the fact remains there are substantial parts of the day and night, particularly in winter, where the dispatchable generation is not there.

Howell also mentioned that more than 600 MW worth of operations had to be sacrificed in each instance and that if it were not for that, NSW may easily have faced an energy shortfall that could have resulted in homes being left without power.

The Daily Telegraph reported that the lack of power capacity came from outages at nearby coal-fired power stations, some of which were unplanned.

The news of the skyrocketing prices and power shortages comes as NSW prepares to close the Liddell coal-fired power station in 2023, which will equate to an exit of 1,680 MW of reliable energy from the grid. The NSW government has set a target of 1,000 MW to replace the loss partially.

Liddell power station in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, Australia on Apr. 22, 2018. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

Snowy Hydros $600 million Kurri Kurri gas plant will supply NSW with 660 MW of reliable, dispatchable energy in hopes to alleviate some of Liddells loss, with Australias first gas-hydrogen hybrid power station to supply a further 316 MW.

What we are seeing now is regular interruptionsand it is not even winterbecause of a lack of dispatchable capacity, Howell told The Daily Telegraph. And that is why we absolutely welcome the federal governments announcement today on Snowys Hunter Valley gas plant. It is essential to provide that dispatchable generation when there is no solar and when the wind drops off.

Both of the gas-based power stations announced by the federal government came under scrutiny, with environmental groups calling to cut out gas altogether.

The Morrison Government should not be funnelling taxpayer dollars into gas and making long-term plans around an industry thats driving climate change, said a Climate Council spokesperson. Gas is already being out-competed by clean, affordable, renewable energy.

Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor emphasised the need for reliable energy generation to keep prices low and energy requirements met, particularly following the closure of Liddell.

The last week has been a minor dress rehearsal for what would happen if Liddell closed without replacement, Taylor told The Daily Telegraph.

Snowy Hydros Hunter power Project at Kurri Kurri is exactly what is needed to keep our grid affordable and reliable and ensure manufacturers like Tomago can continue to operate.

The NSW Government had previously declared it would spend $750 million on renewables for its net-zero plan, part of an $11.6 billion investment over the next 10 years.
Los Angeles police officials arrive for a media briefing outside the police administration headquarters in this file photo. (Jonathan Alcorn/Getty Images)

LAPD Aims to Bridge Policing Gender Gap

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) commissioners unanimously passed an initiative May 25 that aims to better support women in the police force.

The goal of the 3030 initiative is to increase the representation of women in policing recruit classes by 30 percent by 2030, Commander Ruby Flores said during the meeting. The initiative goal is not only just to increase the number of women in policing, but the pledge also aims to ensure that police policies and culture intentionally support the success of qualified workers in their career.

Flores said having women in the police force allows for better outcomes when it comes to using less excessive force and approaching cases such as sexual assault.

Right now, 82 percent of LAPDs officers are men, Sgt. Erin Johnson told the commission. The police department is looking to increase that percentage in the next few years.

Studies have shown that women face barriers to entering the force, Johnson said, pointing to physical tests and shift work that can make the work-life balance difficult.

The commissioners noted that physical fitness requirements for men and women in California are the same. With the physical test revolving around upper body strength, women tend to struggle more to succeed.

Commissioners are seeking to bridge the gender gap by using no or low-cost tactics to address personal and professional barriers.

Theres a lack of accommodating parental policies, a lack of childcare assistance, work life balance issues, [and] lack of career development training, Johnson said.

To better support women, LAPD will also be relaunching a maternity uniform closet program that will support pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Sgt. Sonia Rimkunas spoke during the meeting to support the initiative.

I am a single mother, and some of those challenges have come from trying to balance and being the very best mom that I can be for my son, while I balance being a productive and contributive member of the department, Rimkunas said.

The initiative encompasses two phases that revolve around the hiring, retention, and promotion of women while also gaining knowledge of barriers they face in policing.

LAPD commissioners joined more than 40 law enforcement agencies nationwide in signing the 3030 pledge.
The U.S. Capitol at dusk in Washington on March 5, 2021. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Combat Anti-Semitic Violence

U.S. lawmakers are introducing bills in an effort to combat a surge of anti-Semitic violence targeting the Jewish community across the country.

The surge of violence was observed amid the recent conflict between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas, which have now reached a ceasefire following 11-days of fighting. Multiple incidents of anti-Semitic attacks have been reported in the United States and overseas including in the Times Square area of New York City, Los Angeles, southern Florida, Germany, and the United Kingdom, among other places.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Rep. David Kustoff (R-Tenn.) formally introduced the Preventing Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes Act (pdf) on Tuesday that will require the Justice Department to facilitate an expedited review of hate crime threats targeting the Jewish community. It also directs the attorney general to issue guidance to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to expand public education campaigns aimed at raising awareness of anti-Semitic hate crimes and reaching victims.

A companion bill has been introduced in the Senate by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).

Within days, this same sentiment of bigotry spilled into several major U.S. cities. Graphic videos showed pro-Hamas mobs intentionally target random Americans simply because they were Jewish, McCarthy said in a statement.

The Republican lawmakers have also sought to condemn the anti-Israel sentiments and rhetoric they say are being perpetrated by progressive Democratic congressmembers. Over the past several weeks, Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), a progressive group of congresswomen with a socialist agenda who have been dubbed the Squad, made several controversial anti-Israel remarks as violence intensified between Israel and Hamas.

These hateful attacks contradict the very essence of our nations core principles. Yet socialist Democrats continue to endorse and promote repulsive anti-Semitic rhetoric, while Speaker Pelosi and Senator Schumer refuse to unambiguously condemn the unhinged statements from members of their own party, McCarthy added.

McConnell delivered similar remarks on the Senate floor on Tuesday night, where he characterized the rise in attacks as despicable.

The despicable, age-old specter of anti-Semitism continues to rear its head, even here in America, he said.

Last week, authorities from New York to Los Angeles were investigating assaults on Jewish people. According to press reports, in New York City, one Jewish man was kicked, punched, and sprayed with chemicals by five or six men yelling anti-Semitic things. This happened right in Times Square.

The incident is currently being investigated as a hate crime.

In another attack a New York man was arrested and faces federal arson charges for attempting to set fire to a Jewish school and synagogue in Brooklyn, the Justice Department said.

A group of Republican senators has also introduced a resolution to condemn any violence against the Jewish community.

Meanwhile, several Democrat lawmakers have come out to issue statements condemning the violence, including members of the Squad.

I strongly condemn the rise in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia were seeing across the country. Let me say it again: our freedom and our destinies are tied, Pressley wrote in a Twitter statement.

There is absolutely no place for hate crimes or anti-Semitism in our city. Based on allegations and video evidence of what transpired at Sushi Fumi this weekthe harassment and assault of diners, the singling out of Jews for violent attack, and the ensuing brawl that reports say resulted in a hospitalizationI support the investigation being conducted and fully expect justice to be served, Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) wrote in a statement.

The House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism issued a joint statement in response to the rise in attacks.

Amidst the Israel-Gaza conflict, we have witnessed an unacceptable surge in anti-Semitic incidents, including violent attacks, across the country. From New York to Los Angeles, hateful individuals have targeted the Jewish community because of their faith and identity, the House group wrote.

As a Task Force, we will not stand by while our fellow Americans are subjected to physical, verbal, and online abuse. We are committed to combating anti-Semitism in all its forms, and we urge our colleagues and all Americans to help us eradicate anti-Semitism from our country and for law enforcement to prosecute these despicable acts to the fullest extent of the law.

It comes as President Joe Biden denounced the recent attacks in a statement on May 24.

The recent attacks on the Jewish community are despicable, and they must stop, the president wrote on Twitter. I condemn this hateful behavior at home and abroadits up to all of us to give hate no safe harbor.
Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow, speaks at the Let the Church ROAR National Prayer Rally on the National Mall in Washington on Dec. 12, 2020. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Mike Lindell Received Death Threats, Pillows Splattered With Fake Blood: Lawyers

A district judge in Washington D.C. ruled that MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell can keep his address a secret after Lindells lawyers said it would put him at risk of death threats or other attacks.

Documents filed earlier this month by his attorneys said Lindell reported at least seven individuals to police in Chaska, Minnesota, and said that people had directly threatened Mr. Lindells life or physical safety. MyPillows headquarters are located in Chaksa.

Other than threatening phone calls, his lawyers said that he received a box of pillowsin reference to his businesssplattered with fake blood, according to the court filing.

Lindell reasonably believes that publicizing his residential address would, in all likelihood, put him at risk of imminent harm, Douglas Daniels and Trey Mayfield, the attorneys, said in a filing.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols in Washington, D.C., ruled in Lindells favor that he does not have to publicly reveal his address in court documents.

The lawyers also cited Jeremiah Pilon, the deputy general counsel for MyPillow, who said that an individual repeatedly called the companys call center and made threats saying they would kidnap and decapitate Lindell, a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump who made a number of claims regarding the Nov. 3 election.

Pilon said, according to the documents, that police patrolled the MyPillow office as a result. Pilon also said that in December, amid a push to file lawsuits relating to the election, a threatening box was sent to the Chaska MyPillow headquarters.

The box was open on top and contained two MyPillow bed pillows that had been slit open and splattered with a red-colored substance intended to look like blood, Pilon wrote in the documents, according to Business Insider. The box had the message attached, reading: Mike Lindell Loves Murderers.

The documents were filed in relation to a February defamation lawsuit brought against Lindell from Dominion Voting Systems, which alleged that he made repeated, false claims about the company after the November election.

In March, Lindell said in an interview that he has not been back to his home in Minnesota for about two months due to safety concerns.

I absolutely move around to undisclosed locations, the CEO said. I havent been back to Minnesota, and anybody out there that is looking for me, I havent been back there in two months, he added. I cant go back there.

Lindells and MyPillows Twitter accounts were also suspended earlier this year, leading Lindell to create a social media platform known as Frank or sometimes FrankSpeech.

Lindell also said in March that Twitter at one point seized control of his own personal account: They took my Twitter, they were running my Twitter, not just taking it down.  They were retweeting things making it look like Mike Lindell was OK with stuff.

The Epoch Times has contacted Lindell for comment.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) listens during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on the federal COVID-19 response on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 18, 2021. (Susan Walsh/Pool/Getty Images)

Sen. Murkowski Says She Will Back Current Jan. 6 Commission Bill

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said on Tuesday that she would back a Democrat-led bill to establish an independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Murkowski became the second Senate Republican to publicly say she would support the bill that has already passed the House. During the House vote, most Republicans voted against the measure, with only 35 Republicans crossing the aisle to approve the bill.

Im going to support it, Murkowski told reporters when asked how she would vote on the bill if Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) bring its to the Senate floor.

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) on Monday was the first Senate Republican to express support for the current form of the bill. Meanwhile, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) has expressed eagerness to support the bill but would like to make changes to the House proposal.

Collins said her support is conditional on bipartisan staffing and a report issued no later than by the end of this year.

During remarks on the Senate floor, Schumer moved to file cloture on the motion on the Jan. 6 bill to set up a vote this week.

We all know the commission is an urgent, necessary idea to safeguard our democracy, Schumer said.

We have to get it passed. Each member of the Senate is going to have to stand up and decide: Are you on the side of truth and accountability or are you on the side of Donald Trump and the big lie? the Democrat leader added.

Currently, Democrats are short on the 60 votes required to defeat a likely filibuster from Republicans, who have expressed opposition to the bill in its current form.

The National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act, also known as HR 3233, is modeled after the investigation into the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The proposed measure would create in the legislative branch an independent, 10-member commission to investigate relevant facts and circumstances relating to the attack on the Capitol, and evaluate the causes of and the lessons learned from this attack.

The commission must also submit reports of their findings, alongside recommendations to improve the detection, prevention, preparedness for, and response to targeted violence and domestic terrorism and improve the security posture of the U.S. Capitol Complex.

The bill will grant the commission powers such as the authority to hold hearings, receive evidence, and issue subpoenas. It also enables the commission to appoint staff.

Two moderate Democratic senatorsSens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.)expressed support for the bill, saying that a commission to investigate what happened is a critical step to ensuring our nation never has to endure an attack at the hands of our countrymen again.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) previously said he would oppose the House-passed bill, characterizing the proposal as a slanted and unbalanced study of the Jan. 6 incident.

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.

Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
New Hampshire Auditor Says Audit Has Revealed No Widespread Fraud

One of the election auditors investigating inconsistencies regarding local races in Windham, New Hampshire, said that their review hasnt found any evidence of widespread fraud.

The original count, the recount, nothing has ever been changing who gets elected, said Harri Hursti, one member of the three-person team involved in the audit, according to an interview with CNN. This is an exercise of finding what caused the error, but the four winners have all, from day one, remained to be the same four winners. This has never threatened that. And, again, if there would have been a widespread fraud, which would have been uncovered [in] this, it would have come out. There was none.

The audit is focused on a local legislative election for several seats. A Democratic candidate, Kristi St. Laurent, requested a recount after losing her race by just 24 votes, which was granted due to the slim margin of her defeat.

Hursti and the other auditors have suggested that folds in ballots may have caused a discrepancy in the vote count. During a hand recount, it was revealed that St. Laurent actually lost by 99 votes, rather than the 24-vote difference tabulated by voting machines n Windham, with GOP candidatesincluding three other Republican candidates who won legislative seats in the electionreceiving 300 additional votes as a result of the recount.

The school machine has even more dramatic problem: counted only 28% of the 75 votes for each R candidate in this contest. #NHPolitics pic.twitter.com/rpvVljb7ww  WindhamNHAuditors (@WAuditors) May 22, 2021

The auditors have speculated that folds in ballots could be to blame for the discrepancies.

If someone voted for all four Republican candidates and the ballot happened to have its fold line going through St. Laurents target, then that might be interpreted by the machines as an overvote, which would then subtract votes from each of those four Republican candidates, said Philip Stark, another member of the audit team, told WMUR-TV in mid-May. Conversely, if there were not four votes already in that contest by the voter, a fold line through that target could have caused the machine to interpret it as a vote for St. Laurent.

Elaborating on the vote totals, the auditors wrote in a May 22 tweet that one machine at a school showed that only 28 percent of 75 votes for each Republican candidate were actually counted.

St. Laurent also noted that that the fold line on the ballot appeared to go through her name the most often.

Wherever the fold happened to be was, I guess, most commonly through my name, she told WMUR-TV.

Former President Donald Trump weighed in on the audit efforts.

The spirit for transparency and justice is being displayed all over the Country by media outlets which do not represent Fake News, he wrote in a statement on May 6. The former president also praised the audit being conducted in Maricopa County, Arizona, regarding the 2020 presidential election.
New Math Policies Would Hurt Gifted Students

Commentary

Perhaps Alan Erisman, who headed a team of applied mathematicians at Boeing, sums up the education of numbers best.

Erisman, author of the upcoming book The Math Myth, says, If we taught English the way we teach math, students would spend all their time doing spelling tests and diagramming sentences but never read a great book or ever read poetry.

That seems to be one of the issues the Californias Instructional Quality Commission is seeking to address as it updates its list of suggestions to math instructors. Its seeking to determine how to help students reach the math standards established by the state.

Williamson Evers, former U.S. assistant secretary of education for planning, evaluation, and policy development, said the commission may have overstepped its original position. Evers, now a senior fellow at the Oakland, California-based Independent Institute, wrote an opinion piece about the matter to expose the issue.

In his Wall Street Journal article, Evers said the new framework would no longer aim to have students learn algebra by Grade 8, which is necessary for students to get to calculus by Grade 12 and satisfy a basic requirement of many selective colleges.

The original proposed framework also rejected the idea of tracking, whereby students are grouped according to mathematical skill. Tracking has proved to be beneficial, especially for high-achieving students.

Perhaps most damning of all, the original proposal called eight times for the state to follow the suggestions of the Pathway to Equitable Math Instruction: Resources and Guidance to support Black, LatinX, and Multilingual Students to thrive in grades 6-8.

That document originally stated: The concept of mathematics being purely objective is unequivocally false, and that Upholding the idea that there are always right and wrong answers perpetuates objectivity.

In a later conversation with The Epoch Times, Evers said that the guidelines as originally promulgated were not fair to California students and would deny them the opportunity to flourish according to their special talent.

Indeed, he said, it is very destructive to people with special gifts in math.

Since the time of Everss op-ed piece, the framework no longer calls for the use of that so-called pathway document, and the document itself no longer attacks the idea of objectivity.

Francis Su, author of the book Mathematics for Human Flourishing and math instructor at Harvey-Mudd college in Claremont, California, agrees with Erisman.

He said many teachers focus too much on just rote memorization rather than helping students see all the ways math gets applied in the real world. He noted that one of the things the new proposed framework gets right is that there is not just one way to solve a problem and that as long as students get to the correct answer, teachers should not necessarily temper the creative thinking of those who can get to the correct answer using a method other than the one prescribed.

There is in math instruction the concept of standard algorithms, which some might call the right way to solve a problem but which could be more correctly termed the standard way of solving that particular kind of equation.

Standard algorithms are taught because theyre the most succinct way to get to a solution.

And one of the many goals of math instruction is to help students develop as many standard algorithms as possible so that when they encounter a new math problem in real life, they have a large set of mathematical tools to draw from to solve the problem.

Math professor Su is quick to note that whether balancing a checkbook, calculating how much seed to buy for a lawn, or trying to get the next spacecraft to Mars, people use math every day.

He told The Epoch Times that proponents of tracking are usually focused on the high achievers and not wanting them to be held back.

The proponents want those high-achieving students to thrive and have all the opportunities to which their proclivities for math might take them.

On the other hand, opponents of tracking are often focused on students in the lower tracks and are focused more on social justice or concerns for the poor.

People are often surprised to learn that students in the lower tracks often get the most inexperienced teachers and are often taught with the worst methods in non-enriching environments.

In a speech he gave when he stepped down as head of the Mathematical Association of America, Su challenged his colleagues by asking how many of them actually want to teach lower-track students.

If done correctly, math instruction can be done in such a way that allows each student to achieve his or her highest and best level of success.

When The Epoch Times spoke to Evers, he said that if done incorrectly, California public schools would risk losing their best math students to charter schools, parochial schools, and other private schools that wouldnt be hobbled by guidelines constraining the best in math education.

During the most recent comment period, some 1,200 letters were sent with about one-quarter opposed both to the use of the so-called pathway and to any reference of race in math instruction. As such, those references seem to have been removed.

After Californias Department of Education and the Instructional Quality Commission revise the recommendations, there will be another 60 day review period during June and July when the public can again make its comments known.

Tim Shaler is a professional investor and economist based in Southern California. He is a regular columnist for The Epoch Times, where he exclusively provides some of his original economic analysis.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta talks to media during a press conference at Parliament on April 22, 2021 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

New Zealands Foreign Minister Warns Exporters to Diversify Trade Away From China

New Zealands foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta has warned the countrys exporters to diversify trade away from Beijing or risk being at the centre of a storm provoked by Beijings ire.

In an interview with the Guardian on Monday, Mahuta said New Zealand could hardly stay out of the tensions between neighbouring Australia and the Communist Chinese regime.

And if they are close to an eye of the storm or in the eye of the storm, weve got to legitimately ask ourselvesit may only be a matter of time before the storm gets closer to us, Mahuata said.

The signal Im sending to exporters is that they need to think about diversification in this contextCOVID-19, broadening relationships across our region, and the buffering aspects of if something significant happened with China. Would they be able to withstand the impact? she asked.

The country is increasingly vulnerable to the Chinese regime with a heavy trade dependence on the Chinese market. New Zealands export trade to China has surpassed its other four trading partners, Australia, the U.S, the U.K., and Japan, with $33bn of New Zealands total trade and nearly 30% of exports heading to the Asian nation.

The warning comes after the New Zealand Foreign Minister initially told exporters to diversify trade away from China in late April and follows New Zealands failure to speak strongly to the Chinese regime over issues like Xinjiang, Hong Kong and the military expansion in the South China Sea.

Something its Five Eyes alliesthe United Kingdom, The United States, Canada and Australiachoose to do.

New Zealand has instead stated that it feels uncomfortable pressuring Beijing.

New Zealand has tried to walk a tightrope between the West and the Chinese Communist regime, maintaining its balance cautiously, Chen Weijian, an editor with Beijing Spring, a U.S.-based pro-democracy publication, said in an interview with The Epoch Times. It attempts to maintain a strong trade relationship with Beijing while keeping its values of respecting human rights.

But Chen Weijen said this would not work. The termshuman rights abuse or genocideare no different to the Chinese Communist Party; they both mean New Zealand is no longer on its side.

As demonstrated by the New Zealand Chinese embassy response to New Zealand most recent condemnation of the CCPs treatment of the Uyghurs, which said that such proclamations about human rights in China would only harm the mutual trust between China and New Zealand.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern admitted earlier this month that New Zealands differences with China are becoming harder to reconcile, although the country still prefers to pursue its own bilateral relations with Beijing.

But experts believe that the time is fast approaching for New Zealand to choose a side.

Chen Kuide, a China scholar and chief editor of the publication China in Perspective, told The Epoch Times that the two factorsnational security and the countrys fundamental valueswill push the country to return to its western allies.

Sooner or later, New Zealand will come back to join the western allies, Chen said.

Luo Ya contributed to this report.
NSW Opposition Leader Jodi McKay speaks with media outside Green Trees Estate in Sydney, Australia, on July 24, 2020. (AAP Image/James Gourley)

NSW Labor Leader Denies Knowledge of Dirt Dossier as 2 MPs Quit Shadow Ministry

SYDNEYNew South Wales (NSW) Labor Opposition Leader Jodi McKay has downplayed suggestions that she faces a leadership spill after two MPs resigned from her shadow cabinet this week.

This comes after a staffer from the deputy leaders office distributed to the press a dirt dossier on NSW Labors Transport spokesman Chris Minns, who is considered a potential contender for the leadership.

Minns, who previously lost a challenge for the leadership to McKay in 2019, resigned on Tuesday.

Im obviously very disappointed by news reports yesterday that a dirt dossier was distributed by the Deputy Leader (Yasmin Catley) of the Labor Partys office, Minns wrote in a statement.

Minns said neither McKay nor Catley had contacted him to discuss how or why this was done.

As a result, my position in the Shadow Cabinet is untenable, and I will resign effective immediately, he said, adding that hell serve his electorate of Kogarah from the backbench.

The public wants a contest of ideas and a vision to improve the lives of working families, not negative politics, he said.

Labour Shadow Treasurer Walt Secord speaks to media outside a COVID-19 pop up testing clinic which opened today at Bondi Pavilion in Sydney, Australia, on April 1, 2020. (Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

McKay fronted the press, where she denied knowledge of the dirt dossier. This prompted NSW Labor Treasury spokesman Walt Secord to tender his own resignation as shadow treasurer and shadow minister for the arts.

I can no longer serve in a Jodi McKay-led Shadow Ministry, Secord wrote in a statement.

Secord noted that he had disagreed with McKay on key policy issues and strategic directions, but despite that, he said he had been a team player.

But this morning, the actions of a staff member of the Deputy Labor leader distributing a file on a colleague was completely unacceptable.

In short, it was absolutely disgusting, he said.

As McKay now reshuffles her shadow cabinet, she has denied any suggestion that she would face a spill this week.

We want to make sure that weve got the very best people in the shadow cabinet, she told SkyNews.

Obviously, Chris leaving is a blow, but I respect his decision. As I said, hes a decent person.

The staffer from the deputy leaders office, who McKay said unilaterally decided to distribute the dirt dossier to the press gallery, was fired on Tuesday morning. I had no knowledge, McKay said.

She rejected the idea that a colleague would challenge her for the leadership, which comes after the party that brands itself as being for working families lost a byelection in the blue-collar Upper Hunter electorate.

Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese (left) arrives with Opposition Minister for Agriculture Joel Fitzgibbon during the opening of the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on June 18, 2020. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

The loss of the Upper Hunter byelection sent shockwaves through the Labor party and prompted national Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon to decry that Labors primary vote had collapsed to existential levels.

He said Labors brand as the blue-collar party was in jeopardy and threatened to quit the left-wing party, concerned that voters did not trust the party to protect blue-collar or mining jobs as it focussed on inner-city progressives.

Fitzgibbon, whose electorate shares similar characteristics to the Upper Hunter, resigned from the national shadow cabinet halfway through last years term due to having opposing views on climate change.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison held similar views, saying Labor had lost touch with blue-collar workers.

In response, Labors national Opposition Leader Albanese downplayed the loss, saying the Upper Hunter had been a Nationals seat for over 90 years.

Albanese also pointed to the popularity of independent candidates and minor parties at the Upper Hunter byelection.

Lets get some perspective here. Theres been a lot of very short-sighted analysisahistorical analysisbehind this byelection, he said.

When asked if he was losing the blue-collar base, Albanese said: The evidence is there that thats not the case.

McKay also believes she retains the support of her colleagues, despite the two of her shadow cabinet ministers resigning. We just need to get on with holding [NSW Premier] Gladys Berejiklian to account, McKay said.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 00:03:02|Editor: huaxia

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XINING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- In less than three days following the 7.4 magnitude earthquake in northwest China's Qinghai Province, the task force sent by the Ministry of Emergency Management said the rescue work is almost complete, and relief work is underway.

The province on Tuesday opened a hotline so that affected residents can call to report their losses and difficulties that need addressing.

Power and water supplies have resumed at makeshift shelters, and all elementary and high schools in Maduo County resumed classes from Monday.

The earthquake, which jolted Maduo County in the Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture at 2:04 a.m. Saturday, left 18 people slightly injured and disrupted the lives of over 32,000 residents from 26 townships in Golog and the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

The figures are in contrast to 11 years ago, when a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Yushu, flattening the plateau town of Gyegu and killing more than 2,600 people.

In addition to the fact that the Golog earthquake occurred in sparsely populated pastoral areas, improved housing conditions -- an outcome of local poverty alleviation efforts -- very probably minimized the casualties and asset losses.

As of 3 p.m. Monday, 893 houses were damaged in the epicenter of Huanghe Township, with no collapses. At an altitude of 4,300 meters, the township is home to over 3,000 residents.

"Better housing has demonstrated the achievement of targeted poverty alleviation efforts," said Tian Caixiu, head of the poverty alleviation and development bureau of Maduo County.

Tian said the county had over 1,700 registered impoverished households as of 2015, and the houses of herders were mostly clay and wood structures.

Between 2016 and 2017, more than 1,500 poor households moved to new homes as part of China's relocation efforts for poverty alleviation. The new brick and concrete houses can withstand an 8-magnitude earthquake.

The government poured 585 million yuan (91.3 million U.S. dollars) into the infrastructure of the relocation projects. The infrastructure included hardened roads, public toilets, power supplies, and community service centers, Tian said.

According to Dotar, Party chief of Huanghe Township, apart from safer houses, the timely emergency response also helped reduce personnel and asset losses.

Merely 16 minutes after the earthquake, the provincial government activated a second-level emergency response for a major earthquake disaster.

The transport authorities launched a crisis plan to ensure emergency traffic to the quake-hit area ran smoothly. Power supply personnel mobilized to repair damaged power lines, and firefighters rushed to the scene for the rescue immediately.

You Wenbin, a local armed police officer, said more than 180 armed police helped rescue a stranded resident and three vehicles. They also inspected more than 60 dilapidated houses and set up nearly 800 tents for the temporary relocation of residents.

Dotar said some 140 Party cadres were organized to participate in the rescue, and police, firefighters, and militia mobilized to join in.

"We put people's interests first and spared no effort to minimize the loss," Dotar said. Enditem
Departure passengers to New Zealand wait to check in at Sydney International Airport, Sydney, Australia, on April 19, 2021. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

NZ to Pause Quarantine-Free Travel Bubble With Victoria, Australia

New Zealand has temporarily suspended its travel bubble with the Australias state of Victoria while the source of the new Melbourne cases in the last two days are investigated.

The travel ban began on Tuesday at 8 p.m. (6 p.m. AEST) and will be in place for at least 72 hours.

While the case announced today is not unexpected as a contact of a case announced yesterday, New Zealand officials have assessed that the most cautious option is to pause the travel bubble with Victoria as there are still several unknowns with the outbreak, NZ COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said in a statement.

Hipkins said the government understood the disruption it would cause to passengers looking to travel during the ban. However, they considered it the correct call given the situation.

The latest COVID-19 cases are all connected to Whittlesea City, with 11 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. Victorian health officials have said they believe there could be more cases to come.

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will travel to New Zealand to meet Prime Minister Jacinda Arden in Queenstown on May 30. They will be accompanied by their partners.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (L) and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (R) speak to media at a press conference held at Admiralty House in Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 28, 2020. (James D. Morgan/Getty Images)

It will mark the first overseas trip of the year for Morrison and the first trip to New Zealand in over a year. The two leaders last met in Sydney in late February, around the time the first COVID-19 case in New Zealand was detected.

Ardern said the visit would be a good opportunity to celebrate the resumption of two-way quarantine free travel with their trans-Tasman cousins.

Im looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister Morrison back to New Zealand following a difficult year for both our countries through the pandemic, Ardern said. Our relationship with Australia is our closest and most important, and this has never been more evident than in these trying times for the world.

Discussions will centre on how Australia and New Zealand will meet the shared challenges we face. The key focus of the meeting will, of course, be our COVID-19 recovery as well as how we continue working together on key regional and security issues.
Police: Suspect in Custody May Be Tied to Spate of Freeway BB Gun Shootings

LOS ANGELESAuthorities are investigating whether a suspect arrested May 26 in Riverside County may be responsible for a score of BB gun freeway shootings that have left more than 100 vehicle windows shattered across the Southland in recent weeks.

An arrest was made this morning from an incident that occurred in Riverside County yesterday evening, California Highway Patrol Officer Jake Sanchez said. Right now, we are actively conducting an investigation to confirm if this is the same person associated with the BB gun incidents in Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles counties.

The suspects name or other identifying information was not immediately released, nor did investigators reveal whether a weapon was recovered.

Riverside police Officer Ryan Railsback confirmed patrol officers stopped a possible suspect vehicle by the Galleria at Tyler shopping mall May 25 based on information the CHP broadcasted to our officers about another shooting incident that may have occurred tonight along the freeway in Riverside.

It is unknown at this time if the vehicle we stopped is actually involved, but we contacted CHP who responded and took over the investigation, he said.

KTLA reported that a vehicle was fired on May 15 on the Riverside (91) Freeway near Piece Street and that the driver was able to give law enforcement a vehicle description: a red SUV with no license plates.

A short time later, another person whose vehicle was shot at gave authorities the same vehicle description, and CHP and Riverside officers located the SUV at the shopping mall, KTLA reported.

No one has been injured in the spate of window-shattering attacks on the freeways in Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles counties.

On May 25, three incidents were reported, including an 8 a.m. shooting on the westbound Riverside (91) Freeway that blew out the drivers window.

Also on May 25, a vehicle was damaged about 6 a.m. on the southbound Costa Mesa (55) north of Fourth Street in Santa Ana and another shooting occurred about 7 a.m. on the Santa Ana (5) Freeway in Irvine, said CHP Officer John DeMatteo.

In the latter incident, the motorist did not call it in until about an hour later, so its unclear where exactly it happened, he said.

CHP investigators have implored victims to call authorities right away because it can help locate where and when these cases are happening, using clues found by checking Caltrans cameras along the freeways. The CHP has boosted patrols on local freeways and may be a short distance away and have a

better chance of capturing a potential suspect if the call is made right away.

In the past monthmainly in Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles countiesthe CHP estimates there have been about 100 incidents of cars being damaged by BB or pellet gun fire. It is unclear how many perpetrators there are, whether some are copycats, and what types of cars theyre driving, though

white sedans were spotted in attacks earlier this month in Corona.

No specific descriptions of the cars or suspects have been provided by the CHP.

A CHP officers cruiser recently sustained a damaged window on the eastbound 91 at the 241 Tollway in the Anaheim Hills that could possibly be part of the crime spree.

An officer was finishing up an enforcement stop and completing notes on the citation when he heard a noise and the back window was shattered. There were big rigs going by at the same time, so it might have been a rock that caused the damage, CHP Officer Florentino Olivera said earlier. Were not sure what shattered the window.
Qantas has added seven new domestic airlines between major capital cities (Supplied)

Qantas Adds Seven New Routes as Demand Surges

Qantas predicts that its capacity will exceed 100 percent of pre-COVID levels in the coming months after adding seven new routes between major capital cities as domestic demand increases following the pandemic slump.

Qantas Domestic and International CEO Andrew David said the new routes would help support the growing demand for domestic tourism.

As most international travel remains off limits for now, Australians are taking more regular holidays within the country and we expect these new direct flights to key tourism destinations will be popular with travellers, David said in a statement on Tuesday.

Our customers now have 45 more routes to fly than we had pre-COVID making it even easier for them to get to their next holiday or business meeting.

Previously, travelling between these cities meant a connecting flight in the middle, but now they can fly direct and save at least an hour in the process.

Passengers will also be able to fly on more widebody aircraft, usually only available on international long haul flights, between major cities, with the option of business suite between east coast capital cities and Perth and Darwin.

The Airbus A330-200 aircraft, which used to fly international routes to and from Asia, will operate on more routes from Sydney and Brisbane into Darwin, as well as from Sydney and Melbourne into Perth.

Meanwhile, Embraer E190 regional jets, in partnership with Alliance Airlines, will service five of the new routes.

A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from Qantas Air Lines is seen on the tarmac of LAX Los Angeles airport on May 11, 2019. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images)

The airlines 236-seat Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which is usually used for long haul international flights like Perth-London, will be operating nine flights from Sydney to Perth per week.

We know how popular the 787s and A330s are with our customers on our international network, David said.

Our strategy of adding new domestic routes is generating revenue from our aircraft rather than leaving them on the ground. It means more work for our people and even more low fares for our customers, he said.

We think there will be huge demand for the domestic flights these aircraft operate on, particularly frequent flyers looking to use points.

Fares of the airlines are available from Tuesday, with special fares available before midnight May 27.

The following are some of the new routes added:

Adelaide to Townsville

Adelaide to Cairns

Adelaide to Hobart

Sydney to Townsville

Melbourne to Townsville

Perth to Gold Coast

Sydney to Uluru

For more information on routes and special offers, visit Qantas.
Renaming of Pennsylvania High School Divides the Community

On May 11, the Radnor School District Board in Pennsylvania voted 6-3 in favor of upholding the removal of Radnor High Schools nickname Raiders and the accompanying mascot depicting a Native American warrior.

The decision resulted from controversy surrounding the rebranding of the nickname and mascot, which have been in place for over 90 years. Proponents of the name change argue that the name Raiders is racist as it was placed together with the image of an Native American, while the other side says the term Raiders has no inherent offensive connotations, and that removing it would disrespect the history of the school.

Last September, the Radnor School Board decided to retire the Raiders name and all associated Native American imagery from the Radnor School District. According to their official website, the new nickname and logo will be decided on June 29.

A series of meetings were held trying to address the controversy in the last several months. At a May 4 special board meeting, school district superintendent Ken Batchelor admitted that tension is still high about this topic.

Those who support the renaming insist that the combination of Native American imagery and the nickname Raiders is offensive and racist. On the other hand, those who want to keep the old nickname argue that the name itself has nothing to do with racism and that it carries the spirit and history of the school and the community.

Another Form of Cancel Culture

Carol Fetter, born and raised in Radnor, attended Radnor schools from kindergarten all the way to her high school graduation. Fetter was sad to see the division within the community and brought up her concerns during one of the special board meetings.

People are calling each other harmful names, and kids are being bullied and ostracized, she said.

She requested the board put the old name as a choice for students to vote on.

This would just bring back some sense of peace and pride here in Radnor. History runs very deep here. Please dont cancel it at all, she said.

Preston Tyrrell, another local resident, questioned why the school board put so much taxpayers money into this issue during this pandemic. He viewed the renaming as of little importance to students education and believed that it had created an uneasy atmosphere in town.

Some major words have been launched as weapons, oddly enough by the two people in front of me. Is this the great way to teach our children? he said.

He also pointed out that if a person supported the name Raiders, then they could now be viewed as a racist. I am uneasy when using that word in this context, as it lessens the impact of those who are the real victims of racism.

Supporters of the old nickname created a Facebook group called Keep the Raider in Radnor! that has attracted over 600 members so far. Local resident Hunny Witthoeft initiated an online petition to keep the Raiders name, and got over 2,600 supporting signatures.

Tina Descovich is the co-founder of the nonprofit organization Moms for Liberty. She told The Epoch Times that this kind of renaming has happened across the country recently and that its part of cancel culture.

As for labeling the people who supported the old nickname as being racist, Descovich said this phenomenon is unfortunately quite common. Those that dont want to debate or dont know how to debate or dont have the facts to debate, just bring it right down to name-calling. And that just shuts down communication. It leaves one side unheard. And the results of that are never good, she said.

Descovich pointed out that society used to look up to great thinkers and debaters and really valued open dialogue on complex issues. But today these principles are gone, and people dont want to take the time to really dig in and explore ideas and their impact.

Chinese Immigrant: Cultural Revolution Doesnt Only Change Culture

John Wu is a Chinese immigrant who used to live in the district. He told The Epoch Times that there now exists a tendency to resort to cancel culture in the United States, and that the left is trying to reinterpret the American history.

Wu said they label themselves progressive, and anti-discriminatory, but in reality, they are targeting traditional culture, which is the foundation of the country. If thats overthrown, he pointed out, America would not be America anymore, and it would be like a socialist country.

This is serious. We came from China, and we know that the Cultural Revolution will not end up affecting just the culture. Eventually, it will affect our daily lives, including education. Our kids will face confusion, Wu said.

Additionally, Wu commented that racism and white supremacy are now labels that can be used everywhere. But, he said, we need to keep our history and cultural heritage.
Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs removes a mask as she speaks to members of Arizona's Electoral College prior to them casting their votes in Phoenix, Ariz., on Dec. 14, 2020. (Ross D. Franklin/File/AP Photo)

Republicans Move to Limit Power of Arizona Secretary of State

Republican lawmakers in Arizona on May 25 moved to limit the power of Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat.

Panels in the state House of Representatives and Senate passed measures that would make clear Attorney General Mark Brnovich has the sole authority to defend Arizona election laws and procedures.

House Bill 2891 in part clarifies the legislative intent, through January 2, 2023  that the AG has sole authority in all election-related litigation.

It also declares that Brnovich cant represent or provide legal advice to either Hobbs or the Department of State and bars Hobbs from spending taxpayer money to hire private attorneys.

The bill was narrowly passed by the House Appropriations Committee in a partisan 76 vote, with all Republicans voting for it. A similar narrow vote ensued later in the day in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Hobbs in an earlier statement said the Legislature appeared determined to prevent me from doing the job Arizona voters elected me to do.

Last year, we oversaw three safe, secure, and successful statewide elections with historic turnout, despite a global pandemic, a massive misinformation campaign, and unprecedented threats against me and other election officials. Afterward, while other state officials remained silent, we defended that election in countless lawsuits seeking to overturn the will of Arizona voters, Hobbs wrote.

The fact that the legislation has singled out me and my office for these unjustifiable restrictionsrestrictions which expire at the end of my termmake it clear what this is really about: partisan politics.

Brnovichs office didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich in a file photograph. (Courtesy of Mark Brnovich)

Hobbs and Republican state lawmakers have clashed repeatedly in recent months over the election. Hobbs has continually denounced a state Senate-ordered audit of ballots and election machines in Maricopa County, which state lawmakers say is crucial to restoring voters confidence in the election system.

Legislators also cited a disclosure on May 25 that Hobbs had filed complaints against Brnovich and his office with the State Bar of Arizona.

I would say the unprecedented attack on the attorney general, the chief deputy, and many high-level attorneys is uncalled for, said Republican state Sen. Vince Leach, according to a report by Capitol Media. This is really disconcerting and should be disconcerting to the people of Arizona.

House Appropriations Chairwoman Regina Cobb, a Republican, said the changes stemmed in part from how Hobbs has split from Brnovich in litigation that they initially had agreed upon.

Halfway through the litigation, shes decided to go the other direction from the AGs Office, from what theyve been helping her with, Cobb said, adding that Hobbs has hired outside attorneys in some cases but still bills the state.

Democrats decried the proposed changes, which would need approval from the full Legislature and the signature of Republican Gov. Doug Ducey to be enacted.

We are meddling with the Constitution, state Rep. Randy Friese, a Democrat, told colleagues, according to ABC 15.

The bill would also move oversight of the Capitol Museum from Hobbs to the Legislative Oversight Council.
A caterpillar parks between fences at a reinforced section of the U.S.Mexico border fencing in eastern Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico, on Jan. 20, 2021. (Guillermo Arias/AFP via Getty Images)

Republicans Press GAO for Report on Bidens Halt on Border Wall Construction

House Republicans are urging the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to issue their assessment of President Joe Bidens decision to halt funds appropriated by the 116th Congress for the construction of the southern border barrier, as being either legal or illegal under current laws.

In their most recent attempt to get answers about the legality of Bidens border wall funding freeze, Republicans sent a letter (pdf) on Tuesday to GAO Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, requesting an update on the status of that investigation.

In GAOs testimony, they claimed to have begun looking into President Bidens decision to freeze funding for the border wall back in January, which means a report and findings are now long overdue, wrote House Budget Committee Republican Leader Jason Smith (R-Mo.). The continued delay only enables the Biden Administrations failed policies that have created a national security and humanitarian crisis along the southern border.

The GAO previously told Smiths committee in a hearing on April 29 that the office was expecting to receive the legal opinion of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Department of Homeland Security within a week.

This deadline has passed and therefore, we are requesting a status update on GAOs investigation, Smith wrote.

People work on the U.S.-Mexico border wall in El Paso, Texas, on Feb. 12, 2019. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Immediately after taking office on Jan. 20, Biden issued a proclamation titled, On the Termination Of Emergency With Respect To The Southern Border Of The United States And Redirection Of Funds Diverted To Border Wall Construction, which ordered that construction of the remaining border wall be stopped indefinitely.

GAO deputy general counsel Edda Emmanuelli Perez told the panel in April her agency started looking into the legality of Bidens freeze on border wall funding as early as January when the White House first announced the directive. We did actually begin looking at this issue, when the president announced this in January, Perez told the committee.

Republican senators previously pressed the GAO on its evaluation of Bidens decision.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) on March 17 led 40 Republican senators to send a letter asking the office to evaluate whether it was justified under federal law. House Republicans later joined, with over 70 GOP members signing on to Moore Capitos letter.

In Tuesdays letter, Republicans said they are deeply disturbed that they have not received any answers from the GAO about the report that was supposed to have been issued.

What makes this situation especially concerning is the fact that GAO issued a legal opinion on a similar incident within approximately two months after receiving a request from Congress in 2019. Considering that more than 100 Members of Congress requested a legal opinion from GAO in March 2021, this suggests that GAO is capable of issuing an opinion within a similar timeframe, the letter stated.

Construction continues up Mount Cristo Rey on the new half-mile section of border fence built by We Build the Wall at Sunland Park, N.M., on May 30, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Mark R. Paoletta, a senior fellow at the Center for Renewing America and general counsel of OMB under the Trump administration, told the House Budget Committee that Bidens withholding of funds for the border barrier construction is illegal.

President Biden is holding, that his impounding funds for the construction of a wall along the southern border, including $1.4 billion, specifically appropriated for the border wall construction, said Paoletta during the April 29 Budget Committee hearing. Based on GAOs opinion on funding for Ukraine, President Bidens hold is clearly illegal and a violation of the Impoundment Control Act (ICA), but the Democrats on this committee have been silent on this direct assault on Congresss power the purse, Paoletta continued.

ICA or its full title, The Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, solidified Congresss power of the purse. Title X of the Act Impoundment Control established procedures to prevent the President and other government officials from unilaterally substituting their own funding decisions for those of the Congress. The measure also created the House and Senate Budget Committees and the Congressional Budget Office.
Scientists at the Marine Science Institute, University of CaliforniaSanta Barbara estimate that more than 80 fin, blue, and humpback whales on the West Coast succumb to vessel collisions annually. (Courtesy of the International Whaling Association)

Scientists Say Most Whale Strikes Go Undocumented

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.Scientists, researchers, and environmentalists have long grappled with how best to analyze the occurrence of vessel strikes that kill or injure endangered whales and other marine mammals along the feeding ground waterways of the California coast.

In Huntington Beach, a 63-foot fin whale washed onto California shores on May 19, after it was struck by an Australian Navy ship on its way to San Diego. Such occurrences are the only way researchers know when an animal has died.

That vessel strike left two animals dead, including the one towed to sea in San Diego, which later washed up on Bolsa Chica State Beach, and a calf, which was buried on land.

Kevin Pearsall of California State Parks and Recreation confirmed to the Epoch Times that the whale carcass was removed on May 22 and hauled to Miramar Landfill in San Diego by a private contractor hired by state parks.

Pearsall said that the $10,000 disposal fee normally charged by the landfill was waived, likely due to the fact that its on leased land owned by the U.S. Navy. The Australian Navy vessel that struck the two whales was conducting training maneuvers with the U.S. Navy, and the deceased whales were only detected when the ships arrived in the Port of San Diego.

Its not clear yet who will be responsible for the remaining costs associated with the incident, which Pearsall said could amount to as much as an additional $15,000.

Bolsa Chica State Beach is one of the most visited beaches in the state, Pearsall said, and there had been at least 40 to 50 people per day coming to the beach to view the animal. However, on May 22, crowds dissipated for the entire four hours it took crews to complete the unpleasant task of dismantling and removing the whale.

Theres just no right or easy way to deal with the death of a mammal that size. Everyone did the best job under the circumstances, Pearsall said. I really appreciate that people stayed away, it almost seemed out of respect, while the team worked to dispose of what was left of her.

The OC Health Care Agencys Environmental Health Division closed parts of Bolsa Chica State Beach due to potential contamination of the beach and water adjacent to the decomposing carcass late last week.

Navigating Crowded Shipping Lanes

Fin, humpback, and gray whales are the most vulnerable to vessel strikes due to their migration and feeding patterns along the Santa Barbara Channel near the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Those offshore feeding areas also overlap with heavy shipping lane traffic, where thousands of vessels traverse each year as global maritime traffic increases.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), commercial whalers had aggressively hunted whales in previous decades, severely lowering their populations to the point of being endangered. Whaling is no longer a threat thanks to protective legislation, and vessel strikes are now the biggest concern.

All whales, dolphins, and porpoises belong to a group of marine mammals called cetaceans. NOAA fisheries work to ensure the conservation of all cetaceans, which are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The organization works under the Endangered Species Act to protect and recover species such as the fin whale population.

Theres good news, according to Michael Milstein of NOAA Fisheries West Coast region.

I would note that several of the protected whale species on the West Coast have increased in number in the last few decades as they have continued rebounding from the depressed numbers from the whaling era, he said.

Tip of the Iceberg

Scientists at the Marine Science Institute, University of CaliforniaSanta Barbara estimate that more than 80 fin, blue, and humpback whales on the West Coast succumb to vessel collisions annually.

But the true numbers arent really known, because often a vessels crew isnt aware that it has hit an animal, or the incidents arent reported.

Milstein said NOAA Fisheries have worked extensively with John Calambokidis, a research biologist with Cascadia Research Collective in Washington State, whos known as one of the top experts on whales on the West Coast. He has studied ship strikes on whales and other species.

The Epoch Times asked Calambokidis how broad the vessel strike issue is today.

I would say its absolutely a global problem, and that in general, the U.S. has been leading some of the conservation efforts, particularly in the Atlantic, Calambokidis said.

To Michaels [Milstein] point, certainly within whale populations, we have seen major recoveries and increasing numbers of both fin and humpback species, but weve learned also there are more whales to be struck. As their population number increases then, statistically, the number of accidents will increase, but is there a correlation.

One of the big challenges is that only a very small proportion of the ship strikes that we are fairly certain are occurring get documented.

Calambokidis said the number of documented ship strikes isnt the best way to analyze the situation. He estimated that as much as 90 percent of fin, blue, and humpback whale mortality goes undocumented.

You know, I just try to remind people that we dont really have accurate indicators, Calambokidis said. Analysis of those strikes that are documented may seem like its the tip of the iceberg, but its not, its far worse than that.

When dead whales end up on our shores, it focuses our attention on the issue when it occurs and is seen, but the issue is present every year, even when its not necessarily getting documented.
Sen. Cotton Accuses Democrats of Blackmail Over Supreme Court Packing Threats

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) accused Democrats of blackmail for threatening to pack the Supreme Court if it upholds a pro-life Mississippi law.

The Arkansas Republicans single-word tweet consisting of the word blackmail came in response to an article in The Hill newspaper that quoted four Democratic U.S. senators vowing to expand the size of the nations highest court in order to protect abortion rights, should the court decide to uphold Mississippis H.B. 1510, the Gestational Age Act of 2018, which prohibits abortions after 15 weeks gestational age except in medical emergencies or for severe fetal abnormality.

Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), also weighed in on the article and its contents.

Not surprised. Called it, Daines tweeted.

The Supreme Court decided May 17 to hear Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, court file 19-1392. The court will consider only Question 1 in the petition for certiorari, which is whether all pre-viability prohibitions on elective abortions are unconstitutional.

Its the first case dealing directly with the constitutionality of abortions that the high court has decided to take up since Justice Amy Coney Barretts arrival on the bench last fall gave the conservative bloc a 63 majority on the court, giving pro-life activists hope.

The case will probably be heard in the fall of this year and a decision rendered before summer 2022. It comes as Democrats and President Joe Biden intensify their push to expand the Supreme Court from its current nine members, in part to protect abortion rights.

In theory, the Supreme Court could overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that made abortion lawful throughout the United States, but court watchers say narrowing its reach seems more likely.

The court could also take aim at the splintered Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992) decision, a plurality opinion that held that states cant impose significant restrictions on abortion before a fetus becomes viable for life outside the womb. The Casey ruling didnt specify when viability occurs but suggested it was at about the 23-week or 24-week gestation mark, as opposed to the 28-week mark assumed by Roe v. Wade.

Senate Judiciary Committee member Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) told The Hill the plan to pack the court will receive a boost if the Supreme Court makes getting abortions more difficult.

It will inevitably fuel and drive an effort to expand the Supreme Court if this activist majority betrays fundamental constitutional principles, Blumenthal said. Its already driving that movement.

Chipping away at Roe v. Wade will precipitate a seismic movement to reform the Supreme Court, he said. It may not be expanding the Supreme Court, it may be making changes to its jurisdiction, or requiring a certain number of votes to strike down certain past precedents.

Another Judiciary Committee member, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), accused the court, without evidence, of being captive to wealthy conservatives.

It really enlivens the concerns that we have about the extent to which right-wing billionaire money has influenced the makeup of the court and may even be pulling strings at the court, he told The Hill.

Weve got a whole array of options were looking at in the courts committee, he said, apparently referring to the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States, which President Biden created by executive order.

Even if there were insufficient support for expanding the Supreme Court by four seats, a proposal that House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) introduced in April, other structural changes could be made to the court, Whitehouse said.

Easy reforms such as proper disclosure and transparency of the gifts, travel and hospitality the justices receive and the people who are behind front-group amicus curiae briefs and who were funding the political advertisements for the last three judges, writing $15 million and $17 million checks.

The volume of amicus curiae or friend-of-the-court briefs, in which someone who isnt a party to the legal proceeding urges a specific outcome, has increased in recent years. Current Supreme Court rules already require disclosure in the brief about whether a party or its lawyer paid for the brief or whether anyone else helped to prepare it.

Markey said last week that attempting to work with a GOP packed court would be pointless.

Trying to legislate with a GOP packed Supreme Court and the Jim Crow filibuster [sic] is always 1 step forward, 3 steps back, he said on Twitter.

In fact, the practice of the filibuster, or of talking a bill to death, goes back to the founding of the American republic, according to the U.S. Senate, which was long before the era of Jim Crow racial regulations that followed the Civil War. The current rule on cloture, or ending debate on legislation in the Senate, requires 60 senators to vote in favor of ending debate.

Support to change the structure of the Supreme Court in the 5050 Senate is thought to be well below the 60-vote threshold at the moment.

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), who supports ending the Senate filibuster, said theres no question the courts legitimacy has been deeply damaged by the theft of a Supreme Court seat and of the change in rules so there wasnt even an appropriate confirmation process, referring to Senate Republicans who, in President Barack Obamas final year in office, prevented the Supreme Court nomination of Merrick Garland, now U.S. attorney general, from coming to a vote in the Senate.

Merkley said controversial court decisions will probably focus attention on the issue of expanding the court but acknowledged theres no easy answer on how to restore the court to be fully legitimate, non-political arbiter of the Constitution.
Senate Adopts GOP Amendment Banning US Funding of Chinas Gain-of-Function Cell Research

An amendment to the Endless Frontier Act that would ban the use of U.S. tax dollars to fund gain-of-function research in China was adopted by the Senate on a voice vote on May 25.

The amendment was introduced by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and co-sponsored by Republicans Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Mike Braun of Indiana, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

No funds made available to any federal agency, including the National Institutes for Health, may be used to conduct gain-of-function research in China, the amendment said.

The amendment defines gain-of-function research as any research project that may be reasonably anticipated to confer attributes to influenza, MERS, or SARS viruses such that the virus would have enhanced pathogenicity or transmissibility in mammals.

Thats the same definition the National Institutes for Health (NIH) used when implementing a funding moratorium on gain-of-function research from 2014 to 2017. The moratorium lapsed during the previous Congress.

Pauls amendment follows a growing debate in Congress and the media over the issue of whether the CCP virusalso known as the novel coronavirusoriginated due to a leak, accidental or otherwise, from Chinas Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), or from transmission to humans via bat meat sold in an open-air market in Wuhan. The latter is the official explanation of the Chinese regime.

We dont know whether the pandemic started in a lab in Wuhan or evolved naturally, Paul said in a statement about his amendment. While many still deny funding gain-of-function research in Wuhan, experts believe otherwise. The passage of my amendment ensures that this never happens in the future.

No taxpayer money should have ever been used to fund gain-of-function research in Wuhan, and now, we permanently have put it to a stop.

Earlier this month, Paul and Dr. Anthony Fauci, who heads NIHs National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), had a heated exchange during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, concerning whether the Wuhan lab had received U.S. funding directly or indirectly.

Fauci, who has been a highly visible and controversial adviser on the CCP virus to both President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, vigorously denied that such funding came from NIAID.

Gain-of-function research essentially involves juicing up naturally-occurring animal viruses to infect humans, Pauls office said in the statement.

For years, Dr. Ralph Baric, a virologist in the U.S., has been collaborating with Dr. Shi Zhengli of the Wuhan Virology Institute, sharing his discoveries about how to create super viruses.

During their research, Dr. Baric and Dr. Shi worked together to insert bat virus spike protein into the backbone of the deadly SARS virus and then used the man-made super virus to infect human airway cells.

Much of the research they were doing was funded through Dr. Faucis NIH and NIAID.

When Dr. Paul asked Dr. Fauci whether he supports the NIH funding of the lab in Wuhan, Dr. Fauci, a strong supporter and ardent advocate of gain-of-function research, claimed that the NIH has not ever and does not now fund gain-of-function research in the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Despite Dr. Faucis previous denials, there is ample evidence and backing by the scientific community that the NIH and the NIAID, under his direction, funded gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

A multitude of scientists have reviewed this research and said it meets the definition for gain-of-function. Many of these scientists have also discussed the inherent dangers of conducting gain-of-function research and the risks it poses to the human population.

The Endless Frontier Act is sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and provides a massive increase in funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Schumers bill would boost NSFs funding from its present $8.5 billion annual budget by creating within it a new Directorate for Technology and Innovation that would receive $100 billion over the next five years.

The goals of the directorate shall be, among other things, the strengthening of U.S. leadership in critical technologies through basic research in key technology focus areas, such as artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and advanced manufacturing, and the commercialization of those technologies to businesses in the United States, according to the Congressional Research Service.

The bill gives the NSF the authority to provide for the widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of information within the United States concerning the NSFs activities and the results of those activities.

In addition, the Schumer proposal would dramatically increase NSFs work in the areas of critical technologies in the national security sector of advanced technology research.

The proposal also directs the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop on an annual basis a strategy for the federal government to improve national competitiveness in science, research, and innovation to support the national security strategy.

In addition, the bill directs the Department of Commerce to (1) establish a supply chain resiliency and crisis response program to address supply chain gaps and vulnerabilities in critical industries, (2) designate regional technology hubs to facilitate activities that support regional economic development that diffuses innovation around the United States, and (3) award grants to facilitate development and implementation of comprehensive regional technology strategies.

Congressional correspondent Mark Tapscott may be contacted at mark.tapscott@epochtimes.nyc
President Joe Biden (R) and South Korean President Moon Jae-in participate in a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington on May 21, 2021. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

South Korean Foreign Minister Emphasizes Peaceful Solution to Taiwan Issue After President Moons US Visit

South Korean foreign minister Chung Eui-yong reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait following President Moon Jae-ins visit to the United States.

On May 24, Chung told KBS TV in an interview that It is only a fact that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is very crucial for peace and stability in the region, according to Yonhap News Agency. He said such a fact was expressed in the joint summit statement issued by the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK), though much in generalities.

Chung also juxtaposed the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan issues, stating that both required peaceful settlement, hoping China would understand the ROKs stance on Taiwan.

His remarks were deemed a response to Beijings reaction to the U.S.-ROK joint statement.

Chinese Ambassador to the ROK, Xing Haiming, expressed his disapproval on May 24, claiming that China is aware that part of the statement is targeted at Beijing as it touches on sensitive issues involving the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

Later, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian expressed concerns on the content of the summit statement, stating Beijing brooks no foreign interference on the Taiwan issue.

President Moon Jae-in paid a three-day visit to the United States from May 21 and met Joe Biden, marking the second visit of a head of state to the White House, after Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in April. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the alliance between the two countries.

At the joint press conference, Biden described the 70-year alliance between the U.S.-ROK as essential for the future of the Indo-Pacific region and the world.

When it came to the issue of Taiwan, both the leaders highlighted the importance of preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait in the joint summit statement, the first time that Taiwan has been included in such declarations.

When asked, Moon said Biden did not pressure him to take a tougher stance on Chinas posturing toward Taiwan. But as for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, we agreed how important that region is. Especially considering the special characteristics between China and Taiwan, we decided to work more closely on this matter going forward, Moon said.

Though freedom of navigation and human rights were mentioned, China was hinted at but not called out.

Data shows that South Koreas economy is heavily dependent on China. In 2019, the East Asian country exported goods worth over $136 billion to China, accounting for a quarter of its total exports, according to Chung Min Lee, a senior fellow in Carnegies Asia Program and an expert on Korean and Northeast Asian security.

However, he noted South Koreans are increasingly repulsed by Chinas extreme nationalism and its imposition of the national security law on Hong Kong. Three-quarters of South Koreans have a negative view of China, compared to less than a third back in 2002, he added.

As of May 3, data shows President Moon Jae-ins approval rating hit a record low of 33 percent since he took office in 2017, according to the Seoul-based Korean Times.

Caden Pearson contributed to this report.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 00:11:01|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi addresses a session on China at the Munich Security Conference via video link in Beijing, capital of China, on May 25, 2021. Wang elaborated on China's development, China's relations with the world, and China-EU cooperation. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

BEIJING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday addressed a session on China at the Munich Security Conference via video link. Wang elaborated on China's development, China's relations with the world, and China-EU cooperation.

Wang pointed out that China is a trustworthy partner of all countries, not an institutional rival that confronts others. "We will stick to the system and development path we have chosen, fully respect the independent choices of other countries, and will not engage in exporting its system," he said.

Wang said China stands ready to practice true multilateralism with European countries and the world and safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core.

"We are willing to maintain and expand comprehensive cooperation with Europe based on the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit, and win-win results," Wang said. He added that China has always viewed China-EU relations from a strategic perspective, believed that cooperation is the general direction and keynote of bilateral relations, and regarded Europe as a partner rather than an opponent.

He noted that China will, as always, firmly support the European integration process, support the EU's unity and self-reliance, and support the EU to play a greater role in the international community.

The two sides should prevent the political virus from undermining their unity and lay a solid public opinion and social foundation for the stability and long-term development of China-EU relations, Wang said. Enditem
Supreme Court to Consider Case Alleging Harvard Anti-Asian Bias in Admissions

The U.S. Supreme Court will soon decide whether to take up a discrimination case brought against Harvard University over the Ivy League schools race-conscious admission policy.

The case, Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, has been scheduled for discussion on June 10. If four or more justices vote to revisit the issue, then arguments will likely be heard in the fall.

The case was first raised in 2014 by advocacy group Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), on behalf of a coalition of students who claimed to have been rejected from Harvard because of their Asian ancestrya violation of Title VI, the federal law prohibiting racial discrimination in education programs that receive federal funding.

In February, three months after the First Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Harvard and upheld the universitys race-conscious admission practices, the SFFA filed a petition (pdf) to the Supreme Court, seeking to reignite the seven-year-long legal battle.

Harvards mistreatment of Asian-American applicants is appalling, the SFFAs court filing reads. Harvard penalizes them because, according to its admissions office, they lack leadership and confidence and are less likable and kind. This is reason enough to grant review.

This case is the kind of important individual rights dispute that this Court has not hesitated to hear, it added. Review thus would be warranted if the defendant were any university subject to Title VI. But it isnt just any university. Its Harvard. Harvard has been at the center of the controversy over ethnic- and race-based admissions for nearly a century.

In response, Harvard on May 17 filed to the Supreme Court a Brief in Opposition (pdf) to the SFFAs request, arguing that the group failed to offer any valid reason to revisit the lower court ruling.

Having failed to make the case that Harvards admissions practices contravene the courts precedents governing the use of race in admissions, SFFA asks the court to overthrow them, Harvard argued. But SFFA offers no legitimate justification for such an extraordinary step.

The university also accused the SFFA of trying to undermine its efforts to make its student population racially diverse, saying that a race-neutral admission policy would hurt the already underrepresented black and Hispanic students.

If Harvard were to abandon race-conscious admissions, African-American and Hispanic representation would decline by nearly half, the court filing reads. Such declines would seriously undermine Harvards educational goals, and even SFFAs expert agreed such declines would be unacceptable.

In a May 25 editorial, The Wall Street Journal urged the Court to hear the case, describing it as an opportunity to help prevent the virus of racial separatism from spreading ever more deeply into American life.

In America today the principle that drove the civil rights movementequality for allis fast giving way to the view that race must be a dominant factor in every decision from college admission to eligibility for federal farm programs to the make up of corporate boards to who get priority for a COVID vaccine, the editors wrote.

The paper acknowledged that its possible the court will try not to take the case, having already taken on the white-hot issues of abortion and guns.

The Journal also noted that the 14th Amendment guarantees equal protection of the law, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act makes discrimination by race illegal.

What the plaintiffs ask is for the Court to affirm, at long last, that these words mean what they say.
Sweeping Bill to Counter China Introduced in US House

WASHINGTONU.S. efforts to address competition with China progressed on Tuesday when the chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee introduced sweeping legislation to boost economic competitiveness and push Beijing on human rights.

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) introduced the Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement Act, or EAGLE Act, as the U.S. Senate separately heads toward a vote on its own legislative package seeking to counter China.

The desire for a hard line in dealings with China is one of the few truly bipartisan sentiments in the deeply divided U.S. Congress, which is narrowly controlled by President Joe Bidens fellow Democrats.

The Biden administration supports efforts to counter China, with officials repeatedly listing competition with Beijing among their greatest strategic challenges.

The 470-page bill introduced by Meeks addresses a range of issues, including increased investment to promote U.S. manufacturing, trade, work with allies and partners, re-engagement in international organizations, and recognition of the treatment of Chinas Uyghur Muslim minority as genocide.

The United States must coordinate closely with allies and partners to compete effectively with (China), including to encourage allies and partners to assume, as appropriate, greater roles in balancing and checking aggressive (Chinese) behavior, the legislation said.

A committee aide said Meeks intends to work with committee Republicans on the legislation, in the hope of committee passage as soon as next month. The measure would then be combined with legislation being considered by other House committees, and eventually combined with the Senate bill.

The House bill includes provisions to increase U.S. support for Taiwan and pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. And it mandates a review to assess Chinese companies listing on U.S. financial markets, including whether they have contributed to human rights violations.

By Patricia Zengerle and Michael Martina
Taking You There: The Glory of Albert Bierstadt: Among the Sierra Nevada, California

Have you ever had a painting show up at different times in your life when you needed it most?

At Penn State in 1967, in the auditorium for Professor Jim Lords art history survey class, a large screen spanned the width of the stage. He would flash up slides from different artistic erassome older, then more modern pieces. Some of the abstract art with splotched canvases were forgettable.

One day he put up a painting by Albert Bierstadt. It remained on the screen longer than the others, giving 500 students a chance to drink it in. It was the most lifelike and immediately fulfilling piece of art I had ever seen. After a few more moments, Mr. Lord said that it was quite massive, so its presentation on his big screen did it justice. It made me feel something I had not known was within me. It reached into my soul and took me there, to the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California.

Taking You There

Some 60 years after Lewis and Clarks expedition reached the Pacific Ocean, Albert Bierstadt found himself among those wild western mountains and he was enthralled. He created a scene to capture the loveliest aspects of nature. He found just the right pieces, and with his extraordinary imagination, fit them together perfectly. The greatest impact is on the fortunate who stand right before it. With his detailed brushstrokes, he gave life to every facet of the painting.

The massive canvas could have been divided into separate, smaller paintings, each with its own story. Yet these images blend together and are overpowering: white-capped mountain peaks, descending snowfields, swirling clouds, craggy cliffs with cascading waterfalls, mist moving over a high mountain lake, droplets sprinkling down giving a glimmer to its surface, the coolness of the wind winding through the valley floor, and then a dozen ducks and deer posed serenely at the waters edge, sheltered by centuries-old trees.

The eyes cannot move fast enough, or slowly enough, to take in the majestic slopes and scintillating sky in a single viewing. The lakes reflection only enhances the splendor from above. Your head swivels left and right. You stand farther back and then move up close to where you can breathe in the forest air, hear its sounds, and revel in this place, declaring the timelessness and the glory and grandeur of nature.

Following the Painting

From a working-class neighborhood in Philadelphia, I had never been west of the Mississippi, and hardly west of the Susquehanna. I added a line to my lifes to-do list. Someday, I would walk the path to that lake and look up at those mountains.

In 1971, I was in training in the FBI before there was an FBI Academy at Quantico, Virginia. Classes were held in the Old Post Office in Washington, D.C. Arduous studies and masses of new information kept 30 fit and healthy trainees under the gun. On lunch breaks, my classmates strolled the nearby streets of the nations capital, but I had something else in mind.

The painting I so wanted to see was at the Smithsonians Portrait Gallery several blocks away. On our second day of classes, I found my feet beating a path to that building. I took the broad marble steps two at a time to an alcove, where on the right, were the Sierra Nevadas in all their glory.

If you have a painting that curators know is worth more than a few moments of your time, they place a bench nearby for you to sit and ponder. Over several weeks, I nearly carved out a spot there.

Midway through the last month of training, we received orders for our first office assignments. I was gleeful when mine was Los Angeles. In a month I was there, and for all of 1972, fighting crime, working undercover as a Black Panther, helping solve the second airplane hijackinglearning the trade I would ply for nearly three decades.

A good friend from my days at Villanova Law coincidentally moved to the same city. In the summer, we took a week off and drove norththe destination, his cousins in Seattle. But we would pass close enough to the Sierra Nevadas to veer off to the east. In my brand-new Datsun 240 Z, I felt I was driving to hallowed ground.

For most fine landscape artists, there is no single place to stand and paint. Rather, they will pick the best location they can find, with towering peaks, high waterfalls, lakes, denizens of the forest in tranquil terrain, and synthesize it all into a memorable image.

Steering on serpentine roads with views to valleys and vistas at higher elevations gave all the perspective needed for a beating heart to revel in. I could imagine Bierstadt standing before a glistening lake composing his magnum opus. The aromas of the forest, chirping birds, water lapping at the shoreline, a gentle breeze through the treesand all of it melodic, like notes of music. Later, the artist would play them out as he orchestrated his visual symphony in a studio far away. He captured the power of the panorama, the nuances of nature, and the wonders of the wilderness.

The Painting Helps the FBI

From the mid-1970s through the 1980s, I was assigned to the Washington Field Office as a Cold Warrior with foreign counterintelligence expertise. On a special squad with the goal of recruiting Soviet intelligence officers, my undercover role required me to meet a second secretary attache from the Soviet Embassy. This was his own undercover position, because he was actually a captain in the KGB.

A complex scam put me in his path so he would report that it was he who had found me, as opposed to his being the target of the FBI. For months I met with my new friend, Vladimir, every other Tuesday for drinks after work at Chadwicks in Old Towne Alexandria, Virginia. Gaining personal stories for personality analysis was the focus for profiling our subjects. I had formulated three questions to assess our targets: What makes him laugh? What makes him cry? And does he love his wife? The answers were crucial, and the last one was the most difficult to learn. If a Russian chose to defect, would he bring his loving wife with him to start a new life, or would defection be his excuse to leave her behind?

After a few months, it was time for me to revisit Mr. Bierstadts greatest achievement. But, oh no, the painting was gone! In my place of rejuvenation from grueling hours and job pressure was an empty alcove. A sign said it was on loan to another museum.

It was in Paris for three months as part of an exhibition, A New World: Masterpieces of American Painting, 17601910. But it was coming back to Washington and to the Corcoran Gallery of Art, right across from the White House.

I consulted my squadmates about my plan to invite Vlad and his wife, Galena, to the exhibition with my wife and me. We could have dinner and make an evening of it.

Naysayers around the conference table asked what could be gained. Wasnt only Vlad the target? Who cared about his wife? Besides, they said, he would turn down the invitation. Russians dont do American art, and I was barking up the wrong tree. My view was different.

I went to the exhibition the day it opened and learned about the pieces on display. I bought the large coffee-table book with all the color images. Studying it was my homework so I could be a docent for my Russian couple. While much of the art had been ribboned off to keep the patrons back, Among the Sierra Nevada, California not only had no ribbon but there was also a two-step stool right in front so visitors could get up close.

For Tuesdays after-work drinks, I brought my highest level of enthusiasm and invited Vlad and his wife to the exhibition. I said the Soviets see too little of America with their restrictions on travel. Besides, I wanted our wives to meet.

What could he say? We set it up for the next Tuesday.

We started with dinner at Chadwicks, and then drove across the 14th Street Bridge to the Corcoran. Evenings brought a higher class of clientele, with suits and ties and well-dressed ladies. We strolled the gallery, and I told Vlad the history of several pieces. He translated for Galena. She had a halting knowledge of English, but was getting along well with my wife.

Then came the turn to the broad gallery with Albert Bierstadts masterpiece at the far end. We admired Asher B. Durands Kindred Spirits, and a cowboy scene by Frederic Remington. Russians, Vlad told me, had heard all about the Wild West. Then Galena looked down the long carpet and saw the object of my own affection.

She kept her eyes fixed on it, starting a slow walk toward it from 30 feet away. I tugged on Vlads sleeve and my wife followed.

Within a few feet of the painting, she stopped. She looked up to the left, then the right, and then around to all four corners. Her eyes slowly covered the full acreage of the 6-by-10-foot painting, seeming even larger in its ornate frame. Her breath was taken away.

She moved to the stool with no hesitation and took a step up. Her nose was inches from the canvas. She raised a foot to the top of the stool. Her head was abuzz with the enormity of it all.

Careful not to lose her balance on the small perch, Galena did a slow turn so her back was to the painting. She didnt focus on the long gallery in front of her, although by now 50 people were staring at this short woman, completely captivated by a work of art.

She arched her back and lifted her chin until her eyes were looking above and behind her, upside down, at the towering mountains and radiant sky of the painting. She raised her arms from her sides, palms up, as a pastor leading his flock to sing a hymn on Sunday morning.

Vladimir was as embarrassed as a Russian diplomat could be, but his love for his wife compelled him not to interrupt her moment.

Galena spoke words that others might have thought were too audacious to proclaim out loud. Head back, arms still up, she announced: I feel it. I want to be there. I am there!

It was such a shocking display of genuineness. A ripple of light laughter, and then applause ran through the crowd. Everyones eyes were on little Galena, a woman in rapture.

The moment was over and I helped her down. A flustered Vlad, his face drained, but resigned to what had happened, said, You must forgive my wife. Sometimes she talks outside of herself.

He put his arms around her, as if to shield her, but also to comfort her as they slowly walked away, her eyes still glazed over.

One must understand the Soviet Union, where all large pieces of art were dedicated to The Workers Paradise and Heroes of the Revolution, anything to promote the Communist Party. They would have no grand display of nature to revel in. Plus, their internal controls would never have allowed Galenas outburst, which Vlad knew well. What he didnt know was the ultimate assessment of my intelligence target from this outinghe loved his wife dearly. With her feelings on her sleeve, and her husbands reaction, it was more than I could hope to have learned.

Wayne A. Barnes was an FBI agent for 29 years working counterintelligence. He had many undercover assignments, including as a member of the Black Panthers. His first spy stories were from debriefing Soviet KGB defectors. He now investigates privately in South Florida.
Tennessee Governor Signs Law Banning Critical Race Theory in Public Schools

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill into law on Monday prohibiting public schools from teaching critical race theory in the Volunteer State.

Lee didnt make any comments when signing the bill, but when the General Assembly passed it earlier this month, he said schools should teach the exceptionalism of our nation, not things that inherently divide people.

The bill, SB 623 (pdf), doesnt mention critical race theory by name but prohibits 14 related concepts from being included in curriculums or instructional materials.

Among the 14 tenets are: that an individual, by virtue of the individuals race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex; that the state or the United States is fundamentally or irredeemably racist or sexist; and that the rule of law does not exist, but instead is a series of power relationships and struggles among racial or other groups.

The bill further requires that the commissioner of education withhold state fundsin an amount determined by the commissionerfrom a public school that knowingly violated the law.

However, the bill states that it doesnt prohibit an impartial discussion of controversial aspects of history or impartial instruction on the historical oppression of a particular group of people based on race or ethnicity.

The law will take effect on July 1.

Democrat lawmakers voted unanimously against the measure and called for a veto, while numerous others also opposed the bill, including the Memphis City Council and Shelby County Commission, Commercial Appeal reported.

We are very troubled by Governor Lees censorship of discussions of race in the classroom, Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Tennessee, said in a statement. While the governor may seek to whitewash history by signing this bill, we will not only remember the painful legacy our state is built on but his lack of leadership today.

Republicans across the nation are trying to prevent the teaching of critical race theory in classrooms.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed similar laws on April 28 and May 7, banning the teaching of critical race theory in public schools statewide. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson allowed a bill to become law without his signature on May 3, preventing government agencies from training employees on critical race theory.

South Dakotas Republican Gov. Kristi Noem took aim at both the 1619 Project and critical race theory, opposing their incorporation into school curriculums. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in an interview last week, said its offensive to taxpayers that they would be asked to fund teaching kids to hate their country and to hate each other.

Tom Ozimek and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Last Days of Stonewall Jackson

May is a beautiful month, but in Civil War history, it is also a sad one. The South lost both Thomas Stonewall Jackson and General J.E.B. Stuart in May, one year apart (1863 and 1864).

If you venture off I-95 near Fredericksburg, you can visit the site that was, until recently, called the Stonewall Jackson Shrine. Due to the changing times, the name has now officially been changed to The Stonewall Jackson Death Site.

The Stonewall Jackson Shrine at the plantation outbuilding where Jackson died, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. (NPS)

Fairfield Frozen in Time

After being wounded by friendly fire while scouting the battlefield near Chancellorsville at night on May 2, 1863, General Jackson was taken to a field hospital where his badly injured left arm was amputated.

Confederate army commander Robert E. Lee selected Guinea Station as the best location for Jackson to be taken following the surgery, most likely because of its proximity to the railroad to Richmond where he could then be transported to a hospital. Lee is famously quoted as saying, He has lost his left arm; but I have lost my right arm.

General Jackson ended up in a plantation office building on Thomas C. Chandlers 740-acre plantation named Fairfield. Although offered the use of the Chandler house, Jacksons doctor and staff officers chose a quiet and private outbuilding as the best place for Jackson to rest.

The Chancellorsville Battlefield, where Jackson was wounded by friendly fire, at the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. (NPS)

The Chandlers prepared the room using the same bed frame and one of the same blankets that are still on exhibit today. They also added the clock on the mantel with the hope that it would make the room look more homelike and less like an outbuilding.

Despite his condition and the grueling 27-mile ambulance ride, Jackson remembered his manners upon arrival to the property by apologizing to Mr. Chandler for being unable to shake hands with his host.

His Wife Arrives

On May 7, Mrs. Jackson and baby daughter Julia arrived at Guinea Station and found lodging in the Chandler home. Earlier that month, the Jacksons had spent a nine-day reunion together that had been interrupted by the renewal of fighting that called the general away.

Amazingly, that reunion was the first time General Jackson had seen his wife in a year, and the first time he met his five-month-old daughter. Mrs. Jackson wrote of that visit:

It was raining and he was afraid to take her in his arms with his wet overcoat, but upon arrival at the house, he speedily divested himself of his overcoat, and, taking his baby in his arms, he caressed her with the tenderest affection, and held her long and lovingly. During the whole of this short visit when he was with us, he rarely had her out of his arms, waking her, and amusing her in every way that he could think ofsometimes holding her up before a mirror and saying, admiringly, Now, Miss Jackson, look at yourself. Then he would turn to an old lady of the family and say, Isnt she a little gem? When she slept in the day, he would often kneel over her cradle, and gaze upon her little face with the most rapt admiration, and he said he felt almost as if she were an angel in her innocence and purity.

This second reunion wasnt nearly as pleasant. Mrs. Jackson spent most of her time at her husbands bedside in the office, which lifted the spirits of the general. His surgeon Dr. Hunter McGuire recorded the incidents that transpired:

The Generals joy at the presence of his wife and child was very great, and for him unusually demonstrative. Noticing the sadness of his wife, he said to her tenderly: I know you would gladly give your life for me, but I am perfectly resigned. Do not be sad. I hope I may yet recover. Pray for me, but always remember in your prayers to use the petition, Thy will be done.

A portrait of Gen. Jackson, taken on a Spotsylvania County, Va., farm on April 26, 1863, seven days before his mortal wounding at the Battle of Chancellorsville. (Public domain)

While Jackson was making progress in his recovery from his battle wounds, he took a turn for the worse after contracting pneumonia. Despite the efforts of specialists, nothing seemed to help him improve.

In recording the details of Jacksons wound and treatment, McGuire wrote: When his child was brought to him to-day he played with it for some time, frequently caressing it and calling it his little comforter. At one time he raised his wounded hand above his head and closing his eyes, was for some moments silently engaged in prayer. He said to me: I see from the number of physicians that you think my condition dangerous, but I thank God, if it is His will, that I am ready to go.

About daylight on Sunday morning, Mrs. Jackson informed him that his recovery was very doubtful, and that it was better that he should be prepared. Jackson was reportedly silent for a moment, and then said: It will be infinite gain to be translated to Heaven.

McGuire then reports in his journal: His exhaustion increased so rapidly that at 11 oclock Mrs. Jackson knelt by his bed and told him that before the sun went down he would be with his Savior. He replied: Oh, no; you are frightened, my child; death is not so near; I may yet get well.

Those words caused Mrs. Jackson to lean over upon the bed, weeping bitterly, telling him again that the physicians said there was no hope. After pausing, he called for Dr. McGuire, and said, Doctor, Anna informs me that you have told her that I am to die today; is it so? After hearing the answer, he turned his eyes toward the ceiling and gazed for a moment or two as if in intense thought, then replied, Very good, very good, it is all right. He then tried to comfort his almost-heartbroken wife and told her that he had a great deal to say to her, but he was too weak.

Jacksons Assistant Adjutant General Sandie Pendleton was so busy with the affairs of the command that he didnt have time to visit the general until May 10. When he entered the room around 1 oclock, Jackson asked him who had preached at headquarters. Pendleton replied that the whole army was praying for him, and Jackson responded: Thank God, they are very kind. It is the Lords Day; my wish is fulfilled. I have always desired to die on Sunday.

The relationship between Pendleton and Jackson had always been a close one, with Jackson loving him like a son. Sandie was so affected by the conversation that he went to the porch and wept. He later told Mrs. Jackson, God knows I would have died for him.

The Last Moments

Jackson died later that day, at 3:15 p.m. with Dr. McGuire carefully noting his last words:

A few moments before he died he cried out in his delirium, Order A.P. Hill to prepare for action! Pass the infantry to the front rapidly! Tell Major Hawks  then stopped, leaving the sentence unfinished. Presently a smile of ineffable sweetness spread itself over his pale face, and he said quietly, and with an expression, as if of relief, Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.

The Clock

When the building is open to the public, visitors can stand in the room where Jackson died, see his bed, and hear the ticking of the same clock that he heard the last moments of his life. It is the clock that Dr. McGuire used to record the time of his death: 3:15 p.m. on May 10.

The clock in the room where Stonewall Jackson passed away. (NPS)

Stonewall Jacksons deathbed. (NPS)

The clock, blanket, and bed are said to have been saved thanks to a 12-year-old girl named Lucy Chandler, the daughter of the plantations owner. When Jackson passed away, Lucy was distraught. She told her mother that she wanted to trade places with Jackson because only her parents would be upset if she died, but the whole South would be upset if Jackson died.

When she became older, Lucy tucked away the clock, blankets, and some relics and kept a diagram of what the room looked like when Jackson passed away. The room and the building are set up with the help of that diagram.

Its said that Lucy also placed four Confederate flags on the posts of the bed, and that is how the site became known as a shrine. That part of the historical record is hard to substantiate and is likely lost forever.

The South Weeps

By the time the train carrying General Jacksons remains entered the outskirts of Richmond, an immense crowd had gathered, the largest in the history of the city. The train slowed to a crawl, then proceeded ahead for two miles to the station, surrounded by thousands of bareheaded men and weeping women. Church bells tolled and guns split the air. All businesses in the city were closed, and black crepe hung everywhere.

The entire South was in mourning.

Jackson was then taken to Lexington, Virginia, where he is buried.

If You Go

The Stonewall Jackson Shrine can be reached from I-95 by taking Exit 118 (Highway 606) and driving east on 606 for about four miles.

During your visit, you may hear a CSX Transportation train rumble past the site on the old Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac line.

As a side note, Jacksons arm is buried at a nearby plantation and is marked with a headstone.

An Earlier Love Letter to His Wife

One probably doesnt think of General Stonewall Jackson as a hopeless romantic, but here is a letter he wrote to his wife on Sept. 25, 1862.

Darling, my heart turns to you with a love so great that pain flows in its wake. You cannot understand this, my beautiful, bright-eyed, sunny-hearted princess. Your face is the sweetest face in all the world, mirroring, as it does, all that is pure and unselfish, and I must not cast a shadow over it by the fears that come to me, in spite of myself. No, a soldier should not know fear of any kind. I must fight and plan and hope, and you must pray. Pray for a realization of all our beautiful dreams, sitting beside our own hearthstone in our own homeyou and I, you my goddess of devotion, and I your devoted slave. May God in his mercy spare my life and make it worthy of you!

Your soldier

Jessica James is an award-winning author of historical fiction, womens fiction, and suspense/thrillers, whose passions include history and travel. When not writing books, she enjoys wandering the backroads of America and blogging about our nations almost-forgotten past at PastLaneTravels.com.
The Office Actor Mark York Dies at 55

By Brandon Sapienza

From New York Daily News

Mark York, who was best known for his role as Billy Merchant in seasons one and two of The Office, has died following an illness, according to TMZ. He was 55.

York died last week at Miami Valley Hospital in Ohio. The cause of death has not been confirmed.

The Ohio-born actor headed to California where he found himself playing small TV roles on popular shows such as CSI: New York and Fighting Words. However, his most famous work came on the hit show The Office.

Since 1988, Merchant has used a wheelchair as he was a paraplegic. He did not act for many years and had been working as an inventor, acquiring two patents for his inventions.

York is survived by his parents, and brother.

2021 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Chairman Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) gives opening remarks at the confirmation hearing for Secretary of Defense nominee retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin before the Senate Armed Services Committee at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 19, 2021. (Greg Nash-Pool/Getty Images)

Troops Should Be Encouraged to Speak Out Against Marxism: Top Armed Services Senator

A top GOP senator on the Armed Forces Committee said that members of the U.S. military should speak out about the spread of Marxism, coming in response to reports of a Space Force commander being relieved of his post earlier this month.

Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), the ranking member on the Senate panel, said he is concerned after Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier was relieved by the Space Force. Lohmeier had self-published a book that went into details about the spread of Marxism and the quasi-Marxist Critical Race Theory being utilized in training in the military. Lohmeier told a podcast that is worried that Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is pushing an agenda rooted in critical race theory that promotes diversity, inclusion, and equity, which that will divide us.

Based on the information the committee has received so far and whats been reported in the press, I am concerned. Members of our military should not only be able to speak out against Marxism, but they should be encouraged to do soas long as they follow the rules and laws already in place, Inhofe said in a statement over the past weekend.

He added that Marxism goes against everything this country stands for, and it belongs, as Ronald Reagan said famously, on the ash-heap of history, according to the statement.

Critical Race Theory, which is derived from critical theorya Marxist approach to social philosophyclaims that the United States is a fundamentally racist country, with a continuing power struggle between oppressors and oppressed based on skin color or gender.

Capt. Matthew Lohmeier, 460th Operations Group Block 10 chief of training, stands in the Standardized Space Trainer on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., on July 22, 2015. (Darren Scott/U.S. Air Force)

A spokesperson for the Space Force told news outlets earlier this month that Lohmeier was relieved over public comments made by Lt. Col. Lohmeier in a recent podcast.

Lt. Gen. Whiting has initiated a Command Directed Investigation on whether these comments constituted prohibited partisan political activity, the spokesperson said, without elaborating on whether or not it was because he criticized Marxism or Critical Race Theory.

Inhofe said that he has many questions on how the Department of Defense handled Lohmeiers case, noting that the U.S. Air Force Inspector Generals office is investigating the matter.

As we await the results of the Inspector General investigation, I will continue looking into ways we can protect service members of all ideologies to ensure they have the freedom of speech and thought they are afforded as citizens of this country, including through the NDAA, he said, referring to the National Defense Authorization Act.

Meanwhile, some Republican lawmakers have said that the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)which generally receives significant bipartisan supportshould not be funded until Critical Race Theory is jettisoned from the militarys training.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) suggested that Republicans may have to hold up NDAA spending to ban training that involves Critical Race Theory within the military.
University of Central Florida Launches Graduate Degree Program in Social Justice

The University of Central Florida (UCF) is offering a certificate program for graduate students who wish to specialize in social justice.

Students can now receive a graduate certificate in Social Justice in Public Service via the UCF School of Public Administration. The program, according to the universitys website, seeks to develop leaders who can influence policy to create social justice.

Students will obtain a theoretical background in social justice, exploring topics such as human rights, income distribution, and the role of markets, according to the programs description. They will also understand factors that contribute to inequity among various groups, with a focus on providing a theoretical background and methods to analyze social justice issues in public service.

They will understand principles of social justice as they apply to government and nonprofit sector in education, health, transportation, and housing policy domains among others, the website reads.

Besides two required courses, Foundations of Social Justice for Public Service and Policy Advocacy for Social Justice, the program allows students to select a variety of courses, including Equitable Educational Opportunity and Life Chances, Environmental Security, Women and Public Policy, Social Inequalities in Health, and others.

When it comes to employment opportunities, the UCF says students with the social justice certificate will be ready for jobs like city council member, government affair researcher, political consultant, legislator, and other public policy making or researching positions.

In a Wednesday interview on Fox News, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said hes no fan of UCFs social justice certificate program, dismissing it as cultural Marxism and another way to tear apart capitalism and the American way of life.

We have to understand what were saying here. We call it wokeness, social justice, whatever it may be. Look, its a theory that says the following: the world is divided up between oppressors and the oppressed, and thats the story of America in their mind, the senator told the host. Our system of economics, our government, our laws, our educational system, traditional marriage, religion, is all designed to benefit the oppressor at the expense of the oppressed.

And so, the answer is that the whole system has to be torn down, including capitalism, and replaced with something else. Thats what they call social justice, Rubio said.

He then questioned why Florida taxpayers and the rest of the United States should be subsidizing teaching our young students how to hate America, how to hate everything about our history, how to divide and hate one another, and how our identity is not American but the color of our skin.

Why we should be spending taxpayer money to teach these things that are destructive, not to mention untrue, is beyond me, he continued. I dont understand why thats happening and I hope its corrected.
Laboratory technicians speak while working on samples to be tested for COVID-19 at a BGI laboratory in Wuhan, China, on Feb. 6, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

US Calls for New Probe Into CCP Virus Origins Amid Mounting Attention on Lab Leak Theory

The United States on May 25 urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to start a new investigation into the source of the CCP virus, amid growing calls to investigate whether the pandemic may have stemmed from a laboratory accident.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, in remarks to the virtual 74th World Health Assembly, called for the WHO to launch a transparent second phase to the investigation.

Phase 2 of the COVID origins study must be launched with terms of reference that are transparent, science-based, and give international experts the independence to fully assess the source of the virus and the early days of the outbreak, he said.

Xavier Becerra at a Senate Finance Committee nomination hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Feb. 24, 2021. (Greg Nash/Pool via Reuters)

Becerra didnt mention China or Wuhan directly, where the first-known human cases of COVID-19 emerged in December 2019.

The comments come after The Wall Street Journal reported on May 23 that three researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology were hospitalized in November 2019 with symptoms consistent with seasonal flu and COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. The newspaper cited unnamed U.S. government sources familiar with a previously undisclosed U.S. intelligence report.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki, when asked about the matter on May 24, said that the Biden administration has repeatedly called for the WHO to support an expert-driven evaluation of the pandemics origins that is free from interference or politicization.

Now, there were phase one results that came through. We were notduring that first phase of the investigation, there was not access to data, there was not information provided. And now, were hopeful that WHO can move into a more transparent, independent phase two investigation, Psaki said.

On May 25, she told reporters: We need access to the information that the Chinese government has in order to make a determination through the international bodies that would do this investigation. And thats something weve called for many, many times. And weve pressed, with our international partners for the WHO to support an expert-driven evaluation of the pandemics origins. We would certainly participate in that with all of our researchresources from the United States.

But given it was an international pandemic  were going to do that in coordination with our international partners, continue to press the Chinese to release that data and information and play a constructive role in the second phase of the investigation.

The WHO said in a report in March that the possibility that the CCP virus may have escaped a laboratory was an extremely unlikely pathway. The report, written jointly with Chinese scientists, also said that the CCP virus likely spread via an animal.

The report was a culmination of the U.N. agencys joint investigation with Chinese scientists into the origins of the CCP virus in January and February of this year. Critics have said that the WHO investigation may lack transparency and wasnt independent of the Chinese communist regime, which played a significant role in the CCP virus origins probe.

In May, there have been multiple calls to further investigate the origins of the CCP virus, including from international scientists, the UK government, and U.S. House GOP leaders, with an emphasis on investigating the laboratory leak theory.

The United States, the European Union, and more than a dozen other nations have also previously raised concerns about the WHO study, pointing to the reports significant delay and Chinas refusal to share crucial raw data.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, infectious disease expert and head of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in early May that hes not convinced that the CCP virus pandemic came about naturally and that the possibility certainly exists that it may have been a result of a laboratory accident.

Scott Gottlieb, former head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), told CNBC on May 24 that growing circumstantial evidence may indicate a possible laboratory origin, pointing to reports of the researchers at the Wuhan lab having fallen ill in November 2019.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a Senate hearing last week that it certainly was one possibility that the CCP virus pandemic may have been a result of a lab incident. But she added that most coronaviruses generally come from an animal origin.

A WHO spokesman, Tarik Jasarevic, asking about a follow-up mission, told Reuters on May 24 that the agency was reviewing the recommendations from the WHO report at the technical level.

The technical teams will prepare a proposal for the next studies that will need to be carried out, and will present that to the director-general for his consideration, he said, referring to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Jasarevic, noting Tedross remarks on March 30, said that further studies would be needed in a range of areas, including on the early detection of cases and clusters, the potential roles of animal markets, transmission via the food chain, and the laboratory incident hypothesis.

Eva Fu and Reuters contributed to this report.
A man asks for his photo to be taken while Maryland National Guard Specialist James Truong gives a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in Wheaton, Md., on May 21, 2021. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

US Hits COVID-19 Vaccine Milestone: 50 Percent of Adults Fully Vaccinated

The United States this week hit a major milestone in efforts to administer COVID-19 vaccines to the population.

Approximately 50 percent of adults 18 or older as of May 26 have been fully vaccinated against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19, according to federal data.

This is a major milestone in our countrys vaccination efforts, acting COVID-19 administrator Andy Slavitt told a virtual briefing.

Just 1 percent of Americans were fully vaccinated when President Joe Biden took office on Jan. 20.

U.S. regulators granted emergency use authorization to two COVID-19 vaccines the month prior. Both vaccines require two doses. Fully vaccinated refers to people who get both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or the single-shot Johnson & Johnson jab, which was authorized in March.

Half of U.S. states and Washington D.C. have fully vaccinated 50 percent or more of their adult population, with 9 states seeing 70 percent of more adult residents being fully vaccinated.

I really do want to applaud all of the good work and applaud all the people in those states, Slavitt said, praising people who have gotten a vaccine and connecting the figures with the drop in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths seen across the nation in recent months.

Another nearly 11 percent of U.S. adults have gotten at least one vaccine dose, putting them within several weeks of being fully vaccinated.

One of the most vulnerable populations, those 65 years old or older, are a big portion of the fully vaccinated. Almost three-quarters of that population is fully vaccinated, according to federal data.

The rising number of fully vaccinated means that some states are approaching the threshold of herd immunity, which also includes those who previously had COVID-19 and recovered, Dr. David Boulware, a professor of medicine at the University of Minnesotas Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, told The Epoch Times via email.

In those states, widespread community transmission has effectively stopped, and one is left with localized focal outbreaks, he said. But based on the dichotomy in vaccination rates across states activity will likely still occur for some time.

Many experts have bemoaned people who refuse to get a vaccine, trying to devise methods to convince them to change their minds, such as introducing lottery schemes and other incentives.

Dr. William Schaffner, professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, said the 50 percent milestone is a stupendous achievement.

But wheres the other 50 percent? How come those other adults havent come forward and rolled up their sleeves and been vaccinated? he said during an appearance on MSNBC.

The challenge now is finding ways to be even more persuasive to reach the unvaccinated, he added.

One major point of contention is whether people who have gotten sick and recovered still need a vaccine. Some, including Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a doctor, say they do not because they now have natural immunity.

Others are choosing not to get vaccinated because theyre in a population that is at little risk of getting severely ill or dying from COVID-19 or because of concerns about the safety of the vaccines.

Severe allergic reactions, blood clots, and heart inflammation are among the serious adverse side effects experienced in people who have gotten a vaccine. Federal authorities are investigating reports of post-vaccination health inflammation and determined instances of anaphylaxis and thrombosis in conjunction with low platelet levels are rare.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration say clinical trial data and other information shows the vaccines are safe and effective and continue recommending their use.

The vaccines were largely developed under former President Donald Trumps administration, which poured funds into development efforts. Trump touted the investment during an interview with Newsmax this week.

That was a great bet that saved possibly tens of millions of lives worldwide, he said.

Esperanza Guevara, 31, receives a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 25, 2021. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)

The next front will be a push to vaccinate more children.

U.S. regulators on May 10 expanded the emergency use authorization for Pfizers vaccine, enabling children between 12 and 15 to get the shot.

Though most children with COVID-19 have mild or no symptoms, some children can get severely ill and require hospitalization. There have also been rare, tragic cases of children dying from COVID-19 and its effects, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, head of the CDC, said in a statement.

Nearly 93,000 kids between 12 and 15 have since been fully vaccinated.

Pfizers shot was already authorized for youth as young as 16.

Moderna has said it will ask regulators to authorize its shot for children.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 00:25:17|Editor: huaxia

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Photo provided by Sinotrans Ltd. shows a freight train departing from Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, which is bound for Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital, on May 25, 2021. (Xinhua)

GUANGZHOU, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area launched its first freight-train route to ASEAN countries on Tuesday.

A freight train loaded with goods worth about 94,400 U.S. dollars departed from Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, on Tuesday. The train will take about four days to reach its destination, the Vietnamese capital Hanoi.

Sinotrans Ltd., one of the route's operators, regards the international freight-train service as an important channel to ensure the smooth operation of the global supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020 alone, the company conducted 1,580 freight-train trips, carrying 157,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) of goods, with cargo volume up 23 percent, according to Sinotrans.

As the first freight route between the two regions, the new service is also expected to boost the high-quality development of countries and regions along the Belt and Road, the company said. 
A No. 75 Squadron F/A-18A Hornet, tail number A21-011, departs on a sortie out of RAAF Base Tindal, in the Northern Territory, during Exercise Black Dagger 21-1 on May 4, 2021 (CPL Nicci Freeman/ADF)

US Looks to Store Weapons in Northern Australia Amid China Threat

Acting U.S. ambassador to Australia, Mike Goldman, has told News Corps The Australian that the United States wants to put military weapons in the north of Australia to project force amid Beijings growing strategic threats.

Goldman said given U.S. bases, like in Guam, were within reach of Chinese missiles, it just makes sense to forward deploy U.S. war stock in Australia, and that it offered strategic advantages.

Hed also like to see Australia make precision-guided weapons onshore as part of a more innovative defence partnership between Australia and the United States.

A lot of that just makes perfect intuitive sense, particularly when we talk about how we are going to project force in any sort of contingency, he said in an interview that ranged from tensions with China over Taiwan to carbon emissions.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on March 17, 2021. Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison considers it a priority of the government to create a sovereign guided weapons capability, which was an idea first explored in the Department of Defences Force Structure Plan.

He has also backed a plan to spend $1 billion (US$780 million) to boost the creation of a Sovereign Guided Weapons Enterprise. On March 31, the Department of Defence announced it would select a strategic industry partner to operate the manufacturing capability of sovereign guided weapons on behalf of the government.

Creating our own sovereign capability on Australian soil is essential to keep Australians safe, while also providing thousands of local jobs in businesses right across the defence supply chain, Morrison said.

The new enterprise would support missile and guided weapons manufacturing for use across the Australian Defence Force.

We are in a new geostrategic context now that requires a different set of platforms and a different force posture, the U.S. ambassador said.

These things arent instantaneous but our militaries and strategic thinkers are engaged in discussions about how best to confront these new challengestogether. So I think we will see new, innovative ways that we are enhancing our partnership.

Goldman indicated that a bilateral force posture review working group had met for the first time in May to discuss a wide range of contingencies. The group was established following last years AUSMIN talks.

75SQN personnel launching A21-005 and A21-010 on a night training mission from RAAF Base Tindal on June 10, 2020. (LAC Brandon Murray/ADF)

The United States has already moved to strengthen its defence capability in northern Australia. In May 2020, the United States Naval Facilities Command Pacific awarded Australian company, Cockram, a contract worth more than $12.8 million (US$10 million) to build an earth-covered magazine (ECM) facility at RAAF Base Tindal, south-east of Darwin in the Northern Territory.

The project will construct two ECMs and a production area that will include a munitions assembly conveyor shelter to support Australian and U.S. military joint training activities, the Department of Defence said online.

The U.S. ambassador also indicated that current tensions with China over Taiwan would not shake the unbreakable ANZUS alliance, which will have its 70th anniversary in September. Goldman said the alliance was much stronger and more comprehensive than any one contingency.

We are not going to dictate countries self-interest here. Every country will have to make its own determination (on Taiwan), he said.

He reportedly noted the complexity of managing a difficult relationship with China as western countries like the United States sought to work with the communist regime on cutting carbon emissions.

This, he said, made it more challenging than the Cold War with Russia.
Waiting on a Knifes Edge as Line 5 Shutdown Order Challenged in Michigan Court

As Calgary-based Enbridge Inc. continues its legal battle with the state of Michigan over Line 5, a former Alberta oil executive says closure of the pipeline would choke one-fifth of Canadas crude oil exports and upend supply chains for diesel and gasoline production on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border.

They would do all kinds of things, shipping by rail, by truck and even ship to meet market need. But in my opinion there would be shortages for quite a bit of time, Richard Masson, an executive fellow at the University of Calgary and chair of World Petroleum Council Canada, said in an interview.

And we havent been able to build pipelines without delays and controversies for years, so theres no real way to replace Line 5. What we need is that pipeline to keep running.

While U.S. President Joe Bidens cancellation of Keystone XL hurt Canadas oilpatch, now the entire countrys energy security is vulnerable to the whims of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. In attempting to fulfill a campaign promise, Whitmer is being challenged in the U.S. federal court by Enbridge to keep its easement over Line 5 through the Straits of Mackinac.

Last year, Whitmer announced that the 67-year-old easement permit for Line 5 would expire on May 12, 2021. She wants the pipeline shut down because of concerns about a potential spill in the Straits, which connects Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.

We dont have a bunch of spare pipelines sitting around, and shutting down Line 5 shuts down 20 percent of our ability to get crude to market, which would be a big impact for Alberta producers, Masson said.

But it would be a bigger impact for consumers because its 50 percent of the refined products that come in through the Ontario market. So closing this down would be a big deal.

Enbridge has held permits since January to replace the portion traversing the bottom of the Mackinac Straits by burying the pipe in the lakebed.

The 1,038-kilometre line from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Ontario, ships 540,000 barrels per day of crude and other petroleum products, including liquid natural gas to produce propane.

Enbridge says Line 5, which was built in 1953, has never leaked into the Straits of Mackinac. In July 2020, the company placed into service a new section of the Line 5 pipeline, replacing a segment that previously lay on the river bed with a new segment buried far below the St. Clair River, running between Sarnia, Ont., and Marysville, Michigan. Its proposing a similar project for Mackinac.

Enbridge said in a statement just ahead of the May 12 deadline that it wont stop operating the pipeline unless we are ordered by a court or our regulator, which we view as highly unlikely.

Former Liberal MP Dan McTeague, founder of Canadians for Affordable Energy and a former senior petroleum analyst at GasBuddy, said a Line 5 closure could spike gas prices easily by as much as 50 cents a litre at the outset.

Fuel shortages would follow, says McTeague. He predicts that Central Canada will see a protracted and far more serious replay of the recent panic-buying and lineups at gas stations in the eastern United States after hackers shut down the Colonial Pipeline in a cyberattack.

Its one of those things that would make for the perfect storm, be the sum of all fears, as the expression goes. It would unleash a significant avalanche of bad economic news, McTeague told The Epoch Times.

And so were waiting on a knifes edge for the court decision based on jurisdiction, whether its a federal matter, whether its a state matter, and a continued pursuit by political activism in United States to close down pipelines, and Line 5 is very much in their sights.

On May 11, the Canadian government intervened in the court case, noting that a shutdown would breach a Canada-U.S. agreement concerning transit pipelines that was signed in 1977, and stating that the case should be heard in U.S. federal court.

A shutdown of Line 5 would cause certain, immediate and serious harm to several important public interests, reads Canadas brief, noting that Central Canada and parts of the northern United States would lose relatively safe, efficient, and reliable access to fuel that is essential.

According to the Canadian Energy Centre, an Alberta government-funded energy think tank, 55 percent of Michigans propane supply is reliant on Line 5, while refineries in Quebec, Ontario, Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania receive 45 percent of their feedstock from the Enbridge line.

Masson said such a supply shortfall could not be addressed quickly on either side the border.

Refineries that havent received crude oil by rail for the last 30 years dont have a lot of rail and loading capacity sitting next to them, he said. So there would be no easy fix that could happen in a hurry because it takes time to build all that.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article misstated the first name of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
Security personnel stand guard outside the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan as members of the World Health Organization (WHO) team investigating the origins of COVID-19 make a visit to the institute in Wuhan, China, on Feb. 3, 2021. (Hector Retamal /AFP via Getty Images)

Wuhan Gain-of-Function Research and Lies: US Should Declassify Info Now

Commentary

New details about Chinas inadequately-regulated gain-of-function virology research, and factual omissions by the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which secretly collaborated with Chinas military, are sufficiently concerning as to require that first, scientific collaboration with the totalitarian country should cease, and second, President Biden should immediately declassify information on the source of the virus.

The Wall Street Journal reported details on May 24 about the Chinese labs gain-of-function research and apparent dissimulation, along with western scientific concerns about lax standards, that highlight the danger of any science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) collaboration with a country that threatened war against the United States and allies, including Taiwan and the Philippines, is prosecuting a genocide, and unleashed a virus that killed 590,000 Americans and almost 3.5 million worldwide.

Yes, there should be a full lab probe of not only WIV, but other Chinese virology labs. Demanding as much is a no-brainer, but the United States failed in this duty to protect our citizens through transparency. The European Union, at least, did demand an investigation of the lab-leak hypothesis on May 25.

The Democrats, both in the White House and through their control of Congress, are obstructing release of critical intelligence about WIV to the public. That intelligence is required to get to the bottom of suspicions about a lab leak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease.

In April, Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) introduced the COVID-19 Origin Act of 2021 to force the Biden administration to declassify relevant intelligence. But it has little hope of passing the Democrat-controlled Congress. We may have to wait until midterm elections in 2022 for Congress to be able to extract a modicum of satisfaction from the President.

Until then, and the completion of a full probe to the satisfaction of the worlds leading virologists, America must take measures to protect itself. U.S. corporate STEM cooperation with China, including by corporations, universities, and individual academics, must cease.

Chinas lack of basic scientific transparency on SARS-CoV-2 proves that for the time being, at least, the country is not following the most fundamental of scientific ethics, much less ethics against genocide, and so is not fit for international scientific collaboration on dangerous pathogens.

The immense power of the pandemic to kill millions of people, and slow the worlds economy, along with WIVs military ties and lack of transparency, shows that President Biden and the Democrat-led Congress must stop obstructing Republican senators attempts at investigation and start declassifying information. STEM collaboration with China should meanwhile cease until the country becomes less internationally aggressive, and returns to ethical and transparent scientific and political practices.

Continued failure to take the strongest precautions against Chinas out-of-control science is culpable neglect by our own government and an outrageous dereliction of its duty to protect the American public.

Anders Corr has a bachelors/masters in political science from Yale University (2001) and a doctorate in government from Harvard University (2008). He is a principal at Corr Analytics Inc., publisher of the Journal of Political Risk, and has conducted extensive research in North America, Europe, and Asia. He authored The Concentration of Power (forthcoming in 2021) and No Trespassing, and edited Great Powers, Grand Strategies.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Frank Franklin II/AP

MIAMI (AP)  Attorney and Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz is suing Netflix for $80 million over his portrayal in the streaming service's Filthy Rich series about sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Miami federal court, contends that Netflix intentionally misled Dershowitz, one of the lawyers once representing Epstein, regarding his appearance in the series. The suit also claims Netflix defamed him by falsely asserting that he had sex with one of Epstein's many victims.
LANSING, Mich. (AP)  Michigan Republicans on Tuesday advanced a bill that would prohibit state and local health officials from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for children under age 18.

The concept is not under consideration in the state. But GOP senators said they want to be proactive.

While they might not be mandating something, they're certainly creating a scenario where mandates are being pushed. I just wanted to ensure that that wasn't going to happen in this space. Parents should be allowed to make the decision on this, Sen. Lana Theis, of Brighton, said of her legislation that would prevent the use of a state or local emergency order to require coronavirus vaccines for minors. It won Senate approval on a 20-16 party-line vote and was sent to the Republican-controlled House.

Democrats called the bill needless and noted that if the COVID-19 vaccine were added to the list of immunizations children need to attend school, the state allows for exemptions.

A parent can opt out of having their children vaccinated for medical reasons, for religious reasons or for philosophical reasons. To prohibit a requirement for something for which there is no precedent of a requirement nor any proposal to create such a requirement is simply unnecessary, said Sen. Winnie Brinks, of Grand Rapids. This bill is simply another solution in search of a problem.

For the second straight session day, the House adjourned without voting on GOP-backed legislation that would bar governments from issuing a COVID-19 vaccine passport, requiring proof of vaccination to access a public service or imposing a fee or penalty based on vaccination status. The sponsor may be making changes to the bill.

It would apply to the state, local governments, school districts, universities, community colleges and other entities primarily funded through state or local authority. The University of Michigan has said it will require students to be fully vaccinated to live on the Ann Arbor campus in the fall term.

Both bills would need to clear the other chamber before heading to Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has said state officials are not looking to mandate coronavirus vaccinations or to institute vaccination passports. About 58% of residents ages 16 and older have received at least one dose. The state's goal is to immunize at least 70%.

Whitmer spokesman Bobby Leddy said the vaccines are the best way for people to keep themselves and their families safe, but the state has been very clear that were not currently exploring a vaccine passport concept, nor has there been any discussion about mandating vaccines. Instead of working with us to promote these lifesaving vaccines, Republicans are wasting time holding meetings with out-of-state conspiracy theorists and banning things that dont exist.

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Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 01:09:43|Editor: huaxia

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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses a virtual global roundtable on transforming extractive industries for sustainable development at the UN headquarters in New York, on May 25, 2021. Guterres on Tuesday called for a transformation of extractive industries to support sustainable development and a transition to a green economy. (Mark Garten/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, May 25 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for a transformation of extractive industries to support sustainable development and a transition to a green economy.

"We have all heard talk of the resource curse. Our shared responsibility is to ensure that the benefits of mineral resources reach all people in society, not just elites, while safeguarding the natural environment today and for future generations," Guterres told a virtual global roundtable on transforming extractive industries for sustainable development.

"Mineral resources are one of Earth's great endowments. Their extraction plays a dominant role in the economies of 81 countries," which account for a quarter of global Gross Domestic Product, half the world's population and nearly 70 percent of people living in extreme poverty," Guterres noted.

Guterres pointed out the growing dependence less developed countries have on extractive industries.

"Of the world's 72 low- or middle-income countries, 63 have increased their dependence on extractive industries over the past two decades. These industries generate large amounts of foreign exchange earnings, foreign direct investment and government revenues. They have the potential to drive economic growth and poverty reduction," he added.

"Yet, extractive industries are also potentially associated with a litany of ills -- corruption, exploitation, colonialism and racism; environmental degradation, worsening climate change and biodiversity loss; armed conflict, gender-based violence, population displacement, cultural harm and human rights violations," he said.

Guterres stressed the need to improve extractive resource governance through more effective rules and enforcement.

Independent monitoring, including by civil society actors and indigenous peoples, is essential. So, too, is human rights due diligence and effective remedy. Also essential is addressing corruption, revenue mismanagement and illicit financial flows, he said.

The sector can avoid exacerbating inequalities by ensuring the fair distribution of the benefits. This is especially important regarding new minerals and metals on which the technological revolution depends, he added.

Countries need to reduce dependence on revenues from extractive industries. This means diversifying economies to broaden the revenue base, increasing value-added content, adapting tax systems to new needs and accelerating work on a just transition for workers and communities dependent on extractive resources. The extractives sector should also integrate circular economy principles, said Guterres.

He called on countries to invest more in a low-carbon future.

All public and private finance in the extractives sector should be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change. Countries and donors need to support the rapid deployment of renewable energy technologies and the phase-out of fossil fuel-based assets, he said.

The first priority is to end coal use. That means no new coal plants to be built or financed. And it means a phase-out of coal use by 2030 in the countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and 2040 in the rest of the world, he said.

To boost these efforts, nations need to shift subsidies from fossil fuel to renewable energy and promote technology transfer. This needs to take account of and mitigate the impacts of ending subsidies on the poorest and most marginalized, he said.

"We have repeatedly seen how sudden changes with inequitable impacts can precipitate social unrest. Support from the whole development finance architecture is paramount so fossil fuel-dependent developing countries can finance a just transition. I urge multilateral development banks, development finance institutions, the International Monetary Fund and other institutions to support this process decisively."

There is a need for greater regional and global coordination to manage shocks and ensure a smooth, just and sustainable transition process, he added.

"Recovery from COVID-19 provides a massive opportunity to support sustainable development. We need all hands on deck to address the triple threat of climate disruption, biodiversity loss and pollution and to promote equitable, inclusive development where no one is left behind," he said. "The extractives sector, which operates at the crucial juncture of resources, ecosystems and people, has an essential role to play in advancing sustainability and equitability." Enditem
BRIDGEPORT  On Tuesday morning, Lydia Martinez had breakfast with state Sen. Dennis Bradley.

Martinez, the current City Clerk, a former councilwoman and well-known Democratic mover-and-shaker, thinks of herself as a mother to Bradley and has supported his political ambitions over the past several years.

A few hours after they dined, Bradley, along with his former campaign treasurer, Jessica Martinez, a Board of Education member, became the latest Bridgeport officials ensnared in a federal criminal probe, turning themselves in on charges they attempted to fraudulently obtain $179,850 in state campaign grants.

Lydia Martinez said while Bradley appeared to be in a hurry  he only had a cup of coffee  she claimed to be unaware of what was about to transpire. She said the federal investigation did not come up during their breakfast.

He loves me a lot. I dont think he would worry me with something like that, Martinez said, adding, Dennis is a fantastic person. ... The community loves him very much (and) will be very sad if something happens to him.

But others were more concerned Tuesday about the further harm Bradleys and Jessica Martinezs arrests could do to Bridgeports longtime reputation as a corrupt city that is still reeling from another recent scandal.

On Monday and then Tuesday, former Police Chief Armando Perez and ex-Personnel Director David Dunn, respectively, began federal prison sentences after pleading guilty last October to conspiring to help Perez cheat in 2018 to become top cop.

We just got over the whole police chief scandal and, sure enough, theres another taking place, said retired state Rep. Christopher Caruso, D-Bridgeport. It almost seems never-ending. I just dont know when this is going to stop.

Caruso said the fact a state legislator is involved will only make it that much more challenging for Bradleys fellow city lawmakers to get things done at the Capitol in Hartford.

It compounds the negative perceptions and feelings that others have about Bridgeport from around the state, from surrounding communities, Caruso said.

Today is another black eye for Bridgeport, Bradleys legislative colleague, state Rep. Steven Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, said Tuesday. I believe in due process of law but these allegations are very troubling and implicate a violation of public trust. It puts another cloud over the legislature and makes our job that much difficult.

While still being allowed to continue his legislative duties, Bradleys influence was severely curtailed Tuesday by Senate President Martin Looney, D-New Haven, who stripped him of his title of deputy majority leader and from committee assignments, including co-chairmanship of the public safety and security committee.

Gov. Ned Lamont was supportive of Looneys actions, according to Max Reiss, communications director for the governor, who noted Lamont was aware of the serious allegations against Senator Bradley.

State Senate Minority Leader Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford, said he was troubled by the allegations and said that the onus is on majority Democrats.

Those of us fortunate enough to be elected to the state Senate have a special obligation to make and uphold the law, said Kelly. The trust and faith that our constituents place in us must never be broken. Our court system will carefully weigh these allegations. In the meantime, it is incumbent upon Connecticut Democrats to take steps to rebuild the publics trust.

State Rep. Chris Rosario, D-Bridgeport, said he was shocked and disappointed in Bradleys arrest, but emphasized the Bridgeport delegation is going to continue doing its business. We have a lot of work to do here in the final days of the session.

Mayor Joe Ganims office did not return a request for comment about the situation. Ganim is one of the examples cited when people talk about corruption in Bridgeport. First elected mayor in 1991, he was convicted in 2003 of federal charges of running a pay-to-play operation out of City Hall, served seven years in prison, then waged a comeback in 2015.

Born and raised in the city, Gemeem Davis is a leader of the Bridgeport Generation Now civic group which for the last few years has been advocating for cleaner, more ethical local politics and government.

It absolutely breaks my heart people use this city for their own personal gain and just leave us exposed, said Davis. But it makes me work harder to stay and to do my part to dismantle the system of corruption that is here.

Another resident, Donald Greenberg, is a retired Fairfield University politics professor. He said Bridgeport had seemed to be moving in a more positive direction.

Then you had the thing with Dunn and the police chief and now this, Greenberg said. He blames the situation on one-party control  Bridgeport is a Democrat-run city with a weak opposition Republican party  leading to a lack of oversight and accountability, coupled with a host of socioeconomic issues and poor voter turnout.

He said it leaves many people waiting for the next shoe to fall.

Dan Onofrio is executive director of the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce and, like his predecessors, has had to try to convince investors not to pass the city by.

When were trying to recruit businesses and bring organizations from outside the region ... its difficult to show Bridgeport in a positive light because all they see or read or hear are these particular stories, Onofrio said. That said, when we do break down and isolate and separate the good and the bad, theres so much more good thats happening.

Bridgeport is pretty resilient, Onofrio said. We work through these issues and rise above them. Thats all we can do and we keep moving forward as best we can.

Martinez has found turning to a higher power works. And that, she said, is what she intends to do for Bradley.

Im going to start praying now, she said.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Republicans are poised to block legislation that would create a commission on the Jan. 6 insurrection, despite both a bipartisan effort to salvage the bill and a last-minute push by the mother of a Capitol Police officer who collapsed and died after the siege.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has set up a Thursday procedural vote on the bill, challenging Republicans to support it after 35 of their GOP colleagues voted for it in the House. But it was unlikely that Democrats would be able to win the 10 Republican votes necessary to authorize the independent investigation, a remarkable turn of events just months after the worst attack on the Capitol in more than 200 years.

The bill as passed by the House would set up a bipartisan panel to investigate what happened when hundreds of former President Donald Trump's supporters violently broke into the Capitol and interrupted the certification of President Joe Biden's win.

On Wednesday, the mother of Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick said she would meet with lawmakers ahead of the vote to try to convince them to act. Sicknick collapsed immediately after engaging with the rioters and died the next day.

I suggest that all Congressmen and Senators who are against this Bill visit my sons grave in Arlington National Cemetery and, while there, think about what their hurtful decisions will do to those officers who will be there for them going forward, Gladys Sicknick said in a statement Wednesday. Putting politics aside, wouldnt they want to know the truth of what happened on January 6?

A small number of Republicans, including Utah Sen. Mitt Romney and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, have said they expect to back the House-passed bill. Others, including Maine Sen. Susan Collins, have proposed small tweaks to the bill to try and attract more votes. But the effort had so far failed to yield additional support.

The talks come as Republicans have struggled over whether to support the bill  and with how to respond to the insurrection in general as many in their party have remained loyal to Trump. The former president told his supporters the morning of Jan. 6 to fight like hell to overturn his defeat and has repeatedly said the election was stolen, even though his claims have been refuted by courts and election officials across the country.

Most Republicans are expected to follow the lead of Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who put the issue in stark political terms Tuesday after meeting with his caucus. McConnell said that Democrats pushing the commission would like to litigate Trump's actions and continue to debate things that have been done in the past," and that they should move to block it. The action would mark the first time Republicans have blocked significant legislation since Democrats claimed control of the Senate in January.

Trump has come out against it, calling the bill a Democratic trap. He urged his fellow Republicans to do the same.

McConnell voted in February to acquit Trump of inciting the insurrection after the House impeached him, but gave the speech immediately after that vote saying that the former president was practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of that day. He said last week that he was open to the House bill that would form a commission, but came out the next day against it.

Collins has said she is working with other senators to try to find a compromise, and West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin has been part of that effort, according to two people familiar with the informal talks. The people spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private negotiations.

In a statement with Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a fellow moderate Democrat, Manchin said that the attack was horrific and that the bipartisan commission is a critical step.

Four of the rioters died during the insurrection, including a woman who was shot and killed by police as she tried to break into the House chamber with lawmakers still inside.

Dozens of the officers defending the Capitol were brutally beaten by the rioters as they easily pushed past them and broke into the building, and Sicknick died the next day. Video shows two men spraying him and another officer with a chemical, but the Washington medical examiner said Sicknick suffered a stroke and died from natural causes. The men have been charged with assaulting the officers.

Collins' amendment, released by her office Wednesday afternoon, would require the Democratic-appointed chair and the Republican vice chair to jointly appoint staff, changing House language that only required the chair to consult with the vice chair. It would also terminate the commission 30 days after a final report is issued, instead of 60 days, an effort to avoid their work spilling into the election year. Both the House version and Collins' amendment would require the final report to be issued by Dec. 31, 2021.

I want to see a commission, we need a commission, there are a lot of unanswered questions, Collins said Wednesday. I am working very hard to secure Republican votes.

Still, most Republicans have held fast to their opposition. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said that he had received text of the proposal from Collins, but that he was still unlikely to support the the bill. He said he believes the year-end deadline is unrealistic.

Republicans have also pointed to a bipartisan Senate report that is expected to be released next month, saying it will be sufficient to fix security problems in the Capitol. The report by the Senate Rules Committee and the Senate Homeland and Governmental Affairs Committee is expected to focus on the mistakes made by law enforcement and the security command at the Capitol.

Senate Homeland Chair Gary Peters, D-Mich., said that his panels report will be important but that it was intended to identify ways to quickly secure the Capitol. There is more work to do, he said.

A commission would be able to do a deeper dive into what led up to the attack on the Capitol, and be able to really spend the kind of time necessary to do a very thorough evaluation, Peters said.

Its so far unclear whether Schumer would be open to considering amendments to the legislation, if the Senate were to move ahead. He has repeatedly said that the procedural vote will show where every member stands on the insurrection and indicated that Democrats will use Republicans' positions against them.

Congress is not going to just sweep Jan. 6 under the rug, Schumer said.

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Associated Press writers Alan Fram, Colleen Long and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.
MANILA, Philippines  The president of the Philippines warns he will jail village leaders and police officers who dont enforce pandemic lockdown restrictions.

President Rodrigo Dutertes comments Wednesday night were in response to swimming parties, drinking sprees and picnics held earlier this month in three resorts where dozens of merrymakers later tested positive for the virus.

Duterte is known for a tough approach to crime and he says he wants law enforcers to carry wooden sticks as a permanent fixture so offenders who resist arrest can be hit in the hands and feet with reasonable force.

A surge in coronavirus infections that started in March has begun to ease after the government re-imposed lockdowns in metropolitan Manila and four adjacent provinces. But daily cases are still high and a vaccination campaign is struggling with supply problems.

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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:

 European Union seeks fines in AstraZeneca court case

 How vaccine passports for global travel will work

 Federal charges brought against Medicare scams that preyed on virus fears

 Vaccine inequality in India sends many falling through gaps

 Countries eager to reopen to travel as pandemic recedes

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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:

LAS VEGAS  The Nevada school district for Las Vegas and the rest of Clark County says fully vaccinated students and staff are no longer required to wear masks in most situations.

The district said Wednesday the new policy will go into effect June 1 with the approval of the Southern Nevada Health District.

The change comes after the CDC recently said that people vaccinated against the coronavirus do not have to wear masks in indoor or outdoor settings.

lark County school officials say that under the new policy, any student or staff member who is outside does not have to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. Masks will still be required on school buses and at graduation ceremonies.

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NEW ORLEANS  New Orleans is preparing to allow all-night alcohol sales again. And the city is lifting a ban on parades and its traditional second line marches as coronavirus vaccinations rates improve and hospitalizations for COVID-19 stay low.

The city says it will end the 1 a.m. shutdown of alcohol sales and begin taking permit applications for parades and second lines under new rules that take effect Friday.

New Orleans is also allowing gyms to operate at full capacity and removing six-foot table spacing requirements at restaurants.

Some restrictions on large gatherings will remain in place. But exceptions will be made for events at which face masks will be required and participants must provide proof of vaccination.

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WASHINGTON  U.S. health officials have granted emergency authorization to a third antibody drug to help reduce hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19.

The FDA said Wednesday it authorized the drug from GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnology for people with mild-to-moderate cases of COVID-19 who face extra risks of severe illness, including seniors and those with underlying health problems.

There has been low demand for two similar drugs already available, due mainly to the logistical hurdles of delivering them and confusion about their availability. U.S. health officials have been trying to raise awareness of the treatments, connecting people who test positive for COVID-19 with information about nearby providers.

The drugs are delivered as a one-time intravenous infusion at a hospital or clinic and should be given within 10 days of the start of symptoms.

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NEW YORK  Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday that vaccinated kids aged 12 to 17 will have a chance to win a full ride to public universities and colleges in New York.

The state will raffle off 50 scholarships, which would cover four years of tuition, room and board, books and supplies.

New York will hold weekly drawings on Wednesday to randomly select 10 winners. Parents or guardians can enter children who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine since May 12.

Schools across the country are using mascots, food trucks and prize giveaways to try to get kids vaccinated before school lets out for the summer.

Cuomo said children who get vaccinated earlier will have the best chance at winning. Its unclear when applications for the lottery will open up, but people can sign up for notifications on a state website.

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SEATTLE  The city of Seattle is shutting down all but one of its mass COVID-19 vaccination sites next month.

Authorities announced Wednesday that the city-run sites at Lumen Field, Rainier Beach, West Seattle and North Seattle College will close in June. The decision comes as more than 76% of eligible Seattle residents have received at least one shot and 60% are fully vaccinated.

The Seattle Fire Department will continue operating its testing and vaccination site in the neighborhood south of downtown through the summer. The citys vaccination efforts got a boost when the Lumen Field Event Center opened more than two months ago.

Since March 13, more than 97,000 vaccinations have been administered at the event center near two of the citys large sports arenas. The city says it will continue to offer mobile vaccinations and spin up vaccination clinics as needed.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I.  A Rhode Island factory once praised by former President Donald Trump for ramping up production of N95 face masks in the early days of the pandemic is laying off nearly 500 workers.

A spokesperson for Honeywell International told WPRI-TV on Wednesday that about 470 jobs at the Smithfield facility are being cut.

Employees are being urged to apply for other jobs at the company and some eligible workers will receive severance. The masks are critical safety equipment for health care workers and others even as general demand for face-coverings is diminishing as the pandemic wanes.

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SANTA FE, N.M.  The superintendent of New Mexicos largest school district is backtracking on a promise to channel federal pandemic relief toward employee bonuses.

State auditors warned Wednesday that the proposed payments of at least $6 million could violate state constitutional provisions against giving away taxpayer dollars.

Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Scott Elder had said Tuesday that the constitution may prevent the district from delivering promised payments of $1,000 to full-time teachers and staff and $500 for part-timers in recognition of work since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Payments were scheduled for about 12,000 employees.

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WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden is asking U.S. intelligence agencies to redouble efforts to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He says there is insufficient evidence to conclude whether it emerged from human contact with an infected animal or from a laboratory accident.

Biden directed U.S. national laboratories to assist with the investigation and called on China to cooperate with international probes into the origins of the pandemic. He held out the possibility that a firm conclusion may never be known, given the Chinese governments refusal to fully cooperate with international investigations.

The U.S. leads the world with 33.1 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 591,000 confirmed deaths.

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ISTANBUL  Turkey will step up its COVID-19 vaccination program next month, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday.

We aim to ensure normalization throughout our country by conducting an intensive vaccination campaign in June, Erdogan said in a conference call with U.S. business leaders.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca says people over 50 can be vaccinated on June 1, adding that 5 million doses will arrive next week. Its part of several deals for 270 million doses to vaccinate Turkeys 84 million population.

Some 28.4 million first and second doses of vaccine have been administered so far, the health ministry says. It announced 8,738 new coronavirus cases in the previous 24 hours and 166 COVID-19-related deaths.

Daily cases hit more than 63,000 in mid-April after restrictions were relaxed. A three-week lockdown was introduced, ending on May 17. However, restrictions such as evening and weekend curfews remain in place.

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NICOSIA, Cyprus  Cyprus health authorities say people under 50 years should opt for either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines following the death of a 39-year-old woman who reportedly suffered a brain hemorrhage a few weeks after receiving an AstraZeneca shot.

Cyprus Health Ministry says it has a adopted a recommendation by a majority among a panel of scientific experts advising the government on dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic to administer the Pfizer and Morderna vaccines to people 50 years old and under.

However, the body recommended unanimously those already given a first shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine and didnt suffer serious side effects such as blood clots must receive their follow-up shot.

Some 50.4% of the population has received at least one vaccine shot while 23.7% have completed their vaccination regimen.

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BERLIN  The German government is setting up a fund of 2.5 billion euros ($3.1 billion) to support theaters, cinemas, concert organizers and other cultural facilities as they prepare to reopen after months of closures.

Germany is gradually easing restrictions with the decrease of coronavirus infections.

The special fund approved by the Cabinet on Wednesday will offer economic viability aid to organizers of events that must be held with reduced spectators because of the pandemic.

The fund adds to a series of aid packages put together by the government during the pandemic to help several sectors of the economy.

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LONDON  Prime Minister Boris Johnsons former chief aide has lashed out at the government he once served, saying people died in horrific circumstances during the coronavirus pandemic because of its failed response.

In televised testimony on Wednesday, Dominic Cummings claimed the government was slow and chaotic in its initial response to COVID-19. He also accused Johnson of failing to learn from early mistakes by resisting a second lockdown in the fall as virus cases soared.

Cummings gave seven hours of testimony to Parliaments science and health committees, who are investigating Britains pandemic response. He alleged a series of bad decisions and false assumptions within government in early 2020, saying Johnson initially regarded the virus as just a scare story.

The prime minister defended the governments response, saying to deal with a pandemic on this scale has been appallingly difficult. Johnson eventually imposed a nationwide lockdown on March 23. He was hospitalized in intensive care with the coronavirus in April 2020.

Cummings, who helped take Britain out of the European Union, was appointed a top adviser when Johnson became prime minister in 2019. A self-styled political disruptor who wanted to shake up government, he often expressed contempt for the civil service, politicians and the media.

The U.K. has recorded the highest COVID-19 death toll in Europe, with nearly 128,000 confirmed deaths.

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GENEVA  Restaurants in Switzerland will be allowed to open indoor areas next week following a six-month closure as coronavirus cases decline.

The Swiss government says rules on office working will be relaxed, with working from home recommended rather than required for businesses that conduct weekly tests. Since mid-January, companies have been required to tell staff to work from home where possible.

Restaurants have been allowed to serve customers outdoors since mid-April. Countries across Europe are relaxing restrictions at varying speeds as the latest wave of coronavirus infections subsides and vaccination campaigns gather pace.

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BRUSSELS  The European Union took on vaccine producer AstraZeneca in a Brussels court on Wednesday and accused it of diverting promised doses to other nations when it had promised them for urgent delivery among the 27 member states.

The bloc accused the Anglo-Swedish company of pushing EU deliveries back so it could give them to Britain, among other nations. EU lawyer Rafael Jafferali asked the court to impose a fine of 10 million euros ($12.2 million) per infraction.

AstraZenecas contract signed with the European Commission, the EUs executive arm, on behalf of member states foresaw an initial 300 million doses for distribution among all 27 countries, with an option for another 100 million.

The doses were expected to be delivered throughout 2021. But only 30 million were sent during the first quarter.

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PARIS  France will impose a mandatory quarantine on visitors from Britain to prevent the spread of a virus variant first detected in India.

Government spokesman Gabriel Attal said the new measure will be similar to limits imposed in Germany on people traveling from the U.K.

France is going to take similar measures and so put in place obligatory isolation for people coming from the United Kingdom, he said.

He didnt say when the quarantine will be introduced. He said more information would be released shortly.
Mt. Pleasant police officers are investigating a Tuesday night shooting - reported as a suicide assisted by the victim's son - that left a 67-year-old man dead in the southwest corner of the city.

The shooting took place at approximately 10:25 Tuesday night, according to a press release from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department.

When officers arrived, they found the man dead. He had earlier attempted suicide, the press release said, but was assisted by his 36-year-old son.

- Advertisement -

He had two gunshot wounds, police said.

Police were sent to the scene of the shooting, on Peachwood Lane, while medical personnel staged nearby.

Officers are treating it as a homicide.

Neither the name of the victim nor his son were released.

READ MORE:

Mt. Pleasant helps fund bark park lighting A Mt. Pleasant park designed for people and their canine companions will soon be safer for evening visits.

New COVID-19 outbreaks reported in Gratiot, Isabella schools Five elementary students and three high school students are among two school-related COVID-19 outbreaks reported this week by the Michigan Dep

VFW seeks help placing memorial flags at Alma cemetery Volunteers are being sought to help place flags on the graves of veterans in Alma on Wednesday in preparation for the Memorial Day holiday.
This photo provided by Bryan Fenster shows his brother Danny Fenster in September of 2019 in Krakow, Poland. Fenster, an American journalist working for a news magazine in Myanmar has been detained by the authorities there. Frontier Myanmar says Danny Fenster, its managing editor, was detained at Yangon's airport as he was preparing to board a flight to Malaysia. (Photo courtesy Byron Fenster via AP)
Small modular reactors competitive in Washington's clean energy future

RICHLAND, Wash.--As the Clean Energy Transformation Act drives Washington state toward carbon-free electricity, a new energy landscape is taking shape. Alongside renewable energy sources, a new report finds small modular reactors are poised to play an integral role in the state's emerging clean energy future.

The technology could help fill a power source gap soon to be left by carbon-emitting resources like coal and natural gas, which will be phased out in coming years, according to a report composed by researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

"Nuclear energy is a reliable source of baseload electricity," said PNNL's manager for nuclear power systems Ali Zbib, who coauthored the report, "and our findings show that advanced small modular reactors could be economically competitive in a future carbon-free electricity sector. They're well-suited to play an important role in an energy market that requires more flexibility."

The report detailed how the new reactors could satisfy the Pacific Northwest's dynamic electricity demand, assessed the region's electricity market and explored the viability of deploying the reactors at three locations: at the Hanford Site, utilizing infrastructure from Energy Northwest's partially completed power plants; at the slated to be closed, coal-fired Centralia Big Hanaford power plant in Western Washington; and on the Idaho National Laboratory site, where Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems plans to build the first NuScale light-water reactor.

The findings outline advantages of building at each site, from a trained workforce residing in Eastern Washington to infrastructure in place at the Centralia plant. The report focused on two designs: NuScale's small modular reactor and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy's BWRX-300.

"Nuclear energy can help to decarbonize every sector of the economy," said Jacopo Buongiorno, TEPCO professor of nuclear science and engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-author of the report. "The state of Washington is uniquely positioned to kick off this process by demonstrating the leading small modular reactor technologies well before the end of the decade, and that's exciting."

A changing energy landscape

The Clean Energy Transformation Act was enacted in 2019, mandating that Washington's power sources must generate electricity without emitting greenhouse gases by 2045. The law seeks carbon neutrality by 2030, with coal eliminated by 2025 and penalties for carbon-emitting sources imposed as soon as 2030.

Phasing out coal and natural gas, which supplied roughly 17 percent of Washington's overall fuel mix in 2018, will reduce power generation capacity by roughly five gigawatts--nearly equivalent to the output of four large nuclear power plants.

More power will likely be needed in the future, said Zbib, as the state continues to electrify different sectors of its economy, including the transportation sector, and as the region's population grows. Renewables in the form of wind and solar stand to fill some of the load. A complementary source of flexible power will be needed, however, to meet demand.

Small but significant

Enter small modular reactors, which are designed for flexible electricity generation. The designs discussed within the report employ water as a coolant, while other advanced designs employ gas or liquid metal coolants. The emissions-free technology has yet to be deployed in the United States, but designs have matured, including the two analyzed in this report.

Part of a larger investment spent over several years, the U.S. Department of Energy announced last year that two companies--X-energy and TerraPower--will receive $80 million each in initial funding to build advanced reactor demonstration plants that feature small modular reactors.

The size and modularity of the reactors offer unique advantages, according to the report. Smaller cores, less radiological material and layered safety barriers built into small modular reactors result in evacuation zones miles smaller than those of conventional reactors.

Components of small modular reactors can be manufactured and assembled off-site, too, then shipped and installed on-site, cutting construction costs and trimming project timelines, said Zbib.

GEH's design allows for multiple plants within a single site. NuScale's design is scalable, in that modules can be incrementally added--up to a dozen per site. A four-module plant could meet demand for small regions, capable of powering nearly 200,000 homes, while a twelve-module reactor can power a large city.

The need for flexibility

Advanced small modular reactors are flexible--they can continuously operate at full power to provide baseload energy or can follow power swings on the grid. They could play a key role within a clean electricity generation system that includes nuclear, renewables and battery storage.

The report's energy market assessment found that Washington's electricity demand can significantly fluctuate on a monthly, daily and even five-minute basis. The average daily demand in February 2019, for example, varied by more than 2,100 megawatts, roughly equal to twice the output of Energy Northwest's Columbia Generating Station, the only commercial nuclear power plant in the Pacific Northwest.

Swings in electricity generated by some sources can drive the need for a power source that quickly adjusts, as well. The report details one 2009 case in which 700 megawatts of power surged onto the Bonneville Power Administration grid from five short minutes of strong winds. Utilities must ramp down output from flexible sources during such surges.

Taking one or more power modules offline, in the case of the NuScale power plant design, or adjusting reactor power could allow operators to quickly adjust to swings.

Exploring locations

Building a plant at the Hanford Site, according to the report, could help cut costs in several ways. Much of the licensing and assessments that determine whether an area is fit for a nuclear power plant are already completed. Seismic risks and analyses of other vulnerabilities were carried out when the partially complete plants were built in the 1980s.

Nearly $140 million could be saved by using standing structures, according to a study described within the report, and the project schedule could be shortened, resulting in additional cost savings. And with Columbia Generating Station nearby, a trained workforce familiar with nuclear reactors offers another advantage.

The report finds that building at the Centralia plant, which will close all coal-fired boilers by 2025, has its own merits. Existing infrastructure can be harnessed, the facility is already connected to the grid and a new plant could replace jobs lost from the closure.

Building on the west side of the Cascade Mountains could reduce both transmission congestion and the need for transmission infrastructure to supply power to nearby high-demand areas like Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia.

With subsidies for clean energy and penalties for carbon-emitting resources in place, the report contends that plants at either location could provide competitively priced electricity.

"Decarbonizing the electric grid is essential in combating climate change," said Zbib. While wind and solar will play a critical role, he added, phasing out carbon-emitting resources sparks the need for flexible, non-carbon-emitting sources. "Nuclear energy can be an integral part of a clean energy portfolio that will allow the state of Washington to meet its clean energy objectives."

###

This research was funded by the Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory draws on its distinguishing strengths in chemistry, Earth sciences, biology and data science to advance scientific knowledge and address challenges in sustainable energy and national security. Founded in 1965, PNNL is operated by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science, which is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. DOE's Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit PNNL's News Center. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

This story has been published on: 2021-05-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 01:59:05|Editor: huaxia

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (L) speaks at a press conference at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, May 25, 2021. The infrastructure for a digital vaccination certificate allowing the free movement of people around the European Union(EU) will be ready from June 1, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday. (European Union/Handout via Xinhua)

BRUSSELS, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The infrastructure for a digital vaccination certificate allowing the free movement of people around the European Union(EU) will be ready from June 1, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday.

Von der Leyen said after a special summit of the 27-nation bloc in Brussels that member countries can connect to the system from mid-June and they must prepare for it by ensuring their national health systems are fed with information.

"I think the certificate is a unique opportunity to showcase how the European Union contributes concretely to peoples' daily lives. So we must all contribute to making it happen," she told a press conference.

Von der Leyen said on Twitter earlier on Tuesday that half of EU adults will have received their first dose of the vaccine this week, as 300 million doses are delivered, and 245 million doses administered.

"We are on track to reach our goal to have enough doses being delivered to vaccinate 70 percent of the adult population in the European Union by the end of July. If we continue like this, we have confidence that we will be able to safely reopen our societies," she told journalists.

Having discussed the "steady progress" during their two-day summit, EU leaders pledged to continue efforts "to increase global vaccine production capacities in order to meet global needs."

EU leaders agreed at the summit to donate at least 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to poorer countries by the end of the year, von der Leyen told the media following the meeting. She said that donations were "desperately needed" since the Serum Institute of India has halted all its exports to COVAX until the end of the year. COVAX aims to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 shots for low- and middle-income countries.

She said vaccine producers BioNTech-Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have committed to deliver 1.3 billion doses of vaccines in 2021 at non-profit for low-income countries and at low cost to middle-income countries. Additionally, the EU was looking to invest 1 billion euros to develop vaccine manufacturing in Africa. Enditem
Whenever people talk about wishes, one in particular always seems to surface.

But as often as people wish for $1 million, the vast majority of them walk away disappointed, holding onto that dream for another day.

But for a Flat Rock man, his wish did come true, and he could hardly believe his eyes.

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James Porter won a $1 million prize playing the Michigan Lotterys Powerball game.

Porter, 50, matched the five white balls  11-13-55-56-69  in the May 19 drawing to win a $1 million prize. He bought his winning ticket at the Flat Rock Oasis gas station, 26102 Telegraph Road.

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

I checked my phone around 1 a.m. after the drawing and saw a winning ticket had been sold in Michigan, Porter said. I stopped and made a wish that I would win $1 million before checking the numbers. When I looked over my ticket, I checked the numbers one-by-one, forwards and backwards, a couple of times. Then, I just started crying because my wish had come true.

Porter visited Lottery headquarters to claim his prize. He plans to buy a new vehicle and then invest the remaining money.

Powerball plays cost $2 each at Lottery retailers across the state and online at MichiganLottery.com. A Power Play option that multiplies non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times, to a maximum of $2 million, may be added to any Powerball play for $1.

The Powerball drawing takes place at 10:59 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays.

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Henry Ford Health System eases visitor restrictions as COVID-19 numbers drop With COVID-19 hospitalizations at their lowest level since mid-March, Henry Ford Health System announced Friday it is easing hospital visitor 
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office has charged a man in connection with the killing of a pet parakeet after a video surfaced showing the bird being crushed and slammed to the ground.

Ali Chehade, 22, of Dearborn, is facing a third-degree animal killing charge, punishable by up to four years in prison.

He was arraigned May 27 in 24th District Court and given a $50,000/10% bond with a psychological evaluation requirement and is not allowed to have animals or pets in his house.

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A probable cause conference is set for June 7 and a preliminary examination of the evidence against is scheduled for June 18.

Police were called to Critter Pet Shop, 19309 Ecorse Road, Allen Park, on May 18 and found the dead parakeet in a smashed cardboard box.

The prosecutor's office alleges Chehade smashed the bird with his fist and foot before fleeing the scene.

After video of the incident surfaced, the owner of the pet shop said calls have been coming in from New York to Los Angeles and people have wanted an answer to one main question  who is the man that allegedly killed this parakeet in a fit of anger?

Allen Park Police LT. Jim Thorburn said, the level of craze just keeps one-upping itself.

Thorburn said the Dearborn man became irate because he couldnt return the parakeet for a $30 refund.

Police were told when Chehade tried to return the bird, it already had blood on its wing and appeared to be injured.

It was Michael Simms, co-owner of the pet store, who had the confrontation with Chehade inside the store.

He tried to explain the stores policy about returned pets, and then offered him store credit for the parakeet, but not a refund.

It was then when Chehade is accused of killing the bird.

Nick Simms, the owner, said he saw the incident unfold on video surveillance and commended his store manager, Chris Borus, who held Michael Simms back from getting into a physical confrontation with Chehade.

Hes a pretty big dude and he works out every morning, Simms said of his brother. Everybody wishes Chris would have let him go.

The owner said had Borus allowed that to happen, his brother might also be facing charges.

It took everything for him to hold his temper, Simms said of his brother.

Police were able to find out Chehade's identity from a video surveillance camera that captured his license plate. It was traced to a residence in Dearborn.

Thorburn said police initially called and left a message for him, which he returned and left an officer a message.

Since that time, police said Chehade stopped trying to communicate.

Not only has the pet store been slammed with calls about the incident, so have police.

That doesnt surprise Thorburn.

He said animals draw an enormous amount of attention and anger from avid pet owners when they are mistreated.

Thorburn said the store was filled with customers that evening.

Officers did not have to question them since the entire event is captured on surveillance video.

Nick Simms said the store has been in business for 43 years and has never encountered anything like this before.

Since the incident went public, he said customers have been coming in the store expressing how sorry they are that this occurred.

Some feared the store might even close over the incident.

Nick Simms said there is no chance of that happening.

In fact, there are plans in the works for some improvements, but he said everyone will be more mindful of their surroundings moving forward.

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Over the years, the family has had a running conversation about who has had the most outrageous experience with a customer.

Nick Simms said he had the most outlandish customer until this incident occurred.

Mike came in and said, I think Ive got everyone beat, Simms said.

Nick Simms agrees with his brother that this was "a whole new level of crazy.

Brownstown police identify bodies found in house; woman shot three times Brownstown Township police has released the identities and more information on the deaths of a man and woman ruled a murder-suicide in the 290

+8 Traffic stopped on Fort for balloon release in honor of Southgate teen killed in crash The death of 16-year-old Star Baxter of Southgate has weighed heavy on the hearts of her family and friends, and a community balloon release w

+2 Wyandotte officials reverse decision, 60th annual street art fair will be held after all With the cancellation of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair and ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, Wyandotte city officials initially pulled the plug o
Sterling Heights, MI (48312)

Today

Some sunshine with a thunderstorm or two possible this afternoon. High around 85F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
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The Yoruba Referendum Committee notes the position of the SW APC on the various questions bedeviling the Nigerian State and its categorical opposition to secession of the Yoruba from Nigeria as a possible solution. We also note the Partys projection and promotion of True Federalism and the reallocation of resources and authority that comes with it will empower the states to solve localized issues before they spread and transform into national ones and empower grassroots economic development and political reforms that will stand as bulwarks against the terrorism and criminality now experienced in too many parts of the nation.

While awaiting the position of SW leaders of other Political Parties, we want to state the following:

(A) A Federal Constitution, and therefore a True Federalist State is anchored on the RECOGNITION and IDENTIFICATION of the CONSTITUENTS in their Regional, Lingual, Territorial, or Cultural IDENTITIES which in the case of Nigeria, are the INDIGENES of their territories.

(B) In this category of Federalist constructs based on the IDENTITIES of their Constituents are AUSTRALIA, CANADA, BELGIUM, GERMANY, and SWITZERLAND, whose FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONS are anchored on the IDENTITIES of the Constituents as stated hereunder:

(i) AUSTRALIA: An Act to constitute the Commonwealth of Australia: WHEREAS the people of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania, humbly relying on the blessing of Almighty God, have agreed to unite in one indissoluble Federal Commonwealth under the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and under the Constitution hereby established.

(ii) CANADA: CONSTITUTION ACT 1867: An Act for the Union of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, and the Government thereof; and for Purposes connected therewith. (29th March 1867). WHEREAS the Provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick have expressed their Desire to be federally united into One Dominion under the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, with a Constitution similar in Principle to that of the United Kingdom:

(iii) BELGIUM: TITLE I: On Federal Belgium, Its Components and its Territory: Article 1: Belgium is a federal State composed of Communities and Regions. Article 2: Belgium comprises three Communities: the Flemish Community, the French Community, and the German-speaking Community. Article 3: Belgium comprises three Regions: the Flemish Region, the Walloon Region, and the Brussels Region. Official or national languages (Article 4): Belgium comprises four linguistic regions: the Dutch-speaking region, the French-speaking region, the bilingual region of Brussels-Capital and the German-speaking region. Each municipality of the Kingdom forms part of one of these linguistic regions. The boundaries of the four linguistic regions can only be changed or corrected by a law passed by a majority of the votes cast in each linguistic group in each House, on condition that a majority of the members of each group is present and provided that the total number of votes in favor that are cast in the two linguistic groups is equal to at least two thirds of the votes cast.

(iv). GERMANY---PREAMBLE: Conscious of their responsibility before God and man, inspired by the determination to promote world peace as an equal partner in a united Europe, the German people, in the exercise of their constituent power, have adopted this Basic Law. Germans in the Lander of Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, and Thuringia have achieved the unity and freedom of Germany in free self-determination. This Basic Law thus applies to the entire German people.

(v) SWITZERLAND---- TITLE ONE. GENERAL PROVISIONS: "Art 1. The Swiss Confederation: The People and the Cantons of Zurich, Bern, Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden and Nidwalden, Glarus, Zug, Fribourg, Solothurn, Basel Stadt and Basel Landschaft, Schaffhausen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden, St. Gallen, Graubunden, Aargau, Thurgau, Ticino, Vaud, Valais, Neuchatel, Geneva, and Jura form the Swiss Confederation........Right to culture(Art 2): It shall promote the common welfare, sustainable development, internal cohesion and cultural diversity of the country.....Subsidiary unit government (Art 3). Cantons: The Cantons are sovereign except to the extent that their sovereignty is limited by the Federal Constitution. They exercise all rights that are not vested in the Confederation.. Official or national languages (Art 4). National languages: The National Languages are German, French, Italian, and Romansh."

(SOURCE: https://www.constituteproject.org)

(C) In each of the above examples, it is observed that their Constitutions neither DENY nor NEUTRALIZE the Regional, Lingual, Territorial, or Cultural IDENTITIES of the CONSTITUENTS. Nigerias case cannot be different.

(D) For Nigeria to deny INDIGENESHIP as the basis for FEDERALISM will result in continuous existential crisis until one ETHNO-NATIONALITY is able to SUPPRESS all the others OR ALL NATIONALITIES come round to mutual RECOGNITION and a TRULY FEDERAL CONSTITUTION is endorsed.

(E) Therefore, the YORUBA REFERENDUM COMMITTEE is asking the SW APC to ENDORSE the Yoruba Referendum Bill already submitted to the Governors and Houses of Assembly for consideration and ratification.

(F) The ANNEXURE to the Bill presents the template for a FEDERAL NIGERIA through a valid Federal Constitution, to be known as The Union of Nigerian Constituent Nationalities, with a Federal Presidential Council, whose members will be selected or elected from each of the Nationalities or Zones, as Federating Units and from whom a Head of State will be selected or elected as the primus-inter-pares with an agreed term.

(G) The YORUBA REFERENDUM BILL is the avenue towards THE resolution of the apparent division within Yorubaland, addresses issues germane to TRUE FEDERALISM, provides the basis for the call by southern governors for a National Dialog, establishes the parameters for a New Federation answering General Obasanjos call, becomes the agreed CONSENSUS as demanded by Governor Akeredolu, Femi Falana and others and addresses the SW APCs call for TRUE and GREATER FEDERALISM with a MULTI-NATIONAL STATE.

(H) This will be the Yoruba contribution to the internationally accepted and recognized core concept of governance for a Multi-National, Multi-Ethnic, and Multi-Cultural geo-political space and a beacon for other Nationalities, not only in Nigeria, but also in Africa.

(I) The QUESTION posed in the YORUBA REFERENDUM BILL aims at a decision by the Yoruba as to whether the Yoruba States should form a Region within a Federal Nigeria or NOT.

(J) A YES vote will confirm the ANNEXURE to the Bill as the basis for negotiating with other Nationalities as well as with the Nigerian State through the Constitutional Commission. A NO vote will present opportunities for its champions to provide alternatives towards resolving the Yoruba National Question.

We believe that your commanding role in the Yoruba Political Architecture allows you to formally pursue the course outlined above.

Thank you, sirs.

Editorial Board

The Yoruba Referendum Committee.
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Despite our difficulties in Nigeria the country is still governed by law with certain guarantees in respect of human rights that must be honored at the national as well as the international level.

According to media reports, as the current acting chief of police of the nation you, Usman Alkali Baba were quoted to have said: "If anyone accuses you of human rights violation, the report will come to my table and you know what I will do. So, take the battle to them wherever they are and kill them all. Dont wait for an order. In a young democracy like Nigeria, this is what the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba is asserting. Go and torture, commit mass killing and engage in extrajudicial killings. And do it with impunity. Wow.

With these words, it appears that police officers in the South-East must now ignore the law by shooting at sight while engaged with Ibo youths including persons agitating for separation.

It is also obvious that the posting of Northern Muslim officers as Commissioners to some police commands remain a matter of nervousness within the Igbo communities.

There are dangers to these types of operational strategies. It is now noticeably clear that under your watch, being an Ibo male, a youth especially is a death sentence.

While you and your immediate aides in leadership sit in your comfortable offices in Abuja, you have your policemen and women in these hot areas in combat with some truly angry Igbo youths who see your careless and anarchic orders as problematic to their existence. Which in their heads must be resisted by any means necessary.

For the most part, given the harsh ecological and night-time realities of our environments many of your police officers are easily singled out in specific ways by these reactionary youths.

By your the type of dictatorial words, police on ground find it difficult to effectively manage crime due to lack of sustained cooperation from members of the community.

At the time of this writing, it was being reported that at least four police officers have been killed by unknown armed men during another attack on police, this time at a Police station in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The Enugu State police Commissioner, Mohammed Ndatsu calls to operators of medical facilities in the state, to inform the police any person(s) found with gunshot injuries, a request that will likely be undermined.

Mr. IGP with your overbearing words and targeted approaches to a specific group regarding police led violence against the Igbos you will get less attention and support.

Every sensible human agrees with you that we must keep law and order, and fight crime but methods like shoot-at-sight order, human rights violations and posting of Northern Islamic sounding names as police commanders in Igbo areas are not the fastest and best ways to maintain good community policing and peace.

The perception of anti-Igbo sentiment regarding the discrimination and hostility in Nigeria that exists towards the Igbo people especially by the Islamic northers remains as an existing wahala or issue.

IGP Baba, as a law enforcement leader you should set the pace and tone for legal policy and ethical behavior which will be directing the actions of your subordinates in the field. The use of brute physical force, coercive tactics and inciting genocide should not be part of the directives.

I would also suggest to you to rely on a style of policing in the South-East commands that uses more of non-Fulani/Hausa sounding names as commissioners, divisional police officers and spokespersons, as such tactics will better be able to defuse and sooth potentially violent situations.

I have no doubt that most Nigerians are deeply sorry for the continued senseless loss of our field police officers and sympathize with their families. So, as you continue with your police peacekeeping operations in the Southeast and South-South regions especially, in order to get positive and lasting peace stop talking anyhow.

Prof John Egbeazien Oshodi, an American based Police/Prison Scientist and Forensic/Clinical/Legal Psychologist. [email protected] com
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President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Mr Peter Igbifa, has been abducted.

He was kidnapped around the Omagwa-Port Harcourt International Airport Road in Rivers State on Tuesday.

Those behind the abduction of Igbifa could not be immediately ascertained, but it was learnt that he was on his way to board a flight to attend a meeting in Abuja when the incident occurred.

His abduction happened hours before the expiration of the 30 days ultimatum the IYC gave the Federal Government to constitute the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board or have the region shut down by Ijaw youths.

Igbifa issued the notice on April 26 and followed it up with a warning on May 17 asking all multinational oil companies operating in the region to evacuate and peacefully shut down their oil platforms before the expiration of the notice at midnight of May 26.

The Ijaw youth leader while issuing the warning had stated that it was important for oil workers to leave the region as Ijaw youths would not be able to guarantee their safety, adding that no gunshots would be fired.

The national spokesman for the IYC, Mr Ebilade Ekerefe, confirmed the incident but stated that Igbifa was missing and he would not describe his predicament as a kidnap.

He said,Well, the IYC president is missing. That is what I can say. I can't say he is kidnapped. He is missing.

His two phones numbers are switched off. His last whereabouts that we knew was along the Omagwa-Port Harcourt International Airport Road. He was on his way to join us in Abuja for a meeting.

The incident is unfortunate. We are not suspecting any quarters. The leadership (of IYC) will meet to review our strategy and come up with a position. (Daily Independent)
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Onitsha-Nigeria, 26th May 2021 : It is the new finding by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, a leading research and investigative rights group that no fewer than 2000 law abiding citizens of Eastern Nigeria have since January 2021 been abducted by soldiers of the Nigerian Army and operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Navy, Department of the State Security Service and others; and out of this number, at least, 500 have disappeared or feared killed in secret custody of the Army or made victims of unlawful executions who will never return alive. The abduction involved the victims being secretly arrested at ungodly hours, falsely and criminally labeled without conclusive investigations; held secretly amidst torture and other degrading treatments or punishments; and treated extra jus detention without fair court trial and access to the victims by their families, physicians and lawyers. It is also our finding that out of no fewer than 140 killed in the two regions by the named security operatives especially soldiers and police since January 2021, at least 120 are independently found to be combatively uninvolved or victims of extra-judicial killings. The military and police killings involved not less than 40 killed in Imo, 30 in Akwa Ibom, 20 in Abia, 15 in Rivers, 13 in Anambra, 10 in Ebonyi, 8 in Cross River, 5 in Enugu and none in Delta. All the States mentioned are collectively the victims of the military abductions and disappearances.

The above findings followed our recent review of the ongoing ethnic and religious profiling and cleansing embarked upon by Nigerian military in the East particularly in the States of Imo, Abia, Rivers, Ebonyi, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Delta and Cross River States; discreditably and questionably code-named: Operation Restore Peace. The new review shows that Imo State topped the list of the abductees with no fewer than 500, followed by Abia, Ebonyi, Rivers and Akwa Ibom with average of 300 abductees; Anambra 200 and average of 100 abductees each Cross River, Enugu and Delta States. These abductions, killings, maiming, torture and disappearances by military and police also bear stark evidence of persecution, hate and crude policing and solidering as 99% of the victims cutting across the three heinous crimes are members of Christian faith with most of them belonging to Igbo Ethnic Nationality. Intersociety did not find any evidence showing that such violent clampdowns are also extended to members of Fulani Muslim population resident in the East whose jihadist elements have since 2016 killed over 400 rural and urban Igbo Christians and their neighbors and forcefully occupied over 500 of their farmlands, bushes and forests. Further checks also indicated that the non indigenous Muslim population in the regions are pampered and treated sacredly by the drafted Muslim dominated and controlled security heads.

In the area of inter-agency responsibility as regards to the abductions, killings, and disappearances, etc; soldiers of the Nigerian Army are the most crude, brutish and unprofessional; accounting for many of the killings and most of the disappearances. In Imo State alone, soldiers accounted for many, if not most of the 40 deaths including ten passersby or residents of the State killed at Army roadblock checks and during patrols. Soldiers also accounted for most of not less than 20 killings in Abia State; falsely labeled IPOB/ESN members. In recent repelled unknown gunmen attack at Army roadblock in Aba, for instance, soldiers including members of the reinforcement military squads opened fire and killed scores of passersby including Keke riders and later labeled them IPOB/ESN members. This was after the attackers had retreated safely having been out-gunned. During the recent Orlu shootout between soldiers and the unknown gunmen, out of eleven bodies displayed and labeled as slain IPOB/ESN gunmen, at least six were not combatively involved; same was the case in another attack that took place few days ago in Awka-where out of seven displayed slain bodies of IPOB/ESN gunmen, at least five were not combatively involved. Soldiers also shared same responsibility with police and SSS (DSS) in the area of late night house raids and instant killing of sleeping or resting citizens and their abduction. A clear case in point was in Iriebe, Rivers State where soldiers and police raided a house at late night and opened fire killing a single mother of two and three others and labeled them IPOB members. Instances are many to mention.

Soldiers also took the lead and accounted for over 90% of the 500 disappeared persons. This they did by abducting large number of lawful citizens at roadblocks and during late night raids, etc and hatefully labeled them as IPOB/ESN members. The soldiers after abducting the citizens are found on several occasions to have refused to hand them over to the Police as required by Nigerian Law, but abduct them to unknown locations where they run high risks of being killed and buried in secrecy. Till date, soldiers are still holding 110 abducted Obigbo residents in far away Nigerian Army Commando Base in Bida, Niger State; and out of the number; two have been tortured or starved to death. The victims were abducted in Obigbo, Rivers State since October/November 2020 or since past seven months.

Soldiers, police and DSS shared responsibility for abducting no fewer than 2000 Easterners since January 2021. This they jointly did through late night house raids, house-to-house search, stop-and-search and other forms of operational patrols. While police personnel abducted and kept most of the abductees alive amidst torture and other inhuman treatments including detention without trial; soldiers and DSS are notoriously known to abducting and taking the abductees to their secret dungeons where access to their families, physicians and lawyers is totally blocked and denied. DSS operatives and soldiers including personnel of the Nigerian Navy are also noted for holding their captives for several months or years outside public knowledge, official records and court trial. The most shocking of it all was our recent discovery of secret transfer of between 300 and 350 abducted Eastern citizens to Makurdi Prisons (Correctional Facility) in Benue State. They were among those abducted in Imo, Abia, Anambra and Ebonyi, etc and held in secrecy for months before secretly transferred to the named Prison facilities. The abductees also represent bulk of those abducted by Police. Information concerning the whereabouts of those abducted by soldiers and DSS including the estimated 500 disappeared citizens has remained unavailable; thereby raising serious concerns over their safety including whether they are still alive or not. Survivors among them, likely in their hundreds are strongly suspected to have been secretly transferred to secret military dungeons in the North using hired rogue commercial transport companies.

Finally, apart from soldiers of the Nigerian Army being at the forefront of the ongoing killings in Christian Eastern Nigeria, they are also responsible for many of the referenced abductions and most of the disappearances. These killings, maiming, torture, abuses, abductions and disappearances are fueled by domination and control of the officer corps of the military formations in the two regions by Muslims who wantonly exhibit jihadist and hateful attitudes towards the general citizens of the two regions including seeing and treating them as infidels. In Delta State, such killer military operations are coordinated by 63 Brigade under same domination and control of Muslim officers and non indigenous others. Same goes in Anambra State under Onitsha 302 Army Artillery Regiment and Ogbaru Navy Base, Imo State under 34 Brigade Obinze, Abia State under 14 Brigade Ohafia and 144 Battalion at Asa and Aba and Navy School of Finance and Logistics at Owerrenta; Rivers State under 343 and 5 Battalions, Elele and 6 Division in Port Harcourt; Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States under 2 Brigade, Uyo and 16 Brigade, Yenagoa; Cross River State under 13 Brigade and its 130 Battalion and 341 Artillery Regiment in Ogoja; Ebonyi State under 24 Army Support Engineering, Abakiliki; and Enugu State under 82 Division and its 103 Battalion, Awkunanaw.

Signed:

Principal Officers:

Emeka Umeagbalasi

Criminologist/Board Chair

Barr Chinwe Umeche

Barr Obianuju Igboeli

Barr Chidimma Udegbunam

Contacts:

Phone/WhatsApp: +2348174090052, Email: [email protected] , Website: intersociety-ng.org
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 02:33:02|Editor: huaxia

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Wang Qun (4th R, Front), Chinese envoy to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna, attends a meeting of the Joint Commission on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in Vienna, Austria, on May 25, 2021. Wang Qun on Tuesday urged all parties concerned to show political decisiveness in the ongoing negotiations to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). (EU Delegation Vienna/Handout via Xinhua)

VIENNA, May 25 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday urged all parties concerned to show political decisiveness in the ongoing negotiations to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Wang Qun, Chinese envoy to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna, made the remarks after the JCPOA Joint Commission started a new round of talks on Tuesday.

The meeting came just one day after Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi announced that the temporary arrangement reached with Iran in February, which allows the agency to monitor Iran's nuclear activities, will be extended by one month to June 24.

China welcomes the extension as it provides favorable conditions for advancing the talks of the Joint Commission, said Wang.

China hopes that all parties involved will enhance a sense of urgency, show due political decisiveness, seek package solutions and reach an early agreement on resuming compliance with the JCPOA, Wang said.

Wang noted that China has been actively working to advance the talks. Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed on Monday that China supports Iran's reasonable demands concerning the JCPOA on the Iranian nuclear issue in a telephone conversation with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Wang said.

"We hope that the reasonable demands of the Iranian side will be properly resolved in this negotiation. Of course, China will also continue firmly safeguarding its own legitimate rights and interests," Wang said.

China is willing to continue working with all parties concerned to actively promote an early agreement of the negotiations, he added.

The Joint Commission meeting was chaired by Enrique Mora, the deputy secretary-general and political director of the European External Action Service and attended by representatives from China, France, Germany, Russia, Britain and Iran.

Alain Matton, a spokesperson for the Delegation of the European Union to International Organizations in Vienna, told reporters on Tuesday that the Joint Commission welcomed the prolongation of the technical understanding reached between the IAEA and Iran, as it "gives space" for the ongoing diplomatic process in Vienna.

The U.S. administration under former President Donald Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018 and unilaterally reimposed sanctions on Iran. In response to the U.S. moves, Iran gradually stopped implementing parts of its JCPOA commitments from May 2019.

The JCPOA Joint Commission began to meet in offline format on April 6 in Vienna to continue previous discussions in view of a possible return of the United States to the JCPOA and on how to ensure the full and effective implementation of the JCPOA. Enditem
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Uyo, 26May2021  The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative, together with the Akwa Ibom State Government, today held the groundbreaking and flagged off construction of the Akwa Ibom State University Teaching Hospital at a ceremony in the state. Theconstruction of the Akwa Ibom State University Teaching is being supported by a Five billion Naira ASR Africa Health Infrastructure Grant for which N2.5billion was disbursed immediately to commence construction.

The ASR Africa Initiative was established by African industrialist, philanthropist and founder of Nigerias BUAGroup, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and seeks to support sustainable development initiatives in Health, Education and Social Development within Nigeria and the rest of Africa through its annual $100 million dollars Africa Fund for Social Development and Renewal.

L-R: O'tega Ogra, Group Head Corporate Communications BUA, Udoh Ubon, Managing Director, ASR Africa and Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, representative of Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder, ASR Africa Initiative presenting the first tranche of the N5bn ASR Africa health & social development grant to Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Akwa Ibom State University Teaching Hospital.

In his comments, the Governor of Akwa Ibom, Dr. Udom Emmanuel, thanked the ASR Africa initiative and itsChairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu for the gesture and promised to ensure the grant is put to good use. We are happy to receive the first tranche of N2.5billion from the ASR Africa Initiative and todays groundbreakingceremony coming just two weeks after the N5billion grant was announced signposts the seriousness we attach to delivering a teaching hospital that would be a model for others and one Nigeria would be proud of, the Governor said.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Ubon Udoh, Managing Director of ASR Africa stated that the purpose of gesture was to align with the governments developmental plans for the people of the state. We earlier in the month announced a N5billion grant to the state for healthcare and social development as part of our annual $100 million dollars Annual Africa Fund forSocial Development and Renewal. Today, we have also handed over a first tranche of N2.5billion Naira to commence construction of the Teaching hospital which will be of international standards. This project in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Government, will be implemented and monitored fully in line with the ASR Africa Mutual Accountability Framework., Udoh said.

Representing the founder of ASR Africa, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong said, We have been across the length of the state and we have seen the different developmental projects done by the state government in Primary and Secondary healthcare especially in the areas of infrastructure, are referral system, health, education and human capacity development. What the ASR Africa initiative is simply doing is filling in the gaps and joining the government in delivering comprehensive healthcare to the people. We believe that this hospital will go a long way in boostingthe healthcare system of the state, whilst encouragingresearch and training a new generation of healthcare practitioners.

ABOUT ASR AFRICA

The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative seeks to support sustainable development initiatives in the Health, Education and Social Development within Nigeria and the rest of Africa, every year. For more information visit asrafrica.org or email asrafrica[at]buagroup[dot]com
Take a few minutes to catch up on some of your local news:
A case against a Farmington Hills teen accused of murdering his mother nearly four years ago will not be remanded back to a lower court for another preliminary exam as requested by defense attorneys, an Oakland County judge has decided.

David Steingold, representing Muhammad Al-Tantawi, 19, argued unsuccessfully at a hearing Wednesday that the case has no merit in the wake of a Michigan Supreme Court ruling earlier this year. In February, the justices decided that statements the teen made at a police interview cant be used as evidence against him during his trial for the 2017 slaying of Nada Huranieh, 35, determining that Al-Tantawi hadnt been properly advised of his rights when he spoke to investigators at his home, hours after the killing.

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Calling Al-Tantawis statements a tainted confession, Steingold told Oakland County Circuit Judge Martha Anderson that the prosecution relied on it to establish probable cause and move the case forward. Without the now-disallowed statements, however, the case belongs back in district court for another preliminary exam, Steingold argued, where a judge there would determine if there was enough evidence for the case to advance.

Steingold further said no evidence has been shown that Al-Tantawi killed Huranieh  who died from asphyxiation. He also said that while police found no evidence of forced entry at the home, that doesnt exclude the possibility of another person being the house and causing Huraniehs death. Huranieh, who was in the process of divorcing her childrens father, Bassel Altantawi, was dating, Steingold said, suggesting a suitor couldve committed the murder.

Yet Anderson sided with assistant prosecutor John Skrzynski, who, citing case law, told the court that even circumstantial evidence is sufficient for a case to be advanced. Skryzynski also said the prosecution doesnt have to put all the evidence up when the case is under consideration in district court.

Anderson agreed with Skrzynski that theres a low bar in establishing probable cause that a crime was committed and that the accused likely committed it.

Even without Al-Tantawis statements to police, Anderson said, theres still enough circumstantial evidence that the defendant committed the crime but its up to a jury to decide if the evidence holds up.

Huranieh was found dead on a patio below an upper level window at the familys home on Aug. 21, 2017. Investigators believe the scene was staged to make the death look like the result of an accidental fall, but say evidence proves otherwise  including shadows captured on a home surveillance DVR that reportedly indicate someone pushing a body out the window.

Al-Tantawi spent the first years of his incarceration in Oakland County Childrens Village, then was moved to the Oakland County Jail last summer where hes held without bond. Trial is scheduled to start Sept. 7.

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+3 Oakland County man's 1989 murder conviction tossed It took more than 32 years for Gilbert Poole to be believed.

Nominations sought for Hilda Gage Judicial Excellence Award The Michigan Judges Association is seeking nominations for the annual Hilda Gage Judicial Excellence Award, presented for contributions to the
It took more than 32 years for Gilbert Poole to be believed.

Now, the man convicted of a 1989 murder in Oakland County has been exonerated following a review of DNA evidence, the Michigan Attorney General's Office announced Wednesday.

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Gilbert Lee Poole, Jr., 56, is in the process of being freed from the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility in Jackson, after a hearing Tuesday before Oakland County Circuit Judge Rae Lee Chabot, held virtually via Zoom.

The hearing resulted from efforts by the Western Michigan University Cooley Law Innocence Project along with the attorney general's Conviction Integrity Unit.

"Poole was wrongly convicted of murder in 1989," the AGs Office stated in a news release. "DNA evidence from the scene exonerates him after nearly 32 years in prison."

The case involves the June 1988 slaying of Robert Mejia in Pontiac. Some of the evidence involved bite mark analysis, which has since been discredited. Meanwhile, DNA evidence has improved.

"I spent decades learning, reading, studying law, but none of that was working for me," Poole said in court. "It wasn't until I surrendered to a higher power and God stepped in and sent me a band of angels to look past the rules and regulations and looked to see who was standing in the furnace. I was standing in the furnace. I didn't belong here."

An investigation of Pooles case by the CIU, led by Assistant Attorney General Robyn Frankel, was launched after Cooley Innocence Project attorney Marla Mitchell-Cichon requested the case be reviewed. Findings from the investigation led to the CIU requesting the conviction be vacated and all charges against Poole dismissed, according to the AG's Office.

The Oakland County Sheriffs Office and the Oakland County Prosecutors Office also cooperated with the investigation.

This case serves as an example of the important work being done by our Conviction Integrity Unit, Nessel stated in the news release. When we established (the Conviction Integrity Unit) in 2019, we made a commitment to ensuring those convicted of state crimes are in fact guilty while also providing justice to those wrongfully imprisoned. I appreciate the tireless work the unit put in alongside the WMU-Cooley Innocence Project to reach this outcome for Mr. Poole.

A celebration of Pooles exoneration will be held at Gilletts Lake Park in Jackson following his release.

Unreliable evidence

In its news release, the AGs Office provided background on the case, stating that Robert Mejias body was found in Pontiac on June 7, 1988, after being stabbed to death. He was reportedly last seen at a Pontiac bar. Several people provided a description of the man Mejia left the bar with, and composite drawings were developed. The drawings were published in The Oakland Press, but generated no leads.

That November, Pooles then-girlfriend implicated him in the murder, which ultimately led to his arrest and conviction. During trial, testimony from an expert witness matched Poole to a bite mark found on Mejias body.

According to the AGs Office, bite mark analysis has since been wholly discredited and rejected by the scientific and legal communities as unreliable."

Further, DNA testing done after the conviction, as requested by Pooles legal counsel, showed that blood stains on and around the victim didnt match Pooles DNA or the victims DNA but instead belongs to an unidentified person. That finding led to the CIUs full investigation and, ultimately, to determining Poole was innocent.

Mr. Pooles conviction was based on unreliable evidence, including bite mark comparison which is not based in science, Mitchell-Cichon said. I commend the Michigan Attorney General and her establishment of a conviction integrity unit that will investigate claims of innocence and uncover the truth.

To date, the CIU has reportedly received more than 1,300 requests for assistance.

Grants received in 2019 by the AGs Office and the Cooley Innocence Project from the Department of Justice help fund a partnership between the two to screen claims of innocence and conduct DNA testing, as well as review cases where unreliable forensics played a role in the conviction, the AGs Office stated, adding that the partnerships were instrumental in Pooles investigation and release.

Exonerated prisoners are eligible for up to a year of reentry housing and two years of other supportive services offered by MDOC's Michigan Offender Success Program. Services include assistance in finding a job, job training, help with transportation, work clothes or tools, assistance in obtaining vital documents and more.

Under Michigan's wrongful conviction compensation program, $50,000 is granted for each year an exonerated person spent in prison. For Poole, it totals $1.6 million.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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EU and AstraZeneca battle in court over vaccine delays

WORLD: The European Commission will confront drugs giant AstraZeneca in a Belgian court today (May 26) over coronavirus vaccine delivery shortfalls that hampered efforts to kickstart inoculations across the bloc.

CoronavirusCOVID-19Vaccine

By AFP

Wednesday 26 May 2021, 11:02AM

Photo: AFP.

Lawyers for both sides are due to appear before a judge in the French-speaking court in Brussels from 9:00am local time (1pm Phuket time). Another hearing is scheduled for Friday, the court said.

The EU is suing the British-Swedish pharmaceutical group in a bid to force it to deliver 90 million more doses of its COVID-19 vaccine before July.

The deadline for the contract was set for mid-June, according to the Commission, and the EU says the company will face financial penalties if it does not meet this deadline.

AstraZeneca delivered only 30 million doses in the first quarter out of the 120 million it was contracted to supply. For the current quarter which runs until June 30, it plans to deliver only 70 million of the 180 million initially promised.

A Commission official close to the case told AFP this month that AstraZeneca was currently delivering doses at a rate of only 10 million per month, well below the planned pace.

The group denies having failed in its obligations and at the end of April denounced the lawsuit as unfounded.

One lawyer for AstraZeneca claimed that the EU had been warned as early as February of the delays and expressed surprise that the bloc had waited at least two months to take the matter to court.

The EU is also accusing the pharmaceutical giant - which worked with Oxford University in the development of its vaccine - of having favoured the UK in its deliveries, even for jabs made by subcontractors on the continent.

AstraZenecas French-Australian boss Pascal Soriot has argued that his companys contract with the EU binds it only to a best reasonable efforts clause.

But the European Commission says the rest of the contract shows greater legal responsibility than that, and EU diplomats and lawmakers have pointed out that the company has largely delivered promised doses to Britain, where it is headquartered.

Not in the contract

The commission, which has been responsible for procuring vaccines for all of the bloc, initially intended to use the AstraZeneca jab as the main workhorse to power the EUs inoculation drive.

It has now switched to the more expensive BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine as its mainstay.

In a hearing, Rafael Jafferali, one of the commissions lawyers, accused AstraZeneca of having breached numerous obligations under the pre-order contract.

This affects both the production and delivery of the vaccines, he said.

But Hakim Boularbah, AstraZenecas lawyer, said the contracts contained no obligation to use (production) sites.

This may be what the commission wants, but it is not provided for in the contract, he said.

The row has eroded public confidence in the AstraZeneca jab, which also took a blow over worries of links to very rare blood clots in people who had received it.

In the European Union, Denmark, as early as April, and later Norway and Austria, stopped using AstraZeneca in their vaccination campaigns.

Most other countries have restricted its administration to older adults. This is the case in France, where it is reserved for those aged 55 and over.
Moderna jabs ready in third quarter

THAILAND: The vaccine manufactured by US-based Moderna will be available for private buyers in Thailand in the third quarter of the year, according to the Private Hospital Association (PHA).

CoronavirusCOVID-19healthVaccine

By Bangkok Post

Wednesday 26 May 2021, 09:53AM

Photo: AFP

The vaccination timeline has been brought forward and the price hospitals would charge is tentatively put at B2,000 per shot, excluding insurance and service charges.

Chalerm Harnphanich, the association president and chief executive officer of Bangkok Chain Hospital, said the association had doubled its original order for five million doses of the Moderna vaccine via the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO).

Dr Chalerm said key information would be disclosed next week about the quantity of vaccine to be delivered, when the doses would arrive in Thailand and when the first shots would be given.

Once the vaccine order had been finalised, the association would be required to fully pay the GPO up front, he said. Exactly how much private hospitals would charge customers would also be announced next week but Dr Chalerm expected them to try to keep this close to the cost price.

He said there was no plan to import vaccines from other manufacturers.

The PHA said earlier the standard price of the vaccine would include the service fee for each hospital and insurance for any side-effects. The insurance would be valid for 90 days and wont cost more than B100.

AstraZeneca will be on time: Anutin

Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul insists the government will be ready to launch a massive COVID-19 vaccination programme as promised from June 7 using AstraZenecas vaccine.

Mr Anutin wanted to allay the publics fears over the companys readiness to deliver what it has promised.

Speaking after meeting with company representatives yesterday (May 25), the deputy prime minister said that AstraZeneca had given him updated information and the discussion had been very positive.

He did not specify the exact date the company would deliver its first vaccine batch to the ministry but said the company would provide further deliveries every month.

What we can say right now is that the company will be able to send its vaccine continuously every month, Mr Anutin said. The amount will be based on discussions between the company and the Department of Disease Control (DDC).

We cant say the exact date we will get our first delivery from the company but we are confident that it will be ready by June 7.

Talks between AstraZeneca representatives and Mr Anutin were held yesterday amid scepticism the company would be able to fulfil the ministrys orders after many hospitals were forced to cancel appointments citing a shortage of vaccines.

The British-Swedish company has so far sent about 100,000 vaccine doses to satisfy a special government request in February, when the country was facing a surge of infections.

AstraZeneca yesterday confirmed to the Bangkok Post said it would be able to provide its vaccine to Thailand next month.

A company representative also told the Post its new supply chain for Thailand was nearing completion and would serve an important role in maintaining continuous supplies to Thailand and Southeast Asia.

As part of the manufacturing process, each vaccine batch must undergo over 60 different quality assurance control tests and review processes. The system is designed to ensure each dose is of the same high quality that can be expected from any AstraZeneca product.

We are currently waiting for the final reviews from the first batch of our COVID-19 vaccines manufactured in Thailand, the company said.

We expect to have more information this week and to update the government of Thailand on a delivery schedule immediately afterwards. Ensuring the fastest high-quality production of the vaccine is our single most critical focus.
Phang Nga man dies after Phuket Sinovac vaccination injection

PHUKET: A 43-year-old man from Phang Nga has died after suffering chest pains and a heart attack on Monday night after receiving his first Sinovac COVID-19 vaccination injection at Phuket airport on Sunday (May 23).

COVID-19CoronavirusVaccinedeathhealth

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Wednesday 26 May 2021, 01:16PM

Phang Nga health officials yesterday said they were continuing their investigation into the mans death.

Speaking at Phang Nga Hospital, Phang Nga Provincial Public Health Office Deputy Chief Dr Wiset Munam, Phang Nga Hospital Director Dr Thiprat Tonsakulprasert and hospital doctor Dr Peerawit Pinpitak explained that they had requested the mans family to allow an autopsy be performed by medical experts in Surat Thani.

However, the family had already requested the mans body be returned so that he could be buried in accordance with Muslim funeral rites.

Samples taken from the mans body are to be examined through laboratory tests and experts from the Epidemiology Division, Department of Disease Control, had already arrived to assist the investigation, they said.

Phang Nga health officials are also coordinating with the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) to investigate the details of the vaccine that was injected, they added.

Dr Peerawit noted that another man had been admitted to Phang Nga Hospital after receiving a COVID vaccination injection. The man, 52 years old, already suffered from high blood pressure, he said.

The man is now receiving treatment at Vachira Phuket Hospital, Dr Peerawit said.

The first symptom identified was that the man was weak in his left leg. An X-ray examination and blood tests have found nothing abnormal, so the man is to undergo an MRI examination at Surat Thani Hospital today (May 26), he added.

Phang Nga Provincial Public Health Office Deputy Chief Dr Wiset maintained that Phang Nga officials were not being silent about the 43-year-old mans death or other issues regarding health effects from people receiving COVID vaccination injections.

We will proceed with determination to identify the cause of death as soon as possible by questioning witnesses as well as [considering] the results of laboratory examinations, he said.

In addition, we will investigate the vaccines administered to the deceased and those with side effects, and further detailed studies will be conducted with the relevant departments at the district level, and the ministry will send this information to the Central Vaccine Committee to continue their investigation, he added.

For people who have registered to receive the vaccine, do not be afraid. If you have a medical condition or suffer anxiety, please consult a doctor or health worker at a public health facility near you, Dr Wiset said.

The trio of Phang Nga health officials yesterday confirmed that so far the primary cause of death of the 43-year-old man has been attributed to acute myocardial infarction (commonly called a heart attack) and that fatal medical conditions had been identified.

The man, now identified as Winai Hemin, a resident of Tambon Thai Chang in Phang Nga Town, had suffered high cholesterol, his wife Ms Poranee Ngamsap, 32, told reporters.

Ms Poranee said that her husband woke in the middle of the night suffering severe chest pains.

He was rushed to Phang Nga Hospital, where medical staff worked urgently to try to save his life, but were unable to, she said.

Ms Poranee said that doctors had given the cause of death as a heart attack, but that she and her family believed that the cause of death was more likely from the COVID-19 vaccine because her husband had received a vaccination injection just one day earlier.

Ms Poranee said that her husband was a healthy person and liked to play sports, but also said that he had high cholesterol.

Mr Winai worked delivering dried seafood between Phang Nga and several southern provinces. He received his first Sinovac COVID vaccination injection at Phuket airport on Sunday afternoon, she said.

Before the injection he was anxious and his blood pressure had risen. He had to wait about an hour after the injection [before being allowed to leave] and he returned home to Phang Nga on Monday morning, Ms Poranee said.

He had a mild fever, and he took some medicine and even drove to deliver products to Phuket. When he came home, he still had a mild fever and was feeling exhausted, she added.

In the middle of the night, he said he felt that he was very hot. He asked why he was so hot, and he told me to read the post-vaccine advice about what it was, and then he said that his chest was sore on the inside.

He was frightened and hurried to call his relatives to take himt to Phang Nga Hospital, but when he arrived at the hospital, doctors said that he had no pulse and that they had worked for almost an hour to save his life, she added.

We are confident that the cause of death is definitely due to the COVID-19 vaccination, Ms Poranee said.

The doctors asked if his body could be taken for a thorough autopsy. However, the family did not wish this because the body has to be taken for Islamic rituals, she added.

LOCAL SENTIMENT

Phuket officials have yet to publicly recognise Mr Winais death.

Meanwhile, officials, community leaders and administrative staff responsible for organising the mass vaccination rollout at Phuket airport told The Phuket News yesterday that they had not heard of news of his death.

Worawit Sisakukham, Village Headman of Moo 6, Baan Mai Khao, stationed at the vaccination area at the X-Terminal building, said that much of most peoples concerns yesterday were still focussed on people from outside Phuket being allowed to receive a COVID vaccination in Phuket.

Everyone must be compassionate because the vaccine in Phuket is limited, he said.

In the past, Phuket allowed everyone to register for vaccination freely [not true  Ed], but there was a problem with some people coming to Phuket to be vaccinated. Many who travel by private car come to register and secretly mixed with Phuket people to be vaccinated along with large groups, he said.

Following provincial officials suspending the vaccination of people not registered as living in Phuket, the number of people arriving to be vaccinated at the airport had fallen, he noted.

It was very effective because normally at least 2,000 people a day would register to be vaccinated here, but after the announcement the number of people fell to about 1,000 people a day, he said.

Sentiment against outsiders remained high yesterday.

Mai Khao Tambon Chief (Kamnan) Olean Maliwan said that people had expressed concern about one foreigner who did not live in Phuket but regularly travelled to the island for business had been granted permission by officials to receive a COVID vaccination even after the latest announcement.

Regardless, some people at the airport vaccination centre said they only wanted to focus on allowing Phuket to reopen to receiving foreign tourists from July 1.

One woman, who asked to be called only Nang Ying, said that many people felt the same.

I want to get vaccinated because I want Phuket [officials] to open the island as quickly as possible so that everything will be back to the same. Tourists will return to Phuket to improve the economy of Phuket, she said.

All people who The Phuket News spoke to at the airport yesterday said they were not afraid of receiving their vaccination injection, saying it was neither scary nor painful. There may be a slight pain like a normal injection, was the common consensus.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 05:45:04|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, on Tuesday called out to members of the Security Council on the issue of respect for international humanitarian law (IHL).

"We expect members of the (Security) Council to act more decisively to improve their own action and leverage their special relationship with allies, partners and proxies to respect international humanitarian law," he told a Security Council open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

"We won't see better respect of the law if members of the council continue to call out others, while at the same time excluding themselves and their allies and proxies from critical review. Scrutinizing your own military operations and leveraging relationships in order to improve IHL is absolutely critical," said Maurer.

Today, nobody fights wars alone. Through arms transfers, training, equipment, advice, assistance, intelligence cooperation, capacity building, information and logistical support, members of the Security Council engage directly or indirectly in military operations around the world, where, at times, there are violations of international humanitarian law, he said.

The ICRC has proposed a framework for strategic reflection on how to minimize risks of violations and maximize protection outcomes, he said. "We stand ready, bilaterally and multilaterally, confidentially, diplomatically to work with you to achieve better outcomes." Enditem
Stay at home for Visakha Bucha

PHUKET: The Ministry of Culture is asking people to make merit by staying at home for the Buddhist religious holiday Visakha Bucha today (May 26).

culturereligionalcohol

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 26 May 2021, 08:30AM

Image: Ministry of Culture

Visakha Bucha is a national public holiday during which Buddhists throughout the country traditionally gather at temples to join ceremonies, including the candle-lit processions.

Instead of people joining large gatherings at temples, the Ministry of Culture is advising Buddhists this year to stay home and join ceremonies and festivities to be held online.

Wherever you are, you can make merit, the ministry noted in a post online yesterday, ahead of todays main ceremonies.

The ministry has set up two websites, one called Stay home make merit and the other called Wian Tian Online, devoted to people joining the candle-lit processions.

Each year on Visakha Bucha Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate three great events on this full moon of the sixth lunar month: The birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha.

Devout Buddhists rise early to visit temples to make merit and listen to sermons on the Buddhas teachings.

After sunset, candle-lit processions traditionally take place at major temples throughout the country, with devout Buddhists walking clockwise three times around the principal chapel while clasping three incense sticks, a lighted candle and lotus buds. During the wiang tian candle processions, the air is filled with burning incense and smoke from the candles as the faithful complete this most sacred of Buddhist celebrations.

On this day, most government offices on the island will be closed, including Phuket Immigration Office, the Employment Office, the Land Transport Office and the islands three District Offices.

All main bank branches will be closed, but branches in shopping centres will remain open.

All Royal Thai Police and Tourist Police stations will remain open and some local consulates will be open to serve their respective citizens.

Alcohol sales is prohibited throughout the country by law, except at duty-free shops at the airport.

According to an announcement by the Prime Ministers Office on January 22, 2015, the sale of alcohol is prohibited on five specific religious days: Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha Day, Khao Pansa and Wan Org Pansa days.
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Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, a number of travel industry executives and experts are expressing confidence that many Americans will be ready to hit the road and take to the skies again this summer.

Their bullishness reflects the proliferation of COVID-19 vaccines, the abatement of the pandemic across the country and data showing a significant number of Americans intent to resume traveling after facing social distancing restrictions in the past 15 months. A rebound cannot come soon enough for the leisure and hospitality sector, one of the industries most acutely affected by the global health crisis.

People who live in the U.S. are very lucky to be in a place where, thankfully, things are a lot different and people can travel very easily now, Glenn Fogel, CEO and president of Norwalk-based online travel services giant Booking Holdings, said Monday during the virtual J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference.

In the first quarter of this year, Booking saw its revenues plummet 50 percent year over year to about $1.1 billion. The No. 210-ranked company on last years Fortune 500 list operates in more than 220 countries and territories, primarily through Booking.com, Priceline, Agoda.com, Rentalcars.com, Kayak and OpenTable.

But Booking and other travel companies are seeing numerous signs of customers growing desire to travel. Ahead of National Road Trip Day on Friday, Priceline released last week the results of a survey that found that nine in 10 Americans have taken at least one road trip in the past year. During that span, 75 percent took more than four.

Those in the northeastern U.S. were the most adventurous: 95 percent of survey respondents from that region have taken a road trip in the past year.

In another auspicious sign for the industry, four in 10 Americans plan to take at least one vacation this summer  a percentage similar to the activity during the summer of 2019, according to a report published Tuesday by professional-services firm Deloitte.

The need for a post-lockdown getaway, cited by nearly half of Americans planning leisure trips, is the top motivation for travel this summer, Deloitte officials wrote in the report. A smaller share, 41 percent, said that they are regular summer travelers. Clearly, so-called revenge travel, a term first coined when China emerged from local lockdowns and saw a domestic travel surge, has come to America.

Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media

A resurgence in travel would also benefit Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, where activity has dropped precipitously since the pandemic began. A total of about 2.4 million travelers passed through Bradley in 2020, down 64 percent from 2019. In the first three months of 2021, about 590,000 passengers frequented the airport, down 54 percent year over year.

Officials at the Connecticut Airport Authority, the owner-operator of Bradley, anticipate 43 percent fewer passengers in the lead-up to Memorial Day compared with the 2019 Memorial Day travel timeframe. Memorial Day weekend does not rank among Bradleys busiest periods because CAA officials said that they do not typically see a lot of air travel during that period.

Our anticipated passenger traffic leading up to the Memorial Day holiday is in line with what we have been seeing this entire month in terms of passenger volume, said CAA spokesperson Alisa Sisic. With the continued vaccine rollout and relaxing of travel related restrictions across the country, we are hopeful the traffic will continue to improve over the summer.

Despite its struggles, Bradley has announced a number of new routes in the past few months. The new Breeze Airways said last week it would launch this summer four nonstop routes connecting Bradley with Charleston, S.C.; Columbus, Ohio; Norfolk, Va.; and Pittsburgh. Also last week, Sun Country Airlines committed to starting nonstop service between Bradley and Minneapolis.

As noted by CAA officials and many others in the travel industry, COVID-19 vaccinations have greatly helped in restoring confidence in the safety of mass transit. In the past week, Connecticuts total number of doses administered for every 100,000 people ranked No. 3 among the states, according to the CDC.

People who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine or a vaccine authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization can travel safely within the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says on its website.

The CDC defines people as fully vaccinated against COVID-19 when two weeks have passed since receiving the second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks have gone by since getting a single-dose vaccine such as the Johnson & Johnson immunization.

At least 75 percent of travelers are considering factors such as CDC guidelines and vaccination status when choosing their vacation destination, according to the Deloitte report.

But as the pandemic persists, many are still reticent about venturing farther afield. Among non-travelers, 41 percent said health concerns would keep them home, while nearly 30 percent cited financial concerns, Deloitte found.

pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; twitter: @paulschott
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 08:19:03|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The following are the updates on the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

- - - -

SANTIAGO -- Chile on Tuesday began vaccinating people under the age of 30 as part of the country's mass inoculation campaign against COVID-19, which has immunized 50 percent of the target population so far.

According to the Ministry of Health, 15,200,840 people, or 80 percent of the country's total population, will be inoculated by June 30, including about 23 percent between 18 and 29 years old.

- - - -

HOUSTON -- Governor of the U.S. state of Louisiana John Bel Edwards on Tuesday announced the relaxation of the remaining COVID-19 rules.

According to the governor, such easing of restrictions will include an end to the statewide school mask mandate. Local school districts will still be allowed to set their own mask rules.

- - - -

MEXICO CITY -- Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and his Argentine counterpart Alberto Fernandez on Tuesday affirmed their commitment to supplying Latin America with vaccines against the novel coronavirus disease, with both having contracts with international pharmaceutical firms to produce domestically.

In a video call, the two leaders underscored their bilateral agreement to produce the AstraZeneca-Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine, in cooperation with the Mexican Carlos Slim Foundation, for the benefit of Latin America, praising it as a reflection of regional solidarity and integration.

- - - -

HAVANA -- Cuba reported 1,291 new daily COVID-19 infections and 11 more deaths, reaching 135,499 cases and 901 deaths, the Ministry of Public Health said on Tuesday.

Havana registered another 570 new cases and continues to have the highest incidence rate in the country, the ministry's director of hygiene and epidemiology Francisco Duran said during his daily COVID-19 report.

- - - -

RABAT -- A total of 8,011,014 first doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Morocco as of Tuesday, the Moroccan Ministry of Health said in a statement.

The statement added that the tally of people vaccinated with two doses reached 4,947,483. Enditem
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP)  The American Civil Liberties Union asked a federal judge Tuesday to strike down a new Arkansas law that made the state the first to ban gender confirming treatments or surgery for transgender youth.

The ACLU filed a lawsuit challenging the new prohibition, which is set to take effect on July 28. It prohibits doctors from providing gender confirming hormone treatment, puberty blockers or surgery to anyone under 18 years old, or from referring them to other providers for the treatment.

The ACLU filed the lawsuit on behalf of four transgender youth and their families, as well as two doctors who provide gender confirming treatments. The lawsuit argues the prohibition will severely harm transgender youth in the state and violate their constitutional rights.

If the health care ban goes into effect, it will have devastating consequences for transgender youth in Arkansas," the lawsuit said. These young people will be unable to obtain medical care that their doctors and parents agree they need  and those already receiving care will have their treatment abruptly halted  which could have serious and potentially life-threatening consequences."

Republican lawmakers enacted the ban in April, overriding a veto by GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson. The governor vetoed the ban following pleas from pediatricians, social workers and the parents of transgender youth who said the measure would harm a community already at risk for depression and suicide.

Hutchinson said the law went too far, especially since it wouldn't exempt youth already receiving the care. Gender confirming surgery is not performed on minors in Arkansas.

Hutchinson on Tuesday said he wasn't surprised by the lawsuit, but said he had not read the filing and didn't have a comment on the case.

Neighboring Tennessee is the only other state to enact a similar ban on gender treatments for youth, though that state's law is limited to providing gender-confirming hormone treatment to prepubescent minors.

Arkansas' prohibition has already caused pain and confusion for families in the state whose children are receiving treatments. At least six transgender adolescents in the state attempted suicide in the weeks after the ban was approved, according to the lawsuit.

The ban has also prompted some families to look at moving out of Arkansas to continue care for their children.

As a parent, it's been incredibly distressing because my thoughts are constantly on, what am I going to do for my son if this... takes effect and he can no longer receive the gender affirming care that has made him the happy, confident, thriving kid that he's been?" said Joanna Brandt, who along with her 15-year-old son Dylan are listed as plaintiffs in the suit

Dylan, who started taking testosterone in August, said he hoped the lawsuit would send a message to the state about the impact the ban will have on him and other transgender youth.

It's obviously taken a toll on me not knowing what's going to happen, seeing that people in my state don't necessarily want me here and keep trying to run us off," he said. That's why we're fighting."

Supporters of the ban have said transgender youth should wait until theyre 18 to make such decisions. Some compared the prohibition to other ones minors face, such as for smoking or drinking.

But health professionals say that argument is leaving a false impression that these treatments are available on short notice and with little thought. Multiple medical groups, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, oppose the bans and experts say the treatments are safe if properly administered.

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, a Republican, vowed to aggressively defend Arkansas' ban.

I wont sit idly by while radical groups such as the ACLU use our children as pawns for their own social agenda," she said in a statement.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  People protested Tuesday near the Mississippi Capitol and the state Supreme Court building to demand that Gov. Tate Reeves call legislators into special session to restore a medical marijuana initiative that voters approved in November and that justices recently overturned.

In the 6-3 ruling May 14, the state Supreme Court also invalidated Mississippi's entire initiative process that allows citizens to petition to bring issues to a statewide vote. Justices said the process is outdated, so the medical marijuana proposal was not properly on the ballot.

About 1.3 million people voted in Mississippi in November, and more than 766,000 of them voted in favor of the medical marijuana proposal, Initiative 65. Thats about 10,000 more residents than voted in November for then-President Donald Trump, who easily won in Mississippi despite losing his race for a second term.

One handwritten sign Tuesday said: New Math: 6 (is greater than) 766K.

Brandon Allen, 35, a military veteran from Pearl, sat holding sign with the slogan: Special Session Now Tater Tot. Allen said he knows veterans who have post traumatic stress syndrome, and marijuana could help them.

I don't think the government should tell people how they should and shouldn't live, Allen said in an interview moments before a band at the event started playing the Willie Nelson song, Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die."

Mississippi is in the minority of states without a medical marijuana program. Legislators' annual session ended in early April. Only the governor can call them back to the Capitol, and he decides what topics they may consider. Republican Reeves has given no indication that hell call them back to consider enacting a medical marijuana law.

Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler opposed Initiative 65 because it limited cities' ability to regulate the location of marijuana businesses. She and the city of Madison sued the state shortly before the November election, arguing that Mississippi's initiative process is flawed and that the medical marijuana proposal should not be on the ballot.

A majority of justices agreed with her arguments. At the heart of their ruling is the fact that Mississippi's initiative process, written in the 1990s, requires people to gather one-fifth of signatures from each congressional district. Mississippi had five districts when that was written, but stagnant population meant that the state dropped to four districts after the 2000 Census. Language dealing with the initiative process was never updated, and Butler's attorneys argued that the one-fifth requirement from four districts is mathematically impossible.

When a speaker mentioned Butler during Tuesday's protest, many people booed.

DeAndrea Delaney runs businesses that sell hemp products in Mississippi, and she said on stage at the protest that the vote for the medical marijuana initiative united people across lines that traditionally divide them.

Cannabis  theres no gender gap. Theres no racial gap, Delaney said. Theres no red. Theres no blue. Its just about the green today.

____

Follow Emily Wagster Pettus on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EWagsterPettus.
Ridgefield Allies is hosting a brief twilight vigil at the Ballard Park gazebo on Tuesday, May 25, at 8 p.m. to mark the one-year anniversary of the death of George Floyd. The public is invited to join in solemn remembrance of and solidarity with victims of racial injustice.

Ridgefield Allies, a community organization, was founded by concerned residents last spring in the aftermath of the killings of Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbrey and others.
Salem, MO (65560)

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 13:02:41|Editor: huaxia

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by Tarafa Mugwara, Zhang Yuliang

HARARE, May 26 (Xinhua) -- China's rapid development offers the world great inspiration that a country could achieve prosperity through modernization instead of waging wars, said an official of Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party.

Christopher Mutsvangwa, ZANU-PF's Politburo member and secretary for science and technology, told Xinhua in a recent interview that China has steadily transformed from a poverty-stricken country into an economic powerhouse under the visionary leadership of the CPC, which is famous for its people-centered governance approach.

His remarks came as the CPC is to mark its centenary on July 1 this year.

Mutsvangwa, also chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association and former Zimbabwean ambassador to China, said the development trajectory that the CPC has taken since the start of the country's reform and opening-up in 1978 has led to China's economic take-off within a short period of time, which in his eyes has set a good example for the developing world, including Africa.

By integrating modernity with its historical experience, China has enabled itself to build its inner strength and self-confidence which in turn catapulted it to the world's second-largest economy, he said.

Mutsvangwa spoke highly of Chinese President Xi Jinping's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, adding that the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative will bring prosperity and development to countries along the route.

A peaceful world can only be achieved based on improved material conditions for people, he said.

"So this is the historic goal which the CPC has over the years proven to be pursuing. They want prosperity for the Chinese people, they want prosperity for their neighbors, and they also want prosperity for the world," he said.

In addition, Mutsvangwa said what is valuable is that China's economic growth during the past four decades is accompanied by its adherence to a peaceful development path, unlike in the past when the rise of a new power was always characterized by warfare.

"You can modernize without causing war, and this is very good Chinese experience to future superpowers, to future powers, you can modernize without going to war, without creating death and distraction," he said.

Mutsvangwa said the CPC has managed to unite and lead the Chinese people towards a common goal, which created the country's economic miracle.

He said the phenomenal success China has achieved in alleviating poverty has become a source of inspiration for African countries.

The most precious wisdom that China has shared with the world is that "rapid progress is not centered around a particular nation, but is a shared goal of all humanity," Mutsvangwa said.

Africa's challenge has been the lack of capital, Mutsvangwa noted, adding that "China has given Africa a development dividend, which it would not have if Western countries had remained dominant."

China has also offered Africa a technological dividend, adding the entry of China's telecom giants Huawei and ZTE into the African market has lowered the costs of telecommunication services on the continent, the official said.

Mutsvangwa lauded China for its non-interference policy in its engagement with Africa, saying unlike the traditional Western "one-size-fits-all" approach, China always encourages Africa to use its own judgment and choose what best suits its circumstances.

Mutsvangwa said Zimbabwe is a major beneficiary of its long-standing ties between ZANU-PF and the CPC, adding that the relationship between the two parties has blossomed into one of the most successful inter-party relationships.

Relations between ZANU-PF and the CPC dates back to the 1960s and 1970s when China provided ZANU-PF with assistance during its fight against British colonial rule. Enditem
NED BRISTOL is a retired editor of The Sun Chronicle. Information about racial categories can be found at census.gov .
Heber Springs, AR (72543)

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Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 93F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%..

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 14:05:26|Editor: huaxia

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GENEVA, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Delegates from countries such as Egypt, Mexico, Niger and Gabon on Tuesday highlighted China's support in their fight against COVID-19 at the ongoing virtual World Health Assembly, the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization.

The pandemic was an opportunity to nurture research capacity and researchers' competencies, so Egypt participated in clinical trials to test China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, said Egypt's Minster of Health Hala Zayed.

"I would like to highlight the significance of reaching an international strategy to improve access to medicines and vaccines with a focus on the importance of technology transfer, which Egypt has already done through constructive cooperation by resettling the vaccine industry and transferring manufacturing technology from the Chinese side," said the minister.

"We aspire, after the success of these experiences, to make Egypt a regional center to fulfill the needs of countries in the region based on Egypt's pioneer role in facing global and humanitarian challenges," she added.

Egypt has received the first batch of the raw materials to manufacture China's Sinovac vaccine, said the Chinese embassy in Egypt on Sunday.

Along with the Sinovac raw materials, a new shipment of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines also arrived at the Cairo International Airport on Friday, according to a statement by the embassy.

Jorge Alcocer Varela, secretary of health of Mexico, thanked friendly nations such as Argentina, China and Russia for their support.

"We have promoted a special program that promotes the use of safe vaccines in our country. In a very short space of time, Mexico has set up alliances that could be replicated in other parts of the world to accelerate the manufacture and distribution of available vaccines," he said.

Several shipments of China's COVID-19 vaccines have been sent to Mexico to help the country combat the pandemic.

The delegate from Niger also expressed gratitude to China, saying that Niger has set up an effective response mechanism with bilateral and multilateral support.

"This has allowed us to achieve satisfactory results when it comes to the management of the two waves that have affected our country," said the delegate.

Since March, Gabon has carried out vaccination campaign and over 11,000 people have been vaccinated with Sinopharm vaccines donated by China, said the Gabonese delegate.

Gabon received the first batch of China-donated Sinopharm vaccines in March. China is planning to send another batch of COVID-19 vaccines to Gabon to help the African country defeat the pandemic as soon as possible. Enditem
BREESE AND SHELBYVILLE  The HSHS Medical Group Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Program welcomed Dr. Srikanth Markapuram, MD, to their medical team.

As a geriatric specialist with the HSHS Medical Group SNF Program, Markapuram helps care for high-acuity patients living in short- and long-term intermediate skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities in Breese and Shelbyville.

In addition to creating customized plans to maximize each patients capabilities and quality of life, Markapuram provides chronic disease management, medication management and comfort care.

Markapuram received his medical degree from P.E.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh, India. He completed internal medicine residencies at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago and McLaren Regional Medical Center in Flint, Michigan.

Markapuram is a member of the American College of Physicians.

To learn more, call 618-526-5948 (Breese) or 217-774-3806 (Shelbyville).
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden is expected to name former senior State Department official Tom Nides to serve as ambassador to Israel, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Nides is currently the managing director and vice chairman of Morgan Stanley. He previously served as deputy secretary of state for management and resources under Hillary Clinton from 2011 to 2013. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the yet-to-be announced pick, said Nides has already been formally offered the position.

The president is expected to soon announce the pick, though exact timing remains unclear, according to a second person familiar with the deliberations. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly, added that Biden had made his choice for the Israel ambassadorship and vetting was underway.

The White House declined to comment on Nides' forthcoming nomination.

Robert Wexler, a former Democratic congressman from Florida, was also receiving serious consideration for the high-profile post, officials said.

Getting an ambassador in place in Israel has become a high priority for the administration after this month's 11-day war between Israel and Hamas that killed more than 250 people mostly Palestinians  and displaced tens of thousands from the Gaza Strip. The fighting marked the most significant clashes between Israel and Hamas since 2014.

Israelis complained in the weeks following Bidens inauguration in January that he was slow to name his envoy and to reach out to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Some Israeli officials worried that the relative early silence forecast a chillier relationship between the two close allies after former President Donald Trumps warm embrace.

Biden, who spoke to Netanyahu for the first time about four weeks after his swearing in, had put off his first call with Netanyahu, in part, because he first wanted to speak with key European allies as he weighed his steps on reviving the Iran nuclear deal hatched during the Obama administration and shelved by the Trump White House. Netanyahu strongly opposes the deal.

But the official said that the Biden administrations diplomatic efforts with Israel even before this month's fighting had been complicated by Israels own chaotic politics in the leadup to the fourth round of elections there in March.

Nides launched his Washington career in 1986 working for Rep. Tony Coelho, the Democratic majority whip. He also worked for Democratic House Speaker Tom Foley early in his career. During the Clinton administration, he served as chief of staff to the United States Trade Representative Mickey Kantor. Barack Obama nominated him in 2010 to serve as deputy secretary of state for management and resources.

In addition to his work at Morgan Stanley, Nides has also done stints as a top executive at Fannie Mae, Credit Suisse First Boston, Zurich-based Credit Suisse Group, and the global public relations firm Burson-Marsteller.

___

This story was first published on May 25, 2021. It was updated on May 26, 2021, to correct Nides began his career in Washington in 1986, not in 2006.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  A Vietnam veteran charged with bringing 11 molotov cocktails and other weapons to Washington on the day of the U.S. Capitol riot had driven around the area a month prior, kept lists of officials and tried to find Republican Sen. Ted Cruz to discuss election fraud, a judge wrote in a court document.

U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on Monday ordered that 71-year-old Lonnie Coffman of Falkville, Alabama, should remain jailed until his trial on firearms charges. The federal judge cited Coffmans training at a Texas militia camp, his large stockpile of weaponry and actions, before and during the Jan. 6 insurrection, in the decision to deny him release.

This evidence of lists of political officials and public figures, Mr. Coffmans access to significant weaponry and his demonstrated ability to travel to Washington, D.C., raises serious concerns about Mr. Coffmans intentions and the danger he presents to the community, Kollar-Kotelly wrote.

Manuel J. Retureta, a defense lawyer representing Coffman, declined to comment about the case.

The FBI in 2014 identified Coffman as a participant at Camp Lonestar, a reported gathering place for Texas militia groups and had information about two other militia groups, the judge wrote. Coffman had kept lists of officials at his home with disparaging descriptions such as ex Dem. Senator, traitor and radical Dem. Senator.

The court order said GPS from Coffmans truck indicated he had visited Washington at the end of 2020 and driven around the Capitol and attempted to contact Cruz about his concerns over purported election fraud by both calling his office and looking for his home.

A Cruz staff member told police that Coffman did not seem threatening but had seemed unbalanced or not 100% there, according to the judges order.

Police on Jan. 6 found Coffmans truck in Washington packed with eleven mason jars containing a flammable liquid, several loaded guns, a crossbow with bolts; several machetes; camouflage smoke devices; and a stun gun, according to the order.

Coffman was arrested the evening of Jan. 6 when law enforcement officers discovered the weapons in his truck after authorities swept the area following the discovery of pipe bombs near two buildings. Prosecutors said Coffman left his truck in the morning during that day of chaos and rioting and was arrested when he returned to the vehicle in the evening.

Coffman is an Army veteran who served two tours during the Vietnam War. According to family members, he dealt with depression and often spoke about the difficulty he had dealing with the experiences from the war, the court document said. A family member said Coffman became a hermit after he separated from his wife, according to the court document.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 14:16:01|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations and various regional bodies in Africa have voiced concern over the situation in Mali after the detention of civilian leaders by the military.

Mali's transitional President Bah N'Daw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane were reportedly taken by force Monday to the Kati military camp following the transitional president's announcement of his appointment of members of the government on the proposal of the prime minister.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is continuing to monitor the evolving situation in Mali very closely, said his spokesman on Tuesday.

Guterres, who was being briefed on the latest developments in the country, continues to call for calm and the immediate release of the detained civilian leaders, said Guterres's spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

"We are working closely with the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) and of course the African Union and all other international actors that are supporting the ongoing political transition in Mali," he told a daily press briefing.

The UN peacekeeping mission in Mali continues to monitor the latest developments and reiterates its strong condemnation of the arrest of N'Daw and Ouane, as well as some of their colleagues, said Dujarric. "This action has serious consequences for Mali and the region as a whole."

UN staff in Mali are seeking access to those detained as soon as possible, he said.

The Local Transition Monitoring Committee in Mali demanded on Monday "the immediate and unconditional release" of the transitional president and prime minister.

In a joint press release published Monday night, the committee, composed of members of ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, expressed its deep "concern" over the situation in Mali and strongly condemned "the attempted coup de force" of detaining the transitional president, prime minister and some of their collaborators by military officers.

The committee also reaffirmed its "firm support" for the transitional authorities by demanding that the process of political transition resume and conclude on time after an 18-month interim period.

"The international community rejects in advance any act imposed by coercion, including forced resignations," the statement said.

The mediation team of ECOWAS led by former Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan left Ghana on Tuesday on a mission to Mali. Enditem
EDWARDSVILLE  A man faces home invasion and domestic battery charges after a May 24 incident in Hartford.

Mark A. Chappell, 38, unknown address, was charged May 25 with home invasion, a Class X felony; aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony; and domestic battery (three prior convictions), a Class 3 felony.

The charges were presented by the Hartford Police Department.

According to court documents, on May 24 Chappel allegedly entered a home in the 100 block of E. Hawthorne Avenue knowing it was occupied, and injured the occupant by strangling her; that he strangled a household or family member; and that he had multiple prior convictions for domestic battery in 2020, 2017, and 2018.

Bail was set at $250,000.

Other felony charges filed May 25 by the Madison County States Attorneys Office include:

 Donald R. Lane, 37, of Alton, was charged with aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. On May 21 Lane allegedly struck a woman in the head with a closed fist, threw her to the ground and kicked her in the back all while knowing she is pregnant. Bail was set at $30,000.

 Mandonn E. Armstrong, of East St. Louis, was charged with unlawful possession of a stolen firearm, a Class 2 felony; and unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Madison Police Department. On Oct. 24 Armstrong allegedly was found to be in possession of a stolen Canik TP9 handgun. He has a 2005 conviction for unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle out of St. Clair County, making him ineligible to own a weapon. Bail was set at $100,000.

 Nicholas D. Breakfield, 48, of St. Louis, was charged with unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 2 felony. The case was presented by the Troy Police Department. On May 24 Breakfield allegedly was found to be in possession of a sawed-off Diamond Arms Co. 12-gauge shotgun, and has a prior conviction for burglary out of St. Louis, Missouri in 1996, making him ineligible to possess a weapon. Bail was set at $75,000.
WOOD RIVER  The Madison County Health Department is seeing success with its satellite COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

According to Amy Yeager of the MCHD, 11 of 13 districts are scheduled to host vaccine clinic sites through early July.

The first school district clinic was May 15 at Long Elementary School in Madison with 92 people vaccinated, including 34 under that age of 18. On Tuesday an MCHD clinic at Granite City High School had 204 people vaccinated, including 125 people under 18.

Since May 13, when the county began vaccinating 12-15 year olds, MCHD has vaccinated 1,126 people in that age bracket. Through Tuesday, MCHD has vaccinated 2,632 people ages 16-17.

The school district clinic locations are open to the public regardless of where you live, work, or attend school, said Yeager. Each site will have the Pfizer vaccine.

Anyone who 12 and older is eligible to receive the vaccine; those 12 to 17 years old must have a parent or guardian with them. Appointments preferred, but walk-ins welcome.

MCHD has scheduled school district location clinics through July 7, with two different dates per site. Each clinic will be open 3:30-7:30 p.m. The East Alton clinics on June 16 and July 7 are hosted by the East Alton School District, the Wood River-Hartford School District and the East Alton-Wood River Community High School District.

Long Elementary School in Madison will have its second clinic 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 5.

More Information Vaccinations Total: 198,319 Fully: 97,162 (36.74%) Source: IDPH COVID-19 cases by county Madison - 30,259 (499 deaths) Jersey - 2,645 (50 deaths) Calhoun - 524 (5 deaths) Greene - 1,386 (48 deaths) Macoupin - 4,927 (113 deaths) Montgomery - 3,767 (73 deaths) St. Clair - 28,060 (517 deaths) Clinton - 5,776 (90 deaths) Bond - 2,077 (24 deaths) Monroe - 4,364 (94 deaths) Randolph - 4,144 (84 deaths) Washington - 1,647 (25 deaths) Source: IDPH & MCHD School District Clinics  Triad High School, Troy - May 27  Trimpe Middle School, Bethalto - June 2  Alton High School, Alton - June 3  Long Elementary School, Madison - June 5 (11-5)  Collinsville Middle School, Collinsville - June 7  Liberty Middle School, Edwardsville - June 8  Highland Primary School, Highland - June 9  Granite City High School, Granite City - June 14  East Alton Middle School - June 16  Trimpe Middle School, Bethalto - June 23  Alton High School, Alton - June 24  Collinsville Middle School, Collinsville - June 28  Liberty Middle School, Edwardsville - June 29  Highland Primary School, Highland - June 30  East Alton Middle School - July 7 See More Collapse

The COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is the only one approved for vaccinations of 12-17 year olds. Minors (12-17 years old) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Minors do not need an ID or birth certificate; however, the parent or guardian will be asked to show their ID. The COVID-19 Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines are only approved for those who are 18 and older.

The school district vaccination clinics are open 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Links to schedule appointments are online at www.madisonchd.org. Click on the green appointments bar at the top of homepage.

People needing help scheduling appointment may call 618-692-8954, Ext. 2, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday-Friday.

On Tuesday the MCHD reported 17 new confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases and 384 tests. There were seven COVID-19 patients in Madison County hospitals Tuesday, one on a ventilator.

On Wednesday the Illinois Department of Public Health reported 198,319 COVID-19 vaccinations so far in the county. IDPH officials said 97,162 county residents  or 36.74% of the countys population  are now fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

The MCHD no longer releases daily COVID-19 vaccination numbers. The Telegraph will continue to report Madison County vaccination data as released by the IDPH.

On Wednesday the IDPH reported 66% of Illinois adults have received at least one vaccine dose and 49% are fully vaccinated.

As of midnight Tuesday 11,049,665 vaccines have been administered in Illinois. The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 71,215 doses.

On Wednesday the IDPH reported 35.88% of the residents in Jersey County were fully vaccinated according to the IDPH. Other fully vaccinated rates were 30.3% in Calhoun County, 34.66% in Macoupin County and 26.25% in Greene County.

COVID-19 vaccinations are planned May 28 and June 1 at the Jersey County Health Department in Jerseyville. For appointments visit http://jerseycountyhealth.org/.

No COVID-19 related deaths were reported Tuesday by the MCHD, leaving the county total at 499. On Wednesday, the IDPH reported no additional COVID-19 related deaths in Madison County.

To date, Madison County has recorded 30,259 cases and 326,817 tests.

The IDPH on Wednesday reported 1,139 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and 27 additional COVID-19 related deaths statewide. To date, the IDPH has reported 1,378,388 cases, including 22,676 deaths.

Statewide there were 1,395 COVID-19 patients in hospitals on Tuesday night, including 351 in intensive care units and 181 on ventilators. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from May 19-25 was 2%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity for the same period was 2.6%.

The MCHD on Tuesday reported a three-day positivity rate of 2.67%, a seven-day rate of 2.81% and a 10-day rate of 2.89%.

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.
Northeast Pennsylvanians dont have to look far beyond their backyards for adventure.

Hiking trails meander across the region, from wetlands to mountains and everywhere in between, and range from challenging paths for more experienced hikers to easy-level routes for those just getting started. And along the way, hikers can catch a glimpse of wildlife and take in the majesty of some of the states most impactful waterfalls.

Here are a few spots to get you started.

Lackawanna River Heritage Trail

The 70-mile route has trailheads in many communities along the way, not only in Lackawanna County but also Luzerne, Susquehanna and Wayne. Some sections are paved, too.

Where: Pittston to Union Dale

When: Daily, dawn to dusk

Trail to try: The 9.2-mile Mid Valley section brings visitors close to the water with many shady spots full of wildlife. The trail sections around Blakely and Archbald are particularly picturesque and also have playgrounds at the trailheads for kids to enjoy.

Details: 570-963-6730 or lhva.org/HeritageTrail.php

Lacawac Sanctuary Field Station and Environmental Education Center

This nonprofit organization near Lake Wallenpaupack has numerous trails, most of which are considered easy-level and are less than a mile long. Guests also can stop by the Coulter Visitor Center to learn more about the center and its work.

Where: 94 Sanctuary Road, Paupack Twp.

When: Daily, sunrise to sunset

Trail to try: Wind your way through woods and wetlands on the Lake Lacawac Trail, a 1.1-mile intermediate-level route around the sites main body of water.

Details: 570-689-9494 or lacawac.org

Nay Aug Park

Scrantons 73-acre park has several easily accessible trails winding their way over the land and giving guests access to many of the parks amenities. Many are paved, too, making them the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll.

Where: 500 Arthur Ave., Scranton

When: Daily, dawn to 8 p.m.

Trail to try: The 2-mile unpaved Davis Trail gives visitors an up-close look at the gorge and waterfalls; enter behind the McNulty Greenhouse.

Details: nayaugpark.org

Salt Springs State Park

This park in Susquehanna County contains nearly 15 miles of trails that take visitors past a gorge and through old-growth forest. No trail is more than 2 miles long, and there is a mix of easy-level and more challenging routes.

Where: Silver Creek and Salt Springs roads, Franklin Twp.

When: Daily, sunrise to sunset (day use areas close at dusk)

Trails to try: The 1-mile, most difficult-level Fall Brook trail can be linked with the 0.2-mile, easy-level Overlook trail for a close-up look at waterfalls. While the Fall Brook section is steep in places and can be slippery, the Overlook is level and ADA accessible.

Details: dcnr.pa.gov/ StateParks/FindAPark/ SaltSpringsStatePark or

570-945-3239

Promised Land State Park

Located in Pike County, the roughly 3,000-acre park is surrounded by Delaware State Forest, and about 50 miles of trails wind their way through the two properties. Attractions include a natural glacial lake and several small waterfalls.

Where: 100 Lower Lake Road, Green Twp.

When: Daily, sunrise to sunset (day use areas close at dusk)

Trails to try: Stroll among the wildlife on the 1.2-mile, easy-level outer loop trail on Conservation Island, located in Promised Land Lake. Take in the views of the water and the wildlife that calls it home.

Details: dcnr.pa.gov/ StateParks/FindAPark/PromisedLandStatePark or 570-676-3428

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

The National Park Service oversees this area that spans the Pennsylvania and New Jersey sides of the Delaware River. It has more than 150 miles of trails, and parking lots for some of the more popular trails  such as Mount Tammany, Mount Minsi, Raymondskill Falls, Dingmans Falls, Hackers Falls and Buttermilk Falls  typical fill up by 9 a.m. on weekends, according to the NPS.

Where: Dingmans Falls Visitor Center, Route 209 and Johnny Bee Road, Dingmans Ferry

When: Daily, sunrise to sunset

Trail to try: The Dingmans Creek Trail is not only short (0.8 mile round-trip), easy and mostly flat but also stroller and wheelchair accessible. A boardwalk trail, it takes visitors past the 80-foot Silverthread Falls and onto Dingmans Falls, the second highest waterfall in the state. Those who can will want to make the last 0.1-mile trek up a staircase to the top of the upper falls.

Details: 570-426-2452 or nps.gov/dewa

Ricketts Glen State Park

Located in Luzerne, Sullivan, and Columbia counties, the park has 26 miles of trails, with the most famous taking visitors past a series of spectacular waterfalls, the tallest of which is 94 feet high.

Where: 695 Route 487, Benton

When: Daily, sunrise to sunset (day use areas close at sunset)

Trails to try: The full Falls Trail loop is 7.2 miles long, but visitors can see most of the waterfalls if they take a 3.2-mile loop consisting of the Highland Trail and Glen Leigh and Ganoga Glen sides of the trail. The park recommends that hikers be in good shape, wear sturdy boots and stay cautious since the Falls Trail is steep and may be wet and slippery.

Details: dcnr.pa.gov/ StateParks/FindAPark/ RickettsGlenStatePark or

570-477-5675
Who: Shane Conways family knows him as a funny, caring and fun-loving guy. The son of Karin and Kevin Conway, he attended Bishop Hannon High School, Keystone College and Penn State University in State College and works for UPS as a delivery driver. He now lives in Scrantons Minooka section with his wife, the former Jessica Voldenberg, and their 1-year-old daughter, Caroline.

What: The last few weeks have turned that life on its head, though. Just five days after he turned 33, Conway was diagnosed with cancer. He developed severe headaches in April, and tests revealed he had a large mass in his brain that turned out to be oligodendroglioma, a form of brain cancer. After transferring to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Conway underwent three brain surgeries in a week: the first to remove half of the mass followed by an emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain after it began to swell. Doctors then removed more of the mass during a third surgery.

His wife and parents accompanied him to Penn while Caroline stayed in Scranton with other family members, and while Conway was in the ICU, he and Voldenberg were married over Zoom in a ceremony attended by immediate family. He then returned to Scranton and underwent additional therapy at Allied Services for a week.

Why: Conway and his family work to remain positive, focus on his strength and work to fight the cancer, and even through his month-long hospitalization and surgeries, he was always sure to crack a joke to lighten the mood, said his sister-in-law, Amy Kordish. They have a long road of them, however, she added. Conway will be unable to return to work in the near future and will soon start radiation therapy at Penn followed by chemotherapy. His wife and parents plan to join him, and donations will help Conway and his family cover medical, travel, household and other expenses.

How: The public can donate through a GoFundMe page, #StandwithShane, or mail donations to Shane Conway Recovery Fund, P.O. Box 3482, Scranton, PA 18505.

In her own words: Shane is already overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support he and his family have received.  Amy Kordish, sister-in-law
A Moosic assisted living center failed to timely seek treatment for injuries a former Luzerne County man suffered in a fall, leading to complications that caused his death, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed in Lackawanna County Court.

Donna Williams of Harveys Lake seeks damages from Glenmaura Senior Living at Montage, 11 Glenmaura National Blvd., and two medical providers in connection with the Feb. 4 death of her father, Eugene Lippi, 86, of Wyoming borough.

According to the suit filed by Kingston attorneys David Selingo and David Saba, Lippi fractured his hip after falling at the home on Nov. 18. A physician with Lackawanna Mobile X-Ray Inc., 1229 Monroe Ave., Dunmore, incorrectly interpreted an X-ray as showing no sign of a fracture.

Over the next several weeks, Lippi, who suffered from dementia, lost his ability to walk and showed clear signs he was in pain. A video feed from a camera Williams installed in his room showed him screaming in pain as an aide roughly transferred him from a wheelchair to his bed.

A physician for the center, Dr. Darlene Dunay, prescribed pain medications and ordered physical therapy, but failed to examine Lippi. His lack of mobility caused him to develop several pressure sores, which led to his admission at an area hospital on Dec. 25, 2020. An X-ray there revealed the hip fracture, for which he underwent surgery three days later.

The suit alleges Glenmauras failure to seek immediate treatment for Lippi caused the fracture to worsen, causing him extreme pain. He was transferred to a nursing home after his release from the hospital, where he died.

The suit seeks damages on several counts, including negligence, against Glenmaura, Dunay and Lackawanna Mobile X-ray.

In a reply to the suit, an attorney for Dunay denied any negligence and alleges any harm Lippi suffered was because he failed to abide by medical advice.

Attempts to reach attorneys for Glenmaura and Lackawanna Mobile X-Ray were unsuccessful.
President Joe Bidens proposed American Families Plan will provide crucial financial support to low- to moderate-income families, ensuring they have access to child care, health care and educational opportunities that will promote growth in the American economy, several Democratic legislators said Wednesday.

The $1.8 trillion plan includes billions of dollars in funding for a wide variety of programs that would aid families in Northeast Pennsylvania and the nation, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey said during a virtual news conference to promote support for the plan, which he says marks a transformational investment in families.

This is a potential for a once in a lifetime, or at least a once in a generation, opportunity to finally invest in our kids and move us into the future, Casey said.

Key proposals in the plan include $225 billion for child care that would ensure families spend no more than 7% of their income for daycare, saving the average family $14,800, according to estimates prepared by the White House.

The plan also seeks to extend tax credits families with children received under the previously passed American Rescue Plan through 2025. The rescue plan increased the child tax credit from $2,000 to $3,000 per child age six and over, and $3,600 per child for children under age six.

On the education front, the plan earmarks $200 billion to ensure all children have access to pre-kindergarten programs and $109 billion to fund two years of community college for all Americans.

Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti the mother of a 17-month-old daughter who will enter day care in September, applauded the child care proposal.

We are fortunate that we will be able to do that, but it is so expensive, she said during the press conference. American families are going to continue to struggle. ... If we dont do something now, we are going to continue to have a divide in our country where economic inequality grows.

Several area educators hailed the proposals investment in early child hood and post-secondary education. Studies show pre-kindergarten education programs are crucial to giving students a jump start in the learning process, but just 30% of children in Pennsylvania are enrolled in publicly funded preschools, said Justin Correll, a principal at Solomon Plains Elementary School in Plains Twp.

This plan ... will ensure our youngest scholars receive the benefits of early learning, Correll said.

Susan Augello Kuhl, a first-grade teacher Kistler Elementary School in Wilkes-Barre, lauded the plans proposal to provide two years or community college free of charge. Shes hopeful that will attract more people to become teachers.

It opens the door to all who feel they could teach ... and enables young people who looked at higher education as a burden, she said.

State Rep. Bridget Malloy Kosierowski, D-114, Waverly Twp., a registered nurse, said she fully supports the plans proposal to make permanent premium reductions for people who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act market place. The reduction, enacted under the rescue plan, saves the average family about $50 a month, according to White House estimates.

Health care is a right, not a privilege. Anyone facing illness should never have to worry about how they are going to pay for treatment, Kosierowski said.

Casey said hes hopeful most provisions in the plan will come to fruition, but noted there is still much work to do. Legislation has yet to be drafted. Once it is, it would have to pass both the House and Senate.
Two Scranton projects that fight blight are among 84 throughout Pennsylvania that will get state funds, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Tuesday.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved $12 million in funding to assist communities throughout the state with blight planning or remediation.

Funding and local projects include:

 $100,000 toward a City of Scranton Blight Project that has a total cost of $297,219 and involves remediating 10 dangerous properties. Nine of these are residential, on a demolition list for five years and beyond repair. The other project calls for demolishing structures in city parks that have not been used for many years.

 $73,225 to the nonprofit West Scranton Community Development Inc., for repairing the roof and parking area of a vacant property at 310-316 N. Main Ave. and 1029 W. Lackawanna Ave. The organization plans to purchase this property, previously used for warehouse, office and garage space, and use it as an expansion of the nearby West Scranton Community Development Center, 1018 Lafayette St., for recreational, educational and social programs for children and seniors.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko managed to break new ground Sunday, even for the class of lawless, far-right dictators to which he belongs. He should pay a heavy price.

Lukashenko attacked the fundamental democratic rights of a free press, freedom of political dissent and freedom of movement when he dispatched a fighter jet to force a Ryanair flight from Athens to Vilnius, Lithuania, to divert to the Belarusian capital of Minsk. He used the pretense of a bomb threat against the aircraft to force it down. But once it was on the ground, Belarusian security forces  yes, still called the KGB  seized passenger Roman Protasevich, a Belarusian dissident and journalist who had been living abroad.

All 27 European Union nations agreed immediately to bar flights over Belarusia and to bar Belarusias state airline, Belavia, from flying anywhere in the EU. They also began the process of imposing stringent economic sanctions against Lukashenko and others involved in the outrage, and against Belarusian commerce, generally.

The Biden administration should follow suit on all scores.

Lukashenko violated a series of global treaties regarding use of air space, dating to the dawn of widespread international air travel in the 1960s.

The most vigorous response possible is essential not just to increase the pressure on Lukashenko, but to demonstrate to other tyrants that government-sanctioned airline hijackings for their own purposes wont be tolerated in a world connected by airlines.
Pennsylvanias legion of state government lobbyists and other special pleaders have saved themselves some money during the pandemic.

Since state lawmakers, like everyone else, couldnt go anywhere as COVID-19 spread havoc, there was no need for the pay-for-access crowd to fund legislators travel, lodging and affiliated recreation.

And, since legislators spent less time in Harrisburg, the influence-seekers didnt have to feed them.

Financial interest filings with the state Ethics Commission show that few of the 203 representatives and 50 senators reported so-called gifts over the past year.

In a legislature committed to transparency, accountability and serving the public, the annual sum of gifts to legislators would be zero, because such gifts would not be allowed.

But Pennsylvania legislators allow themselves to be greased in any amount. They simply must disclose any gift worth more than $250 or transportation and hospitality worth more than $650. And when many of them technically report receiving gifts, usually from entities with direct interests in legislative business, they do so in ways that require a Rosetta stone to unravel.

One of the telling signs that state lawmakers allowing themselves to be greased is bad public policy, is that even they never make a positive case for the practice. Usually, they simply ignore the bills that appear every session to end it.

As reported by the Capitol news organization Spotlight PA, the good-government advocacy group March on Harrisburg plans to pressure Republican Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman to bring a gift ban to a vote. But Corman, freshly returned from a state bar association-funded junket to Bermuda, has not committed to the reform.

No one other than special pleaders and their beneficiaries inside the Capitol bubble thinks that legally greasing elected legislators, who are among the most lavishly compensated state lawmakers in America, is a good idea in the public interest.

Gov. Tom Wolf banned gifts of any kind on the administrative side immediately upon taking office in 2015. That is the only appropriate standard. Corman and House Speaker Kerry Benninghoff should move the gift ban, and the vote for it should be unanimous in both houses.
Editor: Its seems that some people think the rest of us should piggyback them until their grand finale.

Pave my street, pick up my garbage, educate my grandkids, pay Medicare taxes for my benefit, pay taxes for my Medicaid, deliver free meals to me, drive me to medical appointments and get those welfare people to work.

All you younger people trying to raise a family should pay that for us.

There are some people entitled to that kind of coverage: disabled veterans who were war casualties, for instance. But getting old is not a reason for special treatment. If you cant afford your taxes its time to sell and when and if you run out of money apply to live in housing projects or subsidized housing. What could be fairer than that?

On the plus side, if the government did exclude seniors from taxes half the people in the country would put their house in their parents name and live with them.

JOSEPH BRADY

SCRANTON

Editor: Many Republicans are outraged over cancel culture and social media censorship.

Republican leadership in the House recently did the same thing. Rep. Liz Cheney was stripped of her party leadership role because they dont like what she said. Tearing a page from the woke progressive playbook, House Republicans canceled Cheney because she continues to remind Americans of former President Trumps failures, including his lie about having won the election by a landslide.

Maybe you think Cheney was ousted because she wasnt a strong Republican. She voted 93% in support of Trump policies. This is just straight hypocrisy.

The truth should be heard, not stifled. Squashing voices had recently been the ploy of leftists, until now.

The problem isnt Cheney or Trump, its us. Some formerly rational conservatives have taken a sledgehammer to our foundational principles. Im a conservative and voted for Trump twice. It was a mistake. Thats not to say he did nothing for America. Solid Supreme Court appointments, tax breaks, reduced regulation and a strengthened military are all good.

Getting the Constitution wrong was unforgivable, especially for Republicans. We expect the left to get the Constitution wrong and manipulate it to serve their interests. Republicans go to great lengths to observe and protect the Constitution as a founding document and libertys guiding light. So why would so many follow Trump after his constitutional deceptions? Its incomprehensible.

Theres no provision in the Constitution allowing for the vice president to reject state-certified elections and electors. It was a blatant attempt to hold power by deceit about the Constitution. Its unforgivable to people who hold the Constitution in highest regard, or at least used to.

Its time for the Republican Party to turn its back on the lie and its author and reclaim the high ground we once owned. It matters.

DAVID P. SNYDER

OLD FORGE

Editor: As a senior citizen who has become invisible to most political people under 50, I believe that our country needs to have more political moderates and centrists.

I think we were better off in the 1960s when about 20% to 30% of us considered ourselves to be in the middle of the road. Today, I think this proportion has gone down to about 10% to 15%.

I miss the times when most Democrats and Republicans would disagree, but with respect. That ship sailed a long time ago. I am definitely on the side of one of the warring tribes, I am still a 1960s-style Bobby Kennedy liberal Democrat. But I refuse to view conservative Republicans as my enemies, even though a lot of them make it very hard not to do that.

I think we were better off when most elections were usually decided by the 20% to 30% who were in the middle of the road. They had open minds. Many of us dont anymore.

STEWART B. EPSTEIN

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK

Editor: Why dont people realize that the Democratic Party will never change for the people of the United States?

Lets go back some years and see what happened. Remember when the Democratic Partys Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd was a Ku Klux Klan leader in West Virginia in the 1940s?

Why do Democrats not oppose the tearing down of statues of our past history? Was it because they want you to forget what they did toward the Black minority? For years, some Democrats were against every major civil rights bill and they defended slavery.

Now they want to change it to a socialist party and want you to depend on the government to take care of you. Then you would have no say about what you really want.

If this administration gets its way, supporters have nobody to blame for who put them in power.

EMIL KONZMAN

CLIFFORD TWP.,

SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY

Editor: Syndicated columnist Bret Stephens article on May 14 (Bidens lavish spending prescription for decline) should be required reading for every congressman.

JIM NEVILLE

SCRANTON
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 14:39:42|Editor: huaxia

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Experts of the Chinese medical team and local medical staff pose for a photo amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of the Congo, May 26, 2020. (Xinhua)

Delegates from countries such as Egypt, Mexico, Niger and Gabon highlighted China's support in their fight against COVID-19.

GENEVA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Delegates from countries such as Egypt, Mexico, Niger and Gabon on Tuesday highlighted China's support in their fight against COVID-19 at the ongoing virtual World Health Assembly, the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization.

The pandemic was an opportunity to nurture research capacity and researchers' competencies, so Egypt participated in clinical trials to test China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, said Egypt's Minster of Health Hala Zayed.

"I would like to highlight the significance of reaching an international strategy to improve access to medicines and vaccines with a focus on the importance of technology transfer, which Egypt has already done through constructive cooperation by resettling the vaccine industry and transferring manufacturing technology from the Chinese side," said the minister.

"We aspire, after the success of these experiences, to make Egypt a regional center to fulfill the needs of countries in the region based on Egypt's pioneer role in facing global and humanitarian challenges," she added.

Egypt has received the first batch of the raw materials to manufacture China's Sinovac vaccine, said the Chinese embassy in Egypt on Sunday.

Airport staff members transport the first batch of Chinese Sinovac vaccine raw materials unloaded from a plane at the Cairo International Airport in Cairo, Egypt, May 21, 2021. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

Along with the Sinovac raw materials, a new shipment of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines also arrived at the Cairo International Airport on Friday, according to a statement by the embassy.

Jorge Alcocer Varela, secretary of health of Mexico, thanked friendly nations such as Argentina, China and Russia for their support.

"We have promoted a special program that promotes the use of safe vaccines in our country. In a very short space of time, Mexico has set up alliances that could be replicated in other parts of the world to accelerate the manufacture and distribution of available vaccines," he said.

A medical worker holds Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines at a vaccination center in Ecatepec, Mexico, on April 16, 2021. (Xinhua/David de la Paz)

Several shipments of China's COVID-19 vaccines have been sent to Mexico to help the country combat the pandemic.

The delegate from Niger also expressed gratitude to China, saying that Niger has set up an effective response mechanism with bilateral and multilateral support.

"This has allowed us to achieve satisfactory results when it comes to the management of the two waves that have affected our country," said the delegate.

Since March, Gabon has carried out vaccination campaign and over 11,000 people have been vaccinated with Sinopharm vaccines donated by China, said the Gabonese delegate.

Gabon received the first batch of China-donated Sinopharm vaccines in March. China is planning to send another batch of COVID-19 vaccines to Gabon to help the African country defeat the pandemic as soon as possible. 
London, KY (40741)

Today

Areas of fog early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

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A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable.
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.

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Port Allen, LA (70767)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 93F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph..

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Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 75F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Shares in British pharmaceutical firm Vectura Group soared by a third on Wednesday after it declared it had agreed a takeover by The Carlyle Group.

The FTSE 250 company, which specialises in developing inhaled medicines for conditions like asthma, saw its share price climb 33.8 per cent today on news that the investment giant had agreed to buy the firm for 958million.

It said investors would be rewarded with a 155 pence per share payment, a 32 per cent premium on the company's closing share price on Tuesday, and over 40 per cent higher than its average price in the three months to May 25.

Health: Vectura Group specialises in developing inhaled medicines for conditions like asthma

Vectura stated that Carlyle has more than three decades of experience in the healthcare sector and had followed the firm for some years and considered it to 'fit well with its investment focus.'

Its chairman Bruno Angelici also said Vectura had made strong progress since embarking on a strategy in 2019 to become a leading inhalation-focused CDMO, or contract development and manufacturing organisation.

He added: 'The offer reflects the quality, strength and long term performance of Vectura's businesses and its future growth potential. We believe that our people, our clients and our businesses will continue to prosper under the stewardship of Carlyle.'

At least three-quarters of Vectura's shareholders must now vote in favour of the deal, which the company hopes to complete by the end of the third quarter this year.

Carlyle Group's private equity arm has a long history of buying or investing in large businesses such as headphones brand Beats Electronics, car rental firm Hertz, and Accolade Wines.

It was the world's second-biggest private equity house by capital raised last year, having been overtaken by the New York-based Blackstone Group after holding the number-one position for five years.

Buyout: Carlyle Group's private equity arm has a long history of buying or investing in large businesses such as headphones brand Beats Electronics and car rental firm Hertz

Simon Dingemans, a managing director in Carlyle's European buyout advisory group, said: 'We have followed the strategic changes underway at Vectura closely and fully support the focus on building a market-leading inhalation specialist CDMO.

'We believe that under Carlyle's ownership, Vectura will be able to accelerate its transformation significantly with greater access to capital and the support of our long experience in the sector. We look forward to working with [chief executive] Will Downie and his team.'

Vectura also revealed a trading update today stating that revenues for its CDMO business are still forecast to triple this year, in line with previous guidance.

However, first-quarter volumes at its product supply division are forecast to remain weak as they were over the second half of last year, and sales of the asthma drug Flutiform are set to come in under its 75million to 80million guidance.

Consult: Another FTSE 250 firm Spire Healthcare - one of the UK's largest private healthcare providers - announced today that it had agreed to be sold to a foreign buyer

It has 13 key inhaled and 11 non-inhaled products marketed by partners with global royalty streams and a diverse partnered portfolio of drugs in clinical development.

Meanwhile, another FTSE 250 firm, Spire Healthcare - one of the UK's largest private healthcare providers - announced today that it had agreed to be sold to a foreign buyer.

Australian hospital operator Ramsay Healthcare is purchasing the group for just under 1billion. Investors will earn 240p per share, which represents a premium of 24.4 per cent on the company's closing share price yesterday.

'Spire's track record of serving self-pay and insured patients will increase patient choice at Ramsay,' said Ramsay's managing director and chief executive Craig McNally.

'It will enhance our capacity to work closely with our consultant partners and clinicians to ensure further investment in clinical excellence in all our specialties through the provision of multi-disciplinary care to better service both self-pay and insured patients.'
Shares in The Gym Group have jumped sharply amid a faster than expected rise in member numbers since reopening.

This afternoon, shares in the company are up 11.2 per cent or 29p to 288p, marking a sizeable improvement on where they were a year ago, at 147.80p.

Total membership numbers increased from 547,000 at the end of February to 729,000 by 24 May.

Up and running: Shares in The Gym Group have jumped sharply amid a faster than expected rise in member numbers since reopening

But, the group's membership levels remain below pre-pandemic levels, with the company reporting 794,000 members in December 2019.

Boss Richard Darwin said the company expects a slowdown in new members over the summer months but that this will kick-start again later in the year and at the start of 2022.

The Gym Group said it has also seen a rise in the number of weekly visits by members since reopening, rising to 1.5 from 1.1 in the same period in 2019. It said this highlighted confidence from customers over its safety processes.

The company said it has opened four new gyms, located in Chichester, York, Cambridge and Sydenham, since 12 April, bringing its site numbers up to to 187.

Mr Darwin added that the company is currently in discussions with banks over the finances it will have available to fuel its expansion plans over the next two years.

He told the Press Association: 'We are really pleased with the four new locations and have exchanged contracts on another 10 too.

'The scale of our plans is still somewhat dependent on ongoing talks with our banks and we will update the market once those are completed.

'We think initial openings are going to focus on similar units to our typical gyms, although in the longer term we might see more of a mix to include smaller format gyms as well.'

Net debt at the end of April was 63.1million, with outstanding deferred rent and VAT of a further 9.4million.

Analysts at Numis said they now expect The Gym Group to generate a 'small profit' for the current financial year, raising their revenue projections by around 8million.
Tifton, GA (31794)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours. High 87F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low 71F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 15:04:25|Editor: huaxia

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SINGAPORE, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The United States should stop viewing China as a strategic rival, as it's an idea partly rooted in media-fueled ideological polarization and will do Americans far more harm than good, wrote a Tuesday commentary on Singapore-based Asian news network CNA.

The real threat to the United States is not from a rising China, but from its inability to meet the challenges of modern technology, Zhang Jun, director of the China Center for Economic Studies, a Shanghai-based thinktank, wrote in the commentary.

The tech trend has fueled a growing preference for "personalized" information and eroded U.S. news organizations' traditional role in forming relatively neutral public opinions, making deep polarization of the country all but inevitable, he said.

This, together with U.S. politicians new incentives to appeal to the ideological extremes, has been getting U.S.-China relations embroiled in the ire, and hampering leaders' ability to address urgent challenges, said Zhang.

What U.S. leaders should be focusing on is how to benefit from globalization and technological progress and manage the risks arising from the associated structural disruptions. To this end, effective cooperation with China will be helpful, he noted. Enditem


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Dorothy Eleanor Mercer passed away on June 9, 2021 at Archbold Memorial Hospital. She was born on December 18, 1932, in Pavo to the late Early Byrd Wood and to the late Nellie Deen Wood. She was married to Eugene Mercer who precedes her in death. Survivors include her children, Leon David Mc
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 15:16:11|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The 74th World Health Assembly (WHA), which kicked off online on Monday, has decided not to include Taiwan on this year's agenda. The decision to exclude Taiwan once again proves that seeking "Taiwan independence" under the cover of the COIVD-19 pandemic is doomed to fail.

Before 2016, the Taiwan region was able to participate in the WHA under a special arrangement made through cross-Strait consultations on the basis of the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle upheld by both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

However, since the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) came to power in 2016, it has obstinately adhered to its separatist position and refused to recognize the 1992 Consensus, thus unilaterally undermining the political foundation for Taiwan's participation in the WHA. The DPP's moves have shown that the party has placed its political intentions above the well-being of the people of Taiwan.

The one-China principle is the aspiration of the international community and an overriding trend. Taiwan's participation in the activities of international organizations must be dealt with in accordance with the one-China principle. That is why the WHA, the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), refused to include a proposal on Taiwan's participation on its agenda.

The DPP authority's indulgence in political manipulation and attempts to divert public attention have wasted precious time and resources and led to the island's failed response to the spread of the virus.

According to the local disease monitoring agency, Taiwan on Tuesday reported 281 new locally transmitted COVID-19 infections, 261 backlogged locally transmitted cases, and six deaths. It was the 11th consecutive day that the island's daily number of new local infections exceeded 100.

The Chinese Central Government attaches great importance to the health and well-being of Taiwan compatriots who are now facing a severe pandemic situation. Since the early stages of COVID-19, the mainland had sent 260 updates about the COVID-19 situation to Taiwan, and approved the participation of Taiwan health experts in 16 technical activities held by the WHO. The so-called international pandemic prevention gap does not exist, nor do experts from the Taiwan region lack channels and platforms to share response and control practices with others.

The mainland is willing to take swift measures to make COVID-19 vaccines accessible to Taiwan compatriots as soon as possible. It is also willing to actively consider sending COVID-19 prevention and control experts to Taiwan to share their experience of fighting COVID-19 with Taiwan medical personnel if necessary.

As the well-being of the Taiwan people is threatened by the novel coronavirus, the DPP authority continues to play political tricks and vilify the mainland's efforts to help Taiwan compatriots fight the epidemic. The collusion between certain countries and the DPP authority to politicize health issues and use Taiwan to interfere in China's internal affairs is nothing short of spreading a political virus, and will only end in failure. Enditem
Letter to the editor: Know the facts about redistricting
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 15:21:50|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tuesday he is not confident that the negotiations could conclude in a new round of talks to revive the Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), but there is a possibility.

"I cannot say that we are able to conclude our job in this round of negotiations but this is possible; it depends on how much we are able to make progress on key issues and how much the other parties are prepared to make their own difficult decisions," Araqchi, head of the Iranian delegation in the Austrian capital of Vienna, told Iranian news network Press TV in an interview.

"In the last round, we were able to make some meaningful progress in our negotiations but still there are some key issues to be resolved," he said after the JCPOA Joint Commission started the new round of talks on Tuesday.

Similarly, Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei said earlier on Tuesday that Iran and other participants in the nuclear talks have reached preliminary agreements on how to rescue the 2015 nuclear agreement.

"Much of the negotiations about the removal of the sanctions and the steps by (all) sides to return to compliance has been carried out and preliminary understandings have been reached," Rabiei said at a weekly press briefing.

"Small differences remain -- over which negotiations will continue until final results are achieved," he added.

The U.S. administration under former President Donald Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018 and unilaterally re-imposed sanctions on Iran.

In response to the U.S. moves, Iran gradually stopped implementing parts of its JCPOA commitments from May 2019. Incumbent U.S. President Joe Biden has vowed to return to the deal and ease sanctions against Iran.

The JCPOA Joint Commission began to meet in offline format on April 6 in Vienna to continue previous discussions in view of a possible return of the United States to the JCPOA and on how to ensure the full and effective implementation of the agreement. Enditem
U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in Geneva on June 16, the White House and the Kremlin said on Tuesday amid sharp disputes over election interference, cyberatttacks, human rights and Ukraine.

Both countries have lowered expectations for breakthroughs at the summit, with neither in a mood to make concessions on their many disagreements, Reuters reported earlier this month.

The president of the United States is not afraid to stand up to our adversaries and use a moment of in-person diplomacy to convey areas where he has concern and look for areas of opportunity to work together in areas where we have mutual agreement, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told a briefing.

Earlier, she said in a statement that the two would discuss the full range of pressing issues, as we seek to restore predictability and stability to the U.S.-Russia relationship.

The Kremlin said in a statement that the two leaders would discuss bilateral ties, problems related to strategic nuclear stability, and other issues including cooperation in the fight against COVID-19 and regional conflicts.

Biden has previously said he wants Putin to stop trying to influence U.S. elections, halt cyberattacks on U.S. networks emanating from Russia, cease threatening Ukraines sovereignty and release jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

The White House has avoided describing Biden as seeking a reset in relations with Putin, a term often used by former U.S. presidents as they sought to improve relations with Russia.

Rather, U.S. officials see the face-to-face meeting as an opportunity to tilt the relationship away from what they view as former President Donald Trumps fawning overtures to Putin.

Russian officials told Reuters they regard the summit as an opportunity to hear from Biden directly after what one source close to the Russian government said were mixed messages from the U.S. administration that took office on Jan. 20.

Putin views U.S. pressure over Navalny and its support for pro-democracy activists in Russia and Belarus as tantamount to interfering in Russian domestic affairs.

Russia is also unhappy about U.S. sanctions, including those announced on April 15 to punish Moscow for interfering in the 2020 U.S. election, cyber hacking, bullying Ukraine and other alleged malign actions which Russia denies.

The U.S. government blacklisted Russian companies, expelled Russian diplomats and barred U.S. banks from buying sovereign bonds from Russias central bank, national wealth fund and Finance Ministry. The United States warned Russia that more penalties were possible but said it did not want to escalate.

Russia denies meddling in U.S. elections, orchestrating a cyber hack that used U.S. tech company SolarWinds Corp SWI.N to penetrate U.S. government networks and employing a nerve agent to poison Navalny, who is imprisoned on charges he says are politically motivated.

Biden has also voiced concerns about the buildup of Russian forces in Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine in March 2014, and along the border with Ukraine, which have raised U.S. worries about a possible invasion.

In addition to discussing Ukraine, Psaki said Biden would raise Belarus forcing a Ryanair plane to land on Sunday in Minsk, where authorities arrested a Belarusian dissident journalist aboard the plane. read more

Russia has denied reports four of its citizens got off the plane in Minsk, which sparked suspicions of Russian involvement. Psaki said the White House does not believe Russia played a role in the incident.

SOURCE: REUTERS
NEW YORK (AP)  CNN is cutting ties with former Republican senator and current TV analyst Rick Santorum over disparaging comments he made about Native American culture.

On CNN, Santorum was a senior political commentator who was often tasked with giving the Republican point of view during campaign coverage. His parting ways with the network was confirmed Saturday by Alison Rudnick, vice president of HLN Communications and CNN Diversity and Inclusion.

He sparked controversy in an April 23 speech before the Young Americas Foundation, a conservative youth organization. Santorum said immigrants created a nation based on the Judeo-Christian ethic from a blank slate.

We birthed a nation from nothing, he said. Yes, there were Native Americans, but there isnt much Native American culture in American culture.

The comment prompted Fawn Sharp, president of the National Congress of American Indians, to call him an unhinged and embarrassing racist who disgraces CNN and any other media company that provides him a platform.

To correct the record, what European colonizers found in the Americas were thousands of complex, sophisticated, and sovereign tribal nations, each with millennia of distinct cultural, spiritual and technological development, she wrote in a statement.

Sharp called on CNN to fire Santorum or potentially face a boycott from more than 500 tribal nations and its allies worldwide.

Santorum later said on Chris Cuomos CNN show that he misspoke in the sense that it wasnt clear that he was speaking in the context of the founding of the United States government.

People say Im trying to dismiss what happened to the Native Americans, he said. Far from it. The way we treated Native Americans was horrific. It goes against every bone and everything Ive ever fought for as a leader in the Congress.

Santorum's comments have garnered blowback before, especially his views on gay marriage and homosexuality. In 2003, he infuriated gay rights advocates by appearing to compare homosexuality to pedophilia and bestiality
Andrea Chrisjohn grew up in Duchess County, in the lap of Oneida Nation culture. It was a large part of her identity until about 20 years ago when, because of her lack of a matrilineal bloodline, she wasnt considered eligible to be enrolled in, and receive many of the benefits offered by, the Oneidans.

The only tradition that they follow now is the matrilineal clan system, said Chrisjohn. And they only use it for enrollment, when there's so many more aspects to it. There's people who have clans who are not enrolled because of the blood quantum. And the blood quantum was only put in place by the U.S. government. We're the only people that have to prove our how much we are to be considered what we are.

To watch cousins she had grown up with become enrolled members and experience all the benefits the Oneida Nation offered was difficult for Chrisjohn. Instead, she concentrated on herself, trying not to let a certification tell her who she was. She was still extremely proud of her Native American identity and concentrated on expressing that through her art.

Chrisjohn is one of the curators of the Identity/Identify exhibit at the Iroquois Indian Museum in Howes Cave, a contemporary look at Native American identity. The exhibit presents artistic retellings of a variety of experiences of Native American artists, particularly those like Chrisjohn who dont have matrilineal links or grew up off reservation.

It is aimed at dissecting the Haudenosaunee identity and what constitutes membership. It goes on to explore the way these definitions and designations determine access to tribal and federal resources, rights, residency options and other components of cultural and community participation.

The exhibit features a variety of artistic media, including video, sculpture, beadwork and photography.

Through this show, along with her fellow artists, Chrisjohn hopes to embrace her Oneida heritage, confident that a certification cant tell her who she is. The show is influenced by her own experience but is also embodied by the artists she chose.

The artists are from across the United States and various Native American lands such as Peter Jones, Hayden Haynes, and Michael Jones from Seneca territory; Margaret Jacobs and Natasha Smoke-Santiago from Akwesasne Mohawk territory; Robert DAlimonte from Tuscarora; Karen Ann Hoffman from Oneida, Wisconsin; Erin Antonak from Mississippi; and Dawn Dark Mountain from Santa Fe, N.M.

The more local names are Danielle Soames from Manhattan, Sheila Escobar and Lance Hodahkwen from Syracuse and Melanie Printup Hope from Toronto.

Chrisjohn has also used this opportunity to go back and readdress how she felt when she was told that she wasnt eligible for enrollment in the Oneida Nation and translate them into art.

I was doing the powwow circuits and creating art, she said. It was like it took a piece of me away. And in my painting, I referenced the star belly sneetches from Dr. Seuss, because we were the ones without stars. Me and my brother, we used to laugh and say We need Mr. McMonkey McBean to come in here and give us stars so we can be part of the nation.

Early this year, Chrisjohn visited a Mohawk exhibit put up by her sister-in-law, Crystal Henry, at the Iroquois Indian Museum While she was there, she was asked to be a trustee. Her grandfather had blessed the land it stood on and her late aunt had been a trustee.

I told them that I'm a Children of the Son, she said. Which means I'm an unenrolled member just because it's a matrilineal bloodline. So, I made sure that they knew that, and I said, Well, when my nation, when my tribe turned their back on us, I stopped learning about my own culture. And they said, you're in the right place. And they told me about this upcoming (exhibit). And I was so excited because it felt like the first time a voiceless Oneida would be able to actually have a voice.

According to Chrisjohn, as co-curator she could identify with most artists as they spoke about themselves, like Rick Danay when he said that he did not mind making people uncomfortable with his art. It is a statement she respects and agrees with. Another piece that spoke to her was Hayden Hayes Descendants and Dependents, a sculpture of a starving dog trying to get scraps with a canna on his head and a satisfied fat cat sitting above.

I was glad to see an enrolled member speaking on this and seeing, she said.

Chrisjohn has included three of her own pieces in the exhibition as well that she says show the exclusion felt with the Oneidans.

Tradionalists power is in honoring our culture and Haudenosaunee traditions and belief, said Chrisjohn. This does not stand up against the power of money and how many people abandon their ancestors wisdom.

The Identity/Identify exhibit is on display at the Iroquois Museum until Nov. 28.
Update: Power has been restored to most utility customers. Read our updated story.

ALBANY  Winds powerful enough to blow so much dust and pollen into the air that it lowered visibility at Albany International Airport also caused thousands of power outages around the Capital Region and Mohawk Valley.

The National Weather Service reported the gusts whipped up the pollen and dust at the airport.

National Grid reported about 2,100 customers are were without service, mostly in the area around in Albany and Schenectady counties by about 8 p.m.

Thousands of additional outages were scattered along the Mohawk Valley, caused by the storms that passed to the east.

New York State Electric & Gas reported several thousand outages in the Southern Tier and central New York. A few hundred of the company's customers in Washington County were left without service at a certain point Wednesday.

Shortly before 4:30 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for eastern Rensselaer County as well as parts of western Vermont and Massachusetts.

Thunderstorms with damaging winds hit the western edge of the region at 3 p.m. .
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 15:54:37|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken in Kunduz city, Afghanistan on May 26, 2021 shows people who were rescued by Afghan Special Forces from a Taliban detention center located in neighboring Baghlan province. A total of 62 hostages including 36 security personnel have been set free after the Afghan Special Forces stormed a Taliban detention center in northern Baghlan province on Wednesday, an army statement said. (Photo by Ajmal Kakar/Xinhua)

PUL-E-KHUMRI, Afghanistan, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A total of 62 hostages including 36 security personnel have been set free after the Afghan Special Forces stormed a Taliban detention center in northern Baghlan province on Wednesday, an army statement said.

According to the statement, the special forces raided the Taliban detention center in Nawrozak village of Baghlan-e-Markazi district in the wee hours of Wednesday. After killing four guards of the center, they rescued 62 detainees including 36 security personnel and 26 civilians.

The special forces also destroyed the detention center of the armed insurgents.

This is the second attack on Taliban detention centers to release detainees from Taliban clutches in Baghlan over the past three days.

In the previous attack on the Taliban, the special forces stormed the armed group's hideout in Baghlan on Monday and rescued eight security personnel. Enditem
As if Chatham couldnt get any leafier or prettier in its upstate appeal, it has Nonne Pizza & Cucina as a lovely addition in town. Stroll Main Street on some warm evening, peering in storefronts after a beer at The Peoples Pub or Chatham Brewing, and youll come across bistro tables on the wide forecourt of a former gallery with strung garden lights illuminating the scene. In fact, Nonne cuts a decidedly European feel amplified in part by the towns awninged shops and a set of train tracks that deliver a bells-and-whistles show when CSX and Amtrak power on through.

Truth is, Chatham holds a dignified appeal. Were the youngest among well-dressed guests in large, dark sunglasses who note our arrival at Nonne with mild interest before returning to chilled glasses and tables crowded with food. Inside, the restaurant is a graceful, modern study in black and raw wood, with a buzzing team in the open kitchen and the fiery maw of a wood-fired pizza oven spitting out blistered pizza and fresh focaccia. Carb lovers will rejoice at the sight of tables jostling trays of assorted oiled bread. You may feel guilt elsewhere, but here youll feel seen.

If Sophia Loren were to weekend upstate, she might come here for food thats unpretentious and simple, hearty and filling. Nonne has the effortlessness of a restaurant that feels as if its been around for a while. It hasnt, having opened a month before the lockdown, but the ease comes from owner Luigi Iasilli, whose former restaurants and wine bars in New York City span three decades. Max, a popular Italian in Tribeca, earned a casual-eats review from Eric Asimov in The New York Times and several best of nods from Time Out magazine, including the lasagna now on the menu here.

Theres no shortage of Italian restaurants upstate, from old-school Italian-American trattorias selling eggplant parm and chicken riggies on menus unchanged since the 1930s; newer Italian cucinas with April Bloomfield-style ricotta gnocchi (popularized at her West Village gastropub,The Spotted Pig), and no-waste, peasant-style cucina povera enticing the brave with saucy, slow-cooked veal heart. Iasillis approach leans on a childhood in Calabria, in southwest Italy, raised by a grandmother who had a pot of sauce on the stove by 5 a.m every day and was at mass by 6 a.m.

Iasilli gives his grandmothers recipes an American twist with ingredients sourced locally, or at least locally to the U.S. Dinapoli tomatoes in a mildly sweet, rough-crushed sauce and a cold-pressed finishing olive oil are Californian, but he makes the mozzarella, buying curd from Wisconsin and stretching the cheese by hand.

If you go: Nonne Pizza & Cucina Where: 10 Main Street, Chatham

Hours: 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 4 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, noon to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, noon to 9 p,m. Sunday, closed Monday.

Info: 518-392-5590 and nonneny.com See More Collapse

That mozzarella shines in mild, nutty glory on a pizza topped in a toasted shower of shaved Brussels sprouts and salty prosciutto. The dough is the real star, thanks to a two-day fermentation and Iasillis approach to fire: Despite an early career in banking, Iasillis lifelong interest in the culinary process has shown him that a long fermentation and baking at a lower temperature (closer to 600 degrees than the popular 800) yields more bubbly and easily digestible dough. Whatever it adds in a few seconds of cooking time is worthwhile in its chewy, flavorful result.

Theres a cheerful round-up of antipasti ($10 to $15), pasta, ravioli and around five mains ($19 to $28). Chunky salads are boosted with walnuts and cranberries or quinoa with tomatoes, soups include chunky ribollita and Italian wedding, and the squid-ink spaghetti has North American shrimp. We tuck into firmly sprung meatballs in more crushed tomato sauce, the all-beef mix delivering heft, and crimped spinach ravioli packed with asparagus, mushroom and zucchini. All are draped in the house tomato sauce, however, so one seems much like another when mopping plates with bread, and the vegetable ravioli could have used sauce with more depth. But veal osso bucco slow-braised in white wine is beautiful over spinach and creamy polenta, the meat falling off the bone. Plunge a knife in the shank and smear glistening marrow on garlic cannoto focaccia for a decadent treat.

Nonnes pasta and ravioli is from an Italian family in Brooklyn, former owners of an Italian restaurant who make the gelato too. You could as easily stop for wine from Iasillis shortlist featuring lesser-known varietals native to Italys regional south or a sparkling Italian soda and locally roasted Six Depot coffee with dessert. Having wandered in from the cool evening air, were soon spoon-deep in espresso-soaked tiramisu and panna cotta with a berry-wine reduction, sipping amaro from the many behind the bar. We linger unusually long. Its that type of place where everyone chats, from the staff and Iasilli to the building owner (also a New York City restaurateur), and anyone left at the bar.

Susie Davidson Powell is a British freelance food writer in upstate New York. Follow her on Twitter, @SusieDP
ALBANY  A fossil fuel divestment group took aim at the teachers retirement system on Tuesday, urging the organization to divest of the coal stocks they say continue to make up a substantial part of their portfolio. It may be easier said then done, however.

NYSTRS is increasing its exposure to the coal industry, said Liam Smith, of New Youth Climate Leaders and Divest NY which have been urging public sector pension funds to divest from coal and other fossil fuel industries they say are adding to greenhouse gases.

NYSTRS is the New York State Teachers Retirement System. At $120 billion it is the states second largest pension system behind the $247.7 billion Common Retirement Fund for public sector workers other than teachers.

While the Common Retirement Fund has made some modest moves toward divesting the dirtiest, or most carbon-intensive, oil producers, activists on Wednesday said the value of NYSTRS coal holdings has grown recently.

NYSTRS, Divest NY said, has more than $300 million invested in companies with substantial coal reserves and it owns shares of 36 companies heavily invested in coal.

It has purchased 6.2 million shares in 24 of those firms as of the end of 2020. Many are in China and India, where coal continues to serve as a major energy source. One of those firms, Shaanxi Coal Industry Co. has the worlds second largest reserves of coal.

Coal Divest Report by rkarlin on Scribd

The ongoing use of coal in Asia, as opposed to the U.S., where it is fading, illustrates the challenges in divesting for retirement funds whose prime responsibility is to protect the pensions of members.

The value of NYSTRS coal-related investments has risen but it wasnt immediately clear whether the increase came from the purchase of more shares or whether it was from the overall growth in share prices amid the rising overall stock market.



Either way, divestment supporters said the coal pullout should come sooner rather than later in order to pressure energy companies to move toward cleaner renewables like wind or solar.

NYSTRS said it agrees that fossil fuel divestment is a worthwhile goal and it is investigating how to best integrate these worries in its investment strategy. It has hired a consultant to help develop a responsible strategy going forward.

But, noting they have been talking with NYSTRS for a while, activists said faster action was needed.

This needs to happen now, said Ithaca Democratic Assemblywoman Anna Kelles, who along with Brooklyn Democratic Sen. Jabari Brisport had sponsored legislation to mandate the divestment. The bills havent moved forward since late April, however.



Pension officials said they plan to update the Legislature by the end of this year.
The Biden administration is looking to create a special dispute panel to deal with what they and New York dairy farmers contend is Canadas unfair import quotas, which have long been a sore point in trade relations.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representatives complaint contends that that Canada is improperly applying tariffs and quotas on 14 dairy products, including milk, cream, cheese and yogurt.

Launching the first panel request under the agreement will ensure our dairy industry and its workers can seize new opportunities under the USMCA to market and sell U.S. products to Canadian consumers, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in announcing the request on Tuesday.

The USMCA is the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, put in place during the Trump administration. It replaced the previous North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA, which was signed during the Clinton administration. The USMCA went into effect in July 2020. It was supposed to allow more access for U.S. dairy farmers to export their products to Canada.

A dispute panel would likely issue a report in November.

U.S. Senator and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hailed the request to move forward with a dispute panel.

Our hard-working dairy farmers have been squeezed by the double whammy of the COVID crisis and by Canadas failure to provide U.S. dairy producers with fair market access, as agreed to under USMCA, he said.

This is a necessary step to ensuing that the Upstate New York dairy industry fully benefits from the USMCA provisions intended to expand market access opportunities. We must continue to hold Canada accountable and ensure fair and equal trading practices to help New Yorks dairy farmers milk profits that will help them recover from the huge losses during the pandemic.

Additionally, U.S. Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand held a web-based press conference calling for more U.S. Department of Agriculture grants for New York dairy farmers who were hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dairy producers were hit doubly hard, said Gillibrand, as schools and restaurants closed during the pandemic. Unlike other farms, dairy farms cant stop production, she said.

In addition to the quotas into Canada, she said the pandemic has also disrupted commerce across the border.
ALBANY  School districts are seeking clarity on Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's statement Monday that all New York schools can reopen for full in-person learning for the 2021-2022 school year beginning in September provided coronavirus rates remain low.

A full return to in-person learning would likely mean that all students and teachers can return to the classroom following a tumultuous school year upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it's not clear whether schools would completely eliminate the remote learning option in the fall.

"We are waiting for the state and/or the governor to give us a 'may' or 'must,'" Watervliet City School District Superintendent Lori Caplan said. "If it's a 'must,' we obviously will require all students to be in school. If it's a 'may,' there will be very stringent criteria that will develop, because it's no secret that students need to be in school sooner rather than later."

The 1,271-student Watervliet district has provided fully in-person classes for all grades this year, but about 35 percent of students are currently still taking classes remotely.

The governor's remarks followed New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's announcement Monday that city schools would be fully in-person with no remote option for students in September.

"Our children lost so much as COVID struck our state. A year of socialization, a year of memories, and even more," Cuomo said. "While teachers and school administrators did an incredible job pivoting to remote learning with virtually zero notice, there's no denying the discrimination students who did not have the right equipment faced."

Capital Region school officials say they are still following state and federal health guidelines that indicate certain mitigation steps must be taken before school buildings can operate at full capacity, including grouping students into "cohorts" and maintaining social distancing throughout the school day.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Health Department both put out guidance stating that for middle and high school, desks can be separated by 3 feet instead of 6 feet as long as students are cohorted into groups or community infection rates are sufficiently low. Separating high schools into siloed groups is not always possible, so some local districts are expecting to maintain the 6-foot social distancing requirement, which creates space constraints.

Since younger students are less likely to transmit the virus, their desks may be separated by 3 feet. Masks will be required in all schools next year regardless of vaccination status.

Remote learning widened educational disparities since schools first closed in March 2020. Low-income children and students of color were less likely to participate in in-person classes or have consistent access to technology and the internet.

High-needs districts also saw a larger share of students opting for fully remote education learning to reduce their exposure to the deadly virus.

In suburban districts in the Capital Region, roughly 20 percent of families opted for a fully remote option this year while city schools saw more than half of their students selecting a fully remote curriculum during the 2020-2021 school year.

Due to social distancing guidelines, large city schools, including Albany and Schenectady, were unable to provide in-person instruction to most middle and high students for much of the school year.

Requiring all students to return to the classroom would help districts draw remote students back to school buildings in the fall.

"If we are not required to have a remote option, we absolutely believe that all kids should be here learning and catching up," Rensselaer City Schools Superintendent Joe Kardash said. "Of course, we have to wait for written guidance before we do anything."

New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta said in a statement that the union supports the state's decision to bring all students back to the classroom.

Educators know that being in person is the best way for students to learn and for teachers to teach. We support offering full-time in-person instruction five days a week and await formal guidance for the fall on how districts, working with educators and parents, should craft their plans to bring all students back to the classroom.

Cuomo, at a news conference earlier Monday, said the state is moving to require coronavirus vaccinations for students in school settings as was done two years ago for measles vaccine amid an outbreak of that disease. But the state cannot mandate someone be vaccinated unless the vaccine has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which has not formally approved the vaccines being given to millions of U.S. citizens.

The governor noted that the mandate requiring measles vaccinations for children attending schools led to some people pulling their children out of schools.

"It was very controversial," Cuomo said. "Were going to set a statewide policy which will govern all school districts. Now, September is relatively a long way away and we follow the science, we follow the data."

Cuomo said the decision to fully reopen New York schools may be revisited, however, if there is a coronavirus resurgence.
TROY Should school resource officers be required to wear body cameras during their interactions with students? Police agencies in the Capital Region say "yes."

The Troy Police Department, which supplies the resource officers to Troy and Lansingburgh districts, began outfitting its officers with the devices in April.

Troy Police Capt. Steven Barker said the department had conversations with city and school officials about the use of body cameras in schools, hospitals and jails, with stakeholders ultimately deciding in favor of all officers wearing the devices.

"It's a complex issue with schools, hospitals, and jails, but if our officers weren't to wear it, there would be questions about why they weren't wearing it" when there is an altercation, Barker said. "No one ever asks if the other person wanted to be filmed."

More law enforcement agencies are requiring all of their uniformed officers to wear the cameras, but filming police interactions in certain settings remains controversial and policies vary widely across the country.

Body-worn cameras and freedom of information laws have allowed for greater oversight and accountability of the police, but they also can infringe on people's privacy; depending on state laws, it can mean someone's worst moments captured on camera and made available to the public through the Freedom of Information Law.

The Lansingburgh and Chatham Central school districts this month put out nearly identical letters notifying families that their child's school resource officer would soon start wearing a body camera on campus. The Columbia County Sheriff's Department supplies officers for the Chatham Central district.

"The purpose of body cameras is to monitor police activity, not spy on students or employees. The body camera will be turned off most of the time and will be activated by Ofcer (Jeffrey) Streeter or another SRO only if there is an incident in which law enforcement action is involved. When recording, red lights will be displayed, along with audible sounds at regular intervals to alert those involved," the Lansingburgh notice reads.

The video recordings are retained by police in a secure cloud server. While the district may request a copy of the video in certain circumstances, clips are not typically retained by the school.

A school resource officer may switch on their body camera when there is a physical altercation between students and staff or while investigating an incident such as a potential threat or illegal activity on campus, according to the school notice.

Barker said the department is working with city officials on a comprehensive list of scenarios that would require the use of body cameras in schools.

The primary role of a school resource officer is to generate positive interactions between students and police while providing added security during school hours, law enforcement officials say.

But the officers are also used to break up conflicts and address behavioral problems, which sometimes results in the arrest of students.

Police reform advocates have criticized the presence of uniformed officers in schools. The New York Civil Liberties Union has argued that it contributes to the school-to-prison pipeline that funnels students into the criminal justice system, often beginning with minor misbehavior.

Melanie Trimble, Capital Region chapter director for the NYCLU, said the most troubling aspect of the body camera policy is what it confirms: that police in schools pose a risk to students.

"Schools shouldn't be places where students are surveilled and at risk of violent encounters or arrests that can funnel them into the criminal legal system or deportation," Trimble said. "This proposal skirts the real problem of criminalizing students in schools, and the failure of the police or school to outline a privacy policy or share how footage will be collected, stored, or shared is unacceptable. This is not a model for student safety. We need to fund solutions that support students and meet their needs, and we need to replace cops with counselors and programs for social-emotional learning."

The letter from the Lansingburgh district says the policy was initiated by the police department "as the result of recent Police Reform Committee meetings."

Jerry Ford, a member of the Troy Coalition of Black Leaders who serves on Troy's police reform committee, said he doesn't recall the issue of body cameras in school coming up during conversations.

Ford, who has two children in the Troy school district, said parents were also not notified of the policy change. "There should be an opportunity for community input," Ford said.

The committee did discuss whether police officers belong in school buildings. Negative interactions between students and officers tend to undermine the department's objective of bolstering police-community relations, according to Ford.

"I'm a little bit back and forth with that one for safety reasons," he said.

The Troy Police Department and Columbia County Sheriff's Office are not the only law enforcement agencies to start filming in-school interactions. Police departments across the region have implemented similar policies as they roll out body-cameras programs without schools explicitly notifying families of the change.

The Albany County Sheriff's Office, which provides school resource officers to Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk, Voorheesville, and Berne-Knox-Westerlo districts, has been using body-worn cameras, including in schools, for nearly two years.

"I think it's important to wear them everywhere," Sheriff Craig Apple said. "There are fights that go on in school. A lot of times it keeps the officer safe as well. (The camera) could capture what happened when there is an allegation ... if, for example, they have to restrain a child."

Apple said he is not worried about privacy concerns because the footage is automatically deleted within 60 days unless the encounter leads to an arrest or an investigation.

"I also want my paramedics and EMTs to wear those cameras," Apple said. "As long as we are not using that footage against anyone."
BAMAKO, Mali (AP)  Malis transitional president and prime minister will be released from detention gradually after resigning in the presence of international arbitrators who are in the West African nation to mediate the political crisis, the adviser to the military authority who detained the two leaders said late Wednesday.

The resignation by the leader of an 18-month civilian transitional government risks plunging the troubled nation into further instability.

The U.N. Security Council indicated Wednesday after a closed meeting that the resignations were forced and demanded an immediate resumption of the civilian-led transition and return of the military to their barracks.

The world body, along with the African Union and other international bodies, as well as the U.S., have urged Malis military to release the transitional leaders.

The leader of Malis 2020 coup, Col. Assimi Goita, who has been serving as the transitional vice president since September, regained control of the West African country by deposing the president and prime minister in an unprecedented move. President Bah NDaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane were arrested Monday, along with other government leaders, hours after naming a new Cabinet that did not include two major former junta leaders.

While in detention, NDaw dismissed the prime minister before handing in his own resignation letter, according to a military official and a West African diplomat involved in mediations. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not permitted to speak to the press on the subject.

Maj. Baba Cisse, the special adviser to Goita, who led the arrests Monday that have sparked international condemnation, said the resignations by both the prime minister and president were done in the presence of arbitrators and offered assurances the leaders would eventually be released.

After the resignation of the transitional president and his prime minister, the detainees will recover their freedoms. This will be done gradually for the obvious security reasons, he said at a news conference.

Cisse recited a list of reasons for the arrests of Malis heads of government, including accusations that the prime minister blocked the vice president on certain defense and security issues and violated the transitional charter by not consulting Goita about the formation of a new government.

The U.N. Security Council met Wednesday over Mali and in a statement condemned the arrests and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all the officials detained.

The statement, which was approved by all 15 council members after closed consultations, said that imposing a change of transitional leadership by force, including through forced resignations, is unacceptable.

The Security Council said it noted with concern the risk of negative impact of these developments on ongoing efforts to counter terrorism, implement the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, and stabilize the center of Mali.

The Security Council reiterated its strong support for mediation efforts by the African Union and West African regional group, known as ECOWAS, led by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.

French President Emmanuel Macron described the weeks events as a coup and warned of repercussions, including targeted sanctions.

French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said Wednesday, We were very clear with the junta: The transition must include civilians. It must be peaceful, it must be inclusive and it must be limited in time. What has happened ... constitutes for us a rupture of confidence.

The European Union has also warned that it is ready to consider targeted measures against political and military leaders who obstruct the Malian transition.

The United States strongly condemned the detention of the civilian leaders, with the State Department saying it would be suspending security assistance to the Malian forces.

The United States will also consider targeted measures against political and military leaders who impede Malis civilian-led transition to democratic governance, State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

He said the U.S. was working closely with the local transition monitoring committee and other international actors to achieve the immediate and unconditional release of the government leaders held.

A democratic, civilian-led government presents the best opportunity to achieve security and prosperity in Mali and the wider Sahel region, the statement said.

Jonathan, who arrived Tuesday night with the West African delegation, said they came to Mali to listen to different parties, including the military, civil society groups and others.

Jonathan earlier acted as mediator in the political crisis last year after the junta detained former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on Aug. 18, forcing him to resign. ECOWAS previously threatened the junta with sanctions if it did not install a civilian president and prime minister, and shorten the transitional period to 18 months.

When Goita released a statement Tuesday, he pledged to move forward with new elections in 2022 as previously promised. But his display of force raises fears that there could be further significant interference by the junta that overthrew the last democratically elected president.

The new political unrest could further destabilize efforts to control Malis long-running Islamic insurgency. The U.N. now spends some $1.2 billion annually on a peacekeeping mission in Mali and Frances military has spent eight years trying to stabilize its former colony amid the ongoing threat.

___

Associated Press writer Baba Ahmed reported this story in Bamako and AP writer Carley Petesch reported from Dakar, Senegal. AP writer Elaine Ganley in Paris contributed to this report.
MALTA  One of the towns most prominent Republican operatives, who helped Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh and Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen secure their seats, is being accused of voter fraud by Democrats.

Nick Wilock, who also works for the state Assembly GOP conference, is open about the fact that he is registered and votes in Malta, but has lived in Colonie since 2015. He says that arrangement is legal, as he has every intention of moving back to his hometown.

Democrats are not satisfied with that explanation.

He doesnt live here, said Malta Democratic Chair Tracy DeRagon. If hes paying taxes in another town, he should be voting in that town. Hes not paying taxes here, he shouldnt be influencing whats going on here.  I dont think its right.  I do consider it fraud.

Wilock, co-chair of Malta's GOP committee, freely admits he uses his parents' address at Yachtmans Way for voting purposes. And in January, he also put his name on his parents mortgage papers filed with Saratoga County.

It is common for people in politics to walk blurred lines as it relates to residency. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who now lives in the town of Saratoga, used her family's vacation home in Essex County as the residence that qualified her to be a candidate in her congressional district; she now lives in Schuylerville.

Election law is very clear: Each registered voter in New York state is entitled to a voting address. ... If the intent to move back is there, then that complies with election laws," Wilock said. "I confirmed that with multiple election attorneys. I confirmed with the Republican Commissioner (Roger Schiera) of Saratoga County. Im on the mortgage of that house; my name appears on the mortgage statements.

According to the state attorney generals website on voter registration, state law requires voters to be a resident of New York State and of the county, city or village where you will be voting for a minimum of 30 days before the election.

Wilock points legal precedent in the case of Hosley v. Curry, which centered on a man who lived in Warren County but voted in Hamilton County as he jointly owned a home with his ailing mother in Indian Lake. He frequently spent the night there to care for her.

The Court of Appeals concluded for a change to a new domicile to be effected, there must be a union of residence in fact and an absolute and fixed intention to abandon the former and make the new locality a fixed and permanent home.

The Court of Appeals case which, among the opinions of commissioners and election law attorneys, supports my statement, Wilock said in an email. The claims of election fraud does not exist. It is a false claim.

When asked when his fixed intention to move back to Malta would become operative, Wilock said thats a private family decision.

The Albany County Board of Elections said that Wilock is not registered in that county.

Schiera said he doesn't remember telling Wilock that it's legal to vote where you don't live. However, he called the law fuzzy.

"We don't put surveillance on people to see where they lay their head," Schiera said. "You can't register in two places inside the state. We would find that out pretty quick. We do do spot checks with voter cards. If those cards are undeliverable for any reason, we have to do something. We never had one of his voter check cards come back. He must be getting mail at that residence."

State Board of Elections spokesman John Conklin concurred, saying that you can use a different address other than a permanent one if you can receive mail there or have a legal tie.

Malta GOP Chair Ted Willette, in an email to the Times Union, defended Wilock and called him an invaluable asset to our town community.

Its hard to find individuals as passionate and caring about their hometown as Nick does, Willette said in a statement. For someone who works as hard as he does  as a volunteer  to give back to our town is inspirational. His efforts are always appreciated to help high-character individuals win elected office.

The residency question also coincides with a nationwide Republican call to put more checks on voters to ensure no one votes fraudulently.

Meanwhile, Wilock continues to work on local campaigns, including those for Saratoga Springs mayor and Malta supervisor.

That is very satisfying to me, to help really good people, Wilock said. To give back to the community that helped raise me and shape me and make me the person I am today, to help really good people navigate a campaign so they can be elected officials, that's very satisfying to me. That's why I'm in the business I'm in. ... You try to do a good thing and this is the result of it."
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  Mississippi's capital city is honoring the civil rights activism of the late Rev. C.T. Vivian 60 years after he and other Freedom Riders were arrested upon arrival in Jackson as they challenged segregation in interstate buses and bus terminals across the American South.

After several days in a local jail, the young activists were transferred to Mississippi's notorious Parchman prison, where guards beat Vivian and others  one of many times that Vivian faced violence as he worked to dismantle systemic racism and injustice.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba proclaimed Wednesday as C.T. Vivian Day. The mayor's wife, Ebony Lumumba, presented the proclamation to one of Vivian's daughters, Denise Morse, at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

Rev. Vivian remains a source of inspiration for leaders and advocates for justice at every age, because life teaches us that, among other things, we are never too young, never too old, never inexperienced to be on the front lines of this battle for justice, said Ebony Lumumba, a professor of literature.

Cordy Tindell Vivian began challenging segregation in Illinois in the 1940s, became more involved with civil rights activism when he attended seminary in Nashville, Tennessee, in the 1950s and later became an adviser to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Vivian was 95 when he died July 17 in Atlanta  the same day that his friend and fellow civil rights activist U.S. Rep. John Lewis died of cancer at age 80.

In May 1961, Vivian was 37 and almost a generation older than Lewis, Diane Nash and other college-age Freedom Riders who set out from Nashville on buses into the Deep South. A violent white mob attacked Lewis and others in Montgomery, Alabama.

Vivian joined the other Freedom Riders days later in boarding another bus from Montgomery to Jackson. Mississippi's segregationist governor, Ross Barnett, had cut a secret deal with U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy: Buses carrying Freedom Riders would be guaranteed safe passage once they crossed into the state, but the activists would be arrested in Jackson.

Black-and-white jail mugshots of Vivian and other Freedom Riders fill a gallery in the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum that opened in late 2017.

Morse lives in Fayetteville, Georgia, and visited Jackson for the first time this week. In the civil rights museum Wednesday, she looked proudly at her father's mugshot and another photo that showed him, Nash, Bernard Lafayette and other activists in Nashville.

Morse said her father never bragged about his activism.

He talked about concepts and values, Morse said. But he rarely talked about who he knew or where he'd been. He was more concerned about nonviolence and justice. That's what he talked about."

During his final years, Vivian worked on a book about his life with author Steve Fiffer. Its in the Action: Memories of a Nonviolent Warrior" was published in March.

Dozens of people gathered at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum on Wednesday to hear about Vivian from Morse and Fiffer, with the author appearing by webcast from his home in Evanston, Illinois.

The presentation started with February 1965 TV news footage that grabbed international attention. It showed Vivian trying to help Black residents register to vote in Selma, Alabama. Face-to-face with a recalcitrant white official, Vivian said: You can't keep anyone in the United States from voting. The sheriff soon punched Vivian in the face, knocking him to the ground.

Three weeks later, thousands of people later marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. Months after that, Congress enacted the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Vivian received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013 from then-President Barack Obama, a man who was born months after Vivian and other Freedom Riders were arrested in Mississippi.

____

Follow Emily Wagster Pettus on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EWagsterPettus.
SCHOHARIE  Nauman Hussain, the sole person to face criminal charges in the deaths of 20 people killed in the 2018 limousine crash in Schoharie, will appear in court on July 7 in what could be a pivotal juncture in the case.

Hussain, 31, is facing 20 counts each of criminally negligent homicide and manslaughter over what prosecutors allege was his negligence in renting out a 31-foot stretch Ford Excursion limo to passengers that had been deemed illegal and unsafe by state transportation officials.

The crash was the worst highway transportation disaster in more than a decade when it happened on Oct. 6, 2018, a sunny autumn Saturday when 17 friends from the Amsterdam area had hired Hussain's limo company, Prestige Limousine of Wilton, to drive them through the countryside for a birthday celebration in Cooperstown.

The limo never made it, crashing next to the Apple Barrel Country Store at the intersection of routes 30 and 30A. State Police blamed the wreck on brake failure and authorities accused Hussain of failing to properly care for the vehicle. All the passengers died nearly instantly when the limo crashed into a ditch after reaching speeds of more than 100 mph. Two bystanders and the driver died as well.

Hussain was scheduled to go to trial in early 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic forced government shutdowns of most public facilities, including courts.

Although there have been attempts to settle Hussain's charges without a trial in the time since, the case had gone relatively quiet until Tuesday afternoon when the Schoharie County Court clerk announced that attorneys for Hussain and District Attorney Susan Mallery would meet with Judge George Bartlett III on June 23 for a conference. Talks of plea bargain negotiations last summer roiled the relatives of those killed. Many have filed lawsuits or taken other legal action against Hussain, a repair chain that worked on the limo, and the state.

After the June 23 conference, Hussain would appear in court on July 7 for "further proceedings," according to the court clerk's office.

Court officials have been working for weeks now to provide the families of the 20 victims a way to view Hussain's next court appearance in a safe manner. With the state lifting many pandemic restrictions now, the courts are reopening.

"We have set up remote locations for any courtroom overflow for family and public to view proceedings," Court Clerk Lauren Clemenzi said.

Mallery did not return a call seeking comment. However, none of the families of the victims or their attorneys who were reached Wednesday by the Times Union said they were told anything by Mallery. Others were not aware that a July 7 date had been set.

"There has been no official information given to the families," Cynthia LaFave, an attorney representing the families of Adam and Abigail Jackson, one of several married couples who died in the crash. The Jacksons left behind two young children.

Most of the attorneys for the families say they and their clients have been under the impression that plea talks have taken place without getting the information directly from Mallery.

"No one knows for sure, but we would not be surprised if a plea is reached," said Salvatore Ferlazzo, an attorney representing the family of victim Amanda Rivenburg.

Hussain, who pleaded not guilty and is free on bond, faces years in state prison if he were to go to trial and be found guilty on the felony charges.

Lee Kindlon, Hussain's defense lawyer, did not say what is scheduled to happen on July 7 or the likelihood of the case proceeding to trial or resulting in a guilty plea.

"I anticipate that greater clarity will come after June 23 as far as the ultimate direction of the case," Kindlon told the Times Union late Tuesday.

The 2018 Schoharie limo tragedy garnered national headlines and led to calls for sweeping limo safety reforms on the state and federal level.

The case also shed light on the business dealings of the Hussain family, which in addition to the illegal limousine business operated a ramshackle motel in Wilton that has since been shut down by the Department of Health after being deemed a public health threat after years of negligence.

The crash also brought renewed attention to Shahed Hussain, the father of Nauman Hussain, who has worked for years as an undercover informant for the FBI's counter-terrorism task force. The elder Hussain owned the limo company and his son ran it, authorities said.

The elder Hussain, who now lives in Pakistan, ran various side businesses, including the limo service, with little apparent scrutiny from law enforcement over the years despite brazenly flaunting codes and regulations.

The resumption of Nauman Hussain's criminal case comes as the civil cases filed by the families against members of the Hussain family and Mavis Discount Tires, where Nauman Hussain had the Excursion serviced, are reaching a critical phase as well. The insurance policy that covered the limo in the case of death to passengers is limited to $500,000 total, or $25,000 per victim.

Malik Riaz Hussain, a wealthy Pakistani real estate mogul who is the elder brother of Shahed Hussain, is scheduled to be interviewed Thursday morning as part of a deposition that will become evidence in the civil cases, which are being coordinated together in state Supreme Court in Albany until trial to streamline the discovery process.

Hussain will remain in Pakistan and will be asked questions and provide answers through a Zoom-like video feed using an Urdu interpreter. Attorney Robert Abdella, who represents the families of Rich and Axel Steenburg, two brothers who died in the crash, will handle the questioning.

Axel Steenburg organized the limo ride as part of the 30th birthday celebration for his wife, Kim, who also perished in the crash.

Malik Riaz Hussain, considered one of the wealthiest men in Pakistan, subsidized his brother's purchase of the motel in 2006 and had the deed put in his name in 2010.

Attorneys for the families are trying to prove that Malik Riaz Hussain also subsidized the limo business, arguing that would make him liable for monetary damages in the civil cases, which seeks compensation for the estates of the victims. Attorneys for Malik Riaz Hussain have denied their client even knew about the illegal limo business.

The Excursion, a 2001 model, was purchased by the Hussains in 2016 from an Albany limo company that didn't want to maintain the vehicle anymore.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 16:44:43|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivers a speech via video link at the opening ceremony of the China International Big Data Industry Expo 2021, May 26, 2021. The China International Big Data Industry Expo 2021 opened Wednesday in Guiyang of southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

GUIYANG, May 26 (Xinhua) -- An international expo on big data opened Wednesday in southwest China's Guizhou Province, showcasing cutting-edge scientific and technological innovations and achievements in the relevant area.

The ongoing three-day China International Big Data Industry Expo 2021 in the provincial capital of Guiyang has attracted 225 enterprises from home and abroad, according to the organizing committee.

Under the theme "Embrace digital intelligence, Deliver new development," this year's expo is scheduled both online and offline. The expo will witness six high-level dialogues on such topics as data security, digital services, and the digitalization of industries.

Vice Premier Liu He, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivered a speech via video link at the opening ceremony.

Noting the importance of big data in global scientific and technological innovation, industrial restructuring, and economic and social development, Liu said China will accelerate efforts to expand the application scenarios of big data and strengthen infrastructure construction and talent cultivation in the industry.

China will also establish and improve governance systems and regulations as well as expand international cooperation to boost the big data sector, he added.

"The big data industry has become a significant and decisive force to promote the transition of the industrial economy towards the digital economy," said Liu Liehong, vice minister of industry and information technology, at the opening ceremony.

During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), the annual compound growth rate of China's big data industry exceeded 30 percent, and the industrial scale reached more than 1 trillion yuan (about 152.7 billion yuan) in 2020, the vice minister noted.

As China's leading big data pilot zone, Guizhou has witnessed rapid growth in the industry over the last few years.

Guizhou is one of the regions with the highest number of mega data centers in the world and its digital economic growth rate has ranked first in China for six consecutive years, said Shen Yiqin, Party chief of Guizhou, at the expo's opening ceremony.

Noting that companies like Apple, Huawei and Alibaba have all entered and invested in Guizhou, Vladimir Norov, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, said at the opening ceremony that Guizhou is expected to become one of the largest data centers in the world in a few years.

The big data industry expo, the first of its kind in China, has been held in Guiyang five times since 2015. In 2019, the expo attracted over 448 enterprises from 59 countries and regions, with contracts worth nearly 100.8 billion yuan signed at the expo.

The organizers canceled the event last year due to COVID-19.

Guizhou was approved to build China's first national big data comprehensive pilot zone in 2016. It has attracted heavyweight players, including Apple, Huawei and Tencent, to establish cloud computing and big data centers as well as regional headquarters. Enditem
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)  Low-cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle has been saved, its chief executive said Wednesday, adding it had written history as the ailing airline had struggled with fallout from the coronavirus pandemic and a debt restructuring plan.

CEO Jacob Schram said Norwegian had successfully concluded the plan after it raised 6 billion kroner ($721 million) through the sale of perpetual bonds, new shares and a rights issue.

In January, the Oslo-based airline said it was ending its long-haul operations and was focusing instead on European destinations. The company then presented a plan that cut its fleet from 140 aircraft to about 50.

In a statement, Norwegian said it had reduced its total debt by approximately 63-65 billion kroner ($7.5 billion-$7.8 billion) to around 20 billion kroner ($2.36 billion) under a plan that had to be approved by bankruptcy courts in Ireland, where its planes are registered, and in Norway.

The courts, which had approved the plan, demanded that the airline raise at least 4.5 billion kroner ($541 million) as part of a program to emerge from bankruptcy protection in the two countries which happened Wednesday.

The airline, whose fleet were mostly grounded as the pandemic has caused a near-total halt to global travel, also terminated aircraft orders with Boeing and Airbus, worth approximately 85 billion ($10.2 billion) in aggregated value.

In May 2020, the carrier got 3 billion kroner ($361 million) in loan guarantees from the Norwegian government as part of a restructuring plan. In January, the government in Oslo gave another a 1.5 billion kroner ($180 million) in loans as long as the ailing company raised at least 4.5 billion kroner from other investors. The government put several conditions for participating in the Norwegian airlines restructuring, including that the Oslo-based company must get new capital from private investors.

Chief Financial Officer Geir Karlsen told Norwegian news agency NTB that the last year, and especially the past six months, had been intense.

We have negotiated with 30-40 large banks and several thousand creditors he was quoted as saying.
Why should I be studying for a future that soon may be no more, when no one is doing anything to save that future? And what is the point of learning facts when the most important facts clearly mean nothing to our society?  Greta Thunberg, 18, climate activist

Our climate is in crisis, with firestorms, superstorms, droughts and floods already destroying lives and communities. Greta Thunberg ignited a movement of students and young people demanding climate action. Teachers, whose job it is to prepare students for the future, must help lead the way.

We as teachers call on the Legislature to pass the Teachers Fossil Fuel Divestment Act (S4783a/A6331a) which will require the New York State Teachers Retirement System (NYSTRS) to stop investing in climate-destroying fossil fuels. NYSTRS, New Yorks second largest public pension fund, with $130 billion in assets and 430,000 members and beneficiaries, is estimated to have more than $4 billion in coal, oil and gas investments.

The transition to renewable energy is necessary and urgent if we are to survive global warming. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has concluded that we must cut our greenhouse gas emissions in half in just 10 years to stabilize our climate. The international Paris Climate Agreement, as well as New Yorks new climate law, require steep and rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. These goals can only be met by stopping the burning of coal, oil and gas and shutting down the fossil fuel industry. It is a moral imperative to stop investing in climate destruction, and it is a financial imperative to stop risky investments in a dying industry.

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli understood this when he announced last December that the Common Retirement Fund, New Yorks largest public pension, would divest. New York states pension fund is at the leading edge of investors addressing climate risk, because investing for the low-carbon future is essential to protect the funds long-term value, DiNapoli said.

Three of New York Citys public pension funds announced a $4 billion divestment plan last January. Fossil fuels are not only bad for our planet and our front-line communities, they are a bad investment, Mayor Bill de Blasio said in the announcement. Funds of various sizes, from Cornell University to the trillion-dollar Norwegian sovereign wealth fund, have made similar commitments, pulling an estimated $14 trillion from fossil fuel funding.

New Yorks teachers are increasingly in favor of decisive and immediate climate action. The teachers union last year adopted a resolution in favor of the concept of divestment and this year 16 local chapters voted to support resolutions asking NYSTRS to divest.

Divest NY, a grass-roots coalition of teachers, students, and climate activists supports the Teachers Fossil Fuel Divestment Act introduced by state Sen. Jabari Brisport and Assembly Member Anna Kelles after ongoing discussions did not move NYSTRS closer to divestment.

At this point in the climate crisis, delay is not an option. NYSTRS must move quickly to put together a clear and concise plan that outlines parameters of its review of fossil fuel holdings, and that sets criteria and a timeline for divestment. We know how to do this. The New York state and New York City retirement funds have shown the way.

We urge the Legislature to pass the Teachers Fossil Fuels Divestment Act this session and ensure that the teachers fund stops investing in climate destruction and risky investments that threaten the security of the pension fund. Lets show our students that New Yorks teachers care about their future.

Lauren Kirkwood, of Stillwater, is a teacher and a member of the New York State Teachers Retirement System. Also contributing to this article were NYSTRS members Mary Finneran of Cairo, Diane Torstrup of Tarrytown, and Jim Weiss of Marathon.
Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg News Service

Through the COVID-19 pandemic, New York saw record-high cases and deaths from this horrible disease. Thankfully, we now have a promise of hope in the form of vaccines made possible by medical innovation. This will not only save lives but also bring families back together.

I have received the first dose of the vaccine and look forward to receiving my second dose soon. I can feel a return to normalcy on the horizon, which is especially important as someone with aging parents and close extended family members with serious health conditions. With vaccine distribution expanding and case counts lowering, we are very much looking forward to becoming a family again  spending time together, swapping stories and sharing a home-cooked meal.
Advocates fought for years to get the Child Victims Act passed and signed into law, and we should be thankful they did.

The law, enacted in 2019, opened a window for past victims of child sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits, providing an avenue to justice that otherwise would have been denied by statutes of limitations. Thousands of New Yorkers filed claims under the laws provision.

Now, new legislation aims to offer the same opportunity for victims abused later in life. The bill is called the Adult Survivors Act, and as Times Union state politics reporter Edward McKinley recently reported, the legislation seems to be stuck in limbo at the Capitol.

It shouldnt be. Lawmakers should move quickly to pass the bill, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo must sign it.

The law is needed because victims of abuse often arent ready to come forward for years. They may have been fearful when the abuse happened, perhaps because their careers and reputations seemed dependent on keeping quiet. Until the #MeToo movement, they may not have felt their allegations would be seriously considered.

And so, many failed to file a civil suit within New Yorks five-year statute of limitations for some sex crimes.

That doesnt mean their stories and their trauma arent real. Nor does it mean that they dont deserve a chance at justice.

Advocates say the law, like the Child Victims Act, would help force abusers to acknowledge their crimes and keep them from repeating them. It would also help victims recoup the costs of lost wages, therapy or other damage caused by the abuse.

Victims of Harvey Weinstein, the movie mogul convicted last year on rape and sexual abuse charges, are among those advocating for the bill. In a letter to Mr. Cuomo, they and other victims noted the frequent shortcomings of the criminal justice system.

Prosecutors failed us, the letter says. We cooperated with the police and they failed us. We gathered evidence. We procured a criminal indictment. We sat through hours of investigations. And, yet, nothing happened then to the men who abused us and the institutional powers that protected them.

The Adult Survivors Act, they added, would help them right the wrongs of the past.

There is, perhaps, awkwardness surrounding the bill, given that Mr. Cuomo is himself facing allegations of sexual harassment and one allegation of sexual assault. The governor has said he did nothing wrong.

The governor, to his credit, pushed the long-stalled and much-debated Child Victims Act over the finish line, and theres no reason why his current situation should limit the opportunities for justice available to another group of victims.

The CVA was an accomplishment, but it should not be the final step. There are more victims who need a chance at justice. Lawmakers and the governor can give them that chance.
A Southwest Airlines flight attendant lost two teeth in a physical attack by a passenger on a plane out of Sacramento, Calif., last weekend, according to a letter the flight attendant's union sent to the airline.

The union is calling on Southwest Airlines to take steps to help crew members control unruly passengers as the number of misconduct incidents rises amid the pandemic. The union said there were 477 misconduct incidents by passengers on Southwest Airlines aircraft between April 8 and May 15.

"Todays traveling environment requires a new level of firmness in both tone and direction to ensure proper control in the cabin of our aircraft as the attitudes and behaviors of the flying public have, unfortunately, declined," the union said. "It must be noted that Southwest Flight Attendants are doing all they can do to ensure compliance while creating a safe environment for all passengers and crew, but they also need the support and tools required to prevent injury to ourselves and others. We ask for your help in directing Management to support Flight Attendants as they work to maintain order on the aircraft by giving them the benefit of the doubt."

The airline confirmed in a statement that a flight attendant was physically assaulted by a passenger on Flight 700 from Sacramento to San Diego on the morning of May 23.

The passenger repeatedly ignored standard in-flight instructions, such as refusing to put the tray table in an upright position and not wearing a seat belt, and became verbally and physically abusive upon landing, Southwest said.

Police met the flight upon arrival in San Diego and the passenger was taken into custody.

MediaNews Group/East Bay Times v/MediaNews Group via Getty Images

"We do not condone or tolerate verbal or physical abuse of our Flight Crews, who are responsible for the safety of our passengers," Southwest Airlines said.

The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday that airlines have reported 2,500 incidents of unruly passengers this year, including 1,900 cases in which passengers refused to wear face masks, which are required by federal rule. The FAA provided those numbers as it announced it was seeking civil penalties totaling $54,500 against five passengers for behavior ranging from refusing to wear a mask to assaulting flight attendants.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Nellie Grace Spragg, 78, of Hundred, WV died Thursday, June 10, 2021 at her residence. She was born October 9, 1942 at Hundred, a daughter of the late James Herbert Strope and Iva Haines Strope. Nellie worked many years ago at Oneacre Drug Store and the Bank of Hundred. She loved her animals
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 17:25:45|Editor: huaxia

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BERLIN, May 26 (Xinhua) -- German stocks recorded small gains at the start of trading on Wednesday, with the benchmark DAX index rising 55.35 points, or 0.36 percent, opening at 15,520.44 points.

The biggest winner among Germany's 30 largest listed companies at the start of trading was carmaker Volkswagen, increasing by 1.46 percent, followed by dialysis specialist Fresenius Medical Care with 1.03 percent and chipmaker Infineon with 1.02 percent.

Shares of E.ON fell by 0.24 percent. The German utility was the biggest loser at the start of trading on Wednesday.

The yield on German 10-year bonds declined 0.0290 percentage points to minus 0.1920 percent, and the euro was trading almost unchanged at 1.2250 U.S. dollars, decreasing by 0.01 percent on Wednesday morning. Enditem
Medical marijuana advocates have convinced South Dakota voters that legalizing the drug for medical use is a good idea, but they are struggling to do the same with many of the states physicians
[May 26, 2021] Bain & Company's Anne Hoecker Named to Consulting Magazine's 2021 'Women Leaders in Technology' List

SAN FRANCISCO, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Anne Hoecker, head of the Americas Technology and Cloud Services practice at Bain & Company, has been recognized by Consulting magazine as one of its 2021 "Women Leaders in Technology." This recognition is a testament to Anne's passion for technology and notable work with tech clients across the US and Asia. Bain & Company's Americas Technology and Cloud Services practice accounts for more than 20 percent of the firm's Americas business. Under Anne's leadership, the practice has significantly expanded its client base into priority sectors, such as cloud services, where the firm now works with three of the sector's top five companies. Since Anne first took the helm four years ago, she has grown the size of the practice by more than 30%. Over the last year, Anne led the practice in developing numerous CIO webinars and surveys to guide tech companies through the COVID-19 crisis. As a published thought leader, Anne also largely influenced Bain's first comprehensive report, link to report, on the state of the tech industry. Her insights on decoupling U.S-China technology ecosystems amid geopolitical tensions were covered by Industry Week magazine. "Anne is a world-class expert in delivering top-performing strategies for leading businesses," said David Crawford, leader of Bain's global Technology practice. "Anne is an innovative and effective leader in the tech industry, and her impact is felt by clients from Silicon Valley to Singapore. The entire Bain team is pleased to congratulate Anne on this well-dserved honor."



Anne has two decades of management consulting experience, advising multinational clients across a range of industries on issues such as corporate M&A, operational improvement, supply chain management and strategy. Prior to her current role, Anne served as leader of Bain's global semiconductor group and worked in the firm's private equity group. She has worked across Bain's Singapore, Boston and Johannesburg offices to engage with business leaders in each region on their most pressing strategic issues. "I am humbled to be named among this esteemed group of leaders, and I am eager to watch the growing ranks of women, at Bain and beyond, continue to make waves in the tech industry," Anne said.

Outside of her client work, Anne is a member of the firm's global compensation and promotion committee. She is also active in her community, serving as head of the strategy subcommittee for the board of Larkin Street Youth Services, a nonprofit that provides housing, education and employment training for homeless youth in San Francisco. Anne and her fellow honorees were recognized at a virtual awards gala on May 20. Coverage of the honorees appeared in the online edition of Consulting on May 24 (www.consultingmag.com). Consulting is published by ALM, a global leader in specialized industry news and information. Editor's Note : To arrange an interview with Anne, please contact Dan Pinkney at dan.pinkney@bain.com or +1 646 562 8102. About Bain & Company Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world's most ambitious change makers define the future. Across 61 offices in 38 countries, we work alongside our clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary results, outperform the competition, and redefine industries. We complement our tailored, integrated expertise with a vibrant ecosystem of digital innovators to deliver better, faster, and more enduring outcomes. Our 10-year commitment to invest more than $1 billion in pro bono services brings our talent, expertise, and insight to organizations tackling today's urgent challenges in education, racial equity, social justice, economic development, and the environment. We earned a gold rating from EcoVadis, the leading platform for environmental, social, and ethical performance ratings for global supply chains, putting us in the top 2% among other consulting firms. Since our founding in 1973, we have measured our success by the success of our clients, and we proudly maintain the highest level of client advocacy in the industry. Media Contact:

Dan Pinkney

Bain & Company

Tel: +1 646 562 8102

dan.pinkney@bain.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bain--companys-anne-hoecker-named-to-consulting-magazines-2021-women-leaders-in-technology-list-301299596.html SOURCE Bain & Company

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[May 26, 2021] Baron & Budd Announces $43.36 Million Settlement for Public Entities in the Kincade and Zogg Fires

Today, Baron & Budd announced two settlements with Pacific Gas and Electric ( PG&E (News - Alert) ) for a total of $43.36 million on behalf of seven public entities affected by the 2019 Kincade and 2020 Zogg Fires. Sonoma County, City of Santa Rosa, Town of Windsor, City of Cloverdale, and City of Healdsburg settled their 2019 Kincade Fire claims for a collective $31 million, while Shasta and Tehama Counties settled their 2020 Zogg Fire claims for a collective $12.36 million. "Counties and cities lose natural and public resources when utility-caused wildfires rip through communities in California," said Baron & Budd Shareholder John Fiske. "These funds represent community and public resources lost, and these counties and cities took swift legal action to recover and help their communities rebuild." The 2019 Kincade Fire started on October 23, 2019 and burned approximately 77,758 acres, destroying 374 structures. In July 2020, the California Department o Forestry and Fire Protection announced that its investigation determined that PG&E equipment was the cause of the Kincade Fire. In April 2021, the Sonoma County District Attorney filed criminal charges against PG&E over the 2019 Kincade Fire, which forced nearly 200,000 residents to leave their homes in the largest evacuation effort in Sonoma County history.



The 2020 Zogg Fire started September 27, 2020 and burned approximately 56,338 acres, destroying or damaging approximately 231 buildings, and killing four people. In March 2021, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection announced that its investigation determined that PG&E equipment was the cause of the Zogg Fire, which forced the communities of Igo, Ono, Platina, and Happy Valley to evacuate. The public entities were represented by their respective county counsel and city attorneys, and by John Fiske and Torri Sherlin of Baron & Budd, and Ed Diab of Dixon Diab & Chambers.

Baron & Budd has represented over 50 public entities affected by utility-caused wildfires and has recovered over $1.45 billion for its public entity clients alone. Past public entity wildfire settlements include $582 million for the 2018 Camp Fire, $415 million for the 2017 North Bay Fires, $210 million for the 2018 Woolsey Fire, $150 million for the 2017 Thomas Fire, and $25.4 million for the 2015 Butte Fire, among other settlements. ABOUT BARON & BUDD, P.C. Baron & Budd, P.C. is among the largest and most accomplished plaintiffs' law firms in the country. With more than 40 years of experience, Baron & Budd has the expertise and resources to handle complex litigation throughout the United States. As a law firm that takes pride in remaining at the forefront of litigation, Baron & Budd has spearheaded many significant cases for hundreds of entities and thousands of individuals. Since the firm was founded in 1977, Baron & Budd has achieved substantial national acclaim for its work on cutting-edge litigation, trying hundreds of cases to verdict and settling tens of thousands of cases. Baron & Budd and its legal experts across the country pursue litigation to protect people and their communities from the effects of dangerous and diverse issues including: harmful pharmaceuticals as well as highly addictive opioids, defective medical devices, asbestos and mesothelioma, environmental contamination including delivering ground-breaking settlements for the California wildfire victims, e-cigarette manufactures, fraudulent and illegal banking practices, motor vehicle manufacturing and accidents, False Claims Act cases, and other consumer fraud issues. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005812/en/

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[May 26, 2021] c-LEcta: European Dossiers Submitted for Approval of New Enzymes in the Food Industry

c-LEcta, a global biotechnology company with technology leadership in enzyme engineering and bioprocess development, has submitted dossiers for two newly developed enzymes in the food sector. The evaluation by EFSA (European Food Safety Agency) and the EU Commission is based on the harmonized EU approval procedure for food improvement agents (food enzymes, food additives and food flavors). The enzyme dossiers submitted by c-LEcta for products in the target market of the food industry complement the company's offering to its customers, who thus no longer have to worry separately about approvals for the use of the enzymes. The two dossiers were submitted as part of an exclusive collaboration with an industry partner in the food sector for two food enzymes. Both enzymes are used to produce a natural sugar, for example, that can replace lactose, which has recently become unpopular with consumers, in industrially processed foods. With the help of the c-LEcta enzymes and the process developed by the cooperation partner, this sugar can be extracted from readily available sugar beets on a large scale. "This is a typical case of enzymes making something entirely new and valuable possible. We are proud of this and, in cooperation with our partner, we are safeguarding this development result for the future. Thanks to our expertise in both new product development and regulatory matters, we can also provide our partners and customers with comprehensive support at this point," explained Paula Pescador, rsponsible for enzyme dossiers at c-LEcta.



As part of the implementation of the FIAP (Food Improvement Agents Package), a new approval procedure was introduced for enzymes used in the production of food. This is intended to create a harmonized regulatory system for food enzymes throughout the European Union. Following evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the EU Commission will draw up a positive list of enzymes approved in the EU for use in the food industry in the future. So-called enzyme dossiers have to be submitted for inclusion in this list, demonstrating the safety and technical necessity of the enzymes. The first publication of the new list is planned for 2023. From that date on, food manufacturers will only be allowed to use the enzymes listed. To provide customers with planning security, c-LEcta is therefore ensuring the necessary submission of enzyme dossiers so that the enzymes can already be included in the list when it is first published. "The EU enzyme approval is of course a new process that everyone in the industry has to get used to. However, for us at c-LEcta, this is not a problem thanks to our in-house expertise and flexibility. On the other hand, the European positive list also offers us a simplification for the approval of new products for the food industry. Of course, we will continue to handle this in such a way that we submit these dossiers for all our products for the food industry. For us, this is a natural part of the service we provide to our customers," concluded Dr. Marc Struhalla, founder and CEO of c-LEcta.

About c-LEcta c-LEcta is a world-leading biotechnology company with a focus on enzyme engineering and application in regulated markets like the food and pharma industries. The company is based in Leipzig, Germany, and has established itself as a leading player in the realization of high-value biotech products, either in the form of in-house developments or in close cooperation with industry. The company currently employs more than 100 people. c-LEcta delivers cost-efficient and sustainable production processes which open new markets and allow for better penetration of existing markets. The company is characterized by fast and efficient development of best-in-class biotech solutions and a rapid and successful market introduction and commercialization of the resulting products. This enables c-LEcta to leverage the unique potential of its core technologies. c-LEcta has a proven track record of more than ten successfully commercialized high-value industrial biotech products. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005470/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Cogniac and Doosan Bobcat to Share Insights on AI Visual Processing and Industrial Kitting in Manufacturing

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cogniac Corporation (Cogniac), a San Jose, California-based provider of enterprise-class Artificial Intelligence (AI) image and video analysis, and global compact equipment manufacturer Doosan Bobcat North America (Doosan Bobcat) today announced they will co-present on the Lab to Live stage at the 2021 CogX Festival.

The annual, global leadership summit and festival of AI and transformational technology will be held in Kings Cross, London, as well as virtually on June 14-16, 2021. This years theme is focused on addressing the question, How do we get the next 10 years right? Cogniac CEO Chuck Myers will lead the conversation, Superhuman vision meets superhuman strength: applying AI visual processing to industrial kitting, which includes Dr. Amy Wang, vice president of Systems at Cogniac and Joel Honeyman, vice president of global Innovation at Doosan Bobcat. The discussion will focus on the technology partnership announced earlier this year, as well as the unique challenges to Doosan Bobcats industrial kitting inspection process and how the Cogniac AI Visual Intelligence Platform seeks to address their needs. Presentation information: Date: Monday, June 14, 2021 Time: 5:00 PM British Summer Time (BST), 9:00 am Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) The panel information can be found here. Topic: Superhuman vision meets superhuman strength: applying AI visual processing to industrial kitting Description: Provide insights into how Cogniacs inovative AI platform keeps watch and catches potential errors in real time at Doosan Bobcats warehouse to streamline the assembly line, reduce financial and human risk to ensure manufacturing precision and speed at scale.







About CogX Festival The CogX Festival is the worlds largest gathering of CEOs, entrepreneurs, academics, artists, activists and policy makers working to realize the biggest transformational opportunities of our time and how we address the challenges along the way. For more information, visit CogX.live



About Cogniac Corporation Cogniac offers the most advanced enterprise Visual Intelligence Platform. Cogniac enables businesses to realize superhuman levels of accuracy and efficiency in complex environments, from manufacturing to industrial, government to marine. Cogniacs technology maximizes the value of the newest and most abundant form of data  visual data. By deploying Convolutional Neural Networks and Hyper Parameter Optimization, Cogniacs platform achieves process performance optimization with very little technical knowledge required from human subject matter experts. For more information, visit Cogniac.ai About Doosan Bobcat North America Doosan Bobcat North America, headquartered in West Fargo, North Dakota, is a leading global manufacturer of construction, agriculture, landscaping and grounds maintenance equipment, attachments and services. The company is committed to empowering people to accomplish more. Doosan Bobcat North America is home to world-renowned brands, including Bobcat compact equipment, Doosan portable power products, Ryan and Steiner grounds maintenance equipment and Geith attachments. Doosan Bobcat North America is a tradename of Clark Equipment Company.



About Bobcat Company Bobcat Company is a worldwide leader in the manufacturing and distribution of compact equipment. Headquartered in West Fargo, North Dakota, Bobcat offers a complete line of compact equipment including: skid-steer, mini track and compact track loaders; excavators; VersaHANDLER telescopic tool carriers; utility vehicles; Toolcat utility work machines; compact tractors; small articulated loaders; zero-turn mowers; attachments and implements. As a global brand with a worldwide network of dealers and distributors, Bobcat is the industrys original innovator, beginning in 1958 with the first compact machine and predecessor to the skid-steer loader. Bobcat continues to lead the industry by offering quality product solutions and technologies to empower people to accomplish more. For more information, visit Bobcat.com Cogniac Press Contact:

Jordan Schmidt

Gateway Group

Jordan@gatewayir.com

+1 (949) 574-3860

Doosan Bobcat North America PR Contact:

Adrienne Olson

Sr. Manager Public Relations and Corporate Communication

adrienne.olson@doosan.com

+1 (701) 371-5579



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[May 26, 2021] Combined PLM Expertise PROCAD and Keytech to Merge

Today, PROCAD, an international provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) and product data management solutions (PDM) and keytech, a leading German provider of PLM solutions for the mid-market space, announced their merger. This step follows closely on ACATEC Software GmbH becoming part of the portfolio of the German based PLM powerhouse PROCAD in March of 2021. The merger with keytech now brings together three companies with a successful track record and in-depth experience. The software manufacturers will pool their strengths to continue to drive innovation with a strong focus on next generation cloud applications and software-as-a-service solutions. Customers will benefit from the expertise coming together to simplify and to accelerate their processes to develop, manufacture, market and service products. Sustained optimization of the product lifecycle

By combining their power to innovate and execute, PROCAD, keytech, and ACATEC assume a leading in role to support manufacturing companies in their digital transformation. "We are excited about this merger and strive to be the partner of choice for manufacturers aiming to efficiently orchestrate knowledge across their product lifecycles. "Together, we serve approximately 1350 customers with more than 120.000 users worldwide and will continue to add up to 100 new clients annunally" explains Gerhard Knoch, CEO of PROCAD Group. "With our team of 250 employees, our goal is to further expand our growth by working closely with our strong etwork of partners. Our joint software solutions are highly intuitive and enable companies to successfully manage a world of ever-growing complexity, significantly speed up their processes, and control their product lifecycles from start to finish".



"With keytech and PROCAD, we're bringing together two very experienced companies. When you have two PLM powerhouses combining their strengths and in-dept expertise, one thing is for sure: their combined proven PLM and PDM solutions deliver a substantial efficiency boost to the manufacturing sector," adds Reiner Heimsoth, Founder and CEO of keytech. "And together with ACATEC, an innovation leader in the product configuration and CPQ space, we can now optimize the entire product lifecycle in a way that is even more tightly integrated, from the initial configuration to the finished product. This is PLM integration at its best." "Our speedmaxx Enterprise configurator and the keytech and PROCAD PLM solutions perfectly complement one another. The merger creates the by far best one-stop solution for an all-around smart digital product lifecycle - from product configuration by the customer at the point of sale to manufacturing all the way to distributing and servicing of the product," points out Henning Bitter, [Founder and] CEO of ACATEC.

About PROCAD

With an installed base of over 1,000 systems in more than 25 countries, PROCAD is a leading software provider for the digital transformation of product lifecycle and product data management based on a configurable, easy-to-use platform. Founded in 1985 in Karlsruhe, Germany, PROCAD operates 12 offices worldwide. About keytech

Founded in 1993, keytech Software GmbH specializes in optimizing business processes across the product lifecycle. With more than 20,000 users worldwide and more than 30 years of software development experience, keytech is among the PLM market leaders in the German-speaking world. keytech helps its customers establish PLM thinking across the enterprise and takes into account existing processes during implementation. About ACATEC

ACATEC Software GmbH is a technology provider with two locations in Germany. The software company develops and sells product configuration solutions and entered the market in 2004. ACATEC is a technology leader in CAD automation, 3D visualization of custom products, and end-to-end business process automation. The product configurator digitally transforms processes from point of sale to order processing, accelerating business processes by a factor of up to 20. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210525005650/en/

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[May 26, 2021] CSS Corp to Appoint Sunil Mittal as its Chief Executive Officer

CSS (News - Alert) Corp, a global customer experience and technology consulting services provider, today announced that its board has unanimously chosen Sunil Mittal as the organization's next Chief Executive Officer. Sunil Mittal, currently the Chief Operating Officer at CSS Corp will take up the new role effective July 1st succeeding Manish Tandon who is stepping down after engineering a successful turnaround and generating tremendous value for investors. In addition, Sunil will also join the company's Board of Directors upon assuming his new role. "After a well thought out and executed succession plan, we are pleased to have found the best individual to assume leadership of this world-class technology and customer experience services organization," said Sanjay Chakrabarty, Chairman of CSS Corp's Board of Directors and Managing Partner of Capital Square Partners, a Singapore based private equity fund manager and majority shareholder of the company. "In his current role as the COO and in his prior role as the company's Chief Revenue Officer, Sunil has architected unprecedented revenue momentum and pipeline for the company. We are confident that he will be able to build upon this foundation and take the organization to the next level. Sunil's strong business acumen and industry knowledge deeply connects with CSS Corp's clientele and operations, and his leadership qualities make him best suited to lead CSS Corp successfully into the future." "We are extremely thankful to Manish Tandon, CEO for his contributions to CSS Corp. Under his dynamic leadership, CSS Corp made a successful turnaround over the past four and a half years and grew at 25% in the latest financial year ending 31-Mar-2021. Manish used innovation and technology as the underpinning of the turnaround strategy and created CSS Labs (News - Alert) which is recognized as an innovator in this space. He also built a world class management team and established strong data driven processes leading to industry leading profitability and scalability of the business. "I'm honored and grateful to the board for the opportunity to lead this exceptional organization of passionate, customer-centric and talented professionals," said Sunil Mittal. "We are redefining traditional services through our unique intersection of industry-leading proprietary solutions, resilient operations, and innovative business engagement models. We are well-positioned to continue our growth momentum with ou compelling value propositions. I'm excited about this opportunity and look forward to collaborate closely with our clients and employees."



Mittal has had an illustrious career of over 22 years in the technology services industry. He spent 18 years at Infosys (News - Alert) across multiple geographies, managing large client accounts, incubating new business capabilities, and building C-level relationships. He joined CSS Corp over four and a half years back and managed global sales, marketing, presales, and account management. Recently, he took over as Chief Operating Officer where he assumed the responsibility of global client delivery and IT, in addition to his existing portfolio. He serves on several association boards, including the Partner Advisory Board of the Technology Services Industry Association, and is a member of the Forbes Business Council. He currently resides in Dallas, Texas. Manish Tandon expressed his confidence in the board's choice. "Sunil is a remarkable leader who has been one of the chief architects of our success over the years at CSS Corp. I'm very happy with how the organization has turned around and is well positioned for growth under his leadership. I carry with me, the goodwill and best wishes of almost 9,000 employees and the board. It has been a very rewarding journey for me and all stakeholders with CSS Corp over the last 5 years, and I wish Sunil the very best. "

About Capital Square Partners Capital Square Partners (" CSP (News - Alert) ") is a private equity fund manager based in Singapore, and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). CSP advises funds investing across growth capital and buyouts supporting high performance management teams to build leading digital businesses. With deep sector expertise across technology, media and telecommunications, business services, healthcare, and consumer sectors, CSP has supported management teams to scale businesses across multiple geographies and create transformational value. Additional information on CSP can be found at http://www.capitalsquarepartners.com About CSS Corp CSS Corp is a global customer experience and technology services provider, disrupting the industry with a unique intersection of industry-leading proprietary solutions, resilient operations, and innovative business engagement models. The company is a digital transformation partner of choice for its clients, which include the world's top innovators across industries, from mid-market players to large enterprises. Its diverse team of over 9,000 customer-centric thinkers, collaborators, and co-creators across 18 global locations, is passionate about helping clients succeed through intelligent automation-led outcomes. The company has overcome macroeconomic headwinds to become the industry's fastest growing and most awarded company in its revenue range. To know more, please visit https://www.csscorp.com. Follow CSS Corp on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005900/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Data Call Technologies (OTCMKTS: DCLT) joins forces to bring children home

FRIENDSWOOD, Texas, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Data Call Technologies (OTCMKTS: DCLT) is joining forces with the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) by linking Data Call's systems to the AMBER Alert network. This new collaboration will provide real-time AMBER Alert feeds free of charge to existing and new subscribers of the company's digital signage infotainment content distribution platform, DLManager. We know a child's chances for a safe recovery are greater when resources are mobilized quickly. Data Call's DLManager content distribution system will aid to ensure a rapid response in the first critical hours after a child goes missing, by enabling thousands of additional public digital video displays (digital signage) to feature profiles of missing children from NCMEC's database that will update automatically based on each display's location. AMBER Alert is a notification system for abducted children that launched in 1996 in response to the abduction and murder of a nine-year-old girl in Texas, Amber Hagerman. Therefore, AMBER is eponymous, but it is also an acronym  it stands for America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response. As digital signage continues to expand its presence in shopping malls, waiting rooms, banks, hotels, restaurants, schools, and smll businesses, the utilization of this vast connected network of screens to expand the visibility of these children and hopefully return them home is well worth the initiative. Getting information about a missing child to people in the very locality in which they were abducted or last seen is key.



As of December 2020, 1,029 children have been rescued and brought safely home specifically because of AMBER Alerts. "As the world continues to rely on technology and receipt of information in digital form, it becomes more imperative for us to seek out and utilize the best possible ways to engage the public," said John Bischoff, Vice President of NCMEC's Missing Children Division. "Data Call's broad reach of digital signage will help us sending out these alerts

"While Data Call is not the first to provide this free resource to our industry, we truly believe that the introduction of this to our clients and network partners could help make a difference in bringing a child home. I am grateful to the team members of NCMEC, AMBER, and our staff members to make this system available," said Data Call's CEO, Tim Vance. About Data Call Data Call Technologies is the market leader for licensed content for the Digital Out Of Home (DOOH) marketplace. They aggregate, host, curate and customize content so operators can focus on providing the right message and content blend for their audience. The company's mission is to create beautiful, engaging, contextually relevant content that guarantees their customer's signage networks thrive. About the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is to help find missing children, reduce child sexual exploitation, and prevent child victimization. NCMEC works with families, victims, private industry, law enforcement, and the public to assist with preventing child abductions, recovering missing children, and providing services to deter and combat child sexual exploitation. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained herein, which are not historical facts, including statements about plans and expectations regarding business areas and opportunities, demand and acceptance of new or existing businesses, capital resources and future financial results are "forward-looking" statements as contemplated by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, government regulation, taxation, spending, competition, general economic conditions and other risk factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. There may be other factors not mentioned above that may cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking information. The company takes no obligation to update or correct forward-looking statements and takes no obligation to update or correct information prepared by third parties that are not paid for by the Company. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/data-call-technologies-otcmkts-dclt-joins-forces-to-bring-children-home-301300210.html SOURCE Data Call Technologies

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DataStax Shows Strong Momentum with New Customers, Partners and Products

DataStax today revealed that it is seeing strong adoption of its open, multi-cloud data stack among leading brands as enterprises increasingly embrace DataStax's offerings-including the DataStax Astra serverless cloud database and DataStax Enterprise-to build and run modern data apps.

On the heels of new funding from Goldman Sachs, the company announced that in recent months it has signed new or expanded contracts with leading enterprises across industries and across the globe, including CGi Global Technologies, Energisme, ESL Gaming, Innovapost, Koddi, Overstock.com, Payment Approved, Titanium Intelligent Solutions, T-Mobile (News - Alert) , Trading Technologies International, UBIRCH, US Bank, and Verizon.

"We are humbled by the innovative businesses that we have the opportunity to partner with," said Chet Kapoor, DataStax chairman and chief executive officer. "Enterprises are drowning in data volume, complexity, and escalating costs. We help them deliver an open data stack that is built for today's modern apps that require massive scale, zero downtime, and sustainable TCO."

DataStax Recent Highlights

Launched Astra serverless, the industry's first and only open, serverless, multi-cloud database-as-a-service (DBaaS). Astra builds on Apache Cassandra and introduces a modern, microservices-based architecture for "pay-as-you-go" data consumption. The cost optimization and operational benefits of Astra serverless can deliver total cost of ownership (TCO) savings of up to 75 percent over non-serverless database workloads, according to a recent study by GigaOm.

Joined forces with IBM to provide customers with a hybrid cloud solution that can be deployed on private or multiple public clouds for applications requiring open source Apache Cassandra-based technology.

Delivered scale-out streaming based on Apache Pulsar with the acquisition of Kesque.

Secured a new investment from Goldman Sachs to continue aggressively growing sales and marketing teams, scale globally, and double down on product development.







ESL Gaming is the world's largest esports company leading the industry across the most popular video games with numerous online and offline competitions. "We're excited with the ease of migration and the fact we won't have to incur any downtime. Thanks to DataStax's expertise in Cassandra, we will be able to easily migrate to Astra without inconveniencing our team or our customers."

- Ben Burns, vice president, technology, ESL Gaming

Google (News - Alert) Cloud is widely recognized as a global leader in delivering a secure, open, intelligent, and transformative enterprise cloud platform. "We're delighted to deliver DataStax's Astra service and DataStax Enterprise natively on Google Cloud and proud of the value that our partnership is providing customers as they become more data-driven organizations. We're committed to making it incredibly easy to deploy and manage Astra on Google Cloud, and to helping customers run DataStax across hybrid and multi-cloud environments with Anthos."

- Nirav Sheth, director, ISV and partner sales, Google Cloud

Overstock.com is an online retailer and technology company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. "As a billion-dollar online retailer, our growth is tied to delivering personalized customer experiences. I'm excited about the 'art of the possible' with the combination of Pulsar and DataStax including reducing our overall database costs and challenging our revenue-generating applications to take advantage of this scalable architecture."

- George Trujillo, vice president of data engineering at Overstock.com

Payment Approved connects payment sources worldwide through a unified channel. "With its reliability and velocity, on top of supporting our cost-effective, scalable cloud architecture, DataStax Astra is helping us usher in the future of fast, safe, and secure global money movement."

- Bump Verde, chief technology officer, Payment Approved

T-Mobile redefines the way consumers and businesses buy wireless services through leading product and service innovation. "As we look ahead and evaluate how data can enrich our customer interactions and overall operations, we are finding that DataStax provides us the scale performance and architectural flexibility we need to allow us to speed the modernization of our data ecosystem. For this reason, DataStax will play a key role in our overall data strategy going forward and they've been a great and valued partner."

- Venkata Donthireddy, director, autonomous platforms, T-Mobile

Titanium Intelligent Solutions is an advisory-based solutions platform. "DataStax Astra provides optimal flexibility and performance for our Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. The cost efficiencies help us provide better value to our environmental quality control, energy savings, and safety/operational control clients, while capitalizing on accelerated, real-time data analysis to produce smarter results."

- Ara Bederjikian, president, Titanium Intelligent Solutions

Trading Technologies International, Inc. is a global provider of high-performance professional trading software, infrastructure and data solutions. "DataStax helps Trading Technologies harness the power of real-time financial market data in order to offer our clients personalized trading, analytics, and risk management solutions with high throughput and reliability. With this transformation of big data economics, we can incorporate machine learning and other innovations that push the limits of technology for superior customer experiences."

- Shridhar Sheth, vice president, software engineering, Trading Technologies

US Bank is the fifth largest commercial bank in the US. "With DataStax, we are able to serve real-time data to meet the expectations of our customers with less than 20 milliseconds of latency. At the same time, we are able to create 360-degree views of our customers, which makes it easier to personalize experiences in today's experience economy."

- Michael Palmer, head of data and digital platforms, US Bank

Verizon (News - Alert) offers voice, data, and video services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers' demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security, and control. "Verizon is embracing innovations to develop and monetize new business opportunities based on our expanding, multi-layered infrastructure including cloud, broadband, and 5G mobile networks. Verizon uses DataStax as part of its platform to deliver superior user experiences and drive continued growth. We've also long been fans of Apache Pulsar for its high availability, low-latency, scale-out event streaming capabilities, and we were thrilled to learn that DataStax is offering their support for the project through their Kesque acquisition."

- Greg Sly, senior vice president, platforms and infrastructure, Verizon

Click-to-Tweet: @DataStax is seeing strong adoption of its open, multi-cloud data stack among leading brands. Learn about how enterprises are increasingly embracing DataStax technologies to build scalable, data-driven businesses. https://dtsx.io/3bR5tVA

Resources

About DataStax

DataStax delivers an open, multi-cloud data stack built on Apache Cassandra-the world's most scalable database. The company's marquee offering is DataStax Astra, the industry's first and only open, multi-cloud serverless database. Built on a modern, microservices-based architecture, Astra delivers Cassandra-as-a-service with an unprecedented combination of pay-as-you-go data, simplified operations, and the freedom of multi-cloud and open source.

With DataStax, any developer or enterprise can now deploy data at massive scale, with 100 percent uptime, for lower cost. Today, nearly 500 of the world's most demanding enterprises and half of the Fortune 100 rely on DataStax to power modern data apps, including The Home Depot, T-Mobile, US Bank, and Intuit (News - Alert) .

 2021 DataStax, All Rights Reserved. DataStax is a registered trademark of DataStax, Inc. and its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.

Apache, Apache Cassandra, Cassandra, Apache Pulsar, Pulsar and Apache Kafka are either registered trademarks or trademarks of the Apache Software Foundation or its subsidiaries in Canada, the United States, and/or other countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005777/en/
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 17:35:29|Editor: huaxia

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by Tarafa Mugwara, Zhang Yuliang



HARARE, May 26 (Xinhua) -- China's rapid development offers the world great inspiration that a country could achieve prosperity through modernization instead of waging wars, said an official of Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party.

Christopher Mutsvangwa, ZANU-PF's Politburo member and secretary for science and technology, told Xinhua in a recent interview that China has steadily transformed from a poverty-stricken country into an economic powerhouse under the visionary leadership of the CPC, which is famous for its people-centered governance approach.

His remarks came as the CPC is to mark its centenary on July 1 this year.

Mutsvangwa, also chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association and former Zimbabwean ambassador to China, said the development trajectory that the CPC has taken since the start of the country's reform and opening-up in 1978 has led to China's economic take-off within a short period of time, which in his eyes has set a good example for the developing world, including Africa.

By integrating modernity with its historical experience, China has enabled itself to build its inner strength and self-confidence which in turn catapulted it to the world's second-largest economy, he said.

Mutsvangwa spoke highly of Chinese President Xi Jinping's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, adding that the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative will bring prosperity and development to countries along the route.

A peaceful world can only be achieved based on improved material conditions for people, he said.

"So this is the historic goal which the CPC has over the years proven to be pursuing. They want prosperity for the Chinese people, they want prosperity for their neighbors, and they also want prosperity for the world," he said.

In addition, Mutsvangwa said what is valuable is that China's economic growth during the past four decades is accompanied by its adherence to a peaceful development path, unlike in the past when the rise of a new power was always characterized by warfare.

"You can modernize without causing war, and this is very good Chinese experience to future superpowers, to future powers, you can modernize without going to war, without creating death and distraction," he said.

Mutsvangwa said the CPC has managed to unite and lead the Chinese people towards a common goal, which created the country's economic miracle.

He said the phenomenal success China has achieved in alleviating poverty has become a source of inspiration for African countries.

The most precious wisdom that China has shared with the world is that "rapid progress is not centered around a particular nation, but is a shared goal of all humanity," Mutsvangwa said.

Africa's challenge has been the lack of capital, Mutsvangwa noted, adding that "China has given Africa a development dividend, which it would not have if Western countries had remained dominant."

China has also offered Africa a technological dividend, adding the entry of China's telecom giants Huawei and ZTE into the African market has lowered the costs of telecommunication services on the continent, the official said.

Mutsvangwa lauded China for its non-interference policy in its engagement with Africa, saying unlike the traditional Western "one-size-fits-all" approach, China always encourages Africa to use its own judgment and choose what best suits its circumstances.

Mutsvangwa said Zimbabwe is a major beneficiary of its long-standing ties between ZANU-PF and the CPC, adding that the relationship between the two parties has blossomed into one of the most successful inter-party relationships.

Relations between ZANU-PF and the CPC dates back to the 1960s and 1970s when China provided ZANU-PF with assistance during its fight against British colonial rule. (Video reporter: Zhang Yuliang; video editor: Liu Xiaorui)
[May 26, 2021] Datto to Present at the Bank of America Global Technology 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 Bank of America Global Technology (News - Alert) Conference on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 9:15 a.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/20210526006036/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Dreame Technology and AliExpress Entering into Strategic Cooperation for Branding

SHENZHEN, China, May 26, 2021 /CNW/ -- Dreame Technology, a global leading company in smart home cleaning appliances, joins the "G100 Global Selling Plan" of AliExpress. As the one and only home appliance brand, Dreame Technology signs a brand strategic cooperation agreement with AliExpress on May 26 in Shenzhen. "The brand strategic cooperation agreement marks a closer cooperation between Dreame Technology and AliExpress. It motivates us to develop high-class products for consumers and build up Dreame's superior brand in home appliance field worldwide", said CEO and founder of Dreame Technology, Yu Hao. By virtue of its endurable product quality, intelligent and user-friendly functions in home cleaning and prominent performance at AliExpress, Dreame Technology has beenawarded as the Fastest Growing Brand of 2020 by AliExpress in April, 2021 and its cordless stick vacuum T20, V11, V10 have been ranked as the top sellers on AliExpress.



Since 2020, sales volume of Dreame cordless stick vacuum has achieved the TOP 1 in AliExpress French market and successfully become one of the best new brands in Europe. During the AliExpress Black Friday campaign in the same year, Dreame official store ranked the highest sales value within the home cleaning appliance category. "We have visited Dreame's smart factory and talked with their experts in the fields of R&D, quality assurance and supply chain. Their passion and dedication for smart home appliances and high-end technology is impressive. I believe Dreame Technology would grow into a top home appliance brand with global influence in the near future," said a senior executive of AliExpress.

Dreame Technology has launched a live streaming product event on May 8, 2021. This successful event attracted over 100,000 global viewers with 205,000 visits for Dreame Bot L10 Pro on AliExpress and its inventories sold out within 2 days in Russia. About Dreame Technology Established in 2015, Dreame Technology, an innovative consumer product company focuses on smart home cleaning appliances with the vision to empower life through technology.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For more information, please visit https://www.dreame-technology.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dreame-technology-and-aliexpress-entering-into-strategic-cooperation-for-branding-301299947.html SOURCE Dreame Technology

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[May 26, 2021] Epsilor to Unveil Upgraded Version of Its Li-Ion 6T Batteries and a Soldier Wearable Network System at the LAND FORCES Exposition in Australia

BRISBANE, Australia, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Epsilor, a globally recognized manufacturer of smart batteries, chargers and tactical power systems, will showcase an upgraded version if its COMBATT lithium-ion 6T NATO-standard batteries at the LAND FORCES International Land Defence Exposition, which will take place in Brisbane, Australia June 13, 2021. Epsilor's COMBATT 6T batteries provide significantly higher energy capacity than all other batteries in this category currently in the market. The batteries have undergone rigorous on-board testing. Epsilor's 6T batteries are installed onboard some of the platforms that are currently being evaluated by the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) as part of several acquisition programs. The batteries will be presented by its Australian distributor eCastle at stand 3W21 in the following configurations: Li-Ion NCA 4.2kWh battery  ELI-52526-C  designed for long silent watch missions, offering the highest energy capacity in the world.

Li-Ion LFP 2.5 kWh battery in a metal case  ELP-02426-M  designed to meet the rigorous safety requirements of the US Army. Epsilor will also present at LAND FORCES its soldier wearable power and communication system NETWALKER, which will be offered to the prime contractors that are participating in ADF's LAND 125 Soldier Combat System tender. NETWALKER is a third-generation development of the Soldier Wearable Integrated Power Equipment System (SWIPES), which was originaly developed for the US Army over a decade ago, and deployed in tens of thousands of units since winning the Best Army Invention award in 2010. NETWALKER manages and transmits power to all wearable equipment carried by a digital soldier. In addition, NETWALKER transmits hi-rate data on the same set of cables, supporting separate secured networks and different communication protocols such as USB, ETHERNET, SMBus, etc.



NETWALKER is offered in several configurations: Soldier Wearable miniature system with up to 6 channels of up to 200W

Deployable field system with up to 10 channels of up to 1,000W NETWALKER will be presented by Australia's Point Trading at Hall 1, stand M3.

"We view the Australian market as an innovative arena of new defense technologies," Epsilor president Ronen Badichi said. "The Australian Defense Forces (ADF) are going through a massive modernization that incorporates modern fighting vehicles, artillery systems, soldier systems, deployable infrastructure, and more. In all these systems, the ADF requires modern smart power sources." "Epsilor's offering covers the whole range of energy and power sources required for deployable land forces, as well as mass charging and soldier equipment that meets international and specific Australian requirements," he added. About Epsilor Epsilor is a globally recognized developer and manufacturer of custom and standard batteries, chargers and mobile power management systems for the defense, aerospace, IOT and marine markets. The company offers a wide variety of electro-chemistries, smart electronics and sophisticated battery management systems (BMS). The company's products have won several international awards for their innovation and smart operational approach. Epsilor is part of the US-based Arotech Corporation. For more information about Epsilor and to schedule a meeting at the LAND FORCES Exposition, https://www.epsilor.com/ Legal Notice Except for the historical information herein, the matters discussed in this release include forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary materially. Contact: Merav Kolody Shubeli

Director, International Sales and Marketing

Epsilor

+972-2-990-6644

+972-52-8600364

merav.ks@epsilor.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/epsilor-to-unveil-upgraded-version-of-its-li-ion-6t-batteries-and-a-soldier-wearable-network-system-at-the-land-forces-exposition-in-australia-301299590.html SOURCE Epsilor

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[May 26, 2021] EyeQ Announces New AI Scene Detection to Further Revolutionize Automatic Image Correction Technology

AI Scene Detection able to identify the scene of a photo and automatically apply

precise corrections based on the specific scene or lighting condition AI Scene Detection is the first of three AI-based transformational

innovations to be released by EyeQ this year

CALGARY, AB, May 26, 2021 /CNW/ - EyeQ Imaging Inc. ("EyeQ" or the "Company"), the maker of Perfectly Clear automatic photo correction technology, today announced it has added AI Scene Detection as an update to Perfectly Clear and will be making it available to customers worldwide. AI Scene Detection is able to identify a scene or lighting condition and then apply a correction with predetermined parameters. This ensures the correction is as accurate as possible and most appropriate to the scene or lighting condition in that photo. "Our talented team of AI scientists has looked at the 100 million images we process per day to come up with innovative ways to leverage artificial intelligence to make our technology even smarter for customers. The first release this year  stay tuned for two more  is AI Scene Detection. It's an excellent use of AI blended with our classical imaging algorithms where we train our platform to detect specific scenes and lighting and make the perfect corrections based on the scene. The result is greater image intelligence with more targeted and robust corrections  allowing for greater workflow operational efficiency and more visually pleasing images to the customer," said Brad Malcolm, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of EyeQ. AI Scene Detection takes Perfectly Clear's automatic image enhancement to the next level, which can be seen clearly in comparison photos. Perfectly Clear's iAuto feature has traditionally applied an intelligent correction, but the universal AI Scene Detection now being applied has amuch wider range for accuracy.



Jeff Stephens, EyeQ's Chief Technology Officer and co-founder, noted: "If you have an image with a baby in it, you don't want a harsh, vibrant correction to be made. You'll want a softened image and that is what the AI predicts and then corrects for. The opposite is true with something like a sunset where we can push the color vibrancy and use our scene detection preset to make the photo pop. We remain totally focused on enhancing photos and applying the best corrective techniques for our customers." There are a dozen scenes and lighting conditions that are currently included in the AI Scene Detection platform. Customers are also able to request specific scene categories to be created and customized for them. AI Scene Detection can also be licensed separately and integrated into any workflow. To learn more about AI Scene Detection, visit https://eyeq.photos/business/news/ai-scene-detection/.

Malcolm and Stephens noted a great deal of innovation, research and science went into developing the new feature from EyeQ. These efforts included testing the effectiveness and applicability with a number of major customers such as Labo Network, Japan's leading photo printing company. "At Labo Network, we print enough photos each year to stretch around the world 10 times. We see any opportunity to print these more efficiently and with better quality output to be a win for our company. EyeQ's updated Perfectly Clear technology keeps getting better as they enhance it and including this AI correction aspect shows their innovative mindset. I look forward to seeing what they come up with next to keep improving the photo printing process," said Shoichi Sezaki, Labo Network's Head of Quality and Lab Systems Engineering. AI Scene Detection is the first of three AI-based transformational innovations to be released by EyeQ this year. It's currently available as a demo and pricing is available upon request. For more information on Perfectly Clear automatic photo correction technology, visit https://eyeq.photos/business/ . About EyeQ EyeQ provides image and video enhancement solutions through its Perfectly Clear automatic photo correction technology to leading photographers, printers and hardware OEMs, automatically correcting more than 50.5 billion photos each year. The Company is committed to creating patented innovative solutions that deliver automation, precision, speed and consistent quality in their workflow. Year after year, the dedicated team of physicists, engineers, and photographers invest knowledge and time into providing technology that makes photos and videos look stunning, automatically. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, EyeQ has offices in the United States, Mexico, Russia, Kyrgyzstan and China. Visit http://eyeq.photos for more information. SOURCE EyeQ Imaging Inc.

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[May 26, 2021] First Trust Expands its Thematic ETF Lineup with the First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF

First Trust Advisors L.P. ("First Trust") a leading exchange-traded fund ("ETF") provider and asset manager, announced today that it has launched the First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (NYSE Arca (News - Alert) : ILDR) ("the fund"). The fund seeks to provide capital appreciation by investing at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in the common stocks of U.S. and non-U.S. companies that may benefit from the development or application of scientific and technological innovation. Rapid scientific and technological change is currently being applied to areas of innovation that First Trust considers to be fertile ground for seeking investment opportunities brought about by change. ILDR aims to outperform the broader markets by having outsized exposure to themes that are growing faster than the underlying economy. The fund invests in dominant companies that tend to be pioneers who may capitalize on disruptive innovation by developing technologies that have the potential to displace older technologies or create new markets. "Thematic ETFs have exploded in popularity over the past year as investment professionals have sought tools to capture cutting-edge trends from a range of industries," said Ryan Issakainen, CFA, Senior Vice President, ETF Strategist at First Trust. "As a leader in thematic investing, we believe this actively managed ETF represents our expertise in identifying the most compelling opportunities that may lie among multiple themes." The fund is managed by First Trust Advisors L.P., with selection and portfolio decisions made by a team of portfolio managers. The securities included in the portfolio are chosen using a disciplined approach, leveraging the knowledge of First Trust's equity research and portfolio management teams who understand the drivers of risk-adjusted returns. The fund combines both a top-down theme identification process and bottom-up stock selection process to identify companies that are seeking solutions to the technological, industrial and health problems of our age. This includes, but is not limited to, companies that we believe are poised to benefit from the development of new products or services, technological improvements and/or advancements in scientific research related to automation, advanced medicine, networks, advanced computing, enhanced mobility, energy revolution and e-commerce. For more information about First Trust, please contact Ryan Issakainen at (630) 765-8689 or RIssakainen@FTAdvisors.com. About First Trust First Trust is a federally registered investment advisor and serves as the fund's investment advisor. First Trust and its affiliate First Trust Portfolios L.P. ("FTP"), a FINRA registered broker-dealer, are privately held companies that provide a variety of investment services. First Trust has collective assets under management or supervision of approximately $194 billion as of April 30, 2021 through unit investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, mutual funds and separate managed accounts. First Trust isthe supervisor of the First Trust unit investment trusts, while FTP is the sponsor. FTP is also a distributor of mutual fund shares and exchange-traded fund creation units. First Trust and FTP are based in Wheaton, Illinois. For more information, visit http://www.ftportfolios.com.



You should consider the fund's investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully before investing. Contact First Trust Portfolios L.P. at 1-800-621-1675 or visit www.ftportfolios.com to obtain a prospectus or summary prospectus which contains this and other information about the fund. The prospectus or summary prospectus should be read carefully before investing. Risk Considerations

A fund's shares will change in value, and you could lose money by investing in a fund. One of the principal risks of investing in a fund is market risk. Market risk is the risk that a particular stock owned by a fund, fund shares or stocks in general may fall in value. Some of the securities held by the fund may be illiquid. There can be no assurance that a fund's investment objective will be achieved. The outbreak of the respiratory disease designated as COVID-19 in December 2019 has caused significant volatility and declines in global financial markets, which have caused losses for investors. The impact of this COVID-19 pandemic may last for an extended period of time and will continue to impact the economy for the foreseeable future. In managing the fund's investment portfolio, the portfolio managers will apply investment techniques and risk analyses that may not have the desired result. Investors buying or selling fund shares on the secondary market may incur customary brokerage commissions. Market prices may differ to some degree from the net asset value of the shares. Investors who sell fund shares may receive less than the share's net asset value. Shares may be sold throughout the day on the exchange through any brokerage account. However, unlike mutual funds, shares may only be redeemed directly from the fund by authorized participants, in very large creation/redemption units. If the fund's authorized participants are unable to proceed with creation/redemption orders and no other authorized participant is able to step forward to create or redeem, fund shares may trade at a discount to the fund's net asset value and possibly face delisting. To the extent the fund has significant exposure to a single asset class, industry, or sector, it may be more affected by an adverse economic or political development than a broadly diversified fund. Small- and mid-capitalization companies may experience greater price volatility than larger, more established companies. The fund invests in companies believed to offer exposure to emerging opportunities across areas of innovation. However, companies believed to be capitalizing on these opportunities may not do so. The fund may invest in a company that does not currently derive any revenue from disruptive innovations or technologies, and there is no assurance that a company will derive any revenue from disruptive innovations or technologies in the future. A disruptive innovation or technology may constitute a small portion of a company's overall business. As a result, the success of a disruptive innovation or technology may not affect the value of the equity securities issued by the company. Securities of non-U.S. issuers are subject to additional risks, including currency fluctuations, political risks, withholding, the lack of adequate financial information, and exchange control restrictions impacting non-U.S. issuers. Depositary receipts may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market. As the use of Internet technology has become more prevalent in the course of business, the fund has become more susceptible to potential operational risks through breaches in cyber security. The fund is classified as "non-diversified" and may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. As a result, the fund may be more susceptible to a single adverse economic or regulatory occurrence affecting one or more of these issuers, experience increased volatility and be highly concentrated in certain issuers. The fund may be a constituent of one or more indices or models which could greatly affect the fund's trading activity, size and volatility. Large capitalization companies may grow at a slower rate than the overall market. The fund's advisor may seek to reduce various operational risks through controls and procedures, but it is not possible to completely protect against such risks. High portfolio turnover may result in higher levels of transaction costs and may generate greater tax liabilities for shareholders. Trading on the exchange may be halted due to market conditions or other reasons. There can be no assurance that the requirements to maintain the listing of the fund on the exchange will continue to be met or be unchanged. Large inflows and outflows may impact a new fund's market exposure for limited periods of time. First Trust Advisors L.P. is the adviser to the fund. First Trust Advisors L.P. is an affiliate of First Trust Portfolios L.P., the fund's distributor. The information presented is not intended to constitute an investment recommendation for, or advice to, any specific person. By providing this information, First Trust is not undertaking to give advice in any fiduciary capacity within the meaning of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code or any other regulatory framework. Financial professionals are responsible for evaluating investment risks independently and for exercising independent judgment in determining whether investments are appropriate for their clients. Source (News - Alert) : First Trust Advisors L.P. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005690/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Global Telecom Towers Market SWOT Analysis 2021-2027, by Services, Company Profiling, Revenue, Regions, Trends and Business Opportunities

Dallas, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The telecom towers are usually made up of steel structure and supports antenna and broadcasting. The telecom towers are typically taller in heights that are used to hold the telecommunications antennas and for broadcasting. The telecom towers are classified according to their processing. The two main types of telecom tower popularly used are guyed and self-supporting towers. The telecom towers are equipped with antennae, electronics, receivers, transmitters, and power generators that are necessary for a mobile phone signal. The telecom towers are everywhere across the countries. Request a sample of this report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/6058258 Market Analysis and Insights: Global Telecom Towers Market The global Telecom Towers market size is projected to reach US$ 48660 million by 2026, from US$ 36660 million in 2019, at a CAGR of 4.1% during 2021-2026. The telecom towers are seen mostly in the urban localities and are mounted sometimes on top of a building or on the hill top. The telecom towers provide strong mobile network to the phones covering a large area. The telecom towers are inspected regularly by the electricians and telecom service providers. The penetration of the telecom towers has increased significantly due to vast adoption of mobile phones in the urban as well as rural population enabling the service providers mount the telecom towers thereby stirring the Telecom Towers Market. The height of the telecom towers varies according to the processing from 15 meters to 60 meters or higher than that. The telecom towers undergo an electronic and mechanical signal processing. The technological advancements, upgradtion of infrastructure due to lack of operational efficiency in the existing infrastructure, data explosion have stirred the Telecom Towers Market. Moreover, nowadays, social media and internet surfing are integral to every individual and have increased the demand for fast and reliable infrastructure being another reasons to propel the market growth. Also, the global demand for the Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, increased usage of mobile apps, security has enhanced the delivery of services with higher speed bolstering the Telecom Towers Market. The top manufacturers of the telecom towers and those dominant in the Telecom Towers Market are T-Mobile Towers, Crown Castle International Corporation, SBA Communications, China Tower Corporation, Bharti Infratel, Helios Towers Africa, American Tower Corporation, and AT&T among others. These companies are high in financial value, dominant across all the geographis, and offer innovative products. Mergers, and acquisitions are some of the key development strategies of these leading companies.



The segmental analysis focuses on production capacity, revenue and forecast by Type and by Application for the period 2016-2027. The following manufacturers are covered in this report:

China Tower Corporation American Tower Corporation MER SBA Communications Crown Castle Valmont Industries Aster Private Limited Helios Towers Africa Bharti Infratel Telecom Towers Breakdown Data by Type Lattice Tower Guyed Tower Monopole Tower Stealth Tower Other The segment of lattice tower holds a comparatively larger share in global market, which accounts for about 60%. Telecom Towers Breakdown Data by Application Rooftop Ground-based The rooftop holds an important share in terms of applications, and accounts for 82% of the market share. Regional and Country-level Analysis The Telecom Towers market is analysed and market size information is provided by regions (countries). The key regions covered in the Telecom Towers market report are North America, Europe, China, India and Japan. It also covers key regions (countries), viz, the U.S., Canada, Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, etc. The report includes country-wise and region-wise market size for the period 2016-2027. It also includes market size and forecast by Type, and by Application segment in terms of production capacity, price and revenue for the period 2016-2027. Competitive Landscape and Telecom Towers Market Share Analysis Read complete report at @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/global-telecom-towers-market-insights-and-forecast-to-2027 Chapter One: Study Coverage 1.1 Telecom Towers Product Introduction 1.2 Market by Type 1.2.1 Global Telecom Towers Market Size Growth Rate by Type 1.2.2 Lattice Tower 1.2.3 Guyed Tower 1.2.4 Monopole Tower 1.2.5 Stealth Tower 1.2.6 Other 1.3 Market by Application 1.3.1 Global Telecom Towers Market Size Growth Rate by Application 1.3.2 Rooftop 1.3.3 Ground-based 1.4 Study Objectives 1.5 Years Considered Chapter Two: Global Telecom Towers Production 2.1 Global Telecom Towers Production Capacity (2016-2027) 2.2 Global Telecom Towers Production by Region: 2016 VS 202Chapter One: VS 2027 2.3 Global Telecom Towers Production by Region 2.3.1 Global Telecom Towers Historic Production by Region (2016-2021) 2.3.2 Global Telecom Towers Forecasted Production by Region (2022-2027) 2.4 North America 2.5 Europe 2.6 China 2.7 India 2.8 Japan Chapter Three: Global Telecom Towers Sales in Volume & Value Estimates and Forecasts Chapter Four: Competition by Manufactures Chapter Five: Market Size by Type Chapter Six: Market Size by Application Chapter Seven: North America Chapter Eight: Europe Chapter Nine: Asia Pacific Chapter Ten: Latin America Chapter Eleven: Middle East and Africa Chapter Twelve: Corporate Profiles Chapter Thirteen: Industry Chain and Sales Channels Analysis Chapter Fourteen: Market Drivers, Opportunities, Challenges and Risks Factors Analysis Chapter Fifteen: Key Finding in The Global Telecom Towers Study Chapter Sixteen: Appendix 16.1 Research Methodology 16.1.1 Methodology/Research Approach 16.1.2 Data Source 16.2 Author Details Make an enquiry of this report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buying/6058258 About Us: Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.

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[May 26, 2021] Going Digital? Tencent Cloud Assists Businesses To Easily Expand Digital Footprint With Unrivalled Cloud Solutions and WeChat Ecosystem

HONG KONG, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- More businesses around the world have been adopting digital innovation with cloud computing technologies, therefore introducing more of their benefits into existing and potential consumers' daily lives. Undoubtedly, cloud computing technologies have helped the evolution of businesses, especially in their navigation amid the pandemic. Tencent Cloud, the cloud business of Tencent  a world-class, leading cloud service provider of internet value-added services  has been a strong ally for its clients on their way to digital transformation with all-round cloud solutions and Tencent's unrivalled advantage, making use of resources such as the WeChat ecosystem and delivering unique offerings addressing their needs and opening them up to thriving opportunities, especially in China. In particular, WeChat is largely instrumental in assisting businesses in tackling their challenges via its smart lifestyle ecosystem, through which Tencent Cloud provides robust support and unparalleled value to their clients. The current, ongoing pandemic has presented challenges for businesses, especially SMEs, to keep their stay-at-home customers engaged. With the help of the WeChat ecosystem, brands have been stepping up their digital game and embracing digitalization, eager to build brand awareness and retain customer loyalty in the digital space. In addition, WeChat also allows global businesses to access China's consumers with ease, amplified by Tencent's over 20 years of experience in the market and deep understanding of Chinese consumers. Powering up this ecosystem is Tencent Cloud's One Stop Solution, which has a 98 percent[1] reach within China's internet user base. To bolster WeChat's unique strength, Tencent Cloud uses dedicated Border Gateway Protocol linkage to access WeChat APIs, communicates via private networks, achieves high-speed interconnection, and seamlessly connects with the platform, creating distinct advantages for accessing WeChat APIs. Indeed, businesses can improve their efficiency and enhance their engagement with clients all in one click by integrating WeChat Mini Program, WeChat Pay, WeChat Official Account and more. The one-stop, cross-platform solutions could complement each other with just one click. For example, businesses could amplify brand content via their WeChat Official Account, serve customers with the WeChat Mini Program and reach them with their audio-visual messages with Video Account. Through Tencent's WeCom, Weixin's dedicated product for work communication, enterprises could also improve efficiency and enhance their engagement with clients by allowing a more personal connection via customers' WeChat accounts. Poshu Yeung, Senior Vice President, Tencent Cloud International, said, "The ongoing pandemic continues to shake up businesses and the industry as a whole, pushing companies and organizations of all sizes to accelerate their journey towards digital transformation. With its years of expertise and experience, Tencent Cloud has a strong track record of being a 'digital assistant' that supports industries through digital upgrades and building open, innovative, and secure ecosystems." "Tencent's deep understanding of the industries makes Tencent Cloud the best option for clients, especially those wishing to expand their footprint in China. We are thrilled to serve a wide variety of sectors, from retail and e-commerce to gaming, financial services and more, leading their growth and demonstrating the ever-growing presence of the WeChat ecosystem," Poshu added. As of December 2020, Weixin and WeChat reached more than 1.2 billion monthly active user accounts, while Mini Programs' average daily active users exceeded 400 million and its total sales more than doubled. The usage of Mini Programs per user and its average transaction value increased by 25 percent and 67 percent year-on-year respectively. Adding to these strong statistics, WeCom now serves more than 5.5 million companies and 130 million monthly active users, with services provided to more than 400 million Weixin users. Tencent Cloud is a secure, reliable and high-performance public cloud service provider that integrates Tencent's infrastructure-building capabilities with the advantages of its massive user platform and ecosystem. Tencent Cloud provides global access and a rich array of services to governments and organizations that need advanced infrastructure and a resilient environment, such as those in the online games, live broadcast, and financial services sectors.







Note: [1] Source: Tencent Cloud One Stop Solution

About Tencent Cloud Tencent Cloud is Tencent's cloud services brand, providing industry-leading cloud products and services to organizations and enterprises across the world. Leveraging its robust data center infrastructures around the world, Tencent integrates cloud computing, big data analytics, AI, Internet of Things, security and other advanced technologies with smart enterprise scenarios. At the same time, we provide a holistic smart enterprise solution for sectors including finance, education, healthcare, retail, industry, transport, energy and radio & television. Media Contact Irene Fung

Current Global

ifung@currentglobal.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/going-digital-tencent-cloud-assists-businesses-to-easily-expand-digital-footprint-with-unrivalled-cloud-solutions-and-wechat-ecosystem-301299492.html SOURCE Tencent Cloud

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Hagens Berman: Attorneys Suing Amazon for Price-Gouging Praise D.C. AG's Efforts

Consumer-rights attorneys at Hagens Berman sued Amazon for price-gouging in 2020, and are now throwing their support behind Washington, D.C. attorney general Karl Racine, who has followed in the firm's footsteps.

"We are pleased to see D.C.'s attorney general has joined the fight we started in April 2020 over Amazon's unlawful tactics that have greatly harmed consumers," said Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman and attorney for consumers in the class action. "The proposed class action we filed in 2020 has paved the way for additional antitrust actions against Amazon, and we believe consumers will see the benefit of that."

Since Hagens Berman's class-action lawsuit against Amazon, defendants in the case filed a motion to dismiss which has been fully briefed since December 2020.

The AG's newest endeavor against the tech giant includes no new allegations that were not already in Hagens Berman's case.

About the Consumer Class Action vs. Amazon

Hagens Berman's antitrust class action against Amazon was filed Apr. 21, 2020 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, and accused the world's largest retailer, Amazon.com (News - Alert) , of engaging in "unconscionable" and unlawful price increases during the COVID-19 pandemic, inflating prices for essential goods by upwards of 672 percent. Under California law, any price increase exceeding 10 percent during a state or local emergency is presumptively illegal.

According to the lawsuit, "Amazon's sales have never been higher, and since the COVID-19 pandemic began, its sales in some categories (e.g., home items) are up mor than 1000 percent," according to the lawsuit.







If you purchased any consumer food items or goods, emergency supplies or medical products from Amazon during the COVID-19 crisis, find out more about the lawsuit and your rights.

As the COVID-19 crisis escalated, so too have Amazon's prices for goods consumers require to remain healthy, protected and nourished, attorneys say. After COVID-19 was declared a public health emergency by California officials, certain Amazon prices increased as follows according to Hagens Berman's filing:

Face Masks: Increases exceeding 500 percent, from less than $20 to $120;

Pain Reliever: Increases of 233 percent, from $18.75 to $62.40;

Cold Remedies: Increases up to 634 percent, from $4.65 to $35.99;

Black Beans: Increases up to 672 percent, from $3.17 to $24.50;

Flour: Increases up to 400 percent, from $22.00 to $110.00;

Disinfectants: Increase of 100 percent, from $14.99 to $29.99.

The lawsuit against Amazon seeks repayment to consumers for Amazon's price-gouging, as well as injunctive relief from the court barring Amazon's overpricing.

Find out more about the class-action lawsuit against Amazon for price-gouging during the COVID-19 outbreak.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is a consumer-rights class-action law firm with 10 offices worldwide. The firm's tenacious drive for plaintiffs' rights has earned it numerous national accolades, awards and titles of "Most Feared Plaintiff's Firm," MVPs and Trailblazers of class-action law. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at www.hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526006068/en/
[May 26, 2021] Highview-backed National Fire & Safety Announces Acquisition of Texas Fire & Safety

National Fire & Safety, a leading end-to-end fire protection and life safety solutions platform and a portfolio company of Highview Capital ("Highview"), today announced the acquisition of Texas Fire & Safety, an all-in-one provider of a variety of fire services for customers in the central Texas area. Founded by the family of owners Cathy & John Restivo over 55 years ago, Texas Fire & Safety's team of over 75 employees provides, inspects, repairs and monitors alarm, fire suppression, camera and access control systems for more than 3,000 residential and commercial customers including blue-chip government, industrial and commercial customers. Cathy and John Restivo will remain with Texas Fire & Safety and work closely with the National Fire & Safety management team, as well as existing National Fire & Safety Texas subsidiary Elite FPS, LLC. "We're thrilled to have Texas Fire & Safety join the National Fire & Safety platform," said Chris Gannon, Chief Executive Officer of National Fire & Safety. "We first entered the Texas market in 2019 and are now looking forward to expanding our presence throughout Texas and providing our customers with additional essential fire protection services that they need." Texas Fire & Safety's service competency will meaningfully expand National Fire & Safety's scale and capabilities in Texas by enabling the company to better serve all the fire and life safety needs of its customers and support the rapid growth the company has seen in all of its metro areas. "This transaction is an incredibly exciting step forward for Texas Fire & Safety," said Cathy and John Restivo, Co-Founders of Texas Fire & Safety. "We have built a team and a culture that puts the customer first and delivers on what we say we are going to do. National Fire & Safety is the perfect home for our team members and customers and will further provide us the resources and expertise needed to meaningfully scale up. We are proud to join the National Fire & Safety family and partner with the Highview team." P.J. Gilbert, Managing Director at Highview and Chairman of National Fire & Safety, added, "Throughout this process, we've been thoroughly impressed with Cathy, John and the rest of the Texas Fire & Safety team. Weknow that they will be an incredibly beneficial addition to the National Fire & Safety platform and we are looking forward to working with the team as we continue to scale the platform into new geographies."



About Texas Fire & Safety Texas Fire & Safety, a subsidiary of National Fire & Safety, is an all-in-one provider of a variety of fire services for customers in Central Texas. Located in Waco, Texas Fire & Safety was founded by the family of owners Cathy & John Restivo in 1966, and includes the following subsidiaries/affiliates: Fire & Access Control System.Com, Inc., Therrell Alarm Protection Service, Inc., Alarm Center, Inc., Fire & Burglary Systems, Inc. www.choosetexasfire.com

About Elite FPS, LLC Elite FPS, LLC, formerly Elite Fire Protection Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of National Fire & Safety, is a full service, non-union, fire sprinkler contractor located in the Dallas Metro area, founded in 1990 by Ken and Lynn Tabor. www.elitefireprotectionsystems.com About National Fire & Safety National Fire & Safety is a leading end-to-end fire protection and life safety solutions platform, backed by Highview Capital. National Fire & Safety's mission is to deliver safe and reliable fire protection tools by leveraging the local knowledge and expertise of the nation's most trusted brands. Through its independent subsidiaries Frontier Fire Protection, LLC, Elite FPS, LLC and RCI Systems, Inc., National Fire & Safety is the trusted choice for fire protection and life safety solutions in seven states across the Western U.S. Its subsidiaries collectively service a variety of end markets, including retail, healthcare, education, government, industrial, distribution and residential. For more information on National Fire & Safety, please visit www.natfiresafety.com. About Highview Capital, LLC Highview Capital, LLC is an opportunistic private equity investment vehicle headquartered in Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert) with approximately $500 million in assets under management providing transformational equity. Highview leverages its creative vision and expertise to partner with management teams of leading middle-market businesses undergoing periods of transformation, including growth, expansion or performance improvement. For more information, visit www.highviewcp.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005539/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Home Sellers and Buyers Can Save Thousands with New Offerpad Bundle Rewards

Tech-enabled Real Estate Solutions Center and a leading iBuyer Offerpad, continues to streamline and simplify home buying and selling for customers by introducing Bundle Rewards. Now in metro Phoenix, customers can receive multiple discounts when simultaneously selling and buying a home with Offerpad, and by obtaining their home loan with Offerpad Home Loans. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005343/en/ Offerpad continues to streamline and simplify home buying and selling for customers by introducing Bundle Rewards. Now in metro Phoenix, customers can receive multiple discounts when imultaneously selling and buying a home with Offerpad, and by obtaining their home loan with Offerpad Home Loans. The more Offerpad services a customer uses, the more they can save. (Graphic: Business Wire)



The more Offerpad services a customer uses, the more they can save. The discounts can be earned by customers in various combinations, including:

Selling a home to Offerpad and buying an Offerpad home

Listing a home for sale with Offerpad while using an Offerpad agent to buy another home

Selling with Offerpad EXPRESS and buying an Offerpad FLEX home

and buying an Offerpad FLEX home Financing a home purchased with Offerpad through Offerpad Home Loans "Convenience, simplicity, and cost savings are always at the forefront of the consumer's mind," said Ted Best, Offerpad's Senior Vice President, Product Management. "With our new Bundle Rewards program, Offerpad now offers great savings while allowing us to double down on our promise of streamlined home selling, buying and financing. This will minimize the stress and hassles customers typically experience throughout more traditional real estate transactions." Offerpad's Bundle Rewards is now available in the company's Phoenix market in 36 cities and towns spanning more than 150 zip codes. The company plans to extend the program to other markets around the country in the coming months. For more information and details about Offerpad's Bundle Rewards, visit Offerpad.com/Bundle. About Offerpad Offerpad is using technology-enabled solutions across its digital platform to remake the home selling and buying experience. With firsthand real estate experience and powerful proprietary technology, the company provides several consumer-focused options including instant cash offers and superior home listing services. Offerpad is a privately held company headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, operating across the country in nearly 1,000 cities and towns. Visit Offerpad.com for more information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005343/en/

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 18:48:04|Editor: huaxia

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NAIROBI, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Ministry of Health said Wednesday it has developed targeted interventions to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases that are linked to a higher toll of COVID-19 fatalities.

"We have come up with interim guidelines to prevent and manage non-communicable diseases in the light of the pandemic," Cabinet Secretary for Health Mutahi Kagwe told a virtual forum on the nexus between lifestyle diseases and COVID-19 held in Nairobi.

The government has put robust measures in place to facilitate the seamless provision of care to patients with chronic diseases and shield them from the risk of contracting and succumbing to coronavirus, he said.

It has implemented interventions including adequate funding, training of health workers, public awareness and timely diagnosis to strengthen the response to non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension, Kagwe said.

Ministry of Health data show that non-communicable diseases account for 50 percent of hospital admissions and 42 percent of deaths in Kenya.

Kagwe said that urbanization, environmental pollution, and sedentary lifestyles have escalated the non-communicable disease crisis in Kenya amid strain on household budgets and public health infrastructure.

Ephantus Maree, head of the Non-communicable Diseases Unit in the Ministry of Health, said chronic ailments have accounted for about 43 percent of COVID deaths since the onset of the pandemic in March last year.

Investments in research, surveillance, and screening at the community level are key to reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases in Kenya, he said. Enditem
[May 26, 2021] IBS Software and LATAM Airlines Group reach agreement to transform loyalty program

SANTIAGO, Chile, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- IBS Software, a leading SaaS technology provider for the travel industry, announces that it has reached an agreement with LATAM Airlines Group to implement its iFly Loyalty platform, enabling the airline to manage its loyalty programs from a single modern platform. iFly Loyalty will also allow LATAM to move away from a traditional, outdated and costly data center infrastructure. Upon completion of the transformation, IBS Software's cloud-native iFly Loyalty platform will power the entire technology stack that drives LATAM's loyalty business. This new platform will enable LATAM Pass to easily service the frequent flyer's demand for innovation across multiple channels. Not only will it allow flexibility, so the program features can be easily adjusted according to changing customer needs and industry fluctuations, but it will also support innovative partnerships, faster problem solving and deeper integration with other channels and airline systems. This agreement with LATAM is another example of IBS Software's expanding reach across the aviation sector, enabling its customers to transform and digitally lead the industry. iFly Loyalty powers a frequent flyer base of 80 million members who can earn and burn their miles and points across thousands of program partners across the globe. The platfor is designed to help airline customers anticipate traveler behavior by giving airlines the ability to turn data into actionable insights. It can help loyalty programs capitalize on changing patterns of behavior by delivering the power to quickly reconfigure and adjust their offerings as needs change, rather than rely on time intensive and resource intensive customization.



"We work day in and day out to improve our customers' travel experience and the agreement we reached with IBS Software will allow us to accelerate our digital transformation processes and provide a faster and more efficient service to our passengers," said Ralph Piket, LATAM Pass VP. "As industry leaders, we are fortunate enough to be in a position to help some of the world's biggest airlines navigate their way out of this crisis. Working together with LATAM Airlines to move LATAM Pass to the iFly Loyalty platform we will jointly complete a significant milestone to evolve LATAM's loyalty businesses into a significant contributor to the commercial recovery.", said Marcus Puffer, VP and Head of Loyalty Management solutions, IBS Software. "And through our shared passion for unique customer experiences we will support LATAM developing and delivering new features to their LATAM Pass members."

More information on iFly Loyalty here. About IBS Software IBS Software is a leading SaaS solutions provider to the travel industry globally, managing mission-critical operations for customers in the aviation, tour & cruise and hospitality industries. IBS Software's solutions for the aviation industry cover fleet & crew operations, aircraft maintenance, passenger services, loyalty programs, staff travel and air-cargo management. IBS Software also runs a real time B2B and B2C distribution platform providing hotel room inventory, rates and availability to a global network of hospitality companies and channels. For the tour and cruise industry, IBS provides a comprehensive, customer-centric, digital platform that covers onshore, online and on-board solutions. IBS Software is a Blackstone portfolio company and operates from 15 offices across the world. Further information can be found at https://www.ibsplc.com/ View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ibs-software-and-latam-airlines-group-reach-agreement-to-transform-loyalty-program-301299821.html SOURCE IBS Software

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[May 26, 2021] Imvision launches the first-ever executive education program on application security strategy in the API-first era

TEL AVIV, Israel, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Imvision, a market leader in API security technology for enterprises, is announcing today the launch of its Executive Education Program with a three-part webinar series: Rethinking Application Security. An invitation-only program for enterprise security leaders from around the world, it offers a unique opportunity to gain expert insights and exchange knowledge on application security in the API-first era. Speakers include security leaders and technologists from BNP Paribas, Allegiant Airlines, Mastercard, HCL, Leveris, Akamai Technologies, and Axway. Securing applications has become much more than a technical solution or a product. It's about effective planning to stay on top of development cycles; it's about working together between teams to reduce risk; it's about effectively communicating potential risks to the business. Application security must be reimagined in an API-first world, where applications are living, breathing, and constantly growing. "Imvision is dedicated to providing forward-looking expert insight to the executive-level security community. In the API-first era, as the pace of development is accelerating, some of the traditional foundations of application security -- from ownership to governance to frameworks -- are steadily losing relevance and effectiveness. I am delighted to announce the launch of the first ever executive series, bringing unique insights from security and technology experts worldwide," says Sharon Mantin, CEO and Co-Founder of Imvision. The series will run every two weeks from June 2 to June 30, 2021. Through conversations and presentations by renowned security and technology experts, it will highlight how application security is reinvented by top enterprises. Rethinking Application Security Session 1: From business context to risk assessment ( June 2nd )

) Session : Developing new application security standards ( June 16th )

) Session 3: Coming together for a robust security roadmap ( June 30th )



https://hubs.li/H0N-Vbk0 "This program will support security professionals, at the executive level, in their journey to build a solid API security backbone. It will help address the void of traditional application security tools that no longer fit the API-first era," says Ariana Leena Lavanya, Analyst at The Fast Mode. "The use of distributed, cloud-based architectures for example, are predisposing enterprises to new API-related vulnerabilities and threats. Tools that address these concerns are therefore key to managing today's applications."

List of experts to share their insights in the program: Sandip Wadje , Global Head of Technology Risk Intelligence at BNP Paribas

, Global Head of Technology Risk Intelligence at BNP Paribas Sidney Gottesman , SVP for Security Innovation at Mastercard

, SVP for Security Innovation at Mastercard Rob Hornbuckle , CISO at Allegiant Airlines

, CISO at Allegiant Airlines Rob Cuddy , Global Application Security Evangelist at HCL

, Global Application Security Evangelist at HCL Eoin Fleming , CISO at Leveris

, CISO at Leveris Moshe Zioni , Director of Threat Research at Akamai Technologies

, Director of Threat Research at Akamai Technologies Laura Heritage , VP, Product Line - API Management Platform and Open Banking at Axway About Imvision At Imvision, we help enterprises open up without being vulnerable. It's about making sure that every interaction between people, businesses, and machines can be trusted. Imvision's platform helps enterprise security leaders, including Fortune 500 companies, discover, test, detect and prevent API breaches. We help you automatically give every API the protection it deserves - at any scale, across the lifecycle. By using NLP-based technology to analyze each API's unique dialogue and understand the application's behavior, security and development teams can stay ahead of attackers, focus on what really matters and minimize time-to-remediation. For more information: https://hubs.li/H0N-Vbk0 Media Contact: Lilach Bar-Tal

pr@g2mteam.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/imvision-launches-the-first-ever-executive-education-program-on-application-security-strategy-in-the-api-first-era-301299507.html SOURCE Imvision

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KBRA Releases Research - China's Balance Sheet Risks: Liabilities

Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) releases the second report in a two-part series on China's balance sheet risks to global credit markets. In KBRA's view, the liability side of China's balance sheet shows high indirect risks due to the level of nonproductive debt in the country, although direct risks to international creditors remain largely contained because of low nonresident debt holdings.

In Part 1, which focuses on the asset side of the balance sheet ledger, we discuss China's role as the world's largest international creditor country, its wider lending practices through the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project which include "muscular" lending contracts, expensive conditions, as well as strategic investments that heighten global and creditor-specific risks.

Key Takeaways

China's economy resembles an advanced economy more than an emerging markets (EM) economy in its debt load and composition, but not in terms of debt sustainability.

China's level of debt distress is graver than headline defaults suggest.

Global direct risks are contained by moderate holdings of Chinese bonds by nonresident investors, amounting to about 3% of total Chinese government bond issuance, although this is set to change with the inclusion of these securities in global bond indices.

Click here to view the report.







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[May 26, 2021] Kodiak Robotics and SK Inc. Partner to Bring Autonomous Trucking to Asia's $1.5 Trillion Freight Market

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kodiak Robotics, Inc. , a leading self-driving trucking company, and SK Inc. , a holding company of SK Group , South Korea's third-largest conglomerate with more than 120 operating companies, today announced a partnership to bring the Kodiak Driver, the company's self-driving technology, to the Asia-Pacific (APAC) markets. As part of the relationship, SK will work with Kodiak to seek new business opportunities that utilize Kodiak's self-driving technology. In addition, the companies will work together to provide fleet management services for customers in Asia. SK's network of companies has deep roots in numerous industries critical to the future of logistics, from trucking telematics to shipping to semiconductors. Kodiak will look to leverage SK's products, components and technology for its autonomous system, including artificial intelligence microprocessors and advanced emergency braking systems. "Our partnership with Kodiak will help accelerate the commercialization of self-driving trucks in Asia," said Jungho Shin, executive vice president of SK Inc. "Kodiak's industry-leading technology and SK's unrivaled reach in Korea and across Asia make this a natural partnership. We look forward to working with Kodiak to make autonomous trucking a reality around the globe." The partnership marks a significant milestone for the company as it works towards international expansion. Asia represents a $1.5 trillion freight market,making this a key opportunity for Kodiak's international operations.



"SK has an impressive list of companies that enables and fastracks our Asian expansion," said Don Burnette, Kodiak's Co-founder & CEO. "Our technology paired with SK's deep relationships with Asia's leading logistics and technology partners offers Kodiak a unique opportunity to expand our global footprint and commercialize the Kodiak Driver across the Asia-Pacific region." Kodiak is headquartered in Mountain View, California, with a testing and operations hub located in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. In just three years, Kodiak is already earning revenue while it validates its system by hauling daily customer freight between Dallas, Texas, and Houston, Texas. The company aims to build the world's most efficient, reliable and respected end-to-end delivery solution. This partnership with SK Inc. comes on the heels of an announcement with the U.S. Air Force for a contract to bring autonomous transportation to the U.S. Department of Defense's Dover Air Force base in Delaware.

About Kodiak Robotics, Inc. Kodiak Robotics, Inc. was founded in 2018 to develop autonomous technology that carries freight forwardso people, partners, and the planet thrive. Kodiak is building and operating self-driving trucks designed to operate on highway routes, making the freight industry safer and more efficient. Kodiak has developed the industry's most advanced technology stack purpose-built specifically for long-haul trucks. Kodiak delivers freight daily for its customers between Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston, operating autonomously on the highway portion of the route. In January 2021, Kodiak became the first company in the autonomous trucking industry to announce disengage-free customer deliveries, and released footage of over 1000 miles of disengage-free driving. Learn more about Kodiak on the web at kodiak.ai , and on Medium , LinkedIn and Twitter . You can find the company press kit HERE . About SK Inc.: Based in Seoul, South Korea, SK Inc. enhances its portfolio values by developing long-term strategies with globally competitive affiliates in energy and chemicals, ICT, semiconductor and materials, logistics and services, and bio and pharmaceuticals. As an investment-oriented holding company of SK Group, the company is focused on maximizing corporate value and building the foundation for sustainable growth by identifying and nurturing promising new businesses. For more information on SK Inc., please visit http://www.sk-inc.com/en/ View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kodiak-robotics-and-sk-inc-partner-to-bring-autonomous-trucking-to-asias-1-5-trillion-freight-market-301299367.html SOURCE Kodiak Robotics

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[May 26, 2021] Medical Device Security Market to Reach $17.49 Bn, Globally, by 2027 at 13.8% CAGR: Allied Market Research

PORTLAND, Ore., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Medical Device Security Market by Component (Solution and Service), Deployment Model (On-Premise and Cloud), Type (Endpoint Security, Network Security, Application Security, Cloud Security and Other), Device Type (Stationery Medical Devices, Internally Embedded Medical Devices and External Medical Devices & Consumer Wearables), and End User (Healthcare Institutions, Medical Device Manufacturers, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202027." According to the report, the global medical device security industry generated $6.23 billion in 2019, and is estimated to garner $17.49 billion by 2027, portraying a CAGR of 13.8% from 2020 to 2027. Prime determinants of growth Surge in cyber-attacks and threats in the healthcare industry, rise in demand for connected medical devices, and strict government guidelines drive the growth of the global medical device security market. However, budget constraints for healthcare security hinder the market growth. On the other hand, the increase in adoption of the internet of medical things (IoMT) in the healthcare industry and rise in adoption of cloud-based medical device security worldwide present new opportunities in the coming years. Download Report Sample (150 Pages PDF with Insights) at https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/10931 Covid-19 Scenario The demand for external medical devices & consumer wearables from healthcare institutions surged significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, there has been rise in the number of smartphone-based healthcare apps among the general public and hospitals. This increased the need for the security of data.

The overall spending on the security of medical devices is expected to surge during the pandemic as there has been a significant rise in need for connected devices among various healthcare organizations.

With increase in number of patients infected with Covid-19, the amount of patient data generated is huge and the need for cloud-based solutions increased. Consequently, the demand for medical device security solutions and services rose considerably to ensure security of data and records. Get detailed COVID-19 impact analysis on the medical device security market: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/10931 The solution segment to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period Based on component, the solution segment accounted for around two-thirds of the global medical device security market in 2019, and is projected to maintain its leadership stats during the forecast period. This is due to need to manage different types of cyber-attacks on medical devices. However, the service segment is expected to manifest the highest CAGR of 15.1% from 2020 to 2027, owing to adoption of different services to ensure the effective functioning of medical devices.



The healthcare segment to maintain its lead position by 2027 Based on industry vertical, the healthcare segment held the largest market share in 2019, contributing to nearly three-fifths of the global medical device security market in 2019, and is estimated to maintain its lead position by 2027. This is due to increase in connected medical devices among hospitals and rise in need for connected devices to optimize patient care services. However, the medical segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR of 16.4% from 2020 to 2027. This is due to stringent FDA regulations for medical devices and needs to reduce cybersecurity risks in the rapidly changing environment in the healthcare industry across the globe.

For Purchase Inquiry: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/10931 North America to continue its dominance in terms of revenue by 2027 Based on region, North America accounted for the highest market share in 2019, holding more than one-third of the global medical device security market, and is expected to continue its dominance in terms of revenue by 2027. This is due to rise in IT spending in the healthcare sector and surge in adoption of connected medical devices in hospitals. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 16.0% from 2020 to 2027, owing to the establishment of presence of key players of the software in emerging countries such as China and India. Leading market players Cisco Systems, Inc.

Check Point Software Technologies

CA Technologies

Fortinet Inc.

DXC Technology

McAfee, LLC

IBM Corporation

Sophos Ltd.

Palo Alto Networks

Symantec Corporation Access AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model) at: hthttps://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access Avenue is a user-based library of global market report database, provides comprehensive reports pertaining to the world's largest emerging markets. It further offers e-access to all the available industry reports just in a jiffy. By offering core business insights on the varied industries, economies, and end users worldwide, Avenue ensures that the registered members get an easy as well as single gateway to their all-inclusive requirements. Avenue Library Subscription | Request for 14 days free trial of before buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/avenue/trial/starter Similar Reports: E-Prescribing Market is Expected to Reach $4,152.7 Million by 2026 Biometric Technology Market is Estimated to Generate $10.72 Billion by 2022 North America Big Data Analytics in Healthcare Market Expected to Reach $34.16 Billion by 2025 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. 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

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[May 26, 2021]

NASA Sets Coverage, Invites Public to Virtually Join Next Cargo Launch

WASHINGTON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA commercial cargo provider SpaceX is targeting 1:29 p.m. EDT, Thursday, June 3, to launch its 22nd commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station . Liftoff will be from Launch Complex 39A at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft will deliver new solar arrays to power future work aboard the orbiting laboratory, along with new science investigations, supplies, and equipment for the international crew. Live coverage will air on NASA Television, the NASA app and the agency's website, with prelaunch events starting Wednesday, June 2.

Dragon's pressurized capsule will carry a variety of research, including an experiment that could help develop better pharmaceuticals and therapies for treating kidney disease on Earth, a study of cotton root systems that could identify varieties of plants that require less water and pesticides. The research also will include two model organism investigations: One will study bobtail squid to examine the effects of spaceflight on interactions between beneficial microbes and their animal hosts. The other will examine tardigrades' adaptation to conditions in low-Earth orbit, which could advance understanding of the stress factors affecting humans in space.

The mission will include technology demonstrations, including a portable ultrasound device. Additionally, astronauts will test the effectiveness of remotely operating robotic arms and space vehicles using virtual reality and haptics interfaces.

Dragon's unpressurized trunk section will deliver the first two of six new roll-out solar arrays based on a design tested on the space station in 2017. A robotic arm will extract them and astronauts will install them during a series of spacewalks this summer.

About 12 minutes after launch, Dragon will separate from the Falcon 9 rocket's second stage and begin a carefully choreographed series of thruster firings to reach the space station. Arrival to the space station is planned for Saturday, June 5. Dragon will autonomously dock to the space-facing port on the station's Harmony module, with Expedition 65 Flight Engineers Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur of NASA monitoring operations.







The spacecraft is expected to spend more than a month attached to the space station before it splashes down in the Atlantic Ocean, returning with research and return cargo.

Full coverage of this mission is as follows (all times Eastern):

Wednesday, June 2

11 a.m.  Want an in-depth look at the science aboard Dragon? Watch on NASA TV or join us on Kennedy Space Center's Facebook and YouTube pages as we chat with some of the principal investigators. If you have questions for them, use #AskNASA on Twitter. They may answer in real-time during the segment.

11:30 a.m.  1 p.m.  Previously credentialed media will have an opportunity to speak one-on-one with scientists and other subject matter experts at the Kennedy Press Site (compliant with COVID-19 safety protocols).*

1:30 p.m.  NASA TV will broadcast a prelaunch news conference from Kennedy with representatives from NASA's International Space Station Program, SpaceX, and the U.S. Space Force Space Launch Delta 45. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom at ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov no later than 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 2. The public can also ask questions by using #AskNASA on Twitter. They may be answered in real-time during the segment.

Thursday, June 3

1 p.m.  NASA TV coverage begins for the targeted 1:29 p.m. launch.

Saturday, June 5

3:30 a.m.  NASA TV coverage begins for Dragon docking to space station.

5 a.m.  Docking

*The deadline for media to apply for accreditation for this launch has passed, but general information about media accreditation is available by emailing ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov .

NASA TV Launch Coverage

Live coverage of the launch on NASA TV will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 3. For NASA TV downlink information, schedules, and links to streaming video, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

Audio of the news conference and launch coverage will be carried on the NASA "V" circuits, which may be accessed by dialing 321-867-1220, -1240, -1260 or -7135. On launch day, "mission audio" countdown activities without NASA TV launch commentary, will be carried on 321-867-7135.

On launch day, a "clean feed" of the launch without NASA TV commentary will be carried on the NASA TV media channel.

NASA Website Launch Coverage

Launch day coverage of the mission will be available on NASA's website. Coverage will include live streaming and blog updates beginning no earlier than 1 p.m. Thursday, June 3, as the countdown milestones occur. On-demand streaming video and photos of the launch will be available shortly after liftoff. For questions about countdown coverage, contact the Kennedy newsroom at 321-867-2468. Follow countdown coverage on the agency's launch blog at:

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacexcrs22/

Attend This Launch Virtually

Members of the public can register to attend this launch virtually. Attendees will receive mission updates and activities via email. NASA's virtual guest program for this mission also includes curated launch resources, notifications about related opportunities, as well as a stamp for their NASA virtual guest passport following a successful launch.

Watch and Engage on Social Media

Let people know you're following the mission on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram by using the hashtags #Dragon and #NASASocial. You can also stay connected by following and tagging these accounts:

Twitter: @NASA , @NASAKennedy , @NASASocial , @Space_Station , @ISS_Research, @ISS National Lab, @SpaceX

Facebook: NASA , NASAKennedy , ISS , ISS National Lab

Instagram: @NASA , @NASAKennedy , @ISS, @ISSNationalLab , @SpaceX

Learn more about the SpaceX resupply mission at:

https://www.nasa.gov/spacex

Para obtener informacion sobre cobertura en espanol en el Centro Espacial Kennedy o si desea solicitar entrevistas en espanol, comuniquese con Antonia Jaramillo (321) 501-8425.

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SOURCE NASA
[May 26, 2021] New Poll Finds Eric Adams Firmly in the Lead and Kathryn Garcia Rapidly Gaining in the Final Weeks Ahead of the June 22 Democratic Primary

NEW YORK, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pulse of the Primary: 2021 NYC Mayor's Race , presented by Fontas Advisors and Core Decision Analytics (CODA), released its third and final set of poll results on May 26th. The last in a series of three quantitative voter surveys, this latest iteration of the Fontas/CODA poll closely examines the fiercely competitive horserace in the closing weeks of the campaign. The telephone poll of N=800 NYC Democratic primary likely voters was conducted from May 15-19, following the first televised debate as all the candidates aggressively campaign in advance of the June 22 election. "At a time of great uncertainty and great challenges across the five boroughs, New York City voters are coalescing around the more ideologically moderate candidates in the race for mayor," said George Fontas, Founder and CEO of Fontas Advisors, a leading NYC-based government affairs consultancy. "Our poll shows Eric Adams and Kathryn Garcia both have strong momentum as we enter the final stretch." "In a sharp contrast to all our prior surveys, a majority of New York City voters are now aware of each of the major candidates running in the Democrat primary," said Adam Rosenblatt, President of Core Decision Analytics (CODA), a non-partisan national public opinion research and analytics firm based in Washington, DC. "With the campaigns now in full swing, the impact of paid media and earned media has significantly boosted certain candidates and has altered the state of the race." The full survey results, including complete question wording, all questions asked, as well as demographics and screening criteria, is publicly available at PulseOfThePrimary.com . This third Fontas/CODA Pulse of the Primary poll, conducted nearly one-month prior to the primary, found that voter attention regarding the election has significantly increased: 72% say they have heard, read or seen either "a lot", "some", or "just a little" about ranked choice voting recently. This is a major increase compared to March, where only 57% said the same. Beyond rising awareness of ranked choice, familiarity with the mayoral candidates has also increased. Similar to March, three of the eight candidates remain better known among NYC voters: 89% are familiar with Andrew Yang (+4 compared to 85% in March)

(+4 compared to 85% in March) 77% are familiar with Scott Stringer (+13 compared to 64% in March)

(+13 compared to 64% in March) 75% are familiar with Eric Adams (+13 compared to 62% in March) Compared to the March ontas/CODA poll, the most noticeable awareness gains ("have you heard of") have been realized by Kathryn Garcia, Ray McGuire, Dianne Morales, and Shaun Donovan.



+26 for Kathryn Garcia (55% familiar in May, compared to 29% in March)

(55% familiar in May, compared to 29% in March) +24 for Ray McGuire (62% familiar in May, compared to 38% in March)

(62% familiar in May, compared to 38% in March) +24 for Dianne Morales (51% familiar in May, compared to 27% in March)

(51% familiar in May, compared to 27% in March) +21 for Shaun Donovan (65% familiar in May, +21 compared to 44% in March) All eight candidates assessed throughout the Pulse of the Primary series are now a familiar name to a majority of voters. This is a sharp contrast to the first Fontas/CODA poll conducted in January, which found that voters were only familiar with three of the eight contenders: Yang, Stringer, and Adams. With the election less than a month away, the third and final Fontas/CODA poll closely assessed the current state of the mayor's race. Key findings include:

Eric Adams has solidified his spot in the top tier  if not the top spot: Nearly one in five voters (18%) say they would pick Eric Adams if the election were held today. Adams' standing is 5 percentage points higher than his next closest competitor. Eric Adams' 18% represents both 13% who say they would "definitely" or "probably" vote for him as first choice plus an additional 5% attained from those who say they are undecided but "lean towards" Adams. Of those who say "definitely" or "probably", Adams gained +3 percentage points since the last Fontas/CODA poll (13% in May vs. 10% in March).

Nearly one in five voters (18%) say they would pick if the election were held today. Adams' standing is 5 percentage points higher than his next closest competitor. 18% represents both 13% who say they would "definitely" or "probably" vote for him as first choice plus an additional 5% attained from those who say they are undecided but "lean towards" Adams. Of those who say "definitely" or "probably", Adams gained +3 percentage points since the last Fontas/CODA poll (13% in May vs. 10% in March). Kathryn Garcia has surged into the top tier and stands tied with Andrew Yang . Yang and Garcia are statistically tied: 13% of voters say they would choose Andrew Yang (8% "definitely" or "probably" + 5% "lean towards") while 11% say they would choose Kathryn Garcia (8% "definitely" or "probably" + 3% "lean towards"). In terms of those who say "definitely" or "probably", Garcia's support has quadrupled: 8% in May compared to 2% in March. By contrast, the percentage who say "definitely" or "probably" Yang has eroded from 16% in March to 8% in May.

Yang and Garcia are statistically tied: 13% of voters say they would choose (8% "definitely" or "probably" + 5% "lean towards") while 11% say they would choose (8% "definitely" or "probably" + 3% "lean towards"). In terms of those who say "definitely" or "probably", Garcia's support has quadrupled: 8% in May compared to 2% in March. By contrast, the percentage who say "definitely" or "probably" Yang has eroded from 16% in March to 8% in May. A significant percentage of the electorate remains uncommitted, though many "leaners": When presented with the eight candidates, half of voters pick a first choice, though half (50%) state they are "undecided"  a finding similar to the March Fontas/CODA poll. For that reason, the May Fontas/CODA poll included a follow-up question asked of undecided voters: "...which candidate  if any  do you lean towards?" 49% of the "undecideds" in fact lean towards a particular candidate, while 51% indicated no preference (in other words, "true undecided"). Taken as a whole, this means the "true undecideds" is closer to 26% of the total electorate. "The importance of ranked choice cannot be understated since none of the candidates appear anywhere near a 50% majority necessary to win outright," said Rosenblatt. "Our polling shows that awareness of ranked choice voting has steadily increased, though the biggest open question is not the simple one about who they might rank  but rather, whether they rank at all and if so, how many." "Look for top tier candidates to try and form alliances with other candidates as a strategy to strengthen their lead and secure a high ranking on as many ballots as possible" said Fontas. "In a race this close, an endorsement from a rival campaign may in fact be the deciding factor of who wins this election." The Fontas/CODA Pulse of the Primary poll is a three-part series of poll results and analysis leading up to the NYC Democratic primary. Sponsored by Fontas Advisors, these polls are independent and not affiliated with any candidate campaign nor any independent expenditure effort for or against a particular candidate. Visit PulseOfThePrimary.com for the latest poll reports, analysis, and to subscribe to receive updates. Methodology

On behalf of Fontas Advisors, Core Decision Analytics (CODA) conducted N=800 live telephone interviews (landline and cell) among New York City Democratic primary likely voters from May 15-19, 2021. The overall margin of error is +/-3.46% at the 95% confidence interval. Tracked findings referenced reflect prior Fontas/CODA Pulse of the Primary studies among NYC Democratic primary likely voters conducted in March (N=800 telephone interviews, fielded Mar 15-18) and January (N=842 online interviews, fielded Jan 20-25). The complete poll report, including all survey questions, screening criteria, and demographics, are available at PulseOfThePrimary.com About Fontas Advisors

Fontas Advisors is a boutique government affairs consultancy focused on the New York metropolitan area. Leveraging our strong knowledge of city and state administrations combined with our robust network honed over decades of experience, we drive results by serving the next-generation needs of corporations, nonprofits, and trade associations. Learn more at fontasadvisors.com About Core Decision Analytics

Core Decision Analytics (CODA) provides actionable opinion insights and cutting-edge data analytics programs grounded in trustworthy quantitative, qualitative, and advanced analytics methods. CODA leverages decades of experience in over 20 countries on behalf of governments, campaigns, business organizations, associations, and corporate clients. Learn more at coredecision.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-poll-finds-eric-adams-firmly-in-the-lead-and-kathryn-garcia-rapidly-gaining-in-the-final-weeks-ahead-of-the-june-22-democratic-primary-301299381.html SOURCE Pulse of the Primary

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[May 26, 2021] Not a Beach Lover? CheapOair Shares Memorial Day Destination Ideas

NEW YORK, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Memorial Day is finally here, and Americans are ready to celebrate. Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows over 60% of Americans have now received the vaccine and worries about getting out and about are continuing to diminish. Over 60% of Americans have now received the covid vaccine and willingness to travel is on the rise. Heading to the beach or lakeside is a long-time favorite for many Americans. But there are those that enjoy non-water recreational activities. With that in mind, CheapOair is offering a few suggestions for things to do over Memorial Day Weekend, for those who do not want to visit the beach. New York City After a tough 2020, New York City is back. Most of the Big Apple's renowned attractions, from the Met to MoMA, from Macy's to the Empire State Buildingare once again open for business. And Central Park has always been there waiting for exploration. Visit NYC: The Official Guide for updates on what's open in New York City. Mystic, Connecticut This small, laid-back town is an affordable option for a weekend escape. If you're a seafood lover, you'll enjoy the sea-to-table restaurants located around the coast. There is also the famous Mystic Pizza, seen in the 1998 film of the same name. Things to do include the Mystic Seaport Museum, the Mystic Aquarium, or just strolling around this charming, historic town. Palm Springs, California Book a cheap domestic flight to California, grab your swimsuit, and enjoy the magical ambiance of Palm Springs. If fitness is your thing, head to the Indian Canyons to spend the day hiking or biking through the desert. To honor the occasion of Memorial Day, the Palm Springs Air Museum will be payingtribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice with their annual Flower Drop and Air Festival. This event includes a tribute ceremony, followed by the dropping of red and white carnations from a vintage plane. Music, food, and activities for the kids are also part of this two-day celebration.



"It's gratifying to see people get excited about travel once again, and we wish everyone a fun and safe Memorial Day Weekend," says Werner Kunz-Cho, CEO of Fareportal, the company behind online travel agencies CheapOair and One Travel. He continues, "In the US, we've gone from a high of over 300,000 new covid cases per day in early January of this year, to just over 16,000 as of May 24th. We want everyone to get our there and explore new adventures but urge continued adherence to CDC recommended covid safety protocols to get these numbers down as low as possible." Please note: With COVID-19 still prevalent, be sure to check local travel regulations and notices for any restrictions, rules, and safety guidelines that may be in place. For additional information please visit the CDC website for up-to-date health and wellness information.

About CheapOair CheapOair is an online travel agency that specializes in providing cheap flights and great last-minute flight deals for travelers worldwide. Consumers can book online, on mobile apps for iOS and Android, by phone, or live chat. Part of Fareportal's family of travel brands, CheapOair bridges the gap between an online travel agency and a traditional agency with travel agents available 7 days a week to help find great prices on flight tickets to global destinations on over 600 airlines, a million hotels, and 100s of car rental companies. Follow CheapOair on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for travel inspiration and helpful travel tips. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/not-a-beach-lover-cheapoair-shares-memorial-day-destination-ideas-301300234.html SOURCE CheapOair

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[May 26, 2021] Notice regarding Partial Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation

Company name: Internet Initiative Japan Inc.

Company representative: Eijiro Katsu, President and Representative Director

(Stock Code Number: 3774, The First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange)

Contact: Akihisa Watai, Senior Managing Director and CFO

TEL: 81-3-5205-6500 TOKYO, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (IIJ, TSE1: 3774) announces that IIJs board of directors today resolved to propose the partial amendment of its Articles of Incorporation to the 29th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held on June 29, 2021, as described below.

1. Reason for the amendment The term of office of directors will be changed from two (2) years to one (1) year in order to build a flexible management system that can respond swiftly to changes in the business environment. 2. Content of amendments The content of the amendment is as follows:

(Changes are underlined.) Preset Articles Proposed Articles (Term of Office of Directors)







The term of office of directors shall expire at the close of the ordinary general meeting of shareholders held in relation to the last business year ending within two (2) years following their election to office. (Term of Office of Directors)

Article 21

The term of office of directors shall expire at the close of the ordinary general meeting of shareholders held in relation to the last business year ending within one (1) year following their election to office.

3. Schedule

Scheduled date of 29th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders: Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Scheduled effective date: Tuesday, June 29, 2021 About Internet Initiative Japan Inc.

Founded in 1992, IIJ is one of Japan's leading Internet-access and comprehensive network solutions providers. IIJ and its group companies provide total network solutions that mainly cater to high-end corporate customers. IIJ's services include high-quality Internet connectivity services, mobile services, security services, cloud computing services, and systems integration. Moreover, IIJ operates one of the largest Internet backbone networks in Japan that is connected to the United States, the United Kingdom and Asia. IIJ listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2006.

For inquiries, contact:

IIJ Investor Relations

Tel: +81-3-5205-6500

E-mail: ir@iij.ad.jp

URL: https://www.iij.ad.jp/en/ir



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[May 26, 2021] NTT Research Names Sanjam Garg Senior Scientist in its CIS Lab

NTT Research, Inc., a division of NTT (TYO:9432), today announced that it has named Dr. Sanjam Garg a Senior Scientist in its Cryptography & Information Security (CIS) Lab. Dr. Garg is an Associate Professor in the department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Garg received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2013. His research has been recognized with best paper awards at Eurocrypt 2013, Crypto 2017 and Eurocrypt 2018. Five of his co-authored papers have been recognized as journal-invited papers, most recently "Candidate iO [indistinguishability obfuscation] from Homomorphic Encryption Schemes," at Eurocrypt 2020. Dr. Garg is the author or co-author of more than 80 papers. In addition to iO and homomorphic encryption, recently addressed topics include multiparty computing (MPC), functional encryption, the 'right to be forgotten,' identity-based encryption (IBE), non-interactive zero-knowledge (NIZK) proofs and fully-homomorphic encryption. Dr. Garg's interests include cryptographic foundations, in particular the challenge of realizing far-reaching cryptographic primitives while also minimizing the computational hardness assumptions used in the process. He has also been working on the design of new cryptographic constructions that support demanding application settings, such as the emerging paradigm of laconic cryptography, which enables accomplishing cryptographic tasks with minimal communication costs. "Over the past ten years, Dr. Garg has done great work, often working in tandem with computer scientists who are now members of the CIS Lab," said CIS Lab Director, Tatsuaki Okamoto. "We are anticipating a high level of activity from him in many areas of research going forward as a member of our team."



Dr. Garg has previously collaborated with several CIS Lab members, including Drs. Vipul Goyal, Justin Holmgren, Susumu Kiyoshima, Brent Waters, Daniel Wichs and Mark Zhandry. This work has resulted in papers addressing a range of topics, including computation protocols that remain secure in sophisticated application scenarios; new constructions of iO and functional encryption schemes; and foundational issues in cryptography. "In the past, I have been fortunate to work with a several members of the CIS Lab," said Dr. Garg. "The CIS Lab has an established record of working on foundational problems in cryptography with which my own research is closely aligned. I look forward to further strengthening these collaborations."

Before joining the UC Berkeley faculty in 2014, Dr. Garg was a Josef Raviv Memorial Post-doctoral Fellow at the IBM (News - Alert) T.J. Watson Research Center. His dissertation advisors at UCLA were Professor Rafail Ostrovsky and Professor Amit Sahai, with whom he has co-authored numerous papers. He received his B.Tech from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, in 2008. Dr. Garg received the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Research Fellowship and the IIT Delhi Graduates of the Last Decade Award in 2020; the Hellman Family Faculty Fund Award in 2018; the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Young Investigator Research Program (YIP) Award in 2017; and the Okawa Research Grant Award in 2016. Dr. Garg was named to the Forbes magazine "30 Under 30" list of globally influential people changing science in 2016. He received the National Science Foundation (NSF) Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Research Initiation Initiative (CRII) Award in 2015 and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Doctoral Dissertation Award in 2013. In addition to recruiting some of the world's top computer scientists, the CIS Lab actively explores opportunities to work with other experts in the fields of cryptography and blockchain. It has reached joint research agreements with Stanford, UCLA and Georgetown. In late 2019, it entered an industrial partnership with the Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing at UC Berkeley. CIS Lab Director Okamoto has made extensive contributions to the field of cryptography himself, including service as director of the International Association of Cryptology Research (IACR) and work on public-key encryption, protocols for electronic money and voting, and the zero-knowledge proof. About NTT (News - Alert) Research NTT Research opened its offices in July 2019 as a new Silicon Valley startup to conduct basic research and advance technologies that promote positive change for humankind. Currently, three labs are housed at NTT Research facilities in Sunnyvale: The Physics and Informatics (News - Alert) (PHI) Lab, the Cryptography and Information Security (CIS) Lab, and the Medical and Health Informatics (MEI) Lab. The organization aims to upgrade reality in three areas: 1) quantum information, neuroscience and photonics; 2) cryptographic and information security; and 3) medical and health informatics. NTT Research is part of NTT, a global technology and business solutions provider with an annual R&D budget of $3.6 billion. NTT and the NTT logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION and/or its affiliates. All other referenced product names are trademarks of their respective owners.  2021 NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005277/en/

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 19:48:41|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- China has decided to impose sanctions against Johnnie Moore, commissioner for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, in response to the United States' unilateral sanctions against a Chinese official.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the announcement on Wednesday, slamming the U.S. State Department's 2020 International Religious Freedom Report and its announcement of the sanctions.

"The so-called report, full of ideological prejudice, ignores the facts, wantonly denigrates China's religious policy and seriously interferes in China's internal affairs. China firmly opposes this," the spokesperson said.

China has decided to prohibit Johnnie Moore and his family from entering the Chinese mainland, as well as the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, because the United States openly endorsed cult organizations and imposed unilateral sanctions against Chinese personnel based on lies and false information, Zhao said.

"China urges the U.S. side to correct its mistakes, retract the so-called sanctions and stop interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of the so-called religious issues," Zhao added. Enditem
[May 26, 2021] Report: Pioneer Consulting Observes No Early Aging Signs Across Major Routes on Global CloudXchange's Global Subsea Network

Global CloudXchange (GCX), a network service provider powering global connectivity for new media providers, telecom carriers and enterprises, announces key findings from a Pioneer Consulting report evaluating the service life of its global subsea assets. GCX owns and operates a network spanning US, Europe, Middle East, India, and East Asia over subsea systems that include FA-1, FNAL NACS and WACS, FALCON and HAWK. With standard subsea supplier lifespans of 25 years, Pioneer's thorough evaluation cites at least five more years on GCX's oldest operating systems, plus longer life at increased capacity available for the foreseeable future. "The results of Pioneer Consulting's report is great news for our business and strategy, enabling Global CloudXchange to plan well into the future," comments Carl Grivner, CEO of Global CloudXchange. "As the demand from Over-The-Top (OTT) applications increases, we offer access to diverse and redundant routes, fully operational today, by continuing upgrades to support the ongoing surge in demand. This capability offers many more options to companies, particularly in hard-to-reach markets like the Middle East." "Pioneer Consulting is delighted to have worked in partnership with Global CloudXchange. This important work provides valuable strategic insight about the technical condition of these critical subsea cables," said Iain Ritson of Pioneer Consulting. "The obsolescence lifespan of subsea cable systems, once routinely assumed to be 25 years, has become a sliding milestone. Since the mid-1990s, we have seen successul upgrade programs increasing capacity well beyond the originally planned system life. We are proud to provide trusted counsel about the viability of these assets."



With many aging subsea cable systems providing vital data connectivity across the world, companies like GCX are operating these systems to foster a strong commitment to ongoing service excellence. As more subsea cables are deployed and under construction, the shift to private-ownership versus open cable systems or consortium-led initiatives makes access to newer systems both complex and costly. Extending the life of systems with thoughtful approaches to deactivation are key considerations, particularly for companies who operate and manage these important pathways. GCX commissioned the report from Pioneer Consulting to both identify areas for improvement and allay potential concerns for customers seeking both short-term and long-term subsea connectivity solutions.

The report cites GCX's long lifetime of its systems, made possible by: Careful design of the submerged equipment (ultra-reliable optical repeaters with carefully-qualified optical components and redundant optical pump sources),

Planning of 'high-quality,' safe and secure marine routes (e.g., avoiding anchoring and heavy shipping areas),

Selection of the correct level of mechanical protection for the cable (e.g., double armored cable design in very shallow waters),

State-of-the-art installation of the submarine cable on the seabed (e.g., burial, post lay inspection, and additional mechanical protection on the shore ends if required), and regular maintenance. The report identified that while some GCX systems leverage manufacturing solutions that are no longer supported, the company's reserve of spare parts including repeaters, pumps, equalizers, and other important subsea components are more than ample to support ongoing repair requirements if needed - a report highlight was that to date FA1 and FNAL have not suffered a submerged plant component failure. The report further states that no major degradation of service has been seen on the systems analyzed, and a proactive monitoring and management plan will keep these systems operating at their optimal levels for the foreseeable future. The report notes: "despite the uncertainties, the trans-Atlantic route will continue to require large capacity growth in the future (at about 37% CAGR between 2020 and 2026)." Key factors citing GCX's strengths are its transatlantic landing stations in the US, France and the UK - all owned and operated by the company. The dark fiber backhaul in these locations are also owned and operated by GCX, enabling diverse connectivity to key city Points of Presence (PoPs) in New York, Paris and London, with extended reach to Amsterdam and Frankfurt fully managed and enabled. In addition, GCX's position in the Middle East recognizes the strength of the FALCON system, which provides the first protected Gulf Loop, serving as a key thoroughfare and extension of traffic between India and the Middle East. Various existing branching units via HAWK, serving the Mediterranean, provide an important interconnection and network extension capability of GCX's global network span. Further differentiating the company's network is the FEA Suez Canal crossing, providing GCX a strong service enablement capability across the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. GCX continues to strengthen its market position through operational integration of the company's global assets. The company is building a unique globally accessible Cloud ecosystem further leveraging its subsea assets where customers can create, manage and connect their networks throughout the world. The new management team at GCX is committed to realizing this vision, expanding the company's growth strategy through both organic and inorganic initiatives. The next phase of GCX includes its commitment to maintaining its financial strength while prioritizing sustainable growth. Customers interested in capacity on GCX's global subsea network can visit: https://www.globalcloudxchange.com/ ABOUT GLOBAL CLOUDXCHANGE Global CloudXchange (GCX) offers network services that power digital transformation for enterprises, new media providers, and telecoms carriers. We cover all aspects of cloud-centric connectivity from managed SD-WAN and hybrid networks, to direct Cloud connections and 100 Gbps+ waves. With a pedigree going back 30+ years, GCX are experts in providing connectivity throughout the Emerging Markets Corridor into Asia via the vast GCX subsea network (the world's largest private submarine cable network), with extensions available into more than 200 countries worldwide. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005708/en/

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[May 26, 2021] SoftGroup Partners With MK Software in the Benelux Region to Provide Pharmaceutical Serialization, Aggregation and Traceability

SOFIA, Bulgaria, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SoftGroup, the best-in-class end-to-end traceability technology provider in the CEE region, today announced stepping into a partnership with MK Software to provide pharmaceutical companies in the Benelux region with high-quality serialization and aggregation software and hardware solutions, covering all levels. "For pharmaceutical companies complying with the rising number of requirements worldwide, SoftGroup not only provides them with a global compliance system that ensures compliance-related business processes between their partners but an agile solution that can be easily adapt to the continuous changes and evolution of traceability regulations by leveraging existing integrations done with previous markets," said Mr. Anatoli Gochkov, Sales Manager, SoftGroup. "Furthermore, our partnership with MK Software will allow SoftGroup to understand better the needs and specifics of the Benelux market with local subject matter expertise and resources in the native Dutch language, creating the best possible experience for our customers while ensuring European quality support." "Our partnership with SoftGroup will allow pharmaceutical companies to leverage MK Software' expertise and the comprehensive, yet easy to manage, global compliance solution of SoftGroup, to successfully meet traceabilityregulations as well as the next step for providing supply chain visibility - implementation of aggregation," said Michel van Koningsbrugge, Owner of MK Software - an independent specialist in business intelligence and application development that helps organizations to become smarter by connecting the used digital systems.



To learn more about SoftGroup's SaTT solutions and see how SoftGroup provides pharmaceutical companies with outstanding flexibility and the possibility for customization while eliminating the uncertainty of high costs and time-extensive implementations, please visit https://www.softgroup.eu/ or contact MK Software representative's (info@mk2software.nl). About SoftGroup

SoftGroup is a software company that provides end-to-end traceability technology to the pharmaceutical industry worldwide. Our solutions cover all levels of the Track & Trace process, including aggregation processes in pharmaceutical manufacturing. SoftGroup is a Certified Gateway Provider and Trusted partner of the European Medicine Verification Organization (EMVO) and Bulgarian Medicine Verification Organization (BgMVO) and a trusted partner of GS1 Healthcare. SoftGroup is a recipient of several prestigious awards for quality and innovation in the CEE region, applying cutting-edge technologies to ensure its customers with the most agile solutions up to their serialization and aggregation needs. About MK Software MK Software is an independent specialist in business intelligence and application development with over fifteen years of experience. The company has extensive expertise in various sectors such as pharma, healthcare, retail, financial services, and HR. MK2 Software also provides user friendly and cost effective FMD verification software for the National Medicines Verification System (NMVS) in the Netherlands. Furthermore, MK2 Software has obtained the certificates with regard to Information Security (ISO 27001:2017) and Information Security in Healthcare (NEN 7510-1:2017) in 2020. With these certifications MK2 Software meets all requirements regarding information security in general and in healthcare. To learn more about the pharma solutions offered by MK2 Software please visit https://www.mk2software.nl.

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[May 26, 2021] STL will be Portulans Institute's Knowledge Partner for the Global Network Readiness Index (NRI)

PUNE, India, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- STL [NSE: STLTECH], an industry-leading integrator of digital networks, has announced a collaboration with the Portulans Institute as a Knowledge Partner for Network Readiness Index (NRI) till 2024. As the lead Knowledge Partner, STL reiterated its commitment towards driving sustainable, inclusive growth across all geographies with the smart and speedy deployment of the next-generation digital networks. Today, the Internet is a powerful tool for societal development and the bedrock of technological disruption. In this context, Network Readiness is of paramount importance and has become a key development indicator for every nation's progress. NRI is unique in its approach as it looks at networks across four comprehensive dimensions - Technology, People, Governance and Impact with 12 sub-elements and over 30 global or technology-specific indices and surveys. Recognising the power of upcoming technologies, the NRI covers the impact of Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things, and their role in the digital economy to help achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Gals (SDGs).



STL has the purpose of transforming billions of lives, and through its core expertise and knowledge in digital networks, STL will continue to enrich the Network Readiness Index (NRI) in assessing the multi-faceted impact of networks on society.

Commenting on this partnership, Anand Agarwal, Group CEO, STL, said, "We are delighted to continue our association with the Portulans Institute as their Knowledge Partner for the Network Readiness Index. We have been actively involved in helping the internet reach the innermost part of our society across India, Europe, Africa and most parts of the world. We look forward to contributing our data perspectives and intellectual knowledge to the Network Readiness Index and build a truly connected world."

"The NRI captures the key essence of building better economies and societies through combining technology with human impact within an effective governance framework to achieve sustainable results for economies and societies", said Professor Soumitra Dutta, Co-Founder and President of Portulans Institute, "We are pleased to have the opportunity to continue our fruitful and productive partnership with STL." About STL - Sterlite Technologies Ltd: STL is an industry-leading integrator of digital networks. Our fully 5G-ready digital network solutions help telcos, cloud companies, citizen networks, and large enterprises deliver enhanced experiences to their customers. STL provides integrated 5G-ready end-to-end solutions ranging from wired to wireless, design to deploymenut, and connectivity to compute. Our core capabilities lie in Optical Interconnect, Virtualised Access Solutions, Network Software, and System Integration. We believe in harnessing technology to create a world with next-generation connected experiences that transform everyday living. With a global patent portfolio of 569 to our credit, we conduct fundamental research in next-generation network applications at our Centre of Excellence. STL has a strong global presence with next-gen optical preform, fibre, cable, and interconnect subsystem manufacturing facilities in India, Italy, China, and Brazil, along with two software-development centres across India and a data centre design facility in the UK. About Portulans: The Portulans Institute (PI) is an independent nonprofit, nonpartisan research and educational institute based in Washington DC. Their focus is to develop cross-community knowledge and dialogue on how people, technology and innovation contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth. They collaborate with private sector leaders in driving a business agenda that invests in people, technology, and innovation for a prosperous common future. Portulans Institute hosts and co-organizes events and conferences on the issues affecting human-centric sustainable economic prosperity.

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[May 26, 2021] Sure and Common join forces to create a scalable embedded insurance experience for residents

LOS ANGELES, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sure , an insurance technology company, today announced an exclusive partnership with Common , the leading residential brand that designs and manages multifamily apartments. The partnership marks a significant milestone in the evolution of customer-friendly digital experiences by enabling Common residents across the US to purchase renters insurance at the time of lease signing within Common's existing platform. Prior to this exclusive partnership, Common worked with multiple insurance partners, including Sure, to enable customers to purchase renters insurance in 10+ cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Common has more than doubled in the last year; with 5,500 residents currently under management and an additional 20,000 units under development, finding a single partner capable of facilitating all of their needs in a seamless tenant onboarding experience became essential. Sure, a licensed insurance agency in all U.S. states and the District of Columbia, provides renters policies backed by leading insurance carriers in all 50 states and a renters insurance API that enables Common to streamline the purchase process for tenants  making Sure the ideal partner. "Our mission at Common is to make city living easier for the renter and providing a seamless rental insurance experience is an essential part of this," says Common VP of Operations Eric Rodriguez. "We're excited to announce our exclusive partnership with Sure and offer all Common residents one simple solution for their insurance needs." By making renters insurance available at the time of lease signing, Common and Sure are simplifying the rental process for tenants, enabling the to choose coverage limits that meet their needs as customers while also ensuring the coverage adheres to Common's insurance requirements. Since integrating with Sure's renters insurance API, 67% of new Common tenants choose to purchase renters insurance during onboarding, proving the value of a one-stop-shop user experience.



"This partnership matches customer-centric workflows with best-in-class insurance products to make it easier than ever for Common tenants to purchase renters insurance," says Sure Co-founder and CEO Wayne Slavin. "Building atop Sure's flexible API technology enables Common to deliver solutions that add real value to the customer experience while ensuring tenant compliance with insurance requirements." To view a video of the tenant experience in Common's platform and download a case study detailing this partnership and the value it brings to tenants, visit https://info.sureapp.com/renters-insurance-built-on-sure.

About Sure

Sure, an insurance technology company, powers digital insurance programs for the world's most recognized brands and carriers. Its enterprise SaaS infrastructure and cohesive ecosystem of APIs enable new insurance program launches and modernization in one place. The Sure Platform accelerates digital transformation and embedded insurance distribution resulting in the industry's most innovative insurance programs.



Founded in 2015, the company is headquartered in Santa Monica, California.

About Common

Common is the leading residential brand and operating platform that designs, leases, and manages multifamily properties that appeal to today's renters. Through smart design and tech-enabled property management, Common delivers exceptional experiences across ten cities and over 5,500 members in coliving, microunit, and traditional apartments. They are the preferred choice for both residents looking for a stress-free and all-inclusive living environment from a trusted brand, and for real estate owners seeking reliable, above-market returns. The Common platform also includes workforce housing management brand Noah and family-first urban designer and operator Kin. With over 20,000 units signed and under development and over $110 million in venture capital investment, Common is expanding into 22 cities across the world. To work with us, visit our partners page or follow us on Instagram at @common.living . Content and associated insurance products are provided by Sure HIIS Insurance Services, LLC ("Sure"), a licensed seller of insurance. Products and services may not be available in all US states. The above does not in any way constitute an endorsement or referral by Common of Sure's products or services. Contact

Brenna Schaefer

brenna@sureapp.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sure-and-common-join-forces-to-create-a-scalable-embedded-insurance-experience-for-residents-301299424.html SOURCE Sure

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[May 26, 2021] United Health Foundation Partners with Valle del Sol Community Health in Arizona to Improve Children's Access to Care

The United Health Foundation, the philanthropic foundation of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), has committed $3 million to Valle del Sol Community Health to help improve school-age children's access to integrated health care in underserved communities throughout the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. According to America's Health Rankings' latest Health of Women and Children Data 2020 Update, nearly 60% of Arizona's children do not have a primary care provider and access to behavioral health care for many communities is limited. "This grant will help Arizona kids and families access consistent care that is critical to their development and well-being," said Governor Doug Ducey. "I'm grateful to the United Health Foundation for its continued support for families and its efforts to address the health care needs of underserved communities." With support from the United Health Foundation, Valle del Sol will create mobile medical teams to provide ongoing primary care, psychiatry and behavioral health services to middle- and high-school-aged children in school settings when appropriate, or via telehealth. The program, which will officially launch in July, is expected to serve nearly 11,000 children over three years. "In partnership with Valle del Sol Community Health, we will reach thousands of young people in their communities with the coordinated primary and behavioral health care they need to live happier, healtier lives," said Dr. Wyatt Decker, CEO of OptumHealth, a UnitedHealth Group company. "UnitedHealth Group is committed to improving and expanding access to health care for families in Arizona and we are honored to support this important effort."



Valle del Sol will coordinate with school systems and foster group homes to identify children who may need support to address behavioral health, psychiatric and primary care needs. The grant will support the purchase of three mobile medical units and fund three mobile care teams comprised of a primary care provider, adolescent behavioral health specialist, medical assistant and community health worker. The mobile medical teams will travel throughout underserved communities in the Phoenix metropolitan area to provide care coordination and connect families to additional social services. "This is a game-changer. We are grateful to the United Health Foundation for its support to help us expand our reach to so many more children and families in the Phoenix area," said Carmen Heredia, CEO of Valle del Sol Community Health. "Better meeting children's critical health care needs means better school attendance, hopefully a reduction in mental health symptoms, and a better start toward a healthy life."

Valle del Sol is a federally qualified health center and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic that has been providing community-based behavioral prevention, treatment, primary medical care and community leadership development services to underserved communities in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area since 1970. In addition to Valle del Sol, the United Health Foundation, UnitedHealthcare and UnitedHealth Group have made significant philanthropic and community investments in recent years, including a now completed three-year, $1 million partnership with Circle the City that expanded health care and respite services for individuals experiencing homelessness. UnitedHealth Group provides 1.7 million people in Arizona with health care coverage, and employs more than 7,000 people throughout the state. About the United Health Foundation

Through collaboration with community partners, grants and outreach efforts, the United Health Foundation works to improve our health system, build a diverse and dynamic health workforce and enhance the well-being of local communities. The United Health Foundation was established by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation dedicated to improving health and health care. To date, the United Health Foundation has committed more than $500 million to programs and communities around the world. To learn more, visit https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/what-we-do/building-healthier-communities/our-foundations.html. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005126/en/

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[May 26, 2021] United States announced as Chair of multilateral Biofuture Platform during Biofuture Summit II

- Policy Blueprint was also unveiled to urgently accelerate the growth of the global bioeconomy - The IEA's Net Zero by 2050 report published last week has highlighted the critical role that sustainable bioenergy will play in the clean energy transition BRASILIA, Brazil, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States is in line to become the next chair of the Biofuture Platform, a multi-stakeholder initiative facilitated by the International Energy Agency (IEA) created to take action on climate change by promoting international coordination of the sustainable low-carbon bioeconomy. The US will take over from incumbent chair, Brazil, in June 2021. Under Brazil's chairmanship, the Biofuture Platform, which was originally initiated by the government of Brazil in 2016, has grown to include twenty member countries with a shared ambition to scale up sustainable low carbon bioenergy in the transition to clean energy. Last year the Biofuture Platform launched its Five Principles for Post-COVID Bioeconomy Recovery and Acceleration promoting international cooperation in decarbonising the energy sector. Thanking the current leadership of the Biofuture Platform for "launching, leading and conducting" what he qualified as a "key instrument for spearheading multilateral collaboration and policy discussion", David Turk, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, said of the US priorities for their term as Chair: "As the new Chair of the Biofuture Platform Initiative, the US will focus on continually increasing the number and breadth of country members to make this truly a global coalition, focusing on the key challenge areas of developing sustainable biomass supply chains, exploring and forging consensus on environmental understanding of biomass as a key element of the clean technology revolution, stimulating private sector engagement, and critical policy convergence to enable success." The multilateral Summit held between the 24th and 26th May also marked the launch of the Biofuture Platform's landmark Policy Blueprint, a critical appraisal of the global bioeconomy, highlighting the need to increase rates of bioenergy to meet global greenhouse gas emissions targets in the coming decades. The Policy Blueprint, which was unveiled on day two of the Summit, aims to accelerate the growth of the sustainable bioeconomy by providing countries with the methodologies, tools, and practical guidance to evaluate and improve the impacts and effectiveness of their bioenergy and bioeconomy policies. Critical examples of successful deployment of bioenergy policies featured in the Blueprint include: Brazil's RenovaBio initiative which has accelerated the overall use and production of biofuels in an effort to reduce carbon emissions from transport by 10% over a ten-year period.

RenovaBio initiative which has accelerated the overall use and production of biofuels in an effort to reduce carbon emissions from transport by 10% over a ten-year period. The United States' Renewable Fuel Standard which established a blending quota for biofuels and provides financial support through the creation of tradeable certificates helping to drive adoption of bioenergy.

Renewable Fuel Standard which established a blending quota for biofuels and provides financial support through the creation of tradeable certificates helping to drive adoption of bioenergy. The Netherlands adopting a draft target for biofuels and other renewable fuels of 27.1% for 2030, significantly higher than the EU target of 14% renewables across transportation. Commenting on the aspirations of the Policy Bluerint, Brazil's Secretary for Foreign Trade and Economic Affairs, Sarquis Sarquis, said: "It will provide structure and clarity to the lessons learned over the years, helping to build the foundations of a sustainable future where the bioeconomy thrives and offers us most of our needs in clean fuels, materials, and chemicals, while protecting the environment and creating economic value, good quality jobs and opportunities for our people."



The publication of the Biofuture Platform Policy Blueprint follows last week's launch of the IEA's Net Zero by 2050: a Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector report which recognised the critical role that bioenergy will play as we transition to a net zero energy system, while ensuring stable and affordable energy supplies, providing universal energy access, and enabling robust economic growth. The newly released report points to a very narrow window of opportunity to limit climate change to acceptable levels. According to the IEA, among a range of changes in other sectors, the overall supply of modern, sustainable bioenergy should more than double in the next 30 years, going from just over 20 Exajoules today to about 100 Exajoules by 2050. Biofuels for transportation should increase fourfold from 1.6 to 7 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, and more than 40% of those coming from advanced biofuels.

The IEA's report acknowledged the critical role that sustainable bioenergy delivers, helping to reduce emissions across a wide range of areas, including low-emissions fuels for planes, ships and other forms of transport, and the replacement of natural gas with biomethane to provide heating and electricity. The IEA has concluded that bioenergy is 'essential in bringing clean cooking solutions to the 2.6 billion people who currently lack them.' Addressing the Biofuture Summit II Virtual Conference with a call to action to increase the uptake of bioenergy across the globe, Dr Paolo Frankl, Head of Renewables at the IEA commented: "Reaching netzero emissions globally by 2050 is a critical and formidable goal, requiring an unprecedented transformation of how energy is produced, transported and used. In the bioenergy space, a tremendous amount of innovation and investments need to be unlocked. Urgent, strong and credible policy actions is required from governments, underpinned by much greater international cooperation, as is the needed to attract investment at scale and foster the required innovation." About the Biofuture Summit II / BBEST2021 Virtual Conference (24-26 May 2021) The 20-country Biofuture Platform multilateral initiative has joined forces with the Brazilian Bioenergy Science and Technology Conference (BBEST) to bring together the worlds very best in policies, innovation, science and market outlook in the bioenergy and bioeconomy sectors. The conference is organized by the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Biofuture Platform chair and host, the Bioenergy Research Program from the FAPESP State of Sao Paulo Science Research Foundation (BIOEN), with support from the APEX-Brazil trade promotion agency and the International Energy Agency (IEA), among several other partners. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the original joint Biofuture Summit II / BBEST conference was postponed and broken down into two different virtual segments. After a warm-up policy forum and poster presentation and exhibit held from 30 November to 02 December 2020, the main Conference is taking place now, from 24 to 26 May 2021, with 637 registered delegates from 38 countries. Proceedings are restricted to press, Biofuture Platform country representatives, partners from international organizations and academia, and to paying attendees. However, the opening session and the four major keynotes have been made publicly available through YouTube. The week's events include high-level opening and closing ceremonies, a keynotes session on the low carbon bioeconomy's place in the fight against climate change and energy transition, and several live webinars and pre-recorded roundtables and panels devoted to many aspects of accelerating the sustainable low carbon bioeconomy, for a total of 40 sessions, including 212 speakers. The topics covered include policies, finance, technology and innovation support, transportation, bioproducts, biorefining, sustainability governance, aviation biofuels, advanced biofuels and cellulosic ethanol, and many others, accessible through the Whova virtual conference platform. For more information visit: bbest-biofuture.org. About the Biofuture Platform The Biofuture Platform is a government-led, multi-stakeholder initiative designed to take action on climate change and support the Sustainable Development Goals by promoting international coordination on the sustainable low-carbon bioeconomy. It was launched in Marrakesh at the COP 22 climate talks in November 2016. Since February, 1, 2019, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has been the Facilitator (Secretariat) of the initiative. Brazil has been chairing the Platform since launch, and will pass on that role to the US starting on June 1st, 2021. The Biofuture Platform has twenty member countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Morocco, Mozambique, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Portugal, the Philippines, United Kingdom, the United States of America and Uruguay. As a multi-stakeholder initiative, a number of international organizations, academia, and private sector associations are also involved and engaged as official partners. For more information visit: www.biofutureplatform.org. About the IEA The International Energy Agency (IEA) is at the heart of global dialogue on energy, providing authoritative analysis, data, policy recommendations, and real-world solutions to help countries provide secure and sustainable energy for all. Taking an all-fuels, all-technologies approach, the IEA advocates policies that enhance the reliability, affordability and sustainability of energy. The IEA is supporting clean energy transitions all over the world in order to help achieve global sustainability goals. For more information visit: www.iea.org.

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[May 25, 2021] VeriFLY Now First Digital Wallet To Accept Vaccine Health Credential Around The World

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- VeriFLY, the world's first widely adopted digital wallet created to help travelers and event attendees quickly and safely meet their destination's COVID-19 requirements, is now offering the ability to upload vaccination cards as part of their secure digital health credentials. "VeriFLY is committed to establishing digital interfaces to global sources of verifiable clinical information, including proof of vaccines, as they become available," said Daon CEO Tom Grissen. "To ensure the equitable inclusion of all travelers in meeting their current COVID-19 requirements, VeriFLY is immediately offering the ability to upload vaccination cards as part of their secure digital health credentials to ensure a digital divide does not exacerbate health inequities." The VeriFLY app continues to grow in popularity around the world. Now with more than 800,000 active users departing from more than 60 countries on six continents, VeriFLY provides clear information in one place that customers and governments can trust. It enables customers to complete all travel requirements in one simple app while securing data and safeguarding confidential information. "We are gratified that travelers and event attendees around the world have turned to VeriFLY to assist in their life journeys as we begin to see a return to normalcy," Grissen added. "The VeriFLY app will help not only with air travel, but also at conventions, sporting events and concerts. We envision a world where your VeriFLY digital wallet will provide access to the places you and your family want to visit. And the ability to accept a vaccine health credential will accelerate opportunities to resume activities we've all dearly missed." American Airlines  the first airline to offer VeriFLY to its customers  will provide travelers the option to use the VeriFLY app to securely upload their vaccine documentation for travel to El Salvador, Guatemala and the Bahamas. Travelers can simply upload a photo of both sides of their COVID-19 vaccine record into the app. The VeriFLY team will review that all documentation meets the destination requirements. Julie Rath, Vice President of Customer Experience at American Airlines, added that VeriFLY gives customers peace of mind that they can meet their destination's travel requirements and save them significant time at the airport. As countries reopen to those who have been vaccinated, American Airlines will be ready with VeriFLY to help their customers travel with confidence.



Grissen noted that Daon has trained professionals that can analyze vaccination cards prior to a customer arriving at the airport, giving them a streamlined travel experience. "Daon's design team is using digital comparative analysis in combination with human review to help guard against the use of fraudulent documents," Grissen added. "As more and more travelers upload vaccination cards and test results our algorithms will only get more accurate and effective. We believe we can train our algorithms to help combat fraud at scale, however, the ultimate goal should be for government and other parties to come together and create sources of verifiable credentials. As an industry leader for more than 20 years, we feel Daon can play a role in bringing these parties together."

ABOUT VERIFLY VeriFLY is developed and managed by the biometric authentication and identity assurance solutions provider, Daon. VeriFLY offers travelers a secure and simple way to confirm their destination's COVID-19 requirements. After creating a secure profile on the VeriFLY app, Daon verifies that the customer's data matches a country's requirements and displays a simple pass or fail message. This simple message streamlines the check-in and documentation verification process at the airport before departure. The app also provides travelers with reminders when their travel window is coming to a close or once their credential has expired. Learn more by visiting www.daon.com/verifly. HOW DO TRAVELERS USE VERIFLY? After creating a secure profile on your mobile device, the VeriFLY app will prompt you to confirm the details of your trip, including a) flight information, and b) a vaccine health credential and/or negative COVID-19 test that fulfills your travel destination's requirements. As you verify each required element for travel, the app verifies that your test matches your destination's requirements and displays a simple pass or fail message. A traveler will thus have confidence that they meet the destination's COVID-19 requirements before they leave their homes. This simple message will also help streamline the check-in and documentation verification process at the airport before your departure. The message also provides you with reminders when your travel window is coming to a close or once your credential has expired. ABOUT DAON Daon, www.daon.com , is an innovator in developing and deploying biometric authentication and identity assurance solutions worldwide. Daon has pioneered methods for securely and conveniently combining biometric and identity capabilities across multiple channels with large-scale deployments that span payments verification, digital banking, wealth, insurance, telcos, and securing borders and seamless travel. Daon's IdentityX platform provides an inclusive, trusted digital security experience, enabling the creation, authentication and recovery of a user's identity and allowing businesses to conduct transactions with any consumer through any medium with total confidence. Get to know us on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn . Media Contact

Steve Aaron

President, SRA Communications

(717) 554-8614

steve@SRACommunications.com Daon Contact

George Skaff

SVP of Marketing, Daon

gskaff@daon.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/verifly-now-first-digital-wallet-to-accept-vaccine-health-credential-around-the-world-301299347.html SOURCE VeriFLY by Daon

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[May 25, 2021] Kingston Launches NV1 NVMe PCIe SSD in Korea

Gen 3.0 x 4 NVMe PCIe SSD

Ideal for Laptops & Small Form Factor PCs; High Performance, High Capacities SEOUL, South Korea, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kingston Technology, a world leader in memory products and technology solutions, today announces the launch of the NV1 NVMe PCIe SSD. With efficient performance in a single-sided M.2 design, NV1 is the ideal entry-level drive for first-time NVMe users with laptops and small form factor PCs. NV1 is a substantial storage solution with capacities up to 2TB. It features read/write speeds up to 2,100/1,700MB/s[1], respectively, thus delivering 3x the performance of a SATA-based SSD. NV1 uses less power, emits less heat and has quicker load times making it ideal for users who appreciate responsiveness and ultra-fast data access but have systems with limited space. NV1 is available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities[2] and is backed by a limited three-year warranty[4], free tech support and legendary Kingston reliability. "Kingston is pleased to announce the next entry-level offering in its NVMe PCIe SSD product family to meet the needs of new and existing users," said Kingston. "Whether users are upgrading a system or planning a new build, NV1 is designed for speed and dependability at an affordable price." In 2020, Kingston shipped over 20M SSDs globally, according to analyst firm Forward Insights. As one of the largest SSD suppliers in the world. The recent launch further shows Kingston's commitment to creating the industry's most thoroughly tested and complete range of SSD solutions, for first-time users to prosumers to data center customers. For more information visit kingston.com. NV1 Features and Specifications : NVMe PCIe Performance : NV1 offers read/write speeds up to 2,100/1,700MB/s [1] (all capacities).

: NV1 offers read/write speeds up to 2,100/1,700MB/s (all capacities). Ideal for systems with limited space : Easily integrate into designs with M.2 connectors. Perfect for thin laptops and small form factor PCs.

: Easily integrate into designs with M.2 connectors. Perfect for thin laptops and small form factor PCs. Multiple Capacities [2] : Available in a range of capacities up to 2TB to meet your data storage requirements.

: Available in a range of capacities up to 2TB to meet your data storage requirements. Form Factor : M.2 2280

: M.2 2280 Interface : NVMe PCIe Gen 3.0 x 4 Lanes

: NVMe PCIe Gen 3.0 x 4 Lanes Capacities [2] : 500GB, 1TB, 2TB

: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB Endurance [3] :

500GB  120TBW



1000GB  240TBW



2000GB  480TBW

Power Consumption:

500GB: 5mW Idle / 205mW Avg / 1.1W (MAX) Read / 3.3W (MAX) Write



1000GB: 5mW Idle / 220mW Avg / 1.1W (MAX) Read / 3.3W (MAX) Write



2000GB: 5mW Idle / 340mW Avg / 1.1W (MAX) Read / 3.3W (MAX) Write

Storage Temperature : -4 0 ~85 degree Celsius

: -4 ~85 Operating Temperature : 0 ~70 degree Celsius

: ~70 Dimensions : 22mm x 80mm x 2.1mm

: 22mm x 80mm x 2.1mm Weight : 7g (All capacities)

: 7g (All capacities) Vibration Operating : 2.17G (7-800Hz)

: 2.17G (7-800Hz) Vibration Non-operating : 20G (20-1000Hz)

: 20G (20-1000Hz) Warranty/Support [4] : Limited 3-year warranty with free technical support







NV1 Part Numbers Part Number Capacity MSRP SNVS/500G 500GB KRW 69,700 SNVS/1000G 1TB KRW 127,000

The SSD is designed for use in desktop and notebook computer workloads and is not intended for Server environments.

[1] Based on "out-of-box performance" using a PCIe 3.0 motherboard. Speed may vary due to host hardware, software, and usage. [2] Some of the listed capacity on a Flash storage device is used for formatting and other functions and thus is not available for data storage. As such, the actual available capacity for data storage is less than what is listed on the products. For more information, go to Kingston's Flash Memory Guide at kingston.com/flashguide [3] Total Bytes Written (TBW) is derived from the JEDEC Client Workload (JESD219A). [4] Limited warranty based on 3 years or "Percentage Used" which can be found using the Kingston SSD Manager (Kingston.com/SSDManager). For NVMe SSDs, a new unused product will show a Percentage Used value of 0, whereas a product that reaches its warranty limit will show a Percentage Used value of greater than or equal to one hundred (100). See Kingston.com/wa for detail. Kingston can be found on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KingstonAPAC

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/KingstonAPAC About Kingston Technology From big data, to laptops and PCs, to IoT-based devices like smart and wearable technology, to design-in and contract manufacturing, Kingston helps deliver the solutions used to live, work and play. The world's largest PC makers and cloud-hosting companies depend on Kingston for their manufacturing needs, and our passion fuels the technology the world uses every day. We strive beyond our products to see the bigger picture, to meet the needs of our customers and offer solutions that make a difference. To learn more about how Kingston Is With You, visit Kingston.com. Kingston and the Kingston logo are registered trademarks of Kingston Technology Corporation. IronKey is a registered trademark of Kingston Digital, Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. SOURCE Kingston Technology

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[May 25, 2021] LG Objet Collection Heralds Global Era of Tailored Home Appliances

Diverse Material and Color Choices to Match Any Decor; Comes with LG's Renowned Performance and Quality SEOUL, South Korea, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics (LG) announces the commencement of the international launch of LG Objet Collection, designed to meet the growing consumer demand for personalized, stylish and functional home appliances. Debuting as Furniture Concept Appliances at CES 2021, the LG Objet Collection's Fridge and Freezer pair will debut in China, a market with already robust demand for LG premium appliances. Availability in key markets of Asia and Europe will follow soon thereafter. Blurring the line between state-of-the-art home appliances and designer furnishings, the LG Objet Collection boasts a modern, minimalist design language that elevates and blends in effortlessly in any indoor environment. With a range of luxurious materials and subtle, sophisticated colors that can be mixed and matched according to preference, the collection provides a compelling way for customers to express their unique personalities tailored to suit personal tastes and the existing decor. The LG Objet Collection Fridge and Freezer offer a chic, understated aesthetic that complements any style of kitchen, as well as outstanding performance with LG's industry-leading refrigeration technologies. The pair presents consumers with a selection of timeless, high-quality finishes, including stainless steel and glass. The stainless steel option offers three color variations (green, silver and matte black) for a chic, modern look, while the glass finish comes in four elegant tints (mint, pink, beige and silver) that allow the appliances to fit in seamlessly with any kitchen design.[1] With LG's proven refrigeration system, LINEARCooling, the Fridge guarantees outstanding cooling performance. LINEARCooling helps maintain a precise, even internal temperature with minimal fluctuations (0.5 degrees Celsius), helping to keep food items, such as fruit and vegetables, fresh for up to seven days. [2,3] LG plans to expand its LG Objet Collection of premium kitchen appliances with more striking products such as InstaView refrigerator and Styler wardrobe management system to achieve a unified, visually-harmonious living environment. "The launch of the LG Objet Collection in international markets marks the beginning of an era of the personalized appliance," said Lyu Jae-cheol, president of LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. "Offering understated design and different options of materials and colors to choose from, LG's stylish innovations help make it possible for consumers to create a space that truly reflects their unique sensibilities."







[1] Color and material options may vary by country and market. [2] Based on TUV Rheinland test results using LG's internal testing method measuring average peak to peak temperature fluctuation in fresh food compartment of LG refrigerator model GLT51PZGSZ. No load and normal temperature setting. Results may vary in actual usage. [3] Based on TUV Rheinland test results using LG's internal testing method measuring the time required for specific food stored in the fresh food compartment of LG refrigerator model GLT51PZGSZ to decrease in weight by five percent. Results may vary in actual usage.

About LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company The LG Home Appliance & Air Solution Company is a global leader in home appliances, smart home solutions, air solutions as well as visionary products featuring LG ThinQ AI. The company is creating various solutions with its industry leading core technologies and is committed to making life better and healthier for consumers by developing thoughtfully designed kitchen appliances, living appliances, HVAC and air purification solutions. Together, these products deliver enhanced convenience, superb performance, efficient operation and compelling health benefits. For more news on LG, visit www.LGnewsroom.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1518658/LG_Objet_Collection_01.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1518660/LG_Objet_Collection_02.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1518657/LG_Objet_Collection_Fridge___Freezer_03.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1518659/LG_Objet_Collection_Fridge___Freezer_04.jpg

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[May 26, 2021] Titomic Appoints Herbert Koeck as CEO

Titomic is delighted to announce that Herbert Koeck, a recognised expert in 3D printing solutions, has been appointed by the Board of Directors as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 July 2021. He succeeds Norbert Schulze, Interim CEO, who will continue to support the Company in a different role. For the last five years Mr Koeck has been a member of the executive management team of 3D-Systems Corporation, a leading 3D-printing solution supplier. As Executive Vice-President Global-Go-To-Market he was accountable for the sales and global orders of the group which included influencing product development to ensure customer success. Before joining 3D-Systems, Mr Koeck was Managing Director, EMEA at Hewlett Packard and Senior Vice-President for the PC and Printing Solution Group. Titomic Chairman Dr Andreas Schwer, commented: "Herbert is a proven leader with deep additive manufacturing experience, hard core marketing skills, business vision and abilty to bring people together. During this exciting time of transformation, Herbert is the right leader at the right time for Titomic. The new leadership team, employees, partners, customers and shareholders will all benefit under Herbert's leadership. On behalf of the Board, I thank Norbert for his outstanding contribution as Interim CEO and in particular his great support in defining the new strategic direction of the Company."



Herbert Koeck commented: "It is an honour to accept this position as CEO of Titomic. As a team, Titomic's employees have contributed their skills and talents to position Titomic as a leading global additive manufacturing company. The opportunity is vast for Titomic, and to capture the potential we must focus clearly, move fast and continue to transform. I am very excited and passionate to lead this process." Herbert Koeck as CEO adds to Titomic's new executive management team consisting of Jeff Lang as CTO, Chris Healy as Chief Legal Officer and Joanna Walker as CFO. The transformation of the management team comes in addition to the recent changes to the Titomic Board of Directors which now includes Chairman Dr Andreas Schwer former CEO of SAMI, Mira Ricardel principal Chertoff Group and former White House official, business executive Humphrey Nolan, Dag W.R. Stromme former Morgan Stanley Managing Director and private equity executive, business executive Richard Willson, and co-founders of Titomic Prof Richard Fox and Jeff Lang.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210525006057/en/

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 19:50:25|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

A policeman is on duty on the blocked road to Lautoka Hospital, in Lautoka, Fiji, May 6, 2021. (FIJI SUN/Handout via Xinhua)

-- Pakistan confirms 2,724 new cases, vaccination campaign to be expanded;

-- Thailand's COVID-19 deaths hit new daily high;

-- India's tally crosses 27 million;

-- Vietnam reports 80 new local cases.

HONG KONG, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The following are the latest developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia-Pacific countries on Wednesday:



SUVA -- Fiji reported 27 more COVID-19 cases, bringing the total tally to 286 in the Pacific island nation.

According to the Fijian Health Ministry, 13 new cases are contacts of previously announced cases. Nine cases are from the Fiji Navy cluster, three are contacts of the Waila cluster and one case is a household contact of a case in the Muanikoso cluster.

A health worker prepares a dose of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine in Manila, the Philippines on May 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

MANILA -- The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) reported 5,310 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 1,193,976.

The death toll rose to 20,169 after 150 more patients died from the viral disease, the DOH said.

Recovered COVID-19 patients walk out of a COVID-19 treatment center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on May 9, 2021. (Photo by phearum/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH -- Cambodia confirmed 660 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, pushing the national tally to 26,989, the Ministry of Health (MoH) said in a statement.

The new infections included 626 local cases linked to the third wave of COVID-19 community transmissions starting from Feb. 20 and 34 imported, the ministry said.

A bus moves on a road in northwest Pakistan's Peshawar on May 17, 2021. (Photo by Saeed Ahmad/Xinhua)

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan confirmed 2,724 new COVID-19 cases during the last 24 hours, said the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC).

The NCOC, which is leading Pakistan's campaign against the pandemic, said that the number of overall confirmed cases rose to 908,576, with 827,843 people having recovered.

Staff members disinfect a community in Bangkok, Thailand, May 15, 2021. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)

BANGKOK -- Thailand reported 41 new deaths, the highest daily death toll since the outbreak of the pandemic, raising the total number of fatalities to 873, according to the country's Public Health Ministry.

It also reported 2,455 new infections, of which 16 were imported and 2,439 were local transmissions.

A COVID-19 patient sits at a temporary care centre in New Delhi, India on May 25, 2021. (Photo by Partha Sarkar/Xinhua)

NEW DELHI -- India's COVID-19 tally crossed 27 million, reaching 27,157,795 with 208,921 new confirmed cases recorded in the past 24 hours, said the federal health ministry.

An additional 4,157 deaths from the coronavirus epidemic were reported since Tuesday morning in the South Asian country, taking the death toll to 311,388.

Photo taken on Sept. 5, 2020 shows students at the school opening ceremony in a secondary school in the Vietnamese capital city of Hanoi. (VNA/Handout via Xinhua)

HANOI -- Vietnam reported 80 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 from 6:00 p.m. Tuesday to 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, raising the total tally to 5,931, according to its Ministry of Health.

The new cases, which were all community infections, included 55 reported in the northern epidemic hotspot Bac Giang province, 23 in the northern Bac Ninh province, and one each in the northern Hai Duong province and the central Thanh Hoa province.

People wearing face masks walk on a street in Perth, West Australia, on April 24, 2021. (Photo by Zhou Dan/Xinhua)

SYDNEY/CANBERRA -- Health authorities in the Australian state of Victoria expected to find more cases of COVID-19 following 15 new local cases this week.

Nine people, including five members of the same family from Whittlesea, a northern suburb in Melbourne, have tested positive until Tuesday, with a further six people testing positive on Wednesday.

Australian doctors will administer Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine for the first time after a "game-changing" decision by the country's medical regulator.

People wearing face masks walk on a street in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Jingqiang)

SEOUL -- South Korea reported 707 more confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of midnight Tuesday compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 137,682.

The daily caseload was sharply up from 516 in the prior day, rising above 700 in 12 days. The daily average caseload for the past week was 603.
[May 26, 2021] New global research reveals Gen Z prioritize company values

SAN FRANCISCO and LONDON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, LEWIS, the global marketing agency, revealed findings from its new global research on Gen Z and the future of the workplace. Conducted in support of the global HeForShe movement, and the upcoming HeForShe Summit, this report shows the expectations Gen Z has of companies and CEOs. The findings reveal the importance of values and diversity programs in the workplace, with gender and race being the top priority. "The next generation are quickly moving into the workforce and they want to be heard," said Chris Lewis, CEO of LEWIS. "It's clear that Gen Z prioritize values above all else  companies that don't understand or reflect that will find themselves struggling to attract and retain the best talent." Failing to prioritize values and social causes will not serve companies, or CEOs, well. Only 19% of Gen Z would work for a company that does not share their values. When evaluating an employment opportunity, company values is the second most important factor  but personal growth opportunities still hold the top spot. Gender and race were identified as the top qualities of diversity by Gen Z, emphasizing the need and expectation for appropriate programs and commitment within companies. The importance of diversity and supporting social causes is abundantly clear: Company values: 67% believe company values are more important than the CEO/leader

67% believe company values are more important than the CEO/leader DEI programs: 41% would work for a company that is not gender or racially diverse but only if it had a strong diversity, equity and inclusion program

41% would work for a company that is not gender or racially diverse but only if it had a strong diversity, equity and inclusion program Opportunities: 46% said that if two candidates had the same qualifications, they would be in favor of the candidate that results in greater diversity in the company



DEI leadership: Gen Z expect HR (35%) and Senior Management (29%) to lead DEI efforts within companies

Gen Z expect HR (35%) and Senior Management (29%) to lead DEI efforts within companies Key qualities: 37% think 'innovative' is the most important quality in a CEO. Determination (35%) and empathy (33%) were the second and third most important qualities

37% think 'innovative' is the most important quality in a CEO. Determination (35%) and empathy (33%) were the second and third most important qualities Social impact: 41% believe CEOs should be judged by their commitment to solving social issues "This research shows how important DEI programs and positive social impact are to the next generation" said Edward Wageni, Global Head of HeForShe. "It's clear that the onus is on today's leaders to make clear commitments about how they will progress these important topics. By ignoring societal issues, they will fail to connect with almost an entire generation."

To read the full report, please visit: https://lws.co/HeForShe About LEWIS

LEWIS is a global marketing agency built to help and inspire brands to grow. It provides a full spectrum of marketing, communications and digital services to deliver tangible business impact for clients. The company has over 500 staff across 24 offices throughout Asia, Europe and North America. www.teamlewis.com. About HeForShe

Created by UN Women, the United Nations entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women, the HeForShe solidarity movement for gender equality provides a systematic approach and targeted platform where a global audience can engage and become change agents for the achievement of gender equality in our lifetime. HeForShe invites people around the world to stand together as equal partners to craft a shared vision of a gender equal world and implement specific, locally relevant solutions for the good of all of humanity. For more information, visit http://www.HeForShe.org/en. Research Methodology

This Gen Z Research Study report is based on a survey conducted by the LEWIS Research and Insights team to understand the expectations Gen Z has of their future employers. The survey was fielded from April 8  April 19, 2021 and captured responses from older Gen Zers (aged 18-25) located in the United States, China, France, Germany, Brazil, Australia, India, Singapore, United Kingdom, Mexico, Spain, Colombia, and the Netherlands. A total of 2,600 respondents were captured and the overall margin of error is 1.92% at a 95% Confidence Interval. The respondents were sourced from OpinionRoute. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-global-research-reveals-gen-z-prioritize-company-values-301299442.html SOURCE LEWIS

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[May 26, 2021] Notice Regarding the Disposal of Treasury Stock for Restricted Stock Compensation

Company name: Internet Initiative Japan Inc.

Company representative: Eijiro Katsu, President and Representative Director

(Stock Code Number: 3774, The First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange)

Contact: Akihisa Watai, Senior Managing Director and CFO

TEL: 81-3-5205-6500 TOKYO, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (IIJ, the Company, TSE1: 3774) announced that at the IIJs Board of Directors meeting held on May 26, 2021, it resolved to dispose of its treasury stock (the Disposal of Treasury Stock or the Disposal), as the restricted stock compensation shown below.

1. Overview of the Disposal (1 ) Disposal date June 15, 2021 (2 ) Class and number of shares to be disposed of 41,865 shares of common stock of the Company (3 ) Disposal price 2,894 yen per share (4 ) Total disposal price 121,157,310 yen (5 ) Allottees and number thereof, and number of stocks to be disposed of 7 Directors (excluding Part-time and Outside Directors) 22,687 shares

12 Executive Officers 19,178 shares (6 ) Others The Disposal of Treasury Stock is conditioned on the Securities Registration Statement taking effect in accordance with the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.





2. Purpose and reason of disposal

The Company decided, at the Board of Directors meeting held on May 25, 2020, to provide a restricted stock compensation which is equivalent to performance-linked bonuses (the Scheme) for the Directors of the Company (excluding Part-time and Outside Directors, Eligible Directors) and Executive Officers of the Company (collectively, Eligible Directors, etc.), for the purpose of providing a mid- to long-term incentives to Eligible Directors, etc. and further promoting shared value with shareholders. In addition, at the 28th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders held on June 24, 2020, it was approved that monetary compensation claims shall be paid to the Eligible Directors, within the maximum aggregate amount of IIJs director compensation (500 million yen per year) which was approved at the 16th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders held on June 27, 2008, under the Scheme as monetary compensation to be contributed for the acquisition of restricted stocks and the total number of shares of common stock issued or disposed of by the Company to the Eligible Directors shall be 80,000 shares or less per year. (The Company conducted a stock split at a ratio of two-for-one with a record date of December 31, 2020. Accordingly, the total number of shares of common stock issued or disposed of by the Company to the Eligible Directors has been adjusted from 40,000 shares or less per year to 80,000 shares or less per year).

The Board of Directors decided to provide a total amount of 121,157,310 yen as monetary compensation claims (consequently 41,865 shares of the Companys common stocks to be disposed) which is equivalent to performance-linked bonuses in FY2020 for Eligible Directors, etc., taking into consideration various factors including the purpose of the Scheme, the business conditions of the Company, the scope of duties of each Eligible Director, etc. and other circumstances, along with the disposal of treasury stock for Eligible Directors, etc. Overviews of the Scheme are shown below. Overviews of the Scheme Eligible Directors, etc. shall pay in the entire amount of monetary compensation claims paid to them as a cash investment asset, and will receive shares of common stock issued or disposed of by the Company (the Allotted Shares). The Board of Directors will determine the amount to be paid in per share. This amount will be based on the closing price of the Companys common stock on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on the business day immediately preceding the date of the Board of Directors resolution (the closing price on the most recent day on which trading has taken place if there is no trading on that day), and will be an amount that does not provide the Eligible Directors, etc. who receive the common stock with a particularly advantageous price. Moreover, issuance or disposal of the Allotted Shares shall be conditional upon a restricted stock allocation agreement (the Allotment Agreement) concluded between the Company and each Eligible Directors, etc. An overview of the Allotment Agreement is described in 3. below. 3. Overview of the Allotment Agreement (1) Transfer restriction period From the disposal date to the point in time when Eligible Directors, etc. resigns from the position of a director and/or an executive officer of the Company. (2) Conditions for removing transfer restrictions The Company shall remove the transfer restrictions with respect to the Allotted Shares in whole upon the expiry of the transfer restriction period, provided that the Eligible Directors, etc. continuously served as a director or an executive officer during the transfer restriction period (In the case of death of Eligible Directors, etc., the transfer restrictions on the Allotted Shares shall be removed and those shares shall be succeeded by inheritance). If certain grounds prescribed in the Allotment Agreement, such as if an Eligible Directors, etc. retires from the position during the restriction period or upon the expiration of the restriction period for any reason other than those deemed justifiable by the Company (retirement during the term of office due to personal reasons not deemed justifiable by the Company etc.), the Company will naturally acquire the Allotted Shares for no consideration. (3) Management of shares In order to prevent the Allotted Shares from being transferred, collateralized, or otherwise being disposed of during the transfer restriction period, the Allotted Shares shall be managed by a specified securities firm during the transfer restriction period in a dedicated account opened by each Eligible Directors, etc., at Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. during the transfer restriction period. In order to ensure the effectiveness of the transfer restrictions, etc. pertaining to the Allotted Shares, the Company has entered into an agreement with Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. concerning the management of the accounts for the Allotted Shares held by each Eligible Director, etc. In addition, the Eligible Directors, etc. shall give consent to the content of the management of the said account. (4) Treatment in the event of organizational restructuring, etc. If a matter concerning the organizational restructuring, etc. of the Company, such as a merger agreement whereby the Company will be the non-surviving party to the merger, or a share exchange agreement or share transfer plan whereby the Company will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of another entity, is approved at the Companys General Meeting of Shareholders (or by the Companys Board of Directors if such organizational restructuring, etc. does not require approval at a Companys General Meeting of Shareholders) during the transfer restriction period, the Company will remove, based on a resolution of the Companys Board of Directors, the transfer restriction on the Allotted Shares on a date prior to the effective date of such organizational restructuring, etc. 4. Basis for calculating the amount to be paid and its specific details To avoid arbitrary pricing, the disposal price for the disposal of treasury stock shall be set at 2,894 yen, which is the closing price of a share of the Companys common stock in the Tokyo Stock Exchange on May 25, 2021, the business day immediately before the Board of Directors made the resolution. This is the market share price immediately prior to the date of the resolution, and the Company believes that it is reasonable and not particularly advantageous price. About Internet Initiative Japan Inc.

Founded in 1992, IIJ is one of Japan's leading Internet-access and comprehensive network solutions providers. IIJ and its group companies provide total network solutions that mainly cater to high-end corporate customers. IIJ's services include high-quality Internet connectivity services, mobile services, security services, cloud computing services, and systems integration. Moreover, IIJ operates one of the largest Internet backbone networks in Japan that is connected to the United States, the United Kingdom and Asia. IIJ listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2006. For inquiries, contact:

IIJ Investor Relations

Tel: +81-3-5205-6500

E-mail: ir@iij.ad.jp

URL: https://www.iij.ad.jp/en/ir



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[May 26, 2021] Europe's Software Vendors Highly Valued in US Comparison

European investment bank Bryan, Garnier & Co today presented a study that clearly refutes the widespread structural undervaluation of European software vendors. When the usual EV/sales multiples (enterprise value / expected sales for the next year) are related to the average expected growth over three years (CAGR), European software vendors are even trading at a valuation premium of around nine percent (eight percent in the case of SaaS (News - Alert) providers) compared to their US competitors. For this analysis, software analyst Gregory Ramirez compared the valuations of all 95 European-listed and 97 US-listed software vendors between 2006 and 2020, for which there is historical analyst consensus data from Refinitiv. These companies include 29 European and 67 US SaaS vendors. A superficial look at the simple sales multiples shows that the US providers' multiple of 9.9 over the last 15 years is significantly higher than the 5.6 of their European competitors. However, if the stock market value is not only assessed on the basis of the simple sales multiple, but average growth1 is taken into account and both are placed in relation to each other, a completely different picture emerges. This puts the significance of the sales expectation for the next year into perspective. For example: if in April 2021 Salesforce shares were trading at a revenue multiple of 10 (10x expected revenue in 2022) and the expected average revenue growth (CAGR) for 2020-2023 is 20%, the ratio is 10 / 0.2 / 100 and the newly calculated ratio is 0.50. The analyst did this calculation for the 15 years up to April 2021 and came up with a surprising result, which is that the valuations of software companies on the European stock exchanges are not only on par with the companies listed in the US, they are slightly higher. For the Europeans, this results in an average valuation that is nine percent higher than that of their US competitors. The same principle applied to the 29 or 67 (US) listed SaaS providers over a four-year period yields almost the same result: here, the average premium is eight percent. Ramirez explains: "This picture s much closer to the reality of the stock market valuation. This weighting with the average growth rate normalizes the multiples and thus relativises the significance of the short-term growth expectation for a single year."



The study also shows that the differences in the individual valuations of software providers listed in Europe are wider than those of their US competitors. This dispersion cannot be explained by a significant number of loss-making companies among European software vendors, nor by the liquidity of their shares. Contrary to another common prejudice, the most highly valued European software stocks are by no means always the most liquid, nor are they necessarily listed on the most liquid markets. Valuation is not decided by the stock market

Bryan, Garnier & Co explain that the heterogeneity of the valuation of European software providers is a result of very different business models, track records and corporate governance. Above all, the degree of maturity of the European companies is very different, while US companies almost always have a long maturation process with numerous financing rounds behind them before going public. "This makes it clear that the stock exchange location is not decisive for the valuation of a software company. It's all about the quality of the business model and management, the degree of maturity and the track record to date," explains Greg Revenu, Managing Partner of Bryan, Garnier & Co. This is an important insight, he says, "because for Europeans an IPO in the USA is usually associated with many difficulties." Pierre Kiecolt-Wahl, Partner and Head of ECM at Bryan, Garnier & Co adds: "If the stock market success of European software companies is ultimately independent of the chosen stock exchange, there is not the slightest argument against an IPO on a European stock exchange." WEBINAR: Debunking the software valuation gap: European software companies going public in the US

Bryan, Garnier & Co will be hosting a webinar on Thursday 27 May, 10h CET - 10h45 to discuss the report findings in more detail. Join us >> About Bryan, Garnier & Co (www.bryangarnier.com) Bryan, Garnier & Co is a European, full-service growth-focused independent investment banking partnership founded in 1996. The firm provides equity research, sales and trading, private and public capital raising as well as M&A services to growth companies and their investors. It focuses on key growth sectors of the economy including Technology, Healthcare, Consumer and Business Services. Bryan, Garnier & Co is a fully registered broker dealer authorized and regulated by the FCA in the UK, the AMF in Europe and the FINRA in the U.S. Bryan, Garnier & Co is headquartered in London, with additional offices in Paris, Munich, Stockholm, Oslo, Reykjavik and New York. 1 CAGR - in this case a three-year moving average of the expected growth rates of the current year and the next two years View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005057/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Ichikowitz Family Foundation Wins Prestigious SABRE Awards for Building a Better Global Understanding of Africa's Youth

The Ichikowitz Family Foundation, a leading African foundation encouraging active citizenship across the continent, have won two prestigious SABRE Awards for its global campaign to raise awareness of its inaugural African Youth Survey 2020, the most comprehensive survey of Africa's youth to date. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005132/en/ African Youth Survey (AYS) 2020 (Graphic: Business Wire) The Ichikowitz Family Foundation was awarded the winner of the Non-Profit category and a Certificate of Excellence in the Southern Africa region for exceptional branding, reputation and engagement, alongside African Public Relations network Burson Cohn- Wolfe (News - Alert) (BCW) Africa and the Washington D.C.-based Amsterdam Group. The SABRE Awards, produced by PRovoke Media, are the world's largest Public Relations awards programme, dedicated for more than 20 years to benchmarking and commemorating the best campaigns from across the globe. The Foundtion's African Youth Survey 2020, an unprecedented, multinational study designed to examine the critical issues affecting Africa's youth and thus offer the world a better understanding of this important demographic, was conducted by global research and polling firm, PSB Insights. The study encapsulated the polling of 4,200 young African men and women aged 18-24 across 14 Sub-Saharan African nations; Congo-Brazzaville, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, Malawi, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, Zambia and Zimbabwe.



Ivor Ichikowitz, Chairman of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, stated that, "Our vision for the African Youth Survey was to give a voice to one of the world's most important and least understood demographics. Africa's young people want their voices to be heard. They demand the opportunity that inclusivity brings for their community, their nation and their continent to compete on a global stage like never before. They advocate for tolerance in the face of refugee crises and conflict, acknowledge the fragility of democratic values, showcase a commitment to make their lives and those around them better and in doing so, offer for the continent the promise of a brighter tomorrow." The key findings of the research have identified a strong sense of 'Afro-Optimism', confidence in entrepreneurship and that despite facing numerous challenges a significant majority of Africa's youth believe the 21st Century will be the African century.

Ivor Ichikowitz added: "Only by reaching an audience of billions will we be able to counter the outdated and negative stereotypes of the African continent. We are very proud of this campaign and we believe that it has a crucial role to play in changing the hearts and minds of people around the world. The Ichikowitz Foundation dedicates this award to the youth of Africa and to the future of the continent they are creating." Among other themes, the survey explored crucial issues such as African identity, innovation and entrepreneurship, citizenship, infrastructure, leadership, inclusivity through the embrace of modern technology, appreciation for governance, education and the environment. The Ichikowitz Family Foundation has commissioned the second edition of the African Youth Survey which will be conducted across 15 African nations. Results of the 2021 Survey are expected during the second half of the year. The winners of the 2021 SABRE Awards Africa will be celebrated on May 27th, 2021 through a virtual global ceremony. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005132/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Students embrace tech to boost social impact projects during pandemic

LONDON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nord Anglia Education, the world's largest premium international schools group, today released figures showing how its digital strategy has galvanized students' community volunteering efforts during the pandemic. From September 2020 to March 2021, Nord Anglia's students successfully pivoted online to continue engaging in community-driven action focused on tackling the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Using Share A Dream, Nord Anglia's online social engagement platform, thousands of students volunteered nearly 56,000 hours for community outreach programmes, raised US$433,000 dollars for local charities, and collected 50,000 goods for donating to community projects. Nord Anglia's Share A Dream platform has grown in popularity and this year has seen a 68% increase in student users, compared to September 2019  March 2020. The online platform facilitates community engagement, by enabling students around the world to plan, run, and crucially, track all outreach activities and evaluate the impact of their work in local communities. Designed with a social network look and feel, students use the platform to collaborate with each other to share and refine ideas, and recruit each other for causes they are passionate about. Despite the many challenges posed by various lockdown restrictions, highlighs included:



Students in Europe fundraising US$165,000 for 52 local charities

fundraising for 52 local charities Students in India volunteering 2,000 hours, including collecting food packages to provide support to families in rural Hyderabad

volunteering 2,000 hours, including collecting food packages to provide support to families in rural Students in China volunteering 3,688 hours and raising money to fund life-saving heart surgery for a 17-month-old child

volunteering 3,688 hours and raising money to fund life-saving heart surgery for a 17-month-old child Students in Vietnam raising US$68,000 for 27 local charities

raising for 27 local charities Students in North America and Latin America raising US$107,000 for charities, including students in Ecuador who donated computers so local school children could continue to learn virtually. Dr Elise Ecoff, Group Director of Education, for Nord Anglia Education, said: "Given all the tremendous challenges created by the pandemic, it makes our students' efforts to help their communities even more impressive. We're incredibly proud of their resilience and teamwork to make a difference, no matter what. With our Share A Dream platform, we've created a way for our students to connect, share ideas, and deliver volunteering activities to tackle the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. It's another great example of how our digital strategy helps our students to learn and develop inside and outside of the classroom." About Nord Anglia Education

Nord Anglia Education (NAE) is the world's leading premium schools organisation, with 73 schools across 30 countries. Our schools go beyond traditional learning to deliver a high quality, transformational education to 67,000 students from kindergarten through to the end of secondary school. We offer multiple internationally recognised curriculums, including the English Curriculum, the International Baccalaureate, the Swiss Maturite and the US Curriculum, amongst others. Our global scale enables us to recruit and retain world-leading teachers and to offer our students unforgettable experiences through our partnerships with world-renowned institutions The Juilliard School, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and UNICEF. As part of the NAE family, every student can connect and collaborate on our bespoke Global Campus platform to bring their learning to life beyond the classroom. Founded in 1972 in the United Kingdom, initially offering learning services such as English-as-a-foreign-language classes, NAE opened its first international school in 1992: the British School Warsaw. In the 2000s, NAE began a strategic focus on premium international schools, with rapid growth in Asia, the Americas, China and across Europe and the Middle East. In July 2019, the company relocated its headquarters from Hong Kong to London. For more information, please visit www.nordangliaeducation.com. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1503193/Nord_Anglia_Education_Logo.jpg

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[May 26, 2021] CoinPayments Fuels Crypto Adoption in Research Industry, Enabling Financial Research Firm Macro Hive to Accept Bitcoin as Payment

VANCOUVER, BC, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Macro Hive, a full-service financial research firm, now accepts cryptocurrency payments thanks to its merchant integration with CoinPayments, the world's leading crypto payment processor. With this integration, Macro Hive can now meet increased demand from users to pay for research using cryptocurrencies. Macro Hive is known as a disruptor in the research industry, providing retail investors with institutional-type reports on emerging asset classes like cryptocurrencies. In response to growing demand for more payment options, and in an attempt to remain an innovative company, Macro Hive now accepts bitcoin, litecoin, and ethereum as payment using CoinPayments' easy-to-setup plugins. "As a disruptor in the payments' space, it is only natural to help a disruptor in the research industry, like Macro Hive, better meet customer needs," noted Jason Butcher, CEO of CoinPayments. "As more consumers demand to pay in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, our focus is to make more businesses transition into digital currencies smoothly. It is the path of least resistance towards mass adoption." "Whether you believe in crypto or not, tere is no denying the rise in demand for businesses to accept bitcoin and other crypto as payment. At Macro Hive, we are dedicated to adopting the latest technologies, even when it comes to payments," said Bilal Hafeez, founder and CEO of Macro Hive. "And, thanks to CoinPayments, we have enhanced our overall customer experience, offering our clients the option to pay with more efficient and more secure mediums of exchange."



About CoinPayments CoinPayments is the easiest, fastest and most secure way for merchants worldwide to transact in cryptocurrencies. It is the first and largest cryptocurrency payment processor with more than US $10 billion in total transactions to date, while supporting more than 2,000 coins, and is the preferred crypto payment solution for merchants and Ecommerce platform providers worldwide. Founded in 2013, CoinPayments is dedicated to providing clients with fast, secure and user-friendly crypto payment APIs, shopping cart plugins, digital wallets, and a host of other solutions supporting cryptocurrency payment applications. Learn more at: https://www.coinpayments.net/

About Macro Hive Launched in 2019, Macro Hive is known as a disruptor in the research industry, providing institutional quality research to retail investors on emerging asset classes like cryptocurrencies. The company has also found innovative ways to share its findings by creating its own social media platform for members to interact on outside of Twitter and Facebook. Accepting cryptocurrencies payments for subscriptions is just the latest innovation Macro Hive has embraced. Learn more at: https://macrohive.com/ Media Contact: Sarah Benali, pr@coinpayments.net

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[May 26, 2021] Ori Biotech and Vineti Form Strategic Partnership to Deliver Integrated Manufacturing and Supply Chain Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapies

LONDON and SAN FRANCISCO, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ori Biotech, an innovator in cell and gene therapy manufacturing, and Vineti, a provider of leading digital enterprise platforms for cell and gene therapy supply chains, today announces that the companies will partner to produce a fully pre-integrated solution to modernize, fast-track, and streamline the manufacture and delivery of cell and gene therapies (CGTs).

Advanced therapies, such as cell therapies, gene therapies, and personalized cancer vaccines, require infrastructure as advanced as their science. However, systems to manage the production of cell and gene therapies are outdated and often manual. This can severely hamper data clarity, scale, speed, and patient safety. The CGT industry now requires a new level of visibility, detail, and access across each product and facility within the supply chain. This global, non-exclusive partnership between Ori and Vineti, two leading CGT innovators, will provide important solutions for therapy developers, contract manufacturers, and academic centers. Ori is revolutionizing CGT manufacturing through a proprietary platform that incorporates automation and digitalization of production data. Ori is working with leaders across the cell and gene therapy industry to integrate and secure the entire product journey. Vinetis Personalized Therapy Management (PTM) platform is a proven purpose-built, enterprise-grade digital solution for advanced therapy data and supply chains, which will integrate with Oris platform to deliver a next-generation digital supply chain management system that supports therapies from clinical-phase to commercial distribution at scale. The pre-integration of Vinetis Chain of Identity and Chain of Custody systems with the Ori full-stack platform is critical to help ensure our customers have full end-to-end visibility, control, and insights into their processes, said Ori Biotech CEO Jason C. Foster. The addition of established technologies in such a critical aspect of CGT manufacturing allows us to enable our partners across the industry to develop and commercialize therapies as safely, cost effectively, and quickly as possible to reach the large numbers of patients who need these therapeutic alternatives. Advanced therapies are at a point where they require true industrialization, with the best digital tools and a connected ecosystem, said Vineti CEO and Co-founder Amy DuRoss. Were very excited to partner with Ori Biotech to deliver our shared next-generation vision and ultimately help breakthrough treatments get to patients faster. This partnership follows on from Oris continuous growth since closing a $30 million Series A funding round in 2020, and Vinetis release of its PTM Essentials solution for advanced therapy clinical trials. More information on the Ori-Vineti solution is available from both companys business development teams.



About Ori Biotech Ori is a London and New Jersey based cell and gene therapy (CGT) manufacturing technology company. Ori has developed a proprietary, flexible manufacturing platform that closes, automates, and standardizes CGT manufacturing allowing therapeutics developers to further develop and bring their products to market at commercial scale. The promise of the full-stack Ori platform is to fully automate CGT manufacturing to increase throughput, improve quality, and decrease costs by combining hardware, software, and data services.

Ori was founded by Professor Chris Mason (AVRO) and Dr. Farlan Veraitch (UCL) and has brought together a seasoned Board and executive management team with over 100 years of pharmaceutical, CGT, and venture building experience including CEO Jason C. Foster (Indivior), CBO Jason Jones (Miltenyi Biotec), VP Tom Heathman (Minaris), VP David Smith (Minaris), alongside expert advisers like Bruce Levine, Anthony Davies, and Annalisa Jenkins. For more information, visit http://www.oribiotech.com. About Vineti

Vineti offers the first commercial, configurable cloud-based platform to expand patient access to life-saving cell and gene therapies. Vineti was co-founded by GE and the Mayo Clinic to solve the key challenges that patients, medical providers, biopharmaceutical companies, and regulators face in the delivery and commercialization of individualized therapies. Now a fully independent company, Vineti offers a digital platform of record to integrate logistics, supply chain management, manufacturing, and clinical data for personalized therapies. The Vineti Personalized Therapy Management (PTM) platform aligns and orchestrates the advanced therapy process and improves product performance overall, supporting the full continuum of patient-specific therapies, including personalized cancer vaccines and autologous and allogeneic cell and gene therapies. Vineti is currently serving patients, healthcare providers, and researchers in hundreds of leading medical centers and manufacturing centers world-wide on behalf of a growing number of biopharmaceutical partners. In 2019, the World Economic Forum honored Vineti as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer. Vineti is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with teams based in the Washington, D.C. area and Yerevan, Armenia. For more information, please visit http://vineti.com. Media Contacts Ori Biotech

Image Box Communications

Neil Hunter / Michelle Boxall

Tel +44 (0)20 8943 4685

neil@ibcomms.agency / michelle@ibcomms.agency Vineti

1AB Media for Vineti

Dan Budwick

dan@1abmedia.com



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[May 26, 2021] Get Ready, It's Coming Next Week! What to Expect at COMPUTEX 2021

COMPUTEX 2021 will be launched from May 31 to June 30. The organizer, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), will roll out the #COMPUTEXVirtual platform to connect the technology community that breaks geographic limitations. COMPUTEX 2021 will offer an exceptional exhibition experience to attendees with the following highlights. Highlight #1: Top Speakers Will Address on the Groundbreaking Technologies COMPUTEX 2021 will kick off with the highly anticipated CEO Keynotes. From May 31 to June 2, key industry executives will discuss topics covering AI, high-performance computing (HPC), and other technology trends. Simon Segars, CEO of Arm, Dr. Lisa Su, President and CEO of AMD, Sanjay Mehrotra, President and CEO of Micron, Charles Liang, Founder, President and CEO of Supermicro, and Kurt Sievers, President and CEO of NXP Semiconductors (News - Alert) are among the speaker lineup. The COMPUTEX Forum on June 2 and 3 will revolve around the theme of "The New Era of Intelligence," focusing on key applications of AI, 5G, IoT, and electric vehicles. The forum will unlock the development of quantum computers and explore the infinite possibilities of future technology applications. The world's leading ICT experts will discuss business strategies and pulse industry trends in the post-pandemic era. Highlight #2: Virtual Booths Will Showcase the Latest Products #COMPUTEXVirtual, the all-new smart online platform, will use AI and automation technology to create an exceptional digital journey for users by providing a personalized interactive experience. Visitors will be able to obtain the latest product information in real-time. Acer (News - Alert) will showcase its very latest products and innovations that will be announced at its next@acer Global Press Conference to be held on May 27. It will also showcase solutions from its subsidiaries, including products for smart cities, AI, and enterprise use. ZOTAC, on the other hand, will be revealing a brilliant lineup of innovations, including the ZOTAC GAMING GeForce 3090 AMP Extreme Holo graphics card and the MAGNUS ONE ECM53060C mini PC. Along with the big corporates, innovative startups are always the core elements to drive COMPUTEX and all the industry moving forward. The Epoch Foundation, committed to building partnerships in the global entrepreneurial community, has created a pavilion titled "Garage+ 46 Mus-See Startups" on the #COMPUTEXVirtual platform. The exhibition is divided into three sections: "AI & Big Data," "Digital Health & EdTech," and "IoT & Energy."



Moreover, #COMPUTEXVirtual builds #InnoVEXVirtual as a featured exhibit area to help startups connect with the international community. In addition to French Pavilion, Korean Pavilion, and the Dutch Pavilion, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is bringing 18 startups from 7 countries to join InnoVEX for the first time. Highlight #3: Effective Online Platform Functions Will Synergize Matchmaking Opportunities

To maximize the benefits for exhibitors, #COMPUTEXVirtual will provide multiple effective, timely communication channels for exhibitors and visitors, such as video conferencing, meeting requests and instant messaging. Exhibitors can use AI technology to identify target audiences and promote products. Hyper-Personalized Recommendations will also help increase the matchmaking accuracy and enable companies to seize business opportunities effectively. Together with the technology giants and disruptive startups, COMPUTEX 2021 is ready to bring the world an all-new digital experience. For more exhibition information, please visit the following: #COMPUTEXVirtual Online Exhibition Visitor Registration: https://virtual.computextaipei.com.tw/

COMPUTEX CEO Keynote and COMPUTEX Forum Registration: https://virtual.computextaipei.com.tw/events/ About COMPUTEX TAIPEI (also called COMPUTEX): Established in 1981, COMPUTEX is one of the leading global ICT, IoT, and startup tradeshows with a complete supply chain and IoT ecosystems. Co-organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and Taipei Computer Association (TCA), COMPUTEX, based upon Taiwan's complete ICT clusters, covers the whole spectrum of the ICT industry, from established brands to startups and from ICT supply chain to IoT ecosystems. With strong R&D and manufacturing capabilities and IPR protection, Taiwan is a strategic destination for foreign companies and investors looking for partners in global technology ecosystems. Follow COMPUTEX on its website at www.computextaipei.com.tw and Twitter (News - Alert) @computex_taipei using the hashtag #COMPUTEX. About COMPUTEX 2021 Virtual: As a pioneer in technology, COMPUTEX has been at the forefront in embracing digital transformation. In 2021, the show will go online. Together with the key global technology players, the organizer of COMPUTEX,Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) introduces #COMPUTEXVirtual (including its global startups and innovations showcase #InnoVEXVirtual), an AI-driven virtual platform, and aims to deliver an exceptional virtual exhibition experience beyond the distance. About TAITRA: Founded in 1970, TAITRA is Taiwan's foremost nonprofit trade promoting organization. Sponsored by the government and industry organizations, TAITRA assists enterprises to expand their global reach. Headquartered in Taipei, TAITRA has a team of 1,300 specialists and operates 5 local offices in Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, as well as 63 branches worldwide. Together with Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC) and Taiwan Trade Center (TTC), TAITRA has formed a global network dedicated to promoting world trade. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005459/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Market Share 2021 By Provider (Service, Content), online learning platform, COVID-19 Impact Analysis, Top Companies, Regional Analysis & Industry Forecast to 2027

Dallas, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Online teaching and learning is a computer-assisted learning system that uses the Internet to facilitate student-teacher engagement and the sharing of course materials. The global market is growing as a result of rising demand for lower-cost education, increased government policies funding online education, and raising mobile and Internet penetration. However, consumer development is being stifled by the abundance of free content and a lack of understanding. The market's service and content suppliers are bringing massive amounts of educational content online. Online Teaching and Learning Platforms market is segmented by company, region (country), by Type, and by Application. Players, stakeholders, and other participants in the global Online Teaching and Learning Platforms market will be able to gain the upper hand as they use the report as a powerful resource. The segmental analysis focuses on revenue and forecast by Type and by Application in terms of revenue and forecast for the period 2016-2027. Many of these materials are stored on a cloud-based database, making them freely available to all consumers. The use of cloud-based technologies is lowering hosting costs while increasing the demand for educational content. The growing adoption of cloud-based solutions, combined with significant investments by major industry participants to improve the protection and reliability of cloud-based education platforms, is projected to accelerate the size of the online education market. The use of cloud-based technologies is lowering storage costs while increasing the demand for educational content. Artificial intelligence advances and the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT) will continue to improve the user interface of these online education sites, resulting in increased market size growth. Request a Sample copy of this report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/6026221 By Company:

Thinkific

Learnworlds

Teachable

Kajabi

LearnDash

Podia

Ruzuku

Academy of Mine

WizIQ

Canvas

Khan Academy

Nearpod

GoReact

Dscovery Education Inc







Newsela

Pear Deck

McGraw-Hill

alta For companies in the online education industry, high Internet penetration has resulted in a sizable tentative user base. Since the traditional education system is insufficient to meet the needs of all segments of the market, prospective students are looking for alternate sources of education, which is expected to drive the market size up during the forecast period.

Segment by Type

On-Premise

Cloud-based



Segment by Application

K-12

Adults Place a Direct Purchase Order @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contact/purchase-single-user/6026221 Table Of Content: Chapter One: Report Overview

1.1 Study Scope

1.2 Market Analysis by Type

1.2.1 Global Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Market Size Growth Rate by Type: 2016 VS 202Chapter One: VS 2027

1.2.2 On-Premise

1.2.3 Cloud-based

1.3 Market by Application

1.3.1 Global Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Market Share by Application: 2016 VS 202Chapter One: VS 2027

1.3.2 K-12

1.3.3 Adults

1.4 Study Objectives

1.5 Years Considered



Chapter Two: Global Growth Trends

2.1 Global Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Market Perspective (2016-2027)

2.2 Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Growth Trends by Regions

2.2.1 Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Market Size by Regions: 2016 VS 202Chapter One: VS 2027

2.2.2 Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Historic Market Share by Regions (2016-2021)

2.2.3 Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Forecasted Market Size by Regions (2022-2027)

2.3 Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Industry Dynamic

2.3.1 Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Market Trends

2.3.2 Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Market Drivers

2.3.3 Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Market Challenges

2.3.4 Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Market Restraints



Chapter Three: Competition Landscape by Key Players

3.1 Global Top Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Players by Revenue

3.1.1 Global Top Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Players by Revenue (2016-2021)

3.1.2 Global Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Revenue Market Share by Players (2016-2021)

3.2 Global Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Market Share by Company Type (Tier 1, Tier Chapter Two: and Tier 3)

3.3 Players Covered: Ranking by Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Revenue

3.4 Global Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Market Concentration Ratio

3.4.1 Global Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Market Concentration Ratio (CRChapter Five: and HHI)

3.4.2 Global Top Chapter Ten: and Top 5 Companies by Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Revenue in 2020

3.5 Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Key Players Head office and Area Served

3.6 Key Players Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Product Solution and Service

3.7 Date of Enter into Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Market

3.8 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion Plans



Chapter Four: Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Breakdown Data by Type

4.1 Global Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Historic Market Size by Type (2016-2021)

4.2 Global Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Forecasted Market Size by Type (2022-2027)



Chapter Five: Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Breakdown Data by Application

5.1 Global Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Historic Market Size by Application (2016-2021)

5.2 Global Online Teaching and Learning Platforms Forecasted Market Size by Application (2022-2027)

Continued About Us:

Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.

Contact Us: Hector Costello Senior Manager  Client Engagements 4144N Central Expressway, Suite 600, Dallas, Texas - 75204, U.S.A. Phone No.: +1 (972)-362-8199; +91 895 659 5155

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[May 26, 2021] Global Drone Flight Control System Market Report 2021, Size, Share, Revenue, Sales, Analysis by Types, Country, Top-Players, Applications, End-User Demand & Industry-Forecast to 2027

Dallas, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Report of Global Drone Flight Control System Market is generated by Orbis Research providing the comprehensive study of the industry. Orbis Research is considering the year 2021 as a base year and forecast period for predicting the growth of the market is 2021-2026. Orbis Research is delivering the reports of market research on several categories by an organized method of judging the client, examining market supply, researching, struggle and demand, accompanied by integrating the feedback of the client. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and drones primarily require different means to control an aircraft without any manual work. These types of machines use flight control software and hardware systems enabling full control of the aircraft remotely either guided by a pilot or through autonomous systems. The global drone flight control systems market is gaining momentum owing to the humungous market appeal achieved by the drone technology which introduces a completely automated aircraft. Request a PDF sample copy of this report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/6027597 Flight control systems provide drone navigation which enables the user to direct and administer several flight parameters of a drone accomplished by working in tandem with drone flight management systems. The global drone flight control systems market is propelled by the advancing technological approach particularly focused on enhancing the aircraft market by including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other influential technologies. Artificial intelligence is the most appealing technology in the current global market scenario with the benefit of enabling to acquire real-time data. The future of drones is expected to introduce AI-enabled drones with fully automated flight control systems and improved safety aspects. A growing electronic environment surrounding the automobile and aircraft industry has led to a boosting impact on the market traction achieved by the drone flight control systems market. A major warfare utility of the drones attributing to its increasing application is as a result of crucial advantages such as surveillance on specific locations which enables pre-emptive strikes and visual superiority. Drones such as the Unmanned aerial vehicles have a critical role in capturing data and acquiring advanced defense mechanisms. Place a Direct Purchase Order @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contact/purchase-single-user/6027597 Table of Content: Chapter One: Drone Flight Control System Market Overview

1.1 Product Overviw and Scope of Drone Flight Control System







1.2.1 Global Drone Flight Control System Sales Growth Rate Comparison by Type (2021-2027)

1.2.2 Sensor

1.2.3 GPS

1.2.4 Robot Guiding System

1.2.5 Other

1.3 Drone Flight Control System Segment by Application

1.3.1 Drone Flight Control System Sales Comparison by Application: (2021-2027)

1.3.2 Fixed-wing Drone

1.3.3 Rotary Wing Drone

1.4 Global Drone Flight Control System Market Size Estimates and Forecasts

1.4.1 Global Drone Flight Control System Revenue 2016-2027

1.4.2 Global Drone Flight Control System Sales 2016-2027

1.4.3 Drone Flight Control System Market Size by Region: 2016 Versus 202Chapter One: Versus 2027 Chapter Two: Drone Flight Control System Market Competition by Manufacturers

2.1 Global Drone Flight Control System Sales Market Share by Manufacturers (2016-2021)

2.2 Global Drone Flight Control System Revenue Market Share by Manufacturers (2016-2021)

2.3 Global Drone Flight Control System Average Price by Manufacturers (2016-2021)

2.4 Manufacturers Drone Flight Control System Manufacturing Sites, Area Served, Product Type

2.5 Drone Flight Control System Market Competitive Situation and Trends

2.5.1 Drone Flight Control System Market Concentration Rate

2.5.2 The Global Top 5 and Top Chapter Ten: Largest Drone Flight Control System Players Market Share by Revenue

2.5.3 Global Drone Flight Control System Market Share by Company Type (Tier 1, Tier Chapter Two: and Tier 3)

2.6 Manufacturers Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion Plans

Chapter Three: Drone Flight Control System Retrospective Market Scenario by Region

3.1 Global Drone Flight Control System Retrospective Market Scenario in Revenue by Region: 2016-2021

3.2 Global Drone Flight Control System Retrospective Market Scenario in Sales by Region: 2016-2021

3.3 North America Drone Flight Control System Market Facts & Figures by Country

3.3.1 North America Drone Flight Control System Sales by Country

3.3.2 North America Drone Flight Control System Revenue by Country

3.3.3 U.S.

3.3.4 Canada

3.4 Europe Drone Flight Control System Market Facts & Figures by Country

3.4.1 Europe Drone Flight Control System Sales by Country

3.4.2 Europe Drone Flight Control System Revenue by Country

3.4.3 Germany

3.4.4 France

3.4.5 U.K.

3.4.6 Italy

3.4.7 Russia

3.5 Asia Pacific Drone Flight Control System Market Facts & Figures by Region

3.5.1 Asia Pacific Drone Flight Control System Sales by Region

3.5.2 Asia Pacific Drone Flight Control System Revenue by Region

3.5.3 China

3.5.4 Japan

3.5.5 South Korea

3.5.6 India

3.5.7 Australia

3.5.8 Taiwan

3.5.9 Indonesia

3.5.10 Thailand

3.5.11 Malaysia

3.5.12 Philippines

3.5.13 Vietnam

3.6 Latin America Drone Flight Control System Market Facts & Figures by Country

3.6.1 Latin America Drone Flight Control System Sales by Country

3.6.2 Latin America Drone Flight Control System Revenue by Country

3.6.3 Mexico

3.6.4 Brazil

3.6.5 Argentina

3.7 Middle East and Africa Drone Flight Control System Market Facts & Figures by Country

3.7.1 Middle East and Africa Drone Flight Control System Sales by Country

3.7.2 Middle East and Africa Drone Flight Control System Revenue by Country

3.7.3 Turkey

3.7.4 Saudi Arabia

3.7.5 U.A.E Chapter Four: Global Drone Flight Control System Historic Market Analysis by Type

4.1 Global Drone Flight Control System Sales Market Share by Type (2016-2021)

4.2 Global Drone Flight Control System Revenue Market Share by Type (2016-2021)

4.3 Global Drone Flight Control System Price by Type (2016-2021) Chapter Five: Global Drone Flight Control System Historic Market Analysis by Application

5.1 Global Drone Flight Control System Sales Market Share by Application (2016-2021)

5.2 Global Drone Flight Control System Revenue Market Share by Application (2016-2021)

5.3 Global Drone Flight Control System Price by Application (2016-2021) Chapter Six: Key Companies Profiled

6.1 APM

6.1.1 APM Corporation Information

6.1.2 APM Description and Business Overview

6.1.3 APM Drone Flight Control System Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2016-2021)

6.1.4 APM Product Portfolio

6.1.5 APM Recent Developments/Updates

6.2 MK

6.2.1 MK Corporation Information

6.2.2 MK Description and Business Overview

6.2.3 MK Drone Flight Control System Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2016-2021)

6.2.4 MK Product Portfolio

6.2.5 MK Recent Developments/Updates

6.3 Paparazzi

6.3.1 Paparazzi Corporation Information

6.3.2 Paparazzi Description and Business Overview

6.3.3 Paparazzi Drone Flight Control System Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2016-2021)

6.3.4 Paparazzi Product Portfolio

6.3.5 Paparazzi Recent Developments/Updates

6.4 PX4

6.4.1 PXChapter Four: Corporation Information

6.4.2 PXChapter Four: Description and Business Overview

6.4.3 PXChapter Four: Drone Flight Control System Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2016-2021)

6.4.4 PXChapter Four: Product Portfolio

6.4.5 PXChapter Four: Recent Developments/Updates

6.5 MWC

6.5.1 MWC Corporation Information

6.5.2 MWC Description and Business Overview

6.5.3 MWC Drone Flight Control System Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2016-2021)

6.5.4 MWC Product Portfolio

6.5.5 MWC Recent Developments/Updates

6.6 DJI

6.6.1 DJI Corporation Information

6.6.2 DJI Description and Business Overview

6.6.3 DJI Drone Flight Control System Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2016-2021)

6.6.4 DJI Product Portfolio

6.6.5 DJI Recent Developments/Updates

6.7 3D Robotics

6.6.1 3D Robotics Corporation Information

6.6.2 3D Robotics Description and Business Overview

6.6.3 3D Robotics Drone Flight Control System Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2016-2021)

6.4.4 3D Robotics Product Portfolio

6.7.5 3D Robotics Recent Developments/Updates About Us:

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 19:51:26|Editor: huaxia

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ISLAMABAD, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani police killed four terrorists Wednesday during an exchange of fire in the country's southwest Balochistan province, local media reported.

The exchange of fire took place when personnel of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of the Pakistani police intercepted a group of terrorists on a tip-off in Aghburg area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, a spokesperson of the CTD told the media.

The militants opened fire on the police officials who retaliated, resulting in the death of four terrorists, said the official, adding that the terrorists were on their way to the provincial capital to launch a major attack on sensitive installations.

Two other terrorists managed to flee, and security forces have kicked off a search operation in the surrounding areas to arrest them.

Firearms and ammunition were recovered from the terrorists' possession. Further investigation is underway.

The killed terrorists belonged to the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an armed terror group which remains involved in terrorist activities against security forces in the province, the reports said. Enditem
[May 26, 2021] Apple Via del Corso Opens Thursday, May 27, in Rome

Apple (News - Alert)  today previewed Apple Via del Corso, the newest retail location nestled in one of Rome's most vibrant areas. As the 17th store to open in Italy, Apple Via del Corso will serve as an all-new, centrally located space for Apple team members to provide best-in-class service and support to the local community. The store preserves the grand Palazzo Marignoli, paying homage to Rome's rich history of art and culture, and making it one of Apple's most significant restoration projects. Apple Via del Corso also brings the first-ever Today at Apple Made in Rome program dedicated to providing the next generation of young Romans with inspiration, skills, and tools to explore their passions. Led by over 40 local artists, Apple curated sessions across the fields of music, art and design, content creation, and video, aimed at supporting local communities across the city in the months to come. Once in-person sessions return, the new store will also host free Today at Apple sessions on topics ranging from photography and video, music, coding, art, design, and more. "We can't wait to begin a new chapter in Rome with the opening of Apple Via del Corso," said Deirdre O'Brien, Apple's senior vice president of Retail + People. "The new store represents a celebration of the unique history and art of Roman culture, and we hope to inspire creativity among the local community with our Made in Rome program and future Today at Apple sessions." Originally constructed in 1873 by renowned architect Salvatore Bianchi and a second renovation by architect Giulio Podesti, Palazzo Marignoli was the home of Marquis Filippo Marignoli and housed Caffe Aragno, one of Rome's most notable gathering places in its day frequented by artists, writers, and actors. Several pieces of art showcased in Caffe Aragno have been carefully restored and thoughtfully incorporated within the new store design, including multiple graffiti panels created by Italian painter Afro Basaldella in 1950. The teams were also able to revive and integrate Fabio Cipolla's "Dawn" and Ettore Ballerini's "Dusk," two large ceiling paintings that date bck to the early 1900s. Similar to previous restorations such as Apple Champs-Elysees in Paris, Regent Street in London, and Carnegie Library in Washington, D.C., Apple and a team of local restorers collaborated to create a thoughtful combination of historic and contemporary architecture with Via del Corso.



Large glass windows face Via del Corso, allowing natural light to stream into the interior. The store centers around a lush courtyard brimming with native Camphora trees - the green heart of the palazzo and a remnant of the historic monastery Santa Maria Maddalena delle Convertite. On the first floor, four sets of doors provide access to an exterior landscaped terrace filled with jasmine vines and olive trees inspired by Roman roof terraces that look into the courtyard. Once inside, visitors will find a monumental staircase dating back to 1888, restored to its original detailing of locally sourced Carrara marble. On the upper floor, the Forum occupies the ballroom of the Marquis's palazzo, which will be home to Today at Apple sessions. Adjacent to the Forum is a dedicated space for Apple Support and the Genius (News - Alert) Bar, where a team of conservators have worked thousands of hours to restore the exquisite, geometrically patterned, hand-painted ceiling. Via del Corso joins the 117 Apple Store locations across 12 countries in Europe. Apple's presence in Europe spans more than 40 years, supporting over 1.8 million jobs with more than 100 new jobs created at the new store. In all, Via del Corso is home to 200 team members who collectively speak 20 languages.

On opening day, customers wishing to visit Apple Via del Corso are encouraged to book an appointment at apple.com/it/viadelcorso. Customers without reservations will be welcome based on store occupancy. The store will open with the same comprehensive health and safety procedures currently in place across all Apple Store locations. For those wishing to order new products online, customers can get shopping help from Apple Specialists, choose monthly financing options, trade in eligible devices, receive Support services, and select no-contact delivery or Apple Store pickup for online purchases. Apple Via del Corso opens Thursday, May 27, at 10 a.m. CEST in Rome. Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone (News - Alert) , iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. Apple's five software platforms - iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS - provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, and iCloud. Apple's more than 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it. NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple Newsroom (www.apple.com/newsroom), or call Apple's Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.  2021 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, Today at Apple, Genius Bar, Apple Store, and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005363/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Vubiq Networks Successfully Models Technology Claims of its Breakthrough RFID Hyperimaging Patents

Vubiq Networks, Inc., the innovation leader in millimeter wave wireless broadband technology and solutions, today announced that it has successfully modeled its patented millimeter wave radio frequency identification (RFID) technology incorporating polarization and phase detection. Utilizing industry-standard 3D radar computer simulation and MATLAB algorithm implementation supplied by Ansys (News - Alert) and MathWorks, the company has been able to validate the technology claims of its extensive RFID synthetic aperture radar (SAR) hyperimaging patent portfolio. The breakthrough represents the first and only patented millimeter wave RFID hyperimaging technology to utilize polarimetric frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar. The company's innovative data encoding technology exploits the natural physics of antennas at a tremendously small scale. The result is a chipless RFID data tag (News - Alert) that approaches the cost of printing a bar code, but with the ability to contain hundreds of data bits in the size of a postage stamp. "We have successfully completed start-to-finish system-level simulation/post processing that clearly shows how our patented technique of encoding data into tiny millimeter wave antenna tag elements leverages the natural polarization and phase properties of those elements," said Mike Pettus, founder and CTO of Vubiq Networks. "We can now model the full RFID reader technology as a polarimetric FMCW radar using the latest 3D electromagnetic CAD tools from Ansys, combined with solving image formation and polarization/phase detection with our algorithms implemented in MATLAB." With the completion of modeling and simulation, Vubiq now has the blueprint for creating unique tag elements that support low-cost, high-bit density tags for many of today's RFID applications. Justin Patton (News - Alert) , Director of the Auburn University RFID Lab, stated, "I'm very excited for the possibilities of millimeter wave for identification systems. With the current boom in demand for automated supply chain, sensor fusion of serialized identification is the focus of the future, and new tech like Vubiq may add some much-needed depth to the bench of options for item tracking." The Auburn University RFID Lab is a research institute focusing on the business case and technical implementation of RFID and other emerging technologies in retail, aviation, supply chain and manufacturing. An animated video demonstrating Vubiq Networks' RFID hyperimaging technoogy can be viewed at www.vubiqnetworks.com/chipless-rfid-tag-hyperimaging.



Advantage of polarization and phase detection Utilizing the company's innovative polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (POLSAR) hyperimaging techniques incorporating polarization and phase detection, not only can the data be retrieved from the tag, but also physically located. This breakthrough approach significantly reduces cost, while providing performance advantages and features not available with existing RFID solutions.

The new technology addresses the downfalls of traditional RFID approaches. The chipless technology solves today's biggest barrier: the cost of the RFID tag. Vubiq Networks' approach reduces tag costs to less than a penny per tag. With POLSAR, multiple tag collisions are no longer an issue, and the use of millimeter wave as the frequency spectrum greatly increases reader performance. Utilizing POLSAR hyperimaging greatly expands the use cases by providing the ability to read multiple tags simultaneously, as well as determining their three-dimensional location. "Our unique technology can simultaneous locate and identify thousands of RFID tags," said Vubiq CEO John Dilworth. "Our hyperimaging approach can penetrate materials like pill bottles, envelopes, and cardboard boxes, eliminating the need to unpackage and scan each individual tagged package or product." Radar comes to the smartphone Vubiq Networks predicts that smartphones may soon become default readers for the company's RFID technology. "Google's Pixel 4 phone and Apple's new iPhone (News - Alert) both contain radar-like features," said Mr. Dilworth. "Google's hand gesturing application employs a fully function radar chip called Soli. And Apple's new Lidar feature further shows promise of fully functional radar included in every smartphone. These innovations in smartphone technology increase the value of our novel invention." Patent portfolio Vubiq Networks has a long history of innovation in millimeter wave RFID hyperimaging technology. Today's simulation and modeling announcement validates the claims contained in the company's RFID patent portfolio: US Patent 7460014 issued 12-2-08 - RFID System Utilizing Parametric Reflective Technology

US Patent 7498940 issued 3-3-09 - RFID System Utilizing Parametric Reradiated Technology

US Patent 10839179 issued 11-17-20 - Multimode Millimeter Wave RFID Systems and Methods of Use Thereof

US Patent Application 2020/0184161 published 6-11-20 - High Bit Density Millimeter Wave RFID Systems, Devices, and Methods Thereof About Vubiq Networks Vubiq Networks, Inc. is a privately held millimeter wave innovation company headquartered in Irvine, California. With over 15 years of experience in telecommunications and extremely high frequency (EHF) applications, the company continues to expand its global reach into cutting-edge markets such as 5G connectivity, wireless fabric architecture, chipless RFID data tag hyperimaging, IoT smart sensors, EHF medical applications, and more. The company currently offers the HaulPass V10g millimeter wave radio, the first and only 10Gbps V-Band wireless link in the industry, as well as the HaulPass E10g 10Gbps E-Band radio. For further information, visit www.vubiqnetworks.com. To view a video demonstrating the company's RFID technology, visit www.vubiqnetworks.com/chipless-rfid-tag-hyperimaging. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005299/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Unstoppable Domains to Support Covid Relief in India Through Sale of India.crypto

SAN FRANCISCO, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Blockchain domain name provider Unstoppable Domains today announced it will support Covid relief in India through the sale of the premium domain name "India.crypto." The India.crypto domain name alongside original digital artwork will be auctioned off as an NFT on OpenSea from May 27, 2021 at 9 AM Pacific Time until June 1, 2021 at 9 AM Pacific Time. Full proceeds will be donated to India Crypto Relief , a community fund delivering relief during the ongoing Covid crisis in India. Sales of other select premium domain names have ranged from $10,000 to $100,000. "The crypto community has really stepped up in recent weeks to support relief efforts during the Covid crisis in India, and we wanted to do our part to help," said Matthew Gould, Co-Founder and CEO of Unstoppable Domains. "With India.crypto up for auction, whoever bids the highest will have the ability to launch a decentralized website with full ownership and control, while knowing their funds have contributed to crucial ongoing efforts in India." The India.crypto domain name NFT will be auctioned off together with bespoke NFT artwork by OpenSea .



Launched in 2018, Unstoppable Domains provides .crypto and other top-level domain names to users with no renewal fees. When a user claims a domain, it is minted as an NFT on the Ethereum blockchain, granting the user full ownership and control. These .crypto domain names can point to content hosted on the Web, IPFS, or to cryptocurrency addresses, making it easy to send and receive over 70 different cryptocurrencies across 40+ cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges, including Coinbase Wallet, Litewallet, OKEx and MyEtherWallet. Today, more than 817,000 domain names have been registered through Unstoppable Domains. To learn more, please visit www.unstoppabledomains.com .

About Unstoppable Domains

Launched in 2018, Unstoppable Domains is a blockchain domain name provider and gateway to the decentralized web. Unstoppable Domains allows anyone to purchase a decentralized domain name that is minted as an NFT on the Ethereum blockchain, giving the owner full ownership and control. Domain names can be used for payments across 40+ wallets and exchanges. The company is backed by Draper Associates and Boost VC, and supported by grants from the Ethereum Foundation and Zilliqa Foundation. To learn more, follow Unstoppable Domains on Twitter , and join the conversation on Telegram . Contact: unstoppabledomains@dittopr.co View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unstoppable-domains-to-support-covid-relief-in-india-through-sale-of-indiacrypto-301299486.html SOURCE Unstoppable Domains

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[May 26, 2021] Global Dark Fibre Networks Market 2021 Research Report by User Demand, Consumption, Applications, Types, Trends and Forecast 2026

Dallas, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Dark Fibre Networks Market 2021-2026 The Dark Fibre Networks market report provides a detailed analysis of global market size, regional and country-level market size, segmentation market growth, market share, competitive Landscape, sales analysis, impact of domestic and global market players, value chain optimization, trade regulations, recent developments, opportunities analysis, strategic market growth analysis, product launches, area marketplace expanding, and technological innovations. Request a sample of this report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/5552036?utm_source=ManjiriGNW With an increasing focus on enhancing communication network systems by several organisations, the dark fibre network technology has emerged to be a sustainable solution improving the network management. Along with this, constantly elevating penetration of the internet services with advancing internet environment has encouraged the demand for improved and better internet bandwidth. Growing prevalence of SMEs and other large-scale companies based on internet platforms completely or with higher dependency on internet connectivity in order to accumulate and store high volumes of data flow in operation systems is expected to augment the growth of the global dark fibre network market during the forecast period. Market segment by players, this report covers

AT&T

Verizon Communications

CenturyLink(Level 3)

Zayo Group

Comcast Corporation

Consolidated(FairPoint)

GTT

Colt Group

Windstream Services

euNetworks

Vocus Communications

Crown Castle

HKBN Ltd

FiberLight

ExteNet Systems Browse the complete report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/global-dark-fibre-networks-market-2021-by-company-regions-type-and-application-forecast-to-2026?utm_source=ManjiriGNW Market segmentation

Dark Fibre Networks market is split by Type and by Application. For the period 2016-2026, the growth among segments provide accurate calculations and forecasts for revenue by Type and by Application. This analysis can help you expand your business by targeting qualified niche markets.



Market segment by Type, covers

Single Mode Dark Fibre Networks

Multi-mode Dark Fibre Networks



Market segment by Application, can be divided into

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Telecommunication

Banks, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI)

Education

Manufacturing and Logistics

Government and Public Utilities

Others Market segment by regions, regional analysis covers

North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico)

Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy, and Rest of Europe)

Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, South Korea, India, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)

South America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America)

Middle East & Africa (Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Rest of Middle East & Africa) Make an enquirer of this report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buying/5552036?utm_source=ManjiriGNW >



Table of Content

1 Market Overview

1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Dark Fibre Networks

1.2 Classification of Dark Fibre Networks by Type

1.2.1 Overview: Global Dark Fibre Networks Market Size by Type: 2020 Versus 2021 Versus 2026

1.2.2 Global Dark Fibre Networks Revenue Market Share by Type in 2020

1.2.3 Single Mode Dark Fibre Networks

1.2.4 Multi-mode Dark Fibre Networks

1.3 Global Dark Fibre Networks Market by Application

1.3.1 Overview: Global Dark Fibre Networks Market Size by Application: 2020 Versus 2021 Versus 2026

1.3.2 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Telecommunication

1.3.3 Banks, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI)

1.3.4 Education

1.3.5 Manufacturing and Logistics

1.3.6 Government and Public Utilities

1.3.7 Others

1.4 Global Dark Fibre Networks Market Size & Forecast

1.5 Global Dark Fibre Networks Market Size and Forecast by Region

1.5.1 Global Dark Fibre Networks Market Size by Region: 2016 VS 2021 VS 2026

1.5.2 Global Dark Fibre Networks Market Size by Region, (2016-2021)

1.5.3 North America Dark Fibre Networks Market Size and Prospect (2016-2026)

1.5.4 Europe Dark Fibre Networks Market Size and Prospect (2016-2026)

1.5.5 Asia-Pacific Dark Fibre Networks Market Size and Prospect (2016-2026)

1.5.6 South America Dark Fibre Networks Market Size and Prospect (2016-2026)

1.5.7 Middle East and Africa Dark Fibre Networks Market Size and Prospect (2016-2026)

1.6 Market Drivers, Restraints and Trends

1.6.1 Dark Fibre Networks Market Drivers

1.6.2 Dark Fibre Networks Market Restraints

1.6.3 Dark Fibre Networks Trends Analysis



2 Company Profiles

2.1 AT&T

2.1.1 AT&T Details

2.1.2 AT&T Major Business

2.1.3 AT&T Dark Fibre Networks Product and Solutions

2.1.4 AT&T Dark Fibre Networks Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021)

2.1.5 AT&T Recent Developments and Future Plans

2.2 Verizon Communications

2.2.1 Verizon Communications Details

2.2.2 Verizon Communications Major Business

2.2.3 Verizon Communications Dark Fibre Networks Product and Solutions

2.2.4 Verizon Communications Dark Fibre Networks Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021)

2.2.5 Verizon Communications Recent Developments and Future Plans

2.3 CenturyLink(Level 3)

2.3.1 CenturyLink(Level 3) Details

2.3.2 CenturyLink(Level 3) Major Business

2.3.3 CenturyLink(Level 3) Dark Fibre Networks Product and Solutions

2.3.4 CenturyLink(Level 3) Dark Fibre Networks Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021)

2.3.5 CenturyLink(Level 3) Recent Developments and Future Plans

2.4 Zayo Group

2.4.1 Zayo Group Details

2.4.2 Zayo Group Major Business

2.4.3 Zayo Group Dark Fibre Networks Product and Solutions

2.4.4 Zayo Group Dark Fibre Networks Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021)

2.4.5 Zayo Group Recent Developments and Future Plans

2.5 Comcast Corporation

2.5.1 Comcast Corporation Details

2.5.2 Comcast Corporation Major Business

2.5.3 Comcast Corporation Dark Fibre Networks Product and Solutions

2.5.4 Comcast Corporation Dark Fibre Networks Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021)

2.5.5 Comcast Corporation Recent Developments and Future Plans

2.6 Consolidated(FairPoint)

2.6.1 Consolidated(FairPoint) Details

2.6.2 Consolidated(FairPoint) Major Business

2.6.3 Consolidated(FairPoint) Dark Fibre Networks Product and Solutions

2.6.4 Consolidated(FairPoint) Dark Fibre Networks Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021)

2.6.5 Consolidated(FairPoint) Recent Developments and Future Plans

2.7 GTT

2.7.1 GTT Details

2.7.2 GTT Major Business

2.7.3 GTT Dark Fibre Networks Product and Solutions

2.7.4 GTT Dark Fibre Networks Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021)

2.7.5 GTT Recent Developments and Future Plans

2.8 Colt Group

2.8.1 Colt Group Details

2.8.2 Colt Group Major Business

2.8.3 Colt Group Dark Fibre Networks Product and Solutions

2.8.4 Colt Group Dark Fibre Networks Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021)

2.8.5 Colt Group Recent Developments and Future Plans

2.9 Windstream Services

2.9.1 Windstream Services Details

2.9.2 Windstream Services Major Business

2.9.3 Windstream Services Dark Fibre Networks Product and Solutions

2.9.4 Windstream Services Dark Fibre Networks Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021)

2.9.5 Windstream Services Recent Developments and Future Plans

2.10 euNetworks

2.10.1 euNetworks Details

2.10.2 euNetworks Major Business

2.10.3 euNetworks Dark Fibre Networks Product and Solutions

2.10.4 euNetworks Dark Fibre Networks Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021)

2.10.5 euNetworks Recent Developments and Future Plans

2.11 Vocus Communications

2.11.1 Vocus Communications Details

2.11.2 Vocus Communications Major Business

2.11.3 Vocus Communications Dark Fibre Networks Product and Solutions

2.11.4 Vocus Communications Dark Fibre Networks Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021)

2.11.5 Vocus Communications Recent Developments and Future Plans

2.12 Crown Castle

2.12.1 Crown Castle Details

2.12.2 Crown Castle Major Business

2.12.3 Crown Castle Dark Fibre Networks Product and Solutions

2.12.4 Crown Castle Dark Fibre Networks Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021)

2.12.5 Crown Castle Recent Developments and Future Plans

2.13 HKBN Ltd

2.13.1 HKBN Ltd Details

2.13.2 HKBN Ltd Major Business

2.13.3 HKBN Ltd Dark Fibre Networks Product and Solutions

2.13.4 HKBN Ltd Dark Fibre Networks Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021)

2.13.5 HKBN Ltd Recent Developments and Future Plans

2.14 FiberLight

2.14.1 FiberLight Details

2.14.2 FiberLight Major Business

2.14.3 FiberLight Dark Fibre Networks Product and Solutions

2.14.4 FiberLight Dark Fibre Networks Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021)

2.14.5 FiberLight Recent Developments and Future Plans

2.15 ExteNet Systems

2.15.1 ExteNet Systems Details

2.15.2 ExteNet Systems Major Business

2.15.3 ExteNet Systems Dark Fibre Networks Product and Solutions

2.15.4 ExteNet Systems Dark Fibre Networks Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021)

2.15.5 ExteNet Systems Recent Developments and Future Plans



3 Market Competition, by Players

3.1 Global Dark Fibre Networks Revenue and Share by Players (2019-2021)

3.2 Market Concentration Rate

3.2.1 Top 3 Dark Fibre Networks Players Market Share

3.2.2 Top 10 Dark Fibre Networks Players Market Share

3.2.3 Market Competition Trend

3.3 Dark Fibre Networks Players Head Office, Products and Services Provided

3.4 Mergers & Acquisitions

3.5 New Entrants and Expansion Plans



4 Market Size Segment by Type

4.1 Global Dark Fibre Networks Revenue and Market Share by Type (2016-2021)

4.2 Global Dark Fibre Networks Market Forecast by Type (2021-2026)



5 Market Size Segment by Application

5.1 Global Dark Fibre Networks Revenue Market Share by Application (2016-2021)

5.2 Dark Fibre Networks Market Forecast by Application (2021-2026) About Us:

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[May 26, 2021] Business Process Outsourcing Market to grow by USD 40.16 Billion during 2021-2025, Accenture Plc and Automatic Data Processing Inc. emerge as Key Contributors to growth| Technavio

NEW YORK, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Technavio has been monitoring the business process outsourcing market and it is poised to grow by USD 40.16 billion during 2021-2025, progressing at a CAGR of over 4% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

Request Free sample report Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to transform the growth of various industries, however, the immediate impact of the outbreak is varied. While a few industries will register a drop in demand, numerous others will continue to remain unscathed and show promising growth opportunities. COVID-19 will have at par impact on the business process outsourcing market. Frequently Asked Questions: Based on segmentation by end-user, which is the leading segment in the market?

IT and telecommunication led the market during the forecast period.

IT and telecommunication led the market during the forecast period. What is the major driver influencing the market?

The increasing adoption of BPO by IT and telecom service providers will influence the market growth positively during the forecast period,

The increasing adoption of BPO by IT and telecom service providers will influence the market growth positively during the forecast period, At what rate is the market projected to grow?

The market growth will accelerate at a CAGR of about 4%.

The market growth will accelerate at a CAGR of about 4%. What is the key challenge?

Data breaches may impede market growth during the forecast period .

Data breaches may impede market growth during the forecast period How big is the North American market?

38% of the market growth will be registered by North America . Related Reports on Information Technology Include:

BPO Business Analytics Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024: The business process outsourcing market has the potential to grow by USD 40.16 billion during 2021-2025, according to Technavio. Download PDF Sample IT and BPO Services Market in India by Product, End-user, and Type - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024: The IT and BPO services market size in India has the potential to grow by USD 83.6 billion during 2020-2024, according to Technavio. Download PDF Sample 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 The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Accenture Plc, Automatic Data Processing Inc., Capgemini SE, Infosys Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., NEC Corp., NTT DATA Corp., Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., Wipro Ltd., and ZTE Corp. are some of the major market participants. Although the focus on reducing operational costs and increasing adoption of BPO by IT and telecom service providers will offer immense growt opportunities, data breaches are likely to pose a challenge for the market vendors. In a bid to help players strengthen their market foothold, this business process outsourcing market forecast report provides a detailed analysis of the leading market vendors. The report also empowers industry honchos with information on the competitive landscape and insights into the different product offerings offered by various companies.



Technavio's custom research reports offer detailed insights on the impact of COVID-19 at an industry level, a regional level, and subsequent supply chain operations. This customized report will also help clients keep up with new product launches in direct & indirect COVID-19 related markets, upcoming vaccines and pipeline analysis, and significant developments in vendor operations and government regulations. Business Process Outsourcing Market 2021-2025: Segmentation

Business Process Outsourcing Market is segmented as below:

End-user

IT And Telecommunication



BFSI



Retail



Healthcare



Others

Geography

North America



Europe



APAC



MEA



South America To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR44588 Business Process Outsourcing Market 2021-2025: Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. The business process outsourcing market report covers the following areas: Business Process Outsourcing Market Size

Business Process Outsourcing Market Trends

Business Process Outsourcing Market Industry Analysis This study identifies a surging number of BPOs as one of the prime reasons driving the business process outsourcing market growth during the next few years. Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports.

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Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Business Process Outsourcing Market 2021-2025: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025

Detailed information on factors that will assist business process outsourcing market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the business process outsourcing market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the business process outsourcing market across North America , Europe , APAC, MEA, and South America

, , APAC, MEA, and Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of business process outsourcing market vendors Table of Contents: Executive Summary Market Landscape Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis Market Sizing Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2020

Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025 Five Forces Analysis 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

IT and telecommunication - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

BFSI - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Retail - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Healthcare - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Others - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Market opportunity by End-user Customer landscape Customer landscape Geographic Landscape Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

South America - 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

Accenture Plc

Automatic Data Processing Inc.

Capgemini SE

Infosys Ltd.

International Business Machines Corp.

NEC Corp.

NTT DATA Corp.

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

Wipro Ltd.

ZTE Corp. Appendix Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact

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Report: https://www.technavio.com/report/business-process-outsourcing-market-size-industry-analysis View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/business-process-outsourcing-market-to-grow-by-usd-40-16-billion-during-2021-2025--accenture-plc-and-automatic-data-processing-inc-emerge-as-key-contributors-to-growth-technavio-301299440.html SOURCE Technavio

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[May 26, 2021] The First-Ever Smart Educational Prayer Rug for Muslims Exceeds Its Minimum Crowdfunding Goal by Over 200%

DOHA, Qatar, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sajdah, the world's first smart educational prayer rug created by Thakka Technologies, has exceeded its initial funding target on LaunchGood by over 200%. The innovative prayer learning tool is available for pre-ordering at almost half its actual price until the end of the crowdfunding campaign. "I can't thank our supporters enough. Our design team has been working hard and it's extremely rewarding for us to see Sajdah exceed its funding target," says Abdulrahman Saleh Khamis, CEO and co-founder of Thakaa Technologies. "But the feeling that we get from helping devoted Muslims improve their praying experience is truly priceless." Sajdah has raised USD 36,000 so far against a minimum funding goal of USD 15,000. The manufacturer offered a Special Early Bird discount on the first 50 pre-orders, which sold off within the first hour. Now, with barely a week to go before the campaign ends, supporters can still take advantage of the one-time 45% discount if they pre-order before June 1. Sajdah comes as a godsend to thousands of new Muslims who want to pray, but are apprehensive of committing errors in the recitation and sequence of the prayer. With Sajdah, they can easily readthe verses off the raised LED display. Sajdah can sound voice prompts and display the correct postures to guide the worshipper.



The smart prayer rug will also help millions of Muslims teach praying to their kids and make it possible for people with Alzheimer's or dementia to pray without committing an error. After the completion of the crowdfunding round, Thakaa Technologies plans to move Sajdah into mass-production and get it under the feet of every Muslim who needs help praying. "We've had a great launch, but it's only the beginning," says Abdul Ali, the co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of Thakaa Technologies. "We need continued public support to make Sajdah available to more and more Muslims who need this excellent praying aid. The best time to support us is now because the exclusive 45% discount will never be offered again."

About Thakaa Technologies Thakaa Technologies is a Qatari IoT hardware startup specializing in the designing and manufacturing of smart and innovative hardware products. The Company's main focus is to use technology for solving community problems. Sajdah is brought to life by a dedicated team of electrical & software engineers, programmers, manufacturers, and advisors. Please visit the Sajdah website to learn more. Media Contact: Abdul Ali

Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer

Email: hello@thakaa.io Related Images sajdah-smart-educational-prayer-rug.jpg

Sajdah - Smart Educational Prayer Rug

Sajdah World's First Smart Educational Prayer Rug For Every Muslim View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-first-ever-smart-educational-prayer-rug-for-muslims-exceeds-its-minimum-crowdfunding-goal-by-over-200-301299578.html SOURCE THAKAA TECHNOLOGIES QSTP-LLC

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[May 26, 2021] Aspen Appoints William Miller as Group Chief Actuarial Officer

Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited ("Aspen"), is pleased to announce the appointment of William (Bill) Miller as its new Group Chief Actuarial Officer, effective July 1 2021, subject to immigration approval. Bill joins from KPMG in Bermuda where he is Managing Director, Actuarial, responsible for advising some of the leading international (re)insurers. Prior to joining KPMG in 2014, Bill spent 12 years at Chubb legacy ACE, where he was latterly Chief Actuary for its Risk Management & Foreign Casualty divisions. Bill's actuarial career spans 35 years within the non-life sector and also includes roles at Travelers, NCCI, Reliance National and at Willis Towers Watson working as a senior consultant actuary. Bill's arrival marks the rebuilding of Aspen's actuarial function as part of the group's operational, strategic and cultural transformation that continues to gather momentum. Bill will report into Executive Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer Mark Cloutier and will be responsible for overseeing Aspen's core actuarial services. Bill will be based in Aspen's Bermuda offices and will replace current Executive Vice President and Group Chief Actuary Andrew (Andy) Kudera, who has departed Aspen to pursue other opportunities. Bill commented: "It is tremendously exciting to join the Aspen team at this stage in its journey. I am looking forward to working collaboratively with my new colleagues - and harnessing our combined expertise to support the wider business." Mark Cloutier commented: "I'm delighted to welcome Bill to Aspen. With three decades of actuarial and non-life expertise, he is the right person to support our evolving actuarial function at a time when risk management and pricing accuracy forms a key focus for Aspen to become a top quartile specialty (re)insurer. I would like to thank Andy forthe contribution he has made to Aspen and would like to wish him well with his new endeavours."



-Ends- About Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited

Aspen provides reinsurance and insurance coverage to clients in various domestic and global markets through wholly-owned subsidiaries and offices in Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. For the year ended December 31, 2020, Aspen reported $13.2 billion in total assets, $7.2 billion in gross reserves, $3.0 billion in total shareholders' equity and $3.7 billion in gross written premiums. Aspen's operating subsidiaries have been assigned a rating of "A-" by Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and an "A" ("Excellent") by A.M. Best Company Inc. For more information about Aspen, please visit www.aspen.co. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This communication and other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of Aspen contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and 2 Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, statements using words such as "may," "seek," "will," "likely," "assume," "estimate," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "do not believe," "aim," "predict," "plan," "project," "continue," "potential," "guidance," "objective," "outlook," "trends," "future," "could," "would," "should," "target," "on track" or their negatives or variations, and similar terminology and words of similar import, generally involve future or forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect Aspen's current views, plans or expectations with respect to future events and financial performance. They are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and other risks, uncertainties and contingencies. The inclusion of forward-looking statements in this or any other communication should not be considered as a representation by Aspen or any other person that current plans or expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and Aspen undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. There are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, factors affecting future results disclosed in Aspen's filings with the SEC (News - Alert) , including but not limited to those discussed under Item 3D, "Risk Factors" in Aspen's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005538/en/

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[May 26, 2021] TAC Index and Spire Aviation Announce Strategic Data Partnership

Today Spire Global, Inc. ("Spire" or the "Company'), a space-based Earth data analytics company, and TAC Index Limited ("TAC Index"), a specialist publisher of air cargo data for both industry users and the financial markets, jointly announced a strategic partnership to support the launch of TAC Space. TAC Space will offer insights built from live tracking of global air cargo supply coupled with market data, to create a unique series of data sets which is expected to bring greater color to the market and enhance data decision making capabilities for parties active in air cargo markets. TAC Space can be leveraged alongside the current TAC Index product suite, including an air cargo pricing index product which tracks market demand. "Air cargo has historically lacked transparency and near-term data, making risk management, contract negotiation, and performance benchmarking notoriously difficult," remarked TAC Index's Managing Director, Mr. John Peyton Burnett. "We are very pleased to be working closely with Spire, which generates high quality and granular flight movement data. Combined with TAC Index's internal processes and data flows, we believe the resulting information from TAC Space will be of great assistance to all parties in the air cargo market, and a welcome addition to the TAC Index air cargo product suite." TAC Index worked with Spire Aviation, part of Spire's Global Data Services group, to verify that Spire's robust ADS-B data capabilities would meet TAC Space's intensive needs and build the resulting product partnership. "Satellite-based data from Spire combined with TAC Index's cutting edge data science will provide a new view into global trade. We are excited to work with TAC Index to make global air cargo transparency a reality," said Dr. Shay Har-Noy, General Manager, Spire Aviation. "We're consistently amazed by the innovative uses of Spire's data. Just a few years ago this sort of product was out of reach, but now with Spire's cost effective LEMUR ADS-B constellation and analysis-ready APIs, we're able to stream tens of millions of data points about global air traffic every single day." About TAC Index TAC Index weekly pricing publications have changed the way forwarders, carriers and shippers as well as analysts can get insights into the air cargo industry. The fact that the indices are both fully antitrust and financial market compliant means they can also open up opportunities for the introduction of risk management tools that were not previously available to the air cargo industry. TAC Index is consolidating data shared by a representative group of international freight forwarders (a combination of global companies, SMEs, master loaders and local heroes) as it only uses transactional data. Statistical filtering using the proprietary algorithms is applied to generate truly representative general cargo indices. About Spire Aviation Spire Aviation, part of Spire Global Inc., enables application service providers and data teams to develop innovative solutions and drive business improvements using global air traffic data powered by Spire's satellite constellation. To learn more, visit www.spire.com/aviation/ About Spire Global, Inc. Spire is a global provider of space-based data and analytics that offers unique datasets and powerful insights about Earth from the ultimate vantage point so organizations can make decisions with confidence, accuracy, and speed. Spire uses one of the world's largest multi-purpose satellite constellations to source hard to acquire, valuable data and enriches it with predictive solutions. Spire then provides this data as a subscription to organizations around the world so they can improve business operations, decrease their environmental footprint, deploy resources for growth and competitive advantage, and mitigate risk. Spire gives commercial and government organizations the competitive advantage they seek to innovate and solve some of the world's toughest problems with insights from space. Spire has offices in San Francisco, CA (News - Alert) , Boulder, CO, Washington DC, Glasgow, Luxembourg, and Singapore. On March 1, 2021 Spire announced plans to go public through an anticipated business combination with NavSight Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NSH), to be traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "SPIR." To learn more, visit spire.com. About NavSight Holdings, Inc./b>



NavSight Holdings, Inc. is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. NavSight was organized with the opportunity to pursue a business combination target in any business or industry, with the intent to focus its search on identifying a prospective target business that provides expertise and technology to U.S. government customers in support of their national security, intelligence and defense missions. Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the planned business combination with Spire (the "Proposed Transaction"), NavSight has filed a Form S-4 Registration Statement (the "Registration Statement") with the SEC (News - Alert) , which includes a preliminary proxy statement to be distributed to holders of NavSight's common stock in connection with NavSight's solicitation of proxies for the vote by NavSight's stockholders with respect to the Proposed Transaction and other matters as described in the Registration Statement, a prospectus relating to the offer of the securities to be issued to the Company's stockholders in connection with the Proposed Transaction, and an information statement to Company's stockholders regarding the Proposed Transaction. After the Registration Statement is declared effective, NavSight will mail a definitive proxy statement/prospectus, when available, to its stockholders. Investors and security holders and other interested parties are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus, any amendments thereto and any other documents filed with the SEC carefully and in their entirety when they become available because they will contain important information about NavSight, the Company and the Proposed Transaction. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus and definitive proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and other documents filed with the SEC by NavSight through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: NavSight Holdings, Inc., 12020 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 100, Reston, VA 20191. Participants in Solicitation NavSight and the Company and their respective directors and certain of their respective executive officers and other members of management and employees may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies with respect to the Proposed Transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of NavSight is set forth in its Form 10-K/A filed on May 12, 2021. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is included in the Registration Statement and other relevant materials filed with the SEC regarding the Proposed Transaction. Stockholders, potential investors and other interested persons should read the Registration Statement carefully before making any voting or investment decisions. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. No Offer or Solicitation 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 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. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Forward-Looking Statements The information in this press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the Proposed Transaction. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "target" or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expectations of accelerating Spire's sales and marketing efforts, expectations of product development across Spire's aviation segment, such as TAC Space, and the applicability of such products to Spire's market, the strengthening of Spire's competitive advantage, the importance of TAC Space data to Spire's target markets, the expansion of Spire's business to new regions and markets, Spire's future growth, estimates and forecasts of financial and performance metrics, expectations of achieving and maintaining profitability, projections of total addressable markets, market opportunity and market share, net proceeds from the Proposed Transactions, potential benefits of the Proposed Transaction and the potential success of the Company's market and growth strategies, and expectations related to the terms and timing of the Proposed Transaction. These statements are based on various assumptions and on the current expectations of NavSight's and the Company's management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of NavSight and the Company. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including (i) the risk that the Proposed Transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of NavSight's securities; (ii) the risk that the Proposed Transaction may not be completed by NavSight's business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by NavSight; (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the Proposed Transaction, including the approval of the Proposed Transaction by the stockholders of NavSight, the satisfaction of the minimum trust account amount following any redemptions by NavSight's public stockholders and the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals; (iv) the inability to complete the PIPE investment in connection with the Proposed Transaction; (v) the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transaction; (vi) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the Proposed Transaction on Spire's business relationships, performance, and business generally; (vii) risks that the Proposed Transaction disrupts current plans of Spire and potential difficulties in Spire employee retention as a result of the Proposed Transaction; (viii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against NavSight or Spire related to the business combination agreement or the Proposed Transaction; (ix) the ability to maintain the listing of NavSight's securities on the New York Stock Exchange; (x) the ability to address the market opportunity for Space-as-a-Service; (xi) the risk that the Proposed Transaction may not generate expected net proceeds to the combined company; (xii) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the Proposed Transaction, and identify and realize additional opportunities; (xiii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the business combination agreement; (xiv) the risk of downturns, new entrants and a changing regulatory landscape in the highly competitive space data analytics industry; and those factors discussed in NavSight's Form S-4 filed on May 14, 2021 under the heading "Risk Factors," and other documents of NavSight filed, or to be filed, with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or the Company's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that neither NavSight nor the Company presently know or that NavSight and the Company currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect NavSight's and the Company's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. NavSight and the Company anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause NavSight's and the Company's assessments to change. However, while NavSight and the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, NavSight and the Company specifically disclaim any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing NavSight's and the Company's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005383/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Japan Cards and Payments Markets, Opportunities and Risks 2021-2024 - ResearchAndMarkets.com

The "Japan Cards and Payments - Opportunities and Risks to 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. 'Japan Cards and Payments - Opportunities and Risks to 2024' report provides detailed analysis of market trends in Japan's 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 cheques 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 the publisher's 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 Japan's cards and payments industry, including Current and forecast values for each market in Japan's cards and payments industry, including debit and credit cards.

Detailed insights into payment instruments including cash, cards, credit transfers, and cheques. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments.

Ecommerce market analysis .

Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing Japan's cards and payments indusry.

Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit and credit.



Scope To promote the use of digital payments, the Japanese government ran a point-based reward program called MyNaPoint from September 2020 until March 2021. To participate in the reward program, consumers needed to apply for My Number Card - an ID issued to Japanese citizens using their social security number or tax number. Consumers then needed to link their My Number Card to a digital payment solution, with options including payment cards, digital wallets, and QR code solutions. As part of the campaign, consumers received up to JPY5,000 ($46.01) of points for purchases up to a maximum of JPY20,000 ($184.03), which were added to the linked payment solution.

To encourage the shift towards electronic payments and boost merchant acceptance, Payments Japan Association announced guidelines for unified technical specifications for code-based payments (including QR codes and barcodes). The association rolled out a common QR code standard called JPQR in September 2019. As of April 2020, 16 QR code-based payment solutions adhered to JPQR standards, including atone, au PAY, Bank Pay, J-Coin Pay, PayPay, LINE Pay, and Rakuten Pay. The JPQR payment solution has been introduced at nearly 12,000 stores in Japan.

Payment players in Japan are making efforts to drive the uptake of contactless payments in the country. Visa is working with quick-service restaurants, convenience stores, and transit services to enable contactless payments at the POS and drive adoption ahead of the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in Japan in 2021. Visa's partner companies are also keen to promote contactless payments. AEON Card is planning to roll out 10 million contactless cards by the end of 2021; over 100,000 cash registers across 16,700 stores will be migrated to support Visa's contactless payments. Similarly, 7-Eleven started accepting contactless payments from June 2020. Contactless payments can be made using Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express (News - Alert) , and Diners Club-issued cards across 20,964 7-Eleven stores. Meanwhile, Nankai Electric Railways, Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company, and Visa are planning to introduce contactless payments in select railway stations in 2021. Key Topics Covered:

Payment Instruments

Card based Payments

Ecommerce Payments

Buy Now Pay Later

Mobile Payments

P2P Payments

Bill Payments

Alternative Payments

Job Analysis

Payment Innovations

Payment Infrastructure & Regulation

Appendix Companies Mentioned Japan Post Bank

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

Mizuho Financial Group

Mitsubishi (News - Alert) UFJ Financial Group

Resona Holdings

AEON Credit Service

Credit Saison

Rakuten

J-Debit

Visa

Mastercard

American Express

JCB

China UnionPay

Bank Pay

PayPay For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/sviy6p View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005575/en/

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[May 26, 2021] CI Financial Reports Record Total Assets of $287.5 Billion for April 2021

CI Financial Corp. ("CI") (TSX: CIX, NYSE: CIXX) today reported preliminary assets under management as at April 30, 2021 of $141.0 billion and wealth management assets of $146.5 billion, for total assets of $287.5 billion. These represent CI's highest-ever month-end levels for wealth management assets and total assets. The results reflect organic growth and the continued expansion of CI's wealth management platform. This is also the first time in CI's history that its wealth management assets have exceeded its assets under management. On April 30, 2021, CI completed the previously announced acquisitions of three U.S. registered investment advisor ("RIA") firms, adding $39.4 billion in assets to CI and more than doubling its U.S. assets. They included: Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC ("SBH") of Chicago, which has $30 billion in assets in wealth management and a robust institutional asset management business; Brightworth, LLC of Atlanta, a wealth manager with $6.1 billion in assets; and Barrett Asset Management, LLC of New York, a private wealth firm overseeing $3.3 billion. (All of these firms' assets are included under U.S. wealth management assets.) Also on April 30, 2021, Congress Wealth Management, LLC ("CWM") acquired Pinnacle Advisory Group, Inc. of Columbia, MD. CI holds a strategic ownership stake in CWM and financially supported the acquisition. With these transactions, CI has made 17 acquisitions (including acquisitions by RIA affiliates) since it entered the U.S. wealth management sector in January 2020. Earlier this month, CI also reached an agreement to acquire Dowling & Yahnke, LLC of San Diego, an RIA that manages $6.3 billion (as at March 31, 2021). That acquisition is expected to close later this quarter. As a result, CI's total assets, at $287.5 billion as at April 30, 2021, increased by $46.9 billion or 19.5% over the month and by $120.9 billion or 72.6% year over year. Total wealth management assets were up by $44.4 billion or 43.5% during the month of April and increased by $98.8 billion or 207.1% from April 30, 2020. U.S. wealth management assets at $73.9 billion increased by $42.9 billion in April and compare to assets of $0.5 billion one year ago. Canadian wealth management assets were $72.6 billion at April 30, 2021, representing a gain of 2.1% for the month and 53.8% or $25.4 billion since April 30, 2020. Canadian wealth management assets consist of the assets of CI Assante Wealth Management, Aligned Capital Partners Inc., CI Private Counsel LP, CI Direct Investing and Virtual Brokers. CI's total assets under management were $141.0 billion, representing growth of 1.8% in April and $22.1 billion or 18.6% from a year ago. CI's U.S. asset management business, which consists of certain assets managed by its U.S. RIAs, had $5.9 billion under management, unchanged from the prior month-end. Core assets under management, which are those managed by CI's Canadian and Australian subsidiaries, were up 1.9% in April and 13.6% year over year to $135.1 billion. Core average assets under management for the first quarter-to-date were $135.2 billion, a 2.7% increase from the average of $131.6 billion for the first quarter of 2021. Further information about CI's assets and financial position can be found below in the tables of statistics and on www.cifinancial.com.







CI FINANCIAL CORP. April 30, 2021 PRELIMINARY MONTH-END STATISTICS ENDING ASSETS Apr. 30/21 (billions) Mar. 31/21 (billions) % Change Apr. 30/20 (billions) % Change Core assets under management (Canada and Australia)1 $135.1 $132.6 1.9% $118.9 13.6% U.S. assets under management $5.9 $5.9 -% $- n/a Total assets under management $141.0 $138.5 1.8% $118.9 18.6% Canadian wealth management $72.6 $71.1 2.1% $47.2 53.8% U.S. wealth management $73.9 $31.0 138.4% $0.5 14680.0% Total wealth management $146.5 $102.1 43.5% $47.7 207.1% TOTAL $287.5 $240.6 19.5% $166.6 72.6%

MONTHLY CORE AVERAGE ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT Apr. 30/21 (billions) Mar. 31/21 (billions) % Change Monthly average $135.2 $132.3 2.2% FISCAL QUARTER CORE AVERAGE ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT Apr. 30/21 (billions) Mar. 31/21 (billions) % Change Fiscal quarter average $135.2 $131.6 2.7% FISCAL YEAR CORE AVERAGE ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT Fiscal 2021 (billions) Fiscal 2020 (billions) % Change Fiscal year average $132.5 $124.1 6.8% EQUITY (millions) Total outstanding shares (TSX) 206.5 QTD weighted avg. shares 203.8 FINANCIAL POSITION (millions) Gross debt $2,408 Cash $141 Includes $33.5 billion of assets managed by CI and held by clients of advisors with Assante, CIPC and Aligned Capital as at April 30, 2021 ($32.7 billion at March 31, 2021 and $26.9 billion at April 30, 2020). About CI Financial CI Financial Corp. is an independent company offering global asset management and wealth management advisory services. CI's primary asset management businesses are CI Global Asset Management (CI Investments Inc.) and GSFM Pty Ltd., and it operates in Canadian wealth management through CI Assante Wealth Management (Assante Wealth Management (Canada) Ltd.), CI Private Counsel LP, Aligned Capital Partners Inc., CI Direct Investing (WealthBar Financial Services Inc.), and CI Investment Services Inc. CI's U.S. wealth management businesses consist of Barrett Asset Management, LLC, BDF LLC, Bowling Portfolio Management LLC, Brightworth, LLC, The Cabana Group, LLC, Congress Wealth Management, LLC, Doyle Wealth Management, LLC, One Capital Management, LLC, The Roosevelt Investment Group, LLC, RGT Wealth Advisors, LLC, Segall, Bryant & Hamill, LLC, Stavis & Cohen Private Wealth, LLC and Surevest LLC. CI is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under CIX and on the New York Stock Exchange under CIXX. Further information is available at www.cifinancial.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance or expectations with respect to CI Financial Corp. ("CI") and its products and services, including its business operations, strategy and financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "believe", "expect", "foresee", "forecast", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "goal", "plan" and "project" and similar references to future periods, or conditional verbs such as "will", "may", "should", "could" or "would". These statements are not historical facts but instead represent management beliefs regarding future events, many of which by their nature are inherently uncertain and beyond management's control. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements involve risks and uncertainties. The material factors and assumptions applied in reaching the conclusions contained in these forward-looking statements include that the acquisition of Dowling & Yahnke, LLC will be completed and their asset levels will remain stable, that the investment fund industry will remain stable and that interest rates will remain relatively stable. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, among other things, general economic and market conditions, including interest and foreign exchange rates, global financial markets, changes in government regulations or in tax laws, industry competition, technological developments and other factors described or discussed in CI's disclosure materials filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. The foregoing list is not exhaustive and the reader is cautioned to consider these and other factors carefully and not to place undue reliance on forward- looking statements. Other than as specifically required by applicable law, CI undertakes no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statement after the date on which it is made, whether to reflect new information, future events or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005245/en/

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 20:27:25|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Wednesday that China is willing to work with Montenegro to carry forward their friendship, consolidate political mutual trust, and to promote the continuous development of bilateral relations.

During a phone conversation with Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic, Xi said China stands ready to continuously deepen practical cooperation with Montenegro in various fields such as infrastructure construction, so as to better benefit the people of the two countries. Enditem
[May 26, 2021] Facedrive's EcoCRED App Piloted by the Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George's County, MD

Facedrive Inc. ("Facedrive" or the "Company") (TSXV:FD) (OTCQX:FDVRF), a Canadian "people-and-planet first" tech ecosystem, is pleased to announce that the Company's EcoCRED mobile application will be part of a pilot project ("Pilot Project") partnering with The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George's County and Pepco, to help the county's residents reduce their carbon footprint and build eco-friendly habits. The initiative to provide Prince George's County residents with EcoCRED as a means to improve sustainability habits is supported by Pepco, a local energy delivery company providing safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy service to approximately 894,000 customers in the District of Columbia and Maryland. EcoCRED is a sustainability platform aimed at empowering people to do more for the planet. Through its mobile application, EcoCRED estimates users' daily carbon footprint based on data they input relating to where they live, how they commute, their heating and air conditioning habits, and the type of vehicle they drive. In the weeks prior to this announcement, functionality and data of EcoCRED was expanded to customize the application for residents of Prince George's County. This Pilot Project is aimed at advancing the mission of the Department of Parks and Recreation to conserve and protect the natural spaces and species in the county through sustainable practices. Residents will be able to use the EcoCRED App to track simple daily habits that have the potential to make a significant difference. Furthermore, the EcoCRED App will enable residents to measure, trace and reduce their carbon footprint and obtain carbon credits that can offset the impact on the planet and help bring powerful sustainable initiatives (like wind farms) to life. Residents of Prince George's County will be joining over 40,000 EcoCRED members who, together, have reduced over 4,000,000 pounds of carbon emissions through their usage of the platform. "The EcoCRED App is designed to help those who think individuals cannot make a difference realize that small, consistent actions by individuals can make a big difference for our planet," noted Suman (News - Alert) Pushparajah, COO of Facedrive. "Facedrive and EcoCRED were both founded on a powerful vision of building a cleaner and brighter future for our customers and communities. We are pleased to be part of this rollout. Supporting our planet is not an option. It is each and everyone's duty." "When each of us makes small changes in our daily routine, using tools like EcoCRED, we build habits that help reduce our ecological footprint," said Bill Tyler, Director of the M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation. "The EcoCred App will provide residents with information on the Department's sustainability efforts and events, and how they can take part." "At Pepco, w are committed to powering a cleaner and brighter future for our customers and communities," said William Ellis, Pepco Region Vice President. "We are pleased to recognize the Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation for its longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability and look forward to partnering with the Department to provide information and resources, such as EcoCRED, to advance more sustainable communities."



About Facedrive Facedrive is a multi-faceted "people-and-planet first" tech ecosystem offering socially-responsible services to local communities with a strong commitment to doing business fairly, equitably and sustainably. As part of this commitment, Facedrive's vision is to fulfil its mandate through a number of services that either leverage existing technologies of the Company or project synergies with existing lines of business. Facedrive's service offerings include its: (i) eco-friendly rideshare business, Facedrive Rideshare; (ii) food delivery service, Facedrive Foods; (iii) electric and hybrid vehicle subscription business, Steer; (iv) contact-tracing and connected health technology services, Facedrive Health; (v) e-commerce platform, Facedrive Marketplace; and (vi) e-social platform, Facedrive Social. Facedrive Rideshare was among the first to offer a wide variety of environmentally and socially responsible solutions in the Transportation as a Service (TaaS) space, planting thousands of trees based on user consumption and offering choices between electric, hybrid and conventional vehicles (including, more recently, electric and hybrid vehicles on a subscription basis through Steer). Facedrive Marketplace offers curated merchandise typically created from sustainably sourced materials and linked to social causes. Facedrive Foods offers contactless delivery of a wide variety of foods right to consumers' doorsteps, with a focus on doing so in a socially and environmentally-conscious manner. Facedrive Social strives to keep people connected in a physically-distanced world through its HiQ and other e-socialization platforms that invite users to interact based on common interests and by offering gamification and mutual community support features. Facedrive Health strives to develop and offer innovative technological solutions to the most acute health challenges including its proprietary TraceSCAN wearable technology for contact tracing. Facedrive envisions changing the ridesharing, food delivery, e-commerce, social and health tech narratives for the better, for everyone, and is currently operational in Canada and the United States. For more about Facedrive, visit www.facedrive.com.

Facedrive Inc.

100 Consilium Pl, Unit 104, Scarborough, ON (News - Alert) , Canada M1H 3E3

www.facedrive.com Forward-Looking Information Certain information in this press release contains forward-looking information. This information is based on management's reasonable assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to us and are made as of the date of this press release. Actual results and the timing of events (for example, those related to the success of the Pilot Project) may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information as a result of various factors. Information regarding our expectations of future results, performance, achievements, prospects or opportunities or the markets in which we operate is forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances. Many factors could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements or future events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. See "Forward-Looking Information" and "Risk Factors" in Facedrive's Annual Management Discussion & Analysis (MD&A) for the year ended December 31, 2020 (filed on SEDAR on April 30, 2021) for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements and other risks. Readers are urged to consider the uncertainties, risks and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking information and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. We have no intention and undertake no 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 securities legislation and regulatory requirements. 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/20210526005464/en/

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[May 26, 2021] PartnerStack, the Leading Partnerships Platform for SaaS, Closes $29 Million Series B Funding Round

Investment led by 3L, Whitecap Venture Partners, Harbourvest, and RRE Ventures TORONTO, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - PartnerStack, provider of the only partnerships platform designed to create new revenue channels for SaaS businesses, today announced that it has closed $29 million USD in Series B funding. This investment round was led by 3L with participation from Whitecap Venture Partners, Harbourvest and existing investor RRE Ventures, and caps off a fourth consecutive year of triple-digit revenue growth for the company since its founding through Y Combinator in 2015. With this new round of funding, PartnerStack will invest in recruiting more high-value partners into its partner network, building more opportunities into its platform for SaaS companies and partners to discover each other, improving its built-in payments and automation technologies, and scaling up its go-to-market efforts alongside its own partner program to bring the power of partnerships to even more SaaS companies. "We started building PartnerStack when we saw that other partner management software just isn't built for SaaS businesses, at a time when most SaaS businesses weren't yet looking for it," said Bryn Jones, PartnerStack CEO and co-founder. "That's changed: this investment comes as more SaaS businesses today see how partnerships can scale revenue faster than sales and marketing alone. We're proud to work with many of the fastest growing programs in SaaS, and this investment will allow us to reach and support many more." "We increasingly see businesses in our portfolio and across the industry doubling down on channel partners as a major growth lever, and we see PartnerStack as the only company that has built a platform, marketplace and payments layer that powers indirect software distribution," said Jodi Kessler, partner at 3L. "We're excited to support PartnerStack  and their customers  in this next stage of growth." In the past year, PartnerStack's network of 65,000+ active partners has driven over $120 million USD in revenue and over 1.6 million new customer sign ups for companies hosting their partner programs on the PartnerStack platform. The platform is ranked #1 in Partner Management Software by leading business software review site G2, which also named PartnerStack one of the Top Products for Sales and Fastest Growing Products in its 2021 Best Software list. PartnerStack was ranked Canada's #1 Best Workplace in its size category by Great Place to Work, and more than doubled its headcount to 136 people in th past year, all while the company transitioned from working in its Toronto headquarters to being fully remote during the coronavirus pandemic. As it gears up for the next stage of growth, PartnerStack is looking to continue growing its team and to establish a new headquarters in Toronto.



About PartnerStack

PartnerStack is a complete partnerships platform, built to empower SaaS companies and their partners to drive predictable, recurring revenue. PartnerStack allows marketing, sales and revenue leaders to manage all of their partner relationships in a single platform, making it easy to scale up channels and reach new markets. By integrating with the tools marketing and sales teams use most, and automating the most challenging parts of partnerships management, PartnerStack removes the barriers to growing partnerships into a major revenue channel for SaaS companies including Monday.com, Aircall, Intercom, Bill.com, and Webflow. Founded in 2015 through Y Combinator, PartnerStack is backed by investors including 3L, Whitecap Venture Partners, Harbourvest, and RRE Ventures. Learn more at partnerstack.com or contact press@partnerstack.com.



About 3L

3L provides capital, perspective and a global network of entrepreneurs and industry leaders to exceptional, early-stage growth companies. The firm invests in both consumer and enterprise businesses characterized by strong founders and executives, demonstrable product-market fit and scalable unit economics. Representative 3L companies include goPuff, Ro, Daily Harvest, Flaschenpost, ChowNow, and Relativity Space, among others. The firm was founded in 2017 and has offices in Los Angeles and New York City. For more information, visit www.3Lcap.com.

About Whitecap Venture Partners

Whitecap Venture Partners is a leading early stage venture capital fund investing in high growth companies across three verticals: Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Med Tech and Food/Food Tech. Its team of operators and investment professionals partner with entrepreneurs in verticals where they have deep domain expertise and can bring significant operational and strategic value to companies. Additional information is available at www.whitecapvp.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. About RRE Ventures

RRE Ventures is a New York-based venture capital firm with +$2B AUM with 27 years of history investing in category-defining startups across enterprise software, fintech, crypto, healthcare, consumer, media, proptech, robotics, and space. Notable investments include Noom, Olo, Digital Currency Group, Paxos, Ripple, Bark, Venmo, Vine, BuzzFeed, Latch, DataDog, NerdWallet, VTS, Knock, among others. For more information about the firm, visit www.rre.com . View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/partnerstack-the-leading-partnerships-platform-for-saas-closes-29-million-series-b-funding-round-301299828.html SOURCE PartnerStack

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[May 26, 2021] Pandemic Put Lenders to "Digital Test," J.D. Power Finds

According to the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Consumer Lending Satisfaction Study,SM released today, the consumer lending space was severely disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic as a combination of stimulus funding, record high mortgage refinance volume and a tenuous economy crimped the consumer loan market. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005121/en/ J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Consumer Lending Satisfaction Study (Graphic: Business Wire) "The consumer lending landscape shifted dramatically over the past year and consumers need to understand that this shift will be permanent," said Jim Houston, managing director of consumer lending and automotive finance intelligence at J.D. Power. "To attract and retain customers, personal lenders need to deliver easy-to-use technology and adapt communication channels to market demands." Following are key findings of the 2021 study: Customer satisfaction was flat for the Personal Loan industry: FinTech lenders see their overall satisfaction scores decline 5 points (on a 1,000-point scale) this year, due to slower application approval times and tighter credit criteria. By contrast, traditional bank and credit card-branded lenders see overall customer satisfaction scores rise 4 points this year. Trust in lending partners is up year over year: While the pandemic forced lenders to change how they do business overall industry trust improves. Traditional lenders significantly outperformed FinTechs in putting the customer first; providing guidance; is aligned with my social views; provides honest communication; treats people fairly; and provides more reliable technology. <>Easy-to-use websites and mobile apps gain even more importance: Lenders were forced to rely on digital means during the pandemic, especially traditional lenders. FinTech customers were more likely to use their personal computer to engage, while traditional lenders relied on mobile applications. No matter how they were accessed, secure and easy to use sites were high on consumer wants, as they continue to compare site use against all of their other web interactions.



Study Ranking American Express (News - Alert) (874) and Discover (874) rank highest in a tie among personal loan lenders in overall customer satisfaction. Citi (864) ranks third.

The J.D. Power U.S. Consumer Lending Satisfaction Study measures overall customer satisfaction based on performance in three factors: offerings and terms; loan management; and application and approval. The study is based on responses from 2,467 personal loan customers and was fielded in December-February 2021. The study also includes Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) customers, but this segment was not award-eligible in the 2021 study due to a lack of lenders with sufficient sample size. For more information about the J.D. Power U.S. Consumer Lending Satisfaction Study, visit https://www.jdpower.com/business/financial-services/us-consumer-lending-satisfaction-study. To view the online press release, please visit http://www.jdpower.com/pr-id/2021054. About J.D. Power J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics. A pioneer in the use of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic modeling capabilities to understand consumer behavior, J.D. Power has been delivering incisive industry intelligence on customer interactions with brands and products for more than 50 years. The world's leading businesses across major industries rely on J.D. Power to guide their customer-facing strategies. J.D. Power is headquartered in Troy, Mich., and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more about the company's business offerings, visit JDPower.com/business. The J.D. Power auto shopping tool can be found at JDPower.com. About J.D. Power and Advertising/Promotional Rules: www.jdpower.com/business/about-us/press-release-info View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005121/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Ancestry Offers Free Access to Discover Your Family's Military Heroes and Holds Nationwide Tribute to Honor the Fallen

Ancestry, the leader in family history, is commemorating the 50th anniversary of Memorial Day becoming a federal holiday by honoring stories of America's fallen heroes with a nationwide virtual tribute. The company invites everyone to honor a loved ones' legacy by sharing a photo or record of a military hero in their family on Instagram by tagging @Ancestry and using the hashtag #ISaluteFor. To help find stories to share, Ancestry is also offering free access to search military records and personalized stories about your ancestors. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005274/en/ (Photo: Ancestry) Ancestry partnered with Wounded Warrior Project, The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation, Combined Arms and Jewish War Veterans to create a "50 Story Salute", a joint tribute to those who sacrificed their lives to secure our freedom. The tribute on Ancestry social channels is a curated montage of military heroes through time highlighting powerful stories of strength and hope. "Memorial Day is about honoring those who didn't make it home," says Bryan Escoedo, Systems Director, Combined Arms. "We are humbled to be part of the Ancestry '50 Story Salute.' Each story shared will continue the memory of the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom."



To help find family members who served our nation and who lived through these remarkable chapters in history, from May 28-31 Ancestry is opening free access to: Search more than 550 million military records on Fold3  , covering military conflicts as early as the Revolutionary War.

, covering military conflicts as early as the Revolutionary War. Personalized stories on Ancestry.com using its StoryScout tool which quickly sifts through millions of records and can curate stories about your ancestors to help you make meaningful discoveries with no research needed. "Helping everyone easily discover, craft and connect to their family legacy is core to what we do at Ancestry," said Deb Liu, President and CEO at Ancestry. "We can become more resilient and bolster hope for the future by learning more about the people who came before us. This Memorial Day, we hope every American will take a moment to connect to the heroes in their personal family trees, honor their sacrifices and make their ancestors' stories a lasting part of their family legacies."

Military records can provide incredible details about the heroes in your family and the sacrifices they made. Find the names of those who perished in the fight, who were listed as missing in action or were prisoners of war, the veterans who returned, and the sacrifices of their families in the fight to preserve freedom. This Memorial Day weekend, visit Ancestry to find those in your family who served our nation and who lived through these remarkable chapters in history. Share your stories with #ISaluteFor. About Ancestry Ancestry, the global leader in family history and consumer genomics, empowers journeys of personal discovery to enrich lives. With our unparalleled collection of more than 27 billion records and over 18 million people in our growing DNA network, customers can discover their family story and gain a new level of understanding about their lives. For over 30 years, we've built trusted relationships with millions of people who have chosen us as the platform for discovering, preserving and sharing the most important information about themselves and their families. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005274/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Atlas Financial Holdings Announces Closing Of Sale of American Service and American Country Insurance Companies to Buckle

Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc. (OTC: AFHIF) ("Atlas" or the "Company") today announced that the previously disclosed sale of the stock, charter and state licenses of Atlas' indirect subsidiaries American Service Insurance Company, Inc. ("American Service") and American Country Insurance Company ("American Country", and collectively "Indirect Subsidiaries") to Buckle, an inclusive tech-enabled financial services company, was concluded successfully with the necessary regulatory and court approvals. Transaction Details and Background

The transaction closed effective May 25, 2021. The amount of $3,000,000, representing a portion of the purchase price, was paid to the statutory liquidator of the Indirect Subsidiaries at closing by Buckle. A holdback amount will be paid by Buckle to the statutory liquidator within five (5) business days following the date that is six (6) months following the closing date, which will be calculated based on the status of licenses that may change following closing. The stock purchase agreement was previously disclosed via Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and was subsequently amended as filed on Form 8-k concurrent with this release. Buckle plans to re-capitalize the Insurance Subsidiaries to support go-forward business. As previously announced, Atlas' strategic focus includes transitioning business previously written by the Indirect Subsidiaries as well as Gateway (News - Alert) Insurance Company, which was previously acquired by Buckle, to alternative markets through the Company's wholly owned managing general agency ("MGA"), Anchor Group Management, Inc. ("AGMI"), to leverage the team, distribution systems and other resources aligned under this business unit. Upon closing, affiliates of Buckle and AGMI intend to expand their existing general agency agreement relating to the transition of qualifying taxi, livery and limousine insurance business. The previously announced program framework agreement relating to administrative support to be provided by Atlas subsidiaries to Buckle in connection with the operation of Buckle's insurance companies is also being expanded to include the Indirect Subsidiaries. Management Commentary: Continued Progress with the Company's MGA Strategy

Scott D. Wollney, President & CEO of Atlas, stated, "We are very pleased to have concluded this transaction regarding the sale of legacy insurance assets to Buckle. We expect it will provide incremental positive benefits to both companies, our employees, customers, investors, and other stakeholders. As we contnue pursuing our specialty MGA strategy, expanding the scope of our risk taking partner relationships will increase our flexibility with respect to product offerings and addressable markets. Our emphasis continues to be focused on generating EBITDA at the MGA level, while endeavoring to reduce risk and capital requirements related to traditional primary insurance company operations."



"Buckle recognizes that MGAs represent a valuable aspect of the risk transfer supply chain," stated Sharon Fernandez, Head of Insurance at Buckle. "Adding American Country and American Service Insurance Companies to our carrier infrastructure is expected to provide additional flexibility in connection with the 'digital fronting' aspect of our business model. We are excited to continue working together with AGMI and our reinsurance partners to expand our infrastructure in anticipation of growth in the important transportation markets we collectively serve." Mr. Wollney continued, "While it remains very difficult to forecast expected business volumes, revenue, and other key metrics due to COVID-19 related economic uncertainty, we are encouraged to see leading indicators of recovery in our customers' business segments. This transaction brings us one step closer to finalizing our strategic transition and adds additional resources we believe will ensure we are best positioned to capture business in the face of an expected recovery."

About Buckle

Buckle is the inclusive, digital financial services company serving the emerging middle class and providers to the gig economy. Using a portfolio of technologies and data sources, Buckle provides insurance and credit products to those who earn less than the average American wage and are subsequently penalized for having poor or no credit. Connect with Buckle on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Visit www.buckleup.com. About Atlas

The primary business of Atlas is commercial automobile insurance in the United States, with a niche market orientation and focus on insurance for the "light" commercial automobile sector including taxi cabs, nonemergency para-transit, limousine/livery (including full-time transportation network company drivers) and business auto. Atlas' specialized infrastructure is designed to leverage analytics, expertise and technology to efficiently and profitably provide insurance solutions for independent contractors, owner operators and other smaller accounts. The Company's strategy is focused on leveraging its managing general agency operation ("AGMI") and its insuretech digital platform ("optOn"). For more information about Atlas, please visit www.atlas-fin.com, www.agmiinsurance.com , and www.getopton.com. Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Atlas and its insurance subsidiaries and businesses. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of each entity. The words "anticipate," "expect," "believe," "may," "should," "estimate," "project," "outlook," "forecast" or similar words are used to identify such forward looking information. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this 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 insurance industry, economic factors and the equity markets generally and the risk factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. 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 Atlas and its subsidiaries undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005113/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Apex Fintech Solutions to Launch Product Providing Investors with Immediate Access to Cash Following Sale of U.S. Equities

Apex (News - Alert) Fintech Solutions LLC ("Apex"), the "fintech for fintechs" powering innovation and the future of digital wealth management, today announced it intends to launch a product that is designed to give investors immediate access to funds upon the sale of U.S. equity securities, rather than waiting the customary two-day settlement period. Upon the sale of securities, Apex will settle transactions under normal two-day settlement standards, however, it will provide end investors with immediate access to the cash value of the trade in their account, simulating an instant settlement process. The product is expected to be fully available to Apex clients by the end of the third quarter of 2021. "Apex believes investing should be accessible and transparent, and technology can enable solutions to meet these objectives," said Bill Capuzzi, Chief Executive Officer, Apex Fintech Solutions. "We will continue to develop and provide innovative solutions to offer investors choices that facilitate their ability to invest when and how they wish. This offering is one of many that Apex will bring to market as part of a suite of solutions that make us the partner of choice for financial services providers looking to seamlessly integrate investments into their customer experience." The financial services industry has always embraced techology and evolved to meet the demands of customers to enable integrated and instant functionality between financial verticals, from cash withdrawals at ATMs to credit and debit card purchases, electronic payments services, and more. The required two-day settlement period for trading U.S. equities has lagged behind and by streamlining the delivery of cash following the sale of securities, Apex is creating yet another tool that simplifies and modernizes the investment process for end-users.



ABOUT APEX FINTECH SOLUTIONS Apex Fintech Solutions LLC, the "fintech for fintechs," is the parent company of Apex Clearing Corporation, a custody and clearing platform that's powering innovation and the future of digital wealth management, and Apex Pro, a trusted clearing partner to broker-dealers, ATS's, routing firms, professional trading firms, hedge funds, institutions and emerging managers. We offer cryptocurrency trading and custody services through Apex Crypto LLC, which is expected to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Apex Fintech Solutions pending receipt of required regulatory approvals. Collectively, our suite of solutions creates an environment where companies with the biggest ideas in fintech are empowered to change the world. If you've got the guts to dream, we've got the guts to help you realize those dreams.

As announced on February 22, 2021, Apex entered into a definitive agreement with Northern Star Investment Corp. II ("Northern Star") (NYSE: NSTB), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, which would result in Apex becoming a publicly listed company in the second quarter of 2021, after the required approval by the stockholders of Northern Star and the fulfillment of certain other conditions set forth in the merger agreement. For more information, visit the Apex Fintech Solutions website: https://www.apexfintechsolutions.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005312/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Anne Klein Debuts New Home Collection at Macys.com

NEW YORK, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Iconic women's fashion brand ANNE KLEIN debuts a new home collection available now at Macys.com and launching on flagship website AnneKlein.com. The namesake founder's design archives and legacy of creating beautiful, welcoming homes where she hosted countless guests at her Connecticut country home, West Hampton's beach house, and Manhattan downtown apartment with a pool in its entry, serve as inspiration for the collection. There are few designers who changed the course of American fashion, but it was Anne Klein's revolutionary idea to offer women a complete wardrobe of coordinated pieces. Now the Anne Klein Home collection is a complete wardrobe for the bed with classic design that is as timeless as the founder's vision. "We are excited to bring the bed and bath categories to Anne Klein and expand the brand's presence at leading omnichannel and DTC retailers," said Effy Zinkin, Chief Operating Officer at WHP Global, which owns the Anne Klein brand. "The launch of the Home collection is a testament to our mission of giving the Anne Klein consumer even more ways to experience and shop the brand in a meaningful way." The home collection available now at Macys.com features four sophisticated 5-piece comforter sets ranging in price from $190 to $250 MSRP and include a comforter, two shams and two complimentary decorative pillows. A diamond quilt set with shams in navy or white is available starting at $140 MSRP for a twin set, $160 MSRP for a full/queen set and $180 MSRP for a king set. Anne Klein's bath collection features a 100% cotton 6-piece towel set with a two bath and hand towels and two wash cloths in four classic color ways for $86 MSRP.



Customers can shop Anne Klein home, fragrance, apparel, and accessories at Macys.com and at AnneKlein.com. About Anne Klein

Anne Klein is an iconic legacy women's fashion brand founded in 1968, serving women around the world with classic American style. The brand, which is owned by WHP Global, has product distributed by best-in-class partners including Steve Madden for footwear and handbags, Kasper Group for sportswear, E. Gluck for watches, Herman Kay for outerwear, ONE Jeanswear Group for denim, Komar for loungewear, Marchon for eyewear, Centric for hosiery, Amiee Lynn for Accessories, Palm Beach for fragrance and cosmetics, Vandale International for intimates, Sunham for home, and The Jewelry Group for jewelry. Anne Klein products are sold globally throughout North America, China, South Korea, The Philippines, and Mexico. For more information, visit www.anneklein.com, @AnneKlein on Facebook or @AnneKleinOfficial on Instagram.

About WHP Global

WHP Global is a New York-based firm that acquires global consumer brands and invests in high-growth distribution channels including digital commerce platforms and global expansion. WHP owns ANNE KLEIN, JOSEPH ABBOUD and a controlling interest in TOYS"R"US, BABIES"R"US, Geoffrey the Giraffe and more than 20 additional consumer brands in the toy and baby categories. WHP manages over $3 billion in retail sales across its portfolio of brands. In 2020, the company launched WHP+ (www.whp-plus.com), a turnkey direct to consumer digital e-commerce platform for brands, with full in-house operations including technology, data analytics, logistics, creative and digital marketing. For more information, visit www.whp-global.com. Media Contacts:

ATELIER Creative Service

Colette Sipperly

310780@email4pr.com WHP Global

Jaime Cassavechia

(646) 701-7041

310780@email4pr.com

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/anne-klein-debuts-new-home-collection-at-macyscom-301299691.html SOURCE Anne Klein

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[May 26, 2021] MilVil App Founder Moves - Offers Advice to Military Spouses

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The seventh time is a charm! Katie Glover, founder of the military moving app, MilVil, completed her seventh move in the military this month. However, she warns fellow military spouses, this one was very different. Moving from overseas, she came stateside before her family. The goal  to establish a residence and make it easier on the kids. "The first thing everyone needs to realize, is the housing market is crazy," said Glover, who is also a licensed real estate broker in North Carolina. "I was looking at houses that had 50 showings in one day, 28 offers before I even walked in." The first piece of advice for the move  figure out where you want to live, get pre-approved, and work with an agent prior to the move. Even though the military offers time for house hunting, this year, that time may not be enough. Second - change your packing list! Whether families experience delays due to quarantine, or with buying/renting a home, reduce out of pocket expenses by throwing a pot or pan and some utensils into your luggage. Third  this is the time for a clean break! In past years, families found themselvesunderwater on homes during the move, and chose to rent out, rather than sell. Across many military communities, we are in a seller's market. Whether it's a home you are in now, or a home from several moves ago, this is the market to sell unwanted homes.



Fourth  download and use the MilVil app. The app is set up to make the moving process easier. Even with all the unknowns of the pandemic, the app will assist in keeping organized, and understanding more about the entire process. "Even with all of my experience, I found myself jumping on the app, just to ensure I was keeping on track," said Glover.

Founded in 2015, MilVil Inc. helps service members and their families through the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) process through an interactive app with semi-custom checklists, tips, calendars, budgets, receipt recording and more. The app's main mission is to make the PCS process easier through increasing understanding and communication during the move. The app is currently available on the App Store and Google Play. More information is available on the company's website: MilVil.com or through contacting MilVil directly at 309021@email4pr.com or 910.987.6552. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/milvil-app-founder-moves--offers-advice-to-military-spouses-301299629.html SOURCE MilVil Inc

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[May 26, 2021] Woolpert Collecting Imagery and Lidar, Providing Technical Support in Alaska for USAF GeoBase Program

SAN ANTONIO, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Woolpert has been selected to provide geospatial data acquisition and production services, as well as related training, in Alaska in support of the U.S. Air Force's Combat Support Geospatial Information and Services (GeoBase) Program. GeoBase is an Enterprise Program operating at Installations and contingency locations worldwide. It is led from Joint Base San Antonio under the direction of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center. This geospatial data is collected at USAF installations worldwide for multiple applications depending on needs. Woolpert was awarded this one-year task order to collect lidar data and high-resolution orthoimagery at USAF installations in Alaska, where Woolpert has been collecting geospatial data for the last four years. Woolpert Vice President Greg Fox, the program director for the GeoBase Installation Imagery Program, said these nine Alaska sites are among the 36 that Woolpert will collect worldwide this year under the program. The firm has a fleet of more than two dozen manned and unmanned aircraft and owns and operates more than 50 sensors and systems. Since 2016, Woolpert has collected more than 39,000 square kilometers of airborne imagery and lidar data at 190 USAF sites in 15 countries on five continents. That's the equivalent of Massachusetts and Connecticut combined. Fox said the USAF GeoBase Program collects airborne imagery at USAF installations on a three- to five-year cycle to achieve up-to-date geospatial data for the Common Installation Picture. "This comprehensive, digitally accessible CIP data supports each installation, accurately and efficiently managing its bilt and natural infrastructure," Fox said. "Instead of roaming the installation in a truck, Air Force staff can access precise, quantifiable and defensible data from the office for multiple applications. Everything on the base can be checked and verified with this imagery."



Applications for these data include but are not limited to planimetric updates, construction management, flood analyses, emergency response and evacuation, national security, utility mapping, modeling and simulation, and flight safety. The data also are used to conduct installation inventory and site compliance, like ensuring buildings have ramps that meet Americans with Disabilities Act regulations. Woolpert and teaming partner Kodiak Mapping Inc., a local Alaskan aerial survey firm, will collect high-resolution, four-band RGB/NIR imagery and linear-mode lidar data. Woolpert will establish accurate, three-dimensional coordinates for photogrammetric ground control survey in support. The imagery and data collected will be immediately processed, and an ISO 9001:2015 quality control review will be conducted. Woolpert also will provide training classes and materials on-site, as desired.

Woolpert Geospatial Specialist Dana Dwyer-Torres said prior to the USAF Installation Imagery and Lidar Program, each USAF installation had to purchase its own imagery. Some relied on satellite imagery alone, which does not provide the required precision and accuracy. "It was difficult for them each to understand the accuracies needed, and some would pay way too much for the imagery they received," Dwyer-Torres said. "This program is a great value for the Air Force. As the technology is getting better, the datasets are getting better. In the early stages of the program, we were providing lidar data at 2 points per square meter, however we are now providing lidar data at 8ppsm or better, depending on data needs. This increase in lidar density has enhanced the installation's ability to support its mission through improved data feature extraction, elevation modeling, 3D building modeling and 1-foot contour generation. The workflow is streamlined, and the products continue to advance." Fox lauded Air Force GeoBase Program Manager Scott Ensign and the AFCEC Geospatial Integration Office for starting this program and for supporting the USAF, as well as other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. "This data goes into a repository at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's GRiD, helping other U.S. Department of Defense organizations, including the Army and Navy," Fox said. "GeoBase provides consistent data that can be compared across installations, and it supports specific requests at each installation depending on requirements and needs. The AFCEC and AFSOC had the foresight and acumen to pursue and implement a strategic, cost-effective solution, which continually benefits the nation on both a micro and macro level." Woolpert has been under contract in support of GeoBase for much of the program's 20 years. The firm currently has more than 80 staff members who support GeoBase worldwide. About Woolpert

Woolpert is the premier architecture, engineering, geospatial (AEG) and strategic consulting firm, with a vision to become one of the best companies in the world. We innovate within and across markets to effectively serve public, private and government clients worldwide. Woolpert is an ENR Top 150 Global Design Firm, recently earned its fifth-straight Great Place to Work certification and actively nurtures a culture of growth, inclusion, diversity and respect. Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, Woolpert has been America's fastest-growing AEG firm since 2015. The firm has over 1,100 employees and 42 offices in three countries. For more, visit woolpert.com. Media contact: Woolpert PR Manager Jill Kelley; 937-531-1258, jill.kelley@woolpert.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/woolpert-collecting-imagery-and-lidar-providing-technical-support-in-alaska-for-usaf-geobase-program-301299880.html SOURCE Woolpert

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[May 26, 2021] Civil Air Patrol awards $2.1 million contract to Persistent Systems to supply AERONet system

NEW YORK, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Persistent Systems, LLC ("Persistent"), an industry leader in mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) technology, announced today it has been awarded a $2.1 million contract to supply AERONet to Civil Air Patrol, the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. Persistent will outfit nine aircraft, 21 dismounted ground units, six vehicles and three tactical operations centers with AERONet, or the Airborne Extensible Relay Over-Horizon Network, an IP-based MANET capability that can facilitate: Disaster relief and emergency aid,

Drug interdiction and other law enforcement missions,

Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance,

Personnel recovery operations,

Close air support, and

Joint force and joint nation operations. The contract follows multiple earlier ones that included AERONet equipment for five aircraft, three dismounted units, one vehicle and one tactical operations center, along with spares. "With AERONet, Civil Air Patrol will be able to conduct disaster relief and emergency aid missions far more effectively," said Adrien Robenhymer, Persistent's VP of Business Development for Air Force and Intelligence Community Programs. "Teams that otherwise would have had to operate in isolation can now connect back to a tactical operations center and be guided by medical professionals." Separate AERONet enclaves can also be federated at a reginal hub, so different organizations can better coordinate their activities and avoid working at cross-purposes, Robenhymer added.



The AERONet kit for a Civil Air Patrol aircraft includes two MPU5 tactical networking devices, each operating on separate radio frequency bands and using a different set of multiple-input and multiple output antennas, said Gabe Pagliere, Persistent Systems project engineer and lead on the company's AERONet efforts. "When the tactical operations center and deployed ground teams are not in range of each other, they can relay their communication through the AERONet equipment on the airplane," Pagliere said. "This enables their communication to extend across long distances, over terrain and around obstructions."

Persistent Systems successfully conducted an AERONet demonstration in August linking an aircraft to a tactical operations center and a beyond-line-sight unit on the ground. The link delivered a live video feed to simulate how medical doctors could provide remote assistance from anywhere in the world. The demonstration proved that robust network connectivity could save lives during a disaster relief effort. "Following that, we completed our first AERONet integration with an international customer," Robenhymer said, "and we are already supporting multiple domestic and international implementations of this capability."



About Persistent Systems, LLC Headquartered in New York City since 2007, Persistent Systems, LLC is a global communications technology company that develops and manufactures a patented and secure Mobile Ad hoc Networking (MANET) system: Wave Relay. Wave Relay transmits and receives data, video, voice and other applications under the most difficult conditions. Their suite of products is utilized in Commercial, Military, Government, Industrial, Agriculture, Robotics, and Unmanned Systems markets. Please visit http://www.persistentsystems.com to learn more. Follow Persistent Systems on Twitter to get updates on the latest developments @pswaverelay. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/civil-air-patrol-awards-2-1-million-contract-to-persistent-systems-to-supply-aeronet-system-301299747.html SOURCE Persistent Systems, LLC

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 20:48:43|Editor: huaxia

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-- The words have hung heavy in the air for the past year, echoing in months of protests against police brutality and racial injustice across the United States and globally.

-- There are changes observed: Floyd's name, together with his plea "I can't breathe," has become a symbol in the fight for racial justice and police reform in the country.

-- However, major changes appear to have stalled. Police reform legislation, known as the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, has been deadlocked in the evenly split Senate amid fierce partisan fights.

WASHINGTON, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Tuesday marked the first anniversary of the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American, who was killed after a white police officer had knelt on his neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds. Before his death, Floyd pleaded "I can't breathe" for more than 20 times, but no one paid heed.

The words have hung heavy in the air for the past year, echoing in months of protests against police brutality and racial injustice across the United States and globally.

One year on, what has changed?

A person holds a sign outside the Hennepin County Government Center reacting to the trial verdict that former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the United States, April 20, 2021. (Photo by Ben Brewer/Xinhua)

REMEMBRANCE

On the one-year anniversary of Floyd's death, people walked into George Floyd Square, the renamed intersection where Floyd died in Minneapolis, U.S. state Minnesota, laying flowers and paying their respect.

However, multiple gunshots were heard nearby the square on Tuesday morning, just hours before a family-friendly street festival there to mark the anniversary. One person was shot with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Governor Tim Walz asked all Minnesotans to observe a moment of silence for nine minutes and 29 seconds on Tuesday in honor of Floyd, recognizing the state demands "meaningful change" following the African American's death.

"George Floyd's murder ignited a global movement and awakened many Minnesotans and people around the world to the systemic racism that our Black communities, Indigenous communities, and communities of color have known for centuries," the governor's proclamation reads.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), a leading U.S. civil rights organization, also held a moment of silence for Floyd on its Facebook page.

People attend a rally to mark the one-year anniversary of George Floyd's death in New York, the United States, May 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

Outside the White House where President Joe Biden privately met with Floyd's siblings and daughter on Tuesday afternoon, dozens of people carrying "Stop Killing Us" and "Rest in Peace George Floyd" banners, laid single long-stemmed roses in a semicircle on earth, bowed their heads and observed a moment of silence to commemorate Floyd.

In New York City, some Black Lives Matter protesters on Tuesday morning marched through downtown streets and blocked an entrance to the Holland Tunnel before being removed by police officers, local media reported.

The "Rise and Remember George Floyd" events, including protests, candlelight vigils, panel discussions and artwork display, were also observed in Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Seattle, St. Paul and some other U.S. cities in days ahead of or on the anniversary.

Floyd's "I can't breathe" plea "was a sentimental statement ... that I felt resonated with everyone," Jenne Henry, a student living in Washington, D.C., told Xinhua.

Around 20 million Americans, flouting coronavirus restrictions, joined some 7,750 demonstrations in more than 2,440 locations across every U.S. state in the wake of Floyd's death last summer, the largest-scale racial justice protests in generations, according to data from The Economist weekly.

Candles are placed beside George Floyd's photo to mark the one-year anniversary of George Floyd's death in Washington, D.C., the United States, May 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

"TOO MANY STILL CAN'T BREATHE"

"It has been a long year. It has been a painful year," Floyd's sister Bridgett Floyd told a rally in Minneapolis on Sunday, "It has been very frustrating for me and my family for our lives to change in the blink of an eye -- I still don't know why."

She made the remarks outside the court where Derek Chauvin, the former city police officer who knelt on Floyd's neck, was convicted of murder in April. Three other former officers are awaiting trial on aiding and abetting charges.

There are changes observed: Floyd's name, together with his plea "I can't breathe," has become a symbol in the fight for racial justice and police reform in the country.

In a rare example of swift justice, Chauvin has become a similarly rare police officer convicted for death of a black during an arrest. The Black Lives Matter movement has gained new momentum and staged protests home and abroad.

In the wake of Flyod's death, more than 30 U.S. states and dozens of large cities have enacted new policing rules such as banning neck restraints and requiring police officers to intervene when a fellow officer uses extreme force, local media reported.

Demonstrators are arrested during a protest against the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the United States, May 31, 2020. (Photo by Angus Alexander/Xinhua)

However, major changes appear to have stalled. Police reform legislation, known as the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, has been deadlocked in the evenly split Senate amid fierce partisan fights. Democrat and Republican lawmakers are sparring when it comes to banning chokeholds, no-knock warrants and qualified immunity.

The White House previously set a deadline for Congress to pass the bill before the one-year anniversary of Floyd's death, which apparently has not been met.

"Unfortunately there's too much polarization. You know this mob mentality -- if you're not with me, you're against me -- that type of deal. I feel like that's how people are seeing things," Henry told Xinhua.

In fact, the "I can't breathe" plea didn't prevent more police violence from happening. Through the first four months this year, police officers continued to kill about three Americans per day on average, virtually the same as before Floyd's murder, said a Politico report, citing data from Mapping Police Violence, a research collaborative that uses a variety of state and regional databases to determine the number and nature of most but not all police-involved deaths.

As many as 89 African Americans were killed by police this year through May 21, said the report, noting black people are three times more likely to be killed by police than white people, and 1.3 times more likely to be unarmed when killed by police.

Many do not believe that Chauvin's murder conviction for Floyd's death has led to serious change, and most African Americans said the conviction did not improve their trust in the U.S. criminal justice system, a recent poll from The Associated Press showed.

People gather near the White House to mark the one-year anniversary of George Floyd's death in Washington, D.C., the United States, May 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

The poll found only 24 percent of U.S. adults say attention to police violence against African Americans over the past year has led to change for the better, while 31 percent say it has led to change for the worse and 44 percent say it has made no difference.

"Black people have always been the stepchild of America, and we always will be the stepchild of America ... And if we don't change that, we never change racism," Don Folden, a dentist working in D.C. for years, told Xinhua in a recent interview outside the White House.

"We are different colors and as a result, we have experienced different realities. A black teen growing up in an inner city has little in common with a white teen in a wealthy enclave," Alveda King, a niece of Martin Luther King Jr., said on Tuesday, calling for healing the nation's racial scars peacefully.

"After all the outrage, the demonstrations, the promises for reform, and the guilty verdict in Chauvin's trial, we believe that little progress truly has been made," Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic political strategist, and Jessica Tarlov, head of research at Bustle Digital Group, wrote in an essay published by The Hill on Tuesday.

"Momentum for reform appears to be waning," they sighed. "We're not satisfied because too many still can't breathe." (Video reporters: Tan Yixiao, Xu Jianmei, Deng Xianlai, Hu Yousong; video editors: Xie Binbin, Kan Jingwen, Peng Tianxiao, Xu Haijing, Li Li)
[May 26, 2021] BitClout Holdings Is Now The Most Promising Business On The BitClout Platform

Dubai, UAE, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Time in the crypto space seems to move much faster than elsewhere. BitClout pre-launched only last month. Since then its seen explosive growth. In the first month of its launch, more than $225 million worth of bitcoin has flowed into the BitClout platform. Pantera Capitals Joey Krug estimates that with the additional investment from venture capital, a company valuation of BitClout would exceed $1 billion. This kind of money is attracting serious attention. Photo: BitClout Holdings Celebrities such as, Bella Thorne, Steve Aoki, Jake Paul, and Diplo have joined the platform. Mainstream media publications like Business Insider and New York Magazine are not only cvering BitClout, but favorably so. Businesses are starting to spring up on the BitClout platform, indicating the beginnings of a thriving ecosystem.



There are analytics companies and research firms, but by far the most unique and intriguing businesses so far is BitClout Holdings, the first ever dividend yielding business on the BitClout platform. BitClout Holdings mission is to grow the entire BitClout ecosystem. It does this by partnering with burgeoning BitClout businesses, providing funding, expertise, and marketing.

Many have already invested in BitClout Holdings. The company launched Wednesday, April 14th, 2021. Within the first hour, BitClout Holdings had raised $1 million. 36 hours later it had raised more than $5 million. It reached the #7 Creator Coin on all of BitClout.



How it works in detail is as follows. BitClout Holdings partners with companies on the BitClout platform as mentioned above. In return for BitClout Holdings' capital and guidance, those companies share half of their profits with BitClout Holdings. BitClout Holdings takes the shared revenue and splits it in two. Half of the revenue is distributed as dividends to all token holders of BitClout Holdings Creator Coins. The other half is retained by BitClout Holdings and used to fuel new investment opportunities. BitClout Holdings is essentially an investment company, and its shares, or Creator Coins, are purchasable on BitClout.

Investment firms in financial markets are a crucial component of the ecosystem because they provide a vital service. Professionals in the firms draw upon their years of experience and expertise to sift through reams of data from countless companies to decide which are worthy of investment and which arent. Non-professional investors pay a fee to investment firms to shepherd their money. They get to profit and carry on with their lives.

BitClout Holdings plays a similar role in the BitClout ecosystem. BitClout Holdings finds the most investable up-and-coming companies on BitClout so you dont have to. You can simply invest in BitClout Holdings, and since their Creator Coin is dividend yield generating, you can profit from their expertise. Also, unlike traditional investment companies, BitClout brings to bear expertise in marketing to gain exposure for partnered companies.

In the week that BitClout Holdings has been operational on the platform, it has partnered with several companies and is already seeing growth. BitClout Holdings is looking to rapidly expand its businesses on the BitClout platform. It is not only actively seeking new partnerships on the platform, it is actually partnering with a traditional finance investment fund -- an incredibly strong indicator of BitClout Holdings viability. A partnership with traditional finance is mutually beneficial. Traditional finance gets access to an explosive new market, and BitClout Holdings gets access to more capital, which will help it team-up with more businesses. More businesses means a more robust BitClout ecosystem.



Ross Davis Global Crypto Press team@globalcryptopress.com https://withdrawbitclout.com

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[May 26, 2021] Social Media Platform VEGANZONE Receives First Investment with a Valuation of 3 Million from Focus Global Project

VEGANZONE, the social media platform aiming to be an indispensable "super app" for those who adopt a vegan - vegetarian lifestyle, received its first investment with valuation of 3 million dollars. With the investment from the Focus Global Project, an Istanbul investment firm, VEGANZONE will focus on furthering the development of software technologies and growth in the 40 countries where they have users. VEGANZONE is a community-based platform where plant-based users can share their common values, socialize through he activities they create, and communicate with other members. Key features include facilitating creating and sharing content, meeting and chatting with other vegans and vegetarians, creating online or in-person events, finding the latest news and discovering trends.



VEGANZONE was founded in New York in February 2021, by Selin Tuyen, Murat Aksu, and Ogous Chan Ali. In March, VEGANZONE was selected as the best product of the day, best product of the week and third best product of the month, respectively, in Product Hunt, a prominent website for entrepreneurs and investors. "We are investing in VEGANZONE to help it grow and expand its global reach to support the many benefits of the platform to vegans and vegetarians," said Focus Global Project Managing Partner Kerem Kapanci. "We support the company's mission to build a community for people around the world who have adopted this lifestyle," he added.

About VEGANZONE VEGANZONE is a community-based platform to bring together people who embrace or are interested in veganism and is available in the App store and Play Store. About Focus Global Project Focus Global Project is an independent boutique consulting and investment firm based in Istanbul, designing customized, effective solutions to meet its clients' short-term needs and long-term goals. Focus Global Project's commitment is to provide high quality services in a reliable and transparent manner and to establish satisfactory, long-term relationships. Focus Global Project's customers include domestic and foreign companies, small and medium-sized businesses, funds, financial institutions, governments, investors, entrepreneurs, family offices and high-wealth individuals. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005102/en/

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[May 26, 2021] BioFlyte Launches First Field Deployable Airborne COVID-19 Detection System to Improve School and Workplace Safety

BioFlyte, a biodetection company with a new class of fieldable biological threat collection, detection, and identification solutions, today announced the launch of the Sentinel Airborne COVID-19 Detection System for real-world surveillance of airborne coronavirus and other respiratory pathogens. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005382/en/ The Sentinel is the first integrated solution for airborne COVID-19 detection and delivers results within an hour to prevent widespread infection in schools, factories and other workplace environments. (Photo: Business Wire) As schools, factories and other workplaces re-open, monitoring for COVID-19 infections will remain a necessary part of safety protocols, especially in schools where many young children have not been vaccinated. While some workplaces have relied thus far upon testing only a random sample of people, that can be unreliable, and frequent testing of every employee or student using a rapid, on-site test is costly and time intensive. Environmental monitoring with the Sentinel system is a faster and more cost-effective way to identify if there is an infected person present and help reduce prolonged exposure. The Sentinel solution includes BioFlyte's BioCapture z720 handheld air sampler and the BioFire Defense, Inc. FilmArray PCR (News - Alert) sample analysis system. Other airborne coronavirus sampling, detection and identification systems are laboratory-based and require a day for shipment and processing at an offsite lab to determine results. The Sentinel offers flexibility with the handheld BioCapture for quick on-site sampling, and the BioFire's multiplex PCR technology offers results at the point of need in under an hour, all at a lower price point than competitive solutions.



The BioCapture z720 is the highest-performing handheld air sampler on the market and was built upon standard dry filter collection and extraction technology validated through years of testing. The z720 delivers high-flow rate collection onto an advanced filter material with predictable sample extraction. Through testing with a leading university hospital in the U.S., the BioCapture z720 was determined to be effective at collecting airborne SARS-CoV-2 virus into a 5 mL liquid sample and obtaining a positive PCR test result from that sample using the FilmArray. Critical Environmental Remediation Industries (CERI), a Michigan based indoor air quality company, recently invested in the Sentinel system and is actively deploying it for maritime safety, and in industrial and residential workplace safety applications.

"The BioFlyte Sentinel solution not only delivers significant cost savings for clients, it also helps ensure workplace safety," said Morgan Fisher, Vice President at CERI. "Our clients are now able to reliably identify the presence of airborne coronavirus and other pathogens in about an hour, instead of the days typically required by traditional methods, which helps reduce operational downtime." "BioFlyte's focus has always been critical infrastructure protection and emergency response, and over the past year, that has meant pandemic response," said Dr. Charles Call, cofounder and Chief Executive Officer of BioFlyte. "We used our talent and technology to develop and validate a revolutionary new tool in the fight against COVID-19, especially as schools and workplaces look to reopen safely. The Sentinel was purpose built for environmental monitoring for COVID-19 and other airborne respiratory pathogens and offers decision makers a more cost-effective solution than traditional surveillance methods and even other airborne pathogen samplers on the market." The Sentinel solution is available for purchase now. For more information on the system and how to order, please visit https://www.sentinel720.bioflyte.com/. For more information about BioFlyte and its products, please visit: https://bioflyte.com/. About BioFlyte BioFlyte is a biodefense and microbial identification company that is commercializing a revolutionary new class of fieldable biological contamination sampling, detection, and identification solutions. The firm's current application focus is critical infrastructure protection and pandemic response. For more information about BioFlyte and its technology, please visit: https://bioflyte.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005382/en/

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[May 26, 2021] BIO KOREA 2021 International Convention to Unlock the Secret of Future Technologies

As one of the most important global bio-health conventions, BIO KOREA 2021 International Convention has garnered great attention from home and abroad. To facilitate the discussion on the future bio-health industry in the 'COVID-19 era', the BIO KOREA 2021 to be held on June 9 to 21 will evolve around the theme of "New Normal: Breaking Barriers with Bio Innovation". BIO KOREA organizing committee announced the main programs, deep-diving into business strategies in the post-pandemic era. The Four Programs Focusing on Biohealth Industry and Business BIO KOREA 2021 Business Forum will focus on a virtual partnering system allowing attendees to schedule virtual meetings to maximize their business development and licensing potential. International participation continues to grow. Numerous companies from 20+ countries already joined and are expected to showcase their advanced technologies at BIO KOREA 2021. As an event involving various kinds of discussion, BIO KOREA attracts not only leading biohealth companies in Korea such as SK Chemicals, Chong Kun Dang, ShinPoong Pharm, Kolon Life Science, etc, but also promising SMEs like PharmCADD, WELT, Oncocross, Biot Korea, all of which are eager to grow their business. 24-hour meeting slots will strengthen your digital network across time zones. Also, company presentations will be livestreamed on the official BO KOREA platform.



The Exhibition will be held both online and on-site, as a hybrid format, which will showcase the cutting-edge technologies and products of exhibitors in various ways. 300+ exhibitors, from start-up to global enterprise, will be at BIO KOREA's exhibition. Participants can meet on-site exhibitors through live streaming on the online platform during the event. There will be a Digital Healthcare-themed pavilion introducing the industrial rookies of Digital Wellness, Mobile Healthcare, Digital Therapeutics, Big Data, and AI, etc. Also, COVID-19 show room will show participants how biohealth serves as a cure for the pandemic.

The Conference of BIO KOREA will consist of valuable expert-level lectures regarding the most pressing industry topics including Digital Health, Drug Development, and Post COVID-19. BIO KOREA 2021 conference covering 18 topics with 170+ speakers, will bring the most up-to-date conversations of biohealth both online and on-site. Invest Fair is an event where pharmaceuticals, bio, and healthcare companies that are advancing into the global market and developing new drugs introduce their leading technology, vision and strategy to the investors. Along with online hosting, it maintains the participants' attendance with impressive lineups of 19 companies such as Lunit, Tium BIO, VaxcellBio and Genesystem. BIO KOREA 2021 will be available both Online and On-site BIO KOREA presents invaluable information on the industry's trends around the world. This year, the global audience will have a front-row seat to discover and see the latest technology. All BIO KOREA programs will be livestreamed from June 9 to June 21. The program at a glance is on https://www.biokorea.org/program/schedule.asp. For more updates: https://www.biokorea.org About BIO KOREA BIO KOREA serves as a venue place for practical business correspondence as well as international information and technology exchange, invigorating the bio industry. For 15 years, BIO KOREA has been a place of bringing together various international academics, professionals, and CEOs of global bio companies to obtain, exchange, and discuss diverse affairs. It has been providing abundant opportunities to enhance competitive edges within the convergence industry centered around biotechnology. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005412/en/

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[May 26, 2021] First Trust Launches the First Trust TCW ESG Premier Equity ETF

First Trust Advisors L.P. ("First Trust"), a leading exchange-traded fund ("ETF") provider and asset manager, announced today that it has launched a new actively managed ETF, the First Trust TCW ESG Premier Equity ETF (NYSE Arca (News - Alert) : EPRE) (the "fund"). The fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in U.S. equity securities with an emphasis on large capitalization companies that meet ESG criteria, as determined by TCW Investment Management Company LLC (TCW), the fund's sub-advisor. ESG investing considers a company's environmental, social and governance factors via independent ratings to align investment strategies with personal values. TCW believes a focus on these factors can provide competitive advantages for a company. "The First Trust TCW ESG Premier Equity ETF is a highly active, concentrated portfolio of companies that prudently manage their environmental, social, and financial resources and generate consistent and growing levels of free cash," said Joseph R. Shaposhnik, Portfolio Manager at TCW. "We strongly believe that utilizing ESG performance data helps us uncover better managed businesses for the benefit of investors." TCW uses both qualitative and quantitative screening criteria to supplement its fundamental research and portfolio selection. The screening process focuses on companies whose shares are trading at prices that are below intrinsic value, as determined by TCW. The portfolio is selected using rigorous fundamental analysis and quantitative ESG framework to drive the security selection and execution strategies. "While many ESG strategies focus primarily on excluding stocks that score poorly on certain environmental, social, or governance metrics, we believe that professional management can add value. By leveraging the best thinking of the world-class team at TCW, this actively managed ETF provides another unique tool for investment professionals," said Ryan Issakainen, CFA, Senior Vice President, ETF Strategist at First Trust. Joseph R. Shaposhnik, the fund's portfolio manager, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund. For more information about First Trust, please contact Ryan Issakainen at (630) 765-8689 or RIssakainen@FTAdvisors.com. About First Trust First Trust is a federally registered investment advisor and serves as the fund's investment advisor. First Trust and its affiliate First Trust Portfolios L.P. ("FTP"), a FINRA registered broker-dealer, are privately held companies that provide a variety of investment services. First Trust has collective assets under management or supervision of approximately $194 billion as of April 30, 2021 through unit investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, mutual funds and separate managed accounts. First Trust is the supervisor of the First Trust unit investment trusts, while FTP is the sponsor. FTP is also a distributor of mutual fund shares and exchange-traded fund creation units. First Trust and FTP are based in Wheaton, Illinois. For moe information, visit https://www.ftportfolios.com.



About TCW Investment Management Company LLC TCW Investment Management Company LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The TCW Group, Inc. (TCW Group), which is a leading global asset management firm with nearly five decades of investment experience. Established in 1971 in Los Angeles, California, TCW Group manages a broad range of products across fixed income, equities, emerging markets and alternative investments. Through the TCW, MetWest and TCW Alternative Fund Families, TCW manages one of the largest mutual fund complexes in the U.S. Its clients include many of the world's largest corporate and public pension plans, financial institutions, endowments and foundations, as well as financial advisors and high net worth individuals. With a high level of employee ownership, TCW is committed to providing disciplined, team-managed investment processes that have been tested across market cycles. As of March 31, 2021, TCW Group had $253 billion in assets under management.

You should consider the fund's investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully before investing. Contact First Trust Portfolios L.P. at 1-800-621-1675 to obtain a prospectus or summary prospectus which contains this and other information about the fund. The prospectus or summary prospectus should be read carefully before investing. Risk Considerations A fund's shares will change in value, and you could lose money by investing in a fund. One of the principal risks of investing in a fund is market risk. Market risk is the risk that a particular stock owned by a fund, fund shares or stocks in general may fall in value. There can be no assurance that a fund's investment objective will be achieved. The outbreak of the respiratory disease designated as COVID-19 in December 2019 has caused significant volatility and declines in global financial markets, which have caused losses for investors. The COVID-19 pandemic may last for an extended period of time and will continue to impact the economy for the foreseeable future. In managing the fund's investment portfolio, the sub-advisor will apply investment techniques and risk analyses that may not have the desired result. A fund may be a constituent of one or more indices which could greatly affect a fund's trading activity, size and volatility. A fund with significant exposure to a single asset class, country, region, industry, or sector may be more affected by an adverse economic or political development than a broadly diversified fund. Investors buying or selling fund shares on the secondary market may incur customary brokerage commissions. Market prices may differ to some degree from the net asset value of the shares. Investors who sell fund shares may receive less than the share's net asset value. Shares may be sold throughout the day on the exchange through any brokerage account. However, unlike mutual funds, shares may only be redeemed directly from a fund by authorized participants, in very large creation/redemption units. If a fund's authorized participants are unable to proceed with creation/redemption orders and no other authorized participant is able to step forward to create or redeem, fund shares may trade at a discount to a fund's net asset value and possibly face delisting. Due to its ESG investment screening, the fund may not be able to invest in certain companies or industries and may forgo certain investment opportunities. This could result in lower performance than other funds without an ESG screen. Investors may differ in their views of ESG characteristics and the fund may invest in companies that do not reflect the beliefs and values of any particular investor. The fund is classified as "non-diversified" and may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. As a result, the fund may be more susceptible to a single adverse economic or regulatory occurrence affecting one or more of these issuers, experience increased volatility and be highly concentrated in certain issuers. Small- and mid-capitalization companies may experience greater price volatility than larger, more established companies. As the use of Internet technology has become more prevalent in the course of business, the fund has become more susceptible to potential operational risks through breaches in cyber security. Trading on the exchange may be halted due to market conditions or other reasons. There can be no assurance that the requirements to maintain the listing of the fund on the exchange will continue to be met or be unchanged. Large inflows and outflows may impact a new fund's market exposure for limited periods of time. First Trust Advisors L.P. is the adviser to the fund. First Trust Advisors L.P. is an affiliate of First Trust Portfolios L.P., the fund's distributor. The information presented is not intended to constitute an investment recommendation for, or advice to, any specific person. By providing this information, First Trust is not undertaking to give advice in any fiduciary capacity within the meaning of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code or any other regulatory framework. Financial professionals are responsible for evaluating investment risks independently and for exercising independent judgment in determining whether investments are appropriate for their clients. Source (News - Alert) : First Trust Advisors L.P. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005695/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Patreon Named To CNBC Disruptor 50 2021 List

SAN FRANCISCO, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Patreon, a platform for creators of all kinds and their most passionate fans, today announced that it has been named to CNBC's 2021 Disruptor 50 list. Now in its ninth year, the CNBC list highlights private companies whose breakthroughs are influencing business and market competition at an accelerated pace. As a pioneer in the creator economy, Patreon, listed at #48, was selected because of its innovation in building the infrastructure for creators to scale independent creative businesses. "The heart of what we do is rooted in driving the creator economy forward by giving creators the space and resources they need to create a world for their expressions and members," said Jack Conte, CEO and co-founder of Patreon. "Eight years later, The Second Renaissance is here and our creators have successfully built independent businesses generating $2 billion directly from the people who love what they do. There has never been a better time to be a creator, and we're just getting started." The companies who have made the CNBC's 2021 Disruptor 50 list are poised to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic and create a major impact in their respective industries. In total, this group of companies has raised over $72 billion in venture capital, according to Pitchbook, with valuation topping $388 billion. While the pandemic has been a catalyst for the growth of the cretor economy, Patreon has paved the path for creative independence since its inception in 2013. In 2020, Patreon added new languages, currencies, messaging functionality, merchandise and annual memberships, enhancing the fan experience on behalf of creators around the globe. Patreon's 200,000+ creators have expanded their earnings on Patreon considerably over the past year and today are earning over $100 million per month from 7 million patrons.



Patreon's addition to the CNBC Disruptor 50 list follows what has been a year of incredible growth for the creator-first platform. In April, Patreon announced that it had raised a Series F financing round of $155 million, bringing the company's total valuation to $4 billion. Patreon also announced a string of new executive hires with the appointment of Tiffany Stevenson as Chief People Officer and Julian Gutman as Chief Product Officer. Both executives strive to add to Patreon's mission of being a creator-first company and continuing Patreon's investment in the expansion of creator and fan experiences. Alongside an outstanding team, Patreon has plans to expand its platform capabilities on desktop and mobile, increase international offerings, and create new content consumption tools. About Patreon

Co-founded in 2013 by YouTube star Jack Conte and Sam Yam, Patreon is a membership platform that connects creators and their most passionate fans. Spearheading the creator economy, Patreon's 200,000+ creators have connected with more than 7 million fans on Patreon and creators have earned more than $2 billion since the company's inception. Creators of all types - from podcast, video, music, visual arts, gaming and more - use Patreon to share exclusive content, monetize their craft, and engage directly with their biggest fans via content and community. For more information about the company, visit: https://www.patreon.com/

Contact: patreon@berkcommunications.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/patreon-named-to-cnbc-disruptor-50-2021-list-301299813.html SOURCE Patreon

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[May 26, 2021] Looking to Expand its Digital Footprint in U.S. Auto Dealerships From Coast-to-Coast, U.K.-based CitNOW Acquires Quik.

Looking to expand its digital footprint in U.S. auto dealerships from coast-to-coast, U.K.-based CitNOW has acquired Quik. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005073/en/ Quik. is an integrated cloud-based SaaS (News - Alert) company that has pioneered industry-leading digital service technology in the automotive industry. It features digital multi-point inspections, video, parts-pricing and availability, customer communications, and online payment options that fully integrate with existing dealership management systems. Quik.'s goal is to make relationships between dealers and customers more honest, open and transparent, and its advanced products were designed to modernize the service experience by meeting today's customer expectations, and predicting future demands as technology continues to drive consumer behavior. "We are very excited to welcome the Quik. team to the CitNOW group," said Alistair Horsburgh, CEO of CitNOW. "We identified Quik. as a company that would be a great strategic fit to both grow our presenc in the United States auto market as well as develop the Quik. after-sales platform for our OEM and dealer group partners in both the United Kingdom and European markets."



Quik. has effectively combined service and sales into a single modular, integrated and all-encompassing system. The centerpiece is a digital Smart MPI inspection tool that is capable of capturing thousands of menu-priced items, reducing employee workload and speeding up estimate delivery times. It features a sophisticated back-end VIN-driven OEM labor and repair time guide that is tethered to OEM parts-pricing for almost every vehicle make. It also features a HD technician video platform that utilizes advanced algorithms to decode and deliver diagnostic videos to customers in real-time, and a sophisticated point-of-sale payment solution that offers customers the ability to take advantage of flexible payment options and pay instantly from their mobile device, saving them valuable time at check-out. The ultimate goal for Quik. is to replace outdated processes in the car business with modern digital alternatives that today's tech-savvy customers are looking for.

Aside from the acquisition, Quik. also announced that CEO Jack Gardner has decided to step down from his role to pursue other interests. Quik. COO Chad Deaver is remaining with the company and will now report to Horsburgh. CitNOW, backed by investment firm Tenzing, is a global company that was launched in 2008. It pioneered video in the automotive industry by allowing people to view cars without visiting showrooms. Since its inception in 2008, CitNOW has grown rapidly and become a global market leader. With more than 10,000 installations in franchised car dealerships in 62 countries, CitNOW has created an easier and more-transparent car-buying experience. Its digital communication tools for sales and after-sales are vital for bridging the online to offline customer experience, while helping to build trust, transparency and long-lasting customer relationships. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005073/en/

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KBRA Releases New Podcast Episode - KBRA's Globalization Concerns Subside

Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) releases a new podcast episode featuring a cross-section of KBRA analysts sharing their views on the issue of globalization. Joan Feldbaum-Vidra, Head of Sovereigns, and panel moderator for this episode, is joined by Ken Egan, Associate Director in Sovereigns, Michael Labuskes, Senior Director in Transportation, and Van Hesser, KBRA's Chief Strategist.

The analysts discuss recent developments in global trade, COVID-related recovery priorities, and underlying developments that work toward enhancing global connectivity.

"The world is more intertwined than ever, and disentangling the linkages will not be easy-and won't likely be expedient," Feldbaum-Vidra said.

The latest episode is available on:







KBRA is a full-service credit rating agency registered in the U.S., the EU, and the UK, and is designated to provide structured finance ratings in Canada. KBRA ratings can be used by investors for regulatory capital purposes in multiple jurisdictions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005696/en/
[May 26, 2021] Insurity Digital Claims Payments Enables P&C Insurers to Pay Claims in Just 30 Seconds

Insurity, a leading provider of cloud-based software for insurance carriers, brokers, and MGAs today announced its Digital Claims Payments can help Property & Casualty (P&C) insurers pay claims in as little as 30 seconds. Insurity's no-code solution comes ready to use out-of-the-box for Insurity claims customers. This enables P&C insurers to reduce administrative and implementation costs and provide a more seamless policyholder experience. According to Novarica, 42% of insurers are facing greater pressure to drive digital adoption while over 70% of policyholders want more options on how and when they receive their claims payments. Traditionally, P&C insurers needed to partner with an additional vendor or go through a lengthy integration and implementation process to deliver fast claims payouts. Even then, payments could still be delayed if payment systems were not connected in real-time to the payment fulfillment centers. Insuriy is revolutionizing claims payments by providing instant claims payments in as little as 30 seconds. With Insurity Digital Claims Payments, insurers simply click to approve the payment and then the claim is paid. It is embedded within Insurity's software and comes ready to use out-of-the-box. P&C insurers can quickly scale to meet claims payment needs in times of high demand, such as during natural disasters like hurricanes and floods.



Insurity Digital Claims Payments comes with significant cost savings for carriers, namely that the administrative and labor cost of distributing a check is eliminated entirely. In instances where the policyholder prefers a check payment or if incorrect banking information was entered, the solution has a digital-first check fallback component. This is an automated, separate workflow that will serve as an alternate method to quickly deliver policyholder payments, further reducing check distribution costs by up to 50%. "Insurity's Digital Claims Payments allows insurers to enhance their digital capabilities without losing traditional options like check payments that some policyholders may still prefer," said Becky Kopplin, Vice President, Payments at Insurity. "Policyholders can have money in their account within 30 seconds from when a payment is approved. They no longer need to wait days or even weeks for a third-party mailing service to deliver a check. If they want to be paid via digital wallets, they can have that option because insurers implement the solution as a whole and not as individual payment types. There is no need for an add-on or upgrade. It is one integration that is future proofed for future digital options."

To learn more, please reach out to Laura Krause at Laura.Krause@Insurity.com. About Insurity Insurity is a leading provider of cloud-based software and analytics for insurance carriers, brokers, and MGAs. Insurity is trusted by 15 of the top 25 P&C Carriers in the US and has over 200 cloud-based deployments. Through its best-in-class digital platform and with unrivaled industry experience and thought leadership, Insurity is uniquely positioned to deliver exceptional value, empowering customers to focus on their core businesses, optimize their operations, and provide superior policyholder experiences. Insurity is a portfolio company of GI Partners. For more information, visit www.insurity.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005706/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Government of Canada invests over $6 million to bring high-speed Internet to 2,374 more homes in central and eastern Ontario

Ontarians in rural communities to benefit from increased connectivity OTTAWA, ON, May 26, 2021 /CNW/ - The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how much we rely on our connections. Now more than ever, Canadians across the country need access to reliable high-speed Internet as many of us are working, learning, and staying in touch with friends and family from home. Right now, too many Canadians living in rural and remote communities lack access to high-speed Internet. Through the Universal Broadband Fund's (UBF) Rapid Response Stream, the Government of Canada is taking immediate action to get Canadians connected to the high-speed Internet they need. Today, the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, announced over $6 million in federal funding for Bell, Cogeco Connection and Lakeland Networks. These investments will bring high-speed Internet to rural residents in 15 communities in the regions of Clarington, Lake of Bays Township, Leeds and Grenville, Merrickville-Wolford, Northumberland County, Spencerville, Newtonville, Newcastle, West Guilford, Baysville, the Municipality of Dysart et al, and Wasauksing First Nation. These projects will connect 2,374 underserved households in eastern and central Ontario to high-speed Internet. Funding will be distributed as follows: Bell: $2,637,164

Cogeco Connection: $2,855,180

Lakeland Networks: $701,055 The $2.75-billion Universal Broadband Fund was launched on November 9, 2020. The projects being announced today were approved within six months of the formal launch of the program. Projects funded under the UBF, as well as through other public and private investments, will help connect 98% of Canadians to high-speed Internet by 2026 and achieve the national target of 100% connectivity by 2030. Today's announcement builds on the progress the Government of Canada has already made to improve critical infrastructure in Ontario. Since 2015, the federal government has invested more than $2.85 billion in over 4,060 infrastructure projects in Ontario communities with a population of fewer than 100,000 people. These investments mean 452 km of new or upgraded roads that are making our communities safer; more than 938 projects to provide residents with cleaner, more sustainable sources of drinking water; and more than 5,427 additional housing units built in rural communities, helping ensure all Ontarians have a safe place to call home. Quotes "This investment will connect 2,374 more households in the province to high-speed Internet. It will mean improved health and safety as well as more jobs and economic development for our region. In the past five years, the Government of Canada has invested $250 million to connect 90,000 households in Ontario to high-speed Internet. This is essential forthe single mom working from home while helping her kids with online learning, for the entrepreneur moving her business online and for the farming family innovating and ensuring our food security. Our government will continue to work with all partners to connect as many households to this essential service as quickly as possible."



 The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development "The COVID-19 pandemic has made it very clear that high-speed Internet is essential for every Canadian. As we moved schools, businesses and even our social relationships online, disparities between communities with inconsistent or no Internet access became obvious, and that is unacceptable. That is why our government created the Universal Broadband Fund: to ensure communities like those in the regions of Northumberland County, Leeds and Grenville, Merrickville-Wolford, Spencerville, Newtonville, Newcastle, Clarington, Wasauksing First Nation, Lake of Bays Township and West Guilford have the Internet capability they need to participate and succeed in today's world. Thank you to the regional Internet providers for their partnership in this effort to provide broadband Internet access to these communities."

 Pam Damoff, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for Oakville NorthBurlington "Access to high-speed broadband networks will be a driver of Canada's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and of future social and economic prosperity, and Bell has committed to further accelerating our industry-leading capital investment plan over the next two years to connect even more communities across the country. We're proud to invest $2,129,227 and to partner with the Government of Canada in providing residents in Baysville, Merrickville-Wolford, Newtonville, Newcastle, Clarington, Spencerville and West Guilford with access to the fastest fibre home Internet speeds available."  Bruce Furlong, Senior Vice-President, Access Engineering and Deployment, Bell Canada "Cogeco is thrilled to move ahead with these broadband infrastructure projects. As part of these investments, we will deploy our Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) solution capable of delivering speeds of up to 1 Gbps and enabling services comparable to major urban centres. This will concretely contribute to reducing the digital divide between urban and rural areas in Ontario, which is crucial for the communities we serve, while also driving economic recovery."  Matt Wickham, Vice-President and General Manager, Ontario Region, Cogeco Connexion "Lakeland Networks is pleased to work in partnership with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to continue expanding our fibre-optic network throughout Wasauksing First Nation, providing high-speed broadband service to 159 homes. This investment will help provide access to reliable high-speed Internet at a time when connectivity is essential to good quality of life. Lakeland Networks is proud to continue achieving our goal of helping more Canadians get connected with the timely contribution from the federal government."  Margaret Maw, Chief Financial Officer, Lakeland Holding Ltd. Quick facts Canada's Connectivity Strategy aims to provide all Canadians with access to Internet speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download / 10 Mbps upload.

The Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) is a $2.75-billion investment designed to help connect all Canadians to high-speed Internet. Applications to the UBF were accepted until March 15, 2021 , and are now being evaluated.

investment designed to help connect all Canadians to high-speed Internet. Applications to the UBF were accepted until , and are now being evaluated. The UBF is part of a suite of federal investments to improve high-speed Internet. The suite includes the Connect to Innovate program, which is expected to connect nearly 400,000 households by 2023, and the recently announced $2-billion broadband initiative from the Canada Infrastructure Bank. Associated links Backgrounder: Universal Broadband Fund and Telesat low Earth orbit satellite capacity agreement

Universal Broadband Fund

Connect to Innovate Program  Project status updates

Canada Infrastructure Bank announcement

High-Speed Access for All: Canada's Connectivity Strategy Stay connected Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 20:52:00|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- China will increase support for small and micro enterprises and individual businesses to relieve their pressure, the State Council's Executive Meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided Wednesday.

The meeting also mulled measures to strengthen the weak links in rural compulsory education. Enditem
[May 26, 2021] Customers Bancorp Shareholders Overwhelmingly Approve Proposals in Online Annual Meeting

Shareholders of Customers Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:CUBI) - parent of Customers Bank, a leading super-community bank with a growing number of operations across the nation, met in a virtual annual meeting Wednesday, May 26 electing two directors, ratifying the appointment of Deloitte (News - Alert) & Touche LLP as the Bank's independent registered public accounting firm, and supporting a non-binding "say on pay" proposal to approve the compensation of top executives. Bank leaders, directors and shareholders took a moment of silence to remember all who were lost in the past year's global pandemic and to give thanks for the millions of frontline workers who courageously carried on to give care, deliver food and critical services, and help us sustain life through the crisis. Those gathered online took note of the bank's major accomplishments over the past year: national leadership among Paycheck Protection Program lenders with nearly 400,000 loans worth almost $10 billion funded saving millions of jobs;

investment in several new digital platforms including a real-time blockchain-based B2B payments system;

expansion of a highly successful consumer lending network;

spin-off of the BankMobile subsidiary as the publicly traded BM Technologies, Inc; and

the opening of new banking offices in Orlando and Dallas. Two Directors comprising the company's Class I Directors - Robert J. Buford, President & Chief Executive Officer, Planned Realty Group, Inc. and Jay Sidhu, Chairman & CEO, Customers Bancorp, Inc. - were elected to three-year terms on the Board. The shareholders also cast votes in favor of a "say on pay" proposal outlining the Bank's executive compensation program. This proposal is non-binding on the Corporation, but te Board and Compensation Committee value the opinion of shareholders and continue their outreach and study of the best practices in consideration of future executive compensation.



The company also recognized the retirement of Richard A. Ehst from the post of President & Chief Executive Officer and his succession by current Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer Sam Sidhu. The transition will take place on July 1, 2021. Sidhu drew the attention of participants to the Bank's Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG). "Customers Bank's approach to ESG management includes promoting sound corporate governance, sustainability, risk management and controls, investing in our Team Members and cultivating a diverse and inclusive work environment, strengthening the communities in which our Team Members live and work, and operating our business in a way that demonstrates Customers' dedication to environmental sustainability," explained Sidhu. "We continuously seek to address some of the practical challenges in balancing short- and long-term business trade-offs in order to ensure that our stakeholders and shareholders prosper together."

Sidhu discussed the bank's performance. "We are extremely pleased with our financial results for over the past year and are excited that 2021 is off to a great start," remarked Sidhu. "Our credit quality remained very strong during the pandemic. We maintained superior asset quality. We substantially reduced deposit costs. And we are driving expansion of net interest margins. Our tremendously successful execution on these initiatives will result in significant capital accretion, leaving us well positioned to support future growth. We salute our Team Members for all the hard work and thank our shareholders for their trust and confidence in Customers Bancorp, Inc. About Customers Bank Customers Bank, a subsidiary of Customers Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:CUBI) a bank holding company, is a full-service super-community bank with assets of approximately $18.8 billion at March 31, 2021. A member of the Federal Reserve System with deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Customers Bank is an equal opportunity lender that provides a range of banking and lending services to small and medium-sized businesses, professionals, individuals, and families. Services and products are available wherever permitted by law through digital-first apps, online portals, and a network of offices and branches. Additional information can be found on the company's website, www.customersbank.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005716/en/

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[May 26, 2021] OTC:ILUS, ILUS International (Ilustrato Pictures International Inc) Announces the Global Rollout Plan for Its Revolutionary Mongoose External Firefighting Lance, a World First for Compartment Firefighting

NEW YORK, NY, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- ILUS International Inc (OTC: ILUS) is a M&A company focussed on acquiring and developing technology-based companies globally. ILUS has already completed three acquisitions during the first quarter of 2021 and is currently in various stages of negotiation regarding several more acquisitions. The companys first acquisition, FireBug, a firefighting equipment and emergency services vehicle manufacturer which holds its own patented technology, has announced the global rollout plan for its much anticipated Mongoose external firefighting lance, with sales already rapidly on the increase.

The extensive FireBug product range is sold globally through a network of 43 distributors and includes firefighting and rescue vehicles from small to large, a range of customised lightweight fire vehicle bodies built to order, UTV firefighting vehicles including electric UTV vehicle solutions, MistMax firefighting skid units, floating pumps and strainers, BacPac portable water mist fire suppression kits, MistNozzle water mist firefighting nozzles and finally, the Mongoose external firefighting lance, which is used primarily for the cooling and extinguishing of compartment fires. Due to increased urbanisation and technological advancements, there has been a sharp increase in the occurrence of compartment fires in urban areas. A compartment fire is typically a fire that takes place in a room or enclosed structure but could also take place under the hood of a vehicle or aircraft fuselage. Firefighting in compartment fires carries a much greater risk than most typical fires. Placing firefighters in compartments at the height of the fire puts stresses on their bodies due to the extreme heat and associated physical exertion. Firefighters and victims could face temperatures of up to 1,300 F, which means the optimal solution for tackling compartment fires is to do so remotely. Traditionally, firefighters have often resorted to tactical venting actions to relieve any build-up of superheated fire gases. The breaking of windows near or ahead of the fire or the opening of roofs is often successful in achieving some relief from heat for crews working the interior of a structure. However, such a strategy may also lead to an event of extreme fire behaviour or rapid fire development such as flashover or even an explosion when additional air feeds into the fire area. This sudden intensification of the fire may again overpower the hose line use and the firefighters or victims within a structure. When fighting compartment fires with conventional firefighting nozzles, a technique has been developed which is aimed at cooling the super-heated fire gases in a compartment fire. This technique entails placing small amounts of water droplets into the overhead area of the fire using brief nozzle pulsations. This pulsing technique offers distinct advantages over traditional methods of directing a straight stream of water at the ceiling but the amount of pulsing required is dependent on the room geometry and fire conditions. Whilst the pulsing technique is significantly more effective than traditional methods, it requires significant training and understanding in order to effectively and safely use this method. The risk of getting this technique wrong can be fatal  too little water will allow the fire to develop further and too much can be even more dangerous as it can increase the temperature drastically when the water converts to steam. The increased training requirement makes it difficult for volunteer fire brigades or less experienced firefighters to tackle compartment fires in a safe and effective manner using existing conventional technology. As ILUS continues to disrupt the emergency services and rescue industry with innovative, game changing technology, it has developed a highly effective, safe and cost effective approach to suppressing and extinguishing compartment fires. Using its revolutionary water mist technology, ILUS Mongoose external firefighting lance can be used to fight interior compartment fires from the exterior of the structure or room by piercing the firefighting lance through a small hole created in a door, window, wall or ceiling using a drill or compartment entry tools (halligan tool, axe etc.). This allows firefighters to suppress the fire from a safer position whilst using thermal camera technology to monitor the heat within the compartment and enter once sufficiently cooled. FireBugs patented low-pressure water mist technolog is injected into the compartment through the external firefighting lance and delivers the compartment cooling capability without the risk of injecting too much water into the compartment which would otherwise cause the heat to rapidly increase. The Mongoose is capable of cooling a compartment fire from 1,300 F to 200F within 60 seconds.



The Mongoose delivers 4050 micron water mist droplets covering a large surface area into a compartment which rapidly cools the area, scrubs the smoke and suppresses the fire. The flow rate for the Mongoose is 13 GPM meaning that it has the potential to cool and suppress compartment fires with only 13 gallons of water. The Mongoose is completely unique in that it can operate on an existing fire truck on existing hose lines, without requiring a separate pump and hose reel. It can however also be deployed with FireBugs MistMax pump solution on existing vehicles such as ILUS E-Raptor Electric Utility Vehicle or smaller vehicles such as Pickup Trucks or other Utility Vehicles. Other industry solutions require a separate high pressure pump, hose reel and often a dedicated vehicle whilst also requiring a chemical additive or agent to be added to the water in order for it to be effective in firefighting. ILUS Mongoose delivers significant advantages to firefighters globally. The Mongooses easy plug and play functionality enables quick fitting and use without the need for any additional engineering. Minimal training is required for Mongoose deployment with less crew required meaning that crew can focus on other urgent requirements simultaneously. In addition to the technology being deployed on existing vehicles with standard hose lines, it can even be deployed from a fire hydrant in certain scenarios. Unlike its competitors, the Mongoose can also be deployed on aerial ladders, making it possible for firefighters to use it for safe suppression of high rise compartment fires. The Mongoose can be used with fresh or salt water, also making it ideal for marine environments and shipping container fires, which currently present a major challenge for the shipping industry. Finally, the lightweight and compact Mongoose can be stored on existing firefighting vehicles or on FireBugs compact rapid response firefighting vehicles.

Since its initial launch prior to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019, the Mongoose has been sold through distributors in India, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. The technology has been continuously refined and improved and now, with travel restrictions steadily decreasing, the appointment of new distributors taking place and with new markets opening up, ILUS is expanding sales of the Mongoose to all its distributors internationally. Sales in India and the Middle East have already increased sharply, and ILUS growing sales pipeline for the Mongoose includes significant opportunities in North America, Europe, Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. ILUS is also in discussions with two global Other Equipment Manufacturing Partners (OEM Partners) for the integration of the technology into their product offerings which are sold globally. ILUS expects to close at least one of these significant partnerships for a technology partnership rollout in the third quarter of 2021. ILUS Director, John-Paul Backwell, said the following of the newly announced rollout plans for the Mongoose: Jaws literally drop wherever we demonstrate the Mongoose as customers witness first hand how quickly it is capable of cooling compartment fires. The ease of use, safety and affordability of the technology makes it even more compelling. I am so excited about this technology now being rolled out internationally and have no doubt that it will make a significant impact on the firefighting industry. The Mongoose is currently manufactured in the UK where manufacturing capacity is currently being drastically scaled up to accommodate ILUS international expansion plans. With new facilities planned for India and the USA during the remainder of 2021, ILUS will further scale up its assembly and stock holding capability in its key growth locations. In conclusion, CEO of ILUS, Nick Link, commented: The Mongoose delivers clear benefits to firefighters globally. Competitive solutions are overpriced and inefficient, therefore we are already seeing significant demand for the Mongooses capability. Once again, I am so proud of what our team has developed and we are proving that our patented water mist technology has multiple revolutionary capabilities across the fire and life safety sectors. For further information on the ILUS group of companies, please see their respective communication channels. Website: https://ilus-group.com Twitter : OTC_ILUS Twitter : ILUS_Coin Contact: Ir@Ilus-group.com Source: ILUS Related Links https://ilus-group.com https://ilus-coin.com Forward-Looking Information Certain information set forth in this press release contains "forward-looking information", including "future-oriented financial information" and "financial outlook", under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as forward-looking statements). Except for statements of historical fact, the information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements and includes, but is not limited to, the (i) projected financial performance of the Company; (ii) completion of, and the use of proceeds from, the sale of the shares being offered hereunder; (iii) the expected development of the Company's business, projects, and joint ventures; (iv) execution of the Company's vision and growth strategy, including with respect to future M&A activity and global growth; (v) sources and availability of third-party financing for the Company's projects; (vi) completion of the Company's projects that are currently underway, in development or otherwise under consideration; (vi) renewal of the Company's current customer, supplier and other material agreements; and (vii) future liquidity, working capital, and capital requirements. Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand management's beliefs and opinions in respect of the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") has provided guidance to issuers regarding the use of social media to disclose material non-public information. In this regard, investors and others should note that we announce material financial information on our corporate website, www.ilus-group.com , in addition to SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts. We use these channels as well as social media to communicate with the public about our company, our services and other issues. It is possible that the information we post on social media could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, in light of the SEC's guidance, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the following U.S. social media channels: Twitter OTC_ILUS.



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[May 26, 2021] Managed Business Solutions of Bayonne, NJ Honored by Sharp for Platinum Level Service Dealer

Managed Business Solutions has been recognized by Sharp (News - Alert) Imaging and Information Company of America as a 2020 - 2021 Platinum Level Service Dealer. Sharp awards Platinum Level Service status to outstanding dealers that have exceeded performance benchmarks and implemented industry best practices during the past year. Managed Business Solutions is among a select group of dealers recognized by Sharp from the hundreds of dealers that sell Sharp's advanced business products and solutions in the U.S. "The Platinum Level Service award recognizes Sharp dealers such as Managed Business Solutions that demonstrate exceptional customer support and the highest level of achievement in critical areas of service delivery," said Greg Gumpright, Director, Services, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. "The award is a symbol of meeting Sharp's highest standards which recognizes Managed Business Solutions for meeting and exceeding performance benchmarks and implementing industry best practices." "Our team consistently goes above and beyond providing the best experience possible for our customers. Evey day we strategize new ways of enhancing that experience and recognition of that hard work shows in this award," says James Coler, Vice President of Managed Business Solutions.



About Managed Business Solutions Managed Business Solutions provides documents, voice, data, and IT solutions individualized to businesses' unique needs. Through world-class service and impactful solutions, the MBS team has the unique ability to implement communications as a cohesive, interlinked solution or effectively manage each aspect independently. They provide and service multi-function and cloud-based managed devices to maintain an efficient continuity in the workflow of your paper and electronic documents. Along with print, MBS services and supplies VoIP communication systems, and installs and manages all IT networks with software and hardware solutions. In addition to office technology, we are a full-service marketing agency providing a wide variety of marketing solutions for businesses from social media to web design, to printed brochures.

About Sharp Imaging and Information Company Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America, a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, strives to help businesses achieve Simply Smarter work through technology that is smart and easy to use. The aim of the Simply Smarter Workplace strategy is to accelerate collaboration, improve efficiencies, digitize workflows, and increase information security. Sharp's expansive line of products and solutions include interactive displays such as the award-winning Windows collaboration display and AQUOS BOARD interactive display, commercial displays, security-first laptops, desktop monitors and a full suite of multifunction copier and printer solutions. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005694/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Dgraph Rises to the Top Graph Database on GitHub With 11 G2 Badges and 11M Downloads

Dgraph Labs ("Dgraph"), the #1 open source graph database, today announced it has catapulted to the top spot on GitHub as well as secured numerous accolades across other success metrics. With explosive growth in the open source community combined with the stellar expansion of its commercial product, Dgraph is well-positioned for market disruption. Founded in 2016, Dgraph is based on the idea that everyone should have access to the same level of graph database technology that the likes of Google and Facebook (News - Alert) have built. Since releasing version one of Dgraph in 2017, it has accumulated more than 16,000 GitHub stars, making it the number one open source graph database on GitHub. This success is mirrored in the rapid growth in monthly downloads. The company recently revealed it has had 11 million Docker downloads and averaged over 1.5 million downloads per month in 2021. "At Google (News - Alert) , we had many backends serving different data models, with no interaction with each other. Unifying them into one data graph allowed Google to advance from simple keyword searches to truly understanding user queries and serving responses," said Manish Jain, Dgraph's founder and CTO. "This need to unify disparate datasets into one graph system has become widespread. That's why I built Dgraph, the next-generation graph database designed to serve live user traffic across complex interconnected schemas and massive datasets. It is truly humbling to see just how massive the Dgraph community has grown and how well Dgraph has been received, in a relatively short time period." Customers are discovering and seeing clear benefits to using Dgraph's native-GraphQL graph database, as evidenced by the 11 G2 (News - Alert) badges Dgraph earned in their spring report season. These include a leader badge in the graph database category as well as a top performer badge in the larger and more competitive NoSQL category. The G2 badges recognize Dgraph's ease of use, customer support, and stellar relationships. News of Dgraph's success across these metrics comes on the heels of bringing on board a new CEO. Gary Hagmueller was announced as Dgraph's CEO in early March, bringing more than 20 years of technology startup experience to the series A-funded business. The move signaled upcoming commercial expansion. "Taking the top spot on GitHub and our exponential download growth underscores how vibrant, engaging, and global Dgraph has become," said Hagmueller. "We value the continued support, and it's great to see our community of users and enterprise customers finding success with Dgraph." The company recently added Austin Rutherford as SVP of customer journey to its veteran roster. Rutherford's commitment to customers and focus on streamlining their success is fundamental to the company's growth going forward. Dgraph also brought on a new director of sales, David Sutphin, to support the rapidly growing enterprise customers investigating Dgraph's solutions. /p>



Dgraph Day brought together industry leaders with a wide range of Dgraph users and those curious about GraphQL and graph databases. With 13 speakers and four workshops, the event helped to educate the community and provided an opportunity to share experiences and best practices. The company also launched a new tiered structure of Dgraph Cloud. The Free, Shared, and Dedicated tiers provide access to the cloud-based native-GraphQL graph database with a fully managed solution. The Free tier is ideal for learning Dgraph, while the Shared tier offers shared instances that are designed for developers building apps and early-stage startups innovating with new technologies. The Dedicated tier lets enterprises scale to terabytes of data in a highly available production-ready environment.

Announced at Dgraph Day, Dgraph Cloud is now available across 20 regions on AWS. Dedicated instances are also available on Azure or Google Cloud Platform. Dgraph has partnered with Capventis to expand digital transformation across a global network of brands. This partnership facilitates integrations for analytics, customer engagement, and customer management. These two innovative and rapidly growing tech companies are poised to streamline companies' data unification and ensure deeper business understanding. "The Capventis and Dgraph partnership is an exciting opportunity for digital transformation across a range of industries in the U.S., U.K., and around the world," said Mike Hawkes, Capventis CTO. "We built some of our core software on Dgraph's technology, and it is already yielding incredible insights and analytics from previously messy and siloed data. I'm thrilled to work with the Dgraph team to expand the role of our shared technologies." "Of course, it is thrilling to watch Dgraph's rapid growth. From our community and usage expansion to new partnerships and clients coming on board, it's clear that Dgraph is resonating with the market," added Hagmueller. "Even more interesting to me, though, is where Dgraph is going. As our product reaches new levels of maturity, it is clear that our unique position within the graph database and GraphQL ecosystems coalesce for significant market disruption." To learn more about Dgraph and how it is driving digital transformation through graph databases and GraphQL, please visit http://dgraph.io/. About Dgraph Labs Dgraph Labs is the graph database that powers data unification for real-time intelligence. The only GraphQL-native graph database, Dgraph underpins the digital transformation of terabytes of data for businesses that depend on complex data structures. A vibrant open source community downloads Dgraph over 1.5 million times per month, with the database executing over 100 billion queries; Dgraph is the #1 graph database on GitHub with over 16,000 stars. Dgraph's customers include companies from Fortune 500 companies as well as rapid-growth startups. Dgraph Labs was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in California's Silicon Valley. For more information, visit http://dgraph.io/, and follow Dgraph Labs on LinkedIn, Twitter, GitHub and YouTube. All brand names and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Tags: Dgraph Labs, graph database, GraphQL, Dgraph Cloud, GitHub, machine learning, knowledge graph, master data management, Gary Hagmueller, Austin Rutherford, graph platform, open source, developer community, real-time decision-making, big data, customer journey, customer experience, customer success View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005221/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Battelle, The Ohio State University and Northwestern University Collaborate to Tackle COVID-19 Infodemic in Real Time

Damage from the COVID-19 pandemic has been amplified by the accompanying "infodemic" of false and misleading online information. To date, most efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 misinformation have been largely unsuccessful as they retroactively attempt to correct false narratives only after they have extensively spread online. A new collaborative effort between Battelle, the Ohio State University, and Northwestern University, sponsored by a $1 million grant from the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), aims to address this problem by assessing the risk of COVID-19 misinformation in near real time. The team's investigators represent diverse backgrounds, including Cyber Trust and Analytics (Katie Liszewski and David Collins, Battelle), Mathematics (Joseph Tien, OSU), Social Networks (Robert Bond, OSU), Communication (Erik Nisbet, Northwestern), and Public Policy (Samuel Malloy, OSU). According to Erik Nisbet, Owen L. Coon Endowed Professor of Policy Analysis and Communication, this is the strength of the team, "There have been many efforts to track and mitigate misinformation, but this initiative is truly unique due to its combination of multiple approaches from network science, social media analytics, and computational linguistics, and an understanding of the psychology behind its spread and influence." Katie Liszewski, a cybersecurity engineer, explains that the approach uses programs that can identify misinformation across multiple languages. "These tools track the potential of new misinformation spreading through influential groups to the general public and eliminates the need to exhaustively catalog the millions f tweets, posts, and likes generated every day. The approach will enable decision makers and spokespeople to quickly craft public service announcements to counter dangerous misinformation without causing information fatigue."



Development of this concept began when COVID-19 was first reported in the United States, and the collaboration was initially funded internally by both Battelle and the Ohio State Office of Research. Now the project will be funded by IARPA, part of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which invests in high-risk, high-payoff research programs to tackle some of the most difficult challenges of the agencies and disciplines in the Intelligence Community. "In a rapidly changing, high-volume social media landscape, our goal is to identify misleading or false content that is on the brink of becoming widespread and that would pose outsized risk to public health if it did become widely disseminated," said Sam Malloy, Battelle Center for Science, Engineering, and Public Policy in Ohio State University's John Glenn College of Public Affairs. "This is a critical step in prioritizing mitigation efforts and can facilitate a more targeted approach to combating the 'infodemic'."

About Battelle Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit www.battelle.org. About Ohio State Battelle Center Ohio State Battelle Center for Science, Engineering, and Public Policy is part of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. Started from a generous endowment from Battelle in 2006, Ohio State Battelle Center has gone through many iterations in the technology and policy arena, the most recent starting in 2017 with the arrival of executive director, Dr. Elizabeth Newton. Today, Ohio State Battelle Center focuses on connecting policymakers with scientists and engineers to make sense of complex technical information, anticipate the challenges ahead, and solve wicked problems. Through research and professional development programming, Ohio State Battelle Center aims to tackle challenges that require multiple disciplines while preparing students to be innovative in the public interest. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005764/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Seabury Securities Advises Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA in Multi-Jurisdictions Financial Restructuring and NOK 6 Billion Capital Raise

Seabury Securities LLC, the wholly-owned investment banking arm of Seabury Capital Group LLC (collectively, "Seabury Capital") announced today that the company has advised Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA ("Norwegian"), the leading European Nordics low-cost carrier, in its successful multi-jurisdiction financial restructuring in Ireland, Norway, and in the United States of America as Lead Financial Restructuring Adviser. Seabury Capital has also advised the airline as financial advisor in the airline's NOK 6 billion (~US$720 million) capital raise alongside DNB Bank ASA and ABG Sundal Collier ASA. As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, Norwegian started significant financial restructuring in Spring 2020. In May 2020, Norwegian achieved an express 2 months out of court restructuring of its leases and bonds. This led to a ~NOK 10 billion of debt-to-equity swap and raised NOK 3 billion of debt from the Norwegian Government. Seabury advised then Norwegian in its aircraft leases restructuring. In November 2020, the Government of Norway announced they would not support a second capital injection without further restructuring of the airline. With the support of Seabury as Lead Financial Restructuring Advisor, BAHR AS, as lead Counsel, and Matheson, as Irish counsel, Norwegian entered an Irish Examinership (the Irish version of U.S. Chapter 11) with Mr. Kieran Wallace from KPMG as Examiner. In December 2020, Norwegian entered a Norwegian Reconstruction process as well under the leadership of Mr. Havard Wiker, from Ro Sommernes, as Reconstructor. After support to the process provided by Norwegian's shareholders and creditors, judgements validating the successful Irish Examinership and Norwegian Reconstruction was passed in February and March 2020 subject to a minimum recapitalization of NOK 4.5 billion. A U.S. recognition of those judgement through a U.S. Chapter 15 process has also been undertaken. Norwegian has successfully closed today a NOK 6 billion capital raise, comprised of NOK 1,875 million of a convertible perpetual bond, NOK 395 million right issue and the rest as private placement including a series of strategic Nordic investors. Norwegian is now emerging out of to court process as a much stronger airline, with a simpler business model, strong balance sheet and lower and flexible cost base. Norwegian will now focus on narrow body aircraft flying out of the Nordics with a fleet starting at 51 Boeing (News - Alert) 737NG aircraft but aiming to grow in 2022 to 70 aircraft. During this process, the airline has reduced its liabilities in excess of NOK 60 billion and rejected aircraft orders with Airbus and Boeing worth NOK 85 billion.



"The successful emergence of Norwegian from a very complex and innovative multi-jurisdiction court process coupled with the remarkable NOK 6 billion capital raise is an outstanding result only possible thanks to the prolonged and exceptional work of the airline's management and its advisors. Seabury Securities is very proud to have contributed to this success," commented Alexis Fekete, Managing Director of Seabury Securities. Michael B. Cox (News - Alert) , Senior Managing Director of Seabury Securities, attributed "this success to courageous measures taken by management to adjust the airline strategy and a balanced approach to obtain the support of creditors, especially the aircraft financing community which has supported the airline during the entire COVID-19 pandemic."

Geir Karlsen, Norwegian's Deputy CEO and Chief Financial Officer, remarked: "Since April 2020, Seabury Securities has played a pivotal role as restructuring, financial, and industry advisor to Norwegian; especially as it relates to the overall restructuring process and fleet advisory and negotiations." For details on the restructuring, visit https://www.norwegian.com/uk/about/company/investor-relations/ ABOUT SEABURY SECURITIES Seabury Securities LLC is the wholly-owned investment banking arm of Seabury Capital Group LLC ("Seabury Capital") which operates a number of specialty finance, investment banking, technology, and software companies with a core focus anchored in aviation, aerospace & defense, and financial services & technology. Since its founding in 1995, Seabury Capital has taken ownership stakes in software and asset management businesses servicing the aviation and travel industries. Seabury Capital ended the year 2019 with over $1 billion in assets and intends to leverage those resources to launch one or more specialized investment funds in aviation, travel, and technology in 2020, under a newly incorporated investment fund manager, Seabury Capital Management LLC. Within the last few years, Seabury Capital has expanded its portfolio by investing in early stage startup companies within the financial technology industry and structured investment products. In addition, Seabury Capital owns and operates FINRA, NFA and FCA regulated investment banking services firms in the U.S. and U.K., respectively, serving external clients as well as assisting the companies in which Seabury Capital has invested. Seabury Capital has operations in New York, Amsterdam, Beijing, Berlin, Chicago, Cordoba, Dallas, Dublin, Durban, Edison (NJ), Guernsey, Hong Kong, Houston, Jersey City, London, Los Angeles, Manila, Minneapolis, Mumbai, Nairobi, Ottawa, Seoul, Shannon, Singapore, Summit (NJ), Stamford (CT), and Tokyo. Reference Seabury Securities at www.seaburycapital.com/seabury-securities. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005776/en/

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[May 26, 2021] TerraClear Raises $25 Million for Robotic Rock Picker

TerraClear, an applied AI and robotics company, announced Series A funding of $25 million led by Madrona Venture Group, bringing the company's total funding to $38 million. Rocks in fields break machinery, slow precision farming, and take up valuable time that modern farms do not have. TerraClear's Rock Picker picks an average of 400 rocks per hour and can pick up rocks of up to 300 pounds. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005367/en/ TerraClear Inc's Rock Picker picks 400 rocks an hour (Photo: Business Wire) In the past year, TerraClear has deployed early versions of their solution that both map and clear fields of rocks. These rocks not only break the backs of those picking them up, but break increasingly expensive precision machinery that is in common use by farmers for planting, irrigating and harvesting. Medium to large farms incur anywhere from $5,000 to $150,000 worth of damage and cost, even more annually for the very large farms. Spread out over hundreds of millions of acres across the globe, that's a massive unaddressed opportunity. Evan Aardema, a farmer and customer in southern Idaho said, "On a 150 acre field we went from it taking 4 days and 6 guys to pick the rock by hand, to 1 day with 3 guys with the Rock Picker. That's an 8x efficiency gain in the labor, and now I've got 18 days of labor that I can spend on something more productive." Foundr and CEO Brent Frei grew up on his family's farm in Idaho and returned to this passion after founding and growing an incredibly successful tech company, Smartsheet. "This is something I've personally dealt with my entire life," said Brent Frei. "There are more than 400 million arable acres worldwide that have been waiting for a cost-effective and productive solution to this problem. Repetitive tasks like this are optimal targets for automation, and the technologies we are bringing to the field dramatically reduce the labor and time needed to prep fields for planting."



"The TerraClear team has incredible passion and expertise in both the customer base and the technology needed to address this huge problem for farmers. Rock picking fits into the category of dull, dangerous, and dirty. It's a perfect application of robotics and AI and we are excited to back this team and mission," said Matt McIlwain, Managing Director, Madrona Venture Group. Earlier this year, TerraClear released the first Rock Picker, which quickly sold out and the second run will be delivered at the end of this summer. The Rock Picker enables customers to remove rocks with the touch of a button. It works today on a compact track loader or skid steer and will soon be compatible with front-end loaders on tractors. It takes less than five minutes to mount and works in any field condition. From traditionally cultivated to no-till conditions, seeded fields, stubble, or even pastureland, the Rock Picker minimizes compaction and ground disturbance on the soil. This is an increasingly important factor in modern farming which emphasizes soil conservation practices such as no-till and minimum till practices. In addition to expanding the windows when rocks can be picked, the tools expand who can pick rocks, enabling both the young and old to contribute.

TerraClear's future product roadmap includes integrating AI and computer vision with a fully autonomous rock picker platform, creating a Roomba for rocks. "We're working every day towards a fully autonomous solution for rock picking - and that is a multi-year project. Along the way, we're building solutions that solve this problem better than anything out there," says President Trevor Thompson. The TerraClear team's iterative approach to building means getting real solutions in the hands of farmers faster. TerraClear also offers mapping and clearance services for those looking for a plug and play solution to picking rocks. Working with TerraClear or 3rd party drone services, TerraClear maps fields, uses AI to locate large rocks and then deploys the Rock Picker to clear the field. Few ag-tech solutions couple the 'information' with the 'physical solution' in a true end-to-end offering. While both have proven to be useful as standalone products for farmers, their combined level of efficiency really opens the opportunity for a profitable service business as well, something that the company is trialing in multiple regions this fall. In addition to scaled production and sales in 2022, the team will use the injection of capital to accelerate the development of autonomy and grow the team in Washington and Idaho. TerraClear's Rock Picker is currently available for pre-order. About TerraClear TerraClear is applying AI and Robotics to the age-old problem of clearing fields of rocks that slow farming and damage equipment. www.terraclear.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005367/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Amazon Sellers Can Now Perform Keyword Research With Sellzone Keyword Wizard Tool by Semrush

Semrush, a leading online visibility management SaaS (News - Alert) platform, today announced the release of Keyword Wizard - a new tool within the Sellzone (ex. Sellerly) toolkit - a comprehensive toolkit for Amazon sellers. The Keyword Wizard tool by Sellzone is an easy-to-use solution to improve SEO for Amazon sellers by finding relevant search terms and their search volumes. It provides any keyword's search volume for the Amazon search engine as well as related keywords. The current size of the Keyword Wizard tool database is 200+ million keywords to help sellers identify keywords that can make their listings more profitable. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005797/en/ Sellzone Keyword Wizard (Graphic: Business Wire) Alexander Attsik, head of Sellzone, commented, "Our team is excited to present the Keyword Wizard tool for Amazon sellers. Semrush has long been known as a trusted data provider with one of the biggest and impressively accurate keyword databases on the market. Since the beginning of Sellzone (ex. Sellerly) development, we had the aim to design the same solution as Keyword Magic Tool for Google (News - Alert) , but for Amazon: with a big keyword database, accurate search volume estimations, and simple, intuitive UX design. With the new Keyword Wizard tool, Amazon sellers and agencies can do comprehensive Amazon keyword research and optimize Amazon product listings for organic and paid traffic. The Keyword Wizard tool used to be a missing piece in the Sellzone puzzle, and on top of it, we are in the process of developing powerful tools to further expand our toolkit for Amazon business growth." The keyword research and analysis performed in the Keyword Wizard tool by Sellzone (ex. Sellerly) helps sellers to:



Get higher search rankings on Amazon by presenting the most relevant high-volume search terms for any Amazon product; Bring new ideas on the keywords for ranking on Amazon by providing the list of long-tail keywords by broad, phrase and exact match; Find growth opportunities and outperform the competitors with the low-competition keyword list. How Keyword Wizard works: User enters a main (seed) keyword; The tool searches for relevant variations in the Sellzone keyword database; User gets a list of variants enriched with metrics and has the opportunity to adjust the list of keywords by excluding irrelevant words in the broad- or phrase match long-tail keywords; User exports selected keywords for further work on the product listing. Along with the Keyword Wizard tool launch, Sellzone (ex. Sellerly) presented a 'how-to' guide on Amazon keyword research and the list of top 100 Amazon keywords.

With this new release, Sellzone (ex. Sellerly) includes the following tools: Keyword Wizard - Amazon keyword research tool enabling sellers to improve Amazon listing visibility by finding high-volume search terms to rank for. Traffic Insights - Helps sellers find new customer sources by evaluating and comparing the external traffic channels of a product listed on Amazon. Listing Quality Check - Audits listing content for potential suspension threats and Amazon guideline compliance and provides actionable tips on improving listing performance. Listing Protection - Monitors listings of sellers' own or competing products and alerts users via email or SMS about various changes in the product listing. Split Testing - Runs automated split testing of product pages helping to determine which parameters perform better for the listings based on live test data. For more details, please visit sellzone.com About Semrush Semrush is a leading online visibility management SaaS platform that enables businesses globally to run search engine optimization, pay-per-click, content, social media and competitive research campaigns and get measurable results from online marketing. Semrush offers insights and solutions for companies to build, manage, and measure campaigns across various marketing channels. Semrush, with over 72,000 paying customers, is headquartered in Boston and has offices in Pennsylvania, Texas, Russia, Czech Republic, Poland and Cyprus. About Sellzone Sellzone, formerly known as Sellerly, - is a suite of tools for Amazon business growth powered by Semrush. Sellzone provides insights into your Amazon Marketplace performance through five different tools. Each one of them is designed to address a specific set of challenges for Amazon sellers: Amazon SEO and keyword research, competitive research, Amazon listing monitoring and optimization, compliance with Amazon requirements. SEMRUSH and the fireball logo are registered trademarks of, and SELLZONE is a trademark of Semrush Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. AMAZON is a trademark of Amazon Technologies Inc. and/or its affiliates and registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other marks are registered or unregistered trademarks of their respective owners. Learn more about Sellzone by visiting:

www.sellzone.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005797/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Elastic Introduces Native Microsoft Azure Integration, Fleet Server, and Enhanced APM Workflows in Elastic Observability

Elastic (NYSE: ESTC) ("Elastic"), the company behind Elasticsearch and the Elastic Stack, announces new features and updates across the Elastic Observability solution in its 7.13 release to streamline workflows in Microsoft (News - Alert) Azure, simplify data integrations, and accelerate root cause analysis. Expanded capabilities include native integration in the Microsoft Azure console, the beta release of Fleet Server, and new troubleshooting views in Elastic APM (News - Alert) . Elastic is announcing an enhanced partnership with Microsoft, enabling users to find and deploy Elastic directly from the Azure console and natively integrate observability and security data from Azure services. In Elastic Observability, the new native Azure console integration allows customers to easily onboard logs and metrics from their Azure services. This includes both compute services, sch as virtual machines and containers, and non-compute services, such as Azure SQL Database and Azure Data Factory. Users can easily configure their setups with tag (News - Alert) -based filters to limit data collection to only specific resources.



Elastic also announces the beta release of Fleet Server, a new app in Kibana that allows practitioners to centrally manage an entire fleet of Elastic Agents. Fleet Server offers a distributed architecture for scalability and flexible deployment. It can be deployed either centrally or close to Elastic Agents. Together, the Azure console integration and Fleet Server significantly lower total cost of ownership and time to value for users of Elastic Observability. New enhancements to the Elastic APM Service Overview page are now available with time comparison and enhanced APM service instance views, enabling users to further accelerate root cause analysis and lower mean-time-to-resolution (MTTR). The time comparison view allows users to quickly and directly compare current and historical behavior, while the scatterplot view displays instances by latency and load distribution to reveal instances that are behaving differently under load. An enhanced instance panel breaks down services by instance, providing per-instance metrics and trends to quickly identify which instances might be contributing to service issues.

For more information read the Elastic blog about what's new in Elastic Observability 7.13. About Elastic: Elastic is a search company built on a free and open heritage. Anyone can use Elastic products and solutions to get started quickly and frictionlessly. Elastic offers three solutions for enterprise search, observability, and security, built on one technology stack that can be deployed anywhere. From finding documents to monitoring infrastructure to hunting for threats, Elastic makes data usable in real time and at scale. Thousands of organizations worldwide, including Cisco, eBay, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, The Mayo Clinic, NASA, The New York Times, Wikipedia, and Verizon (News - Alert) , use Elastic to power mission-critical systems. Founded in 2012, Elastic is a distributed company with Elasticians around the globe and is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol ESTC. Learn more at elastic.co. The release and timing of any features or functionality described in this document remain at Elastic's sole discretion. Any features or functionality not currently available may not be delivered on time or at all. Elastic and associated marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Elastic N.V. and its subsidiaries. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005871/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Apple Abused Market Power in Cardio Device Market, Suit Alleges

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AliveCor, a leading innovator in FDA-cleared personal electrocardiogram (ECG) technology and services, today filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against Apple over its exclusion of other heartrate analysis providers from the Apple Watch. Apple's monopolistic conduct harmed not only AliveCor but also patients and consumers, the suit alleges. Filed in the Northern District of California, the suit comes on the heels of multiple patent infringement actions alleging that Apple stole AliveCor's cardiological detection and analysis technology. Today's suit seeks damages and an injunction requiring Apple to cease its abusive conduct. "AliveCor developed the world's first personal ECG and seeks to become the 24/7 virtual cardiologist for patients," said AliveCor CEO Priya Abani. "Apple's tactics in the heartrate analysis market, have injured competition, reduced consumer choice, and potentially damaged public health." In 2015, AliveCor released KardiaBand, the first FDA-cleared accessory for Apple Watch, as well as SmartRhythm, a first-of-its-kind app that remains best in class. SmartRhythm used data from the Apple Watch's heartrate algorithm to detect when a user's heartrate was likely irregular and suggested that the user take an ECG. The suit alleges, seeing the success of AliveCor's products, Apple copied its technology then changed the "watchOS" operating system to sabotage it as well as other competing apps. "Medical advances depend on innovation. I knew smartwatches had enormous potential to help patents by monitoring a person's heart for potentially life-threatening conditions," said Dr. David E. Albert, a physician, inventor, and entrepreneur who is AliveCor's Founder and Chief Medical Officer. "With the increasing importance of wearable medical technology, patients and customers need the best products at the lowest price. Apple's actions deprive them of both."



The lawsuit details how, after Apple learned the value of heartrate monitoring and analysis on smartwatches from AliveCor, Apple did what it has done many times in other markets: It refused to accept competition on the merits. Once AliveCor started selling KardiaBand and its apps, Apple began a concerted effort to corner the market for heartrate analysis on the Apple Watch because, as the lawsuit states, "the value of controlling such critical health data  was apparently too much of a temptation for Apple." When AliveCor first developed its offerings for the Apple Watch, Apple accepted SmartRhythm in the App Store without objection. But soon after, Apple suddenly claimed that the app "violated" unwritten App Store guidelines. When AliveCor pushed back, Apple responded by literally rewriting the rules. Nevertheless, AliveCor adapted SmartRhythm multiple times so that it met Apple's ever-changing guidelines. Finally, Apple made changes to watchOS's heartrate algorithm that ensured SmartRhythm and other competing apps would not work.

"To gain an unfair competitive edge, Apple put countless AliveCor users' lives in danger," the complaint states. The lawsuit details how Apple has injured both AliveCor and competition through its unlawful, anticompetitive behavior in the market for watchOS heartrate analysis apps. It has done so by abusing its monopoly power in that market, as well as the power it holds in the U.S. market for ECG-capable smartwatches. Apple's behavior has excluded competitors, reduced innovation, and raised prices for consumers. About AliveCor AliveCor, Inc. is transforming cardiological care using deep learning. The FDA-cleared KardiaMobile device is the most clinically validated personal ECG solution in the world. KardiaMobile provides instant detection of Atrial Fibrillation, Bradycardia, Tachycardia, Sinus Rhythm with Supraventricular Ectopy, Sinus Rhythm with Premature Ventricular Contractions, Sinus Rhythm with Wide QRS and Normal Heart Rhythm. Kardia is the first AI-enabled platform to aid patients and clinicians in the early detection of atrial fibrillation, the most common arrhythmia and one associated with a highly-elevated risk of stroke. AliveCor's enterprise platform allows third party providers to manage their patients' and customers' heart conditions simply and profitably using state-of-the-art tools that provide easy front-end and back-end integration to AliveCor technologies. AliveCor protects its customers with stringent data security and compliance practices, achieving HIPAA compliance and SOC2 Type 1 and Type 2 attestations. AliveCor is a privately-held company headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. "Consumer" or "Personal" ECGs are ECG devices available for direct sale to consumers. For more information, please visit alivecor.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/apple-abused-market-power-in-cardio-device-market-suit-alleges-301300139.html SOURCE AliveCor, Inc.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 21:00:44|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The challenges in the China-UK relationship can only be resolved through engagement, said the British Chamber of Commerce in China (BCCC), calling for cooperation around preventing climate change, improving the business environment and other areas of common interest.

The voice came as the BCCC released its Position Paper 2021 on British Businesses in China in Beijing on Wednesday, and the analysis within the paper is drawn from the data provided in the Sentiment Survey and industry roundtables and interviews.

It is vital that China-UK travel resumes as quickly as possible in line with pandemic response measures, said St. John Moore, chair of the BCCC, adding that it is important for China to remain a vibrant international hub.

The prospects for bilateral trade are positive despite a slight decrease last year, and the BCCC is happy to see China continues to encourage regional decision-makers to source foreign investment from Britain, according to the paper.

"Climate action is another area in which effective cooperation can lead to meaningful outcomes," said Moore, "Members of the BCCC are taking concrete actions to reduce their carbon footprints in China and to promote environmental, social and governance standards."

The paper also recommends the Chinese government to expand pilot programs to liberalize cross-border capital flows as well as establish a more level playing field and optimized business environment for foreign enterprises.

The BCCC is an independent, not-for-profit membership organisation with a focus on providing advocacy, business support and networking opportunities for British businesses in China. Enditem
[May 26, 2021] SEQUENT to Release the First Titanium Smart Self-Charging Watch in the U.S.

SEQUENT, the Swiss smartwatch brand, is turning the watchmaking industry upside down with the introduction of its new Elektron watch-a sustainable, self-charging and maintenance-free daily wearable. For the first time, U.S. customers can preorder the watch on Kickstarter beginning on May 26, 2021. The new SEQUENT Elektron is an elegantly designed smartwatch combining the best of both worlds. Made for everyday wear, the watch face resembles an analog mechanical watch but surprises and delights with its backend technology. Equipped with solar-powered indices that glow in low light for visibility, the patented autonomous micromechanical movement technology means never needing to charge a watch again. Enhanced user experiences allow for backend health monitoring-inclusive of step count, heart rate tracking, distance and workout monitoring utilizing e-GPS and more-all available from the connected Oxygen app available on both Android and Apple (News - Alert)  devices. SEQUENT carefully crafts each watch by providing straps made of upcycled #Tide ocean material, sourcing sugarcane for packaging, planting trees for every watch purchased, and offsetting 90kg of carbon (each watch produced generates 8.7kg of carbon) during the manufacturing process with myclimate. No screws, gears or batteries make the Elektron a solution to a simple problem-ending wasteful life cycles of products that cannot be recycled or reused.



"Elektron is the pinnacle of SEQUENT watch innovations," said CEO and founder Adrian Buchmann. "It shows us that sustainability doesn't need to be a step back in terms of design. Quite the opposite, it pushes us to new directions." The Elektron collection includes three watches with different enhancements for a variety of individual needs. All watches in the collection-the Elektron, Elektron HR and Elektron HR VIU-boast a standby time of more than two years, precise timekeeping of 0.3 seconds a day (0.17 seconds more precise than mechanical watches) and are water-resistant up to 50 meters. The Elektron is crafted with a Grade 2 titanium case, black DLC coating, sapphire glass, black matte dial with Super-LumiNova hands and indexes, and straps are available in #Tide ocean material, rubber or leather options.

The SEQUENT Elektron is available for preorder in the United States on Kickstarter at 12 p.m. EST on May 26, 2021. Visit Kickstarter to place an order and be a part of the #SmartWatchRevolution. About SEQUENT SEQUENT is a Swiss start-up based in Basel with subsidiaries in Taipei (TW), London (UK) and Prague (CZ). The company has invented the first smart self-charging watch, powered with an automatic self-winding movement, that transforms gravity into electrical power. Therefore, SEQUENT merges traditional watchmaking with cutting-edge smart technologies to provide watch lovers the "Swiss way" of making a smartwatch. SEQUENT is certified by myclimate.org to offset its carbon footprint in the manufacturing of its products. For more information, visit sequentworld.com. *Note for the editor: Download high-resolution photography here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2fdfezhdj2w2s06/AABRWqyuDYfSu4Hu_rIJT4yia?dl=0 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005950/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Singapore Cards and Payments Markets, Opportunities and Risks Report 2021-2024 - ResearchAndMarkets.com

The "Singapore Cards and Payments - Opportunities and Risks to 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. 'Singapore Cards and Payments - Opportunities and Risks to 2024' report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the Singaporean cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including cash, cards, credit transfers, direct debits, and cheques 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 the market shares of issuers and schemes. The report brings together the publisher's research, modeling, and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers details of regulatory policy and recent changes in the regulatory structure. Scope Instant payments in Singapore are likely to grow further with the government now permitting non-bank financial institutions (NFIs) to access banking retail payments infrastructure. NFIs that are licensed as major payment institutions under the Payment Services Act are now allowed to connect directly to Fast And Secure Transfers ( FAST (News - Alert) ) and PayNow. The service is now offered by23 banks and five NFIs, including ANZ, Bank of China, BNP Paribas, CIMB, Citibank, Deutsche Bank, ICBC, Standard Chartered, Maybank, OCBC, United Overseas Bank (UOB), HSBC, GPay Network, Liquid Group, MatchMove Pay, SingCash, and TransferWise.

The banking space is likely to become more competitive with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) allowing digital-only banks to operate in the country. In December 2020 it approved digital banking licenses for four entities - a consortium of Singtel and Grab; Sea Limited; Ant Financial; and a consortium of Greenland Financial Holdings Group, Linklogis Hong Kong, and Beijing Co-operative Equity Investment Fund Management .There are two types of digital banking licenses - a digital full bank license and a digital wholesale bank license. The former allows entities to serve both retail and corporate segments by offering products such as bank accounts, deposits, debit cards, and credit cards. Meanwhile, the latter allows entities to serve only corporates and SMEs. All four new digital banks are expected to commence operations from early 2022.

Singaporeans have increasingly spent online using credit cards amid COVID-19. OCBC reported that card spend at online supermarkets doubled followed by a 50% increase in spending on both online food deliveries and video/music subscriptions between January and March 2020 compared to the same period of 2019. UOB reported a 50% increase in online grocery shopping - and its credit card holders spent 42% more on online food orders and deliveries and 38% more on ecommerce purchases - over a similar period. Citibank and Standard Chartered also reported increases in online credit card spending. The MAS noted that while consumers in Singapore have increasingly used credit cards for daily essentials, travel and big-ticket items like luxury goods and furniture have taken significant hits due to the pandemic.



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

Appendix Companies Mentioned

Monetary Authority of Singapore

DBS

Citi Bank

OCBC Bank

UOB

Standard Chartered

NETS

Visa

Mastercard

American Express

Diners Club

China UnionPay

Google (News - Alert) Pay

PayPal

Apple Pay

Samsung Pay

Dash

UOB Mighty

Click to Pay

DBS PayLah!

Liquid Pay For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ijvc5h View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005961/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Perrone Robotics Expands Leadership Team

CROZET, Va., May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Perrone Robotics, Inc. (Perrone Robotics), a leading provider of fully autonomous vehicle technology and turnkey vehicle solutions for the mobility of people and things, today announced the appointment of three new executives to their growing team. John Mottola joins the company as vice president of operations, Max DePiro joins as vice president of engineering, and Colleen Hahn will be the new vice president of marketing and communications. John Mottola, a twenty-year veteran of the financial service and investment banking sectors, will lead Perrone's operations and advance corporate financial initiatives. John is considered a subject matter expert in the areas of compliance risk oversight and corporate merger and acquisition strategies. With both a law degree and MBA, he has performed enterprise-wide regulatory source reviews, risk assessments/analysis, policies/procedures, and enhanced regulatory compliance initiatives. Throughout his career, John has built strong partnerships to collaborate effectively across business, operational, legal, and other enterprise compliance risk partners and regulatory authorities to position organizations for growth. His background includes corporate valuations, debt settlement, and equity market transactions for various mutual fund complexes. Mottola comes to Perrone Robotics from Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Compliance  Enterprise Regulations as vice president, compliance senior manager. Max DePiro, PhD., an entrepreneur and autonomous vehicle innovator, will lead Perrone Robotics' engineering team. In his role, DePiro will focus on customer delivery mechanisms, product commercialization, and enhanced development of AV systems. In addition, DePiro will be responsible for scaling the production of Perrone Robotics' autonomous vehicle (AV) TONY (TO Navigate You) retrofit kit to meet increased market demands from the commercial, governmental, residential, fleet, and logistics sectors. DePiro's background includes platform development, cloud-based software applications, and image processing methods for automated inspection. Prior to Perrone Robotics, Max led a series of ventures in the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) technology space. For over five years, he managed projects for commercial, defense, and academic deloyments at NASA Langley Research Center. DePiro's early career experience spans Department of Defense research and embedded PC solutions for advertising, gaming, and defense applications.



Colleen Hahn, in her role as vice president of marketing and communications, will be responsible for solidifying the company's position as a leader in the autonomous vehicle sector and helping to establish the Perrone brand as the "autonomous vehicle technology of choice" for transit and transportation customers who want reliable, performance-driven AV technology solutions. Hahn has significant expertise in branding new market verticals, positioning emerging technology into established sectors, and creating pathways for reliable, safe, disruptive technology to enter risk-averse markets. Hahn will lead integrated marketing and communications initiatives to support Perrone's sales team and accelerate growth opportunities across market verticals. In addition, she will manage Perrone Robotics' strategic partner programs, product marketing, and customer service pathway models. Hahn comes to Perrone Robotics with a background as a chief marketing officer overseeing sales, communications, and marketing. The team joins Founder/CEO Paul Perrone, Chief Counsel Mike Raschid, VP of Projects Don Perrone, and a group of dedicated employees committed to developing safe, innovative AV technology for the mobility of people and things.

"As Perrone Robotics continues its expansion, we are thrilled to add this diverse leadership team to help us drive growth across our target market verticals and strategically identify new market opportunities," stated Paul Perrone, Perrone Robotics, Inc., founder, and chief executive officer. "We have tremendous opportunity to help customers increase operational efficiencies across their transportation and transit value chain through cost-effective, reliable AV technology that is built around our safety certifiable framework. The team's in-depth product knowledge and strong experience across industry will help us realize our strategic vision, increase sales exponentially and deliver exceptional customer service." Over the past few months, Perrone Robotics has hired and promoted new professionals both in-office and work-from-home positions across the country. The company is on a path to hire over sixty positions by the close of 2021. Perrone Robotics recently received a $10 million investment from Capstone Holdings, Inc. ( release information ). In 2019, the Company delivered the first fully autonomous vehicle deployment on public roads for the public in Virginia. The program was operated over the summer months and into the Fall of 2019 wherein no interventions were required. The project was conducted in collaboration with Albemarle County and drove fully autonomously (with a safety monitor) on public roads in Crozet, navigating vehicle, bike, and pedestrian traffic through intersections and roundabouts. Perrone Robotics has been revenue-generating for over eighteen years and has experienced significant growth recently, delivering AV solutions for municipalities, universities, commercial and warehouse deployments. About Perrone Robotics, Inc.

Perrone is a leading provider of fully autonomous vehicle systems. The company delivers mobility excellence via TONY (short for "TO Navigate You"), a vehicle independent retrofit kit for use in the autonomous transit of people and goods in geo-fenced and localized operations. TONY embeds inside any vehicle for any job to provide a complete "artificial driver" solution that brings full autonomy in a safety certifiable framework. Proven, piloted and in commercial production, Perrone autonomous systems help commercial, municipal, and governmental customers increase transportation efficiencies, enhance safety, and accelerate zero-emission electric vehicle deployment. The company also offers a portfolio of existing turnkey autonomous shuttles and vehicles pre-integrated with the TONY retrofit kit. Learn more @ www.perronerobotics.com or follow us @perronerobotics. Media Inquiries:

Colleen Hahn

Perrone Robotics, Inc.

Vice President Marketing and Communications

1.703.851.6944 mobile

chahn@perronerobotics.com email View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/perrone-robotics-expands-leadership-team-301300158.html SOURCE Perrone Robotics Inc

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[May 26, 2021] Southeastern Grocers Launches Patriotic Campaign in Support of Military Service Families

Southeastern Grocers, Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of Fresco y Mas, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, today announces the launch of a six-week community donation program as a continued partnership with Folds of Honor to benefit its mission to provide educational scholarships to the spouses and children of America's fallen and disabled service members. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005989/en/ Anthony Hucker, President and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, and Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, CEO and Founder of Folds of Honor, are joined by Folds of Honor scholarship recipients for the launch of the grocer's annual community donation program. (Photo: Business Wire) Now through the Fourth of July, Fresco y Mas, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie customers can help support this important cause by simply rounding up their total grocery bill to the nearest dollar or by making a donation of their choice at check out in honor of United States military heroes and their loved ones. Every cent donated to Folds of Honor will help to provide private education tuition and tutoring for children in grades K-12, along with higher education tuition assistance for spouses and dependents. Anthony Hucker, President and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, said, "At Southeastern Grocers, we care passionately about our communities, especially our military men and women who embrace the call to serve our country. Over the past three years, we have successfully funded more than 815 academic scholarships for Folds of Honor, and we continue to support their mission to make a lasting impact in our local communities through the education of our military service families. When our customers stand with us in support of Folds of Honor, together we are supporting our nation's future while making a difference in the lives of families who have selflessly sacrificed to keep our freedoms free." Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, CEO and Founder of Folds of Honor, said, "We areso grateful for our partnership with Southeastern Grocers as they continue to fly in formation with us to uplift the children and spouses of America's heroes. This community donation program gives their generous customers and associates an easy way to honor our veterans and pay it forward by rounding up their spare change for our shared mission to narrow the education gap for our country's future leaders. They truly are America's most patriotic grocery store."



To jump-start this year's campaign, world-class chef Robert Irvine has pledged $50,000 through The Robert Irvine Foundation in partnership with Coca-Cola. This generous donation will help the grocer expand its support for the customers, associates and families of those who have served, continue to serve or have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. SEG also continues its partnership with country music star John Rich to further support Folds of Honor. Customers can purchase a bottle of his Redneck Riviera Whiskey in the grocer's liquor stores and 10% of proceeds will support Folds of Honor's mission. Southeastern Grocers will also donate $1 for every bottle sold throughout the duration of the community donation program. In addition, a portion of proceeds from every bottle of Redneck Rivera's 1776 BBQ Sauce (Original and Kickin' Honey) sold in stores will also benefit Folds of Honor.

Last year, SEG's donation of more than $2.5 million to Folds of Honor provided over 500 educational scholarships to the children and spouses impacted by a loved one's sacrifice for the United States military. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded approximately 29,000 educational scholarships to spouses and children of America's fallen and disabled service members. Last year alone, Folds of Honor awarded 4,500 educational scholarships throughout the United States, including 874 life-changing scholarships within the five states Southeastern Grocers serves. Customers are encouraged to visit their neighborhood Fresco y Mas, Harveys Supermarket or Winn-Dixie store for more information on how to contribute to the Folds of Honor community donation program in stores now through the Fourth of July. About Southeastern Grocers Southeastern Grocers, Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of Fresco y Mas, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is one of the largest conventional supermarket companies in the U.S. SEG grocery stores, liquor stores and in-store pharmacies serve communities throughout the five southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Fresco y Mas, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie are well-known and well-respected regional brands with deep heritages, strong neighborhood ties, proud histories of giving back, talented and caring associates and strong commitments to providing the best possible quality and value to customers. For more information, visit www.frescoymas.com, www.harveyssupermarkets.com and www.winndixie.com. About Folds of Honor Folds of Honor is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to families of military men and women who have fallen or been disabled while on active duty in the United States armed forces. Our educational scholarships support private education tuition and tutoring for children in grades K-12, as well as higher education tuition assistance for spouses and dependents. Founded in 2007 by Lt Col Dan Rooney, a PGA member and F-16 fighter pilot currently stationed at Tyndall AFB Florida as a member of 301st Fighter Squadron who served three tours of duty in Iraq, Folds of Honor is proud to have awarded more than 29,000 scholarships in all 50 states, as well as Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, including more than 4,500 in 2020 alone. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship, visit www.foldsofhonor.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526005989/en/

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[May 26, 2021] BPN Capital Group Announces First Blockchain-based Commercial Mortgage Executed at Miami's Iconic Flagship Retail Corner SLS Lux Brickell

The event is to announce the first commercial mortgage to be done using blockchain technology. The collateral is located at the Iconic SLS Lux Brickell in Miami, FL, the announcement will happen on May 28th, 2021 at 7:30 pm ET, which provides accredited investors with a stake in a commercial rental property.

MIAMI, FL, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BPN Capital Group announced today the first-ever blockchain-based commercial mortgage associated with a property in the iconic SLS Lux Brickell in Miami, FL. The tokenization of this property will allow accredited investors to directly hold and control their stake, eliminating the restrictions associated with investing in commercial mortgages through conventional channels. The collateral of this tokenization is the Flagship retail corner situated at the base of the SLS Lux, a 57 story, 450 unit premier residential condominium and hotel tower. Located on the northeast corner of S Miami Avenue and SE 9th Street, one block away from Brickell City Centre and across the street from Mary Brickell Village. "This is like the moon landing for blockchain," said Mr. Edward Rodriguez, CEO of BPN Capital Group. "We are tokenizing a first-in-class fully stabilized propery with sophisticated tenants like Chipotle, Ojo de Agua, Kaori, and Bellillo. We are restoring control to accredited investors and family offices over their assets. This also circumvents the hoops they'd have to jump through to invest in commercial mortgages like this on the secondary market."



BPN Capital Group will offer tokens associated with the commercial rental property to investors who qualify under the US Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation 506(c). Following the mandatory one-year holding period, investors will be able to sell or trade their tokens just like any other registered security. Furthermore, the tokenization of the property means investors are not locked into long-term ownership as they would be with conventional bonds, which take years to mature. Instead, investors can trade their tokens on the SEC and FINRA-regulated Alternative Trading Systems, tZERO. The Tokenization of assets is the process of issuing a blockchain token that digitally represents a real tradable asset, This tokenization is a security token traded on an exchange which means investors can part with a small portion of their stake while retaining some of their investment.

"Historically, if you wanted to sell 5% of your holdings, you'd have to call a broker or an accountant or someone like me who would then do a quantitative risk analysis before putting your assets back on the market," Rodriguez said. "Tokenization puts investors in the drivers' seat and lets them sell their holdings directly and easily, as they see fit."

Finally, blockchain ensures an accurate, transparent record of all transactions that occur on the ledger. There is always a trail of whatever was changed, when, why, and by whom. This transparency revolutionizes the investment and lending spaces, which have long been considered opaque and inaccessible to the uninitiated. "We are proud to be tearing down old walls and democratizing the world of investing and lending," Rodriguez said. "Society shall embrace these structural changes because things will never go back to what they were before. This is the future, and we're proud to be part of this historic moment." About BPN Capital Group BPN Capital Group is a DeFi multi-service Firm powered by a network of professionals and Blockchain and NFT technology. The company is dedicated to developing real-world use cases for revolutionary Blockchain technology, including the tokenization of hard assets for improved lending and investing. Founded in May 2019, BPN Capital Group has held that Blockchain and NFT technology is highly beneficial but underutilized due to lack of accessibility and real-world use cases. It is BPN Capital Group's mission to solve that problem and help lay the groundwork for the mass adoption of Blockchain solutions in the business world. It does so through hard asset tokenization, commercial lending, and a referral agent membership program. Media Contact:

Meredith Egeland

Meredith@quantum-corp.com



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[May 26, 2021] Horizon 2020: Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Platforms on Education and Training & Research and Innovation

BRUSSELS, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On 27 May 2021, the European Commission hosts the joint Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Platforms on Education and Training & Research and Innovation, bringing together key stakeholders from the European Union and the Western Balkans region in an online exchange forum. During the meeting, Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth and the Ministers from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia will take part in the signing ceremony of the Joint Declaration on the 'Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport', to formally support the implementation of this comprehensive, long-term cooperation strategy of the European Union and the Western Balkans. The Agenda fosters constructive synergies that contribute to the long-term development of socio-economic opportunities for young people and civic society by meeting their demand for quality education and training, and development of skills. By creating long-term cultural and economic engagement within the region, the Western Balkans Ministers and representatives of the European Union aim at building constructive partnerships by tackling common challenges through coordinated efforts. These efforts are designed to improve competitiveness, innovation and technology transfer aimed at providing region-wide opportunities for growth. Fostering the good neighbourly relations and ensuring the investment and inclusion of young people through the support of activities within the fields of Youth and Sport is also an important part of the Agenda. The 'Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport' outlines a comprehensive strategy for cooperation and plays a central role in stimulating, monitoring, and supporting the socio-economic development and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans. The Joint Declaration of the Western Balkans Agenda facilitates collaboration and development of opportunities for students, researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs, enabling them to boost their skills, access new markets, raise competitiveness and build on sustainable socio-economic development that will make our societies greener, more digital and healthier. The EU cooperation with the Western Balkan Economies offers unparalleled opportunities. The Western Balkans is a region with abundant potential for cultural and creative talent. Promoting greater tolerance, cultural cooperation, and inter-cultural dialogue between the EU and the Western Balkans is a key element for the stabilisation and modernisation of the region. Commenting on the cooperation, Commissioner Gabriel says: "EU cooperation with Western Balkans offers unparalleled opportunities. The Agenda for the Western Balkans will open these pportunities to students, researchers, innovators and cultural operators so that they access new markets, become more competitive and build sustainable prosperity. It's a positive and forward-looking vision for all."



The Ministers of the Western Balkans will continue to meet in this format to reaffirm their commitment to this Agenda and to monitor progress of its implementation. This year, the Research and Innovation Steering Platform celebrates its 15th anniversary; the Education and Training Platform is having its 10th anniversary; and the Platform on Culture has been established this year. Horizon Europe

Investing in research and innovation is investing in Europe's future. Horizon Europe is the EU's key funding programme for research and innovation with a budget of 95.5 billion. It tackles climate change, helps to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU's competitiveness and growth. The programme facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing EU policies while tackling global challenges. It supports creating and better dispersing of excellent knowledge and technologies. It creates jobs, fully engages the EU's talent pool, boosts economic growth, promotes industrial competitiveness and optimises investment impact within a strengthened European Research Area. Horizon Europe is fully open to participation from the associated Wester Balkan partners. European Green Deal Climate change and environmental degradation are key challenges to Europe and the world. The Western Balkans are projected to be severely hit by climate change. Without enhanced ambition, an increased frequency and intensity of droughts, floods and other extreme weather phenomena are expected, resulting in the need for climate-neutral buildings and infrastructures, decarbonisation of energy and mobility, and a sustainable management of natural resources, particularly of forests and waters. Environmental pollution, in particular air and water pollution, is a key problem in the main cities, which affects the health of citizen and the economies of both Western Balkans and EU Member States. In this regard, the climate-neutrality, resilient zero-pollution ambition of the EU Green Deal is to be implemented in the Western Balkans through a dedicated Green Agenda. Erasmus+ North Macedonia has participated in Erasmus+ as a fully-fledged associated country since 2014 and Serbia since 2019, giving both countries access to all actions available on equal footing as EU Member States. For the other Western Balkans partners (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro) opportunities for students, learners and staff have become available increasingly in recent years. For example, between 2015 and 2020, thanks to the Erasmus+ programme, around 49 000 students and staff in higher education have participated in an exchange between the EU and the Western Balkans. More and more higher education institutions in the region are engaged in the development of joint master's degrees together with partners in Europe, participating in and coordinating capacity building projects and preparing the ground for higher education reforms. Under the Youth component of the Erasmus+ programme, around 17 000 young people from the region have taken part in non-formal exchanges and volunteering. New Erasmus+ The new programme will provide new opportunities to support higher education institutions to undergo a successful transition into the digital age, to equip their students and staff with the digital skills necessary for them to thrive in the future and contribute to the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also be simpler, greener, more international and more inclusive. New opportunities will thus become available also the Western Balkans, including the Erasmus Virtual Exchanges and capacity building in Vocational Education and Training. More information: Joint Declaration on the Western Balkans Agenda

Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport

Press Resources: Success Stories, Infographic, Factsheets For general inquiries please contact: Maja Matijasevic (Scholz & Friends Berlin GmbH) T: +49 30 166 395 69

E: maja.matijasevic@s-f.com * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/horizon-2020-ministerial-meeting-of-the-western-balkans-platforms-on-education-and-training--research-and-innovation-301300228.html SOURCE Horizon 2020 - Open to the World

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[May 26, 2021] mPhase to Present at LD Micro Invitational XI

CEO Anshu Bhatnagar to Present Thursday, June 10th, 2021

Gaithersburg, MD, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- mPhase Technologies, Inc. (OTC Pink: XDSL) ("mPhase" or the "Company"), a technology company specializing in EV charging and consumer engagement, today announced that management will present at the LD Micro Invitational XI investor conference taking place virtually June 8-10, 2021. Anshu Bhatnagar, Chief Executive Officer, is scheduled to host a virtual presentation to investors during the event as follows: 2021 LD Micro Invitational XI

Date: Thursday, June 10, 2021

Time: 11:30 a.m. EDT  Track 3

Webcast: https://ldmicrojune2021.mysequire.com A live audio webcast and archive of the event presentation will be available using the webcast link above. For more information on the LD Micro Invitational XI, or to register for the event, please visit https://ldmicrojune2021.mysequire.com. About mPhase Technologies mPhase is a technology driven, innovative development company that creates and commercializes productsand applications that impact everyday people. The Company is assembling industry-leading teams specializing in artificial intelligence, machine learning, software, consumer engagement, and other advanced technologies. Additional information can be found at the mPhase website, www.mphasetech.com. Please follow us on Twitter: @mPhase_Tech for the latest updates.



Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are identified by the use of the words "could," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "expect," "may," "continue," "predict," "potential," "project" and similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these plans, objectives, expectations or intentions will be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience and present expectations or projections. Actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements and the trading price for our common stock may fluctuate significantly. Forward-looking statements also are affected by the risk factors described in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Investor Contact

Brian Prenoveau

MZ Group - MZ North America

561-489-5315

XDSL@mzgroup.us

www.mzgroup.us



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[May 26, 2021] Zuora Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2022 Results

Zuora, Inc. (NYSE: ZUO), the leading cloud-based subscription management platform provider, today announced financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended April 30, 2021. "The first quarter was a solid start to the year, as we executed on the strategy we laid out at last month's Investor Day. We exceeded expectations across our key operating metrics, drove significant improvement on net dollar retention, and believe that we have built a solid foundation for Zuora's long-term growth," said Tien Tzuo, founder and CEO of Zuora. First Quarter Fiscal 2022 Financial Results: Revenue: Total revenue was $80.3 million, an increase of 9% year-over-year. Subscription revenue was $65.1 million, an increase of 14% year-over-year.

Total revenue was $80.3 million, an increase of 9% year-over-year. Subscription revenue was $65.1 million, an increase of 14% year-over-year. GAAP Loss from Operations: GAAP loss from operations was $17.4 million, compared to a loss of $17.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

GAAP loss from operations was $17.4 million, compared to a loss of $17.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Non-GAAP Loss from Operations: Non-GAAP loss from operations was $2.5 million, compared to a non-GAAP loss from operations of $7.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

Non-GAAP loss from operations was $2.5 million, compared to a non-GAAP loss from operations of $7.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. GAAP Net Loss: GAAP net loss was $17.7 million, or 22% of revenue, compared to a net loss of $17.5 million, or 24% of revenue, in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. GAAP net loss per share was $0.15 based on 121.4 million weighted-average shares outstanding, compared to a net loss per share of $0.15 based on 115.1 million weighted-average shares outstanding in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

GAAP net loss was $17.7 million, or 22% of revenue, compared to a net loss of $17.5 million, or 24% of revenue, in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. GAAP net loss per share was $0.15 based on 121.4 million weighted-average shares outstanding, compared to a net loss per share of $0.15 based on 115.1 million weighted-average shares outstanding in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Non-GAAP Net Loss: Non-GAAP net loss was $2.8 million, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $7.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Non-GAAP net loss per share was $0.02 based on 121.4 million weighted-average shares outstanding, compared to a non-GAAP net loss per share of $0.06 based on 115.1 million weighted-average shares outstanding in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

Non-GAAP net loss was $2.8 million, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $7.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Non-GAAP net loss per share was $0.02 based on 121.4 million weighted-average shares outstanding, compared to a non-GAAP net loss per share of $0.06 based on 115.1 million weighted-average shares outstanding in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: Net cash provided by operating activities was $10.3 million, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $3.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $10.3 million, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $3.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Free Cash Flow: Free cash flow was $8.6 million compared to negative $2.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

Free cash flow was $8.6 million compared to negative $2.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments: Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $197.4 million as of April 30, 2021. A description of non-GAAP financial measures is contained in the section titled "Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below and a reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures is contained in the tables below. Key Metrics and Business Highlights: Customers with ACV equal to or greater than $100,000 were 677, which represents 5% year-over-year growth.

Dollar-based retention rate was 103%, an increase of 3 basis points compared to January 31, 2021.

Customer usage of Zuora solutions grew, with $17.0 billion in transaction volume through Zuora's billing platform during our first quarter, an increase of 38% year-over-year.

Notable recent go-lives included Algolia, Chegg, and Seagate.

Highlighted customers from multiple industries and geographies in announcements including F5, GoPro and The Mainichi Newspapers.

Launched Zuora Collect AI -- the newest addition to the subscription management suite of applications, powered by the Zuora Central Platform -- which leverages machine learning from billions of dollars in transactions and Zuora's decade of Subscription Economy expertise to automate smart payment retries.

Zuora concluded its first virtual Subscription Experience event, holding events in three time zones, with record attendance and speakers from Zuora customers including Deltare, Deloitte, EnelX, Haier, PagerDuty, Philips, The Telegraph, Xerox and more.

Announced a research partnership with Boston Consulting Group and Zuora's think tank, The Subscribed Institute.

On May 25th, we acquired the intellectual property assets of Live Objects, a business process platform that uses AI to help companies understand, visualize and optimize complex business processes spanning across systems. Financial Outlook: As of May 26, 2021, we are providing guidance for the second quarter and full year fiscal 2022 based on current market conditions and expectations. We emphasize that the guidance is subject to various important cautionary factors referenced in the section entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" below, including risks and uncertainties associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For the second quarter and full fiscal year 2022, Zuora currently expects the following results:







Second Quarter Fiscal 2022 Subscription revenue $67.5M - $69.5M $274.0M - $278.0M Total revenue $82.5M - $84.5M $337.0M - $339.0M Non-GAAP loss from operations ($5.0M) - ($4.5M) ($12.0M) - ($8.0M) Non-GAAP net loss per share ($0.04) - ($0.03) ($0.10) - ($0.06)

(1) Non-GAAP net loss per share was computed assuming 123.1 million and 124.1 million weighted-average shares outstanding for the second quarter and full year fiscal 2022, respectively. These statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially. Refer to the "Forward-Looking Statements" safe harbor section below for information on the factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Zuora has not reconciled its guidance for non-GAAP loss from operations to GAAP loss from operations or non-GAAP net loss per share to GAAP net loss per share because stock-based compensation expense cannot be reasonably calculated or predicted at this time. Accordingly, a reconciliation is not available without unreasonable effort. Webcast and Conference Call Information: Zuora will host a conference call for investors on May 26, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the company's financial results and business highlights. Investors are invited to listen to a live webcast of the conference call by visiting https://investor.zuora.com. A replay of the webcast will be available for one year. The call can also be accessed live via phone by dialing (844) 484-8185 or, for international callers, (647) 689-5143 with conference ID 4746257. An audio replay will be available shortly after the call and can be accessed by dialing (800) 585-8367 or, for international callers, (416) 621-4642. The passcode for the replay is 4746257. The replay will be available through June 2, 2021. Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures: In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this press release and the accompanying tables contain non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP cost of subscription revenue, non-GAAP cost of professional services revenue, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP subscription gross margin, non-GAAP total gross margin, non-GAAP sales and marketing expense, non-GAAP research and development expense, non-GAAP general and administrative expense, non-GAAP loss from operations, non-GAAP net loss, non-GAAP net loss per share, and free cash flow. The presentation of these financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. We use these non-GAAP measures in conjunction with GAAP measures as part of our overall assessment of our performance, including the preparation of our annual operating budget and quarterly forecasts, to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies and to communicate with our Board of Directors concerning our financial performance. We believe these non-GAAP measures provide investors consistency and comparability with our past financial performance and facilitate period-to-period comparisons of our operating results. We also believe these non-GAAP measures are useful in evaluating our operating performance compared to that of other companies in our industry, as they generally eliminate the effects of certain items that may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to overall operating performance. We exclude the following items from one or more of our non-GAAP financial measures: Stock-based compensation expense. We exclude stock-based compensation expense, which is a non-cash expense, from certain of our non-GAAP financial measures because we believe that excluding this item provides meaningful supplemental information regarding operational performance. In particular, stock-based compensation expense is not comparable across companies given it is calculated using a variety of valuation methodologies and subjective assumptions. Amortization of acquired intangible assets. We exclude amortization of acquired intangible assets, which is a non-cash expense, from certain of our non-GAAP financial measures. We exclude these amortization expenses because we do not believe these expenses have a direct correlation to the operation of our business. Internal-use software. We exclude non-cash adjustments for capitalization and the subsequent amortization of internal-use software, including any impairment charges, from certain of our non-GAAP financial measures. We capitalize certain costs incurred for the development of computer software for internal use and then amortize those costs over the estimated useful life. Capitalization and amortization of software development costs can vary significantly depending on the timing of products reaching technological feasibility and being made generally available. Moreover, because of the variety of approaches taken and the subjective assumptions made by other companies in this area, we believe that excluding the effects of capitalized software costs allows investors to make more meaningful comparisons between our operating results and those of other companies. Certain litigation. We exclude non-recurring charges and benefits, net of currently expected insurance recoveries, including litigation expenses and settlements, related to litigation matters that are outside of the ordinary course of our business or that are not representative of those that we historically have incurred. We believe these charges and benefits do not have a direct correlation to the operations of our business and may vary in size depending on the timing and results of such litigation and related settlements. We began excluding litigation that is outside of the ordinary course of our business from our non-GAAP financial measures in the second quarter of fiscal 2021 as these expenses significantly increased, specifically expenses relating to our ongoing securities class actions and derivative litigation. Additionally, Zuora's management believes that the free cash flow non-GAAP measure is meaningful to investors because management reviews cash flows generated from operations after taking into consideration capital expenditures, net of insurance recoveries, as these net expenditures are considered to be a necessary component of ongoing operations. Insurance recoveries include amounts paid to us for property and equipment that were damaged in January 2020 at our corporate headquarters. Investors are cautioned that there are material limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures as an analytical tool. The non-GAAP measures we use may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes. We compensate for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP items excluded from these non-GAAP financial measures. Operating Metrics: Annual Contract Value (ACV). We define ACV as the subscription revenue we would contractually expect to recognize from a customer over the next twelve months, assuming no increases or reductions in their subscriptions. Dollar-based Retention Rate. We calculate our dollar-based retention rate as of a period end by starting with the sum of the ACV from all customers as of twelve months prior to such period end, or prior period ACV. We then calculate the sum of the ACV from these same customers as of the current period end, or current period ACV. Current period ACV includes any upsells and also reflects contraction or attrition over the trailing twelve months but excludes revenue from new customers added in the current period. We then divide the current period ACV by the prior period ACV to arrive at our dollar-based retention rate. Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, statements regarding our GAAP and non-GAAP guidance for the second fiscal quarter and full fiscal 2022 and financial outlook and market positioning. Words such as "believes," "may," "will," "estimates," "potential," "continues," "anticipates," "intends," "expects," "could," "would," "projects," "plans," "targets," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations as of the date of this filing and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond our control. Our actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to, risks detailed in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2021 as well as other documents that may be filed by us from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, the following factors, among others, could cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements: the impact to the economy, our customers and our business due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; we may be unable to attract new customers and expand sales to existing customers; we may not be able to manage our future growth effectively; the shift by companies to subscription business models may develop slower than we expect; we have a history of net losses and may not achieve or sustain profitability; we face intense competition in our markets and may not be able to compete effectively; our products may fail to gain market acceptance or our product development efforts may be unsuccessful; customers may fail to successfully deploy our solution after entering into a subscription agreement with us; we may not be able to develop and release new products and services, or successful enhancements, new features and modifications to our existing products and services; the risk of loss of key employees; our sales and product initiatives may not be successful or the expected benefits of such initiatives may not be achieved in a timely manner; challenges related to growing our relationships with strategic partners such as systems integrators and their effectiveness in selling our products; our security measures may be breached or our products may be perceived as not being secure; our products may fail to gain, or lose, market acceptance; we may experience interruptions or performance problems, including a service outage, associated with our technology; we may be unable to adequately protect our intellectual property; current and future litigation including our current shareholder litigation could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition; general political or destabilizing events, including war, conflict or acts of terrorism; other business effects, including those related to industry, market, economic, political, regulatory and global health conditions, changes in foreign exchange rates; weakened global economic conditions may adversely affect our industry; and other risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent our views as of the date of this press release. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change. We undertake no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 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. Additionally, these forward-looking statements, particularly our guidance, involve risk, uncertainties and assumptions, including those related to the impact of COVID-19 on our business and global economic conditions. Uncertainties that we may face include, but are not limited to, our ability to achieve our long-term plans and key initiatives, requests for extended billing and payment terms from customers affected by COVID-19, the timeframes for and severity of the impact of COVID-19 on our customers' purchasing and renewal decisions, and the length of our sales cycles, particularly for customers in certain industries highly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. About Zuora, Inc. Zuora provides the leading cloud-based subscription management platform that functions as a system of record for subscription businesses across all industries. Powering the Subscription Economy, the Zuora platform was architected specifically for dynamic, recurring subscription business models, and acts as an intelligent subscription management hub that automates and orchestrates the entire subscription order-to-revenue process seamlessly across billing and revenue recognition. Zuora serves more than 1,000 companies around the world, including Box, Ford, Penske Media Corporation, Schneider Electric, Siemens, Xplornet, and Zoom. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Zuora also operates offices around the world in the U.S., EMEA and APAC. To learn more about the Zuora platform, please visit www.zuora.com.  2021 Zuora, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Zuora, Subscribed, Subscription Economy, Powering the Subscription Economy, and Subscription Economy Index are trademarks or registered trademarks of Zuora, Inc. Third party trademarks mentioned above are owned by their respective companies. Nothing in this press release should be construed to the contrary, or as an approval, endorsement or sponsorship by any third parties of Zuora, Inc. or any aspect of this press release. SOURCE: Zuora Financial ZUORA, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited) Three Months Ended April 30, 2021 2020 Revenue: Subscription $ 65,142 $ 56,896 Professional services 15,187 17,002 Total revenue 80,329 73,898 Cost of revenue: Subscription 15,643 13,615 Professional services 17,078 18,682 Total cost of revenue 32,721 32,297 Gross profit 47,608 41,601 Operating expenses: Research and development 18,967 17,543 Sales and marketing 31,865 28,496 General and administrative 14,185 13,265 Total operating expenses 65,017 59,304 Loss from operations (17,409) (17,703) Interest and other income, net 121 378 Loss before income taxes (17,288) (17,325) Income tax provision 373 163 Net loss (17,661) (17,488) Comprehensive loss: Foreign currency translation adjustment (85) (427) Unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities (34) 157 Comprehensive loss $ (17,780) $ (17,758) Net loss per share, basic and diluted $ (0.15) $ (0.15) Weighted-average shares outstanding used in calculating net loss per share, basic and diluted 121,354 115,139 ZUORA, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands) (unaudited) April 30, 2021 January 31, 2021 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 101,116 $ 94,110 Short-term investments 96,282 92,484 Accounts receivable, net 59,484 78,860 Deferred commissions, current portion 13,160 12,712 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 16,590 15,574 Total current assets 286,632 293,740 Property and equipment, net 32,393 33,369 Operating lease right-of-use assets 48,666 47,085 Purchased intangibles, net 3,505 3,928 Deferred commissions, net of current portion 21,681 21,905 Goodwill 17,632 17,632 Other assets 3,618 3,848 Total assets $ 414,127 $ 421,507 Liabilities and stockholders' equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 842 $ 2,249 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 12,961 14,550 Accrued employee liabilities 26,414 29,470 Debt, current portion 4,397 4,397 Deferred revenue, current portion 126,880 127,701 Operating lease liabilities, current portion 10,946 9,630 Total current liabilities 182,440 187,997 Debt, net of current portion 574 1,666 Deferred revenue, net of current portion 1,241 1,529 Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion 53,540 53,590 Deferred tax liabilities 1,920 1,929 Other long-term liabilities 2,905 2,883 Total liabilities 242,620 249,594 Stockholders' equity: Class A common stock 11 11 Class B common stock 1 1 Additional paid-in capital 652,501 635,127 Accumulated other comprehensive income 677 796 Accumulated deficit (481,683) (464,022) Total stockholders' equity 171,507 171,913 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 414,127 $ 421,507 ZUORA, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) (unaudited) Three Months Ended April 30, 2021 2020 Cash flows from operating activities: Net loss $ (17,661) $ (17,488) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation, amortization and accretion 4,147 3,495 Stock-based compensation 13,797 10,884 Provision for credit losses 1,153 992 Amortization of deferred commissions 3,874 2,623 Reduction in carrying amount of right-of-use assets 2,342 2,286 Other 156 167 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 18,223 8,518 Prepaid expenses and other assets (1,169) 1,591 Deferred commissions (4,200) (2,275) Accounts payable (1,342) 2,096 Accrued expenses and other liabilities (1,522) (2,469) Accrued employee liabilities (3,056) (386) Deferred revenue (1,109) (3,908) Operating lease liabilities (3,382) (3,175) Net cash provided by operating activities 10,251 2,951 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property and equipment (1,965) (5,120) Insurance proceeds for damaged property and equipment 344 - Purchases of short-term investments (26,687) (10,901) Sales of short-term investments - 2,511 Maturities of short-term investments 22,692 38,500 Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (5,616) 24,990 Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, net of repurchases of unvested common stock 3,567 4,015 Principal payments on long-term debt (1,111) (1,110) Net cash provided by financing activities 2,456 2,905 Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents (85) (427) Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 7,006 30,419 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 94,110 54,275 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 101,116 $ 84,694 ZUORA, INC. RECONCILIATION OF SELECTED GAAP MEASURES TO NON-GAAP MEASURES (in thousands, except percentages and per share data) (unaudited) Three Months Ended April 30, 2021 GAAP Stock-based

Compensation Amortization of

Acquired

Intangibles Internal-

use

Software Certain

Litigation Non-GAAP Cost of revenue: Cost of subscription revenue $ 15,643 $ (1,043) $ (423) $ (752) $ - $ 13,425 Cost of professional services revenue 17,078 (2,001) - - - 15,077 Gross profit 47,608 3,044 423 752 - 51,827 Operating expenses: Research and development 18,967 (4,529) - 802 - 15,240 Sales and marketing 31,865 (4,080) - - - 27,785 General and administrative 14,185 (2,144) - 117 (809) 11,349 Loss from operations (17,409) 13,797 423 (167) 809 (2,547) Net loss $ (17,661) $ 13,797 $ 423 $ (167) $ 809 $ (2,799) Net loss per share, basic and diluted(1) $ (0.15) $ (0.02) Gross margin 59 % 65 % Subscription gross margin 76 % 79 % Three Months Ended April 30, 2020 GAAP Stock-based

Compensation Amortization of

Acquired

Intangibles Internal-use

Software Non-GAAP Cost of revenue: Cost of subscription revenue $ 13,615 $ (852) $ (423) $ (149) $ 12,191 Cost of professional services revenue 18,682 (1,650) - - 17,032 Gross profit 41,601 2,502 423 149 44,675 Operating expenses: Research and development 17,543 (3,542) - 1,428 15,429 Sales and marketing 28,496 (3,005) - - 25,491 General and administrative 13,265 (1,835) - - 11,430 Loss from operations (17,703) 10,884 423 (1,279) (7,675) Net loss $ (17,488) $ 10,884 $ 423 $ (1,279) $ (7,460) Net loss per share, basic and diluted(1) $ (0.15) $ (0.06) Gross margin 56 % 60 % Subscription gross margin 76 % 79 % (1) GAAP and Non-GAAP net loss per share are calculated based upon 121,354 and 115,139 basic and diluted weighted-average shares of common stock for the three months ended April 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. ZUORA, INC. RECONCILIATION OF SELECTED GAAP MEASURES TO NON-GAAP MEASURES (CONTINUED) (in thousands) (unaudited) Free Cash Flow Three Months Ended April 30, 2021 2020 Net cash provided by operating activities $ 10,251 $ 2,951 Less: Purchases of property and equipment, net of insurance recoveries (1,621) (5,120) Free cash flow $ 8,630 $ (2,169) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526006087/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Ooma Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2022 Financial Results

Ooma, Inc. (NYSE: OOMA), a smart communications platform for businesses and consumers, today released financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended April 30, 2021. First Quarter Fiscal 2022 Financial Highlights: Revenue : Total revenue was $45.6 million, up 13% year-over-year. Subscription and services revenue increased to $42.0 million from $37.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 and was 92% of total revenue, primarily driven by the growth of Ooma Business.

: Total revenue was $45.6 million, up 13% year-over-year. Subscription and services revenue increased to $42.0 million from $37.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 and was 92% of total revenue, primarily driven by the growth of Ooma Business. Net Income/Loss : GAAP net loss was $0.9 million, or $0.04 per basic and diluted share, compared to GAAP net loss of $1.1 million, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Non-GAAP net income was $2.8 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared to non-GAAP net income of $2.4 million, or $0.11 per diluted share in the prior year period.

: GAAP net loss was $0.9 million, or $0.04 per basic and diluted share, compared to GAAP net loss of $1.1 million, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Non-GAAP net income was $2.8 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared to non-GAAP net income of $2.4 million, or $0.11 per diluted share in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA was $3.5 million, compared to $3.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. For more information about non-GAAP net income and Adjusted EBITDA, see the section below titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and the reconciliation provided in this release. "Ooma executed well in the first quarter and delivered strong growth and financial results," said Eric Stang, chief executive officer of Ooma. "Revenues from business customers grew 24% year over year and now represent 47% of total revenue, up from 45% in the previous quarter. Ooma invested during the quarter in marketing and channel development, new features, and international reach as part of its plan for fiscal 2022 to drive business expansion. With strong Q1 performance and significant expansion efforts underway, we believe Ooma is well positioned for continued success." Business Outlook: For the second quarter of fiscal 2022, Ooma expects: Total revenue in the range of $46.0 million to $46.8 million.

GAAP net loss in the range of $1.2 million to $1.7 million and GAAP net loss per share in the range of $0.05 to $0.07.

Non-GAAP net income in the range of $1.9 million to $2.4 million and non-GAAP net income per share in the range of $0.08 to $0.10. For the full fiscal year 2022, Ooma expects: Total revenue in the range of $185.0 million to $187.0 million.

GAAP net loss in the range of $5.0 million to $7.0 million, and GAAP net loss per share in the range of $0.22 to $0.30.

Non-GAAP net income in the range of $7.5 million to $9.5 million, and non-GAAP net income per share in the range of $0.30 to $0.38. The following is a reconciliation of GAAP net loss to non-GAAP net income and GAAP basic and diluted net loss per share to non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per share guidance for the second fiscal quarter ending July 31, 2021 and the fiscal year ending January 31, 2022 (in millions, except per share data):







Projected range Three Months Ending Fiscal Year Ending July 31, 2021 January 31, 2022 (unaudited) GAAP net loss ($1.2)-($1.7) ($5.0)-($7.0) Stock-based compensation and related taxes 3.3 13.2 Amortization of intangible assets 0.3 1.3 Non-GAAP net income $1.9-$2.4 $7.5-$9.5 GAAP net loss per share ($0.05)-($0.07) ($0.22)-($0.30) Stock-based compensation and related taxes 0.14 0.55 Amortization of intangible assets 0.01 0.05 Non-GAAP net income per share $0.08-$0.10 $0.30-$0.38 Weighted-average number of shares used in per share amounts: Basic 23.4 23.5 Diluted 24.6 25.0

Conference Call Information: Ooma will host a conference call and live webcast for analysts and investors at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time today, May 26, 2021. The news release with the financial results will be accessible from the company's website prior to the conference call. Parties in the United States and Canada can access the call by dialing +1 (833) 233-4456, using conference ID 8439725. International parties can access the call by dialing +1 (647) 689-4135, using conference ID 8439725. The webcast will be accessible on the Events and Presentations page of Ooma's investor relations website, https://investors.ooma.com for a period of at least one year. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available from 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on May 26, 2021 until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. To access the replay, parties in the United States and Canada should call +1 (800) 585-8367 and use conference code 8439725. International parties should call +1 (416) 621-4642 and use conference code 8439725. Non-GAAP Financial Measures In addition to disclosing financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), this press release and the accompanying tables contain certain non-GAAP financial measures, including: non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per share, non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin, non-GAAP operating income, and Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA represents the net income before interest and other income, income tax (if any), depreciation and amortization of capital expenditures, amortization of intangible assets, and stock-based compensation and related taxes. Other non-GAAP financial measures exclude stock-based compensation expense and related taxes and amortization of intangible assets. These non-GAAP financial measures are presented to provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results and core business operations. Ooma considers these non-GAAP financial measures to be useful measures of the operating performance of the company, because they contain adjustments for unusual events or factors that do not directly affect what management considers to be Ooma's core operating performance and are used by the company's management for that purpose. Management also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures allow for a better evaluation of the company's performance by facilitating a meaningful comparison of the company's core operating results in a given period to those in prior and future periods. In addition, investors often use similar measures to evaluate the operating performance of a company. Non-GAAP financial measures are presented for supplemental informational purposes only to aid an understanding of the company's operating results. The non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP financial measures presented by other companies. A limitation of the non-GAAP financial measures presented is that the adjustments relate to items that the company generally expects to continue to recognize. The adjustment of these items should not be construed as an inference that the adjusted gains or expenses are unusual, infrequent or non-recurring. Therefore, both GAAP financial measures of Ooma's financial performance and the respective non-GAAP measures should be considered together. Please see the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure in the tables below. Disclosure Information Ooma uses the investor relations section on its website as a means of complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor Ooma's investor relations website in addition to following Ooma's press releases, Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings, and public conference calls and webcasts. Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, the financial projections under "Business Outlook" and the statements contained in the quotations of our Chief Executive Officer regarding future economic performance and financial positions, expectations and objectives of management constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical facts and generally contain words such as "believes", "expects", "may", "will", "should", "seeks", "approximately", "intends", "plans", "estimates", "anticipates", and other expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon information available at the time the statements are made and reflect management's good faith beliefs, forward-looking statements inherently involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated future results. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, among others: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and the measures we take in response to the pandemic; our inability to attract new customers on a cost-effective basis; our inability to retain customers; our inability to realize expected returns from our investments made in connection with our international expansion efforts; intense competition; loss of key retailers and reseller partnerships; our reliance on vendors to manufacture the on-premise appliances and end-point devices we sell; our reliance on third parties for our network connectivity and co-location facilities; our reliance on third parties for some of our software development, quality assurance and operations; our reliance on third parties to provide the majority of our customer service and support representatives; and interruptions to our service. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We do not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements after they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in our filings with the SEC, including the risk factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on April 7, 2021. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Ooma as of the date hereof, and Ooma disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. About Ooma, Inc. Ooma (NYSE: OOMA) creates powerful connected experiences for businesses and consumers, delivered from its smart cloud-based SaaS platform. For businesses of all sizes, Ooma provides advanced voice and collaboration features, including messaging, intelligent virtual attendants, and video conferencing to help them run more efficiently. For consumers, Ooma's residential phone service provides PureVoice HD voice quality, advanced functionality and integration with their mobile devices. Learn more at www.ooma.com or www.ooma.ca in Canada. OOMA, INC CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited, amounts in thousands) April 30, January 31, 2021 2021 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 18,898 $ 17,298 Short-term investments 10,142 11,013 Accounts receivable, net 4,066 5,228 Inventories 13,478 12,233 Other current assets 10,558 10,222 Total current assets 57,142 55,994 Property and equipment, net 5,130 5,071 Operating lease right-of-use assets 5,541 6,045 Intangible assets, net 5,186 5,513 Goodwill 4,264 4,264 Other assets 12,805 12,210 Total assets $ 90,068 $ 89,097 Liabilities and stockholders' equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 9,453 $ 7,499 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 18,859 22,731 Deferred revenue 16,081 16,426 Total current liabilities 44,393 46,656 Long-term operating lease liabilities 2,743 2,815 Other liabilities 94 75 Total liabilities 47,230 49,546 Stockholders' equity: Common stock 4 4 Additional paid-in capital 170,755 166,577 Accumulated other comprehensive gain 3 7 Accumulated deficit (127,924 ) (127,037 ) Total stockholders' equity 42,838 39,551 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 90,068 $ 89,097 OOMA, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) Three Months Ended April 30, April 30, 2021 2020 Revenue: Subscription and services $ 41,965 $ 37,616 Product and other 3,607 2,690 Total revenue 45,572 40,306 Cost of revenue: Subscription and services 12,339 11,341 Product and other 5,151 3,790 Total cost of revenue 17,490 15,131 Gross profit 28,082 25,175 Operating expenses: Sales and marketing 14,016 12,446 Research and development 9,307 8,846 General and administrative 5,725 5,028 Total operating expenses 29,048 26,320 Loss from operations (966 ) (1,145 ) Interest and other income, net 79 79 Net loss $ (887 ) $ (1,066 ) Net loss per share of common stock: Basic and diluted $ (0.04 ) $ (0.05 ) Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding: Basic and diluted 23,053,512 21,897,694 OOMA, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited, amounts in thousands) Three Months Ended April 30, April 30, 2021 2020 Cash flows from operating activities: Net loss $ (887 ) $ (1,066 ) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Stock-based compensation expense 3,194 3,008 Depreciation and amortization of capital expenditures 773 713 Amortization of intangible assets 326 326 Non-cash operating lease expense 818 794 Other 10 30 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable, net 1,162 (830 ) Inventories (1,206 ) (1,698 ) Other assets (970 ) (670 ) Accounts payable and other liabilities (2,470 ) (3,006 ) Deferred revenue (326 ) (449 ) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 424 (2,848 ) Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of short-term investments (6,043 ) (9,015 ) Proceeds from maturities and sales of short-term investments 6,900 9,186 Capital expenditures (665 ) (762 ) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 192 (591 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of common stock 1,469 1,267 Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock units (485 ) (472 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 984 795 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1,600 (2,644 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 17,298 11,680 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 18,898 $ 9,036 OOMA, INC. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except percentages, shares and per share data) Three Months Ended April 30, April 30, 2021 2020 Revenue $ 45,572 $ 40,306 GAAP gross profit $ 28,082 $ 25,175 Stock-based compensation and related taxes 289 270 Amortization of intangible assets 73 73 Non-GAAP gross profit $ 28,444 $ 25,518 Gross margin on a GAAP basis 62 % 62 % Gross margin on a Non-GAAP basis 62 % 63 % GAAP operating loss $ (966 ) $ (1,145 ) Stock-based compensation and related taxes 3,325 3,134 Amortization of intangible assets 326 326 Non-GAAP operating income $ 2,685 $ 2,315 GAAP net loss $ (887 ) $ (1,066 ) Stock-based compensation and related taxes 3,325 3,134 Amortization of intangible assets 326 326 Non-GAAP net income $ 2,764 $ 2,394 GAAP basic and diluted net loss per share $ (0.04 ) $ (0.05 ) Stock-based compensation and related taxes 0.15 0.14 Amortization of intangible assets 0.01 0.02 Non-GAAP net income per basic share $ 0.12 $ 0.11 Non-GAAP net income per diluted share $ 0.11 $ 0.11 GAAP weighted-average basic and diluted shares 23,053,512 21,897,694 Non-GAAP weighted-average diluted shares 24,243,472 22,767,002 GAAP net loss $ (887 ) $ (1,066 ) Reconciling items: Interest and other income, net (79 ) (79 ) Depreciation and amortization of capital expenditures 773 713 Amortization of intangible assets 326 326 Stock-based compensation and related taxes 3,325 3,134 Adjusted EBITDA $ 3,458 $ 3,028 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526006023/en/

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[May 26, 2021] Jarvis Family Appreciates Advocacy by Masood Khan of SunPoint Public Adjusters

During the 2017 wildfires, the Jarvis Estate in California sustained substantial damage. Will Jarvis, Jr., realized after working with his insurance company that he was a seasoned wine proprietor, however, the claim process of recovering what was owed to them under their policy and handling their complicated insurance issues were outside their area of expertise. They needed an advocate on their side. The Jarvis Family reached out to Masood Khan, Executive Vice President, at SunPoint Public Adjusters, Inc., who has extensive experience in dealing with large claims, particularly estate, winery, hospitality, and other complicated commercial losses as a public adjuster. SunPoint Public Adjusters, Inc. are professional loss consultants, commonly known as public insurance adjusters, who advocate exclusively for policyholders' interests. Will Jarvis and the family selected Mr. Khan to assist and resolve the Jarvis Family's insurance claim. Will Jarvis noted that Masood, lead public adjuster at SunPoint, "properly measured, evaluated and negotiated our claim - fighting off the insurance company's adjusters, consultants, and lawyers." Mr. Jarvis affirmed that "with your experience and expertise, we were able to legitimately maximize our recovery. Hiring a professional public adjuster early on in the process is the most prudent decision for anyone with a large claim. I do not believe anybody should undertake the burden of handling a large claim without a seasoned public adjuster." Mr. Jarvis further stated that "we engaged your services late in the process, which put you at an initial disadvantage. However, the late start did not prevent you and your team from succeeding and achieving a very favorable outcome. I would highly recommend you and your firm to anyone who suffers an insurance loss." William Jarvis was born in Oklahoma, a dry state! It wasn't until the Navy took him to California that he enjoyed wine for the first time, and he probably appreciated it more at that time than those who grew up with wine. After attending Annapolis and serving in the Navy, William continued his studies in both technical and liberal arts for eight more years at the University of California Berkeley, Stanford, and various French universities. Turning to business, he headed his own telecommunications company in Silicon Valley. Leticia Jarvis was born in Puebla, Mexico where she finished her college degree and met William. After their marriage, William and Leticia traveled and studied abroad, finally adopting France as a part-time residence. For many years, they maintained a Louis XIV Chateau in the Vesle Valley near Reims in Northern France. The two spent time at Frenh universities concentrating in their shared interest, French literature. William and Leticia also enjoyed the many wines found in the different regions they visited, eventually gravitating to the fine Bordeaux reds and Montrachet whites.



Not to neglect Leticia's Spanish culture, Leticia, William and their young son William, spent summer months in Spain. There they studied Spanish literature at Salamanca, the oldest university in Spain, and also came to appreciate Spanish wines and Zarzuela (Spanish Opera). The two eventually acquired a weekend estate in Napa and slowly immersed themselves in the culture of winemaking. They first spent time studying how to best plant a vineyard. Next came a careful 10 years nurturing the vineyard and finally the winery itself. Built underground to provide the desired cool, humid conditions, the winery utilizes a combination of rotary fermenters and classic oak cuves from Cognac to help create the Jarvis Estate signature style of wines.

The Family acquired their Napa, CA (News - Alert) property as a weekend home. They quickly recognized the property's promise for growing exceptional grapes, providing the couple the opportunity to make their own world-class wine. Thus, the estate became their primary residence, and Napa became the community in which they immersed themselves via wine, philanthropy, and the opening of Jarvis Conservatory in downtown, as well as the place they raised their son, Will. Today, 28 years after their first vintage, Will Jarvis, Jr. oversees all winery and vineyard operations as president. The Jarvis Family Story: https://www.jarviswines.com SunPoint Public Adjusters Inc., and Masood Khan have been working with families, wineries, and other commercial entities for many years. "We are grateful for the opportunity to help the Jarvis Family with their insurance claim needs. Insurance claims require years of experience and industry knowledge. We advocate for our valued clients no matter where they are or what disaster befalls them. SunPoint was honored to have received the privilege to represent the Jarvis Family. Our public adjusters become long life friends with our clients because of our intellectual talent, tenacity for advocacy, and compassion to help others. We are there when they need us most and the day-to-day interactions often lead to sharing of family values, stories and lifelong friendships. SunPoint's seasoned public adjusters and experts adopt a core value that places the client's interest first to achieve favorable resolutions on any complicated claim," stated Mr. Khan. About SunPoint Public Adjusters, Inc.: SunPoint Public Adjusters, Inc. are professional loss consultants, commonly known as Public Adjusters. We are licensed in over 30 states to represent the interest of policyholders after a disaster. Our team consists of industry-expert Licensed Public Adjusters, construction experts and estimators, inventory specialists, Certified Forensic Accountants, equipment, and machinery experts. Our role is to prepare, present, and favorably negotiate the claim with only our client's best interest at heart. Unlike insurance companies, we are advocates only for the insured. Our team ensures you are properly represented and get the recovery necessary to make you whole after a loss. We focus on your insurance claim so you can focus on rebuilding your home, your business, and your life. For more information, visit http://sunpoint.us. About Masood Khan: Masood brings decades of insurance, legal, and claims expertise to the clients at SunPoint Public Adjusters, Inc. In his former role as an insurance adjuster, attorney, and now public adjuster Masood utilizes his in-depth knowledge of the industry from the perspective of both an insurer and insured. Masood shares his passion for advocating on behalf of commercial professionals and homeowners who have suffered catastrophic losses and need a professional and dedicated advocate on their side to even the playing field. Masood's attention to detail, industry expertise, and unwavering commitment to adding a personal touch to every insurance claim has created a legacy of gratitude and praise by previous clients who have become lifetime friends. To schedule an interview with SunPoint Public Adjusters Inc., contact Tom Evans at the information below. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526006106/en/

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 21:02:16|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Wednesday urged the U.S. side to mind its own business, ensure the security of its own people, and stop interfering in other countries' internal affairs by spreading false information.

Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks in response to a media query about the one-year anniversary of the death of George Floyd, an African-American, who was killed during an arrest in the U.S. city of Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, after a white police officer knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes.

Zhao said violent incidents such as shootings against ethnic minorities continue to make headlines in the United States.

According to reports, 64 people were shot dead by police during the 21 days of Floyd's trial, said Zhao, adding that most of these people were people of color.

Zhao said that according to a poll, the relationship between African-Americans and U.S. police has increasingly evolved into a profound and escalating crisis over the past year.

Seventy-two percent of African-American respondents believed that the situation of police shooting young African-Americans and other ethnic minorities has worsened, he added.

The death of George Floyd just reflected the tip of the iceberg of racism in the United States, said Zhao, adding that 60 percent of Americans believe that racism is a "very or extremely serious problem."

He urged the U.S. side to mind its own business, solve its own problems, provide security for its people and grant them the right to breathe freely and be free from fear and discrimination, instead of spreading lies about other countries, stirring up trouble everywhere and interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. Enditem
[May 26, 2021] 3 Students Named Winners of Artemis Moon Pod Essay Contest

WASHINGTON, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has named three students the winners of the Artemis Moon Pod Essay Contest for their creative visions of a pioneering journey to the Moon. Nearly 14,000 students entered the contest, each competing for the grand prize: a trip to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where they will witness the first launch of the Artemis era. NASA invited students to envision themselves leading a crew, or "pod," on a mission to the Moon's South Pole, and capture these ideas in their essays. NASA and Future Engineers, an online platform for student challenges, launched the contest in September 2020 for K-12 students nationwide. The contest's goal is to encourage the Artemis Generation  kids growing up during the era of NASA's return to the Moon  to think ahead about the human and technological needs of a lunar expedition. What types of tools or technologies would they bring to the Moon? Who would they include in their "pod" of crewmembers? What would they leave behind for future lunar crews to use? Grand-prize winning essays in the three, grade-level-based categories are: Kindergarten through fourth grade category: Austin Pritts of Wolcott, Indiana .

of . Fifth through eighth grade category: Taia Saurer of Laguna Beach, California .

of . Ninth through 12th grade category: Amanda Gutierrez of Lincoln, Nebraska . "I want to extend my congratulations to the amazing Artemis Moon Pod Essay winners. NASA shares your excitement for humanity's return to the Moon, and we are so inspired by your creative ideas for how to lead that expedition," said Kathy Lueders, associate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) at NASA Headquarters. "Get your boots ready, because you are the next era of space explorers  the Artemis Generation." Students across the nation wrote in to share their visions of a weeklong mission to the Moon's South Pole. Over 1,000 educators, professionals, and space enthusiasts served as volunteers for the first round of judging, and selected 155 semifinalists in March 2021. The list was narrowed further to nine finalists in April. A panel of four judges, including two from HEOMD and two from the agency's Office of STEM Engagement, conducted virtual interviews with the finalists about their essays and ideas before choosing the three winners.



Pritts' essay, "My Mission to the Moon," tells the tale of a daring Moon Pod crew consisting of a test pilot/navigator, chemist, and mechanical engineer who establish a permanent lunar research facility powered by Kilopower Reactor Using Stirling Technology (KRUSTY). In "One Week on the Moon  The Artemis Adventure," Saurer's vision for the Moon Pod mission calls for a four-person crew  including the first woman to step onto the Moon  to build a habitat for future astronauts using a combination of lunar soil and a fibrous fungal material called mycelium.

Gutierrez's composition, "Dream Big Moon Pod," follows the adventure of a three-person crew of a chemist, hydrologist, and astronautical engineer as they install an Endothermic Electrolysis Reactor (EER), designed to provide fuel and oxygen for future crews at the Moon's Shackleton Crater. "I can't tell you how inspiring and energizing it's been to read these essays and see the students' enthusiasm and creativity in action," said Mike Kincaid, NASA's associate administrator for the Office of STEM Engagement. "The future of space exploration is in good hands." The contest was a collaborative effort between NASA's Office of STEM Engagement and the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, in partnership with the online platform Future Engineers. Through Future Engineers, the grand prize winners will have the opportunity to travel with their families to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to see the first launch of NASA's Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft during the uncrewed Artemis I mission. On this first flight of the Artemis program, the Orion spacecraft will travel beyond the Moon, nearly 280,000 miles away from Earth  farther than any spacecraft built for humans has ever traveled  during a three-week mission. The 13,898 essays submitted to the Moon Pod Essay Contest will fly on a USB flash drive aboard Artemis I, and NASA will provide each student who participated a signed certificate. Each semifinalist will get the chance to learn even more about Artemis through a series of virtual Artemis Explorer Sessions with NASA experts, along with an Artemis prize pack filled with fun educational materials. The contest's nine finalists also will have the chance to travel with a parent to the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston to learn more about lunar exploration. The Moon Pod Essay Contest aligns with NASA's Artemis Student Challenges, an ongoing collection of engineering and technological design challenges allowing students worldwide to learn about human spaceflight topics and technologies. Future Engineers hosts online innovation challenges for K-12 students. In 2014, Future Engineers launched its inaugural 3D printing in space challenge, sponsored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Foundation with technical assistance from NASA, which produced historic achievements including the first student-designed 3D print in space. Through the support of the U.S. Department of Education's Small Business Innovation Research Program, Future Engineers launched a multi-challenge platform in 2018 capable of hosting Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) challenges of all kinds. For more information on NASA's Office of STEM Engagement, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/stem View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/3-students-named-winners-of-artemis-moon-pod-essay-contest-301300196.html SOURCE NASA

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[May 26, 2021] Zendesk to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences

Zendesk, Inc. (NYSE:ZEN) today announced its participation in four upcoming investor conferences. Marc Cabi, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, and Mike Gozzo, Vice President of Product, will virtually present at the William Blair 41st Annual Growth Stock Conference on Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Zendesk's presentation is scheduled for 2:40 p.m., Central Time.

Marc Cabi, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, will virtually present at the Cowen 49th Annual Technology, Media & Telecom Conference on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. Zendesk's presentation is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., Eastern Time.

Marc Cabi, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, will virtually present at the Stifel 2021 Virtual Cross Sector Insight Conference on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. Zendesk's presentation is scheduled for 3:20 p.m., Eastern Time.

Norman Gennaro, President of Sales, and Marc Cabi, Deputy Chief Financial Oficer, will virtually present at the BofA Securities 2021 Global Technology (News - Alert) Conference on Thursday, June 10, 2021. Zendesk's presentation is scheduled for 12:45 p.m., Eastern Time.



About Zendesk

Zendesk started the customer experience revolution in 2007 by enabling any business around the world to take their customer service online. Today, Zendesk is the champion of great service everywhere for everyone, and powers billions of conversations, connecting more than 100,000 brands with hundreds of millions of customers over telephony, chat, email, messaging, social channels, communities, review sites and help centers. Zendesk products are built with love to be loved. The company was conceived in Copenhagen, Denmark, built and grown in California, taken public in New York City, and today employs more than 4,000 people across the world. Learn more at www.zendesk.com. Source (News - Alert) : Zendesk, Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526006034/en/

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[May 26, 2021] LAIX Inc. Announces First Quarter 2021 Unaudited Financial Results

SHANGHAI, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- LAIX Inc. ("LAIX" or the "Company") (NYSE: LAIX), an artificial intelligence (AI) company in China that creates and delivers products and services to popularize English learning, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021. First Quarter 2021 Financial and Operating Highlights Net income for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB12.2 million ( US$1.9 million ), compared with a net loss of RMB34.7 million for the previous quarter and a net loss of RMB197.0 million for the same quarter last year.

( ), compared with a net loss of for the previous quarter and a net loss of for the same quarter last year. Gross margin for the first quarter of 2021 was 77.6%, compared with 75.4% for the previous quarter and 65.5% for the same quarter last year.

Gross billings [1] for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB154.4 million ( US$23.6 million ), a 9.8% decrease from RMB171.1 million for the previous quarter and a 56.2% decrease from RMB352.7 million for the same quarter last year.

for the first quarter of 2021 were ( ), a 9.8% decrease from for the previous quarter and a 56.2% decrease from for the same quarter last year. Net revenues for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB198.5 million ( US$30.3 million ), a 15.7% decrease from RMB235.5 million for the previous quarter and a 13.0% decrease from RMB228.3 million for the same quarter last year.

( ), a 15.7% decrease from for the previous quarter and a 13.0% decrease from for the same quarter last year. Sales and marketing expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB92.9 million ( US$14.2 million ), a 38.2% decrease from RMB150.4 million for the previous quarter and a 64.9% decrease from RMB264.7 million for the same quarter last year.

( ), a 38.2% decrease from for the previous quarter and a 64.9% decrease from for the same quarter last year. Operating cash outflow for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB57.3 million ( US$8.7 million ), compared with RMB83.3 million for the previous quarter and RMB99.8 million for the same quarter last year.

( ), compared with for the previous quarter and for the same quarter last year. Approximately 0.3 million paying users purchased the Company's courses and services for the first quarter of 2021, compared with approximately 0.4 million paying users for the previous quarter and approximately 0.9 million paying users for the same quarter last year, primarily attributable to the Company's stringent cost control in user acquisition expenditures.







[1] "Gross billings" for a certain period refer to the total amount of cash received from the sale of course packages in that period net of the total amount of cash refunds paid to users in the same period.

Management Comments Dr. Yi Wang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LAIX, commented, "We proactively made efforts in enhancing our operating efficiency and optimizing our organizational structure, driving margin expansion and improved profitability. First quarter gross margin further expanded to 77.6% from 75.4% in the previous quarter. More notably, we achieved meaningful profitability on a quarterly basis for the first time ever, reporting a net income of RMB12.2 million, compared with a net loss of RMB34.7 million in the previous quarter. These numbers reiterate our firm commitment and strong execution capabilities, when it comes in cost controls. Our focus going forward is to balance profitability by improving operating leverage while at the same time executing our strategic initiatives to propel our operational growth." First Quarter 2021 Financial Results Net Revenues Net revenues for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB198.5 million (US$30.3 million), a 15.7% decrease from RMB235.5 million for the previous quarter and a 13.0% decrease from RMB228.3 million for the same quarter last year. The quarter-over-quarter decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in gross billings caused by the Company's stringent cost control in user acquisition expenditures. Cost of Revenues Cost of revenues for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB44.4 million (US$6.8 million), a 23.2% decrease from RMB57.8 million for the previous quarter and a 43.6% decrease from RMB78.8 million for the same quarter last year. The quarter-over-quarter change was primarily due to the decrease in salaries and welfare for full-time employees, and savings in IT service fee. Gross Profit and Gross Margin Gross profit for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB154.1 million (US$23.5 million), a 13.2% decrease from RMB177.6 million for the previous quarter and a 3.1% increase from RMB149.5 million for the same quarter last year. Gross margin for the first quarter of 2021 was 77.6%, compared with 75.4% for the previous quarter and 65.5% for the same quarter last year. Operating Expenses Total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB145.4 million (US$22.2 million), a 32.5% decrease from RMB215.2 million for the previous quarter and a 58.0% decrease from RMB346.1 million for the same quarter last year. The changes were primarily due to stringent cost control in user acquisition expenditures and the improvement in operating efficiency. Sales and marketing expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB92.9 million (US$14.2 million), a 38.2% decrease from RMB150.4 million for the previous quarter and a 64.9% decrease from RMB264.7 million for the same quarter last year. The decrease was primarily due to (i) the Company's stringent cost control in advertising and user acquisition expenditures; and (ii) the decrease in salaries and staff benefits due to the efficiency improvement of personnel management. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of net revenues decreased to 46.8% for the first quarter of 2021, compared with 63.9% for the previous quarter and 115.9% for the same quarter last year. Research and development expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB33.7 million (US$5.1 million), a 9.3% decrease from RMB37.2 million for the previous quarter and a 43.1% decrease from RMB59.2 million for the same quarter last year. The changes were primarily due to the efficiency improvement in personnel management. Research and development expenses as a percentage of net revenues was 17.0% for the first quarter of 2021, compared with 15.8% for the previous quarter and 25.9% for the same quarter last year. General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB18.7 million (US$2.9 million), a 32.2% decrease from RMB27.6 million for the previous quarter and a 15.3% decrease from RMB22.1 million for the same quarter last year. The changes were primarily due to an impairment loss on leasehold improvement in the previous quarter. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues decreased to 9.4% for the first quarter of 2021, compared with 11.7% for the previous quarter and 9.7% for the same quarter last year. (Loss)/income from Operations Income from operations for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB12.8 million (US$2.0 million), compared with a loss from operations of RMB37.6 million for the previous quarter and a loss from operations of RMB196.5 million for the same quarter last year. Adjusted EBITDA[2] Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB25.3 million (US$3.9 million), compared with an adjusted EBITDA loss of RMB21.6 million for the previous quarter and an adjusted EBITDA loss of RMB182.5 million for the same quarter last year. [2] "Adjusted EBITDA" is a non-GAAP measure, which represents EBITDA before share-based compensation expenses. EBITDA represents net (loss)/income before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. See "Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" at the end of this press release. Foreign exchange related (losses)/gains, net Foreign exchange loss was RMB0.9 million (US$0.1 million) in the first quarter of 2021, compared with a foreign exchange gain of RMB3.9 million for the previous quarter and a foreign exchange loss of RMB2.3 million for the same quarter last year. Net (loss)/income Net income for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB12.2 million (US$1.9 million), compared with a net loss of RMB34.7 million for the previous quarter and a net loss of RMB197.0 million for the same quarter last year. Adjusted net income[3] for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB19.0 million (US$2.9 million), compared with an adjusted net loss of RMB29.9 million for the previous quarter and an adjusted net loss of RMB189.2 million for the same quarter last year. Basic and diluted net income per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB0.24 (US$0.04), compared with basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders of RMB0.70 for the previous quarter and basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders of RMB3.99 for the same quarter last year. [3] "Adjusted net (loss)/income" is a non-GAAP measure, which excludes share-based compensation expenses. See "Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" at the end of this press release. Balance Sheet & Cashflows As of March 31, 2021, the Company's cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments totaled RMB172.6 million (US$26.3 million), compared with RMB229.6 million as of December 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2021, the Company's deferred revenue and long-term deferred revenue totaled RMB687.4 million (US$104.9 million), compared with RMB746.2 million as of December 31, 2020. Net cash used in operating activities were RMB57.3 million (US$8.7 million) and RMB99.8 million for the three months period ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As of March 31, 2021, the Company's total shareholders' deficit was RMB692.2 million (US$105.7 million) and the current liabilities exceeded the current assets by RMB722.4 million (US$110.3 million). The Company's liquidity to meet its future working capital is based on its ability to enhance user engagement and retention while optimizing traffic acquisition strategy to efficiently control and reduce user related costs. The Company will further preserve liquidity and manage cash flows by reducing various discretionary expenditure. The Company's liquidity is also based on its ability to obtain capital financing from equity or debt investors. Currently, the Company believes that it has sufficient cash to fund operations for at least the next 12 months with the implementation of the abovementioned measures. Outlook For the second quarter of 2021, the Company currently expects: - Net revenues to be between RMB160.0 million to RMB180.0 million, which would represent a decrease of approximately 19.4% to 9.3% from RMB198.5 million for the first quarter of 2021; and a decrease of approximately 40.6% to 33.2% from RMB269.4 million for the same quarter last year; This forecast reflects the Company's current and preliminary view on the current business situation and market conditions, which is subject to change. Conference Call The Company's management will host an earnings conference call at 9:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time on May 26, 2021 (9:00 AM Beijing/Hong Kong time on May 27, 2021). Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows: United States (toll free): +1-877-396-2308 International: +1-647-689-5527 Mainland China: 400-048-6136 or 400-043-3098 Hong Kong: +852-5803-0358 Conference ID: 2461727 Participants should dial-in at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time to be connected to the call. Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.laix.com/investors. About LAIX Inc. LAIX Inc. ("LAIX" or the "Company") is an artificial intelligence (AI) company in China that creates and delivers products and services to popularize English learning. Its proprietary AI teacher utilizes cutting-edge deep learning and adaptive learning technologies, big data, well-established education pedagogies and the mobile internet. LAIX believes its innovative approach fundamentally transforms learning. LAIX provides its products and services on demand via its mobile apps, primarily its flagship "English Liulishuo" mobile app launched in 2013. On the Company's platform, AI technologies are seamlessly integrated with diverse learning content incorporating well-established language learning pedagogies, gamified features and strong social elements to deliver an engaging, adaptive learning experience. LAIX provides a variety of courses inspired by a broad range of topics and culture themes to make English learning more interesting and is committed to offering a fun, interactive learning environment to motivate and engage its users. For more information, please visit: http://ir.laix.com. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures The Company uses adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net (loss)/income, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating its operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. The Company believes that adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net (loss)/income help identify underlying trends in its business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that the Company includes in (loss)/income from operations and net (loss)/income. The Company believes that adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net (loss)/income provide useful information about its results of operations, enhance the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by the management of the Company in its financial and operational decision-making. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net (loss)/income should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to (loss)/income from operations, net (loss)/income or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of the Company's operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review the historical non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net (loss)/income 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 our data. The Company encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. Exchange Rate Information This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars are made at a rate of RMB6.5518 to US$1.00, the rate in effect as of March 31, 2021 published by the Federal Reserve Board. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under 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," "confident," "potential," "continue" or other similar expressions. Among other things, the Outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as LAIX's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. LAIX may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 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 but not limited to statements about LAIX's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a variety of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: LAIX's goals and strategies; LAIX's future business development, results of operations and financial condition; the expected growth of the education market; LAIX's ability to monetize the user base; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China; the potential impact of the COVID-19 to LAIX's business operations and the economy in China and elsewhere generally; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: LAIX Inc.

Investor Relations

Email: ir@laix.com The Piacente Group Investor Relations

Brandi Piacente

Tel: +1-212-481-2050

Email: liulishuo@tpg-ir.com Emilie Wu

Tel: +86-21-6039-8363

Email: liulishuo@tpg-ir.com LAIX INC. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Amount in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and US dollars ("US$"))

















As of

As of



December 31, 2020

March 31, 2021



RMB

RMB

US$















ASSETS











Current assets:











Cash and cash equivalents 137,996

117,372

17,914

Restricted cash 511

1,588

242

Short-term investments 91,049

53,614

8,183

Accounts receivable, net 5,892

5,977

912

Prepayments and other current assets 58,272

48,212

7,359

Total current assets 293,720

226,763

34,610

Non-current assets:











Property and equipment, net 30,074

26,776

4,087

Investment in equity fund 5,711

5,751

878

Intangible assets, net 14,341

12,788

1,952

Operating lease right-of-use assets, net 82,488

60,796

9,279

Other non-current assets 5,866

4,779

729

Deferred tax assets 13,547

13,547

2,068

Total non-current assets 152,027

124,437

18,993

Total assets 445,747

351,200

53,603















LIABILITIES











Current liabilities:











Accounts payable 83,576

69,539

10,614

Deferred revenue 689,325

642,826

98,114

Salary and welfare payable 132,433

109,893

16,773

Tax payable 77,327

77,000

11,752

Operating lease liability, current 31,845

29,307

4,473

Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities 19,382

20,576

3,141

Total current liabilities 1,033,888

949,141

144,867

Non-current liabilities:











Deferred revenue, non-current 56,905

44,610

6,809

Operating lease liability, non-current 56,903

39,942

6,096

Other non-current liabilities 10,614

9,716

1,483

Total non-current liabilities 124,422

94,268

14,388

Total liabilities 1,158,310

1,043,409

159,255















Shareholders' deficit











Class A Ordinary shares 212

213

33

Class B Ordinary shares 121

121

18

Subscriptions Receivable from shareholders (201)

(347)

(53)

Treasury Stock (15,327)

(15,327)

(2,339)

Additional paid-in capital 1,198,852

1,206,143

184,093

Accumulated other comprehensive income 10,256

11,305

1,725

Accumulated deficit (1,906,476)

(1,894,317)

(289,129)

Total shareholders' deficit (712,563)

(692,209)

(105,652)















Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit 445,747

351,200

53,603

LAIX INC. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)/INCOME (Amount in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and US dollars ("US$") except for number of shares and per share data)





Three months ended



March 31

December 31

March 31



2020

2020

2021



RMB

RMB

RMB US$















Net revenues

228,338

235,459

198,544 30,304 Cost of revenues

(78,799)

(57,835)

(44,418) (6,780) Gross profit

149,539

177,624

154,126 23,524 Operating expenses:













Sales and marketing expenses

(264,740)

(150,409)

(92,926) (14,183) Research and development expenses

(59,219)

(37,182)

(33,710) (5,145) General and administrative expenses

(22,139)

(27,632)

(18,741) (2,860) Total operating expenses

(346,098)

(215,223)

(145,377) (22,188)















Other operating income

18

-

4,097 625















(Loss)/income from operations

(196,541)

(37,599)

12,846 1,961 Other (expenses)/income:













Interest income/(expenses)

683

(230)

(1,430) (218) Foreign exchange related (losses)/gains, net

(2,319)

3,857

(948) (145) Change in fair value of short-term investment

517

(1,976)

29 4 Investment income

-

-

493 75 Other income, net

682

3,084

1,169 178















(Loss)/income before income taxes expenses

(196,978)

(32,864)

12,159 1,855 Income tax expenses

(29)

(1,818)

- -















Net (loss)/income

(197,007)

(34,682)

12,159 1,855















Net (loss)/income attributable to LAIX Inc.'s ordinary shareholders

(197,007)

(34,682)

12,159 1,855 LAIX INC. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)/INCOME (Amount in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and US dollars ("US$") except for number of shares and per share data)



















Three months ended



March 31

December 31

March 31



2020

2020

2021



RMB

RMB

RMB US$















Net (loss)/income (197,007)

(34,682)

12,159 1,855 Other comprehensive income/(loss)







Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of nil tax 6,776

(12,514)

1,049 160 Comprehensive (loss)/income (190,231)

(47,196)

13,208 2,015















Net (loss)/income per Class A and Class B ordinary shares



Basic

(3.99)

(0.70)

0.24 0.04 Diluted

(3.99)

(0.70)

0.24 0.04 Weighted average number of Class A and Class B ordinary

shares used in per share calculation Basic

49,359,565

49,557,682

49,637,358 49,637,358 Diluted

49,359,565

49,557,682

50,242,298 50,242,298 LAIX INC. Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results (Amount in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and US dollars("US$") except for percentage data)















Three months ended

March 31

December 31

March 31

2020

2020

2021

RMB

RMB

RMB US$













Net (loss)/income (197,007)

(34,682)

12,159 1,855 Add:











Share-based compensation expenses 7,774

4,752

6,882 1,050 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

and amortization of Intangible assets 7,347

6,322

4,859 742 Income tax expenses 29

1,818

- - Subtract:











Interest (income)/expenses (683)

230

1,430 218 Adjusted EBITDA (182,540)

(21,560)

25,330 3,865













Net (loss)/income (197,007)

(34,682)

12,159 1,855 Add back:











Share-based compensation expenses 7,774

4,752

6,882 1,050 Adjusted net (loss)/income (189,233)

(29,930)

19,041 2,905 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/laix-inc-announces-first-quarter-2021-unaudited-financial-results-301299794.html SOURCE LAIX Inc.

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[May 26, 2021] Screening Eagle Leads the Way for Preventative Inspections and Maintenance of the Built Environment

SINGAPORE, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As much as 30 to 50% of global CO2 emissions can be attributed to the construction and operations of the built environment. Furthermore, many structures around the world are decaying at unprecedented rates. This is where preventive inspections are the key contributor to overcoming the built environment crisis and significantly reducing the CO2 impact.

At #KEY21SET, Screening Eagle presented digital-first, user-friendly solutions for asset owners, engineers and inspectors, helping them to take a massive lead forward with preventative inspections to drive maintenance decisions using augmented reality, artificial intelligence, sensors and intelligent software. The event saw the release of five products to revolutionize asset inspections.

The latest version of INSPECT 2.0 intelligent inspection workflow and asset management software was announced with many new innovations for its subscribers. The company also introduced WORKSPACE, a free web platform for Screening Eagle's community to collaborate and integrate all inspection records into one place.

Screening Eagle expanded their concrete inspection portfolio with the world's most powerful yet lightest multi-channel ultrasonic imaging system, undit PD8050, with augmented reality and artificial intelligence, as well as a new pile integrity and impact echo testing solution, Pundit PI8000. A new revolutionary GPR (ground penetrating radar) scanner, Proceq GP8100, was unveiled to scan large areas effortlessly and with unmatched data clarity.





Viewers also got to 'meet' some of Screening Eagle's customers including Vinci Technology Centre UK, Ana Pires, Scientific Astronaut, and Alexander Taffe, Chairman of the German Society of Non-Destructive Testing, with inspection stories from here on earth, to up in space.



"Thank you to thousands of professionals for tuning in to our keynote event. Together with our customers, we continuously expand our software and sensor technologies with new capabilities and are working on the autonomous future of the inspection tech industry. " Marcel Poser, CEO Screening Eagle Technologies

The company offers a series of free, technical webinars and demos to experience the new products and will be showing them live at the World of Concrete in Las Vegas.

About Screening Eagle Technologies



Screening Eagle Technologies provides a technology platform for intelligent inspection of the built environment. The company was created through the merger of Dreamlab in Singapore and Proceq in Switzerland with a mission to protect the built world with software, sensors and data. Screening Eagle's full-stack inspection solution combines intuitive software and powerful portable sensors to deliver reliable data for construction and asset maintenance decisions. Powered by data from intelligent and autonomous inspection, Screening Eagle is on a steep growth path to realizing its vision of predictive healthcare that extends asset life and increases long-term value for asset owners.



To learn more about Screening Eagle Technologies, visit ScreeningEagle.com



Photos:

https://www.prlog.org/12871249



Press release distributed by PRLog View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/screening-eagle-leads-the-way-for-preventative-inspections-and-maintenance-of-the-built-environment-301300348.html SOURCE Screening Eagle Technologies

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[May 26, 2021] HSBC Exits US Mass Market Retail Banking; Strategically Repositions US Retail Business Towards International Banking and Wealth Management

HSBC Holdings plc ('HSBC') today announces that it will exit its US domestic mass market retail banking business through several transactions, pending regulatory approval. They include: Exiting 90 branches out of a current branch network of 148 branches

HBUS will retain a small network of physical locations in existing markets which will be repurposed into 20-25 international wealth centres

Remaining branches, between 35-40, will be wound down

Exiting all Personal, Advance and certain Premier banking customers (those with balances below US$75k)

Exiting all retail business banking customers (small businesses with turnover of US$5m and under) As a result, HSBC Bank USA, N.A. ('HBUS') will reposition its US Wealth and Personal Banking business to focus on the banking and wealth management needs of globally connected affluent and high net worth clients. HBUS will exit its domestic mass market retail banking business and retail business banking (collectively the 'Business') through a number of divestitures, and wind-down of the residual branch network. HBUS has entered into sale agreements, subject to regulatory approval, with Citizens Bank and Cathay Bank for certain parts of the Business. Noel Quinn, Group Chief Executive of HSBC, said: "We are pleased to announce the sale of the domestic mass market of our US retail banking business. They are good businesses, but we lacked the scale to compete. Our continued presence in the US is key to our international network and an important contributor to our growth plans. This next chapter of HSBC's presence in the US will see the team focus on our competitive strengths, connecting our global wholesale and wealth management clients to other markets around the world." Highlights from transactions: Citizens Bank has entered into an agreement to purchase the East Coast domestic mass market and retail business banking businesses as well as the online bank portfolio, including 80 branches and approximately 800,000 customer relationships with c. US$9.2bn in deposits and US$2.2bn of outstanding loans as at 31 March 2021.

has entered into an agreement to purchase the East Coast domestic mass market and retail business banking businesses as well as the online bank portfolio, including 80 branches and approximately 800,000 customer relationships with c. US$9.2bn in deposits and US$2.2bn of outstanding loans as at 31 March 2021. Cathay Bank has entered into an agreement to purchase the West Coast domestic mass market and retail business banking businesses, including 10 branches and approximately 50,000 customer relationships with US$1.0bn in deposits and US$ 0.8bn f outstanding loans as at 31 March 2021.

has entered into an agreement to purchase the West Coast domestic mass market and retail business banking businesses, including 10 branches and approximately 50,000 customer relationships with US$1.0bn in deposits and US$ 0.8bn f outstanding loans as at 31 March 2021. HBUS will retain a small network of physical locations in existing markets which will be repurposed into 20-25 international wealth centres to serve our core international customer base of c.300k affluent and high net worth customers (out of a historical base of c.1.4m). We will wind down the residual branches, between 35-40, not subject to sale or repurposing.



"Today's announcement is an important step towards becoming a more focused, simpler and sustainably profitable organisation. A strong, internationally connected US business is an important part of HSBC's value proposition, and we are excited to be focusing the US business in areas of competitive strength. At the same time, I am very pleased that we were able to execute this strategic repositioning at pace. It was also important for us to find buyers who would be a good fit for our customers and employees."

HSBC announced earlier this year that it was exploring strategic options with respect to its US retail franchise, including organic and inorganic options to improve the profitability of its US retail business. The announced transactions are expected to close by the first quarter of 2022, subject to regulatory approvals. We expect US$0.1bn of pre-tax costs to be incurred in connection with these transactions after which HSBC does not expect to generate a significant gain or loss. The risk weighted assets (on a PRA basis) associated with the announced transactions were c.US$1.8bn at 31 March 2021 and no material impact is expected on the Group's CET1 ratio. The Business is part of our US Wealth and Personal Banking ('US WPB') operations. US WPB had reported net operating income for 2020 of US$1.0bn. At 31 March 2021, US WPB had loans and advances to customers of US$23.8bn, customer accounts of US$47.8bn and risk weighted assets of US$15.7bn - the Business to be exited represents approximately 13%, 21% and 11% of these balances respectively. The balances remaining as continuing US WPB operations represent Premier, Jade and Private Banking customers. Further analysis of the results of our US WPB business are provided in the HSBC Holdings plc Data pack 1Q 2021. For more details, please visit www.about.us.hsbc.com/movingforward Notes to editors: 1. HSBC USA HSBC Bank USA, National Association (HSBC Bank USA, N.A.) serves customers through retail banking and wealth management, commercial banking, private banking and global banking and markets segments. It operates bank branches in: California; Washington, D.C.; Florida; Maryland; New Jersey; New York; Pennsylvania; Virginia; and Washington. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is the principal subsidiary of HSBC USA Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc. In the United States, deposit products are offered by HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Member FDIC, investment and brokerage services are provided through HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., (Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC) and insurance products are provided through HSBC Insurance Agency (USA) Inc. 2. HSBC Holdings plc HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 64 countries and territories in its geographical regions: Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America, and Middle East and North Africa. With assets of US$2,959bn at 31 March 2021, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. 3. A formal US Securities and Exchange Commission filing under Form 8-K will be made available on the HSBC investor relations website at www.about.us.hsbc.com/investor-relations/hsbc-usa View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210526006149/en/

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NASHVILLE The Tennessee Forestry Commission will meet June 9, 2021 at the Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville, Tenn.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. CDT in the Oak Training Conference Room of the Bruer building located at 406 Hogan Rd. The meeting is open to the public to attend.

The agenda includes approval of the previous meetings minutes, approval of new Commission officers, a carbon program presentation, and an overview of timber quality and lumber prices in Tennessee.

The Tennessee Forestry Commission comprises seven members representing the publics interests as they relate to forest resources in the state. The Commission advises the Tennessee Department of Agriculture on forest issues. For more information, contact the Division of Forestry at 615-837-5520 or visit the Commissions webpage at www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests/commission.html.
The Kansas City 18th & Vine District has suffered mass shootings and a consistent spate of violence over the past few years. There's still no clue at local "solutions" . . . HOWEVER, the prospect of more stimmy should make people happy.



Accordingly . . . Today's political tour led by Mayor Lucas & Congressman Cleaver focused on the progressive idea of "housing as infrastructure" as the Prez Biden appointee took aim at political opposition challenging the new administration.



Money line delivered near a part of town which has garnered more than 100 MILLION worth of taxpayer assitance since the 90s . . .



If we thought the way people think who say housing is not infrastructure, we probably would never have sent a man to the moon, Fudge said. We would not have the medical breakthroughs we have had. We would not be talking about electric vehicles, if we kept thinking about things the old way.



In a veiled reference to Republican opponents, HUD Sec Fudge says Democrats will not be deterred by those she calls haters.



She says the Biden administration will take care of people in a dignified, respectful way.



Rep. Cleaver currently serves as chair of the U.S. House subcommittee on housing.

Read more . . .

HUD Secretary visits Kansas City to talk American Jobs Plan, funding for housing KANSAS CITY, Mo. - On Wednesday, Marcia Fudge, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary visited Kansas City, Missouri, to discuss affordable housing. Fudge said she wants folks to hold her accountable for HUD's work. "For me, a foundation is infrastructure," Fudge said.

Building a better KC: HUD Secretary pitches new housing, infrastructure plan to improve metro KANSAS CITY, Mo. - U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge visited the city's Jazz District to push for President Joe Biden's $1.7 trillion infrastructure spending plan. Fudge is concerned about the national debate over whether housing should be considered infrastructure. The secretary joined allies in U.S. Rep.

Pressed By Kansas City Activists, HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge Agrees To Investigate Millennia Companies Affordable housing was at the forefront of a visit by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge to Kansas City on Wednesday. Fudge joined Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas at 18th and Vine to discuss the increase in housing funding as part of the proposed "American Jobs Plan."
A quick round-up of a hopeful effort following a recent deadly mass shooting.

Read more . . .

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) - Some came to the Gregg-Klice Community Center Tuesday night expecting a discussion with members of the police department about curbing violent crime at 18th and Vine. That's how police described it when promoting the event. What they got was different, leaving some disappointed and others more optimistic.
Dr. Ernest Evans is a professor of political science and criminal justice studies at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Today he shares a thoughtful, informative and prophetic essay with our blog community.



Dr. Ernest Evans: The Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 - Lessons for America Today



On May 31-June 1, 2021 we as a nation will observe the 100th anniversary of one of the most terrible incidents of violence in our history; namely the Tulsa, Oklahoma race riot of May 31-June 1, 1921. On May 30, 1921 a young black man got on an elevator in a building in downtown Tulsa. The elevator operator was a young white woman. The black man stumbled and grabbed the arm of the white woman for support, and she screamed. He ran out of the building and tried to hide. He was arrested the next day; the young white woman said that he had not assaulted her and she did not want to press charges.



However, the situation quickly spiraled out of control. The young black man was taken to the city jail. One of the city's newspapers published a sensationalistic account of the incident and called for the young man to be lynched. Fearful that this might happen, a number of black men gathered at the city jail to protect him--some of them were armed. A white crowd confronted these black men, and shots were fired, killing several whites and blacks. The white population of Tulsa rose up in rage, and attacked the black neighborhoods of the city.



To this day there is no agreement as to how many people were killed in this riot--but it could go as high as several hundred--most of them black people. Some 35 city blocks of the city's black neighborhoods were burned to the ground. Order was restored on June 1, 1921 when the Oklahoma National Guard arrived and imposed martial law.



An incident this terrible does not come out of nowhere. It was the result of a "perfect storm" of events. It was the aftermath of World War I and demobilized veterans, both black and white, were having trouble finding jobs because of an economic slump. Many of the unemployed whites were jealous of the prosperity of Tulsa's black neighborhoods--this was the most economically well-off black community in America; it was widely known as "The Black Wall Street."



Also, many ordinary Americans were fearful that the country was on the verge of revolutionary change. The Russian Revolution and Civil War of 1917-1920 had resulted in the "Red Scare" of 1919 in which the federal authorities arrested thousands of people on suspicion of being sympathizers to the Russian Communist. The state of Oklahoma had its own share of leftist groups: In the years leading up to World War I the state was the state in the nation that gave the highest percentage of its votes to the Socialist Party; in the 1912 Presidential election the Socialist Party nationally got 6% of the vote in the country as a whole; but in Oklahoma it got 22%. And, when the US entered WWI in April of 1917, there was the "Green Corn Rebellion" in which a group of angry Oklahoma farmers tried to stage a march on Washington to stop the war.



So, in this already quite tense social environment, when the white population of Tulsa saw armed black men at the city jail it seemed to them that their worst nightmares were coming true: A revolution was taking place in the US. Fearful of this possibility, many white people grabbed guns and attacked "The Black Wall Street."



This column will be published on the one year anniversary of the tragic death of George Floyd. I do not want to be alarmist, but I am concerned that in America today, in the aftermath of Mr. Floyd's death, there are a lot of the same factors present that produced this terrible riot a century ago. Race relations in the US have been getting steadily more polarized in the years since the death of Travon Martin in 2012; and the pandemic has led to a lot of economic suffering among ordinary Americans. And, a lot of Americans on both sides of the aisle fear that the other side is trying to carry out a revolutionary takeover of the country.



After the riot was over, a lot of the on-the-scene observers feel that this riot might never had taken place had the local press reported what had happened on the elevator in an accurate and non-sensationalistic way, and had a lot of the local leaders stressed the need for restraint instead of "dumping gasoline of the fire." As we as a nation prepare for what could be a racially tense summer, this is an important lesson to learn: It is crucial that in this time of polarized race relations in our country that the nation's journalists, politicians and community leaders not make the tragic mistake that too many people in Tulsa made in 1921 of inflaming an already too volatile situation.

################

Developing . . .


As always, our blog community wants to offer more political context to an ongoing funding debate and here's a fact of life that deserves consideration.



KANSAS CITY PO-PO AND THEIR UNION ENDORSED MAYOR Q'S RISE TO POWER!!! THEY PLAYED A HUGE PART IN HIS VICTORY!!!



Special thanks to a KICK-ASS social media friend for sending this not-so-long ago message that serves to offer context tonight . . .



Fact of life . . . .



What a difference a year makes?!?!



Now the Kansas City police board is ready to take Mayor Q to court, the mayor has aligned himself with anti-police activists and seemingly attempts to divide this cowtown along north vs. south lines.

Still, followers of Mayor Q's career recognize the tactic . . .

Mayor Q has championed inclusion and voter participation . . .

However, during a Winter freeze, he also spent about a million bucks on turning the convention center in to a winter homeless shelter without asking for any public comment.



And then . . .

Mayor Q is directing MILLIONS MORE to build a homeless tiny village without much conversation with neighborhood stakeholders.



And so . . .

We appreciate Mayor Q's comments regarding "trusting voters" and encouraging accountability despite his recent efforts to exclude Northland political reps or ANY PUBLIC COMMENT from his recent, controversial decisions.



Developing . . .


Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 21:36:35|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

MANILA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- An explosion in an arsenal inside a military camp in Bataan province, west of Manila in the Philippines, killed two and injured two others on Wednesday, the police said.

The police said the explosion occurred at around 10 a.m. local time at the arsenal of the Department of National Defense in Limay town.

The male workers, aged 40 and 38, were mixing chemicals in making primer for bullets when the explosion occurred.

One of the workers was killed at the scene, while the other died at the camp's infirmary, the police added. Enditem
Right here in flyover country we share a quick peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines.

Check-it . . .

BLACK TO THE FUTURE!!!

Black businesses push to keep momentum gained over past year KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) - On the anniversary of George Floyd's death, the country and Kansas City are reflecting on the changes brought about since his murder ignited calls for police reform and racial equality. For Black business owners, the last year has presented challenges and opportunities.

Suburbs Need Bailout

$43 million request could help pull downtown Merriam out of a floodplain MERRIAM, Kan. - Federal funding could help the City of Merriam prevent future flooding downtown. Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS 3rd District) has requested approximately $43 million from the House Committee on Appropriations for the Upper Turkey Creek Flood Risk Management Project.

Try To Find The Moon Betwixt The Clouds Right Now!!!

How to view the lunar eclipse in Kansas City Wednesday morning KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A rare lunar eclipse will appear in the early morning sky on Wednesday, May 26. While we're next expecting totality in Kansas City, it will still be a neat view if the clouds clear. What is happening? A lunar eclipse is when the moon perfectly lines up in the Earth's shadow.

American Riot Redux

Portland police declare riot on George Floyd death anniversary as fires set, windows smashed; arrests reported Police in Portland, Oregon, declared a riot Tuesday night, making arrests after rioters smashed windows and threw objects at officers on the one-year anniversary of George Floyd's death, according to authorities. A crowd of roughly 200 people - many dressed in black - gathered outside the city's Multnomah County Justice Center.

Former Prez Talks Science

Trump: 'It was obvious to smart people' COVID came from Wuhan lab Former President Donald Trump claimed in an interview Tuesday that "it was obvious to smart people" that the coronavirus emerged from a lab in the Chinese city of Wuhan. "I had no doubt about it," Trump told Newsmax host and former adviser Steve Cortes.

Thrill Ride Free Speech Loophole Exposed

The new Florida law that fines tech platforms for removing politicians has a huge loophole for companies that own theme parks in the state Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new law targeting big social-media companies. Private citizens will be able to sue tech platforms for up to $100,000 if they've been treated unfairly. The rules protecting free speech do not apply to companies that own theme parks in the state.

MAGA Haunts GOP

House Republican leaders condemn Marjorie Taylor Greene's Holocaust comparison after five days and a wave of outrage House Republican leaders have condemned incendiary remarks from GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene five days after she first publicly compared Capitol Hill mask rules to the Holocaust, amid a wave of criticism from Republican and conservative critics as well as Jewish groups aimed at the Georgia congresswoman and the party leaders' silence.

Money Talks

Why John Cena apologized to China for calling Taiwan a country On Tuesday night, actor and occassional wrestler John Cena issued an apology in Mandarin to China and his Chinese fans. In a 68-second clip posted to Weibo, a Chinese social media platform, Cena struck an unusually contrite tone as he repeatedly said sorry to his 600,000 followers.

Boozy Appropriation Or Fashion Goodness?!?

Kendall Jenner called out for 'cosplaying' Mexican women in tequila campaign Kendall Jenner continues to face backlash for her 818 tequila brand, most recently facing accusations that her skin tone was darkened in newly released campaign imagery. The 25-year-old supermodel was met with claims of cultural appropriation when she first officially announced her business endeavor in February, as people across the internet shared their opinion on the "lack of respect" that the eldest Jenner sister showed to the culture of Mexico with 818's creation.

Awaiting First Lady

'It means a lot': Metropolitan Community College excited for First Lady's visit Thursday KANSAS CITY, Mo. - First Lady Dr. Jill Biden will visit Kansas City this week. She's stopping at Metropolitan Community College's Penn Valley campus to tout partnerships helping people get the COVID-19 vaccine. The college is offering an extra bonus for those who come to Thursday's clinic, to help get you both vaccinated and educated.

Royals Play Spoiler

Royals end Rays' 11-game win streak with 2-1 victory The Tampa Bay Rays' 11-game winning streak came to an end Tuesday night when Brad Keller pitched seven strong innings and Salvador Perez hit a tiebreaking RBI single to give the Kansas City Royals a 2-1 victory.Rich Hill struck out a career-high 13 for the Rays.

Muggy Midweek Ahead

Warm and sunny today with severe storms possible tomorrow Sunny, warm and humid today with highs reaching the mid 80s Severe thunderstorms are possible Thursday, with the first round in the morning and second possibly redeveloping in the late afternoon

Marshmello x Jonas Brothers - Leave Before You Love Me is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
As so many local news watchers predicted, this slap fight over police funding now heads to court. Here's a peek at today's dueling headlines wherein the police board pushes back against the mayor and threatens a TOTAL BUDGET TAKEOVER . . .

Read more . . .

Kansas City police board votes to 'initiate litigation' in latest battle for control of KCPD budget According to meeting minutes released Tuesday morning, the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners voted 3-1 in a closed session to "authorize the initiation of litigation" after city hall budget changes reallocated $42 million from the Kansas City Police Department's budget.The minutes say the board voted "to enforce the board's rights, responsibilities, and authorities under Chapter 84 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri in such form as the litigation committee may deem appropriate."

Plan to change the way Kansas City's police department is funded draws community support by: Heidi Schmidt Posted: / Updated: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A day after Kansas City's Police Board voted to explore legal action in response to new ordinances changing police funding, the ordinances gain community support.

Kansas City Police Board Will Consider Legal Action To Keep Total Control Of Police Budget The Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners has voted to seek legal redress against a plan by one of its own members who is trying to get more local control of the police department and move away from state hands.

Control of KCPD could pose unique legal battle KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City-area law professors are weighing in on a possible legal battle between the City and the Board of Police Commissioners. During Monday's BOPC closed executive session, commissioners voted, 3-1, to establish a committee to explore a potential lawsuit to prevent the recently enacted police funding reform.

Develoing . . .
For more than an hour protesters dominated the Kansas City Country Club Plaza to commemorate the death of George Floyd.

Special thanks to A KICK-ASS TKC READER for sending a clip of streets blocked in order to offer tribute speeches . . .



There wasn't any violence but I wouldn't exactly call it "peaceful" . . . A quote:



We gonna knock on your door. We gonna blow your mother f*cking head off

blm demonstrators in Kansas City blocked intersections in and around the Plaza.



We gonna knock on your door. We gonna blow your mother f*cking head off pic.twitter.com/cBQUjkRlGj  John Curtis (@Johnmcurtis) May 26, 2021

KSHB's Dave D'Marko also features some great images from the scene.

Protesters appear to be heading back toward Mill Creek Park after 45 minute march through the Plaza. pic.twitter.com/BYBmb7zxj2  Dave D'Marko (@DaveDMarko) May 26, 2021

Protesters marching through Plaza in Kansas City marking one year since death of #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/vzKQFOJ9j0  Dave D'Marko (@DaveDMarko) May 26, 2021

Check the links . . .



Kansas Citians march in memory of George Floyd KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas Citians took to the streets Tuesday night to honor the memory of George Floyd on the anniversary of his death. Residents gathered at Equal Minded Cafe and made signs before marching to Mill Creek Park. En route to the park, the Willie Arthur Smith Marching Cobras joined the group.

In Kansas City, Remembering George Floyd's Murder Is Complicated And Emotional Kansas City racial justice activists are preparing to meet and protest near the Country Club Plaza this evening, in the park where the city's biggest protests happened last summer. It's part of their commemoration of the killing of George Floyd, one year ago today.

Kansas City activist reflects on anniversary of George Floyd's killing An activist reflects on the anniversary of George Floyd's killing and what the impact of his death has had on Kansas City.

Community activists fight for change, one year after George Floyd's death KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Social justice activists continue to fight for racial equity one year after the death of George Floyd. The nine minute, 29 second video of Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck until he died sparked protests and rallies across the country.

Kansas Citians hold memorial march in honor of George Floyd Kansas Citians are marking one year since George Floyd's death, and the call for change that came with it.

One year after death of George Floyd, community members march to Plaza in Kansas City KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- On Tuesday, community members marched to the Plaza as they reflected on the death of George Floyd one year later. Several groups who held events throughout the day gathered near Mill Creek and 47th Street around 6:30PM. Several speakers spoke to the crowd before they marched through the streets.

Protesters march through Kansas City's Plaza, marking year since George Floyd's death KANSAS CITY, Mo. - On the year anniversary of George Floyd's death protesters marched through Kansas City on Tuesday, still demanding change. They marched from a cafe on Troost to Mill Creek Park and through the streets of the Country Club Plaza.

Photos: A Year Of Protests In Kansas City Over the last year, reporters at KCUR have documented the social unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd by then-Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin and the resulting demands for racial justice. At protests, rallies and events around Kansas City, photojournalists Carlos Moreno and Julie Denesha captured moments of tension, conflict, solidarity and creativity.

Developing . . .
Today's response from Mayor Q to Republican critics in Jeff City and the Northland is a condescending invitation for a stroll through the inner city.



Here's the word sent to all local media today and another sign that the Kansas City 12th & Oak honcho knows he's losing this argument and confronting legal smackdown.



Check the quote from Mayor Q . . .



"While I welcome my Republican friends newfound interest in the plight of Kansas Citians, particularly in our inner-city neighborhoods, respectfully, our community, my community, has been in a violent crime crisis for my entire lifetime. With more than 100 murders per year in Kansas City for generations, we have to work non-stop and creatively to fix our serious gun violence problem, not continue to look the other way as our state legislature majority has done for too long.



Our plan increases funding to the police department while we also as a city and with separate investments are addressing the root causes of crime, like poverty, lack of adequate mental health, and housing instability. Thousands of my brothers and sisters have died on Kansas Citys streets since the 1980s. The crisis has long been here. While new to some legislators, its not new to Black Kansas Citians. I hope our legislature, rather than using cities as a talking point to appeal to their base, works with us, as we respect our police, our educators, and our health care establishment to actually make a difference in outcomes for our city and work with us to make Kansas City safer.



For those legislators interested, I am inviting them to join me and neighborhood leaders on a walking tour of our neighborhoods most consistently impacted by violent crime. We all have to work together on solutions to this problem and we all know funding in one area alone will not solve all our problems.

###############



Developing . . .


Here's today's disaster in the Dotte and a reminder that making "friends" at work is overrated amid the era of mass surveillance.

To be fair, if true, the chatter doesn't seem very professional and something that could be easily leveraged by political opposition.



Read more . . .

2 fired from unit that investigates police misconduct KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Two employees of an independent unit that investigates accusations of excessive police force or misconduct in Wyandotte County have been fired because of comments that were made on an audio recording. The county prosecutor's office said in a news release Wednesday that the remarks "violated the office's code of conduct."
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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 21:58:58|Editor: huaxia

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Aerial photo taken on May 9, 2021 shows the Qingliang Mountain in Yan'an City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province hosted the then headquarters of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and was the center of the Communist revolution from 1935 to 1948. The city is home to 445 former sites of the CPC's early revolutionary activities and boasts 30 revolution-themed museums. The city on the Loess Plateau has witnessed locals bid farewell to poverty. It has been green-coated thanks to its greening efforts. Bridging past and present, a new cityscape in the former revolutionary base is taking shape. (Xinhua/Liu Xiao)
Canton, GA (30114)

Today

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 21:53:02|Editor: huaxia

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LONDON, May 26 (Xinhua) -- China surpassed Germany as Britain's biggest single import market in the first quarter (Q1) of 2021, the British Office for National Statistics has said.

Goods imports from China to Britain soared to 16.9 billion pounds (about 23.95 billion U.S. dollars) in Q1, accounting for 16.1 percent of the country's overall goods imports, significantly higher than the second place of Germany at 12.5 billion pounds (17.71 billion dollars), the office said Tuesday.

In addition, goods imports from China increased by 41.1 percent between January 2020 and December 2020, driven by telecommunications, sound equipment, textiles, and clothing, the office added.

The recent increase in imports from China shows a continuation of a long-term trend of increasing imports, "likely because of the relatively limited impact of COVID-19 on Chinese exports," the office said.

Notably, of Britain's top five import partners, China is the only one for which imports grew between Q1 2018 and Q1 2021, it added.

During the past three years, goods imports from China rose by 65.6 percent, followed by Germany, the United States, the Netherlands, and France.

Meanwhile, total goods trade, including imports and exports, from non-European Union (EU) countries overtook that from EU countries in Q1 this year, according to data from the office.

Goods imports from non-EU countries, excluding precious metals, fell by 0.9 percent between Q4 2020 and Q1 2021, while exports increased by 0.4 percent, which "contrasts the significant falls seen for both imports and exports with the EU," the office said.

The continued global impact of COVID-19 and uncertainty surrounding the effect of Brexit have contributed to increased volatility in goods trade across Britain throughout 2020 and into early 2021, it added. Enditem
Hello,

We (2 adults 2 children) are planning to visit Khao Lak next year (April 2022) and are leaning towards booking The Sands Hotel.

Although we've been a Thailand on a number of occasions, we've never visited Khao Lak.

Does anyone know if this is a good choice location wise, is it close to the main bars/shops/restaurants area?

Other than breakfast we don't generally eat in hotels when we go away, preferring to visit different restaurants so hoping there are several bars and restaurants close by.

Thanks in advance.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 21:53:33|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS -- The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, on Tuesday called out to members of the Security Council on the issue of respect for international humanitarian law (IHL).

"We expect members of the (Security) Council to act more decisively to improve their own action and leverage their special relationship with allies, partners and proxies to respect international humanitarian law," he told a Security Council open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

- - - -

KIEV -- Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Tuesday that the lift of the current farmland sale ban in the country will drive the land price to increase at least twofold over the next 3 to 5 years.

Shmyhal said the landowners will benefit from the reform the most, according to the press service of the government.

- - - -

TEHRAN -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tuesday he is not confident that the negotiations could conclude in a new round of talks to revive the Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), but there is a possibility.

"I cannot say that we are able to conclude our job in this round of negotiations but this is possible; it depends on how much we are able to make progress on key issues and how much the other parties are prepared to make their own difficult decisions," Araqchi, head of the Iranian delegation in the Austrian capital of Vienna, told Iranian news network Press TV in an interview.

- - - -

GENEVA -- Delegates from countries such as Egypt, Mexico, Niger and Gabon on Tuesday highlighted China's support in their fight against COVID-19 at the ongoing virtual World Health Assembly, the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization.

The pandemic was an opportunity to nurture research capacity and researchers' competencies, so Egypt participated in clinical trials to test China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, said Egypt's Minster of Health Hala Zayed.

"I would like to highlight the significance of reaching an international strategy to improve access to medicines and vaccines with a focus on the importance of technology transfer, which Egypt has already done through constructive cooperation by resettling the vaccine industry and transferring manufacturing technology from the Chinese side," said the minister. Enditem
We have just flown with TUI from London to Porto Santo which is part of Maderia.

I can confirm that my 4 and 8 year old children did not need a test by the airline, arrival airport or hotel.

Children over 6 need to wear a mask as per the rules for adults.

Hope that helps
Very rarely might happen such incidents, but even so happens, you don't need worry about it, be sure that no any dirty police approach you. Police especially afraid to approach tourists and respect tourists.

If somebody try to bother you just do not tallk in local or russian language and that's it..

Country is safe for tourists and people very friendly , of course you need follow some rules in crowded places such as be aware of pickpocketing that happen in many countries and generally keep legal rules . Then everything will be fine and enjoy.

Kind regards.
Automotive Intelligent Door System Market to grow by 2475.56 thousand units in 2021, Aisin Corp and Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. KG Emerge as Key Contributors to growth| Technavio
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted Oklahoma's request to retain custody of a man who has been on death row for killing three Native Americans, a sign the court may be willing to limit the fallout from last year's ruling that much of eastern Oklahoma remains a tribal reservation.

The action came in the case of Shaun Bosse, whose conviction and death sentence for the murders of Katrina Griffin and her two young children were overturned by a state appeals court.

The order makes it likely that the high court will weigh in soon on the extent of its 5-4 ruling last year in McGirt v. Oklahoma.

The state court had held that state prosecutors had no authority to try Bosse for the killings, which took place on the Chicksaw Nation's reservation, based on the McGirt decision.

Hundreds of criminal convictions, including several death sentences for first-degree murder, have been set aside, and tribal and federal officials have been scrambling to refile those cases in tribal or U.S. district court.

Oklahoma argued to the Supreme Court that it can prosecute crimes committed by non-Native Americans like Bosse, even if the scene of the crime is on tribal land. The state also said there might be technical legal reasons for rejecting Bosse's claims.

The three liberal justices dissented from the order but did not explain their disagreement. They were in last year's majority, along with Justice Neil Gorsuch, the author of the opinion. Gorsuch did not publicly dissent from Wednesday's order.

The fifth member of the McGirt majority was Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died in September. She has been replaced by Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

Bosse already has been charged with the killings in federal court, and he had been scheduled to be transferred to federal custody. But he could not be sentenced to death under the federal charges.
Tucson, AZ (85741)

Today

Sunny skies. Very hot. High near 110F. E winds shifting to NW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A mostly clear sky. Low 76F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
Writer and performer Kyle Hernandez of Trinidad is receiving death threats, following a performance he did on local television station WESN, where he seemed to insult not only Tobagonians but the national bird of the island.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 22:17:51|Editor: huaxia

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PARIS, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Travelers arriving from the United Kingdom (UK) will be subject to compulsory self-quarantine due to the spread of the virus variant first detected in India, French government spokesman Gabriel Attal announced on Wednesday.

Details on the new measure will be unveiled in the coming hours, Attal told a news briefing after a cabinet meeting.

Since late April, France has ordered strict 10-day quarantine for all arrivals from 16 countries including Chile, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, India, Turkey and some Gulf countries, where the new coronavirus strains are active.

Travelers from the high-risk countries are required to present a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken less than 36 hours before boarding.

In France, the circulation of COVID-19 new strains was stabilizing, Attal said, noting that "the sanitary situation continues to improve significantly."

The number of new COVID-19 cases fell by 15 percent in a week and less than 20,000 patients were receiving treatment in hospitals, down by 2,600 from last week, reaching the lowest level since late October 2020, he added.

On Tuesday, 3,155 cases were confirmed, bringing the cumulative tally to 5.6 million, including 108,879 deaths, according to data released by health authorities.

The number of critically ill patients in intensive care, a key indicator to evaluate the health system's ability to cope with sanitary crisis, fell for the third straight week to 3,447, down from around 6,000 at the end of April. Enditem
Ukraine residence permits of 27 crime bosses under the NSDC's sanctions have already been revoked, and another ten people have been deported to their countries of origin.

Twenty-seven crime bosses, who are under sanctions imposed by the National Security and Defense Council, have had their residence permits already revoked in Ukraine. Ten people have been deported to their countries of origin. The natives of Georgia and Armenia, who maintained ties with criminals in their countries of origin and various regions of Ukraine, are among them, the National Police informs about the results of the Strategic Investigations Departments activity in exposing criminal bosses included in the sanctions list by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.

It is specified that there were several so-called enforcers and natives of different countries among 17 crime bosses, whose certificates and other permits for residence in Ukraine were revoked.

According to the police, all of them are suspects in criminal proceedings, most of them stay in prisons.

"Each of them will be held responsible for their actions in accordance with Ukrainian law. They are charged with committing serious crimes: establishment and spread of criminal influence, creation of criminal organizations, robbery, kidnapping, extortion, etc.," the National Police informs.

As noted, the efforts to prevent the spread of criminal influence by crime bosses, who were put on the sanctions list by the National Security and Defense Council, are underway.

On May 14, President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council, at which a decision was made to impose sanctions on representatives of criminal groups. Thus, restrictions were imposed on 557 so-called thieves in law, 542 of whom are foreigners, 15  citizens of Ukraine. Sanctions were also imposed on 111 foreign nationals who reside in the territory of Ukraine and are considered to be criminal bosses.

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Over the past day, May 25, eight ceasefire violations were recorded in the Joint Forces Operation area in eastern Ukraine.

The enemy opened fire from antitank missile systems and small arms near Novomykhailivka (28km south-west of Donetsk); 82mm mortars  outside Novhorodske (35km north of Donetsk); grenade machine guns, hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers, and small arms  in the area of Vodiane (94km south of Donetsk); different grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms  near Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk) and Zolote-4 (59km west of Luhansk), the press center of the JFO Headquarters reports.

Mavic-class UAV was spotted crossing the contact line in the direction of Ukrainian positions near the village of Berezove (31km south-west of Donetsk). Ukrainian defenders shot down the occupiers' drone with small arms.

Ukrainian defenders fired back in response to enemy shelling.

Ukrainian troops sustained no losses over the past day.

As of 7 a.m. on May 26, two ceasefire violations were reported. A Ukrainian defender was wounded in the enemy shelling. The soldier was promptly given first aid and taken to a medical facility.

The Ukrainian side of the JCCC informed the OSCE SMM about the actions by the armed formations of the Russian Federation.

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A delegation of the German Bundestag, led by Alliance 90/The Greens co-chair Robert Habeck, visited the Joint Forces Operation area on May 25.

The foreign guests were accompanied by Deputy Commander of the Joint Forces, Major General Eduard Moskaliov.

"The purpose of the visit was to get acquainted with the current security and operational situation in the Joint Forces Operation area, in particular near big towns where civilians live and industrial facilities are concentrated," the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reports.

The visit began with a briefing in the territory of one of the brigades, where the Deputy Commander of the Joint Forces informed the delegation about the situation along the line of contact and focused on measures taken to improve the humanitarian component. As another proof of Russian aggression, foreigners were shown the remnants of ammunition produced in Russia and fired by the enemy towards Ukrainian positions.

After the briefing, the German delegation visited the ruined village of Shyrokyne to see for themselves the consequences of the "Russian world". Due to the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, the residents of this seaside village near Mariupol left their homes and cannot return to them.

Member of the European Parliament, member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Viola von Cramon-Taubadel has been to Ukraine and Luhansk and Donetsk regions several times already. She initiated the introduction of green technologies  construction of a biogas plant in Volnovakha and the construction of a wind power plant near Shyrokyne  in the region before the Russian aggression.

"It is very unfortunate that the wind power stations we saw from the roof of a house in Shyrokyne are now in the territory occupied by Russian troops and do not work. It is sad to look at the destruction caused by war. I love Ukraine, I love Ukrainians. You are very good, peaceful people, and this war is a great burden and a trial for you," Viola von Cramon-Taubadel said.

She also noted that European leaders should collectively consider how to effectively help Ukraine.

"Providing mobile hospitals and accepting wounded Ukrainian soldiers for rehabilitation is, of course, good. But we should think about how to provide Ukraine with defensive weapons that will help resist armed aggression because your state has the right to do so," von Cramon-Taubadel concluded.

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Minister of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Taran and Minister of Defense of Georgia Juansher Burchuladze signed a plan of bilateral cooperation between the military agencies of the two countries.

The signing ceremony took place during the visit of the Ukrainian delegation led by Taran to Georgia. On the first day, the Ministrys delegation held working meetings with Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili and Minister of Defense of Georgia Juansher Burchuladze.

"Ukraine and Georgia have common threats and development goals. Our peoples share the aspirations of European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Georgia, like Ukraine, seeks to get a NATO Membership Action Plan. We are committed to deepening cooperation to counter regional and global threats more effectively," Taran said, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reports.

During the bilateral meeting, Taran and Burchuladze exchanged views on a number of topical issues of mutual interest, in particular, the security situation in the sovereign territories of Georgia and Ukraine which are temporarily occupied by Russia. The defense ministers also touched upon the state of affairs in the Sea of Azov-Black Sea region in view of Russia's regular violations of free and safe navigation.

"Andriy Taran and Juansher Burchuladze identified priorities for bilateral defense cooperation in the areas of cybersecurity, military-technical sphere, joint participation in international military exercises, and implementation of NATO standards in the daily activities of national armed forces. The parties exchanged experience in counteracting the escalation of aggression by the Russian Federation," the statement reads.

Following the bilateral meeting, the ministers signed a plan for cooperation between the defense ministries of Ukraine and Georgia.

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The European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide a EUR 7 million grant to support infrastructure projects in Ukraine, the press service of the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development has reported.

On May 25, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine signed a EUR 7 million grant agreement to be funded by the EU. This grant will be used to prepare and implement the Recovery Program in Ukraine, the report reads.

Communities and Territories Development Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov said that he highly appreciates the fruitful cooperation with our international partners - the European Commission and the EIB.

In particular, the implementation of the Emergency Credit Program for Reconstruction of Ukraine has already helped to reconstruct more than 240 infrastructure facilities in Ukraine. A new EUR 340 million loan agreement from the EIB, signed last year, will contribute to an even larger renovation of social infrastructure in Ukraine. A EUR 7 million grant from the EU will help us complete the planned reconstruction as soon as possible, he said.

In addition, the implementation of projects under the Program will benefit more than 13 million people in Ukraine, as well as stimulate regional development and rapid economic growth in the country.

ish
Ukraine's ambitious goal is to introduce a comprehensive state service in a smartphone for citizens, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said.

He said this during the discussion platform "Good Governance Reforms in Ukraine" in preparation for the Ukraine Reform Conference scheduled for July 2021 in Vilnius, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Government portal.

"Among our plans are Ukraine's connection to high-speed 4G Internet and the introduction of new, promising 5G technology. Development of electronic trust services. The agenda of Ukraine and the EU contains concluding a bilateral agreement on mutual recognition of electronic trust services," the PM noted.

According to him, the maximum governance efficiency is one of the government's priority goals.

Shmyhal emphasized that the development of the public administration system in Ukraine is taking place in line with the European principles of public administration developed by the OECD/SIGMA program.

He added that corporate reform is vital for those companies that cannot be privatized and remain in state ownership.

Shmyhal noted that Ukraine appreciates cooperation with international partners and added that the expansion and deepening of relations is the best guarantee that the course taken by Ukraine towards building a modern European state is achievable.

ish
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 22:18:12|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Wednesday that China will continue providing as much support as possible for Nepal's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that he believes the Nepali people will surely win the final victory over the virus.

Xi made the remarks in a telephone conversation with Nepali President Bidhya Devi Bhandari.

Since the onset of the pandemic, China and Nepal have firmly supported each other in fighting against the coronavirus disease, and carried out in-depth anti-epidemic cooperation, which has highlighted the spirit of sticking together through thick and thin, Xi said.

Noting that South Asia is undergoing a new wave of infections and Nepal is facing severe challenges, Xi said the Chinese central and local governments as well as non-governmental organizations were among the first to take actions, offering much-needed medical supplies and equipment as well as vaccines to Nepal, and sharing with the Nepali side experience in epidemic prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment.

Recalling that he and Bhandari jointly announced the new height of Mount Qomolangma in December last year, Xi stressed that China attaches great importance to the development of China-Nepal relations, and is willing to share China's development opportunities with Nepal.

He called for concerted efforts to accelerate Belt and Road cooperation, steadily advance the building of the trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network, and continuously lift the two countries' strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity to higher levels.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations, Xi stressed, adding that China will not forget Nepal's valuable support.

China will, as always, support Nepal in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, respect the Nepali people's independent choice of development path, and support Nepal's economic and social development, Xi said.

China is willing to work with Nepal to intensify coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks, firmly uphold multilateralism, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries, he added. Enditem
Belarusian airline Belavia has decided to cancel flights to and from a number of Ukrainian cities, as well as Riga (Latvia) and Stockholm (Sweden), according to a statement posted on the company's website.

"Due to the Ukrainian authorities' ban on Belavia flights, the airline is forced to cancel flights to/from Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa and Kharkiv from May 26 to August 25, 2021 (updated). On May 25, night flights B2 847 to Kyiv (departing at 22:40) and B2 833 to Odesa (departing at 23:40) will also be canceled," the statement reads.

In addition, the airline canceled all flights to and from Riga, scheduled from May 26, 2021 to June 25, 2021.

According to the statement, all flights to and from Stockholm have been canceled from May 26, 2021 to October 30, 2021.

Earlier, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine decided at an extraordinary meeting that Ukraine would suspend air travel with Belarus from 00:00 on May 26.

On May 23, Belarusian security forces detained the founder of the Telegram channel Nexta, Roman Protasevich, after they forced the Ryanair plane he was traveling on from Athens to Vilnius to land in Minsk.

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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Vasyl Bodnar and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for European Issues of the Czech Republic Ales Chmelar opened the Ukrainian-Czech Forum of Experts.

This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

Together with Ales Chmelar, we opened the Ukrainian-Czech Forum of Experts, an important tool for dialogue at the level of civil society. Our countries are united by a strong society, which is the driving force behind democratic transformations, which is confirmed by the Velvet Revolution in the Czech Republic and the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine," Bodnar said.

For his part, Chmelar thanked Ukraine for its solidarity during the recent Czech-Russian crisis and assured of the Czech Republic's continued support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, the European and Euro-Atlantic course of our state.

The diplomats agreed that the Forums activities contribute to the formation of new ideas for the development of cooperation between Ukraine and the Czech Republic in political, security, trade and other areas of mutual interest.

The Ukrainian-Czech Forum of Experts operates on the basis of a memorandum between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Czech Republic, signed on May 3, 2019.

As Ukrinform reported, on Tuesday, May 25, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Taras Kachka said that Ukrainian business seeks to deepen ties with Czech companies in industry and other sectors of the economy.

ish
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal assures that the sustainable recovery of Ukraine's economy will begin in the second quarter of this year.

He said this at a government meeting on May 26, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"The export of Ukrainian products in the first four months of this year increased by almost 20%, that is, by USD 3 billion more than last year ... Increased positive dynamics of economic recovery is observed in the financial activities of medium and large companies. In the first quarter of this year, we record that the financial results of such companies are one of the best over the past five years; and in the second quarter of this year we will enter a stable trend of economic recovery," Shmyhal said.

He added that recently eight new markets have opened for Ukrainian exporters, in particular, countries in Africa and South America. The PM also stressed that support for exporters is yielding results and will be strengthened, in particular through the Export Credit Agency.

As reported, in January-March 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, imports of goods increased by 11.0%, to USD 15.02 billion, while exports grew by 12.0%, to USD 13.71 billion.

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U.S. President Joe Biden plans to discuss the issue of Ukraine at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Geneva, underscoring U.S. support for Ukraine.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said this at a press briefing in Washington on Tuesday, May 25, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"The President will also raise Ukraine, underscoring America's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. And he will also plan to raise Belarus and convey our grave concerns," Psaki said.

She also noted that in general, the two countries' leaders will have a broad discussion about strategic security issues in the world, as well as other aspects where the parties have their interests.

"We expect they will spend a fair amount of time on strategic stability, where the arms control agenda goes following the extension of New START. Obviously, we're both members of the P5+1 [a group of nations working together on the Iran Nuclear Deal], as well, as those negotiations are ongoing," Psaki said.

She stressed that the scheduled meeting was three weeks away, so there could be a range of issues that could be discussed during the summit.

At the same time, Psaki said that Washington "doesn't regard the meeting with the Russian President as a reward; we regard it as a vital part of defending America's interests." In this context, Psaki noted that this is how diplomacy works. "We don't meet with people only when we agree. It's actually important to meet with leaders when we have a range of disagreements, as we do with Russian leaders," she said.

The White House officially confirmed on May 25 that Biden intended to meet with Putin in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 16.

Photo: The New York Times
An offsite court session has begun at the air base in Gilze-Rijen in the Netherlands within the framework of MH17 trial. All the wreckage collected at the site of the tragedy, as well as the reconstruction of the MH17, are stored at the air base.

According to an Ukrinform correspondent in The Hague, judges and journalists work in a small tent camp built near the hangar with the reconstruction.

Before inspecting the wreckage, presiding judge Hendrik Steenhuis said that the court would see the reconstruction of MH17 for the first time.

During the court hearing on May 21, 2021, the prosecution asked to inspect the right and left parts of the planes cockpit to compare the damage. According to Dutch and Belgian experts, the surface-to-air missile hit the left side of the plane. Lawyers of one of the suspects, Oleg Pulatov, asked to provide them with a written version of the court-approved procedure for reviewing the reconstruction of the aircraft.

The court informed that it had re-interviewed experts of Russian concern Almaz-Antey, Dutch and Belgian experts. It was a joint interrogation conducted by experts.

The District Court of The Hague will start consideration on the merits of the case over the downing of Flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine on June 7, 2021.

In March 2020, the District Court of The Hague began the consideration of the case of the downing of Flight MH17 in the sky over Donbas.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over occupied area of Donetsk region on July 17, 2014. There were 283 passengers and 15 crew members on board. All of them died. The international Joint Investigation Team reported that the plane had been shot down from a Buk missile system that belongs to the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces stationed in Kursk.

On June 19, 2019, the JIT named four suspects believed to be involved in the transportation and combat use of the Buk missile system, from which MH17 flight had been downed. Three of them are Russians: Igor Girkin (Strelkov), former colonel in Russia's FSB intelligence service and former so-called defense minister of the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic"; Sergey Dubinskiy, general (at the time of downing  colonel) of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces and head of the so-called "Main Intelligence Directorate of the Donetsk Peoples Republic"; Oleg Pulatov, lieutenant colonel of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. The fourth suspect is Leonid Kharchenko, a Ukrainian civilian, who fought on the side of the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic.

The interests of Pulatov, who has expressed a desire to join the trial, are represented by lawyers for the Dutch law firm Sjocrona Van Stigt.

Photo credit: Iryna Drabok

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Some 109 Ukrainians, 13 Moldovans and four Bulgarians have been evacuated from the Gaza Strip, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said.

"Gaza Strip. We've successfully evacuated 109 Ukrainian, 13 Moldovan, 4 Bulgarian citizens. They are already safe in Cairo and will fly to Kyiv soon," he wrote on his Twitter account on Wednesday, May 26.

Kuleba added that Ukraine and Egypt had made enormous efforts to ensure a safe corridor and that the operation had been postponed twice.

"Ukraine is among the first to successfully complete an international humanitarian mission by evacuating citizens of three countries from Gaza. We never abandon our citizens & we help partners," he said.

Kuleba thanked the Egyptian side and the entire Ukrainian diplomatic team for successful cooperation.

According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, about 140 Ukrainians had expressed a desire to leave the Gaza Strip.

Israeli security forces and Palestinians clashed on May 7 near the Temple Mount and in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in eastern Israel. After the prayer on the Temple Mount, the worshippers started hurling stones at the police. The latter responded with rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas.

Hamas militants, who control the Gaza Strip, fired rockets at Israel. The Israeli Air Force responded with air strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip.

The WHO estimates that 222 people have been killed and 6,046 have been injured in the Gaza Strip.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire on May 20.

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The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) has addressed NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the 2021 NATO Summit to be held at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on June 14, and called on the Alliance to accelerate work on a NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP) for Ukraine.

This was said in a statement posted on the UWC website.

Taking into account the Bucharest Nine states call for enhanced NATO presence in Eastern Europe and greater security in the Black Sea region, UWC President Paul Grod called on the Secretary General and NATO to reaffirm support for Ukraines and Georgias Euro-Atlantic aspirations and to accelerate work on a NATO Membership Action Plan for Ukraine.

A clear message of support for Ukraines MAP will serve to deter further Russian aggression. Furthermore, it will reaffirm NATOs commitment to Ukraines independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and Euro-Atlantic choice of the Ukrainian people as enshrined in Ukraines Constitution, reads the statement.

At the same time, on behalf of the UWC and the global Ukrainian community, Paul Grod thanked Mr. Stoltenberg for standing firm with Ukraine in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also stressed that the recent unprecedented escalation of Russian aggression at Ukraines borders, as well as acts of aggression carried out by Russian agents in NATO member states, such as Czech Republic and Bulgaria, have clearly indicated that Russia had become an imminent threat to Europe and to all NATO member states.

Earlier, the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) and the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) asked Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson to provide representation to Ukraine at the 2021 G7 Summit.

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The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy discussed the strengthening of Ukrainian-Danish relations in the field of culture.

We have just held a zoom meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Denmark to Ukraine Ole Egberg Mikkelsen. We had a positive and interesting conversation about strengthening Ukrainian-Danish relations in the field of culture. In particular, we discussed opportunities for cooperation, such as the organization of Ukrainian exhibitions in Denmark and the organization of Danish exhibitions in our country. Currently, a historical exhibition entitled Rus  the Vikings in the East is being prepared at the Moesgaard Museum. I wish a successful implementation of the exhibition project by the National Museum of the History of Ukraine and the Moesgaard Museum," Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine Oleksandr Tkachenko posted on Facebook on May 25.

The parties also touched upon the temporary presentation of cultural artifacts related to the history of Ukraine for the exhibition dedicated to the 30th anniversary of independence. According to him, Ukraine will receive the original Constitution of Pylyp Orlyk from Sweden, so the Ministry is waiting for possible proposals from the Danish side.

The officials also discussed issues of establishing cooperation with Danish researchers to study the heritage.

"I thank Ole Egberg Mikkelsen for his initiative and I hope that the next joint meeting will be held offline," Tkachenko added.

As reported, Sweden will give Ukraine the original Latin-language version of the 1710 Constitution of Pylyp Orlyk for the temporary exhibition dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

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The fourth batch of the CoronaVac vaccine produced by Chinese company Sinovac Biotech will arrive in Ukraine on May 26, the press service of the Lekhim group of pharmaceutical companies has told Ukrinform.

"The Lekhim group of companies, which is the official and exclusive supplier of the vaccine produced by Sinovac Biotech in Ukraine, will deliver the fourth batch (500,000 doses) of the CoronaVac vaccine on May 26 for the prevention of COVID-19 in Ukraine," the report reads.

The plane with the batch of vaccines is to land at Boryspil International Airport at 8:15 p.m. The company notes that this will be the penultimate batch of the CoronaVac vaccine delivered to Ukraine under a government contract.

As reported, on May 26, the first batch of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, purchased at the public expense, was delivered to Ukraine. In particular, 117,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine were delivered to Kyiv. The batch consists of 167,000 doses; 50,000 are expected to arrive by the end of the week. The purchase of the vaccine was made at the public expense through the Crown Agents.

The COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Ukraine began on February 24, 2021.

According to the Ministry of Health, Ukraine has reached an agreement on the supply of 42 million doses of coronavirus vaccines from different manufacturers by the end of 2021. The delivery will be carried out through direct contracts and the global COVAX Facility.

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| By Laura Lee

On a cloudless May morning, Paapa Nyanin, MD 21, strikes a commanding pose in his green-and-black University of Maryland School of Medicine regalia. He is recently hooded, with a custom-made stole designed by his Ghanaian father cascading down the front of his gown featuring an embroidered fern, an Ankaran symbol representing endurance.

Paapa Nyanin, MD 21, takes a selfie with classmates after the University of Maryland School of Medicine hooding ceremony.

During a year that tested the endurance of the entire Class of 2021, graduates proved their mettle by displaying courage and resilience in the face of unprecedented obstacles. The past year definitely had its fair share trials and tribulations, said Nyanin, who spent a large portion of his final year of medical school concerned not only about his own health, but also the health of his patients, family, and friends due to a global pandemic.

With every difficulty, theres always a silver lining at the end, Nyanin said as he motioned around the lawn outside Davidge Hall dotted with smiling, recently hooded graduates. The carefully organized outdoor ceremony served as a way for graduates and faculty to participate in the sacred academic ritual while following University and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 safety guidelines.

This moment is the culmination of all the stress and all of the work, added Nyanin, who is headed to the University of Pennsylvania for a residency in family medicine. Even in the weirdest time possible, you get to the other side and graduate.

After careful consideration and meticulous planning, several University of Maryland, Baltimore schools conducted small, in-person graduation ceremonies in addition to virtual celebrations.

At the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD), Paula Green and her husband watched a livestream of their daughter Annes hooding ceremony from their parked car. I watched her graduate on my phone, which was nice, but its not the same as being there, Green said.

The UMSOD graduation ceremony took place inside the school with 15 students receiving their degrees at a time  no guests permitted. As Anne emerged from the building in her black gown and purple hood, she was greeted with a long embrace from both parents.

Green recalled the difficult conversations she had with her daughter throughout a trying year.

It was really tough under those circumstances. They had to wear N-95 masks all day, and maybe they couldnt get into the clinic. So many of them were worried about their credits and their eligibility to graduate. And now, here we are at this beautiful day, she said, beaming at Anne, who is heading to Long Island, N.Y., for a residency in pediatric dentistry.

Donald B. Tobin, JD, dean of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, credits students resilience for helping them navigate the challenges posed by COVID-19 and remote learning. As part of the schools celebration, students took photos with Tobin in their regalia and participated in a virtual ceremony that will be followed up by an in-person event in August.

I feel for them, Tobin said, Theyre not getting the graduation experience that people look forward to, but theyre also starting a whole new chapter, one that hopefully isnt filled with COVID restrictions.

Edward Healy, JD 21, president of the 2021 Evening Program class, said despite feeling a lack of closure, its still an exhilarating time.

When we left for the pandemic, we didnt know it could actually be the last time we saw some people, he said. While Healy is grateful for the May 21 virtual ceremony for which he was a speaker, he looks forward to returning in August for the in-person event.

The past year has been particularly hard for University of Maryland School of Social Work graduate Rosalene Allen, MSW 21, who lost her brother and father to COVID-19. As she stood among happy graduates after an outdoor ceremony in front of the School of Social Work, she was filled with emotion. This has been an up-and-down year for me, she said, her voice cracking.

Allen is 64 years old, and receiving her masters in social work is the culmination of a 10-year journey, so the physically distanced ceremony was the epitome of triumph over tragedy. Im so grateful for the opportunity to do this at my age. This is a new lease on life, she said.

Carolyn Walker said she was ecstatic when she found out she would be able to see her daughter Cari Bland, MSW 21, receive her School of Social Work diploma in person. Even though families were situated across the street from the hooding due to physical distancing restrictions, Walker was thrilled with the arrangement and had words of encouragement for all.

I just want to say congratulations to all the graduates, Walker said. I know it's been a tough year for everyone, but it was all worth it and led up to this amazing day.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 22:47:40|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Wednesday that China is willing to work with Montenegro to carry forward their friendship, consolidate political mutual trust, and to promote the continuous development of bilateral relations.

During a phone conversation with Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic, Xi said China stands ready to continuously deepen practical cooperation with Montenegro in various fields such as infrastructure construction, so as to better benefit the people of the two countries.

Xi pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Montenegro, the two countries have always maintained high-level political mutual trust, and supported each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns.

Driven by such mechanisms as Belt and Road cooperation as well as cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs), China and Montenegro have achieved outstanding results in cooperation in such key areas as transportation infrastructure construction and energy, he noted.

Xi said that since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries have been supporting each other, and carrying out sound cooperation in such fields as pandemic prevention and control as well as production resumption.

China is willing to continue to provide as much assistance as its capacity allows for Montenegro's fight against the pandemic, and promote the building of a global community of health for all, Xi said.

Noting that the world is facing changes unseen in a century and a once-in-a-century pandemic, Xi said the two sides should maintain close coordination on multilateral affairs, jointly safeguard international equity and justice, and commit themselves to building a community with a share future for mankind.

Xi recalled that during the recent China-CEEC summit, he reached broad consensuses with Djukanovic and other participating leaders, and they made important plans for the development of the cooperation mechanism.

Noting that this year is the China-CEEC Year of Green Development and Environmental Protection, Xi said that China supports Montenegro in playing a positive role as the lead country of the China-CEEC environmental protection cooperation mechanism.

China stands ready to work with Montenegro to implement the consensuses and achievements of the summit and continuously consolidate and develop China-CEEC cooperation, he added. Enditem
Women from the Venezuelan indigenous Warao refugee community produce handcrafts in Manaus, north-west Brazil.  UNHCR/Felipe Irnaldo

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and HelpAge International warned today that the COVID-19 pandemic is putting older people on the move across Latin America at risk, damaging their wellbeing and limiting their access to vital rights and services.

A joint assessment in Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras and Peru has revealed that the pandemic is exacerbating pre-existing threats to the physical and mental health, nutrition, financial autonomy and legal status of older refugees and others on the move. Half of those interviewed described having experienced discrimination while a worrying number described incidents of abuse.

Older persons in forced displacement have long encountered neglect and insufficient protection. Their full inclusion in national responses to the pandemic, including in COVID-19 vaccination plans, is key in order to safeguard their dignity and rights, said Jose Samaniego, Director of UNHCRs Regional Bureau for the Americas.

Most of the older people surveyed reported limited access to health care during the pandemic. Forty-two per cent were not receiving treatment for prior health conditions and 6 per cent of those infected with COVID-19 reported not receiving adequate medical care.

The pandemic has led to a decrease in the daily contact displaced older people had with their families, from 39 to 26 per cent. It has also limited community activities and opportunities for recreation and participation, significantly aggravating their feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Access to food for older people on the move had also worsened in all countries assessed. Already prior to the pandemic, one in four were having to skip meals. With the advent of COVID-19, 41 per cent had to further reduce their food intake.

Some 64 per cent of older people interviewed had no monthly income before the pandemic. Of those who did have an income, 62 per cent felt it was not enough to meet their basic needs. But COVID-19 further compounded their economic situation, leaving many more without employment. In Honduras and El Salvador, a third of those surveyed reported that they had lost their jobs. In countries in the Andean region, nearly half had lost jobs.

Besides increased humanitarian support, older displaced people need greater livelihoods opportunities, to become financially independent, added Samaniego.

Despite their increased vulnerability, many of those interviewed still had to act as breadwinners for their households as well as caring for other family members, such as children and adolescents (60 per cent), and people with disabilities (5 per cent). Meanwhile, housing conditions also worsened for one fifth of those interviewed, as they were unable to pay rent. Five per cent of the surveys respondents had been evicted during the pandemic.

In addition, the pandemic has heightened the challenges older people on the move face obtaining documentation. In the Andean region, almost a quarter have irregular status, increasing their marginalization. This figure rises to 32 per cent among older displaced people with disabilities.

Aging and human mobility are global trends, whose intersectionality manifests itself in poverty and exclusion, while older people are treated as if they are invisible. Governments and the international community must do everything they can to enable older people on the move to live in dignity. Urgent change is needed, said Marcela Bustamante, HelpAge Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The report A claim to dignity: Ageing on the move can be read here: https://ageingonthemove.org/

For further information, please contact:

UNHCR

In Panama, William Spindler, [email protected] , +507 6382 7815

, +507 6382 7815 In Panama, Olga Sarrado, [email protected] , +507 6640 0185

, +507 6640 0185 In Geneva, Aikaterini Kitidi, [email protected] , +41 79 580 8334

HelpAge International
Russia is pursuing the "hot" phase of its war on the territory of Ukraine, also waging a hybrid one. Shortly after pretending to withdraw troops earlier deployed along Ukraine borders "for drills", Russia decided to block the Sea of Azov for navigation for six months, until the end of October, launching yet another "exercise." How massive is the damage done to Ukraine and can these moves be dealt with?

Mariupol is the largest Ukrainian city on the Azov littoral, home to almost 450,000 people, some of whom are openly pro-Russian. It was they who back in 2014 would try to block Ukrainian Army convoys from entering the city. However, the region was lucky not to become one of the sham "republics"  the "rebels" were nipped in the bud. Back then, Ukrainian military literally flew into the city at the last moment Now it is quiet there and people walk the streets without fear. But the hostilities never stopped in the nearby areas. And the threat to the city is not only about the fact that Russian shells are exploding in the immediate vicinity, but also about the way Russia is acting in the Kerch Strait, on which, to a large extent, the region's economic calm depends.

"The projectile hit the attic"

About nine kilometers from Mariupol there is another world. Vodiane is a front-line village, where the contrast with Mariupol is evident. Just yesterday our positions nearby were massively shelled. "Attacks are very often. We are in a place where there's a lot of fighting," Ivan, a Ukrainian serviceman, told the Hroshi project.

There are almost no people left in the village. Now-abandoned houses are completely destroyed in shellings. All over the village fresh funnels are seen from shell bursts. The backyard gates are badly penetrated by shrapnel. But despite the fact that Vodiane, in fact, is on the front line, eight people still live here. Some even haven't given up on small farming and breeding goats. Life somehow goes on

Journalists pass by the house where the attic was hit by a mine the other night. The projectile miraculously failed to detonate, so the house survived. By the way, it was a 120 mm mine, proscribed by the Minsk Agreements, of which no one recalls here.

Soldier Ivan tells reporters how the man came to them and said he had unexploded ordnance in his home. "So we took it out and brought it here. Now we're waiting for the sappers to arrive."

He shows another house where a shell hit the ground just meters away. "Here in the village, such hits are frequent. But the locals aren't fleeing  they have nowhere to go," Ivan says.

In the afternoon hours, more than once mines could be heard exploding nearby. "Even now, in broad daylight, you heard the sound, it was two fresh incoming shells. They're shelling us. Moreover, it's mostly non-aimed shellings, because they are shooting at a settlement that has no strategic weight, there are no military here," Stanislav, another Ukraionian soldier, told Hroshi.

Local residents no longer react to shell blasts. In the eighth year, they hear the war at their doorstep. They even joke: the main thing is that the projectile does not fly into the attic, like a neighbor.

"The neighbor got up to the second floor, where he saw a huge shell," a resident of Vodiane, Halyna, told Hroshi. "Then we all laughed, telling him: 'Serhiy, you will soon wake up hugging a shell. It will fly in and you won't even feel it'." Of course, amid shelling, it's rather scary. But we've grown used to it. We no longer hide in basements. We just hope we don't get killed."

They may stay lucky and alive, but Russia will still try to suppress the region as much as possible, journalists say. Although Russia's defense chief Russia announced the withdrawal of troops, claiming the completion of drills, the war here was before, it's there now, and it seems to remain there.

The military at the positions near Vodiane joke with each other: okay, they might have pulled back their forces, but forgot to withdraw heavy military hardware. "Another staged effort for the world," Ukrainian soldiers are convinced. Incidentally, after the withdrawal of Russian troops, soldiers saw in the occupied Donbas fifteen brand new Russian armored Osavul UAZs. Besides, even after the exercises are over, there are still about 80,000 Russian servicemen deployed near the Ukrainian borders.

"Indeed, we are seeing the withdrawal of certain military hardware to previously designated positions. But what is this hardware? First of all, it's transport vehicles for carrying soldiers, as well as fuel trucks. That is, this hardware plays no significant role in hostilities. We're seeing no large-scale pullback of weapons, including tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled artillery units," military columnist Oleksandr Kovalenko told Hroshi.

Threat of economic blockade

Unfortunately, fears in Mariupol and surrounding areas are not only about an full-blown invasion. Now Russia could also apply economic blockade. Under the pretext of new exercises, the Russians have blocked the Kerch Strait for six months, until October 31!

"We consider such actions a gross violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantees freedom of navigation and the right of free passage through the International Strait, which the Kerch Strait is," said Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Yevhen Yenin.

Experts warn it's just the beginning. After all, these pseudo-exercises could go on indefinitely. "What prevents Russia from launching new exercises in September and block some fairways or areas of the Kerch Strait?" Kovalenko asks a rhetorical question.

Maritime trade beings one of the major revenues both to the city budget and to local residents. Mariupol commercial port, as well as the port in Berdiansk, are obviously completely dependent on the Kerch Strait connecting the Sea of Azov with the Black Sea. And while in November 2018 Russia resorted to outright piracy and attack on Ukrainian Navy artillery boats and a tug, this time the closure of the Kerch Strait "for warships" could turn into a complete economic blockade. After all, the Russians have earlier already blocked navigation to Ukrainian ports for merchant ships.

"Let me remind you that in 2018, the Russians stopped about two hundred ships flying different flags, that is, belonging to various countries, thus causing economic losses, delays, and so on," says Yenin.

"After the occupation of Crimea and the Kerch Strait, it was not navigation that shrank, it was exports. Mariupol port is an export-oriented port. The main cargo base was Donetsk and Luhansk regions. As long as they were also occupied, freight traffic decreased. And if there are no cargoes, there is no fleet," says Ihor Barsky, chief of the Mariupol commercial port.

Although the blockade was eventually lifted then, the very existence of the Kerch Strait Bridge connecting the occupied Crimea with mainland Russia significantly reduces trade turnover in Ukrainian ports.

"The Kerch bridge is an obstacle to international navigation, as its height is only 35 meters," Yenin says, adding that such types of ships as Panamax or Handimax, are limited in their ability to transit through the Kerch Strait.

"This has a significant impact on traffic to Ukrainian ports," says Yenin.

While access to the Sea of Azov turns out to be closed for Panamax-type vessels, Russian warships regularly sail into Ukrainian waters without permission.

"Now near the port of Mariupol, some seven nautical miles away there's a ship of the Russian FSB's Coast Guard. The situation is the same off the coast of Berdiansk. Sometimes they leave more warships there, as it was just three days ago - there were five of them in the area," says Roman Honcharenko, a Ukrainian Navy official.

Ukrainian crews regularly confront the Russians at sea, demanding that the latter move away from our shores. Instead, the Russians don't allow Ukrainian armored boats into the Kerch Strait at all. They also often come up with trumped-up pretexts to justify the blockage of the strait.

"This is a violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. For example, there were cases where they said a mine dating back to WW2 era was found in the Kerch Strait, but no navigation alert was issued," says Roman Honcharenko.

With constant incomprehensible maneuvers and lies, the Russians ignore the law of the sea. The Kerch Strait Bridge as such has reduced trade in Mariupol ports by almost 67%. Manufacturers had to change logistic channels. For example, it is cheaper to transport cargo by a large Panamax ship, but now it is possible only through the Black Sea ports, because the ship can't fit under the bridge.

"Accordingly, it affected the geography of Mariupol port's operations. Now it is the Mediterranean, Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, but with lower tonnage. This trend began in 2014 and continued until 2018. In 2018, the port reached its low  when 5,200,000 tonnes was transshipped against 15 million in 2014," says port chief Ihor Barsky.

With long and detailed inspection of the ships, Russians are still allowing the crossing of merchant ships through the Kerch Strait. However, analysts warn that Russia may launch a blockade in order to provoke aggression by local population against Ukrainian authorities.

"The economic factor plays an important role. As for Ukraine, the whole region may lose the main source of budget revenues. This is a very important destabilizing factor. In particular, it allows the enemy to agitate parts of the population dissatisfied with such developments. Moreover, Mariupol is located in the immediate vicinity to the areas of ongoing hostilities, which escalated recently," said military observer Kovalenko.

Against the background of saber-rattling and Russia's potential blackmail through the blocking of the Kerch Strait, this economic blockade of the region and its ports will primarily affect local jobs. In the port of Mariupol no job cuts are being observed so far. According to the port head, Ihor Barsky, despite the reduction of cargo traffic, workers were not sacked because the administration adopted a special strategy to stabilize the port. But how long will it last?

In addition to financial losses for the budget, the blockade could deal a significant blow to the political situation in the region. Hroshi has asked locals about their attitude to the events that had unfolded in the city. For example, when the Russian proxies shelled a civilian neighborhood from their Grad MLR systems. Then 31 people died, including children, while another 117 were injured.

Thus, a resident of the Vostok district in Mariupol says that he woke up from the sound of incoming shells exploding (this happened over the weekend). And when asked who fired them, he answered: "Well, it's the enemy, militants, invaders."

On the other hand, another local resident, Volodymyr, says of the same events: "I didn't see for myself who fired there." And to the question: "Have you made any conclusions in seven years, he answers:" I have. It's Ukrainians who fired. "

Will Russia dare block the Kerch Strait once again despite the threat of new sanctions? No one knows. Also, it remains unclear how much Ukraine actually lost throughout the blockade of the Strait by the Russians in 2018. But by the end of this month, the Foreign Ministry promises to submit to international arbitration a memorandum, where all the facts and damage calculation would be laid down.

Andrii Stelmakh

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The prime minister says there were almost 1,200 sources of ionizing radiation in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has warned there is a risk of radiation-contaminated water entering the Sea of Azov.

The prime minister told the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry about this during a video call while discussing energy security, as well as cooperation in the field of renewable energy and the green transition, as reported by the government's portal.

In particular, Shmyhal and Kerry touched on energy security. The prime minister noted that dozens of coal mines had already been closed in the temporarily occupied territories in Ukraine without abiding by environmental procedures, which threatens the region's security.

Shmyhal stressed that at some facilities, there is a risk of radiation-contaminated water entering the drinking water horizons and through the river system into the Sea of Azov.

Read alsoDonbas on verge of environmental disaster over toxic groundwaters in abandoned mines"IAEA [the International Atomic Energy Agency] experts need to be sent to inspect that area. The organization of such an observation mission is a contribution to the security of the region. After all, there were almost 1,200 sources of ionizing radiation in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions," Shmyhal said.

Meanwhile, the prime minister said, there is an area in Ukraine's eastern part to create a new economy based on climate neutrality.

"That area is rich in raw materials, there are qualified personnel there. A cluster of modern production facilities may be created there. The government is currently developing a strategy aimed at creating special incentives for investors," the prime minister stressed, adding that U.S. participation in such projects could set an example for the world.

Also, Shmyhal noted the importance of strategic cooperation between Ukraine and the United States and expressed the hope that it would also include cooperation in curbing climate change.

"Ukraine has a responsible approach to the declaration of its climate goal. As part of the development of Ukraine's Second Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement, the ministries, businesses and the public engage in active discussions, as we are striving to make a commitment that is ambitious but realistic and achievable," he said.

According to Shmyhal, achieving climate neutrality requires simultaneous projects in infrastructure, education, landscaping, waste management, etc. He added that Ukraine is ready to work with the United States on various projects related to climate change and the development of a green economy based on new technologies.

Ukraine's plans to preserve environment

In April, the Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources presented a draft of Ukraine's Second Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement, which defines the relevant goals. The document provides for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Ukraine by 65% by 2030 against 1990.

The number of coal-fired power stations should also be reduced, while coal mines should be closed. In addition, the document provides for an increase in heat production using biofuels by 30%.

Translation: Kanaryan Lyudmila
The farmland market is to be launched from July 1, 2021.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has enacted a law on deregulation of land relations.

He signed respective bill No. 2194 into law at the Ukraine 30. Land Forum.

The president says this is a bill that is key to the farmland market, as it is designed to launch it from July 1, 2021.

According to Zelensky, bill No. 2194, which is called the Land Constitution, fundamentally changes the land management of Ukraine.

"This is a law which deprives a cabinet official of the function of registering the right to land, which he has never even seen in his life. Which finally returns to communities the right to dispose of their land. A law that clearly states that only Ukrainians can buy and sell land. The law, which I am happy to sign here and now," Zelensky said.

Farmland market launch in Ukraine

On November 14, 2019, a bill on the lease and sale of state-owned and municipal land via e-auctions (No. 2195) passed its first reading in parliament.

Ukrainian agribusinesses urged lawmakers to back that bill.

On April 28, 2021, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a comprehensive bill on deregulation in the field of land relations.

Bill No. 2194 provides for the transfer of state-owned land outside villages and towns (except for land that the state needs to perform its functions) into municipal ownership of village and town councils or territorial communities. The latter are also empowered to change the designated purpose of privately owned plots of land.

In addition, it is proposed that the powers of the State Service for Geodesy, Cartography, and Cadastre were revised.

On April 28, 2020, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a bill on amendments into law to launch the farmland market in Ukraine from July 1, 2021.

The law foresees gradual land reform: from July 1, 2021, citizens of Ukraine will be able to buy farmland plots capped at 100 hectares. At the second stage, i.e. from January 1, 2024, the cap will be raised to 10,000 hectares, while legal entities will also be allowed to acquire land plots.

On May 13, 2021, it was reported the Constitutional Court of Ukraine on June 3, 2021, would start considering a motion filed by a number of lawmakers challenging the law on farmland turnover.

On May 18, 2021, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a draft law on the sale of land under new rules.

On May 19, 2021, lawmakers managed to unblock the signing of the law on deregulation of land relations.

Translation: Akulenko Olena
Gazprom snubs Ukraine's offer to transmit more gas to Europe via its GTS

Russia's gas giant did not take part in the latest auction for additional transit capacities.

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Naftogaz changes team countering Nord Stream 2 launch

Its former members quit over the recent change of CEO.

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Biden explains why U.S. not to impose sanctions on Nord Stream 2

The U.S. leader says it is now counter-productive from the point of view of U.S. relations with European countries.

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A decline in deaths due to COVID-19 in India also bolstered expectations that oil demand could rise in coming weeks.

Oil prices rose more than 3% on Monday as a demand bump fueled by COVID-19 vaccination drives gave traders optimism that the market can absorb any Iranian oil that would come on the market if Western talks with Tehran lead to the lifting of sanctions.

A decline in deaths due to COVID-19 in India also bolstered expectations that oil demand could rise in coming weeks, as reported by Reuters.

Read alsoGOP senators introduce bill to reimpose waived Nord Stream 2 sanctions  mediaBrent crude oil futures settled up $2.02, or 3%, at $68.46 a barrel, while July U.S. West Texas Intermediate ended at $66.05 a barrel, up $2.47, or 3.9%.

Prices also got a boost on expectations that a new deal with Iran is less likely than it was last week, said Bob Yawger, director of Energy Futures at Mizuho in New York.

Iran and the U.N. nuclear watchdog are extending a recently expired monitoring agreement by a month, both sides said on Monday, avoiding a collapse that could have pitched wider talks on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal into crisis.

More news reports

Reporting by UNIAN
The online publication was founded by Ukrainian journalist Georgiy Gongadze in 2000.

CEO of Dragon Capital Tomas Fiala has become the new owner of the Ukrayinska Pravda online newspaper.

This was announced by Dragon Capital on May 26, 2021.

Read alsoAkhmetov tops Forbes' ranking of wealthiest Ukrainians

"Olena Prytula, the founding editor of online media Ukrayinska Pravda (UP), and Tomas Fiala, the CEO of Dragon Capital, announced today an agreement under which a 100% stake in the publication and related assets will be transferred to the Dragon Capital group of companies," the announcement said.

The parties also agreed that the editorial policy of Ukrayinska Pravda and its operational principles will remain unchanged.

The Ukrayinska Pravda team, led by Editor-in-Chief Sevgil Musaieva, will continue their work in close cooperation with Olena Prytula, who will continue in her role as founding editor.

Dragon Capital says it sees this investment as another step towards supporting free media and freedom of speech in Ukraine, being also confident that digital media have great prospects as a business and their popularity will keep growing in the coming years.

Fiala, in turn, stresses that his company will maintain the practice of non-interference by the owner into Ukrayinska Pravda's editorial policy the same way as with its existing media project, NV.

About Dragon Capital

Dragon Capital was founded in 2000 and is one of the largest groups of companies in Ukraine that works in the field of direct investment and financial services, providing a full range of investment banking and brokerage services for corporate and private clients. Its CEO is Tomas Fiala.

About Ukrayinska Pravda

The Ukrayinska Pravda online newspaper was founded in 2000 by Ukrainian journalist Georgiy Gongadze jointly with Olena Prytula, who is its founding editor. Gongadze was killed in 2000.

Its incumbent Editor-in-Chief is Sevgil Musaieva.

Translation: Akulenko Olena
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 22:54:43|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The following are the updates on the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

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JAKARTA -- The COVID-19 cases in Indonesia rose by 5,034 within one day to 1,791,221, with the death toll adding by 144 to 49,771, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

According to the ministry, 3,189 more people were discharged from hospitals, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 1,645,263.

- - - -

ADDIS ABABA -- The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa has reached 4,777,300 as of Wednesday noon, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said.

The Africa CDC, the specialized healthcare agency of the 55-member African Union, said the death toll from the pandemic stands at 129,069 while 4,327,074 patients across the continent have recovered from the disease.

- - - -

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia on Wednesday reported highest daily spike of new confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths since the start of pandemic, the Health Ministry said.

As many as 7,478 new COVID-19 infections were reported, bringing the national total to 533,367, Health Ministry Director-General Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a press statement.

- - - -

MOSCOW -- Russia confirmed 8,373 new COVID-19 infections over the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally to 5,026,168, the official monitoring and response center said Wednesday.

The national COVID-19 death toll rose by 406 to 119,600 in the past day, while the number of recoveries grew by 9,135 to 4,642,090.

- - - -

SANTIAGO -- Chile on Tuesday began vaccinating people under the age of 30 as part of the country's mass inoculation campaign against COVID-19, which has immunized 50 percent of the target population so far.

According to the Ministry of Health, 15,200,840 people, or 80 percent of the country's total population, will be inoculated by June 30, including about 23 percent between 18 and 29 years old.

- - - -

HOUSTON -- Governor of the U.S. state of Louisiana John Bel Edwards on Tuesday announced the relaxation of the remaining COVID-19 rules.

According to the governor, such easing of restrictions will include an end to the statewide school mask mandate. Local school districts will still be allowed to set their own mask rules. Enditem
The Cabinet of Ministers determined what the electricity tariffs would be for the households for the next two months and replaced the CEO of the country's largest state-owned company, Naftogaz of Ukraine, while the Verkhovna Rada appointed Herman Halushchenko Minister of Energy  these are the key economic news of the outgoing week.

The last week of April was full of unexpected personnel reshuffles both in the government and in the country's largest state-owned company.

The week's main event, without exaggeration, was a lightning-speed decision by the Cabinet to dismiss Andriy Kobolyev, CEO of Naftogaz of Ukraine. Kobolyev had been managing the company for more than seven years.

The formal gronud for the decision was the a reported net loss of UAH 19 billion in 2020 against the profit target of over UAH 11 billion.

The dismissed Kobolyev said he would not "make a circus show", but at the same time, promised to challenge the government's move in court.

"I don't intend to make a circus show out of it and expose Naftogaz to attack. Now the team's main task is to maintain the dynamics of work that have been established in our country recently, and to ensure the development of production, retail business, and other strategic directions of the group," Kobolyev said.

By the same decree, the government appointed the former senior manager of the same company, Yuriy Vitrenko, as its new CEO, from April 29 for a period of one year. At the time of the appointment, Vitrenko was serving as acting energy minister.

At his first press conference for journalists on Friday, the new leader promised that he would make the company profitable by the end of this year.

Vitrenko also said he intended to create conditions for reducing gas prices for consumers by increasing the state holding's domestic production.

"We will create conditions for the market to have justifications for lower prices. This is an increase in our own gas production. A task will be set for Ukrgazvydobuvannya, which is responsible for own gas production. We will also be working to ensure that the whole chain starting from gas production was as accessible as possible for the Ukrainian consumer, so this will create a justification for lowering the price," he said.

According to the Naftogaz CEO, the company will resume pro-active legal pressure on Russia's Gazprom. The company intends to once again appeal to the Stockholm Arbitration to challenge some of the provisions of the transit contract with Russia, concluded at the end of 2019. However, he stopped short of specifying any details of the claim.

New head of energy ministry

Another important event in the last week of April was the appointment of a new Minister of Energy. For almost a year, the key ministry was headed only by "acting" chiefs.

The Verkhovna Rada, by a constitutional majority of votes, appointed Herman Halushchenko head of the Ministry of Energy. Halushchenko is a Ukrainian lawyer who at the time of his appointment worked as vice-president of the national nuclear energy generating company, Energoatom.

Speaking from the parliamentary rostrum, Halushchenko said he knowed ways to reduce gas and electricity tariffs for vulnerable strata through market means, not administrative ones.

An extremely relevant promise came against the backdrop of the announcement by Ukrainian gas suppliers of annual gas tariffs for the households. From May 1, all Ukrainians will be automatically transferred to fixed prices, which, depending on suppliers, range from UAH 7.88 to UAH 13.5 per cubic meter.

The new head of the energy ministry considers the issue of Ukraine's energy security and the path to joining the European energy system ENTSO-E as true challenges.

"Today, the domestic energy industry is in a very difficult situation. Huge debts, imbalances in the electricity market, incomplete integration of energy systems with those of the EU, high energy intensity of Ukrainian industrial enterprises, fluctuations of gas prices in winter, the shadow market of fuels and lubricants, and long-term problems of the coal industry," Halushchenko said, listing the existing issues.

"External threats in the energy sector also require extraordinary efforts of diplomacy, including in opposing Nord Stream 2, integrating the Ukrainian gas and electricity markets into those of the EU, and diversifying energy supplies," the minister added.

The national energy industry, which has long been without a full-fledged leader, has high expectations from the new minister. Only time will tell whether the official will cope with the tasks assigned.

Stable electricity tariffs

Another important event for the Ukrainian consumer in the outgoing week was the government's decision to extend the current electricity price for the households.

By the way, the current tariff at UAH 1.68 per kilowatt hour for household consumers stays stable due to the mechanism of special obligations operating in the electricity market.

"Today we will extend the mechanism of special obligations until June 30. The price for electricity for people remains unchanged, that is, UAH 1.68 per kilowatt hour," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said at a government meeting.

Without the adoption of the relevant resolution, from May 1, the price of electricity for the households would cease to be regulated by the Cabinet, which means that household consumers would have to buy energy at the market price  three times higher.

Another decision in favor of the consumer was the approval by the Verkhovna Rada of a preferential tariff for electricity for the population living in 30-kilometer zones around nuclear power plants.

According to the document, the government is advised, within 14 calendar days, to establish a preferential fixed price for electrical energy for household consumers who permanently reside in the 30-kilometer zone around nuclear power plants, at 70% of the current tariff.

Thus, the Cabinet will return the 30% discount on electricity, which has been canceled since the beginning of the year.

Among other important events for the national economy, we can also recall this week's successful issue by the finance ministry of eurobonds worth $1.25 billion at a rate of 6.875 percent per annum, maturing in 2029.

From May 1, Ukrainians will switch to new annual gas tariffs, and steady heat with periodic rains will come to the country.

The upcoming work week will only last three days before the country goes for another three-day weekend. Amid the weakening of quarantine restrictions in the capital and in other regions of the country, social activity will start reviving, but people must not let their guard down. Let's take care of ourselves and our loved ones.

Anna Bredikhina

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Ukraine and France have sealed commercial agreements worth EUR 1.3 billion, the Cabinet of Ministers has set up the Bureau of Economic Security, as well as introduced state regulation of petroleum and diesel prices  these are the key economic developments of the outgoing week.

Last week, a month since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Paris, a delegation headed by French Minister of Economy, Finance and Reconstruction Bruno Le Maire arrived in Kyiv.

The visit saw the signing of four strategic agreements worth EUR 1.3 billion, including a deal for the supply of 130 electric locomotives by Alstom for Ukraine's railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia, worth EUR 900 million, according to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

The second agreement lays down the supply of 370 rescue vehicles for the State Emergency Service, worth up to EUR 300 million, and the third is about the reconstruction of water supply networks in Kyiv, worth up to EUR 70 million, which is expected to improve tap water quality by 25%.

The fourth deal is about financial support for a project to allow quality water supplies to 20 settlements across Luhansk region, in the amount of EUR 70 million.

The head of the Ukrainian government stressed that all projects assume production localization at Ukrainian enterprises  starting at 30% and over, which will create thousands of new jobs.

Bruno Le Maire noted that the purpose of his visit is to expand economic cooperation between the two countries, also assuring that the French side is fully aware of the Ukrainian leadership's will to partly localize French companies' production in Ukraine.

He also said that France seeks to strengthen ties with Ukraine in utilities, energy, infrastructure and transport, as well as health care and agriculture.

End to unfounded raids

In another important step this week, the government founded the Bureau of Economic Security, a new central executive body set to deal with crimes in the economic sphere.

"This is one of the final steps towards eliminating the tax police. This is the end of the era of coercive pressure on businesses. This is the ultimate end to 'mask shows' [aggressive raids of commercial entities by law enforcers], this is about analytical approach to investigating financial and economic crimes," Prime Minister Shmyhal said, commenting on the adopted resolution, adding that the BES is" a new page in relations between government and businesses."

Now the servicing and law enforcing functions of the Tax Service shall be unbundled, tax police  eliminated, the structure of bodies fighting crime in the field of finance - optimized, and duplication of functions  prevented.

Within the SBU security service, the Department for Counterintelligence protection of Ukrainian economy shall be liquidated.

The Bureau shall be accountable to both the President and the Verkhovna Rada, while the government shall coordinate its activities.

It is expected that the BES will start fully operating from this year's autumn, after its chief is appointed and staff formed, capped at 4,000.

Tax raise

The government this week also approved a bill on amendments to the Tax Code, which the Ministry of Finance says will increase state budget revenues by UAH 60 billion.

The draft law offers to increase the rates of certain taxes, in particular, fees for the use of water and forest resources, environmental tax, rent payments, and excise tax on liquor.

The bill is also set to fight the evasion of rent payments for the extraction of minerals and excise taxes on tobacco products. It is also proposed to allow tax audits amid evidence of illegal fuel trafficking.

The document proposes to introduce a minimum tax on 1 hectare of commercial farmland in the amount of 4.5% of land plot value. VAT refunds for intermediaries selling consumer goods are set to be capped.

The bill provides for a number of measures aimed at simplifying collection of tax arrears, as well as introducing taxation of land plots used without proper registration.

In view of the fact that the bill is mainly aimed at raising taxes for big business, experts have already dubbed it an "anti-oligarch law", which significantly reduces its chances to pass parliament, at least in its current shape.

State regulation of gasoline prices

This week, petrol and diesel prices continued their rise across Ukrainian gas station networks by UAH 0.2-1.2 per liter.

At OKKO and WOG, the cost of A-95 petrol has almost reached UAH 32 per liter, while diesel was set at UAH 30 per liter. SOCAR was selling petrol for UAH 32.3 per liter.

According to experts, the main reason for the price climb is the increase in world prices for oil and petroleum products. Since early April, global oil prices have risen from $62 per barrel to $69, slightly sliding by mid-May.

Considering this fact, as well as due to the unstable situation with the import of light petroleum products from Belarus and Russia, at first the Antimonopoly Committee warned market operators against unreasonable price hikes before the Cabinet of Ministers took over.

On May 12, a government decree came into force, adding petrol brands A-92 and A-95, as well as diesel fuel, to the list of goods with high social significance  along with buckwheat, milk, pasta, and protective face masks. In addition, the government has obliged gas station networks to warn about a scheduled increase in prices by 1% or more 20 days prior.

The move immediately drew criticism among market experts, since, among other things, it strengthens positions of "shadow gas stations", which, unlike official market players, don't bother to submit their financial reports.

However, the government didn't stop there  on May 14, it introduced state regulation of petrol and diesel prices pending quarantine. According to the decision, the level of the trade markup to the average price of diesel fuel shall be capped at UAH 7 per liter, and petrol  at UAH 5 per liter.

National Joint Stock Company Naftogaz of Ukraine is tasked with providing calculations of average prices for petrol and diesel fuel, which shall be released by the 5th of each month.

According to calculations, the average price of diesel fuel for May, taking into account the marginal markup, should stand at UAH 27.89 per liter, and petrol  at UAH 30.22.

As noted by the Oil and Gas Association of Ukraine, state regulation of prices for petroleum products creates risks that market operators would be forced to cease or significantly curtail retail trade, or move into the shadows, which will entail an acute shortage of petroleum products at legally operating gas stations.

The next week promises to be no less rich in economic news. The Verkhovna Rada will convene for plenary meetings, while the president will present new possibilities of the Diia App as part of the Ukraine 30 Forum.

The State Statistics Service is set to publish data on retail trade over the four months of 2021, as well as an update on Ukraine demographics.

Ihor Orel

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At a press conference on the two years of tenure, President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to extend the Big Construction state program, the Verkhovna Rada changed three key ministers, and the Cabinet decided to abandon state regulation of gas prices for thermal generation firms  these are the key economic developments of the outgoing week.

The third week of May was marked by a big press conference delivered by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the two years in office. The guarantor of the Constitution spoke about his main achievements and priorities for the future.

In particular, Zelensky promised to continue active modernization of infrastructure and complete the Big Construction program only when "everything is done" in Ukraine in this regard.

He emphasized that this program is constantly expanding and set to be supplemented this year by the Big Restoration program, aimed to focus on cultural heritage sites.

The President also assured that by the end of his term of office he will be able to end the "era of corruption."

"Regarding corruption, we are purging verticals. These verticals are in place in every institution of our state. We have launched the end of this era. And I will definitely complete it," the president noted.

Zelensky touched upon topic of vaccination for coronavirus, explaining why Ukraine is an outsider in this regard.

"Ukraine is an outsider in terms of vaccination. We all must understand that we have made 1 million vaccinations, we are not part of the European Union, we are not a NATO Ally, we are not a priority for the EU in terms of the queues for the supply of certain vaccines, and you must understand this," the president said.

At the same time, the head of state expressed confidence that as soon as the epidemic situation in India improves, Ukraine will receive 10-15 million doses of vaccines for COVID-19.

Reshuffle in key ministries

Last week, the Verkhovna Rada completed a blitz reshuffle in the country's Cabinet of Ministers.

Parliamentarians relieved of their posts economy minister Ihor Petrashko, infrastructure chief Vladyslav Kryklii, and minister of health Maksym Stepanov.

Reports say it was President Zelensky who decided that Kryklii and Petrashko needed to resign, while the officials, in turn, wrote the relevant resignation letters, and pro-president ruling faction in parliament, Servant of the People, promptly approved the moves.

By the way, Stepanov refused to write a letter of resignation and decided to try and defend his right to remain part of the government team.

"I didn't write any letter of resignation, because I feel responsibility before our people," the Minister of Health said at the onset of the row.

Seeing that the situation is spinning out of control, PM Shmyhal intervened to initiate Stepanov's dismissal before the Verkhovna Rada. Stepanov's address to Parliament did not convince the deputies to side with him, and on Tuesday MPs eventually fired Stapanov.

Grounds for Cabinet resignations

President Volodymyr Zelensky at his press conference commented on the high-profile Cabinet reshuffles.

He emphasized that "he does not have many questions to the ex-minister of infrastructure: Kryklii will remain in the presidential team and receive a new position, which is yet to be revealed.

Former head of the economy ministry Ihor Petrashko will also remain within the power vertical, albeit in a different role.

"He will be responsible for and coordinating land reform, help Mr. Leshchenko [Roman Leshchenko, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food]. I think he is a professional in this sphere," Zelensky said.

According to the head of state, Stepanov's dismissal is a result of his conflicts with the head of government.

"It's true, the prime minister was no longer able to work with the minister of health, with Mr. Stepanov. I didnt intervene for quite some time. Why? Because I was afraid of destabilization if we were to change the health minister amid the covid period," Zelensky said.

New ministers

A day after the dismissal of the ministerial trio, on May 20, the Verkhovna Rada appointed their replacements.

The head of the Tax Service, Oleksiy Lyubchenko, became the new Minister of Economy, as well as the second most important person in government  the First Vice Prime Minister.

The new deputy PM promised not to raise basic taxes and to support small businesses affected by coronacrisis.

"I'm against raising the rates of budget-forming taxes. These are personal income tax, value added tax, and profit tax," Lyubchenko said, speaking from Parliament's rostrum.

The deputies also appointed the head of the Ukravtodor road management agency, Oleksandr Kubrakov, new Minister of Infrastructure. He promised to continue large-scale repairs of domestic roads, restore port infrastructure, as well as maintain the practice of signing concession deals in their regard.

The Verkhovna Rada has appointed Viktor Lyashko, Deputy Minister of Health Protection and also the chief sanitary doctor of the country, to the post of Minister of Health.

He promised to vaccinate everyone in Ukraine against COVID-19 by the end of 2021.

Competitive gas market

On May 20, a competitive natural gas market for thermal generation companies was launched in Ukraine. Without exaggeration, this is an unprecedented innovation, which previous cabinets had not dared to push forward for years.

According to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, this is another important step towards creating a full-fledged gas market.

"Now all thermal generation companies, most of which are owned by local authorities, will conclude contracts with gas suppliers on their own, on the best conditions available on the market," the head of government said.

With a high probability, this will lead to household tariffs for central heating and hot water significantly rising`. After all, 80% percent of the price of these services is the cost of natural gas.

The cancellation of the special obligations regime seriously worried both the leaders of Ukrainian cities and representatives of the TKE. In this connection, the Office of the President promised that in the new conditions the government will support the municipal authorities.

Latest innovations toward going digital

Over the past week, the Ministry of Digital Transformation presented new services within the framework of efforts to shift government services to a digital domain and facilitate communication with citizens.

In particular, the SVOI platform and chatbot have been launched to help citizens get in contact with local authorities, receive advice on government services, support local petitions, participate in polls, and keep themselves updated on community news.

The Ministry also allowed authorization in the Diia App through a citizen's ID-card and facial recognition.

In addition, the ministry launched an online portal for working and training on open data  the Diia. Open Data Competence Center. It is set to become the primary source of information and communication in the field of open data.

National Bank updates medium-term strategy

Last week, Governor of the National Bank, Kyrylo hevchenko, presented the regulator's strategy until 2025.

The chief of the central bank announced a variety of plans for the coming years, with the most important task being to further reduce the share of non-performing loans in the banking sector and develop digital finance.

"The new strategy of the National Bank is exactly in line with the shifts that have taken place in the world and in Ukraine. This is a roadmap, which we will be guided by to intensify economic growth in Ukraine and improve the well-being of its citizens," the head of the National Bank emphasized.

By the end of the outgoing week, in the interbank market, the national currency, the hryvnia, strengthened by 11 kopiykas to the U.S. dollar against week-start, to UAH 27.59 .

The last week of spring promises to be full of important economic events. The State Statistics Service plans to release data on industrial output and average wages for April. Also, in the near future, the vacant positions of chief taxman and CEO of state-run road management agency Ukravtodor could be filled.

Bohdan Slutsky

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Ukraine is to halt air traffic with Belarus from 00:00 Kyiv time on May 26, 2021.

The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus has sent a note of protest to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine over the decision to terminate air traffic.

This was reported on the Belarusian embassy's website.

"This note says that the Belarusian side was surprised at the Ukrainian side's decision to terminate air traffic between Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus over an aircraft incident that has nothing to do with Ukraine," it said.

Read alsoUkraine to halt air traffic with Belarus from midnight on May 26

Previous developments

Ukraine is to halt air traffic with Belarus from 00:00 Kyiv time on May 26, 2021. What is more, Ukrainian airlines and aircraft will not be allowed to fly in Belarusian airspace.

On May 23, 2021, Belarus scrambled a MiG-29 fighter jet to forcedly land a Ryanair plane in Minsk. The plane was heading from Athens, Greece, to Vilnius, Lithuania. Co-founder of Telegram's opposition channel NEXTA, Roman Protasevich, was on board the plane.

The plane was diverted to Minsk at the command of Belarusian air traffic controllers over a possible bomb threat, despite the fact that the distance to Vilnius was much shorter. After the plane landed, Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend were detained. Protasevich faces the death penalty in Belarus.

The circumstances of the forced landing of the Ryanair airline in Minsk will be investigated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Translation: Akulenko Olena
Volodymyr Fesenko

Some criminal cases in Ukraine are about hollow charges with no verdict, but not this time. When the political will, the interest of the country's leadership, and public demand all line up, the case eventually gets completed. As it was with, the Viktor Yanukovych's high treason verdict in absentia.

How quickly the Medvedchuk case will develop is now a matter of law enforcers' skills. I dont think it will all happen soon. Even with the Viktor Yanukovych verdict, it took more than 18 months.

Indeed, there are issues with the efficiency of law enforcement, while the judicial system will do anything but rush, so no one knows when the case will be completed. In addition, Medvedchuk has many allies in the judiciary, so he will try to compromise the probe from within. But I'm more of an optimist.

Medvedchuk has many allies in the judiciary, so he will try to compromise the probe from within

There's still time, while the combination of multiple factors means that the cases will further develop. I think that during the incumbent president's term in office, there are high chances of the case completing in an actual court verdict. Why? We can tell from the current developments.

Since February, when sanctions were first imposed on pro-Russian TV channels, and then against Medvedchuk and Kozak personally, calls were voiced in social networks and across media platforms: "Where are the raids, investigations, and charges?" So here we are  it's early May and we're seeing these raids, investigations, and charges unfold. Knowing the traditional pace of our political and legal process, things are moving quite fast this time. I'm even a little surprised. I didn't expect such developments.

There is political will in this case  the personal will of the president. Without such will, Venediktova would never sign a suspicion notice. She was aware of Zelensky's political will, hence the appropriate actions by the SBU and other law enforcement.

Here, by the way, we can observe an interesting effect: after the NSDC and its Secretary Oleksiy Danilov started skimming the "political cream" off of the sanctions, our other law enforcement agencies  the SBU, the Office of the Prosecutor General  reflected on the idea and kicked off a sort of competition. They also want to get their own "political cream" from the cake.

First, this is about President Zelensky appreciating their efforts. Secondly, they seek a positive social effect by demonstrating strength, influence, and capabilities.

The effect of competition, including on Medvedchuk's case, is already noticeable. And this will be the case in the future, serving as an additional impetus, pushing law enforcers to boast of their results. Of course, they all need to remain professional and collect due evidence. But the impetus is already in place.

The second important point, besides Zelensky's political will influencing the actions of law enforcement, is public demand and support of a significant part of the public. I have already said that calls for legal action against Medvedchuk appeared immediately after sanctions were imposed. Since people demand this, it will only motivate the president and law enforcement to act in this direction.

And one more thing is political interest. It works to destroy the most aggressive enemy within the pro-Russian camp (which will lead to the organizational, financial, and political weakening of this camp). In my opinion, what's happening now means that for the foreseeable future, Medvedchuk has no political future in Ukraine.

Also, an indirect hit targets Poroshenko. There are no immediate threats to the fifth president, but there are a lot of questions to be put forward before him as regards Medvedchuk. We are yet to see this line develop.

Putin will not fight over Medvedchuk. Rather, the latter will become yet another fugitive outcast

As a result, there may be a positive rating effect for Zelensky, which has already been observed over the past three months.

As of now, following the raids, Medvedchuk's whereabouts have not been established. We can assume he is in Russia. But I don't think Putin will fight over Medvedchuk. Rather, the latter will become yet another fugitive outcast.

Indeed, many may criticize such developments: "Right, once again an investigation in absentia or a verdict in absentia in the future..." But the main thing here is the result  the verdict. Of course, however, the effect of Medvedchuk's arrest or Medvedchuk being put in prison would be even greater. And if Medvedchuk were imprisoned, the country would see more political emigrants.

Finally, I will note that the latest special operation has been calculated. It is now clear that the leaked phone call between Medvedchuk and [Donbas warlord] Pushilin was no accident. Emotionally, it fueled society. And so, we have the development. You want Medvedchuk? Here you go, there's a suspicion notice targeting Medvedchuk. A true filmmaking style The emotional and psychological effect has been well calculated.

Volodymyr Fesenko
Bohdan Petrenko

The launch of the Viktor Medvedchuk criminal case has raised many questions  both to how the probe was initiated and to those who hadn't started it long ago. But here's another important one. How many Ukrainian prisoners can be exchanged for Medvedchuk?

Actually, the answer is simple: none. After all, it's only Ukrainians held in Russia and in the occupied territories who are interested in such a swap. Others simply won't go for it.

For the Russian president it's not nepotism that's important, but Medvedchuk's ability to influence Ukrainian internal processes to pursue Russian interests

First. Moscow will not be blowing its cover so recklessly. Through Vladimir Putin's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin has already stated that Medvedchuk and everything connected with him is about Ukrainian internal affairs. And Russia, he went on to claim, has never interfered in Ukraine's affairs at all. Let's leave the second part of the comment to the future "Nuremberg trial" of Russian Nazism, but formally, Russia will not recognize Medvedchuk as its "fifth column" or "Russian political prisoner of the Kyiv regime." Because this would become one more proof of Russia's direct interference in Ukraine's affairs  to enjoy control over the leader of the second-largest parliamentary faction.

Second. Is Medvedchuk a valuable asset for Moscow? Whatever many say about his personal ties with Putin, for the Russian president it's not nepotism that's important, but Medvedchuk's ability to influence Ukrainian internal processes to pursue Russian interests. So if Viktor Medvedchuk loses such opportunities, he's likely to be thrown out of the big game. It's only in propaganda stories where Moscow "doesn't leave its people behind." Here, it's the "we are not there" technique that's being observed. Also, given the horrendous popular rating Medvedchuk has earned, I suggest it would be more convenient for Moscow to have Medvedchuk being "pressed" in Ukraine  as if it testifies to "persecution of political opponents" in Ukraine.

Probably, certain politicians, taking the "drowning Medvedchuk" factor into account, instead of offering him a helping hand to pull him out of the swamp, are looking into ways to become the new Medvedchuks  seeking access to the Kremlin in order to sell their country at a higher price. And there's nothing to be surprised of: as long as there's a pro-Russian electorate in Ukraine, the new Medvedchuks will be emerging.

Ukrainian authorities would hardly go for swapping Medvedchuk. After all, he's the most "demonized" Ukrainian politician these days. So if he is subjected to systematic pressure, those exerting it can expect certain electoral bonuses

In this situation, it could be even better for the OPZZh leader to remain under house arrest and boast of own influence in Kyiv than seal a "retirement" in Russia's Rostov. That's why Medvedchuk never chose to flee from Ukraine. As long as he has influence, he'll be getting Russian money. Once the influence evaporates, he'll probably have to live a quiet life somewhere at a Russian dacha.

And the third thing to note Ukrainian authorities would hardly go for swapping Medvedchuk. After all, he's the most "demonized" Ukrainian politician these days. So if he is subjected to systematic pressure, those exerting it can expect certain electoral bonuses. Even if he is never actually sentenced to a prison term (which many experts believe will be the case), the very fact of the criminal prosecution creates false impression that "justice has been served." Even if popular support for the authorities doesn't grow, it is unlikely to slide. Let's not forget about the "bread and circuses" concept. Therefore, the authorities will be skimming cream off of the Medvedchuk case as long as it's possible.

And this suggests we're set to sit back and watch a rather long series. Its pilot episode was rather intriguing but its finale will depend on whether its producers will retain interest in shooting it until a logical denouement or come up with a completely new script, of a new and no less exciting series.

Bohdan Petrenko is a Deputy Director of Ukrainian Institute for Extremism Studies
On February 21, 2020, the lawmaker voted "for" three times instead of his co-worker who was absent.

The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has filed an indictment against Member of Parliament Vladyslav Poliak for piano voting.

The investigators completed a pretrial investigation and sent the indictment to the court on May 25, the SBI said on its website.

Read alsoFighting against piano voting: Rada installs touch button system (Photo, video)The Office of the Prosecutor General clarified the lawmaker is accused of committing an offense on the fact of deliberate voting instead of his co-worker under Article 364-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

It was established that on February 21, 2020, the lawmaker voted "for" three times instead of his co-worker who was absent when parliamentarians were considering changes to the bill on amendments to certain legislative acts concerning the turnover of agricultural land.

The article provides for a fine worth from 3,000 to 5,000 non-taxable minimum incomes.

Translation: Kanaryan Lyudmila
Alexander Kochetkov

Peace in Donbas is the only election promise of Volodymyr Zelensky that has a chance to be fulfilled. Although achieving it isn't as easy as it initially seemed when the president believed looking in Vladimir Putin's eyes was the right solution.

The Donbas conflict has entered a critical stage: there will either be a stable diplomatic settlement (freezing the conflict would also be seen as settlement), or things will start shifting towards military escalation. Actually, it's the will to avoid such escalation that is driving Zelensky's recent hyperactive efforts.

In fact, Paris hosted a virtual version of Normandy format talks, divided into stages: first, Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel spoke with Vladimir Putin, including on Ukraine. And then the two talked with Volodymyr Zelensky. After that, I presume, they briefed the Kremlin on the outcome of their conversation with the Ukrainian leader.

The Donbas conflict has entered a critical stage: there will either be a stable diplomatic settlement or things will start shiftring towards military escalation

This division is a consequence of Putin's demonstrative unwillingness to speak with Zelensky directly in the follow-up to the long-overdue decisions by the security council targeting Putin's main political ally in Ukraine, Viktor Medvedchuk. Really, how dare a sovereign state take legitimate steps within its competence, Putin is probably thinking...

There is no doubt about the purpose of the latest round of talks: it's the search for an option that would persuade Putin to actually implement the existing agreements. But no details of the talks have been revealed.

The reason is that there was no breakthrough in Paris, and there could've not been any: the talks in Paris were far from the main process that is now ongoing. The main track is now between Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin. The only thing that resurfaced following the Paris talks was the "clusters of the Minsk process". I should clarify here.

Ukraine insists on the package deal, that is, the simultaneous implementation of all "Minsk" provisions: a special status for Donbas in the Constitution, pardon for Russian proxies, local elections tied to the withdrawal of all troops, and regaining control of the border. Russia, on the other hand, has been imposing a sequential implementation, where Ukraine must first take all those extremely difficult moves they've been demanding from Kyiv and only after that will Russia consider the option of pulling out of Donbas. And it remains unclear when they will actually go for it  in months, years, or decades. It's also unclear whether they will withdraw at all  after all, Russian troops are still stationed in Transnistria, aren't they?

On this point, no compromise turned out to be attainable, thank God. Therefore, hardened Europeans came up with the idea of unbundling the Minsk Agreements into certain "clusters", within which actions take place simultaneously, but the clusters follow one another. Such an elaborate design, its authors believe, will allow getting over the main stumbling block: what comes first  disarmament of Russian proxies and withdrawal of the Russian military before holding local elections in Donbas, or pursuing with these elections to be held at gunpoint, just like that notorious "referendum" in Crimea  and with a similar outcome.

There was no breakthrough in Paris, and there could've not been any: the talks in Paris were far from the main process that is now ongoing. The main track is now between Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin. The only thing that resurfaced following the Paris talks was the "clusters of the Minsk process

It should be emphasized that on the said issue European leaders are closer to Ukraine's position than that of Russia. And the OSCE Mission, which mediates the process, is also closer to Kyiv's stance.

Russia, however, vehemently opposes it. Moreover, it offers that Ukraine coordinate (!) all key issues, including the "special status" in the Constitution and the abolition of a number of Ukrainian laws, including, the "language act", with the self-proclaimed authorities of the unrecognized republics. Yes, the ones who are even horrified to excuse themselves to the bathroom without Moscow's permission.

In Paris, Zelensky tried to accelerate things, emphasizing the fact that the Russian hordes are already near Ukraine's border, threatening the country with a bloody massacre, which will inevitably affect Europe as well. Therefore, Ukraine's president underlined, allowing Ukraine's integration into the EU and NATO is a highly urgent matter and the only real option to contain Russian aggression. Macron and Merkel listened with understanding and then took a break, claiming they need to continue consultations, but in reality, all they want is to see some clarity on the Biden-Putin dialogue.

How should President Zelensky's visit be assessed?

This was precisely a working meeting where Ukraine's position since 2014 was declared most clearly and fully: either the aggressor is held back with all seriousness, or the pristine Europe will be forced to observe the bloody horrors of war not on television, somewhere in a distant Syria, but live, not far from their own homes.

How should President Zelensky's visit be assessed? This was precisely a working meeting where Ukraine's position since 2014 was declared most clearly and fully

Zelensky, with his appeals almost resembling a mayday call, indeed was heard. European leaders went on to try to invent yet another compromise that would suit Russia and not completely destroy Ukraine.

The United States held back their warships, but pursued with Russia sanctions, and their stance is stronger than that of the European Union.

Meanwhile, Russia is sticking to an aggressive line: Ukraine's Consul Oleksandr Sosonyuk has been expelled from Moscow, while more than 50 strike aircraft and 15 warships, including landing vessels, were additionally transferred to Crimea.

Let's hope that the Ukrainian government will finally mature to realize that the real defense capability is within Ukraine, in the unity of population and effective economy.

Oleksandr Kochetkov is a Ukrainian political analyst
House arrest of Viktor Medvedchuk does not contribute to his work as one of the leaders of the Rada's second-largest faction, "Opposition Platform  For Life" (OPZZh). UNIAN asked to what extent the high treason charges pressed against Medvedchuk will affect the OPZZh disposition, the ratings of this political force, and the sympathies of its voters.

The Pechersk District Court of Kyiv on May 13 ruled on 24-hour house arrest for Viktor Medvedchuk. With a high degree of probability, in the coming months, we will observe Medvedchuk fighting to remain in Ukrainian politics. First, this is because a political career helps business survive. Secondly, it's because, without political influence, he is unlikely to be needed here by his godfather Vladimir Putin. But no one should expect that this will in any way hit the rating of his political force. There are several arguments backing this point.

"Marriage of convenience"

"Opposition Platform  For Life is not a unified force, but rather a confederal association. The OPZZh is made up of different groups and is governed by different leaders. Medvedchuk is far from being the most charismatic (if this feature is appropriate on principle) of them.

"The OPZZh is a collective project, a marriage of convenience. Medvedchuk was not the sole leader in it. Yuriy Boyko was and will remain the formal leader. He is also the most rated leader. This will not change," said Volodymyr Fesenko, political scientist, head of the board of the Penta Center for Applied Political Studies.

According to him, despite the fact that there will be a further weakening of the influence of Viktor Medvedchuk in this political force, while his group in it won't t go anywhere and will remain under his control. However, Medvedchuk's physical absence in parliament's session hall will somewhat weaken his influence. Thus, Putin's crony will be able to influence the situation in the OPZZh to a lesser extent.

"Most likely, the Liovochkin-Boyko group will act autonomously. They took a more moderate, flexible position, will maintain opposition, and at the same time  loyalty to the incumbent authorities. A group of businessmen in the OPZZh, conditionally Stolar's group, will also act flexibly. It will also distance itself from Medvedchuk. Thus, the degree of internal unity within the OPZZh will weaken," the political scientist believes.

Formally, Boyko and Co support Medvedchuk. But in practice, they didn't come to his court hearing. "Informationally, politically, they will rather distance themselves from Medvedchuk. They're acting autonomously. Therefore, we can say that the degree of unity and influence of the OPZZh will henceforth be noticeably lower. And this trend will prevail," Fesenko notes.

In other words, if we talk about a marriage of convenience as a way of formal cohabitation, the relationship will remain, but the "spouses" will "live separately". There will be no breakup. The group leaders will remain the same. But, as mentioned above, the most rated of them is by no means Putin's crony, but Yuriy Boyko.

"Victim" of regime

Political scientist, sociologist, director of the Ukrainian Barometer sociological service, Viktor Nebozhenko, is convinced that the "spouses" have already grown tired of each other. "And now we are witnessing the form of an invisible divorce between the groups of Liovochkin-Boyko and Medvedchuk-Rabinovich, with Ilya Kiva who joined them," he notes.

According to him, Medvedchuk's rating is the one earned through hard work of a large team of political strategists, major financial investment, media support, and so on. "Therefore, it is difficult now to talk about whether the ratings of both him personally and of the OPZZh will rise due to 'repression', over the allegation that Medvedchuk is a 'victim of the regime'. Mainly it's because (this is a problem that leads honest political scientists to a dead end) that, due to the nature and character of our president, we don't know what this is all really about," Viktor Nebozhenko notes. "Whether it's about some kind of a wider show, staged persecution of Medvedchuk, or about real persecution."

"I read the comments of some colleagues close to Medvedchuk and the pro-Russian camp, and they have long said and still say: "Attack on Medvedchuk," "repression against Medvedchuk" But, excuse me, what kind of "repression" are you talking about? Comfortable house arrest," adds Volodymyr Fesenko. "When they say that what is happening will make Medvedchuk more popular, there's nothing like that. There is no growth in Medvedchuk's popular rating. And there's no growth in the OPZZh rating. On the contrary, the ratings have dropped."

But this didn't happen due to the high treason case. The fall had started a few months prior  when Medvedchuk's media outlets were blocked.

"As soon as the TV channels got shut down, the ratings of Medvedchuk and the OPZZh immediately plummeted. And the downward trend has been ongoing for three months already," says Fesenko.

Street "support" and "signs" from Moscow

Another point that political analysts note when talking about popular ratings and public support for OPZZh and Medvedchuk is that there were no supporters of this political force at a court hearing, except for the politician's "guards".

Why doesn't the electorate defend Medvedchuk? Where are the old ladies, where are the youths, anyone beyond his 'army'? Where are those who believe in the OPZZh values?" asks Viktor Nebozhenko.

He recalls massive crowds outside and inside the courthouse during hearings of the Yulia Tymoshenko case. Also, he assumes this could be the case if some kind of trial one day targets the incumbent president, Volodymyr Zelensky. "But here [in Medvedchuk's case], it's only [Ilya] Kyva and [Vadim] Rabinovich, emphasizes Nebozhenko.

According to him, the OPZZh electorate is inactive in supporting Medvedchuk at the moment, as these voters wait for a "sign from above" (read: from Moscow), expecting to hear a confirmation as to who has the authority now. "They need a 'coronation'. When Medvedchuk stubbornly repeats that he is Putin's friend, it's very pleasing to the ear of OPZZh voters. So they are waiting for Putin to protect Medvedchuk... The Kremlin is now supposed to say whether Medvedchuk remains 'tsar' or if there'll come a replacement for Moscow's envoys in Ukraine."

Viktor Nebozhenko believes that the more pressure is put on Medvedchuk, at least in a public domain, the louder another project working in this electoral field will speak up  Ukraina Nash Dim [Ukraine is our home]. "But without a sign from the Kremlin, the voters won't turn towards Kolesnikov, or towards Lyovochkin, or towards Boyko," he says.

In turn, Volodymyr Fesenko recalls that Viktor Medvedchuk's problems began earlier than the charges were filed against him and the court ruled on his house arrest. And the Kremlin had already condemned 'persecution'. Therefore, they'll just keep condemning it, as they've been doing. This doesn't affect electoral matters," the expert says.

He believes the thing is that the OPZZh electorate differs from that of pro-Maidan parties or long-standing political heavyweight Yulia Tymoshenko  the type of voters who could be mobilized if needed. Of course, there have supporters. There's plenty of them. But these are not the people who, at the first call, take to the streets to make the Maidan [uprising]. To get them all together, a "special operation" must be organized outside the courthouse: administrative resources must be mobilized, the crowd must be gathered, brought in, and their trip must be paid. Then they will come. This is not the electorate of nationalist parties who gather upon the call. Here the relationship is completely different. This is a conservative electorate. They might come to the polls, show support in social networks, but they only take to streets and squares when they are properly organized. And to this end, really hard work must be done," he says.

According to the political scientist, certain electoral outflow is, indeed, possible. Some voters could grow weary of politics altogether (as was the case with the Party of Regions' supporters in 2014). In addition, people affiliated with Akhmetov  Novinsky and Kolesnikov (the "Ukraina Nash Dim [Ukraine is our home] project], may try to exploit the situation to boost own influence. They may try to get someone from the OPZZh flip sides, so far informally. But they have no popular leader (Kolesnikov, for example, blew his parliamentary election campaign). Without a leader, any attempt to compete for voters may well be a failure.

In turn, the executive chief of Ukrainian Institute for the Future, Vadym Denysenko, argues that the OPZZh''s voters in the wake of the recent moves targeting party leaders may have actually united a little more. At the same time, it remains totally unclear how the "electoral swamp" will behave: "Logically, we should be seeing an increasing number of those frustrated over everything."

Tetyana Urbanska

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The event is scheduled for July 7-8, 2021.

Ambassadors of the Group of Seven (the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, and Japan) say they expect international solidarity with Ukraine will be demonstrated at a reform conference in Vilnius, Lithuania.

"G7 Ambassadors were pleased to meet @LithuaniaMFA Amb [Ricardas] Degutis to discuss Ukraine Reform Conference. Looking forward to demonstrating int'l solidarity with Ukraine, celebrating Ukraine's reform progress & identifying actions for improvement (esp. rule of law & judiciary) in Vilnius in July," the UK presidency of the G7 Ambassadors' Support Group in Kyiv tweeted on May 25.

Read alsoNATO defense chiefs call on Ukraine to pursue reformUNIAN memo. The Ukraine Reform Conference is an annual international event dedicated to expert discussion of the progress of reforms in Ukraine.

Since 2017, the conference has brought together Ukrainian and international officials, top businessmen, representatives of the EU, NATO, G7 and civil society to summarize the annual results of the reform process in Ukraine and discuss further priority steps and prospects.

The previous three conferences were held in London (the UK), Copenhagen (Denmark) and Toronto (Canada).

The fourth conference scheduled for July 7-8, 2021, will be hosted by Vilnius, Lithuania.

More news reports

Translation: Kanaryan Lyudmila
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 23:00:23|Editor: huaxia

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PHNOM PENH, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Trade volume between Cambodia and China was valued at 3 billion U.S. dollars in the first four months of 2021, up 19.7 percent over the same period last year, according to a Cambodian Ministry of Commerce's report on Wednesday.

Cambodia's export to China reached 424 million dollars during the January-April period this year, up 42 percent, while its import from China was 2.58 billion dollars, up 16.7 percent, the report said.

Main items the Southeast Asian nation exported to China are milled rice, banana, dry rubber, cassava, fishery and apparels, as it imported from China mostly garment raw materials, machinery, vehicles, foodstuffs, electronics, medicines and cosmetics, among others.

Early this month, the kingdom began to export its fresh mangoes directly to China for the first time after the General Administration of Customs of China certified the first 37 mango orchards and five packaging plants to export Cambodian fresh mangoes to China.

Cambodian Ministry of Commerce's undersecretary of state and spokesman Penn Sovicheat said the export of Cambodian fresh mangoes to China marked a significant breakthrough in gaining access to a huge market for Cambodian fresh fruits.

"The opportunity given by Chinese market will help to promote a larger trade volume and strengthen stronger relationship between the two countries under the recently-signed Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement," he told Xinhua.

Cambodia remains a sustainable source of agricultural products to the Chinese market, Sovicheat said, adding that the kingdom is ready to provide quality products such as fruits, rice and other agricultural food stuffs to meet the Chinese market's demand. Enditem
Prosecutors have been examining whether Giuliani violated lobbying laws by acting as an unregistered foreign agent while working for Donald Trump.

Federal prosecutors in New York seized email account evidence believed to belong to the former prosecutor general of Ukraine, Yuriy Lutsenko, and two other Ukrainians as part of their investigation into whether Rudy Giuliani violated U.S. laws against covert foreign lobbying, a partially redacted court filing shows.

This was reported by Bloomberg.

The others whose communications were seized were Roman Nasirov, the former head of the Ukrainian Fiscal Service, and Alexander Levin, a Ukrainian American businessman and supporter of former President Donald Trump, according to a Tuesday filing by Joseph Bondy, a lawyer for Lev Parnas, a Giuliani associate facing campaign finance and other charges.

The names of the Ukrainians were redacted, but the redaction was done in such a way that the names became visible when the text was copied and pasted into a word processing document.

Read alsoFBI raids ex-Trump lawyer's home as part of probe into dealings with Ukraine  mediaAccording to the filing, the searches of the Ukrainians were described by the government in a May 14 letter to Bondy, who argued that evidence along with material seized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in April 28 raids on Giuliani's home and office would likely exonerate his client.

Bondy declined to comment. A spokesman for the Manhattan U.S. attorney's office also declined to comment. Bob Costello, a lawyer for Giuliani, didn't respond to a request for comment.

At the same time, Reuters reported that Lutsenko said in a message on Tuesday "I have no news," "I did not communicate with Giuliani either by phone or by mail."

Prosecutors have been examining whether Giuliani violated lobbying laws by acting as an unregistered foreign agent while working for Trump.

Ukraine-born Lev Parnas and Belarus-born Igor Fruman are called Giuliani's associates. According to media reports, they organized the communication of former prosecutors general of Ukraine, Viktor Shokin and Yuriy Lutsenko, with Giuliani. At these meetings, Lutsenko and Shokin "leaked" dirt on Joe Biden to Giuliani.

Lutsenko did meet with Giuliani in New York. During these meetings, they exchanged views on the role of the then U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch who "took a destructive position in Ukraine." Giuliani was interested in whether Ukraine could initiate a case against former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. Giuliani was also interested in the Burisma case.

Read alsoGiuliani's "quid pro quo" attempt threatened Ukraine's national security, ex-Zelensky adviser saysIn early 2020, the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress released Parnas' correspondence with a number of Ukrainian politicians and officials. In this correspondence, Lutsenko insisted on Yovanovitch's recall from Ukraine. He complained to Parnas that "the ambassador openly called for the dismissal of the head of the Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO)," "the ambassador pointed out the poor selection of the Supreme Court judges."

Giuliani case

In November 2019, a probe was launched against Giuliani for being an unregistered foreign agent and cooperation with Fruman and Parnas. They helped Giuliani to search for incriminating evidence on Hunter Biden, Joe Biden's son, and ran a gas business in Ukraine.

U.S. prosecutors are mainly interested in who and how in Ukraine helped Giuliani to search for incriminating evidence on Trump's political opponents during the recent presidential campaign, primarily against incumbent President Joe Biden.

Translation: Kanaryan Lyudmila
Oleksandr Khara

Russia has started withdrawing troops earlier deployed from the Southern and Western military districts, to conduct exercises in the occupied Crimea and along the borders with Ukraine. The pullback was announced by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, quoted by Russian media. The Russian defense ministry, its chief said, is completing an inspection of military units which are ordered to return to permanent bases from April 23.

Ukraine, however, shouldn't get too excited about the news

"Completing the exercises" doesn't mean ending the war

First, the withdrawal of troops was announced "in connection with the completion of the exercises." Obviously, it was Ukraine and the new administration in Washington who were the actual targets of the latest showoff maneuvers. After all, for Russia, everything has long been clear with the EU "Completing the exercises", however, doesn't mean ending the war, let alone the return of the occupied territories.

Secondly, who can tell exactly Russian army's personnel and arms numbers that remained at the sites of the "exercise" once it was declared over? Even before the war, Russia has been secretly upgrading its armament stocks in Crimea, violating agreements on the temporary stay of the Russian Black Sea Fleet on the Ukrainian peninsula.

Thirdly, no one will stop the Kremlin if they decide to get their troops back to the previous position, this time at an even higher pace given some lesson learned from initial drawbacks in logistics. In addition, they have already done their reconnaissance job as to Ukraine's defense capacities, as well as to how the command manages them. Also, no one should dismiss the threats of the so-called "fifth column" within Ukraine (the Russian Orthodox Church, the pro-Russian OPZZh political force, and so on...), which will have more time to pursue their destructive efforts.

And most importantly, "war is a continuation of politics by other means." If Vladimir Putin can proceed with achieving his goals without applying brute force, it would be an even better option for him.

After all, at the moment he has an abstract invitation from Biden, who also seeks to negotiate strategic security. And also he has fear of major European leaders who will put pressure on Ukraine's sovereignty with their "clusters" idea as regards the Minsk deal. Perhaps, for his "will for peace" and "de-escalation", as has already happened multiple times, European partners could try to encourage Putin, say, by easing sanctions. Anxious about the "red lines" announced by Russia's main "peace seeker", they will definitely stick to their current position on Ukraine's NATO membership prospects. Perhaps, they will sabotage this issue even more vigorously. Moreover, who knows, maybe Ukraine could also face an informal embargo on European arms supplies

Of course, none of these fears have been confirmed with facts yet, but these days it's better to remain a moderate pessimist.

Oleksandr Khara is an analyst with Ukrainian Center for Defense Strategies
Kuleba recalled the decision of the 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest where Ukraine was told it would one day become a member of the Alliance.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba notes that the open door policy of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization should not turn into a "policy of promise feeding."

Speaking at a joint press conference with OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid in Kyiv on Wednesday, the foreign minister expressed gratitude to Ukraine's partners from NATO for the constant confirmation of the "open door" policy based on the decision of the 2008 Bucharest summit, an UNIAN correspondent reports.

Read alsoNATO sending to Ukraine experts on countering hybrid threats"But 13 years have passed since then, and not a step towards the implementation of that decision has been made. And when we are reproached here in Ukraine that we some of our reforms are too slow, then what can we say about the adoption and implementation of the Alliance's decisions, which for the past 13 years have been gathering dust. It is very important for Ukraine that the open door policy doesn't turn into a policy of promise feeding. So I'm deeply convinced  and this opinion is shared by many NATO Allies  that this is important not only for Ukraine, but also for the security of the Euro-Atlantic space," said Kuleba.

"If in 2008 a promise was made that Ukraine and Georgia will eventually become NATO members and the next step on this path should be the provision of MAP, it is difficult to imagine a better and more important moment for making such decisions than 2021. We speak frankly about this with our allies and NATO partners, and I think that it is high time to speak frankly with the Ukrainian public about this, so that people clearly understand that in matters of Euro-Atlantic integration the ball is not always on the Ukrainian pitch. And that we're waiting for the Alliance to pass that ball," noted Kuleba.

Ukraine-NATO relations: Background

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview for Axios on HBO that Ukraine wants to be an equal member of NATO. "We are grateful for everything, but Ukraine is not just saying in words that it wants to be an equal member of the Alliance, an equal member of NATO, because this is one of the most important security points  the same security that President [of the United States Joe] Biden is speaking about. How should we further state the desire to accede, if it is enshrined in the Constitution of Ukraine  the movement towards the European Union, European integration, as well as accession to NATO? Therefore, I have a very simple question  why is Ukraine still not in NATO? Putting away these phrases that we will all contemplate and communicate, the first simple question from me would be: 'Mr. President, why are we not in NATO yet?'" he said then.

Zelensky expressed hope that during Biden's presidency, Ukraine and the United States would enter a new stage of security enhancing relations.

On February 9, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Ukraine needed to focus on reform to get closer to NATO, whose "door remains open", including to strengthen democratic institutions, fight corruption, and introduce democratic political control over the Armed Forces.

At the same time, on February 17, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on NATO Allies not to keep the decision to provide a Membership Action Plan to Ukraine "hostage" of Russian myths about eastward expansion.

Translation: Yevgeny Matyushenko
The destructive policy of the Belarusian authorities creates problems in relations between Ukraine and Belarus, and therefore the Belarusian embassy should appeal to the authorities of their own country, not to those in Kyiv, the ministry said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has reacted to the note of protest issued by the Belarus embassy in Kyiv, and explained the reason behind the move to suspend air traffic with this country.

Oleg Nikolenko, a press secretary for MFA Ukraine, told UNIAN "it is not Ukraine that creates problems in relations with Belarus, but on the contrary, the destructive policy of the Belarusian authorities, which violates basic human rights, goes for repressions of its own and foreign citizens, while depriving the country of its sovereignty in favor of Russia."

"The suspension of air traffic with Belarus has become a forced, but extremely necessary step. Its goal is to guarantee safety and protection of Ukrainian citizens," Nikolenko stressed.

Read alsoZelensky orders halt to air traffic with BelarusThe speaker added that following Ukraine's footsteps, a number of other countries have taken similar steps for security reasons. He also drew attention to the fact that the European air carriers started redirecting their flights to avoid the Belarusian airspace.

"The forced landing of a Ryanair plane in Minsk under a far-fetched pretext, an actual hostage-taking of the passengers of a civilian flight and the insidious arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich proved the absence of red lines and the unpredictability of further actions by the Belarusian authorities. That is why the Belarusian embassy should appeal not to Ukraine, but to the authorities of their own country, whose policy has become threatening to the rest of the world," Nikolenko stressed.

Background

The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus has sent a note of protest to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine over the decision to terminate air traffic.

The note says the Belarusian side was "surprised at the Ukrainian side's decision to terminate air traffic between Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus over an aircraft incident that has nothing to do with Ukraine."

Earlier, Ukraine said it is to halt air traffic with Belarus from 00:00 Kyiv time on May 26, 2021. What is more, Ukrainian airlines and aircraft will not be allowed to fly in Belarusian airspace.

The decision comes after Belarus scrambled a MiG-29 fighter jet to force a Ryanair plane to land in Minsk. The Athens-Vilnius flight was carrying Roman Protasevich, a co-founder of the NEXTA Telegram channel known for covering protests in Belarus.

The plane was diverted to Minsk at the command of Belarusian air traffic controllers over an alleged bomb threat, despite the fact that the distance to Vilnius was much shorter. After the plane landed, Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend were detained.

Protasevich faces the death penalty in Belarus on terrorism charges.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will probe the circumstances of the incident.

Translation: Yevgeny Matyushenko
The talks will focus on the crisis in and around Ukraine and on ways to strengthen cooperation between the OSCE and Ukraine

OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid will visit Ukraine this week, the organization's press service reports.

The top official will meet with high-level Ukrainian officials and travel to the east of the country, the report says.

Schmid plans to hold talks with senior-level officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, and Dmytro Razumkov, Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament.

The talks will focus on the crisis in and around Ukraine and on ways to strengthen cooperation between the OSCE and Ukraine, reads the report.

Read alsoZelensky: Path of building peace in Donbas "difficult, not very quick"During her visit, the Secretary General will also meet with staff members from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine and the OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine (PCU).

She will also meet with representatives of international humanitarian organizations, as well as civil society representatives and youth activists.

Schmid also plans to visit eastern Ukraine to see first-hand the situation in conflict-affected areas and the work being carried out by SMM and PCU on the ground.

"The leaders will discuss the full range of pressing issues, as we seek to restore predictability and stability to the U.S.-Russia relationship," she said.

As per the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Schmid's visit to Ukraine at the invitation of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba will take place on May 26-30.

This will be her first Ukraine visit since her appointment as OSCE Secretary General.

On May 26, Kuleba and Schmid will hold talks, where the key topic will be strengthening the role of the OSCE in monitoring the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

The parties will pay special attention to the operations of the OSCE SMM and enhancing the effectiveness of its mandate implementation.

A joint press conference by Kuleba and Schmid is scheduled for May 26.

In December 2020, the OSCE elected its new leadership. Helga Schmid (Germany) was appointed OSCE Secretary General.

Translation: Yevgeny Matyushenko
Turkey, along with the rest of NATO, criticized Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea and voiced support for Ukraine's territorial integrity as Kyiv's forces battle Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said he opposes Turkey's pledge to boost cooperation with Ukraine, claiming that it attempts to fuel "militaristic sentiment."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last month pledged support to Kyiv amid a buildup of Russian forces along its border with Ukraine, Daily Sabah reports.

Erdogan said at the time that Turkey, a NATO member, and Ukraine had launched a platform with their foreign and defense ministers to discuss defense industry cooperation, but assured that this was "not in any way a move against third countries."

"We strongly recommend that our Turkish colleagues carefully analyze the situation and stop fuelling Kyiv's militaristic sentiment," Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said in an interview with Argumenty i Fakty newspaper.

He said that encouraging what he called was "aggressive" Ukrainian actions toward Russian-annexed Crimea amounted to encroachment on Russia's territorial integrity.

"We hope Ankara will adjust its line based on our legitimate concerns," Lavrov stressed.

Read alsoUkraine's MFA: Russian militarization behind lack of water in occupied CrimeaTurkey, along with the rest of NATO, criticized Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea and voiced support for Ukraine's territorial integrity as Kyiv's forces battle Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine.

NATO member Turkey has forged close cooperation with Russia over conflicts in Syria, Libya, and Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as in the areas of defense and energy. But Turkey has criticized Crimea's annexation and supported Ukraine's territorial integrity and has also sold drones to Kyiv in 2019.

Ukraine-Turkey ties: Related coverage

Reporting by UNIAN
The Ukrainian top diplomat thanked the Turkish side for their firm position of non-recognition of the attempts by Russia to legitimize the temporary occupation of Crimea.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has called support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine a matter of principle for Turkey.

As reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the statement came as Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba held a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart.

Kuleba thanked Cavusoglu for the firm position of non-recognition of the attempts by Russia to legitimize the temporary occupation of Crimea, as well as for the strong support of the Crimean Platform initiative.

"Ukraine is grateful to Turkey for its adherence to principles in the Crimea issue. Kyiv and Ankara are unanimous in understanding that Crimea is Ukraine. It was, is, and will be. Attempts to legitimize the temporary Russian occupation of the peninsula are doomed to failure," Kuleba stressed.

Read alsoUkraine's MFA: Russian militarization behind lack of water in occupied CrimeaIn turn, Cavusoglu confirmed Turkey's unconditional support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, assured that the Turkish side is ready to take part in the Crimean Platform summit on August 23 this year and its further work.

He noted that support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine and non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia are not only an old and consistent policy of Ankara, but also a matter of principle for Turkey.

The parties also discussed the implementation of the agreements of the heads of state at the Ninth Meeting of the Ukraine-Turkey High-Level Strategic Council, which was held in Istanbul on April 10.

Separately, the parties discussed preparations for the Diplomatic Forum set to be held in Antalya this June and the International Conference on Reforms in Ukraine, which will take place in Vilnius on July 7-8.

The heads of Ukrainian and Turkish diplomacy paid special attention to the security situation in the Middle East. Kuleba noted the important contribution of Ankara's diplomatic efforts in ending the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The diplomats stressed the need for further consolidated efforts by the international community in order to prevent bloodshed and ensure a sustainable settlement of the conflict in the Middle East, the statement said.

Ukraine-Turkey relations amid Russian aggression

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said he opposes Turkey's pledge to boost cooperation with Ukraine, claiming that it attempts to fuel "militaristic sentiment."

This comes following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan move last month to pledge support to Kyiv amid a buildup of Russian forces along its border with Ukraine.

Turkey, along with the rest of NATO, criticized Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea and voiced support for Ukraine's territorial integrity as Kyiv's forces battle Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine.

Turkey has also sold strike drones to Kyiv in 2019.

Translation: Yevgeny Matyushenko
The Alliance could have found an appropriate format to make Ukraine's attendance possible, the top diplomat believes.

Ukraine officials have been left confused after learning the country's delegation has not been invited to an upcoming NATO summit amid ongoing Russian aggression targeting the country, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Wednesday.

The Alliance could have found an appropriate format to make Ukraine's attendance at the June 14 event in Brussels possible, the top diplomat said, speaking at a joint conference with OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid in Kyiv, an UNIAN correspondent reports.

Read alsoNATO defense chiefs call on Ukraine to pursue reform"We understand the desire of the Allies to hold their own summit to discuss Trans-Atlantic unity. There are examples of such summits, including one in Brussels, in 2017. To be honest though, we don't understand at all how a closed-format NATO summit could be held against the background of the aggressive actions by the Russian Federation targeting Ukraine, in the Black Sea region, as well against the Allies, I mean the latest events, the latest outcome of the probe in the Czech Republic [into the ammo depots blasts in Vrbetica in October and December 2014, where Russian special services were involved]," noted Kuleba.

"We can't understand this: how can you not invite Ukraine, how can you not find a format for Ukraine's participation in the current summit?" the minister appealed.

NATO summit: background

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he expected the NATO summit to start discussing the prospects for Ukraine's obtaining a Membership Action Plan.

Foreign Minister Kuleba opined that the Allies at their June 14 summit will make no decision on granting MAP to Ukraine.

Olha Stefanishyna, Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, expects Ukraine's security concerns to be adequately reflected in the final documents of the upcoming NATO summit.

Translation: Yevgeny Matyushenko
Alexander Kochetkov

Yevhen Shevchenko, a lawmaker with the ruling Servant of the People faction, recently traveled to Belarus capital Minsk where he was accepted by Alexander Lukashenko he said he had long dreamed of meeting in person. Meanwhile, Ukraine never recognized Lukashenko as legitimate president following the latest election turmoil in the neighboring country. Therefore, such a rendezvous was unacceptable and harmful to Kyiv.

Firstly, a people's deputy is an official who has a special rank of a civil servant, is entitled with exclusive rights and duties of a parliamentarian, and also represents the people of Ukraine and the State of Ukraine. No matter how stupid a lawmaker acts, this will automatically be reflected on the country he represents.

Such a rendezvous was unacceptable and harmful to Kyiv

There is a clearly defined order, accepted internationally: any foreign trip by a legislator, any meeting with a high-ranking official of another country must be coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a certain strategy is laid down for such contacts. Upon their return, they draw up a report (on interlocutors, the agenda of meetings held, and on how much it was all in line with the plan).

This is no game of movie set, this is government policy.

Secondly, Lukashenko's position remains in limbo today. He is ready to grasp any opportunity to legitimize himself. At the same time, Ukraine is now in the global limelight, so any meeting with any Ukrainian official gives Lukashenko a boost toward legitimacy  even more so if he meets a parliamentarian with the ruling party...

The world believes that a member of a ruling party cannot but coordinate their visit with the President's Office and/or the president himself. Therefore, this will be perceived as a certain step in state policy at the highest level. It would never occur to anyone that the deputy is an uncontrollable or ignorant person.

This is no game of movie set, this is government policy

Meanwhile, Lukashenko exploits the visit for his own purposes  for the sake of legitimizing himself in Belarus and beyond. Such a meeting creates a certain media opportunity, even if Shevchenko and Lukashenko struck no deals on anything.

And this is how, due to the oblivious move by a people's deputy, Ukraine is legitimizing Lukashenko as president.

In fact, Ukraine could face unfortunate repercussions as its foreign partners, used to implementing their foreign policy carefully, step by step, thoughtfully and strategically, will turn their backs on Kyiv, observing such irresponsible moves by legislators.

First, some weird leaks on some kind of a special operation against Russia's PMC Wagner mercenaries, then a ruling party's MP holding talks with an internationally unrecognized dictator... This could leave Ukraine face to face with Putin with no foreign help. And this is precisely the threat because such moves portray Ukrainians as ignoramuses, while the State of Ukraine is seen as a partially disabled country. With such steps, the people's deputy is simply working in the interests of Ukraine's external adversaries.

Another question is what Shevchenko actually told Lukashenko. In particular, he said more than a third of Ukrainians (36%) dream of such a president as him. If such words are uttered by an official, this means that there are serious issues with the Ukrainian voters who want something that is loathed in Belarus. Then, again, civilized democracies may ask themselves if it's worth dealing with and protecting the Ukrainian people then?

Such statements compromise the entire population

Such statements compromise the entire population, although they are absolutely not confirmed by anything, being some kind of misinformation (I haven't seen a single sociological study backing the claim). In the best times, even Putin had a lower rating in Ukraine. So where did Lukashenko's 36% come from? It appears that fake narratives circulated by an inadequate MP tarnish Ukrainian voters and the Ukrainian State as a whole.

Personally, I'm simply embarrassed about such statements and actions by the People's Deputy.

To minimize the negative implications of the visit, the position of the Servant of the People should be clear: the case should be publicly considered at a faction meeting, with the best option being to exclude Shevchenko from the political force and sharply condemn his act at the parliamentary level.

Decisive steps are also needed because the incident falls under the direct responsibility of Ukrainian president. It turns out that foreign policy in Ukraine can be implemented by someone other than president  to be precise, by some MP. Therefore, it is important that at least some administrative and personnel steps be taken in relation to Shevchenko, so that no one else dares to encroach on presidential powers.

Unfortunately though, he's not the only inadequate legislator with the ruling faction: some celebrate birthdays amid lockdown, some travel wherever they want  there are quite a few such figures in parliament. Therefore, in my opinion, we will see no serious reaction from the "Servants".

Oleksandr Kochetkov is a Ukrainian political analyst
Ukraine's former Foreign Minister Volodymyr Ohryzko sat down with UNIAN to explain why Ukraine will have to sacrifice "good relations" with Belarus, whether it is possible that the scenario of Roman Protasevich's "detention" was written in Moscow, and why the collective West needs to apply harsh sanctions against the dictator over his actions.

The move by Belarus authorities forcing to land in Minsk Ryanair's plane flying from Athens to Vilnius and carrying among other passengers a founder of the NEXTA Telegram channel that covered Belarus protests, Roman Protasevich, outraged the world and provoked a sharp reaction. The EU has warned Belarus of the consequences, now planning to discuss the issue at the level of Bloc leaders. In Ukraine, the Government will meet for an extraordinary meeting on May 25.

UNIAN spoke with former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Volodymyr Ohryzko, who believes that new sanctions against Minsk could be drafted within 24 hours but the collective West could once again testify to its toothlessness.

In your opinion, what will be the West's response to the incident with the plane forced to land in Minsk in a pirate style? Will any new sanctions be imposed?

If there are no sanctions, the West will testify to its toothlessness. This will mean that both Belarus and Russia can do whatever they want, suppressing anyone. This is an act of terror  there is no doubt about it. A political decision must be made in this case. If it is, there will be sanctions. There's no problem in formulating them. But if there is no political will, there will be more talk about how bad this is, and that will be it.

Both political and economic sanctions could be imposed. I prefer the latter as they can actually affect the situation in the country. There's a variety of such sanctions: from banning the transit of goods through Belarus to and from Russia, the flights of Belarusian planes across Europe, or purchases of Belarusian goods... There are dozens of such options. But this is not the main thing. Specialists could sit down and draft a proposal within 24 hours. The question is whether the collective West is ready to take tough steps.

If there comes another weak package of sanctions, for Putin, Lukashenko, and all the dictators out there in the post-Soviet space, it will mean they can do the same, or even more brazen things.

And do you think the collective West is ready for such tough steps?

In a day or two, we will see.

Should we wait for the EU's reaction or start developing such sanctions on our own?

We can show solidarity with the European position and we can do it independently. We are an independent state. I think the most effective option in common stance with the EU. This would once again show we seek to work in the same political team with the EU.

But there will probably also be those who will say there is no need to rush, that this will have a negative impact on Ukraine as well, arguing that we are neighbors and that we have close economic ties.

Sanctions certainly have a negative effect on those imposing them. But there are principles that are more valuable.

In your opinion, could Russia stand behind this terrorist attack (such a scenario is already being discussed)? Could it be that they plotted this all to have even more leverage over Alexander Lukashenko?

There must be grounds for allegations, otherwise they will be political fantasies. It is clear though that the Lukashenko and Putin regimes are united by rejection of opposition, their attempts to suppress opposition in every way possible. You see how Moscow poisons Navalny, bans everything related to freedom of press and speech... Minsk starts hijacking planes These things unite them. They support each other and rejoice over each other's success. I have no doubt about that. Nothing can be ruled out, but nothing can be confirmed yet.

Vlad Abramov

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 23:11:12|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- It is foreseeable that in the future, China-Europe relations will embrace new opportunities and meanwhile confront various challenges, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.

In a phone conversation with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Xi noted that the key is to firmly grasp the general direction of the comprehensive strategic partnership, properly manage differences and maintain the main tone of win-win cooperation.

Xi asked Sanchez to convey his cordial greetings to King Felipe VI. Noting that China and Spain are important strategic partners and important cooperation partners, Xi said the two sides should understand and support each other.

China stands ready to work with Spain to expand bilateral trade, actively promote cooperation projects in such areas as port logistics, smart cities and clean energy, strengthen third-party cooperation with Latin America and Africa, and deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, Xi said.

Xi stressed that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, China-Europe practical cooperation has shown tremendous potential. He expressed his hope that the Spanish government will continue to play a constructive role in promoting the steady and long-term development of China-Europe relations.

Noting that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Xi said the CPC maintains friendly relations with more than 560 political parties in more than 160 countries.

China and Spain, he added, should strengthen exchanges between their political parties, deepen experience sharing on state governance, and contribute wisdom to both countries' pursuit of development paths in line with their respective national conditions as well as the improvement of global governance. Enditem
Both agreed that this is a geopolitical project, not an economic one.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine met with Robert Habeck, co-chair of Germany's Alliance 90/The Greens party, discussing the risks related to the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project.

"Volodymyr Zelensky and Robert Habeck agreed that this is a geopolitical project, not an economic one," the president's press service reported Monday.

The two have also discussed the course of the German federal election campaign. Volodymyr Zelensky noted the positive dynamics of the party's electoral support and expressed hope for further fruitful cooperation with all German political forces, including Alliance 90/The Greens party.

Read also"Hybrid warfare tool": Rada urging U.S. to stop Russia's Nord Stream 2The Ukrainian leader thanked Germany for its continued support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, and welcomed Robert Habeck's decision to visit the line of contact in the east of the country.

"I highly appreciate your decision. You will be able to see with your own eyes the real picture of Russian aggression against Ukraine. I hope that what you saw in Donbas will help strengthen the position of your political force in support of Ukraine," the president said.

Volodymyr Zelensky and Robert Habeck also discussed Ukraine's European integration.

During the discussion of cooperation in the field of energy, the parties expressed mutual interest in the implementation of joint projects in support of the European Green Deal, as well as in the framework of the Energy Partnership between Ukraine and Germany.

Nord Stream 2: Background

The Nord Stream 2 project envisages the construction and operation of two gas pipeline branches with a total throughput capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. It should connect Russia's Ust-Lug and Germany's Greifswald.

This new pipeline bypassing Ukraine is to be built next to the existing Nord Stream 1 pipeline. The construction of the pipeline was expected to be completed before the end of 2019. The pipeline will be 1,220 km long.

Russia's natural gas giant Gazprom is the founder of Nord Stream 2 AG.

The project is being financed by European companies  France's ENGIE, Austria's OMV, Royal Dutch Shell, as well as Germany's Uniper and Wintershall.

Ukraine stands against the construction of Nord Stream 2 as it will most likely lose its status of a gas transit country, while its potential revenue losses are estimated at US$3 billion annually. The project is also highly criticized by the U.S., Poland, and the Baltic States.

The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline has already been completed by more than 90%.

The United States has imposed a series of sanctions on Nord Stream 2 and has repeatedly called on European allies and private companies to stop the related works.

On January 7, 2021, a fund was established in Germany to support the completion of the Nord Stream 2 project.

Eighteen companies have already refused to participate in the project or are planning to do so because of the sanctions.

On February 6, 2021, Nord Stream 2 AG announced it would continue to lay the pipes as part of the project.

On March 14, 2021, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal Frans Timmermans said that Europe did not need the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Despite this, Germany continues to insist on the completion of the project.

On March 19, 2021, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on the companies involved in the construction of Nord Stream 2 to immediately halt laying pipes, threatening new sanctions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline a trap for all countries across Europe.

On April 20, 2021, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Ukraine should remain a transit country for Russian gas to Europe, despite Germany's decision to complete the construction of the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

In early May, Germany's Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) and Deutsche Umwelthilfe (Environmental Action Germany) filed a lawsuit with the Hamburg Administrative Court against the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in Germany's exclusive economic zone.

On May 17, 2021, Germany allowed the construction of Nord Stream 2 to continue in its waters.

Translation: Yevgeny Matyushenko
The damaged airframe units were completely replaced.

State-owned Mykolaiv Aircraft Repair Plant, which is part of the state-run military-industrial conglomerate Ukroboronprom, has transferred an upgraded Su-24 attack aircraft to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The damaged airframe units were completely replaced during the repair work, according to the conglomerate's press service.

Read alsoUkraine Army receives retrofitted helicopter (Photo)"The upgraded Su-24 aircraft passed the necessary test flights and was transferred to an Air Force unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Su-24 is an all-weather supersonic frontline bomber with a variable-sweep wing. This is the main attack aircraft of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," it said.

UNIAN memo. Mykolaiv (Nikolaev) Aircraft Repair Plant (NARP) is a state enterprise for repairing aviation and marine equipment. It was founded in 1939 at aircraft repair workshops of a pilot school. In 2011, the enterprise became part of Ukroboronprom. The NARP regularly repairs aircraft for the Ukrainian Air Force.

Translation: Kanaryan Lyudmila
The minister said 32% of education workers had been initially ready for vaccination.

Ukrainian Education Minister Serhiy Shkarlet says the government is working on a mechanism to make COVID-19 vaccination obligatory for teachers.

So far, teachers are not legally required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, however they are potential carriers of the virus among children and coworkers, he said in an interview for the RBC Ukraine news agency.

"Children contract the virus less, but they are also carriers. We must think over whether it is necessary to introduce either vaccination or PCR testing in the qualification characteristics of the profession," Shkarlet said.

Read alsoUkraine PM announces new incoming batch of Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19The minister added 32% of education workers had been initially ready for vaccination.

"As of now, 250,000 school and kindergarten workers have already been registered for vaccination, as well as over 25,000 applicants in higher education institutions and colleges (this is more than 90% of all workers on average for all educational institutions). I know for sure Kyiv has already even started administering second shots. Perhaps the name of the Pfizer vaccine will give us an even larger percentage of those wishing," he added.

Earlier, on May 18, the second batch of the Pfizer vaccine was delivered to Ukraine. According to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, this vaccine will be used to vaccinate education workers.

More news reports

Translation: Kanaryan Lyudmila
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, Comirnaty, was approved by the World Health Organization for emergency use.

The first batch of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, Comirnaty, which was procured with budget funds, has arrived in Ukraine.

At 10:01 Kyiv time on May 26, the plane with the vaccine freight, which departed from Warsaw, Poland, landed at Kyiv Sikorsky Airport (Zhuliany), an UNIAN correspondent reported.

Read alsoAll teachers in Ukraine may be obliged to get COVID-19 vaccination  Education ministerDirector of the Ukrainian Health Ministry's Public Health Center Roman Rodyna told a Wednesday briefing that 117,000 doses of the vaccine had been delivered, while another 50,000 would arrive tomorrow, May 27.

Thus, a total of 167,000 doses will be delivered by the end of the week.

The vaccine will be used to vaccinate teachers, healthcare workers, as well as representatives of law enforcement agencies.

Vaccine against COVID-19 in Ukraine

On April 6, 2021, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had sealed an agreement with the American pharmaceutical corporation Pfizer for the supply of 10 million doses of their COVID-19 vaccine.

On May 1, 2021, the then Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said Ukraine had signed a contract with Pfizer on additional shipments of 10 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to double their quantity to 20 million doses.

Separately, Ukraine receives vaccines as part of the COVAX Facility. On April 16, 2021, the first batch of 117,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Ukraine, while another 122,850 doses of this vaccine arrived in Ukraine on May 18, 2021.

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, Comirnaty, was approved by the World Health Organization for emergency use. The vaccine is administered intramuscularly. People should get two doses of the vaccine with an interval of three weeks to be fully vaccinated.

Translation: Kanaryan Lyudmila
The government sees the vaccination of most of Ukraine's adult population as this year's key task.

The batch of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which arrived in Ukraine on May 26, will be immediately sent to the regions.

That's according to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal who spoke at a government meeting on May 26, an UNIAN correspondent reported.

"The vaccine will be immediately sent to the regions, and this will accelerate the pace of the vaccination campaign in Ukraine," he said.

"Let me remind you one of the key tasks this year for the Health Ministry and the government in general is to vaccinate the majority of Ukraine's adult population. And we are moving toward this goal," Shmyhal added.

Read also COVID-19 vaccine certificates to be launched simultaneously with Europe  PM Shmyhal Vaccine against COVID-19 in Ukraine

On April 6, 2021, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had sealed an agreement with the American pharmaceutical corporation Pfizer for the supply of 10 million doses of their COVID-19 vaccine.

On May 1, 2021, the then Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said Ukraine had signed a contract with Pfizer on additional shipments of 10 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to double their quantity to 20 million doses.

Separately, Ukraine receives vaccines as part of the COVAX Facility. On April 16, 2021, the first batch of 117,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Ukraine, while another 122,850 doses of this vaccine were delivered on May 18, 2021.

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, Comirnaty, was approved by the World Health Organization for emergency use. The vaccine is administered intramuscularly. People should get two doses of the vaccine with an interval of three weeks to be fully vaccinated.

On May 26, 2021, the first batch of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, Comirnaty, which had been procured with budget funds, arrived in Ukraine.

Director of the Ukrainian Health Ministry's Public Health Center Roman Rodyna told a Wednesday briefing that 117,000 doses of the vaccine had been delivered, while another 50,000 would arrive on May 27, 2021.

Thus, a total of 167,000 doses will be delivered by the end of the week.

The vaccine will be used to vaccinate teachers, healthcare workers, as well as representatives of law enforcement agencies.

Translation: Kanaryan Lyudmila
Their availability will be a condition for traveling across Europe.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says COVID-19 vaccine certificates in Ukraine will be launched simultaneously with Europe.

"The European Union is at the final stage of agreeing on this document. Its availability will be a prerequisite for traveling across Europe, and therefore Ukraine acts in sync with European partners. The launch of our digital certificates is scheduled for early July," he said at a government meeting on Wednesday, an UNIAN correspondent reported.

COVID-19 vaccine certificates in Ukraine

In late March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need to develop a COVID-19 vaccine certification system for Ukrainians. He stressed such passports had already being developed by many countries that were actively working to create herd immunity against the coronavirus.

Read alsoEU to reopen borders for fully vaccinated tourists from third countriesAt the same time, Ukraine's Health Ministry assured the COVID-19 vaccine certificates for Ukrainians were at the final stage of development.

In April 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers said Ukraine had agreed with the European Commission on cooperation on the compatibility the COVID-19 vaccine certificates. In particular, the digital certificate will confirm that a person has been vaccinated, recovered and tested for the coronavirus.

COVID-19 vaccine certificates in Europe

On March 17, 2021, the European Commission presented a pilot Digital Green Certificate that will facilitate the safe free movement of European Union citizens across the EU.

Such digital vaccine certificates are planned to be introduced by the European Union by June 2021.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization is against the use of COVID-19 vaccine passports as a condition for travel.

On April 29, 2021, the European Parliament adopted its negotiating position on COVID-19 vaccine certificates, which will show a holder's COVID-19 status, confirming they had been fully vaccinated or had an up-to-date negative test result or had recovered from COVID-19.

On May 21, 2021, the Committee of the Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States to the European Union (COREPER) backed the agreement of the EU Council and the European Parliament on the introduction of digital COVID-19 vaccine certificates from July 1.

Translation: Kanaryan Lyudmila
The official cause of the Ukrainian's death is not yet known.

A Ukrainian captain has died under mysterious circumstances on board a foreign vessel in the territorial waters of Panama.

Marine lawyer Mykola Golbin who had been contacted by the captain's wife informed UNIAN about this incident.

According to him, the death of a resident of Odesa region, the captain of the CENTURY cargo vessel, was reported on Thursday, May 20. The sailors reported the incident to the shipowner. The cabin was sealed, and, according to the lawyer, the body had been left in a locked room for several days.

"There are subtropics in Panama. You understand what kind of climate it is and what happens to the body in such temperature conditions... As far as I know, his body had to be removed from the board yesterday, on Monday [May 24]," Golbin said.

Read alsoNo Ukrainians on board tanker attacked by pirates off Nigeria coast  Ukraine's MFAThe official cause of the Ukrainian's death is not yet known. It will be announced after autopsy, which will be conducted in Panama. According to the lawyer, no visible signs of violent death were found on the body.

At the same time, part of the crew does not believe the 38-year-old captain's death was natural. In particular, some sailors anonymously said there had been conflicts on board, and "if someone had mixed something with the captain's drugs, they would not have been surprised."

According to the sailors, the CENTURY cargo vessel (IMO 9253260, under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda) was sailing from Shanghai to Panama.

The lawyer clarified the crew had to be replaced soon and the captain was planning to return home this week.

The captain has two minor children.

Translation: Kanaryan Lyudmila
Online agitators would spread disinformation about the events in the occupied areas of Donbas, as well as pro-Russian propaganda aimed at artificially destabilizing the situation in the country.

The Office of the Security Service of Ukraine in Cherkasy region says its operatives have "blocked" the activities of a bot farm, used to "destabilize" Ukraine.

That's according to the SBU press center.

"Cyber experts with the Security Service of Ukraine in Cherkasy have blocked operations of a bot farm. Online agitators used the equipment in the interests of Russia's hybrid aggression waged against our country," the message says.

Read alsoUkraine puts six more Russian propagandists on black listDuring the pre-trial investigation, it was established that the bot farm was maintained by a local resident working from the back room of his own business. He would use anonymous IP addresses, thereby concealing communication channels with the accomplices.

Intelligence officers found that the perpetrator had been using SIM cards of Ukrainian mobile operators and received payments for his services in cryptocurrency, through Russian virtual payment systems, banned in Ukraine.

Online agitators would spread disinformation about the events in the occupied areas of Donbas, as well as pro-Russian propaganda aimed at artificially destabilizing the situation in the country.

During the raid, law enforcers seized computer equipment with special software installed, as well as telecommunications equipment, and more than 400 SIM cards.

Further investigation is underway to identify and prosecute all those complicit in the scheme.

Translation: Yevgeny Matyushenko
A missile hit a civilians house in the village of Pivnichne.

The Command of Ukraine's Armed Forces has reported eight violations of the ceasefire agreement committed by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on May 24.

"In the past day, May 24, eight ceasefire violations by the Russian Federation's armed formations were recorded in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) zone," the press center of the Ukrainian JFO Command said on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on May 25, 2021.

In particular, enemy troops fired proscribed 120mm mortars near the town of Avdiyivka and the village of Nevelske, as well as hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers and under-barrel grenade launchers near the village of Vodiane.

Also, the enemy used automatic grenade launchers and heavy machine guns near the villages of Pavlopil and Pivdenne, while automatic rifles were used near the village of Pisky.

Read alsoUkraine probing over 12,000 crimes committed during armed conflict in occupied DonbasThere were no casualties in the past day.

The Joint Forces had to fire back, the report said.

The violations were reported to OSCE representatives through the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) of the ceasefire in Donbas.

What is more, the Russian occupying troops used an anti-tank missile system against civilians on May 24.

Under attack was the village of Shumy, where security guarantees for repairs and restoration work on both sides of the contact line had been in force since the middle of May.

"As a result of the shelling, one of the missiles hit the Pivnichniy [Northern] garage cooperative, while another one hit a house in the village of Pivnichne. Markings on the missile remnants indicate these are Russian-made ammunitions and confirm the Russian Federation's direct participation in unleashing aggression and committing crimes against humanity in Ukraine," the JFO Command said.

The Ukrainian side of the JCCC immediately confirmed the fact of the shelling and informed the OSCE SMM about it through the established coordination mechanism.

Since Tuesday midnight, enemy forces have not attacked Ukrainian troops.

The Ukrainian military say the situation is under their full control.

Other related news reports

Translation: Kanaryan Lyudmila
There were no casualties in the past day.

The Command of Ukraine's Armed Forces has reported eight violations of the ceasefire agreement committed by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on May 25.

"In the past day, May 25, eight ceasefire violations by the Russian Federation's armed formations were recorded in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) zone," the press center of the Ukrainian JFO Command said on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on May 26, 2021.

In particular, enemy troops fired anti-tank guns and automatic rifles near the village of Novomykhailivka, as well as proscribed 82mm mortars near the village of Novhorodske.

Also, they used automatic and hand-held grenade launchers, and rifles three times toward Ukrainian positions near the village of Vodiane, while grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns, and rifles were used near the town of Svitlodarsk and the village of Zolote-4.

What is more, an enemy UAV was spotted crossing the contact line near the village of Berezove before being jammed.

Read alsoNATO: Tens of thousands of Russian troops remain in and around UkraineThe Joint Forces had to fire back to repel the enemy attacks, the report said.

There were no casualties in the past day.

Since Wednesday midnight, May 26, two ceasefire violations were recorded in the JFO zone. In particular, the enemy used sniper rifles near the town of Avdiyivka.

"A Ukrainian soldier was wounded amid the attacks. He was promptly provided with first aid and rushed to the hospital," it said.

In addition, enemy troops fired tripod-mounted man-portable anti-tank guns, automatic grenade launchers, and rifles toward Ukrainian positions near the village of Pavlopil.

The Joint Forces had to fire back.

The violations were reported to OSCE representatives through the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) of the ceasefire in Donbas.

The Ukrainian military say the situation is under their full control.

Translation: Kanaryan Lyudmila
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 23:12:13|Editor: huaxia

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NEW DELHI -- The Indian government on Wednesday said the country has recorded 11,717 cases of mucormycosis or black fungus, according to the federal minister for chemicals and fertilizers D. V. Sadananda Gowda.

According to Gowda, Gujarat is leading the list with 2,859 cases, followed by Maharashtra with 2,770 cases. (India-Black Fungus-COVID-19)

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PARIS -- Travelers arriving from the United Kingdom (UK) will be subject to compulsory self-quarantine due to the spread of the virus variant first detected in India, French government spokesman Gabriel Attal announced on Wednesday.

Details on the new measure will be unveiled in the coming hours, Attal told a news briefing after a cabinet meeting. (France-Coronavirus-UK)

- - - -

HELSINKI -- Finnish Customs, cooperating with police, had uncovered about two million euros worth of marijuana smuggled from Latvia, and 15 suspects had been found involved in the suspected criminal offenses, said the customs on Wednesday.

The Finnish police suspected that a new type of organized criminal group in Finland is behind the case. (Finland-Customs-Drug)

- - - -

LONDON -- China surpassed Germany as Britain's biggest single import market in the first quarter (Q1) of 2021, the British Office for National Statistics has said.

Goods imports from China to Britain soared to 16.9 billion pounds (about 23.95 billion U.S. dollars) in Q1, accounting for 16.1 percent of the country's overall goods imports, significantly higher than the second place of Germany at 12.5 billion pounds (17.71 billion dollars), the office said Tuesday. (Britain-China-Trade)

- - - -

TOKYO -- The Japanese government cut its view of the economy on Wednesday for the first time in three months as the country's COVID-19 state of emergency led to a drop in consumer spending.

The Cabinet Office in its monthly report for May said that the overall economy here shows "further" weakness in some components and remains in a severe situation due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Japan-Economic Assessment-Cut) Enditem
Russia also continues to restrict navigation in the Black Sea, including near the Kerch Strait.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says tens of thousands of Russian troops remain in and around Ukraine.

He announced this at a joint press conference with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas at the NATO headquarters on Tuesday, May 25.

"While Russia has pulled back some troops, tens of thousands remain in and around Ukraine, as well as significant amounts of weapons," he said.

Read alsoRussia continues keeping troops, arms near Ukraine's border  Commander-in-ChiefStoltenberg added that Russia continues to restrict navigation in the Black Sea, including near the Kerch Strait. The Secretary General said, "This is part of a pattern of aggressive actions, which raise serious concerns." He added that NATO would remain vigilant, continue to strengthen its deterrence and defense, and support its partners.

Russian military build-up along Ukraine borders, in occupied Crimea

In March 2021, Russia deployed 28 battalion tactical groups along the state border of Ukraine and in the temporarily occupied territories. It is also said to be planning to bring up to 25 battalion tactical groups under the guise of preparations for military drills.

Fifteen warships of Russia's Caspian Flotilla entered the Black Sea. Russia also relocated Su-25SM3 warplanes from Russia's Stavropol Krai (Territory) to occupied Crimea.

On April 22, 2021, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said his country would begin the withdrawal of troops, which had taken part in military exercises in occupied Crimea and near the borders of Ukraine, to their permanent bases in the Southern and Western Military Districts.

On May 6, 2021, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Russian Federation had withdrawn only 3,500 troops from occupied Crimea out of tens of thousands of military personnel deployed on the borders and temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

On May 13, the U.S. Mission to the OSCE said Russia had deployed a variety of heavy weaponry to occupied Crimea, including T-72B3 battle tanks, 120mm mortars, 122mm howitzers, and armored vehicles.

Translation: Kanaryan Lyudmila
Allies call on Belarus to respect fundamental human rights and freedoms.

NATO has called on the Belarusian authorities to immediately and unconditionally free Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend, Sofia Sapega, who is a citizen of Russia.

"The North Atlantic Council strongly condemns the forced diversion to Minsk, Belarus of a Ryanair flight between Athens and Vilnius on 23 May, as well as the removal from the diverted aircraft and arrest of Raman Pratasevich [Roman Protasevich], a prominent Belarusian journalist travelling on board, and Sofia Sapega," NATO said in a statement on Belarus on May 26, 2021.

According to NATO, this unacceptable act seriously violated the norms governing civil aviation and endangered the lives of the passengers and crew.

"We support calls for an urgent independent investigation, including by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). We support measures taken by Allies individually and collectively in response to this incident," the statement said.

According to the statement, the detention of Protasevich is an affront to the principles of political dissent and freedom of the press.

"Belarus must immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Pratasevich [Protasevich] and Ms. Sapega. NATO Allies call on Belarus to respect fundamental human rights and freedoms, and to abide by the rules-based international order," the statement said.

Allies stand in solidarity with Latvia following the unjustified expulsion of Latvian diplomats.

Read alsoEU to approve fourth package of sanctions against Belarus in June  journalist

Forced landing of Ryanair plane

On May 23, 2021, Belarus scrambled a MiG-29 fighter jet to forcedly land a Ryanair plane in Minsk. The plane was heading from Athens, Greece, to Vilnius, Lithuania. Co-founder of Telegram's opposition channel NEXTA, Roman Protasevich, was on board the plane.

The plane was diverted to Minsk at the command of Belarusian air traffic controllers over a possible bomb threat, despite the fact that the distance to Vilnius was much shorter. After the plane landed, Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend were detained. Protasevich faces the death penalty in Belarus.

The circumstances of the forced landing of the Ryanair airline in Minsk will be investigated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

At 00:00 Kyiv time on May 26, 2021, Ukraine halted air traffic with Belarus over the incident. What is more, Ukrainian airlines and aircraft will not be allowed to fly in Belarusian airspace.

Translation: Akulenko Olena
Sectorial sanctions are to be introduced by August.

The European Union will in June 2021 approve the fourth package of sanctions against Belarus, including over the forced landing of a Ryanair plane in Minsk.

This was announced by Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty journalist Rikard Jozwiak on Twitter.

"[T]he 4th sanctions package on #Belarus should be adopted in June. [L]istings of [people] responsible for the forced landing of the #Ryanair flight should also be done then," he said.

According to him, sectoral sanctions will probably "take a bit longer but the aim to have it done before the EU summer break in August."

Read alsoLukashenko further pushing himself into the Russian bear's arms

Sanctions against Belarus

On May 25, 2021, heads of state and government of the European Union member states agreed at an EU summit to prepare new sanctions against Belarus over a forced landing of a Ryanair aircraft in Minsk.

On October 2, 2020, the European Union imposed sanctions on 40 Belarusian officials, subsequently, it added 14 more names, as well as Alexander Lukashenko, to the sanctions list on November 6, 2020. The decision to impose restrictive measures was taken over the suppression of peaceful protests and falsification of the presidential election results.

On December 17, 2020, the EU Council introduced the third package of sanctions against 29 people and seven companies from Belarus. The restrictive measures included an entry ban and asset freeze. What is more, citizens from EU member states are prohibited from providing financial assistance to all individuals and legal entities from Belarus who are under the sanctions.

Forced landing of Ryanair plane

On May 23, 2021, Belarus scrambled a MiG-29 fighter jet to forcedly land a Ryanair plane in Minsk. The plane was heading from Athens, Greece, to Vilnius, Lithuania. Co-founder of Telegram's opposition channel NEXTA, Roman Protasevich, was on board the plane.

The plane was diverted to Minsk at the command of Belarusian air traffic controllers over a possible bomb threat, despite the fact that the distance to Vilnius was much shorter. After the plane landed, Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend were detained. Protasevich faces the death penalty in Belarus.

The circumstances of the forced landing of the Ryanair airline in Minsk will be investigated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Translation: Akulenko Olena
The long-anticipated meeting will come at the conclusion of Biden's first international trip since taking office.

The first face-to-face meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will take place next month in Switzerland, the White House said Tuesday.

At the moment, Biden's administration and the Kremlin are finalizing arrangements for the summit, CNN reported Tuesday.

"President Biden will meet with President Putin in Geneva, Switzerland on June 16, 2021. The leaders will discuss the full range of pressing issues, as we seek to restore predictability and stability to the U.S.-Russia relationship," the White House said in a statement.

The long-anticipated meeting will come at the conclusion of Biden's first international trip since taking office.

The White House dispatched national security adviser Jake Sullivan to Geneva this week to meet with his Russian counterpart, officials said, as details are being hammered out for the meeting between Biden and Putin.

Read alsoKuleba says Lavrov shuns Normandy ministers' meetingThe high-stakes meeting comes nearly three years after Putin met then-President Donald Trump in Helsinki, Finland. The officials said the meeting with Biden will look very different from that July 2018 summit, during which Trump sided with Putin and openly dismissed U.S. intelligence about Russian interference in the 2016 election.

It would be Biden's first meeting with Putin since taking office. But Biden has previously met with Putin during his time as vice president, including a 2011 meeting during which Biden said he looked into Putin's eyes and declared: "I don't think you have a soul."

Background

On April 13, 2021, Putin and Biden had a phone call. According to the White House's press service, Biden put forward the idea of holding a Russian-American summit "in a third country in the coming months." Later, the American leader clarified that he had invited his Russian counterpart to meet in Europe this summer.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised a possible meeting between the leaders of Russia and the United States.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the summit would not radically change the situation in Ukraine.

Translation: Yevgeny Matyushenko
Elijah Kusa

A recent skirmish between security forces on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border, including against the background of a meeting of the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization, which includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan), was a very unpleasant incident. But such things have happened before, since this is about a disputed section of the border.

The entire region  the Fergana Valley  is a "patchwork quilt" of disputed areas that are yet to be demarcated, basically, between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. And, naturally, this is one of the hottest spots in Central Asia.

It is clear that the contradictions between the countries have been deepening for years. First, that's because none of these long-lasting disputes have been settled, while border demarcation negotiations are at an impasse.

Secondly, the water factor plays an important role there. So these altercation are also about water. There are more resources on the territory of Kyrgyzstan, therefor its neighbors depend on this country. Besides, some of these water resources are located in the disputed border areas.

Thirdly, political leaders in both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan tend to play their nationalist card and flirt a bit with their citizens' patriotism, which also spurs the parties to conflict, creating a toxic atmosphere that leads to clashes. Today, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon is not doing well addressing the economy issues and the pandemic, and it would be beneficial for him to distract the public from internal issues a little. At the same time, the new president of Kyrgyzstan, Sadir Japarov (snap elections were held in January 2021), let's just say, sometimes also seeks to exploit patriotic sentiments in order to consolidate power.

Russian influence here is decreasing, while the influence of other countries, regional players  Turkey, China, and the United States  is increasing

Fourthly, the factor of external influence must also be taken into account. Russian influence here is decreasing, while that of other countries, regional players  Turkey, China, and the United States  is increasing. The imbalance leads to growing contradictions.

Therefore, it is clear that over time these contradictions will grow if they are not addressed. But will this be done within the framework of the CSTO? If there is no corresponding application to the CSTO, there should be no reaction. Moreover, now the parties (probably not without Russia's participation) have reached a tentative agreement to withdraw their troops, refrain from pulling in reinforcements, and start at least some kind of dialogue.

As of today, the conflict seems to be over. But for Russia this is a wake-up call. First of all, this is a signal that on its periphery, in the former zone of its interests, its influence is fading. Previously, similar conflicts (during the times of the Russian Empire, during the USSR) were extinguished by Russian military presence. Now that there are sovereign states in place, Russian influence is no longer unique or exclusive. Many states exert their influence there, and this will further prevail in the modern multipolar world.

On the other hand, the incident is an opportunity for Russia to strengthen. If Russian authorities are now able to fill the vacuum of influence and propose some kind of initiative or status quo that can smooth out the contradictions and freeze the situation, this could allow it to strengthen, as it happened in the South Caucasus through Karabakh war and agreements with Turkey.

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are CSTO members so it's not a good idea for them to go for war.

But no one there is interested in a big war  neither Kyrgyzstan not Tajikistan. What they do need is play their citizens' patriotic feelings, not wage a war. Russia doesn't need it either, even more so against the background of the CSTO meeting  so as not to undermine the organization's credibility. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are CSTO members so it's not a good idea for them to go for war.

In reality, the region is not ready for war because, if the war does break out, it will draw the entire Central Asia. And this isn't what external forces want at all.

Ilia Kusa is an expert on international politics and Middle East with the Ukrainian Institute for the Future analytical center
The EU position was conveyed that the outrageous action by Belarusian government constitutes "another blatant attempt to silence all opposition voices in the country.

Upon request by EU High Representative Josep Borrell, the Secretary-General of the European External Action Service, Stefano Sannino, summoned the Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to the European Union, Aleksandr Mikhnevich, to condemn the "inadmissible step" of the Belarusian authorities, who forced a civilian plane to perform an emergency landing in Minsk and detained its passenger Mr Raman Pratasevich, an independent Belarusian journalist and activist.

That's according to a press release by the External Action Service, seen by UNIAN.

Ambassador Mikhnevich was informed of the "firm condemnation" by the EU institutions and EU Member States of the "coercive act" by the Belarusian authorities which have "jeopardised the safety of passengers and crew."

Secretary-General Sannino conveyed to the envoy the EU's position that the outrageous action by Belarusian government constitutes "another blatant attempt to silence all opposition voices in the country "and demanded the "immediate release of Mr Pratasevich."

The "unacceptable act will be raised at today's meeting of the European Council," the press release says.

Read alsoIrish FM blames Belarus for "aviation piracy""The EU will consider the consequences of these actions, including possible measures against those responsible," says the EU official.

Forced landing of Ryanair plane and Roman Protasevich's arrest

On May 23, 2021, a Ryanair plane flying en route from Athens, Greece, to Vilnius, Lithuania, was diverted and forced to land at Minsk airport, Belarus. After landing, the country's authorities arrested co-founder of Telegram's opposition channel NEXTA, Roman Protasevich (Raman Pratasevich), who was on board the plane.

Leader of the Belarusian opposition Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (Svetlana Tikhanovskaya) responded to the incident. "The regime forced the landing Ryanair plane in Minsk to arrest journalist and activist Raman Pratasevich. He faces the death penalty in Belarus. We demand immediate release of Raman, ICAO investigation, and sanctions against Belarus," she said on Twitter on May 23.

There were immediate reports that President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko had sent a MiG-29 fighter jet to intercept the Ryanair plane with the ex-chief editor of NEXTA on board.

That country's Defense Ministry confirmed the interception of the plane.

President of the European Council Charles Michel insists it will be essential that ICAO investigate the Minsk incident.

The European Union said the landing of a Ryanair plane flying en route from Athens, Greece, to Vilnius, Lithuania, had been forced by a Belarusian military aircraft.

Translation: Yevgeny Matyushenko
Fazze asked the bloggers to advance false claims that the death rate among people receiving the Pfizer vaccine is three times higher than those receiving the AstraZeneca PLC vaccine.

French counterintelligence is investigating whether Russia masterminded an attempt to pay high-profile health and science bloggers to sow public doubts about the safety of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, a French security official said.

Several French bloggers said they received emails in recent days from a person claiming to be part of a Fazze marketing firm. The emails, some of which were reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, offered to pay the bloggers to produce videos and post them on various social platforms, criticizing the vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE, which has been the most widely used vaccine in France. One blogger told French TV he was offered EUR 2,050 (about $2,500) for a video.

Read alsoCOVID-19 myths: Ukraine gov't debunks fake stories compromising vaccinationThe security official said counterintelligence authorities suspect the Kremlin could be responsible for the emails. The official compared the emails to campaigns run by the Internet Research Agency, a Russian firm that the U.S. government says was responsible for an effort to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Western officials have said these operations are an attempt by the Kremlin to undermine public confidence in Western institutions.

Fazze asked the bloggers to advance false claims that the death rate among people receiving the Pfizer vaccine is three times higher than those receiving the AstraZeneca PLC vaccine.

Leo Grasset, a French science blogger, said he received emails from a Fazze employee named Anton, who sent him a list of talking points written in broken English.

Read alsoEU has "absolutely no need" of Sputnik V  Vaccine task force chief"Put a question like 'Why some governments actively purchasing Pfizer vaccine, which is dangerous to health of the people,'" one email said.

Mr. Grasset replied to the message, asking who was sponsoring the campaign.

"The client prefers to remain incognito," Anton said.

The talking points forwarded by Fazze are similar to those disseminated by Russia on the official Twitter account for Sputnik V, the coronavirus vaccine developed by the Russian government. On April 23, the account said it had conducted a study showing Pfizer-BioNTech recipients died more frequently than those who received AstraZeneca.

Reporting by UNIAN
Anatoly Oktisyuk

The detention of a former editor of the NEXTA Telegram channel, Roman Protasevich, following a move by Belarus authorities to force-land Ryanair's passenger jet in Minsk, was a tactical win for Lukashenko, but also a loss at a strategic level.

Lukashenko did win some points because he managed to practically snatch from the sky one of the key figures who authorities claim had been "sowing chaos" in Belarus. Frightened by protests, the Belarusian regime perceives Protasevich as one of the main instigators and masterminds of the mass rallies. Fear has big eyes, so Lukashenko's entourage is convinced that Protasevich is a valuable asset and source as he could allegedly tell them, who financed the protests, how much the West helped, which special services were involved, who were the coordinators and informants.

Also, Lukashenko in this case was personally guided by the revenge motive: after all, some rookie youngster somehow managed to set up a powerful platform that promoted the protest action, incited crowds, and informed the world about the developments Belarus. So the Belarus leader might have sought to nab the guy just to tell him "Look at you now!"

From the dictator's point of view, indeed, it was a victory  the one on a tactical level. Moreover, this story could be highlighted to show other Belarusian opposition figures that Lukashenko's regime has long arms, so anyone could be located found and apprehended. So this is an element of intimidation.

By his actions, Lukashenko worsened his own situation and pushed himself further into the arms of the Russian bear

Strategically though, Lukashenko has lost. After all, the issue of the disputed presidential election and protests in Belarus has recently receded into the background, while global agenda has changed. No one even recalls opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya anymore. Lukashenko is just as toxic, but many seem to have accepted the status quo: the crook is still there but at least there's no more violence in Belarus, which is good.

But by his actions, Lukashenko worsened his own situation and pushed himself further into the arms of the Russian bear. He has yet again angered everyone and destroyed the calm that had been established around him. Had he refrained from such a move, Belarus would have seen economic normalization one way or another because "time heals everything." But Lukashenko ruined everything: he enraged the entire Western world  both Europe and the United States. After that, even tougher sanctions could be imposed against him and his entourage. That is, he burned all bridges, it seems.

This last straw has convinced the world that Lukashenko is an inadequate ruler, ready to give any outrageous orders. However, on the other hand, this gives the West additional leverage over the Belarus leader. But at the same time, Lukashenko had driven himself firmly under Putin's heel.

I don't rule out the possibility that this whole operation had been planned with Russia's support. On his own, Lukashenko couldn't have done such an elaborate job: to make sure that Protasevich bought specific tickets, boarded a certain a flight, and so on The Belarusian KGB would have lacked resources to achieve success in this endeavor.

There is a death penalty in Belarus, but I don't think Protasevich will be executed

As for the further fate of Mr Protasevich, there are three options for developments:

1 Protasevich will be intimidated by the KGB into testifying; 2 He will be imprisoned, and the Belarusian authorities will make a whole show out of it. I don't even rule out the option where he will be killed; 3 Putin will play his own game: Lukashenko will pursue the investigation, get the required incriminating testimony, and convict Protasevich to life, while Putin will come forward as a mediator to ensure that Protasevich be released, which in the end would be a PR bonus for the Russian president.

It should be recalled that Belarus has death penalty in place, but I don't think Protasevich will be executed. After all, in this case, firstly, Belarus would go total North Korea, which would imply a corresponding stance of the international community towards Lukashenko. Although, of course, even now Lukashenkos actions suggest he has gone totally rogue.

Secondly, the capital punishment for Protasevich would cause public outrage, which is something Lukashenko wouldn't want to face. Indeed, from a political perspective, Protasevich is a new iconic figure, the new face of protest. That is, the execution would be too costly a move for the regime, so there's simply no sense in executing Protasevich.

Belarus may well be disconnected from SWIFT

Thirdly, the international implications for Belarus and the Lukashenko regime would be rather severe. If the "nation's father" decides to execute the ex-editor, Belarus will find itself "besieged" and turn into a "black hole" on the European map: the world will minimize contacts with Belarus, foreign embassies will cease operations, while foreign trade will be put to a full halt. Also, Belarus may well be disconnected from SWIFT (this is not Russia, after all).

Europe might not confine itself to "deep concern" statements because it was too impudent a step that outraged many. Eastern Europe, in particular, Lithuania, Poland, and others, will vehemently push Brussels to act. This is not so much an issue of Protasevich's fate, this is more about a threat to the European Union, because the lives of European citizens are in jeopardy, too. At the very least, Eastern European countries will work toward banning flights over Belarus and impose economic sanctions.

Anatoly Oktysiuk is a political expert with the DemocracyHouse think tank
Coveney said the incident yesterday was a "state-sponsored hijacking."

The Belarussian grounding of a Ryanair flight amounts to "aviation piracy."

This was announced by Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney, the Irish Examiner reported.

Coveney said the incident on May 23, which saw a Ryanair flight from Athens to Vilnius grounded over a supposed security concern, was a "state-sponsored hijacking."

Coveney said that the Belarussian regime "has no democratic legitimacy" and called on the EU to show a "clear and tough response."

Read alsoNATO says forcible landing of passenger plane in Minsk requires international probeHe told RTE radio he "would like to speak to" the Belarussian honorary consul in Dublin, but stopped short of advocating the banishment of all diplomats across the EU.

There has to be "a real edge" to any sanctions imposed and the EU must go beyond "strong press releases," he added.

Earlier, Coveney wrote on Twitter the EU should give a strong response to such actions.

"It is utterly unacceptable. This is an Irish Airline with EU citizens on board, forced to land in Minsk, while travelling between EU cities. A strong an[d] united response from EU needed. EU inaction or indecision will be taken as weakness by Belarus," he tweeted.

Forced landing of Ryanair plane and Roman Protasevich's arrest

On May 23, 2021, a Ryanair plane flying en route from Athens, Greece, to Vilnius, Lithuania, was diverted and forced to land at Minsk airport, Belarus. After landing, the country's authorities arrested co-founder of Telegram's opposition channel NEXTA, Roman Protasevich (Raman Pratasevich), who was on board the plane.

Leader of the Belarusian opposition Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (Svetlana Tikhanovskaya) responded to the incident. "The regime forced the landing Ryanair plane in Minsk to arrest journalist and activist Raman Pratasevich. He faces the death penalty in Belarus. We demand immediate release of Raman, ICAO investigation, and sanctions against Belarus," she said on Twitter on May 23.

There were immediate reports that President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko had sent a MiG-29 fighter jet to intercept the Ryanair plane with the ex-chief editor of NEXTA on board.

That country's Defense Ministry confirmed the interception of the plane.

President of the European Council Charles Michel insists it will be essential that ICAO investigate the Minsk incident.

The European Union said the landing of a Ryanair plane flying en route from Athens, Greece, to Vilnius, Lithuania, had been forced by a Belarusian military aircraft.

Translation: Kanaryan Lyudmila
The incident will be considered at an upcoming European Council meeting.

The European Union says the landing of a Ryanair plane flying en route from Athens, Greece, to Vilnius, Lithuania, was forced by a Belarusian military aircraft.

That's according to a declaration by High Representative on Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell on behalf of the EU on the forced diversion of Ryanair flight FR4978 to Minsk on May 23, 2021.

"The plane, owned by an EU company, flying between two EU capitals and carrying more than 100 passengers, was forced to land by a Belarusian military aircraft," the declaration said.

Read alsoNATO says forcible landing of passenger plane in Minsk requires international probeIt is noted in carrying out this coercive act, the Belarusian authorities have jeopardised the safety of passengers and the crew.

"An international investigation into this incident must be carried out to ascertain any breach of international aviation rules," it said.

It is stressed this situation will be raised at an upcoming European Council meeting.

"The EU will consider the consequences of this action, including taking measures against those responsible," the declaration says.

Forced landing of Ryanair plane and Roman Protasevich's arrest

On May 23, 2021, a Ryanair plane flying en route from Athens, Greece, to Vilnius, Lithuania, was diverted and forced to land at Minsk airport, Belarus. After landing, the country's authorities arrested co-founder of Telegram's opposition channel NEXTA, Roman Protasevich (Raman Pratasevich), who was on board the plane.

Leader of the Belarusian opposition Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (Svetlana Tikhanovskaya) responded to the incident. "The regime forced the landing Ryanair plane in Minsk to arrest journalist and activist Raman Pratasevich. He faces the death penalty in Belarus. We demand immediate release of Raman, ICAO investigation, and sanctions against Belarus," she said on Twitter on May 23.

There were immediate reports that President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko had sent a MiG-29 fighter jet to intercept the Ryanair plane with the ex-chief editor of NEXTA on board.

That country's Defense Ministry confirmed the interception of the plane.

President of the European Council Charles Michel insists it will be essential that ICAO investigate the Minsk incident.

Translation: Kanaryan Lyudmila
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 23:17:02|Editor: huaxia

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MOSCOW, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday it has decided to expel a Bulgarian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move.

The ministry said it had summoned the ambassador of Bulgaria to inform him that an employee from the Bulgarian Embassy in Russia has been declared "persona non grata."

It added that the measure was taken in response to the "groundless" expulsion of a Russian diplomat at the Russian Embassy in Sofia earlier in April. Enditem
The Belarusian authorities on May 23 forcedly landed a plane heading from Athens to Vilnius and arrested journalist Roman Protasevich, who was on board the plane.

The United States and European allies have called for a ban on all overflight of Belarus after a forced landing of a Ryanair plane in Minsk, Belarus.

"We call for an immediate inquiry to be held by the International Civil Aviation Organisation [ICAO] into this clear violation of free transit between states and the threats to the aircraft," says a joint statement issued by U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.).

"Until ICAO has reported, we call for Belarus to be suspended from the organization and a ban on all overflight of Belarus including flights to and from the country."

"It is clear that the current administration in Minsk has no respect for the safety of our citizens and cannot be trusted to defend their rights. This act of state terror and kidnapping is a threat to all those who travel in Europe and beyond. It cannot be allowed to stand," it said.

The statement was also signed by Menendez's counterparts in the Czech Republic, Latvia, Germany, Lithuania, Ireland, Poland, and the United Kingdom.

Read alsoBelarus Defense Ministry confirms MiG-29 sent to intercept Ryanair plane, cites bomb threat

Forced landing of Ryanair plane and Roman Protasevich's arrest

On May 23, 2021, a Ryanair plane flying en route from Athens, Greece, to Vilnius, Lithuania, was diverted and forced to land at Minsk airport, Belarus. After landing, the country's authorities arrested co-founder of Telegram's opposition channel NEXTA, Roman Protasevich (Raman Pratasevich), who was on board the plane.

Leader of the Belarusian opposition Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (Svetlana Tikhanovskaya) responded to the incident. "The regime forced the landing Ryanair plane in Minsk to arrest journalist and activist Raman Pratasevich. He faces the death penalty in Belarus. We demand immediate release of Raman, ICAO investigation, and sanctions against Belarus," she said on Twitter on May 23.

There were immediate reports that President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko had sent a MiG-29 fighter jet to intercept the Ryanair plane with the ex-chief editor of NEXTA on board.

That country's Defense Ministry confirmed the interception of the plane.

President of the European Council Charles Michel insists it will be essential that ICAO investigate the Minsk incident.

Translation: Akulenko Olena
NATO says forcible landing of passenger plane in Minsk requires international probe

The senior official says Belarus must ensure safe the return of the crew and all passengers.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says that a forcible landing of a Ryanair passenger plane in Minsk, Belarus, requires an international probe. "Closely monitoring forcible landing in #Belarus of flight to Vilnius & reported detention of opposition figure Roman Protasevich. This is a serious & dangerous incident which requires international investigation," he tweeted late on May 23. He says Belarus must ensure the safe return of the crew and all passengers. Read alsoU.S., European allies call for ban on all overflight of Belarus after forced landing of Ryanair plane Forced landing of Ryanair plane and Roman Protasevich's arrest On May 23, 2021, a Ryanair plane flying en route from Athens, Greece, to Vilnius, Lithuania, was diverted and forced to land at Minsk airport, Belarus. After landing, the country's authorities arrested co-founder of Telegram's opposition channel NEXTA, Roman Protasevich (Raman Pratasevich), who was on board the plane.

Leader of the Belarusian opposition Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (Svetlana Tikhanovskaya) responded to the incident. "The regime forced the landing Ryanair plane in Minsk to arrest journalist and activist Raman Pratasevich. He faces the death penalty in Belarus. We demand immediate release of Raman, ICAO investigation, and sanctions against Belarus," she said on Twitter on May 23.

There were immediate reports that President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko had sent a MiG-29 fighter jet to intercept the Ryanair plane with the ex-chief editor of NEXTA on board.

That country's Defense Ministry confirmed the interception of the plane.

President of the European Council Charles Michel insists it will be essential that ICAO investigate the Minsk incident. Translation: Akulenko Olena

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The operation was by no means a spontaneous effort, the diplomat stresses.

It was personally Alexander Lukashenko who took the decision to apprehend the founder of the NEXTA media project on a Telegram chat messenger, Roman Protasevich, suggests Ukraine's Ambassador to Belarus Ihor Kyzym.

The special operation involving the diversion of a commercial passenger plane transiting via the Belarusian airspace could not be a spontaneous effort, Kyzym told Ukraine 24 TV.

This is the first time in his diplomatic career, the ambassador says, that he witnessed a government's move to force-land a passenger jet.

"Obviously, the decision was made at the highest level, no one else says anything else about it. The decision was taken personally by Alexander Lukashenko after the relevant agencies reported to him of the need to take such a step, and so on. It is obvious this was no spontaneous operation  it had been prepared. Whether the decision was taken independently, I'm unaware, but it's a sure fact this was the top leader, and it's been proven. It was Alexander Lukashenko," the ambassador said.

Forced landing of Ryanair plane in Belarus' Minsk

On May 23, 2021, Belarus scrambled a MiG-29 fighter jet to forcedly land a Ryanair plane in Minsk. The plane was heading from Athens, Greece, to Vilnius, Lithuania. Co-founder of Telegram's opposition channel NEXTA, Roman Protasevich, was on board the plane.

Read alsoNATO demands Belarus immediately free journalist Protasevich, his girlfriendThe plane was diverted to Minsk at the command of Belarusian air traffic controllers over a possible bomb threat, despite the fact that the distance to Vilnius was much shorter. After the plane landed, Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend were detained. Protasevich faces the death penalty in Belarus.

The circumstances of the forced landing of the Ryanair airline in Minsk will be investigated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

At 00:00 Kyiv time on May 26, 2021, Ukraine halted air traffic with Belarus over the incident. What is more, Ukrainian airlines and aircraft will not be allowed to fly in Belarusian airspace.

The European Union will in June 2021 approve the fourth package of sanctions against Belarus, including over the forced landing of a Ryanair plane in Minsk, that's according to Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty journalist Rikard Jozwiak.

Translation: Yevgeny Matyushenko
Oregon, WI (53575)

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Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph..

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Francisco Andres Pedro, 19, and his sister, Eulalia Andres Pedro, 17, at West Side Park in Champaign on May 14, 2021. Both traveled from Guatemala by foot and sometimes by car to the U.S.-Mexico border in 2015 when they were 14 and 12. She has been granted permanent residence, while Francisco's asylum case is still pending. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune/TNS)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 23:21:19|Editor: huaxia

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SOFIA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Bulgaria's preparations for the 2021 nationwide population and housing census are underway, Sergey Tsvetarsky, president of the National Statistical Institute said on Wednesday.

The census is held every 10 years, and the forthcoming one would be the 18th, Tsvetarsky said at a press conference.

It would last from Sept. 7 to Oct. 3, and for the second time Bulgaria would conduct the census with the help of the Internet in addition to the traditional way of home visits by census officials, Tsvetarsky said.

He forecasted that about 60 percent of the people would count themselves online. At the previous census, the figure was about 42 percent.

The census was originally scheduled to take place from Jan. 22 this year but was postponed due to the severe pandemic wave, he said.

In the 2011 census, the population of Bulgaria numbered 7.36 million, while in 2001 it was 7.93 million. Enditem
KINGSTON  Emily McLellan is excited about starting freshman year at the University of New Hampshire in the fall, but shes been worried that her aging 1996 Toyota Corolla might not be able to handle the regular commute.
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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 23:23:23|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- China will relax rules for foreign investment, increasing its market appeal to global investors and signaling its determination to deepen opening up.

The country's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) has made public its plan for formulating regulations and laws in 2021, putting on agenda the revision of the guideline on foreign strategic investment in Chinese listed firms.

The revision seeks to "ease restrictions on foreign strategic investment, and introduce innovative supervision approaches for the sector," the MOC said in a recent online statement.

The move came as the guideline, which was issued 15 years ago, cannot satisfy the current demand of foreign investment attraction given the country's rapid development over the years.

Wang Jian, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics, said the revision was a signal to the world, indicating that China will continue its reform and opening-up policy, gradually loosen restrictions on foreign investment in listed firms, and foster a more enabling investment environment.

As the market is waiting for the upgraded guideline, a draft revision unveiled last June offered a glimpse of the upcoming rules.

The June draft lowered asset requirements for investments. It stipulated that foreign investors should either own at least 50 million U.S. dollars or manage no less than 300 million dollars of assets for market entry, compared with the current thresholds set at 100 million dollars and 500 million dollars, respectively.

It also reduced the lock-up period for foreign shareholders' stocks from three years to 12 months and removed shareholding limits of foreign strategic investment through listed firms' targeted placements.

Commenting on the lowered bar for foreign investment, Wang said it meant that apart from productive investment, China also welcomes foreign strategic investment in listed firms with open arms.

"The changes showed that China is gradually opening its equity market to the world, which is also conducive to the sound and healthy development of its stock market," Wang noted.

Opening up has been frequently brought up by China's policymakers over the years of its rapid economic growth. Despite a virus-induced economic slowdown across the world, the country's opening-up momentum remains unabated.

China has taken several major steps to open its door wider since last year: implementing the Foreign Investment Law, trimming the negative list for foreign investment and easing foreign access to the financial market.

In the country's new development blueprint, the 14th Five-Year Plan, it reiterates the commitment to promoting reform and opening up while pursuing high-quality development.

With a 4-percent growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows last year, China stood out as the largest recipient of FDI in the world, according to a report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

In the first four months of 2021, FDI into the Chinese mainland, in actual use, surged by 38.6 percent year on year, MOC data showed. Enditem
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.
We may never know if a Manchester police officers act of kindness to a teen would-be shoplifter will make a difference in the teens life. But it certainly brightened the day of a lot of Manchester residents and others who read our story or saw the TV newscast about Officer George Morales.
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
Milledgeville, GA (31061)

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Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High near 90F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

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Union Springs, AL (36089)

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Mostly cloudy skies. Scattered thunderstorms this morning. High 88F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 23:25:26|Editor: huaxia

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NAIROBI, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Wednesday launched an initiative to fast track the process of regularization of the status of Kenyans who hold dual citizenship and had renounced or lost their Kenyan citizenship under the old constitution.

Fred Matiang'i, cabinet secretary, Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government told journalists in Nairobi that the 2010 constitution now allows dual citizenship.

Matiang'i said more than 25,000 Kenyans who lost their birth citizenship by becoming citizens of other nations will have regained their old status by the end of the two-month drive.

The ministry also plans to give 500 permanent residency and citizenships to foreign investors already in the country in the next two months.

Matiang'i noted that the government intends to make amendments to the law in order to simplify the process of acquiring Kenyan citizenship.

The Kenyan official noted that through the initiative Kenya hopes to increase the amount of annual remittances received from abroad. Enditem
Access the Experts: Robin Gandhi In this installment, Gandhi answers: "What is ransomware and how does it work?"

In This Installment of Access the Experts Robin Gandhi, Ph.D, director of the UNO School of Interdisciplinary Informatics, answers the question: "What is ransomware and how does it work?" About Gandhi An expert in areas related to cybersecurity Gandhi holds teaching and research interests in areas that include information assurance, software assurance, regulatory requirements, risk assessment, and more.

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Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam on Wednesday said the Federal Government would provide certified wheat seed to Gilgit Baltistan in order to enhance its local output for reducing reliance on the Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Service Corporation

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th May, 2021 ) :Minister for National food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam on Wednesday said the Federal Government would provide certified wheat seed to Gilgit Baltistan in order to enhance its local output for reducing reliance on the Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Service Corporation.

Talking to GB Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid, who called on him, he said the Federal Government would also help the GB Government to establish its own seed technology for developing seeds as according to its ecological requirements to promote agriculture in that areas.

The minister offered to contribute 5 million tonnes of wheat seed to the GB for next year through the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council to reduce Gilgit Baltistan's dependency on PASSCO supplies of wheat.

Imam said Angora rabbit habitat would also be set up in Gilgit Baltistan by the Federal Government as the GB's weather was more suitable for its production.

Both the sides agreed for taking measures for value addition of trout fish and promotion of its farming as the area possessed huge potential of aquaculture.

Imam undermined the need for proper policy formation to exploit the existing potential of GB in agriculture and livestock sectors to enhance farm income and alleviate poverty.

He said the Federal Government would also help the GB government and provide human and technical help for conducting surveys and research to find out the solutions to reach its potential.

The Gilgit Baltistan, he said, was strategically important area of the country. The soybean cultivation would be introduced in Gilgit Baltistan on trail basis to promote oil-seed production in the areas.

Senior officials of the ministry also suggested for introducing hydroponic farming in Gilgit Baltistan to enhance production of different crops.

Speaking on the occasion, the GB chief minister said the region had best land for agriculture for the production of organic fruit such as Apple, cherry, pine and nuts to explore international markets.

He urged the Federal Government to help the GB Government to establish seed technology in order to help inHe also asked for providing technical assistance to save post harvest losses as 70 percent fruit output wasted due to absence of proper technology.
BEIJING, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th May, 2021 ) :China will ban the use of disposable plastic packaging bags, tableware and straws on domestic flights starting next year, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said Wednesday.

Airports with an annual throughput of at least 2 million passengers will also stop providing such products next year, and the ban will be extended to all airports and international passenger flights in 2023, the administration said.

The ban was part of a five-year plan released by the administration to control plastic pollution. By 2025, the consumption of disposable non-degradable plastic in the civil aviation industry will decline sharply from the 2020 level, according to the plan.

Airlines in the country have already started the green transition, with some companies replacing disposable plastic tableware with recyclable ones and piloting on-board garbage sorting.
Brussels, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th May, 2021 ) :The European Commission will confront drugs giant AstraZeneca in a Belgian court on Wednesday over coronavirus vaccine delivery shortfalls that hampered efforts to kickstart inoculations across the bloc.

Lawyers for both sides are due to appear before a judge in the French-speaking court in Brussels from 09:00 am (0700 GMT). Another hearing is scheduled for Friday, the court said.

The EU is suing the British-Swedish pharmaceutical group in a bid to force it to deliver 90 million more doses of its Covid-19 vaccine before July.

The deadline for the contract was set for mid-June, according to the Commission, and the EU says the company will face financial penalties if it does not meet this deadline.

AstraZeneca delivered only 30 million doses in the first quarter out of the 120 million it was contracted to supply. For the current quarter which runs until June 30, it plans to deliver only 70 million of the 180 million initially promised.

A Commission official close to the case told AFP this month that AstraZeneca was currently delivering doses at a rate of only 10 million per month, well below the planned pace.

The group denies having failed in its obligations and at the end of April denounced the lawsuit as "unfounded".

One lawyer for AstraZeneca claimed that the EU had been warned "as early as February" of the delays and expressed surprise that the bloc had waited at least two months to take the matter to court.

The EU is also accusing the pharmaceutical giant -- which worked with Oxford University in the development of its vaccine -- of having favoured the UK in its deliveries, even for jabs made by subcontractors on the continent.

AstraZeneca's French-Australian boss Pascal Soriot has argued that his company's contract with the EU binds it only to a "best reasonable efforts" clause.

But the European Commission says the rest of the contract shows greater legal responsibility than that, and EU diplomats and lawmakers have pointed out that the company has largely delivered promised doses to Britain, where it is headquartered.

The commission, which has been responsible for procuring vaccines for all of the bloc, initially intended to use the AstraZeneca jab as the main workhorse to power the EU's inoculation drive.

It has now switched to the more expensive BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine as its mainstay.

In a hearing, Rafael Jafferali, one of the commission's lawyers, accused AstraZeneca of having "breached numerous obligations under the pre-order contract".

"This affects both the production and delivery of the vaccines," he said.

But Hakim Boularbah, AstraZeneca's lawyer, said the contracts contained "no obligation to use (production) sites".

"This may be what the commission wants, but it is not provided for in the contract," he said.

The row has eroded public confidence in the AstraZeneca jab, which also took a blow over worries of links to very rare blood clots in people who had received it.

In the European Union, Denmark, as early as April, and later Norway and Austria, stopped using AstraZeneca in their vaccination campaigns.

Most other countries have restricted its administration to older adults. This is the case in France, where it is reserved for those aged 55 and over.
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th May, 2021 ) :South Africa's former president, Jacob Zuma, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday in a much-postponed corruption case dating back more than two decades.

The 79-year-old faces 16 charges of fraud, graft and racketeering relating to a 1999 purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and military gear from five European arms firms for 30 billion rand, then the equivalent of nearly $5 billion.

Zuma -- who at the time was president Thabo Mbeki's deputy -- is accused of accepting bribes totalling four million rand from one of the firms, French defence giant Thales.

Zuma was impassive as he faced the court in the eastern city of Pietermaritzburg, where numerous supporters and relatives were gathered.

Impeccably dressed in a dark blue suit and a red tie, wearing an anti-coronavirus mask, he was repeatedly asked by the judge, Piet Koen, to confirm in person the response of his attorney, given "the magnitude of what we're dealing with.

" "I plead not guilty," Zuma said without hesitating.

Thales also pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption and money laundering.

Zuma's plea concludes years of delay in the long-awaited trial, which many South Africans say will deliver the verdict of history on his turbulent presidency.

Prosecutors intend to call around 200 witnesses.

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) forced Zuma to resign in 2018 after a mounting series of scandals.

Under his nine-year tenure, say critics, corruption and cronyism flourished, and billions of Dollars in state assets and business were siphoned off.

His successor, Cyril Ramaphosa, has vowed to stamp out graft, but is meeting resistance from pro-Zuma figures who command grassroots support in the ANC.
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Federal Minister for Law and Justice Dr Muhammad Farogh Naseem on Wednesday said the High Court of Justice in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) had unfrozen the assets of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) after accepting the sovereign immunity of Pakistan in the Reko Diq award case

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th May, 2021 ) :Federal Minister for Law and Justice Dr Muhammad Farogh Naseem on Wednesday said the High Court of Justice in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) had unfrozen the assets of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) after accepting the sovereign immunity of Pakistan in the Reko Diq award case.

Addressing a press conference here, he termed the decision a great victory as the BVI had sustained Pakistan's point of view regarding sovereign immunity.

He said the Supreme Court of Pakistan had suspended the Reko Diq contract with the Tethyan Copper Company over charges of corruption.

If a contract was secured through corruption then it was not called an investment in the international law and usually the courts suspended such contracts, he added.

"I want to congratulate Prime Minister Imran Khan, cabinet members, Attorney General Office, head of International Dispute Resolution Ahmed Irfan Aslam and in particular all the persons, who had contributed their services for the vindication of Pakistan's stance in the Reko Diq Award case," he said.

Dr Farogh said when the incumbent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government came into power in August 2018, it inherited a plethora of issues. The economy was in a shambles, while cases against huge awards given by international courts in the Reko Diq ($ 6.5 billion), Karkey dispute, Broadsheet and Nizam of Hyderabad Deccan case were pending.

He said the Reko Diq case, where PIA's assets were attached by the BVI court for implementation of its verdict, was not resolved in one day.

The PTI government adopted a strategy from the day one and the Law Ministry remained fully focused for the cause of the country.

Pakistan got a success in one battle and the government would continue its fight till its last day for winning other cases also, he added.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan formed a committee headed by the law minister on August 22, 2019 on the international cases, including Reko Diq, which worked vigorously. It visited the United States and the United Kingdom and had discussions with the lawyers there on the matter.

He said he had discussed the doctrine of sovereign immunity with the international lawyers. Former Attorney General of Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Khan and the incumbent Khalid Jawed Khan, he said, also contributed their efforts.

"Above all the head of International Dispute Unit Ahmed Irfan Aslam played a very effective role not only for the Reko Diq case but also in the settlement of Karkey dispute, and in recognition for his services the government had awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz to him," he added.

The minister also appreciated the cooperation of PIA Chairman Air Marshal Arshad Malik in the case.

He said the doctrine of sovereign immunity was an important point, which had been given up by the Pakistan Peoples Party government in the Nizam of Hyderabad Deccan case.

He said he highlighted the sovereign immunity issue before the BVI court. The Law Ministry also engaged the Tethyan Copper Company and informed them that Imran Khan's government would not allow anyone to mint money, he added.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that a well-planned and vigorous `operation clean-up' is being launched against dacoits and their abettors in the katcha area of districts, Shikarpur and Kashmore

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th May, 2021 ) :Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that a well-planned and vigorous `operation clean-up' is being launched against dacoits and their abettors in the katcha area of districts, Shikarpur and Kashmore.

"I have given clear and loud instructions to the police to clean the area and report me," this he said while talking to the media just after reviewing the law and order situation of the katcha area at the office of the SSP Shikarpur on Wednesday, said a statement issued here.

Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Maher, Regional Police Officer Kamran Fazal, Commissioner Larkana and Sukkur Shafiq Mahesar, DIG Larkana Nasir Aftab, SSP Shikarpur Ameer Saud Magsi, SSP Kashmore Amjad Shaikh, SSP Larkan Imran Qureshi and other senior police officer attended the meeting.

The chief minister said that the police had conducted an operation in which two policemen and a photographer embraced martyrdom. "The sacrifices rendered by the police personnel would not go waste," he said and added he has received a detailed briefing about the area and has given necessary instruction to the police to burst the gangs of dacoits.

To a question Syed Murad Ali Shah said that law and order was worse in 2008 and no highway was safe in the province. "People used to travel in police convoys," he recalled and added the Sindh government of PPP had launched several operations against the dacoits and highway robbers and had cleared the entire province.

"Now the situation is comparatively much better in the province but a few areas of katcha belt have some problems where dacoits have established their hideouts, '' the CM Sindh said and added that his government was committed to eliminate them.

Replying to a question, the CM Sindh said that in the previous operations the police have shown commendable performance. "Our policemen are professional and I am sure they would conduct a successful operation to bust the gangs of a few dacoits in the katcha area," he hoped.

Earlier, in the law and order meeting the Chief minister was told that the Katcha belt of Shikarpur district has the areas of Garhi Tego and Bachal Bhayo spreading over 149,000 Acres where nine police stations, including Naper Kot , Kot Shahoo, Bachal Bhayo, Abad Millani , Jhali Kalwari, Tajo Dero, Jhabbir Shaikh, 20-Mile & Jamalpur were functional.

In the area there are some tribal feuds which ultimately end up in creating outlaws against each other and then they start robberies, kidnapping and other crimes.

"At this the chief minister directed commissioner Larkana to identify the villages of katcha where roads could be constructed. "With the development of infrastructure, the area would open up automatically," he said.

The chief minister giving guidelines to the police said that base camps should be established as pre-operation activities.

The outlaws should be de-weaponzed and forced to surrender for clearing of the area. Proper patrolling should be started in the problematic areas through special teams.

The chief minister directed the Inspector General of Police to prepare a combat force by selecting the best policemen so that operations against the dacoits could prove to be final and decisive.

The chief minister was told that different gangs of bandits such as Belo Teghani, Khair Mohammad Khairo, Jhangal Teghani, Mahar Jatoi along with their accomplices were involved in kidnapping for ransom, killing and murders, road robberies and extortion.

Syed Murad Ali Shah directed the police to keep the area cordoning so that no dacoit or his facilitator could escape."In the operation combat teams should move towards the targets along with APCs and after clearing the area move next target," he said and added he wanted the entire area should be cleared.

The chief minister was told that the operation against the dacoits in the Katcha area was conducted in the wee hours of May 23 to get six kidnapped persons recovered from the clutches of the bandits. Some six APCs were used in the operation. One of the APCs stuck up when its chain was hit with a rocket launcher. The dacoits opened indoctrinate fires, as a result two policemen were killed and eight, including one inspector injured.

The police not only recovered six kidnapped persons from the dacoits safely but killed six dacoits and recovered arms and ammunition, including 12.7 mm guns, RPG-7 rockets, hand grenades, a number of G-3 kk rifles and a large number of bullets.

Earlier, the chief minister went to the residence of constable Munawar Jatoi killed in the operation against dacoits and offered condolence with his brother Aziz Jatoi.

Murad also met with the children of the shaheed constable and assured them that the family of the shaheed constable would not be left alone.

"The government would be providing educational expenditures/scholarships and would continue the salary of the deceased," he said. He also assured the family to provide them one job and compensation.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also went to the residence of shaheed photographer Haseeb Shaikh and offered condolences with his father, Safdar Shaikh.

In the office of the SSP Shikarpur, the chief minister met with the families of two constables, Barkat Hussain and Khalid Hussain killed by dacoits in Larkana district last week. Then the police had also killed three dacoits with the help of villagers. The chief minister offered one job to each immediate family member of the killed constable. "We will be giving scholarships to the children of the deceased for proper education," he concluded.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 23:44:59|Editor: huaxia

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HONG KONG, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government's Education Bureau on Wednesday released the Curriculum Framework of National Security Education for four secondary school subjects, namely Chinese History, History, Economics, and Life and Society.

According to the framework for Chinese History, the junior high school curriculum focuses on enabling students to understand the development of Hong Kong in different historical periods of the country and the close relationship between Hong Kong and the country, so as to strengthen students' understanding of the concepts of political security and cultural security, and enhance their sense of national identity.

As for History, students are required to understand the historical fact that Hong Kong has been the Chinese territory since ancient times. They should realize that the country overcame many difficulties after being invaded by the foreign powers and then resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. This is to cultivate students' sense of national identity and strengthen their sense of responsibility for the country.

The framework for Economics stated that students should understand the importance of maintaining economic security to economic development and people's livelihood, and realize that Hong Kong and the country are interdependent.

As for Life and Society, students need to understand the meaning of national security and related contents, as well as the importance of maintaining national security from the social, political and economic perspectives.

All of the four subject frameworks recommend students' visit to the mainland as part of learning. Apart from the these subjects, the bureau has already announced the frameworks for another 11 subjects.

The Curriculum Framework of National Security Education in Hong Kong was newly compiled by the bureau to illustrate related topics, teaching focuses and learning elements on national security in the existing primary and secondary school curricula. Enditem
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th May, 2021) Dmitry Rogozin, the head of Russian state space agency Roscosmos, announced on Tuesday that he invited the newly appointed head of NASA, Bill Nelson, to visit Russia to discuss cooperation in space.

"The new head of NASA, Mr. Nelson, is a respected and honored person and specialist. I will be glad to meet him. We have already invited him to Russia and are ready to discuss openly and constructively all issues of our cooperation in space," Rogozin posted on Twitter.

The response came following Nelson's appearance in a virtual event earlier in the day, where he said that he was going to talk to the Roscosmos chief soon despite US sanctions, as Rogozin "has been solid with regard to continuation and the cooperation with us in space.

"

Nelson assumed the office of the NASA administrator in early May after the Senate unanimously confirmed his nomination.

Previously, Nelson has served in the US Senate and House of Representatives representing the state of Florida. He became the second sitting congressman to go to space after serving as a payload specialist for the Columbia space shuttle in 1986.
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Syria's Bashar al-Assad said Western criticism of Wednesday's presidential election has "zero value" as he cast his ballot in a Damascus suburb

Douma (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th May, 2021 ) :Syria's Bashar al-Assad said Western criticism of Wednesday's presidential election has "zero value" as he cast his ballot in a Damascus suburb.

Commenting on US and EU criticism branding the vote "neither free nor fair," Assad said: "Your opinions have zero value", an AFP journalist reported.

Voting is being held only in government-controlled areas and the United States and the European Union said Tuesday the election was "neither free nor fair.""This fraudulent election does not represent any progress towards a political settlement," they said in a joint statement.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th May, 2021) On the first anniversary of George Floyd's murder, US President Joe Biden in a statement on Tuesday has called upon Congress to act resolutely on the urgent police reform bill to raise the accountability of law enforcement officers.

"We must have accountability when law enforcement officers violate their oaths, and we need to build lasting trust between the vast majority of the men and women who wear the badge honorably and the communities they are sworn to serve and protect," Biden said. "I appreciate the good-faith efforts from Democrats and Republicans to pass a meaningful bill out of the Senate. It's my hope they will get a bill to my desk quickly. We have to act."

Biden pointed out that the protests, which followed the death of Floyd, peacefully unified people of every race and generation to collectively say enough of the killings.

"If you can make Federal laws to protect the [national] bird, which is the bald eagle, you can make federal laws to protect People of Color," George Floyd's brother Philonise Floyd told reporters as he left the White House.

George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man was killed by police officer Derek Chauvin, who pressed his knee to his neck for over nine minutes in Minneapolis. A trial determined "beyond reasonable doubt" that Chauvin's actions violated police rules of engagement and became a major factor in Floyd's death.

In April 2021, the former officer was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter potentially facing up to 75 years in jail.
The Czech Republic will stop admitting planes that belong to Belarusian airline Belavia starting Friday and will have its planes avoid the Belarusian airspace in response to the Ryanair incident, Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlicek, who is also in charge of the transport ministry, said on Wednesday

PRAGUE (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th May, 2021) The Czech Republic will stop admitting planes that belong to Belarusian airline Belavia starting Friday and will have its planes avoid the Belarusian airspace in response to the Ryanair incident, Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlicek, who is also in charge of the transport ministry, said on Wednesday.

"The security council of the Czech Republic has decided that starting Friday the reception of the Belavia planes will be suspended, the last flight will be received on Wednesday.

Czech airlines' aircraft will avoid flying over the Belarusian territory, we have picked the Baltic countries as the new air route of the [flag carrier] Ceske aerolinie to Moscow," Havlicek said.

On Sunday, a flight by the Irish airline Ryanair from Athens to Vilnius was grounded in Minsk over a bomb threat which later turned out false. Among the passengers was Roman Protasevich, one of the founders of the Telegram channel Nexta, who was detained by the Belarusian law enforcement during the stopover.
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At least five people died Wednesday as howling winds and waves the height of double-decker buses belted eastern India in the Covid-stricken country's second cyclone in as many weeks

Digha, India, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th May, 2021 ) :At least five people died Wednesday as howling winds and waves the height of double-decker buses belted eastern India in the Covid-stricken country's second cyclone in as many weeks.

Cyclones are a regular menace in the northern Indian Ocean but many scientists say they are becoming more frequent and severe as climate change warms the waters of the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.

Barely a week after Cyclone Tauktae claimed at least 155 lives in western India, Cyclone Yaas has forced the evacuation of more than 1.5 million people in the eastern states of West Bengal and Odisha.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that the seaside town of Digha had been "swamped" by waves up to four metres (13 feet) high.

She said two people had been killed, including one dragged into the sea by the waves in Digha and another crushed when his house collapsed.

The storm packed lashing rain and winds gusting up to 155 kilometres (96 miles) an hour, the equivalent to a category two hurricane.

"I have never seen such a storm ever in my life," said Digha resident Purnendu Jana. "The water may cross the main road for the first time." Local hotel owner Shiuli Das said: "Many of us are here, all of us are really scared." Nearly 20,000 houses were damaged and more than a dozen river islands were flooded, with a number of embankments breached, Banerjee said.

In Odisha, a young man and a priest were killed in separate incidents after they were crushed by falling trees.

There was extensive damage with hundreds of trees uprooted, some bringing down power lines, relief official Pradeep Kumar Jena said.

Some thatched homes were also damaged during the storm, but telecommunication networks were not affected, he added.

The state's chief minister Naveen Patnaik said aid would be provided to more than 100 villages cut off by the tidal surge.

In neighbouring Bangladesh, one man was killed by a falling tree as the waves smashed through water defences and inundated thousands of homes, officials told AFP.

The Bangladesh military added that 12 crew on board a cargo ship carrying stones in the Bay of Bengal were rescued after it sank amid the extreme conditions.

Locals feared the situation would worsen in the evening as the tide rises to a higher level than normal because of a full moon.

"My house is already submerged under four feet of water. I don't know what will happen during the full moon tonight," Mostak Ahmed told AFP by phone from Khulna, in the country's south.

- 'Terrible blow' - Almost 5,000 disaster workers were deployed in India with tree and wire cutters, emergency communications, inflatable boats and medical aid, the National Disaster Response Force said.

Officials fear the storm will further complicate efforts to halt a surge in coronavirus cases that has now killed 310,000 people in the country.

Masks were distributed in emergency shelters, but West Bengal state minister Bankim Chandra Hazra told AFP that maintaining social distancing would be "a big challenge".

"This cyclone spells double trouble for millions of people in India as there is no respite from Covid-19," said Udaya Regmi from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Some vaccination centres in threatened districts, as well as Kolkata, suspended operations and a special effort had been launched to ensure the supply of oxygen and medicines to hospitals, officials said.

Some of the deadliest storms in history have formed in the Bay of Bengal, including one in 1970 that killed half a million people in what is now Bangladesh.

Odisha's worst-ever cyclone, in 1999, killed 10,000 people.

Last year, Cyclone Amphan, the worst since then, caused widespread devastation but timely evacuations meant there were fewer than 150 fatalities.
Palestinian Islamist group Hamas vowed Wednesday not to touch "a single cent" of international aid to rebuild Gaza following its war with Israel that ravaged the enclave it rules.

Gaza City, Palestinian Territories, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th May, 2021 ) :Palestinian Islamist group Hamas vowed Wednesday not to touch "a single cent" of international aid to rebuild Gaza following its war with Israel that ravaged the enclave it rules.

The head of the group's political wing, Yahya Sinwar, promised "transparent and impartial" distribution of aid in the aftermath of the 11 days of deadly conflict.

Diplomatic efforts are underway to solidify a fragile Egypt-brokered truce that halted the fighting, with plans to rebuild the Gaza Strip where Israeli air strikes damaged infrastructure and levelled buildings.

"We welcome any international or Arab effort to rebuild the Gaza Strip," Sinwar told a news conference in Gaza City.

"I affirm our commitment not to take a single cent intended for reconstruction and humanitarian efforts," he said. "We have never taken a cent in the past." US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that all aid would be "administered in a way that benefits the Palestinian people -- not Hamas", which Washington considers a terrorist group.

Israel -- which has enforced a land and maritime blockade on the Palestinian enclave since 2007 -- accuses the group of diverting international aid to military ends.

An Israeli defence ministry official said all funds to Gaza would have to flow through an international "mechanism" to reach people directly.

The latest conflict erupted on May 10 when Hamas sent volleys of rocket fire towards Israel in solidarity with hundreds of Palestinians injured in clashes with Israeli security forces inside Al-Aqsa mosque compound.

That violence in occupied east Jerusalem mushroomed out of protests over the potential expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in favour of Jewish settlers.

Between May 10 and May 21, Israeli air strikes and artillery fire killed 254 Palestinians, including 66 children and some fighters, authorities in Gaza say.

Rocket and other fire from Gaza claimed 12 lives in Israel, including one child, one Arab-Israeli teenager and an Israeli soldier, according to police.
A lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) for astronauts to travel on the surface of the moon will be developed in a joint venture announced by Lockheed Martin and General Motors (GM) on Wednesday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th May, 2021) A lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) for astronauts to travel on the surface of the moon will be developed in a joint venture announced by Lockheed Martin and General Motors (GM) on Wednesday.

"This alliance brings together powerhouse innovation from both companies to make a transformative class of vehicles," Lockheed Martin Executive Vice President Rick Ambrose said in a press release. "Surface mobility is critical to enable and sustain long-term exploration of the lunar surface."

NASA sought industry approaches to develop a Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) that will enable astronauts in the agency's Artemis Program to explore the lunar surface.

The LTV will be the first of many types of surface mobility vehicles needed, the release said.

Lockheed Martin, the lead contractor for NASA's Orion spacecraft, will lead the team, the release added.

GM offers the joint venture battery-electric technologies, propulsion systems and autonomous vehicle technology, according to the release.

Like Lockheed Martin, GM has a long history of working with NASA. The company developed navigation systems for the Apollo Moon program, including the Apollo 11 landing of the first humans on the lunar surface in 1969. GM also helped develop the electric Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) for the Apollo 15-17 missions, the release said.
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Mali's transitional president and prime minister resigned during mediation efforts Wednesday after being arrested in an apparent second military coup in nine months, a top junta aide and an international diplomat said

Bamako, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th May, 2021 ) :Mali's transitional president and prime minister resigned during mediation efforts Wednesday after being arrested in an apparent second military coup in nine months, a top junta aide and an international diplomat said.

President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane, tasked with steering the return to civilian rule after a coup last August, had been held since Monday and resigned "before the mediator", said Baba Cisse, special advisor to junta boss Assimi Goita, adding that negotiations were underway for their release and the formation of a new government.
Mali's interim President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane tendered resignation, Agence France-Presse reported on Wednesday, citing military and diplomatic sources

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th May, 2021) Mali's interim President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane tendered resignation, Agence France-Presse reported on Wednesday, citing military and diplomatic sources.

Late on Monday, a source told Sputnik that Malian military arrested the interim president and the prime minister and transported them to an army base near the capital of Bamako.

Mali's interim Vice President Assimi Goita said on Tuesday they were ousted for violating the transition charter.
Multiple people were killed in a shooting Wednesday at a rail yard in California's Bay Area, police said, the latest instance of deadly gun violence in the United States

San Francisco, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th May, 2021 ) :Multiple people were killed in a shooting Wednesday at a rail yard in California's Bay Area, police said, the latest instance of deadly gun violence in the United States.

"I can't confirm the exact number of injuries and fatalities. But I will tell you that there are multiple injuries and multiple fatalities in this case," Russell Davis, a Santa Clara County Sheriff's deputy, told journalists, adding that the shooter was dead.

Police rushed to the light rail public transportation facility in San Jose -- a Silicon Valley tech hub of almost a million people -- after receiving reports of an "active shooter," the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office said in a tweet.

It was not immediately clear if the shooter was a worker at the facility, but police said some of the victims were employees at the site.

The United States has a long and painful history of deadly gun violence, in the form of a steady daily toll of shootings as well as high-profile mass killings that have targeted schools, work places and shopping centers.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 23:45:51|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Wednesday that China is willing to work with Montenegro to carry forward their friendship, consolidate political mutual trust, and to promote the continuous development of bilateral relations.

During a phone conversation with Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic, Xi said China stands ready to continuously deepen practical cooperation with Montenegro in various fields such as infrastructure construction, so as to better benefit the people of the two countries.

Xi pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Montenegro, the two countries have always maintained high-level political mutual trust, and supported each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns.

Driven by such mechanisms as Belt and Road cooperation as well as cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs), China and Montenegro have achieved outstanding results in cooperation in such key areas as transportation infrastructure construction and energy, he noted.

Xi said that since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries have been supporting each other, and carrying out sound cooperation in such fields as pandemic prevention and control as well as production resumption.

China is willing to continue to provide as much assistance as its capacity allows for Montenegro's fight against the pandemic, and promote the building of a global community of health for all, Xi said.

Noting that the world is facing changes unseen in a century and a once-in-a-century pandemic, Xi said the two sides should maintain close coordination on multilateral affairs, jointly safeguard international equity and justice, and commit themselves to building a community with a share future for mankind.

Xi recalled that during the recent China-CEEC summit, he reached broad consensuses with Djukanovic and other participating leaders, and they made important plans for the development of the cooperation mechanism.

Noting that this year is the China-CEEC Year of Green Development and Environmental Protection, Xi said that China supports Montenegro in playing a positive role as the lead country of the China-CEEC environmental protection cooperation mechanism.

China stands ready to work with Montenegro to implement the consensuses and achievements of the summit and continuously consolidate and develop China-CEEC cooperation, he added.

For his part, Djukanovic expressed warm congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Noting that under Xi's strong leadership, China has made great achievements in development, he said he believes that under the leadership of the CPC, China will surely attain new and greater achievements.

Montenegro and China enjoy a profound friendship and are true, sincere and good friends, said Djukanovic.

He said his country appreciates China's consistent adherence to the principle of equality between big and small countries, and its respect for the independent choices of development paths different countries have made in line with their respective national conditions.

Montenegro, he added, is also grateful for China's valuable support for Montenegro's economic and social development and its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Belt and Road cooperation and the CEEC-China cooperation mechanism have brought important opportunities and tangible benefits to Montenegro and other countries in the region, Djukanovic said.

He said Montenegro stands ready to work with China to continuously push forward cooperation in such areas as infrastructure, economy, trade, education, culture and tourism, and welcomes more corporate investments and cooperation from China.

Montenegro will continue to actively participate in and firmly push for greater development of CEEC-China cooperation, and resolutely safeguard multilateralism, Djukanovic said.

He said he has full confidence that Montenegro-China and CEEC-China cooperation will embrace more vigorous development in the future. Enditem
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South Korean President Moon Jae-in considers US President Joe Biden's decision to appoint a new US special envoy to North Korea as representing an offer to Pyongyang to resume talks, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported on Wednesday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th May, 2021) South Korean President Moon Jae-in considers US President Joe Biden's decision to appoint a new US special envoy to North Korea as representing an offer to Pyongyang to resume talks, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported on Wednesday.

Last week, Moon and Biden met in person in Washington and discussed, among other things, the relations with North Korea, its missile program and the intra-Korean dialogue.

As cited in the report, Moon told the leaders of largest South Korean political parties during a luncheon on Wednesday that the choice of US Ambassador to Indonesia Sung Kim as a special envoy to North Korea, announced by Biden during the summit, is "a request for North Korea to resume dialogue.

"

The South Korean leader recalled the 2018 inter-Korean summit accord and the Washington-Pyongyang summit agreement in Singapore, describing them as "essential" for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of permanent peace.
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UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th May, 2021) The Taliban must immediately stop its undeclared offensive against civilians and civilian structures in Afghanistan, US Acting Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs to the United Nations Jeffrey DeLaurentis said during a UN Security Council meeting.

"The Taliban, which is largely responsible for the continued violence in Afghanistan, must immediately stop its undeclared spring offensive, refrain from attacks against civilians, and cease its attacks in the vicinity of hospitals, schools, universities, mosques and other civilian areas," DeLaurentis said on Tuesday.

The diplomat pointed out that explicit targeting of civilians and attacks on journalists, human rights defenders, health workers and children undermine progress toward a sustainable peace in the country.

Afghanistan is still witnessing hostilities between government forces and the Taliban, who control large rural territories in the Central Asian country.

In February 2020, the United States and the Taliban signed the first peace agreement in eighteen years, which envisions the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and the launch of the intra-Afghan dialogue, started in September 2020 in Doha, in an effort to put an end to the armed conflict.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has assured his opposite number in Kabul the United States will continue to support the Afghan government and security forces during the US military withdrawal to be completed by September 11, National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson Emily Horne said on Wednesday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th May, 2021) National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has assured his opposite number in Kabul the United States will continue to support the Afghan government and security forces during the US military withdrawal to be completed by September 11, National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson Emily Horne said on Wednesday.

"National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke today with Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib," Horne said in a readout. "Mr. Sullivan emphasized that the United States will remain deeply engaged with the government of Afghanistan and the Afghan people, as US troops depart the country.

Sullivan and Mohib reaffirmed the enduring strength of the bilateral partnership and committed to continue to consult closely while Sullivan also outlined US plans to continue security assistance to Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, as well as civilian assistance to help the Afghan people, Horne said.

"The National Security Advisors agreed on the importance of the two governments continuing to work closely together in support of common objectives, including a negotiated political settlement that ends the war in Afghanistan. Mr. Sullivan underscored that the United States will stand firmly with the Afghan people as they seek to achieve a durable and inclusive peace," Horne said.

Earlier in the day, the Taliban said they would consider the establishment of US military bases elsewhere in Central Asia after withdrawal from Afghanistan as "provocative acts" and urged the neighboring countries not to allow using their territory against the security of others.
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Polls opened across Syria Wednesday for a presidential election in which few doubt Bashar al-Assad will extend his grip on power for a fourth term, in a war-battered country mired in economic crisis

Damascus, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th May, 2021 ) :Polls opened across Syria Wednesday for a presidential election in which few doubt Bashar al-Assad will extend his grip on power for a fourth term, in a war-battered country mired in economic crisis.

This is the second election since the start of a decade-long civil war, that has killed more than 388,000 people and displaced half the pre-war population.

Huge election posters glorifying Assad have mushroomed across the two-thirds of the country under government rule.

The state SANA news agency SANA declared voting had started as planned at 7:00 am (0400 GMT) and state television showed long queues forming amid tight security.

Hundreds of students clamoured to vote outside Damascus University.

"I came to vote for Bashar al-Assad because he is the only man who withstood 10 years of war," said 26-year-old Kinan al-Khatib.

Around him, students chanted the slogan used to express support for strongmen around the Arab world: "With our blood and with our souls, we sacrifice our lives for you, Bashar."Syrians can cast their ballots at more than 12,000 polling stations, and results are expected to be announced by Friday evening, 48 hours after polls close.

The election takes place amid the lowest levels of violence since 2011 -- but with an economy in freefall.
Valdosta, GA (31601)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High 89F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 72F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 00:04:41|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- With news of achievements pouring in these days, China is pushing forward its deep space exploration, aiming to contribute its wisdom in humankind's peaceful utilization of outer space.

SPACE STATION CONSTRUCTION

On April 29, China sent into space the core module of its space station, kicking off a series of key launch missions that aim to complete the construction of the station by the end of next year.

The successful launch of the Tianhe module marks that China's space station construction has entered the full implementation stage, which lays a solid foundation for the follow-up tasks.

Tianhe will act as the management and control hub of the space station Tiangong, meaning Heavenly Palace.

China will send two cargo spacecrafts and two manned crafts this year to dock with the core module. It plans six missions, including the launch of the Wentian and Mengtian lab modules, two cargo spacecraft and two manned spaceships, in 2022 to complete the construction of the space station.

"The station is expected to contribute to the peaceful development and utilization of space resources through international cooperation, as well as to enrich technologies and experience for China's future explorations into deeper space," Bai Linhou, deputy chief designer of the space station at the China Academy of Space Technology.

China has extensive exchanges and cooperation on the space station project, with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), the European Space Agency, and national space agencies from countries like Germany, Italy, France and Pakistan.

The cooperation has covered multiple fields, including technologies, science research and application, and astronaut selection and training, producing many achievements.

"Through cooperation, we want to build China's space station into a scientific research platform shared by the world and benefiting all humankind," said Hao Chun, director of the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

MARS LANDING

On May 15, China landed its Mars probe, Tianwen-1, on the red planet, ushering in a new chapter of China's deep space exploration and marking another contribution to humanity's exploration of the universe.

The lander, carrying a Mars rover, touched down at its pre-selected landing area in the southern part of Utopia Planitia, a vast plain on the northern hemisphere of Mars.

Tianwen-1, consisting of an orbiter, a lander and a rover, was launched from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on the coast of southern China's island province of Hainan on July 23, 2020. It was the first step in China's planetary exploration of the solar system, with the aim of completing orbiting, landing and roving on the red planet in one mission.

More than 40 Mars missions have been launched since the 1960s, but only about half have succeeded. The success rate for landing is even lower.

The exploration of Mars will not only investigate whether there is or was life on Mars but will also help shed light on the history of evolution and the future development trends of Earth, as well as search for potential living space for human beings, said Li Chunlai, deputy chief designer of China's first Mars exploration mission.

Extensive international cooperation has been carried out during the Tianwen-1 mission.

China is working with the European Space Agency and Argentina for the mission's measurement and control, and with France and Austria for the calibration of multiple payloads and data analysis.

FUTURE EXPLORATION PLAN

China would implement multiple space missions, including Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7, Chang'e-8, asteroid exploration, Mars sampling returns, and Jupiter explorations in the future.

It has completed feasibility studies of the fourth phase of its lunar exploration program and is expected to build an international lunar research station on the moon's south pole in the future.

"China is willing to cooperate with relevant countries and international organizations to deliberate the basic capabilities for the initial construction of a lunar research station and test key technologies," said Wu Yanhua, vice administrator of the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

Three missions are planned for the fourth phase of the lunar exploration program. The program includes the retrieval of lunar samples from the south pole by Chang'e-6, a detailed survey of the moon's south pole resources by Chang'e-7, and the testing of key technologies in preparation for the construction of the lunar research station by Chang'e-8.

China aims to launch the Chang'e-6 probe to collect samples in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the far side of the moon around 2024. The CNSA has invited scientists around the world to participate in the program, offering to carry solicited payloads.

China is also pushing forward its exploration of a near-Earth asteroid and a main-belt comet with one space probe.

The mission is to send a probe around an asteroid named 2016HO3 and then land on it to collect samples. The probe will then fly back to Earth's proximity and release a capsule to return the samples. After that, it will continue its journey and finally arrive at the main asteroid belt and orbit comet 311P. The whole process will take about ten years. Enditem
The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales issue a statement in which they reiterate their opposition to a new "Assisted Dying" Bill introduced into the House of Lords.

By Lisa Zengarini

Bishops of England and Wales have reiterated in the strongest terms Churchs opposition to the legalization of assisted suicide. A new Assisted Dying Bill aimed at alleviating the intolerable suffering of terminally ill patients in the United Kindom has been introduced into the House of Lords today by Baroness Meacher.

Previous attempts to legalise assisted suicide in the UK

If approved, it would legalise assisted dying as a choice for terminally ill, mentally competent adults in their final six months of life. Two independent doctors and a High Court judge would have to assess each request, which if granted would enable a patient to die in a manner, and at a time and place of their choosing. The proposed bill follows the Marris Bill which was defeated in 2015 by a 330 to 118 majority at its second reading in the House of Commons.

"False compassion"

In a statement released yesterday, Bishop John Sherrington, head of the Department for Life Issues of the Bishops Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW), points out that although this new Bill is framed as a compassionate response to those in the last stages of their life, such compassion must be denounced as false compassion. A true compassion - he says, citing Pope Francis words - is the just response to the immense value of the sick person. It finds expression in treating the dying person with love, with dignity and by making use of appropriate palliative care.

The need for proper love and care in the face of grave illness

Recalling the extraordinary commitment of healthcare professionals and their loving care for the sick and dying during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bishop Sherrington notes that these acts of heroic love are a powerful testimony to the fundamental dignity of the human person and to the importance of proper love and care in the face of grave illness and in the last moments of life, which is contradicted by the proposed legislation. According to the prelate, the bill would also fundamentally change the relationship between the doctor and the patient, as it would change it from treatment and care to assisting anothers death.

Support for high quality end-of-life care

The statement therefore reiterates Catholic Churchs opposition to any form of assisted suicide, reaffirming bishops support for high quality end-of-life care, which includes spiritual and pastoral support for the one who is dying and their family. It finally calls on Catholics to pray for good care of those who are elderly, sick and dying and to oppose the legislation in the upcoming Day for Life, to be celebrated on 20 June in England and Wales.
Scenes from the protest on Monday by residents of Gauraka community against insecurity in the area (AFP or licensors)

Concern for the poor state of security of lives and property in Nigeria has led to increased calls from Bishops to authorities to boost security measures in the country.

By Vatican News staff writer

Several Bishops in Nigeria are making themselves heard and have joined a growing chorus of voices calling for improved security in the country, especially in the northern region, where violent killings and kidnappings are increasingly becoming rampant.

Calls for improved security

Speaking during the homily on Pentecost Sunday, 23 May, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto lamented that the country is in a confused state without direction since no one knows where we are going or where we are coming from.

In the same vein, Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of Yola diocese expressed concern that citizens are losing confidence in the government because it is not fulfilling its primary constitutional responsibility which is the protection of lives and property of citizens.

Likewise, the Director of Social Communications for the diocese of Makurdi, Fr. Moses Iorapuu, speaking at the 13th Diocesan Laity Council Seminar on Saturday, decried the massive wave of persecution in the country, particularly in Benue State, resulting in the displacement of Christian communities. He urged the faithful to play an active role in securing their communities as their passiveness is only serving to embolden their aggressors.

Fr. Iorapuu further regretted the inability of the authorities to rein in these fundamentalists while they continue to kill, rape, destroy homes, farmlands and kidnap, and noted that among the thousands killed by armed herdsmen were priests, catechists, men, women and children of our faith. Many parishes and outstations are closed, many cannot have the services of their pastors and they have no access to the sacraments.

Many of the attacks are attributed to nomadic herdsmen from the Fulani tribe who clash with local farmers over resources like pastures and water. However, Fr. Iorapuu points out that the fact that people are kidnapped away from farmlands, they are killed in the church or in their sleep indicates that there are other motivations behind their actions.

Growing insecurity

The calls of the Church leaders join with the demands of hundreds of protesters who blocked a highway into Nigerias capital, Abuja on Monday, following a spate of kidnappings in the Gauraka community.

Setting tyres on fire and barricading the Abuja-Kaduna highway, the demonstrators halted the movement of traffic on the major access road and demanded that the government boost security in the area.

Their grievances stemmed from kidnappings on over the weekend during which at least fifteen persons from the community were abducted. The State Police Command also confirmed that some gunmen had on Monday invaded the community and had abducted another six persons.

The residents of Gauraka claimed that the kidnappers seize the people in exchange for exorbitant ransoms that have become a burden to them. They added that more than thirty people have been kidnapped from the area since January.

Last week, in yet another tragic instance of the poor state of security, a Catholic priest, Fr. Alphonsus Bello was reportedly killed, while another, Fr. Joe Keke, was abducted from St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, Malunfashi, Katsina state, during an attack on the parish residence by a group of unknown men suspected to be bandits.
The Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations addresses a panel dedicated to dialogue on migration highlighting the impact of climate change millions of people worldwide who are forced to flee their homes.

By Vatican News staff writer

As news of yet another tragedy in the Mediterranean shocked Europe, Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva focused his speech on the huge impact of climate change and the ecological crisis on millions of poor people worldwide.

At least 743 migrants are known to have died in the Mediterranean this year. They are men, women forced to flee their homes due to violence or poverty, often exacerbated or compounded by climate change.

Addressing The International Dialogue on Migration of the International Organization for Migration Panel on Tuesday, Archbishop Jurkovic made a strong appeal for a united response.

"To see or not to see"

To see or not to see is the question that should lead us to the answer in action together, he said, noting that unlike the COVID-19 pandemic, which came upon us unexpectedly, the climate crisis has been unfolding for years, and yet it remained unaddressed until recently.

Jurkovic pointed out that the crippling consequences of the climate crisis are already a reality for millions of people worldwide, but he added, While climate change occurs everywhere, the capacity to respond and adapt to it varies greatly. It is the poor and most vulnerable who are disproportionately affected by the ecological and climate crises.

It is vital, he said, to acknowledge that the climate crisis has a human face.

The Archbishop went on to commend the work carried out by the International Organization for Migration to highlight the impact of climate change and environmental degradation on migratory movements.

Climate change is not an inevitable phenomenon

When people are forced to flee because their local environment has become uninhabitable, it might look like a process of nature, something inevitable, he said in reality it is the deteriorating climate itself, very often the result of poor choices and destructive activity, of selfishness and neglect that set humankind at odds with creation, our common home.

Jurkovic concluded that the issues of migration and of climate change require by their very nature and magnitude a collective and coordinated response by the international community.

No single State alone can manage their consequences, and all States are affected to some extent, he said.

Finally he called on all parties to prepare for the 26th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change to address the human dimension of climate change without further delay.

As Pope Francis recalled recently, he said, there exists an ecological debt that we owe to nature, as well as to peoples affected by human-induced ecological degradation and loss of biodiversity. These issues are not simply political or economic; they are questions of justice, a justice that can no longer be ignored or deferred. Indeed, they entail a moral obligation towards future generations, for the seriousness with which we respond to them will shape the world we leave to our children.
Photo: Duc Thanh

The four industrial zones (IZs) of Dinh Tram, Quang Chau, Van Trung, and Song Khe-Noi Hoang are home to over 300 foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) with some 163,000 workers, but these manufacturing hubs of large-scale FIEs in such as Luxshare, Foxconn, Hosiden Vietnam, and SI Flex are undergoing some serious restrictions.

Apples largest supplier Foxconn was preparing for interruption of facilities in Bac Giang which will impact the overall operation of the group in Vietnam, with Luxshare also expected to face disruption.

Foxconn has three factories in Bac Giang  Fuhong Precision Component Co., Ltd., New Wing Interconnect Technology Co., Ltd., and FuGiang Co., Ltd. At present, the operation of the former has yet to be impacted by the pandemic, but the remaining facilities are larger in scale and thus interruption is expected.

Foxconn general director Harry Zhuo said that the group has invested $900 million in Bac Giang, creating jobs for 35,000 people.

Along with operational impacts, the pandemic may impede the construction process of another member of Foxconn, Fukang Technology. Located in Quang Chau IZ, the project has the total investment capital of $260 million with design capacity of eight million laptops and tablets. The facility was expected to start operations in the third quarter this year.

Another company suffering damage from the pandemic is Hosiden Vietnam. Having 6,000 employees with numerous F1 and F2 coronavirus cases already, it is on alert and implementing pandemic prevention measures in an attempt to fight off increasing numbers of positive cases.

Last year despite the impact of the pandemic, Bac Giang still reported the import-export turnover of $21.8 billion, up 50.9 per cent on-year. The export turnover was $11.2 billion, with $3.1 billion coming from electronic products, $2.95 billion from telephone equipment, and $2.26 billion from power and solar panel products.

Bac Giang is the manufacturing hub of almost all of Apples partners, including Goertek, thus interruption will inevitably impact operation and export activities, with the exact damage likely to depend on the duration of restrictions.

Nguyen Xuan Ngoc, deputy director of Bac Giang Industrial Zones Management Authority, told VIR, Since the pandemic outbreak, manufacturers have been impacted because a large volume of employees were isolated due to being related to COVID-19 patients. They also faced difficulties in recruiting a temporary labour force to offset for isolated employees. We estimate that 40 per cent of the labour force working in IZs in Bac Giang have to had to suspend their job so far, and as a result manufacturers are suffering serious damage.

At an online meeting with Bac Giang Peoples Committee and the management authority, almost all representatives of the 25 leading companies expressed concerns over the possible damage. However, the interruption in operations is compulsory in order to place priority on preventing the expansion of the pandemic, Ngoc explained. The management authority is building plans to help manufacturers recover their operations as soon as possible.
Many Japanese developers have been showing long-term interest in property development

Financiers from the East Asian island nation have diversified their portfolios from residential and hospitality to other segments of offices, complexes, and industrial real estate in Vietnam.

Among the dozen real estate licences handed out for foreign direct investment ventures in the first four months of this year, Panasonic emerged with a workshop project valued at more than $25.5 million located in Thang Long Industrial Park II in the northern province of Hung Yen.

Nearly 22,000 square metres of workshop space will be constructed between 2023 and early 2024, with the project set to come into operation around April of that year.

In March this year, Toshin Development under Takashimaya Group cooperated with domestic Trung Thuy Group to invest in a complex of apartments, offices, and commercial space in Hanoi.

According to Toahiteru Sato, chief of the representative office of Toshin Development in Ho Chi Minh City, the company believes that pandemic control, the attraction of the recently-signed EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, and the general goal of becoming a key bases in new global supply chains means Vietnam is expected to welcome a new wave of investment, as well as a higher demand for offices for lease.

Meanwhile, Yoshio Mutara, president at Takashimaya, said that there is much room for the company to expand its portfolio in different segments in Vietnam.

After investing in Vietnam with its first retail centre in Ho Chi Minh City in 2016 at $25 million, Takashimaya last December announced a $12 million high-quality school system in the Starlake urban development project, one of the biggest foreign-invested urban schemes in the Vietnamese capital. Also in this project, Takashimaya expects to build a multi-use project comprised of retail facilities which will be developed between 2022 and 2025.

Shingu Akihiro, general director of Anabuki Housing Group, said that Japanese investors are impressed with the Vietnams development momentum, especially the relatively high population growth and GDP growth and urbanisation.

According to the World Bank, the urbanisation rate in Vietnam in the 2015-2020 period was 2.6 per cent, equal to Thailand and higher than Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines, while during 2010-2015 it reached 3 per cent.

Toru Tomita, general director of the O.M.NET Cooperative Business Association  a trade union based in Osaka  said that Vietnam is a young country with abundant and very attractive labour resources. Currently, Vietnam has a lot of real estate companies with a huge amount of products. However, the potential in this area is still huge and Japanese investors have been aware of this and are jumping into the market, Tomita said.

Japanese investors have been familiar with the traditional real estate segment of Vietnam of retail, residential, and hospitality development.

In retail, AEON Group expects to expand its current network of six supermarkets to 20 in the country by 2025, with the total funding of up to $2 billion.

In hospitality, Kajima is joining Indochina Capital to develop a network of 20 hotels and tourism complexes with more than $1 billion mobilised over the next decade. The first hotel of the chain, Wink Saigon Centre Hotel, officially opened in March.

Nomura Real Estate Development at the end of 2020 cooperated with domestic group Ecopark Corporation JSC to develop a residential building in the northern province Hung Yens Ecopark, the largest township development in Vietnam. Nomuras project name of Swan Park Onsen will provide 3,000 apartments and expects to hand them over to buyers during 2024-2025.

In Vietnam, Nomura joined the Phu My Hung Development Corporation project in 2015 and has since been engaging in condominium housing and office building projects in Ho Chi Minh City. Before Nomura, other Japanese partners had also joined with Ecopark to develop Waseda Academy of Medicine Japan and Tokyo Human Health Science University Vietnam.

Samty Corporation is another Japanese company working with Vingroup to develop The Sakura residential venture, located in Vinhomes Smart City in Hanoi.

Mitsubishi and Nomura have joined with Vingroup to develop the second phase of the Vinhomes Grand Park in Ho Chi Minh City, with an investment of over $900 million to develop 21 residential buildings with a total of 10,000 units.
Online retail transition inspires major moves - illustration photo

Chinese commerce giant Alibaba Group and Baring Private Equity Asia are leading a consortium to acquire a 5.5 per cent stake in Masan Groups The CrownX with a total cash consideration of $400 million.

The CrownX, which consolidates Masans interest in VinCommerce (VCM) and Masan Consumer Holdings, is valued under the deal at $6.9 billion, equivalent to $93.50 a share. The investment also opens up a stronger partnership between The CrownX and Alibabas Lazada platform to expand an omnichannel presence in Vietnam.

Specifically, Lazada is the main vehicle for Alibabas expansion into the Southeast Asian consumer market. In 2018, Alibaba announced it would inject $2 billion into Lazada.

Richard Burrage, CEO of market research company Cimigo, told VIR that this moves Masan and VinMart+ firmly into the omnichannel space, driving expansions in both stores and ecommerce. VinMart+ can become pick up points for e-commerce improving efficiencies, but also enabling a wider portfolio of consumer goods to be purchased than those available on the shelf, acccording to Burrage, and this will provide a huge boost packaged consumer goods purchased online and will accelerate growth of e-commerce sales in the grocery sector.

Meanwhile, Lazada will benefit from the network of VinMart+ stores as distribution points which will provide further convenience for the consumer and operational efficiencies, he added.

According to Nguyen Dang Quang, chairman of Masan Group, the group aims to develop VCM from a pure grocery offline store into a seamless on-to-offline point of life  a total consumer solution spanning fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), fresh foods, and financial and value-added services accounting for over 50 per cent of the consumer wallet. This was the end game the group envisioned when it entered the retail space and the critical foundations are and will be in place in 2021 to start its point of life journey.

Masan Group has aspirations for The CrownXs online gross merchandise value to account for at least 5 per cent of its total sales value in the upcoming years, and it is expected that the partnership with Lazada helping Masan Group fulfil its vision quicker.

In the same suit, other retailers are also stepping up the omnichannel strategy to keep up with evolving consumer behaviour changes during the crisis. Yol Phokasub, CEO of Thailands Central Retail Corporation Pcl., revealed that the company intends to enhance the customer experience through the development of its omnichannel platform including online sales channels; e-commerce platforms such as Lazada, Shopee, and Tiki; quick commerce such as Grab, Chopp, and Baemin; and social platforms like Zalo.

Our supermarket chain has developed omnichannel services in response to the COVID-19 crisis with 5 per cent sales contribution at the end of 2020 from zero at the beginning of the year, while Nguyen Kim electronics chain experienced eight per cent, Phokasub added.

In the same vein, a representative of Japans AEON Vietnam said that the retailer is carrying out numerous digital transformation activities such as developing its own website and an AEON app as well as partnering with grocery delivery partner GrabMart. The company will speed up the omnichannel transition in the 2021-2022 period in order to stay relevant.

Likewise, Mobile World Group is channeling its resources to develop both online and offline presence for its retail chain Bach Hoa Xanh. The retailer is making efforts to build a user-friendly website which features over 10,000 items. The retailer is also developing a modern logistics system with 30 pick-up centres across the locality to create a seamless omnichannel experience for consumers.

According to a Vietnam Omnichannel 2020 report by Kantar Worldpanel, the online channel has reached over half of the population yet has many obstacles to get over in order to tap into the other half  mostly people over 50 years old. Online shopping for FMCG has seen a step change in monthly shopper traffic under the pandemic, which will likely to accelerate afterwards, the report said. With current trends, it is expected that monthly penetration will be between 17-25 per cent in one year.

For FMCG purchases, more and more consumers are moving online. There is still headroom for further growth in both the shopper base and shopping traffic, which is expected to be more incremental to the FMCG market, said the report.

The e-Conomy SEA 2020 report from Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company pointed out that e-commerce has driven significant growth in Vietnam at 46 per cent, alongside strong growth across most sectors except for travel. Looking at 2025, the overall internet economy will likely reach $52 billion in value, re-accelerating to around 29 per cent compound annual growth rate.
The process hit an unexpected delay in late March, however, as the approval process for finalising PDP8 was extended through June, raising important questions about how policymakers will contend with the rapidly-shifting energy sector landscape.

Vietnam remains Southeast Asias most attractive energy growth market, with 68GW of new capacity expected to be added to the system between now and 2030 under a base case scenario. So far, there have been three key drivers of this process: a pivot from coal to gas, the growing importance of renewables, and a sea change in funding patterns.

As part of the PDP8 planning process, the countrys top leadership has signaled a pivot away from coal to liquefied natural gas (LNG) for large-scale baseload power. According to the February draft, the 2030 installed capacity target for the coal power fleet was slashed by 18GW compared to the previous power development plan (PDP7). Half of that capacity gap is expected to be filled by additional gas-fired power plants.

There are numerous reasons for this shift, including ongoing setbacks for pipeline coal power projects and rising controversy related to environmental impacts, both at home and abroad. The challenge for power sector planners at the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) is that the pivot to gas is more closely aligned with the interests of high-profile gas sellers than the very real challenges that Vietnams power sector will face if generation mix choices are linked to fixed imported gas offtake obligations.

The high stakes debate about gas is playing out just as the MoIT has begun to reap the benefits of a rapid build-out of renewable power projects over the past two years. The sector was kick-started by successful feed-in tariff programmes that enhance Vietnams energy self-sufficiency by tapping into the countrys attractive solar and wind resources.

Renewables and realities

It is hard to overstate how much Vietnams strategic power options have changed as a result. The rapid build-out of rooftop solar capacity in late 2020 has lifted non-hydro renewables penetration to a quarter of Vietnams 70GW power system. In the first three months of 2021, despite curtailment, renewable power still contributed to 13.1 per cent of the total system output, up from just 5 per cent in 2020.

With renewables filling critical supply gaps, new system management challenges should be seen as inevitable in the first stages of the clean energy transition pathway, not as a reason to halt progress. If enabled, renewables will continue to deliver on the upside with a new focus on rooftop solar and offshore wind.

Over the past year, global funding flows have shifted as the pool of low-cost capital requiring guarantees for fossil fuel projects began to shrink as governments and investors shun carbon risks. This has been evident in the controversy surrounding the Vung Ang 2 coal power plant project in Central Vietnam, and recent new policy announcements by Japan and South Korea that signal the beginning of a serious move away from coal financing.

In the past decades, the power infrastructure funding challenge was met by lender-centric project finance strategies that were designed to put all the risks on governments that were compelled to offer guaranteed offtake with ratepayers taking all the market risks. Now, new sustainable finance strategies, such as green bond issuance, are beginning to fill the funding gap for renewables players that have been willing to take more market risks in exchange for long-term growth opportunities.

The net effect of these crosscurrents is that Vietnams status as the Southeast Asian country on the most positive clean energy trajectory now hangs in the balance as the old economics of LNG are tested against the new economics of renewables. Economists would define this as a price discovery problem.

Simply stated, the MoITs challenge is that it is virtually impossible for them to know what the cost of PDP8 will actually be or how its policy choices will affect the willingness of funders to back the developers who are able to win approvals.

In a worst-case scenario, this means that any decisions made now could be derailed over the next three years, resulting in high-profile project delays and sub-optimal decisions on critical system development plans. For a simple demonstration of how fast the scale of technology change can re-order system design priorities, it is instructive to compare the installed capacity targets for 2030 that were set in 2016 under PDP7 versus the scenario envisioned today in PDP8.

The challenge

With implementation risk rising, the governments decision to delay PDP8 should be applauded. This pause gives senior policymakers a valuable opportunity to stress test the key assumptions that have shaped PDP8 to minimise planning errors. The new power development plan should not lock in imperfect choices when there is an opportunity to design it to expand Vietnams options and reject pathways that will lock the country into open-ended price risks.

The key to repositioning PDP8 is to recognise where price discovery risk is the highest and to design market-based mechanisms that will reveal realistic technology cost curves. The planners should also prioritise the market features that matter the most to those developers who have the funding capacity to take market risks. This is critical because the state utility Electricity of Vietnam faces very real funding constraints.

The lack of candid debate about the tariff assumptions emerging from PDP8 could prove particularly risky. While it is probably safe to assume that there will be scope for tariff increases in a post-pandemic recovery, it is crucial to clarify the full life-cycle economics of different technologies and the way that the terms associated with any funding could be a barrier to more competitive market structures.

For example, the MoIT has often pointed to plans for greater reliance on a wholesale power market, but LNG-to-power plants can be a bad fit for a wholesale market if they require guaranteed fuel offtake and fixed capacity payments.

Much of this work on potential market structures has already been tested in other markets, but any work done now should focus on the unique trade-offs that Vietnam may face between LNG and renewables over the next decade. For example, planners would be smart to study the question of whether bundling renewables and storage can cut curtailment risk in ways that will encourage more price competition and unlock cheaper financing by reducing curtailment risk.

A second thorny question that has not been discussed is whether LNG  both the fuel and associated assets  will be repriced if green hydrogen becomes a competitive threat to conventional LNG, changing how LNG is seen in the energy mix. This could also change assumptions about how Vietnam might approach the development offshore wind due to its potential to produce extremely low marginal cost power to produce green hydrogen.

With so many market fundamentals evolving rapidly, Vietnam has a unique opportunity to use this pause to maximum advantage. In addition to focusing on price discovery, a second priority should be placed on investment choices that will expand, rather than restrict, options to integrate new technologies as they are proven in the marketplace. Resilience and future-proofing can seem like strategy consultant buzzwords, but in Vietnams case these issues will be more important than fine-tuning generation mix assumptions for the post-2030 period.

As many market commentators are now acknowledging, the decisions that emerging markets make about power now will position them for success or failure over the next nine years. Thats why regional energy growth markets with high climate risk exposures like Bangladesh and the Philippines are embracing this lens to avoid lock-in and to prioritise grid investment.

If the MoIT wants to get maximum benefit from this pause, it is time to go back to project fundamentals and market incentives. Many fossil fuel project developers aggressive lobbying efforts over the past year have created a chaotic picture. Some of the projects that are claiming priority positioning in PDP8 suffer from project fundamentals that seem to be at odds with the careful work that has been done by policymakers to develop a disciplined public-private partnership legislation and project qualification standards.
The new route will connect South Korea with Hong Kong, China, Thailand and Vietnam. Photo: Tan Cang Cat Lai Seaport

On May 24, Incheon Seaport Corporation announced that it has begun operating a new container route from Incheon port to ports in Thailand and Vietnam.

Notably, the latest route, called New Korea Thailand, starts at Incheon Port, traversing a number of ports in Korea, Hong Kong, and China before reaching Laem Chabang and Bangkok Ports in Thailand and ending at Tan Cang Cat Lai Port in southern Vietnam.

Ships on the new route will have three shipping containers with the capacity of 1,500-1,600 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) with the frequency of one route per week. These vessels belong to Korea Shipping Co. Ltd., Chun Kyung Shipping Co., Ltd, and Namsung Shipping Co., Ltd.

Incheon Shipping Corporation expects that the shipping route will contribute to promoting the import-export activities between South Korea and Southeast Asia.

Previously, in August 2016, the central province of Quang Nam launched the first Chu Lai-Korea sea route, connecting Tam Hiep Port and Incheon Port in Korea.

Notably, Tam Hiep Port in the Chu Lai-Truong Hai logistics and port service centre helps to connect Chu Lai Open Economic Zone and Incheon Port. The port allows access for 20,000-DWT (deadweight tonnage) cargo ships or ships with a capacity of 1,000 TEUs, receiving one ship per week.

The Vietnam-Korea Free Trade Agreement (VKFTA) impacted bilateral trade and investment ties since it was signed and took effect in 2015. Korea is now Vietnams second-largest trade partner after China.

According to Business Korea, South Korean companies' exports to and investments in Vietnam are continuing to increase. The country has been Vietnam's third-largest export destination behind China and the United States since 2017. In 2020, the export turnover from Korea to Vietnam reached $48.51 billion. Last year, 3,324 and 2,233 South Korean companies were doing business in Vietnam and China, respectively.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 00:04:41|Editor: huaxia

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JOHANNESBURG, May 26 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's former president Jacob Zuma on Wednesday appeared in the Pietermaritzburg High court in Kwazulu-Natal, pleading not guilty to all charges against him.

Zuma's legal representative advocate Dali Mpofu said his client was pleading not guilty to all charges for reasons that would be disclosed at a later stage.

Zuma argued that the state lead prosecutor Billy Downer should be removed from the trial as he was not impartial.

"He lost his independence and impartiality to conduct a fair trial. It is necessary that Mr Downer is removed as the prosecutor," Mpofu said, adding that Downer "tolerates" unlawful political interference in the case and this would compromise the trial.

Zuma's co-accused French arms company Thales also pleaded not guilty to all charges presented in court. They are charged in relation to the procurement of the arms worth billions in 1999. The state accused Zuma of accepting bribes, gratification and unauthorized payments from other parties in relation to the purchase of the arms deal.

The trial was postponed to July 19. Enditem
Timely support for affected members and employees. Photo: moh.gov.vn

Last week, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) decided to urgently support union members and employees affected by the latest outbreak of the pandemic, which began on April 27.

Union members and employees in the area with labour relations (including enterprises and units without a trade union) who are F0 and receiving treatment for the coronavirus and do not violate law provisions on pandemic prevention will be assisted with VND3 million ($130) per person.

Union members and employees who are F1 must undergo medical isolation for 21 days at a concentrated isolation facility and if not violating the law will receive VND1.5 million ($65).

In addition, the VGCL also supports union members and employees who have to self-isolate at home in accordance to the request of local authorities and are in difficult circumstances; pregnant female employees; employees taking care of children under 6 years old; and union members and employees forced to leave their jobs due to residing in blocked areas. They will be supported with VND500,000 ($22) each.

Meanwhile, in a recent document that the Vietnam Association of Supporting Industry (VASI) sent to the government, businesses in supporting industries have requested to be listed in the priority group for vaccination due to the high risk of COVID-19 infection.

VASI chairman Le Duong Quang said that these businesses are ready to pay for the vaccination if the government approves. Our only desire is that the government speeds up vaccination and prioritise employees in production factories, he said.

Businesses in industrial zones contain a big risk of being infected by the coronavirus, leading to a halt of production activities as well as impacting supply chains of multinational corporations in Vietnam and over the globe.

Furthermore, textile and garment businesses that employ a huge number of workers have also asked to be vaccinated early.

Vu Duc Giang, chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association said, Prioritising vaccinations for businesses with a large number of employees will accelerate the process of herd immunity through vaccination, and stabilise production of businesses and the economy.

In order to protect citizens, 80 per cent of Vietnams population will eventually be required to be vaccinated at an estimated cost of VND25.2 trillion ($1.1 billion). However, at present only 11 groups of people are prioritised for vaccination such as those directly involved in pandemic prevention, diplomatic staff, immigration officers, the military, police, and teachers. As a result, the Ministry of Finance has submitted to the government plans to establish a COVID-19 vaccine fund.
VNPAY-POS is an all-in-one solution integrating all features in one device

In line with the non-cash payment trends, VNPAY has developed VNPAY-POS solution, a comprehensive payment capability on all-in-one SmartPOS devices.

This state of art solution covers all basic features including cashless payment, sales management, order placement, invoice printing as well as has an ability to integrate with other management systems. On the other hand, it also supports merchants to enable instalment payment with zero percent interest.

In particular, VNPAY-POS boasts many advanced features to help merchants increase revenue, attract customers, and increase competitive advantages. VNPAY-POS accepts many types of cashless payment including bank-card payment (magnetic cards, chip cards, and contactless cards), VNPAY-QR payment which is accepted by using more than 30 popular banking apps or e-wallets. Therefore, consumers can make payment securer, quicker, and more conveniently.

VNPAY SmartPOS accepts all types of cards.

The launch of VNPAY-POS is a revolution for bank card payment. Compared with traditional POS terminals, the VNPAY SmartPOS device is an upgrade both in technology and utility. Equipped with Secure Android operating system, the device not only boasts a large multitouch screen display but is also easily connected with Bluetooth, WiFi, 4G, NFC, GPS and features a camera to scan barcodes, putting consumers to make payment at absolute ease. Thanks to that, merchants can optimize the management of sales and operation as well as reduce time, cost, and human resources.

Diverse payment methods are accepted on the compact and portable VNPAY-POS

Sharing about the application of VNPAY-POS in business activities, the representative of Phong Vu electronics retailer said: With just only one device, from now on our salesmen can sell products and support cashless payment simultaneously. VNPAY-POS allows us to simplify the order placing process and make excellent customer service. This solution is a very important component in our digital transformation process. All business information can be easily managed on the centralized system.

We are happy to have adopted VNPAY-POS as it facilitates our business by increasing consumers experience and attracting more loyal consumers," he added.

Successful commercial use-cases

Not only providing payment solutions, VNPAY also helps merchants to build and maintain systems according to specific requirements of their business segments and business model. Currently, VNPAY provides separate solutions for many big corporations such as Mai Linh, Sun World, Vietnam Airlines, and Vietjet. A series of store chains across the country have also adopted the solution such as Phong Vu, Soi Bien, Non Son, and HomeFarm.

VNPAY-POS helps merchants optimise operations

With substantial experience in digital payment, VNPAY constantly strives to bring modern and optimal payment solutions to businesses. The VNPAY-POS solution is considered a breakthrough, turning POS terminal into a smart payment tool and improving sales efficiency for merchants." a VNPAY representative shared.
Recently unearthed bidding documents, corporate records and other official data strongly suggest that many Chinese fishing vessels in fact contribute to, or are part of Chinas maritime militia, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reports.

RFA analyzed troves of publically accessible documents and discovered that a state-owned fishing company in charge of Sansha citys maritime militia fleet has managed projects involving classified national security information stating that it is a strong indicator that the companys ships are engaged in more than just fishing.

Sansha, located in a disputed portion of the South China Sea and administered as a city of Hainan Province, established its maritime militia in 2013. It was trained and commanded by the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). By 2016, the militia had grown to include over 1,800 militiamen and more than 100 vessels and was regarded as playing an irreplaceable role in defending Chinas maritime claims, as reported by the Sansha government.

It is now widely suspected that what appear to be ordinary fishing vessels are in fact part of the Sansha city maritime militia.

State secrets of a fishing community

In 2015, Sansha Garrison Commander, Cai Xihong, published an article in a PLA-run magazine, National Defense which stated that the city created a company named Sansha City Fisheries Development Co, Ltd, a supposed fishing company, to manage the militias fleet of steel-hulled ships. Corporate records obtained by RFA confirm that this company was incorporated in February of 2015.

Radio Free Asia discovered that Sansha Fisheries Development regularly invites companies to bid on contracts that involve classified information systems integration and also require bidders to hold state secrets protection credentials.

In one documented case a company, Xian Jiangong Construction Tendering Co., Ltd. managed bids for a fishing boat hull underwater cleaning project however bidders on the tender were told that the project involved national security and secrets and specified that any third-party supplier to the job required a state secrets protection qualification.

In another example, the fishing company requested tenders to supply SX command system[s] and stated that the third-party supplier needed to have a classified information systems integration first-class credential or a national third-level or higher secrets protection qualification.

Classified information systems integration first-class credentials are required to develop, construct and operate classified information systems while a national third-level or higher secrets protection qualification is required to work on weapons and equipment research at the lowest classification level, according to Chinese regulations.

The company that won the SX command systems tender was Space Star Technology CO. Ltd. also called CASC 5th Academy 503rd Research Institute. The research institute is a subsidiary of a state-owned defense contractor, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

RFA notes in their report that supposedly civilian vessels are being equipped with high-end surveillance and communications technology supplied by U.S. defense contractors Wavestream and Comtech EF Data.

Their report also uncovered clear evidence that there is an overlap between the fishermen living on islands and reefs occupied by China and the maritime militia personnel charged with guarding those features.

They discovered that 13 members of Sansha citys maritime militia including 10 militiamen of unspecific rank, one militia squad leader, one militia platoon sergeant and one militia company commander, on paper, appeared to run aquatic product and fishing businesses.

According to the RFA report, these militiamen are likely fishermen who received military training.

Growing South China Sea tensions

Chinese fishing vessels in the South China Sea regularly rattle neighbouring nations, even going as far as to violate a nations exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

In a recent example, in March of this year, Manila filed several diplomatic protests against Beijing after they discovered a fleet of approximately 220 Chinese ships had moored at Whitsun Reef located within their 200-nautical-mile EEZ.

The Chinese embassy in the Philippines claimed that the ships were moored there to shelter from rough seas however upwards of 44 Chinese ships remained in the area long after rough seas had passed.

Beijings intrusion attracted international condemnation. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated in a tweet, The United States stands with our ally, the Philippines, in the face of the PRCs maritime militia amassing at Whitsun Reef. We will always stand by our allies and stand up for the rules-based international order.

Chinas militarily trained fishing vessels have been dubbed the Peoples Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM) by the U.S. Department of Defense and they assert that the militia plays a key role in Beijings strategy to exert its influence in the South China Sea and beyond.
Amid growing speculation that COVID-19 might have leaked from a Chinese laboratory, U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday instructed federal agencies "to redouble their efforts to collect and analyze information that could bring us closer to a definitive conclusion."

Biden, in a statement, told the U.S. intelligence community "to report back to me in 90 days" after he had received a report this month that had no definitive conclusion.

"It will be another whole of government of effort  by our national labs and other agencies," White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters shortly after the president's statement was released.

U.S. officials have stressed for months that a lack of cooperation from the government in Beijing hinders outside efforts to learn more about the origins of the coronavirus that has killed at least 3.4 million people worldwide, including nearly 600,000 in the United States.

The Wall Street Journal on Monday cited a U.S. intelligence report that researchers at a Wuhan, China, lab fell ill in November 2019, a month before the Chinese government reported to the World Health Organization the first cases of the illness that would be designated as COVID-19.

"The failure to get our inspectors on the ground in those early months will always hamper any investigation into the origin of COVID-19," Biden said in his statement.

"It is most likely that this is a virus that arose naturally, but we cannot exclude the possibility of some kind of a lab accident," Dr. Francis Collins, the National Institutes of Health director, told Senate lawmakers at a hearing on Wednesday.

The WHO, which is to conduct the second phase of an inquiry into the virus's origins, has faced mounting criticism for dismissing the possibility that the new coronavirus escaped from the Chinese scientific facility, an assumption that officials in Beijing have repeatedly rejected as untrue.

Two months ago, the organization concluded in a report that it was "extremely unlikely" that COVID-19 had escaped from the Wuhan lab.

Collins told senators that the report "satisfied nobody" and "this time we need a really expert-driven, no-holds-barred collection of information, which is how we're mostly really going to find out what happened."

Some Republican lawmakers in Washington contend the WHO is not up to the task of determining the origin of the virus, in part because China has undue influence over the organization.

"Can we agree that if you took [Chinese] President Xi Jinping and turned him upside and shook him, the World Health Organization would fall out of his pocket?" Senator John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, asked Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, during Wednesday's hearing.

"I don't think I can answer that, sir," Fauci replied.

"Phase two of the COVID origins study must be launched with terms of reference that are transparent, science-based and give international experts the independence to fully assess the source of the virus and the early days of the outbreak," U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra told the annual meeting of the WHO on Tuesday.

Australia, Germany and Japan are among the other countries that have also this week called for the WHO to conduct a more comprehensive investigation.

One reason the United States rejoined the WHO was to hold it accountable, said Jean-Pierre, the deputy press secretary, during Wednesday's White House briefing.

"We've been very clear with the WHO to get to the bottom of this," she told reporters.

During his administration, then-President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the WHO over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement on Tuesday amid growing suspicion that the virus may have escaped a Chinese laboratory, Trump said: "Now everybody is agreeing that I was right when I very early on called Wuhan as the source of COVID-19, sometimes referred to as the China Virus. To me, it was obvious from the beginning, but I was badly criticized, as usual."
Former South African President Jacob Zuma pleaded not guilty to corruption charges Wednesday in a trial that began more than a quarter century ago after some of the alleged crimes were committed.



Zuma, 79, is being tried on multiple counts of corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering charges linked to a 1999 $2 billion arms deal when he was deputy president.



Zuma, who faces a 25-year prison term if convicted, was president from 2009 until he was forced out of office in 2018 during multiple political corruption scandals.



He has maintained he is the target of a politically motivated witch hunt by a rival faction of the ruling African National Congress.



One of the charges accuses Zuma of accepting bribes from Thales, a French multinational company, to guarantee South Africa signed the arms deal with the company in 1999.



Prosecutors have also launched a separate probe into allegations that Zuma accepted $34,000 annually from Thales to protect the company from an investigation into the agreement.



Thales, known as Thomson-CSF when the deal was reached, said it was unaware of any offenses committed by any of its employees. A company representative pleaded not guilty to the racketeering, corruption and money laundering charges the company faces.



Prosecutors filed charges against Zuma more than a decade ago but decided just before his successful 2009 presidential campaign not to pursue them. Prosecutors reinstated the charges a month after Zuma stepped down in early 2018.



On Wednesday, Zuma's lawyer filed papers in Pietermaritzburg High Court calling for the removal of chief prosecutor Billy Downer. They claimed Downer is biased and that Zuma's right to a fair trial was at risk. The judge said he would consider the request.
Law enforcement officials in San Jose, California, say several people were killed and several others were injured Wednesday in a shooting at light rail maintenance facility.

Santa Clara Sheriffs Office spokesman Russell Davis told reporters police responded to multiple reports of a shooting near the Valley Transportation Authority light rail maintenance yard in San Jose at about 6:30 a.m. local time. He said multiple investigators were at the scene, and asked that people avoid the area.

Davis said the shooter is believed to be among the dead, but would give no details about how he died, the number of victims or injured. The sheriffs department said a reunification area is being set up at their headquarters next to the maintenance yard.

From his Twitter account, California Gov. Gavin Newsom commented as the news of the shooting broke out that his office was in touch with law enforcement and closely monitoring the situation.

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo also tweeted, Our hearts are pained for the families of those we have lost in this horrific shooting.

San Jose is a city of about one million people just south of the San Francisco Bay area. It is considered the heart of Silicon Valley, a global center of technological innovation and home of some of America's biggest tech companies.
Escalating insecurity and communal violence in Nigeria appears to be strengthening separatist movements across the country. Among those movements is the Indigenous People of Biafra  a group that advocates an independent state in a part of Nigeria that tried to break away more than 50 years ago.
Raging Fire Destroys Zimbabwes Hospital Staff Quarters With Property Worth Hundreds of Dollars

A raging fire almost razed to the ground staff quarters with property worth hundreds of dollars at one of Zimbabwes biggest referral hospitals in Bulawayo on Wednesday evening.

According to the hospitals acting chief executive, Professor Solwayo Ngwenya, the local authoritys Fire Brigade is tackling the inferno in which there are uncertainties over causalities.

We have just been woken up to come and attend to this terrible fire. We have never seen such a fire which has caused extensive damage to some of our staff quarters here. We are on the ground right now and the fire brigade is trying to extinguish the fire. It seems as if people evacuated the affected buildings when the fire started. Nobody is inside the building but we dont know yet if someone was trapped inside. We are trying to find details on this fire.

Professor Ngwenya said doctors, nurses and other staff members have been left homeless.

We will assess the damage in the morning but we think that its running into hundreds of thousands of United States dollars.

Hundreds of patients drawn from at least five provinces are referred to Mpilo Hospital annually, making it the biggest referral health center in the south-western part of Zimbabwe.

According to its website, the Mpilo is a 1,000-bedded hospital, which is a major paternal center which serves Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Matabeleland North and South, Midlands and Masvingo Provinces.

It is also a teaching hospital for the National University of Science and Technology, and has strong links with the University of Zimbabwe and several other academic institutions.

Mpilo Hospital employs over 2,300 workers.
Sterling Heights, MI (48312)

Today

Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm this afternoon. High 86F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms, especially late. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
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.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 00:22:39|Editor: huaxia

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JUBA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese transitional government on Wednesday resumed peace negotiation in Juba with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdel-Aziz Al-Hilu.

South Sudanese president Salva Kiir urged the parties to embrace the spirit of dialogue to reach a peaceful settlement of the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile regions, where the SPLM-N has waged a rebellion against the regime in Khartoum.

"With the start of this peace negotiation, I call upon all the parties to embrace the spirit of dialogue and let their attention shift to peace instead of war. I believe that war will never save us anything," Kiir told Sudanese delegations.

On March 28, the two sides signed the Declaration of Principles (DOP) which outlined priorities that include unification of armed forces, and establishment of a democratic, secular state with freedom of religion.

Al-Hilu's group refused to sign the October 2020 final peace deal with the Sudan transitional government that was signed by other opposition groups.

The resumption of the peace process was attended by the Chairman of Sudan's Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.

Hamdok said the peace talks provide an opportunity for Sudanese to solve their internal problems, underlining the need to bring about freedom and improve the welfare of Sudanese affected by the conflict.

"We start the dialogue today, the dialogue is not only about mere negotiation but we must be able to solve our problems and bring to an end the suffering of our people," said Hamdok.

Al-Burhan reiterated his government's commitment to discuss with SPLM-N key issues agreed upon in the DOP.

Meanwhile, Al-Hilu said that the resumption of peace negotiation demonstrates a clear desire by the parties to reach a peaceful settlement of the conflict, adding that they are committed to the negotiation process as a mechanism to resolve the root causes of the conflict in Sudan.

He, however, noted that SPLM-N is concerned over the continued serious security lapses amid violence in various areas of Sudan. Enditem
50% of Americans are now fully vaccinated. Despite the United States reaching the milestone, Alabama is lagging behind.

Definitely it is good to know that 50% of Americans are fully vaccinated, said Dr, Karen Landers, with the Alabama Department of Public Health. I am concerned we have not reached that benchmark in the state of Alabama.

Smith receives the COVID-19 vaccine from the Lincoln County Health Department. Smith receives the COVID-19 vaccine from the Lincoln County Health Department.

No county in the state has fully vaccinated 50% of its population.

Theres some part of the population that hasnt started the vaccine at all, said Dr. Landers. Its readily available, its really at every corner of Alabama.

Huntsville resident, Dennis Potter, volunteers at an art center working with people with disabilities in Huntsville. Hes getting back to volunteering because people are gradually getting their vaccines.

Now were starting to open again, carefully, but everyone has to have a vaccination before they come back, said Potter.

Dr. Landers said another concern is that if the state doesnt utilize the vaccines, they could be given to other states. Most counties have only fully vaccinated 30% to 40% of their populations.

I dont think people need to feel invincible, said Dr. Landers. We still have COVID in the state,

Moderna announced on Tuesday their vaccine is safe and effective for adolescents.
Park rangers are preparing for what will be another busy Memorial Day out at Little River Canyon.

Theyre hoping to avoid a repeat of last years holiday when they were called out for three water rescues.

The Georgia woman who was rescued at Little River Canyon on Memorial Day in 2020 shared her story with WAAY 31 in hopes it will help people be more cautious this year.

Kenzie Wetzel said she and her friends wanted to find a fun way to celebrate Memorial Day, so they came here to the Little River Canyon, a park they were familiar with. But, little did Wetzel know an accident at the park would change her life forever.

"If I could turn that day back i would do it in a heartbeat," Kenzie Wetzel, the woman who survived the accident at Little River Canyon, said.

Wetzel said what started off as a fun Memorial Day, ended in disaster.

"We were walking around in the river and my friends actually went across, they both made it across pretty easy, I was following them as soon as I stepped down the river swept me," she said.

"I was stuck under the waterfall under water for a good minute I know because I was running out of breath. I had no way of getting breath. I was stuck under it, so I just started praying to God please just give me a miracle I need out of this river just give me another chance God please," she said.

With the little strength she had left, Wetzel swam and found a rock to hold on to. It would take about two hours for first responders to get to her.

"He looked down at my ankles and he said, 'Oh my gosh your ankles look terrible. I don't want to scare you or anything, but your bones are coming out of your legs,'" she said. "I couldn't look up because my back was broken."

After many broken bones and an eight months long recovery, Wetzel is still not fully recovered from the accident physically or mentally.

"I have PTSD, I can't hear a helicopter without zoning out, sirens, rivers I'll never get in another one. we were in an ocean this past weekend and I couldn't help but to keep replaying it in my head," she said.

Wetzel said she hopes her testimony encourages others to be cautious this year because no matter how experienced you are in the water, this could happen to anybody.

"I've been swimming in rivers since I was able to walk, I'm from Georgia I've been in the Chattahooche I've been in major creeks I've been in the hippie hole several times it doesn't matter you never know a river - you never know what could happen your life could be taken in a blink of an eye," Wetzel said.

Park rangers at Little River Canyon said they will have all hands on deck when it comes to staffing and first responders on Memorial Day and Memorial Day weekend this year. He says they are also encouraging people to be careful while in the water.
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers want to remind you that one activity to kick-off the summer is to donate blood.

Kami May, District Community Development Coordinator said the start of summer means a need for blood. Since people are out of town or enjoying the nice weather, there are less donors lining up to give blood, May said.

Specifically referring to summer months, May said higher traffic volumes could result in motor vehicle crashes, which then results in the need of blood products.

On average, local hospitals call LifeSouth and typically order 30 units of red blood cells, 3 or 4 platelet units, and 30 units of plasma for victims of severe car crashes and other trauma-related incidents, this is why we are constantly asking you to donate blood, May said.

The LifeSouth Summer Kickoff Spectacular mobile blood drive is Friday, may 28th from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Athens Walmart on US Hwy 72E. All blood donors will receive a $10 E-Gift Card and their choice of a Hamburger or Hot Dog.

LifeSouth is a non-profit community blood bank serving more than 17 hospitals in North Alabama. LifeSouth is committed to meeting the blood supply needs of hospitals and their patients by providing the highest quality blood components and services. The LifeSouth team is dedicated to making sure the blood is there when a patient is in need. To learn more, visit LifeSouth.org
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 00:33:09|Editor: huaxia

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HONG KONG, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese firm running the Darwin port in northern Australia on Wednesday accused the Australian side, which is considering scrapping the port's lease agreement inked in 2015, of violating the spirit of contract.

During a press conference, Shandong Landbridge Group said that recent statements in Australia of revoking the lease agreement went against the principle of mutual trust in business cooperation and the company is mulling the use of legal means to protect its legitimate rights and interests.

The Australian Northern Territory government invited global investors to bid for a 99-year leasehold of operating the Darwin port in 2015. Landbridge won the bidding process and has secured the leasehold by paying 506 million Australian dollars (over 390 million U.S. dollars).

The firm said the related statements have caused negative impacts on Landbridge's normal business activities, international cooperation and reputation.

Over the past six years, the port has been developing steadily with continued investment by Landbridge. Its berths now can accommodate the largest cruise ships in the world. By 2020, the total tonnage of ships arriving at the port has reached 30 million tons. Enditem
Decatur, IL (62521)

Today

Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. High 94F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low around 70F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 00:52:08|Editor: huaxia

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KATHMANDU, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Senior leaders of Nepali political parties on Wednesday lauded the continuous support China has extended to Nepal in its development works and the current battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Taking part in interactions hosted via video link by the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Nepali Deputy Prime Minister Ishwor Pokharel, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist), voiced his appreciation for the Chinese support in the fight against COVID-19.

In addition, Pokharel said Nepal needs the cooperation from its northern neighbor in reviving its economy, thereby helping to defeat the epidemic.

Pushpa Kamal Dahal, chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center), said Nepal appreciated the support lent by China and the CPC whenever Nepal is in crisis.

"Both countries can work together for mutual prosperity," said Dahal. "Both sides need to expedite efforts to implement the programs under the Belt and Road Initiative."

Song Tao, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, joined the interactions.

For his part, Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, chairman of the National Assembly of Nepal, said hundreds of lives have been saved from COVID-19 in Nepal with the support of ICU units, oxygen cylinders and life-saving medicines donated by the Chinese government.

Timilsina suggested that the world learn from China in combating the pandemic as it is on the verge of ending the threat on its soil. "China has emerged as a beacon of hope for the world by setting an example in fighting the pandemic," he added.

Upendra Yadav, chairman of the Janata Samajbadi Party, described China as a "trustworthy" neighbor and a "reliable" development partner which always stands with Nepal when it is in need. Stating that there is a serious shortage of ICU units, medical equipment and life-saving drugs in his country.

Pashupati SJB Rana, chair of the Rashtriya Prajatantra Party, congratulated the CPC on its 100th anniversary and lauded the extraordinary economic reforms carried out by the Chinese government under the CPC leadership. He also said the world can learn from China's effective handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Nepal is in dire need of ventilators, oxygen concentrators and vital medical support and vaccines," Rana said. "We are grateful for the generosity China has shown by the support it has already provided and expect similar support."

Narayan Khadka, a member of Nepali Congress Central Working Committee, said Nepal appreciates the continued support from China for its development efforts and in fighting COVID-19.

During the interactions, two Chinese companies said that they would donate medical equipment and medicines to help Nepal fight the viral disease. Enditem
Florence museum expected to reopen as soon as possible after evacuation.

An evacuation was underway at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence on the morning of 26 May due to the dense smoke from a chimney on the museum's roof, reports agency ANSA.

The evacuation, which began after 10.30, was a "precautionary measure" according to the Uffizi, which said "it doesn't seem to be anything serious and the firefighters are already on the scene."

Dense smoke from the Uffizi roof. Photo La Nazione.

The smoke is believed to be due to a malfunction of a boiler used for heating and air conditioning, reports news agency Adnkronos however it did not result in a fire.

Within a few minutes the museum had evacuated around 400 people, including staff and visitors, according to Italian media.

The situation is described as "under control" and technical maintenance staff are on the scene.

Cover image: Controradio
All you need to know about Carlo Calenda, front runner for Mayor of Rome.

Rome will vote on its next mayor in October 2021. The field currently includes incumbent Rome mayor Virginia Raggi, who will look to secure a second term after her landslide victory in 2016 when she became the capital's first female mayor. Raggis main opponents are Gualtieri of the Democratic party, who will need to win the June primary elections to lock in his candidacy, and Carlo Calenda, a member of the European Parliament and founder of the Action party. The right- wing coalition has not yet announced its official candidate.

Overview

Born in Rome in 1973, Carlo Calenda grew up in an aristocratic household. His father, Fabio Calenda, is a journalist and his mother, Cristina Comencini, is a film director, screenwriter and novelist. Her 2005 film The Beast in the Heart, which is based on her novel La bestia nel cuore, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Calenda is also the grandson of Luigi Comencini, an Italian film director who was considered to be a master of the Commedia all'Italiana genre, and Giulia Grifeo di Partanna, a descendant of an ancient aristocratic family from Sicily.

His familys extensive background in the film industry had an influence on Calenda from a young age. When he was 11 years old he played the lead role in the Italian mini-series Cuore which was directed by his grandfather Luigi. Despite his aristocratic background, Calenda joined the Italian Communist Youth Federation (FGCI) as an adolescent. He later went on to graduate from La Sapienza University in Rome with a law degree.

Before entering politics, Calenda had a very successful business career. After he graduated from La Sapienza, he worked for various finance companies. Then in 1998 he became a manager of Ferrari under the presidency of Luca Cordero di Montezemolo. Later, he became the marketing manager of Sky Italia in the early 2000s before reuniting with Montezemolo, who was president of Confindustria, from 2004 to 2008.

Political Career

Calendas first stint in politics was also with Montezemolo who founded Future Italy, a liberal centrist think tank, in 2009 and appointed Calenda as a political coordinator that same year. Then in 2012 Calenda joined the liberal political party of then prime minister Mario Monti, Civic Choice. He ran in the 2013 general election but failed to win a seat in the chamber of deputies. Calenda would however be appointed deputy minister of economic development in May 2013 by prime minister Enrico Letta and would later be confirmed in that post by Letta's successor Matteo Renzi.

Renzi appointed Calenda as Italys permanent representative to the European Union in January 2016. This appointment was widely criticised by both the opposition and Italian diplomats. The position that Calenda was stepping into had always been held by a diplomat and not a politician. Despite the criticism, Calenda took office as permanent representative in March 2016.

Later that same year, Calenda was appointed minister of economic development following the resignation of Federica Guida. Calenda would continue as minister in the government of Paolo Gentiloni, who had succeeded Renzi as prime minister following the constitutional referendum in December 2016.

Prior to being appointed as minister of economic development, Calenda was seen as a strong supporter of the free market and globalisation. He often expressed his support for TTIP, a proposed trade agreement between the EU and the United States. However, despite his support for the agreement, his tenure as minister became characterised by his opposition to foreign multinational corporations in his defense of Italian workers. This became especially evident when the Brazilian company Embraco, a subsidiary of the US domestic-appliance giant Whirlpool, announced it would shift production from Turin to Slovakia in early 2018. The move would cost Italy nearly 500 jobs and it was confirmed just two weeks before the elections in March that year. However, after weeks of tensions and protests, the Italian government and Embraco reached a deal to postpone the relocation and suspend the layoffs so that they could reach a better agreement. Unfortunately the issue is still on the table.

The announcement however led to a particularly bitter election campaign that saw anti-establishment movements such as the 5-Star Movement and the League gain huge ground in the polls.

After Renzi's Democratic Party (PD) was defeated in the 2018 general election, Calenda announced that he would be joining the Democrats, stating that "we must not form a new party but work to uplift the one that already exists." Calenda wanted the Democratic Party to be reorganized to oppose the populist parties that had gained widespread support around the country.

After joining the PD, Calenda became much more critical of centrist "Third Way" policies such as those promoted by Bill Clinton in the US, Tony Blair in the UK, and Renzi in Italy. Calenda believed that these kinds of policies were too optimistic and had largely led to the defeat of centre-left political parties in the western world. He has also been labelled by political commentators as a "workerist" due to his pessimistic view of globalisation and centre-left politics which he believes have failed to protect workers.

Calenda launched his political manifesto Siamo Europei ("We Are Europeans") in January 2019. His manifesto aimed to create a joint list composed by the PD and other progressive and Europeanist parties for the European election in May of that year. He received more than 270,000 votes and was elected in the North-East constituency in Italy. Calenda also serves in parliament on the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy as well as being a member of the parliament's delegation for relations with Canada.

A big change in Calenda's political career came in August 2019 when League leader Matteo Salvini tabled a motion of no-confidence in prime minister Giuseppe Conte. Salvini's move created a great deal of tension among the populist ranks. Conte submitted his resignation to President Mattarella on 20 August. The following day, the PD began talks to form a cabinet with the 5-Star Movement. The party's decision was based on pro-Europeanism, green economy, sustainable development, the fight against economic inequality, and a new immigration policy. On 28 August, the then PD leader Nicola Zingaretti announced his support for keeping Conte at the head of a new government.

Calenda strongly opposed the formation of a new government and deemed it necessary to form a new "liberal progressive" movement. On 5 September, Calenda left the PD and officially announced the foundation of his new political movement. He was joined by Matteo Richetti, a prominent PD senator who, on 10 September, announced his abstention from the vote of confidence in the new government and subsequently left the party. Calenda's new party, named Action (Azione) was founded officially on 21 November 2019. He describes his party as being anti-populist and anti-souverainiste.

On 18 October 2020, Calenda announced his intention to run for mayor of Rome in the next municipal election in 2021.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 01:01:39|Editor: huaxia

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ACCRA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed while dozens are feared trapped in a collapsed mine pit in Ghana's coastal Central region, an official confirmed Wednesday.

Joe Donkor, Central regional director of the National Disaster Management Organization, told Xinhua that the incident happened in an abandoned mining pit of a large-scale mining company at Breman, a mining community in the Central Region.

"The pit collapsed around 9:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday. They went there after the anti-illegal mining task force had closed," said Donkor.

He said the security services quickly deployed equipment and a rescue team to the scene, and "We managed to retrieve three bodies, of a man, a woman, and a young girl."

The official said there were four excavators at the scene when the team arrived, giving them a fair idea of the number of people who may have been working on the site at the time of the accident.

"Usually 11 small-scale miners man one excavator, so with four excavators, we suspect there could be more than 40 people on the site at the time of the incident," he added.

He described the area of the incident as water-logged, and close to a water body, but the "illegal miners take advantage of the departure of the large scale miners to go down the pits, prospecting for gold."

"We are still on site hoping to rescue the rest of the people trapped underground, or at least recover their bodies if they are dead," the official added.

He said the bodies of the deceased had been deposited at a local hospital awaiting autopsy. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 01:54:35|Editor: huaxia

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ABUJA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Many people were missing on Wednesday after a boat carrying over 160 passengers sank in a river in northwest Nigeria, a police spokesperson told Xinhua.

Nafiu Abubakar, the police spokesperson in Kebbi state, told Xinhua on the phone the police have received information that a boat carrying more than 160 people capsized in the Niger River while on its way to Kebbi from the neighboring Niger state.

Abubakar said the casualty and actual figure of missing people were unclear at the moment, and a rescue operation is ongoing to find the missing passengers. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 01:58:19|Editor: huaxia

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BUDAPEST, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Budapest Airport has signed a sister airport agreement with Shanghai Pudong International Airport and announced the launch of a direct cargo service between the Hungarian capital and the city of Ningbo, a major port and industrial hub in east China's Zhejiang province.

The announcements were made during the fourth Chinese-Hungarian Logistics and E-commerce Forum hosted here on Wednesday.

The forum, organized jointly by the Consulate General of Hungary in Shanghai and Budapest Airport, was held virtually due to the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants discussed logistics and e-commerce opportunities between China and Hungary, a "Silk Road bridgehead" in central eastern Europe, and the actions necessary to be able to exploit them, according to a press statement.

"The aim behind the signing of the sister airport agreement is to launch, in the framework of even closer cooperation, new passenger and cargo flights between the two airports," the statement said.

"The treaty signed today provides the framework for the restart of flights between Budapest and Shanghai, and supports the launch of direct passenger and air cargo capacities between the two airports, together with their important touristic, economic and commercial incentive effects, as soon as the regulatory and the travel environment enable this," said Chris Dinsdale, chief executive officer (CEO) of Budapest Airport.

"Cooperation between Budapest and Shanghai airports is nothing new," the press statement said. The direct Shanghai-Budapest flights launched in 2019 provided considerable passenger and air cargo capacities between the Hungarian capital and the Chinese metropolis, and between China and the central eastern European region as a whole.

"This agreement is an important message from both parties," Dinsdale said. "It demonstrates our commitment and intention to revive the aerial connection between Shanghai and Budapest."

In a related development, Eastern Air Logistics, a subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines, announced that it will operate direct cargo flights between Budapest and Ningbo from the end of May. The flights will carry 30 tonnes of air cargo in each direction.

Budapest Airport signed a cooperation agreement with Ningbo Lishe International Airport at the end of 2015, which was the first step leading to the launch of this service, according to the statement. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 02:17:43|Editor: huaxia

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CAIRO, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a video meeting on Wednesday and discussed Middle East issues including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Libyan crisis.

The Egyptian president emphasized the need to work immediately on resuming direct talks between Palestinians and Israelis to resolve their decades-long conflict, said the Egyptian presidency in a statement.

For her part, Merkel praised Egypt's "successful" efforts in brokering the recent cease-fire between Israel and Hamas that rules the Palestinian Gaza Strip. The truce was implemented after 11 days of fighting that left at least 230 Palestinians and 12 Israelis dead.

Sisi and Merkel also addressed the current transitional stage in Libya and its upcoming elections in December, vowing continued coordination between Egypt and Germany in this regard.

They also discussed bilateral ties and further political, economic and security cooperation, as well as increasing German investments in Egypt, particularly in the fields of energy and transport. Enditem
Brian Gregory Robling of Washington, 23, passed away Monday, June 7, 2021. Brian was born July 11, 1997, in Washington, to Amber (Robling) Whiteman and Michael Bernard. He graduated from Washington High School in 2016. Brian is survived by his parents; his son, Zyler Mehrer of Washington; da
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A tiny hedge fund dealt a major blow to Exxon Mobil as shareholders elected at least two of the funds nominated directors to the oil giants board after a months-long battle over the companys carbon footprint and growth plans.

The success by activist hedge fund Engine No. 1 during the Exxon shareholder meeting showdown sent shockwaves across an energy industry grappling to address concerns about climate change.

US giants are betting on a long-term future for oil and gas. Credit:AP

Engine No. 1s stake in Exxon - an energy behemoth with a market value of close to $US250 billion ($323 billion) - is worth just $US50 million. The development came as climate activists scored a big legal win against Royal Dutch Shell, which was ordered by a Dutch court on Wednesday (US time) to increase its greenhouse gas emission cuts.

The result will add to pressure facing Exxon CEO Darren Woods, who campaigned to convince shareholders to shoot down the board challenge, arguing the company was already diversifying away from fossil fuels and should not jeopardise its profits in doing so.
Belvoir St Theatres artistic director Eamon Flack remembers the moment he first read The Cherry Orchard by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov.

It was on a verandah in Perth in my first year in drama school, he says. I was lying in a friends hammock. That was exactly 20 years ago. I remember a funny feeling of familiarity I had with it and some sort of excitement. Its funny, I havent thought about that for a long time.

Pamela Rabe plays Madame Ranevskaya in the Belvoir production of The Cherry Orchard. Credit:Janie Barrett

Flacks connection with the 117-year-old play, which he is directing from his own adaptation for a season at Belvoir St Theatre that starts on Saturday, came from memories of his peripatetic childhood.

My father had a knack for getting retrenched or fired, or for resigning in high dudgeon, he says. And so we kept having to leave where we were at. Youd connect to a place and then you get kicked out of it and you have to move on to the next one. I moved five times before I was eight and my response was just being a dreamer.
In another important court judgment today, climate editor Nick OMalley reports that eight school students have had a semi-win in a case they brought against Environment Minister Sussan Ley, arguing she has a responsibility to protect them and the environment from the impacts of climate change.

The lawyer representing the students, David Barnden, described the finding as a world-first victory.

The children, who met through the School Strike for Climate movement, had argued that due to Ms Leys duty of care to them and other children the court should grant an injunction preventing her from approving an extension to the Vickery coal mine owned by Whitehaven Coal and located near Gunnedah in NSW.

The court found that Ms Ley had a duty of care to protect them and the environment from the impacts of climate change.

Many thousands will suffer premature death from heat-stress or bushfire smoke. Substantial economic loss and property damage will be experienced, Justice Mordecai Bromberg wrote in a summary of his judgement.

Those potential harms may fairly be described as catastrophic, particularly should global average surface temperatures rise to and exceed 3 degrees beyond the pre-industrial level.

However, he dismissed their application to have Ms Ley blocked from granting an extension to the coal mine as a result, saying he was not satisfied that a reasonable apprehension of breach of the duty of care by the minister has been established.

But he invited the children and the minister to provide further submissions on the extent of the duty of care he said had been established, and what that may mean to the ministers decision over the mine.

One of the students, 17-year-old Ava Princi, said she was relieved and thrilled by the judgement. This is the first time a court of law, anywhere in the world, has recognised that a government minister has a duty of care to protect young people from the catastrophic harms of climate change, she said.

You can read the full details in the article here.
Celebrity chef Pete Evans has been fined almost $80,000 and ordered to stop making various claims about his wellness products.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration issued the infringement notices totalling $79,920 to Peter Evans Chef Pty Ltd, while Mr Evans was also ordered to remove non-compliant advertising.

The multiple fines were issued in relation to products including the BioCharger device, hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers and two oral medicines.

Celebrity chef Pete Evans has been fined by the TGA. Credit:James Brickwood

The products were not, at the time of advertising, included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Under Australian laws, all therapeutic goods, like medical devices and medicines, must be entered in the ARTG before they can be advertised.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 03:17:32|Editor: huaxia

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ABUJA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Many people were missing on Wednesday after a boat carrying over 160 passengers sank in a river in northwest Nigeria, a police spokesperson told Xinhua.

Nafiu Abubakar, the police spokesperson in Kebbi state, told Xinhua on the phone the police have received information that a boat carrying more than 160 people capsized in the Niger River while on its way to Kebbi from the neighboring Niger state.

Abubakar said the casualty and actual figure of missing people were unclear at the moment, and a rescue operation is ongoing to find the missing passengers.

"The marine police have been deployed to the area and they're already carrying out rescue operation, as well as investigation into the incident," Abubakar said.

A district official in Kebbi state was quoted by local media as saying that the tragedy was a result of overloading, and so far only 22 people on board have been rescued, with more than 100 people still missing.

Boat accidents are not uncommon in Nigeria due to overloading and faulty operation. The boat mishap happened about two weeks after a boat sank in Niger state on May 8, killing at least 28 people. Enditem
A federal Labor MP who took aim at her own partys demands for Harvey Norman to repay $22 million in JobKeeper subsidies is the wife of a longstanding and successful franchisee in the company.

Meryl Swanson told a closed-door meeting of colleagues on Tuesday we sound like we are whingeing and people dont like it in reference to Labors push for major businesses such as Harvey Norman to hand back the pandemic lifeline after the companys profits soared during 2020.

Labor MP Meryl Swanson raised concerns over her partys stance against Harvey Normans JobKeeper subsidies. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

But according to her parliamentary register of interests, Ms Swanson, who holds the Hunter Valley seat of Paterson, is a shareholder in the furniture and appliances retailer.

Her husband Nick Swanson is also the franchisee of Harvey Normans Maitland store, which is also contained on the parliamentary register.
Police are investigating 15 claims of misconduct involving federal politicians or their staff, including sexual assaults, as investigators prepare a brief of evidence about former staffer Brittany Higgins allegations she was raped in Parliament House.

The Australian Federal Police has received 40 reports relating to 19 incidents of possible misconduct involving federal MPs and their staff after Commissioner Reece Kershaw wrote to politicians advising them all serious incidents should be referred to authorities.

AFP boss Reece Kershaw says the police investigation into Brittany Higgins allegations is reaching its final stages. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The AFP has referred 15 of the allegations to state and territory police, while the other four matters have been closed with no offences found.

The criminal investigation into Ms Higgins allegation that she was raped by a colleague in a Parliament House ministerial office in March 2019 is reaching its final stages, with police to hand a brief to the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions within weeks.
One of Scott Morrisons backbenchers says the international border should stay closed because foreign immigrants are bad for Australians wages.

Queensland LNP Senator Gerard Rennick also used a live television appearance to say he would sit back and watch and see how the vaccine rollout goes, directly undermining federal government pleas for the population to get their COVID-19 jabs.

Queensland LNP Senator Gerard Rennick appears on Sky News Australia. Credit:Sky News Australia

The government is battling a rise in vaccine hesitancy with just 3.69 million vaccine doses administered to date, well short of the governments pledge of 4 million jabs by the end of March.

Around 40 million doses are required to fully vaccinate the eligible population and the governments new goal is to have offered everyone a first jab by the end of the year, ahead of a gradual opening of the international border from mid-next year.
The Russian girlfriend of dissident Belarussian journalist Raman Pratasevich has appeared in a government-produced confession video two days after their flight was diverted by a warplane to Minsk on Sunday, prompting European nations to ban flights to, from or over the east European nation.

Sofia Sapega, a 23-year-old student, was detained alongside Pratasevich in connection with the suspicion of having committed, between August and September 2020, offences under several articles of the Belarusian Criminal Code, a Russian Foreign Ministry statement said.

A video posted on the Telegram messaging app on Tuesday evening showed a young woman sitting in a chair who said she was Sapega.

The woman said she was the editor of a social media channel which has disclosed the personal information of Belarusian law enforcement personnel, which is a crime in Belarus.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 03:45:39|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The current EU members of the UN Security Council, Estonia, France and Ireland, plus previous council members of Belgium and Germany, joined by the current council members of Britain, Norway and the United States on Wednesday strongly condemned Sunday's forced landing of a Ryanair flight in Belarus.

"The airplane, owned by a European Union company, carrying more than 100 passengers from one EU member state's capital to another, was forced to land based on false grounds by a Belarusian military aircraft," said a joint statement of the countries.

"These acts are a blatant attack on international civilian aviation safety and on European security and show flagrant disregard for international law," said the statement.

They called on the International Civil Aviation Organization to urgently investigate this "unprecedented and unacceptable" incident and for full accountability for those responsible.

The joint statement was read out at a virtual press encounter by Estonian UN ambassador Sven Jurgenson. Enditem
Family of US Army private killed in Afghanistan given home in Mount Washington
Kayne Martin surprised with new car gifted to him by Journey Church in Cynthiana, Ky.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 04:46:10|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations and relief partners reported on Wednesday at least 31 dead and hundreds feared missing, including more than 170 children, from the volcano eruption in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) released the data in its first situation report on the disaster since Mount Nyiragongo erupted outside Goma on Saturday.

In the initial panic, 13 people died, mostly from traffic accidents, as they fled a lava stream headed toward the city, the office said. The death toll from the disaster has risen to 31.

OCHA tallied 40 adults missing during its needs assessment. The UN Children's Fund said more than 170 children are feared missing. More than 150 children were separated from their families during the evacuation.

The International Organization for Migration estimated 20,000 people are homeless.

Lava destroyed three villages outside and one neighborhood in the city of Goma. The lava stream stopped 300 meters short of the airport grounds. Because of volcanic ash, the airport is closed. Aid supplies are expected to be delayed by the closure, said OCHA.

"People have lost their possessions either in the rush to move, or burnt by the lava flow, or looted," OCHA said. "Cases of theft, particularly of motorbikes and other property left behind by displaced households, have also been reported."

About 2 km of lava blocks the Goma-Rutshuru road, the main food supply route for Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.

About 500,000 people have no electricity and water.

While the lava flow stopped, Earth tremors have not, OCHA said.

"The Rwandan seismic monitor recorded earthquakes reaching 5.1 magnitude originated from Lake Kivu in the Rubavu district," the humanitarians said. "These are causing cracks in buildings and place further stress on a population that is already traumatized."

A 2002 volcano eruption in eastern DRC killed about 250 people. Enditem
Police ask for public's help to locate 3-month-old girl involved in custody dispute in Kentucky


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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 04:48:45|Editor: huaxia

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BAGHDAD, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Wednesday denounced some armed militia for approaching the heavily fortified Green Zone in central Baghdad, saying their move violates the country's constitution, according to a statement issued by the Iraqi Joint Operation Command (JOC).

The appearance of a group of paramilitary soldiers near the Green Zone sparked a state of emergency as security forces deployed surrounding the zone and blocked all its entrances, a police source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The tension came after the Iraqi government arrested earlier in the day Qasim Mahmoud Karim Muslih, a commander of Hashd Shaabi forces, over the charges of terrorism.

"We have directed an immediate investigation into these movements (of armed groups), according to the law," said al-Kadhimi, who is also commander-in-chief of the Iraqi forces.

Al-Kadhimi said an investigative committee composed of the JOC, the Interior Intelligence, Military Intelligence, National Security, and the Hashd Shaabi Security Service was formed to investigate the accusations against Muslih, noting Muslih is being held by the JOC until the investigation is completed, according to the statement.

At dawn, a security force arrested Muslih from his home in Doura district in southern Baghdad. The arrest triggered criticisms and dissatisfactions from some influential Shitte military groups.

Qais al-Khazali, head of the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq Movement, demanded that Muslih be handed over to the Hashd Shaabi Security Service, considering the arrest "as an attempt to confuse the security situation."

According to local media reports, leading Shiite politicians are holding meetings with the government and Hashd Shaabi leaders to ease the tension in the Iraqi capital. Enditem
Weatherford, TX (76086)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. Hot and humid. High near 95F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 73F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
WSU Family Studies Professor Selected for Second Fulbright

May 25, 2021

OGDEN, Utah  For the second time in his career, Weber State University Department of Child and Family Studies professor Paul Schvaneveldt will research and teach as a Fulbright Scholar in Latin America, this time at the Universidad de los Andes in Bogota, Colombia.

Receiving a second Fulbright appointment is significantly more competitive as the Fulbright Commission gives priority to first-time applicants, but Schvaneveldts 20-year focus on Latin American family issues warranted a second Fulbright Award.

Schvaneveldt will conduct research on family violence prevention efforts and will work with the Universidad de los Andes and the Colombian Council on Mental Health to increase the availability of evidence-based programs to prevent intimate partner violence.

Serving in Colombia will continue with efforts to build meaningful partnerships, mutual understanding and peaceful relations among individuals, communities and nations, he said.

Schvaneveldt will focus on training students and professionals in the curriculum called PREP 8.0 (Prevention Relationship Education Program). At Weber State University, he teaches a class where university students are trained in PREP 8.0 and then teach the curriculum in the community. Research shows that couples who complete PREP 8.0 show increased levels of positive communication, problem solving and stability in their marriages and relationships while decreasing negative emotions, divorce and physical violence.

Schvaneveldt has taught PREP 8.0 in the community over 300 times in both English and Spanish. For the past 13 years, he has directed state and federally funded grants that provide healthy marriage and relationship education services to lower-income and ethnically diverse populations. For the past six years, he served as chair of the Utah Marriage Commission, which is a government commission affiliated with the Utah Department of Human Services. They coordinate educational efforts to strengthen couple relationships. More information is available at strongermarriage.org. These experiences prepared him to effectively collaborate with professionals and agencies in Colombia to build capacity in programs to prevent intimate partner violence.

Schvaneveldt, who was named a 2016 Brady Presidential Distinguished Professor, founded and directs the WSU Family Literacy Program, the Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education Program and WSUs International Education Symposium.

He has authored more than 100 journal articles, book chapters and academic conference papers. Topics have ranged from adolescent development, parenting issues, couple relationships, to understanding Latino/Latina family processes. Schvaneveldt has already begun preparing for the Fulbright Scholarship in Colombia.

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced 2021 as the 75th Anniversary of the Fulbright Program. Fulbright, established in 1946, is the most widely recognized and prestigious international exchange program in the world. The program awards approximately 8,000 grants annually between scholars and students from the United States and other participating countries. Weber State faculty have received 14 Fulbright Teaching and Research appointments in the past 22 years. Business professor Randy Boyle was also selected as a Fulbright Scholar this year.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
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Sandusky, OH (44870)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 76F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low 69F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  The mother of two kids who were found dead last year in Idaho and her new husband have been charged with murder in a grim case involving bizarre doomsday religious beliefs and two other suspicious deaths.

Lori Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell were each indicted by a grand jury Monday on charges of conspiracy, murder and grand theft in connection with the deaths of Lori Daybells two youngest children, 7-year-old Joshua JJ Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan.

Chad Daybell was also charged with one count of murder and insurance fraud in connection with the death of his late wife, Tammy Daybell, just weeks before his marriage to the co-defendant.

The indictment, released Tuesday, doesnt reveal any details of how the three victims died. But it does say that both Chad and Lori Daybell endorsed and espoused specific religious beliefs in order to justify or encourage the killing of her two children and Chad Daybell's late wife. They were missing for several months starting in 2019 until last year when authorities found their bodies buried on Chad Daybells property.

Both the Daybells have been in jail for months awaiting trial on charges including conspiracy or destruction of evidence after prosecutors said they conspired to hide the childrens remains. The indictment released Tuesday marked the first time murder charges have been brought in the case.

Both Daybells pleaded not guilty to the earlier charges. They have not yet had the opportunity to enter a plea on the murder charges and were set for their first court appearance on the new charges on Wednesday.

The complex case began in 2018, according to the indictment, when Chad and Lori Daybell  both still married to other people  began espousing their apocalyptical system of religious belief. Things may have begun to publicly unravel in the summer of 2019, however, when Lori Daybells brother Alex Cox shot and killed her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in suburban Phoenix.

Cox asserted the shooting was in self-defense, and he was never charged. At the time, Charles Vallow was seeking a divorce, saying his wife believed she had become a god-like figure who was responsible for ushering in the biblical end of times.

Cox later died of an apparent blood clot in his lung.

Shortly after Charles Vallows death, Lori Daybell  then still Lori Vallow  and her children moved to Idaho, where Chad Daybell lived. He ran a small publishing company, releasing doomsday-focused fiction books loosely based on the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also recorded podcasts about preparing for the apocalypse, and friends said he claimed to be able to receive visions from beyond the veil.

At the time, Chad Daybell was married to Tammy Daybell, a fit 49-year-old school librarian who helped him run the publishing company. She died in October of 2019. Her obituary said she died in her sleep of natural causes.

Authorities grew suspicious when Chad Daybell remarried just two weeks later, and they had Tammy Daybells body exhumed in Utah in December. The results of that autopsy have not been released.

Police began searching for Tylee and JJ in November after relatives raised concerns. Police say the Daybells lied to investigators about their whereabouts before quietly leaving Idaho. They were found in Hawaii months later, without the children.

The indictment details several new charges filed against Lori and Chad Daybell. The grand jury alleged that the Daybells and Cox conspired with other unnamed people to kill the children, and that they planned to steal the Social Security survivor benefits that the children were entitled to because of the deaths of their fathers. (Tylee Ryans father died in 2018 of a reported heart attack.)

The indictment also alleges the Daybells and Cox conspired to kill Tammy Daybell, and that Cox even practiced shooting, going to a gun range and searching the internet for information about bullet velocity and shooting through vehicles.

Two weeks before her death, Tammy Daybell told the Fremont County sheriffs office that someone dressed in black and wearing a ski mask shot at her with what she thought was a paintball gun. She wasnt hit, and with no evidence, law enforcement attributed the incident to a prankster.

Chad and Lori Daybell exchanged text messages saying that Tammy Daybell had been possessed by a spirit named Viola, according to the indictment, and that she was in Limbo. The allegations are similar to testimony from a friend of the Daybells who previously said in court that Lori Daybell referred to her children as zombies.

The friend, Melanie Gibb, said the term referred to someone whose mortal spirit has left their body, allowing it to be possessed by another dark spirit.

The investigation took thousands of hours and the grand jury proceedings were hampered by the pandemic.

We know that many members of the community may feel that progress on this case has been slow, Fremont County prosecutor Lindsey Blake said. We were just recently given permission to present information to the grand jury for their review. We want to assure everyone that despite the delays, we have been working diligently to pursue justice for the victims in this case.

If convicted, Chad and Lori Daybell could face life in prison or the death penalty. Under Idaho law, prosecutors have 60 days to decide whether they will seek the death penalty.
Today

Mostly cloudy but some breaks of sun developing; mainly dry but a spotty shower or thunderstorm in the afternoon.

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy with an evening shower or rumble of thunder possible.

Tomorrow

Clouds, some sun, and a few showers or a thunderstorm possible later in the day and overnight; much of the day remains dry.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 05:20:17|Editor: huaxia

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Police and investigators work at the scene of a mass shooting in San Jose, California, the United States, on May 26, 2021. (Photo by Dong Xudong/Xinhua)

Police confirmed that eight people died at the scene and one person was taken to a hospital. The gunman also died at the scene.



SAN FRANCISCO, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Nine people including the suspect were dead and at least one person was injured Wednesday morning after a shooting at a Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) yard north of downtown San Jose in the U.S. state of California, according to the local authorities.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office confirmed that eight people died at the scene and one person was taken to a hospital, with no details on their conditions. The gunman also died at the scene.

Law enforcement officials identified the gunman as Samuel Cassidy, a 57-year-old VTA maintenance worker, whose motivation remained unknown.

Police escort people to a reunification center for VTA employees and families near the scene of a mass shooting in San Jose, California, the United States, on May 26, 2021. (Photo by Dong Xudong/Xinhua)

Sheriff's officials and VTA officials confirmed that the shooting occurred at the facility at 101 Younger Avenue, and some of the victims were VTA employees.

At about 6:35 a.m., San Jose police received multiple 911 calls about gunfire at the VTA yard, and units responded to the scene. The shooter was confirmed dead at about 8:10 a.m.

The FBI also responded to the scene at the light-rail facility and was actively engaged in the investigation, according to local media reports.

"This is a horrific day for our city, and it's a tragic day for the VTA family," San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said. "Our heart pains for the families and the co-workers because we know that so many are feeling deeply this loss of their loved ones and their friends."

People enter a reunification center for VTA employees and families near the scene of a mass shooting in San Jose, California, the United States, on May 26, 2021. (Photo by Dong Xudong/Xinhua)

A reunification center for VTA employees and families was set up at the County Building near the scene for those who may be looking for each other, sheriff's officials said.

VTA light rail service was suspended at noon until further notice. 
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New York prosecutors have convened a special grand jury to consider evidence in a criminal investigation into former President Donald Trumps business dealings. That's according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person wasn't authorized to speak publicly and did so on condition of anonymity. The development signals that the Manhattan district attorneys office was moving toward seeking charges as a result of its two-year investigation, which included a lengthy legal battle to obtain Trumps tax records. In a statement, Trump called the investigation a witch hunt, saying it's purely political" and driven by highly partisan Democrat prosecutors." The district attorney's office declined to comment.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 05:25:45|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called for efforts to promote the political settlement of the Syria crisis, improve the security situation, and address the challenges in economic and humanitarian sectors.

The decade-long Syria crisis has led to worrisome security and humanitarian situations. The United Nations, the Security Council, in particular, must step up efforts toward an early end to the crisis to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.

"We must spare no effort in pushing for a political settlement of the Syria issue," he told the Security Council.

China supports the work of UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen in promoting the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2254, which provides for a roadmap for a political settlement. China calls on all parties in Syria to maintain communication with Pedersen and advance the work of the Constitutional Committee on the basis of existing consensus. The Constitutional Committee must work independently, free of external interference, he said.

There is a need to ensure that the political process is Syrian-led and Syrian-owned, he added.

Zhang asked for efforts to improve the security situation in Syria.

In the northwest and northeast, the security situation has been turbulent recently with frequent terrorist attacks, as well as clashes and confrontation among armed groups. The operations of foreign troops and missile attacks against Syria have escalated tensions, he noted. "China urges the parties concerned to respect in earnest Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and cease their illegal invasion and occupation of and attacks against Syria."

Many council members are concerned about terrorist activities within Syria and their spillover risks. The international community must work in synergy and jointly combat terrorism in Syria in accordance with international law and Security Council resolutions, he said.

Zhang called for comprehensive measures to address the challenges Syria is facing in economic and humanitarian sectors and in rebuilding the nation.

The country is facing multiple challenges, including COVID-19, food insecurity, currency depreciation, fuel shortages, inadequate and broken infrastructure. China urges the United Nations to scale up its food, vaccine and medical assistance to Syria and calls on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and cease disruptive acts against civilian infrastructure, he said.

With unilateral sanctions in place, assistance funds cannot reach the territory of Syria, resulting in tremendous difficulties in repairing and rebuilding its infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals, and power plants. Syria cannot even purchase the most basic parts and components or equipment. The so-called humanitarian exemptions are nothing but an empty shell, he noted.

Unilateral sanctions, which are impeding Syria's reconstruction efforts, must be lifted immediately, said Zhang.

He stressed the importance of transparency and non-politicization of humanitarian relief for Syria.

The UN cross-border delivery of humanitarian supplies into Syria must be under strict monitoring and supervision with a view of preventing any non-humanitarian supplies from entering Syria. Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected, and the role of the Syrian government leveraged, he said.

The United Nations shall take cross-line humanitarian relief as its priority and actively push the parties concerned to eliminate hostility and build trust in order to seek a feasible cross-line plan, which will allow cross-border aid delivery from Damascus to the northwest, he said. "I believe that a cross-line plan is achievable with our joint efforts."

Assistance to Syria must observe the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence, free of any political conditions, he said.

The future of Syria is in the hands of the Syrian people. China sincerely hopes that the Syrian people can dispel the clouds of war and restore peace and stability as soon as possible. To that end, China will continue to play a constructive role, said Zhang. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 05:35:09|Editor: huaxia

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CAIRO - Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a video meeting on Wednesday and discussed Middle East issues including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Libyan crisis.

The Egyptian president emphasized the need to work immediately on resuming direct talks between Palestinians and Israelis to resolve their decades-long conflict, said the Egyptian presidency in a statement.

For her part, Merkel praised Egypt's "successful" efforts in brokering the recent cease-fire between Israel and Hamas that rules the Palestinian Gaza Strip. The truce was implemented after 11 days of fighting that left at least 243 Palestinians and 12 Israelis dead. (Egypt-Germany-Gaza)

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RAMALLAH -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday called for launching an internationally-sponsored peace track in the Middle East that ends the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

Abbas' remark was made in a meeting held in the West Bank city of Ramallah with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.

The Palestinian leader added that the Palestinians want to establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital in accordance with the international resolutions. (Palestine-Britain-Gaza)

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BAGHDAD -- Iraqi security forces on Wednesday arrested a leader in the paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces over terrorism charges, raising a state of emergency in the heavily fortified Green Zone in central Baghdad.

A statement by the media office of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC) said, "a security force arrested at dawn Qasim Mahmoud Karim Muslih, commander of Hashd Shaabi forces in Anbar province according to an arrest warrant issued by the Iraqi judiciary over charges of terrorism."

The statement did not give further details about the charges against Muslih but said that the arrest does not target any military and security party, stressing that all military and security services are under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi forces. (Iraq-Paramilitary-Arrest)

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ANKARA -- Turkey will start COVID-19 vaccination of its citizens above the age of 50 from June 1, since the country receives new batches of jabs, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said Wednesday.

In a video message, the minister thanked China for its "support and understanding" with regard to delivering CoronaVac vaccines to Turkey.

Turkey started mass COVID-19 vaccination on Jan. 14 after the authorities approved the emergency use of the Chinese CoronaVac vaccine. More than 16,250,000 people have been vaccinated so far. (Turkey-Coronavirus-Vaccines) Enditem
Lockdown Theatre are rescreening For One Knight Only, featuring luminaries of the British stage.

The Q&A was first seen in November and raised over 300,000 for Acting for Others. The rescreen is in aid of the Royal Theatrical Fund and partner organisation, the Fleabag Support Fund.

Featuring an introduction from the RTF chairwoman Samantha Bond and president Robert Lindsay, the Q&A stars Dame Judi Dench, Sir Derek Jacobi, Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Maggie Smith, hosted by Sir Kenneth Branagh.

The special evening of intimate conversation sees the actors discuss their careers, inspirations, and share tales about their time in the business.

The Q&A is available for on demand viewing from 28 to 31 May. Tickets are 25 and can be purchased via stream.theatre.

In addition, there is a For One Knight Only poster, signed by the cast, being auctioned via The Royal Theatrical Fund's eBay (ends 31 May). All proceeds will be donated to theatrical charity The Royal Theatrical Fund.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has wrapped up a two-day Mideast mission, winning valuable diplomatic support and hundreds of millions of dollars of pledges from Arab allies as he moved to shore up the cease-fire that ended an 11-day war between Israel and the Gaza Strips militant Hamas rulers
The state-controlled board that oversees Kansas Citys police department has voted to initiate legal action over city leaders decision to change how some of the departments budget gets spent
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 05:50:06|Editor: huaxia

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LJUBLJANA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Slovenian President Borut Pahor met with visiting senior Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi here on Wednesday.

Yang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to Pahor.

Yang said China-Slovenia relations have witnessed steady and healthy development, with close exchanges between the two peoples and the scale of trade and investment continuing to expand. Against the backdrop of the pandemic, the two countries have maintained a positive momentum of cooperation and exchanges.

China welcomes Slovenian companies to actively explore its market, and is willing to import more high-quality products from Slovenia, he noted.

Next year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Yang said the two sides should take it as an opportunity to seek greater strategic alignment, expand cooperation in areas such as green development, innovation, medicine and infrastructure, while implementing the results from the China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) Summit to promote bilateral relations to a new level.

Yang said China is committed to maintaining peace, promoting development, and actively building a community with a shared future for mankind. China and the European Union (EU) should firmly grasp the overall direction of the development of bilateral relations from a strategic perspective to ensure that they continue to move forward along the right track.

Pahor asked Yang to convey his sincere greetings to President Xi. He spoke highly of China's achievements in reform and opening up as well as the important role it plays in international affairs.

The friendship between the two peoples is profound, and there is solid foundation for bilateral relations with multilateralism as their shared idea, Pahor noted.

Slovenia adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China, said the president.

Slovenia will assume the presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2021. Pahor said Slovenia is willing to play a positive role in promoting EU-China relations and cooperation between CEEC and China.

Yang also met with Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Matej Tonin on Wednesday, exchanging views on bilateral ties and issues of mutual interest. Enditem
Quincy, IL (62301)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 91F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low 64F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
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.
Some subjects are easy to address while others are very

difficult. This is todays case. Abuse of any nature whether physical, emotional or sexual is extremely traumatic and sinful.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience physical or sexual assault, and in the United States 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men are raped in their lifetime. Almost half of victims of rape in the United States were raped by an acquaintance. These statistics are alarming; behind every number is a person with a story filled with heartache and pain. We cannot turn a blind eye to this issue.

There are two realities in regards to wounds:

One, we all inflect wounds in some manner. Even uncaring words or insensitivity towards another in some circumstances might cause terrible damage. On the other hand, any

emotional, physical or sexual abuse is severe and should never be justified.

Two, who is beyond being hurt? The harsh reality demonstrates that the sinful actions of another person can be detrimental. Again, this can occur in lesser and greater degrees.

King David, prominent in the Bible, experienced some of the greatest joys of life as well as some of the extreme sorrows. In 2 Samuel chapter 11 we discover his poor lapse in character when he sexually took advantage of Bathsheba, a sinful action on his part. To make matters worse, David covered his sin by manipulating her husband Uriah through a deceitful plot in war strategy that took Uriahs life.

Another tragic situation includes Davids daughter, Tamar, found in 2 Samuel chapter 13. Absalom and Amnon were half-brothers. Amnon had an obsession for Tamar, Davids daughter with Maacah. At one dark point Amnon, along with his friend Jonadab, schemed and sexually assaulted Tamar. This action by these young men wounded numerous members of the family.

Wounds. Sin is ugly; gone unchecked it ravages lives. Is there hope? Indeed, hope is found in Jesus Christ. The prophet Isaiah wrote, Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed, (Isaiah 53:4-5).

Jesus understands wounds--he took the combination of every sin throughout history on his back. At the cross we find the power of forgiveness of sin. If youre wrestling with wounds of any nature, wont you take them to Jesus?
Memorial Weekend is the unofficial start to summer in Montana and as boaters venture out to our rivers and lakes, please keep in mind the rules aimed at protecting our waters and preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.

 All boats must stop at all open watercraft inspection stations they encounter. Failure to stop at inspection stations could result in a fine of up to $500.

 All watercraft coming into Montana from out of state must seek out an inspection prior to launching.

 Non-residents transporting watercraft into Montana must purchase a Vessel AIS Prevention Pass before launching. The fee is $30 for motorized and $10 for nonmotorized watercraft. The pass is valid until Dec. 31.

 All watercraft travelling west across the Continental Divide must be inspected.

 All watercraft launching anywhere within the Flathead Basin that were last launched on waters outside of the Flathead Basin must be inspected.

 Watercraft leaving Tiber Reservoir must be inspected at an FWP decontamination station.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and partner agencies operate more than 25 road-side watercraft inspection stations across the state. Typically, boat inspections are brief and include a short interview and check to make sure watercraft are not transporting mud, water, plants or invasive organisms. Larger or more complex boats may require additional time for an inspection.

Watercraft owners can make their inspection quick and easy if they consistently practice Clean, Drain and Dry every time they leave an access area:

 Clean all mud and debris from the watercraft and trailer.

 Pull drain plugs and make sure all compartments, bilges, ballasts and livewells are drained.

 Allow time for watercraft and gear to dry before the next trip.

FWP inspectors and enforcement staff will be working hard to make sure everyone knows the AIS rules and have a safe and fun time on the water.

To find a watercraft inspection station or to learn more, go to CleanDrainDryMT.com or call the FWP Aquatic Invasive Species Bureau at 406-444-2440.
Williamson, WV (25661)

Today

Chance of a shower or two during the morning, followed by partly cloudy skies this afternoon. High 86F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds light and variable.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 06:05:01|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, May 26 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called for solidarity with Africa in the fight against COVID-19 and recovery from the pandemic.

"We need to move toward sustainable economic growth that protects the environment, promotes human rights and strengthens the social contract. And we need a stronger sense of solidarity and multilateral cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and leave no one behind. Now for that to be possible, we also need to express a very clear solidarity with the African continent in this dramatic moment in which we are still under the terrible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic," he told the opening of the Africa Dialogue Series 2021, a series of high-level public policy debates.

It is totally unacceptable that vaccines are not now fully available to the African continent, that Africa is dramatically lagging behind in vaccination, said Guterres. "I do believe that vaccines must be affordable and available everywhere."

That is why he has been insisting with the Group of 20 countries to create a global vaccination plan and to create an emergency task force for that purpose, he explained.

Vaccination is very important but not enough. African countries need financial support to relaunch their economies, said Guterres.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) predictions that sub-Saharan Africa will grow only three-plus percent in 2021, compared with 6 percent for the global economy, are worrisome, he said.

It is absolutely essential that African countries receive the financial support they need at the present moment to protect their citizens and to be able to relaunch their economies. The IMF Special Drawing Rights should be put at the disposal of the African continent. Effective debt relief, not only for least developed countries but for all developing countries and middle-income countries that need it, must be put at the disposal of African countries, he said.

"I believe that development requires conditions to be successful, and two basic conditions today are to support Africa for effective vaccination and support Africa to relaunch its economies and to have a sustainable and inclusive recovery," said Guterres. Enditem
Baker, business groups want incentives for workers to return to their jobs
Today

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 91F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low 68F. Winds light and variable.

Tomorrow

Scattered thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon. High 89F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
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WCS presents budget, needs list to county

Smith

Wilson County Schools Director Dr. Donna Wright and Finance Director Michael Smith met with the county commissions budget and education committees in a joint session Monday night.

The committees voted to accept the school districts budget and needs assessment list. They will both be discussed next month in additional budget meetings. That meeting will determine which, if any of the items on the needs assessment list, would be approved.

The 2021-22 budget, which was required to be status quo, or the same as last year, actually came in $2.2 million lower than the 2020-21 budget, Smith reported to the committee members.

The current budget is $6.8 million in deficit and this current year is $4.6 million in deficit, he said, noting there is a budget surplus deficit difference of ($2.2 million).

The needs list includes items such as a 5% raise for classified staff members. That would total $1.5 million per year, Smith said.

Other items on the list were:

Seven new maintenance positions. The number of employees has been steady at 21 for years, Wright said, noting that was despite the addition of new buildings within the system. The total cost would be $455,000.

Making sure each of the districts pupils and teachers have Chromebooks and ensuring their replacement on a six-year plan would cost $1.88 million.

A summer roofing program with a four-year plan to replace roofs at 12 of the districts schools and buildings. The cost for the 12 buildings, over a four-year plan, would be $6.8 million. However, the first year, which would cover Lakeview Elementary, Tuckers Crossroads, Mt. Juliet Middle, Watertown Elementary, Elzie Patton and W.A. Wright, would cost $3 million. The goal of the district is to replace roofs with those which come with a 30-year warranty, Wright said.

Ensuring the stockpile of land for future schools. That could cost $2.5 for an elementary and middle school and $5 million for a sixth high school. Wright predicted that one would be needed in the next five years.

Enlarging the size of West Wilson Middle School while it is being rebuilt. That would add an additional seven or eight classrooms onto the school to help with increased capacity. That would cost $10 million.

Replacing vehicles, some with more than 300,000 miles, at a cost of $250,000.

Replacing the heating and air units at various schools would be done over a five-year period. Year one would be for 70 classrooms at $35,000 per classroom, totaling $2.5 million. The total for 300 classrooms over a five-year period, would be $10.5 million. Two of those units caught fire at Mt. Juliet Elementary in the past year, Wright said.

Wright said that there would probably be nearly 19,000 students in the WCS system in the coming year.

We have to submit our (desired purchases) to the state for approval, but 20% has to be dedicated to learning loss, Wright said. We havent determined what is learning loss. Were still working with the state to see what qualifies as learning loss.

Local revenues from the sales tax must be split with the Lebanon Special School District, per state law. Currently that is approximately 16% but that amount changes each year, based on the states determination.

Because the district chose to forgo putting $3.6 million into the insurance fund to help counter costs, they are that amount short in the fund, Smith said, going from $4.2 million in the 2020-21 budget to $7.8 million in the 2021-22 budget. In funding the fund for the 2021-22 budget, he has included a 5% increase in the budget.

Smith said when working on the budget, he knew it was very important not to cut any programs that affected the kids, he said.

He also said that at some point have to maintain schools. At some point if you dont, they will fall down.

Wright said the district needs to spend time on a pay study for classified staff. She charged incoming director Jeff Luttrell with conducting the study, comparing salaries within areas counties and districts.

Within the next year, the district will look at insurance costs and options for future insurance plans and coverage.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 00:26:59|Editor: huaxia

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LUSAKA, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government on Tuesday said unless unprecedented solidarity by countries in the fight against COVID-19 was promoted, the hope of defeating the pandemic will remain a pipe dream.

"It is our conviction that unless the world applies unprecedented solidarity and act in a way that leaves no one behind, the hope of defeating the pandemic remains a pipe dream," Kennedy Malama, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary in Charge of Technical Services, said in remarks delivered at the 74th World Health Assembly, according to a release.

He said it was unfortunate that the access to COVID-19 tools accelerator, a well-intended initiative that assures equitable access to vaccines, diagnosis, and therapeutics was being undermined by "vaccine nationalism".

He has since appealed to member states to support the efforts of the World Health Organization in thwarting the catastrophic effects of COVID-19 and commended the collaboration between the WHO and the African Union in responding to the pandemic.

Zambia, he said, was in full support of the development of the WHO pandemic treaty. Enditem


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Carter Bouchard has had visions of bagels dancing in her head for a long time. The pandemic prompted her to finally make those dough-filled dreams of starting her own bagel bakery a reality.

Carter Bouchard has had visions of bagels dancing in her head for a long time. The pandemic prompted her to finally make those dough-filled dreams of starting her own bagel bakery a reality.

"It was the kick in the pants that I needed," says the 26-year-old chef and owner of Salt and Sunshine Bagels.

Bouchard grew up in a food-loving family and has been cooking since she was 15 years old. She enrolled in the culinary arts program at Winnipeg Technical College  now the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology  in high school and went on to graduate from Red River College, where she won a culinary exchange scholarship to study in France. After school, she worked at Marion Street Eatery before landing a job in the kitchen at Passero, where shes been for three years.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Carter Bouchard, owner of Salt and Sunshine Bagels, rents kitchen space at the Irish Association on Erin Street.

Like everyone in the restaurant industry, Bouchards work hours dried up under the public health restrictions. She needed extra cash and she wanted to keep working with food; bagels were the answer.

"Ive actually been thinking about this for four years now," she says. "Before I was like, No, Ive gotta find somewhere thats going to teach me and show me how to do it. And then once the pandemic hit, I was like, you know what? Ive just gotta figure this out on my own."

Bouchard was so adamant about having an authentic bagel-making internship, in fact, that she travelled to New York a few years ago to find a bakery owner who would take her under their wing  although her plans of staging (doing unpaid kitchen work) didnt quite pan out.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Bouchard started her bagel bakery on Instagram during the pandemic.

"They seemed to not really be into that whole free-labour thing," she says with a laugh. "It was fine, though; I ate so many bagels while I was there and just kind of got an idea of the style I wanted."

She prefers a big bagel with a fluffy interior and decent amount of chewiness, "If the bagel doesnt bite back, then its not my kind of bagel."

Bouchard has fond childhood memories of visiting the Great Canadian Bagel  a bagel cafe chain popular in the 90s with former franchises in Winnipeg  with her parents. Chocolate chip, devoured in the car before they made it home, was a favourite.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Bouchard whips up a batch of sesame bagels.

Before she started selling to the public as Salt and Sunshine, Bouchard tested her products on family and friends. It was during the tinkering process when she landed, accidentally, on a feature that makes her bagels stand out from the crowd.

"Im such a perfectionist, so I was rolling them out the traditional way with the hole and I didnt like the way they looked," she says. "I was like, Im not going to put a hole, who says I have to? So I didnt."

Bouchard doesnt see hole-less (or whole, as she calls them) bagels as an affront to the tradition, but rather as an opportunity to give customers more surface area for spreads and a better base for bagel sandwiches.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Bouchard prefers a big bagel with a fluffy interior and decent amount of chewiness, "If the bagel doesnt bite back, then its not my kind of bagel."

Salt and Sunshine lives online and in the small rented kitchen at the Irish Association of Manitoba on Erin Street, where Bouchard spends two-and-a-half days each week mixing, resting, boiling and baking more than 300 bagels for hungry customers. A friend from culinary school helps out with the physically demanding rolling process.

I would not be able to roll out 300 bagels by myself," she says. "Our biceps are pretty jacked, not gonna lie."

Customers can order online at saltandsunshinebagels.ca for pickup on Thursdays. Bouchard stocks three standard flavours  sesame sea salt, everything and chocolate chip  each week, as well as a rotating specialty bagel. Coming up with new variations, such as lemon poppy seed and salted rosemary honey, keeps the job interesting.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Bouchard stocks three standard flavours  sesame sea salt, everything and chocolate chip.

"Thats kind of like a creative outlet for me," she says. "I just want to really do my best to try and spice things up a little bit and put my own flair on it and my own skill set that Ive learned from other places."

Bouchard also makes a variety of flavoured whipped brown butter and labneh spreads to pair with her bagels.

Social media, particularly Instagram, has been a boon for her business, which one day shed like to turn into a full-time gig and a brick-and-mortar shop. Until then, shes excited to be part of the wave of new online food businesses popping up during the pandemic.

"I think its awesome  its like a new era of cooking," she says of the trend. "For me, its a nice stepping stone, instead of jumping straight into owning my own storefront Im going to see how it goes and what I need to do and learn before I take that leap."

eva.wasney@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @evawasney
NEW DELHI (AP)  Heavy rain and a high tide lashed parts of eastern India and neighboring Bangladesh on Wednesday as a cyclone pushed ashore in an area where more than 1.1 million people were evacuated during a devastating coronavirus outbreak. At least six people were reported dead.

This Tuesday, May, 25, 2021, satellite image provided by NASA shows Cyclone Yaas approaching India's eastern coast. Tens of thousands of people are being evacuated from low-lying areas of two Indian states to escape the strong cyclone barreling toward the eastern coast. Yaas is expected to make landfall Wednesday in West Bengal and Odisha states. It comes amid a coronavirus surge, complicating India's efforts to deal with both. (NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) via AP)

NEW DELHI (AP)  Heavy rain and a high tide lashed parts of eastern India and neighboring Bangladesh on Wednesday as a cyclone pushed ashore in an area where more than 1.1 million people were evacuated during a devastating coronavirus outbreak. At least six people were reported dead.

Cyclone Yaas had already caused two deaths and damaged homes as heavy rain pounded Odisha and West Bengal states before it made landfall in the late morning.

Another person died in a house collapse in West Bengal state on Wednesday, said the state's top elected official, Mamata Banerjee. The Press Trust of India news agency said two people were killed when they were hit by uprooted trees and another person died in a house collapse in Odisha state. There was no official confirmation of the report.

The very severe cyclonic storm packed sustained winds of 130-140 kilometers (up to 87 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 155 kph (97 mph) when it made landfall, the India Meteorological Department said. With the storm now almost fully on land, winds were expected to weaken.

In Bangladesh, thousands of people in 200 villages were marooned as their homes, shops and farms were flooded by tidal surges.

A villager walks holding an umbrella as dark clouds loom over during a drizzle in Balasore district in Odisha, India, Tuesday, May 25, 2021. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated Tuesday in low-lying areas of two Indian states and moved to cyclone shelters to escape a powerful storm barreling toward the eastern coast. (AP Photo)

In southern Patuakhali district, more than 20 villages in Rangabali went underwater after two river embankments were washed away, said Mashfaqur Rahman, the areas top administrator. He said at least 15,000 people had taken refuge in cyclone shelters.

In India, television images showed knee-deep water flooding the beachfront and other areas of Digha, a resort town in West Bengal. Wind gusts whipped palm trees back and forth, and water overflowed several river banks.

West Bengal states top elected official, Mamata Banerjee, told reporters that 20,000 mud huts and temporary shelters for the poor have been damaged along the coast.

Mechanized boats used to ferry passengers are moored together to avoid losses under the inclement weather due to Cyclone Yaas in Kolkata, India, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. City heritage landmark Howrah Bridge is seen behind. Heavy rain and a high tide lashed parts of India's eastern coast as a cyclone pushed ashore Wednesday in an area where more than 1.1 million people have evacuated amid a devastating coronavirus surge.(AP Photo/Bikas Das)

On Tuesday, a tornado snapped electricity lines that electrocuted two people and damaged 40 houses, Banerjee said.

More than 17 centimeters (6.5 inches) of rain have fallen in the Chandabali and Paradip regions of Odisha state since Tuesday, the meteorological department said. Tidal waves of up to 4 meters (13 feet) were forecast.

Kolkata and Bhubaneshwar airports were shut and train services canceled. Fishing trawlers and boats were told to take shelter.

A cow runs through high tide water at the Digha beach on the Bay of Bengal coast as Cyclone Yaas intensifies in West Bengal state, India, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Heavy rain and a high tide lashed parts of India's eastern coast as the cyclone pushed ashore Wednesday in an area where more than 1.1 million people have evacuated amid a devastating coronavirus surge. (AP Photo/Ashim Paul)

The cyclone, coming amid a coronavirus surge, complicates Indias efforts to deal with both after another storm, Cyclone Tauktae, hit Indias west coast last week and killed more than 140 people.

Odishas chief minister, Naveen Patnaik, appealed to people in shelters to wear double masks and maintain social distancing. We have to face both the challenges simultaneously, Patnaik said.

Thousands of emergency personnel have been deployed to help with evacuations and rescue operations, said S.N. Pradhan, director of Indias National Disaster Response Force. The air force and navy were also on standby.

beach vendors' kiosks are surrounded by water during high tide at the Digha beach on the Bay of Bengal coast as Cyclone Yaas intensifies in West Bengal state, India, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Heavy rain and a high tide lashed parts of India's eastern coast as the cyclone pushed ashore Wednesday in an area where more than 1.1 million people have evacuated amid a devastating coronavirus surge. (AP Photo/Ashim Paul)

A year ago, the most powerful cyclone in more than a decade hit eastern India and killed nearly 100 people.

We havent been able to fix the damage to our home from the last cyclone. Now another cyclone is coming, how will we stay here? said Samitri, who uses only one name.

Some of the deadliest tropical cyclones on record have occurred in the Bay of Bengal. A 1999 super cyclone killed around 10,000 people and devastated large parts of Odisha. Due to improved forecasts and better relief coordination, the death toll from Cyclone Phailin, an equally intense storm in 2013, was less than 50, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

Alam reported from Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The head of Canada's largest telecommunications company said Wednesday that he's hopeful that a revised CRTC decision on wholesale internet rates this week will be more favourable to network owners.

Mirko Bibic, president and CEO of BCE and Bell Canada speaks during a CRTC hearing for Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2019-57, Review of mobile wireless services, in Gatineau, Que., on February 19, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

The head of Canada's largest telecommunications company said Wednesday that he's hopeful that a revised CRTC decision on wholesale internet rates this week will be more favourable to network owners.

BCE chief executive Mirko Bibic, who is also CEO of Bell Canada, told a virtual conference Wednesday that he takes comfort from a recent CRTC decision establishing rules for wholesale sharing of wireless networks.

The CRTC decided on April 15 that it would require Bell, Rogers and Telus  which own Canada's three national wireless carriers  to allow regional competitors to piggyback on their systems but with certain conditions.

Among those conditions was that regional wireless and internet providers would only be able to use wholesale suppliers for seven years, which the CRTC expects will give them time to build their own networks.

"So I hope that's a good signal for tomorrow," Bibic said in a question-and-answer session Wednesday with TD Securities analyst Vince Valentini.

Canada's telecommunications regulator says it will deliver a review-and-vary decision on wholesale internet rates after markets close on Thursday, essentially a do-over of a controversial ruling issued in August 2019.

In that decision, after years of fact gathering and analysis, the CRTC slashed many wholesale rates charged to smaller internet providers  and ordered network providers to repay millions of dollar in fees.

Bibic, who has been publicly opposed to sharing Bell network infrastructure with rival carriers, said the 2019 wholesale rates decision was "met with widespread derision" by facilities-based internet providers.

It was also met with a political, legal and regulatory campaign by Bell, Rogers and other internet service providers that own most of the infrastructure required to deliver internet to retail customers.

Bell and its allies unsuccessfully tried to get the Federal Court of Appeal to rule against the CRTC, but the court refused last September and said the CRTC had the authority, expertise and regulations to make the decision.

A 2020 cabinet decision allowed the largely independent CRTC to review its own decision, as required by law. But the cabinet decision said the 2019 wholesale rates ruling may not meet all the government's objectives.

"So I think the fact that it was sent back by the government, with that clear indication is also a good sign, but we'll see," Bibic said Wednesday.

Joe Natale, CEO of Rogers Communications Inc. had a similar message during the same TD Securities conference for Canada's major telecom and media companies..

Natale said Canada has some of the world's best telecommunications networks because government policy and CRTC decisions have "reinforced the need to build to the far corners of Canada."

If network owners are forced to sell wholesale access at a loss Natale said "it doesn't take, you know, a lot of thinking to say: Why would we do that?"

Independent ISPs argue that they're willing to pay the big carriers wholesale rates that cover their costs and provide them with reasonable profit  but not the margins currently charged.

Consumer groups have argued prices would fall if more home internet was supplied by independent ISPs and more wireless services were delivered by smaller or more specialized network resellers

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26y, 2021.

Companies in this story: (TSX: BCE, TSX:RCI. B)
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A family-friendly street festival, musical performances and moments of silence were held Tuesday to honor George Floyd and mark the year since he died at the hands of Minneapolis police, a death captured on wrenching bystander video that galvanized the racial justice movement and continues to bring calls for change a year later.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A family-friendly street festival, musical performances and moments of silence were held Tuesday to honor George Floyd and mark the year since he died at the hands of Minneapolis police, a death captured on wrenching bystander video that galvanized the racial justice movement and continues to bring calls for change a year later.

Floyds sister Bridgett and other family members held a moment of silence at a "Celebration of Life" event at a downtown Minneapolis park that included music, food trucks, an inflatable bouncy house and a pop-up vaccination stand.

People take a knee during a moment of silence on the one year anniversary of George Floyd's death on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Minneapolis, Minn. (AP Photo/Christian Monterrosa)

A few miles away, at the site of the intersection where Floyd died, dozens of people gathered around a steel fist sculpture and kneeled for several minutes  symbolic of the 9 minutes, 29 seconds during which Floyd was pinned to the ground.

"Its been a troubling year, a long year," Bridgett Floyd told the crowd in downtown Minneapolis. "But we made it. ... The love is very outpouring today. The love is here. George is here."

Bridgett Floyd, sister of George Floyd, attends a rally and march for the one year anniversary of George Floyd's death on Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Minneapolis, Minn. (AP Photo/Christian Monterrosa)

Other members of Floyds family met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington, who urged Congress to quickly pass a law in Floyds name that would bring changes to policing.

A moment of silence to honor Floyd was also held in New York and a rally was held in Los Angeles. Globally, a rally took place in Germany and Floyd's death was marked by U.S. embassies in Greece and Spain.

Hours before the festivities began in Minneapolis, the intersection where Floyd died was disrupted by the sound of gunfire.

Associated Press video from 38th Street and Chicago Avenue  informally known as George Floyd Square  showed people running for cover as shots rang out.

Police said a man, who they believe was injured in the shooting, went to a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound. Police spokesman John Elder said he was in critical condition but was expected to survive. No one was in custody by midday.

Philip Crowther, a reporter working for AP Global Media Services, which provides live video coverage, reported hearing as many as 30 gunshots about a block from the intersection. Crowther said a storefront window appeared to have been broken by gunshots.

Myisha T. Hall, of Las Vegas, sits on a bench in front of a large mural depicting the late George Floyd, as people from across Minneapolis, and the world gather to visit the George Floyd Memorial Square on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Minneapolis, MN. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

"Very quickly things got back to normal," Crowther said. "People here who spend a significant amount of time, the organizers, were running around asking, Does anyone need a medic?"

Like other major cities, Minneapolis has been struggling with rising gun violence, a problem made worse, in part, by many officers leaving the embattled force since Floyd's death.

A 6-year-old girl was fatally shot and two other children wounded in recent weeks. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey last week unveiled sweeping public safety proposals aimed at fixing the problem. Other groups are pursuing a more radical remaking of the police department.

The intersection of 38th and Chicago has been barricaded since soon after Floyd's death. It quickly turned into a memorial  and also a challenging spot for the city, with police officers not always welcome.

A bullet casing is seen after shots were fired in George Floyd Square on the one year anniversary of George Floyd's death on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Minneapolis. The intersection where George Floyd died was disrupted by gunfire Tuesday, just hours before it was to be the site of a family-friendly street festival marking the anniversary of his death at the hands of police.(AP Photo/Christian Monterrosa)

The square was transformed Tuesday into an outdoor festival, with food, childrens activities and a long list of musical performers. The "Rise and Remember George Floyd" celebration includes a candlelight vigil and caps several days of marches, rallies and panel discussions about his death and confronting racial discrimination.

Xavier Simmons, a 24-year-old organizer from Racine, Wisconsin, chanted "Say his name!" as the crowd kneeled before the fist sculpture. Simmons said he hopes people taking part in the festivities will both honor Floyds life and legacy and continue to "uplift and empower this movement."

"We got the verdict that we needed, but its never going to change until we make a change," he said.

Floyd, 46, who was Black, died May 25, 2020, after then-Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck, pinning him to the ground for about 9 1/2 minutes. Chauvin, who is white, was convicted last month of murder and faces sentencing June 25. Three other fired officers still face trial.

Earl Vaughn, 20, of Minneapolis, went to the event in downtown Minneapolis to show support for Floyd's family. Despite the events celebratory atmosphere, Vaughn said: "For all this a Black man had to die, so thats really unfortunate."

People walk through George Floyd Square after shots were fired on the one year anniversary of George Floyd's death on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Minneapolis. The intersection where George Floyd died was disrupted by gunfire Tuesday, just hours before it was to be the site of a family-friendly street festival marking the anniversary of his death at the hands of police.(AP Photo/Christian Monterrosa)

In New York City, elected officials, including Mayor Bill de Blasio and U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, joined the Rev. Al Sharpton in kneeling for 9 minutes, 29 seconds.

"As we took a knee, imagine how long that was on a human beings neck," Sharpton said. "Never switched knees, just dug in. Its time we correct policing in this country."

Several Floyd family members, including his young daughter Gianna, met with Biden and Harris on Tuesday. Biden had called family members after the Chauvin verdict and pledged to continue fighting for racial justice.

Gianna Floyd, the daughter of George Floyd, listens as family members speak to reporters after meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House, Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

On Tuesday, he recalled how Gianna told him on the eve of Floyd's funeral that "Daddy changed the world."

He said in a statement that Floyd did bring change, but that real change must include accountability and trust in the justice system. He said he hopes the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act can pass the Senate and get to his desk quickly.

"We have to act," he said of the legislation that would ban chokeholds and no-knock police raids and create a national registry for officers disciplined for serious misconduct.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, center, talks with Philonise Floyd, the brother of George Floyd, left, as Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., right, looks on, as they stand for a photo during a meeting with Floyd family and Congressional members, Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at the Capitol in Washington. (Bill Clark/Pool via AP)

Harris also called on Congress to move "with a sense of urgency. Passing legislation will not bring back those lives lost, but it will represent much needed progress. We must address racial injustice wherever it exists. That is the work ahead."

Bridgett Floyd told the crowd in Minneapolis: "We dont want a watered down bill  My message to the president: Get your people in order ... Were going to continue to fight this good old fight."

Floyds brother Philonise, who appeared on CNN, said he thinks about George "all the time."

"My sister called me at 12 oclock last night and said This is the day our brother left us,'" he said, adding: "I think things have changed. I think it is moving slowly but we are making progress."

Also Tuesday, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Kristen Clarke as assistant attorney general for civil rights, the first Black woman to hold the position.

In the last few weeks, the Justice Department under Biden has announced sweeping investigations into the police in Minneapolis and Louisville and brought federal civil rights charges against the officers involved in Floyds death, including Chauvin.

Gianna Floyd, the daughter of George Floyd, leads the chant "say his name" as members of the Floyd family talk with reporters after meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House, Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Separately, the Floyd family announced the launch of a fund that will make grants to businesses and community organizations in the neighborhood, as well as broader grants "encouraging the success and growth of Black citizens and community harmony."

The money comes from $500,000 earmarked as part of the city's $27 million civil settlement for the Floyd family earlier this year.

Associated Press writer Amy Forliti contributed to this report.
ROME (AP)  Police arrested three people Wednesday in the cable car disaster that killed 14 people in northern Italy, saying workers placed a clamp on the emergency brake to deactivate it as a patchwork repair - one that prevented the brake from engaging when the lead cable snapped.

A coffin is carried by members of the Jewish community at the morgue of Verbania Hospital, in Verbania, Italy, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. A prayer ceremony for the Jewish victims took place in Verbania Wednesday morning, before the bodies of the dead were released to return to their homes for funerals and burials. Three people were arrested following a cable car disaster that killed 14 people, after the lead cable apparently snapped and the cabin careened back down the mountain until it pulled off the line and crashed to the ground. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

ROME (AP)  Police arrested three people Wednesday in the cable car disaster that killed 14 people in northern Italy, saying workers placed a clamp on the emergency brake to deactivate it as a patchwork repair - one that prevented the brake from engaging when the lead cable snapped.

The revelations, obtained during an overnight police interrogation of the suspects, turned the horror of Sundays disaster into outrage, given the tragedy appeared to have been entirely preventable.

Prosecutor Olimpia Bossi hypothesized that the operators of the sightseeing funicular, which had reopened after a wintertime COVID-19 closure, used the jerry-rigged clamp to avoid having to shut the attraction down for the more extensive, radical" repairs that were necessary.

A rescuer takes a picture of a clamp that was placed on an emergency brake, as search for evidence continues in the wreckage of a cable car after it collapsed near the summit of the Stresa-Mottarone line in the Piedmont region, northern Italy, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Police have made three arrests in the cable car disaster that killed 14 people after an investigation showed a clamp, placed on the brake as a patchwork repair effort, prevented the brake from engaging after the lead cable snapped. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

We arrested three people who it turns out were directly involved in a concrete fact: The emergency brake mechanism of the cabin that fell onto the Mottarone slope was manipulated," Bossi told reporters in Verbania, adding that the severity of the disaster warranted their detention.

Bossi said it still wasn't clear why the lead cable snapped or whether it was related to the brake problem. But she said that the intentional deactivation of the brake, done several times over recent weeks for a persistent problem, prevented the brake from doing its job.

After the lead cable broke Sunday, the cabin reeled back down the line until it hit the pylon and pulled off entirely. It crashed to the ground and rolled over down the mountainside until it came to rest against some trees. Fourteen people were killed; the lone survivor, a 5-year-old boy, remains hospitalized.

Carabinieri Lt. Col. Alberto Cicognani said at least one of the three people questioned overnight admitted to what happened. He said the fork-shaped clamp had been placed on the emergency brake to deactivate it because the brake was engaging spontaneously and preventing the funicular from working.

A view of a clamp that was placed on an emergency brake, as search for evidence continues in the wreckage of a cable car after it collapsed near the summit of the Stresa-Mottarone line in the Piedmont region, northern Italy, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Police have made three arrests in the cable car disaster that killed 14 people after an investigation showed a clamp, placed on the brake as a patchwork repair effort, prevented the brake from engaging after the lead cable snapped. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

The cable car line reopened from lockdown April 26 and was bringing sightseers to the top of the Mottarone peak overlooking Lake Maggiore on the first sunny Sunday since then. The jerry-rigged clamp was still in place on the brake Sunday morning, Cicognani said, citing information gleaned from the suspects themselves.

Because of a malfunction, the brake was continuing to engage even when it wasnt supposed to, Cicognani told Sky TG24. To prevent the cabin from halting while transporting passengers, they chose to not remove the dispositive that blocked the emergency brake.

In this way, the brake couldnt function, and this brought about the fact that when the cable broke, the cabin fell backwards, he said.

Sky and the LaPresse news agency identified the three people arrested as the owner of the cable car service, the director of the lift and the service chief.

Bossi, the Verbania prosecutor heading the investigation, said the deactivation of the brake was clearly designed as a stop-gap measure to allow the funicular to continue operating. She told reporters that investigators think it was done with the full knowledge" of the cable car company's owners.

The development, while the town of Stresa at the foot of Mottarone was still recovering from the trauma of Sunday's disaster, is another blow, news reports quoted Stresa Mayor Marcella Severino as saying.

The investigation was continuing, but the mayor of the hometown of one of the victims, Serena Cosentino, announced that the city would pursue legal action against those responsible. The mayor said the city of Diamonte, in southern Calabria, would present itself as an injured party in the civil portion of any possible prosecution.

The news, unfortunately, is showing a broad picture of responsibility and omissive guilt," Mayor Ernesto Magorno said in a statement.

The developments in the investigation came as doctors at Turins Regina Margherita pediatric hospital reported that the lone survivor of the disaster, 5-year-old Eitan Biran, had begun to open his eyes after they gradually brought him out of sedation.

Biran suffered several broken bones in the crash, which killed his parents, younger brother and great-grandparents. An aunt who was not in the cable car was with him at the hospital.

The Israeli family had been living in Italy and on Wednesday, members of the areas Jewish community attended a prayer ceremony for the victims before their remains were transported back to Israel for burial.
TOKYO (AP)  Former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn has backed his former colleague American lawyer Greg Kellys insistence he is innocent of any wrongdoing.

Fugitive ex-auto magnate Carlos Ghosn speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, in Dbayeh, north of Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, May 25, 2021. The embattled former chairman of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance dissected his legal troubles in Japan, France and the Netherlands, detailed how he plotted his brazen escape from Osaka, and reflected on his new reality in crisis-hit Lebanon, where he is stuck for the foreseeable future. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

TOKYO (AP)  Former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn has backed his former colleague American lawyer Greg Kellys insistence he is innocent of any wrongdoing.

Ghosn said in an interview with The Associated Press in Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday that Kelly, a former Nissan executive vice president, had sought only legal methods to arrange post-retirement compensation for his boss.

Kelly was arrested at the same time as Ghosn in Tokyo in November 2018 and is charged with falsifying securities reports. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. Ghosn fled Japan in late 2019.

Testimony and documents presented at Kellys trial have shown that he sought ways to beef up compensation for Ghosn after he agreed to a pay cut at Nissan in 2010, when Japan began requiring disclosures of high executive pay. Ghosn insisted Tuesday that no additional compensation agreements were approved by the board.

Obviously he (Kelly) is innocent, Ghosn said.

Greg is probably the person, from all the teams I had, one of the most professional. Highest integrity person I know. Thats one of the reasons I trusted him, Ghosn said.

Former Nissan executive Carlos Ghosn speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, in Dbayeh, north of Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, May 25, 2021. The embattled former chairman of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance dissected his legal troubles in Japan, France and the Netherlands, detailed how he plotted his brazen escape from Osaka, and reflected on his new reality in crisis-hit Lebanon, where he is stuck for the foreseeable future. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

At his trial, which began in September, Kelly has answered questions from his chief defense lawyer Yoichi Kitamura about discussions and documents related to Ghosns income.

Kelly has stressed his role was to ensure payments to Ghosn were legal.

Ghosn backed that view in the AP interview. That is significant because Ghosns voice has been absent in Kellys trial, though the defense team has had prosecutors records of their interrogations of Ghosn read aloud in the courtroom, a rare procedure in a Japanese trial.

Nothing was decided. It was only brainstorming. And frankly to the end, nothing was decided, Ghosn said in the interview this week.

There was nothing illegal in this. This is the object of the trial of Greg Kelly.

Ghosn, a superstar executive at Nissan Motor Co. for two decades, voluntarily took a pay cut of about 1 billion yen ($10 million) per year, roughly halving his income beginning in 2010.

Kelly has emphasized that one of the main aims of the discussions about Ghosn's compensation was to ensure he would not leave Nissan for a rival company. At the time of his arrest, Ghosn was chairman of the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance.

In the interview with AP, Ghosn said he had been offered a job at General Motors Co. but was reluctant to leave Nissan, and Japan, after the blows from the global financial crisis and then triple disasters of a huge earthquake, a tsunami and nuclear meltdowns in March 2011.

Ghosn said GM turned down his proposal that it join the Nissan-Renault alliance.

In a hearing in Tokyo District Court on Wednesday, Kelly said that post-retirement payments were common at Nissan and often involved a non-compete clause barring the employee from working for a rival. In the case of Nissan North America that was a lifetime requirement.

Such agreements are rare in Japan, however, because of the loyalty engendered by the country's lifetime employment system, he said.

Ghosn and Kelly were the only Nissan officials arrested in the case.

Hiroto Saikawa, Nissan chief executive from 2017 until his 2019 resignation, was not charged, although his signature is on the same documents on Ghosns post-retirement pay along with Kellys.

Greg Kelly is facing trial, while Saikawa is free. You know, whats the big difference? Ghosn told the AP.

___

Jeffrey Schaeffer reported from Beirut, Lebanon.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 05:57:29|Editor: huaxia

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BUJUMBURA, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and several others were injured in grenades explosions that happened on Tuesday evening in Burundi's commercial capital Bujumbura, the Burundian security ministry said.

"One person died on the spot and another one died after being evacuated in a health facility due to grenades blasted by terrorists around 7 p.m. (5 p.m. GMT) in Bujumbura's city center," the ministry said in a tweet, adding that one of the terrorists was injured by his grenade and was arrested.

Eyewitnesses told Xinhua that two grenades were blasted at the main bus station in Bujumbura city center, while another one was blasted near a market in Ngagara neighborhood in northern Bujumbura. Enditem
WASHINGTON (AP)  The CEOs of the six biggest U.S. banks went before Congress Wednesday, eager to lay out their support for struggling consumers and small businesses hard hit by the pandemic.

WASHINGTON (AP)  The CEOs of the six biggest U.S. banks went before Congress Wednesday, eager to lay out their support for struggling consumers and small businesses hard hit by the pandemic.

But lawmakers focused more keenly in a Senate hearing on the contentious social and political issues dividing the country.

FILE - This May 18, 2021 file photo Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. The heads of the nations big Wall Street firms were back on Capitol Hill Tuesday, May 26, the start of two days of hearings where the big banks are expected to be scolded by members of Congress on both sides of the aisle over issues like inequality and the corporate culture of Wall Street. A self-described progressive, Brown said that when he became chair of the committee earlier this year, he planned to subpoena the CEOs to testify as soon as he could. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Climate change, voting rights and racial inequity animated the debate and questioning of the executives in a hearing by the Senate Banking Committee. Democrats demanded the Wall Street powerhouses do more to help struggling minority communities. Republicans warned against promoting social activism through banking practices.

Profits have gone up, stock prices have soared, your own compensation is stratospheric  but workers get a smaller and smaller share of the wealth they create and theyre working harder than ever, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, the committee chairman, told the CEOs. We have a racial wealth and income gap that has barely budged since we passed the Civil Rights Act. Prove to us that you are going to use your positions to ... make our economy work for everyone  not just CEOs and the wealthy.

Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, the panels senior Republican, said the banking industry showed remarkable resilience during the pandemic recession as he mounted a robust defense of capitalism. Toomey echoed an idea with growing cultural currency among conservatives, voicing concern about increased pressure on banks to embrace wokeism and promote social activism through their policies.

The chief executives of JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs appeared via video for the hearing by the Senate panel, which will be followed by a House committee session on Thursday.

The CEOs appeared as the U.S. economy is recovering from the recession. Big banks profits surged in the first three months of the year as the recovery took hold. They were able to release billions of dollars from their loan-loss reserves originally set aside in the early days of the pandemic last year.

This image from video provided by the Senate Banking Committee shows Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser testifying virtually to the Senate Banking Committee Wednesday, May 26, 2021. (Senate Banking Committee via AP)

The industry, which was blamed for the Great Recession more than a decade ago, has spent most of 2020 and this year trying to appear helpful and willing to work with borrowers and businesses. Banks across the country waived fees and put millions of mortgages into forbearance to shore up Americans distressed finances in the pandemic.

Citi quickly took action through a comprehensive approach to provide immediate, on-the-ground relief, Jane Fraser, the new Citigroup CEO, testified.

Most of the banks relief measures were meant to be temporary and are now going away. Senators pushed the CEOs to promise they would not force anyone into foreclosure or bankruptcy resulting from pandemic hardship after the measures expired. Democratic senators also pushed hard on what banks are doing to increase diversity in their ranks, and to address wealth inequality between Black and Latino households and white households.

Youve heard from everyone on this panel that were trying to do more, said JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, in response to questions on how well banks were doing in lending to minorities and the poor.

This image from video provided by the Senate Banking Committee shows Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman testifying virtually to the Senate Banking Committee Wednesday, May 26, 2021. (Senate Banking Committee via AP)

Brown criticized the banks for reducing lending to small businesses gutted by the pandemic while buying back their own stock. Bank of America, he said, reduced small business lending by 14% while buying back tens of billions of dollars worth of its stock. CEO Brian Moynihan parried the attack, saying, The good news is that we can do both.

Challenged by Brown on the wide gulf between bank CEOs compensation and average employees pay, Dimon responded, Were very proud of the opportunities we give to all of our people.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., a longtime critic of the big banks, pushed hard on why they collected overdraft fees on checking accounts during the pandemic.

In a tense exchange, she called Dimon the king of the overdraft fee, maintaining that JPMorgan collects more than seven times in fees per account than its competitors.

Dimon disputed the accuracy of Warren's figures. The bank says that last year it waived fees on over 1 million deposit accounts, including overdraft fees, with no questions asked. JPMorgan Chase has an account called Secure Banking with no overdraft fee and says it makes other accommodations to customers in specific situations.

Warren said the past year has shown that corporate profits are more important to your bank than helping struggling people.

Republicans, now in the minority in Congress after the latest national elections, renewed their warnings against seeking new regulations for the banking industry as a solution to problems. They praised programs created by Congress last year and renewed in early 2021 such as the Paycheck Protection Program that has funneled hundreds of billions in forgivable loans to small businesses. U.S. banks helped distribute more than $700 billion in loans under the program through late May.

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., challenged some of the CEOs on their public opposition to Georgias new Republican election law. Critics say the sweeping rewrite of Georgias election rules will restrict voting access, especially for voters of color, and it has become a flashpoint in the polarized political battle cleaving the country.
BRUSSELS (AP)  Belgium on Wednesday suspended the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for people under age 41 following the death of a person who had received the shot.

BRUSSELS (AP)  Belgium on Wednesday suspended the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for people under age 41 following the death of a person who had received the shot.

The government said in a statement it was asking for urgent advice from the European Medicines Agency, the European Union's drug regulator, before it would consider lifting the suspension. It added that the impact on the national vaccination drive would be very limited.

Belgium was using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for elderly with reduced mobility and the homeless since it only takes one shot to be protected. Those shots will be continued.

It said it took the action after a single case where there was serious side effects after administering the Janssen vaccine, using the local name for the Johnson & Johnson shot.

It said a woman was vaccinated through her foreign employer outside the Belgian system and had died in Belgium last week after developing serious thrombosis and reduced blood platelets.

It didn't provide more information about the patient, beyond saying she was under 40.

Follow APs pandemic coverage at:

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  For Vanessa Gregson, the four-lane highway that borders the beach along San Francisco's Pacific Ocean is now an automobile-free sanctuary where she can blissfully ride her bicycle and enjoy the quiet.

A woman on a bicycle rides along the car-free John F. Kennedy Drive in Golden Gate Park with the Conservatory of Flowers in the background, Wednesday, April 28, 2021, in San Francisco. At the start of the pandemic, San Francisco closed off parts of a major beachfront highway and Golden Gate Park to cars so that people had a safe place to run and ride bikes. Open space advocates want to keep those areas car-free as part of a bold reimagining of how U.S. cities look. But opponents decry the continued closures as elitist, unsafe and nonsensical now that the pandemic is over and people need to drive again. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  For Vanessa Gregson, the four-lane highway that borders the beach along San Francisco's Pacific Ocean is now an automobile-free sanctuary where she can blissfully ride her bicycle and enjoy the quiet.

You hear the beach. You hear the waves, said Gregson. You feel like youre in nature, and youre in San Francisco.

Like cities from Paris to New York that shut roads to motorists when the coronavirus hit, environmentally friendly San Francisco closed miles of streets to automobiles so people could exercise and socialize safely.

Now, pedestrian advocates want to keep some of San Francisco's most prominent streets off-limits, like the main road into Golden Gate Park. Others are pushing back, saying they need to drive to work, drop off kids and get around.

A sign hangs in the window of a home overlooking the car-free Great Highway in San Francisco, on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. At the start of the pandemic, San Francisco closed off parts of a major beachfront highway and Golden Gate Park to cars so that people had a safe place to run and ride bikes. Open space advocates want to keep those areas car-free as part of a bold reimagining of how U.S. cities look. But opponents decry the continued closures as elitist, unsafe and nonsensical now that the pandemic is over and people need to drive again. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

The debate has been marked by dueling rallies and strident arguments over safety and climate change in the densely packed city. On social media, customers threatened to boycott a bakery whose owner expressed support for reopening the main oceanside thoroughfare known as the Great Highway to cars; others came to her defense.

Shamann Walton, president of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors, was mocked for likening the closure of John F. Kennedy Drive in Golden Gate Park to the Jim Crow South, including by fellow African Americans who call his accusations of segregation silly. Walton says he worries that closing the street and its free parking will affect low-income families that cant easily bike or take transit to the park.

For Tim Boyle, who lives near the four-lane beachside highway, life has been anything but peaceful. Unable to use the main road, massive delivery trucks, gangs of motor bikes and impatient drivers now hurtle through his once-sleepy neighborhood.

Boyle, whose son has cerebral palsy, says taking out their wheelchair-equipped van has become a nightmare. Essentially Im stopping traffic on any given day, four to 10 cars backed up on each side just so I can pull my own car into my driveway," he said.

San Francisco officials started turning streets into pedestrian-friendly promenades in April 2020 after the mayor declared an emergency. Officials closed more than 45 miles (72 kilometers) of neighborhood corridors and are studying which ones could be permanent.

A group of people on electric scooters ride along car-free John F. Kennedy Drive in Golden Gate Park, Wednesday, April 28, 2021, in San Francisco. At the start of the pandemic, San Francisco closed off parts of a major beachfront highway and Golden Gate Park to cars so that people had a safe place to run and ride bikes. Open space advocates want to keep those areas car-free as part of a bold reimagining of how U.S. cities look. But opponents decry the continued closures as elitist, unsafe and nonsensical now that the pandemic is over and people need to drive again. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

They also sealed off a 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) portion of JFK Drive, the main thoroughfare through Golden Gate Park, which sees more than 24 million visitors a year, and a 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) stretch of the Great Highway  now renamed by some as the Great Walkway  that carried more than 18,000 vehicles a day before the pandemic.

San Franciscos streets are scheduled to reopen 120 days after Mayor London Breed lifts the COVID-19 emergency declaration, which could come next month. Various agencies are navigating the public debate before deciding whether to fully reopen the Great Highway and JFK Drive, open them in part or keep them closed to vehicles. The Board of Supervisors will have the final say, said Tamara Aparton, a city parks spokeswoman.

Seattle and New York are also among U.S. cities looking to make temporary auto-free streets permanent. In Europe, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced plans to ban most vehicular through-traffic in the city's center, with exceptions for public transit, delivery trucks and residents.

Pedestrian advocates say there are options to ensure that people who can't easily bike or walk can still visit Golden Gate Park, including designated drop-off sites and programs for low-income families. They also want more so-called street calming measures to slow traffic and improve safety on affected neighborhood roads.

San Francisco is no stranger to shedding auto infrastructure for green spaces. Leaders chose not to replace the Embarcadero freeway after it was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, replacing it with a boulevard that now doubles as a popular tourist destination.

Despite the testy debate, most people are probably in the silent middle, wanting both open space and clear transportation routes, said Connie Chan, a supervisor whose district is affected by the closures along the beach and in Golden Gate Park. They just want to be able to go where they need to go, and not be stuck in traffic," she said.

Katharine Lusk, co-director of the Boston University Initiative on Cities, said more than 90% of 130 U.S. mayors in 38 states surveyed last summer reported they created more space for outdoor dining by using parking spots or closing streets. Nearly half closed some streets to through-traffic; a smaller portion shut streets entirely to autos. While only 6% said they plan to make those changes permanent, Lusk wonders if that might change with rising demand.

On a recent sunny weekday, a few dozen people organized by Walk San Francisco toasted the one-year anniversary of the street closure in Golden Gate Park. Charles Oppenheimer said his daughter Olivia, 11, once feared riding through the third most-visited city park in the United States.

There's cars double-parked and rage drivers through the park, honking at kids, and now that it's shut down, it's so much better, he said.

Near the west end of Golden Gate Park, more than 100 people gathered before blockades on the highway earlier this month, waving signs calling to reopen the road. Passing drivers honked in support as a musician blew tunes on a bright pink sousaphone.

The highway runs two lanes each way, with sandy beach and the Pacific Ocean on one side and a protected pedestrian path edged by succulents on the other. A parallel two-lane street has homes on one side, many with placards pleading to Open the Great Highway.

Since the neighboring streets began absorbing displaced traffic, Judi Gorski has documented numerous crashes. The car fumes, speeding, noise and near-wrecks make her feel trapped in her home of four decades, where she says the traffic goes on all night long.

For photographer Steve Rhodes, who walked one recent day along the nearly empty Great Highway after visiting the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, it is liberating to have the space to move around.

"The intersections with the cars are just a nightmare," he said. There should be more streets closed and it's going to have to happen, because people are going to have to rely less on cars.
LONDON (AP)  New guidelines released Wednesday remove a decades-old barrier to stem cell research, recommending that researchers be allowed to grow human embryos longer under limited conditions.

FILE - In this Friday, March 16, 2012 file photo, a researcher works in a stem cell lab on the Stanford University campus in Palo Alto, Calif. New guidelines released Wednesday, May 26, 2021 remove a decades-old barrier to stem cell research, recommending that researchers be allowed to grow human embryos longer under limited conditions. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

LONDON (AP)  New guidelines released Wednesday remove a decades-old barrier to stem cell research, recommending that researchers be allowed to grow human embryos longer under limited conditions.

The 14-day rule, an international ethical standard that limits laboratory studies of human embryos, has been in place for decades and has been written into law in countries including Britain and Australia. Scientists previously have been required to destroy human embryos grown in a lab before they reach 14 days.

Some researchers have favored revising the rule to further study the development process while opponents say such experiments at any stage cross a moral boundary and it's unclear the change would advance research.

The original limit was arbitrary and prevented study of a critical period in embryo development  typically between 14 and 28 days, said Robin Lovell-Badge, a stem cell expert at Londons Crick Institute and chair of the group behind the new guidelines.

We think a lot of congenital abnormalities are developing quite early during this period, said Lovell-Badge. By understanding these early stages better, it might allow us to adopt simple procedures to reduce the amount of suffering.

The guidelines, last updated in 2016, were issued by the International Society for Stem Cell Research, whose standards are widely accepted by countries, medical journals and the research community. It didn't specify how much longer embryos could be grown.

For scientists in the U.K. to start making embryos beyond two weeks, the law regulating such research would need to be changed. Any relaxing of the rule would still need a robust review by national regulators, Lovell-Badge said.

It's not a green light for scientists to expand human embryo research, said Kathy Niakan of Cambridge University who helped draft the guidelines, adding that "would be irresponsible.

Niakan said a public dialogue involving scientists, regulators, funders and the public to discuss any potential objections must be undertaken. She said there must be broad public support before the work goes ahead and that countries might also use a specialized oversight process to weigh the scientific merits of the research.

Marcy Darnovsky, executive director of the Center for Genetics and Society, said the scientific justification for the new guidelines was still lacking.

When an embryo is in a petri dish outside the body, are you going to really be able to tell anything meaningful about miscarriage or embryonic development? she said.

Darnovsky was also concerned the guidelines don't impose a limit on how long human embryos could potentially be grown.

The society also offered advice on other contentious stem cell issues, including requiring stringent oversight for transferring human embryos into the uterus after mitochondrial donation  a process where two eggs and one sperm are used to create an embryo.

The guidelines forbid, for now, any genetic editing that would pass on changes to future generations  similar to the work done by Chinese scientist He Jiankui, who stunned the world when he announced in 2018 he had made the first gene-edited babies.

Such work is banned at the moment, but Lovell-Badge and others acknowledge it might one day be allowed "if its proven safe enough and it was used in limited enough circumstances, said Hank Greely, director of the Center for Law and the Biosciences at Stanford University.

The guidelines also prohibit human cloning, transferring human embryos into an animal uterus and the creation of human-animal chimeras, saying such work lacks scientific rationale or is ethically concerning.

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.
BEIRUT (AP)  Auto magnate-turned-fugitive Carlos Ghosn is campaigning to clear his name, and hopes a visit by French investigators to his home in exile in Lebanon will be his first real opportunity to defend himself since the bombshell arrest that transformed him from a visionary to a prisoner overnight.

Fugitive ex-auto magnate Carlos Ghosn speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, in Dbayeh, north of Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, May 25, 2021. The embattled former chairman of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance dissected his legal troubles in Japan, France and the Netherlands, detailed how he plotted his brazen escape from Osaka, and reflected on his new reality in crisis-hit Lebanon, where he is stuck for the foreseeable future. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

BEIRUT (AP)  Auto magnate-turned-fugitive Carlos Ghosn is campaigning to clear his name, and hopes a visit by French investigators to his home in exile in Lebanon will be his first real opportunity to defend himself since the bombshell arrest that transformed him from a visionary to a prisoner overnight.

In an interview with The Associated Press, the embattled former chairman of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance dissected his legal troubles in Japan, France and the Netherlands, detailed how he plotted his brazen escape from Osaka, and reflected on his new reality in crisis-hit Lebanon, where he is stuck for the foreseeable future.

Mending his reputation will be an arduous task. Ghosn was arrested in Japan in November 2018 on accusations of financial misconduct and fled to Lebanon a year later. He now faces multiple legal challenges in France after the Japanese accusations triggered scrutiny of his activities there. Meanwhile, several associates are in jail or on trial in Japan and Turkey, in cases related to his financial activities or escape.

There has been a lot of collateral damage . . . but I dont think Im responsible for that. The people responsible for that are the people who organized the plot to bring him down, Ghosn said Tuesday.

Ghosn has denied accusations of underreporting his compensation and misusing company funds, contending he was the victim of a corporate coup linked to a decline in Nissan Motor Co.'s financial performance as the Japanese automaker resisted losing autonomy to French partner Renault.

He said he voluntarily agreed to undergo days of questioning in Beirut next week by French magistrates investigating allegations of financial misconduct in France that led to the seizure of millions of euros of his assets. The outcome could result in preliminary charges being handed to him or in the cases being dropped.

The French investigators are looking into the financing of lavish parties Ghosn threw at the Versailles chateau  complete with period costumes and copious Champagne  as well as 11 million euros in spending on private planes and events arranged by a Dutch holding company, and subsidies to a car dealership in Oman. Ghosn denies any wrongdoing.

Fugitive ex-auto magnate Carlos Ghosn arrives for an interview with The Associated Press, in Dbayeh, north of Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, May 25, 2021. The embattled former chairman of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance dissected his legal troubles in Japan, France and the Netherlands, detailed how he plotted his brazen escape from Osaka, and reflected on his new reality in crisis-hit Lebanon, where he is stuck for the foreseeable future. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

In Japan, you had a Japanese person interrogating me, writing in Japanese and wanting me to sign things in Japanese that I dont understand, he said. Now I will be speaking in French, and Ill have my lawyers present. Of course, I have much more confidence in the French legal system than in the Japanese system.

Ghosn was kept in solitary confinement in Japan for months without being allowed to speak with his wife. He has said he fled the country after it became clear he would have zero chances of a fair trial. His arrest drew international scrutiny and criticism of Japans legal system and its 99% conviction rate.

In late 2019, Ghosn fled Japan after jumping $14 million bail in a Hollywood-style caper. The improbable escape  hidden in a box stashed in the hold of a Turkey-bound private jet, according to Japanese officials  embarrassed Japanese authorities and has allowed him to evade trial there.

Now an international fugitive on Interpols most-wanted list, the 67-year-old Ghosn lives in self-imposed exile in his native Lebanon, where he teaches a weekly university business course and is fighting other legal fires.

He told the AP he was shocked after a Dutch court last week rejected his wrongful dismissal claim against an Amsterdam-based alliance between Nissan and Mitsubishi, and ordered him to repay the nearly 5 million euros ($6 million) salary he received in 2018. The ruling came in a case in which Ghosn sought to have his 2018 sacking from Nissan-Mitsubishi B.V. overturned and demanded 15 million euros ($16.5 million) in compensation.

Ghosn has vowed to appeal.

Ghosn, who has French, Brazilian and Lebanese citizenship, contended he was the victim of a character assassination campaign led by Nissan with the complicity of the Japanese government, aided by accomplices in France.

In the AP interview, he mounted a robust defense of a former Nissan executive, American Greg Kelly, who was arrested the same day as Ghosn and is standing trial in a Tokyo District court on charges of under-reporting Ghosns compensation. He would not talk about two other Americans who allegedly helped him escape, Michael Taylor and his son, Peter. They are in a Japanese jail awaiting trial after their extradition from the U.S.

Asked whether their legal troubles weighed on his conscience, Ghosn said: I feel empathy and compassion for them, because I was in the same situation.

Testimony and documents presented at Kellys trial have shown that he sought ways to beef up compensation for Ghosn after he agreed to a pay cut at Nissan in 2010, because Japan began requiring disclosures of high executive pay. Ghosn insisted Tuesday that no additional compensation agreements were approved by the board.

Obviously he (Kelly) is innocent, Ghosn said.

Recalling details of his escape, Ghosn told the AP how the plan was hatched, including choosing to execute it in December when he would be less likely to be recognized under a hat and heavy clothes.

It was very bold, but because it was bold, I thought it may be successful, he said. Ghosn refused to confirm reports he escaped in a musical instrument box, saying he didnt want to say anything that could be used against people being prosecuted for assisting him.

Arriving in a black Nissan SUV accompanied by a bodyguard, the former high-flying executive seemed to have lost none of his swagger despite his colossal fall. He said he spends his days in Beirut preparing his legal defense, teaching, helping startups and working on his books and documentaries.

As a fugitive living in the Mediterranean country where he grew up, he said he was enjoying a slower pace devoid of jet lag, enjoying having coffee with his wife and extensive talks with his children.

That includes living in a deeply unstable country in the grips of a historic financial and economic unraveling. Ghosn said he spent six months repairing his home after it was damaged in the massive explosion at a Beirut port last summer. And like other Lebanese, he said he has a substantial amount of money stuck in the banks after authorities clamped down on dollar currency withdrawals and transfers in October 2019.

Reflecting on his downfall, he said, Its like you have, you know, I dont know, a heart attack somewhere, or youve been hit by a bus. You change your life.

All of a sudden, you are in a completely different reality and you have to adapt to this reality.
American technology giant Facebook Inc. will be doling out some funds to 14 Canadian news publishers to link to articles not already posted on its online platform.

American technology giant Facebook Inc. will be doling out some funds to 14 Canadian news publishers to link to articles not already posted on its online platform.

But neither Facebook nor those media companies would reveal the value or structure of the commercial deals announced Tuesday, citing non-disclosure agreements and other such legally binding contracts.

Dubbed "News Innovation Test," Facebook has signed up a cross-section of news publishers to take part under the initiative  including FP Newspapers (which owns the Winnipeg Free Press), the National Observer, Le Devoir, the Tyee and the company that owns Le Soleil.

Agreements have also been made with The Sprawl, The Coast, The Narwhal, Village Media, the SaltWire Network, Discourse Media, Narcity, BlogTO and Daily Hive.

Facebook would not say whether other companies were approached for the project. The tech conglomerate told the Free Press that the program will be multi-year in scope and does not include payments for news links already posted on its platform by publishers.

Facebook will pay publishers for the right to link to their news stories. The company intends to carry these links on specific news and information pages, including its COVID-19 and climate science hubs, or in other unspecified uses.

"We recognize that Facebook has a role to play in supporting journalism, and this test will allow us to partner even more closely with publishers to help them build sustainable business models," said Kevin Chan, head of public policy for Facebooks Canadian operations, in a statement Tuesday.

Chan declined interview requests, but said, "Only through communication and collaboration can we make progress, and we look forward to continuing our work to promote a healthy news industry in Canada."

Tuesdays announcement was met with mixed reaction.

Industry watchers say the deal brings cash to media companies hurting for advertising, but believe the agreement is Facebooks way of getting ahead of potential regulation in Canada  without tackling criticism over issues such as privacy concerns and the prevalence of misinformation on its platform.

At the same time, while news outlets that partnered with Facebook were happy about their arrangements, they criticized the anti-competitive practices of the web giant  which, along with Google LLC, controls at least 80 per cent of all advertising revenues in Canada.

"Obviously, were very excited to participate in this next step in connecting social-media users to the publishers of reliable and trusted news. FP Newspapers get quite a bit of digital traffic from Facebook on our news sites and we expect this to grow significantly through this project," said Bob Cox, publisher of the Winnipeg Free Press.

"But it cant be overstated enough how compensation like this has been a long time coming."

Blayne Haggart, a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, said the initiative continues to embed Facebook in the Canadian media ecosystem and build publishers dependency on a "single, foreign and capricious platform."

"There are some fundamental problems with Facebook and this glosses over all of that and makes it much, much less likely Canadian officials will actually consider the possibility of regulating them," Haggart said, mentioning issues such as surveillance practices, data collection strategies and a history of hosting hateful content.

"Whats good for Facebook becomes whats good for Le Devoir, or Village Media or BlogTO or whoever, and thats what creates a challenge."

Jeremy Klaszus, founder and editor of Alberta-based news outlet The Sprawl, said he was more than excited when Facebook approached him about the project. "The main reason being that its funding which will go directly to our reporting," he said.

Klaszus said his news website has not been as lucky at receiving federal grants or support such as the Local Journalism Initiative (which the Free Press received), which is why the partnership with Facebook sounded all the more appealing.

"I dont think federal government programs were crafted with smaller outlets like ours in mind," he said. "Thats why I have to commend Facebook for keeping up with independent organizations like us as part of this funding."

Linda Solomon Wood, founder and editor-in-chief of digital website National Observer, said unlike most legacy media outlets, shes not completely on the same page about Facebook or Googles monopoly over monetization and advertisement revenue.

"My company came out of literally nothing in 2009, we started from zero. And back then, Im not sure we wouldve ever gotten the kind of exposure we did, had it not been for the Facebooks of the world," she said.

"So, Im not exactly thinking the same way as Torstar, Postmedia or FP Newspapers and whatnot. But I do have to say, Im glad that the federal government is pushing Facebook and other such tech giants to pay companies. And this is, of course, one step as part of that end goal for a fair and even playing field."

temur.durrani@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @temurdur

With files from The Canadian Press
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Justice Department announced criminal charges Wednesday against more than a dozen people from Florida to California in a series of Medicare scams that exploited coronavirus fears to bill tens of millions of dollars in bogus claims.

In this image provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, federal agents from Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General engage in search warrant operations at a laboratory in Atlanta. More than 35 individuals associated with telemedicine companies and cancer genetic testing laboratories were charged for actions related to fraudulent genetic testing. The Justice Department announced charges on May 26, 2021, against more than a dozen people from Florida to California in a series of Medicare scams that exploited coronavirus fears to bill tens of millions of dollars in bogus claims. (Department of Health and Human Services via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Justice Department announced criminal charges Wednesday against more than a dozen people from Florida to California in a series of Medicare scams that exploited coronavirus fears to bill tens of millions of dollars in bogus claims.

A common hook involved a pandemic variant of identity theft: Fraudsters allegedly offered COVID-19 tests to get the Medicare numbers of unsuspecting patients, and then used that information to bill for lucrative but unneeded genetic tests that can cost thousands of dollars.

These schemes, we constantly see them evolve to another level, said Chris Schrank, assistant inspector general for investigations with the Department of Health and Human Services. At a time when most American pulled together ... a small percentage of individuals have decided to steal from programs valuable to those who are most in need.

The law enforcement actions involved the Justice Department's criminal division, the FBI, seven U.S. attorney's offices in six states, as well as the HHS inspector general's office and other agencies. Bogus billings exceeded $140 million before the schemes were blocked. Attorney General Merrick Garland recently announced the establishment of a special task force to pursue pandemic-related fraud across all government programs, not just health care.

Wednesday's charges look back to the early months of the pandemic, when there was a high demand for COVID tests still in short supply. Also, Medicare had loosened its restrictive policies on telemedicine consultations, to keep older patients out of medical offices where the virus might spread. And the government had begun pumping out billions in special provider relief payments to help hospitals and doctors' offices remain solvent. Scam artists, big and small, allegedly took advantage of all those situations.

Lately the schemes have shifted, and many that are popping up involve fake vaccination cards bearing a likeness of the official HHS logo, Schrank said.

Among those charged:

__Michael Stein and Leonel Palatnik of Palm Beach County, Florida, who were charged in connection with a $73 million conspiracy to defraud the government and pay and receive kickbacks. Stein owns a consulting company. Palatnik owns a Texas company that in turn owned and operated testing labs in Dallas and elsewhere. Federal prosecutors alleged the conspiracy involved offering telehealth clinicians access to Medicare recipients for whom they could bill consultations. In exchange, the clinicians would allegedly refer patients to labs owned by Palatnik's company for costly and unneeded genetic tests for cancer and heart problems.

__ Dr. Alexander Baldonado of Queens, New York, who authorities alleged got access to Medicare recipients at an event that advertised virus testing. Baldonado is accused of using the patients' Medicare information to order unneeded genetic tests for cancer. The Justice Department said about $2 million was billed to Medicare as a result.

__ Petros Hannesyan of Burbank, California, owner of a Los Angeles home health agency. He is accused of stealing more than $200,000 from government programs by spending provider relief payments and disaster loans for his own uses. The money was supposed to go for patient care and to support small businesses struggling with pandemic disruptions.

It was unclear whether the people charged had attorneys who could comment on their behalf.

Related to the fraud investigations, Medicare was taking action against some 50 clinicians involved in an assortment of schemes.

Fraud against government health care programs is a pervasive problem that costs taxpayers tens of billions of dollars a year. The true extent is unknown.

Experts say part of the problem is that Medicare is required to pay medical bills promptly, which means money often goes out before potential frauds get flagged. Investigators call that pay and chase.

In recent years, Medicare has tried to adapt techniques used by credit card companies to head off fraud. Law enforcement coordination has grown, with strike forces of federal prosecutors and agents, along with state counterparts, specializing in health care investigations.

Wednesday's charges come a little more than a week after Attorney General Garland ordered the establishment of a special task force dedicated to countering COVID-19 fraud broadly. The task force was designed to bring together the Justice Departments resources with other government agencies against pandemic-related fraud, Garland said in a memo to senior department officials.

The department has brought several cases in recent months focusing on COVID-19 fraud, including one earlier this month against eight people in New York City accused of running a scheme to obtain millions in unemployment insurance benefits that were founded through pandemic assistance programs.

The new task force, being led by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, will look for trends and examine past enforcement actions, in addition to bolstering efforts to investigate and prosecute criminals both in the U.S. and internationally.

The multiple health care fraud schemes charged today describe theft from American taxpayers through the exploitation of the national emergency, Monaco said. We are determined to hold those who exploit such programs accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

AP writer Michael Balsamo contributed to this report.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP)  General Motors is teaming up with Lockheed Martin to produce the ultimate off-road, self-driving, electric vehicles  for the moon.

This illustration provided by General Motors and Lockheed Martin in May 2021 depicts astronauts and concepts of lunar rovers on the surface of the moon. On Wednesday, May 26, 2021, Lockheed and GM announced that they would combine their technological and manufacturing expertise to build the electric vehicles for NASAs Artemis program, named after the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology. (Lockheed Martin, GM via AP)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP)  General Motors is teaming up with Lockheed Martin to produce the ultimate off-road, self-driving, electric vehicles  for the moon.

The project announced Wednesday is still in the early stages and has yet to score any NASA money. But the goal is to design light yet rugged vehicles that will travel farther and faster than the lunar rovers that carried NASAs Apollo astronauts in the early 1970s, the companies said.

FILE - In this 1971 photo made available by NASA, astronaut James Irwin stands next to a rover on the surface of the moon. On Wednesday, May 26, 2021, Lockheed Martin and General Motors announced that they would combine their technological and manufacturing expertise to build the electric vehicles for NASAs Artemis program, named after the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology. (NASA via AP, File)

Mobility is really going to open up the moon for us, said Kirk Shireman, a former NASA manager who is now Lockheed Martin's vice president for lunar exploration.

The rovers used by the Apollo 15, 16 and 17 moonwalkers ventured no more than 4 1/2 miles (7.6 kilometers) from their landers. GM also helped design those vehicles.

NASA last year put out a call for industry ideas on lunar rovers. The space agency aims to return astronauts to the moon by 2024, a deadline set by the previous White House.

Their initial rovers will be designed to carry two astronauts at a time, according to company officials. A brief company video showed a large, open rover speeding over lunar slopes, with more headlights in the distance.

This is "just a glimpse of how we see the opportunity playing out, said Jeff Ryder, a vice president for GM Defense.

By operating autonomously when needed, Shireman noted, the rovers can keep astronauts safely away from dangerous spots like the permanently shadowed craters at the moons South Pole. Frozen water gathered from these dark corners could be used for drinking, growing plants and creating rocket fuel.

Autonomy could also improve efficiency, with astronauts focused on collecting rocks as a rover follows behind like a puppy, he said.

In a separate venture begun two years ago, Toyota partnered with the Japanese Space Agency to build a pressurized electric-powered lunar rover for astronauts. They're calling it the Lunar Cruiser.

GM and Lockheed Martin's vehicle will be unpressurized, meaning that riders will need to wear spacesuits at all times. There's room for both models, according to Shireman.

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.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Two leading congressional Democrats issued a call Wednesday for ideas on a public option health insurance plan, a campaign promise of President Joe Biden's that faces long odds politically.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., speaks during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing Wednesday, May 26, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Stefani Reynolds/Pool via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Two leading congressional Democrats issued a call Wednesday for ideas on a public option health insurance plan, a campaign promise of President Joe Biden's that faces long odds politically.

The wide-ranging request from Sen. Patty Murray of Washington and Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey asks basic questions such as who should be eligible to enroll in a new federal health plan, how the benefits would be designed and what payments should look like for hospitals, doctors, drug companies and other medical providers.

We believe bold steps are necessary in order to achieve universal coverage and lower health care costs, Murray and Pallone wrote in a four-page letter addressed to all interested parties. As we work to craft legislation, our priority is to establish a federally administered public option that provides quality, affordable health coverage throughout the United States.

A new public health plan modeled on Medicare has been a longstanding goal for liberals, who tried mightily to include it in the Obama-era Affordable Care Act but ultimately fell short. Biden and other Democratic candidates resurrected the idea in the 2020 presidential campaign, envisioning an alternative that would provide lower-cost comprehensive coverage to a broad cross-section of Americans.

But insurers and hospitals are opposed, and other key sectors of the health care industry are wary. Critics call the public option a step toward a government-run plan for all, which could open Democrats to GOP accusations of socialism at a time when they have a tenuous hold on their majorities in Congress.

The American Hospital Association said Wednesday it is against a public option plan because inadequate reimbursement rates could threaten access to care for patients. Hospitals are major employers in many local communities.

We continue to urge Congress and the administration to work to improve the programs that already exist in an effort to ensure that everyone is enrolled in some form of comprehensive coverage, said a statement from Rick Pollack, the group's president.

The Biden White House has been largely silent on the public option since he took office, focusing mainly on improving affordability and expanding coverage under the Affordable Care Act. About 10% of Americans remain uninsured.

The move by Murray and Pallone is a serious attempt to take the idea of a public option from a bumper sticker to workable legislation, said analyst Larry Levitt of the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation.

There are a host of difficult issues to address ... but the biggest by far is determining how much doctors, hospitals, and drug companies get paid, Levitt added. A public option has the potential to reduce prices and make health care more affordable, but the further it goes in that direction, the bigger the blowback will be from the health care industry.

Doctors and hospitals were key allies of Democrats in their successful fight to preserve Obamacare during the Donald Trump years.

Pallone and Murray have influential roles in the health care debate. He chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid, health insurance, and the drug industry. She chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. But leaders of other key committee would also have to get involved. A lot of work remains to craft public option legislation and unify Democrats around it.

Murray and Pallone asked for responses to their call for ideas by July 31.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 15:54:27|Editor: huaxia

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ADDIS ABABA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Over 1.7 million people displaced due to conflict in northern Ethiopia are in need of urgent assistance, a United Nations agency said Tuesday.

The International Organization for Migration said an assessment through its tracking matrix conducted between April 1 to 22 showed more than 1.7 million internally displaced people are in need of urgent assistance across 265 accessible locations in the conflict-hit Tigray region and its neighboring Afar and Amhara regions.

The agency said some 1,645,944 displaced individuals are in the Tigray region, another 48,420 in Afar and 20,812 in Amhara.

The migration organization said that its tracking data and other datasets show there is a pressing need to deal with growing food insecurity, particularly to assist those displaced, as well as providing shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene and other non-food items.

However, it stressed that the data are only indicative of the displacement in areas accessible to the agency's enumerators, in which many sections remain out of reach to humanitarian partners due to security concerns.

The Ethiopian government recently disclosed that humanitarian assistance has been provided to more than 3.8 million people in Tigray.

In addition to the provision of food and non-food items, the Ethiopian government said its humanitarian support in the region includes repairing damaged water lines, hospitals and health facilities.

Fighting erupted in early November last year in Ethiopia's northernmost Tigray region between the Tigray People's Liberation Front party, which used to rule the regional state, and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, causing immense impact on the region and the country.

The Ethiopian government assigned an interim administration to Tigray following the party's defeat. Enditem
NEW YORK (AP)  New York prosecutors have convened a special grand jury to consider evidence in a criminal investigation into former President Donald Trump's business dealings, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

FILE - In this Dec. 31, 2020, file photo, President Donald Trump arrives on the South Lawn of the White House, in Washington. New York prosecutors have convened a special grand jury to consider evidence in a criminal investigation into Trump's business dealings, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

NEW YORK (AP)  New York prosecutors have convened a special grand jury to consider evidence in a criminal investigation into former President Donald Trump's business dealings, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The development signals that the Manhattan district attorneys office was moving toward seeking charges as a result of its two-year investigation, which included a lengthy legal battle to obtain Trumps tax records.

The person familiar with the matter was not authorized to speak publicly and did so on condition of anonymity. The news was first reported by The Washington Post.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. is conducting a wide-ranging investigation into a variety of matters such as hush-money payments paid to women on Trumps behalf, property valuations and employee compensation.

The Democratic prosecutor has been using an investigative grand jury through the course of his probe to issue subpoenas and obtain documents. That panel kept working while other grand juries and court activities were shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The investigation includes scrutiny of Trumps relationship with his lenders; a land donation he made to qualify for an income tax deduction; and tax write-offs his company claimed on millions of dollars in consulting fees it paid.

FILE - In this Feb. 24, 2020, file photo, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., speaks in New York. New York prosecutors have convened a special grand jury to consider evidence in a criminal investigation into former President Donald Trump's business dealings, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. Vance is conducting a wide-ranging investigation into a variety of matters such as hush-money payments paid to women on Trumps behalf, property valuations and employee compensation. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle, File)

The new grand jury could eventually be asked to consider returning indictments. While working on that case, it also will be hearing other matters. The Post reported that the grand jury will meet three days a week for six months.

Trump contends the investigation is a witch hunt.

This is purely political, and an affront to the almost 75 million voters who supported me in the Presidential Election, and its being driven by highly partisan Democrat prosecutors," Trump said in a statement.

Vances office declined to comment.

The new grand jury is the latest sign of increasing momentum in the criminal investigation into the Republican ex-president and his company, the Trump Organization.

Attorney General Letitia James said last week that she assigned two lawyers to work with Vances office on the probe after her civil investigation into Trump evolved into a criminal matter.

James, a Democrat, said her office also is continuing its civil investigation into Trump. She did not say what prompted her office to expand its investigation into a criminal probe.

In recent months, Vance hired former mafia prosecutor Mark Pomerantz to help run the investigation and has been interviewing witnesses, including Trumps former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen.

Vance declined to run for reelection and will leave office at the end of the year, meaning the Trump case is likely to pass to his successor in some form. An election next month is all but certain to determine who that will be.

Trump said in a statement last week that hes being unfairly attacked and abused by a corrupt political system. He contends the investigations are part of a Democratic plot to silence his voters and block him from running for president again.

In February, the U.S. Supreme Court buoyed Vances investigation by clearing the way for the prosecutor to enforce a subpoena on Trumps accounting firm and obtain eight years of tax returns and related documents for the former president, the Trump Organization and other Trump entities.

The documents are protected by grand jury secrecy rules and are not expected to be made public.

Vances investigation has appeared to focus in recent weeks on Trumps longtime finance chief, Allen Weisselberg. His former daughter-in-law, Jen Weisselberg, is cooperating with both inquiries.

Shes given investigators reams of tax records and other documents as they look into whether some Trump employees were given off-the-books compensation, such as apartments or school tuition.

Allen Weisselberg was subpoenaed in James civil investigation and testified twice last year. His lawyer declined to comment when asked Tuesday if he had been subpoenaed to testify before the new grand jury.

A message seeking comment was left with Jen Weisselbergs lawyer.

Follow Michael Sisak on Twitter at twitter.com/mikesisak
HALIFAX - The Nova Scotia company planning to build Canada's first commercial spaceport announced on Wednesday some of the firms it has chosen to design and construct its proposed launch pad.

Stephen Matier, president of Maritime Launch Services, talks with reporters at a meeting of the proposed Spaceport project team, in Dartmouth, N.S., on Monday, Dec. 11, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

HALIFAX - The Nova Scotia company planning to build Canada's first commercial spaceport announced on Wednesday some of the firms it has chosen to design and construct its proposed launch pad.

Maritime Launch Services says it picked Strum Consulting, Stantec, Nova Construction and St. Francis Xavier University, among other organizations, to help it launch satellites into orbit.

"We want to get to the ground breaking and the jobs associated with that as early as we can, this year if at all possible," Stephen Matier, president and CEO of Maritime Launch Services, said in an interview Wednesday.

Stantec, a global consulting company with offices in Nova Scotia, will lead the spaceport design team, and Antigonish-based Nova Construction will be involved with building roads and with other civil construction work at the launch site, located near Canso, in northeastern Nova Scotia.

St. Francis Xavier has been chosen to implement an air-monitoring program for the spaceport with the help of the university's FluxLab, led by Dr. David Risk.

Matier said Maritime Launch Services plans to keep as much of the building process as possible within Nova Scotia and Canada.

The company is to host an industry day in the coming months to recruit people from the Guysborough, N.S., municipality to work on the project, and Matier said up to 125 will be involved in building the spaceport. He said the company's workforce could grow up to 250 people once the launch pad is operational.

Maritime Launch Services, he said, is aiming to have the project ready by the end of 2023.

Nova Scotia's Environment Department in March granted the company an 18-month extension to begin construction on the spaceport.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2021.

  

This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP)  An assailant opened fire Wednesday at a California railyard serving Silicon Valley, killing eight people. The suspect was also dead, authorities said.

This photo provided by KGO-TV/ABC7, emergency personnel respond to the scene of a shooting on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 in San Jose, Calif. Santa Clara County sheriffs spokesman said there are multiple fatalities and injuries in a shooting at a rail yard and that the suspect is dead. (KGO-TV/ABC7 via AP)

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP)  An assailant opened fire Wednesday at a California railyard serving Silicon Valley, killing eight people. The suspect was also dead, authorities said.

Santa Clara County sheriffs spokesman Deputy Russell Davis said the suspect was an employee of the Valley Transportation Authority, which provides bus, light rail and other transit services throughout Santa Clara County, the largest county in the Bay Area.

Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said it was undetermined how the shooter died.

The shooting took place around 6:30 a.m. at a light rail facility in San Jose next door to the sheriffs department and across a freeway from the airport. The facility is a transit control center that stores trains and has a maintenance yard.

Davis said he did not know the type of weapon used or whether the gunfire happened indoors or outdoors. He said the victims include VTA employees. Authorities did not release any of the victims' names.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) workers gather near a railyard following a shooting on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. Santa Clara County sheriff's spokesman said the railyard shooting left multiple people, including the shooter, dead. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

A horrible tragedy has happened today, and our thoughts and love go out to the VTA family, VTA Chairman Glenn Hendricks told a news conference.

VTA trains were already out on morning runs when the shooting occurred. Light rail service was to be suspended at noon and replaced with bus bridges, Hendricks said.

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Two patients were transported to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, according to spokesperson Joy Alexiou. One person was pronounced dead upon arrival, and the other was in critical condition.

This aerial photo provided by KGO-TV ABC7 shows a San Jose rail station where deputies are investigating a shooting on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said in a tweet that "the shooter is no longer a threat" and the facility has been evacuated. He said the shooting "has left several people being treated, but the situation is still being assessed." (KGO-TV/ABC7 via AP, File)

Outside the scene, Michael Hawkins told The Mercury News that he was waiting for his mother, Rochelle Hawkins, who had called him from a co-workers phone to assure him that she was safe.

When the shooting started, she got down with the rest of her coworkers and dropped her cellphone, Michael Hawkins told the newspaper. Rochelle Hawkins did not see the shooter, and she was not sure how close she had been to the attacker, her son said.

The attack was the countys second shooting in less than two years. A gunman killed three people before killing himself at a popular garlic festival in Gilroy in July 2019.

At a news conference, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo lamented the horrific day for our city. Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a tweet that his office was in close contact with local law enforcement and monitoring this situation closely.

Agents from the FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were responding to the crime scene, officials said.
SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP)  Pacific Gas & Electric is getting hit with a nearly $150 million bill for neglect that caused Northern California wildfires during the past two years and mismanagement of blackouts designed to prevent the utility's crumbling power grid from causing more damage.

SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP)  Pacific Gas & Electric is getting hit with a nearly $150 million bill for neglect that caused Northern California wildfires during the past two years and mismanagement of blackouts designed to prevent the utility's crumbling power grid from causing more damage.

The one-two punch was delivered Wednesday. California power regulators are fining PG&E $106 million for its mishandling of power outages in 2019. The utility also reached $43.4 million in settlements with government agencies in three counties ravaged by wildfires ignited by its equipment during 2019 and last year.

That is just the latest financial fallout from years of perilous behavior affecting some of the 16 million people who rely on PG&E in a sprawling service territory. When the utility's fraying equipment or inability to properly trim trees around its power lines hasn't been wreaking havoc in the form of wildfires, PG&E has been exasperating customers with botched blackouts that have at times lasted several days during hot and windy conditions.

A series of power outages imposed during the autumn 2019 went so awry that California's Public Utilities Commission quickly opened an investigation into PG&E's conduct. An Associated Press investigation later determined t hat only a handful of PG&E's emergency personnel had received training in the disaster response playbook that California has used for a generation before those 2019 blackouts.

In an 89-page decision outlining the reasons for its fine, regulators blasted PG&E for a overwhelmed website that couldn't handle incoming traffic from customers wondering whether they would have power, as well its failure to give adequate advance warning of the blackouts to about 50,000 customers.

Although PG&E is being fined $106 million, the utility won't be paying that much now. That's because it is being credited for $86 million that it had already been ordered to refund to customers affected during the lengthy 2019 outages.

The decision imposing the fine will become effective in 30 days barring an appeal or a request for review.

In a statement, PG&E acknowledged its handling of the 2019 outages fell short of what our customers expect and deserve" while highlighting improvements it has made since then to reduce the scope and duration of blackouts that are expected to periodically occur for at least for at least several more years while PG&E tries to improve its grid.

We will continue to make additional improvements to support our customers, while working to keep them safe," PG&E said.

The $43.4 million in settlements will cover some of the costs incurred by 10 government agencies during the Kincade Fire that destroyed more than 100 homes in Sonoma County during October 2019 and the Zogg Fire that killed four people in Shasta County last September. Some of the money will also go to Tehama County, where the Zogg Fire also raged.

The payments won't wipe PG&E's slate entirely clean.

The San Francisco company is still facing 33 criminal charges of inadvertently injuring six firefighters and endangering public health in Sonoma County for the Kincade Fire  accusations that PG&E denies. The state also forwarded a March report blaming the Zogg Fire on PG&E to the Shasta County District Attorney's office to determine if criminal charges may be warranted there.

PG&E's neglect has had even more catastrophic consequences, most notably during 2017 and 2018 when a series of wildfires blamed on its equipment burned down more than 28,000 buildings and killed more than 100 people.

The devastation prompted PG&E to spend 17 months in bankruptcy court, where it negotiated a $13.5 billion settlement with wildfire victims. It also resulted in the company pleading guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter in Butte County, where the town of Paradise was wiped out by the Camp Fire in 2018.

After emerging from bankruptcy protection last summer, PG&E hired a new chief executive, Patricia Patti Poppe, to oversee its efforts to imits grid during a process expected to last for most of this decade and, in this case, clean up some of its past messes.

When I joined PG&E earlier this year, I said that I wanted to make it right and make it safe for our customers and communities," Poppe said.

Even so, PG&E continues to be haunted by its conduct before Poppe started her job in January.

California power regulators last month rebuked PG&E for ongoing neglect of its power lines last year. And the utility is scheduled to appear next week before a federal judge weighing whether its role in the Kincade Fire violated its probation terms for a criminal conviction that came down after its natural gas lines below up a suburban neighborhood south of San Francisco in 2010.
CALGARY - Suncor Energy Inc. has become the latest major oil company to commit to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

A Suncor logo is shown at the company's annual meeting in Calgary, Thursday, May 2, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

CALGARY - Suncor Energy Inc. has become the latest major oil company to commit to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The new goal is an upgrade from its current program adopted in 2015 to reduce emissions intensity from upstream operations by 30 per cent by 2030, and matches the 2050 target set by oilsands producer rival Cenovus Energy Inc. last year, as well as Canada's official national goal.

The new target is the Calgary-based company's third emissions initiative  the first was set in 2009 and achieved by 2015  and that adds weight to Suncor's pledge, said CEO Mark Little.

"We are confident we can profitably grow returns for investors while lowering our carbon emissions and helping others reduce theirs," he said in a presentation during Suncor's investor day on Wednesday.

"We will achieve this by reducing emissions in our base business, investing in profitable low-emission businesses, taking action that reduces others' emissions and investing in offsets outside of our business."

Suncor said it expects to reduce its overall greenhouse gas emissions by 10 megatonnes per year by 2030 from 29 megatonnes per year in 2019.

That's about 25 per cent more "aggressive" on an intensity basis per barrel than its 2015 target, Little said in an interview after the presentation.

"We felt it was super important to start framing our goals to align with our strategic objective of getting to net zero by 2050, and clearly the government's objective of getting there, because we have no ability to get to net zero unless we start showing absolute reductions," he said.

Setting absolute targets sets Suncor apart from other Canadian energy companies and is a step in the right direction, said Nina Lothian, director of the fossil fuel program for the Pembina Institute environmental think-tank.

"I think it's critically important that we're talking about absolute and no longer carbon emissions intensity," she said.

"They have articulated a plan to get to this emission reduction by 2030 so they're showing immediate and short-term actions aligned with Canada's path to net zero."

Suncor says it will grow to be the third-largest electricity producer in Alberta thanks to current low-emissions projects including the $300-million, 200-megawatt Forty Mile Wind power project in southern Alberta and a $1.4-billion natural gas fuelled cogeneration project to generate steam and produce 800 megawatts of power at its oilsands Base Plant near Fort McMurray in northern Alberta.

In reports, analysts said Suncor matched expectations with plans for $5 billion annual capital budgets from 2022 to 2025, which are to be used to optimize existing oilsands production, refining and marketing operations while cutting costs and growing low-carbon businesses.

The "value over volume" strategy is based on average production of 800,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day from 2022 to 2025 with more than 90 per cent utilization of its mining and thermal oilsands assets and maximum use of its upgrading facilities to produce higher value synthetic crude from raw oilsands bitumen.

Suncor, which owns 58.74 per cent of Syncrude, is scheduled to take over operatorship of its mine and upgrading facilities in the third quarter and says it aims to cut costs by $300 million within three years through workforce reductions and co-ordinating operations with its nearby Base Plant

Meanwhile, it plans to standardize business processes throughout its organization, employ automation to reduce staff needs, spend to make assets like its Edmonton refinery and Burrard Terminal on the West Coast more efficient and invest in data analytics to better align operations.

Suncor reduced its employee count by about 600 in 2020 and will make more cuts this year. The company announced in October it would reduce total staff by 10 to 15 per cent, or as many as 1,930 jobs, over 18 months.

In response to an analyst's question, Little said it's looking increasingly like the dormant Terra Nova offshore oilfield will be permanently abandoned as its partners seem unlikely to be able to settle on an investment strategy to extend its productive life.

Suncor is the operator and largest stakeholder in the field located off the Newfoundland and Labrador coast.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2021.

Companies in this story: (TSX:SU, TSX:CVE)
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The U.N. special envoy for Syria said Wednesday its a tragic irony that ordinary Syrians are facing immense and growing humanitarian suffering at this time of relative calm in the more than 10-year conflict.

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The U.N. special envoy for Syria said Wednesday its a tragic irony that ordinary Syrians are facing immense and growing humanitarian suffering at this time of relative calm in the more than 10-year conflict.

Geir Pedersen pointed to economic destitution, a pandemic, displacement, detention and abduction -- all while violent conflict, terrorism and human rights abuses continue in the country.

He told the U.N. Security Council that these issues demand our attention and a political process in Syria, as called for by key powers in 2012 and endorsed by the council in 2015. But that peace effort remains stalled.

While the military situation is relatively calm in some areas, Pedersen said, recurring signs of a hot conflict are abundant.

He cited spikes in violence in several areas, with shelling by both sides, airstrikes including some by Israel, and more attacks attributed to the Islamic State extremist group.

On the economic front, Pedersen said, the Syrian pound has stabilized somewhat but the price of essential goods and transportation costs are increasingly outside of the grasp of many Syrians. And in many areas, basic services including water, electricity and health remain compromised, he said.

In short, we see the same suffering and the same pattern of events and dynamics month on month -- a pattern which I fear is slowly inching Syrians towards an even deeper abyss, he said.

U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock stressed the dire water situation, saying reduced water levels in the Euphrates river which started in January reached a critical point this month.

Engineers operating the Tishreen dam in northeastern Aleppo governorate warned last week that it would completely shut down if water levels dont increase, he said.

Lowcock said the Tabqa dam, which lies downstream in ar-Raqqa governorate, has been an emergency backup, but water levels there are now 80 percent depleted.

Nearly 5.5 million people in Syria rely on the Euphrates and its subsidiaries for drinking water, he said.

He stressed that about 200 water stations that pump, treat and deliver water cant function without electricity from the Tishreen and Tabqa dams.

In addition to the water stations, Lowcock warned that some 3 million people would lose electricity if the dams shut down along with hospitals and other vital infrastructure in northeast Syria.

Preventing a shutdown requires dams in Turkey, which has also been experiencing water shortages, to release more water, he said.

Lowcock urged all parties to find a solution, noting reports in recent days that the amount of water released downstream has increased  which demonstrates that a solution can be found.

Both Pedersen and Lowcock stressed the importance of keeping the crossing from Turkey to Syria's northwest open for an additional 12 months. Its Security Council mandate expires in just over six weeks, and at Russia's insistence, cross-border aid in recent years has been cut back to just this single crossing.

Lowcock warned that if this crossing isn't reauthorized, food deliveries for 1.4 million people every month, millions of medical treatments, nutrition for tens of thousands of children and mothers and education supplies for tens of thousands of students will stop.

Pedersen said cross-border aid remains essential to save lives."
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  U.S. wildlife managers on Wednesday proposed federal protections for the lesser prairie chicken, saying its habitat across five states is in danger of becoming more fragmented and the effects of climate change and drought are expected to take a further toll on the species in the future.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  U.S. wildlife managers on Wednesday proposed federal protections for the lesser prairie chicken, saying its habitat across five states is in danger of becoming more fragmented and the effects of climate change and drought are expected to take a further toll on the species in the future.

Once listed as a threatened species, the chickens habitat spans parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas -- including a portion of the oil-rich Permian Basin.

FILE- In this April 9, 2002 file photo a handler prepares to release a lesser prairie chicken near Laverne, Okla. U.S. wildlife managers are scheduled Wednesday, May 26, 2021, to make an announcement about the status of the lesser prairie chicken. Once listed as a threatened species, the chicken's habitat spans parts of five states -- including a portion of the oil-rich Permian Basin. Environmentalists have been pushing to reinstate federal protections for the bird, while some landowners and the oil and gas industry have been working on voluntary conservation programs. (Chad Love /The Oklahoman via AP, file)

Environmentalists have been pushing to reinstate federal protections for years. They consider the species severely threatened, citing lost and fragmented habitat as the result of oil and gas development, livestock grazing, farming and the building of roads and power lines.

Federal officials are proposing to list the southern population in eastern New Mexico and the southern reaches of the Texas Panhandle as endangered and those birds in the northern part of the species' range as threatened.

The public will have 60 days to comment on the proposal. Two virtual public meetings will be held in July. It could be a year before federal officials make a final determination.

Once thought to number in the millions, federal officials said the five-year average population across the entire range hovers around 27,000 individual birds.

Landowners and the oil and gas industry say they have had success with voluntary conservation programs aimed at protecting habitat and boosting the bird's numbers. The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, which oversees the conservation effort, reported last fall that the population grew to an estimated 34,400  up from a low of about 15,400 in 2013.

A group of U.S. senators sent a letter last week to federal officials urging them not to list the bird, saying a designation under the Endangered Species Act would undermine the ongoing conservation work in the five states.

Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma and his fellow Republican lawmakers pointed out that more than 9,375 square miles (24,280 square kilometers) are covered by conservation agreements and industry participants have contributed more than $64 million in enrollment and mitigation fees that have helped to boost the bird's population.

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas suggested that the proposed listing favors government overreach and heavy-handed regulation over cooperation with landowners.

"Todays announcement will hurt our states economy, hinder our oil and gas independence, increase utility costs, and prevent the development of renewable energy in prime western Kansas locations, he said.

If the agency decides to list the species, officials said landowners and oil companies already participating in the conservation program wouldnt be affected because they already are taking steps to protect habitat. However, a listing would prevent any activities that result in the loss or degradation of existing habitat.

Energy companies and ranchers have concerns, but environmentalists applauded Wednesday's announcement, saying a listing is overdue.

The species' regulatory history dates back to an initial petition for protection in 1995.

The Fish and Wildlife Service in 2014 classified the bird as a threatened species, but the agency was forced to remove it from the list two years later following court rulings that determined the agency failed to properly consider the voluntary conservation efforts.

The year the bird was listed, Kansas enacted a law saying that state had the sole power to regulate the lesser prairie chicken  along with the larger, darker and more abundant greater prairie chicken  and their habitats within Kansas. It authorized the attorney general or county prosecutors to sue over federal attempts to impose conservation measures.

While federal officials acknowledged that there's always a chance for more litigation, agency biologist Clay Nichols said consideration was given to the conservation program this time around by assessing the benefits of ongoing projects and what future benefits they might have.

The current threats acting on the landscape are expected to either continue at the same levels or increase in severity in the foreseeable future, he said. Habitat loss is projected to outpace conservation efforts to restore habitat.

Nichols also pointed to drought, noting that the population in the southern range dropped to as few as 1,000 birds in 2015 because of severe dry conditions and that drought across the region has persisted, leaving the population in a precarious situation.
NEW DELHI (AP)  As the coronavirus tears through India, night watchman Sagar Kumar thinks constantly about getting vaccines for himself and his family of five amid critical shortages of shots in the country. But even if he knew how to get one, it wouldn't be easy.

FILE - In this May 10, 2021, file photo, people waiting to get vaccinated against the coronavirus stand outside the closed gates of a hospital in Ghaziabad, outskirts of New Delhi, India. The disparities of the coronavirus pandemic were already stark in India, where access to health care is as stratified and unequal as other parts of its society. Now, the divide along the lines of wealth and technology are further widening that chasm, and many people are falling through the gaps as vaccines remain inaccessible to millions. (AP Photo/Amit Sharma, File)

NEW DELHI (AP)  As the coronavirus tears through India, night watchman Sagar Kumar thinks constantly about getting vaccines for himself and his family of five amid critical shortages of shots in the country. But even if he knew how to get one, it wouldn't be easy.

The main way is to register through a government website. But it is in English  a language the 25-year-old Kumar and nearly 90% of Indians can't speak, read or write  and his family has a single smartphone, with spotty internet service.

And even though his state of Uttar Pradesh gives free shots to those under 45, there is no vaccination site in his village, with the nearest hospital an hour away.

All I can do now is hope for the best, Kumar said.

The pandemics disparities already were stark in India, where access to health care is as stratified and unequal as many other parts of society. Now wealth and technology is further widening those chasms, and millions are falling through the gaps.

That worries health experts, who say vaccine inequality could hamper Indias already difficult fight against a virus that has been killing more than 4,000 people a day in recent weeks.

Inequitable vaccination risks prolonging the pandemic in India, said Krishna Udayakumar, founding director of the Duke Global Health Innovation Center at Duke University in North Carolina. Reducing barriers for the most vulnerable populations should be a priority.

India's vaccination campaign began in January with a goal of inoculating 300 million of its nearly 1.4 billion people by August. So far, however, it has fully vaccinated a little over 42 million people, or barely 3% of its population.

The government didn't reserve enough shots for the campaign and it was slow to scale up vaccine production. Then, with the country recording hundreds of thousands of new infections daily, the government on May 1 opened up vaccination to all adults.

That made an already bad shortage even worse.

Amid those challenges, the federal government also changed its policy on who can get vaccines and who must pay for them. It allotted itself half of the shots in the country and said it would give free shots to front-line workers and those 45 and older.

Individual states and private hospitals could then negotiate deals with the country's vaccine-makers for the other half of the shots, the government said. That effectively put the burden for inoculating everyone under 45 on states and the private sector, who often ask members of the public to pay as much as $20 for a shot.

The disparities already are showing in rich states where private hospitals tend to be concentrated.

The capital of New Delhi has given first shots to 20% of its residents, while Bihar state, one of the poorest, has only given shots to about 7.6% of its population. And even states that are providing free shots often can't keep them in stock  both because of the shortage and competition with the private sector.

Many experts say the federal policy is a mistake, and it will hit the poorest the hardest.

Vaccinating people is the national duty of the government and they need to vaccinate everyone for free, said K Srinath Reddy, president of the Public Health Foundation of India. Nobody should be denied a vaccine because they are unable to afford it or register for it.

Vaccine disparity is not just a question of inequality but also inefficiency, said developmental economist Jean Dreze.

If people get sick, Dreze said, they will not be able to work. That in turn could push many more into poverty.

Already, the poor have to miss work, forgo the days wages and travel long distances to get vaccinated.

We should not just make vaccines free but also give people incentives to get vaccinated, Dreze said.

The national government is seeking to address some of the concerns. It has said the website to register for shots will soon be available in Hindi and other regional languages. Still, experts point out half the population lacks internet access, so the better solution would be easier, walk-in registrations for all.

The government also has said it will alleviate the vaccine shortages, insisting there will be about 2 billion doses available between June and December. Experts, however, say the government will likely miss that goal.

Indias health ministry did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

Kavita Singh, 29, was making the equivalent of $250 a month working as a domestic helper in a wealthy part of the capital. But as cases began to surge in April, she lost her job.

They were scared I would spread the virus and told me to come back only after I am vaccinated, Singh said.

She could not afford paying for a shot, so Singh and her three daughters returned to her village in Bihar state. There's no vaccination center nearby, and Singh said she doesn't know if she'll ever be able to return to New Delhi.

We barely manage to earn enough for our daily means," Singh said. "If we use that money for vaccines, then what will we eat?
OTTAWA - Science Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says Canada plans to land a rover on the moon in the next five years.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois-Philippe Champagne takes part in a year-end interview with The Canadian Press at Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa on December 16, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

OTTAWA - Science Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says Canada plans to land a rover on the moon in the next five years.

The Canadian Space Agency says the unmanned robotic vehicle will aim to gather imagery and measurements on the moon's cratered surface, showcasing technologies from Canadian companies in a polar region of the earth's only natural satellite.

Conducted in partnership with NASA, the mission hopes to have the rover make it through an entire lunar night, which lasts about two weeks and presents major technological challenges due to the extreme cold and dark.

Lisa Campbell, president of the space agency, says it will put out a request for proposals on design and development from two companies in the coming months.

Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques, decked out in his flight suit, was also present at the virtual announcement Wednesday, and will be among the candidates for the one Canadian spot on a four-person mission to travel around the moon in the next few years.

The announcement happened to come the same day the moon drifted through the earth's shadow in the first total lunar eclipse since January 2019.

The federal government pledge falls under a $150-million lunar exploration program launched that year.

In December the government signed an agreement with the United States to send a Canadian astronaut around the moon as part of a broader effort to establish a new space station above the lunar surface.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2021.
OTTAWA - The Bloc Quebecois failed to unanimously pass a motion recognizing Quebec's right to unilaterally change the Constitution in line with proposed reforms to the province's language law.

Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet hold a news conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

OTTAWA - The Bloc Quebecois failed to unanimously pass a motion recognizing Quebec's right to unilaterally change the Constitution in line with proposed reforms to the province's language law.

Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet tabled a motion Wednesday in the House of Commons asking lawmakers to recognize that right, but confronted a single, critical "nay" from a lone member of Parliament.

Independent MP Jody Wilson-Raybould scuppered the unanimity required for a motion tabled without official notice.

In a Twitter post minutes later, she said political partisanship and "pandering" have led lawmakers "to abandon core legal norms" and debate on constitutional issues.

As a "proud (First Nations) woman I'm always ready 2 discuss Nationhood & language," she wrote, calling the parties' deference to the Bloc "dismaying."

Blanchet's motion sought to clear a path for House recognition of Premier Francois Legault's move to amend the country's supreme law by affirming Quebec as a nation with French as its official language.

The legislation, known as Bill 96, has stirred up debate as experts fret that constitutional acknowledgment of a distinct society would push courts to interpret laws differently in Quebec or hand it greater provincial power.

Experts say constitutional tweaksrequire approval from the House of Commons and Senate, though Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said an initial Justice Department analysis concluded the province can go ahead with the changes.

Despite Wednesday's hiccup, Blanchet said he still believes a vast majority of parliamentarians support the motion.

"We must not always say that somebody who does not agree with one or another does so only on a partisan basis," Blanchet said in response to Wilson-Raybould's comment.

"Protecting French and promoting French and acknowledging the fact that Quebec is a nation is something healthy for everybody."

The motion looked to both pave the way for a parliamentary thumbs-up and suggest such approval was not required. The wording called on legislators to "take note of Quebec's desire" to inscribe its status as a French-language nation in the Constitution.

"I am not asking permission from anyone," Blanchet said in French.

He plans to retable the motion for debate and a recorded vote on the Bloc's next opposition day. It has one left before the House rises for summer on June 23.

Earlier on Wednesday, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Quebec's proposed changes to the Constitution are purely "symbolic" and will not impact Canadians outside the province, calling the modifications "important" but uncontroversial.

In the House, Trudeau cited former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper's motion in 2006 recognizing that Quebecers form a nation within a united Canada, "and that remains our position"  though more than a dozen Liberals voted against the motion 15 years ago.

The reform bill comes at a particularly sensitive time for fraught issues like cultural identity in Quebec, a key battleground for all five parties ahead of a possible election this year.

Federalist leaders remain wary of alienating French speakers, who make up roughly 80 per cent of Quebec's population, while Blanchet aims to tap into French-Canadian nationalism to bolster his third-place standing in the Commons.

On top of its constitutional provisions, Bill 96 includes tougher sign laws and stronger language requirements for businesses, such as those in federally regulated industries, as well as for governments and schools.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2021.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 17:52:35|Editor: huaxia

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KIGALI, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A total of 651 nationals of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) who were affected by earthquakes following the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo volcano fled to Rwanda's boder town Rubavu, a Rwandan official said Wednesday.

They are seeking shelter and humanitarian assistance after their properties were destroyed by the series of earthquakes that occurred in the aftermath of the eruption, said mayor of Rubavu district Gilbert Habyarimana on local radio, adding that they are being accommodated in makeshift tents in Busasamana sector in Rubavu, where the Rwandan authorities are providing them with protection and humanitarian aid.

If the seismic activities continue in Goma city in the DRC, and other areas close to Mount Nyiragongo, more DRC nationals will be forced to flee to Rubavu, said Habyarimana.

At least 119 earthquakes were recorded on Monday in Goma, after the nearby Nyiragongo volcano erupted on Saturday, according to the Goma Volcano Observatory.

Business in Gisenyi town in Rubavu district has come to a standstill due to repeated earthquakes. Some banks, schools, markets, hospitals and shops have temporarily closed, according to Habyarimana, adding that people in high-risk zones in Rubavu district have been evacuated to safe places within the district.

The district together with relevant authorities will hold a meeting to discuss the way forward, most especially in terms of providing the required humanitarian aid to affected people, said the official.

A fissure has developed across Rubavu town due to the earthquakes hitting the area, he cautioned the public.

Seismologist Tite Niyitegeka from Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board said such earthquakes are volcano tectonic earthquakes and are produced by vibrations generated by the movement of magma within the volcano. Enditem
If any musician was prepared for the pandemic, it was Nahre Sol.

If any musician was prepared for the pandemic, it was Nahre Sol.

A classical pianist and composer trained at Juilliard School of Music and Torontos Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music, Sol has a YouTube channel with nearly half-a-million subscribers.

She explains classical music to younger generations, analyzing it from a pop perspective, and does the reverse with pop, deconstructing modern sounds and rebuilding them through classical techniques in upbeat, informative vlogs. In one of her most popular videos, she plays Happy Birthday in the styles of classical composers like Bach, Beethoven, Chopin and Rachmaninoff; the Liszt goes on.

"I think being a millennial, it just came naturally to me," she says of the digital medium.

During the pandemic, every arts organization has been forced to take their show online. Sol, on the other hand, is a seasoned veteran, making her shows and videos recorded at her apartment accessible, honest, and unpretentious: a perfect mixture for the COVID era of live performance.

"I do absolutely believe the ideal way to experience classical music is in person, with a combination of hearing the acoustics live and the space itself," Sol says. "That being said, when you transfer that to video, youre able to provide layers of context, insight and additional narratives." A video performance can do things a live performance cant, or more often, wont do.

Thats what appealed to the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra about Sol, who just released her debut album this year, and will be performing in a livestream at 7 p.m., Thursday night for the local music institution.

SUPPLIED Sol has an eclectic YouTube channel with nearly half-a-million subscribers.

"Shes developed ways to present content without relying on a traditional audience," says Conrad Sweatman, the orchestras marketing and communications director. "Its hard to deny half a million subscriptions."

When Sol started her YouTube channel, it was to peel back the curtain and show friends and colleagues what she was working on, which was increasingly becoming her own compositions; she was documenting her process for herself, and thought others might be interested too.

Never did she expect it would grow to this level, but it makes sense why: on camera, shes charming and humble, which helps make her videos the opposite of hoity-toity, despite her incredible skill.

During the pandemic, thats been a mixture  casual, yet reminiscent of a night at the theatre  arts organizations have tried to strike. Thats led to a reassessment of successful YouTube performers and performances, who some purists mightve viewed disparagingly, says Sweatman. Now, its clear those artists know something eminently valuable: how to connect with an audience at home.

For Sol, thats meant "performing in" New York, North Carolina, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Boston and more, all without leaving her apartment.

Her show Thursday night will feature four original pieces, three of which will be performed on a "prepared" piano, with Sol wedging bits of material between the strings to alter the instruments sounds, a method pioneered by John Cage.

"I found that cutting up a silicon baking mat and wedging it between the strings produced a sound I wanted," says Sol, who also uses two screws placed carefully on the strings to create a percussive sound.

Sol was supposed to perform live in Winnipeg this year, and looks forward to visiting eventually. For now, she says she hopes music fans can continue to embrace the unique elements of video performances until live performances can start again.

Tickets for Sols concert are available for $20 at themco.ca. Ticket buyers can share access to the show with up to five households, and the performance can be viewed for two weeks. Sols is the third concert of the MCOs Spring and Summer Festival, with four more to come.

ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca
WINNIPEG - Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister apologized Tuesday after using some very unparliamentary language during a committee hearing.

Premier Brian Pallister gestures during question period in the Manitoba legislature on Wed., April 7, 2021. Pallister apologized Tuesday after using some very unparliamentary language during a committee hearing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kevin King - POOL

WINNIPEG - Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister apologized Tuesday after using some very unparliamentary language during a committee hearing.

Pallister was appearing before a legislature committee that examines the provincial budget in detail.

While fielding questions from Opposition NDP Leader Wab Kinew about the COVID-19 pandemic, he accused Kinew of unfairly criticizing health officials.

The committee chairman interrupted Pallister and said his time was up. The premier's microphone appeared to turn off for a split second, but then it was immediately back on.

"... approach to just being an asshole," Pallister was heard to say during the hearing, which was livestreamed.

Committee chair Dennis Smook, a backbencher in the Progressive Conservative government, asked Pallister to withdraw his comment.

"I withdraw that comment," Pallister responded.

Kinew appeared to accept the apology.

"These are trying times. I think we all acknowledge that," Kinew told the committee before going on to his next question.

"First I want to apologize to (Kinew) for my comment earlier," Pallister said when his turn came.

The exchange was part of a late afternoon question-and-answer session in which Kinew asked Pallister about Manitoba's rising demand for intensive care beds. Manitoba has shipped 18 intensive care patients to Ontario to free up bed space.

Kinew said the government failed to expand intensive care unit capacity before the pandemic's third wave, which arrived in Manitoba later than in other provinces.

"There were no steps taken to prepare for this third wave in a way that would have actually made a difference," Kinew said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2021
OTTAWA  The federal government enlisted some of its top brass in Manitobas push to get COVID-19 vaccines from North Dakota.

OTTAWA  The federal government enlisted some of its top brass in Manitobas push to get COVID-19 vaccines from North Dakota.

However, both Ottawa and Washington seem unenthusiastic about regional dose-sharing.

On Saturday, as new public health restrictions took effect, Premier Brian Pallister called a news conference to ask U.S. President Joe Biden to stop blocking a plan to get doses from North Dakota sent to Manitoba.

Critics immediately accused Pallister of trying to distract from Manitoba having the highest COVID-19 case numbers on the continent, and a vaccine rollout that remains slow on weekends.

Yet, officials in Winnipeg and Ottawa, who were not authorized to speak on the record, say the idea dates back to late April.

North Dakota has had some of the lowest vaccine uptake in the U.S., and officials notified Manitoba of possibly being able to share 15,000 doses if the province could pick up the shots with a freezer truck, and might have as many as 55,000 more available.

Senior Canadian officials, who are leading the core federal agencies that are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, spoke with their Manitoba colleagues about the proposal last week, including the logistics of transporting the doses and the liability related to the vaccine.

Ultimately, American officials have told states to instead relinquish unused doses to a central task force, which will decide which U.S. states and foreign countries will receive doses.

That led Pallister to write a letter to Biden on May 20, urging him to allow North Dakota to transfer vaccine.

Sources say Canadas ambassador in Washington, D.C., has raised not only sharing COVID-19 doses, but the North Dakota proposal specifically with senior officials.

Pallister discussed the idea with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a call May 21, informing him hed try publicly pressuring Biden to allow the doses to go through.

On Tuesday, Trudeau would not say what he thought of the proposal.

"We have been since the beginning of this pandemic working with partners around the world, including the United States, to ensure that we get through this as quickly as possible," Trudeau said.

"The conversations continue, including at the level of our ambassador in Washington."

The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa referred queries to the White House, which has not spoken about the Pallister plan.

In fact, neither Ottawa nor Washington has said anything about sharing vaccines on a regional basis.

A week ago, Atlantic premiers released a joint declaration with New England governors, calling on the U.S. to share surplus vaccine doses. Premiers have called for regional transfers but Ottawa hasnt raised the idea publicly.

Congressional Democrats who represent northern states have pressured the Biden administration to lift border restrictions with Canada as vaccinations ramp up.

The Biden administration is being urged to send more unused shots to developing countries grappling with COVID-19 deaths, such as India.

Two weeks ago, the U.S. endorsed a plan to waive patent rights for COVID-19 vaccines, a proposal the Trudeau government wont take a stand on.

In April, North Dakota started vaccinating Manitoba truckers, and as of Monday, 1,324 had received a shot.

Pallister announced a month ago that Manitoba teachers would soon be able to cross the border for a shot without having to quarantine. That idea was abandoned as more vaccines arrived in the province.

At the time, federal officials said the idea was being studied; Ottawa only learned about the plan the day it was announced. Meanwhile, Trudeau declined to weigh in on whether Manitoba could have avoided a catastrophic third wave, given the troubling numbers other provinces faced weeks prior.

"My job as a federal leader is to be there to support Canadians in every corner of the country, not to judge how provinces have managed it," he said.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
As the share of Manitobans partially immunized against COVID-19 nears 70 per cent and second dose eligibility expands, the vaccine task force is adjusting its strategy to reach people on the fringes of the rollout.

As the share of Manitobans partially immunized against COVID-19 nears 70 per cent and second dose eligibility expands, the vaccine task force is adjusting its strategy to reach people on the fringes of the rollout.

On Wednesday, Manitobans who received a dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine on or before March 29 became eligible to book an appointment for their second shot.

The change means between 45,000 and 55,000 people are able to book a second appointment, in addition to all Indigenous people and Manitobans with select health conditions who were previously eligible.

First, second dose eligibility Manitobans who received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine on or before March 29 can book their second dose. Second-dose eligibility does not yet include people who received the AstraZeneca vaccine. Appointments can be booked online at https://protectmb.ca or by calling 1-844-626-8222. People must know what type of vaccine they received for their first shot, as the province is only providing the same vaccine brand for second doses at this time. click to read more Manitobans who received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine on or before March 29 can book their second dose. Second-dose eligibility does not yet include people who received the AstraZeneca vaccine. Appointments can be booked online at https://protectmb.ca or by calling 1-844-626-8222. People must know what type of vaccine they received for their first shot, as the province is only providing the same vaccine brand for second doses at this time. All Indigenous Manitobans and people with select health conditions who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine are also eligible to book their second dose. On Wednesday, Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead for the vaccine task force, said that in many cases those who are fully vaccinated (14 days past their second dose) will no longer have to go into isolation if they are exposed to COVID-19 and have no symptoms. Reimer said Dr. Brent Roussin and the public health team are working on further policies for people who are fully vaccinated as the second dose campaign picks up speed. The task force expects that all eligible Manitobans (assuming 70 per cent uptake) will have received two doses by the end of July. Complete vaccine eligibility criteria is available on the Manitoba website. All Manitobans who are at least 12 years of age continue to be able to book first doses. Reimer assured Manitobans that regardless of what type of vaccine they got for their first dose, a second dose will be offered. Reimer said the federal government continues to provide vaccine delivery forecasts that indicate enough supply will be available to offer second doses when people are due for their shot. For those who received AstraZeneca, Reimer said the task force is still waiting for the findings of a United Kingdom study on the efficacy of exchanging vaccine products. She said some data may become available this week. However, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization is recommending that when possible, people should receive the same vaccine for their second dose. Reimer said the province is working directly with the national committee to develop the best course of action for Manitobans. Close

The move to open second-dose appointments for the general population is a shift of gears for the immunization campaign, particularly as first dose immunization rates increase.

On Wednesday, Johanu Botha, operations and planning lead for the task force, said it is possible that 13 mass immunization clinics the province runs, or will open in the next two weeks, will hit a "plateau" in terms of clients.

"Information that were getting from clinical experts might suggest that beyond that 70 per cent uptake, we need to use different delivery models: ones that look different than super sites, that reach deeper into communities, that are delivered more by community partners," Botha said.

Botha said the change in delivery model will better serve people who are not necessarily vaccine hesitant but face barriers to immunization based on employment, language, connectivity, transportation and system barriers, such as the scale and location of the super site clinics, which can be intimidating.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Johanu Botha: "pivot moment."

"Were waiting for when that right pivot moment comes," Botha said, adding the task force is preparing to run pop-up clinics in communities that have lower uptake and handing the reins to pharmacists and health-care providers to provide shots to their clients.

Botha pointed to the urban Indigenous clinics and neighbourhood clinics as examples of outreach efforts that could better serve targeted groups.

Also Wednesday, Dr. Marcia Anderson, a member of the vaccine task force and the First Nations response team, provided updated data that showed racialized people continue to experience disproportionate infection rates throughout the third wave, in comparison to white people.

However, with the exception of First Nations, the province does not yet have data on vaccine uptake among racialized people who have been overrepresented through the second and third waves of the pandemic due to employment as essential workers and crowded or inadequate housing, Anderson said.

Dr. Marcia Anderson, public health lead, Manitoba First Nation Pandemic Response Coordination Team. THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES/John Woods

Racial and ethnic identity questions were only added to the vaccination consent form on May 10 and data thats been collected to date has not yet been added into the public health information management system, Anderson said.

However, data collected on First Nations vaccination indicates more than 67 per cent uptake on reserves, Anderson said.

Clinics have been held on nearly all 63 reserves in Manitoba to offer first and second doses to all adults; Anderson said doses of Pfizer will be sent to communities to offer shots to children between 12 and 17 starting next week.

Anderson said it is too early to say to what extent any differences in vaccine coverage can be attributed to hesitancy as opposed to timelines for eligibility and accessibility.

Evidence from other jurisdictions has shown lower vaccine uptake in racialized communities and similar patterns are likely to develop in Manitoba, Anderson said.

"When we look at how the proportions of cases have shifted prior to vaccine rollout and since between white people and all other (racialized) communities combined, the main difference actually is the vaccine rollout," Anderson said.

"While we need to respond to concerns about hesitancy with trusted information from trusted messengers, we also need to be increasing accessibility to ensure that everyone who does want a vaccine has a safe, welcoming and accessible space to receive the vaccine," Anderson said.

The medical lead for the provinces vaccine task force said while uptake has been high it has not been consistent.

"We have to very seriously think about who is not being well served by our existing structures," said Dr. Joss Reimer. "We want to make sure that everybody has equal access to the vaccine and for many people, that means we need to put more effort into bringing it to them."

Moderna supply unpredictable Uncertainty about the Moderna vaccine supply is an increasing point of concern for Manitoba's COVID-19 vaccine task force. As of Wednesday, the federal government had not provided the province with a confirmed delivery schedule for the Moderna shot, said Johanu Botha, the operations, planning and logistics lead for the task force. Currently, no deliveries of Moderna are scheduled to arrive in Manitoba in the coming weeks. click to read more Uncertainty about the Moderna vaccine supply is an increasing point of concern for Manitoba's COVID-19 vaccine task force. As of Wednesday, the federal government had not provided the province with a confirmed delivery schedule for the Moderna shot, said Johanu Botha, the operations, planning and logistics lead for the task force. Currently, no deliveries of Moderna are scheduled to arrive in Manitoba in the coming weeks. Just seeing zeros in our future for Moderna is worrisome, Botha said. Botha said overall federal supply projections for Moderna have not changed and the province still expects to receive enough doses by the end of July to complete the second-dose campaign. However, without arrival dates or confirmed shipment sizes, planning is challenging, Botha said. He suggested the timeline to immunize 70 per cent of the 12-and-older population with a single dose may be pushed back two days to June 9. The timeline to finish second doses in July will also likely be pushed back. Were still waiting from any information from Ottawa, and we understand that our federal partners are working actively with Moderna to get information as well  but unless this changes it will start impacting our timelines, Botha said. The countrys supply of Moderna has been unpredictable during the past month. On Saturday, Premier Brian Pallister appealed to the president of the United States to approve and fast-track the delivery of surplus vaccines to Canada. The United States has millions of vaccines in freezers. They need to be in arms here in Canada. This is a call to arms, Pallister said. The premier referenced the recent supply crunch related to Moderna during his appeal. Pallister said Manitobas immunization team could vaccinate an additional 100,000 people in the next 10 days if it obtained vaccines from North Dakota, adding there are trucks with freezers ready to pick up vaccines in the U.S. immediately should they be allowed to do so. On Wednesday, Botha said the main operations of the task force is based on receiving vaccine from the Canadian government. When asked to provide specifics on how the task force has prepared to transport vaccines from the U.S. if permitted, Botha did not specify the type or quantity of resources on standby for the job. "We have Materials Distribution Agency that does this as its main line of business and that can be marshaled in all sorts of ways should we have to pick up vaccine somewhere by road," Botha said. "But our main focus is the confirmed shipment deliveries that we're getting from the federal government." The agency is a special operating agency of the Manitoba government. Close

On April 23, the province shifted its rollout to target hot spot communities, which were selected based on COVID-19 rates, housing, income and the proportion of racialized residents. The final eligible communities were announced May 4.

While community eligibility was expanded late last month and early in May, vaccine appointments were available one to two weeks in the future and immunity takes at least two weeks to develop.

Provincial data showed that in April, 63 per cent of COVID-19 infections, where a person provided their ethnicity, were among those who identified as racialized. So far in May, the proportion is 66 per cent.

Asked Wednesday whether the move to immunize people in hot spot communities came too late in the third wave, Reimer said the province was working with the vaccine supply available at the time with an emphasis on protecting people at risk of hospitalization and death.

"The pivot came when we had enough supply that the number of Manitobans immunized could actually potentially impact transmission patterns," Reimer said. "Its simply not effective if only five or 10 per cent of the population in any community is immunized to try to target transmission."

"If we had had doses earlier to be able to reach a large population, I think it could have had a huge impact on what we saw with wave three," Reimer said.

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca

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CALLING the COVID-19 vaccine and mature minor consent controversial topics, senior administrators at Steinbach Regional Secondary School have asked teachers to refrain from related conversation or debate in their classrooms.

CALLING the COVID-19 vaccine and mature minor consent "controversial topics," senior administrators at Steinbach Regional Secondary School have asked teachers to refrain from related conversation or debate in their classrooms.

Last week, leadership at the high school of more than 1,700 students in Steinbach  which has one of the top five lowest adult immunization rates of all health districts in Manitoba  sent staff a memo noting that students aged 12 and older are eligible for a shot.

"Please note that these are controversial topics in classrooms and with families. Do not enter into these conversations or debates with your students," states the email. "We have our own beliefs and values on topics related to all things (COVID-19) but the classroom is not the place to debate them. We must respect the family unit and their decisions."

The note asks staff to direct students who want information about vaccine appointments or mature minor consent to either the Health Links or vaccination appointment telephone number.

(Mature minor consent is age 16 in Manitoba, but younger students can go through an informed consent process if they arrive at an appointment alone, without a signed consent form. A clinical lead at an immunization site will assess a youths ability to consent on their own and proceed with a vaccine if they are satisfied.)

"This email was a principals attempt to just make sure teachers are aware of sensitivities in the community because theres been a lot in the media and social media as of late," said Shelley Amos, superintendent of Hanover School Division.

Amos said teachers should be objective parties on any topic, who provide accurate information to their students, instead of projecting personal views.

The notice was proactive since the division has not heard much from parents concerned about how the vaccine is being discussed in any of its schools, she said, adding the division has been forwarding public health information to families whenever asked  including a recent letter about the expanded criteria for the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine.

The provinces latest vaccination uptake data show 34.4 per cent of residents in Steinbach aged 18 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. That figure is 23.8 per cent in the neighbouring health district of Hanover.

The total number of adults in Manitoba who are partially or fully immunized against the virus is 60.3 per cent.

Access and distrust are among the many factors that affect rates of vaccination. Last week, the province announced it is communicating with religious leaders in southern Manitoba to help boost figures in the health region with the lowest uptake.

"In communities where vaccines might already be a touchy subject, it is understandable that schools may be reluctant to participate," said Michelle Driedger, a researcher of public health communications and vaccine hesitancy at the University of Manitoba, in an email Tuesday. "But schools are places where kids are supposed to be confronted with alternative viewpoints and perspectives."

Drawing on her experience as a mother, Driedger said kids often value their teachers expertise in ways that they dont of their own parents.

Schools are great places to normalize conversations about vaccines and give students opportunities to ask questions to a trusted adult who is not their parent, said the professor of community health sciences.

As for teachable moments, COVID-19 vaccines, related studies, and reputable sources such as ProtectMB, Doctors Manitoba and Health Canada can be valuable tools for building science literacy in class, Driedger said.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @macintoshmaggie
The Winnipeg Jets will face the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs unless the Montreal Canadiens, trailing in their series with the Leafs, win three consecutive games. That series resumes Thursday evening.

More than half of Canadians feel some level of anxiety about going back to the way life was before the pandemic, an online survey by Leger shows.

Today will be unusually cold, with a forecast high about 10 degrees below the average for todays date.
Few consequences of climate change carry as much destabilizing risk as reduced access to fresh water. Whereas oil regularly determined wars in the 20th century, access to water is now triggering multiple forms of conflict in the 21st century.

Opinion

Few consequences of climate change carry as much destabilizing risk as reduced access to fresh water. Whereas oil regularly determined wars in the 20th century, access to water is now triggering multiple forms of conflict in the 21st century.

According to the World Health Organization, one in three people globally lacks access to safe drinking water, mostly due to deficits in infrastructure and sanitation in developing nations. The Earths glaciers  a source of fresh water for at least one-fifth of humanity  are also melting far faster than anticipated, especially given that the planets seven hottest years on record have all occurred since 2014.

The U.N.s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts more than one billion people could experience severe water scarcity and resulting food shortages before 2050. Recent history has provided a worrying preview of what that type of future looks like.

Soldiers from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan at the end of April clashed over a water supply station near the two countries shared border, leaving several people dead and dozens wounded. Earlier in the month, Egypts strongman President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi threatened Ethiopia with military action, saying "all options are open" if it continues to fill the massive new Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which sits on an upstream tributary of the Nile River.

Egypt and its more than 103 million people depend on the Nile for 93 per cent of the countrys annual water supply.

Elsewhere, water cutoffs in Yemen in 2009 provoked public anger and rioting. A lethal crackdown on protesters badly damaged the legitimacy of the central government, which was toppled by a Houthi rebel uprising five years later. The country has been mired in a hellish civil and proxy war and a humanitarian catastrophe ever since.

One widely cited study by U.S. economists in 2015 suggests a local temperature rise of 0.5 degrees Celsius is associated with a 10 to 20 per cent increase in the risk for deadly conflict. Nowhere is this playing out more profoundly than in Africas Sahel region  a semi-arid swath of territory running along the southern edge of the Sahara desert. In October, the U.N.s humanitarian chief described the region as "a canary in the coal mine of our warming planet."

The gradual climate-change-induced southern expansion of the Sahara is squeezing pastoralist tribes, subsistence farmers and competing ethnic groups into smaller tracts of livable area. The result has been a huge spike in intercommunal bloodshed as communities form armed militias to fight for dwindling land and water resources in spaces that are virtually ungovernable.

U.N. officials last month warned that 29 million people across six countries in the region require aid and assistance due to the convergence of climate and security problems, which include terrorist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

Climate change is also an underlying factor fueling irregular migration across the southern U.S. border, an issue that continues to polarize American society. Over the past decade, migrant flows have morphed from predominantly working-age Mexican adults to now mostly entire families from Central America fleeing not only murderous gangs and corrupt governments, but disappearing livelihoods as small-scale farms are being wiped out by more intense hurricanes and reoccurring drought.

A nightmare water-conflict scenario also remains between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan. The two countries have a water-sharing agreement dating back to 1960, but reduced waterfall and flaring tensions in the Kashmir region  a disputed territory partially controlled by both countries, and through which a half-dozen major Himalayan glacial rivers flow  are jeopardizing co-operation on water supplies. Between 1950 and 2015, water availability per capita in Pakistan has dropped by almost 85 per cent, and in India by 72 per cent.

Studies have estimated a nuclear war between the two countries could kill between 40 and 160 million people, create tens of millions of refugees and produce a level of nuclear fallout that might disrupt global weather patterns for more than two decades.

The good news is that numerous NGOs and intergovernmental organizations are working to find solutions, such as improving water management systems and developing smarter agricultural and irrigation practices. The World Resources Institute in particular is also developing a global conflict early-warning system to enable governments to better anticipate and avoid conflicts over water.

However, that doesnt change how current and nascent water conflicts are confirming what author David Wallace-Wells says in the opening line of his book The Uninhabitable Earth: "It is worse, much worse, than you think."

Even if the world meets its current climate targets, the consequences of climate change will be worse  much worse  than we think.

Kyle Hiebert is a Winnipeg-based researcher and analyst, and the former deputy editor of the Africa Conflict Monitor.
Yet another body-worn camera (BWC) pilot is underway in Quebec, this time with the Surete du Quebec, the provincial police.

Opinion

Yet another body-worn camera (BWC) pilot is underway in Quebec, this time with the Surete du Quebec, the provincial police.

Should the cameras be implemented provincially and in such cities as Montreal, consistent with recent trends across North America, the public should be aware that the cameras themselves will not increase transparency or accountability. Further, absent a fully independent third party that controls the footage, BWCs will only end up serving as public-relations tools for police to continue to exert influence and control over community perceptions of police work.

The Service de police de la Ville de Montreal (SPVM) piloted BWCs between May 2016 and April 2017. The objectives of the SPVM pilot were to promote transparency, reinforce community trust and to promote officer safety. The SQ pilot and others in places such as Delta, B.C. are underscored by similar objectives  most notably, transparency into police work.

In a January 2019 report, the SPVM determined that body cameras did not "unequivocally demonstrate" transparency, a finding that is also consistent with the scholarly literature on BWCs. There is little reason to believe, then, based on the available evidence, that the results of the SQ pilot will substantially differ with respect to improved transparency or accountability.

A recent September 2020 systematic review of evidence from 30 U.S. studies of the effects of BWCs did not find strong support that the devices were necessarily beneficial in facilitating transparency or accountability, the two primary drivers for public calls for body cameras.

Regarding community trust, the SPVM claimed in its 2019 report that the body cameras might instead erode public trust in police if camera footage was not released immediately following high-profile incidents, as is quickly becoming the norm in many parts of the U.S.

The quick release of body-camera footage in the U.S. has given rise to unscrupulous public relations firms such as Critical Incident Videos LLC. Run by former TV news reporters, Critical Incident Videos serves the interests of law enforcement by editing raw BWC footage provided by police into flashy segments for news media. The concern is entirely with promoting the police version of events, not transparency or accountability, even in cases that involve death.

Critical Incident Videos advertises a "fast turnaround time" to law enforcement agencies, with suggestions on how best to present "essential aspects" of selected raw footage complete with options for "opening and/or closing remarks'' by a police spokesperson. In other words, the public sees and hears only what the police decide is relevant  the opposite of transparency.

A police spokesperson and video only provides a one-sided perspective of officer actions; there are no counter-narratives from defense lawyers or others as there would be in a courtroom.

Large Canadian police services such as Toronto, Peel Region and the RCMP are in the process of rolling out cameras to thousands of officers. As a result, hundreds of hours of BWC footage will be recorded and stored for an indefinite period. While there is no evidence that Canadian police services are currently employing such editing services, firms like Critical Incident Videos may well be contracted in the future by Canadian law enforcement to consolidate BWC footage and produce favourable videos of police "actions" marketed for public consumption.

This would essentially capitalize on maintaining the police narrative as well as promoting the perceived semblance of transparency with carefully chosen clips of body camera footage.

One sure-fire way to avoid unscrupulous firms like Critical Incident Videos in Canada is to ensure that all body-camera footage is entirely controlled by independent third parties.

Expecting police to proactively release BWC footage of problematic incidents is unrealistic and naive. Inserting an independent third party (such as an ombudsperson office or a local police-oversight group) into this can lead to an increase in transparency. This third party should have unfettered access to all local police BWC footage and have the mandate to order the public release of video as they see fit (within legal confines and pending criminal investigations).

There are a number of recent cases in which U.S. law-enforcement agencies have refused or restricted the release of BWC footage despite public outcry. Some states, such as North Carolina, have even legislated BWC footage as not being a public record, making it nearly impossible for citizens to access BWC video there.

Real transparency is the independent non-police control and release of the complete unedited footage, without police commentary or public-relations spin to mislead or gaslight the public.

The examples south of the border should serve as warnings for Canadians expecting instant transparency following BWC adoption. Transparency is not going to just miraculously happen with BWC implementation, especially if police continue to retain control of video footage.

Christopher J. Schneider is professor of sociology at Brandon University and author of Policing and Social Media: Social Control in an Era of New Media. Erick Laming is a PhD candidate in criminology at the University of Toronto focusing on police use of force, accountability, and Indigenous and Black community members experiences with police.
Premier Brian Pallister continued to deflect responsibility for the provinces escalating COVID-19 crisis, instead blaming Manitobans for failing to follow public health orders or to get tested.

Premier Brian Pallister continued to deflect responsibility for the provinces escalating COVID-19 crisis, instead blaming Manitobans for failing to follow public health orders or to get tested.

At a news conference Tuesday, Pallister said "many Manitobans" have chosen not to obey health orders and then got sick. He said more need to take personal responsibility for their actions.

As of Friday, 129 of the 296 COVID-19 patients in Manitoba hospitals had not been tested before their arrival, he said.

At a news conference Tuesday, Pallister said "many Manitobans" have chosen not to obey health orders and then got sick. He said more need to take personal responsibility for their actions. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press files)

This includes 21 people in ICU, the premier told reporters as the government announced the extension of restrictions that were designed to scale back interactions around the Victoria Day long weekend.

"We continue to see unvaccinated Manitobans requiring admission to hospital and ICUs," Pallister said. "We continue to see people who are coming to hospital very sick, presenting at hospital as very sick who have not been tested for COVID.

"That means that there is a far greater risk they're transmitting COVID to others, and variants of concern work fast. We need to change these behaviours."

Under questioning, the premier blamed the decisions of a minority of individuals, rather than his government's policies and health orders, for the hospital crisis currently facing the province, which is battling one of the highest coronavirus infection rates in North America.

"There are Manitobans who did not bother to take an hour or two and go out and get a life-saving vaccine. In fact, over 70 per cent of our hospitalizations currently are folks who haven't been vaccinated," he said.

The Opposition NDP said the premier was wrong to criticize Manitobans in hospital for not getting their shot when many younger persons weren't eligible to be vaccinated until very recently.

"What else can we say, but we just dont have a very good premier," NDP Leader Wab Kinew said.

"The premier comes out today and blames people who are in ICU. Its gross because these folks cant defend themselves right now. Many of them are in medically induced comas."

Leader of the opposition, Wab Kinew, said the premier was wrong to criticize Manitobans in hospital for not getting their shot when many younger persons weren't eligible to be vaccinated until very recently. Many of the people in hospitals right now are essential workers, Kinew said. What would protect such workers is a "fully comprehensive" and mandatory paid sick leave program, he said. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files)

Many of the people in hospitals right now are essential workers, Kinew said. What would protect such workers is a "fully comprehensive" and mandatory paid sick leave program, he said.

Asked during the press conference whether he thinks blaming Manitobans will help the situation, the premier said "there is lots of blame" to go around.

"But when people dont go and get tested when they get COVID, who else am I supposed to talk about? When people... dont co-operate with a contact tracer and provide information on who theyve been in contact with, how the hell are we supposed to stop people from getting COVID? Theres an element of personal responsibility here. It needs to be talked about, and it needs to be confronted. Its not a question of blame."

Senior public health officials have also blamed a lack of adherence to provincial health orders for the seriousness of the recent outbreak, while defending the orders themselves.

Dr. Brent Roussin, the chief provincial public health officer, recently claimed the reason Manitobans are seeing record case numbers is because they are not following the rules. His deputy, Dr. Jazz Atwal, has made similar comments.

Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said if Roussin thinks Manitoban should stay home to reduce transmission of the virus  as he has said repeatedly  then the public health orders should reflect that.

"Were still taking half measures at a point on a day when doctors in Manitoba are saying were hitting the wall," Lamont said, referring to a dire warning issued by a group of doctors Tuesday morning about the health-care system on the verge of "collapse."

"Were beyond the wall," said Lamont.

 with files from Carol Sanders

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca
OTTAWA  More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, First Nations in northern Manitoba will finally get police help to enforce local restrictions.

OTTAWA  More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, First Nations in northern Manitoba will finally get police help to enforce local restrictions.

An interim agreement signed Tuesday will have RCMP officers enforce band council rules that go beyond provincial orders, as Parliament considers ways to restore autonomy to reserves over issues such as alcohol bans.

The pact comes as First Nations struggle to implement rules meant to stop novel coronavirus spread, Misipawistik Cree Nation Chief Heidi Cook told MPs on Tuesday.

"People started to know that the RCMP would not do anything to help, and so they were much more brazen in defying the public health orders," Cook testified to the House committee on Indigenous affairs.

"We felt abandoned, and we were struggling to control the spread."

The community sits adjacent to Grand Rapids, 400 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.

As cases rose last fall, the band enacted a checkpoint along Highway 6, turning away drivers headed toward the reserves gas station.

But people soon realized the checkpoint was at the bands directive, and not part of the provinces northern travel ban.

"We started to get a lot more dangerous-driving complaints and racist insults directed toward our workers and, eventually, we just had to take it down," Cook said.

She claimed the RCMP declined a request to have its officers leave the local detachment and circulate the reserve in their cruisers, to at least imply people should follow the rules.

"We could have had help from the RCMP by using the drunk tank, using laws that they could enforce, to stop people. In some cases, positive cases were going house to house, looking for a party or a bed," Cook said.

The band ultimately gave up on its second-wave orders and hasnt set any in place since.

"What good is the law if it's not enforceable?" Cook told MPs.

She said the reserve is now facing a third wave, with exposures of the highly contagious B.1.1.7 variant in local schools and daycares.

MPs are studying how Parliament could fix a law that has barred the RCMP from enforcing certain band orders since 1999. A process launched in 2014 for bands to apply to Ottawa for bylaws to be enforced, but MPs were told it has never been put to use, due to red tape.

Officials from Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak told MPs on Tuesday this has been an issue in enforcing drug and alcohol bans in northern Manitoba.

The Free Press has previously reported on Manitoba Infrastructure barring band constables from searching bags at airport arrivals for alcohol, and Canada Post delivering ingredients used to create drugs reserves have tried to ban.

"Communities are in crisis due to the uncontrolled bootlegging and drug-dealing, fuelled by longtime non-enforcement" of band bylaws, said MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee.

Recently, the Pallister government pledged to give band officers the authority to search and detain people on grounds that are currently only available to full-fledged peace officers.

On Tuesday, MKO inked an agreement with the RCMP that will allow the Mounties to enforce local COVID-19 bylaws on 26 northern reserves, up until Sept. 30.

The chiefs hope that by then, Ottawa will have legislation to allow Mounties to enforce band bylaws.

At a Tuesday news conference, a senior Manitoba RCMP official said the new rules will help reserves better protect themselves, since breaching bylaws could now lead to prosecution.

"It is our hope that this will foster a stronger relationship in the communities that we police in Manitoba," said Supt. Scott McMurchy.

"It has been a learning process for us, and an important step toward a new chapter in our reconciliation story with Indigenous communities in Manitoba."

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 22:20:57|Editor: huaxia

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ADDIS ABABA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese tech giant Huawei is eyeing nurturing aspiring young Ethiopian technology talent, said Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Ji Hui at Huawei Northern Africa region, Wednesday.

Speaking exclusively to Xinhua, Ji said Huawei is nurturing Ethiopian tech talent that can add value to the east African country's economy through innovative technology solutions.

Ji was speaking on the sidelines of the sixth Global Huawei ICT competition Ethiopia edition, which annually brings the brightest brains and most innovative ideas from across Ethiopia and the wider globe.

The winners among 170,000 student participants from more than 40 countries around the world will have the opportunity to represent their country in the 2022 Huawei ICT competition global finals.

The Huawei ICT young talent program is part of the Chinese tech giant's global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities.

"This is the third round of competition for Ethiopia. This is the first year we introduced the innovation track, previously we cared more about the knowledge competition, but this year we added more elements of innovation, basically what you can do to add value to the economy and to the ICT industry," Ji told Xinhua. "We've previously sent more than 30 students from Ethiopia to China for two-week training programs, to help turn their technological ideas into realities."

Ji praised the increasing presence of young Ethiopian women aspirants in Huawei's annual ICT competition.

The CFO for Huawei Northern Africa region also disclosed the Chinese tech giant is committed to deepening its involvement in Ethiopia's ICT sector, now that Ethiopia has started to liberalize its telecom sector.

"The Ethiopian government can help the economy to have more growth momentum besides traditional ways of boosting growth," Ji said. "The Ethiopia Ministry of Finance recent granting of a new license to telecom operators will boost the number of private ICT firms in the east African country which has a large young population and is also a huge marketplace."

On Saturday, Ethiopia awarded the country's first telecom license to a Vodacom Group Consortium which had offered 850 million U.S. dollars license fee.

Ethiopia's telecom industry is considered as a huge untapped market, as the east African country has the second highest number of population in Africa, only surpassed by Nigeria.

Ethiopia is also undertaking extensive telecom modernization services with the help of Chinese firms as part of the east African country's aim of realizing digital inclusion and boosting the size of its digital economy, with the provision of reliable, high band-width and high-speed telecom services. Enditem
Ride Shotgun with Lake County sheriffs Sgt. Bryan Kersey as he checks to ensure convicted Northwest Indiana sex offenders are complying with state sex-offender registry laws. This special episode of Riding Shotgun with NWI Cops was filmed recently in conjunction with a Midwest reporting p

The Winona Police Department and Minnesota Department of Corrections will host a community meeting to provide the public with information regarding the recent relocation of two Level 3 predatory offenders into the city.

The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 8, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and will be held on Zoom. Limited seating will also be provided who are unable to attend virtually.

One of the subjects to be discussed is Jason Michael Cieminski, a 39-year-old who currently resides in the 500 block of Mankato Avenue.

According to a fact sheet provided by the Winona Police Department, Cieminski was sentenced for engaging in sexual contact with an unknown adult female after he entered her home without permission and took advantage of her while she was in a vulnerable state.

Cieminski is reported to have a history of window peeping, breaking into homes and stealing womens underwear, the police department noted.

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The other subject to be discussed is Antoine Milton Booker, a 47-year-old who also resides in the 500 block of Mankato Avenue.
The presence of women in the U.S. armed forces remains controversial and complicated more than 80 years after the WACS and WAVES were formed in World War II. The WACS were members of the Womens Army Corps and the WAVES were Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service in the Navy. These acronyms have disappeared while women are integrated fully into all services, including the Air Force and Marines as well as the Army and Navy.

The fact that more than 200,000 women are now on active duty in the armed forces, however, does not mean theyre fully appreciated. The military establishment faces serious problems in guaranteeing their rights as well as safety in a male-dominated structure. Signs on U.S. military bases advertise offices dealing specifically with harassment, which women can and do report.

Among the most provocative issues is whether women should be risking their lives under enemy fire. Female service members have gained a small but important share of the combat arms population in the military, says an article by Andrew Swick and Emma Moore for New American Security in Washington. Nonetheless, they write, The military services face an uphill battle to recruit women who are interested and capable of serving in combat roles, while still maintaining physical standards.
A Wisconsin Dells man was sentenced to four years of probation after entering a deferred prosecution agreement with the Sauk County District Attorneys Office.

Jacob Collier Cloud, 19, was found guilty of fourth degree sexual assault and disorderly conduct after pleading no contest to the charges May 19 in Sauk County Circuit Court. A felony charge of second degree sexual assault of an intoxicated victim was dismissed but considered in sentencing. Cloud also pleaded no contest to a felony count of causing a child between 13 and 18 years old to view a sexual activity, which was deferred as part of the agreement.

Cloud had initially faced a maximum prison sentenced of 40 years and fines up to $100,000 for the sexual assault of an intoxicated 14-year-old. At the time, he was 17 years old.

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According to the criminal complaint, a Reedsburg police officer met with a 14-year-old in October 2019, who said she had gone driving around with Cloud on back roads the day before. The teen said they were supposed to pick up her cousin with Clouds vehicle, but that didnt happen.
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Fox Lake Police Chief Jim Rohr said it does impact the way the department does business to some extent.

Any request is now reviewed and balanced on a case by case basis, Rohr said. On major cases, such as homicide, sexual assault, etc... the amount of time going through cases to see what needs to be redacted will be extremely time consuming. There simply needs to be a justification for information to not be released when it could affect victims.

It gives a lot more protection to victims of crimes which may require us to redact victim information and not release information about the victims after doing the balancing act, Beaver Dam Police Chief John Kreuziger said.

Schmidt said that government agencies need more direction on where the line is between the publics right to know and the victims rights.

Governmental agencies look to the Department of Justice for legal guidance in difficult situations such as this, Schmidt said. The victims rights constitutional amendment and the open records laws are in conflict and this does not provide clarity. However, as a result of the conflict, our local government agencies need leadership from the Attorney General to make well-educated decisions. I am hopeful that additional guidance will come in the future.
Tim OBrien, author of the award winning 2009 book, The Things They Carried, a work of fiction about his experiences in the Viet Nam War, believes that healing from the pain of war comes only from the telling and retelling of what happened. OBrien believes stories can save us. But he adds, A true war story is never moral. It does not instruct, nor encourage virtue, nor suggest models of proper human behavior, nor restrain men from doing the things men have always done. If a story seems moral, do not believe it. If at the end of a war story you feel uplifted, or if you feel that some small bit of rectitude has been salvaged from the larger waste, then you have been made the victim of a very old and terrible lie. There is no rectitude whatsoever. There is no virtue. As a first rule of thumb, therefore, you can tell a true war story by its absolute and uncompromising allegiance to obscenity and evil.
A handful of residents criticized the Wisconsin Dells School Boards decision to close one of its elementary schools at the end of the school year.

Around a dozen members of the public, at least two of them holding signs that said Neenah Creek Strong, attended the May 24 school board meeting, requesting officials to reconsider the decision to close the building. Four residents spoke against closing the school. The board could not take action on the subject since it was brought up in public comment.

In April, the school board unanimously decided to close the almost 30-year-old elementary school at the end of this school year. The school will be open through June 3.

The 77 students at Neenah Creek will move to Spring Hill Elementary School. School officials say no staff layoffs will occur as a result of the closure. The decision to close Neenah Creek was mainly due to finances, according to school officials, as the district faces around a $1 million deficit next year and enrollment expects to remain stagnant in the Briggsville area. The decision to close Neenah Creek came weeks after the Dells community rejected a $4.8 million operating referendum placed on the spring ballot.
South African materials technology used in CERNs ATLAS experiment

The use of South African technology to produce high tech electronic components will cost five times less than importing the technology from the United States.

A team of scientists from Wits Institute for Collider Particle Physics (ICPP) and iThemba LABS in collaboration with the South African firm, CERadvance Engineering, have developed an innovative solution that will provide a cost-effective solution to the European experiment, ATLAS.

The team investigated the design and production of ceramic cylinders that could be used in the design of a new Low Voltage Power Supply (LVPS) of the ATLAS detector, which is situated along the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. The LVPS will power the next generation of experimental electronics in the ATLAS detector. The locally designed ceramic cylinders would help in reducing heat in the LVPS during the operation of the detector.

In the original design of the ATLAS Low Voltage Power Supply (LVPS), it was assumed that South Africa would need to import American technology in order to meet the design requirements, says Professor Bruce Mellado, Director of the ICPP. This was needed as there was no other technology available in the market that met the stringent performance requirements of ATLAS.

After investigation it was found that the Pretoria-based company, CERadvance Engineering possessed the required expertise and technology to produce the ceramic cylinders required. CERadvance Engineering specialises in manufacturing and production of high-tech ceramic components that can be used to dissipate heat amongst other applications. The company has to date produced over five thousand ceramic cylinders for the first prototypes of the low voltage power supplies made entirely in SA.

According to CERadvance Managing Director, Martin Beyers, the main challenge was to produce the parts to within microns from nominal dimensions.

CERadvance is well-versed in manufacturing to tight engineering tolerances, but since the use of very expensive diamond grinding processes had to be avoided due to the large cost involved, producing the parts to within microns from nominal dimensions as sintered without any further grinding proved to be quite a unique challenge. Working with iThemba LABS and the University of the Witswatersrand on such a prestigious project has been a very rewarding experience, says Beyers.

The use of this South African technology will be more cost-efficient, by a factor of five, compared to importing from the United States, illustrating that South Africa can be competitive on the global stage, says Mellado.

Wits Universitys Edward Nkadimeng, a researcher within the ICPP says that the team have undertaken rigorous thermal testing on the custom-made Al 2 O 3 (Aluminum Oxide) components and were able to demonstrate that this technology performs optimally within an LVPS.

It is important for the ceramic cylinders to be manufactured with great precision as any deviation has been observed to have an adverse effect on the LVPS operating temperatures thereby reducing their life expectancy within the ATLAS detector, says Ryan Mckenzie another Wits researcher.

South African involvement and research at CERN  through the SA-CERN collaboration has contributed vastly to South African research and industry over the years.

Dr Betty Kibirige observed that laboratories such as the one sponsored at the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) by the SA-CERN collaboration, extends opportunities to South Africans from different walks of life, to participate in processes that lead to local cost-effective solutions such as these high-tech ceramic cylinders.

Collaboration between science and industry continues to show how fundamental research contributes to pushing the technical capabilities of our local industry, says Mellado.

The production of these high-tech components on the LVPS ceramic cylinders was possible thanks to a joint and coordinated effort in investing and innovating that now enables local industry and researchers in building complex components more efficiently and cost effectively. The team is grateful for the assistance of the NRF, the DSI, iThemba LABS and other stakeholders in this project.
NEW YORK (AP) - Nine current and former New York City Department of Correction workers have been arrested on charges alleging they took cash bribes to smuggle items including razor blades, drugs and alcohol into city jails.

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss says the workers accepted thousands of dollars in bribes. Prosecutors said in a release that seven individuals were arrested Wednesday in New York, one in Pennsylvania and one in Virginia.

Indictments were returned against seven men and two women in Manhattan federal court.

Authorities alleged that one defendant pocketed over $40,000 in bribes between June 2019 and September 2020.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 09:32:44|Editor: huaxia

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TOKYO, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A Japanese fishing boat on Wednesday collided with a Russian vessel off Japan's northern Hokkaido prefecture, local media quoted the Japanese coast guard as saying.

The Japanese fishing boat capsized after the incident occurred off Monbetsu, Hokkaido, it said.

Among the five crew members rescued, three are showing no vital signs, according to the Japanese coast guard. Enditem
Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-47, has introduced legislation that advocates for the Jewish community following recent antisemitic attacks in New York City, and across the country.

The bill would amend state human rights law and the penal law to provide protections through the appropriate codification of the definition of antisemitism.

Further, acts of antisemitism that incite, cause or result in any act of violence or injury to a person, or the damage to or destruction of property, will be considered a hate crime.

We continue to see antisemitic threats, attacks and vandalism here in New York State and throughout the country, said Sen. Griffo. My legislation will provide additional protection to those of the Jewish faith and ensure that the perpetrators of antisemitic activities face real consequences and are held accountable for their actions.

The bill is currently being reviewed by the Investigations and Government Operations Committee.
ONEONTA, N.Y.  New York State Police in Oneonta arrested a fugitive from Ohio who was wanted following a sting operation by Ohios Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Kyle J. Vansteensburg, 29, was one of 27 men arrested in the sting in August of 2020. He was charged with attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

After receiving a tip that Vansteensburg may be in the Oneonta area, state police found him during a traffic stop on Wednesday. He was the passenger in a vehicle that was stopped for multiple traffic violations on State Route 23.

Vansteensburg was processed and remanded to the Otsego County jail without bail to await an extradition hearing.
PERU, Ind. (WLFI) -- Court documents are shedding light on a case involving the deaths of three people, which includes a 4-year-old child.

As we've previously reported, Mitchell Page is accused of killing Jessica Sizemore, Jessiah Hall, and Rae'Lynn Sizemore.

Prosecutors say they examined the telephones used by Page and Sizemore, and looked at their communication habits.

Investigators say Page and Jessica Sizemore shared a child together.

Authorities say when Page had custody, they would talk to each other about seven to ten times per week.

Officers say from May 16th -- the day of the alleged killings -- to May 21st, there was no attempts to contact each other.

Investigators say they questioned Page about whether he owned a gun.

Court Documents say he told investigators that he owned a handgun, but sold it a year ago.

Law enforcement officials say they conducted a search warrant and found a handgun in a trailer next to the garage at Page's Home.

An Indiana State Police Firearms Examiner tested the gun and said the casings found at the crime scene match the gun found at Page's home.

Page currently faces three murder charges.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI)  Explicit sexual conversations via Google documents came to light Tuesday during a jury trial for an ex-Tippecanoe School Corp. employee accused of child molesting.

As News 18 previously reported, Jennifer Holmgren was an aide at Klondike Elementary School in 2015 when police say she began having sex with a nine-year-old boy.

Police say she continued to molest the boy over the course of four years until she was fired and arrested in November 2019.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys made opening statements, called witnesses and presented evidence Tuesday for the first day of the trial.

Several conversations via email and Google documents were presented as evidence. Witnesses also laid out how Holmgren established a relationship with the boy and his family.

Holmgren's defense attorney, Russell Brown, appeared to sow seeds of doubt among jury members regarding the alleged victim's accusations and the police investigation.

The jury saw explicit sexual conversations via Google documents between school accounts associated with Holmgren and the boy.

Those conversations were uncovered after TSC was flagged about a suspicious email in 2019, Devin Arms, TSC's technology director, told the jury. The email appeared to be sent by Holmgren to the boy and expressed suicidal ideations.

That spurred an investigation by police and the school corporation. Holmgren was arrested and fired several days later.

Nathan Stoneking, a Lafayette police officer, also testified that Holmgren told him she worked with the student when he was in third grade and became close with him and his family.

Brown suggested the boy will testify during the trial but said the case boils down to "he said, she said," and referenced unanswered questions about the police investigation.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Indianas attorney general argues in new legal filings that the governor is wrongly trying to use the courts to expand his powers with a lawsuit challenging the authority state legislators have given themselves to intervene during public emergencies.

Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb asked a judge last month to block the new law passed by the GOP-dominated Legislature following criticism from many conservatives over the statewide mask mandate and other COVID-19 restrictions that Holcomb imposed by executive orders.

Attorney General Todd Rokita, also a Republican and past Holcomb rival, claims in court documents filed late Monday that he is within his legal authority to turn down Holcombs request to take the dispute to court after the Legislature overrode the governors veto of the new law. His offices court filing repeatedly calls the governors lawyers unauthorized counsel in asking for them to be removed from the case.

A lawsuit by the Governor against legislators to invalidate a law enacted over the Governors veto amounts to a demand for a super veto via the judiciary, the attorney generals court filing said. It is no small thing for one branch of government to drag another branch of government to account before the third branch of government. No constitutional provision secures to officials of any branch such extraordinary power.

Holcombs lawyers argued last week that Rokita was making absurd arguments that he alone has the legal authority to represent the state in court and can decide whether the new law is constitutional.

John Trimble, Holcombs lead lawyer with the Indianapolis firm Lewis Wagner, referred questions Tuesday to the governors office, which didnt immediately reply to a request for comment.

The governor and some legal experts maintain the state constitution doesn't allow the new process under which legislative leaders could call the General Assembly into what it calls an emergency session. The governors lawsuit argues that the Legislature is usurping a power given exclusively to the governor under the state constitution to call lawmakers into a special session.

The Marion County judge handling the case hasnt yet set any hearings or indicated when a ruling might be issued.

Rokita sought the Republican nomination to run for governor in 2016 but lost to Holcomb and is widely seen as wanting to succeed the term-limited governor after the 2024 election. He said during last years election campaign that he supported curtailing the governors emergency powers and he didnt defend Holcomb from criticism of his coronavirus restrictions.

The attorney generals latest filing renewed the argument that Holcombs against legislators isnt allowed to proceed now under state law because the General Assembly technically is still in session despite concluding its regular business for the year on April 22. Thats because lawmakers extended the deadline for this years legislative session from April 29 until Nov. 15 because of delays in receiving census data so they can approve new congressional and legislative election districts.

Rokitas office is asking the judge to delay the case for at least 30 days after the Legislature adjourns even if it is allowed to proceed.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI)  The alleged molestation victim of an ex-school employee says they had sex on a near-weekly basis.

The boy took the stand Wednesday during a trial for ex-Tippecanoe School Corporation employee Jennifer Holmgren, who was an aide at Klondike Elementary School.

As News 18 previously reported, Holmgren is accused of molesting the boy over a four-year period beginning in 2015 when he was nine years old.

The boy said he met Holmgren when she would give him reading lessons at Klondike. He said the molestation happened on a near-weekly basis after that.

The boy said the molestation most often happened in Holmgren's car while his family members were inside a local grocery store, but it also happened at her apartment and at a family member's house.

He said Holmgren became jealous when he started showing interest in girls his age and he was afraid to tell her no.

"She would tell me bad things would happen to my family and friends," he told the jurors.

Prosecutors also presented several threatening emails sent in all capital letters from Holmgren's email account to the boy's.

"She would use that to scare me," he said.

During cross-examination, Holmgren's defense attorney, Russell Brown, attempted to poke holes in the boy's testimony, noting inconsistencies between Wednesday's statements and a sworn deposition recorded in 2019.

As part of the second day of her trial, jurors also listened all morning to an in-depth recorded interview from Nov. 8, 2019, between Holmgren and Sgt. Alex Feistel, a detective with the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office.

The interview took place shortly after Holmgren was fired from her position as an aide at Klondike Elementary School. She was 40 years old at the time.

As News 18 previously reported, TSC had uncovered explicit conversations on Google documents between her account and a student's.

Holmgren was confronted with copies of the conversations during the interview. For hours, she denied writing the messages or having inappropriate contact with the boy.

Instead, she blamed the boy for faking the conversations. She said he had access to her account and would often play on her phone.

Holmgren appeared cooperative and friendly in the recording but was soft-spoken, often mumbling and difficult to understand.

She also described how she became a mother-like figure to the boy after tutoring and mentoring him for several years. She slowly connected with his family members, often giving them rides and helping them run errands.

"They were like family to me," she told the detective.

But prosecutors say her relationship with the boy turned sexual.

Toward the end of the three-hour interview, Holmgren admitted to having sex with the boy at least once in 2019. She said it happened in her car while his family members were inside a grocery store.

She was arrested immediately after the interview.

Brown criticized Feustel for his interview tactics and evidence collection. He said police should have searched her car and apartment for DNA evidence.
Woodward, OK (73801)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 89F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
Shell Oil Company's Deer Park refinery located in Houston, US. Shell plans to sell the Deer Park refinery interest to partner Pemex. (File Photo)

THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS: Shell Oil Company, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell Plc, has reached an agreement for the sale of its interest in Deer Park Refining Limited Partnership (Houston, US), a 50-50 joint venture between Shell Oil Company and P.M.I. Norteamerica, SA De CV (a subsidiary of Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex). The transaction will transfer Shells interest in the partnership, and therefore full ownership of the refinery, to Pemex. The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2021.

The consideration for this transaction is $596 million which is a combination of cash and debt, plus the value of hydrocarbon inventory. This transaction allows Shell to further focus its refining footprint while also maintaining integration optionality and retaining value through its chemicals and trading activities.

Shell did not plan to market its interest in the Deer Park refinery; however, following an unsolicited offer from Pemex, we have reached an agreement to transfer our interest in the partnership to them, said Huibert Vigeveno, Shells downstream director. Pemex has been our strong and active partner at the Deer Park Refinery for nearly 30 years, and we will continue to work with them in an integrated way, including through our on-site chemicals facility, which Shell will retain.

 Worldofchemicals News
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 12:51:04|Editor: huaxia

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CANBERRA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Australia's national science agency has announced a research mission aimed at making hydrogen production affordable.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) on Wednesday launched the 68 million Australian dollar (52.9 million U.S. dollar) Hydrogen Industry Mission.

More than 100 research projects will be funded by the mission over the next five years, with a goal of driving down the price of hydrogen production to under two Australian dollars (1.56 U.S. dollars) per kilogram.

Larry Marshall, the chief executive of the CSIRO, said the mission would help create a new industry to meet future energy needs of Australia and the world.

"Australia can become a renewable energy leader through the production, use and export of hydrogen, but it will only become a reality if we breakthrough the $2/kg barrier. That needs Australia's world class science working with CSIRO's commercialization expertise turning breakthrough science into real-world solutions," he said in a media release.

"Taking a Team Australia approach is essential to creating the 8,000 jobs and $11 billion a year in GDP that hydrogen can contribute to Australia's economy as we build back better from the impacts of COVID-19," he said.

Patrick Hartley, the Hydrogen Industry Mission leader, said the science agency was well-placed to drive industry collaboration.

"The goal of this Mission is to support the vision of a clean and competitive hydrogen industry for Australia by delivering research, development and demonstration partnerships which help make Australia's hydrogen markets a reality," he said. Enditem
The White House expects the United States to reach the milestone of 50% adults fully vaccinated on Tuesday. This image shows a vaccination site in Richmond, California, on April 15.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 14:34:55|Editor: huaxia

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by Xinhua writers Liu Xinyong, Li Jian, Chen Shangcai

LHASA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Tsering Pema Lama is from a small Nepalese village near the China-Nepal border. He now manages two businesses in Gyirong County, the city of Shigatse, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

The 21-year-old spends most of his time in the shop selling Nepali products, and occasionally visits his restaurant when it is busy.

Lama moved to Gyirong in March 2020, when China was fighting the COVID-19 epidemic. He intended to take care of his family business as his parents had returned home for a holiday.

Over the past year, Lama, along with many other Nepalese people, has witnessed China's effective control of COVID-19, as well as the friendship between China and Nepal.

Lama underwent a two-week quarantine after entering China. The border port was closed soon after his arrival, and his parents remain unable to return.

"I feel safe here as only a few cases were logged recently in China," he said. In contrast, Nepal has been hit by a surge of new infections since April.

By Tuesday, there had been more than 520,000 confirmed cases in Nepal, with the single-day number of new cases on Tuesday surpassing 7,200. The virus has claimed 6,531 lives in Nepal, according to the World Health Organization. Since late April, most areas in Nepal have been taking strict measures to contain the outbreak, including travel bans.

Gyirong County has strengthened its border control to prevent possible imported cases. There are approximately 60 Nepalese nationals living and working in the county, and local authorities visit them regularly to learn about their needs and provide medical and other necessary services.

"I closely follow the pandemic situation in Nepal and hope that my parents will be as safe as I am," said Lama.

His parents first came to China about 20 years ago, peddling vegetables and Nepalese products. They opened a store in 2013 and, two years later, they opened their restaurant.

"I've been to Gyirong several times over the past two decades. I have many regular customers and friends here. Gyirong has become my second hometown," said Lama.

During peak tourist seasons, his two stores can bring in more than 10,000 yuan (1,554 U.S. dollars) per day, while business usually falls in the winter.

"There are fewer visitors this year due to the pandemic," he said.

Biru Tamang, 35, feels the same. He owns two stores in Gyirong.

Tamang's two children are still in Nepal and are cooped up under strict COVID-19 control measures. "I'm really worried about them and hope the pandemic will end soon," he said.

He is impressed by how China curbed its epidemic. "The measures are well implemented and everyone wears masks in public," said Tamang, adding that he believes these measures were important to containing the virus.

To help Nepal fight against COVID-19, the Gyirong port partially reopened in July last year to allow exports of daily necessities and COVID-19 control supplies to Nepal.

"The port has since delivered 20,000 tonnes of goods with a value of approximately 1.1 billion yuan to Nepal. The value of daily necessities and anti-COVID-19 materials delivered to Nepal has surpassed 3 million yuan during the period," said Dachun, Gyirong's deputy Party secretary.

Gyirong has received new requests for material assistance from Nepal as the latter is seeing a rising number of new cases. Local authorities are actively organizing donations.

"I hope COVID-19 will ebb soon in Nepal with the help from China, and that the border can be fully reopened," said Lama. Enditem
Keeping people out of prisons and increasing public safety, that's what Governor Lee says he wants to do with two criminal justice reform bills. The Governor signed two new criminal justice reform bills this afternoon. News 4s Tosin Fakile was at the signing and has more details on the bill
A meeting on Sunday of the Postal Workers Rank and File Committee in Australia unanimously supported a resolution in defence of David OSullivan, who has been persecuted for defending workers rights to health and safety in their workplace.

OSullivan was sacked after he sounded the alarm at the Cricklewood bus garage in London over the spread of the coronavirus infection. Metroline management and the Unite union responded to this courageous stand by sacking OSullivan, who has been a London transport worker for more than three decades.

David O'Sullivan (credit: WSWS media)

The participants at the meeting had read the appeal published on the World Socialist Web Site last week and pledged to provide whatever support and resources are needed to get OSullivan reinstated. After passing the resolution several Australia Post workers made statements in support of the campaign.

The meeting passed the following resolution:

The Postal Workers Rank and File committee demands the immediate re-instatement of David OSullivan, that he be paid for all loss of wages and entitlements. We resolve to provide whatever resources we can for David OSullivan in his legal appeal against his sacking in the fight for his reinstatement.

We condemn the spineless refusal of the Unite union to defend OSullivan and denounce their participation in his sacking. We call on all UK workers and workers around the world to support OSullivan. We recognise the attack by management on him is an attack on all of us, which must be opposed.

Jim Franklin, Australia Post worker and member of the rank and file committee

I want to express my full support for David OSullivan and the courageous stand he has taken against the murderous policies of the Metroline bus company and the Tory government.

OSullivan has taken a stand for all workers who now face the prospect of going to work to feed their families and run the very high risk of contracting a deadly virus or refuse and face disciplinary action and sackings.

This is not a choice! For speaking up and taking action to protect his family and his co-workers, the bosses, with the complete support of the Unite union, have deliberately attacked a worker who was well within his rights to protect himself and fellow workers from danger.

Many workers have already died or become infected in the bus service in the UK and the response of the companies and the union is to do everything in their power to hide this, to keep workers on the job and profits flowing.

As a postal worker in Australia, we were subjected to the same processes. The company, with the support of the unions, used the pandemic as the opportunity to introduce restructuring and prepare an assault on our conditions of work. They were more concerned with maintaining their profits than our health and safety.

In order to fight this, we formed a rank-and-file committee just like OSullivan and his co-workers did. They have taken a stand and must not be left to fight on their own!

A blow against one is a blow against all and this attack on OSullivan must be defeated. We will do everything we can to support and fight for David OSullivan.

Matthew, Australia Post worker and member of the rank-and-file committee

As a member of the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee in Sydney, I add my voice in support of the victimised London bus driver David OSullivan and call on other workers to do likewise.

Davids sacking after 30 years of service is an outrageous attack set up by the Unite Union and executed by management. In the face of 60 Covid-19 deaths of London bus drivers his courageous stand on calling for independent working-class action in defence of health and lives earned him the vitriol of the union leadership whose stated position is to have no position on the pandemic or force the return to work. Having abandoned workers to the Johnson governments herd immunity agenda they then target any opposition to the ruling classes' sociopathic policy.

This case highlights the need for workers to take matters into their own hands as well as their lives and future. It cannot be outsourced to any third party.

John, another Australia Post worker and member of the rank-and-file committee

I cannot find words that express strongly enough how outrageous it is that David OSullivan was sacked after he sought to alert his fellow workers to the spread of COVID-19 at his workplace. He did this under the Employment Rights Act, demanding his right, and that of his co-workers, to a safe workplace. This makes clear that all these laws are window dressing, and the working class needs to mobilise itself to defend its rights. David was victimized because he was providing that leadership to his work mates.

The fact the Unite union opposed the walkout and gave evidence against David to the companys disciplinary hearing is a real betrayal. It demonstrates that the unions have become nothing more than company policemen in the workplace.

I also demand that David be reinstated and compensated for all the costs of previous losses, and that he be restored with all his legal rights without further sanctions.

Click here to find out more and join the campaign for David OSullivans reinstatement. You can donate to OSullivans legal defence here.
A by-election last Saturday for a lower house parliamentary seat in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) has again demonstrated the widespread popular hostility to the official parties, and particularly the collapse in Labors support among key sections of the working class.

The poll for the state parliamentary seat of Upper Hunter, which covers a substantial regional area several hours north of Sydney, was sparked by the resignation of National Party incumbent Michael Johnsen last March, after it was publicly revealed that he was the subject of a police investigation over an alleged rape in 2019.

Johnsens departure deepened a crisis of the Liberal-National Coalition government of Premier Gladys Berejiklian, which has seen two other MPs resign or move to the crossbench this year. Had it lost Saturdays ballot, the government would have been reduced to a minority.

Despite the circumstances of the election and the indications of disarray in the government, National Party candidate David Layzell retained the seat, with a first preference vote of just 31 percent, down 2.8 percent on the partys result in the 2019 state election.

Labor candidate Jeff Drayton with the party's NSW leader Jodie McKay (Credit: Twitter, @JodiMcKayMP)

While the Nationals vote fell, the decline in first-preference ballots for Labor Party candidate Jeff Drayton was even sharper. Labor received just 21 percent of primary votes, down 7.3 percent in three years.

This was part of a broader turn against the official parliamentary parties. The first-preference votes of the Greens and the Liberal-Democrats both fell. The Shooters, Fishers Farmers party received 12 percent of the vote, down more than 10 percent compared with the last election. The party postures as a populist alternative to the Nationals in regional and rural areas, but has repeatedly collaborated with Coalition governments.

Five independent candidates all gained votes. In their campaigns, the independents condemned the major parties as being out of touch with ordinary people and raised issues relating to the crisis of regional health and education. Kirsty OConnell, who was endorsed by former Coalition Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull picked up almost 9 percent of the first-preference vote.

Dale McNamara, who stood for Pauline Hansons xenophobic One Nation party, received 12.3 percent of all ballots, amounting to more than 5,600 votes. McNamara, a former coal miner, largely campaigned on the issue of mining jobs, calling for the establishment of new coal fired power stations and an expansion of protectionist trade policies.

Right-wing populist formations such as One Nation, which are intensely hostile to the working class, are only able to win a broader hearing as a result of the bankruptcy of the official parties and the absence of a progressive outlet for mounting social discontent within the official political framework.

While indicating the broader fragility of the entire political set-up, the vote has especially intensified a deepening crisis of Labor.

Supporters of NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay have tried to deny that broader conclusions could be drawn from the partys showing in the Upper Hunter. They have noted that the seat has been held by conservative representatives for more than a hundred years, and also pointed to the results in several general elections in other states, where incumbents have received large votes by falsely claiming responsibility for Australias relatively low COVID-19 infections and deaths.

It is clear, however, that McKays leadership is under threat. Two MPs have already resigned, with leaks to the media indicating that more are to follow. Chris Minns, who stood down from his position as shadow treasurer this morning, has been tipped as a potential challenger to McKay.

The crisis of McKays leadership underscores the fraudulent character of the various justifications for the fact that Labor actually lost ground in an election sparked by a highly-publicised sexual misconduct allegation against the Coalition incumbent.

In reality, the result underscores the protracted erosion of Labors support within the working class, after decades in which Labor governments at the state and federal level have presided over the gutting of healthcare and social spending, and a continuous offensive against workers jobs, wages and conditions.

While the Upper Hunter is a mixed electorate, including areas of relatively well-off layers of the middle-class, it encompasses working class towns such as Singleton and Muswellbrook that have been hard hit by the destruction of jobs, especially in the mining sector. The broader Hunter region has frequently registered the highest unemployment rates in NSW. Its official joblessness figure hit 9 percent last year, and still stood at 7.1 percent in March.

Figures from individual polling places indicate that the decline in Labors vote was substantially greater in the most working class areas than elsewhere in the electorate. At the main booth in Singleton, for instance, Labors share of first-preference votes plummeted from almost 40 percent in 2019, to less than 25 percent.

The outcome was a rebuke, not only of Labor, but also its affiliated trade union apparatus. The partys candidate Jeff Drayton was billed as a coal miner from Muswellbrook, but is in fact a full-time official of the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining Energy Union (CFMMEU).

The unions are increasingly viewed by workers as a corrupt instrument of company management. For decades, the CFMMEU has presided over job cuts in the mining sector, as well as unsafe conditions such as those that led to the Grosvenor Mine disaster in central Queensland last year.

Prominent Labor figures have pointed with disquiet to the parallels between the partys result in the by-election and its debacle in the 2019 federal election. In that year, Labors primary vote across the country fell to just 33.3 percent, the lowest level in 85 years. The decline in the partys vote was sharpest in working class areas of the major cities and in regional areas hit by mounting unemployment, where falls in the vote registered well over 10 percent. Labor retained the federal seat of Hunter, but its vote fell by almost 15 percent.

Underlying the 2019 loss was the fact that millions of working people simply did not believe Labors claims that it would improve social services and defend jobs, when the party has for decades spearheaded the corporate offensive against the conditions of the working class.

After the 2019 defeat, Labor used the debacle to shift even further to the right. Its leading figures declared that the result was a consequence of popular fears that its tepid rhetoric about taking on the big end of town and ensuring a fair go for all amounted to class warfare. Current federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese was installed. He pledged to refrain from any rhetoric over inequality and instead talked of efficiency and productivity, code words for pro-business austerity, and to appeal to successful people, i.e., the wealthy elite.

Over the past year, Labor has marched in lockstep with the federal Coalition government, functioning as a constructive opposition. Labor has backed the government handouts at the state and federal level of more than $400 billion to the corporations and the rich throughout the pandemic. When in office at the state level, Labor has implemented policies based on subordinating health and safety to the profit interests of big business.

The Upper Hunter result will intensify a deepening crisis of federal Labor amid ongoing speculation over Albaneses leadership. As in 2019, it will also be used as the pretext for a greater shift to the right.

The federal Labor MP for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon responded to the outcome by declaring that while he will stand as a Labor candidate at the next election, he would not commit to remaining in the party indefinitely, unless it wakes up to itself.

As he has before, Fitzgibbon noted the inability of Labor to win substantial support from coal miners and other sections of workers. His appeal, however, is for Labor to commit to massive subsidies to the mining companies, on top of those already provided, and for an end to token commitments to action on climate change.

Far from being solely the result of issues relating to the coal sector, the collapse in Labors support is both widespread and irreversible. It expresses a developing break between the working class and Labor, which decades ago dispensed with a program of limited social reforms and has been transformed into the most ruthless representative of the corporate and financial elite.
With Indias official totals of daily new COVID-19 infections and active cases falling for the better part of two weeks, the countrys far-right Narendra Modi-led government has begun boasting that the pandemic is on a downward trend. Some opposition-led state governments, including that of Delhi, meanwhile, have announced plans to relax their limited lockdown measures.

Yet India is by any measure in the midst of a social catastrophe. According to the official tallies, in the eight weeks since April 1, total infections have more than doubled, rising from 12.1 to 26.9 million, while deaths have increased by 89 percent to total 307,231 as of yesterday morning. Just in the past week, India has registered an additional 1.73 million COVID-19 cases and 28,512 deaths, or more than 4,000 per day.

Family members pray next to the burning pyre of a person who died of COVID-19, at a crematorium in Srinagar, May 25, 2021. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)

Harrowing as these figures are, they are recognized by allapart from Modi, his minions in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, and their apologistsas gross undercounts. All the more so now that the pandemic is surging through rural India, where testing is limited at best and health care facilities are dilapidated or nonexistent.

For weeks, crematoriums and burial grounds across wide swathes of India have been inundated with the dead, causing them to work through the night. In Modis home state of Gujarat, the heat has grown so intense in some crematorium furnaces that they have started to melt. Dozens of corpses were found floating in the Ganges River earlier this month, and according to NewsClick, citing local media reports, some 2,000 more were found abandoned or hastily buried along its banks in several districts of Uttar Pradesh, Indias most populous state.

Studies in multiple cities and states have shown that as Indias second wave of the pandemic surged in late March and April, crematoriums and burial grounds were processing five to ten times more corpses under COVID-19 protocols than indicated by the authorities pandemic death figures. If extrapolated to all of India, this would mean tens of thousands are currently dying from COVID-19 every day.

The full extent of the unfolding tragedy is unknown, but its scope is indicated by the estimates of scientific experts. Earlier this month, when Indias official death toll was less than 250,000, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation said it believed COVID-19 had already killed almost triple that number, 736,000 people. Yesterday, the New York Times, in consultation with more than a dozen scientific experts from around the world, published three estimates of Indias COVID fatalities. They ranged from a conservative estimate of 600,000 deaths, almost twice the current official tally, to a worst-case scenario, which placed the true number at more than 4 million. The Times more likely scenario was that the pandemic is responsible for a staggering 1.6 million estimated deaths in India.

Indias governments guilty of social murder

This, it must be emphasized, is a man-made catastrophe. In late March 2020, the BJP government imposed an ill-prepared, calamitous six-week lockdown that failed to halt the spread of the virus because it was not accompanied by elementary public health measures and social support for the hundreds of millions who lost their livelihoods overnight. Since then, Modi, at the urging of Indias billionaires and business houses and with the complicity of the opposition parties, has relentlessly pursued a policy of herd immunity that prioritizes keeping the economy open and protecting the profits and wealth of the capitalist elite over fighting the pandemic and saving lives.

This resulted in a long wave of infections and death through last summer and fall, and then to a far more devastating second wave, fueled by new variants, that began in mid-February and threatens to rage through the summer and beyond.

On April 20, with India in the midst of the fastest rise in COVID-19 infections seen anywhere on the planet to date, Modi proclaimed in a broadcast to the nation that his government was determined to save India from lockdown, not save the population from the virus. This doubling down on a policy of mass death to save capitalist profit was coupled with reassurances to big business from Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman that Indias second wave would not delay implementation of a volley of pro-investor measures. These include a massive sell-off of public sector enterprises and amendments to the labour code that further promote precarious contract-labour employment and illegalize most worker job action.

Facing the collapse of their health care systems due to the crush of COVID-19 patients, some state governments subsequently went beyond Modis stated preference for micro-containment measures and imposed partial statewide lockdowns. But they have invariably carved out large exemptions for big business, forcing industrial, construction, logistics and other workers to continue to work under unsafe conditions. And the state governments have offered no more than famine-style relief to the tens of millions of day labourers, hawkers, and service workers who as a result of the lockdowns have once again lost their livelihoods.

Thus, alongside the COVID-19 pandemic there is a second, no less devastating pandemic of joblessness and hunger that is impacting hundreds of millions of workers and rural toilers, whose meager incomes have already been squeezed. A recent study found that last year a further 230 million Indians were pushed below the 375 rupee (about $5) a day poverty line.

In an indication of growing anger and opposition within the working class, autoworkers in the southern state of Tamil Nadu are protesting against being forced to work under unsafe conditions by the transnational car makers and opposition-led DMK state government. Hyundai had to announce a five-day closure starting yesterday after workers staged a factory floor sit-in on Monday. Workers at a nearby Renault-Nissan plant are threatening to go on strike today.

Rural India ravaged by COVID-19

The raging pandemic in Indias rural areas is infecting a virtually defenceless population. Vaccine rates across India as a whole are catastrophically low, with just 11.1 percent of the population having received a first dose as of Monday. But they are only a fraction of this in rural districts. As of May 14, half as many vaccine doses had been administered in semi-rural areas compared to urban districts, and only one third in rural areas compared to urban districts.

Rural areas, which are home to almost two thirds of Indias 1.37 billion population, also lack even the most basic health infrastructure to treat those sickened by the virusa consequence of all levels of the Indian state spending the equivalent of a miniscule 1.5 percent of GDP or less on health care for decades.

An annual report of Rural Health Statistics for 2019-20 published by the National Health Mission under the Union Ministry of Health pointed to the disastrous state of affairs in Indias three-tier health care system in rural areas. Due to a chronic lack of personnel, underfunding, and the absence of basic resources, the subcentres, primary health centres (PHCs) and community health centres (CHCs) are struggling to treat patients.

Based on 2020 population levels, India required 191,461 subcentres, but had only 155,400. Likewise, the number of functioning PHCs was 24,918 compared to the requisite 31,337, and there were only 5,183 CHCs as compared to the required 7,820.

The report went on to note that over 44,000 subcentres and over 1,000 PHCs have no electricity supply; nearly 23,000 sub-centres and nearly 1,800 PHCs have no water supply; about 28 percent of PHCs do not have a labour room for ensuring safe deliveries; a total of 65 percent of PHCs do not have a fully equipped Operation Theatre (OT) prescribed by the norms; and 30 percent of PHCs do not have the minimum of four beds for in-patients.

The acute shortage of healthcare personnel at the PHCs and CHCs was also highlighted by the report. In Bihar, while the government has sanctioned 4,129 posts of doctors for PHCs, only 1,745 have been filled.

CHCs lack key specialists, including surgeons, pediatricians, obstetricians and gynecologists. Despite the fact that the country's 5,183 CHCs need an estimated 20,732 specialists, only 13,266 have been authorised and just 4,957 are in place. These shortfalls are especially stark in some of Indias poorest states. Uttar Pradesh needs 2,844 specialists but has just 816 in place; Rajasthan requires 2,192 but has 438; Madhya Pradesh needs 1,236 but has a mere 46; and Gujarat should have 1,392 but has only 13.

The terrible conditions in Gujarat are revealing due to the fact that Modi spent 12 years as the states chief minister, and the state has frequently been touted as a model for Indias capitalist rise. In the rural Narmada district, which has a population of almost 600,000, there was only one dedicated COVID-19 hospital with 100 beds till the beginning of April. According to the Centres for Disease Dynamics and Economics, Gujarat has less than 100 hospital beds per 100,000 people and the country as a whole 138 bedsboth far below the World Health Organization minimum standard of 300.

Due to the criminal refusal of central and state governments to provide the necessary resources to the chronically underfunded health care system, the task of caring for COVID-19 patients in rural India has largely fallen on Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), an all-female workforce of volunteer community health providers who have received rudimentary public health training. Despite their dangerous and demanding jobs, ASHAs are paid 2000 rupees ($26.40) per month. They have been granted a miserly 1000 rupees ($13.20) in recognition of the additional duties they perform due to COVID-19. Many workers are not even receiving this meagre wage. On Monday, over 42,000 ASHA workers deployed across the southern state of Karnataka boycotted their jobs to protest the lack of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and the state governments failure to pay them for the last two months. We are not even given proper masks, forget good quality PPE kits, Farhana, an ASHA worker in the state capital Bengaluru (Bangalore) told the Indian Express. We are often neglected just like how it was last year as well.

The COVID-19 calamity now engulfing Indias rural areas poses a grave threat to working people around the world. The Modi governments policy of letting the virus rip is creating the perfect conditions for the emergence of new variants that could prove more resistant to vaccines. At the same time, India, which was expected to provide low-cost vaccines to many low- and middle-income countries in Africa and Asia, has banned the export of vaccines till at least the end of the year.

To bring the pandemic under control and prevent further mass infections and death, Indian workers and rural toilers must unite with their class brothers and sisters internationally to put an end to the profits before lives policy embraced by all governments and protect working peoples lives and livelihoods. We strongly encourage everyone wishing to participate in this struggle to attend the online meeting  The COVID-19 pandemic in India and the need for a socialist strategy  being held this Sunday, May 30, at 6 p.m. Indian Standard Time by the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka).
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, speaking alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem Tuesday, reiterated Washingtons whole-hearted support for Israel in the aftermath of the criminal bombing of Gaza.

Blinken said the US was committed to Israels security and fully supports Israels right to defend itself. In practice this means that Israel has the right to do whatever it likes, in defiance of international law, to expand its control of the Palestinian territories, occupied since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, and carry out ethnic cleansing in East Jerusalem and within Israel itself. By implication, wars of conquest are now the order of the day.

President Joe Biden has already promised to replenish Israels arsenal of Iron Dome interceptors that repulsed many of the rockets launched from Gaza. He has also asked Congress to approve a new $735 million package of weapons that Israel will use against the Palestinians.

While Blinken mentioned that the hostilities had resulted in the death of many civilians, including children, he did not utter a word of condemnation of Israels airstrikes against civilians, which killed far more people than the rockets fired from Gaza.

The massive aerial bombardment killed at least 253 Palestinians, including 66 children and 39 women, and injured around 2,000 more, contradicting Israels claims to have solely targeted Hamas arsenals, weapons manufacturing facilities and underground infrastructure network. In contrast, 13 people, including two children and three foreign nationals, were killed and 357 injured in Israel by rocket fire from Gaza.

Protesters carry mock coffins during a symbolic funeral of Palestinian children killed in the 11-day war between Israel and Hamas, at a rally against the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Tuesday, May 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Blinken said the US would help rebuild Gaza as part of its efforts to consolidate the ceasefire.

Speaking later in the day in Ramallah, after meeting Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, he said the Biden administration would ask the US Congress for $75 million in development and economic assistance for Palestinians, provide $5.5 million in immediate disaster assistance for Gaza and $32 million to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

This trifling sum is less than one quarter the estimated $322 million damage inflicted on Gaza by Israel, with Washingtons full political and diplomatic support. Gaza is already suffering from the devastating consequences of Israels 14 year-long blockade and wars waged in 2008-09, 2012 and 2014. It is a drop in the ocean compared to the annual $3.8 billion Washington provides in aid to Israel.

This comes as the UN is set to announce a $100 million appeal for Gaza, far less than the international aid pledged for reconstruction following the 2014 war, amid concerns that it is unlikely to meet its target.

While Blinken said it was necessary to tackle the grave humanitarian situation to prevent a return to violence, he emphasised that Washington would ensure that the Islamic bourgeois party Hamas, which controls Gaza, did not benefit. Instead, any aid is to be channeled through the PA, run by Fatah-affiliated Abbas in the West Bank, so as not to enable Hamasthe Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated group that controls Gazato rebuild its military arsenal.

The 85-year-old Abbas and his corrupt and despised Palestinian Authority are widely seen as Israels subcontractor. Washington has all but admitted the Oslo Accord, with its so-called two state solution and the PA as a transitional step, is dead and buried.

Blinken had earlier told CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS programme, Well be re-engaging with the Palestiniansof course continuing our deep engagement with the Israelisin trying to put in place conditions that allow us over time, hopefully, to advance a genuine peace process. But that is not the immediate order of business.

He added, We have a lot of work to get to that point.

Last month, Abbas was forced to cancel elections, last held in 2006, using Israels refusal to ensure the Palestinians in East Jerusalem could vote as a pretext, when it became clear he would suffer a resounding defeat at the hands of Hamas. He offered only pro-forma verbal support for Hamas and the Palestinians in Gaza at the receiving end of Israels bombardment.

Neither did he offer any resistance to Israels crackdown on Palestinian protests against the storming of the al-Aqsa mosque compound, the planned evictions of the Palestinian families from their homes in East Jerusalem. Neither did he resist the violent attacks of far-right Zionist groups, overseen by the police, against Palestinians within Israel that have left towns and cities with mixed populations looking like war zones. More than 30 Palestinians in the West Bank have been killed by Israels security forces in the last few weeks.

Israels 11-day war on Gaza has increased Hamas prestige, at the expense of both Abbas and the Jordanian monarchy, which is by international agreement the guardian of the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. It has enabled Hamas to pose as the defender of Muslims right to worship unmolested at the mosque and of the Palestinians threatened with evictions in the Sheikh Jarrah, Silwan and Isawiya neighbourhoods of East Jerusalem as part of the Netanyahu governments plans to expand Jewish settlements in the city.

Netanyahus provocations against the Palestinians, which precipitated the war, may have achieved his own personal objective of torpedoing any chance that opposition leader Yair Lapid could form a coalition government, which was dependent upon support of Arab legislators, potentially leaving him facing jail for corruption. But his actions threaten to provoke a social explosion in both Israel and the occupied territories.

Underlying this crisis is the mounting social inequality within Israel which has seen the poverty rate increase to 29 percent, while its richest families have accumulated wealth of more than $61 billion. By far the poorest section of Israeli society are its Palestinian citizens, who have the highest rate of unemployment and face a myriad official and unofficial forms of discrimination in the budgetary allocations for public and social infrastructure.

Blinkens task is to stabilize this disastrous political situation in the Middle Easts only democracy, via Washingtons longstanding interlocutors in the region, Abbas in Ramallah, King Abdullah of Jordan, and Egypts General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, all of whom are sitting atop economic and social powder kegs in the wake of the pandemic.

Netanyahu for his part thanked the US for its firm support during Israels war and warned, If Hamas breaks the calm and attacks Israel, our response will be very powerful. He has previously threatened that Israel would respond to any balloon or rocket attacks from Gaza by assassinating Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and the chief of Hamas Qassam Brigades, Mohammed Deif.

Netanyahu then turned to the issue of the revival of the Iran nuclear deal, saying, I hope that the United States will not go back to the old [agreement]. We believe that the deal paves the way for Iran to have an arsenal of nuclear weapons with international legitimacy. Furthermore, regardless of how the talks currently under way in Vienna go, he insisted, Israel will always reserve the right to fight regimes committed to getting weapons of mass destruction.

Put another way, no other country in the region except Israel could become a nuclear power and challenge its military superiority.
On Monday, Malian troops loyal to the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) junta detained top members of the interim transition government. President Bah Ndaw, Prime Minister Moctar Ouane and defence minister Souleymane Doucoure are now being held in a military base in Kati outside the capital, Bamako.

Colonel Assimi Goita, vice president of the transition and strongman of the CNSP, spoke on television, declaring that he had placed the leading officials outside their prerogatives in order to preserve the transition charter and defend the Republic.

Malian police gather outside the Bourse du Travail where striking workers gathered to protest the arrest of President Bah N'Daw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane by military personnel in Bamako, Mali, on May 25, 2021. (AP Photo)

Goita criticized the interim Ouane government for reshuffling the cabinet in agreement with the President of the transition but without consultation with the vice president, i.e., himself. Two of Goitas key alliesColonels Sadio Camara and Modibo Kone, who occupied the defense and security portfolioshad been ousted from the government the day before. Goita also accused the government of failing to bring the growing strike wave in Mali under control.

The coup comes as Mali and the entire Sahel are rocked by growing social protests against the eight-year French war in the Sahel, and mass strikes. The arrangements on which French imperialism relied to launch its war in 2013supposedly to fight terrorism, but in reality to occupy its former colony, after a coup ousted Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure in March 2012are collapsing. With the war widely hated, workers in Mali are entering into struggle, demanding wage increases.

Last week, the National Workers' Union of Mali (UNTM) called for a five-day strike after negotiations with the government over wages failed. The strike has shut down banks and public services. The union reported that the strike is being widely observed and the country is literally paralyzed.

Strikers are demanding the implementation of key demands including the recruitment of at least 20,000 young graduates into the civil service. Civil servants are also demanding the integration into the public service of all teachers in community schools, and the application of wage increases they obtained in the public sector in 2014 and 2019 for the private sector.

The central aim of the coup, as it has rapidly emerged, is to work with the union bureaucracy and the corrupt political establishment to strangle the strike and crush mounting working class opposition to exploitation, the botched official handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the French war.

Under intense pressure from workers, the UNTM had been forced to threaten an unlimited strike starting on Friday if its demands are not met. However, last night the UNTM seized upon the pretext of the coup to call off the strike. The trade union federation does not want to increase the potential suffering of the population through this new political crisis, UNTM Secretary for Economic Questions Ousmane Traore told AFP.

The treachery of the UNTM bureaucracy points to the underlying aims of the Malian coup plotters, and their backers in Paris: to suppress the growing strike and political militancy among workers in Mali and across the Sahel, so the war and the exploitation of the working class can continue.

Last Friday, Ouane reacted to the mounting strikes by presenting the resignation of his government. Ndaw immediately reappointed him to form a new government. However, this provoked bitter conflicts within Malis so-called transition regime, which emerged last September from the August 18, 2020 coup that toppled President Ibrahim Bouba Keita. The regime is formally tasked with overseeing an 18-month transition back to civilian rule, with elections slated for February 2022.

Not only the CNSP junta, but also the June 5, 2020 Movement-Rally of Patriotic Forces (M5-RPF) opposed Ndaws reappointment of Ouane, with the M5-RPF declaring that it would not join the future government.

The M5-RPF was the principal political organization that backed the CNSPs coup last August, encouraging mass protests by youth in Bamako into the dead end of supporting the CNSP. Both the M5-RPF and the CNSP were heavily supported behind the scenes during last years coup by French imperialism, who backed the coup to block a broader movement of the Malian working class and oppressed masses demanding French troops leave the Sahel.

Relying on these political forces, Goita launched the coup. He clearly calculated that, as during the August 2020 coup, whatever criticisms are made by the imperialist powers will be purely for show, and that Paris will continue supporting him as long as he creates conditions for the French war to continue.

Indeed, the European powers, the US State Department, the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) issued the usual formal condemnations. The UN and the AU issued a joint statement demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the interim officials and adding, the international community rejects in advance any act of coercion, including forced resignations. ECOWAS, the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany also signed the statement.

At Mondays European Summit, French President Emmanuel Macron denounced an unacceptable coup in Mali, threatening EU sanctions against the country. European leaders condemned in the strongest possible terms the arrest of the President of Mali and his Prime Minister, Macron declared, calling it an unacceptable coup d'etat within a coup d'etat.

All of these statements are empty rhetoric designed to provide a democratic fig leaf for a military coup and the suppression of the working class so the war can continue.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian called the coup a coup by force, declining to label it a military coup. Radio France Internationale explained that the purpose of this terminology was to leave a chance to negotiations between Goita and the civilian authorities.

Le Drian made clear that French policy is to put pressure on both army and the political parties to work out a deal backing the transition government and Frances presence in Mali. Speaking to the National Assembly, he said: We demand the liberation of the authorities, whose security must be guaranteed, as well as the immediate return to the normal course of the transition  I insist that, if somehow there was no return to order in the transition, we would take immediate measures targeting political and military leaders who are blocking the transition.

This cynical imperialist policy is steeped in blood. As Paris has tried to play off different ethnic groups against each other, Mali has seen rising sectarian massacres and killings carried out by French-backed forces. The UN Human Rights and Protection Division has catalogued over 100 extrajudicial executions perpetrated by the French-backed Malian Defence and Security Forces (MDSF).

Already suffering from heavy disruptions to its food supply bound up with global warming, Mali has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 14,252 cases and 514 deaths from COVID-19 are widely supposed to be a massive underestimate, as the countrys underdeveloped health care system is swamped.

Because of rising wartime violence in the central and northern regions of Segou, Mopti, Tombouctou, Gao and Menaka, the total number of internally displaced in Mali has exploded from 208,000 to 326,000 in 2019 and 2020, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. The violence has also spilled over into neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger. Mali suffered its deadliest year on record in 2020, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, which counted more than 2,800 casualties.

An essential task of workers internationally is to oppose the French war in Mali and to defend Malian workers struggles against the threats from the Malian army, Paris, and their international allies.
On Monday, Nevadas Clark County Republican Party announced that a previously scheduled Tuesday meeting had to be cancelled due to threats by Proud Boy militia members against elected officials. Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, is home to some 2.2 million people, who comprise more than two-thirds of the states population.

It appears that the Proud Boys, with backing from the sections of the state party, were attempting to replace the party leadership as part of the internecine war within the Republican Party nationally between outright fascists and more traditional reactionaries.

Masked Proud Boys stand at a protest in Raleigh, North Carolina in November 2020. (Anthony Crider/Creative Commons)

Our management team has decided the risk to our members outweighs the value of this meeting, Clark County Republican Party Vice Chair Stephen Silberkraus said at a press conference Monday, at which he announced the meetings cancellation along with the banning of seven people with alleged ties to the Proud Boys.

Following Trumps attempted coup on January 6, elements within the Republican Party who have failed to demonstrate sufficient loyalty to Trump and promote his baseless claim that the election was stolen have been ostracized, while those who have repeated the lie have been elevated.

A recent analysis by Vice found that at least 19 Republican state chairsincluding most of the ones in key swing statespublicly pushed former President Trumps big lie about the election.

Those who have been banned by the county party include three leaders of the local Las Vegas Proud Boys group: Rudy Clai, Matt Anthony (Yankley) and Paul Laramie.

Clai, Anthony and Laramie, along with seven other people, previously filed a lawsuit against the central committees of both the county and state parties, claiming that they were illegally denied entry to Clark County party meetings.

During Mondays press conference, Silberkraus revealed that Proud Boys Clai, Anthony and Laramie had threatened Republican officials, including Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske. Silberkraus also claimed that the group was hosting neo-Nazi social media groups.

He showed images culled from a Telegram group, dubbed Keep Nevada Open, which lists Anthony as its owner and Clai as its moderator. The filthy images include a photo blaming the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on Jews as well as several caricatures of Jews with money. Another post features a video of Adolf Hitler giving a speech as Nazis march in formation.

While they had not formally announced their candidacy, Anthony and Clai were rumored to have been looking to run for the positions of chairman and vice chairman of the Clark County Republicans against a slate headed by State Senator Carrie Buck, whom the current county party leadership is supporting.

Silberkraus said that in addition to threatening elected officials, the group was planning to flood the church where the Tuesday meeting was to be held with supporters, so as to prevent their opponents from entering.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported last week that Clai, Anthony and Laramie had previously threatened two current Nevada Republican politicians, Clark County District Judge Nadia Krall and Clark County School Board Trustee Katie Williams.

Williams claimed that Anthony called her ahead of a May 13 meeting, at which a vote was to be held on whether to extend Superintendent Jesus Jaras contract. Williams told the Review-Journal that Anthony told her to vote the right way, and that people wanted him to do much worse to me.

Williams admitted that she and Anthony were previously friends, and that they first met at an anti-mask rally in May 2020. On her Twitter account last year, Williams, a former beauty pageant contestant, had repeatedly spread fascist QAnon propaganda, including the claim that Wayfair is selling children and if you dont believe that youre probably voting for Joe Biden. She also tweeted, Mandating masks are only helping child sex traffickers get away and hide.

In announcing the banning of the seven Proud Boys, Silberkraus said the county party had decided, nearly five months after Proud Boys militia members spearheaded the attack on the US Capitol, to bar anyone with Proud Boys affiliations from membership in the party, as well as anyone who traffics in intolerance or hateful, anti-Semitic and racist ideology.

The announcement of the cancellation of the meeting came three days after Nevada Senate Republicans issued a statement calling for an audit of a vote at the April 10 state party meeting in Carson City during which Republican Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske was censured.

The statement was issued following a recent Review-Journal article in which Clark County Republican Party Chair David Sajdak claimed that Clai, Anthony and about 40 others had been surreptitiously added to the Clark County Republican roster by Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald ahead of the April 10 meeting.

At that meeting, Cegavske was censured by a narrow 226-212 vote for failing to investigate election fraud and for making public statements refuting former president Donald Trumps baseless allegations of election fraud. McDonald told the Review-Journal that he was not involved in the censure vote and did not recruit anyone to participate in it.

In their statement calling for an audit, the Nevada Senate Republicans wrote: News reports that state party leaders may have formed a relationship with members of the organization known as the Proud Boys to sway the censure vote of a public official is profoundly concerning. If there is a determination that any member or employee of the Nevada Republican Party conspired with these individuals or had knowledge of any wrongdoing in the party vote, Senate Republicans call for their immediate removal and resignation.

Defending himself and the Proud Boys, Chairman McDonald told the Review-Journal that the allegations that he had encouraged the Proud Boys to join the party were slanderous lies. In another statement, McDonald defended the lawsuit filed by Anthony, Clai and others, saying that they had made serious allegations of discrimination on the part of the county party.

In an interview with the Review-Journal, Anthony claimed to have met with McDonald prior to the April 10 vote. Anthony said that McDonald told him they needed to get Clark County in line with the rest of the state. He added that he and about 30 other people went to Carson City to ensure that the censure vote passed.

Our votes absolutely made the difference in censuring, Anthony boasted to conservative host Johnny Bruchhagen during a recent podcast. On the same podcast, Anthony was asked if McDonald knew that Anthony was a Proud Boy.

I believe so. Its not like its a secret, Anthony replied.
Daniel Ellsberg, the US nuclear strategist who leaked the Pentagon papers, has published classified documents making clear that US generals were aggressively pushing for a nuclear attack on Chinese cities in 1958.

In order to maintain control over two tiny islets, Quemoy and Matsu, just kilometres off the coast of China, the US Joint Chiefs of Staff were prepared to carry out nuclear attacks against major Chinese cities, including Shanghai, and to accept the consequences of nuclear retaliation by the Soviet Union against Taiwan, Japan and the United States, leading to the deaths of millions.

A US B-52 nuclear-capable bomber (AP Photo)

These documents are so explosive that the United States government sought to keep them from public view for six decades. They have been revealed only because Ellsbergwho copied them alongside the Pentagon Papers, which exposed the motives behind the US war in Vietnamis risking prosecution under the Espionage act to make them known.

During the Second Taiwan Straits Crisis of 1958, Pentagon war planners believed that the islets of Quemoy and Matsu, a few kilometres from Chinas coast, were indefensible with conventional weapons. The entire military establishment assumed more and more that nuclear weapons would be used in the event of hostilities, noted the documents released by Ellsberg.

Atomic weapons would be employed by the United States and probably by the enemy, Pentagon planners noted, and authority to attack targets on the Chinese mainland would be granted.

There would be atomic weapons strikes by both sides based on the premise that the use of atomic weapons was inevitable.

The US high command pushed aggressively for the immediate use of nuclear weapons against a Chinese offensive against the islands, while asserting that US war aims would include the destruction of Chinese Communist war-making capability.

The United States would have no alternative but to conduct nuclear strikes deep into China as far north as Shanghai, military planners declared. This would almost certainly involve nuclear retaliation against Taiwan and possibly against Okinawa in Japan, as well as potentially the US mainland.

The 1958 fighting between Taiwan and China was a continuation of the Chinese Civil War that brought the Chinese Communist Party to power in 1949 and forced the Kuomintang, under Chiang Kai-shek, to flee to Taiwan.

The United States never reconciled itself to the loss of China as a result of the Chinese Revolution, which was seen as a devastating blow to US global domination.

With US backing, the Nationalists established a military dictatorship on Taiwan, planned to reinvade the mainland and continued to claim sovereignty over all of China. Taipeis territorial claims received recognition as such from Washington, and the Taiwan regime even kept Chinas seat in the UN Security Council, complete with its veto power.

The First and Second Taiwanese Strait crises took place only one and five years respectively after the end of the Korean War, which was launched by the US and its puppet state in South Korea in an effort to overthrow the Soviet-aligned government in Pyongyang while threatening Beijing. Once Chinese troops came to the aid of North Korea, General Douglas MacArthur argued for atomic bombs to be dropped on China, which was averted only when he was removed as US commander in chief in Korea.

Ultimately, the US plans for nuclear war against China in 1958 were never tested because China broke off attempts to regain the islets controlled by the US-backed Kuomintang dictatorship on Taiwan.

Commenting on what is contained in the documents, Ellsberg observed,

Christian Herter, who succeeded John Foster Dulles as Secretary of State, was reported to have said later, The Cuban Missile Crisis is often described as the first serious nuclear crisis; those of us who lived through the Quemoy crisis definitely regarded that as the first serious nuclear crisis.

Despite the explosive and highly significant nature of the documents, they have not been reported in the US press, with the exception of the New York Times article in which Ellsberg explained why he published them.

Ellsberg has published these 63-year-old documents as a warning. As the United States moves to strengthen ties with Taiwan and de facto recognize Taiwanese independencethe geopolitical setup that created the second Taiwan straits crisisit must inevitably follow that the United States is once again preparing to fight a nuclear war with China.

Noting the shallow and reckless character of the 1958 discussions over the use of nuclear weapons over Quemoy and Matsu, Ellsberg warned, I do not believe the participants were more stupid or thoughtless than those in between or in the current cabinet.

In other words, the same murderous mindset that led the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1958 to demand that President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorize immediate nuclear retaliation against a conventional assault by China on tiny islets off its coast exists today within the top brass, whose trigger fingers are even more itchy to test out new tactical nuclear weapons at their disposal.

In March, Navy Admiral Philip Davidson, head of the Indo-Pacific Command, said the timetable for a US conflict with China over the Taiwan strait is manifest during this decade, in fact, in the next six years.

We absolutely must be prepared to fight and win should competition turn to conflict, Davidson said.

In the months since the inauguration of Joe Biden, the United States has carried out the most sweeping change to its relationship with Taiwan since the adoption of the One China policy in 1978.

Biden is the first American president since 1978 to host Taiwans ambassador at his inauguration. Then, last month, the White House announced it was ending limitations on official US government contacts with the Taiwanese government, in what commentators argued was the effective end of the One China policy.

In February, Biden convened a panel of defence officials to reevaluate US policy toward China, which has until next month to issue its findings. Speculation is rife that the Biden administration will formally abandon the decades-long US policy known as strategic ambiguity in relation to Taiwanthe position that has underpinned the One China policy.

In establishing diplomatic relations with China in 1979, Washington de facto accepted Beijing as the legitimate government of all China, including Taiwan, while suggesting that it could come to Taiwans aid in the event of a war with China. If strategic ambiguity is replaced by an explicit pledge to defend Taiwan in a conflict with China, it will only encourage Taiwan to declare formal independence from Chinaa move that Beijing has declared it would oppose with military action.

In other words, by undermining the One China policy and encouraging Taiwanese separatism, Washington is creating the conditions for a war between the United States and China, the two largest global economic powers.

The United States has abandoned the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty and is in active discussions with the governments of Taiwan and Japan on stationing offensive weapons capable of striking the Chinese mainland.

In order to fund its Pacific Deterrence Initiative, the Pentagon has requested the doubling of its budget for the Indo-Pacific region, while the Biden administration has proposed the largest military budget in US history.

But wars are not fought through weapons alone. There must be a casus bellia justification to sell a predatory war to the public. The United States media and political establishment is busy manufacturing a casus belli, centered at present on the claim that COVID-19 is a biological weapon manufactured by China.

Last year, the Trump administrations trade adviser Peter Navarro, author of a 2006 book titled The Coming China Wars, charged that COVID-19 is a weaponized virus that was spawned by the Chinese Communist Party.

As the World Socialist Web Site warned at the time,

These allegations have a definite logic. If the Chinese government deliberately allowed and encouraged the coronavirus to infect the United States and Europe, this would be an act of biological warfare that goes far beyond the terrorist attacks of September 11. It would mean that China had carried out an act of war against the United States. With unbridled recklessness, in order to justify its own criminal indifference to the lives of millions of people, the Trump administration is setting up a situation that can make military confrontation with China unavoidable.

At the time, this conspiracy theory, with no scientific basis whatsoever, was rejected by significant sections of the Democratic Party and major news outlets. But over the past week, the Wuhan Lab conspiracy theory has been openly embraced by all of the broadcast news networks, the White House, and even Dr. Anthony Fauci, who previously condemned it. On Monday, Fauci declared, I am not convinced about a natural origin of the disease.

Under the Trump administration, US imperialism carried out a strategic reorientation of its military policy. The Pentagon declared that Great power competitionnot terrorismis now the primary focus of US national security. The Trump White House left the Intermediate Range Nuclear forces treaty, and began to decouple the US economy from China.

Biden has intensified this build-up toward conflict with China, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken declaring that China is the only country with the economic, diplomatic, military and technological power to challenge the United States.

Washingtons war plans against China are rooted in the decades-long crisis of US imperialism. With its share of global economic output declining year after year, the United States sees military force and intimidation as the only means of ensuring its continued global supremacy. The use of military force against Chinaincluding the use of nuclear weaponsis embedded in the logic of capitalist geopolitics.

But this does not mean war is inevitable. In 1917, after four years of slaughter that led to the deaths of over 20 million people, the working class of Russia intervened to stop World War I by overthrowing the Tsarist autocracy and the capitalist order that it defended.

This once again is the only alternative to a new and far more catastrophic world war. If war is to be avoided, the working class must intervene on the basis of a socialist program aimed at uniting its forces across the globe in a struggle to put an end to capitalism.
With Perus COVID-19 pandemic spiraling out of control and the countrys health care system in a state of collapse, the government has sent in police squads to evict thousands of homeless and unemployed people from land they had occupied in and around the capital of Lima.

Peru has recorded the highest number of COVID deaths per million of any country in Latin America, while simultaneously suffering the continents sharpest economic decline as a result of the pandemic. As a result, thousands of working class and poor families, left without jobs or roofs over their heads, have taken over land and erected makeshift homes on the outskirts of Lima and other Peruvian cities.

In March and April of this year, between 4,000 and 10,000 families set up shanty homes on the Lomo de Corvina and El Morro Solar hills, while another 100 families moved onto the small, polluted beach of La Chira, all located south of Lima. They constructed houses using materials such as stones, plastic and sticks, along with blankets, tents and cardboard.

Families moving onto the hills outside Lima (Credit: Oxfam)

Homeless families also set up structures on land in Jicamarca to the east of the capital city. Likewise, 300 people moved into the Hijo de la Caledonia II settlement, where houses have been built with prefabricated materials and corrugated metal roofs. We have talked with the authorities. We are not invaders, and we have been there for more than two months. The only thing we ask is that the state gives us its support, a woman commented to the daily La Republica.

The land occupations threatened to spread to San Cristobal hill, an icon of Lima where a large illuminated statue of Christ on the cross towers over the city. The hill is located in the Rimac district, originally built by the Spanish nobility in colonial times and today has been turned into an overcrowded and impoverished workers district.

The corporate media immediately denounced the invasions as illegal and demanded the Peruvian National Police (PNP) evict the settlers. They invoked a law passed in 2015 by Perus notoriously corrupt congress, which punishes land invasions with prison sentences.

With the aim of gaining time while an assault was being prepared, initially the authorities of the affected districts said the PNP would act with caution, respecting citizens rights. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

In numerous evictions, police resorted to force, firing tear gas at families, including children and the elderly, who resisted the orders to leave. To defend themselves, families threw stones at the attacking police. Several arrests were made. The operation was conducted by more than 2,300 police officers.

We need a roof over our heads. We are ... sleeping (on Morro Solar). They are not going to remove us because we are in need. Even though we dont have running water or electricity, well find a way out. Every invasion starts like this, from scratch, a man who had come with his wife and children told La Republica.

People evicted from the Lomo de Corvina hill are now camping in the streets of Villa El Salvador, a working class district in the southern cone of Lima. We will be there every day until they give us a small piece of land. We have nowhere to live. We have no money; we havent eaten since yesterday. I have my 13-year-old daughter, and she is not studying, said a woman who was evicted.

Another woman said she was evicted by her landlord in the Ventanilla district, located to the north of Lima about 10 kilometers from Lomo de Corvina, because she could not pay the monthly rent. A third woman stated that all her relatives had lost their jobs.

Miserable living conditions have led to the occupation of land reserved for real estate development projects in other cities.

In Iquitos, on the banks of the Amazon River, the police evicted 2,000 people who took over land dedicated to specialty crops.

Likewise, the government of the department of La Libertad, in northern Peru, reported the removal of various rustic constructions and other acts of invasion, committed by those who were trying to take over land in the Huanchaco Sea Project Area.

Showing contempt for the lives of families who have nowhere to live, the head of the Secretariat of Social Management and Dialogue of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (PCM), Gisselle Huamani, said of those being evicted by the police, They should be the ones to leave the place and return to their original homes.

It apparently did not occur to her that these people have no homes that they can return to precisely because they have lost their jobs and are homeless. This is the result of the criminal mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic by a corrupt government in the service of the Peruvian oligarchy and the transnational banks and mining companies.

Invoking the Constitution enacted in 1993 under the authoritarian regime of President Alberto Fujimori, which favored foreign and national investments at the expense of workers rights, the government declared: Today in Peru there is no legal basis for expropriating land. This is an attack against private property in Peru and does not comply with the Constitution, which is above any law. It is an openly illegal project.

It only benefits land traffickers and causes families to live in precarious conditions and without basic services for several years, stated the Minister of Housing Solange Fernandez, as if those occupying the land had access to better conditions somewhere else.

Fernandezs statement was quickly refuted by those occupying the land. There are no land traffickers here, we just want to live because before we were in a rented room that charged us 300 soles (US$ 80) and, due to the pandemic, we no longer have a job, they threw us out. I have been a tenant, we have been on the street, but now we occupy this place peacefully, one of the occupiers told America Noticias.

To cope with the lack of cheap land and affordable housing, for many years working class families have been moving outside of Lima, looking for a space where they can afford to build a home for their children. Traveling south of Lima, one sees one settlement after another. In many cases, these residents are forced to commute 60 kilometers to the capital in search of work.

The precarious houses are built on barren hills because almost all of the coastline, up to 120 kilometers away from Lima, has been taken over by the bourgeoisie, building private beach-housessome valued at more than US$ 500,000with non-owners denied access to the beaches.

The invasions are one more expression of the inability of Peruvian capitalism to satisfy the basic needs of the working class and the poor. The eight-year deceleration of the countrys economy has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis. The Peruvian state is collapsing under the weight of decades of corruption in which every living former president is implicated.

The health situation is out of control. According to the Ministry of Health (MINSA), as of May 22, the number of recorded deaths due to COVID-19 had reached 68,358, and the number of infections 1,926,923. Excess deaths, a concept developed by an economic model that includes 121 socioeconomic variables, indicates that the true COVID-19 death toll for Peru is at least three times higher than the one reported by MINSA.

Government incompetence has led to serious delays in vaccinating the population. Besides essential personnel, only those 60 years or older are scheduled to be vaccinated. Having money matters. The deadly virus attacks workers more severely than the wealthy, many of whom have flown to the US to be vaccinated.

Perus Central Reserve Bank (BCR) indicated that GDP contracted by 30.2 percent in the second quarter of 2020. Approximately nine million workers have lost their jobs since the start of the pandemic in March of last year, while an estimated 3,330,000 have fallen into poverty, bringing the share of the population living below the poverty line to over 30 percent.

The precarious economic situation led BCR President Julio Velarde to admit, It is the biggest fall in the last hundred years, really dramatic.

As a faithful servant of the national bourgeoisie, Velarde gave an optimistic projection aimed at preventing panic among foreign and domestic investors. He stated that the BCR was projecting an 11.25 percent increase in GDP for 2021. This figure can only be met if the government carries out criminal efforts to reopen the economy at the expense of more people dying. April 2021 was the worst month of the pandemic, with 8,255 dead, surpassing the previous record in June 2020 of 8,165 dead.

The national currency, the nuevo sol, has hit historic lows against the US dollar. In the last 12 months, it dropped 11.46 percent. And since the Peruvian economic slowdown began eight years ago, it has lost a third of its value. As result, prices are rising, particularly for basic food items.

The confrontation over land occupations is one more expression of the desperation and anger of millions of working class families who for the past 14 months have been living under nightly curfews and total lockdown on Sundays.

Since the end of 2020, hundreds of thousands of youth, university and high school students occupied the streets to protest an antidemocratic congressional coup. This was followed by agricultural workers blocking the main access roads into Lima for more than a month in a struggle over wages. Drivers in the capital have staged several strikes. Miners have struck over the spread of COVID-19 infections and deaths in the mining camps, and municipal workers have walked out over unpaid wages.

Peru will stage a second round of its presidential elections on June 6, with neither of the two candidates offering any alternative for the Peruvian working class.

The petty-bourgeois populist demagogue and rural teachers union leader Pedro Castillo of the Peru Libre party has sought since his first-round victory to reassure the Peruvian bourgeoisie and the transnational mining companies that he has no intention of implementing his partys campaign promises of nationalizations. Instead, he has merely proposed a more rigorous enforcement of tax laws, while disassociating himself from extremists and declaring himself a democrat and a Catholic.

Castillo is running against the candidate of Fuerza Popular, Keiko Fujimori. The corrupt and fascistic daughter of the former dictatorial President Alberto Fujimori, now serving a 25-year sentence for crimes against humanity, she is running a rabidly anticommunist campaign.

According to the latest poll by the Institute of Peruvian Studies, Castillo is leading with 34 percent against Fujimori with 30 percent. One-third of those polled indicated they would cast blank or spoiled ballots in protest. This figure is remarkably high given that elections are less than two weeks away. But it still underestimates the popular anger against a capitalist society that has driven millions of working class families and small business owners into poverty, while making a tiny minority of the population very wealthy.

Given the growing political instability and popular anger, Peru is ripe for the kind of mass uprising that has erupted in the neighboring country of Colombia.
The World Socialist Web Site is publishing statements from former coal miners in the UK in support of the Pike River Families Committee, which represents 23 of the 29 families of the men who died in the 2010 Pike River coal mine disaster in New Zealand. The families are fighting to overturn the Labour Party-led governments decision to end an underground forensic investigation of the mine. The government aims to prevent the recovery and examination of evidence that could be used in criminal prosecutions of those responsible for the disaster.

More than a decade after the explosions at Pike River, no one has been brought to justice. Successive governments, union bureaucrats, and state agencies have protected the companys executives and managers, whose negligence turned the mine into a death trap. The WSWS urges readers around the world to read and share our statement, Justice for the 29 miners killed at New Zealands Pike River!, and send messages of support for this crucial fight.

To read previously published statements of support, click here and here.

Malcolm Bray:

Firstly, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones at the Pike River mine in New Zealand on that terrible day.

As a former coalminer I fully understand the dangers of working underground. Where I live in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was the heart of the former mining industry in Britain.

The disaster at the Pike River mine was an absolute disgrace, considering the developments in mining technology, from advanced gas detectors and even miners safety lamps that have been a reliable gas detector for many years in the mining industry, to the massive fans that are used to circulate fresh air around the mine. These types of disasters are entirely preventable if the mine owners utilised this technology properly rather than prioritising profits. That is why the Labour-Green government is keen to seal off the mine denying these workers the dignity of a funeral and burying the evidence which would show the culpability of the company.

I fully support a full investigation into the deaths of the 29 miners at Pike River. However, this must not be left to the powers that be. We know the outcome would only lead at most to a slapped wrist fine and coverup. The families need answers, which would and should lead to the rightful prosecution of the company and all those responsible.

British miners facing police during the 1984-1985 strike. (Source: How the Workers Revolutionary Party Betrayed Trotskyism)

I went through the Miners Strike of 1984-5. We were savagely attacked by the Tory government led by Margaret Thatcher and the state. What we experienced was the full brutality of the British ruling class. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) under the left leadership of Stalinist Arthur Scargill was incapable of standing up for the rights of miners and their families  he claimed it was not a political struggle against the government, allowed the miners to be isolated and put forward economic protectionism, pitting miners here against their class brothers internationally.

What I came to realise is workers cannot find justice within a system which only cares about profits over the lives and safety of workers. This has clearly been shown and highlighted during the pandemic.

Workers have been treated with indifference and contempt, everything is to suit the profit aspirations of the rich. The working class throughout the world is one class and must be united as one class. When the working class realise that, there will be no holding them back. Together, we can win everything. Nothing for the working class can be won through a national perspective and that's why the miners strike in 1984-85 failed despite its militancy. Many workers around the world have suffered the same fate since.

The struggles of workers are linked by the world crisis of capitalism. All the struggles must be joined, whether its workers on strike, opposition to war and social inequality and defence of basic rights against the attempts to divide along national and racial lines. If workers are isolated, then it can only lead to one conclusion: injustice and defeat.

The bereaved families of the Pike River mine in New Zealand must seek international support. The campaign by the WSWS is doing this, in the process of building international rank and file committees. I believe this is the only way forward for all workers the world over. I fully support your campaign for justice and to hold those criminally responsible to account.

The Miners Strike 1984-85 Facebook page is promoting your heroic stand and sharing coverage from the WSWS to bring news of your struggle to as wide an audience as we can.

Best wishes,

Malcolm B, ex-coal miner, UK

Raymond Purcell:

Yet again the mining community has been let down by a government that was formed originally on the backs of many miners to protect workers rights. This government should hang its head in shame for not carrying out a full and sensitive inquiry into the deaths of hard-working miners in this terrible disaster. Just why a full forensic investigation is not going ahead is beyond me as this would give peace to the families and real closure to a Labour government and not a cover up as this seems in my opinion to be.

I worked as coal miner for 23 years at Wearmouth colliery Sunderland UK. Our mine was worked for many miles under the North Sea, which took the lives of many people. As with all mining this is an extremely dangerous occupation which we all knew. But this is what makes coal miners a remarkable group of menwe all know the dangers but we still want and deserve a safe environment to do our job. When this safety stops and a tragedy happens then a full and honest inquiry is needed to prevent another mans life being taken in a similar way.

So please do the right thing.

Raymond Purcell (ex-miner)

Andrew:

As an ex-coal miner from the United Kingdom, this would be an accident waiting to happen as the ventilation system that was in place was inadequate.

Mick Hutchinson:

It stinks to think they could be so close to their loved ones and again it all comes down to money. Let me say this: money should never come into this. We all know that their loved ones have died. So get on with the recovery and bring their loved ones home so they can say their last goodbyes, for gods sake.

Retired Miner from Yorkshire coalfield x
The Sri Lankan government on Monday announced travel restrictions for the next two weeks, until June 7, in response to surging coronavirus infections. It followed calls by medical experts for a strict lockdown of the island. President Gotabhaya Rajapakse, however, has warned state officials not to make any unauthorised media statements, claiming it could intensify popular concern about COVID-19.

The official total number of coronavirus infections in Sri Lanka has climbed to over 167,170 with more than 1,240 deaths. In the last five days, the daily average of new infections spiked to over 3,300 with an increase of 65,000 cases, or a 70 percent rise, in the past month.

Sri Lankan army soldiers guard a check point during restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus in Colombo, Sri Lanka, May 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

State Minister of Health Sudarshini Fernandopulle has admitted that there were about three times as many patients in society as reported. Her statement was in response to repeated statements by medical experts that the real number of coronavirus infections and deaths was much higher than officially reported. The number of COVID-19 infections is also inaccurate because the government has directed health authorities to use the limited PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test.

Last week, the Colombo office of the World Health Organization (WHO) held what it called a brainstorming session about Sri Lankas COVID-19 situation. More than a dozen epidemiologists and other medical experts participated, including Dr. Olivia Nieveras and Dr. Palitha Abeykoon from the WHO Colombo office, and Professors Malik Peiris, Nilika Malavige and Dr. Padma Gunaratne.

These highly-qualified experts called on the government to introduce strict restrictions on non-essential human mobility with a two- or three-week lockdown in high transmission areas, and an expansion of medical facilities with intensive care units. The decisions we take now will affect the lives of millions of Sri Lankans, they warned.

The public sector health system is stretched to the limit, making it difficult to manage COVID-19 cases as well as other essential services. More health professionals and preventive staff (e.g., public health inspectors) are getting infected and HR [human resources] policies need to be geared to meet the urgency. There is a tipping point beyond which the system can rapidly go out of control, the experts stated.

This tipping point, in fact, is rapidly being reached. According to reports, thousands of infected patients are being told to stay at home due to the lack of hospital beds. Health workers are increasingly unable to deal with the worsening situation.

Sri Lankas health care infrastructure has been run down by successive governments which have slashed health spending. In this years budget, the Rajapakse government cut health by 28 billion rupees ($US140 million) and only allocated 10 billion rupees or 0.1 percent of gross domestic product to contain the pandemic. At the same time, it announced plans to increase defence and police spending to 440 billion rupees in 2021, up from 393 billion rupees in 2019.

A joint call for a 14-day lockdown was issued by the Sri Lanka Medical Association, Association of Medical Specialists, Sri Lanka Medical Intercollegiate Committee and Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA).

The GMOA, the main doctors union, added its name in response to public criticism by its members over the associations backing of the governments dangerous policies and its ignoring of pandemic-related problems in the hospitals.

The governments two-week lockdown announcement has been accompanied by growing calls for censorship.

Addressing a COVID-19 taskforce meeting last Friday, President Rajapakse declared that responsible officials should not unnecessarily hold media briefings and panic the public about the pandemic. Officials should directly contact him if there was a problem, he said.

Army commander General Shavendra Silva, who is head of the COVID-19 prevention taskforce, also criticised medical officials for holding press conferences without informing the president. Rajapakse appointed Silva task force chief in March 2020, marginalising health officials and placing the governments response to the pandemic under military control.

Last week, Health Ministry Secretary Dr. S.H. Munasinghe, an in-service major general, issued a circular threatening disciplinary action against health officials who made media statements that violated the ministrys rules and regulations.

State Health Minister Fernandopulle insisted that there was no government censorship, but added that the media had a responsibility to publish factual and accurate information.

The Rajapakse government is clearly nervous about the growing popular opposition to its increasingly reckless and criminal response to the deadly pandemic and is attempting to stifle any criticism of its policies.

After announcing the new COVID-19 travel restrictions, Rajapakse declared that steps had to be taken to keep factories open. On the same day his brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, told senior Central Bank officials not [to] let the country fall, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Colombos determination to keep its export factories operatingthe apparel industry in particularis taking a terrible toll on workers. This was revealed at MAS Holdings, the giant Sri Lankan and South Asian-based export apparel producer. While the company earned over $US1 billion in revenue last year, hundreds of its workers have tested COVID-19 positive at many of its Sri Lankan plants.

This includes 380 workers at Thulhiriya Thuruli, 300 at Biyagama Active Linea Intimo, 450 at Panadura Unichela, 100 at Pannala Slimline, 22 at Kilinochchi Vanavil. These factories employ between 2,000 and 3,000 people so many more workers are likely to be infected.

Hundreds of workers have also been infected in Sri Lankas free trade zones. Some of these factories were only closed after employees refused to keep working in the unsafe facilities.

Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva hypocritically told the media that he had ordered health officials to inquire into whether the Thuruli factory management had followed guidelines. The factory, in fact, had only carried out PCR tests of its workforce. When three employees were privately tested, they discovered that they had been infected.

In March, President Rajapakse met with apparel factory owners and discussed looking into the possibility of relaxing certain health guidelines imposed on the garment sector without affecting the public health conditions of the country.

The Rajapakse administration, like its counterparts across the sub-continent and internationally, will do whatever is necessary to maintain company profits. As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared last month, even as a tsunami of coronavirus infections and deaths swept across his country, we have to save the country from lockdownin other words, capitalist profits take precedence over human lives.
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The Undercover Policing Inquiry (UCPI) has provided a carefully managed account of state infiltration in the Workers Revolutionary Party (WRP).

Until 1986, the WRP was the British section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI). The section was expelled by the ICFI for its betrayal of Trotskyist principles and a new British sectiontodays Socialist Equality Partyestablished from the faction which supported the ICFI.

As the most prominent section of the international Trotskyist movement up to the mid-1980s, and with significant standing in British politics, the WRP was of serious interest to the British police and intelligence services.

Workers Revolutionary Party leader Gerry Healy speaking at its founding conference in 1973 (credit: WSWS media)

The UCPI is a damage limitation exercise by the British state, established in 2015 after the exposure of widespread use of undercover police agents against political organisations. Between 1968 and 2011, over 1,000 political groups were targeted by the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS), part of the polices Special Branch, and the National Public Order Intelligence Unita private organisation funded by the Home Office. The Metropolitan Police disbanded the SDS in 2008.

Evidence published by the UCPI relating to the WRP covers the years 1973 to 1976. The party is mentioned in the SDS annual reviews of 1973, 1974 and 1975. Reports from two undercover police officers operating within the WRP cover the period January 1974 to December 1976.

The Socialist Labour League (forerunner organisation to the WRP) is mentioned in the annual review of 1972 and is the subject of two specific reports from undercover officersone from February 1971 and another from April 1973.

Neither of the police officers who it is admitted infiltrated the WRP have been named. They are referred to only by their inquiry codes HN303 and HN298 and by the aliases they adopted while undercover, Peter Collins and Michael Scott.

Information provided by the two police spies gave the SDS access to lists of attendees at private WRP meetings, internal party documents, factional disagreements and splits, party security protocols, plans for upcoming public events and campaigns, figures for sales of the WRPs newspaper and money raised in fundraising drives, and personal details about the lives of party members. The officers reported on branch meetings in Hackney and Stoke Newington, sub-district meetings in North London, East London and East Ham, London aggregate meetings and several national conferences.

Extensive details were provided in a 23-page report of the special delegates conference in July 1974 which debated the WRPs constitution, including of the stringent security measures to safeguard the event, the content of the speeches given, the progress of financial campaigns and an estimate of the size of the partys membership and of possible splits within the leadership. The officer provided copies of proposed amendments to the constitution.

A similarly thorough 18-page account was given of the first party conference in January 1975, again recounting the conditions of extraordinary security under which the event was held, the course of the debate and votes, and any indications of bad blood between leading members.

In shorter memos, Collins and Scott relayed information about the WRPs campaign in defence of the Shrewsbury Twovictimised construction workers Des Warren and Ricky Tomlinsonand efforts to organise builders action committees, the partys work through the All Trades Union Alliance, its presence among British Leyland workers and work to win supporters among the Labour Party Young Socialists.

Workers Revolutionary Party members and supporters marching in London in February 1975 to free the Shrewsbury Two

Three of the published documents inform the SDS of the composition of the WRPs leadership.

The officers also reported on the marriage arrangements of a branch secretary, the pregnancy of the national organiser of the WRP Young Socialists and members employment details. Heavily redacted documents precisely track the movements, employment and car ownership of a particular individual (or individuals) who was (or were) the subject of separate Special Branch investigations not released.

According to the record presented by the UCPI, the sustained police interest in the WRP then came to an abrupt halt in the mid-1970s. This account is entirely implausible and internally self-contradictory.

In the 1975 SDS annual report, the section on the WRP concludes, Since their potential for public disorder appears to have diminished, SDS coverage for this organisation will now be withdrawn. But the Inquiry has published five reports submitted by undercover officers in 1976, and one in 1982. These include a report showing internal knowledge of the WRPs plan to reorganise its press and another on the suspension of a Central Committee member.

The report submitted March 11, 1976 underscores how absurd is the idea that the state lost interest in the WRP after 1975. It relates to a party training course undertaken by the undercover officer at the White Meadows WRP College of Marxist education in Parwich, Derbyshire. Just a few months before, in September 1975, the Parwich centre had been raided by Special Branch on the pretext of a defamatory article published in the Observer .

The True Spies documentary, broadcast by the BBC in November 2002, implicated Special Branch in framing the WRP for the raid using an undercover agent. One element of the operation was the placing of nine 22-cal bullets to be discovered in a stairwell.

The raid followed a debate in the House of Lords on February 26 on the threat of subversion and extremism, held amid rising social and industrial unrest. It was introduced by Lord Chalfont who described the WRP as one of the most important revolutionary groups[s].

The Earl of Kimberley stated in the debate that the WRP was by far the most dangerous of the Trotskyist organisations in this country. It is larger, better organised, and, from the point of view of industrial agitation, more intelligently led than its rivals.

The SDSs own annual reports indicate similar concerns. The 1972 summary notes that the then Socialist Labour League is gaining support for its indoor meetings. The 1973 summary refers to the party going all out with their recruitment campaign and to real progress being made by the WRP in the trade unions, which does not bode well for future industrial harmony. The 1974 summary describes the WRP as being heartened by its recruitment campaign and by its growing financial support, adding that the party is likely to be in the van of industrial unrest.

No account is given in the 1975 report of why the WRPs potential for, in the polices words, public disorder was suddenly considered to be diminished. It simply notes that the party has continued its support for the release of the 'Shrewsbury Two and held several indoor meetings and outside demonstrations protesting against the raid and demanding a full enquiry, which gained little practical support from other revolutionaries.

Workers Revolutionary Party leader Gerry Healy (centre wearing tie) on a march through central London in February 1975 to free the Shrewsbury Two

Bizarrely, again with no additional explanation, the report also claims that one of the SDS officers in the WRP, Peter Collins, has penetrated the National Front, at the instigation of a leading member of the Workers Revolutionary Party with whom he is particularly friendly.

The proceedings of the UCPI investigation clarified none of these questions. Peter Collins was not called to testify on grounds of ill health. Michael Scott suffered a prolonged bout of amnesia, repeatedly claiming I cant recall when asked about his undercover activities in the WRP or suggesting reports could have been the work of the conveniently absent Collins.

Steps were taken to ensure no difficult subjects or questions could be raised. No one from the WRP was afforded core participant status and given the opportunity to participate in the UCPI. The Socialist Equality Party applied for core participant status, but was rejected on the spurious grounds that it had not been directly targeted. In fact, by penetrating the WRP, the SDS was infiltrating the ICFI, of which the SEP is now the official representative in Britain.

What has been carried out under the guise of an inquiry is a cover-up. Having been forced to release certain documents, the state has ensured the UCPI obscures the full extent of its surveillance of the SLL/WRP.

There is no rational reason to believe that only two agents were operating within the party, let alone that all undercover work ceased in the mid-1970s. That the UCPI keeps this hidden signifies either that there were too many agents to publicly admit to, or that they were of such a high level that the state will not compromise them in any way.

Special Branch works mostly for the security services, especially MI5 which also carries out its own operations against left-wing political organisations. Under British law, MI5 officers cannot lay hands on members of the public and generally relies on Special Branch to carry out arrests, interrogations and in preparing cases for prosecution. Special Branch most notably assists in MI5 spying operations.

Referring to the undercover report on White Meadows, Counsel to the Inquiry David Barr QC acknowledged, there is also a document which suggests that the intelligence was passed on to the Security Service, who were appreciative of the White Meadows operation.

Proof from the UCPI that MI5 had an interest in SDS operations in the WRP adds to previous claims by multiple sources that the party was targeted by intelligence operatives.

In 1987, former MI5 agent Peter Wright published his memoirs, Spycatcher, which revealed the far and wide left was one of the agencys priorities in the 1970sthe WRP is specifically named.

In 1990, then Labour MP Ken Livingstone claimed in a public meeting of the Marxist Party, set up by former WRP leader Gerry Healy, that high level MI5 agents had infiltrated and been tasked with breaking up the WRP. Livingstone confirmed the allegation in a letter to the ICFI, but rebuffed its demand to reveal his sources and provide the proof.

In 2000, another former MI5 agent, David Shayler, alleged in a sworn statement that the Security Service received reports from a high-level spy in the WRP (then the SLL) in the late 1960s.

The truth behind the cryptic statements, redacted reports and scraps of anecdote must be uncovered. State infiltration is a life-or-death question for the revolutionary movement and must be guarded against and exposed by the working class.

In 1975, the year Special Branch claims it lost interest in state surveillance of the WRP, the International Committee of the Fourth International launched the first systematic investigation by the Trotskyist movement into the assassination of Leon Trotsky by a Stalinist agent in Mexico, August 1940.

Security and the Fourth International not only revealed the circumstances surrounding the brutal murder of the great Marxist theoretician of world socialist revolution. It led to the exposure of the network of GPU and American intelligence agents within the Fourth International that ensured the success of Stalins conspiracy against Trotskys life. It also laid the basis for exposing continued state operations against the Trotskyist movement in the United States and other countries. Numerous other examples of the work of state agents targeting left tendencies and the Irish republican movement in the UK and elsewhere were also documented.

This proceeded in the face of bitter opposition by Pabloite and pseudo-left organizations, which denounced the exposure of spies placed inside the Trotskyist movement as agent-baiting. The Undercover Police Inquiry is further proof of the dangerous and politically criminal character of all such attempts to downplay the question of securing against state surveillance, infiltration and provocation.

The Socialist Equality Party condemns the operations against the SLL/WRP revealed by the UCPI and refuses to accept its potted account as the full story. We demand the immediate release of information on all operations carried out against the SLL/WRP, the SEP and other political organisations, by all the state agencies involved.
On the afternoon of Saturday, May 22, United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) officials, headed by District 20 Vice President Larry Spencer, physically assaulted and threatened the lives of two members of the Dixieland of the Proletariat podcast, falsely believing them to be representatives of the World Socialist Web Site.

The attack took place during a Strike Fest fundraising event for 1,100 striking Warrior Met coal miners in Brookwood, Alabama. The entire incident was recorded by the podcasters. In their initial Twitter post reporting on the incident, the Dixieland of the Proletariat podcast stated that some miners believed we were another unwelcome group and confronted them.

Attack on DSA podcasters by UMW in Alabama

These were not, however, some miners. In addition to being the UMWA District 20 Vice President, for which he receives an income of $140,000 a year, Spencer is on the Executive Board of the Alabama AFL-CIO, where he serves as a vice president at large for the southern district. Also involved in the assault was James Blankenship, a UMWA District 20 Representative. Blankenship is also on the Alabama AFL-CIO Executive Board.

That is, the assault was led and directed by top-level executives in the Alabama AFL-CIO and the UMWA.

The attack comes six weeks after miners delivered an overwhelming rejection, by a vote of 1,006 to 45, of a contract brought back by the UMWA. Next to UMWA President Cecil Roberts, Spencer was the leading force in trying to push the agreement through. Miners responded by denouncing Roberts as a sellout and burning copies of the contract.

In their assault, Spencer and Blankenship repeatedly refer to the World Socialist Party, referring to the WSWS. Articles exposing the betrayals by the UMWA have won a wide following among mine workers.

At 4:29 in the video, Spencer and Blankenship walk up to the podcast booth with two other men. Spencer asks, Are yall with the World Socialist Party? One of the podcasters, Nelson, replies, Im with the DSA [Democratic Socialists of America], but Spencer immediately thrusts his fingers towards Nelsons chest and shouts, Get the f**k out of here. No questions. Get the f**k out. Im not asking you. Im telling you. I run this. Im Larry Spencer.

The two podcasters begin gathering their equipment while the podcast co-host Tommy asks, You dont like socialists? Spencer says, Exactly! Spencer rails against What yall are doing. What yall are posting and stuff, referring to World Socialist Web Site articles.

Spencer threatens again, saying, Keep slowing down and well find out what car youre driving and fold it up too. Thirty seconds later, Spencer and other thugs toss over the table, damaging equipment, and tell the podcasters to shut up and get off of their private property.

Larry Spencer threatening the podcasters

The UMWA officials continue to menace Tommy as he heads back to his car and then accost three youth who were previously at the table for trying to assist Tommy in carrying the equipment. Spencer shouts, Get the f**k out of here and tells Tommy, You better erase that off your phone.

Tommy, who is black, is clearly concerned about his safety and asks if he can retrieve his electric charger from the union hall. As he enters the hall, he informs Jacob Morrison, secretary-treasurer of the North Alabama AFL-CIO and former programs director of the Alabama College Democrats, that we just got kicked out, and it was racist. Asked by Morrison who threw them out, Tommy identifies Blankenship who has followed him into the hall.

Blankenship lunges at Tommy, saying in openly racist language: Ill beat your mother f**king brains out, boy! This violent assault is only stopped by Morrison who stands in Blankenships way and gets threatened too.

James Blankenship: Ill beat your mother f**king brains out, boy!

Nearly a dozen UMWA officials then follow Tommy and surround the podcasters car. With the thugs railing against the World Socialist Party and clearly intent on beating up the podcasters or worse, Morrison tries to stop them by declaring that the podcasters have no association with the WSWS, saying, Theyre not them. The two podcasters also say, Were not with the World Socialist Party.

The attack must be seen by all workers as a serious warning with grave implications. The fact that top leaders of the AFL-CIO and the UMWA assaulted and threatened to kill individuals they identified as left-wing and socialist is directed not only at the individuals themselves and at the World Socialist Web Site.

Above all, it is a threat directed against all workers who oppose the betrayals of the UMWA and want to develop a real struggle against the corporations and the ruling class.

The UMWA has a long history of out-and-out gangsterism, violence and murder. On December 31, 1969, Joseph Jock Yablonski, who had run against UMWA President Tony Boyle, was murdered in his Pennsylvania home, along with his wife and 25-year-old daughter. The day after the bodies were found, tens of thousands of West Virginia miners conducted a wildcat strike protesting Boyle, who would be convicted for ordering the murders.

Under conditions of growing working-class opposition, the UMWA is again resorting to out-and-out gangsterism. It is particularly significant that the attack took place less than 30 miles from Bessemer, Alabama. The Amazon workers at Bessemer are certainly aware of the thuggery of the AFL-CIO, which was a significant contributing factor in the massive defeat for the RWDSU at the warehouse last month.

Despite our differences, the WSWS defends the right of DSA members to campaign for their ideas free from threats of violence. But this incident proves the bankruptcy of the DSAs efforts to promote these pro-company, gangster trade unions as workers organizations when in reality they exist today to suppress the class struggle and protect corporate profit. In recent weeks, DSA leadership has also legitimized a culture of violence against socialists and helped create conditions for incidents like the one in Brookwood by celebrating the assassination of Leon Trotsky by Stalinist secret police. Morrison, the AFL-CIO official who was also threatened by Blankenship, denounced the WSWS as wreckers on May 11, employing the language of the Stalinist Great Terror.

The actions of Spencer and Blankenship are not only thuggish, they are also criminal. The behavior documented in the video constitutes, under the legal definition of the term, assault and battery.

The World Socialist Web Site calls on miners and all workers to oppose and denounce the actions of Spencer, Blankenship and their cronies. Workers should demand the immediate dismissal of Spencer, Blankenship and all those involved in Saturdays actions.
In a speech last week, the Labor Partys shadow foreign minister, Senator Penny Wong, reinforced her partys commitment to the escalating US conflict with China, echoing the provocative accusations of the Biden administration. In fact, she charged the current Liberal-National government with undercutting military preparations for war.

At the same time, Wong gave voice to nervousness within the ruling class about members of the Australian government openly beating the war drums, for fear of triggering public opposition to the prospect of a catastrophic war.

Penny Wong (Flickr.com/NCCARF)

Defence Minister Peter Dutton last month provoked considerable alarm by calling for a frank discussion about the prospect of war, and declaring that such a war over Taiwan in the next five years could not be discounted. Dutton himself was actually attempting to keep up with President Joe Bidens administration, echoing utterances by the outgoing and incoming heads of the US Indo-Pacific naval command about the likelihood of a war across the Taiwan Strait.

Labors concern is that the drum-beating by Dutton and others could fuel popular anti-war sentiment rather than prepare public opinion for war, as intended. Opinion polls have continued to show widespread distrust of the US, and opposition to war. These sentiments erupted in the mass protests against the US-led invasions of Iraq in 2003, and again this month in demonstrations denouncing the US-backed Israeli bombardment of Gaza.

Wong launched a new book, titled Red Zone, by Sydney Morning Herald and Age international editor Peter Hartcher, one of the countrys most vehement critics of anyone in Australia who questions the anti-China witch hunt.

In her remarks, Wong aligned herself closely behind Biden, who publicly declared in a joint address to the US Congress last month his intention to prevent China, or any other perceived rival, from challenging in the 21st century the global and Indo-Pacific hegemony that US imperialism secured following World War II.

Biden has rapidly accelerated the US confrontation with China, first launched by the Obama-Biden administrations military and strategic pivot to Asia and intensified by President Trumps punitive trade war measures. In March, Biden hosted the first-ever summit of the leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), a quasi-military alliance between the US, Japan, India and Australia.

Wong misleadingly claimed that Biden was seeking to bolster such US military and strategic alliances across the Indo-Pacific region in order to promote peace and security, not encircle and confront China. Standing reality on its head, she accused China of aggression in the face of these provocative and threatening developments.

Wong repeated the long list of allegations issued by Bidens administration. Her charges included militarisation of disputed features of the South China Sea, repression in Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang, and economic coercion against multiple countries: France, Japan, Norway, the Philippines, the UK, Taiwan, Mongolia, South Korea, Palau, Canada and, of course Australia.

This typifies the hypocrisy of the US and its closest allies. Whatever actions the Chinese regime is taking to respond to the US offensive, and to suppress internal working class dissent, its conduct is far outweighed by that of Washington.

Wong made no reference to the decades-long aggression, militarisation and economic coercion of US imperialism, including by orchestrating military coups and other regime-change operations around the world, such as in Indonesia in 1965-66 and Chile in 1973. These include the removal of Kevin Rudd as Australian prime minister in 2010 for suggesting that the Obama administration should accommodate itself to the economic rise of China.

Nor did Wong mention the barbaric and disastrous US-led invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and Washingtons financial, military and political backing for the Israeli Zionist regimes mounting violence against the Palestinian people.

Like the Biden administration, Wong declared that China, under President Xi Jinping, would go to great lengths to remove what it perceives to be threats posed by liberal, democratic values to Chinas stability. While the Chinese regime is a police-state operating in the interests of its ruling capitalist class, the US and its partners have not the slightest concern for the democratic rights of the Chinese masses, any more than they do for those of the working class at home.

Rather the banner of human rights is raised cynically only to seek to justify wars of aggression and plunder, and advance the interests of the US and allied financial oligarchy, as in the Middle East and around the globe for decades.

Wong criticised Prime Minister Scott Morrisons government for not doing enough, militarily and economically, to prepare for outright conflict with China. The Liberal-National Coalition had presided over eight long years of disastrous failures to deliver the enhanced military, security and diplomatic capability that our strategic circumstances really do require.

Labors spokeswoman accused the government of an ongoing national security disgrace by mismanaging the acquisition of a new submarine fleet, first announced in 2009 by the Rudd Labor government, in which she was a cabinet minister. She condemned Morrison for cutting $4 billion from the short-term defence capital acquisition budget, while re-announcing upgrades of northern military bases.

Morrisons government had also failed to prepare Australia by adequately diversifying our economywhich remains the most-China dependent in the world for exports. That reflects concerns in sections of the Australian capitalist class, especially those most reliant on exports to China, about the losses they could face in the event of any serious conflict or confrontation with China.

Wong criticised what she termed two fatalisms about China. One was that Chinas rise is inevitable and immune to accountability, and we need to just get used to it. The other was that conflict is inevitable.

However, the very logic of her presentation is that China must be blocked at all costs, including by military means if necessary, voicing the program of the Biden administration itself.

In her remarks, Wong underscored the bellicose stance adopted at the recent Labor Party national conference, where the party and trade union officials passed no less than six resolutions condemning China. At that conference, Wong and party leader Anthony Albanese presented Labor as the party best able to impose the sacrifices needed in times of war, and boasted of it being the author of the US military alliance during World War II.

There is only one answer to the bipartisan line-up behind war preparations. In the US, China, Australia and every other country, workers have a common interest in preventing a potentially catastrophic war, fought with nuclear weapons. The hostility of workers and youth to the danger of another world war, this time fought with nuclear weapons, needs to be translated into a conscious movement of the global working class against imperialism and all its political agencies, including Labor and the unions, based on a socialist and internationalist perspective.
CRANE, Ind. (WTHI) - You might not know it, but somehow, today, you've most likely been impacted by artificial intelligence. That could be through an ad that targets recently clicked web pages. Or something different...

K-12 Stem Coordinator for NSWC Crane Tina Closser says, "When you're on Netflix and see 'you might also enjoy...' and that's ai. Looking at your playlist and saying 'oh well if he watched Battlestar Galactica maybe he might enjoy The Witcher too.'"

Naval Surface Warfare Center at Crane is now teaming up with Indiana University to start AI Goes Rural. The goal of this new program is to teach middle schoolers about artificial intelligence.

Closser says, "It's here and it's here to stay. Here is how it is involved in your life and maybe some of the ethics that surround that."

The organizations received 1.7 million dollars to start the program. AI Goes Rural will start small. But it will start out in a big way in the Wabash Valley.

Closser explains, "We have schools in Daviess, Martin, and Greene county who have already signed up to be in this. They're really excited about rolling this out in their curriculum."

Wabash Valley kids will be the first to participate. AI Goes Rural will most likely work itself into similar courses already within schools. The program is working hand in hand with the teachers to best suit it for students.

Closser explains, "The ultimate goal is this is not just to be for southern Indiana but for the entire nation. This is something that anybody can use."
11:30 AM UPDATE - Tupelo Police Captain Charles McDougald says Mr. Jumper was located in the Pratts Road area of Lee County around 11 a.m. and is safe.

TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - The Tupelo mayor's office requested help from social media to find a missing 85-year-old man.

Through a post on Facebook, the City of Tupelo - Mayor's Office said William Jumper was last seen Tuesday afternoon around 3.

He was heading west from I-22 and Veterans Blvd. in a four-door, gray 2009 Chevrolet truck with a Prentiss County tag.

He was wearing a blue buttoned down shirt with white squares and khaki pants.

According to the post, Jumper has a medical condition that may impair his judgment.

Right now, the Tupelo Police Department is in the process of requesting a Silver Alert from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations.

If you have any information on Jumper's whereabouts, contact your local 9-1-1 office.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 16:24:23|Editor: huaxia

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ULAN BATOR, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia's COVID-19 cases on Wednesday totaled 54,414 after registering 680 new locally transmitted infections in the past 24 hours, according to the country's Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, two more deaths and 685 more recoveries were reported, bringing the death toll to 270 and the total recoveries to 48,041, the ministry said in a statement.

Mongolia launched a national vaccination campaign in late February, with the aim of vaccinating at least 60 percent of its 3.3-million population.

So far, more than 1,841,100 people have received their first vaccine dose, and over 888,800 have been fully vaccinated. Enditem
Charleston, WV (25301)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds light and variable.
Charleston, WV (25301)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds light and variable.
Charleston, WV (25311)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 16:42:09|Editor: huaxia

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MANILA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A small training plane crashed off a northern Philippine province on Wednesday, killing the student pilot, authorities said.

Authorities said the Tecnam P-2010 aircraft went down at around 11:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday off the coast of Caba town in La Union province.

Police said the body of the 25-year-old student was found at the crash scene.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said the aircraft piloted by the student was "conducting a solo cross country flight" when the accident happened.

Citing the flight plan submitted by the school, the CAAP said the flight originated from Iba Airport in Zambales province, en route to La Union Airport and Lingayen Airport, then back to Iba Airport.

The Philippine Coast Guard and local fisherfolks helped retrieve the pilot's body and the debris from the crash site. Enditem
Clarksburg, WV (26301)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable.
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.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 17:53:56|Editor: huaxia

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Health workers conduct investigation to trace chains of infection to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Suva, Fiji, May 26, 2021. Fiji reported on Wednesday night 27 more COVID-19 cases, bringing the total tally to 286 in the Pacific island nation. (FIJI SUN/Handout via Xinhua)

SUVA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Fiji reported on Wednesday night 27 more COVID-19 cases, bringing the total tally to 286 in the Pacific island nation.

According to the Fijian Health Ministry, 13 new cases are contacts of previously announced cases. Nine cases are from the Fiji Navy cluster, three are contacts of the Waila cluster and one case is a household contact of a case in the Muanikoso cluster.

A total of 96,111 COVID-19 laboratory tests have been conducted in Fiji since testing started in early 2020 and this does not include the 11,000 samples recently tested in Australia.

Fiji now has had 155 recoveries, 127 active cases and four deaths since the island nation recorded its first confirmed case in March last year.

Currently, like Fiji's major cities of Lautoka and Nadi, Suva and Nausori have also been under a lockdown. Viti Levu, Fiji's main island where Suva is located, still maintains a curfew islandwide from 6:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. every day. Enditem
LivWell Enlightened Health Cultivation Facility - Credit: Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post/Getty Images

Ken Newburger felt like hed been blindsided.

He knew a legal challenge had been mounted against the medical cannabis ballot initiative hed worked on last year in Mississippi. He knew the states Supreme Court had taken up the case. But the argument against Initiative 65 was so nonsensical that Newburger had zero doubt the court would rule to uphold the measure. He was wrong: The court overturned it, and with it the will of the 74 percent of Mississippi voters who approved it last fall.

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It was not how I felt the decision would go, Newburger says of the May 14th ruling. I didnt even conceive of it because after the overwhelming support that we had last year, I didnt think the court would throw out an election.

Newburger was working as the director of field outreach for Initiative 65 last year when Mary Hawkins Butler, the Republican mayor of Madison, Mississippi, filed a lawsuit arguing the measure was illegal. Hawkins said she opposed Initiative 65, which would have legalized the prescription of cannabis for a variety of conditions, because she didnt want pot shops in Madison. Her lawsuit hinged on the state constitutions requirement that ballot initiatives be filed with signatures from five congressional districts. It would have been pretty difficult for the Initiative 65 campaign to gather these signatures, though, as the state has only had four such districts since the 2000 Census. The constitutions language around ballot initiatives, which was written prior to that redistricting, had never been updated. It was almost surreal, as if it didnt happen, Newburger says of learning about the challenge ahead of the election. A plethora of initiatives had been filed already and never challenged. I thought we had done everything right.

They had done everything right, the court determined, except conjuring signatures from a congressional district that hasnt existed for over 20 years. Considering the states current legislative map, the decision read, the ballot initiative process no longer functions.

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The Mississippi Supreme Court ruling to invalidate Initiative 65 wasnt an isolated incident. Republicans all over the country have been working to weaken the ballot initiative process, a vital tool allowing citizens to enact policy they support without relying on lawmakers. Theyve been doing it lately by attacking initiatives to legalize cannabis, of which there have been plenty considering the issues growing popularity among conservative voters but not conservative lawmakers. The impact of the GOPs efforts to prolong prohibition by undercutting the ballot initiative process could extend well beyond cannabis.

South Dakota has some of the harshest cannabis laws in the nation. The people voted to do away with them last fall by approving ballot initiatives to set up medicinal and recreational cannabis programs. Republican Governor Kristi Noem responded by delaying the implementation of the medical program and waging a campaign to overturn Amendment A, which would legalize recreational cannabis. Shes doing it with the tax dollars of the South Dakotans who voted in favor of the initiative. The states Supreme Court is currently deliberating whether to oblige her after hearing arguments late last month. As in Mississippi, its a case of anti-cannabis conservatives in power trying to leverage a legal technicality to kill a policy their constituents voted to enact.

The crux of their argument in South Dakota is that constitutional amendments must only address a single subject. Amendment A does address a single subject, legalizing cannabis, but opponents are trying to argue that some of the moves necessary to do so, namely giving authority to the Department of Revenue to regulate the recreational cannabis market, violate the single-subject rule. It would be a real misapplication of law and logic, says Matthew Schweich, deputy director of the Marijuana Policy Project and campaign director for the cannabis reform campaign in South Dakota, of the prospect of the court overturning Amendment A.

Schweich, who has worked on several state campaigns to legalize cannabis, says hes noticed a recent intensification of efforts to make the ballot initiative process more difficult. These efforts go part and parcel with gerrymandering, voter suppression, and other anti-democratic measures Republicans are leaning on to keep power out of the hands of the people. The anti-ballot initiative assault were seeing across the country right now is a reaction to not only cannabis reform, but also minimum wage efforts, Medicaid expansion, and other progressive issues these legislators dont like, Schweich says. They want to retain control. They want to take power back.

In Idaho, for example, over 60 percent of voters said yes to a 2018 ballot initiative to expand Medicaid after lawmakers had failed to do so for years. This April, Republican Governor Brad Little signed a bill making it tougher for organizers to get initiatives on the ballot by forcing them to gather signatures from six percent of registered voters in all 35 of the states legislative districts, rather than just in 18, the previous requirement. It just so happened that a month before the bill passed the state Senate, cannabis reform organizers were given the green light to start collecting signatures to put a medical initiative on the ballot in 2022. Earlier this month, two groups sued the state over the bill, arguing that the new rules makes it virtually impossible for anyone but moneyed interests to get an initiative on the ballot.

I wish that these legislators had the guts to put forth what they really want, which is to abolish the ballot initiative process, Schweich says. But they know they cant win that campaign with voters. So instead, they are using technical changes and trying to do it quietly so that they can come as close as possible to abolishing the initiative process without actually doing it.

The Mississippi Supreme Court did more than just get close last Friday. Until state legislators rewrite the language around ballot initiatives, anyone who opposes one will be able to appeal to the court for the same ruling it gave to invalidate Initiative 65. This is significant for more than just fate of a medical cannabis program. A coalition is currently working to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would restore voting rights to Mississippians with felony convictions. Another is trying to get an amendment to expand Medicaid on the ballot in 2022. Unfortunately for these effort and any future efforts of the people to bring about change where their legislators have failed, the state currently has no legally legitimate ballot initiative process.

Republicans arent going to be able to fend off what the public wants forever. Nearly three-quarters of Mississippi voters want the state to establish a medical cannabis program. Sooner or later, thats whats going to happen. Newburger, who in December founded the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association in anticipation of legalization, says hes already feeling a certain amount of optimism following the courts ruling, as lawmakers have signaled they could be open to holding a special session to get it done. The way that the initiative process was rendered unworkable, we cant sit around and wait for it to get fixed, he says. I do believe it will get fixed, but when it comes to medical marijuana weve got to act quickly and legislation is the only way to do that. Most of the people Ive talked to are just turning their eyes from the Supreme Court to across the Capitol building across the street. I dont think itll be a long time before we see medical marijuana legislation come out.

Millions of dollars have been invested in Mississippi, and this is now just a setback because thats not going anywhere, Newburger adds. The people in Mississippi are resilient. Were ready to move forward. Its just when that people are asking.

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Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd, and Rev. Al Sharpton arrive at the Hennepin County Government Center on April 19, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

George Floyd's brother, Philonise Floyd, spoke out about his late brother in an interview on CNN Tuesday morning.

Floyd said lawmakers passing police reform is "one of the best things that you can pass" in the US.

His remarks come ahead of the family's visit to the White House to meet with President Joe Biden.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Ahead of his family's visit to the White House on Tuesday, Philonise Floyd called for more progress in policing reform.

When asked during an interview on CNN's "New Day" if problems that African Americans are facing have changed in the year since his brother was killed during a police arrest, Floyd said progress was slow.

"I think it's moving slowly, but it's making progress. I just want everything to be better in life because I don't want to see people dying the same way my brother has passed," Floyd added.

George Floyd died after he struggled to breathe when former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin - who was found guilty of murder and manslaughter last month - knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes during an arrest.

Following Floyd's death, thousands of people across the US took to the streets for anti-racism protests, calling for justice, accountability, and police reform.

"I think about all the activists and the people who stepped out and put their lives on the line during the pandemic," Floyd said in the interview Tuesday morning.

The Floyd family is set to meet with President Joe Biden at the White House Tuesday afternoon. The visit comes as the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act has stalled in Congress, leaving activists who have been on the ground feeling sidelined.

The bill, which passed in the House last June with only three Republicans voting in favor, calls for broader police accountability for misconduct and transparency through data collection. The legislation would grant power to the Department of Justice to issue subpoenas to conduct "pattern and practice" investigations into discriminatory policing practices. It would also prohibit the use of chokeholds.

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"This would be one of the best things that you can pass across America. People shouldn't have to live in fear," Floyd said.

"I just want everything to be better in life because I don't want to see people dying the same way my brother has passed," he added.

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Floyd called his late brother "an asset to this family."

"He went to Minnesota to become a truck driver just to be able to do something meaningful for his kids... his daughter, Gianna," Floyd added. "It's been one year, and she had to watch the same thing everybody across the world had to watch...him being murdered on a video."

"Now is the time to act" on police reform, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents the Floyd family, said.

"Let's do it in the name of George Floyd and all the others that have been taken from us unjustly by the very people who were supposed to protect and serve us," Crump said.

Read the original article on Insider
May 26About 200 people gathered in Portland on Tuesday night to remember the life of George Floyd, whose murder one year ago by a Minneapolis police officer sparked months of protests and an ongoing reckoning with racial injustice.

Protesters marched through the streets of cities across the country last summer after video footage showed former officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, kneeling on the neck of Floyd, who was Black, for nine minutes while three other officers stood by and watched. Floyd repeatedly said he couldn't breathe, and eventually lost consciousness and died. Chauvin was convicted of murder this year.

The Portland gathering was billed as a Day of Remembrance for Floyd, but it also turned into a moment for those in the crowd, as well as the artists and activists who organized the event, to reflect on a year filled with civil unrest and acts of police violence against people of color. Invited guests sang songs, read poetry, related how Floyd's death impacted their lives, and even performed a play in front of 749 Congress St., a former gas station that was transformed last summer into a temporary public art project as a statement of outrage over centuries of violence against Black people.

"This event was months in the making. We didn't want to let this day go by without remembering what happened to George Floyd," Aminata Conteh, one of the organizers, told the crowd. "We are here to celebrate lives lost as well as those who are living."

The remembrance was organized by the Indigo Arts Alliance, Maine Inside Out, and a variety of community artists. Indigo Arts Alliance is a community arts organization that supports Black artists and engages in community building. Maine Inside Out is a nonprofit that is dedicated to helping incarcerated youth transform their lives through art and theater.

Performers and activists who spoke Tuesday night said that this is not the time to back away from the changes that are needed to create a just and equitable society. They said their work fighting racial injustice must continue.

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'Tonight, I am filled with anger and grief, but grief can be transformed into power," said Chiara Liberatore, a member of Maine Inside Out. "We need to find each other and hold on tight."

Real Genius Black, a recording artist and producer who moved to Portland from Texas, told the gathering about his experience last summer when he marched on city streets with hundreds of other protesters outraged by Floyd's murder.

"Today, throws me back to last summer. Walking through the streets of Portland with 800 or 900 people. It was a real moment for me," he recalled, referring to the protests that went on for weeks. "I never felt more supported as a black man in the state of Maine than I did during those protests."

Real Genius Black said there was an element of danger to the protests, which were closely monitored by police. "Those people were putting their lives and their bodies on the line."

He warned the crowd that the work to smite racial injustice needs to continue. If movements like Black Lives Matter are successful, it will lead to healing and a greater sense of harmony, he said.

"We've got to heal ourselves. Most of us are still not OK, but that's all right. The work must continue," Real Genius Black said.

Bruce King and several members of Maine Inside Out, who performed the play "Weeping City," held an impromptu rally before the start of the remembrance. King said the group talked about Floyd, about the events of the past year, and about their roles in the play. Actors recited lines from the play. All of them wore black T-shirts with the name of a victim of police violence printed on the back, including Breonna Taylor, Philandro Castille and Daunte Wright.

"It's a somber day of remembrance, but it's also a day about trying to be true to the moment before us. We need to help others, without being naive" said King, who lives in Brunswick.

The play was created in 2009 following a fatal police shooting in Portland. It was revived as a call to action to end violence and systemic racism. The 2021 version of the play was adapted and revised by its originator, Nancy Valmond-Bell.

Joseph Jackson, an activist from Lewiston, wore a T-shirt with Castille's name printed on it.

"We still have a long way to go, but the messages we've been sending are starting to resonate with people," Jackson said. "All of the people who came here tonight are here to see that we make changes."

After the play ended, Jackson spoke to the crowd.

"Connect to your feelings of passion and anger. Let them call you to action," Jackson said.

Several political activists spoke near the end of Tuesday's event, including Skye Gosselin, a member of Maine Youth Justice. She called on the crowd to help Maine Youth Justice in its campaign to shut down the Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland. The correctional facility houses juvenile offenders. Maine Youth Justice would prefer the center be converted into housing.

Ali Abdul, a member of Portland's Racial Equity Steering Committee, which was created last year to examine systemic racism in Portland's public safety departments, reminded the crowd that the City Council was scheduled to meet with the committee on June 28 to review its recommendations.

A 65-page report from the Racial Equity Steering Committee, appointed in response to last summer's protests demanding racial justice, contains a range of recommendations for policing, mental health, housing, employment and even street names. The report was presented to the City Council in April.

The event ended with an outdoor projection arranged by Indigo Arts Alliance's Artist-in-Residence Dianne Smith. Her projection, "Black Is Beautiful," explored the impact the Black Lives Matter movement has had on Mainers.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 21:56:58|Editor: huaxia

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DHAKA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladeshi government announced on Wednesday to extend the closure of the educational institutions till June 12 as the infection rate has risen substantially in parts of the country recently.

"We've decided to keep schools and other educational institutions closed until June 12," Bangladesh's Education Minister Dipu Moni told journalists Wednesday.

Previously the closure was extended in phases till May 29.

She said the latest decision was taken considering the safety of students, teachers, institution employees and guardians in the backdrop of the rising infection rate in parts of the country bordering India.

If the situation improves, the government will consider reopening educational institutions earlier, she added.

Online academic activities of all schools and colleges, she said, will continue as usual.

Bangladesh on March 16 last year first announced to close all educational institutions in the country in an effort to halt the spread of the COVID-19.

Since March last year, the virus has spread to nearly every Bangladeshi district, and the total number of cases has risen to 793,693 with 12,458 deaths. Enditem
May 26CHEROKEE, Okla.  Central Oklahoma Little Britches Rodeo Association series finals will be held this weekend in Cherokee.

The finals will close out the franchise's 2020-21 season and will start at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 29-30, 2021, at Alfalfa County Fairgrounds, 600-698 W. 5th.

Each day should finish up around 2:30 p.m. and is free to the public, said Alycia Harmon, rodeo secretary for COLBRA, which was founded in 2014 and is a franchise of the National Little Britches Rodeo Association.

Contestants ages 5-19 will compete in three different age groups: little wranglers ages 5-8, juniors ages 9-13 and seniors ages 14-19. Little wranglers will be boys and girls combined.

The rodeos will start with roughstock riding  bull riding, saddle bronc riding and bareback steer riding  before moving into racing events  barrel racing, flag racing, goat tying, pole bending, roping and trail, Harmon said. Schedules can be found on COLBRA's Facebook page.

The finals were originally set to be held in Enid, but since the arena doesn't have everything COLBRA requires, such as bucking and roping chutes, the switch was made to Cherokee in April.

Any NLBRA member can enter, and entries still are being accepted in cash only until Thursday, Harmon said. To enter, contact Harmon at (405) 320-2801.

This will be the last COLBRA rodeo for participants to get points before the NLBRA's national finals rodeo in July in Guthrie. To qualify for nationals, contestants have to have five top seven placings in their events, Harmon said.

"If you want to compete in barrels, you have to have five top seven placings," she said. "If you want to compete in poles, it's the same way. You can't just qualify in one event ... You have to qualify in each of them that you do."

Results and points should be posted to NLBRA's website by Monday, Harmon said, and the awards have been postponed to an undetermined later date.

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A potluck dinner and games for contestants and families will be held Saturday evening. Harmon said things like this are done throughout the year to allow the kids to get to know each other better before nationals, where they may compete on teams.

"They are competitive in the arena, but afterward, they want to be friends, so we try to do family things where we can get the families together," she said.

Entries for nationals are open through June 18 and are online only, listed on the website under Rodeo Signup & Registration.

Harmon, who has been involved with COLBRA for four years, said Little Britches allows kids to get started in rodeo at a young age, setting the stage for junior high, high school and college rodeo, and helps them get scholarships and build their resumes as they're growing up.

Little Britches is run professionally, Harmon said, which helps teach contestants responsibility and structure for the future.

"If you want to go pro rodeo, there's a lot of rules. You have to check your stock number. You have to verify your rope on the right stock or you get turned out, and that's just a lot of money down the drain," Harmon said.

It also teaches them lessons "not just for rodeo, but for life," she added.

"Little Britches teaches you how to be supportive of other people and be there for other people," she said. "It just teaches you life skills you need to move throughout life."

Kelci McKendrick is police and court reporter for the Enid News & Eagle.

Have a question about this story? Do you see something we missed? Do you have a story idea for Kelci? Send an email to kelcim@enidnews.com.
gofundme Kyle Anderson with his wife Brittany and children, Bennett and Sawyer

A birthday celebration for a Tennessee father of two took a devastating turn over the weekend after he reportedly fell from a rock bluff into a lake and died.

DeKalb County Sheriff Patrick Ray confirmed the fatal incident in a press release, identifying the victim as 36-year-old Stephen "Kyle" Anderson, according to NBC affiliate WSMV and The Columbia Daily Herald.

Ray told the outlets that Kyle was celebrating his birthday with his wife and two other couples at Center Hill Lake when the incident occurred on Saturday.

Around 2:30 p.m., the county's emergency dispatch received a call for help, the Daily Herald reported.

"Anderson decided to climb a rock bluff to jump off into the lake," Ray noted in the release, according to the Daily Herald. "While attempting to climb the bluff, the rocks Anderson was holding onto gave way and Anderson fell and rolled down the bluff hitting several rocks along the way before hitting the water."

RELATED: Dad, 23, Dies in Car Accident on Diaper Run for Newborn Daughter: 'We Are So Heartbroken'

Officers with the sheriff's department, along with Smithville/DeKalb County Rescue Squad, Rangers from the US Corps of Engineers and members of the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, all showed up at the scene to help with recovery efforts, according to the Daily Herald.

Ultimately, it was the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency who helped recover Kyle's body, which was found approximately 165 feet below the surface of the lake with a remote aquatic robot, the outlet reported.

At this time, it is unclear exactly how Kyle died and how long he was in the water before first responders arrived at the scene.

An autopsy is scheduled to be performed by the Office of the State Chief Medical Examiner in Nashville, according to the Daily Herald and WSMV.

The DeKalb County Sheriff did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

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RELATED VIDEO: Tennessee Dad Drowns Trying to Save Daughters From Rip Current

In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe page was set up by a family friend on behalf of Kyle's wife, Brittany Anderson.

On the fundraiser, organizer Jennifer Akers disclosed that Kyle and Brittany were the parents of two young children, Bennett and Sawyer.

"Our dear friend, Brittany Anderson, lost her husband and best friend, on Saturday, May 22nd," the page reads. "Kyle Anderson was a wonderful husband and partner to Brittany and an incredible father to their two beautiful children."

PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMe to provide avenues for our readers to pay it forward during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information about Causes  hubs that bring charities, individuals, donors and corporate partners together to help people in need  visit GoFundMe.

"As Brittany walks through this difficult time, let's remind her of the love and support surrounding her," Akers continued, before asking for donations to help Kyle's grieving wife with living expenses.

Since its creation on Monday, the page has raised over $36,000 of its $50,000 goal. Akers said she is aiming to have all funds collected by this Saturday.

"Please give as generously as you feel led," Akers wrote. "Thank you so much for your love, support, prayers, and generosity during this time."

Those interested in donating to the Anderson family's GoFundMe can do so here.
THOMAS LOHNES/AFP via Getty Images

This story was produced in partnership with Coda Story.

The first vaccine is always the hardest.

Before she took her baby son to the clinic to get his routine two-month shots, Anita Emly, 34, cried through the night. For several years, she had immersed herself in pseudoscience and anti-vaccine propaganda, filled with horror stories of autism, paralysis, and death. Terrified by what she had read, she began to refuse vaccinations for her children.

Emly gave birth to her son in February 2020, shortly before the coronavirus started to tear through her home city of New York. In response to the chaos around her, she did something remarkable: she changed her mind.

When she grew up in Astoria, Queens, Emlys family sometimes distrusted doctors. She described how her father, a first-generation Indian immigrant, preferred to save western medicine for emergencies. He would kind of laugh, like, Haha, Tylenol, she said, explaining that he preferred to use ginger, cloves, and herbal teas for everyday complaints.

The Real Obstacle to a New Normal? Anti-Vaxxer Parents.

Emly is a carer for several older relatives and often saw them experience unforeseen side effects after taking prescribed medication. She believed that doctors had not warned them that adverse reactions were possible. That left her feeling blindsided. It was never communicated to us that these events could happen, she said.

When she got pregnant with her eldest daughter in 2016, Emly began reading up on vaccines. She sought advice from family and friends, looked for alternative medical sources online, and read a book by Dr. Robert Sears.

Sears advises readers to follow an alternative schedule of only taking some shots and delaying othersan approach popular in certain pseudoscience circles. The controversial pediatrician has said that he is not anti-vaccine, but is simply setting out both sides of the story. In 2016, Californias medical board accused him of gross negligence for writing invalid vaccine exemptions and, in 2018, placed him on probation.

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Emlys doctor did not engage with her when he found out that she had refused the routine hepatitis B vaccine for her newborn daughterhe simply told her that she should take it. He didnt listen, he didnt ask why, she said. He wasnt wrong, but he just didnt have the best bedside manner. And that matters. That experience left Emly feeling even more resistant and laid the groundwork for her to reject vaccines altogether.

I was just scared, so inaction became my choice, she said.

For people like Emly, every decision to ignore the enormous body of evidence that vaccines are safe and effective makes it increasingly difficult to turn back toward accepted science.

According to the researcher and vaccine advocate David Robert Grimes, Its hard to leave these communities because they have a social aspect to them, a sense of belonging. When you have people who are very, very far down that rabbit hole, it's very difficult to get out. They have to give up their entire worldview.

But that is precisely what some of them do.

In early 2020, Emlys family went through a terrible trauma. A close friend died of flu at just 28 years old. She had not been vaccinated. As the coronavirus hit New York, Emly saw more people in her community lose their lives. Neighborhood hospitals were full to bursting, trucks carrying corpses standing outside. Meanwhile, on Facebook, anti-vaxxers began to campaign against coronavirus restrictions.

It really hit home, she said. It made me run from the anti-vax movement.

Heres How America Could Actually Vaccinate the World

In 2008, Facebooks enormous anti-vaccine groups were not yet established. When Lydia Greenes daughter began crying excessively after receiving her first routine shots, she turned to parenting message boards, including Mothering Forum and the Babycenter.

She had a very what I felt was a scary reaction, said Greene, 39, whose last name has been changed. When she called the nurse, she was told that she was being a jumpy first-time mom. I felt brushed off, kind of dumb, embarrassed, and worried.

Greene, who lives in Alberta, Canada, said that the forums gave me an answer. Users falsely informed her that her daughter may have contracted encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, and that the next shot could kill her. Though Greene wasnt entirely convinced, she was sufficiently swayed to not vaccinate her again.

Thats how I fell into it. And I stayed there for years, she said. Over the next decade, Greene became more deeply involved in the online anti-vaccine community. Along with some 200,000 others, she joined conspiracy theorist Larry Cooks Facebook group and followed the influential anti-vaccination activists Sherri Tenpenny and Del Bigtree.

Nothing is more primal than the desire to protect your child, she said. Its pretty easy for people to hack that and profit.

Online anti-vaccine propaganda exposed Greene to cherry-picked segments of studies and false information. Though she had worked as a quality-control chemist in a pharmaceutical plant for several years, she began to subscribe to views that Big Pharma was trying to cover up something about vaccines.

But it was a sprawling, global conspiracy theory that finally helped Greene renounce her views. As the QAnon movement spread across the world during the presidency of Donald Trump, she started to see increasingly extreme theories in her online groups. Some linked vaccines to Satanism, deep state plots, and the idea that the earth is flat. Larry Cook recently began to proclaim that vaccines are part of a global plan to enslave humanity and literally slaughter the population. Rather than drawing her further in, this torrent of false information made her think again.

It just seemed to get more ridiculous, and I had to either dig in further, and stay with them, or start questioning myself, she said.

The most painful moment of reckoning came when Greene began to question the pervasive falsehood that the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is linked to autism. Popularized by Andrew Wakefield, a disgraced former doctor from the U.K., it is one of the most deeply held beliefs among anti-vaxxers.

Greene described how Wakefields discredited theory blinded her to a reality that was right in front of her: that her own unvaccinated son was autistic. She was convinced that he couldnt possibly have autism, because he had never received the MMR shot. His diagnosis helped to shatter the worldview that she had built for herself and her family.

I was so wrapped up in this movement, I couldnt see my own kid, she said.

For 36-year-old Veronika Fitzgeralda mother of two based in Perth, Western Australiaa New Age upbringing paved the way towards anti-vaccine ideology. During her childhood, her father collected books about UFOs, while her mother had a keen interest in mysticism. Fitzgerald was intrigued. As a teenager, she was seduced by the idea that 9/11 was an inside job and captivated by theories about the lost city of Atlantis.

When she had her first daughter, now seven, she decided on an alternative approach to parenting, choosing a home birth with a doula because she didnt trust the hospital system, doing yoga and belly dance classes to prepare. She then met a friend who told her that she wasnt going to vaccinate her baby. Fitzgerald started to research the subject and decided not to vaccinate either.

That decision pushed her away from her local mothers groups. I didnt want to belong in the mainstream groups because I felt I couldnt speak openly anymore. I was always the black sheep that didnt vaccinate.

As she slipped deeper into the anti-vaccine community, she became increasingly alienated from other parents, and medical professionals were visibly shocked by her beliefs. Then, one doctor, from India, described how children still died of polio in her country. That was when she began to rethink.

I hadnt considered that my decision to not do something might impact someone who's actually quite vulnerable, she said.

After losing two family members in Slovakia to COVID-19, Fitzgerald began to back away from the movement. The number of times I heard that COVID was just the fluit made me really sad, she said. At the same time, doctors, friends, and family members made an effort to explain the importance of vaccines to her. She credits her brother with helping her to repair her relationship with accepted science and journalism.

I had to relearn which sources and which media to read, she explained.

Slowly, all three women began to inch away from their fears and towards getting their children vaccinated.

Emly and Greene have both had their coronavirus shots, while Fitzgerald plans to get hers as soon as she is eligible.

These are not easy decisions to make. Its almost like leaving a cult, and youre about to do something that your religion frowned upon for the first time, said Greene. Youre still wondering secretly, is God watching? Is my soul going to hell? What If Im wrong and I kill my kid?

It's a bit like deradicalization, said Daniel Jolley, a social psychologist at the University of Northumbria. People are drawn to conspiracy theories when they feel anxious and disempowered. Maybe when we communicate about these issues, we can try and include language that isn't going to threaten or provoke people.

For Emly, the hardest part is facing the fact that she had placed her own child at riskthat I had actually endangered my daughter. Im tearing up right now. That was painful, she said.

Greene now runs a Facebook group titled Back to the Vax. At just 35 members, it is a fraction of the size of the anti-vax supergroups she used to be part of, but it provides a valuable community for people from all over the world, all at different stages of their recovery.

A lot of them have lost their community, said Greene. Its like a breath of fresh air to put it all out there and just say, I made a mistake.

This story was produced in partnership with Coda Story.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 22:54:02|Editor: huaxia

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ULAN BATOR, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia on Wednesday received supplies donated by the Chinese government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic at an online handover ceremony.

Officials from the two sides attended the online handover ceremony.

The mutual support and assistance of the two peoples in their joint fight against COVID-19 is a reflection of China-Mongolia friendly relations, said Mongolian Health Minister Sereejav Enkhbold, who attended the ceremony.

The Chinese government's assistance to Mongolia, including vaccines, has played an important role in Mongolia's fight against COVID-19, he noted.

Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia Chai Wenrui said that the two peoples' joint fight against the virus serves as a model for international anti-epidemic cooperation.

China will continue to uphold the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity and strengthen anti-epidemic cooperation with countries including Mongolia, the ambassador added.

As of Wednesday, Mongolia has recorded a total of 54,414 COVID-19 cases, with 270 deaths. Most of the confirmed cases were locally transmitted.

Mongolia launched a national vaccination campaign in late February, aiming to cover at least 60 percent of its 3.3-million population.

So far, more than 1,841,100 Mongolians have received their first vaccine dose, and over 888,800 have been fully vaccinated. Enditem
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has approved the Clean Miles Standard, which will require rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft to transition to zero-emission vehicles by 2030. (Lyft)
Greensboro, NC (27407)

Today

Showers early, then cloudy in the afternoon. High 78F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
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.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 00:35:17|Editor: huaxia

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YEREVAN, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The Armenian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that an Armenian soldier was killed near the border with Azerbaijan.

The soldier was killed in a fire attack from the Azerbaijani troops at the border section of the Verin Shorzha village in Armenia's southeastern Gegharkunik Province, said the ministry on its official website.

Meanwhile, the ministry said the situation is still under control.

The Azerbaijani defense ministry denied the accusation, saying their troops did not open fire and had nothing to do with the alleged death of the Armenian soldier on the border.

The incident occurred amid a mounting tension on the southern border between Armenia and Azerbaijan recently.

Earlier this month, Armenia accused Azerbaijani troops of crossing the southern border and advancing more than three kilometers into Armenia's Syunik region, which the Azerbaijani side had denied.

Both countries said they will try to resolve the dispute by peaceful negotiations. Enditem
The deputy said the driver, Korey Owen, allegedly admitted to stealing the items. According to court documents, Head also allegedly admitted to the shoplifting.

Then the deputies were notified that the vehicle had been stolen in Habersham County, Georgia. The estimated value of the minivan was $6,000.

Both Head and Owen were then arrested.

Inside the vehicle, officers observed many items of value, the affidavit filed with the court says. The vehicle was so full that each rear door had items stacked up to the windows.

When the vehicle was towed, deputies conducted an inventory search. During that search, deputies found numerous clothing items, many of which were new with tags. Some of which still had security devices attached to them. The tags indicated the items came from Marshalls and Ross Dress for Less  deputies could not locate any receipts indicating the items had been purchased. A deputy located a purchase and return receipt from Marshalls in Kearney and the Kearney Police Department advised that on April 12, there was a shoplifting reported at Ross Dress for Less in Kearney.

The deputy said the description of the vehicle and the people involved matched Head and Owen.
The company said it is already investing billions of dollars in low-carbon energy, including electric vehicle charging, hydrogen, renewables and biofuels. We want to grow demand for these products and scale up our new energy businesses even more quickly.

At a hearing in December, Shell lawyer Dennis Horeman said a ruling against the company could create a situation in which countless parties can hold each other accountable for their role in that (energy) transition through the courts and give judges a central role in an active and delicate political process.

Shell says it has set an ambition to be a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050, or sooner.

The court said in an English language summary of its ruling that Shell was not currently in breach of its obligation to reduce emissions, as the environmental groups had argued, because the parent company was tightening its emissions policy.

But it ruled that Shell's policy is not concrete, has many caveats and is based on monitoring social developments rather than the companys own responsibility for achieving a CO2 reduction.
New Delhi: Automaker Kia India on Wednesday said it has rolled out a scheme under which buyers of its premium MPV Carnival can return the vehicle, if they were not satisfied with it, within the first 30 days of its purchase.

Under the 'Satisfaction Guarantee Scheme' offer for the new buyers of Carnival, private owners of the MPV can return the vehicle if they are not pleased with the car within the first 30 days of its purchase. The company has introduced this one-of-a-kind initiative, which allows buyers to avail of this new offer valid on all variants of the Carnival, Kia India said in a statement.

It will cover 95 per cent of the ex-showroom cost and overhead cost incurred for the registration and finances, etc of the vehicle, it added.

Eligible customers need to ensure that the vehicle has clocked not more than 1,500 kilometers from the purchase date and is completely free of damages, failures, pending claims, to be able to return the car, the automaker noted.

Additionally, the owner's agreement for the transfer of the vehicle including all documentation and charges, etc in the name of a person will be obligatory. It will also be imperative that the vehicle is free from any HP and the NOC should be submitted from the financier's end.

"Last month, we introduced our new brand purpose of inspiring consumers through products and services and their experiences with the brand. The 'Satisfaction Guarantee Scheme' is the first step to bring this purpose to life and is designed to offer a differentiated Kia ownership experience to our customers, prioritising their peace of mind during these testing times," Kia India Executive Director Tae-Jin Park said.

The growing popularity of the class-leading MPV has been extremely encouraging for the company and this initiative aims to enhance customer belief in Kia Carnival even further, he added.

Introduced at the Auto Expo 2020, the Carnival, in just a year's time, has witnessed sales of over 6,200 units.

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New Delhi: The much-revered Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima festival, marking the birthday of Lord Buddha is being celebrated this year on May 26 respectively. Traditionally, it's a holiday in Mahayana Buddhism commemorating the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, later the Gautama Buddhafounder of Buddhism.

The birthday of Lord Buddha is widely celebrated across the globe and followers begin preparation, days in advance.

Prince Siddhartha's journey:

Before denouncing worldly pleasures, the Lord was known as Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later transformed into Gautama Buddha and founded Buddhism as a path leading to the spiritual enlightenment of the soul.

From Prince Gautama to a Spiritual Seeker:

It is said that as per Theravada Tripitaka scriptures, Prince Gautama was born in Lumbini which is now known as modern-day Nepal, around 563 BCE. He was later raised in Kapilavastu.

The legend has it that when Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born in a royal lineage, an astrologer named Asita predicted that either he will set to become a great king else he would denounce everything, leaving the comforts of all things material.

Naturally, the prince's father King Suddhodana wanted his son to reign as the powerful and greatest of kings, therefore he did not let him go out of the palace walls. However, as destiny would have itthe prince at the young age of 29, went out of the palatial comforts and saw how people suffer, and how difficult it is for an ordinary man to survive.

According to Buddhist literature, it is believed that what the prince witnessed during this time is known as the four sights. He got to understand the suffering of a common man, saw an old man, a sick person, a dead body and finally an ascetic holy man, who was content in life.

It is believed that these experiences were vital enough and compelled the prince to leave his comfortable royal life behind and move ahead to embrace divinity by walking on the spiritual path, leading to the enlightenment of the soul.

Here's wishing everyone a very Happy Buddha Purnima!
New Delhi: The birth anniversary of Lord Buddha is celebrated as Buddha Purnima. This year, the auspicious festival falls on Wednesday (May 26). Buddha Purnima is celebrated with full fervour across the globe. However, this time, the celebrations have been marred due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Buddha Purnima is also widely known as the Buddha Jayanti. The day commemorates the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautam who later became Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.

Born to a royal couple from Kapilavastu, Siddhartha grew up in an environment that hid the fundamental realities of life. His father never wanted him to be touched by human suffering. He was raised in the comforts of a palace. But Siddhartha was destined to detach himself from the materialistic pleasures. He chose to lead a life that would inspire the world.

Here's taking a look at the four main places that are associated with the life of Gautam Buddha:

Lumbini: Lumbini in Nepal is believed to be the birthplace of Gautam.

Bodh Gaya: Bodh Gaya is in Bihar. It is where he is believed to have attained enlightenment under the Mahabodhi tree.

Sarnath: Gautam Buddha delivered his first speech in Sarnath, near Varanasi.

Kushinagar: It is believed that Gautam Buddha attained Parinirvana after his death in Uttar Pradeshs Kushinagar.

Thousands of devotees from across the world visit these Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Besides these aforementioned places, Sravasti, Rajgir, Sankassa, and Vaishali are also closely associated with the life of Gautam Buddha.

Here's wishing everyone a very happy Buddha Jayanti!
New Delhi: The Arvind Kejriwal-led government in the national capital is considering lifting of some lockdown restrictions which were imposed last month as the number of COVID-19 cases registered an upward trend.

State government is considering partial unlocking from June 1 which means some businesses or shops may be allowed to re-open in Delhi from June 1, as per sources. Shops associated with construction work such as hardware shops, maintenance and repair shops may be allowed to resume.

While, malls, spas, gyms have not been allowed to reopen as yet.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "If COVID-19 cases continue to decrease, we will begin to unlock Delhi in a phased manner from May 31.

The decision has been taken due to a steady decline in COVID-19 cases in the national capital and a drop in positivity rate. The government is now seriously considering partial unlock. The number of daily active COVID-19 cases in Delhi for the past three days has been around 1500-1600.

Delhi reported 1,491 new COVID-19 positive cases, 3,952 recoveries and 130 deaths in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate was down to 1.93%, lowest in nearly two months.
New Delhi: Petrol and diesel prices were unchanged on Wednesday as oil marketing companies decided to keep fuel rates paused.

Petrol price on Tuesday was increased hiked by 23 paise and 25 paise, respectively, pushing rates across the country to record highs and that of petrol in Mumbai just 29 paise short of breaching Rs 100 a litre.

The price of per litre petrol and diesel in the capital city is Rs 93.44 and Rs 84.32, respectively. In Mumbai, per litre is now selling at Rs 99.71. Diesel in the financial capital of India is retailing at Rs 91.57 per litre.

Here is looking at the price difference of diesel and petrol in four metro cities on May 26, 2021.

City Petrol Diesel Delhi 93.44 84.32 Mumbai 99.49 91.30 Chennai 95.06 89.11 Kolkata 93.49 87.16

Rates had already crossed Rs 100-mark in several cities in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and with the latest increase, price in Mumbai too was inching towards that level.

Fuel prices differ from state to state depending on the incidence of local taxes such as VAT and freight charges. Rajasthan levies the highest value-added tax (VAT) on petrol in the country, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Since March last year when the government raised excise duty on fuel to an all-time high.

Central and state taxes make up for 60 per cent of the retail selling price of petrol and over 54 per cent of diesel. The union government levies Rs 32.90 per litre of excise duty on petrol and Rs 31.80 on diesel.

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New Delhi: At least one crore people in Bengal have been affected by this natural disaster and three lakh houses have been damaged as of now due to rough weather condition arising out of Cyclone Yaas, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday (May 26). She added that one person died an accidental death even after he was rescued. Relief materials worth Rs 10 crore were sent to the affected areas, she said.

Cyclone Yaas, which began its landfall on Wednesday morning near Dhamra port in Odisha, has completed the process, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

West Bengal:

The resort town of Digha in East Midnapore, which shares a border with Balasore district of Odisha, was completely inundated with the Army being called in for rescue operations, a defence official said. The nearby beach resorts of Mandarmani, Tajpur and Shankarpur were also flooded with seawaters entering the hotels and flooding the roads, besides causing damage to kutcha shops and houses. In certain areas, the waves even went past the top of coconut trees that line these popular beaches.

The Army has deployed 17 columns in West Bengal to assist the state administration, the defence official said. Rescue operation by the Army was also on at Orphuli in the Howrah district, he said.

In South 24 Parganas, many places, including Kakdwip, Fraserganj, Gosaba and Maipith in the Sunderbans region were flooded, displacing lakhs of villagers as thousands of kutcha houses were extensively damaged in the surging water and gale wind, officials said.

Several rivers in the riverine delta region were in spate owing to the phenomenal rise in water level caused by the dual effect of storm surge from the cyclone and the astronomical tide due to the full moon, they said.

Flooding was also reported from Sagar island at the confluence of Hooghly and Bay of Bengal. The water level rose to nearly five feet in front of the famed Kapil Muni temple near the beach on the island, officials said.

Some fishing boats and equipment were also destroyed at harbours in Kakdwip, leaving the fishermen devoid of their livelihood.

The weather office has forecast extremely heavy rainfall in East and West Midnapore districts and heavy to very heavy rainfall in Jhargram, Bankura, South 24 Parganas districts over the next 24 hours.

Heavy rain will occur at isolated places in Purulia, Nadia, Murshidabad, Purba Bardhaman, Howrah, Hooghly, Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts owing to the effect of 'Yaas', the weather office said.

Odisha:

Odisha shifted 5.8 lakh people to safer places, while West Bengal moved 15 lakh people ahead of the cyclone, amid concerns over following COVID-19 norms at the temporary shelters as the two states battled the pandemic, reporting thousands of new cases daily.

Local sources said that a person was killed in Panchupalli village in Anadapur block of Kenojhar district after a tree fell on him but there was no official confirmation of the death. The man was identified as Purna Chandra Nayak. Besides, a man was injured in the Balasore district after he was hit by a falling tree, Odisha's Special Relief Commissioner PK Jena said.

In Odisha, a red warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall was issued for nine districts. "Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with isolated extremely heavy fall very likely to occur over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Dhenkanal," the weather office said.

The system lay centred at about 15 kilometre west of Balasore at 1.30 pm with intensity of 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph. It would move north-northwestwards and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm during the next six hours, the weather office said.

Jharkhand:

Jharkhand, which was already on high alert, continued evacuating low-lying areas amid the forecast that the cyclone would be hitting the state by midnight, officials in Ranchi said.

Operations are being executed on war-footing in the vulnerable areas in East and West Singhbhum, besides some other districts, in view of Yaas, Disaster Management Secretary Amitabh Kaushal told PTI.

East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Saraikela-Kharsawan districts of the state are likely to witness "very high seas" situation with wind speed of 92-117 kmph, the weather office said.
NEW DELHI: Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and MCD in-charge Durgesh Pathak on Tuesday said that the BJP ruled MCD has not provided books to around seven lakh students who study in the MCD schools. He said that the BJP ruled MCD has not yet started the tendering process or begun the procurement of books for these seven lakh students. Pathak said that the Aam Aadmi Party demands that the BJP ruled MCD should immediately, within 15-20 days, start the tendering, procuring and distribution process of the books for the seven lakh students. He said that the Aam Aadmi Party demands that the BJP should immediately stop playing with the future of these seven lakh students during the time of a pandemic.

Durgesh Pathak addressed a press conference on this issue and said, In these times of Covid every section of the society has been affected. One area that has suffered in particular is the education of children; childrens studies are being conducted through online classes for the past 1-1.5 years. Governments are trying that their future is not ruined. You all must also know that in Delhi the MCD has 1,625 schools in which about 7 lakh students study; the future of these 7 lakh students is already in the dark as the level of education is not good, for the situation has deteriorated due to online classes. But the most unfortunate thing is that the books that have to be provided to students have not yet been given.

He explained, Generally this should happen in April. But I can understand that since the first week of April the Covid wave came, and there must have been a problem. But if the books that were to be given in April, the process of their purchase should have started earlier; its tender should have been given, books should have been obtained, the distribution was to be done in April. Yet, till now, the MCD has not begun even a single process; neither the tender process has started, nor the purchase process has been initiated, forget about distribution. You must remember that even last year through press conferences we raised the issue with you and the public. In the 2020 session, children got the books after 9 months; they should have received it in April but got it by December-January. Similarly in 2019, the books were received 8 months late. Since the last 5 years, and the situation is especially worse in North MCD, since the past 5 years children have been present in schools, they do online classes, but they dont have books; and we all know that the poorest sections attend Delhi MCDs schools. Such groups go (to these schools) who work as daily-wage labourers, such sections that have the least income. The future of around 7 lakh such students lies in the dark now.

He also said, Through the medium of media, we would like to send this message to the Bharatiya Janata Partys leaders that last time you gave the books after 9 months, before that you gave the books 8 months latre, and even before that you gave the books 6-7 months late. At least in this session, if you want then within 10-15 days you can give the tender and obtain the books, its not a big deal, and start the process of distribution. Corona cases are decreasing in Delhi, so all agencies will have to slowly return to their work, all agencies will have to be slowly nudged towards their responsibilities. And in the end the 7 lakh students that are there, their futures should not be toyed with.

Finally, Pathak said, So with folded hands I request the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders that dont waste this session, you wasted the previous session, you wasted the one before, and wasted the one even before that. Since the last 5 years, you havent given the books to the children on time. This time you have a chance that in the next 10-15 days books are provided to the children. Aam Aadmi Party, with great responsibility and with great emotion attached to Delhi, demands that the 7 lakh students that study in the MCDs schools, their futures must not be played with because once their future is spoilt the rest of the things will never be right. So I demand this from the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders that the process of purchasing books for these 7 lakh children is completed within the next 15-20 days.

(Disclaimer - This is Featured content)
New Delhi: On the day the Indian government's new rules for social media come into effect, it has emerged that WhatsApp has gone to Delhi High Court on Wednesday (May 26) against them citing violation of privacy.

The rules - The information technology (intermediary guidelines and digital media ethics code rules), 2021 - which were notified on 25th February call for new compliances, like traceability of messages to find the first originator of a message.

WhatsApp in its case has highlighted that going through messages will be violative of its end-to-end encryption mechanism.

In response to a Zee Media question, WhatsApp spokesperson said, "Requiring messaging apps to trace chats is the equivalent of asking us to keep a fingerprint of every single message sent on WhatsApp, which would break end-to-end encryption and fundamentally undermines peoples right to privacy."

"We will also continue to engage with the Government of India on practical solutions aimed at keeping people safe, including responding to valid legal requests for the information available to us, the spokesperson added.

No social media company, barring Indian company Koo has implemented the rules. Non-compliance of these rules could attract criminal actions.

A three-month period was given to all social media apps and websites to implement these rules. The new compliances require the appointment of chief compliance officers, resident grievance officer, active monitoring of the harmful content, monthly compliance report and disabling access to objectionable information.

Interestingly the development comes even as WhatsApp has been under fire over its new privacy policy. Under the policy, certain data like financial transactions done via WhatsApp can be shared with its parent company Facebook.

While there is no breaking of end-to-end encryption under it, in the past users risked losing right over an account if not given consent for the privacy policy. This has been relaxed now to a certain extent.

The development comes even as there have been increased run-ins between the Indian govt and social media apps like Twitter over data and recently labelling tweets of members of ruling BJP as "manipulated media".

Earlier in the week, Delhi police had gone to the offices of Twitter India in Delhi to serve them notice over the "toolkit case.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 01:17:11|Editor: huaxia

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HELSINKI, May 25 (Xinhua) -- In Finland, residents can now download or print their national COVID-19 certificate free of charge directly from the online health record system Omakanta, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (STM) said in a press release issued on Tuesday.

The STM has issued a decree stipulating that residents may do so if they have received a COVID-19 vaccine; have a recent negative COVID-19 test; or have immunity based on recovery.

The decree that took effect on Tuesday does not specify where the certificates can be used. The new measure is widely seen as aimed at facilitating tourist travel.

The Omakanta service can be accessed by using either a digital ID issued by the Finnish banking industry or by a national ID card.

The new service will be introduced in stages. As of May 26, a national COVID-19 vaccination certificate will be made available, which will include information about the vaccines administered. From July, the system would also issue the European Union's (EU) digital COVID-19 certificate, which will include vaccination details, negative test results and proof of recovery, the STM said.

The STM reiterated on Tuesday that Finns should continue to refrain from non-essential travel as the pandemic is still far from over. Travelers should check their destination countries' official websites for information, it said.

Meanwhile, the authorities in Finland have yet to decide on the adjustment of entry regulations for foreign nationals. According to a draft government bill, people arriving in Finland would have to provide reliable proof of COVID-19 vaccination, a negative test result or proof of recovery. Otherwise they should get tested upon arrival and again three to five days later. Enditem
Srinagar: It was a bumper produce year for strawberry growers in Jammu and Kashmir. The crop saw about a 20% increase but it did not turn out to be a cause for cheer for the farmers.

High produce has very little value with no market available due to COVID-19 lockdown in the region. The farmers said the government hasnt even thought about them, let alone trying to rescue their crops.

Manzoor Ahmad, a farmer in Srinagar's Batapora area, is among the leading strawberry growers in the valley. He says they have incurred more than 50-60 percent losses.

''If we compare it to last year, we have 20 percent extra produce this time and also the fruit quality is really good. But due to lockdown we have no customers and we are incurring huge losses. Our rates have gone down and the government is doing nothing. Our main source of income is strawberry farming and due to lockdown we have to bear 50-60 percent losses this year. Earlier, we used to sell this in different districts, also to vendors on the boulevard, downtown or other areas. We even sold in Ganderbal, Shopian and north Kashmir districts, said Manzoor Ahmad.

These farmers are completely on their own and have time and again approached the government for cold storage for strawberries as the fruit has a small shelf life.

''Government has zero role in this, we sell it ourselves in mandis. We request the government to at least make cold storage or make a policy as they have for saffron or orchards or cherries. People should get interested in farming but they are losing it due to no schemes. Last year, we had around 100 hectares of land utilised for strawberry farming but this year it was only 70-80 only, said Manzoor Ahmad.

Another strawberry farmer said that last year even during the lockdown, they managed to sell their produce to local people but this year with no traffic and no open market the rates have gone down.

''Production was good this year, and with no market, we have to throw our produce away. Even if we have produced more fruit this year, we are still going to bear losses, said farmer Shabir Ahmad.

The farmers are hoping that the state government would come to their rescue by either helping them in the storage of the produce or in selling the fruit in different markets.

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New Delhi: Cyclone Yaas, which has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm, will make landfall in Odisha on Wednesday morning, triggering light to moderate rainfall in Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand.

According to the IMD, the Cyclone Yaas will make landfall near Dhamra Port in Bhadrak district early on Wednesday morning. "CycloneYaas is 'very likely' to move north-northwestwards to reach near north Odisha coast close to the north of Dhamra & south of Balasore by noon today, as a 'very severe cyclonic storm' with a wind speed of 130-140 kmph (issued at 0300 hrs),'' the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

#CycloneYaas is 'very likely' to move north-northwestwards to reach near north Odisha coast close to north of Dhamra & south of Balasore by noon today, as a 'very severe cyclonic storm' with wind speed of 130-140 kmph (issued at 0300 hrs): India Meteorological Department (IMD) pic.twitter.com/iiHZxuOz1I  ANI (@ANI) May 25, 2021

Ahead of the landfall, the governments in West Bengal and Odisha have evacuated lakhs of people from vulnerable areas to safer places as a precautionary measure.

The MeT department has also predicted heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in these states. "Light to moderate rainfall expected at most places in Odisha with heavy to very heavy rains at few places with extremely heavy falls at isolated places in Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Balasore, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Kendrapara, and Keonjhargarh today," IMD said.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has sent Minister of State for Home, DS Mishra to Balasore to monitor the situation in the northern parts of the state.

Jena said the four coastal districts of Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak and Balasore are in the high-risk zone, while the impact of Yaas will also be felt in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Dhenkanal, Angul, and parts of Puri and Khurda districts.

Putting out a warning also for Jharkhand the weather forecasting department said that light to moderate rainfall is expected at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall and extremely heavy falls at isolated places today and tomorrow.

"Light-moderate rainfall at most places, extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places over Medinipur and heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Bankura, Jhargram, South 24 Parganas and heavy falls at isolated areas like Kolkata, Nadia among others today," the Met department added.

IMD earlier informed that the Cyclone is "very likely" to reach near north Odisha coast close to Bhadrak`s Dhamra port by the early morning of May 26.

Ahead of the landfall, Jharkhand has evacuated people from vulnerable areas in East and West Singhbhum districts near the borders of West Bengal and Odisha and moved them to safety.

Meanwhile, the South Eastern Railways has announced the cancellation of several passenger special trains till Wednesday.

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New Delhi: Delhi extended the COVID-19 induced lockdown for the fifth consecutive time on Sunday (May 23) by another week. This time, self-employed people have been given relaxation by the Delhi government from the restrictions.

Who does not require an e-pass to travel?

1. The police have been allowing the movement of people for medical services without an e-pass. Those in search of medical supplies or patients travelling for a doctors appointment have to produce a doctor's prescription in order to travel in the UT.

2. Essential services are exempted from the lockdown. Essential workers will be able to travel by showing their valid identity cards. However, those working with ration and other food-item shops will have to apply for an e-pass.

3. Self-employed people have been exempted this time from the lockdown curbs. Those with valid ID cards have been allowed movement in the city. Although, those employed by these people will have to apply for e-passes to commute.

4. Officers/officials of Government of India, its autonomous/subordinate offices and PSUs can travel with valid ID cards.

5. Pregnant women and patients travelling for medical/health services along with an attendant, on the production of valid ID card / Doctors prescription / medical papers.

6. All Judicial officers/officials/staff members of all courts of Delhi (Honble Supreme Court of India / Honble High Court of Delhi / District Courts / Tribunals) can travel with ID cards.

7. Persons who are going for COVID-19 testing or vaccination don't require e-pass.

8. Persons coming from/going to Airports/Railway stations//SBTs allowed to travel on the production of a valid ticket.

9. Officers/officials functioning in the offices of Diplomats of various countries as well as persons holding any constitutional post.

10. Electronic and print media personnel with valid ID cards can travel.

11. Persons/students have been allowed to appear in the examination on the production of a valid admit card. The examination staff deployed for exam duties shall be allowed to travel.

12. Movement of persons related to commercial and private establishments/offices providing essential services.

13. There shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement/transportation of essential goods. No separate permission/e-pass will be required for such movements.

On Sunday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "If COVID-19 cases continue to decrease, we will begin to unlock Delhi in a phased manner from May 31.

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New Delhi: Cyclone Yaas hit the eastern coast of India affecting several states. It came days after another cyclone Tauktae struck the coastal areas in the western part of the country. However, unlike Tauktae, the damage this time was very much limited, thanks to the effective planning by the disaster management authorities.

Zee News Anchor Sachin Arora on Wednesday (May 26) compared the impact of the two cyclones - Tauktae and Yaas  to stress upon the importance of planning in facing natures fury.

Cyclone Yaas hit the eastern coast this morning. The impact was felt in Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Bihar and Jharkhand. Earlier this month, cyclone Tauktae caused extensive damage in the states of western India.

There was not much difference between these two storms in terms of power. But despite this, more people lost their lives in the Tauktae and there was a lot of economic damage as well.

According to an estimate, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Daman Diu lost Rs 15,000 crores due to this storm. 104 people lost their lives. Whereas in Yaas, so far only two deaths have been reported.

Why is there such a big difference between the impact of these two storms? The answer is preparation and better planning.

Tauktae hit the coast of Gujarat on May 17. But about a week before, the Meteorological Department had issued a warning about it. The department issued several warning alerts.

But despite these warnings, some barge ships remained in the Arabian Sea. Perhaps this is the reason why most of those who died during this storm were those who did not return from the sea despite warnings.

This did not happen during Yaas. During this storm, the sea areas were systematically evacuated. About 15 lakh people were shifted from sea areas to safe places in West Bengal and 5 lakh people in Odisha. In Bihar and Jharkhand as well, such steps were taken.

Apart from this, 112 teams of NDRF were deployed in five states. 52 teams were deployed in Odisha and 45 teams in West Bengal. Each NDRF team consists of 47 members for carrying our rescue missions. Not only this, 50 teams were placed on standby to help in these states.

The same deployment of the NDRF took place during Tauktae, but due to the negligence of the people and inefficient management by the state governments, the massive damage could not be avoided.

Earlier, when storms hit the eastern and southeastern coastal states, there was a lot of havoc. But then these states learned to deal with the storms and started making better systems and plans for this.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was formed in 2006 after the 2004 tsunami. Today, the NDRF is the first in line to protect the country from natural disasters.

Just like the storms, there are several other things that come in waves. We are currently dealing with the waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, there are other waves as well such as the waves of sadness, mourning, emotions and happiness.

Just as the waves rise, they are bound to come down. The important thing is how one deals with these waves. If planning and preparation are done properly, these waves can be controlled.

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New Delhi: Farmer unions will be observing 'black day' on Wednesday to mark the completion of six months of their stir against the Centre's three controversial farm laws.

Samkyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of protesting unions, had announced that farmers will observe May 26 as 'Black Day' to mark the completion of six months.

According to a statement released by the Samkyukt Kissan Morch, this farmer's movement "is running on truth and non-violence and will be completing six months of its historical struggle on Wednesday".



"SKM requests all Indians to celebrate and mark Buddha Poornima tomorrow, so that truth and non-violence find a strong place back in our community, at a time when attempts are being made to erode these basic values in our society," the statement said.

On behalf of the SKM, a farmer leader Kulwant Singh appealed to all citizens to mark the black day' by hoisting black flags from their homes, vehicles and other places.

Union leaders said that farmers should wear black turbans and black chunni on this day. Kulwant Singh said that they will fix black flags at every border.

"On Wednesday, there will be black flags fixed at the three borders of the city where farmers are protesting. The protesting farmers will observe the black day at the borders and no one will try to enter the national capital. It will be very peaceful and we are urging the citizens across the nation to support the farmers by putting black flags at their homes and other possible places, Singh said.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has urged people not to hold gatherings due to the COVID-19 situation and the ongoing lockdown. It said that it is keeping a tight vigil to deal with any situation at the protest sites on Delhis borders.

Action will be taken against those who try to take the law into their hands, Delhi Police PRO Chinmoy Biswal had said, adding that the police force is already present at all borders points, including the protest sites of Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur, and will not allow any illegal activity or entry.

In the wake of the SKM's announcement, the Delhi Police had earlier urged the people to follow COVID guidelines and not to come out of their houses and gather unnecessarily due to the ongoing coronavirus situation in the national capital.

"In last over one month, we have witnessed a severe situation in the national capital due to the coronavirus in which several people lost their lives. Police and administration took several steps to control the situation.

"With the help of people, the lockdown was successfully followed in Delhi due to which the situation is gradually getting better in the national capital," the PRO said.

Biswal said, "We urge people not to gather as the virus could spread and the cases escalate. We appeal to the citizens to observe COVID- appropriate behaviour and lockdown which is still imposed in the city. There is no permission of gathering and demonstration due to the ongoing situation".

Last week, twelve major opposition parties, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Left parties, SP, NCP and DMK had extended their support to the protest.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments over allegations of flouting of COVID safety norms by farmers protesting at the borders against the farm laws.

It has asked them to file within four weeks action taken reports regarding the steps taken to control the spread of COVID-19 infection at the protest sites. In a statement, the NHRC said that India is reeling under a "scary" second wave of the coronavirus pandemic and these protesters are not only putting their lives in danger but also posing a risk to the others in rural areas as "potential carriers" of the virus.

"The complainant has also stated that more than 300 farmers have died during this ongoing protests due to several reasons, including COVID infection. The cases of black fungus, etc, are also rising.

"He has sought the intervention of the Commission apprehending that situation may become more worrisome as the farmers, in large numbers, are planning for observing May 26, 2021 as 'Black Day,'" the rights panel said.

Thousands of protesting farmers reached Delhi borders on November 26 last year to protest against the Centre's three new farm laws.

On Republic Day, a tractor parade that was to highlight the demands of the farmer unions to repeal three new agri laws dissolved into anarchy on the streets of the city as tens of thousands of protesters broke through barriers, fought with police, overturned vehicles and hoisted a religious flag from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort.

More than 300 policemen were injured in the incident.

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New Delhi: Mehul Choksi who has been missing for the last few days has been found in the Caribbean country of Dominica. Fugitive Choksi is wanted by Indian authorities in the Rs 14000 cr PNB fraud case had fled to Antigua in 2018 from where he was missing in the last few days.

The Dominican authorities have confirmed his presence in the country and he being in the custody. Choksi's lawyer Vijay Aggarwal speaking to WION said, "family is happy and relieved that finally whereabouts of Mehul Choksi are known. And efforts are being made to speak to him so that one can know a clearer picture that how he was taken to Dominica"

Dominica is near antigua and barbuda. He is expected to be sent back to Antigua soon. Remember speaking to WION on Tuesday, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne had said, 'I want to make it clear to the people of India, and the entire world, Mehul choksi is not welcomed here in Antigua and Barbuda, we want him out of the country, and as soon as leaves the better."

After his mysterious disappearance, the local authorities in Antigua had shared the missing person's report with Interpol. There is already a red corner notice against him, which means if he crosses the border, immigration authorities of any country can apprehend him.

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Panaji (Goa): The Goa government has filed an appeal in the Bombay High Court against former editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine Tarun Tejpal`s acquittal verdict in an alleged sexual assault case. Goa CM Pramod Sawant said that the state government will fight this case until the woman gets justice.

Goa CM Pramod Sawant told ANI, "We have filed an appeal in Bombay High Court against the verdict (acquittal of Tarun Tejpal, former editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine, in alleged sexual assault case). The state government will fight this case until the woman gets justice."

The former Editor-in-Chief of the Tehelka investigative magazine had been accused by a junior colleague of sexually assaulting her at a five-star resort in Goa.

Tejpal, who was already out on bail, had been booked under sections 376 (rape), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement) 354A (sexual harassment) and 354B (criminal assault) of the Indian Penal Code for sexually assaulting a woman in 2013.

He was arrested on November 30 in 2013 after allegedly raping his colleague at a five-star resort in North Goa. On September 29, 2017, the court had charged him with various Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including rape, sexual harassment, and wrongful confinement.

Tejpal pleaded not guilty, but the charges were framed. He moved the Supreme Court seeking quashing of the charges levelled against him. In August, the top court refused to quash the charges and directed the trial to be concluded within six months.

On May 21, the Additional District and Sessions Court in North Goa had acquitted Tejpal from all the charges, giving him the benefit of doubt. The court observed that there was no evidence to support the allegations made by the complainant woman.

Meanwhile, the Goa CM described the order as "unfortunate" and said that his government would challenge it in the High Court.

(With Agency Inputs)

Live TV
In an exclusive conversation with WION, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne has said that his government has informed India of Mehul Choksi missing, with information being also shared with Interpol. Fugitive Choksi is wanted by Indian authorities in the Rs 14000 crore PNB fraud case and had fled to the country in 2018, with India seeking to extradite him.

Speaking to WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent, Sidhant Sibal Gaston Browne said, "So the missing persons report that was put out locally, it is now being shared with Interpol".Choksi has been missing from the country for the last 24 hours with local authorities able to locate the vehicle he used last.

WION: Mehul Choksi has been missing, it has been the last 24 hours. if you can give details?

Gaston Browne: Yes, we had a report from Mr Choksi's household that he went missing. Law enforcement has got involved, they have located his vehicle but they are yet to locate Mr Choksi. Mr Choksi had 2 matters before the courts of Antigua and Barbuda. One the revocation of his citizenship and secondly his extradition to India. He recently asked the case to be expedited and also switched attorney. He recently contracted the services of one Edward Fitzgerald CBE QC, a well-known and celebrated criminal lawyer in the UK. He has been fighting the extradition as well as the revocation of his citizenship. Today, as much as he is missing, We have no reliable information, that he has fled the country, even though there is speculation to that effect. Our STRATCOM has actually issued a missing person report and that report is being shared with Interpol. I am aware that India has put out the red notice if he had indeed fled to another country, it is a matter of time he will be identified, and then perhaps the government of India will have to seek some form of cooperation from whichever country he would have fled too. But again as I said before, we really do not have any tangible information that he has fled the country and law enforcement is doing all they can in order to locate him.

WION: Has the Indian government reached out to you? Also, sir you mentioned Interpol. If you can give some details, how have you reached out to Interpol?

Gaston Browne: So the missing persons report that was put out locally, it is now being shared with Interpol. It is what is called a green notice. A green notice will be placed internationally for Mehul Choksi as a missing person and that will complement the red notice that has been already issued by Govt of India. If by chance he has absconded to another country, then as soon as he is identified, action could be taken against him. In so far as cooperation with the Indian govt, I spoke to the Indian High Commissioner to Antigua and Barbuda up to this morning, so they are fully aware and we have been collaborating as have done in the beginning of the case.

WION: So, you have officially informed the Indian Govt of Mehul Choksi being missing?

Gaston Browne: Absolutely, we have.

WION: He has been missing for the last 24 hrs, and unlikely he could flee the country. What could have happened to him?

Gaston Browne: I did not say unlikely he could have fled the country. What I said is we don't have any reliable information that he has fled the country. What we do know at the airport, certainly he did not use any aircraft, if he would have fled the country. If he would have fled the country it would by way of some form of sea vessel.

WION: What are the chances of his extradition, and him being sent back to India?

Gaston Browne: Well, we feel confident that he will be extradited but as you know, the law is such that we have to allow the due process after that he would be expedited his case, exhausted all of his appeals then we will take action to have him extradited. I want to make it clear to the people of India, and the entire world, Mehul Choksi is not welcomed here in Antigua and Barbuda, we want him out of the country, and as soon as leaves the better.

WION: Situation of vaccination in your country and India's support?

Gaston Browne: I want to once again, thank PM (Narendra) Modi for that very important act of benevolence in which he made 500,000 vaccines to the Caribbean region. I guarantee you that if it wasn't for those vaccines, we would have been perhaps, we would have seen a greater crisis. We still would have been in crisis and I can assure you that he has literally saved tens of thousands of lives here in the Caribbean region and for that, we are eternally grateful. That type of benevolence helps to strengthen both the bilateral and multilateral relations with India. So I think, it was easily one of the most benevolent acts we have seen by any leader within the last century. Especially considering India has its own problem and we all knew that India was in the need of those vaccines but he went the extra mile to assess many countries globally and from that standpoint, he should be commended. We share our empathy with the people of India. We know you are presently going through a crisis with COVID and we just hope in the coming weeks you will get things under control and there will be a significant reduction in hospitalization and deaths of the Indian people. Our prayers are with you and as we know this is a global issue that requires global solidarity and so we are standing in solidarity with the Indian people

WION: How has been the collaboration on climate change between India and your country?

Gaston Browne: Climate change is a problem for all humanity and it requires global cooperation and global solidarity. We believe all of us should continue to meet our commitments that we have agreed to in the Paris accord and I know India has been taking the necessary steps to reduce its emissions and at the same time even to help poorer countries to build the capacity to adapt and mitigate against the effects of climate change. So this requires global action in order to save our common humanity and again India and the Caribbean region, globe. In fact, we are very happy, that US has rejoined the Paris accord and is now providing leadership in this very significant existential threat that is facing all humanity. So the cooperation goes beyond India and the Caribbean and what is required is global solidarity and cooperation and action in fighting climate change.

WION: How do you see India's Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and International solar alliance?

Gaston Browne: Again as I said, India has been helping countries globally, especially the small vulnerable countries globally to build capacity and we are impressed by that type of global leadership that is being exerted by India in helping us deal with this most significant existential threat that is facing all humanity.

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Bengaluru: Freedom fighter and activist H S Doreswamy died after suffering a cardiac arrest in a hospital in Bengaluru on Wednesday, he is survived by two children.

The 103-year-old freedom fighter had displayed mild symptoms of COVID-19 and returned home in five days. He had recovered from coronavirus infection on May 13.

Born on April 10, 1918, Harohalli Srinivasaiah Doreswamy took part in the Quit India movement and was jailed for 14 months. He had also participated in the 'Mysuru Chalo' movement to compel the then Mysuru Maharaja to accede to the Indian State post independence.

An alumni of the Central college in Bengaluru, Doreswamy was into the teaching profession and even ran a newspaper called 'Pauravani'.

He had taken part in various agitations till COVID-19 outbreak.
New Delhi: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will commence a study to examine the effectiveness of AstraZeneca's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin from next week.

This is the first of its kind study since the launch of these vaccines in the country, the survey will examine the effectiveness in preventing progression of COVID-19 into a severe form, as per a report by PTI.

According to Dr Tarun Bhatnagar, a senior scientist at ICMR's National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) in Chennai nearly 4,000 people above the age of 45 years who have taken either one or both doses of any of these two vaccines will be reviewed.

"As a part of the study we will take people who are COVID-19 positive and hospitalised and compare their vaccination status with those who have tested COVID negative. The aim is to assess how effective vaccination is in preventing progression of the disease into a severe form," Bhatnagar told PTI.

The cumulative vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 20 crore so far.

The government has also been stressing on the need to wear a mask and adherence to other COVID protocols.

India, so far, has approved the use of three vaccines against COVID-19. These include Pune-based Serum Institute's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin.

Russia's Sputnik V is the third vaccine to get approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for Emergency Use Authorisation and has been used in a few private hospitals so far.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 01:39:04|Editor: huaxia

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BAKU, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The Azerbaijani government on Tuesday said most of the COVID-19 restrictions would be relaxed in the country starting from the end of the month, as the number of new cases has been declining in the past weeks.

Speaking at a press briefing of the Operational Headquarters for COVID-19 prevention and control, Shahmar Movsumov, an assistant to the president, said people will no longer need to wear a face mask outdoors from May 31.

"In addition, the Baku metro and inter-city public transport will resume its work," he said.

However, wearing a face mask indoors and in public transport is still mandatory.

He said that from June 10, large shopping centers, places of worship, gyms and health centers will also reopen across the country but with certain restrictions on the number of visitors.

Movsumov also revealed the government's plans to introduce COVID passports.

"At the first stage we plan to make COVID passports mandatory for those wishing to visit a gym or a health center. In the future, these passports will allow citizens to visit cinemas, theatres, and also receive other advantages, like holding a wedding ceremony, for example," he added.

The country registered 284 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing its total to 332,894, according to the Operational Headquarters.

A total of 2,021,371 people have received jabs in the country so far, of them nearly 863,000 fully vaccinated, health authorities said.

Most of the air traffic in and out of the country still remains suspended, with the exception of a limited number of special, private, and charter flights. Enditem
Dehradun: Following the remarks made by Ramdev regarding allopathy doctors, the Uttarakhand division of Indian Medical Association (IMA) has demanded strict action against the Yoga Guru.

IMA state unit, President Dr Ajay Khanna said that a letter has been sent to the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary on Monday evening in this regard.

"In the letter, it is written that there is a lot of resentment among the IMA doctors against the statement of Baba Ramdev. The Union Health Minister has also sent a notice to Ramdev on the same stating that the statement is considered incorrect", Dr Khanna said.

He added that the state government should take strict action against Ramdev immediately. A defamation notice is also being sent to Baba Ramdev on behalf of the IMA, informed Dr Ajay Khanna.

"In addition to a defamation case that will be filed soon, an FIR will also be lodged, if the government did not take concrete action on the same", he said.

Ramdev withdrew his statements on allopathic medicine after receiving a strong-worded letter from Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan who called his remarks "inappropriate".

"We do not oppose modern medical science and allopathy. We believe that allopathy has shown immense progress in surgery and the lifesaving system and served humanity. My statement has been quoted as part of a WhatsApp message that I was reading during a meeting of volunteers. I am sorry if it has hurt anyone`s sentiment," wrote Ramdev in his letter to the Union Health Minister in Hindi.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Saturday sent a legal notice to yoga guru Ramdev over his alleged statements against allopathy and "defaming" scientific medicine.

However, the Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust has denied allegations by the IMA that Ramdev has misled people by making "unlearned" statements against allopathy and defamed scientific medicine.

"IMA brings to the notice of our Health Minister, a video circulating in social media portraying, the celebrated Yoga Guruji saying that `modern allopathy ek aisi stupid aur diwaliya science hai` (modern allopathy is a stupid and failed science)," the association said in its statement.

According to a Haridwar-based Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust statement, Yog Guru Ramdev was reading out a WhatsApp forwarded message in the video that has gone viral on social media.

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New Delhi: For more than a year, Isha Crematoriums have been working round the clock to ensure that the bereaved bid a dignified farewell to their loved ones. With the pandemic raging in its second wave, states across India are struggling with a heart-rending reality: An acute shortage of space and resources is preventing families from according a dignified farewell to COVID victims and posing a critical challenge for administrations.

Volunteers are working tirelessly in #IshaCrematoriums to ensure that the Departed are released with the right ambiance of sensitivity. This is important for both the Living and the Departed. Blessings. wrote Sadhguru, Founder-Isha Foundation, in a tweet commenting on the crucial role of Isha Crematoriums in ensuring Dignity in Death for COVID victims in Tamil Nadu.

Volunteers are working tirelessly in #IshaCrematoriums to ensure that the Departed are released with the right ambience of sensitivity. This is important for both the Living and the Departed. Blessings. Sg #DignityInDeath #IshaCOVIDAction pic.twitter.com/BxwmLk1eHg  Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) May 25, 2021

Eighteen Isha Crematoriums  Kayantha Sthanams  have stepped up to support the administration and the community to ensure that the final journey is handled with sensitivity & efficiency. For the past year, Isha-trained volunteers and staff have been working round the clock to facilitate a dignified farewell to victims of the pandemic.

They undergo rigorous training in cremation services and related pre and post activities, procedures and rituals. Death rituals, with a powerful energy basis, are conducted with the sanctity and integrity necessary to alleviate the grief of the living as well as ensure a dignified exit for the departed.

Volunteer activities include transporting bodies to the crematorium; ensuring speedy completion of formalities; contacting relatives of the deceased and ensuring the bereaved get adequate time to bid goodbye to their loved ones.

All those working in the crematoriums diligently adhere to a combination of safety protocols. They are taught simple Yogic practices to strengthen the respiratory system, enhance immunity and increase oxygen levels. Preventive measures include daily servings of Nilavembu Kashayam and Kabasura Kudineer  potent herbal concoctions - apart from specially prepared nutritious food to enable the body to fight infection.

Well-trained and respectful staff and the spic and span premises which has a Kalabhairav shrine offer a measure of support and comfort to the grieving. As volunteers and staff place themselves at risk every day to alleviate human suffering, Ishas crematorium services are increasingly gaining the respect and admiration of thousands in the community for its humaneness.

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New Delhi: Moderna is expecting to launch a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in India next year and is in talks with Cipla among other Indian firms, while another US giant Pfizer is ready to offer 5 crore shots in 2021 itself but it wants significant regulatory relaxations including indemnification, sources said on Tuesday.

While Moderna has conveyed to Indian authorities that it does not have surplus vaccines to share in 2021, there are limited prospects of Johnson & Johnson exporting its jabs from the US to other countries in the near future, the sources privy to discussions added.

Two rounds of high-level meetings chaired by the Cabinet Secretary were held last week on the availability of vaccines in the global as well as domestic markets as it was felt that there is an urgent need to procure the jabs at a time the country is reeling under an unprecedented second wave of COVID-19 and a widening gap between supply and requirement.

Currently, the country is using two 'made-in India' jabs - Covishield and Covaxin - to inoculate its billion-plus population and has administered 20 crore doses since launching the world's largest vaccination drive in mid-January.

A third vaccine, Russian-made Sputnik V, has been approved by the government and is being used on a smaller scale at present. In the high-level meeting officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, NITI Aayog, Department of Biotechnology, Law Ministry and Health Ministry were present.

It was discussed that Moderna doesn't have surplus vaccines to share in 2021 and that it plans to launch its single-dose vaccine for the Indian market only in 2022, for which, they are in discussion with Cipla and other Indian companies, a source said.

It is learnt that Cipla has already evinced interest in procuring 5 crore doses from Moderna for 2022 and has requested confirmation from the central government in respect of stability in regulatory requirements/policy regime.

The Health Ministry has also been asked to take an early decision on Cipla's request regarding support required by them for procurement of Moderna vaccines.

In the case of Pfizer, the US pharma giant has indicated availability of 5 crore vaccine doses -- 1 crore in July, 1 crore in August, 2 crore in September and 1 crore in October -for supply to India in 2021 and that it will deal only with Government of India and payment for vaccines will have to be made by GOI to Pfizer India.

The central government will make its own arrangement for further channelization of procured vaccines in the domestic market. According to another source, for the supply of vaccines to India, Pfizer has asked for indemnification from the Government of India and a document in this regard has been received from Pfizer Inc.

Further, Pfizer has also sought certain relaxations in the regulatory regime, including relaxation in the requirement of post-approval bridging trials and dispensing the requirement of testing their vaccines in CDL (Central Drugs Laboratory).

Taking into consideration the track record of the company, similar arrangements done with other countries in the world and the current pandemic situation, an overall view may be taken to indemnify the company by the government,

officials said but flagged that in case a view is taken to indemnify the company, similar demands may be made by other companies.

As per the information furnished by Pfizer, around 116 countries in the world including the USA have signed the indemnification document.

Further, considering that over 14.7 crore doses of Pfizer had been administered worldwide without any significant reports of adverse effects, a view needs to be taken to indemnify the company in order to supplement the availability of vaccines in India, officials discussed at one recent meeting.

It was suggested that a decision on the issue of Pfizer Inc may be taken at the earliest and that NEGVAC (National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19) may hold a meeting immediately on these issues.

At a press conference on Monday, in response to a question on states being unable to procure vaccines directly from Moderna and Pfizer, Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal had said, "Whether it is Pfizer or Moderna, at the Centre-level, we have been coordinating with them."

"Also, the order book of both Pfizer and Moderna is full so it depends on their surplus that how much they can provide in India... They will come back to the Centre and we will help in facilitation to states," he said.

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Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the arrangements regarding Cyclone Yaas and said that every life is precious thus all possible steps should be taken to protect lives. He held a meeting with Chief Secretary and Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) through a virtual platform linking the state control room and cyclone dashboard.

Patnaik also sought the cooperation of people in evacuation and directed the administration to monitor the situation regularly.

Cyclone Yaas is likely to make landfall by noon on Wednesday with a wind speed of about 130 to 155 kmph, informed the India Meteorological Department (IMD), adding that it currently lay centered over northwest Bay of Bengal.

"We are expecting `very severe cyclonic storm` Cyclone Yaas to make landfall by noon today with a wind speed of 130-140 kmph gusting 155 kmph," Umashankar Das, senior scientist at the IMD, Bhubaneswar told ANI.

He further quoted as saying, "(As of 6:45 am) The cyclone lay centered over northwest Bay of Bengal near latitude 20.8N and longitude 87.3E, about 40 km east of Dhamra (Odisha), 90 km south-southwest of Digha (West Bengal) and 90 km south-southeast of Balasore (Odisha)."

People in Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand woke up to strong winds and heavy rain on Wednesday morning and braced for the cyclone. The IMD had earlier informed that the cyclone is very likely to reach near north Odisha coast close to Bhadrak`s Dhamra port by the early morning of May 26.

Chief Secretary SC Mohapatra on Tuesday briefed the CM Naveen Patnaik about steps taken by the administration regarding evacuation and SRC PK Jena made a presentation regarding the position of the cyclone. He said the latest data suggest that cyclone will make a landfall between Bahanaga and Basudevpur.

Jena also briefed on arrangements made for drinking water, special arrangements at Covid hospitals, oxygen buffer, power supply communication network, and other arrangements. "The evacuation is going on in full swing. Over 2.5 lakh have already been evacuated. All will be evacuated from vulnerable places by tonight," he added.

Meanwhile, over 11.5 lakh people were evacuated from vulnerable places in West Bengal ahead of the cyclone, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee informed on Tuesday, adding that she will stay at the state secretariat `Nabanna` on May 25 and May 26 to monitor the cyclonic situation and relief work.

Meanwhile, two persons were electrocuted and at least 80 houses were damaged in Hooghly and North 24 Parganas districts due to strong winds and heavy rainfall on Tuesday at the onset of cyclone Yaas.

As many as 38 long-distance South-bound and Kolkata-bound passenger trains have been cancelled from May 24 to 29. The Indian Navy, too, has ramped up rescue and relief operations to minimise damages. As part of the preparation, two Navy Diving Teams and five flood relief teams comprising of specialized Navy personnel with associated equipment and inflatable boats, have been deployed.

(With Agency Inputs)

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New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday (May 26) said that the manufacturers of Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V have agreed to supply to the national capital.

The Delhi CM added the quantity of the COVID-19 vaccine to be provided to the city is yet to be decided. "Talks with the makers of Sputnik V are on. They will give us vaccine, but the quantity is yet to be decided. Our officials and the representatives of the vaccine manufacturers met on Tuesday, too," Kejriwal was quoted as saying by PTI.

Further, the AAP chief, who was speaking at Delhi's first drive-through vaccination centre at Vegas Mall in Dwarka, informed that Delhi has reported around 620 cases of black fungus or mucormycosis so far, adding that there is a shortage of Amphotericin-B injections used in its treatment.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated a drive-in #COVID19 vaccination centre at Vegas Mall in Sector 12 of Dwarka today. pic.twitter.com/xx6dZF8YY3  ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2021

He urged the Central government to procure COVID-19 vaccines by Moderna and Pfizer which he said are suitable for children.

Earlier on Monday, Kejriwal had made a similar appeal to the Centre. "We've spoken to Pfizer, Moderna for vaccines, and both the companies have refused to sell vaccines directly to us. They have said that they will deal with the Government of India alone. Appeal to the Centre to import vaccines and distribute to the States," he told ANI.

(With PTI inputs)

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New Delhi: The disgruntled Indian Medical Association (IMA) has now shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealing him to put a stop to the "misinformation campaign on vaccination by Ramdev". Taking a sharp note of the yog guru's recent remarks, the association has asked the prime minister to take "appropriate action (against Ramdev) under charges of sedition".

In the letter, IMA said it would like to "painfully" bring to notice a video which is in circulation in social media where the guru has claimed that about 10,000 doctors have died in spite of taking both the doses of (COVID-19) vaccine and lakhs of people have died due to allopathic medicine".

"Indian Medical Association is proactively spearheading your commitment to enforcing vaccination to all above 18 years, as the tool to overcome the corona pandemic. When you initiated the vaccine rollout, IMA leaders across the country stood first to get the vaccine and by this dispelled the vaccine hesitancy," IMA said in its letter.

READ IMA'S LETTER HERE:

It added that members of the modern medicine professionals follow the guidelines and protocols issued by the Union health ministry through ICMR or the national task force in the treatment offered to millions of people.

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand chapter of the IMA  the apex body of Indian doctors, has slapped a Rs 1,000 crore defamation notice on Ramdev for his controversial remarks about allopathy, scientific medicine and their use in treating COVID-19.

On Saturday, the IMA had said that Ramdev claimed allopathy is 'stupid science' and medicines such as remdesivir, faviflu, and other drugs approved by the Drugs Controller General of India have failed to treat COVID-19 patients. The association had cited a video circulating on social media.

The doctors' body also quoted Ramdev as saying that 'lakhs of patients have died after taking allopathic medicines'. Though, these remarks have been denied by the Haridwar-based Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust.
New Delhi: Senior IPS officer Subodh Kumar Jaiswal has been appointed the new director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for two years, according to an order issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

Jaiswal has been appointed as the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), for a period of two years, the Ministry order said.

A Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led three-member selection committee had on Monday shortlisted his name for the post. The CBI had got an acting Director in the form of Praveen Sinha after the term of RK Shukla ended on February 3 this year.

Subodh Kumar Jaiswal  A RAW veteran and top security expert

Jaiswal is a 1985-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Maharashtra cadre. Prior to his appointment as the new CBI director, he was serving as the Director-General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

Jaiswal was picked by then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to be the Mumbai Police Commissioner in June 2018 and served till February 2019. He went on to become the Maharashtra Director General of Police before being called on central deputation again.

While serving in Maharashtra, he led the investigation into the Telgi stamp paper scam case before it was taken over by the CBI. He then headed the State Reserve Police Force, following which he joined the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad.

Subodh Kumar was the front runner for the post of Delhi Police Commissioner after the retirement of Amulya Patnaik, incidentally, his batchmate.

The veteran officer headed the Maharashtra State Intelligence Bureau at the time of the Mumbai terror attack of 2008 and worked closely with US agencies in the aftermath of that incident. It was also involved in the investigation into the Elgar Parishad and Bhima Koregaon violence cases before they were transferred to the NIA.

Jaiswal also has a long stint with the Intelligence Bureau and the country's external intelligence agency, R&AW.

After taking charge of CBI chief, Subodh Kumar will look after the case of 100 crore extortion allegations by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Parambir Singh, 1988 Batch IPS.

He is believed to be holding crucial information regarding the ongoing case of 100 crore vasooli being probed by the CBI. His fellow officer Rashmi Shukla had provided him with some crucial information with the documentary evidence, because of which the Maharashtra government initiated an inquiry against her.

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Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced that the COVID-19 aid provided for government-accredited journalists would be increased to Rs 5000 from the existing sum of Rs 3000. He also announced that the solatium paid to the kin of journalists who lose their lives due to the pandemic will be doubled.

Stalin had earlier announced journalists as frontline workers amid the pandemic. During the AIADMK regime in Tamil Nadu, media persons were provided free and priority vaccination along with frontline workers, well ahead of the assembly elections.

According to Stalin, the provision to hike the aid amount and compensation comes after several requests. He added that the journalists and media acted as a bridge between government and public in ensuring that the right information reached the people.

However, the state government and its publicity arm, the Department of Information and Public Relations, has refused to renew the accreditation of many eligible journalists, while also not providing accreditation for new applicants. Relevant Officials from the DIPR were not available for comment. The officials for long have been offering excuses that provision of accreditation has been halted owing to legal issues.

In the absence of accreditation from the government, many journalists may not be eligible for the benefits, neither would their families be provided compensation in case of bereavement.

I have been in the possession of an accreditation card since 2008, but the government department has not renewed my card since late 2019, despite submitting all the required papers on time, said a senior journalist.

With nearly 35,000 daily cases, Tamil Nadu is the state that is reporting the highest number of COVID-19 cases across India. On Tuesday, the state witnessed 468 deaths and the active cases stood at 3.06 lakh.

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New Delhi: Security forces in a joint operation busted a terrorist hideout in the Naranag forest area on the outskirts of central Kashmir's Ganderbal district on Wednesday (May 26) and recovered arms and ammunition from the spot.

According to reports, joint forces, including Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Indian Army and CRPF, acting on a specific input, launched a cordon and search operation in the Naranag Forest area. "During the search operation, the forces recovered two empty magazines of AK-47 rifle, a grenade and 30 rounds of an assault rifle," a police official said.

Police in this regard registered an FIR under Section 7/25 of the Indian Arms Act 3/4 of Explosive Act at the Kangan Police Station. An investigation has been initiated into the matter.

In a similar incident earlier last week, two pistols and eleven bullets were recovered during a joint operation of Army and Jammu Kashmir police in Mahra village of Surankote in Poonch district on Tuesday, officials said.

The operation was launched jointly by the Army and the police during which arms and ammunition were found kept hidden in the area.

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New Delhi: BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra on Wednesday (May 26) slammed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal or criticising the Modi government over the vaccination programme, as it charged him with doing 'politics of self-promotion' and asked him to desist from 'abuse and accuse' tactics.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said Kejriwal had earlier advocated decentralisation of the vaccination programme and opening it up, but after the Centre did so, he has taken a u-turn and is indulging in lies, misinformation and credit-taking.

Patra said the Delhi chief minister holds two to three press conferences almost daily to do politics. "He appears to be doing the politics of self-promotion. Now is not the time for such politics," he said, adding the AAP chief should shun "accuse and abuse" tactics.

Hitting out at the Delhi CM over his claim that the national capital is running short of COVID vaccines, Patra claimed that even today the Kejriwal government has over 1.5 lakh vaccine doses. The Centre has made over 20 crore doses of vaccines available to states in 130 days, he added, noting that India ranks second only to the US in this regard. "Over 42 percent of Indians over 60 years of age have got at least one dose of vaccine," he added.

Patra also took potshots at Kejriwal over his recent claim that his government is preparing for the third wave of the pandemic and asked why he did not prepare for the second wave. "During the second wave, Kejriwal blamed the Modi government for the lack of oxygen and other matters, then how is he preparing now for the third wave," Patra said. He asked CM Kejriwal to apologise for his mistake of not taking adequate measures to deal with the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the national capital.

Sambit Patra attacks Arvind Kejriwal over Pakistan reference

Sambit Patra took a swipe at Arvind Kejriwal for his Pakistan reference. "When India was indeed in a war with Pakistan, Kejriwal was seeking evidence," Patra said, referring to the surgical strikes by the Indian forces inside Pakistani territory to target terror camps.

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal had lashed out at the Centre holding it responsible for the shortage of vaccines in the country. The CM drew an analogy between the need for vaccines during the pandemic and the need for tanks during wars.

"It is something like Pakistan declaring a war on India and then they ask if Delhi has manufactured a nuclear bomb and Uttar Pradesh bought a tank.... It is the central government's responsibility to procure and supply vaccines. Delhi can be held accountable if they (the Centre) give us vaccines and we do not open up centres," he had said.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 05:18:23|Editor: huaxia

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LISBON, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Portugal received on Tuesday over 2.41 billion euros (2.96 billion dollars) from the European Union (EU)'s SURE program, a temporary support to mitigate unemployment risks in an emergency following the COVID-19 outbreak.

This is the second payment of this mechanism of solidarity. Portugal had received the first installment of 3 billion euros in December 2020.

In total, the Portuguese will receive 5.9 billion euros from SURE out of a total of 14.137 billion euros distributed by the European Commission among 12 member states of the EU.

According to the European Commission, the EU's executive body, these amounts are loans to help countries "cover costs directly related to financing" of measures taken to keep workers on reduced working hours or lay-offs during the pandemic.

Last week, the Portuguese government announced new measures to encourage the "normalization of business activity," as well as support for micro-companies with an aim at "maintaining jobs." (1 euro = 1.23 U.S. dollars) Enditem
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday (May 26) lashed out at the Centre holding it responsible for the shortage of vaccines in the country.

Saying that the state governments are not allowed to import vaccines, Kejriwal stressed that it is the Centre's responsibility to provide vaccines.

The CM drew an analogy between the need for vaccines during the pandemic and the need for tanks during wars.

Why isnt this country buying vaccines? We cant leave it on states. Our country is at war against COVID-19. If Pakistan attacks India, will we leave states on their own? Will UP buy its own tanks or Delhi its own arms? Kejriwal said in an online briefing.

As per my knowledge, no state govt has been able to procure a single dose of vaccine till now. Vaccine companies have denied speaking to the state governments, he added.

Highlighting the acute shortage of vaccines in the national capital and across the country, Kejriwal said that several vaccination centres for the 18-44 age group are shut.

There's no vaccine in Delhi. For four days vaccination centres for the 18-44 age group are shut and not just here but across India, several centres are shut. Today when we should have opened new centres, we are shutting the existing ones, which is not good, he said.

Kejriwal said that it was a time for both states and the Centre to unite and work together.

We need to work as Team India. It's the Centre's responsibility to provide vaccines, not states. If we delay it more, don't know how many more lives will be lost, he said.

Earlier this week, Kejriwal appealed to the Centre to import COVID-19 vaccines after Pfizer and Moderna refused to directly sell to the Delhi government.

Kejriwal in the past few days has urged the Centre to allow more companies in India to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines in view of the alleged shortage of vaccines in the national capital. He also said that the Centre should formulate a national policy to vaccinate every person within the next few months by increasing the production.

He said that not just two, but multiple companies should be engaged in vaccine production, and the Central Government should take the formula for producing the vaccine from these two companies and give it to all those companies which can safely make the vaccines.

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New Delhi: Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat hogged the limelight with Khwahish in 2003 and then went on to feature in Murder (2004). With two of these bold films right at the start of her career, Mallika was a headline maker for obvious reasons. Many years down the line, the actress has opened up on how she dealt with all the criticism.

In an interview with Bombay Times, Mallika Sherawat talked about what all has changed ever since she started and today's cinema. "When I acted in Murder (2004), I was almost morally assassinated for those scenes I shot; I was seen as a fallen woman. Today, those things I did back then are common in our films. Peoples perceptions have changed. Our cinema has changed. But even now, when I think of it, nothing beats the cinema of the 50s and 60s. We had wonderful roles for women, but we lack that beauty in our films in a big way. I have waited for years to get a role that has substance."

Mallika's recent project RK/RKAY had a theatrical release in the US and Canada only. The project is directed by Rajat Kapoor. It features Rajat Kapoor, Mallika Sherawat, Ranvir Shorey, Chandrachoor Rai, Kubbra Sait and Manu Rishi Chadha among others.

The actress also opened up on delays in the release of her projects and what kept her busy in-between.

"I was doing so many other things  I was travelling and doing web shows. I am living my life. I dont have a backing or a boyfriend in this business who will recommend me for roles. I have made my peace with that and the fact that I will do things my way and lead my life on my own terms. Its great to be a part of cinema", she added.
New Delhi: Former adult star Mia Khalifa's TikTok account has been banned by Pakistan and that too with a specific reason. Well, at least that's what the buzz is right now. In fact, the ex adult sensation got to know of her ban only after a fan pointed it out on Twitter.

A 'shocked' Mia Khalifa took to Twitter and reacted on her ban in the most epic way. She wrote: Shoutout to Pakistan for banning my tiktok account from the country. Ill be re-posting all my tiktoks on Twitter from now on for my Pakistani fans who want to circumvent fascism

Shoutout to Pakistan for banning my tiktok account from the country. Ill be re-posting all my tiktoks on Twitter from now on for my Pakistani fans who want to circumvent fascism  Mia K. (@miakhalifa) May 22, 2021

Earlier, Pakistan has banned TikTok twice. Reportedly, the second ban was lifted in April over 'immoral and unethical' content after TikTok offered to moderate uploads.

There has been no official statement by the Pakistani authorities on why they banned Mia Khalifa's account.

Mia has 22.2 million followers and over 270 million likes on TikTok.

The former adult star has been voicing her opinions on all burning issues - from farmers' protest in India to the Israel-Palestine conflict - Mia tweets about everything under the sky.

In February this year, Mia Khalifa found herself in the middle of a controversy for showing her support to the farmers protest where trolls used offensive language to target the former porn star.
New Delhi: Central government employees can finally breathe a sigh of relief as the increase in their dearness allowance (DA) is going to take place on July 1, 2021.

The dearness allowance will get increased by 28% from 17%, leading to an impressive hike in the salaries of over 50 lakh permanent central government employees and 65 lakh pensioners across India.

Moreover, the government is expected to pay the three pending DA instalments that were most probably delayed due to the economic constrain faced by the Indian government amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Currently, DA is paid at the rate of 17%. However, the DA will increase to 28% because all the hikes that were introduced earlier will be included in the upcoming months salary. All the central government employees can now expect a major hike in the July months salary.

Previously, the dearness allowance of central employees was increased by 4 per cent in January 2020, 3 per cent in the second half i.e. in June 2020, and by 4 per cent in January 2021. If you include all the hikes then the DA will roughly stand at 17% of the basic salary of the government employees.

How much salary will increase?

Currently, the minimum salary according to the pay matrix of central employees is Rs 18,000. Overall, a 15 per cent dearness allowance is expected to be added to the salary, which will roughly translate to an increase of Rs 2700 per month. On annual basis, the total dearness allowance will increase by Rs 32,400.

Similarly, you can calculate your DA by using your pay scale. Moreover, the government is yet to announce the dearness allowance of June 2021, which will further increase the DA.

Harishankar Tiwari, former president of AG Office Brotherhood and president of Citizens Brotherhood, told Zee Business that by June 2021, DA is expected to rise by 3-4 per cent. With this hike, dearness allowance will increase to 32% after June 2021.

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#mute
New Delhi: Hitting back at WhatsApps lawsuit against the Indian government, the Center has said that it is committed to ensuring the right to privacy of citizens, but no fundamental right is absolute. The government also noted that the right to privacy is subject to reasonable restrictions.

WhatsApp has filed a legal complaint against the Indian government seeking to block the newly rolled out regulations coming into force on Wednesday (May 26). Experts say that the rules would compel the California-based Facebook unit to break privacy protections, according to a Reuters report.

Clearing the air around privacy concerns, Union IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the government of India is committed to ensuring the right of privacy to all its citizens but at the same time it is also the responsibility of the government to maintain law and order and ensure national security.

Slamming Whatsapp, India's IT ministry Highlights, "WhatsApp seeks to mandate a privacy policy wherein it will share the data of all its user with its parent company, Facebook, for marketing and advertising purposes."

"Any operations being run in India are subject to the law of the land", WhatsApps refusal to comply with the guidelines is a "clear act of defiance of a measure whose intent can certainly not be doubted", says India.

- With inputs from Sidhant Sibal
New Delhi: Twitter-rival Koo has raised $30 million (about Rs 218 crore) in Series B funding, led by Tiger Global with existing investors also participating in the latest round.

Existing investors Accel Partners, Kalaari Capital, Blume Ventures and Dream Incubator also took part in the round, Koo said in a statement. IIFL and Mirae Assets are other new investors who have come on board the cap table with this round, it added.

Notably, the fund raising comes amid new IT intermediary rules taking effect, translating into greater accountability and scrutiny for social media companies, including Twitter and Facebook. Koo has close to 60 lakh users, making it a major social media intermediary under the new guidelines.

Koo, last week, said it has complied with the requirements of the new rules and its privacy policy, terms of use and community guidelines now reflect the changes.

"Koo, India's own microblogging app, has raised USD 30 million in Series B funding," it said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that Tiger Global led the investment round.

The fresh round of funding would be used mainly to strengthen engineering, product and community efforts across all Indian languages at Koo.

Aprameya Radhakrishna, Co-Founder and CEO of Koo said, ?We have aggressive plans to grow into one of the world's largest social media platforms in the next few years. Every Indian is cheering for us to get there soon".

Tiger Global is the right partner to have on board to realise this dream, Radhakrishna added.

Koo was founded by serial entrepreneurs Aprameya Radhakrishna, founder of TaxiForSure and Mayank Bidawatka who previously founded companies like MediaAnt and Goodbox. Its popularity peaked amid clarion calls for expanding the ecosystem of homegrown digital platforms.

Koo has seen a massive growth in its user base over the past few months after union ministers and government departments endorsed the homegrown microblogging platform, following a spat with Twitter.
New Delhi: As the new IT rules for social media companies take effect from today (May 26), giant digital platforms Facebook and Google have already asserted they are working towards meeting the compliance requirements.

The new rules, announced on February 25, require large social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp to follow additional due diligence, including the appointment of a chief compliance officer, nodal contact person and resident grievance officer.

On Tuesday, Facebook on Tuesday said it is working to implement operational processes and aims to comply with that. The provisions of the IT rules is coming into effect from today. The social media giant, added that it continues to discuss a few of the issues which need more engagement with the government.

"We aim to comply with the provisions of the IT rules and continue to discuss a few of the issues which need more engagement with the government. Pursuant to the IT rules, we are working to implement operational processes and improve efficiencies," said a Facebook spokesperson.

Facebook remains committed to peoples ability to freely and safely express themselves on our platform, the spokesperson added.

A Google spokesperson said the company has consistently invested in significant product changes, resources and personnel to ensure that it is combating illegal content in an effective and fair way, and to comply with local laws in the jurisdictions it operates in.

"We realise that our work in keeping our platforms secure is never done and we will continue to refine our existing approaches, and evolve our policies and be as transparent as possible about how we make decisions, the spokesperson said.

Amidst growing concerns around lack of transparency, accountability and rights of users related to digital media and after elaborate consultation with the public and stakeholders, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 had been framed in February.

Among the several guidelines for social and OTT media, the IT rules called for provisions of Additional Due Diligence to Be Followed by Significant Social Media Intermediary:

Appoint a Chief Compliance Officer who shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Act and Rules. Such a person should be a resident in India.

Appoint a Nodal Contact Person for 24x7 coordination with law enforcement agencies. Such a person shall be a resident in India.

Appoint a Resident Grievance Officer who shall perform the functions mentioned under Grievance Redressal Mechanism. Such a person shall be a resident in India.

Publish a monthly compliance report mentioning the details of complaints received and action taken on the complaints as well as details of contents removed proactively by the significant social media intermediary.

Significant social media intermediaries providing services primarily in the nature of messaging shall enable identification of the first originator of the information that is required only for the purposes of prevention, detection, investigation, prosecution or punishment of an offence related to sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, or public order or of incitement to an offence relating to the above or in relation with rape, sexually explicit material or child sexual abuse material punishable with imprisonment for a term of not less than five years. Intermediary shall not be required to disclose the contents of any message or any other information to the first originator.

Significant social media intermediary shall have a physical contact address in India published on its website or mobile app or both.

Announcing the guidelines in February, it had said the new rules take effect immediately, while significant social media providers (based on number of users) will get three months before they need to start complying.

The three-month time period meant compliance by May 25.
New Delhi: Since thousands of students are waiting for the release of CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2021 results, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) issued a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the alternate policy for marks tabulation on Monday (May 24).

The FAQs for CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2021 results comprise of the queries regarding the assessment criteria, assessment in foreign schools, co-opting of teachers and several other important issues. The entire list of FAQs is available on CBSE's official website- cbse.gov.in.

In a query, related to the assessment committee in double-shift schools CBSE said, "In all cases of schools with double shifts, the teachers are to be selected from both the shifts. Since the school is allotted one affiliation number, all arrangements will be done by the Principal who is overall in-charge of the school.

In one of the answers regarding a concern about assessment of students who did not appear in any assessment, CBSE replied that If any candidate has not appeared in any of the assessments conducted by the school, the school may conduct an offline/online or a telephonic one to one assessment and record documentary evidence to certify the recommendations. The student may be assessed objectively on that basis by the school out of maximum marks of each subject.

It is notable that the central government decided to cancel CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Few days after announcing the cancellation of the CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2021, the CBSE had introduced a new marking scheme.

The CBSE also said that any candidate who is dissatisfied with the marks allocated to him/her will be given an opportunity to sit in an exam once the situation improves.

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New Delhi: The Indian Coast Guard has said that two of its offshore patrol vessels Vaibhav and Vajra are fighting the intense fire on board container ship MV X-Press pearl, off Colombo. In addition, ICGS Samudra Prahari, a specialised Pollution Response (PR) vessel has also been despatched to augment the efforts and respond to oil spill, when it may occur. Based on the aerial survey by Dornier aircraft on Wednesday, no oil spill has been spotted.

The distressed vessel MV X-Press Pearl was carrying 1486 containers with nitric acid and other hazardous International Maritime Dangerous Goods code chemicals.

The extreme fire, damage to containers and prevailing inclement weather has resulted in the vessel tilting to starboard (right side when faced towards the front of the vessel), which has led to containers falling overboard. Concerted joint efforts are in progress by two ICG Ships and four tugs of Sri Lankan authorities to douse the fire.

In addition, ICG formations at Kochi, Chennai and Tuticorin are on standby for immediate assistance towards Pollution Response. Continuous coordination is being maintained between ICG, Sri Lankan Coast Guard and other Sri Lankan authorities for augmenting the overall response operations towards containing the fire onboard MV X-Press Pearl.

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New Delhi: Indonesia's Charge D'Affaires in India, Ferdy Nico Yohannes Piay, passed away at a hospital in Jakarta on Tuesday night, weeks after he was airlifted to his country after contracting COVID-19.

Indonesian diplomat Sidharto Suryodipuro, who served in India as Indonesia's ambassador, tweeted about Piay's demise.

"With sadness but also with profound gratitude of our many memories working together that I bid farewell to a good friend and wonderful colleague, Ferdy Piay, Charge d'Affaires of @KBRI_NewDelhi. May he now rest in peace. Om Shanti," Suryodipuro said.

With sadness but also with profound gratitude of our many memories working together that I bid farewell to a good friend and wonderful colleague, Ferdy Piay, Charge d'Affaires of @KBRI_NewDelhi. May he now rest in peace. Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/ySwo8LpYj0  Sidharto Suryodipuro (@suryodipuro) May 25, 2021

It is learnt he was airlifted to Jakarta on April 27 after his condition deteriorated.

In a Twitter post, the Indonesian embassy in New Delhi condoled Piay's death and said his leadership, guidance and kindness will be remembered forever.

Indonesian media reported this month that Piay was undergoing treatment after being infected with COVID-19.

Piay was among a group of over 60 diplomats who had visited India's leading vaccine manufacturers Bharat Biotech and Biological E Limited in Hyderabad last December.

He was a career diplomat and served as director for South and Central Asia and director general for Asia Pacific and Africa at the Indonesian foreign ministry.

This is the second case of death of an official of a foreign mission based in India amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Last month, the defence advisor at Tanzania High Commission died of COVID-19. Col Moses Beatus Mlula passed away at Base hospital in Delhi Cantt on April 28, a day after he was admitted to the facility.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 19:38:04|Editor: huaxia

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ISTANBUL, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Turkey has boosted COVID-19 related measures in the country's popular tourist destination Antalya province, located along the Mediterranean coast, ahead of the new summer tourism season, local media reported on Wednesday.

Security forces have established checkpoints at the entrances and exits of the city center, checking the health codes of those who want to enter, according to the state-run Anadolu agency.

It added that the controls have also been strengthened on the beaches.

Meanwhile, during the weekday night curfews and weekend full lockdown times, authorities have been rigidly monitoring the obedience of the rules.

Antalya Governor Ersin Yazici stated that pandemic measures are strictly implemented throughout the city, and a significant decrease has been observed in the number of daily coronavirus cases.

"The situation looks good," Yazici was quoted as saying by Anadolu. "We strive to prepare the city for the tourism season, especially with our law enforcement teams, COVID-19 inspection units, and our healthcare professionals."

Over 400,000 people have been fully vaccinated in the province, with a population of 2.5 million.

The number of infections seen in every 100,000 people in Antalya was recorded as 47 between May 15-21, the latest data of the health ministry showed.

Last week, the Culture and Tourism Ministry hosted more than 80 ambassadors and foreign journalists in Antalya to present security measures for a safe tourism season, which would officially start at the beginning of June.

Antalya hosts hundreds of accommodation facilities and many ancient archaeological sites. Enditem
Washington: Top US infectious disease expert and the Biden administration`s top medical adviser, Dr Anthony Fauci, has said that the world should continue with the investigation of origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, fueling debate of the lab leak theory.

During a briefing on Tuesday, Dr Anthony Fauci said, "We feel strongly that we should continue with the investigation and go to the next phase of investigation that WHO has done. Because we dont know 100% what the (virus) origin is, it is imperative that we look and investigate."

A senior White House coronavirus adviser, Andy Slavitt, said the world needs to "get to the bottom" of the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and added that the WHO and China need to do more to reach the definitive answers in the matter.

"It is our position that we need to get to the bottom of this and we need a completely transparent process from China. We need the WHO (World Health Organization) to assist in that matter. We don`t feel like that we have that now," Andy Slavitt is quoted by ANI as saying during the briefing.

We need transparent process from China. We need WHO to assist in that matter, dont feel like we have that now. We need to get to bottom of this whatever the answer may be & that's critical priority for us: Andy Slavitt, White House Sr Advisor for COVID Response on virus origins pic.twitter.com/IY9FgEb22b  ANI (@ANI) May 25, 2021

Answering the same question, Dr Fauci, said that they "feel strongly" that the world should continue with the investigation of origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, fueling debate of the lab leak theory.

This statement comes a few days after an explosive Wall Street Journal report stated that three researchers from China`s Wuhan Institute of Virology sought hospital care after they fell ill in November 2019, a month before Beijing reported the first patient with COVID-like symptoms.

According to the report, "The US government has reason to believe that several researchers inside the WIV became sick in autumn 2019, before the first identified case of the outbreak, with symptoms consistent with both COVID-19 and common seasonal illnesses."

The revelations come amid growing calls for a fuller probe on whether the COVID-19 virus may have escaped from the Chinese laboratory. It also comes on the eve of a meeting of the WHO decision-making body, which is expected to discuss the next phase of investigation into the origin of COVID-19.

Earlier this year, the WHO report determined that the possibility the virus came from a lab was "extremely unlikely," noting there was "no record" any lab had closely related viruses.

The probe was criticized by various countries including the US, and UK over its limited access to "complete original data and samples."

The organization was also accused of being overly deferential to China throughout the course of the study, which was co-authored by 17 Chinese scientists -- several of them from state-run institutions.

China refused to give raw data on early COVID-19 cases to the WHO-led team probing the origins of the pandemic. Beijing has been accused of delaying access to international investigators for months after the initial outbreak, virtually guaranteeing that the lab had been deep-cleaned before any forensic analysis could be done.

(With Agency Inputs)

Live TV
New Delhi: The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, on Tuesday (May 25) thanked his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for supplying COVID-19 vaccines to his country.

He said that Modi helped save thousands of lives in the Caribbean.

I thank PM Modi for the act of benevolence in which he sent vaccines to us. He has saved tens of thousands of lives in the Caribbean. We are eternally grateful to India for vaccines, Browne told Zee Media.

Acknowledging that India was going through a tough time due to the second wave of the pandemic, Browne said he shared empathy with the people.

India has its own problem, but it went the extra mile. We share our empathy with the people of India. Our prayers are with the people of India and we stand in solidarity with them, Browne said.

Browne also talked about fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi who fled India after being accused in the Rs 14000 crore PNB fraud case. He said that information about Choksi is being shared with Interpol.

Browne said, "So the missing persons report that was put out locally, is now being shared with Interpol".

Choksi has been missing from the country for the last 24 hours with local authorities able to locate the vehicle he used last.

Live TV
New Delhi: Sikhs in Pakistan are panicky after they were told to furnish details of their residence, contact number and other information to the local police in order to make security arrangements for them.

Zee Media accessed an audio message which reveals that the Sikhs of Lahore and Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Sikhs first master Guru Nanak Dev were asked to submit their credentials with Pakistans Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).

Confirming the same, Ranjit Singh, Granthi of Gurdwara Guru Ramdas Ji, Chuna Mani, Lahore sent out a voice message alerting the Sikhs to remain vigilant and not stay out of their homes late at night.

Echoing with Ranjit Singh, former member of the PSGPC Maninder Singh also issued an audio message in Pashto while requiting Sikhs in Pakistan to remain vigilant.

After the culmination of daily evening Diwan at Gurdwara Dera Sahib, an announcement was made by ETPB officials that Sikhs living in Lahore and Nankana Sahib have received life threats so they should submit their details including residential address, contact numbers etc with the police so that necessary security measures could be taken, said Ranjit Singh in the audio message which went viral on the internet.

The Granthi has also asked the Sikhs to not panic and urged them to give their documents to Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), ETPB or Muhammad Azhar, caretaker of Gurdwara Dera Sahib.

While confirming that many Sikhs had given their relevant documents to police, a Sikh resident of Lahore who runs a cloth shop said, Even policemen come to our shops asking for the documents.

The majority of Sikhs in Lahore and Nankana Sahib are either businessmen or hakims.

Meanwhile, Gopal Singh Chawla, a prominent Sikh leader of Pakistan, while confirming the audio messages, claimed that the Sikhs in Pakistan are safe and the government in Pakistan is keeping safe their religious places and their lives.

Recently, one of the holiest shrines of Sikhs in Pakistan, the Nankana Sahib, was attacked by a mob led by Imran Chishti. In another incident, a Sikh girl from Nankana Sahib was allegedly abducted and convert to Islam and made to marry a Muslim man in Pakistan.

Besides that, there several incidents where the Sikh community in Pakistan were targeted, including the killing of Sawarn Singh, former PSGPC President, Charanjit Singh from Peshawar and Jaspal Singh of KPK who was beheaded by terrorists. Last year more than 25 Sikhs were killed by terrorists in Afghanistan.

Sources in Pakistan informed Zee News that there appears to be a connection between demanding details of Sikhs by Pakistan police and the arrest of a couple of terrorists aligned with proscribed organizations based in Afghanistan.

Another member of the Sikh community in Pakistan said, There is a considerable number of Sikh living in Pakistan who speak the Pashto language as many of them have migrated from Afghanistan and living in KPK, Pashawer and Nanakana Sahib.

That was the reason why Maninder Singh released the messages in Pashto.

When contacted Dr. Aamer Ahmad, Chairman, ETPB, he vehemently denied having received life threat to Sikhs. There is no such issue in Pakistan, he replied.

Live TV
New York: New York prosecutors have convened a special grand jury to consider evidence in a criminal investigation into former President Donald Trump's business dealings, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Tuesday (May 25).

The development signals that the Manhattan district attorney's office was moving toward seeking charges as a result of its two-year investigation, which included a lengthy legal battle to obtain Trump's tax records.

The person familiar with the matter was not authorised to speak publicly and did so on the condition of anonymity. The news was first reported by The Washington Post.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr is conducting a wide-ranging investigation into a variety of matters such as hush-money payments paid to women on Trump's behalf, property valuations and employee compensation.

The Democratic prosecutor has been using an investigative grand jury through the course of his probe to issue subpoenas and obtain documents.

That panel kept working while other grand juries and court activities were shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The investigation includes scrutiny of Trump's relationship with his lenders, a land donation he made to qualify for an income tax deduction and tax write-offs his company claimed on millions of dollars in consulting fees it paid.

The new grand jury could eventually be asked to consider returning indictments. While working on that case, it also will be hearing other matters. The Post reported that the grand jury will meet three days a week for six months.

Trump contends the investigation is a "witch hunt".

"This is purely political, and an affront to the almost 75 million voters who supported me in the Presidential Election, and it's being driven by highly partisan Democrat prosecutors," Trump said in a statement. Vance's office declined to comment.

The new grand jury is the latest sign of increasing momentum in the criminal investigation into the Republican ex-president and his company, the Trump Organization.

Attorney General Letitia James said last week that she assigned two lawyers to work with Vance's office on the probe after her civil investigation into Trump evolved into a criminal matter.

James, a Democrat, said her office also is continuing its civil investigation into Trump. She did not say what prompted her office to expand its investigation into a criminal probe.

In recent months, Vance hired former mafia prosecutor Mark Pomerantz to help run the investigation and has been interviewing witnesses, including Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen.

Vance declined to run for reelection and will leave office at the end of the year, meaning the Trump case is likely to pass to his successor in some form. An election next month is all but certain to determine who that will be.

Trump said in a statement last week that he is being "unfairly attacked and abused by a corrupt political system". He contends the investigations are part of a Democratic plot to silence his voters and block him from running for president again.

In February, the US Supreme Court buoyed Vance's investigation by clearing the way for the prosecutor to enforce a subpoena on Trump's accounting firm and obtain eight years of tax returns and related documents for the former president, the Trump Organization and other Trump entities.

The documents are protected by grand jury secrecy rules and are not expected to be made public.

Vance's investigation has appeared to focus in recent weeks on Trump's longtime finance chief, Allen Weisselberg. His former daughter-in-law, Jen Weisselberg, is cooperating with both inquiries.

She has given investigators reams of tax records and other documents as they look into whether some Trump employees were given off-the-books compensation, such as apartments or school tuition.

Allen Weisselberg was subpoenaed in James' civil investigation and testified twice last year. His lawyer declined to comment when asked on Tuesday (May 25) if he had been subpoenaed to testify before the new grand jury.

A message-seeking comment was left with Jen Weisselberg's lawyer.

ALSO READ: We have to act...racism has long torn us apart: US President Joe Biden on first death anniversary of George Floyd
London: An 81-year-old pensioner in the UK who made history when he became the first man in the world to have the COVID-19 vaccination has died of an unrelated illness, the British media reported on Tuesday (May 24).

William Shakespeare hit global headlines on December 8 last year when he became the first man to have the jab to fight against the coronavirus at the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.

Shakespeare received his first Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the same hospital shortly after 91-year-old Margaret Keenan, who became the world's first person to get the jab.

Coventry councillor Jayne Innes, a friend of Shakespeare, said he had died on Thursday (May 20) and added the "best tribute to Bill is to have the jab".

Bill, as he was fondly known, passed away after a period of illness at the same hospital where he famously received his vaccine, CoventryLive reported.

Shakespeare had worked at Rolls Royce and was a parish councillor.

Shakespeare had served his local community in Allesley for more than three decades and was an inpatient on the hospital's frailty ward at the time of his first jab, said it had been "wonderful".

Shakespeare leaves his wife Joy, their two adult sons and grandchildren, the BBC reported.

West Midlands Labour group said on Twitter: "Bill made global headlines as [the first] man to have Covid vaccine.

His decades of service to the party were recently recognised by Labour Party leader Keir Starmer.

"Our thoughts are with Joy and Bill's family and friends."

ALSO READ: Kim Kardashian denies violating labour laws as ex-staff members sue her
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-26 23:13:15|Editor: huaxia

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BUCHAREST, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Romanian border police intercepted more than 20 foreign migrants who attempted to illegally cross the western border into Hungary, either by hiding in trucks or on foot, the border police authorities announced in two press releases on Wednesday.

According to the police, in a parking lot next to a highway in the western border area, the police found a man helping many people hiding in the nearby woods board three trucks registered in Romania or Bulgaria.

Later, one of the trucks carrying six foreign nationals was stopped at a nearby border crossing, while the other two were searched in the parking lot by the police, with a total of 12 illegal migrants found in the vehicles.

Preliminary checks established that the foreign nationals were from Pakistan or Afghanistan, aged between 18 and 30, all holding Romanian temporary identity documents.

The police placed the guide, an Afghan citizen with a residence permit in Romania, under pre-trial detention of 30 days for alleged trafficking in migrants.

Meanwhile, three other migrants from Afghanistan and one from Syria have been caught. The Afghans were found trying to walk across the border to Hungary, while the Syrian was hidden in a trailer driven by a Bulgarian, who was transporting metal structures on the route Turkey-Poland.

The border between Romania and Hungary is also the eastern border of the Schengen area. Police data quoted by the official Agerpres news agency earlier this year showed that the number of migrants captured at the borders to the Schengen area reached 2,011 in 2020, 2.5 times more than in 2019. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-27 05:30:52|Editor: huaxia

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THE HAGUE, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A Dutch court ruled Wednesday that oil giant Royal Dutch Shell (RDS) must reduce its carbon emissions by net 45 percent by 2030 from 2019 levels.

"The court has come to the conclusion that RDS is obliged to ensure through the Shell group's corporate policy that the CO2 emissions of the Shell group, its suppliers and its customers are reduced," read the judgment of the District Court of The Hague. The case was launched by a group of environmental NGOs.

Seven foundations and associations as well as over 17,000 individual claimants initiated proceedings against the Anglo-Dutch oil giant.

The claimants believe that as the policy-setting head of the Shell group, Royal Dutch Shell has not taken sufficient action, has acted unlawfully, and should do more to reduce CO2 emissions.

In their claims, they demanded that by 2030, CO2 emissions should have been reduced by 45 percent, or alternatively, 35 percent or 25 percent, compared to 2019 levels. The claims concern the CO2 emissions of the Shell group itself as well as those of its suppliers and customers.

"The court finds that RDS is not currently in breach of its reduction obligation, as the claimants argue," read the judgment. "RDS has enhanced the Shell group's policy and is working it out in more detail. However, seeing that as the policy is not concrete, the court finds that there is an imminent breach of the reduction obligation."

In a press statement, Harry Brekelmans, projects and technology director of Royal Dutch Shell, said that the company was disappointed that the court had upheld the claims, adding that an appeal against the verdict is very likely.

"Urgent action is needed on climate change which is why we have accelerated our efforts to become a net-zero emissions energy company by 2050, in step with society, with short-term targets to track our progress," Brekelmans said. "We will continue to focus on these efforts." Enditem
Build Multilateralism For African Peace, Security and Development

Ambassador Chen Xiaodong's interview with Shannon Ebrahim

2021/05/25

Q1: At China's initiative, the UN Security Council held an Open Debate on "Peace and Security in Africa: Addressing Root Causes of Conflict in Post-Pandemic Recovery in Africa", where Africa and China jointly launched the Initiative on Partnership for Africa's Development. Can you tell us about the main content of the meeting and the initiative, as well as China's consideration in promoting the above initiative?

A: During China's rotating Presidency of the Security Council, we took the initiative to convene an Open Debate on "Peace and Security in Africa: Addressing Root Causes of Conflict in Post-Pandemic Recovery in Africa", and worked to deliver a Statement by the President of the Security Council drafted by China. At the meeting, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi put forward a four-point proposal, namely to help Africa reduce the gap in COVID response, tackle the peace deficit, narrow the development gap and redress injustice in global governance.

Faced with this pandemic of a century, China and Africa jointly launched the Initiative on Partnership for Africa's Development. This Initiative calls on the international community to increase support for Africa in COVID-19 response, post-COVID reconstruction, peace and security, trade and investment, debt relief, food security, poverty alleviation, climate change, industrialization, among others, and to invest resources in the areas most urgently needed by Africa. China has been helping Africa to overcome difficulties and take great strides forward.

China and Africa have always been good brothers and partners who share weal and woe together. We are in a China-Africa community with a shared future. As the pandemic poses serious challenges to Africa's peaceful development, our hearts go all out to Africa. China is holding the Open Debate this time to get the international community to pay attention to the serious challenges Africa faces in its peaceful development in this pandemic. We aim to build consensus and synergy, to work with African countries to defeat the virus, carry out post-COVID reconstruction, eliminate the root causes of conflicts, and inject new impetus for lasting peace and sustainable development in Africa.

Multilateralism, in and of itself, calls for joint efforts to promote Africa's development. China and Africa's joint launching of the initiative shows to the world what real multilateralism is all about. In the early days of the UN, only four of its 51 member states at the time were from Africa. Seventy-six years later today, African countries account for 54 seats, or more than a quarter of the UN membership. This is more of a qualitative change than just a quantitative increase for African countries seeking strength through unity. In the 21st century, the UN won't be able to hold its political or moral ground if it fails to pay attention to the peace in Africa, or to help Africa with its development. Without African countries' support or participation, UN undertakings won't be in good shape.

We look forward to holding summits and other high-level meetings with African countries, in order to strengthen coordination among various international partners' cooperation mechanisms with Africa. We wish to strengthen North-South cooperation based on respect for the aspirations of African countries, to deepen South-South cooperation and to jointly pursue Belt and Road cooperation. We encourage and promote tripartite and multi-party cooperation with Africa in line with the principle of African ownership, equality and openness and galvanize strong support for Africa's development.

Q2: As COVID-19 continues to spread and a third wave was declared in some areas of South Africa. Mass vaccination is key to get economic and social life here back on track. Many African countries are facing vaccine shortages. How do you think the Initiative will help African countries address the pandemic, for example, by more cooperation on vaccines?

A: Africa is an important part of the global fight against COVID-19. It is imperative to build a line of defense against the virus in Africa. China has been firmly supporting Africa in fighting the virus. In the wake of the pandemic, the 46 Chinese medical teams based in Africa stood up to the challenge instantly to support local response efforts. China has sent 15 ad hoc medical expert teams to Africa and swiftly set up a cooperation mechanism for Chinese hospitals to pair up with 43 African hospitals. They brought containment experience, solutions and supplies to Africa.

The biggest challenge facing Africa today is that of vaccines. China has provided and is providing much-needed COVID-19 vaccines to more than 30 African countries in need. At the Global Health Summit held on the 21st, President Xi Jinping announced that in addition to the 300 million doses of vaccine already supplied to the world, China will do its best to provide more vaccines to other countries. China supports its vaccine companies in transferring technologies to other developing countries and carrying out joint production with them. China supports the World Trade Organization and other international institutions in making an early decision on waiving intellectual property rights on COVID-19 vaccines. China proposes setting up an international forum on vaccine cooperation for vaccine-developing and producing countries, companies and other stakeholders to explore ways of promoting fair and equitable distribution of vaccines around the world.

President Xi Jinping has also announced that China will provide an additional 3 billion US dollars in international aid over the next three years to support COVID-19 response and economic and social recovery in other developing countries including in Africa. We call on the international community to further help Africa in terms of response supplies, medicine, technology and funding. We call on the countries with the capacity to urgently provide safe and effective vaccines to African countries in need. In particular, vaccines should be made accessible and affordable in Africa through various means such as providing grants, favorable purchases, technology transfer, and co-production.

Sinopharm of China is actively supplying vaccines to COVAX after their vaccine got listed for emergency use by WHO. The Sinovac vaccine from China is also in the final stages of review and registration by the South Africa Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). We look forward to seeing Chinese vaccines delivered in South Africa, so as to benefit the South African people as soon as possible.

Q3: COVID-19 has hit economies around the world to varying degrees, with sub-Saharan Africa plunging into its first recession in 25 years and facing even more severe development difficulties. China has taken the lead among major economies in economic recovery. What do you think the initiative means for Africa to rebuild post-COVID and achieve sustainable development?

A: A peaceful environment is crucial for Africa to rebuild post-COVID and achieve sustainable economic and social development. The virus has caused serious social, economic, political, humanitarian and security consequences for Africa and compounded conflicts and turmoils in the region, which have in turn taken a toll on COVID-19 response efforts across Africa. This context also explains why China jointly proposed the initiative with African countries this time.

China is a strong defender of Africa's peace and stability as well as an active contributor to Africa's development and rejuvenation. The Chinese navy fleets have carried out 37 missions to escort vessels passing through the Gulf of Aden. As we speak, 2,043 Chinese peacekeepers are in Africa, working day and night for the peace of the continent. Over the past 20 years since the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was established, China-Africa trade and China's total investment in Africa have increased 20 times and 100 times respectively. China has fully implemented the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative, signed or reached agreement with 16 African countries on debt service suspension, and canceled the debts of 15 African countries in the form of interest-free government loans that were due to mature by the end of 2020 within the framework of FOCAC. Just a few days ago, Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng attended the summit on financing Africa's post-pandemic recovery via video link and put forward China's initiatives to continue and restore the momentum of Africa's development.

The African continent is a big stage for international cooperation. China supports African countries and regional organizations such as the African Union in their efforts to solve African problems with African solutions. We support the implementation of the "silencing of the guns" initiative in Africa. We support countries in the region to take active measures to address the threat of terrorism. We support the UN in its efforts to provide predictable and sustainable financial support solutions for African-owned peace operations. We support the pooling of efforts of the international community to help Africa ensure post-COVID reconstruction and eliminate the root causes of conflicts.

The new session of FOCAC will be held in 2021. We are ready to take this opportunity to work with African countries to discuss cooperation in three key areas of cooperation,namely on COVID-19 response, economic recovery, transformation and development. We are ready to strengthen cooperation with the African side in health, production capacity, regional connectivity, the environment, agriculture, military security, personnel and skills training. We are ready to work to see the initiative fully implemented.

We support Africa in exploring development paths that are in line with its own conditions. We call on developed countries to take pragmatic initiatives in debt relief, development assistance, technology transfer and other areas and fulfill their due international obligations as well as responsibilities. We actively support connecting the world's industrial and supply chains with Africa,and promoting synergy between the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and AU Agenda 2063.

On May 25, the African people will celebrate the 58th Africa Day. 58 years ago, the Organization of African Unity was born, which advocated that African countries strengthen unity, preserve independence and unleash potential. China-Africa friendship was forged in the struggles for national independence and liberation as well as the dedication to economic growth and improving people's livelihood. As changes unseen in a century is compounded by this major pandemic, China and Africa will move forward in solidarity and gather the huge strength of 2.7 billion Chinese and African people combined. We believe that the future of China-Africa cooperation post-COVID will be brighter and a closer China-Africa community with a shared future destiny will bear more fruits.

Last but not least, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to our friends in South Africa and all over Africa.
Eric Boodman in Stat News:

One day last August, as they struggled to figure out whether to lift Covid-19 restrictions, the supervisors of Placer County, California, convened a panel of experts. It was a reasonable move. If being a local official could be thankless in normal times, the pandemic had made it nearly impossible. Federal messaging had been hopelessly muddled. Rules meant to stop viral spread came with painful side effects. One constituent insisted the sheriff enforce lockdowns; another called stay-at-home-orders an economic death sentence. Wanting advice from doctors and professors was hardly surprising.

What was surprising was that the first invited speaker had chosen to frame himself as an authority on Covid-19 at all. His name was Michael Levitt. His credentials were stellar  an endowed Stanford professorship, one-third of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry  but utterly unrelated to infectious disease outbreaks. Hed won his honors with the computer-programming work hed done in the 1960s and 70s, revealing the intricate origami of proteins, modeling how they fold and form the tiny machinery of life. Prior to those papers, the chair of the Nobel selection committee had said, studying chemical reactions was like seeing all the actors before Hamlet and all the dead bodies after, and then you wonder what happened in the middle. Levitt and his colleagues had described the whole drama, showing how each character died.

Now, though, dead bodies werent a metaphor. They were horrifyingly literal, their bagged bulk filling hospital morgues and refrigerated trucks. Public health specialists begged politicians and citizens to do what they could to slow transmission. Levitt, a biophysicist, had different ideas. He derided policies proposed by the vast majority of epidemiologists as politically correct.

More here.
UMD, UMBC, ARL announce $68m cooperative agreement to accelerate AI, autonomy

An interdisciplinary research team led by the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) and in partnership with the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) has entered into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) worth up to $68 million.

The agreement brings together a large, diverse collaborative of researchers--leveraging the University System of Maryland's national leadership in engineering, robotics, computer science, operations research, modeling and simulation, and cybersecurity--to drive transformational advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy. The five-year agreement will accelerate the development and deployment of safe, effective, and resilient capabilities and technologies, from wearable devices to unmanned aircraft, that work intelligently and in cooperation with each other and with human actors across multiple environments.

The robust effort encompasses three areas of research thrusts, each supported by a team of faculty, staff, and students. The new collaboration builds on a more than 25-year research partnership between UMD and ARL in AI, autonomy, and modeling and simulation to spur the development of technologies that reduce human workload and risk in complex environments such as the battlefield and search-and-rescue operations.

"This extensive collaboration convenes a critical mass of expertise within the state, at the University of Maryland, and across the entire University System of Maryland," said Laurie Locascio, vice president for research at UMD. "It's a very exciting alliance that leverages the university's decades-long research partnerships with ARL to forge a critical pipeline for research innovation and commercialization in the booming ecosystem of robotics, AI, and autonomy."

"This is a big partnership with an ambitious vision: We want to change the world by quickly getting AI and autonomy into the hands of the people who need it," said Derek Paley, lead researcher on the agreement, UMD engineering professor, and director of the Maryland Robotics Center. "No matter how autonomous we think a system is, a human operator will interface with it at some level. The goal is to migrate the dangerous, dirty, and dull work to the autonomous platform."

The cooperative agreement will enable substantial collaborations between UMD, UMBC, and ARL researchers and leverage unique university and federal assets and facilities to accelerate advancements in AI and autonomy for mobile and connected platforms in multiple operating domains. For example, it will grant the UMD and UMBC teams access to ARL's Robotics Research Collaborative Campus (R2C2), which includes a one-of-a-kind, 200-acre, reconfigurable, multiple-terrain outdoor testing laboratory just north of Baltimore for scalable AI, autonomy, and robotics research.

"In an era of rapidly increasing strategic threats driven in large part by global access to science and technology, talent, and resources, the nation that can best operationalize science and do it quickly will have game-changing competitive advantages over their adversaries," said Karl Kappra, director of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) ARL's Futures Division. "ARL is pleased to be initiating this new enterprise with the University of Maryland, College Park and University of Maryland, Baltimore County to engage their talented staff and students to provide the foundations for new artificial intelligence and autonomy capabilities to improve the survivability and effectiveness of America's armed forces. This collaboration will address the Army's unique challenges and, with access to the entire University System of Maryland, it will provide opportunities for new technology insertions while supporting the continued development of our nation's STEM community."

In the face of unknown challenges, partnering with intelligent systems could be one of our greatest assets: in search-and-rescue missions after a catastrophic natural disaster, for example, where establishing risk and response is both urgently needed and assuredly dangerous. These systems (which include networked sensors, wearables, and other smart platforms including robots) are also massively complex; developing, testing, and fielding them is time-consuming, costly, and error-prone work. The current process involves unsustainable amounts of human labor, custom tool development, machine-specific integration, one-off component acquisition, manual testing and debugging, and more.

To make significant advances in AI and autonomy technologies able to overcome these challenges, the research team will harness the interdisciplinary expertise and resources of UMD, UMBC, and ARL to develop shared, standard infrastructure for developing and testing collaborative autonomy--including a "virtual proving ground" that models and simulates existing facilities to enable a wide range of interactions between virtual and real-world actors. This broad resource for the research community will overcome the field's lack of shared standard infrastructure, as well as poor interoperability between existing tools, models, and software.

"Currently, research teams are building their own simulation testbeds to evaluate their own algorithms and systems, which increases cost and delays development of significant innovations," said Jeffrey Herrmann, co-lead researcher on the agreement and UMD professor. "This collaboration will plan and develop a consistent modeling and simulation infrastructure that will include libraries of simulation models and tools for building and running them."

As part of another major research thrust, the team will design novel approaches to ensuring closer and more trusted human-machine teaming and interaction. As one example, the team says this work could bolster technologies such as self-driving vehicles or mobile robots, which combine computer vision and remote sensing, robotics planning and control, and other advanced specialties to navigate complex terrains and unstructured environments.

"These are very difficult topics that require extensive but diverse expertise. This research and collaboration could be the glue to bring together the amazing students and faculty across UMD's campus doing exceptional work in AI and autonomy," said Dinesh Manocha, co-lead researcher on the agreement and UMD professor. "A five-year partnership that maximizes the complementary specializations of UMD, UMBC, and ARL will give us a window to rethink some of these problems from the ground up and possibly develop next-generation technologies for AI, robotics, and autonomy."

The research team also will draw on the expertise of domain scientists, data scientists, and cyberinfrastructure experts harnessing the explosion of available big data to drive novel discovery. They will develop solutions for AI-based networking, sensing, and edge computing--which brings data storage and computation closer to a location--for the so-called "Internet of Battlefield Things," which connects humans with smart technology both on and off the battlefield. In particular, the team will work on strengthening the decision-making abilities of Army AI technology to meet the demands of today's national defense.

"To make a big impact in the research space, you need long-term, multi-institutional partnerships and collaborations. Working with the University of Maryland, College Park and the Army Research Lab will allow UMBC to collectively advance AI in the military space; we anticipate these technologies will also have civilian use and have a larger societal benefit," said Aryya Gangopadhyay, co-lead researcher and professor at UMBC.

The principal investigators for this agreement are:

At UMD: Derek Paley, Willis H. Young Jr. Professor and Director of the Maryland Robotics Center (Department of Aerospace Engineering and Institute for Systems Research); Dinesh Manocha, Distinguished University Professor and Paul Chrisman Iribe Professor (Departments of Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science and Institute for Advanced Computer Studies); and Jeffrey Herrmann, Professor (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Institute for Systems Research).

At UMBC: Aryya Gangopadhyay, Professor and Chair (Department of Information Systems); and Nirmalya Roy, Associate Professor (Department of Information Systems).

The cooperative agreement includes additional investigators from UMD and UMBC representing a myriad of units and expertise--including, but not limited to, UMD's A. James Clark School of Engineering; College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences; College of Information Studies; Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech); and Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS).

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The A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland serves as the catalyst for high-quality research, innovation, and learning, delivering on a promise that all graduates will leave ready to impact the Grand Challenges of the 21st century. The Clark School is dedicated to leading and transforming the engineering discipline and profession, to accelerating entrepreneurship, and to transforming research and learning activities into new innovations that benefit millions. Follow us online at eng.umd.edu.

This story has been published on: 2021-05-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Tuning the intermediate reaction barriers by a CuPd catalyst for CO2 electroreduction to C2 products

Using intermittent electric energy to convert excessive CO 2 into C2 products, such as ethylene and ethanol, is an effective strategy to mitigate the greenhouse effect. Copper (Cu) is the only single metal catalyst which can converts CO 2 into C2 products by electrochemical method, but with undesirable selectivity of C2 product. Therefore, how to improve the conversion efficiency of Cu-based catalysts for reducing CO 2 to C2 product has attracted great attention.

Recently, a research team led by Prof. Min Liu from Central South University, China designed a Cu-Pd bimetallic electrocatalyst possessing CuPd(100) interface which can lower the energy barrier of C2 product generation. The electrocatalyst was obtained through using an in-situ growth method based on thermal reduction to afford Pd nanoparticles as nucleated seeds. The results were published in Chinese Journal of Catalysis.

Generally, there are two limiting factors for achieving the electroreduction of CO 2 to C2 products, namely the amount of CO* intermediate (* indicates the intermediate is adsorbed on the surface of the catalyst) and the C-C coupling step (generally two CO* coupling). For Cu catalysts, the energy barrier of the C-C coupling step is relatively low. However, the CO 2 adsorption and CO 2 * hydrogenation ability of Cu are unfavorable, resulting in insufficient amount of CO* involved in subsequent C-C coupling step. Palladium (Pd) is an efficient catalyst that exhibited strong CO 2 adsorption and ultrafast reaction kinetics for CO* formation. However, CO* poisoning on the Pd surface makes it unsuitable for generating C2 products. To take full advantage of both Cu (low energy barrier of C-C coupling) and Pd (ultrafast kinetics for CO* formation), the assembly of a CuPd bimetallic catalyst was envisaged as a potential method for optimizing the efficiency of C2 product formation.

The density functional theory (DFT) calculation shows that the CuPd (100) interface enhanced the adsorption of CO 2 and reduced the energy barrier of CO 2 * hydrogenation step, thus sufficient CO* participated in the C-C coupling reaction. In addition, the energy barrier of rate-determining step for C2 product generation on CuPd (100) interface is 0.61 eV, which is lower than that on Cu(100) surface (0.72 eV).

Then the target CuPd (100) interface catalyst was prepared by a simple wet chemical method and proved by different characterization methods. The temperature programmed desorption and gas sensor experiment results proved the enhanced CO 2 adsorption and CO 2 * hydrogenation ability on CuPd(100) interface, respectively. As a result, the CuPd(100) interface catalyst exhibited a C2 Faradaic efficiency of 50.3%, which was 2.1 times higher than that of Cu catalyst (23.6%) at -1.4 V RHE in 0.1 M KHCO 3 . This work provides a reference for the rational design of Cu-based electrocatalyst for CO 2 electroreduction by adjusting the intermediate reaction energy barrier.

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This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 21872174, 22002189, 51673217 and U1932148), the International Science and Technology Cooperation Program (Grant No. 2017YFE0127800 and 2018YFE0203402), the Hunan Provincial Science and Technology Program (2017XK2026), the Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation (2020JJ2041and 2020JJ5691), the Hunan Provincial Science and Technology Plan Project (Grant No. 2017TP1001).

About the Journal

Chinese Journal of Catalysis is co-sponsored by Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Chemical Society, and it is currently published by Elsevier group. This monthly journal publishes in English timely contributions of original and rigorously reviewed manuscripts covering all areas of catalysis. The journal publishes Reviews, Accounts, Communications, Articles, Highlights, Perspectives, and Viewpoints of highly scientific values that help understanding and defining of new concepts in both fundamental issues and practical applications of catalysis. Chinese Journal of Catalysis ranks among the top six journals in Applied Chemistry with a current SCI impact factor of 6.146. The Editors-in-Chief are Profs. Can Li and Tao Zhang.

At Elsevier http://www. journals. elsevier. com/ chinese-journal-of-catalysis

Manuscript submission https:/ / mc03. manuscriptcentral. com/ cjcatal

This story has been published on: 2021-05-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. Hot and humid. High 94F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear. Low 72F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Woburn, MA (01801)

Today

Becoming partly cloudy after some morning rain. High 73F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low 57F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Wildfire monitoring and prevention: Science, innovation and cross-border cooperation

The regions of Puglia and Epirus (Greece) now have new innovative tools for fire danger prevention and operational fire-fighting decisions. The major achievements of the project Ofidia 2 - Operational Fire Danger preventIon plAtform 2 funded by the European Territorial Cooperation Operational Programme "Greece-Italy 2014 - 2020", were presented and discussed on May 25, 2021 during the final online workshop titled "Wildfire monitoring and prevention: science, innovation and cross-border cooperation towards informed decisions for firefighting".

The event involved institutional representatives, policy and decision makers, stakeholders, researchers, experts, spokespersons of the civil society and school representatives committed to fire danger forecasting and prevention activities.

The project

OFIDIA2 is a fire danger prevention platform for near real-time fire danger forecasting and monitoring. The project provides sensor data and weather forecasts in Puglia and Epirus to support operational fire-fighting decisions, including a fire-behavior projection model and a dedicated control room for the management of wildfires. Lead Partner of the project is the CMCC Foundation; the project partners are Decentralized Administration of Epirus-Western Macedonia, Forest Directorate (DAEWM), University of Ioannina, Puglia Region - Civil Protection Section; associated partners: Municipality of Lecce, ARIF (Regional Agency for Irrigation and Forest Activities).

OFIDIA2 primarily capitalizes on the OFIDIA project of the "2007-2013" programme, yet it covers substantially larger areas in terms of patrolling and monitoring in both regions. The maintenance of the natural environment is crucial due to the competitive advantages that it offers to the aforementioned regions in terms of biodiversity, tourist attraction, sustainable development and protection from natural catastrophes. OFIDIA2 proposes a pragmatic approach to improve the operational capacity of the stakeholders to detect and fight forest wildfires. The system performs "real time" monitoring through sensor data and provides weather forecasts in the two regions; it includes a specially developed fire-behavior projection model and a new wildfires control room at Puglia Civil Protection. The network offers real-time environmental monitoring to predict the risks of fire development and to adopt successful control strategies. With the help of HD video cameras, wireless sensors networks and drones, the stakeholders can effectively patrol high-danger and remotely located areas.

More information on the OFIDIA2 project website

Achievements

1. Big Data Infrastructure:

Decision Support System for wildfire monitoring and prevention Weather parameters, fire behavior and fire danger indices High Performance Computing and data management facilities High resolution weather modelling and fire danger forecasting

2. Forest Fires Monitoring & Patrolling:

Weather stations and wireless sensors networks* HD video cameras, drones and off-road vehicles

*The system for fire danger monitoring is based on the real time observation of the trees ecophysiology and meteorological parameters by means of advanced wireless IoT sensors called TreeTalkers Fire. The system allows for data acquisition, processing and storage, and the monitoring dashboard is meant to help stakeholders make informed decisions on fire mitigation and air pollution. 120 sensors have been installed at 4 nature protected areas in Puglia, covering over 100 hectares of woods.

TreeTalkers consist of a number of capacitive, infra-red and optical sensors able to capture important pre-alarm parameters about the health of the plant and the surrounding site, including fire detection hazard and alarm parameters, and to act when the fire is in progress. Real time monitoring is also ensured by the video cameras installed in the woods and by the drones used during wildfires. This information is extremely useful to the Civil Protection in the control room to check fire progress and adopt necessary firefighting measures. The installation and operation of an autonomous, wireless camera network in the areas of Epirus and Western Macedonia also allows effective remote patrolling of forests, along with special support vehicles and drones for surface and aerial surveillance during wildfires.

3. Wildfire Control Room at Puglia Civil Protection for fire hazard forecasting and monitoring

4. FireAware crowdsensing mobile App to send an alert notification to the Civil Protection in case of a potential fire hazard, including images and the distance from fire

5. Cross-border Education and Lifelong Learning through awareness-raising campaigns on fire danger prevention and biodiversity protection

PARTNERS' QUOTES

Prof. Giovanni Aloisio - CMCC Foundation (Project coordinator) and University of Salento: "The project OFIDIA2 has successfully come to an end, showing that the close collaboration among academia, regional bodies and stakeholders committed to wildfire prevention can effectively contribute to achieving useful results in terms of prevention and environmental protection. The use of Supercomputing infrastructures and cutting-edge technologies allowed us to create smart solutions to the critical issue of wildfires that affect large areas of forest in Puglia and Epirus regions every year. Awareness-raising activities at school were also organized within the project, to involve young citizens and draw their attention to the importance of fire prevention."

Prof. Stergios Anastasiadis - University of Ioannina, Greece: "In the OFIDIA2 project, we have developed an innovative platform for the precision fire-danger forecasting and effective firefighting decision making. The Laboratory of Meteorology and the Computer Systems Laboratory of the University of Ioannina with valuable feedback from the Fire Corps of Epirus designed and implemented flexible tools to estimate the fire danger using weather forecasts based on the advanced WRF model, real-time sensors, and historical weather and wildfire data. Our innovative platform includes the "forecast-with-a-click" feature that provides detailed operational forecasts for any location in Epirus and the cross-border areas of Greece including part of Southern Italy."

Prof. Riccardo Valentini - CMCC Foundation (Strategic Advisor): "The Project OFIDIA2 is an excellent opportunity to prove how useful modern IoT technologies can be when addressing environmental issues and risk assessment. Nowadays, automation and robotics are widely used in traditional industrial sectors whereas only a few applications are available for environmental monitoring. The sensors network set up in OFIDIA2 uses trees as "monitoring spots" that provide real time data about the plant water status while monitoring flame conditions through innovative sensors. In this way, the system is able to deal with the assessment of risk "prevention" and "fire alarm" reporting at the same time. Packets of data are transmitted on an hourly basis to the server and can be processed in real time. Thanks to the pilot project OFIDIA2, the digital world enters the world of Nature and this enables us to address the ecological transition required by our Planet with new application tools."

Kostas Papageorgiou - Decentralized Administration of Epirus - Western Macedonia (DAEWM): "The Decentralized Administration of Epirus-Western Macedonia has installed an autonomous wireless HD camera network that is capable of real time, 24/7 ground surveillance covering an area of more than 15.000 sq. km forest land across the Greek - Albania borders. The signal is transmitted via wifimax in the control rooms of Fire Corps and Forest Service. It is designed to aid early fire detection and immediate response to avoid catastrophic wild fires during the fire season. Two off road vehicles to assist the camera network needs for support and maintenance were also purchased, along with two drones for aerial surveillance and other electronic equipment to upgrade the control room capabilities."

Lucio Pirone - Civil Protection Section at Puglia region: "In the OFIDIA2 project, the Civil Protection selected 4 wooded areas where the vegetation is highly subject to the onset of wildfires. We contributed to setting up a number of weather stations and video cameras in these areas, along with a wireless network of 120 innovative sensors that were specially designed for the project. We also purchased two Parrot Bluegrass drones for monitoring activities. In addition, the project provided the means for setting up a control room at the premises of the Civil Protection Section in Modugno (Bari), that is devoted to wildfire management activities. The Civil Protection can actually make use of the decision support system developed within the project to monitor focus areas and act based on the fire danger risk and fire behavior indices produced by 72 hours forecasting models covering the entire Puglia region."

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This story has been published on: 2021-05-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Woodville, AL (35768)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms in the morning, then partly cloudy late. High around 90F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

A few clouds overnight. Low 69F. Winds light and variable.
When asked if our country has a crime problem in the wake of last-year's events, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, "There is a guns problem, and that's something the president would say."

Psaki, and President Joe Biden (D), would rather blame the millions of Americans who lawfully and responsibly exercise their constitutional rights than focus on addressing the criminal element of society.

And what is their proposed solution? They believe that implementing more-restrictive legislation to curtail your Second Amendment rights is key to solving the problem; this despite the fact that it doesn't come close to addressing the root cause. In short, they want the law-abiding to pay the price for the actions of criminals.

When later questioned about coming gun-control legislation, specifically so-called "universal" background checks and red-flag laws, Psaki said that these priorities are at the "top of [Biden's] agenda." .....
When Mike Wooley enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1989, he admitted it was all about him  he was enlisting to get more funding for college  but the tables quickly turned, and by the time he was out, it wasnt about him at all.

Wooley went to see a recruiter after attending Ball State University for four years. He wanted to continue his education but needed financial assistance. He looked into every branch of the military, and he found the Army had the shortest program: two years and 14 weeks. He enlisted in the Army, hoping to get in, out, and back in college quickly.

It started out, honestly, more of a thing for myself. But by the time it was over, I was proud that I served my country. It became a lot more meaningful. Initially it was a selfish deal. I was just looking for more money to go back to school, and it was kind of like a theyll use me; Ill use them mentality, Wooley said.

The college student talked to the recruiter, and the recruiter told him that he wouldnt be going overseas and that he wouldnt see combat. The Berlin Wall had just come down, and he was told there was a budget cut. There werent going to be any more troops sent overseas.

But everything he was told wouldnt happen happened.

I never expected to go to war. I didnt even expect to leave the country, Wooley said.

Wooley went to basic training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he began learning that his life no longer revolved around himself. He was used to doing his own thing, and he said training broke him down and taught him how to work as a team. He learned maturity  and field artillery.

His job was called FDC, fire direction center. The FDC was within the firing battery and computed solutions to fire missions and relayed the commands. Essentially, he said he was GPS-ing the location of targets.

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While he was learning the job, he didnt expect to use it in real-life situations. But thats exactly what he did. From Fort Sill, he was sent to Friedberg, Germany, and he worked in his unit for three months before being deployed to serve in Operation Desert Storm. He was sent to ready the area for combat.

It was scary, you know, because you train for those things, but until they actually happen or you get called to go over, its all just rehearsal more than anything, he said. And then once you get there and it actually starts, youre in a foreign country. We didnt have near the technology back then that we did today. They would bomb with their tanks at us, but their radar and their GPS system that Iraq had when they shot, there was no accuracy. You never really know if something was going to hit or not as far as coming to you.

Thankfully, Wooleys unit was one of the farthest north units on the invasion, and it didnt suffer any casualties, though his unit took prisoners of war. He helped set up the camps for the prisoners, and it was something he never imagined himself doing, he said.

Once he got through the war, his unit stayed behind to maintain organization.

He returned home safely in early 1991, and he was able to pick up where he left off. When he was sent overseas, he had a wedding planned with his fiance that he had to cancel. Upon his return, he was able to marry his wife, Susie Wooley, whom hes still married to today.

He said Susie helped him through his deployment. Shed send letters regularly, along with care packages.

Wooley came back a better person, he said, and it was thanks to the Army and world experiences.

It was the growing up aspect of it. At that time, I needed a better path in life than what I was on, and the camaraderie was a big thing, being around other people from different walks of life and just getting a group of people together and accomplishing a goal, he said. When it was over with, Im glad I did it. I would never change it, and I feel bad for people that did go in and did not make it back for reasons involving the combat side of things.

Today, Wooley works as the business development manager for H&R Industrial and has owned Wholesale Auto Options on Home Avenue for 25 years.
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The Russian girlfriend of dissident Belarussian journalist Raman Pratasevich has appeared in a government-produced confession video two days after their flight was diverted by a warplane to Minsk on Sunday, prompting European nations to ban flights to, from or over the east European nation.

Sofia Sapega, a 23-year-old student, was detained alongside Pratasevich in connection with the suspicion of having committed, between August and September 2020, offences under several articles of the Belarusian Criminal Code, a Russian Foreign Ministry statement said.

A video posted on the Telegram messaging app on Tuesday evening showed a young woman sitting in a chair who said she was Sapega.

The woman said she was the editor of a social media channel which has disclosed the personal information of Belarusian law enforcement personnel, which is a crime in Belarus.

The Sapega video was aired one day after a 29-second video of Pratasevich was released by the Belarus government late Monday evening, in which he said he was in Minsks central Detention Centre Number 1, being treated with maximum correctness.

I continue to cooperate with the investigation and am giving confessional testimony on charges of organising mass unrest in the city of Minsk, Pratasevich said.

Sapegas mother, Anna Dudich, said in an interview with Reuters that her daughter was innocent and simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Detained student Sofia Sapega appeared in a video from detention in Belarus. Supplied

Speaking from the Belarus town of Lida, Dudich said she feared for her daughters health and safety in detention.

Of course, this is the main thing which I fear now, she said. She is a very tough girl in a moral sense. She will get through, she will withstand, Im sure of that.

Neither Dudich nor the lawyer have been able to contact Sapega since her detention, and have not been informed of any charges against her.

My hopes are now probably based on a miracle and on the knowledge that my daughter is definitely not guilty of anything, Dudich said. She simply showed up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

She said she had not spoken to Pratasevich, 26, and that her daughter had been in a relationship with him for less than six months.

Belarusian authorities have extended Sapegas detention for two months, TASS news agency reported, citing her father, Sergey Dudich.

Airlines re-routed flights to avoid Belaruss airspace and Belarusian planes faced a possible ban from Europe, as international outrage mounted over Minsk forcing down a jetliner and arresting a dissident journalist on board.

The furore prompted French President Emmanuel Macron to suggest that the Belarusian opposition be invited to the Group of Seven summit due to be held next month in Cornwall, if host country Britain agrees.

But a British government spokeswoman said there were no plans at the moment to invite further national participants to the G7 Summit, adding that the leaders would discuss Belarus reckless and dangerous behaviour.

Emmanuel Macron, Frances president, wants Belarus opposition invited to G7. Bloomberg

A French presidential official said Macron wanted to invite exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to speak at one of the outreach sessions, during which outside personalities can address the G7 leaders.

The G7 is a club of democracies and it is important in the current context to support opponents of Lukashenkos regime, the French official said, adding that Macron was open to inviting the Belarus opposition if host Britain agreed to it.

In a tweet on Tuesday, Tsikhanouskaya, who is now based in Lithuania, a member state of the European Union that borders Belarus, thanked Macron for his call to have the Belarusian opposition invited to the G7 summit.

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. AP

The G7 groups the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Canada.

Britain holds the G7 rotating presidency this year and has scheduled the summit for June 11-13 in the southwestern English county of Cornwall.

US sanctions possible

President Joe Biden said on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) that US sanctions against Belarus are in play, but declined to speculate further about them.

Biden made the remark to reporters as he was leaving the White House en route to his home state of Delaware.

Diplomats said France, Ireland and Estonia would raise the hijacking at a private meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday.

The behaviour of the Belarus regime is outrageous, illegal, and completely unacceptable ... we also condemn this kind of dangerous interference in civil aviation, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters.

In response to Minsks actions, the European air traffic control agency, Eurocontrol, recommended that EU and British carriers that fly over Belarus should re-route via the Baltic states.

Britain also said it was banning Belarusian airlines from entering its airspace.

Reuters, Washington Post
Expresamos nuestras sentidas condolencias a los familiares de las victimas del #Vraem en Peru y al pueblo peruano. Compartimos el mensaje del Alto Representante de la #UnionEuropea ???? @JosepBorrellF ???? pic.twitter.com/cemYwdaPJH




Remarks were made as he noted that there is a downward trend in new cases and deaths from COVID-19, except in specific cases like in Arequipa region.





"We hope that despite specific situations in some regions such as Arequipa this will be overcome, and the downward trend will continue in the coming weeks, so that we can say that the second wave has reached the final portion of the descent stage," he stated.





In a press conference on Monday, the government official reaffirmed that "we should not lower the guard but, on the contrary, become much more vigilant," and redouble the preventive measures against COVID-19.





The Ministry of Health (Minsa) sent 24 healthcare workers to Arequipa to staff Honorio Delgado Espinoza and Goyeneche hospitals, which are reporting an increase in cases, so as to strengthen response actions against COVID-19.





The delegation made up of 13 doctors and 11 nurses was deployed by the General Directorate for Disaster Risk Management and National Defense in Health (Digerd) to combat the worse moment of the second wave in said region of southern Peru.





The second group, comprised of 15 health professionals, will arrive on Wednesday from Ica region. In addition, Digerd will send a ton of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers.





Minister Ugarte reiterated his call for political groups to avoid holding mass gatherings, because this certainly contributes to spreading the pandemic, though it is not the intention of political leaders.





Invisible and deadly enemy





Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) or the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). These viruses can be transmitted between animals and people.





The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain that had not been previously identified in humans. It is transmitted from human to human through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. COVID-19 is also transmitted by close contact with people infected by the virus.





People are encouraged to keep a distance from others, wear a face mask or a face shield when using public transportation, wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, among other measures.





(END) JOT/RMB
??? La titular de la PCM indico, durante su participacion en seminario organizado por la @AgendaCAF, que el Peru logro eliminar 30 % de tramites y 1300 requisitos, como parte de la simplificacion administrativa del Estado.



Mas informacion. ?? https://t.co/dOSLPD1Uyq
YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. Expert on Iranian studies Garik Misakyan says its obvious that Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarifs upcoming visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan is connected with the ongoing situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

Firstly, the situation in Syunik [province of Armenia] has become a matter of serious discussions in Iran, and we have already heard several statements over the inviolability of the internationally recognized borders, as well as have witnessed quite a tough response by some circles of Iran over Azerbaijans actions. It can be stated that the ministry of foreign affairs of Iran, noticing that this issue is not being solved, is trying to get acquainted with the situation, the official position of the sides, as well as convey the official stance of Iran already through its foreign minister, the expert said.

Iran has announced at a high level that it will not allow any change in its northern borders, noting that Armenias territorial integrity is its red line. Asked whether this doesnt mean that Iran is absolutely against the rumors on opening a corridor in Syunik, the expert said yes, noting that Iran has always announced about the inviolability of the Armenian-Iranian borders.

First of all, all Iranian statements mention that any action should not interrupt the normal operation of the Armenian-Iranian land border. The Iranian side opposes the so-called Zangezur and Meghri corridor, however, it needs Armenias official position that the Armenian side as well doesnt want to provide a corridor or a road, so that it will develop further actions and will assist Armenia in cancelling that process, Mr. Misakyan said.

According to him, Armenia can definitely expect diplomatic support over the situation connected with Syunik, as well as an expansion of cooperation both in the economic and military field.

As for the military field, many meetings are taking place between the Iranian and Armenian Ambassadors and the military. In other words, Armenia can receive a comprehensive support from Iran. And also engaging Iran into the construction process of North-South highway has a geopolitical importance. Iran also needs peaceful Syunik for fulfilling all these projects. Iran wants Armenia to solve the Syunik border situation as soon as possible be it either with its own efforts or through its allies, the expert on Iranian studies said.

According to him, the growth of Turkish influence in the region is not beneficial to Iran at all, the decrease of its [Irans] influence is not beneficial as well. Iran will try with all possible means to both cancel the possible launch of the Zangezur corridor and increase its own influence in the region.

Iran will seek to expand the cooperation with Armenia in all areas. In other words, now we have quite serious opportunities, to deepen the ties with Iran both in the diplomatic and other levels, and also counterbalancing other forces of the region in our favor, Garik Misakyan said.

Interview by Karen Khachatryan

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. The authorities of Japan are looking into circumstances of Wednesdays collision of Japanese and Russian fishing vessels in the Sea of Okhotsk, the countrys maritime safety department told TASS.

The two ships collided in the Sea of Okhotsk, 23 km off the coast of Japans Hokkaido Island. Three Japanese fishermen were killed and two injured as a result.

"We are examining circumstances of the incident, our patrol ships have been sent to the area," the department said. According to its information, "survivors, who were on board the Japanese vessel at the moment of the collision, have been taken to the shore, and their lives are out of danger."

The Russian fishing vessel, the Amur, is owned by the Amurskoye fishing company, registered in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
In an effort to increase communication between the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Greentown community, INDOT representatives spent time at the Greentown Town Hall to discuss what is shaping up to be one of the largest and most extensive road reconstruction projects in recent Howard County history.

Last week, citizens of Greentown, including business owners and other interested parties, flocked to the town hall for a question-and-answer session with INDOT representative AJ Wortkoetter and E&B Paving Project Manager Sean Williams. The two discussed the finer details and lingering questions regarding the U.S. 35 road resurfacing project thats underway.

Project details

The resurfacing project is extensive, covering 1.65 miles on U.S. 35, starting from the bridge over Wildcat Creek to S.R. 213. Due to its considerable size and scope, the project will be completed in four phases, with the road opening following completion of each one.

According to Wortkoetter, the projects scope from S.R. 19 to the bridge, a resurfacing project, has to be completed by June 30.

Following that portion, the project will encompass the roadway from the bridge to Caseys gas station, a two-year phase. After that, the next step of the project ends just short of Main Street in Greentown.

The roadway will reopen in late November for the winter season. Wortkoetter said it will most likely close again on April 1 of next year, the legal date the project can resume. The project is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2023.

Additionally, Wortkoetter said the four-way stop at S.R. 213 and U.S. 31 implemented as traffic control for the project will remain up and running through the winter months, despite the project being put on hold.

Businesses affected

Alongside the resurfacing project, major utility relocations also are going to be completed.

Five water main crossings will be placed into casement, with an interceptor being installed from the Wildcat reservoir going east to Maple Street, passing multiple wastewater and stormwater crossings.

A Greentown resident questioned how access to businesses would be affected by the project, and Williams said that while the project may look slow, the end goal would be worth it, adding if we get 50 feet a day, were doing a great job.

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The day were in front of that restaurant, or a couple days, its going to be tough, Williams said. Were going to try to do everything we can do to try and minimize our impact on sidewalk access.

Wortkoetter added that all American Disabilities Act (ADA) standards would be met, including sidewalk access, ramp availability, and other specifications.

Keep your eye on the prize

Since the inception of the project, a number of business owners in Greentown have expressed fear of declining business due to the project, especially on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic. One business, Greentown Flooring, opened a second location in Kokomo in order to maintain a source of revenue.

Last weeks Q&A portion of the town council meeting was unlikely to be the last, said Council President Scott Deyoe, due to the broad scope and shifting nature of the project.

Deyoe said that despite the pain caused by the project, citizens should see the benefits.

Keep your eye on the prize, Deyoe said. When youre going through the pain, keep your eye on the prize. If you dont like Harrison Street and you dont like Grant Street, thanks to INDOT, both of those were Community Crossing matching grant programs. I mean, look at those roads now. Theyre wonderful ... That is what 22 is going to look like when its done. Its going to change the look of downtown.

When concerns were raised on how first responders, such as the Greentown Volunteer Fire Department, would be able to traverse, Wortkoetter said that INDOT would accommodate and update emergency services as needed.

Town Council Vice President Mark Lantz said communications with INDOT so far were positive between the entity and town officials.

I think one thing that stands out to me is that I see you guys have a concern for the wellbeing of the town, Lantz said. And youre willing to work with the town. Youre willing to work with the merchants. Because I think everybody understands any time you remodel anything, its inconvenient. Its not fun. Youve got to endure it and get through it. You guys are coming in here with the attitude of, Well, thats just the way it is, and to heck with you guys. Just showing up tonight I think says a lot.

Additionally, INDOT will provide updates, such as progress reports and next steps, that will be posted on the Town of Greentown website.
YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. 27 new passenger wagons will be imported to Armenia by July to replenish the railway system, with another three new electric trains expected to be brought during the year, the caretaker Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Suren Papikyan said during a visit to Shirak province. The trains will supplement the active train fleet of the Yerevan-Gyumri route. The updated fleet will be used to launch railway transport spanning across the entire rail system  to Yeraskh and to Gyumri. Papikyan said the investments in this direction were planned for the following 15 years, but most part of it is being successfully implemented during 2021-2024.

Speaking about other projects, he noted that the renovation of the entire water supply system of Gyumri and other 12 towns of the province is now launched. The project is worth 7,3 billion drams.

He highlighted the importance of the North-South road, and noted that despite the obstacles this years construction has already begun as a result of successful talks with Chinese partners.

In turn, the Shirak governor said that investments and capital spending grew every year in the past three years, with approximately 40,5 billion drams in capital investments expected in the province in 2021 in the urban development sector.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijans encroachment against Armenias territorial integrity is the direct consequence of the 2020 war unleashed by Azerbaijan against the Artsakh peoples right to self-determination and right to life, as well as the inadequate international and regional reaction to Azerbaijans actions of jeopardizing regional peace, Armenian caretaker Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian said during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in Yerevan.

Emboldened by a sense of impunity, Azerbaijan is trying to create new geopolitical realities which are not in the interests of countries who are interested in regional stability. In these conditions dialogue with our regional partners is more than important, Aivazian said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. The chair of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs Ruben Rubinyan from the ruling My Step bloc doesnt rule out that Armenia could potentially apply to the CSTO also by invoking Article 4 amid the Azerbaijani military encroachment against Armenia.

Speaking to reporters, Rubinyan commented on the oppositions opinions as to why should allies step in and help if Armenia itself is not repelling the Azeri incursion militarily. First of all, it is our allies themselves whove urged us and continue urging not to escalate the situation and attempt to solve the issue diplomatically and politically. And secondly, the allied formats in which we are involved have clear, envisaged articles for specific cases. And we arent asking for help by without doing anything, but weve rather applied based on specific documents, under a specific article. Moreover, I am talking about both the application to the CSTO on Article 2 and the prime ministers letter based on the Armenia-Russia bilateral treaty. And we expect that our allies will support us in solving this issue. Taking into consideration the latest developments, I dont rule out that we will reach Article 4 and not only, he said, referring to the fatal shooting of an Armenian serviceman by Azerbaijani troops on May 25.

Rubinyan reiterated that the latest victim was not caused by an accident and that it was one of the manifestations of Azerbaijans aggression.

Our position is the following  the Azerbaijani troops must withdraw from Armenian sovereign territories. Armenia is trying and will try to solve this issue first of all politically and diplomatically, which doesnt mean that other solutions cant happen if these fail, he said, referring to a military solution.

The current status-quo is definitely unacceptable for us, but the operational situation in those parts is under the control of our troops, he said.

Armenia has so far only requested the CSTO for assistance under the treatys Article 2  The Member States shall consult with each other on all important issues of the international security affecting their interests, and coordinate positions on these issues.In case of menace to safety, stability, territorial integrity and sovereignty of one or several Member States or menace to international peace and safety of the Member States shall immediately launch the mechanism of joint consultations for the purpose of their positions coordination, develop and take measures for assistance to such Member States for the purpose of elimination of the arisen menace.

Article 4 on the other hand says that an attack on a member state is an attack on all members. In the event of an attack, the member states must provide all necessary help, including military support, to the member state under attack in accordance to a formal request.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. Armenias healthcare ministry envisages changes in the coronavirus-related rules, the ministry told Armenpress.

Accordingly, people will not be required to wear face masks outdoors starting from June 1.

And also, wearing face masks in closed areas for citizens who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 will not be mandatory starting from July 1.

A citizen is considered vaccinated who has received two shots of the COVID-19 vaccine, is registered in the Armed E-Health system and has a QR code.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian held a meeting with Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

The President and the Ombudsman discussed the current situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

Arman Tatoyan introduced the President on the results of the fact-finding activities carried out by his Office in Gegharkunik and Syunik provinces, noting that the illegal presence of the Azerbaijani armed forces in Armenias sovereign territory is an obvious encroachment against the rights of the entire population of Armenia, but first of all against that of its border residents. Mr. Tatoyan stated that the implementation of his concept to create a security zone in all sections of the border with Azerbaijan and especially around Syunik and Gegharkunik will create a real opportunity for the protection of rights and the security of the citizens.

The officials also highlighted the implementation of practical actions by the relevant state structures aimed at protecting the security and rights of the Armenian population, as well as the active work with the international partners for preventing the illegal acts of the Azerbaijani armed forces and any such incident in the future.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. Caretaker Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has sent a congratulatory letter to Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on the national day  the Independence Day, Pashinyans Office told Armenpress.

The letter reads:

I warmly congratulate you and the good people of Georgia on the national day  the Independence Day of Georgia.

More than a century before, by expressing their unwavering will of having their own independent statehood, the good people of Georgia today as well continue consistently reaffirming their that aspiration by building and developing the state of Georgia.

Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

Armenia and Georgia, during their state-building period, have developed and installed such preconditions for mutual cooperation, the implementation of which made it possible to preserve and develop at best the relations between our countries.

Today the vision that our countries have a lot to do both in the bilateral relations and in the regional processes, is also a priority. In this context our commitment to deepen the partnership between Armenia and Georgia and enrich it with new achievements is unequivocal.

By using this chance I wish you good luck in your state activity, and prosperity and progress to the brotherly people of Georgia, the statement reads.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili on the national day  the Independence Day, the Armenian Presidents Office told Armenpress.

In his letter the Armenian President said the Armenian and Georgian peoples have been guided by the principles for preserving the friendly relations, continuing and strengthening the close cooperation for centuries.

I must praise the fact that today as well Armenia and Georgia continue treating the multilayered relations between them with a consistent care.

I am happy that during my official visit to Georgia we had a chance to discuss issues relating to deepening and developing the partnership of our countries. As Presidents of the two neighboring and friendly countries in the region, we are committed to serving our peoples with dedication and honor and continuing the joint efforts to transfer the friendly relations received from our ancestors as a heritage to the next generations, the Armenian Presidents letter says.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Ministry of Defense is denying as fake news the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense statement which claimed that the Armenian military has shelled Azerbaijani positions from May 24 until May 26.

It is clear that this statement is yet another pitiful attempt to cover up the provocations committed against the sovereign territories of the Republic of Armenia in recent days and the May 25 killing of Junior Sergeant Gevorg Khurshudyan, a serviceman of the Armenian Armed Forces, the Armenian Ministry of Defense said.

Moreover, it is noteworthy that the statement claims that the Armenian side is shelling the Azerbaijani positions for already three days, but the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense has decided to speak about it only today. The statement also claimed that the Azerbaijani positions have been shelled in Artsakh too, in the direction of Shushi. The command of the Russian contingent carrying out the peacekeeping mission in the Republic of Artsakh told the Armenian Ministry of Defense that no shots were fired in that direction also. The Ministry of Defense of Armenia announces that the armed forces did not fire any shots in the direction of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the said period of time.

The Ministry of Defense of Armenia is again stressing that the Azerbaijani encroachments against the sovereign territories of the Republic of Armenia are completely inadmissible and is demanding an immediate withdrawal, otherwise reserving the right to solve the issue in any other option, including by the use of force, the Armenian Ministry of Defense said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. On May 26, Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Argentine to Armenia Mariano Vergara, the Parliament told Armenpress.

Welcoming the guest, the Speaker of the Parliament congratulated him on beginning his diplomatic mission and wished him fruitful activity: I am sure that you will have an important contribution and will promote the development of the relations between the two countries. Mirzoyan congratulated the Ambassador on the occasion of one of the national holidays in Argentina, May Revolution yesterday, on May 25.

According to Mirzoyan, despite the geographical big distance, the relations between the two countries are friendly, and constructive political dialogue exists. In this context, the Speaker highlighted the strengthening of the inter-parliamentary ties and the activities of the Parliamentary Friendship Groups.

Mr Ambassador, you are in Armenia in a very hard period for us. You know that in the previous autumn Azerbaijan supported by Turkey and the involvement of the mercenaries unleashed war against the Armenians of the Nagorno Karabakh, during that period committing military crimes, targeting the civilian population, the infrastructures and using banned weapons. As a result, though the ceasefire regime has been established, but Azerbaijan continues violating the norms of the international humanitarian law, the provisions of the Geneva Convention, not releasing Armenian prisoners of war, suing false criminal cases towards the latter. We expect that all our international colleagues, being led by humanitarian aspirations, should immediately raise their voice and interfere into this issue, Ararat Mirzoyan underlined.

According to the Head of the Parliament, Azerbaijan continues its Armenophobic policy and the aggressive anti-Armenian statements and actions, which shows that the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh cannot ever safely live in the part of that country: To our conviction, the security of the NK Armenian population can be ensured exclusively by the recognition of the right to their self-determination.

Mirzoyan also touched upon the intrusion of the Azerbaijani soldiers into Armenias sovereign territory and the statements of numerous countries on it, according to them, Armenias territorial integrity cannot be put under doubt and the Azerbaijani troops must immediately leave.

Thanking the Parliament Speaker for the reception, Mariano Vergara has noted that Armenia is an important country for Argentina, especially taking into consideration the presence of the great number of Armenians in the community. The Ambassador reaffirmed the position of Argentina on the fact that any conflict should be solved exclusively through diplomatic way: We shall certainly respect the norms of the international humanitarian law and the provisions of the relevant Convention.

At the end of the meeting the Ambassador conveyed the messages of the President of Argentina and the Minister of Foreign Affairs dedicated to the 106th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. The inter-agency commission coordinating the actions for ensuring the implementation of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Armenia-EU Partnership Priorities document held a session today chaired by caretaker deputy prime minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan, his Office told Armenpress.

The status of the 2020 and 2021 actions and their implementation process relating to migration, public services regulation, territorial administration, waste management, consumer rights protection, digital financing services and road security as envisaged by the CEPA roadmap were reported during the session.

The commission decided to discuss at its next session the draft roadmap over the provisions of the Agreement which entered into force from March 1, 2021, noting that the European side will soon provide its notifications over the draft.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
President Joe Biden plans to appear in Tulsa on Tuesday, the 100th anniversary of the destruction of Tulsa's all-Black Greenwood neighborhood during the 1921 Race Massacre.

No details of Biden's visit were available, but the White House confirmed he will be coming to the city. Other sources indicated he's expected to visit Greenwood Rising, an historical center at Greenwood Street and Archer Avenue due to open on Tuesday, and the Greenwood Cultural Center.

He may also meet with massacre survivors and descendants.

Historically, presidential visits have been few and far between for Tulsans, but Tuesday's announcement came less than a year after Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, visited the city as part of his unsuccessful re-election campaign.

Also Tuesday, Oklahoma's congressional delegation announced support for a resolution recognizing the massacre centennial.

First District Congressman Kevin Hern introduced the resolution in the House and Sen. James Lankford introduced it in the Senate.

Oklahoma's delegation, which has raised the ire of many Black Tulsans for its support of Trump and what some see as a lack of support for Oklahoma minorities, said its resolution "urges the Tulsa Race Massacre be taught in American schools and recognizes the important work of organizations like the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission and John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation."

Text of the resolution was not immediately available.

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The Tulsa Race Massacre is an important piece of our history, and its important to own that. The destruction of Black Wall Street devastated economic opportunities for generations of Tulsas Black families," said Hern, a Tulsa Republican.

"Oklahomans want the nation to know the accurate history of events 100 years ago, the growing economic development in the Greenwood District, and the continued work toward reconciliation," said Lankford. "The importance of this work will grow after the anniversary and I look forward to continuing to walk with my many friends in Greenwood as well as tell the story of tragedy to triumph.

Biden visited the city at least twice while vice president in 2009-2017. In 2015 he headlined a Democratic Party fundraiser at the Summit Club, and spoke to a group of Democratic donors at a private home in 2011.

In 1986, Biden campaigned in Oklahoma City for then-1st District Congressman James R. Jones, who was running for the U.S. Senate.

"We are grateful that President Biden will join in the centennial commemoration of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre," Mayor G.T. Bynum said in a Facebook post.

"His visit honors our neighbors who were killed in this citys worst moment and the work being done to build a better Tulsa for future generations."

Tulsa police, in another Facebook post said, "Please expect that traffic, road closures, and potential flight delays are likely during his visit. We will provide more information as it becomes available."

The department has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday in which Chief Wendell Franklin will address the departments safety protocols and response plans regarding the many planned events happening in Tulsa this weekend, along with Bidens visit.
YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. By spreading the fake news claiming Armenia opened fire, the Azeri authorities are trying to conceal their own actions, the gunfire which they opened, caretaker Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutyunyan said in parliament during question time.

MP Nazeli Baghdasaryan asked the defense minister to comment on the Azeri fake news, which the defense ministry debunked earlier.

Their plan is clear here. Because theyd used weapons in our territory which resulted in the death of our soldier, they are trying to conceal this. I contacted the peacekeeping forces, who have denied that information. Therefore, thats just their trick to try and show their society that the Armenian side is resorting to actions and they are peaceful. They are trying to conceal their own actions with that, Harutyunyan said.

Harutyunyan said the Armenian side knows very well what kind of tactics the Azeri side has developed.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. The Eurasian Expert Club plans to start consultations with the political forces of Armenia over the opportunities of developing the Armenian-Russian relations and increasing the number of Armenias friends and supporters in the countries of the Eurasian space, Coordinator of the Club, head of the Integration and Development NGO Aram Safaryan told Armenpress after the conference entitled The Image of Strategic Ally Russia in Modern Armenian Society.

We are going to hold consultations with the main political forces, by inviting their supporters to work with our experts and academicians, he said, expressing confidence that there is no shortage of the necessary political-scientific, expert and analytical mind in Armenia. However, he said, there is a need for coordination and combination of opportunities.

The studies have revealed that the number of those supporting strengthening and deepening the strategic alliance with Russia have increased qualitatively in Armenia in the post-war period. The behavior of those politicians, who make different proposals for raising the strategic alliance between our countries to a new level, is connected with this demand existing within the public, Aram Safaryan said, adding that the purpose of this conference on the current situation of the Armenian-Russian strategic alliance was to combine the notifications of the members of the Eurasian Expert Club and the diplomats of the Embassies of the Eurasian countries in Armenia. According to him, these observations can be very valuable and can be included in the basis of their work.

In the pre-election period they can contribute to holding a constructive debate between those who support and oppose the strengthening of the alliance with Russia. Already in the post-election processes they will enable to develop a smart, understandable and acceptable political course for the people, he said, adding that academicians and experts, who sincerely act in favor of deepening and developing the Armenian-Russian ties, have a lot to do both in Armenia, Russia and other countries of the Eurasian space in order to be able to increase the number of friends and supporters of Armenia.

Mr. Safaryan noted that the Eurasian Expert Club is ready to assume its part of responsibility serving as an upper-party platform for the discussions of ideas on the Armenian-Russian alliance development and for high-quality expert conclusions.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. In the near future Armenia will have a national air carrier. Sil Group company together with Moldavian FlyOne company will present FlyOne Armenia aircompany that will operate as the Armenian national air carrier.

ARMENPRESS reports Moldavian businessman, Director of FlyOne company Mircea Maleca said that the first airplane he started to use was registered in Armenia and belonged to an Armenian company, which was one of the reasons to later think about the Armenian market.

Representative of Sil Group Sona Soghomonyan highlighted the fact that by creating a national air carrier, there will be an opportunity to restore the institution of Armenian pilots, once assessed as one of the leaders in the USSR. ''By the creation of FlyOne Armenia air company, 135 jobs with above-avarage salary will be opened in the first stage and this number, of course, tends to rise'', Soghomonyan said.
YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. Armenia doesnt rule out applying to the UN Security Council over the Azeri military incursion in case the CSTO levers or the levers on the Armenia-Russia unified troops treaty turn out to be insufficient to solve this issue, caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in parliament during question time when asked to comment by LHK opposition leader Edmon Marukyan.

Pashinyan again said that the goal of the Azeri authorities actions in the Lake Sev area was to instigate a military clash, and as announced previously by the Azeri leader Ilham Aliyev to create a corridor by the use of force. This assessment is the reason why Armenia appealed to the CSTO.

As of this moment we are not satisfied with the pace of the CSTO actions, but we will continue to consistently work in this direction and carry out work with our partners over further explanation of the situation, because I find the preliminary plan which Azerbaijan had as being neutralized at this moment. Our partners must be clearly notified about that plan and they must express a clear stance, Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan drew attention to the fact that CSTO countries and the organization itself have not expressed a clear stance that Azerbaijan must pull back its troops. However, he said that this stance is expressed on a working level, but not publicly. Pashinyan said that this issue must be clarified. For example, it is said that demarcation and delimitation isnt done in that part. The borders of Russia and Azerbaijan themselves isnt entirely demarcated and delimitated. What does this mean? he said.

Speaking about potentially applying to the UN Security Council, Pashinyan said: This issue has been a subject of discussion from the very first days, and it remains a subject of discussion. There are simply nuances, that upon making such decision one must have a certain field of view of predictability. To carry out preparations beforehand. And weve never ruled out and dont rule out that we will take that path if it turns out that the CSTO levers or the levers of the treaty on the Armenian-Russian unified contingent are insufficient for solving this situation and problem.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, 26 MAY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 26 May, USD exchange rate up by 0.11 drams to 520.68 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.59 drams to 637.42 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.02 drams to 7.08 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.52 drams to 737.70 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 121.32 drams to 31588.85 drams. Silver price down by 1.41 drams to 461.28 drams. Platinum price up by 205.04 drams to 19853.94 drams.
YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. Caretaker Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan rules out the opportunity that Russia and CSTO may not fulfil their contractual obligations, ARMENPRESS reports Pashinyan said during parliament-Cabinet Q&A session.

MP Tigran Urikhanyan asked if Pashinyan has the concern that if Armenia carries out punitive actions against the Azerbaijanis that have crossed the border of Armenia, Russia and the CSTO forces may not provide necessary support to Armenia, violating the obligations.

You mean that the CSTO and Russia may not carry out their contractual obligations? How is that possible? That means that that organization or any country declares about its self-dissolution, since it does not implement its obligations.

Russia's position was, is and remains that the border of the Republic of Armenia is a red line for the Russian Federation. And yes, it's a sad fact that Azerbaijan has crossed that red line. And I consider it impossible that Russia does not carry out contractual obligations. The whole point of those contractual obligations is that an attack on Armenia is an attack on Russia. It's written on the paper. This means that if anyone can attack Armenia staying unpunished, then anyone can attack Russia with staying unpunished'', Pashinyan said.

Armenia continues consultations in the sidelines of the CSTO, with Russia with which Armenia has bilateral security partnership. Armenia holds consultations also with neighboring Iran.

He added that the post-war security system is now experiencing a very serious test and that test must be successfully overcome. ''And we are confident that the CSTO and the Armenian-Russian security cooperation will be successfully overcome'', Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan does not see the need to impose martial law at the moment, it can be introduced in case of a sharp aggravation of the situation.

On May 12 in the morning the Azerbaijani armed forces crossed Armenias state border in the territory of Sev Lake in Syunik province and advanced up to 3,5 kilometers, trying to surround the Lake. Caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this action is intolerable for Armenia, as it is an encroachment on the sovereign territory of Armenia.

On May 24 an Armenians servicemen was killed by Azerbaijani shooting. It was possible to prevent further escalation of the situation, but it remains very tense.

Armenia has officially applied to the CSTO for launching procedures in line with the Collective Security Treaty. Pashinyan has also sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking for military assistance in line wit Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance of 1997. French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that the issue should be solved in the sidelines of the UNSC, expressing readiness to provide military assistance to the international efforts aimed at solving the situation.
YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. Political consultations took place between the foreign ministry of Armenia and China on May 26. The consultations were co-chaired by Armenian Deputy FM Avet Adonts and Deputy Foreign Minister of China Le Yucheng.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, during the consultations the sides discussed a broad scope of international, regional and bilateral issues. The Armenian Deputy FM presented in detail the situation caused by the infiltration of Azerbaijani armed forces into the sovereign territory of Armenia. Avet Adonts noted that Azerbaijan does not implement its obligations assumed by the November 9, 2020 declaration, continuing keeping Armenian war prisoners and civilian hostages in detention. Azerbaijan also hinders the entry of international humanitarian organizations to Nagorno Karabakh and eliminates Armenian historical-cultural and religious heritage.

Deputy Foreign Minister of China Le Yucheng noted that China supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Armenia, emphasizing that the full implementation of the November 9 trilateral declaration is the guarantee for regional security and stability.

Avet Adonts thanked the Chinese side for providing Armenia with 100 thousand doses of CoronaVac vaccine. The side also referred to bilateral cooperation in the spheres of economy, science and education, culture.
LIMASSOL, Cyprus, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recently, NICOEX NICO Exchange, owned by "Mount Nico Corp Ltd.", announces its significant progress in its services on the crypto-currency platform. In the first few months of 2021 the value of Bitcoin doubles and Ethereum leaps by 4 times the market is expecting new crypto-currency and opportunities to emerge in excitement. NICOEX NICO Exchange successfully seized this good opportunity.



NICOEX NICO Exchange will become one of the new shining stars in the field of leveraged crypto-currency trading. In this article they are pitching two professional crypto-currency platform NICO exchange against FTX. Both exchanges provide similar functions and share the same target group of traders so a direct duel is inevitable. Without further ado, let's dive in!

NICO VS FTX: General information

NICO Exchange http://nico.exchange is a trading platform owned by MOUNT NICO CORP LTD. NICOEX NICO Exchange has been in operation for three years and licenced in four countries: The United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Cyprus. NICO Exchange strives to accelerate the process of internationalization, aiming to become a world class digital asset management platform in the coming two years to provide more efficient and high quality services to their valued users. The company is located in Cyprus.

FTX is a crypto-currency exchange located in the British Virgin Islands. The platform only offers two crypto-currency derivative trading pairs: BTC/USD, XRP/USD, EOS/USD and ETH/USD.

NICO VS FTX: Trading cost

NICO Exchange offers very competitive fees. As a smart investor people will find trading cost almost negligible compared to the potential huge profits. Currently, the perpetual fee for professional account holder (and some futures) is -0.025% and for regular account holder 0.075%. Therefore, professional account holders may enjoy some rebate in their transaction. People can read more about the trading fees in the following link.

Story continues

In FTX, the trading fee for purchasers is 0.075%, while trading fee for manufacturers is -0.025%, which is basically identical to NICO. This means that manufacturers will get paid to trade. Suppose people are the manufacturer of a deal buying crypto-currency for USD1,000 instead of paying USD1,000 people only need to pay $997.50. This is indeed a very competitive feature.

FTX also charges a withdrawal fee of 0.0005 BTC. This is quite competitive because it is 40% lower than the average BTC withdrawal fee (0.0008 BTC) in the global industry average.

Purchase limitation

NICO has no restrictions on deposits and withdrawals. It is completely unrestricted.

For Bitcoin, there are no restrictions either.

Deposit and withdrawal method

NICO focus on crypto-currency transaction so Bitcoin can be used for all deposits and withdrawals. Deposits and withdrawals are free, which is always very pleasant. After the transaction is completed, there is no need to bear any hidden costs (except Bitcoin network fees).

The speed is 3 times faster than the Google Chrome browser, and privacy is even multiple times higher-check "Brave browser"

Bitcoin is the only recognized crypto-currency, so all deposits can only be made in BTC or ETH

Support countries

NICO Exchange is a registered company in the Republic of Seychelles but its services are available worldwide. As the website contains the nature of crypto-currency, the exchange will not restrict access at any location. Please be aware that local laws may affect users' access to services and this is beyond control of the company.

Except for the United States and the following restricted countries/regions: Quebec (Canada), Singapore, Cuba, Crimea, Sevastopol, Iran, Syria, North Korea, Sudan, China (Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao), FTX can be used anywhere in the world

Supported coins

NICO supports the following crypto-currencies:

Ethereum (ETH)





Ripple Token (XRP)





Zcash (ZEC)





EOS token (EOS)

Note: In NICO exchange, Bitcoin is shown as XBT. (The universal transaction code 'BTC' violates ISO 4217. According to international standard, it corresponds to the Bhutan currency. Therefore, NICO Exchange use XBT as the transaction code).

FTX offers four main coins: BTC, ETH, XRP and EOS.

Customer Support

In general, NICO's customer support seems to be one of the most knowledgeable experts in the market. Their team is well mannered and courteous and they speak fluent English. They strive to cater to the evolving need of the market and endeavour to reduce the stress of their customers.

Customer support is delivered via email tickets and that support even reach out to social media messages. NICO Exchange has a great website full of useful information and features. They also provide a knowledge base which allows transactions to be executed seamlessly and helps educate users in complex transaction scenarios.

FTX has a 24/7 real-time chat function with staff speaking multiple languages. FTX is also active on most well known social media platforms. This includes Facebook, Instagram, Telegram and Reddit.

Creditability and reputation

Currently, NICO Exchange is not legally regulated in any jurisdiction making their reputation in the community paramount. Their team is well known and active on social media platform so people will know who is responsible when fraud occurs. However, the lack of official regulation is a big disadvantage and it presents a huge risk especially if people plan to trade large sum of crypto-currency on margin.

FTX has 2 years of operation history, but there have been no major incidents or negative news. Apart from the CEO, FTX's management team also comprises of experienced professionals in the field of foreign exchange, investment and block chain technology, including former employees of Morgan Stanley and Tencent. In crypto-currency terms, although it is far from the standard of traditional financial institutions, it is still trustworthy and reputable.

Platform security

NICO Exchange has remarkable platform security. The exchange utilizes a multi-signature deposit and withdrawal solution that is controlled by NICO partners. NICO Exchange also uses Amazon Web Services to protect servers by text messages, two-factor authentication and hardware token.

Their system contains email notifications and PGP crypto-currency is used in all communications. All withdrawals are manually inspected by employees and executed only once daily to minimize risk of hacker attack (funds are stored in cold storage).

FTX deposits most tokens in a multi-signature cold wallet with only three withdrawal cycles daily. As the industry expects, FTX comes with an option that utilizes two-factor authentication (2FA) and email notification for significant operations on the platform (login, withdrawal, transaction and so on).

Margin trading

NICO Exchange supports margin trading for all crypto-currencies shown on the platform. It also supports futures and derivatives (swaps). On NICO, some users can take advantage of up to 100x leverage in certain contracts. NICO also provides binary series contracts, which are forecast-based contracts that can be settled only at either 0 or 100. Two types of margin trading are supported: segregated margin and cross margin. The former allows users to preset the amount of currency in the wallet to keep their positions after placing an order. The latter stipulates that all funds in the user's wallet can be used to maintain order positions therefore extra caution shall be excerised.

For BTC and ETH pairs, people can trade with 100x leverage on FTX, while people can trade with 25x leverage for EOS and XRP. It is allegedly reported that their matching engine can reach up to 100,000 TPS (transactions per second), which is certainly an impressive and amazing prospect paving a wonderful future for users who is interested in leveraged trading.

Pros and cons

NICO Professional

Provides many advanced features and functions





Not suitable for beginners





Advanced technology





Limited asset protection





In terms of cost-FTX simulates the cost structure of NICO, therefore they share basically the same cost model.





In terms of customer support: similar quality, both are of paramount importance.





Overall reputation: NICO is well known and therefore has the initiative advantage. FTX has done a good job in duplicating NICO but they need to provide some additional features if they want to replace the existing system. They have embarked on a good path with a first-class matching algorithm, which has an upper hand over NICO.

If people don't like these two exchange platforms, there are alternative platforms listed here: Cex.io, Binance, PrimeXBT, PrimeBit, Deribit. Since February 2020, Coinbase Pro has announced that they will also enter the field of margin trading.

If people want to compare NICO with other exchanges, please check out the guide where compare NICO with Binance.

Risk reminder and disclaimer

Crypto-currency is a high risk investment, investors shall exercise caution and note the associated risk. NICO Exchange must not be held responsible for any consequence arising from any investment decision and action.

NICO Exchange platform retains the rights of interpretation to all the content above. Terms and conditions may vary and change due to policy change in the rapid changing market. Should people have any enquiry, please do not hesitate to contact the online customer service in the official website.

Media Contact

Company: Mount Nico Corp Ltd.

Contact: Panikos Kaiserlidis

Telephone: +357 24 020 200

Email: admin@nico.exchange

Website: http://www.nico.exchange

Address: Agiou Athanasiou, 66 Toumazis Linopetra Building 4102, Limassol, Cyprus

SOURCE: Mount Nico Corp Ltd.




Pope Francis kissed the tattoo of an Auschwitz survivor -- the number inked onto her forearm when she arrived at the concentration camp as a young girl -- as he met the 81-year-old in an emotional meeting Wednesday at the Vatican.

Lidia Maksymowicz, who was deported to the camp when she was not yet three years old, rolled up her sleeve as she met the pope following his open-air audience inside the Apostolic Palace.

Francis bent down to kiss the number that was inked onto her forearm when she arrived at the camp in 1943 -- earning him a spontaneous hug from Maksymowicz.

The pope placed his hand on her head, and spent a few minutes speaking with her as he was leaving the palace courtyard.

Francis visited Auschwitz in 2016, where he walked alone through the "Arbeit Macht Frei" (Work Sets You Free) gate under which more than one million people, most of them Jews, passed before being killed by the Nazis.

Maksymowicz has spoken during past International Holocaust Remembrance Days about her experiences at the death camp after her family in Belarus was arrested and accused of supporting partisans.

She was one of the children forced to undergo medical experiments by Josef Mengele, the camp's doctor known as the "Angel of Death".

"All the children knew who Mengele was and felt terror towards him. I consider that I have a mission to tell this story, I owe it to those who died," she said in January during an online talk with young Italians.

"I am one of the few survivors."

After leaving the camp, she was adopted by a Polish family.

Maksymowicz was reunited with her mother at the age of 18, thanks to their tattoos having consecutive numbers.

cm-ams/pbr/jv
Sri Lanka battles fire on ship loaded with chemicals A huge cloud of black smoke rises from the MV X-Press Pearl off Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan authorities battled Wednesday to put out a fire raging for a week on a stricken container ship loaded with chemicals to avoid a potential marine environmental disaster.

The Singapore-registered vessel, within sight of the shore, is carrying 25 tonnes of nitric acid as well as other unspecified chemicals and cosmetics, the navy said.

Eight of its nearly 1,500 containers fell overboard on Tuesday, one of which washed ashore at the Negombo tourist beach 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Colombo.

Strong winds associated with a cyclone hitting eastern India hampered efforts to put out the blaze as a huge cloud of black smoke rose from the MV X-Press Pearl.

Sri Lanka's airforce used helicopters to drop about 425 kilograms (935 pounds) of fire retardant chemicals on the ship Wednesday.

Dharshani Lahandapura from the Marine Environment Protection Authority said containment measures were being prepared in case chemicals or fuel oil are spilled from the ship's engine and fuel tanks.

"Computer modelling showed any spill from the ship will reach the Negombo beach and we are ready to tackle it," Lahandapura told reporters in Colombo.

"Given the monsoon wind pattern, we are concentrating on this area and we are moving equipment to deal with a spill," she said.

Navy spokesman Captain Indika de Silva said the 25-member crew had been evacuated safely but one had been hospitalised with minor injuries.

The container ship was on its way to Colombo from Gujarat in India when the fire broke out on deck on May 20 around 14 kilometres (7.5 nautical miles) offshore.

Residents in Negombo were seen scavenging plastic raw materials that washed ashore on Wednesday morning.

Tugs and naval ships were leading the efforts to douse the blaze and three Indian coastguard vessels were expected to join the effort later Wednesday.

India already sent another ship and an aircraft on Tuesday to assess the damage and coordinate fire-fighting efforts, the Sri Lanka navy said.

In September, a crude oil tanker caught fire off Sri Lanka's eastern coast after an engine room explosion that killed a crewman. That fire was put out after more than a week with the help of India's coastguard.

aj/stu/axn
Rio Ferdinand is a strict parent, although he insists he's also "hands on", especially when it comes to his youngest son, Cree, whom he has with his wife Kate Ferdinand.
Education

EDUCATION

Auburn board pauses high school renaming process

Kevin Rivoli, The Citizen Auburn High School may be renamed, more than 50 years after the building opened.

AUBURN  After months of community discourse over possibly renaming Auburn High School, the Auburn Enlarged City School District Board of Education is pausing the review process.

The board voted on the pause at its meeting Tuesday night, with around 40 people in attendance at the high school's library.

High school students brought forward an initiative in January to name the building after iconic abolitionist and former Auburn resident Harriet Tubman. In April, the board adopted a resolution crafting guidelines on forming an independent community advisory panel on renaming the building, and generating a time frame for people to nominate different names.

Thirty-six different people were included in the panel by the board earlier this month. Students, school personnel and other community members were among those approved for the committee, while 11 different possible names were sent in during the nomination period. A survey announced last week by the board was meant to gather feedback from community members regarding the potential renaming.

April's resolution said the panel had to make a recommendation before June 3 and the school board would consider the panel's recommendation and vote on it at the June 8 board meeting for final approval or denial.

Auburn school district holding survey on high school renaming The Auburn Enlarged City School District wants feedback from the community on the possible renaming of Auburn High School.

But at Tuesday's meeting, board member Dr. Rhoda Overstreet-Wilson made a motion to add board discussion on the renaming before the public-to-be-heard portion of the meeting was set to start. Shortly after that motion passed, Overstreet-Wilson proposed a resolution to pause the renaming process.

"Since January, this board and this community has grappled with the students' initiative that they moved forward," she said. "What we have grappled with as a board and a community has divided us. Any suggestion to name the school should be in celebration, not a fight."

Overstreet-Wilson criticized the district's process, saying it had missteps.

"There are things that we said we would do that we did not do, and it looks like an organizational failure," she said.

She added that she was proposing a pause "so that we can collectively research, vet a process, determine how we can get the community involved."

Dr. Eli Hernandez, the board's vice president, also criticized the process and said it personally did not matter to him whether the school's name was changed or not, but "what I did want to do for the children was to do a process."

He said the board needed to consider the voices of the students who started the campaign five months ago. He also said the district's policy committee should look at the renaming policy and re-do it.

Hernandez also argued against the suggestion board members have heard that the district and board have not tended to students' needs while the renaming process has been going on.

Board member Ian Phillips said the pause would be ignoring the work that had already been done within the process, including the 178 emails from community members that the district received during the name nomination period.

After discussion, the resolution to pause the renaming process passed, 7-2, with Hernandez and Phillips voting against it.

During the public comment portion of the meeting that followed, most speakers argued against the renaming, bringing up concerns such as the potential cost of such an alteration and the public's input.

Elizabeth A. Cuddy told the board she strongly opposes renaming the facility. She said that the students who first asked for the change in January do not pay school taxes, and asked, "what about all the other students that don't want it?"

Arlene Ryan also argued against the name change.

"Auburn High School is hailed by many graduates over the 50-year span," she said. "Please stop and call a final cease and desist to renaming Auburn High School, long may she live."
New York is offering children who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine a life-changing incentive: If you get your shot, you could win a full scholarship to a public college or university.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday that New York will hold a raffle to award 10 4-year scholarships each week, with the last drawing planned for July 7. The drawings are open to individuals age 12-17 who get their first shot of the Pfizer vaccine.

The contest opens Thursday. The scholarships will cover tuition, room and board to any public college or university in New York, which includes the State University of New York and City University of New York schools. Cuomo explained that there will be a website for children to confirm they received the Pfizer vaccine and enter the weekly drawings.

He encouraged students to get the vaccine early in the contest period because they will be entered in more drawings.

"It's a significant incentive for students," Cuomo said. "For a parent, you're worried about paying college tuition? Tell your 12-17-year-old to go out, get a shot. It protects the family, protects the 12-17-year-old, then they are eligible for our raffle."
Critics, including state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, a Democrat, have argued the probe is being dragged out to buy time for the governor.

Lavine defended the $250,000 initial budget for the probe Wednesday, and said it's been expected that the probe will end costing more.

Meanwhile, investigators have received about 290 tips  including 165 emails and 125 voicemails  submitted to the Assembly's hotline. That's also up from late April, when Lavine said investigators received more than 200 tips.

The Assembly's probe is focused on whether there are grounds to impeach Cuomo over four main issues: sexual harassment and groping allegations lodged against the Democrat by current and former aides, the administration's efforts to withhold a full count of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes, the governor's use of aides to help write his book on pandemic leadership that garnered him $5 million and his administration's handling of safety concerns about the Mario Cuomo Bridge.

Lavine has said investigators are also examining whether the governor helped family members get special access to coronavirus tests last spring.

The governor has rebuffed calls for his resignation from a majority of state Democratic lawmakers, including several who have since appeared with Cuomo in public.
We resided in Auburn, New York, for over 25 years were involved in numerous community activities. My involvement with the Auburn Enlarged City School District spans a period of over 20 years, via P.T.O. boards, committees, etc. l had immersed myself into any and everything that involved the students of the Auburn school district.

I cannot wrap my mind around a name change for the High School.

Personally, the middle school is more conducive for that name change.

The Auburn High School is the only high school from which thousands of our children have graduated over the years, since its doors were opened in 1970.

Their diplomas are registered with their records across the country, in universities/colleges, vocational schools, places of employment, etc., with the insignia of A.E.S.D.

This is a major part of their legacy. By proposing to implement such a drastic change, is likened to carving out a large piece of that legacy, or losing a great portion of Their Root! Please consider what will be involved and the repercussions that will result from such an action. Just the tremendous expense and tons of paperwork that such an action will invoke is mind boggling! I do not think it is a worthwhile move.
Yamaha has launched the new MY21 NMax 125 maxi-scooter in the Japanese market. The updated scooter has received some new updates to the body, engine and features kit. It will be made available for purchase in Japan from the last week of June 2021.

(Also Read: Yamaha YZF-R7 officially breaks cover: Dedicated supersport on a budget)

The new Yamaha NMax 125 scooter gets an LCD console that can be paired with a smartphone Bluetooth connectivity feature. Other key highlights on the new scooter include an engine start-stop system and TCS (Traction Control System). For the record, TCS is only limited to higher-spec scooters currently and NMax is one of the rarest offerings in the segment to be blessed with this safety feature.

The utilitarian design of the NMax 125 remains unchanged and it carries forward the twin-beam headlamps at the front with a long dark tinted windshield. There are new angular DRLs on the twin-beam lights of the scooter that make it look more appealing. Also, bits like a step-up seat, bike-styled raised floorboard, and golden dipped alloys lend the scooter a very sporty appeal.

Under its body sits a 124 cc, liquid-cooled engine which complies with the latest emission norms. In the newest avatar, the engine also delivers slightly more power and torque. The overall output from this engine has been recorded at 11.8 bhp and 11 Nm.

(Also Read: 2022 Yamaha Zuma 125 off-road scooter revealed: All you need to know)

As per official claims, the new changes also contribute to better performance and mileage from the engine.

The scooter has a 765 mm seat height, and its overall weight measures at 127 kgs. It is based on an underbone frame and it rides on 13-inch wheels at either end. it comes suspended on telescopic front forks and a monoshock at the rear.

The Yamaha NMax 125 may not be launched in the Indian market anytime soon as it is deemed too premium for the 125 cc scooter segment here in India.
As Jose Luis Cruz prepares to take the role of Northern Arizona University president, it appears his entrance will be accompanied by several other changes in leadership at the university.

This week, Cruz told faculty and staff in an email that Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Diane Stearns would be stepping away from the position on June 30, when her contract comes to an end.

Stearns has been in the position since 2019 when she became the fourth person to hold the provost position in as many years. She stepped into the role after holding an interim position as the head of the College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences.

In any presidential transition, as a new administration begins charting a path forward, there is often a need to assess and reorganize leadership teams to ensure that the institution is well positioned to advance its priorities and enact its values, Cruzs email to staff read. I have enjoyed meeting with Diane, recognize her service to the University, and support her decision.

The announcement of Stearns departure comes as several other top university officials will also be leaving in the coming months.
Beyond the way it undermines the rule of law, there are serious further limitations to the legal logic of the Texas approach.

Even though the Texas law isnt enforceable by state prosecutors, it would have to be applied by the states courts. And state judges are also state actors. It follows that federal courts should be able to order state courts not to apply the unconstitutional law  even before someone brings a lawsuit.

This reasoning is supported by a landmark civil rights case, Shelley v. Kraemer, in which the Supreme Court held that state courts could not enforce a racially restrictive covenant that prohibited property in a housing development from being sold to Black people. The justices said that state courts counted as state actors because they would be enforcing the law.

True, the tradition is to sue state prosecutors, not judges, to block enforcement. But thats because the Texas subterfuge hasnt really been tried before.

Imagine if the Texas law granted civil damages against anyone who ran a racially integrated lunch counter, in gross violation of the 14th Amendment guarantee of equal protection of the laws. The federal courts would surely be able to bar the state courts from applying the unconstitutional law. The anti-abortion law is no different.
PHOENIX (AP)  A $12.8 billion spending plan for the coming budget year that slashes income taxes by 25% over three years and shields the wealthy from having to directly pay a new surcharge to boost education spending was introduced in the Arizona House on Monday.

The fate of the deal hammered out between Republican leaders of the House and Senate and GOP Gov. Doug Ducey was murky as some Republicans expressed concerns about various components of the budget and all Democrats were solidly opposed to the $1.5 billion per year income tax cut.

With just a one-vote margin in each chamber, one Republican member can sideline a deal. And several members have said they have concerns, some because of spending that goes against their conservative principles and others because of the tax cuts, which are permanent and come as the state still carries large amounts of debt from the Great Recession.

It's almost overwhelming, the amount of spending, Republican Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita of Scottsdale said in an interview late last week. And its not sustainable.

While she has major concerns, Ugenti-Rita would not say she would oppose the budget if it were up for a vote.
Hit men killed one of her brothers in 2006, she said. He was a bus driver.

He had no money. The owner of the bus was the one who was supposed to pay, not him. He was just the bus driver. But they killed him, she said.

In 2011, her family and other families decided to try to buy some parcels of land to live on and grow crops. Gangs, however, did not agree with the purchase and threatened one her brothers, then killed him after he reported the threats to authorities. He was one of four siblings killed by gangs.

Keldy testified in open court against the killers. She received numerous threats and was told there was a price on her head.

The whole family fled to Mexico in 2013 but were deported by the Mexican government right away.

Back in Honduras, they fled to a rural mountainous area called El Naranjo in attempt to hide from the gangs. But in 2017, neighbors told her there were people asking about her schedule: When did she usually leave the house and when did she usually get back? The fear returned, and the family left for the United States.

She crossed the border with her youngest son Erick, now 17, and her middle child Mino, now 19, in the fall of 2017.
The Yuma Chamber of Commerce website says agriculture brings in an estimated $2.5 billion a year into the local economy.

Still, some farmworkers are nervous.

More than half a million agricultural workers had tested positive for COVID-19 in the U.S. as of March 10, according to Purdue Universitys Food and Agriculture Vulnerability Index. It estimated that just under 7,200 of those cases were in Arizona, about 1,000 of which were in Yuma County.

When our work partner sneezes, we all turn around, Teresa De Jesus Rodriguez, a migrant worker in Yuma, said in Spanish. Outside of work, we ask that person how they feel and make sure we always isolate the person.

It is a little stressful because some cannot keep their mask on while they are cutting the crops.

De Jesus Rodriguez said any health-protocol imperfections are not her employers fault.

They instruct us very well, they tell us what to do, what measures to take, she said. They dont just leave us here, they take good care of us.

But Evangelina Valdez, another migrant farm worker, cant shake her anxiety.